Breaking: Bomb Explosion hit Kano Central Mosque

Bomb Explosion has been reported at the popular Kano Central Mosque . This occurred just as worshiper at the central mosque were leaving for their homes. 

The Emir of Kano, Mohammed Sanusi II, who usually prays at the mosque was absent from the mosque during the explosion. At present, people are being taken away by any available vehicle.

No group has claimed responsility for the explosion

Breaking: Bomb Explosion hit Kano Central Mosque

Bomb Explosion has been reported at the popular Kano Central Mosque . This occurred just as worshiper at the central mosque were leaving for their homes. 

The Emir of Kano, Mohammed Sanusi II, who usually prays at the mosque was absent from the mosque during the explosion. At present, people are being taken away by any available vehicle.

No group has claimed responsility for the explosion

EBOLA: Vaccine Finally Developed

The first human trial of an experimental Ebola vaccine has produced promising results, U.S. scientists said, raising hopes that protection from the deadly disease may be on the horizon.

All 20 healthy adults who received the vaccine in a trial run by researchers from the National Institutes of Health in Maryland produced an immune response and developed anti-Ebola antibodies, the NIH said Wednesday.
None suffered serious side effects, although two people developed a brief fever within a day of vaccination.

The vaccine is being developed by the NIH's National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and British pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline. The process has been fast-tracked in light of the current catastrophic Ebola outbreak in West Africa, which has claimed more than 5,000 lives.


"Based on these positive results from the first human trial of this candidate vaccine, we are continuing our accelerated plan for larger trials to determine if the vaccine is efficacious in preventing Ebola infection," said Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

In this trial, genetic material from two strains of the Ebola virus, Sudan and Zaire, was delivered using a chimpanzee cold virus that does not harm humans. The vaccine does not contain the Ebola virus and cannot cause a person to be infected with Ebola, the NIH said. The current outbreak involves the Zaire strain.The adults, volunteers ages 18 to 50, were split into two groups. Half received an intramuscular injection of vaccine at a lower dose and 10 received the same vaccine at a higher dose, the NIH said.


Researchers tested the volunteers' blood at two weeks and four weeks after vaccination to determine if anti-Ebola antibodies had been produced.
All 20 volunteers developed such antibodies within four weeks of receiving the vaccine, with levels higher in those who were given the higher-dose vaccine.

Source: CNN

EBOLA: Vaccine Finally Developed

The first human trial of an experimental Ebola vaccine has produced promising results, U.S. scientists said, raising hopes that protection from the deadly disease may be on the horizon.

All 20 healthy adults who received the vaccine in a trial run by researchers from the National Institutes of Health in Maryland produced an immune response and developed anti-Ebola antibodies, the NIH said Wednesday.
None suffered serious side effects, although two people developed a brief fever within a day of vaccination.

The vaccine is being developed by the NIH's National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and British pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline. The process has been fast-tracked in light of the current catastrophic Ebola outbreak in West Africa, which has claimed more than 5,000 lives.


"Based on these positive results from the first human trial of this candidate vaccine, we are continuing our accelerated plan for larger trials to determine if the vaccine is efficacious in preventing Ebola infection," said Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

In this trial, genetic material from two strains of the Ebola virus, Sudan and Zaire, was delivered using a chimpanzee cold virus that does not harm humans. The vaccine does not contain the Ebola virus and cannot cause a person to be infected with Ebola, the NIH said. The current outbreak involves the Zaire strain.The adults, volunteers ages 18 to 50, were split into two groups. Half received an intramuscular injection of vaccine at a lower dose and 10 received the same vaccine at a higher dose, the NIH said.

Over 50% of senators back plan to impeach Jonathan

As reported by the Punch, over 50 percent of senators as of Thursday have signed up to the plan to impeach President Goodluck Jonathan in the upper legislative chamber.

One of the arrowheads of the move to remove Jonathan in the Senate showed our correspondent the list containing the signatures of the senators.
The source said eight Peoples Democratic Party senators were among the signatories to the planned impeachment notice.

There are 109 members in the Senate.
An All Progressives Congress senator from the North-West zone, who asked not to be named,said that the lawmakers’ major grouse was the President’s handling of the economy and political affairs of the country.

The senator cited poor implementation of the national budget since 2011, alleged high level of corruption and “gross disregard” of the legislature at both the federal and state levels as topping the list of lawmakers’ anger against Jonathan.

Asked whether he realised that the process of impeachment could be tedious and cumbersome, the senator said, “ We know and we are prepared to show the President that we have responsibility to the people and the nation in general.
“We are prepared to lay the impeachment notice anytime from next week. Meetings are already being held.”


Senator Ibrahim Musa (APC Niger North) confirmed that there were moves by some members of the Senate to initiate impeachment proceedings against the President but failed to give details.
“I think there is something like that but I don’t have the details, it is still coming as a rumour,” Musa said.

Source: Punchng

Over 50% of senators back plan to impeach Jonathan

As reported by the Punch, over 50 percent of senators as of Thursday have signed up to the plan to impeach President Goodluck Jonathan in the upper legislative chamber.

One of the arrowheads of the move to remove Jonathan in the Senate showed our correspondent the list containing the signatures of the senators.
The source said eight Peoples Democratic Party senators were among the signatories to the planned impeachment notice.

There are 109 members in the Senate.
An All Progressives Congress senator from the North-West zone, who asked not to be named,said that the lawmakers’ major grouse was the President’s handling of the economy and political affairs of the country.

The senator cited poor implementation of the national budget since 2011, alleged high level of corruption and “gross disregard” of the legislature at both the federal and state levels as topping the list of lawmakers’ anger against Jonathan.

Asked whether he realised that the process of impeachment could be tedious and cumbersome, the senator said, “ We know and we are prepared to show the President that we have responsibility to the people and the nation in general.
“We are prepared to lay the impeachment notice anytime from next week. Meetings are already being held.”

OPEC elects Nigeria's Petroleum Minister, Alison-Madueke as its first female president

The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC, has elected Nigeria’s Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, as its first female president.

Alison-Madueke, who would now succeed former President of OPEC, Libyan Vice-Prime Minister for Corporations, Abdourhman Atahar Al-Ahirish, was voted in as President of OPEC Thursday at the ongoing 166th General Meeting of the body in Vienna, Austria.

Before her election this morning, she was the alternate president of OPEC. She is expected to immediately begin serving her one-year term as the official in charge of OPEC affairs.

At its 166th meeting, OPEC is expected to take key decisions that could halt the dwindling price of crude oil.

In his opening remarks before the closed-door meeting, the outgoing president disclosed that ample supply, moderate demand, a stronger US dollar and uncertainties about global economic growth have been key factors in the recent price trend.

Source: Dailypost

OPEC elects Nigeria's Petroleum Minister, Alison-Madueke as its first female president

The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC, has elected Nigeria’s Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, as its first female president.

Alison-Madueke, who would now succeed former President of OPEC, Libyan Vice-Prime Minister for Corporations, Abdourhman Atahar Al-Ahirish, was voted in as President of OPEC Thursday at the ongoing 166th General Meeting of the body in Vienna, Austria.

Before her election this morning, she was the alternate president of OPEC. She is expected to immediately begin serving her one-year term as the official in charge of OPEC affairs.

At its 166th meeting, OPEC is expected to take key decisions that could halt the dwindling price of crude oil.

In his opening remarks before the closed-door meeting, the outgoing president disclosed that ample supply, moderate demand, a stronger US dollar and uncertainties about global economic growth have been key factors in the recent price trend.

Source: Dailypost

Jonathan, governors, others keep long motorcades, private jets as Nigeria struggles against falling oil revenues

President Goodluck Jonathan, and other officials of his administration, as well as governors and heads of the National Assembly are not letting off any of their conveniences as Nigeria battles dwindling revenues, retaining extra-large convoys and travel teams, and flying private jets and first class with public money while the same government says the nation must accept cutbacks to counter the oil crisis.

While the president and the governors have retained their long motorcades, the senate president, David Mark, and House of Representatives speaker, Aminu Tambuwal, are doing just the same.
Official convoys of the president averages 40 cars, those of the governors exceed 20. Mr. Mark’s convoy as of this week remained at least 12.
Governors travelling around the country mainly for their political needs continue to use private jets, maintained and fuelled at huge cost to public purse.

Only a few governors use public airplanes when travelling. An example is the Cross River State governor, Liyel Imoke. Former Anambra governor, Peter Obi, also did.

Rolling back official conveniences, no matter how little, are usually some of the first steps for nations battling economic downturns. Reduction in official vehicles could help save fuel and maintenance cost.

Nigeria is one of the countries worst hit by the dwindling oil price which currently hovers around $78 per barrel.
With no reprieve, President Goodluck Jonathan last week asked the National Assembly to lower Nigeria’s oil price benchmark from $78 per barrel to $73, to cushion further shocks at the international market, and to grow the Excess Crude savings which the government has turned to in recent months, to help pay workers’ salaries.

Finance Minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has said the government is planning higher taxes on high taste products such as champagne, and top range automobiles, to compel the rich to pay more to help the government deal with the situation.
She said the government will significantly minimize foreign travels, and purchase of new equipment in the 2015 budget.

“The governors, ministers and federal and state legislators should also be made to reduce their aides to a sizeable number that our economy can bear and whatever is gotten from this exercise should be used in supporting and bolstering the economy,” the union’s chairman, Francis Johnson, said in a release last week.'

Source: Premium Times

Jonathan, governors, others keep long motorcades, private jets as Nigeria struggles against falling oil revenues

President Goodluck Jonathan, and other officials of his administration, as well as governors and heads of the National Assembly are not letting off any of their conveniences as Nigeria battles dwindling revenues, retaining extra-large convoys and travel teams, and flying private jets and first class with public money while the same government says the nation must accept cutbacks to counter the oil crisis.

While the president and the governors have retained their long motorcades, the senate president, David Mark, and House of Representatives speaker, Aminu Tambuwal, are doing just the same.
Official convoys of the president averages 40 cars, those of the governors exceed 20. Mr. Mark’s convoy as of this week remained at least 12.
Governors travelling around the country mainly for their political needs continue to use private jets, maintained and fuelled at huge cost to public purse.

Only a few governors use public airplanes when travelling. An example is the Cross River State governor, Liyel Imoke. Former Anambra governor, Peter Obi, also did.

Rolling back official conveniences, no matter how little, are usually some of the first steps for nations battling economic downturns. Reduction in official vehicles could help save fuel and maintenance cost.

Nigeria is one of the countries worst hit by the dwindling oil price which currently hovers around $78 per barrel.
With no reprieve, President Goodluck Jonathan last week asked the National Assembly to lower Nigeria’s oil price benchmark from $78 per barrel to $73, to cushion further shocks at the international market, and to grow the Excess Crude savings which the government has turned to in recent months, to help pay workers’ salaries.

Jonathan’s government on the verge of destroying democracy – Obasanjo

Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo has again taken a swipe at President Goodluck Jonathan by declaring that the present administration was on the verge of destroying the country’s democracy.

Obasanjo who reiterated his position at a book Launch in honour of the pioneer chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, ICPC, Mustapha Akanbi‎, in Abuja, advised the President to stop encouraging verbal attacks which may later result to violence if not managed with care.

The former President said the greatest problem any government could create for itself is by constantly trying to destroy oppositions from all quarters. He said that such constant attack on those with opposing views was an attempt to destroy democracy.
“Management of democracy without resorting to brute force and dictatorial tendencies must be cultivated,’’ Obasanjo said.

“As a leader, you must not deliberately do evil or condone evil. You should know that you will one day give account to God, you may cover up here, but before God, there is no cover up.”
On national security, Mr. Obasanjo said Boko Haram was not out to “frustrate anyone’s political efforts” asserting that that it took Jonathan several years to ‎understand the demands of the insurgents.

Obasanjo who also spoke on corruption said corruption chiefly starts from the top and that “when the head is rotten, the whole body is useless”
He also blamed the present government for not saying exactly the true state of the country’s economy even as it dwindles on a daily basis. He said; “is not truly what the economy is. The economy is in doldrums, if not in reverse,” he said.

Source: Dailypost

Jonathan’s government on the verge of destroying democracy – Obasanjo

Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo has again taken a swipe at President Goodluck Jonathan by declaring that the present administration was on the verge of destroying the country’s democracy.

Obasanjo who reiterated his position at a book Launch in honour of the pioneer chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, ICPC, Mustapha Akanbi‎, in Abuja, advised the President to stop encouraging verbal attacks which may later result to violence if not managed with care.

The former President said the greatest problem any government could create for itself is by constantly trying to destroy oppositions from all quarters. He said that such constant attack on those with opposing views was an attempt to destroy democracy.
“Management of democracy without resorting to brute force and dictatorial tendencies must be cultivated,’’ Obasanjo said.

“As a leader, you must not deliberately do evil or condone evil. You should know that you will one day give account to God, you may cover up here, but before God, there is no cover up.”
On national security, Mr. Obasanjo said Boko Haram was not out to “frustrate anyone’s political efforts” asserting that that it took Jonathan several years to ‎understand the demands of the insurgents.

Obasanjo who also spoke on corruption said corruption chiefly starts from the top and that “when the head is rotten, the whole body is useless”

7 Potential Dangers of Naira Devaluation to Nigerians

It's no news again that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) through the Monetary Policy Committee has yesterday devalue the naira from N155 to N168 a dollar. The devaluation being around eight (8) percent.

Since 2008, the naira has been devalued by over 45 percent from N116 to N168 a dollar. The devaluation have been driven by dwindling Oil prices, weak economic policies and lax leadership. The international oil prices has nose dived from $112 to a barrel in June this year to less than $80  a barrel. The decline being over 30 percent have affected the Nigeria's monolithic economy being solely oil dependent. The Excess Crude Oil Fund which should serve as a cushion effect to the oil decline has been completely depleted by the Political Class.

 Here are the effect of Naira devaluation to ordinary Nigerians:

1. The Inflation Rate will increase
Inflation is increase in the cost of good and services in a country over a specified period of time. What this connotes is that cost of goods and services will increase while income is fixed. It  means one has to spend more in order to acquire a product. This will thus leads to lower buying capacity.

2. Cost of Funds Increases
As the naira is devalued, banks interest rate will go up and thus leads to higher cost of doing business in Nigeria. What this means is that business owners will have to pay more in other to carry out their business.

3. Interest Rate will increase.
In order for banks to secure their investment against inflation, the interest rate will go up. The increase is to compensate for inflation which might reduce or wipe their business capital

4.The Value of Household Income Reduces
Instant Naira devaluation means every Nigerians income have been reduced by 8 percent. What 1000 naira will buy last month will be less than what it can purchase today. The prices of goods and services will go up higher to compensate for the devaluation

5. Nigerians become poorer
Increase in prices of goods and service without corresponding increase in incomes leads to poverty. The value of  income is  logically  reduced which thus creates a poorer citizens

6. Cost of Importation Increases.
Nigeria being an import dependent economy will suffer with the devaluation of the naira. It means one has to spend more to import into the country.

7. Cost of Governance Increases.
Devaluation automatically increases the value of external debts and correspondingly the amount required for debt servicing. This will increase recurrent expenditure and reduce capital expenditure. It means Government will be doing less of Capital Projects will thus stiffens economic growth in the country.

7 Potential Dangers of Naira Devaluation to Nigerians

It's no news again that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) through the Monetary Policy Committee has yesterday devalue the naira from N155 to N168 a dollar. The devaluation being around eight (8) percent.

Since 2008, the naira has been devalued by over 45 percent from N116 to N168 a dollar. The devaluation have been driven by dwindling Oil prices, weak economic policies and lax leadership. The international oil prices has nose dived from $112 to a barrel in June this year to less than $80  a barrel. The decline being over 30 percent have affected the Nigeria's monolithic economy being solely oil dependent. The Excess Crude Oil Fund which should serve as a cushion effect to the oil decline has been completely depleted by the Political Class.

 Here are the effect of Naira devaluation to ordinary Nigerians:

1. The Inflation Rate will increase
Inflation is increase in the cost of good and services in a country over a specified period of time. What this connotes is that cost of goods and services will increase while income is fixed. It  means one has to spend more in order to acquire a product. This will thus leads to lower buying capacity.

2. Cost of Funds Increases
As the naira is devalued, banks interest rate will go up and thus leads to higher cost of doing business in Nigeria. What this means is that business owners will have to pay more in other to carry out their business.

3. Interest Rate will increase.
In order for banks to secure their investment against inflation, the interest rate will go up. The increase is to compensate for inflation which might reduce or wipe their business capital

Leadership lessons from Tigers

The tiger is regarded as one of the most remarkable animals in the world, its appearance and magestic exoticness has made people curious about it. But what really makes the tiger tick?
what are the things that makes the tiger such a great and fearsome creature?

In this piece we shall be examining four facts about tigers and what we as humans can learn from them. Enjoy and be inspired.

The tiger male waits for the female and cubs to eat first
In the “dog eat dog” world of the animal kingdom, it is not often that you find this kind of behaviour for an animal who can beat a Lion, so called king of the beasts in a one on one fight yet who still recognizes the fact that the weakest members of the family, the females and the cubs need to be taken care of first is worthy of note.

The tiger is an object lesson in the fact that you worth is not how powerful you are as an individual but how much you are willing to help in lifting up those weaker than you. A real man knows that he is responsible to certain people, it takes far more than testosterone.

The interesting thing about show of responsibility is that it is not taught. Unlike most other cats, tigers especially males are solitary and territorial creatures who have to start fending for themselves at tender ages. So for such a creature to have such a strong sense of fairness is remarkable indeed. The Tiger has learnt that the ability to defer, to sacrifice to put others first, to not want everything to go one’s way all the time is not a sign of weakness. We should all learn it too. Because as the Yoruba will say “prostrating for a dwarf will not prevent you from being tall.”

Tigers aim for large prey such as bears, rhinos and crocodiles
Most other animals prey on smaller animals than them, house cats prey on mice, big fish prey on small fish and even Lions would go for young antelopes and Zebras rather than grown ones. Tigers however target bigger animals, Tigers will attack Rhinos, Bears, half grown elephants or sometimes swim right into a river to attack a fully grown crocodile.
While it takes a pride of at least ten(10) lions to take down an elephant calf, a single tiger can do it all by itself. It is often said that no man can be considered great until he has achieved something greater than himself.

 Feats like this are testament to the tiger’s bravery and boldness. Where other predators see an invincible enemy, the Tiger is already seeing its next meal.
So how does the tiger manage to kill these animals, some of them who weigh as much as twice its own weight. By surprising them, a tiger lies in ambush and then attacks its prey and goes straight for the preys neck. The tiger is decisive, he is clinical, he knows he has only one shot and he goes for it, before the problem has a chance to recover and become more threatening.As Robert Greene says in his Laws of Power: “Enter action with boldness” the Tiger tackles its objective when it has the advantage before indecision paves way for failure, which leads to discouragement. It is the secret of the tiger’s greatness.

Tigers can imitate other animals to attract prey
One mantra that always recurs on this blog is “Be like the flowing water, forever adaptable.” Few animals exemplify this mantra more than the tiger. For example tigers normally go for their prey’s neck, bit it alters its tactics when attacking a crocodile, since the crocodile’s neck is covered with armoured skin, it will not bite the crocodile, instead it will attempt to blind the crocodile with its seven inches long claws and then attempt to flip the crocodile on its back so that it can slash the its soft underbelly like a surgeon’s scalpel. Also when hunting bears,tigers have been known to mimic bears’ prey in order to lure an unsuspecting bear expecting easy food, into its jaws. In the unpredictable world we live in today,in a world where everyday presents its own unexpected obstacles the difference between a successful man and a failed one often boils down to being able to adapt, to improvise, to think on one’s feet.

Tigers rarely view humans as prey but they may attack if threatened
It is okay to fight, if it is for a just cause.
As illustrated by the first point this piece raises, the tiger is a perfect gentleman when the occasion calls for it, but it can be a ferocious monster when defending its territory. One characteristic of living things we were taught in basic science back in Secondary School is Irritability. The ability, to feel, to respond to stimuli. We take it further by calling it the ability to get angry, to fight, in life you will face challenges, challenges that will knock you down, challenges that will make you doubt the very things you know and the very things that you hold dear. That is when you must fight back, where you must reclaim what belongs to you. When you fall seven times, stand up eight times, that is the mark of a true warrior, a winner worthy of honour and respect. That is why the tiger is highly feared and respected.

Source: Tribune

Leadership lessons from Tigers

The tiger is regarded as one of the most remarkable animals in the world, its appearance and magestic exoticness has made people curious about it. But what really makes the tiger tick?
what are the things that makes the tiger such a great and fearsome creature?

In this piece we shall be examining four facts about tigers and what we as humans can learn from them. Enjoy and be inspired.

The tiger male waits for the female and cubs to eat first
In the “dog eat dog” world of the animal kingdom, it is not often that you find this kind of behaviour for an animal who can beat a Lion, so called king of the beasts in a one on one fight yet who still recognizes the fact that the weakest members of the family, the females and the cubs need to be taken care of first is worthy of note.

The tiger is an object lesson in the fact that you worth is not how powerful you are as an individual but how much you are willing to help in lifting up those weaker than you. A real man knows that he is responsible to certain people, it takes far more than testosterone.

The interesting thing about show of responsibility is that it is not taught. Unlike most other cats, tigers especially males are solitary and territorial creatures who have to start fending for themselves at tender ages. So for such a creature to have such a strong sense of fairness is remarkable indeed. The Tiger has learnt that the ability to defer, to sacrifice to put others first, to not want everything to go one’s way all the time is not a sign of weakness. We should all learn it too. Because as the Yoruba will say “prostrating for a dwarf will not prevent you from being tall.”

Tigers aim for large prey such as bears, rhinos and crocodiles
Most other animals prey on smaller animals than them, house cats prey on mice, big fish prey on small fish and even Lions would go for young antelopes and Zebras rather than grown ones. Tigers however target bigger animals, Tigers will attack Rhinos, Bears, half grown elephants or sometimes swim right into a river to attack a fully grown crocodile.

Nigeria – a nation on death row...By Adekoya Boladale

In a few months time, Africa most populous nation, Nigeria will be heading to the polls to elect its political representatives in an electoral exercise that has been predicted to be the fiercest yet political battle in the history of the country and a great decider to the unity and continuous existence of the 1914 amalgam and by extension the stability of Africa as a whole.

For a country that has witnessed decades of military misrule and dictatorial governments, there is a resounding appeal to ensure the continuous play of democracy and political stability. Like every other country, Nigeria is faced with its own challenges. The slippery war against terrorism, where the dreaded Boko Haram group has continuously held the country to ransom with tonnes of atrocities among which are the numerous genocides that is claiming thousands of helpless and vulnerable lives.

The unabating kidnappings especially that of over 200 girls of Chibok Secondary School and the unending massacre of many others on a nearly daily basis has become a major source of concern to residents of the country and even the world at large.

The current political play in the country towards the 2015 general election points clearly towards doomsday. The country is currently divided along partisan class laced around religion and ethnicity. While majority of distance analysts simply see the current brouhaha as normalcy in the build up to the election, experiences of the immediate past points otherwise.

In 2011, shortly after the presidential election which saw Mr. Goodluck Jonathan emerged president, a devastating turmoil broke out in major states and cities in the Northern part of Nigeria. Many who had analysed the scenario saw it as the uprising of some individuals against the failure of their preferred candidate to emerge victorious but far away from this assumption, the violence that greeted the 2011 election was bitterness and hatred concoctioned in betrayal.

 As against the widely reported news then, the violence was nothing other than a civil war. For individuals like myself who was caught between the flames and brimstone it wasn’t just about loosing an election but the outpouring of decades of suppressed hatred, intolerance and ethnicity.

Individuals who were lynched and house razed weren’t done because of the differences in voting, it was a direct attack on non Muslims and non Northerners alike. Many who had lived in the North all their lives and even voted for the Northern candidate fell victim of this rage and innocent youth corps members’ ( who were seen as strangers to the land) were brutally declared persona non grata.

I say this because the current political situation in the country is heading towards 2011 and maybe much more dreadful. The major opposition party called the All Progressive Congress (APC) is hell bent on taking over the country’s affairs in 2015 while the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which has been in power for over 16 years has sworn not to let go.

But morality of the parties is nothing to lose sleep over. The greater threats are the candidates both are likely to put forward. President Jonathan sees a failed reelection as a shame and insult to his family and his region as a whole. His kinsmen from the Niger Delta feels the same and the unguarded statements from top ‘ex’ militants from the region (who seems to have an expansive arsenal) points clearly that they would give everything to hold on to power.

 The opponent on the other hand, retired general Buhari is a well respected man who enjoys a wide range of appeal across the country (except for his perceived rigid mono-religious believe) and commands an assembly of radical and unruly followers majorly Northern youths who are determined to ensure he emerge president or they die trying.

With the current postulations of possible electoral outcome, the odds favours the President as the Nigeria voting pattern is more ruralist than cosmopolitan. Unfortunately for the opposition, the rural climes are less concerned about who emerges president as their major concern is limited to the local and state politics hence the party with the most ubiquitous structure in a particular state wins such state no matter who is flagging its presidential flag. If Mr. Jonathan emerged victorious ‘the baboon’ may likely be ‘soaked in blood’.

Far from the rumoured analysis of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) of the possible breakaway of Nigeria in 2015, the response to another defeat of General Buhari in 2015 will be nothing short of catastrophic especially at a time when more weapons and IEDs seems to have gained access to the North coupled with a psychological frame mind of war that as engulfed the region as a result of the unending insurgency.

To say Africa will not share in this if Nigeria burns is underplaying the obvious. For a country of over 160,000,000 people the number of possible displaced persons seeking refuge will overwhelm the whole of Africa. Nigeria being a center piece of Africa’s unity will cause greater instability to other regions and creates a vibe of fear and a volcanic economic crisis.

Suggesting that the 2015 election be postponed will amount to only shifting the danger. 2015 deserves to hold, the people deserves to choose their leaders. A possible way to avert the looming war is having the President stepdown from the presidential race in the interest and unity of Nigeria but this will be asking too much of a man the world has already tagged weak and indecisive.

Another way out is appealing to the opposition party to chose another candidate other than Buhari whose defeat may send the country into flames but for a party that has given everything to become where and what it is today, such plea will appear selfish.

While the world awaits the coming tsunami, the electoral commission and indeed concerned world leaders should ensure that the parties and candidates sign an undertaken to take full responsibility of any uprising that might ensure after the election, such document shouldn’t be localised but better signed at Hague.

Nigerians should be made to understand that killing fellow citizens in the disguise of political persuation is nothing but murder and such can never be justified. Politicians are never worth dying or killing for, as those who declare war most often never lead.

Nigeria – a nation on death row...By Adekoya Boladale

In a few months time, Africa most populous nation, Nigeria will be heading to the polls to elect its political representatives in an electoral exercise that has been predicted to be the fiercest yet political battle in the history of the country and a great decider to the unity and continuous existence of the 1914 amalgam and by extension the stability of Africa as a whole.

For a country that has witnessed decades of military misrule and dictatorial governments, there is a resounding appeal to ensure the continuous play of democracy and political stability. Like every other country, Nigeria is faced with its own challenges. The slippery war against terrorism, where the dreaded Boko Haram group has continuously held the country to ransom with tonnes of atrocities among which are the numerous genocides that is claiming thousands of helpless and vulnerable lives.

The unabating kidnappings especially that of over 200 girls of Chibok Secondary School and the unending massacre of many others on a nearly daily basis has become a major source of concern to residents of the country and even the world at large.

The current political play in the country towards the 2015 general election points clearly towards doomsday. The country is currently divided along partisan class laced around religion and ethnicity. While majority of distance analysts simply see the current brouhaha as normalcy in the build up to the election, experiences of the immediate past points otherwise.

In 2011, shortly after the presidential election which saw Mr. Goodluck Jonathan emerged president, a devastating turmoil broke out in major states and cities in the Northern part of Nigeria. Many who had analysed the scenario saw it as the uprising of some individuals against the failure of their preferred candidate to emerge victorious but far away from this assumption, the violence that greeted the 2011 election was bitterness and hatred concoctioned in betrayal.

 As against the widely reported news then, the violence was nothing other than a civil war. For individuals like myself who was caught between the flames and brimstone it wasn’t just about loosing an election but the outpouring of decades of suppressed hatred, intolerance and ethnicity.

Jonathan supervises a corrupt govt, says Amaechi

President Goodluck Jonathan

Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State has said President Goodluck Jonathan “is supervising a highly corrupt government.” He also claimed that “there is no democracy yet in Nigeria.”

 

The governor, who spoke in Abuja on Saturday, insisted that he had no personal quarrel with President Jonathan, adding that if governance could be separated from the President, he (Jonathan) “remains a good man.”

 

He, however, regretted that the President “is supervising a highly corrupt government.”

He described the form of government being practised in Nigeria today as diarchy.

While reacting to the invasion of the National Assembly by the police on Thursday, Amaechi described the action as uncivilised.

 

He said the actions of the police in recent times had shown that they had been pocketed by the Presidency and the ruling Peoples Democratic Party.

He said, “We don’t have democracy in Nigeria yet. What we have is diarchy. We don’t have a democracy.

 

Diarchy is dictatorship. The Federal Government has appropriated the police as its personal property. The FG has taken over the police. See the way the police took over the National Assembly. By law, the police have no power to invade the National Assembly and they have no power to stop the Speaker from going in or out of the National Assembly complex. But they don’t obey law.”

He insisted that his party, the All Progressives Congress, would not go to court if the PDP decided to rig the 2015 presidential elections.

 

Instead of going to court, he said the APC would form a parallel government.

He said, “What is the essence of going to court when the Federal Government don’t obey the law. That’s why the APC say we won’t go to the court any longer. If you rig us out, we would rig ourselves in; which means if you think you can rig us out in 2015, we will form our own government. We have met on that and we have agreed on that. We will instal our own government and there would be two governments.

 

“The only way to avoid a parallel government is to have a free and fair election. You can’t continue to use the police as if it is a private agency or company of the government.”

While saying that the Police in South Africa is currently investigating President Jacob Zuma, he wondered if the police in Nigeria would be allowed to play such a role in the country.

 

“Are you aware that the President of the South Africa is being probed by the police? Can that happen here? In this country, they slap judges. Seven members of a state (Ekiti) House of Assembly claimed they have sacked a Speaker,” he added.

On Boko Haram, the governor said it would be difficult to convince Nigerians that the Federal Government was not deliberately allowing the crisis to continue in order for it to decimate the votes that would come from the North-East in 2015.

 

The zone is considered to be a stronghold of the APC.

Amaechi said Nigerians knew the capability of their soldiers, who he said went to Liberia and liberated the country from the hands of the rebels only for them to be having problems dislodging a rag-tag army of insurgents in the country.

 

He said, “The Federal Government deliberately allowed the Boko Haram to overrun many villages in the North-East. If it is not a political agenda, why would the military not be able to chase away the rag-tag army of Boko Haram?

“They don’t want elections to hold in the zone so that there wouldn’t be election in the zone. If there is no election in the North-East, they believe that the APC would lose.

 

“If they are not afraid of the APC, let them restore law and order. The zone is in the hands of the APC. Borno, Bauchi, Gombe, Adamawa and Yobe states are all APC states. The only state where it could be 50:50 is maybe Taraba State. Apart from this, other states in the zone have always voted for Maj.Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, one of our presidential hopefuls.”

 

Source: Punchng

Jonathan supervises a corrupt govt, says Amaechi

President Goodluck Jonathan

Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State has said President Goodluck Jonathan “is supervising a highly corrupt government.” He also claimed that “there is no democracy yet in Nigeria.”

 

The governor, who spoke in Abuja on Saturday, insisted that he had no personal quarrel with President Jonathan, adding that if governance could be separated from the President, he (Jonathan) “remains a good man.”

 

He, however, regretted that the President “is supervising a highly corrupt government.”

He described the form of government being practised in Nigeria today as diarchy.

While reacting to the invasion of the National Assembly by the police on Thursday, Amaechi described the action as uncivilised.

 

He said the actions of the police in recent times had shown that they had been pocketed by the Presidency and the ruling Peoples Democratic Party.

He said, “We don’t have democracy in Nigeria yet. What we have is diarchy. We don’t have a democracy.

 

Diarchy is dictatorship. The Federal Government has appropriated the police as its personal property. The FG has taken over the police. See the way the police took over the National Assembly. By law, the police have no power to invade the National Assembly and they have no power to stop the Speaker from going in or out of the National Assembly complex. But they don’t obey law.”

He insisted that his party, the All Progressives Congress, would not go to court if the PDP decided to rig the 2015 presidential elections.

 

Instead of going to court, he said the APC would form a parallel government.

He said, “What is the essence of going to court when the Federal Government don’t obey the law. That’s why the APC say we won’t go to the court any longer. If you rig us out, we would rig ourselves in; which means if you think you can rig us out in 2015, we will form our own government. We have met on that and we have agreed on that. We will instal our own government and there would be two governments.

 

Jonathan to Obasanjo: I’m Nigeria’s best leader

President Goodluck Jonathan has described himself as the best leader to be produced by Nigeria.

The President said no leader since the country gained independence in 1960 had done better than himself for the country.

 

He, therefore, said the comment made by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, in which the ex-President described Jonathan’s performance as below average, was untrue.

Jonathan said this in a statement by his Special Assistant on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, in Abuja on Sunday.

 

Okupe’s statement read, “Our attention has been drawn to comments made by a former President of this country, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, regarding the performance of the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan.

“Obasanjo had at an event over the weekend declared that he rated the President Goodluck Jonathan administration ‘below average’.

 

“We aver that Obasanjo’s comments are untrue, misleading and clearly do not tally with the facts on the ground.

“We therefore wish to assert without equivocation that in terms of performance and achievements, no administration since 1960 when Nigeria gained independence from Britain, has done as much as that of President Jonathan.”

 

He said that every discerning and unbiased Nigerian would definitely attest to this “as the evidence stare all of us in the face.”

Okupe, who had also worked with the former President while in office, added that contrary to Obasanjo’s position, the Federal Government under Jonathan had performed excellently given the prevailing circumstances and resources available to it.

 

He said while it was true that Nigeria had been faced with incidents of insurgency and terrorism, especially in the last few years, the Jonathan administration had successfully contained the initial widespread activities of the insurgents, which he said were prevalent in 12 states of the North, including the Federal Capital Territory.

 

He added, “While it is true that the present activities of the terrorists in the three north-eastern states have become more deadly in mindless killings, kidnappings and supposed territorial seizures, government has made giant diplomatic strides with our neighbouring countries in order to checkmate the crisscrossing of the insurgents.

 

“The military and other security agents, which have engaged the insurgents since inception, have done a great job in spite of recent challenges.

“The truth of the matter which we must know and accept is that we have an internal enemy supported by internal and external resources waging a major warfare against our nation.”

 

Source: Punchng

Jonathan to Obasanjo: I’m Nigeria’s best leader

President Goodluck Jonathan has described himself as the best leader to be produced by Nigeria.

The President said no leader since the country gained independence in 1960 had done better than himself for the country.

 

He, therefore, said the comment made by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, in which the ex-President described Jonathan’s performance as below average, was untrue.

Jonathan said this in a statement by his Special Assistant on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, in Abuja on Sunday.

 

Okupe’s statement read, “Our attention has been drawn to comments made by a former President of this country, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, regarding the performance of the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan.

“Obasanjo had at an event over the weekend declared that he rated the President Goodluck Jonathan administration ‘below average’.

 

“We aver that Obasanjo’s comments are untrue, misleading and clearly do not tally with the facts on the ground.

“We therefore wish to assert without equivocation that in terms of performance and achievements, no administration since 1960 when Nigeria gained independence from Britain, has done as much as that of President Jonathan.”

 

He said that every discerning and unbiased Nigerian would definitely attest to this “as the evidence stare all of us in the face.”

Okupe, who had also worked with the former President while in office, added that contrary to Obasanjo’s position, the Federal Government under Jonathan had performed excellently given the prevailing circumstances and resources available to it.

 

Nigeria on the verge of chaos – Tukur

Former DP Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur

More reactions have continued to trail last Thursday’s invasion of the National Assembly by the police as former Chairman of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur; a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Adeniyi Akintola and various groups and professional associations have condemned the invasion and called for caution.

While Tukur argued that the foundation of Nigeria’s democracy was shaking, Chief Akintola described the invasion as the height of impunity. Other groups and associations that condemned it include, Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria, PASAN; Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, ASCSN; Conference of Nigerian Political Parties, CNPP, and the National President of Nigerian Union of Journalists, Comrade Mohammed Garba.Tukur in his reaction, yesterday, said he was moved to tears with the way and manner Nigeria was turned into a state of chaos, warning politicians, especially the lawmakers and security operatives not to derail the nation’s democracy

.Tukur then called for a probe of the incident with a view to making amends and preventing a future occurrence.

According to him, Nigeria’s democracy was presently being rocked to its very foundation which would require all hands to be on deck to ensure that it does not collapse. He added that every Nigerian entrusted with sensitive public positions must learn to place National interest above every other consideration in his or her service to Nigeria.Nigeria’s democracy threatenedIn a statement he personally signed and made available to Journalists yesterday in Abuja, Tukur, who is Nigeria’s Ambassador-at-Large, also urged government officials and Nigerians in general to be wary of conducts capable of subverting the nation’s hard-earned democracy.

Tukur noted that putting Nigeria first at this critical phase of the Nigeria’s history will assist in preventing the perceived drifting of Nigeria towards the edge of a cliffhanger, adding that he has always been “moved to tears with the manner Nigeria is being gradually pushed to a state of chaos amid the crass display of lack of depth, wisdom and the national interest required of public office holders in managing situations in the country.”

The former PDP National Chairman was reacting to the chaos at the National Assembly last week which involved the security operatives as well as breakdown of confidence between political party leaders and members, on electoral matters.

On the face-off between the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Police, Tukur who urged the two parties to be mindful of national interest as they attempt to address their differences, stressed that a pang of depression ran through him, while watching federal legislators as they scaled high barricades to gain access to their offices with video clips of the event going viral in the social media, while many television stations across the globe gleefully feasted on the incident.

Source: Vanguard

Nigeria on the verge of chaos – Tukur

Former DP Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur

More reactions have continued to trail last Thursday’s invasion of the National Assembly by the police as former Chairman of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur; a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Adeniyi Akintola and various groups and professional associations have condemned the invasion and called for caution.

While Tukur argued that the foundation of Nigeria’s democracy was shaking, Chief Akintola described the invasion as the height of impunity. Other groups and associations that condemned it include, Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria, PASAN; Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, ASCSN; Conference of Nigerian Political Parties, CNPP, and the National President of Nigerian Union of Journalists, Comrade Mohammed Garba.Tukur in his reaction, yesterday, said he was moved to tears with the way and manner Nigeria was turned into a state of chaos, warning politicians, especially the lawmakers and security operatives not to derail the nation’s democracy

.Tukur then called for a probe of the incident with a view to making amends and preventing a future occurrence.

According to him, Nigeria’s democracy was presently being rocked to its very foundation which would require all hands to be on deck to ensure that it does not collapse. He added that every Nigerian entrusted with sensitive public positions must learn to place National interest above every other consideration in his or her service to Nigeria.Nigeria’s democracy threatenedIn a statement he personally signed and made available to Journalists yesterday in Abuja, Tukur, who is Nigeria’s Ambassador-at-Large, also urged government officials and Nigerians in general to be wary of conducts capable of subverting the nation’s hard-earned democracy.

Tukur noted that putting Nigeria first at this critical phase of the Nigeria’s history will assist in preventing the perceived drifting of Nigeria towards the edge of a cliffhanger, adding that he has always been “moved to tears with the manner Nigeria is being gradually pushed to a state of chaos amid the crass display of lack of depth, wisdom and the national interest required of public office holders in managing situations in the country.”

Jonathan’s performance as President Below Average – Obasanjo

Nigeria’s former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, on Friday delivered a damning verdict on the performance of the Goodluck Jonathan administration, describing it as “below average”.

Speaking at the ongoing Ake Arts and Book Festival in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Mr. Obasanjo also said security is the greatest danger Nigeria is currently facing.

“I rate this current administration below average,” Mr. Obasanjo said in response to a question about Mr. Jonathan’s performance.

The former president also said he deserved credit for helping an individual from a minority tribe become Nigeria’s President.

“Rather than take blame for bringing Jonathan to power, I should be taking credit,” he added.

The book chat session of the Festival, which ends on Saturday, was titled ‘Defining a legacy,’ and Mr. Obasanjo used the opportunity to note some of the highlights of his eight-year presidency.

He specifically underlined his refusal to sign death warrants during his tenure.

Mr. Obasanjo also shared some stories about his childhood and about his time in the military.

He then lamented that Nigeria has had a problem of leadership right from Independence in 1960.

“The biggest problem we have in Nigeria is that we have regional leaders, but no national leader.

“I have always believed that our problem as a country is that at independence we did not have a true leader.”

The former President denied speculations that he deliberately foisted a successor he knew was sick on the country. “Yar’Adua gave me concrete evidence that he was healthy,” Mr. Obasanjo said.

On why he did not field a former Governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke, as Vice President in 2007, the former President said, “You know Donald Duke is my boy. In my own life, I don’t put all my eggs in one basket.

“Donald Duke needs to tone down and have his feet on ground, now he is having his feet on the ground…” Despite being instrumental to Mr. Jonathan becoming president in 2010, Mr. Obasanjo has continued to be one of his fiercest critics.

Last December, the former President wrote a strongly worded letter to President Jonathan expressing dissatisfaction with the administration and warning him about the “danger that may be lurking in the corner”.

“Move away from culture of denials, cover-ups and proxies and deal honestly, sincerely and transparently with Nigerians to regain their trust and confidence,” Mr. Obasanjo wrote in the 18-page letter.

In the letter, Mr. Obasanjo also frowned at President Jonathan’s “deceit and deception” by stating that he had promised not to run for president in 2015, whereas his body language was showing a different stance.

“I had gone to Benue State for the marriage of one of my staff, Vitalis Ortese, in the state. Governor Suswam was my hospitable host. He told me that you had accepted a one-term presidency to allow for ease of getting support across the board in the North.

“I decided to cross check with you. You did not hesitate to confirm to me that you are a strong believer in a one term of six years for the President and that by the time you have used the unexpired time of your predecessor and the four years of your first term, you would have almost used up six years and you would not need any more term or time.

“As a leader, two things you must cherish and hold dear among others are trust and honour both of which are important ingredients of character.”

However, on November 11, Mr. Jonathan officially declared his intention to contest for president next year.

“History has shown that the path of honour for any true leader is not to walk away from his people in moments of challenges,” Mr. Jonathan had said before a mammoth crowd in Abuja.

“After seeking the face of God, in quiet reflection with my family and after listening to the calls of our people nationwide to run, I have accepted to present myself to run.”

Mr. Jonathan has repeatedly dismissed criticism by Mr. Obasanjo and other critics, saying he has done his best for Nigeria and delivered on his electoral promises to the electorate.

“We have advanced our regional, continental and global objectives,” Mr. Jonathan said on November 11 while formally declaring his intention to seek reelection.

“I am convinced that I have kept my pact with Nigerians, and it is now time to look to the future. With your tremendous support, we have collectively done so much in the last three and half years, but to take our country to the next level, there is still more to be done.”

But Mr. Obasanjo said in his famous December 2, 2013 letter that it would be “fatally morally flawed” for Mr. Jonathan to contest in 2015, adding, “… I will want to see anyone in the Office of the Presidency of Nigeria as a man or woman who can be trusted, a person of honour in his words and character.”

Source: Dailypost

Jonathan’s performance as President Below Average – Obasanjo

Nigeria’s former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, on Friday delivered a damning verdict on the performance of the Goodluck Jonathan administration, describing it as “below average”.

Speaking at the ongoing Ake Arts and Book Festival in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Mr. Obasanjo also said security is the greatest danger Nigeria is currently facing.

“I rate this current administration below average,” Mr. Obasanjo said in response to a question about Mr. Jonathan’s performance.

The former president also said he deserved credit for helping an individual from a minority tribe become Nigeria’s President.

“Rather than take blame for bringing Jonathan to power, I should be taking credit,” he added.

The book chat session of the Festival, which ends on Saturday, was titled ‘Defining a legacy,’ and Mr. Obasanjo used the opportunity to note some of the highlights of his eight-year presidency.

He specifically underlined his refusal to sign death warrants during his tenure.

Mr. Obasanjo also shared some stories about his childhood and about his time in the military.

He then lamented that Nigeria has had a problem of leadership right from Independence in 1960.

“The biggest problem we have in Nigeria is that we have regional leaders, but no national leader.

“I have always believed that our problem as a country is that at independence we did not have a true leader.”

The former President denied speculations that he deliberately foisted a successor he knew was sick on the country. “Yar’Adua gave me concrete evidence that he was healthy,” Mr. Obasanjo said.

On why he did not field a former Governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke, as Vice President in 2007, the former President said, “You know Donald Duke is my boy. In my own life, I don’t put all my eggs in one basket.

Pat Utomi leads campaign to have many Nigerian leaders jailed

Professor Pat Utomi

Former presidential candidate and renowned economist, Professor Pat Utomi, has dismissed most of those occupying leadership positions in Nigeria as worthy of being in jail, noting that “I’m carrying an international campaign to make sure many of them (the leaders) end up in jail in The Hague.” He called on youths to use the technology at their disposal to network and create a new nation instead of complaining on the side of the street.

The erudite academic, who disclosed this in an interview with Saturday Sun, wondered why Nigerians will collect N200 or N1000 to deliberately cast their ballot for somebody every normal thinking person knows would damage their future. He identified the attitude as what discourages him from fighting for the impoverished masses of the country.

Expressing lack of confidence in those who have so far indicated interest to run for president in next year’s poll, the former presidential candidate said, “If we continue to vote for people who don’t have knowledge and care about the people, then Nigeria’s progress would continue to be short changed. If the nation continues to be short-changed, it won’t be long before we become Somalia.

“If we want to move away from Somalia, we must start asking ourselves who are the people offering themselves for public office? How much sacrifice have we seen in the history of their lives for the good of other people? How much knowledge do they have about how a modern state runs? So, the tragedy of now is that Nigeria still continues like an experiment in the hands of political jobbers, thugs and other people that can bully others to corner power. If we want to stop this path, we can,” he noted.

Utomi, while condemning the situation where, “any armed robber that presents N10 million, gets ticket to become a governor,” stressed that leaders of the political party should identify credible persons who they want to project for elective positions and bring them into their party to vie for elective positions on their platforms, instead of having people offer themselves for elections.

Speaking on the falling price of crude oil and its implication on the nation’s economy, the cerebral economist faulted President Jonathan for not being able to curb the financial wastage in his administration, saying, “We must stop waste in government. The wastage is just too much. We just spent N19 billion organising a national conference. What for? If I get N19 billion, I will ensure that every child that goes to school in Nigeria has a free meal, and that would bring more kids to school.”

Source: Dailypost

Pat Utomi leads campaign to have many Nigerian leaders jailed

Professor Pat Utomi

Former presidential candidate and renowned economist, Professor Pat Utomi, has dismissed most of those occupying leadership positions in Nigeria as worthy of being in jail, noting that “I’m carrying an international campaign to make sure many of them (the leaders) end up in jail in The Hague.” He called on youths to use the technology at their disposal to network and create a new nation instead of complaining on the side of the street.

The erudite academic, who disclosed this in an interview with Saturday Sun, wondered why Nigerians will collect N200 or N1000 to deliberately cast their ballot for somebody every normal thinking person knows would damage their future. He identified the attitude as what discourages him from fighting for the impoverished masses of the country.

Expressing lack of confidence in those who have so far indicated interest to run for president in next year’s poll, the former presidential candidate said, “If we continue to vote for people who don’t have knowledge and care about the people, then Nigeria’s progress would continue to be short changed. If the nation continues to be short-changed, it won’t be long before we become Somalia.

“If we want to move away from Somalia, we must start asking ourselves who are the people offering themselves for public office? How much sacrifice have we seen in the history of their lives for the good of other people? How much knowledge do they have about how a modern state runs? So, the tragedy of now is that Nigeria still continues like an experiment in the hands of political jobbers, thugs and other people that can bully others to corner power. If we want to stop this path, we can,” he noted.

Utomi, while condemning the situation where, “any armed robber that presents N10 million, gets ticket to become a governor,” stressed that leaders of the political party should identify credible persons who they want to project for elective positions and bring them into their party to vie for elective positions on their platforms, instead of having people offer themselves for elections.

Back off, plan to arrest Tambuwal is recipe for chaos – APC cautions presidency

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has warned that the reported plan hatched by the Presidency to arrest House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Tambuwal could trigger a crisis that will be fatal for the nation’s democracy, hence there is the need to jettison the plan out of abundance of caution.

In a statement issued in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, on Saturday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the federal government will be pouring petrol on a naked fired by arresting the Speaker, following the failed attempt to prevent him from accessing the National Assembly to preside over the affairs of the House of Representatives on Thursday, and also in an apparent attempt to halt the current move to impeach the President.

”Published reports have corroborated what we know: That the plan on Thursday was to prevent Tambuwal from entering the National Assembly to pave the way for his Deputy, Emeke Ihedioha, who had already been allowed into the House, to preside over the removal of the Speaker. Were it not so, why would the police even try to seize the mace from the Sergeant-at-arms, as reported? Why would the police detain the Sergeant-at-arms for his refusal?

 What is the business of the police with the mace, which is the House’s symbol of authority?”It has also now been corroborated that the plan hatched by the PDP and the Presidency was to give Tambuwal the ”Ekiti treatment”, in which seven PDP members removed the Speaker in a 26-member House of Assembly. But for the quick thinking and action by the Honorable members who scaled the gate to access the Assembly, that plan would have succeeded and Tambuwal would have been removed as Speaker, the consequences of which no one would have been able to foretell.

”Therefore, instead of pillorying those who scaled the gate, we should be commending them for risking their lives to save our democracy. Those who shut the gate against the lawmakers and barred them from carrying out their constitutional duties are the villains, not the honorable members who acted in the nation’s interest,” it said.


APC said the ceaseless hounding of Rt Hon Tambuwal by the President and the PDP is patently provocative, to say the least, and calls into question the stated commitment of the Jonathan Administration to the rule of law.

”In the eyes of the law, Rt. Hon. Tambuwal remains the Speaker of the House of Representatives, despite his defection from the PDP to the APC. No matter what the PDP and the Presidency may feel, they are not the court of law, which is the only body that can make a definite pronouncement on the fate of the Speaker.
”The Speaker also remains the number two man in the hierarchy of the Legislative Arm of government, which is distinct from the Executive Arm headed by the President.

It is therefore not only unconstitutional but also anti-democratic and anarchic for the PDP-led government of President Goodluck Jonathan to continue to hound the Speaker and desecrate the hallowed chambers of the National Assembly, using the police force that has now become the enforcement arm of the ruling party, having dropped all pretences to neutrality and professionalism,” APC said.

The party said at a time the political atmosphere has become so charged by the government-backed police assault on the National Assembly, it is a perilous game to seek to arrest the Speaker, for whatever reason, unless of course the Administration is bent on deliberately plunging the nation into crisis.

”It is difficult to fathom the reason behind the government’s increasing resort to recklessness, but it may not be unconnected with the rising desperation by the ruling PDP to hold on to power at all cost. Perhaps now that it has started seeing the handwriting on the wall with Nigerians clamouring for change, this government may be tilting towards its last option of throwing the nation into crisis to prevent the 2015 elections from holding.

”We are therefore calling on all men and women of good conscience, especially those who have the ears of the President, to prevail on him not to push the nation into any worse crisis than it is currently encountering. With terrorists daily killing and maiming Nigerians, forcing more than 1.5 million people to flee their homes and threatening the nation’s territorial integrity, the government’s trifling is baffling, and should stop forthwith,” it said.

Source: Dailypost