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15 perm secs quit in Kano

2011-05-19T08:17:00.001-07:00

Malam Ibrahim Shekarau

Ten days before Alhaji Rabiu Kwankwaso resumes as governor of Kano State, fifteen permanent secretaries in the state civil service including Alhaji Dahiru Shekarau of the Science and Technology Ministry, elder brother of the outgoing governor Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, have tendered their letters to the state Head of Service to retire from service, Daily Trust learnt in Kano yesterday. Also quitting at month’s end is Alhaji Sabo Abdurrahman of the all important Water Resources Ministry, under whose watch the Shekarau administration spent billions of naira to execute gigantic water contracts. Dahiru Shekarau and Sabo Abdurrahman are among the most powerful government figures in Kano civil service during the Shekarau era.

Of the 15 permanent secretaries reported to have signified their intension to quit, 12 have already forwarded their resignation letters to the Head of Service, Daily Trust learnt.

Competent government sources told Daily Trust that the decision of the top civil servants to resign followed the victory of Engineer Rabiu Kwankwaso in the April 16 governorship election in Kano. Their fear, according to the source, was that they might either be demoted or sacked out rightly because of their open political partisanship.

Governor Ibrahim Shekarau’s media aide Sule Ya’u Sule confirmed the exodus of the senior public servants but was not sure of the total number who are resigning from service. Most of the permanent secretaries were appointed by the outgoing governor. PDP members allege that some of the appointments were on the basis of patronage or personal closeness to the Shekarau government.

It was gathered that since the civil service rules allow for either three months in lieu of notice before resignation or payment of three months’ salary to proceed instantly for those who served pensionable years, those top government officials have mostly opted to choose the latter by giving three months’ salary which is not less than N1 million per person.

Daily Trust also learnt that another dilemma for the permanent secretaries is whether or not the state ministry of finance can pay up their severance gratuity and service gratuity amounting to close to N15 million for each one of them.

However, the governor-elect Rabiu Kwankwaso has been allaying the fears since his victory, saying his administration would not witch-hunt public servants because of their perceived partisanship in last elections. He said his government will carry everybody along in the discharge of its responsibilities.

It will be recalled that in 2003 when Kwankwaso lost to Shekarau, a similar fate engulfed six permanent secretaries whose loyalty to the Shekarau administration was in doubt. They were therefore given the option of either to remain in service but revert to the rank of directors or proceed on premature retirement.

Three of them, it was gathered, accepted demotion to directors while the other three proceeded on premature retirement.

Even though efforts to get the state Head of Service to confirm the development proved abortive, a highly credible source in the office of the head of service confirmed that permanent secretaries in the state have been forwarding their resignation letters since the announcement of April governorship election results in the state. The source also said their request had been graciously granted.

Government spokesperson Sule Ya’u Sule said even though he was not certain about the number of the permanent secretaries resigning, a lot of civil servants in the state would rather resign during the present administration given Shekarau’s good pension policy in Kano.

“I know a lot of senior civil servants will resign even prematurely for fear that they may not be paid their service gratuity in good time if they leave service during the incoming administration,” Sule said.

Tension is high between the outgoing and the incoming governments in Kano because Kwankwaso was defeated by Shekarau in the 2003 elections. In the years that followed, Kwankwaso was probed by the Shekarau regime and indicted by a judicial commission of inquiry, which he rejected and fought all the way through the courts.

Why I can’t reduce ‘large’ cabinet, by Jonathan

2011-05-19T08:15:00.001-07:00

President Goodluck Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday said it would be impossible for his government to prune down federal cabinet to a sizeable one because the constitution stipulates that each state of the country must produce a minister. Jonathan said this in Abuja at a valedictory session with members of the T.Y. Danjuma-led Presidential Advisory Committee who wound up their assignment yesterday.

The 26-member Danjuma committee, set up March last year by Jonathan when he was acting president, had urged the president to reduce federal ministries to 18 at most and to rationalise all non-ministerial agencies to eliminate overlap, duplication and redundancies.

It frowned at a situation where there are 30 federal ministries and a plethora of extra-ministerial departments, 42 ministers and special advisers and assistants.

Jonathan said his personal preferences tilt towards a leaner and highly efficient cabinet but noted that it was virtually impossible due to extant constitutional provisions.

He said: “Your suggestion for a smaller cabinet is excellent and I agree with you, but this cannot be achieved without constitutional amendment.”

The President, however, said suggestions and advice which PAC offered to the government played a key role in stabilizing the administration, and that its final report would form part of the policy direction of the incoming administration.

He thanked them for accepting to serve the nation in spite of their individual schedules, and informed them that the Federal Government would continue to tap from their wealth of experience in the years ahead.

Earlier, Danjuma, said they were privileged to have been selected to proffer advice to the new administration, adding that all members had contributed immensely to the committee’s work.

The committee recommended that recurrent expenditure should not exceed 40% of the national budget and this should determine the size of the government. The committee also recommended a pruning of the budget deficit to no more than 3% of GDP; limiting borrowing by federal and state governments to only productive projects; stopping the legislature from hiking budget proposals; strict adherence to a policy of zero tolerance for corruption, among others.

The committee had lawyer Ben Nwabueze, as the deputy chairman and Permanent Secretary (Special Duties) in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation as Secretary.

Other members were Fola Adeola; Abubakar Gimba; Basil Omiyi; M. D. Yusuf; Emeka Anyaoku; G. B. Preware; Bartholomew Nnaji; Kase Lawal; Muhammed Hayatuddeen; Alfa Belgore; Chibudom Nwuche; Mobola Johnson; Halita Aliyu; Magaji Dambatta; B. G. Bajoga; Sally Bolujoko; Mariam Uwais, and Kanu Agabi.

Presidency, PDP plot to defeat anti-zoning MPs

2011-05-19T08:14:00.000-07:00

The presidency and National Working Committee of the People’s Democratic Party are angry that anti-zoning members of the House of Representatives are inching closer to embarrassing the party by acting contrary to its decision to zone the position of speaker to the South West. The presidency has therefore planned a counter move to unsettle the anti zoning group that is fronting for the election of Deputy House Leader Aminu Tambuwal as Speaker, Daily Trust has learnt.

A presidency source said Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo has been saddled with the responsibility of backing the acting na-tional chairman of the party Dr. Bello Haliru to ensure that the interest of the PDP in the new leadership of the National Assembly is achieved to the latter.

“They are worried that Tambuwal has allowed himself to be used by the opposition to embarrass the party during the inauguration and the presidency is saying it is not acceptable,” the source said yesterday.

As part of the plot, the Vice President met last week with newly elected House members under the aegis of the Seventh Assembly Group in Abuja to persuade them to respect the zoning formula. At the meeting which was attended by some top party leaders including the National Vice Chairman, South-West, Alhaji Tajudeen Oladipo, the Vice President harped on party discipline and stressed the need to respect the zoning formula agreed on by the party’s caucus of PDP.

But according to the source, attempts to sit with Rep Tambuwal whose electioneering so far has unsettled the presidency has proved very difficult as he has made himself ‘incommunicado’. Rep Tambuwal could not be reached at press time but a close ally who preferred to speak off record confirmed that the lawmaker has not met with the party’s leadership so far.

He described the Tambuwal project as a popular movement that emerged from among members in view of his sterling leadership qualities.

Meanwhile, the presidency source said three lawmakers being touted to replace the current House leadership last week had an interactive session with some top officials in the villa. Though the party had earlier endorsed Rep Ajibola Muraina, who is believed to be sponsored by former president Olusegun Obasanjo, the leaders who engaged the aspirants last week were said to have expressed some reservation about his candidacy after the interaction.

The source said the leaders may have started looking the way of Rep Mulikat Adeola, also from Oyo State as Muraina to stick to the zoning arrangement even though Obasanjo has stamped his feet on the godson of his late political ally, Lamidi Adedibu. Adeola was also said to have met with the leaders at the villa.

The leaders are said to have approved Rep Yakubu Dogara from Bauchi State to team up with the speaker as Deputy Speaker believing that he would serve as a stabilising force for the leadership.

Senate changes rules, rigs Mark in

2011-05-19T08:12:00.000-07:00

The Senate yesterday amended sections of its standing rules pertaining to the election of new presiding and principal officers and paved the way for Senator David Mark to stand almost unopposed for the Senate President’s job when the Seventh Senate convenes early next month. At least 80 percent of the current senators are not returning to the chamber next month. Mark was expected to be challenged for the top job by incoming senators Muhammadu Danjuma Goje and Abubakar Bukola Saraki, currently governors of Gombe and Kwara States respectively, who are now shut out by the amended rules.

At yesterday’s session, the Senate deleted its rule 97 (1)(f) that deals with consideration of seniority in election of Presiding and Principal Officers and replaced it with a new section (3)(2) that provides strict guidelines for the emergence of Senate leaders based on sharply spelt out ranking procedures.

The old rules, which did not clearly spell out the ranking procedure, were set aside in 2007 to allow then brand new Senator George Akume of Benue to contest for the office of Senate President against Mark, who was then entering his third term in the Senate.

Mark won that contest with the heavy support of former president Olusegun Obasanjo, but this time around, despite his being endorsed by the PDP national leadership to reoccupy the position, Mark yesterday led his colleagues to amend the rules and thereby scuttle the ambitions of any fresh senators that may be eyeing his seat or those of any other ranking members of the Senate.

Adopting a motion moved by outgoing Senate Leader Teslim Folarin, the Senate passed the new rule that provides “nomination of senators to serve as presiding officers and appointments of principal officers and other officers of the senate or on any parliamentary delegations shall be in accordance with the ranking of senators; “(b) In determining ranking the following order shall apply: (i) senators returning based on number of times re-elected (ii) senators who had been members of the House of Representatives (iii) senators who have been members of a State House of Assembly or any other Legislative House (iv) Senators elected as senators for the first time.”

Speaking while ruling on the motion for the amendment, Mark said there is nothing new in the amendment as it already exists. He said the Senate “cannot be intimidated by some outsiders into dumping an amendment that aims at strengthening the institution of Senate.”

He said, “This is not a rule that is new. It exists. We want to move it from 97(1) (f) to 3(2). Any new senator who is not ranking today would be ranking tomorrow. It is for the strengthening of the senate as an institution. This has nothing to do with David Mark but the institution of Senate. Commentators outside are ignorant of the rules and they were trying to blackmail us.

“There is nothing wrong with what we are doing now. If we chicken out because a few people are not comfortable with, I think it is not the right thing to do.”

The practical import of yesterday’s rule changes are that when the new Senate is inaugurated on June 6 or 7, the race for Senate President will be open only to the two fourth-term senators, namely Senator David Mark of Benue and Senator Bello Hayatu Gwarzo of Kano, unless both of them decline to show interest.

Gwarzo has so far not shown any interest in the job, but Mark is already campaigning to retain the job he held in the last four years, as evidenced by his speech at the senators’ induction course in Kano three days ago.

Under the new rule, if the two most senior senators decline the job, then third and second term senators could vie for it, followed by former members of the House of Representatives, then former members of state assemblies, followed by fresh senators who were not members of any legislative house. While Bukola Saraki has no legislative experience, Goje was a member of the House of Representatives in the Second Republic, but it is not clear whether the rules recognise that as seniority.

a source in the Senate told Daily Trust yesterday that the desperation by Mark and his supporters to amend the rules was because 80 percent of the new Senate’s members will be fresh termers and there is the fear that they could team up to defeat the older senators, as nearly happened in 2007. In particular, there is much fear of the two former governors Goje and Saraki, who are thought to be working through other governors to lock up the support of many freshmen senators, hence the changes to shut them out.

The Senate also amended rule 111 of its standing order to provide for continuity of legislative process in respect of bills and other activities of the chamber.

The new rule now provides that “the legislative business of the senate which remains undetermined at the close of a session of the Senate shall be resumed and proceeded with in same manner as if no adjournment of the senate had taken place and all papers referred to committees and not reported upon at the close of session of the Senate shall be returned to the office of the Clerk of the Senate and retained until the next session of the Senate when they shall be returned to the several committees to which they had previously been referred.”

The new rule may however be at variance with provisions of the 1999 Constitution which provides that the life of every session of the National Assembly terminates at the end of the session. Matters pending at the end of the session were in the past adjudged to have terminated with the session.

Goodluck Jonathan Stoned By Crowd In Uganda, Police Kill One Attacker

2011-05-14T04:26:00.000-07:00

KAMPALA, UGANDA—Ugandan police shot at a crowd in the capital Kampala after it attacked a car carrying Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan who had attended President Yoweri Museveni's inauguration, a government spokesman said.

At least one person was killed in the incident.

“The car belonging to Goodluck Jonathan was stoned by mobs,” said Fred Opolot, director of the government media centre. “The security shot around the area, and one person was shot dead.”

The 25-year leader was sworn in to a fourth term.

Opposition leader Kizza Besigye over the last month has been leading “walk to work” protests over the rising cost of food and fuel. Besigye, whom Museveni defeated in his February re-election win, said the marches are also to protest government corruption.

Those marches have been the most serious unrest in sub-Saharan Africa since protests swept out leaders in Egypt and Tunisia. Museveni says he will not be swept from office by Egypt-style protests.

A 21-gun salute rang out before a crowd of thousands who watched the country’s chief justice administer an oath to Museveni. Leaders from Kenya, Tanzania, Southern Sudan, Nigeria, Congo, Ethiopia and Zimbabwe attended the ceremony.

Museveni appeared to make reference to Besigye in a speech, saying that opponents wanted to cause chaos but that their “disruptive schemes” will be defeated.
Museveni said the country would begin pumping oil within three years, and that Uganda would no longer need to rely on imports.

He also sought to highlight the country’s progress in the last 25 years, saying that 8 million primary students are in school today compared with 2.5 million in 1986. He also promised to fight corruption.

Museveni also indulged in a moment of self-congratulations, saying: “I thank the Ugandans for overwhelmingly voting for me with 68.3 per cent.”

Although official returns showed Museveni winning that amount, Besigye says the results were falsified, and that Museveni and Besigye both received a bit under 50 per cent of the vote, an outcome that would have required a runoff.

Uganda has seen sharp spikes in food and fuel prices the last several months, making car or bus travel unaffordable for many. Anger over the increases has fuelled Besigye’s protests, and security forces have clashed with protesters around the country. Human Rights Watch says government forces have shot and killed nine people during crackdowns on protests.

Museveni, an ex-rebel commander who seized power at the head of a guerrilla army in 1986, once criticized African rulers who clung to power. In 2001 he promised to retire from politics despite lifting a two-term limit on the presidency so he could run again in 2006. But now Museveni says he is fostering peace, stability and growth.

African strongmen of old are under increasing pressure. Moammar Gadhafi, who has ruled Libya since 1969, is battling attacks from Libyan rebels and NATO. Robert Mugabe in Zimbabwe, who attended Thursday’s inauguration, has been in power since 1980. He has refused to accept a 2008 election defeat.

With files from the Associated Press.

Thieves ransack Emir Ado’s bedroom

2011-05-14T04:21:00.000-07:00

Thieves broke into the palace of the Emir of Kano Alhaji Ado Bayero on Tuesday night and carted away large amounts of money, Daily Trust learnt from police and palace sources in Kano yesterday.

The thieves gained entry into the monarch’s apartment and removed money believed to be in millions while the emir was away in London, a palace source said.

A source said the thieves broke many wardrobes, trunk boxes and drawers and truned the whole apartment upside down.

More than a dozen persons have already been arrested by the police in Kano State over alleged complicity in the theft, among them one of Alhaji Ado Bayero’s sons and a lady, the sources also said. The suspects are being held at Kwalli Police Division in Kano metropolis. Also in the custody of the police are palace guards and other individuals accused of having a hand in the alleged theft.

The theft was said to have taken place late in the night at a room in the palace used specifically for keeping the emir’s valuables, including money. The suspected thieves did not break or damage any of doors in the apartment while making their way to the vault located in the highly guarded section of the palace, said the source, who further disclosed that the development raised suspicions of an insider job.

A source said ten palace guards are deployed on a daily basis to secure the said room. Police sources also said the emir’s son was suspected of having hand in the crime because was seen at the palace on the day the incident occurred, even though he is a Customs officer based in Kaduna. “This person left a day after the theft and when our officers trailed him to Kaduna, he was on a spending spree. So they arrested him and brought him to Kwalli Division,” said the source.

The only lady among the suspects was said to have been picked by the police because of the free access she enjoys around the palace. Others suspects in police net include senior palace guards, known as Dogorai. The source told Daily Trust that the arrests may not yet be over.

When contacted yesterday, the spokesperson of the Kano Emirate Council Professor Isa Hashim said he was not aware of the case. He said he had just returned to the country from Cairo, where he went for medical check-up. All attempts to speak to the Kano Police Command’s spokesperson ASP Musa Magaji Majiya on the issue failed.

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Bankole survives suspension over secret loan

2011-05-14T04:17:00.001-07:00

Speaker Dimeji Bankole yesterday survived moves by some members to suspend him over allegations that he took a loan of about N10 billion without approval of the House.

Bankole, who appeared at the House as demanded by members, forced the House into a closed session as several members insist that the matter should be discussed in the open.

At the end of the session, the Speaker said “the House in closed session discussed issues concerning the House and the Speaker offered explanation satisfactorily. Payment of emoluments to suspended members is being resolved.”

Several members protested the position by shouting ‘no’ but when the question was put by the Speaker; majority voted that they were satisfied by the explanations offered by Bankole on the contentious issues of House finances and the loan.

But a member who spoke to Daily Trust on condition of anonymity said the Speaker revealed that the House is indebted to some banks but that the issue is being resolved and members emoluments will soon be paid.

He said “I am surprised because the Speaker said he took the loan in May last year. I thought the loan was taken this year in view of the fact that the budget has not been signed so that when the budgetary allocation comes, they will use it to settle the loan. But that was not the case.”

The members said “the loan was collected May last year to subsidise House spending in anticipation of budgetary releases. When the anticipated money failed to come they now started rolling it over and over. In my own estimation this loan of about N10 billion is stealing.”

Senate: No contest against David Mark

2011-05-14T04:11:00.000-07:00

There is no contest for the office of the President of the Senate to warrant any change of rules as the incumbent Senator David Mark is on the verge of emerging as an unopposed candidate for the top job, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Information and Media, Senator Ayogu Eze said in Abuja yesterday.

Speaking on the outgoing Senate’s controversial moves to amend the Senate Standing Rules in order to shut out all new senators from eyeing the presiding and principal officers positions in the Red Chamber, Eze said there was no contest in the first place to warrant any rigging of the rules.
He said, “I want to say that the issue of ranking senators taking precedence on matters of presiding officers down to committee chairmanship is already in our rules. Section 97 (1f) of the rule is clear on that. What we are doing now is just to make clarification, which is not provided in the present rule.”

Eze denied any selfish motive behind the amendment saying, “it is not about David Mark or any other individual in the Senate. It is about deepening our democracy. It has nothing to do with Mark as a person, it is all about institutional integrity on how to stabilise our democracy.”

He said the incumbent Senate President has performed well enough to earn a return. “Do you really think there is a contest? There is no contest to warrant amendment for any individual,” he said.

Eze also said the proposed amendment is in line with Section 60 of the 1999 Constitution which empowers each chamber of the National Assembly to regulate its own proceedings. “You may be aware that some people that have not even come to the chamber are thinking of going to court to challenge our ability to exercise Section 60 of the Constitution,” he said.

He said experience matters much in the task of presiding over the Senate, saying “as a second term senator, if you make me a presiding officer it will be a major challenge, not to talk of someone who is just coming for the first time.”

Meanwhile, a meeting of all senators-elect has been scheduled for tomorrow in Abuja to further iron out the issues surrounding selection of presiding officers, principal officers and committee chairmen before the inauguration of the new Senate.

Sources among the incoming senators, who will form a majority in the next Senate, told Daily Trust yesterday that they are moving to throw overboard the controversial amendments being pushed by outgoing senators to the Senate rules in order to railroad a second tenure for David Mark. An incoming senator said, “they [the outgoing senators] are labouring in vain. They were there for four years and they did not amend the rules, until most of them were defeated in the elections and they are just about to depart. Mark is using them for his rigging plans, but it won’t work. We will throw out the new rule first thing in the new term.”

Jega: Voters can wait for results

2011-04-01T04:17:00.001-07:00

Prof. Attahiru Jega

Mogae: That’s good, but..

PDP: People should not wait

Voters in tomorrow’s elections should be allowed to stay behind at the polling centres until the ballots are counted and the results are declared in so far as they remain calm and law abiding, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Professor Attahiru Jega said in Abuja yesterday. His latest declaration heightened the tug-of-war that has been raging on this matter since last week between INEC on the one hand and the Federal Government, security agencies and the ruling Peoples Democratic Party [PDP] on the other.

Also speaking on the matter speaking on this issue yesterday, former Botswanan President Dr. Festus Mogae welcomed it, saying it will enhance transparency, but said the concerns of security agencies also valid. However, the ruling PDP’s acting national chairman condemned INEC’s stance, saying it could cause security problems at the polling stations.

Speaking when he received the Commonwealth election observer delegation led by Mr. Mogae in his office, Prof. Jega disagreed with the position of the police and other security agencies that voters must leave the polling stations after casting their ballots.

Mogae had told Jega that some stakeholders have raised concerns over possibility of violence if a large number of voters are kept at the polling stations for long hours for accreditation, voting and to also wait until votes are counted. He also asked Jega to make clarifications on the issue of the distance within which voters are to stay away from the balloting area. Mogae said, “There is the issue raised on how far should the voters stay away from the polling stations.

The police said 300 meters, while you said 30 meters are enough.” The INEC chairman replied, “The system of accreditation that we have adopted was used in 1993 and the result of that election is accepted as the most credible in our history, but it was unfortunately annulled by the military. We also used it recently for the re-run governorship election in Delta State and it was also successful. From our experience there is nothing that has shown that the procedure of accreditation will fail.”

On the issue of voters waiting behind to protect their votes, Jega said the police are relying on a provision of the Electoral Act which prohibits activities such as wearing of party attires, campaigns and loitering within 300 meters of the polling stations.

He said, “That is what the police is basing its own decision on but I believe that a voter that has been accredited to vote cannot be said to be loitering. Any voter that has cast his vote and is ready to wait patiently until the votes are counted and that remains calm and law abiding, I believe should be allowed to wait. That is why we say that 30 meters away is enough.”

He said the security agencies are apprehensive as a result of the spate of pre-election violence in some parts of the country. He said, “They probably know more than we do because it is the issue of security and it is their role. I think the final say on this matter, we will leave it to the security agencies to determine.”

The chairman however told the delegation that the people are committed to credible elections this time around, saying “Our experience shows that if there is transparency, which is what we want to bring into the system, the people will wait and get the result, accept it and go away.”

On the issue of military patrols, the INEC chairman said soldiers are to carry out their operations discretely unless where direct intervention becomes necessary. He said, “Even the policemen that will be at the polling stations will not carry arms. Most of the patrols would be by armed mobile police, sometimes assisted by the military.”

He said the security agencies will be on hand to deal with any security situation during the election and that any voter waiting behind for votes to be counted but becomes unruly would be removed from the polling station by the police.

Mogae expressed optimism that INEC under professor Jega is capable of conducting credible elections in the country, saying the resolve has been demonstrated in its preparation for the polls. He said the Commonwealth has deployed observers to seven locations in the country and is in constant interaction with stakeholders to ensure that the polls are credible and peaceful.

Daily Trust however gathered that top security officials in the country have raised concern on the security implications of keeping hundreds of voters within polling stations for hours, which they said could lead to conflicts. The security heads are said to be insisting on reversal of the procedure so that voters can get accredited and vote immediately, and then leave the polling stations.

Meanwhile, President Mogae told Daily Trust yesterday that the idea of voters staying back at the polling units after casting their votes so as to observe the counting process is good in itself because it would strengthen the transparency of the electoral process.

He however said the concerns raised by the security agencies over this was also justified, given that any little provocation could spark violence among the mass of people at the polling stations. He said there is a wave of excitement and confidence among the people ahead of the polls, but added that there is apprehension over the potentials of violence.

“There has been talk of defending the mandate; people saying they are going to vote and they are going to stay there to ensure that their votes count, which is good on one hand. On the other hand there are usual tensions of competition which also then gives rise to some apprehension of possibilities of violence given the apparent intense determination on the part of almost everybody to ensure that their votes count and apparent determination to try to do it even physically—sit there at the polling station to ensure that their votes count,” he said.

“On one hand, INEC has been very transparent and is anxious to assure everybody…that they are willing to be transparent…. And therefore if you say I want to be looking at what you are doing, they say ‘oh, by all means, come and watch what we are doing.’ Which is good. It’s reassuring.

“On the other hand, we as observers cannot help but share some of the trepidation, some of the nervousness of the law enforcement agencies that in a tense situation, if people are crowding around the whole table there could be a disturbance,” he said.

Mogae also said they were not comfortable with the procedure of conducting accreditation first before voting starts, which is likely to create chaos at the polling stations and also inadvertently deny voting chance for people who could not stand the long wait for one reason or the other.

The Commonwealth mission will be in Nigeria till April 15 to observe tomorrow’s National Assembly elections and the presidential poll on April 9. Mogae said his team is likely to make interim pronouncement after each of the elections and would also issue a report stating its findings and recommendations at the end of the two elections.

The ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Acting National Chairman Dr Bello Haliru Mohammed has explained the reasons why the party has picked holes in the advice given by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that voters may wait behind after accreditation or voting exercise.

But speaking at the PDP National Secretariat, PDP’s acting national chairman Dr. Bello Haliru Mohammed said the voters-can-stay-behind stance of INEC is a recipe for chaos and an unfair action against the eligible voters who have other daily activities to do. The suggestion is likely to cause low turn-out, he said.

Asked if PDP is not be comfortable with the plan for people to remain behind after voting, Mohammed said, “I think this is a case of misrepresentation that has been going on. People have made up their mind that election is going to be rigged by PDP simply because they know they cannot win. We have nothing against people staying at the polling station to defend their votes. What we say is don’t make it mandatory and don’t create a system where it is essential for people to stay at the polling station. If you bring supporters who are reasonable and responsible people and these hoodlums are still there to provoke people, the way we see them breaking people’s cars, they will start insulting them. No matter how patient you are for four hours you are staying in one place and people are insulting you and shouting slogans, there may be fighting in some places where people are not restrained.”

Responding the suggestions that the presidential election may go into a run-off, Mohammed said CPC’s presidential candidate cannot win because he does not have national spread. He said President Goodluck Jonathan will get the majority of votes cast and will get the required 25 per cent in two-thirds of the states and FCT on the first ballot.

Apparently reacting to a statement by CPC chieftain Buba Galadima, Mohammed said he could not see where PDP’s competitors got the idea that they can win election or there will be a second ballot. “They are only preparing ground for dissent,” he said.

He also said, “We went to a meeting with the police and I read in the papers that one Buba Galadima of CPC said they will not recognize any winner other than Buhari and even if Buhari gets less than 80 per cent, they know that the election is rigged. I was surprised because anybody who knows this country and who knows the spread of the candidates, unless you have your head in a bag, will know that there is no way Buhari can win this election because Buhari’s stronghold is in a few states even in the North. He doesn’t have national spread. So where are the votes coming from to say that he will get 80 per cent?

“And for a politician to say that he doesn’t recognize any winner other than Buhari, that means they have a plan, if anybody emerges as winner, to perpetrate violence and create stalemate. That is not going to happen. That is why we complained to the security agents and to INEC to be mindful of utterances of politicians which is indicative of what they are planning.

“The opposition has not gone round even in the zone. Buhari, Shekarau and Nuhu are still struggling to go round the zone. We have gone round every state. They don’t have the spread. They are not prepared. They have not gone to meet the people.”

[Malam Nasiru el-Rufai] Malam Nasiru el-Rufai The National Security Adviser retired Gen. Patrick Aziza must be joking for daring to oppose INEC’s recommendation that voters should wait at polling units after casting their votes to witness ballot counting and announcement of results, former Minister of the FCT, Malam Nasiru el-Rufai, has said. Leading the Good Governance Group (3G) at a press conference with the theme: “Voters must not be intimidated”, yesterday, el-Rufai urged voters to discountenance any position other than INEC’s, noting that the NSA must be living in the past when people would vote and walk away to allow space for election riggers to have a field day. “The NSA is living in the past and he will get to know on Saturday...vote and leave is the foundation for rigging. We are urging people to take big breakfast before going to polling units so that after voting they will stay there and see their votes being counted,” the former minister said. The 3G also frowned at the plan to deploy troops during the election, saying “the operation has little to do with security concerns but creating a climate of intimidation to rig the elections.” “The plan consists of intimidating voters and precluding them from coming out to freely elect candidates of their choice in the 2011 elections, particularly in areas where candidates having the support of the government of the day appear to be unpopular,” he said. 3G commended INEC for resolving “to disallow any public officers –be it President, vice president, governors, deputy governors, and ministers...from violating the restricted movement on Election Day directives under the guise of election monitoring.” He noted that Jega’s appointment was by accident and the PDP is already regretting that President Goodluck Jonathan took the decision to appoint the INEC chairman, who has currently built fire walls around the electoral commission. El-Rufai observed that the trend in majority of African elections in recent times have been to sack incumbent government, citing cases of Ghana, Ivory Coast and Kenya. “No Nigerian would wish to share the anguish that stolen elections have caused in Zimbabwe, Kenya, and is causing in Cote d’Ivoire,” the 3G said, stressing that the convulsions of June 12, 1993 should not be allowed to return. The 3G which was formed in 2009 also has former Senate President Ken Nnamani and former Speaker of the House of Representatives Aminu Bello Masari as members who took part in the Safe Nigeria Initiative that pushed for the observance of constitutional provisions in the terminal days of President Umaru Yar’adua.

2011-04-01T04:16:00.000-07:00

retired General Muhammadu Buhari

The factional crisis in the Congress of progressive Change (CPC) in Katsina State deepened yesterday as the leader of the party, retired General Muhammadu Buhari wound up his presidential tour in the country. Supporters of the party who went for the rally left in confusion on the authentic candidates to face the ruling PDP in Saturday’s National Assembly polls.

Two factions of the party loyal to the former speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Bello Masari and those of the court-recognized Yakubu Lado Danmarke had mobilized supporters to the venue to receive the party’s presidential flag bearer with either side claiming legitimacy.

The confusion was accentuated after General Buhari at the podium raised the hands of the senatorial flag bearers of the party, Senator Abu Ibrahim (Funtua,Katsina South), Hadi Sirika(Daura, Katsina North) and Abubakar Saddiq Yar’adua(Katsina Central) constituencies.

The situation angered supporters of Senator Abdu Umar Yandoma (Daura) and Ahmed Sani Stores (Katsina Central) who are in the court-recognized list of 44 candidates against Sirika and Yar’adua, both of whom are in the Masari faction currently challenging the latter’s nomination at the appeal court.

Daily Trust learnt that before that incident, the police had earlier stopped some youths who attempted to erect a billboard of Masari at the airport. Masari, who only a day earlier lost a case at the Abuja Federal High Court to quash Lado’s status as authentic CPC candidate in the state, was not seen at the General’s convoy. Thousands of CPC supporters were seen chanting “Nigeria sai Buhari” and “Kama shi Lado.”

Buhari who earlier visited Governor Ibrahim Shema and the Emir of Katsina, Abdulmumini Kabir Usman, informed them that he would not raise the hands of the gubernatorial and other candidates because of the pending court cases to show his respect for the court. He praised the hands of the governor and the emir for personally staying back to welcome him at their offices as against other states where emirs on the instruction of their governors ran from their palaces in order not to receive him, saying he was not bothered due to his 2003 and 2007 experiences in the contest. Buhari ended his tour with a pledge to tackle corruption, insecurity, power, health, transportation as well as infrastructure while promising to ensure fairness to all Nigerians irrespective of their socio-economic background if elected.

El-Rufai berates NSA for opposing INEC’s vote-and-wait option

2011-04-01T04:14:00.000-07:00

Malam Nasiru el-Rufai

The National Security Adviser retired Gen. Patrick Aziza must be joking for daring to oppose INEC’s recommendation that voters should wait at polling units after casting their votes to witness ballot counting and announcement of results, former Minister of the FCT, Malam Nasiru el-Rufai, has said.

Leading the Good Governance Group (3G) at a press conference with the theme: “Voters must not be intimidated”, yesterday, el-Rufai urged voters to discountenance any position other than INEC’s, noting that the NSA must be living in the past when people would vote and walk away to allow space for election riggers to have a field day.

“The NSA is living in the past and he will get to know on Saturday...vote and leave is the foundation for rigging. We are urging people to take big breakfast before going to polling units so that after voting they will stay there and see their votes being counted,” the former minister said.

The 3G also frowned at the plan to deploy troops during the election, saying “the operation has little to do with security concerns but creating a climate of intimidation to rig the elections.”

“The plan consists of intimidating voters and precluding them from coming out to freely elect candidates of their choice in the 2011 elections, particularly in areas where candidates having the support of the government of the day appear to be unpopular,” he said.

3G commended INEC for resolving “to disallow any public officers –be it President, vice president, governors, deputy governors, and ministers...from violating the restricted movement on Election Day directives under the guise of election monitoring.”

He noted that Jega’s appointment was by accident and the PDP is already regretting that President Goodluck Jonathan took the decision to appoint the INEC chairman, who has currently built fire walls around the electoral commission.

El-Rufai observed that the trend in majority of African elections in recent times have been to sack incumbent government, citing cases of Ghana, Ivory Coast and Kenya. “No Nigerian would wish to share the anguish that stolen elections have caused in Zimbabwe, Kenya, and is causing in Cote d’Ivoire,” the 3G said, stressing that the convulsions of June 12, 1993 should not be allowed to return.

The 3G which was formed in 2009 also has former Senate President Ken Nnamani and former Speaker of the House of Representatives Aminu Bello Masari as members who took part in the Safe Nigeria Initiative that pushed for the observance of constitutional provisions in the terminal days of President Umaru Yar’adua.

Protect your votes – Ribadu

2011-04-01T04:10:00.000-07:00

The presidential candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) Mallam Nuhu Ribadu has urged voters not to leave the polling centres after casting their votes as he faulted the Federal Government’s plan to deploy soldiers for the general elections due to start tommorrow.

Reacting to National Security Adviser, General Patrick Azazi’s comments on the issue, Ribadu told newsmen in Yola yesterday that it was an anomaly to use the military for elections in a democracy.

‘’We were shocked by Azazi’s pronouncement and this poses a threat and suspicion on the whole electoral process. We will fight it and people must protect and defend their civic rights’’, he said. Ribadu warned on the consequences, saying the planned deployment is a continuation of the intimidation tactics of the PDP, wondering why soldiers who are trained to fight wars were being drafted into a purely civil matter like elections. The ACN candidate is also asking local and international observers to pay very close attention to the role soldiers would play at the polls, saying elections can only be declared free and fair if they are held in an atmosphere conducive for voters to exercise their constitutional rights.

Jonathan’s team wants Buhari disqualified

2011-03-14T08:41:00.000-07:00

President Goodluck Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan’s campaign team yesterday asked the Independent National Electoral Commission to disqualify his main rival Muhammadu Buhari from participating in the April 9 presidential election over alleged violence by supporters of the Congress for Progressive Change.

Buhari’s supporters were reported to have ransacked a campaign office and pulled down billboards of the ruling People’s Democratic Party in Gombe last week. Earlier on, anti-Jonathan protests were also held in other places though it was not clear if the protesters were Buhari’s supporters or CPC members.

The Goodluck/Sambo Presidential Campaign Council in a statement yesterday in Abuja called on INEC and the security agencies “to invoke the relevant sections of the law and disqualify Buhari and his violent supporters from the 2011 elections.”

Director of research and strategy of the campaign council Mike Omeri said in the statement: “The violence unleashed on People’s Democratic Party (PDP) supporters in Sokoto, Kaduna, Kano, Nasarawa, Port Harcourt and Gombe by the CPC are ploys capable of truncating the democratic project Nigerians have laboured for over the years.”

He said the way the CPC supporters have been behaving during the campaign “is not how democracy should be practiced, violence or threat is not part of democracy. I think those who have no democratic credentials should have no business in this game.

“By now, Nigerians should know those who are the real enemies of democracy and the people. This is not the era of brute force. Nigerians must have a choice and a right to decide. This resort to violence and intimidation cannot win votes for them.”

Omeri alleged that some CPC supporters have threatened to kill him. “In the last five days, I have been inundated with strange phone calls and text messages threatening me not to speak or comment on anything involving General Buhari. One of the text messages came from phone number +2348035074163 warning ‘Mike you should think twice before you either write or say something on Buhari.’”

Two weeks ago, Omeri had accused General Buhari of involvement in the blast at a PDP rally in Suleja, Niger State, but he later retracted the accusations.

But Buhari’s campaign group yesterday denied inciting anyone to violence and dismissed the calls for his disqualification.

Spokesman for the CPC presidential candidate, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, said Buhari has only been asking Nigerians to vote and ensure that their votes were counted.

“All Buhari has been harping on is for the people to guard their votes and make sure that they are not tampered with. He is also calling on the security agencies to be fair and impartial in their jobs,” Odumakin said.

Also yesterday, another group affiliated to the Goodluck-Sambo campaign team, True Democracy Advocacy Network, called for the disqualification of the CPC and Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) presidential candidate Nuhu Ribadu.

In a statement by its executive secretary David Onilede, the group said, “The same violent tone has been adopted by the ACN team of NuhuRibadu and Fola Adeola ably complimented by the rampaging rhetorics of Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu. All have been unrepentantly preaching violence against the PDP apparatus and people.

“We hereby call on the INEC to disqualify Buhari and every other candidate guilty of inciting people to violence immediately. The provision of the recently signed Code of Conduct for Political Parties and their candidates is in full support of such a sanction. There should be no room for enemies of democracy.”

2011: Don’t evaluate candidates on religious basis – Sanusi

2011-03-14T08:37:00.001-07:00

Central Bank Governor Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi has urged Nigerians to place less emphasis on where political office holders come from or his or her religious inclination.

Sanusi in his acceptance speech as the ‘Silverbird Man of the Year’ at the award ceremony in Lagos at the weekend said such things were immaterial, and rather, emphasis should be placed on what the person has to offer in solving our development problems and his capacity to deliver on them.

He said those at the helm of affairs in various endeavours and at whatever level owed it a duty to mobilise the enormous resources and deploy them judiciously for rapid transformation of the country. He noted that Nigeria had recorded remarkable growth in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) over the years but such growth was vulnerable as no concerted effort was put into realising the growth. According to him, growth recorded from a natural phenomenon like vegetation or rain fed agricultural production or high oil prices is not sustainable and therefore called for genuine efforts aimed at transforming the potential to reality for the benefit of the present and future generations. He further said , “let us build a society that has options for the people”.

Still on leadership, he urged the younger generation to rise to the challenge of changing the status quo and stop passing the bucks to elders, most of whom are in the twilight of their endeavours.

The CBN Governor further noted that nothing stops the country from attaining double digit growth yearly with the resources at our disposal provided that critical infrastructure like electricity and roads are developed. He cited the on-going transformation in some neighbouring African countries like Ghana, Togo and Mozambique which strove to fix their infrastructure, even in excess of their present requirements.

Mallam Sanusi also compared Nigeria to her contemporaries like Malaysia, Singapore and Brazil at independence in the 1960s, all of which have become economic successes by taking their destinies in their own hands when it matters most.

On the need to reposition agriculture, he stated that in realization of the fact that agriculture still has the potential for economic transformation of the country, the Central Bank of Nigeria is collaborating with the banking system to fix the value-chain in agriculture. He said the agricultural sector contributes about 45 per cent to the GDP and lamented that only one per cent of the entire bank lending goes to the sector due to the risks inherent in agricultural production in Nigeria”. As such, efforts are being made to de-risk the sector through the creation of value-chain covering the entire production and marketing processes capable of generating chains of employment and income. He noted, “no country has developed through the exportation of primary products”.

On the recent call for the devaluation of the Naira by the IMF, Mallam Sanusi vehemently disagreed with the logics of the Brettonwood Institution, noting that Nigeria has no capacity for export and therefore questioned the rationale for prescribing currency devaluation for an economy that is import dependent.

He thanked all Nigerians who voted him as the ‘Silverbird Man of the Year’ and promised not to let them down.

Earlier in his address, the chairman of the occasion, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Odein Ojumogobia, in his speech extolled the qualities of Mallam Sanusi “for his sincerity, resilience, creativity and vision”. He said Mallam Sanusi had shown courage beyond the call to duty by adhering to his personal philosophy of speaking the truth to power.

Water rationing begins in Abuja

2011-03-14T08:35:00.001-07:00

Rationing of public water supply has started in some highbrow neighbourhoods and satellite towns of Abuja because of what authorities say is the “peak period of the dry season” and lack of adequate treatment plants.

The rationing affects the priciest areas of Asokoro, Maitama and Garki as well as satellite towns of Nyanya, Karu, Gwagwalada and Bwari, according to a public notice issued by the Federal Capital Territory Water Board.

Based on the notice, the areas to be affected would have no water supply for four days in a week, while on the three remaining days they would have water for specified number of hours.

While Asokoro residents would have water supply for 24 hours after a two-day break, residents of Maitama would have supply restored for eight hours only.

Water would run for seven hours in Karu; for 13 hours in Gwagwalada; and for two hours only in Bwari old town, which lies just kilometres away from the Usuma Dam where the waterworks are sited.

“Please note that rationing of water supply is only a temporary measure. Full services will be available for all districts with the completion of Phases 3 and 4 treatment plants,” the FCT Water Board notice said. But it did not say specifically when the water projects would be completed.

Explaining the decision, Director of the FCT Water Board, Engr. Jibrin Ibrahim, told Daily Trust that the limited water supply was necessary for some parts of the territory because “this is the peak period of the dry season.”

Ibrahim said although raw water was available at the Lower Usuma Dam, funds were yet to be released for completion of Phase 3 and 4 water treatment plant at the dam, which would have complemented the exiting treatment plans.

He appealed to people affected by the rationing to bear with the situation as it was a temporary measure.

FCT minister Bala Mohammed recently told the House of Representatives Committee on FCT that high cost of imported metal pipes was hampering the completion of the water treatment plants.

Meanwhile, residents of Abuja at the weekend expressed concern water supply rationing in some areas.

Engr. Silas Ugwu, a resident of OAU Quarters in Asokoro, said taps in the area have been dry for the past one month, adding that they depend on local water vendors to get supplies.

Water vendors have hiked the price of a 20-litre of jerry can from N30 to N50 in to maximise profits during the rationing.

Madam Funke Asiru, a restaurant owner in Maitama, said the water vendor’s hike is due to high demand for water.

She said she wakes up at 2 am to fill up her empty drums when the tap rushes in order to avoid over depending on the water vendors.

2011: Buhari urges Bauchi electorate to vote out Yuguda

2011-03-14T08:22:00.001-07:00

The Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) presidential candidate, Muhammadu Buhari, has urged Bauchi electorate to vote out Governor Isa Yuguda for betraying them. He urged them to ensure that all politicians that betrayed them are voted out in the forthcoming elections.
Buhari was speaking at the CPC rally held at the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida Stadium in Bauchi over the weekend. Referring to Governor Yuguda, Buhari declared that some people have betrayed you after getting your mandate.

We have laboured here in 2007 to ensure that some people are voted into office. But after getting into office, the same person turned against the very people that massively gave him the mandate. He has betrayed you and you must vote him out in the forthcoming polls,” Buhari said.

Buhari said, “I went round to 22 out of 23 local government areas in the state campaigning for this person. But at last, he betrayed you and squandered your mandate. You must repeat what you have done in 2007 by voting him out during the April polls. We are here once again to urge you to exercise your civic right by voting CPC candidates. We want to assure you that our candidates will never steal your money. Ensure also that you cast your votes and protect it until the voted candidates are announced as winners,” he said. The CPC presidential candidate was in Bauchi to flag-off the state-by-state rally. Buhari pledged to provide adequate security to the lives and properties of Nigerians if he is elected president. High light of the campaign rally was the presentation of the Bauchi State C.P.C. governorship candidate Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, a current member of the House of representatives from Gamawa Federal Constituency.

3 WEEKS TO 2011 POLLS - Over 90 Killed, 200 Maimed at Rallies - Police, FRSC raise alarm

2011-03-13T12:56:00.000-07:00

Governor Adebayo Akala

Three weeks to the 2011 general and presidential elections, not less than 90 Nigerians have lost their lives and over 200 have suffered various degrees of injuries before, during and after political rallies.

An investigation carried out by Sunday Trust on “political deaths” in the last three months revealed that most of those dead were party supporters who were attacked by political thugs, affected in bomb blasts, stampede, accidents and outright assassinations by political opponents.

Raising an alarm over the spate of deaths on the highways during political rallies, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) issued a statement last week warning against reckless driving while promising to hold meetings with party leaders on the need for safety consciousness during the electioneering period.

On his own, the Nigeria Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Olusola Amore, lamented the deaths in an interview with Sunday Trust and said that “investigations were being conducted into killings during rallies and intelligence network had been improved upon. He added that “people must assist by alarting police of acts capable of causing conflict between supporters of rival parties.”

Only yesterday, six persons, believed to be members of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party [PDP] in Oyo State died on the spot as they were involved in a ghastly auto crash enroute the venue of

Governor Christopher Adebayo Alao-Akala’s second-term re-election campaign rally in Oyo town. No fewer than 15 others reportedly sustained varied degrees of injuries in the accident.

Sources said that the victims were in the advance team of the PDP gubernatorial campaign train to the ancient town of Oyo, second time within the last two weeks.

Eye witness accounts revealed that the gory scene disrupted free flow of traffic in the area for almost one hour, particularly when other road users who sighted them reportedly took to their heels rather than rendering first aid on realising that those involved in the auto crash were PDP members. Onlookers reportedly resorted to shouting ‘’they are PDP people o! Don’t let them spill your own blood too o’’.

Our sources said that the deceased gave up the ghost immediately as the bus conveying them to the campaign venue lost control at the Odo-Eran/Union Bank area of Owode in the ancient town, apparently due to overspeeding. It was gathered that the bus with registration number XL 401 ABJ, which was said to be traveling at neck breaking speed, suddenly rammed into a pitch at the Odo-Eran//Union Bank area of Owode, which forced the driver to lose control.

When the embattled driver could not regain control of the vehicle, it crashed into the ditch and six people among the commuters gave up the ghost instantly, leaving others trapped and groaning for help which did not come for almost an hour. It was gathered that the injured people were left unattended to until security operatives from the state command of the Nigeria Police attached to the Oyo Police Division arrived the scene and rushed those injured into the nearby Peamark Hospital for treatment. The corpses of the six deceased PDP members were reportedly rejected by the hospital’s authorities and the police later moved them to the General Hospital located at Owode/Ogbomoso area of the town.

Reacting to the auto crash, Oyo State Governor, Otunba Alao-Akala disowned the victims as members of his campaign team. The governor explained that since the location was one of the busiest highways in Nigeria where accidents occur all the time, the victims could not necessarily be on their way to his own campaign.

A statement issued by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Communication, Prince Dotun Oyelade read in part: “This is one of the busiest highways in Nigeria where accidents occur all the time. The bus with Abuja plate number and on transit from the Federal Capital has nothing to do with our campaign in Oyo today. Governor Akala, however, commiserate with the victims.

2011: Bloody cost of violent power struggle - At least 90 killed - 209 injured weeks to elections

2011-03-13T12:54:00.001-07:00

Governor Ali Modu Sherif

This year’s general elections are around the corner, but as politicians plan to celebrate their victories with wine and sumptuous meals, they may forget that their path to victory is soaked with the blood of innocent persons.

Nigerian politicians can teach the world how brutal, blustery and blood-spattered a democracy can be. On October 6, 2010, Alhaji Awana Ali Ngala, the Borno State Chairman of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), which is the ruling party in Borno State since 1999, was killed. On January 28, 2011, the gubernatorial candidate of the ANPP, Modu Fannami Gubio, a cousin of the incumbent governor was also killed by some gunmen. On December 23, 2011, 10 persons in a cultural troupe going to Bauchi to entertain President Goodluck Jonathan, lost their lives in an accident. On January 7, six persons were killed in a feud between the PDP and the Labour Party in Bayelsa State. As at the last count, Sunday Trust research threw up the figure of reported political deaths three weeks away from the 2011 polls is put at over 86. This is in spite of the fact that government, the police, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) have condemned political violence.

My pains know no limit, says father of Suleija bomb blasts victim

Malam Sule Maga in Suleja, the father of late Aminu Suleiman, one of the 10 killed in Sulejia bomb blast last month told Sunday Trust that his pains did not know limits as he was the person who urged his son and bread-winner to attend the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rally.

Speaking from a heart apparently shattered to smithereens, Maga said that if he had not insisted that the young man go to the rally he would have still been alive and well. Aminu was 31-years-old and a student of the College of Education, Minna.

“I cannot explain how painful it is to lose Aminu. I never realised that yesterday would be the last time I would be with him. Now, it is going to be tough for the family, as he was our shining star. As an illiterate, I wanted him to follow me to the place so that he could explain to me what the politicians had to say. He told me that he was busy, but I impressed upon him that his attendance was important. As a respectful child that he was, he quickly rushed off to school, came home to pick me on his motorcycle to the venue and we dispersed into the crowd”, he said.

He stated that he and the deceased were not within the same location at the rally, adding that he only heard the sound of the explosion, not knowing that Adamu was among the fatal casualties.

I am afraid of returning to Suleja, says bedridden Bello

For Ahmed Bello, a father of five since his discharge from the hospital, the fear of returning to Suleja has made him stay put in Minna for a while as he recounts with tragic reflection his ordeal in the midst of the blast.

While attributing his survival to sheer lack explained that the build up of the PDP rally was very exciting. He had no inclination that there could be detonations which would rock the field. He was just getting set to leave the venue when all hell was let loose suddenly.

“I was in Suleja where the Zone A rally of the PDP was taking place. I cannot recall the time, but after the National Anthem when the governor had finished his speech, I was trying to locate my car. As I was approaching the gate, I just heard a big sound and I said a prayer, because I usually pray when I hear any sudden sound.

“After my prayer, all I saw was darkness. The next thing I felt was that I was on the ground and I could not move my legs. I had to drag myself to where I heard some sounds.”

Bello said his while life experience flashed past him within seconds. He never knew that that fateful day could have been his last on earth. He said the impact and the peppery pain of splinters and shrapnel’s that sank deep into his flesh sent clouds of darkness on him as he gradually lost consciousness.

“There was darkness everywhere and when the light returned, I saw many people lying down, some dead, while some were crying. It occurred to me that I could not walk. I had to drag myself to the side of the road before help came my way,” he said.

I will never forget the day of the blast, says 13-year-old victim

For a thirteen-year-old boy in the bomb ravaged Government Secondary School, Suleja, the experience will last him his whole lifetime as he intimated that he would have lost his life in the blast.

He stated that he was at the spot where the explosion went off. He was there to buy carrot for his friends. He told Sunday Trust that he later learnt that the carrot seller died instantly, just less than half an hour after leaving the man.

The boy who gave his name as Hamisu said he wondered if he had stayed longer with the carrot seller if the same fate would have befallen him. For him, the incident was tale of horror.

I saw those who attacked and killed my son, says father of victim of Jigawa violence

Residents of Babura Local Government area of Jigawa State were thrown into misery on Sunday March the 6th, when supporters of PDP and those of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) clashed leading to the death of one Rabiú Ibrahim Yakubu.

A father of two and a political associate of Babura Local Government Council Chairman, Alhaji Amin Ahmad, the deceased was said to have been slaughtered. The deceased’s father, Malam Ibrahim Yakubu told Sunday Trust that, “I saw the attackers while going to the former chairman of the Local Government Council, Alhaji Sani Haru. They went there, searched the house, but nobody was found there. They moved to the residence of the present chairman, Alhaji Aminu Ahmad”.

Yakubu said “the late Rabiú was working at Aminu’s house. When the attackers entered the chairman’s house, they started attacking whoever came their way. As a result they brutally killed my son.

“I wonder why they killed him. My son was not contesting for any political office. Why was he killed like a political rival? Nevertheless, while I’m calling on the police to speed-up investigation into the matter, I leave everything to God because I have no means to continue following the case to its logical conclusion,” he lamented.

He noted that Rabiu was the breadwinner of his family, hence the killers had put the deceased’s family members into serious hardships.

Sunday Trust observed that several other persons, including an orderly to the Local Government Chairman were brutally injured during the political fight. The orderly was said to have exhausted his ammunitions in his effort to rescue his boss. The chairman was said to have jumped into seven houses of his neighbours before he could finally be rescued by a motorcycle rider, who picked him to a hidden place.

Investigation in Babura Local Government by Sunday Trust revealed that several temporary political parties’ offices and flags belonging to both PDP and ACN were destroyed by the angry youths.

Sunday Trust also observed that, a combined team of armed conventional and mobile policemen were conducting stop-and-search of any vehicle that coming or going out from Babura town. Speaking to our correspondent, the Sarkin Ban Ringin and District Head of Babura Alhaji Hadi Mustapha described the violence as animalistic.

“Politics, as catalyst of transforming the society from bad to good, has now been turned into weapon of destroying human lives and property. It is now practised with sadism, hatred and victimization” noted Mustapha.

According to him, “it is quite unfortunate for somebody to slaughter another human being like a ram in the name of politics. This has clearly shown that we are retrogressing from development progress to the opposite.

“It has become imperative for security agents to fish out the culprits for prosecution. I am suggesting a regular security meeting at the local government level and police should be equipped with modern communication gadgets to facilitate their job as security organ,” he stressed.

The police authorities in the state condemned the incident, but claimed that normalcy has returned to the town. The Public Relations Officer of the Jigawa State Police Command, ASP Abdu Jinjiri told Sunday Trust that, the deceased was a PDP member.

According to him, 10 persons were arrested and police personnel from the Criminal Investigation Department of the Command had begun the investigation with a view to fishing out the culprits.

The council chairman Alhaji Aminu Ibrahim Info, told Sunday Trust that, they were returning to Babura from campaign last Saturday when someone called him on phone, informing him that some thugs had burnt down the PDP office.

He added that, the next day, Sunday around 10:30 AM the same people attacked him and his people at his residence in their effort to gain entrance. Their aim, he noted, was to kill him, but he was saved by his police orderly, who shot in the air to scare the attackers.

Also speaking, the Babura local government chairman of the PDP, Inusa Alhaji Mati Babura, said all their party offices in the local government, posters, and billboards were burnt to ashes by ACN supporters, adding that his car was set on fire.

Commenting on the matter, the Jigawa state Chairman of the Action Congress of Nigeria, Dr Abubakar Hassan Fulata, said, “We were in Babura for campaign when suddenly some thugs suspected to be Yan-Kalare hired from Gombe by the PDP attacked our buses. They smashed various windscreens and injured our boys”.

“I wonder how the PDP can stop Badaru from carrying out his political campaign in his home town. When Governor Lamido went to Babura, did any ACN member attack his supporters. Why the ACN and why in Babura, the home town of the ACN’s governorship candidate?” he asked.

Dr Fulata, however, said, as far the ACN was concerned, its people were the victims of the unfortunate incident, noting that, “our boys have been injured, while our campaign vehicles were damaged by the PDP supporters”.

We have lost our precious ones, lament relatives of Port Harcourt 10

At least 10 persons died in the Port Harcourt stampede which occurred on Saturday, February 12, 2011 during the South-South zonal rally of President Goodluck Jonathan. Nine women died in the stampede. They were mostly supporters of the PDP. Security operatives from the Presidency who allegedly caused the stampede when they locked the main exit of the Liberation Stadium, preventing people from going out while Jonathan was making speech.

Hon. Presley Wene Woke, first son of late Mrs. Violet Woroma Woke expressed his grief thus: “Anyway, it has happened and I will not tell you that I don’t feel bad, I feel bad because, she is my mother. Her blood runs in me and for sure, if anything like this happens, we feel bad. I am consoled in the fact that my mother died fighting for the sustainability of democracy in Nigeria.”

On his part, Chief Nnamdi Wokeh, paramount ruler of Rumuehio-Okania community, Rumuokwuta and another son of late Mrs Woke, lement: “I feel so bad that my mother was among those who died during the stampede because she is my mother and she carried me for nine months. Everybody knows that death is a journey you will embark on and never come back. I am feeling her absence very much because I have lost her as my mother. I will not eat my mother’s food again as she used to call me to come and eat in the main house.

“My mother’s wish before her death was that her children grow up to the standard meant for every human being so that she can enjoy her children during could lifetime, since she started nurturing the children when her husband died at a very tender age. Her dream was to see the re-election of Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, come April 2011. We are all aware that my mother went there on active political activity and she died. The stampede must have taken place through one miscalculation or the other. Government cannot bring people together for a political purpose only to turn round and kill them. What happened at the rally that led to the deaths is beyond human comprehension. It is only God that knows how that ugly incident came about. There is no amount of compensation that will be enough for a life but in all, if somebody died in active service, like my mother, who followed the PDP campaign train till her death, her dependents need to be taken care of.”

Hon. Stanley Uche Ogutu, Councillor representing Ward 8, Obio/ Akpor LGA of Rivers State (PDP) and son of one of the victims, late Mrs. Ogutu, has this to say: It was a very sad experience. I don’t have enough words to describe how I and other members of my family feel about this ugly development. It is very pathetic that among every other group of persons it is happening, it is happening to my family. It is very sad because we don’t know the exact word to describe what happened to us.

My mother was a democrat, she just went to participate and be part of the history-making campaign rally of the PDP. That, for the first time in the 50-year history of Nigeria, a Niger Deltan was about to become the country’s President. She wanted to be part of the history. All of us, including her, did not know that she was going to pay with her life. She just wanted to go there and observe what was happening. She was part of those who would cheer up the President, but it is quite unfortunate that things went the wrong way. I want to express my heartfelt sympathy to those who are mourning, just like I do today. It is quite unfortunate because from what I saw and heard, it is just quite unfortunate that the Nigerian system is still not being handled the way other countries handle theirs. The security system in this country is very bad, so bad that you don’t even know where to start. You can’t tell me that you are holding a rally in a stadium that can contain only 16,000 persons and, as a security agent, you allowed more than that number to be in that stadium. Not only that, a stadium that has six exit gates, you closed five and left only one small one open. You see a stadium that contained up to 30,000 persons and you opened just a small gate to call yourself a security man or what? I still say it was the security people who caused the stampede.”

Zakariya: Debate over his death

Yusuf Zakariya, also known as Amuda, woke up on Friday February 26 perhaps like any other day in his young life. By evening of that day, he was lying dead, having been gunned down in Iseyin by suspected political thugs in the entourage of the Oyo State Governor, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala.

Yusuf is just another victim of the increasing political violence that is threatening to engulf Oyo State ahead of April’s crucial elections. But because he is an average citizen in a vast state, his death is not drawing as much attention as that of the popular Lateef Salako (Eleweomo) and two others who were brutally killed at a People’s Democratic Party (PDP) congress this December.

The cases of politically motivated violence in Oyo State (the wild wild west again?) is causing increasing concerns in the state and already President Goodluck Jonathan has received several petitions from politicians and traditional rulers in the state, all pointing accusing fingers at the governor.

Yusuf was killed during a Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) rally in Iseyin, some 100 kilometres north of Ibadan. The rally was for Biodun Osupa, who is contesting for the federal House of Representatives. During the rally, the governor’s entourage came passing with sirens wailing. Some men from the governor’s entourage reportedly stopped and started shooting sporadically in the air, injuring many, including a toddler. Yusuf was killed by a stray bullet, eye witnesses say.

“What actually happened was that a few party members belonging to the CPC crossed the road while our entourage was passing through the town, apparently they had a campaign activity there on the same day but to attribute the violence to governor Akala is unfair and wrong,” the Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Communications, Mr Dotun Oyelade says.

“Only yesterday, the Aseyin of Iseyin, the paramount ruler of Iseyin, where the incident took place, absolved the governor and said that Governor Alao-Akala is not a violent person, everybody knows this,” he adds for good measure. He even denies reports of a death in the incident.

“The opposition is using that incident, where no one died by the way, the opposition is using the incident to try and weaken him [the governor] and his party,” the SA says.

A day after the incident at the Zakariya household in Iseyin, relatives gathered to mourn the sudden demise of Yusuf. Among them is his cousin, Tunde Ahia from Bashorun compound, a cousin to the deceased and an eye witness to the shootings. He, like his late cousin, was part of the rally to welcome the CPC candidate when they heard the sirens heralding the approach of the governor’s entourage.

“We parked by the main road and allowed them pass. They started throwing bottles but we allowed them. Immediately the first entourage of the governor passed, we decided to continue with our procession, not knowing that there were still others coming behind. By the time we got midway, they just dropped and started shooting, guns all over, people wailing and shouting, even a toddler was shot. His mom too was shot in the thigh. Several people were wounded. Even I escaped by a breath of luck. I had to run as fast as I could. Many of us had to run. Before we realised what was happening...gun shots were everywhere. Before he [Yusuf] could run away, he was shot in the back,” he says.

But Mr Oyelade insists no one was killed in the incident. “He may have been shot probably in another incident, not as a result of the violence,” he insists.

Another witness, Olawoko Idiat, who is receiving treatment for gunshot wounds sustained during the incident independently, corroborates Tunde’s account.

This is not the first time the governor has had to defend himself against allegations of using violence to intimidate political opponents. He has been alleged to have masterminded several high profile assassination attempts in the state.

The senate leader, Teslim Folarin also of the PDP, is not in good terms with the governor. He alleged that he has received reports of plots by the governor to have him assassinated. The climax of this was in December during the PDP congress, where it is reported that Eleweomo, a known political thug loyal to the governor allegedly made an attempt on the life of Folarin. In repelling the attack, security operatives attached to the senator engaged the thug in a gun battle that resulted in his death and those of two others said to be loyal to the senator. That incident is being investigated by the police and several petitions have been fired off to President Jonathan.

There is also the well documented rift between the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, one of the most significant traditional rulers in Yoruba land and the governor. Last year, the Alaafin petitioned the president over allegations that the governor has offered a policeman N10m and a jeep to gun him down. The governor has since denied this allegation.

“The fellow who is alleged to have been contacted [the policeman] has publicly refuted the Alaafin’s claim,” Mr Oyelade says, adding that the governor is in good terms with all traditional rulers in the state. He points at the statement of the Aseyin of Iseyin absolving the governor of culpability in the Iseyin incident as evidence.

But an episode in February suggests otherwise. The Alaafin was shunned by the governor at the commissioning of the renovated Ancient Atiba Hall. When the British Colonialist last constructed the hall, they handed the key to the monument to the then Alaafin. This time, however, Mr Akala chose to hand the key to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who is not even from the state, much to the disgust of some people.

The Alaafin has since thrown his weight behind the opposition Action Congress of Nigeria ACN, political observers in the state have said.

But chieftains of the ACN also say they are living in fear as a result of plots by the governor to have them assassinated. One of them is former governor Lam Adesina who has also accused the governor of wanting him dead as a result of “desperation to secure second term ticket and [get] re-elected as the Governor of the state.”

Governor Akala is facing a tough fight for the government house from his former boss, Raheed Ladoja (Accord Party) and the ACN’s Senator Biola Ajimobi. Ladoja was impeached as governor in 2006 and his deputy, Akala took over before a court ruled that the impeachment was unlawful and returned Ladoja as governor. By then Akala has taken over the party structure in the state and secured the governorship ticket on which he won the 2007 elections. The two men have not been in tune since then.

Political thugs have found business lucrative in Oyo State as more of them are finding employment. Candidates are no longer sure of their safety and some of them are being forced to take measures to beef up their security. One of such candidates is Dr. Wale Okediran, the ACN’s candidate for Oyo North Senatorial zone. He hails from Iseyin and was there when the shootings occurred. His billboard strategically placed close to a roundabout in the town’s centre was vandalised by the suspected gunmen. He expresses grave concern over his safety and says he is now considering options to improve security around himself and his family.

The governor’s spokesman, Mr Oyelade denies that they destroyed any billboards. “What you mean to say is that PDP billboards in Ibadan and other hinterlands are being splashed with mud and paint. I do not know of any incident where the reverse is the case,” he says.

But only the skeletal frames of Okediran’s billboard stand now at the roundabout. The shredded banner has been withdrawn to the candidate’s house, where this reporter saw it.

When contacted on the incident in Iseyin, the state’s Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Ajimoda Olatunji (a superintendent) said; “I am not aware of any incident.”

However, Mr Oyelade insists the ruling party is not intimidating the opposition. “The intimidation they are talking about is the surge of the crowd that is everywhere the governor has been to,” he says.

He assures that peaceful politicking in the state is welcomed. “All the major political parties in Nigeria have held their political campaigns here in Ibadan. As a matter of fact, the CPC presidential candidate will be coming to Oyo State next week [this week] and he has signified his intention to pay us a courtesy call and we are very excited. Governor Akala is a democrat,” he concludes.

Jonathan desperate to blackmail me – Buhari - South-South group threatens retaliation

2011-03-12T11:07:00.000-08:00

General Muhammadu Buhari

The Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), raised alarm yesterday, saying President Goodluck Jonathan’s camp is desperate to blackmail him as well as mobilising some Nigerians to attack him. Buhari, who spoke through his spokesperson, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, said the president’s camp is using the alleged vandalisation of Jonathan’s campaign office in Gombe to achieve its goal.
“We have gathered from intelligence sources that the Jonathan camp has been going around prominent Nigerians to mobilize them to launch attacks against the presidential candidate of the CPC, General Muhammadu Buhari over the alleged attack,” Odumakin said. He declared that this is not the first time the president’s men are trying to blackmail Buhari. “In the aftermath of the unfortunate bomb attack in Suleja during which some Nigerians lost their lives, one Mike Omeri from the Jonathan campaign issued a statement that General Buhari should be held responsible for the incident. The statement was later hurriedly withdrawn from the media after a couple of journalists sought our reaction to the content of the silly propaganda.”

Odumakin said that Jonathan is scared by the mass support Buhari is receiving all over the country. He also absolved Buhari’s supporters in the alleged attack of Jonathan campaign office in Gombe, saying it was the work of PDP thugs.

Meanwhile, the PDP has blamed General Muhammadu Buhari for recent politically-motivated violence in the country. The party, in a statement signed by Director of Media and Publicity for Jonathan/Sambo Campaign Organization Mallam Abba Dabo, said ‘Buhari is responsible’. The party warned that its supporters cannot continue to fold their arms as they are being assaulted.

Also, a group under the aegis of South-South coalition for Good governance has threatened to encourage youths in the region to pelt presidential candidates of other parties if President Goodluck Jonathan is stoned in any other part of the country. A statement by one Perembowei George on behalf of the group said the incessant pelting of President Jonathan during presidential campaign rallies of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) especially in the Northern part of the country must stop.

How Dangote became Africa’s richest man

2011-03-12T11:05:00.000-08:00

“I can remember when I was in primary school, I would go and buy cartons of sweets and I would start selling them just to make money. I was so interested in business, even at that time.” – Dangote.

From a N500, 000 loan in 1977 at age 21, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, 53, now has a net worth of $11.8billion and was last Thursday adjudged Africa’s richest person by Forbes magazine. This makes him the 51st richest person on earth. His fortunes surged by 557 per cent, from the $2.1 billion he recorded last year. Dangote, a father of three, was worth $3.3 billion in 2008 to become richest black African to appear on Forbes’ list, beating TV mogul Oprah Winfrey.

The business empire of the biggest cement maker in Africa is now sweeping across African countries. The $1.2billion Obajana Cement Company in Kogi State, which ranks as the West Africa’s biggest cement factory now operates two lines of production with 5million metric tonnes installed capacity. In 2002, the Dangote Industries Limited (DIL) acquired the Savannah Sugar Company in Numan, Adamawa State. Today it is the only sugar producing factory in Nigeria.

The Dangote Industries Limited is also the core investor in the Benue Cement Company (BCC) and plans a new N102billion cement factory at Ibeshe, Ogun State which will take off this July. The Dangote Group of Companies has so far invested N42billion into the Benue Cement Company since acquiring a majority stake in the company in 2004.

Additional N25 billion has being invested into the Savannah Sugar Company. The Savannah Sugar Company was established by the Federal Government of Nigeria in 1971 and eventually began operation in 1980. Dangote companies dominate the sugar market in the country and Dangote Sugar Refinery is the main supplier (70% of the market) to the country’s soft drinks companies, breweries and confectioners. It is the largest refinery in Africa and the third largest in the world producing 800,000 tonnes of sugar annually.

Aliko, as some of his friends call him, is a consummate entrepreneur. He has conquered different business sectors on the African business landscape, foraying into importation and manufacturing. He is also a darling of the government, as just last week, the Federal Government through the Bank of Industry (BOI) gave him a loan of N10billion for job creation, where he promised to generate a million jobs in the next few years.

His companies currently control about a quarter of the Nigerian Stock Exchange. Last October, Dangote Cement Plc was formally admitted into the list-quoted companies, with the 15.4 billion ordinary shares worth about N2.1trillion.

On the continent, Dangote has plants under construction in Senegal, Zambia, Tanzania, Congo and Ethiopa and is building cement terminals in Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast and Liberia, among other places.

Describing the source of Dangote’s wealth, Forbes said: “The catalyst was listing Dangote Cement, which integrated his investments across Africa with his previously public Benue Cement. It now accounts for a quarter of the Nigeria Stock Exchange’s total market cap.

Dangote recently bought himself a $45 million Bombardier aircraft for his birthday and has been shuttling back and forth to London for months, in anticipation of a public offering there later this year. He began his career as a commodities trader and built his Dangote Group into a conglomerate with interests in sugar, flour milling, salt processing, cement manufacturing, textiles, real estate, and oil and gas.

Commenting on the Forbes listing, Malam Nasir el-Rufai, Former Minister of Federal Capital Territory, described Dangote as a rare breed and the pride of Africa. “When the producer of the BBC documentary described Dangote as the wealthiest black man in the world, several people challenged him. Well, Forbes just released their wealth list today and you guessed it, Dangote is not the only the richest black man but he is also richer than Mark Zuckerberg, founder of Facebook.”

In the same vein, Godwin Obaseki, Vice Chairman of Afriinvest said: “The significant jump from 2010-2011 which is the largest jump in Forbes ranking indicate the huge potential for growth which Nigeria hold for highly disciplined business man like Aliko Dangote. I will not be surprised if he is ranked as one of the top 20 richest men in the world in the next three years.”

The Managing Director and Chief Executive of Financial Derivates, Bismark Rewane said: “This to me is just the beginning for a very intelligent entrepreneur. This ranking is a plus for Nigeria. It is good news for Africa, reflecting limitless investment opportunities on the continent.”

Dangote was born in Kano on April 10, 1957 into a wealthy family. His mother Mariya Dantata was the grand-daughter of businessman Alhassan Dantata, and his father Mohammed Dangote was Dantata’s business associate. He attended the Al Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt before working for his uncle Sanusi Dantata who eventually gave him a business loan at the age of 21.

Senate panel insists on helicopter for FRSC : We don’t need it, says Chidoka

2011-03-02T09:03:00.001-08:00

Mr. Osita Chidoka

The Senate Committee on Federal Character has insisted on providing N2 billion in the 2011 budget for purchase of helicopter for the Federal Roads Safety Commission (FRSC) even as the agency said it does not need one. Speaking during budget defence by the commission yesterday, Chairman of the committee, Senator Smart Adeyemi (PDP, Kogi West) said the provision must be included in the budget as the agency is in dire need of helicopter to check the spate of accidents in the country.

Adeyemi said “We are going to include N2 billion to buy helicopter for Road Safety. If we have to cut from other sector to get a helicopter for Road Safety, I do not think it is too much.”

But in his explanation, Corp Marshal of the FRSC, Mr. Osita Chidoka said the FRSC does not need a helicopter for its operation as it requires more patrol vans to prevent accidents on the roads.

He said “We do not need a helicopter at the moment. What we need are patrol vehicles that will ensure our presence for every 50 metres from an accident scene.”

In the same vein, N2 billion has been provided for the launch the Nigerian Communication Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) One being built in China to replace the lost Satellite.

Speaking during budget defence yesterday at the Senate, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Science and Technology, Dere Awosika said N2 billion is provided in the budget as part payment for 40 per cent of the insurance premium requirement for NIGCOMSAT in preparation for the launch.

The Senate also frowned at the award of N1.4 billion contract by the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI) for the construction of underwater vessel.

An official of the institute, Nnena Denna, said the contractor has been paid 90 percent of the money “only for them to come up with series of excuses for the delay in the contract.”

Police detain cleric over Jonathan’s posters

2011-03-02T09:02:00.001-08:00

Sheikh Abubakar Jibril

Prominent Islamic scholar in Sokoto Sheikh Abubakar Jibril was arrested by the police on Monday afternoon and was flown to Abuja yesterday over what police sources said was the defacing of some campaign posters of President Goodluck Jonathan. The Sheikh, who is the Chief Imam of the Farfaru Juma’at Mosque in Sokoto, was arrested with his two sons, his driver and a domestic aide, according to relations and the police. Spokesman for the Sokoto police command ASP Al-Mustapha Sani said policemen on patrol arrested Sheikh Abubakar and the others while they were using black paint to deface the posters of the president and his deputy at some roundabouts in Sokoto metropolis at about 5pm on Monday.

Sani said they were arrested over inciting public disturbance and have been transferred to the Force Criminal Investigation Department in Abuja.

In Abuja, the Force Public Relations Officer DCP Olusola Amore confirmed that five people including Sheikh Abubakar were being held at the Force CID and that they were arrested for allegedly defacing the posters of the PDP presidential candidate and his running mate. He said they were also suspected of inciting dislike for Jonathan and of acts capable of fanning the flames of public disturbance.

Others in detention are Abba Abubakar Jibrin, Bello Abubakar and AlhajiAbubakar Jibrin. Security sources told Daily Trust that they were flown to Abuja by a chartered plane. The FPRO said the suspects will be charged after police investigation is completed.

Wife of Sheikh Abubakar Jibril, Hajiya Safiya Jibril has called on Federal Government to release her husband saying he is not a trouble maker but a peace loving person.

She said her husband had gone out on that day, Monday February 28 and that she was at home when she received information that he had been arrested at about 4.30 pm.

“Sheikh is a not a trouble maker, he is a peace loving. He is an Islamic scholar and preacher and advocate of education. He is father of over 50 children. He caters for relatives and the converts. Those in authority should fear God and release my husband and others.”

But a civil society activist, Ibrahim Tudun Doki described the arrest as political intolerance by the Jonathan regime. Tudun Doki, who is a House of Representatives candidate of the Congress for Progress Change [CPC] recalled that General Muhammadu Buhari’s campaign billboard was destroyed in Port Harcourt, Rivers State last week and that the police did not arrest or charge anyone to court for the action.

Meanwhile, a coalition of 51 organisations in Sokoto State comprising Imams and preachers yesterday condemned the Sheikh’s arrest. Speaking to Daily Trust in Sokoto, their spokesman Alhaji Shuaibu Kaoji said it was outrageous that the police even had to move the Sheikh to Abuja.

He said they were at the office of the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 10 to lay their complaint, but were told that he had gone to Kebbi State. According to him, a committee of seven persons from the 51 Islamic organisations were therefore sent to Birnin Kebbi to meet the AIG on the issue.

Shema orders arrest of Lado, Yar’adua

2011-03-02T09:01:00.000-08:00

Governor Ibrahim Shema of Katsina State has ordered the arrest of the court recognised governorship candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) Senator Yakubu Lado and his running mate Abdulaziz Yar’Adua after a clash last night.

Daily Trust learnt that the governor’s order was issued after his supporters clashed with those of Senator Lado clashed in Makauraci village on Katsina-Kano road. The governor was returning from a campaign outing just as the CPC candidate was rounding up his own rally.

Lado, Daily Trust learnt, has since left for Kaduna to attend the CPC’s rally in North-West geo-political zone. His phones were switched off when our reporter called.

Governor Shema, in a statement issued over the clash by his Senior Special Adviser of Diplomatic and Society Relationship Sada Salisu Ruma, said the supporters of Lado and Abdul’aziz Yar’adua ambushed the governor’s convoy, destroyed three vehicles and injured the governor’s supporters in the process.

Ruma said in the statement that Lado and Yar’adua were seen directing thugs to attack the governor’s convoy, adding that the governor has since ordered the state commissioner of police Alhaji Sabo Ibrahim Ringim to arrest the CPC chieftains and prosecute them.

But when contacted on phone last night the CPC chairman in Katsina state Dr Yusha’u Armaya’u told Daily Trust said they were on their way to Kaduna for the zonal flagging off of the party’s campaign were flags will be given to the candidates of the party.

He said the governor should go ahead and arrest Lado and his running mate if he thinks intimidation and oppression will pay.

Bode George appears at President’s rally

2011-03-02T08:56:00.000-08:00

Chief Olabode George

Ex-convict Chief Olabode George sat prominently in the VIP stand yesterday at the PDP’s presidential campaign rally in Lagos, which was addressed by President Goodluck Jonathan, Vice President Mohamed Namadi Sambo and other bigwigs of the ruling party. Sitting alongside George were ex-president Olusegun Obasanjo, former presidential aspirant Mrs. Sarah Jibril, serving ministers, captain of industry and PDP leaders from across the state. It was the first time that George, who completed a two year jail term for fraud last Saturday, had appeared publicly alongside the president. As it were, a presidency source said last night that Chief Olabode George’s presence at yesterday’s PDP presidential campaign rally in Lagos took President Jonathan.

Gorge had stormed the Tafawa Square, venue of rally, in a PDP-embroidered Agbada along with his supporters, only three days after he regained freedom from the Kirikiri Maximum Prisons, Lagos. President Jonathan acknowledged George’s presence in his introductory remarks. But the presidency source insisted that the PDP chieftain turned up at the occasion without the knowledge of the Presidency.

The source said the President would have preferred that George stayed away from the venue of the rally considering the controversies surrounding the reception organised for the PDP chieftain after his release, but that “there was nothing the President could have done to stop him.”

“Mr President was not aware that Chief Bode George was one of those guests packaged for the event by the organisers. I am sure the organisers took the president unawares. I think the thinking of the President is to allow the ex-convict give his support in the background for now,” the source said.

Addressing the poorly-attended rally, Dr. Jonathan gave reasons why the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led Federal Government is keen on winning Lagos, saying the city is very important to the economic recovery of the nation. He said Lagos is too important to be ignored, adding that he has been visiting Lagos regularly in the recent past to familiarise himself more with opportunities in the city state.

He said the PDP wanted to move Nigeria forward economically, saying the commerce of Lagos which contributes more than 50 percent to the nation’s economy needs to be stimulated first to get the nation’s economy back on track.

“I am always feeling bad about deterioration of federal infrastructure in Lagos. We have open lands, houses and road infrastructure. I am not happy with the current state of the Murtala Muhammed Airport Road and so many other federal roads in Lagos. We have set up a committee to look at the grey areas and see what Lagos State Government can handle and what the Federal Government could do effectively,” he said.

Jonathan also urged the people of Lagos to vote for his party’s governorship candidate Dr. Ade Dosunmu in order to make it easier to transact business between the state and Federal Government. He described the PDP governorship candidate in Lagos as his anchorman, saying, “We need a dependable anchorman in Lagos for our dreams and wishes to become a reality.”

Meanwhile, the Associated Press reported yesterday that the turnout at the Lagos rally was an indication that President Jonathan’s support in some states is still shaky.

It said, “While many expect President Goodluck Jonathan to win Nigeria’s April election, a visit to an opposition stronghold shows the leader holds a shaky grasp in some states.

“Jonathan came to Lagos on Tuesday with Vice President Namadi Sambo as part of his campaign to travel to each of the oil-rich country’s 36 states ahead of the April 9 election. However, the stands remained empty at the massive Tafawa Balewa Square in Lagos state during the event. The crowd that was there saw many local unemployed youth fighting and trying to pickpocket those attending.

“Lagos is held by the Action Congress of Nigeria, the nation’s strongest opposition party. Jonathan is the candidate of the ruling People’s Democratic Party.”

Prof. Jalingo dies at 67

2011-03-02T08:55:00.000-08:00

The Vice Chancellor of Taraba State University, Professor Ahmed Usman Jalingo died yesterday at the age of 67 in his house at Kano. Jalingo died after a brief illness. Announcing his death, his son, Mubarak Ahmed said his father had been sick for about two weeks. The deceased attended the Jalingo elementary school, Ramat College, Yola, Leeds University, UK and the University of Edinburg. He was appointed Vice Chancellor of the Taraba University in 2008. He is survived by one wife and five children.

Meanwhile, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has mourned the late Vice Chancellor, describing him as an inspirational personality. Professor Jalingo was an Assistant Secretary of the ACF. This was contained in a statement issued by Mr. Anthony Sani, the forum’s national publicity secretary. In a telephone interview with Daily Trust, the Vice chancellor of Bayero University Kano, Professor Abubakar Rasheed also described Jalingo as an intellectual colossus, whose contribution to scholarship cannot be surpassed. He said the don was a great political scientist, who after a brief stint in politics returned to the classroom despite pressure for him to stay on.

Alhaji Inuwa Abdulkadir, the Attorney General of Sokoto State, a former secretary of the ACF, described the deceased as a very humble and down-to-earth person. He said the late professor related very well with people irrespective of age difference, difference in ideology or creed.

According to the Attorney general, Jalingo was always encouraging people, especially the youths through scholarships. Alhaji Inuwa maintained that the late scholar was a detribalised Nigerian and a patriot.

Alhaji Lawal Idris, his former colleague at ACF, described Jalingo as a friend and a very responsible person. According to him, the late don was among the elders committee of the CPC, who gave wise counsel. He prayed Allah to grant him eternal rest.