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2017-04-19T08:58:00.008-07:00

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CITATION OF HONORABLE OTUNBA MICHEAL OMONIYI OMODARA (JP)

2015-06-03T13:17:00.001-07:00

Honorable, Otunba Omoniyi Omodara was born in early fifties (50s) at Oba –Ile in AKure North Local Government Area of Ondo State. His father was the late Pa. Ezekiel Omodara of the Great Akogun Alubiagba Dynasty and his mother, Late Mrs. Julianah Omowade Omodara was a descendent of Odopetu, both of Oba – Ile.

He had his elementary and secondary education at Saint John’s Anglican Primary School, Oba – Ile and Anglican Grammar School, Iju-Itaogbolu between 1961 to 1966 and 1968 to 1972 respectively. He obtained his West African School Certificate in 1972 and added the General Certificate of Education (GCE) to academic qualification in 1974.

He started his working career as a teacher before he joined the Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Federal Inspectorate Service as an Accounts Officer and served both in Kawara and Ondo States. He was later promoted to the post of executive Officer (Accounts) which he head till August , 1979 when he joined the services of the Nigeria Bank for Commerce and Industry as an Accounts Officer where he bagged a certificate of Merit before he voluntarily opted out of the banking world in 1985.

Upon leaving the public service, Otunba Omodara went into the private sector as the Administrative manger of ADEFAB Holdings Company (Nig) Limited where the then Federal and Ondo State Ministries of Commerce and Industry awarded him a Certificate of Excellence for his excellent. Demonstration of baking bread with corn flour in place of wheat flour. He later left the establishment to become the Managing Director of his own Companies.

MICO DARA (NIG) ENTERPRISES, KUNFEM (NIG) LIMITED AND DARANET COMMUNICATIONS in 1992.

On the political platform, Otunba Omodara started his enviable career as the Secretary of the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) in Old Akure.

Constituency III, and has since held various political positions between the period and 1997 when he was elected the first executive Vice chairman of Akure North Local Government before the democratic process was aborted by the then military government.

Such political position include Secretary , Unity Party of Nigeria ( UPN), Oba -/Ogbese Ward III, Vice chairman of the defunct social Democratic Party (SDP) in Oba/Ogbese ward 10 and state delegate of the party and leader of the defunct Democratic Party of Nigeria (DPN)

When Nigeria retuned to the present democratic rule, Otunba Omodara was popularly elected as the Executive Chairman of Akure North Local Government on December 5, 1998 on the platform of Alliance for Democracy (AD).

His period as the Local Government chairman impacted tremendous on the political, economic and social well being of the electorate as the dividends of democracy delivered by his administration have remained indelible and unprecedented in the memory of the people till today.

These include among others.

Construction of the Second Phase of the Local Government Secretariat drainages, culverts and Market stalls in virtually all the towns and villages in the area; reactivation of street light projects and building of Youth Centers at Oba-ile, Iju, Itaogbolu and Ayede Ogbese; purchase of grader and grading of rural and township roads as well’ as sinking of boreholes.

2 Provision of drugs and beddings in all the 18 Basic and Comprehensive Health Centers in the area; installation of X-Ray Machine at the General Hospital, Iju-Itaogbolu; donation of 18 seater bus to Ondo state Radiovision Cooperation (OSRC) to ease the transportation problem of the broadcast house; provision of Instrumental Materials to all the Secondary and Primary Schools in the area and purchase of 30-seater staff bus of the local government

3. Provision of Mercedes Benz cars for the four principal traditional rulers in the area; furnishing of their places; increase In the monthly pay package of the Obas and over 420 chiefs; upgrading of Olu Familugba into the status of an Oba; sponsorship of Obas to Jerusalem and peaceful installation of Alayede of Ayede Ogbese in year 2000, a feat which earned him a chieftaincy title of Otunba of Ayede Ogbese.

Prompt payment of staff salaries, allowance leave bonuses and other emoluments during the notorious era of Zero-Allocation to Local Governments; sponsorship of five Muslims to Mecca in the year 2000 and four each year till he left office as well as purchase of communication equipments for the 29 Olus and Baales in the area to enable them monitor government activities from their remote locations among other numerous giant strides during his tenure which he successfully completed in 2002.

As an astute grassroots politicians, he joined the Labour Party as pioneer member and was one of the few men who were at fore front of the historical 2007 gubernatorial election which saw the emergence of Dr. Olusegun Mimiko as the governor of Ondo State after two years of legal and political tussle. As a result of his commitment, dedication and steadfastness, Otunba Omodara was appointed as the pioneer Commissioner for Transport in Ondo State.

His tenure, no doubt did not only make the transport system a means of wealth creation, but also as an agent of social change for the people of the state. Among his various achievement as Ondo State Commissioner for Transport are:

Clearing of sea weeds and water hyacinth spanning about five million square meters across the riverine communities within Six months of its existence. Equality, Rivers Yewa and Ofe that have been blocked for decades were dredged.

Introduction of Sunshine Traffic Scheme (STC) to ease transportation problems in the State.

The Scheme which commenced with the recruitment and tanning of 60 traffic officers in busy towns like Akure, Ondo, Owo and Ikare.

Construction of floating Jetties at Igbokoda and Igbekebo while that of Igbokoda has been completed and commissioned .

A modern motor park was designed, constucted and completed within ten months under his supervision.

The mega motor park situated at Ondo Road, Akure has capacity to accommodate 200 vehicles, 30 shopping malls, booking office, restaurant among others.

A twenty –five tons of Towing Truck and two thirty tons of towing vans were procured to respond to accident and other emergencies on our roads this is in addition to the construction of V.I.O offices at Oka and Ifon respectively.

Procurement and distribution of One hundred Toyota Hiace to the members of the Ondo State branch of National Union Road Transport Workers (NURTW) with a view to boosting transport.

Maintenance of peace among members of NURTW and ACCOMMORAN.

Members of the two transport Unions have not only democratic Culture to run their affairs but improved tremendously in their operational, styles to serve the public better through regular capacity building and training programmes.

The ministry under his supervision constructed office complex for the Directorates of Inland waterways at Okitipupa and the construction of a story building office complex that would accommodate more staff otunba Omodara’s penchant for hard work, equality, social justice, fairness, loyalty, dedication to duty and excellent service has earned him various meritorious awards too numerous to mention. Some of these are;

i. Hononarary Goodwill Ambassador of New Democratic Nigeria, World Trade Centre, Hannorer, Federal Republic of Germany (1999).

ii. Local Government Chairman of the year-Grassroots Hall of Fame Abuja (2000).

iii. Best Local Government Chairman of the year Merit Award Leader and People Forum, Abjua (2000)

iv. Outstanding service Award-Akure Owena Golden Lions Club, Akure (2000)

v. Honorary members, Rotary Club, District 9130, AKure.

vi. Justice of Peace (JP), Ministry of Justice , Akure (2003)

vii. Award of Excellent performance-Ondo State chamber of commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (OSCCIMA) (2000)

viii. Certificate of Dedication to service –Oyemekun-International club, Baltimore, Marylands, USA, (2001)

ix. Distinguished Merit Wards, Federation of Oba Ile students Union (2002)

x. Merit Award, National Associational of AKure Students(2001).

xi. Man of substance Awards, Skylight club, Oba – Ile (2001)

xii. Installed Otunba of Ayede Ogbese by Oba Aderemi Oluyede, Alayede of Ayede-Ogbese (2000)

As a grassroots man community leader, Otunba Omodara has served his home town in various capacity which include; National Secretary Oba – Ile Progressive Union; President, Oba – Ile Progressive Union (Home Branch). Secretary, Oba – Ile Action Committee; Two term member, Board of Governor, Ejioba High School, Oba Ile; and he is presently the Baba Ijo of Chreubin and Seraphim church, Itedo-Olodumare, Oba –Ile Otunba Omodara is happily married to Chief (Mrs.) Omoyemi Omodara and blessed with wonderful children.

Distinguished guest, ladies and gentlemen, I present to you a rare Illustrious son of Oba – Ile, a grassroots politician, mobilizer, an astute administrator, excellent manger of human and material resources, the first Oba – Ile indigene to be elected vice chairman and Executive chairman of a Local Government, the first Oba – Ile son to serve as a Honourable Commissioner representing the Central Senatorial District of Ondo State on the Board of OSOPADEC, and the first Oba – Ile Indigene to be appointed not just as a commissioner in State Executive Council but as the pioneer Commissioner for Transport in Ondo State, Otunba Micheal Omoniyi Omodara (JP)

POSTED BY: TOLULOPE OMODARA FOR GLANCEAFRIK (+2348138880789)

Lola Omotayo Celebrates Her Mother

2015-06-03T03:55:00.000-07:00

The beautiful wife of Peter Okoye, Lola Omotayo Okoye, who is a mother of two cute children has taken time-out to celebrate her own mother whose birthday is today.

With sweetest words with no doubt coming from the depth of her heart, Lola praised her Russian-born mother, saying:

Mrs. Alevtina Aliona Omotayo! The one and only first lady, our super mum, our beauty queen and iron lady. Mama without you there would be no me. Where did you find the strength to do all the things you did when I was a kid? You worked, you were my chauffeur to school and back, you drove us to Ikoyi club every day after school for swimming. You were the nurse at home when I got hurt, you were the chef; teacher, counsellor and friend. You didn’t know what to do with my wild and stubborn hair but you always managed to make me look pretty! Your guidance has made me who I am today. I learned about love from watching your caring ways. Thanks for passing on the OCD gene.. I am thankful for all you showed me and continue to show me about how to love and give; lessons that now bring many blessings to me. Your constant sacrifices do not go unnoticed mama. Sometimes I take you for granted and for that I am sorry. Mama with you in my life I am blessed and so are your grandchildren Cameron and Aliona, they love their “Babushka” so much. Here is wishing you a very Happy Birthday. May God continue to bless and protect you and may you have good health and long life. We love you mama.@alionao6o2 #sweetmother #llovemymama #superwoman #Russian #Nigerian #Naijawife #bestgrandma

Lola and Tania Omotayo are the two daughters of Mrs. Omotayo, and Lola Omotayo-Okoye named her daughter ‘Aliona’ after her darling mother.

Recently, Peter and his wife Lola Omotayo took to social media to post some controversial statements and pictures which led many to believe that their marriage might be on the verge of a collapse.

source: naij news

Nollywood Actor Marries Village Wife Secretly (Photos)

2015-06-03T03:46:00.000-07:00

The popular Nollywood actor Kenneth Okonkwo has gotten himself a village wife.

The actor and politician secretly married a village wife in a new movie titled, ”Amanda, My Village Wife”. The movie, which is full of suspense, features Kenneth Okonkwo, Ngozi Ezeonu, Sochima Ezeoke, Prince Nwafor and more.

Aside from being an actor, the actor and politician is also a lawyer and a graduate of business management from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

Kenneth Okonkwo is not a new name in Nollywood. He shot into the limelight after featuring in the movie, ‘Living in Bondage’, which also marked the turning point for the Nigeria movie industry. The Nollywood actor once bragged that he can have sex for 24 straight hours.

source: naij news

Senate Presidency: David Mark Pots To Retain Seat

2015-06-03T03:31:00.000-07:00

A plot by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to ensure that David Mark and Ike Ekweremadu retain their respective positions as Senate president and deputy has thrown the All Progressives Congress (APC) into confusion.

The discord within the ruling party has prevented it from consolidating on a single candidate for the position. The party’s candidates, Senator Ahmed Lawan and Bukola Saraki are locked in battle for the top job.

Aware of this lock jam, the PDP is determined to capitalise on this loophole and has directed its senators to vote for one candidate when the Senate convenes.

The Nation learnt that outgoing president of the Senate, David Mark, has urged the PDP members-elect in the National Assembly to be united so as to achieve this feat.

“We must subject our individual interest to our group interest. In the election of principal officers of National Assembly, we must vote in one accord. We must know that united we stand, divided we fall,”Mark said at a party retreat in Port Harcourt.

The APC in this regard, has summoned an emergency meeting of its lawmakers to try and thwart the schemes of the PDP.

According to sources in the know, the party seeks use the opportunity afforded by the meeting to convince senators elect on its platform to adopt a consensus for the Senate Presidency.

Though the ruling party has a majority in the Senate, there is no rule specifying that the majority party nor the opposition should produce the president of the Senate.

This implies that any candidate from either party with the maximum number of votes will become senate president and the PDP intends to use this to their advantage.

Meanwhile, the ambition of Senator Bukola Saraki to become the next Senate president of the eight National Assembly has suffered set back after Senators from the Northwest zone denied endorsing him.

source: naij news

Kashamu Replies NDLEA, Says Agency Has No Role In Extradition Process

2015-06-03T03:08:00.000-07:00

Ogun East Senator-elect, Buruji Kashamu, has replied a notice of extradition served him by the NDLEA on Tuesday, saying the NDLEA has no role to play in extradition proceedings until a warrant of arrest has been issued by the court.

Mr Kashamu’s lawyer, Ajibola Oluyede, said in a statement that it is the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice that initiates extradition proceedings.

Find the statement below:

Re: Kashamu Gets Notice Of Extradition

Our attention has been drawn to a press release by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) purporting to have served extradition proceedings on Senator-elect, Prince Buruji Kashamu.

We wish to state that the NDLEA has no role to play in extradition proceedings until a warrant of arrest has been issued by the court. It is the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice that initiates extradition proceedings after receiving a request by an order directed to the court and asking the court to take over the matter.

It is the court that will decide whether a warrant of arrest is necessary. It is the court that will consider all the evidence provided by the United States to see whether it satisfies the onus of proof and that it establishes that the person sough is the person that actually participated in the offence alleged.

In this case, the NDLEA is very jumpy, nervous and unsettled because it has exposed its unprofessionalism when before any extradition proceedings had been commenced at all, it invaded the home of Prince Kashamu, broke down his gates, doors and windows to gain access, harassed his infant children and pregnant wife and humiliated him in the presence of his family.

Clearly, the plan was not extradition but abduction and that plan failed only because it quickly came to the attention of the public.

The belated filing on Thursday, 28 May, 2015 of an application to the Federal High Court by the immediate past Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Mohammed Adoke Bello, is an afterthought. And the lack of quality in the processes is indicative that it is a rushed job quickly done to save his face.

The pieces of evidence which the U.S. authorities have provided him are exactly the same evidence that the British courts found to contain falsehood and held to be incredible and valueless.

I wonder why the immediate past AGF would think that the Nigerian courts can be deceived.

Additionally, it must be borne in mind that during the trial in the United Kingdom, the NDLEA sent its operatives to London to give evidence. And that evidence was to the effect that Prince Buruji Kashamu is not the person wanted for the drug-related offences.

One wonders what has changed now. Although one should not wonder for long knowing that the immediate past AGF and the Chairman of the NDLEA are now working for Prince Kashamu’s political opponents who will do anything to deprive him of his mandate which he won in a free and fair election.

There are many things wrong with the documents filed by the immediate past AGF. But all these will be dealt with in the court in due course.

The triumphant announcement by the NDLEA that they have served Prince Kashamu with extradition proceedings is not only laughable but false. He has not been served. Rather, a copy of the process was dropped in our office in Lagos yesterday. So, we shall deal with it in accordance with the law.

In the meantime, the NDLEA should be warned to stay away because they have no role to play in the current proceedings. And if we should discover that they have usurped the functions of the AGF, we shall certainly make an issue of it.

source: channels news

2015-06-03T03:00:00.000-07:00

Reports are just reaching us that thugs in Ekiti state have begun blocking major roads leading into Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti state capital.

Eyewitnesses who spoke to Premium Times on Wednesday morning, claimed the Olasore side, Efon Alaye section and the Ikere section of the Akure-Ado express road was barricaded by thugs.

Eyewitnesses also said the thugs had announced that the roads will not be opened until 4pm today.

The road blocks are believed to have been motivated by Governor Fayose’s plea to the people of Ekiti state to stop lawmakers from wrongfully removing him from office.

Some Twitter users also posted pictures of the melee:

Yesterday it was reported that thugs had surrounded the Assembly complex and were waiting eagerly for the lawmakers.

All Progressives Congress lawmakers in Ekiti state were set to hold a sitting inside the Ekiti House of Assembly complex.

source: naij news

2015-06-01T14:05:00.000-07:00

Presidential Villa Empty On Buhari’s First Day At Work

Those who expected President Muhammadu Buhari to be at the Presidential Villa to resume work immediately on the first day of the week and his resumption, may have been disappointed.

Cleaning and renovation work are said to still be ongoing in the President’s office and residence while he operated from the Defence House in Aso drive in the Federal Capital Territory.

Civil servants were seen doing skeletal work while awaiting the political heads who will give them direction on what next to do in the new dispensation.

President Muhammadu Buhari has, however, started performing his official duties as he is set to embark on his first trip outside the country since his inauguration on May 29, 2015.

He is visiting the Presidents of Chad and Niger Republic on Wednesday to discuss security matters.

The visit is not unexpected considering President Buhari’s emphatic declaration to fight insurgency in his inaugural speech at the swearing-in held at the Eagles Square in Abuja, the nation’s capital city.

On Thursday, May 28, the former president, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan had conducted President Buhari round the Presidential Villa on a familiarisation tour.

2015-06-01T13:59:00.000-07:00

Ekiti State Govt. Says It Has Paid APC Lawmakers’ Entitlements

Ekiti State government has described as falsehood and dishonesty, an alleged claim by the All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmakers that they have not been paid their entitlements.

The government said in a statement issued on Sunday by the State Commissioner for Finance, Toyin Ojo, that the lawmakers duly acknowledged receipt of cheques for their payments last week Wednesday through his office.

The government was reacting to a statement supposedly issued by one Wole Olujobi, who claimed to be the lawmakers’ spokesperson, that Governor Ayodele Fayose placed an embargo on the lawmakers’ bank accounts and did not pay them their entitlements.

The statement read; “We would have remained silent in deference to the agreement reached at the last Monday meeting in Akure that all parties should maintain silence on the outcome of the meeting, especially because the lawmakers said they do not want their leaders to know the outcome of the meeting.

However, since the lawmakers have chosen not to abide by this agreement by first issuing press statement to deny and reveal what was discussed in the meeting, and now going to the press to say that they have not received any payment, the government does not have any other option than to tell the public the truth and set the records straight.

“The government is by this press statement putting the records straight since the money paid to the lawmakers belong to Ekiti people.

“The payment was made in cheques because the lawmakers pleaded that their accounts should not be credited directly so as to avoid the banks from making deductions for loans taken from the banks.

“Saying that they have not been paid is quite unfortunate and unbecoming of honourable members of the State House of Assembly and this is sad.

“We will want to keep our fingers crossed and we wish to caution the lawmakers to adhere strictly to the spirit of the agreements.

“Governor Fayose’s good gesture, aimed at ensuring peace in the state should not be abused.”

source: channelstv

2015-05-29T12:24:00.000-07:00

President Muhammadu Buhari’s Inaugural Speech

The Full Text of Muhammadu Buhari’s inaugural speech.

I am immensely grateful to God Who Has preserved us to witness this day and this occasion. Today marks a triumph for Nigeria and an occasion to celebrate her freedom and cherish her democracy. Nigerians have shown their commitment to democracy and are determined to entrench its culture. Our journey has not been easy but thanks to the determination of our people and strong support from friends abroad we have today a truly democratically elected government in place.
I would like to thank President Goodluck Jonathan for his display of statesmanship in setting a precedent for us that has now made our people proud to be Nigerians wherever they are. With the support and cooperation he has given to the transition process, he has made it possible for us to show the world that despite the perceived tension in the land we can be a united people capable of doing what is right for our nation. Together we co-operated to surprise the world that had come to expect only the worst from Nigeria. I hope this act of graciously accepting defeat by the outgoing President will become the standard of political conduct in the country.
I would like to thank the millions of our supporters who believed in us even when the cause seemed hopeless. I salute their resolve in waiting long hours in rain and hot sunshine to register and cast their votes and stay all night if necessary to protect and ensure their votes count and were counted. I thank those who tirelessly carried the campaign on the social media. At the same time, I thank our other countrymen and women who did not vote for us but contributed to make our democratic culture truly competitive, strong and definitive.
I thank all of you.
Having just a few minutes ago sworn on the Holy Book, I intend to keep my oath and serve as President to all Nigerians.
I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody.
A few people have privately voiced fears that on coming back to office I shall go after them. These fears are groundless. There will be no paying off old scores. The past is prologue.
Our neighbours in the Sub-region and our African brethren should rest assured that Nigeria under our administration will be ready to play any leadership role that Africa expects of it. Here I would like to thank the governments and people of Cameroon, Chad and Niger for committing their armed forces to fight Boko Haram in Nigeria.
I also wish to assure the wider international community of our readiness to cooperate and help to combat threats of cross-border terrorism, sea piracy, refugees and boat people, financial crime, cyber crime, climate change, the spread of communicable diseases and other challenges of the 21st century.
At home we face enormous challenges. Insecurity, pervasive corruption, the hitherto unending and seemingly impossible fuel and power shortages are the immediate concerns. We are going to tackle them head on. Nigerians will not regret that they have entrusted national responsibility to us. We must not succumb to hopelessness and defeatism. We can fix our problems.
In recent times Nigerian leaders appear to have misread our mission. Our founding fathers, Mr Herbert Macauley, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Alhaji Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto, Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Malam Aminu Kano, Chief J.S. Tarka, Mr Eyo Ita, Chief Denis Osadeby, Chief Ladoke Akintola and their colleagues worked to establish certain standards of governance. They might have differed in their methods or tactics or details, but they were united in establishing a viable and progressive country. Some of their successors behaved like spoilt children breaking everything and bringing disorder to the house.
Furthermore, we as Nigerians must remind ourselves that we are heirs to great civilizations: Shehu Othman Dan fodio’s caliphate, the Kanem Borno Empire, the Oyo Empire, the Benin Empire and King Jaja’s formidable domain. The blood of those great ancestors flow in our veins. What is now required is to build on these legacies, to modernize and uplift Nigeria.
Daunting as the task may be it is by no means insurmountable. There is now a national consensus that our chosen route to national development is democracy. To achieve our objectives we must consciously work the democratic system. The Federal Executive under my watch will not seek to encroach on the duties and functions of the Legislative and Judicial arms of government. The law enforcing authorities will be charged to operate within the Constitution. We shall rebuild and reform the public service to become more effective and more serviceable. We shall charge them to apply themselves with integrity to stabilize the system.
For their part the legislative arm must keep to their brief of making laws, carrying out over-sight functions and doing so expeditiously. The judicial system needs reform to cleanse itself from its immediate past. The country now expects the judiciary to act with dispatch on all cases especially on corruption, serious financial crimes or abuse of office. It is only when the three arms act constitutionally that government will be enabled to serve the country optimally and avoid the confusion all too often bedeviling governance today.
Elsewhere relations between Abuja and the States have to be clarified if we are to serve the country better. Constitutionally there are limits to powers of each of the three tiers of government but that should not mean the Federal Government should fold its arms and close its eyes to what is going on in the states and local governments. Not least the operations of the Local Government Joint Account. While the Federal Government can not interfere in the details of its operations it will ensure that the gross corruption at the local level is checked. As far as the constitution allows me I will try to ensure that there is responsible and accountable governance at all levels of government in the country. For I will not have kept my own trust with the Nigerian people if I allow others abuse theirs under my watch.
However, no matter how well organized the governments of the federation are they can not succeed without the support, understanding and cooperation of labour unions, organized private sector, the press and civil society organizations. I appeal to employers and workers alike to unite in raising productivity so that everybody will have the opportunity to share in increased prosperity. The Nigerian press is the most vibrant in Africa. My appeal to the media today – and this includes the social media – is to exercise its considerable powers with responsibility and patriotism.
My appeal for unity is predicated on the seriousness of the legacy we are getting into. With depleted foreign reserves, falling oil prices, leakages and debts the Nigerian economy is in deep trouble and will require careful management to bring it round and to tackle the immediate challenges confronting us, namely; Boko Haram, the Niger Delta situation, the power shortages and unemployment especially among young people. For the longer term we have to improve the standards of our education. We have to look at the whole field of medicare. We have to upgrade our dilapidated physical infrastructure.
The most immediate is Boko Haram’s insurgency. Progress has been made in recent weeks by our security forces but victory can not be achieved by basing the Command and Control Centre in Abuja. The command centre will be relocated to Maiduguri and remain until Boko Haram is completely subdued. But we can not claim to have defeated Boko Haram without rescuing the Chibok girls and all other innocent persons held hostage by insurgents.
This government will do all it can to rescue them alive. Boko Haram is a typical example of small fires causing large fires. An eccentric and unorthodox preacher with a tiny following was given posthumous fame and following by his extra judicial murder at the hands of the police. Since then through official bungling, negligence, complacency or collusion Boko Haram became a terrifying force taking tens of thousands of lives and capturing several towns and villages covering swathes of Nigerian sovereign territory.
Boko Haram is a mindless, godless group who are as far away from Islam as one can think of. At the end of the hostilities when the group is subdued the Government intends to commission a sociological study to determine its origins, remote and immediate causes of the movement, its sponsors, the international connexions to ensure that measures are taken to prevent a reccurrence of this evil. For now the Armed Forces will be fully charged with prosecuting the fight against Boko haram. We shall overhaul the rules of engagement to avoid human rights violations in operations. We shall improve operational and legal mechanisms so that disciplinary steps are taken against proven human right violations by the Armed Forces.
Boko Haram is not only the security issue bedeviling our country. The spate of kidnappings, armed robberies, herdsmen/farmers clashes, cattle rustlings all help to add to the general air of insecurity in our land. We are going to erect and maintain an efficient, disciplined people – friendly and well – compensated security forces within an over – all security architecture.
The amnesty programme in the Niger Delta is due to end in December, but the Government intends to invest heavily in the projects, and programmes currently in place. I call on the leadership and people in these areas to cooperate with the State and Federal Government in the rehabilitation programmes which will be streamlined and made more effective. As ever, I am ready to listen to grievances of my fellow Nigerians. I extend my hand of fellowship to them so that we can bring peace and build prosperity for our people.
No single cause can be identified to explain Nigerian’s poor economic performance over the years than the power situation. It is a national shame that an economy of 180 million generates only 4,000MW, and distributes even less. Continuous tinkering with the structures of power supply and distribution and close on $20b expanded since 1999 have only brought darkness, frustration, misery, and resignation among Nigerians. We will not allow this to go on. Careful studies are under way during this transition to identify the quickest, safest and most cost-effective way to bring light and relief to Nigerians.
Unemployment, notably youth un-employment features strongly in our Party’s Manifesto. We intend to attack the problem frontally through revival of agriculture, solid minerals mining as well as credits to small and medium size businesses to kick – start these enterprises. We shall quickly examine the best way to revive major industries and accelerate the revival and development of our railways, roads and general infrastructure.
Your Excellencies, My fellow Nigerians I can not recall when Nigeria enjoyed so much goodwill abroad as now. The messages I received from East and West, from powerful and small countries are indicative of international expectations on us. At home the newly elected government is basking in a reservoir of goodwill and high expectations. Nigeria therefore has a window of opportunity to fulfill our long – standing potential of pulling ourselves together and realizing our mission as a great nation.
Our situation somehow reminds one of a passage in Shakespeare’s Julius Ceasar
There is a tide in the affairs of men which,
taken at the flood, leads on to fortune;
Omitted, all the voyage of their life,
Is bound in shallows and miseries.
We have an opportunity. Let us take it.
Thank you
Muhammadu Buhari
President Federal Republic of NIGERIA and
Commander in-chief-of the Armed forces

2015-05-26T16:21:00.000-07:00

Jonathan Gets Award Of ‘Peace-loving Global Citizen’

President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria has received the award of ‘Peace-loving Global Citizen’, in recognition of his commitment to the unity of the nation has continued to see its ethnic and religious diversity as its strength.

The award was given to the President by the Universal Peace Foundation on Tuesday in Abuja.

Conferring the award on the President at the Presidential Villa, the leader of the group and a constitutional lawyer, Mr Mike Ozhekohme, commended Dr Jonathan for his commitment to ensuring that Nigeria remained united, despite predictions of disintegration.

He will now represent Nigeria at the global peace council taking over from Mr Ernest Shonekan.

In his acceptance speech, President Jonathan reiterated his commitment to the unity of Nigeria, insisting that he will never be part of any action that can lead to Nigeria’s disintegration.

“I will never be a party to Nigeria’s disintegration,” he said.

He said the predictions that the country would cease to exist in 2015 could have come true if he had not taken the decision to concede defeat in the March 28 presidential election.

Dr Jonathan reinstated his position that he would dedicate the remaining part of his life to issues that would bring unity and peace to the country.

Dr Jonathan called on Nigerians to commit themselves to strengthening those issues that would promote the nation’s unity, despite the diversity.

The Nigerian President, who will be handing over to a new administration on May 29, also urged the President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari to appreciate the contributions of well-meaning Nigerians and see how Nigeria could be governed as a country that belongs to all.

source: channelstv

2015-05-26T16:05:00.000-07:00

NDLEA Says It Will Maintain Presence At Kashamu’s Residence

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Nigeria says it has not received any court order asking it to leave the Lagos residence of Buruji Kashamu, insisting that it will continue to maintain presence.

A Federal High Court in Lagos on Tuesday ordered the NDLEA operatives to immediately vacate the residence of the senator-elect for Ogun East Senatorial District.

Hours after the decision of the court was reported by the media, the agency described the reports of the judge’s decision as “diversionary and inconsequential”.

“Refused To Be distracted”

A spokesman for the agency, Mitchell Ofoyeju, the NDLEA did not believe that any court would issue an order preventing a government agency from performing its statutory responsibilities in a lawful manner.

He said: “The agency has therefore refused to be distracted and will continue to maintain presence at the residence. It is advisable that Kashamu respects the law by submitting himself to the due process of the law.

“The NDLEA wishes to reiterate that his rights like that of other citizens shall be respected and the due process of law followed in this case.

“The agency is prepared to further increase her public rating and goodwill in the areas of suspect handling, respect for human rights and the rule of law. We are prepared to explore all legal means in handling this case to a logical conclusion.”

“According to official record, Kashamu has been a target of both the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for over 20 years and was further indicted by the Grand Jury in the Northern District of Illinois, United States on heroin trafficking charges,” Ofoyeju stated.

The High Court had ordered the NDLEA operatives to vacate the Lagos residence and other properties of an Ogun State Senator-elect, Buruji Kashamu.

The Court made the order while ruling on an application filed by Mr Kashamu through his lawyer, Ajibola Oluyede.

The application was for the committal proceedings of the Attorney General of the Federation, Mr Mohammed Adoke and the Chairman of the NDLEA, Chief Ahmadu Giade.

The application was filed on Monday. After the filing of the case, Justice Ibrahim Buba summoned both men to appear before him on Tuesday to explain why they disobeyed a court order to maintain status quo on an alleged plan to abduct Mr Kashamu and extradite him to the United States to face charges of drug trafficking.

Last week Saturday, the NDLEA laid siege on Mr Kashamu’s Lekki residence and placed him under house arrest. The spokesman of the agency, Mr Mitchell Ofoyeju had told Channels Television that Mr Kashamu would be brought before the court on Monday for the commencement of the extradition proceedings.

The NDLEA, however, failed to produce the Senator-elect in court as his lawyers demanded to see the arrest warrant on which authority the agency was acting, but the agency could not provide one.

After waiting for the NDLEA to produce a warrant without success, Mr Kashamu’s lawyer proceeded to ask the court to hold liable for contempt of court.

source: channelstv

Amosun Dissolves State Executive Council

2015-05-26T08:58:00.000-07:00

Amosun Dissolves State Executive Council

The Ogun State Governor has dissolved the State Executive Council.

The dissolution is coming four days to the expiration of Governor Ibikunle Amosun’s first term in office.
According to a press statement by the former Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Taiwo Adeoluwa, the dissolution will affect the Secretary to the State Government, Chief of Staff, Commissioners, Special Advisers, Consultants, Senior Special Assistants, Special Assistants, and Personal Assistants.
Addressing members of the extended Executive Council inside the Council Chambers, Oke-Mosan, Amosun thanked the political appointees for their support, co-operation and devotion to the accomplishment of the Mission to Rebuild Ogun State.
He commended members of the Council for being part of the team that has laid the foundation for a new Ogun State and added that posterity would be kind to them for their hard work.
He prayed that God should bless the outgoing members of the Ogun State Government and grant them success in their future endeavours.
During the final meeting of the Extended Council, members took turn to relate their experiences in the last four years and thanked God and Governor Amosun for the opportunity given to them to serve the state.
The outgoing officials have been directed to hand over to the most Senior Civil Servant in their respective Ministries, Department and Agencies.

SOURCE: CHANNELSTV

2015-05-26T08:51:00.003-07:00

PDP Gets New BOT Chairman

The Board of Trustees of Nigeria’s ruling party, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has appointed a former Acting National Chairman of the party, and former Defence Minister, Haliru Mohammed, as its Acting Chairman.

Mr. Mohammed’s nomination was endorsed on Monday night by the PDP’s BOT at a meeting at the BOT meeting presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan.

The meeting lasted for about two hours from 9 to about 11 pm
Mr. Mohammed emerged against widespread belief that President Goodluck Jonathan would be assuming the position as he leaves office on Friday, May 29.
Out-gone Chairman of the BOT, Tony Anenih, had, while resigning last week, said he was vacating the office to allow Mr. Jonathan to assume the post.
But the Secretary to the BOT, Walid Jibrin, told State House correspondents after the meeting that President Goodluck Jonathan declined the offer.
Also speaking to State House correspondents Dr Haliru said that he is determined to pull his idea to reach out to all its members across the country to ensure that PDP reaches the grass root an return the party back to the people
SOURCE: CHANNELSTV

Court Orders NDLEA To Vacate Buruji Kashamu’s Residence

2015-05-26T08:36:00.000-07:00

Court Orders NDLEA To Vacate Buruji Kashamu’s Residence

The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has ordered the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA) to vacate the resident and other properties of an Ogun State Senator-elect, Buruji Kashamu.

The Court made the order on Tuesday while ruling on an application filed by Mr Kashamu through his lawyer, Ajibola Oluyede.
The application was for the committal proceedings of the Attorney General of the Federation, Mr Mohammed Adoke and the Chairman of the NDLEA, Chief Ahmadu Giade.
The application was filed on Monday. After the filing of the case, Justice Ibrahim Buba summoned both men to appear before him on Tuesday to explain why they disobeyed a court order to maintain status quo on an alleged plan to abduct Mr Kashamu and extradite him to the United States to face charges of drug trafficking.
Last week Saturday, the NDLEA laid siege on Mr Kashamu’s Lekki residence and placed him under house arrest. The spokesman of the agency, Mr Mitchell Ofoyeju had told Channels Television that Mr Kashamu would be brought before the court on Monday for the commencement of the extradition proceedings.
The NDLEA, however, failed to produce the Senator-elect in court as his lawyers demanded to see the arrest warrant on which authority the agency was acting, but the agency could not provide one.
After waiting for the NDLEA to produce a warrant without success, Mr Kashamu’s lawyer proceeded to ask the court to hold liable for contempt of court.

source: CHANNELSTV

2015-05-23T14:11:00.000-07:00

What next for ‘Mr. Fix it’?

AT 83, the acclaimed ‘Mr. Fix it’ of the Nigerian politics is in a fix. The master strategist and schemer will not forget the month of March in a hurry. Having lost relevance in his native Edo State, almost seven years ago, when the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was displaced by the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), he literarily relocated to Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
For him, hope was the elixir of life. He boasted that his party will retain federal power. But, on March 28, he failed to spring a surprise, thereby failing woefully to live up to his billing. As Nigerians issued a quit notice to President Goodluck Jonathan, who will definitely bid farewell to Aso Villa next week, it was evident that the gladiator could not swing the votes to the ruling party, despite its formidable structure, financial war chest and bravado.
For 16 years, Chief Tony Anenih, frontline politician and the Iyasele of Uromi, Esanland, wielded enormous power and influence. Even, the indomitable, power-loaded and combative Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo, former President of Nigeria, called him “my leader,” to the envy of other PDP founding fathers. He was the pillar of support for three Presidents-Obasanjo, the late Alhaji Umaru Yar’Adua and Dr. Jonathan-who held him in awe. For him, no challenge is insurmountable. In Edo PDP, his word was law. He was the godfather and benefactor to many lackeys. He determined who got what, when and how.
But, the hour of reality has now come. Power is transient and no condition is permanent. As from May 29, there will be a role reversal. Anenih will either cross the bridge to oblivion or begin a fresh political career at the twilight of life as one of the arrowheads of the crisis-ridden opposition party, the PDP, which, to many observers, faces a gloomy future.
During the week, the eminent politician braced up for the challenge of full life outside power. He mapped out a process of political adjustment for himself. The man, who complained bitterly when Obasanjo displaced him as the Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT), has voluntarily surrendered the position to the out-going President, in a show of goodwill and solidarity. The implication of the new dawn is not lost on him. Thus, the withdrawal is in consonance with the reality of the moment. The old man may also vacate his office as the Chairman of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).
To observers, the prediction of Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, is coming to fulfillment. The veteran labour leader has vowed to retire the godfather from politics. Is ‘Mr. Fix it’ now retiring from politics? Anenih has been described as a cat with nine lives. Will the consummate politician bounce back, thereby justifying this characterisation? Can he close his eyes to politics?
The handwriting was bold on the wall. Perhaps, the elder statesman chose to ignore it. Since 2007, the tide has begun to change for Anenih. That year, Edo slipped from his firm grip. It was a turning point for progressives who had loathed his domineering nature. Although the PDP had ruled the Southsouth state for eight years, there were cries of despondency and intense agitation for power shift. The former Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President returned home to challenge the Edo political establishment to a duel. Oshiomhole of the ACN faced Anenih’s candidate, Oserheimen Osunbor, a professor of Law, in the ring. While the PDP relied on its strength as the ruling party at the state and federal levels, the police and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), headed by Prof. Maurice Iwu, the labour leader ran to the oppressed masses for help. Despite his victory at the poll, the INEC, which was more or less a ‘parastatal’ of the PDP, allotted victory to the loser. The deprived ACN standard bearer picked up the gauntlet and the battle shifted from the ballot box to the courtroom. The outcome of the litigation severely battered the image of the PDP in Edo. The incident affected the people’s perception about the party and its leadership. As the stolen mandate was restored to the legitimate owner, it was evident that Anenih’s PDP merely relied on rigging to survive in the state. The godfather had not recovered from the shock when Obasanjo edged him out as the PDP-BoT Chairman.
When the PDP lost power in Edo, many supporters of Anenih were left in the cold. The management of the tragedy became difficult as crisis broke out in the troubled chapter. Former military governor of old Bendel State, who also served as an elected governor for three months in the Second Republic, Brig-Gen. Samuel Ogbemudia, rejected Anenih’s leadership. Up came two parallel PDP executives. Following the escalation of the crisis, the camp of the “leader” depleted, with Osunbor later parting ways with him and showing solidarity with Oshiomhole to spite his former benefactor. Tragedy also hit the sinking chapter when party chieftains left for the ACN in droves. Prominent among the defectors were the former state chairman and women leader.
However, Anenih is not a warrior that will easily give up a war or desert the battle field. The decimation of the party notwithstanding, he vowed not to surrender. He fixed his gaze at 2012, urging President Goodluck Jonathan, his deputy, Namadi Sambo, and other PDP leaders to see the approaching governorship poll as a worthwhile investment. He pointed out that the formidable party structure has faded away. In addition, he said die-hard PDP stalwarts outnumbered their ACN counterparts. In fact, the campaign was led by the Vice President. But, the outcome was more calamitous for the party, Anenih and the President. PDP family lost its deposit at the poll.
Anenih’s candidate was Gen. Charles Airhiavbere. The die was cast between him and Oshiomhole on July 14, 2012. There was a clash of ego. The maverick politician boasted that the governor will kiss the dust before the PDP arsenal. The comrade-governor replied that electoral terrorism was old fashioned in Edo. In fact, the old political warhorse and his co-travellers were struggling from a position disadvantage. Oshiomhole has performed in his first term. Therefore, the people wanted continuity. His challenger, Airhiavbere, was not perceived as a tested politician. He had that burden of convincing the people about the achievements of the PDP governments at the state and federal levels. The governor could not afford to underrate Anenih, the irrepressible leader of the conservative bloc. He worked harder to earn a second term.
Yet, the old man refused to give up. He promised to pull the rug off Oshiomhole’s feet during the last elections. Anenih had planned to re-capture parliamentary seats in Edo Central District for the PDP during the exercise. After orchestrating some defections from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the PDP, he also played the ethnic card. His strategy was wiping sentiments against the APC presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, by encouraging Mrs. Rosemary Subaru, the daughter of the former governor of Bendel State, the late Prof. Ambrose Ali, to remind constituents about how his father was jailed by the former military Head of State, following the December 31, 1983 coup.
But, Oshiomhole appeared smarter. At a rally in Uromi, the governor reminded the district that Anenih was the Chairman of the defunct National Party of Nigeria (NPN), which ‘rigged’ Ali out of power in the Second Republic. He also asked the Iyasele to stop using Ali’s name to score cheap political capital. Instead, Oshiomhole advised him to concentrate on wooing voters by listing his achievements in Edo Central as the leader of the PDP since 1999. In his opinion, Anenih would not have worked for the political downfall of Ali, if he is a patriot. He wondered why the Uromi chief, who connived with others to remove the crown and gubernatorial robes of Ali, has turned around to twist history. “Which disgrace and humiliation of Edo Central is more than that?,” he queried.
Oshiomhole also raised other posers: As the Minister of Works, what did Anenih do for Edo Central? Which project did he attract to the district? Ali built a university. What has Anenih brought to the area? “Since 1999, he has been a powerful and influential man. He is labeled as the leader; he has nothing to show for it in Edo Central,” the governor added. At the polls, Anenih failed to deliver as promised.

According to analysts, Anenih may have been boxed by circumstances beyond his control into a zone where he will ultimately take solace in old glory. He has a rich political credential worthy of pride by admirers of conservative politicking. To many anti-progressive actors, he is a mentor and role model.
In 1981, he came to limelight. Anenih’s first political battle was fought with a strong resolve, vigour and zeal. He entered politics after retiring as a Commissioner of Police. But, he overtook those before him in a battle of wits. Anenih surprisingly displaced the late Chief Tony Enahoro as the Bendel State Chairman of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN). It was a feat that could not be ignored. He also confronted former Governor Ali, the professor of Morbid Anatomy, who was facing serious internal crisis in the Bendel chapter of the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) by rallying forces to install Ogbemudia as governor. That marked the beginning of Anenih’s meteoric rise to fame.
Having placed his hands on the plough, he has not looked back. In the Third Republic, Anenih bounced back. He was a founding member of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP), an amalgam of leftist and rightist politicians being tossed around by former military President Ibrahim Babangida. The uneasy cohabitation later shaped the diverse responses to the critical “June 12″ question within the shaky platform.
Anenih was a member of the most powerful caucus in the SDP, led by the late Major General Sheu Yar’ Adua. In fact, during the botched presidential primaries, he was Gen. Yar’Adua’s campaign manager. He worked hard for Yar’Adua to emerge as the flag bearer, but the military rulers aborted the primaries. When Ambassador Baba Gana Kingibe vacated the SDP national chairmanship, Yar’Adua’s political machinery, the Peoples Front, which later became to be known as the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM), installed Anenih as chairman. On that note, Yar’Adua became the undisputed leader of the SDP because the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) was under his firm control. Anenih was on that exalted seat when Chief Moshood Abiola and Kingibe defeated Alhaji Bashir Tofa and Dr. Sylvester Ugoh of the National Republican Convention (NRC) at the June 12, 1993 election. When the historic poll was criminally annulled, the national chairman failed to defend the mandate. While political leaders and rights activists were agitating for the de-annulment, Anenih looked the other way. Anenih’s aloofness enraged many politicians. But, according to sources, it was his unique style.
However, Anenih’s tenure was brief. When Gen. Sani Abacha sacked the interim contraption, headed by the eminent boardroom guru, Chief Ernest Shonekan, the SDP and the NRC were disbanded and Anenih ceased to be the SDP chairman. He joined one of the five parties under Abacha described by the late Chief Bola Ige as “five fingers of a leprous hand”. Like Yar’Adua, his leader, Anenih became a delegate to the 1994/95 Constitutional Conference, which set a terminal date for the military rule.
In 1999, Anenih emerged as a founding father of the PDP. When Ige, fondly called the Cicero of Esa-Oke, saw Anenih, Chief Arthur Nzeribe and other Abacha politicians at one of the preliminary meetings, which culminated in the formation of the PDP, he withdrew his participation, saying that he did not want to be contaminated by the ‘Abacha virus.’ Both Anenih and Ige later served as ministers under the PDP administration.
Anenih was the first Minister of Works in the Obasanjo Administration. It was a reward for the crucial role he played in installing the Ota farmer as the President. He was also a member of Obasanjo’s kitchen cabinet. But, critics alleged that his attention as a minister was always diverted by the demands of high wire politics. Thus, in their contention, the infrastructure battle, which should be his primary responsibility, was not vigorously fought. Federal roads became death traps and critics alleged that huge money voted for construction and rehabilitation went down the drain. Anenih objected to the claim. He fired back, saying that he did not steal a penny. When a media report insinuated that Anenih would soon be in soup on the day of accountability, he boasted: ‘which pot of soup can contain me?’
Anenih is a loyal PDP leader. He was also a dependable ally of Obasanjo. In 2002, he declared that there was no vacancy in Aso Rock. The import of the statement was not lost on other PDP presidential aspirants. They developed cold feet. He and the former Internal Affairs Minister, the late Chief Sunday Afolabi, drove Obasanjo’s second term project. Obasanjo always relied on Anenih’s foresight and intelligence in fighting intra-party battles in the PDP. He was powerful; so was his wife, Josephine, former PDP Woman Leader and Women Affairs Minister.
A proof of Anenih’s influence came into the fore in 2007 at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, during the governorship rerun between Mrs. Hilda Williams, the widow of the slain PDP chieftain, Mr. Funso Williams, and Senator Musiliu Obanikoro. The Electoral Officer, Real Admiral Ogundele, declared Mrs. Williams winner. But, on getting to Abuja, Anenih, who observed the exercise, reported to the PDP National Executive Committee (NEC) that Obanikoro won. His report was upheld and the party announced in Abuja that the senator was its Lagos State flag bearer.
But, since his influence has been liquidate at the home front, the tide has changed for Anenih. His albatross is Oshiomhole, who had appealed to the people of Edo to halt the dangerous trend of godfatherism in the state. Although he had mustered the strength to gather his forces and launch a political war, his old tricks could not pay off. Anenih succeeded in engineering a crack in the Edo APC. Some defectors from the PDP, including Eze Iyamu, a priest, ran back. A commissioner also resigned, to the consternation of the governor. The commissioner defected to the PDP. The battle also shifted to the House of Assembly. But, the governor has been on top of the situation.
As the PDP was ebbing away, following its protracted crisis, Anenih and other founding fathers were in political distress. At the federal level, he tried to reconcile the warring PDP chieftains, but without success. His pleas to Obasanjo to bury the hatchet and forgive the President was also unsuccessful.
At home, the PDP has also become a shadow of its self. The recent parliamentary elections were another opportunity for the Edo PDP godfather to regain the lost ground, but Oshiomhole’s APC vehemently resisted the wounded lion seeking to devour it. Anenih’s ego was deflated. Now, he faces an uncertain political future.
Can Anenih hold forte as the opposition leader at the state and federal levels? Can he unite the PDP, which has now been decimated by defeat, strife and rancour, and post-election crisis? Can Anenih weather the storm as the opposition arrowhead? Can ‘Mr. Fix’ it bounce back to reckoning? Can he fix the PDP? Time will tell.

SOURCE: THENATIONONLINE

2015-05-23T13:49:00.000-07:00

Extradition: Kashamu to appear in court Monday-NDLEA

After hours long siege on his Lekki – Lagos home, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Saturday said it has placed Senator – elect, Prince Buruji Kashamu, under house arrest.
He will be arraigned in court on Monday.
The anti – drugs law agency added that it has also commenced the proceedures required for the extradition of the embattled billionaire hotelier and Southwest leader of the Peoples Demicratic Party(PDP).
In a statement by the Head, NDLEA’s Public Affairs, Ofoyeju Mitchell, the agency stated that a special team of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has confined Ogun East Senator-elect, Buruji Kashamu to his Lagos residence.
“A special team of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has confined Ogun East Senator-elect, Buruji Kashamu to his Lagos residence pending his appearance in court on Monday May 25, 2015 to perfect his extradition to the United States.
“Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDFLEA, Ahmadu Giade said that the operation is in line with the legal process of extradition.
“The Agency has commenced extradition procedures against Senator-elect, Buruji Kashamu in line with the laws of country. He has been in contact with his attorneys and will appear in court on Monday” Giade stated.
“The residence of Buruji was raided by narcotic operatives at about 5am this morning. Further information will be communicated to the media,” the statement reads.
SOURCE: THENATIONONLINE

Is deregulation the answer?

2015-05-23T13:42:00.001-07:00

Is deregulation the answer?

Nigeria, the world’s seventh largest oil exporter, is unable to meet its domestic fuel needs. In the past three weeks, Nigerians have been groaning under a biting fuel scarcity. Where they get petrol to buy, they pay through the nose. This has paved the way for adulteration, among other sharp practices. For how long will this continue? Is deregulation, as some suggest, the way out?

AN acute scarcity of petrol has led to long queues of vehicles, motorcycles and people clutching jery cans at filling stations.
It appears there is no solution to the problem. The marketers and the Ministry of Finance are waiting to see who blinks first. The citizens are bearing the brunt as marketers who have the product, sell at over the regulated price of N87 per litre.
The marketers claim the government owes them over N200 billion in subsidy arrears and are insisting on “no pay no fuel import”; the government, which has two weeks to the end of its tenure, is buying time so that the incoming government will inherit the debt.
The government’s inability to pay its debt, according to the operators, seems to confirm the allegation that Nigeria is broke. But the Minister of Finance and the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has refuted the allegation several times. If the government is not broke, why did it issue a post-dated N100 billion cheque last month to the marketers? Why can’t it pay its debts, which accrued from a business deal and save Nigerians from going through this harrowing experience, operators noted
Petrol scarcity has been caused by delays in the payment of subsidies to marketers, a situation that adversely affects economic activities. Besides, the failure to pay subsidy encourages marketers and tanker drivers to cut corners.

Is fuel subsidy
sustainable?

The fight for the removal of fuel subsidy and full deregulation of the downstream sector of the petroleum industry started during President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration. At a point, Mr. Funsho Kupolokun, a former Special Adviser to the President and a former Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), was nicknamed “Mr. Deregulation,” for his campaign for the deregulation of the sector. The government wanted to deregulate the sector then, but the coalition of labour and civil society groups rose against it and the plan was stopped. Every government since, then, has made attempts to stop fuel subsidy, but couldn’t achieve it owing to protests and strikes.
A former Group Managing Director of the NNPC and Minister of Petroleum Resources, now a traditional ruler in Rivers State, the Amayanabo of Nembe Kingdom, Mingi XII, Dr. Edmund Daukoru, noted that the reasons for lack of support and hostility towards the government’s deregulation policy were as a result of broken promises by past governments, poor implementation record, poor track record of price decline in the country, mistrust, and lack of proper approach to public enlightenment. He said the government could not sustain deregulation because the number of consumers increase yearly and the refineries were not working to make the petroleum products available.
However, each year, the cost of subsidy continued to soar reaching its zenith in 2011, when over N2.1 trillion, about half of the federal budget for that year, was spent on subsidy. Rattled by that expenditure, the Federal Government on January 1, 2012 announced full deregulation of the sector and a litre of petrol sold about N140. Supported by the public, labour and civil society groups, again, rose against it. The opposition grounded economic activities across the country for over a week, and the government, again, succumbed to regulation and fixed the price of a litre of fuel at N97 after series of engagements with the labour and civil society groups. Despite entreaties by the government and operators of the downstream sector to persuade the populace to embrace deregulation, which will attract investors to build refineries and make petroleum products cheaper, labour groups opposed it.
From 2006 to date, trillions of naira have been spent on fuel. For instance, a breakdown of the subsidy payments showed that N261.105 billion was spent in 2006, N278.859 billion in 2007, N630.571 billion in 2008, N463.517 billion in 2009, N673 billion in 2010, over N2.1 trillion in 2011, N1.5 trillion in 2012, and N1.1 trillion 2013 and, certainly, 2014 subsidy shouldn’t be less than a trillion naira. The regrettable aspect of the fuel subsidy regime, according to an official of the Finance Ministry, is that the government pays for the interests on bank loans taken by marketers as well as the foreign exchange differentials. For example, the government last year paid the marketers N345 billion, which was subsidy for 2013 and part of 2014 leaving an outstanding of N264 billion for the remaining part of 2014 and January, this year. Out of the N264 billion, the main subsidy was N164 billion while the foreign exchange differential and interest on loans from banks was N100 billion. By end of February, the debt has risen to N354 billion, of which the Federal Government paid N154 billion in April, leaving a balance of N200 billion, which is the reason marketers refused to import fuel. Also by the time the government agrees to pay, the debt could have risen to over N300 billion. However, the outgoing government should endeavour to settle its debts to the marketers because it is an agreement, so that the incoming government should decide whether to continue with subsidy or not, the official said.
Also, the oil majors in the downstream, such as Total and Mobil Plc have at various yearly general meetings told their shareholders that their inability to build refineries in Nigeria is because of regulation of fuel price, adding that shareholders’ money cannot be subjected to such risks. It is also in view of the recurring fuel scarcity coupled with dysfunctional refineries that the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke, said the dependence on imported petroleum products and payment of subsidy would not help the country, adding that the only remedy is the deregulation of the downstream sub-sector. “We can’t eat our cake and have it, without deregulation of the downstream oil sector; investors will not come and invest, so we must think of deregulating our downstream sooner or later for us to have a lasting solution,” she said.

Why marketers refused
to import

Earlier, whenever the government makes a part payment to the marketers on how huge the outstanding debt is, it calls the marketers to a meeting, assure them on the payment of the balance and plead with the marketers to resume importation. But it is not so this time. Besides, the National Assembly has reduced subsidy money in the budget to a very insignificant level, sending signals of full deregulation of the sector. The banks have also stopped funding fuel import by marketers because of fear of owing.
However, operators have condemned the action of the government for avoiding payment because the subsidy model instructs the oil marketers to import petroleum products with their money, while the government pays them the differential between the actual cost of pump price and the regulated price as well as the interest on bank loans and foreign exchange. Therefore, if these patriot marketers commit their money to this project, exposing them to huge financial risks and interests on bank loans, the government should fulfill its part of the agreement. The agreement as enshrined in the Petroleum Support Fund (PSF) is that within 45 days of import with verifications of documents by the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), payment will be made. But the government is not faithful to this agreement as payment is delayed into several months and years leading to unwarranted accumulation of interests on loans, the operators said. The recent drastic fall in value of the naira substantially affected the subsidy debt profile as the petroleum imports are carried out in dollar. Therefore, when the costs of transactions are converted into naira, the amount soars. They said the administration should clear the arrears of outstanding claims before handing over to the new government on May 29, this year because the new government might further delay payment under the guise of probes, which could lead to another round of scarcity.
The Executive Secretary, Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN) Mr. Obafemi Olawore told reporters that after a meeting with the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, in January to discuss the mode of payment of the subsidy, she assured the marketers the debt would be cleared by the end of March, a promise she didn’t fulfill. The government only paid us N154 billion, out of N354 billion, he added.
The debt covered money owed MOMAN members, which consist of Mobil, Oando, MRS, Total, Conoil and Forte Oil and members of Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association (DAPPMA) as well as members of the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) that lift the products to the various parts of the country.
However, the conflicting figures of the actual amount owed the marketers also worsened the non-payment of subsidy and import of fuel. According to Olawore, the marketers are owed N200 billion while the Ministry of Finance said it is N131 billion. He said the N200 billion debt has been confirmed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) but that Mrs Okonjo-Iweala still went on to set up a committee to verify the claims. The government is blaming the delay in the payment to the non-completion of the verification, which according to Olawore, is a ploy to pass the debt to the incoming government on May 29.
The implication of this approach by the President Goodluck Jonathan government is that if the debt is passed on to the new government, the process of verification and approvals by PPPRA, CBN, Debt Management Office (DMO) and Minister of Finance, would start afresh and could take some months to complete, thereby compounding the fuel scarcity.
The marketers have held a meeting on the issue of the conflicting debts. It was attended by the CBN and other stakeholders. But the matter wasn’t resolved. Mrs Okonjo-Iweala, it was learnt, said the outstanding claims would be paid by the new government, adding that government is a continuum. “The understanding reached with the marketers, is that all the outstanding debts owed will be paid based on claims processed by Petroleum Pricing Products Regulatory Agency (PPPRA).

SOURCE: THENATIONONLINE

2015-05-23T12:52:00.001-07:00

PDP: Jonathan battles for relevance

The resignation of Alhaji Adamu Muazu and Chief Anthony Anenih as the National Chairman and Chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT) respectively of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) signposts the battle for political relevance by President Goodluck Jonathan as he steps down this week.

For Alhaji Adamu Muazu, his stewardship as the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which kicked off on a high note ended rather unceremoniously last week.

After weeks of staving off pressure from concerned stakeholders in the party, asking him to quit in the aftermath of the party’s loss in the last general elections, Muazu finally called time on his 17-months tenure at the Wadata Plaza.

And in what appears as a well scripted agenda by the Presidency, Chief Anthony Anenih, the Chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT) also stepped down from his position.

The two high profile resignations were the culmination of the blame game and buck passing by members of the party following its loss to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the presidential, governorship and National Assembly elections held on March 28 and April 11 respectively.

With Muazu and Anenih out of the way, sources revealed that President Goodluck Jonathan is now poised to take full charge of the party once he hands over to APC’s Muhammadu Buhari on May 28.

The President, it was gathered, may have also jettisoned his plan to travel out of the country to rest for at least one year as he seems poised to stay back to reorganise the PDP, which stakeholders agree, is in urgent need of reforms and drastic overhaul.

The fear of being sidelined or completely losing out in the affairs of the ruling party if Muazu remains in charge, sources added, compelled the President to exert his influence to force Muazu’s and Anenih’s exit.

Despite Muazu’s exit, trusted aides and associates of the president are however not fully satisfied. They are alleged to have commenced moves to also force some members of the PDP National Working Committee (NWC), whose loyalty are in doubt, to throw in the towel.

A source said: “The next agenda is to force some NWC members out. The President is determined to take control of the party and carve it in his own image.”

Likely candidates to succeed Muazu

Though Mr. Uche Secondus, the erstwhile Deputy National Chairman has stepped into Muazu’s shoes, The Nation gathered that he has little or no chance of assuming the position in a substantive capacity.

With Jonathan expected to succeed Anenih as the BoT chairman, sources added that having the National Chairman also from the South-South could obliterate the little support the party boasts of in the North and further reduce its chances of bouncing back in the 2019 general elections.

Against this backdrop, three names are currently being bandied as the next National Chairman. They are the outgoing Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Bala Mohammed; Minister of State for Power, Mohammed Wakil and Minister of Transport, Idris Umar.

While Umar was believed to be the President’s first choice as a replacement for Alhaji Bamaga Tukur who stepped down as the National Chairman in January last year, his name is however not in the picture this time around.

For Mohammed, his alleged choice is not unconnected to his loyalty to the outgoing President, who needs someone that would do his bidding in the running of the party.

But sources say he may face opposition in his home state of Bauchi as a result of his alleged rift with the outgoing state governor, Isa Yuguda.

Yuguda, it was, who brought Mohammed to public limelight, first as his Special Assistant when the former served as the Minister of Aviation in the Olusegun Obasanjo-led administration.

The governor was also credited to have nominated Mohammed as a minister, who was elected as senator after defeating Adamu Muazu in the 2007 general elections. He fell out with the governor over claims that he was setting up political structures in his alleged bid to succeed Yuguda as governor.

Those canvassing for Wakil are said to be impressed with his relative youthfulness, cerebral disposition and non-controversial posture as attributes required to properly reposition the PDP for the tasks ahead.

Between outgoing and incoming governors

While the President may have settled for any of these three men, he appears not to be on the same page with some outgoing northern governors, who are allegedly scheming to have one of them as the next PDP National Chairman.

Outgoing governors being positioned for the job include Sule Lamido of Jigawa State and his Katsina State counterpart, Ibrahim Shema, sources have disclosed.

Lamido’s choice is hinged on his loyalty and sacrifices for the party, particularly in the heat of the crisis that trailed his membership of the defunct G7 Governors, while those in support of Shema say his emergence as PDP boss may serve as a counter check to the influence of Buhari, who also hails from Katsina.

The success story of Shema as governor in the last eight years without much controversy has also made his choice more appealing to many PDP stakeholders.

The position of the incoming PDP governors, sources say, would not be different from Jonathan’s. With the exception of Taraba and Gombe, all the other incoming PDP governors are in the South-West, South-East and South-South where Jonathan’s influence is not in doubt.

As the PDP prepares for its new role as the main opposition party, a few questions would suffice. First, will President Jonathan retain his hold on the party? Second, will his support base swell or shrink as the battle for the next general elections begin within the next two years? Time would surely tell.

SOURCE: THENATIONONLINE

2015-05-23T12:41:00.001-07:00

Long way to a dream

Eight years after it was founded, the Ondo State University of Science and Technology (OSUSTECH) in Okitipupa is still struggling to make its mark. There are no academic facilities, good hostels and other requirements for conducive learning. The institution has hiked its fee – an action, which drew the ire of students.

•How varsity is coping with lack of facilities
It was meant to boost the learning of science and technology in the Sunshine State of Ondo. But, eight years after its opening, the Ondo State University of Science and Technolgy (OSUTECH) has failed to live up to its core mandate.
For its serenity and Spartan nature, Igodan-Lisa, a rural settlement in Okitipupa in Ondo South Senatorial District, was chosen as the best location for the institution.
Apart from the structures that welcome visitors to the campus, the institution appears to be at its foundation years.
The stretch of the road that extends to the academic area from the main entrance is still under construction and has no gate, except the structure, which bears the name of the institution. The pathway from the entrance is covered in thick bushes; the untarred road leads to the heart of the campus, where uncompleted buildings stand. The buildings are classrooms and offices being constructed by the government but they seem to have been abandoned.
For lacking necessary structures to aid its programmes’ accreditation, the university could not take off as its licence was revoked by the National Universities Commission (NUC) in 2010.
The institution started academic programmes in January 2011 and matriculated its first set of students on March 3, 2011. The university, which initially occupied the facilities of the Government Technical College in Idepe, moved to its permanent site in 2012.
Two years ago, the NUC approved the 10 programmes being run by the institution. But, the school’s facilities remain in a bad shape.
To draw the attention of the public to the state of the infrastructure, OSUSTECH students, penultimate Monday, took to the highway to protest what they called “total neglect” of the institution by the state government. They disrupted traffic when they held a sit-out on the Igbokoda highway, singing anti-government songs.
Although the protest was sparked by fee hike, but the students used it to express their displeasure over the state of the school’s facilities.
The protesters condemned the management’s action to convert the Students’ Union Building to the Centre for Entrepreneurship Training (CELT) for lack of space to accommodate the Centre. CAMPUSLIFE gathered that the management took over the building because, in its view, the institution is not ripe for students’ unionism.
Before the demonstration, the students had a peace meeting with the representatives of the management at the school auditorium. The Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof Tolu Odugbemi, was absent at the meeting, but the school was represented by the Director of Academic Planning Prof Akintunde Akinwande, Dean of Faculty of Science, Prof. David Teniola, Registrar, Mr Wonuola Ekundayo and Head of Department of Mathematical Science, Dr Gabriel Ekundayo.
The meeting, CAMPUSLIFE gathered, ended abruptly when a student, Henry Okunomo, was allegedly threatened with expulsion by Prof Akinwande. To forestall breakdown of order, the management ordered that the school be closed.
This was said to have enraged the students as they moved towards the school entrance to barricade all exits. Afterwards, they marched on the mini campus, to galvanise their colleagues for action. The protest was guarded by riot policemen.
A student, Oyewole Oyetakin, 100-Level Geophysics, said: “How do you expect us not to protest? Where else should we go when we don’t have hostels and our tuition fee increased with nothing to show for it? This rain cannot stop us. We want improvement in OSUSTECH.”
Our correspondent gathered that the tuition fee was increased from N100,000 to N125,000 for Ondo indigenes, while fee for non-indigenes was jerked from N150,000 to N175,000.
To douse tension in Okitipupa, Governor Olusegun Mimiko invited the students to Akure, the state capital, for dialogue. Mimiko agreed to reduce the fees in two weeks and eliminate all the services for which students pay, CAMPUSLIFE gathered.
The governor, it was gathered, also promised to construct a new main gate and sports complex for the school.
A lecturer, who pleaded anonymity, said the protesters had genuine reasons to show their grievances. He said: “It is good the students met with the governor, because there is a strong indication that the governor may abandon the school to fund the proposed Ondo State University of Medical Sciences in Ondo. Where would he get money to fund OSUSTECH and the new one in his home town? What happened in Ogun State may also happen in Ondo. We will end up thinking of merging the three universities to sustain their funding.”
Gbenga Akinsuyi, a Computer Science student, said the campus lacks basic facilities. He said there was no reason for fee hike when the university was faced with poor facilities.
He said: “The governor promised that no students of higher institution in the state would pay more than N25,000 as tuition fee. But, we pay N125,000 and N175,000. Our internet fee is N20,000 and we don’t have access to it. The establishment of OSUSTECH has brought nothing in the last eight years. The campus is bushy and we kill snakes every day. The road from the university entrance is filled with granites and nothing has changed. There is no even a health centre.”
Yemi Fafoluyi, president of Save Ikale Youth Vanguard, an Akure-based pressure group, said the group supported the students’ protest.
Pastor Babatope Ayesanmi, an elder in the host community, decried what he called the slow pace of development in the institution. He said: “The institution is becoming a white elephant project. A faculty has been there for five years without facilities. The university is becoming a caricature of higher institution. The campus has been carefully abandoned.”
The Chief Press Secretary to the Ondo State Governor, Mr Eni Akinsola, said there was nothing wrong in students expressing their grievances to the governor. He said the campus had been re-opened after the students met with Mimiko, adding that the governor is attending to the needs of the school.
“OSUSTECH is still a young university and we must appreciate that all its courses have been approved. Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife was founded a long time ago and it is still undergoing infrastructural development. The Ondo State government will resolve everything and the students’ grievances.”
Although activities have returned to the campus, students said they would not relent to call for improvement in facilities until the governor fulfil his promise.
SOURCE: CHANNELSTV

Police Special Forces Rescue 10 From Kidnappers In Ekiti

2015-05-23T12:24:00.001-07:00

Police Special Forces Rescue 10 From Kidnappers In Ekiti

The special operation ordered by the Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase has successfully rescued 10 persons from the hands of kidnappers in Ekiti State.

The victims include three medical doctors and a nurse.
“Some kidnappers have been arrested and the operation is ongoing. The victims are being debriefed and receiving medical attention”, a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Mr Emmanuel Ojukwu, said.
It will be recalled that the IGP this week dispatched a crack team of operatives to the state to stem the rising tide of kidnapping there.
The statement further noted that “the Police remain responsive and shall continue to apply proactive and prompt response measures to issues of crime nationwide”.
Medical workers in Ekiti State had embarked on protests to demand the release of their colleagues and an end to the activities of kidnappers in the state.

SOURCE: CHANNELSTV

2015-05-23T12:18:00.002-07:00

APC Divided Over Senate Leadership

The All Progressives Congress (APC) appears divided over the choice of the leadership of the National Assembly as the tussle on who becomes the next senate president has intensified.

In the build-up to the contest for the principal offices of both chambers of the federal parliament, two power blocks have emerged in the APC.
The camps are canvassing for different geo-political zones and candidates to clinch the coveted seats, particularly that of the Senate President.
While one faction under the aegis of Senate Unity Forum has endorsed Senator Ahmed Lawan and Senator George Akume to be at the helm of affairs, another group, under the aegis of “Like Minds Senators” has endorsed Senator Bukola Saraki to head the Senate.
Both groups insist that their choice is based on competence and ‎track records.
With the 8th National Assembly about to commence sitting in the next few weeks, the question of who assumes the head of the Senate has become the main issue.
As things appear, the days ahead will tell which of the candidates presented by the two camps becomes the Senate President.
Nigerians also look forward to legislative proceedings that will translate into tangible progress for the development of the nation.

2015-05-23T12:09:00.000-07:00

Hoodlums set Ekiti’s biggest market ablaze

•Property worth millions of naira destroyed •Schools, banks, filling stations shut down operations •APC blames violence on Fayose
In spite of the dusk-to-dawn curfew imposed on Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State capital, by Governor Ayodele Fayose on Thursday to check the violent clash between commercial drivers and Hausa traders, a section of the biggest market in the city was burnt down yesterday.
Violent clash had erupted between the two groups on Wednesday after a driver’s wife was allegedly robbed by a man suspected to be a member of the Hausa community.
Tongues are wagging on how hoodlums found their way to Erekesan Market otherwise known as Oja Oba (King’s Market), despite the deployment of regular and riot policemen in the wake of the curfew.
The latest incident has caused further panic among Ado Ekiti residents while a humanitarian crisis looms with the evacuation of members of the Hausa community in the town to the outskirts of nearby Ikere Ekiti to prevent further attacks on them.
Many of the traders were woken from their sleep as early as 1.30 am by calls from residents who had got wind of the inferno and alerted them to go and evacuate their shops before the fire would do more damage.
But some of the traders who got to the scene were said to be frightened by staccato of gunshots fired by armed policemen deployed at the scene.
Worst-hit by the fire was a section of the market known as Lagos Line, which has the highest concentration of textile shops, supermarkets, gift shops and other items.
Not fewer than 50 shops and two residential buildings were completely burnt down in the early morning fire.
The fire raged till about 5 am while most of the shops were still smouldering at about 7 am when reporters got to the scene.
Men of the State Fire Service who got to the scene could not put out the fire.
Many of the affected traders were inconsolable while their family members, friends and sympathisers wore gloomy faces as they bemoaned huge losses.
Some traders fainted on seeing their shops reduced to ashes.
Many Ado Ekiti indigenes saw the attack as a reprisal by Hausa settlers who were mostly affected by an attack carried out on Wednesday by suspected members of drivers’ union.
Many residents who were on their ways to work had to return home as thick smoke billowed into the sky from the market, giving the impression that “the city was on fire.”
Most of the schools were shut as students and pupils hurriedly returned home while residents who were yet to leave their homes did not bother to venture out.
Banks, petrol stations, motor parks, corporate offices and other commercial centres closed their doors to business.
Truck loads of mobile and regular policemen as well as soldiers were immediately drafted on the orders of the state government to prevent escalation of the crisis and prevent massive looting.

A number of residents were also randomly arrested by men of the state police command in connection with the development.
Governor Fayose, who personally led a security team that included the newly deployed Commissioner of Police, Mr. Etop James to the scene, expressed worries at the turn of event despite his imposition of dusk to dawn curfew only on Thursday.
He said yesterday’s incident would not in any way compel him to declare a 24-hour curfew as being suggested in some quarters.
Fayose, ordered that four ASHOK LEYLAND luxury buses belonging to government be immediately mobilised to convey all Hausa residents to Shasha, on the outskirts of Ikere Ekiti.
The governor, who for more than three hours personally monitored the evacuation, premised his action on the fact that he is a father to all residents, irrespective of their tribe, religion or sex.
He said the Hausa residents would remain at the new place for the time being, and would be heavily guarded by soldiers and mobile policemen.
The Commissioner of Police said his men worked tirelessly from 1 am to prevent what could have degenerated into an uncontrollable situation.
He hailed the governor for racing to the scene to team up with the police in checking the crisis from getting out of hands when he (Fayose) was called in the early hours of the day.
Meanwhile, the main opposition party in the state, the All Progressives Congress (APC) , has said that Governor Fayose should be held responsible for the various acts of violence in the state, saying the current spread of violence in the state capital had the imprints of the usual government-orchestrated violent acts to achieve a pre-determined end.
Reacting to the recent violent acts rocking the state, APC Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatubosun, regretted that Ekiti people were used to the government-inspired violent acts, which they experienced between 2003 and 2006 during the governor’s first stint, hence there was little to worry about on the same pattern of serial violence that was rocking the state to achieve a purpose.
He said: “We had on several occasions raised the alarm over importation of thugs who are quartered in the Government House. Since their arrival, Ekiti State has slid to the era of one day one trouble, which characterised Fayose’s government between 2003 and 2006.
“Eminent lawyer, Femi Falana, also raised the same concern, calling on the governor to send away his thugs to allow peace to reign in Ekiti State”
The party sympathised with Hausa traders, who it described as victims of government-inspired violence to create a sense of insecurity to enable the governor devise extra-security measures that would allow him achieve a predetermined end.
The APC spokesman urged the security agencies to consider treating the party’s petitions on various acts of violence by the thugs kept in the Government House and devise a means of ending violence in Ekiti State.
‘We recall various unprecedented attacks on our members, their houses, our office and tearing or burning down of the posters and billboards of our candidates during electioneering campaigns over which we petitioned the National Human Rights Commission.
‘After the elections, kidnappings began. Now is the time for urban violence pitting the thugs against Hausa traders to create ethnic tension that has potential for national crisis while at the same time the governor is planning to inaugurate the new House of Assembly on June 1 to create anarchy.
‘It is regrettable that we are back to the era of one day, one trouble that marked out Fayose as a man that thrives in violence,” he said.

SOURCE: THE NATION ONLINE

2015-05-20T16:13:00.001-07:00

Zoning is not in the APC Agenda – Chief Bisi Akande

The Former Interim Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Bisi Akande, has said that zoning of political offices has never been the position of the party and rejected the notion that the party was standing in the way of any qualified senator in its fold to contest for the position of Senate President.

The APC chieftain said it was the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) that brought zoning into Nigeria’s polity and that no way would his party adopt the debilitating tradition.

“Zoning is not part of APC,” he explained. “It is a PDP arrangement and we will not practice it. What you see with the Senate Presidency is us trying to ensure there is no rancour amongst the senators. Of course, we want the best man to emerge and that is what will happen.

“It is true that sometime after the election, the National Chairman (Chief John Oyegun) wanted to toy with the idea of zoning. But as a united party, we unanimously said, ‘No.’ we know that zoning could create a room for the opposition to take advantage and snatch these positions. We have been sacrificing and compromising in the interest of our nation and that is what we must continue to do.”

Chief Akande spoke when a group of reporters met him as he arrived Protea Hotel, Ikeja, for a meeting. He promised that the APC would deliver on its manifesto and assured Nigerians that the President-elect would turn around Nigeria’s fortunes.

SOURCE: Gbenga Olorunpomi

2015-05-20T16:00:00.000-07:00

PDP BoT Chairman, Anenih Resigns

The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party’s Board of Trustees (BoT), Mr Tony Anenih, has resigned.

Mr Anenih submitted his resignation to the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party on Wednesday, hours after the National Chairman of the party resigned on health grounds.
The NWC said it had received Mr Anenih’s resignation letter and had accepted it. It said Mr Anenih’s resignation was on personal grounds.
In a statement by the National Secretary of the party, Professor Adewale Oladipo, the NWC noted the outstanding contributions of Chief Anenih in the party over the years especially in his capacity as the BoT Chairman.
“As one of the founding fathers of the PDP, the NWC appreciates Chief Anenih’s guiding role in the party in the last 16 years and wish him well in his future endeavours,” the statement read.
The NWC, however, said the Secretary of the Board of Trustees, Senator Walid Jibrin, would hold forth pending the election of a new BoT Chairman.
The National Chairman of the party, Adamu Mu’azu, had earlier tendered his resignation to the NWC on health grounds.
The Spokesman for the PDP, Olisa Metuh, told Channels Television that Mr Mu’azu turned in his letter of resignation and that his decision had been accepted by the party’s National Working Committee.
SOURCE: CHANNELSTV