Articles by "2015 ELECTIONS"
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The Independent National Electoral Commission has said the 2015 general elections witnessed The highest number of annulled elections since the return of democracy in 1999.

Chairman of the commission, Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu, said this at a meeting he had with the Resident Electoral Commissioners in Abuja on Tuesday.



He said that out of this number, the courts had nullified a total of 81 elections, which were made of senatorial, House of Representatives and two governorship elections.

He said in addition to the nullified elections, some elections were also upturned.

Yakubu added that as at the end of last week, there were 15 of such cases, which he said the commission had complied with.

He said, "As at last week, the High court sitting nationwide have annulled a total of 81 elections – senatorial, House of Representatives and two governorship elections that will proceed to the supreme Court.

"In 2007, after the general elections in that year, a total of 20 elections were nullified; in 2011, 34 elections were nullified, making a total of 54 elections for a period between 2007 and 2011.

"But for the 2015 elections so far, 81 elections have been nullified, which is more than the two previous elections put together.

"But in addition to the nullified elections, some elections were upturned and the court ordered for the issue of certificate of return. As at the end of last week, there were 15 of such cases, which we have duly complied.

"So if you add the upturned elections and nullified elections so far, the number is 96."
He called on the RECs and other officers of the commission to come together to respond immediately to the decisions of the court to conduct these elections.

He said the commission had between 60 and 90 days from the days the elections were nullified to conduct the elections.

Yakubu said that the order of the courts implies that "we have latest, the middle of March to conduct the elections.

"So the first quarter of this year is going to be for the commission, like a mini-general elections. So this meeting is to review the situation and take wide range decisions."

Yakubu's meeting with RECs was the first since the new INEC boss assumed office on November 19, 2015.


January 19, 2016
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BY CHIDI OBINECHE
The lingering feud between President Goodluck Jonathan and his estranged godfather, former President Olusegun Obasanjo may have taken an irretrievable dive for the worst, Sunday Sun learnt over the weekend. The misunderstanding, which began soon after the election of Jonathan in 2011, and gradually built up has emphatically positioned Obasanjo as the rallying point of the opposition.
The rift has been largely attributed to alleged sidelining of Obasanjo in the affairs of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the government. But
pro government sources insisted it was the inability of the former president to dictate the tone of Jonathan’s government, control, and ultimately draft in another protégé to take over from him in 2015 that nurtured and sustained it. To show his disenchantment with the scheme of things, Obasanjo resigned his chairmanship of the party’s Board of Trustees (BOT) in 2012, and has since then openly aligned with opponents of Jonathan’s administration. His associates within the party especially in the three geo-political zones of the North have since teamed up with him leading to
Large scale defections from the party to the budding All Progressives Congress (APC).Although the former president is yet to join the APC, there are clear indications that he may likely do that as soon as some conditions before the party were met. The prime condition is to be given the capacity to influence the selection of the presidential candidate of the party, while the candidate in turn picks his running mate, unfettered. The leadership of the APC, at the moment is not settled on the demand especially as it would obfuscate the vision and streamlined objective of wresting power from the PDP.
The leadership hierarchy is also wary of the impact it would have on the collective leadership arrangement presently in place and ipso factor whittle down the influence of notable leaders who envisioned and founded the parties and the merger arrangements. Although Obasanjo’s romance with the top-echelon of the party is deepening with each passing moment, the body language of the leaders is yet to indicate he would be given that latitude. Although the APC is desperate to clinch power next year, it is a bit careful not to go into crises before its convention, especially when so many political heavyweights are jockeying to fly the party’s banner.
A party source confided in Sunday Sun that, “The matter has never been brought up formally at any meeting of any organ of the party.”
The source, however, acknowledged the demand, but described it as “mere rumour.” As the battle to remove the obstacles in the APC before the former president rages, there are indications that Jonathan’s planned declaration to run for president in April may prove to be the oyster. In a bid to stop Jonathan from what he considers an impossible mission, Obasanjo has accelerated moves to railroad influential political and ex-military heavyweights in the North into his project.
The swansong on his lips is that Jonathan’s re-en-try into the race would heat up ethno religious passions and lead to the disintegration of the country. He insists the presidential slot should go to the North, and to demonstrate his sincerity, he says he would give a free hand to them to pick someone “who is good for the job.”Obasanjo’s plot, however, wobbled when the Presidency quickly moved to counter it. The counter move led to the cessation of hostilities against Jonathan from a good number of the northern leaders including former military leaders, Gen Ibrahim Babangida (retd), Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd), and the Chairman of the Northern Governors
Forum, Babangida Aliyu. Indeed, the rapprochement necessitated the recent reshuffle in the Federal cabinet with each of them having nominees amongst the incoming ministers. Unfazed about the development, Obasanjo is trudging on with an iron cast determination to frustrate Jonathan’s re-election bid. Part of his new plan is to accentuate criticisms of the government of Jonathan, throw up the warts and engender anti-Jonathan sentiment across the nation. Upon Jonathan’s formal declaration, he will most likely dump the PDP and lead the presidential campaign of the APC, especially in the South-west and North where the party has its stronghold. An aide to the president told Sunday Sun that government has been aware of the plot.
He said; “It is not new. It began when the Secretary to the Government of the Federation was to be appointed. He was in far-away China and he insisted the appointment must wait until he returned. There is nothing in his new offensive.” Sunday Sun learnt that the North, which Obasanjo is banking on to stop Jonathan, has been infiltrated by Jonathan elements, and may not likely vote enbloc. While some Northern leaders prefer to remain passive and watch the unfolding events, others are singing different tunes. This has greatly reduced apprehension in the camp of Jonathan as he prepares to recontest.
March 01, 2014
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by: Ugochukwu UGOJI-EKE, Umuahia 
THE Catholic Bishop of Umuahia, Abia State, Rev Lucius Ugorji, has urged security agencies handling the investigation into the death of the late John Ndubuka, Personal Assistant to the son of Abia State governor, Engr. Chinedum Orji, to ensure that those behind the killing are brought to book. The Bishop said that the death of Ndubuka should be swept under the carpet, and that making public the findings of the things that led to the shooting and killing of the young man will make his soul to rest in peace. It will be recalled that the police, in statement, had said that three police men who were at the immediate vicinity of the shooting on the day of the incident have been arrested and are currently undergoing interrogation, with the aim of finding out what happened, promising that their findings will be made public. Speaking while delivering his homily at the funeral service for the late Ndubuka, Bishop Ugorji said that death of the late Ndubuka was painful because of the tragic way he was killed on the 15th of February this year. Bishop Ugorji lamented that people often attribute bad incidents to the act of God, adding that, “this kind of senseless killing of a young man like Ndubuka cannot be said to be an act of God, and it is condemnable.” Speaking further, the Bishop said: “Since the death of Ndubuka, there have been many sides to the story, with some saying that it was a stray bullet, while some are saying that it was accidental discharge. But whatever it is, the people are waiting for the police to conclude their investigations and make same public. “This is senseless killing can never be the destiny of the young man to be so killed in the full glare of the crowd. What we are saying is that the shooting and killing of Ndubuka, who was an ardent Catholic, should not be allowed to go the way of other such shootings.” The Catholic cleric noted that the irony of death is that it does not hear the cries of the loved ones, and that no one takes the turn of another in dying, adding that, “Death is a part every mortal must take, and a debt, which everyone must pay.” In his speech the state governor, Chief Theodore Orji said that the death of Ndubuka was as a result of an accidental discharge and was not killed by anybody from his family since they will never kill or destroy a house they had built. Orji described the late Ndubuka as a close relation of his, and wondered why anyone would say that either he or a member of his family would want to kill the young man. According to the governor, “It is one death that has pained me so much since I became an adult, as my family has been in disarray since that death, to the level that I have lost appetite and finds it difficult to eat.”
February 28, 2014
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The names of the students who lost their lives in the Tuesday attack on Federal Government College, FGC, Bunu Yadi, Yobe State by Boko Haram militants have been revealed.
43 students were killed. Hostels, classrooms and more than 40 houses were burnt during the attack.
The attackers reportedly hurled explosives into student hostels, sprayed gunfire into rooms and hacked some students to death. Others were burned alive.
Adamu Garba, who teaches at a secondary school attached to the college, said the attackers first set ablaze the college administrative block and then moved to the hostels, where they locked students in and started firebombing the buildings.
At one hostel, he said, “students were trying to climb out of the windows and they were slaughtered like sheep by the terrorists who slit their throats. Others who ran were gunned down”. He said students who could not escape were burned alive.
Many of the students are still unaccounted for. Below are the names of 24 students confirmed dead.
Sale Mamiski, Musa Muhammad, Sani A. Audu, Usman Faltu, Garba Jibo, Hussani Mari, Mailam Ali, Goni Ali Babamai, Ali Ayuba, Peter John, Abba Mohammed, Aliyu Yala, Abba Adam, Hamidu Bala, Suleiman Lawan Guji, Abbas Ibrahim, Inusa Ali, Rukaya Gaji, Usman Saleh Idris, Auwal Adam, Usman Abba Kaku, Musa Yalti Buba, Sadisu Dauda, Aisha Audu Goni
February 27, 2014
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by Gunmen and Kidnappers appear to be on the prowl again in Abia State as they have kidnapped two market women and a six-month old baby boy.
They perpetrated their nefarious act by feigning to be operators of taxi cabs and motorcyclists Aba, the commercial nucleus of the state, and Umuahia, the state capital.
Yesterday, two women travelling to Uzuakoli market in Bende Local Government Area of the state were kidnapped and taken to an unknown destination.
Their families are now in agony, misery and guessing where the destination was.
One of the women, simply identified as Mrs. Nkechi, was said to be a nursing mother of an eightmonth old baby.
She trades in garri and other allied food stuff and was going to the local market for stock, not knowing she was to be a victim of kidnappers posing as motorists.
Reliable sources disclosed that though the women live in Umuahia, they hailed from Ebonyi State.
Eyewitness accounts disclosed that the kidnap suspects were seen speeding towards the Umuahia/ Aba/Enugu expressway after their operation.
Also, on Monday, some gunmen reportedly abducted a six- month old baby boy at Amapu Umuaja village in Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area of Abia State.
It was gathered that at about 9.30pm on the day of the incident when most villagers had gone to bed, two gunmen on a motorcycle stormed the compound of the victim’s parents, broke into their house and forcefully snatched the baby from his mother, Mrs. Peace Chikezie.
The whereabouts of the baby is unknown.
After snatching the baby from the mother, the gunmen reportedly fled, and in an apparent move to stop the woman from alerting other villagers, they forcefully collected her mobile phone.
It was after the hoodlums had fled with the baby that the mother raised the alarm and a search team was set to comb the entire neighbourhood to see if the marauders could be apprehended, but all to no avail.
Nobody in the area was able to adduce reason for the baby’s abduction, but there was a general belief that ritual for money making could be the motivating factor.
Some villagers who spoke to our correspondent described the incident as barbaric and satanic, stressing that this was the first time such would be happening in the community.
Abia State Police Public Relations Officer, Geoffrey Ogbonna, could not be a reached as at the time of filing this report.
However, a senior police officer who would not want his name in print confirmed the incident. He said the matter had been reported at the Umuoba Divisional Police Headquarters for proper investigation, adding that police were already on top of the matter to recover the child and also apprehend the hoodlums.
February 26, 2014
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 by Simon Utebor, Yenagoa

Three days after the kidnapping of Inengite Nitabai, President Goodluck Jonathan’s adopted father, Otuoke, the President’s country home, has literally been turned into a military zone.
It was learnt that there had been massive deployment of crack team of soldiers and riot policemen in the community from Abuja.
On Wednesday, security forces were said to have taken over every part of the community and its sister communities, combing the creeks frantically to fish out the abductors.
An eyewitness, who craved anonymity, said residents were intimidated by the large troops, saying it was “like medicine after death.”
The eyewitness said, “It is high time the relevant authorities did what was needed to check kidnapping and other vicious crimes in the area. For instance, in Otuoke, for more than seven months now, there is no electricity supply in the area.
“From 7pm, every household resorts to generators. The cacophony of noise arising from those generators can be deafening. Probably if the whole area was quiet, the gunmen could not have successfully carried out their dastardly act without being noticed.
“Apart from the issue of electricity, unemployment is another issue of serious concern. In a situation where some people live in opulence and others live from hand to mouth, you can appreciate the consequences.”
As of Wednesday, the family of the victims were still apprehensive about the abduction of the 70-year-old compound chief of the Jonathan’s family.
Their fear was born out of the fact that more than 72 hours after the abduction, the kidnappers had yet to call any member of the family.
February 26, 2014
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T.A Orji
For refusing to give him N2m gratification, The Caretaker Committee Chairman, Ariaria International market, Mr. Lucky Akubueze has illegally dissolved the elected executives of the market as well as threatened to use his connection with the governor to descend heavily on them.
 Mr. Akubueze who is a close relative of the governor of Abia state, Chief T.A Orji was also accused of using the Abia State Vigilante Service popularly referred to as Bakassi Boys to harass the elected officials of the market which according to them is unacceptable.
The City Reporters gathered that trouble started when on resumption as the elected executives of the A-D sub union of Ariaria market, Mr. Akubueze demanded a gratification of N2m from the traders with a threat to make things difficult for them should they fail to comply.
In a petition addressed to the Abia state commissioner for Commerce and Industry and signed by the chairman of A-D sub union, Chief Cyril Jubulu, the secretary, Mrs. Eugenia Adikuru and 23 others obtained by The City Reporters, the traders said Mr. Akubueze constantly boast that as a relation to the Abia state governor; he can do anything in the market and go unpunished.
 Part of the petition read, “We wish to inform you that against the wishes of members of the zone and not minding the attendant consequences, Mr. Lucky Akubueze, acting above his powers purportedly dissolved an elected executive of A-D sub union and announced the splitting of the zone into two.
 “As elected executives and members of the zone, we reject in its entirety the purported dissolution of the executives of our zone because Mr. Lucky Akubueze as an appointed chairman has no  powers to dissolve elected officials whose tenure have not ended.
 “Against the lies he told us that he was acting on behalf of the governor, we are aware that government did not send him to demand a gratification of N2m from the zone, the rejection of which is the bedrock of his illegitimate actions.”
 They also lamented how Mr. Akubueze purportedly prepared placards that falsely convey the message that the traders were against the PDP government in Abia State, describing the action as the height of treachery.
 When contacted, Akubueze denied the allegations saying no zone in the market had up to N2m in its account presently and wondered why he should be accused of demanding money the zone does not have.
He however said the zone was divided into two because of its large size but reaffirmed his resolution to deal with the traders as alleged.
 “In fact I would not because of the allegation deny the fact that (Gov) T.A (Orji) is my brother. To be candid, one of these days, I am going to seek audience with him and after tabling this matter before him; I would then come and deal with these recalcitrant former executives of the zone,” he boasted.
February 25, 2014
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Speaking on the mess that is oozing out of President Goodluck Jonathan's government, Sanusi Lamido told the AFP that Jonathan lacks the will to appoint truthful men and women, as he is surrounded by crooks. In the words of Sanusi: “His [Jonathan] greatest failing obviously is that he is surrounded by people who are extremely incompetent, who are extremely fraudulent and whom he trusts.”

Regarding the allegations against him, the suspended CBN chief said when he heard of a report condemning his performance, he wrote to Jonathan asking if an explanation is needed, but he received no reply.

He said, unfortunately, the first time he was formally notified of the allegations against him was the day he was suspended, that is Thursday last week. But Reuben Abati had lied to the media that Sanusi was queried for the alleged offences and he replied the Presidency.

    According to Sanusi, the so-called kerosene subsidy money spent by the Federal Government in fact pays for “private jets, yachts and expensive mansion (of top public office holders) in Beverly Hills (United States) and Switzerland.

”He added that, “Since 2009, I have been annoying the government… There are people who think I have the wrong friends; people who think maybe I have not distanced myself enough from people who are seen to be opposition figures.”

Sanusi argued that the extent of graft in the NNPC might have reached an historic high. “I think everybody has known that NNPC is rotten. I don’t think it has ever been as bad as this,” he said.

Reacting to plans to arrest and keep him out of circulation, Sanusi said: “If I am sacrificed in whatever way, my freedom or my life… if it does lead to better accountability, it will be well worth it.”
February 24, 2014
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Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State yesterday described as unfortunate, the claim by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, that it lost the chance to produce the governor of the state in 2011 by mistake.

Addressing reporters last night in Government House, Owerri, the governor said the PDP has not really won any election in Imo since the time of the former governor Chief Achike Udenwa.

According to Okorocha, “I beat them in 2011 even though they controlled the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) the police and other security agencies”.

Imo PDP staged a sensitization/grand rally on Saturday to welcome defectors from other political parties to the party. The event was attended by President Goodluck Jonathan.

But in reaction to the defection of some members of the All Progressive Congress, APC, in the state state back to the PDP fold, Okorocha described the defectors as “expired politicians”, adding that “it is painful that the president spent over N5 million to buy a product that is not worth N1 million. They must have lied to the President. They didn’t want the president to travel by road, they would have seen what we have done. I am happy they didn’t say this government is not performing”.

He said, “If Achike had 15,000 followers as he claimed, he would have won the senatorial seat of Orlu. Udenwa is not even a registered member of the APC. The crowd that came there today was because of the presence of the President; none of the people joining them can attract any people to listen to them”.

The governor said it was sad that despite the 1.3 million votes that the state gave to Jonathan in 2011, the president has not taken time to thank the people of the state for their support. “Instead of thanking them, they have come to ask for more votes in 2015. What have we got to show for the votes we gave him? They have not thanked us and now they are asking for support in 2015. Three years after, they are telling us that what we are good at is voting. The projects that they are claiming that they did are our projects”, he fumed.
February 23, 2014
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Owerri, the Imo State capital was yesterday shut down as President Goodluck Jonathan visited the state to attend a sensitization rally organised to welcome back some party faithful who left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the past.
Early in the morning, major roads around the metropolis were condoned off, leaving only VIP movement around the city, particularly along the popular Wetheral Road that leads to Dan Anyiam Stadium, venue of the rally.
Leading the list of returnees to the PDP were former Governor Achike Udenwa, Senators Ifeanyi Ararume, Senator Chris Anyanwu, former Secretary to Imo State Government (SSG), Chief Cosmas Iwu and Chief Mike Ahamba, who was in the ANPP.
At 11:45a.m, President Jonathan’s chopper landed at a school playground opposite the stadium from where he rode into the stadium in a presidential motorcade. Jonathan arrived in the stadium with the Chairman of South East Traditional Rulers, Eze Cletus Ilomuanya, millionaire businessman and PDP stalwart, Chief Arthur Eze, Senator Hope Uzodinma – all clad in milk colour Igbo traditional attire uniform with the red cap to match.
Before the president’s arrival, Vice President Namadi Sambo and Senate President, David Mark had arrived at the stadium by 11:15am.  At 12 noon the crowd went hysteric as Jonathan went round the stadium to acknowledge cheers from thousands of party supporters who thronged the stadium before returning to the podium to observe the national anthem, which officially signaled the beginning of the ceremony.   Dignitaries at the event included Governors Martin Elechi (Ebonyi), Liyel Imoke (Cross River), Godwill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom), TA Orji (Abia), Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa), Jonah Jang (Plateau), Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, former Imo State Governor, Ikedi Ohakim, former Senate President, Ken Nnamani, PDP Women Leader, Ambassador Kema Chikwe, PDP BoT Chairman, Chief Tony Anineh, PDP BoT member, Chief Emmanuel Iwuayanwu, PDP National Chairman, Adamu Mu’azu, Finance Minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iwuala, Power Minister, Prof Chinedu Nebo, Health Minister, Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu, former governor of Kano State, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metu, former Imo governorship aspirant, Chief Peter Orji, Foreign Affairs Minister, Prof Viola Onwuliri, former PDP state chairman,  Chief I.D. Nwoga, PDP state chairman, Nnamdi Anyaehie, among others.
In his remarks, the president thanked the people who came out to witness the unity rally.  He said the day marked the reunion of party faithful in the state, saying that the PDP had come back strong again in Imo.
Jonathan said that the PDP is the only party that can unite the country, pointing out that since 1998 when the party was formed, its ideology had remained the same. He promised that the PDP would ensure that democracy in the country would be entrenched, saying that one does not need to be a moneybag to be in the party.
The president noted that consistency in the party had made it to remain intact irrespective of occasional misunderstanding.
“We are not here today for campaign but to welcome our former members who left the party because of internal wrangling in 2011,” he said, adding that the returnee members now know that there is no other place their interests would be accommodated other than the PDP, where there is rule of law.
He said that with the kind of reception given to him by the people of the state, the people had spoken eloquently.
Speaking earlier, Chairman of PDP Governors Forum, Dr Godswill Akpabio said the transformation leadership of Jonathan had touched the Imo people and that made them turn out in their large number to receive him.
Akpabio said it had been revealed to him that PDP would sweep Imo in 2015 in all electoral positions.  He begged Jonathan to return to Imo to commission federal projects scattered all over the place before the APC government in the state would claim them. Also the PDP chairman in Imo State, Chief Nnamdi Anyaehie said the PDP in the state was now ready to do battle to reclaim the state, thanking Jonathan for federal presence in the state.
In his remarks, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chief Emeka Ihedioha noted that PDP made mistakes in the past and was now ready to reclaim Imo.
“Those who left the party are back to strengthen their hand; I therefore beg that they be accommodated at all levels of the party for them to launch back to the Government House in 2015.”
He told Jonathan to count on the support of the Imo people who he said had always supported him. Also Senate President, David Mark said Imo is PDP and PDP is Imo, adding that Imo has returned fully to the party kitty with the caliber of returnees. He looked forward to when they would return to the state to smoothen the move to recapture the state.
Senator Chris Anyanwu speaking on behalf of the returnees said it was a great day in the state as they returned to the PDP before all the gladiators of Imo politics. With their return, she said Imo political bigwigs are now complete under one umbrella, stating that the various tendencies had collapsed into one for Jonathan. Anyanwu urged the President and other party faithful to open their arms to welcome their brothers and sisters who were coming back and never allow them to go out again.  Also, former Imo State governor, Chief Achike Udenwa said the people were deceived in 2011 with promise of a rescue mission that has been a ruse, saying they are now out to properly rescue Imo.

From CHIDI NNADI and GEORGE ONYEJIUWA, Owerri
February 22, 2014
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From EMMANUEL UZOR, Onitsha
Security agents in the commercial city of Onitsha and Anambra State in general are having hectic time controlling the series of clashes in the city between street urchins at various motor parks ahead of President Goodluck Jonathan’s visit to the city today.
Saturday Sun gathered that the crisis between Ndi Ukwu Aziza and Ndi Ukwu Otosi over the control of Aba park at Onitsha-Owerri road escalated yesterday resulting in blocking the Onitsha-Owerri Road for several hours before team of soldiers, navy and policemen led by the Divisional Police Officer, DPO in charge of Okpoko police division, Mr. Emeka Ugwu restored normalcy to the area.
The clash was coming even as President Jonathan is expected to land at Asaba International Airport from where he will use Air Force helicopter to land at Chuba Ikpeazu Stadium, Onitsha to pay courtesy call on Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe before departing for Owerri, Imo State.
Meanwhile security has been beefed up in the commercial city of Onitsha ahead of the president’s visit. The Area Commander in charge of Onitsha Police Area Command, Mr. Benjamin Wordu was seen patrolling the city with team of policemen as part of security measures.
However, a visit to the Imeobi palace of Obi of Onitsha showed heavy presence of security personnel as well as others who were seen working round the clock to make sure that there was serious security during and after president’s visit.
The Chairman of Onitsha North council area, Mr. Osite Egbuna, said there was heavy security ahead of Mr. President’s visit, adding that the entire commercial city of Onitsha is in great expectation to receive the president.
Mr. Egbuna also commended Governor Peter Obi for his support and leadership style that endeared him to the people, saying that the visit of the president will further bring development to the city.
Meanwhile, the police have deployed Anti bomb squad to the commercial city of Onitsha to ensure peace and security during and after the president’s visit.
Meanwhile, efforts to speak with the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe proved abortive.
February 21, 2014
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Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Nurudeen Abatemi-Usman, has said that President Goodluck Jonathan has not shown enough commitment to steel development in the country.
According to a statement by his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mr. Michael Jegede, the Senator made the observation, while condemning the zero allocation for capital projects in Ajaokuta Steel Company in the 2014 budget proposal, during the budget defence of the Ministry of Mines and Steel, conducted by the Senate Committee on Power and Steel.
Abatemi-Usman, a member of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, where the Ajaokuta Steel firm is located, noted that steel development is the bedrock of any industrial revolution, wondering how the federal government wants to achieve the vision 20:2020 without the full operation of the largest steel complex in the Sub-Saharan Africa.
Questioning the Minister of Mines and Steel, Architect Musa Mohammed Sada at the budget defence, Senator Abatemi-Usman said: “We spent billions for staff salaries every year, yet we are where we were as far as the revitalization of the Ajaokuta Steel Complex and National Iron Ore Mining Ore Company are concerned. Where is the place of Ajaokuta steel in our bid for industrial revolution? Do we seem to understand the importance of steel and the significant role it can play in enhancing our economy? If you ask me, I will say Mr. President is just paying lip-service to the issue of Ajaokuta steel and steel development in general. When he (Jonathan) came to Lokoja, Kogi State during the electioneering period in 2011, the thrust of his campaign promises for which our people voted for him was his pledge to revive the Ajaokuta steel complex. Over three years down the line, we’ve not seen much from him in that regard.”
Responding, the Mines and Steel Minister, insisted that despite the fact that fund was yet to be allocated for the completion of Ajaokuta steel, the Federal Government remains fully committed to the revival of the steel outfit.  He explained that government was working hard to clear some of the issues serving as impediment on the way of the steel project.   
SIGNED: MICHAEL JEGEDE
MEDIA AIDE TO SENATOR NURUDEEN ABATEMI-USMAN
VICE CHAIRMAN, SENATE COMMITTEE ON NIGER DELTA AFFAIRS
February 21, 2014
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Farouk Ahmed replaces Reginald Stanley
President Goodluck Jonathan has approved the appointment of Farouk Ahmed as Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency, PPPRA, with immediate effect.
Mr. Ahmed will take over from the incumbent Executive Secretary, Reginald Stanley, who is retiring after 35 years in service.
This was disclosed by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Reuben Abati.
The incoming Executive Secretary, who hails from Sokoto State, is the current Managing Director of Nidas Marine Ltd., a subsidiary of the NNPC.
The statement said Mr. Ahmed comes to his new job at the PPPRA with “over 28 years’ experience in the oil and gas industry and a sound commercial and trading background having held senior positions in the downstream sector of the oil and gas industry including Manager, Crude Oil Programming,  Nominations, and Shipping and Terminals”.
Mr. Ahmed has also served as Executive Director (Commercial), Pipelines and Products Marketing Company Limited (PPMC).
“President Jonathan thanks the outgoing Executive Secretary of the PPPRA, Mr. Stanley for his meritorious service to the nation and wishes him well in his future endeavours,” the statement added.
February 20, 2014
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Olusegun Obasanjo, ended his two-day working visit to Rivers State, yesterday. He reiterated that he remained a card carrying member of People’s Democratic Party, PDP.


He said it was too early for him to endorse any candidate for the 2015 presidential election.

Departing the Port Harcourt International Airport, after a tour and commissioning of projects in Rivers State, Chief Obasanjo said: “I am a card carrying member of PDP. How else do you speak English?”

When asked if he intends to support any candidate for the 2015 presidential election, he said: “That is not a question for now.”

On the Mono-rail project under construction, he commended Governor Rotimi Amaechi for the initiative, saying: “Anything that you are doing and there is no opposition, you should take a second look at it. The Ivory tower, which is a land mark monument for the French, when it was being built, some people said the man who built it should be killed. All good things must have some opposition.

That is what I told the governor on Monday, that to thyself and to thy people be true. Do not mind what the opposition says because too many people may not know what it takes and how it takes, but when they come to know, they will say well done.

“I must confess my ignorance.I did not know there was something of that magnitude, but when I saw it, I knew that the only state that can do that now with the deficit of power that we have now is Rivers State because the state generates over 700 mega watts and it can dedicate 20 mega watts to that mono rail.

There is no other state that can do that. So, that is my assessment.”
BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME & DAPO AKINREFON
February 18, 2014
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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Rivers state chapter, says ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo should take advantage of his visit to the state to throw more light on the huge fraudulent financial charges he alleged were hanging around Gov. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi while he served as the Speaker of the State House of Assembly.

In a statement signed by the Special Adviser, Media to the State PDP chairman, Jerry Needam, the party recalled that the K-leg saga was the genesis of the current political crisis in Rivers State which was championed by Obasanjo in 2006 to strip Amaechi of the PDP governorship ticket.

The party posited that the people of Rivers State deserve to know the outcome of those charges and investigations and why the former president suddenly swallowed his words to honour the invitation by a man he so much vilified and caused the anti-graft agencies to pursue on account of corruption.

“Failure to oblige this request, the people of Rivers State will be left with no other option than to conclude that he (Obasanjo) has either compromised his acclaimed hard stance against corruption in high places or worse still, is playing politics with the entire Rivers people notwithstanding the after effects.”

The PDP strongly believes that it was Obasanjo’s stiff opposition to Amaechi against the will of the party leadership and faithful in the state associated with the party primaries on December 6, 2006 that is still haunting the state till date.

The party insists that issues that border on corruption and mismanagement of state resources are such serious matters that cannot be wished away by political bravado associated with projects commissioning let alone by the governor’s direct accuser, ex-president Obasanjo, stressing that unless the issue of K-leg is explained to the people, neither Obasanjo nor Amaechi will be taken serious by Rivers people.
February 17, 2014
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 Kure, Bafarawa tipped as ministers
As part of efforts to fortify his campaign structure ahead of the 2015 general elections, President Goodluck Jonathan may next week bring into his cabinet some former governors and sack more of his serving ministers.
Saturday Sun gathered that some of the former governors who will likely be appointed as ministers include a former governor of Niger State, Abdulkadir Kure and Attahiru Bafarawa, a former governor of Sokoto State. Two of their colleagues from the South East are also being considered for ministerial appointment. One of them, Achike Udenwa of Imo State is expected to return to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) next week, while the second is currently deeply involved in growing his business empire, which had suffered greatly while he was governor of his state between 1999 and 2007.
It was gathered that the latest move, which will be fine-tuned over the weekend by members of the president’s kitchen cabinet, will lead to the dropping of two ministerial nominees already before the Senate for screening and confirmation. They are Asabe Asmau Ahmed who was nominated by Governor Babangida Aliyu as Niger State ministerial nominee and Dr Khaliru Alhassan of Sokoto State.
The Senate had at its session on Thursday suspended the screening of Kano State nominee, Hadjia Jamilla Salik, who is also likely to be replaced by a former governor of the state, Ibrahim Shekarau. The legislators equally failed to screen Asabe Asmau Ahmed of Niger State. Though the ministerial nominee of Sokoto had been screened  and awaiting confirmation, it was gathered that his nomination could be withdrawn,  while he would be compensated with another appointment to pave way for the nomination of Bafarawa.
Saturday Sun also learnt that the decision to bring in former governors into the federal cabinet “is to strengthen the PDP structure ahead of the presidential race because President Jonathan is banking so much on the relationship with his former governor colleagues to face the challenge being posed by the opposition party, APC.”
A source close to the president further disclosed that “the latest bid to strengthen the party’s structure with both serving and ex-governors also informs the decision by the party’s national chairman, Adamu Mu’azu to bring back all former governors into the PDP fold.”
It was gathered that Mu’azu has devoted so much time and efforts to the task after his recent consultation visit to former Military President, Ibrahim Babangida, who urged him, “to bring back into the fold all former governors.”
Of the four former governors who are being considered for ministerial appointments; Kure, Bafarawa and Udenwa are likely to take the job while the fourth from the South East has asked to be allowed to face his business while giving support to the government.
“Feelers from one of the former governors being considered to strengthen the cabinet and the party structure indicate that he is giving so much time to rebuild his business but has promised to give his unfettered support,” another reliable source in the presidency added.
To create space for the new entrants, Saturday Sun learnt that President Jonathan will relieve more of the serving ministers of their jobs next week,  if there is no last minute change of the current plan.
Jonathan had on Wednesday at the weekly Federal Executive Council meeting relieved four Ministers of their appointments.
Those dropped include Stella Oduah (Aviation), Godsday Orubebe (Niger Delta), Caleb Olubolade (Police Affairs) and Yerima Ngama (State for Finance).
Information Minister Labaran Maku had told journalists after the FEC meeting that the president asked the affected ministers to vacate their positions to allow them pursue political and private business interests they had indicated.
Maku said pending the appointment of substantive ministers, the Minister of State for FCT, Olajumoke Akinjide, has been asked to supervise the Ministry of Police Affairs; while the Minister of State for Trade and Investment, Sam Ortom, was asked to supervise the aviation ministry.
He added that the Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs, Gayius Isiaku, would supervise the ministry; while the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala would have to combine her work with that of Yerima Ngama, who was also dropped. Last month, President Jonathan also sacked  and replaced his military chiefs.
 BY FEMI BABAFEMI
Details in Saturday Sun
February 14, 2014
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CP Ogunsakin
By SaharaReporters, New York
Newly appointed Rivers State Commissioner, Mr. Tunde Ogunsakin has promised to prosecute the state’s security affairs without bias to either the All Progressives Congress (APC), which Governor Rotimi Amaechi is a member of, or the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of President Goodluck Jonathan.
Speaking in Port Harcourt during an official visit to the governor, Ogunsakin assured that he would police the state without bias, as both the president and the governor have their respective roles in ridding the state of crimes.
“The President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces is the Chief Security Officer of the Federation while the Inspector General of Police is the Chief Law Enforcement Officer of the Federation”, he said.
“Also, in a state, the Executive Governor is the Chief Security Officer and the Commissioner of Police is the Chief Law Enforcement Officer of the State. This relationship is definitely best appreciated when it is harnessed to ensure peace and tranquillity in the state”.
Ogunsakin revealed his intention to collaborate with various communities, non-governmental organisations, and all other stakeholders. The result of this, he enthused, would be an objective, liberal, firm and non-partisan policing of the state.
“I will deploy my expertise to manage the affairs of the Rivers State Police Command in the best possible professional manner”, he assured. “I will strategically marshal a formidable operational plan that will speedily arrest the trend of all forms of criminality, particularly violent crimes in the state”.
Amaechi himself stated the readiness of the state government to cooperate with the Police in restoring law and order. But he noted that this would be impossible were the Police to support either of the two parties battling for the reins of the state in 2015.
“We are willing to cooperate with the Police to restore law and order. The only thing we need is for the Police to have the courage to restore law and order”, he said.
“The Police must do whatever it takes to restore law and order. Don’t support PDP, and don’t also support APC; just support Rivers people. Please don’t obey any illegal order from the Rivers State Government. What we want is a neutral police commissioner who is firm and [who] understands that the state needs to accommodate everybody — not one that loves to be in any of the political parties”.
Amaechi endured a rancorous relationship with former Commissioner of Police, Mr. Mbu Joseph Mubu, who was believed to be working for President Goodluck Jonathan and the PDP, notoriously banning all forms of political rallies in the state and proscribing activities of such pro-Amaechi groups as the Grassroots Development Initiative, Save Rivers Movement, and the Rivers Leadership Advancement Foundation, among many other blatant use of Police apparatus to negate pro-Amaechi individuals and associations.
February 13, 2014
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The Muslim Community of Oyo State (MUSCOYS) on Wednesday dissociated itself from any resolution arising from the Yoruba Constitutional Conference organised by some Yoruba leaders in Ibadan.
Addressing a news conference in Ibadan, the Chairman of the community, Alhaji Is-haq Sanni, said the organisers of the conference were not true representation of the Yoruba people.
“How can you talk of Yoruba leaders in Yoruba land where at least 70 per cent of the population are Muslims without a single Muslim in their midst,’’ Sanni said.
He specifically faulted the composition of the conveners of the conference without the likes of Alhaji Lateef Jakande, Chief Kola Daisi, Prof. Daud Noibi, Shuaib Oyedokun, Dr Jubril Martins-Kuye,  among others.
Sanni urged the public to disregard any resolution of the conference organised by the group.
”They are not serving the interest of the Yoruba people, let alone the Muslim Community in the Yoruba speaking states,” he said.
It will be recalled that the Yoruba Constitutional Conference group under the auspices of Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG), Coalition of O’dua Self Determination Groups (COSEG), O’dua National Coalition (ONAC) met in Ibadan on Wednesday to set the Yoruba agenda a head of the national conference.
Others were Atayese, Covenant Group (CG), Afenifere Youth Forum (AYF), Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), Agbekoya Reformed Society and Oodua Foundation (Diaspora).
February 12, 2014
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Wild Jubilation Among Oghiadomhe's Kinsmen Over His Sack
Ecstatic jubilation today swept Fugar, the home village in Edo State of the fallen Mike Oghiadomhe, and the youth there promise to gather again on Wednesday to pass a formal vote of no confidence on him.
Tuesday’s celebration started when news spread in the area of yesterday’s fall of their kinsman from the highest levels of the federal government as Chief of Staff to President Goodluck Jonathan.
Sources in the village told us that a group of youths gathered at a nearby area of the Etsako Central Local Government office to express their ‘joy and happiness’ over the removal of Oghiadomhe from the cabinet of Mr. Jonathan.
In an instant demonstration of the unpopularity of Oghiadomhe, who previously served as former deputy governor of Edo State, the youths were said to have been joined by market women, artisans, the unemployed, traders, students and motorcyclists, some of them dancing and singing.
Motorists plying the roads were said to have been locked in their cars as the crowds and their jubilations grew.
A lecturer at the University of Benin (UNIBEN) who was in the village for a meeting told SaharaReporters on the phone, “The street of Fugar was agog like a road show, with youths and market woman in their numbers dancing upon the news of Mr Mike’s removal”.
According to one of the youth leaders, Oghiadomhe’s presence in the presidency had attracted embarrassment but no federal projects to the area.
He said 80% percent of inhabitants and indigenes of Fugar welcomed his sacking and purported resignation, stating that on many occasions they visited him in his Abuja office but that the efforts yielded no gain.
“We visited his office in Abuja to table many issues concerning our community,” he recalled. “He [would] promise us to come back. There are even times his secretary will tell us he is not the office and has travelled for official assignment.
“It was when we were tired of visiting Abuja and risking our lives that we settled for our faith. You will only see him visiting the village at night and leaving very early. This is bad for our so called politicians. We even see him as stingy man who doesn’t joke with money,” he revealed.
Also speaking to our correspondent, a very angry woman in the village described the former President Chief of Staff as a “promise and failure man,” slang for a man who does not keep his word.
“No meaningful development entered this community during his reign as the Chief of Staff to Mr Jonathan, she said, and then breaking into pidging, added, “Na so so empty promises we dey hear. Common empowerment programme Oga Mike know do for his village.
Expressing happiness at his removal, she invited him to “come home and settle down instead of rubbishing us all on the name of representation at the Federal level.”
In addition to other corruption allegations already published by SaharaReporters, Oghiadomhe famously appropriated a large swathe of land belonging to some of the villagers in his area.
Public Accountability League has published several documents indicating that the fallen government bigwig owns extensive real estate in Abuja and London, including a N1.3billion mansion in Aso Villa listed as 3 Udi Hill Street.
SAHARAREPORTERS
February 11, 2014

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