How Internal Sabotage Cost PDP Imo Election

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How Internal Sabotage Cost PDP Imo Election

 

Last Saturday’s inconclusive governorship election in Imo State exposed some internal strife within the PDP and lack of belief among its members. The election also showed how less the party leaders should be trusted with resources issues.  Damian Duruiheoma reports

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Last Saturday’s inconclusive governorship election in Imo State certainly brought to the fore a lot of intrigues, deft political maneuvering and some political lessons. The two main gladiators and dramatis personae in the political game, Governor Rochas Okorocha of the All Progressives Congress, APC and the Peoples Democratic Party’s, PDP, candidate, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha were determined to outsmart each other to win the election.

 

Going by the available results so far, Okorocha is leading with 385,671 votes compared to the 306,142 votes garnered by Ihedioha. However, Ihedioha is trailing Okorocha with 79,529 votes not because of the APC leaders’ spartan determination to have a presence in South East. It was also not because of the intense poaching of some key and notable elements within the PDP leaders by the governor and recent defections into the APC shortly after its presidential candidate won at the nation level. Available information showed that it was purely a case of internal strife and sabotage by the PDP leaders.

 

During the run up to the election, Ihedioha and the PDP had traversed the nooks and crannies of the state, telling the people of the state the reason they should reject the APC-led government for a better future. That message sank in the minds of the people as they truly yearned for a change. This was despite the fact that what could be referred to as PDP backbone—the presidency—had lost his return bid. Yet, Ihedioha did not leave anything to chances.

 

The effort to strengthen the PDP political base in Imo to achieve good result in the poll began even after he galvanized the party to win Imo during the presidential and national assembly elections.

 

However, signs that the PDP might be weakened at the April 11 election came when some of its known leaders who were in control of the political machinery in their areas and capable of helping it to attract votes in any election in their areas for the party started defecting to the APC. People like Senator Ifeanyi Araraume, Chief Jerry Chukwueke, Barr. Humphrey Anumudu, Chief Charles Amadi, Dr. Vitalis Orikeze Ajumbe, and many others left the PDP with three days to the election for APC. Even such gladiators as Senator Hope Uzodinma, Chief Tony Chukwu and others were rumoured to have joined the fray and worked against the interest of the party. Their intention was to worm themselves to the heart of the incoming President Muhammadu Buhari through Governor Rochas Okorocha.

 

Despite all this, it was learnt that what weakened the PDP’s effort the most was those who were with the party till the Saturday morning of the election day. For instance, all the resources deployed by Ihedioha to all the 27 LGAs were diverted into private pockets in most areas of the state resulting to PDP supporters voting for the APC in protest.

 

In Mbaitoli LGA, N48 million was said to have been given to one of the party leaders, but that money was never distributed it was meant. The same situation occurred in Nwangele and most parts of the state. In fact, on Monday morning after the result was released, two PDP leaders were seen at the Owerri residence of the PDP candidate, Ihedioha, where they engaged in fisticuff with one of them accusing the other of hoarding the money given to him to prosecute the election.

 

Also, at the state party secretariat on Monday where youths and women were demonstrating against the outcome of the results so far released, the women and youths were heard blaming the party leaders in various LGAs for diverting what they (youths and women) should have used to work perfectly for the party.

 

In addition,  it was learnt that the high-tech political maneuvering launched by the APC leadership coupled with the deft move by Okorocha and his men in the state gave the party upper hand in the election. What further weakened the political control of the PDP and depleting their rank and support was the defeatist theory they adopted, a development that saw the members losing confidence in their own ability to win now that President Jonathan had lost his own election.

 

From the results, however, it is evident that the efforts of these people and others in the area could have contributed to a better performance and raised the fortunes of the PDP in the election if the members of the party had believed in themselves and had not suffered self- infraction.

 

Not that alone, there is a new definition of politics this days referred to stomach infrastructure. This was the reason money was given to PDP leaders in various LGAs. Yet, the money was not properly utilized. On the contrary, the APC leaders cooked and shred plates of rice and water in many polling booths.

 

Furthermore, the majority of the people of the state became more resolute to return the APC to power and vote against the PDP because of the allegation that those given money to give to them as leaders pocketed it. Consequently, they feared that if they vote for the party, the so-called leaders would still go ahead to claim more money for “having performed creditably” and eventually continue to get the share of the people if a new government comes on board, hence the revolt against them.

 

Also, the inconsistency of Senator Hope Uzodinma and Chief Tony Chukwu was another contributory factor why the PDP seems to have technically lost the election. It would be recalled that few days to the election, Uzodinma was rumoured to have held meetings with Governor Okorocha, first at Abuja and later at the governor’s Spilbat haven. In the meetings, the former was said to have begged Okorocha to get the APC to zone the senate president position to south east and even get the party to choose him. Though, the senator was reported in local newspaper to have denied that through his aide, but many PDP supporters took that with a pinch of salt. Even before the presidential election, he was rumoured to have discussed with his Orlu Stakeholders on the need for them to re-elect him so that he would in turn pull his support for Okorocha, his Orlu kinsman. That arrangement was famously termed Orlu-for-Orlu.

 

Again, Chukwu the billionaire businessman was rumoured to have pledged his support to Okorocha just for the incoming ruling party to protect his business as a federal contractor. Though, Chukwu di not deny nor confirm the rumour, whether that was true or not, the result that came from his Ehime Mbano LGA showed that there was element of truth in the rumour as this was the first time PDP was losing election in Ehime Mbano. This was same in the other five local government areas of Okigwe senatorial zone.

 

 

Another factor that helped the APC to scuttle the ambition of the opposition during the election could be attributed to the performance record of Governor Okorocha. His popularity among the people grew with his free education for the state from primary to university level as well as some of the projects he had put on ground which hitherto were not done.

 

Many Imo citizens, including the less privileged, saw the zeal and determination by the current administration under Okorocha’s’s administration to develop the state and thereby meeting their yearnings. Whether these things were of standard quality did not matter much to most of his admirers who insisted that he is better than those contesting with him.

 

All said and done, the election was also equally well fought by the PDP and its candidate. The over 306,142 votes recorded by the party against the 385,671 votes garnered by the APC to lead in the election is an indication that the PDP should won the election on Saturday if its loyalists did not sabotage its effort as the defection of Araraume and co would not have had much effect.

 

Expectedly, Some bitter lessons to draw from this election, according to political watchers, is that any serious politician should not deploy his resources into the hands of a politician in his comfort zone as such people only talks in the media and cannot defend the interest of their principal when it matters most.

His Excellency’s Address To The People Of Abia State On The 2015 Gubernatorial And State House Of Assembly Elections In Abia State

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His Excellency’s Address To The People Of Abia State On The 2015 Gubernatorial And State House Of Assembly Elections In Abia State

 

My Very Good People, Abians.

 

On Saturday, the 11th day of April, 2015, elections were conducted in Abia State as well as in other parts of the Country for the Gubernatorial and House of Assembly seats in the ongoing national elections.

 

Abians were encouraged to go out on the said date to perform their civic responsibility of electing persons of their choice without let or hindrance.  This they did and were hopeful that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the body entrusted with the constitutional duty of conducting the elections would announce the results on time, as they did in the previous elections conducted on the 28th of March, 2015.

 

Surprisingly, the events of the last few days, since the conduct of the gubernatorial and House of Assembly elections, point to the fact that Abians may have to wait for an unduly long time to get the results of the 11th of April elections.

 

The dashed expectation of Abians of an early result, as has happened in other states, has heightened tension in the state and raised emotions.  Abians are known as peaceful citizens and have creditably conducted themselves peacefully since the build-up to the 2015 elections till the present time.  We have not recorded any political assassination or killing in the state; which is commendable and should be sustained.

 

INEC must remain alive to its constitutional responsibility of conducting credible elections and must at all times be conscious of the fact that citizens attach so much importance to their rights to choose their leaders which right should not be denied in any form.

 

There are guidelines guiding the conduct of elections in the Country and ample electoral laws on the subject of our elections which must be strictly applied in the interest of all participants in elections and the citizenry.  A deviation from these guidelines or an attempt to subvert the will of the people as expressed in their votes may lead to unpleasant consequences.

 

It is in that light this I call again on INEC to be conscious of their conduct and live above board.  Politicians should emulate the enviable attitude of our President, His Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, in not taking the election as a do or die affair.  Candidates in this election are advised to turn off the garb of desperation in their quest for political office as power can only come from God through the people. Our youths are advised not to make themselves available as tools in the hands of desperate politicians to create chaos and mayhem in the State.  I hereby advise parents and guardians to rise to the occasion and direct their wards and young people under their care to the noble path of rectitude and good conduct.

 

I advise all Abians and the general public to be patient and law abiding at all times and especially in the days ahead as we expect INEC to do the needful by announcing the outcome of the gubernatorial and House of Assembly elections conducted in the state on the 11th of April, 2015 or on any subsequent date, without further delay, in accordance with the extant laws and guidelines on the subject of elections in the country.

 

The security agencies are also enjoined to live up to their responsibility by ensuring that peace is maintained in Abia State without favour.

 

Long live Abia State!

 

Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!

 

God bless the good people of Abia State!

Abia Guber: Rerun Scheduled For April 25

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Abia Guber: Rerun Scheduled For April 25

Information available to 247ureports.com indicates that the gubernatorial election which was declared inconclusive by the electoral authorities have been scheduled for the 25th April 2015 for a rerun election.

The said election was deemed inconclusive under mysterious conditions by the Resident Electoral Commissioner [REC] after having collated the entire results without rancor – or cause for cancellation for the said affected areas. But the sudden halt in the announcement of the results by the REC, resulted in the suspicious delay of announcement that the election was deemed inconclusive.

According to allegations from insiders within the INEC offices, the sum of N50million was offered the INEC REC to halt the election and to declared it inconclusive. The source also revealed that the money was backed up by death threats to his person and to his family. The REC is said to also be receiving pressure from Captain Ihejirika to tilt the activities towards the advantage of the All Progressive Grand Alliance [APGA] candidate, Alex Otti. A onetime governor Abia State, Mr. Orji Uzor Kalu is also said to be weighing his share of pressure on the REC to yeild to the APGA candidate.

Thus far, the areas scheduled for rerun are said to be areas where the Peoples Democratic Party [PDP] won overwhelming.

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Stay tuned for the complete report

Cry Not For The Igbos – By Nwobodo Chidiebere

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Cry Not For The Igbos – By Nwobodo Chidiebere

 

“Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable. Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals.” –Martin LutherKing, Jr.

 

The 2015 general elections might be over but the indelible footprints it left on our political shore will remain trans-generational in the annals of history. Historians will continue to make reference to 2015 as a year that redefined Nigeria’s political voyage, when taken into considerations landmark successes recorded during the course of this noble exercise and the entrenchment of democratic principles in the polity, which ultimately made Nigeria the true winner of these elections.

 

It is no longer news that President Goodluck Jonathan of PDP, gallantly lost to Gen. Muhammadu Buhari of All Progressives Congress, who is now President-Elect of Nigeria. Congratulations to the nation’s indefatigable President-Elect, Gen.Muhammadu Buhari, who defiled all the hurdles placed on his way to emerge as the nation’s democratically elected president, but a million congratulations should go to President Goodluck Jonathan, who made it possible for the long-silenced voice of Nigerians to be heard now by creating an enabling political environment that enabled our votes to count, by providing Prof Jega’s led INEC adequate resources and true independence it required to deliver the much-needed free and fair elections. President Jonathan transcended into heaven of statesmen and engraved his name in gold when he made that historic call to congratulate Gen. Buhari, which secured the much needed post-election peace in the country. This courageous step has not only deepened our democracy, but has set the pace for losers in the just concluded Governorship and State Assembly polls to congratulate the winners.

 

The story of 2015 general elections would not be complete without mentioning the roles played by Igbos in deepening Nigeria’s democracy. I was inspired to write this piece when I came across articles written for the sole purpose of portraying Igbos as being politically naïve for throwing their weight behind President Jonathan. Some of the so-called voodoo analysts described Igbos as a race wallowing in ‘political wildernesses’ because of their massive and formidable support for President Jonathan. Unfortunately, all these baseless and ignoble attacks on Igbo nation for making their choice were borne out of sheer ignorance of what truly defines an Igbo man or woman. These media tigers pouring venoms on Igbo race are simply bereft of the reasons why Igbos voted for Jonathan. Igbos voted for Justice, Equity and Freedom not Jonathan, fortunately for him, he represented the three main reasons why Igbos voted for PDP in bloc. President Jonathan did a lot to heal the wounds of civil war which endeared him to the Igbos; he gave Igbos a sense of belonging by integrating Igbos both politically and economically into the nation’s centrifugal equation of governance. He made Igbos understood that this country belongs to all of us, irrespective of our places of birth, tribe and religion. I can say it authoritatively without mincing words that Igbos will still vote for Jonathan a thousand times again without regrets if he chooses to context again in the near future; as long as we continue to sense that scent of justice, equity and freedom in him. Anyone accusing Igbos of being gullible for voting for justice and self-emancipation in the name of Jonathan, is either drowning in the ocean of naivety or wandering in the desert of illusions, which is the hallmark of a person crying more than the bereaved.

 

Most of the self-righteous opinion writers are of the school of thought that it would be difficult for an Igbo man to govern a heterogeneous nation like Nigeria base on the current political permutations. Unfortunately for them, an average Igbo person is productive, progressive, industrious, self-determined, republican in nature; and independent of government at the centre to survive. This explains why Igbo has remained the most adventurous nation in the entire black race, which positioned them as the engine propelling Nigeria’s economic development. It is an irrefutable assertion that Lagos State as the economic capital of Nigeria attained this enviable status because of economic dexterity and investment prowess of the wise men of the East who migrated to the city of excellence in search of greener pasture as a result of their metropolitan nature and adventurous spirit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Political power or not, Igbo nation would continue to thrive, survive and progress in any corner of the globe where human beings have the innate ability to survive. Therefore, those crying for the Igbos for expressing their quest for justice, equity and freedom should spear their tears for other noble cause. President Jonathan lost the election, but the Igbos won the war against agents of divide-and-rule by uniting and speaking with one voice for the first time, which is sending jitters down the spine of those who have being using divide-and-rule to incite Igbo brothers and sisters against each other. Never again will any Nigerian with Igbo blood flowing in his veins be treated as a second class citizen in this forced marriage called Nigeria. Why it is that other region expressed their franchised without fear, but Igbo nation is being vilified and insulted for upholding their fundamental human rights by voting for candidates of their choice? Must everyone be intimidated into voting for a particular candidate? Igbos are not against President-Elect, Gen.Buhari but against the proponents of marginalization and inequality, who view Igbos as a conquered and defeated race that must be kept down at all cost. Igbo nation is ever ready to give their maximum support to the incoming administration provided it will prove to us through its policies and programmes that civil war has ended and Nigeria of 21st century is no longer the same country of 1960s, that every Nigeria irrespective of his language and faith is free to live and work in any part of this country without fear of intimidation or segregation.

 

As long as humanity persists, Igbos will continue to co-exist peaceful with other fellow Nigerians in any part of this country. To my fellow Igbo opinion writers, who insult the sensibilities of Igbo nation in other to project themselves as pan-Nigeria, or those who have sold their conscience and birth right to be able to eat the crumbs falling from their masters table, posterity beckons! Why I am at a very high risk of being tagged an ethnic bigot for standing up for justice and freedom of my people, I will like to state clearly that a man, who is not ready to die for the cause he believes in; is not worthy to live, apology to Martin Lutherking, Jr.

 

 

Comrade Nwobodo Chidiebere, social commentator, writes from Abuja.

chidieberenwobodo@yahoo.com

Bala’s Indelible Imprints in FCT – By Rogers Edor Ochela

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Bala’s Indelible Imprints in FCT – By Rogers Edor Ochela

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As the lifespan of the present Jonathan presidency gradually inches closer to its end, chroniclers of history will be anxious to start the interrogation (or is it inquisition?) of the administration in terms of whether it has impacted positively or otherwise on both the fortunes of nation and those of the citizenry.

It is on this note that I have decided to remove the arrow from their quiver in this piece, in a manner of speaking, by way of unveiling the epochal achievements of the FCT Minister, Sen. Bala Mohammed, lest some analysts fail to do a thorough justice to the issue. Paucity of funds notwithstanding, Bala achieved a lot within the permissible limits of resources available to him. In chronicling these achievements, I intend to be as dispassionate as possible to avoid critics misconstruing my intention as a backhanded attempt to curry favour from the minister.

To those conversant with the antecedents of Bala, his journey to the top was not totally rosy. But through deft combination of sagacity and moral discipline, he rose through a combustible mix of obstacles, navigating his way through the labyrinth of life to attain his present position.

In April 2010, when Bala took over the reins of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) as the minister, he met a ministry that was virtually at crossroads, with the staff disillusioned by the devastating effect of maladministration, almost losing faith in the ability of any minister in making any positive change in the situation. Staff morale was at dangerously low ebb. It was under these cloudy circumstances that Bala courageously took over the driver’s seat, fastened his seat belt to withstand the bumps and shocks ahead.

Analysts agree that Bala indeed stepped into office armed with a ‘’correcting fluid’’with a high preponderance of revolutionary zeal, adorning the garb of a reformer. With a strong passion for turning around the then ailing fortunes of the ministry, unchained it and with frenzy launched it on the path of workability.

With honesty and transparency as handmaidens, Bala has been able to impact positively on the morale of staff and the overall fortunes of the ministry, so much so that even his worst critics readily admit that he has become the most legitimizing factor of the Jonathan administration. Not a man given to frivolities, Bala on assumption of office immediately fashioned out multi-dimensional strategies to confront the hydra-headed problems confronting the nation’s capital city and the result has been awe-inspiring. So, due to space and time constraints, I shall highlight some of the outstanding achievements of this humble man from Bauchi state, trying in the process, to capture as many of those achievements as possible.

The first thing he did was to break the vicious circle of land racketeering by setting a committee headed by Sen. Saidu Dansadau, a development that led to the upgrading and repositioning of land administration in the territory.

Others are development of Katampe District, which is being executed through PPP and estimated at over N61, 194, 747, 645.00, with Kagini 1 District costing N52, 609, 879, 284.47, while Maitama Extension District is gulping N137, 454, 626,929.00.

The minister has equally recorded tremendous achievements in the areas of agricultural development and railway modernization. In this regard, the first phase of the light rail and Abuja-Kaduna railway projects embarked upon by the administration is nearing completion and is expected to ferry 700,000 passengers daily. Another is the second phase of the Abuja Railway connecting the ever busy Nyanya—Mararaba axis valued at $750m, whose contract was recently signed by the minister under a PPP arrangement.

The list of the minister’s achievements is endless. It also includes: reconstruction and expansion of the country’s most modern 10-lane multiple carriage super highways: the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua (Airport Road) Expressway, and the Outer Northern (Murtala Muhammed) Expressway otherwise known as the Zuba/Kubwa/City Centre highway, as well as the dualization of the Nyanya-Abuja Expressway, all of which have attained 90% completion level.

Others are: Resurfacing/Reconstruction of aging Roads in Garki 1 and Wuse 1 Districts; expansion of Kuje-Gwagwalada; Gitata bypass; Karshi – Apo bypass; Sunrise – Guzape bypass; Gwagwalada-Dobi connection and the Bwari Township roads projects; the nearly 1000 percent completed Gurara-Lower Usman Dam road that connects the FCT with Kaduna State at Jere; completion of work on Tanks 1 and 6 with 40, 000 cubic centimeters storage capacity; attraction of foreign and local investments, totalling over $20 billion.

 

And that is not all. In a drive to make Abuja Africa’s preferred investment destination, a 37-storey World Trade Centre estimated at $1.2bn  (approximately N180 Billion) is being built at the former Bakassi Market, under a Public-Private-Partnership arrangement with the Churchgate Group; the Abuja Town Centre project valued at $2.7bn is also on card with the Chikason Group to bequeath to the nation’s capital a world-class 24-hour business district comparable to Manhattan in New York, Oxford Street in London, or the Champ D’Elysee in Paris; the Abuja Millennium City Project, the biggest single private investment in housing in Africa valued at $18bn is being handled by a consortium under the incorporated name, Nigeria Centenary City, Plc; a PPP initiative between FCTA and COHART Group worth $150million to develop Abuja Film Village International (AFVI); a PPP initiative for Katampe District infrastructure with capital inflow of over N61billion and the Land Swap Project ($4.5bn), which has the richest man and woman in Africa, Aliko Dangote and Folorunsho Alakija respectively participating.

The FCT will in the next four to five years fully develop at least 10 new districts through the land swap system. The ground breaking for the pilot district of the programme was performed in February by Vice President Namadi Sambo at Waru District. Apart from infrastructure provision through land swap intervention, work is also ongoing in additional six districts through a combination of methodologies including regular contract award system and different forms of PPP arrangements. These include Jahi, Wuye, Guzape, Maitama Extension, Kagini and Katampe.

 

Determined to promote the culture of recreation, cleanliness and ascetic beauty of the FCT, the minister through Otunba Runsewe Committee revived parks and gardens in the territory and also introduced a robust and dynamic traffic control and regulation via doubling the staff strength of the Directorate of Road Traffic Services (VIO) and provision of better equipment.

The beauty of the complex network of roads in the FCT has been accentuated with the vast array of major interchanges otherwise known as ‘’overhead bridges.’’ These interchanges ease the flow of traffic. Completion and commissioning of major interchanges at AYA, Asokoro, Banex Junction, Jahi/Mabushi Link and Gwarimpa 11 Kado/Life Camp Junction were implemented by the Bala administration thereby significantly freeing traffic flow in the city and its environs.

To curb the culture of immorality in the city, the Bala-led administration has rehabilitated over 3,000 commercial sex workers by training them in diverse trades, after which they were given N100,000 each to start various businesses of their choice.

In the area of security, the FCT Administration under Bala Mohammed struck a synergy with other sister security agencies through provision of patrol vehicles for effective patrol of all nooks and crannies of the territory.

Considering the critical importance of heath care system in the affairs of the people, the administration procured several ambulances and other medical equipment to boost the health sector.

Bala equally succeeded greatly in enforcing Abuja’s Master plan; substantially raised the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) profile of the FCT; facilitated the passage of FCT Internal Revenue Bill by the National Assembly; attracted foreign investors in the expansion of the $700million Abuja Botanical Gardens and Parks; review of the concessionaire of the Eagle Sqaure and International Conference Centre to private facility managers thereby enhancing their status, preventing revenue leakages and easing mounting security concerns.

Whatever anybody might say, Bala has paid his dues. With the single-mindedness of purpose that he executed his assignment at the FCTA, he has earned a place in the hearts of Nigerians. This conclusion may go against the grain of expectations of some few individuals, but then, it requires a dispassionate heart and deep understanding of administration to appreciate all the transformation witnessed at the FCTA under Bala’s superintendence.

What really distinguishes this icon from his contemporaries is his great concern for public good and admirable husbandry of scarce resources. So, as the Kauran Bauchi quits office as Minister of the FCT, he is leaving behind an enduring legacy of honour and hard work. I join millions of other Nigerians in wishing him a prosperous future endeavour.

* Ochela, fmr Newspaper Editor and now Media Consultant is based in Abuja.

Keshi’s Super Eagles contract to be renewed on Friday, says NFA

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Keshi’s Super Eagles contract to be renewed on Friday, says NFA

Stephen Keshi, the out of job Super Eagles Head Coach, is expected to sign a two-year contract extension with the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) on April 17.

The contract when signed, will see Keshi return as Super Eagles handler after his initial contract with the NFA expired after the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

Mohammed Sanusi, the Secretary-General of the NFA, told newsmen in Abuja on Tuesday that the contract which would be signed on Friday, would see the coach put pen to paper on his new job.

“By the grace of God on Friday the Super Eagles team will have a coach.

“Nigerians have been very patient with this issue, so, it’s just only two days remaining for the coach to sign a contract.

“We cannot announce a coach without signing a contract,’’ Sanusi said.

The NFA scribe also said that efforts were being intensified to sign a new kit sponsorship deal to boost the signing of a coaching deal for the Super Eagles.

“We are working assiduously to ensure we get a kit company that will sponsor our teams.

“It is not good to disclose the level of discussion with the would-be companies until the deal is finally struck,’’ he added.

Saunsi, however, commended the countries male and female football teams for qualifying for the 2015 All Africa Games scheduled for Congo Brazzaville from Sept. 4 to Sept. 19.

He said: “we are going to collaborate with the National Sports Commission (NSC) to ensure we give the teams quality preparations ahead of the Games.

“We were not there at the last All Africa Games; we were not there at the London 2012 Olympics too but this time that we have qualified we must go and make an impact.

“The Super Falcons who have qualified for the World Cup will also get the full support of the NFA and NSC, especially in terms of quality friendly matches.

Exposing The Cogs In Buhari’s Anti-Corruption Wheel – By Ogar Simeon

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Exposing The Cogs In Buhari’s Anti-Corruption Wheel – By Ogar Simeon
General Muhammadu Buhari’s win at the March 28 Presidential Election triggered a gale of defections from the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), which has prompted concerns among political watchers who reason that the rent seeker that ruined the nation in 16 years of PDP rule are already positioning themselves to ply their trade in the APC.These defectors cut across all strata of political influence. Former governors, ex-federal lawmakers, their state counterparts and even politicians at local government level have ditched the former ruling party for the new bride. While Nigerians are rightly alarmed at the mass exodus of career politicians to the incoming ruling party, they have overlooked the real threat to Buhari’s presidency – seeming underdogs who were close to the jugular of the outgoing government.
Principal of such characters is Folake Itohan Oke Salami, the Executive Director Business Development of the Nigerian Export and Import (NEXIM) Bank. Salami is one of the adopted daughters of First Lady, Dame Patience Faka Jonathan, whose reign of terror and impunity at the specialized bank is set to continue as she jostles to find relevance in the incoming government.

Salami, who was appointed by President Goodluck Jonathan on December 4, 2011 on the strength of her relationship with Patience Jonathan, has been severally linked with sordid details at NEXIM but the administration’s stance on corruption allowed her to continue acting free. Added to her penchant for sleaze are her rude character, arrogance and unprofessional conduct as she is always meddling in politics instead of her core area of mandate.
Drawing inspiration from disgraced former Aviation Minister, Stella Oduah who did something similar in the past and was clearly rewarded and became President Jonathan’s shadow, the NEXIM Bank executive director wanted to take over NEXIM Bank in grand style to be able to award contracts to herself and family members. But this time the permutation did not work out.
Salami is reportedly trying to win the heart of the APC leadership by pilling pressure on a former PDP chieftain who recently decamped to the APC in the North Central. While her original mission of approaching the party chieftain is to negotiate a soft landing under the Buhari government, the sympathetic reception she got from the politician has certainly emboldened her to become more ambitious.She is said to also be angling to become the replacement for the incumbent Executive Director of NEXIM, Roberts Orya, who despite his sterling reputation and performance was already penciled for a sack over his refusal to funnel cash to the Jonathan’s campaign.  His sack letter was already written and was on the table of the Secretary to the Federal Government had Jonathan been re-elected.

Mrs. Itohan, who has a history of back stabbing, came into NEXIM with a set goal, to amass illicit wealth and power. This singular goal was so blinding that she could not hide her ambition and resultantly even had to go as cheap as pay the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), and other numerous media houses to announce her appointment as Managing Director instead of Executive Director as appointed, thus causing grave embarrassment to the bank’s corporate image.

When this plot did not work, Mrs. Salami in her malevolence,  decided to polarise the staff of the once unified establishment into factions. With those on her side and supporting her ambition to gain access to the bank’s cooking pot set against the loyal staff of the establishment,  thereby causing organisational incoherence.

The height of this insubordination came when she had in 2014 set out a budget of six million naira to ensure the corporate image built by the hardwork and dedication of the leadership of the institution which led to disrepute, she set out paying for media campaigns and hiring faceless and nefarious groups to bring into disgrace, the good works of Robert Orya and his wonderful first tenure in office.

This involved money and phony inciting documents, which were judiciously served to the tune of three million Naira with a pending balance to a coalition of civil societies and persons including but not restricted to Nigerian United Against Corruption (NUAC), Bash Ali and a certain Senior Executive of the Conference for Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP), one Mr. Willy Ezeugwu, who till date is engaged in a legal tussle with the bank.

This engagement like all others in her wake did not end well as the money promised the hatchet men was not delivered and has caused a hiatus which even caused the NUAC to write a petition stating these facts to the Central Bank of Nigeria.

This petition led to a panel of investigation to which these petitioners appeared and laid their complaints, unfortunately this ended an exercise in futility as it has been suppressed by powers claiming to have come from above. Sources within the establishment have revealed that the petitioners were able to prove their allegation beyond reasonable doubts and have also vowed to use all possible means to get their due.

The same way people blame Diezani for Jonathan’s failure, Folake’s with Patience Jonathan must have accounted for the failure of the last administration which should be a warning to General Buhari’s wife not to surround herself with those who can do anything including sleeping with anybody just to get a government appointment.” The source said.

The concern is not unconnected with Salami’s link to other persons known as henchpersons of the administration. She boasts of connections that include controversial Minister of Petroleum, Diezani Alison-Madueke; NIMASA’s Ziakede Patrick Akpobolokemi and Kennedy Opara of Christian Pilgrim Welfare Commission.

There were indications that Salami may also be acting to test the waters on behalf of these others to see how they can use the remainder of their tenure to entrench themselves in the incoming government.

Alison-Madueke, who was recently sighted donning hijab as she traversed the northern parts of the country, is known to also be intensely pressuring northern leaders to beg Buhari for a soft landing.
Opara, on his part is running from one Christian leader to the other appealing to them to again play the religion card as he is said to be worried about the consequences of the billions of naira fraudulently funneled to him for the elections.

Reports that earlier filled the air that Ziakede Patrick Akpobolokemi had fled the country turned out to be hoaxes but investigations revealed that the NIMASA strongman with strong ties to ex-militants in the Niger Delta has perfected travel plans to two countries that do not have extradition treaties with Nigeria.

Salami’s desperation may not be unconnected with the questionable roles she played during and even after the election. Her hatchet job for the incumbent presidency included sourcing of the Indian clairvoyants that consulted for Patience Jonathan, even as she was at the helms of mobilizing people to protest INEC’s declaration of General Buhari as the winner of the election before President Jonathan called the president elect to congratulate him.

Prior to the election, Salami was in charge of tasking female Directors-General and Executive Secretaries of federal government agencies and parastatals to skim funds under their jurisdiction for the Jonathan campaign.

With the recent pronouncement by the president-elect, to constitute an integrity committee to ensure all persons appointed into positions of authority in this administration are upstanding and people of unquestionable integrity headed by Pastor Tunde Bakare, it is pertinent to inform the world and indeed this committee of sheep in wolves clothing like Mrs. Itohan who has already taken mice-like moves to derail a well set out regime. This change that has blown unilaterally across the nation was hard earned and should not be soiled by mindless, self-serving elements. Unless these are fished out, corruption like a canker-worm shall continue to pervade our economic fabric.

Ogar O. Simeon wrote in from Abuja.

Nigeria Civil Defence Officer Brutalized FREEPRESS publisher

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Nigeria Civil Defence Officer Brutalized FREEPRESS publisher

An officer of the Nigerian Civil Defence Corps, Mr Omueti Iregbeyen Chickson brutalized Mr Erasmus Ikhide, a one time Senior Special Assistant to Governor Adams Oshiomhole and currently Special Adviser to Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State.

Erasmus

Mr Erasmus was said to have travelled to his hometown, ERUERE in Owan West Local Government to exercise his franchise, to vote like every other Nigerians, but suffered criminal brutality in hands of Mr Iregbeyen Chickson who was deployed from the Edo State Command of the Nigerian Civil Defence Headquarters.

Eye witness accounts stated that trouble started when Mr Chickson arrived at Polling Unit 2 were the victim registered to vote in company of three other officers and the pilot of the Hilux car who is also an officer of the Corps.

It was alleged that before the assailant got to polling unit 2, a PDP agent named Mr Wilson Ilevbaogun from another polling unit close by pointed at Mr Erasmus before the assailant vicious attack on him.

Our investigation revealed that on getting to the polling unit where the victim was standing in the cue along with other voters, Mr Chickson descended on him without hesitation.

The incidence created scene at the polling station which made voters to run for their dear lives as the said officer cocked his gun and started shooting into the air.

It was at this stage our client was assisted by some good Samaritans, who rushed him to a nearby medicine store for first aid treatment.

Normalcy later returned to the polling units after the victim was rushed to the nearby clinic for First-Aid treatment. Calls put across to Mr Iregbeyen Chickson and the Commandant in charge of Edo State Nigerian Civil Defence Corps was not answered.

Obiano Urges Support For APGA In The Re-Scheduled Elections

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Obiano Urges Support For APGA In The Re-Scheduled Elections

Obiano

…Says APGA victory in State Assembly elections exposes PDP’s rigging machinery in NASS polls

Democracy deepened last Saturday following the free and fair conduct of the State House of Assembly election in Anambra State, with the State governor, Chief Willie Obiano expressing thanks to Ndi Anambra and urging the voters to consolidate on the gains of democracy achieved in the State by voting for the remaining four candidates of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the rescheduled State House of Assembly elections in  Ekwusigo, Anaocha and Aguata local government areas of the State. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), through its Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) had announced APGA winner in 26 State House of Assembly seats, declaring as inconclusive the election that took place in Uga Ward 1 in Aguata 1 State Constituency, Adazi-ani Ward, Adazi-Nnukwu Ward 1, Agulu Wards 1 – 4 all in Anaocha 1 Constituency and Nri Ward 1 and 2 in Anaocha 2 State Constituency as well as Ekwusigo State Constituency.

Governor Obiano in a Statewide broadcast to the people of the State on Tuesday, April 14, this year thanked the voters in the State  for their massive support  for APGA in the House of Assembly Election held on Saturday, April 11, 2015, and called  specifically on the affected people of  “…Ekwusigo, Anaocha and Aguata to play a role in creating a brighter future for yourselves by voting for the four APGA candidates standing election this Saturday.”
Governor Obiano who reminded them that their brothers and sisters from all over Anambra State voted for APGA urged them to join the moving train, noting that, “… last Saturday, history was made in Anambra State. Yes, last Saturday, we joined hands with one another to lay the foundation for a prosperous Anambra State.  We rose as one people to affirm the words of the Anambra Anthem that “… in togetherness, we will build a land of progress.”

“Ndi Anambra, when we cast our votes for the All Progressive Grand Alliance in the House of Assembly election, we offered a huge support to on-going efforts to re-imagine a bigger and better Anambra State. I must thank you for voting massively for all the 30 candidates of APGA in the House of Assembly election.” The governor said. Quoting Eric Hofer, an American writer and thinker who observed that “the only way to predict the future is to have the power to shape it,” the governor said that the massive votes for APGA in last Saturday’s election was an expression of the fact that the people “have graciously handed to me and Nkem Okeke, the power to shape the future of Anambra State. You have massively renewed, re-invigorated and re-validated the sacred mandate you gave to us to build a better state for you…and we shall not fail you. Ndi Anambra we shall not let you down!”

According to governor Obiano, “our victory in last Saturday’s election has thoroughly exposed the large scale fraud, perpetrated by the PDP in the March 28, 2015 National Assembly election in Anambra State. The voting patterns and the overall results have shown that APGA actually swept all the three Senatorial Seats in the state but the outcome was manipulated to give temporary victory to PDP.” He told those who stole the mandate given by the people to APGA candidates in the National Assembly Elections not to gloat, as according to him, “…don’t rejoice for too long, because this injustice shall not stand!  Ndi Anambra, we have resolved that those who rob us in the dead of the night shall not have the liberty to enjoy their spoils in the light of day. We have assembled a mountain of evidence to deny them that un-merited happiness. Ndi Anambra, we shall re-possess those stolen mandates!”
Governor Obiano recalled that the anti-democracy agents that robbed the people of the mandate they gave to APGA  in the National Assembly elections “ also made another attempt to hijack the electoral process in the House of Assembly election last Saturday, “ but failed woefully  “in their attempts to manipulate the people’s will again in Ekwusigo,  Anaocha 1 & 2 and Aguata 1,  in the April 11 House of Assembly election. The governor urged the people to remain vigilante and to troop out en masse to vote for APGA in the remaining four State constituency seats in Ekwusigo, Anaocha 1 and 2 as well as Aguata 1.
Said he: “This Saturday, all eyes must be on the four places where voting will take place. We must always remember the wise words of former American President, Thomas Jefferson that ‘ “the price of liberty is eternal vigilance.” ’  We must all rise to the challenge of ensuring that the constitutional rights of our people to decide who should represent them in the legislative assembly is not tampered with.”
He assured voters in Ekwusigo, Anaocha and Aguata that he would do everything humanly possible to ensure that the candidates of their choice emerge victorious in the rescheduled State House of Assembly election, hoping that  “… our great party, APGA, will sweep the four Seats in contention, I wish to assure Ndi Anambra as the Chief Security Officer of this great state, that the contest will be free, fair and peaceful.” The governor explained that he had the assurances of INEC and all the Service Commanders in this state that
“the process will be free of the challenges that led to the
cancellation of the exercise last weekend.”
Furthermore, the governor urged the voters “to stand up and be counted… and “to lend a hand in the current efforts to create a brighter future for Anambra State. In the words of Werner Erhard, foremost American critical thinker, “we create our future from our future, not our past.”

LASG dispels rumour of new Ebola cases

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LASG dispels rumour of new Ebola cases

The Lagos State Government on Tuesday said reports in the social media that new cases of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) had been discovered in the state were untrue.

Dr Jide Idris, the Commissioner for Health, made the clarification at a news conference in Ikeja.

He said the reports were mere rumours, pointing out that no new case of Ebola had been confirmed both in the state and in the country.

“Recently, there was a rumour in the social media on the return of Ebola Virus Disease to Nigeria, killing three and infecting 12 other persons.

“According to the rumour, the deceased were returnees from Liberia and one of them was reportedly taken to an undisclosed hospital in Lagos.

“Also, it was also rumoured on twitter that two Chinese visitors from Sierra Leone have also died of EVD at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH).

“However, our findings reveal that these reports were completely untrue and that no new Ebola case has been confirmed in any facility in the state or in the country.

“We urge residents to ignore the rumour and not panic as the government is doing everything possible to ensure the virus does not re-enter the country,“ he said.

Idris said the state government would continue to collaborate with the Federal Government on border surveillance to check cross-border infections.

The commissioner said that the government would also intensify campaigns against the EVD to keep residents safe.

He said the Ebola Treatment Unit at the Mainland Hospital had been placed on alert to respond to the need for isolation of any new case.

Idris urged residents to maintain good personal hygiene and clean environment to eliminate risks of infections.

The commissioner urged residents and health professionals to report any suspicious case of the virus for speedy interventions.

He said if people with symptoms like vomiting, bleeding from the ears and eyes, headache were responded to early, they could be saved from the resultant death.

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