The Man Who Will Be Senate President – By Nkechi Odoma

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The Man Who Will Be Senate President – By Nkechi Odoma

Nigeria-Senate

The nation is awash with stories and permutations as to who emerges the President of the Senate of the Eight National Assembly. In line with the constitution, Nigerians should know who takes this cake sometimes in the first week of June when the National Assembly is proclaimed. But beyond knowing who becomes the next Senate President, in the spirit of change, citizens should make their voices heard since democracy is all about participating in the processes leading up to the emergence of leaders. The elections that allow popular votes may be over but we can all still use the power of public opinion to weigh in on what happens.

We must weigh in because the wind of change that the All Progressives Congress (APC) has brought must not be allowed to mutate into a situation where we are collectively saddled with a parliament that will relish in running on the basis of business as usual. Should this happen, the Messiah of change in the person of General Muhammadu Buhari could find himself incapacitated by a parliament whose leadership may work at cross purpose with him. As the street parlance goes, this is why we must ‘shine our eyes’.

In shining our eyes, we are however constrained by several factors. One of these is that the APC must of necessity zone the Senate presidency to one of the six geopolitical zones. Feelers out there are that the North Central will again produce the Senate President. This brings us to the other factor that the Senate Rule allows only a ranking Senator to be selected for this purpose and being that the APC has the majority, the candidate must also come from within its caucus. Eligible Senators-elect have thus stepped up subtle and even open campaigns to be Nigeria’s next number three citizen. Top of the list of names being peddled are Senators Abdullahi Adamu, George Akume,Danjuma Goje and Bukola Saraki. Outgoing Senate President, David Mark and his deputy, Senator Ike Ekweremadu who have been surprisingly mentioned in some of news reports are however out of the game for apparent reasons.

The zoning of the position to the North Central thus narrows the choices to Abdullahi Adamu from Nasarawa state, George Akume – Benue State, and Bukola Saraki of Kwara state.

With these three men left, several factors should be considered in narrowing down the candidates. In Nigeria issues of ethnic and religious affiliations still play key roles in determining who gets what and also gives this sense of “carrying everyone along”, akin to the concept of allowing occupation of public offices to reflect the principle of Federal Character. The number one man is a Fulani man and a Muslim, Abdullahi Adamu is also a Fulani man and a Muslim, this may not go down well with other groups as a good balance of power. This factor plus the fact that he just joined the APC recently when a group of politicians from the new-PDP decided to join the APC may make him less suitable for the position.

Next is Senator George Akume, a Tiv from Benue State. His ethnicity places him as coming from about the fourth largest ethnic group in Nigeria, which cuts across at least four states in the north central region of the country. This should make him a massive unifying factor in that region and by extension the entire nation. Akume is a Christian so that provides that religious balance in the structure of government positions. He has been governor for eight years, senator for eight years now, and experience from other spheres and education that imbued him with the requisite knowledge.

He has been the minority leader in the senate; he has been the leader of all APC senators in the Senate in the last four years. In those four years, squabbles in the minority caucus are next to none existent so his ability to lead is not in doubt here. Also, since joining the then Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), which later went into the merger that produced the APC, Akume has shown unquestionable loyalty to the party, a quality that would be useful in the days ahead as the new government pushes through needed reforms.

Apparently, it was this loyalty that made Akume, as a Senator, helped the APC to win the presidential elections in Benue state and even almost defeated the incumbent Senate President in his senatorial district. He won another extra seat for the APC with Barnabas Gemade and is equally still working hard to win the entire state and its neigbours like Plateau, Nasarawa, Taraba and some parts of Kogi for the party. A politician this kind of clout is thus an asset to the APC as he already has a formidable network in place.

This leaves us with one man standing.

Senator Bukola Saraki though not Fulani, is also a Muslim from Kwara state is a strong contender for the position of Senate president. He has a lot going for him as his loyalists credit him for “working” while he was Kwara state governor. Senator Saraki’s contribution to the outgoing National Assembly has been robust particularly in the discharge of his duty as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment. While this record offers him the chances to take a shot at the Senate Presidency, he may however have to play catch up with the Akume, who appears as the leading contender.

Assuming Saraki can somehow boost his credentials within the few weeks left before the proclamation of a new National Assembly, there is yet another issue. Like Abdulahi Adamu being of the same ethnic stock as the number one man, some will argue that the former Kwara state governor as the third citizen would be of the same ethnic stock as the incoming number two even though his state is technically listed as north central.

So for Senator Bukola Saraki, great credentials as Kwara state governor for eight years and judged by his loyalists as a performer; a vibrant senator, but he faces a not too favourable ethnic configuration.

In conclusion, there are several permutations going on as to who emerges the Senate President just as intrigues play out underground. The leadership of the APC and the incoming government must however realize that now that the elections have been won and lost they are no longer answerable to only their party but to the entire 170 million Nigerians. The product they promised to sell is change that is premised fairness and getting the best hands to do the job. These are factors they must bear in mind when they instruct their members in Senate on what direction to choose as a caucus. And by the way, it is too early to make mistakes.

Lady Nkechi Odoma, Chairperson, AFRICA ARISE FOR CHANGE NETWORK, writing from Asokoro, Abuja.

Police Raid Gov. Amaechi’s Home, Senator Abe On The Run For Theft

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Police Raid Gov. Amaechi’s Home, Senator Abe On The Run For Theft

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The gubernatorial election in the south south region of Nigeria threatens to return Nigeria to the doorsteps of anarchy and bloodshed in an unfolding conflict between the law enforcement agents of Nigeria and the supposed thugs of the All Progressive Congress [APC]. This is according to information available to 247ureports.com reveals that the security agencies stationed in River State have begun execution of a broad campaign against the activities of thugs employed by political parties to wreak havoc against the gubernatorial election of April 11, 2015.

In the wake of the campaign, the ancestral home of the State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi located in Ubima was raided and searched by the security agents who were on the trail of alleged APC thugs who were tormenting a political gathering of chieftains of the People Democratic Party [PDP].

The thugs were believed to have escaped to the home of Governor Amaechi and were hiding inside the compound. When security agents arrived the residence and sought to gain entrance into the compound, according to security reports, the gateman delayed the agents long enough for the thugs to escape through the rear of the compound.

As they departed from the residence of the Governor, information leaked that the thugs had been relocated to the home of the chief of staff of the Amaechi administration, Mr. Tony Okocha near runuigbo. The agents were quick to locate Okocha’s residence. He was quickly arrested. He home and hotel were both searched thoroughly.

From Okocha’s residence, the special security agents moved over to the residence of the commission of agriculture, Mr. Emma Cinnda located at Location Road in Orazi town in search for weapons supposed purchased for use by the APC thugs – this was based on security intelligence. Mr. Emma Cinnda escaped before the Special Forces arrived. He escaped arrest.

Following the arrest and sweeping search conducted by the Special Forces, security has since been beefed up in Ikwere local government area – with most of the attention focused in Elele, Ubima, Isiokpo communities. Already, Special Forces have reported exchange of gunfire with the APC thugs stationed in Rumuigbo.

Meanwhile, in a related development, the All Progressive Congress Senator representing River State East Senatorial district, Senator Magnus Abe has been reported to be on the run. This is as information available to 247ureports.com indicates that the military stationed in River State have launched a statewide hunt for the Senator – over his supposed unlawful activities yesterday along Eleme road.

Senator Magnus Abe - at a London hospital
Senator Magnus Abe – at a London hospital

According to the solders, the Senator along with APC thugs acting under his instructions, laid an ambushed along Eleme road – and attacked workers of the Independent National Electoral Commission [INEC] snatching away sensitive INEC materials being delivered to the Local Government Areas of Tai, Gokana and Khana – to be used for the gubernatorial and state assembly elections of April 11, 2015.

The military is reported to have written the APC headquarters in Abuja seeking for the whereabouts of the Senator.  Calls and sms messages sent to Senator Magnus Abe mobile phone were not responded to.

Silent Insignificant Nigerians [SIN] – By Martin Beck Nworah

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Silent Insignificant Nigerians [SIN] – By Martin Beck Nworah

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Sometime last year,I so much believed that my generation will bring about the much needed growth that will place Nigeria on the world map and make us proud citizens of this country. But with the events that has unfolded in the past three months,I can authoritatively state that this generation will be worse than our fathers. Everywhere you go,you see young Nigerians being treated like fools and in their fear,they cultivate the habit of silence,insignificance and stupidity. We’re cowed into silence by men who lack any material substance to drive our society and economy forward and everyday,we answer them Sir and accord them respect they don’t deserve. We see them,we know them,but can we speak? NO!  In Nigeria,you speak and be damned.  Silent Insignificant Nigerians (SIN)

In lecture halls and classrooms,you see frustrated men and women who have been rejected by life,given the responsibility of training and equipping us for a positive future they do not see themselves. They bring in their confusion and frustration into our brains by shouting that our generation is lost and we will never amount to anything. And happily,they make sure we don’t amount to anything by sexually assaulting our ladies and demanding money from the guys. They refuse to retire and swear that whatever it takes,they will never improve on their methodology of teaching or lecturing. We see them and we know them,but can we speak? NO!  In Nigeria,you speak and be damned. Silent Insignificant Nigerians (SIN)

You go to the government and see matured men(by age) who never grow up mentally but take up the responsibility of handling the affairs of the state. The same men who will appear on television and tell us that our GDP is growing at “God knows percent” is still the same men that will pilfer the public purse,build estates abroad and “sleep” with his daughter’s age mate as a lover. You see many of them,lurking around our campuses and having sexual escapades with our ladies. We see them,we know them,but can we speak? NO!  In Nigeria,you speak and be damned.  Silent Insignificant Nigerians (SIN)

We watch our parents,elder statesmen and mentors,jump from one party to the other because of their personal interests. You see men who have sworn to protect the interest of the masses(that’s a mirage),stand before you and totally dent everything he has said simply because he wants to remain relevant and “chop” from the party in power. As youths,we see these things happen everyday and you expect us to perform miracles when we get there? To be angels and make Nigeria better? But wait,can we be trained to be goats and we end up becoming cows? I doubt. But we know these bad eggs who are destroying our nation. We see them,we know them,but can we speak? NO!  In Nigeria,you speak and be damned.  Silent Insignificant Nigerians (SIN)

We see everything. The problem with Nigeria is not being Igbo or Hausa or Yoruba. Our fathers are the ones who are cultivating this evil seed of tribalism inside of us.  They are the silent insignificant Nigerians who would rather blame everything that made up Nigeria rather than find a way to build a better Nigeria for us. We see them,we know them,but can we speak? NO!  In Nigeria,you speak and be damned.  Silent Insignificant Nigerians (SIN)

As a youth,I will do my bidding in life to be my own voice. I will be my own inspiration and define my own path. I owe it as a duty to build a better society for my children and their children’s children. Posterity will never forgive me for knowing all these things and still fail to make things better.

Are you ready to join me?

Till we get to the Promised Land,I shall be waiting for when you will pass me a glass of water and thank God for the gift of grace for the race.

“Al Makura Has Paid INEC To Rig Nasarawa Elections” – Labaran Maku

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“Al Makura Has Paid INEC To Rig Nasarawa Elections” – Labaran Maku

A former Minister of Information and APGA governorship candidate in Nasarawa State, Labaran Maku has debunked rumors making the rounds that he stepped down for the PDP candidate, Yusuf Agabi in the Saturday’s gubernatorial polls.

Mr. Maku also called for the immediate redeployment of Nasarawa State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Abdullahi Umar Danyaya, to give room for a free and fair governorship polls.

He said the call had become imperative, alleging that plans to rig the April 11 elections were hatched in collaboration with some top staff of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in the state.

Mr. Maku spoke at a press conference in Lafia, the state capital.

He said the PDP was jittery of imminent defeat by APGA in the election, which informed why the party set out to spread lies in order to hoodwink unsuspecting supporters of APGA into voting for the PDP.

Mr. Maku told his teeming supporters that he was still in the race on the platform of APGA and was confident of victory in the election.

He also accused the Nasarawa State Government of bribing all Returning Officers to the tune of N100,000 per head to return Governor Umaru Al-Makura.

Consequently, he urged heads ofl security agencies in the country to, as a matter of urgency, stop their men in Nasarawa from engaging in the intended electoral fraud and malpractices orchestrated by the All Progressives Congress, APC.

“We are calling on the Nigerian Army to remain vigilant as APC intends to use fake soldiers forSaturday’s election in all APGA strongholds, even as election supervisors have been detailed to delay release of election materials in APGA-dominated local government areas,” he said.

The former Information Minister said the APC in collusion with INEC officials planned to deny some electoral materials to APGA stronghold while also orchestrating the disenfranchisement of internally displaced persons in Obi, Lafia and Keana Local Government Areas.

He also disclosed plots to intimidate voters on the election days by thugs and fake soldiers to coerce them into voting for the APC.

Mr. Maku however urged his supporters not to be intimidated but to stand firm and vote according to their conscience while also making concerted efforts to defend their votes.

Zakari Edego

Director Publicity

Maku Campaign Organisation

Super Falcons thrash Mali 8-0, secure AAG ticket

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Super Falcons thrash Mali 8-0, secure AAG ticket

Nigeria’s senior female football team, Super Falcons, on Friday in Abuja, thrashed their Malian counterparts 8 – 0 in the final round return leg of the All African Games (AAG), qualifiers.

The Falcons has, therefore, secured a place at the AAG 2015 scheduled for Congo Brazzaville in September.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that fans were thrilled by the performance of their darling team at the Abuja National Stadium.

The match started on a fast note with the Nigerian side dictating the pace as Desire Oparanozie opened scoring three minutes into the game.

The visitors fired a shot through Binta Diarra in the 12th minute but Falcon’s goalkeeper Ibubeleye Whyte thwarted that effort.

In the 19th minute, Francisa Ordega gave the African Champions the second goal through a header from a corner-kick taken by Ngozi Okobi.

London-based Asisat Oshoala scored the third goal in the 39th minute after many unsuccessful attempts.

Oparanozie got a brace one minute before the end of first half through a smooth pass from Oshoala.

Few seconds into the second-half, a rampaging Oshoala netted another goal through a low shot that left Malian goalkeeper Samake Goundo frustrated.

In the 62nd minute, Ordega scored another goal after receiving a pass from Halimat Ayinde.

The seventh goal came from the boot of the Captain of the team, Evelyn Nwabuoku, after a well taken corner-kick by Esther Sunday.

Sunday was compensated in the 72nd minute when she scored the eighth goal for the Super Falcons.

NAN recalls that the first leg of the match ended in a 1-1 draw in Bamako a fortnight ago.

Curfew Placed On Adamawa, Dusk Till Dawn

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Curfew Placed On Adamawa, Dusk Till Dawn

A curfew that will ran from 6:00pm to 6:00am has been clamped on
Adamawa state and it is to take effect from Sunday the 13th of April
to 15th of April, 2015.

According to the Commissioner of Police in-charge Adamawa State
Gabriel Adaji, this is to prevent miscreants and other mischief makers
from causing trouble during the wait for elections results.

C.P. Adaji believes that it will also enable securitymen tackle
whatever problems that could occur during the period.

He said those affected are all tricycles, carts and wheel barrow
pushers while on election day, there will be no movements from 6:00am
until 6:00pm when elections would have taken place.

The police boss commended especially the press for contributing to the
peaceful nature witnessed during the presidential elections.

Asked to comment on the killing of a youth by the police on the said
day of presidential election but he denied that a youth was killed.

“As far as we are concerned, a youth was injured and I am not aware
that someone was killed”, he said.

Election: Trouble As Peter Obi Shares Money In Agulu Town Hall, N250 each person

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Election: Trouble As Peter Obi Shares Money In Agulu Town Hall, N250 each person

Information reaching 247ureports.com from firsthand sources in Agulu, Anambra State indicate that the former governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi who recently abandoned the All Progressive Grand Alliance [APGA] for the Peoples Democratic Party [PDP] was caught up in a mild ruckus at the Agulu town hall as he held a town get together for the residents of Agulu concerning the State Assembly election coming on April 11, 2015.

The ruckus broke when the former governor – who is also native of Agulu – completed his speech and began to distribute money to the villagers who were gathered at the venue. The villagers were not amused when the Governor began sharing N250 to each villager.

Some of the villagers were angered by the fact they had to endure the rain to attend the gathering – only to be given a N250. As the sharing of the money continued, some of the angry youths began throwing objects in the direction of the town hall in protest of the amount being shared.

Governor Obi had to be taken away by security aides.

–

Stay tuned for the complete story

peter obi agulu

 

Ex-gov Obi’s Aide Chided for Lies Against Obiano

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Ex-gov Obi’s Aide Chided for Lies Against Obiano

The Media Assistant to the former governor of Anambra State, Mr. Val Obienyem has been advised to treat the office of the Governor of Anambra State with the respect it deserves.

Addressing newsmen in Awka, Thursday on what he termed the “Wild Accusations from Governor Peter Obi’s Media Aide – Setting the Records Straight,’’ the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Obiano, Hon James Eze pointed at the comments in some national dailies attributed to Obienyem, the alleging that the governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano has been tarnishing former Governor Obi’s image.

Hon. Eze who spoke in company of the Special Assistant on Media, Hon. Emeka Ozumba and other members of the Governor Obiano Media Team said ‘We are horrified that what has been a silent proxy war, launched by the shadowy agents of former Governor Obi on the social media against Governor Obiano has finally taken a bold physical shape with Mr.Valentine Obienyem, his Media Aide, directly accusing Governor Obiano of instigating crisis in a state he presides over as the Chief Security Officer.”

According to Hon. Eze, “We feel strongly restrained to respond to Mr. Obienyem’s accusations on behalf of his boss, Chief Peter Obi, because we hold him in high esteem as the first APGA Governor in Anambra State.”

He disclosed that non-exposure of lies dished out by Obienyem would create the erroneous impression in the minds of some uninformed members of the public who might believe them to be true, and expressed surprise that Obienyem dragged the name of governor Obiano into ‘’a demonstration staged by aggrieved Igbo youths to register their complaints over the handling of the March 28, 2015 National Assembly election in the state. It smacks of mischief for Val Obienyem to point a feeble finger at Governor Obiano without adducing any evidence to substantiate his allegations.”

Hon. Eze categorically dissociated governor Obiano from any attempts to portray him as the brain behind the obvious show of dissatisfaction over the National Assembly elections by aggrieved youths of the state, clarifying that “while the demonstration was on, Governor Obiano was busy flagging off road projects in Ezira, Orumba South Local Government Area and Enugwu-Ukwu respectively.‘’

Continuing, he said: “We are perplexed that Obienyem and his team have continued to concoct lies against the Governor of Anambra State, blaming him for anything under the sun … Obienyem and his team have refused to see that former Governor Obi’s hurried exit from APGA has been widely condemned as a betrayal by many APGA youths who have continued to show their displeasure with that move every now and then.

“We find it incredulous that each time APGA youths had shown their displeasure, Obienyem and his camp had erroneously pointed a finger in the direction of the governor of Anambra State.”

Referring Mr. Obienyem and his team to a statement credited to the Coalition of Igbo Youth Groups who staged the peaceful demonstration on April 8, 2015, Hon. Eze categorically pointed out that ‘there is no single mention of the name of the governor of Anambra State in it. It therefore beats the imagination why Obienyem should accuse him of instigating the demonstration.”

According to Eze, it is embarrassing to note that “the Obi camp has shown scant respect to the office of the Governor of Anambra State which he occupied for 8 years and enjoyed the high regard that is usually associated to it.

Obiano’s Media Aide expressed disappointment that ‘’after failing to make any impression whatsoever in national politics, Obienyem and his boss have returned to the state they ruled with an iron hand for 8 long years to create disharmony and threaten the peaceful atmosphere that NdiAnambra have enjoyed in the past one year.

He restated the respect the Obiano Team has for the person of the former governor, “for leaving a foundation of good governance in Anambra State which Governor Obiano is building upon to evolve a new and better Anambra State.”

INEC Insists On Card Readers, Warns State Governors

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INEC Insists On Card Readers, Warns State Governors

INEC PRESS STATEMENT                         09th April, 2015

 

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has received reports that some political leaders are asking members of the public to disregard its stated resolve to use Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and Smart Card Readers (SCRs) for the April 11, 2015 Governorship and State Assembly elections.

 

A particular state governor in the North Central geo-political zone is reported to have assured voters in the state that they could come out to vote on Election Day with Temporary Voter Cards (TVCs) if they do not have the PVC, and that INEC will not be allowed to insist on the use of SCRs for voter accreditation.

 

Members of the public are strongly advised to disregard false assurances that contradict the regulations INEC has outlined for the Governorship and State Assembly elections. The Commission reaffirms that only voters with genuine PVCs should come out to the polling units on Election Day, and that guidelines issued on the use of SCRs for the April 11 elections will be strictly applied. Any action infringing these guidelines will be an electoral offence, and security agents will be on hand to apprehend offenders.

 

The Commission commends Nigerian voters for their peaceful conduct and exemplary resilience, even in the face of minor challenges, during the Presidential and National Assembly elections on March 28, 2015. It, however, considers it unfortunate that some leaders would misguide the public and thereby prepare ground for needless disruptions to the polling process on April 11. INEC hereby warns that any obstruction to the processes it has put in place for the elections by any person, no matter how highly placed, will constitute an electoral offence punishable in law.

 

Meanwhile, the Commission has assigned the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of Kogi State, Alhaji Hussaini Halilu Pai, to supervise the conduct of the Governorship and State Assembly elections in Kano State, following the tragic demise of Alhaji Minkala Abdullahi last weekend. Before his posting as FCT REC, Alhaji Pai was Ekiti State REC, who conducted the Governorship Election of June 21, 2014.

 

 

Kayode Robert Idowu

Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman

China cautions U.S. against taking sides on territorial issues

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China cautions U.S. against taking sides on territorial issues

China on Thursday urged the U.S. not to take sides on territorial issues, voicing anger against U.S. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter, who said ‘Diaoyu Islands’’ fall under the scope of the Japan-U.S. security treaty.

“U.S.-Japan alliance arrangement originated from the Cold War. We strongly oppose using this arrangement to undermine the interests of third parties.

“The U.S. should be prudent in words and deeds, honoring its commitment to not taking sides on territorial issues.

“The U.S. should do more to contribute to regional peace and stability, rather than the opposite,” Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said.

Hua reiterated that ‘Diaoyu Island’ and its affiliated islands are part of China’s inherent territory.

“It is a fact that can never be changed and China’s determination to protect national sovereignty and territorial integrity cannot be shaken,” she said.

Hua called on the U.S. to respect China’s efforts to resolve problems with other claimants through dialogue and negotiation.

She urged U.S. to stop words and actions that might complicate the situation, adding that U.S. should play a constructive role in regional peace and stability.

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