Oshiomole, Adoke gets in a Fight In Aso Rock Over Late Oyerinde Case

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Governor Adams Oshiomole of Edo State and the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke, on Tuesday threw caution to the wind as they engaged in a shouting match at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The altercation between the duos almost degenerated to fisticuffs but for the intervention of the Chief of Staff to the President, Chief Mike Oghiadome, and the Governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan.

Oshiomole and Adoke were seen exchanging words inside the Chamber and before one could say Jack Robinson, temper rose as they pointed fingers at each other.

They were both at the State House for the Council of State meeting but the show of shame was displayed prior to the arrival of President Goodlcuk Jonathan, who, statutorily, presides over the Council.

The crux of the matter, it was later learnt, was the handling of investigation of the murder of Oshiomole’s Private Secretary, Olaitan Oyerinde, last year.

The AGF had told the governor that the matter should not have been referred to his office as it was a state matter.

Oshiomole said he was enraged because the AGF seemed not to have respect for his office.

He said Adoke should have directed his anger at the Deputy Inspector General of Police that referred the case to the federal level.

After the meeting, correspondents cornered Oshiomole to explain what transpired between the duos.

Oshiomhole said: “The issue is that he was saying my Attorney General should have known what to do, that he has nothing to do with the matter.

“And I simply asked him who referred the matter to him?

“Was it my attorney general?

“The matter was referred to him by the Deputy Inspector General of Police.

“And I asked him who should know better, if the Deputy Inspector General of Police refers a matter that he ought to have referred to the state, he chose to refer it to the federal attorney general, who is the one dragging him into the matter, who is the one politicizing the matter?

“Should we assume that a DIG did not know that that offence of murder is a state offence?

“And if he knew it was a state offence why did he refer it to the federal attorney general?

“And I said if he has any complaint he should complain to the DIG who referred the case to him.

“And of course the rest you witnessed.

“The point is that you know some of these guys.

“I am a governor.

“I am elected.

“A minister is appointed.

“He has to respect my office even if he doesn’t respect my person.

“In any event, we are dealing with a factual issue.

“If a case was wrongly referred to the federal attorney general by the Nigerian police, who is to blame?

“In any event, we also complained that this matter ought to have been referred to Edo State DPP not federal because is a state offence, committed in Edo State.

“I mean you know, it is like a case of a he goat when the family is happy they sacrifice the he goat to celebrate.

“When the child is ill, the native doctor says sacrifice the he goat so that the child will get better.

“So head or tail the he goat is in trouble.

“Here I am, my private secretary is killed.

“Nobody seems to bother.

“I am doing my best to raise the issue because that is the least I owe to someone who gave his life.

“And someone else who doesn’t think life is important.

“For him, it is a matter to trivialize and to joke about.

“I always say to people today, all of us are in power, tomorrow none of us will be in power.

“If we leave Nigeria worse off, we will wallow in a hopeless situation.

“If we build it and make it safe, we will walk in freedom.”

Mohammed-Adoke

Reacting, Adoke said he had no reason not to accord due respect to a siting governor like Oshiomhole but hastened to add that he will not join issues with him.

He said: “I will not disregard his office

“He is my personal friend.

“I have the highest respect for him.

“He is a governor of this country but I will not join issues with him.

“I did not trivialize his office and I have no reason to trivialize his office.

“He is at liberty as a governor in this country to say whatever he wants to say but I will accord his office the highest respect and I will not join issues with him.”

Source: Theeagleonline

Council Of State Grants Diya, Bulama, Yar’adua, Alamieyeseigha State Pardon

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Former Chief of General Staff, Oladipo Diya and Former Chief of Staff Supreme Military Council, SMC and brother of the late President, Major General Shehu Musa Yar’adua received a State Pardon from the National Council of State, this afternoon, a source who attended the meeting has revealed to NaijaPundit.

Also pardoned were ex-Major Bello Magaji NA/6604, Mohammed Lima Biu, Shettima Bulama, Former Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha, Major Geeneral Abdulkareem Adisa (Post Humous) and Major Segun Fadipe.

Our source revealed to us that the Council of State, which is comprised of the President, Vice President, all state governors, former Presidents, the Chief Justice of the Federation, the Senate President and Speaker, amongst others, unanimously approved the list of those pardoned today.

The Council of State meeting however was not without its drama as another list which had names of hose awaiting trial was smuggled in for discussion. The Council however rejected the list and asked that it be sent back to the duo of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Minister of the Interior.

Sources told us that the unjust trial and conviction of Diya and Yar’adua was the basis of their pardon while Alamieyeseigha was considered because apart from serving his sentence he has devoted his life to travelling amongst Niger Delta communities facilitating the peace.

Source: Naijapundit

Presidential Pardon Is Official Jailbreak: So Don’t Dare! – by Bamidele Aturu

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I have just learnt from very credible and knowledgeable sources that the Council of State has been requested by the President to grant pardon to some convicts including Mr Diepreye Alamieseigha, the former Governor of Bayelsa State who was convicted for acts of corruption perpetrated while in office. One cannot put such unthinkable gambit beyond this government or our elite, knowing their lack of interest in waging any war against corruption, serious or otherwise. So it is better to act before the rumour becomes reality and we start licking our wounds as a people.

If the plan is indeed afoot, one can only advise the Council of State not to dare. If it dares, Nigerians will have no choice but declare their own war against the government and the state in general. Presidential pardon to those who were convicted, not of political offences but for dipping their dirty fingers in the common till, and pauperizing hardworking Nigerians in the process is nothing but jail break by the state. It will signal the end of the existing phony war against corruption. Unless the government wants to be remembered as the one that officially institutionalize corruption, then the most honourable thing for it to do is to withdraw the provocative and shameless proposal before the Council of State.

I can assure the President that if he succeeds in getting the Council of State to go along with him he will have us, Nigerians whose resources the convicts looted and personalized, to contend with. The government and its members will certainly live to regret the irresponsible decision. That is a promise. Civil society groups will do all in its power to show the whole world that those who claim to govern us are nothing but common crooks who deserve to be in jail. In my view it is better to fling open the gates of all our prisons and ask all the inmates to walk out into the warm embrace of their relatives than pardon those who force otherwise decent Nigerians to take to crime as a way of life. A word is enough for the wise.

Victor Umeh: The Emperor of APGA – By Emeka Ndudi

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Chief Victor Umeh remains an interesting character any day. He excites as much as amuses with the ease of a veteran in the act. This has however taken a new turn in recent time when a day hardly passes without the Chief castigating one person or the other with righteous indignation. Reading him these days through his actions, one can conclude that he is fearless. Of course you know as much as I do that there is a world of difference between fearlessness and courageousness. Courage has to do with reason while fearlessness veers towards animal instincts that propel one to face obvious dangers at ones grave risk.

Because Chief Umeh has access to the media, he employs it as an instrument of blackmail. He bares his fangs on whosoever holds a contrary view with him, particularly on issues concerning the running of the All Progressives Grand Alliance 9APGA) where he held court for many years behaving like a suzerain and the party as his suzerainty. The other day he was up in arms against Governor Peter Obi, the man believed to have made him; and for discharging his function as a judicial officer at a High Court in Enugu State, Justice Innocent Umezurike became a victim of Chief Umeh’s blackmail. What did the Chief not say to malign the respected Dr. Tim Menakaya who meritoriously served this nation as a Minister of Health? Not even Professor Dora Akunyili is free from the rampaging Emperor who recently called her names for daring to tread the path of reason in APGA’s Umeh-induced skirmishes. I watched him with pity as he squared it out with Gov. Obi’s able Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Mike Udah on Channels television. Probably feeling outwitted by Udah, he told him: “I will meet you on the pages of the newspapers.”

Leaving up to his threat, we saw a miserably written piece that challenged logic, published in many newspapers. The piece ended up confusing readers than inform them. The contents were childish that I will not dignify it by quoting or even referring to it. It remains what it is: a Monumental edifice to the empire of nothingness. What is of interest and discernible in the article is the arrogance and pride of Chief victor Umeh. In a nation where those that made first class do not brag about it, the piece was telling us how Umeh narrowly missed a first class. Utter nonsense! Do they know the academic pedigree of Udah. With a 2nd class upper probably better than Umeh’s, he has three masters and is now undertaking his PHD. Please let us not go there!

A few days ago, Chief Victor Umeh was on RayPower Political Platform where he erroneously told the world that he made Governor Obi. This brings to the fore Chief Umeh’s history as well as queries the meaning of making somebody. Since he left school, the Chief was hardly involved in any serious engagement before his APGA breakthrough which he ruthlessly grabbed and celebrated with a swagger. Was the man bragging about being an Estate Manager of many years experience until APGA break through, not a mere Personal Assistant to Chief Joseph Okonkwo (Ofia-di ulu), who was one of the politicians making the rounds in Anambra State? From that duty, he became APGA Treasurer from where he manipulated his way, against the Party’s constitution, to upstage Chief Chekwas Okorie. If not for that regrettable mistake, Chekwas would have taken APGA to higher heights. He is a party man and not as selfish and self-seeking as Umeh.

The problem of APGA today began as soon as Umeh assumed office as the National Chairman. He readily saw the party as an empire under the maximum hold of his Imperial Majesty. He sought to do whatever he pleased and heeded no feedbacks. Hence the fall of APGA was in inverse proportion to the personal gains of the Emperor. When he started this journey, he lived in a two-bedroom rented apartment at Chime Avenue, Enugu, but today he owns many palatial houses spread around Enugu, Dubai, London, Abuja, Awka, his village among other places. To massage his ego, he suddenly became a philanthropist and a spendthrift. The man whose first trip overseas was sponsored by Peter Obi, I mean Obi even procured his passport, now travels first class overseas at will. He now has a fleet of vehicles, and cherishes siren-blaring long convoy – all these as dividends of his chairmanship of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA.

Chief Umeh therefore is an epitome of ‘the tail wagging the dog’; he allows the lures of wealth to imprison his reason and gets falsely emboldened by the ephemeral glitters of wealth. He typifies the saying that the character of a man is only truly measured when he meets sudden wealth. Certainly, the volume of wealth Chief Umeh amassed in recent time surely ‘entered his head’ and he freely could challenge his ‘Chi’ to a wrestling bout. The amplified swagger in his steps lately leaves those who knew him before the boom confounded. Little wonder he presumes that any kind of recklessness by him has a redeemable price-tag which could readily pay. But this thinking is most deceptive, for today, those acts of recklessness which the gods merely tolerated, while they lasted, have exposed the emptiness in Emperor Umeh. He now insists in chasing the shadows of a past that he was so much enamoured of. It is piteous seeing the Chief castigate, curse and pour sand on any who differs from him in defence of what he holds dear as his patrimony.

Thinking that he is clever, he does not know that what he is playing is what can be called wisdom of the foolish. Today in Nigeria he has turned himself into a risk factor. At any given opportunity, he is going through tomes of files looking for one document or the other to blackmail people. I read on the INTERNET about the warning By the Governor of Imo State to his Commissioners to beware of the man and never, even in their friendship, allow him to get hold of any document of the State. Off course, they know his antecedents and what he has the capacity of doing. It is amusing o see him go to programmes with files and quoting dates and other things. We saw how he released a letter written by Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu in the papers against one Dr. Ifedi Okwenna. During the programmes with Udah, he told him the truth: legal documents are interpreted in courts not during TV programmes.

I understand that when Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu was alive, Umeh perfected many schemes ostensibly to benefit Ojukwu, but actually for his own benefit. Let us sample one: once he talked about the Gov. Obi buying a house for Dim and himself in Abuja. It only took the intervention of Ojukwu who referred to such a suggestion as “lunacy” to save the Governor from the pains of arguing against it as he would have naturally done.

This son of Ojukwu he has co-opted to his side was a victim of his endless scheming. Was he not the person who made him to resign as a bargaining chip for more money from Obi? When the plot failed, the son became stranded almost crying to be reinstated. This is a story for another day.

The man claiming all sort of things made it clear during impeachment that Obi would not come back. An opportunist that he is, when he saw that the return from impeachment could be realized, after the first judgment at the high court, he came back to Obi again. This is another story, among many other stories, for another day.

But in all this, I will not pity the Governor for he was the one who created that Frankenstein monster who is on the loose. When Ojukwu was alive, he saw what others did not see even in that man. This explains the repeated advice thus: “Governor, you better know when this little tiger you are feeding with milk grows teeth.” Helped by sudden wealth and introduction to men of worth in the society by the governor, the little tiger is now showing his tigritude.

The process of taming him started late, but it is a task all lovers of APGA must join hand to accomplish.

–

Emeka Ndudi, a caucus member of APGA, wote from Abuja.

Stop Harassing Tom Chiahemen Over Oby Ezekwesili – HURIWA Tells ICPC

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The hierarchy of the Independent Corrupt Practices and allied offences Commission (ICPC) has been upbraided by the HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS’ ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA [HURIWA]for allegedly allowing themselves to be used by the presidency to harass an Abuja – based Journalist Mr. Tom Chiahemen over his alleged professional business interest with erstwhile education minister – Mrs. Oby Ezekwesili when she served in that capacity.

Besides, the democracy inclined Non-Governmental organization – HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS’ ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (HURIWA) wants the Independent corrupt practices and allied offences commission (ICPC) to stop being used for political witchunt of perceived political opponents of the current administration such as Mrs. Oby Ezekwesili but rather should tackle the unprecedented cases of corruption that pervade the Federal ministries and the 36 states of the federation including Abuja.

“Why for instance has ICPC not gone after FCT officials for proposing to use a whopping N4 Billion of public fund to finance the building of the official complex of the African First Ladies Mission even when this body is unknown to the Nigerian Constitution?”, HURIWA asked.

HURIWA said because ICPC over the years have gone to sleep that is the reason police pension fund was massively looted by top civil servants without trace not until the National Assembly’s probe forced the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission[EFCC] to arrest and arraign the alleged suspects in the monumental heist of public pension fund meant for retired police operaties.

The group also challenged the ICPC to go after corrupt civil servants who are currently engaged in the bonanza of looting public fund meant for building of infrastructure and procurement of other essential services which is the reason for the collapse of the social infrastructure of roads, public healthcare facilities; Nigerian Railways and the erratic Electricity power supply situation in Nigeria even after a whopping sum of $16 billion USD was reportedly invested by the Obasanjo’s regime in the electricity power sector.

In a statement endorsed jointly by the National Coordinator Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko and the National media Affairs Director Miss. Zainab Yusuf, HURIWA said the recent incessant question without the presence of his legal counsel of the Abuja – based journalist Mr. Tom Chiahemen by the ICPC over pure business transactions done by a privately registered company superintended by Mr. Chiahemen with the federal education ministry under Mrs. Ezekwesili is a clear subterfuge by the anti-graft body to send some ominous signals to the prime target Mrs. Ezekwesili who recently attacked President Jonathan over allegations of financial indiscretion.

HURIWA warned the ICPC that Nigerians may lose total faith in its ability to battle corruption even as the Rights body tasked the anti-graft panel to rescue the much vilified public image of the anti-corruption panel seen as a toothless bull dog by not availing itself generously to be used as attack dog by the powers – that – be against perceived political opponents.

HURIWA recalled that recently, the former education minister Mrs. Oby Ezekwesili accused the federal government of mismanaging $45 billion USD in the nation’s foreign Reserve account and another $22 Billion USD from the Excess Crude Oil account which were handed over in 2007 by the President Obasanjo’s government tohis successors.

On the reported questioning of Mr. Chiahemen over his company’s [Cattigan communications limited] handling of advertisement placements on behalf of the education ministry during Mrs. Ezekwesili’s tenure, HURIWA averred that the move by ICPC is a blackmail with the remote intent to scare the erstwhile education minister to keep silent over the monumental allegation of misappropriation of the nation’s Commonwealth by the late Yar’adua and the current administrations.

The Rights body stated: “Going by the reported encounter of Mr. Tom Chiahemen and the ICPC, it could be deciphered that the ulterior motive for this sudden investigation is the person of the former education minister Mrs. Ezekwesili who is currently embroiled in a media war with the current federal government over circumstances surrounding the administration of the nation’s foreign reserves and the so-called Excess crude account since 2007. We are not against lawful probe of alleged financial indiscretion by statutory bodies so clothed with the powers to so do, but we frown at situations whereby the anti-corruption agency will have to wait to be used as an attack dog by the federal government against perceived political opponents”.

“All right thinking patriots expect the ICPC and EFCC to dispassionately investigate the alleged misappropriation of Nigeria’s $67 Billion USD and bring the culprits to trial rather than embark on systematic attack of the person of former education minister by harassing private Nigerians who carried out what looks like legitimate transaction with the ministry of education under Mrs. Ezekwesili. ICPC must be professional and stop this regime of witchunt”, HURIWA, stressed.

ACN tackles Obi on ‘election’ roads, Ikenga Hotels

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Action Congress of Nigeria has described the simultaneous flag-off of many internal Roads in Awka, elsewhere in Anambra simultaneously even ahead of the budgetary approval for this year as a panic measure understandably targeted at the governorship elections for this year.
The party who spoke through its Publicity Secretary, Mr Okelo Madukaife in Nnewi noted that Governor had seven years to do quality work for Anambra, but abandoned same in favour of servicing the political jobbers who brought him to power through the back-door, using warped structures, thereby leaving the state without enough resources for any transformation.
‘With barely two weeks into the rainy reason, what do you think anyone can achieve flagging off that number of roads now, except that by the time the next dry season comes, which would also be the period of the elections , Anambra people will see bull dozers moving up and down ,as if something is really happening’  Madukaife queried.
He noted that this gimmick has been used in many elections and was no longer new to Anambra persons because as soon as the election is over, win or lose, the equipment disappears and business will be back as usual.
Continuing Madukaife Challenged the Sate government to openly declare the terms and details of the contract to enable Awka and Anambra citizens to monitor the projects and reduce the inconvenience in their lives as has been the case with respect to Nkpor Amawbia segment of Old Enugu Onitsha Road ,which is in its seventh year of construction and is carefully designed to end this year just before the elections.
The ACN spokesman also asked Governor Obi to make very precise and clear disclosures to the general public in Anambra state on what precisely he wishes to do with the state’s major financial asset, Ikenga Hotels Awka, in order to dispel the strong rumour that he is technically selling the hotel to himself.
We have seen a situation in the past where this government was accused of paying with public funds for individually owned assets and concerns ‘ Madukaife said, adding : So it would be in everyone’s interest including that of the government to do a comprehensive presentation of what they want to do with Ikenga Hotels , in order to carry the State along.’

INEC lied on African Peoples Congress’ application – ACN

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The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has accused the Independent
National Electoral Commission (INEC) of engaging in bare-faced
lies and manipulation of facts by claiming that the phantom African
Peoples Congress has applied to the commission for registration.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday by its National Publicity
Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the INEC claim, as
articulated by Mr. Kayode Idowu, the spokesman for INEC Chairman, is
not supported by the relevant sections of the Electoral Act
regulating the registration of a political party.

It said the truth of the matter is that no party today with the
acronym APC has applied to INEC to be registered, adding that even the
phantom African Peoples Congress – which is being sponsored by the PDP
to lay claim to the acronym – has only written a letter of intent,
which has not even been discussed by INEC, not to talk of the
commission taking any decision on it.

”The statement credited to Mr. Idowu is therefore reckless and
provocative and clearly betrays INEC as truly having merged with the
PDP to frustrate the merger of the progressives under the banner of the
All Progressives’ Congress (APC). One wonders who the spokesman
is speaking for and what interest he represents. He should therefore
be called to order before he sets the country ablaze,” ACN said.

The party said in order to debunk INEC’s claim that the phantom
African Peoples Congress has applied for registration, it is calling
the attention of all the good people of Nigeria to the sections of the
Electoral Act that are relevant to party registration:

– Part V Political Parties of the Electoral Act, Section 78 (1) says:
“A political association that complies with the provision of the
Constitution and this Act for the purposes of registration shall be
registered as a political party, provided that such application
shall be duly submitted to the Commission not later than 6 months
before a general election.”

– Section 78 (2) which says: “The Commission shall on receipt of the
documents in fulfilment of the conditions stipulated by the
Constitution immediately issue the applicant with a letter of
acknowledgement stating that all necessary documents have been
submitted to the Commission”

ACN said: ”In this case the applicants on behalf of the phantom
African Peoples Congress, the clients of Legal World Chambers, have
not submitted any of the documents stipulated by the Constitution to the
Commission. They have only written a letter of intent and therefore
INEC could not have issued them any letter of acknowledgment, not to
talk of starting the process of verifying the documents

”At this point they cannot even be regarded as applicants. Why then
did INEC through its spokesperson gleefully go to the media
to proclaim that another political association has applied to be
registered as African Peoples Congress using the same acronym APC?.
Clearly INEC is on a mission of mischief and its paymaster is PDP who
has been having sleepless nights since the merger arrangement
was announced.”

The party further called attention to Section 78 (6) of the Electoral
Act, which says: “An application for registration as a political party
shall not be processed unless there is evidence of payment of
administrative fee as may be fixed from time to time by the
Commission”

ACN said it is aware that the applicants in question have not even
paid any administrative fees and therefore INEC could not have
commenced processing their application, because there is no
application before INEC as they have only written a letter of intent.

”The INEC spokesperson who announced to the world that another
political association has applied to be registered as APC is therefore
definitely being paid by the PDP to mislead Nigerians, subvert extant
regulations and scuttle the proposed merger of the ACN, ANPP,
APGA and CPC. He should immediately be called to order before he sets
the country ablaze,” the party said.

It said what has emerged over the registration issue is that INEC is
in cahoots with the PDP to stampede the merging parties to commit
errors and also intimidate them to drop the acronym APC, adding
however: ”This has failed because as of today in accordance with the
provisions of S. 78 (2) and S. 78 (6) of the Electoral Act as
explained above, there is no applicant on record for the acronym APC,
contrary to the deceit being spread by the INEC spokesman.

ACN also alerted Nigerians to the fact that INEC has had a
constructive knowledge of the merger plan and the existence of the All
Progressives Congress (APC) for a long time, going by statements credited to  the
INEC spokesman both in the print and the electronic media.

On Feb. 17th 2013, Mr. Idowu was quoted to have said, in a news story
in the Punch of that date, that the All Progressives’ Congress (APC)
remained a political association, even though it is yet to be
recognized by the commission.

“By law, we do not expect APC to come to INEC. The political parties
that are fusing into another party will individually and respectively
come back to INEC, notifying us that they are fusing into a party with a
new identity,” ACN quoted Mr. Idowu to have said told the paper.

”The same Idowu also told TVC news on Feb. 8th 2013 that INEC was
expecting the leadership of the All Progressives’ Congress to apply
for formal documentation. With these statements, it is clear that INEC has
always had a constructive knowledge of the All Progressives’ Congress
(APC) since the merger plan started, and that the emerging party did
not have to do anything until all the component parties have held
their conventions and ratified the constitution, manifesto and logo of the APC.

”We are therefore using this medium to assure the millions of our
supporters within and outside Nigeria that there is no cause for
alarm. The merger process is on course. The All Progressives’ Congress that is the
legitimate people’s APC will berth safely and deliver Nigerians  from
the oppressive yoke of the PDP.

”We also wish to seize this opportunity to thank the thousands of
concerned Nigerians who through text messages and emails have
overwhelmed us with their advice and words of encouragement in the last two days.
Your support have been invaluable to us and we shall not let you
down,” the party said.

It however called for vigilance on the part of all progressive forces
across the country, ”especially because we have it on good authority
that a top official of INEC has boasted that the emergence of the All Progressives’
Congress (APC) will be frustrated at all costs”.

”Also, while the PDP has been quick to say it is not bothered by the
coming together of the progressive forces, it has been having
sleepless nights and working round the clock to device measures to
sabotage the merger. The plan to set up the phantom African Peoples
Congress  to create an acronym war is just a tip of the iceberg. In the days ahead, Nigerians should
watch out for more devilish plans by the PDP. But we are comforted by
the fact that the forces of darkness have never prevailed over the forces of
light,” ACN said.

[Interview] Gov Peter Obi’s Aide, Val Obieyem talks on APGA Crisis

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Val Obieyem
Val Obieyem

Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State and Chief Victor Umeh have continued to insist that your principal and Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, has plans of ‘killing APGA’ prior to his exit as governor come March 17, 2014. Would you or would you not justify this assertion, taking into consideration the allegations raised by Chief Umeh that Governor Obi is responsible for his woes and sacking as APGA national chairman?

What I have noticed from jobless politicians is the penchant for blackmail. A lot of falsehoods have been propagated about my Governor and Boss, Mr. Peter Obi, but because he has direct relationship with the grassroots, those falsehoods have refused to stick. It has not stuck by now, it will not stick again. So my candid advice to the purveyors of that falsehood is to look for other strategies.

Come to think of it, simply because the Governor wants and canvasses the restructuring of APGA to make it more attractive and endurable, those who perceive that they might, rightly or wrongly, be swept by the restructuring are prancing all over the place and inventing invectives against the Governor.

It is still on record that Gov. Peter Obi was the sole financier of APGA even before he became the Governor. He provided the offices, paid for overseas trips, paid for many court cases, assisted many APGA members that contested various elections, among others. Surely, a person who has done all this cannot become an undertaker for APGA, instead, as with Obi, his desire is for the party to wax stronger.

As for some people saying that Obi is responsible for this or that. I reserve my comments. My only happiness is that the Governor recognizes the virtue of silence. I remember the story of a man who had a nagging wife. Each time this woman nagged, the husband would keep quite. One day after nagging, the husband kept quite as usual, the wife, not satisfied went to shake him violently with the demand that he must say something. In this APGA problem, some people badly wanted the Governor to start exchanging words with them, but he has refrained from doing that. So, let those saying that he is responsible for this or that go on, but when the day of reckoning comes, the truth shall be seen by all.

What happened in APGA was like the case of somebody who wanted to set a particular person on fire for reason best known to him. In the process of pursuing that person, the fire caught him. He made futile attempts to stop the conflagration, which eventually consumed him.

Now, let’s dissect the controversy that has been generated from the ongoing fusion of four political parties into a mega party, that is the All Progressives Congress. While most members of APGA in Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi and Enugu states persist in their arguments that APGA isn’t part of the mega party, those from Imo State are of the view that the party is indeed inclusive in the APC structure. As the oldest controlled-APGA state in Nigeria, what is the position of the government of Anambra State?

Many notable members of APGA have said that APGA was not in any merger agreement. The meeting of the caucus of the party attended by people like Dr. Tim Menakaya, Ambassador Odi Nwosu, APGA national Assembly members, about 16 former members of the party’s National Working Committee, among others said so. Amidst all this, asking if APGA is for merger or not is seeking controversy where there is none.

I am happy to even note that APGA gave reasons why it is not for merger. I understand merger was never discussed in the party. Merger is such a vital undertaken that parties merging must have clearly defined rules of engagement, which is not the case. It is not enough to say that parties are coming together to oust the PDP without sitting down and working out the modalities. If A want to become President tomorrow and B wants to become Governor and C wants to become Senate and three of them hurriedly say they are merging, what happens when election comes and A, B and C discover that others came into the party with the same selfish ambition? It will be catastrophic.

The concern of APGA is to rebuild the party now. It is a rebuilt party that will be in a position to negotiate from point of strength. These things are not about bragging, they are about serious planning and strategizing.

But is there any truth in the APGA-APGA or APGA-PDP puzzle, especially now that it is being rumoured by specific people in Imo State that Governor Obi is on his way to joining the Peoples Democratic Party?

Given a dog a bad name in order to hang it is what the purveyors of these falsehoods are doing. Obi must have recorded another first by being the longest in the process of transiting from one party to other. I say this because they have been saying this for over five years and yet the man has not joined the PDP. Eventually, some people said that they had recently joined the APC and yet Obi keeps saying that once he leaves APGA, he would retire from politics.

The people saying this should know that Obi has character and integrity. He is not desperate and he does not have betrayal instinct as most politicians do. He is not a man to prostitute from one party to another in endless cycle because of political power. If he would leave APGA, it would have been long before now because I am aware of many delegations from different parties urging him to join their own parties. He believes there must be limit to how far one can impugn on one’s own character.

Did you not notice that one of our brothers who is not even a member of APGA is the only voice from Anambra saying that APGA was part of merger arrangement. Such a person, going by his antecedents, is not even one to be taken seriously on any issue. He is probably under delusion that APC is an abridged route to become a Governor or a Senator. Such people will be among the first to leave APC when the chips are down, when they will be outwitted. Mark my words!

There is no doubt that there is indeed a power tussle between Governors Obi and Okorocha, and all these became visible immediately after the demise of late Dim Chukwuemeka Odimegwu-Ojukwu. Some say that Chief Umeh’s conferment on Okorocha as the next Igbo leader on the day late Ojukwu was being buried may have spurred the altercation. More so, the incident at Chief Alex Ekwueme’s 80th birthday in Enugu, where Okorocha slapped an aide of Obi over a seat seems to have exposed the Imo governor’s quest for power. What’s your take on these issues?

I think after we came back from the burial of Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, somebody asked the Governor about the event and the Governor told him that he was grief-stricken over the death of Ojukwu to notice the pronouncement. Did he go to Owerri to mourn Ojukwu or to scheme for his replacement when the man was yet to be buried? I hope this tells you about the working of Obi’s mind. When the person wanted to explain further and even tried suggesting to the Governor what to do, the man immediately called for his files and started working.

Now that you have consistently assured that APGA is still in existence for good, how then does the party hope to manage its affair with the entire crisis plaguing it and ensure it emerges victorious in the Anambra State governorship election in January 2014?

Are you not aware of the election by the caucus of the party of Interim leadership to conduct Convention for the party? This is a very good decision that would put the party on the part of growth. I am happy the Interim Chairman, Chief Maxi Okwu understands the import of his assignment judging from the actions he has taken so far. With him, it is clear that APGA has graduated from a one-man show to a part where people now feel they are actually stakeholders in fact and name.

Run, Jonathan… Run for 2015! – By Theophilus Ilevbare

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The pesky ambition of President Goodluck Jonathan to seek a second term in office was given the green light by an Abuja High Court ruling. Though he has remained coy – a loud silence to me – on his ambition to seek re-election, his body language, actions and inactions have suggested he is set to run for a second term. He seem to be fully persuaded for 2015 by the trappings of Aso Rock, the lure of power, fame, a horde of sycophants and hangers-on whose only interest is another four years of the continuous milking of the cash cow – Nigeria.

We all can recall, on the first of January 2013 residents in Abuja woke up to behold the posters of Jonathan in their neighbourhood, the strongest indication of the new year that he will contest in 2015 at a time Nigerians were trying to grapple with the stale air of his administration. It was no mistake that thesame posters resurfaced in Abuja, less than 24 hours after the election of Tony Anenih as the BoT chairman of the PDP.

No one will believe the tale that Mr Jonathan will not contest the forth coming election. The recent repositioning of the PDP field marshals and foot soldiers in the Board of Trustees (BoT) and the PDP Governors Forum, carved out of the NGF, are strong indications that the ground is being prepared in the forth coming elections. The unanimous election of Tony Anenih to double as the chairman of the money spinning NPA and BoT of the PDP on one hand and Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom state, loyal servant of the PDP as the chairman of the newly formed PDP Governors Forum, on the other hand is a loud political statement in itself. The formation of the PDP-NGF was in a bid to whittle down the influence of the chairman of the NGF, and Governor of Rivers state, Rotimi Amaechi. The PDP wing of the NGF was apparently formed to promote the interest of Jonathan’s second term ambition within the ranks of the PDP governors. With the PDP machinery in motion, and more billions needed to keep it steamrolled, we should expect more frivolous white elephant projects in the coming months. Unsurprisingly, a diffident President Jonathan in 2011 has shown lately, with his deft political alignment that he knows his way around his party and he is capable of playing politics dirty.

Advertently, his rumoured ambition has been amplified in decibels from the ruling party. The chairman Bamanga Tukur has been effusive about it, declaring he is free to contest the election on the platform of the party. With the appointment of the PDP election machineries to key government agencies, fictitious multi-billion naira projects awarded and those on the cards, delibrate non-implementation of budgets, the party is sure to be armed with a war chest for 2015.

For incumbent President Jonathan to renege on a gentleman arrangement, written or verbal, he entered with his PDP cohort from the north raises integrity and credibility questions. The fact that Mr Jonathan has not denied the existence of an agreement, speaks volumes.

Needless to add, am not a proponent of zoning. Overtime, zoning has become insidious and the aftermath disastrous for our fledging democracy. The likes of Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu should realise that zoning as a political philosophy is as of today, pernicious and inconsistent with the changing political landscape and must be jettisoned. For second term seekers, performance in office, character, proven track record and merit should be subject to competitive forces that will throw up a competent winner at the polls. The office of the president or any other elective public office is nobody’s birth right, everyone has the right to contest. The way to eliminate mediocres from leadership positions is to create a level playing ground for all aspirants where the worst prepared and least capable candidate is weeded out by the most competent aspirant.

The jostling for 2015 is uncalled for. It has overheated the polity, breeding unnecessary tension. The NGF has been polarised along party and regional lines, the PDP is a house divided against itself, the National Assembly is crossed with the executive. In the months to come in Jonathan’s administration, all hope is virtually lost on his ability to deliver on whatever remains of the dividend of democracy that was promised.

Nigerians, and particularly the opposition must be vigilant and not get carried away with the perpetual contrived internal crisis in the PDP. Make no mistake about it, they aren’t fighting just yet, ignore the nollywood movie playing out between the presidency and the NGF. Sooner rather than later, Jonathan will have dinner with the governors like he did with Obasanjo.

With the benefit of hindsight, it is practically impossible to stop a Nigerian political office holder from running for a second term. It is futile dissuading Jonathan from contesting. Cast your mind on Obasanjo’s second term debacle in 2003 for a better understanding of the scenario playing out this time around.

For a president who was quoted as saying one term is enough to make meaningful impact on the lives of the people, it is not so difficult to see why even his kinsmen are opposed to his second coming. Convincing the rest Nigerians to vote him again will be an uphill task, even those who said they voted for Jonathan rather than PDP in 2011 will have a rethink. Opposition parties should rather start mapping out strategies on how to defeat him at the polls.

In the light of his poor performance, unfulfilled promises, the slow pace of his administration, his preposterous fight against corruption and the growing apathy of Nigerians against the PDP for their failure to bring the country out of the wood since 1999, it makes Mr Jonathan an easy candidate to beat in a free, fair and credible elections. The opposition and those opposed to his candidature need not lose sleep, but close ranks to sensitise and strategise on how to oust him through the ballot. With the new drift towards a two party system like what is obtainable in advanced democracies, political analysts are predicting a keen contest, maybe the most keenly contested in recent time.

Jonathan should indeed be allowed to run for 2015 presidency, his scorecard should speak for him. The changing political terrain and the seeming uncertainty the emergence of APC has brought to the mix will deepen our democracy and strengthen the opposition parties when dynamic democratic forces throw up the best candidate; the people will ultimately be the better for it. There is nothing to fear about the incumbent’s candidature, as it will not be the PDP against the numerous minor opposition parties, as it was in time past, but an epic battle between two formidable political parties.

The die is cast, the race has begun in earnest with Jonathan as a presidential aspirant! The only option left for the opposition is to raise their game. Their alliance has already changed the political terrain, disturbing the “smooth sail” the PDP would have had.

 

theophilus@ilevbare.com

blog: http://ilevbare.com

Twitter: @tilevbare

“No Plot to Curb Governor Amaechi’s Influence” – Tukur

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BOT, GOODLUCK AND TUKUR

Even in the face of perceived power tussle between the Rivers state governor, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi and the Akwa Ibom state governor, Godswill Akpabio over the latter’s new status as chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, national chairman of the party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur yesterday in Kano declared that all is well with the duo.

This is against the backdrop of insinuations that Governor Amaechi who is the chairman, Governors’ Forum, felt threatened at Akpabio’s new portfolio, seen as a ploy by the presidency to curb Governor Amaechi’s influence.

Speaking to newsmen at Malam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Turku said there was nothing wrong for his office to create a new forum for the PDP governors, describing the step as part of his reforms agenda.

“The understanding of the public on the Governor Amaechi and Governor Akpabio issue may be a mistake. Governor Amaechi is the chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum, while Governor Akpabio is the chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum.

“They are two different institutions; and this is what people fail to understand. There is no division among the PDP governors. My governors are my foot soldiers. The emergence of the PDP Governors Forum is part of the needed reforms and that is what I have come to do in the PDP—to reconcile the party.

“I believe in reconciliation without confrontation; I believe in reconciliation without revenge. My ambition is the rebuilding of the PDP based on equity and justice,” Tukur stated.

On his endorsement of President Goodluck Jonathan’s 2015 ambition, Tukur said it was too early to start thinking of who gets what in 2015, “the issue of 2015 is not the agenda now because we have not concluded the agenda for 2013, not to talk of 2014 and then 2015.”

Tukur who was in Kano to commiserate with the Emir, Alhaji Ado Abdullahi Bayero over the 19 January attack on his convoy, also had a brief meeting with Kano PDP leadership at the airport before boarding his flight back to Abuja.

At Bayero’s Palace, Tukur thanked God for sparring the life of the Emir and prayed that God will continue to guide and protect the Royal Father, while Emir Bayero in his response, urged Nigerians to pray for the return of peace and stability in the country.

The Kano state Acting Governor, Alhaji Umar Abdullahi Ganduje took time to enumerate the achievements of Dr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso’s administration in Kano ranging from revolution in education, road construction, agriculture and massive human development.

According to Ganduje who spoke at the brief meeting at Kano airport, it was Kwankwaso’s desire to make Kano gain the status of states like Lagos in terms of commerce and socio-infrastructural development.

Addressing party men, Tukur acknowledged visible changes and achievements so far recorded by the PDP-led government in the state, pointing out that in the nearest future, Kano will regain its status as the commercial nerve centre of not only the North, but of the entire country.

“I want to salute the Acting Governor and the Governor for the good work they are doing here, because from what I have seen on ground, I really salute you,” Tukur stated.

The PDP boss was in Kano in the company of Chief Victor Kwon, PDP National Legal Adviser; Senator Walid Jubrin, PDP Board Of Trustees Secretary; Nasir Ibrahim Mantu, former Deputy Senate President; Ibrahim Ida, Principal Secretary of the party; Ahmed Mohammed Gusau, Political Adviser and Salisu Magaji, party chieftain.

 

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