Why Boko Haram Thrives Under Jonathan’s Government

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“For those of us that are part of the military establishments, the country, particularly for reasons that have to do with bigotry at the highest level of our security organizations, we seem to be heading towards complete anarchy. The signs are very clear each day you review the security situation in the country and how the leadership is being misguided to taking decisions that are counter-productive to our national interest and survival as a nation.

“In any nation, the day security forces, particularly the Police and the Army for reasons that have to do with injustice and corruption in their respective establishments, decide not to obey superior orders directly while in the line of their duty as we are gradually witnessing in Nigeria today, that nation if care is not taken is heading for total breakdown of law and order. I am afraid that for some of us that knew, this is the situation in Nigeria today”.

These were the words of a retired Army General and a former member of General Babangida’s Armed Forces Ruling Council (AFRC) in a secret discussion on the state of the nation with Desert Herald magazine.

Even though the recently passed Freedom of Information Bill was meant to ease the difficulties and hazards of investigative reporting, it has not been effective due to the typical attitude of Nigerian politicians and those in position of authority.

Desert Herald magazine in an effort to unravel the security debacle associated with the Boko Haram insurgency and killings spree, conducted an in-depth investigation on the failure of Nigeria’s security agencies (despite billions of naira being expended in the name of security votes by both the federal government and some state governments in the North-East) to deal with what many believe to be a common threat to national survival, peace and security.

From September 2010 when the Boko Haram killings escalated in Maiduguri ostensibly as a reprisal attack for the extrajudicial killing of their spiritual leader, late Muhammed Yusuf and hundreds of the Boko Haram followers allegedly on the instruction of the former Borno strongman, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, to date, over 1000 security personnel comprising of the Army, Police, Immigration, Custom, Civil Defence Corp and SSS as exclusively gathered by Desert Herald magazine from official sources that pleaded for anonymity, lost their lives to the Boko Haram insurgency and sophistication.

At the moment and according to our sources, over 200 Police and military officers are nursing various degrees of injuries mostly sustained during attacks by the radical Islamic sect. The Police, according to credible information and statistics at our disposal, have recorded the highest number of deaths and casualties as a result of Boko Haram attacks with nearly 700 officers so far killed and more than 160 conservatively left at the mercy of their families and well wishers for their treatments as a result of gun shots and bomb attacks they met in the line of duty. And for the first time in the history of the Nigeria Police Force, the frequency of officers rejecting postings to volatile areas like Maiduguri, Damaturu and Potiskum, leading many abandoning their duty posts or submitting their resignation letters as alternatives to suck postings which they believe are tantamount to giving out their lives to a nation that does not value and honour such lives with adequate compensation after they are killed or maimed is alarming on the increase as exclusively gathered by Desert Herald magazine. Also, instances where both soldiers and the Police chose to run for dear lives or removing their uniforms to disguise as civilians during Boko Haram operations instead of protecting the people is no longer news, particularly to residents of Maiduguri, Damaturu, Alkaleri, Azare, Bauchi, Kaduna, Kano and Potiskum where such attacks have recently recorded high casualties on the part of the security personnel.

The most frightening scenario, according to Desert Herald magazine investigation, is that the morale, zeal, patriotism and the desire to sacrifice their (soldiers and police) lives in the ‘war’ against Boko Haram has gone with the fear of official corruption in the system that prevented training and retraining, motivational allowances commesurate with the hazards of the job they do, inadequate and lack of modern arms and equipment and the delay or failure to pay families of several officers that lost their lives or sustained serious injuries as a result of their commitment and sacrifice to the fight against the Boko Haram sect.

Investigation by this reporter reveals that such cases which have already affected the psyche of several officers have of recent worsen in the Nigeria Police where insiders confided that more than 70 percent of the officers that lost their lives to the ‘war’ against Boko Haram were yet to be paid their entitlements or any commensurate motivational allowance leaving their poor families in abject poverty and in many cases finding it difficult to even feed themselves or to pay for their children school fees. Also, the inability of the Police authorities and in some cases the military too to shoulder full responsibility of officers that sustained injuries in the line of duty despite provision for such eventualities by government has greatly discouraged many officers from dedicating themselves in securing a nation that gives them virtually nothing in return.

“That is why in most cases and during most of the attacks on police stations you will notice police officers removing their uniforms and even dropping their guns and running to near by houses to hide. The soldiers too were not exempted of recent. The truth is that our country’s security forces do not have the type of sophisticated weapons and mind the Boko Haram members possess. It is not their fault. It is the greed and corruption in the system. Why will they be so stupid to sacrifice their lives while the so called army Generals, Inspector-General of Police, DIGs, AIGs and CPsare intimidating them with their alleged loots; the loots that supposed to cover their welfare and hazards? Some of them (junior officers) are guarding the mansions of such ogas and they watch day and night how money and valuables are brought as proceeds of the money that supposed to go to them. Many of them are buying edifices worth N500million in choice areas in Abuja. Where did they get the money from? Do you expect junior officers to sacrifice their lives watching the recklessness and greed of the superior officers? That is why the fight against Boko Haram is irrational because President Goodluck Jonathan cannot succeed.

“If the Americans with all their intelligence, pay package, attractive condition of service and transparency in managing such resources failed in fighting the Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan 12 years after invading the country and now looking desperately for reconciliation and truce with the ‘terrorists’, I wonder how far Nigeria can go in confronting the Boko Haram with all those shortcomings under Jonathan notwithstanding the military cooperation between US and Nigeria in this regard. Whether Jonathan accepts it or not, the only option to this crisis in view of the crisis in Nigerian security system and the corruption is to engage the Boko Haram in meaningful dialogue because the Nigerian Government under him does not have the capacity to engage armed militants in insurgency operations”, a former Commissioner of Police revealed to this reporter.

The most visible signs of the failure of the ‘war’ against Boko Haram, according to former FCT Minister, Malam Nasir el-Rufa’i, is that when you are approaching the SSS headquarters in Abuja, “The SSS because of the fear of Boko Haram attack and as a clear sign that they too are struggling to protect themselves not the citizens have completely blocked the other express road leading to their office along Aso Rock, forcing commuters to use only one lane. When you interact with them, you will discover that most of them are inexperienced and un-intelligent of the job”, he said

The recent Kano attack, which the Boko Haram sect claimed responsibility, has demonstrated not only the failure of intelligence that may have averted the destruction and loss but the need to review the welfare, capability and size of Nigerian security if only to attract officers to dedicate themselves in sourcing and providing useful intelligence and to be prepared to sacrifice themselves for future security challenges. For more than 14 hours, the sect held the commercial city of Kano hostage with both the Police and the Army unable to confront their excesses resulting in unacceptably high casualties and the death of more 200 persons.

Ironically, instead of security agencies to follow and attack the insurgents, it was the other way round; it was the sect pursuing them in their own homes and offices and killing them with impunity with little or no resistance. It is now clear that most junior officers are no longer willing to sacrifice their lives due to high level corruption in virtually all the security agencies which has worsen their living conditions particularly after sustaining injuries or death while in active service.

It is because of same crisis of corruption, greed and inefficiency particularly in the police, according to former Lagos state commissioner of police, Alhaji Abubakar Tsav, that the sudden removal of Hafiz Ringim as Inspector-General of Police, will not change the situation or usher-in any progress in the fight against Boko Haram sect . He opined that while Boko Haram are patriotic, dedicated and determined in fighting what they believe in, it is contrary on the part of our security agencies despite the billions of tax payers money at their disposal for effective service delivery.

Tsav told Desert Herald magazine that “the removal of Hafiz Ringim will not provide solution to the insecurity bedeviling the nation. The depleting of trained and experienced manpower of the police service each time there is a security challenge is panicky and counterproductive.

Each time such attack happens, experienced and trained officers are retired, creating room for mediocre. If government must change the leadership of the police, we accept that the background and service records of the person to be appointed be discretely scrutinized by the appropriate agency of government”.

Tsav also cautioned that, “what is the guarantee that the new IGP would be better than the outgoing in service delivery? You do not cut-off your nose to spite your face”.

Tsav believes that , “the problem with Nigeria Police is crude corruption and in-fighting between the IGP and other senior officers especially the DIGs and the AIGs rivalry”.

The issue of corruption or using such security votes dedicated to the fight against the Boko Haram sect as a conduit pipe is not only limited to the army and the police. At states level, particularly in states that are prone to the sect’s attacks, looting of public funds is gradually shifting from lucrative ministries like Health, Education, Works and Local Government Affairs to fraudulent and controversial security votes that presumably will escape future investigation by the EFCC.

In Yobe state for instance, it was gathered that the state governor, Ibrahim Geidam had within four months, claimed to have squandered a whooping N1billion even though he failed to prevent the sect’s coordinated attacks and unlike other states like the neighboring Borno. Geidam, despite the huge bill on security, did not come to the aid of those that were devastated or displaced either by the attacks of the sect or the recklessness of security operatives mostly after such attacks by way of intimidating innocent people or even killing them in several instances. After banning commercial motor cycle business in Potiskum and Damaturu and replaced with few Keke NAPEP, the facility was alleged to have been shared out by Geidam’s self-appointed council chairmen and other politicians.

In Potiskum, it was gathered that the council chairman, Umaru Mammadu Kori, allocated to himself five of the Keke while majority of those targeted to benefit were denied. He also allocated one Keke to one Muhammadu Guza, the vice chairman II, Salisu Awwal got one and Musa Lawan also got one.

While the ban on achaba, according to the authorities was meant to prevent the use of motorcycles for further attacks, the implication on the lives of the people and even security wise are many. In Yobe, where the government has not made adequate provision for the highly inflated Keke NAPEP, the main preoccupation of the people is the acaba business, while those engaged in car wash and road side mechanics also rely on achaba operators for their means of livelihood.

Also, majority of parents that cannot afford to own a car, rely on achaba to transport their children to and from schools. The difficulty on the side of parents and the alarming joblessness as a result of the ban, pundits opine, will breed more crimes than solving it.

Pundits further opined that if Ringim was subjected to pressure that led to his sack, the bulk of the security failure is on the National Security Adviser (NSA), General Andrew Owoye Azazi (Rtd) and the Director-General of Department of State Security for failing to provide useful intelligence that will halt most of the successful Boko Haram attacks, particularly the bombing of the UN building in Abuja and the recent siege on Kano and Kaduna, that targeted mainly police formations and the SSS offices.

Incidentally, both the NSA and the DG of the SSS are from the Niger Delta region as the President himself. It was reliably gathered that within the SSS, there is a lot of politics on how to tackle the Boko Haram crisis and most importantly, who among the officers will be trusted with such a sensitive assignment. An officer of the SSS who pleaded for anonymity, revealed that the present leadership of the security agency has been infiltrated by all manner of bigotry notably religious. “Our officers of northern extraction are now working under suspicion because the leadership does not trust them. They now see the northern Muslims as either Boko Haramites or sympathizers to the activities of the sect. President Jonathan himself knows what was in his mind when he declared without any evidence to back his claims that Boko Haram has infiltrated the security agencies. Just pay a visit to the SSS headquarters and witness how senior and experienced Muslim officers from the north are rendered redundant and virtually jobless on account of their faith or region. The current DG has even recalled retired officers from the South and engaged them while others that are in service with unquestionable devotion and loyalty are now rendered redundant and frustrated. Is that policy in the interest of the SSS, the nation and the fight against Boko Haram? He lamented.

He said any security organization that has the mixture of Muslims and Christians and allows religious bigotry to consume it will never succeed particularly in confronting challenges such as that of Boko Haram.

Another controversy that requires urgent investigation if the Jonathan administration is serious in unraveling some of the killings in the name of Boko Haram sect is the recent bombshell revealed by Sheikh Abubakar Sheksu (Supreme Leader of the sect) in a released video after the Kano attacks claimed by the sect. Shekau denied the mass killings of innocent civilians by his ‘soldiers’ during the attacks on targeted police, military, immigration, SSS and customs formations.

He blamed it on the conspiracy of security personnel, saying that they should be held responsible for the dastardly act. He insisted that his men know their
targets and that the government too knows whom they are targeting not the ordinary civilians on the streets that equally victims of injustice.

Until some of thev recent allegations against the security agencies, particularly the civilian casualties that are being recorded after each attack by Boko Haram, are thoroughly investigated by government, crisis of lack of confidence and trust on the government by the people will undermine all efforts for a secured nation. As it is, the public have lost confidence and trust in the security agencies. In fact, they see them as even worse than the identified Boko Haram sect due to the incidences in Maiduguri and Damaturu where people claimed that the security forces had killed and still killing hundreds of innocent people in the aftermath of the Boko Haram attacks to deceive the Jonathan administration to believing falsehood. The failure to investigate such wanton killings in the past resulted in committing several crimes against humanity by some security operatives. Even if Shekau’s claim cannot be relied upon, there is an urgent need for the government to investigate how over 200 innocent persons died due to gun shots during the recent Kano attacks.

Another argument by security experts and other commentators on national affairs is that President Goodluck’s resolve to confront Boko Haram with military might or to eliminate them in his words may definitely end up what former American President George Bush Jr. promised to achieve against the Talibans and Al-Qaeda which the Americans despite their technology and military prowess failed woefully to achieve in 11 years after the September 11 attack on the World Trade Centre.

The aftermath of the Kano attacks by the radical Islamist group, how it was well coordinated, hitting its target and the devastating effect has made President Jonathan who hitherto had opposed any form of dialogue to extend an olive branch to the sect for dialogue that seems too late.

But because of how the crisis was poorly managed and underestimated by the President at the initial stage of the insurgency, prompted him to be making very uncomplimentary public statements that were provocative and unwise for a leader in such situation against the sect, whom many believe are being sponsored from within and outside Nigeria and out-rightly rejected the president’s offer for dialogue describing it as “mischievous and insincere”.

Apparently, asking for a near-impossible demand as a condition to accept to discuss with the president. Leader of the sect, Sheikh Shekau said in a posted video clip on YouTube that for them to accept to dialogue with the Jonathan administration that they consider satanic, President Jonathan must first convert to Islam. As impossible as the demand according to many government officials is, public opinion however agreed that the sect made the demand because they are not convinced of the sincerity of the president for a genuine and sincere dialogue, considering several conflicting, inconsistent and unguided utterances of the president on how his administration intends to confront the issue. The president himself believes that the sect is faceless and hence negotiating with them will not be possible. He told Reuters news agency in Abuja, that if the sect clearly identifies itself now and state its reason (s) for confronting government or why they are killing innocent people and destroying their properties, then there may be a basis for dialogue.

“We will dialogue, let us know their problems and we will solve them but if they refuse to identify themselves, who will you dialogue with”? But pundits argued that if the government is really committed to dialogue, they have the channels to follow to reach out to the sect leadership. They also argued that if truly Shekau’s Boko Haram is under sponsorship, it will be counterproductive to his interest to publicly accept the president’s offer of negotiation with the manner the president extended the invitation through the media because if the dialogue suffers any set back, Shekau’s interest too and that of his followers from those allegedly sponsoring them will be jeopardized. Boko Haram according to elder statesman who is also a respected indigene of Borno, Dr Shettima Ali Monguno, are not ghosts and their immediate society knows everything about them because almost all of them have parents in the very communities they operate.

Even though, the president has now acknowledged the fact that military intervention alone cannot eliminate the sect, an enabling environment for young people to find jobs is desirable.

—

Source: Desert Herald

Ribadu takes petroleum task force job in his personal capacity – ACN

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The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has reiterated its long-standing
position barring members of the party from
accepting appointments from the PDP-led Federal Government.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday by its National Publicity
Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said
the decision to re-state that position followed the appointment
offered to the ACN presidential candidate in the 2011
elections, Mala Nuhu Ribadu, as head of the Petroleum Revenue Special
Task Force, set up by the Hon Minister for
Petroleum Resources, Mrs Deziani Allison-Madueke.

”As a political party, we wish to reiterate our position barring any
member of our party from taking any appointment whatsoever from the PDP-led Federal Government. Any member of our party who takes
such an appointment does so in his personal
capacity,” it said.

ACN said, however, that as a leading opposition party, it will
continue to play its role in ensuring good governance and contributing
to nation building through its regular constructive criticisms which,
hitherto and unfortunately so, have fallen on deaf ears.

The party said despite its efforts, as well as those of other parties,
individuals and organisations, in offering well-meaning suggestions
to the inept Jonathan Administration, the Administration has not
demonstrated good faith in this respect .

”For instance, on the vexed issue of removal of petroleum subsidy, it
is on record that our party, the Action Congress of Nigeria,
responded with patriotic and constructive suggestions during a meeting
between the President in Abuja. At the end of that meeting, President
Jonathan promised to further consult with us before taking any further
step in respect of the matter.

”To our amazement, and true to the deceptive nature of this
Administration, we all woke up on January 1st, 2012, to learn that the
government has unilaterally removed subsidy from petrol. How then can
we, in good conscience, work with such an Administration?
How can we be sure that these slew of appointments are not being used
by the Administration to shore up its sagging – or totally sagged –
credibility?

”We believe that when a party as clueless and inept as the PDP finds
itself incapable of solving the myriad of problems facing it, as it is
currently the situation, the party should be humble and honest enough
to accept its failure and cluelessness and openly seek help from the
opposition parties.

”However, rushing to poach credible personalities from the opposition
without first accepting that it is overwhelmed by the problems
facing it smacks of underhand tactics aimed at decimating the
opposition and also tarnishing the well-earned credibility of such
personalities. After all, one can never be sure – going by the
deceptive nature of the PDP – that the kind of appointment now being
offered to Malam Ribadu is being made in good faith or just to get
credible people to launder the government’s badly damaged image
and credibility.

”There is also the possibility that booby-traps will be deliberately
set for such credible personalities to guarantee their failure in
their
stated assignment, after which they will be ridiculed and dumped like
an ordinary chump!” ACN said.

Alhaji Lai Mohammed
National Publicity Secretary
Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN)
Abuja, Feb. 8th 2012

 

Prospects for Libyan oil: Learning from Iraq

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As Iraq is learning, obtaining political agreement and channelling domestic investment will be vital to ensuring openness and transparency in Libya’s oil rents.

While Libya has turned the oil taps back on, the institutional reforms that are needed to properly leverage this great asset seem unlikely to be implemented. Increasing the transparency of dealings regarding the ‘black gold’ that lies beneath Libya will be essential to ensuring balanced growth and employment for the Libyan people, but this will prove no mean feat. Given that pressure is unlikely to come from external governments, the incentives and pushes for reform will have to be generated domestically through civil society and a free media.

Since the demise of Muammar Gaddafi in October 2011, oil output has been recovering. According to the Libyan National Oil Company, Libya is now pumping 840,000 barrels a day, just over half its pre-war level and it is expected that Libya will be back to its pre-conflict output levels by the end of 2012. For a country emerging from conflict, oil offers a way to fund future development. Libya has the world’s eighth largest proven reserves of oil, much of which is also highly prized for being low-sulphur, which is much cheaper to refine. The importance of oil revenues to finance the re-construction of Libya will be crucial, as it was after the demise of Saddam Hussein in Iraq in 2003. What does Iraq show that Libya might learn from?

Lessons from Iraq

Iraq is also a country heavily dependent on oil reserves and which has undergone a transition from dictatorship, albeit under very different circumstances to Libya. In 2003, the top US administrator in Iraq at the time L. Paul Bremer said, “Iraq is open for business”. However, most of the business has tended to focus on the most highly valued commodity Iraq has at its disposal: oil. In 2002, the year before the United States invasion, Iraq produced on average only 1.9 million barrels of oil a day. The plan is to now raise Iraqi output from its current 2.5 million barrels of oil a day to 12 million barrels daily by 2017. Most outside experts are sceptical of the production targets – the International Energy Association in Paris, for example, predicts that Iraq will not surpass six million barrels a day until 2030.

While it is promising that oil production is seeing optimistic investment, however, the onus will be on the government to ensure revenues are used effectively.

Oil exports account for around 65% of Baghdad’s federal budget and 95% of Iraq’s foreign exchange earnings. But, importantly, unlike its neighbours, Iraq is the only Middle Eastern oil producer part of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, a scheme which aims to increase transparency over oil payments by companies to governments and governments’ use of revenues. In contrast to the Middle East, half of EITI-compliant countries are sub-Saharan African. Of course, providing information is only a start and the oil sector is still widely perceived to be deeply corrupt. Last year, Iraq was ranked 175 out of 182 countries in Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index. After all, transparency does not necessarily equal accountability. For that, a country needs intermediaries, such as the media and civil society.

One lesson that Libya might be able to learn from Iraq is that, although little progress has been made on accountability, many of the key obstacles have been identified and recognised in the country. In an effort to encourage non-oil investment in Iraq, for example, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki gave a presentation in December 2011 to more than 400 executives representing a wide range of industries including engineering and construction, architecture, maritime cargo and financial services. Hussain al-Shahristani, the country’s deputy prime minister for energy affairs, has also recently explained, “People in this part of the world have been told that they have to choose between freedom and prosperity”. He went on to say that diversifying their economy will allow “Iraq…to prove them wrong”. Proving history wrong is certainly the challenge, and recognising the reasons for that history is the first step towards effecting potential solutions. Libya too will need to recognise such history moving forward.

What Libya must do

Recent work by political scientists Michael Ross, Kai Kaiser, Nimah Mazaheri suggests that it will be difficult to make these political transitions. They humbly conclude that it will be “challenging for many of the regimes in the region to transition” to better governance, and warn of the possibility of continuing conflict. Indeed, it seems that some of the reasons that have led to the recent political instability of the region, such as higher inflation and unemployment, will likely make more democratic arrangements harder to maintain going forward.

Particularly in the light of this, supporting a free media and civil society will be a key step to ensuring transparent oil revenues will be used for the benefit of Libyans. These elements provide the link between transparency and accountability. However, while generating domestic pressures aimed at keeping Libya EITI-compliant will help, domestic pressures will require a broad based support from elsewhere.

The Centre for Global Development’s idea of oil-for-cash, for example, plans on providing a windfall payment on a per capita basis derived from oil revenue. This income is then taxed to generate a relationship based on no taxation without representation. Such a scheme is ambitious, and while the likes of Ghana, one of the newest oil producers, has a solid tax system in place, Libya has never had such a basic mechanism. The use of Libyan civil society groups such as the Libyan Civil Society Organisation may however provide the clout for such ideas to climb up the priorities of the current transitional council and the consequent newly-elected government.

While the pressure is on Libya’s transitional government to have elections, many important long-term decisions and key players are likely to be formed in the coming months before the elections take place. Attention will no doubt focus on areas such as the electoral system and constitution, but it will be important to also support other long-term factors that will ensure a brighter future for Libya such as a freer media and civil society. These elements are the best hope that oil revenues in the future are used for the development of Libyan people rather than a small coterie of elites. This will also allow Libya to start taking a view of what future it wants for itself. This, in the long run, will involve ensuring that Libya has a plan beyond petroleum.

Our Position On Malam Ibrahim Shekarau [Sardaunan Kano]

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Press Statement From ANCOPSS VETERANS

– We former National Executive Members of the All Nigeria Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools from 1986 to 1992 under the aegis of ANCOPSS ASSOCIATES are worthy and respected Nigerians from different states and parts of the Federation

– Most of us (all graduates and noble teachers of our time) first met at ANCOPSS in the middle 80s, and since then have been close together, one way or the other

– Malam Ibrahim Shekarau is one of us, and served two exemplary, and unprecedented non-corrupt consecutive terms as National President from 1986 to 1992

– We later formed ourselves into an Association drawing inspiration from Shekarau’s sterling leadership qualities.

– While some of us were Christians, others were Muslims, and as President, Malam Shekarau respected the belief, religion and culture of others.

– Because of our services as nation builders, very many of us have held key political, traditional and religious positions at local, state and national levels

– As senior citizens of this country, we are, therefore, disturbed at the ordeal to which Shekarau is now being subjected after giving Kano one of the unarguably most populous and volatile states in the federation, an uninterrupted two terms (8 years) peaceful and progressive governorship; and consequently want to state as follows:

 

1. As President of ANCOPSS for two unbroken consecutive terms, Shekarau did not at any time demonstrate any sign of religious fanatics or fundamentalism nor demonstrated any act of ethnicity. In fact at our meetings both at national executive committee meetings and national conferences,  opening and closing prayers were rotated between Christians and Muslims.

 

2. We moved our meetings from one state to the other and from one zone to the other to discuss key national issues on education, like when the 6334 was suddenly introduced into the unprepared system. Then Shekarau led us, as practitioners of education, to examine, proffer solutions and forward recommendation to the govt. for successful implementation.

 

3. On retirement, he contested election as governor of Kano State, won and served for 8 years ( two terms) of an unbroken, peaceful and progressive period. This was widely acknowledged by great Nigerians like the Nobel Laureate and critique, Professor Wole Soyinka, and the indomitable Ikemba Dim Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu.

 

4. On one of such occasions, he distributed to us copies of his book, My Vision, a 503-page book containing his policy thrust and philosophy, where his views, in particular on issues like Hisbah Board drawn up to assist the law enforcement agencies in intelligence gathering; the Office of the Special Adviser on Education to deal with the issues of the non-formal Almajiri education and their welfare; the Youth Development Directorate to give and train youth on self-reliant skills and trades; the Zakkat and Hubusi Commission to collect and disburse dues to orphans, widows and the less privileged in the State; the Anti Corruption and and Public Complaint Commission and many others were formulated and approved by the Kano State Assembly for use as vehicle for good governance.

 

5. That by faithfully pursuing a welfare policy as contained in this book, Kano State for 8 years witnessed an unbroken period of peace and progress devoid of religious uprising, intolerance and social upheavals.

 

6. With this performance, we were convinced, as he had earlier done at ANCOPSS national level, that he could replicate progress and peace at the national political level, and so we encouraged and supported him to seek the highest national political office in the land as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

 

7. We were all living witnesses that, throughout the electioneering period, his campaigns were based on issues. It is on record too, that his campaigns were violence-free. Even in the celebrated Presidential debate, he left no one in doubt that he was an intelligent gentleman, the one that could be described as the best President Nigeria did not vote for.

 

8. But like a good sportsman, he took his defeat with equal mind, and ever since has neither said nor done anything to warrant the treatment and name-calling to which he is being currently subjected.

 

9. Indeed, Malam is one rare Nigerian who should have been singled out for commendation, for not only keeping Kano, the most volatile state, peaceful and progressive for good eight years, but also offering himself to serve the nation, instead of being subjected to blackmail and witch-hunting.

 

10. WE THEREFORE AFFIRM THAT WE DID NOT KNOW HIM TO BE INVOLVED IN ANY MEAN OR UNPATRIOTIC OR SUBVERSIVE ACTIVITIES, LET ALONE FUNDING BOKO HARAM WHOSE PHILOSOPHY WAS DIAMETRICALLY OPPOSED TO WHAT HE STANDS FOR. INDEED, WE RECOGNIZE HIM AS A DETRIBALZED, PROGRESSIVE, PEACE-LOVING NIGERIAN ENDOWED WITH GREAT EMPATHY

 

This is a little of Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, former first two-term ANCOPSS National President, former first two-term Governor of Kano State and ANPP Presidential Candidate, for you.

 

Signed

 

Chief AA Adelakun

South West Coordinator (Ibadan)

 

Sir AB Amiebenomo

South South Coordinator (Benin)

 

Monsignor Paul Amakiri

South East Coordinator (Mbaise)

 

Chief SO Aboyeji

North Central Coordinator (Ilorin)

 

Yusuf Ibrahim

North East Coordinator (Bauchi)

 

AbdulLahi Yunusa

North West Coordinator (Dutse)

 

Bayo Alao

Ex-officio Member (Osogbo)

 

Deacon Abioye

Secretary (Offa)

 

Basorun Seinde Arogbofa PEN

National Chairman/Chief Coordinator (Akure)

 

February 2, 2012

 

Boko Haram:150 Igbo Women & Children Depart Kano

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Information available to 247ureports.com from Sabon Gari, Kano indicate that two luxurious transport buses departed the city of Kano headed for the south east states loaded with children and women. The buses departed kano in the morning of February 7, 2012 from Sabon Gari, Kano. The buses were hired by the group – Igbo Elders.

According to available information, 150 women and children were rescued from the Igbo dominated community of Sabon Gari.

This was following outcries from community leaders of south east extraction based in Kano – of the imminent threat hanging over the people of south east origin. One of the leaders, Chief Tobias Idika who is the head of Ohaneze Kano State Chapter had rang the alarm for the south east governors to wake up and act to save the lifes of their indigenes.

The State governors of the south east in responding to the call told the people of south east extraction resident in Kano to remain in Kano – that the state governor had assured them adequate security for the Igbo indigenes in Kano. This was a resolution reached by the South East Governors Forum following a meeting at Enugu last week. For this reason, the state governors of the south east turned away from offering assistance to the “stranded” Igbos in Kano.

However,  rising to the call was the group, “Igbo Elders” who despatched two buses [God Bless Ezenwata Trans] to Kano State to rescue 150 women and children out of Kano State. The group is said to be prepping to despatch more buses to Kano to continue the rescue mission.

The current unfolding mass evacuation comes on the heels of the recent declaration by the governor of Imo State that no Igbo deaths were lost in the black friday attack – and that he has been assured that no Igbo life is at risk. And it appears the reality on ground differs.

Kogi: Phrank Talk on Channels TV

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From Phrank Shiabu

On the morning of February 7,2010, I sat down to another edition of the Sunrise daily programme on channels TV as they continued their discourse on Kogi politics. The Kogi debacle, in which two governors are laying claim to a mandate, has been the subject of debates in most for a since the Supreme Court ruling Chamberline Usoh, Suleiman Aledeh, and Maope Ogun were in their usual tongue twisting best. But there was a guest they clearly underestimated.
From the word go, the guest spoke amid illustrations like he was reading from a book. At some point I was quick to ask my cousin seated if the guest was a lawyer by training. Then came the flasher on the screen. “Phrank Shiabu, Media Consultant to Jibrin Isah Echocho”. I adjusted immediately in anticipation for fireworks. I wasn’t disappointed to say the least at the end of the encounter.
The issue was contentious yet timely because in the wake of the Supreme Court ruling terminating the tenure of five states (Adamawa, Sokoto, Bayelsa, Cross River and Kogi) lots of legal and political questions came to the front burner which Phrank Shiabu sufficiently highlighted. Initially, I had my reservations about the seeming arrogance with which he approached the questions, but after hearing the arguments, I couldn’t but agree with him any less for three strategic reasons being a lawyer myself.
Firstly, he wondered why the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) could arrogate to itself the powers to interpret the judgment of the revered Supreme Court. This point in my opinion is very valid. What I expected INEC to do was to approach the Supreme Court for a consequential order on Kogi State given that an election had already been conducted. But again, if the ruling should be followed to the letter, the election that produced Capt. Idris Wada does not stand in the eyes of the Law. In my opinion this is so because the judgment succinctly averred that the tenure of the governors had elapsed by May 28th 2011 and that elections ought to have been conducted in April.
What this means is that all activities that took place after May 28th 2011 is not recognized by Law. By extension, the primaries that produced Capt Wada and likewise the election are to be considered null and void because there, the election that produced Wada was held 8 months after the expiration of the tenure of the governor. This is obviously in conflict with the provisions of the Electoral Act of 2010 as amended. I think INEC got it really wrong in this instance because nothing stops INEC from approaching a court of law for interpretation of the judgment. But Phrank got it right.
Secondly, he also wondered why the former governor should mandate the customary court judge to swear in Capt Wada. For me, there are two issues here. One is that the former governor had no right whatsoever to preside over the swearing in ceremony because by virtue of the Supreme Court ruling, he automatically became an ordinary citizen of the state. Two is that the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended in section 185[2] stipulates that the Chief Judge of a State should administer the Oath of Office to an incoming governor and not the president of the Customary Court of Appeal. I know some might want to argue further because there is also provision for the Grand Khadi or the President of the Customary Court of Appeal. This is common sense; what the interpretation of that relevant section of the Constitution connotes is that in the event of the non availability of the Chief Judge, the Grand Kadi or President of the Customary Court of Appeal can stand in his place. But the Kogi scenario was different. The former governor who had become an ordinary citizen pressurized the Chief Judge to swear in Capt Wada which he turned down for obvious and justifiable reasons based on the ruling of the Supreme Court. But the former governor mandated the President of the Customary Court of Appeal to swear in Capt. Wada.
The third issue bothers on the validity of the January primaries that produced Jibrin Isah Echocho. While the guest speaker, Phrank Shaibu, spoke eloquently on most of the issues he failed to convince spectators like us on why Echocho’s mandate should stand in place of another fresh primary election. If I should try to validate his stance I will opine that the primary that produced Echocho should stand because it falls within the stipulated timeframe in the Electoral Act of 2010 If that is the case at what point does one place premium on a primary that was conducted 8 months after the expiration of the tenure of the Ibrahim Idris?
Even more curious is the fact that INEC refused to approach the Supreme Court after the contentious judgment passed by the Court of Appeal and yet Professor Jega deemed it fit to endorse the inauguration of Capt Wada despite the Supreme Court ruling, needless to mention that Capt Wada was not a party in the suit. On a final note, just like Phrank said, INEC erred y insisting that Wada’s swearing in was in order. I consider it a disregard of the Supreme Court judgment and an insult to our sensibilities.

FG flags off Enugu-Abakaliki road rehabilitation project

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The Federal Government yesterday flagged off the rehabilitation project of the Enugu-Abakaliki road promising that when completed, the road will substantially improve the movement of people goods and services as well as considerably reducing travel time, vehicle operating cost and traffic related fatalities among others.

Performing the flag off ceremony, the Minister of Works, Architect Mike Onolomemen stated that the project was also an integral part of the Transport facilitation programme (TFP) for the Bamenda-Enugu Road corridor which leads to the Republic of Cameroun. The Minister who was represented by the Minister of State for Works, Ambassador Bashir Yuguda promised that the project which is co-financed by the World Bank and the Federal Government at the ration of 9-1 will be delivered within the scheduled 24 months.

He warned both the contractors and the Road Sector Development Team (RSDT) which oversees the federal roads development projects of the World Bank to dedicate themselves to meeting this deadline and ensure that the quality of work to be done was guaranteed. The Minister who was accompanied by the Chairmen of the Senate and House Committees on Works Senator Ayogu Eze and Hon Ogbuefi Ozomgbachi and Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State Hon Dave Umahi paid courtesy call on Governor Sullivan Chime at the Enugu Government House.

The Enugu Governor while expressing his gratitude to the federal government over the project used the occasion to restate his displeasure at the slow pace and quality of work being done by contractors on both the Enugu-Onitsha road and the Enugu-Port Harcourt expressways. He expressed dismay that it was taking up to eight years to fix the roads adding that the impact of the new road project would not be fully felt if the other roads remained in dilapidated states.

Governor Chime further lamented that the Federal government had turned down a request by south east Governors to take over the roads and be reimbursed and wondered why the carnage and damage being suffered by users of the roads should be allowed to continue. Also speaking, Senator Eze promised that the National Assembly would closely monitor the implementation of the Enugu-Abakaliki road project to ensure that it met all expectations adding that provision will be made in the next budget for the its dualisation as well as  Ninth Mile –Lokoja road. He added that the design for the Ninth Mile –Makurdi-Oturkpo-Keffi road had been completed and was awaiting implementation.

Jonathan Appoints Nuhu Ribadu to head Petroleum Task Force

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President Goodluck Jonathan has appointed former EFCC Chairman, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu to head a task force on Petroleum rvenue Task Force.
Below is the press statement on the appointment:
PRESS RELEASE – RE: PETROLEUM REVENUE SPECIAL TASK FORCE
Consistent with the policies and promises of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s Administration, and underpinned by the yearnings of the people of Nigeria for transparency in the Petroleum Industry, the Honourable Minister of Petroleum Resources has set up a Petroleum Revenue Special Task Force designed to enhance probity and accountability in operations of the Petroleum Industry.
The Petroleum Revenue Special Task Force, whose membership is listed below, is charged with the following terms of reference:
Terms of Reference
1.               To work with consultants and experts to determine and verify all petroleum upstream and downstream revenues (taxes, royalties, etc.) due and payable to the Federal Government of Nigeria;
2.               To take all necessary steps to collect all debts due and owing; to obtain agreements and enforce payment terms by all oil industry operators;
3.               To design a cross debt matrix between all Agencies and Parastatals of the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources;
4.               To develop an automated platform to enable effective tracking, monitoring, and online validation of income and debt drivers of all Parastatals and Agencies in the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources;
5.               To work with world-class consultants to integrate systems and technology across the production chain to determine and monitor crude oil production and exports, ensuring at all times, the integrity of payments to the Federal Government of Nigeria; and,
6.               To submit monthly reports for ministerial review and further action.
MEMBERS
1.   Mallam Nuhu Ribadu                 –       Chairman
2.   Mr. Steve Oronsaye                     –       Dep. Chairman
3.   Mallam Abba Kyari                     –       Member
4.   Ms. Benedicta Molokwu             –       Member
5.   Mr. Supo Sasore, SAN                 –       Member
6.   Mr. Tony Idigbe, SAN                 –       Member
7.   Mr. Anthony George-Ikoli, SAN       –       Member
8.   Dr. (Mrs.) Omolara Akanji         –       Member
9.   Mr. Olisa Agbakoba, SAN         –       Member
10. Mr. Ituah Ighodalo                      –       Member
11.  Mr. Bon Otti                                 –       Member
12.  Prof. Olusegun Okunnu            –       Member
13. Mallam Samaila Zubairu            –       Member
14. Mr.Ignatius Adegunle                 –       Member
15. Mr. Gerald Ilukwe                       –       Member
16. Rep. of FIRS                                 –       Ex-Officio
17. Rep. of FMF Incorporated          –       Ex-Officio

Serious Security Concerns On Bayelsa Guber Poll

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THERE are some serious security concerns in the Niger Delta axis of Nigeria, ahead of the Bayelsa State governorship election, later this February.

This is coming as former Governor Timipre Sylva, claimed last week that his Ijaw kinsman and Nigeria President, Goodluck Jonathan, has been stealthily subverting democracy in parts of the country.

Bayelsa is one of the most volatile states in the troubled oil region. In 2007, unidentified armed youths bombed the president’s village residencea group, the Niger Delta Indigenous Movement for Radical Chang (NDIMRC) has warned politicians not to turn the state into a battle field, saying the man who will emerge as Governor must deliver or be ready for a mass revolt.

Nelly Emma, leader of the group, told AkanimoReports on Tuesday that they have resolved to rise against power seekers who resort to use of violence to get into public office.

John Sailor, the group Secretary, had earlier in a press briefing in Warri, the commercial hub of Delta State,  warned politicians against the use of violence to get into power.

The group claimed that the use of violence was ”an old thing” in Bayelsa politics and accordingly  implored those in the state’s governorship race to caution their followers against engaging in violence.

”We are in support of democracy and good governance and this is why we are appealing to all those in the Bayelsa state governorship race to play the game by the rule. There should be no violence. Our politicians must not see the election as a do or die affair. They must not turn the state into a battle field as we will not accept this”, the group said.

”The person who is going to emerge as the governor of Bayelsa must spread development to all parts of the state. This is so because the state is still crying for development several years after its creation. The governor cannot afford to fail the people.”

For the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), they have some words for them: ”Allow the will of the people to prevail in the Bayelsa governorship election. The common man has suffered for too long in the Niger Delta region”.

BreakingNews: 3 Explosions Rocks North Kaduna, Boko Haram Suspected

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Army Barrack Kaduna

Information reaching 247ureports.com through sources within the government in Kaduna  indicates that three explosions has rocked the Northern part of the State in a manner that hs the signatures of the dreaded Islamic terrorist group, the Boko Haram.

According to the information gathered, at 2:10pm today’s afternoon, the Divison one Army station housed in the North Kaduna Local Government Area [LGA] was rocked by a massive explosion followed by a simulteanous  explosions at the takowa bridge located along the road leading out of Kaduna and into Zaria. Eyewitnesses said a suicide bomb attack took place at the 1st Mechanised Division in the State. Leit.-Col. Abubakar Eduh, spokesman of the Formation confirm the suicide attack.

The Takowa bridge is said to be located at a strategic location where transport buses heading out tothe southern part of Nigeria – gather to pick passangers heading to the south east and south west. One luxurious bus was reported to have been damaged in the explosion. Unofficial reports indicate that two casualties were recorded. No information is available as to the casualties recorded at the military barrack.

Meanwhile, the latest attack by the men of Boko Haram comes onthe heels of an earlier threat bythe Islamic group that they will destroy Nigeria to revenge the embarrassing arrest of their media front man. The attack also goes against an earlier report by another online medium indicating that the men of Boko Haram are tired of fighting.

Soldiers have cordoned off the scene of the explosion barring reporters from getting close.

Stay tuned.

 

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