The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ahmadu Ali

  • ‘Fielding unpopular candidates will cost Buhari 2019 election’

    Aspirants who contested the various positions in the recently concluded party primaries have warned that the party will find it difficult getting the required number of votes for President Muhammadu Buhari in the 2019 presidential election if the go ahead and field unpopular candidates in the states.

    One of the aspirants for the House of Representatives seat for Ekiti Central Constituency 1 comprising Ado, Irepodun and Ifelodun local government areas, Olayinka Olafemi Daniels described as a conspiracy against the President, attempt by some party leaders to foist unpopular candidates on the people.

    Daniels said in an interview in Abuja that any attempt by the party leaders at the National, level to succumb to the manipulations at the state level will force the people; it may force the people to vote for the opposition party, thereby causing the president the required votes.

    He said “If they pick the wrong candidate, that person will definitely lose the general election and it will no doubt affect the chances of the President. The programmes of the president are laudable, but should not be truncated by these desperate acts of some of our leaders.

    “I am not a desperate politician because I have my profession and a source of livelihood. But we are passionate about this party and want the President to succeed.

    “We should not undertake the opposition and I must tell you that the emergence of Atiku as the Presidential candidate of the PDP is a major challenge in the south west. So, I want the leadership of the party to declare me the candidate of the party because i am the most popular among the aspirants”.

    Also, speaking in the same vain, One of the Senatorial aspirants of the party in Delta North, Ambassador Gabriel Chukwuma Oyibode said the party will find difficult to get votes for President Buhari in 2019 general election if he is excluded from the exercise which he described as a kangaroo exercise.

    Chukwuma, who said he was one of those who obtained nomination form, screened and cleared to contest Delta North senatorial primary alongside, Doris Uboh and Dr. Mariam Ali claimed that he excluded from the ballot paper during the primary at the party’s state secretraiat.

    He alleged that Dr. Mariam Ali who was reportedly declared winner of the primary was sponsored by the major opposition party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

    Dr. Mariam Ali is the wife of the former National Chairman of the PDP, Senator Ahmadu Ali.

    Read Also: 2019: Hurdles before Buhari, Atiku

    Ambassador Chukwuma told newsmen apart from the fact that his name was omitted from the ballot, the primary election did not hold in the state wondering how the winner emerged.

    He said: “Three aspirants, Mariam Ali, Doris Uboh and myself were screened by the party’s screening committee after obtaining the nomination and indication of interest to contest the senatorial seat for the Delta North Senatorial District, but unfortunately, the primary election never held on the stipulated date as we waited at the venue and both the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) officials were not there till about 3.30 pm.”

    According to the aspirant, after waiting all day, the primary was said to be postponed to the next day where it was held in a different venue outside the official designated venue, the Technical College of Education Asaba which he claimed he reported to the party election committee chairman, Gen. Lawrence Onoja (Rtd).

    “I was disfranchised along with my delegates who are the largest in number against a Kangaro election held without my name found on the ballot paper and two boxes provided instead of three”, wondering how three candidates will be screened for an election and two will be made to contest.

    “This act is tantamount to electoral fraud and I want the world to know what the party has done in the state regarding the primary election”, he said.

    Chukwuma noted that he has sent his complaints to the party chairman, comrade Adams Oshiomhole and the Appeal Committee headed by Professor Osunbor but has not heard from neither and so, called on the party to declare him winner of the senatorial primary election in Delta North.

    “I’m calling on anybody who cares that there was no senatorial primary election in Delta North. I don’t intend leaving the party, but if nothing is done quickly, I will go to court to seek redress”, he threatened.

  • Gowon shocked as Obasanjo ‘exposes’ Ahmadu Ali at book launch

    Gowon shocked as Obasanjo ‘exposes’ Ahmadu Ali at book launch

    IT was banters and reminisces all the way as former military Head of General Yakubu Gowon, former President Olusegun Obasanjo and a former national chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Ahmadu Ali, relived old times at certain points in their military carriers.

    The occasion was the launch of Ali’s biography, “Many Colours Of A Rainbow”, at the Yar’ Adua Centre, Abuja yesterday.

    Obasanjo was the chairman of the occasion and Gowon was father of the day.

    As chairman of the occasion, Obasanjo was listed to deliver the welcome address. Typical of him, he did not come with a prepared speech. He mounted the podium and cleared his throat in his characteristic manner.

    Expectedly, reporters that came to cover the event immediately adjusted their sitting positions. Some were ready with their tape recorders while others had their writing materials in the ready.

    Their ears stood erect like a rabbit’s as they waited with bated breath for the usual “bombshell” from the old soldier-politician cum farmer. The news hounds were sure that Obasanjo was going to “vibrate”.

    Protocols over, the reporters had already set their tape recorders rolling. The old man cleared his throat once again.

    “When we were discussing earlier, Ahmadu (Ali) said Gen. Gowon is older than him but that he (Ali) claimed to be older than me. Then I asked Gen. Gowon if his date of birth was recorded and he said his late father wrote it down and kept it in his Bible.

    “I asked Ahmadu if his own date of birth was recorded and he also said his father kept the record. And I told them that’s why they could talk like that. My own date of birth was recorded in my mother’s memory.”

    And the entire hall roared in laughter for a while.

    eft: Ali, Obasanjo, Ali’s wife Mariam
    •From left: Ali, Obasanjo, Ali’s wife Mariam, Gowon and former Deputy Governor Plateau State, Mrs. Pallen Tallen…yesterday. PHOTO: Femi Ojo

    Then Obasanjo cleared his throat once more and said: “When I was in primary school, my teacher sent me home from school to get my date of birth. On getting home, I asked my mother for my date of birth and she shouted at me that I was being stupid.”

    Obasanjo quoted his mother as saying: “I gave birth to you on Ifo Market Day. I had prepared to go to the market with other women on that day but I fell into labour at dawn. So, I could not go the market. The other women went to the market and came back only to find that I had given birth to you. So, go and tell your teacher that you were born on Ifo Market Day”. The hall erupted in another bout of prolonged laughter.

    He then went down memory lane to capture his relationship with Ali, who was then a fellow Army officer. According to the former president, it was way back in 1975 when Ali approached him for assistance. Ali, then a Federal Commissioner for Education, wanted a particular building located close to Race Course, Lagos, for use as office accommodation.

    Incidentally, the said building was being occupied by an agency of the United States as operational office.

    “So a few days after, I conspired with Admadu and mobilised troops to surround the building as early as 4am. When the officials of the agency came to report for work in the morning, soldiers prevented them from entering the building. That was how I seized the building for Ahmadu and his staff,” Obasanjo recalled.

    Then hell was let loose. The United States government protested the action, which sparked a bitter diplomatic row between the U.S. and the then Federal Military Government, headed by Gen. Gowon. Consequently, Obasanjo was summoned to Dodan Barracks, where he said he was tongue-lashed by Gowon and other superior officers at the time.

    “I was scolded and dressed down by General Gowon and other superior officers for my actions. I was seriously washed down,” he said.

    That was in 1975. And Gen. Gowon, as then head of state, never knew that it was Ahmadu Ali that instigated Obasanjo into flushing the Americans out of the building.

    Obasanjo had kept the secret since 1975 and only revealed it to Gen Gowon yesterday. That is, 43 years after!

    “General Gowon was shocked earlier this morning when I told him that it was actually Ahmadu that instigated the action. He asked me why I did not say it then and I told him that I did not want to expose my friend”, Obasanjo said.

    General Gowon was to corroborate Obasanjo’s account of the incident when he mounted the podium after Obasanjo was done.

    Gowon said: “That incident caused us serious embarrassment and I really tongue-lashed Obasanjo. But for his good service record, he would have been made to face the consequences. It’s only this morning that he confessed to me that Ahmadu Ali was deeply involved in that action”. Gowon also went down memory lane to recall his student days at the Barewa Collage, Zaria, where he was a class ahead of Ahmadu Ali.

    “That Ahmadu Ali you see there is a short man devil but very intelligent”, Gen Gowon teased.

    The retired General revealed that he and Ali were amateur boxers while in Barewa College. He told of how he had to relinquish his captainship of the school’s boxing club to Ali, when he was saddled with too much responsibilities. He described Ali as a very good sportsman and a fine boxer.

    Gowon also recalled the ‘Ali Must Go’ episode in the 1970s, when university students demonstrated against his continued stay as federal commissioner of Education. Gowon said Ali had mixed with the protesting students and he was also chanting “Ali Must Go” without the students detecting who he was, until it was safe for him to sneak away from their midst.

    It was another old boy of Barewa College, Prof. Jibrin Aminu that eventually revealed how a “good boxer” Ahmadu Ali was.

    Aminu, a former Vice Chancellor, a former two-time federal minister, a former ambassador and a former senator, gave an insight into what many consider a reflection of Ali’s leadership style in later life.

    This approach may not be much different from the way Ali ran the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during his tenure as national chairman. With his friend and ally, Obasanjo as the then President, scenarios, similarly to the eviction of the Americans in 1975 and the boxing incident at Barewa College replayed themselves several times over with the Obasanjo/Ali tag team while they held sway at the PDP and the Presidency.

    Perhaps, if elder statesman, Chief Tony Anenih, had attended the event, he also would have had a story to tell about the Obasanjo/Ali team when the ex-police chief was PDP’s Board of Trustees chair. Like the Americans in 1975, Anenih also got “evicted” as chair of PDP’s BoT when in 2007, another Obasanjo/Ali “conspiracy” yanked him off the seat and got Obasanjo enthroned as BoT chair.

    That was just another example of the many “conspiracies” hatched by the two buddies during their sojourn in the erstwhile ruling party. It goes to reinforce the old saying, that the boy, is indeed, the father of the man.

  • 43 years after, Obasanjo ‘exposes’ Ahmadu Ali on seizure of U.S building

    43 years after, Obasanjo ‘exposes’ Ahmadu Ali on seizure of U.S building

    It was banters and reminisces all the way as former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (retd), former President Olusegun Obasanjo and a former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Ahmadu Ali relived old times at certain points in their military careers.

    The occasion was the launch of Ali’s biography – “Many Colours Of A Rainbow,” at the Shehu Yar’ Adua Centre, Abuja, on Thursday.

    Obasanjo was the chairman of the occasion while Gowon was father of the day.

    As chairman of the occasion, Obasanjo was listed to deliver the welcome address.

    Typical of him, he did not come with a prepared speech. He mounted the podium and cleared his throat in his characteristic manner.

    Expectedly, journalists that came to cover the event immediately adjusted their sitting positions. Some were ready with their tape recorders while others had their writing materials in the ready.

    Their ears stood erect like a rabbit’s as they waited for the usual “bombshell” from the ex- President. The news hounds were very sure that Obasanjo was going to “vibrate.”

    Protocols over. The reporters had already set their tape recorders rolling. Chmm…chmm…chmm. The old man cleared his throat once again.

    “When we were discussing earlier, Ahmadu (Ali) said Gen. Gowon is older than him but that he (Ali) claimed to be older than me. Then I asked Gen. Gowon if his date of birth was recorded and he said his late father wrote it down and kept it in his bible.

    “I asked Ahmadu if his own date of birth was recorded and he also said his father kept the record. And I told them that’s why they could talk like that. My own date of birth was recorded in my mother’s memory.”

    And the entire hall went toothy for a while. Then Obasanjo cleared his throat once more and continued: “When I was in primary school, my teacher sent me home from school to get my date of birth. On getting home, I asked my mother for my date of birth and she shouted at me that I was being stupid.”

    Recalling his mother’s response at the time, Obasanjo quoted his mother as saying, “I gave birth to you on Ifo Market Day. I had prepared to go to the market with other women on that day but I fell into labour at dawn. So I could not go the market. The other women went to the market and came back only to find that I had given birth to you. So go and tell your teacher that you were born on Ifo Market Day.” The hall erupted in another bout of prolonged laughter.

    He then went down memory lane to capture his relationship with Ali who was then a fellow army officer.

    According to the ex- President, it was way back in 1975 when Ali approached him for assistance.

    Ali, then a Federal Commissioner for Education, wanted a particular building located close to Race Course, Lagos, for use as office accommodation.

    Incidentally, the said building was being occupied by an agency of the United States as operational office.

    “So a few days after, I conspired with Ahmadu and mobilised troops to surround the building as early as 4:00 a.m. When the officials of the agency came to report for work in the morning, soldiers prevented them from entering the building. That was how I seized the building for Ahmadu and his staff,” Obasanjo recalled.

    Then hell was let loose. The U.S government had protested the action, which sparked a bitter diplomatic row between the U.S and the then Federal Military Government, headed by Gen. Gowon. Consequently, Obasanjo was summoned to Dodan Barracks where he said he was tongue-lashed by Gowon and other superior officers at the time.

    “I was scolded and dressed down by Gen. Gowon and other superior officers for my actions. I was seriously washed down.”

     

  • N600m slush fund: Bafarawa queries EFCC over non-trial of Odili, Ahmadu Ali, George, others

    N600m slush fund: Bafarawa queries EFCC over non-trial of Odili, Ahmadu Ali, George, others

    A former Governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa, is angry with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for allegedly singling him out for trial over the N600million cash given to six leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) by a former Minister of State for Finance, Bashir Yuguda.

    The ex-governor wants to know why Chief Jim Nwobodo (South-East), Dr. Peter Odili (South-South), Chief Bode George (South-West), Alhaji Yerima Abdullahi (North-East), and Col. Ahmadu Ali (North-Central) who allegedly shared in the money are excluded from trial.

    He says each of the presidential election contact chairmen for the six (6) geo-political zones was given N100million.

    Bafarawa, in a petition on his ordeal to the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN) alleged selective corruption prosecution against “my son, Sagir Attahiru and I by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).”

    He said the action of the anti-corruption agency “leaves little to be desired and is discriminatory against me.”

    Continuing, he said: “In 2015, I alongside five (5) other persons  was among other presidential election contact Chairmen for the six (6) geo-political zones in the country.

    “The six persons appointed were Sen. Jim Nwobodo (South-East), Dr Peter Odili (South-South), Chief Bode George (South-West), Alhaji Yerima Abdullahi (North-East), Col. Ahmadu Ali (North-Central) and myself (North-West). We were given N100million  each by a former Minister State Finance, Bashir Yuguda and were directed to disburse same to the state elders of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in our zones for campaign expenses.

    “We were not given any information that it was Federal Government money but since this happened after PDP has raised money for campaign I believed it was from it that this money was given to us.

    “l am Nigerian citizen and a senior at that. That manner in which the EFCC has persecuted me in the name of prosecution is a cause for alarm. May I note that I am not saying I am above the law but I think it is only conscionable for me to be tried for whatever offence I am accused of committing within the ambits of the law instead of the media trial I have been subjected to in the hands of EFCC.

    “What is the rationale to single me out for prosecution while others in the same category with me are left not prosecuted. What is the rationale of EFCC to be prosecuting me without investigating and prosecuting those who are the beneficiaries of the funds.

    “In a civilized society, I ought to be a witness to the prosecution to enable the government get its money back from the people whom I paid assuming it is Federal Government’s money.

    “I urge the Honourable Attorney General and Minister of Justice to conduct an investigation into this complaint and make the necessary recommendations so that my family will stop being dragged in the mud and to enable the cause of Justice have its proper way.”

    Bafarawa, who released the list of those he gave his own share of N100million, said he added extra N200, 000 to what was disbursed to him by the ex-Minister.

    He said: “On my part, I disbursed the said money to PDP Chairmen in my zone with even an additional N200, 000 totaling N1.2million only between January 12, 2015 and March 17,2015. Upon which I am expecting a refund before my arrest.”

    He listed the beneficiaries as:

    1. Kebbi State: Abdullahi Yelwa—0050222873 – Access Bank Mobile No. 08037882327 (N15,600,000.00) 12/1/2015 (Transfer)
    2. Jigawa State: Bashir M. Daihatu—1003873037 Zenith Bank Mobile No 08063029297 (N15,600,000.00) 12/02/2015 (Transfer )
    3. Zamfara State: Bala Mohammed Mande 1001340999 Keystone Bank Mobile No. 07064886648 (N15,700,000.00) 12/01/2015 (Transfer )
    4. Kaduna State: Senator Musa Bello-0025256324 -Diamond Bank Mobile No. 08033078989 (N16,200,000.00) 12/01/2015 (Transfer )
    5. Kano State: Habibu Shuaibu—1002417106 Zenith Bank Mobile No. 08033243111 (N15,100,000.00) 12/01/2015 (Transfer )
    6. Katsina State: Amb. Adamu Saidu Daura—1002074068 Keystone Bank -Mobile No. 08032877665 (N15,700,000.00) 12/01/2015 (Transfer)
    7. Sokoto State: Engr. Mohammad Tori —Mobile No. 08035868876 (N3,300,000.00) 12/01/2015 (Cash)
    8. J Sokoto State : Ahmad Mohd Gusau -Mobile No. 08033034233 (N3,000,000.00) 12/01/2015 (Cash)

    “It is thus baffling to see that l was the only one who was arrested and being prosecuted for an offence I did not commit. The money l got was meant for the purpose of the 2015 elections and same was utilized for the purpose.

    “The EFCC did not deem it fit to invite the persons to which I disbursed the money to. Just like the others, I am an agent of a disclosed principal but due to whatever personal scores the EFCC has with me, I am the only one who has been made a subject of ridicule by the EFCC.

    “You will recall that a chieftain in Ondo State, Chief Olu Falae, also got some certain amount of money but the EFCC has not deemed it fit to prosecute him. What made my case worse is the fact that I did not spend a kobo for myself in the said sum of money but disbursed it as instructed.

    “ The Gestapo manner with which the EFCC operatives stormed my apartment at 6.00am on 19th November, 2015 at Usuma Street Maitama, Abuja is one which would create an impression that l have committed a capital offence even when l have not committed any. The operatives neither presented a warrant of arrest nor a court order giving them authority to arrest me.

    “Fortunately, l was not in the country when this happened but through phone call l caused my lawyers, Lateef Fagbemi SAN & CO to write a letter to the EFCC on the 25th November, 2015 informing them of my intention to honour the invitation on my return to the country while also protesting the illegal invasion of my house.

    “The letter is hereto attached as Annexure B for your attention. Upon my return to the country, | honoured the EFCC invitation on 1St of December, 2015 and l was detained for 3 weeks at the EFCC office before I was transferred to Kuje Prisons on the 22nd December, 2015, l was however released on bail.

    “My travails in the hands of the EFCC continued despite the fact that I stated to the EFCC quite categorically how I disbursed the money in question on the instruction of the party. I gave EFCC names of persons I gave the money to, their bank account numbers (to which I disbursed the money) and their addresses.

    “What I expected and what would have been the right thing to do was to invite the persons whom I disbursed the money to confirm the veracity or otherwise of my statement.

    “The attempt by the EFCC to smear my hard earned name has been extended to my son, Sagir Attahiru, who disbursed funds (N4.5billion) given to him by NSA office only based on the instruction of the NSA.

    “He was arrested by the EFCC on the 24th November, 2015 and detained for over a month and four days both at EFCC cell and Kuje Prisons before his release on bail on 28th December, 2015.

    “My son, Sagir, only acted on the express instruction of Col. Dasuki as can be seen from the document which he has submitted to the EFCC.”

  • Again, Obasanjo says PDP is dead

    Again, Obasanjo says PDP is dead

    … Prays against similar fate befallen Nigeria

    Nigerians, particularly members and supporters of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) that are still hoping for a revived PDP someday, former President Olusegun Obasanjo has a word for them.

    Obasanjo for the second time in less than three years, said the party is dead, sunk and gone, praying that the fortune of Nigeria should also not  sink – apparently like that of the PDP.

    The former Board of Trustees (BoT) of PDP reiterated his position on Friday while replying comments by former National Chairman, Alh. Ahmadu Ali, about their past relationship in government during an International Symposium titled: “Purpose and Utilitarian Values of Presidential Libraries” at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

    The event, which also include the grand opening of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Abeokuta, to mark the 80th birthday of the ex-President was organised by the Centre for Human Security (CHS), an arm of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL).

    The ex – President recalled that he brought Ali to lead the once powerful and largest party in Africa because of his truthfulness, saying PDP was controlling 30 out of the 36 states of the federation when Ali and him were leading it but lamented that its fortune sank when the duo left the stage.

    He noted that while Ahmadu Ali served as the National chairman of the party, he  ensured its stability and effectiveness but lamented that the party is now down and out following an intractable internal crisis.

    Obasanjo: “Ahmadu Ali is truthful and that was why I brought him to head the PDP and all went well when Ahmadu Ali was the National  chairman. We were controlling 30 out of the 36 states, when Ahmadu and I left, the fortune of the PDP began to sink.

    “Whether you believe it or not, today PDP is sunk and gone. May the fortune of Nigeria never sink like that of the PDP” with the audience responding in a thunderous “Amen.”

    And responding also to avalanche of eulogy from dignitaries – Nigerians and foreigners, during the symposium, he said the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library was established to correct one of his mistakes of the past, especially not collecting and archiving materials connected to his time during the civil war.

    He said: “somebody among the speakers said God has always given me the opportunity to correct my wrongs. I will say God has done that for me not in all cases but in most cases and this Presidential Library is actually an act of God which he has given to me to correct one of my mistakes of the past and I have said this very often.

    ” I was in the war front, it was very one significant thing in my life and in the life of Nigeria. I was military head of State, it was one significant thing in my life and in the life of Nigeria but I was not as mindful as I should have been about collecting materials that were connected with those events, the war front and civil war both on the vandals side, we called them rebels side or if you like the Biafrans side, they called us vandals, we called them rebels.

    “But we did collect something, when I was also the Military Head of State I didn’t pay much attention to collect materials, where I should have paid attention to.

    “So, by 1988, it occurred to me that these are mistakes, I looked at some of the materials we got from the war fronts, they were in very bad state of neglect so what I did was to try and micro-film what we could micro-film.

    “I also learnt a lesson, when you are in a position to keep materials and preserve them for prosterity, you should do so and I never knew there will be another opportunity, so, God created another opportunity for me to correct the mistakes of the past.

    “God is the God second chance and for some of us He is not God of second chance but God of many chances and I will be internally grateful to God for the opportunity he has given me but more importantly whatever I might achieved, I take responsibility but whatever I might achieved it would not have been possible without the people who have helped me in life to be able to achieve what I have achieved.

    “Take the Presidential Library for example if not for the members of Board of Trustees I will have fallen by the roadside and that will have been another mistake because it got to a stage that things were rough, things were rough and we are just putting heads together, it is God of many chances.”

    He urged the youths who attended the programme not to be mindful of their current position – whether poor or weak, assuring that “If he (given his poor background) could make it this far, they can also make it.”

    He advised them to share whatever ideas they have with others,  for the growth and development  of  Nigeria.

    The ex – President said having passed the kiln of life including marking time in prison without being killed by his jailers, he has nothing anymore to fear save God.

    Dignitaries who took turn to speak on the “Purpose of utilitarian Values of Presidential Library, hailed Obasanjo for establishing the OOPL, describing him as an “iconic legend.”

    Former US Ambassador to the United Nations (UN), Mr. Andrew Young, said that without Obasanjo, Africa might still be in a desperate position, adding that, “it is time for Nigeria to realise and make amendment where it’s lagging behind”.

    “There is no human being  in Africa that has experienced what Obasanjo has gone through in the last 50 years, “One thing about him is that he is the same way same person whether in New York, UN, World Bank, White House or china, he does not change. He does not give a damn whom he makes mad,” he said.

    He said Obasanjo should be celebrated, adding that  “the presidential Library will help others to understand his work.”

    Also speaking, Tracy Roosevelt, grand daughter of former US President, Franklin D Roosevelt, explained that a Presidential Library is a place, meant to bring together the memories of the past and to also bring men and women together for higher goals.

    Roosevelt said Obasanjo gave the gift of the Library to his people, to share the memories of his past with his people.

    “There are 14 presidential libraries in the United States of America  (USA), but, the first  Presidential Library in Africa was created by Obasanjo in Abeokuta,” she said.

  • Court strikes out Buhari’s N50b suit against NTA, IGP, Ali, others

    Court strikes out Buhari’s N50b suit against NTA, IGP, Ali, others

    A Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out a N50billion suit by President Muhammadu Buhari against two media houses, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), former Director of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan’s presidential campaign organisation, Ahmadu Ali, among others.

    The suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/267/2015 was filed by the President on March 23, 2015 through a team of lawyers led by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN).

    The suit sought to among others, prohibit the defendants from further airing and publishing an offensive documentary produced by then President Jonathan’s campaign organisation, which portrayed Buhari and his party – All Progressives Congress (APC) in bad light.

    Defendants in the suit included DAAR Communication Plc – owner of African Independent Television (AIT), National Television Authority (NTA), National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), IGP, People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Dr. Ahmadu Ali.

    Buhari had argued, in his statement of claim that the documentary titled: “The Real Buhari,” aired on NTA and AIT during the last presidential campaign, amounted to hate speech, which contravened Section 95(1) of the Electoral Act, 2010.

    He stated that the hate broadcast by Daar Communication (AIT) and NTA, contained fabricated and concocted facts about the purported past of the 1st plaintiff (Buhari), meant to mislead the electorate for the benefit of then President Jonathan, then Vice President, Namadi Sambo and the PDP.

    The plaintiffs – Buhari and the APC – sought among others, a declaration that the publication and airing of the documentary breached Section 95 (1) of the Electoral Act 2010 and Section 2(g) – (n) of the NBC Act 2010.

    The plaintiffs also urged the court to award N50b in exemplary and aggravated damages against the defendants, and in their (plaintiffs’) favour.

    They equally sought an order directing the 1st, 2nd, 5th and 6th defendants (Daar Communication, NTA, PDP and Ali to publish “unreserved apologies” in the Economist of London, the Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, Cable News Network (CNN), among others.

    When the case was mentioned Wednesday, no lawyer announced appearance for any of the parties.

    In a brief ruling, Justice John Tsoho noted that the case was filed on March 23, 2015, but that the plaintiffs failed to take any follow-up steps.

    “It (the case) is deemed abandoned. And it is hereby struck out,” the judge said.

  • Ali calls for revival of FESTAC

    A former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Col. Ahmadu Ali, has called for the revival of Festival for Arts and Culture (FESTAC).

    He also urged the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC) to provide a centre for African studies in the country.

    Nigeria hosted the FESTAC in 1977.

    Ali made the call on Friday when the Director-General of CBAAC, Mr. Ferdinand Anikwe visited him in Abuja.

    “The centre for black studies will be like a centre for post graduate studies centre where you can bring in all our brothers in Nigeria and the diaspora to lecture and impact knowledge.

    “And from there, we can try to build on what we lost when we abandoned the spirit and importance of FESTAC.

    “FESTAC, as far as I am concerned was a one-in-a-million event because of the enormity of the arrangement.

    “CBAAC needs to create a centre where Nigerians can learn more about black cultures, norms and values,’’ the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quoted the ex-PDP chairman as saying at the forum.

    Anikwe thanked Ali for giving him audience and promised to revive and keep the spirit of FESTAC alive.

    “The spirit of FESTAC is working in us and that is why we are visiting the people who actively participated in the FESTAC 77 event that are still alive.

    “We want you to use your powerful social connections, both within and outside Nigeria to attract people who are interested in its revival,’’ Anikwe said.

  • Ali, Ugbane booed at Audu’s 8th day prayer

    Ali, Ugbane booed at Audu’s 8th day prayer

    Former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Dr Ahmadu Ali and Senator Nicholas Ugbane were Sunday booed by angry mob at the 8th day Fidau prayers for the late All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Prince Abubakar Audu.

    Ali was said to have driven into Audu’s residence at Ogbonicha, venue of the event to commiserate with the family, at about 1pm, but met more than he bargained for, as angry youths at the main entrance opposed his coming in.

    When the youths recognised that it was him, they refused to open the gate for him as he was forced to make a detour.

    While the argument ensued they began to boo him, calling him all sorts of unprintable names in Igala dialect, as they insisted that he will not be part of the Fidau prayers.

    Ali it will be recalled threw numerous invectives at Audu during the electioneering campaign.

    Ugbane, a former two-time commissioner under the administration of the late Audu and APC governorship aspirant, who drove in shortly after Ali was also seriously embarrassed by the angry youths.

    It was gathered that as his driver had to hurriedly make a U-turn to escape being mobbed, as they hauled stones at his vehicle, one of which hit and smashed the windscreen.

  • Imo PDP reconciliation meeting deadlocked

    Imo PDP reconciliation meeting deadlocked

    •Ararume urges equal opportunity for aspirants

    The meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Integration Committee aimed at reconciling the governorship aspirants in Imo State to reduce their number ended in a stalemate yesterday.

    The committee, led by a former National Chairman of the party, Ahmadu Ali, held a closed-door meeting with the over 22 aspirants.

    But the major contender and House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha was absent.

    A party chieftain, who attended the meeting but spoke in confidence, told our reporter that the committee raised concern about the number of aspirants and set up another committee, headed by a member of the Board of Trustee (BoT), Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu.

    The source said there was no agreement between the Ali-led committee and the aspirants, especially on zoning and a consensus candidate.

    According to him, zoning, which was in favour of Owerri, did not go down well with former Governor Ikedi Ohakim and Senator Ifeanyi Ararume, who are both from Okigwe zone.

    On the absence of Ihedioha at the meeting, the source said: “Ihedioha did not boycott the meeting as being insinuated. He sent a representative because he could not attend, due to other party engagements. I can tell you authoritatively that he was in touch with the state officials of the party on the meeting and even donated a new bus to the youth wing of the party.”

    The source dispelled the rumour that Ihedioha might be adopted as a consensus candidate.

    He said: “Even though Ihedioha is one of the front runners, all the aspirants will be given a level-playing field. Nobody has been adopted. That was not on the agenda of the meeting.”

    Ararume said the meeting did not threaten the ambition of the aspirants.

    He said: “The meeting is not going to jeopardise any aspirant’s ambition. Rather, the intention is to make the people work together to make the party move forward.”

  • Ahmadu Ali urges ASUU to end strike

    Ahmadu Ali urges ASUU to end strike

    •PDP ex-chair heads NUC board •Minister: Govt can’t fully fund tertiary education

    A former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), Senator Ahmadu Ali, yesterday in Abuja begged the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to return to the classroom “in the name of God”.

    The university system, he said, is the most critical variable in the development of the country’s education.

    Ali, a former Federal Commissioner for Education during the military government of Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo, spoke at the inauguration of the governing boards and councils of Federal Ministry of Education’s corporations/institutions and the Committee on NEEDS Assessment for Polytechnics and Colleges of Education.

    The politician is the chairman of the Governing Council of the National Universities Commission (NUC).

    He decried the challenges facing the sector.

    Ali said: “I beg ASUU, in the name of God, to return to the classroom. This is coming at a time when our educational system is facing major challenges. We consider our appointment as very important. The importance is heightened by the fact that the university system, which the NUC is supervising, is the most critical variable in the development of our national education.

    “The quality of our education depends largely on maintaining a good quality in the university. We promise to do our best to contribute to a more robust system.”

    The Supervising Minister of Education, Nyesom Wike, who inaugurated the governing boards/councils, urged the members to ensure that the industrial actions experienced in the institutions are resolved.

    He said: “It is clear that the sustenance of the ongoing processes may continue to be problematic since the Federal Government lacks the capacity to fully and solely meet the funding needs of tertiary education. Consequently, effective fund mobilisation, through diverse sources and greater prudence and efficient utilisation of available funds, must be of utmost concern to you.

    “You have no excuses to give since you already have the institutional freedom and flexibility to respond to the challenges of limited public funding through proactive initiatives on endowments, sourcing research grants, the provision of consultancy services, as well as courting the involvement of the private sector in the development of the institutions.”

    The Chairman, House of Representatives’ Committee on Education Aminu Suleiman said the National Assembly was trying to resolve the ASUU crisis.

    He urged the boards and councils to put the interest of the country above personal interests.

    The lawmaker advised the members to aim at excellence, adding that giving excuses would lead to failure.

    Suleiman noted that the corporations had suffered because they did not have boards and councils.

    Osun State Deputy Governor Mrs. Grace Laoye-Tomori hailed the government for appointing those capable of running the governing boards and councils.

    She urged the members to work hard and avoid distractions from various quarters.