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Tag: Anger

  • Anger as voter card’s distribution ends in Imo

    The distribution of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and Continuous Voter’s Registration has ended in Imo State with a call for its cancellation. Aggrieved voters called the exercise a flop.

    The exercise which started on a shaky note left much to be desired as over 20 million PVCs were reportedly missing. The exercise was characterised by heavy protests and severe criticisms.

    For instance, in most of the local government areas visited by The Nation, there was a large turnout of people but the few capturing machines were either slow or totally out of service, resulting in chaos at most of the centres.

    In the absence of INEC staff, the ad-hoc personnel told agitated people waiting to be registered that the setback resulted from lack of sustainable power to run the machines.

    At Umudagu Mbieri and Ezinihitte Mbieri both in Mbaitoli Council Area of the State, the situation was worse as aggrieved indigenes accused INEC of systematically disenfranchising them.

    At Orie-Agu Central School in Ehime Mbano Council Area, foreigners from Niger Republic were caught with Permanent Voters’ Card (PVC), while many others caught registering.

    The State Deputy Governor, Eze Madumere, who monitored the exercise on the first day, blamed INEC for the shortcomings.

    He noted that the electoral body was not prepared for the exercise, “with what I have seen today, it is obvious that INEC was not prepared for the exercise. You can see the impressive turn-out; the people have been waiting but none of the machines are functioning and that is quite appalling”.

    In the first two days, the voters endured the frustrations of waiting endlessly at the polling units to collect their PVC, but when it became obvious that the names of some of those they were registered in 2011 were no longer on the INEC list, all hell was let loose as the people took to the street in mass protest against what they claimed was a ploy by the Commission to compromise the 2015.

    On that fateful day, thousands of angry voters who could not collect the PVC overrun the INEC Headquarter in the state, calling for the immediate redeployment of the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof. Selina Oko.

    The protest which resulted in heavy gridlock along the busy Port Harcourt-Owerri Road and other parts of the capital city, crippled activities at the INEC Secretariat as the REC and other staff of the Commission were held hostage by the protesters who locked up the entrance gate and prevented vehicles from going in or leaving the premises.

    Addressing reporters, Victor Okonkwo alleged that INEC colluded with some politicians to hijack the PVC, saying that the Commission has proved that it cannot be trusted to conduct a free and fair election in the state.

    Expressing his doubts over the 2015 general elections in the state, Okonkwo described the withholding of the PVC by INEC as ‘electronic’ rigging, which he said was one of the newly introduced measures to undermine the conduct of the election in the state.

    According to him, “we demand the immediate release of our PVC. Let this not be an electronic rigging, INEC, our PVC is our right, let us be real Nigerians, why hijack some booths, INEC has failed. About 20 million PVC are missing in the state”.

    He threatened further that, “there won’t be election in the state until INEC does the right thing. INEC should not disenfranchise Imo people, we say no to this plot”.

    Meanwhile, addressing the protesters at the Government House, the Commandant General of the Rochas Campaign Organization and Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Barr Iheukwumere Araribe, assured that the obvious malpractices will be urgently addressed.

    He noted that the reported malfunctioning of the machines could be one of the ploys by INEC to disenfranchise the people.

    Also irked by INEC’s poor performance, the State Governor, Rochas Okorocha also called for the total cancellation of the ongoing voters’ registration in the state.

    He insisted that the exercise has grossly fallen short of standard and expectations.

    The Imo Governor noted that the shoddy manner the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has handled the registration exercise as well as the distribution of the Permanent Voters’ Card (PVC), has shown that the Commission was not ready for the exercise, stressing that INEC should cancel every other activity relating to the registration until it is seen to be ready.

    The Governor while meeting with leaders of the All Progressive Congress (APC) from the 27 Council Areas of the State, who had, through their individual reports given worrisome accounts of how the exercise failed in the areas, frowned at the indifferent attitude adopted by INEC, despite the widespread complaints against the exercise.

    Meanwhile before the meeting, various groups had also described the INEC exercise as a sham and a deliberate attempt to reduce the voting strength of the state.

    According to the Governor, ”I have gone round myself to over 20 wards and I found out that there is no evidence to show that the INEC voter registration exercise is designed to succeed in the State. I saw lengthy queues of people without any registration going on. And the machines are not available in most of the places. And the few available ones are not working. Either the battery is dead or the printer is not printing or the computer cannot register anybody”.

    He added further that, “some people have been to most of the wards for more than five times since the exercise began to register but, they have not been registered. At some places where the old machines are available you see only ten people being registered between 9am and 4pm. The aim for which we declared public holidays appears to have been defeated.

    “So, from all indications the exercise is designed to fail. It is obvious INEC is not ready for the exercise. So, I would advice INEC to cancel this registration exercise and come up when they are fully prepared. People are suffering for desiring to play their civic role. And INEC wants to end this registration by Monday which will see hundreds of thousands of our people willing and ready to register not doing so.

    “I also want to call on INEC to register our people in their respective polling booths and not giving one machine to a ward with some of the wards having about 20 booths that does not make any meaning. I therefore call on Imo people to remain calm while we hope that INEC will do the right thing”.

    However in her response via a radio broadcast, the REC appealed to the people who were yet to get their PVC to remain calm as efforts were already on top gear to get it distributed.

  • Anger trails results’ release

    Frustration and anger have trailed the release of results of NDII part-time students of Mass Communication Department of the Federal Polytechnic Offa (OFFA POLY). The results were released last Monday, months after the students wrote the examination.

    When the results were pasted at the department on Monday evening, information spread through the social media, urging the students to check their results. A few students, who live around the campus, rushed to the school for the result.

    But on that Tuesday morning, the results got ‘disappeared’ on the notice board it was pasted, resulting in disappointment and anger by students, who came to the campus to check their results.

    They were rumours that the results had been torn by a set of aggrieved students, because of their poor performance. But CAMPUSLIFE learnt that the department withdrew the results because of errors from the office in charge of results. The results were pasted with candidates’ names and scores, instead of matriculation number and grades, which is the normal culture.

    While the students await the corrected version of the results, many of them wondered why it took the management months for the release. They urged the department to make the correction properly and make the results available on the Internet for easy access.

  • Anger as 7 PDP lawmakers endorse Fayose’s nominees

    Anger as 7 PDP lawmakers endorse Fayose’s nominees

    Under police cover and emboldened by a band of thugs, seven Ekiti Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmakers “sat” yesterday to approve three commissioner-nominees presented by Governor Ayodele Fayose.

    The action drew outrage.

    The lawmakers also empowered Fayose to appoint 12 special advisers and constitute caretaker committees for the 16 local governments, pending the conduct of the local government election.

    The seven PDP legislators were joined by three individuals whose identities could not be ascertained, in a bid to surpass a quorum of nine members needed to carry out a valid sitting  of the House as stipulated by the Constitution and the Assembly’s Standing Rules.

    Reporters were not allowed to go inside the chamber with cameras.

    The electronic media were prevented from covering the “sitting” –  apparently to shield  the three “unknown legislators”.

    The “sitting” was conducted under a massive security cover provided by mobile policemen and operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS).

    A police Armoured Personnel Carrier marked NPF 5907 C and police pick-up vans were stationed outside the parliamentary building throughout the “sitting”.

    After the strange sitting, the nominees and the lawmakers were ferried into the Government House in a Toyota Coaster bus marked EKGH 111 with a massive security cordon woven around them.

    Fayose, in a letter dated November 11, which was addressed to the Speaker, requested the approval of the Assembly for the constitution of caretaker committees – a request that was rejected by the majority APC House members.

    A PDP lawmaker representing Ekiti East 2, Mr. Samuel Ajibola, told reporters shortly after the “sitting” that Speaker Adewale Omirin was on an assignment for his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Lagos. Deputy Speaker Taiwo Orisalade was on a campaign tour to his constituency (Ido/Osi 2), he said.

    Ajibola maintained that 10 legislators attended the “sitting” adding that they sat to ensure good governance, peace, progress and development of the state.

    But the All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmakers have declared the “sitting” as illegal, unconstitutional, unparliamentary and a rape of the Constitution and the Standing Rules of the House.

    They called for the arrest and prosecution of the three impersonators who posed as members of the House to carry out an illegality in the parliamentary chambers.

    The APC Assemblymen said no sitting was slated for Monday and the House was not convoked by the Speaker, Dr. Adewale Omirin, who is constitutionally empowered to do so.

    The PDP lawmakers at the  sitting “elected” Mr. Dele Olugbemi who defected from the APC on October 16 during Fayose’s inauguration, as the protem speaker.

    Olugbemi, who represents Ikole 2 Constituency, shortly after his “election” presided over the session in which the three commissioner-nominees were screened and cleared.

    The nominees are Mr. Owoseni Ajayi for Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Kayode Oso (Works) and Mr. Toyin Ojo (Finance and Economic Development).

    The “sitting”, which started at about 10.00 am, saw the PDP lawmakers led by Ajibola who is the Minority Leader, conducting the business of the day.

    The seven PDP lawmakers who could be identified by reporters inside the chamber are: Ajibola, Olugbemi, Mr. Adeyinka Adeloye (Ikole 1), Mrs. Abeni Olayinka (Ado 2), Mrs. Ayo Olajide-Fatunbi (Moba 2), Mr. Olowo Ajiboye (Oye 2) and Mr. Alex Adeojo (Ekiti Southwest 2).

    Ajibola was the only PDP member in the House before Fayose returned to power on October 16. He was joined by the six who defected to the  ruling party on the day of the governor’s inauguration.

    But reporters struggled to identify the three other persons posing as lawmakers as none of the trio was seen immediately the “sitting” ended at about 10.40 am.

    Ajibola, who acted as Leader of Government Business in the House, hinged the action of the PDP lawmakers on Section 27 of the Standing  Order, which, according to him, gives the lawmakers powers to appoint a speaker pro-tempore in the absence of the Speaker and the Deputy Soeaker.

    He argued that the protem speaker is empowered by the Standing Order to perform the function of the substantive Speaker when the first two principal officers are not around.

    Ajibola moved the motion  to allow the Sergeant-at-Arms to usher in the three nominees. Themotion was unanimously adopted by the lawmakers and their nomination was subsequently “ratified”.

    WE CONDUCTED A VALID SITTING-PDP CAUCUS

    Speaking with reporters shortly after the “sitting”, Ajibola denied that three unidentified persons joined the seven PDP lawmakers, adding that 10 lawmakers sat – a figure he described as greater than needed to form a quorum.

    “The quorum is nine and we had 10 members who attended the sitting of today. That shows that we formed a quorum. We don’t have PDP or APC in the House; we are all members of Ekiti State House of Assembly.

    “We make laws here and we treat issues brought before us in the overall interest of the people of the state.

    “The Deputy Speaker is on the field campaigning and Mr. Speaker is in Lagos for a party meeting. Section 27 of the Standing Order gives us the power to elect a protem speaker from among ourselves if the speaker and the deputy speaker are not around.

    “The law permits us to do so and what transpired today was a normal procedure.”

    SITTING, AN OUTRIGHT ILLEGALITY-APC CAUCUS

    The 19 APC lawmakers declared the sitting as an illegality, which violates the provisions of the Constitution and the House Standing Order.

    Speaking with The Nation on telephone, the Majority Leader, Mr. Churchill Adedipe, challenged the PDP lawmakers to identify the three individuals who posed as “honourable members”.

    Adedipe maintained that the 26-member parliament comprises 19 APC members and seven PDP members, wondering where the ruling party “recruited three thugs” to sit in the House in a “desperate bid to reach the quorum of nine”.

    Adedipe said the House does not hold plenary sitting on Mondays, maintaining that anything done in the hallowed chamber by PDP lawmakers and the three impostors was an exercise in futility.

    He likened the “sitting” to what took place during the tenure of the  Third Assembly when some PDP lawmakers who did not form a quorum conducted a “sitting at dawn” to screen and ratify nominees for the State Independent Electoral Commission (S.I.E.C).

    Adedipe recalled that the illegality was later nullified by the State High Court, expressing confidence that the latest illegality will not stand the  test of time as his party would challenge it.

    The majority leader also revealed that chairmen and members of caretaker committees in the 16 local government areas and 19 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) have filed a suit challenging their dissolution by Fayose, wondering why the PDP-led government couldn’t wait for the determination of the case before constituting new ones.

    Adedipe argued that it is in the Standing Order of the House that members should stay action on any issue that is before a court of competent jurisdiction.

    The Majority Leader, who represents Irepodun/Ifelodun 1 Constituency, said the action of Fayose and the PDP lawmakers was an attempt to foist a fait accompli on the court of law and a contemptuous breach of the 1999 Constitution.

  • Tambuwal’s security withdrawal sparks anger

    Tambuwal’s security withdrawal sparks anger

    It all began with an announcement by House of Representatives Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal last Tuesday that he was no longer a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).  Citing the development in his home state, Sokoto, as well his people’s yearnings, he told his colleagues that he had joined the All Progressives Congress (APC). He also attended APC’s convention in Abuja.

    Rattled by the development, President Goodluck Jonathan was said to have held an emergency meeting with Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha and others. Barely 24 hours after the convention, the acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Suleiman Abba withdrew Tambuwal’s security details saying that  he acted on the basis of Section 68(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

    The action, expectedly generated reactions, with lawyers unanimously condemning it. The IGP, they said, cannot interpret the Constitution; only a court can do so. Analysts accused the police  of usurping the judiciary’s powers.

    Observers have argued that the IGP was not in the position to interpret the Constitution, and that he could only act on the basis of a court order. Many believe Abba was simply acting out the script of the PDP-led Federal Government

     Election and removal of Speaker

    Some analysts have seen the withdrawl of Tambuwal’s security as an admission that it may not be easy to remove him from office. Under Section 50(2)(c) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the senate president or Speaker of the House of Represenhtatives can only be removed by “two-thirds” of all the members of the house, which is 240. Presently, the PDP has 206 members; APC, 151; Accord Party, two and Labour Party one, making a total of 360.

    The section states: “The President or Deputy President of the Senate or the Speaker or Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives shall vacate his office (a)   where he ceases to be a member of the House while the House has not been dissolved; or (b) where the House of which he was a member first sits after any dissolution; or  (c) if he is removed from office by a resolution of the Senate or of the House of Representatives, as the case may be, by the votes of not less than two-thirds majority of the members of that House.”

    According to Section 50(1)(a)(b): “There shall be: (a) a President and a Deputy President of the Senate, who shall be elected by the members of that House from among themselves; and (b) a Speaker and a Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, who shall be elected by the members of that House from among themselves,” without stating whether the Speaker must come from the majority party.

    The Constitution is not ambiguous on defection of legislators from the platforms they won elections on to another. It expressly gives conditions for legislators to cross-carpet in Section 68(1) and 109(1) for National and State Houses of Assembly.

    Section 68(1)(a-g) state the conditions for which a lawmaker ceases to be a member of the National Assembly. Subsection (g) of 68(1) states that  a defecting member shall not lose his membership if he proves that the reason for his defection is due to divisions in his former political party or if it merges with any other party.

    Currently, PDP’s division is still a subject of litigation. A ‘new PDP’ was at one point created out of the main party, with many lawmakers defecting to APC on that basis.  Several elected officials including some lawmakers in Kogi, Ondo, Ekiti, Anambra and Edo States recently left the parties on whose platforms they were elected into the various state Houses of Assembly and the National Assembly to other parties without losing their seats.

    Legislators, including Ehigie Uzamere (ACN), Uche Ekwunife (APGA), the late Wahab Dosunmu, Adeseye Ogunlewe, Musuliu Obanikoro and Iyiola Omisore all of (AD); Chief Arthur Nzeribe, John Nwanunu and Dr. Usman Kadir of the (ANPP), as well as Satti Godwin (AC) all jumped ship to the PDP and the Federal Government never moved against them. Recently, Ondo State governor, Olusegun Mimiko defected to the PDP and there was not a fuss.

    Tambuwal’s situation has raised the issue of double-standards by state agencies, who, instead of showing loyalty to the people who are their real employers, have resorted to partisan politics and impunity.

     

    Tambuwal’s position

    Challenging the withdrawal of his security details, the Speaker has approached a Federal High Court in Abuja seeking an order of mandamus against the IGP reinstating his security aides.

    He also wants a perpetual injunction restraining the PDP and its National Chairman, Adamu Muazu; the House of Representatives; the Deputy Speaker of the House; the acting IGP; the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) from taking steps to remove him as Speaker before the expiration of his tenure on June 5, next year.

    Tambuwal stated that he had been a member of the ‘New PDP’ when the party became factionalised, adding that his faction of the PDP merged with the APC on November 26, last year. He said by virtue of the merger he became a member of the APC.

    “I know as a fact that all efforts to harmonise the factions of the PDP in my home state in Sokoto has failed as there are still factions in the state. I informed the members of the 3rd defendant (House of Reps) whilst announcing my decision to join the New PDP faction, which merged with the 2nd plaintiff (APC) that my membership of the 2nd plaintiff was based on the circumstances in my home state,” he said.

    He stated that he was aware that the court had in two deferent cases, held that the seats of other former members of the New PDP, who are now members of the APC cannot be declared vacant, citing the case of the PDP and  other vs. Honourable Rasak Atunwa and 20 others, in suit No: FHC/IL/CS/6/2014 delivered on June 26; as well as the case of Ibrahim Magaji Gusau and two others vs Honourable Lawal Mohammed Zyyana and 20 others, in suit No: FHC/S/CS/4/2014 delivered on July 3.

     

    Lawyers’ speak

    The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) was among groups and individuals who condemned the IGP’s action.

    Its President, Augustine Alegeh (SAN), in a statement  insisted that the police lacked the competence to determine whether or not a provision of the Constitution has been violated.

    ‘That is a function reserved for the courts of law exclusively. The NBA outrightly condemns this action as it is a breach of the constitutional duty of the police to provide police escort and security details to the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Tambuwal still remains the Speaker of the House of Representatives and he is entitled to the full paraphernalia of his office including all his Police escort and security details.

    “We must state that the mere fact that Tambuwal defected from one party to the other whilst being the Speaker of the House of Representatives, does not automatically strip him of his position as Speaker and the attendant protection by the Police. The Speaker is not elected by any one political party, but by a majority of members of the House of Representatives,” said NBA.

    Former NBA President, Olisah Agbakoba (SAN) said the decision  to redeploy police personnel attached to the Speaker as a result of his defection is not legal.

    Agbakoba said it is honourable for Tambuwal to resign after defecting to another party, failure to which other affected parties can approach the court demanding same.

    He said: “What the police has done is to interpret and enforce Section 68(1)(g) on its own. This is unconstitutional because it is the duty of the Court to interpret the constitution, not the police. The duty of the police is to enforce the law.”

    Lagos-based lawyer, George Oguntade (SAN) said the IGP misapplied the law in withdrawing Tambuwal’s security, since Abba is not obligated to interpret the constitution on his own volition.

    Oguntade said: “I have no doubt  in my mind that the action of the Acting IG of Police is wrong and certainly cannot be predicated upon the provisions of Section 68(1) (g) of the Constitution as he purports to do.

    “As a preface, it is important to restate that the police institution should detach itself from any involvement in partisan politics. Its constitutional role and functions are clearly delineated. Section 68(1) (g) is quite clear and imposes no duty or obligation whatsoever on the IG of Police.

    “In the event that the Speaker does not vacate his seat as the constitution clearly enjoins him to do, the necessary legal machinery will then be invoked to enforce the provisions of the Constitution.

    “It is only when he has been lawfully removed by an order of court that he would no longer be entitled to security details and then the acting IG will be entitled to act. By acting now, the acting IG has acted prematurely and unconstitutional. In my mind, this kind of action does not augur well for the upcoming general elections,” said Oguntade.

    To a former General Secretary NBA, Olumuyiwa Akinboro, the IGP by his action constituted himself not only as a court, but also as an executive.

    He said: “What the IGP has done is to suo  moto pose to himself the scenarios whether there is division in the PDP or a merger, answered his own questions and executed his belief thereby constituting himself not only to be the court, but also the executive.

    “Was it not in the news that the chairman of the BOT of PDP was in Sokoto about a week back, with other party heavyweights to reconcile faction? Do you reconcile when there are no division? These are some of the questions.

    “The action of the IGP is unconstitutional, undemocratic, autocratic as he lacks not only the constitutional powers, but also the ability and capability to determine the vacancy or otherwise of the seat of the Speaker.”

    Former Lagos State House of Assembly member Babatunde Ogala called it an act of impunity.

    “This is impunity for the Police to take the laws into its hands and withdraw the security details of the Speaker, which the law prescribes for his office under some spurious interpretation of the Constitution.

    “The police and presidency have no role in this.  And it is for the House members to determine that he would no longer be their Speaker by removing him. Neither the presidency nor the police have such powers in law.”

    Lagos lawyer and rights’ activist Mr Theophilus Akanwa, said there is nowhere in the Constitution where the IGP is empowered to withdraw the security details of an elected officer not constitutionally removed from office.

    “The IGP’s action is in  fact,  a breach and contravention of the Speaker’s fundamental rights as provided in Chapter IV of the Constitution as it affects his freedom of association. It is only when the Speaker ceases to hold office that his security can be withdrawn. The IGP should be reminded that the security attached to that office is not solely for Tambuwal as a person, but for that exalted office funded by tax-payers’ money. The Speaker’s security should be restored immediately in the interest of our nascent democracy.”

    Mr Stephen Azubuike said there is nothing in the law which expressly empowers the IGP to withdraw the security details of any senior government official.

    “It is worthy of note that the courts have the exclusive powers to interpret the Constitution and other laws in exercise of the judicial powers  conferred by Section 6 of the1999 Constitution. Hence, any controversy as to the position of Tambuwal as the Speaker may be channeled to the court by any concerned person or authority.

    “So long as no competent court of law has ordered Tambuwal to vacate office, he remains the Speaker and is absolutely entitled to security details.”

    A Lagos lawyer, Mr Chijioke Emeka, said it is all politics, adding: “When did the IGP become a Court to decide when a seat is vacant? This may be a Freudian Slip admitting PDP’s lack of confidence in its ability to wield its majority to unseat Tambuwal. The PDP has consistently shown that its centre cannot hold against the wind of centrifugal forces from its internal contradictions.”

     

     

  • Blackout sparks students’ anger

    Blackout sparks students’ anger

    A drama played out last week at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Osun State, when occupants of the Awolowo Hall splashed water on Students’ Union leaders in the hostel because of power outage and water shortage. AFEES LASISI (200-Level Political Science) reports.

    There was a drama at the Awolowo Hall of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Osun State, last weekend. Occupants of the hostel embarrassed members of the Students’ Union Government (SUG).

    The students vented their anger on their leaders for not being alive to their responsibility. Some of the union leaders living in the hostel were called out from their rooms and splashed with water. Although none of the students’ leaders were beaten with any hard materials, students said the action was necessary to remind the leaders of their failure to attend to students’ well-being.

    The first victim was Isaac Ibikunle, the SUG president, who was drenched from head to the toe. As he was being splashed, some of his colleagues, who learnt about the incident, wanted to escape from the hostel but they were prevented by students, who politely asked them to come forward for ‘baptism’.

    CAMPUSLIFE gathered that there was power outage in the school for five days, resulting in water shortage. While the outage lasted, students turned to mosques and churches to charge their mobile phones and laptops.

    “Before the union was restored, we always gathered ourselves to fight for our welfare. But the presence of SUG seems not to make any difference. We no longer have a vibrant union anymore; Isaac Ibikunle and his colleagues have become puppets of the management,” a student said.

    Another student said: “Since we resumed, after the increment in school fees, the quality of services we are getting from the union shows these people are not for us.”

    But Isaac pleaded for patience and support from the students, noting that years of proscription may have affected the SUG’s vibrancy.

    He said: “I understand all your grievances and criticisms, which made you to splash water on me. But, you must remember that the union members are under probation, which means we must be careful of our activities so that it won’t lead to another suspension by the management.”

    On the allegations that he beat up a student, Isaac said the victim could not explain what he was doing on the spot he was caught at 12am.

    Some students, who spoke to CAMPUSLIFE after the incident, condemned the union’s inaction, describing it as unprecedented.

    One of them, who simply identified himself as Tunde, said: “Students spending days without electricity on the campus had never happened. This tells us that, it is the Students’ Union that is making the situation worse because with a functional union, nobody would have dared to play with students’ welfare.”

    Another student, Segun Ayoola, said: “Why must we go through agony because we are students of a Nigerian university? How do they want us to excel in our academic pursuit when there is no power supply and water in the hostel?”

    Before the electricity was restored, students led a procession to the Students’ Union Building to register their displeasure over the outage. Officials of the union hurriedly left their office for fear of being attacked by the angry students.

  • From sweet memories to anger and disgust

    Knocking on the emotional door can be exciting when the one who opens the door is a jolly good fellow. Here, you are likely to meet a heart that is loving and compassionate. The love process becomes sweet and filled with memories that you would definitely want to linger forever. Falling in love in this kind of atmosphere naturally gets better.

    Interestingly for some people in this category, love waxes stronger and stronger. That is why it’s such a shock when, once we finally find a partner and instead of basking in the euphoria you have dreamt about all this while you begin to discover sorts of the negative trends, characteristics and feeling.

    At this point, you just cannot fathom where this emotional nightmare is coming from at all. Could this be a new trend or it has always been there, unknown to our blind, emotional eyes? All we know is that our partner suddenly seems distant and inconsiderate, or we feel an undercurrent of anger and disgust with him or her.

    For a lot of us, this certainly sounds familiar. It should, because it happens in virtually every relationship – even the most loving. It’s how you handle this common occurrence that determines whether you’ll experience the heights of romantic love or you are doomed to feel unfulfilled in your relationships.

    Courtship actually helps to unravel all the emotional mysteries that we run into from time to time. It helps you detect who you are going to be entangled with for the rest of your life or for some years as the case may be. However, there are a number of relationships where the unusual still persists, no matter how long the courtship period lasts for. Some people are damn too secretive and they would only show you the parts of their lives that they want you to see.

    If you are the nosy type, then they would put up the magical garb and the more you look the less you are likely to see. In this arena, the emotional monster becomes a saint and the dullest brain pretends to be a superstar until the show is over. At such points, it is usually too late and there is almost nothing you can do or say to change the scenario that has played itself out.

    Getting the right partner, sometimes, means that the other person’s ego may have to fade away to rediscover the emotional potentials in the other person. Someone who has enough affection in store would definitely not worry if the one he or she is in love with does not have anything, if they are truly in love.

    The most important thing, here, would be to embrace the future and all its possibilities. Here, what is required is a positive emotional attitude.

    Unfortunately, this is usually a herculean task for many. So, what is popular are cases where lovebirds make a number of mistakes and then pass the buck to the other. Buck passing, however, does not solve any problem, instead it compounds the problem and it becomes more complex than we ever imagined at the beginning. The truth of the matter is that in every relationship there would always be dark patches and your ability to lighten up the emotional tunnel would turn things around.

    Also, whenever you find that reasoning has gone out of the emotional window, then it is better to allow maturity to take over. Don’t get carried away by your self esteem because it doesn’t work out this way. Pride and arrogance should be played down if you are serious about making a mountain out of your emotional molehill. As a woman, you need to constantly remind yourself that every man has a battle with his ego.

    So, it is better to protect his ego and not trample upon it. Once this is done, you can be sure of a gate pass into his emotional archives and library. The next stage, therefore, would be for you to find a replacement. If you are lucky, then you would find another good bargain in the emotional supermarket.

    However, if you fall on the other side of the divide, then what you are likely to run into may be the autocratic man. This type of man is fully in charge and all-knowing. He is unbending, unyielding and takes no contribution from the one he claims he loves. Well, why do you need to counsel a genius in the first place? Wasn’t that what you always dreamt about, to brag about the love of your life because he is intelligent and talented?

    You have always wanted a super hero and now that you have found him, why are you making a u-turn and complaining? If you are in this kind of relationship, then you would also find that your man has no mentor. He does not fear, honour and respect anybody and you must be in an emotional turmoil. Perhaps you need to get an adviser; someone who would talk some sense into his head.

  • Tears,anger as govt demolishes popular Yenagoa relaxation centre

    Tears,anger as govt demolishes popular Yenagoa relaxation centre

    A Bayelsa government agency renders over 100 jobless demolishing a popular Yenegoa joint in an exercise meant “to rid the state of illegal structures”, reports MIKE ODIEGWU

    Sickedness and insensitivity. These were the words used by passers-by and fun-seekers to describe the action of the Bayelsa State Capital City Development Authority (CCDA) against Bolex, a popular relaxation joint in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.

    Residents were angry that the CCDA chose no other day but Thursday, a day business experts, tourists and politicians from Nigeria and around the world gathered in Yenagoa for the first Investment and Economic Forum organised by Governor Seriake Dickson to demolish Bolex.

    While the governor was dissipating his energy highlighting business potentials in Bayelsa to woo foreign and local investors, officials of CCDA led by the authority’s Executive Secretary, Mr. Idaba Eje, moved into the premises of Bolex, believed by many fun seekers to be a success story in local investment, with a bulldozer.

    Officials of CCDA heavily protected by a truckload of armed policemen invaded Bolex, put their bulldozer to work and pulverized facilities in the bar. There was panic among customers who trooped to the bar for relaxation and to wash their vehicles.

    Bolex is a known brand and a household name located on the Isaac Adaka Boro expressway Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. It has existed in the area for about six years even before a gigantic hotel believed to be owned by Dame Patience, the wife of President Goodluck Jonathan rose close to it. It has a business mix of a car wash, open bar and a night club.

    In fact, many residents believe that Bolex is synonymous to nightlife in Yenagoa. But the bubbling Bolex, a business venture that has employed over 150 people, came under attack by officials of the CCDA.

    In dexterity, the CCDA officials destroyed over six fanciful car ports, perimeter fences, chairs, erected concretised pavements, riser beams and other equipment used for car wash. Nothing was spared, not even the electrical wiring and plumbing line.

    When Niger Delta Report visited the scene, Bolex was a shadow of itself. The Manager, Mr. Preye Boligha, was devastated. He was simply ruminating on the reason behind the action of CCDA.

    “We really do not understand the reason behind this destruction. Bolex is genuine business. We wash cars, run a snacks bar, club and night bars. This is a business that has given employment to about 150 jobless people, especially youths.

    “What could we have done wrong?” Boligha kept pondering. “We don’t have a problem with the government. No part of our premises was marked for demolition and no prior notice of the destruction was given to us. We are not owing the government because we pay all our dues and taxes to the government,” he said.

    The Director and Founder of Bolex, Amos Boligha, was also dumbfounded. He said he lost over N6million to the destruction. The demoralised Boligha wondered why the CCDA came to destroy a business he suffered very hard to build.

    “I was not around when it happened. I was at the airport when I got information that members of CCDA were here with their bulldozer to come and demolish the car wash. This is the business I have been operating for the past six years here.

    “The business is out of the right of way. We have been operating here and we have not got notification from anybody. Nobody has written us to inform us about illegal structures. If the CCDA has any issue with any part of our premises, they should have at least given us a notice,” he said.

    In fact, the founder of Bolex was not alone in his request for an explanation. Employees and beneficiaries of the Bolex business were confused and stranded. They wondered why the government was interested in their job, their only source of livelihood.

    “When we go to the government for jobs, they close their door behind us and tell us there is no job. But Bolex has given us jobs and the same government has come to take them away. Bolex doesn’t owe us.

    “There is no worker here that earns below N30,000 monthly. This is where I have been making a living and taking care of my wife and five children,” one of the workers lamented.

    Also, Mr. Ziki Charles, who hails from Nembe Local Government Area and works as a security man at Bolex said the business made him what he was. “Bolex has made me who l am today. I am surprised at what the CCDA did today,” he said.

    Ahmed Ismaila, who washes vehicles at Bolex to make a living said the business gave him the money and opportunities to begin and finish his Ordinary National Degree (OND) programme.

    “I have worked here for five years. I finished my OND while working here and I want to go for my HND. This man has helped many people in Yenagoa. I feel pained. It was like a dream”, he said.

    But, Eje, while defending the action of the CCDA on a local radio station, said it was carried out to rid the state of illegal structures.

  • Take heed of marriage destroyers (2)

    Dear Reader, welcome to this week’s teaching on Family Forum. I started this teaching last week by explaining how wrong company and slothfulness can destroy marriages. By now, I believe you would have separated from every wrong company, association and friends, and you must have gotten rid of every act of slothfulness and laziness. I see God visiting you with the rewards of obedience to His Word that you practice in your life in Jesus’ name!

    This week, I will be showing you two other things that can destroy marriage and family. They are ANGER and BITTERNESS.

    ANGER is a strong feeling of annoyance and hostility.  It is human to get angry at one time or the other but it becomes inhuman when you allow the feeling to take over your sense of reasoning; thereby, leading you to sin.  God’s Word says: Be angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath (Ephesians 4:26). This means that if you are angry, do not nurse a grudge, because it will lead you into sin. Don’t let the day end with the anger still in you; get over it quickly.  When you hold on to anger, you open the door to sin.

    If you get upset about the way your spouse does certain things at certain times, instead of exploding and speaking cruel words which can cause irreparable damage, control your emotions and take a walk or go to the prayer closet, until your anger simmer down.  Anger is like a kettle of boiling water; as long as the fire is on, the water will keep boiling.  To cool the water, you need to turn off the source of fire, place the kettle on a cool surface and give it time to cool off. When this is done, the water that was boiling before will become cool enough to even drink.

    Some people try to suppress anger.  They get angry, but swallow it; pretend that everything is alright and put a smile on their faces. They are like a shaken hot bottle of Coca-cola; once the lid is opened, the hot liquid gushes out in torrents. Bottling up anger is very risky, and an explosion is only a matter of time.

    You can let off steam by discussing the issues at a right time or better still, pray to God about it. Tell God exactly how you feel and allow Him to speak peace to you. Anger kills! A good example of this is found in Genesis 49:5 and 7 which says: Simeon and Levi are brethren… cursed by their anger, for it was fierce and their wrath, for it was cruel: I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel.

    As stated in Ecclesiastes 7:9, anger is a higher level of foolishness …Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools! It has the same consequences as murder (Matthew 5:22).  Anger must be dealt with, if you want to avoid the shame that division and separation brings to a family.

    Another thing that destroys marriage is BITTERNESS.  Bitterness begins with a little thing done to you by your spouse or any member of your family that hurt you, and you refuse to forgive and forget.  Every time you remember the incident, you get hurt all over again. Watch it! That is a root of bitterness springing up gradually. It will eventually lead to trouble, if it is not nipped in the bud.  The Word says: Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up, trouble you and thereby many be defiled (Hebrews 12:15).

    Once bitterness gains access into your heart, it will magnify itself and begin to dominate you. You gradually begin to lose your rest to troubles, malice and disagreements. If you are bitter against your spouse for instance, when he or she is in the parlour, you will want to be in the bedroom; there is usually no rest within you.

    Bitterness blocks every access to God’s blessings upon you and your family. It seeks to frustrate or steal the grace of God from you. It is an unholy act that rubs you of God’s holy presence, and usually has its root in unforgiveness. The Word of God says: Let all bitterness… be put away from you, with all malice (Ephesians 4:3). To do this, you must forgive those who have offended you and forget completely, so that you can live a peaceful and burden-free life. The principle of instant forgiveness has helped me a great deal. My husband and I practise it and it has paid off for us.  It pays to forgive!

    There was a lady who after a decade of marriage, concluded that her marriage was a thorn in her flesh. She packed out of her home and filed for a divorce. However, in the process she got born again and after reading my book, Marriage Covenant and some other anointed books, she discovered she had been living in self-righteousness, bitterness and unforgiveness towards her husband. After this discovery she forgave him and God miraculously healed her marriage.  In her own words, she is having a honeymoon now.  Honour and joy were restored once more to her marriage.

    Anger and bitterness are little things that destroy marriage, home and family, faster than you know it and the first person to seek help from, is God.  Help from God will come faster for you when you are born again. This will allow you to receive grace to combat anger and bitterness.  If you would like to be born again, please, say this prayer: Dear Lord, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me of my sins. Cleanse me with Your precious Blood. I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Thank You for saving me. Now I know I am born again!

     

    Congratulations! You are now born again! Till I come your way next time, please call or write, and share your testimonies with me through: E-mail: counselling@faithoyedepo.org; Tel. No: 07026385437; 08141320204

     

    For more insight, these books authored by me are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all the Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian bookstores: Marriage Covenant, Making Marriage Work and Building a Successful Family.

  • Anger in Senate over frequent plane crashes

    Anger in Senate over frequent plane crashes

    Minister, others summoned

    There was anger in the Senate yesterday over the “resurgence” of plane crashes.

    Aviation Minister Stella Oduah has been summoned to explain why planes are dropping.

    She is also to explain the state of the sector.

    The Senate Committee on Aviation is to investigate the October 3 crash in Lagos of Associated Aviation’s plane conveying the remains of the late former Ondo State Governor Olusegun Agagu to Akure for burial.

    Also invited are chief executives of aviation agencies who are to answer questions on the state of the sector.

    The Senate relied on Section 67(2) of the Constitution (as amended), which empowers it to invite any official of the government for questioning on national issues.

    The lawmakers expressed frustration over air disasters.

    Senators took turns to lament the rot in the sector and sought immediate steps to remedy the situation to avoid “avoidable deaths” and destruction of property.

    It all began with a motion by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Aviation, Senator Hope Uzodinma (Imo West), titled “Crash of Associated Airlines airplane”

    Uzodinma said Nigerians had witnessed a record of seven fatal air mishaps and averted crashes within the last two and half years, which, according to him, is unprecedented in the history of plane crashes in the country.

    He listed the crashes to include

    •Allied Airlines (cargo Aircraft), which crashed on 2nd June 2012 in Accra, Ghana, killing about 10 people on the ground.

    •Dana Airlines, which crashed on 3rd June 2012 in Lagos, killing about 153 persons on board.

    •Nigeria Police Force helicopter, which crashed on 23rd March 2012, killing the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), John Haruna, and three other officers on board and several other people in Kabong Village, Jos North Local Government Area, Plateau State.

    •Odenegene Air Service (OAS Helicopter), which crashed on a flight to Akure in 2012, killing all on board.

    •Taraba State Governor’s aircraft, which crashed in Adamawa State while attempting to land in October, 2012, injuring Governor Danbaba Suntai and others.

    •Associated Aviation, which crashed on 3rd October in Lagos 2013 in Lagos, killing 16 persons on board, four are injured.

    •Augusta 109 Helicopter, which crashed in Bayelsa State, killing the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Gen. Owoye Azazi, and the Kaduna State Governor Patrick Yakowa, two naval pilots and two aides on December 15, 2012.

    It also recalled the near mishap of a Kabo aircraft conveying Sokoto Pilgrims averted on October 4.

    Another averted air crash, he said, was a Maxi aircraft conveying Taraba Pilgrims on October 4.

    Uzodinma said he was worried that the resurgence of plane crashes since 2011 was “suggestive of a deep-seated system problem that must be unravelled and resolved to avert further and unnecessary loss of lives.”

    He acknowledged that the frequent crashes have robbed the country of some of her best and brightest citizens who have served the nation gallantly in their capacities at various levels.

    He prayed the Senate to condemn the resurgence of plane crashes in Nigeria and the inability of the agencies to unearth the causes of the incidents.

    He also prayed the chamber to mandate the committee on aviation to as a matter of urgency, investigate the cause(s) of the crash and ascertain the level of compliance by agencies with the recent resolution of the Senate on the Dana Air crash on air safety.

    He urged the Senate to mandate the Aviation Committee to investigate and identify lapses in the operation of laws and regulations guiding aviation by the ministry and all its agencies with a view to correcting and streamlining same to avert further untoward disasters.

    Uzodinma asked the Senate to observe a minute silence in honour of the victims of the Associated Aviation crash.

    All the four prayers were adopted unanimously.

    Senate Leader Victor Ndoma-Egba said the Minister of Aviation should be invited to brief the Senate in plenary on the state of the sector.

    Ndoma-Egba, who relied on Section 67(2) of the Constitution, said that there was no doubt that with the sheer number of air crashes, Nigeria is in a state of emergency.

    The prayer was also unanimously adopted.

    Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia South), who seconded the motion, said that the Senate needed to go beyond the surface to address systemic problems in the aviation sector.

    Abaribe noted that while considering the report of the Dana Air crash, the Senate made far reaching resolutions about how to solve the problems.

    He wondered how far the resolutions had been complied with.

    Senator Oluremi Tinubu (Lagos Central) said it was unbecoming of the aviation minister to have said that air mishaps were inevitable.

    Mrs. Tinubu also said that the Senate should look at the state of the runways at the airports, describing them as the “worst in world”.

    She said: “The Minister of Aviation actually said that you cannot really avoid disaster in air travel.

    “It was quite scary because air travel is supposed to be the safest.

    “So, for an aviation minister to say that, we really have to look into the statement credited to the minister. Is the minister supposed to frighten Nigerians that each time they travel they are supposed to be afraid? That is a question that requires answer.

    “I want the Senate to look at the state of our runways. Are the runways in good condition? Have we ever considered the take-off and landing of our aircraft? Our runways are probably the worst runways on this planet.

    “We all travel abroad; we’ve been to various airports and each time I land even at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos that is supposed to be the busiest airport in the country, I weep for Nigeria.

    “While we look at the state of our aircraft, we should not forget to consider the runways. The Senate Committee on Aviation should look at the entire aviation industry.

    “We don’t just pick on one issue because we had disaster and leave the rest. It should be holistic.

    “We should stop playing politics with the lives of our people. Enough is enough. We have to make sure that this Seventh Senate, we consider issues as they are and always do the right thing so that we all will be glad that we served in this Seventh Senate.”

    Most other Senators who contributed to the motion had one tale of woes or the other to tell about the aviation sector.

    Senator Ita Enang said that the minister concentrated more on infrastructure without paying attention to the health of aircraft.

    Senator Bukola Saraki said that the greatest respect the Senate could pay those who died in the ill-fated Associated Aviation was to ensure that the right thing was done at all times, especially ensuring the previous resolutions of the Senate were implemented.

    Senator Thompson Sekibo said that it was disheartening that the number of those who die in accidents are 10 times more than those killed by AIDS and other illnesses.

    Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi said that the kinds of calamity frequently witnessed in the country were avoidable.

    The Senate, he said, should always speak truth to power in the interest of the country.

    Adetunmbi noted that provision of physical infrastructure does not automatically translate to reform.

    Urging the Senate not to overlook the failure of regulation in air crashes, he noted that reform has to do with people.

    The Ekiti State-born lawmaker concluded that “there is failure of leadership in the aviation sector”.

    Senator Smart Adeyemi noted that the plane crashed because of corruption.

    He said he discovered that the ill-fated plane was on a test flight.

    He said that the plane should not have carried any passenger.

    He said that nobody has bothered to ask why there were engineers in the ill-fated Associated Aviation plane.

    According to him, because it was a test flight, engineers were in the aircraft to observe the flight.

    For him, corruption in the sector must be checked for sanity to return to the sector.

    The Senate yesterday adjourned plenary to October 22 to allow its committees to complete pending reports.

    The plane flew on August 22 and 30, a source in the airline said. “It was no test flight and it was normal to have one or two engineers on board,” he said.

     

  • Anger over farmer’s murder

    The people of Amizi, Awomnuzie community in Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State, are angry over the alleged lackadaisical attitude of the police towards the investigation of the murder of their son by yet unidentified gunmen.

    Andrew Ukatta, 58, was allegedly killed on January 10 on his farm, thus throwing the community into mourning.

    His battered body was said to have been found the following day by a search team constituted by the community, following the alarm raised by his family. Despair has since ruled the community as farmers no longer go to farm for fear of similar attacks.

    Some villagers believe Ukatta could have been killed by some unscrupulous members. Though they have not accused any person, they believe proper investigation has not been carried out by the police to unravel the killers.

    Perhaps to spur men of the Abia State Police Command to unravel the mystery behind the man’s death, the community delayed Ukatta’s burial. But five months after, his killers are yet to be found.

    The community, in a protest letter to the Inspector General (IGP), urged him to detail a crack team of investigators to expose the culprits.

    The village youths, in a February 25 petition entitled: “Insecurity of lives and property in Amizi,” to the Director of Department of State Security, Abia State Command, said: “We are no longer safe in our home town, which has led to the murder of Mr. Andrew Ukatta on January 10. Law enforcement agencies must, as a matter of urgency, come to the rescue of our little community.”