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Tag: Asari-Dokubo

  • ‘Asari-Dokubo’s claim that Makarfi voted for APC in 2015 false’

    ‘Asari-Dokubo’s claim that Makarfi voted for APC in 2015 false’

    Rivers state ex-warlord, Alhaji Asari Dokubo has been warned to stop peddling falsehood that former Kaduna state Governor, Senator Ahmed Makarfi voted for All Progressive Congress (APC) in 2015.

     In a statement issued on behalf of Senator Makarfi on Sunday, his spokesman, Alhaji Mukhtar Zubairu Sirajo warned members of the PDP to beware of such tactics aimed towards de-marketing Makarfi, in favour of an unnamed political foe.

     According to Sirajo, Asari Dokubo is alleging, among other things that Senator Ahmed Makarfi voted for the APC in the 2015 presidential elections and that flaunted his ballot paper for all to see.

     “Ordinarily, this is a statement we shouldn’t dignify with a response, but realizing that sometimes un-controverted falsehoods have a way of taking a life of their own and also knowing that it is not beyond some unscrupulous politicians to splash mud on the integrity of others in order to gain undue advantage.

     “That statement is false in all ramifications; in fact given that Makarfi is not an obscure politician, having been Governor of Kaduna State for eight years and following that up with another eight at the Senate and capping those up leading the PDP at a very tumultuous period  which was characterized by acrimonious leadership struggle.

     “Isn’t it amazing that this could happen in 2015 and be buried till now?

     “Moreover, from 1999 to 2015, Senator Makarfi, never skipped voting in any election; yet he has never been reported by any medium to have ever displayed his ballot paper to advertise his preference; we leave this judgment to the people.

     “Senator Makarfi has remained a PDP man to the core, sticking with the party through thick and thin and maintaining his faith in it even at a time when defection was the easy way out.

     “He has never hidden his gratitude to the PDP for the platform and opportunity it has afforded him to become what he has become and has never, for a second, on account of any slight he felt he suffered or for any other reason, even toyed with the idea of abandoning it let alone teaming up with others to bring it to ruination,” Sirajo stated.

     Urging Asari Dokubo to freely exercise his constitutional rights of free expression without maligning others unduly, Sirajo emphasized that PDP members should de-emphasize falsehoods and mudslinging and concentrate on relevant issues.

     “Asari Dokubo is a free Nigerian with all the attendant rights to pursue any legitimate undertaking, political or otherwise, including pitching his tent with any politician or tendency, but those do not include the fabrication and peddling of lies to impugn the integrity of others.

     “Having discerned where he is coming from, by his own admission, we wish to assure him and all, that we have nothing but respect for all members of the PDP family, aspirants or otherwise and wish them well; it is our desire and hope that we all close ranks and collectively confront the challenges ahead.

     “We call on all PDP leaders, members and supporters to maintain their eyes on the ball, by refusing to be distracted from the bigger picture, which is returning the party to power so that Nigerians can, once again, heave a sigh of relief.

     “This we can do only by ensuring that we play politics of issues and forging a united front, without compromising decency, respect and love for our party and country,” Senator Makarfi’s spokesman added.

  • Biafra: South East Govs, Senators, others should resign to join Kanu – Agitators

    Biafra: South East Govs, Senators, others should resign to join Kanu – Agitators

    A coalition of Niger Delta agitators on Monday vowed to resist attempt to drag the Niger Delta region into the secession agitation by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), but said it was time the Nigerian government allow the Igbos to have a country of their own in the interest of the nation’s nascent democracy.

    The group said Nigeria must not be allowed to go into another civil war, pointing out that the same antics currently being employed by the group was employed in 1966, when Igbos masterminded the Civil War and involved the South-South in Biafra map and major infrastructures were destroy in Niger Delta with over 15 million south south people killed.

    Related: South East Senators caucus back probe of Army/IPOB clash

    In a statement signed by leaders of the group, the group said it has reliable information that some top businessmen and politicians from South East zone are the sponsors of IPOB.

    Those who signed the statement included General John Duku (Niger Delta Watchdogs and convener Coalition of Niger Delta Agitators); General Ekpo Ekpo (Niger Delta Volunteers); General Osarolor Nedam (Niger Delta Warriors); Major-Gen. Henry Okon Etete (Niger Delta Peoples Fighters); Major-Gen. Asukwo Henshaw

    (Bakassi Freedom Fighters) among others.

    Trending: ASUU suspends strike, directs lecturers to resume immediately

    They condemned calls by former President, Olusegun Obasanjo for the government to negotiate with the Nnamdi Kanu, saying it was surprised that the same man who ordered the destruction of Odi, in Bayelsa state would be talking about negotiation.

    They said: “we hereby call on the Nigerian government, international community and the general public to monitor the activities IPOB and her sponsors carefully as we shall resist any attempt to drag the Niger Delta region into the ill advised secession activities of IPOB.

    Any member of IPOB that causes mayhem in South East and want to hide in the Niger Delta region shall be severely dealt with. We are surprised that the South East Governors Forum could not call Nnamdi Kanu to order before things got worse as witnessed today. 

    “We call on the Nigerian government to follow due process and the rule of law in declaring a group a “terrorist organization” as the recent declaration of IPOB by the Nigerian Army as a terrorist organization is contrary to the tenets of our nascent democracy.

    “Rather the government should allow them to be on their own, stop funding the South Eastern states with the Niger Delta money, they should be on their own, generate their funds and pay their bills. It is high time Nigeria allow Igbos to be on their own to avoid another civil war.

    “We are appealing to the Nigerian government to allow Igbo to go and have their independence without the involvement of other zones since they are tire of being in Nigeria. Nigeria is not ready to go into another civil war. We therefore appeal to the government to allow Igbo to go and be on their own.

    All the serving Governors, Senators, House of Reps members, Ministers, Ambassadors from South East extraction should resign immediately and join Nnamdi Kanu to form Biafra government. Let peace reign in Nigeria. It was the agitation of Biafra that brought the last Civil war in Nigeria and we are not prepared for such. Reliable information at our disposal shows that some top businessmen and politicians from South East zone are the sponsors of IPOB.

    “We totally condemn the call by former President Olusegun Obasanjo that the federal government should dialogue with Nnamdi Kanu. It is totally wrong that the man who destroyed Udi, Bayelsa state in Niger Delta can today talk about dialogue. During his tenure, Asari Dokubo and others were locked up for over one year without trial while he was busy siphoning Niger Delta money. Today he is talking about dialogue.

    “We condemn the IPOB attack and destruction of properties in Oyibo in Rivers State. We have warned these people severally that Rivers State and the entire Niger Delta region is not and would not be part of Biafra. They rush to Rivers state to attack Hausa community in order to involve the Niger Delta territory in the ill advised secession agenda of IPOB.

    “It will be recalled that the same antics was employed in 1966, when they criminally masterminded the Civil War and involved the South-South in Biafra map and major infrastructures were destroy in Niger Delta and over 15 million of our people were executed. We want to warn IPOB and its sponsors to steer clear from Niger Delta region, we shall resist them with everything within our reach.”

  • Asari Dokubo blasts Don Jazzy over attacks on Diezani

    Asari Dokubo blasts Don Jazzy over attacks on Diezani

    Ex-Niger Delta militant leader, Mujahid Dokubo-Asari, has hit Mavin Records boss, Don Jazzy, for condemning former Petroleum Minister, Diezani Allison-Madueke, over reports she stole “$90 billion”.

    Asari-Dokubo blew hot in a video published on Facebook, where he also branded President Buhari and his cabinet as liars.

    He said: “May God punish that useless dirty Don Jazzy abundantly, for speaking about Diezani’s alleged loot.”

    Last Friday, Don Jazzy weighed in on the alleged stolen funds reportedly diverted by Diezani, on his Twitter page.

    The record label boss tweeted that he wanted to know “if God forgives people like the ex-minister.”

    He asked a question on Twitter: “So if Diezani should say ‘God forgive me’ will her soul be saved last last?. Ahh this life.”

    Don Jazzy is yet to respond to Asari- Dokubo’s rants.

    A visibly angry Dokubo also accused President Buhari of stealing N2.8 billion during his time as federal commissioner of petroleum resources.

    He also added that a government panel accused the president of stealing N25 billion when he was at the helm of affairs at PTDF.

    Asari- Dokubo, referring to critics, said, “If Diezani takes our oil, na una own?”

    He argued if indeed Mrs. Alison-Madueke stole such an amount, it should be proven.

    The ex-minister, who is reported to be receiving treatment for cancer in the United Kingdom, has come under attacks from some Nigerian entertainers lately.

    A Nollywood actor, Aremu Afolayan, also placed curses on her for allegedly stealing billions of naira from Nigeria.

    The actor shared a video on Instagram on Wednesday in which he blamed her “kind” for the reasons Nigerians flee the country in search of greener pastures.

    Aremu, who is one of the sons of the late famous theatre and filmmaker, Ade Love, spared no words as he described the embattled ex-minister as a ‘mad person’ whose life won’t end well.

    He also alleged that she stole over N27 trillion which belonged to Nigeria.

    Ongoing hearings in a US court case revealed that Mrs. Alison-Madueke and two of her business associates, Jide Omokore and Kola Aluko, spent about $144 million on property.

     

  • IYC leader lambasts Asari-Dokubo for meddling in crisis

    The outgoing President of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, Mr. Udengs Eradiri, yesterday took a swipe at the Ijaw activist and erstwhile leader of the council, Alhaji Mujaheed Asari-Dokubo, for meddling in the transitional crisis rocking the council.

    Eradiri said Asari-Dokubo, without consulting him, called a meeting of past leaders of the council at Patani in Delta State to deliberate on matters affecting the council.

    The IYC boss said he fell apart with the activist after he disagreed with Asari-Dokubo’s position that the Ijaw should go to war if former President Goodluck Jonathan lost the 2015 election.

    The famous youth body has been thrown into crisis as it prepared to elect a new executive council, with factions constituting two electoral committees for the poll.

    Following the impasse, Asari-Dokubo, called for the dissolution of the two electoral bodies and convened a meeting of past leaders to be chaired by the first IYC leader and former Commissioner in Bayelsa State, Mr. Felix Tuodolor.

    Eradiri, whose tenure expires on Friday, formally moved his belongings out of the secretariat of IYC, yesterday.

    But the IYC boss said though the past leaders had the right to meet, such assembly had no bearing with the IYC and the transition convention scheduled to hold in Burutu, Delta State on Thursday (today).

    He also declared vacant the seats of executive members of the council and parliament members, who allegedly ganged up against him and set up a parallel electoral committee.

    He said henceforth any of them involved in IYC business would be arrested and prosecuted, adding that he was not afraid of whatever secret organisations they belonged to.

    He said: “Some people are planning a meeting in Patani. They have the right to meet as leaders and elders, but it has no bearing with the IYC. The highest decision-making organ of the IYC is the national convention.

    “So, anybody that wants anything should come to the convention. I have a constitution that we have followed to set up the electoral committee. But some brigands, who don’t have certificates and who think that they would not pass through the electoral process decided to gang about against me.

    “IYC is not a cult organisation. It is the umbrella body for the Ijaw people. If you belong to any organisation, keep it there and don’t use it to destroy the IYC”.

    On Asari-Dokubo, he said: “I heard that Asari called for the meeting. Asari has no locus standi to talk to me about IYC. I told him that if he mobilised 10,000 people, I will mobilise 20,000.

    “IYC is not about destroying the lives of young people. It is about building and developing young people. Let him show me how many people he had developed. Where is the university he said he opened? Where is the money?

    “What happened to the contract NDDC gave him to train Niger Delta people? He should go and train them. He is now talking about youths. He holds the beef against me that I stood against his statement that there would be war in Niger Delta if former President Jonathan lost the election. Can he go to war?

    “I told him it was not part of our resolutions in that meeting. He is a former president of IYC and his statement cannot be used to judge Niger Delta people. After 48 hours, I will be a former president with value and levels.

    “I am not afraid of Asari-Dokubo. He knows me very well because I added values to his organisation. Has he degenerated to the level of challenging a president? President protects president not  coming to cause confusion”.

     

  • IYC leader lambasts Asari-Dokubo for meddling in crisis

    The outgoing President of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, Mr. Udengs Eradiri, yesterday took a swipe at the Ijaw activist and erstwhile leader of the council, Alhaji Mujaheed Asari-Dokubo, for meddling in the transitional crisis rocking the council.

    Eradiri said Asari-Dokubo, without consulting him, called a meeting of past leaders of the council at Patani in Delta State to deliberate on matters affecting the council.

    The IYC boss said he fell apart with the activist after he disagreed with Asari-Dokubo’s position that the Ijaw should go to war if former President Goodluck Jonathan lost the 2015 election.

    The famous youth body has been thrown into crisis as it prepared to elect a new executive council, with factions constituting two electoral committees for the poll.

    Following the impasse, Asari-Dokubo, called for the dissolution of the two electoral bodies and convened a meeting of past leaders to be chaired by the first IYC leader and former Commissioner in Bayelsa State, Mr. Felix Tuodolor.

    Eradiri, whose tenure expires on Friday, formally moved his belongings out of the secretariat of IYC, yesterday.

    But the IYC boss said though the past leaders had the right to meet, such assembly had no bearing with the IYC and the transition convention scheduled to hold in Burutu, Delta State on Thursday (today).

    He also declared vacant the seats of executive members of the council and parliament members, who allegedly ganged up against him and set up a parallel electoral committee.

    He said henceforth any of them involved in IYC business would be arrested and prosecuted, adding that he was not afraid of whatever secret organisations they belonged to.

    He said: “Some people are planning a meeting in Patani. They have the right to meet as leaders and elders, but it has no bearing with the IYC. The highest decision-making organ of the IYC is the national convention.

    “So, anybody that wants anything should come to the convention. I have a constitution that we have followed to set up the electoral committee. But some brigands, who don’t have certificates and who think that they would not pass through the electoral process decided to gang about against me.

    “IYC is not a cult organisation. It is the umbrella body for the Ijaw people. If you belong to any organisation, keep it there and don’t use it to destroy the IYC”.

    On Asari-Dokubo, he said: “I heard that Asari called for the meeting. Asari has no locus standi to talk to me about IYC. I told him that if he mobilised 10,000 people, I will mobilise 20,000.

    “IYC is not about destroying the lives of young people. It is about building and developing young people. Let him show me how many people he had developed. Where is the university he said he opened? Where is the money?

    “What happened to the contract NDDC gave him to train Niger Delta people? He should go and train them. He is now talking about youths. He holds the beef against me that I stood against his statement that there would be war in Niger Delta if former President Jonathan lost the election. Can he go to war?

    “I told him it was not part of our resolutions in that meeting. He is a former president of IYC and his statement cannot be used to judge Niger Delta people. After 48 hours, I will be a former president with value and levels.

    “I am not afraid of Asari-Dokubo. He knows me very well because I added values to his organisation. Has he degenerated to the level of challenging a president? President protects president not  coming to cause confusion”.

  • Niger Delta declares ‘War on Books’

    Niger Delta declares ‘War on Books’

    • “A book must stir you up to do something. To be, we have to think.” ~ Ken Saro-Wiwa”

    For decades, the Niger Delta has been engaged in agitations over the exploitation and neglect of the region by the Federal Government of Nigeria. The region is responsible for over 90% of the revenue that accrues to the Nigerian State.

    Isaac Boro, an Ijaw Nationalist is a forerunner of the Niger Delta struggle. Being a man of conviction, youthful passion and exuberance, he led the region into an historic declaration of the Niger Delta Republic characterized by arms bearing which has since defined the Niger Delta struggle.

    But things are changing in the Niger Delta, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, an Ijaw man became President of Nigeria and the zone was pacified.

    Niger Delta Books 2The former President, who launched a National bring back the books campaign and oversaw a Niger Delta amnesty programme that witnessed a lot of emphasis on education and training, seems to have set an agenda for his people unsuspectingly.

    Mr. Udengs Eradiri, the President of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) who was preceded by the fiery Asari Dokubo and Kaima declaration signatory, Mr. Felix Tuodolo has taken up the charge and has decided to declare a war on books in an attempt to change the course of the struggle in changing times.

    What is not lost upon him is the simple quote ‘Knowledge is Power’ and Mr. Eradiri has taken this message to the Niger Delta youths as the new alternative to violence, arms bearing and insurgency.

    Eradiri’s IYC has sent a strong message to impress this philosophy with the launch of a Library and Information Communication Technology (ICT) Centre at the Ijaw House in Yenagoa, Bayelsa state. He said ‘First of all, they must be educated’ and added that the initiative was set up ‘to create an environment to develop young people’, he said the motives of  ‘a library and an ICT centre’ is primarily ‘to change the perception of our young people’ while it o provide costless means of studying and quality research through internet-linked laptops and computers.

    Mr. Eradiri, said that the center will be used as a resource and also a training hub for youths while noting that it shall develop programmes and ‘enter into agreements to encourage learning among the youths’.Niger Delta Book 1

    Mr. Eradiri’s IYC has entered into partnership with Books to Africa, a UK based international Non-governmental Organization, which donated about 1000 books that formed the first stock of the library and ICT center which has dozens of Computers. The NGO is known to give books from donors majorly in the UK to need areas in Africa.

    The library was named in the honor of the late Dr. Oronto Douglas, a renowned intellectual and writer who has traversed the globe in pursuit of the Niger Delta struggle.

    The Ijaw Youth Council pledged to contribute its quota to ‘ensuring that it (the forum) becomes a breeding ground for leadership.’

    ‘And how do you breed leaders?’ asked Eradiri who intimated the people present at the launch of the facility of the Educational Endowment which his leadership has instituted. He challenged other eminent indigenes and business interests  in the Niger Delta region to contribute to the endowment funds.

    Meanwhile the fortunes of Oil which the bedrock of the agitation is in steady reversal. The instruments of the impending Ijaw resurgence will be data not bazookas.

    [news_box style=”2″ display=”tag” link_target=”_blank” tag=”Niger Delta” count=”6″ show_more=”on” show_more_type=”link”]

  • Asari-Dokubo challenges Buhari on corruption

    Asari-Dokubo challenges Buhari on corruption

    The Spartan lifestyle and austerity disposition of new President, Muhammadu Buhari, would serve as a booster to tackle corruption in the country.

    Founder of the Niger Delta Peoples Volunteer Force (NDPVF), Alhaji Mujahid Asari-Dokubo, gave this view in an exclusive interview with our correspondent.

    A close associate of former President Goodluck Jonathan, Asari-Dokubo, called on Buhari to match his words with action by declaring a total war on corruption.

    He said, “I will be happy if Buhari can follow up on his words that the fight against corruption would be rigorously pursued.

    “I cannot wait to see the change the new government would usher in, because it is on the basis of the word change that they were voted into power.

    “There is a lot of corruption in the land and this has nothing to do with the government of former President Goodluck Jonathan; corruption is something that has plagued the country as far back as some 25 to 30 years ago.

    “So, I’m looking forward to the change they are talking about, because a few people have amassed so much wealth for their own personal aggrandizement and unfortunately at the detriment of the people of this country. It would be interesting to see how the President would effect change in the war against corruption.”

    In his reaction to the President’s inaugural speech, Dokubo said it was a breath of fresh air, which he believes, could set the tone for the eagerly awaited change in the nation’s polity.

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Asari Dokubo statements against Buhari treasonable, says ex-militants

    Asari Dokubo statements against Buhari treasonable, says ex-militants

    The leader of Niger Delta Volunteer Force, NDVF, Alhaji Asari Dokubo was Monday berated  ‎over his utterances against the President-elect,  Muhammadu Buhari and the country in general.

    The President of the National Coalition of Niger Delta Ex-Agittators(NCNDE-A), ‘General’ Israel Akpodoro, expressed worry over the incessant attacks and vituperations from Dokubo on national issues saying, those threats issued by him were “empty, bear-footed and  treasonable”.

    Addressing a meeting of the Coalition in Ugheli, Delta State, Akpodoro contended that no section of the country has the power to hold others to ransom.

    Dokubo at the commemoration of the late Adaka Boro, in Yenagoa reportedly said he was ready to‎ take on the federal government if the interest of the region was not favourably considered by the incoming All Progressives Congress (APC) led administration.

    Akpodoro told Dokubo to stop dragging the region into issues of personal interest stressing that the people of the Delta have decided to embrace peace and not war.

    He said the time has come for the likes of Dokubo in the Delta region not only to embrace peace but to also realise that the era of impunity, gangsterism‎ and nepotism was over emphasizing that the ex-militants who supported the APC and his candidate, Buhari before, during and after the elections are not slaves as claimed by Dokubo but that what they did”was a show of unfettered patriotism, solidarity and love to a nation above self-serving and myopic interests.”

    The people of Niger Delta region Akpodoro said were already aware of the antics and mischief of those who use the region as a platform for self enrichment pointing out that such era would end with President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.

    Rather than continue to be on the opposition to the government, the President of the NCNDE-A urged the leaders of the people in the Delta region to go and preach peace in support of the incoming administration.

    He stressed that they stand to gain nothing from crisis but that peaceful approach to issue was an imperative for a better Delta region.

    He admonished them to understand that there is a new dawn of equity and positive change around the corner and urged them to eschew crimes and criminality for the region to grow – noting that ‎

    “When the struggle for a better Niger Delta began, it was genuine, focused, purposeful…only to be hijacked by people of narrow interests. We as a people have learnt our lessons and as such would not allow ourselves to be goaded into another round of crisis in our region.

    “As peac‎e-loving people, the ex-militants have changed from the war- war approach to a much peaceful and decent approach to achieving results. We owe the Nigerian state our patriotism, solidarity, loyalty as long as the federal government gives us an unfettered sense of belonging in the state.

    “Whoever engages in any crime under any guise should answer to his crimes without dragging the region along with him. The Delta region comprises of so many ethnic groupings and not only the Ijaws. It therefore follows that Dokubo should speak for those who believe in him amongst his people and not for the entire region,” he stated.

     

  • Asari Dokubo, other ex-militants join Jonathan’s campaign train in Bayelsa

    Asari Dokubo, other ex-militants join Jonathan’s campaign train in Bayelsa

    President Goodluck Jonathan campaign train, on Friday, stormed Bayelsa State, the president home state, with several former Niger Delta militants on hand to rally support for his re-election bid.

    The rally, which held at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex in Yenagoa, witnessed a large turn-out of party supporters.

    The crowd went into frenzy, as they cheered for former Niger Delta militant leader, Mujahid Dokubo-Asari, who rode past earlier on the top of a dark Mercedes Benz 4×4, stretching his fist out of his white robe in a power salute.

    Meanwhile, thousands of supporters, wearing the red and green of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) cheered as Jonathan took the stage after hours of dancing to singers and a live band.”I know you love me and I love you,” Jonathan told the roaring crowd, before adding, “I will make sure that everybody, in one way or another, tastes the fruits of democracy.”

    President Jonathan came down hard on persons and establishments, who he accused of working against the administration of the Bayelsa State Governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson, saying that persons opposing Dickson are his enemies.

    He said: “Those who don’t like the governor (Dickson) don’t like me because I am working with the governor. I have read stories. Some people are coming to spoil your minds.

    “If you don’t like the leadership that we put in place, then you don’t like me. So, don’t allow people to spoil your minds. I have noticed that you young people, 0.4 per cent of you who are here have been instigated by people who don’t like us.

    “But I am telling you that you must work with the governor of this state for you to benefit. We are together, we work together to bring dividends of democracy to this state.

    “Don’t allow anybody to deceive you. I am telling you as your brother. I am telling you as your uncle. You must work with the government to make sure that we develop this state. You have to work with us.”

    The president was apparently reacting to the attitude of a section of the crowd allegedly sponsored by anti-Dickson’s camp. The camp continually booed the governor on different occasions during the rally.

    Even as the president spoke about his cordial relationship with the governor, the crowd intermittently punctured his speech with hate chants against Governor Dickson.

    Investigations revealed that most of the persons who booed the governor were bearing banners and campaign posters depicting the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN).

    It was gathered that the development was part of the alleged plot by TAN and the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, to use political thugs to humiliate Dickson at the rally.

    But Jonathan, in his speech, disappointed the crowd who waited for him to reel out his achievements in the state in the past four years.

    Instead, he said: “We have done a number of things which I would not like to bore you with. We will do more. I know you like and love me and I like and love you too.”

    He said he was not in the state to campaign, but to thank the people for supporting all his political aspirations from the state to the federal level.

    Trouble started for Governor Dickson, when as the host, he climbed the podium to deliver his welcome address.

    Hardly had he started speaking than a section of the crowd, in a rehearsed manner, shouted him down, with some telling him to shut up. Dickson, who said the rally was a homecoming for the president, continued with his speech as the crowd grew in their unruly behaviour.

    As the thugs persisted in their booing, the governor urged the president not to join issues with people who brought rented crowd to the rally to actualise their selfish interest, and restated his support for the President, and asked him not to have sleepless nights about the support of voters in the state.

    But while the governor and his wife, Rachel, recognized the First Lady in their order of protocol and poured encomiums on her, Mrs. Jonathan refused to recognize them in her order of protocol.

    Dickson and the First Lady have been at daggers’ drawn over the latter’s alleged plot to undermine the governor and unseat him, allegedly using TAN as a platform.

    In her speech, the First Lady called on women in the state to support her husband, recalling that when her husband was in the state as a governor, he carried all the women along.

    Earlier in his speech, Vice-President Namadi Sambo, alluding to a chieftaincy title conferred on him by the state council of chiefs, referred to the election as war and said they would win the battle.

    “We will fight the war and we will win the war. Mr. President has not failed us. He has transformed Nigeria and we now have the largest economy in Africa,” he said.

    Asari Dokubo and several other former militant leaders, including Tompolo, Kuku and Boyloaf among others, at a recent meeting in Yenagoa, threatened to go to war and make a return to the days of militancy if Jonathan does not get a second term.

  • Northern coalition warns Asari-Dokubo over war threat

    The Northern Coalition for Good Governance has condemned the recent war threat issued by the Niger Delta militants, urging politicians to shun acts that could endanger the country’s democracy.

    The group also insisted that all the people suspected to have played any role in the post- 2011 election violence must be brought to book as a way of ensuring a violent free 2015 general election.

    The Niger Delta militants had on Saturday threatened to cause war if President Goodluck Jonathan loses the February 14 presidential election.

    The group’s Director of Research and Documentation, Dr. Ibrahim Baba, while addressing journalists on Friday in Abuja after a protest at the Central District demanding for justice on 2011 post election violence, said Nigerians should not allow the 2011 incidence to repeat itself.

    He argued that one of the ways to avert election violence is to prosecute those involved.

    He said the group would stand against anybody or group trying to divide the country through religion, ethnicity or tribalism.