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Tag: campaign

  • Project Smile campaign kicks off

    Season three of  Smile makeover initiative, Project Smile has kicked off its campaign.

    A statement by the organisers explained that it is tagged Project Smile 3.0 with Smile for life as its thematic campaign, adding that it was flagged off at the Westown Hotels, Ikeja, Lagos.

    Its initiator, Dr. Amy Traore-Shumbusho said in her keynote address that Project Smile 3.0 is revised in scope and content with adequate plans being put in place to accommodate more winners, make greater impact in the society, and create opportunity for wider participation from other concerns in the oral health care industry and individuals through the newly introduced ‘Adopt-a-Smile’ initiative.

    “The WOHD is a parallel platform, hence it serves as our launching pad for the Project Smile initiative as it is a day set aside by the World Dental Federation to give attention to oral healthcare and dental matters and issues on a global scale. Last year, on this platform, we said that we would celebrate healthy smiles as a demonstration of the  theme last year. We have done that by transforming the lives of nine young men and women who never thought they could have a confident smile. On May 24 last year when three nominees out of 15 nominees emerged winners and additional six nominees were sponsored by individuals on sympathetic grounds, we delivered on our promise to celebrate healthy smiles. Today, on this same platform, we are seeking to impact the lives of persons who suffer from social stigma due to deformed or flawed dentition such as over-crowded, protruding and discolored teeth and far more complex cases,” she explained.

    Dr, Shumbusho added that Project Smile 3.0 scheme seeks to award such deserving individuals a chance in a life time to correct this and have the perfect teeth emphasizing that the project is only open to persons from age eighteen and above.

    Elaborating on the concept of ‘Adopt-a-Smile’ initiative, Dr. Shumbusho said that the initiative was designed to take sponsorship of Project Smile to a new dimension from the traditional approach of engaging only corporate sponsorship to engaging individuals to sponsor the smile makeover treatment of the other nominees who couldn’t make it to winning the contest.

    Dr. Shumbusho announced that a call-to-entry campaign has automatically begun with the press bring. “As we launch Project Smile 3.0, I am excited to announce to the public that an 8-week call-for-entry/call-to-entry begins today.

    She called on the target audience in the public who must be from age eighteen and above to watch out for the publicity materials such as the website, radio jingles, hypes, outdoor advertising and social media sites for more information on how to participate and take advantage of the call-for-entry entry phase to stand the chance of being a beneficiary. Entry is simple. Contestants only need to visit the Project Smile website to enter their required bio data, picture, and story in no more 360 words.”

  • Ambode’s team initiates contest for campaign

    Ambode’s team initiates contest for campaign

    The A+ team, a group made up of selected entertainers in support of the governorship ambition of APC’s candidate, AkinwumiAmbode, have launched a theme song competition.

    This is coming as part of Ambode’s Project T.H.E.S.E. which is aimed at integrating solutions involving the systematic integration of Tourism, Hospitality, Entertainment/Arts Sports for Excellence.

    MI
    MI

    According to information, the A+ Theme Song competition is an opportunity for musicians and artistes across Lagos to exhibit their talents and be heard on a professional platform. The competition also offers them the prospect of working with three of Nigeria’s most successful artistes, MI Abaga, Olamide and Yemi Alade, all known and respected for their talents and musical success.

    To take part in this competition, all participants have to do is download the instrumentals to the Ambode Theme song and record their version, presenting a new take and “repping” your Local Government. While submission closed on Thursday, March 26, shortlisted candidates will be announced on Monday, March 30. Information also has it that winners will have the opportunity to work and receive mentorship from MI Abaga, Olamide and Yemi Alade.In addition, the campaign will sponsor one music video for artiste whose song is judged as the overall best.

  • Small boys run hate campaign in PDP, says Mu’azu

    Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu yesterday said “small boys” in his party are responsible for hate campaigns against the opposition.

    According to him, he had always expressed his misgivings about such utterances.

    He spoke when he received members of the National Peace Committee for the 2015 general elections at the party secretariat.

    The committee, headed by former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, appealed to contesting parties and candidates to refrain from the practice in the interest of peace and unity of the country.

    Its delegation was yesterday led by its Vice Chairman, Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe, who complained about the way some of the politicians have been speaking.

    Ukiwe said: “First, I will encourage them to focus more on issues; what they want to do, the type of development they want to tackle. And to stop what looks like hate speeches or hate attack, personality attack and so on because that will only bring anger and retaliation as a result of which we may end up with a crisis we don’t wish.

    “There are fears that following the crisis already witnessed, there could be post-election violence like we witnessed in 2011 where more than 800 persons lost their lives. Do you have these fears?

    “The purpose of this visit is to continue to hammer on peaceful co-existence to avoid any post-election violence. We don’t want any violence, we don’t want to lose our children, our brothers and sisters.

    “It happened before and so whatever result that comes out of it, there should be no violence. I don’t wish that we have violence and so I am also preaching against violence after this election.”

    Ukiwe was accompanied by other members of the committee, among who were Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Mathew Hassan Kukah, among others.

    Kukah said: “This is Nigeria. And it is important to understand our country and our people. As a Christian, my prayer is that all our anxieties will probably be laid to rest by the Lord of the Universe Himself.

    “But on a more practical and serious note, Nigerians are probably far more resilient than we were giving them credit for. I expect that these elections will come and they will go.

    “My real concern is not with ordinary Nigerians, it is with the politicians who may never have learnt how to smell defeat. And we have said all that needs to be said; about the fact that this country is more important than any politician.”

    Some of the most vicious campaigns is the “death wish” advertisement by Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose for All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate Gen Muhammadu Buhari.

    Mu’azu?, said hate campaigns from PDP were carried out by “small boys” within the party who reacted to ?”antics” of the APC.

    Mu’azu said: “I want to assure you that the PDP will be running a very fair campaign led by me if you watch my utterances personally, you will find that there is nothing I do than to be a good salesman of what I should be, for my party and for my President. I have enough to say about my President that are positive to make people adore him and love him to vote for him. I have very little to say about the opposition.

    “Unfortunately, when the opposition goes hay wire, some of our small boys in our own party also shout back. And that is why you have some of the unfortunate things. Believe me, I always give them a very strong signal that we don’t expect that. This is why it is not more than it has been. It would have gone even much worse.

    “It is absolutely unnecessary to call somebody’s product bad product, it is better for you to sell your product and show how good or better your product is than the others.

    “For us, President Goodluck Jonathan has all we need to sell in a president and therefore we do not need to speak ill about others. But I only want to assure you that by the grace of the Almighty God we have heard your advice and your words as elders are words of wisdom.

    “We will continue to improve and increase in our caution and the use of our words and whatsoever use of negative campaigns for the next few days until the election day.

    “On our part, we will make sure we sit down with all the gentlemen and ladies that we need to talk to, so that there will be no further injuries from our own side to the others.

    “We hope the other political parties will be able to give you equally important, their commitment to continuous peaceful and none-insulting campaign as we move towards the deadline for the presidential election”.

    “This is the kind of committee we need to be our watchdog, to be our prompters so that we do what is absolutely required to have a very credible peaceful and transparent elections and for such a result that would come out of the elections for us to be happy with.”

  • Firm takes campaign to Anambra

    TO position its brand, Chikki Noodles has intensified its consumer awareness programme

    Recently, the brand campaign train was in Southeast, Umuoji town, Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State.

    The campaign strategy, which revolved around the brand’s sponsorship of key schools’ events in major towns is targeted at creating top of the mind awareness and recognition for the brand.

    The campaign train, which has become a common feature in most schools’ events in Lagos, played a dominant role in the sponsorship of Umuoji Community Secondary School’s yearly inter-house sports.

    It was a highly exciting moment for the pupils, parents and teachers watching the delightful displays by the Chikki Mascot. Gift items consisting mainly of Chikki Noodles and Chip Chips were distributed to guests at the event.

    The inter-house sports featured five competing houses represented by the colours of purple, green, red, yellow and pink.

    The various houses jostled to outdo one another in several sporting events: athletics, egg-race, sack race and fashion display.

    The track and field event was the most interesting, taking a better part of the day. At the end of the various sporting events, Green House emerged tops with the highest number of medals. Red House came second while Yellow House was third.

    The colourful event was witness by a large number of spectators including parents who came to support their wards.

    The event, which started with a march past by the six houses, also featured the Young Farmers Club, the Road Safety Club, Youth Service Corps Members, including  staffmembers.

    Some of the dignitaries, who witnessed the event, were the  Commissioner for Special Duties, Chief Norbert Obi; the  Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Chief Tony Onyima and Chief Edi Umuesi, special guest and chairman of the occasion.

  • Too late in the campaign to ‘talk federalism’?

    Too late in the campaign to ‘talk federalism’?

    What is wrong is for Yoruba groups to confuse the demand of the Yoruba for restoration of federalism with the recommendations of the 2014 national conference convened by President Jonathan.

    With apology to my other readers, this column today will focus on persistent questions in the last few days from my politically-charged readers about the place of federalism in a presidential campaign that is supposed to be about good governance, anti-corruption, national security, employment, etc.

    On ‘why it is the Yoruba people that are shouting loudest about federalism this close to the presidential election,’ there is nothing wrong with any nationality or region choosing to introduce an issue or agenda that is of significance to it at any time during the campaign. The Yoruba have been in the forefront of the demand for restoration of federalism since Alao Aka-Bashorun popularised the phrase ‘Political Restructuring’ of Nigeria and Chief Enahoro’s Movement for National Reformation, NADECO, and PRONACO included the matter of sovereign national conference in the list of demands during and after the struggle against the last phase of military dictatorship. In another sense, it is conceivable that the absence of federalism has thrown up such problems as corruption, unemployment, lack of security, etc.

    There is also nothing wrong with Yoruba political or socio-cultural groups choosing to bring the issue of federalism into the campaign at this point. In fact, to not do so now is not to be sufficiently honest with the next administration, regardless of who wins the election. What is wrong is for Yoruba groups to confuse the demand of the Yoruba for restoration of federalism with the recommendations of the 2014 national conference convened by President Jonathan. Even President Jonathan himself said several times that he did not convene the conference to gain any political advantage but to provide a platform for a national dialogue. This may be why President Jonathan had not campaigned on the strength of his involvement in the campaign in regions other than the Southwest until his supporters in the Yoruba region sponsored special campaign events on the conference.

    That other concerned citizens and groups (such as the Yoruba Assembly) have joined the fray of discussing federalism almost on the eve of the presidential election is also in order. It is important for the two presidential candidates to be made aware of minimalist and maximalist positions on the matter of federalism and to know the difference between those who are clamouring for devolution of a few administrative functions and those who seek fundamental changes in the sharing of power and responsibilities among federating units and the central government. It is proper for each of the presidential candidates to know the specific demands of each of the constituent units of the country, ahead of voting and assumption of power. Electoral democracy is not only about those seeking power to present a programme of action to the electorate, it also allows citizens to bring their own programmes to the attention of those seeking to govern them. Thus, bringing the issue of federalism back to the table at this time is in order.

    What is out of order is for any group to claim that the recommendations of the 2014 national conference represents what the Yoruba want in 2015 and beyond. That two Yoruba groups plan to meet on the same day (one in Lagos and another in Ibadan) to push the matter of federalism into the campaign rhetoric is not unusual. The Afenifere and its supporters have a right to sell the Jonathan conference to voters, but they are wrong to say that the recommendations from the conference represent what the Yoruba want from the next political dispensation. Nothing is also amiss about the Yoruba Assembly, an organisation that has championed in the last few years the call for genuine federalism, to remind Yoruba people about which programmes to push to the table of the next president and the next legislature, as no president can unilaterally restore federalism.

    The Yoruba Assembly must let voters know the views of Yoruba self-determination groups on recommendations of the 2014 national dialogue, as stated by its promoters below:

    “States can now create employment and develop their own states. Each state can have its own constitution, its own police force, can have its own prison service, can create its own local governments and in addition, in the economic domain, solid minerals that had been the exclusive preserve of the federal government since independence, have now been brought to the concurrent list; creation ofself-funding regional institutions” in order to encourage developmental efforts among cooperating states”

    a.           Creation of  Self-funding Regional Institutions among Cooperating States

    Recommending a self-funding economic agency without fiscal federalism that gives the power to raise revenue for development at the sub-national level is nothing more than self-deception. A country in which the states or federating units depend on allocation from the centre cannot call itself a federal system. None of the federations in the world: Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Spain, Switzerland, United Arab Emirate, and the U.S.A., operates on the model of state dependency on allocations from the centre recommended by the 2014 national conference. A self-funding regional institution is another bureaucracy to occlude the removal of the power of sub-national governments to generate revenue for its own development and pass some of such revenue to the central government for national projects.

    b.           States as “federating Units” that can have their own Constitutions

    Insisting that existing states are federating units without giving any consideration to economic viability of such units is to deliberately endorse the erosion by military dictators over the years of the political structure and government system upon which the peoples of Nigeria obtained independence as one country in 1960. It should be left to a plebiscite in each state to determine if it wants to join other contiguous states to form a region or remain as discrete units with constitutions. What is the use of the power of writing a constitution given to a state that has to go the central government for monthly allocation? What is significance of a suffocating federal presence in each state for citizens’ human and civil rights and good governance?  For example is Ekiti State today, where we now have 6 legislators in control of the State Assembly as the majority while the remaining 17 are considered minority because the centre is supporting that abnormality, a federating unit or a subjugated one? It will be an insult to the memory of Chief Obafemi Awolowo for any group to say that the recommendations from the conference have complied with the federal system that Chief Awolowo practiced in Western Region and upon which he struggled to demand improvement in his writings.

    c.            Each State can create its own Local government.

    If the central government will retain and disburse all the funds for local governments, it is dishonest to say that the power to create local governments at the state level is a gain in the direction of federalism. The reluctance to move away from the structure imposed by military dictators instead of returning to the autonomy of each state to fund its local governments is what makes the 2014 national conference a distraction that must not be passed to the next administration by Jonathan or Buhari. This represents further distortion of the federal system.

    d.           State Police

    State police is a consequence and not the cause of federalism as supporters of the Jonathan Conference want people in the Yoruba region to believe. Right now, states depend almost entirely on federal allocations to pay their workers’ salaries. State police is to be funded from received allocations at the same time that the number of states is to move to 54. We have also been told that the allocation accruing to the centre is reduced by 10%. But the increase in the number of states would have already made nonsense of the increase to states, as 54 states (rather than 36) would still share the new percentage of allocation to states. Reducing or increasing the amount of allocations is not fiscal federalism by any stretch of imagination. Such determinations are precisely what is wrong with the unitary system the Jonathan conference has ‘panel beaten’. Fiscal federalism proceeds from the shared control of economic and fiscal policies by national and sub-national governments.

    Nigeria before and after elections needs contestation of ideas to improve governance of the country. The Yoruba Assembly should have no apology for challenging exaggerations about the significance of the 2014 national dialogue.

  • What’s up with Agbaje’s campaign?

    What’s up with Agbaje’s campaign?

    A HUGE lull appears to have set in, in the campaign of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Lagos State, Mr. Jimi Agbaje. The momentum, which characterised the commencement of Agbaje’s campaign, has waned in the last three weeks, prompting many observers to ask what’s up.

    Unconfirmed reports claim that the current happenings in the candidate’s campaign is due to several factors, including lack of synergy among leading stakeholders in the party and mutual distrust to mention but a few.

  • Traditional rulers and the Jonathan campaign

    Traditional rulers and the Jonathan campaign

    Contrary to the view in many quarters that the institution of traditional authority has become archaic and anachronistic, the truth is that traditional rulers continue to play an influential role not only in the affairs of their various communities but in Nigeria as a whole. Many Nigerians, no matter how highly educated, still have strong attachment to their communal roots. They still owe enormous attachment to their customs and traditions. This is why even though we run a republican democracy formally millions of Nigerians still hold their various Obis, Obas, Emirs and other royalties in the highest esteem.

    The irony, indeed, is that the influence of the traditional institution has been enhanced in post-colonial Nigeria particularly during democratic dispensations. There is hardly any politician that can go campaigning in any part of the country without paying a courtesy call on the paramount traditional ruler of the area to pay homage and receive royal blessings. However, despite the reverence in which they are held by their people, traditional rulers too, most of the time, are wise to discern and defer to the popular political wishes and inclination of their people. The influence of the traditional ruler in politics is, therefore, largely symbolic even though it will be foolhardy of any serious aspirant to public office to take this influence for granted.

    It would appear, however, that the President Goodluck Jonathan administration has beaten all records in mobilizing traditional rulers for the harvesting of votes for the President’s re-election. One of the most interesting, even fascinating pictures in the Nigerian media in recent times is that of President Jonathan seated amid a semi -circle of some Yoruba traditional rulers pointing their royal walking sticks towards him most likely offering traditional prayers for his re-election. Dr Jonathan no doubt needs all the spiritual reinforcement he can get in an election that has become a veritable life and death battle for his political life. Thus, he kneels before Pastor Enoch Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God to receive Christian blessings. He worships at the popular Winners Chapel in Ota, where the respected Bishop David Oyedepo leads the congregation in prayers for the president. And he bows humbly as the Yoruba Obas invoke the gods of Yoruba land to grant him his heart’s desire. There is apparently no contradiction in these spiritual adventures in quest of electoral victory come March 28.

    Yet, what is alarming are the widespread reports, which are yet to be convincingly denied, that the Jonathan re-election campaign has been spending money in an unprecedented manner bribing influential individuals and groups to ensure victory in the forthcoming election. This has been particularly so since the extension of the election by six weeks from the initial dates of February 14 and 28 when they should have held. In the period, the American dollar seems to have become the national currency. And this is where it becomes particularly troubling. For, the traditional rulers and royal fathers across the country are also said to be beneficiaries of the Jonathan campaign’s dollar rain.

    By now, I had expected a vehement and vigorous denial by the Jonathan campaign team and indeed the presidency of the exclusive report on page 5 of the Wednesday, March 18, edition of The Nation newspaper that President Jonathan has deployed some traditional rulers on a nationwide campaign to lobby support for him among their colleagues and the general populace.

    The eleven teams of traditional rulers are reportedly to meet and lobby the most prominent traditional rulers in the country to support the President’s re-election bid.

    Now, this report raises a number of critical questions. First, what are the financial implications of this initiative? Are the traditional rulers on the eleven teams simply acting out of conviction or have they been mobilised financially to perform this task? Again, has any amount of money been voted for the traditional rulers to be lobbied and if so how much? Is this kind of presumed wasteful expenditure wise or expedient at this time of severe economic down turn and increased national misery? What is the implication for the reputation, image and moral integrity of the traditional rulers involved?

    In the 2011 elections, it was the majority of the Nigerian electorate that gave President Jonathan what was emphatically a pan-Nigerian mandate. In the run up to that election, Jonathan undertook an intensive and aggressive nationwide campaign in which he reached out to the Nigerian people directly. He made over 90 documented promises covering promised projects across the length and breadth of the country. He has had four years to implement his promises and fulfil his social contract with the people. Why is it that four years later, he is seeking to reach the same people that voted massively for him in 2011 through their traditional rulers or Christian religious clerics? Even when he has been on the campaign trail to canvass for votes, why has Dr Jonathan’s emphasis been more on denigrating his main opponent, General MuhammaduBuhari, rather than projecting his record of achievements to the people?

    Many of the country’s traditional rulers are men of the highest character and integrity. They are unlikely to risk their hard earned reputations for a mess of pottage. But for those traditional rulers who accept political largesse and promise to do the bidding of the Jonathan campaign, what exactly will they tell their people? Will they convince their people that electricity supply has improved between 2011 and now? Will they tell their people that hunger and poverty have reduced? Will they magically convince the teeming unemployed that they are gainfully employed? Will they say that the unprecedented massive corruption witnessed under the Jonathan administration is not true after all and that the Jonathan administration is a model of moral integrity? I really find it difficult to understand what concrete purpose this mission to traditional rulers is meant to achieve.

    Indeed, by seeking to reach the people through such intermediaries as traditional rulers, religious clerics and ethnic militia groups like OPC and MASSOB, the Jonathan presidency creates the impression that it is severely alienated from the populace. In a highly monetised electioneering process like we are currently witnessing, trying to reach out to the people through intermediaries can be counter-productive. This is particularly so for the Jonathan campaign that is perceived as having an inexhaustible purse. People will naturally demand of those intermediaries making a case for Jonathan’s re-election, their own share of the largesse. This in itself implies a lack of confidence or trust in the credibility and integrity of the intermediary.

    In the final analysis, the elections of March 28 and February 11 will be determined by the will of the electorate rather than the diktat of traditional rulers, religious clerics or ethnic militants. The obvious shiftiness and unease of the Jonathan presidency as regards the elections; a fear that motivated its desperate push for its postponement by six weeks, shows that, despite all its shortcomings, Nigeria’s democracy is gradually coming of age. The votes and voices of the people matter. The electoral umpire, INEC, is gaining greater autonomy and it is increasingly more difficult for governments to take the people for granted.

    Ayodele Peters writes from Abuja

  • APC needs no campaign in Lagos, says group

    A group known as ‘The Democratic Dividend Initiative’(DDI), has said that the All Progressives Congress (APC) needs no campaign in Lagos due to its outstanding achievements in provision of dividends of democracy to the people.

    The group’s President Hon  Paul Eze,  who spoke yesterday in Lagos at a news conference, said in a democratic setting, the only  yardstick to measure  good governance is nothing but presence  of democratic dividends which include good roads, good health care delivery and improved education system which are bound in Lagos.

    Eze, who enjoined the people of Lagos to shun all the sugar- coated mouth politicians who are parading themselves around in the state without any record of achievement whether in their private lives or in their previous public service.

    “Some years back motor parks and under the bridge which usually serves as the den of area boys are today a beauty to behold with good nurtured lawn and beautiful gardens replacing it. All eyes can see how the transport system in the state has been turned to not only as a veritable economic hub but as a recipe to transport agony of the past.”

    The group assured Lagosians that the APC candidate Mr. Akinwumi Ambode will pick the baton of success from the outgoing governor Babatunde Fashola  and take the state to the next level.

  • Minister defends anti-terror campaign

    Minister defends anti-terror campaign

    Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Bala Mohammad has said that President Goodluck Jonathan inherited the insecurity problem in the North-eastern part of the country.

    Mohammed said this during a PDP stakeholders’ meeting which included the leadership of the six geo-political zones resident in the FCT.

    He reiterated that Jonathan’s administration has been working assiduously to tackle it head on.

    According to him, the problem is not restricted to Nigeria but has global dimension.

    According to the statement issued by the Assistant Director/Chief Press Secretary to the FCT Minister, Muhammad Sule, the minister assured that the government has the will power to defeat and stamp out insurgency from the country.

    He called for continued support of the people for the government, particularly the military.

    He said: “The Transformation Agenda of the President has been able to put smiles on the faces of the residents of the Federal Capital Territory. The expansion and rehabilitation of the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua (Airport Road) as well as the Murtala Muhammad (Kubwa Raod) Expressways are some of the achievements the President has recorded.”

    •Nigerian troops crossing the Kafin-Hausa Bridge constructed by military engineers to facilitate the pursuit of fleeing terrorists.
    •Nigerian troops crossing the Kafin-Hausa Bridge constructed by military engineers to facilitate the pursuit of fleeing terrorists.

    The minister further said the Jonathan-led administration has been able to complete the Gurara Water Transfer Scheme as well as the 3rd and 4th Phases of the Lower Usuma Dam for the benefit of all.

    Senator Mohammed also assured that the FCT Administration is to deploy a substantial part of its projected N300 to N400 billion earnings from internally-generated revenue (IGR) to the funding of rural and neighbourhood infrastructure projects such as roads and bridges.

    His words: “With the passage of the FCT Board of Internal Revenue Act by the National Assembly, the internally-generated revenue profile of the FCT is expected to rise significantly with positive multiplier effects on the residents.”

    The minister emphasised that the FCTA hopes to generate about N300 billion to N400 billion annually; adding that the anticipated revenue would be used to fund infrastructure and accelerate development of the entire 8,000 square kilometres of the territory as well as pay the outstanding debt owed contractors.

    He revealed that the FCT Administration would soon launch another batch of 300 taxis that would be owned directly by the drivers to alleviate poverty and stamp out rickety commercial vehicles.

  • Cally Ikpe chides PDP’s campaign strategy

    Veteran broadcaster and CEO of Callivision Network, Cally Ikpe, has taken a swipe at the ruling People’s Democratic Party and its campaign strategies. In a recent Facebook post, Ikpe described the presidential race as a very tough one for President Goodluck Jonathan, not necessarily because he underestimated the potency of the opposition candidate, but more because of what he describes as the bad advisers, cronies and grabbers around him.

    “It is worst still that the closest of these advisers and most indispensable is Dr. Patience Jonathan. It is to her credit that Governor Rotimi Ameachi of Rivers State turned foe and ultimately a big boost to the opposition. Madam has carried on with anything and everything but decorum, hurling invectives at just any one who crosses her path. It’s amazing how the president is able to put up with all of these embarrassing attitudes,”Ikpe lamented.

    In his words, her recent remarks on General Muhammadu Buhari, calling him brain dead, sparks off mockery not to the General but herself as people naturally are inclined to probe into the mental state of the attacker.

    “Interestingly, all of this rascality is only serving to boost the opposition. Again, brazenly against common sense and love for her country she has gone further to advise the whole nation to “stone anyone who shouts change.” I insist it is divine providence that foisted GEJ on us as president; not even OBJ should take credit. The president does not owe any Deziani, Iweala, Anenih, Mark, IBB or any other person. If he believed so and ran his show like he were in charge completely, he won’t be struggling this much at this point,” he added.