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  • Jonathan, Buhari sign anti-violence pact

    Jonathan, Buhari sign anti-violence pact

    Next  month’s presidential election will be violence-free, those in the race pledged yesterday.

    President Goodluck Jonathan, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and nine other presidential candidates signed an accord to maintain peace.

    They also pledged to stop vicious campaign comments, which could affect the conduct of a free and fair election.

    The presidential candidates signed the agreement at a 2015 General Elections Sensitisation Workshop on Non-Violence in Abuja.

    The session was hosted by the Office of the National Security Adviser and Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Inter-Party Affairs.

    The two offices were supported by the European Union, UKaid, UNDP, IRI, the Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada, and the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPPS), Kuru.

    But what was meant to be a local soul-searching gathering became an international forum following representations from embassies and other diplomatic organisations, many of which have been curious about the polls.

    After about hours of discussions amid tight security at Ladi Kwali Hall of Sheraton Hotel and Towers in Abuja, the presidential candidates signed a five-point covenant, which was read to the audience by a former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, who chaired the workshop.

    The accord reads: “We, the undersigned presidential candidates of the under listed political parties contesting the general election of 2015, desirous of taking proactive measures to prevent electoral violence before, during and after the elections; anxious about the maintenance of a peaceful environment for the 2015 general elections, reaffirming our commitment to the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; desirous of promoting the unity and corporate existence of Nigeria as an indivisible entity; determined to avoid any conduct or behaviour that will endanger the political stability and national security of Nigeria; determined to place national interest above personal and partisan concern; reaffirming our commitment to fully abide by all rules and regulations as laid down in the legal framework for elections in Nigeria hereby submit ourselves and our parties to the following:

    1.  To run issue-based campaigns at national states and local government levels. In this, we pledge to refrain from campaigns that will involve religious sentiment, ethnic or tribal profiling, both by ourselves and all agents acting in our name.

    2. To refrain from making or causing to make in our names or that of our parties any public statement, pronouncement, declaration or speeches that have the capacity to incite any form of violence before, during and after the elections.

    3. To forcefully and publicly speak out against provocative utterances and oppose all acts of electoral violence whether perpetuated by our supporters and, or opponents.

    4. To commit ourselves and political parties to the monitoring of the adherence of this accord, if necessary, by a national peace committee made up of respected statesmen and women, traditional and religious leaders.

    5. All the institutions of government, including INEC and security agencies, must act and be seen to act with impartiality.

    Anyaoku said the objective of the workshop was to give all the contestants an opportunity for constructive criticism on how to ensure violence-free elections.

    He said: “Regrettably, we cannot deny that in our country we have history of violence occurring before, during and after elections.

    “Already, explosion, burning of buses have been reported in some states, and we are also witnessing increasingly acrimonious pronouncement by candidates and spokes persons of political parties.”

    He said the workshop was necessary before it became too late.

    He said:  “Nigeria and its 2015 general elections are in the eye of international community.”

    A former United Nations Secretary-General, Mr. Kofi Annan, in a keynote address, urged the aspirants to avoid inflammatory statements as the elections would afford the country the opportunity to “prove itself before the international community”.

     He said with the strategic position of Nigeria in Africa, it cannot afford to get it wrong.

    Annan urged all political parties to take the agreement seriously.

    He said: “We are interested in Nigeria because it is the big brother of our region. What happens in Nigeria affects us all, not just in West Africa but Africa as a whole. I am also pleased that both main parties are participating in this responsible initiative.

    “I understand that you would be signing an accord on the prevention of violence, and this is laudable. I know that a Code of Conduct will precipitate peace, even though I am told it is always more in breach than in observance.  I urge both parties, all parties, to take the accord serious.

    “Signing agreement between political parties will reassure Nigerians and their foreign friends, who are concerned about the tension, election-related violence. As I said, what happens in Nigeria assumes consequences, above all for the Nigerian people but also for the region and indeed for the continent.

    If Nigeria does well, the region as a whole does well. But the reverse is also true.

    Nigeria is also a major actor on the international scene, not only does it host the regional intergovernmental body ECOWAS, it is a major contributor to the UN peace-keeping force and Nigeria currently sits at the UN Security Council.

    “Now, Nigeria faces the real political test for its future, progress and posterity. First the barbaric insurgency of Boko Haram must be ended. There seems to be no limit the sect is ready to do to instill fears and intimidate everybody.  They cannot succeed. We must protect our position of tolerance reconciliation and

    “The second great challenge is the forthcoming election and the third is the fall in oil prices and its impact on the economy.”

    He said elections had become flashpoints in many countries and Nigeria must watch.

    Nigeria’s former Permanent Representative to the UN, Prof. Ibrahim Agboola Gambari, said the success of the poll depend on three critical elements.

    “First, the technical competence of INEC. I think that has been demonstrated.

    “The second concern is security. The security agencies and INEC should provide security and sense of fairness to all the stakeholders. The security agencies, which are supporting the elections: the police and the military must accept that their roles are to facilitate.

    “The third and, most importantly, the contestants themselves will have to accept the rules of the game and to educate their supporters not to encourage against violence. These three elements will be what will, in my view, lead to free and fair, credible elections in Nigeria.”

    At the session were APC President Jonathan, Gen. Buhari, ex-Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Muhammad Lawal Uwais, APC National Chairman  Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, PDP National Chairman Adamu Muazu, Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, ex-Governor Kayode Fayemi, Senator Bukola Saraki, Senator Ben Obi, General Isaac Obiakor, Chief Tom Ikimi and Chief Ojo Maduekwe.

    Other presidential candidates present included Chief Chekwas Okorie (Unity Progressive Party), Prof Comfort Oluremi Sonaiya (Kowa Party), Tunde Anifowoshe Kilani (Action Alliance), Rafiu Salau ( Alliance for Democracy), Godson Okoye (Unity Democratic Party) and Gani Oseni Galadima (Alliance Congress Party of Nigeria).

  • Jonathan has made our work easier, says Amosun

    Jonathan has made our work easier, says Amosun

    Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun has said President Goodluck Jonathan has made the task of defeating the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Gboyega Isiaka, much easier for him with the President publicly “authenticating” his (Amosun) sterling achievements in the last 43 months.

    Amosun expressed the confidence that he would defeat Isiaka even in his Imeko – Afon Local Government Area.

    The governor attributed the feat more to the ambience created in the state by the APC government than the Federal Government policy alluded by the President Jonathan.

    The President had during his campaign in Abeokuta, the state capital, on Monday unwittingly said 56 new companies opened for business since the administration came on board because of the prevailing favourable business climate.

    “The industrial policy of our government has favoured Ogun, 56 new industries have been opened here and you can imagine the number of jobs created,” Jonathan said.

    Fielding questions from reporters during his campaign tour of Imeko – Afon Local Government Area, where Isiaka hails from, the governor said he would defeat the PDP candidate in his domain not just because of his overall achievement, “which couldn’t escape the President’s attention”, but also for having strong supporters base in the area for over seven years.

    He said: “Mr. President authenticated what we have been saying. Time was when PDP was here (Ogun); people couldn’t even move around. Factories were closing down. If at that time it was still PDP that was in the federal and they have PDP government here and things were good as it is today, that means a lot.

    “When PDP was here in Ogun State, companies were running away. Then another government came, companies were falling over one another to come here, that speaks volume. Today, I have two companies to be inaugurated.

    “Imeko- Afon is my local government and that is the beauty of democracy really. Don’t forget that the PDP candidate is from this local government but truly in 2007, I defeated the party when I ran under All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP).

    “In the last election, he ran again; I scored almost 40 percent and he scored 42 percent. So it tells you that these are my people. Even in my Abeokuta North where I scored 83 percent, he too scored some votes there which means the PDP has some people there, and that is the beauty of democracy.

    “But I have no doubt in my mind that this time around, we are winning this local government. In fact this particular local government is where I cut my teeth more or less. The first time I wanted to run for governor, this is where I started from and I would still continue to do that.”

  • Jonathan, Buhari, the Rich and the Poor (3)

    The heat of politics is on. Nigeria’s 2015 Presidential election is just about one month away. But the sparks flying about from.

    The inferno are still too cool for my temperament and liking. The People’s Democratic Party (PDP), the government party, is throwing feeble punches and scratching the surface, making light of the mood of this season. It is only asking the voters to give it power, all over again, without saying how it would use it to better their lot. The Challenging Party, All Progressive Party, (APC), has to prove beyond reasonable doubt PDP is running the country aground and suggests rescue measures.

    The PDP has found Buhari a larger challenger than he was in 2011 and, so, is seeking to focus its campaign on his person, rather than challenge APC claims that Nigeria is a sick and dying nation. The first jab was at Buhari’s education. The electoral law demands that elective office holders have acceptable “O” Level certification or the equivalent. The PDP campaign says Buhari’s education is below the mark. I saw some PDP supporters rejoicing in Ilupeju, Lagos, when the news came on. But like in the tropical African Sun, they lost gear when they were informed the law accepts equivalents of “O” Level and asked if the training of a Nigerian army general did not make him or her intellectually superior to their own children who had just taken “O” Level exams. Buhari attended courses at the United States War College. Collin Powel who led American troops in the Gulf War and later became U.S. Vice President was Buhari’s course-mate during the war college training.

    The second PDP attack on Buhari’s person is his age. Buhari is 72. President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, of the PDP , is younger .The campaigners say Buhari’s age is phlegmatic but Jonathan is choleric, and Nigeria need a choleric leader to rescue her from the wilderness. There may be a point in a man of Buhari’s age not being able to finish a 100 meters sprint ahead of a younger President Jonathan. But is governance all about this? I see it more related to the aura of the leader of government business. In bygone days in Yorubaland, when the Oracle was consulted through divination before a successor was found for a departed king, the man who would be king may be a poor foreign trader who survived a shipwreck nearby. The shipwreck may even be predestined to bring to this land a man whose aura befitted or suited the new time. Everyone has an aura. The aura has its root in the glow of the spirit, that is man, encased in the physical body of earth, bore, blood and flesh. Clairvoyants see it. Christians will recall the case of the man possessed by demons. As the Lord Jesus passed by, the demons recognised Him from his Aura. The inner eyes of some of his disciples were permitted to be open and behold the spectacle recorded as The Transfiguration. The aura attracts or repels. Good attract good, evil attract evil. Good and evil repel each other because, in the natural law which compels birds of a feather flocks together, only similar species find comfort in the company of each other.

    Thus, the aura of Buhari, not his age, not his capacity for physical endurance, may be what his country requires at this time, for which reason he may have emerged again to give the presidency a crack. Many, if not all earthly events, are in the hands of earth-men. There is no doubt that they move the levers and set the ball rolling. But beyond that point, they lose control over events they let loose. There are forces beyond them which untie knots and smoothen the frills and then seek tools to effect on earth events already put together in other higher realms. This gives meaning to the expression, “as it is above, so it is below”.  For people who watch the auras of world leaders, as anchor for extraterrestrial plans to materialize on earth, some names are not easy to forget. Gorbachev surfaced in the Soviet Union at a time a World War III appeared inevitable, according to Eastern and Western world security bookmakers. But Gorbachev defused the ticking bomb of the Arms Race and helped to dismantle communism, thereby ending the cold War. Nelson Mandela came out of prison in South Africa, has useful to himself and to humanity, wasted as many people thought. It was a time for Black Revenge. The blacks would have annihilated their white tormentors of the ages. But Mandela held the balance between the races, preaching the brotherhood of man.

    We all know Nigeria is a potentially great nation held down by many foibles of man, in particular corruption, from which she needs deliverance. Has that time come? Or is the time for deliverance not ripe? Buhari dons an aura which suggests the time is nigh. In particular, he does not smoke or drink. This suggests he does not need to cling to external aids to be a balanced person.

  • Jonathan’s celebration of failure

    President Jonathan was in Lagos last week to flag off his re-election bid. The event was in character with the president’s well charted politics of subterfuge, except that this time around, it was not without a touch of sardonic humour. For a president who does not consider stealing as corruption, and who heads PDP where those facing overwhelming financial fraud charges can be party chieftains, senators, and ministers, he cannot understand why the Yoruba make a fetish of placing great value on honour and character. For him, PDP members share the same values.

    Thus on parade at Tafawa Balewa square the venue of the event was Chief Bode George who Musiliu Obanikoro says is “in desperate need of social rehabilitation after a stint in jail”. He was pronounced not guilty after serving a jail term over his handling of contracts as chairman of Nigeria Ports Authority. Also on parade was Ayo Fayose, impeached former governor who admitted appearing over 52 times over a period of seven years trying to defend himself against EFCC charges of financial fraud as well as murder charges as at the time he contested and defeated an incumbent Governor Fayemi. Among trusted allies who stood out to be counted during the event was ex Governor Gbenga Daniel of Ogun State who was until recently in court facing EFCC charges of mismanagement of state funds as governor. There was also Femi Fani-Kayode who also still has a date to keep with EFCC in court over allegation of financial crime as minister of aviation. Defected Governor Mimiko of Ondo was also there to be counted among the president’s friends. Olusegun  Mimiko, who on account of his brand of politics can be described as ‘water has no enemy’,  has been a member of as many as there are political parties in Nigeria. And to spite Obasanjo, his estranged godfather, the president appointed Buruji Kashamu, Obasanjo’s main rival in Ogun State the leader of his highly valued Yoruba opinion leaders who would deliver the West in February. Buruji has taken Obasanjo to court over the former’s claim that he is a fugitive from justice in the US. Jonathan’s choice of shenanigans or merchants of pranks to sell his candidacy is the practice among other groups in the country.

    The Tafawa Balewa’s outing was also unique in the sense that the president deliberately chose the vulnerable youths he believes will enhance his chances in the February polls as target audience. Trying to cultivate the innocent youths, he had said “I am going to address the people who are voting for the first time, those of you who will attain 18 years this year”.  This group, the president says will define Nigeria’s tomorrow since his generation according to him, has failed the nation. Less than 50% of those the president is trying to exploit obtained five credits in the recently released WAEC result, a clear evidence of the decay in our educational sector.

    Of course, those who have studied the president’s politics know his choice of those in the age bracket 18-23 was not accidental. This is a vulnerable group that knows nothing outside PDP and Jonathan in the last 16 years. They do not know anything better than PDP’s newly painted coaches in an age where we now have trains that travel at the speed of aircrafts. They are unaware of multi-billion dollar contracts for the modernisation of our railways awarded twice under Obasanjo and Yar’Adua but got derailed by PDP politicians. They are shielded from the negative effects of government economic policies because they live with their parents. They love African Magic and many want to end up as actors, musicians singing lewd songs or as dancers but not as scientists. The president has after all been throwing money blindly at the actors, not to necessarily develop the sector but for its electoral advantage. If you still don’t believe the president fights rough, consider this unpresidential jibe: “Young Nigerians were doing things fantastically well, they were acting films and were playing music; these very people were snubbing them, but we are encouraging them and the world has accepted them”. This is one achievement those who are against the president cannot take away.

    The content of the president speech on ‘insecurity, corruption and weak government’ to the 18-year olds who are not equipped to critically analyse his misrepresentations was no less intriguing.  On security, the president simply passed the buck: “These people did not buy anything for the Nigerian soldiers. They refused to equip them. No attack helicopter, nothing. Ask them what they did with the defence budget for the whole time they were in office.  No country equips armed forces overnight”.

    Yes the president may be right to a point. But the message is not for 18-year olds who would need to consult their uncles as directed by the president in order to know the truth. Such message is for the adult who can remind the president that not too long ago, government told Nigerians that the problem was not equipment but sabotage by Boko Haram whose elements, even the president claimed had infiltrated his government. In any case, the president has been part of government for eight years and commander in chief for six years. It is cheap to blame someone who ruled for 20 months back in 1984, 31 years ago. But even then what are the facts?

    Available figures on capital and recurrent military expenditure  from 1988 to 2007 covering parts of Babangida and Abacha years, and  eight years of Obasanjo was N820billion compared to  Yar’Adua and Jonathan’s N1.3 trillion (2007-2010) and Jonathan’s N3.1 trillion (2011-2014). The question is how long does it take to procure attack helicopters?

    On corruption, the president also passed the buck: ‘If they had succeeded in fighting corruption, corruption would not have been with us here today’. Except for vulnerable youths the president tried to hoodwink, Nigerians are aware it was Yar’Adua and Jonathan presidency and James Ibori (who sponsored their election in 2007 but currently serving jail terms in London after obtaining reprieve from Nigerian courts) that chased Nuhu Ribadu into exile.  It was under the Jonathan presidency that a convicted felon who converted 70% of state resources to personal use got presidential pardon in order to, in the words of Doyin Okupe “make more contributions to the development of father land”. It was under Jonathan presidency the KPNG report on NNPC, Ribadu’s report on the fuel subsidy regime, ‘Oduahgate’ and many others were dumped into dustbin. It was under the Jonathan presidency that the EFCC’s pending court cases against prominent PDP leaders, banking sector and oil subsidy fraudsters remained stalled, because ‘the wheel of justice  in this environment’, according to the president ‘grinds slowly.’

    But more telling was what the president failed to say at Tafawa Balewa last week. He failed to allay the fears and anxieties of Nigerians who wanted him to speak on the abducted 250 Chibok girls who have been in captivity for over eight months, crisis of unemployment arising from importation of labour of other societies, government’s planned bail-out for the power sector, the missing $10 billion, we were told a forensic inquiry would unravel and another missing $30 billion from excess Crude Account (difference between benchmark of about $77 and average price of $108 for three years) as alleged at different times by governors Oshiomhole and  Rotimi Amaechi. Begging for answer was also the 16 years successive PDP administrations’ failure to rehabilitate the eyesore called Murtala Muhammed International Airport road. Jonathan after six years in the saddle could not tell the electorate what he would do differently to bring hope to Nigerians who are worried about tomorrow. Sadly what expectant Lagosians took away in the words of Governor Fashola was “a very angry president, a president who is lamenting about people judging his performance and blaming all those who ruled before him, forgetting that he has been on this job for six years?”

  • 2015: Jonathan, Buhari, others sign violence-free accord

    2015: Jonathan, Buhari, others sign violence-free accord

    … Annan, Anyaoku broker deal

    The nationwide tension over 2015 poll simmered on Wednesday following the signing of violence-free accord by President Goodluck Jonathan, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and nine other presidential candidates.

    They also pledged to stop vicious campaign comments which could becloud the conduct of a free and fair election in February.

    The presidential candidates entered into the agreement at a 2015 General Election Sensitization Workshop on Non-Violence in Abuja.

    The session was hosted by the Office of the National Security Adviser and Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Inter-Party Affairs.

    The two offices were supported by the European Union, UKaid, UNDP, IRI, the Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada, and the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPPS), Kuru.

    But what was meant to be a local soul-searching gathering became an international forum following representations from embassies and other diplomatic organizations which had been curious on the February poll.

    After about a four-hour discussion amid tight security at Ladi Kwali Hall of Sheraton Hotel and Towers in Abuja, the presidential candidates signed a five-point covenant which was read to the audience by a former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, who was also the chairman of the workshop.

    The accord reads: “We, the undersigned presidential candidates of the under listed political parties contesting the general election of 2015, desirous of taking proactive measures to prevent electoral violence before, during and after the elections, anxious about the maintenance of a peaceful environment for the 2015 general election,reaffirming our commitment to the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, desirous of promoting the unity and corporate existence of Nigeria as an indivisible entity, determined to avoid any conduct or behaviour that will endanger the political stability and national security of Nigeria, determined to place national interest above personal and partisan concern, reaffirming our commitment to fully abide by all rules and regulations as laid down in the legal framework for elections in Nigeria hereby submit ourselves and our parties to the following:

    1. To run issue based campaigns at national states and local government levels. In this, we pledge to refrain from campaigns that will involve religious sentiment, ethnic or tribal profiling, both by ourselves and all agents acting in our name.

    2. To refrain from making or causing to make in our names or that of our parties any public statement, pronouncement, declaration or speeches that have the capacity to incite any form of violence before, during and after the elections.

    3. To forcefully and publicly speak out against provocative utterances and oppose all act of electoral violence whether perpetuated by our supporters and, or opponents.

    4. To commit ourselves and political parties to the monitoring of the adherence of this accord if necessary, by a national peace committee made up of respected statesmen and women, traditional and religious leaders.

    5. All the institutions of government including INEC and security agencies must act and be seen to act with impartiality.

    Earlier in his address, Anyaoku said the objective of the workshop was to give all the contestants in the 2015 elections an opportunity for constructive criticism on how to ensure violence-free elections.

    He said: “Regrettably, we cannot deny that in our country we have history of violence occurring before, during and after elections.

    “Already, explosion, burning of buses have been reported in some states, and we are also witnessing increasing acrimoniously pronouncement by candidates and spokes persons of political parties.”

    He therefore said the workshop was necessary before it becomes too late.

    He said: “Nigeria and its 2015 general election are in the eye of international community.”

    A former United Nations Secretary-General, Mr. Kofi Annan, who is used to trouble-shooting shuttles to Nigeria, was the special guest of honour with a Keynote address.

    Annan urged the aspirants to avoid inflammatory statements as the elections would afford the country the opportunity to “prove itself before the international community.
    He said with the strategic position of Nigeria in Africa, it cannot afford to get it wrong in February.

    He urged all political parties to take the agreement seriously.

    He said: “We are interested in Nigeria because it is the big brother of our region. What happens in Nigeria affects us all, not just in West Africa but Africa as a whole. I am also pleased that both main parties are participating in this responsible initiative.”

  • Jonathan woos Ladoja’s men

    Jonathan woos Ladoja’s men

    Leaders of the Accord Party (AP) in Oyo State have agreed to work for the re-election of President Goodluck Jonathan, following an agreement brokered between some aides of the President, chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Accord Party.

    A source said Accord members accepted to mobilise for the election of President Jonathan.

    He said: “We are pro-people and we are consistent with this ideology. Of course, the AP, from the onset, has shown to be masses-oriented, this is what everybody knows.

    “That we agreed to work and ensure that President Goodluck Jonathan is re-elected is in line with this principle. And that is the position for now, we don’t know if it will change tomorrow. But for now that is the pact we have with Jonathan.”

    The Director-General, Rashidi Ladoja Campaign Organisation, Adeolu Adeleke, neither denied nor confirmed the pact.

    Rather, the former Speaker of the House of Assembly said Accord would make its position known when the time comes for it to do so.

    He said: “The AP will always follow the way of the masses. It is only appropriate for the party to speak for itself and not that someone else should speak for the AP on issues like this.”

  • Jonathan’s visit: Heavy security personnel deployed in Osun, Ondo

    Jonathan’s visit: Heavy security personnel deployed in Osun, Ondo

    More  security personnel have been deployed in Osun State ahead of the campaign visit of President Goodluck Jonathan.

    Jonathan will be accompanied by Vice President Namadi Sambo and party chieftains, including the  National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Muazu, and some Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors.

    Commissioner of Police Abubakar Marafa said security personnel have been drafted to strategic places in and around the state.

    At 6pm yesterday, the Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, was full of armed policemen and men of the Department of the State Security (DSS).

    Those decorating were also busy constructing the stage.

    PDP’s National Secretary Prof. Wale Ladipo, at a briefing in Osogbo, the state capital, described next month’s presidential election as a battle between light and darkness.

    An unconfirmed report said there was a directive that all markets in Osogbo, the state capital, be closed for the President’s visit.

    The state’s Iyaloja-General, Alhaja Asiawu Asindemade, on state radio and television, denied any directive from the government or her office to shut down markets.

    She advised traders to disregard the directive, asking them to go about their businesses.

    Alhaja Asindemade said President Jonathan was on a campaign trip to the state and that since they are not politicians such directive did not concern them.

    In Akure, the Ondo State capital, where Jonathan will hold a rally tomorrow, security has been tightened.

    The President who will be received by Governor Olusegun Mimiko, the Southwest coordinator of Jonathan’s campaign organisation, is expected to visit some traditional rulers before addressing supporters at the Democracy Park in Akure.

    Police spokesman Wole Ogodo said officers from other neighbouring states  might be deployed.

    He said: “All necessary machinery have been put in place to ensure that there is no violence during the President’s campaign in Ondo State.

    “I can assure you that the police have done all the relevant things and there will be no crisis before, during and after the campaign.”

  • When Jonathan gets angry

    The goings-on in the run-up to the elections must confound most Nigerians. Some aspects of President Goodluck Jonathan’s remarks while receiving a delegation of the Northern Elders Council (NEC) led by Tanko Yakassai at the Presidential Villa, last Wednesday, seemed not to have helped much.

    He was visibly angry with some unnamed elder statesmen whom he said were making provocative statements and want to set the country ablaze

    Jonathan said: “Some people call themselves statesmen but they are not statesmen; they are just ordinary politicians. For you to be a statesman, it is not because you have occupied a big office before but the question is what are you bringing to bear? Are you building this country? Or are you a part of people who tell lies to destroy this country to create enmity and make people who ordinarily would have been living together to fight themselves?”

    “Are you planning to set the country ablaze because you did not get that particular thing you want?”

    He went on: “At the appropriate time Nigerians will know all of us even though I know most of you know us but the younger ones do not know. Some people are hiding under some clogs, some big names and creating a lot of problems in this country.”

    “Making provocative statements in this country, statements that will set this country ablaze and you tell me you are a senior citizen. You are not a senior citizen you can never be, you are ordinary motor park tout.”

    “Because if you are a senior citizen you will act like one. It is not because of the offices we occupy, it is by divine grace and providence that some of us occupy these offices. But what role are you playing to build this country?” he queried

    An aspect of his remark which many Nigerians will be interested in knowing the answer is what the elder statesmen wanted from him, which he denied them and failed to disclose during the NEC’s delegation visit.

    Are the statesmen looking for contracts, oil wells or other benefits from the Presidency. Not too long ago, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, noted in an exclusive interview with Saturday PUNCH that some visitors to Aso Rock come to beg for one thing or the other.

    To digress a bit, not all visitors to the Presidential Villa are normally seen by journalists on duty as some of them drive into the forecourt, close to the President’s office, in tinted glasses far away from the prying eyes of journalists.

    They could even visit the President’s residence late in the night when journalists must have closed for the day. Since journalists don’t live in the villa, they could only rely on sources to fill in the gaps on who and who came to the Villa during the dark hours.

    A part of Abati’s interview in Saturday PUNCH published on October 12, 2013 reads: “The same people (critics) will wish to be on this side, they will wish to be in government, and I see many of these same critical persons, perpetually hanging around government looking for this and that, practically begging, soliciting, hustling, but they go out there and pretend to be otherwise. But that is a story for another day. And their story shall be told someday,”

    The growing confusion among Nigerians would have been doused to some extend if the President last Wednesday had hit the nail on the head by mentioning the names of the statesmen that wanted to set the country ablaze.

    It would also have been better if he had gone further to disclose to the nation what the statesmen wanted from him which he denied them. Or better still, he should have maintained his style by keeping cool on the matter.

     

    Escaping mob attack

     

    What would have been absolutely impossible for many Nigerians to imagine, happened last Tuesday at  the Presidential Villa, a highly secured area.

    The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Youth and Students’ Matters, Jude Imagwe barely escaped being mobbed and robbed.

    It all started with the announcement made by the Master of Ceremony after President Goodluck Jonathan inaugurated the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign Organisation at the Legacy House in Maitama, Abuja.

    The MC had announced to the gathering that all members of the campaign organisation will meet at committee levels in the Banquet Hall of the State House by 4.00pm the same day.

    The announcement, however, made those who do not have business with the meetings to throng the car park of the Banquet hall as they kept vigil and waited to get their share of politicians’ largesse.

    It was already dark when Imagwe stepped out of the hall after his committee meeting came to an end.

    As he was heading to where he parked his car, some of the boys sighted him and approached him shouting “our able youth leader.”

    They followed him to his vehicle while Imagwe initially tried to dismiss them with a promise to see them another day.

    But the young men were adamant, as they held him hostage in his vehicle, insisting that he must ‘perform’.

    The youth told Imagwe that he had no choice other than to settle them, saying: “After all, na you be our youth leader.”

    Imagwe retorted angrily and warned them not to talk as if they were commanding him.

    Sensing that he won’t be able to leave without doing something for the boys, Imagwe brought out few N1000 notes and gave them.

    In order not to be surchanged, they scrambled for the money and fixed their gaze on it as it was being counted.

    That was the saving grace as Imagwe, who was almost choked by the crowd of angry youth surrounding him, started his car and sped off while the few N1000 notes still engaged their attention.

     

  • Jonathan’s problem personal, not generational, says Tinubu

    Jonathan’s problem personal, not generational, says Tinubu

    All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader  Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday said President Goodluck Jonathan should consider his deficiencies as his  personal failure and that of his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    He said it amounted to an error for the President to generalise the shortcomings as generational failure.

    Dr. Jonathan at the opening of his campaign last Thursday that his generation had failed Nigeria and that he would address the youth.

    Tinubu said the APC would sweep the “recklessness and filth” of the PDP next month at the general elections.

    He called on “Nigerians to rise to the challenge of voting the ruling PDP out of office.”

    Tinubu spoke at the campaign inauguration of the party’s governorship candidate in Sokoto State, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambawal, who is the House of Representatives Speaker.

    He said: “If the president doesn’t know the history and responsibilities of his office, he should quit the office and go back home.”

    Two serving governors and three of their former colleagues were in Sokoto, the seat of the Caliphate to add glamour to the campaign of Tambawal and his running mate, Ahmed Aliyu.

    According to Tinubu, “the APC is the cure to the disease affecting the country,” noting that the party was fast growing in the Northwest and other parts of the country.

    The former governor went on: “Our great party (APC) is growing larger and larger by the day throughout Nigeria and especially in the North West.”

    Describing Tambuwal as a great politician, Tinubu maintained that APC and Nigerians were proud of his sense of resilience and commitment to the progress of the nation’s democracy.

    His words: “This is a great day for a great campaign of a great man.  We are launching the spirit of change and development in Sokoto for all APC candidates in the state.”

    He described the APC as a baby of yesterday which has grown to political maturity.

    “We will not let it die prematurely but to nurture it to the benefit of Nigerians who are clamouring for change. APC is the cure for the headache we are having right now”, he pointed out.

    Asiwaju, urged Nigerians to appreciate Tambuwal as a loyal and very committed individual to the mission and progress of the country.

    He urged the people of Sokoto to overwhelmingly support the course for change for continued transformation.

    Presenting the Speaker before a crowd of party faithful, who thronged the Sokoto Trade Fair venue of the event on behalf of the party’s National Chairman, Chief John Odigie Oyegun, former interim National Chairman of the party, Chief Bisi Akande, described Nigeria as a great country with great people of great time.

    Akande said: “Wamakko is a great man who is to be succeeded by a greatman (Tambuwal). On behalf of the National Chairman of the party, I have the privilege and honour to present to you Aminu Waziri Tambuwal as APC gubernatorial candidate at this campaign flag off ceremony.”

    In his remarks, Tambuwal promised to consolidate the works of his predecessor if given the mandate. He explained that he would run a transparent government based on the leadership principles of the founding fathers of the Sokoto Caliphate.

    He condemned the calls for an interim government, describing such as unconstitutional.

    The Speaker said: “We and the generality of Nigerians are not disposed to the unconstitutional option. We are ready for free, fair and credible elections that will provide an enabling environment for the benefit of our people and dear nation.

    “APC shall emerge under free and fair contest for the national leadership which will In sha Allah be headed by a fearless, committed, credible and disciplined leader in Buhari.”

    Earlier, APC Northwest zonal Vice Chairman, Inuwa Abdulkadir, said the era of backwardness would soon be history, urging Nigerians to use their votes as necessary weapons to install a progressive government.

    He disclosed that the APC has in the last few weeks been experiencing the influx of new members from the PDP.

    “This development is apt and will help our mission and vision for the country in fighting insurgency, insecurity among other grey areas of challenges when we get the mandate to form government at the centre”, he said.

    Also speaking, Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, noted that APC was admiring good governance in line with its principles of giving Nigeria and Nigerians the desirable leadership.

    “We are confident that Tambuwal will embrace the qualities of Wamakko and ensure result-oriented drive for the people of the state”, he said.

    Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State had earlier described Tambuwal as a committed agent of change, who stood his grounds against the antics of the ruling PDP to shortchange Nigerians.

    Oshiohmole said: “Edo people are proud of your strength and vision for a new Nigeria. They want Sokoto people to unite and vote Wamakko and Tambuwal.”

    Former Governors Ahmed Sani Yarima (Zamfara) and Muhammadu Adamu Aliero (Kebbi), spoke in the same vein. They said Nigerians should support and embrace APC as a formidable political tool for change, adding that” APC is now the choice of an average Nigerian and this is not the first time an opposition party in Sokoto under Wamakko is winning elections.

    “The choice of Tambuwal is for a responsive continuity and spread of development as does his outgoing leader (Wamakko),” they said.

    The duo noted that the country was in a quagmire following what they described as “absolute deterioration and insecurity.”

    They said: “Wamakko has succeeded twice in shaming his predecessor and it will again repeat itself.

    “We are urging you to use the power of your votes to fight PDP out of office. PDP is a cirlce for rigging elections.”

    They urged the electorate to protect their votes.

    Describing the strength and unity upon which APC was built to rescue Nigerians, the state Acting Chairman, Alhaji Usman Damadamin Isa, said the party was for all Nigerians and devoid of religious, ethnic and personal sentiments.

    “I therefore call on the people of Sokoto state and Nigerians to turnout enmasse and cast their votes for the party. We should use our votes to sweep off PDP”, he advised.

    Those who honoured Tambuwal at the campaign launch include: former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Usman Bayero Nafada, Deputy Minority Leader, Suleiman Kawu Sumaila and other party leaders.

     

  • Why Jonathan may not win, by PDP chief

    Why Jonathan may not win, by PDP chief

    Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Hassan Jalo, said yesterday that President Goodluck Jonathan cannot win the presidential election slated for February 14, as long he relies on the promises of Abuja-based politicians.

    The ruling party, he said, will be digging its own grave by underrating the strength and the challenge of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Jalo, who spoke in a chat with reporters in Kaduna, said the ruling party could come out victorious by returning to the drawing board and to the grassroots to mobilise for supports.

    He said: “PDP will fail if it relies on Abuja politicians because they cannot decide who wins the presidential elections. The party must go back to the drawing board and grassroots for it to come out victorious in the 2015 elections. People are defecting in mass from PDP at the grassroots.

    “APC is a big threat to PDP because it is a formidable opposition.  People close to Jonathan don’t tell him the truth. The PDP is in a serious problem – if it does not go back to the drawing board and it keeps relying on the Abuja politicians.

    “If the PDP does not do that I’m afraid anything can happen in the 2015 general elections. PDP is in danger. You see the plain truth is PDP should not take APC lightly.

    “APC is a very strong and formidable opposition party. And is a threat to PDP. 2015 election will not be like any other elections. Mind you, PDP has lost five formidable state governors. For PDP to lose Kano and Lagos, which are highly populated area, forget it. Kano and Lagos brings the highest votes in Nigeria.

    “Any political party that can win the Northwest and Southwest and get additional votes from Northeast, Northcentral, Southeast and Southsouth will win the Presidency.

    “Majority of the votes comes from the Northwest and Southwest. And look at it that the PDP has lost Kano, Northwest and Lagos, Southwest. PDP has messed up by losing Kwara, Adamawa and Sokoto.

    “When you take the Sokoto Caliphate, which comprises of Sokoto, Zamfara and Kebbi, they vote in mass. And even in this 2015 election, they will vote in one direction from the way I’m looking at things. And all this forms part of the Northwest. In Nigerian politics, ones you win in the Southwest and Northwest, you have won the presidency because that is where the bulk of the votes come from.

    The Southsouth and Southeast don’t bring votes while the Northeast and Northcentral are divided. So, the bulk of the votes come from the Northwest and Southwest. Nobody can win the presidency with the votes of the Southsouth and Southeast.

    “So, if you look at the calculations, you will know that PDP is in a clear danger. If they don’t go back to the drawing board, stop relying on Abuja politicians and go back to the grassroots, where the votes come from, PDP is finished.

    “You cannot be in Abuja and go to tell Mr. President and the National Chairman of PDP lies that I call win my state. And maybe for a year or six months they’ve not been to their village.

    “Those are the Abuja politicians, who only stay in Abuja and go and tell Mr. President they will deliver their state for him only just to get contracts and leave. And those are the people the PDP is relying on.

    “Abuja politicians are the problem of PDP. Mr. President should know that he is been deceived. He should tell the PDP National Chairman, ‘let everybody go back to their villages and mobilise for the party.’”