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Tag: PDP

  • PDP BoT member: APC is huge threat

    A Board of Trustees (BoT) member of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Benjamin Apugo, has said the newly registered All Progressives Congress (APC) is a huge threat to the PDP.

    He said the ruling party has been riddled with irreconcilable crises.

    Addressing reporters at the Owerri Airport, Imo State, the founding member of the PDP said he embraced and celebrated the APC long before it was registered by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) because of its prospects for advancing Nigeria’s democracy.

    According to him, the performances of the PDP have been difficult to assess because of the absence of a formidable opposition.

    Apugo said: “It has been difficult to assess our party because there was no opposition. This is why I am happy that the APC has been registered. I know the people there: they are men of integrity and strong character, like myself.”

    Reacting to PDP’s prediction to rule Nigeria for the next 60 years, Apugo said: “There is nothing wrong with an assumption. If the PDP will rule, let it be by the votes of the people. It is the party that respects the rule of law, that recognises the aspirations of the people and does the right thing that the people will want.

    “I embraced the APC because of the calibre of people in the party. Sincerely speaking, I know the people. I have seen APC governors perform: they look after their people, they create jobs and develop infrastructure, which is the essence of governance. But the PDP-led administration in my state, Abia, has failed totally.”

    Taking a swipe at Governor Theodore Orji, the PDP chieftain disagreed with the state government’s claim on projects.

    He added: “Since Orji came to power, no viable project has been completed in Umuahia, the state capital. There is no airport in the state, no stadium. Yet, the PDP-led administration claims to have met its target in the state. But the truth is that the projects only exist on the pages of newspapers.”

    On the clamour for Igbo presidency, the frontline politician stressed that the zone is eminently qualified to occupy any position in the land, including that of the President.

    He, however, noted that the Igbo nation must unite under a common front to achieve the goal.

    Apugo said: “We should not deceive ourselves: we should do everything possible to be united first. We are qualified but we should get back our allies. So, let’s forget about deceiving ourselves for now.”

     

  • PDP slams N10m on Anambra guber aspirants

    PDP slams N10m on Anambra guber aspirants

    The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has slammed N10 million on each of the party’s governorship aspirants in Anambra State, just as the Seriake Dickson’s reconciliation committee steps up efforts to reconcile various factions in the Anambra and Ekiti chapters of the party.

    Similarly, female aspirants who intend to join the race are to cough up N5 million each. This is outside the one million paid by each of the aspirants to obtain the expression of interest form.

    Acting National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Mr. Tony Okeke, could not be reached to confirm the levy. Calls made by our correspondent to his mobile telephone line yesterday were not answered.

    Our correspondent’s text message seeking his reaction on the matter was also ignored. There are no fewer than 26 aspirants in the Anambra governorship race on the platform of the PDP.

    A reliable source at the party secretariat confided in our correspondent yesterday that the N10 million imposition was meant to separate genuine aspirants from pretenders.

    One of the aspirants, Mr. Sylvester Okonkwo, who picked his nomination form yesterday, confirmed that he paid the N10 million nomination fee.

    Okonkwo, who spoke with reporters shortly after collecting his form, said some of the  aspirants had complained about the exorbitant fee during a meeting with the leadership of the party, but that the party leaders did not yield ground.

    He said the party leaders made it clear to the aspirants at the meeting that the N10 million would remain the standard fee for PDP governorship aspirants in other states for subsequent primary elections.

    Meanwhile dusts are being raised among aspirants over zoning and consensus candidacy among the various aspirants in the Anamabra and Ekiti chapters of the PDP.

    Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, who held separate reconciliatory meetings with stakeholders from the two states on Thursday, enjoined the aspirants and party officers in the two states to embrace peace.

    Dickson, who chairs the PDP reconciliation committee, told the gubernatorial aspirants from the two states to close ranks and work for the success of the party at election.

    He bemoaned the loss of Anambra and Ekiti by the PDP to opposition parties, warning that there was no way the PDP could reclaim the two states in an atmosphere of rancour and divisions.

    Dickson had declared at the meetings that zoning and consensus option were not part of the terms of reference of his committee. According to him, the two issues should be left for the national leadership of the party to sort out.

    The Bayelsa Govenor deplored the recent violence in the Ekiti chapter where party offials were brutalised and chased out of their duty posts by armed thugs allegedly brought in by one of the aspirants.

    Dickson warned that the leadership of the party would not condone such acts of violence. He urged the various aggrieved persons to explore internal mechanism put in place by the party for the resolution of conflicts.

    Dickson stated: “The leadership of the party is worried about the growing level of violence in the Ekiti State chapter of our party; this must stop. We should refrain from violence, particularly when we are talking about issues in our party.

    “Please convey this message to our members back home. We don’t want reported cases of violence again because the party has the necessary internal mechanism for members to resolve issues”.

    He implored members of the state working committee of the Ekiti chapter not to hesitate in volunteering information and advice that could assist in resolving the crisis on ground.

  • APC’ll trounce PDP, says Durojaiye

    APC’ll trounce PDP, says Durojaiye

    A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Senator Olabiyi Durojaiye has said the party will trounce the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in elections.

    Durojaiye, in a statement yesterday, said with the APC there was hope for credible elections and stable democracy.

    He said: “I feel delighted that what most of us in the progressive camp of politics have always hoped for waht is manifesting. Two-party system is the best. It brings credibility to elections. When we have multiple parties, it makes no sense. With two-party system, it is very easy for the electorate to pick which manifesto or symbol they want.

    “APC will be a formidable counterforce to the PDP. It will trounce the PDP. I congratulate our colleagues who handled the registration process. I thank INEC for registering the party. There is hope for credible elections and stable democracy.”

    The Coordinator of the APC in Europe, Mr. Tunde Oyeleke, said the emergence of the party would open new opportunities for Nigerians abroad.

    He told The Nation that what the INEC did was not only a stability to the country’s political landmarks but enhance the country’s image.

    He said: “With APC in control, Nigerians desperately emigrating abroad will be reduced, while returning home by sojourners will become more attractive.

    “I have no doubt that the caliber of political players in the newly registered APC is dependable, reliable and result-oriented with the tract record of performance and credibility.”

    He urged Nigerians to embrace the new platform as it would usher in the real positive change in the political leadership.

    He commended INEC for ensuring that its name was not dragged in the mud and tasked it to conduct free and fair election as some of those outside the country would come home to fully participate in the electoral process.

  • PDP congratulates APC on registration

    PDP congratulates APC on registration

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has congratulated the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on the successful registration of the new party.

    In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Tony Okeke, the party described the birth of the APC as healthy development for the nation’s democracy.

    The statement, however, said the registration of the APC does not pose any threat to the ruling party, adding that it still maintains its pre-eminent position and enjoys acceptance across the country.

    It said: “Nigerians now expect the leaders of the opposition party to eschew all forms of bitterness and desperation and desist from politics of propaganda which characterized their former parties.

    “The PDP urges the APC leaders to focus on issues and engage in more robust debates on the economy and other issues of governance in the general interest of the country.

    “The leadership of the PDP congratulates the leadership of the APC on the successful registration of their new party. This is very healthy for our democracy.

    “We hope that from now the opposition will eschew all forms of bitterness and desperation and desist from politics of propaganda which characterized their former parties.

    “We hope to see a vibrant opposition that will constructively engage the PDP on issues of governance in a way that Nigerians will be the utmost beneficiaries, instead of overheating the polity by promoting violence and hatred among the people.”

     

     

  • ‘Osun revenue under PDP tissue of lies’

    ‘Osun revenue under PDP tissue of lies’

    Osun State Government has faulted a claim by the former Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development, Mr. Adetoyese Ojo, that a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Iyiola Omisore, influenced increase in the monthly allocation of the state from N2 billion to N6 billion.

    It described the statement credited to Ojo as false.

    Government also denied the allegation that it has borrowed up to N300 billion since the assumption of office of the present administration.

    It said the allegation was unfounded and mischievous, aimed at misinforming the indigenes.

    The Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development, Dr. Wale Bolorunduro, said the publication credited to Ojo in a newspaper was an attempt to mislead the public and give undeserved regard to Omisore.

    Dr. Bolorunduro, who noted that the process of increasing states’ allocation is handled by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), stressed that “RMAFC is set up by the Federal Government to handle issues relating to the review and enhancement of states’ revenue sharing from the Federation Account.

    “The parameters adopted by the commission in their consideration include, among others, population figure, public school enrolment, land mass, hospital and hospital beds.”

    Action Congress of Nigeria’s (ACN’s) Director of Publicity, Research and Strategy in the state Mr. Kunle Oyatomi, a lawyer, quoted Dr. Bolorunduro as saying that “it is not an exaggeration to say that there is no way the state would have been favourably considered along this line of benchmark, given the social neglect in the state under the PDP administration and the downward slide of the parameters, as hospitals were neglected and Osun people turned to private schools as saviours.”

    He challenged the ex- Finance Commissioner to produce the method used in his own imagination to achieve the purported influence of RMAFC as he claimed in the publication credited to him.

    Said he: “From 2003 to date, the state’s position on the revenue table remains almost unchanged, occupying the 34th position, which is third from the bottom. States’ revenue figures are not secrets, as same is periodically made available to the public by the Federal Ministry of Finance. Senator Omisore may, therefore, be asked to give an account of his goodwill to the state in this direction, even throughout his tenure as the Chairman of the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation.”

    He said no ecological fund has ever been received since the inception of the Governor Rauf Aregbesola administration and advised the former Commissioner for Finance to present his account on the receipt and utilisation of ecological fund during their tenure.

    On the issue of Subsidy Reinvestment Programme (SURE-P), Bolorunduro said the state’s allocation of SURE-P is spent on social services, such as O’-elderly, O’-meal, O’-Taxi and others that have socio-economic impact on the citizens, adding that “the local government SURE-P fund is allocated by the local government joint account committee.”

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • ‘PDP can’t dislodge ACN in Ogun’

    Ogun State Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) chieftain Otunba Oladeinde Banjo spoke with EMMANUEL OLADESU on the Amosun Administration and other partisan issues.

     

    The Peoples Democratic Party is plotting to take power from the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Ogun State. What are the prospects of your party in 2015?

    I think the People Democratic Party (PDP) is joking. Going by their acronym, you know it is the Poverty Development Party. I think Ogun State has made up its mind about 2015. There is a lot of infrastructural development going on in the state under the leadership of Governor Ibikunle Amosun.

    The ACN government is doing tremendously well to position the state for the future, in terms of infrastructural development. If you go to Abeokuta, the capital city, you will see massive road construction taking place. It is the same thing at Ijebu Ode, Ogun West, Ilaro, up to Idiroko. You will see new schools being constructed and educational facilities being provided for the schools. The facilities compare favorably to what obtains in Europe and America.

    Is zoning likely to play a role in shaping the political events that will occur in 2015?

    Well, I personally, don’t think zoning is a factor to reckon with. What is important is the ability of the candidates, what they stand for, their pedigree and their antecedents. Zoning will not take the place of merit and the capacity to deliver.

    The people of Egbado Division have been clamoring for power shift to the zone. How do you see their agitation for power shift in the light of the preparation for the 2015 elections?

    I am aware of the declaration of interest by Hon. Akinlade, but all of us in the ACN do not believe that another member should set up a personal structure against the governor who we have endorsed for a second term.

    Ogun West has been complaining about neglect and marginalization, but the story is changing. The zone is benefitting from the developmental projects of the Amosun Admini-stration. What the ACN members should do is to maintain unity in the party, checkmate the common enemies and allow the party to reign supreme. It is not time for intra-party quarrel. So, whatever will create problems for the party must be avoided.

    How united is the party behind the aspiration of the governor to continue beyond 2015.

    We are solidly united behind the governor. I strongly object to a situation where we form a parallel structure to challenge the incumbent governor, either in the Labour Party or the PDP. We thank God that the progressive parties are coalescing into a bigger platform. Even, the Labour Party has no prospect in Ogun State.

    There are certain ACN leaders who are alleging that they have been marginalised in the scheme of things in the state. Don’t you think this can create problems for the party?

    The ACN, which is actually an offshoot of the Action Group, has in-built internal mechanism to resolve its crises and I think that, if we are committed progressives, we should, for the sake of peace, unity and progress of the party, defer our ambition for the peace and progress of the party. Amosun is just going to complete his first term and he deserves a second chance. What should be paramount to us is the success of the party.

    What should be the preoccupation of the governor between now and 2015?

    The governor should intensify efforts on his developmental programmes, continue with the massive infrastructural development and maintain good relations with the stakeholders and party chieftains. I appeal to our members, who are aggrieved, to see the performance of the governor as their pride.

    Why are they disgruntled?

    Well, you mentioned it earlier that there is an allegation of marginal-isation. I said that the governor is carrying all along in his activities. That is why I am appealing to all of us to ensure that the governor succeeds to the end.

    How effective is the crises resolution mechanism within the Ogun ACN?

    Our leaders are experienced. They are credible. They are in control of every situation. They will not go to sleep over any matter. If there are lapses, they will rise to the occasion and remedy the situation.

    How is the party trying to manage the perceived tension between the leadership within the Ogun ACN and the governor

    Like I told you, the majority of our party members are loyal party members. We have good leaders at the state and national levels. Chief Osoba is a formidable leader in Ogun State. Our leaders are forging unity in the fold and preparing for the future challenges. The crisis in Ogun ACN is a media creation.

    In the past, election was a matter of do-or-die in Ogun State. That was how my cousin, Dipo Dina, was killed. It will not happen again.

    How do you assess the performance of the local government chairman in the state?

    Well, the local government chairmen are doing well. For now, they are trying their best, although there are hues and cries of underfunding, which has militated against the quantum of work they probably would have done. But it is our hope that, with time, things will improve.

    What is the solution to the insecurity in this country?

    Security is a very major concern. I think the way to address it is sincerity by our leadership. I remember that, when we are growing up in this Lagos, you walked the length and breadth of Lagos from 8p.m to 5a.m without having the fear of any attack by armed robbers.

     

     

     

     

     

  • Umaru Dikko chairs PDP committee

    Umaru Dikko chairs PDP committee

    •Party members withdraw suit to stop convention

    The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has constituted a seven-man national disciplinary committee to look into issues as they affect groups and individuals.

    The committee is chaired by the controversial Second Republic Transport Minister, Alhaji Umaru Dikko. Other members are: King Turner, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Alhaji Shuaibu Oyedokun, Hajia Ayishat Kadiri, Mr. Hussaini Diraki and Senator Emmanuel Agboti, who is to act as secretary.

    A statement by the party’s Acting National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Tony Okeke, said the committee was set up pursuant to the provisions of Articles 57 (1), (2), (3) of the Party’s constitution.

    Okeke said the committee would be inaugurated by National Chairman Alhaji Bamanga Tukur at a date to be announced later.

    Also yesterday, the coast appeared clear for the party’s special national convention following the withdrawal of a suit seeking to stop the gathering by three members.

    The aggrieved members are Abba K. Yale; Alhaji Yahaya Aruwa Sule and Bashir Madugu, a lawyer.

    The plaintiffs were persuaded by the National Reconciliation Committee, headed by Governor Henry Seriake Dickson, to withdraw the matter

    The Reconciliation Committee described its intervention as recording “a quick win”.

    The plaintiffs yesterday filed an application to discontinue the suit seeking to stop the forthcoming national convention.

    The case was brought before a Federal Capital Territory High Court in Apo, Abuja presided over by Justice Suleiman Belgore.

    According to a statement by the National Reconciliation Committee, the lawyer to the aggrieved members, Mr. F. N. Nwosu filed papers yesterday withdrawing the matter for the Dickson’s committee to amicably address their grievance.

    “Since his clients had applied for the discontinuance of the matter, Nwosu told the court that the most logical thing to do was to strike out the suit to save the PDP from unnecessary delay in the conduct of its primary.

    “But Justice Belgore adjourned the hearing of the application to September.”

    “In a statement jointly signed by the plaintiffs, they pledged to support and cooperate with the committee and all other agencies of the PDP in order to have a hitch-free national convention.

    “ They also praised Governor Dickson for brokering peace between the party and urged all aggrieved members that ditched the party to take advantage of the window provided by the Dickson’s committee with the view to addressing their grievances.

    A source said: “This is a major relief because preparations for the convention would have amounted to nullity.

    “We have succeeded in overcoming a major obstacle to the convention. The party is happy, the NWC has been communicated.”

     

  • PDP upholds Southwest committee’s decision on Fayose, others

    PDP upholds Southwest committee’s decision on Fayose, others

    Supporters of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Ondo State have been urged to remain steadfast in the struggle to ensure a positive change in governance.

    They were also enjoined to unite and pray for justice at the Supreme Court following the petition filed by the party and its governorship candidate in last year’s governorship election, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu.

    The Appeal Court sitting in Akure upheld the verdict of the lower tribunal in favour of Dr. Olusegun Mimiko as winner of the October 20, 2012 governorship poll.

    Speaking with leaders and supporters of ACN in the 15 wards of Akoko South West Local Government at Akungba-Akoko, a chieftain of the party, Otunba Gboyega Adefarati, said ACN has the administrative virtues to bring about positive change to the state.

    He lamented the harrowing experience of indigenes, stressing that with determination, perseverance and prayer, Ondo State would soon join other Southwest states to enjoy good governance.

    The meeting, which coincided with the 2013 Akungba Day, was attended by elders and leaders of the party, local government executives, ward chairmen and women and youth leaders.

    The Chairman of the Leader’s Forum in Akoko Southwest Local Government, Mr. Foluso Babadele, hailed the party leaders for their steadfastness, commitment and support for Akeredolu.

    He lauded its National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande and National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for their support, particularly during the last governorship poll.

    Babadele said the party’s structure, which helped it to win election in the local government in the October 20, 2012 poll was still intact.

    The host, who is the son of former Governor Adebayo Adefarati and ACN House of Representatives candidate for Akoko South West/East in the 2011 National Assembly election, appreciated the party leaders in the area, who encouraged him to launch his campaign for the 2015 House of Representatives election.

    He noted that the Court of Appeal judgment had raised fundamental issues and he hoped that the Supreme Court would do justice. He added that after darkness, light would emerge.

    According to him, election is a process and not an event and a compromised voter register cannot produce a legitimate election result.

    He said: “The issue of personal ambition is not now. When we get to the river, we shall cross it. What is paramount to me now is how to join other ACN leaders to build a formidable party that will win future elections.”

    The ACN chieftain urged party supporters to rally round Akeredolu in his struggle to get justice at the Supreme Court.

     

  • PDP urges support for Anambra chair

    The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has given its support to Ken Emeakayi as the authentic chairman of its Anambra State chapter.

    This followed alleged moves by the PDP to ensure that Senator Andy Uba emerged as the party’s consensus candidate in the November 16 governorship election.

    A statement by the Acting National Publicity Secretary, Tony Okeke, yesterday said the party took the decision to back Emeakayi, following comprehensive consultations with major party stakeholders in the state.

    The statement added that the decision was borne out of the desire to have a strong and united party to effectively reposition the PDP for the election.

    “All members of our party in Anambra State are hereby directed to work with Emeakayi towards achieving victory in the forthcoming governorship election in the state,” the statement added.

    Party sources said yesterday that the party hierarchy is being pressured to ensure the emergence of Senator Uba as a consensus candidate.

    The sources said former President Olusegun Obasanjo is the arrow head of the consensus option, meant to favour his former Special Assistant on Domestic Affairs.

    Obasanjo was said to have appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan when the President visited Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital to give Uba the needed leverage to emerge as the candidate.

    He was also said to have urged Jonathan to reach out to Uba for the purpose of mobilising support among various stakeholders.

    But Jonathan was said to have replied that there was need for the party to ensure a level playing field for all the aspirants and was quoted to have said the country was watching the unfolding events in Anambra.

     

  • As al-Mustapha prepares to join PDP…

    As al-Mustapha prepares to join PDP…

    When Major Hamza al-Mustapha, former Chief Security Officer to late Head of State, General Sani Abacha was recently discharged and acquitted of change of murder of Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, wife of presumed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, Bashorun M.K.O Abiola, by an Appeal Court in Lagos, it felt like somebody messing in ones mouth and putting salt as well, as the Yoruba would say.

    The mess, one can’t swallow, the salt one cannot spit out, if you understand what that means. It was a sweet/bitter verdict that could be described as both victory and defeat for justice at the same time. To al-Mustapha and family, it was victory for justice while the Abiola family naturally felt otherwise. I guess most Nigerians felt the same way as the Abiolas but because the appellate court had spoken, are resigned to leaving everything in the hands of God, the ultimate judge.

    But the Lagos state government (the prosecutor in this case) I guess, might not be inclined to handing over to God yet, as there is still one window of appeal to the Supreme Court left and might be willing to explore that, if only to be seen to have tried everything legally possible to get what the majority (at least in the South west) believes to be justice in this celebrated murder case.

    I deliberately refused to join the bandwagon in condemning or praising al-Mustapha’s acquittal for obvious reasons even though I smelt rat in the whole thing. I could see politics at play here even though one could not point at any particular politician as being behind it. But with speculations in the air that al-Mustapha is about to pitch his tent with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), coupled with the reception he got when he visited the Government House in Kano shortly after his release, one needs no soothsayer to conclude that the former CSO had the support of the ruling party while his trial lasted.

    It might not be out of place to also conclude that the powers that be in the north were sympathetic towards al-Mustapha’s cause as could be seen not only in the enthusiastic welcome he had received so far from his home region, but also in the shocking silence of that class on how to get justice for the Abiolas, after all somebody shot and killed Kudirat and the person was acting under somebody’s order. So, who did it and who gave the order? Until that person or those people are found and punished, al-Mustapha remains guilty in the minds of the people here, the show of shame by Dr Fredrick Faseun of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) hailing his acquittal notwithstanding.

    In spite of the court’s verdict, if al-Mustapha and his co-accused as they were then, had a hand in Kudirat’s murder or any of the numerous unresolved murders of the Abacha era, definitely they will not go unpunished, both here and in the hereafter.

    My concern here is not even about their punishment if they were indeed involved in the murder, but the red carpet being given to al-Mustapha in particular as if (the murder case apart) he was a honourable, just and competent officer while he held court as the unseen number two in the administration of the late maximum ruler. Don’t forget that al-Mustapha, a mere Major in the Nigerian Army was more powerful than most of his seniors, Major Generals et al including the official second in command in that regime, a three-star General, Lt. General Oladipo Diya. After Abacha, no other person was most feared than al-Mustapha.

    Have we suddenly forgotten all those revelations made at the Oputa panel about the activities of the death squad of that regime that were answerable only to al-Mustapha? Has anybody been punished? If al-Mustapha had no hand in the killing of Kudirat what of the other crimes committed under his watch as CSO? Are we sweeping such under the carpet or has he been cleared? Until we are told that the man is free of all the baggage attached to him as Abacha’s CSO, it would be wrong to parade him as a kind of a hero or victim of vendetta as he wants us to believe. It would even be worse if any political party should roll out the red carpet for him and admit him into its fold.

    It is unfortunate that the PDP already smells opportunities for electoral gains in the release of al-Mustapha, and the young man himself seems to wants to make political capital of it. Apart from visiting the Government House, Kano, controlled by the PDP, shortly after his release, he had been making some political comments and visitations as well.

    He was at the Abuja home of the leader of the Niger Delta Peoples Volunteer Force (NDPVF), Alhaji Mujahideen Asari-Dokubo at the weekend where he was beating his chest as being the one whose actions shortly after Abacha’s death gave birth to this democracy. Can you imagine that, coming from an al-Mustapha? He wants us to praise him for not taking over power then, which he could have easily done according to him if he wanted to. What an insult? I think the young man is better advised to take it easy and lie low for some time and not reopen healing wounds. His choice of words and association tend to portray a man with an exaggerated view of his value. The Asari-Dokubo that he visited would either be in detention or a dead man under the Abacha administration that he served. We have not forgotten who killed Ken Saro Wiwa.

    In any case politics they say is all about interest. So, an Asari-Dokubo can hobnob with an al-Mustapha? Wonders shall never cease. All for a Jonathan presidency again in 2015? So all those derogatory things Asari-Dokubo has been saying about the north, what E. K Clark, the Ijaw leader has been saying against the Hausa/Fulani no longer hold water as long as al-Mustapha can help win the northern votes for President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015? Nigeria we hail thee.

    Since al-Mustapha’s release, different Ijaw groups and leaders have been failing over each other to outdo one another in hailing his acquittal, nothing wrong in that if only they are genuine and sincere, but we all know why; 2015. But al-Mustapha should remember the party story of the Biafran leader late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegu Ojukwu, who because he was granted pardon by the NPN government of President Shehu Shagari in the second republic, quickly joined the on his return from exile and took Ndigbo to NPN, thinking that the interest of his people, who had followed Dr Nnamdi Azikwe to NPP that time would be better protected in the ruling party, he was wrong. The rest is history.

    Nothing personal against al-Mustapha, but he should tread softly and realise that the murder of Alhaja Kudirat Abiola is still fresh and hurting in our memory, beating his chest all over the place or jumping into the political arena would do nothing to heal the wounds, he needs to show remorse and seek ALLAH’s forgiveness for the pains he inflicted on so many Nigerians as Abacha’s CSO. This is more honourable than joining the political fray. A word for President Jonathan and his group as well, Nigerians are no fools again; our mumu don do.