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Tag: victory

  • Tears as Blue House snatches victory at sport meet

    Tears as Blue House snatches victory at sport meet

    •School marks 10th anniversary

    Members of Yellow House of Normandie Nursery and Primary School, Surelere,  Lagos were in tears last Friday when they failed to repeat the victory which they secured at the school’s  biennial inter house sport  two years ago. To their dismay, Blue House toppled their feat.

    To make matters worse, their efforts on Saturday notwithstanding, neither placed them in the first or second runners up. They came fourth in the contest.

    It took the effort of the Lagos State First Lady Mrs Dame Abimbola Fashola to console the Yellow House captain Ayinde Oladeyinde and his co-contests who could not hold back tears when their house position was announced.

    The sport fiesta, which held at the Lagos Anglican Grammar School Sport field, Surulere, and also coincided with the school’s 10th anniversary, saw the Blue House in fierce jubilation for snatching the trophy.

    One of the teachers in Yellow House, Mrs Opeoluwa Olabanji, who also cried, faulted the overall result.

    According to her, the judges were different from the ones who had been with them ahead of the grand finale.

    “The children in this (Yellow) house are much younger than other houses. They did their best. They are all sorrowful because having put in much energy in this contest and believing that they would win only to assume the fourth position is really heartbreaking,” Mrs Olabanji said.

    Blue House clinched 17 gold, 13 silver and 10 bronze medals, Green House won first runner up with 17gold, 11 silver and seven bronze medals, while the Red House grabbed nine gold, 12 silver and 16 bronze medal. Yellow House came forth with nine gold, nine silver and 15 bronze medals.

    The Vice-Chairman of the school, Prof Ibiyemi Bello, noted that engaging in sport helps pupils showcase their skills, signifies competitive achievements and as well, fosters unity in the school. Celebrating the school’s decade anniversary, Bello recalled how challenging it was when the school first open its doors.

    Said Bello: “When we started 10 years ago, my consultant said to me if we could get just three children we would be able to start. To the glory of God that day we started with seven and since that time God has been faithful.The school has grown beyond our expectation. We also thank God for what He is doing in the lives of these children. Our products are in the best schools in this country, they are really doing very well and the feedback from them is so amazing.

    “I also thank God for the teachers that we have here, they have been very diligent and dedicated to the school” she said.

    She urged the in-coming government to declare a state of emergency on education

    “In fact, I will say that there should be a state of emergency concerning education. For this country, education must start from the foundation. We want to make sure that all children within the streets of this nation are in school. The condition of the schools must also be conducive enough for learning. The government should fund education; we need to improve more in this sector,” Bello added.

  • ‘We won’t challenge your victory ‘

    ‘We won’t challenge your victory ‘

    Three governorship candidates in Abia State have said they will not challenge Governor-elect, Victor Ikpeazu’s victory at the tribunal.

    The candidates – Dan Onyeonagu (KOWA), Gilbert Chikezie (Independent Democrat (ID), and Ijeoma Okpara (Citizens Popular Party (CPP), said their decision followed the need to move the state forward.

    In a statement, the candidates said they believed Abians spoke in unity by electing Ikpeazu.

    “In the spirit of sportsmanship, and putting Abia above any personal ambition, we accept that the elections were peaceful and credible. We accept the results as announced by INEC.

    “It is not about an individual; it is about the state.

    “We wish to emphasise that Aba needs infrastructural development and we are confident that Ikpeazu will deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.

    “We have confidence that he will govern with the fear of God; irrespective of religious or tribal affiliation,” the candidates said.

     

  • Kuku denies funding APC’s presidential victory

    Kuku denies funding APC’s presidential victory

    Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Matters, Kingsley Kuku, has debunked reports that he contributed funds to the All Progressive Congress (APC) during the just concluded presidential elections.

    He dismissed the insinuations in the social media and other platforms as the handiwork of mischievous persons aimed at stoking the embers of hate to curry political favours from the in- coming federal government.

    Speaking with reporters at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja yesterday, Kuku challenged those circulating the falsehood to show proof he contributed money to the APC.

    According to him: “This claim is clearly mischievous and deliberately sculpted to sully my reputation by ignorant political jobbers.

    “Ordinarily, I would have ignored this laughable claim, given the fact that all discerning Nigerians are well aware that I loyally gave the PDP my best and even my all during the presidential, gubernatorial and assembly elections.

    “However conscious of the fact that once falsehood goes unchallenged it tends to wear the garb of truth at some point, I have elected to place on record the fact that I did not contribute a dime to the APC.”

    Kuku added: ‘’Indeed I could not have given money to the APC given my very deep involvement with my party, the PDP and our dear leader, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, during all elections.

    “I truly do not worry much about this falsehood being circulated about me because those who know me well can attest to the fact that I am a loyalist to the core. I have never ever betrayed my leaders.’’

  • Emmanuel’s victory coup against state, says Umana

    •We’ll challenge victory in court

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Akwa Ibom State, Umana Okon Umama, has described the victory of Udom Emmanuel, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate as a coup against the people.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday declared the PDP candidate as the winner of last Saturday’s election in the state.

    According to INEC, Emmanuel scored 996, 071 votes to defeat Umana, who scored 89, 865.

    But speaking to The Nation through telephone, Umana said APC would take steps to seek justice in the interest of the people.

    He said despite the widespread hijack of voting materials across the 31 lcouncils and non-collation, results of the election were announced by INEC.

    “Udom Emmanuel’s declaration is a coup against the people of Akwa Ibom State. So we will take steps to seek justice in the court of law for the people.

    “You are a reporter in Akwa Ibom State. You know we did not have an election. Electoral materials were hijacked everywhere and there was widespread violence.

    “Above all, through out Saturday, did you see collation taking place anywhere? At the local government level, there was no collation.

    “So where are the results coming from? From the houses of people and from Government House. It’s a travesty of justice. It’s a crime against the people. We’ll seek justice in the courts.”

     

  • Martins fires Sounders to victory

    Martins fires Sounders to victory

    Former Super Eagles striker, Obafemi Martins, scored his third goal of the MLS season, as Seattle Sounders beat Houston Dynamo 1-0.

    Martins turned a defender to beat Houston goalkeeper, Tyler Deric, to seal the win for Sounders on Saturday night despite playing the final 35 minutes with just 10 men.

    Martins’ goal came in the 39th minute as Seattle quickly countered off a Houston turnover.

    Martins collected a pass from Clint Dempsey, did a 360-degree spin around Houston defender Jermaine Taylor and put enough power on the shot that Deric’s deflection couldn’t keep it out of the net.

    Staying in the MLS, Tesho Akindele of FC Dallas leveled for his side in their game against Portland Timbers his second goal of the season from five games so far but his strike failed to prevent his side from losing 3-1 to Portland Timbers who had Fanendo Adi on for the entire duration of the game.

    Tesho is eligible for Nigeria, Canada and the USA at senior International level but the 23-year-old  has represented Canada at Under-17 level, playing in a friendly game against Costa Rica in 2009.

  • Jega’s finest hour as Nigerian victory

    Nigerians have little faith in their institutions. Except perhaps for the church, today headed by prosperity prophets, who have taken over the socio- economic role the state should perform in society; all other institutions are facing crisis of credibility. The bureaucracy is so powerful that it controls the water we drink, the air we breathe, the education of our children; where to live and where to be buried.

    Recently, a theft of N5billion pension fund was perpetrated inside the office of the Head of service just as another director in charge of the police, the most important organ of state, stole over N32b. The legislature has become a parasite living on the sweat and blood of those they are elected to protect through humane enacted laws. The judiciary is for the highest bidder. Those who allegedly stole N1.6 trillion are not in chains but in government because the outgoing President Jonathan government says ‘the wheel of justice grinds slowly in Nigeria’. Until now the picture of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), that Nigerians had was that of an umpire that often takes side with one of the competing teams if the price was right.

    But with commitment and strength of character, Jega changed that picture leading to the miracle of 28th March 2015. On that day, Nigerians came out in their millions, waited for hours in the sun, others in the rain, determined to cast their vote because unlike the inglorious moment in the First Republic when Chief Remi Fani Kayode said his party would win whether the people voted for it or not, Nigerians trusted Jega and believed their vote would count. He has not let those who put their trust in him down.  For Nigerian, it is the dawn on a new day. For the first time in the history of our nation, an incumbent president was defeated ‘round and square,’ through a process that was so transparent that the President could not have been anything but magnanimous in defeat to promptly congratulate the victor.

    The battle against forces of darkness that swore to rule for sixty years or pull the nation down on their head had been fierce.  Jega’s most potent weapons were the millions of Nigerians he was able to convince that sacrificing quality time to secure their PCVs, wait patiently for hours on a queue on the election day refusing to be disfranchised by enemies of our nation, spend their resources to rent generators, canopies, chairs or buy refreshments for their compatriots were worthy endeavours for sustenance of the soul of our nation. Thousands of our young corpers who spent Friday and Saturday nights sleeping in mosquito infested open field and unable to take their bath for two days made the sacrifice because of their faith that Jega’s efforts would bring a better tomorrow.

    It is gratifying to know that the current INEC is Nigerian made. It is made up of patriotic individual Nigerians. I was filled with admiration as I watched Kayode Idowu, the chief spokesman for the INEC chairman, who appeared not to have slept for days, educating Nigerians on the need for patience and understanding on Channels Television last Sunday. There were many voting locations with neither INEC officials nor INEC voting materials. But Nigerians remained resolute having realized that INEC was engaged in a battle of wits with those who worked assiduously to ensure its failure. At the end, their resilience and patience paid off. Those who had thought Nigerians especially the middle class would give up after a few hours were disappointed. Many in their sixties and seventies patiently waited on Saturday and those who had roles to perform in their churches on the palm Sunday returned briefly to vote when voting started before returning back to their churches.

    The African Union Election Observation Mission (AUEOM) said in preliminary findings that the vote was “conducted in a peaceful atmosphere within the framework that satisfactorily meets the continental and regional principles of democratic elections”. This is a credit to Jega and Nigerians who have faith in him. Except in the south south where militants, both young and old, often resort to self-help and Lagos where enemies of Nigeria were bent on truncating the transition, the election went smoothly everywhere. INEC’s success came after a hard fought battle with formidable foes beginning with the president, his errand boys and errant elders, his attack dogs, PDP Boko Haram insurgents and the Niger Delta militants whose leader Godsday Orubaba, a former minister of Niger Delta put up a show of shame on Tuesday in the full glare of national and international audience in a futile attempt to derail the transition.

    Of course Jega survived all his foes including President Jonathan, his greatest detractor who without proof claimed non indigenes in Lagos were being discriminated against by INEC in the distribution of PCVs; PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Muazu told a delegation of Africa Union election observers led by AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Dr. Aisha Abdullahi that his party objected to the use of card readers because  “the machine may not make for credible elections as it is said to easily malfunction especially when the battery is weak”; a former Governor of Anambra State, Chukwuemeka Ezeife, who spoke on behalf of Southern Leaders Forum insisted  there would be no election except Jega quits  and in fact, calls for his sack and arrest. There was also the National co-coordinator of the Odua Peoples Congress (OPC) Otunba Gani Adams, who wanted Atthiru Jega removed ‘on the basis of PVC distribution and introduction of card reader’

    There were also 15 political parties that opposed the use of the card readers because “if the card reader should develop some technical problems, there is a possibility that the consequences of such development would affect about forty) or fifty percent of the polling booths nationwide. The national chairman of MEGA Progressive Peoples Party, Dare Falade; the presidential candidate of the Peoples Party of Nigeria, Kelvin Alagoa; and the presidential candidate of the Alliance represented them. Rafiu Salau amongst others represented them.

    The churches were not left out. There was Bishop Abraham Chris Udeh, the General Overseer of Mount Zion Global Faith Liberation Ministries, Nnewi, Amambra state, who had a vision that Jega must be removed. Buffeted and bedeviled by the typical Nigerian problems, INEC has emerged a new Nigerian successful brand and one institution that have made Nigerians proud. Jega’s joy for ending our long nightmare, I am sure will have no bounds. It is his victory as much as it is Nigerian victory.

  • Victory for democracy

    SIR: It is pertinent to wholeheartedly congratulate the good people of Nigeria for their courage, unity of purpose, perseverance, tolerance, dedication, determination, resoluteness and commitment to democracy that culminated in the successful conduct of the first phase of the 2015 general elections held on March 28th and 29th; as well as the final declaration of the Presidential election results by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    The sacrifice and endurance displayed by Nigerians ensured that the elections held peacefully and orderly in most parts of the country despite the evil plots by enemies of democracy, peace, progress and national unity to truncate the process through incitements as well as the attempt to abort the declaration of results at the national collation centre in Abuja through Godsday Orubebe..

    The desperate and despicable show of shame exhibited by Orubebe confirmed the ruling party’s anti democratic plots against the people of Nigeria. It is also necessary to commend local and international observers for their exemplary conducts in monitoring the elections in order to ensure that it conforms to best global practices. Also worthy of commendation so far, is INEC for its untiring, resolute and patriotic efforts in ensuring free, fair, transparent and credible presidential/national assembly elections through innovative mechanisms like the PVC and E-card reader. However, there are concerns about poor logistics especially with regards to deployment of personnel and election materials to polling units on Election Day. Sadly, this has become a recurring decimal in election conducts in the country. The alleged compromise of some of INEC’s election personnel on Election Day in states like Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Imo amongst others should be looked into to forestall future recurrence.

    President Goodluck Jonathan should be commended for rising up to the occasion as a statesman by congratulating General Muhammadu Buhari, winner of the 2015 Presidential elections, even before the final declarations of results by INEC.

    General Buhari of the All Progressive Congress (APC) deserves praise for his steadfastness, discipline, indomitable spirit, doggedness and commitment to democracy. He has to be magnanimous in victory in rallying the country together collectively and rededicate himself to the herculean but surmountable task of nation building.

    All Nigerians must remain calm and vigilant because the enemies of democracy are still on the prowl. They must be defeated for the sake of national peace, unity and progress.

     

    • Nelson Ekujumi

    Ikeja, Lagos

  • APC’s campaign fund victory

    APC’s campaign fund victory

    Triumph of the rule of law

    ACTION Congress of Nigera’s (APC) court victory over the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in a suit the party filed against the commission challenging the latter’s banning of its campaign fundraising platform is a triumph of the rule of law and integrity of the new media. The APC had in late January sued the commission, asking for N25billion as damages, for ordering Etisalat, MTN Nigeria Ltd, Globacom Ltd, Airtel Nigeria Ltd and Visafone Communications Ltd. to discontinue its sms platform created to enable the party get donations from willing members of the public for its presidential campaign.

    The idea was to make Nigerians who are sympathetic to the party’s cause donate N100 each to its presidential campaign fund whenever they sent ‘APC’ as sms to 35350. But, the commission, in a letter dated January 19, 2015, ordered the other respondents to shut down the platform, with a warning that they should “avoid running political advertisement/promotions that will portray them as being partisan.” For effect and maximum compliance, the commission was said to have threatened to sanction any of the telecommunications service providers which failed to comply with the order.

    But Justice Ibrahim Buba who delivered judgment in the matter awarded the APC N500million as damages, to be paid jointly and severally by the respondents. He said the APC had a right under the constitution to press for the enforcement of its fundamental human right if violated, dismissed the NCC’s counter-affidavit and held that the action of the respondents was illegal and unconstitutional.

    The APC deserves praise for taking the matter to court. Many such illegalities had occurred and indeed keep occurring in the country daily because those concerned do not challenge them in the court of law. By its decision to sue the commission, the party has helped to deepen our democratic culture. At least the commission now knows its limits under the law as far as such matters are concerned; that is assuming it took its action out of ignorance in the first place. Even if it did with the intention of pleasing its masters, the outcome is enough to make it realise the folly of such decision.

    Campaign contribution is a symbol of freedom of expression and political choice. We therefore wonder how such right can be abridged by a government agency that is supposed to have a responsibility to all Nigerians, irrespective of religious or political affiliation. Moreover, this is a partnership that the NCC itself should profit from because the platform was basically business and not political per se.

    It is disturbing that for a country where moneybags have hijacked the political process the NCC would discourage a venture that has the potential of reducing the influence of such moneybags in the polity and thus give the party some form of economic independence. This was the way political parties were funded in the country many years ago, and it somewhat ensured a sense of collective ownership because no single individual could lay claim to ownership of the party so funded.

    It is disheartening that many government agencies see themselves as appendages of the government instead of the public institutions that they should be. It is better for us all if they can be made to realise that they belong to all Nigerians and not to the government of the day. In the specific instance, the NCC even forgot that it allowed a similar platform for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which set up the short codes designated: 6661, 662, 6663 and 6664 managed by one Wagitel Communications Limited to raise funds for the campaign of President Goodluck Jonathan and the vice president, Namadi Sambo, in 2010. Our public institutions should do with less of such discrimination in their own interest and that of the country at large.

    We commend the court for disposing of the matter expeditiously. We can only hope many of our courts would emulate the record time within which the matter was decided.

  • This year’s victory was much harder-Assar

    This year’s victory was much harder-Assar

    For Egypt’s Omar Assar, retaining the title at this year’s International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) World Tour, Lagos Open was much harder compared to previous victories especially playing against fans’ favourite, Nigeria’s Aruna Quadri in the men’s singles final.

    Assar added to his list of titles in the splendid setting of Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium claiming his third title in a row in Lagos.

    “It was a difficult match for me because at the start of the match, I was disturbed by the noise from the fans but as the match progressed I adjusted and I started playing normally and my tactics began to work. It was a very tough match because Aruna has been in top shape in recent times. He defeated me in the team event at the last Africa Senior Championship in Cairo,” Assar said.

    He added: “I am so happy that I was able to defend my title and having the record of winning it thrice. Lagos is a good ground for me and I look forward to returning next year.”

    At the semi-final stage he accounted for Portugal’s André Silva, the fourth seed, in four straight games (11-8, 11-9, 11-3, 11-7), before securing the title at the final expense of Quadri, the top seed, in a six games’ contest (12-10, 13-15, 7-11, 11-8, 11-8, 11-8).

    In the counterpart semi-final, Quadri had beaten compatriot Ojo Onaolapo in four straight games (13-11, 11-9, 11-5, 11-7).

    One year ago in Lagos, he beat colleague, El-Sayed Lashin in the final (11-5, 13-11, 2-11, 11-6, 11-8), after having overcome Quadri in the semi-final (11-5, 13-11, 2-11, 11-6, 11-8).

    Suffering heartaches again for Quadri at the hands of Assar but one step higher on the medal podium and his best ever finish to date on the ITTF World Tour.

    In addition to winning in 2014, Assar also succeeded in 2013 when the tournament was known as the Lagos International Classic.

    In the women’s singles, Assar’s compatriot, Dina Meshref, the top seed, was beaten in the final of the Women’s Singles event by Portugal’s Shao Jieni, a player who has excelled domestically but was not seeded in Lagos.

    Jieni, who lost to Meshref earlier in the tournament at the semi-final stage of the U-21 Women’s Singles event (11-6, 11-8, 11-8), extracted revenge; she beat Meshref in a full distance seven games encounter (11-7, 6-11, 9-11, 11-5, 10-12, 13-11, 11-8).

    At the semi-final stage Jieni had beaten Nigeria’s Olufunke Oshonaike (11-5, 11-5, 13-11, 11-3); Meshref had accounted for Offiong Edem, also from Nigeria.

    “It was a very hard match for me and it was a high level game because Shao Jieni changed service and this really confused me. It is always not easy to beat a certain player three times; she is very good”, said Meshref.

    It was for Jieni, Oshonaike and Edem their best ever finishes in a Women’s Singles event on the ITTF World Tour.

    Prior to the GAC Group 2015 ITTF World Tour Lagos Open, Jieni had never progressed beyond the first round, whilst the best for Oshonaike and Edem was a quarterfinal exit one year ago in Lagos.

    Defeat at the hands of Jieni but together there was success. They secured the Women’s Doubles title beating the host nation’s Cecilia Akpan and Offiong Edem in the final (13-11, 11-7, 13-15, 11-2).

    The silver medal was won by Nigeria in the Women’s Doubles event, in their counterpart Men’s Doubles competition it was gold. Quadri and Kazeem Makanjuola, who had emerged successful at the ITTF-Africa Championships earlier in the year, struck gold.

    They beat the Portuguese partnership of André Silva and Diogo Silva to claim the title (11-6, 11-8, 11-9).

  • ‘PDP can’t stop Buhari’s victory’

    ‘PDP can’t stop Buhari’s victory’

    Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) Publicity Secretary Comrade Joe Igbokwe spoke with reporters in Lagos on the general elections, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari’s chance and the purported endorsement of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) by Igbos in Lagos: Excerpts.

    Has the postponement of the general election not reduced the momentum of APC?

    I f we had held the presidential elections on February 14  as scheduled by INEC, PDP would have been history in Nigeria for now. All the security agencies in Nigeria did a combined report and told the President Jonathan that if he allows the election to hold on February 14 2015, he may not score up to 20 percent  of the votes in the 36 states of Nigeria including Abuja. Now what did the PDP do? They sent the National Security Adviser to the President Alhaji Sambo Dasuki to Chatham House London to fly a kite that because a lot of people are yet to collect their PVCs, Federal Government may ask for an extension so that people will collect their PVCs. Nigerians saw the danger coming. APC raised an alarm that PDP is planning something sinister. The world was alerted that President Jonathan and PDP may burgle our hard earned democracy. We later learnt that the Service Chiefs wrote to INEC that given the insurgency in the North East, they may guarantee elections in the troubled areas. They intimidated INEC to accept the extension. They got six weeks to try to repair the sinking boat called PDP. PDP has been running helter skelter and so is the President. They have emptied the treasury doling out money in millions of naira, dollars and pounds. President Jonathan came to Lagos two times distributing money to traditional rulers, interest groups, market leaders, religious leaders, transporters, traders, mechanics, artisans etc. It was a bazaar, the type unprecedented in the history of Nigeria. They are also using the six weeks to attack APC leaders and diminish their towering personalities. They started with candidate Buhari on AIT and  moved to Asiiwaju Bola Tinubu and from  BAT they intend to move to Amaechi and then to Rochas Okorocha. This is what they are using these weeks to do.s2

    What is the assurance that the polls will not be shifted again?

    PDP and President Jonathan is still tinkering with the process. They are mortally afraid of imminent and crushing defeat. PDP does not want Buhari to contest this election. They want General Buhari to die today. They say Buhari has no certificate. They say he is sick. They say he is too old. They say he will Islamize Nigeria. They say he is a dictator. The fear of Buhari is now the beginning of wisdom. They do not want PVCs to be used. They do not want Card Reader to be used. They want Professor Jega of INEC to be removed. They want only President Jonathan to be the sole candidate.

    Why is APC afraid of troops deployment for election purpose?

    We have seen soldiers deployed before in Lagos and we know they did their job creditably and honestly. They were just interested in maintaining peace and orderliness. Nobody was harassed and nobody was intimidated. They were firm, resolute and committed. But given what we saw in Ekiti gate scandal and the brigandage and impunity we saw in Osun state, we cannot trust the Army now to supervise this election. Brigadier General Momoh was deeply involved in Ekiti state scandal and invasion and up till now, he has not been invited for interrogation or questioning.

    What is the chance of your party in Lagos State?

    If honest and intelligent leadership is the benchmark for the 2015 governorship election in Lagos, Akinwunmi Ambode is the next governor of Lagos. If performance is the criteria and the parameter to judge, Ambode has won this election for APC. If experience and knowledge is the yardstick to judge, then, the man Ambode should be the governor-elect. The great performance of both Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Fashola has placed Lagos strategically on the map of the world. Lagos is now a destination and a place to be. APC has made Lagos the economic hub, the centre of excellence, the pace setter, a huge economy as big as that of Ghana, Cameroun, Ivory Coast, Senegal etc. Lagos is now the most secured state in Nigeria, the pride of Nigeria and Africa. APC government in Lagos has shown that Nigeria is not a hopeless and helpless case.

    Which Party will the majority of Ndigbo vote for in Lagos?

    I am aware that APC Lagos is having some problems with Ndigbo in Lagos because of the President Jonathan factor. PDP and President Jonathan have been pumping a lot of money into Lagos and Ndigbo is the target. They are telling our people lots and lots of lies just to sway them to their side, but I know Ndigbo will not forget the past in a hurry. I know there are intelligent Ndigbo in Lagos that will not be deceived by these antics of playing money, ethnic and religious politics. I know that majority of Igbo will vote for APC in Lagos.  If out of annoyance you throw your cap away, a mad man will pick it and use it forever.

    Could you shed light on the purported endorsement of the PDP candidate by a section of Ndigbo?

    Yes I know that a segment of Igbo in Lagos say they are going to vote for the PDP candidate, but I want Ndigbo to think deeply. I want them to do what will make their host happy and by so doing you make friendship and peaceful co-existence possible , and once this is achieved, you will see peace and progress. There may be problems but I know that things can get better. I have worked with the leaders of the Yoruba nation for years now and I know what they want and what will make them angry. Lagos is the second home for Igbo and they have made great success here. I want my people to show some tact, respect, understanding and common sense (even though common sense is not common) in dealing with our host in Lagos. Blackmail, careless talks, lies, clannishness and rashness will not help us. I expected that enlightened and committed Ndigbo in Lagos, I mean intelligent Ndigbo with third eyes will rise up to take over leadership and navigate our people to the path of honour, respect and integrity. Let us dialogue with the Yoruba to fashion the way forward. Lagos is our home. This defeatism and leadership complex must stop.

    Again the PDP candidate a cross section of Igbos are endorsing in Lagos cannot fly. Ambode has 27 years experience going for him while Jimi Agbaje has no experience in matters of governance. Jimi Agbaje does not understand the Lagos he wants to govern. He hasn’t been a counsellor, a local government chairman, a commissioner, a permanent secretary, a House of Assembly member, a minister, a House of Rep member or a senator.