Earthquake Hits Mexico, Kills 2
04.05.2010
At least two people in the border city of Mexicali have been reported dead and around 100 injured, while an untold number of homes, offices and hospitals are also damaged)Experts have warned of a stronger follow-up to the 7.2-magnitude earthquake that hit near the Mexico-California border, killing two people and rocking buildings from Tijuana to Los Angeles. The major earthquake jolted millions o...
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04.24.2010
At least two people in the border city of Mexicali have been reported dead and around 100 injured, while an untold number of homes, offices and hospitals are also damaged)Experts have warned of a stronger follow-up to the 7.2-magnitude earthquake that hit near the Mexico-California border, killing two people and rocking buildings from Tijuana to Los Angeles. The major earthquake jolted millions o...
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Telecom The GSM Association has partnered with Jordan to unveil a global education for all initiative that will help ensure that every child in the world has the opportunity to go to school by 2015. The GSMA made this known last Tuesday at the ongoing Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. It said that the Association is partnering with Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan on the initiative ca...
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Saturday, April 24, 2010
Telecom The GSM Association has partnered with Jordan to unveil a global education, Earthquake Hits Mexico, Kills 2 04.05.2010 At least two people in the border city of Mexicali have been reported dead and around 100 injured, while an untold number of homes, offices and hospitals are also damaged)Experts have warned of a stronger follow-up to the 7.2-magnitude earthquake that hit near the Mexico-California border, killing two people and rocking buildings from Tijuana to Los Angeles. The major earthquake jolted millions o...
SEC staffers watched porn as economy crashed
April 24, 2010
SEC staffers watched porn as economy crashed
An agency report reveals that SEC employees and contractors cruised porn sites using government computers.
An agency report reveals that SEC employees and contractors cruised porn sites using government computers.
(CNN) – As the country was sinking into its worst financial crisis in more than 70 years, Security and Exchange Commission employees and contractors cruised porn sites and viewed sexually explicit pictures using government computers, according to an agency report obtained by CNN.
"During the past five years, the SEC OIG (Office of Inspector General) substantiated that 33 SEC employees and or contractors violated Commission rules and policies, as well as the government-wide Standards of Ethical Conduct, by viewing pornographic, sexually explicit or sexually suggestive images using government computer resources and official time," said a summary of the investigation by the inspector general's office.
More than half of the workers made between $99,000 and $223,000. All the cases took place over the past five years.
The inspector general's report includes specific examples of misuse by employees.
SEC staffers watched porn as economy crashed
An agency report reveals that SEC employees and contractors cruised porn sites using government computers.
An agency report reveals that SEC employees and contractors cruised porn sites using government computers.
(CNN) – As the country was sinking into its worst financial crisis in more than 70 years, Security and Exchange Commission employees and contractors cruised porn sites and viewed sexually explicit pictures using government computers, according to an agency report obtained by CNN.
"During the past five years, the SEC OIG (Office of Inspector General) substantiated that 33 SEC employees and or contractors violated Commission rules and policies, as well as the government-wide Standards of Ethical Conduct, by viewing pornographic, sexually explicit or sexually suggestive images using government computer resources and official time," said a summary of the investigation by the inspector general's office.
More than half of the workers made between $99,000 and $223,000. All the cases took place over the past five years.
The inspector general's report includes specific examples of misuse by employees.
‘Jonathan Has Rights to Contest in 2011’
‘Jonathan Has Rights to Contest in 2011’
Former National Legal Adviser of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hon. Mark Jacobs, in this interview with Davidson Iriekpen, speaks on the controversy surrounding the Sokoto State governorship election petition before the Supreme Court. The former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Kaduna State also comments on the build up to the next year’s general election
The Court of Appeal in Sokoto had fixed a date for judgment in the Sokoto State governorship election petition case, but the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) intervened and halted the judgment . What are the implications of this action?
First, I want us to look at the background.
That case had a lot of controversies surrounding it, accusations and counter-accusations. The regulations and the rules of the court give the CJN supervisory powers over the courts. He is the chief law officer as far as the Judiciary is concerned so, he has powers to intervene in serious situations like that of Sokoto State in order to maintain the sanctity and integrity of the judicial arm of government. The Sokoto matter as I said earlier, has been trailed by a lot of controversies.
I know that there were a lot of petitions and accusations against the judicial officers in the Court of Appeal in Sokoto. What transpired was an allegation that even the judgment that was to be delivered had been exposed. People already had knowledge of the judgment and that is not good for the judiciary.
So, the action of the CJN was in order, to arrest a situation where the judiciary would be bastardized and the sanctity of the system insulted. Of course it may be possible that we have not seen the outward display of these powers because we have not seen a situation in the past where a judgment is arrested. But I know that the Supreme Court and even the Court of Appeal had exercised such powers of control over the lower courts but they were not publicized as in this case.
They did not receive this kind of attention as they were not high profile cases as this one. But the most reasonable thing to do was done by the CJN, in the face of all the accusations. Suspend or arrest the judgment and probably conduct investigations. I am sure the matter will eventually be sorted out.
But don’t you think the arrest of the judgment was hasty as these were mere allegations?
The allegations may look mere but no matter how small a suspicion may be, it deserves investigation. This high profile matter that has received so much public attention and subjected to a lot of commentaries and interpretations in the media. That is why it became necessary to arrest the situation, so that decency and fair play will be seen to have been upheld.
At that stage of the intervention by the CJN, if nothing had been done, I assure you that whatever judgment the Court of Appeal might have delivered would have been further subject of controversy and criticisms which could impugn the integrity of the judiciary and the presiding judge in the country has a duty to protect the integrity of the judiciary.
How do you react to insinuations that the PDP has a hand in the controversies and that perhaps the party is afraid of losing Sokoto State?
Why should the PDP be afraid of losing Sokoto State? It goes beyond that. What baffles me in this country is the over-glamorization of the PDP. Everything that happens, people are quick to say it is the PDP. Even when we lose a football match, people say it is the PDP. I sincerely do not think that the PDP has that kind of control. And, mind you, the CJN is not a member of the PDP. So, I do not see how the PDP can be said to be responsible for such action.
If you look at cases of judiciary interpretations in this country, PDP has lost more than any other political party in the present dispensation. I am not aware of any governor from another party that lost his seat to the PDP. But the PDP lost in Edo state. If the PDP is so powerful, it would not have allowed the Court of Appeal to take away its victory in Edo state or go to Ondo state and hand it over to the Labour Party. It would not have happened.
I am not sure that the PDP we have today is that powerful to control not just the political turf, but to also go into the Judiciary and exercise control. That is not a realistic assessment of the situation.
What are your views on the controversy surrounding President Umaru Ya’Adua’s continue absence from the public?
This country is a very wonderful place. For me, it is the best country in the world. There are so many things that happen here which cannot happen in any other place. With due respect to those who were chosen to see him, I do not see what advantage or what value it has added to the national debate. What is unfortunate is that the selected individuals who have seen him have no roles in the Constitution as far as the present situation is concerned. If they went there to pray for him, fine.
Otherwise, they have no roles whatsoever if the issue is to be tabled before a legally constituted body. So, I do not see what values the visits have added rather they have raised another angle of controversy. Their visits have heightened the apprehensions, the tension and the allegations. If I were the President, except you are coming to pray for me, I do not need such personalities to contribute to the national discourse that is going on.
But some people are calling for the impeachment of the President. What is your opinion?
Of course, there have been agitations long before now to impeach the President, section 145, 146 and all that. But the fact remains that Nigeria and Nigerians have to define where we want to go. Nigerians, particularly those in control of the power, we need to sit down and chart a course for the democratic journey.
They have a duty and the responsibility to chart a course. Nobody can do it beside them and that is where the National Assembly comes in and the new ministers too.
Nigerians were told that the president was recuperating when he returned from Saudi Arabia. Is there no time frame in the Constitution for an individual to recuperate?
No. Sickness has no time limit, so, you cannot put any time limit for recuperation. But as I said, the people saddled with the responsibility to run this country have the responsibility to chart a course. They should not be found guilty of failing to take certain decisions. It is better to take the wrong decision instead of not taking any decisions at all on issues.
You mean the PDP?
Yes, the PDP is in the majority in the National Assembly and is in control in most of the states. The party has a duty to chart this course. The National Working Committee of the PDP led by Ogbulafor has a duty to provide leadership for all its members to follow. The National Chairman of the PDP and his team cannot be followers in this matter. They have to be leaders and this acid test of their leadership. They must provide the road map for all members of the party.
The PDP has barred Acting president Goodluck Jonathan from contesting the presidency in 2011. Does that constitute an infringement on his fundamental rights?
I am an outsider when it comes to decisions taken by the National Working Committee but we also need to understand what a right is. Is it an equitable right or is a right that is enforceable. A right is something that is yours and you can enforce it. In determining whether the Acting President can contest, it has to be determined whether it is a right to contest or we should say that he should be allowed to participate in the process. He has a right to aspire and I do not think anybody should take that away from him. It is a relative matter whether he has the right.
Does he have the right to say he must contest under the ticket of the PDP? These are issues that require more discussions and political permutations because in the PDP and in the other political parties, there are several factors that determine the emergence of a candidate. He has to go through those factors and get the ticket if he wants to contest. But the Acting President has not commented on the issue. So, we wait until he bares his mind on the matter and say that he wants to contest or that he has been denied the right to contest.
Former President Ibrahim Babangida has formally declared his intention to contest in the 2011 presidential race. What do you think?
The right of participation cannot be denied anybody particularly in the face of the Constitution. The former head of state is a Nigerian and he has the right to vie for the position of the President.
The Acting president is a Nigerian and he has the right to contest. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari has the right to participate in the process but there are factors that must be taken into consideration. Atiku is coming back to the PDP and he has the right to aspire to contest. Certainly, there are many more aspirants that will come up but before you become a candidate, it is a different ball game and this will be determined by members of the PDP who will decide who they want to present as the flag bearer. There are several factors, sectional religious and the Nigerian factors. All these factors will have to be considered. There are also issues of zoning and running mate, which will come to the front burner.
Sokoto Guber: Anxiety as Supreme Court Commences Hearin
Supreme Court will on Monday commence hearing on the appeal filed by Governor Aliyu Magatarkada Wamakko of Sokoto State, challenging the decision of the Court of Appeal in Sokoto to deliver judgement on the petition against his election despite the directive of the National Judicial Council (NJC) halting the judgement pending the determination of his petition before the council, writes David...
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Former National Legal Adviser of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hon. Mark Jacobs, in this interview with Davidson Iriekpen, speaks on the controversy surrounding the Sokoto State governorship election petition before the Supreme Court. The former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Kaduna State also comments on the build up to the next year’s general election
The Court of Appeal in Sokoto had fixed a date for judgment in the Sokoto State governorship election petition case, but the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) intervened and halted the judgment . What are the implications of this action?
First, I want us to look at the background.
That case had a lot of controversies surrounding it, accusations and counter-accusations. The regulations and the rules of the court give the CJN supervisory powers over the courts. He is the chief law officer as far as the Judiciary is concerned so, he has powers to intervene in serious situations like that of Sokoto State in order to maintain the sanctity and integrity of the judicial arm of government. The Sokoto matter as I said earlier, has been trailed by a lot of controversies.
I know that there were a lot of petitions and accusations against the judicial officers in the Court of Appeal in Sokoto. What transpired was an allegation that even the judgment that was to be delivered had been exposed. People already had knowledge of the judgment and that is not good for the judiciary.
So, the action of the CJN was in order, to arrest a situation where the judiciary would be bastardized and the sanctity of the system insulted. Of course it may be possible that we have not seen the outward display of these powers because we have not seen a situation in the past where a judgment is arrested. But I know that the Supreme Court and even the Court of Appeal had exercised such powers of control over the lower courts but they were not publicized as in this case.
They did not receive this kind of attention as they were not high profile cases as this one. But the most reasonable thing to do was done by the CJN, in the face of all the accusations. Suspend or arrest the judgment and probably conduct investigations. I am sure the matter will eventually be sorted out.
But don’t you think the arrest of the judgment was hasty as these were mere allegations?
The allegations may look mere but no matter how small a suspicion may be, it deserves investigation. This high profile matter that has received so much public attention and subjected to a lot of commentaries and interpretations in the media. That is why it became necessary to arrest the situation, so that decency and fair play will be seen to have been upheld.
At that stage of the intervention by the CJN, if nothing had been done, I assure you that whatever judgment the Court of Appeal might have delivered would have been further subject of controversy and criticisms which could impugn the integrity of the judiciary and the presiding judge in the country has a duty to protect the integrity of the judiciary.
How do you react to insinuations that the PDP has a hand in the controversies and that perhaps the party is afraid of losing Sokoto State?
Why should the PDP be afraid of losing Sokoto State? It goes beyond that. What baffles me in this country is the over-glamorization of the PDP. Everything that happens, people are quick to say it is the PDP. Even when we lose a football match, people say it is the PDP. I sincerely do not think that the PDP has that kind of control. And, mind you, the CJN is not a member of the PDP. So, I do not see how the PDP can be said to be responsible for such action.
If you look at cases of judiciary interpretations in this country, PDP has lost more than any other political party in the present dispensation. I am not aware of any governor from another party that lost his seat to the PDP. But the PDP lost in Edo state. If the PDP is so powerful, it would not have allowed the Court of Appeal to take away its victory in Edo state or go to Ondo state and hand it over to the Labour Party. It would not have happened.
I am not sure that the PDP we have today is that powerful to control not just the political turf, but to also go into the Judiciary and exercise control. That is not a realistic assessment of the situation.
What are your views on the controversy surrounding President Umaru Ya’Adua’s continue absence from the public?
This country is a very wonderful place. For me, it is the best country in the world. There are so many things that happen here which cannot happen in any other place. With due respect to those who were chosen to see him, I do not see what advantage or what value it has added to the national debate. What is unfortunate is that the selected individuals who have seen him have no roles in the Constitution as far as the present situation is concerned. If they went there to pray for him, fine.
Otherwise, they have no roles whatsoever if the issue is to be tabled before a legally constituted body. So, I do not see what values the visits have added rather they have raised another angle of controversy. Their visits have heightened the apprehensions, the tension and the allegations. If I were the President, except you are coming to pray for me, I do not need such personalities to contribute to the national discourse that is going on.
But some people are calling for the impeachment of the President. What is your opinion?
Of course, there have been agitations long before now to impeach the President, section 145, 146 and all that. But the fact remains that Nigeria and Nigerians have to define where we want to go. Nigerians, particularly those in control of the power, we need to sit down and chart a course for the democratic journey.
They have a duty and the responsibility to chart a course. Nobody can do it beside them and that is where the National Assembly comes in and the new ministers too.
Nigerians were told that the president was recuperating when he returned from Saudi Arabia. Is there no time frame in the Constitution for an individual to recuperate?
No. Sickness has no time limit, so, you cannot put any time limit for recuperation. But as I said, the people saddled with the responsibility to run this country have the responsibility to chart a course. They should not be found guilty of failing to take certain decisions. It is better to take the wrong decision instead of not taking any decisions at all on issues.
You mean the PDP?
Yes, the PDP is in the majority in the National Assembly and is in control in most of the states. The party has a duty to chart this course. The National Working Committee of the PDP led by Ogbulafor has a duty to provide leadership for all its members to follow. The National Chairman of the PDP and his team cannot be followers in this matter. They have to be leaders and this acid test of their leadership. They must provide the road map for all members of the party.
The PDP has barred Acting president Goodluck Jonathan from contesting the presidency in 2011. Does that constitute an infringement on his fundamental rights?
I am an outsider when it comes to decisions taken by the National Working Committee but we also need to understand what a right is. Is it an equitable right or is a right that is enforceable. A right is something that is yours and you can enforce it. In determining whether the Acting President can contest, it has to be determined whether it is a right to contest or we should say that he should be allowed to participate in the process. He has a right to aspire and I do not think anybody should take that away from him. It is a relative matter whether he has the right.
Does he have the right to say he must contest under the ticket of the PDP? These are issues that require more discussions and political permutations because in the PDP and in the other political parties, there are several factors that determine the emergence of a candidate. He has to go through those factors and get the ticket if he wants to contest. But the Acting President has not commented on the issue. So, we wait until he bares his mind on the matter and say that he wants to contest or that he has been denied the right to contest.
Former President Ibrahim Babangida has formally declared his intention to contest in the 2011 presidential race. What do you think?
The right of participation cannot be denied anybody particularly in the face of the Constitution. The former head of state is a Nigerian and he has the right to vie for the position of the President.
The Acting president is a Nigerian and he has the right to contest. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari has the right to participate in the process but there are factors that must be taken into consideration. Atiku is coming back to the PDP and he has the right to aspire to contest. Certainly, there are many more aspirants that will come up but before you become a candidate, it is a different ball game and this will be determined by members of the PDP who will decide who they want to present as the flag bearer. There are several factors, sectional religious and the Nigerian factors. All these factors will have to be considered. There are also issues of zoning and running mate, which will come to the front burner.
Sokoto Guber: Anxiety as Supreme Court Commences Hearin
Supreme Court will on Monday commence hearing on the appeal filed by Governor Aliyu Magatarkada Wamakko of Sokoto State, challenging the decision of the Court of Appeal in Sokoto to deliver judgement on the petition against his election despite the directive of the National Judicial Council (NJC) halting the judgement pending the determination of his petition before the council, writes David...
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The New Political Intrigues in Lagos State
The New Political Intrigues in Lagos State
Within the next two weeks, the investigative panel set up by the Lagos State House of Assembly is expected to submit its report. Omololu Ogunmade writes on the political scenario in the state and the level the crisis has attained
Advocates of the probe of the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), inched towards victory last week when the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji, reconstituted a panel to investigate allegations of corruption against the governor.
The reconstitution followed the recent petition by a group under the aegis of the “True Face of Lagos,” urging the House to reconsider its recent dissolution of the panel which it had earlier set up to investigate the governor. The group has been making vehement calls for the governor’s probe since January 28, this year, when it published a myriad of corruption allegations against Fashola in an advertorial in a national daily.
Following the publication, the House constituted a probe panel to investigate the allegations. Some members of the House were also alleged to be involved in the corrupt acts. But before the panel could commence sittings, ‘The True Face of Lagos’ exonerated members of the House from the allegations, thus putting the governor on the spot. But a human rights activist, Richard Akinola, later proceeded to Ikorodu High Court to obtain an injunction restraining the House from carrying out the investigation.
The court granted the prayer, thus putting paid to the move. Consequently, the House dissolved the probe panel on March 29, this year, prompting the group seeking Fashola’s probe to commence a new move with a view to bringing him to book. The group stormed the House of Assembly complex in Alausa recently to submit a formal petition over allegations it made against the governor in January, saying the new petition would present the House with legal and procedural security with which it could carry out the task without further interference. Specifically, the group said the court stopped the earlier investigation because no formal petition was presented to the House adding that the matter was not recorded in the House journal.
Upon the inauguration of the panel last Thursday, Ikuforiji who said the matter had now been recorded in the House journal, said: "Having passed the votes and proceedings of that sitting and according to the power vested in the House by Section 128 (1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution, the House has decided to set up the panel to investigate the allegation.”
Further, he said: "The committee is empowered to call on all and sundry that it finds necessary in order to do a thorough job and it should carry out the assignment with utmost interest of Lagosians at heart and the fear of God should be allowed to prevail".
The committee is expected to turn in its report within two weeks. Few of the allegations include the award of road and drains contracts inside Gbagada General Hospital at the rate of N1.8 billion to Tunji Olowolafe’s company, DEUX Projects Limited; spending of the sum of 1.5 billion naira of unappropriated funds, without approval on demolition of Oshodi; spending of N5 billion on two helicopters without the seal of Lagos State on it; “in six months, between January and June 2009, BRF spent on several faceless organisations, subventions, grants and donations and they quickly pocketed N2 billion.”
However, while there are allegations that Akinola, who obtained an injunction stopping the House of Assembly from investigating the allegations was only acting the script of the governor, others have dismissed the allegations with a grain of salt.
However, the report of the panel is expected to unfold indeed the true picture of Lagos as the output is expected to determine where the political interest will eventually swing. This is bearing in mind that there had been insinuations that the allegations as well as the consequent investigation were meant to pull the rug under Fashola’s feet. It would be recalled that few days after the allegations of corruption against Fashola were published, a group of protesters under the aegis of Lovers of Fashola had stormed the Assembly complex, threatening that there would be untoward consequences should the House make real the suspicion to impeach the governor via a probe report. But the Speaker who addressed the aggrieved protester assured them that there was nothing that could warrant moves to impeach the governor.
The new seven-man probe panel which is headed by Hon. Ajibayo Adeyeye, also consists of Hon. Sanai Agunbiade (Ikorodu), Hon. Rotimi Olowo (Somolu), Hon. Omowunmi Olatunji-Edet (Oshodi-Isolo), Hon. Funmilayo Tejuosho (Mushin), Hon. Babatunde Adejare (Agege) and Hon. Saka Dayo Fafunmi (Ifako Ijaiye).
Stakeholders believe that the result of the investigation will address the current state of political inertia that currently prevails in the state. This notion is held against the belief that the output of the probe will define the way forward for the state as the crisis between Fashola and his predecessor and godfather, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has changed the political climate of the state in the past few months.
When the crisis first became public knowledge last year, Tinubu was swift to dismiss the report as a tissue of lies, accusing rather the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of insinuating crisis to suit its purpose. In order to assuage the minds of the public from perceptions that the duo were not in good accord, Tinubu paid a courtesy visit to Fashola in his office, where he affirmed that their relationship remained firm as ever. But it took only few weeks later to reveal the truth.
Although a number of factors have been advanced as the cause of the quarrels, THISDAY learnt that the most fundamental of the factors, which Tinubu has found to be traumatic, is the alleged betrayal of trust by Fashola. Tinubu is said to have lamented with deep feelings the immeasurable degree of trauma and isolation he suffered from associates in his bid to bring the governor on board in 2006. The current crisis has put both men on the spot as they are both compelled to fight for their political future.
While pro-Fashola groups have alleged that the underlying factor behind the face-off was their principal’s second term bid, which they alleged has unsettled his opponents, Tinubu’s men describe Fashola as one ingrate who has paid their boss evil for his good.
The crux of the matter is the insinuation that powerful forces who hold sway in AC have ruled out the possibility of returning Fashola as the governor come 2011. Whereas, there were initial claims that the Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Muiz Banire, was being positioned to replace the governor come 2011, recent revelations have shown that the power brokers in the party have been shopping for a Christian as Fashola’s replacement.
A top notch in the party confided in THISDAY that some Christian leaders have been summoned and briefed on the necessity for a Christian to emerge as the next governor of the state since Muslims have been taking the shots since inception. Of the four civilian governors produced so far in the state, only Sir Michael Otedola , who ruled between 1991 and 1993 is a Christian. The Christian leaders so invited were said to have been taken down memory lane on the roll call of Lagos governors so far and the need to fight for their interest.
It was against this background that the anti-fashola’s camp is said to be considering a former Commissioner for Health in the administration of Tinubu, Dr. Leke Pitan and former governorship candidate of the Democratic Peoples Alliance (DPA), Mr. Jimi Agbaje for the position. To this end, THISDAY learnt that some members of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), have been reaching out to these aspirants. Proponents of Pitan’s candidature have argued at any one who served in the administration of Tinubu can equally performe as Fashola had done.
It was also alleged that in the event that the Christian card fails, a son of a prominent leader of the AC in the state, who is also a commissioner in Fashola’s cabinet, Mr. Obafemi Hamzat, is also said to be on the queue. If the Christian angle works out, either of a current member of the House of Representatives and a former commissioner and a member of Tinubu’s inner caucus is said to be positioned for the office of the deputy governor.
As at today, the scope of the crisis between Fashola and Tinubu has so widened that the wives of the duo are said to have been caught in the crisis. A source close to both personalities told this reporter that the situation has so degenerated into family affairs that both women ignore each other’s calls at intervals.
Besides, Deputy Minority Leader in the Senate, Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora, is also alleged to have been caught in the crisis. THISDAY reliably gathered that despite the hitherto cordial relationship between Tinubu and Mamora, the former now holds grievances against the latter. Mamora, a former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly and a stabilizing force in the government of Tinubu, during the first term was said to have played fundamental roles which resulted in a soft landing for the latter during the outbreak of a certificate scandal at the take off of the government.
Mamora who was said to have hitherto played mediating roles between the duo, was said to have offended Tinubu when he was quoted to have said that when there’s war, nobody knows who will first go down. This comment was said to have provoked Tinubu, who perceived that Mamora was supporting Fashola against him. THISDAY sources revealed that both Tinubu and some of his loyalists had confronted Mamora over the statement. But the senator was said to have insisted that he was neither supporting nor attacking anybody, but rather a factual expression that in any given battle, it is difficult to predict who ‘ll lose or win from the outset.
It was also learnt that as a result of this, both men have not been visiting or relating closely with each other as was the case in the past. THISDAY also gathered that this development has also intensified plans to replace Mamora in the Senate come 2011 with Ikuforiji, who hails from Epe axis of the Lagos East senatorial district represented by the senator. But a top leader in the district, told this reporter that the bulk of votes in the district usually comes from Kosofe and Somolu areas, where Mamora is very popular can easily win should he opt to run as an independent and candidate.
Some other persons who have sympathy for Mamora, have also stated that replacing him in the Senate may mean a loss to the South-west in view of his perceived enormous contributions in the upper House since 2003. Although Mamora has not formally declared his intention to return to the Senate in 2011, there are perceptions that the senator has such a plan.
Besides, there are also insinuations that some of the commissioners in the cabinet of Fashola who were staunch loyalists of the former governor have also been expressing sentiments for Fashola. For instance, a top leader of the party told this reporter that a situation where three close aides of the former governor, Messrs Opeyemi Bamidele, Dele Alake and Babafemi Ojudu are simultaneously contesting against one another as senatorial aspirants in Ekiti Central senatorial district also indicates a crack in the House. This is moreso that the three aspirants are also close friends. “Why couldn’t they reach a consensus among themselves?” a source queried.
However, there are fears that the crisis between Fashola and Tinubu have closed the political space as regards the preparation for 2011 general election. Unlike some states where campaigns towards 2011 election has heightened, no aspirant has emerged for any office in Lagos neither has the party rolled out election guidelines. A party officer told THISDAY last week that political activities will kick off in the state as soon as the ongoing registration in the party ends.
He also said there is still a long time to election season adding that people are no longer keen to commence campaigns too early because it is always capital intensive. However, as all awaits the report of the new probe panel, only unfolding scenario will determine who win
Within the next two weeks, the investigative panel set up by the Lagos State House of Assembly is expected to submit its report. Omololu Ogunmade writes on the political scenario in the state and the level the crisis has attained
Advocates of the probe of the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), inched towards victory last week when the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji, reconstituted a panel to investigate allegations of corruption against the governor.
The reconstitution followed the recent petition by a group under the aegis of the “True Face of Lagos,” urging the House to reconsider its recent dissolution of the panel which it had earlier set up to investigate the governor. The group has been making vehement calls for the governor’s probe since January 28, this year, when it published a myriad of corruption allegations against Fashola in an advertorial in a national daily.
Following the publication, the House constituted a probe panel to investigate the allegations. Some members of the House were also alleged to be involved in the corrupt acts. But before the panel could commence sittings, ‘The True Face of Lagos’ exonerated members of the House from the allegations, thus putting the governor on the spot. But a human rights activist, Richard Akinola, later proceeded to Ikorodu High Court to obtain an injunction restraining the House from carrying out the investigation.
The court granted the prayer, thus putting paid to the move. Consequently, the House dissolved the probe panel on March 29, this year, prompting the group seeking Fashola’s probe to commence a new move with a view to bringing him to book. The group stormed the House of Assembly complex in Alausa recently to submit a formal petition over allegations it made against the governor in January, saying the new petition would present the House with legal and procedural security with which it could carry out the task without further interference. Specifically, the group said the court stopped the earlier investigation because no formal petition was presented to the House adding that the matter was not recorded in the House journal.
Upon the inauguration of the panel last Thursday, Ikuforiji who said the matter had now been recorded in the House journal, said: "Having passed the votes and proceedings of that sitting and according to the power vested in the House by Section 128 (1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution, the House has decided to set up the panel to investigate the allegation.”
Further, he said: "The committee is empowered to call on all and sundry that it finds necessary in order to do a thorough job and it should carry out the assignment with utmost interest of Lagosians at heart and the fear of God should be allowed to prevail".
The committee is expected to turn in its report within two weeks. Few of the allegations include the award of road and drains contracts inside Gbagada General Hospital at the rate of N1.8 billion to Tunji Olowolafe’s company, DEUX Projects Limited; spending of the sum of 1.5 billion naira of unappropriated funds, without approval on demolition of Oshodi; spending of N5 billion on two helicopters without the seal of Lagos State on it; “in six months, between January and June 2009, BRF spent on several faceless organisations, subventions, grants and donations and they quickly pocketed N2 billion.”
However, while there are allegations that Akinola, who obtained an injunction stopping the House of Assembly from investigating the allegations was only acting the script of the governor, others have dismissed the allegations with a grain of salt.
However, the report of the panel is expected to unfold indeed the true picture of Lagos as the output is expected to determine where the political interest will eventually swing. This is bearing in mind that there had been insinuations that the allegations as well as the consequent investigation were meant to pull the rug under Fashola’s feet. It would be recalled that few days after the allegations of corruption against Fashola were published, a group of protesters under the aegis of Lovers of Fashola had stormed the Assembly complex, threatening that there would be untoward consequences should the House make real the suspicion to impeach the governor via a probe report. But the Speaker who addressed the aggrieved protester assured them that there was nothing that could warrant moves to impeach the governor.
The new seven-man probe panel which is headed by Hon. Ajibayo Adeyeye, also consists of Hon. Sanai Agunbiade (Ikorodu), Hon. Rotimi Olowo (Somolu), Hon. Omowunmi Olatunji-Edet (Oshodi-Isolo), Hon. Funmilayo Tejuosho (Mushin), Hon. Babatunde Adejare (Agege) and Hon. Saka Dayo Fafunmi (Ifako Ijaiye).
Stakeholders believe that the result of the investigation will address the current state of political inertia that currently prevails in the state. This notion is held against the belief that the output of the probe will define the way forward for the state as the crisis between Fashola and his predecessor and godfather, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has changed the political climate of the state in the past few months.
When the crisis first became public knowledge last year, Tinubu was swift to dismiss the report as a tissue of lies, accusing rather the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of insinuating crisis to suit its purpose. In order to assuage the minds of the public from perceptions that the duo were not in good accord, Tinubu paid a courtesy visit to Fashola in his office, where he affirmed that their relationship remained firm as ever. But it took only few weeks later to reveal the truth.
Although a number of factors have been advanced as the cause of the quarrels, THISDAY learnt that the most fundamental of the factors, which Tinubu has found to be traumatic, is the alleged betrayal of trust by Fashola. Tinubu is said to have lamented with deep feelings the immeasurable degree of trauma and isolation he suffered from associates in his bid to bring the governor on board in 2006. The current crisis has put both men on the spot as they are both compelled to fight for their political future.
While pro-Fashola groups have alleged that the underlying factor behind the face-off was their principal’s second term bid, which they alleged has unsettled his opponents, Tinubu’s men describe Fashola as one ingrate who has paid their boss evil for his good.
The crux of the matter is the insinuation that powerful forces who hold sway in AC have ruled out the possibility of returning Fashola as the governor come 2011. Whereas, there were initial claims that the Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Muiz Banire, was being positioned to replace the governor come 2011, recent revelations have shown that the power brokers in the party have been shopping for a Christian as Fashola’s replacement.
A top notch in the party confided in THISDAY that some Christian leaders have been summoned and briefed on the necessity for a Christian to emerge as the next governor of the state since Muslims have been taking the shots since inception. Of the four civilian governors produced so far in the state, only Sir Michael Otedola , who ruled between 1991 and 1993 is a Christian. The Christian leaders so invited were said to have been taken down memory lane on the roll call of Lagos governors so far and the need to fight for their interest.
It was against this background that the anti-fashola’s camp is said to be considering a former Commissioner for Health in the administration of Tinubu, Dr. Leke Pitan and former governorship candidate of the Democratic Peoples Alliance (DPA), Mr. Jimi Agbaje for the position. To this end, THISDAY learnt that some members of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), have been reaching out to these aspirants. Proponents of Pitan’s candidature have argued at any one who served in the administration of Tinubu can equally performe as Fashola had done.
It was also alleged that in the event that the Christian card fails, a son of a prominent leader of the AC in the state, who is also a commissioner in Fashola’s cabinet, Mr. Obafemi Hamzat, is also said to be on the queue. If the Christian angle works out, either of a current member of the House of Representatives and a former commissioner and a member of Tinubu’s inner caucus is said to be positioned for the office of the deputy governor.
As at today, the scope of the crisis between Fashola and Tinubu has so widened that the wives of the duo are said to have been caught in the crisis. A source close to both personalities told this reporter that the situation has so degenerated into family affairs that both women ignore each other’s calls at intervals.
Besides, Deputy Minority Leader in the Senate, Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora, is also alleged to have been caught in the crisis. THISDAY reliably gathered that despite the hitherto cordial relationship between Tinubu and Mamora, the former now holds grievances against the latter. Mamora, a former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly and a stabilizing force in the government of Tinubu, during the first term was said to have played fundamental roles which resulted in a soft landing for the latter during the outbreak of a certificate scandal at the take off of the government.
Mamora who was said to have hitherto played mediating roles between the duo, was said to have offended Tinubu when he was quoted to have said that when there’s war, nobody knows who will first go down. This comment was said to have provoked Tinubu, who perceived that Mamora was supporting Fashola against him. THISDAY sources revealed that both Tinubu and some of his loyalists had confronted Mamora over the statement. But the senator was said to have insisted that he was neither supporting nor attacking anybody, but rather a factual expression that in any given battle, it is difficult to predict who ‘ll lose or win from the outset.
It was also learnt that as a result of this, both men have not been visiting or relating closely with each other as was the case in the past. THISDAY also gathered that this development has also intensified plans to replace Mamora in the Senate come 2011 with Ikuforiji, who hails from Epe axis of the Lagos East senatorial district represented by the senator. But a top leader in the district, told this reporter that the bulk of votes in the district usually comes from Kosofe and Somolu areas, where Mamora is very popular can easily win should he opt to run as an independent and candidate.
Some other persons who have sympathy for Mamora, have also stated that replacing him in the Senate may mean a loss to the South-west in view of his perceived enormous contributions in the upper House since 2003. Although Mamora has not formally declared his intention to return to the Senate in 2011, there are perceptions that the senator has such a plan.
Besides, there are also insinuations that some of the commissioners in the cabinet of Fashola who were staunch loyalists of the former governor have also been expressing sentiments for Fashola. For instance, a top leader of the party told this reporter that a situation where three close aides of the former governor, Messrs Opeyemi Bamidele, Dele Alake and Babafemi Ojudu are simultaneously contesting against one another as senatorial aspirants in Ekiti Central senatorial district also indicates a crack in the House. This is moreso that the three aspirants are also close friends. “Why couldn’t they reach a consensus among themselves?” a source queried.
However, there are fears that the crisis between Fashola and Tinubu have closed the political space as regards the preparation for 2011 general election. Unlike some states where campaigns towards 2011 election has heightened, no aspirant has emerged for any office in Lagos neither has the party rolled out election guidelines. A party officer told THISDAY last week that political activities will kick off in the state as soon as the ongoing registration in the party ends.
He also said there is still a long time to election season adding that people are no longer keen to commence campaigns too early because it is always capital intensive. However, as all awaits the report of the new probe panel, only unfolding scenario will determine who win
Ogun 2011 and the Clamour for Power Shift
Ogun 2011 and the Clamour for Power Shift
Of the three senatorial districts of Ogun State since its creation 34 years ago, the only senatorial district that has not produced the state governor is the West. However, agitation for power shift has heightened ahead of the 2011 general election in the state. Will power ever shift to Ogun West? Jaiyeola Andrews asks
Ogun State comprises three senatorial districts, viz: the East, which comprises the people of Ijebu and Remo extractions; the Central which consists of the Egba and the West which is inhabited by the Yewa/Awori. Besides Ogun West, the other two districts of the state - the Central and East, have respectively ruled the state twice. The East ruled the state between 1979 and 1983 during the Second Republic when Chief Olabisi Onabanjo held sway as the state governor. The district had its second shot in 2003 when the incumbent Governor Gbenga Daniel ascended the seat of power. Daniel is now running his second term as the state governor.
In the same vein, the Central had its first shot when Aremo Olusegun Osoba was elected the state governor during the Third Republic. Again, when this republic took off in 1999, Osoba was again elected and he governed the state for four years during the first term.
However, opportunities to govern the state have continued to elude the West district. The highest office it has ever held is that of the deputy governor, when the incumbent, Mrs. Salmot Badru, was jointly elected with Daniel in 2003. The principle of power shift has become a subject of discourse in Ogun politics. Indeed, much has been said both for and against the entrenchment of the principle. Even the ordinary man on the street of Ogun State has not been left out of the debate on the controversial principle as he regularly argues either for or against it.
For instance, while the people of the West insist that it is only fair and just for the East and Central to concede the plum governorship position to it in 2011, the Central views the appeal as unwarranted, saying it is rather its own turn to produce Daniel's successor. The East is technically out of the contest because the incumbent governor who hails from the district would have spent eight years of two terms in 2011.
The irony of the entire scenario is that while the West has continued to allege gross marginalisation since the creation of the state in 1976, the Central has insisted that it has equally been marginalized for eight years by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), by denying it the opportunity to produce either the governor or the deputy.
The protagonist of power shift in Ogun State, Dr. Tunji Otegbeye, who passed on recently had at different fora, canvassed the shift of power to the West where he hailed from. He argued that the West had for a long while been relegated to the background in the state, adding that since Ogun State belongs to all indigenes, it was not only unjust, but also unfair to deny any section of the state the right to produce the governor.
While serving as the president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, an indiigene of the state, was said to have had sympathy for the West and hence sought a situation where the district could have the opportunity of piloting the affairs of Ogun State. It has also been widely speculated that Daniel has a sentiment for the West as regards the choice of his successor. But at a recent retreat in Ijebu-Ode, the governor openly declared that he had no candidate for the 2011 governorship poll in the state as believed.
A serving senator representing Ogun West, who is also eyeing the governorship position, Senator Kola Bajomo, had told THISDAY at different times that for the sake of equity, fair play and justice, the West should be allowed to produce the next governor of the state.While admitting that it could be an uphill task, Bajomo said the West would appeal to both the conscience of the people of the East and Central districts on the need to support it in its quest for the governorship position.
Amidst all these arguments, the Central also argues that during the previous elections, it had always been open contests among the three senatorial districts, insisting that the West like other districts equally presented aspirants during primaries.
One of the founding fathers of PDP in the state, who is also an Egba high chief and a governorship aspirant, Dr. Femi Majekodunmi, in a chat with THISDAY, disagreed with the West's position on power shift. He said there is nowhere it is stated in the party's constitution that power must rotate among the senatorial districts of the state.
Besides, Majekodunmi insisted that no senatorial district could solely produce the governor of the state without the input of the other. He reasoned that the argument of the West was untenable, saying governorship primaries should be thrown open between the West and Central adding that the most important factor is the emergence of the best candidate that will serve the interest of the state. According to him, what should be paramount to people is to have a qualified governor regardless of the senatorial district he comes from.
Opposition to the clamour for power shift to the West has become so stiff from the Central, even as more governorship aspirants from the zone have continued to emerge. But the West is not leaving any stone unturned in the matter as no fewer than 15 governorship aspirants have already signified their intentions to take a shot at the exalted position in 2011.
It is however not clear whether power will shift to the West or not as the issue has even become more complicated due to the protracted bickerings in the PDP. Nevertheless, one factor that may likely work against the West is division, which has been the district's trade mark. It has also been said that the people from the zone easily compromise especially when they are induced with money.
It is however, believed that if the West must realise its ambition, it must urgently address the prevalent issue of lack of credible leadership. Observers believe that the zone must raise leaders who can go the whole hog in pursuing the cause of their people selflessly.
Also, Obasanjo's factor may in no small measure, play a major role as regards which of the senatorial districts - West or Central, will produce the next governor of the state. The former president hails from the Central senatorial district. Besides, it is believed that Obasanjo as the Chairman of PDP Board of Trustees [BoT], may wade into the logjam if the situation looks cloudy, to avoid a situation where the opposition may take advantage of the clamours to wrest power from the party.
Though Daniel will leave office after his two-term tenure expires, it will be out of place to totally rule him out as a factor in determining who succeeds him. He may employ the power of incumbency, to influence the choice of the next governor of Ogun State. Even though Daniel has openly declared that he had no governorship candidate in 2011, many political watchers in the state have dismissed the claim as false. This is against the background of opinions that the governor had at different fora, promised to ensure that the zone is given the opportunity to govern the state come 2011.
It was learnt that powerful forces from both the Central and East districts, such as Speaker House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole, Minister of Commerce and Industry, Senator Jubril Martin-Kuye, former Minister for Mine and Steel, Alhaji Tunji Ishola, Senators Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello and Lekan Mustapha, business mogul, Prince Buruji Kashamu and host of others may prevent Daniel from determining his successor.
Opposition to the determination of his successor may be acute, owning to the protracted face-off that Daniel has had with notable leaders in the state and it is an open secret that these power brokers in the state are prepared to give Daniel the biggest political fight of his life.
With the unfolding political events in Ogun State, whether power will shift to the West come 2011 or not remains a matter of conjecture.
Of the three senatorial districts of Ogun State since its creation 34 years ago, the only senatorial district that has not produced the state governor is the West. However, agitation for power shift has heightened ahead of the 2011 general election in the state. Will power ever shift to Ogun West? Jaiyeola Andrews asks
Ogun State comprises three senatorial districts, viz: the East, which comprises the people of Ijebu and Remo extractions; the Central which consists of the Egba and the West which is inhabited by the Yewa/Awori. Besides Ogun West, the other two districts of the state - the Central and East, have respectively ruled the state twice. The East ruled the state between 1979 and 1983 during the Second Republic when Chief Olabisi Onabanjo held sway as the state governor. The district had its second shot in 2003 when the incumbent Governor Gbenga Daniel ascended the seat of power. Daniel is now running his second term as the state governor.
In the same vein, the Central had its first shot when Aremo Olusegun Osoba was elected the state governor during the Third Republic. Again, when this republic took off in 1999, Osoba was again elected and he governed the state for four years during the first term.
However, opportunities to govern the state have continued to elude the West district. The highest office it has ever held is that of the deputy governor, when the incumbent, Mrs. Salmot Badru, was jointly elected with Daniel in 2003. The principle of power shift has become a subject of discourse in Ogun politics. Indeed, much has been said both for and against the entrenchment of the principle. Even the ordinary man on the street of Ogun State has not been left out of the debate on the controversial principle as he regularly argues either for or against it.
For instance, while the people of the West insist that it is only fair and just for the East and Central to concede the plum governorship position to it in 2011, the Central views the appeal as unwarranted, saying it is rather its own turn to produce Daniel's successor. The East is technically out of the contest because the incumbent governor who hails from the district would have spent eight years of two terms in 2011.
The irony of the entire scenario is that while the West has continued to allege gross marginalisation since the creation of the state in 1976, the Central has insisted that it has equally been marginalized for eight years by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), by denying it the opportunity to produce either the governor or the deputy.
The protagonist of power shift in Ogun State, Dr. Tunji Otegbeye, who passed on recently had at different fora, canvassed the shift of power to the West where he hailed from. He argued that the West had for a long while been relegated to the background in the state, adding that since Ogun State belongs to all indigenes, it was not only unjust, but also unfair to deny any section of the state the right to produce the governor.
While serving as the president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, an indiigene of the state, was said to have had sympathy for the West and hence sought a situation where the district could have the opportunity of piloting the affairs of Ogun State. It has also been widely speculated that Daniel has a sentiment for the West as regards the choice of his successor. But at a recent retreat in Ijebu-Ode, the governor openly declared that he had no candidate for the 2011 governorship poll in the state as believed.
A serving senator representing Ogun West, who is also eyeing the governorship position, Senator Kola Bajomo, had told THISDAY at different times that for the sake of equity, fair play and justice, the West should be allowed to produce the next governor of the state.While admitting that it could be an uphill task, Bajomo said the West would appeal to both the conscience of the people of the East and Central districts on the need to support it in its quest for the governorship position.
Amidst all these arguments, the Central also argues that during the previous elections, it had always been open contests among the three senatorial districts, insisting that the West like other districts equally presented aspirants during primaries.
One of the founding fathers of PDP in the state, who is also an Egba high chief and a governorship aspirant, Dr. Femi Majekodunmi, in a chat with THISDAY, disagreed with the West's position on power shift. He said there is nowhere it is stated in the party's constitution that power must rotate among the senatorial districts of the state.
Besides, Majekodunmi insisted that no senatorial district could solely produce the governor of the state without the input of the other. He reasoned that the argument of the West was untenable, saying governorship primaries should be thrown open between the West and Central adding that the most important factor is the emergence of the best candidate that will serve the interest of the state. According to him, what should be paramount to people is to have a qualified governor regardless of the senatorial district he comes from.
Opposition to the clamour for power shift to the West has become so stiff from the Central, even as more governorship aspirants from the zone have continued to emerge. But the West is not leaving any stone unturned in the matter as no fewer than 15 governorship aspirants have already signified their intentions to take a shot at the exalted position in 2011.
It is however not clear whether power will shift to the West or not as the issue has even become more complicated due to the protracted bickerings in the PDP. Nevertheless, one factor that may likely work against the West is division, which has been the district's trade mark. It has also been said that the people from the zone easily compromise especially when they are induced with money.
It is however, believed that if the West must realise its ambition, it must urgently address the prevalent issue of lack of credible leadership. Observers believe that the zone must raise leaders who can go the whole hog in pursuing the cause of their people selflessly.
Also, Obasanjo's factor may in no small measure, play a major role as regards which of the senatorial districts - West or Central, will produce the next governor of the state. The former president hails from the Central senatorial district. Besides, it is believed that Obasanjo as the Chairman of PDP Board of Trustees [BoT], may wade into the logjam if the situation looks cloudy, to avoid a situation where the opposition may take advantage of the clamours to wrest power from the party.
Though Daniel will leave office after his two-term tenure expires, it will be out of place to totally rule him out as a factor in determining who succeeds him. He may employ the power of incumbency, to influence the choice of the next governor of Ogun State. Even though Daniel has openly declared that he had no governorship candidate in 2011, many political watchers in the state have dismissed the claim as false. This is against the background of opinions that the governor had at different fora, promised to ensure that the zone is given the opportunity to govern the state come 2011.
It was learnt that powerful forces from both the Central and East districts, such as Speaker House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole, Minister of Commerce and Industry, Senator Jubril Martin-Kuye, former Minister for Mine and Steel, Alhaji Tunji Ishola, Senators Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello and Lekan Mustapha, business mogul, Prince Buruji Kashamu and host of others may prevent Daniel from determining his successor.
Opposition to the determination of his successor may be acute, owning to the protracted face-off that Daniel has had with notable leaders in the state and it is an open secret that these power brokers in the state are prepared to give Daniel the biggest political fight of his life.
With the unfolding political events in Ogun State, whether power will shift to the West come 2011 or not remains a matter of conjecture.
Atiku, Nyako, Aminu Rekindle Old Rivalry
PDP: Atiku, Nyako, Aminu Rekindle Old Rivalry
The return of the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been generating controversies within the party. Ike Abonyi writes on the disquiet in the party
The visit of the former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar to Wadata House, the National Secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), where he held over fifty minutes meeting with the National Chairman of the party, Prince Vincent Ogbulafor climaxed his much rumoured return to the party which he left to join the Action Congress in 2006 after a bitter disagreement with former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo
Before he fell out with his boss, Atiku was effectively in charge of the presidency and the party especially when Obasanjo was busy globetrotting.
Even during the 2003 party convention, the former Vice president was the power broker that made it possible for governors to endorse Obasanjo for a second term in office. Literarily, he was the one who held the yam and the knife and chosen where and how to cut the yam. However, the event that followed the endorsement of the former president for a second term is now part of the nation’s political history
So, a lot of things must have been going through the mind of Atiku on that eventful day when he drove into the PDP Secretariat at exactly 12.45 pm on Wednesday April 14,2010 in company of his political associates which included former National Treasurer of PDP, Kareto Umar Lawal and Otunba Oyewole Fasawe to see the National Chairman.
Speaking with newsmen after the meeting, Atiku confirmed that he is back to the party. “Yes it is my party, so I am back. I went to inform him (Ogbulafor) formally that I have returned to the party since last week.”
Asked what would be his interest now that he is back, the former Vice President said, “Allow me to settle down first” He however denied that he came back to the party with conditions, saying, “No conditionality at all”
When asked whether he would contest any election as he returns, Atiku said, “It is of no relevance now.”
Also speaking with newsmen after the meeting with Atiku, Ogbulafor acknowledged that the former Vice president is back to the party and that his return was in line with the constitution of the party.
According to the PDP constitution, any member who is returning to the party must be re-registered in his ward and that if the person wish to contest, that such a person must have stayed two years in the party, except waiver is given by the National Working Committee (NWC) which must be approved by the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party.
According to Ogbulafor, “Atiku is free to return and his return is in line with the constitution of the party. Our doors are open to all. This umbrella is open to all who wish to return to the party.”
Ogbulafor said that no terms except the constitutional provisions of the party would be applied.
Meanwhile, in another statement by Atiku’s Campaign Office, The former Vice President said that he welcome Governor Murtala Nyako's declaration that he is not opposed to his return to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
According to the two paragraph statement, it said, “Atiku believes that the perception that he and his associates were coming to takeover the party is a propaganda being dished out by fifth columnists”.
Atiku also advised his supporters to treat all party members with respect and humility. “So, there is really no reason for anyone to feel threatened.”
Atiku while welcoming Nyako's positive disposition towards his return, appealed to all stakeholders to disregard any attempt to drive a wedge between him and important constituencies within the PDP.
However, despite Atiku's plea for accommodation and understanding, two chieftains of the party in Adamawa state, Governor Admiral Murtala Nyako and Senator Jibril Aminu are not comfortable with Atiku’s return and are working hard to stop Atiku from returning to the PDP.
But the party’s National leadership approved the return of the former Vice president. Adamawa’s chapter of the party was therefore mandated to receive him back to the party.
However, the return of Atiku has been generating various reactions. Atiku is one of the strongest politicians from the north as he enjoys tremendous goodwill from his supporters.
But to realize his ambition, the former Vice president will have to slog it out with former military chiefs in the party who are also interested in the presidency come 2011.
Also in the race are former military President, Ibrahim Babangida and the National Security Adviser (NSA) General Mohammed Aliyu Gusau.
However, political observers believe that the return of Atiku has changed the political permutation in the PDP. Even if Atiku is not going to contest for Presidency in 2011 because of certain provisions of the party constitution, his presence would help other civilian politicians to draw the much needed confidence to challenge the Generals.
If he is however given the waiver as provided in the PDP constitution, he will be able to effectively challenge the Generals in a contest to get the PDP presidential ticket.
Also political observers were divided on whether Atiku should have returned to PDP. some observers believe he had taken a wrong decision, but for others, his decision was realistic and in order. According to the latter group, the Action Congress (AC) on which platform Atiku contested the 2007 presidential election, had slipped out of his hands, hence he had to retrace his steps back to PDP
However, the next unfolding political events will show whether Atiku’s return is capable of upturning the political calculations on the ground in the ruling party.
The return of the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been generating controversies within the party. Ike Abonyi writes on the disquiet in the party
The visit of the former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar to Wadata House, the National Secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), where he held over fifty minutes meeting with the National Chairman of the party, Prince Vincent Ogbulafor climaxed his much rumoured return to the party which he left to join the Action Congress in 2006 after a bitter disagreement with former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo
Before he fell out with his boss, Atiku was effectively in charge of the presidency and the party especially when Obasanjo was busy globetrotting.
Even during the 2003 party convention, the former Vice president was the power broker that made it possible for governors to endorse Obasanjo for a second term in office. Literarily, he was the one who held the yam and the knife and chosen where and how to cut the yam. However, the event that followed the endorsement of the former president for a second term is now part of the nation’s political history
So, a lot of things must have been going through the mind of Atiku on that eventful day when he drove into the PDP Secretariat at exactly 12.45 pm on Wednesday April 14,2010 in company of his political associates which included former National Treasurer of PDP, Kareto Umar Lawal and Otunba Oyewole Fasawe to see the National Chairman.
Speaking with newsmen after the meeting, Atiku confirmed that he is back to the party. “Yes it is my party, so I am back. I went to inform him (Ogbulafor) formally that I have returned to the party since last week.”
Asked what would be his interest now that he is back, the former Vice President said, “Allow me to settle down first” He however denied that he came back to the party with conditions, saying, “No conditionality at all”
When asked whether he would contest any election as he returns, Atiku said, “It is of no relevance now.”
Also speaking with newsmen after the meeting with Atiku, Ogbulafor acknowledged that the former Vice president is back to the party and that his return was in line with the constitution of the party.
According to the PDP constitution, any member who is returning to the party must be re-registered in his ward and that if the person wish to contest, that such a person must have stayed two years in the party, except waiver is given by the National Working Committee (NWC) which must be approved by the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party.
According to Ogbulafor, “Atiku is free to return and his return is in line with the constitution of the party. Our doors are open to all. This umbrella is open to all who wish to return to the party.”
Ogbulafor said that no terms except the constitutional provisions of the party would be applied.
Meanwhile, in another statement by Atiku’s Campaign Office, The former Vice President said that he welcome Governor Murtala Nyako's declaration that he is not opposed to his return to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
According to the two paragraph statement, it said, “Atiku believes that the perception that he and his associates were coming to takeover the party is a propaganda being dished out by fifth columnists”.
Atiku also advised his supporters to treat all party members with respect and humility. “So, there is really no reason for anyone to feel threatened.”
Atiku while welcoming Nyako's positive disposition towards his return, appealed to all stakeholders to disregard any attempt to drive a wedge between him and important constituencies within the PDP.
However, despite Atiku's plea for accommodation and understanding, two chieftains of the party in Adamawa state, Governor Admiral Murtala Nyako and Senator Jibril Aminu are not comfortable with Atiku’s return and are working hard to stop Atiku from returning to the PDP.
But the party’s National leadership approved the return of the former Vice president. Adamawa’s chapter of the party was therefore mandated to receive him back to the party.
However, the return of Atiku has been generating various reactions. Atiku is one of the strongest politicians from the north as he enjoys tremendous goodwill from his supporters.
But to realize his ambition, the former Vice president will have to slog it out with former military chiefs in the party who are also interested in the presidency come 2011.
Also in the race are former military President, Ibrahim Babangida and the National Security Adviser (NSA) General Mohammed Aliyu Gusau.
However, political observers believe that the return of Atiku has changed the political permutation in the PDP. Even if Atiku is not going to contest for Presidency in 2011 because of certain provisions of the party constitution, his presence would help other civilian politicians to draw the much needed confidence to challenge the Generals.
If he is however given the waiver as provided in the PDP constitution, he will be able to effectively challenge the Generals in a contest to get the PDP presidential ticket.
Also political observers were divided on whether Atiku should have returned to PDP. some observers believe he had taken a wrong decision, but for others, his decision was realistic and in order. According to the latter group, the Action Congress (AC) on which platform Atiku contested the 2007 presidential election, had slipped out of his hands, hence he had to retrace his steps back to PDP
However, the next unfolding political events will show whether Atiku’s return is capable of upturning the political calculations on the ground in the ruling party.
The Joint Admission and Matriculation
The Joint Admission and Matriculation Board on Friday released the results of
1, 228, 607 out of a total of 1, 276, 795 candidates who sat for the maiden Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination held on April 17 across the country.
Of this number, only 501,463 representing 41 per cent of the candidates scored above 200 out of the maximum 400 points.
Another set of 832,434 representing 68 per cent of this number scored above 180 marks while 330, 971 representing 27 per cent scored between 180 and 199 marks.
The Registrar/Chief Executive of JAMB, Prof. ‘Dibu Ojerinde, who disclosed these at a press briefing in Abuja, explained that a total of 1, 375,652 candidates applied for the 2010 UTME, out of which 271 candidates sat for the examination in six foreign countries.
He said, ”Out of the 1,276,795 candidates that sat for the 2010 UTME, the results of 1,228,607 representing 96.26 per cent are today released, while results of 48, 188 (3.77 per cent) are still being screened before release or otherwise.
”Detailed analysis of application by gender shows that 769,416 candidates are male while 606,236 candidates are female. These figures show that 44.07 per cent are female while 55.93 per cent are male.”
Imo State led the six states with the highest number of candidates with a total of 111,613 representing 8.11 per cent, closely followed by Delta State with 86,955 representing 6.32 per cent.
The Federal Capital Territory led the bottom six with a total of 2,393 applications, representing 0.17 per cent of the total number. It was closely followed by Zamfara State with 3,568, representing 0.26 per cent.
As has been the tradition over the years, candidates who are seeking university admission led the pack, followed closely by those seeking admission into colleges of education.
Bayelsa State came tops on the list of states where examination malpractices were recorded. It had a total of 5,442 cases, followed by Rivers State with 3, 302 cases. Lagos State came third with 2,847 cases.
The JAMB registrar revealed that 46 examination centres across 10 states had been de-recognised as a result of their ”unacceptable behaviours during the examination.”
Rivers State led the pack with 12 centres, followed by Imo and Lagos states with seven centres each.
Ojerinde said 20,780 results, representing 1.63 per cent of the total number of those who sat for the examination, were being withheld for further verification and thorough screening before release.
He explained that it was too early to make public the name of the highest scorer in the examination because some of the results were still being screened.
He also frowned at the practice of some universities who charged candidates up to N10, 000 for making such universities their second choice. Ojerinde said this practice must stop or else sanctions would be applied.
He enjoined candidates to go online, using their application slips to log on to the JAMB website to check their results.
1, 228, 607 out of a total of 1, 276, 795 candidates who sat for the maiden Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination held on April 17 across the country.
Of this number, only 501,463 representing 41 per cent of the candidates scored above 200 out of the maximum 400 points.
Another set of 832,434 representing 68 per cent of this number scored above 180 marks while 330, 971 representing 27 per cent scored between 180 and 199 marks.
The Registrar/Chief Executive of JAMB, Prof. ‘Dibu Ojerinde, who disclosed these at a press briefing in Abuja, explained that a total of 1, 375,652 candidates applied for the 2010 UTME, out of which 271 candidates sat for the examination in six foreign countries.
He said, ”Out of the 1,276,795 candidates that sat for the 2010 UTME, the results of 1,228,607 representing 96.26 per cent are today released, while results of 48, 188 (3.77 per cent) are still being screened before release or otherwise.
”Detailed analysis of application by gender shows that 769,416 candidates are male while 606,236 candidates are female. These figures show that 44.07 per cent are female while 55.93 per cent are male.”
Imo State led the six states with the highest number of candidates with a total of 111,613 representing 8.11 per cent, closely followed by Delta State with 86,955 representing 6.32 per cent.
The Federal Capital Territory led the bottom six with a total of 2,393 applications, representing 0.17 per cent of the total number. It was closely followed by Zamfara State with 3,568, representing 0.26 per cent.
As has been the tradition over the years, candidates who are seeking university admission led the pack, followed closely by those seeking admission into colleges of education.
Bayelsa State came tops on the list of states where examination malpractices were recorded. It had a total of 5,442 cases, followed by Rivers State with 3, 302 cases. Lagos State came third with 2,847 cases.
The JAMB registrar revealed that 46 examination centres across 10 states had been de-recognised as a result of their ”unacceptable behaviours during the examination.”
Rivers State led the pack with 12 centres, followed by Imo and Lagos states with seven centres each.
Ojerinde said 20,780 results, representing 1.63 per cent of the total number of those who sat for the examination, were being withheld for further verification and thorough screening before release.
He explained that it was too early to make public the name of the highest scorer in the examination because some of the results were still being screened.
He also frowned at the practice of some universities who charged candidates up to N10, 000 for making such universities their second choice. Ojerinde said this practice must stop or else sanctions would be applied.
He enjoined candidates to go online, using their application slips to log on to the JAMB website to check their results.
JAMB Releases Result
JAMB Releases Result
From Effiong Ekpo in Calabar, 04.24.2010
For the first time in recent history, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board yesterday announced the release of its results without naming the highest scorer. The Registrar, Prof. Dibu Ojerinde, who briefed newsmen in
When THISDAY asked him what became of the candidate, he said the marks were withdrawn.
The Board will therefore wait until after its policy meeting, when all cases pertaining to the examination would have been addressed before announcing the highest scorer.
The results have been available online since yesterday and can be accessed with the use of the registration numbers as candidates do not need a scratch card to check their results.
The 17 candidates who sat for the examination in
Giving a breakdown of the results, Ojerinde said 1, 276, 795 or 96.23 per cent of the 1, 375, 652, who registered for last Saturday's Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), actually sat for it.
Of this number, 501, 463 or 41 per cent scored 200 marks and above. Another 330, 971 scored between 180 and 199. With minimum cut-off mark pegged at 180 for admission into universities, 832, 434 or 68 per cent of the candidates are eligible to vie for about 300, 000 available slots.
A total of 20, 780 or 1.63 per cent of the results in all the 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and
"For their unacceptable behavious" Ojerinde further said, 46 "Centres are being investigated for de-recognition." Such behaviours include beating up the examination officials, a centre withdrawing all its chairs from the halls before the day of the examination and asking candidates to pay N1, 000 each for seat; and the same amount for to get their mobile phones back after the examination.
Twelve of the de-recognised centres are in
Thursday, April 15, 2010
THE WORD IN YOU
I take advantage of the grace that's in Christ Jesus. I am strong and healthy. I am a partaker of His divine nature; therefore, I don't get sick. I am the outshining of His glory. The health and strength of God is in my body. I am the perfection of God's beauty.
I have victory over sin and sickness. As He is, so am I in this world. I refuse to let my body be subjected to any disease or infirmity. I am born of God. I belong to His class of being, therefore, I am superior to the devil and all forms of sickness.
I dwell in peace and safety always: I cannot be defeated. All that concerns me is perfected by God. My strength is daily renewed like the eagle’s. I am growing from strength to strength. The Spirit of Him that raised Jesus from the dead dwells in me and vitalizes my body every day.
I am the effulgence of God's glory; the express image of His person, so no sickness can bring me down. I am born of God's incorruptible seed; no infection can break my body. I enjoy life at its fullest; there is no death on my path.
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“My life is framed by the Word of God. I am complete in Christ; there is nothing lacking in me. I am full of the Holy Ghost; sickness has no place in me.”
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I reign and rule in life. I have dominion over all the powers of the enemy. Death and diseases are subject to me. I was born of the life-giving Spirit; therefore, I am a life-giver. I am a God-carrier; therefore, my body cannot accommodate any kind of disease.
...............................................................
“My life is framed by the Word of God. I am complete in Christ; there is nothing lacking in me. I am full of the Holy Ghost; sickness has no place in me.”
...............................................................
I reign and rule in life. I have dominion over all the powers of the enemy. Death and diseases are subject to me. I was born of the life-giving Spirit; therefore, I am a life-giver. I am a God-carrier; therefore, my body cannot accommodate any kind of disease.
My life is framed by the Word of God. I am complete in Christ; there is nothing lacking in me. I am full of the Holy Ghost; sickness has no place in me. The Word of God is working in me, from the crown of my head to the soles of my feet. Every organ in my body functions perfectly.
Goodness and mercy follow me every day of my life; no evil shall befall me. My body is a manifestation of God's goodness and grace. The healing power of God is working mightily in every part of my body. I am completely free from all manner of sickness and disease, in Jesus’ Name. Amen
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