Victims of Inaction

Only last month, President Goodluck Jonathan declared emphatically that the abducted girls
were still alive and would soon be rescued.
But we are optimistic that as the war gets closer, the territory is becoming elusive to them
(terrorists) and we will get further details on that.
He said: No news for now. In all the liberated areas, we have also made inquiries but the truth is
when the terrorists are running away they also run with their families. And those we have come
in contact (with) have not made any comment suggesting that Chibok girls were there and taken
away.
Addressing State House correspondents after the National Security Council meeting in Abuja,
Minimah, however, expressed the hope that as more of the territories are recovered the girls may
still be found.
They were abducted from Chibok about a year ago.
AbujaHope dimmed, yesterday, on the rescue of abducted Chibok girls from Boko Haram
terrorists as the Chief of Army Staff, General Kenneth Minimah, declared that despite the
liberation of some towns and villages in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States, the troops have not
been able to establish the whereabouts of the schoolgirls.
By Ben Agande
on March 18, 2015 / in Headlines, News 12:01 am / Comments
No sight of Chibok girls in liberated areas

COAS
I am not competent to speak on the elections. INEC is still there. INEC has to re-assess the
situation and evaluate because the areas have been liberated.
I am also sure you know that in Borno State of the 27 local governments we have three local
governments remaining, Abadam, Kalabaldi and Gwoza and we are optimistic that with time we
will liberate those local governments.
You know Yobe and Adamawa States have been liberated completely and we look forward to
the reinstatement of structures of government and governance.
He said: Council reviewed the North-East operations particularly in the last three weeks and
council renewed its confidence in the Nigerian Armed Forces and commended them too.
Meanwhile, General Minimah was also asked whether elections would be held in the areas
recently liberated from Boko Haram terrorists. He said the final decision on whether elections
would be held in the liberated towns and villages in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States would be
determined by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, after it has carried out its
own assessment of the situation on ground.
Elections in liberated areas
Speaking in Hausa, the local dialect, Shekau denied claims by Nigerias military and Presidency
that they had reached a deal to end five years of deadly violence in the countrys north-east as
well as agreement to release the Chibok girls.
The issue of the girls is long forgotten because I have long ago married them off, he said,
laughing. In this war, there is no going back.
Chief of Nigerian army staff Lt.General Kenneth Minimah . AFP
Shekau issued a new video in which he denied claims of a deal to free the 200 girls kidnapped in
April, saying the girls would never be released because they had been married off to fighters.
In the heat of controversy last year over alleged negotiations with the sect to release the girls,
which turned out to be a hoax, the sect leader, Abubakar Shekau, said the girls had been married
off to Boko Haram fighters.
Minimah: No news yet on Chibok girls

NPAN: Polls must hold as scheduled
Service chiefs
Font Size: a / A
18 Mar 2015
Security Council Meets, Reviews Military Operations,

Elections in NEast
The chairman of INEC, Professor Attahiru Jega, who briefed the council simply told State House
correspondents that the briefing went well.
Asked if the military operations could be concluded before March 28, the army chief said: It is
our wish and we pray God gives that to us, but war is war. War sometimes is not fought on some
platforms of permutations.
He said the commissions plans had all along been directed towards holding elections in the
whole country.
However, Mr. Kayode Idowu, Chief Press Secretary to Prof. Attahiru Jega, told Vanguard last
night that the commission was preparing for elections in all 36 states of the country.
INEC preparing for polls in 36 states
But I can also tell you that not all structures of governance have been reinstated and they will
need to be reinstated so that citizens can go back to their areas and it is then I think they can
execute their rights as voters. How soon? I dont know.
Andrews
in
Abuja
On the Chibok girls, the army chief said: No news for now. In all the liberated areas we have,
we have also made enquiries but the truth is when the terrorists are running away they also run
with their families, and those we have come in contact with have not made any comments
suggesting that the Chibok girls were there and taken away.
On whether the military will conclude their operations before the March 28 presidential election,
he said: It is our wish and we pray God gives that to us, but war is war. Wars sometimes are not
fought on some platforms of permutations.
But I can also tell you that not all structures of governance have been reinstated and they will
need to be reinstated so that citizens can go back to their areas and it is then I think they can
exercise their rights as voters. How soon? I dont know.
Asked if there were talks about the elections, Minimah said: I am not
competent to speak on that matter. INEC is still there, INEC has to reassess the situation and
evaluate because the areas have been liberated.
I am also sure you know that in Borno State, out of the 27 local government areas, we have
three local governments remaining Abadam, Kalabaldi and Gwoza and we are optimistic that
with time we will liberate these areas.
You know Yobe and Adamawa States have been liberated completely and we look forward to
the reinstatement of structures of government and governance.
Minimah, who briefed State House correspondents after the meeting, which was attended by the
Chairman of INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega, said: Council reviewed the North-east operations
particularly in the last three weeks and council renewed its confidence in the Nigerian armed
forces and commended them too.
Also, Minimah said that there was no news on the abducted Chibok schoolgirls despite the areas
liberated by the troops.
Minimah made the statement at the end of the National Security Council meeting presided over
by President Goodluck Jonathan at the Presidential Villa, where the operations of the Nigerian
troops in the North-east and the preparedness of INEC to conduct the elections in that section of
the country, were reviewed.
However, he declined to give a precise date of when this would be feasible, stating that the
decision was entirely in the hands of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
With the rescheduled elections less than two weeks away, the Chief of Army Staff (CAS), LtGen. Kenneth Minimah, said on Tuesday that though several towns and villages had been
liberated by the military and regional allies, the structures of governance would have to be
reinstated so that citizens could go back to exercise their rights as voters.
Jaiyeola
It said: The general election must hold on March 28th and April 11th as scheduled by the
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The election must produce an outcome and
Nigerians must rally around whoever emerges the winner.
At the end of the meeting, NPAN issued a communiqu signed by its President and
Chairman/Editor-in-Chief of THISDAY Newspapers, Nduka Obaigbena, insisting that the
general election must hold on March 28th and April 11th as scheduled by INEC.
Coming on the heels on the security council meeting, the Newspaper Proprietors Association of
Nigeria (NPAN) yesterday also held an extraordinary meeting in Abuja on the political situation
in the country.
Others in attendance were the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice,
Mohammed Adoke; Minister of Police Affairs, Jelili Adesiyan; Minister of Interior, Aba Moro;
and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Aminu Wali. Also present were the heads of the Department
of State Security (DSS) and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA).
Tuesdays meeting was attended by Vice-President Namadi Sambo; Secretary to the Government
of the Federation, Pius Anyim; Chief of Staff to the President, Maj-Gen. Jones Arogbofa (rtd);
National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd); Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal
Alex Badeh; Minimah; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin; Chief of Air Staff, Air
Marshal Adesola Amosu; and Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Suleiman Abba.
The general election, earlier scheduled to start on February 14, was pushed back by six weeks,
over security concerns, after the security chiefs warned that they could not guarantee security
during the elections.
It could, however, not be established if the controversy trailing his stay in office was discussed.
When asked how the meeting went, he replied: I believe it went well.
Speculations have been rife over the fate of the INEC chairman who has come under heavy
criticism from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its supporters over the planned use
of card readers for accreditation during the polls.
Jega, who departed the meeting in the company of other INEC officials at about 2 pm after his
presentation, declined to speak to journalists when they besieged him on what transpired or if the
possibility of another postponement of the polls was mooted at the meeting.
THISDAY, however, gathered that the conduct of the elections was discussed at the security
council meeting, as well as an update given by Jega on the distribution of permanent voters
cards (PVCs) in the country and the preparedness of INEC for the polls.
But we are optimistic that as we recover more territories, we will get further details on the
girls.
I want to give you my full assurances that in this democratic dispensation, I will ensure that the
Nigerian constitution is upheld. This includes respect for the media, respect for the right to free
expression and freedom of speech. You are aware of Decree 4 of 1984, which was heavily
criticised. I have said elsewhere that I cannot change the past.
He said that he is now a democratic convert, saying that what transpired during his days as the
military Head of State belonged to the past.
Buhari made the promises during an interactive meeting with media proprietors under the
umbrella of Nigeria Proprietors Association of Nigeria, NPAN, and representatives of private
and public broadcast media in Nigeria in Abuja.
He also promised that the general elections would hold without bloodshed.
ABUJAThe Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, General

Muhammadu Buhari assured, yesterday, that he will respect media freedom and uphold the
constitution if elected president.
By Levinus Nwabughiogu
on March 18, 2015 / in News 12:19 am / Comments
I will respect press freedom, uphold

constitution Buhari
We call on the people of Nigeria, especially political leaders across the nation, to eschew every
form of violence. The prevalent do-or-die attitude is unnecessary, unhelpful and unhealthy for
our system of democracy. We must all say no to violence before, during and after the elections.
This election is for and by the Nigerian people and it must be free, fair and held in such a way
that it will deepen the nations democracy such that at the end of the electoral process, Nigeria
must be the winner.
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18 Mar 2015
Buhari Fails to Apologise for Jailing Journalists in 1984
I give you my full assurances that the Nigerian media will be free under our APC government. I
also want to use this opportunity to appeal to you to use your media outlets in shaping positive
public discourse and eschew hate speech mongering and slanderous political rhetorics which heat
up the polity.
I am not only subjecting myself to the rigours of democratic elections for the fourth time, but
even after being elected, I will continue to promote the consolidation of democracy in our great
country, Nigeria, by guaranteeing that the medias freedom is not compromised in any way.
But I can change the present and the future. Dictatorship goes with military rule as do edicts
such as Decree 4. However, I am a formerformer, note the emphasis on the word former
military ruler and now a converted democrat, who is ready to operate under democratic norms.
Gen. Muhammadu Buhar
in
Abuja
The best the Nigerian press got from the retired general was an undertaking that his
administration, if elected president in the coming elections, will respect media rights and uphold
the supremacy of the constitution of the country.
Even after Amaechis attempt to provide an escape route for the former military head of state,
Buhari throughout his session with the media executives failed to express regrets for his actions
more than three decades years ago.
Instead of responding to the question, it was the Governor of Rivers State, Chibuike Amaechi,
who interjected, quoting Buharis earlier declaration: I cannot change the past, but I can change
the present and the future.
Buhari, who during an interactive session yesterday in Abuja with proprietors of newspapers
who met him under the auspices of the Nigerian Press Organisation (NSO), missed the golden
opportunity for a mea culpa when he was pointedly asked by the Chairman/Editor-in-Chief of
THISDAY, Nduka Obaigbena, if he was prepared to offer an apology to the journalists jailed by
his military junta in 1984.
Despite his recent assertions that he is a reformed democrat ready to comply with the tenets of
the Nigerian Constitution, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, MajorGeneral Muhammadu Buhari, on Tuesday failed to apologise for his governments promulgation
of the draconian Decree 4, which empowered him to gag the press and jail two journalists
Nduka Irabor and Tunde Thompson who worked for The Guardian Newspaper when he was
military head of state 31 years ago.
Ezigbo
Declares Nigerian media will be free under APC rule
Onyebuchi
R-L; APC Presidential Candidate, Gen Muhammadu Buhari, Publisher Thisday

Newspaper, Nduka Obaigbena annd Publisher of Vanguard Newspaper, Chief Sam Amuka
during a meeting with Nigerian Publishers at the Sheraton hotels and Towers in Abuja.
PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE
Responding to charges of avoiding the presidential debate, he argued that there was no reason for
the debate since the record of President Goodluck Jonathan and the Peoples Democratic Party
(PDP) was in the public domain.
It is even impossible because the way the naira is falling, they cant even save enough money to
buy spare parts and raw materials and so on.
Moving on to the electricity situation, he said: Now if there is power, the vulcanisers, welders,
tailors and more importantly the industries would be able to break even instead of closing down.
But they cannot break even by having generators and then buying fuel to maintain them.
On corruption, the presidential candidate expressed concern that there were some people who
ought to have been punished but who had been let off the hook by the federal government.
He also said that education and infrastructure, followed by power supply, would be among the
first issues to be addressed by his administration.
He explained that during his campaign tour of 35 states in the country, he had played up three
fundamental issues insecurity, the economy and corruption as priority areas.
On his agenda, he said: I am a systems man. We have got a committee that sat for several weeks
to draw the manifesto of our party. And this manifesto has been widely distributed. Whatever I
am going to do, I don't think it will change. We will go by our manifesto.
On whether he would form a national government if he won the poll, he said the issue was not
something that could be decided by him alone as a presidential candidate.
In less than two weeks, the Nigerian electorate will head to the polls to make their voices heard.
Through the ballot, without a single shot fired, a change revolution will likely take place, he
said.
Buhari, who told observed that the country was on the verge of something new, said the tide had
turned and the world could sense the wave of change about to flood the country.
I give you my full assurances that the Nigerian media will be free under our APC government,
he said.
I am not only subjecting myself to the rigours of democratic elections for the fourth time, but
even after being elected, I will continue to promote the consolidation of democracy in our great
country, Nigeria, by guaranteeing that the medias freedom is not compromised in any way.
Buhari said he would ensure that the Nigerian constitution is upheld, including respect for the
media, respect for the right to free expression and freedom of speech.
Gana, who is the Chairman Contact and Mobilisation of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and
the commission clashed at the formal presentation of a book, Guide to Understanding Electoral
By Ikechukwu Nnochiri
ABUJA A former Minister of Information, Professor Jerry Gana and the Independent
National Electoral Commission, INEC, sharply disagreed, yesterday, on the desirability of using
the Smart Card Reader machines for the purpose of authenticating voters eligible to participate in
the forthcoming general elections.
INEC, Gana differ on use of card readers
Buharis interaction with the media owners came just as the United Nations Under Secretary, Mr.
Jeffery Feltham, said during a meeting with the former head of state that the federal government
has assured the UN of its determination to hold free, fair and transparent elections on the
scheduled dates of March 28 and April 11.
There are about 10 more days to go in the six weeks. Let's see whether in spite of the help of
our generous neighbours Niger, Chad and Cameroon whether the remaining local
governments can be secured, he said.
There were 14 local governments that were in the hands of Boko Haram 10 in Borno State,
two in Yobe, and two in Adamawa. So if some commonsense is to be used to adduce our
position on security, if the Nigerian military could not secure Nigerian 14 councils out of 774
local governments in six years, how can they do it in six weeks? We are watching.
Buhari also strongly condemned the postponement of the elections, saying the reason adduced by
government exposed the inefficiency of the Jonathan administration.
To be fair to me and Mr. President, after 16 years of PDP, and six years of him (Jonathan) being
in charge, is there anything to debate about? Very seriously, you know the condition we are in no
matter who you are. So what should I debate there? he asked.
Uzi who defended the electoral body said it would be wishful thinking for anyone to think that
INEC would dump the use of the card reader machines which he said were successfully used in
Ghana and other African countries.
Meanwhile, before Gana could take his seat, INEC whose chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega,
earlier spoke through its Director Legal Services, Mr. I. K. Bawa, said it must respond to the
issues that were raised by Gana.
In a big nation like Nigeria with more than 68 million voters, you dont just wake up and
introduce a new innovation in such manner. INEC should have tested the process in smaller
elections and when it is proved that it is good enough, introduce it for a national election. I urge
INEC to take a second look at the issue, if you are not very sure that it will work in the country,
leave it, let it not be a crisis-generator.
He said: If we are not careful, there may be a lot of chaos and confusion on the election day
especially with regards to this issue of card readers. Unfortunately, there was no time for INEC
to test the card readers, it is being used for the first time with most of the electorate and staff of
the commission yet to even see or know how it works. I have not been fortunate to see one
myself.
He said it would be cumbersome and time sapping for agents of INEC to effectively
verify/authenticate all the PVCs before the actual commencement of voting on the election days.
It was Ganas argument that the commission ought to have used less important elections to test
the efficacy of the technology before insisting on applying it for the general elections.
Whereas Gana, who chaired the occasion, in his opening remarks, insisted that using the card
reader machines for the election might frustrate the electorate and occasion chaos and crisis
across the federation, INEC through its Director, Voter Education, Mr. Osaze Uzi, countered
him, saying no amount of pressure would make it to jettison either the use of the Permanent
Voters Cards, PVCs, or the card reader machines for March 28 and April 11 elections.
Offences, which was written by a staff of INEC, Mr. Matthew Ugwuocha.
The minister argued that this claim is totally baseless, false and without foundation.
amended.
The committee report had alleged that NNPC directly deducted N408.255 billion, in addition to
the payment of N81.648 billion by CBN, in 2009; N407.801 billion, in addition to the payment
of N402.423 billion by CBN, in 2010; and N847.942 billion, in addition to the payment of
N844.944 billion by CBN, for 2011, contrary to Section 162 of the 1999 Constitution, as
The Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke, has denied that Nigerian
National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, received N1.329 trillion as subsidy payments between
2009-2011 from the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, as alleged by the ad-hoc committee of the
House of Representatives on Subsidy Regime.
NNPC didnt get N1.329trn subsidy money

from CBN, says Alison-Madueke
It has 223 pages that were divided into five parts with each of the parts subdivided into 11
chapters.
The book which was unveiled yesterday x-rayed different forms of electoral offences vis--vis
the provisions of the Electoral Act that covers them.
He said that staff of the commission as well as NYSC members have been duly trained on not
just how to operate the card reader machines, but on the nitty-gritty of election, saying they have
been tutored on how to be civil, polite and friendly to electorates on the election days.
We at INEC have resolved to consider and project anything that will improve the integrity and
credibility of our electoral process.
He said: The introduction of technology into our election process is inevitable. Twelve years
ago, there was nothing like GSM in this country and as at that time none of us here knew how to
operate a GSM phone, but today, are we not all effectively using GSM phones?
The minister then demanded full disclosure on this allegation to set the records straight.
Furthermore, such reckless allegation is capable of inciting the public against the corporation
and its personnel.
She said: It is unfortunate that the wild allegations, suppositions and conjectures, which form
the basis of their conclusion, actually did more damage to the objectives than verify subsidy
requirement.
NNPC, she noted, believes that the committees proceedings were very serious and important
assignment for the purpose of verifying and determining actual subsidy requirement and put to
rest the issue of subsidy once and for all.
The conclusion by the committee of double payments to NNPC obviously accounts for the
erroneous and outrageous sum of N2,587.087 trillion as total subsidy payment for 2011 as stated
in the committees report.
According to her, it is grossly inaccurate and misleading for the ad-hoc committee to claim that
NNPC made double deduction by deducting subsidy at source and simultaneously receiving
payment for the same purpose from CBN.
She condemned the committee for doing a shoddy job.
flays Reps cttee
In the advice on subsidy deductions forwarded to the Ministry of Finance, NNPC always state
that in line with presidential directives, the ministry should authorize the Accountant General of
the Federation to source for the approved subsidy amount and transfer same to the Federation
Account for onward distribution by FAAC.
Alison-Madueke stated that all such approvals and deductions are regularly copied to other
relevant agencies of government such as Ministry of Finance, Office of the Accountant General
of the Federation, Budget Office of the Federation, Federation Accounts Allocation Committee
and Revenue Mobilization and Fiscal Allocation Commission.
According to her, the mechanics of subsidy recovery by NNPC is non-fund based, but by way
of credit to NNPC against domestic crude cost due. When approval certificates are received from
Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency, PPPRA, their values are deducted from crude
oil cost due in a given month after due consideration of what is approved.
gives clarifications
Speaking with newsmen, yesterday in Abuja, she explained that subsidy payments to NNPC are
not based on cash remittance and, therefore, CBN could not have remitted any cash to NNPC for
the purpose of subsidy.
of
prices
may
list
in Lagos and
Petroleum
threaten
crude
Chineme
Mrs
FGs
refinery
Okafor in
Resources,
Alison-Madueke
production
targets
once
its
profitable
Abuja with agency report
Diezani
Yousfi met his Angolan counterpart, Jos Maria Botelho de Vasconcelos, and Nigerias
ambassador to Algeria Haruna Ginsau to consider the possibilities to consolidate cohesion
Fears of a mounting oil glut amid resilient US oil production and brimming inventories have
driven OIL PRICES down in recent days--after they were already halved since last June.
Already, low OIL PRICES, the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke,
also warned on Tuesday, might derail Nigerias production and reserves targets of four million
barrels per day and 40 billion barrels, respectively, by 2020.
As OIL PRICES head south with rising inventories in the US, Algeria's Energy Minister Youcef
Yousfi has opened up discussions on possible responses to the continued decline in OIL PRICES
with fellow Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) members Angola and
Nigeria, according to Algeria's state news agency APS.
Low
Dangote
Ejiofor Alike
Minister
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18 Mar 2015
Algeria in Talks with Nigeria, Angola over Oil Price Slump
If this is not done, the story of subsidy in Nigeria would never be closed.
Alison-Madueke said: In this context, the committee should disclose the source of their data and
such source must disclose to the nation the demand note for the payment, the bank and account
to which the amount was paid and the purpose for which the money was expended and by who.
Mansur
said.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Petroleum Resources has stated that lower oil prices might derail
Nigerias production and reserves targets of four million barrels per day and 40 billion barrels
respectively, by 2020.
Aliko Dangote is worth $12.9 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.
The group owns Dangote Cement Plc, the countrys biggest company by market value, Dangote
Sugar Refinery Plc, Dangote Industries Ltd. and Dangote Oil Services Ltd.
Dangote will use equity and debt to pay for the refinery,
The company plans two sub-sea pipelines that will deliver crude to the facility.
At the time, the facility in Africas biggest economy was expected to have capacity of 400,000
barrels a day. The plant is expected to come on-stream in late 2017 or the first half of 2018, the
company said in November.
In September 2013, Dangote said it had agreed on a $3.3 billion loan with 12 Nigerian and
foreign lenders to build the refinery as well as a petrochemical and fertiliser complex costing a
total of $9 billion.
While Nigeria is Africas top producer of crude oil, it relies on imports to meet more than 70 per
cent of its needs. Four state refineries with a combined capacity of 445,000 barrels a day are
operating at a fraction of that because of poor maintenance and ageing equipment.
The plant will be situated in the commercial hub of Lagos, and the company sees opportunities to
export fuel, he said.
Development of the facility, which will be able to process 500,000 barrels of crude a day, should
start in a few weeks, Dangote Group Stakeholder Relations Director, Mansur Ahmed, said in a
speech read on behalf of group president, Aliko Dangote, at a conference in Cape Town, South
Africa.
But as Nigeria and other OPEC producers discuss strategies that could help shore up their
countries revenues, the Dangote Group, controlled by Africas richest man, may list an oil
refinery that it is building in the Lagos Free Trade Zone (LFTZ) once it becomes profitable,
reported Bloomberg.
But another group led by OPEC swing producer Saudi Arabia convinced them to maintain the
organisation's output to protect their market share.
The three countries, which need oil prices to be much higher than current levels to cover their
spending, were part of a group that advocated a reduction in production at the last meeting of the
OPEC in November.
between the exporting countries so as to find a joint solution to this situation of lower OIL
PRICES, the agency said late Monday, without providing details.
He said the Nigerian oil and gas industry needed better funding and better security for workers,
adding that oil theft and sabotage had become a bigger problem compared to a year ago.
Also speaking, Droll stated that many of the challenges he had highlighted in last years
conference were still prevalent in Nigeria.
The current market reality of low oil prices presents an opportunity for us to improve efficiency
in our operations and as we deliberate on this and other issues in this years conference, I will
like to assure you of Nigerias commitment to a vibrant oil and gas industry, she said.
According to her, Nigerias commitment to fiscal stability in its oil and gas sector remained
unflinching especially as our historical antecedents clearly demonstrate this.
She said the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) would remain critical, adding that the
government was committed to ensuring clear and transparent fiscal rules of general application
with appropriate incentives to investors and commensurate economic returns for the country.
Nevertheless, at high oil prices, we must maintain prudent and an incentive-based fiscal
environment that will prevent the return of high cost of production currently experienced in our
industry today, she said.
However, in the event of a moderate oil price recovery, we would still require innovative
funding and greater private sector involvement across the hydrocarbon value chain.
Citing statistics by Wood Mackenzie, the minister stated that relative to 2014, a total of $120
billion, about 24 per cent, had been cut from the 2015 upstream budgets of some 116 companies,
adding that this could go up to as much as 40 per cent.
She said the resulting effects are that companies are slashing capital spending in 2015 in
response to this dramatic collapse in oil prices.
The minister noted that most analysts had advised that as an oil producer, Nigeria should brace
up for an extended period of lower prices and increased price volatility.
According to her, this calls for radical changes in the cost environment, improved contracts in
project management and innovative financing mechanisms.
Speaking yesterday at the ongoing 2015 Nigeria Oil and Gas Conference in Abuja, the minister
challenged oil and gas industry operators to revise funding for projects in order to meet these
targets.
This came as the Vice-President of Shell Upstream International, Mr. Markus Droll, called for a
more effective counter-strategy against oil theft and sabotage, saying that the level of crude oil
theft and pipeline sabotage witnessed in Nigeria is not witnessed in any lawful environment.
The Chairman of Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission, Dr. Sam Amadi who announced
the reduction in a statement issued yesterday in Abuja, said however that the reduction does not
affect the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, facility and its payment.
By Chris Ochayi
ABUJA Following recent complaints of high electricity tariff by consumers and its grave
impact on the nations economy, the Federal Government has announced reduction of electricity
tariff by over 50 percent in some places.
FG cuts electricity tariff by over 50%
According to him, the industry needs better funding for capital projects and to clear pending
payments and expenditure.
He said Shell was concerned about what impact much lower oil prices would have on 2015
funding.
Droll also stated that fiscal stability and predictability were crucial as government revenues
should be forecast reliably, adding that investors in Nigeria faced very tough conditions.
This is not sustainable, as both our development and operating costs are higher than in many
other operating environments globally, due to security threats, Droll said.
As an industry, we must ensure better security. This remains a concern for many of us on a
daily basis. Over the years, the industry has learned and adapted well to security threats, but we
have done so at great costs.
Nigerian oil and gas industry personnel are working hard, and at the same time managing
considerable risks, in order to play their part in the continued development of this country.
Oil theft remains a complex issue that will require sustained, multi-stakeholder measures on a
number
of
fronts
to
arrest
and
ultimately
reverse.
I have always been of the view that together as an industry with support from government, we
can succeed in turning this problem around.
Droll said Shell routinely replaced damaged pipelines and also repaired theft points in 2014,
stressing that this was a problem that is unique to Nigeria, with no other operating environment
even coming close.
Consequently, the collection loss for all DISCOs is set at zero. It is now the responsibility of
DISCOs to convince the regulator of any exceptional circumstances for such loss to be passed to
the consumers.
The Chairman said further, Therefore, On Monday, March 9, 2015 the Nigerian Electricity
Regulatory Commission (NERC) issued a new order to the effect that henceforth collection loss,
which is defined as the amount billed but not collected, will not be automatically passed on to
consumers of electricity.
The removal of collection losses from customer tariff has reduced tariff by more than 50
percent in some places. Please note that the reduction does not affect the CBN facility and its
repayment, he said.
It is the responsibility of the DISCOs to collect their revenue from their customers. Failure to do
so should not be a penalty to customers who pay their bills. It is clear that removing the
collection losses will lead to lower tariffs for consumers.
The Commission has been listening to consumers and taking full account of the impact of high
tariff on consumers and the Nigerian economy, has therefore reviewed the basis of the MYTO
2.1 assumptions and has determined that it is inappropriate to transfer to consumers collection
losses that are controllable by DISCOs.
He said The review shows that the major underlying cause of the skyrocketing increase in the
tariff is the huge Aggregate Technical, Commercial and Collection (ATC&C) losses, which are
passed through to consumers. In some DISCOs ATC&C losses raised tariff by as much as 80103%.
Dr. Amadi explained that the reduction was arrived at after the Commission had reviewed the
technical and financial assumption of MYTO 2.1.
President Goodluck Jonathan
Pursuant to these rules, the Commission organized public hearing and received evidence from
consumer classes on the affordability of the new tariff.
The Electric Power Sector Reform Act and the Business Rules of the Commission mandate the
Commission to review its decision at the petition of an interested party who complains within 60
days of the decision.
Industrial and commercial consumers under the auspices of the Manufacturers Association of
Nigeria (MAN) petitioned the commission asking for a review of the MYTO 2.1 and requested
drastic reduction of their tariff. They claimed that such astronomical increase in tariff would kill
their business and lead to massive job losses.
Amadi recalled that, Since January 1, 2015 when the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory
Commission (NERC) approved the MYTO 2.1 we have received several complaints against the
increase in tariff of different consumer classes.
The decision to review tariff is completely compatible with the terms of the privatization and
has been reviewed with the Bureau for Public Enterprises (BPE). NERC and BPE are working
together to advocate for series of fiscal policies that will foster easier access to investible capital
to further increase capacity and enhance reliability in the sector.
NERC remains committed to the principle of cost- reflective pricing and to the development of
an efficient and financially viable electricity market. These are important to support the
investment that is needed to ensure the electricity supply industry meets the needs of the
Nigerian economy.
The Commission is obligated to make sure that only prudent and efficient costs are passed to
consumers. The principle is to ensure that the distribution company operates efficiently and
provide quality and affordable services to consumers.
This new order now amends the MYTO 2.1 and has reduced the tariff to be paid by all class of
consumers. In the review MYTO 2.1 the Commission followed due process and the regulatory
principles. The EPSR commits the Commission to ensuring full recovery of prudent costs for
efficient operators.
It is now the responsibility of the DISCOs to prepare and present to the Commission a tariff that
will ensure that they recover their costs and ensure efficient operations.
As part of preparing for TEM the Commission has issued a tariff review regulation that requires
the utilities to consult with relevant consumer classes before presenting a tariff review
application to the commission to approve.
This new direction comes as part of the commencement of the Transitional Electricity Market
(TEM). TEM is built on bilateral trading between parties and is geared towards ensuring an
efficient market where cost reflectivity will lead to more affordable electric services for
consumers.
Chima
Gen.
with
Sani
agency
report
Abacha
The money was seized in 2006 in Luxembourg, under orders from the Swiss authorities.
The money, confiscated on the basis that the Abacha family was a criminal organisation, will
now
be
returned
to
Nigeria
under
World
Bank
supervision.
Geneva prosecutors closed their own case, opened in 1999, in which Abba Abacha was the last
person
still
under
investigation.
The $380 million had been placed in several accounts abroad that were controlled by the Abacha
family, the Geneva prosecutors office said in a statement.
Geneva prosecutors, according to the Associated Press (AP), said on Tuesday that they ordered
the money seized in Luxembourg starting in 2006. It was transferred to Switzerland and
officially confiscated last year following an agreement between the federal government and the
Abacha family under which the Nigerian government dropped its case against the late dictators
son, Abba Abacha.
Swiss officials have said they will be returning about $380 million stolen by former dictator,
Gen. Sani Abacha, to Nigeria.
Obinna
Late
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18 Mar 2015
Switzerland to Return $380m Abacha Loot
The Commission also invited the Chief executive Officers of the distribution companies to the
hearing to respond to the case of the consumer groups. Furthermore, the Commission reviewed
the technical and financial assumption of MYTO 2.1.
Addressing state House correspondents yesterday, Ambassador Wali said he has ordered a full
investigation into the incidence in compliance with the presidential directive adding that the out
come of the investigation will dtermine whether apology would be offered.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Senator Aminu Wali yesterday said President Goodluck
Jonathan does not need to apologise over controversy surrounding his purported telephone
conversation with the King of Morocco.
Morocco Saga: President does not need to

apologise Wali.
Bhojwani is currently serving an eight-year sentence in a UK prison.
The money was laundered on behalf of Abacha by Raj Bhojwani, an Indian businessman.
Last December, the State of Jersey, the biggest territory in the Channels Island, announced that it
would
return
315
million
Abacha
loot
to
Nigeria.
The Island famous for its transparent banking services had previously repatriated in two tranches
140 million of the loot.
The Abacha affair began in 1999, when Nigeria asked the Swiss judicial authorities to help it
recover $2.2 billion ($2 billion euros) embezzled and siphoned off by Sani Abacha while he was
in power.
The Geneva prosecutors office yesterday said Abba Abacha had been detained for 561 days
from 2004 to 2006, without receiving compensation.
Switzerlands top court cancelled the sentence in May 2014, citing procedural reasons.
In 2012, the dictators son was handed a one-year suspended prison sentence for participating in
a criminal organisation.
The authorities have also decided to drop their case against Abba Abacha, which began in 1999.
The $380 million will be returned under the World Banks supervision, said the prosecutors
office.
The Abacha family had also placed some $500 million (530 million euros) in Swiss banks,
though those funds have already been returned to Nigeria.
Atiku on sabbatical in APC, he will soon

return to PDP Presidency
Asked if any statement can go out without of the ministry without his knowledge, the Minister
said It is something that I am digging into. The President asked me to look into it and I am
looking into it.
So the President gave directive and I am looking into it and by the time we get to the bottom of
the investigations, then the public will know he said.
I am investigating, if at all there is anybody who should apologise, it is after the investigation.
Whatever it is, that is the time we will come out with..But now there is no reason to apologise
because we cannot pre-judge and we believe in due process.
Now this is, if at all there is anybody who is going to apologise, and I being the Minister of
Foreign Affairs, will be the one to apologise and not Mr. President.
Therefore, people should not, like I hear some senators from the opposition asking the President
to apologise to the country.
So we are trying to find out, and I will like to say that the President has nothing to do with it.
This is something that has happened and there is a bit of mix up somewhere a long the line. We
are going to unravel it. So the president has nothing to do with it.
I have already taken action on the Presidents directive and of course some people are trying to
make this whole thing political. And of course, at this level of our diplomacy, a lot of things can
happen.
King Mohammed VI and President Jonathan
He said, The opposition, especially the APC, in the coming days are deliberately packaging
well misinformed and propaganda to be dished out to the public. These propaganda are aimed at
The PDP deputy National Chairman asked them to be prepared for the propaganda which was
not the basis for winning elections, emphasizing that only people with permanent voter cards
were eligible to win, asking them to reach out to the grassroot and convert them to the Jonathan
side before March 28.
Secondus who noted that there was no better time to join the party than now to declare for
President Jonathan and Vice President Namadi Sambo Sambo, however charged the new entrants
to be alert on the schemes of the opposition that have concluded plans to tarnish the image of
President Goodluck Jonathan and other leaders of the PDP.
Speaking while receiving the members of the 120 support groups, PDP National Chairman,
Alhaji Adamu Muazu who was represented by his deputy, Prince Uche Secondus who assured
them that they were in the right place, stressed that they were bonafide members of the party and
promised them of equal right, even as he urged them to be free in engaging in all party activities
especially in the campaigns.
The national leadership of the PDP has however described President Jonathan as the single
formidable rallying point in the country Today.
Meanwhile, the groups according to the coordinator, Peter Ogar, they were compelled to join the
transformation train which elicit hope and assurances for the youth of the country, even as he
said that they were dumping the APC because it has become a house divided against itself which
was an implication of huge support deficit for the APC presidential candidate, General
Muhammadu Buhari as the presidential elections date of March 28 comes very close.
Alkali said, Atiku is a PDP man to the core but he has gone on vacation and I believe one day
he too will come back to the party. My only prayer is that he comes back before the general
election this year so that he can support Mr President fully to ensure our success.
Speaking yesterday when 120 support groups of Atiku Abubakar defected to the PDP to support
the re- election bid of President Jonathan, Special Adviser to the President on Political Affairs,
Professor Rufai Ahmed Alkali said that the former vice president was a core PDP member and
the defection of his supporters did not come to the party as a surprise, just as he expressed
optimism that Atiku would soon join them in the PDP.
By Henry Umoru
ABUJA- AHEAD of the Presidential and general elections slated for March 28 and April 11
respectively, the Presidency declared yesterday that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar was
on sabbatical at the All Progressives Congress, APC, saying that he would soon return to the
Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, before the elections.
ABEOKUTA Wife of President Goodluck Jonathan, Dame Patience Jonathan , yesterday, said
the Peoples Democratic Party was already in the mood of celebration of the victory of its
Presidential and other candidates even before the election dates.
By DAUD OLATUNJI
We need change in Ogun but transformation

in Abuja -Patience Jonathan
Also in his remark, Alhaji Bala Mohammed, the FCT Minister who welcomed the group,
described the APC as a party made up of characters that were not compatible, adding that the
PDP, was however, not ready to join issues with the APC and that President Jonathan was one
leader that had conquered sentiments in Nigerian politics.
You have moved away from darkness to light. There is a big difference between a man moving
around with brooms from a man who is living under umbrella, a colourful umbrella for that. That
you for taking this firm decision this point in time.
We are dealing with desperate politicians and we should not be part of that.
He commended members of the 120 Atiku Abubakar support groups for dumping the APC for
the ruling party and implored them to ensure they obtain their permanent voters cards.
When Mr President appointed Prof Attahiru Jega as chairman of the Independent National
Electoral Commission again the opposition fought against Jega. They said this man has come to
do the bidding of Mr President. Today they want to claim Jega as their own man, they want to
dictate to him what he is to do today and what he is going to do tomorrow. Again this is evidence
of opportunism.
When Justice Mohammed Uwais was appointed the chairman they opposed it, most of them
refused to submit memoranda, most of them refused to appear in person to make any proposal
for the reform. But once the Electoral Act was brought in they were the same people who started
jubilating that they were part of the process for the electoral reforms. I think this is sheer
opportunism.
Speaking further, Prof. Alkali who accused the opposition APC of crass opportunism in taking
credit for some reforms and executive decisions taken by the Jonathan administration, said, In
2010 this government initiated electoral reform and you recall various opposition parties opposed
the reform.
blackmailing either the President or leaders of the party. This is an alert like that in the media
that the PDP hires Israeli to jam card readers.
The PDP governorship candidate for the state, Gboyega Isiaka, and the former governor of the
state, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, also canvassed for votes for President Jonathan.
Our railways are now working, our schools have been impacted with great infrastructure and
our universities have been having a new uplift. I want to assure you that they will continue to
support education, they will continue to transform the health sector, they will continue to
transform the educational sector. Our airports are now having facelift everywhere you go. Im
quite sure, with your mandate, they will continue to do more.
Im quite sure you are aware of the new power plant that has been constructed. I am quite sure
you are aware of the transformation that has been going on in our transport system, the roads are
now motorable. Work is ongoing in Lagos-Benin Road. So, we want you to continue to enjoy the
goodies.
I am quite sure you have tasted and you have been a witness to the good works that he has done
in this great state of yours.
That is your power, that is your right and bring back the mandate that we have been expecting
from you as women.
PDP will come back to Ogun State. But we need to do more. We need to go and get our PVC.
Anybody that hasnt collected his or her card should please do so.
We are all aware of the good works they have started and I think it is advisable that we allow
them to continue what they have started.
The rousing welcome and the reception you have accorded us is an indication that PDP is
coming back to Ogun State. If there is a place that we need change, it is Ogun State but we need
transformation in Abuja. So, my dear women, I urge you to come en masse on March 28 and
vote for Mr. President.
She said, What we are seeing today, to me, is only a celebration. We are not here to campaign.
Party has started. We are just here to thank our women.
According to her, it was time for the PDP to take-over the state from the ruling All Progressives
Congress, while her husband and the vice-president, should be re-elected to continue their
transformation agenda.
She stated this in Abeokuta on Monday at the PDP secretariat when she met the womens wing
of the party in the state.
Dame Jonathan who was represented by the wife of the vice-president, Mrs Aminat Namadi
Sambo, said womens campaign train was in Ogun State to celebrate the partys victory and not
to campaign.
to
compensate
of
families
of
The
slain
personnel
Nigeria
in
Lekki
robbery
Ezeobi
Police
It was gathered that the suspect was picked up based on information obtained from some
neighbours who had witnessed them quarreling before the attack.
Until her death, the deceased worked at the box office of the Silverbird Galleria Mall in Ikeja,
Lagos.
THISDAY gathered that the deceased was said to have been stabbed over 10 times by the said
boyfriend, who has since been picked up by the police for interrogation.
The deceased, who was described as charming and cheerful by her colleagues and acquaintances,
was said to have been pregnant.
A staff of Silverbird, one Aishat Noble Mustapha, was at the weekend stabbed to death near her
residence at Ogudu, Lagos, by her jealous boyfriend.
Police
Chiemelie
Logo
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18 Mar 2015
Jealous Boyfriend Stabs Pregnant Silverbird Staff to Death
Those present at the event include former deputy governor of the state, Alhaja Salmot Badru,
PDP senatorial candidate, Ogun Central, Dr. Bisola Sodipo-Clark, and Mrs Lola Abiola-Edewor
among others.
Isiaka on his part, said Nigerians did not need a president that will spend the nations money on
his failing health.
LAGOSGovernor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, yesterday, maintained that the visit of
President Goodluck Jonathan to the state last Thursday was partly responsible for the smooth
robbery operation at a commercial bank in Lekki axis of the state during which four people were
killed, including three policemen, saying the president was protected by 2,123 security
personnel same day.
President Jonathan and Gov Babatubde Fashola of Lagos
By Olasunkanmi Akoni
Blames Lekki robbery on Jonathans visit
He also said efforts were ongoing to arrest the perpetrators, hence the full scale investigation by
the police.
Nwosu said: There is compensation for any police officer that dies in service, and this one will
not be an exception.
In another development, the Lagos State Police Command has said that it will ensure that the
families of its men who were killed during the recent armed robbery incident in Lekki are
compensated for their losses.
As at press time, efforts to confirm the arrest of the suspect by the police proved abortive as a
text message sent to the state police spokesperson, DSP Kenneth Nwosu, was not replied.
Refusing to believe her story, the suspect was said to have descended on her, after which he
stabbed her repeatedly to death.
Eyewitness accounts said the boyfriend had queried her about her relationship with another man,
and she had told him point blank that there was nothing between them.
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18 Mar 2015
Irish Solicitor Falls for 26m Nigerian Oil Scam
According to him, It should also interest the Vuvuzuela of President Jonathan that during
these visits, which most of the times are for campaign hustles, the entire police and other security
network are put on high alert to pay attention to the presidential visit leaving the citizens
vulnerable to the reckless gallivanting of the visitor.
Abati had described Fashola, as unintelligent over his comments on the deployment of police
during the visit of the President Goodluck Jonathan to Lagos last week. Commissioner for
Information and Strategy, Lateef Ibirogba, who made the remarks in a statement yesterday, said
it was obvious that Abati is ignorant of the traffic and security menace, his principal constitutes
whenever he visits any part of the country.
So instead of canvassing for your votes, they were showing you knives, cutlasses and other
dangerous weapons. Some residents phoned to say that they were banging on their cars. Let me
remind all of us, that the work of a party and a government is to protect citizens and not to
terrorize them. Meantime, the State government has described the Special Adviser to the
President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abatti as a reckless talker following his
disparaging words on Governor Babatunde Fashola.
On the Oodua Peoples Congress, OPC and the pro-Jonathan Group rally on Monday, the
governor said; Yesterday, (Monday) I received telephone calls and text messages and electronic
mails from residents who explained to me the pains they went through. I am sorry for the pain
and trauma they put you through because residents continuously complained yesterday (Monday)
that they were traumatised by those people who supposedly were carrying out a rally in support
of the president and their governorship candidate.
On OPC protest
According to him, When the president came to Lagos last Thursday, while citizens were being
robbed, the president was protected by 2,123 security personnel. Let me be very clear, the
president is entitled to every protection, hes our president. And the reason the president gets all
that protection is so that he can protect all of us. But the question to ask is that; when you were
being traumatized yesterday (Monday), where were these 2,123 men, because you are also
entitled to be protected.
The governor noted that larger per cent of the vehicles bought by the state government through
the State Security Trust Fund, LSSTF, for policing the state were on alert for the president.
Fashola said this at the 2015 Agric Value Chains Empowerment programme held in Agege Local
Government, adding that the Presidents visit to the state depleted the security apparatus to a
large extent to deal with the armed robbery incident.
of
EFCC
The court heard an architect client, for whom Mr Maher had previously acted, had told Mr
Maher the architects wife was also dying of cancer in England, and he wanted to get 26.8
Mr Maher said his wife was also blaming me because I had brought her to Castleknock and kept
her there for three years when she wanted to be in Churchtown where she was from.
Both he and his wife believed she had cancer, the court heard.
The court heard the scam arose at a time in Mr Mahers life when he was having marriage
difficulties, including the fact that he and his wife were unable to have children.
These include that he should only work as an assistant solicitor and not be permitted to sign
cheques or bank transfers.
The president of the High Court, Mr Justice Nicholas Kearns, said he would not strike off Mr
Maher but would order that he may only practise in the future subject to certain restrictions.
Two psychiatrists differed over whether this was the cause of him falling for the scam, the court
heard.
Mr Maher (53) was subsequently diagnosed as having suffered from bipolar disorder throughout
his life.
No client of James J Maher, formerly practising as a partner in James Maher & Co, Essex Quay,
Dublin, was left out of pocket because Mr. Maher subsequently got an inheritance from an uncle
which enabled him pay the money back, the court also heard.
A naive solicitor fell victim to a classic scam when he handed over 242,000 client monies on
the promise of getting 26.8 million from a Nigerian oil company, the High Court in Dublin,
Ireland, has been told.
Logo
A psychiatrist for the Law Society had found his condition was triggered by falling victim to the
scam and expressed concern there could be another lack of judgment in the future, Mr
McDermott said.
Paul Anthony McDermott BL, for the Law Society, said Mr Maher had fallen for the classic
scam whereby a person is informed, usually by email, they had won the lottery in Nigeria and
all they had to do was forward their bank details and 5,000 to collect their winnings.
His counsel, Seamus Tuathail, said he was the type of person who could readily sympathise with
others but perhaps overdo it.
He was now on medication, and while his only income was 188 per week in disability benefit,
he hoped he could eventually go back into practice if he could find a solicitors firm willing to
employ him.
Between the ages of one and three he had lived with an uncle before going back to his parents,
even though the uncle had wanted to adopt him.
He had had difficulties throughout his life with an alcoholic father and a mother who suffered
from depression.
As the architects wife was dying of cancer and because he wanted to undo the damage I had
done in relation to my own wife, he ended up being snared into this, Mr Maher said.
I was very vulnerable and naive, but I often said I would prefer to be naive rather than cynical,
he said.
The accountant also said Mr Maher had referred to US President Barack Obama being involved
in meetings with Nigerian officials with a view to getting the money released. Asked by Mr
Justice Kearns was he not surprised to be told the architect was owed 26 million, Mr Maher said
he was shown documentation which seemed to support what he was being told.
Mr Maher told a Law Society investigating the accountant he was in contact with a number of
people in Nigeria, including the governor of its Central Bank, the president of the Nigerian
senate and the director of its Department of Finance.
Mr Maher made several withdrawals from his client account, totalling 242,219, and paid it to
the architect between April and September 2011.
Mr Maher was told the architect first needed to send money to Nigeria to get money laundering
clearance and terrorist clearance before the 26 million would be sent over and lodged in the
solicitors account.
million owed him by the National Petroleum Company of Nigeria for work the architect did on
an oil pipeline.
Shehu: Boko Haram Does Not Have Its Roots in Borno
The leader was then honoured as an Associate Member of the association while his
wife, Dr. Bisola Sodipo-Clark, was honoured as Distinguished Ambassador of the
association.
The National President of the association, Dr. Kemi Emina, said the choice of Clark
for the lecture was as a result of his accomplishments.
Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Isaac Adewole, commended Clark
for the giant strides he had taken especially in being the mouthpiece of the weak in
the society.
He reeled out many achievements of President Jonathan saying they cut across
sectors.
These achievements and assurance that he would implement the recommendations
of the conference were enough reasons Nigerians should embrace his candidacy.
According to him, President Jonathan who brave all the odds to ensure that the
national conference was held and is the one who could ensure its implementation.
He justified his stance saying President Jonathan was promoting the values needed
for true federalism.
He said this while delivering the first National Public Service Lecture of the University
of Ibadan Alumni Association which held in the institution yesterday.
The Ijaw National Leader, Chief Edwin Clarke, yesterday made a fresh call
on Nigerians to ensure that President Goodluck Jonathan is returned as the
President in the March 28 election.
By OLA AJAYI, IBADAN
Clark makes fresh call on Nigerians to vote

for Jonathan
Mr Justice Kearns said this had to rank among the most extraordinary cases to come before his
court in relation to solicitors.
of
Borno,
Alhaji
Abubakar
Umar
Garbai
El-Kanemi
He said: We have been made to live in fear. We are encircled by insurgents and it is so sad that
getting out of Maiduguri is difficult, you can hardly travel 10 kilometres from here without being
attacked.
He added: The problem was brought on us and taken to neighbouring states and gradually it has
found its way into neighbouring countries.
He corrected the impression that the Boko Haram insurgency has its roots in the state, arguing
that: This problem was not initiated here but was brought to us from one of our sister states.
Speaking during the presentation of his permanent voters card (PVC) to him by the Borno
Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Samuel Madaki, the monarch said: We have about
two million internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Maiduguri, our people were displaced and
their houses were burnt. They have been made to go through wanton destruction. He added:
Palaces were taken over by insurgents. We have five emirs residing in Maiduguri, we only have
two emirs still in their domains.
The monarch also lamented that at present, only two first class emirs are still staying in their
domains as five others have been made to seek refuge in Maiduguri.
Michael
Olugbode
in
Maiduguri
The Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Umar Garbai El-Kanemi, on Tuesday said it was
erroneous to trace the roots of the Boko Haram insurgency to Borno State, insisting that the
problem
was
imported
to
the
state
from
a
sister
state.
He lamented that the crisis has left about two million people internally displaced within
Maiduguri.
Shehu
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18 Mar 2015
Our findings have further shown that the recent Nine Billion naira (N9 Billion) Pipeline
surveillance contract to OPC and some militant groups in Southern Nigeria was the elixir for the
Our investigations have confirmed that Mondays (16th March, 2015) show was a dressrehearsal for the main disruption planned for the general elections. Lagos, and the entire South
West, being a stronghold of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has been marked for massive
dishevelling commotion that would involve killings, maiming and kidnapping.
The APC Presidential Campaign Spokesman noted that the machete-wielding and gun-bearing
armed pro-Jonathan groups marched round the major streets of Lagos, harassing and intimidating
motorists, chanting anti-Jega songs in a manner that gave them away as acting the carefullyprepared script for the truncation of the general elections. There was such disruption to the
tranquillity of the city that warranted the citizens scampering for safety in all directions, a
foretaste of the violence they plan to unleash on Election Day.
The APCPCO said in a statement on Wednesday and signed by Mallam Garba Shehu, Director
of Media and Publicity that the petition follows the massive terror unleashed on the residents of
Lagos by armed pro-Jonathan groups under the dubious cover of a faction of the Oodua Peoples
Congress (OPC) on the pretext of demanding the sack of Professor Attahiru Jega, National
Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Abuja The All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Organization (APCPCO) has
announced that it will send a petition against President Goodluck Jonathan to the International
Criminal Court (ICC) at The Hague.
Tweet
APC to drag Jonathan to ICC
He equally said all that is needed for a hitch-free election are available, assuring
all that the electoral body was prepared to have credible election.
Earlier the Borno State REC, Samuel Madaki, said the PVCs that are yet to be brought to the
state would be delivered before the end of the week.
He said it was no fault of theirs that they had to flee their homelands and everything must be
done to ensure that they are allowed to vote during the forthcoming elections.
He urged the electoral body to ensure that the internally displaced persons within Maiduguri are
not disenfranchised.
The only safe passage cannot really be said to be safe as there are pockets of attack on the route,
Maiduguri-Kano highway.
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18 Mar 2015
Shettima: Why IDPs Cant Return to Liberated

Communities for Elections
We are not ready to cower to the intimidation of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, ahead of the general
elections. We believe Nigerians shall speak eloquently on 28th March, 2015 and this brutality on
the psyche of the Nigerian people shall cease.
Whereas the Police authorities had denied the opposition party its legitimate and democratic
rights to organise one million person march for General Buhari in Kano it was, however, quick to
approve that in Lagos, providing security to the pro-Jonathan armed groups while they unleashed
mayhem on citizens in Lagos on Monday, a day that inhabitants of the city consider the most
important of the week.
We recall the bombing of the APC secretariat and the shootings and disruption of the partys
campaign rally in Okirika in Rivers State, where the First Lady hails from with a muted silence
from President Jonathan.
As an opposition APC, we are using this medium to serve Dr. Goodluck Jonathan the notice of
our formal protest of this extreme show of impunity to the International Criminal Court (ICC).
We are aware that Mrs Patience Jonathan is already on the watch list of ICC. The activities of
this President and his wife as regards the elections are not patriotic and very unhelpful for
entrenching democratic values in the nation.
latest crude impudence of the pro-Jonathan armed groups. Indeed, the contract award was indeed
a subterfuge for the mobilization of these murderous militant groups for the destruction of lives
and property to force the desire of the re-election of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan on the Nigerian
people.
State
Governor,
Alhaji
Kashim
Shettima
He lamented that: All those politicians that stay in Abuja and cause all manner of confusion for
Borno, if they are so certain that liberated communities are now safe, let them go and live in
What about the issue of landmines possibly planted there that everyone knows the military has
been contending with?
Shettima added: The military has recaptured lost territories but we have one or two to go. Then,
some insurgents fled to villages and they are still posing problems, how safe will our people be if
we force them back today? How safe will it be to send people to Gamboru, Baga, Monguno,
Malamfatori, Kala-Balge, Mafa and other places.
However, I think it will be irresponsible on our part as a government to hurry our citizens back
to liberated communities now mainly to go and vote because that will be very callous. We have
pockets of insurgents in some villages, we have had attacks that are very recent on some routes,
we all know that these liberated communities are still not fully safe and habitable.
One who has won elections and has kept fate with his people and is doing his best to meet his
obligations has no reason to fear elections. The voters are the same whether they vote in local
government areas or anywhere else.
The governor said: I am absolutely in support of elections holding in local government areas
after all, I was elected with popular mandate in 2011 with elections taking place across in all
local governments of the state and having to win more than two-third of the 27 local government
areas of Borno State.
The governor, in the statement, explained that his government chose not to support the move to
hurriedly dispatch the IDPs to their recently liberated homelands on the ground of safety and
environmental health hazards, insisting that a lot of destroyed houses, hospitals, schools, farms
and lots more need to be fixed before citizens are made to return.
Gusau said his boss reacted to the question of why it will be proper for the IDPs to vote during
the forthcoming elections, during weekends visit to Diffa province in Niger Republic to see
about 200,000 refugees from the state who fled to the neighbouring country.
The governor, according to a statement sent by his spokesman, Isa Gusau said some of the
villages and suburbs of the liberated towns are still infested with the insurgents and sending them
back to the areas without total cleansing of all vestiges of insurgency is nothing more to
wickedness
and
sacrificing
them
on
the altar of politics.
Michael
Olugbode
in
Maiduguri
Borno State Governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, has said it will be callous and irresponsible to
hurriedly return internally displaced persons to their liberated communities to vote.
Borno
He said: If the area (North-East) is not clear and calm, believe me, there will be no election. I
cannot see any persons child going to conduct election in a troubled area like Bornu or
Adamawa states.
Speaking with Vanguard in Lagos, Uwazurike said the military must be consulted whenever
there was a security issue in the country, adding that every governor had a State Security Council
made up of the armed forces.
By Bartholomew Madukwe
President General of Aka Ikenga, Chief Goddy Uwazurike, has expressed fear that the March 28
election might not hold, except every area of the country was calm for the Independent National
Electoral Commission, INEC, to carry out its constitutional duty.
Aka Ikenga expresses fear over presidential

election
Power should not be our only concern at all points. There is more to life than desperation to
access power.
It will be a multi-faith and multi-ethnic based so that every segment of the affected population
is covered be it citizens, associations, government or institutions from security to all others. We
have a serious work before us, it is not childs play that some people are advocating for mainly
for their selfish and dehumanizing interests. We must learn to put politics aside where the
existence of our citizens are involved.
Shettima said: We are concerned about our people, we cannot allow them take unnecessary
risks. We are confident all will be well eventually insha Allah but we need some careful
planning. We want to set up a Task Force on Evaluation, Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Reintegration of Victims of the insurgency and the task force will have representatives of all
stakeholders.
He asked: Why should we push our citizens to live where we cant send our wives and children
to live?
Why do they want our citizens to go to liberated communities and put their lives at risk
knowing fully well that there is so much to be done. Apart from the issue of safety, there are
decomposed bodies, we need to do so much fumigation and environmental cleansing, we need to
rebuild homes destroyed, markets, schools, hospitals, many have been destroyed, we need to fix
things because our citizens are human beings and they deserve to be treated as such.
Gamboru like ordinary people. Why have they moved their entire families including their cats
out of Maiduguri that is relatively safe not to talk of the local government areas?
Ex-minister
replies
Tinubu
The surety, Wale Ajisebutu, according to court papers, has formally made an application to
Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia to withdraw from the case as surety to Fani-Kayode.
Fani-Kayode, who is now the Media Director of the President Goodluck Jonathan 2015
presidential campaign organisation, is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission (EFCC) over alleged money laundering offences he committed while serving as
Culture and Tourism Minister and later Aviation Minister.
Davidson
Iriekpen
One of the sureties who stood for the bail granted to former Aviation Minister, Femi FaniKayode, in the money laundering case against him at the Federal High Court in Lagos has
officially applied to withdraw his surety-ship.
Former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode
Font Size: a / A
18 Mar 2015
Money Laundering: Fani-Kayode in Fresh Trouble as

Surety Withdraws
So if there is a security problem, NSA writes a report to Mr. President informing him of
security issues in the country.
The state security council send their report to the Federal Government every time they hold a
meeting, which gets to the National Security Adviser, NSA, Sambo Dasuki.
The military must be consulted whenever we have security issue. Let me put it this way, every
governor has what is called state security council, made up of all armed forces.
The payments were made on September 21 and 29 and few days later in 2006.
Olapoju, however, admitted that he did not see the said Agbaje deposit the cash into the account,
and that he would not know whether there was any communication between Agbaje and the
accused after he had dropped him (Agbaje) off at the bank.
He added: In order to abridge time, I went out of my way to demand that a cheque be issued in
my name since I was in Abuja. I cashed the cheque and related with the Chief of Staff who later
instructed that the cash be deposited in bank account of the accused by his Personal Assistant,
Supo Agbaje. I went to bank with the said Agbaje but I did not go into the banking hall with
him, Olapoju narrated.
While speaking on the transactions, Olapoju recalled that Fani-Kayode had asked him to
urgently get funds from tenants to pay artisans who had effected repairs on the property of the
estate.
It is not usual for any of the beneficiaries to withdraw funds. It is the core administrator that
gives
instructions
on
funds
withdrawal,
Olapoju
stressed.
The witness further stated that he had always been in regular contact with Fani-Kayode until he
was
appointed
a
Minister
of
the
Federal
Republic
of
Nigeria.
At that point, Olapoju said Fani-Kayode had given him standing instruction that if he (Olapoju)
was unable to get him (Fani-Kayode) at any point in time, he should always take instruction from
his Chief of Staff, Aderemi Adedamola Ajidahun, on what to do in relation to the estate.
Olapoju, under cross-examination, recalled that he had known Fani-Kayode for over 20 years
and that he had been managing the property of the estate for about 14 years. He added that there
were five beneficiaries, but the beneficiaries are now four.
The witness, who is a lawyer and co-administrator of the estate of Fani-Kayodes late father, had
in his evidence-in-chief, told the court that while the accused was in public service in 2006, he
requested for funds from the said estate of his father to pay artisans who effected repairs on their
property.
Olapoju made the concession under cross-examination by EFCCs counsel, Festus Keyamo.
At the last adjourned date, Fani-Kayodes first defence witness, Kola Olapoju, had admitted that
the transactions that led to the trial were unusual and exceptional.
The matter was subsequently adjourned to March 26 for hearing of the application and
continuation of the trial.
The application was initially scheduled for hearing yesterday, but the defence wrote a letter
asking for another date.
The surety had hinged his application on the grounds that he urgently need to make use of the
Certificate of Occupancy (Cof O) he deposited to the court to secure Fani-Kayodes bail after his
arraignment for the money laundering crime.
He also betrayed former President Olusegun Obasanjo after entering a secret deal with him
(Obasanjo) to betray the AD, his own party, in the 2003 elections. During that election, Bola
Tinubu sold his soul and betrayed the governors of his own party which was then known as the
Alliance for Democracy.
After he finished using all the elders and leaders in Yoruba land to achieve power during his
tenure as governor, he eventually betrayed them as well. He not only betrayed them but he also
insulted them and denigrated all that they valued, cherished and stood for.
A few years after that, Williams was slaughtered like a chicken in very strange circumstances
by unknown people. One wonders who sent those people.
Tinubu betrayed all the elders and traditional rulers of Yorubaland. He had no business being
governor in 1999, had it not been for the fact they just put him there to compensate him for the
roles that he claimed he played during the NADECO struggle: a role which, in fact, he did not
play. The man that should have been governor was the late Mr. Funso Williams. In the end, he
not only took Williams position but he betrayed him too.
While he was with the late Chief MKO Abiola, he betrayed Abiola. When he came back to
Nigeria and participated in the elections, he betrayed those that made him governor of Lagos
State: the leaders of Afenifere, Papa Ayo Adebanjo and the late Papa Abraham Adesanya.
He has betrayed every single person that he has worked with and he has thrown them to the
dogs at the last minute for a price. During the days of NADECO, he betrayed the cause by
colluding with the government of the day secretly while pretending to be a NADECO leader.
A statement he issued in Abuja, said: We read with amusement the so-called advice from
Tinubu to President Jonathan, about Chief Femi Fani-Kayode. The truth is that it is better for
Tinubu to not only keep his advice to himself but to also search his soul and his conscience. He
is the biggest traitor that this country has ever known.
Meanwhile, Fani-Kayode yesterday took on the national leader of the All Progressives Congress
(APC), Senator Bola Tinubu, over his attack, saying that President Goodluck Jonathan did not
need his (Tinubus) advice about his (the presidents) campaign spokesperson.
The judge, however, said the accused would need to prove his innocence in respect of counts 25
and 26 of the charges.
But in his cross-examination, Keyamo told the witness that he was just out to lie to the court so
that
his
accused-friend
would
be
freed.
Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia had earlier dismissed 38 out of the 40 counts against the accused.
The second defence witness (Ajidahun) also testified before the court and stated how he was
appointed as Fani-Kayodes Chief of Staff, being an expert in media, hospitality and branding
consultancy.
By Abiodun Alade
Former governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel has promised the people of the state,
Re-election of Jonathan will ensure better

days for Civil ServantsGbenga Daniel
Tinubus ultimate objective is not for Buhari to be President. What he wants is for Buhari to
win the election and then he would spend all his time hoping and praying that the man would
drop dead so that he could take over through a surrogate or take over directly. We have said this
over and again and we will continue to say it.
As long as Tinubu is by his side Buhari should watch his back and sleep with one eye wide
open. This is because, at the end of the day, Tinubu will not only use him, but after using him
and draining him of all that he has, he will betray him and he will dump him.
Now it is very clear that Tinubu is going to betray the APC and their presidential candidate,
General Muhammadu Buhari. So, if anybody needs advice, it is Buhari and not President
Jonathan.
It is in the same way that he betrayed Governor Fayose of Ekiti State, Governor Mimiko of
Ondo State, Governor Osoba of Ogun State, Chief Tom Ikimi of Edo State, Alhaji Kashim Imam
of
Borno
State
and
countless
others.
The truth is that this man has not only sold his soul to the devil but he has also sold his
followers for a pittance and he is leading them into perdition. He wants to buy and sell Nigeria
too and it is time for somebody to tell him that Nigeria is not for sale. This is what Chief FaniKayode and others are in the process of doing.
He ordered the transfer of votes from his own partys candidate, Nuhu Ribadu, to the candidate
of the PDP, President Jonathan all in the hope that he would be allowed to continue his nonsense
in the South-west without any challenge from the federal government. He did all these things in
order to satisfy his self-serving interest and his obsessive agenda to dominate the affairs of the
entire nation.
In 2011 he lured Mallam Nuhu Ribadu to become the presidential candidate of his party, which
was then known as the ACN. After using Ribadu to gain some badly needed credibility at the
federal level, he later betrayed him and dumped him by once again entering into a deal with
others.
After that he entered a deal with the late President Umaru YarAdua and Vice-President Atiku
in Mecca, pledging to support YarAdua as long as he was allowed to hold on to the South-west
and as long as he would be protected from the EFCC. He got what he wanted but he later
betrayed YarAdua and Atiku too.
Speaking on the demolition of properties, Gbenga Daniel stated that the PDP government will
ensure that it rebuild all properties destroyed by the present administration once it gets into
power.
The first lady, Dame Patience Jonathan who was represented by the wife of the vice-President,
Hajia Aminat Nnamadi Sambo, thanked the people for their continuous support for the President
When we were in government, we saw the need to provide low-cost housing for civil servants in
Ogun State and we did that through the Laderin workers estate which we gave to civil servants at
nine hundred thousand naira each but this administration in its attempt to hoodwink the people
constructed its workers estate and awarded it to civil servants at a whooping twenty five million
naira each. How can the civil servants who have been denied their basic entitlements and welfare
and salries afford the deposit for this property not to talk of paying twenty five million naira for a
low-cost house
Speaking at the event, the former Governor reiterated the commitment of the party in ensuring
women inclusive government, while berating the Governor Ibikunle Amosun administration for
its lackadaisical attitude towards the welfare of the civil servants and the people of Ogun state in
general.
Former Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, PDP Ogun Governorship Candidate,
Gboyega Isiaka, Wife of the V.P, Hajia Aminat Sambo, addressing PDP supporters during a rally
organised by Women for Change in the state.
The former Governor disclosed this during the nationwide campaign for the re-election of
President Goodluck Jonathan of the PDP organised by the Women for Change project of the
First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan on Tuesday.
especially the civil servants better days ahead when the Peoples Democratic Party presidential
and governorship candidate are elected into office in this years election.
He said INEC agreed that there was no law citing the centre, but we thought in taking the
decision INEC will put all parties and stakeholders into consideration for peaceful and
harmonious
living
in
the
area
for
the
success
of
the
election.
The APC advised INEC to involve and listen to major stakeholders before taking vital decision
beyond the local representatives.
According to him, The issue of relocation and the ultimate decision on Dajin was maliciously
taken to assist one party at the detriment of others including our party, APC.
The state All Progressives Party (APC) Publicity Secretary, Auwalu Jallam, in a statement issued
to the journalists on Tuesday stated that the party smell foul play in the relocation of the INEC
centre from Tafawa Balewa/Dass and Bogoro to Dajin.
Segun
Awofadeji
in
Bauchi
Controversy is currently raging in Bauchi State over an alleged relocation of an Independent
National Electoral Commission (INEC) collation centre from Tafawa Balewa to a farm
belonging to the state Governor, Malam Isa Yuguda in Dajin.
Font Size: a / A
18 Mar 2015
Relocation of INEC Collation Centre to Farm Owned by

Yuguda Stirs Controversy
The event was attended by the PDP Governorship candidate in the state, Prince Gboyega Isiaka,
the state party chairman Bayo Dayo, former Deputy Governor, Alhaja Salimot Badru, among
numerous others.
and the party, assuring that women will forever be well represented in the Goodluck/Sambo led
government.
Gbajimba, headquarters of Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, the most current
location, took more than 45 lives. The massacres come with warnings. Last year, Anyii,
Governor Gabriel Suswams village, was among places some marauders appropriated. Suswams
entourage was attacked while inspecting attacked villages marauders had attacked, killing many.
Some accounts said more than 200 villages were attacked.
NEITHER the official reaction, nor the reasons adduced for the killing of more than 40 students
of tertiary institutions in Mubi, Adamawa State, three years ago could excuse another in the
series of loss of lives. Many other killings, with the circumstances different, the gruesomeness
outstanding and the brutality on women and children have not elicited the reactions and actions
that could stop the killings.
on March 18, 2015 / in Editorial 4:54 am / Comments
Benue Massacres, More Massacres
He was not in the meeting and he did not send any representatives so he had no hand in it. I will
advise the APC to adhere to the decision of the stakeholders in the interest of peace, and
progress, Babantakko said.
Reacting to the development, the Deputy Chief Press Secretary to the state governor, Mallam
Danlami Babantakko, said the governor was not part of the decision to relocate the collation
centre to Dajin.
Some weeks later the APC wrote, complaining that the local representatives did not inform
them of the decision made by the stakeholders on Dajin. The decision to choose Dajin as a
collation centre was not made by INEC but the stakeholders so it will be unfair to accuse INEC
of citing the collation centre at Dajin because it was the decision of the stakeholders. We have
replied APC and we have forwarded their compliant to our headquarters in Abuja for further
action, he said.
Some of them had complained that they would not go to Tafawa Balewa, others said they would
not go to Bununu so we asked them to meet and decide. The stakeholders and parties, including
the APC, met and agreed on Dajin.
When contacted, the Public Affairs Officer of INEC in the state, Aliyu Abubakar, explained that
INEC had directed the stakeholders to meet and decide on a particular place that is peaceful and
suitable to designate as a collation centre.
The opposition therefore request INEC to drop the idea of Dajin for Gital, if at all INEC must
move the centre from Bununu, otherwise INEC will be held responsible for any breach of peace
in that volatile area.
It said even on security advice, it will be more appropriate to move the centre to Gital town if
there is such need and not to the farm land of any aspirant or major stakeholder of one party.
Font Size: a / A
18 Mar 2015
Lagos Rejects Court Decision on Environmental Sanitation
The attacks generate a level of insecurity that matches the terrorism attacks in the North East. If
villagers arm themselves and retaliate, Nigeria could be a huge war field. We ask governments to
tackle these attacks urgently. If they are unchecked, they could degenerate to more serious
security breaches.
Environmental factors that have left cattle rearers in search of fresh grazing grounds, and cattle
rustlings are only excuses for the attacks. Unless a different law operates for cattle rearers, they
should be charged for bearing illegal weapons and their proclivity to destroy others farmlands.
Attempts by these farmers to protest the activities of these rampaging vandals often end in
bloodshed with the cattle rearers who are armed with sophisticated assault rifles such as AK 47
having the upper hand. They have moved from bows, arrows and daggers of a few decades ago.
Elsewhere, cattle minders simply run their livestock through farmlands. All year round, they
graze on them and destroy what they cannot eat, consigning farmers and host communities to
starvation and poverty.
Imo, Rivers, Delta, Enugu, Ogun, and Oyo States have similar stories. The only difference is the
intensity of the attacks in Benue and the apparent attempt to occupy attacked settlements. They
are consistent with attacks on Benue villages since 1989, focused on taking over the settlements.
An exchange of gunfire lasted over an hour before the convoy passed. These were herdsmen.
Does their profession place them above the law? Is being a herdsman the latest cover for
criminality? Why are security agencies ignoring attacks that have been going on for years in
Adamawa, Benue, Kaduna, Nasarawa, Plateau and other States?
Suswam was travelling with a powerful team, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly,
Terhile Ayua, Benue State Commissioner of Police, Adams Audu, soldiers, and other security
personnel. The convoy was attacked. Armed herdsmen with thousands of cattle, who had taken
over the villages, were evident.
The trial court held that there is no law in force in the state government by which any citizen
could be kept indoors, compulsorily. The court found that the Constitution of the Federal
The trial court had nullified the restriction of movement during the monthly environmental
sanitation in the state. The policy of the Lagos State Government restricts citizens to their homes
for three hours between 7a.m. and 10a.m. every last Saturday of the month.
This exercise and our sanitation programme in general have made Lagos the envy of other
states, many of whom have sent their officials to understudy it. We strongly believe that it is a
necessary rule in a society such as ours. We are therefore filing an appeal immediately.
Ipaye explained that the sanitation exercise had made Lagos the toast and pride of Nigeria with
many States coming to understudy how Lagos is achieving success in the sanitation exercise.
The attorney-general added that the state government will immediately challenge the decision
of the trial court at the appellate court. We are of course not satisfied with that decision of the
Federal High Court looking at the density of Lagos being the highest in Nigeria.
The state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeola Ipaye, disclosed this in a
statement he issued yesterday, noting that the judgment was unjust, unreasonable and
unwarranted.
The state government added that it had already commenced filing an appeal against the decision
of the trial court before a Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos, noting that the trial judge, Justice
Mohammed Idris erred in cancelling the monthly exercise.
Challenges
judgment
at
appellate
court
Gboyega
Akinsanmi
The Lagos State Government on Tuesday rejected the decision of a Federal High Court which
cancelled human and vehicular restriction during the monthly environmental sanitation.
Lagos state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeola Ipaye
They were frightened that February 14 would have been their demise. Four weeks out of the six
week delay, they have not found the elixir they craved. The date change has not changed the
electoral dynamic in their favour. With the damage they have done to the nation, how could they
By Bola Tinubu
DESPERATION surges within the presidency and PDP camp. Postponing the election to March
28, this group thought they had bought added time to alter the electoral equation in their favour.
on March 18, 2015 / in Special Report 3:49 am / Comments
Reading the card reader issue by Bola

Tinubu
He argued further that the practice of keeping people at home for three hours only on the last
Saturdays of the month is meant to keep society and environment clean and safe. Therefore, he
said that there are classified exceptions to the restriction, including emergencies and ambulance
services and those on essential services.
Ogunsaya, in his response, argued that section 41 of the 1999 Constitution permits government
to make laws that may derogate from the right to freedom of movement and that the
Environmental Sanitation Law of Lagos State, 2000, is an example of such derogation.
He then urged the court to hold that even if there is such regulation in force, it cannot be
enforced on roads that are designated as federal highways under the Highways Act, such as the
Third Mainland Bridge where he was arrested by the police and LASTMA officials.
He challenged the Lagos State Government to produce such regulation before the court.
Idris took arguments in respect of the suit filed by human rights activist, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa,
against the Inspector-General of Police and the Lagos State Government, to challenge the
restriction of human movements on the last Saturday of every month, for the purpose of
observing
environmental
sanitation.
He argued that section 39 of the Environmental Sanitation Law 2000, of Lagos State, which the
respondents claimed to empower the Commissioner for the Environment, to make regulations,
cannot be the basis for restricting human movement on Saturdays, as no regulation in force has
indeed been made for that purpose.
It found that there is no regulation in force currently in Lagos State which authorises the
restriction of movement of citizens, on the last Saturdays of the month, for the purpose of
observing environmental sanitation.
Republic of Nigeria grants freedom of movement to every citizen, and such freedom cannot be
taken away by executive proclamation, in the absence of any law to that effect.
The claim that use of the cards will disenfranchise voters is bogus. The world over, voters are
required to register to vote and to present at the polling booth on election day a voter registration
card. This process is not materially different than what takes place in other nations. Neither the
card nor the reader itself is used to cast votes. The card is a form of identification, an important
The reader will separate them from their cherished weapons of multiple voting and ballot
stuffing. The best hope for them to manufacture victory is to manufacture reasons to nix the card
readers, thus necessitating a last-minute reversal to the old, discredited process.
This is the reason they vehemently hackle about the use of a card reader for the elections. They
have belatedly learned the card reader will prevent customary electoral malpractices.
The greater truth is that they abandoned the people at the very dawn of this administration. They
will now reap the dividends of their indifference. Just as they did a week before the original
February election date, all senior PDP figures have run into the street not to contest in the
elections but to contest against elections being had at all. They remain afraid of the outcome of a
clean and free exercise. They would like it to be loose and murky or not to hold at all.
The PDP remains in virtually the same position they occupied in early February. They look
behind them to find the people no longer there. They are angry because they think the people
have deserted them at the eleventh hour.
They now discover there likely is no sudden alteration that can repair the mess they have made
of things. The extra time has only been a temporary stay of execution of the peoples sovereign
will against a desolate government that, through its callous neglect of the economy and national
security, has been more hindrance than help to the people it once vowed to serve.
APC leader, Bola Tinubu
think a mere six weeks would return to them the precious goodwill they had so meanly
squandered?
The energy this administration should have invested in governing the people for six years is now
being expended in these last few weeks in the frantic attempt to scuttle or side-wind an election
that is tantamount to a referendum on the Jonathan administration. They want to save their skin
by choking your democracy. Their efforts come as too much, too clumsily, too late.
Last second democrats
That the PDP cohort wants the old way means they do not want to advance democracy by
insuring a decent electoral process. They want to kidnap democracy by orchestrating the
electoral result. They are afraid of the verdict of the people because they know they have illserved the nation for so many years.
A return to the old system is a sure return to crimes and wrongs that have made our elections a
mockery of the democratic ideal and of the peoples will. If one system gives us but the mere
possibility let alone probability of a credible undertaking while the other system is doomed by
the certainty of the misconduct it produces, it simply makes more sense to opt for the chance of
success instead of settling for the certainty of failure.
At the end of the day and every day has its end, the people need to vote and need to have
confidence in the entirety of the process. The computerized card reader gives us a high
probability of finally conducting a clean and fair election.
Unless the card readers are being sabotaged by PDP agents, the possibility of a massive failure of
the readers is so scant as to be statistically implausible. The rate of innocent human error
inherent in the old system far exceeds that of computer error in the new one. When we add the
high rate of wilful mischief and wrongdoing the old system condoned, the new digital path is
vastly superior to the reversion the PDP would have us make.
They cry that the card-reading machines are imperfect. No one can guarantee that each and every
machine will perfectly work. However, the alternative is fraught with even greater imprecision.
Each national election conducted in Nigeria since 1999 has been a feat of ample rigging and
malpractice. That is the way of the old system. It incentivizes gross impropriety. This new way
discourages if not prevents it.
Fingerprints cannot be altered nor can the machines reading of them be distorted. Only those
entitled to cast ballots will be allowed to receive a ballot to cast. I cannot understand how anyone
with even the pretence of a democratic bone in his body can bemoan this improvement.
In the old system, the voter still had to present a voter registration card that would be verified by
the appropriate electoral official. The verification process was porous and inaccurate due in part
to innocent human error and to wilful malpractice. By making the verification process
dependent on computer-read biometrics, the elements of human error and mischief have been
eliminated from this important process.
and effective method internal control, verification and confirmation, affirming the voter is the
eligible to participate in this important civic exercise.
The judgment was sequel to a suit filed by Gummi seeking to quash his probe and indictment by
the
NJC
over
allegation
of
corruption
and
abuse
of
office.
Tobi
Soniyi
in
Abuja
A Federal High Court in Abuja has set aside the probe and indictment of a former Chief Judge
of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Justice Mohammed Lawal Gummi, by the National
Judicial Council (NJC).
Former Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Justice Mohammed
Lawal
Gummi
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18 Mar 2015
Court Quashes Gummis Indictment by NJC
Let us give true democracy a chance. At the end of every contest, the cards must be placed on the
table and read. Let all the cards that you as voters hold in your hands be read. Only those afraid
of the will of the people fear what the cards shall read.
Their long track is one of disservice to you on all accounts employment, power, water, roads,
national security, corruption, education, health, housing and social security. Now at the last
minute, they want you to believe they have become paragons of democratic virtue, the guardians
of your right to vote. This is an insult to our collective wisdom. Your right to vote is seen as a
wrong to them. They dont seek democracy. They seek to strike fear in you that you may recoil
from grasping the democracy that is now so closely at hand.
Do not be persuaded by their attempts to paint themselves as last-second democrats. Their

governance has been haughty and arrogant, an eruption of insecurity, unemployment and deep
economic recession depleting the national treasury by the day if not by the hour and minute. The
times have been fertile and fecund for them but barren and bankrupt as to you!
In the petition to the NJC, the group asked the council to order a thorough investigation into the
matter with a view to punishing any one found guilty, just as it demanded that the former CJ be
ordered to put them back into possession of the House situated at No 1 Fatai Williams Street,
Asokoro, Abuja.
The order was allegedly varied by the former Chief Registrar of the court, Mrs. Toyin Yahaya,
on the instruction of Gummi, an allegation that was denied by Gummi.
Another judge of the court, Justice Jude Okeke had in a judgment, ordered the company to take
possession of the property in question.
Before his retirement, a company, Nestello Gateways Group wrote to the NJC, alleging that
Gummi abused his office by handing over the companys property to the Governor of Zamfara
State, Abdulaziz Yari after an Abuja High Court had ruled against the governor.
More so, the panel maintained that it was a fact finding body that was already constituted before
Gummi sent in his resignation letter dated May 13, but received by the NJC the next day.
Nevertheless, an investigative panel of the NJC dismissed his objection, saying he should go and
enter his defence against the allegations of corruption that were levelled against him before his
voluntary exit from office.
Besides, he argued that the matter was presently a subject of litigation both before an Abuja High
Court where he once held sway and the Federal High Court equally in Abuja, insisting that the
NJC did not have a concurrent jurisdiction with the two high courts.
It was his contention that having retired voluntarily and no longer a judicial officer, and having
paid three months salary into the federal treasury in lieu of notice, he could no longer appear
before the NJC as the panel lacked the jurisdiction to hear any petition against a retired judicial
officer.
At the hearing of one of the petitions against him, Gunmi, through his consortium of lawyers led
by Mr. Israel Olorundare (SAN) and Sunday Ameh (SAN), challenged the competence of the
NJC to continue the probe, saying that he had relinquished his office since May 13, 2013.
The
court
held
that
the
indictment
of
Gummi
was
of
no
effect.
Gummi had raised an objection to his probe by the NJC, saying that he had ceased to be a
judicial officer by virtue of his retirement but the council dismissed the objection.
The court further held that the council had no power to exercise disciplinary measure against
Gummi who had ceased to be a serving judicial officer by reason of his letter of voluntary
retirement dated May 13, 2013 and the payment of three months salaries in lieu of notice.
Delivering judgment in the suit, the trial judge, Justice Abdul Kafarati, held that the NJC had no
power to continue with the probe following a petition with the matter pending in court.
On a month-on-month basis, food prices increased at a slower rate in February relative to

January, 2015. Food prices increased by 0.7 per cent down from 0.9 per cent. Price increases
After increasing at same pace year-on-year fr the previous two months, food prices as measured
by the Food Sub-index increased at faster pace in February, 2015, increasing by 9.4 per cent.
The pace of advances recorded by the All Items Less Farm Produce or Core Sub-index
increased for the second consecutive month in February, 2015. The Core Sub-index increased by
7.0 per cent (year-on-year), 0.2 percentage points from 6.8 per cent recorded in January 2015.
In the Group report, NBS said while most groups that contributed to the Food Sub-index
increased at a faster pace during the month of February 2015, the pace of increase was weighed
down by a slower increase in the Bread & Cereals sub-group.
According to the report, Food prices as observed by the Food Sub-index increased at a faster
pace in February partly due to increases in prices of imported food items. The Imported Food
Sub-index increased by 8.8 per cent (year-on-year), the highest increase recorded since February
2013. The Food Sub-index rose by 9.4 per cent (year-on-year).
In the CPI Report released yesterday the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said all the
components that contributed to the index increased at a faster pace during the period, noting that
the only exception was Recreational & Culture which also increased but at slower pace.
By Emeka Anaeto, Economy Editor

Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the month of February 2015 has shown that inflationary pressure
was mounting, pushing the Headline Index to move up by 8.4 per cent year-on-year, as against
8.2 per cent in January. CPI measures inflation rates and the increase reflects rising cost of goods
in the economy.
Inflation rate rising at faster pace NBS
He also prayed the court for a declaration that any proceeding held or steps taken or decision
reached or to be arrived at by the NJC in so far as it related to the petition against him was null
and void and of no effect whatsoever.
In the bid to stop the probe, Gummi had prayed the court to set aside anything done or purported
to be done by NJC in furtherance of the petition filed against him because he had ceased to be a
judicial officer.
Likewise, another anti-corruption group in its own petition alleged that Gummi diverted over
N4billion allocated to the high court whilst Mallam Nasiru El-Rufai held sway as the Minister of
the FCT.
He dismissed as blackmail the insinuation that the police action was politically
motivated, adding, however, in a free world, people are free to hold an opinion.
Majia stated that the allocation of the said venue was done by the supervising authority on a firstcome, first-serve basis, pointing out that three different groups had applied for the venue on the
same day.
Addressing journalists in Kano, the spokesman of the police in the state, ASP Musa Magaji
Majia, said the Sani Abacha Stadium, the venue proposed by the group for the rally had already
been allocated for a national league encounter between Kano Pillars and Bayelsa United.
Ibrahim
Shuaibu
in
Kano
The Kano State Police Command on Tuesday explained why it stopped the All Progressives
Congress (APC) presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buharis one-million-man march
by some youth groups in Kano.
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18 Mar 2015
Police: Why We Stopped Buharis One-million-man March

in Kano
slowed across most groups that contribute to the Food Sub-index with the exception of Fish
Group.
His visit to Taichung Coal-Fired-Power-Plant in Taiwan, the largest in the world, motivated his
interest to revamp Enugu coal.
His words: Buhari is very passionate to create jobs for the youths. We feel the best way to do so
is to revamp Enugu coal, which was abandoned since the civil war.
APC spokesman, South-East geopolitical zone, Mr. Osita Okechukwu, said the party had
pledged to revamp the abandoned coal deposit in Enugu to trigger economic activities in the state
and region.
This hint came during the commencement of a road show organised by the Gen. Muhammadu
Buhari (retd), Presidential Campaign Council to woo voters in the state for their candidate.
By Francis Igata
ENUGU All Progressives Congress, APC, yesterday assured Enugu residents that the huge
coal deposit in the state would be revamped for electricity supply to create one million jobs for
the teeming unemployed youths in the state and beyond.
APC promises one million jobs through coalfor-electricity
He therefore called on politicians to conduct their activities within the confines of the law and
refrain from action or inaction that would compromise security in the state.
Majia expressed the readiness of the police to work with critical stakeholders to ensure peace and
stability in the commercial city, pointing out that they would not be distracted by those who hold
contrary opinions.
The police spokesman said a similar street procession proposed earlier by President Jonathans
Special Adviser on Agriculture, Dr. Baraka Sani, was denied permission, stressing that Kano
is not like other cities and we have the responsibility to safeguard its security.
Majia revealed that the right of usage was granted to the General Buhari Youth Group a day
after, pointing out that the decision to prevent the group from a street procession was based on
security concerns in the city.
Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), Muslims group whose Quran recitation was scheduled for
Saturday at the stadium were among the group that applied for usage of the facility, and as far as
I know NFF got the nod on the basis of first-come, first-serve, he said.
As a result, his assistant, Daniel Amokachi, will be in charge of two friendly matches against
Bolivia and South Africa later this month.
Keshi and Amaju
Keshi has been without a contract since after the World Cup in Brazil last summer.
Nigeria will decide in three days whether Stephen Keshi will continue as the countrys coach,
according to the president of the countrys football federation.
on March 18, 2015 / in Sports 2:24 am / Comments
Keshi: Decision in four days, says NFF boss
He will also inaugurate the National Council on Procurement as stipulated in the Procurement
Act.
He will work with the National Assembly to cut down the cost of governance, because he feels
that the amount expended on running the presidency, the National Assembly, and the state
houses cannot be reasonably justified with the poverty on the ground.
He said: If Nigeria does not kill corruption, corruption will kill Nigeria. To achieve this, Buhari
will publicly declare his assets and liabilities and encourage his political appointees to follow suit
immediately he is sworn-in.
On corruption and governance, Okechukwu revealed that the APC presidential candidate
believed sincerely that no matter how vast the countrys resources were, if they were not
efficiently utilized, it would only benefit a privileged few, leaving the majority in abject poverty.
of
the
National
Information
Centre,
Mr.
Mike
Omeri
The Coordinator of the National Information Centre, Mr. Mike Omeri, has said the insurgencyhit North-east region will be secure enough for voting to take place when delayed elections start
on March 28 after a renewed military push against Boko Haram, a government spokesman to
Bloomberg on Tuesday.
Coordinator
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18 Mar 2015
FG: North-east will Be Secure for Vote
Like I have said before, I will say again, if Keshi decided not to accept the contract, we are not
going to change the contract for any other person we want to employ because to us what is good
for the goose is good for the gander.
Now if Keshi says for example that one clause in that contract is not good for him, it means he
doesnt want the job, so we can now open it and look for other coaches that are ready to coach
Nigeria.
So we are not saying 100% that it is Keshi, we are not saying that I can assure you 100%. It can
be other persons. It can only be Keshi provided he accepts 100% the contract we have offered
him. If he doesnt accept it, then I can tell you right away that he is not going to be our coach,
he stated.
Pinnick maintained he expects Keshi to accept the new contract without any objections.
I told the senate that within 10 days and by Gods grace within the next four days(three today)
this thing (Keshis appointment or not) would be completed. Its either he is in or he is not in,
said NFF boss Amaju Pinnick.
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18 Mar 2015
Na Abba Joins APC as BoT Member, Predicts Buharis

Victory
Out of 68.8 million people on the electoral register, 81 per cent have collected their voter cards.
INECs Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, said on Monday the security situation has improved since
the postponement and the agency is set to hold credible elections.
Now we have the security cooperation of our neighbours, theres nowhere to go for the
militants,
Omeri
said.
Citizens
will
be
able
to
cast
their
vote.
Boko Haram, which has killed thousands in its six-year campaign to impose Islamic law in
Africas largest economy, this month pledged allegiance to Islamic State, which has declared a
caliphate
in
parts
of
Syria
and
Iraq.
The election pits Jonathans ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against a united opposition,
led by former military ruler Muhammadu Buhari, in what analysts expect will be the tightest
contest since the PDP came to power in 1999.
Security forces routed Boko Haram militants from the North-eastern town of Bama in Borno
State, while Goniri, the last insurgent stronghold in the neighbouring state of Yobe, was
recaptured by troops, military spokesman Chris Olukolade said in a statement on Monday.
Afterward, we swung into action, he said. Most of the girls are still missing.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) postponed the national vote by six
weeks last month after President Goodluck Jonathans national security adviser said the military
needed more time to subdue the rebels and ensure voters safety. Forces from neighbooring Chad
and Niger have joined the fight against the insurgents.
Until more than 200 schoolgirls were kidnapped by the group from the North-eastern town of
Chibok in April last year, we underestimated the extent of incursion into our territory, Omeri
said.
Only three areas in the North-east are under the control of Boko Haram Islamist militants, he
said.
Nigerian authorities are confident they would have established adequate security to allow the
vote to go ahead in the region, Omeri said on a panel in London.
Speaker
of
the
House
of
Representatives,
Hon.
Ghali
NaAbba
My pledge today is to work with you and the presidential candidate of the party while trying to
consolidate on the gains made so far. It is very remarkable that a convention was held and a free
According to him, It is quite remarkable that since I left the PDP, I have been receiving calls
and messages of encouragement from across Nigeria. This is to show that APC is a national
party and not what they use to regard as a religious party and sectional party. People from all
corners of this country have called me, including former members of the House of
Representatives who are in APC.
NaAbba said from his personal observation of the campaigns so far, Buhari has become
increasingly popular around the country, adding that he has been inundated with solidarity calls
from former colleagues since his joining the APC.
I am happy that he is going to be the next president of this country and when he becomes the
president, it is our desire that he continues to be a national leader and not a sectional leader, he
said.
Speaking on his decision to defect to the APC, former speaker said the party has now grown into
a national party and not what they use to regard it as a religious party or sectional party.
He lamented that Nigeria had been misruled by successive governments in the past 16 years.
NaAbba, who was formally received in the opposition party fold yesterday in Abuja with an
automatic appointment into the partys Board of Trustees (BoT), said the bane of the country in
the past years had been the inability of its leadership to carry the people along in governance.
Onyebuchi
Ezigbo
in
Abuja
The former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ghali NaAbba has expressed
optimism that the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, General Muhammadu
Buhari (rtd), will be victorious at the March 28 polls.
Former
Former national chairman of the defunct Congress for Progressives Change (CPC), Mr. Tony
Momoh, said APC has now emerged as a big national party.
Naaaba was accompanied by former member of the PDP BoT, Ishaku Ibrahim, and Hon.
Abubakar Lado. Others in attendance were Ogbeh, Chief George Moghalu.
The party chairman said if mark of good leadership is the legacy left behind, what then will the
PDP
lay
claim
to
have
achieved
if
not
that
of
divisiveness.
He alleged that while President Goodluck Jonathan is exploiting the Christian religion for
political gain, Buhari is just trying to be a good Muslim. Buhari has not gone to any mosque to
seek political patronage.
Oyegun said the nation at present has lost its bearing due to bad leadership in the past years,
adding that the peoples expectations hopes for a better future has become a major challenge for
the APC.
He said though the party was excited at the reception it received so far in its campaigns, it is also
terrified at the enormity of the task ahead.
While welcoming Naaabba, the National Chairman of APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun,
welcomed Naaabba and announced his automatic membership of the partys BoT, and handed
over the constitution and manifesto of the party to him.
Unless and until change in governance is achieved, there is still going to be turbulent days
ahead, he said.
Here, I am sorry to say, the stomach does the thinking.
A chieftain of the party, Audu Ogbeh, condemned the leadership style in the country where he
said
leaders
think
through
their
stomach.
He said the management of the affairs of the country needed some change if genuine progress is
to be attained.
God has created us into different tribes and nations. If we are all Hausas or Igbos or Yorubas,
there may have been no desire for exchange among us and we may not know one another. It is a
test on us all. We have differences in languages and religion among others so that we can be
trusted in our leadership.
Nigerians have come a long way and I have continued to say that we cannot continue to rule
this country on the basis of divisiveness. We can succeed in this country without maligning other
parts of the country because we have all it takes. All the regions of this country have comparative
advantages which we can build on and succeed and we dont have to malign others to be able to
succeed.
and fair election was conducted in which Buhari emerged as the presidential candidate of the
party and I am witness to how popular Buhari is, not just in the North, but all over the country.
National
Publicity
Secretary,
Alhaji
Lai
Mohammed
Chuks Okocha and Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja and Gboyega Akinsanmi in Lagos
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused President Goodluck Jonathan of carrying his
re-election desperation to a new height on Monday by allowing thugs to be unleashed on Lagos
residents during a sponsored Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) protest against the Chairman of
the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega.
Opposition should stop scare-mongering and prepare for defeat, says Fani-Kayode
OPC breaks up, faction disowns Gani Adams
APC
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18 Mar 2015
.Anti-Jega Protest: Jonathans Men Fuelling Violence, Says

APC
Everybody wants peace and everyone should be ready to make sacrifices including all the
relevant government agencies to realise the goal of peaceful election in furtherance of the unity
of the country, he said
We have the opposition party in government. We have a government in government that is

today resisting change and APC is championing change. Election will come, and it will be
peaceful, free, fair and transparent, and everybody will accept the result.
One thing we forget about APC is that it is bigger than PDP. The extent which people are
moving from PDP to APC is not the same as people moving to PDP from APC. Today, we are
ahead of 12 million party members and we are bigger than the PDP and therefore we are the
biggest party in Africa.
Expressing disdain because he claimed that the police authority never acted throughout the
period they were destroying APC material, Igbokwe added that: We wonder whether the police
was part of the violent demonstration and we warn that the perseverance and patience of
Lagosians should not be tested.
Describing the protest as an act of desperation capable of affecting the electoral process, the
state Publicity Secretary of the APC, Mr. Joe Igbokwe, said his party came to the conclusion that
the destruction of the partys billboards and posters during the protest was sponsored by the
ruling party because the handbills they were distributing during the protest were pro-Jonathan
campaign materials.
Also, the Lagos State chapter of the APC has said the Monday protest by the OPC was a
sponsored act of war declared on the party by President Jonathan and the ruling Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP).
It said taking into consideration the sponsored protests by MASSOB and the OPC, the
unprovoked and virulent attacks on the presidential candidate of the APC, Gen. Muhammadu
Buhari (rtd), the sponsored documentary of lies as well as the planned demonstrations against
Tinubu, and the inciting statements by First Lady, Patience Jonathan, who has asked her
supporters to stone APC members and supporters, there is undisputed evidence that President
Jonathan himself is leading the campaign to make the elections violent and Nigeria
ungovernable.
During the forthcoming demonstrations, the protesters have been told to carry placards asking
the EFCC to probe the allegations made against Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the deceitful, illintentioned and irresponsible documentary that was sponsored by the same Jonathan
administration. Such is the level of President Jonathans desperation for re-election that a man
who is not on the ballot in the forthcoming elections has become a target of unprecedented
mudslinging by his (presidents) administration, the party said.
APC said the next plot by the opprobrious Jonathan administration is a series of anti-Tinubu
demonstrations in Lagos, for which the planners have been mobilised with millions of naira.
They said we are raising false alarm. But just as we had alerted
Nigerians, the Jonathan administrations sponsored protest took place, with dire consequences
for residents. However, the Presidents chances in the forthcoming elections suffered a collateral
damage
as
the
N9 billion-powered protest backfired, with even supporters of the president being forced to have
a rethink due to the massive scale of the lawlessness and brigandage that took place during a
supposedly peaceful protest, it said.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the
party alleged that the presidents supporters, led by the OPC, took to major roads in the city
during rush hour traffic to unleash mayhem on the citizens, create massive gridlock that prevent
many workers from reaching their places of work as well as destroy any APC campaign poster
they could lay their hands on.
As the elections draw closer and Lai Mohammed and his APC masters have become fully aware
that there is a real possibility of their losing Lagos state at the forthcoming presidential and
gubernatorial elections. As we draw nearer to the d-day of March 28 we predict that they will
issue more baseless and untruthfulpress statements and falsehood against the PDP and President
Jonathan.
For the avoidance of doubt, many Nigerians are today questioning the wisdom of allowing the
APC, a party that has superintended over an unimaginable level of outright theft of public funds
and usurpation and conversion of government properties for personal use in Lagos State,
anywhere near control of the federal government.
Now that Lagosians are at last realising the level of sleaze and insurmountable greed among the
APC leaders in the state, Lai Mohammed and his handlers are panicking because they know their
chances of cornering the market on the golden goose which they have fleeced for the past sixteen
years
are
dimming.
This is the single reason why Mohammed and the APC have resorted to their age-old and
outdated strategy of firing off a new statement of falsehood every single day in the hope of
distracting Lagosians and Nigerians at large from the key issues at stake in this election.
Since the APC covers itself in a cloak of darkness and falsehood, the party must invent a new
lie every single day rather than admit that it has no answer to President Jonathans achievements
in agriculture, aviation, education, roads, railways, industrialisation, women and youth
empowerment and other areas. The APC prefers to resort to peddling falsehood rather than
engaging in an issues-based campaign.
Nigerians know very well that this is not the first time that the APC is embarking on spreading
lies in the hope of inciting the people against the PDP and President Jonathan. The lies of Lai
Mohammed and the APC have never achieved their nefarious objectives and once again their
falsehood shall fail.
The Director of Media and Publicity of the PDPPCO, Femi Fani-Kayode said in a statement
yesterday: The recent string of lies by Lai Mohammed, the Publicity Secretary of the All
Progressives Congress (APC), attempting to link President Goodluck Jonathan with a protest by
the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) in Lagos is more of the same pattern of falsehood and
scaremongering that the APC and its Publicity Secretary have made their trademark. We advise
the APC to stop peddling falsehood and scaremongering and to prepare for defeat at the March
28 presidential elections.
However, the Peoples Democratic Party Presidential Campaign Organisation (PDPPCO) has
called on the All Progressives Congress (APC) to stop peddling falsehood and to prepare for
defeat in the March 28 presidential election.
He said the party was making arrangement to send a petition to the police authority and that it
expects the police to act dispassionately in bringing the perpetrators to book, stressing that: We
call on the police and other security agencies to do its legal duties of prosecuting the vandals that
were sponsored to unleash violence in Lagos and destroy APC campaign materials.
They will be sorely disappointed. Their investment is a bad one already. We reject today and
always any attempt to use our organisation and its members for narrow and selfish partisan
purposes. We must remind them that the Yoruba people cannot be hoodwinked by sweeteners.
We must renounce him and remind him he cannot sell the Yoruba race to Jonathan and PDP on
the cheap. He also has no authority to speak on behalf of the Yoruba people. We pity those who
rely on him to win votes.
He said the people of the South-west seek justice and fairness from the current government,
thereby calling all true Yoruba leaders, sons and daughters to stand with us in totally
condemning Gani and his anti-democratic tendencies.
He alleged that the compromise Adams had made amounted to selling the Yoruba to the present
government for a piece of pipeline contract to line his pockets. OPC is not about pipeline
contracts or any other contracts for that matter. The Yoruba interest is beyond contracts.
Akinpelu noted that Adams was using the proceeds of the pipeline contract he got from President
Jonathan as a ploy or excuse to recruit people to work for Jonathan and PDP in the south-west.
Gani Adams is apparently acting against Yoruba interest.
He is working for the sponsors of violence against our people who want the March 28 elections
not to hold. Unleashing terror on innocent citizens and killing them is not the way of democracy.
It is not our idea of a people-oriented advocacy. Adams is on a dubious project, he said.
At the conference, the factional leader said what was witnessed on Monday in Lagos was the
highest level of political violence sponsored and funded by certain elements in the President
Goodluck Jonathan government. Adams is on his own and does not enjoy the support of a large
size of our membership spread across the country.
Akinpelu condemned the decision of Adams in a news conference he addressed yesterday

alongside OPCs founding members including Mr. Monsuru Akande, Mr. Sunday Adebayo, Mr.
Kilanko Oladipupo, Mr. Kehinde Ogunyale and Mr. Gbenga Eegunlusi, among others.
A faction led by one of the OPC founding members, Mr. Shina Akinpelu, added that the national
coordinator had betrayed the people of Yoruba land for organising protest calling for the
dismissal of the Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru
Jega.
Meanwhile, the protest organised by the OPC in Lagos has finally torn the vigilante group apart
as the OPC National Coordinating Council disowned its National Coordinator, Mr. Gani Adams.
We advise Nigerians to dismiss their childish and pathetic allegations and the sheer rubbish that
is being disseminated by the APC. What we are witnessing from them are the frantic gasps of a
failed political party that realises that it is about to face a crushing defeat and setback that will
send it out of existence. By the time this is all over, the APC will be dumped and forgotten in the
dustbin of Nigerian political history
According to him, INEC has a chairman and 12 commissioners with two being appointed from
each of the zones in the country, adding that the commissioners from the zones should be
allowed to appoint collation officers in their areas and not only the chairman solely making the
Ojuogbo, however, said the PDP in the region was not against the card reader, but that it should
not be used to disenfranchise eligible voters, stressing that anybody with the Permanent Voters
Card, PVC, should also be allowed to vote. On whether the card reader would be used for the
election or not, he said the issue was being handled by the party at the national level. On the
appointment of collation officers, he alleged that Prof. Jega had already directed one of his aides
who is a card carrying member of the APC to nominate those to be appointed as collation
officers for the elections.
Handing down the warning during the South-South zonal executive meeting of the party, in
Asaba, Delta State Chairman of PDP in the zone, Dr Cairo Ojuogbo, said the zone was against
the decision of INEC to make its Chairman, Prof. Attaihiru Jega, the sole appointee of collation
officers across states in the federation for the March 28 presidential and National Assembly
elections.
*Jega
ASABALEADERSHIP of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the South-South region,

yesterday, warned the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC not to use the card
reader to rig the party out of power in the March 28 presidential election.
By Festus Ahon
Tweet
Dont rig us out of power with card readers,

PDP warns Jega
APC
logo
Alleges
members
of
campaign
team
are
getting
death
threats
Onyebuchi
Ezigbo
in
Abuja
The All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Organisation (APCPCO) has alerted of
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18 Mar 2015
APC Cries Out over Police Harassment of Members in

Jigawa
The PDP governorship flagbearer in Delta State, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, said he was confident of
victory for PDP in all the elections, adding that the party was not scared of loosing any of the
elections because it was working hard to secur
He commended party faithful for their commitment to the reelection of Dr Jonathan and
expressed optimism that their efforts would yield positive results.Minister of Niger Delta Affairs,
Dr Steve Oru, who also spoke during the meeting, assured that the people of the South South
would vote enmasse for the PDP. Chairman of the party in the Delta Central, Chief Tom Amioku
who spoke in the same vein enjoined the party leadership not to be disturbed by the rumours that
the Urhobo would not vote for the PDP.
appointments. Speaking further, Ojougbo said the South-South region would give bloc votes to
President Goodluck Jonathan, insisting that the party has worked very hard to earn the votes of
the people.
If the DPO feels beholden to the PDP or any other party, he is free to shed his uniform, resign
from the police and join any party of his choice. Until then, he is wrong to favour one party over
another. He should stop disgracing the police, it said.
The party called on the Inspector-General of Police to call the DPO to order and to impress it
upon him that as an officer of the law, he cannot continue to engage in brazen lawlessness, as he
has been doing.
The DPO has also stopped APC from campaigning on the grounds that the party did not obtain
permits, while he has requested that the APC should remove all its posters and banners from the
streets. This is not right, APC said.
It said APC Secretary Umar Bappa and an elder of the party, Alhaji Rabiu Hamza, have been
detained now for over 48 hours without any charges being brought against them, in violation of
the law.
In a separate statement issued on Tuesday by its National Publicity

Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the DPO of Birniwa, DSP Sale M. Abdulhamid,
has recently clamped down on APC members and supporters in the area, putting at least two of
their leaders in detention.
Meanwhile, the APC has asked the police in the Birniwa council area of Jigawa State to stop the
incessant harassment and intimidation of its members in the area, saying the police is a national
institution that should always be neutral and non-partisan.
Shehu said the APC campaign is taken the threats seriously considering extreme show of
desperation by the Jonathan regime.
Fashakin also received a second SMS at 6:17p.m: Dont say u are not warned, we are
following u, we are waiting to see anything funny about our man on the social media. U
BASTARD watch ur back.
According to Shehu, the first SMS at 6:09p.m. read: Mr. ICT expert, ur plan on our man kayode
may cost ur life. we have been told of all ur plans and if dare it, is a risk of ur life and that of ur
family.
The Directorate of Media and Publicity in a statement signed by Mallam Garba Shehu on
Tuesday said the threats on Fashakin were sent via SMS messages from the same phone line 08173716604 - on Sunday, March15 at 6:09p.m. and 6.17p.m. read.
APCs alarm came just as the party appealed to the police in the Birniwa council area of Jigawa
State to stop the incessant harassment and intimidation of its members in the area, saying the
police is national institution that should always be neutral and non-partisan.
threats to the life of one of its members, Rotimi Fashakin, by persons suspected to be linked to
the Jonathan campaign.
We feel confident that using the card readers will help us ensure that no cloned card will be
used in the electoral process because the card readers will only read cards that have been
produced and issued by INEC. For those who for some reason the card readers could not read
their finger prints, we have already agreed with political parties on what to do under those
circumstances.
According to the INEC chairman, We feel confident that people will try to clone cards but a
cloned card cannot be read by our card readers. We have examined all the possibilities of
hacking and we have taken care of this.
Chuks
Okocha
in
Abuja
Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, has
warned politicians and Nigerians intending to undermine the electoral process by presenting
cloned voters cards for accreditation during the polls that doing so will be an effort in futility.
Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega
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18 Mar 2015
Jega: Cloned Voters Cards Cannot be Used for Polls
This is to inform the good people of Nigeria that Jonathans goons are now on the prowl.
However, we believe that, with the support of the Nigerian people, victory is assured at the
elections on 28th March, 2015 and 11th April, 2015.
We dare say, nothing can truncate our destiny without the permission of the Almighty God. We
remain unfazed in our charted course of rescuing Nigeria from her perilous governance!
Indeed, this struggle to wrest Nigeria from the hands of the jackals has now taken a dangerous
bend. With victory in sight for General Muhammadu Buhari and the APC, the reactionary
elements are now threatening our lives.
The briefing will take place at the Aso Hall of the International Conference Centre (ICC), Area
11 (Eleven), Opposite Radio House, Garki, Abuja.
Meanwhile, the commission will brief local and international observers tomorrow.
He however assured of INECs commitment towards ensuring that IDPs who remain within the
three states participate in the electoral process. He said: We have placed priority on all IDPs
who are still remaining in these states. We have made arrangements and identified venues and in
these venues we distributed PVCs and are making arrangements for them to be able to vote in
these locations.
The INEC chairman further pointed out that it was practically impossible for INEC to cater for
Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) who may have left the three troubled states of Adamawa,
Borno and Yobe or may have left the shores of the country due to non-availability of resources
and time.
And that is why in order to minimise speculations, we on Sunday morning contacted the media
and even organised a tour where we showed them the extent of the damage.
Professor Jega who explained that the unfortunate incident was caused by a spark in one of the
distribution panels at the store when power was restored at around 11 p.m., maintained that: No
materials relating to the preparation of the 2015 general election were affected in the fire
incident.
Commenting on the incident yesterday, Jega, assured Nigerians that no materials to be used for
the 2015 general election were affected, rather only some 2011 old stock of election materials,
primarily hand bags for election officials and envelops were destroyed in the fire incident that
lasted for an hour before it was put out.
Jega further allayed fears and quelled rumours over the last Saturdays fire incident which
occurred at the commissions central store located at the The Electoral Institute, Central Area,
Abuja.
Professor Jega explained further that: INEC has in the past been challenged for not being able
to do a statistical analysis immediately after the election to tell not only how many people have
been accredited but to tell people what are the demographics of these persons, adding that
tremendous value will be added using the card reader.
The INEC chairman emphasised the commissions resolve to use the Card Readers, explaining
that beyond checking electoral fraud and improving the integrity of the electoral process, the
Card Readers would also assist the commission to keep record of who has been accredited and
also enable us to send that information to a central data base. And if theres any dispute as to
who has been accredited, we will be able to use that information to audit a polling unit and be
able to confirm the number of people accredited in that polling unit.
His resignation came a day after he was crowned as the new Emir of Gummi Community in
Zamfara state.
Gummi, whose tenure as CJ would have ended this year, resigned his position barely three weeks
after the NJC commenced investigation into a petition that sought his sack over alleged judicial
impropriety.
Justice Abdul Kafarati who gave the judgment yesterday, maintained that the erstwhile Chief
Judge of the FCT, Gummi, ceased to be a judicial officer after he voluntarily resigned from
office on May 13, 2013.
Cross section of Justices of the Court of Appeal Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan.
The court, in a judgment it delivered on a suit that was entered before it by the former Chief
Judge of the Federal Capital Territory, Justice Lawal Hassan Gummi, who was in 2013, found
guilty of judicial corruption by the NJC, stressed that the disciplinary powers of the Council is
limited to only serving judicial officers.
By Ikechukwu Nnochiri
ABUJAThe Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, yesterday, held that the National Judicial
Council, NJC, lacks the constitutional powers to investigate or discipline retired judges accused
of complicity in perversion of justice.
Judicial malpractice: NJC has no power to

sanction retired judges Court
Omololu
Senator
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18 Mar 2015
Ogunmade
Musiliu
in
Abuja
Obanikoro
Obanikoro: Call Abaribe to Order, APC Senators Tell Mark
The former chief judge would have been summarily removed from office as he was guilty of
gross misconduct. His action was contrary to Rule 1 (i) of the Code of Conduct for judicial
officers in Nigeria.
Council also found the interference of Gummi in the execution of the judgment as most
unethical and highly reprehensible.
NJC said that findings by its committee revealed that the ex-CJ interfered in the execution of a
judgement delivered by Justice Jude Okeke of the FCT High Court, Abuja.
The Council said that the CJ unduly interfered and perverted the course of justice in the case
between Nestello Gateway Group and Governor Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara state.
In a statement it issued through its Acting Director of Information, Mr Soji Oye, the NJC, on
July 18, 2013, said it had at the end of its 63rd meeting, deliberated on the Report and
recommendation of its Committee that investigated the petition forwarded to it by Nestello
Gateway Group in Suit No. FCT/HC/CV/486/10 against Hon. Justice Lawal Hassan Gummi, and
found him culpable.
Despite his voluntary decision to willingly bow out of the Bench, the NJC still went ahead and
constituted a panel that probed the allegation of judicial malpractice that was levelled against
him.
Therefore, they asked Mark to call him to order.
This remark however, provoked anger in the APC senators who accused Abaribe of sustaining
the culture of speaking for himself instead of speaking for the Senate.
He had said: Even some of the senators who have addressed the press conference and spoke
about the qualification or non-qualification of Senator Obanikoro are enjoying this privilege
because some of them have EFCC cases and they are still in this Senate because of this privilege
of being innocent until proven guilty. And so, they cannot go to a press conference and convict
somebody when the person has not been convicted by a court law. They cannot enjoy that
privilege themselves and sit in this Senate and then turn around and say somebody else cannot
enjoy that privilege.
According to him, if some APC senators had cases with the Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission (EFCC) and had not been thrown out of the Senate because they were assumed to
be innocent, the case of Obanikoro could not be different.
However, Abaribe described the APC senators clamour to drop Obanikoro over a matter that
had not been determined as misplaced.
Besides, opposition senators had demanded the rejection of Obanikoro, citing Order 53(5) of the
Senate Standing Rules which prohibits the parliament from handling any matter that is pending
in a law court.
While confirming Obanikoro, the Senate upheld another tradition which allows any former
member of the chamber to take a bow and go without being subjected to any form of
questioning.
They also accused Mark of flouting the tradition to lead the confirmation of Obanikoro despite
opposition to it by all the three senators from his state (Lagos).
The APC senators had walked out of the chamber during the confirmation last Wednesday and
accused Mark of double standard for allegedly breaching Senate tradition which states that any
nominee whose appointment is opposed by two of the three senators from his state should be
dropped.
When the matter was re-opened on Tuesday, the Senate Minority Leader, Senator George
Akume, asked Senate President, David Mark, to call the parliaments spokesman, Senator
Enyinnaya Abaribe, to order over his reaction to the All Progressives Congress (APC) opposition
to Obanikoros confirmation.
A few days after the confirmation of former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu
Obanikoro, as minister-designate, the bitterness generated by the confirmation among senators is
yet to abate.
Owie said: It is now clear that Jega really does not mean well for this country. Whose children
does he want his brothers in the North who have been killing in the name of Boko Haram to kill
as they did in 2011? I hope Jega knows that a youth corps member is not a street begger. His life
is dear to his parents and to the country. These children must be protected and as such soldiers
He expressed fears that members of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, who will serve as
ad-hoc staff of INEC during the elections and even voters may suffer if the Army was not on
hand to provide adequate security, adding that the comments made by the INEC boss indicated
that he does not care about the lives of his staff.
BENINFORMER Chief Whip of the Senate,

Senator Rowland Owie, yesterday, disagreed with the Chairman of Independent National
Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega, over his comment that the Army was not
empowered to monitor the forthcoming general elections.
By Simon Ebegbulem
Owie faults Jega on deployment of soldiers

for polls
In his response, Mark said he had noted the submission of Akume and implored him to suspend
further discussion on the matter in the interest of the Senate.
The Senate, through Abaribe cannot say that was what we discussed here. We have observed
repeatedly that whenever Abaribe speaks, he speaks for himself. Mostly, he does not speak for
the Senate. Mr. President, we are calling on you to call Abaribe to order. What he said has no
basis whatsoever. If we want to talk about ourselves, we are free to say so, Akume said.
Akume, who cited Order 53(9) of the Senate Standing Rules which empowers him to address his
observation to the senate president, said if Abaribe was speaking for the entire Senate, he would
not have proceeded to cast aspersion on the opposition senators who also belong to the group he
speaks for.
In an interview with THISDAY in 2012, he said Vultures have taken over PDP, worrying that
with the state of affairs in the PDP, the party was not positioning itself well for electoral victory.
Since the fracas that led to the eventual exit of five Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors,
Lamido has persistently pointed out some anomalies capable of affecting the fortunes of the
party at the elections. He sustained the crusade for things to be done rightly within the ruling
party, particularly as regards the emergence of who was to be the PDP presidential candidate and
some other issues that guarantee internal democracy.
One of the prominent figures against the late General Sanni Abacha military dictatorship and one
of the brains behind the President Goodluck Jonathan presidency, the Jigawa State Governor,
Alhaji Sule Lamido is arguably a man of his own. He is outspoken, courageous and selfconfident.
Does the Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido, still think all is well with the ruling
Peoples
Democratic
Party,
asks
Shola
Oyeyipo
The Newsmaker
Font Size: a / A
18 Mar 2015
Lamidos Indistinct Body Language
Is it a case of if I dont have my way, I destroy it? I had a soft spot for Jega until now that he
has shown that he does not love this country at all. How does Jega want to conduct elections
without the maximum security in a country where President Goodluck Jonathans convoy and
that of Buhari and the wifes convoy were pelted? I think Jega is dreaming to say no soldier for
elections. Jega should know that he is not the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces and only
the President has the powers to deploy soldiers where he deems fit and not Jega.
must monitor the polls. Was Jega in a trance when soldiers provided security for elections in
Edo, Ekiti and other states during those elections?
It was very transparent, very fair. When you want to get re-elected, you're sowing discordant
tunes, intimidating lies, coercing Y and EFFCCing X. These things cannot work because at the
end of the day, even after picking the ticket through this self-help, you would have destroyed
Jonathan is a Nigeria citizen and under the constitution has the right to run, but respect what we
are saying. That the process which is going to produce him must be as credible as transparent as
it was in 2011 because in 2011 these types of things were not applied to make him get there. We
came out openly to declare for him at the convention.
Though at the peak of the crisis that led to the walkout of the seven aggrieved PDP governors
from the special convention of the party, Lamido agreed President Jonathan was qualified to vie
for a second term, he however contended that the president and his handlers were going about
the second term quest rather wrongly.
What should worry us, the current crisis in the party at the end of the day, on the Election Day
is: how would it not affect us? If we think we would win by the crisis then we should continue
with the crisis. So orchestrate the crisis and win the election by the crisis, but if we are going to
lose the election by the crisis then it means we would apply a brake to it. It is as simple as that,
he warned.
Do not go to the police, do not go court because on Election Day, the court would not be there,
the police would not be there. It is going to be the voters who are going to be there and there is
no way the court would say this voter being a New PDP has no power to cast his own vote and
this is a sycophant of the president who has been bootlicking should not vote.
If the crisis would make them win the position in the PDP, so let them continue with the crisis.
But if the crisis would make them lose the election, which is the ultimate in political party
formation; if we are going to lose the election through the crisis, then it means that should be
enough warning
Reacting to the development back then, Lamido said: That is a very primitive party culture. And
there is no political wisdom in that. When political party managers and operators have crisis as
we are having, they should think about what it would translate into on Election Day? Would the
crisis make us win the election or lose the election?
It was also during that period that his two sons Aminu and Mustapha Lamido were arrested
for alleged money laundering by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) while
the Rivers State Governor, Hon. Rotimi Amaechi cried foul over the activities of a former Rivers
State Commissioner of Police, Joseph Mbu, who was believed to be acting the script of the
presidency.
He contended that the PDP was in crisis because the people who now claim ownership of the
party have no idea what is called party management and therefore should go to court and seek
relief from the court to compel members of the party to stand by the party or use police to
enforce followership of the party, which was the case when the party got a court judgment
which said there was no division within the PDP.
He assured the people that in principle, all the issues were accepted, but stressed that Now, it is
only the pronouncement that we are waiting for because there was a committee which was set up
When we met for the second time, in principle, all the demands were acceded to. First,
restoration of Adamawa party structure; two, recall Amaechi and give him his structure; three,
sack Bamanga Tukur; four, new convention - election of new officials who have been shutout,
then because there have been so much impunity, restoring the party to the path of legitimacy and
legality as per the laid down rules, he noted.
The crisis has a history, which we identified and which we listed as our resolution and to which
we are meeting. Obviously, if all the issues raised are met then we would have no moral
authority to say we would fight again because the fight is on principle, the fight is the desire in us
to ensure that we remain the winning party; a winning party must have discipline beyond making
money and industry out of government. There is something we call service and service can only
be rendered by people who can make sacrifices, by people who have elements of human dignity
and human decency.
But despite the heat in the party, he was quite optimistic that the problems could be resolved, if
the issues raised by aggrieved members were resolved. However, only one of the issues was
addressed and that was Tukurs sack. Others remained as they were.
Therefore, I don't have to prove anything to the president because he is my proof. Others have
to because they were not there before, so they can prove they are loyal to him. This is what I call
loyalty of opportunism because in that same office, people were there who they sang their
praises. During Obasanjo, people like Mantu and many others sang the same song. Under
Babangida, they sand the same song. And it is one huge industry today.
They are now there and the place is filled with bootlickers and sycophants who are working
hard to prove their loyalty. Should I be competing with them? Should I go to his house and say
Mr. President, you are the best man in this country, your head is beautiful - must I say so? Must I
say you are very powerful - must I even say so? Because he is mine! Together we got to where
we are with him from nowhere to somewhere.
He (President Jonathan) is my proof because he knows, more than anyone knows, what I was to
him. So I cannot be competing with people like Doyin Okupe, Reuben Abati, Bamanga Tukur,
Gulak and the new people who are now brought on board and who had no idea what happened
before he became the president.
At the time, he maintained that by supporting President Jonathans emergence as substantive

president following the death of the late President Umar Musa Yar Adua, he has proved his
worth to him and as no reason to prove his worth to the president or the PDP again.
your infantry that will be there for you? So, we said Jonathan can run but the process must be
credible, transparent; dismissing and absorbing and coercing and intimidating will not work, he
said.
Despite the recent silence, it is on record that Lamido had made categorical statements that
pointed out that the challenge before President Jonathan now is to get the quantum of votes that
got him the presidency in the first place.
Lamido never shied to tell whoever cared to listen that there were scavengers in the PDP and
that he was not prepared to leave the party and he never did. He once said somebody is being
accused or maligned or blackmailed of planning to leave the party isnt it? If we remain in the
party we are big threat to them, and he has remained in the party.
So for me, those (referring to APC) who think the PDP implosion will be a kind of carcass upon
which they can feed are mistaken because I dont think they are credible alternative. So their
jubilation may be short lived. I have been saying it always, PDP is a big party. It is the party that
saved Nigeria from what happened between 1983 and 1998 and so because it is so big, it is
bound to have some crisis here and there. It is only normal and natural, he said.
After supporting him, after winning the election, it is now to earn my confidence for the next
level. If he wants to go there it is up to him to earn my confidence because at that time the reason
was mine, the feeling was mine and the concern was mine and analysis was mine. Now it is up to
him to vindicate me.
I have no regret for supporting Jonathan (for the first term) because I feel in my own judgment I
would do the right thing for Nigerias stability, for Nigeria's continuity that whatever sacrifice
we make, we make it because doing otherwise would introduce other dimensions.
The others including former president Olusegun Obasanjo, who is his greatest political ally
though left the PDP, Lamido and the Niger State Governor, Aliyu who were the arrowheads of
the struggle in the PDP remained in the ruling party. While some felt it was only a matter of days
before Lamido would join his aggrieved colleagues in the APC, he said he never regretted
supporting President Jonathan and that if things were done rightly, he could still support the
president.
But that was never to be. The crisis persisted and it was for that reason that Governors Ahmed
Abdulfatah (Kwara), Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano), Amaechi (Rivers), Murtala Nyako (Adamawa)
and Alhaji Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko (Sokoto) as well as other PDP bigwigs and National
Assembly members, including the Speaker, House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, quit
the PDP for the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC).
So, really that one is conclusive. It only needs a pronouncement to bring it into being. That is
all! Amaechi, because he went to court they said there should be a procedure, therefore, the
chairman of BoT would go and meet Amaechi and the others and then all cases pending in court
in Rivers State would be withdrawn and that will also be restored. So in principle, all the terms
given were agreed to. It is simply the implementation that we are expecting.
by the president, headed by me and we made a submission part of which was that Adamawa
structure should be restored to Nyako.
When the election management body planned to create 30,000 polling units, allegedly
disproportionately allotted to the North, the group was vociferous in denouncing the move and
helped to abort the plan. Having achieved that, the PDP Integrity Vanguard did not rest on its
oars, it continued with the fight, this time, it was about plans by Jega to introduce the Incident
Form and Special Voting points.
Election management
The body has in recent weeks through the print and electronic media been drawing attention to
some observed anomalies and proposed plans by the Professor Attahiru Jega led INEC.
The body has the pioneer National Publicity Secretary, a delegate to the 2014 National
Conference, Senator Aniete Okon as its National Co-ordinator, with another delegate , Chief
Sergeant Awuse, and others as members.
By Henry Umoru
The ruling party is putting the Election Management Body on the defensivec through one of its
offshoot groups. The PDP Integrity Vanguard is one of the numerous offshoots of the Peoples
Democratic Party. Its own agenda, however, has been to advocate that the electoral umpire, the
Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC must do the right thing and conduct for
Nigeria, free, fair and credible elections.
on March 18, 2015 / in Elections 2015 1:43 am / Comments
Credible Polls: How PDP is battling INEC
Thus, against the backdrop of his many unheeded warnings and unaddressed concerns about the
party, even where he remained in the PDP, it is not clear if Lamido is waiting to be vindicated.
On the threat by former Niger militant leader, Alhaji Asari Dokubo that President Jonathan must
have a second term, he referred to him as a small boy, adding that I don't think his entire clan
is up to one million people. If his entire clan is not up one million people, so just ignore him.
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18 Mar 2015
For the Sake of Nigerian Soldiers
Senator Okons vehemence against INEC, the card reader and other devices is indeed applauded
among his group, but certainly not in all strata of society.
To achieve its aim, the group also recently called on the National Assembly to carry out a threeday forensic investigation into all the departments of INEC before the very eyes of the media and
members of the Civil Society Organisations, CSOs for the purpose of unearthing what it claims
were surreptitious moves by some to use modern technology being adopted by the commission to
rig the elections.
Senator Okon and his group have also expressed concerns about the planned use of cards reader
stressing doubts about its application and success against the backdrop that INEC had not
experimented with it anywhere in the country.
The group was also in the forefront in pressing Jega on the distribution of the Permanent Voters
Card, PVCs and was quick to fault the chairmans excuse that the postponement of the election
from February 14 was because of security challenges in the Northeast. In the view of the group,
Jega was not prepared.
We believe it is the clandestine way Prof. Jega hopes to achieve his original intention of using
them to generate the tie-breaking bank of votes and must not be allowed. Why has Jega now reintroduced these polling units through the backdoor by creating what he now calls voting
points. Where are these special voting points located and why is Jaga keeping the matter under
the table?
The group while noting that Jega was introducing these through the backdoor having jettisoned
the planned creation of 30,000 polling units, said, The introduction by INEC of so-called
voting points as INECs action is obviously intended to surreptitiously circumvent National
Assemblys express position on the matter.
According to Okon and Sergeant Awuse, the Incident Form by INEC will allow persons who
might not be able to vote due to some technical faults from the card readers machine, just as they
said that the new method portends grave danger and would cause confusion in the country and
described as unacceptable the introduction of voting points and Incidence forms.
A project inspired by Funmi Ogbue, daughter of a retired military officer and tagged Support
Our Troop Foundation (SOTF), has people like Tokunbo Idris Oladeinde, Bunmi Shirley
MacNaughton, Alvari Tarfa, Mr. Gbolly Balogun, Alhaji Sayyu Idris Dantata, Senator Musa
Adede, Ms. Jummai Momodu and Emmanuel Yongu all agreeing to pull resources together to
create the platform that allows Nigerians show love to the nations heroes in the military.
Convinced that there was need to replicate the template in Nigeria especially at a time that the
Nigerian military officers have been under global watch in the fight against insurgency, some
Nigerians who are of the opinion that the military deserves kudos and not castigation are already
making some impacts.
Among several others is the Military Family Support Group, and its objective is basically to offer
support to anyone who has suffered the loss of loved ones while serving with the UK Armed
Forces. There are also Military Support Groups in America. They are non-profit making charity
groups that are providing financial and emotional support for the soldiers, wounded warriors, and
military families.
In the United Kingdom, for instance, there is the Wounded Warrior Project, which main
objective is to raise awareness and enlist the publics aid for the needs of injured servicemen and
women and assist each other, providing unique, direct programmes and services to meet their
needs.
Although relatively uncommon in Nigeria and many other African countries, in other climes
however, there are several Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO) that were specifically set up
to get support from members of the public for military officers, who have committed their lives
in the defence of the nation.
Shola Oyeyipo reckons that the platform provided by Mrs. Funmi Ogbue's Support our Troops
Foundation,
is
an
avenue
for
Nigerians
to
appreciate
the
military
Update&Trending
In what is coinciding with the successes being recorded by the military against the insurgent,
more recently, the organisation has stepped up its activities in the support of the Armed Forces
and their families.
Yet in addition to the emotional trauma, the unsettling effects on a childs education can make
the legacy of bereavement last a lifetime. SOTF is therefore working to ensure that children of
Armed Forces families are not educationally disadvantaged as a result of loss, she said.
For families whose loved ones fall in battle, the organisation has been providing them business
grants to enable spouses build productive careers that can help them provide for their families.
Part of the money raised is used to ensure that bereaved spouses receive the help they need to
come to terms with the pain of their loss because according to the group, when a mother or father
is lost in active service, the effect on their children is profound.
They also provide assistance to troops injured on active duty by facilitating processes that will
ensure quick emotional recovery through provisions of educational, financial and career support
as a way to reintegrate them into the society and to be able to lead fulfilling lives.
Building a new set of skills post-injury and having opportunities to put those skills to use is
vital if ex-servicemen and women are to feel valued and are to be able to support their families,
Ogbue said.
The body, through help from well-spirited Nigerians has been providing care packages/kits to
personnel on the battle front and military bases. They contain items troop value and appreciate.
In each of the packages is a message of support and gratitude from the sender, showing the troop
that whilst they may not know their benefactors, they should know they are appreciated.
It is our military personnel that are required to step into harms way when we or our allies are
threatened. They are the ones to whom we turn for security; the ones who sacrifice so much
sometimes everything. This is why we believe that supporting our troops and their families
should be a duty a moral obligation shared by us all, not just the government because their
efforts
benefit
us
all.
We work in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Defence to recognise and reward Nigerian
Troops and their families. We aim to lift their spirits and improve their welfare. We have teams
across Nigeria who all share the same passion and commitment, and will do whatever they can to
help our brave servicemen and women and their families.
Most of us have never served in the Nigerian military. Most of us never will. But today, as we
go about our lives and work, it is worth remembering that it is our military personnel that are
charged with keeping us safe, protecting our homes and families, and defending our liberty.
Explaining the motivation behind the initiative during the inauguration of the body about three
years ago, Ogbue said: The Support Our Troops Foundation, is a non-profit making military
charity group that supports and promotes the interests of the men and women of the Nigerian
Armed Forces serving home and abroad.
Her expectation is that other Nigerians willing to contribute to the support initiative will join by
providing the foundation with money and items that will impact positively on the lives of
military officers and their families, who in their views, are living below the comfort level.
The foundation plans to execute other activities in furtherance of its objectives to provide
support to the men and women of the Armed Forces and their families. These include peace
concert, donation of text books to the Nigerian Navy, Novelty Football and Basketball matches
and we also plan to construct recreational centres for the military, she hinted.
Urging Nigerians to support the platform by making contribution of items and money that can
support the well-being of military officers and members of the families, Ogbue said efforts are
on to expand the support being provided to the officers.
As part of our efforts at broadening our reach and bringing many public spirited organisations
and individuals on board, the SOTF recently organised a solidarity march on February 28, 2015
in Abuja to galvanise support for the Nigerian Armed Forces. This saw almost 2,000 Nigerians
from all walks of life march from the Eagle Square to the Defence Headquarters, where
certificates of bravery were presented to the three service chiefs and Chief of Defense Staff, she
explained.
Additionally, on February 12, 2015, we donated 10,000 pieces of moral boosting kits to the 7th
Division troops of the Nigerian Army, who are working tirelessly to maintain the security and
territorial integrity of our dear nation. We also gave 800 pieces of branded T-shirts, 800 pieces of
carry-go bags, 800 pieces of toothbrush, 19,200 pieces of sachet milk and 800 packs of 1km
sugar.
We have made a donation of fifteen desktop and five laptops to the Nigerian Army Officers
Wife Association (NAOWA) School in Kurudu, Abuja. Through our back-to-school programme,
the SOT distributed 3,000 pieces of school supplies to children of fallen heroes and 150 bags of
rice to their wives.
We have launched a robust media campaign to rally nationwide support for the troops. This
campaign cuts across media platforms, including print and electronic. We have placed adverts
and editorials in national newspapers and we have featured across television stations and we
have also launched a social media campaign with strong-positive following.

Victims of Inaction

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Victims of Inaction

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