NIGERIA: Uduaghan Hails Chevron for Donating Medical Equipment

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Read Time:3 Minute, 17 Second

Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State has commended Chevron Nigeria Limited for donating medical equipment worth millions of naira to Delta state government to boost healthcare delivery in the state.

Chevron’s Managing Director, Policy, Government and Public Affairs, Mr.  Deji Haastrup, who made the donation yesterday  in Asaba,   pointed out that the medical equipment should  be used to upgrade services in health institutions in the state.

Items donated are;    150 cartons of examination gloves, 150 non contact thermometers, 200 goggles, 40 disposable facemasks, 300 plastic buckets, 300 plastic receptacle, 100 footwear boots and 500 disposable aprons.

Other items are four LCD television sets, 10 elbow length gloves, 2 motorised bed, 1500 disposable dupont cover tyvek and 8 wheel chairs.

Hasstrup said the donations were a part of the Joint Venture’s social investments in the area of health for the benefit of Deltans

Haastrup  who was represented  government Affairs Adviser , Mr. Dan Agbofode,  said  the gestures  was aimed at “demonstrating  our support for the government in its efforts to provide qualitative Medicare for the people”.

“You will recall that we were here on September 18 this year to present a Ford Transit ambulance to the State Government also in support to this cause.

“Chevron believes that good health holds the vital keys to the sustainable development of any society. This donation of medical goods is part of our social investments in the area of health for the benefit of the country.

“We have partnered with the State government to implement various health program including the Roll Back Malaria, Mass deworming of school children and donation of essential drugs to some hospitals.

“We have also provided funds for the development of four (4) cottage hospitals in some communities through Regional Development Committees (RDCs) under our Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) with the relevant communities.

“Also, in partnership with the State Government, we launched the River boat Clinic (a mobile health service) in 2001 to serve communities along the Escravos and Benin rivers. The boat equipped with a full complement of medical supplies and personnel has continued to visit the riverine areas where treatment is delivered at no cost to local communities.

“The floating clinic has helped thousands of patients in those communities. As at October 2014, the River Boat clinic, for this year, has directly benefitted over 25,000 people in 14 communities’ who received treatment for various illnesses. This figure includes children less than five years who were immunised against killer diseases.”

He explained that in 2010 and 2011, Star Deepwater Petroleum Limited (a Chevron company) and its Agbami partners handed over to Delta State government a chest clinic donated to the Tuberculosis and Leprosy Referral Center Eku, and a Science laboratory donated to Zik’s Senior Secondary School Sapele, respectively.

He  commend the Federal Ministry of Health, Delta State Ministry of Health, the Port Health Authorities and the Aviation Ministry, who have continued to sustain efforts in eradicating communicable diseases in Nigeria”, he said.

Governor Uduaghan while receiving the donated items    commended the noble gesture of Chevron Nigeria Limited for the donation of medical equipment

Uduaghan who was represented by the Commissioner for Health , Dr. Joseph Otumara  noted that the provision of medical equipment in public hospital was a big and too expensive venture to be left with the government alone hence the donation of the medical equipment by Chevron Nigeria Limited should be appreciated against that background adding that the both the private and the government collaborate in this regard.

Expressing optimism that the donated items would be judiciously utilised, he assured that his government would continue to collaborate effectively with all partners to achieve positive results in the health care delivery system and thus improve the life expectancy of all Nigerians.

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Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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NIGERIA: Appeal Court Dismisses Chime’s N1.5bn Libel Suit Against The Guardian

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Read Time:4 Minute, 46 Second

The Lagos Division Court of the Appeal on Frriday dismissed an appeal filed by the Governor of Enugu State, Sullivan Chime, challenging the judgment of Justice Kazeem Alogba of a Lagos High Court.

Chime had instituted N1.5 billion libel suit against his opponent in the 2007 gubernatorial election, Chief Okechukwu Ezea and The Guardian Newspapers Limited.

But Justice Alogba dismissed the suit and awarded a cost of N100,000 in favour of the two defendants.

Dissatisfied, the governor through his counsel, Dr. Gbolahan Elias, SAN, appealed against the decision of the lower court.

The appellate court in its lead judgment delivered by Justice Rita Pemu, held that the appeal lacked merit and could not be sustained.
In a unanimous decision, the appellate court held that the appellant (Chime) ought to have called witnesses that attended the press conference where the defamatory statements were allegedly uttered.

The first respondent counsel Dr. Joseph Nwobike, SAN urged the court to dismiss the appeal and uphold the judgement of the lower court.

Besides, the court held that Chime was not even the person who ought to institute the suit since the alleged text massage was not sent to his phone.

The court affirmed the lower court’s decision that the appellant failed to prove that Ezea (first respondent) uttered the defamatory statements.

Consequently, the court awarded cost of N30,000 against the appellant.

Justice Pemu held the appellant attached no weight to both the Vanguard Newspaper publication on the grounds that Vanguard unlike The Guardian Newspapers Limited was not sued as the printer and publisher of the defamatory statements.

The governor had in his appeal submitted that the lower court judge erred in law when he held that the appellant failed to prove that the Ezea (first respondent) uttered the defamatory statements complained of at the Abuja Press Conference on August 7, 2007.

He further submitted that the lower court erred when it held that the words published in The Guardian newspaper were incapable of defaming the appellant.

But, in his argument, first respondent counsel Dr. Joseph Nwobike, SAN urged the court to dismiss the appeal and uphold the judgement of the lower court.

Nwobike submitted that the lower court was right when it held that the appellant failed to prove that the first respondent actually uttered the words complained of at that Press Conference.

He further submitted that the appellant did not adduce evidence at the lower court to support/ substantiate his allegation.

He further argued that the lower court found as fact that the words complained of even if interpretable to be defamatory did not actually lower the appellant’s estimation in the minds of right thinking members of the society or disparage him in his office or political standing.

He urged the court on the strength of the arguments canvassed to resolve all the issues in favour of the first respondent and dismiss the appeal.

Chime had instituted N1.5 billion libel suit against his opponent in the 2007 gubernatorial election, Chief Okechukwu Ezea and The Guardian Newspapers Limited.

In his statement of claim, Chime accused Ezea of addressing a press conference on or about August 11, 2007, attended by numerous representatives of the press in Abuja, where he allegedly accused Chime of wanting to kill him.

The governor averred that his personal and leadership reputation had been seriously damaged, adding that he had suffered considerable distress and embarrassment.

He therefore demanded N1billion as damages from Ezea and N500, 000 from The Guardian, being damages for alleged libel contained on page seven of the newspaper dated August 14, 2007.

The governor had to travel to Lagos on two different occasions to testify in the suit he filed before the Lagos High Court.

Under cross- examination by Nwobike, lawyer to Ezea, Chime informed the court that the hostility between him and Ezea was not because the defendant challenged his election as governor of Enugu State.

The governor stated that Ezea ceased to be his friend the moment he addressed the alleged press conference, adding that he had also deleted his telephone number from his telephone.

However, Ezea, through Nwobike, contended that the alleged publications referred to by the claimant were not injurious, adding that the governor deliberately sponsored them.

He denied the allegations contained in the statement of claim, arguing that he did not utter or publish any defamatory material against the governor and that if at all the claimant was defamed, he caused defamatory material to be published against himself to score cheap political popularity.

The defendant described the suit as frivolous and an abuse of court process and urged the court to dismiss it with substantial cost.
Ezea in his statement of defence contended that the press conference was called to intimate the press about the developments at the Enugu Election Petitions Tribunal and other matters connected to it.

He added that he merely explained to the reporters the events which occurred between July and early August 2008, between the claimant and himself.

Ezea revealed that between July and August 6, 2007, Governor Chime allegedly visited his residence at 4, Iyienu Street, Independence Layout, Enugu, in company of several persons twice.

He further alleged that when the claimant visited his house at about 9p.m., the claimant allegedly threatened to send him to prison and deal with him if he failed to withdraw his petition within seven days.

He denied the averments contained in paragraphs eight and nine of the statement of claim and insisted on their strictest proof thereof.

He also denied sending the alleged text messages, as he does not own the alleged GSM telephone number that was used and that he sent no such text messages to any person.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Fire Destroys Goods in Kano Market

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Read Time:50 Second

 A fire outbreak on Friday destroyed goods worth million of Naira at the popular Singer Market in Kano.
Confirming the fire outbreak, the state Acting Director of the State Fire Service, Alhaji Balarabe Kabara, said the fire started around 1:40 am.

According to him, the fire which lasted for over five hours, was however put out by the singular effort of the men of the fire service.
A fire fighting official said the inferno had destroyed goods in two warehouses valued at several millions of Naira.
He said the cause of incident was yet to be ascertained and urged people in the state to be very vigilant while using fire. Speaking also, the branch chairman of the Traders Association in the market, Abulaziz Musa said the fire started around 1:15am and it destroyed food items and other essential commodities.
Musa who described the incident as an act of God, urged the traders to continue to pray to Almighty Allah to prevent future occurrences.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Hunters, Civilian JTF: How Mubi was Recaptured from Insurgents

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Read Time:5 Minute, 47 Second

Mubi town fell into the hands of the dreaded Boko Haram insurgents two weeks ago which resulted in hundreds of thousands fleeing the second largest city of Adamawa State for fear of further attacks.

Reports from Mubi show that the insurgents overran the Army Barracks situated within the town, killed several residents , destroyed churches and valuables worth billions of naira as the Nigerian troops detailed to the areas were alleged to have fled on seeing the insurgents.

The activities of the insurgents in the state became a thing of concern, following their annexation of five local government areas of Machida, Madagali, Mubi North and South, Mahia and some parts of Hong and Gombi local government areas.

A State government source in Yola revealed that when the insurgents captured Mahia local government last Wednesday, there were rumours that the insurgents were planning to overrun the state capital.

He said following the development, the state government, Military, traditional rulers and some top politicians in the state came up with the idea to employ the services of “Yan Baka and Yan Tauri” (local hunters) and Civilian JTF from Gombe, Kano and Borno states to fight the insurgents.

The source said testimonies from soldiers involved in the fight against insurgents revealed that the Boko Haram employed mystical powers to overwhelm the Nigerian troops as he alleged that it was a contributory factor to the soldiers fleeing from the insurgents.

“A soldier told me that when they fired their guns at the insurgents, they did not die because they have mystical powers (Voodoo) and keep advancing toward the soldiers even though the soldiers were firing them, so the soldiers have no options but to flee from them” he said

He further asserted that  the continued fleeing of the Nigerian soldiers from the insurgents prompted the idea of drafting the local hunters  allegedly versed in the use of the voodoo powers and have discerning abilities to contain the insurgents.

However in the wake of annexation of territories belonging to Nigeria by Boko Haram, some indigenes of Adamawa State have accused the Nigerian Military of aiding the Boko Haram in capturing more towns and villages in the state.

The indigenes said in the wake of the attitude of Nigerian Troops who always run away whenever the insurgents struck towns and villages, leaving them to be taken over without a fight, they were constraint to believe that the soldiers were working hand in hand to cede towns and villages to the sect.

An indigene of Madagali Local Government Dr. Umar Duhu said he believed that soldiers were aiding Boko Haram to capture towns and villages in the state as they usually run and leave their duty posts whenever the insurgents struck.

“I believe that soldiers are aiding the annexation of many towns and villages as I could not understand why they always leave their duty posts and leave the insurgents to overtake our towns.

“The primary responsibility of the soldiers is to defend Nigeria from external aggression but it seems they have failed to discharge the onerous responsibilities leaving vast territories to be captured on a platter of gold.

“I am very sad about how the insurgents captured Mubi without any fight from the soldiers which exerted the belief that the soldiers are playing double games in the whole saga”, he said.

Another indigene of Adamawa North, Abubakar Kwacam said the lack-lustre attitude of the soldiers towards the security of the area left much to be desired as he also expressed unhappiness with the attitude of the soldiers.

“We are in doubt about the sincerity of Nigerian soldiers in the whole operation, and we sense complicity as what is happening could not be possible without any form of collusion,” he said.

Confirming the incident in Yola, Governor of Adamawa Sate, Mr. Bala James Ngilari said, “the insurgents have been flushed out of Mubi and are on the run,”

Ngillari noted that the success recorded in the fight against the Boko Haram was the handwork of God as he said “God is in this business of security in Adamawa State. You know in the last one week or so, the government had decided to be working with the vigilante group “Yan Baka”, Local Hunters and Civilian JTF. They have been working hand in hand with them.

However the local hunters organised themselves in-view of the fact that they were deployed from different states and were able dislodged the insurgents in Mahia and move to Mubi town to liberate it.

Residents said the local hunters were stationed in Maraban Mubi for four days mapping out strategies on how to recapture Mubi before they finally took on the insurgents, which resulted to killing of several insurgents as other were also arrested.

Checks revealed that the local hunters and Civilian JTF would proceed to other parts of the north east region still under the control of the insurgents.

  However the recapturing of the town by hunters elicited Jubilations on Thursday as residents were marching from street to street in the town chanting songs of victory to God over the recapturing of their ancestral homes which had been under the control of the dreaded Boko Haram.

Feelers from Mubi revealed that the residents trooped out to express gratitude to God and also show solidarity to the local hunters and Civilian JTF who rescued them from the control of the insurgents.
Residents said they were excited that their homes had been liberated from the insurgents.

Residents also disclosed that all the flags hoisted by the insurgents had been uprooted and replaced by Nigerian flags adding that even the Palace of the Emir of Mubi which had been converted to the spiritual headquarters of the insurgents had been retaken.

According to the report , the insurgents had no option than to beat a retreat into the bush that was how the hunters were chasing and slaughtering the insurgents in Mahia and Mubi to Vintim village, the hometown of the Chief Defence Staff ,CDS, Air Marshal, Alex badeh  .
The report added the Hometown of the CDS was also liberated from the hands of the insurgents by the local hunters and Civilian JTF.
Meanwhile, residents of Hong and Gombi local government areas yesterday disclosed that while the insurgents were fleeing from Mubi in their large numbers on Hilux vans and about forty motorcycles, they killed eight people in Fadama Raka in Hong local government area and went through Gombi town.

However one of the hunters told This Day that the insurgents had been hypnotized by the local hunters and will only keep hovering round but cannot completely escape from their hands.

He said they will soon wipe out the insurgents out of the environs of Mubi adding that Gombi which was under attack had been liberated by the local hunters who were chasing the insurgent at the time of sending this report.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Super Eagle : Mikel is super fit – Keshi

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Read Time:1 Minute, 11 Second

Super Eagles arrived the Congolese city of Point Noire 2:30am yesterday and after passing through immigration proceedings were checked into Atlantic Palace Hotel in the heart of the city.

The team made up of 25 players, the technical crew led by Big Boss Stephen Keshi, NFF President Amaju Pinnick who led the delegation, Senate Committee Chairman on Sports, Alhaji Adamu Gumba among others have since settled down for the business of getting three points off the host on Saturday afternoon.

It was drama at the airport as over 100 Nigerians resident in Congo, kept vigil to welcome the team with familiar songs, drumming and dancing. They were joined by the Nigerian Football and Other Sports Supporters Club, led by Dr Rauf Ladipo. The atmosphere was very lively as they mobbed the coaching crew and players while seizing the rare opportunity of taking photos with the Nigerian team.

Head Coach, Stephen Keshi was however not happy with reports that the team was riddled with injuries, inferring that the team was actually 100 percent fit at the moment.

“Mikel is super fit, Enyeama (Vincent), had a slight shoulder strain and he’s also   in perfect shape now, Raheem Lawal had knock during our last training session and he has since bounced back. So we should stop scaring Nigerians with reports that the team is injury hit”, he declared after conferring with team doctor, Ibrahim Gyaran.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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The $16bn Ogidigben EPZ project: Itsekiri accuse Jonathan of ethnic bigotry

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Read Time:3 Minute, 0 Second

ITSEKIRIS in Delta state have accused President Goodluck Jonathan of encouraging Ijaw agenda to exterminate them following the violent threats from Ijaws of Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South West Area of Delta state which aborted the Tuesday's scheduled groundbreaking ceremony for the $16bn Ogidigben EPZ project by the President.

In a briefing yesterday in Warri by Itsekiri Leaders of Thought, the ethnic group in Delta said they were ready to approach the United Nations to seek secession and opt for protection under the United Kingdom or United States in line with treaties signed with these foreign powers long before Nigeria's independence which they claim have not been abrogated.

The decision read by Secretary to the ILT, Edward Ekpoko noted, œItsekiri and other well meaning Nigerians are surprised at the failure of President Goodluck Jonathan to commission the groundbreaking for the EPZ at Ogidigben, Ugborodo in Warri South West Local Government area due to threats of Ijaw militants mostly of Gbaramatu kingdom.

œThe EPZ is completely cited in Ogidigben, an Itsekiri town. The closest Ijaw enclave lying to the South, Yokiri, is about 14km from Ogidigben. The other town to the North is Kpokpo. This Kpokpo has no geographical contiguity with Ogidigben.''.

Pa J. O.S Ayomike, Chairman of the ILT, in their remarks said various court injunctions by courts of competent jurisdiction held on the land ownership tussle in the area support the fact that the entire land space currently occupied by the Ijaw of Gbaramatu is owned by Itsekiris of Ugborodo.

œPresident Jonathan's refusal to perform the groundbreaking ceremony of the project as fixed for Friday was a show of cowardice unexpected of his office which should stand for the rule of law. He has shown that he has joined the Ijaw militants in building fences among the ethnic nationalities in the Niger Delta and Nigeria.

œJonathan should know that Itsekiri the world over will go to the UN to request for secession if Jonathan and Ijaw want to pursue the extermination of the Itsekiri people. We will ask for the protection of the Britain and USA and the United Nations, Ayomike, an octogenarian screamed.

Ekpoko added that, œJonathan is pursuing an Ijaw agenda. We will resist it and will never be intimidated by threats of war and genocide against the Itsekiri.

The Itsekiri leaders also took a swipe at Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, calling him to resign as Governor following his failed boast that nobody can stop Jonathan from coming for the EPZ groundbreaking.

Ayomike said, œJonathan has been stopped by the Ijaw. They have belittled Uduaghan . Uduaghan boasted that he was governor and that nobody could stop the president from coming. Now that his boasting did not yield any result, he should resign like President Nixon did.

œJonathan has been intimidated by the militants, and the Ijaws have grown in fame and importance so they can control everything, including the president of Nigeria.''.

Meanwhile, the Ijaws of Gbaramatu speaking through Paul Bebenimibo have maintained their position to see that the EPZ never materialises until Gbaramatu stakes are as defineds.

Bebenimibo in a phone reaction yesterday said, œGbaramatu Ijaws are not at war with their Itsekiri neighbors. Our leaders are simply saying what is good for the goose is good for the gander. We own a large proportion of the EPZ. We do not deserve to be shut out. Equity is the password to a successful EPZ. Equity begets peace. You cannot talk peace in the atmosphere of injustice and oppression.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Rivers States 2015: Advise Wike to withdraw, aspirant tells PDP leadership

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Read Time:2 Minute, 36 Second

As the race for the governorship ticket of the People’s Democratic Party hots up in Rivers States, an aspirant, Mr. Atamuno Ajubo Atamuno, has called on the leadership of the party to advise former Minister of State for Education, Mr. Nyesom Wike to withdraw from the race.

Nyesom Wike

Addressing a press conference, in Abuja, Mr. Atamuno said that Mr. wike’s withdrawal would be the only thing that would save PDP and ensure victory in next year’s general election, in the state.

He insisted that the former minister’s participation would undermine the governorship primaries, a situation that would lead to protest votes against the PDP at the governorship election.

“We are looking unto the National Executive Council, the National Working Committee and the Board of the party to advise Wike to step aside in the interest of the party because all that happened were orchestrated plans and strategies by a group of people to continue to dominate the politics of the state against the overall interests of the state.

Consequences

The aspirant warned of dire consequences should the national leadership of the PDP ignore his demand for the withdrawal of Mr. Wike from the race, saying that it would give an undue advantage to another party in the governorship election.

His words, “If Wike is going to participate there will be no primaries. We don’t want him to participate. If he can do what he has done to party members, what will happen if he gets into office?

Besides the problem of the person of the former minister, Mr. Atamuno said that it was time for power to shift from Upland to the Riverine part of Rivers, after 16 years.

According to him, “Today the Rivers people are disgruntled. Apart from the internal wrangling in the party, there is what we refer to as the Upland and Lowland dynamics of Rivers politics.

“Powers would have been in the Upland for 16 years, by May 2015. Even before now, after the eight years of Mr. Peter Odili, there were agitations that power should go to the Riverine but some people said we should wait and we agreed with them.

Stage-managed Crisis

Mr. Atamuno claimed that the crisis between Gov. Rotimi Amaechi and the First Family which eventually to defection to the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, was orchestrated and manipulated by Mr. Wike for his personal advantage.

He said, “The genesis of all the crisis in that state were all fake. They were sponsored from what we can see. We all worked for the party. Everybody worked.

Soon after the swearing of the governor for the a second term, they came up with a master plan, starting a crisis where there was no crisis at all. The First Lady led a campaign for the governor’s second term. She appealed to her people and they supported her. So what brought about this crisis. How come soon after the governor was sworn-in there was a crisis between the governor and the first family?

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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APC Crisis: Why Tinubu dumped Buhari for Tambuwal

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Read Time:6 Minute, 4 Second

Team Tinubu, the camp of the national leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, was compelled by some former Nigerian leaders and Northern Islamic leaders to drop its support for the 2015 presidential aspiration of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari.

Reflective of the pressure which also came from some close associates of Asiwaju Tinubu, the political group has switched support towards the presidential aspiration of Speaker Aminu Tambuwal who with his entry this week, immediately turned into a major contender for the ticket.

He has Buhari and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as the main challengers for the party’s presidential ticket with Governor Rabiu Kwankwanso of Kano State and newspaper publisher, Sam Nda-Isaiah also contending.

Several other factors were taken into consideration by the Tinubu camp in switching support, close associates of the political leader disclosed to Saturday Vanguard. Among the other factors was the alleged overbearing influence of some close associates of Gen. Buhari, who they claimed were likely to fence out other political stakeholders in a possible Buhari presidency.

Three former heads of state, two from the north and one from the south and a very influential retired army chief from the northeast who has also held political appointments in the present dispensation were among those cited by sources as having prevailed on the Tinubu camp to drop support for Buhari.

The decision of the Tinubu camp to drop support for Buhari, it was learnt, also followed reservations from some sections of the north notably, some Islamic leaders.

“It is not that we dumped Buhari, the Islamic clerics, the imams and the political leaders in the north particularly three former heads of state said that they don’t want the man,” the source said.

President Olusegun Obasanjo and a former military president Gen. Ibrahim Babangida met penultimate Tuesday following the latter’s return from a medical trip abroad. The two men met for 30 minutes behind closed doors.

However, Gen Baban-gida had in the past been publicly quoted as urging Speaker Tambuwal to aspire for a higher office. Speaking at the presentation of the Vanguard Personality of the Year award to Governor Chibuke Amaechi of Rivers State in Lagos on April 6, 2013, the former military president said:

“When leaders like Tambuwal delivered on their electoral promise, we advise them to try something higher. For Tambuwal, your guess is as good as mine. Well done.” Babangida’s remark was applauded. .

The influence of some present and past minders of Gen. Buhari was also another reason taken into consideration, a source disclosed.

“There is this perception about Buhari that he is surrounding himself with some people like Nasir El-Rufai, Buba Galadima, Sule Hamman” the source said, reawakening complaints about the overbearing attitude of Buhari’s now dissolved political machine, The Buhari Organisation, TBO which had in the past been accused of selectively fencing out people.

The Tinubu associates also feared that the perceptions of religious extremism which the ruling party, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP had sought to tag on Buhari could deny the party votes in the South were he to emerge as candidate.

Though many of the Tinubu associates do not regard him as an extremist, but the perception already created, it was learned, could be injurious to their political outing. There were also concerns that Buhari could be detached from responsibility and reference was made to his past roles as head of state and chairman of the Petroleum (Special) Task Force, PTF where his subordinates usurped authority in his name.

“When he was head of state most of the power was delegated to Idiagbon and when he was at PTF, it was another person, that took charge and that if APC says they are looking for change that Tambuwal represents that change,” an associate of Tinubu revealed.

Another factor that was taken into consideration which was projected by some associates of the APC national leader, Saturday Vanguard learned was the prospect of Buhari turning on Tinubu and others once he is invested with power.

“There are also fears in Asuwaju’s camp that the man may destroy Asiwaju and may come back to hurt him and some of Asiwaju’s loyalists warned him,” the source revealed.

The matter of General Buhari’s age also came into consideration in the final consideration to drop support for the former head of state as it was reasoned that 70 to 80% of voters fall between the age of 18 to 40+ and most of them don’t know Buhari.

Political associates were also disturbed that inputs made by party leaders into the general’s speech at his declaration at the Eagle Square last month were discarded raising apprehension that the general in office could reject advice. Some were also understood to have raised the fact that the former head of state also did not have enough money for the race ahead.

The factors inevitably helped to shift attention towards Tambuwal who was earlier aligning himself towards the Sokoto State governorship contest.

Support for Tambuwal’s aspiration is also being boosted by permutations that his sterling leadership of the House of Representatives where he has the committed support of more than half of the members had put him in pole position in more than half of the federal constituencies in the country.

The decision of the Tinubu camp to change attention from Buhari and Tambuwal’s entry into the contest was welcomed by associates of Atiku Abubakar who see it as an opportunity for them to move in to harvest support from the influential Southwest caucus that is firmly controlled by Tinubu.

The Buhari camp was yesterday adjusting itself not to be in panic mood as it welcomed Tambuwal into the race. Osita Okechukwu, a strong loyalist of Buhari in a statement made available to Saturday Vanguard said the development would not cut off the celestial bond between Buhari and the more than 12 million followers behind him around the country.

He said: “The entry of Rt.Hon. Aminu Tambuwal is a welcome development, the more the presidential aspirants or any aspirant to governor, Senate, national or state assemblies the merrier.”

“Our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) will be the greatest beneficiary, as the mobilization of the electorate will be wider, penetrating and robust.”

“Therefore, Hon Tambuwal is highly welcome into the presidential race. This is why the constitution of our party was amended penultimate week, to accommodate in less than one hour, any person who joins APC.”

“On his chances, one cannot hazard a guess, as Tambuwal unlike Buhari or Atiku had never contested nationwide election. He only contested in a federal constituency and had never tested his popularity in Kano, Akure or Enugu.”

All one knows is that his entry will neither diminish nor cut-off the celestial bond between GMB and the masses and the middle class of our dear country. The masses and middle class had renewed at every election GMB’s 12million Vote Bank, therefore the contest at the end of the day is between President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and GMB.”

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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We can never know the depth of their anguish -victim of the Boko Haram insurgency speaks

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Read Time:5 Minute, 32 Second

First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out— because I was not Socialist. Then they came for the Trade Unionist and I did not speak out— because I was not a Trade Unionist. Then they came for the Jews and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak for me.’’ Martin Niemoller (1892-1984).

A victim of the Boko Haram insurgency spoke of how her family was virtually wiped out in an interview with Vanguard last weekend. She spoke of how wives were forced to watch as their husbands and soul mates were tied to trees and killed.

Then she spoke these profound words which form the theme for this article; ‘No one can quantify my anguish’. It is the anguish of a person who can’t go home because there is no home to go to.

The place she grew up in and had known as home all her life was razed to the ground and all members of her blood family slaughtered with the exception of her father who managed to escape and may never be found. The friends she went to school with, played with, danced with, and shared tales by the moonlight with are all scattered.

Many are dead. Childhood memories, often pleasant for many of us, are now embittered. The soul of her town as well as the physical structures have been violated; cherished places have been desecrated. So callous, so wanton, so inhuman, so beastly are these defilers and so deep the wounds they inflict, that these towns will never be the same again even if they are reclaimed.

Yet this lady whose anguish we are trying to quantify, is in some ways lucky. First she is an adult and better able to articulate her feelings and can seek medical help when necessary. Second, she lives thousands of miles away, in Australia; a saner, more civilised clime.

Not so the thousands of children who if they survive, will have to live with the gory pictures of how their world was turned upside down. Many were forced to watch as their mothers and sisters were gang raped repeatedly before they were butchered like cheap Sallah rams. They saw, and were witnesses to the pain, the fear, the revulsion as they were being violated again and again by their abductors. Many saw how their fathers, their role models were disgraced and humiliated before they were killed.

Many of these children now live by the day, unsure of tomorrow. Many have formed a survival bond of sorts with older people who have lost their own children. In this new tribe of survivors are husbands without wives, brothers without sisters, mothers without children who are being hunted and preyed upon like defenceless animals. In there, are people who need urgent medical attention for physical and psychological wounds.

They eat what they find and find what they eat. Some sleep on tree branches, some inside caves. Their fear is palpable; their needs urgent. Yet they are part of a country that pumps two million barrels of oil per day. They are part of a country that calls itself the largest economy in Africa. They are part of a country where the presidency budgets over a billion Naira for feeding. They are part of a country where churches and mosques spring up every day. They are part of humanity.

‘He who feels it knows it’ goes a popular adage. We, who are in the South and are ensconced in our private world may never be able to quantify the depth of the anguish of our brothers and sisters in the North-east whose lives and livelihood have been destroyed. We may never be able to grasp the horror in human terms, in relationship terms of what is happening in the North- Eastern part of our country. We may not be able to gauge how it will affect the rest of the country in future.

But it is no excuse for the near apathy that we are showing. In that same edition of Vanguard where this lady’s interview was carried, in fact, almost on the adjoining page, was an interview with the President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN). His comments on what is going on in the North East showed no deep understanding and compassion of the humanitarian crisis there. His defence of private jets for men of God was nauseating and showed a disconnect between them and the down trodden.

But I have news for him and for all of us who are burying our heads in the proverbial sand. The lesson of Ebola is very instructive. We all felt Ebola was miles away, in distant unfortunate countries. It took one man, one wayward traveller to bring it all home to us. Now, at the cost of 12 lives and millions of Naira, we have all learnt the importance of being our brother’s keeper. The Western world was even worse. Africa was not only another continent, it was another world. Then US got hit, UK got hit and Spain got hit before they realised that we are all neighbours after all and helping those countries is in our collective interest. In the world we live in today, what affects one affects all. And in the words of Jane Aristide: ‘if one suffers, we all suffer; together is courage’.

So helping our affected brothers and sisters in the North-east is in our collective interest. We in the South are not as safe as we think we are, and it will take just one wayward suicide bomber to wake us up. We can fight the insurgency in a couple of ways. We can organise to make our commander-in- chief realise that lives are being lost on a daily basis and families are being dislocated. Every day brings untold trauma to many innocent souls and we can no longer stand the carnage. He and our current military chiefs should either lead or get out of the line. The press can put this on the front burner by carrying daily human interest stories of victims. Finally we can dip our hands into our pockets and raise massive funds to help ease their pains. Our high flying pastors, the oil and gas millionaires and indeed every one of us should stand up and be counted.

Otherwise when they come for us, there might not be anybody left to come to our aid.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Big Brother Africa 2014: What’s eating up Goitse

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Read Time:54 Second

In the morning Goitse took refuge in the garden, hid behind her sunglasses, kept to herself and also kept conversation to a minimal. Whether moping or troubled her eyes, we reckon, told a deeper tale of sadness. She sure got us wondering and maybe even worrying.

This was shaping up to be the toughest week that Goitse has ever faced inside the house being nominated for the first time since week one. This little fact was clawing away at her and keeping a dark cloud over her head. She could be seen mulling about the house aimlessly.

There was also the issue of Sipe. Ever since she woke up in another one of her detached moods on Tuesday morning and showed her bestie Sipe an ice-cold shoulder things were decidedly strained. In a precious diary session with spunky-funky Figgie she revealed that Sipe seemed to be keeping a distance. But could she blame Sipe after the poor girl fumbled around in the dark trying to find the reason that her bestie had now shut her out?

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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