Sule Lamido: I Betrayed Kwankwanso Because of National Interest

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Read Time:2 Minute, 3 Second

 Jigawa state governor, Sule Lamido, on Tuesday openly ‎accepted that he betrayed the five governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who decamped to the All Progressives Congress (APC), but said he did so in the overall national interest.

Also, Lamido who had a private discussion with the national chairman of PDP, Adamu Mu’azu, on the exit of the former president, Olusegun Obasanjo from the party, urged Nigerians to allow PDP settle its feud with Obasanjo in the manner of 'a father and son family relationship'.

The Kano state governor‎, Rabiu Kwankwanso, had described Sule Lamido as a betrayer for his refusal to defect to the APC with other five governors.

The governors of Rivers, Kwara, Sokoto, Kano and Adamawa states had defected to APC but the governors of Jigawa and Niger state refused to defect along with them‎.

Fielding questions from newsmen, Sule Lamido who was asked to respond to the charge by Governor Kwankwanso that he is a betrayer, said, "I am a betrayer, confirmed. I betrayed them. I did, yes. I am aligning myself to what he said. I am aligning my answer to what he said; go and find out from him.‎"

On his trouble-shooting with the PDP on the exit of Obasanjo from the PDP, the Jigawa State governor said:  “You have a father and a son, You do not come between a father and a son. You do not go out in the open to insult your father. It is our business, so leave it. You are not his own son, he is our own father, so leave us alone please.”

Lamido, who confirmed that he and the governor of Rivers State, Chibuike Amaechi, are friends, however, ruled out defecting to the APC.

He said: “You see, sometime it is sheer mischief to say that I would be defecting to the APC. Amaechi and I are very good friends, PDP or no PDP, we are Nigerians.  How can I go to APC.

The Jigawa State governor has been having series of meeting with the PDP leadership on how to resolve the crisis between the party and Obasanjo which culminated in the exit of the former president from the PDP.

Tuesday’s meeting was the second in the series. Lamido and Mu’azu had held a meeting in the latter’s private residence last Thursday.

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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South-south APC Blames First Lady, Wike for Rivers Political Violence

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Read Time:2 Minute, 41 Second

The South-south Zone of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has blamed the political violence meted out on members of the party in Rivers State on Nigeria’s first lady, Mrs Patience Jonathan and the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Mr. Nyesom Wike.

National Vice Chairman of the APC in the South-south zone, Comrade Hilliard Eta, accused the duo against the backdrop of the recent disruption  of the party’s governorship campaign rally in Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State and kidnap of Governor Rotimi Amaechi’s aide, Mr.Freddy Ndigara , on Sunday by unknown gunmen at the party’s campaign ground in Kaana Local Government Area.

Eta who issued a statement condemning the spate of violence against APC members said both chieftains of the PDP should take much of the blame for the acts of violence perpetrated against members of the party in Rivers State.

In the text signed by Eta’s media aide, Bassey Ita, and made available to journalists yesterday, the APC zonal Vice Chairman urged the people of the state to ask their daughter, Mrs. Jonathan, why she has not bothered about the recent bombing and political violence in Okrika and the new wave of political brigandage in parts of the state.

Eta said, ‘’Such barbaric and heinous tendencies as the Okrika bombing and the kidnap of fellow humans as that of Mr.Freddy Ndigara can only be masterminded by those who have sold their conscience and regard for human lives to the leadership of the abyss. “Such persons can only appreciate desperation, criminality, violence and related vices in attempting their ambitions.

‘’Patience Jonathan has not come out clean on the accusation by Governor Amaechi on the Okrika violence, and Wike has also not made any statement to deny the accusation against his leader, neither has he come out in the open to condemn the act against the people he seeks to govern.

‘’Indeed, if the Rivers people raise these posers they would realise that we do not need a clairvoyant to tell us that these folks are the masterminds; and it has become clear that their only exploit in politics is to get power, not for the people’s interest, but specifically to steal the common patrimony dry and further pauperise the people, hence their exhibition of all forms of desperation and brigandage to attempt their ambition as the ones we’ve experienced in the state so far.”

Eta queried the silence maintained on the acts of violence saying ,‘’Otherwise, why has it not interested the First Lady to probe the recent bomb attacks at her home town, and why has Wike not led the war to unravel the masterminds of the sudden rise in violence in the state he wants to govern?’’

Eta urged the electorate in Rivers State to reject the PDP and their desperate and violent approach to politics because “it is an indication that if candidates of the PDP are voted into power they will run a pariah state where peace, tranquility and development would be elusive”.

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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Fayose: APC’s Fake Shekau Theory Confirms Party’s Link to Boko Haram

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Read Time:1 Minute, 51 Second

Following the allegations, from All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign organisation that  the federal government was planning to use a fake Abubakar Shekau to implicate the party’s presidential candidate, Major General Mohammadu Buhari,  Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose has urged the party to produce the authentic  Boko Haram leader.

The party declared that the new theory proposed by the party over an existence of a fake Shekau confirmed that it has link with the Boko Haram sect.

Fayose, who spoke through his  Special Assistant on Public Communications, Lere Olayinka,  lamented the open display of hatred against Nigeria and its people by the APC,  saying; “Up till today, the APC has not made any statement, commending our gallant soldiers who are laying down their lives to save Nigerians from the  insurgents.

“Instead of commending the soldiers and encouraging them, what the APC people are doing is to blackmail the military and one wonders why a party will want to take over power by supporting killing of innocent Nigerians.”

Fayose also added: “With the onslaught on the Boko Haram insurgents by our gallant soldiers, the APC appears to have lost the game of using the insurgency to campaign against President Goodluck Jonathan.

“Instead of them to face this reality, they have come up with this criminal assertion that a fake leader of Boko Haram, Shekau, was being presented before Nigerians by the government in order to claim winning the war on terrorism.

“They are also claiming the fake Shekau might become a tool to blackmail members of the opposition, by coaching the phantom terror chief to say he was working for its presidential candidate, Buhari, in order to link him to terrorism.

“With this statement coming from the APC, it is clear that the party knows what we don’t know about Boko Haram.

“It also indicates that the APC people do not want the Boko Haram insurgency to end so that they can continue to make political gains from it.

“Therefore, APC should simply produce the original Shekau that they know because you can only recognise fake when you know the original.”

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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Electoral Violence: APC to Submit 150 ‘Sins’ of PDP to UN, Amnesty International

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Read Time:5 Minute, 20 Second

 The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has said it would submit 150 ‘sins’ of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state on electoral violence to the United Nations (UN), Amnesty International, Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and other major international bodies.

The threat came just as the leader of the defunct militant group, Niger Delta Vigilante, Chief Ateke Tom, declared that no political party would be allowed to hold any political rally in Okrika before the general election.

Chairman of the APC, Dr. Davies Ikanya, made the disclosure while receiving the report of a committee set up by the party to investigate the increasing cases of electoral violence against the party in the state.

He expressed sadness that security agencies in the state have failed to take appropriate actions to arrest people who engage in violence in the state.

He assured the committee members that the aim of setting up the committee would be actualised as the report would be sent to the United Nations, Amnesty International, ECOWAS and other major international bodies without delay.

“I commend the Inspector General of Police, Suleiman Abba, for directing that the Okrika attempt on our lives should be investigated. We wish that those behind this devilish attack are promptly arrested; if not, our lives will not be safe anymore,” Ikanya said.

Looking ahead to the elections, the party chairman said: “To the people of Rivers State, the choice of stopping further promotion of violence lies in their hands by ensuring that all the candidates fielded by the PDP in Rivers State are voted against to punish them for making our state a joke before the international community.

“The choice before them is to choose between darkness and light, devil and God, between occult forces and Christianity, between democracy and anti-democracy forces. The choice is ours to make.”

Ikanya appealed to the international community to come to the party’s aid, saying: “We can no longer fold our arms and watch while we are being viciously attacked and slaughtered by people whose mission and vision in politics is to spread violence as their own way of grabbing power, having seen that they have been overwhelmingly rejected by the electorate.

“What makes the situation more pathetic is that security agencies in Rivers State, including the police and the Department of State Security (DSS), have failed to make any arrest or call the PDP leadership to order simply because they are controlled by the PDP-led federal government, which is desperate to take over Rivers State at all cost.”

Earlier, while submitting the report, Chairman of the committee, Prince Peter Odika, said it was able to list 150 sins committed against the APC by the PDP leadership and members in the course of the on-going campaign for the 2015 elections.

“These sins revolve around attacks against APC faithful, billboards, and LG Secretariat by the misguided PDP elements in Rivers State ahead of the March/April 2015 general election,” Odika, who is also the state deputy chairman of APC, said.

Meanwhile, the leader of the defunct Niger Delta Vigilante, Chief Ateke Tom, said his stance not to welcome political campaigns in Okirika henceforth was in line with the unanimous decision of stakeholders, which was taken to preserve peace, law and order in the Wakirike nation.

The decision of the stakeholders has put a hold on plans by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to go back to Okrika to hold another rally after its last attempt was disrupted by explosions and gunfire.

Addressing journalists a few days after the botched Okrika rally, Chairman of the APC in Rivers state, Dr. Davies Ikanya, had said, “We will still go back to Okrika for our governorship campaign rally. Okrika is part of Rivers State and we want to take the message of our party to our people there.”

Ateke, who spoke on Tuesday at the end of a town hall meeting of stakeholders in
Okrika, said: “The people of Okrika have spoken and I am in support of the position that they have taken. My people have spoken: no more political rallies in Okrika. I am in support of their decision. Who am I to say no? You want them to kill me? When the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) held their rally there was no problem. But there was violence when the All Progressives Congress (APC) staged their rally in Okrika, there was violence and people were injured and property destroyed. A policeman, we were told, was unfortunately killed.

“So, PDP and APC, there will be no more rallies in Okrika. We don’t want violence in Okrika anymore,” he said, stating that the people of Okrika wished to preserve the existing peace in the area and would not want political parties to foist violence on the people.

“We don’t want any violence in Okrika. We no longer want any trouble in Okrika. My advice to the youths is to resist the temptation of being lured by politicians to perpetrate violence. Politicians are like that they will use you and dump you. Any youth that allows himself to be used for violence in Okrika is on his own. I am warning our youths to stay out of violence because at the end of the day nobody will be there for them,” he said.

However, addressing journalists after a stakeholders meeting with the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Zone 6, Tunde Ogunsakin, at the Police Officers Mess, in Port Harcourt, Amange said, “The APC is not planning to hold another rally in Okrika. We have just come out of a meeting with the AIG Zone 6. The APC will not hold another rally in Okrika until we are sure that the atmosphere is conducive for the party to stage another rally.

“The APC will not hold any rally in Okrika until all the parties to the peace accord facilitated by the AIG zone 6, on Wednesday, February 4, agree that the atmosphere is safe for the APC to hold another rally.”

He stated that the APC would abide by the tenets of the accord brokered by the AIG and urged the people to be prepared to cast their voted during the elections.

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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PDP Condemns Kano, Potiskum Bombing

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Read Time:51 Second

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned Tuesday’s terror attacks on innocent Nigerians in Kano and Potiskum in Yobe State.

The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, in a statement, said the party was “deeply saddened by the news of the attacks in the  two cities, which claimed the lives of harmless citizens going about  their legitimate endeavours.

“Indeed, the PDP mourns. We are deeply pained by these attacks on our  citizens. Our hearts and prayers go out to the bereaved and the wounded.  We share in their pain and pray that those behind their grief must not escape justice.”

Insisting that the attacks cannot be justified under any guise, the party urged Nigerians not to be deterred but remain united and continue  to support the federal government in the war against terrorism.

The PDP commiserated with the families of those who lost their lives and  prayed God to give them the fortitude to bear the loss.

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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Flay deployment of soldiers to intimidate during polls

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Read Time:2 Minute, 6 Second

Some ex-militants leaders from the Niger Delta have rejected any attempt by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to be subjected to further pressure by the federal government and the armed forces to postpone the March 28 and April 11 elections.

In a statement signed on behalf of their communities by Gen. Boni, and Smart Amola, representing Burutu Local Government Area and Warri South West respectively, the ex-militants also rejected any attempt to deploy the military during the electoral process.

The statement, which was also signed by Francis Muturu, Friday Edema, Sunday Amoma, Gen. Saturday Emmanuel, Gen. Isie Ologbo, Alfred Aniretan, Gen. King Jerry, Commander Mike Edesemi and Commander Peter Asule of Warri North Local Government hailed the decision of the judiciary that the armed forces have no role in elections.

“We insist that the elections must be credible, free and fair. We insist that for this to happen, the elections must hold on March 28 and April 11, and the armed forces must be excluded. We demand that INEC and its chairman be independent and be allowed to do their work free from pressure from the armed forces or the federal government. We insist that their preparation and plan for the election be allowed to materialise, including tools and requirements for the elections,” the statement said.

The group also denounced any pronouncement that suggests that there would be a breakdown of law and order in the Niger Delta if a particular candidate is not returned victorious.

The ex-militants promised that the Niger Delta would be peaceful and would also accept the result of transparent, credible, free and fair elections that will take place on March 28 and April 11 as rescheduled by INEC.

“We condemn any statements or plans that convey the Niger Delta as being undemocratic or supporting one particular candidate. We reiterate that citizens of the Niger Delta in exercise of their constitutional rights may support any party or candidate of their choice in a peaceful manner, and assure their safety and security in this choice and in the aftermath of the elections. We inform that it is the failure to hold transparent, credible, free and fair elections on March 28 and April 11 that may lead to chaos, insecurity and problems in the Niger Delta,” the statement added.

The group warned that any attempt to deploy soldiers, or intimidate and harass citizens in the Niger Delta prior to, during and after the elections will be strongly resisted.

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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Fashola Lied Again on My Tax Issue, Says Agbaje

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Read Time:2 Minute, 48 Second

The Lagos State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Mr Jimi Agbaje, has said Governor Babatunde Fashola lied again on his company’s tax.

The PDP guber candidate, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) said for Fashola to say that he has now paid N500,000 was a lie, and that there is no truth in the governor’s statement.

“There is no truth in this latest piece of misinformation that the governor is spreading around. He lied again, giving the impression that my company paid money after his initial outburst and his first lie.

“JayKay Pharmaceuticals has not paid a kobo since the day Fashola launched his initial allegation. To say that I have now paid N500,000 is a lie. My company sticks to the facts contained in its initial publication, which encapsulated its reaction to the governor’s initial falsehood.

“However, through his recent outburst this weekend, we get a clear picture of what his problem is.

“The fact remains that Mr. Jimi Agbaje has never stopped to acknowledge Mr. Fashola’s efforts at improving Lagos. But the result of all his efforts still remains that Lagos in the Economic intelligence Unit (EIU) is still ranked 137th out of 140 cities listed in the liveability index. This means that if you take 140 cities worldwide where people consider good to live in, Lagos is the fourth worst place to live in.

“Apart from this, a World Bank survey shows that of the 36 states in Nigeria, Lagos is still the worst state in terms of the ease of securing Building Permits.
“It is still on record too that the party Fashola represents has delivered less than 5,000 units till date. “It is still on record that more students in Lagos fail WAEC than those who pass.

“Even when we consider corruption, we are aware that Governor Fashola is yet to challenge anyone for corruption at the state level. Or is he saying Lagos is 100 per cent corruption-free? Yet he goes about castigating the government. He should walk his talk and lead by example –expose and prosecute high-ranking corrupt officials in his government and the state civil service.

“The corruption in the Lekki Toll Plaza will be made public in due cause.
“Clearly, Governor Babatunde Fashola has set out to exploit the commanding heights he occupies in the seat of government to bully us.  And we shall stand up to bullies.”

“It is quite illuminating that Governor Fashola is taking the issue of politics this personal and playing dirty politics.

What Lagosians should ask is what is driving Fashola’s violent outbursts? What has Fashola got to hide?

“Other than lay the facts bare to enable the public form an informed opinion, Jimi Agbaje refuses to be baited into Fashola’s self-declared verbal warfare.”

Agbaje has always maintained that his politics and his campaign will be issues-based, and no roforofo badmouthing from anyone, no matter how highly placed, will steer Agbaje away from development-based politicking.

“Agbaje comes squeaky clean, and no amount of lies, misinformation, disinformation and falsehood can impinge on the integrity of a man who made invaluable sacrifices in the struggle for this democracy.”

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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NIGERIA: Ahmed Alters Campaign Tactics

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Read Time:7 Minute, 39 Second

When Kwara State Governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the forthcoming general polls, AlhajiAbdulfatah Ahmed assumed the leadership position of the State of Harmony on May 29, 2011, little did the people of the state know that the administration would work harder to sustain the past legacies of the immediate past administration and also initiate more developmental projects capable of adding more values to the socio economic and political growth of the state.

The administration which came on board on the platform of legacy continue has brought a lot of impacts to the development of the state since it took over the mantle of leadership of the state. The administration had succeeded at ensuring that all the projects left behind by former governor BukolaSaraki and now senator representing Kwara central senatorial district at the national assembly were completed as part of efforts to develop the state.

The incumbent governor, Alhaji Ahmed who was also part of the immediate past administration where he served as commissioner for Finance and later Economic Development had ensured that the projects left behind seen the light of the day while new ones were put on ground so as to bring new lease of life to Kwarans.

From the area of education, health, rural integration, youths and women empowerment roads development, workers development, agriculture and to the provision of other social amenities, the Governor Ahmed's landmark achievement on these affected areas had assisted him to bring into focus on what he had been able to do for the Kwarans during his ongoing electioneering campaigns across the three senatorial districts of the state. The administration has made governance meaningful by delivering its benefits to the people.

Under Shared Prosperity, the administration has implemented several life-transforming programmes such as the innovative Kwara Bridge Empowerment Scheme (KWABES), under which the government has employed 5000 youths including 2000 civil servants. The expanded Empowerment Scheme, QuickWin, has seen the engagement of 5200 youths in the first phase with 8200 youths targeted for empowerment in 2014. So far, 10, 200 youths have been employed by the government in the last three years.

Also, Governor Ahmed’s administration has empowered 50,000 small business owners, 100 transporters and 47 artisan groups that have benefitted from the N1b in micro-credit disbursed under the Kwara Entrepreneurship Scheme since 2012.  Even, the government has also empowered State Association of Marketers whose members are currently accessing another N100m in micro credit.

To underscore the importance attached by his administration to civil servants, Governor Ahmed facilitated N3b in car loans to civil servants, especially teachers. This in on top of the welfare packages such as training and retraining, and provision of affordable housing and office accommodation implemented by the state government.

In the education sector, groundbreaking educational reforms have been upscaled and infrastructure enhanced with construction and rehabilitation of 400 classrooms at primary and secondary school levels, and the introduction of free education at senior secondary school levels and supply of free notebooks to secondary school students.

The jewel in the education sector’s crown, the International Vocational Centre, Ajasse-Ipo, is affiliated with City and Guilds of London and poised to fill middle level manpower gaps while establishing Kwara State as the hub for vocational skills in the sub-region.

In the health sector, government has supplied drugs and equipment to 13 general hospitals and 43 primary health centers as well as remodeled and modernized Ilorin, Offa, Omu-Aran, Share and Kaiama General Hospitals to state-of-the-art hospitals. The Community Health Insurance Scheme, under which enrollees receive year round healthcare for N500, has been extended to 80, 000 beneficiaries and has been adjudged as one of the most successful by the United Nations.

Towards meeting its target of ensuring connecting all communities in the state to the national electricity grid, Governor Ahmed’s administration rural and urban electrification project has seen 400 communities connected to the national grid. Ilorin, the state capital, is especially more beautiful at night, thanks to urban street light project that has been extended to several major streets in the Ilorin metropolis.

In the road sector, the state government has implemented the highly applauded Operation No Potholes launched in 2011 to ensure all gullies in the state are repaired to ensure proper maintenance. Under the state’s urban and rural road project, majority of inherited roads have been completed while thirty eight road projects started by the administration are at various levels of completion.

These include 28 inherited 28 projects covering a length of 256.127kms. Eighty per cent of these, covering 204.8 kilometers have been complete. The remaining 17 are on-going across the state. Eight new asphalted roads completed while 30 are on-going, half of which will be completed soon. Forty one rural/feeder roads with a total length of 287km have been completed while 81km are on-going.

To achieve its target of ensuring access to clean water within 500-meter radius, the state government has rehabilitated 17 waterworks across the state, sunk about 400 boreholes, and is at the verge of completing the Ilorin Water Reticulation Project, which will pipe water to all homes in the metropolis.

However, it will be noted here that, this giant strides in the delivery of dividends of democracy to the doorsteps of the people of the state in the last three and half years have endeared him to all the places visited during the various rallies embarked upon by the leadership of the APC in the state led by Senator BukolaSaraki and supported by the Director General of the Mandate 2015 campaign organisation and Speaker, Kwara State House of Assembly, Hon. RazakAtunwa.

Others are the state chairman of the party, AlhajiIsolaBalogun Fulani, AlhajiAbubakarKawuBaraje, Senator ShaabaLafiaji, all the nine members of the national assembly and other notable chieftains of APC in the state to woo voters for the party during the forthcoming polls in the state.

Since the leadership of the party have been moving from one place to another, they had reiterated their commitment to continue to add more values to the socio well-being of the populace if elected in view of the past achievements so far recorded in office by Governor Ahmed since he came on board into the leadership of the state.

In a chat with our correspondent in Ilorin on the performances of the present administration in the state, the Director of Media of Mandate 2015, Hon. AbdulwahabKayodeOmotose said that, there was no doubt that the present government led by Governor Ahmed had excelled very well in the day to day running affairs of the state since he took over the mantle of leadership of the state on May 29, 2011.

According to him,’ the present administration had touched the lives of the people of the state and this had continued to be a great tonic to the expectation of electoral victory of APC during the forthcoming general elections.”

He said, “I want to tell you that, all the places visited during the rallies of the Mandate 2015 campaign organisation, the people trooped out in large numbers to show appreciation to the Governor Ahmed and  leadership of APC in view of the successes recorded by the administration.

“The people assured that, come March 28 general elections, they will come out to vote for APC so as to assist the party to continue with laudable achievement in the state”.

Hon. Omotose, a former staff of THISDAY Newspapers and  a former Majority Leader of the state house of assembly added that, “The APC government in Kwara had lived up to the expectations of the populace and by the grace of God, the party will win the forthcoming elections based on Governor Ahmed’s superlative achievements in office.”

He therefore urged the eligible voters in the state to come out en masse to collect their permanent voters’ cards so as to assist them cast their votes for the APC during the elections.

A civil servant who sought for anonymity said that, the administration of Governor Ahmed had performed creditably and deserved second term in office in view of the successes so far recorded since he came into office in the state.
She said that, the administration had brought a new lease of life to the populace in view of the perfect delivery of dividends of democracy to the doorsteps of the rural populace.

She added that, the administration legacy in the completion of inherited projects was also highly commendable because the major way to ensure good governance at the grassroots is to inculcate the habit of continuity in governance so that the abandoned projects will not be littered every places of the nation.

By and large, if impact is the measurement  of good governance in the last three and half years of Governor Ahmed’s administration in office, then, the APC will coast to victory during the forthcoming elections so as to continue with the delivery of dividends of democracy to the doorsteps of the rural populace of Kwara State.

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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Ebonyi 2015: Umahi is the Man to Beat

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Read Time:5 Minute, 54 Second

 Contrary to the growing perception that the fortunes of the Ebonyi State Peoples Democratic Party is dwindling, Johnson Eze contends that the choice of deputy governor, Mr. Dave Umahi as its governorship candidate has boosted the ranks of the party lately

On Sunday, February 15, 2015, a Sociologist Dr. Charles Out wrote an article, titled, “Ebonyi Elections, PDP and the Labour Movement” which appeared in the Sunday Sun, apparently drumming up support for Governor Martin Elechi’s beleaguered political contraption- anchored on his new found love for the Labour Party. The writer tried to manufacture a false scenario of a catalytic political atmosphere in Ebonyi State.

He claimed that things had fallen apart in the Peoples Democratic Party in the State, following the decamping of Elechi’s cronies and henchmen into the Labour Party. Their adoption of the new Labour platform is both unusual and strange because the mantra of populist, welfarist or even socialist tendencies which a Labour Party symbolises cannot even be entertained by Elechi’s ultra-conservative anti-peoples worldview.

Otu’s write-up contained some deliberate falsehood which were brought in to achieve a pre-meditated objective. That objective was to use propaganda to nullify the concrete realities on ground in Ebonyi politics so as to deceive some expatriates or top- flight policy makers in Abuja and Lagos – the main centres of political and economic power in Nigeria, and to possibly paint a picture of Eldorado for a non- existent Labour Party structure which came into being late last year as part of Elechi’s failed revisionist agenda.

An example of the tissue of lies paraded by Dr. Otu’s piece was the blatant falsehood that “President Good-luck Ebele Jonathan…. dampened the optimism and expectations of PDP supporters in the state when he could not canvass for votes or show open support and endorsement for the PDP standard bearer in the state, Engr. Dave Umahi and neither did he raise up his hand”. This deliberate spreading or falsehood by someone who apparently was not even at the Abakaliki stadium on the day of the presidential rally only goes to demonstrate the degree of wishful thinking which false political consciousness can lead to. Otu and his band of sycophantic speculators or hired intellectual soothsayers should rethink their strategies if they ever wish to remain credible in the narrating events of public interest. Deceiving the people in their own domain through concocted judgment can only lead to retardation rather than progress.

It is pertinent at this juncture to assert that the Presidential rally which Otu so terribly disfigured in his false narrative was one of the greater manifestations of peoples’ power at work in contemporary Nigerian politics. President Jonathan himself was inspired by what he saw- a lively massive gathering of human beings who trooped out in their great numbers to pass judgment on their leaders in what looked like a typical peoples parliament. The PDP governorship candidate, Engr. Dave Umahi was almost carried shoulder high by the party leaders and the masses. President Jonathan and the PDP National Chairman, assisted by other top echelons of the party, raised Umahi’s hand and handed over the flag to him as the candidate of the party. Guess what happened to the incumbent Governor Elechi. He was booed five times by the crowd and was thus prevented from making any speech. That was the worst form of humiliation ever suffered by any political leader in the state since creation in 1996.

Umahi’s emergence as the PDP standard bearer has created a new political awakening in Ebony State. The party has become more united. Several top stakeholders who left the party in 2011 have returned to the party to inaugurate the most potent political co-alition ever witnessed in Ebonyi state.
Those who have joined forces with Umahi include Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, Dr. Sam Egwu, Ambassador Franklin Ogbuewu, Senator Sunny Ogbuoji, Prof.ChigozieOgbu, Senator Emma Agboti, Dr.Igwe Aja-Nwachukwu, Dr. Senator OffiaNwali, Chief NjokuAfoke, Hon Innocent Ugo Chima, Senator Sylvanus Ngele and Chief Godwin Ogbaga. Others include, tThe Nigerian Ambassador to North Korea, Ambassador Alex Nwofe, Engr. Fidelis Nwankwo, Engr. Elias Mbam, Chief Hyacinth Ikpo,Eze John Nwenyi, Chief OkeaguOgada, Dr.HyginusNwokwu, Chief ObinnaOgba, Hon. Linus Okorie, Barrister IduIgariwey, Chief Julius Ama Oji (Ochiri), Ambassador Oba Aja Nwachukwu, Senator Emmanuel Onwe, Barrister Augustine Nwankwoegu, Rt. Hon. ChukwumaNwazunku (incumbent Speaker, Ebonyi State House of Assembly), Chief AbiaOnyike, Prince UgojiAmaOti, Chief Dave Nwachukwu, Engr. Francis Oji, Prof.Egwu U. Egwu and others too numerous to mention.

Apart from the concrete support from this galaxy of the traditional power elite in Ebonyi towards Umahi’s governorship bid, all the main power blocks in Ebonyi State have endorsed Umahi’s candidature. The Umuekumenyi Welfare Association and the Old Afikpo Union (OAU) adopted Umahi on the 5th of February, 2015 at a joint meeting held at Ebonyi Hotels, Abakalik. The Umuekuenyi is the umbrella body comprising of the major clans in old Abakaliki block (made up of two Senatorial Zones of the State) namely. Izzi, Ezza, Ikwo, Ngbo la Izhia, Igboessa, Okpoto, Agba group of communities etc. On the other hand, the Old Afikpo Union comprises of the five local government areas in Ebonyi south senatorial district (Afikpo, Edda, Ohaozara, Onicha and Ivo, has adopted Umahi who incidentally hails from the senatorial zone). This is the area where the Governorship seat has been zoned to for the  2015 Elections, by the popular proclamation of Ebonyi Founding Fathers and Leaders of Thought, including Governor Elechi himself who on 20th April, 2014.Publicly announced the decision to a gathering of Ebonyi leaders at Governor’s lodge, Abakaliki.

Governor Elechi’s volte face on the popular issue of power shift to the Southern Zone of the state currently constitutes his main albatross in the current transition politics of the State. His decision to front a Labour Party is seen by many informed political actors as a selfish political strategy introduced by him to consolidate his hold on Ebonyi through his pet candidate and business partner, Chief Edward Nkwoegu- a state dependent and government contractor who had done many deals with the Governor.

It is important to note that Governor Elechi must be full of regrets now for allowing himself to be manipulated by some parochial but desperate political actors in the state. He misread the political behavior and temperament of Ebonyians and thought he could bamboozle them into leaving the PDP and joining his preferred Labour Party. The game is up as Elechi’s eight year’s rule has proved disastrous to the extent that he lacks the popular goodwill to move the people at will. Ebonyians have revolted in a most dramatic manner by “disobeying” their Governor and taking their destiny into their own hands. A quiet revolution has occurred in Ebonyi State- the salt gate nation- and Umahi looks good to occupy the Governorship seat come May, 29, 2015.

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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Buhari Cannot Speak of Missing Oil Money – Group

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Read Time:5 Minute, 3 Second

Move on Nigeria, a civic action group promoting good governance and the Transformation agenda of the President Goodluck Jonathan  administration, has dismissed as a non- issue, the call by General Muhammadu Buhari for the president to publish the NNPC forensic audit report on alleged missing $20 billion.

Reacting to a statement credited to the spokesman of the Buhari Campaign Organisation,  Garba Shehu, the group noted that Buhari cannot morally speak of missing oil money as it was during his tenure as petroleum minister that $2.8 bn dollars of oil money was reportedly seized in a foreign country. Still under Buhari’s watch, NNPC was never audited, so he should give GEJ credit for probing the NNPC.

PriceWaterHouse Cooper (PWC)is a reputable firm. If $50 billion, $40 billion or $20 billion dollars was missing they would not have come out with a contrary report.

Following the allegation made by the immediate past Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), now Emir of Kano, Sanusi, of the missing $50Bn from the NNPC account, the two Chambers of the National Assembly waded into the matter and found the allegation to be false.

President Goodluck Jonathan in the spirit of probity and accountability went further to direct that the NNPC account be audited.

It was on this basis that the Auditor General of the Federation commissioned Price Waterhouse Coopers (PWC), an Accounting Firm, to conduct an independent forensic Audit of the NNPC account. The firm having concluded its investigation submitted its report to the Auditor General of the Federation, who presented same to the President. Interestingly the accounting firm found the wild allegation of missing $50 billion to be false.

Therefore, if anyone or any office must be asked to publish the report, it is the Auditor General of the Federation who commissioned the report in the first instance, not the President and definitely not the NNPC or Minister of Petroleum. It is either General Buhari is demonstrating crass ignorance, being mischievous or playing to the gallery, otherwise if he or his party desperately needs the audit report he knows how to go about it, part of which is to apply under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act for a copy of the report from the Auditor General’s office.

The FOI was signed into law by President Jonathan as a huge contrast from the Decree 4 and Decree 2 enacted by Buhari as Head of State.

Recall that Decree 4 promoted official secrecy and forbade anyone from publishing any information that will embarrass a public officer even when the story is true and correct.

Two journalists, Nduka Irabor and Tunde Thompson were jailed by the military tribunal under the draconian decree for publishing the truth.

In a statement signed by the group’s National Coordinator, Mr. Clem Aguiyi, he urged Gen Buhari to face better issues such as the economy, restructuring, corruption and insecurity as Nigerians are desperate to know what he will do differently.

On the economy, the group said Buhari is bereft of ideas on how to grow the economy. At a time when it is no longer fashionable for governments to run businesses because government can’t run business better, Buhari is still talking of operating Nigerian Airways and equipping it with 20 fleets rather than how existing private airlines will be helped to flourish and compete with other international airlines.

According to the group ‘Buhari has neither changed nor improved from the disaster that he was 35 years ago.

It’s alarming that at the time when Communist Russia and China have since acknowledged that government has no business running businesses Buhari is still talking of big government and returning to a socialist economy.  From Buhari’s proposition airlines like Arik, Dana, Aero and Medview will be strangulated, destroyed and forced to go under.

On corruption, the group said, ‘Buhari’s guns and decrees approach to fighting corruption had been tried and tested 35 years ago, and we saw the end of it. What is even more curious is what he will do if given the opportunity with the likes of Tinubu, Fashola, Saraki, Timipre Sylva, Amaechi and of course his latest godfather Olusegun Obasanjo who are funding his campaign with proceeds from corruption.

Will he spare his cronies and pursue political opponents or will every Nigerian be subjected to the same law and treatment.

Under President Jonathan, steady progress is being made to tackle corruption. Successes are being recorded with digital transformation of  fertiliser distribution (E-WALLET) to elimination of ghost workers payment (E-PAYMENT). Except for APC, the world and even Transparency International corruption index 2014 confirmed the success of the GEJ anti-corruption fight by moving Nigeria from 144 in 2013 to 136 in 2014.

The Group in its statement urged Buhari to accept the challenge to debate President Jonathan on the issues of security and what he would have done differently because “when he Buhari told the world he would end Boko Haram in two months, we wondered how not because Boko Haram cannot be crushed but because he Buhari was against the use of force in containing the violent group. When our soldiers were dying in droves, rather than lend support Buhari joined those frustrating the military effort. He suggested to his gullible followers that the war on Boko Haram is targeted at the North. Such positioning from an elder statesman helped fuel the rank of Boko Haram fighters with northern Muslim youths. It will be a shame if Buhari does not pay a price for his past records and utterances.  

Again, we wonder the kind of change the APC wants to bring when as a political party they have refused to debate or discuss the issues affecting us  as a nation, which borders on restructuring of the nation for the common good of all. The change we need which Jonathan has promised to implement on the basis of the National Conference 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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