PDP Rejects Automatic Ticket For Jonathan, Governors, others – Metuh

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said it will not amend its constitution in order to guarantee automatic tickets for President Goodluck Jonathan, governors, and other incumbent office holders ahead of the 2015 elections.

The spokesperson of the PDP, Olisa Metuh, said on Tuesday, in Abuja that the 2012 amended copy of the constitution remains “the grand norm of the party” and the current leadership is determined to abide by its provision.

There were some media reports that the PDP is working on a process that will give President Goodluck Jonathan, and governors elected on the party’s platform, the chance of first refusal in respect of nomination for re-election in 2015.

Sources within the party were quoted as saying that the idea is being championed by some elders of the party who seek to fashion the PDP constitution after the convention in the United States where a President seeking re-election is given the option of refusal of nomination by his party.

Mr. Metuh said such an idea is alien to the party and that the PDP is no “copycats”.

“We also wish to make it clear that the PDP has its own constitution where processes for candidates’ selection are clearly spelt out. We are therefore only bound by the provisions of this constitution and not the conventions of any other party, anywhere else in the World,” he said.

Mr. Metuh also said the only guarantee of re-election that any current elected representative of the party has is their record of performance and their acceptance by the people in a free and fair primary election where all party members shall be guaranteed a level playing ground.

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America to celebrate Achebe's life June 2 in Washington

A week after Professor Chinua Achebe was buried in Nigeria, the state of Washington D.C., USA would be hosting a “Celebration of Life” event on Saturday, June 2, 2013, at the Andrew Mellon Auditorium, 1301 Constitution Ave NW Washington, DC 20240, from 7:00pm to 10:30 pm. An Arts Exhibition and reception would kick off the celebrations at 6:00pm. The event is free to the public.

The “Celebration of Life” event would feature a list of public and private friends and dignitaries, cultural dance troupes, music, masquerades and tributes. Besides, there would be performances from the Nigerian music idol, Nneka and the Chuck Mike theatre group.

The Francesca Harper Project would also be heading to Washington D.C. Achebe was best known internationally for the trio of novels globally recognized as “the African Trilogy” – “Things Fall Apart, No Longer at Ease and Arrow of God.” Of the trio, “Arrow of God” is considered his magnum opus, and his first novel Things Fall Apart – the most widely read book in modern African literature.

In 2012, he published his memoirs There was a country – which earned him a spot on Foreign Policy Magazine’s list of Top100 ‘Global Thinkers’ of 2012. Professor Achebe was credited as the major 20th Century literary voice to bring African culture and literature to the rest of the world.

A statement from the Nelson Mandela Foundation in South Africa quoted Nelson Mandela as referring to Professor Chinua Achebe as a writer “in whose company the prison walls fell down.” Professor Achebe established the Chinua Achebe Foundation in the early ‘90s.

Chaired by Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the foundation had worked to promote peace through the arts; showcase Africa complex cultural heritage to the world, while recapturing lost components of African fine art, literature and languages.

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Anenih seeks automatic PDP ticket for Jonathan in 2015 Election

Chief Tony Anenih, The Chairman  Board of Trustees, BoT, of the Peoples Democratic Party, has proposed an automatic second term ticket for incumbent president and governors who perform well in office, thus seeking to boycott the usual primaries.

This he said is to avoid the hassles that go with the party primaries, especially for executive positions.

Speaking at a dinner organised by President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday night, for the “PDP family” at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Chief. Anenih said the internal problem of the party must be urgently handled if Nigerians must take the party serious.

The proposal by Chief. Anenih, if accepted by the party, would mean that President Goodluck Jonathan would be unchallenged for the PDP presidential ticket in 2015.

Chief. Anenih is one of the most influential member of the PDP and holds one of its highest positions as BoT chairman. He is believed to have emerged BoT chairman based on President. Jonathan’s support.

His proposal must however be adopted by the parties structures including the National Working Committee, National Executive Committee, and Convention for it to become a rule.

Chief. Anenih added that the ongoing problems in the Nigerian Governors Forum, NGF, which has seen the emergence of two chairmen, both of whom are from the PDP, “is an embarrassing situation which must be urgently addressed.”

PDP won’t tolerate NGF crisis

Chief. Anenih also cautioned the PDP to solve its internal crisis or risk losing the support of Nigerians.

“I believe the challenges facing the party are temporary and at the end of the day we will come out stronger. But if we want to continue to enjoy the support of Nigerians; if we create tension in the country as a result of the problems in our party and expect Nigerians to continue to support and applaud us, it is not possible,” he said.

The Edo politician also said the party would not tolerate the NGF crisis.

“As party leaders, we must commit ourselves to repositioning the party. It is an embarrassment what is happening in the Nigeria Governors Forum. It is an embarrassing situation which must be urgently addressed. The leadership of the party will not tolerate a situation where it will preside over a divided house.

“We need a strong party. If a party is strong and there is discipline and those who work hard are rewarded, our government will be stronger. Our problems are not insurmountable. After the tour of the board of trustees, we will collate the opinions and make appropriate recommendations to the president as leader of the party. But what I would like to say is that the president and governors who are seeking their second term should be given automatic tickets to contest the second term,” he said.

The Chairman of the party, Bamanga Tukur, who announced that those present at the event were the “Happy, contended” family of PDP under his watch, urged members of the party to imbibe the culture of discipline as the party can only grow “if we imbibe the culture of discipline, justice and equity”.

Mark seeks automatic ticket too

In his remark, the Senate President, David Mark, also called for members of the parliament to be given automatic ticket in order to strengthen the parliament.

He also urged members not to take the opposition for granted saying “if they are not there that means we are not working, they want to be where we are because we are doing well”.

In his remarks, President Goodluck Jonathan thanked members of the party for their commitment adding that there was no need for members of the party to panic because re-groupings by opposition parties.

“If the opposition is holding meetings everyday, then you should smile. If the opposition starts applauding the president, there is problem. PDP will endure because it was not built based on conspiracy against anybody. We believe in this country,” he said.

He added that the disagreements within the PDP was not abnormal for such a large family, as there are bound to be disagreements which would be resolved. He also said the idea of the family dinner had been thought up by himself and the party chairman who had seen it as an opportunity for party members to interact and exchange ideas.

Speaking on the presentation of his scorecard the previous day, the President said he had just been told that the National Assembly was already working on a bill that will ensure that the president presents a scorecard every July.

The event was attended by Governors of Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Delta, Ebonyi, Abia, Bayelsa, Kogi, Taraba, Enugu and Deputy governors of Niger and Benue State.

Other attendees include Mr. Mark, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal; Chief. Anenih; Mr. Tukur; the PDP state chairmen as well as other PDP stalwarts.

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Jang NGF faction's opened its secretariat; Nineteen Govs shun the meeting

Nineteen out of the nation's 36 governors were absent when Plateau State Governor, Jonah Jang-led faction of the Nigeria Governors' Forum opened its secretariat in Abuja which is located at Nana Close, Maitama            on Thursday . 

Signs that things were not going to work well started manifesting when words went round that Vice President Namadi Sambo, who was supposed to be the guest of honour at the event, would not come and did not send any representatives.      

The acting Sole Administrator of the faction's secretariat, Mr. Osaro Onaiwu, had told our correspondent on Tuesday that the vice president would inaugurate the secretariat.
Aside Jang, governors that were at the event, were those of Kogi, Taraba, Kaduna, Cross River, Katisina, Abia, Anambra, Delta and Ebonyi.        

Others included Ondo, Benue (deputy), Bauchi, Akwa Ibom, Gombe (deputy) and Bayelsa. Others stayed away from the event.      
While unveiling the secretariat, Jang said two governors sent their apologies.
He, however, did not mention their names.          
Flags of political parties that produced governors were hung outside the premises of the secretariat.

These are Peoples Democratic Party, the Action Congress of Nigeria, the Congress for Progressive Change, the Labour Party and the All Nigeria Peoples Party.

Some aides of the governors were seen discussing the refusal of majority of the governors to be at the event. 
They said the number of those who attended might have confirmed the number of votes Jang scored at the Governors' forum, which was held in Abuja on Friday.

While Jang scored 16 votes, Governor of Rivers State, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, scored 19.
But the Jang faction insisted that since their candidate was endorsed by the majority of the governors before voting, then he should be considered the winner of the election.

Speaking with journalists after a tour of the secretariat in company with other governors, Jang said he was impressed with what he saw.        

He also said he would embark on reconciliation, adding that the opening of the secretariat was a new beginning in the Forum. 

Jang said, 'I want to thank you very sincerely for honouring our invitation to come for the opening of the secretariat of the NGF today.       
'We have not had any formal meeting (today), we went round and saw what they have in the secretariat.       

'We want to take this opportunity to congratulate Mr. President on the 14th year if Nigeria's democracy and the presentation of his mid-term report, which he presented at the International Conference Centre on Wednesday.      
'We wish him good health, we wish him everything and we support his transformation agenda.'

He disagreed with the notion that the opening of the factional secretariat was not a sign that the Forum was already collapsing. 

He said, 'Who said so? When did we just open the secretariat? You know we have been meeting at individual's governor's lodge before and we decided we should be meeting on a new real ground so that we are not under the influence of any governor.

'Every governor would be coming here for meeting and I wish to say that we are working hard to reconcile each other. You heard what I said in Jos and that we will be doing our politics for the nation.          

'We are appealing to our colleagues to work together for the glory of the country.'
Also speaking at the occasion, the Governor of Bayelsa State, Mr. Seriake Dickson, said it was wrong to use the NGF for personal ambition.          

He said the Forum was also not to be used to promote an agenda or an alternative government.

The governor said, 'It (the opening of the factional office) is a new dawn in NGF; this is what we ought to have done in the first place.       

'This Forum must not be used to promote personal ambition; it should be used to promote somebody's ego.    
'This Forum is there to serve as a non-partisan body for development and responding for critical issues. That is the new spirit here now.          
'We are poised to make a new beginning and to serve a message that this Forum should not be used for personal aggrandisement, this Forum does not exist to be used to as a platform or a tool for antagonising the President and people in authority.

'This Forum is not to be used to promote an agenda or promoting an alternative government.'

Asked about the poor attendance of the event by the governors, Dickson said there was nothing new about it, adding that 'the meeting in Kwara State where Governor Amaechi was elected was attended by seven governors and six deputies. That makes it 13

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My successor will come from Enugu North says Gov.Sullivan

Mr. Sullivan Chime, Enugu State Governor has thrown his weight behind the aspiration of people from Nsukka cultural zone to succeed him when his tenure expires in two years time.

Chime said categorically that he would work to ensure that his successor comes from the North Senatorial District (Nsukka).   

The state has operated unwritten rotational arrangement in the selection of its governors since it s creation in 1991.         
Chime told stakeholders at a Town Hall meeting in Enugu on Thursday that it would be the turn of the zone to occupy the highest office in the state after the expiration of his two-term tenure in 2015.         

According to the governor, whose speech was punctuated with thunderous applause from the audience, the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) arrangement is to pick its next flag bearer from Enugu North.           

There have been apprehensions in the state over t speculations that Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, who is from Enugu West, was putting in motion machinery to contest for the governorship. .   

Ekweremadu's posters have flooded some major streets of Enugu and Nsukka. His position meanwhile has given a boost to the aspirations from people of Nsukka Zone, many of which has lined up for the contest.    

The governor said although candidates from other zones might spring up to contest on other platforms, the issue of who becomes the governor solely lies in the hands of the voters.

He expressed optimism that whoever the PDP picks as its standard bearer from Nsukka, will win in the state, being predominantly PDP.

Chime also expressed his support for the creation of Adada State to make up the shortfall in the number of states in the Southeast geo-political zone.          

His words: 'It is not in our power to create a state, but of course we are fully in support of the creation of Adada State and we are doing all we can to make sure it is actualised.'

The governor told his audience that measures had been put in place to rid the streets of Enugu of the destitute.      

He lamented the increase in street begging resulting from the influx of people into the state, noting that the law banning the practice was still in force.      

He described as unfortunate that some of the beggars, who had been rehabilitated, resorted to alms begging as a business.    

'Begging is an offence against God and the law,' the governor said.       

On the communal crisis between Oruku and Umuode communities in Nkanu East Local Government Area, Chime said it was an embarrassment to the state. 

He called on the communities to embrace dialogue to settle whatever misunderstanding they may have.

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Confessions of Olusegun Obasanjo by By Chukwudi Nweje

Many have argued that politics is all about projection and protection of interests. This, they explain, is why politicians seek alliances and sometimes godfathers to brighten their electoral fortunes. Nevertheless, in projecting these interests, especially in a democracy, the will of the people is expected to prevail. This means that no matter how formidable the network of alliances may be it is the electorate that should ultimately decide the fate of a politician.  This explains why in a democracy, the majority can have their way but the minority must have their say.

This is where former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s recent confession that he foisted Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, on the people is rather unsettling. The former president, who spoke as a guest at the Jigawa State Economic Summit, said Lamido has shown by his achievements in office that he was the right person to lead the state. He said, “You people of Jigawa, once again, I congratulate you and I congratulate myself; because if you can say, yes, Obasanjo foisted this one (Governor Lamido) on us, it is a good foisting. It comes to one thing that you will say, you can help anybody to find a job but you cannot help anybody to do the job. In this case, we found a job for Sule Lamido. Sule Lamido was ready, willing, able and competent to do the job.”

Critics insinuate that the later part of the remark that; “You can only help someone to get a job; you cannot help him to do the job”, may have been directed at President Goodluck Jonathan, with whom he is perceived to have fallen apart lately.

Obasanjo is widely believed to have solely picked President Jonathan as a running mate to late President Umaru Yar’Adua in 2011, over and above other major contenders including former governors Peter Odili and Donald Duke of Rivers and Cross River states, respectively.  However, indications are that Obasanjo and Jonathan have since parted ways. They disagree over a wide range of issues including Jonathan’s performance in office, the state of the nation, the crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). As a matter of fact, Obasanjo is reportedly opposed to the President going for re-election in 2015. Even when his media handlers have made several efforts to brush aside the perceived friction between him and Jonathan, Obasanjo’s carriage has hardly helped matters.

Last Wednesday, May 29, for instance, Obasanjo not only shunned invitation to President Jonathan’s presentation of mid-term report of his administration on Democracy Day to attend the Dutse event, he also eulogized Lamido for his achievements, saying the road to Jigawa from Kano was better than that from Lagos to Ibadan, thus, drawing a parallel between the Jigawa State governor and many other governors in the country.

He made a subtle suggestion on the governor to go for a higher office, stressing that his performance profile should be enough to carry him through. “That is if he agrees to do, but if he does not agree to do, there is nothing an Obasanjo can do about it”, he however noted.

Obasanjo’s critics observe however that his actions are undemocratic and unfitting of a statesman, adding that they run contrary to every known democratic principle. Their argument is that while the former president reserves the right to align with any politician depending on where his interests lie, to admit that he foisted a supposedly elected official on a people, amounted to insulting the sensibilities of the electorate. “What he is in affect saying is that the majority in Jigawa had their say in 2011 but Obasanjo had his way. This is the opposite of democracy”, noted an obviously enraged commentator, who asked not to be mentioned.

Others agree that Obasanjo has the right to support particular candidates he believes would protect his vested interests but disagree on his methodology. They described the open admission of imposition of candidates on the people of Jigawa as unbecoming of a statesman. According to them, Obasanjo should have restricted himself to providing financial and logistic support to Lamido and not imposing him on the people of Jigawa against their will.

Source: Daily Independent 

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Impeaching Amaechi won’t guarantee Jonathan’s re-election – Edebiri

Chief David Edebiri, The Esogban of Benin Kingdom and chairman of Benin Forum, yesterday, said that impeaching Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State, will not guarantee a second term ticket for President Goodluck Jonathan.

He urged the President to give the people the dividends of democracy by ensuring steady power, industrialisation and tackle security challenges, rather than fight political battles with governors over 2015 presidential election.

Speaking to Vanguard,  the elder statesman, who disagreed with the assertion by President Jonathan that his administration had performed creditably well, said: “I am not totally in agreement that democracy is already here in Nigeria.

We are working towards achieving true democracy but it has really not come. A typical example of that is the current issue of the election of Nigeria Governors Forum, where 35 people met to elect one man and the aftermath now is a disputation as to what happened and what did not happen.

“I think if the President wants to come back as President, he does not need all the current rigmarole that is going on. Let him give the Nigerians good governance. Let him make Nigeria one of the countries of the world where electricity is constant.”

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Dialogging With Boko Haram Must Come First Before Amnesty-Alibola

THERE seems to be a muddle about the way we are handling this issue of Boko Haram. It is my view that we are already jumping the gun and pushing the cart before the horse.

While on one hand we have embarked on the issue of state of emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa, on the other hand the Federal Government had already set up a committee on Amnesty.

It is difficult to be friends of those one is facing on the battle field, involving death and destruction of lives and properties. In view of the current situation, there is urgent need for Nigeria to take a positive line of action. This positive line of action must be by way of dialogue. Some years back when the League of Nations had its convention, they established this idea which used to be called “fact finding”.

Whenever there is dispute between two entities, in order to find a lasting solution by way of peaceful settlement there is absolutely the need for dialogue. Such dialogue must involve the two parties to the dispute stating their causes of grievance.

Thereafter, there should be move by both parties to present their terms of settlement upon which both parties could come to by reconciliation and by way of give and take. It is after this that amnesty could come in. Talking about amnesty before dialogue is like jumping the gun which is not advisable in this regard.

It is like telling an accused person that he is found guilty even before he is asked to state his case. There is no doubt that the government must find out the immediate and remote causes of the grievance being nursed by the Boko Haram.

The idea of stating that Western education is wrong is a misnomer and cannot be part of the serious issue in this matter. In the first case, it is unislamic since the Sunnah and Hadith of Islam says, “Knowledge is a sine qua non”.

The Holy Qur’an is full of this issue of knowledge in its content. Secondly, it is unconstitutional to attempt such an idea. There is need for both sides to thoroughly address the issue of religion, ethnicity and politics.

In addition to all these, there is need for the government to address the issue of insecurity and corruption. The nation is disintegrating because of the social menace that at the moment plaguing our nation to the extent that we have now become a pariah among the comity of nations.

Talking about corruption, someone like me will find it difficult to understand that this is the same nation that I served as Attorney General and Minister of Justice for six years in the 1980s and I took no money home.

Then I directed that 35 percent of the money should be paid back to the government for good governance, 25 percent to Nigeria Bar Association as the root where I developed from and 40 percent to the needy and disable people of Nigeria (to about eight organisations including Red Cross and Red Crescent).

Now in retrospect, it is difficult for me to imagine that I was the one paying the salaries of the two staff that I personally engaged to work for the government in the Ministry of Justice throughout that period.

With insecurity, corruption and all other vices facing us in Nigeria at the moment, development will continue to be mere illusion.

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Democracy Day Should Ideally Be Used To Reflect On The meaning Of Democracy -Obi

Anambra State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi has said that Democracy Day should ideally be used to reflect on the meaning of democracy and ask if democracy is beneficial to all the people in the country, including the rich, the poor, the sick and the underprivileged.

Obi spoke when he visited and interacted with inmates of Oji-River Leprosy Centre in Enugu State.

Mr. Obi said he visited the centre on the invitation of the Archbishop of Enugu Province and Bishop of Oji River Diocese, Most Reverend Amos Mmadu, especially on the realisation that the inhabitants of the centre cut across the states of the South-East and particularly people from Ayamelum and Anambra West Local Government Areas. This followed a census of the inmates of the centre taken by the Governor.

He assured the Oji River Anglican Diocese of support to care for the inmates and made a donation of N1million to the church and N5,000.00 each to all the inmates and promised that their welfare will be discussed by Governors of the South-East to explore possible ways of partnering with the church to collectively uplift the centre.

Reverend Mmadu, who conducted the Governor around the centre, recalled that Obi was the first state executive to visit the centre, noting that Obi has continued to demonstrate fear of God and commitment to the welfare of the people, which he said other Governors should emulate.

Reverend Mmadu said they would attract intervention of the international organisations, including the United Nations and UNICEF to the centre if the facility was returned to the care of the church.

In their separate speeches, some of the inmates, Cletus Onah, from Nsukka and Sylvanus Amaefuna, from Adazi-Nnukwu, while thanking the Governor for his gesture, noted that God was using him to touch the lives of the common man and give everybody a sense of belonging. They noted that he has transformed the state and rebuild schools in the state with fairness and equity.

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Rivers Lawmakers Vowed; Nothing Will Make Us Impeach Amaechi

Rivers State House of Assembly vowed on Thursday that nothing will make them impeach the State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, who has been engaged in a running battle with the leadership of his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Presidency.

The lawmakers also assured that there was no plan to impeach Amaechi and reiterated their unalloyed loyalty and support for him.

They debunked allegations that they have been induced to impeach the Governor, and stressed that none of them even sees impeachment as an option in the ongoing feud.

A newspaper report that was reechoed by some radio stations in Port Harcourt on Thursday, said eight lawmakers had jumped ship to the Obuah-led PDP, thereby swelling the rank of the opposition to Amaechi to 13 from the original five since the crisis blew open on April 15 after the sacking of the Godspower Ake-led state PDP executive by an Abuja High Court.

The position of the lawmakers on the matter was contained in a communique which each of them personally signed in Port Harcourt, the state capital on Thursday.

The communique, a copy of which was obtained by Journalist, reads: “We have observed with consternation, dangerous rumors making the rounds, even appearing on the pages of national dailies that we, the 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have been financially induced to impeach His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, C.O.N, Governor of Rivers State, and Chairman Nigerian Governors Forum.

“For the avoidance of doubt, we make bold to categorically state as follows: that we have not and will not receive any pecuniary gratification or marginal oil fields;

“That we are united in our resolve to commit our unalloyed loyalty to His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Chibuike R. Amaechi, Governor and the people of Rivers State;

“That we the undersigned do not contemplate the impeachment of His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Chibuike R. Amaechi as an option.

“We reiterate our loyalty to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, the leader of our Great Party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),” the lawmakers concluded.

In a separate statement, Speaker of state House of Assembly, Otelemaba Dan Amachree, also denied the newspaper reports that eight out of the 27 lawmakers who were suspended by the Felix Obuah-led PDP executive council have defected to the opposing faction.

Amachree, who acknowledged the “strong rumour”, stated that he had checked among his colleagues and got the reassurances of their loyalty to Amaechi who the report stated was losing followership among the legislators and therefore risked being impeached.

Amachree, while debunking the media report through his Press Secretary, Udede Jim-Opiki, said he also “read the report in a national newspaper.”

“He personally checked on 26 others and they all restated their loyalty to the Governor of Rivers State, Rt, Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi.

“The Speaker also warned against assumptions and reports that intend to impinge on the integrity of the members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

“Mr. Speaker is not aware, if at all, that any of the 26 others have been compromised. He is confident that his colleagues (26 others) would never be part of any plot to impeach Governor Rotimi Amaechi,” the statement stated.

It added: “On behalf of the Rivers State House of Assembly, the Speaker is calling on well-meaning Rivers people to pray for speedy return of peace and normalcy to the PDP, a party they have all been working and building since the inception of this democratic dispensation in 1999.”

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Military men arrests five Nigerians, two Chadians at Tumbu Gini-Olukolade

Defence Headquarters said on Thursday that five Nigerians and two Chadians were among the fleeing insurgents apprehended by the Special Forces as the troops continue their pursuit of terrorists dislodged from their bases.

The seven were among the nine arrested at Tumbu Gini, a border town with Chad as they tried to cross into Chad.

It said a man suspected to be leading the group escaped with gunshot wounds.

Director Defence Information, Brigadier General Chris Olukolade, who said in Abuja that the message in which the insurgents leadership called for support from Afghanistan and Pakistan and others to enable them fight the troops, confirmed that they were overwhelmed by the military operations.

“Meanwhile, the Defence Headquarters has observed that attempts are being made by insurgents and their collaborators to push into public domain questionable and manipulated messages meant to misinform the public.

“The message which calls for support from Afghanistan and Pakistan as well as other cohorts of the insurgents is clearly a confirmation of the level of pressure which has been brought to bear on the insurgents,” he stated.

He assured Nigerians that the army was equal to task in fighting the insurgents.

“There is indeed no cause for alarm as the insurgents are actually in flight, necessitating their call for help from their foreign allies. The operation to put an end to the activities of insurgents is continuing and in line with overall plans for the nation’s security,” he maintained.

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JTF arrests 3 Lebanese in Kano

The Joint Security Task Force (JTF) in Kano, has arrested three Lebanese suspected of owning the large cache of arms recovered at a bunker in the city.

Brig.-Gen. Iliyasu Abba, the Brigade Commander, 3rd Brigade, Nigerian Army, said one of the suspects was arrested on Tuesday at a house on Gaya Road in Bompai area of Kano.

According to him, another suspect was arrested in Abuja while the third suspect was apprehended since May 16,  at Aminu Kano International Airport, on his way to Beirut, Lebanon.

“The one arrested at Malam Aminu Kano International Airport had a sum of 60,000 US dollars in his possession.”

He said one Abdullahi Hassan Tahir Padalla, who was the owner of the house in which one of the suspect was arrested was still at large.

Abba said among the weapons discovered during the operation on Tuesday were 17 AK 47 rifles, 44 magazines, four land mines and 12 RPG bombs, 14 RPG charger, 11 66 mm anti-tanks weapons, one SMG magazine, one pistol and magazine.

Also, 11, 433 rounds of 7.26 mm special, 76 hand grenade, rocket propelled guns, 122 calibre artillery and anti mines weapons were recovered.

“What you are seeing here are weapons of mass destruction in terms of our situation here right now in Nigerian.

“If these things has been brought out only God knows the type of destruction they will cause to innocent persons in the state or in the country,’’ he said.

He said the Department of State Security Service (SSS) in Abuja had been investigating the case for long.

In a remark, the state Director of the SSS, Mr Bassey Ettang, said that the three suspects had a link to the Hezbollah  group in Lebanon.

According to him, the suspects have for a long time been using the bunker in the house to stockpile arms and ammunition.

He restated the commitment of the SSS and other security agencies to continue with the ongoing war on criminals nationwide. 

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Nigeria Lawmakers Pass 14 Years Imprisonment Bill For Marriage Of Same Sex

The House of Representatives on Thursday approved 14 years imprisonment for persons who contracted same sex marriage in the country.

This was sequel to a clause-by-clause consideration of a Bill for an Act to prohibit marriage or union entered between persons of same sex, at the Committee of the Whole.

“Marriage or civil union entered between persons of same gender shall not be solemnised in any place of worship, either church or mosque or any place in Nigeria,” it said.

Introducing the bill, Rep. Albert Sam-Tsokwa ( PDP-Taraba) said that it sought to achieve a far reaching objective by outlawing same sex marriage and provide punishment for offenders.

It also set out a 10-year sentence for “any person who directly or indirectly makes public show of same-sex amorous relationships’’.

“Any persons or group of persons that administers, witnesses, screen and shields the solemnisation of same sex marriage in Nigeria on conviction, will be liable to 10 years imprisonment.’’

It would be recalled also that the British Prime Minister, David Cameron, had warned that his country would consider withholding aid from countries that did not recognise gay rights.

In Nov. 2011, the senate approved the bill that would make same-sex marriages punishable by up to 14 years for the couple and 10 for anyone abetting such unions.

The bill is expected to be sent to the Senate for concurrence.

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Court orders Bauchi Assembly to reinstate female lawmaker

Bauchi State High Court has ordered the Bauchi State House of Assembly to reinstate the only female lawmaker, Rifkatu Danna, who was controversially suspended about a year ago.

Ms. Danna was suspended in June 2012 for allegedly making uncomplimentary remarks when she challenged the lawmakers’ decision to approve the relocation of the headquarters of Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area of Bauchi.

The Assembly suspended her and rejected her letter of apology, claiming the letter showed no remorse.

The Bauchi Court, however, declared the action of the lawmakers as illegal and granted all the reliefs sought by the lawmaker in a suit filed by her lawyers from the chambers of Femi Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

The judge also ordered the defendants, the Assembly and its speaker, to pay the female lawmaker all her entitlements since her illegal suspension.

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Justice Saulawa Withdraws From Al-Mustapha’s Case Citing “Personal Reasons”

Justice Ibrahim Saulawa of the Court of Appeal, Lagos, on Thursday declined hearing an appeal filed by Maj. Hamza Al-Mustapha and Lateef Shofolahan, challenging a death sentence against them.

Al-Mustapha, a former Chief Security Officer to late Gen. Sanni Abacha, and Shofolahan, former Personal Assistant to Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, are challenging their death sentence by a Lagos High Court.

The convicts were sentenced to death on Jan. 30, 2012, by Justice Mojisola Dada, for conspiracy in masterminding the murder of late Kudirat.

The matter, which was schedule for arguments of parties, could not continue as the presiding justice declined hearing for personal reasons.

Saulawa told the appellants’ counsel that he could only assist them in recording a further date for arguments, but will not participate in hearing the main appeal.

He, therefore, adjourned the case to June 10, for hearing.

Meanwhile, the judge granted two applications filed by Mr Pedro Lawal (SAN) and Mr Olalekan Ojo, Counsel to the respondent and second appellant, respectively.

Lawal in his application, sought to amend his respondent’s brief by substituting it and deeming same as been properly filed and served.

Ojo on his part, prayed for an order, deeming his reply to the amended respondent’s brief, as properly filed and served.

Saulawa granted the applications, adding that it was the much he could do in the matter.

NAN recalls that the convicts were arraigned in October 1999 on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy and involvement in the 1996 murder of the deceased.

Kudirat was murdered in front of 7up Nigeria Plc, Oregun, on the Ikosi-Ketu Road.

Dada had found the convicts guilty of the offence and accordingly sentenced them to death by hanging.

Mr Joseph Daudu (SAN) and Ojo, counsel to the first and second appellants, respectively had however, appealed against the verdict 24-hours after the sentence of the convicts.

Al- Mustapha and Shofolahan had challenged the judgment.

In the notice of appeal, the appellants contended that the death sentence handed by the lower court was unwarranted, unreasonable and a manifest miscarriage of justice.

They contended that the judge erred in law by arriving at the conclusion that they conspired to kill the deceased on June 4, 1996.

The appellants faulted the treatment of the contradictory statements of Barnabas Jabila (aka Sgt. Rogers) and Mohammed Abdul, and reliance on the testimony of Dr Ore Falomo, on the bullet extracted from the corpse.

They also faulted the court’s rejection of portions of Jabila’s testimony which they felt favored them.

The appellants are therefore, praying the appellate court to entertain the appeal, set aside the judgment, and discharge them of the charges of conspiracy and murder.

NAN reports that Al-Mustapha’s appeal is premised on four grounds, while that of his co-convict, Shofolahan, hinged on five grounds. (NAN)

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Peps order immediate suspension of $40 million internet surveillance contract

The House of Representatives has ordered the immediate suspension of the $40 million (N6 billion) internet surveillance contract awarded secretly by the Nigerian government to an Israeli firm.

A house resolution approved Thursday, said no further action should be taken on the controversial spy project, which has sparked national fury, until three house committees complete an investigation in three weeks.

The clandestine project, exposed by Newsmen, was awarded by the Jonathan administration to Elbit Systems, an Israeli Info tech firm, to spy on millions of Nigerian internet users. It is seen as part of the government’s widened clampdown on free media, and unrestrained use of the internet to attack government officials and policies.

But the authorities, which have not officially commented on the contract despite its extensive attention, passed the project off as an intelligence gathering effort in the face of growing insecurity and fundamentalist threat.

In a motion initiated by Ibrahim Gusau, the House said the project will infringe on the privacy of Nigerians and argued that the so-called intelligence gathering, “may not be the solution” to the nation’s security troubles.

The House also questioned the secrecy surrounding the contract award, which lawmakers agreed violated federal financial regulations relating to contract awards, as stipulated in the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007.

Three committees, namely, Information and Computer Technology, Human Rights, and National Security, are to conduct inquiry into the project and make its findings known in three weeks.

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Falana: Pro-Jang Group Lawless

Femi Falana (SAN), A human rights activist, has described the controversies generated by the outcome of recent poll conducted by members of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) as a product of unbridled recklessness even as he said that the pro- Governor Jonah Jang group is lawless.

The video showed that Governor Jonah Jang was in an early lead but was soon overtaken by Governor Rotimi Amaechi who was returned as the Chairman of the NGF for a second term.

The video also showed that the governors participated in the counting of the votes. But, Jang supported by some governors have been claiming he is the one chosen as the Chairman of the Forum.

But reacting to the controversy Falana in a chat with our source yesterday, urged the people to hold pro Jang governors accountable for misinforming the country on the outcome.

The ranks of the NGF were split when the outcome of an election to fill the chairmanship was won by Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi who polled 19 votes to Governor Jonah Jang’s 16.

Smarting from the defeat, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Godswill Akpabio cried foul saying the process that threw up Amaechi was flawed.

In the ensuing confusion, the Akpabio led faction threw its weight behind Jang, maintaining that the Plateau Governor actually won the polls.

But a new video of proceedings by one of the participants put a lie to Akpabio’s claim.

Commenting on the controversies generated by the outcome, Falana stated that it was a dress rehearsal to what awaits the country in 2015, with a call on Nigerians to urge the pro-Jang group to react to the video.

“There is no doubt that elections were held and a winner emerged from the process but what happened was that a gang decided to be lawless by not accepting the outcome since it did not go their way.” He said.

According to the senior advocate, the people must rise to challenge the Jang/ Akpabio group for their insincerity in the light of this new evidence regarding what transpired that day.

“We must ask this gang to prove that the contents of the video were not true and come out with their own version of what occurred. If they don’t and they go about the way they are going, I am afraid that this could be a dress rehearsal to what to expect in 2015,” he said.

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2015: An Igbo man will pick the ticket to run for the presidency - KALU

"It is not about self, but about the Igbo nation. Any Igbo man that is better than me can go for the seat and I ll support him, but if Igbos collectively pick me I willl run" 

The Executive members of the Apex Igbo Socio-political organization NJIKO IGBO Abia State chapter recently paid a courtesy visit to the founder and international President of the body Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, former governor of Abia state at his country home Igbere. In a passionate address to the EXCO Kalu said: Some people want me to be silent but I will continue to speak and speak passionately for my people. I want to make it abundantly clear that what I want is that any Igbo man can be president, any igbo woman can be president. The most important thing is do not kill this tribe because they fought a civil war. Do not kill this tribe because you denying them of social justice, equity; what we are asking is for justice, we are only saying let us do this job like others are doing. We are not just saying it's our turn, we are also saying that we are going to bring in value to the cooperate existence of the country Nigeria. For fifty three years of local independence no Igbo men have been able to say that he is president of this country. It’s not about me because some people think they are clapping for me, that they are doing me favour, they are not doing me any favour.

 I can live anywhere in the world comfortably if that is my wish. I don't need to talk about the Igbo. But I cannot also stay inside my room, healthy and be comfortable without talking for my people Ndi Igbo. People are making mistake because I have not told any man that I was contesting for presidency but what am saying is that it is the turn of Igbo to be president in this country. Let it be in the sub consciousness of every Igbo man that exist, be it in the US, Geneva, Ariara, Osisioma and every part of the world.

 It's not about me; it's about my people who are being marginalized to nothing. This is about our people that are suffering. What are we going to tell our future generation when am retired in Igbere?

When I was leaving as governor I told people that I will never speak again but I was inside my house and my conscience wouldn't let me, because the world is about having conscience. This is the last lap for anybody to speak and speak louder because the bible says that there is time for everything.

If every Igbo man can speak with their voice, their might, in the churches, market places, everywhere, this people will no longer be taking us for a ride.

The same road I fought for are still the same way.

Enugu - PH road, Umuahia - Arochukwu road, these were the same roads I fought for, these were my genuine disagreement with President Obasanjo , they have not been built.

Why can't an Igbo man be president? Are we not Nigerians? If Jonathan is president, he's a president of Ijaw extraction not a president of Igbo extraction.

We have given them, they should give us. For those he discussed with, they say he promised them , I wasn't there, if he has made a promise in 2011, he should come out open and say he will not run and will support Igbo and that is friendliness. So I don't want anybody to misinterpret what we are saying.

It's about our tribe, our people, our conscience, it's about our believe in the cooperate existence of Nigeria. what we as Igbos know is that we have an added value to add to the development of this country just as we know that you see Igbos in all part of world and as such they also dominate in the development of the world at large. We are not saying come an dash us the presidency, the Hausas have held it for 35years, the Yorubas for 12 years and the South South by 1215 it will be 6 and half years.

So what we are saying is in 2015, as mark of honor, Justice, Equity and Respect to human psyche as common Nigerians, for us to continue to believe in the unity of the country, allow us to be president.

It must not be anyone, but let it be Igbo. I don't want to be Igbo leader, God is my witness, this is "ala Igbere" but if other regions say it is our turn and I dont see any Igbo man coming out, I will come out in conformity with what I preach.

I don't want Igbo elites to say I'm saying this because I want to be president, no, it can be anybody. I always say it that if no Igbo man comes out I will stand out and represent the Igbo tribe come the next general election. I don't want it to look like am preaching because I want to be the next president but what am saying is if nobody comes out I will.

We all know Igbos are hated in this country, they found joy in our agony and always wish that we can be oppressed easily.

For three years I didn't speak, I was just watching but nobody said anything, all they do is just taking money from Abuja. When will this stop?

 We now have more active women than men in Igbo land .what we want is social justice which should be granted to us. We are not begging any body, we re asking for our right.

After killing us for 3years in the civil war, they are still killing us. Even the Boko Haram it is still Igbos that are being killed everyday and their properties destroyed. Have you thought about compensating them? Yes I advocate for Amnesty because it is there in the bible to forgive our enemies. But when you re forgiving your enemy, they should remember the familes of the people they killed during the Boko Haram, The federal government should as a matter of urgency address those issues.

We don't want to do the same thing we're accusing Ohanaeze, we want to speak the truth and stand by it, the way our leaders are disgracing us in Abuja should stop. People will see the right thing to say as ministers, senators etc but because they don't want to fall out of favor with a political leader, they will not say it, they will bend it. But it’s not Igbo like.

So we must stand up as Igbos and speak the truth.

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