By OKANU EMELUMBA

Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that neither he nor the commission is under pressure to register or deregister any political party in Nigeria.
Jega debunked report that some politicians are ‘on his neck’ to favour them and their ambitions insisting that the commission will do only what the law prescribed.
The All Progressive Congress (APC), which is the merger of some opposition parties, had on June 5 applied to the electoral body seeking to be registered as a political party.

The merging parties as presented to the electoral body are the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN); All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP); and the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC.)
To read more pls click here:http://www.mydailynewswatchng.com/2013/06/19/apc-registration-inec-not-under-pressure-jega/

President Goodluck Jonathan has given a fresh charge to the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the South West to strategise and ensure the party reclaims the zone beginning with Osun and Ekiti states where elections are billed for next year.

The president, according to a source, recently gave a fool proof winning formula to the zonal leaders of the party during a meeting he held with them in Abuja.

“We were directed to return to our zone and put the strategy to work,” he disclosed last night, adding that “in line with that, we’ll be meeting in Lagos tomorrow.” To read more please click here:http://www.mydailynewswatchng.com/2013/06/18/president-gives-fresh-charge-on-ekiti-osun/

• Plateau gov knew he lost the election – Kwankwaso

• Tukur bows, lifts suspension on Wamakko



Saminu Ibrahim, Abuja

Governors sympathetic to the cause of Governor Rotimi Amaechi yesterday stayed away from the meeting of Jang-led faction of Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) held in Abuja, with only 15 governors in attendance as at 7.30pm at Maitama venue of the meeting.

The roll call of governors in attendance at yesterday’s meeting besides Governor Jonah Jang, include: Governors Olusegun Mimiko (Ondo), Garba Umar (Taraba), Martin Elechi (Eboyi),

Theodore Orji (Abia), Ibrahim Wada (Kogi), Gabriel Suswam (Benue), Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta), Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom), Ibrahim Shema (Katsina), Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa), Sullivan Chime (Enugu), Peter Obi (Anambra), Ibrahim Dankwabo (Gombe) and Liyel Imoke of Cross River State. To read more click here:http://www.mydailynewswatchng.com/2013/06/18/ngf-21-govs-shun-jang/

By Baba Negedu]

Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido, yesterday said the suspension of Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, and his Sokoto State counterpart, Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, was a costly mistake which may hunt the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2015 elections. Governor Lamido, who spoke on BBC Hausa Service at the weekend, said the suspension of the two governors was actually caused by political naivety on the part of the Bamanga Tukur-led PDP leadership. Lamido pointedly accused the party’s National Chairman, Bamanga Tukur, of disrespect for the party’s constitution, saying this is actually the root cause of the present crisis in the PDP. To read more click here:http://www.mydailynewswatchng.com/2013/06/17/wamakko-amaechis-suspension-costly-mistake-lamido/

[By NATH OMAME, Port Harcourt & BERE GYANG, Jos]

Nigerians may today know the authentic Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) as Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State yesterday called for a crucial meeting of the NGF in Abuja, with Governor Rotimi Amaechi dismissing the invitation as null and void and asked Jang to stop impersonating him.
Governor Jang was said to have called for the emergency meeting of the state governors today to discuss last week’s crisis over the Federal Allocation Account meeting where the 36 state finance commissioners walked out on the Minister of State for Finance.

A statement issued by Director of Press Affairs to Governor Jang, Mr. James Mannok, stated that, “In view of the impasse arising from the Federal Allocation Account Committee meeting, an emergency meeting of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum has been convened.” The statement said after the meeting, slated for 6pm at the NGF Secretariat, No. 2, Nana Close, Off Nile Street, Maitama, Abuja, the 36 governors would be expected to meet President Goodluck Jonathan on the same issue at 9pm same day. Governor Jang, who had earlier said the governors should put the incident of the controversial NGF election behind, also pleaded with them to ... To read more click here:http://www.mydailynewswatchng.com/2013/06/17/rumble-as-amaechi-voids-jangs-meeting/

By Baba Negedu, Kaduna

Former Minority Leader, House of Representatives, and a chieftain of the opposition party, Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Faruk Adamu Aliyu, has said that only former Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), is pious enough to lead the yet to be registered All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2015 presidential election.

The former Jigawa State gubernatorial candidate said not even former Lagos governor, Bola Tinubu, or former Kano governor, Ibrahim Shekarau, can stand Buhari, saying he is the only one that can put a stop to corruption in Nigeria. Speaking as the “Guest of the Week” on Liberty Radio in Kaduna, Aliyu said, “The alliance or merger is because of the Presidency. ACN do not need CPC or ANPP to win gubernatorial election in the South West of the country.

Then who among the conglomerate of the APC whether Tinubu, Buhari or Shekarau... To read more click here : http://www.mydailynewswatchng.com/2013/06/17/only-buhari-qualifies-to-be-presidential-candidate-of-apc-aliyu/

By RAPHEAL ADEYANJU, Ado-Ekiti]

Former Governor of Ekiti State and governorship aspirant on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ayo Fayose, yesterday escaped an assassination attempt in Ado Ekiti as some hired thugs, who had been allegedly trailing him, shot his car four times.
A statement signed by the Director-General of Ayo Fayose Campaign Organisation (AFCO), Owoseni Ajayi, stated that Fayose was coming from Ado-Ekiti and going to Afao-Ekiti, his home town, at around 9 pm, but was trailed by one white colour Hilux car with green number plate to Fayose Housing Estate.
“The driver of Fayose was able to detect that a vehicle was trailing them and immediately alerted the former governor, who was in the car with him. “The driver immediately increased speed and when the assailants... to read more click here :http://www.mydailynewswatchng.com/2013/06/13/ex-ekiti-gov-fayose-escapes-assassination/

Chief Ziggy Azike was the 2007 governorship candidate of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) in Imo State. Today, he is the Chairman of the Building and Crisis Review of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) a committee that comprises the likes of Senator Chris Anyanwu, Uche Ekwunife and Chief Onwuka Ukwa. Chief Azike is a member of the Body of Benchers, the body responsible for the formal call to bar of persons seeking to be legal practitioners in Nigeria. He also represented Imo State at the National Political Reform Conference of 2005. In this interview with Head of Politics, MAXWELL ODITTA, Azike declares that there are no factions, no crisis in APGA only tendencies and divergence of views.

All of a sudden, it seems the crisis in the All Progressives Grand Alliance is beginning to abate. All the major stakeholders are beginning to find a common front in your committee. At least, they are all making proposals and everyone would now be seen in his own perspective. In the first place, what are the real issues in the APGA crisis and what is the term of reference of your committee?

Thank you very much, Maxwell. APGA is a family. Within a family, they have disputes. And I thank God that in view of the fact that we have disputes, the National Executive Committee of the party through the National Working Committee inaugurated our committee which comprises leaders of the party, almost all of our membership in the National Assembly and key stakeholders. One of the members of our committee was vice presidential candidate to our great leader, Odumegwu Ojukwu, and the membership cut across all the zones. To show you the commitment of our members, at our inauguration, only one member refused to work with us. Every other person who was nominated into the committee is now working, and they all affirmed commitment to the vision...to continue pls click here:http://www.mydailynewswatchng.com/2013/06/12/therere-no-factions-in-apga-only-tendencies-azike/

By BISI ADEDAYO, Ilorin

The House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review has canvassed for retention of the four years of two terms for the president, vice president, governors and their deputies.

This is in sharp contrast to the position of the upper legislative chamber’s committee on constitution review which advocated a six-year single term for the exalted political office holders when it submitted its report last week. Chairman, House Committee on Information and Public Affairs, Hon. Zakari Mohammed, on Tuesday, in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, disclosed the committee’s position in a chat with newsmen. To read more click here:http://www.mydailynewswatchng.com/2013/06/12/reps-disagree-with-senate-on-6-years-single-term-for-president/

By BABA NEGEDU, Kaduna]

Before the Northern States Governors Forum election in Kaduna, speculations were rife as to what the agenda of the meeting would be, in view of recent developments in the country and among the governors in the land. Many touted that the gathering would witness the final showdown between the Amaechi and the Jang factions within the fold of the Northern Governors, with sources even inplying that vice president Namadi Sambo is planning to storm the gathering and give moral and technical support to the faction loyal to occupants of Aso Rock.
However, the VP was nowhere near Kaduna on the day of the meeting, the same way Governor Jang and many of his colleagues loyal to his cause stayed away from Hassan Usman Katsina House, venue of the meeting.

Who had the day still remains a matter of conjecture as those that stayed away believed they have scored a point and those that attended say they are speaking for the whole House, but only time will tell on whose side the ordinary northerners will pitch their tent ahead of the 2015 polls. But one thing is certain, the northern governors, just like their southern counterparts are in disarray. This is because many Nigerians have concluded that the crisis that trailed the Nigerian Governors Forum, (NGF) with the spill-over effect rearing its ugly head amidst the gathering of the Northern States Governors Forum, (NSGF) in Kaduna recently has nothing to do with the quest to better the lot of the people but a venture aimed at furthering the political interest of a few cabal.

It is because of this that even with the quantum of controversy generated by the development, many see it as the battle of the elite and are not bordered even if the gladiators decide to go physical in their quest to undo their opponents. However, since these people are elected to cater for the needs of ordinary Nigerians their commission or omission many at times have a reverberating effect that would likely mar or make the lives of those that voted them into power in the first place. Even though the gathering of the governors at any level is not constitutional, their actions and inaction over the years have gone a long way in not only determining the salient polices in the polity but also affected the wellbeing of the people, little wonder that so much interest has been generated in the country and those in the fore front of the battle are fighting tooth and nail to control the political turf at that level.

As it stands, 14 governors mainly seen as coming from the Pro-Jonathan group refused to attend the forum. Among the five that attended namely Governors of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido; host Governor, Kaduna State, Mukhtar Ramalan Yero; Gombe State, Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, Nasarawa State, Umar Tanko Al-Makura and the NSGF Chairman Niger State’s Babangida Aliyu, it is only Kaduna State that can be said to be loyal to the powers that be because of Sambo. While Governor Dankwambo was away during the NGF elections, the remaining three were alleged to have voted for River State governor, Rotimi Ameachi against the wishes of the Forum, which adopted Plateau Governor, Jonah Jang in the first place.To read more click here:http://www.mydailynewswatchng.com/2013/06/12/battle-for-2015-and-northern-governors-forum/

• As Sekibo dumps ACN

By Muyiwa Oyinlola

The unregistered All Progressive Congress (APC) is digging deep into the political fortress of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as its leaders, led by former Governor of Lagos State, Senator Bola Tinubu, stormed Kano to woo Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso into their fold.

The APC, who appeared to be employing multi-pronged approach to attract credible Nigerians into the party, is said to have also handed over the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) structures in Rivers State to the state Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, provoking the resignation of Dr. Abiye Sekibo, former Minister of Transport, from the party.

Tinubu, who was also accompanied by the ACN National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande, met Governor Kwankwaso at the Government House in Kano for several hours. And although they did not make the content of their discussions known to the public, sources close to the meeting confided in Daily Newswatch that the APC ideals were sold to Governor Kwankwaso. To read more click here:http://www.mydailynewswatchng.com/2013/06/11/apc-woos-kwankwaso-amaechi/

By Taiye Odewale, Abuja

Upon resumption from its current two weeks mid-term recess, the National Assembly may veto into law, its bill on the State of the Nation Address, which mandates President Goodluck Jonathan to present his scorecard before a joint session of the Federal lawmakers in the first week of July, which is not yet assented to by the president.

The State of the Nation Address Bill 2013 was passed into law by both the Senate and the House of Representatives last month and immediately transmitted to the Presidency for the required assent to meet the first week of July date for the Presidential address starting from this year.

But as at yesterday, when the Chairman, Senate Committee on Rules and Business, Senator Ita Enang, briefed the Senate Press Corps on the status of bills and motions passed by the Senate within the last one year, there was no indication yet that President Jonathan has assented to the bill.
For more click here:http://www.mydailynewswatchng.com/2013/06/11/nass-to-veto-jonathans-state-of-the-nation-address-bill/

Osun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described the plan of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) to rule the state for a second term as wishful thinking, stressing that the people of the state are fed up with Rauf Aregbesola’s administration, because his administration has succeeded in pauperising the people of the state.

Speaking on the chances of the PDP in the 2014 governorship election, Research Officer of the party in the state, Comrade Ekundayo Olatunde noted that the people of Osun State are fed up with Aregbesola’s administration, because it has only succeeded in enthroning hardship in the state and rather than empower the people of the state, he has encouraged economic flight, which has affected the economy of the state badly.
Continued from here:http://www.mydailynewswatchng.com/2013/06/10/aregesola-has-disappointed-osun-people-pdp/

Following the political altercation between President Goodluck Jonathan and the Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, a non- partisan Association and social- cultural group the Eastern Union (EU), has called on the two warring brothers to sheath their swords in the interest of the country.

Speaking on the current issue, rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Nigerian Governors’ Form (NGF) and the Niger-Delta People’s Congress, President General, of the group, Charles Anike said the bickering would not pay any one any good, adding that the earlier the problem is resolved the better for the nation.
Continue from here:http://www.mydailynewswatchng.com/2013/06/10/group-calls-for-jonathan-amaechi-reconciliation/

Twenty-three governors on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have perfected fresh plan to remove the PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, forcing the Presidency to embark on diplomatic moves at the weekend to save his neck.

The governors hinged their grouse with Tukur on his style of leadership, which some of them described as obsolete and inconsistent with democratic values and tenets.
They also said Tukur is usually unwilling to spend and execute viable party projects and appears too difficult to relate with, especially because of what they called his autocratic tendency.

A PDP governor from the north confided in Daily Newswatch that there is no going back on the move to oust Tukur, saying that their worries had been how it would not look as if they are fighting President Jonathan and also affect the party’s fortunes in the build-up towards 2015 elections. He, however, insisted that it is better late than never and that the party still has ample time to plan for the general elections, especially with the right national leadership.
Continue from here: http://www.mydailynewswatchng.com/2013/06/10/pdp-govs-in-fresh-move-against-tukur/

The Presidential flagbearer of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) in the last general elections, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, has refuted claims that the National Chairman of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Chief Bisi Akande has been endorsed as the Interim National Chairman of the proposed All Progressives Congress (APC).

He, however, explained that Chief Akande is eligible to be nominated by the nine-man Interim Management to be set up by the party, if it so desires.

Shekarau, during a press conference in Kano yesterday, explained that that explanation became necessary so as to put the records straight as well as to dismiss speculations that Akande has been endorsed as the Interim Chairman of the APC. Continue from here:http://www.mydailynewswatchng.com/2013/06/10/akande-not-apc-chair-shekarau/

By NATH OMAME, AMAKA AGBU & SYLVESTER IDOWU

• As gov says he won’t leave PDP

[i][/i]

A Federal High Court in Port Harcourt yesterday ruled that it has jurisdiction to entertain the suit filed by Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, challenging his recent suspension from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), even as the governor has restated his earlier stance not to leave the party.

Justice Emmanuel Ogbuji, who adjourned the matter till July 8, 2013, for the commencement of hearing, said the court would accordingly hear the matter on the said date.

The ruling by Ogbuji followed two different motions filed by Mr. Donald Den Wigwe and Mr. Emmanuel Okala, counsel to the PDP and its State Chairman, Hon. Felix Amaechi Obuah, respectively, challenging the jurisdiction of the Court to entertain the matter.

The applicants, both Wigwe and Okala, had insisted that whenever an issue of jurisdiction has been raised by respondent/applicants, the Court must first determine it before entertaining any other issue before it.
Continue from here:http://www.mydailynewswatchng.com/2013/06/07/we-have-jurisdiction-on-amaechis-case-court/

By Baba Negedu, Kaduna, CLEMENT NWOJI, Abuja

• As Yuguda blames Aliyu for crisis
[b][/b]
Governors of the 19 Northern states, under the aegis of Northern States Governors’ Forum, rose yesterday from their meeting in Kaduna, saying that election actually took place during the controversial meeting of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) in Abuja and a winner emerged.

This position contradicts the stand of Governor Jonah Jang’s faction of the NGF that no election took place during the Forum’s meeting in Abuja.

The northern governors insisted that even their colleagues who sent their deputies to represent them at NGF’s election remained bound by any decision taken at the meeting.

Answering questions from newsmen shortly after the over four-hour closed door meeting, bereft of the usual opening ceremony, Chairman of the NSGF and Niger State Governor, Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, stated that, “If I am to tell you what led to the problem in the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, we will stay in this gathering till tomorrow, so I have no intension of doing that.

Continue from here: http://www.mydailynewswatchng.com/2013/06/07/winner-emerged-at-ngfs-election-northern-govs-insist/

By Baba Negedu, Kaduna

• Says Lamido can contest • Faults Wamakko’s suspension[i][/i]

The North-West zone of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected the proposal by the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT) Chairman, Chief Tony Anenih, that President Goodluck Jonathan and the PDP governors should be given automatic ticket to contest a second term in office.

They also condemned the decision of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) to suspend Sokoto State Governor, Aliyu Wamakko, describing the move as hasty, while insisting that Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa State can contest the 2015 Presidency.

The PDP North-West Zonal Chairman, Ambassador Ibrahim Kazaure, said the constitution of the party should be followed regarding whether there should be a primary or not for candidates.

Kazaure, who addressed newsmen at the venue of the meeting of the 19 northern governors in Kaduna, noted that the PDP is not a club where people can do what they want, but a political party with a constitution.

“Religious sentiment is out of my dictionary. God has already ordained who will be the next president. All this we are doing is only God that knows who will be the next president. Not you, not me, not even anybody in Nigeria knows that.

“The South-South people that are talking should understand that it was somebody that died and somebody took it. Do you know what will happen tomorrow? You don’t know. Only God knows what will happen tomorrow. Even if I said you will be the king of your town tomorrow, it is not possible because we don’t decide the future of this country. Whatever God decides is what will happen,” he explained.

He said, “The leader of party (Anenih) said his own. He only said what he feels like saying and I don’t have right to stop him, because he is the leader of the party. But the constitution of the party is there. When you read the party’s constitution, then you will know whether there will be primary or not; whether it will be by consensus or not. PDP will decide, because PDP is not a club but a party. The people are the ones who gather to make a party from South-East, North- West.

“If we all decide to say there will be no primary and the constitution says there should be primary, then, there will be primary. As far as we are concerned, there is no Governors’ Forum in the constitution of Nigeria, but there are PDP governors in the PDP constitution. Why can’t they discuss with governors on what they want? PDP is not even involved in the matter of Governors’ Forum.”

Kazaure said specifically that Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, has what it takes to contest the next presidential election and should, therefore, not be denied his right to offer himself for the election. He, however, said Nigerians will decide when the time comes.

He explained that, “Sule Lamido is a Nigerian and has all the qualities to contest any position in Nigeria; the constitution of Nigeria gave him that right to contest any election. So, it is not the issue of my view, but the views of Nigerians.

Continue from here: http://www.mydailynewswatchng.com/2013/06/07/no-automatic-ticket-for-jonathan-nwest-pdp/

By SAMINU IBRAHIM, Abuja

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday gave further reason for the suspension of the Sokoto State Governor, Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, from the party, stressing that he was rude to the party’s national chairman.

“The decision to suspend His Excellency, Dr. Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko came after very wide and exhaustive consultations in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of PDP and in the overriding interest of the party.”

A statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary of PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh, yesterday in Abuja stated that Wamakko was suspended mainly because of an alleged insubordination and act inimical to the office of the national chairman of the party.

“Sometime in early April, the leadership of the party was concerned with the statements and conduct of the governor whereupon the national chairman placed several calls to draw his (the governor) attention to the matters concerned. It was not possible for the national chairman to speak with the governor even as he made several attempts. The national chairman thereafter vided a letter dated April 12, 2013, requesting an explanation to the National Working Committee within seven days.
Continue from here:http://www.mydailynewswatchng.com/2013/06/07/wamakko-suspended-over-refusal-to-honour-tukurs-call/

By Taiye Odewale, Abuja

It’s necessary sacrifice – Ekweremadu



The six-year single tenure proposed for the office of president and states governors by the Senate Constitution Review Committee will shut the door against the touted re-election bid of President Goodluck Jonathan and 13 first term serving governors if the provision is passed in the new constitution, says the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.

Ekweremadu, who made the disclosure yesterday while clarifying on the recommendations made by his committee in the new constitution to the media, said President Jonathan and the 13 governors, who are in their first term in office, based on sections 135 and 180provisions of the 1999 constitution upon which amendments are being sought, will have to make sacrifice by abiding with the new proposal.

He said: “If this six-year single tenure provision scales through along with the other provisions and the constitution passed by the required 2/3 majority of members of both the National Assembly and 2/3 of the 36 states Houses of Assembly, it then means that the President and the 17 governors affected will have to make the necessary sacrifice by allowing the system to run as planned by the recommended

provision.”
Continue from here:http://www.mydailynewswatchng.com/2013/06/07/6-year-single-term-senate-excludes-jonathan-13-govs/

Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has said that President Goodluck Jonathan has destroyed the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) by recognising the Governor Jonah Jang faction of the NGF. Publicity Secretary of the ACN, Alhaji Lai Mohammed who made the observation in Oshogbo said that by recognising Jang, the President has ended up in frittering away what is left of his credibility after telling Nigerians that he will work with whoever emerges as chairman of the forum for the collective progress and development of Nigeria. ‘’But it is now clear that the presidency’s statement is not worth the paper on which it is written, that in the Nigerian presidency, words do not carry their exact meanings and that the spokesmen for the President speak for no one but themselves.
Continue from here:http://www.mydailynewswatchng.com/2013/06/05/jonathan-has-destroyed-ngf-says-acn/

President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday formally proscribed the dreaded Islamic sect, Boko Haram, and its splinter group, Ansaru.

This step is seen as part of strategies to deepen the current offensive against the insurgents and, ultimately, combating terrorism and eradicate terrorist activities in the northern part of the country.

Also yesterday, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-General Azubuike Ihejirika, said the counter insurgency military operations in the three states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe, which are under emergency rule, would be reviewed for greater efficiency and also to reduce personnel and civilian casualties.

President Jonathan, who took the step to ban the sect only a day after the United States offered a reward of $23 million for the capture of Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, and other Al Qaeda terrorists, also authorized the gazetting of an order declaring the group’s activities illegal and acts of terrorism, relying on the provisions of Section 2 of the Terrorism Prevention Act, 2011 (as amended).

The Act, among other punishments, prescribes a jail term of at least 20 years for whoever violates the provision.

President Jonathan’s approval of the proscription order and subsequent gazetting was disclosed yesterday through a statement by the Presidential spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati.
The order has been gazetted as the Terrorism (Prevention) (Proscription Order) Notice 2013, affecting both Boko Haram (Jamaatu Ahlis-Sunna Liddaawati Wal Jihad) and another group – Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladis Sudan.
Continue from here:http://www.mydailynewswatchng.com/2013/06/05/jonathan-finally-bans-boko-haram-ansaru/

The Chairman of Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) and Niger State Governor, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, said the current process towards finding solution to the Boko Haram crisis has not reached the stage of granting amnesty to the insurgents. The governor said granting amnesty to the Boko Haram now would be counter-productive as the nation is still at the defining stage of finding solution to the security challenge. Aliyu, who spoke yesterday in Minna, while receiving members of the Presidential Committee on Dialogue and Peaceful Resolutions on security challenges in the north, explained that, “We are currently at a defining stage as granting of amnesty at this level would not solve the problem.”

Consequently, he called on the committee to work towards unveiling the sponsors of the group. “We must not limit this to Boko Haram, but try to reveal their sponsors because they do not mean well for our society. The issue is beyond taking up arms. Sometimes those who have not taken up arms are more dangerous than those who have taken up arms,” he said. The governor also lamented over lack of internal democracy in the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other political parties in the country, saying these parties now operate on threats and fear instead of employing the peaceful ways of negotiation and dialogue. He said after 14 years of democracy, things should be done differently from the way it was during the military era, adding that it was time to stop giving excuses for not entrenching and instituting democracy in the country.

“There are expectations of democracy. People expect certain things to be operated differently from the military regime. For the past 14 years, we have been excusing ourselves. Because of our military experience, we expect that things may not necessarily be the way it should be in the democratic manner. But what attempts are we making to see that we institute and entrench democracy in the country?” he queried. “The political parties have no internal democracy, apart from threats and what have you. You do not hear people negotiating and I thought politics is about negotiation and dialogue and people do not negotiate anymore,” he said.

Aliyu stated that those who think of threats as a democratic principle should change their view, adding that only dialogue and negotiation would improve the country’s democratic process. He berated the situation where government has become intolerant of other people’s views, stressing on the need to listen to the views of the people. He added that if threats are resorted to, it would create more problems. “In the federal system, where the Federal Government becomes so strong that it can do anything it wants and has become intolerant of other people’s views, believe me, if we continue like this, we will only solve one problem and another problem would come up. Continue from here:http://www.mydailynewswatchng.com/2013/06/04/fish-out-sponsors-before-amnesty-aliyu/

Expectations by agitators for new states creation across the country seemed to have hit the rock as the Deputy Senate President and Chairman, Senate Committee on Constitution Amendment, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, disclosed that constitutional procedures for the exercise were not followed by the agitators.

Ekweremadu (PDP, Enugu West), who made the disclosure to the Senate press corps yesterday at the Apo Legislative Quarters, Abuja, said many of the agitators for new states creation thought coming to Abuja to submit memoranda for such proposal was the most important thing needed for its actualization, without providing other constitutional procedures laid down for that purpose.

He said, “People think they will come to Abuja and submit memoranda and the National Assembly will deliberate on it and then subsequently announce that so and so states have been created. Unfortunately that is not the case.”

The Deputy Senate President explained that, “What happens is that you have to receive request pursuant to section 8(1) of the constitution. That section 8(1), I will like all of you to go and read it because it is going to be a major debate by the time we start debate on amendment of the constitution.

“When we received request, that request must as a matter of constitutional requirement have the signatures of the two-third of the local government councils of the affected area requesting for the state. So, that include the councillors and the chairmen of the councils from the area requesting for the state. And you must know these must be elected councillors and chairmen because the constitution does not envisage caretaker (committees). If it is found out that they are not elected chairmen, that means that they have not fulfilled that obligation.
“Furthermore, there must be signatures of the two-third of members of the state assemblies from those respective areas requesting for a state. Then, there will be two-third signatures of the National Assembly.

“What has happened now is that, our traditional rulers, out of the love for their people, they quickly signed the requests for creation of state and come and submit in Abuja without looking at what the constitution says. They are not the one who should be signatories, it has to be parliamentarians.

“My own understanding of the constitution is that, it is not just going to be parliamentarians but serving parliamentarians; that is, sitting members, not those who were members in 1960. That is one of the details people have avoided in making these requests. So, this is one of the constraints.”

He said, although the National Assembly supports the call for states creation, but “you have to follow the procedure laid down by the constitution, which most people are trying to avoid. That is our stand on it. I will like you to help us explain to the public, because it is an issue that will be very controversial.”

The Deputy Senate President, however, stressed that all the amendments proposed by the committee are subject to the approval of the entire Senate, which they, as committee members, would abide with.

Continue from here:http://www.mydailynewswatchng.com/2013/06/04/state-creation-hits-rock-as-senate-gets-report-this-week/

Fourteen years of Nigeria’s uninterrupted democracy will not be complete without a reference to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the acclaimed largest political party in Sub-Saharan Africa, which is in control of affairs of the largest Black nation in the world. There was much euphoria in 1998 when the G-28 metamorphosed into the present day Peoples Democratic Party; the euphoria emanated from the fact that the populace, at the birth of the PDP in 1998 was tired of a militarised nation. Nigeria was at the verge of a second civil war, precipitated by the annulment of the June 12th 1993 general election which was acclaimed to have been won by Late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola of the then Social Democratic Party (SDP.) It is no longer news therefore when a win-win situation was designed to pacify the south west who lost one of their son in the struggle to reclaim the alleged victory. The PDP gave its ticket to Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, who eventually won against a fellow south western, Chief Olu Falae of the All Peoples Party (APP) in 1999.

The PDP has witnessed a lot of dynamics since it assumed power with the climax at the present regime of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. For example the party has produced nine national chairmen since the formation of the party, and all but the current chairman left in controversial manner. Today, internal wrangling is reportedly tearing the PDP apart. Before an x-ray into the intrigues of the party, a reflection of the Obasanjo era would be germane. The crisis in the party commenced at the twilight of the first term of Obasanjo, which culminated in the aborted third term saga. It is instructive to note that before the end of the Obasanjo government, some founding members of the party left because of political differences. Audu Ogbeh, a former national chairman exited unceremoniously; the feud over the party presidential standard bearer in 2003 pitched Atiku against his former boss.

The feud continued unabated until the Atiku camp ensured that “third term” project did not see the light of the day. After the third term imbroglio saw the exit of the likes of former speaker House of Representatives, Aminu Bello Masari and exit and return of Atiku. Consequently after the demise of former President Umar Musa Yar’Adua and assumption of power by Goodluck Jonathan, the cracks within the party became more visible. The divisions within the party newly constituted PDP-Governors Forum is very worrisome; the election of Governor Rotimi Amaechi, perhaps gave a clue that it may not be bed of roses after all in 2015 for the party.

At the meeting of the 23 governors controlled by the PDP, on Friday May 24th, a consensus candidate, Governor Jonah Jang was presented to the party, but it was astonishing that the party suffered defeated at the enlarged governors forum same day at the Rivers State governors lodge. Moreover, the party is fragmented in virtually all the six geopolitical zones and has literally weakened its influence; while in some states of the federation, the opposition has made some in roads. In the North West, comprising, Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Kano, Jigawa, Katsina and Kaduna the party is facing one internal problem or the other. Even though the party is in control of six out of the seven states, anti party activities may mar the success of the PDP in 2015 in the zone investigation has revealed. The northwest is the traditional home of the conservative north and with the clamour for power shift to the north; it would not be surprising if the opposition create an upset. Indication that the storm is blowing across the party emerged at the recent Nigeria Governors’ Forum election. Analysts have posited that governors from eight northern states voted for the re-emergence of Governor Rotimi Amaechi.Continue from here:http://www.mydailynewswatchng.com/2013/06/03/will-the-pdp-survive-the-storm/

The pan Yoruba social political organisation, Afenifere has said that the proposed merger party, All Progressive Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lacked solution to the myriads of problems confronting the country because they were equally part of the problem, insisting that there is the need for a third force. According to the leader of the organisation in Lagos State, Chief Supo Shonibare the leadership of Afenifere has started consulting some progressive minded people so as to form a more national political party which will serve as the third force capable of salvaging the country from the problems bedevilling it . Chief Shonibare said a committee has been set up headed by Chief Olu Falae, adding that the committee has started meeting with progressive minded group with a view of forming the third force.

His words, “A committee has been set up headed by Chief Olu Falae. The committee is making consultations because we think that the polity still requires a force that has not been discredited as the existing political parties in government now. “We feel that the success of that formation that can distinguish itself from parties in government, that formation will be what will rescue the country from collapse. We believe that there should be a third force because the PDP does not have the force so also the APC. We believe there should be a third option for Nigerian people to look at and that is what brings the difference. APC is a party in government in various states, PDP is equally a party at the centre and in various states. Afenifere is busy making consultations to bring about the third force.”

He maintained that Afenifere is not part of the merger discussion because it was not consulted by those proposing the merger party just as he said that the leaders of the ACN were entrenched by leaders of Afenifere but they never thought it wise to consult the organisation when proposing the merger. “Afenifere was not consulted even there is no doubt that Afenifere leaders were the ones who entrenched leaders of ACN today . So if they have now got to a stage that they are forming a merger and do not consult Afenifere leadership, then something is wrong.” Chief Shonibare further stated that the ACN leaders cannot claim to be in the majority in the South West.
Continue from here :http://www.mydailynewswatchng.com/2013/06/03/neither-pdp-nor-apc-can-salvage-nigeria-afenifere/

Former military Head of State and presidential candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), General Mohammadu Buhari, has berated President Goodluck Jonathan over the handling of the current military offensive against the Boko Haram Islamic sect, saying it is gross injustice against the north.

Buhari said while the Niger Delta militants, who started militancy in Nigeria are treated with kid gloves, the Boko Haram members were killed and their houses demolished.

Buhari, who spoke as the “Guest of the Week” on Kaduna-based Liberty Radio, yesterday said, he was not in support of the declaration of state of emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states based on the fact that President Goodluck Jonathan had failed from the outset in tackling the security situation in the country thereby allowing it to fester.

The opposition leader maintained that the security challenges facing the country started in the Niger Delta region, where he alleged that politicians desperate to retain their positions as governors recruited the youths and armed them to assist them win elections by all means.

According to the General, who fielded questions in both Hausa and English languages, “What is responsible for the security situation in the country is caused by the activities of Niger Delta militants.

“Every Nigerian that is familiar with happenings knows this. The Niger Delta militants started it all. What happened is that the governors of the Niger Delta region at that time wanted to win their elections, so they recruited the youths and gave them guns and bullets and used them against their opponents to win elections by force.
Continue from here:http://www.mydailynewswatchng.com/2013/06/03/emergency-rule-unjust-to-north-buhari/

Still smarting from the outcome of last week’s election of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), the Presidency may have commenced subtle moves to shield President Goodluck Jonathan from the uncertainties of the party’s primary election.

It was learnt that the President is being packaged to be the party’s sole candidate through what a source called “consensus arrangement and the right of refusal.”

The intention was, however, let out of the bag Thursday night in Abuja, precisely at the dinner party of the PDP which held at the Aso Rock Villa.

There, Chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees, Chief Tony Anenih, reportedly flew the kite of an automatic ticket for the president, second-term-seeking governors and serving senators, as well as members of the House of Representatives.

Presented as a way to avoid a similar embarrassment which arose from Nigeria Governors’ Forum election of last week, Jonathan’s political strategists, it was learnt, believe that “it is better to search for a dark goat in the day time,” hence they are reportedly working hard to ensure his emergence as the party’s sole candidate for the 2015 presidential poll.
Thus, those promoting the ‘Project Jonathan’ have reportedly started the process of getting all the zones to adopt the President ahead of the 2014 National Convention of the party.

Anenih had in the last six weeks been visiting states and zones with the PDP gospel of reconciliation, peace and unity. As a side attraction, a source said he has been dropping hints that should the president indicate interest to run for a second term in office, he should be made the party’s sole candidate.

The BoT Chair, who read a long speech at the dinner, according to sources, first pleaded to be allowed to “play politics”. He spoke on party discipline and suggested automatic ticket for the President, governors serving their first term in office.

Continue from here :http://www.mydailynewswatchng.com/2013/06/01/2015-anenih-wants-automatic-tickets-for-president-others/

The last has not been heard as regards the assassination of the former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, late Chief Bola Ige at his Bodija Ibadan residence in December 2001.

Senator Iyiola Omisore, the governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), Osun State who was eventually discharged and acquitted for the alleged murder has taken the Oyo State Government, the state Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice as well as the Inspector General of Police to court claiming N20billion as damages for his malicious prosecution.

The suit numbered FHC/IB/CS/51/13 has been filed before a Federal High Court in Ibadan. Investigations by our correspondent revealed that the case was filed before a Federal High Court, Ring Road, Ibadan on May 27.

It is expected to be served on the expected defendant in the next couple of days, a reliable source hinted further.

Omisore, in a suit filed by his Counsel, Chief Albert Abiodun Adeogun is seeking a declaration that “the prosecution of the plaintiff by the state government in respect of the murder of Chief Bola Ige was done out of malice, having not been based on proof of evidence, but on extrajudicial statements made by the prosecution witnesses”.

He also prayed the court to declare that a sum of N20billion be paid to Omisore being general damages for his unlawful arrest, detention and malicious prosecution for the murder of Bola Ige.
Continue from here: http://www.mydailynewswatchng.com/2013/06/01/bola-iges-murder-omisore-slams-n20b-suit-on-oyo/

In line with President Goodluck Jonathan’s directive to free some insurgents, no fewer than 58 Boko Haram suspects held by the Joint Task Force (JTF) in Yobe and Borno States have been asked to go home and sin no more

The first batch of the released suspects comprising 17 women and 21 children in Damaturu, Yobe State capital, were yesterday presented to the governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Geidam by the spokesman of the JTF in the state, Lieutenant Eli Lazarus.

Lazarus said the JTF in the state was responding to the directive given to it by the Defence Headquarters, hoping that “the release will serve the purpose for which it was intended.”

The spokesman added that plans are under way to further set free “other detainees in subsequent batches.”

The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of Yobe State, Ahmed Mustapha Goneri who stood in for Governor Geidam, applauded the effort of the JTF in combating crime in the state, and promised to rehabilitated and re-integrated the detainees into the society.

The state government, according to him, will give those released the needed trade to enable them start a new life.

The commissioner, therefore, revealed that freeing the detainees will speed up the return of peace to the troubled state.
Continue from here:http://www.mydailynewswatchng.com/2013/06/01/terrorism-jonathan-seeks-obamas-help/

Ghanaian President, John Dramani Mahama, has warned that Islamist militancy poses a threat that could destabilise the whole of West Africa

Mahama said although Ghana has not been directly affected, but no country was safe if insurgency was allowed to take hold anywhere in the region.
The Ghanaian president, who indicated that Islamist militancy is not only a Nigerian problem or that of any other country in the region, said the French intervention had stemmed the al Qaeda-backed conflict in Mali, even though the conflict was not yet over there.

Mahama said the Malian conflict showed how vulnerable the region is from Ilslamist militancy, as the Sahel region had “become an attractive foothold for insurgents.”

“If we allow that foothold to consolidate, then it could affect the stability of our entire region,” the Ghana leader told the BBC’s during a programme.
“There is the danger of asymmetric attacks like we saw in Niger in the last few days. And so, it is a matter that worries all of us in the sub-region,” he said.

Consequently, he said “we need to act collectively as a sub-region and a continent and, indeed, globally to be able to ensure peace and stability.”
He said he supports the African Union’s plan to create a rapid reaction force to contain the onslaught and growing threat of Islamist insurgency in the region.

Mahama said there had been a suggestion that regional programme could be funded by a tax on air travel and hotels across the continent
Continue reading from here:http://www.mydailynewswatchng.com/2013/05/31/islamist-militancy-now-a-regional-problem-ghanas-president/