Jarus:

Tural beats all them, beauty-wise.

Which one of them is tural?

okay, what country is that first lady shaking paris hilton's hand represent?

ABUJA — THE Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mike Okiro who is also chairman of the five-man inter-agency probe panel set up to probe the Halliburton bribery says his panel will unravel the scam and name Nigerians involved within eight weeks.

Okiro said: “as a committee, we appreciate the honours given to us by Mr. President for deeming us fit to handle this sensitive case
“We are going to explore all areas that have not been explored in order to expose the identities of Nigerians involved in the Halliburton scandal. We promise that we will do our best to satisfy Nigerians,” the Police chief said.

Okiro spoke in Abuja yesterday at the inauguration of his panel by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Michael Aondoakaa (SAN).

On his part however, Chief Aondoakaa said he would not prosecute any Nigerian indicted by the Okiro panel except President Umaru Yar’Adua gave him the go-ahead to so do.

Reminded by newsmen that by virtue of Section 174 of the 1999 Constitution, he can initiate criminal proceedings against any person before any law court in Nigeria in respect of any offence without recourse to anybody, Andoakaa (SAN) agreed, but said his discretion to exercise his prosecutorial powers is, unfortunately, subject to the approval of the President.

He cited Section 130 (1) (2) of the 1999 Constitution as one that limited his discretion to exercise his unlimited prosecutorial powers. The said Section 130 of the 1999 constitution states:

(1) There shall be for the Federation a President.

(2) The President shall be the Head of State, the Chief Executive of the Federation and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federation.

A thorough reading of the cited constitutional provision though did not circumscribe, in any clear terms, the discretion of the chief law officer of the Federation to prosecute any person in any law court as claimed by Aondoakaa (SAN), he however laboured yesterday to explain that the addition of “Chief Executive” to the appellation of Mr. President which was absent in the 1979 constitution implied that all ministers serving in his (Mr President’s) cabinet must take instruction from him on anything in their ministries including prosecution of criminals.

We’ll expose culprits in 8 weeks

Inspector-General of Police and Chairman of the probe panel, Mr Mike Okiro who said that the panel would not only place the national interest over and above any individual interest involved in the scandal also said yesterday that many things that were hitherto hidden from Nigerians about the deal would also be exposed.

Okiro said: “As a committee, we appreciate the honours given to us by Mr President for deeming us fit to handle this sensitive case. We know that this case is very important to all Nigerians. We promise to do our best and ensure that justice is done.”

Other members of the panel include the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mrs. Farida Waziri and Directors-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), National Security Agency (NSA) and the State Security Service (SSS).
All were present yesterday at the inauguration except the Director-General of NIA.

Govt aware of anger in the land over scam, says Aondoakaa

Chief Aondoakaa however said the government was not unaware of anger in the land over the alleged slow-pace with which the Federal Government was handling the scandal, pleading with Nigerians to exercise more patience.

He explained that the government was not interested in covering up anybody who is corrupt against prosecution but that the rule of law which is the pivotal agenda of the government would not be compromised in the bid to expose and prosecute the identified culprits.
Aondoakaa said the reaction of a section of the country to the convocation of the Okiro panel to the effect that it was not only diversionary but also deceptive, was faulty.

He said if government were to go by the suggestion of the critics by using the list and evidence sourced from anywhere not recognised by law,

the government would find it difficult to secure the conviction of the identified culprits, if taken to courts.

His words: “Let me start by stating that the Halliburton Bribery Scandal has attracted the attention of Nigerians worldwide who are daily yearning for a corruption-free society. I wish to state that the widespread anger and condemnation which the scandal has generated among Nigerians is justified because transnational corporations such as Halliburton that masterminded the scheme to bribe Nigerians are expected to observe the highest ethical standards in their operations at home.

“The Nigerian Government is therefore quite disappointed that the war against corruption being waged relentlessly by this administration is being sabotaged by the activities of some transnational corporations who are under a duty to prevent bad business practices such as the offering of bribes and other forms of inducements to gain business advantage.

“Government is equally disappointed at the Nigerians that have allowed themselves to be used by Halliburton in this nefarious scheme to violate our laws and they also deserve to be condemned by all well-meaning Nigerians for the part they played in this saga. This is why it is important for their identities to be unveiled as soon as possible.

“We have also noted that the desire to unmask those implicated in the bribery scandal has been so strong that a lot of Nigerians understandably have become impatient with the due process of law, preferring the adoption of other informal or unorthodox means to achieve this goal.

“Let me assure you all that this administration will not condone corruption in any form and will therefore not shield anyone found culpable in the bribery scandal. Be that as it may, I am also conscious of my duty to all Nigerians and the need to ensure that due process reigns supreme in all governmental actions. This explains the reason why we commenced action by putting up a request for Mutual Legal Assistance to the U.S. Attorney General in order to access the relevant court records. The process is on-going but we are optimistic that the desired results will be achieved.

“Thus, contrary to the views expressed by a cross section of Nigerians on the desirability or otherwise of constituting this Investigation Committee principally to unravel the names of Nigerians implicated in the Halliburton Bribery Scandal, it is my belief that obtaining such information from the proper source is important if we are to rely on it as a basis for instituting any criminal action against those involved.

Furthermore, as will become evident from the terms of reference, the Committee is expected to do much more than unravel the names of Nigerians implicated in the bribery scandal.

“This is the rationale for Mr. President’s approval that this Investigation Committee comprising of representatives of all our security agencies and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission be constituted under the Chairmanship of the Inspector-General of Police.

“The high calibre of the membership of the Committee is reflective of the leadership qualities of the respective heads of these agencies and a testimony of the seriousness which government attaches to this issue. I am therefore sure that they will do a good job,” he added.

Andoakaa (SAN) who said that the expatriates who collaborated with the Nigerians involved might also face prosecution.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/content/view/34129/41/


corrupt attorney general.

ABUJA—Activities would soon commence in the rail sub-sector of the nation’s transport industry as President Umaru Yar’Adua is expected to present the Railway Reform Bill to the Federal Executive Council at its meeting, in Abuja, today.

The Bill which would repeal the Nigerian Railway Corporation Act, 1955 and provide a platform for the introduction of private sector concessionaires, promotion and regulation of competition in the industry would be one of seven Bills slated to be presented to the council.

A presidency source said the president had been concerned about the state of the nation’s transport sector and prepared to move to fix the rail sub-sector which would be expected to provide a succor for ordinary Nigerians.

Similarly, the Road Sector Reform Bill which replaces the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency Act of 2002 and seeks to improve service delivery by creating improved institutional structures would be tabled before the cabinet.

This will promote the sustainable development and operation of the road sector while facilitating the development of competitive markets for private participation in financing, maintenance and improvements of roads in Nigeria.
In addition, the National Transport Commission Bill which seeks to establish the National Transport Commission designed to be a multi-sector regulator covering roads, rail, air and marine and to provide an economic regulatory framework would also be presented.

The Inland Waterways Authority Bill seeking to replace the National Inland Waterways Authority Act of 1997 by providing for management, control, operation and development of the inland waterways would be one of them. The new regulatory framework would open up the sectors to private sector while limiting the roles of the supervising ministries to policy formulation and supervision.

There is also Ports and Habour Reform Bill that will repeal and replace the Nigerian Ports Authority Act, No 38 of 1999 and seek to promote efficiency in ports, encourage competitive and cost effective ports services, reduce cost to government for provision of ports services and encourage public/private sector partnership based on the principles of accountability, competition, fairness and transparency.

The Competition and Consumer Protection Bill would, equally be presented. It seeks to promote the welfare and interests of consumers and provide them with competitive prices and choices regulate monopolies, mergers/acquisitions and all forms of business combinations and prohibit restrictive business practices which prevent, restrict or distort competition or constitute the abuse of a dominant player in the market.

The bills package also include the Postal Bill which seeks to replace the Nigerian Postal Service Decree of 1992, create an enabling environment for private sector participation in postal services, establish an independent Regulator and align the sector to global development, in addition to protecting the right and interest of service providers and consumers.

“He is a methodical person who wants his achievements to speak for him. By 2011, President Yar’Adua wants to point to the kilometres of roads and rail lines that have been constructed under his tenure, the stable electricity he envisages Nigerians will begin to enjoy by the end of this year and the consolidation of the efforts with regards to land reform and agriculture all geared towards wealth creation and food security”, he stressed.

“In a four-year tenure some people are very good at drawing applause in their first year in office by simply going for the so-called low-hanging fruits but at the end of their tenure when you look back, there is hardly any concrete achievement you can point to. The reverse is the case with President Yar’Adua”, presidential Spokesman, Mr Olusegun Adeniyi, told State House correspondents in Abuja, yesterday

http://www.vanguardngr.com/content/view/34123/42/

People, People People.

It is called Nigerian Police, not Lagos State Police.

Until we get true Federalism in this country were each state can control its police, then such complaints should go to the Federal Government.

In his bid to win the hearts of Ekiti people in the rerun election in Ekiti State, former governor of the state, Engineer Segun Oni, has donated foodstuffs to the people.

Some of the foodstuffs donated to each local government in the state include bags of rice and tins of milk.

Aides of the former governor were seen distributing trailer loads of rice and milk to people in each local government areas of the state.

Some beneficiaries of the gift told P.M.News: ”It is rather too late for Oni and his aides to seek our support.

“It is too late for them to do this. But we will collect it because it is part of our money they looted,” one of the beneficiarieis at Ifaki local government area, Mrs. Biobaku said.


http://thepmnews.com/2009/04/21/oni-bribes-ekiti-residents-with-foodstuffs

I don't know how true this is but, we know this happens in Nigeria.

The long queues yet again

WHEN petroleum tanker drivers went on strike over the weekend, a Lagosian, George Afolabi, who said he saw when it all began, told The Guardian he knew that was what would happen.

He said he was about to leave his office close to the Toyota area of Oshodi-Apapa Expressway on Friday, when officials of Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) were confronted by the members of Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) wing of National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG).

The LASTMA officials had gone to seize fuel tankers the drivers had packed illegally along the service lane.

"When I heard they were on strike, I was not surprised. That has been their response to any measure taken by government to curb their excesses.

"We know, petroleum is important to us all, but that does not mean tanker drivers should disregard regulations at will and at the slightest excuse, cause hardship on their fellow citizens."

The hardship Afolabi referred to, was the effect of the strike, which has brought long queues at a few fuel stations that had any to sell and the many empty ones under lock and key.

It has also meant long waits at bus stops for commuters who are also forced to pay fares much higher than before the strike.

The scarcity bit harder yesterday, the first working day, leaving many passengers stranded at the various bus stops as very few vehicles plied the roads, as more commuter buses were in the queue at the various filling stations in the metropolis.

Lamenting how difficult it was to get fuel yesterday, a commercial bus driver, Jamiu Ishola who plies Ketu to Yaba along Ikorodu Expressway, said: "It was only the Total Filling Stations at Fadeyi and Ojota that sold fuel along the entire length of Ikorodu Road.

The queue was so long I spent five hours before I could get fuel.

The attendants even began to ration it to ensure everybody got some."

Along Ebute Metta end of Herbert Macaulay Road, the Mobil and Total stations had fuel while others including Oando did not sell.

The strike led to a hike in transport fares of between 50 and 100 percent.

The fare from Egbeda to Ikeja and Oshodi rose to N200:00 from N100 while Ikotun to Oshodi climbed to N180 from N100

A commuter, Precious Abbey, who was going to Ikeja lamented that this was "one strike too many and a deliberate attempt to hold government to ransom.

"If LASTMA impounded some tankers, something must have caused it. Petroleum tanker drivers are behaving like spoilt brats.

If they were reasonable, they ought to have considered the effect of their action on the public."

Another Lagosian, Bayo Abodunrin, dismissed the strike by the tanker drivers as " blackmail since they want to force the government to bow to their inordinate wish to park wherever they like and obstruct traffic.

"They have not gone on any negotiation or at worst sought any redress or call for public intervention. Yes they own their vehicles but it must be clear to them that there are regulations binding what they can do. The state is bigger than any association. My suggestion is that Governor Babatunde Fashola should start looking for alternative rather than bowing to their cheap blackmail".

Also, fuel hawkers have re-appeared on the roadsides and a operating a thriving black market in which four litres of petrol sell at N1,000.00.

They are seen with various sizes of jerry cans running after motorists along Airport Road, Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, Ikeja-Dopemu Road, Ejigbo-Isolo Road as well as Badagry Expressway.

While also condemning the strike and the suffering it has brought to people, an employee of a company along Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, Friday Alo, noted, "if the strike is related to the impounding of tankers blocking the expressway between Toyota and Five Star Bus Stop, then PTD has no case.

"Two weeks ago or thereabouts, the entire expressway was blocked by those tankers for several hours. I also want to add that the threat to lives on the road by indiscriminate parking by tankers drivers and most often the way they abandon the vehicles anytime they breakdown on the road is worrisome. The tanker drivers cannot operate outside the law." he said.

In his reaction the Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Prof. Bamidele Badejo described the strike as a cheap blackmail which the tanker drivers may have deliberately embarked on to destabilize the administration and punish innocent citizens of the state.

He said only 27 tankers were impounded by LASTMA and not 50 as claimed by the drivers. "The impounding did not just happen.

We had received several complaints by motorists and we did not hesitate to contact PTD.

"Another reason the strike could be described as cheap blackmail is because going by the agreement between the state government and NUPENG last year, they ought not to have embarked on strike without first seeking dialogue.

"Part of the agreement was that NUPENG leadership will supervise its members to ensure compliance with all traffic laws at all loading areas and highways and that in future, all industrial action will be referred to the government for dialogue before the action commences. They did not keep to this portion of the agreement".

The commissioner added that the agreement was signed by officials of NUPENG with the state government in December last year.

He, however, appealed to Lagosians to bear with government so that "the anomalies being perpetuated by a cabal that feels it can hold the state to ransom at any slightest opportunity, are resolved once and for all."

http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/metro/article01/indexn2_html?pdate=210409&ptitle=The%20long%20queues%20yet%20again

Liyel Imoke, the governor of Cross River State,has ordered his commissioners and special advisers to get involved in

agriculture and show evidence of owning farms or be sacked. He gave the directive in Calabar while addressing prominent indigenes of the state shortly after inaugurating the state’s Elders’ Consultative Forum.

Mr. Imoke said, henceforth, ownership of a farm would be a precondition for appointment into the State Executive Council. He said the directive became necessary following the “shocking” discovery by the government that the state was lagging behind in agricultural development during a recent search for farmers, who would benefit from the federal government’s N200 billion fund for
agriculture.

“It is unbelievable that we could not find any farmer in the state with 1,000 oil palm holding or 40 hectares of cocoa farm to access that kind of fund available as loan for big farmers. Even in the lower category, to benefit from a loan facility of N44billion, we still could not find any farmer in the state.”

Mr. Imoke said the ultimatum given to the cabinet members to own farms was to make them contribute to the agricultural development of the state and help their future. “To protect your future, you, as commissioners and special advisers or whatever today, should farm, because when you leave office, no matter how much you have, it may not last long. He said government was ready to assist any
cocoa farmer with 40 hectares to boost it to 250 hectares.

Mr. Imoke promised to ensure that Cross River received N10 billion of the agriculture loan. He explained that the role of the elders’ forum would be advisory, and challenged the members to also become a veritable lobby group for the entire state in all
matters affecting its interest.

The state’s indigenes present at the forum included a former Senate President, Joseph Wayas; Matthew Mbu; Anthony Ani; Anthony Ukpo, a retired Brigadier General; Bassey Asuquo, also a retired BrigadierGeneral; and Florence Ita-Giwa.


http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/News/5403636-147/Own_a_farm_or_get_sacked.csp

God help us.

Nigerian leader discusses fuel scarcity with Lagos governor


APA-Lagos, (Nigeria) Nigerian President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and the Governor of Lagos State; Mr. Babatunde Fashola will meet Monday night to agree on how to resolve the cause of the lingering scarcity of petroleum products across the country.

Imported petrol is transferred by truck drivers from the Lagos sea port to other parts of the country, and because of an alleged problem between the Lagos government and the tanker drivers, there has been a disruption of the haulage.


The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Olusegun Adeniyi, told journalist about the planned meeting, adding that there was enough supply of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to meet the demand. Adeniyi blamed the scarcity on “misunderstanding between tanker drivers and the Lagos State government,” and urged Nigerians not to panic over the situation. “The meeting with the Lagos Governor was on how the matter could be amicably resolved in the overall interest of the country.”

The President, he said, “at the weekend, met with the ministers of finance and petroleum as well as the group managing director of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) on the fuel scarcity and he was assured that the nation currently has enough supply of PMS to meet demand.

http://www.apanews.net/apa.php?page=show_article_eng&id_article=96263

I guess the federal government has finally decided to listen to Lagos State and its complaints about this tank drivers taking over 2 lanes out of 3 and packing their tanks on bridges in the Apapa area. Even though the state has provided them with a garage to pack their trucks.

It is not only affecting lagos, it has started to spread to other states too.

I think this is the camera @ Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, Ikeja.

Your recent 57th birthday was celebrated with pomp and pageantry, even without invitation to the media?

To me, 57 is not very significant to celebrate. You are more likely to celebrate like 60, 70 or any such round figure. I didn't plan to celebrate it; all I wanted to do was pray and relieve my mother of the labour pain by going to her to have her prayers and blessings and come home to have a second prayer. That has been my tradition.

That was until the 57 council and development areas chairmen said, I created more councils to bring the number to 57 and I was going to be 57 on the 27. They said they wanted to celebrate me.

I tried to resist but they refused to burge. In fact, I started entertaining fear that if people were going to do that, maybe something else could be in the offing. That was how they took it over.

Then the National Assembly groups said they were going to do theirs. So many people joined, including women, calling for prayers. I was shocked and impressed and I thank God and the people.

I never spent even one kobo of mine on the celebration; the people took charge. I didn't do any planning, order than invite the Alfas to come and pray for me. So many Nigerians are angry with me for not inviting them, but I never planned for all that took place, the people did and only asked me to make myself available at certain times.

The co-conspirator, perhaps, would be my wife; maybe she tried to 'detain' me one way or the other. How the governor and members of my former cabinet planned the colloquium and all that, I didn't know.

Does such appreciation encourage you to do more of what you are doing?

Yes, it does. I was moved emotionally and psychologically and energised. It is extremely fulfilled to be appreciated; to see the response of people here.

I just don't know how to thank them, but in terms of being more committed and firm, it is a stimulant to really do more, to be focused and ready to take on further challenges, as far as constitutional democracy in Nigeria is concerned.

What is your opinion on the much-touted formation of a mega party?

To me, like minds should come together to form a party. They should come together under one umbrella to pursue political agenda under a common progressive platform that is in line with the wishes and aspirations of the people. That will kill and bury the dead ideas being propagated by the ultra-conservatives and unleash hope and prosperity on this country.

However, you have several hurdles in a race. Before you get to the last hurdle, you first of all conquer the linesman with the starting gun, not to first of all beat the time or fail in taking off.

To me right now, we have several electoral cases still pending in the courts or tribunals. We must first resolve such cases.

Secondly, electoral reform is the primary thing that we should face. We have always succeeded in tackling single-item issue, because if you have a mega party now, no matter how mega it is in name and appearance, it does not clear the take-off hurdle in its defined destination and if all other obstacles are not well-analysed and worked at, it will end up a failure.

This is because if the purpose is to gain power on behalf of the people and be entrusted with the power, if the system is cancerous and terrible and sick and you don't care to remove the cancer first, you won't get there. There would be premature death.

No mater how mega we are, if we don't focus on the problem of electoral malpractice and its evil, and you don't work for a situation where you can fight and get rid of the impact of this evil in our body politic, you will still have rigging expeditions and intimidation will continue to flourish.

If you have riggers in power, the people would be denied their rights and the prosperity that should accompany a successful election. So year in, year out, tenure in, tenure out, the people would continue to be denied these things and Nigeria could end up with chaotic elections that could lead to mutual destruction.

The progressives have always found it difficult to come together and work as one. Is that not going to be an impediment to the mega party?

No! I disagree with such theory; let's rekindle our sense of history. At any given time, the progressives have always mounted efforts and come together behind one single issue and have always won. The only thing is that they have not gotten into power.

Before the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), we got together to say the military must go, leading to two parties, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and National Republic Convention (NRC).

We had elections, which we won, but it was annulled. At the end, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida stepped aside. It was a single issue- we needed a change. We won, but we did not get power. The conservatives manipulated us and installed Chief Ernest Shonekan as head of the Interim National Government (ING).

We insisted that Shonekan must go and the June 12, 1993 mandate to the late Chief MKO Abiola restored. We won, because Shonekan went, but we didn't get power. The late Gen. Sani Abacha took over instead. We won, because somehow Abacha left the stage, but we didn't get power, because in the 1999 election, we were rigged out and Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo came in.

Then came anti-third term, which was a single item. We won, but we didn't get power.

So when they say progressives cannot come together successfully, at the same time, they are the ones who would say the parties should evolve. But where in any of the successful democracies in the world had the parties been left to evolve, without conditions stipulated for the number of political parties that you must have?

Even the United State (US), for the two-party system to succeed, they had to put several high hurdles before an independent candidate or a third party. Five hundred years of British democracy have been based on two-party system, until the rules were relaxed later on after they had gained some stability and a third party started coming on gradually.

The conservatives will always give you the problems for not getting together; they created the room after getting to power by relaxing them and allowing all manner of parties to emerge and tear themselves apart.

The cure is two-party system; let it come one way or the other. Whether through legislation or whatever, it has to be two-party system. If we had managed the two-party system under the Babangida regime up till now, we would have cured the problem of instability of the political parties in the country by now.

Here in Nigeria, people want to establish their own parties. But why do they call it party, except being a group of people with common ideas and agenda?

Show me any of the advanced democracies that is not constrained to two-party system anyhow? Is it not indirect legislation in the US, through the creation of those hurdles for a third party or independent candidate?

What the progressives could not achieve in the past, as cohesive as they were, is it possible to achieve that now when they are splintered into several parties?

It is achievable, but you have to separate liars and pretenders from the true progressives. The pretenders exhibit some tendencies by which you can know them.

Are you actively involved in the formation of the mega party?

I am more concerned about electoral reforms now than mega party. Once you get that done, you will be able to put together a party that can match any other party in the quest for power. I want a party I can leave behind for the younger generation to either work with or disagree with.

We should work for the legislation that can bring about a two-party system. This arena or channel political prostitution must be closed, because political parties are not like cars or houses that people own. Your opponent, the party in power, will always try to manipulate you to the extent that it will be impossible for you to take power. Politics is all about intrigues and winning power, just as those in power would want to retrain it, using infiltration of your ranks and thwarting your efforts.

That is how the conservatives, particularly the likes of Obasanjo, weakened the opposition, starting with his appointment of other parties' chairmen into his cabinet. Why did we not see it when they allowed all sorts of parties to emerge and be registered, rather than celebrating and saying the parties should evolve on their own?

When he appointed All Peoples Party's Mahmud Waziri as an aide and took all the leaders on, nothing was done. He gave them the carrot and they accepted because of democracy of the stomach. When they purged later, they needed transfusion. Do you blame the ruling party for doing that? No, it is about power and it is not served alakat; you have to do everything that is morally legitimate to get it.

So, if conservatives succeeded in creating instability when we had three parties, we have given them all the rooms in the world to perpetuate themselves in power by increasing the number of parties.

We must first of all change the conditions that allow electoral irregularities to take place. We should make those beneficiaries of stolen mandates to pay for it, by denying them the benefits. We have over-burdened the judiciary by not doing so.

So what is your take on the electoral reform approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC)? What should or should not be there?

I disagree with FEC on some issues. Show me a political prophet and I will follow. If you are the president and you are to appoint the empire, you will definitely want to appoint somebody sympathetic to your party that would make it possible for you to win the elections. Nobody is an angel.

Anybody that says allowing the National Judicial Council (NJC) to appoint chairman of the electoral body is not right is not telling the truth, because it is a delegated authority that would bring about transparency, strengthening of the system and independence to the matter of appointing the electoral umpire.

That would not amount to encroaching on the executive powers. After all, the President approves who becomes the Chief Justice of Nigeria and others.

The modified open-secret ballot system, to my mind, is best for Nigeria. So also is security on election days very crucial. But unless we punish and take away the stolen mandate from a collaborator in cases of electoral fraud, we may not make much progress.

You can blame the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) 200 times, but is it alone in this?

If there is no giver, there will be no taker. If there is no rigger, there will be no manipulation. INEC cannot do it alone; it has collaborators. We should find appropriate punishment for such people to deter perpetrators of electoral malpractices.

We should not lump criminal law with electoral malpractices and say you must prove beyond reasonable doubt. After all, death is proven beyond reason doubt only when the dead is in the grave.

Your party, Action Congress (AC), has been a victim of elastic time frame for adjudication of electoral matters. Are you at home with FEC's rejection of a time frame for determining electoral cases?

I think we must find a middle way of the two. We could say nobody with a case challenging his/her mandate should take office for the first six months after election. A situation where one of the parties has access to public funds makes it easy for him or her to manipulate things, including paying legal fees from public treasury.

Not swearing in any winner with pending cases in the first six months will help in reducing the propensity for criminal activities during the elections. If a candidate knows that he or she could be disqualified from future political activities for engaging in electoral fraud, that person will think twice before perpetration such acts.

I also think the governorship dispute should be allowed to get to the Supreme Court, after six months at the lower courts.

Then how do you fill the vacuum that could rise?

The state Chief Judge or Speaker of the state assembly could be allowed to take over in acting capacity.

But the tenure of the Speaker will around that time be about rolling over?

Then the Chief Judge could step in temporarily.

That could go against the principle of separation of power?

That would be because of the corruption in the system that had not been cured. If the corruption is cured, this kind of scenario would be reduced to the barest minimum and judicial intervention would not be necessary. We have to find a way around it.

INEC should also be sanctioned for colluding with individuals or political parties to rig election, unlike now that it is not held accountable. To worsen the situation, INEC is not the one with the burden of proof.

What is your relationship with your party's presidential candidate in the last election and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar since his visit to Obasanjo and his moves to return to the PDP (until recently)?

People have been speculating and I leave it at that. I will talk when it is the appropriate time to do so. I don't want to comment on that matter now.

Sometimes, silence is golden. When you have gone through a bad voyage, to think of it might bring about depression.

Are you not disappointed?

It is a bad voyage, I won't comment further on it. I have just given you an analogy.

You have left office, and so has Obasanjo. What is your relationship with him now?

We didn't have any relationship before he went into office, so we don't have any relationship after he left office. He is a soldier, while I am a civilian.

In office, we were given different responsibilities that were clearly defined in the constitution and I pursued my own end diligently and vigorously. We had our terms, at the end, he went his way and I went my way.

I know that I have deepened the democratic culture of the country, as well as that of judicial process and reform. When he illegally seized Lagos State council's funds, instead of taking to the streets, I headed for the court. I did not act as an interpreter of the law; I went to the interpreter when there was a dispute.

That is how to develop a society, an institution and the culture.

What is your relationship with President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua?

He is my friend. He is in a different party and I am in a different party, but I don't deny my friends. Let them deny me, if they want, but I don't deny them. It is my policy.

I found Yar'Adua as a very godly and friendly individual since I knew him. Since he was chosen to be President of this country, I cannot question God or make enmity out that. But I have not joined his party. He can hold on to his party, while I hold on to mine. We can meet elsewhere.

The same thing when Atiku was the Vice President of Nigeria, he was in PDP and I was in Alliance for Democracy (AD) then, but we remained friends. Nobody questions that.

I have not gone to the President the Federal Republic of Nigeria to seek contracts, but there is a difference in the polity since he took over. The polity is calmer and we can now think clearly. He says rule of law is his mantra, we are watching that carefully. I don't want to discuss my friends on the pages of newspapers.

When it comes to the programmes of the country or electoral reforms, I will ask what is rule of law if there is no free and fair election. Instead of open combative criticism of those (Obasanjo) days, he has not taken that approach, he consults and I can only advise him privately.

But when it comes to campaigns, I will campaign against his party. I won't relent, that is an unbendable principle. We have to live to a level of political maturity in this country. Because you are in a different party doesn't make you my enemy. I still call the PDP as Poverty Development Party.

If for 10 years of its being in power, we don't have stable electricity, the party in power cannot be taken seriously. Even if you had started a nuclear power plant 10 years ago, you should have completed it by now.

I think Yar'Adua ran into a serious web of inactivities and he would have to disentangle himself first. It takes time to plan, especially as he didn't meet a good foundation. The opportunity to develop Nigeria was lost in the first eight years of our democracy.

What are the chances of AC in the coming Ekiti rerun governorship election?

AC is going to win that election. We won the first election, but for the irregularities perpetrated by the PDP and INEC. It is a cunning and dishonest person that could say he lost to a biro pen, which cannot defend itself. It is an admission of foolishness.

Who are those that pose a threat to AC in a free and fair election in Ekiti? Didn't you see their rally, how many people were there. Despite the importation from Oyo and Osun States, it was so scanty that it looked like the funeral of a wicked man. Is that what you call a rally? I don't do that type of rally. Do you think all of them believe that campaign will have any effect on the people, who have irrevocably resolved not to vote for them?

The people are progressives; they have seen the administration of Segun Oni and what he can do. If I were one of them, I won't even go back there again. When Obasanjo was President, he went to commission even health centres, what was there to commission in Ekiti under Oni?

The President and his vice even put the country at risk by the two of them gathering there at the same time. They didn't even look at the security implications.

Our people are going to vote against them. They know, that is why they are talking of soldiers and sowing uniform. You can't hear us say such things, we are confident of winning Ekiti, if the poll is free and fair. But if it is not, let them think of history of electoral crisis in Nigeria 1964 and 1983. They have to stop imposing people on us.

They asked us to go to court if we had dispute concerning the former election and we did. Now we have followed the rule of law by surrendering ourselves to rerun poll in Ekiti, as ordered by the Court of Appeal. I heard that some people said they would do everything possible to win the election, but I say no. If they try it, it would be mutually assured destruction. People will revolt; they will react if there is any imposition on them this time around.

But you don't seem to be actively and physically involved in the campaigns?

I will be going there any time from now.

Some say you are leading the onslaught of the progressives to regain the Southwest?

This is a cause I believe in. Whatever people say, I strongly believe in the cause. I believe the only way Nigerians will see progress is for the perpetrators of electoral crimes to be punished and driven out of office. I have never rigged election in my life.

As a democrat, I believe in free and fair election. Any politician who does not believe in free and fair election does not deserve the joy of victory. Look at the success we have recorded in Lagos State; it is because we know we have to serve the people before we can seek their mandate.

If we say we want dictatorship, let's find monarchs and appoint him as president and governors. If we want democracy, we must play according to the rules of democracy.

I tell the people of Ekiti to be ready to defend their victory, because they are going to win in this election. We know their feelings.

Some say the advancement of the progressives in the Southwest could act as an impetus for other parties to take the Southeast and other zones, thereby providing the much needed viable opposition or alternative to the ruling party at any time?
That is a positive thing. Let there be a model of good governance, action, transparency and purposeful government. I am proud that Lagos State is a model and a reference point.

If others can copy the idea and move with it, the country will be better for it.

Considering the fact of Governor Babatunde Fashola, do you feel vindicated in your support for him during the party's primaries?

It is like a woman, having carried pregnancy for nine months, bearing the pains, giving birth to a promising child. That is how it is for me, because the abuse, disagreement and criticisms have gone away, have been forgotten.

I am so proud to be a father of a good and promising child. It is very satisfying. That is how it should be and I am sure the people would believe me when next I come to them. I must work for the success of this administration and I am doing that.

Forget the rumours being peddled by some illiterates. There must be intrigues in politics and political enemies must try to destabilise us by saying or doing something.

In Osun State, where you are going back to square one, some people believe it might as well be wise to let go and wait for the next two years, having made your point, rather than have the election nullified, a rerun of which you are not sure you will win and could, in fact, add another two years to the tenure of the incumbent governor?

And compromise justice and the right of the other parties? That is a banana republic theory. It is not acceptable.

Assuming a rerun is ordered, we would defeat the incumbent, like we did in the first election.

Secondly, the fact that INEC is trying to improve its own image and the electoral reform is enough to give it a try. Let's see what INEC would do in Ekiti. That will determine whether it is changing or would surrender to the intimation of the PDP and desperation of some of the Southwest governors.

Shortly before and after the emergence of Fashola as AC candidate, there were disagreements in your fold, making some of the aspirants seek the people's mandate on other platforms. Now that things have settled, have there been efforts at reconciliation?

Oh yes! They are free to come back home and we still welcome the back. Some have actually returned and been accepted back without being called names. It is their choice whether to return or remain in other parties.

Some that went to PDP during the AD are in the current Fashola cabinet.

That is how to show good leadership traits, forgiveness, accommodation and large-heartedness. These are things a leader must do to develop other leaders.

What is your relationship with some of the Southwest governors?

I don't want to comment about apples and oranges. We are concerned about electoral reform and the future of the Southwest and Nigeria.

My relationships with people are fine. They can abuse me any way they like, but I know what I am doing and I am seriously focused. I am not successful if they didn't abuse me. If they are accusing or abusing me, it means I am a force to reckon with and successful. It means I am more successful than they are. Thank God that I am not a laughing stock.

Among the people talking, how much is their state's annual budget? Some are not up to that of Alimosho Local Council in Lagos, and still they have been embezzling. I re-engineered the finances of Lagos State and brought physical, financial, economic and political prosperity to the state. They are midgets.

It is an insult to compare me with people who governed under military administration without their budgets being debated and yet they failed. They gave excuses of lack of bitumen and other things for their failure and mismanagement characterised their regime.

You think I pay attention to those ones? They are illiterates; we are not comparable. I can blow my trumpet myself. I took Lagos from a state of N600 million internally generated revenue to N10 billion. What are they doing in their states? They are rotten potatoes.

What about published allegations against you in the media?

It is the same way I see them. I don't give a damn; it is better for me to ignore them. They cannot prove anything; they cannot fit into my category, instead, they are calling me names and throwing anything at me in their desperation.

I governed Lagos State successfully for eight years and now they are copying most of the things that I did. They quoted some account with Heritage Bank, let them quote the balances of the transfer in and out of it reflecting that it was the period I served as governor and I will apologise to the public and be ready to go to jail.

I had been a successful person before I went into office.

I might consider litigations against them later on. Moreover, if you file a case against a governor now, you are wasting your time, because of the immunity governors enjoy.

As for the media, my lawyers are examining things. But I believe there is a masquerade behind the media publications.

There is no statute of limitation for more than six years. The Yoruba would say that the pounded yam of three years could still be very hot.

There was a report about your wife being interested in going to the senate in 2011. Is that true?

No, I don't think so. We have not discussed that. We just read these gossips, because people are just testing the water. I read it and just laughed. But she is qualified and competent and has the right to run, just like any other aspirant. But we have not discussed it.

What is your view on some office holders already campaigning or having their eyes set on a second term?

To me, that is a great distraction, at any level. Sometimes, it is not the fault of the office holder but those who are surrounding him and want to continue to eat from their table. It is the fat cats and rodents that want to continue eating the crumbles from their table.

When the leader is focused on the day-to-day administration, he would be able to deliver and be acceptable to the people. Half way into the first term, people are talking of second term; it is a distraction.

I have heard gossips that I don't want Fashola to go for a second term, which is not true. Who am I to break his foundation of success and his crown?

Having been a senator and governor, do you still aspire to political office?

Why not? I withdrew my form for the senate the last time and any day I like, I can aspire to be a senator, until I am about 90 or unable to move again. It is my right.

What of Aso Rock?

Why not, it is also my right. It may not be immediate, but I am constitutionally qualified to seek the office.

What would be the attraction?
To lead my country; to serve my country, after I must have rested. I believe in myself and my competence to lead the country, having led the people of Lagos for eight years. I would be lying to say I don't have political ambition.

But I am not blindly ambitious; I am not desperately ambitious, and I choose my friends.

You don't seem to believe in rotational presidency or zoning formula?

I don't believe in turn-by-turn; I want the best for Nigeria, anybody who fits the bill. I will never support rotation. That is one of the reasons I never joined PDP. Rotation is retrogressive; it is not for the right thinkers or the country. It is undemocratic to constrain a nation.

We have never been this divided, even in the days of our founding fathers.

Some argue that since the death of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, you appear to be the only one near to his calibre?

If I am doing anything that gives me any linkage to my hero, should I complain? I should be celebrating; I should work harder and be more focused.

But that appears to be putting you at loggerheads with some people?

Yes, you can never satisfy everybody. Even, when Jesus Christ was born, some people wanted to kill him.

The faster you run, the more envious some people become. The more focused you are, the more other people who are still failures will complain. The more independent and progressive you are, the more the custodians of dead ideas would pursue and crucify you. It is left for you to work hard on your potentials to unleash the prosperity, knowledge, ability and competence for humanity sake.

Afenifere remains divided. What are people like you doing to make the Yoruba speak with one voice?

We don't have one voice. I may have solo, some people may have treble, others may have bass. We have common purpose and common goal, but not one voice, and over time, that depreciated.

There is always reason to have conflicts. There was a time some people went to the Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE). Now, they are the best of Afenifere and were friends to Awolowo even before they were born. They are now the grandfathers of the Afenifere masquerade and describing them as the proper Afenifere.

So you expect this caricature of deception and lack of truthfulness in the modern day politics of some people. And if you find yourself in such a situation, just separate apples from oranges, so that you can manage yourself and be focused for a purposeful political activity.

But there is nothing that says you must think the same way every time and everyday. Some people move from conservatism to progressivism. Modern day hunger could fashion out a democracy of the stomach in a way that some people go from progressivism to conservatism. So you identify them quickly and isolate them.

It doesn't mean that Afenifere will not be one when we decide. We should separate issues from chaffs first. Maybe we will get united again someday, but I don't believe in the kind of deception, multi-coloured chameleonic kind of Afenifere.


Is that why you decided to be in the sideline?

I am only responding to Mama HID Awolowo's call, because that is the person who will deliver the letter and our message, when the time comes, to Awolowo. May she live longer!

Action Group (AG) and Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), from where Afenifere came, were progressive. But some people now say National Congress of Nigerian Citizens (NCNC) was Afenifere, we leave it to history to judge.



http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/sunday_magazine/article01/indexn2_html?pdate=180409&ptitle=%27Our%20Focus%20Now%20Should%20Be%20Electoral%20Reform%27

Long but I thought it was interesting.

nuzo, Thank you.

She and a group of people tried to backstab and steal the job from Tinubu. And he played a fast one on her, that why she jumped to PDP.

I am not saying Tinubu is a saint, but she is no different.

Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu you are a mad man.

When the president is running form one country to another for nearly 2 years for health reasons, then its important that Nigerians talk and ask questions.

An avalanche of petitions from Nigerians who wanted to know what happened to the N16 billion recovered from the former Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Tafa Balogun has compelled the House of Representatives to summon the Inspector General of Police, Mike Okiro and the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mrs Farida Waziri.

Chairman of House Committee on Police Affairs, Hon Abdul Ningi disclosed yesterday that the invitation of the two security chiefs became necessary because the committee had been inundated with petitions, alleging that the money had disappeared.

Some of the petitions, he stated alleged that the N16 billion could not be located since 2005 after Tafa agreed to part with the money as part of the conditions for his release.
Ningi said the committee was desirous of unravelling the whereabouts of the money and that Okiro and Waziri were in the best position to explain what happened to the funds recovered from the former Inspector-General of Police.

Tafa, now a free man was disgraced from office by the Nuhu Ribadu-led EFCC. He made a plea bargain to part with some of the loot traced to him as IGP and thus got a lenient jail sentence.
The invitation of Farida Waziri, according to Ningi was germane because it was the commission that prosecuted Balogun and she should know more about the money.

Abdul Ningi confirmed that the committee had written twice to both Okiro and Waziri on the subject, but got no response. Consequently, he said the committee would raise the issue at the plenary session of the House when it resumed after the Easter break. “We don’t just wake up one day to say that we want to know what happen to the money collected back from the former IGP, this committee had been inundated with petitions from the public, who wanted to know what happened to the billions of naira and property recovered from Balogun,” he stated.

Balogun was convicted on charges of corruption in 2005 by the Obasanjo administration and sentenced into six months after a plea bargain to return part of the money.
“When we learnt that both the police and the EFCC could not account for the money, the committee was disturbed and on two occasions, we wrote to the EFCC and the police authority demanding for information, up till now, we have no information on the whereabouts of the money,” he insisted.

http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2009/apr/15/national-15-04-2009-01.htm

Only in Nigeria: Looted money, re-looted

Plan to Fly Turaki Abroad Stalled


There were feelers yesterday that plans to fly former Jigawa State Governor and serving Senator, Alhaji Saminu Turaki, out of the country for further medical attention may have run into some hitches.
THISDAY gathered that the management of the National Hospital, Abuja, where Turaki was admitted, claimed that the hospital could handle his situation and that it was not necessary for him to be flown abroad.
Senate President, Senator David Mark, it was learnt yesterday, had stepped up consultations with the management of the hospital on the next best step to take in the circumstance.
Mark was at the hospital on Monday night to see the recuperating Turaki. He arrived at the hospital at 9.15pm, accompanied by no fewer than 10 personal aides and left at 9.33pm.
Turaki, according to a witness’ account, told Mark that he was feeling better, but that he expected rapid improvement.
Mark was said to have promised to discuss with the hospital management on the state of his health. Personal physician to the Senate President, Dr. David Ukoha, had been around Turaki since he was brought to the National Hospital.
He was in the medical team that received Turaki when he (Turaki) was flown into the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport from Sokoto on Sunday.
Turaki had been in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the hospital, having sustained head and arm injuries in an auto-crash while returning to Abuja from Kebbi where he had attended a wedding last Saturday. His Sport Utility Vehicle, Hummer, reportedly somersaulted after it veered off the road. The driver was reported to have dozed off.
He stabilised, consequent upon his admission in the hospital, but was said to have expressed his desire to be flown to Singapore for further treatment.
President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua had reportedly approved that he should be flown to Germany instead because of the country’s expertise in the treatment of fractured bones.
Turaki’s right arm is cast in Plaster of Paris (PoP) while his head was unevenly-shaven to allow for examination of the injuries.


http://www.thisdayonline.com/nview.php?id=140883

Fears of the country tending towards a one-party state were rekindled yesterday. The Buhari Group, the campaign organisation of former Head of State, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), alleged that the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) is planning to merge with the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The allegation has been given fillip by the growing number of ANPP bigwigs, among them state governors, which have recently left the party for PDP.
Only yesterday and following in the footsteps of ANPP Governor Aliyu Shinkafi of Zamfara State, Bauchi State Governor Isa Yuguda formally defected to PDP from ANPP.


It was also a harvest day for PDP in the South-east as prominent members of other political parties formally renounced their party membership and joined the ruling party.

Among those who declared for PDP yesterday at a zonal rally held at Okpara Square, Enugu were former governor of Enugu State and one-time PDP National Secretary who later joined the Action Congress (AC), Chief Okwesilieze Nwodo, former ANPP National Secretary George Moghalu from Anambra State, and Senator Offia Nwali from Ebonyi State.

The Buhari Group alleged that the reason the ANPP set up a committee headed by former presidential aspirant, Alhaji Bashir Tofa, was to discuss the formalities for the merger plan with the PDP.

But in a quick reaction, ANPP National Chairman Edwin Ume-Ezeoke described the allegation as laughable, saying the party was already in merger talks with some political parties including the AC.


He wondered how ANPP as a main political party would merge with a political party such as PDP, explaining that the only relationship with the party was in respect of the Government of National Unity (GNU).

Spokesman of the Buhari Group, Buba Galadima, who spoke in Abuja yesterday on behalf of the campaign organisation, sarcastically called on other ANPP governors to emulate Yuguda and Shinkafi, as, according to him, ANPP as a political party is dead.

He urged them to act fast, saying the mega political party that will emerge would not accommodate them.

The spokesman of the Buhari Group further said the quitting of the ANPP National Secretary, Senator Saidu Kumo, as Special Adviser to President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua was a ploy to ensure that Buhari does not have any stronghold on the party.

Galadima said: “The game plan is simple; the Bashir Tofa committee will at the end of the day recommend that ANPP will recommend the merger with the PDP. This is also explaining why ANPP governors are gradually defecting to PDP.

“You are aware that the Zamfara State Governor Shinkafi and his Bauchi State counterpart, Yuguda, have already defected to PDP and others will follow in no distant time. This is all part of the game plan.”
He explained that this was part of the two-party structure recommended by the Justice Muhammed Uwais Committee.

The ANPP had at its National Caucus meeting last month in Abuja set up a committee to discuss merger plans with other political parties of like minds, saying the party could not go it alone in 2011.

The committee has Tofa as chairman and former governors Ogbonnya Onu and John Oyegun as members.

Other members of the committee include former chairman, Board of Trustees of the party, Chief Harry Akande, and former Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Audu.

http://www.thisdayonline.com/nview.php?id=140897 - click on the link for the rest of the article.

There needs to be a change in the constitution, that makes all this party jumpers to resign and return their mandate to the party, while the are in office.

Nigeria cannot afford a one party system, I actually prefer the idea of ANPP merging with AC.

Joan4427:

It's such a shame that this kind of thing as to happen with no prior planning/warning of all concerned. Because the people have no say whatsoever, the government does what it likes.
Look at it anyway you want, it's still not fair to those who have to lose their business and means of income in the process!

The Yaba market everyone is talking about is the one along the railway line. The market was cleared by the Federal Government. They railways corporation gave them[b] 2 YEARS[/b] warning (even the market people confirmed this, and that they had stopped collecting fees from them 2 years ago) before going there on the faithful day to demolish the illegal structure. How much warning are they suppose to give them? 10 years

So Jonathan where did you stash yours? Russia? UAE? Qatar?

*Gives Minister blank cheque

The current power supply situation in the country is taking a heavy toll on President Umaru Yar’Adua who has confessed that he “can hardly sleep again,” on account of the situation. He has consequently given Power Minister, Mr. Lanre Babalola, a blank cheque to deal with the problem fast and to the satisfaction of the generality of Nigerians.
Stable power supply is part of the 7-point agenda of the president and after about two years in office with little or no improvement from what he inherited, the president has come under serious attacks from Nigerians who, daily, bemoan the epileptic electricity supply they face at home and at work.

Thousands of paid employees have been thrown out of work following low production occasioned by the power problem while artisans find it difficult to work for the same reasons.

Sunday Vanguard gathered that at a recent meeting at  Aso Rock Presidential Villa, with Vice President Goodluck Jonathan, the Minister of Power, Mr. Lanre Babalola as well as top officials of the Ministries of Petroleum, Power and NNPC, the president pointedly told the Power Minister:

“Whatever  you need to succeed, I will give you. If anyone stands in your way and you want him or her out, just tell me and I will clear such a person for you. But I want results. I can hardly sleep again because of the power situation. I made a pledge to Nigerians that by the end of this year, they will enjoy stable electricity and it is a pledge I intend to keep. My name and credibility are at stake on this issue.”

At that point, Vice President Goodluck Jonathan chipped in that the credibility of everybody in the administration was at stake, including that of the minister himself.

Jonathan wanted it to be a collective success. But to this, President Yar’Adua was said to have interjected. “No, it is my credibility that is at stake. How many ministers of power have we had and who remembers them? If things fail tomorrow, Lanre (the minister) is a young man, he will simply dust his CV again and begin to look for another job but Nigerians will remember the promise I made.”

At that meeting, the president demanded a daily update from the Ministry and directed that the minister could see him anytime he wanted.

Sunday Vanguard gathered  that the power Minister now has unfettered access to President Yar’Adua. In fact, the minister is said to be briefing President Yar’Adua daily on every of his efforts. After the meeting, Babalola waited to see the president. And that explains why the next day, the PHCN Board was dissolved.

Babalola also got approval to suspend the National Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, Board. Despite the teething challenges, Sunday Vanguard was informed that the minister has assured the president, there will be stable electricity by December.

Sunday Vanguard was told by Ministry of Power officials tha[b]t “what the minister is working on now is to rehabilitate and strengthen the Transmission Grid and the Distribution Network while expanding the Distribution Network to be able to wheel at least 6,000MW by December. The power problem sparked the recent probe of the power sector during the Obasanjo regime by the House of Representatives.[/b]

Although the president promised to declare a state of emergency in the power sector, this is yet to materialize

Sunday Vanguard was also tolf that the 6000 megawatts’ projection would be met in the following ways. First, the capacity as of today is 5000 but only 3000 is being transmitted. Then there is the issue of gas supply which has hampered operations.

The ministry plans to rehabilitate transmission lines with a view to maximising the supply of the remaining 2000 megawatts, as well as another capacity for the generation and transmission of another 500 megawatts. Shell, it was learnt, would be feeding another 300 megawatts in while two Independent Power Projects, IPPs being constructed would bring in 100 megawatts each.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/content/view/33365/41/

only, if the federal government would allow them to take over the police barracks (in the background). Lagos Island-Falomo Square

A little history of andy Uba, for those who are not : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andy_Uba


Andy Uba (born 14 December 1958) is a Nigerian politician and is the former governor of Anambra State. He was sworn in on 29 May 2007 and was told to vacate the office on the 14th of June 2007.The Nigerian Supreme Court ruled that the election that brought him into power was illegal and should never have held.In essence he was never elected a governor. He is a member of the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP).

Andy Uba was a special assistant on domestic matters to the former President of Nigeria Olusegun Obasanjo between 1999 and 2006. He is the brother of PDP chieftain and moneybag, Chris Uba and also of Ugochukwu Uba, a senator in the upper legislative house of Nigeria. Dr Andy Uba 'won' the April 14 gubernatorial elections in Anambra State with over 70% of total votes cast despite having entered the gubernatorial race just 6 months earlier. The elections were described as a charade by international observers.

In 2006 the Nigerian investigative journalist, Omoyele Sowore uncovered a case of money smuggling levelled against Andy Uba by the FBI. Andy Uba was accused of smuggling $170,000 to the United states aboard the Nigerian presidential jet without declaring the money to the United states authorities. The FBI was alerted to the activities of his proxy, Loretta Mabinton after a series of suspicious deposits into her bank accounts. On investigation it was discovered that Mabinton bought a Mercedes-Benz SL car worth $97,000 for Uba and shipped it to Nigeria. The car was subsequently returned to the United States. $45,000 was also used to purchase farm equipment for Nigeria's president Obasanjo's farm in Otta, Nigeria. After a long investigation, Uba agreed to settle the case out of court and forefeited $26,000 to the United States government. [1]. [2]

He claims to hold a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) from Concordia University, Montreal, Canada, an M.Sc. from California State University and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Biological Sciences from the unaccredited Buxton University, UK. However, his academic qualifications are in dispute; there is evidence that he was enrolled at Concordia University, and California State U., but no evidence that he graduated from any of the schools. In addition, the degree from Buxton University was one based on Correspondence.

In a landmark ruling delivered by the Supreme court of Nigeria on the 14th of June 2007, Andy Uba was told to vacate the office of governor of Anambra state with immediate effect and the former governor, Peter Obi was re-instated and is to serve as governor till March 17 2010. The supreme court further stated that INEC erred by conducting elections in Anambra state when the serving governor still had over 2 years left to serve. the verdict of the supreme court carried out two meanings because according to nigeria constitution, the supreme court has no juridistion to attend election tribunal. what the supreme court rule was peter obi has to complete his tenur as it is protected by the nigeria constitution and the supreme court has no jurisdiction to rule that the 2007 election was null and void. andy uba recently is still going to claim his tenur as he has been sworn in by chief judge of anambra state and he was also the governor of anambra state base on the 2007 election he won.and he is still in court to claim his tenur which will be started in 2010


Those anyone know the outcome of this case? This will be interesting come 2010.

referring to what Epiphany said about Saraki and SGBN. Is this story really true? I found this link

http://nigpoliticalnews..com/2009/03/how-bukola-saraki-looted-investors.html

WARRI— MOVEMENT for Emancipation of the Niger_Delta (MEND) has alleged that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) held a clandestine meeting with some of its commanders, yesterday, (Friday, April 10) and proposed lip-smacking incentive for them if they help the party in securing the 2011 gubernatorial elections in Niger_Delta region.

According to the group in an online statement, yesterday, by its spokesman, Jomo Gbomo, “Some representatives of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in a secret meeting with commanders of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) today, Friday, April 10, 2009 proposed a robust monetary and amnesty incentive if the group promises to assist the party in rigging and securing the 2011 gubernatorial elections in the Niger Delta region”.

Investigation by Saturday Vanguard, however, showed that some members of the Ijaw Youths Committee on Security and Economy of Niger_Delta,  a body set up by the  Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) met with Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State in Warri to facilitate a meeting with him on the issue of amnesty to militants and other matters, next week.

IYC president, Dr. Chris Ekiyor, leader of the Niger_Delta Peoples Volunteer Force, Alhaji Mujaheeden Dokubo_Asari ,  chairman of the IYC committee on amnesty for militants and a former president of the union, Dr. Felix Tuodolo , secretary of the IYC, Engieer Udengs Eradiri were present at the meeting with Dr. Uduaghan, yesterday.

The IYC committee had earlier met with the Governor of Bayelsa state, Chief Timipre Sylva, the two Ministers of Niger_Delta, Director of State Security Service, Inspector General of Police and others on the need to support their call for amnesty, especially as the council in February ordered militants in Bayelsa state to shut down their camps within three months to pave way for amnesty, rehabilitation and integration by government.

But Jomo  Gbomo  maintained that the deal with PDP was for the MEND  to work closely with IYC, JTF, Niger_Delta governors and others to perfect the 2011 agenda.

His words, “Under the plan, MEND would embrace the amnesty offer by President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua; Demobilize and return a limited number of weapons under a buy_back program;  which will be publicly advertised but giving the public the impression it has disarmed 100 percent; _-Henry Okah and the other freedom fighters will be released;  MEND would get monthly agreed financial payments into the next 2011 administration,  as security consultants,  including lucrative oil and gas contracts;  MEND will mobilize its fighters to assist the Joint Task Force (JTF) during the 2011 election in rigging votes and commandeering ballot boxes”.

He, however, said the MEND has rejected the agenda, which he described as evil. In his words, “The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta rejects this evil agenda by the PDP and its cohorts and vows never to sell our birth right for a bowl of porridge”.

“MEND will not involve itself in political thuggery and compromise its core values for short term gains. Our focus remains the emancipation of the impoverished people of the region through the control of our resources and fiscal federalism.

“ We have resolved to suffer persecution and imprisonment instead for the sake of justice and reiterate once again our position to only a peace process that involves the United Nations, a free Henry Okah and reputable international mediators”, the group said.

Dr. Ekiyor who spoke to Saturday Vanguard after meeting with Uduaghan, yesterday, said, “IYC has no regrets for ordering the closure of militant camps in Bayelsa state because it was to pave way for development in the Niger_Delta”.

He said the  organization has not mortgaged the future of Ijaw people and would never at any time betray them, saying, “If  people do not call us names, then, you should know  we are not working, we made a call for amnesty for militants and we are following up. We did so with the Niger-Delta Technical Committee, we met the Ministers of Niger-Delta and we are following up through the committee we set up, and we have sent messages to the President on the issue of amnesty and that is why we came to discuss with Governor Uduaghan, we have not held the meeting yet, we only came to see if we can get a date”.

“People should stop blackmailing the IYC, we know we are fighting a legitimate struggle but the time has come for us to reason and move forward. The amnesty we are talking about, we don’t even know who the Federal Government wants to give it to, we don’t whether it is to those convicted or those not convicted, and that is why we also have to meet with Mr. President.

“The IYC is campaigning that Henry Okah should be released because he has not anything different from the tactics the Ijaw youths put on ground to agitate for their rights. We have to know the kind of amnesty government is offering because the government itself also needs amnesty from the Niger-Delta people it has offended by stealing their resources without paying back and the youths who have over-reacted in the way they expressed their anger also need amnesty”, he said.

On the allegation by MEND, he said, “IYC does not speak for MEND, we are not MEND commanders, MEND should discipline their commanders if they are doing the wrong thing and let me tell you one thing, IYC cannot be bought over, not even by an Ijaw governor”.

AC condemns PDP’s plan to use MEND to rig 2011 polls

The Action Congress (AC) has condemned  an alleged plan by the PDP to enlist the support of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) to rig the 2011 polls.

In a statement issued in Lagos yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the expose by MEND confirms AC’s fears that unscrupulous politicians are behind the wave of violence in the Niger Delta, which has been costing Nigeria dearly in human lives and financial resources.

“We commend MEND for showing concern _ by rejecting the proposal for them to be used to sabotage the people’s right to free expression _ that they are not campaigning for cheap and individual gains but to ensure better life for their impoverished people. Of course, we may not always agree with their style.

“We ask the group to go a step further by revealing the identity of those involved in the secret meeting, so that Nigerians will know who their real enemies are. Needless to say that such people are the real candidates for treason charges, not minding that they are the ones accusing opposition parties of holding clandestine meetings.

“It is also important for Nigerians to know those who will condemn MEND by day and seek to enlist them for their dirty jobs by night; to show the dangerous strategy of the PDP Federal Government in exposing the lives of our soldiers to a great risk in the Niger Delta, even when an under-the-table effort is being made, allegedly by the same ruling party, to sabotage the gallant efforts of these soldiers,” AC said.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/content/view/33303/43/

I hope this is not true. MEND should list their names and should buy tape recorder next time.

Okay, I dont get this

"A Magistrate  with Osun State Judiciary (name with held)"

But the article mentioned his name as Akintayo in the next paragraph.

bawomolo:

The churches themselves shouldn't be taxed but the revenue they generate from those overpriced universities they are building should be.

So these universities are not taxed?

And its funny that with his health problems, some people are already recommending him for second term.

Kobojunkie:


That is understood but you are yet to prove again that ALLOCATIONS happen to be the problem here. Remember, you brought up that argument and so it is on you to PROVE that to be viable reason for DEPORTING destitute and why it is a LEGAL move by the government.  
According to you, Lagos right now gets even more than it did back when Tinubu was governor, and it continues to push to get even more( in the way of taxes by ensuring more and more of the residents pay up).
So in two years of government, this state government has been able to help and reach ALL Lagos destitute but those who were deported somehow did not want the help from government and so had to be deported? Is that the argument now?

You are the one that said that the allocation has nothing to do with his argument and i have dropped it but now you are bring it up again. You Lagos is ensuring more people pay it taxes. And its not as if the money is just lying around, the govt is using it to improve roads, rehabilitate all the water plants, etc.

The govt cannot help ALL Lagos destitute, there is a limit to its financial capability. Why cant they go to their state and get financial help. You were the one that ask how has the govt been helping some of this destitute and I gave you examples.

Kobojunkie:

hmmmmSimply wanted to make you understand that the ALLOCATIONS argument makes little sense here since Lagos is about the richest state in that nation; allocations it gets from the federal government is measly compared to money it raises each year from residents and investors. So, I am not sure why ALLOCATIONS, according to you should be made the problem NOW.  You are the one who keeps bringing up the issue of ALLOCATIONS so I am saying we should give that a rest already.
How much help has the government given beggars in the past? Please answer this question as it is important.

By been the richest state does not mean it has lesser responsibility (or cost). It means it has more roads to fix, more drainage to fix, more schools to fix, more students to give free education, more teachers to pay, more hospitals to build, etc And the fact is that all this amenities are been used every day by all Lagosians and still up to 55-60% who have jobs dont pay taxes.

The government picked up a lot of beggars and gave them jobs with LAWMA, the trash to wealth program (the fertilizer company ) are mostly area boys, the government  donates money every month to private organizations that help this beggars (even the organizations complain there are to many, for the resources they have). The Eko rice program in Badagry are all former area boys and beggers who work there. The government even has 2 workshop programs paid for by the state govt to train people to be hair dressers, vulcanizers, etc. The government cannot spend all this money doing all this things, other states have to take responsibility too.

Kobojunkie:

Majority of those beggars have lived in Lagos longer than even you and I can boast of. They did not come in two or so weeks ago when begging became a crime, so for you to suddenly label them all criminals is a shame. Many of those beggars were once respectable and tax-paying members of Lagos society. To now suddenly put your nose up in the air and pretend that they were all burdens and so criminals is a tad despicable, if you ask me. They are human beings and need help just like you and I do.

When last have you been to Lagos? Majority of them are young. And as for taxes, most people did not pay taxes or even know state government collect taxes until recently when  the state government started enforcing the law and collecting taxes.

Kobojunkie:

Ok. But there is no statement made on where these destitute where registered though. Why did you see fit to bring that up in the first place?
Well, on the above, there are right from that so many ways the state can actually move to rectify the problem, don’t you think? [b]I mean Lagos actually earns a lot more from taxes paid by residents, and investors than it does from allocations. So forgive me is I am not jumping to swallow these excuses you have come up with so far. By the way, many of those who pay most of the taxes are mostly foreign and residents who are not originally from the state[/b]
Isn’t that like concluding that all those who are poor in Nigeria are lazy people mostly? Come on!! So because a few of them that you have heard of make that much a day, you want to crucify them all by that? Come on!!

But the article did not say they were Lagosians. I felt it was relevant to bring it up to make it clear that other states are provided money to help their people, if it not doing that Lagos should not have to be footing the bill for it.

So because Lagos earns more it should spend all the money in helping the beggars from other states?

As a taxpayer I expect my govt to use the money to provide amenities such as good roads, water, etc. I dont expect them to use [b]everything [/b]to helping beggars majority of which come form other state and have become a problem for the government and the people. And you know if Lagos is using all the money to be helping this beggars, the number of them coming into the state will just be increasing.