THE newly-inaugurated Senate has uncovered a destabilisation plot which, sources said, is being coordinated by the leadership of one of the opposition parties.
A returning senator, who spoke to [b]the Nigerian Tribune [/b]on the matter, said that the senators were told of the plot which emanated at a meeting of the opposition party with one of their leaders.
The senator said that the plot involved a serious and consistent antagonism against the leadership of the new Senate.
The source said that a leader of one of the parties, who is seeking to rally the opposition parties along the line of his agenda, however, met a brick wall in the senators of the All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP), who refused to join in the destabilisation plot.
Sources said that the plot was to ensure that members of the opposition parties opposed every pro-PDP move in the Senate and possibly grind its activities to a halt.
“The plan is to ensure that the Senate does not move as smoothly as it did between 2007 and 2011. The fact is that one of the opposition parties told its members that if the president of the Senate, Senator David Mark, is allowed to have a smooth sail, he could start eyeing top national positions in 2015 and bringing him down to earth would force the man to negotiate with them,” a source said.
While members of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) were said to have attended the meeting, senators from the ANPP reportedly refused to attend.
One of the lawmakers told the emissaries that he was not ready to attend a meeting where he would be dictated to from Lagos. He said he was out to represent his party in the Senate and would only do things that would enhance the standard of life of his constituents.
“We can’t just start opposing in the Senate just for the sake of opposition. We can support issues that are in tandem with the thinking of our people and reject those that are against the wishes of our people. But, as for me, I don’t represent Lagos; I represent my people,” the senator said.
A source said that the plot by the leader of ACN, Senator Bola Tinubu, to back Senator George Akume as Senate Minority Leader, was one of the methods he intended using to orchestrate division in the Senate.
“Tinubu wants Akume to become minority leader, when he knows that Akume and the Senate president are practically political enemies. The scenario he wants painted is such that Akume will continue to block bills and moves to enhance the workings of the Senate. It is a sure way of preparing the Senate for a disastrous session,” the source said.
The Tribune yet again The piece reads like 2 separate drafts joined together. Went from anonymous opposition party to a sinister Tinubu plot. 9ja press and hyperbole sha
It is shame we have this thinking in the south after 10 years of southern presidency, we have forgotten one day the northers will get hold of power and they will treat us exactly same. 1n 1993 Abiola lost and the whole SW went crazy and everything was burnt down.
It is disgusting to see the map of the election result according to the map of Nigeria. If ACN had delivered SW for Ribadu we would not have this sort of division.
I agree 100%. I find all the no more zoning talk amusing. Come 2015 and you will see PDP send out a northerner and nthen we will have no excuse.
OBJ hijacked the PDP platform and it will be well within the rights of any northerner to do same when they have no choice but to hand power back to them.
We can see , without doubt , that voting showed the North-South division of Nigeria . The disgust with the "born to rule" arrogance of the North was greater than I imagined . That situation will not change in 2015. If the North genuinely wants to compete in future they must go with their detribalised sons, accepted across Nigeria, who are a break from the past with no major and permanently damaging stigma attached to their name .
Exactly!!!! That seemed to be the general mood down south. To quote my Dad verbatim 'Jonathan will end northern domination for good"
I of course disagree with this sentiment but I understand how he and people of he's generation (and even a generation after him) got there.
I remember clearly that ACN did serious demarketing of Buhari - remember the adverts on electronic and print mdeia saying that Buhari who stopped the metroline project should be blamed for the traffic situation in Lagos. This ad surfaced immediately after the talks with CPC broke down.
Yeah I caught that one, if I remember correctly the AD ran on the premise of Fashola kick starting what Buhari cancelled and that Ribadu will replicate what Fashola was doing.
This is the trick in politics and it is done 48 hrs to election. Most election are won or lost in Nigeria and especially the SW 48 hrs to election. Ward leaders move people out to vote , ward leaders distribute gifts, money and all sorts to sway voters. They do house to house campaign to move people out to vote and that was what Osoba was referring to when he said they will start mobilisation for Amosun. Why did they not do similar for Ribadu? This is the question because we know how ACN mobilised for the national assemble election and the same was not repeated for the most improtant election
I see, I was not around during national assembly elections so I cannot comment on that. It still sounds far fetched to me though
@Lagosboy, so how is this mobilization done? I was in Lagos during the election period and Ribadu adverts were non stop on tv, text messages got almost to the point of irritation so again short of rigging how did ACN conduct this underground stay away campaign?
I know you are no Tinubu cheerleader but some of these stories are ridiculous. Even the alliance negotiations, was on this same Nairaland where people will take bits from one version of the story join with bits from another version and come out with "It only failed because of Tinubu's greed"
You are looking at politics from a southern perspective. You have to look at it as well from a nothern perspective, ACN is labelled a regional party for a reason of which it is true. Ribadu needs to be accepted in his base for him to have any political success , this is the reality. Once you have a base you can form any alliance you have. Ribadu might be better of if he joins buhari now as he will have acceptance in the north , this is the reality. Northern politics is different from SW politics, they are miles apart.
True but in the end we will still be at an impasse. Do you reckon CPC will survive Buhari? I highly doubt it because if he walks away I cannot see any strong personality that can take over from him. It it ironic you mention El Rufai as he carries the same guilty by association with OBJ tag that Ribadu does up north and I read somewhere (cannot remember where now) that he got a hostile reception in Abuja on Saturday.
My brother , El rufai may simply just not be as brave or as ambitious as Ribadu. We cannot confer on folks qualities they don't have simply because we don't know what they are thinking . You cannot call EL Rufai "pragmatic and wise" because he is happy to stay out of politics. He may just not be interested or he may lack self belief .
Without belabouring the point , I think it will be obvious to the North that the game is up . In 2015 not much will have changed as far as the visible candidates they have who can be made more attractive than Ribadu. It was that consideration that led the NPLF into desperately sticking with Atiku. The North will now have to look at issues pragmatically . It may be obvious they don't have much choices beyond the few young and detribalised Northerners, popular across Nigeria, if they want to wrestle power from GEJ and avoid another embarassing defeat.
Wether we like to admit it or not , Ribadu played oppostion politics very well . In fact he was better than everyone else with his public and constant issue-based criticism of the policies of GEJ and the PDP while others remained silent . This is why , rather than align with Buhari as you suggest , Ribadu should weigh his options carefully based on what happens in the near future . The effort to defeat the PDP in 2015 should start now , with deliberate strategy and policies, and not in December 2014.
Well said Gbawe, I really hope he sticks with ACN and remains visible in the opposition and starts building towards 2015 now rather than wait till 2014. I honestly think CPC will go the way of ANPP and cease to be relevant within a decade so no point joining a party that is no more than the Buhari presidential ambition vehicle with no shortage of the criminals that he is supposedly running away from.
I believe more than any alliance, a lot of the general populace saw this as a North v South election, hell my parents voted GEJ because they believe it will be some sort of final blow on northern domination. I assumed this line of thinking was isolated but when I actually got to Lagos last week it was pretty apparent how it was going to go. Ribadu is not part of the generation of northerners that helped to build that impression and making a clean break from the people of that era will be a much better decision.
Buhari4change (Official Fan Page) BB UPDATES: Last night was full of tension, first the UEFA Champions League, then the alliance talk. Well today is a new day: no alliance, no blame game. BB is now focusing on today's Abuja Town Hall meeting. Join BB at 11am at the International Conference Centre, thereafter a press conference will follow. I[b] respect buhari the more by standing with his running mate. How can Tinubu insist that bakare sign a pre-dated resignation letter! [/b]God will see us through in whatever way. And we lose, at least my vote was accounted among those for change. But we remain optimistic.
Here we go again, there were like 5 versions of that story making the rounds almost all of which contradict themselves no surprise which one you decided to believe. I guess Buhari is to be commended for getting involved with IBB, Ciroma et al or that bit was untrue abi? So the last alliance talks 'allegedly' broke down because of Tinubu's ambition and now Buhari re-initiates the alliance talks expecting a different result with ACN in a stronger position than before?
Ciroma cannnot delievr any fair votes in his state except through rigging, CPC already won a senate seat in Niger , so i dont know the impact IBB will make. Atiku is not in control of Adamawa as we speak.
These guys are just heavyweights on paper, Buhari has kept them at bay for so long and his meeting with them now i dont know. Maybe to dismiss the perception of his percieved arrogance , these guys need him more than he needs them.
All said and done i could be wrong though
Double standards much? Buhari is not desperate but GEJ, Ribadu are? I remember you throwing a hissyfit when Ribadu met with IBB now Buhari is making a political statement? So it is AFTER the legislative elections he decides to make a political statement.
We the folks of the SW sef dey join Asiwaju dey laff When OBJ's geriatric candidate (Olurin) , our former President's desperate attempt to retain political relevance, is disgraced at the poll na im OBJ go come see us dey laff well, well
Dude, I nearly fell out of my chair, dead pan delivery Looked straight at the camera and snickered
Congrats to you uncle by the way, hopefully we have seen the backs of the PDP for good this time and the SW can actually get a cohesive development plan rolling.
This victory also gives ACN more ammo at the negotiating table with CPC in regards to who steps down.
My brother , people can say what they want but if they are honest they will confess that Tinubu is actually one of the few politicians alive today who practices politics based on solid ideologies and innovative solutions provision similar to our admired past politicians like Azikiwe, Awolowo et al. Many to be found in our politics today are total airheads who do not even have two brain cells to rub together . Meanwhile from that interview we saw Tinubu's innovation on display that harks back to a time when politicians had to have forward-thinking ideas such as Awolowo's vision that led to the free education initiative enjoyed by many.
Tinubu believes in innovative income generation that requires thinking outside the box because he feels that most states will struggle to develop adequately if the only funds available are the allocations from the FG. The man believes in a synergy of effort between the public and private sector first and foremost because it ease the burden of funding on the government. There is also more efficiency with PPP arrangement as well because the Private sector , as per the motivation of profit, performs an automatic checks-and-balance function on the actions of the public sector.
There are many original ideas (eg BRT, Eko Atlantic City) Tinubu produced that show he is methodical and a thinker. It is Fashionable for some to say they are Awoist, Blairite, or Thatcherite today because it is never a shame to understudy leaders with innovative thinking and distinguished leadership style that sets them apart enough. Wether folks know it or not , Tinubu was Fashola's mentor and the current governor learned a lot from Tinubu.
I cannot imagine anyone will say they are Akalaist (Alao Akala disciple) or jonathanist in future since both men , unless something drastic happens to change opinions , are not distinct thinkers or innovators to the extent anyone would cite them as role models. Yet I can imaging folks in future saying they are tinubuist
Well said Gbawe, dont forget Tinubu was also the one to take the political hit on the innovations as well. We all remember the fake federal outrage when bonds were introduced, how about the curses from everyday Lagosians about the 'go slow' caused by BRT construction or the noise from investing in econet. These chaps will as per usual gloss over that even attempts to introduce professionalism with services like drain ducks were seen as waste pipes yet all that was 'not rocket science'. If anyone thinks corruption/leakages in Lagos state ends at Tinubu's doorsteps they are deluded, as you put it he is a necessary evil we have to deal with for now.
I hope you also know that Lagos State had to pay about 60% of that sum as penalties for backing out(and the back out penalty was priced in dollars). That makes absolutely no sense to me. Why should I pay 60% to get nothing when I could have paid 100% and enjoyed a lot of benefits?
Whoever gave Buhari this excuse is clearly not thinking.
These are the type of statements that make me conclude that Ribadu supporters are simply the classiest here and in possession of the most sophisticated viewpoint . You write as if this is all about Sainthood. The truth is that Buhari may now be enjoying some swing votes from Ribadu supporters but most Ribadu fans who have switched to the BB camp , that I have spoken to, do not think less of Ribadu . In fact they still rate Ribadu as better than Buhari but wish to sacrifice personal choice for what is best for Nigeria because "it has become obvious to many that Ribadu has not had enough time to become a force in the North" enough to carry the day overall.
Buhari has had three decades , as a visible public administrator , to garner the support he now enjoys so please spare us the sanctimonious noise that Buhari is gaining support because Nigerian youths now think less of Ribadu . Some folks are merely being pragmatic because they want the PDP out . It will do you well to remember that if Buhari does not win then he is finished and will have to leave the stage while life still has to go one for all us . You cannot clone Buhari and , wether you like it or not, Ribadu , flaws and all, is simply a modern version of Buhari with better exposure and more technocratic skills. Both men have had to operate in different eras and in different roles . That is a very important factor we must consider before wesincerely appraise both men. When Buhari is gone we will see the back of the last "old soldier" and folks like you will pragmatically have to end your search for saintly messiahs because , as far as "good guys" go, we will then be left with Ribadu, Fashola, El Rufai, Duke, Oshiomhole , Amaechi et al. If you think all those guys , including Fashola who I respect highly , are more virtuous than Ribadu then I think you do not understand that a complete saint cannot operate effectively in Nigerian politics currently.
Guy, if no be for nairaland I was gonna make the switch as well but the way these guys stretch the truth, flip goal posts? I don enter siddon look mode. Apart from the fact that Ribadu reversed himself on Tinubu they are about the same to me
Hobnob with Tinubu: check - Buhari has done same, still doing same
Go visit IBB: check - Buhari visited IBB a couple of weeks back not surprisingly no soapbox climbing there. I am sure that was a 'friendly' visit but Ribadu went begging for endorsement. These same chaps will turn around and say Ribadu will not have the guts to probe IBB but surely Buhari will probe he's 'friend'
Questionable individuals in party: check - Abacha junior and Marwa spring to mind
Yet Ribadu is 'miles away' from the man who's claim to fame is running a fascist government with economic policies from before the great depression. At this juncture, I'll get my coat
As the epic battle for the presidency rages on on nairaland, the once dominant 'team ribadu' have been jolted into political oblivon and sent on exile by the dominant forces of GEJ & BB camps, so much for his so-called 'youthful vigour', this futher confirms that ribadu is a paper weight as well as a political jejune!
Ribadu supporter here, hardly post so I am on perma-exile anyway.
@Gbawe, I am not a politician but of course, I used to support ACN in all elections. When the alliance collapsed, I had no option but go in the direction that is inline with my aspiration - the course that I belief will benefit all of us.
Since Tinubu was responsible for the collapse of the alliance in view of selfish VP interest, I will never support anything ACN again until Tinubu leaves that party - even I am reconsidering voting for Fashola.
So this is now fact? I suspect that alliance collapsed for several reasons with both sides unwilling to compromise on fundamental differences. Buhari expecting ACN to be submerged by he's party did not play a factor abi? Or it is only one version of events we should believe?
I find it amusing that ACN is a yoruba party but y'all are happy to ride on the backs of northern votes a good chunk of which will come from resentment to the zoning issue with the pdp. I even see some threads on here counting northern votes in Lagos as part of their Lagos strategy yet na ACN be the ethnic party.
@Gbawe, too right. These threads have taken me from supporting Buhari in case of a run off to being totally indifferent.
You seem to be forgetting that a good and efficient Leader would always and forever be a an efficient leader. A leader needs to be visonary and able to galvanise a team to deliver. Buhari is not the one to write the policies of the modern Nigeria , all these policies exists already but he has the vision AND THE POLITICAL WILL to be able to implement these policies.
You emphasise the same thing everyday that Buhari did nothing for 25 years. Twice he he contested an election within 12 of those 25 years. Buhari is not the type that does shows in the media , true he is not the typical politician , true he has some weaknesses but what is not true is his inablility to be an efficient president because he has been inactive for "25 years". John kuffour position is nothing but an errand boy to push ahead US policies. Check out how the organisation he heads is funded, you cannot compare him with Buhari or Buhari participating in such and it is called principles.
Buhari worked for Abacha and the PTF was the best thing under the Abacha govt because of Buhari. Several guys in ACN also worked with Abacha , participated in the Abacha charade called election. Osoba actively participated in the CNC under Abacha and he had to go postrate and beg Abraham Adesanya in 1998 to accept him back into its fold. Oyinlola has consistently told us of how Tinubu was romancing him to be his deputy in 1994 while he was the military governor under Abacha. I have lots of inside information on this because i have friends whose parents were hounded by Abacha. Kudirat was killed by Abacha today her son is with Buhari and it is for a reason. Lekan Abiola has being with Buhari since 2006 and it is for a reason, the hypocricy of the so called "anti abacha people". Charougi was Abachas buddie in siphoning money and passing money to be used for surpressing Nadeco, today Chagouri is Tinubus close business partner. Dont let us spill beans that are needless. No one suffered from Abacha like the Abiola family, OBJ , Yaradua , Rewane and a host of others. All these useless people parading themselves as anti abacha people were abroad flying all about.
Ask Olabiyi Durojaiye where he stands on this issue, durojaiye spent close to four years in prison on Abacha. Kudirats money was used by Nadeco , today her son could not even be allowed to run in primaries under the so called "progressives". I dont blame Tinubu it is Adesanya and Falae i blame because assuming they allowed the tru winner of the Lagos primaries in 1999 which was Funsho williams to emerge , Tinubu would not be runnig LAgos like his company. It was in Falaes house in VI that Williams was begged by Falae to step down for Tinubu because Tinubu was nadeco. Today Tinubu has relegated Falae to nothing. How can i forget Ganiyu Dawodu the then chairman of LAgos AD, Ayo Adebanjo.
OBJ was in prison for 4 years and that did not stop him from working with "Abacha politicians" and people Anenih, was with abacha, Madueke was with Abacha in those days and we could go on and on.
What i like about Buhari is we know where he stands, I hate Abacha but Buhari and Wada Nas were the only people we worked with Abacha and never tried to condemn him because he was dead. Buhari will not try to score cheap political points and such things is what people term rigidity. Ribadu dined with OBJ and within 3 years he is castiggating the whole pdp of 12 years while he is part of the 12 years.
There is nothing to gain from being loyal to a tyrant, you abuse the sensibilities of those who lost close ones under said tyrant when you make comments like Abacha never stole or go and attend memorial services for said tyrants. Buhari did not passively endorse Abacha till date he sees nothing wrong with that regime. I am happy you mentioned Osoba had to go beg for forgiveness, Jakande is still being treated like a leper for the mistake he made for serving under the tyrant and he is in my opinion a far greater administrator than Buhari. I am not holding Buhari responsible for the Abacha years but it is akin to holocaust deniers when he says Abacha never stole.
Contesting elections is not enough, Chris Okotie is a regular in that department. What has he done to show he has a passion for Nigeria? What is he doing to shed the autocratic image he has? He is unable to properly articulate he's plans to Nigerians yet we should vote for him, why? cos of the bland regime he ran in the 80's? It appears to me he wants power handed over to him by default without earning it (not too different from your average coup plotter) and you criticize Ribadu for working with Tinubu. I dont see you castigating Buhari for working on alliances with the same Tinubu!
my brother , let us leave some Nigerians to their revisionism borne of nothing else other than the need to praise their messiahs . It is interesting you mention Oshiomhole standing to be counted because I bet most don't know of the outstanding and brave role , against misrule and injustice, Fayemi played in the fight to end the tyranny and opression of Abacha that got even Wole Soyinka singing his praises ( See below). At the end of the day , it is only a PDP supporter or a self-decietful person who would seek to hold up Tinubu, for all his faults , as an enemy-of-progress in the mould of some of the worst that exist in Nigeria. It defies logic that Tinubu consistently continues to court the bravest , most progressive, most resolute and most independent minded Nigerian for leadership if , like others , his ambition is limited to crude self-aggrandizement and the cynical misrule of Nigeria to maintain the status quo for himself and his cronies.
Ol boy, I did not even know that. I caught Fola Adeola on channels web stream on Saturday and he mentioned the same thing. Why will Tinubu continuously seek out men like Ribadu, Adeola and Oshiomole when they will be far more difficult to work with if he's only objective was to loot the country dry.
They claimed Tinubu scuttled the alliance because he insisted on being VP yet we have Adeola as the VP candidate of ACN, someone who has contributed to national development in he's private capacity and someone who is NOT an ACN insider and less likely to play ball than say the Niyi Adebayo they were touting. Did you see the Falana video I posted earlier (might be on the other thread) endorsing Ribadu? If you havent you should especially the bit about the 'Nadeco route'
Just listen to yourself !!! You sound exacxtly like Beaf, Johndoe et al !!!! Everything negative about Buhari is media fabrication yet everything negative about others is true and confirmation they fall way below Buhari !!! Dude , I used to think GEJ fans were the most blindly obdurate but I was wrong . Every single day on Nairaland it becomes clear that , behind the facade of 'reasonable writings, many Buhari fans are blind messiah worshippers ready to defend the "master" without recourse to logic , balance or fairness!!!!
you malign Ribadu entirely unfairly for his association with OBJ, Tinubu and IBB while you have no issues with Buhari hobnobbing with the son of our own Hitler (Abacha) and simply one of the most evil leader Nigeria has ever known. Your double standard is incredible !!!
let us even look at Ribadu's real association with the names you mention.
OBJ. Ribadu has stated repeatedly that he has nothing to do with OBJ lately beyond cordial exchange of greetings at social events. It is amazing how some of us talk as if we have being unemployed all our lives . When you leave a job , as Ribadu left the job OBJ employed him to do , is it fair for the world to talk as if you are still bound to doing the bidding of your former boss? Does it make sense to any intelligent person?
Tinubu. This man is one of the founding fathers of the ACN . Regardless of what one says, he assembles talented and progressive men to lead . He is not afraid of them or of giving them a platform to lead. It is instructive that all the Governors of the ACN are performing well i.e Fashola, Oshiomhole , Aregbesola and Fayemi. Ribadu has consistently insisted he did not go to the ACN because of Tinubu . Rather he went there because of Fashola , Oshiomhole and the many progressive men gathered under the umbrella of the Party. To any fair minded adult, that is a very reasonable explanation. In other words , Ribadu is saying why do folks , if they are not mischievous and routinely negative, only see and highlight Tinubu when the ACN is mentioned ? How about the exemplary performers and progressives in the ACN to include the best performing Governor in Nigeria many Nigerians now tout as a future President ? In any case , has Ribadu gone to the ACN to begin dancing to Tinubu's tune? Did Ribadu not insist on merit with Okonjo-Iweala as his VP ? Did tinubu not give in to the extent that the offer was eventually made to Okonjo-Iweala after which she turned it down? Ribadu is in the ACN and anyone who is fair will see he made the right choice because , from all indications , the ACN will be the natural home of progressive politics and progressive minds. If Tinubu is intent on control then it serves his purpose better to seek crude 'tools' like Alao-Akala instead of men and women with their own resolute minds and ideas.
IBB. If our former head-of-State endorses Ribadu a few days to the election what is a reasonable person to make of that endorsement? They certainly would not conclude it is a negative indictment against Ribadu. Considering that Anenih, OBJ and co have been working relentlessly for GEJ for ages , what should this verbal endorsement really be taken to mean if not a man speaking his opinion and declaring support for two individuals ?
As I said before, you are not different to Beaf. If IBB endorsed Buhari would he reject the endorsement? Would you be here castigating Buhari for associating with corruption? I don't think so . You will be here making excuses in testimony to your Double standards.
Dude, you put it better than I could! It amazes me how people are ready to brush aside Buhari's shortcomings all in the name of toppling PDP. I have no issues with anyone voting for Buhari, the PDP has being disastrous and protest votes against them are understandable but let us not go down the image laundering path to justify our choices. PDP scored an own goal by disregarding zoning which gives real progressives a chance to take back our country and truth is if no progressives were running I will vote for Buhari INSPITE of the fact I know he is a blunt instrument. It is an insult to real leaders and thinkers to describe Buhari like some sage, administrative genius or democrat. All of Buharis 'achievements' have being under autocratic governments one of which he lead with no clue on how to push us forward other than jailing politicians WITHOUT TRIAL some of which did nothing wrong. At least Ribadu did not send anyone innocent to jail or resort to manufacturing evidence.
As Gbawe put it, the ACN has men like Oshiomole who have in the past stood up to be counted while Buhari has corrupt individuals like Abacha and Marwa in he's camp and is ready to do business with the same Tinubu you keep mentioning.
You can accuse Ribadu of flip flopping on Tinubu and GEJ's wife and you will be right, he was forced to swallow he's vomit there, you can accuse him of not building a political base or biding he's time and once again you will be right but give the Buhari image laundering a rest. We do not all have to fall in line all in the name of dismantling PDP, some of us will not sweep Buharis past under the carpet especially when he has NEVER shown any sign of remorse for illegally toppling a democratic government or support of a tyrant.
While it is understandable to reference your friend's misfortune, you should also not forget that millions of Nigerian lives were saved by the intervention of PTF in various teaching hospitals across the nation. Was Abacha a tyrant? YES Did Abacha's regime provide more infrastructures to Nigerians in his 5 years of terror reign when compared to PDP's 12 years reaign? The answer here is an emphatic YES. If you say no to the latter questions, then you sure are not being truthful. The common man on the street enjoyed better infrastructural amenities in Abacha's time compared with the 12 years of PDP's misrule. This is a fact you cannot dispute.
On Marwa, how many of your likes accused him of looting Lagos dry when he was Governor of the state. Most comments emanating from Lagos back in 1999 was that Marwa had set the pace and Tinubu would have no choice but to perform. Meanwhile, I cited Marwa's case to put to lie Gbawe's claim that Buhari endorsed Mohammed Abacha. On the bold comment, you are simply being mischievous withe the truth. CPC is a party, yes founded by Buhari to actualize his aspiration to lead Nigeria again. I cannot recall what part of the Nigerian constitution states that any iindividual can be denied the right of association by party leaders. Mohammed Abacha joined CPC after leaving PDP and Buhari certainly has no right to deny Abacha the right to join the party. The bone of contention is that Buhari has never endorsed Mohammed Abacha.
I'm very much certain that people like you would be the first to critisize Buhari if he had made any attempt at stopping Abacha Mohammed from joining CPC.
Dude, I was not intending to bring the personal angle into this but I was riled by that statement, to put any sort of positive spin on the Abacha years is akin to referencing the autobahns and the industrial revolution in Germany during the Nazi era. I will not join words with you about the infrastructural gains during the Abacha years at the risk of diverting the subject but the fact of the matter is Buhari saw nothing wrong with that utterly corrupt regime yet you are quick to condemn Ribadu.
In regards to Marwa, I do not get your point. Marwa went on a looting spree, acquired properties abroad and started airlines (same thing Tinubu is accused of)yet Buhari saw nothing wrong in endorsing him. Did he not have to remit millions of dollars back to the state coffers a few years back or the news did not reach Buhari? How do we know Marwa's looted funds are not in anyway contributing to Buharis campaign?
In regards to Abacha, you can not honestly tell me that a political party cannot refuse the application of anyone they do not deem fit? I am no lawyer but I am 100% sure there is no law that states that a party is forced to accept anyone that wishes to join and like I said before the Tinubu you villify was in talks with Buhari about an alliance. If the alliance held up will Buhari not be indirectly using the same 'looted lagos funds' to campaign or maybe ACN no go campain at the least in the south west?
If I had to choose between PDP and Buhari I will go with Buhari, such is the rot in the system that we have to be barrel scraping for leaders but thats the card we have being dealt but to exclude Buhari from the politics of compromises is ironic at best
While it is understandable to reference your friend's misfortune, you should also not forget that millions of Nigerian lives were saved by the intervention of PTF in various teaching hospitals across the nation. Was Abacha a tyrant? YES Did Abacha's regime provide more infrastructures to Nigerians in his 5 years of terror reign when compared to PDP's 12 years reaign? The answer here is an emphatic YES. If you say no to the latter questions, then you sure are not being truthful. The common man on the street enjoyed better infrastructural amenities in Abacha's time compared with the 12 years of PDP's misrule. This is a fact you cannot dispute.
On Marwa, how many of your likes accused him of looting Lagos dry when he was Governor of the state. Most comments emanating from Lagos back in 1999 was that Marwa had set the pace and Tinubu would have no choice but to perform. Meanwhile, I cited Marwa's case to put to lie Gbawe's claim that Buhari endorsed Mohammed Abacha. On the bold comment, you are simply being mischievous withe the truth. CPC is a party, yes founded by Buhari to actualize his aspiration to lead Nigeria again. I cannot recall what part of the Nigerian constitution states that any iindividual can be denied the right of association by party leaders. Mohammed Abacha joined CPC after leaving PDP and Buhari certainly has no right to deny Abacha the right to join the party. The bone of contention is that Buhari has never endorsed Mohammed Abacha.
I'm very much certain that people like you would be the first to critisize Buhari if he had made any attempt at stopping Abacha Mohammed from joining CPC.
Dude, I was not intending to bring the personal angle into this but I was riled by that statement, to put any sort of positive spin on the Abacha years is akin to referencing the autobahns and the industrial revolution in Germany during the Nazi era. I will not join words with you about the infrastructural gains during the Abacha years at the risk of diverting the subject but the fact of the matter is Buhari saw nothing wrong with that utterly corrupt regime yet you are quick to condemn Ribadu.
In regards to Marwa, I do not get your point. Marwa went on a looting spree, acquired properties abroad and started airlines (same thing Tinubu is accused of)yet Buhari saw nothing wrong in endorsing him. Did he not have to remit millions of dollars back to the state coffers a few years back or the news did not reach Buhari? How do we know Marwa's looted funds are not in anyway contributing to Buharis campaign?
In regards to Abacha, you can not honestly tell me that a political party cannot refuse the application of anyone they do not deem fit? I am no lawyer but I am 100% sure there is no law that states that a party is forced to accept anyone that wishes to join and like I said before the Tinubu you villify was in talks with Buhari about an alliance. If the alliance held up will Buhari not be indirectly using the same 'looted lagos funds' to campaign or maybe ACN no go campain at the least in the south west?
If I had to choose between PDP and Buhari I will go with Buhari, such is the rot in the system that we have to be barrel scraping for leaders but thats the card we have being dealt but to exclude Buhari from the politics of compromises is ironic at best
Let's just assume Buhari goofed for speaking about Abacha in that light, does that make it right for a Ribadu to deny ever investigating Damn Dame Jonathan? What moral grounds does Ribadu have to deny he never called Tinubu unprintable names? Now we have the same Ribadu cuddling up with IBB.
Now on Abacha, would you honestly compare the development Nigeria has witnessed in the last 12 years with Abacha's 5 year rule? Abacha may have been a tyrant, however, I know for sure that the average Nigerian saw more progress in terms of infrastructural development between 1994 and 1999 as compared to 1999 to 2011. Only a blind and dim witted Nigeria will deny this fact. On Abacha's son, I think you are delibrately trying to be mischievous because it is on record that Buhari's choice was never Abacha's son. This fact is known 'cos Mohammed Abacha initially included Buhari amongst those he sued to court when his name was substituted for a preferred candidate by the party elders. Mohammed only withdrew Buhari's name 'cos he knows there was no way on earth he'll become Kano State governor without Buhari's support. By the way, PDP will win the Kano state governorship election. Buhari has abstained from endorsing Mohammed Abacha. If Buhari supports a candidate, he does it publicly, just the same way he supported Marwa in Adamawa state for example. No Buhari supporter that I know has ever claimed that the man is infallible. What we are saying is that he's the cleanest. As per IBB's endorsement, the Buhari will certainly not accept IBB's endorsement. This much we know 'cos of the verbal war in which Qasim Afegba (IBB spokesman) and Odumakin (Buhari's spokesman) engage in shortly after Buhari visited IBB in Minna. One clear issue with Buhari is that we know he'll not cut a deal with anyone on issues of corruption. Buhari offering Bakare the VP slot is in fact a big plus for him. It shows that the man is willing to work with those who may have castigated him in the past as long as such individuals have no known record of corruption hanging around their neck. Buhari is ready and willing to work with any Nigerian who has credible records of standing firm against corruption and nepotism. As long as Ribadu does not come out publicly to deny the news, he'll never be able to wash himself clean from the baggage of IBB and others like him. IBB endorsed Atiku after losing out to the latter in the NPLF choice. IBB never went out publicly to campaign for Atiku, but the former ensured that the delegates from Niger state (and some other northern states) voted for Atiku at the PDP primaries. IBB i not known to endorse anyone without cutting deals and he surely has never gone out to campaign physically for anyone he endorses.
I think you are overreaching with this Abacha connection. As someone who's close friend lost their father to the Abacha goon squad i find it borderline insultive that anyone will try and put a positive spin on those dark days to score internet points. Now Buhari wants to reap the benefits of a democratic system he had no hand in building but conveniently looked the other way while he's good chum went about maiming the real heroes of democracy? Buhari's claim to fame is heading a fascist government and being in charge of the ptf. I also find it ironic that you mention Marwa, a man electioneering with 'looted Lagos state funds' as someone Buhari will endorse, next thing you will claim Marwa did not loot or the money he had to return to the Government was for philantrophic reasons.
CPC is Buharis party, was he asleep at the switch when Abacha joined or he just wanted him to donate to he's campaign and then go siddon look.
Firstly the lucrative job offers you made reference to and boldened is the PTF i guess. However, if you dont know before i better state it here because it is on record that Buhari did not recieve salary from the PTF, Buhari said he is recieving his pension from the govt and does not feel comofrtable recieving another salary from the same govt he is already taking money from.
Ribadu was in diaspora and I have seen him talk in couple of places in the UK but dude, we seem to be forgetting that poitics in Nigeria is not the same as speaking at organised forums in the west. I have never doubted Ribadus passion and i stated and i am stating it again that Ribadu has shown inconsistency which casts doubt in my mind. Ribadu chose the easiest option of joining an established party to actualise his dream. Buhari tried this option twice and failed when he realised he is in the midst of people that do not share the same principles or ideology with him he started a new party.
Ribadu could have done the same, Tunde Bakre told of how he gathered all these men together to form a party of real progressives but Ribadu chose the easiest option. PDP is not bad because PDP is a person , PDP is bad because of the people in PDP. Ribadu cannot ride to power on looted Lagos fuinds and fight corruption in LAgos. It will not work. Yaradua could not fight Iboris corruption because it wasnt OBJs money but Iboris 10 Billion that was used in the election of 2007.
It seems you are the one a bit intolerant of accepting Ribadus short commings, I have never denied that Buhari has his own limitations but Ribadu is showing inconsistencies and that is what i want people to see. Ribadu cannot win this election and he himself knows that but why is he denying us the opportunity of seeing PDPs back by stepping down for Buhari who has the whole north behind him.
Ribadu form the start refused to sign the withdrawal form and has said he will not stèp down. Posterity will not forgive these people if PDP returns to power .
IBB is a political baggage amongst the real progressives , ask Wole Soyinka about his experience, ask Oshiomole about his experience, Tinubu and his boys ran away from Edo state when they learnt IBB was going to be there. Ribadu chose to visit the Lion in his den and the smart Tinubu was absent not by coincidence. IBB has a way of neutralising his haters and he has jus done that to Ribadu. Go ask Tai solarin how IBB neutralised his opposition. Tinubu is smart but unfortunately Ribadu is politically inexperienced to have made this move.
Was Buhari not trying to form a coalition /alliance/agreement with the same Tinubu you refer to? If that alliance was formed and by all indications it is not off the table is it not going to involve the same Lagos state funds or will Tinubu sign a declaration form of some sort first?
You say Buhari has tried courting the progressives, how I say? As Gbawe mentioned he shows up every election with the hope that he's popularity in the North will see him through. John Mccain addressed the NAACP when he was running for president, what steps has Buhari taken to identify with the progressives even if they were rebuffed?
Ribadu has being courting the progressive elements both home and abroad EVEN BEFORE he declared he's intention. Premeditated or not he is at least pro active and like I mentioned on that other thread he has put issues on the front burner by regularly engaging the electorate both on the web and in Q&A sessions. Buhari stands on a podium talks about free and fair elections and on to the next rally like he's got a divine right to the presidency.
You either read my mind or I read yours. The only party with hard evidence to show for capacity and good performance. ACN is the only party in Nigeria today that has people who will promise something and people will believe that they can perform. They are the true voice of hope. They have shown that they can manage the country effectively and restore pride. they have shown that they have guts. Ribadu will have no choice but to perform if he gets in there. Look at their campaign strategy. They have employed the most modern methods, Not just by crude sentimental crowd gathering. Birds of the same feather flock together. That is one reason they did not jeopardize their party's standards by joining forces with CPC.
I think the bolded is worth noting, Ribadu and Adeola have being holding regular Q&A sessions and talking up policies on twitter:
I know- and this is why I don't comment much on that issue . We heard , ages ago , that OBJ was routing for unfancied Olurin and yet this is precisely what has happened in testimony to how some are complete and unflinching dictators who must get their way always. OBJ decided that Obi must make way for his "son" Andy Ubah in 2006 despite Obi being the choice of the people . OBJ did not care . He disgracefully went on to get Obi impeached so as to impose Ubah on the good people of Anambra . Tinubu , on the other hand , capitulated to the popularity of Fashola in Lagos by backing down on his attempt to replace the Lagos governor.
I am no fan of Tinubu yet I can say he is not an enemy of progress in the crude and unreasonable mode of some of the dinosaurs still marauding the Nigerian politcal horizon . I resent the cheap efforts to portray him as Enemy "numero uno" . Furthermore , even as he always wants to 'get paid' , Tinubu is not anti-development as many of the nearnderthals who can never temper their greed with the humanitarian consideration that many Nigerians should not live as they do currently . Tinubu was behind many of the initiatives fashola is now getting accolades for eg BRT, Eko Atlantic city et al.
One thing many folks do not understand is how Nigerian politics , currently and behind the scene , is controlled entirely by money. We will be here making the same noise for 2000 years if we think penniless folks like Wole Soyinka can liberate us from the choking grasp of the PDP . Tinubu , for reasons too many to list and explain here , is a "neccessary evil" as they say. This is the realisation Ribadu too came to accept .
I think you and Katsumoto summed up what I was going to say. Tinubu is being used as a bogey man here from allegations that ACN members have to sing songs praising him before meetings to Bode George accusing him of sending him to Jail. If by some miracle Ribadu wins this election the big stick Tinubu can use with Fashola which is legislative control cannot apply as ACN cannot even in a best case scenario control the National assembly out rightly. Fola Adeola was on Channels yesterday and was asked about the Tinubu factor, he's answer (which I agree with) was that there is no way Tinubu will approach men like Nuhu Ribadu and himself to run on the ACN platform and expect to retain control over the presidency. He would have drafted an insider as VP to mind the till so to speak.
As for Buhari, I do not doubt the man's integrity but let us not get deluded that he is a progressive. We have a rare opportunity where he's interests and that of all progressives collide but that does not auto-magically make him a progressive. I do not recall him speaking out during the June 12 affair or weighing on the killing of progressives under Abacha. A government he happily served in. Jakande has not recovered politically from serving in that government yet we want to sweep that episode under the carpet.
My main grouse with a Buhari presidency is, I do not see him achieving much beyond fighting corruption. He was talking about persuading legislators to reduce their salaries (good luck with that) and setting up probe panels and the like. Corruption is one of the biggest problems we have as a nation but if all we are going to do is fight corruption for 4 years then what happens if 4 years from now a corrupt individual takes over? He will reverse the gains we have made within 6 months!
We need systematic changes that will reduce the power and influence of the Federal government THAT is how we make lasting changes. Take a look at the speed with which IBB dismantled the war against indiscipline when he took over. What lasting legacy can Buhari point to from he's regime?
I support Ribadu not because I believe he is the most qualified person to lead us but because ever since leaving the EFCC he has firmly being in the progressive camp. At grave personal risk he came for Gani's burial while in exile. Femi Falana touched on that here:
He regularly connected with Nigerians in the diaspora while away and I had the honour of attending a state of the nation lecture in 2009 where he was a guest and he's passion for Nigeria is obvious.
I know the chances are slim but a Ribadu-Adeola administration can be potentially trans formative for Nigeria. Ribadu did show a passion for Nigeria while out of government and is respected by progressives and Fola Adeola has done great things with Fate foundation. I know a couple of people that have given talks at the Fate foundation and they have nothing but nice things to say about him and the organization.
These are the sort of people that should be presiding over our affairs, people that did not need to be in government to make a difference
I find it odd that anyone came away from that town hall meeting with that impression. I taught Ribadu did well and provided more detail on education and electricity. Also liked the fact he deferred economic questions to Fola Adeola which implies he will playing an important role in the administration and not just some spare tyre. It is also consistent with what he has said about sounding out someone with an economic background for vp.
I support fashola on the 4th mainland bridge issue.
How long can Lagosians continue to wait for a FG thats not interested in developing Lagos? The same FG who seized Lagos state funds is the one we should wait for?
Its like your roof is leaking and you keep waiting for your landlord to fix it, While it might be the landLords duty but whose goods and property are getting destroyed?
What single project has the FG accomplished in the SW for the past 11yrs. At least all other SW states have had PDP governors for 6-8yrs
Excellent point, the pdp senatorial candidate for Lagos central was parroting that same claptrap in an interview with 234next:
This whole federal assistance talk is nothing more than ready made excuses for when they go to Abuja to beg for more 'national cake', this beggarly/dependence culture I find nauseating.
Politics / Re: Senators Uncover Destabilisation Plot •acn Leaders Fingered. by nulldev: 4:37pm On Jun 10, 2011 
The piece reads like 2 separate drafts joined together. Went from anonymous opposition party to a sinister Tinubu plot. 9ja press and hyperbole sha 
Buhari is not desperate but GEJ, Ribadu are? I remember you throwing a hissyfit when Ribadu met with IBB now Buhari is making a political statement? So it is AFTER the legislative elections he decides to make a political statement.
Is this verified?