FG denies plotting sack Jega, insists INEC boss will go when due

The federal government has clarified that while it is not in the plans of President Goodluck Jonathan to illegally remove Prof. Attahiru Jega as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, “nothing would debar the INEC boss from proceeding on retirement when the need arises, in line with the civil service rule and as enshrined in the constitution.” Supervising Minister of Information who is the substantive Minister of Culture and Tourism, Chief Edem Duke, made this clarification yesterday during his maiden meeting with information correspondents at Radio House, Abuja. According to him, “I align myself with Mr. President that he has no plan to sack the INEC chairman. President Jonathan reaffirmed the confidence reposed on the INEC chairman and reiterated that the administration has no plan whatsoever to send the electoral umpire illegally packing. But this is not to say that, if it is time for INEC chairman to naturally exit his office, then the natural course of public service rule will not take place when he has reached age of retirement or exhausted his tenure.” Duke went on to urge journalists to beware of rumour mongers and ensure that they sieve the truth from propaganda which has become the order of the day in the country as a result of the ongoing electioneering campaigns. He said, “With the elections around the corner, it is important for every one of us to apply some sense of decorum, sense of patriotism and sense of judgmental guide in a manner that whatever we do, especially at this critical time of our nation’s development, we must be guided strictly by spirit of professionalism and love of our country. “Those who are competing for offices in the course of these elections are the ones feeding social media with propaganda because they have no records to back their aspiration; they had spent a lot of resources, time and ingenuity building social media propaganda so that by the time campaign commenced, they were ready with propaganda against government in power. “They embark on massive publicity campaign, recruit electoral PR companies to sell products that do not exist and these are thrown to the public during election. But we must realise that truth struck a thousand times will always rise again because the eternal age of time belongs to truth.

CHOOSING A LIFE PARTNER

DAILY DEVOTIONAL -PST. FAITH OYEDEPO CHOOSING A LIFE PARTNER “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” -Amos 3:3- From my studies, I have discovered that the basis upon which people make their choices of a life partner is multi-dimensional. It is based on the physical, emotional or intellectual, and spiritual. Once they sense a bond in any of these realms, they often times conclude that such a person would make a good companion. While they are not totally wrong, choosing a life partner should not be based on just one of the above, but on the three dimensions. As important as the physical is, your choice should not be based on that alone, but should be most importantly spiritual, as well as intellectual. It’s not wrong to admire someone’s beauty, complexion, appearance, oratory ability, or academic qualification, but a marriage built on these is soon to end in disaster because these on their own cannot build a lasting and peaceful family life. More so, likes and dislikes change over time. What seems perfect for you today, might become childish and old fashioned tomorrow. So, why not hang on to something that would last a lifetime. The most important bond to look out for is therefore your spiritual bond. Is this person a born-again Christian? Who is God to him or her or what does he or she feel about God? What relationship does this person have outside of the church? The spiritual aspect of whoever you intend to get involved with is what will determine how much the marriage will flourish. You must not be unequally yoked! Thus as you chose a life partner, be spiritual about it and don’t forget to employ the help of the Holy Spirit. He is your best guide to the truth. You will not miss your place in your marital destiny. Remain Blessed!

KNOW WHAT YOU DON'T KNOW....Most read

Let me remind those criticizing the involvement of Chadian,Nigerian and Camerounian troops in the war against Boko Haram that...... In 1775-7,the Americans relied heavily on the French to defeat their British colonial overlords. In 1940-45,the British,who were the colonial masters of the Americans begged the Americans for arms and troops to vanquish the Axis powers. It was the Combined efforts of the Canadians ,Americans and Africans that liberated occupied France and Europe from the clutches of Hitler In the 90s,the US had to assemble forces from 30 nations before ejecting Saddam from Kuwait.Nigeria was also approached to contribute troops but she declined. The second gulf war was like that too. In the 50s,US,did not halt the advance of the North Koreans in the South alone.It went in with the Canadians,french,British . In invading,Afghanistan,the Americans,persuaded the Germans,French,British,,Poles to contribute troops to chase out the Talibans. The Americans also begged the Russians to stay cleAmericans) them the use of their bases. Closer home,Nigeria had in recent past sent troops to Chad to help keep the peace. It had participated in the operation that saved Mali from Islamists bent on usurping power. Nigeria had single-handedly restored Tejjan Kabba back to power in Sierra leone It helped in restoring democracy to Liberia. Why then the criticisms of foreign operations against terrorism in Nigeria knowing that no nation is too big or small to help. Boko Haram is a global phenomenon and no nation or leader in this world can lay claim to having vanquish terror alone. Buhari ,Tinubu and those criticizing the current government on this issue are highly hypocritical ,malicious and lacks credibility. Their solution to this saga is nondescript at best woeful

Ebonyi governor served impeachment notice

Abakaliki -The Ebonyi State House of Assembly on Friday served an impeachment notice on Governor Martin Elechi. The House accused the governor of gross misconduct and abuse of office. Members of the assembly also accused Gov. Elechi of undermining of the integrity of the House. The motion for the impeachment notice to be served on the governor was moved by Hon. Odefa Obasi Odefa and seconded by Hon. Valentine Okike. Elechi has been having a running battle with the House over who succeeds him when his tenure expires on May 29.

ISIS to radicalise Nigerian youths schooling abroad, FG raises alarm

ABUJA – The Federal government, yesterday, alerted a plan by Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) to radicalise Nigerian youth, who were schooling abroad, calling on parents and guardians to monitor their wards closely. The Coordinator of the National Information Centre (NIC), Mr Mike Omeri stated this while briefing newsmen on security situation in the country, in Abuja, said the call became imperative based on intelligent report at the government’s disposal. According to him, they are planning to do this through the use of the social media. “The Centre wishes to alert the nation of intelligence reports indicating the radicalisation of our youths through the social media and a variety of other sources. “The reports show that these youths who are mostly children of the rich and affluent are being recruited into ISIS. “We, therefore, call on parents and guardians, especially those whose wards are schooling abroad, to closely monitor the activities of these students who may be susceptible to the antics of the promoters of the ISIS ideology,” Omeri said. On insurgency in the North East, Omeri noted that there was a stiff resistance against insurgent incursion into the country at several locations, and the recapture of several towns and settlements which had Boko Haram presence earlier. According to him, the locations where these successes have been recorded include: Gabchari, Abba Jabari, Gajigana, Gajiram, Damakar, Kumaliwa, Bosso, Wanti, Jeram and Karisungul which are currently under the firm control of our gallant troops. These are in addition to Hong, Mubi North/South, Maiha, Michika, Shuwa, Wuro Gyambi, Gombi, Vimtim, Uba and Bazza (Adamawa); Mafa, Gamboru-Ngala, Malam-Fatori, Abadam, Marte, Monguno and Baga (Borno); Gujba and Gulani (Yobe) which had earlier been liberated. The Centre called on Nigerians to be patriotic and appreciate the effort and sacrifice of the security personnel for the selfless manner in which they were prosecuting the anti-terror war.

NYSC member commits suicide over girlfriend

The body of a 26-year-old National Youth Service Corp, NYSC, member, identified as Ernest, was, Wednesday, recovered from his one room apartment after he reportedly took a poisonous substance. Reports indicated that the young man, who was in love with a fellow NYSC member, Chioma Okewuru, went berserk when the girl came back from her village over the weekend with a ring from a man she had promised to marry. Ernest, who is from Edo State and a graduate of the University of Benin, was posted to Cross River State in October, where he met and fell in love with Chioma, and both were serving in Redemption Secondary School, Ofombogha 1 in Obubra Local Government Area of Cross Rivers State. Mr. Noah Ntuen, Acting Divisional Police Officer for Obubra told Vanguard on phone: “The girl had told the guy that she would not marry him, but that they could be friends. So when she came back from home last weekend and showed him the ring her husband-to-be gave her, the young man became furious. “On Wednesday, the situation became worse and at about 7pm, he locked himself in the room and took some poisonous substances.” A source in the school told Vanguard: “They met at the NYSC Orientation Camp at Abrekpe-Ebokpo and as luck would have it, they were both posted to the same school where they had a relationship going. “He had the hope the whole thing would end in marriage, but Chioma already had another person she wants to marry.” Ntuen said the body had been deposited in the mortuary of Obubra General Hospital, while Chioma is with the police, where investigations on the circumstances surrounding the tragic death are in progress.  Source: Vanguard Newspaper Nigeria

Oba of Benin is alive -Traditional council

Oba of Benin is alive -Traditional council BY ALEXANDER OKERE The Oba of Benin, Oba Erediauwa, has dismissed the rumour that he had passed on. The speculation on the monarch’s demise had gone viral on the Internet on Friday morning. The rumour also intensified with the claim that the Oba did not personally receive President Goodluck Jonathan, during his February 4 presidential rally in Benin, the Edo State capital‎. But the Benin Traditional Council, told our correspondent on Friday evening that it was a mere speculation, which had been on for over six months and lacked truth. The Secretary to the council, Mr. Frank Irabor, explained that it was the responsibility of the council to issue a formal statement, if such a development did occur. He said, “They have been peddling that rumour for more than a year now, because the Oba has not been coming out. “If there is anything like that, there is usually a statement from the palace or from the Benin Traditional Council.” Although the spokesperson did not specify whether or not the Oba was hale and hearty, he said that inability of the President Jonathan to see the monarch, when he visited the palace, did not give credence to his rumoured death. “The fact that he has not been coming out, even when the President came last week, does not mean that there is anything like that‎.” “I don’t bother about rumours. I believe in getting information from the authentic source. For more than six months, they have been carrying the rumour,” he added. Source: punch newspaper

BUHARI on the RUN

First, he dodged the presidential debate organised by the Nigeria elections Debate Group (NEDG), citing bias platform, composition nd the Like. Then, a combination of two private TV stations and the Newspaper Proprietors Association Of Nigeria(NPAN) offered him another opportunity. He still alleged bias and campaign of calumny. But we know his fears. The aPC presidential flag bearer lacks the intellectual capacity and moral Strength to face the Nigeria publics. His competence does not transcend. War mongering and his biggest strength is. Rigidity. By refusing to offer himself for public scrutiny, Buhari obviously does not want to interface with those he seeks to lead. He holds the people in Utter contempt and does not care a hoot about what they think about him. Then we ask: if this man cam make himself inaccessible as an ordinary citizen, what then will happen when he ascends to power? Certainly, buhari is on the run. He wants to dodge those troubling issues that could expose his underbelly. But he can't hide. Time. And truth. Shall find him out Is this the. Change we want ??? Culled by Comrade wellington Osadolor President Edo o odion movement

Why we can't proceed with elections - Jega

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Attahiru Jega, has concluded a briefing meeting with 25 civil society groups in Abuja Saturday informing them that all security agencies in the country have indicated to him, in writing, that they are not available to support the elections planned for February 14 and 28. Mr. Jega, who had an earlier meeting with political parties, is rounding up another meeting with his 36 resident electoral commissioners now on what will amount to an INEC position on whether to postpone or go ahead with the elections. Insiders at the meeting said “its pretty much a done deal at this point that the elections will be postponed” and many of the attendees told News men they were shell-shocked and depressed at what they characterize as “a clear case of political blackmail of the state against civil society”. Jibrin Ibrahim, a leading African election expert and senior fellow at the Centre for Democracy and Development, CDD, in Abuja, who was at the meeting, said Mr. Jega told the meeting that security operatives from all the agencies told INEC that they were commencing a six weeks special operations against Boko Haram insurgents in the north eastern corridors of the country. and would rather not be distracted by the elections. Mr. Jega announced that the security forces also said the operations are due to commence on February 14, the date INEC had planned for the presidential and federal legislative elections. This decision, by the security forces, successfully renders INEC’s hitherto insistence to go ahead with the elections a risky venture. To even collect ballot papers from their storage in the Central Bank of Nigeria for the elections will require security escort, which apparently is now unavailable in the light of the move by the security forces. Source: premium Times

Meet Nigeria’s billionaire Dr. Osadolor, his mansions, his cars…

Meet Nigeria’s billionaire Dr. Osadolor, his mansions, his cars… Meet Nigeria’s billionaire  Isaac O. Osadalor (MD; M.Sc; PhD; D.Sc; J.D) the Medical and Scientific Director of International Society of Cellular Therapy. At a relatively young age of 44, Dr Isaac Osadolor Odemwigie sits comfortably atop a self-made fortune worth over $500m. His $54m mansion sitting imperially on a large expanse of land in the exclusive Callera residential area of Puebla-city, Mexico (please continue…) Doris Dosage Blog: Meet Nigeria’s billionaire Dr. Osadolor, his mansions, his cars… http://bit.ly/1D2smgJ

Meet Nigeria’s billionaire Dr. Osadolor, his mansions, his cars…

Meet Nigeria’s billionaire Dr. Osadolor, his mansions, his cars… Meet Nigeria’s billionaire  Isaac O. Osadalor (MD; M.Sc; PhD; D.Sc; J.D) the Medical and Scientific Director of International Society of Cellular Therapy. At a relatively young age of 44, Dr Isaac Osadolor Odemwigie sits comfortably atop a self-made fortune worth over $500m. His $54m mansion sitting imperially on a large expanse of land in the exclusive Callera residential area of Puebla-city, Mexico (please continue…) Doris Dosage Blog: Meet Nigeria’s billionaire Dr. Osadolor, his mansions, his cars… http://bit.ly/1D2smgJ

Girls and their ungratefulness

THIS TOUCHED ME There was a blind girl who hated herself because she was blind. She hated everyone except her loving boyfriend. He was always there for her. She told her boyfriend 'If I could only see the world, I will marry you.' One day, someone donated a pair of eyes to her. When the bandages came off, she was able to see everything, including her boyfriend. He asked her,’ Now that you can see the world, will you marry me?' The girl looked at her boyfriend and saw that he was blind. The sight of his closed eyelids shocked her. She hadn't expected that. The thought of looking at them the rest of her life led her to refuse to marry him. Her boyfriend left her in tears and days later wrote a note to her saying: 'Take good care of your eyes, my dear for before they were yours, they were mine.' This is how the human brain often works when our status changes. Only a very few remember what life was like before, and who was always by their side in the most painful situations. LIFE IS A GIFT!!! 🔴 Today before you say an unkind word-Think of someone who can't speak. 🔴 Before you complain about the taste of your food - Think of someone who has nothing to eat. 🔴 Before you complain about your husband or wife - Think of someone who's crying out to GOD for a companion. 🔴 Today before you complain about life - Think of someone who died too young. 🔴 Before you complain about your children - Think of someone who desires children but they're barren. 🔴 Before you argue about your dirty house someone didn't clean or sweep - Think of the people who are living in the streets. 🔴 Before whining about the distance you drive - Think of someone who walks the same distance with their feet. 🔴 And when you are tired and complain about your job - Think of the unemployed, the disabled, and those who wish they had your job. 🔴 But before you think of pointing the finger or condemning another - Remember that not one of us is without sin and we all answer to one MAKER. 🔴 And when depressing thoughts seem to get you down - Put a smile on your face and thank GOD you're alive and still around. 🔴 And before you think of signing out - Please think of sending this to at least ten people. Good morning and God Bless You.

The Nigerian Nation against General Buhari – Wole Soyinka

The Nigerian Nation against General Buhari – Wole Soyinka This intervention has been provoked, not so much by the ambitions of General Buhari to return to power at the head of a democratic Nigeria, as by declarations of support from directions that leave one totally dumbfounded. It would appear that some, myself among them, had been overcomplacent about the magnitude of an ambition that seemed as preposterous as the late effort of General Ibrahim Babangida to aspire yet again to the honour of presiding over a society that truly seeks a democratic future. What one had dismissed was a rash of illusions, brought about by other political improbabilities that surround us, however, is being given an air of plausibility by individuals and groupings to which one had earlier attributed a sense of relevance of historic actualities. Recently, I published an article in the media, invoking the possible recourse to psychiatric explanation for some of the incongruities in conduct within national leadership. Now, to tell the truth, I have begun to seriously address the issue of which section of society requires the services of a psychiatrist. The contest for a seizure of rationality is now so polarized that I am quite reconciled to the fact it could be those of us on this side, not the opposing school of thought that ought to declare ourselves candidates for a lunatic asylum. So be it. While that decision hangs in the balance however, the forum is open. Let both sides continue to address our cases to the electorate, but also prepare to submit ourselves for psychiatric examination. The time being so close to electoral decision, we can understand the haste of some to resort to shortcuts. In the process however, we should not commit the error of opening the political space to any alternative whose curative touch to national afflictions have proven more deadly than the disease. In order to reduce the clutter in our options towards the forthcoming elections, we urge a beginning from what we do know, what we have undergone, what millions can verify, what can be sustained by evidence accessible even to the school pupil, the street hawker or a just-come visitor from outer space. Leaving Buhari aside for now, I propose a commencing exercise that should guide us along the path of elimination as we examine the existing register of would-be president. That initial exercise can be summed up in the following speculation: “If it were possible for Olusegun Obasanjo, the actual incumbent, to stand again for election, would you vote for him?” If the answer is “yes”, then of course all discussion is at an end. If the answer is ‘No’ however, then it follows that a choice of a successor made by Obasanjo should be assessed as hovering between extremely dangerous and an outright kiss of death. The degree of acceptability of such a candidate should also be inversely proportionate to the passion with which he or she is promoted by the would-be ‘godfather’. We do not lack for open evidence about Obasanjo’s passion in this respect. From Lagos to the USA, he has taken great pains to assure the nation and the world that the anointed NPN presidential flag bearer is guaranteed, in his judgment, to carry out his policies. Such an endorsement/anointment is more than sufficient, in my view, for public acceptance or rejection. Yar’Adua’s candidature amounts to a terminal kiss from a moribund regime. Nothing against the person of this – I am informed – personable governor, but let him understand that in addition to the direct source of his emergence, the PDP, on whose platform he stands, represents the most harrowing of this nation’s nightmares over and beyond even the horrors of the Abacha regime. If he wishes to be considered on his own merit, now is time for him, as well as others similarly enmeshed, to exercise the moral courage that goes with his repudiation of that party, a dissociation from its past, and a pledge to reverse its menacing future. We shall find him an alternative platform on which to stand, and then have him present his credentials along those of other candidates engaged in forging a credible opposition alliance. Until then, let us bury this particular proposition and move on to a far graver, looming danger, personified in the history of General Buhari. The grounds on which General Buhari is being promoted as the alternative choice are not only shaky, but pitifully naive. History matters. Records are not kept simply to assist the weakness of memory, but to operate as guides to the future. Of course, we know that human beings change. What the claims of personality change or transformation impose on us is a rigorous inspection of the evidence, not wishful speculation or behind-the-scenes assurances. Public offence, crimes against a polity, must be answered in the public space, not in caucuses of bargaining. In Buhari, we have been offered no evidence of the sheerest prospect of change. On the contrary, all evident suggests that this is one individual who remains convinced that this is one ex-ruler that the nation cannot call to order. Buhari – need one remind anyone – was one of the generals who treated a Commission of Enquiry, the Oputa Panel, with unconcealed disdain. Like Babangida and Abdusalami, he refused to put in appearance even though complaints that were tabled against him involved a career of gross abuses of power and blatant assault on the fundamental human rights of the Nigerian citizenry. Prominent against these charges was an act that amounted to nothing less than judicial murder, the execution of a citizen under a retroactive decree. Does Decree 20 ring a bell? If not, then, perhaps the names of three youths – Lawal Ojuolape (30), Bernard Ogedengbe (29) and Bartholomew Owoh (26) do. To put it quite plainly, one of those three – Ogedengbe – was executed for a crime that did not carry a capital forfeit at the time it was committed. This was an unconscionable crime, carried out in defiance of the pleas and protests of nearly every sector of the Nigerian and international community – religious, civil rights, political, trade unions etc. Buhari and his sidekick and his partner-in-crime, Tunde Idiagbon persisted in this inhuman act for one reason and one reason only: to place Nigerians on notice that they were now under an iron, inflexible rule, under governance by fear. The execution of that youthful innocent – for so he was, since the punishment did not exist at the time of commission – was nothing short of premeditated murder, for which the perpetrators should normally stand trial upon their loss of immunity. Are we truly expected to forget this violation of our entitlement to security as provided under existing laws? And even if our sensibilities have become blunted by succeeding seasons of cruelty and brutality, if power itself had so coarsened the sensibilities also of rulers and corrupted their judgment, what should one rightly expect after they have been rescued from the snare of power” At the very least, a revaluation, leading hopefully to remorse, and its expression to a wronged society. At the very least, such a revaluation should engender reticence, silence. In the case of Buhari, it was the opposite. Since leaving office he has declared in the most categorical terms that he had no regrets over this murder and would do so again. Human life is inviolate. The right to life is the uniquely fundamental right on which all other rights are based. The crime that General Buhari committed against the entire nation went further however, inconceivable as it might first appear. That crime is one of the most profound negations of civic being. Not content with hammering down the freedom of expression in general terms, Buhari specifically forbade all public discussion of a return to civilian, democratic rule. Let us constantly applaud our media – those battle scarred professionals did not completely knuckle down. They resorted to cartoons and oblique, elliptical references to sustain the people’s campaign for a time-table to democratic rule. Overt agitation for a democratic time table however remained rigorously suppressed – military dictatorship, and a specifically incorporated in Buhari and Idiagbon was here to stay. To deprive a people of volition in their own political direction is to turn a nation into a colony of slaves. Buhari enslaved the nation. He gloated and gloried in a master-slave relation to the millions of its inhabitants. It is astonishing to find that the same former slaves, now free of their chains, should clamour to be ruled by one who not only turned their nation into a slave plantation, but forbade them any discussion of their condition. So Tai Solarin is already forgotten? Tai who stood at street corners, fearlessly distributing leaflets that took up the gauntlet where the media had dropped it. Tai who was incarcerated by that regime and denied even the medication for his asthmatic condition? Tai did not ask to be sent for treatment overseas; all he asked was his traditional medicine that had proved so effective after years of struggle with asthma! Nor must we omit the manner of Buhari coming to power and the pattern of his ‘corrective’ rule. Shagari’s NPN had already run out of steam and was near universally detested – except of course by the handful that still benefited from that regime of profligacy and rabid fascism. Responsibility for the national condition lay squarely at the door of the ruling party, obviously, but against whom was Buhari’s coup staged? Judging by the conduct of that regime, it was not against Shagari’s government but against the opposition. The head of government, on whom primary responsibility lay, was Shehu Shagari. Yet that individual was kept in cozy house detention in Ikoyi while his powerless deputy, Alex Ekwueme, was locked up in Kiri-kiri prisons. Such was the Buhari notion of equitable apportionment of guilt and/or responsibility. And then the cascade of escapes of the wanted, and culpable politicians. Manhunts across the length and breadth of the nation, roadblocks everywhere and borders tight as steel zip locks. Lo and behold, the chairman of the party, Chief Akinloye, strolled out coolly across the border. Richard Akinjide, Legal Protector of the ruling party, slipped out with equal ease. The Rice Minister, Umaru Dikko, who declared that Nigerians were yet to eat from dustbins – escaped through the same airtight dragnet. The clumsy attempt to crate him home was punishment for his ingratitude, since he went berserk when, after waiting in vain, he concluded that the coup had not been staged, after all, for the immediate consolidation of the party of extreme right-wing vultures, but for the military hyenas. The case of the overbearing Secretary-General of the party, Uba Ahmed, was even more noxious. Uba Ahmed was out of the country at the time. Despite the closure of the Nigerian airspace, he compelled the pilot of his plane to demand special landing permission, since his passenger load included the almighty Uba Ahmed. Of course, he had not known of the change in his status since he was airborne. The delighted airport commandant, realizing that he had a much valued fish swimming willingly into a waiting net, approved the request. Uba Ahmed disembarked into the arms of a military guard and was promptly clamped in detention. Incredibly, he vanished a few days after and reappeared in safety overseas. Those whose memories have become calcified should explore the media coverage of that saga. Buhari was asked to explain the vanished act of this much prized quarry and his response was one of the most arrogant levity. Coming from one who had shot his way into power on the slogan of ‘dis’pline’, it was nothing short of impudent. Shall we revisit the tragicomic series of trials that landed several politicians several lifetimes in prison? Recall, if you please, the ‘judicial’ processes undergone by the septuagenarian Chief Adekunle Ajasin. He was arraigned and tried before Buhari’s punitive tribunal but acquitted. Dissatisfied, Buhari ordered his re-trial. Again, the Tribunal could not find this man guilty of a single crime, so once again he was returned for trial, only to be acquitted of all charges of corruption or abuse of office. Was Chief Ajasin thereby released? No! He was ordered detained indefinitely, simply for the crime of winning an election and refusing to knuckle under Shagari’s reign of terror. The conduct of the Buhari regime after his coup was not merely one of double, triple, multiple standards but a cynical travesty of justice. Audu Ogbeh, currently chairman of the Action Congress was one of the few figures of rectitude within the NPN. Just as he has done in recent times with the PDP, he played the role of an internal critic and reformer, warning, dissenting, and setting an example of probity within his ministry. For that crime he spent months in unjust incarceration. Guilty by association? Well, if that was the motivating yardstick of the administration of the Buhari justice, then it was most selectively applied. The utmost severity of the Buhari-Idiagbon justice was especially reserved either for the opposition in general, or for those within the ruling party who had showed the sheerest sense of responsibility and patriotism. Shall I remind this nation of Buhari’s deliberate humiliating treatment of the Emir of Kano and the Oni of Ife over their visit to the state of Israel? I hold no brief for traditional rulers and their relationship with governments, but insist on regarding them as entitled to all the rights, privileges and responsibilities of any Nigerian citizen. This royal duo went to Israel on their private steam and private business. Simply because the Buhari regime was pursuing some antagonistic foreign policy towards Israel, a policy of which these traditional rulers were not a part, they were subjected on their return to a treatment that could only be described as a head masterly chastisement of errant pupils. Since when, may one ask, did a free citizen of the Nigerian nation require the permission of a head of state to visit a foreign nation that was willing to offer that tourist a visa.? One is only too aware that some Nigerians love to point to Buhari’s agenda of discipline as the shining jewel in his scrap-iron crown. To inculcate discipline however, one must lead by example, obeying laws set down as guides to public probity. Example speaks louder than declarations, and rulers cannot exempt themselves from the disciplinary strictures imposed on the overall polity, especially on any issue that seeks to establish a policy for public well-being. The story of the thirty something suitcases – it would appear that they were even closer to fifty – found unavoidable mention in my recent memoirs, YOU MUST SET FORTH AT DOWN, written long before Buhari became spoken of as a credible candidate. For the exercise of a changeover of the national currency, the Nigerian borders – air, sea and land – had been shut tight. Nothing was supposed to move in or out, not even cattle egrets.Yet a prominent camel was allowed through that needle’s eye. Not only did Buhari dispatch his aide-de-camp, Jokolo – later to become an emir – to facilitate the entry of those cases, he ordered the redeployment – as I later discovered – of the Customs Officer who stood firmly against the entry of the contravening baggage. That officer, the incumbent Vice-president is now a rival candidate to Buhari, but has somehow, in the meantime, earned a reputation that totally contradicts his conduct at the time. Wherever the truth lies, it does not redound to the credibility of the dictator of that time, General Buhari whose word was law, but whose allegiances were clearly negotiable. This article was first published in January 2007 on Sahara Reporters with the title, The Nigerian Nation Against General Buhari.

president. Jonathan and the church by CEE

Yesterday, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the largest Ecumenical Body ever established in Nigeria and in deed Africa along with the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), the national body which binds together all Christian Churches, organizations and believers who believe; experience, practice and cherish the Pentecostal experience as found and described in Acts 2:4, have endorsed President Goodluck Jonathan for the 14 February presidential election. The meeting was presided over by Pastor Adeboye, Bishop Oyedepo and others while Osinbajo, the running mate to the All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential candidate, Muhammadu Buhari, was shut down from addressing the meeting. When we warned Alhaji Ahmed Tinubu, Alhaji Raji Fashola and Alhaji Rauf Aregbesola not to go down the route of religion politics, they along with the majority of the Yoruba-Muslims descended to the absurd, using Yoruba Imams and Alfas to canvass for votes in the mosques. Now the die is cast. The majority of the Yoruba-Christians, who are believers and have accepted as valid for today the baptism of the Holy Spirit, with physical initial evidence of speaking in other tongues as it was spoken of those who experience same in the Bible days (Acts 10 : 45-47), will #‎VotesJonathan‬. They are 55% of the total population of the Yoruba electorate. Add that with the 10% Yoruba-Orisa adherents who are also not going to vote for Buhari, President Jonathan is projected to have more than 60% o the total votes in Yorubaland.

Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan escapes suspected suicide blast near election rally

A suspected suicide bomb has exploded near a campaign rally in north-east Nigeria minutes after president Goodluck Jonathan left the venue. The blast occured at a car park close to a stadium where Mr Jonathan addressed supporters of the ruling People's Democratic Party in Gombe City. Rescue workers and health officials said the bodies of two women were brought to the Gombe State Specialist Hospital, along with 18 people who were injured. There was no immediate claim of responsibility, although suspicion is likely to fall on Islamist militant group Boko Haram, which has attacked Gombe several times. On Sunday a suicide bombing near a mosque in the market area there killed five people and wounded eight. The target of the attack was not clear. "We have evacuated two bodies of females we believe were suicide bombers behind the blast," said the rescue official, who asked to remain anonymous because he was not authorised to speak to media. Nigeria is due to hold a presidential election on February 14, pitting the ruling People's Democratic Party's (PDP) Mr Jonathan against former military ruler, Muhammadu Buhari, for the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC). Both candidates are wrapping up their campaigns for what is expected to be the most closely fought election since the end of military rule in 1999. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has warned Nigeria's leaders not to stir up violence around the poll. APC supporters and the ruling PDP have already clashed in street battles that have killed several people. Battle for control Nigeria's government, meanwhile, claimed that it had retaken Gamboru and four other towns after a joint weekend offensive by its military, civilian vigilantes and forces from Chad and Cameroon. "Our troops are in control after operations which had the active support of volunteers (vigilantes) and our friendly neighbours," national security spokesman Mike Omeri told AFP. The military progress comes after Chadian fighter jets have for three days been bombing Boko Haram positions in the town of Gamboru, according to an AFP reporter in Fotokol, a Cameroonian town less than one kilometre from Gamboru. The situation appeared quiet by Monday evening, he said. Security analysts believe the key city of Maiduguri will likely be hit again before polling day, given its symbolism for the group and because it would further undermine the February 14 vote. The election is expected to be the closest since Nigeria returned to civilian rule in 1999, with the prospect of the PDP being dumped out of power for the first time in 16 years. Combating Boko Haram Boko Haram is in control of most of Borno state and has effectively surrounded Maiduguri, which is seen as one of the few places left in the state where voting could feasibly still take place. But turnout could be affected if large numbers of people, many of them displaced by six years of violence, desert the city, which with other areas in the north-east is a main opposition stronghold. Capturing Maiduguri would not only be a morale-booster for the rebels but also likely sink Mr Jonathan's re-election bid once and for all, said Nnamdi Obasi, a senior analyst for Nigeria at the International Crisis Group. Chad's offensive comes after the African Union and United Nations last week backed a new 7,500-strong, five-nation force to tackle Boko Haram. Nigeria's military maintains that N'Djamena's involvement is part of an existing agreement with Chad and Niger for their troops to assist in the counter-insurgency. Chad and Niger had withdrawn their troops from the multi-national base at Baga, in northern Borno, last year, leaving only Nigerian soldiers to defend the town when it was attacked on January 3, a massive assault in which hundreds were feared killed. It was that devastating attack that appears to have jolted the multi-national effort back into action. More than 13,000 people have been killed since the beginning of the Boko Haram insurgency in 2009 in Nigeria and close to 1.5 million people have been made homeless.

BREAKING NEWS! JOHESU suspends Two Months Old Strike

Workers to resume the Tuesday The Joint Health Sector Union ( JOHESU ) this Monday called off its two and a half months old strike. This was sequel upon a meeting between President Goodluck Jonathan and, the Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU) over the weekend during which they deliberated on salient issues regarding the greviances of the union. It was agreed that calling off the over two months old strike was in the best interest of the nation and the union. Speaking to journalist in Abuja on Monday, the National Chairperson of the Union, Dr. Ayuba Wabba said that president pleaded for time to review their demands with a promise to implement them. The union embarked on the strike on November 12, 2014 ober dispute over the implementation of agreement entered into with the government, which bothers on issues of improved welfare for health workers. On the meeting with President Jonathan, Dr. Wabba said: "On Sunday precisely by 2pm, Mr. President personally intervened and called a meeting of the union and the issues were reviewed and commitment were made firmly by him. "As the last authority, we have no doubt that those commitments will be met and he made a passionate plea that having intervened at that level, he pleaded with JOHESU to suspend the action and allow him the period to consider all the issues and dispense with them. "As responsible people, we had a meeting to review the issue and the plea of Mr. President and we have come to the conclusion that having reached that level and having shown enough commitment and the demonstration of his goodwill, we then have no option than to suspend the strike action and direct our members to resume work immediately. Wabba informed journalists that President Jonathan also gave commitment that no member of the union will be victimized in any form. Meanwhile, the Supervising Minister of Health, Dr. Khabiru Alhassan announced yesterday that nobody has tested positive to avian influenza ( bird fluid) in the country. See link here: http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/johesu-suspends-two-months-old-strike/200790/