Four Northern Govs In Closed Door Meeting With Ex-President Shagari

Four of the five Northern governors who recently embarked on consultations with eminent leaders of the country over the tension and insecurity being generated by the struggle for presidential power shift in 2015, today held a closed door meeting with former President Shehu Usman Aliyu Shagari at his Sama road residence, in Sokoto, Sokoto state. With the exception of Niger state governor, Babangida Aliyu who could not make the trip, others at the meeting include host governor, Aliyu Wamakko,
Murtala Nyako of Adamawa, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso of Kano and Sule Lamido of Jigawa.
Though they declined to speak on their mission, but when pressed further at the Sultan Abubakar III international airport, Sokoto, the Jigawa state governor,  Sule Lamido said they were in the state in continuation of their consultations with eminent Nigerian leaders on the complex socio-political and security challenges facing the nation.
“Just as we have visited other states in the recent past, the same thing brought us to Sokoto to fine tune ways and solutions to the country’s multiple problems.
You know Nigeria’s fundamental problem lies on security challenges which we are working round the clock to tackle so that it can be overcome”, he added.

Amaechi at Chatham House, London.

 

Rivers Governor, Rotimi Amaechi has opened up the first time on why he stormed the state House of Assembly during the fracas on July 9, as well as the origin of the crisis involving him and President Goodluck Jonathan.

Amaechi spoke while entertaining questions from an audience made up of Rivers indigenes in the diaspora, at Chatham House in London where he delivered a lecture on “Resource and Governance in Nigeria.” Let’s give you the lowdown of what he said.

Why are you having issues with the President?

Amaechi said the problems with Aso Rock started “based on the assumption that I want to run for the 2015 elections.” For the record, he did not confirm or deny the widely believed assumption, He however said that “there is no law that criminalises ambition in Nigeria. It is sad because people do everything to bring you down. If this crisis continues, one group will lose and that is the people of Rivers State.

“Should the state suffer for the so-called ambition of the governor?”

So why did you go to the State House of Assembly that day?

Amaechi’s story is that he went to the assembly to “rescue the lawmakers” when he heard that the police have been “compromised” following the attempt by five lawmakers, believed to be associates of Minister of State for Education Nyesom Wike, to impeach Speaker Otelemaba Dan Amachree.

“When I heard the members of the Assembly had been attacked by thugs, I went there with my security attaché to rescue them because the police assigned to the Assembly had been compromised. I abhor violence. The first people to condemn are the policemen who had refused to perform their duties of protecting the lawmakers.”

Away from the obvious mess that is Rivers, what else have you been doing?

On his achievements in office so far, Amaechi reeled off a list that included infrastructural projects, agricultural plantations, sending hundreds of students on scholarship to the UK and Canada and funding education. According to him, 500 primary schools had been built during his tenure and from October, 250 more schools would be commissioned.

A crowd of Rivers’ indigenes, obviously pleased with the governor’s job performance, bore placards of solidarity. Many of them were students enjoying the state’s scholarship scheme designed to improve manpower.

On education?

“The academic structure we inherited was very bad as many children could not stay in school and those who did got a very poor education. We are building schools and uniforms, sandals, bags and books are free. We send 300 every year to the UK and Canada on scholarships.”

On health care?

“We have built 60 health centres and 70 more will be commissioned before the end of the year.”

On the economy?

“We have established palm oil and banana plantations that employ workers. By the end of our tenure, we would have laid the foundation for a more robust and less oil-dependent economy in Rivers State.”

Who Really Is In Charge Of This Country?

From being the inconspicuous wife of a vice-president whose main job was not remarkable, Mrs. Jonathan has grown to the most powerful first Lady in the history of Nigeria and she is blithely usurping the power of the president.
When the first lady is more visible and vocal than the president, then something is wrong. We thought we had it bad with Turai Yar’Adua. While the late Umaru Yar’Adua was snoozing at the presidency, his wife and her cabal ran amok, almost imperilling the country.  When that grotesque absurdity came to an end in May 2010, Nigerians heaved a sigh of relief. Little did they know that they would look at the Turai Yar’Adua era with palpable nostalgia.

Of course, like all power-besotted individuals, it is easy for the first lady to attribute her power and position to some divine force. And that was exactly what she did last week when she gathered some “men and women of God” led by Bishop God-do-well Awomapara for a state visit at the presidential villa. Well, it looked like “God-did-well” for his faithful servants at the end of the circus.
A few months ago, when Mrs. Jonathan returned from her extended hospitalisation in Germany for an undisclosed illness, she told us that she had been to the great beyond and back. We were expecting “a new improved” and sober first lady. If we expected that experience to “teach her any lessons”, it clearly did not.
Rather, the first lady has thrown herself into the political fray, bestriding the political landscape like a colossus and committing one political faux pas after another with relish. Of course, as a Nigerian, the first lady has interests. And there is nothing wrong in seeking to advance those interests. But that desire has to be channelled through her husband, her elected representatives or relevant public office holders.

When Nigerians voted for Goodluck Jonathan, they did not vote for him and his wife. Mrs. Jonathan was not on the ballot box during the last general elections. That is the tough lesson the first lady has to learn and quickly too. It is sad enough that we have to live with the quirks of a rudderless presidency, to add the inanities and meddlesomeness of the first lady is undoubtedly “double wahala”.
READ MORE:  http://news.naij.com/41427.html

PDP Expels Amaechi As ACN Accuses Party Of Overheating Polity, Instigating Anarchy

 

 The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has accused the PDP of being unrelenting in its grim determination to overheat the polity and set the country on fire, if that will satisfy one man’s personal ambition to hold on to power.

In a statement issued in Lagos on Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said it was left with no choice than to reach that conclusion after a faction of Rivers PDP reportedly loyal to President Goodluck Jonathan expelled the state Governor, Hon. Chibuike Amaechi, at a time all people of goodwill were calling for a resolution of the lingering crisis.

 

It warned that the overzealous ruling party’s sole interest is power, without caring about the responsibility that goes with it, hence it must be checked through all constitutional means before it plunges the country into unmitigated chaos.

ACN said while whatever transpired within the PDP is not its business, its (ACN’s) concerns stem from the dangerous impact that the Rivers crisis can have on the polity, especially its implication for the country’s fledgling democracy, to which most of the rabble-rousers in the ongoing crisis contributed nothing.

”Because of the danger their actions pose for our polity, we are concerned that these trouble-makers are hell bent on annihilating Gov. Amaechi. Those who have accused us of crying more than the bereaved do not get it. We are indeed the bereaved once anything happens that can torpedo our democracy and destroy our country. This is why we will also be unrelenting in calling on all Nigerians to call the puppets and puppeteers in Rivers to order.

”Needless to say, in the words of the Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka: The man dies in all who keep silent in the face of tyranny,” the party said. 

 

It said the reason that Gov. Amaechi has been targeted by his all-powerful enemies, who have used national institutions – including the police – against him, are his strenuous defence of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), which he chairs; His battle for his state and its people over their oil well dispute with Bayelsa, which is in furtherance of his efforts to live up to his oath of office and constitutional responsibility, and his audacity in rejecting dictations from an unelected self-important personality on how he governs his state.

”It is no longer news that Gov. Amaechi, as the Chair of the NGF, exercised his mandate with dignity by fighting for true federalism, especially as it relates to the Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF). In the process, he ruffled some feathers. But those who are irked by his efforts should have known better than to stake the credibility of their high office on stopping, at all costs, Amaechi’s re-election.

”They also forget that state Governors are elected just like the President, that they are not subordinate to anyone and that nowhere in the constitution is it said that Governors must report to the President or agree with everything he proposes 

 

”As for the allegation that the Rivers Governor failed to heed the instructions from high (though unelected) quarters that he MUST halt the demolition in Okrika, we leave Nigerians to judge whether somebody occupying a post that is unknown to the constitution can override one who is a creation of the constitution….regarding that person’s constitutional mandate. We leave it for Nigerians to determine whether a state Governor, who is the Chief Security Officer of his state, should have no say over the security of the state, just because an overbearing ’political’ Police Commissioner has assumed extra-powers at the behest of his puppeteers!” ACN said. 

 

The party again appealed to all people of goodwill not to keep silent while naked power is unleashed in Rivers state, warning that if the crisis spirals out of control, the entire country will be the victim.

”For us, this is not about politics. It is about the rule of law and the survival of our nation,”

Beyonce & Jay Z Join Trayvon Martin Foundation For NYC Rally

Beyonce and Jay Z made an appearance at a “Justice for Trayvon Martin” rally in New York City this weekend, alongside civil rights activist Al Sharpton, Sybrina Fulton and many other community leaders to protest Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” laws.
The power couple refused to talk to reporters, but Jay Z did tell Sharpton the reason for their visit. “I’m a father and Beyonce is a mother,” he said.

The “Politics Nation” host told the crowd, which numbered into the several hundreds, that “two of the baddest artists of all time” were in attendance.
“Jay Z and Beyonce said they didn’t want to speak and they didn’t come for a photo op,” Sharpton said. “Beyonce put a beautiful message up on Instagram. Let me tell you, that before a lot of you were down, Jay Z always supported us.”

“Jay Z told me, ‘I’m a father. Beyonce is a mother.’ We all feel the pain and apprehension — the laws must protect everybody, or it doesn’t protect anybody,” he added. “We do not come from hate, we come from love of children.”
After Zimmerman’s not-guilty verdict was announced last week, Beyonce asked to “have a moment of silence for Trayvon” at her Mrs. Carter World Tour stop in Nashville. She’s also publicly supported efforts to have civil rights charges filed against Martin’s murder, George Zimmerman. “We must fight for Trayvon the same way the generation before us fought for Emmett Till,” she wrote on her website.
Beyonce’s equally famous husband has shown his support on concert stages as well. Jay dedicated his song “Forever Young” to the slain 17-year-old at his Legends of the Summer”concert Friday night.
“Everybody put a cell phone and light it up,” he said. “Let’s light the sky for Trayvon Martin tonight in here.”

What Do I Tell My Son? Life After The Zimmerman Verdict

 

 

I owe my wife an apology. When America first became aware of the tragic killing of Trayvon Martin we had a difference of opinion. As parents of a 10-year-old boy we obviously had very strong feelings about what happened and how unfair it was. However, we differed on what to tell our son, as far as how to carry himself in general and especially in light of what happened.

Our disagreement hinged on appearance. She felt that while Trayvon was justified in wearing a hoodie in the rain, she felt uneasy about letting our son walk the street in one now. Me being the more militant minded one who attended an all boys high school in the ’80s just blocks from Central Park during the famous jogger trial felt he should be able to wear his hoodie regardless. Why should white girls playing lacrosse be able to come home from practice wearing their hooded sweatshirts but if my son was coming home from track practice wearing his school paraphernalia he should be profiled?
She argued that it didn’t matter if we were right, she wanted our son alive. And if adjusting his appearance would increase his chance of making it home safely then so be it. I argued that if we gave in to that then where would it stop? How can we fight racial profiling if we just change our behavior to accommodate their prejudice and insecurity?
We were particularly tense because we had just started allowing our son to go to the store unescorted. He had been pleading for more independence and we reluctantly had begun letting him run errands to the corner grocer with a set of strict instructions about crossing the street, speaking to strangers and dealing with the police. But how he dressed just to get a loaf of bread was the last thing on our minds. Then it became all we could talk about.



But as I sit here at my computer more than a year later reading the reactions to the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the death of Trayvon Martin, I am gripped in fear. My soul is laminated in a coat of hopelessness at the thought of my son, who is presently enjoying a vacation 1500 miles away, being engaged on the street by someone who finds him suspicious because of his appearance and kills him. I fear that there is nothing I can tell him that will prepare him for the George Zimmermans of the world who will not see a bright young man who likes to play the flute and come up with business plans in his spare time. They won’t see my baby if he is walking down the street in his hooded sweat shirt–or his suit and tie for that matter–they will see a threat. A potential criminal up to no good. And his life will always be in danger as long as these irrational fears are reinforced in a court of law.

This reality has crippled me inside. The sliver of hope I had in our justice system has been obliterated and the thought of Zimmerman’s acquittal makes me want to burn all of my son’s hoodies tonight. His next hood will come with a PhD and six figures of debt. No more Skittles. M&Ms or nothing. No ice tea for him. Lemonade is a popular drink and it still is. Walking is overrated and driving while Black is wrought with as many problems. And clearly being out in the rain is more hazardous to your health than we ever imagined. Stay home. Forever. We’ll convert the garage. He will telecommute to an experimental high school for gifted Black boys that want to live to be old enough to vote, assuming they will still have that right by the time he is 18.
I sound irrational you say? When a grown man is allowed to walk away from killing an unarmed boy in his own neighborhood I have to treat this world like the neo-dystopia that it is real and I will sacrifice my pride for life of my children every time.

In the wake of George Zimmerman’s acquittal for the shooting death of Trayvon Martin, thousands of protesters have held marches, rallies and prayer vigils across the United States.

In the wake of George Zimmerman’s acquittal for the shooting death of Trayvon Martin, thousands of protesters have held marches, rallies and prayer vigils across the United States.

Passionate protesters have held demonstrations large and small everywhere from New York City to Miami and Chicago to Washington, D.C. Although most of the rallies have remained peaceful, a few have turned violent in places like Los Angeles and San Francisco.


Many activists are calling for authorities to file federal civil rights charges against Zimmerman, and others simply want to show public support for Martin’s family.
 

Attack On Govs: Hold President Jonathan Responsible For Nigeria’s Descent Into Anarchy – ACN

The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has asked Nigerians to hold President Goodluck Jonathan responsible if the country slides into anarchy as a result of the worsening crisis in Rivers state.
Reacting to the reported attack on the four Governors who visited Gov. Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, the party said in a statement issued on Wednesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, in Oro, Kwara State, that the attack that took place under President Jonathan’s watch is unprecedented in the country’s history.
”We will not accept the usual sophistry that President Jonathan is not in any way involved in the Rivers crisis. It is also not an excuse to argue that the President did not know that the visiting Governors will be attacked, because as the country’s Chief Security Officer, he has his ears and eyes all over the country in the persons of security agents. Therefore, if the argument is that he did not know of the attack, then he is not on top of his game,” it said.

ACN wondered when it became a sin for any Nigerian, including elected officials, to visit any part of the country as the Governors did, saying there can be no justification other than organized political rascality for a group of paid hoodlums to invade a secure environment like the airport and pelt the convoy bearing the Governors with all sorts of objects.
The party wondered why the Police could not provide adequate security for the visiting state chief executives and restrained the hired scallywags from their audacious action. ”Would the police have allowed tramps to attack the Governors if they were visiting the President? Would the police in Rivers have allowed vagrants to act freely if those visiting Port Harcourt had come in solidarity with the five renegade members of the State House of Assembly? The unprofessional behaviour of the police in Rivers is the reason that Nigerians have accused the state police command of bias and called for the re-deployment of its ‘political’ Commissioner, Mbu Joseph Mbu.

”The visiting Governors were right to have visited their Rivers’ counterpart, in the face of the siege on him by renegades being teleguided from higher quarters. They are right to have expressed solidarity with Gov. Amaechi, the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum. We salute the Governors as true patriots and the real sustainers of our Constitution, and we demand appropriate sanctions for those whose dereliction of duty put the Governors’ lives in danger,” it said.
ACN repeated its earlier warning against any contrived crisis in any part of the country as a way of pushing the country into a perpetual state of chaos, thus ensuring there will be no elections in 2015. ”The politics of 2015 cannot be removed from what is happening in Rivers. We have had cause to warn Nigerians to be vigilant against those who will foment trouble where there is none, just to put in abeyance the 2015 elections, especially where the emerging signals point to the fact that they will be rejected by voters. Those who are afraid of free and fair elections in 2015 will do anything to prevent one. Therefore, we are repeating our call on all Nigerians to be vigilant, because eternal vigilance is the price of liberty,” the party said.

Partisan Nigeria Police Summon Pro-Rivers Gov Lawmaker, ADC, CSO…As Patience Jonathan Says Amaechi Remains Her Son

 

Already noted for taking side with the pro-presidency forces working against Rivers state governor, Rotimi Amaechi, the Nigeria Police led by Mohammed Abubakar  today summoned the majority leader of the state House of Assembly, Chidi Lloyd, the governor’s ADC and Chief Security Officer to appear for questioning at the force headquarters in Abuja. The invitation is not unconnected to last week fracas in the state House of Assembly where some five clownish anti-Amaechi members attempted to impeach the House speaker backed by 27 members. The police summon however kept quite on the anti-Amaechi lawmakers involved in the fight.

This came a day the mastermind of the crisis rocking the state in person of the country’s first lady, Patience Jonathan obviously in a deceptive claim said Governor Amaechi remains her son irrespective of their misunderstanding.

 

A statement issued by the police force spokesman, Frank Mba in Abuja today said “In continuation of its investigation into the Rivers State House of Assembly crisis, the Nigeria Police Force has summoned the leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon Chidi Lloyd, the Aide-De-Camp (ADC) to the Rivers State Governor, Ag.ASP Debeware-Semeikumo, and the Chief Security Officer (CSO) to the Governor, Tony Iwelu to report to Force CID, Force Headquarters, Abuja for an interview in respect of their roles as seen in the video clips in circulation.

“It would be recalled that in the video clips, a man carrying a mace and another in Police Uniform as well as other security details were seen conducting themselves in a questionable  and uncomplimentary manner. The invitation therefore seeks to obtain further details that will assist proper investigation into the matter.

“Meanwhile, the IGP has reminded Police personnel on various legitimate assignments particularly those attached to VIPs to always remain mindful of their conduct and ensure that they uphold the professional ethics, traditions and best practices of the Force at all times. He further warns that any officer found acting in ways inconsistent with extant laws and regulations of the Force will be severely dealt with in accordance with the laws of the land.”

 

In her own statement signed by her media aide, Ayo Osinlu,  Mrs Jonathan called on various interests in the Rivers State crisis to sheath their swords, and find ways to restore peace to the state, so that the current generation can leave a legacy for generations to come. According to the release, “She spoke at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, when she received members of the Niger Delta Bishops Forum/South South Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).

“Dame Jonathan particularly appealed to Governor Rotimi Amaechi to fly the olive branch, and resist being used by outsiders against his own people. While giving an insight into the genesis of the crisis in the state, she reiterated the need for the warring factions to employ dialogue as a means of resolving the contending issues amicably.

The First lady urged those who are crying more than the bereaved to stop magnifying the misunderstanding, while reiterating that Governor Rotimi Amaechi and Mr. Nyeson Wike remain her sons, brothers and kinsmen, and would do anything to protect both of them.
“She expressed her commitment to ensuring that peace returns to Rivers State soon, stating that as the President of African First Ladies Peace Mission; her desire is to have peace in her home base.
“Quoting copiously from the Holy Bible, Dame Jonathan brought out the vital, dynamic and creative resources for peace building as ordained by God, as well as the importance of respect for elders and those in authority.
She emphasized that she has committed the situation in Rivers state to prayers, “because I believe there is nothing prayer cannot do” and “when God says yes, nobody can say no”.
“The First Lady, who charged the Bishops to pray that God should return Rivers State to its normal peaceful situation, expressed her faith that with God the present generation will leave a legacy of peace for generations yet unborn.
“The Bishops, led by ArchBishop God-Do-Well, said that they were not influenced or bribed to pay the visit, but got inspiration from God to take practical steps to restore peace in Nigeria, especially Rivers State.
“Arch Bishop God Do-Well stated that their presence was in fulfillment of the church’s responsibility to shape a culture of peace and justice.
Prayers were offered for peace in Nigeria, Rivers State and the well being of the first family.”

2015: North Says NO To Jonathan…Insists Power Must Return To The Region Next Election

Major socio-political groups in the North today told President Goodluck Jonathan in plain language that he will never the support or cooperation from the region should he decide to contest the 2015 presidential election which the region vowed would be won by a Northerner.
The pro-North groups in a joint statement read by Prof Ango Abdullahi in Kaduna today declared that Jonathan stands no moral ground to contest the next election and as such should perish the ambition. The groups include: Northern Elders Forum (NEF), Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Northern Union (NU), Arewa Re-awakening Forum (ARF), Arewa Research and Development Project (ARDP) and Code Group (CG).
The Northern leaders blamed former President Olusegun Obasanjo and President Goodluck Jonathan for their failures to obey the rotational and zoning agreement that was already working for the country, warning that once power returns to North in 2015, it will remain there as long as the people want.
According to them: “We are now saying that since there is no consideration on morality and so on, the North is going to insist that the Presidency will come to the region whether on the basis of rotation or on the basis of voting power, and we have the voting power to make sure the power comes back to the North.
“It is not correct to say that North is not as assertive as people think on 2015 presidency, you know here in the North, we have certain traditions that are sometimes misread as wickedness. The fact that we don’t come out as shouting masses in abusive language and so on, does not mean that we don’t have deep rooted concern for ourselves. This is not true.
“All of us here are members of the ACF, and if you look at other part of the country that is making noise, it is a small enclave, perhaps, may not be bigger than Kaduna State. Looking at history of diversity and our style of governance, make us to behave slightly different from the other.
“But I want to make it absolutely clear to you that ACF and all these other groups that have emerged in the recent past, we are all talking about the same thing, we are committed to Northern interest, there is no question about it. If you haven’t heard the succession clearly loud enough, that the North is determined and it insisted and it’s been insisting and firm that the leadership of the country will rotate to North in 2015, I am making that very clear to you on behalf of all of us, ACF in front because they have been the oldest group, the middle belt group that have been very active and strong and all of us are likely to have this very firm common agenda.
“It is not that the North is hungry and power blind, no, it will be argued on the basis of  the national arguments that are on ground today, the North on the basis of one man one vote can keep power indefinitely in the present Nigeria state. If it is democracy on the basis of one man one vote, the demography shows that the North can keep power for as long as it wants because it will always win elections, but on the basis of usual sacrifices that Northerners do make in the cause of the life history of this country, some of us who participated in constitutional conferences from 1987 up to the last one, political reform conference accepted that every part of this country should feel part of the leadership, and this is the basis of acceptance of rotation of power between the North and the South which was what happened in the constitutional conference I attended, many of us attended. This is the basis of the rotation between the North and the South, there was no question of geo-political zones. The geo-political zones were later introduced.
“The argument at that time by the government in power was that the rotation was too much to put in the constitution, but it should be something that the party can put in its constitution. The agreement was that the President should do four years and rotate it to another zone for another four years. But when it was time to rotate, the then President, Olusegun Obasanjo begged the North to allow him do eight years before the power could shift to North.
“All of us were present, we all agreed with him, and he was the first person to sign the agreement, not knowing that he had third term agenda in mind, and Jonathan who  was then the deputy Governor, representing the Governor of Bayelsa State was at that meeting, and he signed as  number 37, you can find the document.
“So you see that we agreed that the South should have eight years, and then the North should have eight, but eventually, when Obasanjo having seen some lacuna somewhere, he tried to abandon the zoning as well as the constitution to seek for the third term, and of course, eventually it failed.
“He thought, with due respect, that we will allow him without resistance to hand pick a successor, he handpicked my younger brother, Umar Musa Yar’Adua, ok, the condition has been satisfied, we had a Northerner as President and so on.  But Umar was ill, and he died two and half years in his first tenure. So it will make a lot of sense to accept the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which says that for whatever reason the President is not there, the Vice President will take over power. This was why Jonathan being his Vice President took over the presidency.
“We thought that on moral ground at the end of that four years, the North should take over, if it didn’t have eight years because of the transition, at least it should have six years, but they say no, no, and I don’t want to go into how this no translated into yes because it might be the fault of Northerners as far as I am concerned to have allowed this.
“They allowed it, but it was their turn, and Jonathan came in, and I thought that on moral ground, he should have given the North the chance, but those of them that signed the agreement publicly denied it.  Obasanjo said he did not know about rotation, Jonathan himself said he did not know about rotation despite all the facts. Go to Chief Audu Ogbe, he will give you the full story on how this thing happened, but the issue is that recently we are now getting to hear from one of the governors, that there is secret arrangement to allow Jonathan have another four years. It was revealed by the governor of Niger State, Muazu Babangida Aliyu.
“It makes you think that how can leaders be transparent if they cannot honour simple agreement whether written or unwritten. This is a hallmark of decent leadership, believe and honour agreement. So first there was agreement for this kind of rotation, and there is immorality in the movement of people not to really hand over this turn to us”

Orji Kalu’s Frank Letter To Governor Amaechi

"To Governor Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, this is the time to wear your thinking cap and beat a retreat fast. There is no need squabbling with the President, because it is a battle you cannot win.

The office of the President of Nigeria carries enormous powers, and when these powers are evoked it crushes anybody in its trail. You should not look at the President as a former deputy governor and vice president. Level has changed. He is now the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

He has an unfathomable capacity to make life miserable for you. Forget all the noise your supporters are making: they will desert you the moment you cease to be governor. From the support you have received from the state legislature, members of the National Assembly from your state and other groups, it is certain you are liked and very popular. But that is so long you remain the governor and control tangible financial resources.
Bear in mind that the forces massed against you are formidable..Your priority should be to leave lasting legacies for which generations unborn will remember you. That being the case, you should choose between your personal interest and that of the Rivers State people. They accuse you of harbouring a vice-presidential ambition. Though there is nothing wrong in that. Nonetheless, you should dump that if it makes some people uncomfortable. Think about your future, safety of your family and the welfare of the people of Rivers State who would be collaterally affected should anything untoward happen to you. God forbid! God has been gracious to you - raising you from grass to grace.

You had been a councillor in Port Harcourt[correction, mine], Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly during the tenure of Peter Odili as governor, and now a two-term governor. What else do you want? If it is the will of God you would be vice president or president, nobody can stop you.
They said you contested for a second term as chairman of NGF against your party's directive. If that is true, then, it was wrong. So long you remain a PDP governor you must subject yourself to your party's directive. If you want to do things your own way the proper thing to do is to found your own party or resign from PDP. Your suspension is a prelude to a stiffer action against you, which you may find unpalatable. As your name 'Chibuike' (God is my strength) goes, all will be well with you if you hearken to the voice of reason. God will desert you the moment you fail to listen to the small still voice..Now to those that fuel the crisis in Rivers State: You should search your conscience and desist from fomenting trouble. If you love President Jonathan as you openly profess then you have a responsibility to make him succeed.

And one of the ways to attain this objective is to make peace between him and his perceived adversaries. You should, for once, bury your selfishness and work for peace in Rivers State..Let me make it very clear: the crisis in Rivers State will not lead to the victory for either President Jonathan or Governor Amaechi or their teeming supporters; rather it will end up tearing the entire nation apart, because those involved in the fight are too powerful and connected to be ignored, and their tentacles stretch to as far as Damataru and Jigawa in the north, Lagos and Ogbomosho in the west, Abakaliki and Awka in the east, and Calabar and Yenagoa in the in the south. I rest my case and pray God to intervene in his own way. OUK

Northern Govs Demand Removal Of Rivers Police Commissioner Joseph Mbu…Threaten To Stop Funding Police Force

Governors from the North who paid a solidarity visit to Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers state in Port Harcourt today have issued a joint statement threatening to stop funding the police force if the authorities fail to redeploy the Commissioner of Police in Rivers, Mbu Joseph Mbu whose activities they describe as partisan and unprofessional.

Their statement reads in full: “We have come to visit with our colleague and brother the Governor of Rivers State Rt. Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, CON, Chairman Nigeria Governors Forum The visit is to ascertain for ourselves some of the things we have read in papers, seen on television and heard on radio which are threats to peace, security and democracy.

We are pleased to notice the peaceful atmosphere in town and that people in the state are going about their normal business and that the governor and government are in charge. This is especially reassuring as opposed to the organised protest by a handful of persons at the Port Harcourt Airport when we arrived.

Having interacted with our colleague and other persons, we are shocked at the role of the police in Rivers State and condemn its clear partisanship in the show of shame that took place at the Rivers State House of Assembly.

As Chief Executives of our states who have sworn to protect lives and properties in our various states, we are particularly troubled by the development in Rivers State.

We commend the House of Representatives for its proactive leadership in the crisis and appreciate the Senate committee’s thoroughness in addressing the matter.

We wish to call on the Inspector General of police to hearken to the voice of reason and immediately redeploy and discipline Commissioner Mbu. His actions smirk of unprofessionalism and political partisanship which is unbecoming of his office.

With the way the police is being used and abused and with officers like Mbu in the force, we do not see the need for state governments to fund an antagonistic police and may be forced to reconsider our position on the financial contribution of the states towards the funding of the Nigeria Police.

Arising from the actions of the police and Mr. Joseph Mbu in Rivers State, the call for state police as a constitutional provision has become a necessity.

We note that events in Rivers State have again brought to the fore the question of true federalism and the need for institutions derived from constitutions be allowed to function without undue interference. As federating units we must be allowed the space to guarantee our people sustainable development as provided by the constitution.

We acknowledge the great work Governor Amaechi and his team are doing in Rivers State and commend his maturity and calm even in the face of apparent persecution.

We join well meaning Nigerians to call on all political actors to diffuse tension and stop all actions capable of overheating the polity and derailing our nascent democracy. We must all work together to build one united and indivisible nation and strengthen our democracy.

HE Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu (CON)

Chief Servant, Niger State

HE Dr. Sule Lamido (CON)

Governor, Jigawa State

HE Dr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso

Governor, Kano State

HE Vice Adm. Mutala Nyako (Rtd) GCON, CFR

Governor, Adamawa State

Anti-Amaechi Protesters Attack Northern Governors In Port Harcourt

Exactly one week after the Rivers State Assembly crisis, protesters who are against the state governor Chibuike Amaechi have attacked four Northern governors led by Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger state.

According to information gathered by Channels Television, the protesters who besieged the Port Harourt International Airport, had camped there from 7am on Tuesday morning.
Chanting anti-Amaechi slogans, the protesters berated the Northern governors for intervening in Rivers state’s internal  crisis.
The three governors including Murtala Nyako (Adamawa), Sule Lamido (Jigawa) and Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano) remained at the VIP Lounge of the airport for about an hour waiting for Mr Aliyu to arrive.
After Mr Aliyu arrived, the governors drove out of the airport in a waiting motorcade provided by their host. But as their cars drove out of the airport and headed towards the Rivers State Government House, the protesters became violent pelting the motorcade with stones, water bottles, sticks and other items.
However, the governors arrived the Government House safe, without any major incident, and are now holding a closed-door meeting with Mr Amaechi.
Meanwhile, the Rivers state chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has criticised Governor Amaechi for setting up a 12 man committee to investigate the crisis rocking the state House Assembly.
The party said that Amaechi can’t be a judge in his own case.
The Senate is expected to give its own report on Wednesday.

First Lady Patience Jonathan Makes Volte-Face, Calls For Peace In Rivers…Slams Soyinka, Others

Nigeria’s first lady, Patience Jonathan today made a sudden change of posture on the crisis rocking her home state, Rivers where only five out of the 32 members of the state House of Assembly obviously backed by the presidency in Abuja have been making moves including violence to impeach their speaker with a view to remove the state governor, Rotimi Amaechi.

Nobel laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka and a number of well meaning Nigerians and groups have blamed President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Dame Patience as the masterminds of the crisis in the state. That Mrs Jonathan reacted to in her statement signed by her media aide, Ayo Osinlu today when she slammed those criticising her.

Full text of her statement reads: “This office wishes to call on all feuding parties in Rivers State to spare a thought for the social, political and economic costs of the crisis, and consider an urgent way to resolve all political differences.

“It is our position that the greater consequences of the impasse is, as usual, reserved for the poor, the weak and the vulnerable, especially women and children, who are usually innocent bystanders in all these. This derives naturally from the saying that when two elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers.

“On a larger scale, we subscribe to the fact that conflicts and violence are the most lethal threats to peace, which itself is the irreducible minimum condition for development.

“The situation must therefore not be allowed to degenerate to a level that can be hijacked by miscreants and hoodlums, thus exposing everyone to insecurity from which there may be no easy escape.

“We therefore call on elders of the state to position themselves appropriately in the circumstances, and continue to seek the highest good of Rivers state and its people, by stone-walling the activities of the few who would rather fan little embers into a consuming inferno.

“Recent experience whereby certain otherwise respected elders of the country, both from within and outside Rivers State, were canvassing views that seemed to intensify the heat in Rivers State, is certainly unfortunate.

“We also recall recent pictures of some youths on the streets of Port Harcourt, obviously in an angry mood, a worrisome suggestion that the crisis is already threatening to spill to the streets, a dimension we cannot afford to allow to escalate for obvious reasons.

“We must stress that the people of the state desire and look forward to an end to the hostilities, to pave way for higher economic activities and nobler political engagements that will guarantee an enhancement of their welfare.

“It is therefore incumbent on all people of goodwill to seek to restore peace, brotherliness and love in Rivers State, for the state to press forward in the direction of growth and progress.”

New Twist To PDP Crisis As Bamanga Tukur Bans Jerry Gana, Ekweremadu’s Committee…Stops Party’s National Convention

The crises tearing the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP apart show another sign of degeneration today when the Bamanga Tukur led national leadership of the party declared a total war on the Professor Jerry Gana led special national convention committee by upturning all the work the committee which also has deputy senate president, Ike Ekeremadu as secretary, has so far done towards holding the party’s convention in August.
Just last week, Tukur had locked his gate against the committee members when they paid a working visit to his Wuse 11 Abuja home. To give the impression that all was well within the party, Gana had last Friday announced August  24,2013  and August 31, 2013 as dates for the south west zonal congress and national convention, respectively at a press briefing where he also dispelled insinuations that there was a rift with Tukur.
Notwithstanding the denial of a rift by Gana, the Tukur led National Working Committee after an emergency meeting today countered the committee saying it has decided to put the south-west zonal congress and the national convention of the party on hold, even as it described all the activities of the Gana panel as an embodiment of  ”anomalies and breaches of the constitution of the PDP”
It added that it suspended “all activities relating to the Special South West Zonal Congresses and  the Special National Convention pending the regularization of the  anomalies and breaches so as to forestall a repeat of the events that  affected the Party Convention in 2012. Consequently the dates recently  announced by the Planning Committee are in the circumstances untenable.”
Spokesman of the party, Caesar Okeke who announced this in a statement also disclosed the party’s intention to intervene in the crisis rocking the Rivers and Anambra states chapters of the party.

President Barack Obama Death of Trayvon Martin was a tragedy.

President Barack Obama released a statement a day after the verdict in the George Zimmerman trial, saying the "death of Trayvon Martin was a tragedy. Not just for his family, or for any one community, but for America. I know this case has elicited strong passions. And in the wake of the verdict, I know those passions may be running even higher. But we are a nation of laws, and a jury has spoken. I now ask every American to respect the call for calm reflection from two parents who lost their young son.

"And as we do, we should ask ourselves if we’re doing all we can to widen the circle of compassion and understanding in our own communities. We should ask ourselves if we’re doing all we can to stem the tide of gun violence that claims too many lives across this country on a daily basis. We should ask ourselves, as individuals and as a society, how we can prevent future tragedies like this. As citizens, that’s a job for all of us. That’s the way to honor Trayvon Martin."

Rivers Crisis: Issues, Sense And Nonsense By Bamidele Aturu

Rivers State is on fire, literally and otherwise. But that is not really an accurate statement. It is better to say that Rivers State is the new epicenter of the fire that is slowly but steadily engulfing Nigeria. The state has, it would seem, displaced the North-East as the possible weakest link in the tired chain that holds Nigeria together as a federation.
The latest fire in that beleaguered state was ignited when on the 9^th of July, 2013  five members of a 32-member House of Assembly claimed that they had impeached the former Speaker of the House, ‘elected’ their own Speaker  after allegedly suspending 15 other members of the House.  Naturally, the act was resisted by the other members of the House and their cronies. Expectedly, the resistance led to unbelievable acts of assault and battery in which the mace was not only broken but became a veritable assault weapon. So violent was the fateful sitting of the 9^th of July that some of the Members of the House had to be rushed to the hospital for treatment. The drama continued the following day.  Supporters of the Governor who had converged on the premises of the House, apparently in solidarity with the members in majority, were tear-gassed for refusing to leave on the orders of the police. There are allegations that some teargas canisters found their way into the Governor’s Lodge. The latest happenings in Rivers, therefore, offer us another unpleasant opportunity to reflect deeply on some of the undying issues that have confronted our seeming perpetual infantile democracy.
Legislative Immunity and Impunity
Given the rampancy with which Nigerian lawmakers have resort to pugilism in order to settle differences, it seems many of them believe that they are immune from criminal proceedings for violating the penal laws in the precincts of the Houses. Of course, assuming as one does, that the violent behavior of the lawmakers is premised on ignorance is a very lenient way to view their galling acts of unrestrained barbarism. Without prejudice to a few truly honourable members of our various legislative houses, the truth of the matter is that our lawmakers are a product of a violent anti-democratic process. We cannot tire of reaching this conclusion. The evidence stares us starkly in the face. Politics in our country no matter what anyone says is dominated by people who have either failed to earn a living decently or are only interested in easy money.
We must therefore seize the opportunity to make it clear that the very law under which the lawmakers derive their limited immunity puts it beyond any peradventure that any legislator who assaults or obstructs a member or officer of the House is not immune from criminal prosecution. The relevant section of the law bears quoting extensively for the avoidance of any doubts whatsoever.  Section 21(1) (b), (c ) and (4) of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act, cap., L 12, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 states emphatically thus:
(1) Any member of a Legislative House who-
(b) assaults or obstructs a member of the Legislative House within the Chamber or precincts of the House; or
(c ) assaults or obstructs any officer of the Legislative House while in the execution of his duty
Shall be guilty of contempt of the Legislative House
(4) Nothing in this section contained shall be construed to preclude the bringing of proceedings, civil or criminal, against any member in respect of any act or thing done contrary to paragraph (b) or (c ) of subsection (1) of this section.
It is therefore clear that if the Police have neglected to make arrest and to prosecute those hoodlums we saw on our Television sets, it is not because they are immune; it is simply that the Police are either complicit or ignorant of the law.  If the former then they are unworthy of their uniforms or commissions as the case may be, if the latter then they should be told plainly that the law does not excuse their ignorance. They could be making themselves liable subsequently for the tort of the breach of statutory duty. The law is certain and in this instance inflexible. It is that assaulting another member of a House is a crime that is inexcusable and legally unacceptable.
How not to Impeach a Speaker
Another common misconception among our lawmakers is that they can at will rely on the provisions of the Rules of Procedure of the various Houses to suspend the Constitutional provision on quorum. In the specific case of Rivers State can 5 members in a 32-member House suspend the provision of the Constitution that prescribes quorum? The answer is clearly in the negative. Section 96(1) of the Constitution that provides that ‘the quorum of a House of Assembly shall be one third of all the members of the House’ cannot be altered or suspended by any member of the house or faction of the House or even by all the members of the House. The reason is pretty obvious. The only procedure for altering the Constitution is prescribed by section 9 of the Constitution. Thus, any other method of altering the provisions of the Constitution is illegal, null and void. The point therefore is that it is legally impermissible and wrong for any segment or faction of a House to suspend section 96 of the Constitution.
The consequence of the position that the provision of the Constitution on quorum cannot be suspended is that at least 11 members must be present before any valid resolution of the House to even consider the impeachment of a Speaker can be valid. In other words, a sitting of members of the House cannot be regarded as the sitting of the House unless and until there are 11 members present in the House. If those who gather in the well of the House are less than 11, as in the Rivers case under discussion, the most charitable way they can be described is that a group of lawmakers are gathered together, but certainly not that the House of Assembly of Rivers State created by section 90 is in session. Where such a group embarks on acts of assault and battery, they can only be described as a gathering of hoodlums, lawbreakers or villains of the worst variety. No more, no less.
Now, if a set of members of a House not forming a quorum cannot sit as a House of Assembly known to the Constitution, it stands to reason that they cannot even proceed to impeach the Speaker of the House. In any case, in order to impeach a Speaker there must be strict compliance with section 92(2)(c) which unambiguously provides that a Speaker can only be removed from office  by a resolution of the House of Assembly of not less than two-thirds majority of the members of the House. Again, in the Rivers State’s case, in order to impeach the Speaker at least 21 lawmakers must vote for his removal. Anything outside this is legislative brigandage. The sort of animalism that makes only 5 members of a House make a claim that they have impeached a Speaker in spite of the Constitutional provision referred to makes one feel ashamed to be a Nigerian. The earlier this nonsense is checked by the Police the better for all of us.
Partisan Policing and an Endangered Federalism
There have been allegations that the current Commissioner of Police in Rivers State has been in cahoots with the forces opposing the State Governor. This raises again the need for the States to have their own Police Services. One often hears the incorrect description of the State Governors as the Chief Security Officers of their States. That description certainly does not owe its existence to the Constitution.  The State Governors as far as security matters are concerned are truly not better than glorified prefects. Section 215 of the Constitution is our authority for this conclusion. Although section 215(4) empowers a State Governor to give lawful directions to the Commissioner of Police in the State with respect to the maintenance and securing of public safety within the state as he may consider necessary, there is a proviso to the effect that before carrying out any such directions the Commissioner of Police may request that the matter be referred to the President or such Minister of the Government that the President may authorize to give directions to the Police. It is therefore crystal clear that the Commissioner of Police is not ultimately answerable to the Governor of a State.
But we should honest to admit that the matter is not as simple as just having State Police Services. We need first to deal with the feudal culture that is ingrained in the consciousness of our politicians. Unless we uproot one way or the other this culture nothing stops the State Governors from also using State Police to intimidate the minority within the State. The woeful and abysmal fraud that takes place all over the country in all the elections conducted by the States Independent Electoral Commission forcibly cautions us to be balanced when making a case for State Police Services. The truth is that these politicians are all steeped in the culture of emasculating their opponents and only have recourse to democratic sloganeering whenever they are at the receiving end.  We should work out a formula that allows State Police Services to exist side by side with a federal police. The Constitution should delineate the functions and jurisdiction of each Police and the conditions for the intervention of Federal Police in cases of blatant repression of minorities by State Political authorities within the States.
Conclusion
The inescapable conclusion that one reaches with the embarrassing happenings in Rivers State is that our democracy is endangered not as a result of underdeveloped laws but principally because we have crude politicians who lack democratic culture and temperament. And the unfortunate thing is that they abound in all the parties without any exception. Politicians will not save our country, our people will. The earlier we begin to act as citizens and retake our country the better for all of us. But in the interim, it would be a nice thing if the Inspector General of Police can show us some respect by sending an acting Commissioner of Police to Rivers State pending the outcome of the Panel that he set up to investigate allegations of partisanship against the Commissioner of Police in Rivers State.
*Aturu is a lawyer and rights activist based in Lagos

Thief Who Falls Asleep While Robbing

Police say they caught a robber in Lady Lake area in Florida taking jewelry and a nap.
Domonique Pinkard, 21, was allegedly asleep on the couch of a residence on Winners Circle when the home owner walked into the living room, reports say.
The homeowner called the cops, who determined that Pinkard and his accomplice, 20-year-old Julian Evangelist, kicked in the back door around 7:30 a.m.
Pinkard then conked out on the sofa while Evangelist allegedly made off with a TV.
Evangelist, it seems, failed to wake up his partner in crime.

Investigators say Pinkard told them he’d been “working hard all day and he just needed to sit down for a moment, and evidently, he fell asleep.”
Police also say they found an estimated $500 worth of the victim’s jewelry in Pinkard’s pockets, according to NBC Miami.
Other items, including clothing and electronics, were allegedly found at Evangelist’s home.
Both men were jailed on charges of burglary and grand theft.

SOYINKA BLASTS NIGERIA'S FIRST LADY OVER RIVERS CRISIS: "Patience Jonathan Is Getting Away With Murder"

http://t.co/PA3pL0iyYq 

Nigeria's foremost human rights activists Professor Wole Soyinka and Femi Falana, SAN, today came down heavily on President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Patience describing the first lady in particular as a " mere domestic appending of power.

Professor Soyinka and Falana came down hard on the President for engineering the chaos besetting the Rivers State House of Assembly. The professor condemned the role of Mr. Jonathan and his wife saying the wife has been using the security apparatus of state to intimidate the governor of the state, Rotimi Amaechi.

The duo also called on the police hierarchy to remove and prosecute the commissioner of police in Rivers state, Joseph Mbu.

An infuriated Soyinka also asked the media to stop paying attention to the so-called newly elected speaker of Rivers state, Evans Bipi describing him as a clown.

Appeal Court Sacks Olofa of Offa

The Federal Court of Appeal sitting in Ilorin, on Tuesday, removed the Olofa of Offa, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi Esuwoye, by setting aside last year’s judgment of a Kwara State High Court which upheld his appointment and installation by the Kwara State government.

It will be recalled that the legal tussle had been on for two years now through the challenge from a rival Olugbense Ruling House.

Delivering the judgment in the appeal suit no CA/IL/71/2012, Justice Hussain Mukhtar restrained Oba Esuwoye from parading himself as the Olofa of Offa and ordered the Attorney- General of the state and the governor to install Alhaji (Prince) Abdulrauf Adegboyega Keji as the new Olofa in his stead.

The judge upheld the evidences of the appellants (Olugbense Ruling House and Prince Adegboyega Keji) and granted all their 16 reliefs which included the cancellation of appointment and installation of Alhaji Esuwoye.

The court held that it believed the claim of the Olugbense Ruling House that the ascension to the throne of Olofa of Offa is by rotation between the Olugbense Ruling House and Anilerin Ruling House which had been established since 1969.

“The rotation principle has been established since 1969 when the late Oba keji from the Olugbense Ruling House agreed to step down from the throne and allowed the late Oba Mustapha Olawore Olanipekun from the Anilerin Ruling House to ascend the throne in order to allow peace to reign in offa. This was after the intervention of the government”, the court stated.

The appellants had among others, prayed the court to declare that Adegboyega Keji “ is the validly and duly nominated candidate to the stool of Olofa of Offa and entitled to be appointed and installed the Olofa.”’

They also prayed for the nullification of the appointment and installation of Esuwoye with a perpetual injunction to restrain him from parading himself as the Olofa of Offa.

Courtesy: Nigerian Tribune

Asiwaju Bola Tinubu releases statement on Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele

STATEMENT BY ASIWAJU BOLA AHMED TINUBU, NATIONAL LEADER, ACTION CONGRESS OF NIGERIA ON THE PURPORTED REMOVAL OF HON. OPEYEMI BAMIDELE AS THE LEADER OF THE EKITI STATE CAUCUS IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

It has been reported that members of the Ekiti State Caucus in the House of Representatives suspended Hon. Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, as their leader because of his alleged declaration to contest the governorship election next year.  I have not seen an official word through the party machinery about this action. However, I feel compelled to speak to dispel rumor and false report from assuming the aspect of fact.

The news of the purported removal of  Opeyemi Bamidele came as a surprise. The decision of the members of the Ekiti House Caucus in this regard truncates ongoing efforts at reconciliation, notwithstanding the fact that the party leadership is working hard to reconcile all sides. What took some members of the leadership of the party to Ekiti State recently was a continuation of the process of appeal and reconciliation. The objective here is to first understand and iron out the issues that have resorted in a gulf between Opeyemi Bamidele and Governor Kayode Fayemi on one hand and the party towards building a formidable political house in Ekiti. From my vantage point, I don’t believe the members of the Ekiti caucus could possibly take such a step for such a scant reason.  I trust their democratic pedigree to highly believe that they would not be used to take this false step which would violate established party rules, processes and traditions.

For instance, decisions of this critical nature must be done with the consultation of the national leadership of the party.  From what I can gather, our National Chairman and the party’s leadership were never consulted nor notified about the pendency of such a stark action.  For that reason alone, if such an action has been taken, those who did so should retrace their steps to avoid creating an unnecessary difficulty for themselves and the Ekiti chapter of the party. ??Beyond the issue of procedure and rules, there is the tiny matter of internal party democracy to consider. I  have said before, any party member has a right to contest the governorship of Ekiti  or any other state. Any other person, including Opeyemi Bamidele, has the right to. This right is so fundamental to internal democracy that I do not believe he should be sanctioned at this point where the most he has done is make unofficial statements about contesting. Our party cannot join the club of other parties that punish members for expressing interests in an office.

While Opeyemi Bamidele’s position may not be popular among his colleagues, he has the right to believe as he does. We must protect and smother unpopular and minority positions. If we don’t like it, we vote against it at the appropriate time but we do not punish people simply for thinking differently, this is how we must grow our democracy. Thus, Opeyemi Bamidele was expressing his democratic rights. To unilaterally suspend him as leader of the House Caucus is a questionable one they should reconsider.  It would appear to contravene the letter and best spirit of  party democracy. While we have no problem in him pursuing his democratic ambition without intimidation and persecution, we will continue our efforts at persuading him not to rock the boat and play into the hands of our opponent particularly the PDP shenanigans. Political conflict, challenges and resolutions are the hallmarks of political association and leadership, orderly means of all efforts at democratically resolving those conflicts are not endless in any way. Accordingly, I urge our five lawmakers; Robison Ajiboye, Bamidele Faparusi, Bimbo Daramola, Dr. Ifeoluwa Arowosoge, and Oyetunde Ojo to  reverse themselves and embrace the process of amicable resolution already put in place by the party and that have been producing good fruit. To do otherwise is to give comfort to those who would seek to divide the Ekiti State chapter  of the Action Congress of Nigeria. We appeal to those promoting these divisions to sheathe their swords in the interest of the party and its ardent followers. We cannot forget so soon the struggle and what it cost us to get to where we are today. We owe it to the Ekiti people and all democrats in the country to sustain and protect this hard won democracy. All true progressives must rise up in defence of individual freedom and promotion of democratic values. We shall overcome for the good of all. Thank You.

Signed- Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu

lagos hotel killing

Some gunmen stormed a hotel in Ajah area of Lagos State on Sunday, 04 Hotel, killing the owner, identified as Olanrewaju Subair, and three others.
The police authorities said one of the gunmen was killed in the operation which lasted for about an hour.
However, two people died from a fire outbreak that was caused by intense shooting in the hotel.
It was learnt that several people were injured.
Our correspondent, who visited the area, observed heavy security as policemen, attached to Rapid Response Squad, were seen patrolling the area.
All attempts by our correspondent to enter the hotel proved abortive as policemen attached to MOPOL 10, Bauchi, prevented him from going in on the grounds that investigations were ongoing.
A source, who craved anonymity, told our correspondent that there was a fire at the hotel shortly after the shooting.
He said, “The gunmen came for Subair but ended up shooting others in the process. They killed his girlfriend who was with him and then killed two other people. They then shot two others but those ones did not die.
“The shooting caused fire and two customers, who were in another room, were burnt to death. The fire continued to rage so we had no choice but to call on the fire service.”
The Director, Lagos State Fire Service, Razaq Fadipe, told our correspondent on the telephone, that his men were able to put out the fire. He also confirmed the death toll.
“We received the distress call around 7am on Sunday that there was a fire. On getting there, we were able to put it out but two people were burnt ,” he said.
It was learnt that the matter was reported at the Area J Command but was later transferred to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Ikeja.
A police source, who craved anonymity, said the gunmen were probably robbers that were on a revenge mission.
“A notorious armed robber was arrested at the same hotel sometime ago. We are working on the assumption that it was members of his gang that came to the hotel to carry out a revenge mission,” a source said.
The spokesperson for the state police command, Ngozi Braide, confirmed the attack to our correspondent on the telephone.
Braide said she could not say the casualty figure but confirmed the murder of Subair.
She however said the police were able to kill one of the culprits.
She said, “The Special Anti-Robbery Squad had raided the hotel sometime ago and had arrested the leader of the robbery gang as well as two members of the gang. The gang members at large stormed the hotel and shot the owner and some of his employees.
“The robbers told the customers at the hotel that they came on reprisals however one of the employees was able to call the police and on sighting the policemen, the robbers opened fire. The policemen shot back and one of the robbers was killed. An AK47 rifle was recovered from the robber.”
Braide said the police high command was interested in the case and the culprits would soon be brought to book.
“The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Umar manko, has vowed that the robbers will be arrested.”

"It is a shame that Sunday Oliseh could say a thing like that. He was a nobody when he came to the national team. He started from home too,

Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi is not taking it lightly with his critics, particularly, those with the opinion that he was depending too much on the home-based players. 


The coach who took eight local stars to the recently concluded FIFA Confederations Cup descended on his former national team mate, Sunday Oliseh for attributing the team's poor outing in Brazil to Keshi's dependence on local stars. 

"It is a shame that Sunday Oliseh could say a thing like that. He was a nobody when he came to the national team. He started from home too," Keshi said. 

He called on the media to back his rebuilding project as he asked, "is it bad that we are trying to build a team with the inclusion of home-based players? Please, help me question the integrity of those who are opposed to this and Tell them what it's right." 

He was not finished yet with Oliseh."When he came to the national team, I took him as a younger brother. I later (as an assistant coach to Amodu Shuabu) made him captain and he became a super star. Who knows what these boys could become in future?" 

Keshi took five local players to the Nations Cup in South Africa. Godfrey Obaobona and Sunday Mba were outstanding and were rated more than many of the foreign-based players