Press Release: ACN May Abandon Tribunal Challenge – Bisi Akande

PRESS STATEMENT ISSUED AFTER THE ACTION CONGRESS LEADERSHIP MEETING IN LAGOS ON THE OUTCOME OF THE ONDO STATE ELECTION. OCTOBER 29th, 2012 
1. Last week I issued a temporary statement on the reaction of my party, the Action Congress of Nigeria, to the outcome of the Ondo State election. Then I promised that the party will come back with a more detailed position after a careful interim review of the conduct and outcome of the October 20, election in Ondo State by the party leadership.

ACN logo contains the broom

2. The Governorship election in Ondo State is over and the ballots received by INEC have been tallied. Some people have urged us to reject the INEC results outright because they do not favor my party. This we shall not do. We refuse to cynically treat our democracy as a thing to be discarded when its processes do not favor us. We believe in the long-run, the genuine processes of a genuine democracy shall favor all of us, even the loser of an election. We are prepared to lose elections if the contest is free and the process is fair and transparent. We know that in this manner our democracy is strengthened. No one race or political contest is worth damaging our democracy. We would rather lose the race and gain democracy than win the race and lose democracy in the process.
3. On the opposite side of the spectrum, other people are trying to pressure us to concede defeat as if all was perfect with the election. They do so not because they love democracy but because they are the political opponents of our progressive party. Their interests are not in justice but in appearing to be concerned about justice. They have never exercised any degree of political conciliation or bipartisanship in their exercise of public affairs. It stands as exceedingly hypocritical that they seek from us a gift they would never give. Thus, we see no reason to entertain their counterfeit expressions and the motives behind them.
4. This is our position. We believe in the right of the people of Ondo State to determine who leads them. For us in the Action Congress of Nigeria, the Ondo State election is a battle in a larger war; the war of deepening democracy and ensuring accountability in our country. We are therefore resolved to put the elections behind us whilst pursuing the task of providing leadership to our people effectively.
5. However, we have started an accurate but swift assessment of the entire election, from the vote count to the many and several irregularities and instances of thuggery and violence that occurred. Should we find ultimately that the misconduct and lapses were not sufficiently material to alter the outcome, we shall do the honorable thing and respect what has been announced. Should we find ultimately that the irregularities and wrongful actions materially altered the result, we shall contest the transgression as is our right and duty in a democracy. As leaders of a party and of people who trust the democratic process, we have a solemn obligation not to be swayed by emotion on one side or by intimidation on the other. We owe a duty to ourselves, to the people of Ondo State, and to this nation to vigorously protect the integrity of the process both during and immediately after an election.
6. We wish to state categorically that we would protect and defend members of our party from the unconscionable harassment and intimidation currently going on in Ondo State against our party members and communities that voted against the Labour party.
We take this opportunity to thank our candidate, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, and the entire party for a valiant, dedicated and inspiring effort. We have nothing but accolades for what they did in Ondo State. They fought a good fight. As a party, we shall remain true to our pledge to resist any attempt to thwart the democratic process in Ondo State or any other part of Nigeria.
Chief Bisi Akande
National Chairman, Action Congress of Nigeria.
LibertyReport

NCP Approves Recent Bids For PHCN GENCOs And DISCOs

The National Council on Privatisation under the chairmanship of the Vice President, Arc Mohammed Namadi Sambo, at its sixth meeting for 2012 which held today, at the State House, Abuja, deliberated on the outcome of the recent financial bid opening for PHCN Successor Generation Companies (GENCOs) and Successor Distribution Companies (DISCOs), which was conducted by the Bureau for Public Enterprises (BPE).  However, the NCP disqualified Southern Electricity Distribution Company for submission of multiple bids for Benin Disco. The approved bids are as enumerated below.
The meeting also approved the next steps for the conclusion of the privatization of the PHCN generation and distribution companies as follows:
1) After the approval of the results of the financial bids by Council, the highest ranked bidder for each Generation or Distribution Company will be required to post an additional bid security (“Preferred Bidder’s Bank Guarantee”) in the form of a Letter of Credit or Bank Guarantee for fifteen percent (15%) of the transaction value within fifteen (15) business days of notification from the Bureau of Public Enterprises. The Preferred Bidder’s Bank Guarantee shall be from a Standard & Poor (S&P) or Moody & Fitch “A” rated foreign bank with a correspondent bank in Nigeria or a Nigerian bank rated “A” by a Rating Agency approved by SEC and be valid through twenty-one (21), calendar days after the stipulated proposal validity period or any extended proposal validity period.
2) The designated Preferred Bidder will be invited for negotiations with BPE. Within fifteen (15) Business Days after signing of the Sale and Purchase Agreement, the Shareholders’ Agreement or the Performance Agreement ‘whichever is earlier, or at a mutually agreed earlier time, the Bidder shall make a down payment of twenty-five percent (25%) of the share purchase price.
3) Within six (6) months after signing of the Sale and Purchase Agreement or the Shareholders’ Agreement, whichever is earlier or mutually agreed upon time, the Bidder will be required to pay the outstanding seventy five per cent (75%) of the share purchase price to complete the transaction. Upon receipt of payment, the Preferred Bidder’s Bank Guarantee will be returned to the bidder within a maximum of four (4) weeks.
4) After the completion of payment, the handover of the successor company to the Preferred Bidder will conclude the transaction.
APPROVED BIDS FOR PHCN GENERATION COMPANIES (GENCOS)
NCP approved that Amperion Power Distribution Company Limited with a bid of USD$132,000,000 is the preferred bidder for the core investor sale of 51% shares of Geregu Power Plc;
It also approved that Mainstream Energy Solutions Limited which offered an annual fee of USD$50,760,665.18 and a commencement fee of USD$257,000,000 is the preferred bidder for the concession of Kainji Hydro Power Plc;
NCP approved that North-South Power Ltd which offered an annual fee of USD$23,602,484.87 and a commencement fee of USD$111,654,534 is the preferred bidder for the concession of Shiroro Hydro Power Plc;
The privatization body also approved that Transcorp/Woodrock/Sumbion/Medea/PSL/ Thomassen with a bid of USD$300,000,000 is the preferred bidder for the core investor sale of 100% shares of Ughelli Power Plc;
NCP also approved that Amperion Power Distribution Company Limited with a bid of USD$252,000,000 is the reserve bidder for the core investor sale of 100% shares of Ughelli Power Plc;
NCP approved that CMEC/EURAFRIC Energy JV Consortium with a bid of USD$201,000,000 is the preferred bidder for the core investor sale of 100% shares of Sapele Power Plc;
NCP approved that JBN-NESTOIL Power Services Ltd with a bid of USD$106,500,000 is the reserve bidder for the core investor sale of 100% shares of Sapele Power Plc; and
Given that Amperion is the preferred bidder for Geregu Power Plc, NCP also approved that Feniks Electricity Limited would be the reserve bidder for Ughelli Power Plc subject to their bid being revised to match the reserve price.
NewsDiary

Fayemi’s free education a deceit – Dayo Adeyeye

Governor Fayemi

The campaign organisation of Prince Dayo Adeyeye, one of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirants in Ekiti State, Prince Adedayo Adeyeye Movement (PAAM) has described as deceit, claim by the State Governor, Mr. Kayode Fayemi that his government was offering free education in the State.
PAAM, which said education in Ekiti State was free before Fayemi became governor added that; “Fayemi should tell Ekiti people where all the textbooks provided free by the Segun Oni-led government are since students now pay for textbooks in the State.”
According to a statement issued by its Director General, Hon. Bisi Kolawole, PAAM said; “the Fayemi-led Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) government in Ekiti State has for long deceived the public with its claim of free education and time has come for him to be told to stop the deceit.”
Kolawole, who said Junior Secondary School (JJS1) students in the State public schools are being made to pay N2,030 for English and Mathematics textbooks queried the whereabouts of the textbooks supplied by the immediate past PDP government, which were given to the students free.
The statement reads; “Today, in Ekiti, students are paying for textbooks that were given free before Fayemi became governor. Students are paying enrolment fees, buying their own furniture and instructional materials. Yet, Fayemi claimed that education is free in Ekiti State. Where is the free education?
“Where is free education in a state where government claimed to have provided 33,000 free laptops but no student has the so-called laptop?
“Where is free education in Ekiti where Fayemi publicly said no student in the State owned university, EKSU would pay more than N50,000 but students are now paying as much as N150,000?
“Most importantly, where are the textbooks and laptops supplied to the schools by the Segun Oni-led government? Where are the thousands of furniture supplied to the schools? Has it been so difficult for the Fayemi-led government to maintain the furniture provided by the Ekiti State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) under the Oni’s government? Why are JJS1 students now being made to pay as much as N7,500 for furniture when students were no longer carrying furniture to school before Fayemi became governor?
“These are questions Fayemi and his men must answer instead of their shameless claim that they are offering free education in Ekiti State.
“Again, for clarity sake, before Fayemi became governor, only students of the 22 boarding schools in Ekiti State were paying N10.000 per term while no fee was paid in other schools (both primary and secondary)
“Apart from non-payment of tuition fees, free textbooks and free laptops were provided while WAEC and NECO fees were paid by the government.
“Therefore, Fayemi and his party should stop this their free education deceit because the people are no longer buying into it.”
LibertyReport

I will always be a PDP member – IBB

Chieftain of Nigeria’s ruling party, Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), General Ibrahim Babangida (rtd), has dismissed speculation that he intends to leave the party.

The former military president who spoke in Minna on Sunday after paying Sallah homage to Governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu at his Tunga residence, said the party was doing its best in improving the lives of the people.
Babangida added that plans by the opposition parties to merge in 2015 was normal in democracy, advising the party to remain focused on the task ahead.
On the issue of internal affairs of the PDP, IBB said “You cannot expect the party to remain the same after many year. Even if it was over 100 years there will always be room for improvements.”
“They (PDP) are doing fine. They have the structure of a political party and go out to seek for vote and be voted for. They are doing exactly what a political party is supposed to do.”
“That is what political parties are all about. They struggle for power. Whether it is a gang up or coming together, there is no cause for alarm.”
He urged public institutions and its officers to work harder in order to achieve a peaceful nation.
“The Federal Government, the governors, local government chairmen, councillors and the public have roles to play in ensuring the security of lives and property.”residence, said the party was doing its best in improving the lives of the people.
Babangida added that plans by the opposition parties to merge in 2015 was normal in democracy, advising the party to remain focused on the task ahead.
On the issue of internal affairs of the PDP, IBB said “You cannot expect the party to remain the same after many year. Even if it was over 100 years there will always be room for improvements.”
“They (PDP) are doing fine. They have the structure of a political party and go out to seek for vote and be voted for. They are doing exactly what a political party is supposed to do.”
“That is what political parties are all about. They struggle for power. Whether it is a gang up or coming together, there is no cause for alarm.”
He urged public institutions and its officers to work harder in order to achieve a peaceful nation.
“The Federal Government, the governors, local government chairmen, councillors and the public have roles to play in ensuring the security of lives and property.”
DailyPost

Taraba crash: Governor Suntai’s aides flown to National hospital, Abuja

More than 24 hours after the injured Governor of Taraba State,Daantata Suntai was flown out of the country to Germany for proper medical treatment,his three aides who were involved in the plane crash with him were on Sunday night transferred to the National Hospital, Abuja.
The Governor’s Aide de Camp (ADC), Dasat Illiya, who had reportedly been lying unconscious with a fractured leg at the specialist hospital in Yola, the Chief Security Officer (CSO) to the governor, Timo Dangana, who sources said has two fractures on both legs, and the Chief Detail to the Governor, Joel Dan, who has a fractured arm have all been taken to the National Hospital in Abuja.
DailyPost was informed that colleagues and families of the Governor’s aides were getting worried that the three officers needed more state attention than they were getting before now and hence called on the state government for its intervention.
The National Hospital spokesperson, Tayo Haastrup, confirmed that the trio are in the National hospital but said it was difficult to independently confirm the level of injuries sustained by the aides.
DailyPost

Obafemi Martins allegedly denies love child, abandons family members in Lagos

Nigerian footballer, Obafemi Akinwunmi Martins is said to be living large while his family languishes in poverty in Lagos, Nigeria. Sources revealed that the Super Eagles striker and Lavante Football Club point man has allegedly abandoned his family to the mercy of abject poverty.
Sources swore that after the former Inter Milan striker gained fame in 2004, he has virtually turned his back at his family members at Orile Aguda in Lagos. Martins allegedly dumped his family members soon after the death of his mother.
The sources disclosed that some of his family members have resorted to squatting with friends after their Orile family house was demolished by Fashola’s administration some years ago. Just recently, Martins bought two houses in VGC, Victoria Island, Lagos worth about N350million along with expensive cars.
Meanwhile, another source hinted that Martins has denied the child he got from a woman who stays in London. According to a reliable source, the lady named Katherine, had a child for Martins but the former Newcastle striker refused to accept the child from her.
Also, Martins’ late brother’s (Ladi) wife, Mariam, who had a baby for Ladi before his death, we learnt was never given any N5million as pay off as earlier reported in some sections of the media. Instead, it was alleged that Martins chased the poor woman out of his VGC home when she visited him (Martins).
Sources claimed that the woman was reportedly chased away by Martins with her pregnancy. As we further learnt, this has rendered the woman homeless as Martins allegedly sold Ladi’s house and Range Rover Sport.
Also another source said the late Ladi’s legal wife, Ugomma, who has two kids, is reportedly not living well in London where she works as a mortuary attendant.
It is expected that Martins will respond to these allegations soon and when that happens you’ll get his own side of the story.
 DailyPost

FCT Minister, Bala Mohammed in Sex Scandal; Romances Office Cleaner

..placed her on fct salary,bought her a bungalow

Senator Bala Mohammed, Federal Capital Territory minister, Abuja escapades has assumed another dimension and this is authoritative.
As a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the FCT minister was allegedly dating the cleaner in his office at the National Assembly complex.
The cleaner a Plateau state born damsel is said to have fallen head in love with Senator Bala for his alleged genial dispositions towards his female staff. Upon his appointment as FCT Minister, senator Bala globalvillageextra learnt redeployed her to the ministry where the cleaner has fully been transformed into full fledge mistress. At the ministry the girl who was already engaged to an Adamawa born staff of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria,PHCN office Maraaba,on the outskirt of the FCT enjoys the attentions of politicians and civil servants who want the ear of the minister..
Globalvillageextra learnt that senator Bala who later became aware of her engagement to the Adamawa staff of PHCN pleaded with her to keep the relationship even as he was prepared to sponsor the marriage.
He kept to his promise bought her a House at the Federal Housing Estate Karu, bought her a car and sponsored her marriage to the Adamawa groom.
Not even after the marriage would senator Bala let go of the girl as the newly wedded couple appear to be enjoying lots of favors from the minster.
last week senator Bala was at the PHCN office, about 15 kilometer from FCT purportedly to drop the girl who he claimed is now her personal Assistant with her husband after an emergency work in his office on Saturday.
The visit by the minister had attracted the comment of other staff in the office.A source at the PHCN confided in globalvillageextra that the husband told them that even on weekends’ the minister would invite his wife to the office. But with money and connections the husband has remained obedient to his wife while the minister had some good time with his wife.
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