“We will cease fire if government arrests Sheriff and compensate us” – Boko Haram

Members of Jama’atul Ahlis Sunnah Lidda’awati Wal Jihad also known as Boko Haram have said they are now willing to cease fire and stop all atrocities being perpetrated by their group and work against other existing groups if the State and Federal Government will truly heed to their demands.
The acclaimed spokesman of the group, Abu Mohammed Ibn Abdulazeez, who doubles as the second-in-command (Amir) to their leader Imam Abubakar Shekau revealed this in a tele-conference with journalists in Maiduguri on Thursday stating that if the state and the federal government want the group to seize fire completely, then former Borno state governo,r Ali Modu Sheriff must be arrested and prosecuted according to the law of the land.
He also said that apart from the arrest of Senator Ali Sheriff, government should compensate the group and rebuild their places of worship which were destroyed during 2009 uprising.
Abu Abdulazeez further stressed that, all their members who were arrested and are under the custody of security agencies must be released with immediate effect, and all their wives who were displaced following the crises as well as their children must be rehabilitated into the society to create room for a fruitful dialogue with the Federal Government.
He pointed out that for a dialogue to take place, it must be through the following elders namely: Dr. Shettima Ali Monguno, Former Head of State General Muhammadu Buhari, former Yobe State Governor, Bukar Abba Ibrahim, Ambassador Gaji Galtimari and Barr Aisha Alkali Wakil and her husband, Barr, Alkali Wakil, insisting that the dialogue must not take place in Nigeria but Saudi Arabia, as according to him, the government of Nigeria is not sincere for dialogue due to its betrayal in the past.
Abu Abdulazeez also said that the group has mandated five members who are to mediate on their behalf; they include himself (Abu Mohammed Abdulazeez), Abu Abbas, Sheikh Ibrahim Yusuf, Sheikh Sani Kontogora and Mamman Nur
While speaking on the series of killings and unwantom destruction of property that took over Maiduguri recently, Abu Abdulazeez disassociated the group from such act, pointing out that such attacks were politically motivated by those seeking for power in the Borno Emirate council, government or otherwise, but not in line with the ideology of the sect who are fighting for the cause of Allah.
He also said that,the burning of old and newly constructed primary schools witnessed across the state were not masterminded by the sect, insisting that the burning of such places were carried out by aggrieved politicians who were denied contracts from the state government.
DailyPost

BREAKING NEWS: Boko Haram sets conditions for peace talk *Insists on Buhari and Saudi Arabia

Muhammed Buhari

MAIDUGURI, Nigeria — An alleged member of the radical Islamist sect Boko Haram has set conditions for peace talks with Nigeria’s government.
The man, who identified himself as Abu Mohammed Ibn Abdulaziz, spoke to journalists via a telephone conference call Thursday in Maiduguri, the spiritual home of Boko Haram. He said the dialogue must be in Saudi Arabia and include negotiators like former military ruler Muhammadu Buhari.
The call came through the channels that Boko Haram usually communicates with journalists. However, Abdulaziz spoke entirely in English, which is unusual for the sect. Also, journalists ordinarily hear from a spokesman who uses the nom de guerre Abul Qaqa in such calls.
Boko Haram is blamed for killing more than 720 people this year alone in its bloody guerrilla fight with Nigeria’s weak central government.
LibertyReporter

Mimiko’s Victory and Lessons For Specious Progressives

By Emmanuel Ajibulu

As expected with every victory, the landslide success of Governor Olusegun Mimiko at the October 20, gubernatorial poll, triggered uncontrollable jubilation amongst the great people of Ondo State and even beyond. In the euphoria of jubilation, the number one citizen was swarmed with congratulatory messages from every part of the world for a victory well deserved. Records showed that on Sunday, (Oct 21) the four walls of Ondo State virtually stood still, as thousands of supporters of the Labour Party defied the scorching sun to embark on a victory procession around the state in celebration of the victory, a testimony to the fact that he is the people’s choice.

Ondo Governor Olusegun Mimiko

The Governor, who participated in the victory jubilation, assured the people of the state that with his re-election, more development would come to every part of the state. He said: “God has blessed our project, it is finished. Now is the time to give thanks to God, that today, a Holy Sunday, the people of Ondo State have spoken across Ondo South, across Ondo Central, across Ondo North. Our people are united by a common desire to build a new Ondo State for a greater future. I thank you for standing on your feet. On our feet, we shall fight for freedom; we shall never go on our knees. You young ones must remember that this fight was and is for your tomorrow.”
Mimiko convincingly won at the polls no doubt, however one cannot forget so soon the various campaigns of calumny which pervaded the pre-Ondo guber polls against the incumbent ‘Iroko’ especially from PDP and ACN. Although, the People’s Democratic Party was slightly fair in its guber campaigns. But, it sometimes attacked the personality of Labour party standard bearer; most of the campaigns were based on denying the good works of Mimiko which were his qualification certificates before the people. Since the people of Ondo State despise deceptions, sadly the party failed to win the hearts of a majority of the principled Ondo people.
On the part of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) which its candidate came third in the contest, the first miscalculation of the party was the alleged imposition of Rotimi Akeredolu as its candidate by the party’s leadership. This, to indigenes of Ondo State meant that there was no internally democratic mechanisms that were fair to all in the party; the people also saw the party as cheating against those candidates who were not given equal treatments. Akeredolu could be a very good candidate but the way he was selected was annoying and those who know the people of the state would not be surprised if a kinsman of Akeredolu opposed him for cheating others in the race.
In another token, it was obvious that the ACN did not take its time to study the people. Since they had been succeeding in the other South-West states, the leaders of the party concluded that the same tactics, strategies and weapons used in those states were enough to “capture” Ondo State. At the time the ACN was campaigning, Mimiko was the governor of the state and the people would have wanted him to be treated as such. The people did not like some derogatory and uncomplimentary languages used and also the sheer arrogance and pride displayed against their incumbent Governor. It was therefore true that some of those who had vowed to vote for the ACN actually changed their minds when they heard those disparaging words used against him by the party leaders. Even if money and materials were distributed, the people’s hearts had been fixed against the party.
Also another factor which was identified that worked against the ACN was the perception of Senator Bola Tinubu by the people of Ondo state who saw him as pillar and godfather of all the party’s appointed and elected men and women including the six state governors under ACN platform. The truth is that an average indigene of Ondo State detastes godfatherism and dictatorship. The people will rather like a governor whose administration cannot be hijacked by external interests.
Be it as it may, many political observers still find the Ondo gubernatorial race interesting as a result of the intrigues, upsets and revelations that have trailed past governorship elections in the state. The 1983 election is one that is still very potent in the memories of the people. Unprecedented violence followed the announcement of the result by Federal Electoral Commission (FEDECO), the then electoral body. The orgy of violence only subsided when amends were made by the Court of Appeal and Chief Adekunle Ajasin was announced as the winner of the election before his former Deputy, Akin Omoboriowo could be sworn in. Omoboriowo had left the UPN after his boss allegedly reneged on an agreement that he would not seek a second term.
For Governor Olusegun Rahman Mimiko, the journey to the Alagbaka Government House started long before the 2007 elections. Having cut his teeth as the Publicity Secretary of the Ondo Local Government chapter of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) in 1983, he ran for electoral office in 1990 when he vied for the Chairmanship of Ondo Local Government on the platform of the Social Democratic Party. His zeal as a party man did not go unnoticed, as he was appointed as a member of the campaign organization of Evangelist Bamidele Olumilua who contested for governorship then. By 1992, he was appointed as the Commissioner for Health by Governor Olumilua. As Commissioner, he facilitated the “Pharmacy Shop” system which ensured 24-hour pharmacy services in the major hospitals in the state then.
Moreover, Dr. Mimiko had already become a major political force by the time the Fourth Republic commenced. In view of his immense contributions to the electoral victory of the Alliance for Democracy in the 1999 governorship election in Ondo State, he was again appointed as the Commissioner for Health by Chief Adebayo Adefarati. He however resigned precisely on the 7^th of November 2002. After quitting as Commissioner, he heeded calls to join the governorship race. He however left the Alliance for Democracy when the party failed to hold primary elections in order to select the party’s flag bearer. He thereafter pitched his tent with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Even as a new member of the PDP, Mimiko was not irrelevant in the scheme of the party. Again in recognition of his being instrumental to his new party’s success at the governorship polls in 2003, he was appointed as the Secretary to the State Government by Governor Olusegun Agagu.
He was SSG till July 2005 when the then President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo appointed him as Minister for Housing and Urban Development. Again, Dr. Mimiko heeded calls to contribute more to the development of his state and he resigned his appointment in December, 2006 to participate in the 2007 governorship election. While many were still wondering how he planned to defeat a sitting Governor at the primaries, Dr. Mimiko presented the Labour Party to the people of Ondo State on December 14, 2006 at the City Hall, Akure and he contested for the election on the party’s platform. Though the electoral commission announced Dr. Agagu as the winner, after a legal tussle which ended with the appellate court, it was affirmed that the election was indeed won by Dr. Mimiko. He became the Ondo State Governor on February 23, 2012.
It was a great joy for the good people of Ondo that the state did not experience the ‘Armageddon’ that actually hung in the air in the Oct 20 polls. In place of doom, the state witnessed bliss, courtesy of a globally-acclaimed free and fair election. In fact, many  individuals and institutions that had, on account of the palpable fear occasioned by pre-election tension in Ondo, been at alert to outdo one another in sympathising with the state, in the event of the undesirable expected, were disappointed. And now that elections are over, we have a re-elected Governor that is competent, progressive, trusted, tested and reliable.
The resounding victory of Mimiko in the election is a product of good governance of his administration, Mimiko stood by the people all through the period, by embarking on various developmental projects that have direct bearing on them. Mimiko’s victory was not bought, but laboured for, and amazingly the governor would not let the people down even in his second term in office. The applause that greeted the victory of Mimiko across the country, shortly after the announcement, especially from the president, Dr Goodluck Jonathan; leadership of both chambers of the National Assembly, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), state governors, including the Edo State governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and a host of others was an indication that he was the popular choice of the people.
LibertyReport

Sad News: Adefarati, Akoko SW LG Chair dies in road accident

Lady Opeyemi Adefarati, the Caretaker Chairman of Akoko South West Local Government is dead!
She died in a ghastly motor accident about 45 minutes ago at Iwaro -Oka junction along with many others yet to be identified as a trailer lorry lost control and ran into them.
The news was broken by Tolu Babaleye this evening.
May her gentle soul rest in peace.

LibertyReport

Governor Akpabio Takes Possession of $45 Million "Private" Jet

By SaharaReporters, New York

The government of Akwa Ibom State has confirmed that Godswill Akpabio like his Rivers State counterpart, Governor Rotimi Amaechi, also owns a brand new jet.
Akpabio took possession of the $45 million jet in June 2012.
Responding to SaharaReporters inquiries, Akwa Ibom Commissioner for Information, Aniekan Ummanah, confirmed that Mr. Akpabio bought the Gulfstream jet manufactured in 2011, but insisted that that it is Akwa Ibom State property.
As already published by SaharaReporters, Governor Amaechi’s gleaming new toy is a Bombardier Global 5000 (N565RS), which he acquired for his exclusive use.
Governor Akpabio’s state of the art jet, which carries FAA registration number N224BH, was interestingly purchased by the same Bank of Utah Trust account used by the Rivers state government.  The deal was handled by a trust attorney at the bank and delivered to Mr. Akpabio.
Records show that Governor Akpabio, whose deputy resigned yesterday, has travelled abroad in the jet regularly, especially to and within the United States, since the acquisition.
A flight tracking website provided the following information regarding Mr. Akpabio's penchant for traveling on the jet.  These flights do not show Nigeria movements:
     Origin           Destination                Departed                                             Arrival
28-Sep-2012     GLF4/Q     Westchester County (KHPN)     Cologne Bonn (EDDK / CGN)     11:50AM EDT     12:28AM CEST (+1) (?)     6:38
28-Sep-2012     GLF4/Q     Savannah/Hilton Head Intl (KSAV)     Westchester County (KHPN)     07:00AM EDT     08:42AM EDT     1:42
24-Sep-2012     GLF4/Q     Westchester County (KHPN)     Savannah/Hilton Head Intl (KSAV)     11:23PM EDT     01:05AM EDT (+1)     1:42
24-Sep-2012     GLF4/Q     Dusseldorf Int'l (EDDL / DUS)     Westchester County (KHPN)     08:20PM CEST     10:21PM EDT     8:01
06-Aug-2012     GLF4/Q     Westchester County (KHPN)     Malaga (LEMG / AGP)     01:49PM EDT     02:42AM CEST (+1) (?)     6:53
05-Aug-2012     GLF4/Q     William P Hobby (KHOU)     Westchester County (KHPN)     08:01PM CDT     12:06AM EDT (+1)     3:05
03-Aug-2012     GLF4/Q     Dallas Love Field (KDAL)     William P Hobby (KHOU)     08:48AM CDT     09:25AM CDT     0:37
01-Aug-2012     GLF4/Q     William P Hobby (KHOU)     Dallas Love Field (KDAL)     03:53PM CDT     04:35PM CDT     0:42
01-Aug-2012     GLF4/Q     Dallas Love Field (KDAL)     William P Hobby (KHOU)     10:49AM CDT     11:26AM CDT     0:37
29-Jul-2012     GLF4/Q     William P Hobby (KHOU)     Dallas Love Field (KDAL)     10:05AM CDT     10:47AM CDT     0:42
28-Jul-2012     GLF4/Q     Bangor Intl (KBGR)     William P Hobby (KHOU)     01:40PM EDT     04:30PM CDT     3:50
28-Jul-2012     GLF4/Q     Dusseldorf Int'l (EDDL / DUS)     Bangor Intl (KBGR)     11:44AM CEST     12:44PM EDT     7:00
It would be recalled that one week ago in Yola, Adamawa State, Governor Danbaba Suntai of Taraba State crashed a Cessna 208, 5N-BMJ, he was flying personally at the time.   He has since been airlifted to Germany for treatment, his injured passengers left in a local hospital.
These expensive jet-buying and flying stories concerning Nigeria state governors provide greater proof of muddled priorities, and sometimes, outright corruption, in the administration of the States, where the chief executives and their inner circles live in insensitive luxury despite the despicable general condition of the average citizen.  When they get off their jets, they usually have waiting for them all kinds of exotic cars and long convoys.
Sources told SaharaReporters that Mr. Suntai, an aviation enthusiast, owns two aircraft and a helicopter. Aviation sources also said he also owns an airstrip in his village which he built with embezzled state funds.
Governor Akpabio’s new jet puts him squarely among Nigeria’s new jet set of top government officials, connected businessmen and lavish-spending pastors, among whom luxury private jets are the new status symbol.

Sorry, we are not Nigerians’ say Williams sisters

The Williams sisters, Venus and Serena Wednesday put paid to insinuations that they were from Nigeria, when they said that they were proud to be American citizens.
Speaking at the Federal Palace Hotel, Venus, in a response to a question on their true origin, said that while they love Nigeria, the fact was that they were from the United States of America.

“This is another country that we would love to come from but we are from the United States and are proud to be from there as well”, said Venus
On their mother’s decision to name their late sister, Yetunde, after a Nigerian, Venus said that it was because of the mum’s love for Africa.
“My mum named my late sister after an Africa name because she loves Africa and that is all to it”, she said.
InformationNigeria.org

JAF, Workers Unions, Human Rights Groups Join Motorbike Operators to Protest Lagos Ban; JAF Advocates System Change

By SaharaReporters, New York

Pro-labour welfare movements, labour unions and civil society groups today expressed their solidarity with the motorbike operators’ union which is protesting the recent ban on them by the Lagos State government preventing operation on major streets of Lagos.

In a symposium organized by the Joint Action Front [JAF] at the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Secretariat in Lagos, the NLC, Academic Staff Union of Universities [ASUU], Nigeria Union of Teachers [NUT], Nigeria Medical Association [NMA], Center for the Defense of Human Rights [CDHR] and United Action for Democracy [UAD] jointly condemned the implementation of what they called a cruel law.  

They criticized the government for implementing the new regulation without due consultation or provision of a social safety net before phasing out operators of commercial motorbikes in the State.

The counsel to the motorbike operators in a suit brought against the Lagos State Government for the ban, Barrister Bamidele Aturu, accused the government of trying to copy the advanced cities of the world at the expense of the poor people of Lagos State.

Evaluating the policies of the current Lagos State Government since inception, the civil society bodies and workers’ unions described the government as an anti-people administration.

Although the symposium was convened to assess the myriad problems confronting the nation including the recent flooding in some parts of the country which rendered many people homeless, the Lagos State ban on commercial motorbikes dominated the discussion. 

Moderated by Dr. Dipo Fashina, the meeting, which lasted more than four hours, resolved to protest the ban and resist further anti-people laws being promulgated by the ruling Action Congress of Nigeria [ACN] in the State.

JAF announced that it would mobilize the masses to protest the ban, and condemned the call by the Lagos State Governor on the military to deal ruthlessly with the poor motorbike operators wherever they are seen in the restricted areas.

JAF called for system change, accusing Governor Babatunde Fashola of militarizing the State and stressing that it took a lot of civil struggle to rid governance in Nigeria of the military.

Other civil society groups at the symposium include Community Network Alliance [COMNET], Moshood Abiola Vanguard for Democracy [MAVD] and Social Workers Link.

Saharareporters