NCP National Secretary, Akele, Calls for Governor Fashola’s Removal From Office

By SaharaReporters, New York

Newly installed National Secretary of the party of the late radical human rights lawyer Gani Fawehinmy, the National Conscience Party [NCP], Mr. Ayodele Akele has called for the resignation or removal from office of the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola over an allegation the Governor conspired with the military to return to the system.

In an open letter to the President, Mr. Akele alleged that Governor Fashola had called on the military to assist his administration in crushing totally commercial motorbike operators, which he had banned from operating on major streets of the State.

Mr. Akele requested that the Governor be immediately weeded out of office for following his compromise with the army, as he could no longer use the police to achieve the phasing out of commercial motorcycle operators in the State. Akele also accused Mr. Fashola of hypocrisy, deliberate denial of roles, betrayal and over-drunkenness with executive power.

The new NCP’s scribe alleged that Mr. Fashola was privy to President Jonathan’s decision to deploy soldiers to disperse peaceful Occupy Nigeria protesters from the Streets of Lagos but professed solidarity with the masses – a habit which he also said Mr. Fashola exhibited in relating with the motorbike operators after using them to achieve victory at the polls and declaring war on them afterwards.

The open letter addressed to the president, Senate President, Speakers of the National and States’ House of Assembly quotes verbatim in sufficient portion, Mr. Fashola’s letter in January condemning President Jonathan’s deployment of soldiers to Lagos, while flaking the Governor for indulging in what he had earlier condemned the President of doing.

The letter stresses that Mr. Fashola must resign from office.


An Open Letter To Dr. Goodluck Ebelle Jonathan, GCFR, President And Commander-In-Chief Of The Armed Forces Federal Republic Of Nigeria, Senate President, Speaker Federal House Of Repreesentatives, State Houses Of Assembly Particularly Lagos State House Of Assembly, Members Of Civil Society And Good People Of Nigeria Particularly Lagos State.

29th October, 2012

Dear Mr. President,

INVITATION OF THE NIGERIAN ARMY BY THE GOVERNOR OF LAGOS STATE MR. BABATUNDE RAJI FASHOLA, SAN, TO THE STREETS OF LAGOS STATE TO WAGE ‘WAR’ AGAINST UNARMED LAGOSIANS

DEMAND FOR GOV. BABATUNDE FASHOLA’S IMMEDIATE RESIGNATION OR HIS IMMEDIATE REMOVAL FROM OFFICE!

May we refer to a letter to the President, Goodluck Jonathan, GCFR, dated 16th of January, 2012 by the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN, partly reproduced below for ease of reference over the so called deployment of soldiers to the streets of Lagos in January 2012 during the protest against hike in petroleum prices!

Quoting Fashola ''It is not disputable that the citizens who have gathered in several parts of Lagos like Falomo, Ikorodu and Ojota to mention a few have largely conducted themselves peacefully, singing and dancing while they expressed their displeasure at the way that we have taken decisions that affect them.

That in my view should not offend those of us in Government. The majority of these people who represent diverse interests have not broken any law. If they have, it is my opinion that in a constitutional democracy, it is the police that has the responsibility for restoring law and order if civil protests threatens the breach of the peace. This is not justification for sending out soldiers to a gathering of unarmed citizens. Every one of us, or at least majority of us who hold public office danced and sang before these same people when we were seeking their votes. Why should we feel irritated when they sing and dance in protest against what we have done?

For me this is not a matter for the military. The sooner we rethink and rescind this decision the better and stronger our democracy will be. If anything, this is a most welcome transformation of our democracy in the sense that it provokes a discussion of economic policies and this inevitably may result in political debate.

I therefore urge the reconsideration of the decision to deploy soldiers and implore the President and Commander-in-Chief to direct their withdrawal from our streets, I must also emphasize that the rights of free speech and protest is not absolute. They impose the duty not to break the law, breach the peace, endanger human life or destroy property whether public or private.

They also impose the duty to respect the rights of others not to support our protest and indeed to support what we oppose. At the end of the day, it is a contest of ideas in which the most persuasive will get the endorsement of the majority of the people we serve. I am convinced that our democracy is mature enough to accommodate this. We must do our best to ensure that it does. God bless you all Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, Governor of Lagos State Monday, January 16, 2012 '' End of Quote

We are aware that Governor Raji Fashola was privy to the deployment of soldiers then, and in fact he beg for it, but only for him to latter deny knowledge.

Now, the same Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN, has now openly declared a ‘war’ against the poor, unarmed Lagosians and has called on the Nigerian Army to join him in this illegal and unauthorized ‘war’(unauthorized by the Senate or a declaration by the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to the National Assembly.

He took the campaign and request to the office of the GOC 81 Division of the Nigerian Army, Gen. Kenneth Minimah calling on the army unlawfully to join him in the ‘war’ against armless civilians-OKADA.

Prominent among those who were present with Fashola while making the request were his Commissioner for Transportation,  Kayode Opeifa; General Manager of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, Engr Babatunde Edu; Senior Special Assistant on Security to the Governor, Major Tunde Panox; Chief of Staff in the 81 Division, Brigadier General Ebenezer Oyefolu; Commanding officers, Directors in various army formations, principal staff officers and other senior army officers Sadly the GOC assured Fashola that the army will join him in the ‘war’ against OKADA.

This is Fashola in his true color! We believe the GOC made a mistake in acceding to Fashola’s request without due clearance from the appropriate authority or obtaining a written undertaking from Governor Fashola who will turn round to deny the Army when the ship is down from past experience. Our honest advice to the GOC and the Army is that they should stare clear of pure civil matter provoked by an arrogant, power drunken, tyrannical and insensitive state Governor Raji Fashola of Lagos State. Ask whether he consulted the GOC or the Army before embarking on this suicide mission! Did he consult with his ‘fellow’ Lagosians, Okada riders, civil society, political parties and other stake holders in Lagos state before introducing this senseless, atrocious and unpopular policy? Was there a public hearing and who are those invited to participate?

This is Babatunde Fashola’s cross and the beginning of his end. He must be allowed to carry his cross The GOC and the army should instead go and give a helping hand in the Boko Haram ravaged north if they are idle. All state governors without exception, including Gov Fashola (who was the arrow-head) not only support but pushed the FGN to increase in price of petrol against the wishes and interest of poor Nigerians particularly his ‘fellow’ Lagosians only for Fashola to pretend and deny! Gov. Babatunde Fashola was also privy to the deployment of soldiers to the streets of Lagos then, only for him to also deny!

But now, if Governor Babatunde Fashola, SAN, as the Chief Security Officer of Lagos state has declared a ‘war’ against the citizens of Lagos State and has invited and insisted in involving the Nigeria Army in his ‘war’ then it is an invitation for the declaration of state of emergency in Lagos State and invitation for a military intervention in our body polity. This is very a disappointing, condemnable and highly reprehensible call by a sitting Governor and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, so called. Do you blame Fashola? Where was he when we pro-democracy activists were in the trenches fighting against a most dreaded military dictatorship for the restoration of democracy in our country, Nigeria? He was nowhere to be found! How can he value democracy? Did he work for it? Share opportunist!! Why will Fashola not want to truncate it? But Mr. Basbatunde Fashola should not be allowed in this mad drive to truncate democracy in his drive to draft the military into our body polity.

Therefore we hereby call on the President and Commander-In Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Ebelle Goodluck Jonathan, the Senate President, Speaker Federal House of Representatives, State Houses of Assembly across the country particularly Lagos State House of Assembly, members of civil society, Lagosians, well-meaning Nigerians, all stake holders and the international community to demand for the immediate resignation (as we hereby demand) of Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos state from office forthwith or necessary steps taking immediately to remove him from office.

This is the only way put paid to his demand or clamor for military intervention from the exalted office of a state governor, prevent anarchy and a genocidal war against unarmed citizens of Lagos state in the hands of a war tasty Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State. To be forewarned is to be forearmed!

With Highest Esteem,

Sincerely yours,

COMRADE AYODELE AKELE
PIONEER SECRAETARY GENERAL
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIAN STUDENTS, NANS
NATIONAL GENERAL SECRETARY
NATIONAL CONSCIENCE PARTY, NCP, FOUNDED BY LATE CHIEF GANI FAWEHINMI
FOR THE ABOLITION OF POVERTY
 

Delta State Movement Indicts Governor Uduaghan For Siphoning N1.5 Trillion In Public Funds, Declares State-Wide Rescue Mission

By SaharaReporters, New York

Calling Delta State governor Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan a “monumental failure,” and a “rogue,” a group called the Movement for the Protection of the Rights of Deltans (MPROD), said in a public petition that Deltans across the State’s three Senatorial Zones and ethnic nationalities have resolved to rescue the State from the governor, whom they accuse of squandering N1.5 trillion in the past five years.

Even Uduaghan’s commissioners, except two, MPROD says in the petition, HOW UDUAGHAN IS MORTGAGING THE FUTURE OF DELTANS Part 1, a copy of which was sent to SaharaReporters, are behind the decision.

“Deltans have resolved to rise up, rescue the state and carry out a resolution akin to Arab Spring in Egypt and Libya where tyrants and rogues stole their countries blind,” the complaint says.

“Uduaghan’s Commissioners are all behind this resolution except TWO- Special Infrastructure and Transport–and in our next expose, we shall explain why they both opted out of the Movement to Free Delta State and save Deltans from the hands of the rogue Governor.”

The petition alleges that the governor has squandered about N1.5 trillion since he took over from his predecessor in 2007.

“The startling and mind-bungling revelations from sources within the ministries of Economic Planning, Budget and Finance, is that Uduaghan has received N1.5 trillion in the last five years, yet what we find today in Delta State are virtually abandoned projects, kidnapping, stealing, and stories of what the Government intends to do, because there is nothing on ground to justify these huge financial sums.”

“Interestingly, states like Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Edo, and Cross River have done very well and have shown leadership and performance.  A State such as Edo that receives far less than Delta has done far better than the rogue Uduaghan,” the petition says.

The complainants assert that the governor has done “absolutely NOTHING” with the vast sums he has received, outlining both the sources of the funds and the projects through which it claimed the funds are being drained.

“In our next expose, we shall reveal the names and identities of those he uses as fronts to ferry Deltans monies away,” they promise.

The petition was signed for MPROD by Ogbefi Alanza Moemeke (Delta Central); Comrade Ogheneovo Onoseme (Delta Central); Mr Brisbe Benifa (Delta South).


Full text of the petition:

MOVEMENT FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE RIGHTS OF DELTANS (MPROD)

RE: HOW UDUAGHAN IS MORTGAGING THE FUTURE OF DELTANS-Part-1
-DELTA STATE IN A DEBT TRAP OF N120 BILLION
- AFTER RECEIVING N1.5 TRILLION IN 5 YEARS, UDUAGHAN HAS NOTHING TO SHOW ON GROUND
-HOW UDUAGHAN SIPHONED ALL THESE FUNDS THROUGH FRONTS…

We are constrained as stakeholders to write this petition on behalf of the vast majority of Deltans whose future and children’s future have been mortgages by the fraudulent and rogue-Governor of Delta state, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan. The startling and mind-bungling revelations from sources within the ministries of Economic planning, Budget and Finance, is that Uduaghan has received N1.5 trillion in the last five years, yet what we find today in Delta State are  virtually  abandoned project, kidnapping, stealing , and stories of what  the Government intends to do because there is  NOTHING on ground to justify this huge  financial sums. Interestingly, States like Akwa Ibom , Rivers Edo, Cross River have done  very well and have shown leadership and performance.

A State such as Edo  that receives far less than  Delta has done  far better than the rogue Uduaghan. We are constrained to write to YOUR MEDIUM because we are confident that being a medium with the utmost integrity in the media industry in Nigeria and indeed Africa today that has not been compromised by Gov Uduaghan, YOUR MEDIUM will not fold its hand and watch the future of Deltans BEING MORTGAGED by Uduaghan who has stolen the resources of the State blind.

Here are short break-down:
1. 2007- 2012. ( TO DATE) Delta State  has received N1.3 Trillion –
- FAAC monthly inflow of not less than N15billion………………
2. IGR(Internally Generated Revenue) in 4 years N100billion
3. funds from Debts
- Commercial Banks………………………….. N50billion
a. First Bank……………….N10billion
b. Zenith Bank………… Over N20billion
c. Others including ……Ecobank,….. Access Bank
……………. FCMB ……………N20billion.
4. CAPITAL MARKET (Delta State Bond) –N50billion
…. It is interesting and fraudulent on the part of Uduaghan  that he secured this bond at an all interest of 15% per annum which by implication means that Deltans would be paying N15billion annually as an interest element.

GRAND TOTAL …………………. NI.5 Trillion.
This is what Gov Uduaghan has received in the  last five years. So what has he done with all these fund? Nothing. Absolutely NOTHING. In our next expose, we shall reveal the names and identities of those he uses as fronts to ferry Deltans monies away. But for now here are some of the projects he uses as drain-pipes to siphon Deltans monies and mortgaging the future of Deltans:

1. Airport……….. N30BILLION. Over N30billion has been spent on this uncompleted project which is still gulping funds. As at the last release, N1billion was released to ULO and it was quickly diverted. This is in addition to the N7.5billion used to clear an imaginary hill which exposes Uduaghan as an unintelligent man who did no feasibility study before embarking on such a project.
2. proposed purchase of Helicopter……. N7.5billion
3. purchase of diesel to run Street lights……….
4. abandoned  Road projects across the state…………
5. IPP Project at Oghara ( Abandoned after wasting over N30billion)
6. New Government House (Abandoned by ULO after sinking billions)
7. Drainage/ Roads (Abandoned …….)
8. Schools (On-going…….. while some have been abandoned)
9. Warri  Industrial Business park ( Abandoned after sinking in over N1billion. And his mistress Helen who runs as front for him on the project claimed Uduaghan collected all the monies from her and left her with only N15m to do the job!)
10. Osubi airport Expansion ( Uduaghan wants to waste another N12billion as mobilization here now…….. after abandoning Asaba airport which has not been completed to specification)

CONCLUSION

Gov Uduaghan has been a monumental failure in five years. Now the chicken has come home to roast. Deltans have resolved to rise up, rescue the state and carry out a resolution akin to Arab Spring in Egypt and Libya where Tyrants and rogues stole their countries blind.  Uduaghan’s Commissioners are all behind this resolution except TWO- Special Infrastructure and Transport –and in our next Expose, we shall explain why they both opted out of the Movement to Free Delta State and save Deltans from the hands of the rogue- Governor. As a movement on a rescue mission, our membership cuts across the three Senatorial Zones and all ethnic nationalities.

Signed for MPROD

Ogbefi Alanza Moemeke - Delta Central

Comrade Ogheneovo Onoseme - Delta Central

Mr Brisbe Benifa - Delta South
 

Pastor in Ibadan docked for stealing iPAD

A 45-year-old Pastor, Peter Oladiti has appeared before an Ibadan Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing an Ipad and other sets of computer valued at over N240,000.
DailyPost was informed that Pastor Oladiti committed the crime on the 7th of October at Ile-Eja,Olorunsogo Area of Ibadan,Oyo state.
The prosecuting counsel,Sikiru Opaleye told the court that the accused also allegedly stole a HP laptop computer valued at N85, 000 and a printing machine worth N8,000, belonging to a secondary school principal.
Opaleye emphasized that the offence committed by the accused contravened Sections 413 and 390 of the Criminal Laws of Oyo state of Nigeria 2000.
Pastor Oladiti who pleaded guilty to all allegations levelled against him through his counsel, Mr Philips Ojo, applied for out of court settlement of the matter.
The case was adjourned to 30th January, 2013 for further hearing.
DailyPost

American star Keri Hilson, says she absolutely loves Flavour’s ‘Ashawo’

More and more Nigerian artistes are gaining international recognition. And with that, comes the increasing popularity of some of their songs.
Yesterday, it was the turn of Knock you down singer, Keri Hilson, to drool over Flavour Nabania’s track, ‘Ashawo’
“Sawa Sawa Sawale, Sawa Sawa Sawale, ASSHHHHHH!! #nowplaying ‘Ashawo’ Remix by Flavour. love thisss sonnnnng!!!” she tweeted excitedly.
One of her followers, went on to interprete what the song meant. “Ashawo means whore u knw dat right hehehehe.”
But Miss Keri, was past caring, as she was so into the highlife tune. She simply replied: “LOL 4real? I have NO idea what’s he’s saying I just love the sound!”
The American star will be in Nigeria this month, to perform at the Face of Sofa pageant.

DailyPost

CPC Describes ‘PDP as the Harbinger Of Nigeria’s Insecurity Travails’

Opposition Congress for Progressive Change ,CPC  has described the ruling PDP as the harbinger  of  insecurity in Nigeria.In coming to this conclusion CPC observed that “Nigeria’s spy agency, the State Security Services (SSS), recently testified (under oath) that Mr Mohammed Ali Ndume, a PDP senator representing Borno South senatorial district, passed the Telephone number of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) to the dreaded Boko-Haram sect for the purpose of influencing the Borno  State Election Petition Tribunal for ruling in favour of the PDP.It would be recalled that in March 2012, Mr Ndume had informed a bewildered Nation that all his activities with the Boko-Haram sect were known to Vice-President Namadi Sambo. On this charge, there was a deafening silence (connoting acquiescence) from the Presidency.”
Read the full text of CPC statement below:
The PDP as the harbinger of Nigeria’s insecurity travails.
The Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) has noted the trajectory of the insecurity travails of the Nigerian nation and the connection with the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP). Nigeria’s spy agency, the State Security Services (SSS), recently testified (under oath) that Mr Mohammed Ali Ndume, a PDP senator representing Borno South senatorial district, passed the Telephone number of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) to the dreaded Boko-Haram sect for the purpose of
influencing the Borno  State Election Petition Tribunal for ruling in favour of the PDP.
It would be recalled that in March 2012, Mr Ndume had informed a bewildered Nation that all his activities with the Boko-Haram sect were known to Vice-President Namadi Sambo. On this charge, there was a deafening silence (connoting acquiescence) from the Presidency.
Meanwhile, the PDP continued to lay subterfuge on an unsuspecting citizenry in deliberate spins and large-scale propaganda (in the cyber space and Nation-space) against other Political Parties as the
sponsors of terrorism in Nigeria.
Truly, the chickens are coming home to roost. The lies and falsities of the immediate past have used up their expiry dates. The cases of the murderous termination of the lives of Nigerian youths and destruction of Christian worship sanctuaries, as a concealment strategy (in infamy) of the electoral heist in Northern Nigeria, shall continue to be the Achilles’ heels of this PDP-led regime. Characteristically, the PDP, being awash with slush funds for massive propaganda, was the first to lay the blame of the post-election violence on other parties.
As a Party, we believe the latest revelations have thrown up the widely held notion that Nigerian Judiciary is corruptible and malleable to the anti-democratic dictates of the PDP-led Executive. It
is also very deducible that the Boko-Haram insurgency is mainly actuated for achieving political ends rather than the much touted religious suzerainty. With about one trillion naira appropriated for
tackling insecurity in 2012 budget, this clearly explains why security challenges would remain as long as PDP is in power because more justifications would continue to be made for more slush funds!
Finally, as a Party, we hereby state unequivocally that the PDP remains the harbinger of the Nation’s security travails as a way to foster the vain-glorious desire to rule Nigeria in perpetuity. We hereby call on the Nigerian people to reject the over-used propaganda of the PDP-led regime to deflect the just demand of the Nigerian people for a safer, tranquil and prosperous polity.
God bless Nigeria.
Rotimi Fashakin (Engr).
National Publicity Secretary, CPC.
(Thursday, November 01, 2012).
NewsDiaryonline.com

Governor Rochas Okorocha shuts down strip clubs in Owerri

Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo state has ordered the immediate closure of nudity clubs in the state, describing their existence as “strange and devilish”. Okorocha, who gave the order in Owerri on Wednesday at the end of the meeting of the state Security Council, said that the operation of nudity clubs debased Igbo culture.
He said that such clubs had compounded the eroding morality of the youths and warned that the government would no longer condone their destructive activities. Many nudity clubs are operating in the state capital.
The governor also banned under-age persons from attending night clubs in the state and warned that any club found admitting such persons or selling alcoholic drinks to them would be closed down permanently.
The governor also ordered the demolition of a house in Oru East Local Government Area and a filling station in Mbaitoli Local Government Area allegedly owned by kidnappers.
Okorocha warned that government was determined to stamp out kidnapping in the state.
He also warned owners of uncompleted buildings in the state to clean and secure them to prevent criminals from using them as hideouts.
The governor decried the upsurge of secret cults in some secondary schools in the state and warned student cult members that government was poised to deal with them.
He expressed concern over the increase in child trafficking in the state and said that government had taken steps with the security agencies to check the trend.
DailyPost

President Jonathan Congratulates Obasanjo On New Appointment

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has been congratulated by President Goodluck Jonathan on his appointment as the Country Representative for Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust.

This is contained in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja by Dr Reuben Abati, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity.
Abati said that the President in a congratulatory letter, expressed confidence in Obasanjo on the “new honorific position”.
The President said that Obasanjo would ensure that the trust generated the resources required to fund legacy projects in the name of Queen Elizabeth through his wide network of contacts across the Commonwealth.
Jonathan said he considered the appointment, not only a personal honour to the former President, but also to Nigeria as a country.
He wished the former President success in his new endeavours
InformationNigeria.org