“I Dumped Kim Kardashian Because She Lied About The Video” – Nick Cannon

Nick Cannon has revealed that he dumped Kim Kardashian after she ‘lied’ to him about the existence of her now-infamous video.
Despite calling the reality star ‘one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet’ Nick explained that he couldn’t forgive her for denying the tape existed. Radio presenter Nick, now happily married to Mariah Carey, briefly dated Kim from September 2006 to January 2007.
Speaking on The Howard Stern Show last week he explained: ‘This was my issue. We talked about this tape…And she told me there was no tape.
‘If she might have been honest with me I might have tried to hold her down and be like “That was before me” because she is a great girl.
‘She’s actually one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet. But the fact that she lied and told me that there was no tape?’
Kim made the tape while with then-boyfriend Ray J in 2003. It’s release brought her to a wide audience and directly led to her now-lucrative reality star career.
Nick revealed that he had always suspected that Kim might have had something to do with the tape’s release.
‘And I still think she might have even had a part to play with [its release],’ he said.
It seems unlikely Kim will be too concerned about losing out with Nick, however.
Since their breakup she has gone on to become one of America’s biggest stars, despite her lack of talent.
Nick seems to appreciate this, adding: ‘I think she’s a great businesswoman if you ask me.’
Kim is now happily dating rapper Kanye West.
He certainly doesn’t seem put off by her tape – in fact The Stronger rapper appears to make reference to the reality star’s infamous 2007 tape in his track Clique.
The song – which will feature on his album Cruel Summer – includes the line: ‘Eat breakfast at Gucci. My girl a superstar all from a home movie.’
Her other ex-boyfriends include Gabriel Aubry and Nick Lachey. She is currently locked in a messy divorce with second husband Kris Humphries, after a brief and disastrous marriage.
Kim’s rise to fame saw her introduced her to Hollywood’s socialite scene by her then close friend Paris Hilton.
Paris soon came to regret the move, as she was overshadowed by Kim when her video was leaked, with Vivid buying the rights to the video for $1m.
It was particularly galling for Paris, as a similar film featuring her had been leaked in 2003, briefly making her one of the world’s most notorious celebrities.
While Kim has always claimed she was ‘devastated’ by the release of the tape, it certainly made her a star.
It has even been alleged her mother Kris Jenner brokered the deal, with Kim receiving a hefty advance worth between $250,000 and $500,000.
Kim filmed the video when she was 23, and Keeping Up With The Kardashians premiered eight months after its release.
Back in June reports emerged that Kris had allegedly instructed Kim to make the video and even had her re-shoot it because the first take wasn’t ‘pretty enough’.
Kim’s younger sister Khloe was infuriated by the claims and said: ‘That is just disgusting and disturbing, and probably HIS fantasy!’
InformationNigeria.org

Blame Buhari’s boys

 by Tunde Asaju 

inShare

The swamps of Okolobia point accusing fingers at General Muhammadu Buhari, everybody’s whipping boy. So did the flatlands of Dausayi. For seeking to impose frugality and good governance and lately to wrestle our society from decay; for being a northern Muslim and living in Kaduna, blame Buhari.

The Muslim-Christian and north-south dichotomies have been with us before the sharia riots in Kaduna, but blame Buhari. On this occasion of the General’s birthday; and though he is still mourning the death of his daughter, and now that of his governor, help me blame Buhari.

When it comes to value for human life; European and American dogs and cats have greater value than the ordinary Naija. You can go to jail for up to 14 years for cruelty to animals in those places. In Naija, even in death there is a distinction between men and women of caterpillar and juggernaut and the rest of us who have to wear the disposable adjective ‘ordinary’. How many people died in the Okolobia crash, Governor Yakowa, former NSA Patrick Azazi and four ‘others’? Pause!

Did anyone see Barak Obama on his feet the moment the Newtown, Connecticut murderer turned the gun on innocent children? How can Obama be so unpresidential as to cry? How silly can a president be recalling how many gun tragedies have marred his presidency? What, even the killing of ‘ordinary’ Trayvon Martin saw him stand up and identify. One little American killed in cold blood earned the sympathy and respect of the world’s most powerful individual. Why should he care?

Before I get those deluges of hate mails, I doff my fedora for President Jones for sparing us the ineloquence of making boring speeches even with a teleprompter. I am not asking him to go to Maiduguri. According to popular wisdom, the Kanuri got themselves into this mess on behalf of their power-hungry northern leaders; they should get themselves out or perish trying rather than curry the sympathy of a southern Christian president.

School children were raped in transit between the east and Lagos, nobody told the president, the youth minister, the women affairs minister, and no speeches were made. The kids would carry the scar – for life! Recently, a female student was killed in the east for refusing to be raped by armed bandits. There was no finger of protest.

Ordinary folks are kidnapped and sometimes killed in the east; the army is not called in. In fairness, in all these cases, the presidential spokesman responds with the same template which the ungrateful news media now describe as ‘terse’.

So, how does Buhari get back into the picture? A few social media friends asked the subversive questions last week when two VIPs died in a plane crash along with four disposable ‘others’. His question - when did naval helicopters become ‘kabu-kabu’ to be deployed to convey mourners from Okoloba to Yenagoa? He even alleged that a similar action happened penultimate week when VIPs were shuttling for loyalty between the president and his vice who were hosting different events at opposite ends of the Villa. The nation was shut down.

My friend feigned ignorance that the death of the parents of a presidential aide is not a national disaster worthy of the resources of our nation. He forgets that the aide’s budget is bigger than some state governments; that the aide in question is a Naija-Deltan from where we derive the fuel to power the crashed chopper. In short, this friend of mine suffers from the Buhari syndrome.

In government, Buhari, made a silly law that confined government vehicles back to the pool by 4 pm. No official could deploy a government vehicle to take his wife to the market or his children to school no matter how highly placed. Buhari could not have condoned fuel scarcity; those who hoarded sugar and milk would tell you how such goods were auctioned off. Such wickedly draconian laws would rob democracy of its shine and make public office unattractive to their excellent Excellencies and distinguished honourable. It would also be antithetical to the principle of loyalty.

Would an aide to Barack Obama, Francois Hollande or Iron Lady Angela Merkel have access to a naval helicopter for the burial of their parents? Please don’t ask? Would the governor of a state in America leave his official post, fuel up his official car and jet off to such an event at taxpayer’s expense? Please don’t ask.

We should never ask subversive questions in a land where every evil is the sentence of the gods–ikon Allah! So we dare not say that if we had been frugal with public office and public resources, Maryam Abacha would be smiling with her son, Ibrahim who killed himself and 14 others in Dausayi and crashed a presidential jet to booth. Patrick Yakowa would be at his desk this moment and the navy won’t be one chopper short. We could perhaps have saved the nation more resources sure to be deployed to newspaper adverts and funeral expenses for the dead VIPs and the meaningless probes whose findings would end up in a cupboard somewhere in the rock of offense. Heh, blame Buhari for giving us an invitation to treat. Let the party continue.

DailyTrust

A Must Read! How A Woman Saved Her Husband

To marry a good wife is one of the best thing that can happen to a man. The story goes thus:

I, Sarah Adams take Lawson Kuti as my lawful wedded husband, to love and to cherish, in sickness and in health, till death do us part” she smiled at him through her veil.

“You may now kiss your bride Mr. Lawson” the Pastor beckoned.

Lawson’s heart raced as he gently unveiled his bride’s face. She looked so beautiful. He gently bent over and placed a soft kiss on her lip. Sarah in turn embraced him tightly with tears of joy streaming down her face.
“Never leave me Sarah” he whispered in her ear.
“I will never leave you” she whispered and they slowly released themselves from the embrace.
“I present to you the latest couple!” The Pastor exclaimed excitedly
The church cheered and Sarah cried more in her husband’s arms
5 years Later
Sarah silently tip toed behind her husband. He was in his study, engrossed in reading. She smiled to herself and gently covered his eyes with both hands.
“It’s just you and I in this house Sara, plus, I smelled you the moment you walked in” He dropped
Sara released her hold, sighed and sat on the study table, “Why do you figure me out so easily? I can’t even surprise you! That sucks” she curled her arms around his neck
“You are my wife, nothing you do is supposed to surprise me” He playfully pecked her nose.
“But you’ve been in the study all day and I’m bored!” She rolled her eyes
“So what kind of fun do you suggest we have then?” He swooped her off the table in his arms
“No! no that kind of fun!” She hit him playfully till he put her down
“Ok”, He folded his arms on his chest, looking into her eyes, “So what do you want us to do?”
“Not us. Actually, all I want is to play with your play station and you’ve hidden it again! Just give it and you can continue your reading. pleaaaseee” She blinked her eyes playfully
“No way”, He went back toward his study chair and sat, “Not my play station”
“Why! You never let me touch it…like its your baby” She sulked
“Well”, he rolled his eyes, “Not like you’ve given me a baby yet”
Sara paused for a moment. Did he just say that to her? The words struck her deep down
“You shouldn’t have said that Lawson…” She managed to say, her countenance changing.
“But it’s true…I’m only saying the truth Sara” He turned to face her, still sitting on the chair.
“The truth? You think I don’t want us to have kids?”
“Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that…” He stood to face her now.
“Then what are you saying Lawson? Tell me, what is the truth?”
“Let’s not do this today…please. You can have the play station and play all you want. It’s in my footwear locker and the key is in my Bible”
“You always do this…hurting me with your words” Her voice began to shake
“Don’t start Sara please”
“Tell me why you said those words to me! I want to know!”
“Because I’m tired! I want to be a father! I want to have my own kids Sara…”
” and you think I don’t?!” Sara flared, trying not to let the tears pour
“Then why can’t you get pregnant Sara? This is the fifth year we are trying.” He clenched his teeh and walked out of the study.
Sara was in shock. She sat on the chair for some seconds, stood up again and saton the chair again…this time she held on to her blouse and burst into tears.
2weeks after
“Lawson, wake up please” Sara tapped him
Lawson gently opened his eyes and looked at the alarm clock by his bedside, “It’s 2:00am Sara…”
“It’s urgent”
“I’m listening” He said drowsily
“Mother says we should come for tests. She says she’s spoken to her doctor and he said we should come.”
“What?” Lawson opened his eyes now, “Your mother is the UK for Christs sakes”
“Let’s just do it. We can go for the weekend, lets just give it a shot, please.”
“No. That would be rather expensive and…”
“It’s my birthday today and the only thing I want from you is this trip”
Lawson fell quiet now. For the past two years now, his wife’s birthday skips his mind…totally.
“I’m…I’m sorry Sara…It skipped my mind…”
“It always does” She lay down back on the bed, backing him.
Lawson wrapped his arms around her waist, “I said I’m sorry…”
No response.
Lawson sighed, “Fine, we go this weekend”
“Really?” She turned sharply, excited
“If it will make you happy today”
“Thank you baby” She hugged him.
A week after
Sara jerked at the vibration of the phone in her pocket.
“Hi mom!” she pressed the phone to her ear with her shoulders, wiping the washed dishes with her hands.
“Honey…”
“What is it mom?” she pressed it harder
“The result…the result of the tests…” her mother cried
Sarah gently dropped the plate and the wiper, hear racing…”Just say it mom…”
That night
“I can never have children Lawson…” Sara cried
Lawson felt his world crash right in front of him, “W…what?”
“Mama called today…she’s gotten the tests results”
“Jesus Christ” Lawson stood, placing his palm on his head, “b…but you told m you were ok before we got married, you told me the doctor said your abortion didn’t damage your womb”
“Don’t bring my past into this!” Sara flared
Lawson laughed and got serious almost immediately, “You are crazy. I married a crazy woman!”
Sara looked at him in shock, like he’d lost his mind.
“The results say you can never have children and we bith know that this has to do with the abortion you had before we met!”, he flared, “are you happy?…you know we’re screwed right? No kids? what re we going to tell the world?”
“Lawson we can adopt…” Sara cried
“Adopt? Wow!”, he laughed again, “I married a funny woman too!” He got sserious again, “Its still not our baby! The damn baby is not my flesh and blood! You are full of deceit Sara” He looked into her eyes. Sara could see him fighting his tears.
“Lawson stop…you are hurting me…” Sara fell on her knees crying
“You want to know what I’m thinking?” Lawson looked at her with disgust, “I’m thinking how on earth I’m going to stand seeing your deceitful face for the rest of my life”
“Sra cried harder, “Dont give up Lawson…So far I have a womb…I can still carry our baby…”
“I am not giving up on having my baby, I’m giving up on you” Lawson turned around to leave
“Lawson!” She held his feet, “I’m hurting too…”
He only dragged his feet from her hold and drove out of the house. She wept.
A month Later
“Mother, he’s not even talking to me. All of a sudden we are both strangers…He doesn’t eat my food, comes home late…he hates me so much and its killing me. I’m confused…to think that it’s ,e truly hurting…”
“For how long will you hide this truth from him. You’ve got to let him know…you can’t carry his…”
There was the sound of a car hon
“Mom I’ve got to go…he’s back”
“Baby, you’ve got to let him know. It can work when you two are one in mind”
“Bye mom” she ended the call.
Lawson came into the house, about to walk past her.
“Lawson” She held him
“I’m tired” He didn’t want to look at her face
“I know…can we talk for some minutes?” She tried to help him remove his suit
“Look what is it” He jerked from her
“Do you hate me this much? you can’t even look me in the eye? you can’t even stand my sight? Lawson…it’s me Sara…your best friend…” Her eyes grew moist
“I’m in no mood for this” He turned around to walk away
“Don’t you dare leave when I’m talking to you!” She dragged him by the suit.Just then, some papers fell to the floor. Sara quickly bent to pick them up…her hands shook and her body became numb all over.
“D…divorce papers? Lawson?” She searched his eyes
“Answer me goddammit!” She held him by the collar of his shirt, crying
“They are for you to sign. I want out” Lawson dropped
“Y…you what?” she slowly freed him from her hold
“It’s not going to work Sara, can’t you see?”
“Lawson I can’t believe you would think of a divorce and even go this far…why are you so wicked!” she cried, angry
“No! Why are you so wicked!” He retorted, flaring
“Think about me for once. I am a man for Christs sakes. My children are my pride! and you are about to deny me that for the rest of my life because of your stupid mistake!”
“What about me! have you stopped for once to think about what I’m going through”
“Its your cross, carry it” Lawson fixed his angry eyes on his wife
“No, its now our cross and I am not signing those divorce papers! We vowed never to leave each other!”
“Isn’t it better Sara that you save yourself more hurt and sign these papers than to see another woman move into this house before your very eyes?” he said with a tone of sarcasm
Sara’s heart thumped, “What?”
“You heard me…another woman who can help raise a family, so save yourself the stress and sign the damn papers. I need it tomorrow”He turned around to leave again
“She still can;t carry your baby” Sara dropped
“Not all women had abortions. Not every woman was like you.” He scorned
“You are the one who can’t give me a child!” Sara let out, crying.
Lawson stopped now, turned around and walked towards her, “Whatever your plan is won’t work”
“I told you I could never have a child because its you who can’t make me pregnant”
“Shut up! shut up Sara! what the hell are you saying!” He shook her shoulders violently
“You are infertile Lawson…the doctor says you have primary infertility…” Sara burst into tears
Lawson gasped, loosing his balance.
“Mother called me to give me the news. I was shattered, I felt like my world was over but more importantly I thought of you. I thought of what the news could do to you, I thoight of the best way to tell you… never for once did i think of leaving you. I bore your insults, your scorn, because of my past. It was so easy to judge me and think of yourself. I am the one who is hurting, I am the one who should bring some miserable divorce papers…but I thought of you…I thought of hope, faith and a miracle…I thought of my vow to you on that altar. In sickness and in health remember?”, she smiled through her tears, “all of a sudden you are as weak as a baby…looking in your eyes, I can see you sudenly have lost all your guards, You are so wicked”
“Sara…” Lawson fell on his knees, torn.
“No!” She quickly fell on her knees too, “No Lawson…” She couldn’t bear to see him cry
“I’m…I’m infertile”, he cried, “What is left of me?” he searched his wife’s eyes
“Lawson please…” she held his face, “I understand…it has been so hard for me…I have put myself in your shoes since the first day…”
“You don’t deserve this…you deserve better…I can’t believe I scorned you all along…please let me leave you”
“No” she shook her head, “You are my husband. I won’t leave you. I won’t let you leave me…I believe in miracles”
“I’m doomed…Sara I’m doomed…”He allowed his wife take him in her arms and on her shoulder he wept like a child.
In the Morning
Sara gently opened her eyes, looking beside her bed…it was empty. She quickly sat up on seeing a note gently placed on the bed. Hands shaking, she opened the letter to read.
Sara,
I cannot bear the shame. I have treated you so unfairly, yet you love me still, you are with me even in this condition of mine. To think that you knew all along and you never for once gave me a clue that it is my fault we are in this mess, makes me so unworthy of you. I love you enough to let you build another life with a man who can make you happier. I’m torn Sara and all I ask is your forgiveness. I have always loved you and if you truly love me then please start your life over again…without me…I am truly sorry for disappointing you.
Lawson.
Sara couldn’t control the tears. She couldn’t think straight anymore. She picked her cell phone, shaking…
“Hi Mr. Lawson’s office please”
“hI Lola…” she cried, “have you seen my husband today?”
“No…no ma’am, we’ve been expecting him at work. He has a presentation in fifteen minutes”
“Oh God…God…” Sara dipped her hand in her full hair
“Everything ok ma’am?”
“Thank you” she ended the call.
She quickly got down from the bed and in her pajamas she ran into her car. She dialed his number repeatedly as she drove…no answer.
At 2:00pm
She sped into Fred’s compound, a close friend to her husband.
“Fred!” she banged the door hastily till the door flung open
“My God Sara what’s wrong?” Fred held her
“It’s…its Lawson…have you seen him? is he here?”
“No…Haven’t heard from him in a week”
“Oh God” she held her hair
“What’s wrong?”
But she was already walking away into her car.
“Sara!” He called after her.
She zoomed away.
4:30pm
“Mom, Dad, I can’t find Lawson…I can’t find your son…” she cried as she paced in front of the two who looked lost
“You have to calm down and tell us what happened” Lawson’s mother put her arms around Sara.
Sara burst into tears, “Please Dad could you try his number, maybe he’d pick your call?”
“Have you been to his office?” He picked his cellphone and dialed his son’s number
“I have been everywhere I know him to be likely available”
“It’s ok…calm down please” Lawson’s mother pet her
“He’s not picking. What exactly went wrong between you two?” Lawson’s father searched Sara’a eyes
9:00pm
Sara was still in her pajamas and on her way back home, exhausted and stuck in the traffic. She had told Lawson’s parents everything. The poor couple was so shattered and also begging her to begin a new life. Sara buried her head on the steering, crying; she hadn’t realized the green light.
“Hey get off the freaking road!” a driver cursed from behind her
“God please don’t let him harm himself…keep him safe and lead me to him…please God…” she quickly started the car and began to move.
Suddenly she remembered the church where they wedded and took their vows. It was two hours from here; she made a u-turn and headed for the church hoping to find some peace.
She tiredly got down from the car, drenched and exhausted. She trudged into the open entrance of the church. She paused for a moment; shocked…it was Lawson sitting at the front row of the empty church, facing the altar.
“Lawson!” She began to run towards him, happy, relieved that he was ok.
“Sara?” He quickly stood as she approached him, “Sara…”
They both ran into each other’s arms. He hugged her so tightly
“I looked for you everywhere….thi­ s was the last place I thought you’d ever be…I just came and I saw you…Lawson….I’m­ so happy you are ok” she touched his face
“I didn’t know where else to go…It just feels like I cant face the world anymore…” he slowly released her from his embrace.
“Take my hand” Sara stretched out her hand, “C’mon, just take it”
Lawson gently clasped his hand into hers and she took him to the altar and stood to face him. She searched his eyes so deeply and hadn’t seen him so weak and helpless.
“Five years ago Lawson, we both stood on this altar. Remember our vows? Remember you whispered in my ear never to leave you. I told you I wouldn’t…that’s­ why I’m here. I am your wife Lawson, I am meant to be with you forever, through the bad and good times. We’ve had good times, why would I leave you now? All I want from you is to believe that you can still give me a child despite what the result said…I want you to believe in a miracle”, she held his face, “remember when you told me I was a miracle in your life?…our children will be our miracles too. Trust God with me because I know it won’t be long…”
“Who are you Sara…” Lawson was weak with her words
“The one who vowed to be with you till the end” she smiled through her thin tears
“God I love you so much Sara” He hugged her again
“So will you come back home with me?” Sara searched his eyes
“I have no other place to call home” He placed a soft kiss on her lips.
2 years after
Lawson and Sara were on the sofa watching a late night movie. Sara was resting on his shoulders when she felt the movement
“Lawson Lawson, it moved again…don’t miss it this time touch touch” she gently placed his palm on the side of the stomach. Both felt the movement of their child
“I can feel him…I can feel him” Lawson placed his head on her belly
“I can feel him growing each day inside of me…”
“What do you think its saying now by this movement?”
“Thank you dada for believing in me” she laughed. They both laughed “The movement has stopped” he slowly removed his head from her stomach, “I think he’s sleeping”
Sara rested on his shoulders again, “In six months you’d be a father, “You finally got your miracle”
Lawson tilted his wife’s face to him, looking into her eyes, “Sara…you were the miracle I needed. Thank you for not leaving me.”
Sara tickled his nose with hers, “I love you too. Always will”, she smiled, “We missed a whole lot on our movie”
“Movie can wait, but this can’t” He gently planted a kiss on her belly.
Naijaurban

Yakowa’s widow, 6 others in the running to become Kaduna’s deputy governor

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by Rachel Ogbu

No fewer than seven people are in the running to succeed Yakowa’s deputy, Alhaji Ramalan Yero, who was sworn in on Sunday as the 19th governor of Kaduna state since the death of the former governor.
Many expect that the new deputy governor will come from Southern Kaduna, where Yakowa hailed from, to achieve a balance in the delicate ethno-religious divide in the state. However, of the seven aspirants, reports show that one of them is the chairman of the state chapter of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ambassador Nuhu Bajoga.  Bajoga is in his late 50s and was the nation’s ambassador to Poland.
Also in this category is the former Minister of State for Power, Nuhu Wye. Wye was a schoolmate of Vice-President Namadi Sambo, both in the secondary as well as in their days at the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, where they both studied architecture. Sambo was also believed to have been instrumental to his appointment as minister.
The third and fourth persons on the list are former Minister of State for Aviation, Hassan Hyat, and a former Deputy Governor of the state, Bawa Magaji.
There is also a former member of the House of Representatives, Jonathan Asake. Asake was Special Assistant to former President Olusegun Obasanjo on National Assembly Matters. He had also served in different capacities, both in the state and at the national level.
Edward Marshall, a former Commissioner for Water Resources in the state during the military era is another aspirant. Marshall had also served as Special Assistant to former Minister of Finance, Nenadi Usman, during the Obasanjo administration.
The other name in this group is Reverend Joseph Hayab, a Special Adviser on Christian Matters to the late Yakowa. Hayab was the secretary of the state chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).
Though it looks like another recycled government is about to get formed, it is good to note that there are new faces running for the position too. For instance, the wife of the late governor, Amina Yakowa, who has the support of many sympathisers, is mention as a likely candidate. She’s a graduate of ABU, she rose to became the deputy director in the Ministry of Defence before taking a leave of absence when her husband became governor.
It was also learnt that Yakowa’s death and the next emergence of Yero as governor might have altered the widely held view that Kaduna Central would produce the next governor of the state after Yakowa.
THISDAY reports:

Sources told THISDAY that the choice on who might fill the slot might not come easy, as whoever is chosen must be someone who will be able to close the ethno-religious fault line that has divided the state.
Some of the sources said people from Southern Kaduna are not happy that Yakowa’s death has cut short the chances of that part of the state to serve its constitutional eight years of two terms in office.
The sources, however, believe that Southern Kaduna people would prefer a relatively younger and politically savvy person to serve as the deputy governor.
A source who spoke to THISDAY justified this position when he said: “If you recall, the late Stephen Shekari who was deputy to former Governor Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi, was far older than Makarfi; Yakowa, who was deputy to both Makarfi and former Governor Namadi Sambo, was by far older than both of them.
“This time around, we need a young, agile and experienced person for this position. Our senior politicians should allow the youths a chance. Besides, the new governor is a young man and it is only good to get somebody within his age group as his deputy.”
But there are other issues that would come into play as the new government settles down. This includes the quest for political supremacy between Makarfi’s followers in the PDP and those of the vice-president.
Before his death, the late Yakowa played a major role and served as an intermediary between both power blocs in the state.
He was the unifying factor between the two camps as he worked relentlessly to ensure that all interests were accommodated, given the fact that he had served both Makarfi and Sambo as deputy governor and boasted vast experience in governance and politics. THISDAY also gathered that determining who wins the ticket to be Yero’s deputy would primarily fall on political and traditional rulers in Southern Kaduna.
However, Sambo is expected to have some say in the decision given the fact that he is the godfather of the incumbent governor.
Leaders of the late Yakowa’s zone, THISDAY learnt, met on Tuesday night to decide on who gets the post.
The leaders met under the aegis of the Southern Kaduna Elders Forum at the residence of former military governor of Rivers state, Gen. Zamani Lekwot (rtd), to shop for a credible person for the deputy governorship post.
Also, the Coalition of Southern Kaduna Youths has been meeting over the issue with a view to ensuring that the slot goes to a younger candidate.
 YNaija.com

What Does Obasanjo Want?

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo

Tunde Sanni writes that with former president Olusegun Obasanjo’s recent exposure, he has some game plans 2015 polls
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has continued to state that he is not at ‘war’ with President Goodluck Jonathan but his body language has proved to the contrary.

Since his resignation as chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) early in the year, the former president has carried on with his life shunning cat calls that he has not been at ease with himself.

In his resignation notice sent to the President, he said that his disengagement as Chairman of the BoT would allow him devote himself to international duties and also allow him mentor others locally.

“By relieving myself of the responsibility for chairmanship of BOT of PDP, I will have a bit more time to devote to the international demand on me,” Obasanjo had said in a shocking development that caught many off guard last April.

He had dragged some of his ‘boys’ in politics to his Obasanjo library in Abeokuta for a fund raiser for a mosque project within his presidential library. Observers argued that the ceremony went beyond the religious purpose the mosque was designed to serve. They read politics as the motive for the ceremony. The mosque project, according to sources within the PDP was designed by the former president to assess his relevance and personality within the party, especially as political power game over 2015 has started to play itself out.

The former president has been traversing the length and breadth of the country, oiling the political machinery left behind by the erstwhile number two man, General Musa Yar’Adua. In the execution of the political agenda, he had been to Katsina where he had patched up the sour relationship with his erstwhile deputy, Atiku Abubakar and as well making fresh political contacts, especially in the South-west where he has been romancing his erstwhile political ‘foes’ in the bid to salvage his sapping political image in the region and to pursue his Owu origin cause.

It was learnt that before making his appearance in Katsina, Obasanjo had been to the South-east where he put up appearance at the burial ceremonies of the father of one of his former ministers, Mr. Frank Nweke jnr. Besides the burial service, Obasanjo, it was learnt also made contact with strategic political stakeholders in the South-east.

In all the trips, Obasanjo is sending a message that he is not a spent force and he is ready to dictate the political pendulum in 2015. There are feelers that he has been consulting with party heavyweights on Jonathan’s successor come 2015. There have been media reports of a possible Sule Lamido/Rotimi Amaechi ticket which has been linked to the former president, although Amaechi has since denied nursing any such ambition. He said he wants to go back to school.

However, signs that all is not well between Obsabnjo and Jonathan emerged during a presidential debate when Jonathan in a national television media chat dismissed Obasanjo’s use of force in Odi, Bayelsa State in 1999 as a failure. One of the former president’s former ministers, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, has responded to the tirade, saying “with the greatest respect to Mr. President, this is factually incorrect. He has either forgotten the relevant facts or he has been misinformed. Whichever way, he is mistaken and it is important for those of us that proudly served the Obasanjo administration to respond to him in order to clarify the issues, clear the air and set the record straight for the sake of history and posterity.

The national leadership of PDP has been swayed by the constant refrain of peace between the former and sitting president, forcing the national chairman of the party, Bamangar Tukur to storm the Abeokuta residence of the former president in search of truce.

But Tukur said he was in Abeokuta to appreciate and thank Obasanjo for his persistent and consistent role not only for the party, “but for the country and the international communities,” adding “Your support has never been relenting and I have come to say thank you sir.”
Tukur affirmed the leadership of the Dipo Odujirin-led executive in the state, declaring that the party recognises only the elected executives.

“I have come here because of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who is the leader of our party. As long as you build on harmony, consultation, consensus you will find out that the party will have almost zero conflict.”
But Obasanjo who understood the mission of Tukur declared that the country was on his mind, saying his passion, patriotism and love for the country would not allow him keep quiet on burning national issues and that the country, the party and government would remain his primary concern.

“If there is no Nigeria, there will not be a party, and if there is no party, there will be nothing to govern on the platform of the party. If there is anything that requires my own comment, position or views, I will say it. It is only when you kill me that I won’t talk. It is my passion, patriotism and love that will continue to make me express my own views. If I see something that is inimical to the growth of the party, I will talk,” Obasanjo said.

The former president, however, described the PDP national chairman as a respected leader, who is a delight to have always. According to him, “it is always a delight to have our Ogas to visit us to see what we are doing or what we are not doing.

In his trips in the South-west, he found a brother in the Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, a fellow Owu descendant like him. Amosun was formerly of the PDP before Obasanjo deftly chased him out of the party into the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and later Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) whose banner he flew to become the governor of the state.

Interestingly, the former president has fallen out with those whose cause he championed against Amosun at the time.
Lately, he was in Osun State where he unveiled the bust of his slain former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Chief James Ajibola Ige, erected at the front gate of the Osun State governor’s office, Abere, Osogbo.

Obasanjo who said he was in government office over the selection process of the new traditional ruler of Orile-Owu which has become a matter of litigation was later asked by the host governor, Rauf Aregbesola, to help perform the official commissioning of Ige’s bust which was made to replace the old one.

As an Owu leader, the former president said he could not fold his arms when his people contacted him to intervene in the lingering obaship tussle in the community. Obasanjo told the governor that his coming was not to influence the choice of any candidate to the vacant stool but to make acceptable recommendations in order to prevent further acrimony that is almost tearing the town apart.

Ige while serving as the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice during Obasanjo administration was in December 2001 assassinated in his Bodija residence in Ibadan by yet-to-be identified gunmen.

Obasanjo, who led the delegation of Owu Development Foundation to Aregbesola’s office, told his host that “you have flabbergasted me and if I may use the military term, you have successfully ambushed me because I never expected to meet this large number of people. I was only billed to brief you on the development in Owu.

“When the situation that could cause disturbance to the selection of the new Oba, Owu Development Foundation, made up of prominent members came to me that I should not allow things to go sour and what I equally found on ground is gradually drifting to an alarming situation.”

In his speech, Aregbesola who recalled his days at The Polytechnic, Ibadan as a students’ union activist led a protest against Chief Obasanjo during his visit to the institution as Head of State in 1978.

He described Obasanjo as a rare personality not only in Nigeria but entire black race saying that it was a rare privilege for somebody to have ruled Nigeria as a military and two terms as a civilian president. He recalled that the former president never visited the state all through the seven and half years rule of Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola as the governor of the state.

“It is not for nothing that Chief Obasanjo is a Yoruba person. As a Yoruba man, we must be proud of his achievements.
He described the Yorubas as lover of federalism and freedom and that they would find the Yoruba the best of people to befriend and be with. “Yoruba thrive on federalism. What I want the country to know is the fact that as far as our autonomy and freedom are recognised, we could be the best any people could have as neighbours.”

The visit of Tukur might have been to douse the tension of the cold war between Obasanjo and Jonathan but Northern political elements are still looking onto Obasanjo to right the wrong on the imposition of Jonathan on the nation and it might be in the bid to warm himself back to the hearts of the North that Obasanjo is finding it convenient to distance himself from Jonathan and assail his policies in a bid to laying the foundation of distrust for the government in 2015. But Jonathan has not been folding his arms as he has also deplored his foot-soldiers to the North.
ThisDay

Buhari: Waiting for another chance

 by: AUGUSTINE AVWODE

General Muhammadu Buhari, a former Head of State and three-time presidential candidate, has just clocked 70. Assistant Editor AUGUSTINE AVWODE reviews the political career of the General  from Daura, Katsina State. In view of plans for the opposition parties to present a united front against the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2015, could the General beat the field at the fourth attempt?

IT is 28 years since he took the country by storm. His firm, fine and athletic figure find suitable complement in equally firm resolve to tackle a system that was about to spiral out of control. Together with his band, he struck on the very last day of the year, December 31, 1983. When he later addressed the nation, he sought to bolster the courage and determination to end the national drift.

“This generation of Nigerians, and indeed, future generations, have no country other than Nigeria. We shall remain here and salvage it together”. It was the high point of a nation wide broadcast by Muhammadu Buhari in January 1984. He was then a Major General and just 42 years old. The broadcast signalled the end of the Second Republic under the leadership of Alhaji Shehu Aliyu Shagari.

The last four of those days were marked by a near total breakdown of law and order, a burgeoning insecurity that stemmed from the bitter political wrangling generated by the 1983 general elections. The polity was characterized by endemic corruption, greed, avarice, and a lack of public probity and accountability. It was another sad military intervention in the affairs of Nigeria political history to halt the aimless drift of the ship of state. Nigerians embraced it for whatever value it promised to offer.

For Buhari, there was need to instill a sense of nationalism and patriotism in Nigerians. He sought frantically to arouse a sense of pride in their country, which was fast being eroded. Besides, he saw the urgent need to begin a culture of “doing the right thing in the right way”. And the regime demonstrated its commitment to the vision by quickly identifying indiscipline as the bane of the nation’s ills.

The regime’s War Against Indiscipline (WAI) was launched in different phases. The policy became very popular with Nigerians as it established orderliness, cleanliness, reduced corruption and rekindled nationalistic fervour and hope among Nigerians.

There was WAI (a) Queuing (March 20, 1984), (b) Work Ethics (May 1, 1984), (c) Nationalism and Patriotism (August 21, 1984), (d) Anti-Corruption and Economic Sabotage (May 14, 1985), (e) Environmental Sanitation (July 29, 1985).

Many would argue today that he was more of a fascist, having led a government that forbade discussion of national affairs and herded politicians before military tribunals that handed long sentences to almost all. Even those against whom nothing was found, men like Alhaji Lateef Jakande, former Vice President Alex Ekwueme and Second Republic President Shehu Shagari, were kept behind the bars for the 20 months that Buhari took charge of the federation.

On August 27, 1985, he was over-thrown by General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida.

Military / public career

General Buhari started his military career when he joined the Nigerian Military Training School, Kaduna, in 1963 about two years after completing his secondary school education. In October of the same year, he was sent to the Officers’ Cadet School in Aldershot, the United Kingdom, was thereafter commissioned Second Lieutenant in 1963 and posted to the 2nd Infantry Battalion, Abeokuta as Platoon Commander.

He became the Commander, 31st Infantry Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, in February 1970 and in July 1971 became the Assistant Adjutant-General, 1st Infantry Division Headquarters. In September 1974, he was made Acting Director, Supply and Transport, Nigeria Army Corps of supply and Transport. And in August 1975 became the Military Governor, North Eastern State of Nigeria. He was appointed Federal Commissioner for Petroleum Resources in March 1976 and held the position till June 1978. He also emerged the Chairman, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, June 1978 and returned to full military duties as Military Secretary, Army Headquarters, in July 1978.

Meanwhile he had been appointed as a member of the Supreme Military Council since March 1976, the highest policy making organ in the country then and remained a member till June 1979. He became the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 4th Infantry Division, August 1980 to January 1981; General Officer Commanding (GOC), 2nd Mechanised Infantry Division, January 1981 to October 1981 and the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 3rd Armed Division, Nigerian Army, from October 1981 to December 1983. It was from there he emerged as the Head of State and Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces on December 31, 1983 till August 1985.

Apart from the numerous formations where he worked in leadership capacity in the Nigeria Army, he left indelible mark in the various political offices and appointments he held. It was during his tenure that the Nigerian National Oil Corporation and the Ministry of Petroleum Resources were reorganised to form the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), and he became its first Chairman. He spearheaded the construction of 20 oil depots throughout the country, a project involving over 3200 kilometers of pipelines. Under his leadership both Warri and Kaduna Refineries were built. He later served as the Chairman of the Petroleum Trust Fund established by the late General Sani Abacha.

Search for second chance

Eighteen years after he was removed from office in a bloodless coup, Buhari began the process of seeking for a second chance to lead the country again. He firmly believes in the enormous potential of Nigeria to be a great nation owing to the abundance of human and natural resources. Unfortunately, this has been so grossly mismanaged to the eternal chagrin of the people and the country.

In 2003, Buhari contested the presidential election as the candidate of the All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP). But the results did not favour him. He was defeated by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s President Olusegun Obasanjo. Buhari’s supporters and other members of the opposition claimed that in some states, like Ebonyi, there were more votes than there were registered voters. Although some allegations of fraud were proven in the courts and the conduct of the election was criticized by the Commonwealth Observer Group, the courts decided that the level of proven electoral fraud was not sufficient to affect the outcome of the election and to warrant the cancellation of the whole Presidential election.

On December 18, 2006, Buhari was nominated as the consensus candidate of the ANPP. His main challenger in the April 2007 polls the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua of PDP, who hailed from the same home state of Katsina. He was again defeated but rejected the results. After Yar’Adua took office, the ANPP agreed to join his government, but Buhari denounced this agreement.

In March 2010, Buhari left the ANPP with some of his loyalists to form the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC). He emerged as the CPC presidential candidate in the April 16, 2011 general election, running against incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan of the PDP, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), and Ibrahim Shekarau of ANPP. They were the major contenders among 20 contestants.

He scored 12,214,853 votes to place second to President Goodluck Jonathan who polled 22,495,187 votes and was declared the winner.

Making it the third time he would be aiming to lead the country again.

While concluding his campaign for the 2011 election, General Buhari wept for Nigeria. Almost a year later, he explained to journalists why he wept.

According to him, the appalling state of Nigeria and the hardship of the citizens in the midst of abundance compelled him to weep openly for the nation in 2011. In his words: “This is a country that is well-blessed both materially and otherwise. God has blessed us more than we expected. We have so much land for agriculture.

“But majority of Nigerians can’t send their children to school, can’t afford medicine for their children, and no potable water to drink. Where does the money go to? This was why I broke down when I was rounding off up my presidential campaign in 2011.

“From the level of exporter we have moved to the level of importer of oil? Are you surprised? All the infrastructure were allowed to die and decay. And now they say they want to remove subsidy. I was there when the refineries were built with Nigeria money and we didn’t borrow any kobo to do that,” he explained as he visited the headquarters of the CPC in Utako, Abuja in June this year.

What hope for the future?

After three attempts, and now 70, is there any hope of realising his ambition to rule Nigeria? Will 2015 finally reward him for his tenacity of purpose?

Buhari had initially given signals that the 2011 presidential contest would be his last. While drawing the curtain on his presidential campaign for the 2011 election, he said “unlike the previous two – 2003 and 2007, our victory is assured as evidenced by the unprecedented turnout by people and spontaneous popular acclaim all over the country. This campaign is the third and last one for me since, after it, I will not present myself again for election into the office of the president”.

But, he later said he would wait for the outcome of the case in court before deciding on his political future. The apex court affirmed the victory of President Goodluck Jonathan and Buhari soon served notice that he could take one more chance in his bid to ostensibly rescue Nigeria.

While hosting members of his party from Niger State at his Kaduna residence in May, Buhari said: “God willing, something will happen in 2015.” He urged the electoral umpire to ensure a free and fair conduct of the 2015 elections so that Nigeria can move forward”. he however warned that “If what happens in 2011 should again happen in 2015, by the grace of God, the dog and the baboon would all be soaked in blood.” He was roundly condemned by critics who said the General has a penchant for instigating violence. But his supporters and the opposition rallied round him and explained that he has been misinterpreted. The opposition insisted that only a mind fixated on rigging would be afraid of what Buhari said.

Since that time, events have moved on to the fast lane as the CPC, the ACN and ANPP have proved beyond any doubt, at least for now, that they are ready to merge into one party strong enough to give the ruling party a good fight in 2015.

Speaking in September, Buhari promised to join forces with other well-meaning Nigerians to ensure free, fair and credible elections in 2015. He acknowledged that opposition parties’ merger plans were on course to wrest power from the PDP in 2015.

“The type of rigging pattern perfected by the PDP must be stopped. People must be allowed to vote for candidates of their choice. If our election processes are free, fair and credible, there will be no problem in Nigeria.

“The PDP has said that they will rule forever and I know this is not possible”, Buhari said. He added that : “I am sure if you go down memory lane, you will see what we have gone through. In 2010 when opposition parties tried to merge and form an alliance, there was no time. And there must be understanding from parties to accept an alliance. Now, the time is on our side. The ACN, the CPC and the ANPP have realised now that to defeat PDP, opposition parties must come together. The merger is on course.”

The same optimism has been expressed by the ANPP which has revealed that efforts would be made to conclude the merger arrangement with other opposition political parties by the first quarter of 2013 in order to produce the next president in 2015.

Speaking in Enugu at its 2012 South-East zonal summit, the party’s national chairman, Rebuilding and Interparty Contact Committee, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, said the 21-man committee would come out with the new identity of the merger by 2013.

Shekarau said the ANPP was already in merger talks with the CPC, ACN, Democratic People’s Party (DPP) and Governor Rochas Okorocha’s faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, among others.

According to the former Kano State governor “The merger plan will be concluded not later than the first quarter of next year so that we would have at least two years to go into every nook and cranny of the country before the 2015 general elections. This committee was put up by the party to catch up with the views, aspirations and visions of ordinary Nigerians for change for the better”.

Given his towering figure, the large followership which he enjoys, especially in the North, Buhari may yet again get the nod to vie for the plum position the fourth time. And given the strength of the opposition just now in the country, which has succeeded in reducing the absolute majority hitherto enjoyed by the PDP, and with little luck in terms of good performance by the electoral umpire, who knows, General Muhammadu Buhari may yet realise his dream to help reshape Nigeria to make it the country of our dreams.

However, his critics have been unrelenting in painting him as a sectional leader who is not fit to rule the country again. They not only describe him as an ethnic jingoist, he is nearly always portrayed as a religious bigot following comments credited to him on the need for implementation of Sharia Law in the country.

Besides, those who have an axe to grind with him describe his prosecution of the WAI programme, for which he is famous, as highhanded. His regime is alleged to have flouted or violated some of the cardinal principles of human rights.

Besides, some of his Decrees are said to be too draconian, self serving and the worst in the land. Critics readily point to such decrees as Decree 2 of 1984 (State Security (detention of persons), which gave the regime wide discretionary powers to detain individuals. The Public Officers (Protection against False Accusation) Decree. The Exchange Control Anti-Sabotage Decree; The Robbery Firearms (Special Provisions) Decree, among others.

Admirers’ testimonies

But notwithstanding the opinion of critics, his admirers have been singing his praises and pouring encomiums on him. National Leader, Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, in a goodwill message to Buhari on Monday said: “General Muhhamadu Buhari represents discipline, modesty, integrity and fidelity, four traits rare in our political establishment. As such he is a precious commodity and it is wise for us to value and celebrate what is precious among us. Apart from the revered Aminu Kano, no other individual in the North has gained the passionate followership among the common people as has Muhammadu Buhari.

“His politics are people-centric and borrowed heavily from Aminu Kano. He has transformed himself from a military leader to a warrior for democracy and good governance. As a democratic warrior, he has been tireless and he will not stop until victory is achieved.

“Unfortunately, General Buhari has had to fight a political system so heavily infused with corrupt money that the will of the people is regularly shortchanged. This principled and decent man not only stands firm but shall stand tall when the history of this period is written. That history will say here was a man who could have sided with the powerful and the elite to live a life of soft comfort and easy choices. Instead, he joined hands with the poor, humble and broken. He did this because he wanted to be on the side of those who sought to save Nigeria, not those who tried to milk and bleed her to their own advantage.”

Prince Tony Momoh, the national chairman of the CPC said this of him: “As a citizen, the inimitable discipline and dedication – firmly rooted in your being – speak eloquently of your patriotic fervour four your nation. As a family man, you have shown tenderness and loving devotion.

“As a soldier, you were never wanting in courage and loyalty. During the civil war, you humanely supported the weak (among the enemy) whilst not compromising unwavering commitment to your commission.

“As a politician, you have shown decency, honesty and truth, rather than employing the despicable tactics of the unconscionable politician in this clime, you have consistently chosen to ventilate your grievance against the pervasive corruption of the nation’s electoral system in courts.

“As a national leader, you have shown humility and honour. In the midst of bare-faced imprudence and kleptomania among the leaders in pulverizing the nation, you shine like a million stars.

… We stand on the high mountain of the land to trumpet the worthiness of your character and the integrity of your persona. May your tribe increase”

Coming from such a high pedestal, and as has been generally attested to by almost all, friends and foes alike, to say that General Mohammadu Buhari (GMB) is a Nigerian in a class of his own, cannot be an exaggeration. It is simply a statement of fact. For now, finger are crossed and Nigerians wait for what happens in 2015.

TheNation

Site Of First Plane-Crash In Nigeria To Become Tourist Attraction

The site of the first plane crash recorded in Nigeria in 1942, in Ikogosi, Ekiti West Local Government Area of Ekiti State, southwest Nigeria, is to be converted to a tourist centre.

Ikogosi Warm Spring, Ekiti State

The decision to turn the site into a tourist centre was disclosed when the Special Adviser to the State Governor on Tourism Development, Segun Ologunleko, inspected the crash site on Wednesday in Ikogosi-Ekiti. He said this would turn the state into an attractive tourism destination in West Africa.
Ikogosi town, which is famous for playing host to Ikogosi spring – a water body where warm and cold water meet on the same spot, is expected to complement the new tourist site when it comes into operation.
Visible at the site of the crash were the relics of the two engines of the plane and other aluminum and metal scrap materials.
InformationNigeria.org