2015: Buhari, Tinubu drop presidential ambition

•Begin search for younger candidate
By ADE ALADE
Former Head of State and Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) presidential candidate in the 2011 general elections, General Muhammadu Buhari and the national leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Senator Bola Tinubu, have dropped their ambition to contest for the nation’s number one job on the platform of the newly formed opposition mega party, All Progressive Congress (APC).
Saturday Sun gathered from close associates of the two opposition leaders that barring last minute change of mind, the duo will not contest the next presidential election as already being rumoured, in order to prove that the recent merger is beyond their individual political ambitions.
In place of their personal ambitions, they are now to work with other leaders of the opposition party to present younger and credible presidential candidate that can match and defeat whoever is going to emerge on the platform of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2015 contest.
A very close associate of Tinubu, who had earlier shown signs of contesting the next election either as a presidential or vice presidential candidate, told Saturday Sun that the former Lagos State governor earlier in the week offered to sacrifice his personal ambition and promised to also work with others to persuade Buhari to do same, if he is still nursing any such ambition.
“The good news is that Asiwaju Tinubu has made a commitment to his inner circle caucus not to contest for the presidency in 2015. In that same direction, a team has been set up to work on Gen. Buhari to also drop his own ambition if there is still any. The essence of this is to prove that the whole idea of merger by the opposition parties transcends the personal ambition of the two main leaders.
It is a move informed by national interest, to end PDP misrule, provide Nigerians with a better alternative and also encourage others to join the new party,” the source added. Also speaking in the same vein, a top chieftain of CPC and Buhari’s ally said the former Head of State does not need to be put under any pressure before he knows the honourable thing to do in the present circumstance.
According to him, “Buhari is not going to contest again. The idea of pressures being put on him to drop his presidential ambition is being spread by PDP and its agents who are desperate to create an impression that the General is recalcitrant and over-ambitious. He has certainly dropped his ambition in the interest of the merger arrangement, so that it can work and create an open space for the emergence younger and acceptable candidates.”
When asked about the development, National Publicity Secretary of ACN and Tinubu’s close associate, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, neither deny nor confirm that the duo had dropped their ambition but stressed that the issue of ambition is not part of the focus of the new party at the moment. According to him, “the two leaders and indeed, other leaders of APC are more interested in ensuring the emergence of a strong and virile party that can rescue the nation from the grip of the PDP. So, the talk of Buhari or Tinubu’s ambition is far from our focus now. It’s a discussion coming up to distract us or possibly cause disaffection among us.”
He added that the issue of who runs for what post will come up when the time for elections comes, adding: “The party machinery will then democratically determine who runs for what post but most certainly, now is not the time for all that. “This is the time we are all busy to ward off all evil machinations of the PDP, which is trying to scuttle the smooth take-off and running of the APC.”
Tinubu had, after a peace meeting called to reconcile the CPC leader, General Buhari and a faction of the party led by Senator Rufai Hanga on Monday in Abuja, said every leader of the newly formed party must be ready to make sacrifices and accommodate others. According to him: “The meeting was a very good one, sweet. We met in the interest of our various objectives.
To me, I am working in the interest of Nigeria and APC. I am a committed individual; we are in a committed group, surrounded by people of vision and great commitment. It will succeed; our rivals do everything to scuttle us. But as committed people, we are ready to make sacrifices. Leadership is about carrying people along and resolving conflicts with the right people that are motivated to do those things that are necessary for the progress of a nation. These are the things that we have achieved here today at this meeting.”
TheSun

APC: Merger sealed – Sheriff

• Says no cracks anywhere
From ISMAIL OMIPIDAN, Kaduna
Former Borno State Governor and Chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT) of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, has declared that contrary to speculations in some quarters, the merger to form the All Progressives Congress (APC) was a done deal. According to him, it has been sealed.
He said that there is no flexing of muscles among party leaders with their governors, adding: “We have perfected the logo, and there are no individual interest threatening the merger.” Senator Sheriff was reacting to reports that some personalities involved in the merger, including him, have been compromised by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), with a view to allegedly polarise the ranks of the ANPP and therefore frustrate the merger.
The former governor, who spoke on phone to Saturday Sun, argued that he has been an apostle of the merger of opposition groups all along, and that those associating him with a purported deal against the merger were being mischievous, he said that mischief makers want to cause division among members representing the parties in the merger talks. Sheriff said: “With the successful conclusion of talks, those who are spreading the rumoured rift between us and our governors should be ashamed of themselves.
We always act in the interest of our party, which we have been nurturing for the past 14 years. Therefore, we cannot do anything inimical to its progress. But we will also not succumb to any blackmail either. “All interests have been adequately balanced in the marriage and fears of perceived hidden individual agenda have been assuaged, without any particular group dominating other parties. Let me stress that there are no more issues that are threatening the total cohesion the merger seeks to achieve.”
While corroborating what ACN spokesman, Lai Mohammed, told journalists at the end of Wednesday’s meeting, the former Borno State governor also said that the merger has already been sealed and that all grey areas would be resolved amicably. He said that party leaders have no points of disagreement with their governors, adding that people should not attempt to put a wedge between them.
TheSun

Progressive Governors Alliance Meeting in Abuja

APC stirs fresh fears in PDP

The ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) launched a frantic action on Thursday to check the threats of the newly formed All Progressive Congress (APC).
Vice-President Namadi Sambo met with the warring leaders of the party for about one and a half hours at the Presidential Villa,Abuja, to close ranks.
The second leg of the initiative is a planned reconciliation with estranged party leaders.
The PDP G-84 (state chairmen and secretaries, ex-officio, and deputy members of the National Working Committee) is to mediate in the crisis between PDP governors and the National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur.
Vice President Sambo, who heads the reunification committee ahead of the 2015 polls, met with the G-84 members at the Presidential Villa for about one and a half hours on Thursday night.
The G-84 members had petitioned President Goodluck Jonathan, alleging that they were being marginalised in the scheme of things by Tukur and NWC members.
Their complaints sparked tension in the party and made it impossible for the National Executive Committtee (NEC) to meet since July 2012.
The emergence of the APC (a merger of the ACN, CPC, ANPP and APGA) however forced the PDP leaders into a review of the political situation and the exigencies of resolving the party’s internal differences.
It was learnt that Sambo used the meeting to appeal to members of the G-84 and leaders of the party to “bury their differences and move the party forward.”
A stalwart of the PDP at the session, who spoke in confidence, said: “Though the merger of three or four parties was not on the agenda, some members raised issues about it at the meeting.
“Their fears were borne out of the fact that if the crisis in the party was not addressed, the merging parties could take advantage of it.
“The Vice-President and other leaders at the session asked members to be united and focused to prevent the APC from infiltrating PDP.”
Another source said: “The meeting agreed that those leaders who have become estranged should be reconciled as part of steps to address the crisis in our party. The 2011 polls divided PDP but we will take stock and make amends where necessary.
“We resolved to rebuild the PDP towards the 2015 poll. So, as the opposition parties are strategising, the ruling party is not taking things for granted at all. We will reunite to put our party on sound footing.”
Responding to a question, the source said: “The G-84 members will soon meet with PDP governors and NWC members to resolve all pending issues. This is part of the reconciliation agenda adopted at the meeting with Sambo.”
A third source claimed that the G-84 members made some observations on some programmes of the government.
He said: “We expressed dissatisfaction that we are not benefitting from the empowerment programmes or schemes of the government at all levels. Yet, we are the foot-soldiers and points of contact with the grassroots.
“We faulted the way the SURE-P scheme is being managed. We begged the Vice-President to prevail on President Goodluck Jonathan to make the scheme more open for many Nigerians to benefit.
“Another important issue we raised was about ministers. We told the VP that they are personalising the offices or the positions they are occupying. The ministers are inaccessible, even if we want to give advice. They believe they became ministers on their own merits without the input of the party.
“I think we are moving forward. We will reconcile ahead of 2015.”
The G-84 members, in their memo to the President, joined issues with Tukur and the NWC on the following allegations:
•Arbitrary attitude of NWC members on issues and programmes of the party.
•Exclusion of elected party officers by NWC
•Need for equity, fairness and justice before the party
•A case for reconciliation of all aggrieved party members to move forward
•Breach of PDP constitution by not holding National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting
•Wrongful and consistent misinterpretation of PDP constitution.
•Management of the party in a cultish nature
•Wasting of party resources on personal events, functions, and chartering of aircraft
.Stoppage of arbitrary sharing of honorarium in cash and kind.
TheNation

Trouble dey sleep…

Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed

“Something unpleasant is coming when men are anxious to tell the truth.” Benjamin Disraeli, 1804 – 81.

For the next few months, Nigerians will thoroughly scrutinize the contents of Malam Nasir el-Rufai’s book, The Accidental Public Servant. The portions of the book made public have already become subject of intense controversy, but may very well be only the tip of the iceberg. Major players whose lives, records and deeds or misdeeds have been chronicled in the book are lining up to respond to el-Rufai’s version of events. There will be many who were generally part of the critical periods or events mentioned by the author, who may simply reserve their comments. The problem with a book is that comparatively few Nigerians will read it. Majority will lap up selected portions, sensationalization and interpretations of others. There will be many opinions on the selected parts of the book, and Malam el-Rufai may spend a considerable amount of time explaining his opinions or defending them.

This is generally what happens when a man like el-Rufai, who has covered much milage in a relatively shorter lifespan, decides to let it all out. The major players in a complex and controversial series of events and developments all tend to be alive and kicking. And kick they will, particularly if Nasir’s version of events will harm their interests. The exact point which the author aims to achieve is difficult to identify. If it is a mid-life record of a high achiever, an icon the world cannot wait to hear from, you will expect a narrative that is focused on rudiments of qualities, breakthroughs and achievements. If it is intended as a specific narrative around an event or development, you would expect a focused and intense comment on the issue, and less on the author.

Stubborn and strong-willed as he is generally perceived, it is safe to assume that el-Rufai must have measured the value of exploding a bombshell that will overshadow a narrative on an exemplary rise through life, against a restrained or a measured delay. As it is, it is difficult to avoid the conclusion that the book was intended more as a provocation than a record of the life of a bright and accomplished young man who was thrust into the inner recesses of power, and spent all his time there stepping on toes. It could not have escaped Nasir’s attention that he has been in the eye of the storm for more than a decade, and in that period has made an awful amount of enemies, as well as friends who admire his courage and intellect. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has already hit back against el-Rufai. It would be most strange if Atiku does not, especially since both of them are now politicians in opposing camps, desperate to acquire power and attention. There are others like Malam Nuhu Ridabu who may be harmed by revelations that he was involved in fishing for evidence against Yar’Adua, at a time he prefers to be seem in a light that enhances his records of personal integrity. Atiku has his eyes firmly on 2015. Malam Nuhu Ribadu is a chieftain in ACN, and will like to be seen as the face of the future in Nigeria politics.

The queue of people who may feel maligned by el-Rufai’s book is long. President Obasanjo has not had his say yet. President Yar’Adua’s people may feel the urge to respond to comments made about him when he is not available to respond. President Jonathan’s people, who have already made a vocation of trading punches with el-Rufai are likely to have a hefty go, but may wait until the ground is softened by other critics. There are key players, Ministers and shadowy but powerful people who once walked the power corridors with el-Rufai in Jonathan’s camp. If, as he claims, many of them envied or resented massive powers which Obasanjo gave him then, you can be sure they will provide some ammunition in a fightback against a former colleague and friend who now takes on their principal as a daily routine. Then you have families of people like Justice Bashir Sambo, and thousands of families whose shacks and huts were bulldozed by el-Rufai’s F.C.T restoration schemes who will use the book as another opportunity to hit back at him. There are also hundreds of thousands of hostile twitters, facebookers and other young people who feed daily on a staple of el-Rufai bashing, as much because it carefully choreographed, as for the fact that he has a pronounced, partisan and an in-your-face presence in the political terrain.

And it will get very dirty. el-Rufai is already being primed by some sections of the Christian community as disrespectful of their faith, following a re-tweet he posted, over which he profusely apologized. Those elements will now pounce, as did Atiku, on el-Rufai every time he breathes. His adversaries in the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) now in a proposed merger will use soured relations between el-Rufai and Atiku and Obasanjo to freshen-up their warnings to General Buhari that el-Rufai is a serial betrayer who should be kept well beyond arm’s length.

It is fair to ask therefore, what persuaded el-Rufai to publish a book that will most likely earn him a lot more enemies than friends. A politician that he is should ordinarily court sympathy, admiration and support, and avoid dissipating goodwill and good image. An autobiography will pass harmlessly by if it does not ruffle major feathers in the lives of those who share the same space with the author. el-Rufai himself says he wrote the book to throw light on governance, and set a standard on openness. He admits it is frank precisely because that is the only way Nigerians will see and appreciate the complex inter-relationship between politics and governance. The book, clearly, is intended to chronicle failures and achievements of people and institutions at a period when Nigerians desperately needed a democratic process which will be a marked improvement on the past. Unfortunately, much of the positives in achievements will be known only by those who read the book. Many of these are part of an elite from whom el-Rufai draws the bulk of his enemies.

If el-Rufai had written a book on the challenges of managing a and a political economy characterized by dominance of powerful leaders with massive egos and dangerous ambitions, deep and spreading corruption and the effects of failures of core values to limit damage, it would have been a valuable contribution to an understanding  of contemporary challenges of leadership and governance. If he had written an autobiography of a life of a bright and ambitious Nigerian who had chalked up a lot more in his youth than accomplished Nigerians, the book would have served as a reference material in mentoring and developing values of hardwork and commitment among the young.

As it is, el-Rufai chose to write a book that will raise a storm, make him a little more money, and earn him a lot of enemies. It is possible that he will gain a few more admirers as well, but they will have to fight many layers of hostile interests to get to him now. Just reflect on this. Five of the most powerful people whose image, integrity, interests, ambitions or fortunes will be affected by this book are all around. Obasanjo, Jonathan, Atiku and Buhari and Ribadu will all have something to say. Buhari is mentioned, because he had been on record as showing an uncharacteristic level of trust and affection towards el-Rufai. He now has to revalidate his faith and trust in his younger protégé, or create some distance between them.

The greatest value of el-Rufai’s book is that it will remind Nigerians that our nation has not moved far from its most basic problems. Obasanjo, whose exit, according to el-Rufai was anything but an example of how leaders should leave power in democracies, is still a dominant influence in Nigerian politics. Yar’Adua’s controversial, if brief emergence and stay in power, and its spin-off in the Jonathan presidency is still haunting the nation. Atiku’s ambition to become President is stronger now than it has ever been. Buhari lost three elections, but no one can say if he will not give it a shot again in 2015. Nuhu Ribadu may be tempted to ask for another mandate from Nigerians. A former Minister who walked the corridors of power with el-Rufai is demanding that Jonathan explains what happened to trillions in foreign reserves. It will be useful if the positive elements in el-Rufai’s book can be grasped, because the book could end up looking more like an accidental discharge than the memoires of a former technocrat who found himself in powerful positions by accident. Above all, it will be useful if others will publish their version of events. This way, the search for what is wrong with the systems we run will be easier to accomplish.

Indecent School Uniforms Promote Rape, Prostitution – Oyemade

The Chief Executive Officer, Sam&Sara Exclusive Uniform, Mrs. Folake Oyemade, has said indecent school uniforms can increase cases of rape and prostitution among pupils.
Oyemade, who spoke at a press briefing on its Omoluabi Project, in partnership with the Osun State Government in Lagos on Tuesday, said pupils who wore uniforms that exposed sensitive parts of their bodies were at a greater risk for sexual assault.
She said, “I see a lot of pupils especially girls, wearing fitted skirts and they outgrow them quickly. Some even put daring slits on their skirts and we know in this part of the world, we are endowed with a lot of shape at the back. This is not how school uniforms should be made.
“A school uniform skirt should never have slit. When boys in the same class see girls in indecent uniforms, they lose concentration. This practice may encourage prostitution, rape and others among secondary school pupils.”
Oyemade also stated that research had shown that pupils who wore torn school uniforms performed poorly due to low self esteem among their peers.
She said, “When pupils go to school not well-kitted or not properly dressed, it affects their concentration and their output. Research has shown that when a child is happy, he/she is more confident and has no social worries and concentrates better because he looks forward to going to school.”
Oyemade said parents could not be blamed as, according to her, after paying school fees, many of them could not afford to buy uniforms for their kids due to poverty.
She said,“When I visited some schools, some of the children were wearing their elder brother’s shirts because the shirts were looking more like dresses. Some were wearing the native trousers of fabrics of different colours under the right school shirts that are not their sizes. One can tell that a Good Samaritan probably gave it to them. A child that is seven years old wearing a shirt that was for a 12 year-old will not feel free especially when some of these uniforms bear several patches.”
She said to further deliver good education to children, government should include the provision of free school uniforms in its welfare package for pupils.
Oyemade urged school proprietors to choose cool colours that calm the nerves naturally to improve their concentration in class.
“There are colours that are shocking, that are not friendly for classroom. Take for instance, schools that wear lemon green. The colour of uniform should be subtle; it should be calm and peaceful. Some use colours that don’t match, colours that do not blend, they combine them together and they come out with ridiculous style for the pupils,” she noted.
Naij.com

Fresh explosion rocks Maiduguri, as CBN governor visits

Fresh bomb explosion has greeted Maiduguri, the Borno state capital, a day when the central Bank of Nigeria, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi visited the town to commission an Enterpreneurship Development initiatives in the state.
Confirming the incident in a press statement, the Spokesman of the JTF, Lieutenant Colonel Sagir Musa said “ about 4.30pm Friday, there was an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) explosion by terrorists targeted at JTF patrol vehicles at Gambaru Market General area, just about 1000 meters away from the main market on the road to Gambaru – Gala”.
The explosion/IEDs Sagir said entail acid and highly flammable substances that propagate blast and thermal effects which set houses and adjoining shops around the vicinity on fire.
Two people suspected to be the bombers lost their lives as a result of the explosion. No civilian was killed or wounded, but stated that a JTF vehicle was damaged and a soldier was wounded.
Naij.com