APC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES: POLITICAL EXPEDIENCE AND ELECTORAL VALUES. (PART 1) BY EDDY OGUNBOR.

This is Not an attempt at writing a rejoinder to Dele Momodu’s articles captioned  “Why I am not a fan of PDP” and “Why I am a fan of APC”, but I will strongly recommend the       articles to Nigerians for political enlightenment and awareness in this dispensation. This will make Nigerian electorate focus on what is expected of them in our democracy and the option of choice to the electorates in the forthcoming elections.The two articles of Dele Momodu were posted on my timeline on facebook and can also be found posted on my blog – eddyogunbor.blogspot.com.

I am neither a card carrying member of the PDP nor a fan of PDP and therefore I am totally on the same page with Dele Momodu’s arguments and opinions contained thereof in his first article, “Why I am not a fan of PDP”.  However, I am a card carrying member of the APC and certainly a fan of the APC. I believe in the objectives, aims and manifesto of the party at rescuing Nigeria from the sordid state of decadence the country has found itself due to the inglorious governance of the PDP since 1999. Therefore, haven played active roles at the national level , leading to the formation of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), - one of the legacy parties – and in the merger process leading to the birth of APC, I consider it proper to throw light on some aspects raised in Dele Momodu’s  “Why I am a fan of APC”. The article touched on the need for the APC to get its acts together properly in picking the Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates that can dislodge the ruling party in the 2015 Presidential election. Dele Momodu in his article suggested a pairing formula he considered potent enough to defeat PDP in 2015.This pairing formula he suggested is precisely the reason for this write up. I will address this in due course. But let me digress for a moment.

Most friends of mine, aware of my political leanings and opinions, have asked the question on several occasion on who I think the choice of the APC will be as the Presidential candidate. The reason they ask is for the fact that they are aware of my unabashed loyalty to and committed support for a particular individual and this individual being the reason for my venture into politics, in quest of a rescue team and mission for our dear country from the low depth of decadence we have found the country in recent time. My answer always has been,  “when we get to the bridge, we will cross it” and that the leadership has not come up with the modalities for picking the candidates. In truth, they (my friends) know my preferred choice of Presidential candidate for the APC and that I do not want to “let the cat out of the bag”. Now that we are almost at the “the bridge” and about to “cross it”, Dele Momodu’s article came out at the appropriate time for the “cat to be let out of my bag”. (continued).

Osun Election: APC says 500,000 unclaimed permanent voters cards cloned

Governor Rauf Aregbesola

Party alleges that the cards would be used for rigging.

The All Progressives Congress, APC, has issued a red alert on the August 9 gubernatorial election in Osun State.

The party alleged that about half a million Permanent Voters Cards, PVCs, which were either unclaimed, not handed over to their authentic owners, or were obtained fraudulently, have been cloned by unscrupulous persons ahead of the election, with the sole purpose of rigging.

“These cloned cards, mostly in the hands of persons from states other than Osun, are to be used along with the authentic PVCs issued to the electorate in Osun State during the August 9 Osun governorship election,” the party said in a statement issued in Osogbo on Monday by its National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed.

“Already, we can confirm that the hundreds of thousands of people in possession of these cloned cards all over Nigeria, especially in the states neighbouring Osun, are being induced monetarily and instructed to super impose their photographs on the cloned PVCs.

”The game plan is for them to arrive early at the polling booths on Election Day, where conniving electoral officials will turn a blind eye to this fraud by not checking whether or not the names of these impersonators with cloned cards are on the voters register before going ahead to accredit them, to pave the way for them to use the cloned cards to vote at the expense of the genuine holders of the cards,” it said.

APC alleged that based on the dubious plan, unscrupulous security agents – both official and unofficial – would be at hand to brutalise, arrest, and detain any agent or voter who may want to challenge this illegality.

The party therefore called on INEC to ensure that only the voters’ registers used to issue out the PVCs to voters up till August 4 be used to conduct the August 9 election.

”We also demand that copies of these registers, which are already in possession of the local government electoral officers, be made available to all political parties at least 72 hours before the election. Anything short of using the registers that contained the names of the authentic voters will not be acceptable,” it warned.

APC thanked the people of Osun, clamouring for a free, fair and credible election, for reaching out to the party with useful information that would thwart any rigging plan and ensure the success of the polls.

The party urged the people of the state and APC members to be very vigilant ahead, during and after voting on Saturday, against the background of the alleged desperation to win at all costs by the PDP candidate, Iyiola Omisore.

The APC had accused Mr. Omisore and the PDP of conjuring an opinion poll purportedly by USAID showing he was leading every other candidate. The USAID later disowned the poll.

“Their desperation knows no bounds, hence they will do anything, no matter how illegal, to thwart the will of the people. But no power is bigger than people’s power, and no inducement is worth anyone’s conscience. The votes of the people of the state of Osun must not only be counted, but must count on Saturday,” it said.

TREACHEROUS: Whereabouts of Boko Haram “Butcher” Unknown! Nigeria Military Lost Him

By Yusuf Alli

Military source: we don’t have him

There was anxiety yesterday over the whereabouts of the suspected Boko Haram “chief butcher” Mohammed Zakari in police custody.

The suspect was arrested on July 15 after a counter-insurgency operation in Balmo forest in Bauchi State, which was rated as the major armoury of the sect.

The suspect had been undergoing interrogation in a police facility.

A source claimed that the suspect was in Bauchi; another said he had been transferred to a secret location in Jos.

It was gathered that the tension over the  suspect’s whereabouts was heightened by the fact that he had not been grilled by the military and other security agencies.

A top security source, who spoke in confidence with our correspondent, confirmed that there was disquiet over the fate of the suspect because the police did not state the extent of their investigation into his activities.

“No one can also explain who is keeping the suspect in the last two weeks. There are different claims on whether he is in Bauchi, Jos or Abuja,” the source said, adding: “It could also not be confirmed whether he is still alive or dead during encounters. The situation is creating fears in the states under emergency rule.

“Those from these states have been raising concerns on Zakari’s actual status.”

It was also learnt that there were issues about the lack of coordination between the police and  the military and security agencies.

A military source, who spoke last night, said: “Well, the police arrested the suspect they should be in the best position to account for his whereabouts.

“So far, we have not been involved in the quizzing of the suspect.”

Attempts to get official confirmation from the police last night did not yield results.

A text message to the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Frank Mba, was not replied as at 8pm.

Emotan

Emotan a patriotic woman who traded in foodstuffs at the very spot where her statue stands in the 15th century. At that period,{11th} Oba Uwaifiokun {1430AD-1440AD} usurped the throne of the Benin kingdom in place of his senior brother,Prince Ogun who was the heir apparent. Ogun in those times of travail. paid secret and nocturnal visits to Benin from his exile. On many occasions,this market woman called Emotan warmed Ogun of impending dangers and advised him iagainst interacting with some treacherous chiefs who may reveal his presence. On one occasion Emotan actually hide prince ogun from his adversary. Some Historians are of the view that Emotan was a market woman who took care of little children whilst their mothers were away buying and selling their wares in oba market they refer to her as the market woman who began the first "DAY-CARE CENTRE" in Benin City. When Prince Ogun eventually regained the throne and was subsequently crowned as the real Oba of Benin, he took the name {12th} Oba Ewuare the great {1440AD-1473AD}. He did not forget the pivotal role played by this simple market woman, Emotan who saved him from glaring dangers during his exile years. When Emotan died, Oba Ewuare ordered that the sacred Uruhe tree be planted at the very spot where Emotan used to display her goods in Oba market and decreed that thereafter, every person in Benin who is performing any ceremony of whatever must pay homage to Emotan.Thus to this day every citizen,including the Oba himself pays homage to Emotan. During the reign of {33rd} Oba Osemwende {1816AD-1848AD} the commemorative tree fell and he replanted another Uruhe tree on the same spot. In 1951, the British colonial administration officials injected the tree with poisonous chemicals and uprooted it. This action almost led to a violent mass reaction. After which the {37th} Oba Akenzua II {1933AD-1978AD} vehemently protested the destruction of the Emotan shrine. This had been there since the 15th century. Consequently, the colonialists acceded to the request for a replacement. A life-size statue was cast by Mr. J.A.Danfor in London from a clay Marquette modeled by Enomayo, professional brass caster from the Igun-Eronmwon. The new Emotan statue was unveiled amidst pomp and pageantry by the Oba Benin, Akenzua ll on March 20, 1954. Emotan a patriotic woman who traded in foodstuffs at the very spot where her statue stands in the 15th century. At that period,{11th} Oba Uwaifiokun {1430AD-1440AD} usurped the throne of the Benin kingdom in place of his senior brother,Prince Ogun who was the heir apparent. Ogun in those times of travail. paid secret and nocturnal visits to Benin from his exile. On many occasions,this market woman called Emotan warmed Ogun of impending dangers and advised him

iagainst interacting with some treacherous chiefs who may reveal his presence. On one occasion Emotan actually hide prince ogun from his adversary. Some Historians are of the view that Emotan was a market woman who took care of little children whilst their mothers were away buying and selling their wares in oba market they refer to her as the market woman who began the first "DAY-CARE CENTRE" in Benin City.

When Prince Ogun eventually regained the throne and was subsequently crowned as the real Oba of Benin, he took the name {12th} Oba Ewuare the great {1440AD-1473AD}. He did not forget the pivotal role played by this simple market woman, Emotan who saved him from glaring dangers during his exile years. When Emotan died, Oba Ewuare ordered that the sacred Uruhe tree be planted at the very spot where Emotan used to display her goods in Oba market and decreed that thereafter, every person in Benin who is performing any ceremony of whatever must pay homage to Emotan.Thus to this day every citizen,including the Oba himself pays homage to Emotan.

During the reign of {33rd} Oba Osemwende {1816AD-1848AD} the commemorative tree fell and he replanted another Uruhe tree on the same spot.

In 1951, the British colonial administration officials injected the tree with poisonous chemicals and uprooted it. This action almost led to a violent mass reaction. After which the {37th} Oba Akenzua II {1933AD-1978AD} vehemently protested the destruction of the Emotan shrine. This had been there since the 15th century. Consequently, the colonialists acceded to the request for a replacement. A life-size statue was cast by Mr. J.A.Danfor in London from a clay Marquette modeled by Enomayo, professional brass caster from the Igun-Eronmwon.
The new Emotan statue was unveiled amidst pomp and pageantry by the Oba Benin, Akenzua ll on March 20, 1954.

IMPEACHMENT: NASARAWA SPEAKER, 5 OTHER LAWMAKERS FACE RECALL FROM CONSTITUENTS

 by Hir Joseph, Lafia

Six of the 20 members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) including the speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly (NSHA), Musa Ahmed Mohammed (PDP, Nasarawa-Central), who signed the impeachment notice against Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura are facing recall from their constituency over allegations that they did not consult with the constituents to commence the process of removing the governor.

The other five members are: the deputy speaker Elisha Agwadu (PDP, Obi II), Mohammed Baba Ibaku (PDP, Udege/Loko), Abdulkarim Usman (PDP, Wamba), Francis Orogu (PDP, Keana), and Mohammed Sidi Bako (PDP, Obi I).

In two of the constituencies, namely Nasarawa-Central, and Udege/Loko where the speaker, and Ibaku are representing, respectively, the recall process has clocked two weeks and has reached the level of collecting signatures from constituents. But the other constituencies are merely beginning the exercise, apparently inspired by the two constituencies which pioneered the recall plot.

In Nasarawa-Central, the constituents have already set up a central committee headed by the chairman of Nasarawa Local Government Area, Tijjani Ahmed, who is coordinating the recall process with three sub-committees headed by a former LG chairman, Barrister Mohammed Sani Bawa for Nasarawa-Central sub-committee, and the state commissioner of Agriculture, Danladi Madaki heading the sub-committee for Udege, while Alhaji Ibrahim Gambo and Nuhu Abubakar, a former councilor, are heading the sub-committee for Loko axis.

The council chairman, Tijjani Ahmed, who disclosed the detailed process of recall in the two constituencies in his area, told Daily Trust, yesterday , that there are also Seven sub-committees for the Seven wards of Nasarawa-Central, as there are 44 sub-committees set up to coordinate signatories in the 44 polling units of the constituency.

He also said the two-week old process has seen the setting up of Eight sun-committees for the Eight wards of Udege/Loko, as well as 89 sub-committees for the 89 polling units in the area.

“We are on course, and signatures have started coming in from constituents against the two lawmakers representing the two constituencies of Nasarawa LG,” Ahmed said.

The state commissioner of Agriculture, Madaki told Daily Trust that constituents are “falling on each other to append their signatures against Ibaku,” just as Sani Bawa said the process first saw signatures pouring in from Angwan Dalatu polling unit where the speaker voted in 2011.

But Ibaku, who confirmed he is aware of the process initiated to commence his recall, said in a swift reaction that he is not bothered when the minority APC chieftains of his area made the moves. “I was voted by 43,500 PDP members of my constituency in 2011. My opponent polled only 13,000. If the 43,500 people who elected me say they want me out; I will be bothered. If disgruntled APC members in their microscopic minority are initiating a recall against me, I will be sleeping and waiting for 90 days our people to go a referendum to decide who is more popular in Udege/Loko,” Ibaku said.

The speaker’s spokesman, Tanko Ibrahim told Daily Trust on the telephone that “frankly speaking, I have no comments.”

When asked for his reaction, Francis Orogu confirmed the moves against him, but insisted that the process is not one to give him sleepless nights. “I have 100 percent support from my constituents to go ahead with the impeachment against the governor. I consulted my people, and they gave me the go ahead. Today, they are promising an automatic ticket because I did them proud by appending my signature to the impeachment notice because this government has come to introduce misery in their lives and those of their children,” Orogu said.

This is just as Lanze Kassim Ujah, a legislative aide to Honourable Usman of Wamba said he is aware there are plans by the minority APC members in his area to recall his boss, but added that “my boss consulted his constituents and got their approval. He is still in touch with his constituents if not for the threats on the lives of lawmakers by sponsored APC agents. The provisions of the constitution are clear on the role of my boss, and he applied them to the latter.”

The deputy speaker, Elisha said he got the mandate of a majority PDP constituent to represent the area in the state assembly, just as he insisted that he had the approval of the electorate to sign the impeachment notice against the governor.

Sidi Bako could not be reached at press time.

Boko Haram: Borno Youth Group In Passionate Letter Begs Jonathan To Investigate Modu Sheriff

• Related: NewsRescue- Borno: Civilian JTF Youth Go After Politician Sponsors of Boko Haram, Burn ANPP Chair House, Go After Ali Modu Sheriff, July 2, 2013

Aug. 3, 2014

A group, Youth for Peace and Restoration of Democracy has written a letter to President Goodluck Jonathan detailing the genesis of the Boko Haram sect.

The letter, published as an advertorial in the Daily Trust of Friday, August 1, 2014, specifically accused former Borno State governor, Ali Modu Sheriff of being the brain child of Boko Harm and therefore called on the president to immediately investigate and prosecute him.

The letter is reproduced below:

OPEN LETTER TO MR. PRESIDENT DR. GOODLUCK EBELE JONATHAN COMMANDER IN CHIEF OF THE ARMED FORCES, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA GENESIS OF BOKO INSURGENCY IN NIGERIA

With much honour to you, the association of youth for peace and restoration of democracy in Bornu State wishes to forward the above captioned. The Youth for Peace in Bornu State after due scrutiny of the allegation that the Ex-Governor of Bornu State, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff is the alleged mastermind of Boko Haram, insurgency in Nigeria should be investigated.

The rationale for assertion is as follows:

Introduction of ECOMOG:

The so-called ECOMOG were first noticed when Ali Sheriff contested for Governorship candidate in 2003 under the platform of A.P.P. After the emergence of Boko Haram crisis in 2009 when the leader, Mohammed Yusuf was killed, many ECOMOG were arrested and killed on involvement in the crisis.

Among the notorious ECOMOG members was Musa popularly known as “DUHU”.

The Ex-Governor Ali Sheriff created a Ministry of Religious Affairs through to which he appointed one of the Boko Haram Leaders, Buji Foi as commissioner of religious affairs. Buji was arrested and died in the hands of security operatives after he confessed as being a member of the sect.

The amazing thing is when Buji Foi was arrested, he urged the security operatives to allow him see Ali Sheriff so that he will discuss some important issue in the presence of security agents. When Sheriff was told his request, he refused to see him and the security operatives subsequently summarily killed him.

Bornu citizens ask the Federal Government why Sheriff was allowed to land at the Maiduguri international airport despite the fact that Muslims intending to go for lesser Haji Umra were not allow to use the airport for their holy trip.

After his 8 years as Executive Governor of Bornu State, he contested for senatorial seat representing Bornu Central Senatorial Seat he was defeated in the election by someone called Ahmed Zannah who is not even popular, nor influential with far distance votes, Ali Sheriff lost the senatorial seat with all his influence in the government. A reasonable man must look for the reason of his defeat.

Upon all the killing of lives and destruction of properties in Bornu State, Ali Sheriff, if he is patriotic citizen of the State must sympathize and commiserate with the people and the government of Bornu State but Ali Sheriff have never commiserate with the people of the State by any means.

• Related: NewsRescue- Borno: Civilian JTF Youth Go After Politician Sponsors of Boko Haram, Burn ANPP Chair House, Go After Ali Modu Sheriff, July 2, 2013

Senate Committee on Security has already ordered that the Ex-Governor, Ali Sheriff should be stopped from entering Maiduguri, the state capital since there are lot of allegations against him by Bornu youths which may possible bring crisis in the State.

Similarly, Bornu elders’ forum had once criticised , Ali Sheriff on why accusing fingers are on him, when many governors have come before him. There must be a reason for such assertion.

It could be recalled that the State Chairman of the former, A.N.P.P, Mala Uthman who was an intimate friend to Sheriff was arrested by the civilian JTF after discovering weapons where one of his house was burnt and he was beaten seriously and handed over to security operatives.

Finally , we urged Mr. President and security operatives to join hand together and investigate all the allegations against Ali Sheriff and if found wanting he should be brought to book so that the menace of Boko Haram will be a thing of the past.

Mohammed Abass Chairman Youth For Peace and Restoration of Democracy In Bornu Plot 1059, Sir Kashim Way, Maiduguri Bornu State

Contact number: 09020379102

CC: Minister of Defence

National Security Adviser

Chief of Defence Staff

Chief of Army Staff

I.G of Police

D.G S.S.S

D.G N.I.A

AS

Nigeria Would Be In Turmoil If Buhari And Sheikh Dan Bauchi Were Killed, Says President Jonathan

Mr. Jonathan expresses sympathy to those who lost their lives in the bomb attack.

Muslim leaders greet President Goodluck Jonathan at the State House on SundayState House PhotoPresident Goodluck Jonathan said calamity would have befallen Nigeria if former Head of State, Muhammadu Buhari and Islamic scholar, Sheik Dahiru Bauchi, were killed in the July 23 bomb attacks in Kaduna. The two leaders survived the attacks that killed more than 40 people.

Speaking when a delegation of the Muslim community, led by Vice President Namadi Sambo, paid him Sallah homage at his official residence, in Abuja on Sunday, President Jonathan appealed to clerics in the country to preach peace and unity to their followers “and not the gospel of hate”, saying that the country could not develop without peace.

He said, “Not too long ago we had these dastardly attacks in Kano and Kaduna. We stand to condemn these acts of terror on our people.

“And, we extend our condolence and sympathy to the bereaved and those who might have been injured.

“The recent attacks in Kaduna, especially where Sheik Dahiru Bauchi and Gen. Muhammadu Buhari were targets are quite instructive.

“You can imagine if these two people had died in the attacks.

“Sheik Bauchi is one of our top Islamic preachers; he has millions of followers. Buhari, a former Head of State and leading political figure, has massive supporters.

“On the same day, people wanted to kill them‎; those who planned the attacks are clearly sons of the devil, because if they had killed these two people, we wouldn’t have been here today; this country would have been in turmoil.

”We couldn’t have gathered here to celebrate.”

6 / 11 President Goodluck Jonathan (6th R) Vice-President Namadi Sambo (4th R) With Some Presidential Aides During A Sallah Homage To The President

7 / 11

8 / 11 President Goodluck Jonathan; Former Chief Justice Of Nigeria, Justice Alfa Belgore, Chairman Senate Committee Of Fct, Sen Smart Adeyemi; Fct Minister, Sen Bala Mohammed And Minister Of Justice, Mohammed Adoke (San) During A Sallah Homage To The President

Sallah Homage Visit To President Jonathan Led By Vice-President Namadi Sambo

Mr. Jonathan thanked God for saving their lives and preventing “a major calamity” that would have befallen the country.

The president restated that the Federal Government was doing everything possible to end the activities of Boko Haram and other terrorist groups in the country.

He used the opportunity to renew his call on Nigerians to continue to
work with government in that regard.

“Government is looking on how to raise funds; in fact, we are launching the fund on Thursday.

“This is to ensure that the widows, orphans, those whose business premises have been vandalised and even our worship places, mosques and churches, that have been destroyed, we will rebuild.

“Government alone cannot do it because we will need huge sums of money. The Nigerian private sector is vibrant and willing if they see sincerity in government.

“We have demonstrated that very clearly and we are hopeful that on that day, reasonable amount of money will be raised.

“And, we will continue to raise money until we are able to cushion the effect of these excesses and at the same time, we are strengthening our security services so that they will be able to confront this menace,” he said.
Mr. Jonathan said that he was honoured by the visit of the Muslim community after the Ramadan and prayed God to listen to and answer their prayers.

Earlier, Mr. Sambo commended the president for fasting with Muslims during the Ramadan, and for welcoming the delegation to his residence.

He prayed God to continue to give the president wisdom and guidance to lead the country to greater prosperity.

The vice president also prayed for peace in Nigeria and for Allah to bring all evil, including Boko Haram, to an end.

He urged Nigerians to be their brother’s keepers “for peace, tranquility, total reconciliation and stability to reign in the country.”

During the visit, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Bala Mohammed, paid homage to the president on behalf of Abuja residents.

He said; “We have always enjoyed humane and civil disposition that is why you see Muslims and Christians coming to pay homage in line with your exemplary leadership.

“We pray that Allah will grant you courage and wisdom to continue to steer the ship of leadership despite the current security challenges.”
(NAN)