Gaddafi Beautiful Guard> where could she be now...please don't kill her for me..

Where will this beautiful girl be now. this sweet Muhammed Gaddafi body guard. i would her to come stay with me for just few days till the time the war will be over...

(See Gaddafi's Golden Gun ) Autocratic Gaddafi caught in sewage pipe with golden gun

SIRTE, (AFP) – Muammer Gaddafi, the “king of kings of Africa” who for eight months refused to surrender, was captured Thursday in a sewage pipe waving a golden gun near his hometown Sirte, Libyan fighters said.

“Kadhafi was in a jeep when rebels opened fire on it. He got out and tried to flee, taking shelter in a sewage pipe,” National Transitional Council (NTC) field commander Mohammed Leith told AFP.

NTC fighters “opened fire again and he came out carrying a Kalashnikov (assault rifle) in one hand and a pistol in the other,” he said.

Kadhafi “looked left and right and asked what was happening. Rebels opened fire again, wounding his leg and shoulder. He died after that,” according to Leith.

Outside the hospital in Sirte, the Mediterranean city where Gaddafi, diehards for weeks put up a last stand against a revolt which broke out in mid-February, a young fighter proudly brandished what he said was the strongman’s golden gun.

Mohammed Shaban, who said he took part in Gaddafi’s capture, said the 69-year-old who ruled Libya for four decades had been cornered in the sewage pipe. “His blood is on my shirt. I’ll never wash it,” he said.

A fugitive since the NTC forces with NATO air support swept into Tripoli at the end of August, Kadhafi’s whereabouts had remained a mystery.

A wounded Kadhafi was seen alive and standing as he was being manhandled by Libya’s new regime fighters before the announcement of his death, in a videotape aired on Arab satellite channels.

Bloodied in the head, face and shoulders, NTC fighters circled Gaddafi,, who was hailed as the country’s “king of kings” by African tribal chiefs in 2009, as he apparently tried to cry out.

One fighter appeared to hold a gun to his head but it was unclear if he fired before Gaddafi, was hauled onto the front of a vehicle, amid chaotic scenes in the video broadcast on Al-Arabiya and Al-Jazeera television channels.

“We announce to the world that Gaddafi, has died in the custody of the revolution,” NTC spokesman Abdel Hafez Ghoga announced earlier.

In France, Defence Minister Gerard Longuet said French warplanes fired a warning shot to stop a convoy of up to 80 vehicles carrying Gaddafi, before he was captured.

The convoy of several dozen vehicles “was stopped from progressing as it sought to flee Sirte but was not destroyed by the French intervention,” Longuet told journalists.

Libyan fighters then intervened, destroying the vehicles, from which “they took out Colonel Kadhafi,” he added.

The minister said a French Mirage-2000 was “informed by the integrated general staff (of NATO) of the need for an intervention to prevent this column from advancing.”

“A French warning shot was fired to prevent the column from proceeding and it divided,” he said, after which some of the vehicles were confronted by the NTC fighters.

“In these clashes, vehicles were destroyed, people were wounded and killed and it was among them that… Gaddafi, was a part,” he said.

Source: Vanguard Newspaper NIGERIA

Ibori: FG may sack NPA, NIMASA bosses

 There were indications on Monday that the Presidency may be planning to sack the leadership of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency and the Nigeria Ports Authority over the escape of a former governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori, from the country.
One of our correspondents gathered that government’s action was based on reports that Ibori may have evaded arrest by fleeing through the country’s waterways.


Ibori fled the country to Dubai after he was declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission last month. He was declared wanted after he failed to honour its invitation over allegations that he used shares belonging to Delta State to secure a N44bn loan from a bank.


A competent source in the Federal Ministry of Transport told one of our correspondents in Abuja on Monday that government was unhappy that the officials of both agencies failed to apprehend Ibori. This, the official said, had fuelled the suspicion that some of them may have aided his escape.


Consequently, it was gathered that sweeping changes in the two agencies may be imminent in both agencies. Those likely to be affected are the Director-General of NIMASA, Mr. Temsare Omatseye, and Managing Director of the NPA, Mallam Abdul Salam Muhammed.


The ministry source said, “The DG of NIMASA has already been informed about his disengagement. Unless there is a last-minute change of mind by the President, his disengagement will be announced before the end of this week. Also, the Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority may likely be affected.”


When contacted on the telephone, the Head, Public Relations, NIMASA, Mrs. Ego Nwokocha, said the agency was not aware of such a plan.


According to her, “I am not aware of any plan by the Federal Government to remove the DG. I think it is a mere speculation. Moreover, he came in not long ago.


“Removing him now will not augur well for the development of the maritime sector. However, I believe that there is nothing like that.”


When one of our correspondents contacted the NPA’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Musa Liya, on the telephone at 5:22 pm, he said, “In fact, right now, I am still in the office. I am not aware of such a development.”

Source: Punch

Wealthy businesswomen energize Calif. GOP voters

LOS ANGELES – A Republican primary season marked by a blistering campaign spending spree and less-is-more approach to government comes to an end Tuesday with two wealthy businesswomen poised to make history for the GOP.

Former eBay chief executive Meg Whitman and former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina have become the front-runners to lead the Republican Party this fall. If the most recent polls hold, it would be the first time the party would have put a woman — much less two — at the top of its ticket in the nation's most populous state.
Whitman has built a wide lead over her rival for the Republican nomination for governor, state Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner, thanks in large part to spending from her personal fortune. The billionaire has spent $81 million so far, all but about $10 million of it from her own bank account.

Poizner, himself a wealthy Silicon Valley entrepreneur, has spent $25 million.
Fiorina has had a come-from-behind story in her race for the GOP nomination for U.S. Senate, greatly outspending her two challengers. She also has appealed to conservative voters with her views on abortion, guns and gay marriage but will face a difficult task trying to unseat incumbent Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer if she emerges victorious in Tuesday's primary.

She holds double-digit leads against former congressman Tom Campbell and state Assemblyman Chuck DeVore.

Republicans hope the anti-incumbent mood that has swept the nation will help them defeat Boxer and state Attorney General Jerry Brown, two of California's most well-known Democrats. Brown is seeking a comeback as governor, a post he held from 1975-83 in the era before term limits.

Brown emerged from the fog to vote at a fire house in the Oakland hills after walking from his nearby home.
"I feel very confident about this primary election. I'm going to win this one," joked Brown.
Brown said he would not talk about the individual Republicans jockeying to challenge him in the governor's race. But he took a veiled swipe at GOP frontrunner Meg Whitman's reputation for tightly controlled campaign appearances.
"I'm looking forward to a campaign where people get to see the candidates, not just the commericals," Brown said.
Brown and Poizner scheduled public events on Election Day, while Whitman has no planned public appearances, an unusual move for a top-tier candidate.

Whitman's campaign said she will avoid the typical Election Day photo-op because she already has cast her mail-in ballot. Whitman has been criticized for her poor voting record and has acknowledged that she did not vote for most of her life. She had been expected to vote near her home in Atherton, south of San Francisco.
Her spokesman, Tucker Bounds, said Whitman decided to vote absentee for convenience because she will be in Los Angeles on Tuesday. She planned to meet with campaign workers and supporters, he said.
Democrats have been raising money in anticipation of what are expected to be difficult and expensive campaigns for governor and U.S. Senate.

A union-funded group that supports Brown reported raising more than $4 million over the last two weeks and planned to begin airing its first television commercials Wednesday, a day after Republicans select their challengers. Whitman and Fiorina have campaigned on promises to cut government spending.
Beyond the top candidate races, Californians also will decide whether they want to transform the state's primary election process and test public financing of campaigns.

Passage of Proposition 14 would allow all voters to cast ballots in a primary, with the top two vote-getters advancing to the general election, regardless of party. In highly gerrymandered districts, that could mean two Democrats or two Republicans on the November ballot.

The proposition was placed on the ballot in a budget deal last year between Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and then-state Sen. Abel Maldonado, who said he would support higher taxes if the Legislature agreed to place the open-primary measure before voters. He has said it will benefit more moderate candidates such as himself in state legislative and congressional primaries.
Earlier this year, Schwarzenegger appointed Maldonado lieutenant governor, and the former lawmaker is on Tuesday's ballot as a candidate for that job. The two were scheduled to appear together Tuesday morning to promote the measure.
California voters also could opt for a trial run of public financing of campaigns, somewhat ironic in a year of record political spending in the GOP race for governor.

Turnout for the primary is expected to be relatively light, with perhaps a third of registered voters casting ballots. Of the 16.9 million Californians registered, 40 percent — or 6.8 million — requested vote-by-mail ballots. As of Monday, 1.8 million of those ballots had been returned.


Interest is expected to be higher among Republicans because of the gubernatorial and Senate contests. Brown and Boxer did not face serious challengers.
Source:  yahoo news

Jega is new INEC chairman

President Goodluck Jonathan has named Attahiru Jega, a former president of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, as the new chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission.

Mr. Jega's appointment was approved today at the meeting of the Council of State, which largely composed of former heads of state and state governors.

His nomination, which still requires the approval of the Senate, followed the recent sack of the former electoral commission boss, Maurice Iwu.

Mr. Jega, a Professor of Political Science, is the current vice chancellor of Bayero University, and a former consultant to the commission and participated in the electoral reform project headed by Justice Mohammed Uwais.
Source: NEXT

Jonathan, PDP leaders meet on new chairman

Labour, Oshiomhole oppose politician as INEC boss


THE appointment of the next chairmen of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday received the attention of leaders of the ruling party and organised Labour in Nigeria.

While leaders of the PDP, including President Goodluck Jonathan, held secret talks in Aso Villa, which sources said was on the appointment of Chief Vincent Ogbulafor’s successor, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) threatened to resist any partisan Nigerian from being made the next INEC boss.

The PDP Deputy National Chairman, Haliru Mohammed Bello, led some members of the National Working Committee (NWC) to the meeting with Jonathan yesterday in the Presidential Villa.

The Guardian learnt that the meeting of the party’s leaders was to discuss the issue of the next national chairman of the PDP zoned to the South East geo-political zone.

Later yesterday, former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the Senate President David Mark were seen at the Villa. Although the mission could not be established, it was the first time, Obasanjo came to the state house since Jonathan assumed office. Obasanjo is also the PDP Board of Trustees chairman.

Following the resignation of Ogbulafor, the party had turned its searchlight on the South-East for his successor but it has been difficult picking a consensus candidate for the office.

However, worried by the delay in the emergence of a consensus candidate, the PDP leadership met yesterday with Jonathan on the way forward.

PDP sources told The Guardian that the party wants the process concluded before the meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) expected to hold on either June 9 or 10, 2010. It was also learnt that the meeting discussed the allegation of bribery against Bello, for which the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has invited him.

It was not clear yesterday whether the meeting took a decision on the fate of Bello as there were speculations that he might be asked to resign for the allegations against him to be investigated since Ogbulafor toe the line.

PDP National Publicity Secretary, Prof. Rufai Ahmed Alkali, could not be reached for details of the meeting but a senior officer of the party confirmed the meeting with Jonathan. He said: “I don’t exactly know what the issues to be discussed will be but they have gone to the Presidential Villa for a crucial meeting.’’

It was also learnt yesterday that the party had tentatively fixed the meetings of National Caucus, Board of Trustees (BoT) and National Executive Committee (NEC) for June.

According to party sources, the National Caucus meeting has been fixed for June 7, 2010 while that of BoT will come up on June 8, 2010 and after which the NEC meeting is expected to hold either on June 9 or 10, 2010.

Among those alleged to have shown interest in the PDP topmost office are its former National Secretary, Okwesilieze Nwodo, incumbent Vice Chairman (South-East), Olisa Metuh, erstwhile National Vice Chairman, Fidelis Ozichukwu, Mao Ohabunwa, Polycarp Nwite, former Senate President, Pius Anyim Pius, among others.

President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Abdulwaheed Omar, who gave the warning yesterday in Abuja, also called for the sack of all top officials of INEC that served under the tenure of Prof. Maurice Iwu.

Amid the controversy trailing the alleged zoning of the Presidency by the PDP, Labour said it should not be used to exclude competent Nigerians from the office or infringed on their rights.

Omar appealed to Jonathan to ensure that the processes of the 2011 elections are free and fair. He said the President should give the choice to the people and not manipulate anything even if he wants to contest.

The NLC chief said the Congress would mobilise its members “to resist anybody that is card-carrying member of any political party, including the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, to head the Independent National Electoral Commission.”

Omar spoke yesterday in Abuja at an event organised by the Alliance for Credible Election to mark the removal of Iwu. He held that if the processes that would lead to the 2011 are credible enough, the President can work his way into the hearts of Nigerians but should also be prepared to handover to the opposition if his party loses the election.

To ensure good governance in the country, the governor prescribed the evolvement of a truly democratic system through electoral reforms. In achieving this, the governor sides with the Muhammadu Uwais report on electoral reform, insisting that the President should not solely appoint INEC chairman.

Also, Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole has opposed the appointment of INEC chief solely by the President.

He told the audience at a forum by Island Club in Lagos yesterday that in situation where the President insists on appointing INEC chairman, the appointee should be a card-carrying member of any party. He further charged the President to use the short time he had to institute a credible foundation for Nigeria’s democracy so that history will be kind to him.

Oshiomhole urged Jonathan to look at the human rights and civil society community for the appointment of the next INEC boss because they risked their lives fighting for the return to democratic rule.

The governor would also wants to see attitude changes in the electoral reforms beyond the legal frame-work whereby the President instructs the INEC chairman to work for Nigeria’s democracy by ensuring that the right things are done and even if it meant the President’s party losing at polls based on the choice of the electorate.

The NLC boss argued that it would be tantamount to trampling on Jonathan’s fundamental human right to exclude him from contesting the election simply because of the zoning arrangement by the PDP, which he lamented had helped thrown up politically incompetent people to rule the country.

Omar submitted that what the Nigerian people are desirous of is somebody that would guarantee them good live and not necessarily where he or she comes from.

He argued that if organising credible elections, which will have Jonathan as a participant, would not be achievable under him, he should take the path of honour and allow posterity judge him.

His words: “Though Congress may not wish to also dictate to Mr. President the direction he should take in terms of his personal political ambition, we would state unequivocally that it would be in his greater personal interest and integrity to prioritise the conduct of a free, fair, just and credible election. History and indeed, generations yet unborn will remember him more if he chooses the path of honour to engage his energy and focus attention towards instituting an electoral system that is trustworthy and which will attract the confidence and respect of all civilised and democratic nations.”

Labour also called for the removal of Mr. Solomon Soyebi, saying the interim chairman of INEC is nothing but “a member of five leprous hands of Iwu-led commission that organised the worst elections Nigeria ever had.

The Secretary-General of Alliance for Credible Election, Mr. Emmanuel Ezeazu asked the National Assembly to jettison on-going debates on two-party system and focus on electoral and constitutional reforms.

Ezeazu also declared that Jonathan’s entering into the 2011 election might jeopardise the rotational principle, which he said, had helped to stabilise the country, especially after the annulment of the June 12, 1993 election that was presumably won by the late Moshood Abiola.

He said: “Those who are supporting Jonathan to run further argue that he can still run and conduct credible elections. Our experience in Nigeria compels us to disagree with them. Those of us who are telling him not to run are not urging him to do what has not been done before. He needs to make this sacrifice for the good of the nation. We urge him not to contest and also not to impose somebody on Nigeria.”

Ezeazu finds an ally in former Oyo State Governor Lam Adesina, who yesterday urged the President to ignore the call to contest and concentrate on how to better the lot of Nigerians.

Adesina, in an interview said since there is a zoning arrangement, it will not be in the best interest of the President to scuttle it.

Rather than listen to the advice of praise singers, Adesina urged Jonathan to focus on how to tackle the epileptic power supply, the vexed issue of electoral reform, corruption and insecurity.

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Chairman, Jigawa State Chapter, Garun Gabas, has said there is no alternative to the multi-party arrangement in Nigeria.

The NBA boss, who is also a member of Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), said the multi-party system creates room for new ideas and gives people the opportunity to express themselves without fear or favour.

He pointed out that the multi-party arrangement helps to open up the democratic space and that all that is needed is for electoral reforms, the report of the Uwais panel should be implemented.

Gabas, who spoke against the zoning policy of the PDP that it is the turn of the North to field a candidate for the 2011 presidency other than Jonathan, said the alleged clause is a violation of the Nigerian constitution.

“Any political party that has no respect for the constitution of the country should beware of the doomsday. The constitution does not bar Jonathan from contesting any election merely because of zoning policy of the PDP even though PDP has done that for convenience.”

Also, another legal practitioner based in the state, Abubakar Yusuf Gumel, has challenged Jonathan to leave an enduring legacy through positive changes rather than devote his energy to the call by sycophants to contest the 2011 election.

Considering the circumstances of Jonathan’s ascendancy to the Presidency, he said it is proper for him to be focused and to deliver on his promises within the one year, adding that if he can impact positively on Nigerians in the area of power supply, education and health, Nigerians will support him for another term.
 
Source: The Guardian

Uduaghan raises the alarm over plot to “hijack” Jonathan

Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan has alleged that some people are planning to “hijack” President Goodluck Jonathan.

Uduaghan, at a meeting with the Delta State Elders Council in Warri, on Saturday, claimed that such people were shielding Jonathan from relevant stakeholders, especially, those from the Niger Delta.

Although he did not give the names of these people, he said they freely peddled rumours about the disposition of Jonathan to some Niger Delta leaders, including himself, for selfish political gains.
Uduaghan, who was apparently reacting to the reports that Jonathan was not favourably disposed to some South-South governors because of their roles during the succession crisis in the Presidency, said the action of the group was not in the best interest of Jonathan.
“Let me state that no person or group of persons should try to build a wall around the Presidency and from that wall, start dispatching stories that are not true as well as blackmailing people. If you push everybody away, it may not be to our benefit because the Presidency cannot succeed in isolation,” the governor said in an email statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Sunny Ogefere.
“I have refused to be pushed away. Mr. President needs the Governor of Delta State and the Governor of Delta State needs Mr. President. I have easy access to Mr. President because Mr. President recognises that I am the Governor of a critical state in Nigeria,” the statement added.
Governors of the core Niger Delta states were alleged to have funded various plots to scuttle Jonathan’s ascendancy to the Presidency before former President Umaru Yar’Adua died.
Our correspondent learnt that the governors, who had initiated moves for a truce with Jonathan, were said to be jittery that they could be dealt with by the Presidency.

However, Uduaghan, according to the statement by Ogefere, said he was not disturbed by the actions of those behind these moves.
Contrary to the belief in certain quarters especially among his political opponents in the state, Uduaghan said he enjoined cordial relationship with Jonathan.

The governor explained his roles during the controversy generated by the worsening health of Yar’Adua.

“Contrary to the impressions being created by some persons, the state (Delta State) through the active participation of myself and members of the National Assembly from the state, were involved in the emergence of the then vice- president as Acting President and President. I remain unruffled by the actions of those painting negative pictures about how the President emerged,” he stated.

Uduaghan warned that nobody should make unilateral claim as regards the elevation of Jonathan, adding that the credit belonged to all Nigerians, including himself.
He said all Nigerians, particularly those of Niger Delta extraction must join hands to ensure the success of Jonathan’s presidency. He advised his detractors to shun all activities aimed at smearing the image of the state.

Uduaghan added, “Those who truly love Mr. President should collectively work for the success of Mr. President as well as the betterment of the Niger Delta region because the success or failure of Jonathan’s Presidency will not be attributed to the President alone.

“It is our collective responsibility, not one person’s responsibility, but our collective responsibility as a people of the Niger Delta to give him (President) the maximum support.

“The success of Jonathan’s Presidency is a collective responsibility particularly for us, the people of the Niger Delta.”

The governor welcomed those planning to unseat him during the 2011 election, adding that they reserved the right to aspire to any political office.
But he warned them to eschew bitterness and operate within the ambit of the law, adding that any of them found to be involved in violence and breach of the peace would be dealt with according to the law.
The Delta Elders’ Council is chaired by Chief Gabriel Sefia and has a former Deputy Governor of the state, Chief Simeon Ebonka; Senator Fred Brume, former Minister of Information, Prof. Sam Oyonvbaire; former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state, Dr. Pius Sinebe ; Senator Francis Nwajei ; Prof B.I.C. Ijeoma; Prof. Abednego Ekoko and Senator Stella Omu as some of its members.
 
Source: Punch

There is no zoning arrangement in the PDP –Dejo Raimi

Chief Dejo Raimi, an elder statesman, is the Secretary-General of Southern Forum, a group formed in 2005 to advocate for the emergence of a president of the South-South extraction. In this

President Goodluck Jonathan contesting the 2011 presidential election and also spoke extensively on the crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in his home state – Oyo State. Excerpts:
You are the secretary of the Southern Forum, a group which in 2005 advocated for a South-South president. What has been happening in the group in view of recent happenings in the polity?
When you look at all the geopolitical zones in Nigeria, virtually all of them have produced the president or the Head of State at one point or another except the South-South. Not a single person from that region has ruled this country for a day. We decided that there must be equity, justice, and fairness. So at a meeting in Enugu, three main officers were chosen. They were Ambassador M.T. Mbu as the chairman, Professor S.T. Igwe was chosen as the vice-chairman and I was chosen as the secretary-general. We put up a strong case and went round the whole country pleading that the South-South should be allowed to rule the country, even for one day. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo seemed to agree with this position in the run up to the 2007 election, until we were told that things had changed. That was how late President Umaru Yar’Ádua emerged as president in 2007. But, with what has happened - the divine intervention of God – President Goodluck Jonathan is going to contest the presidency on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2011.

Will this be irrespective of the zoning arrangement of the PDP?

Which zoning? I don’t know of any zoning you are talking about.
Was it not the zoning arrangement that ensured the emergence of Obasanjo in 1999 and 2003?
There is no zoning. They have always been saying it. Nobody has been able to show us. Within the PDP, the Federal Character has been manipulated to say that power must rotate. Have you ever seen any zoning formula? What the Southern Forum is saying is that now, the work which we started in 2005 and 2006 has come to fruition through the handiwork of God and that President Goodluck Jonathan should contest the presidential election in 2011.

Has the Southern Forum met recently?

Yes, off course. We had a meeting this month in Lagos and we issued a communique which we gave to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) for distribution.
For quite sometime now, there has been disquiet within the PDP in Oyo State. As an elder of the party in the state, do you know what caused the crisis?

The PDP is such a large family nationwide and you cannot have such a big organisation without some misunderstandings here and there. It is not only in Oyo State that we are having these minor squabbles. We are having in Anambra where we do not have a governor. We are having in Rivers, Sokoto, Zamfara, Bayelsa States.We also have problems in Adamawa State where Atiku (Abubakar) just returned to the party. There is hardly any place where there is a total peace or tranquility. It is usually more pronounced when it is time for the party’s convention. In some states, the problem has always been between two giant sections. In such states, you could have two separate state offices. But such a thing is not happening in Oyo State. What we are presently witnessing in Oyo State is a child’s play when compared to some other states.

But what is the genesis of the crisis in Oyo State?
In the 2006 convention, there was a court injunction obtained by Chief Richard Akinjide and others that the state congress should not hold. Despite that injunction, late Alhaji Lamidi Adedibu went ahead and organised the convention. But then, the question is: those who are now fighting, the state executive that had been inaugurated, accepted and attended National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the PDP, what were they doing between 2006 and 2009? Now, they suddenly woke up and discovered that the convention was illegal. Be that as it may, there are two groups and no member of the two groups has not passed through me. The coming together of (Senator) Lekan Balogun, former Governor Rashidi Ladoja, Elder Wole Oyelese and Chief Yekini Adeojo, challenging the legality of the executive of the PDP, only came in 2009. Luckily, they were able, in law, to back their challenge because the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that was served the court injunction not to allow the congress to take place in 2006, did not attend the election. When this came up, the NEC of the party decided to look into the ensuing crisis along with all other cases. Of course, I have a copy of the INEC report, which says there was no congress in Oyo State. But after it was confirmed, why did the other group that held the congress and that has the executive wait till 2009 to seek for the lifting of an injunction that was pronounced in 2006?
It was in 2009 that the state executive went to court and got the injunction lifted. It was after this that the NEC decided to look into it. They first mandated the zonal body to look into it. That was when we had the Alhaji Shuaib Oyedokun committee. The committee mandated the two factions to withdraw all litigations from the court. The committee also agreed that the local government chairmen and councilors, whose tenure were terminated by either the government of Ladoja or Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala, should be compensated. We also agreed that there should be an end to the press war between the groups. We also agreed that there should be two committees: the Elders’ Committee and the Stakeholders/Leaders’ Committee.

These committees were put in place to carry out these assignments. So, an implementation committee was put in place. In this committee, five people were taken from the Governor Alao-Akala’s group, one each from Lekan Balogun, Oyelese and my humble self, Dejo Raimi. It was that committee we called the implementation committee. Unfortunately, that committee did not function. After this, the Senator Ike Nwachukwu committee was set up to look into the Ogun and Oyo States problems within the PDP. Immediately Nwachukwu got the report that INEC was not present at the congress that produced the state executive, he upheld that, even when there are controversies over the emergence of the PDP executive in Oyo State. You cannot correct an illegality with another illegality. Instead of the Ike Nwachukwu committee recommending a caretaker committee to come and takeover, it decided that the members of the implementation committee should transmute to a sort of an electoral college.
But even that decision by the Ike Nwachukwu committee also generated disagreement between the two sides. Is that not so?

Yes. And the reason is this: even if the Nwachukwu committee wanted to turn the implementation committee to an electoral college, what it should have done was to recommend a caretaker committee. Turning of the implementation committee to an electoral college where members will elect officers of the party from among themselves was illegal.
Why?

The implementation committee was turned into an electoral committee to vote for itself, which is clearly outside the mandate of the committee. The decision was not accepted by the governor. He wrote a letter signed by Akinjide, Chief Kolapo Ishola, Dr. Omololu Olunloyo and some other people complaining about the decision. The NEC looked into the complaints and Ike Nwachukwu came to Ibadan to inaugurate the elders and implementation committees.
What was supposed to be the purpose of the Elders’ Committee?

The Elders’ Committee is like the board of trustees at the state level, to ensure that things go on smoothly in the party. When Ike Nwachukwu came to Ibadan, he was supposed to inaugurate the Elders’ Committee and the state executive. He only inaugurated the Elders’ Committee and he did not talk about the other committee. The Alao-Akala’s group was also quick enough to point out that you cannot treat illegality with illegality. All these happened late last year to February this year.

What is the prevailing situation now

We had a meeting of the Elders’ Committee on March 29 this year. The meeting was called by Governor Alao-Akala and we had a good deliberation about how to move the party forward and how to prepare for the next election. Another date, April 8, was fixed for a stakeholders and leaders’ forum, where all the local government chairmen were invited. It was there that an overzealous person read out a communique that Governor Alao-Akala had been adopted for a second term. Right there, Alao-Akala stood up and said there would be primaries and a level playing ground for anyone that wants to contest.

But his adoption was celebrated all over the state and in the media. Are you not aware?

You don’t know how we play our politics. If you say you want to contest for any election, immediately you signify your interest, we will start calling you by the name of the position such as governor, senator etc.

What is the status of the implementation committee now?
The committee is out of existence. They have not been doing anything. Nobody is mentioning them again. They are dead. The day the decision was taken that the chairmanship of the party had been given to the Ladoja group, they went about saying that Ladoja has taken over the party, whereas they have taken nothing.

What is your assessment of the Alao-Akala’s administration?
I am a patriotic Ibadan man. But I have always prayed that if an Ibadan man will not be useful to the majority of the people, may God not allow him to become the governor of the state. When we constituted a coronation committee for the Olubadan of Ibadan, we held meetings and we calculated how much we would need for the coronation and we arrived at a figure of N39.5 million. Out of this amount, we were able to contribute N5.6 million. So, four of us, Alhaji Abdulazeez Arisekola, Ambassador A. Sanu, Bode Amoo and myself, went to Governor Alao-Akala to seek for financial assistance. When we showed him the bill, he looked at it and sent us a cheque of N40 million. We were perplexed and shocked at his financial response. Alao-Akala is the only governor that ever thought of renovating Mapo Hall, which is a symbol for every Ibadan man. The Adeoyo Hospital had been in a very bad state for over 30 years. But we have a new teaching hospital there now. The dualisation and construction of roads such as the Molete-Queen Cinema Road, Iwo Road-Olodo and others are other achievements of Governor Alao-Akala. Governor Alao-Akala has done more for Ibadan than any other Ibadan man. I am also told that he is doing the same in Oke-Ogun and other areas of Oyo State. The present PDP government has performed creditably well in Oyo State and I pray that it is returned to government in 2011.

Source:  Nigerian Compass

Reps reject two-party system

THE House of Representatives yesterday rejected the two-party system which has been the subject matter of serious discuss in the country in the last few weeks.
Of the 221 lawmakers present, 172 voted in favour of retaining the present multi-party system, 48 voted for the two-party system, one person abstained from voting while 139 were absent.
All those who voted against the two-party system were members of the ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP).
But the circumstances in which the two-party system was rejected was loaded with series of dramatic scenes and uproar.
Speaker Dimeji Bankole had upon the resumption of the consideration of the report on the Electoral Bill announced that it was time for the House to decide on whether or not the option of two-party system was right for the country or not.
This was followed by some 15 minutes of consultation by members of the House during which they tried to persuade one another for or against the two-party system.
And when the session became calm, Bankole declared that following consultations with many members of the House, he had decided to simplify matters by putting the issue to voice votes.
The declaration was opposed by the pro-two-party system lawmakers led by the House Minority Leader, Aliu Ndume. They wanted the House Electronic Voting Machine to be activated and used.
At this point, the pro-multi-party lawmakers had taken to their feet urging the Speaker to insist on voice vote. They had their way as Bankole put the question to voice vote.
But following another round of protest that greeted the voice vote, the Speaker announced that he would divide the House to allow for a clearer picture on how the two groups stood.
Bankole said: “Honourable members, May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We tried voice vote. Members are complaining.  They are not satisfied, no problem. It is my duty and responsibility to ensure that votes count in this House. But some members do not have their cards here. So the best way of ensuring that votes count is to divide the House.”
And immediately, he directed that those in support of the two-party system should move to one side of the chamber while those opposed to the two-party system should move to the opposite direction.
Tempers rose higher as the pro-two-party lawmakers rejected the voice vote option and insisted that electronic voting be used to decided the matter.
They marched close to the Mace table, chanting the song “no to multi-party! No to manipulation!”
This prompted the tightening of security around the Mace table to prevent the seizing of the mace by any member.
Meanwhile, the House Clerk, Alhaji M. A. Sani Omonori, had already concluded the counting of each of the groups and handed it over to the Speaker for announcement.
When the result was announced in favour of the multi-party system, the pro-two-party system simply walked out without uttering a word.
Ndume had two weeks ago, suggested that the House should take advantage of the current constitution amendment exercise to limit the number of political parties in the country to only two.
His suggestion was taken from an earlier suggestion by the Former Governors’ Forum (FGF), which had visited the National Assembly and canvassed the two-party system.
Led by the erstwhile governor of Akwa Ibom State, Obong Victor Attah, the forum which was represented in that visit by 10 former state helmsmen were of the opinion that "the present multiparty system is too unwieldy to be able to promote a self-sustaining democratic polity."
The forum added: "A two-party system offers a superior form of electoral democracy . The PDP has become the only dominant national party because of the inability of other parties to grow beyond their regions or states. The present system where most parties in the country do not exist beyond their registration certificates does not create an effective opposition, which is the bedrock of democracy."  
Meanwhile, Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG) has commended the House of Representatives for rejecting the two-party system and for retaining multiparty democracy for Nigeria.
A statement last night by Yinka Odumakin, the ARG’s National Publicity Secretary, said: “As we all know, the right to multiparty system in Nigeria has a constitutional basis. Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria provides for freedom of association ‘with other persons’ and ‘any political party, trade union or any association.’ This also finds support in African Charter of Peoples and Human Rights and the Protocols of ECOWAS. And lest we forget, it was the legal battle and, subsequently, the victory that Gani Fawehinmi fought and won for Nigerians in the Supreme Court.
“Without doubt, Nigeria is not the only country with multiparty democracy. As we speak, there are 367 registered political parties in Great Britain and 46 in Northern Ireland. United States of America, interestingly, a country we are quick to mention when issues of this nature arise, also practises multiparty democracy. 
“Apart from its two major and three minor political parties, there are also others appropriately classified as active, inactive and regional. Ghana has 20 and there is every proof to show that South Africa and Benin Republic practise multiparty democracy.
“From the foregoing, one cannot but doubt the motive of the wonderboys of our own system, those who never struggled for, but are mere benefiaciaries of the people’s struggle.
“Admitted! Some of these parties are formed for the sole purpose of collecting grants and related funds from the government. However, the idea that having so many parties is unwieldy does not hold water.”
The ARG added: “Again, Nigerians should not forget in a hurry that Ibrahim Babangida’s two-party contraption on Nigerians was by military fiat. Needless to repeat here also that the annulment of June 12, 1993 elections, adjuged both locally and internationally, as the freest and fairest in the country, was also by military fiat. Why then do we have to trek a despicable path that has not in any way led the people to the Promised Land?
“Yes! As things stand, there are more than 50 registered political parties in Nigeria. Nevertheless, all over the world, where dominant parties have emerged, it has been through the electorate, not by any fiat.
“It is our considered view that the problem of Nigeria has nothing to do with political parties. Rather, it has got to do with having a credible system and credible umpires; where people will vote and their votes will count.
“So, what we need is Electoral Reforms which the National Assembly has so far treated with contempt. And let nobody close the democratic space because we fought for it!”

Source: Guardian Nigeria

Namadi Sambo sworn in as Vice President

     President Goodluck Jonathan (R), decorating Vice President Namadi Sambo during the swearing in-  ceremony at the presidential villa in Abuja on Wednesday.

The Kaduna state Governor Namadi Sambo was on Wednesday sworn in as Nigeria's Vice President, state television showed.


President Goodluck Jonathan, government ministers, state governors and ambassadors watched as Mr. Sambo took the oath of office at the presidential villa in Abuja.



Source: NEXT

Nigerian parliament confirms Sambo as vice president

By Camillus Eboh, Reuters
Nigeria’s parliament on Tuesday confirmed a Muslim northerner Namadi Sambo as vice president of Africa’s most populous country, maintaining the regional balance of power in the OPEC member’s ruling party

As expected, both the Senate and House of Representatives approved Sambo with little debate since President Goodluck Jonathan’s ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) dominates both chambers.

“The Senate hereby confirms the nomination of architect Namadi Sambo as the Vice President of the Government of the Federation,” Senate President David Mark said.

Under a power-sharing agreement within the PDP, the two top political offices are held by representatives from the Muslim north and Christian south with the presidency rotating every two terms between the two regions.

Jonathan, a Christian southerner, was sworn in this month after the death of President Umaru Yar’Adua.

Yar’Adua, a northerner, died during his first term and many expected Jonathan to appoint a powerful northern vice president, who would then become the ruling party’s presidential nominee.

As a relative newcomer to national politics, Sambo is not seen as an obvious contender for next year’s presidential elections and his appointment could clear the way for a run by Jonathan himself.

Jonathan has not ruled out running for president although he said in April he wanted at least three months to see how reforms enacted so far took hold.

Sambo, who was Kaduna’s state governor before Jonathan’s appointment, is expected to be formally sworn in as vice president on Wednesday.

Source: Time Live

My deputy takes over automatically —Kaduna governor

By Agency Reporter


Kaduna State Governor Namadi Sambo on Sunday declared that his deputy, Patrick Yakowa, is his automatic successor as governor of the state.

According to Sambo, Yakowa, whom he decribed as “loyal and committed” becomes the governor of Kaduna the moment his own nomination as the Vice President gets the nod of the National Assembly.

“Patrick Yakowa is very loyal and dedicated. He is a competent Deputy Governor, who will continue from where the Governor stopped,” Sambo, who spoke through his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Umar Sanni, told journalists in Kaduna.

Also, the governor described his nomination by President Goodluck Jonathan to fill the vacant VP position as an ‘act of God’.

According to him, he was indeed working for the emergence of another person for the post, saying he was humbled by his choice.

He spoke against the backdrop of reported controversy in Kaduna over the headship of the state by Yakowa, a Christian. Sambo is a Moslem.

Though the police had dispel speculations of tension in the state, but media reports indicated that some Islamic faithful had been circulating text messages calling Muslims to resist Yakowa from becoming the governor.

Under the Nigerian 1999 constitution, section 191 (1) provides that “The Deputy Governor of a State shall hold the office of Governor of the State if the office of the Governor becomes vacant by reason of death, resignation, impeachment, permanent incapacity or removal from office for any other reason in accordance with section 188 or 189 of the constitution.”

Meanwhile, a group, Women for Peace in Nigeria has called on the Federal Government to ensure the smooth transition of power to the vice president-designate, Sambo and his deputy, Yakowa who would now automatically assume the governorship of the state.

WOPIN National President, Dr. Maryam Abdullahi said at a news conference in Kaduna on Sunday that “The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has vested the president with the discretion to nominate anyone as his vice president. Similarly, the constitution provides for the deputy governor to automatically become the substantive governor anytime the vacancy exists.

“WOPIN regards the nomination of Governor Sambo as the vice president as a welcome development for the people of Kaduna State in particular and Nigerians in general. We also welcome the constitutional provision that provides for a smooth transition of the deputy governor to the position f substantive governor of Kaduna State.

Source: Punch

Jonathan should contest 2011 presidential election – PUNCH poll

By Hamed Sobiye
A large majority of PUNCH Online readers believe that President Goodluck Jonathan should contest next year’s presidential election.

Over 80 per cent of respondents in a weeklong online poll answered, “Yes” when asked if they believed Jonathan should stand for office in 2011.

Opinions have been divided on whether Jonathan, who assumed full executive powers after the death on May 5, of former President Umaru Yar’Adua should contest the election scheduled for early next year.

While the Peoples Democratic Party had insisted the party’s presidential ticket has been zoned to the northern part of the country till 2015, other schools of thought had argued that the former vice president has the legitimate right to vie for the highest political office in the country.

Just last week, a presidential aide hinted strongly in Abuja that Jonathan would contest the 2011 presidential election.

Briefing journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, the Special Adviser on National Assembly Matters to the President, Mr. Cairo Ojougboh, said Jonathan would fly the People’s Democratic Party’s at the election and was certain of winning.

He said, “Mr. President is a PDP president and he is a member of PDP, and Mr. President will run under the PDP.”

Ojougboh said peace in the Niger Delta would ”deepen” if Jonathan runs next year. According to him, it would also deepen Nigeria‘s democracy. He argued that the debate on the issue had been on and the general consensus was that Jonathan should run.

He also noted that the president was free to contest going by the 1999 Constitution.

According to him, ”There is no personal reason for which you can ask him not to contest. There is no moral reason for which you can ask him not to contest and so he will contest and he should contest. Personally, I will vote for him.”

Asked if he had the mandate of Jonathan to announce that he (Jonathan) would run in 2011, he had replied: ”That is not the issue; it is a general debate that is ongoing and then it is those of us who work for the President, it is our own right to join the debate and we are joining it.

”It is a debate, so it not an issue of mandate or no mandate. It is a general debate. This is not the first time you are hearing it. It is a general debate that is ongoing and then we have to also canvass it.”

The presidential aide argued that the issue is open for discussion and everyone should advance his or her own argument. He said the superior argument would win at the end of the day.

”Why we are asking him to contest, why we are urging him to contest, a lot of people have been saying the same thing; a lot of persons, in fact, very senior citizens both from the North and the South are asking him to contest and that is the issue,” he said.

Ojougboh however amended the statement, insisting that while he did not have the mandate the Jonathan to say that he would stand in 2011; the president had the right to contest.

Presidential spokesman, Mr. Ima Niboro, however said a day later the president was yet to make up his mind on the matter.

In all, 7, 667 PUNCH Online readers responded to the question: “Do you think

Goodluck Jonathan should contest 2011 presidential election? “

The readers were required to choose from three options namely: (i) Yes, (ii) No and (iii) I’m undecided.

While 6, 264 readers or 81.7 per cent voted “Yes”; 1172 or 15.3 per cent said No.

The remaining 231 readers or three per cent said they were undecided.



Source: Punch

How Ogbulafor's sack secured Sambo's nomination as V.P

By Terfa Tilley-Gyado


President Goodluck Jonathan played a significant part in the resignation this week of the former national chairman of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), NEXT can exclusively reveal.

A Wednesday meeting between the increasingly influential Governor's Forum and the President was arranged in order to strike a deal that would eventually see the back of Vincent Ogbulafor. Mr. Ogbulafor is facing charges of misappropriating over N100 million during his time as a minister.

During the meeting, Mr. Jonathan, who has been besieged by nominations for his vice-president, assured the governors that they would get their choice if they threw their weight behind efforts to force out the beleaguered Ogbulafor as PDP national chairman. Ostensibly, the move was to protect the reputation of the ruling party but beyond that, Ogbulafor's removal was to pave the way for Jonathan's presidential ambitions next year.

A governor who attended the Abuja meeting informed NEXT that, even at that stage, the forum did not have a unanimous nomination for vice president.

"[Ahmed] Makarfi was still the name that people were talking about at the time," the governor said. "The Northern senators were quite clear on their own nominee. Although we were certain that we preferred a sitting governor, it was still between three people for us. Sambo's name, I can tell you, was agreed very late." The governor added that, in exchange for the acceptance of their nominee, they were to strongly advise Ogbulafor, who they had hitherto supported, to step down as national chairman.

Twenty fours later, Ogbulafor had penned a resignation letter.

The nomination of Namadi Sambo, however, had to be delayed after the governors turned their attention to the national assembly to facilitate a smooth clearance for their candidate. On Thursday, several governors were seen visiting the houses of senate president, David Mark and House speaker, Dimeji Bankole in Abuja. They included: Gabriel Suswam of Benue, Sambo himself, Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto and the de facto head of the Governor's Forum, Bukola Saraki of Kwara state.

Bad blood

The animosity between Messrs. Ogbulafor and Jonathan stems from the former's vigorous stance against the latter's presidential hopes. In February, NEXT revealed that the former PDP chairman made several attempts to have private talks with Mr. Jonathan but was constantly rebuffed. Ogbulafor was seeking assurances that Jonathan, then acting president, would respect the PDP's zoning agreement. No such assurances were forthcoming. Ogbulafor then responded by publicly informing the President that the PDP would only support a northern candidate.

"We felt that the zoning of the presidency of the party, as enshrined in the party's constitution, should be maintained and therefore the zoning arrangement in the constitution should hold for the next four years," Mr. Ogbulafor said at the time.

"The South has had it for eight years and therefore the North should also hold it for eight years so that we take care of the restiveness in the nation," "Goodluck Jonathan is steering the ship of the nation very well. He is not an ambitious person," he added.

The public statement deepened the rift between the two men and it became clear that Ogbulafor would oppose any designs Jonathan had on the presidency. The Governor's Forum continued to publicly back Ogbulafor even with the impending corruption charges he faced. However at press time, no less than 25 governors had made public calls for him to step aside.

The events of the past week again highlight the growing power the governors hold in making key decisions in the country. A PDP official said that it was not a surprise that even the president seems to be deferring to them.

"Everyone is looking at protecting their own interests," the source said.

"When you think about it, who makes the nominations for senators, representatives and even ministers? If you don't have a state governor on your side, then your political currency is seriously devalued.

Jonathan initially did as though he does not need them but with time he is starting to realise their influence."

Source: NEXT

PDP Chair: Obasanjo, S’East Governors on collision course

By Sola Adebayo


Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and governors of the South East elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party are set on a collision course over the choice of the successor to the outgoing National Chairman of the party, Chief Vincent Ogbulafor.

SUNDAY PUNCH learnt that the three PDP governors in the South-East – (Ikedim Ohakim (Imo); Sullivan Chime (Enugu ) and Martin Elechi (Ebonyi) have unanimously rejected the preferred candidate of Obasanjo as successor of Ogbulafor,
                   
who resigned his position on Wednesday.

Ogbulafor‘s resignation climaxed the intrigues thrown up by his trial for corruption.

The governors elected on the platform of the ruling party had on Wednesday agreed to withdraw their support for Ogbulafor, who was accused of corruptly enriching himself when he was serving as Minister of Special Duties in the Obasanjo administration.

It was learnt that President Goodluck Jonathan sealed the fate of Ogbulafor at a meeting with the governors in Abuja on Wednesday. Jonathan was said to have asked the governors, especially his South-East kinsmen to persuade the embattled party leader to throw in the towel on moral ground.

Consequently, the exit of Ogbulafor has thrown up succession crisis in the South-East, which is expected to produce his successor in line with the zoning arrangement of the ruling party.

Although the governors were reported to have settled for a former Governor of Enugu State and former National Secretary of the Party, Chief Okwesiliese Nwodo, SUNDAY PUNCH learnt that Obasanjo insisted that a former National Auditor and acting National Secretary of the party, Chief Benard Eze, who is one of his acolytes in the South-East, must succeed Ogbulafor.

Investigation by our correspondent showed that Obasanjo was vehemently opposed to Nwodo, whom he sacked along with former National Chairman of the party, Chief Barnabas Gemade, when he held sway at Aso-Rock.

Already, Obasanjo and the governors, it was further learnt, were jostling for the backing of Jonathan in the battle for the leadership of the party.

A source in the Presidency told SUNDAY PUNCH on Friday that Obasanjo and the governors had met separately with Jonathan on the contentious issue before he travelled to Rivers State, on a two-day official visit to the oil-rich state.

The source said Jonathan advised the combatants to sheathe their swords until he returned to Abuja on Friday.

The source added, ”The exit of Chief Vincent Ogbulafor, as the National Chairman of PDP has led to succession crisis in the South-East of the country.

“In line with the existing arrangement, the position of national chairman was zoned to the South-East. It is clear that President Goodluck Jonathan, who is the national leader of the party, has also given a nod to the arrangement.

“But former President Olusegun Obasanjo is challenging the governors of the PDP in the zone, namely Ikedim Ohakim of Imo State; Sullivan Chime of Enugu State and Martin Elechi of Ebonyi State, on the choice of the new national chairman from the zone.

“Former President Obasanjo is insisting that his boy, who is a former national officer of the party, Benard Eze, should emerge as the new national chairman of the party at all costs. Former President Obasanjo, who is still basking in the euphoria that his political son (Jonathan) has taken charge of the Presidential Villa, is eager to take over the structure of the party.

“The former President is obviously enjoying the limelight that the new political dispensation had offered him and he is desperate to install Benard Eze to show that he is fully back into reckoning. But the PDP governors in the zone have vowed that Benard Eze, would only clinch the position over their dead bodies.

“The governors are backing a former Governor of Enugu State and a former National Secretary of the party, Chief Okwesilieze Nwodo, to take over the leadership of the party. The former President (Obasanjo) and the governors are mounting pressures on President Goodluck Jonathan, to do their biddings.

“They have met the President (Jonathan) and he asked them to wait until he returned from Rivers State, for amicable resolution of the impasse. But the former President believed that his relationship with President Goodluck Jonathan may help to push Benard Eze through,” added the source, who pleaded that his name should not be mentioned in print.

Meanwhile, the source also said the rating of two former Senate Presidents, Chief Anyim Pius Anyim and Chief Ken Nnamani, before Jonathan by Obasanjo nailed the former lawmakers and sealed their consideration for the coveted party position by the President.

SUNDAY PUNCH gathered that Obasanjo convinced Jonathan, who initially considered one of the former senate presidents that he would be committing a political suicide by allowing either of them to emerge as the helmsman of the party.

It was learnt that Obasanjo persuaded Jonathan, that either of them would become uncontrollable as head of the National Working Committee of the party.

The source added that Obasanjo reminded the President about the ”uncompromising and uncooperative posture” of the duo as senate presidents during his administration.

Obasanjo was said to have told Jonathan that Nnamani in particular scuttled his third term aspiration.

The source added, ”The hopes by former Senate Presidents Anyim Pius Anyim and Ken Nnamani, to emerge as new National Chairman of the PDP were sealed by a damning report on them by former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

”The report which was presented to President Goodluck Jonathan allegedly projected them as disloyal personalities, who could not be trusted with such sensitive position. Former President convinced the incumbent President that Anyim and Nnamani, would assume full power as national chairman of the party.

”He (Obasanjo) reminded the President (Jonathan) about how Chief Ken Nnamani, scuttled his aspiration for third-term and the originality of Chief Anyim Pius Anyim as senate president. His report apparently discouraged the President from considering either of them as successor to the outgoing national chairman.”

Source: PUNCH

Agbakoba set to replace Iwu as INEC chairman

By Chiawo Nwankwo and John Alechenu

There were strong indications on Saturday that President Goodluck Jonathan might have appointed Mr. Olisa Agbakoba, (SAN), as the new chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission.

The former INEC chairman, Prof. Maurice Iwu, was on April 28, directed by the president to proceed on terminal leave.

His tenure statutorily ends early in June.

The news of his appointment has spread to members of the Federal Executive Council, with two of them confirming it at 4.15pm on Saturday.

A cabinet member said, ”That is what we have heard

but it is not yet official.”

Agbakoba‘s rumoured appointment came barely four days after Jonathan appointed the Kaduna State governor, Alhaji Namadi Sambo, as vice-president designate.

Shortly after Iwu was removed, media reports had touted Agbakoba, Gen. Ishola Williams (retd), Col. Abubakar Umar (retd) and Prof. Attahiru Jega as possible successors.

But when contacted on the telephone, Agbakoba said he was not yet aware of the appointment.

He said, ”I have not been told of such appointment by anybody. The issue of VP has been occupying their minds; and since it has been sorted out, I believe that other pending issues will soon be attended to.”

Besides INEC chairmanship, four vacant positions for commissioners exist at INEC.

Currently, only the Acting Chairman, Mr. Solomon Soyebi (South-West), and Mr. Philip Umeadi (South-East), serve as commissioners.

The need for credible elections in 2011 had early this year triggered national protests led by the Save Nigeria Group, demanding Iwu‘s removal and the appointment of somebody who enjoys public confidence as his successor.

Agbakoba, a denizen of human rights and pro-democracy community in the country, is an erstwhile President of the Civil Liberties Organisation.

Born on 29 May 1953, he hails from Onitsha, Anambra State.

Besides, he was President of Nigerian Bar Association between 2006 and 2008, just as he is a Senior Partner in a Maritime law firm based in Lagos.

Son of a late Judge, he studied law at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and the London School of Economics and Political Science.

Agbakoba was admitted to the bar in 1978 and served as a research fellow in the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs‘ Law and Intelligence Department.

But he left the NIIA after a year and formed his own law firm, Olisa Agbakoba and Associates, which specializes in commercial and maritime law.

He was also the founder of United Action for Democracy and the Zambian pan African human rights organization AfroNet.

He was one of the defenders of the late civil rights activist, Ken Saro-Wiwa, who was executed by the late Gen. Sani Abacha dictatorship.

In 1993, he was honoured with the Human Rights Award of the German Association of Judges. In 1996 he was given the Aachen Peace Award and was also honoured by the American Bar Association.



Source: Sunday Punch