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November 30, 2005

Atiku's ADC arrested; PDP set to sanction VP tomorrow

ABUJA — THE police authorities have taken in the Aide De Camp (ADC) to Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Chief Superintendent (CSP) Abdul Yari Shuyan Lafia, for interrogation on account of “cumulative security reports.”

By Kingsley Omonobi, Charles Ozoemena& Umoru Henry
Posted to the Web: Wednesday, November 30, 2005

He has also been relieved of his appointment, bringing to eight, the number of personal aides to the VP sacked by the Presidency.

On its part, the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP) is set to sanction the VP at its National Executive Council meeting in Abuja tomorrow.

Presidency sources said yesterday that Mr Yari who had served the VP since 1999, and hails from Nasarawa State was arrested following volumes of security reports linking him with funding and active participation in the operations of the Turaki Vanguard, set up to actualise Vice President Atiku’s presidential ambition in 2007.

He was directed to report at the Police Force Headquarters from where he was immediately taken to the headquarters of the State Security Service (SSS) for questioning. His activities were said to be in contravention of his role as a security agent.
However, he was returned to the Police after interrogation by the SSS. He was also questioned about the source of money he was using to fund the Atiku presidential campaign group.

Associates of the vice president who were contacted to comment on the development pleaded anonymity and said it had become the trend where aides of the Vice President were dropped at random to deflate the Vice President’s political base and derail his presidential ambition.

Police speak

And in a statement, the Force Public Relations Officer, Deputy Commissioner of Police Haz Iwendi, said following the removal of CSP Yari, six names of police officers of the same rank had been forwarded to Vice President Atiku to choose a replacement from.

The statement reads: “As a result of cumulative security reports about the activities of the Police ADC to the Vice President, CSP Abdul Yari Shuyan Lafia, and after contact with the Vice President, the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Sunday Ehindero, invited the ADC for interrogation.
“The Inspector-General has been instructed to give to the Vice President six names of Police officers of equivalent rank of which the Vice President can choose a new ADC.

“In the alternative, the Vice President can select any Police officer of equivalent rank of his choice while CSP Yari is being interrogated. The above actions are mainly Police routine procedures.”
Contacted for more clarification on the matter, senior police sources at the Force Headquarters, who preferred to speak under condition of anonymity, said the action of the Inspector-General followed intelligence reports which indicated that the ADC was at the head of a spy team set up to monitor the activities of not only the President but also top echelon of the ruling party. Besides, sources told Vanguard that the team was also involved in some secret financial transactions which government stumbled on.

Other aides of Vice President Atiku earlier sacked are: Dr. Adeolu Akande (August 2003); Professor Sam Oyoivbare and Mallam Garba Shehu (December 2003); General Jafaru Isa, Chris Mamah and Shima Ayati (July 2005).

PDP to sanction VP

Meanwhile, barring a last minute change, the PDP at its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting tomorrow in Abuja, may sanction Vice President Atiku for his comment at the Northern Legislative Forum on his deregistration from the party.
It was also learnt by Vanguard that another crucial matter slated for discussion at the meeting is the report of Ibrahim Shehu Shema-led Disciplinary Committee to address cases of indiscipline in the party. The expulsion of the immediate past National Chairman of the party, Chief Audu Ogbeh, Lawal Kaita and other prominent PDP members involved in the formation of the Movement for the Defence of Democracy (MDD) from the party would be ratified.

Also to be discussed at the NEC meeting, are reports from the party’s Board of Trustees on Governors Diepreye Alamieyeseigha and Joshua Dariye of Bayelsa and Plateau States respectively. The meeting would ratify the recommendation of the dismissal from the party of the Bayelsa State governor by the National Working Committee.
In a related development, President Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday paid a condolence visit to the National Chairman of the PDP, Dr. Ahmadu Ali, who lost his stepson, Captain Shuaibu Ali, who died with Anthony Kuma in the Jet Beech craft-200 air craft crash in Kaduna.

Also at the Asokoro residence of the National Chairman were the former Finance Minister, Alhaji Adamu Ciroma. Governor Adamu Muazu of Bauchi State; his Kogi State counterpart, Ibrahim Idris; Sports Minister, Saidu Samaila and Senator Jubril Aminu were also at the Chairman’s residence to commiserate with him on the death of Shuiabu Ali. Others were Justice Lawal Uwais, Ibrahim Abdullahi (SAN) and Alfa Belgore.

Posted by Publisher at 03:14 PM | Comments (0)

Library: Court admits more evidence against Obasanjo

ANTI-CORRUPTION agencies yesterday indicated readiness to investigate and possibly prosecute President Olusegun Obasanjo of alleged corrupt practices.

MALACHY UZENDU, Abuja

Also, a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja admitted in evidence, more exhibits allegedly linking the president with the Presidential Library Project Fund raising.

The agencies comprising the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Code of Conduct Bureau and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) indicated their readiness at the Federal High Court yesterday.

Represented by Mr H.O. Emore, leading counsel for ICPC in a case of corrupt enrichment brought against the president by legal luminary Chief Gani Fawehinmi (SAN), the anti-graft agencies said that they have no objection to evidence tendered before the court in respect of the case.

Even when counsel to the president, Mr Adebayo Adenipekun (SAN) objected to tendering of the documents by Chief Fawehinmi, counsels of the respective anti-graft agencies said they will not oppose admission of the fresh documentary evidence.

Fawehinmi had dragged Obasanjo, EFCC, ICPC and CCB to court for allegedly using his official position to influence donation made to the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) and Bells University.

When Chief Fawehinmi was asked to respond to the preliminary objections raised by Obasanjo against the suit, he tendered a 10-paragraph further affidavit deposed to by Mr Kolawole Abiri, a lawyer in his chambers.

The affidavit which was in response to the counter affidavit by Dr. Onalapo Soleye, Chief Fawehinmi produced evidence in support of his claim that Obasanjo owned the companies to which the donations were made to.

Describing Dr. Soleye’s attempts to exonerate Obasanjo from the alleged fraud, Fawehinmi said that Soleye’s affidavit "are full of falsehood, misrepresentation and lies."

He stated that Bells Educational Services limited is fully owned by Obasanjo Holdings Limited and was established with an initial N2 million share capital.

"On 12th October, 1998, a meeting of Bells Educational Services was held and an ordinary resolution of the company was passed to raise the share capital to N40 million for which the N38 million newly created charges were allotted solely to "Obasanjo Holding Limited as fully paid shares."

Attached to the affidavit were the resolution of the meeting, and the certificate of increase in share capital.

Also annexed to the affidavit were several correspondences pointing at President Obasanjo’s ownership of the educational services and ancillary agencies including Bells University.

Chief Fawehinmi informed the court that he has "earth -shaking documents with which I intend to prove that the president is corrupt.

"We are finally asking your permission to formally bring these documents in as well as our affidavit as there are part of our efforts to expose the documents made by Mr President.

The matter is adjourned to January 26, 2006.

But Mr Adenipekun had objected to the admission of the documents, pointing out that there were no fundamental material basis for making final on application.

Justice Jonah Adah in overkilling Obasanjo noted that EFCC, ICPC and CCB did not oppose the idea, adding that Chief Fawehinmi had proved his case.

He adjourned the matter to January 26, next year on Obasanjo’s request as his lawyers find they would want the matter adjourned to next year to enable them file appropriate requires to the motion.

Posted by Publisher at 03:08 PM | Comments (0)

... Plateau Assembly moves against Dariye

The Plateau State House of Assembly has finally bowed to pressure to investigate allegations of money laundering against the Governor, Chief Joshua Dariye.

Jude Owuamanam, Jos

The House, at its sitting on Tuesday, set up an eight-member committee headed by the Deputy Speaker, Alhaji Zumunta Musa, to investigate the charges against the governor.

The committee has two weeks to submit its report.

Although the House had rebuffed previous attempts to probe Dariye over the incident, our correspondent gathered some courts in Abuja and Kaduna made a U-turn following a letter to it by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

The letter was a follow-up to an earlier one on the subject by the former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Akin Olujinmi (SAN).

However, in a reply to the minister, the lawmakers dared him to bell the cat by releasing the assets and liabilities of the members of President Olusegun Obasanjo’s cabinet.

The Speaker, Mr. Simon Lalong, who presided over Tuesday’s session, however, told members that the EFCC’s letter contained the same allegations of money laundering against the governor by the Metropolitan Police, adding that the decision to set up the committee was based on the powers vested on him by the constitution.

Though he said he would read the contents of the letter on the floor of the House, he refused to do so on the grounds that the authenticity of the letter was in doubt as the contents were incomplete.

Lalong said that seven pages were missing from the document, which was torn before it got to him, while the seal of the letter had also been broken.

Following the flaws in the letter, the House unanimously recommended that while the members should take the report seriously, it should probe the report.

All efforts to get a copy of the EFCC’s letter from the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Mr. Gambo Mbilamut, who was mandated to make copies available to the press, failed as he left immediately the House adjourned.

Following the spate of ethnic crisis, which had rocked the state since 2001, Dariye was on May 18, 2004 suspended from office and a six-month state of emergency clamped on the state.

However before the emergency rule could be lifted, Dariye travelled to London where the Metropolitan Police arrested and interrogated him over money laundering charges.

Dariye was alleged to have £10,000 on him as at the time of his arrest

Another £80,000 was allegedly found in his hotel room, while £920,000 was said to have been traced to his London accounts.

Attempts by both the EFCC and the Code of Conduct Bureau to try the governor for money laundering had failed, as some courts in Abuja and Kaduna ruled that because of the immunity he enjoys under the constitution, he could not be tried until after the expiration of his tenure.

THE PUNCH, Wednesday, November 30, 2005

Posted by Publisher at 03:05 PM | Comments (0)

Bayelsa Assembly begins impeachment process

Fourteen members of the Bayelsa state House of assembly yesterday held a sitting for the first time since the return of the governor last week from London where he allegedly jumped bail.

From Ikenna Emeka Okpani

Our reporter gathered that the speaker, Mr. Peremobowie Ebebi and thirteen others were flown in from Abuja with heavy security and taken to the house of assembly for a formal sitting to enable them present the impeachment notice properly to the governor.

Our reporter gathered that at the end of the sitting, the house submitted their request to the state chief judge asking him to commence the investigations of the impeachable offences against the governor.

The assembly also suspended four members of the assembly indefinitely during the sitting. The assembly has a total of twenty-four members. The members suspended are Amakiri Etubo, Warieponwei Dudapha, Oforie William and Ayeluwei Nemibofa who were said to have acted in a way that portrayed the house in bad light. All four were part of those who signed the impeachment notice only to come back to say that they were forced to do so.

The assembly in its resolutions advised the governor to stop pursuing shadows and return to London to face his trial. It said that Dr. Goodluck Jonathan was still the acting governor even as it went ahead to reinstate the suspended clerk of the house.

Security men took over the house during the short proceedings and quickly escorted the assembly members away as soon as the sitting ended. The state lawmakers have been away from the state since last Tuesday when they addressed a press conference in Lagos serving the returnee governor with an impeachment notice signed by about seventeen members of the assembly.

However by the weekend, nine of the lawmakers who signed the impeachment notice said they were forced by the EFCC who had lured them to Lagos under the pretence of interrogating them on monies made available to them for constituency projects. The state government had also claimed that the governor has not been served with any impeachment notice whatsoever by the assembly despite the much publicised news briefing in Lagos.

Meanwhile the Ijaw National Congress has alleged that the federal government was doing everything possible to cause violence in Bayelsa state to enable it declare a state of emergency in the state.

In a statement signed by the Publicity secretary, the congress alleged that youths from outside the state have been hired to hold violent demonstrations that will enable the already deployed military men to move in to cause havoc.
“We had earlier alerted the nation to the federal Government’s determination to declare a state of emergency in Bayelsa state, which has so far proved difficult because of the peace that exists in the state despite provocative attempts by the forces of evil to parade the streets of Yenagoa with rented youths from outside the state all initiated by agents provocateur of the federal government”, the statement said. dent can select any police officer of equivalent rank of his choice while CSP Yari is being interrogated.
“The above actions are mainly police routine procedures.”

However Daily Trust investigations revealed that the CSP’s ordeal is linked with the Bayelsa state governor’s return to Nigeria follwing his escape from London. According to sources, the police officer is being linked with alleged assistance for the Bayelsa state governor’s escape.

“Mr. D. S. P. Alamieyeseigha’s escape has jarred the nerves of the federal government in no small way,” said a source who pleaded anonymity.

“Right now the government is doing all it can through EFCC to arrest perceived accomplices to the escape. The vice president is probably being targeted. But because he is covered by immunity, they will attempt to get the boys around him,” he said.

Mallam Garba Shehu, media consultant to Atiku Vanguard, told Daily Trust however that the vice president was unruffled by the incident. He noted that there was no way the number two man would be dragged into an open confrontation with the president.

“He is the vice president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and still carries out his constitutional duties. He presides over FEC meetings in the absence of the president, and does all that the Constitution expects of him,” he said.
The arrest of CSP Abdul Yari brings to eight the number of the vice president’s aides to be unceremoniously dismissed. The other seven are: Dr. Adeolu Akande (August 2003), Prof. Sam Oyovbaire and Malam Garba Shehu (Dec. 2003), Onukaba Adinoyi Ojo (April 2005), General Jafaru Isa, Chris Mammah, and Shima Ayati (July 2003). trayed the house in bad light. All four were part of those who signed the impeachment notice only to come back to say that they were forced to do so.
The assembly in its resolutions advised the governor to stop pursuing shadows and return to London to face his trial. It said that Dr. Goodluck Jonathan was still the acting governor even as it went ahead to reinstate the suspended clerk of the house.

Security men took over the house during the short proceedings and quickly escorted the assembly members away as soon as the sitting ended. The state lawmakers have been away from the state since last Tuesday when they addressed a press conference in Lagos serving the returnee governor with an impeachment notice signed by about seventeen members of the assembly.

However by the weekend, nine of the lawmakers who signed the impeachment notice said they were forced by the EFCC who had lured them to Lagos under the pretence of interrogating them on monies made available to them for constituency projects. The state government had also claimed that the governor has not been served with any impeachment notice whatsoever by the assembly despite the much publicised news briefing in Lagos.

Meanwhile the Ijaw National Congress has alleged that the federal government was doing everything possible to cause violence in Bayelsa state to enable it declare a state of emergency in the state.

In a statement signed by the Publicity secretary, the congress alleged that youths from outside the state have been hired to hold violent demonstrations that will enable the already deployed military men to move in to cause havoc.
“We had earlier alerted the nation to the federal Government’s determination to declare a state of emergency in Bayelsa state, which has so far proved difficult because of the peace that exists in the state despite provocative attempts by the forces of evil to parade the streets of Yenagoa with rented youths from outside the state all initiated by agents provocateur of the federal government”, the statement said.

Posted by Publisher at 03:04 PM | Comments (0)

Dockworkers threaten to shut down ports

ACTIVITIES at the nation's seaports may be paralysed from tomorrow unless a meeting between the Federal Government and dockworkers comes up with fruitful resolutions.

By Dele Fanimo

The dockworkers, under the aegis of Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Dockworkers Branch, will be going into the Abuja meeting today to seek appropriate definition of members' status in the on-going port reforms programme.

Besides, the union would be asking for a N586,000 pay-off for each of the 6,000 dockworkers to be affected by the concessioning exercise.

President of the dockworkers branch of MWUN, Mr. Anthony Emmanuel, at a press briefing in Lagos yesterday put the number of registered dockworkers at 12,000, while 6,000 more are unregistered. But government, through its privatisation agency, Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), had insisted that dockworkers were not bonafide workers of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).

While the BPE had negotiated an exit package for the NPA workers to be affected by the concessioning exercise, there had not been any mention of their dockworkers counterparts.

The implication of this, according to Emmanuel, is that at the end of the port reforms dockworkers who lose their jobs will go home empty handed.

Emmanuel said the union took exception to this and was ready to disrupt activities at the ports beginning from tomorrow if the government failed to accede to their demands.

According to him, until the issue of members' status as legal employees is settled and government signs an agreement to pay a minimum of N586,000 to each dockworker who loses his job, there cannot be any port for any concessionaire to take over.

The union chief decried government's plan to deduct seven per cent of NPA staff entitlements to pay off dockworkers, saying that would not solve the problem.

Emmanuel also blamed the dockworkers' woes on the incumbent Director General of the NPA, Mr. Adebayo Salami, whom he accused of indifference to their plight.

According to him, having served for over 30 years in the ports and given his closeness to dockworkers, it was morally incumbent on Sarumi to plead the cause of the dockworkers.

He said much as the dockworkers were not averse to the ports reforms, the union would not fold its arms and allow government to throw out its members who had served for decades without severance entitlements.

Emmanuel disclosed that the union was only asking for a paltry N3 billion out of the over N50 billion initial instalment paid by concessionaires to the government.

He, however, assured that the shut-down would be carried out in a non-violent manner under the watchful eyes of a taskforce raised by the union.

Posted by Publisher at 02:52 PM | Comments (0)

Ojukwu, Enahoro, Falae, others warn Obasanjo against third term

Some elder statesmen and leaders of thought who met in Lagos on Tuesday to deliberate on the state of the nation, under the auspices of Ethnic Nationalities Forum, ENF, have warned President Olusegun Obasanjo to halt the ongoing campaign for a third term.

By Sam Egburonu
Assistant Editor, Politics

The closed door meeting chaired by Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, the Ikemba Nnewi, attracted prominent figures from the South-South, Afenifere and Ohanaeze Ndigbo, including Pa Anthony Enahoro, the leader of Pro-National Conference (PRONACO), Chief Olu Falae, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Mrs. Sarah Jubril, Chief Olaniyan Ajayi, Rueben Fasoranti, Solomon Asemota, and Chief Ayo Adebanjo of Afenifere among others.

The group, which warned that the third-term plot must be discontinued immediately, also resolved to organise an ethnic nationality-driven Sovereign National Conference next year. Although the communiqué read after the five-hour closed-door meeting, was not specific on the take off of the planned conference, Daily Independent learnt that it would commence early next year.

Addressing the press after the meeting, the General Secretary of ENF, Michael Orabatan, described the planned national conference as “a proper Sovereign National Conference,” and explained that the date of the take-off has not been agreed, although it would certainly commence soon. He said the conference, because of the manner of convocation and organisation would be able to address the multiple socio-political and economic problems of Nigeria, especially the unique problems of ethnic nationalities.

On the planned national census, the group said unless the organisers would recognise and include ethnic nationality and religion in the census data, it would mobilise all ethnic nationalities to boycott it.

They, however, refrained from commenting on the case of Bayelsa State and the fate of Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha. They said they were still watching the matter and would comment at the appropriate time.

Posted by Publisher at 02:51 PM | Comments (0)

Nigerian police shut radio in feud with oil state

YENAGOA, Nigeria (Reuters) - Nigerian police shut a radio station owned by the southern Bayelsa state on Wednesday as the federal government intensified its campaign to dislodge the governor, who is wanted for money laundering in Britain.

Wed Nov 30, 2005 3:42 PM GMT

By Austin Ekeinde

Bayelsa Radio failed to start broadcasting on Wednesday morning and several armed riot police stood guard outside the sealed building in the state capital Yenagoa.

"The radio station was shut down," said police spokesman Haz Iwendi, adding that he was not sure why. "It could have been a security measure if it was inciting people to violence, then we have the right to shut it down."

The federal government is piling pressure on Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha to step down after he skipped bail in London where he was due to stand trial for laundering 1.8 million pounds.

About 1,000 federal troops armed with machine guns and rocket launchers, helicopter gunships, tanks and armoured cars have swarmed into major towns of the state, which is at the heart of the oil-producing Niger Delta.

On Tuesday night, hundreds of police entered the government headquarters in what they said was a search for illegal weapons.

The federal government has also encouraged a group of lawmakers to impeach the governor, but it lacks the two-thirds majority in the 24-member house required to pass the bill.

The group of 15 lawmakers, one short of two-thirds, suspended four opposing representatives on Tuesday in an apparent bid to overcome its lack of majority.

It also instructed the judiciary to investigate the impeachment charges, which include embezzlement, money laundering and lying about his wealth.

The federally-controlled Nigerian Television Authority incorrectly reported on its nationwide news bulletin on Tuesday that 16, not 15, lawmakers were present.

Bayelsa Radio correctly reported that there were only 15.

Nine opposing legislators said they were prevented from attending the assembly by troops.

Governor Alamieyeseigha has argued that the federal government is persecuting him for championing the cause of his Ijaw ethnic minority for a greater share of Nigeria's oil wealth.

Many of the governor's supporters have also argued that he is being hounded for supporting Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, who is fighting President Olusegun Obasanjo for supremacy in the ruling party ahead of elections in 2007.

Posted by Publisher at 02:48 PM | Comments (0)

Court shuts Oyo PDP secretariat; Ladoja may leave party; South West governors meet him

Conflict in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State took a new turn on Tuesday when a High Court in Ibadan ordered its secretariat shut pending the determination of a suit filed by the faction led by Governor Rashidi Ladoja.

By Sola Shittu
Reporter, Ibadan

Last Wednesday, the camp led by Lamidi Adedibu broke into the building for the inauguration of its executives, chaired by Hafiz Tijani.

A member of the party, Adewale Atanda, alias Alase, sought the order to restrain the Adedibu faction from occupying the secretariat because he has the right to the office.

Atanda, Chairman of the Oyo State Housing Corporation, paid N1 million as rent for the place on behalf of Ladoja in 2002.

Adedibu’s supporters occupied it last week, having driven away the loyalists of Ladoja after the inauguration of their own faction, led by Jacob Adetoro.

The court restrained Tijani and 26 others, including Adedibu, from further use of the secretariat.

Police Commissioner and all executive members of the Adedibu faction are joined in the suit.

Justice A. Adesina ruled: “Upon the reading of the motion and the affidavit of Adewale … and after hearing O.Ajayi who moved the motion … although it is not the practice of the court to make an order, it will do so when it is imperative and inescapable.

“I have carefully considered all the facts deposed to in the affidavit of urgency and in the light of the facts deposed to … I consider this to be one the cases in which the court will exercise its discretion to grant the order sought howbeit for a temporary period.”

The order “shall be in force until the hearing of the motion on notice fixed for 7/12/2005.’’

As the court session went on, the four South West PDP governors held a closed-door meeting with Ladoja as rumour spreads that he may leave the party over the attitude of Aso rock to the dispute between him and Adedibu.

They arrived Ibadan around 2 p.m and went straight into the parley at Agodi Government House.

Their intervention is borne out of the importance of Ibadan as the political capital of the South West, where Ladoja is referred to as the Governor General.

Also, the governors are worried that since the death of seven of Ladoja’s aides in an auto accident on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway last month, he has stayed aloof from the activities that bring South West governors together.

He did not attend the installation of the new Alake of Egbaland in Abeokuta, neither the PDP National Executive Council meeting in Abuja nor its South West congress held recently in Osogbo.

Besides, his colleagues are expressing concern about media reports of the tense political situation in Oyo State and the clashes of his and Adedibu’s factions which could signal danger for the democratic experiment.

There are plans by the governors to meet with Adedibu separately.

On Tuesday, Ladoja represented Vice President Atiku Abubakar, at the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) workshop held in Ibadan, the first such public appearance in recent months.

Observers said the action shows his readiness to go with the Atiku camp which he has been accused of fraternising with.

A source recalled that Ladoja fell out of favour with President Olusegun Obasanjo because of his closeness to Atiku.

His opponents have capitalised on it to ally with the President in their bid to get him out of office.

The state House of Assembly has been out of session since September following the plan to impeach him.

The lawmakers have broken into two factions. The mace is in the custody of the police.

An attempt by the Adedibu camp to retrieve it proved abortive as the police insisted that it can only be released when all legislators agree to that.

Posted by Publisher at 02:47 PM | Comments (0)

South-West rallies against 3rd term bid

“The Yoruba people are known for fairness, equity and justice as epitomised by Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s struggle for libertarian values in all his years of political involvement in Nigeria.

Following that tradition and our long struggle against dictatorship and subversion of the rule of law, the Yoruba nation rejects any attempt to elongate, extend or perpetuate the tenure of President Obasanjo, the state governors and all other elected officials” –Afenifere

By AYO FALODUN, TEMITOPE OGUNBANKE and TONY AKOWE, Kaduna
Those advocating a third term in office for President Olusegun Obasanjo in defiance of constitutional provisions on term limits have been told to halt the campaign and devote their energy to good governance and how to make life more meaningful for the people.

Former military governor of Western Region and president of Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE), Major General Adeyinka Adebayo who gave this piece of advice in an interview with NewAge in Lagos said despite being close to President Olusegun Obasanjo, he has not told him he would seek for a third term in office.

Said Adebayo, “I don’t want to discuss the issue because President Obasanjo has not said he is interested in third term or not. So it would be difficult for people like me to make noise on it now. I would advise the people not to promote this third term aspiration until he announces his intention to plan for third term. The people would be at liberty to criticise the plan the way they want.”

He counselled the ministers and personal aides of the president promoting the third term bid to make Nigeria a better society.

“If Obasanjo’s ministers and other political appointees use the same zeal with which they are promoting third term to find solutions to the nation’s problem, most Nigerians would be contented and it is the Nigerian people who would urge him to have third term of office not that it would be forced down their throats,” he stated.

Adebayo has joined the chorus of opinion that takes a dim view of a third term in office being promoted surreptitiously by certain office holders but which the president himself has denied in the past.

Also, yesterday, Afenifere, a pan-Yoruba socio-political and economic organisation, restated its opposition to the alleged third term agenda, stressing that the Yoruba will reject any attempt to extend the tenure of any political office holder.

A communiqué signed by the publicity secretary of the organisation, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, stated that the group stands for fairness, equity and justice in its involvement in the political issues in the country. “The Yoruba people are known for fairness, equity and justice as epitomised by Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s struggle for libertarian values in all his years of political involvement in Nigeria.

“Following that tradition and our long struggle against dictatorship and subversion of the rule of law, the Yoruba nation rejects any attempt to elongate, extend or perpetuate the tenure of President Obasanjo, the state governors and all other elected officials,” the communiqué stated. Some of the Afenifere leaders present at the meeting were, Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, represented by his deputy, Otunba Femi Pedro, Chief Segun Osoba, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, Senator Sikiru Shitta-Bey, Chief Olatunji Hamzat, Chief George Akosile, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, Prince Abiodun Ogunleye, Omotilewa Aro-Lambo, Alhaji Rauf Aregbesola, Mr. Kola Awodein (SAN), Chief Remi Adikwu-Bakare and Prince Dayo Adeyeye.

Speaking in the same vein, the chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Amuwo-Odofin local government of Lagos State, Alhaja Babs Olorunkemi had said that the third term agenda is a plan by some politicians to cause chaos in the nation since President Obasanjo has not shown any interest in the issue.

Speaking to NewAge, Alhaja Olorunkemi stressed that the alleged third term bid is a deliberate effort by some elements to scuttle the forthcoming 2007 election, adding that President Obasanjo was not ready to go for any third term.

“The alleged third term agenda is a speculation of some politicians. The President has said many times in the past that he is not ready to go for any third term. What the president said is that after the end of his tenure in 2007, he would hand over power and go back to his farm in Ota, Ogun State to rest. So I don’t see the reason why some set of politicians will be clamouring for third term bid for the president, since he is not ready to go for it,” she said. Meanwhile, Yobe State Governor, Alhaji Bukar Abba Ibrahim has said that his ambition is to take over the presidency from President Obasanjo. This is in contrast to his earlier stated position that Obasanjo could go for a third term. He has since denied making such a statement.

The governor told newsmen in Kaduna that he had already made a statement of intent about his ambition but that he had not made any arrangement towards actualising his ambition.

“I have made a statement of intent that I am interested in that seat (President's seat). Whether it is in 2007,2009 or whenever, I am interested in that seat and I want to take over from the president.

"I have already given my reasons why I want to be president. However, don't forget that I have been elected as a governor for four years and I have only gone two years.

"Although people say that the seat is not vacant, I know that it will be vacant one day. I am younger than the president and I want to know that the seat will definitely be vacant one day, no matter the time,” he said.

Asked whether he was confident about the position being vacant in 2007 the governor said "I am not even sure of tomorrow, talk less of 2007. However, whenever the seat becomes vacant, I am interested in occupying it. What is most important to me is when the seat becomes vacant and not whether someone is interested in a third term or not. However, the northern governors have taken a collective decision on the matter."

On the controversial return of Bayelsa State governor to the country from London where he was standing trial for money laundering, the governor refused to make any categorical statement.

"Don't forget he is still my colleague. Moreover, I have not been briefed on the circumstance that led to his arrest. You must have accurate information to be a moral judge", he said.

Posted by Publisher at 02:46 PM | Comments (0)

CBN, NNPC, NPA Shrouded in Secrecy – EFCC

The Economic and Financial Crimes Com-mission (EFCC) has said that operations of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), are "shrouded in secrecy."

From Kunle Aderinokun in Abuja, 11.29.2005

Speaking yesterday in Abuja at a training workshop for procurement officers of federal ministries and parastatals, EFCC Chairman, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, declared that the government agencies raked in a lot of surpluses but did not reflect such in their budget.

He however, assured Nigerians that the Fiscal Responsibility Bill, when passed into law, would take care of such unwholesome acts.

According to him, "Fiscal Responsibility Bill when passed will become one of the best legislation that we ever had. Many of us don't know the budget of CBN, NNPC and NPA. These agencies generate a lot of surpluses, yet we do not know their budget. All their operations are shrouded in secrecy."

Ribadu who was represented by the Executive Secretary, EFCC, Mr. Emmanuel Akomaiye, noted that "if there is lack of transparency in our fiscal regimes, then there will be corruption. If a budget is less than transparent, it impacts negatively on our fiscal regime. This is what we have experienced in the country over the years. We have to make our budget process more transparent and open."

He expressed the need for fiscal discipline at the three tiers of government namely, the federal, state and local governments lamenting that, "it is because we put bad people in government that we have corruption."
Good governance, he stated, should be instilled at all the three tiers of government.

According to him, "if there is good governance, there will be service delivery. One of the biggest problems we have today is bad governance.We have to build institutions that will imbibe good governance and transparency."

Akomaiye also said there was the need for an electoral reforms. We need to reform the process of choosing our leaders. EFCC is determined to ensure that such people with shady characters and lack of transparency will not be allowed to get into public offices. The way they are put in public offices is the way they will behave in office," he said.

The executive secretary who submitted that there could be "no improvement in public service if we remain in our old ways of doing things," called for service reforms that is based on efficiency, transparency and service delivery.
He, however, pointed out that, "anti-corruption, which is one of the critical components of the National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (NEEDS), has not been fully addressed at the state and local government levels."

Posted by Publisher at 01:31 PM | Comments (0)

November 29, 2005

Govt deploys more troops in Yenagoa

FOR the second time in two weeks, armed soldiers were yesterday deployed to Bayelsa State by military authorities in circumstances which heightened tension in the camp of embattled Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha.

From Willie Etim, Yenagoa

Although the Army authorities said that the presence was to prevent the state from a descent into chaos, following rallies for, and against the governor by the residents, the state government accused the federal authorities of harbouring sinister motives by the deployment.

The state House of Assembly has served an impeachment notice on the governor who is standing trial in the United Kingdom on money laundering charges. He had jumped bail penultimate weekend and returned to Nigeria where he enjoys immunity from arrest and prosecution.

But the heavy presence of soldiers did not stop protest marches.

A women group that styled itself: "Bayelsa Women for DSP," led by Mrs Clem Odu, appealed to the Federal Government to allow Alamieyeseigha to complete his tenure, arguing that the governor had done well for the state.

But another group, the "Bayelsa Youths for Good Governance" held a procession and carried a mock coffin of the governor with an illustration of him dressed as a woman.

The leader of the group, Mr Victor Akenge, said that the people of the state had had enough of the governor and that he should resign honourably.

The Public Relations Officer of the Joint Task Force code-named "Operation Restore Hope", Major Said Hammed, said the presence of the soldiers in the state was to maintain the peace as well as protect lives and property.

The residents woke up to see heavy presence of soldiers in the state capital and its environs yesterday.

The soldiers took positions in all the strategic locations within the state, and took over the main entrance into the state from Mbiama Junction into the town.

Another check point, Igbogene city gate, just three kilometres from Mbiama junction, was also manned by the soldiers.

The Sani Abacha road junction and the Tombia junction leading to the governor's hometown Ammassoma, also had heavy presence of the soldiers with a stationed mini-armoured tank.

Imgbi road, through the state House of Assembly complex down to the main gate of the Government House were also taken over by the soldiers.

In a statement yesterday, Hammed declared:" Sequel to recent development in Bayelsa State, the security situation around Yenagoa and its environs has become most unstable and degenerated to a level of total breach of the peace and security with threats to lives and property around the vicinity"

According to him, the resurgence of armed militant youths, both in support of and against the governor of the state has heightened the tension in the area and forced some establishments to close down.

The army spokesman added: "Intelligent reports revealed that some youths roam the streets of Yenagoa, dressed in military combat gears and they are said to be armed.

"In the present circumstance, the peace and security of the state is gradually drifting towards chaos and anarchy."

He maintained that the troops deployment was to avert chaos, violence and ensure peace among the residents.

The command also warned members of both camps who were wearing military combat gears and were roaming the streets to desist from such an act. It, however, called for co-operation with the task force and advised the public to go about their normal businesses without fear of molestation or harassment.

Alamieyeseigha denies the charges of money laundering and says he is being persecuted for political reasons.

The governor insists that the £1.8 million found in cash and bank accounts was not his.

In the UK, High Court judges have rejected his argument that he should enjoy immunity as a governor but said he could appeal to the House of Lords.

It is not clear whether the security forces will, on the orders of the Federal Government, try to arrest Alamieyeseigha.

Alamieyeseigha was originally arrested in September at Heathrow airport and some £1 million-worth of cash was allegedly found in his London home.

He was granted bail on the condition that he remained in the UK, surrendered his passport and reported regularly to the police.

If the judges find that he has skipped bail, securities worth some £1.25 million would be forfeited.

Troops were on Wednesday last week deployed to a neighbouring Amabulou community in old Ekeremor Local Council Area of the Bayelsa State. But the spokesman for the troops, tagged: "Operation Restore Hope," Major Sani Ahmed, said that their mission was to flush out members of a local militia group in the area.

President Olusegun Obasanjo, in a November 23 letter to British Prime Minister Tony Blair expressed surprise at the governor's escape from the U.K.

Obasanjo described as unclear and confusing the security network around the governor, which put to question the famed prowess of the U.K. Police.

He also expressed surprise that the British government did not alert Nigeria to the possibility of the governor breaching the law despite not reporting to the police in London three days before the dramatic escape.

A statement by the Acting Chief Press Secretary to the governor Preye Wariowei expressed concern that the troops deployment might be a ploy to cause violence in the state to provide an excuse for the declaration of an emergency rule by the federal authorities.

The spokesman said: "It has been brought to the notice of the Bayelsa State Government that His Excellency, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, has formally directed that military troops be moved to Yenagoa, and take over Bayelsa State.

"Indeed residents of the city woke up this morning to witness truck loads of soldiers in battle gear and anti-riot policemen mounting road blocks and check-points in various parts of the city. In addition, military helicopters have been on surveillance mission around the state capital, especially over Creek Haven, the seat of government."

Wariowei continued: "Needless to say, this development comes as a complete surprise because the city has been in a state of absolute calm and order.

"Clearly, the presence of the troops confirms the long-standing speculation in the public mind of a conscious attempt by the Federal Government to provoke unrest in

the state to justify the proclamation of a state of emergency, and consequently occasion the removal from office of His Excellency Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, Executive Governor of Bayelsa State."

He added: "In a democratic government which professes to place great store on due process, this latest act of intimidation and coercion amounts to a negation of all

known tenets of democratic governance.

"Furthermore, it has been brought to the notice of the State Government that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has directed banks to freeze all accounts of the State, Ministries, Parastatals and Local Governments in a bid to bring pressure to bear on civil servants and the good people of the state, to rise against the government of Chief Alamieyeseigha.

"Accordingly, the Executive Governor has appealed to Brigadier General Zamani, the commander of the forces to exercise restraint over his troops who are on an

arbitrary stop-and-search routine, not to molest the innocent citizens of the state as they go about their lawful duties."

Wariowei declared further: "Chief Alamieyeseigha equally enjoins all patriotic sons and daughters of Bayelsa State to remain law-abiding in the face of this obvious and unnecessary provocation."

He quoted Alamieyeseigha as saying: "This is a tempting period for the good people of Bayelsa State and the Ijaw nation as a whole," adding: "The journey ahead may be hard, long and tedious. It may even appear to be insurmountable. But, as always, we should look up to God who has always stood by the people of Bayelsa State."

Posted by Publisher at 02:53 PM | Comments (0)

Lagos PDP accuses Tinubu

PEOPLES Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State, yesterday accused the state governor, Bola Ahmed Tinubu of instigating alleged attacks and vandalisation on the family houses of its prominent leaders on Lagos Island, including that of the deputy national chairman for South West, Chief Olabode George.

RASHEED BISIRIYU

But Governor Tinubu said the allegation was baseless and unfounded describing it as a ploy by the leadership of PDP in the state to cover up its alleged criminal acts in recent times.

Raising an alarm on the reported attacks, the party claimed that those who perpetrated the act were thugs allegedly under the instruction of Governor Tinubu and local leaders of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) on Lagos Island.

In a statement signed by its deputy national director of publicity, Mr. Muyiwa Collins, the state PDP said the action was in "retaliation for the arrest of some of their (AD) members recently involved in criminal charges."

Besides Chief Bode George whose family house was reportedly attacked on Evans Square, others listed in the statement as affected include General Tajudeen Olanrewaju, Lookman Ajose and a vehicle belonging to Dr. S.O. Giwa which was said to have been completely burnt.

The party also alleged of plan by the governor "to further forment trouble in the state," claiming that 2,000 thugs had been recruited for the job.

"These various attacks should bother all well-meaning Lagosians because of the dire consequences for the good people of our state, in particular, the traders on the Island," it stated.

Governor Tinubu, however in a swift reaction while denying the allegation, said it was an attempt by the state PDP leadership to save its face.

Speaking through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Kehinde Bamigbetan, the governor recalled that in the last two and a half months, Lagos AD has repeatedly accused PDP of masterminding the arrest and detention of its members.

He said PDP should produce evidence of Governor Tinubu’s involvement in its claimed attack.

"Muyiwa Collins is just playing to the gallary. The allegation is not true. How many PDP members are in detention. They are just trying to cover up their crimes," said Bamigbetan.

Posted by Publisher at 02:50 PM | Comments (0)

Ex-US envoy, Jeter, warns against third term; ANPP may query governors; CNPP berates Ibrahim

Former United States envoy to Nigeria, Howard Jeter and U.S. Congressman, Donald Payne, have urged President Olusegun Obasanjo not to stretch his stay in office, warning that such would end up in disaster.

By Felix Ofou (Lagos)
And Chuks Ehirim (Abuja)

They made the point at the November session of the All Nigeria American Congress (ANAC) in Washington last week during which new leaders of the ANAC were elected for a five-year tenure.

The Americans warned that it would be disastrous for Obasanjo to even entertain thoughts of a third term since the idea would meet with stiff opposition from within and outside Nigeria.

Jeter, however, noted that no official confirmation has come out of Aso Rock and that speaking further on the alleged plot at this time could be mere speculation.

Said he: “It’s important that Nigeria respects its Constitution. A lot has been gained by this present administration for the past six years. The economic gains, the effective positioning of women in the administration, the fight against corruption, advance in the democratic process, all of these have brought tremendous respect from the international community, especially for Olusegun Obasanjo.

“Nigeria would be wise to stay on course and not draw back to the dark ages of Nigerian politics with efforts that would disrespect its Constitution and democracy.”

Jeter stressed the need for Abuja’s anti-corruption campaign to continue on a long-term basis and canvassed that Nigeria-U.S. economic programmes should pay attention to sectors in America where there are natural affiliations.

Former Assistant Secretary of State on Africa, Herman Cohen, remembered when Nigeria was at par with South Korea, Malaysia and other Far East countries which were developing at the same pace as Nigeria in the sixties, but have today widened the gap.

He remarked though that a window of opportunity for growth has been opened by the present administration.

“As Nigeria grows, so does Africa. There is real opportunity here. With the development we see, for the first time in decades, there is not much apprehension over investments in Nigeria and the political situation is encouraging. It is important that the flame of democracy, anti-corruption and economic development continues without falling back again.”

The highpoint of the event was the election of ANAC President, which was contested by Okey Mbonu, Lateef Kareem and Stanley Onye.

Mbonu, an Attorney and Commissioner for Housing in Prince Georges County, Maryland defeated the other two.

Kareem, a Chicago based physician, came second.

Temitope Ajayi, a delegate from San Fransisco, California, beat the other delegates for Vice President. Sam Agbebi and Bright Aregs both won for the posts of House Whip.

Those elected to the Upper House included Abdul Lateef Kareem, Martin Okafor, Colin Atobajeun, A. Igwebuike and Akeem Bello.

Peter Agho and David Ogunnaike were elected for a three-year term.

Seven others elected for a two-year term were Eric Ula-lisa, Ola Aina, Samuel Isokpunwu, Paul Oranika, Paul Ikhimien, Stanley Onye and Robert Igbinovia.

The occasion was well attended with delegates and participants engaging the representative of Obasanjo, Felix Pwol, who tried his best to answer the loads of questions on issues ranging from anti-corruption to development.

A visiting scholar, Sokoto Mohammed and S. Adesanya, leading a Nigerian based political think tank group, gave updates on Nigeria, with S. Adesanya lamenting the poor state of labour wage.

Mohammed concentrated on updates on the progress made in Nigeria in recent months, but drew applause when he listed anti-corruption cases being prosecuted.

Obasanjo, sent a personal representative and Finance Minister, Ngozi Okonjo Iweala and a host of other officials.

The President was honoured with the first ANAC award for his anti-corruption and economic programmes.

The organisation is slated to continue its lobby in the U.S. on behalf of the estimated six million Nigerians in North America and to send a delegation to Nigeria and open an Abuja office early 2006.

Meanwhile, the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) may query its governors who are supporting Obasanjo’s third term quest.

Governor Bukar Abba Ibrahim of Yobe State is one of those who may face the wrath of the party’s leadership when it meets on January 28, 2006.

Reacting to Ibrahim’s endorsement of the third term tenure, both ANPP National Chairman, Don Etiebet and Deputy National Chairman (North), Jeremiah Useni, distanced the party from the position.

Etiebet said the ANPP leadership has not discussed the third term agenda and “as far as I am concerned, the whole thing is speculation, which I will not react to.”

Useni was more forthcoming. “The answer I will like to give you here is that the matter has not been discussed by the party. There is a lot of hearsay and rumours going on, some appear to be true, some appear not to be true.

“Yes, I read in the papers this morning that one of our governors supports the third term. It is not everything you read in the papers you fight over. We are an organised party, the chairman hasn’t contacted the governor yet to know whether what he read in the papers is true.

“We will raise the issue at our next National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting. This one we read in the papers, some of the governors involved will tell us what happened. Maybe they have been misquoted.”

Both men spoke at a press briefing on Monday at the ANPP’s national secretariat in Abuja where Etiebet unveiled the party’s programme which begins with the distribution of new membership cards, registration and production of new membership register in January to elective congresses and convention in April 2006.

Meanwhile, the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) has berated Ibrahim, for endorsing the third term.

A statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Osita Okechukwu, said “the CNPP was thoroughly embarrassed by the volte-face of Bukar Ibrahim, who before now, had supported our gruesome struggle to halt the slide of Nigerian democracy into fascist dictatorship.

“The danger of the anti democratic statement of the third term newly recruited governor is that we envisage in the days ahead where more governors are whipped into line by the old carrot and stick tactics.”

The CNPP argued that Ibrahim might have been influenced by the fear of the EFCC or the possibility of benefiting from an extension of Obasanjo’s tenure.

Posted by Publisher at 02:47 PM | Comments (0)

2 killed as plane crashes in Kaduna

KADUNA—TWO occupants of a Beechcraft 200 executive jet died yesterday when the aircraft on its way to Abuja crashed soon after take off from the Kaduna airport. The crash, which occurred at about 10:38a.m, claimed the lives of the pilot, Captain Ali Shuaibu, stepson of the National Chairman of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Ahmadu Ali and one Antony Kuma. The cause of crash was not immediately known.

By Emeka Mamah & Kenneth Ehigiator
Posted to the Web: Tuesday, November 29, 2005

Media Assistant to the Director-General of Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Mr. Sam Adurogboye, told newsmen that the aircraft, marked N73MN, was a private jet owned and operated by one Alhaji Idima.
The aircraft, he said, was neither registered in Nigeria nor certified by the regulatory agency, the NCAA.
Mr Adurogboye said the flight from the Federal Aviation and Administration (FAA) crew also held American license and had been operating in Nigeria for eight years.

“The aircraft has American license, registered in America and returned to the country last Saturday after a regular maintenance at an FAA certified facility in the UK,” Mr. Adurogboye said.
He said the Accident Investigation and Prevention Bureau (AIPB) had commenced investigation into the crash, and had notified the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
The NCAA spokesman said since the aircraft was not registered in Nigeria, the regulatory agency had no oversight functions over it. According to him, only the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in the United States had over-sight roles over the ill-fated aircraft.

He said the NCAA could only advise the US Civil Aviation Authority on the ill-fated air-craft.
This crash came five weeks after the crash of Bellview Airline’s Boeing 737-200 air-craft at Lisa, Ogun State which claimed the lives of all 117 persons on board.

Investigations revealed that the aircraft crashed soon after take off and burst into flame with both the pilot and co-pilot burnt beyond recognition. When newsmen visited the airport, about 30 kilometres from the city centre, the bodies of the pilot and co-pilot had been retrieved from the wreckage by fire fighters and were being conveyed to the motuary in a pick up van with number plate FG135A42 belonging to FAAN. The aircraft was said to be heading to Abuja when it crashed.However, newsmen were barred from gaining access to the tarmac of the airport where the plane crashed while passengers who were expected to take off for Lagos aboard a Chanchangi Airline plane were kept waiting at the departure hall of the airport.
The Airport Manager, Alhaji Salisu Mohammed, refused to see newmen while his staff tossed the newmen round the airport.Some of the passengers were only informed that there was a little problem. They were kept waiting endlessly for their flight.

As at the 4.00pm, the stranded passengers who were scheduled to leave for Lagos at about 11.00a.m. were yet to be informed about the incident at the airport. Some of them asked questions about when they saw newsmen around the airport.
Attempts by newmen to get an official statement from the management of the airport proved abortive as they resorted to playing hide and seek with newsmen. When reporters arrived the airport, they were informed that the airport manager was at the crash scene. Thereafter, they were tossed around the airport for over three hours with nobody to voluntire any information.

Although it was said that the aircraft was a two-seater aircraft, ambulances were seeing going in andout of the place for more than two hours after the crash and after the bodies of the pilot and co-pilotwere taken away.It was not, however, clear what they were doing at the crash site which could be seen metres away from the position where journalists stood. All entreaties to get at least the camera crew to takepictures of the site failed. The intervention of the Police Commissioner, Mr John Ahmadu, yeilded no result as FAAN security personnel maintained a rigid position, blocking journalists and denying them access to the Police boss to get his opinion on what he saw on ground.When the Kaduna State Commissioner of Police and the Diretor of State Security Service (SSS) visitedthe crash site, there were no personnel of the airport to explain to them what happened untill they came to the control tower in search of the airport manager.

Runway 18R

Meanwhile, the official opening of runway 18R (right) of the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos, did not take place yesterday as planned.
NCAA spokesman, Mr. Sam Adurogboye, said the runway would not be opened for use until the regulatory agency was through with analysis of the report submitted on the runway by its inspectors.
The NCAA has oversight functions for all facilities at the airport, including the runways.

Posted by Publisher at 02:46 PM | Comments (0)

Adamawa PDP set to expel Atiku, Haruna; Ogbeh, more governors may be booted

A raft of expulsions from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) dangles on its personalities, including Vice President, Atiku Abubakar and Adamawa State Governor, Boni Haruna.

By Sule Lazarus
Snr Correspondent, Yola

They could be expelled as the conflict in the state chapter deepens.

Elsewhere, more governors may be shown the way out. Likewise former PDP National Chairman, Audu Ogbeh.

A Presidency source and a PDP national officer from the North Central, said the governors who organised parallel congresses would go unless they apologise and retrace their steps.

He named Victor Attah (Akwa Ibom State), Orji Kalu (Abia), Rasheed Ladoja (Oyo), Boni Haruna (Adamawa), Lucky Igbinedion (Edo) and some leaders “who joined them in flouting the party’s directives.”

Despite the reconciliatory efforts of the party and the Presidential Peace Committee headed by Bamanga Tukur to broker peace, the two factions of the Adamawa State executives were inaugurated on Monday.

The one headed by Joel Madaki and recognised by the national headquarters held its inauguration at the Yola International Hotel, the faction loyal to Atiku and Haruna conducted its own at Ribadu Square, Yola.

PDP national officials who conducted the inauguration at the hotel charged the executive to ensure that the Atiku group sees reason to return to the mainstream.

PDP National Vice Chairman (North East), Paul Wampana, who represented National Chairman, Ahmadu Ali, said now that the executive is inaugurated, the ball is in the state chairman’s court to take any punitive measures against the “erring members.”

He stated that the PDP would only act on the decision taken by the state executive because what is happening in Adamawa is a deliberate effort by them to frustrate the party which brought them to power.

Presidential aspirant, Buba Marwa, advised the executive to work as a team to provide good leadership in the state.

He reminded the members of the enormous work required to expand the party base as most people who left out of frustration should be persuaded to return.

Madaki described the happenings in Adamawa as a rebellion against constituted authority which must not be allowed to continue.

“They fragrantly refuse to submit themselves to the national executive of the party. Whoever is elected as a leader on the platform of the PDP, irrespective of his position in government, is supposed to accord due respect to the national body”, he said.

The inauguration of the pro-Atiku executive enjoyed vibrancy as government officials, including Deputy Governor, Bello Tukur, turned up.

He urged the members to continue to fight for justice as no amount of intimidation would make them run away from the battle.

The threat by the PDP to sanction them would not work, he added, because the national headquarters is aware that “we are talking of reconciliation, and it is on course. If sanctioning us is part of the reconciliation, we are waiting for them.”

Factional Chairman, Elson Awano, urged the members to close ranks to build the PDP in the state no matter what happens.

Regardless, the PDP is likely to expel another five governors and Ogbeh at the December convention.

Some of the party’s founding fathers, including Ogbeh, have floated an alliance with a faction of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) to form a new party that would chase the PDP out of power.

The leadership of the PDP and the “rebels” have been engaging in a press war ahead of the convention just as some branches of the party have been announcing the sack of those who attended the rally of the Movement for the Defence of Democracy (MDD) and that of the Movement for the Restoration of Democracy (MRD).

A Presidency source disclosed in Abuja that all PDP members who associate with either the MDD or the MRD would be sent packing at the convention.

Said he: “I read the interviews granted by Audu Ogbeh in the papers and I laughed. He was contesting his suspension from the PDP, but does he still see himself as a member when already he is in the fore-front for the registration of another party?

“Let me tell you that all those who have anything to do with the MDD and Gambo’s MRD are no more members of our party. They would be expelled officially during the convention for anti-party activities. That is the position of the Presidency and that of the party.”

Posted by Publisher at 02:45 PM | Comments (0)

EFCC quizzes Ararume

Senator Ifeanyi Ararume was on Monday interrogated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over an alleged default in the payment of a bank loan.

By Sisaa Agboh and
Wisdom Patrick (Lagos)

Ararume (PDP, Imo State) allegedly obtained a loan of over N1 billion from Inland Bank which he has failed to repay.

EFCC officials, including its Lagos Head, Ibrahim Lamorde, feigned ignorance of the quiz but an inside source confirmed that the man was questioned for several hours at the Awolowo Road, Lagos office.

Aside of the default, he is alleged to have used fake documents to secure the loan and with the re-capitalisation in banks, those out to acquire Inland have asked for the debtors’ list and how they secured their facilities.

Although some have accused Ararume’s political opponents of orchestrating his travails because of his governorship ambition in 2007, the EFCC source insisted that there is no political undertone in the matter.

He said the agency is acting purely on the facts before it and that he would be let off the hook if his hands are clean.

Last week, the EFCC quizzed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Deputy National Chairman (South), Bode George, over undisclosed reasons.

It was speculated that he was questioned as a result of a petition from the PDP which alleges financial misconduct against him.

He had earlier been questioned over his tenure as chairman of the Board of the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA).

However, when contacted, First Inland Bank, the group which Inland Bank merged with said they are not aware of the business transaction with the senator.

Posted by Publisher at 02:44 PM | Comments (0)

Corruption more in states, LGs – SGF

The secretary to the government of the federation, Obong Uffot Ekaette, has said that public sector corruption in the country is more prevalent at the local government and state levels than at the federal level.

By Anas A. Galadima

Obong Ekaette spoke at the opening ceremony of a technical workshop organised by the Budget Monitoring and Price Implementation Unit (BMPIU) for federal procurement officers in Abuja. He accused the local governments and states of allowing corrupt practices to go unchecked.
“While corruption might be perceived to be high at the federal level,” he said, “it is definitely higher in the states and highest at the local government level.”
He accused the Nigerian public of promoting corruption by honouring individuals that made their wealth by looting public funds.
“The present situation,” he said, “in which the Nigerian society showers praise on and provides comfortable cover and soft-landing for public officers accused of corruption is not only a major impediment to the fight against corruption but remains both a national embarrassment and a tragedy.”
Chief Ekaette called on the National Assembly to pass the Public Procurement Bill into law so that corruption, especially in the process of contract awards, could be tackled.
He called on public servants to desist from registering companies and using them to bid for public contracts, describing that as “an unethical practice in which a public servant should not engaged.”
Prof. Kunle AdeWahab, special adviser to the president and head of BMPIU (otherwise known as “due process”), said in his welcome address that the country lost over N800 billion in the last 10 years to inflated contracts awarded by top government officials.
He noted that contract awards in the last three decades have failed to a large extent to be transparent. The “due process” mechanism, he added, has saved the country over N150 billion, with as much as N6 to N10 billion saved from a single transaction.
“The unit overseeing the policy (due process) has saved the nation about N180 billion in inflated contract costs. The unit has saved as much as N6 billion to 10 billion from one contract.”
He charged the participants at the workshop to learn best practices in each sector of procurement, having regard to timeliness, cost effectiveness, quality, standard, and maintenance facility.

Posted by Publisher at 02:42 PM | Comments (0)

FCT health workers call off strike; As el-Rufa’i withdraws sack letters

Medical and health workers in the Federal Capital Terriroty (FCT) have called off their strike action following a peace agreement between the FCT authorities (FCTA) and officials of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), led by its President Adams Oshiomhole.

By Nasir Imam

FCTA has agreed to withdraw the sack letters earlier issued to some of the workers.
The workers also apologised to the FCT minister for the strike action through the chairman of the Joint Action Committee of FCT health workers, Dr. Charles Nzelu. Addressing journalists at the end of the truce meeting which was also attended by the chief physician to the president, Dr. Femi Tella, the NLC president regretted the unnecessary loss of life as a result of the strike.
Comrade Adams Oshiomhole described the strike as unfortunate, and said that the situation as “avoidable if the appropriate channels had been exploited.” He promised that NLC would create a sustainable mechanism to ensure industrial harmony in the FCT.
He attributed the ugly development to an information gap on the side of the health workers. He thanked the FCT minister for giving the NLC the opportunity to intervene in the matter, assuring him that a similar situation would not arise in the future.
In his words: “What we have said is that in the light of the emergency situation we’ve found ourselves, it would not be wise to waste too much time with agreement details. The important thing now is to return the situation to normal and get the health workers back to work. The little gaps will be straightened out later.”
Reacting, FCT minister expressed shock at the behaviour of the workers despite all that was done to make them comfortable. He warned that his administration would no longer tolerate unruly and unethical behaviour by FCTA staff.
It will be recalled that the striking health workers had earlier rebuffed appeals to return to their duty posts, which they abandoned since October 18, 2005.
The resolution of the strike was witnessed by Hon. Sidi Ali, member of the House of Representatives’ Committee on FCT.

Posted by Publisher at 02:42 PM | Comments (0)

At Last, Bonga Oil Field Begins Production; Project costs $3.6bn, says Shell

After several delays and mounting anxiety over its running cost, the Bonga deep offshore oil field has finally begun production, raising Nigeria’s daily oil output by 10 percent to 2.63 million barrels per day (bpd). Nigeria currently produces 2.4 million bpd of oil.

By Mike Oduniyi, 11.28.2005

Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCO), the operator of the field, however, put the total cost of developing the field at $3.6 billion (N468 billion).
The Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources only last week launched an inquiry into an alleged variation in the overall cost of executing the Bonga project.
Announcing the start-up of the huge field, the Managing Director of SNEPCO, Mr. Chima Ibeneche, said production actually commenced Friday, after suffering two years of delay and that the first cargo of crude will be exported before the end of this year.
Bonga field, according to Ibeneche, will hit its peak production capacity of 225,000 barrels per day (bpd) of crude oil and 150 million standard cubic feet of gas per day, early next year.
Ibeneche added that the additional oil output from Bonga field is expected to come in handy to meet the present growing demand for oil in the international market.
“Bonga will deliver excellent value to the government and people of Nigeria, co-venturers and to the shareholders for many years to come… Production from the field is an important step in support of the Nigerian government's aspiration to raise the country's crude oil production to some four million bpd by 2010.
“Bonga opened up new discoveries during the process of doing the work. We intend to continue to produce at over 225,000 bpd for over 10 years, meaning that we might have the possibility to produce up to one billion barrels through its lifetime. That brings the operating cost to a very competitive level when compared with elsewhere in the world,” he added.
On the controversial issue of the actual cost of the project, Ibeneche said the expenditure had risen from the initial estimates of $2.9 billion to $3.6 billion due to challenges SNEPCO encountered in developing the Bonga field, which he said was the first of its kind in Nigeria.
He maintained that even the actual cost incurred was still very much competitive with what obtained in the West African sub-region as well as in the Gulf of Mexico.
“To understand the issue of cost, we need to appreciate the complexity of the Bonga project. The Bonga FPSO alone is huge. It is not surprising that when we have such a complex pioneering project that you will have some cost overruns from some surprises. What is important to note is that we have dealt with those issues and today we are able to announce that we have started production in Bonga,” he stated.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Petroleum, Senator Lee Maeba last week queried the failure of Shell to bring the field on stream as scheduled, which he noted could mean that the Nigerian government may get little or nothing from the profits of crude exported from Bonga.
The committee had employed a New York-based tax management consultant, Sloane, Burford & Fulbright to assist in investigating the project costs.
The Bonga field was developed under a Production Sharing Contract (PSC) agreement signed between SNEPCO and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), in 1993, meaning Shell will bear 100 percent funding for the project and will first recoup all its investment before subsequent sharing of the profit with the Nigerian government.
However, defending the viability of the project, the SNEPCO boss said the prevailing high oil prices meant that the time Shell would recoup its investment “will be faster than earlier anticipated, which has in a way mitigated against some of the impact of the cost overrun we see so far.”
Oil price closed yesterday at $57 per barrel compared to the average price of $16 per barrel in 1993 when the Bonga field license was awarded.
“We are cooperating very well with the Senate investigation because we know that the PSC that we are doing is transparent and we are working with NNPC/NAPIMS to go through the PSC procedures in justifying cost for production.
“It is also important to note very clearly that when you compare the cost of Bonga with other development of its size in the West African sub region, it is competitive. Today, up to this point, we have spent $3.6 billion to bring it to first oil,” Ibeneche stressed.
Located in Oil Prospecting Licence 212, the field is situated in water depths of more than 1000 metres. Production facilities comprise one of the world's largest Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessels and deepwater subsea infrastructure.
The field's initial 16 subsea oil producing and water injection wells are connected to the two million barrel storage capacity FPSO by production flowlines, risers and control umbilicals.
Other joint venture partners in the field are ExxonMobil, 20 percent, Nigerian Agip, Exploration Limited, 12.5 per cent and Elf Petroleum Nigeria Limited 12.5 per cent.

Posted by Publisher at 02:40 PM | Comments (0)

Ojukwu hosts political leaders

THE state of the nation and the Peoples National Conference being put together by Pro-National Conference Organisations (PRONACO) will be exhaustively x-rayed at a crucial meting of political leaders and leaders of thought being hosted by Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu at his Lagos residence today.

BONNY AMADI

The meeting, which is being convened under the auspices of the Ethnic Nationalities Forum (ENF) will take categorical positions on these and other issues of national importance.

A press statement, signed by the Secretary-General of ENF, Mr. Michael Orobator, said that leaders of such groups as Afenifere, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Arewa, Middle Belt, the South and the Niger Delta, including Chief Reuben Fasoronti, Chief Olu Falae, Chief Solomon Asemota and DIG Dabup, the Gwam Gwam Jos would be in attendance at the meeting which is expected to commence at 2 p.m. at Villaska Lodge.

Posted by Publisher at 02:40 PM | Comments (0)

Darfur rebels 'united' for talks

Rival leaders of the largest rebel group in Sudan's war-torn Darfur region say they will present a united front at peace talks due to resume in Nigeria.

The splits in the SLM are blamed for the failure of previous talks and an upsurge in recent fighting.

"Our people on the ground need us to remain united," said Abdel Wahid Mohamed el-Nur, one of the men claiming to lead the SLM.

Some two million people have fled their homes in Darfur.

Earlier this month, a top US diplomat told the SLM rebels to end their differences or risking losing support.

'Final round'

Mr Wahid's rival in the SLM, Minni Minnawi, also said they would present a joint position at the talks with the Sudan government in the Nigerian capital, Abuja.

"We are going to enter the talks with one delegation... I came here because I hope this should be the final round," he told Reuters news agency.

Mr Minnawi claims to have replaced Mr Wahid as SLM leader but Mr Wahid's supporters say a vote won by Mr Minnawi was invalid.

The BBC's Jonah Fisher in Sudan says Mr Wahid's has lost some support after he spent most of the last two years outside Darfur.

Mr Minnawi by contrast is a military man and has much greater support among commanders on the ground.

After meeting both factions in Kenya earlier this month, US Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick said.

"My concluding point with the SLM was that we want to help them but to help them they need to help us be able to deal with the united movement."

The rebel splits have coincided with an upsurge in violence in Darfur with repeated ceasefire violations and the killing of African Union peacekeepers in the region.

The SLM took up arms in February 2003, accusing the Arab-dominated government of discriminating against Darfur's black African population.

The pro-government Janjaweed militia then swept through the region, killing and raping civilians in what some say equates to a genocide.

The Sudan government denies claims that it arms the Janjaweed.

Posted by Publisher at 02:39 PM | Comments (0)

November 28, 2005

Extra troops for Nigerian state

The Nigerian army has sent additional troops into Bayelsa state, amid tensions over the possible impeachment of the governor.

Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha recently returned to Bayelsa after skipping bail in the UK, where he has been charged with money laundering.

The state legislature has moved to impeach the governor.

Tension is high in the state capital, Yenagoa, with rival groups marching in favour of and against the governor.

The governor denies the charges of money laundering and says he is being persecuted for political reasons.

Soldiers set up road blocks in the state capital, Yenagoa, on Monday morning.

The BBC's Abdullahi Kaura Abubakar in Yenagoa reports that convoys of military vehicles are driving around the streets of the city.

'Tense'

"The area has been tense, there have been attempts by the house for impeachment. Militant youths have been moved into that place armed with weapons," Army Brigadier General Elias Zamani told Reuters news agency.

"There are different groups. They way things are going it could escalate to where different groups start fighting. So it's a pre-emptive step to save lives and property."

Diepreye Alamieyeseigha insists that the £1.8m ($3.2m) found in cash and bank accounts was not his.

In the UK, High Court judges have rejected his argument that he should enjoy immunity as a Nigerian state governor but said he could appeal to the House of Lords.

It is not clear whether Nigeria's federal security forces will try to arrest Mr Alamieyeseigha, as he has immunity from prosecution in Nigeria as long as he remains in office as governor.

Mr Alamieyeseigha was originally arrested in September at Heathrow airport and some £1m-worth of cash was allegedly found in his London home.

He was granted bail on condition that he remained in the UK, surrendered his passport and reported regularly to the police.

If the judges find that he has skipped bail, securities worth some £1.25m ($2.14m) would be forfeited.

Nigeria is considered one of the world's most corrupt countries but President Olusegun Obasanjo has vowed to fight the problem.

Mr Obasanjo's critics say the anti-corruption drive is being used to target his political opponents.

Mr Alamieyeseigha is seen as being close to Vice-President Atiku Abubakar - who is vying with Mr Obasanjo for control of the ruling People's Democratic Party.

Posted by Publisher at 06:02 PM | Comments (0)

Ohanaeze disowns Uwazuruike

OHANAEZE Ndigbo, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, has said that it would not support the release of the detained leader of the Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, urging him and his members to recant their agitation for the realisation of the Republic of Biafra.

CAJETAN MMUTA, Asaba

The organisation stated this just as it urged the Federal Government to set up a panel of inquiry into the recent burning of Zik’s House in Onitsha, Anambra State with the aim of bringing the perpetrators to book.

Secretary General of Ohanaeze Chief Joe Achuzia, made the position of the group known in an exclusive interview with Daily Champion weekend in Asaba, Delta State.

Achuzia said that at no time did Ohanaeze or Ndigbo approve the cause of MASSOB, warning proponents of the ethnic militia group to fashion out their agitations for whatever reasons under a new garb and not hide under the guise of Biafra to realise their agenda.

The Ohanaeze scribe said the warning had become necessary because of the apparent public misconception at the mention of any Igbo cause that Ndigbo were the architects and activists of MASSOB, stressing that at no time did Ohanaeze or Ndigbo give their backing to the activities of the non-violent group.

"Ohanaeze cannot lend support to Uwazuruike other than ask Uwazuruike and his group to recant. They can fight against Igbo marginalisation if that is what they are fighting for under a different name, not actualisation of the sovereign state of Biafra.

"It is unfortunate that every time MASSOB is mentioned, everybody looks on the Igbo as if they were the architect and activists of MASSOB.

"I want to make it abundantly clear that at no time did Ohanaeze or Ndigbo in any meeting of any kind sit down to fashion out an organisation called MASSOB," Achuzia further stated. He insisted that the Igbo apex body was saddled with onerous task of playing advisory role to the younger generation on the best road to take for their future and not encourage them to break the law.

He also stated that the resolve by Ndigbo not to join MASSOB in the agitation for the realisation of Biafra must not be seen as cowardice even after the Igbo fought in the three and half years war that almost brought the nation to its knees.

"They (MASSOB members) can fight for their future under any garb they like. Ours as fathers is to tell them there is no road in that road they are trying to pursue. We have called them, we’ve talked to them. As far as they are concerned, they feel that our inability to see their point of view is cowardice. The people who fought a three and half years gruelling war, do they look like cowards or people who are afraid? No," he added.

On the burnt Zik’s house, Chief Achuzia said the security operatives in the state have a case to answer on the incident and called on the federal government to set up a panel of inquiry to look into the matter with a view to bringing the culprits to book.

While exonerating the MASSOB members from the act, he said no sensible Igbo could be mad enough to break security barrier to set the national monument of the late Zik ablaze.

Posted by Publisher at 06:00 PM | Comments (0)

Dispute over Atiku’s PDP status

The battle of wits between the hierarchy of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the camp of Vice President Atiku Abubakar, a foundation member of the party is now being fought over the exact status of the Vice President in the party.

By HENRY EBIRERI

While Alhaji Atiku Abubakar disclosed recently that he and the governor of Adamawa State, Mr Boni Haruna had been de-registered from the party, the National Chairman, Dr Ahmadu Ali retorted that the Vice President had in fact been registered and issued with a membership card in his office.

But legal sources insisted at the weekend that going by the PDP constitution which provides for registration at the ward level, the Vice President’s registration as claimed by Ali was invalid. Article 9 sub article ‘A’ which deals with the question of eligibility says a membership register is to be kept and maintained by the ward branch and that a prospective member shall register at his ward of origin or where he ordinarily resides and pay the registration fees and other dues. Explained the sources: “These taken together, along with article 10 “B” which says that a member shall belong to a branch clearly show that the duty of the registration of a party member is that of the ward executive.”

It is held that when the Vice President went to his ward to register, he merely wrote his name in an exercise book and returned to Abuja without obtaining a card.

“When the VP declined to accept the card sent to him by Senator Jubril Aminu through his Personal Assistant, complaining that it was disrespectful of his person and office, Aminu returned the card and never reverted to the Vice President,” the sources recalled. On the alleged registration of the Vice President by the National Chairman, the sources maintained that it was improperly done.

“The card itself allows for signature by the ward chairman and ward secretary. If the Vice President’s membership card was truly signed by the National Auditor on one hand and his Deputy Chief of staff on the other as shown in television and widely reported in the print media subsequently, then that card is without validity and to that extent, Atiku cannot be said to have been validly registered as a member of the party,” said the sources.

Posted by Publisher at 05:58 PM | Comments (0)

Obasanjo's govt worse than Abacha's, says MRD

ABUJA — THE Obasanjo administration came under a fresh assault, yesterday, from the newly formed Movement for the Restoration of Democracy (MRD) which said the government was worse than the Abacha administration.

By Rotimi Ajayi
Posted to the Web: Monday, November 28, 2005

The Muhammadu Gambo-led group which is made up of the cream of northern politicians was formed to stop the alleged third term bid of President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Meanwhile, Vice President Atiku Abubakar and one-time military head of state, Major General Muhammadu Buhari, have met in Abuja on what, a source called the third term issue.
Alhaji Muhammadu Gambo, former Police Inspector-General, and Co-ordinator of National Security in the Abacha regime, told reporters in Abuja that the MRD had studied every aspect of the Obasanjo administration’s policies and found none measured up to the standard under the Abacha government.

His words: “We are gathered here again to take stock of the political development in our dear country. The restoration of civilian government in May 1999 gave renewed hopes that Nigeria was on the path of sustainable democracy. The hopes and aspirations were not misplaced, given the sacrifices in human and material resources expended before the enthronement of civil rule.

“But alas, not too long after the transition, it became clear to Nigerians that the country was once again, on the threshold of bad governance. For more than six years of civil rule, Nigerians are yet to reap the fruits of democracy. It is amazing that public policies rather than ameliorating the suffering of the masses, living conditions of Nigerians continue to deteriorate by the day.

“In spite of the claims that the reform programme of the government has been acclaimed by the international community, the recent UNDP report on the World Human Development Index points to the contrary. We are disturbed that in spite of the unprecedented wide spread poverty and deprivation inflicted on Nigerians, the administration remains insensitive. Their main pre-occupation now is a programme of self perpetuation in power and issue of self aggrandizement.
“Although I participated in General Sani Abacha’s government, I did not last in that government as I was in exile. My point of departure was when they said they wanted to perpetuate themselves in power.”
He added that even if the administration of late General Abacha had done wrong, the people who participated in it had repented and ready to lead Nigeria back on the path of good governance. According to him, “what we are seeing now is worse than what was in Abacha’s time.

“The level of human rights abuse is worse than that of Abacha. There are more killings in this government than it happened in Abacha’s time. There is so much brazen wastage of public expenditure now and yet nothing is being seen on ground. Where is the water? Where are the roads? Where is the electricity on which billions of Naira have been spent? In stead, what we have is insecurity.

“Whatever you may say about General Sani Abacha, there was security during his time. Only those who were in politics and confronting him had problem with him and they knew the price they wanted to pay just like us now.”
He said the emergence of the group was a necessity in view of the calamity waiting to befall the country. Pledging the determination of the members of the MRD to wage a battle against President Obasanjo’s third term ambition, Alhaji Gambo said members of the group would not compromise on its set target.

He said: “I assure you that for every commitment in life there is a price and we are ready to pay the price. We are of the firm conviction that Nigerians, irrespective of primordial differences, must come together to salvage this country from avoidable calamity. It is obvious that the task ahead is beyond the capacity of the present political parties acting separately, having been weakened by intra-party crises.
“What is urgently required is the coalition of all visible democratic and other patriotic forces and civil society groups to restore and secure democracy for Nigerians.”

Presidency fights back

Reacting to the MRD allegations, however, the Presidency lashed back, describing those comparing the present administration with that of General Abacha as living in another world.
Special Assistant on Public Affairs to the President, Mr Femi Fani-Kayode, said there was nothing in the present administration that could be compared to the regime of the late General Abacha. His words: “Anybody that compares this administration with Sani Abacha is obviously living in another world and has lost touch with reality. How can anybody in his right senses compare the present dispensation, where you have democracy and the rule of law, where you have peace and stability, where you have a recovering economy and where Nigeria is no longer regarded as a pariah country? How can anybody in his right senses say that is comparable to Abacha regime?

“Gambo served Abacha. So it is understandable that he should be nostalgic about Abacha activities because he was part and parcel of that administration. But let it be on record that it is the same Abacha that he so loved, that not only killed General Yar’Adua but killed hundreds of other innocent Nigerians and no matter what anybody says, this administration and this President do not have blood on his hands unlike Abacha.
“Those that believe that the Abacha days are better than today and those that believe that Nigerians fared better under Abacha should bow their heads in shame and they certainly do not reflect the thinking of the overwhelming majority of Nigerians.”

Atiku, Buhari meet

Meanwhile, Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Head of State, General Muhamadu Buhari have met in Abuja on what a source called the third term issue.
Vanguard gathered that the duo of Atiku and Buhari met in a private residence in Asokoro, Abuja to marshal out plans on how stop the President from actualising the third term plan. The meeting was the first since the former launched a legal battle against the re-election of President Obasanjo in the 2003 general elections.
General Buhari contested in the elections as the presidential candidate of the rival All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP) and held a firm conviction that the elections were generously rigged in favour of President Obasanjo and Vice President Atiku.

Posted by Publisher at 05:57 PM | Comments (0)

‘Leaders need mental examination’

The Chairman, Board of Management of the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital Enugu, Prof. Augustine Ahiauzu, has advocated a psychiatrist test for present and future political office-holders, at least every six months to ascertain their fitness to hold such offices.

Tajudeen Suleiman, Enugu

He said the purpose was to save the nation from needless embarrassment since, according to him, most of the actions taken by public office-holders on certain issues affecting the well-being of the country and the citizenry left much to be desired.

Ahiauzu, who spoke at the 36th Annual General Meeting and Scientific Session of the Association of Psychiatrists in Nigeria, held in Enugu on Saturday, said the call for a compulsory mental examination of public officers had become imperative because investigations had shown that most of them “are mentally unstable to pilot the affairs of the country”.

“The psychiatrists are remembered only when people go mad. But I tell you, many people in leadership positions in this country need the services of the psychiatrists. Our leaders need to be carefully examined and through this, Nigeria would have been saved from a lot of trouble. Their actions and activities sometimes raise doubt about their mental stability,” he said

He stressed that the situation called for government’s immediate intervention by way of providing the necessary support for the psychiatric institutions to enable them perform their duties effectively.

Ahiauzu, who maintained that such an examination was done in developed countries, urged the Federal Government to review the enabling statute guiding the operations of the psychiatric institutions, as the current statute made in 1979 was no longer effective and could not accommodate the needs of the institutions.

He noted that the theme of the conference, “Mental health care for the disadvantaged and special groups,” was timely, adding that it would help improve psychiatric health care delivery system in the country.

He urged the participants, who were drawn from all over the psychiatric institutions in the country, to come up with blueprints for the sector.

He urged the Federal Government to increase funding for the institutions in the country in order to improve their efficiency.

THE PUNCH, Monday, November 28, 2005

Posted by Publisher at 05:56 PM | Comments (0)

2007: Buhari, Atiku Hold Talks; Yobe governor supports 3rd term

Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Head of State and All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP) Presidential Cand-idate in the last election, Major General Muha-mmadu Buhari, met recently to fine tune their strategy to checkmate the third term move of President Olusegun Obasanjo.

By Ike Abonyi with agency report, 11.28.2005

Governor of Yobe State, Alhaji Bukar Ibrahim, also yesterday became the first among his colleagues to openly throw his weight behind the campaign for President Obasanjo to seek a third term in office, saying Nigerians want him to stay beyond 2007.
A National Assembly sub-committee that has been working on possible constitutional changes since 2003 recently made recommendations on presidential tenure, an amendment that also favours state governors, outlining three options: retaining the status quo, two terms of five years, or three terms of four years.
The meeting between Buhari and Atiku which held November 17, according to an aide who attended, agreed on a number of issues including forming a common political platform to push through their interests.
Aside from strategising on how to halt the third term agenda, the duo also explored ways of forging together politically with a view to harmonising not just their interest but also that of their supporters across the two parties.
Explaining the reason for the duo not meeting earlier, the aide said that it was not auspicious before now because the ANPP presidential flag bearer, Buhari, was in court challenging the government which the VP remains the number two man.
Just last week, both Atiku and Buhari graced the inauguration of the forum of Northern members of the House of Representatives in Abuja and spoke vehemently against any undemocratic act by the lawmakers in amending the constitution.
But Bukar Ibrahim, a member of the main opposition, All Nigeria People's Party, (ANPP) spoke in Kano where he visited his counterpart, Alhaji Ibrahim Shekarau.
Ibrahim's intervention, acco-rding to analysts, is significant given the clamour by many Northern politicians for power shift and for which the governors last week took a common position.
According to him, "it is Nigerians who think he should stay a bit longer and complete certain things they believe he has started.
"If Nigerians believe the president should have a little more time, so be it. It doesn't matter if he stays a bit longer provided he is doing good things," Ibrahim told reporters in Kano.
Amending the constitution requires the approval of the two-chamber National Assembly and two-thirds of the 36 regional Assemblies, a process that could take months.
Meanwhile, the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), the umbrella for local government council chairmen in the country has distanced itself from the clamour for Obasanjo to stay in office for a third term.
The association's national publicity secretary, Prince Yemi Aderibigbe, who condemned the planned elongation of the tenure beyond 2007 described the move as unconstitutional and capable of truncating the nation's nascent democracy.
Aderibigbe, who is also the chairman of Akinyele Local Government Council in Oyo State therefore called on Obasanjo to discountenance the calls that he should hold on to power beyond two terms and "go honourably come May 29, 2007."
The council boss who featured on the Guest Forum of the Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State in Ibadan maintained that Nigeria's constitution must be followed to the letter as regards the issue of transition from one administration to another or else the nation will be degenerating.
According to him, "May 29, 2007 is the terminal date for the present dispensation, not even for President Obasanjo alone but for the governors, the local governments, etc."
"Whatever President Obasanjo has left in the office that would necessitate his coming back to do after the 2007 deadline, he should re-double efforts in doing between now and May 29, 2007," he declared.

Posted by Publisher at 05:55 PM | Comments (0)

FCT doctors join strike

The on-going strike action by Medical and Health workers in the Federal Capital Territory has assumed a more worrisome dimension as doctors in both public and private hospitals in FCT have embarked on a two-day warning strike.

By Sunday Ejike Benjamin & Nasir Imam

The directive for the strike action which will hold today and tomorrow was given by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) following a breach of contract by the federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to pay its health workers their outstanding emoluments and allowances despite series of reminders by the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the health workers and several interventions by stakeholders in the health sector and the National Assembly.
Addressing Newsmen at the weekend, the president of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), National hospital, Abuja chapter, Dr. Charles U. Ugwuanyi said the NMA was disturbed with the use of unprintable words used by FCTA officials when the association reported a death figure of 2000 from the 14 hospitals under the FCTA, adding that the FCT Administration, instead of retracting such words, issued a notice of sack to about 2,900 health workers.
According to him, all doctors in the Nation’s capital will have no choice but to comply with NMA’s directive to embark on the warning strike, as all doctors are members of the association, pointing out that, “hiring of half-baked, unqualified medical person nel by the FCTA to work in public hospitals is an insult on the sensibilities of Nigerians”.
Dr. Ugwuanyi said FCTA’s action militates against the Health System Reform Programme of the government as well as its efforts to achieve the Millennium Development goals (MDGs) as it affects the health sector.
“Since the strike on 18th October, National Hospital designed as a 200 bedded apex referral hospital, equipped and staffed as such has been challenged with far much more patients than it can cope with, therefore posing a potential danger of imminent breakdown in both the tenuous staff strength and over flogged facilities”. The ARD president of the National Hospital, Abuja explained.
He called on FCTA to reverse the sacking of its health workers and settle their emoluments and allowances without further delay. Prompt reaction to this, he noted would avert the impending strike action by doctors in the federal capital city.
Meanwhile, the House of Representative last week resolved to call the FCT minister, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai and leadership of the striking FCT health workers to address the house on the lingering strike by health workers in FCT General Hospital
Several members of the house supported the motion for the call and condemned the threat to sack the FCT health workers by the minister, and expressed worry that several patients have died as result of the strike.
The House also stated that the FCT minister should put a hold the sacking of the workers until the grievances of both sides have been addressed by it.
However, the FCTA has expressed its shock over the threat by the striking health workers to pour acid on student nurses who, out of compassion had volunteered to offer emergency services to the sick in FCT hospitals.
A statement from the FCT Secretariat for Health and Human Services, signed by its Public Relations Officer, Yahaya S. Ashofa said the FCT administration considers the action barbaric, inhuman and a violation of the human right of the student nurses.
The statement said no re