Yobo Retires From International Football

The captain of the Super Eagles Joseph Yobo, has
announced his retirement from international
football, after the team were knocked out of the
2014 World Cup by France.
The defender scored an own goal, after Paul
Pogba headed Les Bleus into the lead, as Nigeria
once again failed to reach the last eight of the
tournament.
It was Yobo’s 100th – a national landmark and
he feels it is the right time to draw the curtains.
“It was a bitter-sweet moment for me but I think
it is time to focus on my family,” Yobo told
reporters. “It has been a long road.”
Yobo played in three World Cups and won th
Africa Cup of Nations last year in South Africa,
since he made his debut in 2001.
“We’ve won the Africa Nations Cup and we came
here and were not disgraced,” he continued.
“I never thought that I’d be here because I missed
the last six games of the season through injury.
They gave me an opportunity but it is unfortunate
what happened.
“I gave my all.”
Yobo also said that he’s leaving able deputies
behind in Kenneth Omeruo and Godfrey Oboabona.
“They would grow,” he said. “Omeruo has done
very well. Oboabona was injured but he got his
chance at the Nations Cup. They’re going to get
better, the experience is going to come and one of
them has to take the responsibility and be a
leader.”

FG Bent On Crippling My Administration

The Governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola, has
alleged that the Federal Government is bent on
crippling his administration before the August 9
gubernatorial election.
Fielding questions during ‘Gbangbadekun’, a
government public interactive feedback
programme in Ijebu-Jesa, Oriade Local
Government, the governor lamented drastic drop
in allocation to the state.
He accused the Federal Government of a
deliberate attempt to weaken states controlled by
the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Aregbesola however assured that, despite the
development, his administration will continue to
pay the workers as at when due.
“The Federal Government, aside from the drop in
the allocation, has devised means to cripple our
government before the August election by not
giving us the statutory monthly allocation,” he
said.
“Let me tell you that there are plans by the
federal government not to release the allocation
of the coming months before the election so as to
cripple our government, thinking that we will not
be able to pay workers salary. I want to tell you
that they have failed because we will device
means of paying our workers”.
The governor reiterated his promise that his
administration will not sack any worker despite
the drop in funds from the federation account.

APC Chieftain in Borno Plans To Decamp To PDP

Hundreds of All Progressive Congress (APC),
stakeholders and political office holders from
Borno State have turned the Maitama house of
former governor and Borno political godfather,
Senator (Dr.) Ali Modu Sheriff into a Meca of a
sort.
It was gathered that the former Governor’s plan
to dump the APC is attracting unprecedented
followership, with two out of the three Borno
senators indicating seriousness to join the PDP
move.
LNNG(Latest News in Nigeria) gathered that among the eight APC
members of the House of Representatives from
Borno, six of them have already pitched their tent
with ‘Oga Sheriff’.
It was also learnt that 17 members of the Borno
State House of Assembly were among hundreds
of APC stakeholders from Borno, who recently
visited the Abuja home of the political icon to
show respect, loyalty and allegiance to him.
Among the 21 Borno Commissioners, 16 were
reported to have either gone to Abuja or sent
representatives for the same purpose as the other
APC stakeholders.
A close associate of the Borno Governor, Kashim
Shettima, who did not want his name in print also
told us that the governor is in serious
dilemma with the news that some of his most
trusted allies are turning the table against him
with their recent visit to Abuja.
It was also gathered that recently, Governor
Shettima was in the home of some of them.
According to the source, they told the Governor
that they were not angry with him, but that they
chose to stay away from the Government House
because they were getting tired of politics.
However, they were reported to have indicated
interest in the new PDP structure to be formed by
the former Governor Sheriff after the Ramadan
fast.
It was reliably gathered from close associates
of the former governor that the planned move to
PDP by former governor Ali Modu Sheriff has
already been perfected, as the PDP under
President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has promised
to fulfill all conditions given to him by the former
governor.

Rivers APC Not Afraid of Ekiti State Election Outcome

The All Progressives
Congress (APC), Rivers
State Chapter, has
dismissed as a fluke,
last Saturday’s
dislodgement of the
party by the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP)
during the governorship
election in Ekiti State.
“This development, which was unexpected, does not portend anything any
danger for the APC in 2015, especially in Rivers State. The Ekiti election has
come and gone and we have learnt our lessons which will ensure better
outings in other elections. That election will go a long way to unite and
strengthen us the more to present a better APC to Nigerians for the battle to
rescue and reposition Nigeria gets hot,” Rivers APC Chairman, Dr. Davies
Ibiamu Ikanya, said.
Dr. Ikanya, who was responding to enquiries on the fate of APC in view of
what happened in Ekiti, emphatically declared in a statement he issued today
in Port Harcourt: “It is erroneous to think that what happened in Ekiti affects
or will affect Rivers State politics come 2015. The factors that led us losing
Ekiti are well known but totally different from the reality in Rivers State. No
matter the challenges or odds, Rivers remains an APC State. I am supremely
confident that the good people of Rivers State will renew their covenant with
APC with a landslide in 2015.”
The Rivers APC
Chairman gave an idea
of how the party would
run the 2015 elections
and obliterate PDP in
the state. “One thing
going for us in River
State is that we have a
President Goodluck
Jonathan of the PDP
whose hatred for our
state and her people is
legendary not minding
that he is from our
sister state Bayelsa
and our in-law and we gave him the highest number of votes that made him
the President. Our campaign strategy will be centered on this hatred, which
has manifested in the hounding of Governor Chibuike Amaechi, the ceding of
our oil wells to Bayelsa and Abia states and refusal to direct Akwa Ibom to
pay us the proceeds of our oil wells she kept for many years. Mr. President
has also refused to site any meaningful project in Rivers State, so how can
we support him or any PDP candidate in 2015?
“In any case, the feats of the Amaechi administration are enough to give us
victory in future elections. These feats, which are well known, include making
Port Harcourt the World Book Capital City, eradication of militancy, dogged
fight for the oil wells and other rights of Rivers State and her people, as well
as award-winning achievements in Education, Agriculture, Health, etc.”
Dr. Ikanya said that, in addition to all these, “we will ask the good people of
Rivers State to make their choice of the characters and vision of those in
PDP (insecurity, ungodly, etc) and the vision and characters in APC
(godliness, security and concern for the future of our state). These are the
issues for Rivers State to use to decide which of the parties governs River
State come 2015.”
He concluded by advising APC faithful in the state not to panic or fear
about the future of the party, as “Rivers people have since adopted APC as
the party of their choice and there is nothing the doomed PDP or any other
party can do about that.” Source >> dailypost.

Kayode Congratulates Ayodele

Some people sees that Nigeria is growing with the new development. News reaching us has it that  Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi has
congratulated the State Governor-Elect, Dr
Ayodele Fayose on his victory in yesterday’s
election.
He said; “If indeed this is the will of the Ekiti
People, I stand in deference to your will. If the
result of the elections is an expression of the
voice of our people, we must all heed your voice.
“I have just spoken with my brother, Mr. Peter
Ayodele Fayose, congratulating him on his
victory. In a few hours from now, I would be
meeting the Governor-elect to discuss the future
of our dear state and how we would work
together to institute a smooth transition
programme.”
Below is the Full Text Of Fayemi’s Speech,
Accepting Results of Ekiti Guber Poll
In o kun o Ekiti kete.
Yesterday, Ekiti State decided. Following the
gubernatorial elections held in the land of honour,
Ekiti State, Nigeria, the Independent National
Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially
returned the candidate of the People’s Democratic
Party (PDP) as the winner of the election.
If indeed this is the will of the Ekiti People, I
stand in deference to your will. If the result of the
elections is an expression of the voice of our
people, we must all heed your voice.
I have just spoken with my brother, Mr. Peter
Ayodele Fayose, congratulating him on his
victory. In a few hours from now, I would be
meeting the Governor-elect to discuss the future
of our dear state and how we would work
together to institute a smooth transition
programme.
It has been a hard fought election. As expected, in
the course of the campaigns, there were unsavory
episodes as the candidates toured the nooks and
crannies of the state to sell ourselves to the
people. Elections tend to be highly divisive affairs
that often see brother rising against brother.
Despite our diverse party affiliations, and
regardless of which way we voted on Saturday,
we must remember that we are all sons and
daughters of Ekiti State. Ekiti is ours to build
together.
On our part, over the course of the campaigns, we
presented our scorecards before the people of
Ekiti State. We never at any point took your
support for granted. We campaigned, we
canvassed and we traversed the nooks and
crannies of this State.
Our performance and achievements in office will
remain the backdrop against which the next
government and indeed future governments will
be assessed. We are proud that with the support
of Ekiti people, we have raised the bar of
excellence in governance. In all, we gave our best,
for conscience and for posterity.
Indeed a new sociology of the Ekiti people may
have evolved. However, the task of understanding
how the outcome of this election has defined us
as a people will be that of scholars. For us as an
administration and a cadre of political leaders in
Ekiti State, we have fought a good fight, we have
kept faith.
To members of our party, our campaign team and
indeed all Ekiti people who defied the siege on
our state to cast their votes for our party, I salute
your exemplary courage and doggedness in the
face of harassment.
Thank you for staying the course. The incidences
of brazen harassment, intimidation and allied
infractions on fundamental human rights, which
many of you suffered in the hands of agents of
the state, would be documented and
communicated to the appropriate authorities, for
the records.
I thank you all for listening.
May God bless the land of honour, Ekiti State,
Nigeria.
May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Dr. Kayode Fayemi
Governor, Ekiti State
Sunday, June 22, 2014

President Jonathan Celebrates Super Eagles Victory

It is no longer any news Super Eagles made Nigeria proud last night by
winning their second World Cup match in Brazil
2014, after defeating Bosnia and Herzegovina with
a lone goal.
The goal scored by Osaze Peter Odemwingie in
the 28th minute of the game took the African
Champion close to the next round of the
competition.
Meanwhile, President Goodluck Jonathan could
not hide his excitement as he watched the nail-
biting match with a host of aides, including
Reuben Abati, the Special Adviser to the President
on Media and Publicity, at the Aso Rock Villa
cheering the team to victory.

CNPP Criticised President Goodluck Jonathan

The Conference of Nigerian Political Parties,
CNPP, Friday, criticised President Goodluck
Jonathan for ‘flushing’ away N413.68 billion to
get votes in the 2015 presidential election in Kano
State.
Acting National Publicity Secretary of CNPP, Mr
Austin Ibok, stated this while speaking with
newsmen on the withdrawal of criminal charges
against Mohammed, son of late Head of State,
General Sani Abacha.
The federal government, through a private
counsel, Daniel Enwelum, had filed the charge of
nine counts against Mohammed, accusing him of
“dishonestly receiving stolen property and
voluntary assistance in concealing money”
belonging to the state estimated at N446.3billion.
It however, withdrew the case from the Federal
Capital Territory, FCT, on Wednesday, a
development that has been condemned by many
Nigerians and groups.
The body said it was with outrage that it received
news from the Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi
Okonjo Iweala that the president had approved
the withdrawal.
The official had confirmed that Nigeria will on
June 25, 2014 receive the sum of Euro 167 million
from the Government of the Principality of
Liechtenstein, part of the looted funds recovered
from the Abacha family.
She said that the Federal Government withdrew
the N100 billion charges against Mohammed
Abacha, to ease the return of the N36.32 billion.
But CNPP asked that “If Mohammed Abacha was
in the opposition, would President Jonathan wave
N100 billion or to be exact N413.68 billion?
“Does it add arithmetically to flush away N100
billion to ease the return of N36.32 billion? Is it
not the same government that pronounced
publicly that they are recovering N446 billion from
Mohammed Abacha?
“Is it only the Abachas that looted and siphoned
our commonwealth abroad? Is the Jonathan
administration not aware of the favourable
international laws for the recovery of looted
funds?”
The body wondered why President Jonathan
blatantly refused to officially and diligently
request for the recovery of the looted funds by
other Nigerians.
“CNPP repeats that the withdrawal is politically
motivated and therefore the reason given for the
withdrawal of the Abacha’s charges by the
Minister of Finance is patently false,” it said.
“In sum, President Jonathan is corrupting the
electoral process and has indeed started rigging
the 2015 presidential election.
“He also needs be reminded that limiting the
recovery of looted funds running into billions of
dollars only to the Abachas has led to his gross
incapacity to fix education, healthcare, critical
infrastructure among others,” concluded the
statement.

PDP Wins in Ekiti State.

APC will have June 21 a day to remember as PDP will always have June 21 every year a day to celebrate. Both APC and PDP went into Ekiti election as major contenders with the incumbent governor a member of the APC. The outcome of the election as announced by Independent National Electoral Commission
(INEC) has declared the candidate of the People’s
Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Ayodele Fayose as
the winner of the June 21 governorship election in
Ekiti State.Mr Fayose, according to the electoral
body scored 203, 090 number of votes to beat the
candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC),
Mr Kayode Fayemi, who scored 120, 433 while the
candidate of the Labour Party, Bamidele Michael
Opeyemi scored 18,135 votes to come third.
“Ayodele Peter Fayose of the PDP, having certified
the requirement of the law and scored the highest
number of votes is hereby declared the winner and
is returned elected”, said the returning officer and
Vice Chancellor of the Federal University, Oye
Ekiti, Professor Isaac Azuzu.
The results, from each local government are as
follow; EMURE LG:
APC 4,332, LP 1527, PDP 7,086OYE LG:
APC 10,176, LP 512, PDP 11,200
IKERE LG:
APC 7,989, LP 585, PDP 16,197
ILEJEMEJE
APC 3,336, LP 165, PDP 3,670
EFON LG:
APC 3,422, LP 358, PDP 5335
IKOLE LG:
APC 8,804, LP 1,259, PDP 14,238
Ekiti South West:
APC 6,746, LP 1,413, PDP 11,038
Ijero LG:
APC 9,348, LP 1,554, PDP 13,814
IREPODUN/IFELODUN:
APC 6,834, LP 3,555, PDP 13,038
Ekiti East LG:
APC 8,584, LP 762, PDP 12,498
Moba LG:
APC 7,994 LP 1,000, PDP 8,878
Ise/Orun LG:
APC 5,809, LP 600, PDP 10,136
Gboyin LG:
APC 8,138, LP 714, PDP 11,046
Ekiti West:
APC 7,860 LP 884 PDP 10,702
Ido Osi LG:
APC 7,134 LP , PDP 13,045
Ado LG:
APC 13,927, LP 2,065 PDP 41,169

Rivers State Governor Barred

News reaching us have it that the Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi has been
barred from gaining entry into Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti
state capital, for the final rally of the All
Progressives Congress, APC, in the state.
Confirming this development to DailyPost, David
Iyofor, who is the Chief Press secretary to
Amaechi said the governor is currently being held
hostage around Ododo in Akure, Ondo State.
Iyofor said the Governor’s convoy was stopped by
a number of military men who arrived in a white
Hiace Bus.
Similarly, National Publicity Secretary of the APC,
Lai Mohammed said Governor Amaechi was
threatened with a gun by the security operatives if
he attempts to disobey their command.
As at the time of filing this report, Governor
Amaechi is still trapped along the Ado-Akure road
according to Lai Mohammed.
In a related development, the Nigeria’s airport
authorities on Thursday closed Akure airspace to
prevent dignitaries from landing at the Akure
airport enroute Ado-Ekiti for the event.
The programme is a grand rally by the Ekiti State
Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, who is also the All
Progressive Congress candidate in Saturday’s
governorship election in the state.
Among those whose planes could not land at the
airport is Edo State governor, Comrade Adams
Oshiomhole.
A chopper chartered by Oshiomhole to take him
to Akure airport was grounded at the Benin
airport this afternoon on orders from above.
In a statement issued by Ibim Semenitari,
Commissioner of Information and
Communications,
Rivers State, she said the “Government is
concerned about the safety of Governor Amaechi
who is right now being held hostage commando
style by soldiers and federal government security
agents in Odudu, Ondo state.
“Governor Amaechi as Chairman of the Nigeria
Governors’ forum and as an APC governor and
chieftain had left Port Harcourt this morning for
Ekiti state where he was to join his brother
governor in his last mega rally before the
elections.
“Governor Amaechi was ambushed and refused
entry into Ekiti by military personnel acting on
orders from above. He made to turn back and
return to Akure where his chattered aircraft was
parked but was chased and rounded by armed
soldiers and security personnel in Odudu, Ondo
state. According to the captain who led the
operation, he had orders not to allow the
governor entry or exit.
“In the meantime, the chattered aircraft that
conveyed the governor has been grounded while
the minsters of Defence, police Affairs and
Minister of state for Defence have landed at the
Akure airport.
“The Rivers State government is especially
worried that Federal government and President
Jonathan have singled out Governor Amaechi for
harassment and attack.
“While we hold the person and office of the
President in utmost regards, we believe that it is
unacceptable that the presidency would
disrespect the person and office of an elected
governor of a federating unit and consistently
hound him.
“The Rivers State government is all more worried
as Ondo saga is coming on the heels of a plot by
six PDP lawmakers this morning to carry out a
kangaroo impeachment of the duly elected
governor of Rivers State, Rt. Hon Chibuike Rotimi
Amaechi, con first at Krisdara hotels and later
Bauchi street, Port Harcourt.
“Ordinarily, such banality should be ignored as it
is neither legal nor constitutional. However in the
light of the recent attempts to hoist a Chief Judge
on Rivers people through the back door and the
attendant rumours that the reason for that
desperate act was to make it easier for the PDP
to actualize its sinister daydream of ousting
Governor Amaechi before May 29, 2015, we
believe that it has become necessary to draw the
attention of Rivers people, Nigerians and the
international community to the situation in Rivers
State.
“Only yesterday, in preparation for this
tragicomedy, the Rivers State chapter of the
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) accused
Governor Amaechi of importing terrorists into the
state and the region. They continued their diatribe
by demanding that the governor of Rivers State
be put under surveillance. The State Government
wouldn’t have dignified the PDP’s display of
ignorance with a response but for the fact that
these accusations coupled with today’s actions
are omniuos signs of how far the PDP is willing
to go in its quest to cling onto power by all
means.
“The antecedents of impunity on the part of the
leadership of the PDP are instructive and the
party’s desperation to harm and stop anyone they
perceive as major threat to their crumpling
electoral fortunes next year is no longer news.
The detention attempt and incident at the Kano
International Airport last week are still fresh in the
minds of Nigerians. Also, the call to put Gov
Amaechi under surveillance (or is it house
arrest?) on the same day that PDP started effort
to unseat the Governor of Adamawa State, His
Excellency, Murtala Nyako, is enough indication of
the script already written by a jittery PDP
“It is sad that the insane minds of the authors of
the PDP accusation are jeopardizing police
investigations of the 486 travellers who were
intercepted in Aba, Abia State, and who are still
being screened. One only wishes that the PDP
would address the issues of the insecurity in the
country with as much fervor and vigour as it
deploys towards witch hunting its political
opponents.
“The Rivers Government wishes to state that the
world knows those who feather the nest of
cultists and militants and for whom they are
canon fodder. Governor Amaechi’s position on
cultisim, violence and insecurity are clear as is his
commitment to fighting poverty and improving the
lives of our present and future generations.
“The Rivers State Government will not be deterred
in its efforts to deliver good governance and
ddemocratic dividends to our people.
“We appeal to all Rivers people appeals to all
members of the All Progressives Congress (APC)
and citizens in the state to remain calm in the
face of these provocations.
“We call on the Security Agencies to exhibit
professionalism in their conduct of affairs. We
appeal to all well meaning people in Nigeria and
around the world to please call the PDP to order
before they truncate our democracy.
“It appears to us that the PDP clearly have no
interest in the peace and stability either Rivers
state.
“We are mindful of these mischievous elements
but continue to call for tolerance and eternal
vigilance. We are certain that the God who reigns
in the affairs of Rivers people will again deliver us
from this evil and terror that stalks us at noon
day”.

APC Appoints 52year Old Man As Youth Leader.

There are reactions trailing the appointment of a 52 year man as youth Leader. The PDP Youth Frontier has condemned the
appointment of 52 year-old
as the National Youth Leader of the All
Progressives congress, APC, describing it as a
demonstration of impunity, injustice and political
godfathersim.
PDPYF said the appointment of Ibrahim as the
new youth leader was so unfortunate for a party
that professes progressives but discouraging
youths from politics.
“A 52-year-old man is no longer within the age of
youth more or less youth leader. The whole thing
is lamentable”, the group said in a statement by
its leader, Usman Okai Austin and obtained by
DailyPost.
According to Okai, “ party that can’t administer
internal justice, equity and justice for its own
internal affairs can’t guarantee justice for
Nigerians, therefore, this show of shame and
political gangsterism must stop.
“It is improper, undemocratic and archaic and
outdated for a political party in this new
dispensation to award a contract of producing
youth leader to a Senator, this is unheard of”.
The statement further accused the party
committee of refusing to sell nomination forms to
anyone whose name was not endorsed or
anointed by the APC godfather.
“This is no longer a political party but money
show platform”, the group further added.
“How can a party that claims to be a party of the
future jettison the future of its younger ones? In
APC the youth were not considered in the scheme
of things and that is why the position of its youth
leader was given to Goje even without considering
the youths that laboured for the party from its
assumption.
“With this injustice prevailing in APC, it is capable
of discouraging youths from political participation
thereby lead to political apathy, which is not
good for the development of the nation’s political
system; therefore, we are encouraging APC
youths to jump out of a party that has too much
crack in it walls”.
The statement added that, “APC is leading a bad
example, a situation where one man decides party
activities from his bed room is evil. PDP is doing
well and Nigerian youths are properly considered
under the leadership of Hon. Abdullahi MaiBasira,
an amiable PDP Youth leader who is carrying
every youth along in PDP.
“For that, we are calling on Youth Groups in APC
to jump out of the sinking ship before it is too
late. APC is a disaster waiting to happen; for any
youth to pest their political future there is
dangerous, harmful and misleading. A party that
teaches youth insult, propaganda, lie and deceit
instead of proper political orientation”.
Source: http://dailypost.ng/2014/06/16/pdp-mocks-apc-appointing-52-year-old-man-youth-leader/

Jonathan Has No Power To Stop Sanusi As New Emir - Northern Elders

The Northern Elders’ Forum has flayed the federal
government for allegedly interfering in the
enthronement of the immediate past Governor of
the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mallam Lamido
Sanusi, as the new Emir of Kano.
The forum strongly faulted the presidency for
wading into an ethno-religious tradition that is
over 1000 years old.
The Deputy National Chairman, NEF, Dr. Paul
Unongo, alleged that the President Goodluck
Jonathan’s administration had been hard on its
critics and often rejected advice given to it. He
said the President was being misled by his
advisers.
He said, “Such is happening in Kano after
somebody who was supposed to be the
government’s enemy was chosen by the
traditional people to be their Emir. I saw the
government reacting to a purely traditional and
religious matter.
“He is a Christian president but people are
pushing him to go and stop a religious and
traditional leader. I don’t think they know the
meaning of an Emir. An emir is both like a pope;
like an archbishop and at the same time, he has
traditional powers.
“He is not like a chief in Tiv or Yorubaland or
Igboland; this is the head of Islam in Kano. Kano
has a history that dates back to about 1000 to
2000 years; and this people can trace their
traditional rulers. How will the government stop
them?”
Speaking further, Unongo said, “there are so
many things happening in this country that I
don’t understand anymore. I don t know if the
Federal Government is interested in people’s
ideas. The government gives the impression that
it knows everything and how to solve problems.
And what it needs is for everybody to shut up.”

PDP Stakeholders in Etiki to Work Against Fayose

As the week dress near for the Governorship
Election in Ekiti State, the ambition of the Peoples
Democratic Party, PDP, candidate, Mr. Ayodele
Fayose has received a set back as stakeholders in
the Ekiti chapter of the party have vowed to work
against him.
The PDP leaders said Fayose had been acting as
if he could win the election alone, adding that his
attitude was behind the failure of all the efforts
put in place by the national leaders to reconcile
all the aggrieved members.
The communique issued was signed by 17
stakeholders including, Chief Gabriel Ojo Falegan,
Dr. Bode Olowoporoku, Otunba Reuben Famuyibo,
Sir Kayode Otitoju, Rt. Hon. Kola Adefemi, Hon.
Gbenga Omotola and Adegoke Moshood Lawal
(Bamayi).
Others are Hon. Ayo Awe, Hon. Kunle Babalola,
Hon. Lekan Adekanmbi, Ayo Olatubosun, Hon. B.
Ayo Ajibade, Pastor Adewumi Kumuyi, Hon.
Justice Edward Ojuolape (RTD), Chief Dapo
Alibaloye, Dr. Chief Akinyemi, Lion Ropo
Adesanya, Dele Afolabi and Senator Gbenga
Aluko.
The stakeholders, who described Fayose as a
very bad electoral product, said the national
leaders committed a blunder by imposing him on
them.
It would be recalled that the Vice President,
Nmandi Sambo slept in Ekiti State for a night
shortly after the mega rally of the party which
was attended by President Goodluck Jonathan to
reconcile all the aggrieved stakeholders but failed
to receive positive responses from the leaders.
The communique reads, “Following the flagrant
and fraudulent manipulation of the recent Ekiti
State PDP ward congresses leading to the
Kangaroo State Governorship Primary, which
falsely produced Mr Ayo Fayose as the
Governorship candidate of the PDP for the June
21st, 2014 election, we the undersigned Leaders,
Elders and Stakeholders of PDP in Ekiti State wish
to state as follows:
“That series of events sequel to the contentious
Governorship primary have revealed that the
presumed PDP candidate is a very bad electoral
product and therefore, hard to sell.
“That PDP Elders/Leaders and other Stakeholders
have watched with amazement the unrelenting
brazen display of sheer arrogance, self-assurance,
unrestrained insult and bullying exhibited by the
candidate of the party – Mr. Ayo Fayose. This
conduct(s) did not stop even after the visit of the
President and the meeting of Stakeholders by the
Vice President.
“The utterances and conduct of the candidate
indicate malicious reprisals and revenge against
perceived, past and present antagonists,
adversaries and non-supporters of his ambition,
the moment he becomes the Governor.
“That well-meaning party Leaders/Elders/
Stakeholders aver that several attempts and
efforts at meaningful and effective reconciliation
were contemptuously frustrated by the candidate
due to egoistic mindset that he can do without
the PDP Leaders and Elders.
“In view of the above and given our knowledge of
the candidate imposed on Ekiti State PDP by the
national leadership of our party and the
candidate’s questionable antecedents, we are of
the view and conviction that the candidate does
not possess the required temperament disposition,
the necessary attributes, the capacity and the
ability to deliver good governance to Ekiti State –
the fountain of knowledge and the land of honour.
“We state that, as politicians and stakeholders of
the party in the Ekiti project, we owe our teeming
supporters the responsibility of directing them to
vote for someone that we believe can approximate
and dignify the personality of Ekiti State. This, we
believe, Mr. Ayo Fayose does not possess.
“It is obvious that the candidate is not ready,
willing and mentally capable of uniting and
leading the party to victory in the next
Governorship election that will take place on 21st
June, 2014.
“In consequence thereof, we in good conscience
are unable to work with him or for him in the
forthcoming June 21st Ekiti State Governorship
election.
“However, we unequivocally believe in the
transformation agenda of Mr. President.
“We commend and support Mr. President’s
genuine efforts at restoring peace and stability in
the country. In the face of current severe security
challenges, we pledge our unalloyed loyalty, full
support and commitment to the 2015 re-election
of Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan GCFR”.

Amaechi's Administration Guilty of Financial Crimes - Wike

A one time Chief of Staff to Governor Amaechi and
current Supervising Minister of Education, Nyesom
Wike says the administration of Amaechi is guilty
of financial crimes.
Wike, who disclosed this during a media platform
on Port Harcourt, made references to the Monorail
project, the landscaping of Port Harcourt, and the
Greater Port Harcourt city.
According to him, “I can tell you Amaechi’s
government is corrupt. I can say so, any day,
anytime.
“If your government is corrupt, what does that
mean? It drops the box on your table. If he
doesn’t have a house in the village, does that
stop him from being corrupt.
“That is the level he thinks Rivers people are for
him to tell them such stories. Is that the
definition of corruption?”
He also took a swipe at members of Amaechi’s
Executive council stressing that “Amaechi’s
commissioners are week.
“When I was the Chief of staff, I know what I can
do. Ask Magnus Abe. I look at him in the eyes
and tell him this is how we are going to do this
and that. But most of his Executives are afraid of
telling him the truth because the are looking for
appointment”.
Wike also disclosed that he never at any point
swore an oath when he was the Chief of Staff.
Governor Amaechi had at different fora maintained
that Wike swore that he would not betray him.
In the words of Wike, “The man did not betray
you when all offers were made to him. I didn’t
betray him when he was looking for Governor.
“When I was to be assassinated, then later had
my thanksgiving, he (Amaechi) said Wike is a
man of character and it is good to follow people
who are men of character. What happened to
that?
“The same Wike that was a man of character is
no longer a man of character today simply
because I said we cannot do things this way. We
cannot compromise the issue of Presidency.
“That I should follow you and go to APC where
they will give you chairmanship instead of a
President from the South-South.
“Ask him. The same man was in Ghana. When he
was in Ghana, why did he not give me oath to
take when I was fighting the fight for him when
that was the best time for me to take oath for
him (Amaechi).
“Let me tell you, everybody has betrayed
Amaechi. The most resent one now is that APC
has betrayed him. He went to APC with all the
funds in the state thinking that they will make
Sam Sam Jaja the APC Chairman, now Oyegun
has emerged, so APC has also betrayed him”.
When asked about his interest in the state,
especially with all his antagonising efforts against
the Governor, Wike hinted that his interest is to
depose the APC and ensure that PDP takes over
the Brick House.
“My interest is that Rivers State PDP must
reclaim that government House in 2015.
“If I want to run for Governor of Rivers State, I
am not running because I am an Ikwerre man, I
am going to run because the constitution allows
me to run because I’m a Rivers person”, Wike
said.

I Cannot Be Poor Again - Okorocha

The Governor of Imo State, Rochas
Okorocha, has likened poverty to HIV/Aids, saying that nothing
would make him, his family and his
entire generation to experience poverty
it again.
The governor stated this at the fourth
Nigeria Governors’ Forum retreat in
Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Friday.
Recalling his battle with poverty,
Okorocha said, “I was poor and I
decided to fight against poverty and
nothing will make me, my family and
my generation to go back to poverty
again. Poverty is worse than HIV. You
can’t pretend to be poor.
“The governor must
have charisma and the
President, when he
speaks, must have
charisma. You should
also know that political
power is entrusted to
you by the people and
if you don’t hold it well,
they will never forget
you,” Okorocha stated.
Also at the event, a
former governor of Abia
State, Dr. Orji Kalu,
urged current governors
to consider going into entrepreneurship in order to meet the needs of the
people around them after leaving office.
Kalu, who was one of the speakers at the retreat in Port Harcourt, pointed
out that people would still come around former governors or political leaders
to seek one favour or the other, adding that, opportunities could be given to
such people in areas where the ex-governor had investments.
He told the governors, “Know that the burden you will carry as a former
governor is for life. Even if you leave office poorer than you went in, a cynical
public would never believe you. They believe half of the public treasury is
kept in your house.
“They will come daily to line up, telling one tale of woe after the other. If you
give them, they will say they only came to collect what belongs to them. If
you don’t give them, they will say you are selfish and stingy.
“When you become
poor, the same people
will abuse you of being
a foolish man. It is
head, you lose; tail, you
lose. Public service is
truly a thankless job in
Nigeria,” Kalu, who was
represented at the
occasion by the
Managing Director and
Editor-in-Chief of the
New Telegraph
Newspaper, Mr. Gabriel
Akinadewo, told the

Boko Haram lay siege on four villages in Gwoza

It is reported that Elders and people of Gwoza Local Government Council Area of Borno State, in
the North-East, Nigeria, on Saturday dismissed claims that Christians and Muslims in Gwoza East took up arms against each other.
They said that they were under attack by the Islamic militants, Boko Haram.
According to them, the group which laid siege on four wards in Gwoza East, killed innocent people at will.
The elders and residents, who gathered for a meeting at the residence of the Senator representing Borno-South Senatorial
District, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume
said they buried over 144 people within one
week, while hundreds of corpses littered the
streets waiting for proper burial.
According to them, the corpses could not be burried because the insurgents laid siege on their
villages.
Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, who spoke on behalf of the people said there was no religious divide in their commitment to fighting Boko Haram insurgency.
Ndume said Gwoza-East is under siege by the Boko Haram insurgents and there is no presence of any security operative in the area.
“As we speak, we made several pleay to the military to go and secure the areas so that we can go there and bury our dead.
“They said they were doing something about
it. We appreciate helicopters going round
in some places and throwing bombs on the
insurgents, but we need soldiers on
ground so that our people can go and bury
those corpses of our relatives that are still
there littering the whole place. This is very
important to us”.
Speaking on the number of people that managed to escape and are now taking refuge in the state, an indigene of the area and Commissioner for
Tourism in Borno State, Dr. Asabe Vilita Bashir said they have a record of 1,290 displaced persons from Gwoza, who are taking refuge in three places.
According to Dr. Bashir, 426 persons are taking refuge in EYN Church Wulari, 50 people are in Molai General Hospital and 814 persons are in Tashan Bama.
Also speaking on the number of casualties, both village heads of Attagara Lawan John Gula and Lawan Abba Kaka said before they escaped, 42 people were buried at Attagara village, 24 in Agajara, 4 in Angurva, 20 in Agapalwa,
1 in Amuda, 3 in Alavawa, 13 in Chinene, 3 in Arboko, 1 in Ashigashiya, 1 in Ngoshe and 32 in Kirawa.
According to them, those who are still in the villages called and informed them just as the meeting was going on that the Islamic militants, Boko Haram have stormed Palawa and Amuda villages killing innocent people.
They said many of the villagers are running to the mountains hoping to see
the next day.

Nollywood Actress Receives Death Threat.

Nigeria is known for her bullying of citizens when the truth is told. Recently, a Nollywood Actress currently based in the U.S., Stella Damasus has received a death threat over her comments on the unfortunate happenings in Nigeria.
While lending a voice to the Child Not Bride campaign months ago, she released a very daring video on YouTube, calling a particular serving Senator and his supporters paedophiles.
Also a few weeks ago, after the abduction of
over 200 girls from Chibok, she released another video addressing the government and accusing it of not asking for help from foreign allies.
As a result, some hired assassins were sent to
murder her last Monday.
Nation newspaper reports that 12 heavily armed men allegedly stormed the Abuja home of her husband, Ademinokan where the actress and her two daughters were said to have been living before they relocated to the United States with Ademinokan.
Ademinokan’s younger brother, who just returned to Nigeria, and his mother were the only persons in the house on the fateful day.
The attackers allegedly insisted on getting Stella’s recent contact in the US, including her address and phone number, without success, saying, ‘Your brother and his wife think they can just open their mouths and say anything they like about the government, abi?’”
Confirming the incident, Stella took to twitter
during the week and wrote: “That is what
Nigeria is known for; you say the truth…they
try to silence you! It will not work on Stella
Damasus. I cannot be intimidated.” No form of political bullying or intimidation will work! You can’t shut me up! I will stand and speak the truth,
regardless of your tactics.”

Polity Heating Up in Ekiti State

In the next two weeks, electorates in Ekiti State will be voting for a Governor who will take over the leadership of the state for the next four years. Campaigns have been on since last two months after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared it opened. Political parties participating in the poll have been visiting different parts of the state soliciting for votes and telling the people on why their political party should be voted for. According to INEC, 18 political parties would be participating in the election but among these candidates, only three them are major contenders They are; the All Progressives Congress (APC) Candidate, who is also the incumbent Governor of the State, Kayode Fayemi, the Peoples Democratic Party flagbearer, Ayodele Fayose and the Labour Party (LP) candidate, Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele. Observers have said that one of the three political gladiators mentioned above will emerge as the next governor due to their popularity in the State. Despite the chances of the three candidates were very bright, they still have some obstacles that may be standing on their ways and which may likely make it difficult for them to have soft landing. Already, candidates are on their last batch of campaigns as the election day is just 15 days ahead. DailyPost learnt from Observers that Fayemi, who is a Doctorate degree holder has gained more supports from elites residing in the State due to what they believe he has been able to achieve academically. This may be attributed to the recent position the immediate past governor of the State, Engr. Segun Oni who defected to APC from PDP took following the emergence of Fayose as the party candidate. Oni said PDP was wrong to have picked Fayose out of the aspirants jostling for the party ticket. Oni stated further that Fayose, who is an HND graduate has no pedigree to march Fayemi’s profile, therefore cannot stand in the same party with someone who has soiled his hand. It was also gathered that since Fayemi reclaimed his mandate in 2010, all communities in the state have continued to enjoy peace. It was also divulged that the party which produced Fayemi (APC) was said to have a strong structures in all rural areas in Ekiti State, and this was due to the impact of his administration in the development of rural areas. However, Fayemi may be facing challenges among the civil servants, particularly the teachers following a policy introduced by his administration that all teachers must participate in an aptitude test. But Fayose, a former Governor of the state between 2003 and 2006 is said to have been enjoying supports from the commoners. It was gathered that those who have been canvassing for the return of Fayose include, market women, Artisans, Okada riders and the Youth. This support is said to have come due to his open door policy during his first term tenure. In those days, Fayose was always seen around the commoners and chatting with them and sharing in their pains. Fayose, popularly called “Osokomole” among his followers also spent his first term in developing major sectors of the state. Some of his achievements include, the dualization of Ado-Ekiti major road, modern market, building of schools, giving of car loans to workers and empowering the artisans. The PDP candidate who was known as “Mr nonsense” may be facing some obstacles as he begin to work towards his return to power following some of the allegations raised against him during his first term. He was alleged to have mismanaged some funds during his era and presently facing trial on the said matter. Also, in his first term, Fayose is at loggerheads with most of the traditional rulers in the State. This was said to have been one of the reasons that led to his impeachment. Though, on the day Fayose emerged as the party flagbearer, he said “this is a new Fayose”. He said he was now mature and had learnt his lesson. Opeyemi, who got the seat to the House of Representatives through the platform of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) before it merged with CPC and ANPP to form APC has been enjoying cult followership in some quarters from the State. It is believed that Opeyemi, a former Commissioner for Information in Lagos State has emerged under a party which has a weak structure in the State. Though, he has been described as a generous man, whom is believed may turn things for the better, he eventually wins the poll. However, some political commentators have described Opeyemi as a man who is too over ambitious. They said he should have supported Fayemi for a second term, rather than coming out to contest. They noted that he is one of the indigenes of the State who has enjoyed the progressives’ party more, after serving as a Commissioner for eight years and also compensated with House of Representatives when the ticket for Senatorial candidate was handled over to Femi Ojudu. One of them, Akin Olotu said “what does Opeyemi want again from the party whom he had benefited from for so long? He should have supported Fayemi no matter the case and wait patiently for his own time. He is just one of those who had betrayed Asiwaju Tinubu and I am afraid, if Opeyemi loses this election, this may be the end of his political career”