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thursday, february 12, 2015
As the presidential election campaign of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressive Congress (APC) candidates kicked off in
VOL. 10. NO.011
Front Page Comment Election 2015: Electorate Commend Candidates -Call For Free, Fair Election By Francis Ezediuno
Port-Harcourt and Lagos respectively, Nigerians have started to react to the the level of
expectations from both candidates.Apart from that, reactions have also trailed the near disaster
to galvanise that support preceding the peoples towards the FebAkure ‘Walk for ruary 14, 2015 Change’ organ- presidential ised by the APC election.
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Contending, respondents, who spoke with this medium, explained that it was Continue on pg7
Adesiyan Admits Involvement In Ekiti, Osun Elections’ - See Story On Page 2
•The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (right), casting his vote during the referendum poll for creation of additional Local Council Development Area (LCDA) at Unit 1, ward 8, Ifofin, Ilesa, State of Osun. With him is his wife, Sherifat.
Lawyer Sues Jega, INEC Over Postponement Of General - Pg 2 Elections Polls Shift: A Subversion Of Democracy- Pg 6 - Aregbesola
Impeach Jonathan, Sambo Now – - Pg 4
Massive Turnout At Osun Council Creation Referendum
- See Story On Page 4
osun Defender Thursday, February 12, 2015
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Adesiyan Admits Involvement In Ekiti, Osun Elections’
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By Kehinde ayantunji
are mischievous; somebody recorded the scene, but let everybody listen to it. Listen to it yourself and get back to me.” Obanikoro had however, denied that he was part of any meeting to rig the election. When the leaked audio was played back for him during the programme, Obanikoro replied that the
recording showed someone was complaining about the plan of the APC to rig the election. “The recording did not say I have manipulated any result from what I have listened to, rather, from what you have played, it is someone shouting at someone, who is cooperating and collaborating
with the APC and trying to frustrate something. “What that is, I don’t know, but from what I have heard, somebody shouting out loudly telling the other person that you are working with somebody else other than me, that’s what I could hear,” he said. On his part, Fayose said his voice and that of other people in the recording was
manipulated using speech software such as Natural Voices.
he Minister of Police Affairs, Mr. Jelili Adesiyan, has admitted his involvement at the meeting held in Ekiti State to perfect the rigging of the June 21 election and replicate the same in Osun. He admitted that the meeting actually took place at Spotless Hotel in Ado- denying that there was a Ekiti, which served as the conversation but it was not coordinating campaign what they are saying. office for the Peoples “Nigerians are not Democratic Party (PDP). dummies. These people A recording of the meeting, which featured top officials of the government and Aliyu Momoh, a Brigadier-General, was leaked last week by Captain Sagir Koli, a Military Intelligence Officer, who gave details of all that transpired between himself, his commanding officer, two ministers and some politicians prior to Ekiti and Osun governorship elections. He also spoke about the elaborate plans made to replicate the Ekiti scenario in the State of Osun on August 9, 2014 Ade s i yan , h o wev er, said the conversation in the leaked tape was an altercation between Mr. Fayose and Mr. Momoh, after the former accused the latter of being bribed by the then incumbent governor of the state, Dr. Kayode Fayemi. He stated this while speaking to some national newspapers on his involvement on the rigging of election in Ekiti and plans to replicate it in Osun. •The Deputy Governor, State of Osun, Otunba (Mrs) Grace Titi Laoye-Tomori (2nd left), casting her vote during the referendum poll for creation A c c o r d i n g t o h i m : of additional Local Council Development Area (LCDA) at Ward 6, Unit 2, Owode area, Olorunda Local Government last Monday. “Fayose accused the General, who supervised the Ekiti election, of taking bribe from Fayemi and the APC. That was two days n Akure lawyer and human rights activist, Charles court to declare the shifting/ to hold elections based on postpone or shift general before the election. They Titiloye, has dragged the Independent National postponement of general security situation, which elections schedule for March called me because they Electoral Commission (INEC), its Chairman, elections for the election is cogent and verifiable 28 and June 11, 2015. said the General disarmed Professor Attahiru Jega, and the Resident Electoral of the President, Vice- and Professor Attahiru The lawyer in his statement policemen and I told him Commissioner of INEC for Ondo State before a Federal President, governors and Jega and INEC wrongfully of claim before the court, to allow the policemen to High Court sitting in Akure over the postponement of members of the National interpreted and relied on this averred that monitoring of do their job.” general elections from February to March and April Assembly and State House section to postpone elections election is the constitutional “I was there, Fayose was of Assembly from February throughout Nigeria, when duty of the Police, DSS counsel to Mr. Charles only 14 local government and Civil Defence Corps, there, Otunba Omisore was 2015. Two lawyers, Victor Titiloye at the Federal High 14 and 28 to March 28 and council areas in three who have their structures there, Senator Obanikoro April 11, 2015 respectively w a s t h e r e . I a m n o t O l a t o y e g u n a n d S o l a Court in Akure. b y I N E C C h a i r m a n , states (Borno, Yobe and and institution throughout Ajisafe, filed the suit as Titiloye has prayed the Professor Attahiru Jega on Adamawa) were affected Nigeria and are always Saturday, February 7, 2015, by the alleged unfavorable available for the security of the nation irrespective relying on the request from security situation. of military operation taking T h e a c t i v i s t l a w y e r “We are of the view that National Security Adviser wanted the court to declare place in 14 local government the intention of this PDP-led as unconstitutional, null area in the North Eastern government is to provoke and void and a violation that INEC is duty-bound Nigeria. to verify and ascertain By shina abubakar the electorate and force of the independence of He argued that based on all allegations of security socio-political organisation, De Young Mandate them to either lose interest INEC guaranteed by the breaches or unsuitability section 26(1) of Electoral Group, has described the recent postponement of in participating or sway their Constitution of Federal of conduct of election Act, Jega and the INEC in favour of the PDP. Republic of Nigeria as the general elections as a morale booster for the vote before postponing election can only postpone election However, the people have amended. populace to ensure change is effected in governance resolved to stick to their in the affected 14 local He further urged the court in any part of Nigeria and during the 2015 elections. resolution of voting for a to declare that Professor not merely rely on letters government council areas A s t a t e m e n t s i g n e d excesses. candidate of their choice, or correspondence from and not the entire country. He reiterated that the 14 by the Speaker of the Abiola disclosed that irrespective of the trick of Attahiru Jega, the Chairman persons or authorities that of INEC compromised the local government council group, Mr Olanrewaju it is not reasonable for the PDP-led government.” are not under its supervision areas is not up to three Abiola, disclosed that the the security chiefs to tell The group also warned independence and neutrality and control. percent of the entire 774 postponement ordinarily Nigerians that the military the Federal Government not of INEC by acting and The activist prayed the was meant to dampen the would cleanse the mess of toy with the alleged plan of relying on a letter requesting court to declare that there local council areas in the morale of the citizenry, Boko Haram militia within removing the Chairman of for postponement of General is no security situation country. He accused the INEC whose enthusiasm about the six weeks after all this while the Independent National election by the National in Ondo State requiring polls is beyond description, that the crisis has been Electoral Commission Security Adviser, who is postponement of elections chairman of compromising the independence of but added that the Federal ravaging the North-Eastern (INEC), Professor Attahiru a political appointee and in the state. Jega, in an attempt to aide to PDP presidential INEC by giving effect to G o v e r n m e n t h a s o n l y part of the country. He also urged the Federal the interest Dr. Goodluck succeeded in catalysing “It is very disappointing destabilise the current candidate, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, to postpone the High Court to perpetually Jonathan, PDP candidate Nigerians to desire change for the Nigerian military democratic process. It also urged the teeming restrain all the defendants, in the general elections, the more. and other security outfits populace in the country not general elections. Titiloye also prayed jointly and severally from whose supporters and aides He said, the postponement to force INEC to postpone to be discouraged with the was quite political and a the elections on the ground postponement in the election the Federal High Court further relying on unverified have been agitating for deliberate attempt to sway that they have insurgency by INEC and be committed to interpret Section 26(1) correspondence by persons postponement of election. No date has however been votes in favour of the ruling problem to deal with within to making our democratic of the Electoral Act and and authorities outside party, but has ended up six weeks. This is clearly institution stronger. declare that INEC can only INEC or take any other step fixed for hearing of the suit creating an avenue for a case of interference with postpone election in areas unknown to the Electoral by the Federal High Court, the populace to see their INEC independence. where it is impracticable Act or Constitution to Akure.
Lawyer Sues Jega, INEC Over Postponement Of General Elec tions
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Polls Postponement: Group Charges Electorate To Be Resolute
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Osun Defender Thursday, February
Exposed: Judge Paid N2bn To Disqualify Buhari; Plot To Blackmail Jega Into Resigning Thickens The plan to relocate the judge from Nigeria, according to the PDP sources, was for the judge’s safety, he is to leave the court straight for the airport for a waiting chartered aircraft to fly him out to safety. As part of the bargain, his proxy in Nigeria is to execute some multi-billion naira contracts facilitated
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by the presidency to enable him have a blissful sojourn in Dubai. Starting from anytime soon, relentless allegations of illegal conducts would be launched against Jega, which will include embezzlement, INEC contract scams, secret deals with APC and sundry alleged crimes that will paint Jega black, to pave
way for his sack to save the credibility of the election. This, the sources further revealed, would be followed by several media smear campaigns against Buhari and Jega with AIT and NTA playing leading roles; more Yoruba leaders will be drafted to lend anti-Buhari/ Jega voice in the media. “OPC members loyal to
Faseun group will be heavily mobilized. Gani Adams is reportedly being cautious about his involvement, but reports suggest he is under tremendous pressure from Governor Segun Mimiko to join in pro-Jonathan scheme,” the source stressed.
fter succeeding in securing polls postponement, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has begun its next move to ensure that the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), General Muhammadu Buhari, does not emerge as the winner of the election. After the postponement a palatial home is already announcement, the PDP prepared for him and was quick to applaud the members of his family. decision, while the APC fumed, millions of Nigerians sneered, even as people around the world took the news of the postponement as a shock too difficult to believe. However, close watchers of Nigeria’s political trend believe the success of this first move is critical to the next move to ensure Buhari is not allowed to contest the election. Sources confirmed that it was not the security issue that was the problem in driving the election postponement agenda, it was Buhari that the PDP leaders do not want. They also feared Jega is too independent-minded and difficult to rally into the PDP scheme that will ensure that Jonathan succeeds in the plot and so he must also go. As PDP celebrate the postponement success, the President’s kitchen cabinet has also been found to be pulling another string again to ensure that if he cannot have his way to take another shot at the presidency, •(L-R) Reverend Oluwakayode Ogunrinde; Bishop Makinde Oladapo; Deputy Governor, State of Osun, Otunba (Mrs) Grace Titi Laoye-Tomori; Dr Buhari’s hope must also Samuel Uche (2nd right) and Most Reverend Charles Oderinde during the enthronement of Reverend Ogunrinde (JP) as Bishop of Osogbo Diocese be dashed and Nigerians’ in Osogbo last Sunday. desire for change is aborted. As reported by some m e d i a h o u s e s e a r l i e r, dependable sources in the know of the plot have offensive war against Boko By ismaeel uthman again confirmed that the Haram? Why do they want Presidency has procured to start their attack on the Electoral Commission Jonathan to retain his seat a pliable judge, with a bill he Osun Civil Societies Coalition (OCSC) has (INEC) to shift ground on and win the election at all same day we were supposed of N2 billion, to give a to have election? What calls accused leaderships of the Nigeria security agencies the general elections to hold cost. disqualification verdict that of partisanship and acting the script of President as scheduled. T h e h u m a n r i g h t s for the urgency, particularly will bar Buhari from the Agboola maintained that crusader stressed that it when the Cameroonian and presidential election holding Goodluck Jonathan on the postponement of the general elections. INEC Chairman, Professor was not impossible for the the Chadian Armies have on March 28. The OCSC in a press the Nigeria’s democracy. Attairu Jega, was not to be Presidency to be making been crushing the Boko It was further learnt that the National Security s t a t e m e n t s i g n e d b y President Jonathan is aiding blamed on the postponement moves to ease Jega of Haram? “Do they ask for six weeks Adviser, Colonel Sambo its Chairman, Comrade a civil coup by forcing of the election but the his INEC chairmanship to perform their miracle security agencies who said Dasuki, Chief Edwin Clark, A b i o d u n A g b o o l a , o n INEC, through the security position, sensing that he all service chiefs, some Sunday, described the agencies to postpone the they could not guarantee may not compromise on the in the North East, which Yoruba leaders opposed to p o s t p o n e m e n t o f t h e elections,” he said. the security of lives and fairness, transparency and they failed to accomplish in five years? Nigeria has Tinubu’s popularity, Ayo election as an onslaught According to Agboola, the properties of Nigerians credibility of the elections. 36 states including the Fayose, and several others on Nigeria’s democracy security agencies, apparently should the election hold on Agboola maintained that Federal Capital Territory are insisting that Jonathan and a civil coup aided by following the directive February 28. election postponement was and there is insurgency is should deploy everything President Jonathan. He warned against any to wear out the enthusiasm just three states. How would of the National Security at his disposal to stamp his “Shifting the general Adviser, who had earlier attempt to force Jega to of Nigerians, who were the situation of the three authority to have his way. election days is provoking called for the extension of resign his position as the u n c o m m o n l y r e a d y t o F a y o s e r e p o r t e d l y and a serious threat to the election days, forced INEC chairman, going by participate in the election, states be a dominant of the whole country for election insisted that the President the Independent National the desperation of President a d d i n g t h a t P r e s i d e n t postponement? should deploy soldiers in Jonathan was jittery to go “The INEC Chairman is Ekiti State, saying that he to the poll because he did not to blame here, but our had information that the not have the confidence of security agencies. Jega had APC has been planning winning the election. no choice than to bow to the Ekiti as its base to launch He chided the heads pressure, particularly when resistance against the plan he All Progressives Congress (APC) has states, to rig elections in of the security agencies the security agencies have for the president to have for not only disappointing told him they would not alleged the Peoples Democratic Party-led favour of GEJ.” his way. In a swift reaction to Nigerians but adding to the participate in the election (PDP) Federal Government of currently holding A section within the PDP is however, urging a three-day meeting with all commanders of Army the allegation, the military international embarrassment a n d t h a t t h e y c a n n o t by forcing the INEC to guaranty the safety of INEC caution against rushing formations on plans to rig the rescheduled general denied any such meeting. into the court matter, but elections across the country. The Director of Defence postpone the polls in favour staff and that of Nigeria voters.” they explained that this is I n f o r m a t i o n , M a j o r of President Jonathan. Agboola therefore called Agboola described the a tactical plan to cool the Speaking at a press follows to PREMIUM General Chris Olukolade, anger among Nigerians, conference on Monday in TIMES: “The presidency in a statement issued, excuse of the security on Nigerians to be vigilant agencies that they wanted to and ready to resist some who are not happy about Abuja, the APC National has forwarded a secret said: “I’m not aware of launch a six-week attack on other evil plans that are the postponement, as they reasoned that it may Chairman, John Oyegun, memo to all commanders of any meeting between the the Boko Haram beginning likely to follow the election said the meetings are divisions, battalions of the military and politicians. All on February 28, and they postponement. boomerang. Sources confirmed that c u r r e n t l y o n g o i n g i n Nigerian Army for a 3-day I know is that Kaduna is an could not afford election strategic meeting in Kaduna area where a lot of military distraction, as flimsy and a safety net has reportedly Kaduna. been prepared for the Before the APC press from Monday. Agenda: training and exercises go illogical. judge, who will disqualify conference, a military ‘How to use military to on regularly.” He added: “Why would Buhari, which is immediate insider had written as intimidate voters in APC the security agencies waited relocation to Dubai, where this time before waging
Election Postponement, An Onslaught On Nigeria’s Democracy - OCSC
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Nigerian Govt, Military Meeting To Plot Rigging Of Rescheduled Polls
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osun Defender Thursday, February
Impeach Jonathan, Sambo Now – Pastors
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By our reporter
members and House of Representatives Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal by the police, without anybody calling them to question, was a clear indication that the centre is no more holding and mere anarchy is loosed upon the nation,” the clerics noted. “How can the police teargas the members and the Speaker, House of Representatives, it is unheard of. We have said it before; we are back to Abacha evil days. It is even worse because today, we have pulpit men, who maintained
embers of National Assembly have been called upon to rescue Nigeria from imminent collapse by impeaching President Goodluck Jonathan. This was contained in a recent tear gas saga of release issued by a team the members and the of Concerned Pastors Speaker of the House of and Prophets of God in Representatives by the Nigeria and signed by police, the clerics stated their leader, Prophet Wale that it was high time for Olagunju, the Presiding the National Assembly Bishop of Divine Seed to rise and impeach of God Chapel Minstry, Jonathan, as well as his Sasa, Ibadan, the Oyo deputy, following their State capital. loss of total grip on the A c c o r d i n g t o t h e entity called Nigeria. release, the onus has fallen “The implication of on the National Assembly, the tear gassing of the as representatives of Nigerians, to apply the necessary impeachment provisions, as enshrined By SHINA ABUBAKAR in section 143 (I-II) of the 1999 Constitution of esidents of Osogbo trooped out en the Federal Republic of masse at various polling units in the capital Nigeria as amended. to vote in the referendum organised by Lamenting the current the State Independent Electoral Commission situation of the country, when compared with the (OSSIEC) to feel the pulse of residents on new dreams of the nation’s council creation in the state. OSUN DEFENDER council respectively, founding fathers, the clerics noted that the observed that in all the where elderly residents forefathers are certainly polling units visited, were seen discussing the not happy with what is r e s i d e n t s s h o w e d importance of creation on ground because their enthusiasm towards the of new council areas to dreams have become a referendum and expressed the development of their complete disaster. their joy over the move to community. W h i l e u r g i n g t h e create new council areas One of the elders, who N a t i o n a l A s s e m b l y by the state government. spoke with the medium, to gather all the gross At Ward 5 in Osogbo Alhaji Hammed Salam, misconducts of President L o c a l G o v e r n m e n t said the exercise was Jonathan and commence Council Area, visit to well overdue, adding that impeachment process about three polling units the people have since the a c c o r d i n g l y , t h e revealed that the people time of Chief Bisi Akande clerics lamented how were eager to express expected the creation of disrespectful Jonathan their views on the creation new council areas in the had in recent time become by insulting past national of new council areas and state. He commended the l e a d e r s l i k e f o r m e r try to outwit one another to ensure they register current administration President Olusegun their voices. i n t h e state for its Obasanjo, some northern S i m i l a r s i t u a t i o n s commitment in ensuring elders and calling the entire Yoruba race rascals. were observed at Wards that development further L a m e n t i n g t h e 4, 3, 12, 9 and 10 of the spreads to the grassroots,
sinful silence in the face of tyranny and failed in their responsibility to tell those in power the gospel truth. “Should the National Assembly fail Nigerians this time’ the clerics warned “that there may be an outbreak of another civil war.” According to the clerics, the way things are going under the watchful eyes of the present government, with virtually nothing been done, may lead to another civil war, if care is not taking. While condemning the
recent spate of insecurity in the country, especially, the recent bomb explosion at Kano Central Mosque o n a F r i d a y, w h e n worshipers were gathered and scores of people were left dead and injured, the clerics opined that except when Jonathan is impeached, there seem to be no solution in sight to insurgency in Nigeria, since it is apparently clear that Jonathan is no more in-charge. While urging the National Assembly to wake up before it is too late, the clerics, who accused the National
by embarking on plans to create new council areas in the state. Also, in Olorunda Local Government Council Area of the state, the wards visited included Wards 7, 8, 5, 3 and 6, where it was discovered that residents thronged the various polling units
to register their voices. An elderly resident at Unit 9 of Ward 8 in the council area, Mr Adewale Ogun, disclosed that he was happy that the process was eventually heading towards reality in his life time, saying they had thought it would have happened long time ago.
Assembly of being too slow to have allowed things to get this worse, noted that the assignment became urgent based on the fact that President Jonathan has divided Nigeria along religious and ethnic lines. Commenting on what could possibly be the aftermath of the impeachment, the clerics noted that if Jonathan is impeached today, heaven will not fall, adding that those singing war choruses are only doing so to scare Nigerians away from reality.
Massive Turnout At Osun Council Creation Referen-
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He then urged the teeming populace of the state to support the initiative of the current administration in the state to create the new council areas in the interest of the people of the state generally.
Aregbesola’s Victory Is Vindication Of The People - Ex-commissioner
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By Francis Ezediuno
he former Commissioner for Special Duties and Regional Integration in the State of Osun, Barrister Basiru Ajibola, has hailed the unanimous victory delivered in favour of the State of Osun Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, on the 6th of February, 2015. According to a press statement signed by Tesleem Latona, the media assistant to the former commissioner, Ajibola stated that Osun
Positive Force has been vindicated with this judgment, as it did not come to the group as a surprise, considering the
• A cross section of All Progressive Congress (APC) supporters during the House of Assembly rally at Owode, Olorunda Local Government Council Area of Osun recently.
legendary successes and achievement recorded during Aregbesola’s first term, as the governor has endeared himself to the people as a leader worthy of emulation. Ajibola stated that Aregbesola is a mentor, an achiever, an intellect, a leader and an established patriot. He urged the people of the state to emulate Osun Positive Force, which has endorsed him and embarked on a door-todoor campaign for the party, with a view to ensuring that those who had ill motive, negative propaganda and who had suspicious views about the person and capacity of the party candidates for the election were counselled, educated and sensitised to jettison their convictions. The ex-commissioner and member of Aregbesola’s legal team urged the people to vote for the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari; all National and State Assembly candidates of the APC. He however, implored the Federal Government not to think of frustrating the Independent National Electoral Commission Chairman; Prof. Attahiru Jega, to the point of resigning or sacking him.
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osun Defender Thursday, February
•The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbeola (middle), Lagos State Organizing Secretary, All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Abdullahi Enilolobo (left),and Lagos State House of Assembly member, Alimosho Constituency, Hon. Bisi Yusuff (right) atop of a bus acknowledging cheers from supporters, during APC governorship candidate Mega Rally, Akinwunmi Ambode, at Alimosho Local Government Lagos State, last Monday.
New LG Referendum Is Constitutional - Aregbesola
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By Kehinde ayantunji
he Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, on Monday said that the objective of his administration in conducting a referendum on local government creation is in line with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The governor stated this after casting his vote at the Ifofin Ward 8, Unit 1 in Ilesa on Monday, on the referendum to create new local government council areas in the state by the Osun Independent Electoral Commission. The state government, in Year 2012, set up a committee to look into how the state could create viable local government councils, with sustainable socioeconomic potentials. Professor Mojeed Alabi, a Professor of Political Science and a f o r m e r S p e a k e r, Osun State House o f A s s e m b l y, w a s appointed the chairman of the committee, which had since submitted its report to the governor. Aregbesola pointed out that the state will do everything possible under the Constitution of Nigeria to create local governments that will meet all required standards, noting that the basis for the exercise was the genuine desire
and consent of the people of Osun. He stressed that the state government is determined to ensure that all legal, technical and constitutional procedures are followed to the letter in the council creation
processes, hence the referendum in all wards of the state. In his words: “As it is in democracy, what we are trying to do is to feel the pulse of the people to know what their preferences are. I am sure the state will not have any problem as being envisaged by some people because we will do everything possible to meet the constitutional requirement. “We are working
round the clock, as you can see, that voting is taking place all over the state, to know the feelings of our people on the creation of additional local governments. “ We w i l l c r e a t e councils that will meet all constitutional requirements. It is the genuine desire of the people for selfgovernment,” the governor stated. The Chairman, Osun State Independent
Electoral Commission (OSIEC), Otunba Oladunjoye Oladitan, held that the essence of conducting the referendum was for OSIEC to know how desirous the local governments to be created are to the people. He noted that the turn-out of the people of the state in every ward of the existing local governments is overwhelming, saying the result of
the referendum will be transmitted to the state House of Assembly. He said, “I am particularly shocked with the number of people that trooped out for the exercise, it has clearly shown that the people are actually desirous of additional local governments. “Our own assignment is just to conduct a referendum with the voters register at our disposal and there
the state was the first in the political history of Nigeria to ever conduct a referendum to determine if the people wanted additional councils or not. Another voter who spoke with this medium at Ayetoro in Olorunda Local Government Council Area saw the whole exercise from another angle. According to Olasunkanmi, “the whole referendum exercise has revealed to us that we can conduct o u r a ff a i r s i n t h i s country without fear from any quarters. “I wonder why we have to restrict movement on election
day, meanwhile, what we are doing today is voting for or against a government decision and so far, so good, we have not recorded any acts of violence. “This shows that the people are in support of whatever the government is giving them. Let us also try and apply this same measure to our national elections. I believe we can conduct free, fair and peaceful polls in Nigeria without necessarily having to restrict vehicular and human movement.” Reports from polling units in other council areas indicated that the exercise was conducted
in a peaceful atmosphere and majority of the voters voted ‘YES’ The Chairman of OSSIEC, Chief Segun Oladitan, who was also on the field to ensure the smooth flow of the referendum, stated that the results would be collated and forwarded to the State House of Assembly for deliberations. It would be recalled that in December 2013, the state government inaugurated a committee headed by a foremost professor of political science and former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Professor Mojeed Alabi, to look into the possibility
Osun People Are In Support Of Referendum
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By Francis Ezediuno
sun voters have expressed confidence that the referendum organised by the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC) to determine the creation of additional local government councils will be a success. M a j o r i t y o f t h e Igbona and Ayetoro in voters who turned out Osogbo and Olorunda en masse at the polling l o c a l g o v e r n m e t s units nearest to them to revealed that majority of cast their votes in favour the voters were willing or against showed that to vote in favour of the the time was due for creation of additional the creation of more c o u n c i l s f r o m t h e local councils as the existing ones. present ones as being At Fagbewesa, a constituted have been voter; Yetunde, said that overstretched due to the she was happy to partake shortfall of allocation in the exercise because due to them. it was a constitutional A visit by OSUN one and no law has been DEFENDER to polling broken. units along Fagbewesa, She also disclosed Alekuwodo, Akindeko, that it was on record that
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osun Defender Thursday, February
Polls Shift: A Subversion Of Democracy - Aregbesola
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By Kehinde ayantunji
he Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, on Monday broke his silence over the postponement of the general elections earlier slated to hold this month, saying the development amounted to deliberate subversion of the country’s Constitution. A r e g b e s o l a , i n Communication and a statement by his Strategy, Mr. Semiu Director of Bureau of Okanlawon, said the
postponement has no basis in logic, morality or constitution. He said the shift in polls dates was induced by subtle threats, using insecurity in the country as a subterfuge. Aregbesola was quoted as saying: “This is the second time
brazen attempts would be made by the same security agencies to subvert the democratic process. The first was the attempt to subvert the democratic process in the State of Osun, when they brought over 73,000 security agents to subvert the will of the people.
“Then, they attempted to forcibly take power from the legitimate authority in the State of Osun. The second is this unwarranted postponement of the elections. This is totally unbecoming of civilian rule and democratic dispensation. And it is
•Jubilations galore: People and Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s supporters in Osogbo jubilating for declaration of Governor Aregbesola as the authentic winner of August 9, 2014 governorship election by Osun Election Petition Tribunal last Friday. Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI.
Osun Speaker Decries Insecurity, Corruption In Nigeria •As APC Campaigns In Ede,According Egbedore to him,
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peaker of the State of Osun House of Assembly, Honourable Najeem Salaam, has decried the level of insecurity and corruption in Nigeria, saying only the All Progressives Congress-led (APC) government can tackle the challenges. He stated this in Ede desired change to save on Saturday, while the country from its addressing crowd of present woes. APC members and He stressed that the sympathisers, during the APC has demonstrated party’s electioneering the leadership quality c a m p a i g n i n E d e / that is powerful enough E g b e d o r e / E j i g b o to tackle the challenges Federal Constituency of the country that for the 2015 general the PDP government elections. has failed woefully to The campaign team, address. being chaired by Salaam, Salaam urged the took its campaign train people of the areas to to Okinni, Ofatedo, cast their votes for all Ido-Osun, Olorunsogo the APC candidates in Egbedore Local t o e n s u r e q u a l i t y Government Council r e p r e s e n t a t i o n a n d Area and Ede town in quality leadership in Ede South and Ede North the country. Local Government He also urged the Council Area. people of the area not Salaam said the PDP- to be deceived by any led government has of the lies and rumours rocked the boat of the of the PDP aimed at country, and there is creating confusion in the need to effect the the state.
“their trait is to tell lies and anytime they spread falsehood again, tell them they are liars and send them away.” He urged the APC members, who are aggrieved to bury their grievances and work with other party members to effect the desired change in the interest of the nation. Also, the APC leaders in Egbedore, Alhaji Gbadebo Ajao, said the people of the constituency should be part of the change presently going on in the state, just as they have demonstrated in the past elections in the state.
By kazeem mohammed
He urged those who have not collected their Permanent Voters’ Card (PVC’s) to do so within the remaining period for the exercise to ensure that they are able to vote for the candidate of their choice. Part of the train were Senator Isiaka Adeleke, the candidate for Osun West Senatorial District; Professor Mojeed Alabi, the candidate for Ede Federal Constituency; Honourable Abiodun Awolola, candidate for Egbedore State Constituency; Honourable Kamardeen Akanbi, candidate for Ede-North State Constituency and
PUBLIC NOTICE This is to notify the public that St. Benedict Healthcare foundation is to registered aim to care for the Orphans. Trustees: Isaiah Abonyi, Eucharia Abonyi and Gertrude Abonyi. Any commemt refers to Corporate Affairs Commission within 21 days.
Nurein Adebisi, candidate for Ede South State Constituency. Speaking in his palace, the Olokinni of Okinni, Oba Akadiri
clearly an abuse of the powers vested in the person of the President.” Expressing hopes that nothing must tamper with the new dates of the elections, the Osun governor said part of the strategy of the Peoples Democratic Party and the highly-jittery Presidency is to wear Nigerians out in order to perfect strategies to subvert the wishes of the people. “This is a grave error on the part of the PDPled Federal Government, as Nigerians, bonded and driven by acute suffering, occasioned by the inept leadership that is the legacy of PDP, have resolved to vote out the anti-people party and effect the change they are convinced will transform their lives. “This postponement, rather than confer on them any advantage, has compounded their woes, as Nigerians are much more resolute on their demands for a change,” he said. Aregbesola said being democrats, who are committed to enthroning the best culture of democracy in Nigeria, his party and Nigerians would refuse to be provoked “Being democrats h o w e v e r, w e s h a l l remain unprovoked but continue to mobilise our people in the belief that nothing must affect the new proposed dates. The will of the people is supreme and that is what will triumph at the
PUBLIC NOTICE IKUTAMITI DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION
The general public is hereby notified that the abovenamed Association has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part “C” of the Corporate and Allied Matters Act 2004. The Trustees are: (1) AJANI NIYI LATEEF (2) OTUNBA ADEBOYE MUKAILA OLADEJO (3) PRINCE ILELABOYE OLAGUNJU (4) ALHAJI MUKAILA ASHIFA (5) ALHAJI FATAl YISAU (6) MR. FATAl OGUNBOADE (7) ALHAJI WAHAB YISAU (8) PRINCESS ROLAYAN AJIBADE (9) ALHAJI RAHEEM MURITALA (10) DELE ABIODUN AIM & OBJECTIVES To promote peace and development initiatives among its members. Any objections to the above registration should however be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within twenty-eight (28) days from the date of this publication.
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osun Defender Thursday, Febru-
Election 2015: Electorate Commend Candidates-Call For Free, Fair Election By Francis Ezediuno
Continued from pg1
time for politics and putting into cognisance that the caliber of people that were to attend the exercise, Nigerian Police had no legal basis to tear-gas participants. They noted that the commotion was unnecessary as a previous exercise had been conducted in Osun, which went peacefully. They praised party members in Ondo for not engaging the operatives of the Nigerian Police but instead went about the process peace-
fully. Describing the Nigerian Police as the ‘political thugs’, they reiterated that they were only dancing to the tune their master was blowing. They called on the two major contenders to the highest office in the country to play matured politics and allow the electorate to choose whomever they wanted to rule them for the next four years. Politicians were further advised to base their campaigns on issues, rather than name calling, antagonisms, verbal attacks and employment of the social media to cast un-
necessary aspersions where it was not in existence as was observed during the week. The peaceful nature of the campaign kick-off was rated high and described as a departure from the practise as in previous election campaigns. They also affirmed that the general election was not a do-or-die affair and that the resort to thuggery, which was reported in the North relating to the burning of campaign buses of one of the political parties’ candidate, was uncalled for. “The incident should not be swept under the carpet. It should be thoroughly investigated and those found guilty should adequately
Let The Appointment Of Registrar Of Osun State Polytechnic Be
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t has become very necessary for me to lend my voice to the current unwarranted controversy trailing the appointment of the Registrar of Osun State Polytechnic, Iree. As an alumnus of the institution, I feel concerned anytime I read any form of negative story about OSPOLY in the newspapers. A recent needles mindboggling publication in some newspapers on the issue of the appointment makes me sick because of the misrepresentation made. As an alumnus, I watch, with keen interest, the process of the appointment of the registrar and I have taken time off to weigh the contending issues. I realised that the Governing Council of the Polytechnic stands on the side of the truth and integrity on the matter. The Council acted in the best interest of maintaining the positive image of the Polytechnic
by appointing a man of integrity, knowledge and experience to the post. Therefore, there is need to put an end to this needless controversy. From my independent findings, I realised that the process of the appointment followed the due process and
that there is no dispute over the certificate of the officer, who is a product of the famous Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. The new registrar possesses a Second Class Upper Degree in English Language in 1989 from OAU, Ile-Ife. He is also a member of many professional bodies such as Nigerian Institute of
Management and Chartered Institute of Arbitrators of Nigeria. By virtue of his degree from OAU, his professional qualifications and track record of integrity, this man is needed in the institution to ensure quality. Therefore, it is embarrassing to read in the newspapers the man was supposedly not qualified to hold the position.
It is pertinent to note that the State of Osun is lucky to have a meticulous governor like Mr Rauf Aregbesola, who is always painstaking in handling issues. Our amiable governor, who is a catalyst of change and an apostle of integrity, would not open his eyes and allow corruption under his watch. I congratulate the Council, once again, for the courage to tow the path of honour,
despite intimidations by some cabals. Since the appointment of the current Registrar, the institution’s stakeholders have breathed a sigh of relief. The students of the polytechnic, the staff, various bodies and unions as well as other stakeholders are not complaining over the performance of the officer since he assumed the office. On a final note, I appeal to those faceless individuals sponsoring unjustified write-ups in the newspapers against the registrar to desist and allow peace to reign at OSPOLY, so that those of us carrying the certificates of the polytechnic would not be subjected to further ridicule in our places of work.
• H amm e d Oyegbade, Osogbo, State of Osun.
punished, because if it’s left to fester, a repeat of the 2011 debacle is imminent and such should not repeat itself in 2015.” Relating to the powers to prosecute election offenders, the respondents wanted the powers of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to be increased. The argument is based on the premise that it is INEC that would prosecute and not the Nigerian Police.
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osun Defender Thursday, February
How The Tribunal Made Nonsense Of Omisore’s Petition
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t is the assertion of the Petitioners that the 1st and 2nd Respondents did not poll majority of the lawful votes cast at the said election. It is trite law that the burden rests on them to prove their assertion. See sections 32 and 133 of the Evidence Act, 2010, and the case of CPC vs INEC (2011) 18 NWLR (Pt.1279) 493 at 544-545 SC. The Petitioners are calling on the Tribunal to cancel all the unlawful votes credited to the 1st and 2nd Respondents by the 3rd Respondent. PW1 testified in paragraph 39 of his deposition that: “39- if the results credited to the 1st and 2nd Respondents in polling units of the wards and Local Governments challenged by the Petitioners in this petition are cancelled, the Petitioners will have majority of the lawful votes cast at the election and will also have not less than 25 percent votes in 2/3 of Osun State.” Since it is not the case of the Petitioners that the 1st and 2nd Respondents did not score lawful votes in any of the areas being challenged, they have by implication conceded that these Respondents scored some lawful votes in these areas. The burden is therefore on the Petitioners to determine, which are unlawful votes amongst the votes credited to the 1st and 2nd Respondents. It is only when they have done this that the tribunal will be in a position to deduct those unlawful votes from the total votes credited to the 1st and 2nd Respondents and determine the winner. This was the decision in the case of Nadabo vs Dubai (2011) 7NWLR (Pt.1245) 155 at 177, where the court held thus: “I think when a Petitioner is alleging that the Respondent is not elected by majority of lawful votes, he ought to plead and prove the votes cast at the various polling stations, the votes illegally credited to the winner, the votes which ought to have been credited to him and also the votes which should be deducted from that of the supposed winner in order to see if it will affect the results of the election. When this is not done, it will be difficult for the Court to effectively address the issue.” In Paragraph 22 of the Petition, the Petitioners have stated the votes credited to the 1st Respondent in each of the Local Government Areas in contention. They have also through their “expert” witnesses scanned and analyzed all the ballot papers used in the affected areas during the election. They are therefore in a position to lead evidence as to the lawful votes credited to the 1st and 2nd Respondents. At paragraph 5.1 of Exhibit 243, which is the report of the physical inspection and physical analysis of electoral documents used at the election issued by PW 15, there is a table of summary of the alleged irregularities. From this summary, the Petitioners are contending that 265,180 votes out of the 394,684 votes credited to the 1st and 2nd Respondents are unlawful votes. Interestingly they have also found 147, 072 unlawful votes credited to them. That if these unlawful votes are deducted from the total votes credited to the 1st and 2nd Respondents, these Respondents will have 129,504 valid votes. If their unlawful votes are deducted from 292,747 as credited to them at the end of the election, they would have 145,675 valid votes, thus putting them in the lead with 16,171 votes. It however became clear during the crossexamination of PW15 by the Respondents that he in his report dealt with areas where there were no complaints from the Petitioners. In other words, Exhibit 243 covers a wider scope than that envisaged by the petition. On pages 2-4 of Table 1 is the list of all the polling units in Ayedaade Local Government Council Area. Under cross-examination by counsel to the 1st
•aregbesola By Ibrahim Lawal
Respondent, his attention was drawn to pages 20-26 of the petition as regards Ayedaade Local Government. Only 3 wards namely Otun Balogun ward 02, Olufi ward 03 and Otun Olufi ward 04 are covered by the petition. Meanwhile table 1 pages 2-4 relates to all the wards within the Local Government. Similarly, his attention was drawn to pages 26-29 of the petition regarding Atakunmosa East Local Government Area. He concedes that: “On pages 26-29 of the petition, only 6 wards are being challenged while table 1 lists all the wards. Pages 29-34 of the petition relates to Boripe Local Government Council Area. In my report I listed all the polling units in all the wards, but 5 wards are being challenged in the petition. In Ede North contained on pages 34-38 of the petition, my report covers all the units in this Local Government. “ Table 2 in Exhibit 243 lists polling units with registered voters above 300 which do not have voting points. According to PW 15, he relied on Exhibit 186, the Manual in reaching his conclusion that if there are more than 300 voters in a polling unit and no voting points are created, the votes will be invalidated. He referred to page 5 of the Manual which contains an introductory statement by Professor Abubakar Momoh. This statement is to the effect that: “This manual draws on the various modifications introduced by the commission particularly on accreditation and voting procedure at polling units with more than three hundred registered voters.” We however do not see this as a legal requirement that a voting point must be created where the number of registered voters exceeds 300. There is no law stipulating that where registered voters exceed 300 and no voting points are created, the votes cast in such a polling unit should be cancelled. Even the said manual itself does not state so. Based on this erroneous assumption, PW15 in table 2 says 252,030 votes accredited to the 1st and 2nd Respondents are affected, while 139,789 of the votes credited to the Petitioners are affected. Under cross-examination by counsel to 2nd Respondent, PW15 denies any errors in his table 2. His attention was then drawn to page 32 of table 2; Unit 006 in Osogbo Local Government Council Area
•omisore
(Ward 4 Ataoja D-Union Bapt. School) where there are 766 registered voters. He then conceded“I have seen Exhibit 151G where 2 voting points were created where the voters were 766 for Osogbo unit 006. I have seen Exhibit 151m (xvii-xix) they are voting point created.” In response to a question by counsel to 3rd Respondent he said“I have seen Ward 4 Unit 11 on Exhibit 3. All that is contained in table II of my report are polling units without voting points. I have seen voting points on Exhibit 3 but they are not based on the cut-off mark of 300. I have seen the documents given to me (these were 24 copies of CTC of form EC 8A and EC 8VP for Boripe Local Government which are in evidence as Exhibits 244 and 244A respectively). I agree that voting points were created in those polling units.” Apart from the absence of any legal basis for the conclusion of PW15, he has by the evidence elicited under cross-examination conceded that Table 2 of his report does not contain accurate information. What we expected to see in his table 2 is the list of the polling units where voting points ought to have been created but were not so created. Rather it contains the list of all polling units where registered voters exceed 300. His table 2 is the same as table 6 of Exhibit 342. The source of table 3 is a comparison of forms EC8As and Duplicate copies. Table 3 is a comparison of form EC 8A -CTC and their counter-part duplicate copies issued to the Petitioners’ agents. According to PW 15, 9,578 votes credited to APC and 4,814 votes credited to PDP are affected by this comparison. In table 3, PW 15 has shown alleged irregularities by comparing CTC of forms EC 8A and their duplicate copies. The table showed that the CTCs of all the forms EC 8A examined were stamped. As stated earlier, these certified copies were made from the original of Forms EC 8A which the Respondents’ witnesses said were duly stamped. This report is a confirmation of this assertion by the Respondents. While Table 3 indicates that duplicate copies of Forms EC 8A were not stamped, it also indicates that there were discrepancies in the duplicate copies, that there were alterations in some duplicate copies, while some duplicate copies were
not signed. In the case of Irewole, Ikire’ C’ Ward 3 Unit 009 it is stated that there are different entries on CTC of Form EC8A and the duplicate copy. Polling Unit 009 is Ijadubi Open space. The complaint in this unit as per the complaint in the petition is that the result of the election was not recorded as required by law and Form EC8A for the unit was also not stamped. While PW15 has noted some discrepancies in the CTC of Form EC8A and their duplicate counterparts, he conceded under cross-examination by Prof. Osinbajo SAN for 2nd Respondent that“I have seen table 3 of my report. I did not point out any discrepancy in the result stated on the original and duplicate of form EC8A.” Table 5 in Exhibit 243 seeks to show areas where the total votes cast are more than the voters on the queue. For instance, in ward 3 Unit 016 of Oriade Local Government Council Area, the table shows that whereas there were 44 voters on the queue, the total votes cast was 54. The Petitioners are implying that extra votes were” imported.” While APC had 306 of such “imported “votes, PDP had 163. The evidence of all the witnesses for the Petitioners and the Respondents is that all accredited voters were allowed to vote. It is also their evidence that the accredited voters were told to go and come back at 12noon when voting would commence. It is however not their evidence that accredited voters who were not on the queue at the time of counting were not allowed to vote. All that is required of an accredited voter is to ensure that he casts his vote before voting closes. What is clear from the totality of the testimony of PW 15 is that the alleged unlawful votes include votes from wards and units not in contention in the petition. With the inclusion of votes from areas not in dispute, his over-all summary cannot be relied upon as representing the true situation. Upon a calm consideration of the totality of Exhibit 243, we entirely agree with the Respondents that it has been so discredited that no reasonable Tribunal can rely on it to hold that the votes credited to the 1st and 2nd Respondents are unlawful. Page 131-136 of the judgment delivered by Hon. Justice Elizabeth Nguveren Kpojime; Hon. Justice Vincent Igometi
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osun Defender Thursday, February
T he Convergence Of Varied Interest In Mohammadu Buhari
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s day counts, we are closer to March 28 every new day. It is a day considered sacrosanct to the democratic survival of our country. Suddenly, the political momentum builds and teaming Nigerians in millions attracted the new political scheming in Nigeria. We can see the artificially-generated political wave; I do not know how such could consume the natural one, which is propelled by the convergence of varied interest of Nigerians. Though, it is not easily visible but we can all feel it as the Ebele Jonathan and his co-political cobweb begin to see clearly the unfavourable political wind. They begin to feel jittery yet, never want to quiver to the notice of Nigerians. “The bee got their government system settled millions of years ago but the human race is still groping” that is in the words of an America novelist, Donald Robert Marquis, the message sinks deeper into the mind of Nigerians with foresight, is it not a shame that we have these people, who work against successful February election in Nigeria? Who really want the election to be postponed at this critical point? So absurd and laughable is such a calling and I am disappointed in the source of such a black-water of backwardness. The agent of Ebele Jonathan Government are the author of unwarranted security report that was deliberately falsified and blown, with the sole aim of creating a reason for shifting elections. Also, traceable to Ebele Jonathan is the crumbs political parties that propelled an unpopular agitation of postponement of the poll, they are of the view that since some Nigerians could not collect their PVCs up till the moment, it is their demand that election should be postponed. These are tidbit political parties that have adopted Ebele Jonathan as their presidential candidate; they are now the one finger behind which GEJ hides. We could see also that linked to the incumbent president is the second source of unwarranted agitation for the postponement of February election. Just what I know is as good as what John Kennedy said: “Those who make peaceful revolution impossible, make violent revolution inevitable”
•buhari By ABDULSALAM ABDULFATAH
I doubt if Nigerians can believe the adulterated security report that emanated from the Federal Government apparatus such as the one triggering the postponement of February election. It is unbelievable, many ridiculous security reports have emanated from the Federal Government security apparatus and department. It boldly announced it has killed Shekau, but the Boko-haram’s leader debunked their usual false outburst with proof. We got an official report also that the Federal Government has reached a cease fire agreement with Boko-haram, this sweet news will soon be debunked by the Boko-haram. I felt mortified for a government that exhibits it uncoordinated feature often. Some time, we were made to be happy by the cultural false report from this ever-unreliable source and its usual security reports, like the coming of Jesus Christ, Nigerians were promised since that soon the Chibok school girls would soon be rescued. Their promises are
Buhari is just a focal point in the super wave; the convergent forces of politics are numerous. The Northern Nigeria in their majority is not the only political component in the “GMB” wave; the dominant political forces in the Western Nigeria and reliable component from the South constitute another super block in the “GMB” wave. I felt the breeze of unstoppable GMB political wave in Ilorin, the capital of Kwara State; one of the most tick crowds you can ever imagine welcomed him and followed him like the movement of sea, which is not clearly visible. GMB vehicle and entourage could hardly move due to the huge crowd and the manner he was welcomed was a big celebration. The experience was the same until he got to the Emir’s palace in Ilorin, when Buhari saw this heavy crowd, who were everywhere, some of them climbed tall threes and buildings, they shouted and waved with energy and enthusiasm, showing the deepest of love for him, GMB could no longer control his tears and it dropped from his eyes. This wave we talk about is showing a picture, which could be interpreted by the words of a French writer, Joseph Marie: “Every nation has the government it deserves (Toute nation a le bouvernment qu’elle merite)”. What we deserve now is a government predicated on integrity. The picture is like this in many part of Nigeria as campaign progresses, In Kano, Kaduna, Lagos, Sokoto, Ibadan, State of Osun and other big cities in Nigeria. I guess the crowd puling capacity of GMB is a big threat to GEJ and the political cobweb, this trigger several meeting they held by GEJ and his cobweb in Abuja where they concluded to work toward frustration of the February election. We are at a critical point of democracy in Nigeria, at a point when the life span of one administration is constitutionally expiring and it becomes a necessity without option to determine the next government through election. We only opt for the constitutional option that we have as we are left with no alternative.
not real. “Timid and interested politicians think much more about the security of their seats than about the security of their country.” That is the words of English historian, Thomas Babinton Macauley. Certainly, a new politicallymotivated and false security report is diffused from the stable of the Federal Government of Nigeria and behind this Ebele Jonathan and his web want to hide and run away from February election. As you can hear Okupe, who was initially busy, showcasing the “mirageouse” achievement of his paymaster and later axing the image of the strongest opponent of his paymaster and now he wants the election of February postpone. Definitely, GEJ, who is his boss blew the trumpet and it is the sound we hear from Okupe. What Ebele Jonathan and his web are afraid of (now) is beyond Mohammadu Buhari; it is a “tornadonic” convergence •ABDULSALAM (Liberty) of varied interest in Nigeria and it is a super wave and the speed is the Director-General of is the highest and the momentum GOGLAI. is unprecedented. Mohammadu
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osun Defender Thursday, February
Polls Shift: Who’ll Save Jonathan From Jonathan?
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he stoppage of the February 14th elections in Africa’s most populous nation, and now the fastest-growing economy by President Goodluck Jonathan smacks off megalomaniac dictatorship at its submit. Inadvertently, it is the beginning of a road that would soon lead to his exit from Aso Rock, either peacefully or violently. The nation’s demoralised, damaged and badly compromised army whose leadership drips in endemic corruption, and lacks basic nuances of counter-insurgency technicality to fight Boko Haram has been used to carry out the civilian putsch. Mr Jonathan, in his mind, had conquered Nigerians with the greatest of ease. He sees himself and the PDP as the salt of the nation, the incredible guarantors of the fulfilment of the Nigerian’s destiny. He is being burnished by the Army and the Niger Delta militants, which he has been nourishing, albeit secretly, to furnish physical violence, the terror by which he could bludgeon his way back to political power, should he lose the election. But the predictions are not in his favour. The star of the nation is about to rise and his will sink. The death knell of his “Providential Presidency” has been sounded by this manipulation which had put the nation in the shade. The President, the PDP, the Army, the Niger Delta militants, Edwin Clarks and others who have staked themselves to the shift of February elections have one thing in mind before committing the political harakiri. The bottom must be knocked off, they reasoned, since Nigerians have become so enchanted by the General Buhari’s movement and the “February Ululation”. The February 14th election was meant to provide hope for a long tormented and battered people and country. But the Presidency has kept sharp eyes for weakness in the APC and its Presidential candidate’s collective armour. All their accusations against General Buhari refused to stick. The postponement in itself is a shocking throwback to the IBB primitive interminable transition regime time, which kept adjusting the goal posts until the dictator was himself adjusted out of power. In all account, Mr Jonathan knows that he is no longer needed. He has been President at the wrong time with his girlish, timid and his morally moribund government. The failures of his government had been his inability to stamp out the Boko Haram insurgents, megacorruption, which has bedevilled his administration, oil theft, lack of electricity, unemployment and a host of others. Therefore, the postponement came with breathless speed and with crudeness, trickery and brutality, even to the nation’s Constitution
•jonathan By Erasmus Ikhide
he swore to protect under oath. Elections to the national offices were usually, as defined by the Nigerian Constitution, must hold three months to the handing over date to the successor. That period had been fixed for February of every election year. President Jonathan the CommanderIn-Chief is very much aware of this Constitutional provision and he, in fact had been canvassing for votes in readiness for February 14th. The question now is what went wrong? Should Nigerians accept docilely Mr Jonathan’s dictatorship and its barbarism and reward him with our votes on March 28th? When will the unlimited madness ends? Should Mr Jonathan not be left high and dry? Open manly discussion would have been of more service to the Nigerians electorate and the president himself than utter political shrewdness clamped in the caucuses of military bargains. Mr Jonathan is not educated enough to know that great leaders are not created by propaganda or political gimmickry. Now, that has brought a lot of ruins to the already broken political system. The once thoroughbred academic
and firebrand ASSU chairman, Prof Attahiru Jega caved in under the intense pressure from the nation’s security personnel, who take direct instructions from Mr Jonathan, their employer, to shift the elections for untenable reasons. Jega has been caught applying his manifest talents wrongly at a time Nigerians expect stoicism and bravery from him. It’s clear from the outset Mr Jonathan and the PDP had already made up their minds to shift the polls, unknown to the former Heads of State, Governors and others who attended the Council of State’s meeting and advised that elections be held as scheduled. Professor Jega was quoted in the meeting to have told the council that the commission was ready for the conduct of the polls. The brains behind elections postponement are chiefly Mr Jonathan; the Peoples Democratic Party, the dimmed witted National Security Adviser, Colonel Sambo Dasuki; the Chief of Defence, Army, Naval and Air Staff, just to mention a few. Colonel Dasuki was the first to hatch the postponement gambit in Chatham House, United Kingdom on the 25th of January. What Nigerians thought was a joke all along has turned out to the
ultimate coup against the people in modern civilisation. One of the INEC National Commissioner gives an insight into how Jega, who earlier expressed INEC readiness to conduct the February 14th election was ambushed by Mr Jonathan and the Nigerian Army and caught him flatfooted: “You need to be at the meeting and see the mood of Jega. He was not happy because his integrity was at stake and because these same service chiefs had earlier given their words that they were ready. “Now, if he didn’t listen to their advice, these same security agencies could create problems for the elections. They could sabotage the distribution of the sensitive materials. Apart from that, they could also refuse to provide security for those involved in the elections and could also sabotage the movement of sensitive materials. Everyone knows that the PDP is not ready for the elections. If the Federal Government that is funding the security agencies and appointed their heads is not ready for the elections, how do you compel their heads, who are all appointees of the same government to say they are ready?” the INEC National Commissioner asked rhetorically. With this outcome, the nation’s electorate, whose one half of its population voted for Mr Jonathan, nearly six years ago, have totally backed down on him. They have come to the realisation that the gutter has come to government! Those who were not so convinced; who were denuded with some of the president’s degrading Transformation Agenda Policy (TAP), including the painting of locomotive trains which junket between Lagos and Kano for 33 hours in a distance of 1,126 kilometre are coming to term with Mr Jonathan’s deceptive government. Conversely, Mr Jonathan is too divisive, too torpid, too blooded, too blind to grasp the nature or the direction of what was building up against his Presidency. His government rankled in the history of Nigeria as a black period of drastic deterioration, feast of common criminals, instead of altruistic salvation. The families of the Job seekers who were stampeded and cold-bloodedly murdered by Mr Jonathan government across the 36 States of the Federation, including Abuja, are still waiting for respite. That was after N6 billion was criminally collected from 6 million applicants youths who paid N1,000 each for the non-existent jobs that cost many their lives. Nigerians are calling for an end to the bloodshed, for a termination of PDP terror, for the restoration of economic and political decencies and the return of some measure of brightness, especially generation of electricity. The nation has been kept
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PHOTOTALK
osun Defender Thursday, February
FOMWAN Rejoiced With The State Of Osun Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, On His Victory At Election Petition Tribunal At Government House, Osogbo, On Tuesday.
•The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (right); his wife, Sherifat (left); member, National Assembly, Honourable Ayo Omidiran (4th left); former Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Education, Alhaja Lateefat Giwa (2nd left); State Ameerah, Federation of Muslim Women Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN), Osun Chapter, Alhaja Suaibat Babalola-Adubi (3rd left) and others, during a Special Prayer in honour of Governor Aregbesola for his victory at the Election Petition Tribunal in the Government House, Osogbo, State of Osun, on Tuesday.
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•Aregbesola (right); his wife (2nd left); Alhaja Giwa (3rd right); Alhaja Babalola-Adubi (2nd right); wife of the Chief of Staff, Alhaja Kafayat Oyetola (3rd left); wife of the Speaker, Osun House of Assembly, Mrs Bimpe Salami (left) and others, during the Special Prayer.
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Voters During Referendum On The Creation Of New Local Government Council Areas In The State Of Osun, Organised By OSSIEC, Across The Nation Last Monday. Photo: GBENGA
•The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (2nd left); his wife, Sherifat (left), being accredited by Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC) officials at Unit 1, Ward 8, Ifofin, Ilesa.
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•Aregbesola (right), acknowledging cheers from his admirers after casting his vote during the referendum last Monday.
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Voters During Referendum On The Creation Of New Local Government Council Areas In The State Of Osun, Organised By OSSIEC, Across The Nation Last Monday. Photo: GBENGA
•People queuing to vote at Ward 5, Unit 2, Osogbo grammar School.
• •Another cross section of voters queuing at Ward 5, Unit 16, Technical a College rea, Osogbo.
•Voters casting their votes at Ward 8, Unit 9, Ajewole Street, Olorunda Local Government Council Area of Osogbo.
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Voters During Referendum On The Creation Of New Local Government Council Areas In The State Of Osun, Organised By OSSIEC, Across The Nation Last Monday. Photo: GBENGA
Another voter cast her vote at Ward 7, Unit 7, Sabo area, Olorunday LG.
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•A cross section of casting cast their votes at Ward 5, Unit 12, Tinumola area of Osogbo.
•Voters at Ward 7, Unit 8, Adenle area of Osogbo.
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Election, Neither About Buhari Nor Jonathan
A
s Mr. Jonathan stumbled and wobbled in poll after poll; several of them operated or commissioned by operatives and hirelings in and around the administration, they looked for scapegoats and escape holes. Up until Thursday, the 5th of February 2015, there were people in Nigeria who thought President Goodluck Jonathan still had a chance to be re-elected president. Among that number, some mistook the pageantry and pomp of incumbency for the power and pump of Nigeria’s fledgling democratic heart. As politicians trooped from his PDP into the suddenly-attractive APC, Jonathan’s team deployed abuses and excuses. As organizations and important individuals around the country and abroad endorsed Mr. Jonathan’s principal challenger for the presidency, his cheer leaders encouraged him to disburse more promises, dismissing forecasts of his imminent electoral demise. Well, not entirely. At first, they clung to the strategy of trying to destroy the claims to character of Muhammadu Buhari, the APC presidential candidate. That lost steam. They shifted into blame mode, questioning the readiness of the electoral commission. That, too, lost steam. Then they thought the “Independent” in the Independent National Electoral Commission was ridiculous and refused to honour its budgetary and programmatic requirements; who refused to encourage Nigerians to collect their voters’ cards; who refused to protect the rights of the internallydisplaced to vote; these emergency philanthropists argued Nigerians had not received their cards. That track also lost steam. Then they dropped the P-word: postponement. They wanted the election postponed. At first they wanted six months. Then, dawn and reality closing in, they wanted eight weeks. Eight weeks? Eight weeks. They had had four years or five, or even eight, depending on how you looked at it—to prepare for the 2015 elections. They had had all the time in the world to grant the electoral commission all the support it needed to be absolutely prepared, but did not. They had had all the time to support the IDPs, including those displaced by floods, but did not. They had all the time in the world to revamp the military and Nigeria’s entire Boko Haram strategy towards making the Northeast safer and more election-friendly, but they did not. It came down to begging and crawling to try and gain eight weeks. To be sure, they gained a few voices. They got some minor political parties to whine on their side of the fence. They hurled a few moles in front of television cameras and radio microphones and internet keyboards. They refused to grant visas to foreign journalists heading into Nigeria to report the election. But it was hopeless, as opposition
•jonathan By Sonala Olum-
to postponing the election was substantial. Asserting itself, the electoral commission said: “We are ready. We are as ready as we are ever going to be!” And then the Council of State detonated a bomb right in the heart of the government, saying it had failed to find a shred of evidence why the election could not go on. In other words, the Council did not fall for the tenure-elongation schemes of the Jonathan presidency in the face of the clamor of the populace to speak at the ballot. These were gargantuan, seismic shifts. It is not difficult to imagine that the presidency, after being doused with such ice-cold water on a bitterly cold morning, did not crawl into alcohol and refuse to be consoled. It was not difficult to see that Nigerians simply wanted an opportunity to vote out Mr. Jonathan and the PDP. It may be clichéd, but Nigerians wanted change. This bothers some people, who argue bravely that Buhari and the APC do not offer change. That argument is what emerges when you fail to clean your ears. Buhari and the APC, I assert as someone who has openly denounced the PDP since the 2003 elections, are change. They offer a change from
•buhari
the PDP in the elementary sense that someone or anyone else is hope, and something of a new beginning. Anyone and anything but the PDP is the definition of change. Now, is APC the change Nigerians want? Well, that is a completely different animal. The truth is that you cannot have the second without the first. To say that APC is not the change Nigerians want should not be to say that PDP and Jonathan are a nightmare they want to maintain. It is the nature of homo sapiens, when confronted with pain or injury, to try something different. As for me, I am reformed. For five years, I have pointed out how weak and unsuitable for leadership Mr. Jonathan was. But it is all clear to me now; his mission in politics was never; to be a conqueror or an achiever, for he is not so equipped; it was to show Nigerians how nasty life can turn when they are not vigilant. Nigerians were not, and they got Jonathan. The PDP were not, and now, it is about to be de-mystified and detonated. In the process, Jonathan’s luck seems to have run out, and he is being unveiled as an impostor, the passerby in the mask of the King. Unveiled not just as the man who didn’t give a damn, but as one who couldn’t spell it. He will spend a lot of his old age trying to explain how he got to Aso Rock; how he got to the University of
Port Harcourt, if he did, how long he spent there, and what he did there; and even the loyalties of those who cheered when he did not give a damn. Speaking of UNIPORT, Mr. Jonathan may have single-handedly damaged that brand. Every alumnus is on now his own. Unless you are wearing damaged ethnic or regional blinkers, the only reason for any passionate support of Jonathan is because he upholds a lootocracy to which you belong. There is nothing about his public voyage that fills a normal man with anything but contempt. But let us be clear: this election is not about Jonathan. It is not about Buhari. It is about Nigeria, as a country that has for too long been taken for granted. This is also why Buhari, his team, and the APC must be on notice. It is not about you, and if you win, it would be the final tragedy should you act as if there is one day to waste, or as if the standards of measurement will be lowered because you enjoyed popular support on your way to the kingdom. The support is for the country, not you, and not your party. Actually, your journey will be a lot more difficult because in the period since your much-admired presidential party primary, a lot has changed, and the resources that will be available to you on Friday, May 29, 2015 will be considerably less. The comfort is that if you really and
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osun Defender Thursday, February
It’s An Insult On The Military To Question
A former Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Staff, General Alani Akinrinade (retd.), tells GBENGA ADENIJI and BAYO AKINLOYE that Nigeria may be headed for crisis if the elections are not well managed.
Y
ou are one of the finest soldiers Nigeria has ever produced. You also fought in the civil war to keep the country as one. Do you have any regrets? When you have a duty, especially if it is a professional duty, you should be happy each time you are able to discharge your responsibilities creditably. Therefore, to that extent, yes (I feel fulfilled.) We fought a civil war. I will say to the best of my ability, I discharged my duties. But if you look at the reasons why we fought the war, I will say it was an unnecessary war. If I knew at that time what I now know after many years of going around the world, studying history and reading biographies, I just feel it was an unnecessary war. But, unfortunately today, we’re faced with fighting terrorism. That phenomenon is going to dominate the world for the next 50 years, like I said in 2001 in one of my lectures. We are going to be chasing terrorists for the next 50 years if we are not careful. The reason is simply because we ignore why people do the things they do. We dismiss them instead of examining the message carefully and finding answers to it. I think it is rooted in injustice — injustice that breeds poverty in such a big way; that is overwhelming that people become desperate to use any means to vent their frustration and religion is an instrument they use. Going back to the civil war, we have not attained the peace we were looking for; we have not achieved that unity we sought. We wanted to keep Nigeria united for a purpose. We have not achieved the purpose from what we see now many years after the war — and that is the source of my regret. There is too much of a class struggle in Nigeria. The centre of power in Nigeria is so narrow and they make all the decisions. How will you assess the state of insecurity in the country and do you think the Multinational Joint Task Force is the solution to the insurgency in the North-East? The insurgency we are facing in this country is getting more sophisticated and aggravated by the day. The insurgents are beginning to have high morale as if they are achieving something. The state of insecurity in Nigeria is very bad; it is frightening. When Nigeria on the northern border has such countries like Cameroon, Niger and Chad, I don’t think the insurgency we have on our hand now is going to recognise any boundary at all. Boko Haram is looking for territories they can capture; it doesn’t matter whether it is in Nigeria or Cameroon. That’s certainly a reason for everyone to be sitting up and lend a hand to the Nigerian troops. If you remember, the September 11 plot was hatched not in the United States but in a foreign land. Therefore, there is a possibility that if neighbouring countries allow the insurgents to establish an Islamic caliphate, the whole world has a problem to deal with. Evidently, there is a reason for the international community to get really worried. Unfortunately, despite having some combined international forces fighting in Iraq many years ago, that country still remains an unsafe place for people to live. A similar thing is being experienced in Afghanistan; America is still battling with the Taliban. Multinational Joint Task Force is okay but I am not really sure that is the sole
•Akinrinade
solution to the insurgency. I am not sure the MNJTF alone will solve the problem but we need to have all the neighbouring countries in the northern border to wake up and start doing something. I think it’s a very good idea but there are still limitations to such endeavours. Nigeria boasts of probably the best troops in sub-Saharan Africa but the troops seem incapable of dislodging Boko Haram insurgents. Where does the problem lie? Perhaps, it is rooted in the trend of development in the Army itself when they went into governance and coups started happening. Even within the coups, there were coups and there were people shot and murdered trying to
attempt a coup. With a situation like that, the esprit de corps of the military has been eroded. I think we lost that esprit de corps gradually since the day the military started engaging in coups. That’s one aspect. Second, our governments didn’t have proper ministers of defence, who represent the political class, the political system and the professional soldiers. They are removed in quick successions, thereby destroying the military institution. There were periods when no development really took place. In the case of arms, ammunitions and equipment to match what is happening in the world, we didn’t pay enough attention to that. I also think that soldiers are humans; they live with us and they have
“As I speak to you, I don’t know where my original certificate is because we gave the original to the Military Board. They took it from us when we applied to join the Army. You give the original copy of credential to the board.”
the same kind of connections that all of us have within the society. They need to be encouraged. I heard an officer say that all over the world soldiers buy uniforms for themselves. That is not true. There is no country in the world that will send its soldiers to war and be expecting them to buy uniforms with their own money. If it gets to that point, then we are beginning to lose the grip on our soldiers. Do you see anything wrong in the use of the Civilian Joint Task Force in military operations against Boko Haram? Even during the civil war, we needed the help of the civilians because they knew the terrains better than what the map was telling us. They also knew some of idiosyncrasies of the population there, helping us to know how to handle them. But we didn’t organise them into a force. If you arm a man and afterwards he is hungry, he will use the weapon to find something to eat. Boko Haram also was supposed to have started that way except that religion was part of it — where a governor was alleged to have used some people as thugs, though organised, and he abandoned them. They also abandoned him and turned on the people, the police and the nation. Though that danger is there for the civilian JTF to become a menace, it is not unusual to use civilians to help the military in terms of intelligence gathering. It is easier to send someone who is not a soldier around the enemy line, who is part of the population whom they know. Nobody knew the depth to which they could go simply because we don’t have a police force within the people. That’s one problem and that’s why the military now need an organised civilian JTF. But if the soldiers cannot face the guns of the insurgents, how do you expect people carrying bows, arrows and some dane guns to be effective? Beyond using them for gathering information, and assisting the military in carrying out some logistic duties, they can’t be any more effective. We are on dangerous grounds, more so when we now have elections around the corner; they may be available to unscrupulous politicians. The court marshalling of soldiers accused of mutiny in the current fight against Boko Haram has been described by some people as illtimed. Some say it should have been done secretly not to demoralise other soldiers on the war front. What do you think? We have to be very careful. We are in a democracy and there is freedom of information. Democracy thrives on information being freely available; it will be difficult to defend in the future if the military went into the barracks and secretly court marshal people on matters of life and death — in which case they can be sentenced to death. That can be very dangerous. Maybe in military era, you can do that. But in this democracy, all of us have the responsibility to demand for an open book so that we know exactly what is going on. It’s a lesson for all of us. Be that as it may, there is no good time or bad time of disciplining soldiers. I think what we should worry about is the frequency and the magnitude of it. When the country has a hundred soldiers, including officers, being court -marshalled at the same time, we should start asking ourselves questions. Are we
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Buhari’s Certificate - Gen. Akinrinade really going down slope to the extent that we will not able to retrieve these things if we just apply the simple law? It’s unlawful to demonstrate in the army. Yet, I don’t think it is enough to rely on the law to discipline erring soldiers in this case. We need to ask why. I tell myself that if these (mutinies by soldiers) happened under my watch, I will court marshal all the officers. I will disband the units because soldiers cannot under these circumstances do anything on their own. Therefore, the senior officers must have done something wrong. We should find out exactly what it is. The soldiers gave all sorts of reasons — that they were badly equipped and that they didn’t have food. We suggest to the armed forces to look deeper into the reasons these things are happening. Using ordinary complaints about equipment not being good enough to fight the war does not entail discipline. The military authorities, particularly the civilian authorities, have a primary responsibility to critically consider this issue and find out exactly why the soldiers acted the way they did. Some people are agitating for the postponement of the general elections. How do you see the call for poll shift or otherwise? Those using the security situation as a reason for poll shift owe us answers on when it will be conducive to conduct the general elections. When is the situation going to be better than now? Before we can debate this, they must advance what will happen if the elections are held at the scheduled time. I haven’t seen or heard anyone oblige us with those arguments. I have a feeling that this situation that we are in is not going to change for a very long time. If elections could be held in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq, we will have to think again; if really we want democracy or we want something else. I know there are cases in court concerning the election. I think the most annoying one is the case about (Muhammadu) Buhari not having a certificate. Why is it annoying? It is an insult to the armed forces — a terrible insult to the armed forces. If they are so embedded in the system and they have lost their souls, then they can go ahead and join everybody else in castigating a General of Buhari’s calibre. They are now talking about a school certificate. What is that? By the time he joined the army, in those days, there were no cutting corners. It is later when these same civilians took over from the army that admission into it became less transparent. I can give you an instance. There was Course Five around 1964: if one did not have a school certificate one couldn’t apply to join the army. And I know up to 1963 when the last General Officer Commanding left Nigeria, there were no corners to be cut. There was no such thing. Everything was on merit. And, that was how it was till Buhari’s time. Buhari attended the Mons (Officer Cadet School in Aldershot in England) and the Staff College; I don’t want to think they have an idea what they teach in those places. And the rest of us pretend as if we don’t know what they do there. You send a man to America for one and a half years in a military school. Do they think he just went there to learn how to fire a rifle? No. But why is it difficult for Buhari to produce the original copy of the certificate? He did. As I speak to you, I don’t know where my original certificate is because we gave the original to the Military Board. They took it from us when we applied to join the Army. You give the original copy of credential to the board.
•Akinrinade
They take it and keep it in your file, that’s what happened. How many years ago? 50 years. And Nigeria with our (poor) record-keeping and filing things into an archive -if we have an archive at all; an archive inhabited by rats and cockroaches. I think it’s an insult. I take it as a personal insult. You feel the general elections should go ahead? Yes. That is what the constitution says. Let the election hold and let’s see in how many places people cannot vote before we start this hue and cry. We’re back to 1993. They took us back all the way to 1993. We have seen this before. I am unhappy that (Pastor Tunde) Bakare was ever part of it (call for poll shift) because he is a great fellow of mine. They see a difficult situation instead of going head on to confront it, Nigeria wants to take a path that leads to nowhere to only perdition. We have been on this route before and we know the result. Why do we think this current situation is going to end up differently? The danger in this one is that we have been hearing of a possible disintegration in Nigeria; not from outside the country but within. It was a subject (disintegration) at the
National Conference. I was there. We are driving ourselves towards that route. The result may not be very palatable. What is more, we have created so many warlords all over Nigeria. There are private armies around the whole place. Will you encourage the call for the international community like the European Union, African Union, and the United Kingdom to prevail on the Federal Government not to postpone the February 14 elections just as the United States recently did? For people who are democrats, exactly what America said is what they are going to say. We did this (presidential election) four years ago where they swore in President Jonathan and four years after we are going to have another election. This is not the time to start swaying about like lilies in the wind. They can’t do much more than they have done; to warn us and also to send election observers. I hear a lot of them already have observers in the country, which should be at a great cost to them. Therefore, what else do we want from these people? We must think of ourselves as being very much devalued and we earned it — we deserve it. The international community has done its
“If these (mutinies by soldiers) happened under my watch, I will court marshal all the officers. I will disband the units because soldiers cannot under these circumstances do anything on their
bit. It is also disturbing that up till now we still need policemen to be standing by polling booths before we can even be sure we can vote. If we are expecting much more from the developed world, we are wasting our time. A few things have changed since 1993 that can make the situation worse now, if we are stupid enough not to have an election. We might realise that the world is not so enamoured with us. Perhaps, they are angry with us because we have made a very bad specimen of a country in a developing world. We’re not even developing because we’re still very backward. Buhari has been portrayed as being an honest man. Do you think being an honest man is enough for someone to rule Nigeria? It is not enough but it is the first thing in the order in which I would put the qualities of a Nigerian leader. Considering where we find ourselves today, honesty is the first quality a man should have. The people should trust a leader to the point that his words are taken as a bond. If it is your worry that is honesty enough, I will say yes it is enough. The next one is wisdom so that the leader is able to get people who will do the work for him. Jonathan seems to be the most criticised President the country has ever produced. Do you think he deserves the criticisms? I will just say he earned the criticisms. There is no smoke without fire. If fish wants to rot, it starts from the head. The market, women know that when they go to the market they open the gill. If it is green inside, the fish is rotten. Even if he didn’t personally commit all the offences levelled against him, he’s still responsible. He is the President. He can ensure that justice is done where there are infractions committed by people under his watch. He shouldn’t allow impunity to thrive. Recently, Niger Delta militants threatened to go to war if Jonathan loses his re-election bid. What do you make of that? I know only one of the militants but I don’t think he was old enough to really talk about what happened during the civil war. They must also remember, especially the ethnic militias in the Niger Delta area, that the war went through their places too. They got away very lightly then simply because it was the area we wanted to carve out of the jurisdiction of (Emeka) Ojukwu. First, they were the minorities and they didn’t sign an agreement that said they wanted to form part of Biafra. As a result, the rest of us were under obligation to protect the minorities. The war was also fought in their territories. If they were old enough they would see the misery even though they didn’t suffer ten per cent of what the East-Central, the present South-East went through. They are giving wrong reasons to keep their son in the Presidency. It’s a filthy reason. It doesn’t show they understand what democracy is all about. Nigerians are not going to vote under duress. Politics is a game of numbers. The one we refused to do in 1993, we have not come out of it. We’re going through the same cycle. I don’t think they lived at that time. I don’t think even the politicians today were old enough at that time to see exactly the drama that unfolded. It seems to me: we learn very little from our past. What we are risking is a complete disintegration of our country. Thereafter, we will blame America for predicting the doom staring us in the face. In 2010, John Campbell wrote in his book what could lead Nigeria into a bigger trouble. Is that not what is happening now?
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osun Defender Thursday, February
Jonathan’s Coup Against Nige ria
D
r Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan is the President of Nigeria. In addition to the big title of President, he is also the Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Undoubtedly a very big position, Jonathan is the supreme commander and boss of the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Navy, the Nigerian Air Force as well as the Nigeria Police, the Nigeria Civil Defence Corps, the Nigerian Security and Intelligence Services, and of such forces not listed on paper. With the awesome powers at the disposal of Mr President, Jonathan is armed to the teeth to do and undo with the fate of Nigerians. And this exactly was what he chose to do after meeting with the respected members of the highest advisory council in the land: the country’s Council of State. After allowing the grey-haired former Heads of State and Governments of Nigeria to warm their seats at the hallowed chambers of the Presidential Villa, and gracefully allowing them to air their views on the much-anticipated national elections slated for February 14 and 28 2015, Jonathan went to his armoury and calculatedly announced the bloodless takeover of the nation’s sovereignty and vested it on himself. Nigeria had battled insurgency, albeit half-heartedly for 9 years. And under Commander-In-Chief Jonathan’s lack-lustre watch the insurgency grew in bounds and leaps. The ravaging insurgents even captured over 300 school girls from their hostel and to date, the fate of the unfortunate girls is unknown. On top of that, the insurgents had successfully captured and occupied a number of territories in the North East of Nigeria and declared the captured lands their own. Nigeria’s Commander-In-Chief appeared totally powerless and at the height of his frustration, announced to the whole world that some members of his cabinet were members of the terrorising Boko-Haram sect. And at another time, when bombs went up at the Eagle Square, Commander-InChief Jonathan declared that the perpetrators were ‘my brothers’ meaning the terror groups from the creeks of the Delta region, where Jonathan hailed from. Commander-In-Chief took a good look at his very unimpressive performance as the President of Nigeria and he was worried stiff that any elections in Nigeria would sweep him off his exalted feet. Billions of dollars had been declared stolen under his
•jonathan By TOLA ADENIYI
watch and many horrible things that were hitherto unknown in Nigeria were parading themselves under his presidency: unceasing armed robbery, kidnapping, assassinations, unprecedented level of insecurity and arrant impunity and unaccountability in government. All these anomalies weighted heavily against the country’s march to development and modernity. It became very clear that Jonathan, the President lacked the ability and capability to run the affairs of Nigeria. It was even clear that he lacked the wherewithal to run the affairs of a Bakery! Elections to national office were usually, as defined by the Nigerian Constitution, which Jonathan swore to uphold and protect, held three months to handing over power to the successors. That period had been fixed for February of every election year. President Jonathan the Commander-In-Chief was/is very well aware of this constitutional provision and he, in fact had been canvassing for votes in readiness for the elections. The electoral body, which is constitutionally bound to be independent, had also for the past four years been preparing for the elections. On numerous occasions, the boss of that body, a most
respected intellectual by the name Attahiru Jega, had announced their readiness and preparedness to hold a fair and free election. While the whole world was eagerly looking forward to the elections slated for February 14, the Commander-In-Chief, through remote control, sent his National Security Adviser, his own appointee, to test the waters by suggesting that elections could not hold as scheduled. A number of megaphones took the queue from the National Security Adviser and they too started mouthing the desirability of postponing the elections. And a most respected elders’ council suspected to have been heavily bribed at the Jonathan stagemanaged National Confab also came up, inaudibly though, due to the advanced stage of their ages, that it might be a good idea if the elections were suspended in the last hour. While this entire shenanigan was going on, the usually very articulate civil societies in Nigeria saw through it all and knew that the Commander-In-Chief had something up his sleeves. They started asking questions: ‘What on earth could have led to the Presidency and the president’s jolly fellows to begin to chicken out in the face of an imminent election? Why should they be
falling down one by one when death was yet to knock on their doors? Finally, the Commander-InChief struck! The elections would have to be postponed because the Commander-in-Chief had now just gathered his strength to lead an onslaught on Boko Haram now that Chad, Cameroon and Niger had shown what leadership was all about. The Commander-In-Chief, announcing the coup through his service chiefs, says that his forces will be commencing offensive against insurgents the very day the whole of Nigeria and the international community had concluded to hold a most popularised election. By this coup, Jonathan has exposed the underbelly of the Nigerian nation to a most unpardonable ridicule. Never in the over 100-year history of the country have elections been postponed. And it is an irony that Nigeria that used to be the toast of the world in international peace keeping operations and had in fact rescued Liberia, Congo and Sierra-Leone from destruction is now the same country being rescued by land-locked Chad. A greater irony is that the same security agents that could not muster forces to quell insurgency in the North East is now battle ready to squash Nigeria’s hopes and aspirations. They cannot fight the insurgents but they can terrorise law-abiding Nigerian citizens and prevent them from their basic civic duty of electing their leaders. This coup master-minded by the Commander-In-Chief is billed to throw Nigeria back for twenty years. And it may just be the beginning scenario for more coups to unfold from the armpit of the Commander-in-Chief. The Commander-In-Chief has already deployed his armoured tanks to strategic places in the country. This ferocious step is a confirmation of the fears and suspicions, which the Nigerian populace had nursed all along; that the Jonathan government, being seriously afraid of its own shadows, will truncate the planned elections to ensure the unpopular government remains in power for as long as the Commander-InChief is in control of all forces of intimidation, coercion and terror and also to ensure for its beneficiaries an undisturbed flow of illicit money to their bank accounts. The coup of February 9, 2015 will forever be a date to remember! All hail Jonathan, our very smart Commander-In-chief!
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Jega, Jonathan, Buhari And Nigeria Common Confusion “A common experience, resulting in a common confusion...The election has been postponed and it’s no April fool. -Ndidi Onyedikachi
A
. has to transact important business with B. in H. He goes to H. for a preliminary interview, accomplishes the journey there in ten minutes, and the journey back in the same time, and on returning boasts to his family of his expedition. Next day, he goes again to H., this time to settle his business finally. As that, by all appearances, will require several hours. A. leaves very early in the morning. But although all the surrounding circumstances, at least in A.’s estimation, are exactly the same as the day before, this time it takes him ten hours to reach H. When he arrives there, quite exhausted in the evening, he is informed that B., annoyed at his absence, had left half an hour before to go to A.’s village, and that they must have passed each other on the road. A. is advised to wait. But in his anxiety about his business, he sets off at once and hurries home. This time, he covers the distance, without paying any particular attention to the fact, practically in an instant. At home he learns that B. had arrived quite early, immediately after A.’s departure, indeed that he had met A. on the threshold and reminded him of his business; but A. had replied that he had no time to spare, he must go at once. In spite of this incomprehensible behavior of A., however, B. had stayed on to wait for A.’s return. It is true, he had asked several times whether A. was not back yet, but he was still sitting up in A.’s room. Overjoyed at the opportunity of seeing B. at once and explaining everything to him, A. rushes upstairs. He is almost at the top, when he stumbles, twists a sinew, and almost fainting with the pain, incapable even of uttering a cry, only able to moan faintly in the darkness, he hears B.—impossible to tell whether at a great distance or quite near him—stamping down the stairs in a violent rage and vanishing for good. Finally the elections have been shifted—A. says that “Jega’s body language shows a man under pressure, he wants to do the right thing, but the powers that be won’t let him. B. then asks: “What
• buhari By Charles Dickson
is the right thing?” A. reveals that though Permanent Voters’ Cards have not all been released or collected, a section of the country feels short-changed. B. feels that Jega should resign, either for being a disappointment and for failing Nigerians or to save his name before he is finally messed up. A. then wonders but how come we would deal with a security problem that has lasted for more than five years in six weeks. B. believes that the service chiefs that gave the advice to Jega and others should resign. However A. thinks that all this is the handiwork of government. Is it really government or that INEC, the electoral management body is not ready, (okay put this way) they are prepared but not ready. B. wonders why the opposition, as usually by nomenclature, has to oppose everything, as long as it comes from the governing party. Well A. just sees all the drama as inevitable in the Nigerian polity; whether they postpone it till March 28, 2030, elections will hold. It will hold, but it is not our problem, our problem, A. tells B., is mistrust, ethno-religious jingoism and parapoism, favouritism and nepotism. B. adds a skewed federal system, quota, federal character and all
•jonathan
such coined phrases that make for a Nigerian state that can do without its best. I started my admonition with “A Common Confusion” (“Eine alltägliche Verwirrung”) a short story by Franz Kafka. It was published posthumously in Beim Bau der Chinesischen Mauer (Berlin, 1931). The first English translation by Willa and Edwin Muir was published by Martin Secker in London in 1933. It appeared in The Great Wall of China. Stories and Reflections (New York: Schocken Books, 1946). The story details transactions between A and B. A meets B at H and comes home pleased with the events. Following this, he meets B again but only after a delay to the very same H he arrived at successfully previously. B is not there. To add insult to injury, A learns B had arrived early waiting for him. Thankfully he has an opportunity to explain to B what happened, but in his haste he trips and falls. He hears B above him stomping down the stairs enraged. Clearly, the story has parallels with the dynamics of the officials within The Castle (novel). Like many of Kafka’s characters, the good intentions, hard work, and diligence are futile efforts in an indifferent world. Kafka begins the story by stating the events are a “common experience” suggesting the story is an example of a universal rule.
The story reminds me of today’s Nigeria; elections are wars, very little has changed and may change. From those blaming Jonathan for their impotence and those that believe that Buhari would make them sterile. Our historical trajectory of electoral process in the postcolonial Nigerian is characterized by violence. In fact, recent manifestations of electoral violence, most importantly since the birth of the Fourth Republic in 1999 have assumed an unprecedented magnitude and changing form, resulting in instability in democratic consolidation, as well as the loss and displacement of many innocent lives. It is not about Jega, Jonathan or Buhari; sadly we are here again sniffing violence because we closely associated with the neo-patrimonial character of the Nigerian state, the nature and kind of party politics being played, the weak institutionalization of democratic architectures and inefficient electoral management body among others. The same factors that led to the fall or collapse of the First and Second republics. So, if we do not change and soon too, postponing elections are one thing, but the survival of democracy in the Fourth Republic will be hinged on adherence to the ideals and principles of electoral process as practised in ideal
foreign news
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osun Defender Thursday, February
Philippine Muslim Rebels To Return Guns Of Commandos Killed In Deadly
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he Philippines’ largest Muslim rebel group has promised to return weapons seized from police commandos killed in a deadly clash, the chief negotiator for the guerrillas said on Tuesday, in a bid to save a peace process with the government. P r e s i d e n t B e n i g n o police general who is a close Aquino faces his biggest friend played a central role political crisis over a in the raid. botched operation to capture The risky mission to a wanted militant, amid arrest Zulkifli bin Hir, an al revelations that a suspended Qaeda-linked bombmaker
with a $5-million U.S. bounty on his head, went wrong when commandos from the Philippine police’s Special Action Force (SAF) were ambushed and 44 were killed. A public outcry has heaped pressure on Aquino to abandon the peace deal signed in March with the Moro Islamic Liberation
Front (MILF), the largest Muslim rebel group in the mainly Catholic country, and seek retribution for the troopers’ deaths. “The MILF has decided to return the firearms and any retrievable personal effects of the fallen SAF in deference to the peace process,” the negotiator, Mohagher Iqbal, said in a
letter to Senator Grace Poe, who is holding a public inquiry on the raid. The MILF was still accounting for all the weapons “to pave the way for their return,” Iqbal said. The rebels also promised to appear at the hearing to show their sincerity over the peace process. Lawmakers had been
Ob ama Readying Request To Use Force Against Islamic
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he White House will ask Congress by Wednesday for new authority to use force against Islamic State fighters, congressional aides said on Monday, paving the way for lawmakers’ first vote on the scope of a campaign that is already six months old. The United States is Reuters on Monday that leading an international was still the expectation coalition against Islamic for Obama’s request, given State, and President Barack discussions between the Obama launched an air administration, lawmakers campaign in August against and congressional staffers. the militant fighters, who They requested anonymity have killed thousands of because they were speaking people while seizing swaths about private consultations. The White House has of territory in Iraq and declined to comment on Syria. The administration’s the timing or details of the failure so far to seek a request. formal Authorization to Use Military Force for the campaign has caused some members of Congress to express concern that it overstepped the president’s constitutional authority. Others have said that •obama lawmakers should weigh in on an issue as important as the use of military force. The administration has said the campaign is legal, wenty-nine African migrants intercepted based on authorization passed under President by Italian authorities while trying to reach George W. Bush in 2002 Europe by boat in rough and icy conditions for the Iraq War and in 2001 have died of hypothermia, most after being for fighting al Qaeda and rescued, sources told AFP Monday. associated groups. Coastguard speedboats battered by high winds Nancy Pelosi, leader of the House of Representatives’ picked up 105 migrants and waves that hit eight Democrats, told reporters in the Mediterranean metres (26 feet), said last week the White House overnight, seven of whom coastguard spokesman would seek an authorization that would last three years. were already dead, from Filippo Marini. She said there had not a converted fishing boat yet been decisions about the geographic scope of an authorization or what amascus receives “information” about limits would be placed on air strikes by the US-led coalition against combat troops - “boots on the Islamic State group in Syria, President the ground.” Bashar al-Assad said in an interview published on That issue is expected to be a major sticking point in Tuesday. debate. Many Democrats “ S o m e t i m e s , t h e y Damascus had no interest want to bar sending in U.S. convey a message, a in joining the coalition. combat forces, but several “No, definitely we Republicans have insisted general message,” he said it would be inappropriate to in an interview with the cannot and we don’t have limit military commanders. BBC in Damascus. the will and we don’t Senator Bob Corker, the “There is no dialogue. want, for one simple Republican chairman of the T h e r e ’s , l e t ’s s a y, reason — because we Senate Foreign Relations information, but not cannot be in an alliance Committee, said hearings dialogue.” with countries which on the administration’s D a m a s c u s h a s support terrorism.” request would start quickly. The comment appeared T h e O b a m a grudgingly accepted administration had been the strikes against IS on to be a reference to in close consultations with its territory that began coalition support for other lawmakers before making on September 23 last rebels groups fighting its formal request, which year, but has repeatedly to overthrow him, all of could make the approval criticised the coalition which his government process move more quickly, for failing to coordinate derides as “terrorists”. he said. Assad said US officials “ T h e r e h a v e b e e n with it. It says the raids cannot “easily trample over serious consultations, and there will be more serious defeat IS unless the international law, which consultations,” he told international community is about our sovereignty reporters at the Senate. starts cooperating with now, so they don’t talk to Obama is also expected Syrian troops on the us, we don’t talk to them.” to seek a repeal of the Iraq ground. More than 210,000 war authorization, but not Washington has ruled p e ople have been the 2001 authorization, which passed days after the out working with Assad’s killed in Syria since the government against IS, conflict began with antiSept. 11 attacks. Congressional aides told and the Syrian leader said government protests in
deliberating a measure to set up a new autonomous government for Muslims in the south, known as the Bangsamoro, a key component of the peace deal. They had earlier promised to enact the law in March and hold a referendum in May. But the law would not pass if a vote were held now, said one lawmaker, senator Francis Escudero, as emotions are running high after the raid. Support for the measure has waned, said Rufus Rodriguez, head of a special panel in the House of Representatives that is considering the law. “I have to admit that there is an erosion of support within the ad hoc committee and members of Congress,” he added. SAF commander General Getulio Napenas told Poe’s inquiry he took full responsibility for the raid. Four civilians and 18 rebels were also among those who died in the raid. He said he had not informed the interior minister and acting police chief of the secret mission, during which he sought the help of United States troops to evacuate wounded commandos at the height of the firefight.
29 African Migrants Die Of Hypothermia Off Italian Coast
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Due to the bad weather, it was after midday Monday when the rescue boats made it to the island of Lampedusa, located south of Sicily and close to Libya, the migrants’ setting out point. By then another 22 people had died, raising
the death toll to 29, a medical source said. Some of the migrants, who were mostly from sub-Saharan Africa, were then airlifted to better equipped hospitals in Sicily. More than 3,200 people have died in the last year attempting
March 2011. Human rights groups accuse Damascus of indiscriminately killing civilians in air strikes on rebel-held areas, using unguided munitions such as barrel bombs. But Assad denied that the army was using the makeshift bombs — crude barrels packed with explosives and shrapnel that are generally dropped by helicopter. “I haven’t heard of (the) army using barrels, or maybe cooking pots,” he said, laughing. “ We h a v e b o m b s , missiles and bullets,” he added, dismissing claims that his forces were using indiscriminate weapons. “There are no indiscriminate weapons. When you shoot, you aim, and when you shoot, when you aim, you aim at terrorists in order to protect civilians,” he said. He also denied accusations that Syria’s
government had used chemical weapons against its own people in August 2013, in an attack outside Damascus that killed up to 1,400 people. “Who verified who threw that gas on who?” he said. Asked if his government was responsible, he said “definitely not,” adding that the reported death toll was “exaggerated.” He also said his forces were “definitely not” using chlorine as a weapon. Since Syria gave up its chemical arsenal in a Russian- and USbrokered deal after the 2013 attack, there have been persistent reports of the use of chlorine gas. In many of those instances, residents reported hearing helicopters, suggesting the involvement of government forces.
Syria ‘Informed’ About US-led Strikes On IS: Assad
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to reach Italy by boat from North Africa. Over 170,000 people, a record number, landed there in 2014. Italy has ended its Mare Nostrum rescue programme, which cost Italian tax payers nine million euros (over $10 million) per month, and replaced it with a cheaper effort dubbed “Triton.” “Horror off of Lampedusa. These people didn’t die in a shipwreck, but from cold. These are the consequences of the end of Mare Nostrum,” Laura Boldrini, an Italian politician, wrote on Twitter. Most of the migrants are fleeing conflict and repression in the Middle East and east Africa and make their way overland to Libya to board boats operated by people smugglers. Recently the smugglers have begun using bigger boats which can withstand winter storms and make longer journeys, notably from Turkey or Syria. But the people who died on Monday were travelling on a small boat which would have offered little protection from the elements.
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osun Defender Thursday, February
Job Vacancies In Nigeria
Graduate Customer Relations Officer Vacancy at Michael Stevens Consulting, Lagos Michael Stevens Consulting - Our client, is one of the largest and most successful conglomerates in the industrial, trading and building sectors of Nigeria. Michael Stevens Consulting is recruiting to fill the position of: Job Title: Customer Relations Officer Location: Lagos Key Responsibilities Take responsibility for being the first point of contact for all callers to the Customer Service Centre and ensuring that a high quality of service is delivered at all times. Carry out all administrative tasks relating to the Customer Service Centre and any necessary follow-up work in relation to incoming calls. Maintain a comprehensive knowledge of Group departments, services, policies and procedures in relation to the role. Ensure that relevant departments are made aware of concerns raised by customers so that they may carry out corrective action. Keep accurate records of discussions or correspondence with customers. Take ownership and responsibility for all enquiries presented to the Customer Service Centre, identify customer needs, and utilising appropriate questioning and listening skills to identify and offer appropriate solutions. Ensure that all computerised systems are used effectively to help process customer enquiries and accurately maintain all records in a time critical environment. Deal with all calls received within the Customer Service Centre in line with current Service Level Agreements, policies and procedures. Qualifications A Bachelors degree or equivalent in a relevant social science discipline. Must possess a minimum of 5 years relevant professional working experience. Relevant professional certifications e.g Customer Relationship Management (CRM). A Masters degree in a relevant discipline will be an added advantage. Key Skills: Demonstrate initiative with a results orientation, while exhibiting strong drive and leadership skills. Ability to drive client focused outcomes. Candidate must possess strategic business focus and strong communication skills. Ability to apply innovative approaches, to work in team, analyze and summarize and also pay attention to details and objectives. Possess a good understanding of business processes. How to Apply Qualified candidates should send their CV’s to: jobs@michaelstevens-consulting.com or msjobz@gmail.com The subject of the email should be the job position being applied for. Application Deadline Friday, 13th February, 2015. —————————————————————————————————— Gilead Pharmaceuticals Limited Job Vacancies, 7th February 2015 Gilead Pharmaceuticals Limited is recruiting to fill the below position: Job Title: Food and Nutrition Customer Service Specialist Location: Lagos Job Description This is an exciting opportunity for an individual looking for a fast paced environment where experience will be drawn upon to effectively assist in resolving customer issues. This individual will also be involved in product testing, documentation and hosting occasional phone training sessions as needed. Job Responsibilities Provide timely and efficient application and basic technical support to existing customers via phone, web and/or email Address account escalations and deal with unique customer requirements Keep accurate documentation of support activities and communications The successful candidate must be able to work under pressure in a busy environment and have an aptitude for logical problem solving taking ownership until resolution. Keep customer informed of progression with issues and provide follow up Continually review, revise and update customer account data for accuracy, including contacts and mailing information Provide support and assistance to remote and internal team members Qualifications Required Skills and Qualifications: Requires bachelor’s degree in foods and nutrition, dietetics, or a related field OR the equivalent of 1-2 years’ work experience in the above mentioned areas Strong PC and system navigation skills, specifically in a Windows-based environment Previous customer service or support and/or basic technical experience required Excellent verbal and written communication skills and interpersonal skills required Knowledge and Abilities: Basic knowledge of food and/or nutrition-related information is a must Proven ability to meet deadlines, problem solve and teach others Excellent organizational, and customer service skills Must be able to work independently as well as coordinate efforts with other team members on universal customer issues. Able to multi-task in a fast-paced environment/set priorities within time constraints Courteous and professional phone manner, demeanor and attitude are essential Job Title: Business Analyst Location: Lagos Job Description Analyze sales and marketing project and budgets Review and analyze sales and pricing reports Liaise with external auditors Profit and loss reporting Assist with annual budget Requirements HND/BA/B.SC Must have excellent English skills Must be conversant with Microsoft packages Minimum of 1 year experience within a similar role Be able to work under pressure Must have an understanding of supply chain How to Apply Qualified and interested applicants should forward their CV’s to: gileadpharm@gmail.com Note: Only shortlisted applicants would be contacted. Application Deadline 4th March, 2015 —————————————————————————————————————— Management Trainee recruitment at Buksen Engineering Services, February 2015 At Buksen Engineering services, we pride ourselves on the quality of our work. For years, we continually develop and improve our wide offer of state-of-the-art, tailor-made solutions and complete services in the range of Fire & Security Systems that makes our overall knowledge rank with the best in the industry. Our professional services are in the area of consultation, designing & Installation, commissioning, service & maintenance. We are recruiting to fill the position of:
Job Title: Management Trainee Location: Lagos Job Descriptions Receives training and performs duties in several departments such as finance, client services, sales, operation Learn line and staff functions, operations, management viewpoints and company policies and practices that affect each phase of business Sets performance goals and objectives with upper management Monitors performance progress with management and key trainers Observes experienced workers to acquire knowledge of methods, procedures and standards required for performance of departmental duties Receives training in functions and operations of related departments to facilitate subsequent transferability between departments and to provide greater promotional opportunities Requirements A Degree/HND in Sciences, Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences, Administration etc A minimum of second class lower division No experience is required as successful applicants would be thoroughly trained. Resident in Lagos Desired Skills: Be able to develop and maintain professional relationship with colleagues and work with team spirit to achieve the goals Be able to work with a zeal for perfection and learn new skills and procedures in a short span of time Be able to communicate effectively with the coworkers and follow instructions of the seniors in the organization Be able to work in a goal driven environment and under strict deadlines How to Apply Interested and qualified candidates should submit their applications and resumes to: recruitment@ buksenengineering.com Application Deadline 8th March, 2015. ————————————————————————————————————— —— British American Tobacco (BAT) Vacancy for a Facilities Manager in Lagos BAT British American Tobacco (www.bat.com) is a market leading, global organisation with a long, established history and a bright and dynamic future. Thanks to our people we have continued to deliver growth and exceed expectations in an increasingly complex and challenging marketplace. Our aim is to become the leading tobacco company in each of our markets by providing excellent products with confidence and responsibility expected of global consumer brands. If you have the talent and motivation to help us succeed you’ll find we are equally committed to helping you reach your full potential too. British American Tobacco Nigeria (BATN) is recruiting to fill the position of: Job Title: Facilities Manager Job Number: 6398BR Location/City: Lagos Appointment type: Permanent Job Description Manages the operations and resources of the Facilities Department, liaises with stakeholders and clients (internal & external) to ensure optimal service levels and engages in continuous business improvement in order to provide a conducive working environment and hospitality services necessary for the achievement of cooperate objectives using cost effective solutions and best practices. Key Responsibilities Business Objectives: Ensure that all aspects of the business is provided with the necessary support with a view of achieving organisational goals and objectives. These will include maintaining a clean, conducive and comfortable working environment that meets the desired corporate image. Deal with escalated queries from Facilities Administrators Records management and reports generation to ensure data integrity, provide awareness on utilization of resources and for necessary planning Act as the Financial Manager for Facilities In terms of: Providing the necessary guidelines and systems, monitor and assist with the preparation of the annual departmental budget in conjunction with HR Company Plan Report monthly on actual spend vs. budget to HRLT Provide top support to all international assignees by ensuring that they are provided with adequate accommodation, equipped with furniture and fixtures necessary for their comfort and wellbeing in line with company policy and standard Investigate and explain budget deviations Manage relocation (accommodation) of assignees in Nigeria in accordance with set policies and guidelines and ensure that necessary immigration documents are processed in line with HR requirements Develop, align, communicate and implement Facilities strategy that reflects the Company objectives Establish and manage Facilities as a front office service department to provide effective support ensure alignment with business objective. Ensure that EHS standards are fully observed by internal and external stakeholders within the premises in line with Company policy Management of guesthouse, hotels and travel desks for optimal utilization of resources and global compliance People Objectives: Ensure that individual and team performance targets are identified, measured, feedback given and appropriate developmental or other corrective action taken Ensure that direct reports get basic training in facilities management to help develop them in planning and organisational skills. Develop and align team members’ skills as and when required Develop and align team members skills as and when required Actively engage with clients to ensure their satisfaction with service provided Essential Requirements Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of Second Class Honors Division (MBA is added advantage) High energy and ability to manage multiple priorities / projects at the same time Ability to work under pressure and juggle multiple tasks Experience in managing facilities and work comfortably with people from different background and cultural values. 6-8 years experience (Min of 4 years as a manager) in a similar role gained in an FMCG or multinational environment Excellent Planning, cordination and organization skills Good communication and interpersonal skills · Basic computer skills in the use of Windows XP, word, LN, Excel, Power point etc How To Apply Interested and qualified candidates should: https://krb-xjobs.brassring.com/tgwebhost/jobdetails.aspx?jobId=119206&PartnerId=30015 &SiteId=5134&type=mail&JobReqLang=140&recordstart=1&JobSiteId=5134&JobSiteInfo =119206_5134&gqid=683 Application Deadline 23rd February, 2015.
You can subscribe to Job Vacancies in Nigeria, Jobs in Nigeria via your e-mail: www.jobszilla.ng
For the records
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osun Defender Thursday, February
APC ‘ll Protect Labours’ Rights - Buhari
Being An Address Delivered By All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), At The Delegates Conference Of The NLC, Recently.
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et me begin by saying thank you to all of you for giving me the opportunity to address this year’s delegates congress of the Nigeria Labour Congress. I want to also congratulate you who have travelled from near and far, braving bad roads, traffic jams and delayed airlines to be here for the congress. I know you made this journey for a good reason. You came here because you believe in what this country can be. That is to say, you all believe in CHANGE. You believe that the labour of our heroes past and present shall never be in vain. You believe that our hopes and dreams can become reality. You believe in a nation bound in freedom, peace and unity. You believe that we can rebuild the broken walls. You believe that our great country can set a standard for all of Africa to see. I pray that you will give me the opportunity to play a part in bringing about this CHANGE that the All Progressives Congress, the APC, so strongly desires for our country, Nigeria. As most of you know, I am not a novice when it comes to participating in the struggle to deliver Nigeria from the power of darkness. Many times, my efforts have earned me the wrath and vengeance of crooks and thieves. What I want to assure everyone in this room and across the length and breadth of this vast country is that I will do my best for you. Once again, Nigeria is in crisis. Our country is facing grievous challenges in numerous sectors. In the light of recent events, the three most pertinent at this time are security, the state of the economy and corruption forming a terrible troika that must be tackled all at once before we can achieve any meaningful progress. In August 2011, a vehicle smashed through two security barriers at the United Nations headquarters in Abuja just after 11am. Its driver crashed the car into the reception area of the building which housed 26 different UN agencies, and then detonated a bomb. Twenty-five people were killed; around 60, wounded. The then little-known extremist group, Boko Haram, claimed responsibility for the gruesome attack. Since then, Boko Haram has
•buhari
gained international notoriety and become a major national menace – kidnapping girls from their schools and women from their homes; slaughtering boys in their dormitories and men in their farms; exploding bombs in public and private venues; and taking town after town in the northeast of Nigeria. And, for some reason, our defence forces are unable to cope and unable to defend. Despite the federal government’s defence budget that has gulped over$ 32.88 billion in the past five years. Our security situation in this country has never been so dire. Today, Nigerians have to endure, not just terrorist attacks in the North, but militancy in the Niger Delta, communal violence in the Middle Belt, cult wars
in the South, and kidnappings, armed robberies, and common acts of thuggery throughout the country. Most are left to fend for themselves. Those who turn to the police, the army or any other state security agencies usually have the means and personal connections to buy help and protection. Those who don’t simply move on, resigned. The bitter ones may form vigilante groups, others join mobs that dispense jungle justice on suspects and scapegoats alike. Too many believe they have nothing to lose, and everything to gain, and the most alienated are easy prey for terrorists, militants, and thugs. This must CHANGE! And then, the economy. A few weeks ago, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) took monetary actions to reduce the pressure
on the Naira by devaluing the currency and increasing interests rates – both directly and indirectly, by raising interest rates and restricting the amount banks can lend from their available cash. These actions, while necessary to reduce the slide in our currency, have reduced the amount of goods the ordinary Nigerian can purchase with the money he or she has. We are likely to experience a rise in the prices of all goods, especially fuel, bread and foodstuff. The hard times ahead will affect Nigerians in every part of our country, 67 percent of whom already live on less than N200 per day. Other challenges facing Nigerians today include youth unemployment, a lack of social services, corruption and poor governance. Nigeria needs a group of people who knows what to do about these problems. They must have the competence, the experience, the know-how, the leadership capacity and, most especially, the courage to move Nigeria forward. APC is that group. An APC government at the centre will treat Labour as a partner in moving the nation forward. Our plan to restore good governance, efficient and effective public sector stands to benefit the country’s labour force perhaps more than any other subgroup. I n l i n e w i t h o u r p a r t y ’s manifesto, we will identify and promote growth of industries and give incentives for the use of local content. An APC government will protect and respect labourer’s right to organize, guaranteeing the rights to collective bargaining in good faith in law. We will promote new skills, equip youth for a modern economy through a network of local technology institutions to provide free training in courses for the unemployed. But we cannot do any of any of these things alone. We need your support. That is my purpose of being here in your midst today. As you all know I am aspiring for the office of president of Nigeria, not just to hold an office, but to join you in securing and rebuilding a nation, our nation. I pray that you will support me in this quest. I hope that you will give me a chance. Together, you and I can start to build a peaceful,
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osun Defender Thursday, February 12,
Road Infrastructure Is Crucial To
The Socio-economic Of Any Nation
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ince The Inception Of This Present A d m i n i s t r at i on , C a n Yo u G i v e U s A Rundown Of This Ministry’s Achievement? Thanks be to God Almighty for giving us a man of virtue in the person of Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola who came on board of administration of the state of Osun in November 2010. As you are quite aware, we had never witnessed the kind of transformation being experienced in the state in recent times particularly in the areas of infrastructural development. Let us examine the six point integral action plan of Ogbeni’s administration, you will agree with me that it take man as central of development which all other sector revolve around. One of the major functions of the ministry is the planning, design, construction and maintenance of infrastructural services. I am privileged to inform you that the ministry recorded unparalleled achievements which were made possible through the unflinching supports, pragmatic and holistic approach of Mr Governor on all issues with prompt release of fund for capital projects. The achievements of the ministry therefore centred on the construction and rehabilitation of roads, public buildings, urban electrification, power generation and traffic management and enforcement. Several roads development have been embarked upon to which the State Government has committed several billion of naira to construct and rehabilitate. Some of these roads are Osogbo and lIesa township, dualisation of OsogboIkirun-Kwara State Boundary road; Oba Adesoji East By Pass Osogbo; dualisation of GbonganAkoda road; Construction of M. K.O.· Abiola International Airport to mention a few. Aside these, we have building structures like the O’Schools programme where construction of Elementary, Middle and High Schools across the State are being done in addition to the renovation of Hospitals in the state. Sir, Your View On The Level Of Works Going On In The State? I want to say with all sense of responsibility, that the levels
•Engineer Nurudeen Adeogbo, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Work, State of Osun.
of work on all the projects have been encouraging as they are been executed in accordance with specification and design instructions. You are aware that Mr Governor who also doubles as the commissioners in charge of the ministry and being an Engineer himself coupled with his antecedents in Lagos state as commissioner of Works, the ministry cannot encourage good quality job. This is to ensure that good people of the state get value of their money. The level of IT IS PERCEIVED THAT SOME OF THE ROAD PROJECTS GOING ON ARE A LITTLE BIT SLOW, WHAT IS THE MINISTRY DOING ABOUT THIS? Well, it depends on the individual perception about the project and the technical known how of such individual. Every project has a programme of works which state what is to be carried out at when
throughout the project execution period. Some of these work items can go on separately while two or more can be accomplished concurrently throughout the project execution period this project period varies depending on the type, magnitude and cost of the project. The road projects in question have varied completion period which varies from 6 months to 18 months. It therefore implies that there is none of the road projects that will not be affected by both natural and artificial phenomenon. The natural phenomenon is the weather as you are aware that no effective road construction work can be done during the rainy period, hence there can be a skeletal job during this period. In addition, some of these projects require relocation of electric poles, water pipes and separation of buildings to create enough right of way for the grace of God.
WHAT CAN YOU SAY IS THE ADVANTAGE BEHIND THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE BISI AKANDE TRUMPET BRIDGE ATGBONGAN? One thing about our governor is that, he has a great passion for the welfare of the fellow human being and most especially for the good people of the state of Osun. Mr Governor is all out to transform the state so that Osun can compete favourably well with other like Lagos state in terms of economic buoyancy. This is the more reason this government is embarking on massive road development across the state. One of such project is the dualisation of Gbongan Akoda road with a trumpet interchange at Gbongan junction to link Ibandan-Ife-Ife Expressway. One of the advantage of this trumpet bridge is that it will reduce drastically the traffic jam that may likely occur as a result of the dualised road such that free traffic movement is not affected. In addition Mr Governor want Investors coming to Osun State to have a smooth drive, free access and feeling of federal expressway linking Ibadan- lIe-Ife. THERE IS THE RUMOR THAT OKADA RIDER WILL BE DONE AWAY WITH TRUE OR FALSE? I don’t know where you got that information because it is false. Rather, the state government is trying to assist them to facilitate their smooth operation. This is been done by allowing a private partnership arrangement with okada operations in order to reduce the menace of accident and the use of okada to perform nefarious act in the society. The state government is trying to put sanity into the okada operation since it is a means of livelihood for some people. M O T O R PA R K S DEMOLITION AND RELOCATION YOUR VIEW? That is very correct but we are carrying out separation not demolition you can see a lot of transformation going on in the state most especially the massive road construction project. Most of the motor parks and some properties fall along the right of way of these roads to allow enough space for development viz a viz land spacing and beautification, there is need to separate these
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THURSDAY FEBRUARY 12, 2015
t is no longer news that the political atmosphere of Nigeria is now tensed with the forthcoming general election. The election would be keenly contested between two major parties, the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the major opposition, All Progressives Congress (APC). For the first time since 1999, the entrenched position of the PDP Presidency is threatened. The party was so comfortable in the recent past that it boasted that it was going to rule the country for 50 years.
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Unnecessary Distractions
It is doubtful whether PDP can repeat that boast this time around. The party at the national level has done very little to curry the confidence of voters. Rather than dissipate energy on how life can be better for the masses, the PDP has continued to be dogged by controversies and lack of performance. In spite of the fanfare that went with the privatization of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), many Nigerians live in darkness. The power sector is yet to make any meaningful impact in the lives of the people. Refineries are not working; hence we continue to depend on importation for our refined products. So many reasons have been adduced by the PDP led federal government to rationalize why the government cannot support the building of refineries locally. Because we import fuel, we lack the jobs that would have been created.
At first, the strategists of the PDP had asked Nigerians to forget about the formation of a strong opposition party like we have now because it had not worked in the past. Their analysis was that the parties that came together to form a united party had different interests which could not be harmonized together. Later, when it became a reality, the tune of the music changed. They cannot work together to produce a common presidential candidate. The PDP went to town that the APC is toying with a muslim-muslim presidential ticket knowing full well that it is a highly sensitive and volatile issue. Again, it fell like a pack of cards and they started the General Muhammed Buhari (retd) certificate saga. Ordinarily, the APC presidential candidate is not new to contesting presidential elections. The forthcoming would be his fourth attempt. He contested in 2003, 2007, 2011 under All Peoples Congress,
Gowon’s interpretation meant that the accord should retain the federal structure with the centre being able to control certain activities of the region. The breakdown ultimately led to the 30-month civil war in Nigeria. Above all the National Security Adviser (NSA), Col Sambo Dasuki (retd) recently flew a while in abroad that the February election should be shifted forward. Although, he claim to be speaking in his personal capacity, discernible Nigerians know that he was indirectly speaking the minds of the topshots of the Abuja federal power. The President however, reiterated the fact that the February elections remain sacrosanct. The genuiness of the president’s assertion cannot be truly ascertained given that the NSA is a top member of the federal government. Many Nigerians have concluded that the spokesperson of President Jonathan campaign organization, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode has deliberately decided to take Nigerians on a journey of non-issues like the certificate saga to distract them from the main issues. The certificate issue also exposed some of our so-called brilliant lawyers, some of who concluded that Buhari perjured before the school released his result. In 2011, the president avoided the presidential debate organized by the media. In 2015, his spokesmen is distraction us from the main issues that ought to bother Nigerians.
Not only that, the ancillary products that would have been created is also denied. For the past sixteen years, it has been rhetorics and rationalization. President Goodluck Jonathan cannot be trusted with another four years of our life. Promises he made in 2011 to Nigerians were not kept, hence we cannot afford him another four.
which allowed each region to exist on its own only to collaborate and co-operate with the central government in areas of common interest.
•buhari
All Nigeria Peoples Congress and Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) respectively. With the release of Buhari’s certificate for public consumption, one would have thought that the matter would have been laid to rest. However, this is not to be, because for the first time, the PDP saw Buhari as a major threat who could sway the President away from his cozy office in Abuja. All propaganda has failed but the PDP is not done yet. The Governor of Ekiti State, Mr Peter Ayodele Fayose in an advertorial in two national newspapers recently impugn on the integrity of Buhari. Fayose inferred by the advert that since two Heads of State from NorthWest zone of the country died in office, Buhari would also suffer the same fate should be win the February election. How wicked can a person’s wish for his fellow human being be in the name of politics?
The interesting twist to the whole saga is that the advertorials were placed in the newspaper after the signing of the Abuja Accord under the supervision of Mr Emeka Anyaoku, the erstwhile Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations. It is unfortunate that a person of the stature of a Governor from the president’s party initiated the truncation of the Abuja Accord. That also reminds Nigerians of the Aburi (Ghana) Accord between Gen Yakubu Gowon, then Nigeria’s Head of State and Colonel Odimegwu Ojukwu, the Governor of the then Eastern Region. Attempt was made to have the two leaders meet at Aburi in Ghana to prevent the looming war which unfortunately it could not prevent. The Aburi Accord signed under the watchful eyes of the Ghanaian Head of State; Lt General John Ankra could not be implemented because of the different interpretations given by each group. According to Ojukwu, the Aburi agreement meant a confederation
President Jonathan should explain to Nigerians why the kidnapped Chibok school girls did not see him move to Maiduguri under the nebulous concept of insecurity but the atmosphere in the Borno State capital was conducive for his campaign rally. It is my considered view that what smooth-talking Fani-Kayode has embarked upon is to distract us from the main issues. Nigerians should not allow themselves to be bogged down by his theatrics. In any case, the antecedent of the presidential campaign spokesman should be well known. He is very good at defending his master whenever he is called upon to “come and chop”. Nigerians remember his stand on Chief Obasanjo’s government, before he became an insider. When the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was haunting him, Nigerians remember what Fani-Kayode said about, Jonathan. Today, he is singing Halleluyah, tomorrow the music may change. On a final note, we have had enough of distraction.
OSUN DEFENDER is published by Moremi Publishing House Limited, Promise Point Building, Opposite Guaranty Trust Bank GTB, Gbongan Road, Osogbo, State of Osun. All correspondence to the Managing Editor, Kola Olabisi, Telephone: 08033927286 (kolaolabisi@yahoo.com); Editor, KAYODE AGBAJE, Telephone: 0803-388-0205, E-mail:
osundefender@yahoo.com, kayodeagbaje@yahoo.com. ISSN: 0794-8050.Website: www.osundefender.org.