Osundefender february 19th, 2015 edition

www.osundefender.org thursday, february 19, 2015

THE 6TH MOST-VISITED NEWSPAPER WEBSITE IN NIGERIA

VOL. 10. NO.014

Front Page Comment

N100

In an editorial on New York Times Slams President Jonathan Over “Extra Time” to Fightperformance Boko Haram Monday, the New over the Mr. Jonathan “It appears more likely elected government down the threat posed York Times slammed abduction of the Chibok stands to deplete Mr. Jonathan grew in 1983, it argued the postponement of by Boko Haram and girls and the attacks by his rival’s camthat his emergence as alarmed by the surging the Nigerian elections. if there were a reaBoko Haram, saying they paign coffers, potential winner of the appeal of Muhammadu It pointed out that the sonable expectation while he continues forthcoming election is have exposed the weakBuhari, a former military to use state funds action might have more of an indictment nesses of Nigeria’s armed been more credible if that Nigeria’s weak ruler who has vowed to forces and the dysfuncand institutions to of Jonathan’s dismal President Goodluck army has the ability to crack down on Boko Ha- bankroll his own.” rule than a recognition tion of the government.

Jonathan’s governimprove security over ram,” the article said. “By Recalling that of the former military ment had not spent the next few weeks. dragging out the race, Buhari led a coup Continue on pg7 chief’s appeal. It critimuch of the past year

How OSUN DEFENDER Website Was Hacked •Presidency Fingered

- See Story On Page 2

Religious Dimension Rocks UNIOSUN Crisis - Pg 2

PDP House Of Reps Candidate Accused Of Terrorizing - Pg 4 Ikirun

•(L-R) The governor, Sate of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; Oyo Sate governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi; Deputy governor, Niger State, Hon. Ahmed Musa Ibeto; Borno State governor, Alhaji Musa Shettima Kashim; Senator Abu Ibraheem; Edo State governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and other dignitaries during the All Progressives Congress (APC) Joint Leadership Meeting at Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja, on Tuesday.

Shut Up If You Can’t Contribute Positively - Pg 4 – APC Tells PDP

Corruption: Some Nigerians Are Afraid Of Buhari – Osinbajo

- See Story On Page 3

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osun Defender Thursday, February 19, 2015

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How OSUN DEFENDER Website Was Hacked •Presidency Fingered shutdown of the website Nigeria.

Aregbesola for another Omisore.

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By ismaeel uthman

he website of OSUN DEFENDER, www.osundefender.org, has been hacked and shut down by hackers suspected to be working on the directive of the Presidency and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Information at the d i s p o s a l o f O SU N DEFENDER revealed that the server and the Internet Protocol (IP) address used by the hackers were traced to the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

It was gathered that the hackers had introduced malicious content into the web root of the site, using it to hack into the site and subsequently shut it down last week Thursday.

One of the ICT experts managing the website, who spoke under condition of anonymity for security reasons, said: “Last week Thursday, we received a call from the host company of OSUN DEFENDER website from California that the website has been hacked and shut down.

“The company said some malicious contents were introduced to webroot of the website by some hackers, who used a masked server for the hatchet job. The company said it traced the IP address of the system used by the hackers to FCT. “The company could no longer track down the server to a specific location because it was masked. The only enemy we have in Abuja is the presidency and the PDP. I must also say that the hackers are not ordinary persons. They have access to sophisticated equipment.”

The expert added: “There are strong suspicions that the hackers were operating under the directive of the Presidency and that they were likely to be security agents trained for hacking systems and servers.

“The hackers are trying to wipe out the historical content, that is, the content of the website from 2006 till the time it was shutdown. We are trying to get the website back but the hackers are frustrating our steps.

However, we will restore the website anytime from now. “ Before it was shut down, O SU N DEFE N DER website was the third most-visited newspaper site in Nigeria with over 250,000 visitors per day.

Averagely, on daily basis, the website

moderated 10,000 comments on its contents.

Investigation revealed that there had been upsurge in the traffic of OSUN DEFENDER website since the reelection of Governor Rauf

four years in office.

The site, before the August 9, 2014 governorship election, was on the sixth position, but the site traffic suddenly increased between the election period and the time the election petition tribunal delivered its judgment on the petition filed against Aregbesola by the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Iyiola

The upsurge in the website’s traffic awarded it the third position with Premium Times and Vanguard Newspaper being the first and second respectively.

Reacting to the incident, the Managing Editor, O SU N DEFE N DER newspaper, Mr Kola Olabisi, decried the incident, describing as an attack on the press.

Olabisi said the

could only be traced to the PDP and presidency, who do feel offended by the content of the newspaper website.

He said: “The rise in the traffic and popularity of OSUN DEFENDER website has become a threat to the Federal Government and the PDP. The medium website has risen to a prominent state and it has become the voice of opposition in

“The website is shaking the Presidency and the PDP with its campaign for positive change. Osun is committed to ensuring that good governance is restored in Nigeria and we cannot be dissuaded from the cause.

“No matter how the threat and intimidation”, we can never be gagged.

•Mammoth crowd during the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential rally at Maduguri in Borno State, last Monday.

Religious Dimension Rocks UNIOSUN Crisis

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By Kazeem Mohammed

resh dimension has been introduced into the crisis rocking the Osun State University (UNIOSUN), as some ye-to-be identified persons attributed the suspension of the Vice Chancellor (VC), Professor Bashir Okesina, by the Governing Council of the institution to religious reasons. thecouncil, leaflet distributed Friday, the group thatInthe dominated lastappointment of an alleged Acting

by Christians, does not want VC and setting up of a Okesina as a VC because he visitation panel would bring is a Muslim. an end to the crisis.

The crisis rocking the Abiona said the governing institution has set the council of the institution Chairman of the Governing does not have the power to Council, Professor Gabriel suspend the VC, saying, only Olawoyin (SAN) against the the visitor to the university, Vice-Chancellor’s camp, Governor Rauf Aregbeola, resulting in the suspension has such power. of the VC, the Registrar, He added: “If there is a Julius Faniran and the law, which empowers the Bursar, Fatai Lasisi by the council to suspend the VC, council few weeks ago. let them bring it out.

Professor Jelili Alamu “We are not saying that the has since been appointed allegation of fraud against as the Acting VC of the the suspended officers is true institution by the council. or false, but we are saying, While the Chairman, even if somebody is guilty, Academic Staff Union there are laid down rules to (ASUU), Dr Seye Abiona follow to discipline such a of the institution described person. Let them follow due the sack of the principal process, so that normalcy officers of the university can return.” as an affront on the law Fayemi in his own noted guiding the university, the that though the visitor has Chairman, Non-Academic started addressing the issue, S t a ff U n i o n ( N A S U ) , the appointment of an acting Mr Isiah Fayemi said the VC would help to douse the

Daramola, to investigate the crisis and seek an end to it.

While inaugurating the panel, the governor had condemned the crisis, saying that when a university is thrown into crises, the non-curricular teaching the students freely take away is fighting, disorder and

disorganisation.

The panel has four weeks to submit its report.

By Taiwo Ojo and Tosin Adedokun he Assistant Inspector-General (AIG) of Police, Zone 11, Mr Ikemefunah Okoye, has warned politicians against any act that could truncate the peace of the zone through political violence before, during and after the general elections. the public the p oThis l i c e was a u t hjust o r i tas y he h a sassured well secure and livethat in peace designed effective strategy before during and after the for the peaceful conduct elections. of forthcoming general He said: “Despite elections in the zone. the postponement of The AIG spoke through the elections, the Police the Police Public Relations Command in Zone 11 has Officer (PPRO) in the zone, several strategies that have Mr Shola Babalola, during been planned and designed an interview with OSUN to use during the election DEFE N DER t e a m i n period.

Osogbo recently.

“Our commitment is The zone comprises of to ensure that we have Osun, Oyo and Ondo states. violence-free elections and A c c o r d i n g t o h i m , ensure that we all live in machinery is in place in peace before, during and the area of intelligence after the elections. gathering to ensure that “ To a c h i e v e t h i s , members of the public are politicians must cooperate with us by cautioning their

violence, because violence can’t do anyone any good,” he stressed.

He further noted that the command would not treat with kid’s glove anyone perpetrating violence.

Also urging the public to co-operate with the police and always be ready to give necessary and useful information to the police, the police chief said this would enhance the effectiveness of the various commands in the zone.

He therefore, encouraged the people to stop fearing the police so that there will be a smooth communication between them and the command.

tension.

“It will help in sanitising the university and restore peace in the school. We welcome it,” he added.

Meanwhile, the governor had, last week, inaugurated a visitation panel, headed

by Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Professor Adebiyi

AIG Warns Politicians Against Violence supporters against any

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Osun Defender Thursday, February

Corruption: Some Nigerians Are Afraid Of Buhari – Osinbajo

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he vice presidential candidate of the All that the party would also former Governor of Progressives Congress (APC), Professor privatize transmission.

Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Yemi Osinbajo, has stated that some Professor Osinbajo, F a y e m i , I m o S t a t e Nigerians are afraid of the presidential candidate of the party, General Mohammadu Buhari, because they know he will fight corruption in the country.

On employment Osinbajo, who disclosed this in Enugu generation, the APC vice during his town hall presidential candidate meeting with students and promised that the party youths in the South-East would generate 20,000 Zone, expressed dismay jobs per state when over the increasing rate elected into power, of corruption in the adding that it would country, saying there is also introduce relief need for Nigerians to programmes.

He also assured that, support the APC to fight APC when voted into the scourge. power, would offer T h e A P C v i c e incentives to employers presidential hopeful of labour that employ, at assured the youths that least, 10 people, adding the APC government that the administration of would deal with law and Buhari would establish order problems in the Technology Villages to country, saying failure encourage the youths. of law enforcement is Osinbajo further told one of the causes of the the youths that the APC problems in some parts government would also of the North. establish an Electronic Professor Osinbajo Device Assembly/Repair stated that the difference Plants where different b e t w e e n N i g e r i a ’s t y p e s o f e l e c t r o n i c corruption and that of d e v i c e s w o u l d b e other countries in the assembled and repaired.

S p e a k i n g f u r t h e r, world is that Nigeria’s corruption is fighting Osibanjo disclosed that hard to destroy the the APC government has nation, warning that the an intention to establish scourge is increasing at Energy Academics that would train young people an alarming rate.

W h i l e e x p r e s s i n g in the various areas of the •Photo of the day, Source; Facebook disappointment over power sector, assuring the inconsistency of N i g e r i a ’s c u r r e n c y, Osinbajo attributed the problem to Nigeria’s he All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused said it cannot put anything low external reserves, politicians that are afraid of the 2015 general beyond the PDP and the saying the leadership elections of sponsoring the circulation of leaflets administration due of the country failed to urging the people of Gombe to stay away from the Jonathan to their alleged desperation make proper use of the polling booths on election days or they will be in trouble. to ensure that the general opportunity occasioned In a statement issued its National Publicity elections do not hold. in Lagos on Sunday by S e c r e t a r y, A l h a j i L a i by the oil boom.

It said even the attack on

Deputy Governor, Eze Madumere, Senator Chris Ngige, Chairman

of the APC in Enugu State, Dr Ben Nwoye, among others, attended

APC Says PDP Behind ‘Boko Haram’ Leaflets

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Mohammed, the party

Owode-Ede Traders Cautioned From On their parts, Owodetraders had revealed Trading On The Road Ede that the reasons for

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By shina abubakar

warning has gone to the traders at OwodeEde Market along Gbongan-Ibadan Road to desist from plying their trade too close to the road as it constitutes a hazard to them.

T h i s w a r n i n g w a s children. issued recently by Mr. “You just have to come Tunji Olaniyi a member here on a market day to see of the Federal Road Safety what I mean. On market Commission (FRSC), days, we find it very Owode-Ede patrol team. difficult to control traffic Olaniyi maintained that and to make it worse, it by displaying their wares is the so-called elite that too close to the main road, patronise them.” the traders were exposing The road traffic themselves to danger. controller also called on According to him: “It the relevant authorities to is not right for traders to make the provision of a come to the edge of the befitting market a priority, road all because they want as this would alleviate the to make some sales. danger posed by their acts.

“There are some rules Olaniyi revealed that guiding these traders the same scenario was but it seems they have being played out in other discarded them just for markets at Sekona, Odesome change. They are Omu and other towns not even considering the within the state with danger they constitute situated roadside markets. to themselves and their

some of them going to the edge of the road on market days to ply their trade was necessitated by the demands of their customers, some of whom, said, they do not like to alight from their vehicles but rather prefer to buy from them in their cars and drive off later.

Also another reason advanced was the lack of market stalls allocation, a petition which, they said they had forwarded to the appropriate quarters.

Meanwhile, reports reaching this medium indicate that officials of the Water, Environment and Sanitation Department of Ede-North Local Government had swung into action to push back the traders back to their alloted positions far from the road.

Gombe on Saturday was suspect and wondered how Boko Haram insurgents will drive on the highway from Maiduguri to Gombe in a convoy of many vehicles without being spotted or stopped at the various military checkpoints in the area.

APC said it is curious that the Boko Haram terrorists, who have never mentioned the elections in their regular videos on YouTube, have suddenly started campaigning against the conduct of elections.

The party also noted that the local government elections in Yobe, one of the hotbeds of the Boko Haram insurgency, went without any incident in 2013, indicating there has not been a systematic campaign by the insurgents to attack voters.

“Part of the strategy of the PDP and the Jonathan Administration is to depopulate perceived opposition strongholds through all sorts of

dangerous measures, and this scaremongering, supposedly by Boko Haram, fits into that strategy.

“They are also the unseen hands behind the advertisement by faceless groups, urging Muslims to vote for Muslim candidates.

It is in line with their exploitation of religious and ethnic fault lines to divide Nigerians,” the party said.

It said the alarm raised

by Mike Omeri, that some female suicide bombers may strike at polling units during the elections, also fits into the PDP and Jonathan’s administration’s opposition stronghold depopulation strategy.

“It is now very clear to Nigerians that the PDP-led Federal Government does not want the forthcoming elections to hold, because it is guaranteed a shellacking.

First, the government sponsored a campaign to postpone the elections because of low PVC distribution.

“When they realized the number of PVCs collected was growing and that their argument might no longer be tenable, they suddenly used security as an alibi, abandoning their earlier push for the election shift

on the basis of low PVC distribution,” the party added.

APC noted that after the PDP has clandestinely succeeded in forcing the postponement, while mounting campaigns for the PVCs and the Card Readers to be jettisoned in favour of TVCs was launched because it will allow them to rig the elections.

“Those campaigning against the use of PVCs and Card Readers have forgotten that Ghana successfully used the same technology in its last elections, and that it is not rocket science,’’ the party said.

It also accused the PDP Federal Government of exhibiting the traits of elections phobia by continuing to clandestinely campaign for an interim government, even though the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice has publicly denied such moves.

The party urged President Goodluck Jonathan not to plunge Nigeria into crisis or give the country the Gbagbo treatment, all in pursuit of personal interest at the expense of national interest.

If you have a story or advert for us, contact 08033927286, 08033880205, 08061197897, 08023191891.

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osun Defender Thursday, February

PDP House Of Reps Candidate Accused Of Terrorizing Ikirun

•APC Is Guilty Of Violence - Oduwoye

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A member of the he candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Ifelodun/Boripe/Odo-Otin APC, Mr Yemi Adewale, Federal Constituency, Mr Kayode Oduwoye, who spoke with OSUN has been accused of terrorizing members of DEFENDER on Monday the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ikirun, in Ikirun said: “Oduwoye headquarters of Ifelodun Local Government is terrorizing us in Ikirun and we urge the security Council Area of the State of Osun.

Oduwoye, who also representing Ifelodun agents to intervene. We hails from Ikirun, was State Constituency, while no longer live in peace alleged of using armed holding a campaign rally because of Oduwoye’s p o l i t i c a l t h u g s a n d at Ward 5, Ikirun few terror act.

“No fewer than 60 policemen to harass and days ago. members of the APC and intimidate members of the opposition parties in the community, which was said to be a stronghold of the APC.

By SHINA ABUBAKAR Oduwoye however, he lawmaker representing Olorunda State refuted the allegation, Constituency in the State of Osun House describing it as frivolous, of Assembly, Honourable Waseeu Adebayo, saying that his detractors has described the call in some quarters for Professor and APC members were Attahiru Jega to resign as selfish and self-serving. out to soil his image.

He bereted the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) O d u w o y e , w h i l e bigwigs spearheading the out its constitutional duty addressing the press at campaign for INEC boss’ of conducting a credible, the NUJ Press Centre, resignation, accusing free and fair election, Osogbo, on Monday, them of blowing the saying any attempt to a c c u s e d t h e r u l i n g trumpet of crisis in the remove the umpire would party of attempting to country. amount to premeditated A c c o r d i n g t o t h e act of rigging the polls. d e st a b i l ize the PD P He also charged the structures in Ikirun by l a w m a k e r, i n 2 0 11 , sponsoring violent attacks INEC’s data on voters’ electorate to cooperate on members of the party. card distribution, which with the electoral body by The APC members was high in the North, ensuring that they collect alleged that Oduwoye was not criticised, only their Permanent Voters’ was instigating violence for the PDP to turn around Cards (PVC) before the in the community, adding and criticise same voters’ expiration date and also that some PDP thugs registration in 2015 ensure their readiness to being used by Oduwoye because it feels it would participate in the electoral be defeated at the polls. process. do shoot into the air He said the attitude S p e a k i n g f u r t h e r, everyday to scare people of the PDP chieftains Honourable Adebayo and intimidate the APC amounted to speaking disclosed that since members ahead of the from both sides of the INEC has conceded to election day. mouth, particularly as the demand of the Federal Oduwoye was also their party benefitted from Government to shift accused of sending thugs the same arrangement just polls by six weeks, it is to attack a member of the four years ago. imperative for the PDP to State of Osun House of The lawmaker urged the allow the electoral body Assembly, Honourable PDP to allow INEC carry move on with its schedule Lekan Afolabi, who is

other innocent people have been arrested and detained by the police on the order of Oduwoye.

Some of his thugs do shoot into the air around Ikirun to intimidate the APC members.

“Some days ago, before the tribunal judgment, Oduwoye’s thugs unleashed terror on Honourable Lekan

By ismaeel uthman

Afolabi and other APC members in Ward 5, Ikirun during a campaign rally. So many people were injured in the attack.

“After the attack, Oduwoye sent police to arrest and detain people.

More than 60 people have been arrested so far. That is what we are witnessing in Ikirun. The security agents should please

come to our rescue.”

However, Oduwoye refuted the allegation, saying that the APC was guilty of violence in the council area.

The PDP candidate stated that his campaign has always been peaceful, adding that his followers and PDP members were law-abiding.

Call For Jega’s Resignation Is Self-serving – Lawmaker for the rescheduled

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elections.

“For PDP members to be calling for Jega’s resignation at this point in time clearly showed the agenda of the party for the nation’s democracy.

I think it is better for

the PDP and their noisemakers to allow Jega do his job.

It is imperative on all politicians, irrespective of party affiliations, to help the electoral body to sustain the current democracy, rather than

making a mess of the process, by calling for his resignation at this point in time,” he added.

APC Campaign Alerts NASS Of he Anti-democratic An tics All Progressives Congress (APC)

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statement observed that the commentaries coming from leading members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), about a sinister plot to compromise on the sanctity of the May 29 handover date portends a great danger to the integrity of Nigeria’s democracy.

The statement read: “We wish to call their (National Assembly members) attention to the fact that their resumption is coming at a time when some senior members of the ruling party are mouthing overtures over a surreptitious attempt to compromise on the sanctity of the election day and the handover date.

“To the extent that the parliament is the heart of any democracy, our National Assembly members have a duty to ensure that they protect our democracy from the archeries of its enemies.”

The campaign organisation therefore urged all members of the National Assembly to add their voices to that of millions of other Nigerians and stand resolute that the general elections hold between •Chief Imam of Afonta Mosque, Osogbo, State of Osun, Sheik Baali Afonta (left); Comrade Waheed Lawal (right) and other muslim clerics during a prayer for Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s victory at the tribunal and prayer for General Muhammadu Buhari and other APC Candidates victory March 28 and April 11 as scheduled and in March/April poll, in Osogbo, recently.

Presidential Campaign Organisation on Monday cautioned members of the National Assembly against taking actions, which might adversely affect the foundations of the nation’s democracy.

The APC campaign He noted that organisation said this m e m b e r s o f t h e w h i l e w e l c o m i n g National Assembly legislators, who were w e r e r e t u r n i n g t o due to resume plenary plenary at a time when on Tuesday. the country was passing This was contained through a phase of some in a statement by the surreptitious attempt to organisation’s Director tamper with the sanctity of Media, Malam Garba of the election and the Shehu, in Abuja. handover date.

The campaign

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osun Defender Thursday, February

•Deputy Governor, State of Osun, Otunba (Mrs) Grace Titi Laoye-Tomori (left) in a handshake with Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Prosolve Associates, Dr Yemi Adegoke (right) while SUBEB Chairman in the State of Osun, Prince Felix Awofisayo (middle), watches during the inauguration of Technical Committee on World Bank Basic Education Project, State of Osun, last Friday.

Osun 2015 Budget Passes Second Reading

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By Kazeem Mohammed

while drafting the estimate, saying when the expenditure is increased, the House would give clues on where revenue would be generated to cater for the increase without putting more burden on the people of the state.

The Speaker, Honourable Najeem Salaam, said the budget was a reflection of the programme of a people-oriented government that

he 2015 budget estimate of the State Government of Osun has passed through the second reading before the State House of Assembly.

This was just as recurrent expenditure the House adopted taking 44 per cent the budget proposal would further ensure of N197 billion as a the development of realistic budget that the state. would facilitate further He however, noted development of the that the Assembly state. might eventually Chairman, House increase the figure of Committee on Finance the budget estimate to and Approriation, cater for some areas Honourable Kamil that were forgotten Oyedele, moved the motion for the second reading of the budget and was seconded by the Chief Whip,

By Kehinde ayantunji Honourable Ipoola he Nigerian Cassava Growers Binuyo.

Association (NCGA) has declared Reading its policy that the administration of President thrust, Oyedele said Goodluck Jonathan was committed to the the budget was an promotion of the agriculture sector as a assurance that the state source of foreign exchange earnings. would compliment its The association noted that the commitment of past performance.

President Jonathan’s farmers in the region, He said, the strategy said the Jonathan that the government administration to administration has the development of has laid down in committed huge generating revenue agriculture has started internally to implement yielding results with r e s o u r c e s t o t h e its expenditure has t h e h u g e i n c o m e d e v e l o p m e n t o f shown its seriousness realized from the agriculture.

He noted that there i n t h e e f f e c t i v e sector. was no administration The South-West implementation of the C o - o r d i n a t o r o f in the country that budget.

T h e l a w m a k e r t h e N C G A , D r has shown interest in added that the fact David Ogunsade, the agricultural sector that the government while speaking at like the Jonathan’s dwell more on capital the distribution of a d m i n i s t r a t i o n , expenditure with 66 per fertilizers to selected s t r e s s i n g t h a t cent of the budget and

has concern for the development of the people.

According to him, despite the meagre resources of the state, the development of the state has not stopped, saying, no government could give the state better than what is getting now in terms of development.

Salaam however, noted that the budget might be passed with a proviso that the government must

conclude all the ongoing major projects before embarking on new ones.

This, according to him, would ensure that no major project across the state is abandoned.

Other lawmakers including the Deputy Speaker, Honourable Akintunde Adegboye; Samson Fafiyebi (Obokun), Ojo Johnson (Ede-South), Abiodun Awolola (Egbedore) and Ajibola Akinloye (Ola-Oluwa), said the

budget was not only well-packaged, it is implementable.

They all called for the accelerated passage of the budget to ensure its effective implementation.

Jonathan Is Committed To Agric Development – NCGA

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the Federal Government has provided conducive environment for farmers to operate in the country.

While comparing the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo with that of the incumbent administration of President Jonathan, Dr Ogunsade noted t h a t J o n a t h a n ’s government was more open and transparent than that of Obasanjo, adding that farmers have benefited more in the administration of Jonathan.

He hinted that the

present administration through the efforts of the Minister of Agriculture, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, has released tractors, herbicides, fertilizers and loans to all categories of farmers in the country.

He disclosed that farmers in the six South-West states of Ondo, Ekiti, Ogun, Lagos, Osun and Oyo have benefited from the free fertilizers provided by the Federal Government.

Ogunsade also disclosed that the Federal Government has approved the

establishment of a cassava processing industry in Ifon, State of Osun and Ile-Oluji in Ondo State, saying that the factory would boost food production in the South-West zone.

Change Of Name I, formerly known as Mrs macaulay ol u r e m i folasade Lydia now wish to be called and addressed as Mrs oduntan oluremi ly d i a . A l l f o r m e r documents remain valid.

General public should

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osun Defender Thursday, February

2015 Elections: Group Warns Against Sacking Of INEC Boss

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By Francis EZEDIUNO

word of warning has gone out to groups and individuals calling for the resignation of Professor Attahiru Jega, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), over the controversy surrounding the distribution of Permanent Voter Cards (PVC) and the postponement of the general elections from February to March and April.

The warning, which those who have made it their emanated from a group business to call for Jega’s known as Osun Renewal resignation to desist from Movement, cautioned all such because of the untold implications it would have

for politics generally in the country.

In a telephone interview with OSUN DEFENDER recently in Osogbo, the group Co-ordinator, Mr. Olamide David, noted that what those clamouring for Jega’s removal wanted was not realisable considering the fact that the INEC boss has proven to be a very transparent public servant, who had a track record of excellence trailing him.

He advanced that the INEC boss was so faultless that in states where he conducted elections and irregularities were discovered, he did not cover it up, but instead chose to address Nigerians on it and tendered unreserved apologies.

“What more do Nigerians want, the man has shown that he is a rare piece of a public servant, who has

the interest of this nation at heart.

“I would not blame him if he does not offer himself up to serve this nation in any capacity again. Afterall, the last one he took, how did we repay him?

“With a sack!”

As per the allegation that the INEC boss met with leaders of a particular political party in Dubai to perfect rigging plans,

Najeem Salaam, said that the essence of Special Offences Court Bill that was passed was to introduce measure that would prevent dangers attached to environmental problems.

He directed the Ministry of Justice to create all the necessary awareness for the people to know that such law has been enacted.

According to him, the awareness would prevent the people from being caught unaware by the new enactment.

Debt Management Office Establishment (amendment) bill on its own, passed through the first, second and third readings on the same day before it was passed into law.

Salaam stated that

reduction of the year of experience for the DG of the office would facilitate the operation of the principal law, which was passed in 2012.

The passage of the amendment bill, he said, would also make it easier to get a suitable candidate for the DG position of the agency.

He then noted that the two passed bills would be forward to the governor for his assent, with a view to making the laws operational.

Osun Assembly Passes Special Offences Court, DMO Amendment Laws

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By Kazeem mohammed

he State of Osun House of Assembly has passed the Special Offences Court Bill and Debt Management Office Establishment (amendment) bill into law.

The bills were passed at the plenary on Tuesday following t w o s e p a r a t e m o t i o n s by Honourable Ademola moved by the Leader of the Ajiboye, representing Ila House, Honourable Timothy State Constituency and O w o e y e , a n d s e c o n d e d Honourable Leke Ogunsola, representing Ayedire State

Constituency respectively.

The Special Offences Court Bill was passed to cater for the environmental offences and such other offences, while Debt Management Office Establishment (amendment) bill was passed to review downward the years of experience of the DirectorGeneral in Corporate and Project Financing from 20 to 15 years.

The Speaker, Honourable

Shut Up If You Can’t Contribute Positively – APC Tells PDP

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he All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State of Osun has told the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to shut up if it has nothing sensible to contribute to the political engagement in Osun except stoking violence.

The party said in its reaction to the PDP’s allegation that the APC was involved in the destruction of their posters and billboards.

According to the party’s Director of Publicity, Research and Strategy, Barrister Kunle Oyatomi|: “Everybody in Osun knows the PDP as a harbinger of lawless people, whose leadership is partly brewed in motor park mentality of criminal disregard for law and order. They commit crime and accuse their victims of the very same crime they (PDP) had committed.

The party recalled that even after a peace accord was signed recently on the initiative of the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 11, PDP led it’s thugs to vandalise billboards of APC candidates across the state . They did the same thing when they lost the Tribunal case.

The APC accused the PDP of habitually acting with impunity because they have Federal Government cover.

“We were all witnesses to the criminal impunity with which the PDP used security operatives to molest, arrest and vandalise properties of APC leaders and supporters during last August 9, 2014 governorship election and got away with the crime,’’ the APC reminded the public.

It pointed out that since the PDP’s defeat in the governorship election in the State of Osun, it had continually instigated

criminal acts and accused the APC, whose supporters were the victims, as being the perpetrators.

“At every point when they have sinister reasons to be happy or unhappy, the PDP thugs and miscreants run amok with excitement and resort to violence.

They went wild on February 6, when the Tribunal decided against them.

“Now that they are celebrating a pyrrhic victory for causing the presidential election to be postponed, they have again run wild with joy and destroyed mainly APC

billboards and posters and turn round to accuse the APC. “Only those who do not know the notoriety of the PDP will believe the nonsense they are saying’, the APC said.

The party added that the PDP is incapable of responsible behaviour and should rather be investigated whenever they accused the APC of violence.

The APC therefore called on law enforcement agents to keep a close watch on the PDP because “they are the ones who are prone to lawlessness and violence.”

as alleged by one Femi Fani-Kayode, the group spokesperson challenged anybody with evidence of the meeting to come forth and tender such as Nigerians are aware of the evil schemings of the IleIfe-born political schemer.

He added that FaniKayode and Colonel Sambo Dasuki, the National Security Adviser, have nothing good for Nigeria except to play out the tune of their masters in Aso Rock.

David maintained that in the coming general elections, it is either the electorate make use of the Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVC) or they are denied of their rights to vote.

The group co-ordinator called on all Nigerians to endeavour to collect their PVCs, as this remains the only guarantee that they would vote on election day.

It can be recalled that during the presidential media chat, President Goodluck Jonathan had disclosed that he had no plans to sack Jega.

Man Absconds After Duping Company

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By Kehinde ayantunji

he Police Command in the State of Osun has stated that it has launched an intensive search for one Mr Jibril Lukman Ayinde, a 32-year-old man, who allegedly absconded from the state after duping a construction company based in Ile-Ife, Onirin Nigeria Limited, to the tune of N6.8 million.

Ayinde was until recently absconded manager, but his the Manager of Onirin whereabouts, was said to Nigeria Limited, Ile-Ife, be unknown to the Police, a company dealing with a situation which made the steel and iron, which is an Police to inform the State accredited agent of Ife Iron Police Command and other and Steel Company, Ile-Ife. divisions in the neighbouring The Police at Moore states.

Police Division, Ile-Ife, According to the Chief were said to have made Executive Officer of the frantic efforts to arrest the company, Mr Olakunle

•A cross section of dignitaries at the inauguration of Technical Committee on World Bank Basic Education Project, in Osogbo, State of Osun, last Friday.

Olalere, who reported the matter to the police, the allegedly absconded manager got missing on the 22nd December, 2014 after he had withdrawn the sum of N6.8million from the company’s account.

Olalere also explained that Ayinde, who allegedly duped his company, had vacated his residence in IleIfe and efforts to discover his present location have proved abortive.

He said the relatives of the missing manager including his wife had been interrogated by the police but availed no clue to get the manager.

Narrating how the manager allegedly duped the company, Olalere explained: “The two of us hail from Saki in Oyo State and I paid him N300,000 as his monthly salary. I also gave him free hand to operate in the company. He later took the advantage of this to transfer money from the company’s account to his personal account and later absconded.”

He said the police have made several efforts to locate the but could not be seen, adding that no member of his family was detained by the police in the course of investigation into the matter.

Meanwhile, the State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO, Mrs Folashade Odoro, could not be reached for comments on the matter, but a police officer at Moore Police Station, who preferred anonymity, hinted that the police are working round the clock to arrest the company’s manager.

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osun Defender Thursday, Febru-

New York Times Slams President Jonathan Over “Extra Time” to Fight Boko Haram Continued from pg1

“Beyond security matters, entrenched corruption and the government’s inability to diversify its economy as the price of oil, the country’s financial bedrock, has fallen have also caused Nigerians to look for new leadership. Nigeria, the most populous nation in Africa, and a relatively young democracy, cannot afford an electoral crisis.”

It would be recalled that following an endorsement of Buhari by The Economist in its edition dated February 7, a sulking Jonathan said he did not need the support of the magazine.

Text of the editorial by the New York Times: Nigeria’s Miserable Choices The Nigerian government was supposed to hold presidential elections this past weekend, which presented

voters with the dispiriting choice of keeping a lousy incumbent or returning to power a former autocratic leader. Now they will have to wait at least six weeks to cast votes.

The Nigerian election commission said earlier this month that it had pushed back the vote until at least March 28, after the country’s security chiefs warned that they could not guarantee the safety of voters in northeastern areas of the country where Boko Haram, the extremist militant group, captured international attention last spring when it abducted hundreds of schoolgirls.

On Friday, Boko Haram fighters attacked a village in neighboring Chad for the first time, an alarming sign of the group’s expanding strength in a region that also includes areas of Cameroon and Niger.

Any argument to delay the vote might be more credible if President Goodluck Jonathan’s government had not spent much of the past year playing down the threat posed by the militants and if there were a reasonable expectation that the country’s

weak military has the ability to improve security in a matter of weeks.

It appears more likely Mr. Jonathan grew alarmed by the surging appeal of Muhammadu Buhari, a former military ruler who has vowed to crack down on Boko Haram. By dragging out the race, Mr. Jonathan stands to deplete his rival’s campaign coffers, while he continues to use state funds and institutions to bankroll his own.

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invitation to anarchy and despicable utterance of Joseph Mbu, who is a mirror of an institution of state, which is supposed to symbolize unity, discipline, rule of law and order. Mbu, once again has shown that he is a lawless officer, who has no respect for the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and

will continue to bring public opprobrium to the image and integrity of the Nigeria Police as long as he remains in service.

The Nigeria Police, by the Constitution establishing it, is charged with the responsibility of maintaining law and order through enforcement of the law. The right to terminate the life of any citizen is constitutionally entrusted

in the courts through interpreting the Constitution and metting out punishment to violators of the law. It is unconstitutional and criminal of the police or any person or organization to kill a human being without the authorization of the courts after a judicial trial.

Therefore, in the light of the above, Nigerians should demand the following:

1. I m m e d i a t e dismissal of Mr. Joseph Mbu from the Nigeria Police for misconduct.

2. Immediate arrest and trial of Mr. Mbu for violating the constitution through threats of attempted murder against Nigerians.

3. I m m e d i a t e reorientation of men and officers of the Nigeria Police in line with global best practices of policing,

Beyond security matters, entrenched corruption and the government’s inability to diversify its economy as the price of oil, the country’s financial bedrock, has fallen have also caused Nigerians to look for new leadership. Nigeria, the most populous nation in Africa, and a relatively young democracy, cannot afford an electoral crisis. That would only set back the faltering effort to reassert government control in districts where Boko Haram is sowing terror. The security forces may not be able to safeguard many districts on Election Day. But postponement is very likely to make the security threat worse.

That Mr. Buhari, who helped launch a coup against a democratically elected government in 1983 and ruled until late 1985, has emerged as potential winner is more of an indictment of Mr. Jonathan’s dismal rule than a recognition of the former military chief’s appeal.

Nigerian voters have grown increasingly worried about the stunning rise of Boko Haram, which has committed terrorist atrocities including bombings.

The abductions and attacks by the group have exposed the weaknesses of Nigeria’s armed forces and the dysfunction of the government. Although

Why Lawless Joseph Mbu Should Be S acked

igerian media in recent times have been awash with the reckless, irresponsible, crude, barbaric, unconstitutional, provocative, illegal, undemocratic, uncivilized and murderous threat in the media, credited t o c o n t r o v e r s i a l M r.

Joseph Mbu, AIG zone 2 comprising Lagos and Ogun states Police Commands, who was reported to have made a declaration at a meeting with police officers that if any of his men were shot, no less than twenty civilians would pay for it.

“If one of my men is killed, I shall kill twenty of them but don’t shoot first,” Mr. Mbu said. “If they shoot you, shoot back in self-defence. Anybody who fires you, fire him back in self-defence.”

One can only but be shocked and condemn in strong terms, this offensive, barbaric, misconduct, irresponsible, lawless, impunity, inciting,

Mr. Jonathan’s government has in the past been less than enthusiastic, and at times obstructive, in response to offers of American and European aid, he appears to be growing increasingly worried. In an interview with The Wall Street Journal last week, he said he would welcome American troops to fight the insurgency.

who might have been contaminated by Mr. Mbu’s order to kill Nigerians.

4. Immediate and an unreserved apology to Nigerians for this threat to life and assault on their sensibilities by the Nigeria Police.

5.

Failure of the Police Service Commission to comply with the above demands, will imply that the police authorities should be held responsible for any murder(s) committed by AIG Mbu and men and officers of the Nigeria Police before, during and after the 2015 general elections.

•Nelson Ekujumi, Lagos

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osun Defender Thursday, February

How The Tribunal Made Non-

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aving dealt with the preliminary issues, we shall proceed to the consideration of issue 2. In the consideration of this issue, we intend to deal with the 17 Local Government Areas in contention individually, in the order they are listed in paragraph 22 of the petition.

1.AIYEDAADE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA In Aiyedaade Local Government, the petitioners by their pleadings in paragraph 39 on pages 20-26 of their petition clearly limited their complaint or challenge to the conduct of the elections in respect of only 3 Wards and the following specific polling units/stations or points as follows: 1.OTUN BALOGUN WARD 02 (Units 001, 002, 003, 004, 005, 006 and 007) 2.OLUFI WARD 03 (Units 001, 002, 003, 004, 005, 006, and 007) 3.OTUN OLUFI WARD 04 (Units 001, 004, 005, 006, 008, 009, 010 and 011) The units complained above cumulatively amount to 22 units out of a total of132 in the Local Government. The implication of this precisely defined or streamlined position is that the Petitioners are necessarily deemed to be satisfied with the results as declared by the 3rd Respondent with respect to the other polling units or points not challenged in the petition and as such have not joined issues with the Respondents with respect thereto. This tribunal will therefore not concern itself with such polling units with respect to which parties did not join issues on the pleadings in the evaluation of evidence led on record.

Now the substance of the complaints

by Petitioners with respect to this Local Government consist of wide-range allegations of absence of accreditation of voters, unlawful and arbitrary allocation of votes, inflation of votes, intimidation and harassment of voters, non-stamping of result sheets and the general complaint of alteration and manipulation of voters register.

The question is, to what extent have the petitioners been able to establish thesedefined allegations within the ambit of the required standards set by law?

Now the only evidence given in respect of this Local Government is of that of PW33 and PW36. PW33 served as Ward Supervisor/Collation Agent for P.D.P in Ward 4 while PW36 served as polling Agent for P.D.P at Unit 001of Olufi Ward 003. No witness was however called to give evidence with respect to the allegations made with respect to OTUN BALOGUN Ward 02 which covered Pages 20 to 22 of the Petition. The effect of this in law is that the averments or allegations with respect to Otun Balogun Ward 02 are not backed up by credible evidence and is deemed as abandoned. See Uwegba V. A.G Bendel State (1988)1 N.W.L.R (pt.16)363.

In Arabambi V. Advance Beverages Ind. Ltd (2005)19 N.W.L.R (pt.959)1 at 25, the Supreme Court made the position clear in the following terms: “The law is clear and settled that pleading is not synonymous with evidence and so cannot be construed as such in the determination of the merit or otherwise of a case. A party who seeks judgment in his favour is required by law to produce adequate credible evidence in support of his pleadings, and where there is none then the averments in the pleading are deemed abandoned.”

Guided by the above, we accordingly shall discountenance the averments with respect to Otun Balagun Ward 02. Now as stated earlier PW33, served as Ward Supervisor/Collation Agent for Ward 04.

His evidence is a mere repetition of the facts pleaded in paragraph 39(a) to (h) of the Petition.

We immediately address the point raised by learned counsel to the 3rdRespondent with respect to the apparent conflict in the ward PW33 comes from. It is correct that in his oral evidence, PW33 said he was from ward 04 of Aiyedaade Local Government, but paragraph 2 of his witness deposition

•aregbesola

By Ibrahim Lawal

reads that he is from ward 3. We do not consider this conflict as material and one to waste energy on. It is at best a mere typographical error because even the heading of the witness deposition is clear in its import and it refers to ward 04. His evidence is similarly clear to the effect that he voted in unit 004 and was the Ward Supervisor and Collation Agent for the said ward. The error in our opinion will have no bearing on our evaluation of his evidence which we shall now proceed to do.

As stated earlier, his evidence is a mere repetition of the pleadings with respect to ward 4. Now going through the pleadings at pages 24 to 26 of the petition(paragraphs a-h) vis-à-vis the evidence of this witness, it is clear that PW33 did not give evidence with respect to the allegations of unjustifiable disenfranchisement, voting by unqualified voters and the complaint of lack of proper accreditation. In law in the absence of evidence to support these pleadings, they are deemed as abandoned.

Now with respect to other aspects of his evidence, while answering questions under cross-examination, PW33 stated that there are 14 units in the ward he supervised and that they had agents in all these units who reported to him on the conduct of the elections in those respective units.

He further stated that apart from what he observed as he visited the units, the basis of his evidence is predicated on the “reports” of the agents they had in each of the units.

He also stated under cross-examination that he neither sawthe counting or collation of votes in any of the units including the unit where he voted.

The effect of the evidence of this witness is that his evidence is essentially not in respect to what he saw or personally witnessed. There is absolutely no indication in his evidence and this he admitted under cross examination as to the aspect of his evidence which he personally witnessed and the other aspect which he was told or did not witness. This clearly is fatal to the case of petitioners. See Gundiri V. Nyako (2014)2 N.W.L.R(pt 1391)211 at

•omisore

244 a-b.There is no duty or obligation on court to sort out what aspect of the evidence he witnessed and that which he did not witness. The implication of this as rightly submitted by all counsel for the Respondents is that the entirety of the evidence of PW33 with respect to Otun Olufi Ward 04 under consideration amount to hearsay evidence by virtue of Sections 37 and 38 of the Evidence Act 2011 (as amended). As such, the gamut of the evidence of this PW33 is worthless for the purpose of these proceedings, in so far as they relate to facts in issue which did not proceed from his personal knowledge. This tribunal cannot ascribe any probative value to such evidence. See Jolayemi V. Alaoye (2004)12 N.W.L.R (pt.887)322; Awuse V. Odili (supra); Gundiri v.Nyako(supra).

Now, even with respect to areas that can be said he witnessed, PW33 under crossexamination, stated that he does not know the names of the agents he claimed inflated and arbitrarily allotted votes to 1st and 2nd Respondents and that indeed he does not even know what the original released results were and what they were inflated to. In addition, he did not even witness the counting and collation of votes in his own unit or any unit which completely detracts from the credibility of these allegations made with respect to Ward 4. Indeed if he was not at any unit when votes were collated and counted, what then is the basis for his assertion or evidence that votes were arbitrarily allocated and that Forms EC8A for certain units were not stamped in his ward.

Now despite this very serious allegation of arbitrary allocation of votes, PW33 under cross-examination conceded that he signed the summary of result sheet,Exhibit 163(d2) and also that their party agents signed the result sheets which they brought to him. He stated that the agents signed the result sheet so that they can get the duplicate copy to show their supervisor.

This candid admission of signing of the result sheets gravely compromises the allegation of arbitrary allocation of votes.

In law where a polling agent signs the result sheet of an election voluntarily on

the instruction of his political party, that action authenticates the validity of the result sheet. That is so because a polling agent is presumed at law to understand what he appends his signature to. In this case PW33 and all their polling agents signed the election result sheets on the instruction of their party. They cannot not now turn around to deny or question the contents of the result sheet. See Gundiri V. Nyako (2014)2 N.W.L.R (pt.1391)211 at 245 to 246H-B. Furthermore there was even no demonstration by petitioners to establish the allegations that certain Forms EC8A were not stamped at all. The law is settled that where a trial is conducted on the basis of pleadings as in this case, all relevant allegations in the pleadings must be proved by credible evidence and such evidence must be in line with the pleading. In other words, the petitioners here must prove their case as pleaded and must prove the truth of the contents of the paragraphs of the pleadings. Where this is not done as here, the assertions made therein remain mere allegations without proof.

SeeAlamieyeseighe V Igoniwari (No.2) (2007)7 N.W.L.R (pt.1034)524.

Similarly the allegations of widespread intimidation, harassment and molestation of agents of Petitioners beyond speculative posturing were not in any manner creditably established by PW33. The evidence of PW33 clearly lacks value and proves nothing.

PW36 on the other hand served as polling agent specifically for Unit 001, Gbongan Unit of Olufi Ward 03. No witness was called with respect to the allegations made in the remaining 6 units of the ward to wit: units 001, 002, 004, 005, 006 and 007. The effect of these as already alluded to earlier on in law is that averments in pleadings upon which no evidence is adduced are deemed as abandoned. By this token we accordingly discountenance the pleadings with respect to these units.

Furthermore, we have carefully read the pleadings with respect to Olufi Ward 03 and in particular paragraphs (a) to (i) of the petition on pages 22 to 24 and we

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osun Defender Thursday, February

sense Of Omisore’s Petition (4)

•A cross section of All Progressives Congress (APC) lawyers jubilating at the court room after the declaration of Governor Rauf Aregbesola as the winner of August 9, 2014 governorship election in the State of Osun at the Election Petition Tribunal that sat at High Court, Osogbo, recently.

are in no doubt that the substance of the evidence of PW36 bears no relevance with the complaints made in unit 001 where he was an agent. In paragraphs (a) and (f) of the petition, the allegations pleaded with respect to unit 001 are that no election was conducted in the unit and there was widespread intimidation and harassment of the supporters of P.D.P by agents of 1st and 2ndRespondents. His evidence clearly went beyond the confines of his pleadings. He added amongst others that there was accreditation of unregistered persons; that there was open campaign by A.P.C members and distribution of food, money and drinks to induce people to vote for A.P.C; that after voting, figures were inflated and arbitrarily allocated to A.P.C. All these facts were clearly not pleaded.

The effect of this is that the evidence of this witness with respect to unpleaded facts goes to no issue. The law is sacrosanct that evidence led on any matter not pleaded goes to no issue. See Amadi V. Nwosu (1992)6 SCNJ 59.

Now with respect to the aspect of his evidence duly pleaded, we clearly do not find this witness credible or reliable. Under cross-examination, he admitted that he does not even know the names of the A.P.C members who he claimed campaigned openly and distributed money, food and drinks to induce voters. He similarly admitted that he did not in his evidence give the names of P.D.P members allegedly harassed and does not also have the voters cards of P.D.P members allegedly scared away from voting. We really wonder in the face ofthese assertions which negatively undermine the evidence of PW36, how the petitioners expects the tribunal to accorded any weight to the allegations of harassment and intimidation of voters by agents of Respondents.

He further stated under crossexamination that he did not sign the result sheet in his ward and that he does not even know the result of the election since he was allegedly “chased away.” Yet this witness made the rather outlandish claims that after voting, figures were inflated and arbitrarily allocated.

Interestingly on Exhibit 188(7), the name of the P.D.P agent is one Bolarinwa Ebenezer and not PW36 whose name is Rasaki Olawuni. When confronted with this exhibit, he conveniently said that he could not see properly and that his eyes are not clear, but he was able to read the name of the unit on the exhibit because according to him, it was in capital letters.

We won’t bother ourselves with whether PW36 really has real or imagined

challenges with his sight. What however is clear is that he cannot by his oral evidence controvert the clear contents of the certified true copy of Exhibit 188(7) which shows unequivocally that PW36 was not the party agent for unit 001 but one Bolanriwa Ebenezer. See Sections 128 and 147 of the Evidence Act. Since he is not Bolanriwa Ebenezer, the party agent as can clearly be discerned in Exhibit 188, and in the absence of any explanation of the precise role of PW36 in the election, we have no difficulty on this and other grounds in discountenancing his evidence as tenuous, untenable and extremely unreliable.

It is also relevant and perhaps pertinent to at this stage make a general pronouncement with respect to the evidence of PW1, the state secretary of P.D.P whose deposition appear to be a mere repetition of the substance of the petition as it affects the entirety of 17 Local Government complained of.

However in his witness deposition and also under cross-examination, he conceded that there are 30 Local Governments in Osun State with 332 wards and 3010 units but that he was at his unit 9 of ward 8 Ifelodun Local Government all through the day of the election and that movement was restricted until the close of polling and counting of votes. He also further admitted that all the evidence he had given with respect to what happened in all the other Local Governments or other places on election date were based on phone calls and reports he received from his party agents who were in these 3,010 units. In other wards too, his entire evidence including those with respect to Aiyedaade under consideration amount to hearsay and lacks probative value in the circumstances. This position holds true for almost all the other Local Governments to be subsequently treated except unit 9 of ward 8 Ifelodun where he was based.

It is true that PW 1 tendered in evidence some documents to wit : Duplicate Copies of forms EC8As-Exhibits 188 to 204; forms EC8Bs-Exhibits 205 to 209;forms EC8Cs-Exhibits 221 to 232; form EC8DExhibit 233; Copies of letters by Petitioners to Commissioner of Police Osun state and to INEC-Exhibits 234 and 235 and finally C.T.C of a Court Order-Exhibit 236. Learned counsel to the petitioners has in his final address provided some charts and then went ahead to make a robust analysis and evaluation of some of these documents as providing the required or necessary proof of the allegations made in the petition. We were referred to the cases of ONUIGWE V.EMELUMBA (2008)

9 N.W.L.R (pt 1092)371; JOLASUN V.BAMGBOYE(2010)18 N.W.L.R (pt 1225)285 and INEC V. OSHIOMOLE (2009)4 N.W.L.R (pt 1132) 607 on the importance of documentary evidence as the most reliable piece of evidence.

We must state clearly that generally the established position of the law is that documentary evidence is the best evidence. There is however a caveat on the authorities which is that there must be evidence of the purport for which the documents were admitted in supporting the issue canvassed in a party’s caseotherwise the document though in evidence would lack the credibility to be accorded any probative value. See Nwole V. Iwuagwu (2006)All F.W.L.R (pt 316)325; Esiogu V. Onyeaguocha (2006) All F.W.L.R (pt 317)467.

In this case the above mentioned documents may have been put in through PW1 but the key question here is where is the oral evidence of witnesses which provides the vital nexus or connection between the two. As we have conclusively shown by the evidence of the two witnesses for this local Government, there is a complete absence of critical evidence or a demonstration of same before us in proof of the allegations made. This holds true for most of the local Governments to be treated subsequently. The duty or obligation to tie documents to facts or evidence or admitted facts is one to be done in open court and not a matter for counsel’s address. It is equally not the function of the Court or tribunal to by its own ingenuity or exercise to imagine or speculate or work out the mathematics of arriving at an answer on an issue which only evidence elicited and tested at trial can offer. See Haruna V. Modibbo (2006)2 EPR 664 at 706.

In NwoleV.Iwuagwu (supra), the Court of Appeal per Aderemi J.C.A (as he then was) stated thus: “ A party is under obligation to tie his document to fact or evidence or admitted facts in open court and not through counsels address written or oral. This is because it is not the duty of a court or tribunal to embark upon cloistered justice by making inquiry into the case outside the court, not even by examination of documents which were in evidence when the documents have not been examined in open court, nor brought out and exposed in court or were not things that at least must have been noticed in open court”.

The Apex court made the position clear in C.P.C & Anor V. INEC &Ors (2012) 12 SCN (pt 3) 225 at 245-246 in the following

terms: “I find it extremely difficult to consider another channel than what the Court of Appeal did after it reviewed the findings of the Tribunal and what was available to Court. This is because I have the unease that learned counsel for the Appellants just as he did at the two Courts below is inviting this Court to promote or elevate submission of counsel to the status of evidence. Under what law or authority such would be made possible I still cannot find.

The Tribunal and followed by the Court below was right when it refused the invitation of counsel to utilize his charts and analysis from his written address and did the proper thing to look at the evidence on ground. It was then the trial Tribunal was in a position to see that the Appellants merely dumped the documents and evidence so called without a nexus either with the necessary witnesses or to the complaints. Therefore, when Appellants failed to do what they ought in proof of their assertions and complaints by way of the legally provided methods and rather depended on the counsel’s address, they laid their flanks open and unprotected and really had no anchor. The trial Tribunal had no fault in what it did and the Court of Appeal carries out its review and evaluation duly properly and as prescribed for it. See: Orlu v. Gogo –Abite (2010) 1 (Pt.II) 56; Irogbara v. Ufomelu (2009) 5-6 SC (Pt.1) 83; (2009) 6 SCM, 107.”

It may also be necessary to state again at this point that his evidence with respect to the various allegations of use of 2 or 3 voters register at the elections; the registration of under-aged voters and multiple registrations, voting by unregistered voters, recruitment of OYES members and nonmembers of N.Y.S.C as ad-hoc staff of 3rd Respondent; public campaign on election day through on air election advertisement at Osun State Broadcasting Corporation (OSBC) by 1st Respondent clearly were all merely speculative observations bereft of any iota of evidence. There was absolutely no demonstration of any sort to prove these allegations by PW1 with respect to Aiyedaade Local Government and indeed all the contested Local Governments and this in our opinion is fatal.

In conclusion, what we find here is that the evidence led by the Petitioners completely lacks any degree of cogency to support the widespread allegations made with respect to the wards and units in Aiyedaade Local Government Area, where the outcome of the Governorship Election has been questioned. We so hold.

Pages 74-83 of the judgment delivered

by Hon. Justice Elizabeth Nguveren Kpojime; Hon. justice Vincent Igometi Ofesi and Hon. justice Abubakar Idris Kutigi on the 6th day of February, 2015

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osun Defender Thursday, February

2015 Elections Genocide Fore told

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here is need for absolute caution as the crumbling nation wobbles bumpily to March 28 and April 11, 2015 general elections.

The peace pact signed by all the fourteen presidential contestants against non-violence elections on the auspices of the former SecretaryGeneral of United Nations, and the former Commonwealth SecretaryGeneral, Koffi Anna and Chief Emeka Anyaoku respectively was meant to snatch the nation from the jaw of bloodbath and ultimate disintegration.

What came out from the PDP campaign almost the same time the non-violence election peace pact was being signed in Abuja, which suggests that President Goodluck Jonathan’s political party is overtly at war with itself and the nation. The signal came to the fore at the party campaign activities in Sokoto State.

Political intimidation was exhibited during the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship campaign flagoff in that state. President Goodluck Jonathan threatened that the ruling party had all it takes to win the general elections.

Speaking through the former National Chairman of the party, Dr. Bello Haliru Muhammad, President Jonathan boasted that since the PDP was in control of government and all security agencies, “nothing will be left to chance in securing victory.” According to him: “We have the power because we are the ruling party; we have the strength; we have the soldiers; we have the Police; we have the Civil Defense; indeed, we have all security apparatuses and power at our disposal to deal with the opposition.”

While calling on PDP supporters not to compromise their direction, Jonathan also assured that the party would not succumb to any form of political intimidation by the opposition. The President added that “PDP is working tirelessly to ensure credible representations at all levels come February. “We are offering Nigerians our best. All we need is your mandate to consolidate on national peace, stability and development where our teeming youths will smile.”

This is not the first time such callous statements will be coming from the mouths of misbegotten political actors from the hard hit violence plagued Northern part of the country. In November last years, the Governor of Katsina State, Ibrahim Shema was caught in a video telling his party follower to kill the APC candidate because “they are cockroaches”. There was no condemnation from either President Jonathan or the PDP. However, the United States Government rose stoutly and condemned the statements made by

•jonathan

By Erasmus Ikhide

the governor, and chided him for his bad vices. The U.S. Government’s position was made known by its embassy office in Abuja via a press statement posted on its website November 20. The video, depicting the governor making the threat, went viral after it was posted on the internet on November 12. It showed the governor, dressed in white agbada and brown sandals, standing on a red carpet, and addressing a crowd in what seemed like a political rally. He spoke in Hausa language, ironically, he was recorded by his illiterate supporters, for the whole world to see and hear what was meant for secret.

I n t h a t v i d e o , M r. S h e m a likened opposition politicians to “cockroaches” before asking the crowd what to do if they found the nocturnal insect in their apartments.

The crowd chorused “Kill them!”

“Crush them!” The governor responded, agreeing with the crowd that opposition elements are truly disposable lots.

This was before the European High Commission also condemned Mr. Shema’s speech after the story

was given maximum circulation.

The Head, EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Michael Arrion, told journalists that Mr. Shema’s call to his supporters to “kill” and “crush” political opponents was “extremely dangerous and unacceptable”. “If it is confirmed, that kind of statements are I’m sorry to say, extremely dangerous and unacceptable,” Mr. Arrion said.

In its statement, the United States said as Nigeria looks ahead to the 2015 general elections, America strongly supports a free, transparent, credible, inclusive, and non-violent electoral process.

“We are deeply troubled by Governor Ibrahim Shehu Shema of Katsina State’s recent statements, calling for the killing of the “cockroaches of politics”. It also said the rhetorical threat of violence undermines the democratic process and it is utterly unacceptable in a democratic society.

“The United States reiterates its call upon all Nigerians to refrain from advocating, fomenting, or condoning violence before, during, or after the elections,” the statement said. “Participants in the electoral process must demonstrate passion

for their convictions and beliefs in a manner that shows respect for opposing differences.

“The Nigerian Constitution itself states it is the duty of every citizen to ‘respect the dignity of other citizens and the rights and legitimate interests of citizens to live in unity and harmony’”. The U.S. said the use of languages that threaten or incite violence short-circuits the democratic process. “All Nigerians must be free to voice their opinions and participate in the electoral process without fear of physical retribution. “Political parties, elected leaders, and candidates for office have a special obligation to uphold these democratic precepts,” it said.

Those who accused the PDP and the Presidency of wanting to turn Nigeria into Rwanda may be right, after all. Do you remember the battle cry for the killing of cockroaches during the Rwanda genocide?

Do you remember the bloodshed and human carnage that brought the seven million nation to near decimation? Do you know that 800,000 men, women, and children perished in the Rwandan genocide before the dust settles on the cockroaches inciting statement beginning from April 6, 1994 by political actors?

The Ekiti and Osun gubernatorial elections in June 21st and August 9th respectively are critical examples of straight indictments on the wrong uses President Jonathan has put the Nigeria security apparatus.

While the PDP leadership went to Ekiti to campaign for its governorship candidate, including Mr President, the Presidency instructed soldiers to shot opposition governors who went to Ekiti to campaign for the APC candidate. Governors Rotimi Amaechi, Adams Oshiomhole and Rauf Aregbesola were almost killed by the overbearing soldiers.

The same goes for State of Osun’s election with 76,000 security forces deployed, and 25 security men were allocated to man each polling unit!

As an advocate of “blood and iron”, President Jonathan and the PDP didn’t see anything wrong with the brutal machete attack on Mr Kingsley Emenike, the APC ward 17 Youth Leader, in Obio/ Apor Local Government Area of Rivers State. They didn’t see anything wrong with the bombing of the APC campaign office in Port Harcourt. But they were quick to shout themselves hoarse when the president’s campaign bus was attacked in Jos in a retaliatory gesture.

Governor Shema and his cotravellers must be smarting dangerously from what Professor Wole Soyinka, the Nobel Laurel referred to as “a nest of killers in the PDP”, some years ago. Perhaps,

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osun Defender Thursday, February

Jonathan Versus Buhari; Before We Take A Leap!

Fellow Nigerians, a couples of weeks ago, I wrote on this social media portal a piece entitled; Buhari/Osibajo Ticket and The Redeemed Church; After posting this piece, I received a lot of online assault and bashing from my fellow believers, also from faith pretenders, the unbelievers, social thinkers and freelance linguists. Not bothered however with their vituperations, I’m glad a few of my readers were able to be on the same page with me on significant numbers of issues I raised. Well “ Aluta continua; Victoria Acertina”.

I

n a few weeks, our dear nation, Nigeria’s future will be decided by no other people but those God has created to dwell in that land; the Nigerians. This epoch decision will no doubt mar or make the future of our fatherland. Therefore, I am compelled to remind us against the backdrop of the on-going politicking and mudslinging by the estranged ruling party; the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to thwart and destroy the candidacy of the main opposition presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari (GMB). A quick assessment of the PDP campaign pattern and political manoeuvres in recent times reveals they have lost in this election before voting. This is not debatable! Just review the outburst of Tantric Asari Dokubo, Terrorist Tompolo and Disillusioned Edwin Clark and take a position. At this juncture, I dare to share a few of my thought on matters arising and issues worthy of considerations before we enter the pitch for this monumental match.

The Certificate Saga; If I’m not mistaking, GMB, I recollect, contested against President Goodluck Jonathan in 2011 presidential election of which Jonathan was assisted to win.

I doubt, if anybody in PDP’s Jonathan camp then ever raised the issue of Buhari not qualified to contest on the basis of his credentials; Why ? The PDP then had the foreknowledge of winning the election through rigging, therefore Buhari’s credentials then did not matter. Evidently, it is not a hidden secret anymore that PDP and her presidential candidate will not make it in this forthcoming election, therefore their formidable opponent in the person of Buhari must be stopped at all cost. I consulted my lawyer friend in Abuja a couples of days ago to interpret Section 131 of the Nigerian Constitution, stipulating the qualifications for the Office of the President and he said: “Must have been Educated to *at least* School Certificate Level or its equivalent”. Section 318 elaborated the meaning of Certificate Level or its equivalent as : Education up to Secondary School Certificate Level OR the ability to read and write, understand and communicate in English Language to the satisfaction of INEC OR Service in Private or Public sector in any capacity in the Federation acceptable to INEC for a minimum of ten years OR Attendance of Courses and Trainings in Such institutions as may be acceptable to INEC for period totalling up to minimum of one year. Tell me; can anybody in his right senses argue that Buhari has not met all this conditions.

So, why all these rigmarole by PDP town criers about Buhari’s eligibility. The guilty are afraid you say!

The AIT Santa Clause Movie; Before now, I used to think Raymond Aleogho Dokpesi was a democrat, the recent Buhari movies aired by his communication outfit has proved to me he’s a complete businessman, who cherishes romance with any Government in Power (AGIP) and a bad businessman indeed. Why? Why a private business owner would allow his source of livelihood to be subjected to political tool of character assassination of a presidential contender, when you never know where the pendulum will eventually swing to. I pity this guy and his employees, many wives and concubines; a place of isolation may be waiting for them in communication industry, if not political exile. I took time to watch a You Tube edition of the movie and realized the producer himself was uninformed or that he is inexperienced. Therefore, I considered it a ruse. For instance; they show Ghanaians rushing to obey marching order

•jonathan

By Bob Tunde Owolabi to leave Nigeria as Buhari’s past cruelty to international relations. But I know for sure, it was the administration of Shehu Shagari that carried out this episode in 1981/82 because I was a victim of this policy, as it affected me in my penultimate graduating year from the high school, because our teachers had been sent packing to Ghana. I regret to know that AIT, instead of NTA, has now turned to PDP and President Jonathan’s propaganda station.

The Religious Sentiments; No doubt, our dear nation Nigeria is on the threshold of history. After my previous write-up on the state of the nation, as it affects Buhari/Osibajo candidacy of APC and my positions as reflected in my piece; I was attacked and assaulted mostly by my brothers and sisters in the Christendom. Some accused me of fraternizing with Ishmael descendants; the children of bondwoman. They reminded me of selling my birthright if an offspring of a bondwoman is allowed to rule over me. I thank them all for these exhortations, which I considered heresies from the mount; however I would like the sermonists and their perceived congregants or followers to meditate on the following hypothesis; Do PDP and Goodluck Jonathan remember that Alhaji Aliko Dangote is not a Christian, when he donated over $1 billion to GEJ Presidential campaign? Do you (my readers) and me bothered to ask for the faith of the Chinese restaurant operators, when we patronise them for the delicious meals they packaged from their Dragon spirit invoked kitchen. Only the wise ones among us relied on the blood of Jesus to fortify us. Don’t get me wrong, I am not exonerated from this, I occasionally take my family there too for lunch or dinner.

Do you and I ever ask the airline operators whether the pilot of our waiting flight is an atheist or a believer before we commit our entire life into his hand amid air?

Will you be concerned to ask for the faith of the Doctor-on-call, when your convulsing child is rushed to the emergency ward of a hospital in the wee hours of the day? Do you consider the faith of the employer who has just offered you a plum job after years of unemployment or the boss, who has just recommended you for a higher office in your place of employment before you accept it.

The list of my hypothesis is endless; so if all I have mentioned in my hypothesis does not matter, why would the faith of the man or woman, who aspires to lead our nation, be a bone of contention. I want to announce, enough of these hypocrisy and double standard.

The Pastors and Rest of Us! Rotimi Amaechi recently accused the taken of N6 billion by some pastors to openly campaign for the ruling party and President Goodluck Jonathan. I want to

•buhari believe this is not true, and if they were, certainly not a Pastor from my spiritual family; The Redeemed Christian Church of God; perhaps you know any which my spiritual father in the Lord, Pa. Enoch Adeboye, is unaware of, please rush or contact the nearest RCCG Headquarters’ to make your findings known. However, events and outburst in recent time by some of our revered pastors and bishops call for concern. Dr. Tunde Bakare, an unrepentant advocate of good governance in Nigeria and the Senior Pastor of The Latter Rain Assembly, Ogba Lagos, was approached with a gift of a 2015 Rolls Royce luxury car for his 60th birthday anniversary by an unidentified well-wisher. When the giver of this gift could not be ascertained; the Man of God graciously thank him and asked delivery men to return the gift. What a courageous Man of Integrity!

On January 25, 2015 President Goodluck Jonathan was Bishop David Oyedepo’s guest during the Sunday service at his Faith Tabernacle, Cananland, Otta in Ogun State, Nigeria. Mr. President told us he was not at Winner’s Chapel to campaign.

I believed him at least his last name can be referenced in the Bible, so he’s at liberty to worship at any church in the land without restrictions, especially now that he needed to win an election in a few weeks, a pilgrimage to the company of winners is inevitable. However, what transpired during the service that day has been an object of controversy within the political circles and Christian fold. I absolutely agree with the Bible Text as quoted by the revered Bishop David Oyedepo from 1 Timothy 2; 1-3 in Summary: “Prayer must be made to Kings and All, who are in authority”. *However I am not comfortable with the statement credited to the Papal of Cananland during the service, I quote:”I will open the gate of hell to those who opposes you”. At first, I had thought this was a Bible quotation, but in the last two weeks, I had painstakingly searched for these words in the Bible and google search engine, to no avail. Could someone help me out? I do not want to join people, who insisted this weird pronouncement was made by the bishop, however if it were true, then we have a burden to confidently deny Rotimi Amaechi’s allegations.

In a rage, concerned citizens have bombarded the bishop with many negative comments and have thought the entire church in Nigeria is no other place but a market, where gospel has become cash and carry. This is very unfortunate!

The church had insisted the bishop was quoted out of context. Well, the people demanded that the video record of the service be played to Nigerians, as what we have on You Tube has been censored; the people alleged. As a preacher myself, I had problem convincing my friends and acquaintances that this statement does not necessarily refer to President Jonathan’s bid to retain presidency, if at all this

pronouncement was made by the bishop.

Perhaps the timing and forum at which it was made was undesirable. The Living Faith Church will do us a lot of good if they can play the entire video record of this episode for Nigerians, at least to sustain the integrity of the church, which has been acclaimed to be the richest in Africa.

The Abuja Peace Accord; I watched on Channels Television in bewilderment, the crocodiles’ smiles and cobra hugs of GEJ and GMB after the duo signed the peace accord in Abuja to the effect that there will be no violence during and after the election. I pray there won’t be any, however “Salutation they say is not love, just as a warm handshake may not actually indicate absence of war.” Fellow Nigerians, to what extent can we rely on this peace accord. President Goodluck Jonathan’s foot soldiers for some time now have been threatening fire and brimstone to tear Nigeria into pieces, if their man does not win this election, Mr. President has consistently turn deaf hear on this and had refused to call them to order. Silence, they say, means consent. No group has never openly threatening to sink Nigerian ship if Buhari does not win. Not even the dreaded Boko Haram insurgents. They are only canvassing for a Sharia legal system in Nigeria and outright rejection of western education.

That this election will come and gone without violence, we need to intensify our prayers.

The Shift of Election date; The PDP-led government has been incubating the plan to shift election date for a while now. On February 7, 2015, when this write-up was initially intended for publication on this medium, the Federal Government finally unmasked their masquerade of election postponement. For the very first time in my life, I could see a ruling party, who appointed the electoral institution’s operators that set the election timetable feeling uncomfortable with the preparation for the election. Reasons cited; insecurity by threat of Boko Haram! Well, this brings us to our hitherto argument on the PDP and GEJ government unfounded excuses and self-deceptions. Nigerian security operatives have complained to the President; they will not be part of the election, if allowed to hold as scheduled.

They promised to end the uprising of Boko Haram, which they had contended with for five years without significant outcome; in just six weeks. This is the most awaited breaking news of the moments.

Traditionally, this kind of uncertainty and fears are expected from the opposition, surprisingly, the opposition parties are comfortable with INEC arrangements for the election, but PDP and GEJ feel otherwise.

Why? Your guess might be good as mine that the reasons for this election dates shift is “more than meet the eye.” Many nations of the world like Pakistan, Afghanistan, Syria etc. held elections while they fought civil war, but our security organizations cannot boast of its competence to curtail insurgency and perceived election violence.

Someone posited perhaps to give more rooms to ruling government for days to perfect the strategy for rigging. Therefore they have singlehandedly decided to shift Nigeria day of reckoning to March 28, 2015.

Whatever happens on this day, GEJ and his party will be held responsible.

Ladies and gentlemen, as we approach March 28, 2015, when God will give us an opportunity again to choose on what we desire for our future and the future of our children; meditate on all these issues outlined above before you decide to apply your civic power; Your vote to choose, who will paddle the affairs of our dear nation for the next four years, that we may see and live in the Nigeria we desire, therefore it is pertinent we all look well, think deep before we take a leap !

Long live Fellow Nigerians Long Live Federal Republic of Nigeria •Owolabi is the Auditor, APC, Canada Chapter.

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osun Defender Thursday, February

Adenle Middle School At Ayetoro, Osogbo, Built By The Administration Of Governor Rauf Aregbesola As Captured By Our Cameraman, GBENGA ADENIYI, Last Monday.

•Some of the classrooms of the school.

•Back view of the school.

•Front view of the school.

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Old Sawmill At Ola-Iya In Osogbo, State Of Osun, As Captured By Our Cameraman, GBENGA ADENIYI.

•New look of Old Sawmill at Ola-Iya area of Osogbo.

Asphalted Tinumola Road In Osogbo.

•Tinumola road.

Ejigbo High School, Ejigbo, State Of Osun, Built Under The Administration Of Governor Rauf Aregbesola.

Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI.

•Newly-built Ejigbo high School, Ejigbo, State of Osun.

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osun Defender Thursday, February

CBN’s Worry Over Unemployment And Income Inequal ity

R

ecently, the Monetary Policy Committee of the Central Bank of Nigeria expressed concern over the high level of unemployment, income inequality and poverty in the country. This was revealed by the CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, while addressing journalists. According to him, there is the need for government to sustain and deepen tax revenue and enhance efforts aimed at fast-tracking the structural transformation of the country. This, he said, would assist the economy to become resilient to adverse shocks, as well as create the necessary platforms to generate jobs, create wealth and reduce income inequality. While welcoming the impressive growth performance so far recorded in the economy, he was of the opinion that the country had the potential to do better with appropriate supportive macro-economic policies. Also, while noting the potential of the power sector to stimulate output growth through enhanced investment and the spillover effect in employment generation, the CBN Governor regretted that gas-topower had remained a binding constraint to reaping the benefits of the recentlyconcluded power sector privatization and called for the collective efforts of the government, private investors and the banks to resolve the challenges facing the sector.

In February, 2012, the National Bureau of Statistics released its Nigeria poverty profile report 2010, which confirmed that the nation’s poverty level is increasing at an alarming rate.

According to that report, 69 percent of Nigerians lived in relative poverty in 2010. In the last two years, several other reports from institutions that should be taken seriously, including the World Bank, the African Development Bank and a recent multi-partner Afrobarometer project, have raised similar alarms that Nigeria is not making serious progress in the fight against poverty.

I concede that poverty is not a Nigerian problem. It remains one of the unsolved global tragedies of the time.

But Nigeria’s poverty is a particularly unsetting phenomenon because it contradicts our natural resource wealth.

Several credible individuals and institutions have warned that Nigeria does not have reliable poverty data and that the national statistical system is in need of serious reforms. Year in year out, reports on progress towards the Millennium Development Goals emphasize that a critical barrier to planning for achievement of the MDGS continues to be the availability up-todate data on most of the indicators.

A former Minister of Education, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, has attributed the rising poverty in Nigeria to poor governance and the monotonous economic structure of the country.

Ezekwesili described the country as an African paradox with the land rich in natural resources but a large percentage of her citizens poor. According to her, bad governance manifesting through corruption, was responsible for the poor economic performance of the country. Politicians display stupendous wealth ostentatiously, while majority of the citizens remain poor. Private jets

•Godwin

By A.S. Asaju

dot our airports, allegedly maintained with public resources, running into billions of naira. Of the 55 billionaires reported in recent ground-breaking and authoritative survey by Ventures magazine, Nigeria with 20 billionaires outnumbered South Africa with nine, and Egypt with eight. Now, while this is cheering news, there is an issue of concern. According to a very practical and sensible book Breakout Nations

by Ruchir Sharma, an Indian banker with Morgan Stanley, something is amiss when a smaller economy parades a larger number of extremely wealthy people.

No doubt, the issue of unemployment has been a major source of concern and a setback to the nation’s development and yet, despite various attempts to tackle it, there has been little or nothing to show for it. A recent reminder on the urgency and the dire need of the government to look at ways of improving on this issue was the screening exercise conducted by the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), where millions of unemployed Nigerians withstood harsh conditions just to be screened. According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) from its 2012 National Baseline Youth Survey Report, 54 percent of Nigerian youths were unemployed.

Increasing at an alarming rate, the issue of unemployment in Nigeria dates back to a very long time, but up until the late 90’s, traditional

apprenticeship supplemented avenues for job opportunities, thereby improving unemployment conditions among youths, school dropouts and graduates.

With hundreds of technical institutions in different parts of the country, it is, however, perplexing that the current Nigerian workforce is one that suffers from insufficient manpower in technical and vocational skills, while graduates at different levels of education today are often found to be unknowledgeable in technical abilities required for the workplace, as many solely rely on formal education.

The reduction of poverty will be impossible without generating jobs and incomes in urban areas. This applies to absolute poverty; decrease of incomes and salaries below acceptable thresholds, as well as relative poverty and increasing inequality. To overcome the situation of poverty, the masses have to join popular organizations and use such organizations to educate their members on the critical issues of public affairs, which affect their interests. They should stand for elections to ensure that the government pursues policies that will serve their interests. The masses should not adopt passive attitude towards politics because if they do, they will suffer from selfish politicians. The masses should realize that their direct participation in government through contesting elections or saying their mind is their best guarantee against being cheated. If people don’t get involved in taking their own decisions, some selfish

people will take decisions for them.

The most important way for the people to control own affairs is to form their own political party they can democratically use to choose their leaders, develop their policies, promote their welfare, reduce their poverty and build a strong, prosperous and united nation.

Elimination of poverty requires a systematic effort geared at fully exploiting our agricultural resources and shoring up the utilization of the installed capacity on our industries. Governments must strive to totally liberate the creative energies of the people. One of the most important means of doing this is for government to concentrate on the provision of highly-improved infrastructural facilities, especially of transportation, communication and energy and ensure that these are constantly maintained. It should then withdraw from direct involvement in all manners of productive initiative in these areas.

Of more fundamental importance is the need for government to ensure stability and consistency of policy over a sufficiently long period. This will inculcate a strong sense of operational discipline and promote a high level of financial accountability. Regardless of change in personnel, a culture of transparency in governance must be developed, while great attention must be paid to resource mobilization and financial prudence. It is particularly important that there must be consensus on the minimum welfare package that is compatible with the investment needs of the economy, if the development effort is to be sustained at a high level of performance on a long-term basis.

Above all, governments must avoid haphazard strategy for the elimination of poverty. It should focus sharply on and regard as its primary responsibility the challenge of seeing the development of their country as essentially a human development. Even when the emphasis is on promoting the role of the private sector in stimulating the growth of the economy, government still has an enormous role to play to ensure that all this takes place in the context of greater equity and less inequality in the productive rewards to individuals.

There is the need for the government to address the lingering problem of the wage issue. This should be preceded by a survey of cost of living of an average wage earner, the findings of which should be used to implement hike in worker’s pay. However, a review of the national wage policy is not the total solution to the plight of the common man. More still needs to be done in the area of price control that would ensure that prices of food items are not arbitrarily hiked, as the wages are received. Even if there is 1000 percent wage increase, it will not translate into concrete benefit, unless prices are kept at a reasonable level.

I call on the government to devise and take proactive actions to decisively address the problems of unemployment, income inequality and excruciating poverty in the land amidst plenty.

•Asaju, a professor, wrote in from Oduduwa University, Ipetumodu,

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State Of Osun Universal Basic Education Board Osogbo Invitation For Pre-Qualification Tendering: Year 2013 UBE Intervention Fund A. The State of Osun Universal Basic Education Board, on behalf of Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Abuja, and in compliance with due process requirements on award of contracts hereby invites all interested agencies, to forward their documents for pre-qualification and subsequent bidding (By qualified contractors only) for the construction of blocks of classrooms, procurements of furniture and ICT materials.

(IV) Tax clearance certificate for the last three (3) years

B. Scope of works are highlighted below by lot Primary/ Elementary and JSS/Middle Schools Projects

(IX) Evidence of financial capability

(i)

Construction of 3 blocks of 900 Capacity Model Elementary School building with Laboratory/ Library, Offices and Staff common rooms, equipped with plumbing and Electrical works inclusive Lots (1-3)

(ii) Construction of 1000 capacity model (JSS) middle school building with Laboratory/Library, Headmaster’s offices and staff common room equipped with plumbing and Electrical works inclusive (Lot 1)

(V) Evidence of VAT registration (VI) Tax Identification Number (TIN) (VII) Articles and memorandum of Association (VIII) Evidence of previous job completion with certificates of performances (X) An audited account of bidder for the last three years (XI) List of technical personnel and their qualifications E. TENDER FEE Each would-be short listed bidder will be contacted to collect tender documents at a non-refundable graduated fee be paid to the identified bank.

F. SUBMISSION Completed tender document must be returned in sealed envelope, stating the contract and specific lot identification/number on the left-hand side and addressed to:

(iii) Construction of 9 blocks of (08) classrooms in 8 Primary/Elementary schools (Lot 1-8) (iv) Construction of a block (10) classrooms in 02 JSS/Middle schools (v)

Refurbishing/renovation of (06) Primary/ Elementary Schools (Lot 1-6)

The Permanent Secretary, State Universal Basic Education Board, P.M.B., 4469

(vi) Refurbishing/renovation of (02) JSS/Middle Schools (Lot 1-2)

Gbongan Road, Osogbo, Osun State.

(vii) Construction of (45 units) of 6 holes squatting toilets in Primary/Elementary schools (Lot 1-5) Pre-qualification is valid for TWO WEEKS from the date of this publication. The submission will be opened immediately (viii) Construction of (23) units 6 holes squatting toilets after the closing date, which is TWO WEEKS from the date of in JSS/Middle schools (Lot 1-8) publication of this advert at the State of Osun Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) in the presence of all bidders, who (ix) Construction of 3 nos of Motorized Deep Well choose to attend. The submission of tender documents will not at Primary/Elementary and JSS/Middle schools be entertained.

(Lots 1-3) C. PROCUREMENT AND SUPPLY (I)

Procurement and supply of 5000 units of pupils and 200 units Teachers furniture in Primary/ Elementary schools (Lots 1-20)

(II)

Procurement and supply of 200 units of students and 172 units of Teachers furniture in JSS/Middle schools (Lots 1-15)

(III) Procurement and supply of ICT Material Lots 1-4 D. PRE-QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS (I)

Evidence of Registration with corporate Affairs Commission

(II)

Evidence of Registration with the State Ministry of Works & Transport and Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Co-operatives.

(III) Evidence of registration with SUBEB, State of Osun.

NOTE: (i)

Only the bids of those who fulfill the pre-qualification and tender criteria would be considered. State Universal Basic Education Board is not duty bound to accept the lowest or any bid;

(ii)

State Universal Basic Education Board reserves the right to reject any or all prequalification packages;

(iii) Full tendering procedures will be applied to tenders that are found prima facie qualified and capable of executing the listed projects.

Signed OSUN A DARA

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osun Defender Thursday, February

‘I Think We Have A Mandela In Buhari’

•Sam Momah

As the Nigerian general elections draw nearer, Major General Sam Momah, a two term minister and first Commandant of the Nigerian War College, examines the preparedness of INEC, the quality of the on-going political campaigns, the effect of Boko Haram and how these should influence the voting pattern. He spoke to Paul Ukpabio in Abuja As a senior citizen of this country, what is your opinion about the preparedness of ‘1NEC with regards to this coming general election?

First and foremost, I doff my hat for Professor Attahiri Jega, for his courage in registering APC as a political party. It is the most defining political development in our political history since the amalgamation.

That has brought Nigerian politics to the fore, and given the country, that international recognition. That is because when it was just one big party and a splinter of so many smaller parties, PDP used to have its way and the PDP didn’t bother to develop itself. But now that it is two big political parties, I believe that Nigerian politics has now come

of age. And as from now, we will expect something better. I believe that INEC is ready to have a free and fair election. But whether the players will play to the rule is disturbing some of us.

But TNEC in a way contributed to the problems?

Definitely, INEC has its problems.

They even tell us that INEC materials arrived in bits and pieces from abroad. INEC is still talking about having enough generators to run the centres. And of course, Jega told us some months ago that he has no problem with funding, but right now, we know that !NEC has funding problems because recently, they could not pay the staff who are to run the registration centres. That

is why some days back, when the electorates went there; they were not seeing the officials because they were not being paid. This is quite unfortunate because we had four years to prepare for this election, so why should we now be importing these cards in piece meal? I don’t understand. But we still believe that INEC is ready and the election should take place. INEC has told us that they have registered 52 million Nigerians. We expected that they will register 100million people out of the 170 million Nigerians. Any attempt to rig the election, will have dire consequences. The first and second republic ran into problems because of the rigging of election.

Once election is rigged, the country

goes into turmoil and any rigging of this particular election, is going to be worse because of the circumstances of the situation. It is my hope that nobody tries to rig this election.

Are you optimistic that Nigerians are ready to vote?

I believe that Nigerians are ready to vote. They have been sensitized enough. To my mind, this election is the most crucial event Nigerians has ever faced since the amalgamation of 1914 because this election is important for many reasons. We have had the first 100 years as a nation; we know how Nigerians fared, very poorly. Now 2015, we are entering into the second 100 years of our existence as a nation. So this election is crucial, it will determine what happens to Nigeria in the next 100 years. There is need for Nigerians to take it seriously and vote the right person. I believe that there is need for change. Boko Haram is a menace; we never had it so bad, for a country to have some other persons hoisting their flag in the territories of this country, is un-heard of. Therefore, we need somebody who will deal with Boko Haram instantly and expeditiously. Secondly, the price of fuel coming down at this time, is a divine arrangement or blessing to give Nigerians the idea that if a government that has been there for 16 years has not improved their situation, now that the oil money is no more there, it calls for concern and a re-think because definitely, someone who couldn’t manage you during the boom era, will definitely not be able to manage you during the burst era! So, it is important for us to see the hand writing on the wall, and vote for change. Of course, we have tried a political party for 16 years without major change, so, we must give another political party a chance so that there will be competition between the parties. If we don’t effect this change, some analysts foresee Boko Haram overrunning Nigeria in two years’ time, apart from other internal crisis. And it will happen. We can’t gamble with that kind of thing. That will fulfill the prediction of the United State of America about the country breaking up. So, this change must take place to avoid Nigeria disintegrating. It is ridiculous for a sitting president to tell us to re-elect him, so that he can defeat Boko Haram. Then why is he the president, because as president, he already has all the powers to defeat Boko Haram, he doesn’t need to wait for re-election to do so. If he has in the last few months collected back more than half of the territories that Boko Haram has got, he wouldn’t need ‘to campaign.

We would have voted for him! But he didn’t and now that election is here, his people are junketing about the place raising petty issues and leaving the real issues that should be discussed aside. It is unfortunate. We need a change.

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‘I Think We Have A Mandela In Buhari’ As one time Principal Staff Officer to General Buhari, what have you got to say about the controversial missing certificate of the General?

Honestly, the certificate issue is very embarrassing to-some of us because, here we are talking about the survival of Nigeria. We know that Nigeria is at the brink of collapse, and here we are, with one of our best Generals, who trained in the best institutions in Europe and America, even in the US War College, which by all standards is a Post-Graduate institution, and you are talking about school certificate. I find it ridiculous and unbelievable; how our political class and political parties could be so petty and mundane at this particular crucial time. It is unnecessary to go that low because we must win at all cost.

They should realise that they are denigrating the image of Nigeria and not just General Buhari. That is one of your best generals and you are denigrating him; what should outsiders think of us! We must be careful of what we do, and not take it that far. The point of change that the nation has now reached is natural. It is the point that we must reach, to effect a change. And if they don’t want that change and they continue with blackmailing and denigration, then that will be unfortunate. The campaign should be issue-based, not on petty personal things. So, the certificate issue should not be entertained by Nigerians. We should concentrate on choosing the best candidate come February 14, 2015.

How do you rate the two major contenders in the forthcoming presidential elections?

Jonathan has tried his best. I doff my hat for him for holding the constitutional conference; he has given the women affirmative 35% gender equality, he has tried to tinker with agriculture, the cassava bread issue, which has now virtually died, and now he is trying to bring up a rice issue. I know he voted about 100 billion naira to revive the textile industry. But the point is that when you have a president that says stealing is not corruption, treats corruption with kids gloves, then most of that money released, just disappears. There is no system that will progress if there is no accountability. Jonathan has tried, but he has left the core issues which are security. If you cannot secure the lives of Nigerians, then I do not see why you are there as the Commander-In-Chief of the country!

You are keeping some of us sleepless.

Right now, we have a country where kidnapping is the order of the day, a country where unemployment is off the roof, about 80 million Nigerians unemployed, we have a country that God has blessed with petroleum, but we are importing oil and refineries are left unutilized.

We have a country where the index

•Sam Momah

of growth, which is power, virtually non-existent. Nigeria is 187 out of 189 on the global index, so we are almost the last in the list of countries in terms of availability of power. We generate less than 4000 megawatts of electricity for 170 million people; while South Africans are 50million people and they generate about 40,000 megawatts of electricity.

The president has not dealt with the core issues that would have made Nigeria what it ought to be.

We know what our foreign reserve was when he came in. It was 48 billion dollars, now we know what it is. Naira is going down the drain with about N200 to the dollar; our money is almost getting valueless.

So, when you ask me to compare the two, I think that we do not have a comparison to make.

How convinced are you that General Buhari can perform better than Jonathan when he becomes the president of Nigeria?

Everybody has antecedents; I have worked under Buhari as his Principal Staff Officer when he was a GOC. We know him as incorruptible, we know him as being a man of Spartan life, one who is disciplined. We know him as a man of his words; his word is bond, so he can be trusted. He has been patriotic, he is an achiever, one that you give a task to do, and he gets it done. To us in the army, we know that there is no doubt that General Buhari is vying to become the president of Nigeria

virtually for only patriotic reasons. I was privileged to visit him in Daura when I went there to attend an event; I was amazed to find out that Buhari has only-a bungalow! There were no luxury leather chairs there but simple wooden chairs. He lives a Spartan life because he does not believe in tampering with money that is not his.

I think we have a Mandela in him and a Julius Nyerere in him.

Nigerians should better realise the quality of leadership that Buhari intends to bring to them, to regain Nigeria’s image abroad. Having seen Nigeria in those good old days and now seeing Nigeria degenerate, to what it is now, a country where graduates come out ten years after, no jobs, no plans for the jobs because the facilities are not there, and the environment to create such jobs is not in place. Someone like Buhari believes that, the situation should be corrected.

How about the insinuations that Buhari is a religious fanatic?

That I must say is absolute rubbish.

That shows the level of ignorance among some Nigerians. That is because, in Nigerian Army, there is no way you can climb up to become a general if you are a religious fanatic. The troops are made up of people from various tribes and ethnic groupings. To be an effective commander, you have to be seen as being neutral. So, in the army we do not tolerate such. The troops are made up of Christians, Muslims

and other religions, and you have to command them.

What can you say about the quality of the election campaigns?

The campaigns have been very poor in quality. It has been very disgraceful because they have not been issue-based. It has been praise singing and mud-slinging. The issue should be about the candidates telling us what they want to do in the next four years and how they intend to implement their programmes.

The campaigns have not been what it should be. It has been more of a jamboree. Even a debate at this time does not make sense because people have trivialized the election issues to the point of asking for certificate of a general in the Nigerian Army. So, you can imagine what a debate will look like. Why are they not telling us how they are going to deal with Boko Haram? Obama became re-elected based on two issues. They asked him, ‘if you are elected, what will you do about Obama Bin Laden,’ and he replied, ‘I will kill him.’ Journalists were shocked that Obama could be that brutal and blunt. When he became president, he quietly planned and killed Osama Bin Laden, Based on that, he was re-elected. Americans like someone keeping his words.

Again during Storm Katrina, it was towards the election; Obama left his campaign preparation to go and-look after the people that were affected by the storm. He used his incumbent opportunity to prove that he is a caring person. That is what I expected the incumbent Nigerian president to have done. All the displaced persons should have been taken care of and Boko Haram crushed. If he had done that, he wouldn’t need to campaign, people would vote for him, so, these issues are clear and straight forward. We can’t go on this way, we need a change. We are toying with something that can spell disaster if we fail to effect a change now: May God forbid such disaster upon us.

The militants in the creek are threatening war if the election does not go in favour of the incumbent president; what do you have to say about this?

Well, I am not surprise that this is coming up because for long or too long we have treated militants and all sorts of lawbreakers in this country with kid’s gloves. We have even talked of negotiating with Boko Haram; people who do not just shoot but also slit throats! They have been killing people like goats. It is hard to believe that the government spends N24b annually on the militants for them to guard our pipelines, yet they do not guard the pipelines. They break it and scoop oil, making us .to lose about $lm everyday minimum!

So, if an individual now goes to buy a war ship, you can imagine what is on ground! A war ship is never switched off; it is always on 24 hours of the day. It is a task to maintain and expensive to run. And that is what

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osun Defender Thursday, February

Bo ko Haram: Uncensored But Debatable

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narguably, if a child is not offered education or willingly refused to embrace education, while the society and the leaders allows him to enjoy his freedom of choice, then the society bears the brunt when the anger in that child builds up to become a terror in his adulthood.

I have decided to share a discussion that eschewed between myself and a colleague, who spent his childhood and his teenage years in one of the troubled North Eastern States in Nigeria.

The lengthy discussion will be compressed in order to contain his uncensored experiences and my debatable perspectives on the aged terrorism that has consumed nearly a million life, displaced over 3million people, destroyed thousands of homes, gradually spreading across her territorial borders, and has cost the people more than the eyes can meet.

My friend was born in the early 80’s and was privileged to get enrolled into one of the reputable private elementary schools in Kano State. His childhood experiences in the hands of uneducated children of his age group, each time the school bus came to pick him in the morning and dropped him after school hours was fun to him, as at that time because he was left with a switching position of who is superior between him and those angered children, but his reminisce now throws a jab at his happy hours, believing that it all started when they were children but ignorant of the fact that children grow up with childhood ideologies and tends to pose threats to the society when they become adults.

He shared his experiences of ho w thos e un ed u c at ed children stands beside the road, chanting: ”You That Attend Western Schools Have An Incomplete Education” in their local dialect, while himself and his peers in the school bus replies with a counter response of ”We That Attend Western Education Tend to Live A Better Live Than You Guys. Your Complete Education Should Reflect In The Quality Of Your Life”, at times this counter response hits those kids below their belts, which most often triggered the monster in them, that they take to hitting the school bus at the sides or at

•jonathan

By Kazeem Sulaiman

the back. This action was seen as a mere display of anger and was not envisaged to metamorphose into a terror gang.

His experience was synchronised with other colleagues of mine, who were born in the early 80’s and had their elementary education in the North Eastern States, as they also share their childhood experiences. So this leaves me with a submission that today’s terror is indeed a buildup of neglected childhood anger.

They were all happy and pushing leverages of how bright their future is compared to the future of those uneducated angered kids in our society.

Today, I am convinced that the present day terrorism in Nigeria that has outbursted into a regional terror did metamorphosed from the sets of uneducated and misguided children of mostly the late 70’s and the early 80’s; those sets of children were living with

the belief that education without reciting the Holy Quran and observing their Solats is nothing but an incomplete education, while they who attend schools, where readings from the Holy Quran and observing Solats is core, have a complete education compared to their peers.

It should interest you that those sets of kids across the northern region, grew up to become units of angered kids, later became small terror groups; I have it on a fact that, Boko Haram started as an ideology that was synonymous to the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) in the South West, Bakassi Boys in the Eastern Nigeria and the Arewa Group of the Northern Nigeria, but with strives to discourage western education, which later metamorphosed into a terror group, as a result of the interference from self served politicians, who engaged them with funds and cash in order to

fulfil their political aspirations.

Engaging groups with funds in order to mobilise their people towards achieving our political ambitions has become the order of the day, but it becomes ridiculous, when politicians engage groups of angered youths with funds and arms in order to attack their contenders and help them attain elective offices, as those groups get jobless after the elections, while the arms remain in their custody; this groups are most often abandoned, when the politicians who engaged them secure elective offices because of the change in the aura around the politician.

It is no fallacy that, the former Executive Governor of Borno State, Alimodu Sheriff, triggered the Borno State wing of the groups of angered uneducated youths in the North East, by empowering them with adequate funds and arms, when he was seeking to be elected as the governor of the state; those groups he engaged did their best to heat up the homes of his opponents and eventually he was declared the winner of the election. As political power will always have its way, the former governor of Borno State gave them a deaf ear and refused to continue funding the terror group, which made the group to devise other means of generating funds to meet their over-bloated standard of living. This resulted to kidnapping, robbery, amongst others before they were later superimposed into an existing larger terror group, which later metamorphosed into the present day Boko Haram terrorist group. Nonetheless, he is still believed to have a link with the metamorphosed terror group.

Conclusively, the Boko Haram terrorist group has eventually become a regional threat, as against its claimed objectives as revealed by faceless members of the group, with the rising level of abductions, incessant bomb blasts and seizing of territories, and a declaration of their intention to build a caliphate; regardless of how we found ourselves in this horrible situation, the government must restore the confidence in the people in order to get their supports towards combating the ongoing terrorism in the country.

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osun Defender Thursday, February

Is Jonathan Pushing His Good Luck?

P olitical party stakeholders and supporters must have gone into spending overkill, bank loans must have been accessed and properties sold off with proceeds expended on supporting candidates running for office, thick strata of emotion and piles of mental strain must have been infused into the electioneering, and the cost of preparation for the adjourned democratic process earlier scheduled for February 14 must have been more than an arm-and-a-leg.

For those who are pulling for either President Goodluck Jonathan or General Mohammadu Buhari, what they had anticipated would be a celebratory, champagnepopping romantic love day-out on Valentine’s Day, hooraying their candidate’s victory, will be nothing but a saggy Saturday in Nigeria. The announcement by INEC Chairman, Professor Atahiru Jega last week that this month’s elections had to be postponed for six-weeks because of the fear of Boko-Haram’s butcherknives, bayonets and tanks in some parts of the North, carves an ominous picture. I hope I am wrong; I hope I am misreading the verbal and non-verbal languages of some people seated in high-places; the postponement is an awkward genesis of a strange development in our polity, and the attending noises for and against are only the first leg in the roll-out process of a national horror-movie we all may be forced to watch.

The apprehension and suspense among Nigerians about the future of the country thus linger on with no foreseeable end in sight. The truth, my friends, is that the likelihood that elections will be conducted in Nigeria this year is not only gasping for breath, it is sliding into a neardeath situation.

On Wednesday February 4th, ten days before the original election date, I had written through the Social Media platform these words about the elections and they are still on record; “… There may be no election held in Nigeria this month… I hope I am wrong; I pray I am just jiving, but I can’t stop thinking what I am thinking. There is something eerie about February 14th, and it’s not LOVE!” On February 7th, three days after my prediction, Jega announced a sixweek postponement of the process under what many now believe may have been a situation of duress and coercion. The Professor, who had afore-time bragged and almost swore that nothing would change the date now came out defending what he had viciously attacked.

•jonathan By fola ojo

The new rhythm and rhyme sung by Jega was not the INEC Chairman’s script. We all know that elections are conducted in convivial cohort with other agencies over which INEC has no overriding charge; but if in the hotbed of widespread terrorist wars and battles like Pakistan, Syria, and Afghanistan elections are conducted without a botch or bungle; if in places where bombs are dropped hourly and guns are fired by-the-minute communities still chose leaders through the ballot-box elections in Nigeria should have been held without qualms.

Many of us now think that there is more to the prevalent narrative of fear-mongering; and there may be something deeper in a realm unknown and unseen where the Machiavellian move for postponement was hatched by men, who assume that their varying interests (whatever they are), are threatened. The security issue raised may be nothing but a crafty gloss over the real reason for a change in date. With recent developments of contradictory statements by those in power, with mean-looking armed-men cordoning off our oncepeaceful streets and armoured-tanks rolled at the gates of opposition henchmen’s homes, it is certain that

the thought of relinquishing power

by President Goodluck Jonathan and the ruling party will remain a wish, fantasia and chimera.

The lofty words of assurance and beating-of-the-chest by Sambo Dasuki regarding the sacrosanctity of the new dates notwithstanding, some people somewhere are only trying to buy time to bite and spite Nigerians. Every nation of the world has men, who are not in power but possess immense authority over who is. These men are found in all aspects of a nation’s economy and they have the power to build up and pull down. These men are the ones Pastor Tunde Bakare calls powerbrokers, and some of us call some of them elder-statesmen. Some religious people call them powersand- principalities, occult folk call them rulers-of-the-darkness of this world. Some angry, perturbed and beleaguered people in power may call them motor-park touts; but I call them powerful and sometimes surreal voices hiding behind the mask of the Ides of March. These men may have decided who will not be sworn in as president on May 29th. Are they God? No! They are men who think they are God and get away with many acts. If you mess with them, they’ll mess

you up; if you are too stubborn, they’ll turn you into stubble. These people, in cunning compeer with those who love to perpetuate themselves in power, are flying a kite that has no wind behind it in an attempt to continue with a government train whose engine is about to pack up in ignominy. Is the president amongst the men? He has no reason to be. God loves GOODLUCK JONATHAN, and he knows it. A man who walked from absolutely nothing to the pinnacle of prominence and power? No! Goodluck cannot be amongst those men because Goodluck has fulfilled destiny and he does not have to rule for ten years to prove anything.

The future of Nigeria is important to Goodluck and he knows that he will be pushing his good luck, if he is numbered among those men.

Oh No! The president cannot be one of them. If he is, whoever is telling him that he can pull a perpetuation through is lying to him. Mr. President knows that the consequences will be untold.

He knows the roof will cave in on Nigeria, the walls will tumble in, the land will be scorched, the territory will be unbearably thermal, and the foundation will be shaken.

That is not a legacy Mr. President wants. Goodluck should know that power is transient and Godgiven. No! Mr. President cannot be numbered amongst those men, who want a sit-tight situation. Jonathan will not want to push his good luck; our president loves Nigeria first before himself! But who is scared of a possible Mohammadu Buhari presidency? A lot of people!

They are those scheming behind iron doors that we don’t have an election. But much more than the schemers numbers are rooting for the General. I have bad news for those men, whoever they are. The voices of the people have the ability to demobilize any horrendous gang-up, the voices of the people are resolute, and the voices of the people are rooting for a change. It was the vociferousness of the people’s voices that kicked IBB to the side after the June 12 chaos; It was the unison in the people’s voices that sank Abacha’s ship of hardship and terror in 1998; It was the concurrence in the people’s voices that compelled General Abubakar to hand over power to a democratically-elected General Olusegun Obasanjo, and the same voices in tandem screamed against a third term sleek move by the latter. These same voices rose up undauntedly for Goodluck

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Ukraine Truce Fades As Sides Refuse To Withdraw Big Guns

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overnment forces and pro-Russian separatists Jen Psaki said in a statement. a Ukrainian unit all but conflict to fester for years so influence with the rebels to “We call on Russia and the encircled. said they would not carry out an agreement to pull that Kiev cannot control east stop the fighting.

T h e O S C E s a i d o n Ukraine and is prevented back heavy guns in east Ukraine on Tuesday, separatists it backs to halt all Some analysts say Putin attacks immediately.”

Sunday the rebels had from joining NATO, while is banking on Ukraine’s pushing a shaky peace deal closer to collapse.

Russia denies sending refused to allow its monitors Fighting has eased in was “gravely concerned” by arms or troops to back the into Debaltseve after the Russia can retain influence economy collapsing much faster than Russia’s and there. the fighting in and around many areas since a ceasefire rebels in mainly Russian- truce took effect.

Moscow accuses the West on Russians remaining came into force on Sunday, Debaltseve and that it was speaking areas of east Fighting began in east but the rebels have refused closely monitoring reports U k r a i n e d e s p i t e w h a t Ukraine after the overthrow of waging a proxy war in united behind him over the Ukraine to seek “regime seizure of Crimea, which of a new column of Russian to halt attacks on a town Kiev and the West say is o f a M o s c o w - b a c k e d change” in Moscow and has boosted his popularity where Ukrainian forces are military equipment moving incontrovertible proof. president in Kiev a year “contain” Russia. ratings at home. encircled and Kiev says it toward the region.

The separatists said soon ago and Russia’s annexation Western countries say “These aggressive actions will not pull back its big and statements by the after the ceasefire came of the Crimea peninsula a they reserve the option guns until the truce holds. into effect they had no month later. of expanding economic M o n i t o r s f r o m t h e Russia-backed separatists intention of observing it The West fears Putin, who sanctions on Moscow over threaten the most recent OSCE security group were at Debaltseve, where they has called parts of Ukraine expected to try to reach the ceasefire,” U.S. State have been advancing since “New Russia,” wants the the crisis, hoping a growing financial crisis in Russia will Department spokeswoman besieged town, Debaltseve, January and now have persuade Putin to use his after Germany said it had agreed steps with the leaders of Russia and Ukraine to ensure the observers had The Tobruk government weapons to be supplied gyptian PresidentAbdel FattahAl-Sisi called for mission”. “free access” in the east. has already asked for the to Libya’s internationally a United Nations resolution mandating an “ We a b a n d o n e d t h e But a call by Berlin for lifting of an international recognized government, international coalition to intervene in Libya after Libyan people as prisoners the withdrawal of heavy arms embargo to help it take based in the eastern city of weaponry to start seemed its jets bombed Islamic State targets there. to extremist militias,” he back control of the country. to have fallen on deaf Tobruk after rivals seized “There is no other choice, Muammar Gaddafi, Sisi said. ears, though officials from power in Tripoli.

Sisi called on militias to Russia, Ukraine, the OSCE taking into account the called it an “unfinished hand in their arms but urged and the rebels were expected agreement of the Libyan to discuss implementation people and government and of the peace deal by phone. that they call on us to act,” “We do not have the right (to stop fighting he told France’s Europe 1 f o r D e b a l t s e v e ) . I t ’s radio in an interview aired even a moral thing. It’s on Tuesday.

Asked if it would internal territory,” Denis Pushilin, a senior separatist recommence its own action: representative, told Reuters “We need to do it again, and in the rebel stronghold of all of us together.”

Donetsk.

Islamic State released “We have to respond to a video on Sunday fire, to work on destroying t h e e n e m y ’s f i g h t i n g showing the beheading of 21 Egyptian Christians, positions.”

Asked about plans to drawing Cairo directly carry out the agreement to into the conflict across its withdraw big guns, he said: border and raising concerns “We are ready at any time, we have everything ready the Islamist insurgents, for a mutual withdrawal. already active in Syria and We will not do anything Iraq, were spreading their unilaterally. That would influence further. make our soldiers targets.”

Referring to the 2011 U k r a i n e ’s m i l i t a r y Libyan war in which France reiterated that its forces was part of an international could also not start withdrawing big weapons coalition backing forces •Egyptians protesting for United Nations resolution mandating an international coalition to intervene in Libya. such as heavy artillery, as that deposed former leader set out in the deal reached at marathon talks brokered by France and Germany in the Belarussian capital Minsk Joaquin Guerra, political attorney general led the do not have the 60-vote federal judge in South Texas on Monday last Thursday. director of Texas Organizing state into the lawsuit, said majority needed to advance temporarily blocked President Barack “The pull-back can Obama’s executive action on immigration, giving Project, called the ruling a Hanen’s decision “rightly most legislation. happen only on fulfillment s t o p s t h e P r e s i d e n t ’s Among those supporting of the first point of the Minsk a coalition of 26 states time to pursue a lawsuit that “temporary setback.”

“We will continue getting overreach in its tracks.”

Obama’s executive order agreements — the ceasefire. aims to permanently stop the orders.

Hanen, who’s been on is a group of 12 mostly In the last 24 hours there has U .S . D i strict Ju d g e the U.S. Supreme Court and immigrants ready to apply been firing so there is no Andrew Hanen’s decision Congress have said federal for administrative relief,” the federal court since 2002 liberal states, including after being nominated by Washington and California, ceasefire and so there is no comes after a hearing in officials can set priorities he said in a statement.

The coalition of states, President George W. Bush, as well as the District of precondition for a pull-back Brownsville in January in enforcing immigration led by Texas and made regularly handles border Columbia. They filed a of heavy weapons either,” and puts on hold Obama’s laws. military spokesman Andriy orders that could spare as “The district court’s up of mostly conservative cases but wasn’t known m o t i o n w i t h H a n e n Lysenko said. many as five million people decision wrongly prevents states in the South and for being outspoken on in support of Obama, A s k e d b y R e u t e r s who are in the U.S. illegally these lawful, commonsense M i d w e s t , a rg u e s t h a t immigration until a 2013 arguing the directives will whether the pull-back could from deportation. policies from taking effect Obama has violated the case. In an order in that substantially benefit states start without a ceasefire H a n e n w r o t e i n and the Department of “Take Care Clause” of the case, Hanen suggested and will further the public at Debaltseve, a strategic a m e m o r a n d u m Justice has indicated that it U.S. Constitution, which the Homeland Security interest.

A group of law railway junction, he said: accompanying his order will appeal that decision,” they say limits the scope of Department should be “The Minsk agreements talk that the lawsuit should go the statement said. An presidential power. They arresting parents living enforcement officials, about a general ceasefire. forward and that without appeal would be heard by also say the order will force in the U.S. illegally who including the Major Cities So my answer is ‘No, not a preliminary injunction the 5th U.S. Circuit Court increased investment in law induce their children to Chiefs Association and possible’.” more than 20 police chiefs the states will “suffer of Appeals in New Orleans. enforcement, health care cross the border illegally.

C o n g r e s s i o n a l and education. and sheriffs from across The first of Obama’s irreparable harm in this WESTERN CONCERN case.”

In their request for the Republicans have vowed the country, also filed a orders — to expand MOUNTS “The genie would be a program that protects injunction, the coalition said to block Obama’s actions motion in support, arguing Hopes that Thursday’s impossible to put back young immigrants from it was necessary because by cutting off Homeland the executive action will deal will end a conflict that into the bottle,” he wrote, deportation if they were it would be “difficult or S e c u r i t y D e p a r t m e n t improve public safety by has killed more than 5,000 impossible to undo the spending for the program. encouraging cooperation people have been dampened adding that he agreed with brought to the U.S. illegally President’s lawlessness E a r l i e r t h i s y e a r, t h e b e t w e e n p o l i c e a n d by the collapse of an earlier the plaintiffs’ argument as children — was set to start after the Defendants start Republican-controlled individuals with concerns that legalizing the presence taking effect Wednesday. truce last month. granting applications for House passed a $39.7 about their immigration The European Union of millions of people is The other major part of deferred action.” billion spending bill to fund status.

Obama’s order, which a “virtually irreversible” kept pressure on Russia and the department through the Texas Attorney General extends deportation the rebels by announcing action.

Ken Paxton called the end of the budget year, but protections to parents of The White House in a a new list of separatists decision a “victory for the attached language to undo and Russians targeted with statement early Tuesday U.S. citizens and permanent rule of law in America” in Obama’s executive actions. residents who have been in defended the executive sanctions on Monday. a statement late Monday. The fate of that HouseM o s c o w p r o m i s e d a n orders issued in November the country for some years, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, passed bill is unclear as was not expected to begin as within the president’s “adequate” response. who as the state’s former Republicans in the Senate The United States said it legal authority, saying that until May 19.

Egypt’s Sisi Urges U.N. Mandate For Libya Coalition

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Federal Judge Stalls Obama’s Executive Action On Immigration

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Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company Job Opening, February 2015

Job Vacancies In Nigeria

Goodyear is one of the world’s largest tire companies, with operations in most regions of the world.

Together with its subsidiaries and joint ventures, Goodyear develops, markets and sells tires for most applications.

Goodyear operates 50 plants in 22 countries, with its world headquarters located in Akron, OH, USA. We are currently recruiting for the Nigerian market, a Truck Tire Specialist to be based in Nigeria (Lagos) Job Title: Truck Tire Specialist Nigeria

The role is open to experienced Tire professionals who would like to be a part of a Goodyear team working in a fast paced, world class organization, driven by leading edge technology Summary: - Direct and manage sales activities at key fleets.

- Provide technical and product knowledge training and coaching support to other departments, distributor sales and service teams, fleet staff (drivers / workshop / finance / senior management), OE truck and trailer dealers sales and service teams.

- Establish and maintain a database of fleet profiles by area and application. Specify the correct tires for the application and wheel position.

- Be actively involved in assisting other departments (finance / logistics) in execution of objectives and resolution of problems.

- Demonstrate by personal example the ability to sell premium product by performance and not price through the use of proven tools such as Hermes process.

- Monitor market trends and competitor activities, conduct regular tire count surveys, scrap pile analysis and fleet surveys.

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Oya.com.ng helps travelers Book & Pay for Bus tickets online while also allowing you to select the transport company of your choice as well as reserve your seat.

Job Title: Social Media/Community Executive

Job Summary: Define, develop and gain buy-in for the implementation of strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing Oya Nigeria’s social media engagement activities Build links within social media circles; socialize relevant social media communities on Oya Nigeria’s online presence.

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Educational Requirements Experience,Skills & Competencies First degree in the Arts, Social Sciences or any other relevant disciplines Experience in digital media and website management will provide an advantage How to Apply Send your CV and motivation letter to: careers@oya.com.ng and copy: augustine@oya.com.ng Application Deadline: 20th February, 2015.

——————————————————————————————————— Mama Cass Vacancies in Lagos, February 2015 We are currently hiring high flying candidates for our client an indigenous conglomerate. So if you a natural PROBLEM SOLVER, and would love to work in an indigenous conglomerate then we will love to have you as part of our client’s team.

Job Title: Experience Shipping Officers Job Type Full Time Qualification Location Lagos Job Field Logistics Must have requisite logistics and shipping experience Job Title: General Supervisors Job Type Full Time Qualification Location Lagos Job Field Administration / Secretarial Job Title: Drivers Job Type Full Time Qualification Location Lagos Job Field Transportation and Driving Must have driving experience How to Apply All interested candidates should send cvs to qrshr@yahoo.com -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Current Job Opportunities at Lafarge ReadyMix,Lagos, February 2015 Lafarge is a world leader in building materials, with top-ranking positions in its Cement, Aggregates & Concrete businesses. The Company’s core values include health and safety as first priority, commitment to respect, care and excellence as well as commitment to be ranked among the World’s

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Main Activities/Responsibilities Ensures that all equipment and processes meet the Lafarge Safety road map and guidelines.

Actively engages with the workforce to reinforce safety behavior on all Readymix plants and job sites and to assess H&S compliance, with documented visit report.

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Performance Management Main Activities/Responsibilities: Develops plans for efficient use of materials, plant, and employees.

Raw material management monitoring, from sale to consumption.

Follow up on all plant benchmark and take actions.

Statistical studies of produced and delivered ready mix concrete.

Develop proper reporting templates and ensure effective report management.

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You can subscribe to Job Vacancies in Nigeria, Jobs in Nigeria via your e-mail: www.jobszilla.ng

politics

22

osun Defender Thursday, February

Buhari: The Politics Of Lies, Distortion, Disinformation

“General Buhari… is a man of principle and moral absolutes who has made a name for probity and integrity. By every standard, Buhari has proved an extraordinary Nigerian in and out of uniform. He is a leader of rare qualities and even rarer attributes…

With his entry into the realm of partisan politics, he has, for some people become an enigma of sorts and it is in the nature and definition of an enigma to be misunder stood. But being misunderstood is different from being maligned.”

The above is an excerpt from the Forward, written by General Abdulsalami A. Abuba kar, GCFR, CSG, to my first book, “Who Really Is General Muhammadu Buhari” (2009). The same Forward, by the kind ap proval of the great General, was also used for my second book, “The Sixteen ‘Sins’ of General Muhammadu Buhari” (2010).

The work, “Sixteen ‘Sins,’ “ is an elabora tion of chapter 4 of the “Who Really Is General Muhammadu Buhari.” The socalled ‘Sins’ are in fact “Lies” fed to the public over time by Buhari phobics.

The work debunks these “Lies,” seriatim, with facts and figures. It is, thus, dedicated to “all those who give primacy of place to truth and accuracy in public discourse or information dissemination…Truth liberates people. Falsehood enslaves.”

It was therefore most refreshing indeed when General Abubakar described my refutations of the “Lies” against Buhari as “painstaking and hard-hitting; and which, hopefully will not fail to shed a little more light on the issues for those concerned with accuracy in the search for the truth.”

Perhaps, I should add especially since some of us seem to be conveniently am nesiatic, that General Abudulsalami A. Abubakar, was our 11th Head of State (June 8, 1998 to May 29, 1999). He is one of our greatest in or out of uniform. He is held in very high esteem even in the academia among students and teachers. He shares a number of characteristics and attributes with General Buhari in the areas of integrity, principle, focus, reliability, taciturnity and self-effacement.

One should have thought that after the above voluntary glowing tribute and posi tive attestation to General Buhari’s char acter by such an illustrious personality as General Abdulsalami Abubakar, the Buhari traducers or Buhari phobics will leave him severely alone to pursue the realization of his current wish to the Presidency especially in these dire times, being fueled as well as being propelled by the solid belief and un shaken faith that he has what it takes to take us out of the gloom and impending doom to refreshing boom of national economic wellbeing. But most unfortunately, General Bu hari’s phobics will have nothing of this. He must be stopped by whatever means even however foul.

In short, General Buhari must play out a disturbing national paradox id est. Nigerians condemn corruption, indiscipline, selfish ness, dishonesty, weak, visionless leader ship. Commendable. However, paradoxical ly, we tend to be scared stiff of a national leadership whose defining attributes are in corruptibility, integrity, discipline, robust vision and strong and focused purposeful leadership.

In his: “My fears for Buhari,” Romanus Okoye (Daily SUN December, 29, 2014 page 20) wrote: “Integrity, honesty, account­ ability, selfless service etc are rare positive qualities hardly found in Nigerian politi cians and leaders. But these are the core vir tues General Muhammadu Buhari, a former military head of state and the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has in abundance as he asks Nigeri ans to let him fix the country in 2015.”

On my part, unlike the later subdued skepticism of the writer, I am solidly confi dent that General Buhari will NEVER con veniently shed these defining positive char acter attributes. They are his second nature.

Unshakeable.

The hurdle, I see is what I once called the Nigerian National Paradox. It was the subject of one of my Essays some years

• buhari

By TAM DAVID-WEST ago titled “The Paradox of Excellence.”

Where virtues tend to disqualify instead of qualify for public approbation. Those people who are scared of the prospects of Buhari’s presidency are those corrupt Nigerians who are handsomely benefiting from the corrup­ tion and the indiscipline of the status quo; because they are the causes of them. Thus any change at correction becomes a threat even if it ensures greater happiness for the greatest number.

I have suggested before that for corrupt Nigerians “the fear of Buhari is the begin ning of political wisdom.” Chief Duro Onabule, in his characteristic scholarship, objectiveness, thoroughness and incisive ness also captured this in his “Buhari scares the criminals” (Daily SUN January 09, 2015 page 58).

Buhari’s traducers having failed woefully to fault him on the desirable core virtues of integrity, incorruptibility, discipline, hon esty etc shamelessly resorted to concocting lies about him calculated to tarnishing his positive rating by the public.

In this also they failed with the discerning public. My “The Sixteen ‘Sins’ of General Muhammadu Buhari” debunked these lies seriatim with facts figures and copious doc umentation. I challenged the Buhari haters to a public debate. For over two years none has had the courage to pick up the gauntlet.

The next attempt at pulling Buhari down was the cheap and hollow reference to his age (that he is too old at 73 in 2015 to be president). They also resurrected the ster ile Religious Fundamentalism issue. My “Buhari: The Politics of Age” (Daily SUN October 14, 2014 Back page) and “Buhari: The Politics of Religion” (Daily SUN De cember 1-3, 2014) addressed these issues exposing their hollowness, their silliness and their contemptible ignorance.

I can’t resist excerpting from Duro Onab ule once again: “Even before General Mu hammadu Buhari emerged as the presiden tial candidate of All Progressive Congress

(APC), prospect of his chances sent shivers among his political enemies who went all the way in a futile attempt to block him.

“The fears of the political enemies may not be misplaced. But majority of Nigerians agree that the present situation of brazen theft of public funds in the country cannot continue.

“When, therefore, General Buhari in cam paign tours, pledges that criminals among public officer holders under his adminis tration will go to jail, he is only expressing the views of seemingly helpless taxpayers and other responsible citizens. But there is a tiny minority feeding fat on our common wealth and who feel threatened by Buhari’s pledge to cleanse the polity. Their reaction is to build controversies (most of them laughable) around Buhari.” (In his: “Buhari scares the criminals.” Ibid) Therefore, the big national question star ing on in the face as we troop to the polls is: “Should we allow the tiny corrupt Nigerians hold us, the majority, who prize integrity and probity especially among public office holders, hostage?”

The answer is clearly resounding and resonating capital No! No!! No!!! Let us, therefore, sanitize or fumigate the political space and the national space of filth with the potency of our votes, reflecting clean and clear unbuyable conscience. So help us God. Amen. Let there be paradigm shift: In tegrity not bribery this time around. Besides, the money they use to bribe you is corrupt money they have looted from the common or national purse. If situation ethics force you to accept, still vote against these public thieves, enemies of the system.

“If Nigeria fails once again to elect the right man as president, it will be because the country has focused on the wrong priori ties,” in Palladium, “Presidential Poll: It’s a question of character” (The Nation January 18, 2015. Back page).

The political enemies of General Buhari, who are necessarily the enemies of corpo rate Nigeria, have not yet turned away from their evil or satanic ways. They have of re

cent pulled out more “laughable controver sies” (Onabule) around the adorable Gen eral. Like drowning men they reach out to even straws to float them out of impending disaster. They are clearly desperate over the continuing futility of their ploys, lies, dis tortion and disinformation. It is sometimes inescapable to be desperate. However, to act in desperation could be counterproductive and very costly indeed.

“Desperate days in Abuja” by Olatunji Dare, The Nation January 20, 2015. Back page is apropos. In short, even in desperate situations we should not act in desperation.

When one acts in desperation one cannot avoid making more and more mistakes or misdeed. I am confident that their recent vi cious broadside and ad hominem attack on General Buhari will fail again to impress Ni­gerians, who are now very much alert than ever before in our national history.

Furthermore, only people who are emp tied of substance in debate resort to ad ho minem attacks or attacks on the opponent’s person. They can’t face the issues. But the public is not fooled.

This discourse on politics of lies, dis tortion and disinformation, completes the trilogy of the “The Politics of” series put together to debunk the recent anti-Buhari campaign. It is only natural that I make ref erence to some of the earlier so-called “Six teen ‘Sins’ of General Buhari” in the course of addressing the impulsive mendacity of the Buhari traducers.

It amazes me that the anti-Buhari are so comfortable and equilibrate with lying that it seems that they are longer capable of dis tinguishing between falsehood and veracity.

If not how can one explain their obduracy to correction even in the face of copious au­ thentic evidence countering their lies. This is sickness of the mind and the whole person.

To err is human. To be humble and human enough to admit and correct one’s error is honourable and noble. These Buhari pho bics seem also to conveniently forget that lying is a moral sin, condemned throughout the history of mankind.

On the moral scale lie cannot be quan titated. There is no small lie or big lie. Lie is lie simpliciter. For instance, the Code of Hammurabi (1728-1686 B.C) and the Mo saic Code or The Decalogue specifically pronounced against Lying.

The Code of Hammurabi even prescribed capital punishment to liars. The 9th Com mandment of the Decalogue pronounced against lying. And even though the Holy Bible, unlike the Code of Hammurabi had no specific punishment for liars, liars can not escape divine sanction for violating the categorical demands of the Decalogue. I am told that the Holy Quran also prescribes against lying.

Furthermore, there is a correlation be tween lying, stealing and killing.

Essay No. 68 of my “Philosophical Es says” (1980) addressed this. I argued that lying is the constant to all these ills. Stealing and killing are also prohibited in the Deca logue Commandment No. 8 and Command ment No. 6 respectively. The same is true of all religious faiths.

Those so-called big shots (Social Regis ter or decorations for intellectualism) who make it their political occupation to regular ly lie against General Buhari tend to believe that their social status or standing could necessarily sanctify their mendacity and the unsuspecting public will necessarily follow them like the Pied Piper of Hamelin. Not true; even despicable swank. They also tend to believe like the Nazi super propagandist, Paul Josef Goebbels, that lie told so many times over time will transmute to truth.

Grand delusion.

Truth is truth simpliciter. It can’t be de stroyed however hard we try to mangle it.

Winston Churchill said that much when he said that truth can be twisted and turned round and round but it remains defiantly truth.

On my humble part I’ve always held that truth like cork cannot sink. It can’t be sunk.

It must always float out to the surface. In other words, the Buhari traducers cannot,

politics

523

osun Defender Thursday, February 19,

Buhari: The Politics Of Lies, Distortion, Disinformation however they try, deface his defining posi tive attributes with their shameless and de spicable lying. Their orchestrated campaign of calumny can even have a backlash effect in his favour.

Time is definitely against liars; since no normal human being can afford to live in darkness all the time. Truth is light. False hood is darkness.

Falsehood is in itself mean and culpable, and truth is noble and full of praise – Aris totle.

I once (in Washington D. C. June, 1990) bought a book titled “LYING” by Sissela Bok, a very engaging 315-page book, de tailed discourse on lying.

Some extracts: “Every lie is a moral sin. Therefore, no lie is a venial sin.” (Thomas Aquinas).

As I also stated earlier on the moral scale, lie cannot be quantitated. No small lie or big lie. Lie is lie simpliciter.

“Those in government and other posi tions of trust should be held to the highest standards. Their lies are not ennobled by their positions.” (Sissela Bok).

Some recent lies, distortion, disinfor mation against General Buhari Mike Ozekhome, SAN, OFR and his Lie over Nigerian Security Organisation (NSO) (New Telegraph Nov. 23, 2014 page 60).

Buhari “founded a secret Police Force, the Nigerian Security Organisation (sic) NSO.” Blatant shameless lie. Embarrass ing laziness to research. I don’t ever suffer fools gladly; and I am always impatient with liars and their stock-in-trade, lying.I, there fore, hold very strongly that lies, distortion or disinformation should be corrected with the relevant truth, facts and figures. This is clearly good for society and also good for the liar, because the reasoned confrontation or clash between lie and truth is likely to af ford the liar a better perspective of lie and truth.

I agree with Abraham Lincoln, that: “It is not entirely safe to allow a misrepre sentation to go uncontradicted.”

“Truth is generally the best vindication against slander.”

“If you yield to even one false charge, you may open yourself up to other unjust attacks.”

On NSO what are the facts: the truth?

First, NSO is National Security Organisa tion and not Nigerian Security Organisation (as by Ezekhome). I have the facts. How ever, I still crosschecked with a top National Security Officer. NSO was formed in 1976 (good eight years before Buhari became Head of State. It was by General Obasanjo.

“The National Security Organisation (NSO) of the Muhammed-Obasanjo admin istration” (In: “An Introduction to Nigerian Government and Politics” by Billy Dudley, page 103). In 1986 Babangida split the NSO into three formations: The SSS (State Secu rity Service); The DMI (Directorate of Mili tary Intelligence) and the NIA (National In telligence Agency.” – External Intelligence.

I am fairly familiar with Chief (he so in sists) Mike Ozekhome. He is a brilliant ac tivist lawyer. He is now one of Jonathan’s lawyers and constant apologists. Both of us had some rather unpleasant encounter in the 1980’s in Lagos. He was the defence coun sel in a libel case I instituted against his cli ent in a Lagos High Court. In the course of the trial he sent to the court a new statement of defence in which he cited a said NSO document, which he claimed had to do with me. I reported (objected) this to the Chief National Security Adviser, The Chief Judge and the trial judge, Justice Balogun. He tried to make a case of contempt of court against me. He failed. Ozehome’s chamber was searched by the Security Agency. He was detained briefly. The chamber was locked up for some one week.

However, I continue to respect him as a counsel. I did not lose the case.

“On the 31st of December, 1983, Buhari overthrew the democratically elected Gov ernment of Alhaji Shehu Shagari” (Oze­ khome: New Telegraph November, 23, 2014 page 60) Distortion. Disinformation.

Shagari was overthrown by the Nigerian Army, not by Buhari as a person/officer. The

• buhari Armed Forces later selected him to be the Head of State – against other officers who were also interested to be the Head of State.

Decree No. 3 of 1984 (Recovery of Pub lic Property) was promulgated by The Su preme Military Council to try politicians of the Shagari’s regime who were charged of corruption. Fasehun recently stated that the charges and imprisonment of those found guilty were selectively against Southern pol iticians who were given long sentences. Not true. Disinformation. For instance: Alhaji Barkin Zuwo, former Governor, Kano Sate; 300 years jail sentence. Alhaji Aba Musa Rimi, former governor old Kaduna State, 88 years Alhaji Abubakar Rimi, former gover nor old Kano State 300 years. Dr. Garba Na dama former governor old Sokoto State 88 years. Alhaji Tatari Ali, former governor old Bauchi state 88 years. Chief Solomon Lar former governor Plateau State 88 years. Mr. Aper Aku former governor old Benue State 88 years. Peter Obasa former Director of NYSC 88 years for abuse of office.

On analysis, it is clear that Northerners who were found guilty received heavier jail sentences than those of the South; unlike the shameless disinformation by Fasehun. Facts are indeed sacred.

Thanks to Okoi O. Obono-Obla ESq for input. “…there was no ethnic pattern in them.

The target was a political class that had messed up the country” Olatunji Dare The Nation January 20, 2015. Back page.

“The Shagari regime personified corrup tion in the third World” (In The Metal Men

by Corpetas page 119).

The “democratic process was thoroughly corrupted by Shehu Shagari and his National Party of Nigeria” Wole Soyinka, in his opus, “You Must Set Forth at Dawn” page 269.

So why was the Army or Buhari not jus tified to overthrow that government? Was there no mass demonstration throughout the country to celebrate the overthrow of the Shagari government? I know of some big-mouthed so-called activists who begged Buhari for job. Some even approached me.

They should not push me too far or else.

“Lying is in itself wrong, and the discov ery of a lie always impugns the liar – indeed, a single lie can destroy a whole reputation for integrity” (A. C. Grayling). I hope the Buhari traducers who lie even with curious swank and audacity are listening.

General Buhari VS. Papa Awolowo One of the numerous handsomely-fi nanced faceless, cheap pro-Jonathan pro pagandist groups so-called “Independent Campaign Group” in a full page advert in 0 January 15, 2015 page 5 tried to dramatize the said break into Papa Awolowo’s house at Apapa, Lagos by soldiers soon after Bu hari came to power. They then went on to ask Yorubas not to vote for Buhari because he “dislikes” their (Yoruba) “father.” They were conveniently ignorant of the true ac­ count of the Papa Awolowo house siege.

General Buhari has explained on at least three occasions (printed) that he knew noth ing about the unfortunate incident.

A Fifth Columnist in his administration, who regularly clashed with him on the ques tion of integrity was responsible for the Papa Awolowo’s house incident. The same mis chievous Fifth Columnist did similar things to the houses of Alhaji Gumi, a leading Is lamic cleric, Alhaji Shehu Musa, secretary to the Shagari government.

“There was orchestrated plan by some mischievous insider of the administration to discredit me through certain actions which brought unwarranted embarrassment to some highly placed citizens” – General Bu hari in The Week November 3, 1997 page 11).

Ebenezer Babatope once a “superAwoist” also recounted this in his “Between Buhari and Yoruba Leaders” (Sunday SUN January 14, 2007 page 15).

It is also popularly held that it was the very Fifth Columnist, who tipped off the British government on the Umaru Dikko affair. Ref: “The Sixteen ‘Sins’ of General Buhari” page 78. The said advert in ques tion is both hypocritical and somehow also fraudulent about Yorubas in general and

Papa Awolowo.

For instance, when Papa was decorated with the befitting title, “Leader of Yorubas” some eminent Yorubas including Chief Richard Akinjide frowned at it (in a pub lished press interview). Copy in my collec tions.

Furthermore, when Ebenezer Babatope became Jonathan’s man he unbashfully stat ed categorically that Jonathan is so good; he is equal to “Awolowo plus Zik plus Sardua na.” No Yoruba to the best of my knowledge rose up to object to this desecration of the great Papa’s person and memory. I, an Ijaw (a full Ijaw not ‘patch’-‘patch’ Ijaw) wrote to register my disgust. I thank The Sun for publishing it.

Lastly, General Buhari’s running mate (Vice-President) is Professor Yemi Osinba jo, SAN; a top – eminent Yoruba son, (also a great son of Nigeria) and an intellectual gi ant; and also a great human being.

He is also a son-in-law of the great Papa Awolowo. Few weeks ago Mama H.I.D Awolowo prayed for him and blessed him for the forth-coming election. Can these faceless heavily paid pro-Jonathan stom ach infrastructure mercenaries claim to love Papa Awolowo more than his most loved jewel of inestimable value, and his faithful sons and daughters and eminent son-in-law?

In other words, can they be more Roman Catholic than the Pope? Never. Impossible.

Let me round up with my familiar mantra: It’s all rubbish, tommyrot, poppycock. Silly.

Buhari and PTF Writing under Petroleum Trust Fund in my “The Sixteen ‘Sins’ of General Muham madu Buhari” (2010) I stated: “The Buhari haters with their obsession al Buhari phobia have demonstrated their characteristic laziness to research but sim ply depending on their swank, their preju dice, their bias, their pull him down by all means and at all costs propensity…the strat egy and stratagem remains the same: create a ‘devil’ called Buhari. Then go on to search every nook and cranny for evidence. And if none is found, create, concoct, fabricate and besmear him with the cooked up devilish brow. The PTF story is paradigmatic of this evil tendency.”

This was the position in 2010. It has not changed even in 2014 by these lazy, silly, ig norant, dishonourable anti-Buhari liars.

“I found nothing after probing Buhari’s PTF – Obasanjo” (The PUNCH January 14, 2015. Front Page top right).

It was a beautiful journalistic setting by The PUNCH when the paper immediately below Obasanjo’s discharge and acquittal of Buhari over PTF had the following: “Bu hari not corrupt, says Lamido.” Lamido, is one of the few intelligent and serious men around Jonathan. Decampee-Returnee.

Now, what was the reaction of the bunch of lazy sycophants and mercenaries around Jonathan to the Obasanjo testimony on PTF? They accused Obasanjo for covering up Buhari. They claimed without any shred of evidence that some PTF money (up to N25 billion was lost). Arrant nonsense, tom myrot. Rubbish. Stupid.

They are obviously pathetically igno rant of the historical background to the Dr. Haroun Adamu’s probe setup by President Obasanjo to probe the Buhari PTF. Soon after Obasanjo ‘defeated’ Buhari in the presidential election Obasanjo was natu rally guest of many congratulatory parties. It was reported that in one of such parties (in Lagos?) someone started to make very posi tive remarks on Buhari’s integrity. However, Obasanjo in characteristic admirable blunt ness was reported to have interjected that he was yet to probe the PTF under Buhari.

Culled from DailySUN

www.osundefender.org

I

THURSDAY FEBRUARY 19, 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.

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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.