The Nation April 12, 2015

Newspaper of the Year

War in Rivers, Akwa Ibom Pages 4-8

Policeman, youth leader shot dead INEC office, vehicles bombed AIG Ogunsakin ordered out of Rivers APC boycotts poll in Akwa Ibom 10 NYSC members, soldies caught voting in General’s house

Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

Vol.09, No. 3183

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

SUNDAY

N200.00

APRIL 12, 2015

POLLS VIOLENCE OFFENDERS WON’T GO UNPUNISHED -BUHARI Page 6

APC leads in Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Kwara

Pages 4 & 5

PDP’s Teslim Folarin concedes defeat in Oyo State 25 killed as violence, low turnout mar voting nationwide

APC AHEAD Sokoto Kebbi Kano Kaduna Benue Adamawa Niger Borno Yobe

PDP AHEAD Enugu Taraba Cross River Delta

AGBAJE, DEPUTY, Page 6 GEORGE LOSE UNITS

•A victim of yesterday’s election violence in Port Harcourt being helped into a vehicle after sustaining gunshot wounds from unknown assailants.

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY APRIL 12, 2015

Ejiofor warned over ‘funny name’

CAPTURED

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AFTA Award-winning actor Chiwetel Ejiofor has said he was warned that he would find it hard to work as an actor because he had a “funny name”.

The 37-year-old Londoner, who wowed audiences with his performance in Oscar-winning film 12 Years A Slave, was told that if he stuck with Chiwetel he would play Africans for the rest of his career.

But he brushed aside the namechange discussions at drama school and replied: “I don’t give a s***.”

He told the Guardian’s Weekend magazine: “I was a kid with this funny name. And people were like, ‘It’s going to be quite difficult for you to make any money as an actor’.”

Ejiofor, the son of Nigerian refugees who moved to the UK to escape civil war in the 1960s, said he prefers not to get involved in the film industry’s racial politics.

“I don’t spend that much time thinking about race in the context of the industry,” he explained.

Despite his Oscar nomination, the actor joked that he still puts his pants on “one leg at a time”.

He added: “I just want people to see the work that I do. “I don’t think they should be concerned about whom I’m sleeping with or what all the rest of the aspects of my life are. I don’t want to be a celebrity. I don’t have any interest in that. In fact, it’s almost the opposite of what I want.”

Special accreditation Taraba State Governor, Danbaba Suntai, has been incapacitated ever since his near-fatal plane crash in 2013. But nothing could stop him from exercising his voting rights. Here he is being accredited by an Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) staff for the governorship and House of Assembly elections in Taraba State yesterday.

PHOTO: ADEKUNLE ADEITE

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OMEHOW, the inimitable President Goodluck Jonathan, the same man buried by political defeat in the March 28 presidential poll, but now canonised as a statesman by a grateful and relieved nation for conceding defeat to his opponent in the race, Muhammadu Buhari, a former military head of state and candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has begun to wax philosophical. On Tuesday, the president was quoted, via his spokesman’s redaction, as expressing worry and displeasure at the attitude of some traditional rulers and politicians, whom he warned were exhibiting negative triumphalism.

“President Jonathan is especially concerned about the negative triumphalism that has been put on display by certain elements since March 31 which flies in the face of his personal commitment to post-election peace, unity and national stability,” wrote presidential spokesman, Reuben Abati.

“The President calls on all those, who through their actions and utterances, have been promoting divisiveness, sectionalism and ethnic hatred in the country following the outcome of the March 28 elections to cease and desist from actions that detract from the true spirit and culture of democracy envisioned by patriotic men and women of goodwill in Nigeria.”

Triumphalism, by every consideration, remains triumphalism, and it is always denotatively negative.

But, well, in his closing weeks in power, the president may be permitted the luxury of juggling quaint

sunday@thenationonlineng.net

Negative and positive triumphalism divisiveness, sectionalism and ethnic hatred. He should have added the exploitation and amplification of religious differences, something the president was quite adept at and encouraged with relish. When it comes to ethnic divisiveness, the president is a class act. During the 2011 campaigns, he promoted one ethnic group against another.

And in the Niger Delta, he kept mum as former militants threatened bloodshed if their kinsman, to wit, the president, was denied a second term. Throughout his five years or so stay in office, the

president made no significant contribution to the ‘true spirit and culture of democracy’ which he glibly spoke about in his triumphalism letter.

Concerning the rule of law, he not only refused to denounce PDP governors who undermined the system, he even managed to lend muscle to the subversion of the law by sacking the President of the Court of Appeal, Ayo Salami, describing his action euphemistically as nothing but mere suspension of the eminent Justice. He always of course paid lip service to the culture and true spirit of democracy, but

there was no single profound idea on the subject from him, and no extraordinary and sacrificial step to promote its principles.

What is evident is that the president is humbled by the obscurity in which his electoral defeat has consigned him. His current position, going by the Nigerian culture of grovelling before office holders, is worse than lame duck.

Most of his top supporters have deserted him and are jumping ship furiously. Security and law enforcement agents, who were once willing to ride roughshod over

the constitution, and were even willing to break every unambiguous law in the land and intimidate the public with show of force, have openly or covertly begun to reach out to the government-in-waiting. President Jonathan is now willing to receive anyone interested in visiting him. In addition, he can now neither initiate nor implement any major state policy. Sapped of the will to govern by the unexpected defeat he suffered on March 28, President Jonathan broods around the corridors of power, enervated by the long twomonth wait for the inauguration of the new government. He thus imagines his victorious opponents exhibiting triumphalism and displaying other vices which he reads to their every wink and smile.

A gale of bewildering, unprincipled defections words and evocative messages. However, does he believe himself? There is nothing to show he does. His rhetoric was triumphalist when he quashed the fuel protests of 2012, pouring scorn on Lagosians whose pampered children, he said, cruised around in their daddies’ numerous cars, guzzling petrol.

In the years when security agents smashed opposition parties’ annex offices, and policemen overrode the directives of governors, and the military trampled on the media, the president sat serenely indifferent, his triumphalism displayed and voiced with regal, undisputable flavour.

But quite apart from the triumphalism he plaintively complained about, the president also denounced what he described as the promotion of

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IVEN the current rate of defections from the PDP to the APC, it will be a miracle if at the inauguration of the Muhammadu Buhari APC government on May 29 anyone of ‘timbre and calibre’ is left with President Jonathan. The defections began shortly before the presidential poll, with some politicians crossing over to the APC hours before the ballots were cast.

Some of the defections, such as the ones that convulsed Ondo State and unnerved Governor Olusegun Mimiko, were so comprehensive and debilitating that they left the victims dazed and disconcerted.

The defections have gone essentially in one direction, where they used to be multidirectional many months back. The only beneficiary now, of course, is the APC. This

has left the PDP haemorrhaging very badly. In fact, some politicians now actively fear that if the defections go on at this frenetic pace, the country could transform into a one-party

state, especially because there is no law regulating or barring defections. Politicians no one ever expected could defect have done so unashamedly and cavalierly.

If anyone thought the defections were limited to specific geopolitical zones, he would be wrong. No zone is left out in the scramble. The defectors come from the North and South, East and West. They are young and old, rich and poor.

What binds most of them together is their common opportunism.

One reason for the gale is the well-known reluctance by Nigerian politicians to roost in the opposition, a camp described and derided as a punishing wilderness of lack and want and humiliation. Since their businesses depend on government patronage, staying

in the opposition is sheer ostracism and death. The second reason is that both the APC and PDP are widely believed to lack ideological differentiation. Even if this is not wholly true, the defectors themselves do not think they are discomfited by ideology, nor do they attach any ideological coloration to the two main parties.

There will, therefore, be more defections in the days ahead, some significant, some unremarkable. No one will stop them; and no one can stop them. Indeed, it will take a few more years for the peregrinations to end and the evolution of the parties to be completed. Meanwhile, roll out the drums and welcome into the new ruling party the pilgrim fathers and the prodigal sons.

By ADEKUNLE ADE-ADELEYE

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 2015

COLUMN

In remembrance of things to come

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O flee your fate is to rush to find it, so observes a famous Arab proverb. It is just as well.

Ethnic termites are crawling out of the woodwork in Nigeria. In the hostile psychological jungle of multiethnic nations, ethnic chauvinism is a psychic weapon against adversity.

But since it stifles the inter-ethnic cooperation and collaboration necessary for envisioning a new order, it is also the surest formula for continuing underdevelopment.

After the elections comes the demon of ethnic chauvinism and its implications for the national project.

The euphoria of a record breaking election and its record breaking aftermath had hardly subsided when a nasty ghost stole in to jolt us out of our reverie, reminding us of unfinished business. These old ghosts can be very remorseless and implacable indeed.

An apparently off the cuff remark

by Oba Rilwan Akiolu, the influential and irrepressible Eleko himself, to a visiting group of Igbo notables has sparked off an ethnic firefight the like of which has not been seen in recent times. In a manner reminiscent of Lagos circa 1948 when the deadly duel for political ascendancy between the Yoruba coastal aristocracy and the emergent Igbo elite first reared its ugly head, the current elites of the two remarkable Nigerian ethnic nationalities both at home and in the Diaspora simply lined up behind tribal ensigns presaging the eruption of ancestral animosities. It was not a pretty sight. General Buhari has just been shown a sneak preview of the nation he has inherited. He has his work cut out for him.

Yet by the end of the week, it has apparently turned out to be a storm in a tea cup, or a repression of the returning. Common sense and political sagacity intervened on both sides. The problem with ethnic chauvinism is that it is such a deep-seated and entrenched group feel that it cannot be resolved by political fiat but by social engineering and the working out of implacable national contradictions.

Anybody of Yoruba extraction familiar with royal rhetorical flights of fancy, its metaphorical flourishes should be able to contextualize Oba Akiolu’s fire and brimstone fulminations in all their grim, terroristic hectoring as nothing but instances of royal yabis. How many military divisions does Kabiyesi have? When was the last time an Oba of Lagos herded human beings into the Lagos lagoon?

All of this, of course, would amount to cold comfort to an Igbo native who is culturally alien to Oba Akiolu’s flamboyant signifiers and who is bound to grasp the import of the message in its hair raising, horror-dripping literalness. You cannot blame such folks. The Igbo community is right to express a legitimate outrage.

But it would seem that some Igbo sectors in spite of their legitimate outrage crossed the boundary into churlishness and tribal contumely by demanding an apology from the Oba of Lagos. This is an illegitimate affront on the Yoruba race. A Yoruba Oba does not apologise to anybody.

This is the whole meaning of Kabiyesi.

(He who cannot be queried or questioned) It is, admittedly, a dialogue of the deaf. To a non-Yoruba person, this might sound like some meaningless cultural gobbledygook; a dogged mystification of a profoundly secular matter. It seems we are back to the very constitution and contradictions of the post-colonial subject in a modern nation-state. The secular and rational plank on which an apology is demanded from the Oba of Lagos is that Nigerian is a republican state and not a monarchy. Yoruba nationalists might retort that Nigeria may be a republican state but there are

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nooping around With

Tatalo Alamu

•Oba Rilwan Akiolu

monarchical enclaves within the nation-space and there is nothing anybody can do about that.

In pre-colonial society, the Oba had a fatherly responsibility to all subjects under his domain. Everybody was free to ply his trade, religion and creed but with the signal proviso that there must be substantial compliance with the cultural ethos and ethics of the host community in order to maintain societal harmony and cohesion. Whosoever steps out of line is immediately whipped back either by physical force or by metaphysical agencies and enforcers acting as ideological apparatchiks of the native state.

Some traditional cultures take this to another level by summarily banishing prospective settlers to the outer margins beyond the city walls.

In their culturally circumscribed imaginary, these are nothing but citadels of sin and permissiveness where they can indulge in what looks to the indigenes as cultural shenanigans as long as they do not disturb the walled sanity of their host community. If they do, the infraction is met with swift and severe reprisal that did not exclude mass expulsion.

The advent of colonialism and the modern nation-state has whittled

down the power, influence and authority of traditional institutions. In truth, no one who has tasted the liberating tonic of modernity would wish to return to the dark days of traditional despotism. Yet that notwithstanding, the Yoruba people and most Nigerian nationalities retain a great respect and reverence for their traditional rulers.

The unintended consequence of the sacrilegious insult to the Lagos throne is to rouse a dormant Lagosian Yoruba ultra-nationalism in a way it has not been roused since the late forties. It has led to a sense of a great siege among a normally tolerant and accommodating people. Apart from the long term possibilities of ethnic tension leading to an unimaginably apocalyptic tribal conflagration, snooper will eat his tongue if this does not increase the size of Akin Ambode’s winning margin this Saturday.

In a multi-ethnic nation, tribal narcissism often provokes tribal narcissism as a countervailing, selfprotecting measure. As it was the case in Georgian Lagos which directly led to the ascendancy of Obafemi Awolowo as an avatar of his people and in 1966 when it led to pogrom and a civil war, so it

may well be in the emergent conjuncture. The past is a dark mirror for remembering the future.

Yet all of this would have been unnecessary had the enlightened Igbo community put on their thinking cap, and if their political leadership can be more politically discerning and be less consumed by irrational hatred of the Other. The history of human migration and shifting demographic complexion of an improbable megalopolis favour them in the long run.

In about a hundred years to come, the dynamics of a tumultuous mega-city would have altered the current demographic balance of power and the kind of meeting which took place last week at the Lagos palace would be virtually impossible. If the dynamic, resourceful, adventurous and relentlessly advancing Igbo people continue along the same pattern and the Yoruba populace, as a result of empire hangover, remain lethargic, incurious, insular and unadventurous, the pattern of ownership and land distribution would have changed forever and it will be a new ball game.

But that is only if Nigeria remains a single country retaining its current format; that is only if unscrupulous greed and the penchant for political short-termism among the current dominant faction of the Igbo leadership do not topple the country into the abyss of chaos and disintegration. To whom much will be given, much is also expected.

Otherwise by that time, we would be talking of stiff immigration control and tighter internal regulation of prospective emigrants.

From time immemorial and particularly since the advent of the post-Wesphalian modern nationstate, ethno-nationalism and ethnic chauvinism have been the bane of the human society. The British often dismiss the French as frog-eaters while Napoleon famous put down of England as a nation of shopkeepers still rings a bell. The French

Okon to accompany Boy George to exile

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VER since retired Commodore Olabode George publicly declared that he would voluntarily head for exile if General Mohammadu Buhari won the presidential election, tongues have been wagging as to whether the old sailor would make good his threat, now that the no-nonsense general has been elected president.

But it seems as if the man famously known as Lagos boy has been stalling and stonewalling about “checking out”, like the even more famous Andrew. Why should a sailor be afraid of the open seas?

But it appears that the ever proactive Okon is having none of that nonsense. Okon is a traditional believer in the saying that a man’s word should be his bond and can be a very nasty enforcer indeed.

The euphoria that greeted General Buhari’s victory had hardly died down when the mad boy crashed into snooper’s bedroom dressed like somebody headed for Siberia even as he carried a colourful basket oozing the aroma of akara, ewa aganyin, sawa and other Lagosian delicacies. A hungry snooper was more interested in the contents of the bag.

“Okon , what is that bag?” a gamey snooper inquired with a ca-

joling voice.

“Oga no be for you, na small chops for dem Lagos Boy Bode George”. Okon replied.

“But why?” snooper asked with a hint of disappointment.

“Oga abi you don forget say the man say him go vamoose if dem mala general come win?

Naim I say make I come take permission follow am make sure say him reach dem oyinbo obodo. If he no want go again, I go get dem Eyo boys for Isale Eko make dem flog am well well”, the mad boy screeched like a man possessed. At this point, snooper could hardly resist bursting into laughter. But Okon simply pressed on with the offensive.

“Oga, no be joke at all at all. I dey hope say dem wuruwuru man no go say na Israel he wan go

becos I no go take dat from am”, Okon screamed. Snooper was now alarmed.

“And what is your problem with Israel?” snooper demanded.

“Ha oga, no be dat place dem say when dem quench dem go wake after three days? We know dey dat kind army arrangement.”

The mad boy snarled and then moved closer eyeing snooper with a knowing smile.

“Oga, I hope say dem Lagos Boy go leave him beautiful wife behind for obodo”, Okon whispered with malignant mirth.

“And what is your own with his wife?” snooper queried.

“Ha Oga, Okon dey Kampe.

Like dem juju man for Uyo go say, a trial will conceive you!” At this point, snooper chased away the mad boy.

Happy birthday to Sir Olaniwun Ajayi

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ND whilst we are still on the matter of coming and going, it is meet to celebrate one of the great titans of our time, Sir Olaniwun Ajayi, the urbane, courtly and supremely cultured Afenifere patriarch who recently turned ninety. There will be more on Papa Olaniwun in this column

very shortly. Suffice it to say for now that in the course such a long life of productive service to the people, it is the cumulative heft of positive contribution that matters and not the odd strategic error or costly political misjudgement.

God bless you sir, and keep the Isara pounded yam “piping hot.”

contempt for what they consider as America’s lack of culture and finesse finds epic summation in the short pithy putdown: “Les Americaines!”

The good thing about this European tribal fencing is that they take place within the confines of respected borders. The world would have ended a long time ago were the British, the Germans, the French and the Americans to be packed into the asphyxiating cage of the same nation. Even then beginning from 1870 when the Germans memorably drubbed the sophisticated French to 1914 when the First World War erupted with the murder of Archduke Franz Ferdinand by a Serbian nationalist in Sarajevo, western nations chalked up among themselves about thirty one wars of ethno-national supremacy.

African , Middle East and Asian nationalities are not so lucky having been boxed into convenient colonial cages of apocalyptic contraries against their will and wish.

This is not even a question of strong states and weak states. As we have seen in the tragedy of Yugoslavia and the former Soviet Union, strong states which try to liquidate the national question by forcible suppression merely postpone the apocalyptic meltdown.

It has been said that mankind is principally a political animal. But humankind is primarily a homo economicus with economic warfare often disguised as political hostilities. Nigerians should ask themselves why it is so that the most vicious and virulent strains of ethnic nationalism rear their head whenever there is an ongoing brutal contention about who controls what economy.

This is precisely what happened around 1948 with the advent of Yoruba nationalism in the nascent nation, in 1962 with the attempted take over of the buoyant economy of the old west and the summary liquidation of Awolowo’s ambition, in 1993 with the dramatic annulment of Abiola’s victory because it was an economic threat to northern plutocratic generals, in 1999 with the rise of Obasanjo and Sharia as mere decoy and now in 2015 and the dramatic dethronement of the ruling party which has led the Igbo political elite holding the wrong end of the stick. It can now be seen in immediate retrospect that Oba Akiolu’s fatwa and the hysterical reaction to it is all part of a complex struggle for economic control of Lagos.

Yet as we have noted, without inter-ethnic cooperation and collaboration, without the consent and consensus of a fractious political elite, Nigeria cannot be envisioned anew or be made amenable to radical surgery and major re-engineering necessary for the greater wellbeing of the greatest majority of Nigerians.

As we have said last week, General Buhari has his work cut out for him. The task ahead requires not just a strong political will but exemplary political skills and great dexterity.

He can no longer rule by military fiat and therefore a creative and proactive presidency is mandatory.

As a first step, the general must take a look at the current structural configuration of the country which has made it impossible to liberate the complementary genius of our various people or for power to be wielded for productive purposes.

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HE people spoke again yesterday loud and clear, casting their lot for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the majority of the South West, North West, North Central and North East states in the governorship /state assembly elections.

From the early results across the states, candidates of the party in the four geo-political zones appeared to be coasting to victory.

The situation was however the opposite in much of the South South and the Southeast where candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were largely favoured, although reports from Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Delta suggested massive violations of the electoral process by the party.

Violence raged for much of the day in Akwa Ibom and Rivers states such that electoral officers had to go into hiding.

At least11 people, some of them APC supporters were killed in the violence.

Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, the APC governorship candidate in Lagos State took a commanding lead, brushing aside Mr. Jimi Agbaje of the PDP who failed in his polling unit.

Early results include the followings: Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) was in early lead at the yesterday’s governorship and House of Assembly elections in Lagos, Ogun and Oyo states.

According to unofficial polls result, APC was leading in over 15 of the 20 local governments. In five councils, the APC and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were appeared to be running neck to neck.

The polls were relatively peaceful, although the exercise was generally marred by low turnout of voters.

In Lagos State, the unofficial results are as follows: Ashogbon Polling Unit 049, Surulere: Governorship: APC 55, PDP 38, Amuwo –Odofin Unit 009: Governorship: APC 49, PDP 51.

Lekki polling Unit 24: Governorship: APC 190, PDP, 112.

Oworoshonki Unit 023: Governorship: APC 121, PDP,106.

Agege Unit 071: Governorship: APC, 136, PDP,48.

Mushin Unit 035 Governorship: APC 102, PDP, 40.

Alimosho Unit 053 Governorship: APC 244, PDP 176, Unit 50: APC 180, PDP, 131.

Unit 51, APC 183, PDP, 131, Unit 041, Ward D, APC 243, PDP, 105.

Agbado Oke-Odo Unit 075, APC 137, PDP, 48.

Ojota Unity Close, Unit 067, APC, 130, PDP,105.

Amuwo Odofin, Lagos: PU056 (A-L) House of Assembly: APC-31, PDP-38, APGA-1 Gov: APC-32, PDP-38 Amuwo Odofin, Lagos: PU056 (M-Z) House of Assembly: APC-30, PDP-53, APGA-2 Gov: APC-27, PDP-56, void-2 Amuwo Odofin, Lagos: PU023 House of Assembly: APC53, PDP-57 Gov: APC-48, PDP-57 Amuwo Odofin, Lagos: PU056 (A-L) House of Assembly: APC-31, PDP-38, APGA-1 Gov: APC-32, PDP-38 Amuwo Odofin, Lagos: PU056 (M-Z) House of Assembly: APC-30, PDP-53, APGA-2 Gov: APC-27, PDP-56, void-2 Amuwo Odofin, Lagos: PU023 House of Assembly: APC53, PDP-57 Gov: APC-48, PDP-57 Amuwo Odofin, Lagos: PU018 Gov: APC-47, PDP-117 Amuwo Odofin, Lagos: PU074 House of Assembly: APC40, PDP-81, Gov: APC-49, PDP-80

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY APRIL 12, 2015

NEWS

Elections: It’s APC all the way in Lagos, Kaduna, Oyo, Kano •Tambuwal, Amosun, Bindo, Sani Bello, Shettima, Masari, Ishaku, Ahmed also in early lead

•Ortom ahead in Benue, wins in Government House, Makurdi

•An unidentitfied fleeing after snatching a ballot box, at a polling unit at Danbazzau area of Kano yesterday

FROM: Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation/ Emma Oladesu/ Abdulgafar Alabelewe, Kaduna/Jide Orintunsin, Minna/ Bisi Oladele, Tayo Johnson and Sikiru Akinola, Ibadan/ Tajudeen Adebanjo Ikeja Polling Unit 047: Gov: APC 230, PDP 60 Assembly: APC 233, PDP 60 Ward G3, Unit 002, Surulere Governorship: 270, PDP 132 Ashogbon Polling Unit 049, Surulere Governorship, APC 55, PDP 38, Amuwo –Odofin, Unit 009, Governorship: APC 49, PDP 51.

Ikeja Unit 12, Ward 8 Gov: APC 76, PDP 93 Assembly: APC 89, PDP 81 Polling Unit 017, Opebi, Lagos Governorship: APC – 51, PDP – 50 Assembly: APC – 55, PDP – 44, APGA – 1 Polling Unit 019 Idiaraba, Mushin Governorship: APC 81: PDP 4, APGA 1 Ward 09 PU34, Bourdillon Gov: APC 99, PDP 24 Assembly: APC 91, PDP31 Oworoshonki Unit 02 Gov: APC 121, PDP,106.

Agege Unit 071, APC, 136, PDP,48.

Mushin Unit 035, APC 102, PDP, 40.

Alimosho Units, 053, APC 244, PDP 176, Unit 50,APC 180, PDP, 131.

Unit 51, APC 183, PDP, 131, Unit 041, ward D, APC 243, PDP, 105.

Agbado Oke-Odo Unit 075, APC 137, PDP, 48.

Ojota, Unity Close, Unit 067, APC, 130, PDP,105.

Orile-Agege Units, 28, Gov: APC 99, PDP, 89.

House of Assembly, APC 101, PDP, 65.

Unit 29: Governorship: APC 121, PDP, 71, House of Assembly: APC 105, PDP, 71.

Kosofe Unit 044 Governorship: APC, 136, PDP, 56.

51.

59.

051 78

Polling Unit 042,Ketu Governorship: APC, 110, PDP, Polling Unit 043 Governorship, APC 92, PDP. Bolodeoku, Ogba Polling Unit Governorship: APC 116, PDP

Bogije, Ibeju-Lekki Governorship: APC, 531, PDP, 317.

House of Assembly, APC 562, PDP, 279.

Shangisha, Magodo, Polling Unit 008 Gvernorship, APC 160, PDP, 93.

Unit 001, Bogije Ward F. Ibeju-Lekki Governorship APC -531; PDP – 317 Assembly – APC – 562 , PDP – 279.

Apapa Polling Unit 009 Gov: APC 216, PDP 80 Apapa LG, Apapa 11 Unit 002 Gov: APC 131, PDP 62 Lagos Island Polling Unit 009 Gov: APC 213, PDP 57 Polling Unit 012, Opebi Governorship: PDP 50, APC 126 Oshodi Polling Unit 24 Gov: PDP 131, APC 106 Kosofe Unit 16: Gov: APC 213, PDP 45 Ikorodu Unit 24: Gov: PDP 51, APC 135 Polling Unit 049, Ikeja.

Gov: APC 54, PDP 38, AD 1, APGA 1 Mushin Ward G, Polling Unit 020 House of assembly: APC 67, PDP 41 Gov: APC 70, PDP 41 Agege Polling Unit 058: Gov: LP 1, NNPP 1, APC 75, PDP 53 Lagos Island Polling Unit 017 Gov: APC 149, PDP 45, PPN 1 Polling Unit 011 Savage Assembly: APC 101, PDP 75 Gov: APC 97, PDP 85 Arinola/Ori-Okuta Polling Unit 039, Ikorodu Governorship: APC 122, PDP 47 Apapa Polling Unit 018: Gov: APC 170, PDP 3 IBA LCDA Polling Unit 032

Assembly: APC 71, PDP 59 Gov: APC 70, PDP 61 Alimoso Polling Unit 24-0311-002 Gov: APC 215, PDP 76.

For Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State it is history in the making after appearing to break the jinx of a second term in the state.

As at last night, he was ahead of his opponents –Accord Party’s Rasheed Ladoja, Labour Party’s Alao-Akala -in most parts of the state.

Seeing the handing writing on the wall the PDP candidate, Senator Teslim Folarin went on air to concede defeat.

He promised to congratulate the winner once INEC confirms the result.

Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State was also on course sweeping most of the votes in Ogun West and Central. The PDP performed better in Ogun East especially in Remo and Ijebu North.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal who flew the APC flag in Sokoto was in early lead as were Mallam Nasir el’Rufai (Kaduna),Dr.Umar Ganguje (Kano),Alhaji Aminu Masari (Katsina), Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara),Governor Kashim Shettima (Borno), Alhaji , Abubakar Sani Bello (Niger),Mr. Samuel Ortom (Benue) and Senator Jibrilla Bindow (Adamawa) The voting pattern is a reflection of the outcome of the March 28 Presidential Election which was won by the party’s candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari Although the two leading candidates in Kaduna state, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai and Governor Ramalan Yero won in their polling units, the APC candidate (el-Rufai) was clearly ahead in the results of most of the Polling Units declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC).

While el-Rufai polled 360 votes against PDP’s Yero 42 votes at his polling unit 024, Ungwar Sarki, Yero also won at his Kaura polling unit in Zaria city with 304 votes against El-Rufai’s 192 votes.

Other results were Kawo Polling unit 031( el-Rufai 554 ,PDP 09) ; Tudun Wada 031(APC 255,

PDP 01); Kabala Kapuwa, APC 673 votes, PDP 09); Tudun Nupawa, (APC 286, PDP 03); Madawaki PU 022(APC 546, PDP 17 votes); Makarfi road, Kawo PU 029(APC 495 votes, PDP 21).

Others are Kachia town PU 009 (APC 274, PDP 161); Kofar Sarki Badiko PU 009, (APC 188, PDP 17); Ungwan Rimi PU 025( APC 207, PDP 47); Gabasawa PU 023, (APC 270, PDP 31); Ungwan Sarkin PU 024(APC 360, PDP 42).

Babban Dodo, Zaria 05 PU( APC 209, PDD 26); Zaria City A/ juma PU020 (APC 291, PDP 53); Zaria A/juma pu016 (APC 397,PDP 48).

It was the same song for the APC in all the local governments in KanowhereDeputyGovernorUmar Ganduje defeated the PDP candidate, Yusuf Takai in the results of the polling units so far declared.

Some of the results are as follows: Sumaila Gala ward 006 (APC 197, PDP 3) Dala Kofar ward 024 APC 61, PDP 13); Dala Dogon Nama ward (APC 386, PDP 185) 005 Booth (APC 222, PDP 54); Nassarawa Tudun Murtala (APC 155, PDP 39) Warawa LG Kadawa 004 (APC 177, PDP 79); 005booth (APC 161, PDP 57).

The APC candidate in Niger State, Abubakar Sani Bello was ahead of PDP’s Umar Gado Nasko in most polling units in Chanchaga, Bida, Shiroro, Magama, Kontagora, Borgu, Rijau, Rafi and Suleja Local Government Areas.

The APC candidate was equally coasting home to victory in Lapai, Tafa, Edati, Lavun and Mokwa local government areas of the state.

In Taraba State, a former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Arc. Darius Ishaku of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was leading in nine Local Government Areas last night.

Ishaku sprang a surprise by forging ahead of APC candidate, Sen. Aishat Alhassan, in her opponents stronghold in Jalingo.

Ishaku was leading in Wukari,Taken, Dunga, Ussa, Karim-Lamido ,Yorro, Zing, Kuremi and Jalingo.

A governorship candidate in

Adamawa State last night gave an insight into the contest in Adamawa State.

He admitted that it was apparent that APC candidate, Sen. Jibrilla Bindow was leading.

He said: “Alhamdulilahi, we participated in the elections and remained consistent without abandoning our mandate half way.

“From initial results, it is clear APC will form the next government in Adamawa State.”

It was a comfortable lead for Governor Kashim Shettima in Borno State against PDP’s Gambo Lawan.

The PDP candidate lost his polling unit in Mobbar Local Government Area of northern Borno State to APC. While Governor Shettima secured 118 votes, Lawan got 9 votes at Kareto Dispensary PU of Kareto Ward.

Shettima however delivered his polling unit to the APC when he polled 196 votes at Shettimari Polling Unit in Lawan Bukar, Lamisula Ward, where the Governor voted near his late father’s house in Maiduguri. His main challenger, Gambo Lawan of the PDP got zero.

Governor Abdulfatahi Ahmed had a calm day as he floored the PDP candidate, Sen. Simeon Sule Ajibola in Kwara Central Senatorial District, especially Ilorin Emirate with huge voting population.

Some of the results are Ajikobi Ward Polling Unit 006( APC: 291, PDP:56); Unit 005( APC: 297, PDP:24); Alanamu Ward PU 24( APC:194, PDP: 60).

The governor was also ahead in most polling units in Kwara North and most parts of Kwara South including his Ifelodun Local Government Area of the state.

A major upset was recorded in Benue State where the APC candidate, Samuel Ortom defeated the PDP rival, Termhen Tazoor at the Polling Unit in Government House, Makurdi by garnering 145 votes to PDP’s 119.

Ortom was also in the lead in most results from Makurdi, Guma, Otukpo, Kwande, Ushongo, Gboko, Buruku, Konshisha, Oju and Tarka Local Government Areas.

For ex-Speaker Aminu Masari, it was an easy ride over PDP’s candidate, Engr. Nashuni in most Local Government Areas of Katsina State.

Like electoral Tsunami, Governor Ibrahim lost to APC in his Ward in his hometown in Dutsinma.

But the results of the governorship poll might be delayed because INEC has postponed the conduct of gubernatorial and State House of Assembly elections in Danmusa LGA. INEC vehicles were attacked by suspected thugs and election materials hijacked.

As at press time, PDP was yet to win in any polling unit in Sokoto State in all the results so far declared making it a likely landslide for Speaker Aminu Tambuwal.

Desperate to cast her vote for APC candidate, a 50-year old woman, YarbabaYusuf Babangida died at Kofar Gidan Salisu Maska Polling Unit in Funtua Local Government Area of Katsina State.

The APC and PDP were running a close race .

Some of the results from the Polling Units indicated that the APC governorship candidate, Rochas Okorocha was leading in Njaba, Nkwerre, Onuimo, Okigwe, Owerri North, Owerri Municipal, Owerri West, Ideato South and Ideato North Local Government Areas while the PDP governorship candidate, Emeka Ihedioha, was ahead in Aboh-Mbaise, AhiazuMbaise, Ezinihitte, Oguta, OhajiEgbema.

The early results showed that both candidates won in their party’s strongholds.

PDP’s Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi was leading in Enugu state.

More results are being awaited.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY APRIL 12, 2015

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NEWS

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GOVERNORSHIP/HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY POLLS

PDP Councilor clubbed to death in Bauchi councilor in, Bogoro Local Government area of Bauchi State Mr. Musa Daniel was clubbed to death by youths while he was on electoral duty yesterday.

Chairperson of the Local Government Ms. Hassana Arkila described Daniel's death as unfortunate and the handiwork of saboteurs of democracy.

She vowed that the culprits would be brought to book, adding "I want to confirm the death of a PDP councilor who was beaten

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to death by irate youths. I am also assuring the People of Bauchi State that the full wrath of law will catch up with the attackers, sooner than they would think."

A young man was shot dead by security agents at Alikazaure, Jos, the Plateau state capital for allegedly trying to snatch a ballot box and disrupt voting.

An eye witness said the deceased had earlier been warned by the security agents to keep off but he refused to relent.

INEC staff caught with thumb printed ballot papers in Niger

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•President-Elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari casting his vote in Daura, Katsina State... yesterday

25 killed in governorship W elections

IDESPREAD violence, death and manipulation of the electoral process by vested interests yesterday scarred the governorship/state assembly elections in the country.

No fewer than 21 people were killed, most of them in the flashpoint states predicted by the security agencies beforehand, and to which they promised to deploy more hands to nip in the bud any threat to law and order.

The assurances turned out to be a hoax with six deaths in Rivers, five each in Akwa Ibom and Kebbi, three in Imo, two in Cross River, and one each in Plateau and Bauchi States.

Scores of other people were either wounded in attacks by thugs, or intimidated by them.

The residence of the Rivers State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Joeba West, in Buguma, Asari Toru Local Government Area in was torched by hoodlums.

Turn out by voters was generally low across the country in contrast to the huge enthusiasm shown by them during the March 28 presidential/ national assembly polls.

The Akwa Ibom killings occurred at Mbiabong Etoi, Shelter Afrique (Uyo), Ndiya in Nsit Ubium, Etim Ekpo, and Ini Local Government Areas.

The whereabouts of a reporter in one of the local tabloids, Radar Newspaper, Mr. Aniedi Ukpoenang, was un-

From Sola O'Neil, Warri/ Sanni Onogu, Birnin Kebbi/ Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo/ Nwanosike Onu, Yusuf Idegu, Jos/ Nicholas Kanu, Calabar/Okodili Ndidi, Owerri/Clarice Azuatalam, Precious Dikewoha, Port Harcourt/ Bolaji Ogundele, Warri/ Austine Tsenzughul, Bauchi

known last night.

Ukpoenang was said to have been abducted by PDP thugs at Ekpeyong Ufum village, Odoro Ikot clan in Essien Udim LGA. The Assistant Inspector General of Police Baba Adisa Bolanta could not confirm the killings but promised to call the Commissioner of Police in charge of Akwa Ibom state Gabriel Achong for confirmation.

Bolanta said: "I am not aware that five persons have been killed. Let me call the CP to find out."

Election materials -mainly ballot boxes and papers - were freely snatched by thugs while voters, mainly supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) were harassed.

Consequently, the leadership of the party in the state pulled out of the elections.

Of the six deaths in Rivers, three occurred in Buguma, Asari Toru Local Government area, one in Omagwa, Ikwerre Local Government area and two in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government area.

Elections materials were

also freely snatched in many parts.

Soldiers allegedly killed four voters in Bayan Dutse Polling Unit, Ginga Ward, Suru Local Government of Kebbi State.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Nafiu Abubakar, confirmed the incident to journalists, saying: "Yes, we have received report of the killings of four people allegedly killed by soldiers."

He gave no details but said such would be made available in due course.

The House of Representatives member elect for Suru/ Bagudo , Alhaji Abdullahi Suru, also confirmed the development to reporters.

He said the incident happened around noon on Saturday as accreditation was going on in the area which is an APC stronghold.

A councilor was alleged to have invited the soldiers to arrest some prominent elders in the area because he had been prevented from accessing the polling unit to rig.

"The soldiers opened fire on the voters who challenged them

from 'arresting' the elders," he alleged.

Three persons, suspected to be thugs were killed in Imo State when a vehicle in which they were trying to escape after snatching some ballot boxes somersaulted.

The incident occurred at Okwele in Onuimo Council Area of the state.

An eye witness said the hoodlums had just snatched some boxes when they sighted an army patrol team. The soldiers gave them a chase and in the process, the driver of the thugs' vehicle lost control leading to the vehicle to somersault.

There was heavy shooting at polling units in Owerri North, Aboh Mbaise, Onuimo, Oguta, Oru East and OhajiEgbema Council Areas while soldiers arrested some hoodlums wearing army uniform and armed with AK 47 rifles in Aboh Mbaise Council Area.

The suspects, it was gathered, had attempted to snatch electoral materials.

Governor Rochas Okorocha who is seeking reelection on the platform of the APC condemned the violence that marred the elections.

Speaking to reporters after voting at Ogboko he blamed the violence especially in Oguta, Ohaji-Egbema, Aboh Mbaise Council Areas, on desperate politicians.

He said a panel of Inquiry would be set up to investigate the involvement of politicians.

Militants attack APC chieftain, kidnap mum in Warri

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HE mother of Chief Ayirimi Emami, a chieftain of the All Progressive Congress (APC) was abducted and beaten to pulp on Friday evening by armed thugs, allegedly working for a former militant leader and Peoples Democratic Party enforcer in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State.

Mrs. Elizabeth Emami, was on her way to Ugborodo, an Itsekiri riverside community, when she was snatched

by the gang.

She was only released following the intervention of an army brigade commander and a naval officer who moved in to restore sanity.

Emami, a former Chairman of the PDP in Warri SW LGA, who recently switched to the APC with his followers, said the attack was aimed at stopping him from going to his Ajudaibo, Ugborodo community to mobilise and vote for the APC. He said: "My stepmother

was attacked at Kurutie community by three speedboats in a manner similar to the attack on 14 journalists last November. She was abducted and taken to a location and was only released after the intervention of some security operatives.

"Several persons identified as my supporters and members of the APC going to cast their votes in Ugborodo were severely beaten and tortured by the gang and their spon-

sors who are afraid of losing the election.

"The driver of one of the boats is battling for his life due to the torture he suffered. This is a desperate ploy by our opponents within and outside my area to intimidate me and my supporters," Emami said by phone.

Votes from Ugborodo and other Itsekiri communities in the area have always been strategic to the emergence of governors in the state since 1999.

N adhoc staff of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was arrested on Friday night at Sambo ward of Rijau local government area of Niger State after two booklets of thumb printed ballot papers were found in his possession.

The supervising presiding officer (name withheld) allegedly thumb printed the ballot papers in favour of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate.

A source said that soon after collecting the election materials due to him, the suspect returned to complain to the officers in charge of distribution that there was a short fall in the ballot papers allocated to him.

His complaint triggered an argument between him and the distribution officers which attracted attention of other people.

Some of them who had seen the suspect when he was thumb printing the

From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

ballot papers then spilled the bean. xxx Searches for the missing ballot papers was ordered and were later found hidden in a car allegedly owned by a former minister from the state.

The suspect was immediately arrested and handed over to the Divisional Police Officer of the town.

Contacted on phone the head of Voter Education Unit of the Niger State INEC office, Malam Mohammed Wase, confirmed the incident but said it would be investigated to ascertain the brains behind it.

A senior officer in Kontagora also confirmed the incident, explaining that the suspect and the matter would be transferred to the state headquarters as soon as preliminary investigation is completed.

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Osinbajo hails INEC, voters

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ICE President-Elect Prof. Yemi Osinbajo has hailed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for smooth conduct of yesterday's governorship and House of Assembly polls.

He expressed delight that the commission had improved on challenges experienced at the March 28 presidential and National Assembly polls.

Osinbajo spoke after casting his vote in Victoria Garden City (VGC), Lagos.

The vice president-elect observed that the electoral officials and materials arrived early while the card readers performed better.

According to him: "There is no doubt that there is vast improvement from what obtained penultimate weekend.

"The officials and materials arrived early; the card readers performed well. So, we have improved and things are much better now."

He also praised the

By Sunday Oguntola

peaceful conduct of voters across the nation, stating that such attitude must be sustained by Nigerians for sustenance of democratic values.

Osinbajo, who arrived his polling unit as early as 9am, was hailed by residents and voters.

He exchanged pleasantries with the voters before accreditation by 10:15am with his wife, Dolapo.

When he arrived by 2:30pm for voting, he was besieged by voters, who demanded for photo shots with him.

A smiling Osinbajo obliged over 200 excited residents.

He later voted by exactly 4:15pm.

Osinbajo assured that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will hit the grounds running and deliver on its electoral promises on assumption of office by May 29th.

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY APRIL 12, 2015

NEWS

GOVERNORSHIP / HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY POLS APC cries out over PDP-instigated violence, voting disruptions in Lagos, Rivers, Ondo

Agbaje, Shekarau, Yuguda George, lose at polling units

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governorship and state assembly elections.

Lagos State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate Jimi Agbaje failed to deliver his Apapa polling unit where his All Progressives Congress (APC) opponent Akinwunmi Ambode polled 124 votes to his 88 votes. He similarly failed to deliver in the presidential ballot.

Former Deputy National Chairman of the PDP Chief Olabode George lost at his polling unit on Lagos Island. His party polled 87 to APC’s 137 in the governorship election.

Borno State PDP governorship candidate Gambo Lawan lost to the APC candidate and Governor Kashim Shettima in Mobbar local governmentareainthenorthernpart of the state.

Shettima secured 118 votes to Lawan’s nine votes at Kareto Dispensary polling unit of Kareto ward.

The election was held at Mohammed Goni College of Islamic Studies, one of the 20 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in Maiduguri.

Mobbar, which shares border with parts of Niger Republic, is one of the local government areas sacked by Boko Haram. Residents of the council voted at the IDP camp where they have been staying in the last five months.

The PDP candidate scored zero to Shettima’s 196 at Shettimari polling unit in Lawan Bukar, Lamisula ward, where the governor voted.

Minister of Education and formerKanoStateGovernorIbrahim Shekarau lost in his polling unit. The APC won 164 to PDP’s 78.

Minister of National Planning Dr. Sulyman Abubakar also lost his polling unit 006 Ajikobi ward in Ilorin where his party the PDP won 56 votes to APC’s 291.

Bauchi State Governor Isa Yuguda yesterday in Bauchi again failed to deliver his polling unit at Baba Side Primary School on Ran Road in Bauchi metropolis to the PDP. In the presidential poll, Yuguda lost in the same polling unit.

Former Edo State Governor Oserheimen Osunbor, who recently defected to the APC lost at his polling unit to the PDP House of Assembly election.

The APC polled 24 votes against 139 votes garnered by the PDP at Unit six Ward six, Iruekpen in Esan West local government area where he voted.

But the APC National Chairman Chief John OdigieOyegun secured victory for the APC at his Unit one Ward two polling unit in Oredo Local Government Area.it was the first time he was winning at the polling unit since 1999.

The APC polled 54 votes to defeat the PDP which secured 48 votes at Unit one for the Oredo East Constituency seat in the Edo State House of Assembly.

In unit two, the APC candidate, Chris Okaeben polled 49 votes to defeat the PDP candidates, Mr Uyi Ogbemudia who scored 43 votes.

Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo again won his polling unit for the APC in the governorship and House of Assembly elections in Ogun State. At polling unit 22, Ward II in Abeokuta North Local Government area, , APC governorship candidate. Ibikunle Amosun polled 95 votes to defeat his PPD opponent Prince Gboyega Nasir Isiaka who scored four votes.

The SDP candidate Senator Akin Odunsi got two votes.

In the House Assembly results, the APC again got 85 votes, while the PDP and SDP got 8 and 14 votes.

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday protested violence and disruption of voting in Lagos, Rivers and Ondo states.

In a statement by the APC National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, he said in many parts of Lagos, thugs armed by the PDP went on the rampage, shooting sporadically to scare away voters and carting away voting materials.

It said the development confirmed earlier statements by the APC that the PDP has been engaging in gun running in Lagos, with a view to arming thugs to disrupt the polls.

The APC said that in Lagos alone, PDP thugs were let loose on Abule Okuta area of Bariga, shooting and disrupting the accreditation of voters.

They also proceeded to harass and intimidate APC agents.

Officials of INEC allegedly refused to show result sheets to APC agents who demanded for it and the party said it feared “those results sheets may have been handed over to PDP.” It listed other breaches as follows: - PDP agents storm Polling Units in Apapa Ward A Unit 009 with persons who do not belong to the Polling Units and they were accredited - OPC thugs under police protection attacking voters and INEC officials all over Lagos.

- No Electoral Officers in PUs in Ogudu, a known APC stronghold.

- PDP Secretariat in Apapa (Lander Close) off Liverpool Road filled with OPC men from Ajegunle - Police in Iyana Ipaja arresting intending voters holding PVCs and locking them up in police stations, thus preventing their accreditation - Electoral materials hijacked in many Polling Units in Ibeju Lekki. PDP thugs waylay INEC officials, vowed to kill them if they come to the PUs. - Ballot boxes snatched in three Polling Units in Eti-Osa LG - Shortage of Card Readers in many Polling Units in Ikorodu.

In the case of Rivers State, the APC said “over 50 soldiers have been posted to (PDP governorship candidate) Nyesom Wike’s residence in Old GRA area of Port Harcourt. The troops have been harassing people in the area; Home of Commissioner for Women Affairs in Rivers State, Joeba West, set ablaze in Buguma; INEC registration area centre in Kalabari National College in Buguma also set ablaze; Police patrol vehicle also burnt in Buguma by suspected PDP thugs.

The party also alleged that a traditional ruler in Ondo State hijacked election materials in Ilaje Local Government Area in collusion with the PDP.

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President Goodluck Jonathan casting his vote at the INEC ward 13 unit 39 Otuabla Otuoke in Ogbia lga of Bayelsa State during the house of assembly election yesterday NAN

Electoral violence is counterproductive, says Tinubu •APC National Leader hinges low turnout on voters’ harassment

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LL Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu yesterday warned against the danger of electoral violence, saying that it is counterproductive.

He said many voters may have shunned the governorship and house of assembly elections because of voters’ intimidation, harassment and violence.

The former Lagos State governor also lamented the emergency posting of police officers by the Police Inspector General, Sulaiman Abba, for electoral duty in Lagos, adding that the presence of the Deputy Inspector General, Mathew Mbu, has relegated the Commissioner of Police to an Area Commander.

Tinubu arrived at his polling unit on Sunday Adigun Street, Alausa, Ikeja around 7.40 am. He was accredited by polling officers around 8.20 am. Around 1.40pm, the former governor vote.

Hailing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for organising a peaceful poll,

By Emmanuel Oladesu Group Political Editor Tinubu said: “I think the INEC has prepared well and organised the election well.

The card reader is working, unlike the last time when the card reader was not recognising voters. This time, at first attempt, I was recognised and accredited. The voting process is smooth and the organisation of the voting process is well done. The only thing we will be looking out in the future is something that will help the INEC to improve.

“The card reading process is now more dependable, easy and understandable very well. Then, we can just be accredited and go straight to voting. It will reduce the cases of accrediting, going back and not returning to vote or the congestion that is building up at the polling units.”

Tinubu accused the police of partisanship, saying that the sudden postings by the Inspector General was suspicious. He added: “The security situation, to me, is too early to assess. So far, so good.

I cannot use the situation in one polling unit to measure the security arrangement.

There are reports here and

there.

“The alarming one is the lack of police reliability. We heard that the AIG was to take charge of the security and the Commissioner of Police, more or less, relegated to an Area Commander and the DIG is now the Commissioner of Police in charge of elections.

That is not good enough in the confidence building process. If there is no reason for it, it should not be possible for anybody, no matter highly placed, to make an oral posting of the police officers.”

The National Leader lamented the spate of electoral violence in some states, saying that it is barbaric and counterproductive.

He said: “We have to remove violence from our body politic. Election is about people and service to the people. That is why democracy is the government of the people, by the people and for the people. It is not a process of gun and war and violence. It is power by all means necessary that leads to violence. We need to eschew that, allow the process to run its course, nurture the institutions of democracy; respect the rule of law and the

lives and property of Nigerians. The right of the people to choose their own leader for a specific period of time should be respected.”

Tinubu added: “All these riggings, violence are not necessary. You are talking about low turnout. When there is violence and harassment, there will be low turnout. When there is escalation of violence and the lives of people are threatened, every hour every week, we are given the impression that we are not civilised. We are educated. What is the value of our education? If the police and army are used to terrorise people as the police and army of one man or one party in power, the country is heading for danger. For every action, there will be a reaction.

“Throughout the week, before the election, there were lots of gunshot across the state.

That was scaring to the people.

That is why they didn’t come out. That is a method of rigging.

It is because you are not popular. If you are popular, you will want the crowd to be there and make their choice. The abuse of power in this nation must stop. It takes a commonsense revolution to do that.”

Tambuwal urges acceptance of outcomes of elections PEAKER of the

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House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal has advised Nigerians to accept the outcomes of the governorship and House of Assembly elections, especially when they are credible.

His words: “I cannot limit my assurance of the election to Sokoto. But whatever the outcome is we should be able to accept the outcome of the election. And I plead with other candidates across the country to accept whatever the outcome is going to be, especially in the process that it is free, fair and credible.”

He spoke with journalists after casting his vote at polling unit 011 Shiya Jna in

•Speaker, Wali hope to win

From John Ofikhenua, Sokoto his country home, Tambuwal of Sokoto State at 2.09 pm.

Tambuwal, who is the governorship candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) noted that there was no report of any card reader failure during the election.

The Speaker said that: “Today, we have witnessed an improvement on the last two weeks. It was very speedy and the process was very smooth. I have not heard any complaints around here in Tambuwal about card reader failing to recognize finger prints.”

He added that since the election was peaceful and seamless, it was an indication of an improvement on the last two week presidential and National Assembly elections.

Although the election was a contest between him and his ex-boss Senator Abdalla Wali of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Speaker noted that the power of choice of their governor was in the hand of the people irrespective of relationship.

According to him, the report on the election in Sokoto State was that the election “was going on in peace and we have not had

any act of violence as members of the public are coming out to cast their votes.”

Tambuwal was optimistic that he would emerge the winner of the election.

Speaking in Sanyinna in Tambuwal Local Government area, Wali said he was hopeful that he would win the election.

Whether he wins or loses, the lawmaker said he would not contest the outcome of the election.

Wali advised his supporters to take the results in good fate when it is released.

ANY heavyweights lost at their polling units in yesterday’s

THE NATION ON SUNDAY APRIL 12, 2015

NEWS

7

GOVERNORSHIP/HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY POLLS Fashola hopeful of APC victory in Lagos

Ballot snatching, violence, apathy in Ekiti

By Miriam Ekene-Okoro

From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado-Ekiti

AGOS state governor Babatunde Fashola yesterday expressed optimism the All Progressives Congress (APC) will win the governorship and House of Assembly elections in the state.

Fashola spoke shortly after casting his vote alongside his wife, Abimbola and son Ademola at polling unit 002 in State Senior Grammar School, Itolo.

The governor voted at exactly 2:39pm.

He disagreed with insinuation of apathy, stressing that such conclusion can only be drawn after counting of votes.

The governor added that reports at his disposal indicated that INEC officials and materials for election arrived at many polling units and points on time, just as accreditation went smoothly.

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Agbaje's running mate loses polling unit •Polls 138 against APC's 252

By Innocent Duru

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LHAJA Safurat Abdukareem, the running mate of Peoples Democratic Party's Lagos governorship candidate, Jimi Agbaje, yesterday lost in her polling unit.

She polled 138 votes against APC's 252.

Shortly after voting, she pleaded that candidates of the leading political parties and their supporters should accept the outcome of the gubernatorial election in good fate.

She expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the elections.

She voted at Awhanjigoh Ward B, unit 009 in Badagry Local Government Area at exactly 2:25pm.

She noted that the election, from what she saw, was free and fair and devoid of malpractices.

"The election has been going very fine. From what I have seen so far, I can adjudge it to be free and fair."

She rejected claims that the election witnessed low turnout.

To her: "The turnout is very much okay. It is not in any way lower to what we saw penultimate weekend.

"It all depends on how you see it but for me, the turnout is very impressive."

Minimal presence of soldiers on Lagos roads

By Joe Agbro Jr

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HE presence of soldiers was very minimal on Lagos roads yesterday during the governorship and State Assembly elections.

This was contrary to what obtained penultimate weekend during the Presidential and National Assembly polls.

Many spots manned by soldiers on March 28 were completely devoid of their presence.

In Ebute Metta, which witnessed a huge deployment of soldiers at different junctions during the presidential election, there were virtually soldiers.

It was the same along Ikorodu road, which was also very free.

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• National Leader, All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, at his polling unit in Alausa, Lagos... yesterday

Ogun residents defy rain, sun to vote OTERS in Ogun State's 20 local government areas yesterday defied the rain and scorching sun to perform their civic obligation in the governorship and House of Assembly elections.

In most of the polling units visited in Abeokuta South, Obafemi-Owode, Odeda, Abeokuta North, Iyewa South, North, Ijebu-Ode, Ado-Odo Ota, Imeko-Afon and SagamuRemo areas, voters turned out early though in low figures for accreditation in the sun.

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ad hoc officials and security agents also reported at the polling units early.

In Abeokuta South Local Government Area, accreditation started at GRA Field 1, Ward 15, Unit 11 at about 8.02am while voting began at about 1pm after about 201 voters were accredited.

Similar time was also recorded for accreditations at nearby GRA Field 2 Ward 15, Unit 12.

But accreditations started at 8am at Ward15 Unit 12 while voting began at 1.30pm.

In Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area, INEC officials and security agents were on their toes at the largest polling area in the council, Obafemi-Owode Local Government Primary School.

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OVERNOR Ibikunle Amosun yesterday

raised the alarm over open inducement of voters with cash as well as security breaches, including snatching of ballot papers in parts of Ogun state during the governorship and House of Assembly elections.

Amosun, who is seeking reelection on the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC), cast his vote by 1:30pm at the polling unit 004, Ajura Ward 4, situated at St John's School, Ajura, in Obafemi Owode Local Government Area.

He expressed optimism that he would win.

His wife, Olufunso Amosun, also voted at the same polling unit and ward few minutes later.

•Low turnout, peaceful vote in Ogun •Obasanjo hails conduct, Isiaka kicks

By Bola Olajuwon, Assistant Editor, Abeokuta

It housed four voting units in Ward 7. Accreditation began in the area at about 8.30am while voting commenced at about 1.35pm.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo stated that Nigeria was maturing in its democratic process with the success of the 2015 general elections.

Obasanjo, who spoke shortly after his accreditation at Ward 11, Unit 22 of Olusomi Compound polling centre at Sokori area of Abeokuta South Local Government Area, noted that there was a relative slight drop in the turn-out of voters.

But, the former president still adjudged the exercise as successful.

His words: "The reports that got to me indicate that there is a general low turn-out across the nation, but the exercise has been orderly and peaceful.

"Such low turn -out is normal and should be expected because people normally show more interest in national elections than the state elections.

"I commend INEC for improving on their last performance because many people who did not have PVCs in this area have now gotten their cards.

"There were apprehensions concerning the polls because of some people who were beating drums of war. But we thank God for taking control.

"I think on the whole, Nigerians should be proud of their performance.

"We have done it for West Africa, we have done it for Africa and we have now done it for ourselves.

"Nigerians can now raise their heads in honour anywhere because there are evidences that our democracy is fast maturing."

Despite the rain in IjebuOde, 213 voters were accredited at ward 5 polling units 4 and 295.

The electorate maintained orderliness despite the rain to ensure voting began immediately after the accreditation at 1:30pm Ogun State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Prince Gboyega Isiaka, however lodged a complaint at the office of the INEC office in Imeko that an All Pro-

gressive Congress (APC) chieftain and a House of Representatives member was surreptitiously moving around n Imeko Afon local council, a claim he wanted to investigated.

Isiaka, who stormed the office at about 1.40pm, said he was inundated with calls from people in Obolo area of the local government that the lawmaker was moving round the town to canvass votes for the APC. Isiaka, who was attended to by INEC Election Officer (EO) Mr. Omo Are, said: "Many people called from Obolo and environs to report that he was going from one place to the other.

"We want the INEC to investigate why he left his local council and be moving round Imeko/Afon which is contrary to the Electoral Act. "I want to know the number of registered voters and number of PVCs distributed in Obolo in particular.

"I would not have been bothered but for stories of illegal thumb printing we are hearing, though yet to be confirmed.

"But I want INEC officials to be wary of the desperation of some people to undermine the process."

Are assured Isiaka that the issue will be thoroughly investigated.

…Amosun, wife hopeful of victory From: Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

The lauded the voting procedure and processes with minimal delay from the card reader and commended voters for turning out massively to exercise their right.

He however expressed disappointment that even when the country is striving to improve the election process with technology, some politicians were attempting to sabotage the effort by engaging in electoral violence and other vices.

Amosun said: "I've been briefed about some security breaches, which I want to believe that security operatives have put in check, par-

ticularly now that voting has commenced.

"I've been told about those cases in Ipokia, Ikenne, even in Abeokuta; people bringing money to the polling centres, openly distributing it to lure people to vote.

"But those ones I know that the security operatives will do their jobs. But the one that worries me - I've even been told, they are taking vehicles round the town and dropping four men at every location; and your guess is as good as mine what those four people would do.

"Even the military and police accosted some people in Itele and all of them

have been taken to army barracks there in Ilese.

"They were there with ballot papers and a lot of things. I wasn't there, we were phoned.

"But I'm happy to commend the security agencies for their efforts because they were there, they even resisted them.

"I understand that the policemen ran away, maybe they are fake policemen or whatever.

"We have been informed that all of them have been surrounded and taken to the barracks. I'm sure they would hand them over to the police. Those boxes, I'm sure they would have collected them.

KITI State House of Assembly poll in Ekiti yesterday was marred by incidents of ballot snatching, violence and low turnout.

Early results obtained from most of the units in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, showed that the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was in comfortable lead.

But the election in all units and wards in Ilejemeje Local Government Area was cancelled on account of ballot snatching and violence.

Violence marred the polls in communities in the council area like Iye, Iludun and Eda Oniyo with the exercise inconclusive.

An agent of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Eda Oniyo, Gabriel Fatile, was wounded by suspected thugs belonging to the PDP. Suspected political thugs also unleashed terror on voters and party agents during voting.

Governor Ayo Fayose and former Governor Kayode Fayemi condemned infractions recorded in some parts of the state.

While Fayose bemoaned snatching of ballot boxes in towns like Ikole, Osin, Iludun and Egbe, Fayemi regretted incidents of violence in Efon Alaaye where some members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) were attacked.

Fayemi alleged that three truckloads of thugs stormed the home of the Speaker Adewale Omirin in Aisegba in Gbonyin Local Government Area to attack and possibly assassinate him.

Fayemi said the siege on Omirin's home forced the Speaker from personally participating in the election.

He added that eight out of twelve APC Assembly members seeking re-election had been declared persona non grata by the ruling PDP. Fayose, after casting his vote at Unit 001, Afao/ Araromi Ward in Irepodun/ Ifelodun Local Government Area, described the reported ballot snatching as "barbaric and indecent".

The governor said: "Violence during election is bad, only God can enthrone anybody into any position.

"Snatching ballot boxes on election day will not be in the interest of the electoral process. It is not the best for the country.

"It is my belief that democracy should move forward and not backward.

"So, we the stakeholders must put the interest of this country beyond our personal interest so that we can move forward as a nation."

Fayemi, who voted at Unit 009, Ward 11 in Isan, Oye Local Government Area called on the police to investigate the alleged arrest of the APC candidate in Ikere Constituency 2, Aderemi Adedara and other leaders of the party over trumped-up charges.

He also alleged that a PDP House of Assembly candidate was moving around with patrol vehicles.

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ESTRUCTION was strewn across much of Rivers State yesterday in the aftermath of the governorship/house of assembly elections.

At least seven persons including a policeman were killed in different parts of the state.

The theatres of war include Buguma-Kalabari, the headquarters of AsariToru Local Government Area of Rivers State, where thugs suspected to be working for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) killed three persons and attacked the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Several vehicles belonging to the commission and election materials were bombed by the vandals.

The Electoral Officer (EO) for Asari-Toru LGA, Gabriel Okoye, and other officials escaped death by the whiskers and had to go into hiding.

The elections in the area could not therefore take place.

Three other persons were killed in Omagwa, and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni local government area.

The yet-to-be-identified policeman was shot dead at Rex Lawson Extension, Borokiri-Port Harcourt.

His body was left at the scene for several hours before it was evacuated.

The thugs also shot dead the APC youth leader in Idu, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, Clever Orukowu, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

An APC agent at Ward 15, Unit 10, Khana LGA of the state, Gbogbo Eric, was stabbed by hoodlums.

The authorities also ordered the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), Zone 6, Calabar, Tunde Ogunsakin, out of the state, apparently to allow the PDP have a field day in manipulating the elections.

Sources said Ogunsakin's offence was his refusal to lend the PDP machinery a hand in its alleged rigging plan.

Horror in Rivers: Six feared killed, INEC office, vehicles, electoral materials bombed From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt He vacated his Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt room at 5 a.m. yesterday to return to his base in Calabar, Cross River.

He could not be reached by phone yesterday.

First Lady Patience Jonathan is from the state and she is the chief backer of the PDP governorship candidate, Nyesom Wike.

She has been in the state since Thursday.

Observers wondered yesterday why she did not join President Jonathan for voting at Otuoke, Bayelsa state as she did during the Presidential election.

The house of the Rivers Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Joeba West in Buguma was bombed yesterday by about 20 PDP thugs.

Her whereabouts was unknown at press time.

The commissioner narrowly escaped death at Buguma on March 28, during the presidential and National Assembly elections.

Her Personal Assistant was attacked and dragged on the floor by hoodlums. She ended up in the hospital.

The Labour Party governorship candidate in the state, Tonye Princewill, and his All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) counterpart , Charles Jaja, both of whom are from Buguma, described yesterday's violence in the ancient town as shocking and very sad. Princewill said he had earlier in the day called the electoral officer for AsariToru LGA, from his hideout that no election could be conducted under the unfolding situation, especially with all election materials burnt.

He said: "There was heavy shooting in Buguma on

• Electoral officers go into hiding.

• AIG ordered out of Rivers for refusing to work for First Lady, Wike •Thugs bomb commissioner's house in Rivers Saturday. People were killed.

Someone was beheaded.

Accreditation and voting could not take place in AsariToru LGA, because all the electoral materials have been burnt. I had not been accredited (at 12:15 p.m.), much less of voting."

Jaja spoke in the same vein.

He added: "God help Nigeria."

Another gang hijacked election materials meant for Akuku-Toru LGA. The hoodlums barricaded the area thus preventing APC members' access to Abonnema, headquarters of the council.

Governor Rotimi Amaechi was not spared.

His mobile telephone lines, according to his Chief Press Secretary, David Iyofor, were cloned, and the brains behind the act proceeded to send fake text messages to the people of the state not to come out and vote.

Iyofor said: "Please, the text messages are not from Governor Amaechi. The governor's position remains that Rivers voters should come out to vote today (yesterday).

Rivers people should disregard the fake text messages."

Information and C o m m u n i c a t i o n Commissioner Ibim Semenitari, described the situation as a miniature war.

He said that for the PDP it was a do-or-die battle.

Her words:"Prior to the elections, Dame Jonathan, a native of Oba-Ama, Okirka, had visited Rivers State, meeting with Ateke Tom, an ex militant leader; security

chiefs; DPOs and INEC personnel.

"From threatening to cajoling, she (First Lady) appealed that she would be disgraced if the APC wins in Rivers State. To ensure that she achieves her aim, she has turned Rivers State into a killing field.

"In her (First Lady's) hometown, the INEC officials forced manual accreditation on all parties, regardless of resistance by agents.

Militiamen, Nna Alibi, Solomon Opusiki, Jeremiah Opuikpaki, Angbona and Ogubi are going round from ward to ward, shooting and retrieving the result sheets.

They have hijacked materials in wards 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9.

In ward 3, PDP members thumb-printed in a particular house."

Amaechi said government was aware of harassment, intimidation and improper conduct of some law enforcement agents, especially a Divisional Police Officer, and a Deputy Commissioner of Police.

Government, he said, would not spare all such security personnel found "engaging in unwholesome and unprofessional conduct."

"We call on all citizens and residents to take appropriate note and document any security personnel behaving improperly and who is compromised and forward the same to the Rivers State Government," he said, adding: "All such personnel will face the full weight of the law now and for those who may escape prosecution now, definitely when the new

government takes over on May 29, 2015."

Guns also boomed all day at Ikuru, hometown of the state Deputy Governor, Tele Ikuru, who recently defected from the APC to the PDP. In Gokana, Ogoni LGA, five men in military camouflage were arrested and handed over to the police at the Kpor divisional headquarters.

The Rivers Chairman of the APC, Chief Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, said in a statement that Dame Jonathan, Wike, Ikuru, and the Minister of Sports, Tammy Danagogo, were the brains behind the rigging plot.

Ikanya said: "Reports available to us confirm that Rivers PDP, the police and INEC have not changed their tactics of rigging all elections in Rivers State. The strategy adopted to cart away INEC materials and writing results in favour of PDP in the presidential and National Assembly elections of March 28 are sadly being replicated in the governorship and state House of Assembly elections.

"The Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Rumuepirikom (Wike's Port Harcourt community in Obio/Akpor LGA of Rivers State) Police Station, early this (yesterday) morning, aided the movement of INEC election materials at the RAC covering Wards 12 and 13 in Obio/Akpor LGA, situated at Ola-Nu-da Model Primary School, opposite the Rivers State College of Arts and Science, Port Harcourt. She (DPO) escorted a Passat wagon car into the RAC and carted away the original materials, shooting and chasing away APC agents.

"Early this (yesterday) morning, a special police unit

drafted to the RAC covering Wards 9, 10 and 11 situate at St. John's Model Primary School, Rumueme-Port Harcourt, beat up and chased our (APC) people away to allow Anugbum Onuoha (Wike's cousin) to come in with a carton containing some electoral materials and took away original results.

"Chief Wike's fake policemen are currently thumb-printing ballot papers and have threatened to kill any APC agent that raises an eyebrow. The game plan is to announce the results through social media, which will tally with what they have already filled with INEC, as Rivers State governorship election result.

"APC party agents in all 5 polling units in Kalio-Ama (Ward 9), Okrika were abducted from their units by PDP militants, while policemen on duty watched helplessly. Spirited efforts were made by other APC stalwarts to trace, locate and release them from where they were being held. By the time they were restored to their duty posts, electoral materials had been hijacked and taken away by PDP members in all the units.

"No security presence in Ward 7, Okrika. Meanwhile, Samuel Okoko, a PDP member is openly patrolling with police and one Philemon Atelibo moving around with over 20 cult boys. APC supporters are being attacked in Ward 5, Okrika.

"Rivers APC unreservedly condemns this rape of democracy by people who consider themselves to be above the law. We appeal to the military, the police high command and other security agencies involved in election duties in Rivers State to intervene urgently and ensure that the elections are conducted in accordance with relevant laws and that the people's will prevail at the end of the day. Anything to the contrary would be an invitation to chaos."

Five feared dead in Akwa Ibom, two in C/River RAGEDY struck yesterday as five persons were feared dead in Akwa Ibom, three were killed in separate incidents in Buguma, Asari Toru local government area of Rivers State while two others died in Cross River during the governorship and state house of assembly elections.

In Akwa Ibom, the killing occurred at Mbiabong Etoi, Shelter Afrique (Uyo); Ndiya in Nsit Ubium; Etim Ekpo, and Ini local government areas of the state.

As at the time of filing this report, the whereabouts of a reporter with one of the local tabloids, Radar newspaper, Mr. Aniedi Ukpoenang, was still unknown.

According to sources, Ukpoenang was said to have been abducted by the Peoples

T

•Lagos Abeokuta Expressway turned-mini stadium during the election in Lagos yesterday

Photo: DAYO ADEWUNMI

Democratic Party (PDP) thugs at Ekpeyong Ufum village, Odoro Ikot clan in Essien Udim LGA. The Assistant Inspector General of Police, Baba Adisa Bolanta, could not confirm your killings but promised to call the Commissioner of Police in charge of Akwa Ibom State, Gabriel Achong, for confirmation.

Bolanta said: "I am not aware that five persons have been killed. Let me call the CP to find out."

The three deaths were recorded in Rivers, despite the claim by the State Police Command that it deployed about 17,000 police officers across the state for the election.

It was not possible to establish the identities of those who were killed, but it was Turn to page 64

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GOVERNORSHIP/HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY POLLS Igbo foundation hails Buhari

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HE Foundation for Promotion of Igbo Music, Language, Culture and Tradition (Igbo Foundation) has congratulated the President –elect, General Muhammadu Buhari, on his victory at the polls in the last presidential election held throughout Nigeria on Saturday, the 28th day of March, 2015.

In a statement signed by the foundation’s National Chairman, Augustine Iheanacho Okechukwu, the foundation said, “Your election as the next President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is symbolic and historic.

It is historical in the sense that this is the first time in the history of Nigeria where an opposition party has successfully unseated a sitting government by peaceful and democratic means which is the only method of change of government approved by the Constitution. You have made history.

“While we congratulate the president-elect, we must continue to be grateful to His Excellency, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Commander InChief of the Armed Forces for his magnanimity in accepting the out-come of the Presidential Election. For so doing, Dr. Jonathan has proven himself to be a great democrat and has succeeded in writing his name in the sand of times in the Letters of Gold.

PDP chairman killed in Ebonyi G

UNMEN suspected to be political thugs in the early hours of today killed Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Ishielu LGA in Ebonyi State, Mr. Emeka Nworie.

Sources revealed that the late PDP chairman was at-

From Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki

tacked in his house in Ezzagu in Ishielu LGA and shot severally by his assailant on different parts of his body until he died.

Police spokesman, ASP Chris Anyanwu, confirmed

the incident to our reporter.

He said the incident took place at around 3am in the morning of Saturday.

He said the assailants, before killing the PDP stalwart, asked for money which was generously given to them after which they still pro-

ceeded to shoot him to death.

The state has witnessed politically motivated killings since last November.

Two persons were killed earlier in the week in Ikwo when supporters of PDP and LP parties clashed.

Abia polls: Anyim, Otti, call for cancellation

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HE governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress [APC] in Abia State, Dr. Nyerere Chinenye Anyim, and his All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) counterpart, Dr. Alex Otti, have called for total cancellation of April 11 polls in Abia State.

Anyim and Otti who spoke to journalists at their Agburuike and Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa residents respectively, described the election across the 17 Local Government Areas in the state as a sham, citing cases of electoral irregularities: snatching of ballot boxes, using fake uniformed men among other electoral offences.

But in his speech, the PDP governorship candidate, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, who voted in his Umuobiakwa Ward 7, told our correspondent that the exercise was very smooth as there were no incidents.

•It’s free and fair- Ikpeazu From Ugochukwu Ugoji-Eke, Umuahia and Sunny Nwankwo, Aba

In his contribution, the state governor, Chief Theodore Orji, expressed satisfaction with the impressive turnout of voters for the governorship and House of Assembly elections in the state.

Speaking after casting his vote at his Ugba ward 1, he noted that there was a remarkable improvement from what obtained during the Presidential and National Assembly polls.

But according to Otti, “There was no election in Abia State. The governor (T.A Orji) and PDP in collaboration with INEC officials went to various polling units and withdrew the original result sheets, which they replaced with a fake one.

“We have information as

I speak with you (journalists) that PDP are thumb printing ballot papers in the official residence of a top PDP member in the state.

“They are going around using thugs who wield machetes and fire arms, shooting sporadically in the air to harass and scare people away before snatching the ballot papers and result sheets. They are also doing this, using fake uniformed men, to cart away the election materials.

“It is the same situation in Umuahia, Aba North and South, Umuahia North and South, Ohafia, Umunneochi.

In fact, there is no election in Abia State and I am calling on the chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Attahiru Jega, to cancel the election in the entire 17 Local Government Areas of the state because what

we witnessed is a total sham and cannot in any way be described as an election. We have evidences and genuine reason to call for the cancelation of the poll”.

Anyim also regretted reported cases of ballot snatching, intimidation of the opposition by the ruling party, stressing that the act of thuggry and ballot box stealing as was reported by their agents in the field shows the desperateness of the ruling party.

According to him, “It was primitive. Nigeria is too big for such a thing to happen; where election materials were being stolen. It shows that they (PDP) have failed the state because if they did well, they wouldn’t have resorted to stealing of ballot boxes and other sensitive materials. It is a total shame and shows how they have failed in giving the people of the state, good governance.”

APGA to INEC: Cancel Abia North Senatorial election From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

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HE Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, has been urged to cancel the House of Representatives elections in Abia North Senatorial District over alleged irregularities.

Spokesman of the Abia State All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Dr. Ejike Oji, who is also the candidate of Abia North Federal House of Representatives, told newsmen in Abuja yesterday that the party will seek redress at the court of law.

Oji said the election process was characterised with abnormalities adding that: “during the election, there were incidences of use of thugs to intimidate voters and beat up party agents, resulting in severe injuries to many innocent voters and party staff. Many of the men and women affected have had to seek treatment in health facilities, due to the extent of their injuries.

“We expect that INEC will investigate these claims and will go on to cancel the elections in Abia North Senatorial District which includes Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency. The elections were a charade and cannot be allowed to stand.

We are seeking redress in court and more complains are still coming.”

• The PDP Governorship candidate Enugu State, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi casting his vote at Umuozzi Ward 7 in Igbo Eze North L.G.A of Enugu State……today.

PHOTO: OBI CLETUS

Anambra elections: INEC reschedules election to 25th April in Ekwusigo

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OLLOWING the violence that marred House of Assembly elections in some part of Anambra State yesterday, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has shifted election in Ekwusigo Local Government Area in the state to 25th April, 2015.

In a statement yesterday in Awka, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Edwin Nwatalari, said some elements invaded the Local Government to disrupt the electoral process in the morning of election.

However, he appealed to the stakeholders in the state in every political party that the commission was ready to conduct a free, fair and credible election for them anytime any day.

Meanwhile, Anambra State

From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, threatened yesterday to arrest oil magnet, Chief Ifeanyi Ubah, for allegedly snatching ballot boxes and result sheets in Ekwusigo Council Area.

Ubah was alleged to have performed the act with Sir Emeka Offor for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to deliver their candidates.

Apart from the incident at Ekwusigo, elections were peaceful in Anambra State but were marred by apathy in the entire state.

Also Anambra State Deputy Governor, Dr. Nkem Okeke, was alleged to have hijacked all the electoral materials in his Enugwu Ukwu area in Njikoka Local Government Area.

Though he refused to speak

with reporters yesterday, his Special Assistant on Media, Mrs. Stella Igboka, denied the allegation.

Accreditation started as early as 8am in most of the centres, especially at Aguleri, Nsugbe, Onitsha and Oyi areas, while it was same in Idemili North/South.

Obiano however lamented the attitude of PDP chieftains in the state, adding that he had got in touch with security operatives and INEC for further actions.

Former governorship candidate of PDP in the state, Comrade Tony Nwoye said their area in Nsugbe had always been peaceful but regretted the low turnout of voters.

For the National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor

Umeh, his party would not loose election to any other party.

Former Governor of Anambra State and leader of All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state, Sen. Chris Ngige, yesterday, expressed disappointment over the continued failure of card readers as well as voter apathy in the on-going Anambra State House of Assembly election.

Ngige, who made this statement at Nkwo-Ide polling unit, in his Alor Ward 1 countryhome, while getting accreditation to vote, said he suspected that some political manipulators that manipulated the election results on March 28 Presidential and National Assembly elections, might have gone back to work to manipulate yesterday’s exercise.

Ekwunife debunks defection reports From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

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HE member representing Anaocha, Njikoka and Dunukofia Federal Constituency in Anambra State, Hon. Uche Ekwunife, yesterday debunked claims from certain quarters that she has been making moves to join the All Progressives Congress (APC).

While briefing reporters yesterday in Awka, Ekwunife said she had never dreamt of such a move, adding that she would be sworn-in as a People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Senator.

During the last Presidential and National Assembly Elections held on 28th March, 2015, Ekwunife was declared senator-elect by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), having scored the highest number of votes in the senatorial zone.

Observers demand immediate set up of tribunals in Anambra From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

F

OLLOWING the alleged manipulations and irregularities that characterised the Presidential and National Assembly elections in Anambra State, the coalition of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) accredited observers is demanding immediate set up of election petition tribunals in the state to correct the anomalies.

Briefing reporters yesterday at the Marble Arch Hotels in Awka, Anambra State, the INEC observers, led by Chris Azor, said the results of the elections were mutilated with falsification of figures in favour of one party.

According to the observers, “we must consciously discourage the practice of installing the wrong person on elective office because of the obvious negative implication on good governance, accountability and peaceful co-existence” Furthermore, the group observed with dismay, the discrepancy between results declared at the polling units and the collation centres, adding that such highlights the weakness of the collation process.

Implement confab resolutions, Ohaneze youths tell Buhari From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

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HE youth group of Ohaneze Ndigbo has hailed the All Progressive Congress (APC) president – elect, Gen. Mohammadu Buhari over his victory against the incumbent president, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) during the March 28th elections.

The Ohaneze youth therefore urged him to implement the report of the National Conference and to carry all the regions in the country along in his administration.

In a communiqué yesterday issued in Awka, Anambra State, after its meeting, which was signed by Comrade Arthur Obiorah, the group also warned Boko-Haram to stop destroying properties belonging to Ndigbo or face the wrath of their people.

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GOVERNORSHIP/HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY POLLS

• Former Vice President and chieftain of APC, Atiku Abubakar, casts his votes at • Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, castAjiya, Ward 2 in Jimeta, Yola, Adamawa ing his vote at exactly 3:08 pm at his Ward 20, Ward 11, Oluyole Estate in Ibadan South State, yesterday West Local Government, Ibadan yesterday

• Vice-President elect, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, casting his ballot.

• Governor Wamakko casting his vote at Gidan jao ji polling unit in Wamakko local government

• Former Governor of Oyo State, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, and his wife Chief Mutiat casting their votes at Ondo Street, Old Bodija Ibadan • Kwara State Governor, Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed, voting during the gubernatorial election at Adebiopon polling Unit 008, Share ward 1, Share, headquarters of Ifelodun LGA. yesterday

• Dr. Dakuku Peterside, APC governorship candidate in Rivers State, casting his vote in his hometown, OpoboNkoro

• Senator Oluremi Tinubu casting her vote at ward 034 Unit 9, Bourdillon Road Ikoyi Lagos, yesterday in Lagos

• Kaduna APC gubernatorial candidate, Nasri el-Rufai, casting his vote

• Bishop of Anglican Diosese of Mainland, Bishop Adebayo Akinde, during the Election monitoring on Freeman Street, Ebute-Meta Lagos

• People waiting to cast their votes... yesterday

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 2015

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GOVERNORSHIP/HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY POLLS • All Progressives Congress (APC) Lagos State Governorship candidate , Akinwunmi Ambode Casting his vote at Polling Unit 33, Ward A5 in Ogunmodede Junior College, Papa, Epe , Lagos.

• Gov. Babatunde Fashola of lagos, being accredited at Itolo ward 2, Surulere Lagos

• Senate President David Mark casting his vote at Oturpo Ward 1 in Oturpo, Benue State... yesterday

• Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun casting his vote at Ajura Ward 4, Obafemi -Owode Local Government Area... yesterday

• APC Lagos West Senator-elect Solomom Adeola voting

• Senator Gbenga Ashafa voting at Ward F, Bogije, Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area, Lagos

• APC Lagos State Governorship running mate Dr Idiat Adebule casting her votes at Iba, Lagos... yesterday

•PDP Enugu State Governorship candidate, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi casting his vote at Umuozzi Ward 7 in Igbo Eze North Local Government Area of Enugu State

• Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose cast- • Former Ekiti State Governor Dr Kayode Fayemi casting his vote in Ekiti ing his vote

• Electorate on queue to cast their votes • People queue to cast their votes... yesterday

PHOTOS BY: Isacc Jimoh Ayodele, Muyiwa Hassan, Olusegun Rapheal, Dayo Adewunmi, Biodun Adeyewa, Solomon Adeola, Niyi Adeniran, Akin Oladokun, Obi Cletus, Femi Ilesanmi, Biodun Williams

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GOVERNORSHIP/HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY POLLS

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RESIDENT Elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, and his wife, Aisha Buhari, voted at the Sarki Yara A polling unit in the Kofar Baru Ward in Daura Local Government area in the Governorship and State Assembly election at about 2.55 pm on Saturday.

Buhari adorned in a blue babariga, blue cap and black shoes to match was accompanied by a horde of security details who barricaded the place and preventing people from gaining access to him.

About 459 voters were accredited for the election at the polling unit as against 502 that were accredited for the presidential election two weeks ago.

The Nation observed an in-

blames low turn-out Buhari votes, 50-year-old El-Rufai on ‘PDP’s threat in Kaduna woman slumps in Funtua G

....as Yero tells supporters to accept polls outcome

From Tony Akowe, Daura

creased security presence around the president elect while the anti bomb squad of the Nigeria Police Force conducted a thorough search of the area before Gen. Buhari arrived to cast his vote.

The process of accreditation was also faster than it was during the Presidential election.

However, the weather in Daura and other parts of

Katsina remained unfriendly, as the harmattan haze continues to blow, making visibility very poor.

The presence of the media was also far less compared to the situation a fortnight ago.

Meanwhile, the situation was peaceful all over Daura and other parts of Katsina.

Unconfirmed report, however, has it that a 50-yearold woman, Yar’Baba Yusuf Babangida, slumped and died

while waiting on the queue to vote in Funtua, Katsina State.

Available reports have it that the deceased who was said to be hypertensive was on the queue at Kofar gidan Hamisu polling unit of Makera Ward in Funtua Local Government Area of Katsina State when she suddenly slumped.

She was reportedly rushed to Funtua General Hospital where health personnel certified her dead.

UBERNATORIAL candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mallam Nasir El-Rufai has blamed the low turn-out of voters in yesterday’s election on alleged threat by the PDP to cause chaos in the state.

This was as incumbent Governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero enjoined his supporters and entire people of Kaduna State to accept whatever is the outcome of the election. Yero made the call after his accreditation in Zaria.

In areas like Gonin Gora, Barnawa and Narayi in Southern metropolis of the state, electorates were seen relaxing and seemingly not bothered to go out for the accreditation.

On the other divide of the state, Kaduna North and places like Sabon Gari, Tudun Wada, massive turn-out of voters were witnessed.

Speaking to newsmen after casting his vote at polling unit,

From Abdulgafar Alabelewe, Kaduna

024 Angwan Sarki, in Kaduna, El-Rufai blamed the low turnout on the threat by the PDPled government to unleash terror on the electorates. ElRufai said the electorate were afraid to show up at their polling units as a result of the threat.

The opposition candidate who arrived the polling unit at about 9:55am and was promptly accredited told our reporter that “Accreditation commenced on time compared to that of the Presidential elections.”

He expressed satisfaction with the use of card readers which he described as effective and called on the electorates to come out en mass to exercise their civic responsibility.

He said “He have been assured by the police and army that there will be enough security on ground to forestall any violence.”

I am confident of victory Al - Makura

From Frank Ikpefan, Lafia

N •Hon. Yakubu Dogara ( fourth from right) in white kaftan, followed by his wife, daughers at polling unit in his country home.

Bauchi South Senatorial zone.

PHOTO: AUSTINE TSENZUGHUL

Man shot dead, while attempting to highjack ballot box

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NE person was shot dead by security agents in Jos, the Plateau State capital, during the election yesterday.

The victim, whose identity cannot be immediately ascertained, was suspected to be on a mission to disrupt voting process and snatch ballot box

From Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Jos

from a polling unit at Alikazaure, Jos North local government of Plateau.

An eye witness who is one of the domestic observers at the polling unit said, “The guy came to the polling unit to make trouble, he was trying

to create a chaotic scene while the voting was going on. I saw the security agents warn him twice not to cause any commotion, but the boy did not listen.

He later turned on the police, and was shot while attempting to attack them in their vehicle.”

His shooting did not, how-

ever, disrupt the voting, as voters on the queue continued to cast their votes after the incident.

Aside that lone incident, the election was, however, generally peaceful in Plateau State.

The killing was confirmed by the Special Task Force (STF) on Jos crisis.

Police arrest 14 political thugs over violence in Kano

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OURTEEN political thugs were yesterday arrested by the police over their involvement in the burning of ballot papers and boxes in Kaura Mata in Madobi Local OW voter turn-out greeted the governorship and House of Assembly election in Kwara State yesterday, even as proceedings went peacefully.

In some polling units visited, electoral materials and personnel arrived earlier than the previous elections. However, only a handful of voters were on ground at 9.45 am for accreditation.

The scenario wasn’t much different in the border communities of Baruten Local Government Area of the state.

At the LGEA Primary School in Ilesha-Baruba, where the state Deputy Governor, Elder Peter Kishira, was accredited, the process also witnessed a serious low turn-out of the electorate.

The state governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed, and leader of the All Progressives Con-

L

From Kolade Adeyemi Kano

Government Area.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, lbrahim Idris, said the thugs numbering 19 stormed Kaura Mata polling

unit in attempt to disrupt the accreditation process.

He said the police swiftly responded and was able to bring the situation under control, resulting in the arrest of

14 of them, who are currently being detained.

Idris explained that INEC immediately replaced the burnt materials, and voting resumed soon after.

Voters’ apathy greets election in Kwara •Ahmed, Saraki, others lament From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

gress (APC) in the state, Senator Bukola Saraki, lamented the low turn-out, but hailed the peaceful conduct.

The situation later improved.

Senator Saraki, who attributed the early low turnout during accreditation to the outcome of the last presidential and National Assembly elections, said party leaders made efforts to mobilise more people for the exercise.

Speaking with reporters shortly after casting his ballot at about 1.33pm, Governor Ahmed said the number of people who came out was low, adding that it was still all right, given the peaceful nature of the

election.

He expressed satisfaction with the security arrangement, adding that he was still in support of the use of PVCs. Asked to appraise the 2015 elections, Ahmed said the greatest lesson is in the fact that for the first time Nigerians have been able to take back political power for themselves.

Also speaking shortly after accreditation at his Ode Opobiyi polling unit, Senator Saraki described the exercise as peaceful, orderly and well-organised, adding that “people are ready to be patient, tolerant and carry out their civic duty.”

Minister of National Planning, Dr. Abubakar Sulaiman,

however said the voters’ apathy was due to what he termed “the lacklustre attitude of security agencies in the last elections.”

The minister, who voted in the same polling unit with Senator Saraki complained of inadequate security presence in the last elections and called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to relocate the three polling units at Ode Opobiyi, saying they were sited in residential areas.

Another APC chieftain, Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje, who voted at his Baboko ward, said a lot of Nigerians expect a lot from the incoming administration of President Mohammadu Buhari, noting that they were not that concerned with the state elections.

ASARAWA State governor, Umaru Tanko Al - Makura, said yesterday that he was confident of being re-elected as governor.

The governor noted that given the peaceful nature of the elections and use of card readers, he was sure of victory.

He spoke with reporters shortly after casting his vote in his Lungu Wambai polling unit, Lafia.

The governor and his wife were accredited at 1: 05 pm, while they voted at 1: 30 pm.

He said: “I have never doubted my confidence and optimism for victory. Nasarawa State as you know is our state and I believe the people will do what they have done in 2011; they will

do what they have done in the local government elections.

“I have no doubt in my mind whatsoever that by the special grace of God, given the response that people have being making across the state, this election will be successful and I will in God’s grace emerge victorious.”

The governor also commended the Independent National Electoral Commission for the improvement in the use of card readers.

“You can see the process has slightly improved from what it used to be.

“The card readers are working very well. Whatever happens, one should be happy with the process,” he stated.

Poor turn-out mars election in Kano

P

OOR turnout characterised Saturday’s gubernatorial and state House of Assembly elections in Kano.

Our reporter who visited some polling units observed that women, especially those in purdah, trooped out en mass to cast their votes for candidates of their choice.

As early as 6a.m, INEC officials and security men on duty were already at the polling units waiting for voters to come for accreditation which commenced proper at 8a.m.

In places like Sabon Gari, Brigade Quarters, Tudun Wada, Taurani and Ungogo, voters did not turn out in large numbers like they did during the Presidential and National Assembly elections.

However, areas like Gwagwaruwa, Kurna Asabe, Gingiyu, Jirgiya, Albasu town, and Ganduje, the home town of Kano Deputy Governor who is the APC guber candidate, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, voters turned out en mass to perform their civic responsibilities.

Though not pronounced, pockets of crises were recorded in the state, but security agencies were on ground to contain the situation.

However, the major

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

challenge encountered was the inability of the card reader machine to capture fingerprints.

To salvage the situation, INEC ad-hoc staff resorted to the use of incidence form as alternative to accredit voters.

Our reporter also visited Ganduje town in Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area, 30 kilometres from Kano metropolis to monitor the voting of the gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Gganduje who is also Deputy Governor of the state.

Ganduje who voted at about 1:02 p.m. expressed optimism that he was going to emerge victorious at the close of the day.

He also expressed satisfaction at the large turnout of voters in his area, insisting that APC is going to sweep the state, just like they did in the presidential and National Assembly elections.

In his words, “I am satisfied with what I have seen so far.

To me, I believe I am going to win the election. I also believe my party will clear the 40 State House of Assembly seats. We have done it before and we will do it again. “

Ropo Sekoni

13

Page 14

Femi Orebe Page 16

SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 2015

tunjade@yahoo.co.uk 08054503906 (sms only)

T

ODAY, I will draw analogies from a drama by the popular Moses Olaiya alias Baba Sala, as well as two Yoruba proverbs which, in my view best describe the personality and the predicament of Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State in his current self-inflicted impasse. First Olaiya’s drama. Olaiya, in the drama in question, said he could slap a masquerade, slap a policeman and complete the madness by stoning a judge, all because of the godfather that he had in that drama. (Mo le gba eegun loju, mo le gba olopa leti; ma tun soko lu adajo), he had boasted. Really, with some godfathers, one can get away with anything, anything including blue murder! With President Goodluck Jonathan solidly behind Fayose, the Ekiti governor has gone away with many illegalities.

Now, the proverbs. One is that of the hangman that would never want a sword dangled over his child’s head (abenilori ki fe ki a gbe ida koja lori omo oun). And the other, is that of a person who spat on the ground only to quickly rub it with his foot; it is because that person knows the evil to which spittle could be put (eni to tuto sile to f’ese raa, o mo nkan ti won nfi ito se). But before proceeding, it is better to expatiate to vividly drive home my point concerning the first proverb, for effect.

In Yorubaland, masquerades are not regarded as ordinary human beings; they are seen more as heavenly beings. So, for a Yoruba man to say he would slap a masquerade is a serious matter because he is aware of the enormous powers they are supposed to carry as heavenly beings (ara orun). Add that to the fellow slapping a policeman. Mind you, it is the policeman that would be called to arrest him after slapping the masquerade. Then to want to complete the invidious act by stoning a judge! That’s the ultimate in the series of the impunities.

These, basically, are the things Fayose has been doing since his return as Governor of Ekiti State in October last year. He had slapped a masquerade, slapped a policeman and even stoned a judge, at least metaphorically, given the many impunities he had committed since returning to the Government House in Ado-Ekiti. Governor Fayose has been uneasy since the 19 members of the state house of assembly (who fled the state due to the heat generated by their clash with the governor) indicated their intention to return, early this month. We have witnessed all kinds of shenanigans and subterfuge to keep the legislators at bay, especially since the idea of the governor’s impeachment was mooted by the 19 lawmakers of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The governor has been doing what he knows how to do best, including issuing threats as well as organising protests to prevent the legislators from sitting.

But, one big question in all these is whether the governor has committed impeachable offences. The answer, of course is, yes. Fayose instigated seven legislators in the state house of assembly to sit and remove the authentic speaker, Wale Omirin, whereas at least nine members were required constitutionally in the 26-member house. He reportedly brought in three unknown quantities that he alleged were members of the house. To date, the identities of the three remain unknown.

Could he have been working on the theory that he could eventually get three of the APC legislators to his side to say they were the

Fayose, for whom the bell tolls No matter how long it takes, the governor will pay for his illegalities

• Fayose

three unknown quantities in order to make the required constitutional quorum? If that was his plan, obviously, he has failed as the APC lawmakers have remained stronger, determined and united since their travails began last year.

As a matter of fact, the state APC chapter had said only the seven Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmakers in the house sat to remove the speaker as well as confirmed the appointment of commissioner nominees. It was the same pattern when Fayose wanted the consent of the state assembly for the 2015 budget. What has happened is that rather than find legitimate ways of getting the APC lawmakers back to do business, Fayose resorted to strong-arm tactics, using soldiers and policemen sometimes to do his bidding.

That was why he did everything to campaign against General Muhammadu Buhari, the APC presidential candidate in the run-up to the elections. Fayose could not in his wildest imagination have thought of a situation where President Jonathan could lose the reelection, not to talk of conceding defeat even before the official announcement of the final result. Although the governor is not contesting any election now, he was one of those in my mind when I wrote a few weeks back that those waiting in the wings for President Jonathan’s crutches to scale the elections or continue in office after the sins they had committed under presidential cover would be disappointed because the president himself would need crutches to get reelected. I therefore did not see how he could be of any help to such characters who could not stand on their own. The life support that they were all banking on from Abuja has been cut off. Perhaps Fayose, even in his crudity could have been a little measured

His name (I)Fayose had worked for him to become governor twice and twice has he abused the privilege ... This time around, there appears no incantation or propitiation that can rescue him because ... he has stolen too much for the owners to notice. So, I am afraid, Ifa may not be able to deliver him as things stand. Fayose must get his comeuppance. Even if it tarries, it will surely come

in his actions and utterances if he ever realised that this was the shape things would eventually take.

The illegalities that he had committed can only be tolerated in a banana republic.

Unfortunately, rather than call Fayose to order, President Jonathan preferred to look the other way, thus giving tacit approval to the governor’s impunities and encouraging him to commit even more. It is sad that this is the kind of thing Ekiti people in particular and Nigerians in general are subjected to in the twenty-first century. Nigerians must be grateful that President Jonathan has been stopped by being denied reelection; so we can be hopeful that never again would we see the kind of impunities committed by the likes of Fayose in the country. One could only have imagined what Nigeria would be like if people like Fayose are not denied oxygen from Abuja by voting out President Jonathan on March 28.

Now, seeing his job is on the line, Fayose ran to the Federal High Court in Abuja to stop the APC legislators from doing their job. So, Fayose could still believe in the judiciary, the same judiciary that his thugs insulted and assaulted? Wonderful!

Mercifully, the court in its wisdom has turned down this request.

Without doubt, Ekiti people reserve the right to determine who their governor should be; but they should also understand that the state is a part of Nigeria and the country has its constitution which is the grundnorm. Whoever does anything contrary to the constitutional stipulations must be made to face the full weight of the law.

That, for me, is the point we should be making. It is because Fayose himself knows the extent of the impunities he had committed that he is now afraid of the APC legislators sitting because he knows that would automatically result in his impeachment.

We must lament a situation where the once erudite Ekiti people are now living by ‘stomach infrastructure’, a term coined

by Fayose to show the limits of his knowledge at a time the rest of the civilised world is breaking new grounds in science and technology. Even our colleagues in the backbenchers’ league – Singapore, Taiwan, Malaysia - etc. are not living by bread or ‘stomach infrastructure’ alone. They have since abandoned us as a country when they see the kind of leaders we have been entrusting our lives to. If Governor Fayose is impeached this time around, he would make history as the first governor in the country to suffer such fate twice. This, perhaps, is not what is making Fayose nervous. More importantly, he is afraid of his shadows.

His name (I)Fayose had worked for him to become governor twice and twice has he abused the privilege. He seems to have committed too many sins even for the Ifa divinity to forgive. This time around, there appears no incantation or propitiation that can rescue him because he has literally climbed the tree beyond leaves (o ti gun igi koja ewe). In simpler terms, he has stolen too much for the owners to notice.

So, I am afraid, Ifa may not be able to deliver him as things stand. Fayose must get his comeuppance. Even if it tarries, it will surely come.

CHIBOK GIRLS. STILL IN LIMBO. SINCE APRIL 15, 2014.

otufodunrin@thenationonlineng.net

08050498530(SMS only)

PDP’s fair weather members

C

ONSIDERING the rate at which members of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) are defecting to the All Progressives Congress ( APC), it is easy to lose count of how many have jumped ship ahead of the change at the federal level.

Perhaps the best way to know the true situation concerning the present membership of the PDP - which has being in power since 1999, is to ask who is left in the party?

For those who have not defected, it seems like a matter of time before they eventually join their colleagues who cannot wait till May 29 for power to change hands at the centre.

With the victory of the APC in both the presidential and National Assembly elections on March 28 and the projected win of its candidates in majority of the governorship and state assembly contests last Saturday, many PDP members across the country have since chosen to pitch their tent with the former opposition camp.

While many of the decampees have given various reasons for their decision, what is apparent is that for reasons one can easily guess, they prefer to join the winning side instead of remain to salvage whatever is left of the PDP. The mass defection that has followed the outcome of the election is a confirmation of the well known fact that membership of parties in the country is not based on any ideology.

From all indications, most politicians in the country decide on which party to belong to depending on what political gains they can make at every point in time.

Even before the recent gale of defections, there have been cases of aspirants who defected from the parties they belonged to when they lost nominations for positions they were interested in.

Though this is the first time a ruling party will lose election at the federal level in the country, it is not unusual in some other countries, even in Africa. What usually happens is that while the victorious party takes over, the defeated party regroups and becomes a formidable opposition in the hope that it will regain power in future.

But for the resilience of the leaders of the APC in the last 16 years, the defeat of the PDP in the presidential poll would not have been possible. If they had adopted the principle: f you can’t beat them, join them, Nigerians would have continued to be at the mercy of PDP’s transformation agenda that has not significantly accomplished much.

Democracy thrives when there is a viable opposition to keep the ruling party in check. What the PDP needs to do is not to continue to mourn its loss, but to reinvent itself. It must realise its mistakes and make amends.

While the APC should rejoice about its new fortune, it will soon have to come to terms with the challenge of harbouring all kinds of characters flocking to its fold.

Since the Constitution guarantees citizen’s freedom to join any party of choice, APC cannot reject anyone who wants to join its group.

However what is required to avoid an implosion is not to give the decampees undue advantage over its loyal members who have made enormous sacrifice to accomplish the recent feat.

If the decampees waited to join APC until after the party’s victory, their main reason for decamping is to reap where they did not sow. They are opportunists who cannot be trusted to be loyal if in future the APC loses control at the centre.

14

THE NATION ON SUNDAY APRIL 12, 2015

COMMENT

2015 election verdict and Nigeria 2 In the entire history of civilian rule in the country, only General Buhari had sought the highest office on his own for the past sixteen years until he finally found APC as the instrument of victory on March 28

S

INCE the victory of General Buhari and the APC in the presidential and federal legislative elections, the feeling in many parts of the country recalls (for those of us that were adolescents in 1960 in particular) of the excitement and hope that greeted the lowering of the Union Jack in Lagos and other regional capitals in 1960.

Many people in that generation have been made by Buhari’s emergence as presidentelect to feel like the youths of today that the yoke of domination has disappeared and the sky has been made to look like the limit for everyone. The cause of such feeling was the atmosphere of freedom and the character of fairness with which the election was conducted on the whole. It is too soon for today’s column to know how free and fair state elections would be. But it is already clear that should the gubernatorial and state assembly elections be inferior in any form to the presidential and federal legislative elections of March 28, citizens’ optimism about the years beyond May 29 may diminish, especially that most governance is done at the state level.

From the announcements by the Nigeria Police Force that vehicular movement is prohibited from midnight Friday till noon on Sunday, citizens are already getting concerned about the draconian measures in respect of state elections. Voters are already grumbling out: “What makes state elections more complex than national elections?” Over 50% of the nation’s resources are under the control of the president while the most important laws in the country are the responsibility of federal legislators. Why would the IGP and other security agencies feel more worried about state elections than the presidential one that was conducted peacefully in relative terms in most states of the federation on March 28? By the time readers get to this piece, the nation would have known why the security forces put the country on red alert with respect to yesterday’s election.

Let us leave comments on the April 11 election till another time.

The purpose of the column today is to advance the theme started last week: potential impact of Buhari/APC victory on the country’s future. It may not be because of Buhari’s governance style in 1984 that a majority of the country’s voters chose him and his party over the incumbent president and ruling party. Indeed, it may be in spite of it.

The PDP has in the last sixteen years run a central government of impunity while Buhari promised voters a regime of change from impunity to accountability and the rule of law. The rule of impunity since 1999 till date had become synonymous with an African variant of fascist and repressive rule, a governance model that is as uncaring as colonial domination.

It is the promise of change inherent in Buhari/APC’s campaign that must have given citizens the feeling that a regime of emancipation of the oppressed was born on March 28. Observers have given more attention to the making of the APC presidential candidate that had been the style in the past.

Since 1959, the common perception has been that the country had not had a president who actually chose to become one. The belief in 1959 was that it was Ahmadu Bello that asked Tafawa Balewa to come to Lagos to rule Nigeria on his behalf. In 1979, Shagari averred openly that his interest was to become a senator before he was drafted by the ruling club to contest for the highest office. In 1993, MKO Abiola, who sought for the highest office and won the support of the people, was prevented from using his talent to govern Nigeria. In 1999, it was a group of military dictators that organised to draft General Olusegun Obasanjo to serve as presidential candidate of a party jointly created by former military rulers and their civilian acolytes bent on protecting the interests of promoters of military rule. UmaruYar’Adua was drafted by General Obasanjo in 2007. And Dr. Goodluck Jonathan was brought to the presidential ticket by the same forces that drafted

Yar’Adua, and the rest is now history. In the entire history of civilian rule in the country, only General Buhari had sought the highest office on his own for the past sixteen years until he finally found APC as the instrument of victory on March 28.

Those who are feeling excited as a people were in 1960 when British colonialists responded to the mild nationalist struggle and bowed out in a manner reminiscent of President Jonathan’s acceptance of the election that changed the guard from Jonathan to Buhari and from PDP to APC have good reasons to be optimistic, as is usually the case with change from one ruling party to another in most democracies. Despite claims by some pundits that Buhari’s electoral victory rested largely on votes from the core North and the Southwest, it is remarkable that Buhari’s win in four of the country’s six geopolitical regions shows more evidence of greater freelygiven support from more diverse groups in the country than at any time other than at the end of the free and fair presidential election of 1993.

With respect to those already calling for caution or guarded optimism in relation to Buhari’s campaign promises, this is an appropriate time to remind voters of the old proverb: “The taste of the pudding is in the eating.” Only those of us who claim to have special power of audition and sight to hear and see what ordinary human beings cannot see have the power to predict how fulfilling Buhari’s regime would be. But for those who feel that Nigeria now has the opportunity to make use of its political independence, more than ever before, it is in order for them to realise that in democracies, citizens are not expected to go back to bed after electing their representatives into power.

Democracy requires that voters must remain alert and vigilant each minute of the political time and space they have delegated to their elected officials from the president to lawmakers and even civil servants. Such show of vigilance was greater during the regime of Jonathan than at any other time in

the past. It was not until towards the end of Obasanjo’s rule that anti-tenure elongation warriors raised the voice of challenge against the impunity of Obasanjo’s regime. It was also at the tail end of Yar’Adua’s short regime that the forces of vigilance became strong, particularly when a clique set out to rule the country on behalf of Yar’Adua after it was clear to the international community that the gentleman had passed. Jonathan was certainly the most criticised president just as he was the most tolerant of brazen, brash, and brutal supporters within and outside the security forces. The ferocity and velocity of the impunity of Jonathan’s regime led to the preference of voters for Buhari and APC as agents of change from a regime of repression to one of liberation.

As this column observed last Sunday, it is the citizens that can protect Buhari from any force or forces that are opposed to change from the usual governance style that celebrates power at the expense of responsibility and promotes impunity over efficiency.

Correspondingly, it is the citizens that can also hold Buhari and APC down to promises given in exchange for votes. Already, posterchildren of the politics of impunity are rushing in droves to the party for change. This may be an indication that many of such defectors may not comprehend the implications of a Change manifesto for the content of governance as from May 29. Jonathan has done his bit to advance peace and stability in the country by calling President-elect, Buhari, even ahead of the formal announcement of the latter’s victory and making a statesman’s concession speech before the world press. PDP members who have not left for APC need to be congratulated for staying in their own party. It is the existence of alternative political party(ies) that distinguishes a democracy from a dictatorship of a ruler or of his party.

But by and large, it is the citizens that will ensure that the pudding promised by Buhari and APC will taste as delicious as he had promised. Citizens who are in the departing ruling party also need to urge their leaders to stay with the party, in order to prevent transformation of the country into a one-party state, on account of politicians whose vision is constrained by short-term personal gains.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY APRIL 12, 2015

COMMENT

15

Ekiti’s descent to anarchy Security agencies must be alive to their responsibilities and let the legislative arm do its job unfettered

I

S Ekiti State still a part of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and subject to the authority of the 1999 constitution, which is the supreme law under which the country is governed? It is difficult to credibly answer this question in the affirmative, especially since Mr Ayodele Fayose’s election as governor of the state at the June 21, 2014 polls. Since his emergence as governor-elect and even more so after he was inaugurated on October 16, 2014, the rule of law has practically been in abeyance in Ekiti State.

The governor, who should be the symbol of law and order as the Chief Security Officer of the state has become the pivot around which lawlessness revolves and the prime source of insecurity within his sphere of jurisdiction.

True, Fayose remains the governor of Ekiti State in accordance with the will of the people for as long as his election has not been upturned by judicial or other constitutionally sanctioned processes. However, it borders on treason for him to utilise his executive powers derived from the constitution to undermine the same constitution by incapacitating other arms of government and imposing a reign of tyranny, arbitrariness and violence on the state, which is exactly what he has been doing.

As governor-elect, Fayose’s army of thugs invaded the premises of the Ekiti State judiciary, violently disrupting and ultimately truncating court proceedings in a case filed by a group of Ekiti State indigenes challenging his eligibility for the office.

Fayose was physically present at the scene where a judge was beaten up and his suit torn to shreds while court records were destroyed. This is one of the worst cases of impunity in the country’s political history.

That this travesty remains unpunished is an indication of the degree of anomie that has characterised the Jonathan presidency.

On his being sworn in as governor, Fayose commenced a systematic assault on Ekiti State House of Assembly, particularly intimidating, harassing and

T

HE lamentable ironies of Nigerian political elites revolve around hypocrisy of the highest order. They are one thing outside and another thing inside government. In September 2010, one time CBN Governor wrote a piece entitled “2011 Elections, Let the Real Debate Begin” and was published by Thisday newspaper. The FEC discussed it and the Minister of Information then rained personal attacks on the author. However, many newspapers’ editorials were in strong support of the issues raised.

Another elections period came around this 2015, but the tragedy of the electioneering campaign was that both contending parties missed the golden opportunity to sensitise the electorate about the enormous challenges ahead and hence mobilise them for the inevitable sacrifices they would be called upon to make soon. Both bigger parties talked around the major development challenges to sway the gullible electorate, but none has any credible agenda to deal with these issues. The assertion is correct within the context of the evolving global economy and Nigeria’s broken finance.

From the socialist political perspectives, we have always provided alternative platforms for a paradigm shift.

Bourgeoisie democracy rooted in capitalist economic model can never and will never liberate and emancipate the working people, peasants, artisans, youths and women

hounding the 19 legislators of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who remained faithful to their party.

He directed that a petrol station in Ado Ekiti, the state capital, owned by the Speaker, Wale Omirin, be shut down, claiming that the facility constituted an environmental menace. Fayose further sacked the personal staff of the Speaker, rendering his office ineffective.

When the legislators refused to succumb to intimidation, the governor instigated a minority of seven members of the House belonging to his party to purportedly impeach the Speaker in a House comprising 26 members. The state security agencies, which are supposed to uphold the law, provided cover for this act of lawlessness, which amounts to a coup against the constitution. Fearing for their lives in a state where the rule of law had been replaced by impunity, the 19 majority legislators fled the state and had since been on exile from Ekiti.

However, with the emergence of General Muhammadu Buhari as President-elect in the March 28 election, and even before his formal assumption of office on May 29, a sense of sanity is being restored across the country. For instance, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the Department of State Security (DSS) in Ekiti State have restored the security detail of Dr Omirin, which was withdrawn after his purported impeachment. This inTRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

•Editor Festus Eriye

•Managing Director/ Editor-in-Chief Victor Ifijeh

•Deputy Editor Olayinka Oyegbile

•Chairman, Editorial Board Sam Omatseye

•Associate Editor Sam Egburonu

•General Editor Adekunle Ade-Adeleye

dicates that the security agencies recognise that the impeachment was patently illegal and cannot stand in an emergent order that upholds the rule of law.

In the exercise of the Assembly’s constitutional powers, the 19 APC members of the House have issued Fayose an impeachment notice, accusing him of acts of gross misconduct in the exercise of his powers. Rather than respond to the issues or seek requisite judicial remedies to stop the legislators, Fayose has, since Monday, instigated widespread violence and mayhem across Ekiti. His hemp-smoking and arms-wielding thugs and hoodlums have disrupted the peace and held the state hostage in Ado Ekiti and several other towns.

When he eventually decided to go to court, the Federal High Court in Abuja to which he went failed to grant his prayer to stop the legislators from doing their work.

Meanwhile, a detachment of soldiers, allegedly acting on the directive of Brigadier-General Aliyu Momoh, Brigade Commander, 32 Artillery Brigade, Akure, had earlier prevented the 19 APC lawmakers from entering Ado Ekiti, thus contravening their freedom of movement and aiding Fayose in his insolence and lawlessness. This is nothing but a descent to anarchy in Ekiti, which must not be allowed to stand.

We call on the requisite security agencies to immediately restore law and order in the state and create a conducive environment for the legislature to function. The prevalent situation in the state is an unpardonable failure of security. All security agents implicated in the reign of impunity in Ekiti must be investigated and made to face the law.

We are aware that it is the people of Ekiti State who have the right to determine their governor.

However, on no condition can such a person be allowed to hide under the guise of populism to violate the law and undermine constitutional rule.

LETTER

Gale of defection is and party politics in Nigeria from the vicious cul-de-sac of imperialism. Nigerian politicians like their counterparts across the African continent are dare devil desperados. Their stock-in-trade is problem creation, but lacks the abilities to proffer solutions. They are ardent destroyers, but not builders as they are quick to sing transformation without an idea of reformations. They know best how to create genies like thugs, kidnappers, armed robbers, assassins, arsonists and terrorists. They don’t understand the theories

T

HE Nigerian Immigration has started collecting as much as N50,000 to stamp the passport of people below 40 years of age going to Dubai. Meanwhile, nothing has changed at the port of entry of Dubai; everyone is allowed to enter the country as long as you HE recent victory by the APC in the last presidential and national assembly elections has triggered mass defections of our politicians to the party.

This is not a good development in our quest to sustain a virile political system in the country, because of the seeming one-party system enthronement in our nation.

The recent defection to the APC by major political stakeholders would not augur

T

to create genius who could be inventors of global brand or innovators in leadership and business. They only believe in the now and here, but no thought for posterity as they teach the youths not to believe in the future when they expect to be leaders. They pay the youths to do their bidding for paltry worthless amount of money Today, the African youths have mortgaged their future as they have been in cohort with politicians to destroy and truncate it before they even

see it. They were at it as bomb blast echoed from the North East and reverberated in the South, East and West and spreading across the entire country as we awaited the Ides of February 14 2015, time line Nigeria. A temporal reprieve negotiated by stakeholders in security, defence, INEC and others put on hold the palpable doomsday. This was part of the contradiction that has sustained the brigand political competition and administration in Nigeria which has reduced the polity to an intra

bourgeoisie squabbles and manipulation. The total devotion to such macabre politics is one which has unwittingly thrown us to an odd paradox in several respects. There is no better time to echo a people’s revolution than now.

However, when 28th March 2015 finally came, the Nigerian people demonstrated their power to change unpopular government with their votes.

Although, the ideal change that emanates from below is yet to produce a government. It is in this stage that an organisation

Extortion of passengers at Lagos Int’l Airport have the visa.

It is true that Dubai has recently called on Nigeria Immigration to check on young travellers coming into the country with other motives, but they have not asked them to make

money from them.

The Dubai visa is system automatically generated and it has been programmed on the system, your visa can never be approved if Dubai does not want you to come.

Shameful defections of our politicians well for our country.

The enabling environment that would create favourable opposition parties that would checkmate the excesses of the ruling party is what is needed at this period of our political development.

Those defecting to the wining party should have taken a lesson from the president-elect who refused to change parties, despite the olive branch extended to him at that time.

All those politicians defecting to the wining party have shown that they don’t have clear ideology and principles of nurturing a party to stardom like what the current opposition party has done before it was able to clinch power from the ruling party.

Nigerian politicians should cultivate the habit of grooming political parties for long period of time to check the party in power, so as to promote the cul-

Under the new rule: Dubai Immigration says that if a man is less than 40yrs, he can’t travel on tourist visa. A tourist visa is one month but a man less than 40 years can come on two weeks visa, three months or residency ture of political growth in the country.

The recent election that took place in the country has portrayed Nigeria in positive light in the eyes of the world, due to the transparent and credible election.

We should not allow ourselves to be a laughing stock in the eyes of the world by the gale of defections of our politicians to the wining party; it’s not the usual around the world.

Bala Nayashi, No 1 Yashi Areas, lokoja

like Socialist Workers League and other socialist tendencies come to reckoning. These are tendencies with a clear programme which consists of the most advanced elements of the working class and social activists. It will provide platforms that can gather the energy from the looming spontaneous outburst of protests from below and focus it. When this begins to happen, then we know the dawn of people’s protest for real change has come. The incoming government does not represent the genuine working class desired change yet as only workers themselves can agitate for the desired change through self emancipation from below.

By Comrade Ogbu A. Ameh, Abuja visa.

This law of 40 years doesn’t affect women at all on any kind of visa.

These are the Visa Types: 1] Tourist visa/one month visa [A man less than 40 years of age is not allowed} 2] Service Visa / two weeks Visa [it is ok for all] 3] Visit Visa / three months visa [it is ok for all] 4] Residency Visa / two years Visa [it is ok for all] I just want all those travelling to Dubai to understand everything about visas and reject extortion.

Please note that the new rule affects only a man less than 40 years on Tourist visa only.

Do not allow shameless immigrations officials collect any money or send you back home when you have your valid visa.

Thank you.

SEND TYPEWRITTEN, DOUBLE SPACED AND SIGNED CONTRIBUTIONS, LETTERS AND REJOINDERS OF NOT MORE THAN 500 WORDS TO THE EDITOR, THE NATION, 27B, FATAI ATERE ROAD, MATORI, LAGOS: sundaynation@yahoo.com

16

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 2015

COMMENT

Nigerians talking about the change we need Nigerians are already out, indicating their readiness, to partner with the incoming government in re-inventing a Nigeria already thoroughly hobbled by a succession of some unthinking PDP governments

N

IGERIANS must surely have gone through hell in the 16 years of PDP rule - call it ruination going by the reactions I have so far received since last week’s publication of ‘The Change Nigeria Needs’. They have come in torrents but space constraint will not allow us publish all. Concerned with what Nigerians now know the PDP is capable of, a highly regarded, retired public servant, eager to see that Nigeria remains financially healthy, was kind enough to draw my attention to something he believes Nigerians must watch out for. This, according to him, is financial transactions between now and May 29. Not a few Nigerians have likened President Goodluck Jonathan to the Second Republic President Shehu Shagari who is highly regarded across board as a very decent statesman, but who, unfortunately, surrounded himself with all manner of characters, among them, those who should not be found in the public service of even Myanmar. Like Shagari, like Jonathan, they say, except that the former did not have the bad luck of being further weighed down by a totally misbegotten spouse who threw all caution to the wind and, with her verbal diarrhea, caused all manner of problems for the husband. Or what manner of a First Lady could have listlessly denigrated an integral part of northern culture for which the president built some special schools thereby costing him what may have run into hundreds of thousands of votes. The president is, of course, well aware of the kind of persons at his table having many times shielded some from appearing before the legislature to answer to allegations of corruption.

That, therefore, must have informed what the retired public servant, in bullet form, itemised as follows under what he

titled: NEED TO STOP UNLAWFUL MOVEMENT OF CASH AND ACCOUNTS WITHIN AND OUTSIDE THE COUNTRY. 1. The period between now and the end of May is critical and vulnerable.

There is therefore, the need to put in place a machinery to monitor all financial transactions; 2. Movement and transfer of funds, especially of unusual value, will have to be carefully watched; 3. All financial transactions beyond Nigerian borders must equally be watched; 4. Payments for existing contracts and the original terms of the contract agreements must be closely monitored; 5. Banks’ Chief Executives must be warned not to be involved in unlawful transactions like emergency transfer of funds; 6. Last minute contracts, involving advance payments, must be stopped and passed over to the incoming administration; 7. All MDAs with ongoing financial liabilities must bring such to the notice of the Joint Transition Committee; 8. The Central Bank must be at its best in monitoring both internal or out offshore financial transactions; 9. Necessary measures aimed at averting any untoward distortion of the monetary and financial situation of the country should quickly be put in place by the Joint Transition Committee.

In anticipation of a re-introduction of the War Against Indiscipline (WAI) first introduced by the president-elect at his first coming some three decades ago, Nigerians are already out, indicating their readiness, to partner with the incoming government in re-inventing

a Nigeria already thoroughly hobbled by a succession of some unthinking PDP governments. Our next example, shared by the African Youth International Development Foundation, exemplifies this. It was sent to me shortly after Fikayo Tunde-Ojo had posted it on the Ekitipanupo web portal.

Under the caption: IT’s TIME TO SAY, SHOUT OR SCREAM: CHANGE! It reads like a rhyme and I would enjoin Nigerians to internalise them and from henceforth, put it into everyday use even long before 29 May. CHANGE STARTS WITH US: When somebody in the car ahead of you throws wastes on the road, drive next to him, roll down your window and shout, “change!” ,#ChangeNigeria.

When you are on a queue and someone tries to force his/her way in front of you, scream “change!!”. #ChangeNigeria.

At the point of entry, either at an air or sea port, or at a border with our neighbours, a custom or immigration official shows up asking for bribe, shout Change. # Change Nigeria.

To a landlord who habitually increases house rent, shout Change. # Change Nigeria.

If you see any irregularities in the measurement of food items in the market or display of fake products in a supermarket or drug store or spare parts shop: shout Change. #Change Nigeria.

To any lecturer that is hell bent on collecting bribe, in cash or in kind: harass him with Change. # Change Nigeria.

To any public / private servant stealing from our national heritage.

Shout Change. # Change Nigeria# When a police officer stops your car and says “Oga, anything for the boys?”, tell him, “change!”. #ChangeNigeria When you walk past any Nigerian who throws paper or banana peel on the floor, stop him and tell him, “change!”. #ChangeNigeria.

If the church opposite your house is using a loud speaker to disturb the neigh-

bourhood, visit the pastor & say, “change sir!” #ChangeNigeria If you are in a bus and the driver is driving like mad, shout “change!” #ChangeNigeria.

If the mosque opposite your house is using a loud speaker to disturb the neighbourhood, visit the Imam & say, “change sir!” #ChangeNigeria.

When somebody is trying to jump a queue either at the bank, fuel station or at an ATM stand: shout Change. #change Nigeria # When an electricity official cuts your light unjustly, trying to extract a bribe: shout Change. # Change Nigeria#.

If you discover someone on phone lying about his location: shout change # If you discover a man or a woman cheating on the spouse: whisper CHANGE! When a fuel attendant wants to under dispense fuel into your vehicle remind him about “Change” #Change Nigeria# Finally, although I am not hereby authenticating the figures, Nigerians want President Buhari, working with the huge APC majority in the legislature, to maximally cut the cost of governance which is accentuated by the allowances being paid to federal legislators; which are indicated as follows: EMOLUMENT OF NIGERIAN SENATORS. * Basic Salary (B.S) - N2,484,245.50 * Hardship Allowance (50% of B.S) N1,242,122.70 * Constituency Allowance (200% of B.S) - N4,968,509.00 * Newspapers Allowance (50% of B.S) - N1,242,122.70 * Wardrobe Allowance (25% of B.S) N621,061.37 * Recess Allowance (10% of B.S) - N248,424.55 * Accommodation (200% of B.S) - N4,968,509.00 * Utilities (30% of B.S) - N828,081.83 * Domestic Staff (70% of B.S) - N1,863,184.1 * Entertainment (30% of B.S) - N828,081.83 * Personal Assistants (25% of B.S) N621,061.12 * Vehicle Maintenance Allowance (75% of B.S) - N1,863,184.12 *

Leave Allowance (10% of B.S) N248,424.55 * Severance Gratuity (300% of B.S) - N7,452,736.50 * Car Allowance (400% of B.S) - N9,936,982.00 * Total Monthly Salary = N29,479,749.00 ($181,974.00) * Total Yearly Salary = N29,479,749.00 x 12 = N353,756,988.00 ($2,183,685.00) COMPARABLE LEGISLATORS PAY WORLDWIDE, PER ANNUM * Britain - $105,400.00 * United States - $174,000.00 * France - $85,900.00 * South Africa - $104,000.00 * Kenya - $74,500.00 * Saudi Arabia - $64,000.00 * Brazil - $157,600.00 * Ghana $46,500.00 * Indonesia - $65,800.00 * Thailand - $43,800.00 * India $11,200.00 * Italy - $182,000.00 * Bangladesh - $4,000.00 * Israel $114,800.00 * Hong Kong - $130,700.00 * Japan - $149,700.00 * Singapore $154,000.00 * Canada - $154 000.00 * New Zealand - $112,500.00 * Germany - $119,500.00 * Ireland - $120,400.00 * Pakistan - $3,500.00 * Sweden - $99 300.00 * Spain $43,900.00 * Norway - $138,000.00 Source: The Economist –but if the figures happen to be wrong, Senate President David Mark should please, immediately, furnish Nigerians with the correct figures.

From the foregoing, it is easy to see that while at a minimum N18, 000 per month (N216,000) the Nigerian earning the minimum wage takes home an annual $1,333.00, his senator, who he never sees beyond the campaigns grosses $2,183,685 and the Nigerian university professor, even of medicine, earns no more than N6 million. It also means that it will take an average Nigerian worker 1,638 years to earn the annual salary of his Senator.

What a country!

Unfortunately with an eye on the 2015 elections, now gone with the wins, and the need to be in the good books of the politicians within the legislature, President Jonathan never one day talked about reducing the ballooning cost of governance in the country. This was obviously one of the many ways he completely alienated Nigerians who roundly voted him out.

What exactly are we saying we want Buhari to do for us again?

How can we have so many engineers in the country and you are having to drive over bridges where one set of your tires are hanging and rolling in space and you are only able to cross because you know how to recite a hundred psalms in two minutes?

T

HE polls have come and gone again, like bells tolling, this time for the governorship and state assembly candidates. I trust that you had a better experience this last weekend than you had two weeks ago. You were not only better prepared, you were wiser: you took your breakfast, lunch and dinner along with you as I warned you to. Oh yes I did; did you not read between the lines? Anyway, once, someone was said to have gone to commit suicide by jumping in the train track; but he took a sandwich with him because he did not want to starve to death while waiting for the trains to come since they were notorious for being late.

Voting queues are notoriously long and late in coming in Nigeria, so never be caught out again – always go with your food to keep you alive, your chair to sit on, a mat to sleep on and a TV to watch yourself on.

While we wait for the results, let’s talk about Buhari’s win. The reactions to the APC victory in the last presidential elections have been nothing if not euphoric; mainly because many see the victorious candidate as the harbinger of the longed-for utopian empire. Now, that’s a tall order because my Encarta here says utopia is unviable and impracticable, just like an ectopic pregnancy. Yet, nearly everyone has been going around snapping fingers and consoling themselves with those soothing words: ‘just wait till Buhari gets

there!’

Yes; nearly every page I flip in the papers, there are people setting agendas for the poor man. As soon as he gets there, Buhari should see about electricity. As soon as he gets there, Buhari should give us water. As soon as he gets there, Buhari should see about corruption. As soon as he gets there, Buhari should make my dog bark.

People are not setting anything for themselves.

Nigeria, we may have a bigger problem to contend with, because I think someone somewhere is not being realistic about this situation. A nation that is corrupt from the tip of its toes to the very top of its hairs – from the palm-wine tapper who dilutes his new minted kegs of palmwine with pails of water to make unlimited profit, to the assemblymen who award themselves emoluments higher than the entire US treasury – has elected an ascetic man as its leader.

That scenario is to me like one sitting on a keg of gunpowder. Something will blow up on our faces, and it won’t be dust. No, think of something worse.

We as Nigerians have to quickly determine how much interference we can tolerate from this man. Do we want him to clean up the entire system and rid it of corruption or just confine himself to cleaning up Aso Rock? Quick, someone should tell the man o, otherwise, before you know it, he’ll be wanting to clean everyone up. He may want

to begin with the civil service where nearly every contract is now selfawarded, i.e. the awarder becomes the awardee. After going through the rather frustrating system of the civil service, someone once said what we have is an uncivil service. To me, it is fast becoming a selfie-service: it sees only itself in the mirror.

Next, without any warning, the man may turn to the classroom. Normally, I am sensitive to the plight of teachers because I know how important they are. Nevertheless, I am quick to admit that many among them are not there for the job but for the pay, pittance as that may be. Oh my, wouldn’t he have a lot of cleaning up to do there. To start with, he may want to tell the teachers to go and teach instead of selling Coke and Fanta in their shops. He may tell the administrators to release the money meant for building classrooms but which they have kept locked up in their personal accounts. He may even find himself needing to tell the pupils to go to school and learn instead of hanging around the markets making money or brothels looking for money. Are we sure we want him to do all that, even if it will mean changing our lifestyles? Ok, let’s move on.

Next, he may call together the group of people called engineers and give them a blast of dynamited air.

How in the world can they look themselves in the face (via the mirror per-

haps) and call themselves engineers when our roads are so terribly constructed? How can we have so many engineers in the country and you are having to drive over bridges where one set of your tyres are hanging and rolling in space and you are only able to cross because you know how to recite a hundred psalms in two minutes?

Next, he may look at our hospitals and turn his nose up at the filth and then scour the place up. He may want to look at the patient treatment by both nurses and doctors, who is and who is not doing an honest day’s work for an honest day’s pay, what machines are or are not standing in the way of work … Are we really sure we want this man Buhari to come and upset all our carefully laid and horrible national ethos?

The more I think about this election result, the more I understand this present pope’s reaction to the news of his election. The story goes that when the report was brought to him that he had been elected by the House of Bishops, he was said to have, in a gentle, pope-like way, shaken his head and muttered, ‘what have you done?!’

And he added that they had no idea of what they had just done.

In the same way, I do not believe the Nigerian populace has clearly understood what it has just done because it is still holding on to its old ways.

The fuel attendant is still undercutting the volume of fuel that enters

your tank and billing way above the official price. The road engineer is still looking the other way while only one layer of asphalt is laid on the road instead of the usual nine. The local governments continue to be drain pipes for the nation’s resources while doing little or nothing. Are we sure we can endure any sniffing into all that?

I think we need to do a rethink.

We do not need Buhari so much as we need to change our wayward ways.

To make his job possible, we need to change our ways of conducting national affairs. This is about the place where we all need to ask not what the country can do for us but what we can do for the country. (That last bit is not original to me but honestly, we need it now). Anyway, Buhari cannot achieve anything if we do not begin to retune our national psyche from believing that we are entitled to the national cake without even putting in any effort towards baking it. No cake ever baked itself.

So, in the long run, it will not be so much what we want Buhari to do for us as what we want to do for the country. In the end, should things continue as they are, someone will get frustrated, and I am guessing it will not be one person. But, I take solace in what someone has said: his thumb is itching to go to the polls again. This time, it may well be for a new electorate.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 2015

COMMENT

17

(111) Democracy armed and hooded; time to begin to disarm and strip away the hood

•Omisore campaigning with hooded armed man

I

T took me a long time to get a full grasp of why the heavily armed and hooded civilian thugs and paramilitary operatives of the Department of Security Services (DSS) that were used by the PDP to cow the opposition and intimidate the general electorate in the Ekiti and Osun states’ gubernatorial elections of 2014 angered and revolted me beyond what words could express. At the time of these elections, I was far away in Germany as a Senior Research Fellow at the Free University of Berlin.

For this reason, the distance from home perhaps greatly accentuated the emotions stirred in me by the accounts that I read and the images that I saw on the internet of these armed and hooded civilian and paramilitary thugs. It was bad enough, I thought, to use the privilege of incumbency to deploy men of the DSS to overwhelm the opposition. But why use hooded disguises? Did it not matter to the PDP that hooded and heavily armed men in the uniform of the state’s security services looked completely out of place in elections meant to be free, fair and open?

Indeed, many questions raged in my mind. Why did the government, the PDP need to hide the faces of some operatives and not of others? Were the hooded men actual members of a special unit in the DSS who had to be masked, who had to be hooded precisely because they were placed above all professional, legal and constitutional constraints - as some opposition politicians alleged? Were the hooded men even members of the DSS? Were they not civilian thugs deliberately hooded to hide their clearly illegal and sinister deployment within the DSS? After all, at the height of the Ekiti and Osun 2014 elections, many PDP chieftains went around with heavily armed and hooded thugs. What sort of democracy is it that openly and brazenly paraded and used hooded thugs right in the storm centre of armed state security operatives at the critical moment of elections intended to consolidate the moral and constitutional legitimacy of our democracy?

It is important to emphasize here the fact that all these questions and

•Hooded DSS men in Osun for 2014 governorship polls

the brooding musing that they stirred in my mind in mid-2014 all occurred before the revelations of the EkitiGate scandal. With Ekiti-Gate, we finally found out that to the now defeated ruling party, there were absolutely no demarcations in the use of the army, the police, the DSS and the personal thugs of PDP chieftains to rig the Ekiti governorship elections; they were all not only interchangeable but closely coordinated. In other words, things that had baffled me in the images of the armed hooded goons of the DSS and the chieftains of the PDP became palpably understandable after the revelations of Ekiti-Gate. What do I mean by this assertion?

Remarkably, the PDP was not only completely unembarrassed by Ekiti-Gate, the party in fact became emboldened by the revelations. After an initial denial, Fayose quickly admitted that it was his voice that the world could hear in the audio clip of Ekiti-Gate. He asked the opposition party to take the matter to court and see what happens. Jonathan went one step further and sent the name of one of the election riggers identified in the audio clip to the Senate for confirmation as a Minister in his outgoing cabinet. It was at that point that I came to the realization that the figure of the armed hooded thug, in uniform or in mufti, is the quintessential sign or symbol of democracy as incarnated by in PDP in general and Goodluck Ebele Jonathan in particular. Before bringing this piece to its conclusion with a succinct profile of this armed and hooded democracy of the PDP era, perhaps it might be helpful to deal briefly with the semiotic presuppositions of my reflections in this essay.

In cultural theory and literary criticism as the principal areas of my professional, academic specialization, the field of semiotics interests me a lot but I confess that I am not a specialist in the field. This is why, as a sort of amateur semiotician, I limit myself to perusal of only the most resonant and iconic signs and symbols down the ages. Some of these include the Christian Crucifix, the Crescent of Islam and the Star of David of Judaism. To the

adherents of these religions, these symbols evoke deep, even transcendental intimations of the ineffable.

Far more secular but almost as soulstirring for hundreds of millions of people for much of the 20th century was the Sickle and Hammer of the Communist movement, especially when supplanted on the normative bright flag of the movement. The Nazis reached all the way back to European antiquity to pluck the stultifying symbol of the swastika and it became nearly unprecedented in the symbolic power it could evoke both among fervent supporters of the Nazi movement and its most implacable opponents. In each and every one of these symbols, the image became so naturalized that the very moment one sees the symbol, like an automaton one thinks of the religion or the political movement.

As a final word on this short review of the place of signs and symbols in some of the most influential religious and political mass movements in ancient and modern history, consider the following fact in the rather peculiar history of the Christian crucifix. Initially in Judea as a province of imperial Rome, the crucifix was regarded as the ultimate sign of a death, a fate that was so shameful, so full of ignominy that relatives and friends of anyone crucified in line with the universal perception that this was the colony’s worst from of capital punishment was more or less disowned by all connected by blood or friendship with the unfortunate victim who comes to his end on the cross.

No form of death was considered more unfortunate, more destructive of one’s life and the memory of that life. It is thus one of the greatest ironies of religious and cultural history that this same symbol has been transformed into a potent and transcendent symbol of hope, redemption and grace.

No such miraculous transformation will ever come to the image of the hooded, sinister thug in uniform or mufti as the quintessential symbol of the time of the PDP in power as the ruling party in our country. This is no doubt due to the fact that the official symbol of the PDP is the um-

•Boko Haram fighters

brella. But of greater significance is the fact that, at least as far as I am aware, no clear and indisputable image has emerged, has crystallized as the defining symbol of the years and decades of the PDP in power. There is the image of hundreds of people blown to bits in explosions that take place while the masses of poor people are scooping petrol from burst pipelines. But this image predates the coming to power of the PDP. There is also the image of the countless incidents of mass carnage on our roads.

But this also did not begin with the coming of the PDP even if arguably, it rose to unprecedented levels in the PDP years.

But think, compatriots, of the heavily armed and hooded men of the Boko Haram. That, indisputably belongs squarely and unambiguously to the PDP era. And it not only belongs to the era of the defeated ruling party, it in fact was appropriated by the PDP and used, as we have seen, by both the security operatives of the state and the thuggish chieftains of the PDP. Thus, I confidently predict that in the years and decades ahead when people think about the PDP, especially at the end of the line in Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, it is to this image of the armed and hooded thug that their minds will revert.

It is symptomatic of the moral and functional bankruptcy of the hooded democracy of the PDP and Jonathan years that the recent successes and gains of the counterinsurgency campaigns of our armed forces were made possible primarily by hired foreign mercenaries and not through the work of the men and materiel of the armed forces themselves. The PDP and the DSS appropriated the hooded masks of the Boko Haram but lacked the morale and the effectiveness of that jihadist terror campaign. This bankruptcy, this lackluster nonachieving mediocrity was replicated on virtually every level and front of governance. The party, the government claimed to be fighting and defeating corruption even as the scope of corruption ballooned beyond all preceding levels. Claims of the creation of millions of jobs were made even as unemployment levels rose

exponentially, especially among the youths, the human and demographic majority of our populace. Jonathan tirelessly mouthed his respect for law and order even as surrounded himself with an inner circle of lieutenants who showed and expressed maximum contempt for legality. Even as Jonathan himself and many of his megaphones touted his dedication to curbing waste, mismanagement and squandermania, Ngozi OkonjoIweala, the most powerful and authoritative technocrat in Jonathan’s cabinet, stuck to her assertion that corruption was so endemic, so vastly entrenched in the government that she would be satisfied if by the end of her term in office she might have reduced the level of waste and corruption by 4%.

Is it symptomatic of things to come that the President-Elect, Muhammadu Buhari, has expressed open contempt for the use of mercenaries to defeat the Boko Haram insurgency? I suggest that we must see the use of mercenaries by the military under Jonathan as another form or variant of the deployment of hooded and armed men in elections. The “hood” in this case is symbolic, not literal: most knowing commentators are aware of the existence of the foreign mercenaries but very few are talking about them. It is a very high benchmark for the dismantling of Jonathan’s hooded democracy that Buhari is setting himself by asserting that his administration will defeat the Boko Haram insurgents not with foreign mercenaries, but with reorganized Nigerian armed forces. One thing is clear and that is the fact that Buhari and the incoming administration will have to take the stripping away of the “hood” beyond the armed forces and its confrontation with Boko Haram to virtually all the other areas of governance and accountability in our country. This monumental challenge will be the topic of our reflections in the coming months and years as one ruling party succeeds another and clears the path for its own successes and or failures.

Biodun Jeyifo bjeyifo@fas.harvard.edu

18

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N the morning of December 31, 1983, I was one of the young men who poured onto the streets of Jos, Plateau State, to welcome the coup that toppled the government of President Alhaji Shehu Shagari. The Shagari government was the first civilian government my generation witnessed having won the election that ushered him in during the 1979 election.

So, when the military struck, we were not moved because we had grown up under the aegis of a military government that was to us purposeful. At least life was not as tough under the military as we witnessed as adults under the Shagari regime.

The year that former President Shagari assumed power was the year I left secondary school. As it was with many young men of that era, my eyes were trained on travelling to America for further studies. Although I was not from an affluent home, I was determined to travel abroad.

The naira had begun to fall in comparison to the dollar, so getting foreign exchange was becoming tough. Toward the end of 1983, after working for about four years and making some savings, I got a letter of admission to a university in the US and I was preparing to go and resume there when the Buhari/ Idiagbon coup came. I joined the crowd on the streets rejoicing because I felt the civilian government that was responsible for the woes that had befallen our economy had been swept away.

I was still determined to travel abroad despite the change of government. However, the speech

by Gen Buhari that “Nigeria is our country, we must stay here and salvage it together,” stopped that dream. That was the singular sentence that sealed my fate. The tenor of the speech and the sincerity on the face of the speaker (Gen Buhari) and his lieutenants jelled with me and touched me. I decided to drop my decision to travel abroad and help “salvage” my country as

O

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 2015

COMMENT

NE of the noticeable developments of the just concluded Presidential elections was the active involvement of the United States of America in the events prior, during and after the elections.

From when US Secretary of State John Kerry paid a whistle stop visit to caution against the shifting of the election from the earlier scheduled February 14 date (which was shifted to March 28 anyway) and urge against the recourse to violence by the main candidates, to the broadcast by US President Barack Obama directly to the Nigerian people on the eve of the rescheduled date of March 28, there was an unmistakable determination by the US Government to see through the process to the very end.

What must be the defining moment of US involvement in the elections in this regard was when the US along with Britain issued a joint statement asking the Nigerian Government not to interfere with the collation process. This was when it appeared that as the results were streaming in from the various states, the incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan and his People Democratic Party was heading for a defeat against his main challenger, General Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressive Congress Party.

This development was significant because in the run up to the elections, one of the testy issues in the Nigerian public

The President-elect and I

“Nigeria is our country, we must salvage it together”-Major Gen. Muhammadu Buhari

By Olayinka Oyegbile

demanded by the then Head of State.

Although twenty months down the line, he was shoved aside and all the dreams he had laid down were shattered by the succeeding government. Thirty one years after, the same man has come to renew the dream of a great Nigeria.

The presidential election held on March 28, 2015 has put the country on another threshold of hope by throwing up Gen Muhammadu Buhari. I am part of that renewed hope that our country would rise again.

The tasks ahead At every opportunity, the president-elect himself has acknowledged that he knows that he is at the cusp of history.

The chance that has been given to him, not only by Nigerians but by the world at large is enormous.

In fact, I don’t envy him because looking at the faces of many Nigerians, especially the millions of citizens who trooped out to vote for him, I know they are all very expectant and impatient.

We have all been so traumatised that the General cannot afford to fail. Apart from that, he should understand when our patience seems to snap. He should not expect that he would have the whole time in the world to put the country back on an even keel. We know that the sixteen years of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have been years of locusts that have made many hitherto reasonable citizens grow irrational. It is the task of the General to fix this and not give excuses as to why

•Buhari

things are not easy to fix. Many trooped out to vote for him because they believed in him and do not expect shifting of blames when things are not fast as we expected.

As a General, he must know that choosing a winning team is key, and as he plans to constitute his team he should do this with a thorough and fine tooth comb.

Winning an election might not be easy, especially when you’re faced with an incumbent and a behemoth as the PDP. But this has been achieved and the next step is not as easy as defeating an incumbent. This he will soon find out, that is if he doesn’t already know that.

There are going to be many interests to serve and please.

Buhari’s victory and the West

By Ilyasu Gadu

domain was a National Intelligence Estimate from the US which had concluded that disagreements among the fractious Nigerian elite arising from the scheduled 2015 general elections would likely lead to implosion and possible disintegration of the country.

That the elections have come and gone without the dire predictions coming to pass must have resonated in the American political establishment. In analysing the elections, it is hoped that the legions of political analysts across the political and media spectrum of America would have drawn some useful insights into aspects of Nigerian society and politics which until now have tended to be ignored in the rush to key into the convenient narrative favoured by Western analysts on Africa. They would find that concepts like “ Muslim north, Christian south’ so often used to describe Nigeria do not really reflect the reality of Nigerian geo-ethnic or geo-religious structure. They would also find that increasing social and economic interaction among Nigerians, coupled with changing demographics over the years have drastically blurred the lines of ethnic and religious divisions.

These developments have

brought along with them changing views and perceptions among Nigerians on the issues of governance, accountability and the opportunities offered by the democratic dispensation to make informed choices based on overriding public and national interest. As the outcome of the elections showed, most Nigerians are now more willing to consider issue-based politics than ethnic or religious based ones.

It is these changes that were largely responsible for the outcome of the 2015 presidential elections. And it mattered very much that on the canvas of public expectations especially pertaining to two critical issues- insecurity and corruption- among others, which have ravaged Nigeria, President Jonathan and his Peoples Democratic Party has been adjudged to have performed abysmally. In General Buhari whose past records against the two evils measures up favourably and coupled with his party’s commitment to internal democracy as demonstrated in the conduct of its primaries, Nigerians across divides used the opportunity of the elections to make the choices that they eventually did.

Objective factors in the ground indicate that having crossed this democratic threshold, the momentum of deepen-

ing democracy in Nigeria will be sustained in the coming years.

And this is where the United States and its Western allies need to come in.

The first expectation is that the US and its western allies should begin to move away from the narrative of pessimism that characterizes their perspective on Africa. That Nigerians have shown that Africans are ready to make the critical choices necessary to deepen and sustain democracy should not be glossed over. It should be seen as a landmark political development that should help change perceptions and prejudices about African political development. Indeed it is fittingly significant that this is happening in Nigeria being the bell weather country in Africa where such positive development is expected to cascade down to other countries in Africa and beyond.

Going forward, it is expected that the US and its Western allies would work actively to support this process in order to stop it from derailing. It is instructive that Nigeria where this salutary development has just taken place faces daunting economic challenges. The oil industry which accounts for majority of its income has been severely affected by the downturn in oil prices in the world market ironically oc-

This is normal in every political contest. However, he must be able to differentiate what would work for the country and what wont. He should always remember the word of that former American President Harry Truman that “The buck stops at this table (the President’s).” All the interest groups that worked for his victory cannot be ignored; to ignore them is to be ungrateful. However, he must know when to call the brake. He is the one elected and whom history would call to question if he fails (God forbid).

I feel very passionate about what I personally call ‘The Project Buhari’ because I hold him responsible for holding me down in Nigeria till today.

Since that dawn of 1983 when he came to power till now, I’ve had several opportunities to travel around the world and it has never crossed my mind to stay away despite the temptations and offers. His statement that we must salvage our country and rescue it from the hands of carpetbaggers has resonated with me.

For me, the March 28 election has offered him the golden opportunity and the time to reshape our country. I don’t envy him because the tasks ahead are enormous and frightening. But they are all surmountable, all he needs is to pick his team with care and impress it on them that this is no time to indulge in any victory ride. Nigeria and Nigerians expect so much from the name Buhari, it is perhaps too much to hinge the fate of a country on one man’s shoulder. However, this seems to be what most of us citizens have done; and as a senior journalist, Mr. Dan Agbese, had said the before the election, the emergence of the president-elect which he called the “Buhari Phenomenon” must be sustained to make us recreate our own ‘Nigerian Dream’.

I am sure, as a war General, he can do it. casioned largely by massive US shale oil production. Indeed the US which used to be Nigeria’s biggest crude oil customer has since stopped importing oil from Nigeria. To compound Nigeria’s daunting economic prospects, there is little or no tangible industrial base to divert and take the shock of the effects of the current turmoil in the world oil market on the Nigerian economy.

It is therefore necessary that Nigeria should be rewarded adequately for keeping faith with democracy. This call for massive economic package in the form of the post Second World War Marshall Plan that assisted Europe recover from the devastation of the war. In the case of Nigeria the economic package should aim at establishing it as the democratic and economic hub of the African continent.

In the President-elect, Nigerians could not have chosen a better man to play the role expected of a leader for the circumstances they find themselves. From his character disposition and records, he will not play footsie with the security threats to the country and he will definitely tackle the bugbear of corruption that has devastated the country. Importantly too he will be relied upon to firmly guide the transition process that will eventually consolidate democracy and development in Nigeria.

LIFE

SUNDAY

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 2015

Almost half a decade after the government introduced the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME, to encourage enrolment into the Polytechnics and Colleges of Education, students continue to snub the Polytechnics, while they expressly reject admission into colleges of Education. Medinat Kanabe who interacted with college administrators and high school graduates reports.

•Continued on page 22

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20 SUNDAY LIFE

THE NATION ON SUNDAY APRIL 12, 2015

TRAVELOGUE

Exit the present in Seoul , embrace the beach life in Busan, see the industrial revolution in Ulsan and Pohang or make your devotion at the Bul Kuk Sa temple in Gyeongju. Whatever your fantasy, Korea smiles on you. Seun Akioye reports

•Continued on Page 21

THE NATION ON SUNDAY APRIL 12, 2015

SUNDAY LIFE 21

•The Nation’s correspondent Seun Akioye at lunch

•Continued from Page 21

THE NATION ON SUNDAY APRIL 12, 2015

22 SUNDAY LIFE •Continued from Page 19

Candidates reject admission into colleges of education

•Candidates during the last e-matriculation examination

• Egwu

• Bashorun

23

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 2015

INTERVIEW

‘The church must support Buhari for change’ W

HAT is your general impression of the just-concluded presidential elections?

I am very impressed by how Nigerians conducted themselves during the elections. They were calm, determined, sacrificial and committed to exercising their democratic right to vote and this they did peacefully. Initially, I could tell that Nigerians went to the poll more with apprehension than with excitement.

The waiting period for counting, collation and announcing the final results were tense to say the least.

The claims in terms of who got what number of votes, the accusations and the counterclaims by the politicians was beginning to create its own tension but Nigerians were determined to keep the peace and not resort to violence and vandalism as some politicians would have wished.

This display of political maturity by the Nigerian electorate was unprecedented and worthy of commendation.

The International Community took note. The presence of foreign observers helped immensely and it was they who told our story to the world.

The just-concluded election also shows that the citizens have reclaimed their rights to determine who their leaders should be through the ballot box. They have also demonstrated that if elected officials fail to deliver the dividends of democracy and choose instead to loot the resources of the nation through their official positions of trust, they will be sent packing from henceforth.

We had gotten to the point when elected officials were becoming tin-gods and their

T

HE Cherubim & Seraphim Unification Church of Nigeria has congratulated Nigerians for the successful conduct of presidential and national assembly polls.

The church also congratulated the president-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, for emerging victorious at the poll, saying his election was welldeserved.

The Supreme Head of the Church, His Most Eminence, Dr. Solomon Alao, in a statement, said Nigerians deserved commendation for participating in the exercise despite initial glitches.

Alao also commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and its chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega for the doggedness displayed in conducted transparent poll.

The cleric said the use of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and the Smart Card Readers by INEC made the

Rev. Gideon Para-Mallam is the regional secretary of International Federation of Evangelical Students in English and Portuguese-speaking Africa (IFES-ESPA). He spoke with Sunday Oguntola on the ongoing electoral process and how the church can help effect change word is law and final. In democracy, the voter is the king.

In any true democracy, the voice the people is supreme and their verdict final. From now on, the voice and vote of Nigerians will count!

With a new government about to be formed, do you foresee changes in the nation?

Nigerians voted for change and they will expect nothing short of real change from where we are today as a nation, moving forward.

Fortunately, we have elected someone who is committed to bringing change and said as much in his first major speech after he took delivery of his return certificate from INEC. I hope with the outcome of this election and the yearning for change by Nigerians a changing narrative will emerge. This is the task before the in-coming administration of our presidentelect. The Church in Nigeria has a prophetic responsibility to help the new president work to change the narrative of the Nigerian story.

What does this imminent change mean to you?

Some of the changes I hope to see are in fixing corruption, unemployment, especially youth unemployment. The World Bank put the general figures at 22% with youth unemployment at about 38%. Poverty, insecurity and insurgency, the need for good governance that is accountable to the people, an

• Para-Mallam

educational sector presently at its lowest downward slide, sustaining the current economic growth rate of 7% which is now being threatened by falling oil prices, power outages, the role of moneybags in our democracy, stealing from the public purse reigns with impunity and many more.

What would you consider the high and low moments of

the poll?

The highest point for me was when Nigerians trooped out en-mass in an orderly manner to vote. They wanted to be counted in defining the way forward for Nigeria through the ballot box. The citizens conducted themselves with such admirable civility to the relief of the nation and a waiting world. Please permit me to add this, the expecta-

tions of the people is very high and may God help Buhari and his team to deliver.

The second high point was when President Goodluck Jonathan conceded defeat and called General Muhammadu Buhari. That was the topping of the icing of the cake, moving forward with the Nigeria of our future dreams.

By this singular act and later Buhari extending his hand of fellowship and reconciliation to Jonathan, in one of his first public speeches, shows that both men from now on represent the future Nigeria many of us have prayed and yearned for. This is a great moment to savour and we pray it will last.

There were a couple of low moments. During the waiting period as claims and accusations of who won or did not win raged while the counting was still on-going.

The challenge some voters experienced with the card readers and how this could affect the outcome.

Some voices beginning to sound as though the whole election exercise was rubbish – the usual road to nowhere, often associated with Nigeria.

But I must confess deep down in my heart, that I had prayed much before, during and after the election and asked God that this election should not result in another June 12.

Then the momentary attempt to disrupt the collation exercise appeared comical, laughable and a chilling re-

minder of the undesirable in our Nigerianess. Thankfully, it was nipped in the bud.

Are you impressed by the gales of endorsement in the Christian community?

Personally, I am not impressed by the gales of endorsement in the Christian community. But please do not get me wrong, it is not harmful for the Church to have ideological political preferences. The Church is free to have a mind of her own when it comes to political leanings.

However, the church isn’t the architectural structure, which is visible for all to see.

They consist of individual members and most times, these members vote based on their political persuasion. To use the pulpit to converse for votes for a particular politician or a political party is wrong. Just as it is wrong for the Christian community to do this, so also it is wrong for the Muslim community to do same.

How much roles should religion play in Nigerians choosing who govern them?

If I am to be truthfully honest, it should play no role at all. May be this is an overreaction. And if this is the case, I am sorry but I am simply sick and tired of the negative influence of religion in our politics. Please let me make clear again, this is just not a matter of concern for the church; the Muslim community is doing exactly the same.

The first point of liberation for any person is coming to terms with one self, the same principle applies to nations. We must come to terms with ourselves and collectively say no to the role of religion in our politics whether as Christians or Muslims.

NEWS

C&S hails Buhari, INEC votes of Nigerians to count.

The statement said: “The Church also wishes to congratulate President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) for his victory at the polls.

“It was really a victory well deserved as his election was the wish of majority of the voters who defied the heavy downpour in many part of the country to cast their ballots.”

The church also praised the “exemplary sportsmanship displayed by the out-going president, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (GCFR) when he put a call through to his main challenger when it was obvious that he had lost the contest.”

It said: “President Jonathan had, by that singular action, written his name in gold.

“The church also commended President Jonathan for sticking to his promise to abide by the wishes of Nigerians whichever way the contest went.”

The church told Buhari “he needs to move fast to heal the wounds of the immediate past and take the country to the next level,” adding “he remains the president of all Nigerians irrespective of their creek, tribe, ethnic background and religion.”

It promised to continue praying for the president-elect and the nation “for God’s love, protection and guidance.”

Adeboye, Bamiloye, others win award

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HE general overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, (RCCG) Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has won the integrity and character personality of the year at the 2015 Applause Achievers awards in Lagos.

The award organised in honour of the 73th birthday of Adeboye, was organised by Salvation Crusaders Media in collaboration with the RCCG

Ministers’ conference in Ogbomoso

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HE ancient city of Ogbomoso in Oyo State will play host to a day ministers conference tagged Super Fest 2015 on Monday, April 13.

The international conference hosted by the Kola Onalapo World Outreach Ministry of Abundant Life Gospel Church holds at Sabo Baptist Church, Ogbomoso by 10am.

A release by Pastor Mark Taiwo for the conveners stated that Rev (Mrs.) Jane Onaolapo would be the main speaker at the conference.

Taiwo said: “It is believed that the conference is going to add value to the spiritual and material life of ministers of God in Ogbomosoland and a good spot for international collections.”

By Adeola Ogunlade

Drama Ministry.

Its president, Pastor David Atoloye, said Adeboye was chosen for the award to celebrate his commitment to integrity, humility and steadfastness.

Adeboye and other awardees, he said, were examples of those working in God’s vineyard without thinking of personal and immediate rewards.

The President of the Mount Zion Christian Drama Ministry, Evangelist Mike Bamiloye, won the ICON of Christian Drama award while Shola Agboola of Evom World Outreach’s Open secret won the movie of the year award.

Other awardees include Lagos state governor, Raji Fashola, as best supportive governor of the year while Pastor Tony Rapu emerged as best mission supporting ministry.

Ayotunde Ayeloye was cho-

sen as best actress of the year while Hail my king featuring Frank Edwards, Eben and Kenny K’ore won the album of the year award.

The national director of the RCCG Drama ministry, Pastor Segun Adegbiji, said the awards were in celebration of the tremendous impact that drama and music ministers make for the kingdom.

He explained it was necessary to celebrate the pool of talented, skillful and impact- driven Christians in the church to avoid losing them to the world.

According to him: “We want to encourage our Christian artistes to stay in the kingdom regardless of the various challenges that they may encounter.”

Responding to the recognition, a former R&B- turned gospel singer, Obiora Obiwon, said that the award was welcome development to the singing and drama ministry in Nigeria.

24

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 2015

WORSHIP

Adeboye to Buhari: Listen to God more T HE general overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has enjoined the Gen. Muhammadu Buhari’s incoming administration to listen to God to tackle national problems.

Adeboye, who was full of gratitude to God for peace recorded before, during and after the election, enjoined the president-elect to solve many problems bedeviling one at a time.

He spoke last Sunday at the monthly special thanksgiving and prayer service he conducted at the national

By Adeola Ogunlade

headquarters of the church at Ebute-Metta, Lagos.

Adeboye, who was represented by his Personal Assistant on Administration and Personnel, Pastor Johnson Odesola, said: “the incoming administration should listen to God because Nigeria’s problem is a compounded one and should endeavour to handle them bit by bit.”

According to him: “The emergence of the president elect was the handiwork of God because his victory was against all odds. He must always remember to listen to God more than anyone.”

The cleric acknowledged that although there is a huge task of building the nation before the incoming administration, iot should not be pressured to bite more than they can chew in their bid to meet Nigerian needs.

At the special service organised for heads of families, Adeboye urged fathers at home to be good examples to their children.

He said: “A home cannot go further without a father and a father who needs to take one further and be the head indeed needs divine touch.”

• L-R: Bishop Peace OKonkwo, Ugwu Josephine and Bishop Mike Okonkwo in a photograph after the presentation of gift to Ugwu Josephine in recognition of her honest service to the nation

Baba Peculiar canvasses prayers for AGOS-BASED themselves as men of God are prophet, Olakunle president-elect fraudsters looking for what to

L

Hephzibah of the Christ Apostolic Church (Peculiar Situation), Lagos has called on Nigerians to support General Muhammadu Buhari with prayers to succeed when he mounts the saddle on May 29.

The cleric, who is fondly called Baba Peculiar, told reporters that Buhari needs serious prayers to serve out his term.

Hephzibah said: “Nigerians should pray for President-elect Buhari for him to

By Sunday Oguntola

succeed and serve out his term.

We need to fortify him against forces of death and destruction while in office.”

Buhari, he said, will lay the foundation for a solid nation after which the real chosen one for Nigeria will emerge to take over.

The cleric tongue-lashed many parading themselves as men of God, saying many of them are fraudsters after survival.

“Most of those parading

eat. And this is why most of their predictions don’t come to past.

“Many of them predicted that President Goodluck Jonathan would get re-elected and today we are all aware that they lied. God didn’t tell them anything, they were only telling the President what he wanted to hear,” he stressed.

While saying it was not wrong for clerics to associate with politicians, Hephzibah warned that they must not become tools in the hands of politicians.

Nigerian cleric develops mobile educational HE National Coordiapp, Nkuzi nator of The Re-

T

deemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Belgium Mission, Pastor Mike Nwanegbo, has developed a mobile application known as Nkuzi Mobile App. Nwanegbo, who is also a member of the board of The International School of Flander, Waterloo, Brussels, one of the leading international schools in Belgium, said: “Nkuzi Mobile App is Africa’s number one students educational resource mobile app on android platform, aimed at helping students to pass their examinations with ease.”

Explaining the rationale behind the application, the cleric said: “the idea is to make available past questions of GCE, JAMB, NECO and others to students

By Sunday Oguntola

through the mobile phone.

“Instead of students playing games on their mobile phones, they can now download Nkuzi mobile app for free. Once downloaded, the student can choose a subject and the app will present questions and answers by simply clicking a button “Get answer.”

The innovative pastor said he discovered that lots of students spend their time playing games on their mobile phones instead of paying attention to their studies.

“So, I was moved to take their studies to them on their mobile world and this is a gift to the students in the land of my nativity,” he said.

He stated that Nkuzi website could offer students

•Nwanegbo

other free services such as class work support, students’ forum, chat room and student counselling forum.

Nwanegbo added: “Nkuzi has developed another app for ladies called ‘Women’s World’. This app helps a woman to calculate her menstrual circle, when to expect her period, and possibly get pregnant and also her safe period.”

COLUMN

Living Faith

By Dr. David Oyedepo

Engaging the miracle power of praise!

E

VERY investment in God’s Kingdom entitles us to returns. For instance, our material and spiritual investments in form of tithes, offerings, prayers, fasting and Kingdom service entitle us to returns; but not everyone gets returns because many of us do not know the process of taking delivery.

It is important to understand that the sacrifice of praise is a scriptural requirement for taking delivery of our investment returns. As it is written: A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth: and the recompence of a man’s hands shall be rendered unto him (Proverbs 12:14; See also 18:20; 13:2).

From the above scripture, the word “recompense” implies that there is an investment and the fruit of our mouths is that investment that guarantees our returns.

What is the fruit of our mouth?

The Bible says: By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name (Hebrews 13:15).

The ‘sacrifice of praise’ is praising God in anticipation of the delivery of our returns. In other words, it is the fruit of our lips that enforces the returns on the seeds sown. We must also understand that no matter what we sow, we will require the sacrifice of praise for guaranteed returns.

Thus, the higher our praises the faster the delivery of our inheritance.

Many don’t experience

returns on the seeds sown because they will rather murmur than praise God for their expected returns. Therefore, we must understand that praise is not a religious entertainment or an item on a church programme; it is a spiritual weapon that beautifies the saints with the benefits of redemption (Galatians 6:7-8; See also Mathew 8: 17).

Let us Examine Some Benefits of Praise that Accrue to us God silences our enemies through praise (Psalm 8:2).

Therefore, to silence our enemies permanently, praise must become our lifestyle (2 Chronicles 20:22; Psalm 112:10).

We receive instant answers to prayers: The more intense our praises are, the faster God answers our prayers. For instance, the Bible says that David praised God seven times daily. No wonder he received instant answers whenever he prayed (1 Samuel 30:6-9; See also Psalm 119:164; 2 Samuel 5:18-25). All through scriptures, David was never stranded, because he understood the hotline of praise. Therefore, no matter what is happening around us, we must never disconnect from the flow of the virtue in praise. This is because as long as we are in praise, we would always be favoured by God. Praise provokes divine health (Jeremiah 30:17-19).

How Do We Invoke God’s Presence?

God’s presence is invoked through high praises. As it written: But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel (Psalm 22:3). When Jesus entered Jerusalem and the people cried and sang His Hosanna, He invaded the temple with a whip and flushed out all that bought

and sold in the temple (Matthew 21:9-13).

In the midst of that wild praise, Jesus cleansed the physical temple and when the blind and lame came to Him, He healed them. However, we understand from scriptures that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit. Thus, when we offer praise unto God in the highest form, we invoke His wrath against anything molesting our bodies and He steps in to flush them out. Therefore, as you engage in fearful praises, I see Jesus invading your body with His whip and flushing out everything buying and selling there! (1 Corinthians 6:19; Matthew 21:9-14).

We must also understand that every sickness and disease is a thief that came to steal our rights in redemption. That is why we must engage some degree of desperation in order to take delivery of our inheritance in Christ Jesus (Matthew 11:12).

When we engage in high praises, God quickens every dead organ in our bodies back to life. Also, as we praise Him, the oil of joy releases healing virtues to our bodies to establish our total health (John 11:4144; Proverbs 17:22; 18:14; Nehemiah 8:10; Psalm 42:5, 11).

Friend, only those who are born of God, can engage the miracle power of praise. You can be born again now, as you pray this prayer: “Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am a sinner.

Forgive me of my sins. Today, I accept You as my Lord and Saviour.

Thank You Jesus for saving me!

Now I know I am born again!”

Every exploit in life is a product of knowledge. For further reading, please get my books — Wonders Of Praise and Understanding The Power Of Praise.

I invite you to come and fellowship with us at the Faith Tabernacle, Canaan Land, Ota, the covenant home of Winners. We have four services on Sundays, holding at 6:00 a.m., 7:50 a.m., 9:40 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. respectively.

I know this teaching has blessed you. Write and share your testimony with me through: Faith Tabernacle, Canaan Land, Ota, P.M.B. 21688, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria; or call 7747546-8; or E-mail: feedback@lfcww.org

NEWS

‘Religious leaders must spearhead change’

T

HE President of Christians and Muslims Peace Advocacy and Enlightenment Initiative, (CAMPAEI), Prophet Iwu Ogbu, has urged religious leaders to go back to the basics for the nation to experience genuine changes.

He said changes only occur when a society is sufficiently educated to be able to choose goodness above evil, regardless of inducement to the contrary.

Ogbu told reporters that the emergency of General Muhammadu Buhari as president-elect will trigger changes, which he said religious leaders must be willing to complement.

According to him: “Change is possible if religious leaders go back to the roots. The reason why Nigerians are morally bankrupt, breaking laws with impurity despite all the churches and mosques in every nook and cranny is because the

By Sunday Oguntola

religious leaders are biased in their interpretation of God’s law.”

Religion, he said, is the biggest problem in the nation.

Ogbu told adherents of both religions to embrace harmony and peaceful coexistence, stating that the “Christian – Muslim dichotomy is a barrier to our unity, peace, understanding and progress.”

He pointed out that those who imported both religions to the country do not fight themselves, wondering why Nigerians are displaying extremism over religious views.

“Nigeria,” he said, “is one country, one constitution, one destiny. We must discern for ourselves what is right, and learn together what is good.

“Neither Christianity nor Islam religion will take anyone to heaven but by your personal relationship with God. “Fighting for imported religion is a wasted labour.”

He advised the president-elect not to be deterred by the negative

•Nwanegbo

reactions that his change mandate will generate from Nigerians.

Ogbu recalled how he was jailed by the General Buhari’s regime from 1984-1987 for “importing goods without valid import license and offering custom officers a bribe of N55, 000.”

He said such hard line measures straightened him and others arrested at the same time for varying offences.

According to him: “Implementation of laws prevents or reduces impunity in any society. If we refuse to punish those who break the laws, how do we get rid of evil in our society?”

30

THE NATION ON SUNDAY APRIL 12, 2015

ETCETERA

SUNNY SIDE

Cartoons

By Olubanwo Fagbemi

POLITICKLE

deewalebf@yahoo.com 08060343214 (SMS only)

A modern dictionary •Election edition

CHEEK BY JOWL

OH, LIFE!

THE GReggs

Complex and not-so-complex political terms are explained for the benefit of the keen reader in the season of choice.

A. Autocracy n.: The government of one, by one, for one espoused by the outgoing president, Goodluck Jonathan. Anarchy n.: The state of utter confusion collectively avoided through Nigerian voters’ resolve, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) chair Attahiru Jega’s calmness under pressure and Jonathan’s early concession.

B. Ballot paper. n.: INEC-issued stationery coveted by touts and sullied agents.

C. Campaign v.: Dollar-fuelled process of securing election victory.

Certificate n.: A documented proof of requisite education that neither mattered in three previous presidential contests nor mitigated perception of Nigeria’s most certified president as the most inept.

Related words: Card reader. Credible. Change.

D. Disenfranchise v.: What a shortage of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and malfunctioning or sabotaged card readers nearly did to resolute voters hankering for change before and during the elections. Do-or-die adj.: The win-at-all-costs approach to elections adopted by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) before and during the 2015 elections.

Related: Doublespeak.

E. Ethnic jingoism n.: Team Jonathan’s divisive mantra.

Related: Executive. Excessive. Electorate. Enlightenment. Ethics.

F. Free-and-fair adj.: The ideal voting condition desired by all but the crooked. Fifth columnists n.: The government’s scapegoat for policy mishaps.

G. Grassroots politics n.: Local level bread-and-butter politics renamed ‘Stomach infrastructure’ by Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose, to general consternation.

H. Hooded agents n.: Fashion statement by the secret service that confers partisanship on a vital security organ.

I. Incumbent n.: A current office holder who deploys state resources for re-election, usually against popular will.

J. Joker n.: The last resort when a thrashing at the polls appears imminent such as the election shift from February 14, an intended game changer for the PDP but mere postponement of the evil day for the progressives.

K. Kitchen cabinet n.: A group of yesterday men, yes-men and mimic men designated as ‘ministers’ and ‘special assistants’, some untouchable regardless of the clamour for change. Kleptocracy n.: A disease that nearly all in government suffer from. Symptoms include ‘mere stealing’ of public funds, ostentatious travel and procurement of armoured vehicles at scandalous rates.

L. Landslide adj.: The wide margin of victory boasted by party officials but which PDP itself experienced in some states during the March 28 presidential election.

M. Manifesto n.: The political party statement of intent substituted with slander and mudslinging by the party in power.

N. Nomination n.: The (s)election of a candidate for a particular office by a political party.

Related: Nebuchadnezzar.

O. One term n.: What the president promised to serve, according to PDP officials who should know. Opposition n.: The progressive force of many responsible for the unprecedented defeat of a democratic president.

P. PVC. n.: INEC-issued permanent card with which voters elect candidates for credible reasons or sell votes for incredible reasons.

Related: Politicking. Primary.

Q. Queuing v.: An orderliness in public initially enforced during presidentelect Muhammadu Buhari’s 1983-1985 reign as head of state and sunsequently embraced on Election Day by resolute voters.

R. Rigging. n.: Anti-democratic dispensation by party officials involving ballot box snatching, wanton thumb-printing and illicit vote-counting in the bid to outscore more popular opponents.

QUOTE

Truth is not determined by majority vote.

Jokes Humour

Fire Engine A LITTLE boy, wearing a big red fire hat, was riding a toy fire truck down the street.

The truck was being pulled by a fine male dog. Unfortunately, the rope was tied around the dog’s genitals, and as a consequence, the truck was going very slowly.

A man walking down the street noticed how slowly the boy was being pulled and gently said to him, ‘’You know, son, that truck would go a lot faster if the rope was tied around your dog’s neck.’’

The boy nodded in agreement and said, ‘’But then there wouldn’t be a siren.’’

Forgetful Two AFTER an elderly couple starts getting forgetful, they visit their doctor. Their doctor tells them that many people find it useful to write themselves little notes.

When they get home, the wife says, “Dear, will you please go to the kitchen and get me a bowl of ice cream? And maybe write that down so you won’t forget?”

“Nonsense,” says the husband. “I can remember a bowl of ice cream.”

“Well, I’d also like some strawberries and whipped cream on it,” the wife says.

“My memory’s not all that bad,” says the husband. “You want a bowl of ice cream with strawberries and whipped cream. I don’t need to write it down.”

He goes into the kitchen, and his wife hears pots and pans banging.

The husband finally emerges from the kitchen and presents his wife with a plate of eggs and potatoes.

She looks at the plate and asks, “Hey, where’s the sandwich I asked for?”

Brave Pig A TOURIST on a farm asked the farmer why one pig had a wooden leg.

The farmer said, “That pig is the bravest pig I ever saw.”

“So why does he have a wooden leg?” the tourist asked.

“One night, our house caught on fire, and he came inside and woke us all up.”

Again, the tourist asked, “So, why does that pig have a wooden leg?”

“You can’t eat a pig that brave all at once!”

•Adapted from the Internet

—Doug Gwyn

Writer ’s Fountain IPS for the beginner: Read your work aloud. When you read Writers are encouraged to stop writing things your work out loud, you might hear things like “Peter was worried,” and replace it with, that don’t sound right that you wouldn’t have “Peter paced around the room, wringing his noticed if you had only done your editing in clammy hands as his eyes darted incessantly at the slow-moving hands of the clock.” In your head.

Vary the length of your sentences. By other words, writers should ‘unload’ their varying the length of your sentences, you sentences and describe the actions of the create rhythm and flow. If each sentence is characters instead of writing about their the same length, the reader gets bored and thoughts.

Don’t hold back. The basic message behind the story drones on monotonously. Readers need a variety of sentences so that they are this advice is not to hold back. Start as close engaged without getting lost in too many to the end as possible and give as much information as possible as soon as possible. details.

Don’t use ‘thought’ words. Many writers The main idea is that each sentence should have the tendency to tell the reader what is have a purpose to either reveal information happening in a story instead of showing it. or advance the plot.

Writers should write for only one person but use the time of a stranger in such a way About ants: that they don’t feel it is wasted. A good way •Ants are said to never cross a chalk line. So if to do this is to give the reader at least one you’ve got ants, draw a line on the floor with character they can root for and to make every chalk or wherever the ants are coming in and character want at least one thing, even if it is see for yourself! just a glass of water. Writers are also •Ants cannot chew their food; they move their encouraged to be sadists; characters must face jaws sideways, like scissors, to extract the juices hardships and either overcome them or die from the food. trying. It is the only way they will discover •Ants do not sleep throughout their life. their true strength.

T

PAGE 31

APRIL 12, 2015

• Ekwueme

• Anyim

• Igariwey

• Umeh

• Okorocha

• Orji

• Onu

• Ekweremadu

Ndigbo: What next after 2015 elections?

• Nwabueze

• Obioha

• Okorie

• Ngige

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 2015

POLITICS

2015 elections and Ndigbo's future political roadmap T

OMORROW, Monday, April 13, 2015, most of the Igbo political leaders and elders will gather in Enugu, Enugu State capital, to deliberate on the outcome of the 2015 general elections and the future political roadmap of Ndigbo.

The meeting, according to an insider source, will among others, take a critical look at the way Ndigbo played the 2015 politics, the results of the presidential, National Assembly and state elections and how they will impact on the political fortunes of Ndigbo in the near future.

Already, some analysts, making reference to Ndigbo's massive support for

• Dr. Alex Ekwueme

ECAUSE of the emergence of APC as the ruling party at the centre as from May 29, 2015, it is expected that a new crop of Igbo political leaders will emerge, notwithstanding who wins yesterday's governorship election in the four South-East States of Abia, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo. They include:

B

Rochas Okorocha Owelle Rochas Anayo Okorocha, the governor of Imo State, will likely be one of the most influential Igbo political leaders in the All Progressives Congressled Federal Government under General Muhammadu Buhari. The governor expanded his political influence when he took decision to lead a faction of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to the mega-party at the inception of the merger, in spite of the stiff opposition he got from most Igbo political leaders and elders.

Although the National Working Committee of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) under the chairmanship of Chief Victor Umeh refused at the last minutes of the merger

• Okorocha

negotiation to convene a convention in order to collapse the party to the emerging APC as he expected, Okorocha boldly joined the other pioneer leaders and governors of the merging parties to declare for APC and to work for its registration. Since then, he has emerged the face of the party in the SouthEast zone.

For taking that decision on March 2, 2013, Okorocha was a subject of intense criticism and wide condemnation in the South-East but he stood firm, insisting that Ndigbo must not put all their eggs in one basket. With the victory of APC at the centre, Okorocha is certain to emerge one of the leading voices of Ndigbo both in the party and the APC-led Federal Government.

Born on September 22, 1962 in Ogboko, Ideato South, in Imo State, he began his political career as a Commissioner on the Federal Character Commission and a Member of the National Constitutional Conference. Okorocha contested for the presidential primaries in 2003 before contesting to govern Imo State on the ticket of APGA in 2011.

In APC, Okorocha, who flew the governorship flag of APC in Imo in yesterday's governorship election, has been the Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum. He also contested the presidential primaries of APC last year.

Ogbonnaya Onu Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, one of the National Leaders of All Progressives Congress (APC) is another Igbo leader that is poised to exercise tremendous influence in the APCled Federal Government.

Born December 1, 1951, in Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Onu, who was the first Executive Governor of the old Abia State (between February 1992 and December 1993), was the serving National Chairman of All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), when the party, alongside ACN, ACP and a faction of APGA merged to form the APC in 2013.

Since then, he has been addressed within the top leadership of APC as one of the national Leaders, an indication that he wields some appreciable influence. During the presidential campaigns, Onu was very vocal as he mobilized Igbos in the 19 northern states and in the South-East, where

President Goodluck Jonathan and his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) both at the presidential and National Assembly elections and the emergence of All Progressives Congress (APC)'s candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, as the President-elect, have concluded that Ndigbo may have lost out of the power game as it has never done before in its political history.

While observers are still debating the likely effect of the current political realities to the fortunes of Ndigbo, most of them agree that the emergence of APC as the ruling party at the centre is bound to change the politics of Ndigbo. For example, it is agreed that

Influential Igbo leaders un

• Onu

he preached the need for Ndigbo to vote for APC and to vote out PDP, lamenting that Ndigbo has followed PDP for 16 years with nothing to show for it as, according to him, foundation of Second Niger Bridge is repeatedly done as every election date approaches.

As an APC leader, it is expected that he will play a very prominent role in the soon to be inaugurated federal government.

Senator Chris Ngige Although Senator Chris Ngige lost his re-election bid in the last National Assembly Election, there is no doubt that he is one of the most visible and highly respected Ndigbo in APC today. As an ACN and later APC senator, the former governor of Anambra State was for long seen by all as the voice of Ndigbo in the then opposition party.

As APC forms the Federal Government under the leadership of General Muhammadu Buhari, it is expected that Ngige will not only remain one of the topmost decision makers in the party but will likely hold a very influential public office.

George Moghalu Dr. George Moghalu, the All Progressives Congress' National Auditor, is another Igbo that occupies a position of importance in the ruling party to be. He was a former National Secretary of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and one of the leaders that worked tirelessly for the merger that led to the emergence of APC. Moghalu's commitment to the new progressive order came into a major test in 2013, when he was appointed a member of the National Institute for Fresh Water Fisheries Researches by the PDP-led Federal

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 2015

POLITICS

The results of the Presidential and National Assembly elections have raised questions on the politics of Ndigbo and their future political roadmap. In this report, Associate Editor, Sam Egburonu, examines how Ndigbo played the 2015 politics, the likely effect of the emergence of APC as the federal ruling party on the fortunes of the race and some of the new political leaders that seem set to take the front seat in the political leadership of Ndigbo in the coming years since PDP still dominates the South-East zone, Ndigbo has suddenly switched to the opposition camp, which according Chief Israel Udenma, has never happened since independence.

Udenma told The Nation that there is nothing wrong with the idea of being in the opposition. "The worry here is whether our people can or are willing to play the opposition politics? The South-West Yoruba, who have mastered the art, have succeeded in winning the centre. This shows that if you play the role of opposition well, you will one day win and lead the nation. It is a lesson Ndigbo must learn today. Also, we all know that a democratic culture cannot present the best unless it grew in the midst of robust opposition. Opposition is therefore very important in order to hold the ruling party to account," he said.

As soon as the result of the presidential election was announced, many feared that all the Igbo political leaders in PDP will immediately decamp to APC because of their alleged unwillingness or inability to play the role of opposition.

But many of the Igbo PDP chieftains and other Igbo political leaders have since declared their intention to remain in their party and help rebuild it to a virile opposition.

Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, for example, made it clear he would not defect to APC despite the defeat of President Goodluck Jonathan and the PDP in the March 28 elections. While advising Ndigbo to cooperate with the Muhammadu Buhari's government at a stakeholders meeting in his Enugu West home, Ekweremadu said he will not decamp from PDP. "Ndigbo has nothing against Muhammadu Buhari, so the Igbo would cooperate with him in line with our regional agenda and for the development of Nigeria," he said adding that Ndigbo would support him to succeed because he would be President of all Nigerians.

The senator, who was reelected on PDP ticket said, "I have read and listened to many lament what they regard as the Southeast misadventure in view of the emerging scenario at the federal level. But let me assure you that Ndigbo have done nothing to be ashamed of. We owe no one apology for voting PDP. "For me, this is instead a defining moment for Ndigbo because we spoke with one voice and we are proud of our electoral decision. We took a principled position and take full responsibility of the political choice.

I have read statements credited to some

opposition elements on how the Southeast and the PDP will be overrun in the governorship election.

"This is wishful thinking. They have not taken cognisance of the history of the PDP and the fact that Ndigbo, as personified by elder statesman and former Vice President Dr Alex Ekwueme played a leading role in forming the PDP. "By the emerging scenario and as far as the Southeast is concerned, PDP is only coming home to roost."

All Progressive Grand Alliance's Chief Victor Umeh, in his reaction also appealed to the President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), not to vilify Ndigbo for not voting massively for him during the Presidential poll.

At a press conference in Umuahia, the Abia State capital, Umeh said the massive support Ndigbo gave to President Goodluck Jonathan was based on the conviction of the people that Jonathan represented hope for their political future.

He therefore said Buhari should not see Ndigbo as his enemies. "We are not against Buhari but were only pursuing our political interest.

"We were looking for somebody who would help Ndigbo recover from the ruins of the civil war. Jonathan convened a national conference and we felt that the report of the conference would address most of the injustices against Ndigbo; that was why we followed him.

"But now that the election is won and lost we should not be seen as enemies. We hope God will still use Buhari to address our many challenges. He should adopt the report of the conference."

33

lead to rapid growth of APC in the zone but also the growth of other parties like APGA and the Labour Party, which is currently very popular in Ebonyi State.

Commenting on this development Umeh said in a press conference, "All hope was not lost for Ndigbo politically as APGA would provide the tribe with the opportunity to be re-integrated into national politics.

He, therefore, called for the people of South-East to help in reviving APGA by voting massively for all its candidates at yesterday's governorship and House of Assembly polls to serve as a political platform to advance the cause of the Igbo nation.

Chief Maxi Okwu, who is still at the Supreme Court over the leadership of APGA also commented on the plan to rebuild APGA. "We have to rebrand APGA and use it as a credible platform," he told The Nation during the week.

Okwu, a former presidential candidate in Nigeria, dismissed claims that Ndigbo cannot play the role of opposition. "It is not true that Ndigbo cannot play the opposition politics. Some of us have been in opposition for over 23 years. Look at the true father of change; he has been in opposition all along. Today, he has led his people to win the centre. To me, what the APC's victory has achieved for us all is the beginning of true democracy. Until APC's victory at the centre, what we had in Nigeria has been civil rule. But that does not mean that PDP should die. No. If PDP dies, democracy will suffer. We need robust opposition," he said.

Future roadmap Investigation conducted by The Nation since after the presidential polls shows that PDP is bound to loss its overwhelming influence in the region. Though some influential politicians from the zone, who has benefitted immensely from the party are determined to stay put and rebuild it, the emergence of APC at the centre will not only

ers under APC government Government, but he declined the offer citing pre-occupation "with some national commitment."

As APC forms the Federal Government, it is expected that Moghalu will remain very influential.

Osita Izunaso Senator Osita Izunaso is the National Organising Secretary of APC. Born October 30, 1966, he represented Imo West (Orlu) District of Imo State at the Senate in 2007 on the ticket of PDP. Before that, he was a member of the House of Representatives, where he served in committees like Federal Character and Inter-Government Affairs, Aviation, Sports, Housing and Privatization.

Since the formation of APC, the political influence of Izunaso, as a national officer, has been in the increase. He has emerged as an opposition voice not only in the intricate Imo politics but also in the South-East zone.

With the emergence of an APC-led federal government, Izunaso is poised for greater exploits politically.

Nyerere Chinenye Anyim As the APC governorship candidate for Abia State, Nyerere Chinenye Anyim labored hard to ensure the survival of the political party in the state notwithstanding the many challenges he had to contend with.

With his issue-based campaign, insiders said he made appreciable impact in the state, which has for long been considered a traditional PDP state. His free education campaign for instance helped to win the sympathy of a lot of youths and poor families.

Considering that he started the pet freeeducation project even as a private citizen, many believe if given a chance, he will implement it. It would be recalled that for years before he started nursing governorship

ambition in Abia State, Nyerere set up the 'Nyerere Anyim Educational Support Initiative (NAESI)', to help out-of-schoolchildren.

Today, beneficiaries from NAESI who received books, computers, educational support materials and schooling fees include students in the primary, secondary, post-secondary institutions and universities.

No matter the outcome of yesterday's governorship election, insiders say Anyim will certainly be an influential leader in the APC-led federal government.

Julius Ucha Senator Julius Ucha is the APC governorship flag bearer in Ebonyi State.

Born October 19, 1958, Ucha is a very experienced lawmaker having served both in his state Assembly and at the National

• Ngige

Assembly, where he chairs Committee on Works. He was a Speaker of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly before his election as Senator for the Ebonyi Central Senatorial District first on May 29, 2003. He returned to the Senate in 2007.

Perhaps because of the dispute between the Ezza and Ezillo communities, which troubled his constituency, Ucha's name remained in the news since 2008, thus making him one of the best known; one of the passionately 'loved' or passionately 'hated' politicians in the state.

Those who know Ucha intimately said he is a strong personality who cannot but be one of the influential Igbo leaders in APCled federal government.

Okey Ezea The governorship candidate of APC in Enugu State, Barrister Okey Ezea, is one of the Igbo politicians that are likely to wield appreciable influence in the coming years, courtesy of an APC-led federal government.

The dynamism he displayed during the campaigns, notwithstanding that Enugu is a conservative PDP State, is a pointer to the fact that he has what it takes to exert change.

Born on August 11, 1963, at Umuogbu Town, Itchi, in Igbo Eze South Local Government Area of Enugu State, Ezea though young, has become a seasoned politician. Before emerging APC gubernatorial candidate, he was a two-time gubernatorial candidate in Enugu State. He contested for the position on the platform of the Labour Party (LP) in 2007 and 2011 elections.

His campaign promises was described by an observer as "apt and practicable."

Among other promises, Ezea pledged to provide free education, qualitative health care delivery and improved welfare scheme for the people of the state if elected as governor next year.

• Ikonne

HRH Eze Isaac Ikonne Apart from these frontline APC officials, there are other behind-the-scene Igbo supporters of the party who will also exercise appreciable influence in the APCled Federal Government as from May 29 this year.

One of such patrons whose support became public knowledge before the presidential election is HRH Eze Isaac Ikonne, the Enyi of Enyinmba, Abia State.

It would be recalled that when most of the other Igbo leaders insisted that the whole of Ndigbo must identify only with President Goodluck Jonathan and his party, the PDP, Ikonne was berated by many, especially the Abia Traditional Council, for honouring APC presidential candidate, Buhari, with the chieftaincy title of Ogbu Agu (Leopard Killer) when the former Head of State paid him a visit during his presidential campaign. He was publicly disowned by Abia Traditional Rulers Council for that act.

Now that APC has won the federal government and Buhari has been elected President, it is being speculated that Ikonne's family may be influential in APC federal government.

The Nation investigation shows that there are many other Igbo leaders, who either sponsored or supported APC secretly because of fear of being attacked

by PDP leaders in the zone. Their close association with the party and its leadership will soon be made public as the new government puts together its team.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 2015

POLITICS

34

• Douglas

Comrade Oronto Douglas: the untold encounter

R

ELATIONS, friends and allies are gnashing their teeth for the death of a lean, emaciated fighting spirit that on Thursday, left the world and never to return. He was arguably President Goodluck Jonathan's most trusted aide.

In the build up to the presidential election, his voice suddenly became pale and ghostly. He was nowhere to be seen, fueling speculations of a deteriorating health.

I was informed he passed on in the early hours of Thursday. The human rights community at home and abroad received the news like a whirlwind rumbling through a thick forest. The previous night, I had seen him dancing on a gritty floor, his face lighted up, his white garment, flying to the drumbeats of the wind. His oval face was unnecessarily snow white. He had a chain on his right hand, and what looked like a book on his left hand. Then he stared at a long nexus of cobwebs, that clouded the sky. Suddenly, he turned into a master spider and zoomed through the endless network.

He later took a break and then headed skywards. "Oronto, oronto." I woke up.

So it was only a dream? What manner of dream? Sometimes, death is crazy. She is the invincible mover of all things. She is speechless, but very wicked and indiscriminate. No age is old enough for one to die and no age is too young to die too. Death is even more pitiless, when she kills slowly. There is nothing as traumatic as seeing death hovering around one's bedroom, like an incubus beast, and you are left with nothing to do. You stare at the spiteful claws of death. Every morning and at sundown, she tells you only one sentence "I'm here to take you, but I will be slow and steady."

For us his close friends, Oronto was only waiting for his death, painfully but true. He had been struck by a terminal sickness for close to one decade. Oronto Nante Douglas, the son of poor but humble parents, from a riverine community that has access to neither

By Adewale Adeoye road nor drinkable water, a community where most people are the wretched of the earth, had a brutal fight with cancer. He lost the battle, inevitably.

I now do not know how history will place Oronto, having served a regime that recently collapsed like a heap of cards, but what is clear to me is that Comrade Oronto remains one of the strongest pillars in the fight for democracy and the sacking of the military in 1999. He was a fighting spirit whose alliance with liberty and freedom began in his days at Abeokuta where he had his secondary education. We met around 1993, in the heat of the June 12 struggle, when the military ruled the country with irons, knives and bullets. Apart from the late Ken Saro Wiwa, I do not know of any other Nigerian that stood so strongly for environmental justice and the rights of indigenous peoples like him. By 1995, Oronto's voice had become one of the most iconic on environmental issues across the world. By 1996, he was already meeting Head of States of many African and European countries. He became the most sought after on issues of environment and indigenous rights in Africa and beyond. He had to travel for engagements almost every month across the world. Though a hero in the global community and among his largely impoverished Ijaw nation, he was one of the 'devils' the late General Sanni Abacha had to destroy.

Between 1994 and 1998, Oronto was a priced prisoner, wanted by the henchmen of the late General Sanni Abacha. We were informed he was one of the top 10, a list that included Prof Wole Soyinka, Professor Adesegun Adebanjo and General Alani Akinrinade, being sought by the marksmen of the junta. Prof Adesegun was the first on the hit list. He had brought in over 3,000 AK47 rifles into Nigeria. The idea was that he would start the rebellion in Abeokuta and then move on to capture most of the SouthWest after which he would declare the independence of the South-West from the rest of the country. Prof Adebanjo, the

immediate junior brother of the late Col Victor Banjo of the Biafra fame, was captured in Benin Republic, tried in the court for over one year and later released even though the late Abacha wanted him auctioned for 20million dollars, so that he would be repatriated to Nigeria. Prof Banjo had used all his life savings in the fight for his motherland. Only last month, I established a link between Prof Banjo and Oronto. Prof Banjo is also down with cancer and has not been able to raise the 4 million naira needed for the treatment. He also has no job. Oronto promised to help. No, he is gone. Under Abacha, Adebanjo and Oronto were marked to either be killed or to be made to disappear.

Oronto had to live in his country and meet the obligations of his local campaign.

I had the delicate responsibility of hosting him in my Lagos flat. He had a room in the flat which we both nicknamed "Abayomi Room". I had to keep visitors and friends away. I had to ensure relations who wanted to stay with me were politely or sometimes rudely told there was no space. My doors had to be locked every minute and every day.

I had to ignore all violent banging on the door by early morning or late night visitors. They could be the undercover agents, they could be the military. During this dangerous campaign, Oronto had designed an ID card that carved him out as an Engineer. We made

Death is even more pitiless, when she kills slowly. There is nothing as traumatic as seeing death hovering around one's bedroom, like an incubus beast, and you are left with nothing to do

several complimentary cards in this regard. He had face cap on him permanently. At least on two occasions, we were accosted by the police in Lagos and the ID card saved him. On the ID card was the name Abayomi Yagba. One day, we ran into a retinue of armed soldiers right in front of the Ikeja Cantonment. We were returning from a private visit to Odiagha Odambo, the then Country Representative of Ford Foundation. One Army Captain led soldiers to us and halted our movement. He wanted to know who we were. I would not disclose myself as a journalist neither Oronto as a lawyer. We gave different wrong identities. It was shortly before midnight. The Captain took a look at the ID of Oronto and then his face. He said we should be on our knees. I thought: "This is the end. They have caught us." After about one hour, the captain came back, bragging that he had secured the order of his boss, Col Frank Omenka, to march us into the guard room at the office of the Directorate of Military Intelligence, (DMI).

By fate, he looked at the ID card again, murmuring to himself "Abayomi Yagba, Engineer!" he took a second look at us and then asked: Are you against us? We had to explain that as businessmen, we would like to take contract from the military if possible; we had nothing to do with politics. He then dismissed us. But unease hunted us. As we walked away, my eyes were in the front while my mind was on my back: Would a bullet be fired to kill us? Did they know him? None of us could take a look backwards. But there was no incidence. There was another instance. Oronto had visited a friend at the 1004 flat in 1996. As soon as he left the apartment, armed undercover agents stormed the flat, searching for him. The owner of the flat was arrested and kept at the DMI for more than one year. One of the most embarrassing incidences was when Oronto met with the then President of the United States, (US) Mr. Bill Clinton and I had to use the picture in The Punch as the Head of Investigation. The military invited me and asked several questions.

My excuse was that the picture was given to me by the Environmental Rights Action, (ERA) where Oronto was the Deputy Director.

Oronto's biography as a fighter, a human rights activist, a humanist and a dogged fighter for the rights of this people cannot be written in a short story. He was genuinely a man that gave his most productive years to the struggle for the emancipation of the people of the NigerDelta. His research and work on environmental issues in the Niger-Delta are amazing. He is a giver. I was in Okoroba, his home town, for his father's burial in December 2013. We had to be on speed boat for four hours. No road leads to his town, except through the river.

Oronto is a mini god in his community. I was informed he buys the school uniforms and sandals for all the pupils in the town. The public library he built is the best public library in Nigeria that I know, with over 5million books, including those online. Interestingly, Oronto, in appreciation of his closeness to his Yoruba friends had also built a public library in Abeokuta, where he had his secondary education and another one in Irele-Ekiti, my mother's hometown, which he had never visited. The last time he invited me to Eko Lomeridian, few years ago, he asked me: "What do you think President Goodluck Jonathan can do to appease the Yoruba?" My answer was simple: Let him restructure Nigeria, let him conduct a free and fair election; let him construct the Lagos-Ibadan express way and let him upgrade the Ibadan Airport to an International Airport. He told me, and I believed him, he would submit the memo to the President and that he would personally raise the issues with Mr. President. He called me latter to tell me "Wale, I have done my part". Now that Oronto is gone, all I can say is that "Comrade, you have done your part."

Goodnight and safe trip to the great beyond, knowing that death is a debt we all owe and a debt we must one day pay back.

- Adeoye wrote in from Lagos

•Contd. on page 41

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 2015

POLITICS

35

Don't jeopardize Nigeria’s security -Wamakko W

hat is your assessment of the To election? the best of my understanding and judgment, the election in the areas I know, like the nearby states, the election was free and fair as well as credible. Virtually almost 90 percent of the country, people are happy with the way and manner it was conducted.

People commended INEC for being able to conduct free and fair elections. I will want to commend Nigerians for the maturity shown during and after elections. Also, it goes to show that yes, Nigeria is maturing to become a nation that can compete favourable , globally in terms of political maturity and other aspects of governance that are needed in the comity of nations.

What do Nigerians expect from you as a senator?

I want to thank God that my people still want me to go and represent them at the National Assembly. I must thank the entire people for the support I am given. This is the sixth time I am winning elections here. I was twice deputy governor, two times as governor, chairman local government and now as senator and each time people have interest in supporting me.

What I intend to do is to ensure that I go to senate to argue not based on sentiment; I am not going to the senate to make governance difficult for anybody; I am going to the senate to make laws that will conform to the needs of the governed and to make laws on the realities on ground as to what our nation needs to do right anywhere.

For example, many people in the South-East don't have good understanding of what desert encroachment is; many people from here don't understand what gully erosion is. Many of us in government don't even know the country very well, which is very sad. We must try to know our country first of all.

Many Nigerians know more about Europe and America better than Nigeria.

That is why you see many debating many a time without facts and figures, but based on some parochial sentiments.

I think in the 21st century, Nigeria must have outgrown some of the realities that yes, we are one country. Yes, we operate one constitution. Yes, Nigeria belongs to all of us and we all have a duty that this country grows favourably to compete with other countries of the world.

I will go to the senate to help make laws for the good governance of this country; I will go there to ensure there is probity in this country. I am going to senate to ensure that our resources are used judiciously in the interest of the entire nation.

Governor Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State is one of the senators elect in the March 28, 2015 election. In this interview, he warns Nigerians to avoid whatever will jeopardize the security of the country owing to election results. He reveals that he is eager to present a bill to tackle the security challenges in the country, adding that there is dire need for the diversification of the nation's economy from oil to agriculture, mining and other sectors. John Ofikhenua was there.

• Wamakko

Which bill will you be eager to present as soon as you resume at the senate?

The first push is for security for Nigerians all over the country; we must have a secured country where everybody can go about freely with his or her business without fear or harassment.

Secondly, I will push for economic diversification, because we all rely on oil money, which is so bad. Nigeria is so blessed that its economy can be diversified. We have so many solid minerals we can look at.

There is agriculture and other things that should be explored; we could have had a better economy than we are having now.

Once that is done, job creation demands will be tackled.

Needs for infrastructure will be addressed, just as education will be addressed and many other things you might need to call government a responsible one will be addressed once diversification of the economy and job creations are addressed.

I am confident that APC as a party, with the calibre of people that formed the party, has this commitment to ensure there are jobs for Nigerian

youths, just as security for Nigerian people as well as food security for all.

We want to see agriculture given a rightful place in our economy in this country.

On the chance of the party in the gubernatorial election in Sokoto State, by the grace of God that election is almost a foregone issue. Sokoto State is today known as home of APC. It is a stronghold of APC, so I am confident that by the grace of God come April 11, you are going to see a massive turn out to vote for Aminu Tambuwal as the next governor of the state and also the APC assembly members.

I am confident that the incoming government under Tambuwal is going to continue from where we stopped and ensure that our party's manifestoes are fully implemented in the state right from the local government level.

Meanwhile, the federal government will also ensure there is harmony in terms of service delivery in the entire country.

What would you say about the results and allegation of manipulations going on in some states?

It is true that the PDP is trying to manipulate results in some states in South-South and South-East, but I want to appeal to Nigerians as well as those in governance at the top level to have the fear of God so as to stop all the manipulation that will make the country not to believe the credibility of the elections held.

The international communities are watching Nigeria and in this world of IT, information is so cheap. We all know where there were elections and where there were no elections.

It is sad that the government is trying to use rude force in Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta and some part of SouthEast to ensure victory for the President. Victory obtained by force is like a political coup.

So, I want to appeal to the PDP top hierarchy to resist their level of desperation to stay in power; feelings of Nigerians are being expressed. They should allow for free and fair elections, because people believe that justice is done then they are at home with whatever result that is announced. But once there is such flagrant abuse of power like it is being done in Rivers and other states in the SouthSouth, people get to be worried and concerned.

This is so because this election is about image of this country; it is about its future, but having said that, I will appeal to all stakeholders to believe that this country is bigger than every one of us. So, we should not do anything that will jeopardize the security of this country.

Do you think PDP might want to scuttle the handing over if they loose the election?

There could be a possibility, because some of the people advising the president are so desperate. The president as a person is not a bad man. People are taking advantages of that to do some things that are thrown on his person, but I pray that God helps him to disregard those wicked advice given to him by people like the NSA and people like him who want to remain in power for the benefits they are getting and not because of what the country is getting. This election was to be in February; it was the person of the so - called NSA who is supposed to be advising the President on how to overcome the insurgency, but was in far away in London calling for postponement of elections. What is the connection between security adviser and postponement of elections? He ran out of Sokoto after being disgraced in the polls where he

got two votes in his polling units. It is unfortunate that people are thinking more of themselves than the country.

The President has a duty to the entire country and not to the PDP alone; so he must not do anything or take bad advice that will not be in the interest of this country.

What would you want to be remembered for as a governor?

I want to be remembered with all the good projects I have been able to execute as a governor of the state. I also want to be remembered as a governor under whose term people started knowing that governor is their servant and not their master.

I also want to be remembered as a governor in whose tenure governor has been demystified. Coming in here, you did not see road blocks or many people around me. I live in a market as nobody is harassed coming into my house; we don't move about with bullet proof cars.

But equally, I want to be remembered that I used all the resources of the state for their service. I gave almost all my time to their service during my tenure. Since I resumed office, there has not been any issue of non indigenes, no matter where you come from; you don't pay a dime for school fees in the state since I came in as governor.

Take education for example, during my eight years period; I have been able to put in place five solid tertiary institutions in the state, including a state university.

I want to also be remembered as a governor under whose tenure oil has been discovered in the state.

We are almost at the level of announcing the details about oil in the state.

I am also a governor that explored all the potentials of the state in solid minerals and we will not need oil money if we explore all the solid minerals we have here.

I want to be remembered as a governor whose tenure is the most peaceful in the history of the state. This is because we treat everyone equally.

There is therefore mutual trust and respect. We also carry everybody along in our diverse state. I have Yoruba, Ibo and other tribe's advisers.

I also I don't treat security agency in the state as federal agencies. I see them as my state agencies by providing them whatever they need to perform well.

What is your philosophy of leadership?

Governance is about people not about self. When I say people, I mean their interests, their aspirations, their concerns. So, once we do that, as government, people will respect and benefit from your government.

36

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 2015

POLITICS

Buhari, APC and PDP defectors

• Onoja

What you are witnessing here is currently happening in Britain. The rise of UK Independent Party (UKIP) as a political party shows that the people are angry and politicians must change

Since the result of the recent Presidential and National Assembly elections confirmed the victory of All Progressives Congress (APC), there has been endless reports of top politicians defecting from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other parties to APC. Assistant Editor, Dare Odufowokan, reports

B

EFORE the March 28 presidential election that returned General Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the next President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and also saw the opposition party positioned as the next majority party in the National Assembly, following the victory of most of its candidates across the country, Nigerians have yearned for change.

Ironically, the people of Africa's most populous country didn't just want a change in the presidency or at the National Assembly; there was a widespread yearning for a change of the ruling party at the helms of affairs at the center and numerous states. Thus, the campaigns were not just about the candidates, they were also largely about the political parties.

And as the two leading political parties, the opposition APC and the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) struggled in the months leading to the historic election, many analysts predicted a tough election. Expectedly, the election was a close one. Many people were quick to put the victory of the APC down to the commitment of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to a free, fair and credible election.

"APC's victory, though not unforeseen, came as a pleasant surprise to many Nigerians. While we were sure the opposition party was best positioned to win the presidential election, we never for once lost sight of factors like rigging and other malpractices that could turn the table," Ade Ajayi of the Centre for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), said.

The lawyer cum human rights activist was quick to add that with the March 28 election, INEC and indeed Nigerians sent a serious warning to politicians that henceforth, the people would decide who rules them. "It became clear to all and sundry that the peoples' vote can also count here in Nigeria. Now politicians are conscious of what they do and who they are associated with," Ajayi added.

With the presidential and National Assembly elections decided, a new vista was promptly opened in the history of Nigerian politics. As if they've been waiting on cue for APC's victory, prominent PDP chieftains started dumping the party in droves. And their new political destination turned out to be nowhere else than the same APC they derided and maligned for months ahead of the March 28 elections.

These defection craze amongst PDP chieftains, according to Ajayi, confirms that a new political era may have dawned on the country. "Now everybody wants to be on the side of the people. The same people they have joined others to exploit for years. The defections are a sign of the new order and should not come to any serious political analyst as a surprise. But it sure calls for serious reflections by both parties and Nigerians as well," he said.

Party leaders, current elected public office holders, political appointees, former aspirants and even newly elected public office holders on the platform of the PDP all found one reason or the other to desert President Goodluck Jonathan's party barely a week after his loss at the polls. And analysts say the party's loss in the March 28 presidential election triggered the defections.

Heavyweight defectors Last Tuesday, while the PDP was still putting its acts together to respond to the many high profile defections that had trailed its loss, news filtered in from Plateau State about a mass defection of its prominent members into the APC. Among those who defected were Ambassador Fidelis Tapgun; Senator Victor Lar; and the state deputy governor, Ambassador Ignatius Longjan.

Their defection introduced a new dimension into the string of losses being suffered by the ruling party.

Also, there are talk that a former minister and former deputy governor of Plateau State, Pauline Tallen; Mr. Jimmy Cheto and Chief Jethro Akun have concluded plans to move to the APC ahead of yesterday's governorship and House of Assembly elections.

In Edo State, the PDP candidate in the 2012 governorship election, Maj- Gen. Charles Arhiavbere, was received into the APC on Tuesday by Governor Adams Oshiomhole after he announced his defection at the weekend.

Also, a former governor, Prof. Osarhiemen Osunbor and former Provost Marshal of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier-General Idada Ikponmwen, announced their defection to the APC. Osunbor, who was governor from May 2007 to November 2008, declared for APC with his supporters at Iruekpen, Esan West Local Government Area.

Same day, Jigawa State Deputy Governor, Ahmed Mahmoud, led other defectors at a ceremony in his home town Gumel.

Mahmoud along with a Special Adviser to Governor Sule Lamido, Alhaji Bello

• Tapgun

• Osunbor

Dansokoto; the immediate past Executive Chairman, Dutse Capital Development Authority, Alhaji Bashir Aminu, and the immediate past Chairman of Gumel Local Government Council, Alhaji Ya'u Kura, defected, taking with them thousands of supporters.

Mahmoud becomes the third deputy governor to leave the PDP for the APC - after Niger State Deputy Governor Ahmed Ibeto and Ondo State Deputy Governor Ali Olanusi. Former Governor Saminu Turaki also defected to the APC. He was joined on the defection train by Senator Muhammad Dudu. Dudu represented Jigawa North-East Senatorial District between 1999 and 2007.

Also, Gombe State House of Assembly Majority Leader, Mamman Alkali, joined hundreds of others who left the ruling PDP for the APC in the state. The defectors included over 50 Special and Personal Assistants to Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo.

In Ogun State, candidate of the PDP for the House of Representatives, Ijebu Central Federal Constituency, Otunba (Barr.)

Adewale Moses Osinubi, renounced the party that offered him its platform to contest the last election and defected to the APC. Also, switching his allegiance to the ruling party in the state same day as Osinubi but from another political party, was the Ogun East Senatorial aspirant on the platform of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, Prince Kayode Tejuoso. The two were received by Governor Ibikunle Amosun.

In Benue, former military governor of Kaduna and Katsina states, Gen. Lawrence Onoja (rtd), led others, including Dr. Mathias Oyigeya, former Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship aspirant in Benue State, Chief Agbo Oga, former Chief of Staff to Senate President-David Mark, Chief Mike Iduma,

Major Lawrence Ugbo (rtd), former PDP state chairmen, and Barrister Peter Ochijele, a former member of the Benue State Executive Council, into the APC last Wednesday.

From Kwara State on Wednesday came the news that a former governorship aspirant of the PDP in Kwara State, Senator Gbemisola Saraki and PDP's youth leader in the state, Chief Segun Olawoyin, also dumped their party and joined the APC. Kaduna PDP also lost chieftains to the APC during the week. Prominent among the defectors are Maj-Gen. S.B.S. Biliyock (rtd); a former member of House of Representatives, Ruth Jummai Ango and former Commissioner and Attorney-General Zakari A. Sogfa.

From Niger State, former Secretary to the State Government, Adams Erena, also pulled out with 5,000 critical stakeholders in the PDP to the APC. The new APC members include a member of the state House of Assembly, former commissioners, local government chairmen and former PDP grassroots leaders.

Right or wrong?

While the country remains agog with news of these defections alongside various calculations and permutations ahead of the inauguration of the new government on May 29, 2015, reactions continue to trail the post March 28 defections.

According to Barrister Brian Agu of the Voters' Right Agenda (VRA), defection is a common norm in politics the world over. The legal practitioner says the gale of defection, rather than create anxiety, should be viewed as a sign confirming the position of the Nigerian voters that there was need for change.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 2015

• Tejuoso

• Turaki

"It is no big deal. It is a good omen.

Anywhere the people use their voting card to effect change; you will see politicians struggling to align with the new order established by the people through the ballot boxes. This is what we have been preaching at VRA. It is a sign that power now truly belongs to the people.

What you are witnessing here is currently happening in Britain. The rise of UK Independent Party (UKIP) as a political party shows that the people are angry and politicians must change. Everywhere you go in Britain, if you ask the people why they are supporting the new party, they say "We need a political party that helps deprived areas, builds more houses and takes the question of the UK's role in Europe seriously."

And every day, politicians, even members of parliament are decamping into the party from leading political parties like the Conservative and the Labour Parties.

Why? UKIP wants to leave the European Union. The people also want nothing to do with the Union. It is a simple, understandable message, which has led to the party gaining bigger and bigger support in European elections, culminating in it topping the vote in May this year.

It is about the people setting political agenda for politicians to obey if they want to remain in politics. APC wants to end corruption. Nigerians also want to end corruption. So every politician who doesn't want to be termed as corrupt is not willing to remain in the opposition when APC takes over government next May. This is the major reason for the surge," Agu explained to The Nation.

But former Police Commissioner in Lagos State, Alhaji Abubakar Tsav, is not

POLITICS impressed by the sudden love being shown the APC by notable PDP chieftains across the country. According to him, the ongoing mass defections from the embattled ruling party to the opposition winning party, should be of grave concern to discerning Nigerians.

"The mass defection to APC is dangerous and should be a matter of grave concern and need bother all persons of honesty and good conscience. Most of these defectors are like feathers that can be blown towards any direction by the wind. They have no ideology.

"In civilized countries being used as examples, defections are about ideologies and convictions. It is not so here. What we are witnessing is a struggle for survival by defeated politicians. While British politicians will shift camp based on ideological convictions, our politicians are decamping just to remain relevant.

"I am not saying all those who joined APC are the same. We had some true defectors and heroes of change like Admiral Murtala Nyako, Governors Kwankwaso, Wamako, Amaechi etc. Some were in the struggle but chickened out as a result of treachery and cowardice. Some of them are falling back into APC today. Those are the ones we must be cautious of. Some Nigerian politicians are mercenaries and money mongers. Many of these defectors are unreliable and slippery," Tsav said.

On his own part, the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Olisa Metuh, wondered what those who have left the ruling party in the last few days after losing the presidential election would teach their children in terms of morals.

He said, "It is right for anyone to defect or move because the Constitution allows for free association. But basically, it is immoral for someone to leave his party because we lost the presidential election few days ago.

"It is about the character. Yes, you have the constitutional right to move or defect, but what lesson do you want to teach your children?

"Just because we have lost the presidential election? Yes, we want members (in our party) but not fiddle-minded people.

We want people who are committed, but the fair weather people are free to leave us. Those who are committed will still be with us," he said.

Emeka Asinugo, a London-based journalist and political analyst, would want the defectors to give the need for a robust opposition a thought as they scramble for places in the APC ahead of the May 29 handing over date.

"It is in their nature that in their anxiety for a brighter economic future, so many politicians are now crossing carpet to the APC, the party that would be in charge in the near future. These flexible politicians should not forget that it is a responsible opposition that makes a government work satisfactorily, and politics mean well. For any government to succeed, it will need a responsible opposition to criticise it. The new Buhari-led government cannot possibly have the responsible opposition it will need to succeed if every politician begins to run away from his or her original party because it failed to clinch the presidential election. That is the danger in defecting to the winning party. A responsible opposition party (the PDP) is still very much relevant in the dispensation of legitimacy and in the nation building efforts of its successor. Simply put, the politicians who defected from PDP should go back there. They will be of better use in building the nation from their original party than jumping into APC bandwagon, hoping that Buhari would spill them with oil money from Aso Rock," Asinugo opined.

Tsav would also want the APC to handle the defectors with caution because, according to him, "serial decampees are not true politicians. They are like bees which can only be seen where there is honey."

"People who just yesterday said APC was a Boko Haram party are today falling on one another to declare for APC. These people have no ideological conscience and need not be taken seriously. They are only interested in what they can have for themselves. They are traitors. They destroyed PDP and milked the nation dry.

They want to do the same to APC," Tsav feared.

37

• Mimiko

Mimiko's dilemma as Ondo PDP disintegrates

The controversial defection of Dr. Olusegun Mimiko from the Labour Party (LP) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rather than be a plus to his party has somewhat become an albatross, reports Assistant Editor, Remi Adelowo NDO State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, was in an upbeat mood on the evening of September 29, 2014. The previous day, he had just been conferred with the prestigious national honour of the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) at the International Conference Centre, Abuja

by President Goodluck Jonathan alongside other 312 Nigerians. The medical doctorturned-politician was accompanied to the ceremony by scores of top government commissioners, including commissioners, members of the House of Assembly and traditional rulers.

Having honoured the governor with their presence, members of the state Assembly were on their way back to Akure, the Ondo State capital, when the governor allegedly sent words to them to join him on a solidarity visit to the Presidential Villa.

Pronto, they made a u-turn, joined the governor and thereafter headed straight to the seat of power. The banquet hall inside the presidential villa was the final destination.

Minutes after the Ondo delegation took their seats, the Vice President, Mohammed Namadi Sambo, PDP National Chairman, Adamu Muazu and other senior officials of the ruling party arrived. The event commenced.

After the usual introductory remarks, Mimiko stood up to speak. Midway into his speech, he announced his defection from the Labour Party under which platform he became governor to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The packed hall erupted in a thunderous applause.

And in response, Sambo and Muazu, while eulogising Mimiko to high heavens, said with the governor's move to the PDP, the party was sure of taking control of the South-West from the All Progressives Congress (APC).

However, not a few people in the Ondo delegation were taken aback by the governor's declaration. Many of them described it as an "ambush," insisting that they were neither briefed nor carried along on the defection plan. But afraid of a possible backlash, their grumblings was in hush tones.

But a few weeks later, two members of the House of Assembly, Olugbenga Edema and Fola Olasehinde-Vicente, dared the governor by dumping LP for APC. In a jiffy, the lawmakers were suspended and also had their seats declared vacant by the Speaker of the House, Mrs. Jumoke Akindele.

The two lawmakers challenged the Speaker's action by asking a Federal High Court in Abuja to declare the Speaker's move as illegal, null and void. The case is still pending in court.

O

More crisis ensue Predictably, Mimiko's defection ruffled quite some feathers among the old members of Ondo PDP. And while they were still ruminating on how to checkmate the governor, the national headquarters of the PDP compounded the crisis by dissolving the party's executive councils from the state, local down to the ward levels in order to pave way for the governor's loyalists. The dissolution was announced by the National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh.

What ensued was a war of attrition between the old members of the PDP and the governor's camp over who controls the party.

As the crisis dragged on, the dissolved state executive council went before an Abuja High Court, asking the court to restrain the NWC from dissolving the Ebenezer Alabiled state Executive Council.

After much politicking, Alabi eventually agreed to step down to allow peace to reign since the party primaries were close by and the party needed to present candidates for both state and National Assembly elections in 2015.

The Mimiko faction of the party, also known as the 'new-PDP,' took over the new leadership with the appointment of a serving commissioner in the state cabinet, Clement Faboyede, as the new chairman.

However, the 'old-PDP,' led by businessman, Jimoh Ibrahim, would have none of this. It elected another factional chairman in the person of Dr. Olu Ogunye, which organised parallel primaries across the state to counter the exercise put together

by Mimiko's camp.

As if that was not enough, the Jimoh faction went ahead to secure a ruling from the Federal High Court in Abuja, which sacked the Faboyede-led executive of the party.

The court made the order following an application by 29 members of the party in the state, including the state executive led by Ogunye, and some aspirants to the House of Representatives.

The court in its ruling, issued an order stopping the Faboyode executive committee from "parading themselves as chairman, auditor, publicity secretary, assistant public relations officer, financial secretary and legal adviser respectively."

The court also ordered them to stop performing forthwith any function relating to the listed offices of the Ondo chapter of the party, pending determination of the case.

Mimiko loses grip In spite of the stiff opposition by the 'oldPDP' members, the governor had his way •Contd. on page 39

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 2015

POLITICS

'Osoba not a factor in Ogun politics' Until recently when he relocated to Lagos, Ola Oduwole was based in the United States of America, and was the National President of Yoruba Descendants in North America. The Ogun State born activist/politician has been involved in politics as an APC member to 'effect change' in the country.

He spoke to a group of journalists on the outcome of the Presidential/National Assembly elections and what lies ahead for the nation, Oziegbe Okoeki, who was there, reports

• Oduwole

H

ow do you see the victory of Buruji Kashamu of PDP as Senator-elect for Ogun East, where you come from; do you see this as a threat to APC's chances in the governorship/House of Assembly elections?

Ogun State is an APC state, same as Ogun East Senatorial Zone. However, it is not the popularity of Kashamu that won the election; there is more to it. It is just that in some areas, politics have turned to something else; I mean a lot of thuggery, money bags, intimidation, which can come in different ways. So, in a nutshell, I don't think it is his popularity that won the election. I have a feeling that the truth will come out in a short while. I believe he did not win the election.

Just before the election, former Ogun State governor, Gbenga Daniel, reportedly insulted Ogun people, as a citizen what is your reaction to the statement credited to him?

Probably he did not mean what he said, I don't believe he said something like that and if it is true that he said what he was reported to have said, then it is too bad.

Because he has been a governor for eight years and if he could not do anything about that general flaw in Ogun citizen, then it is too bad. I am sure he might have been misquoted.

In the light of the opposition from people like Chief Segun Osoba and Kashamu, what do you make of the chances of Ogun governor, Ibikunle Amosun, in the April 11 governorship election?

I will tell you that Amosun is the best governor we've had so far in Ogun State.

He is in the mould of Bisi Onabanjo who ruled the state between 1979 and 1983. And remember he has only been there for three years and see what he has done. I don't think anyone has governed Ogun State like him and the people of Ogun State know that. I am 100 per cent sure he will win the election, Osoba or not. Let me tell you, Osoba is no factor at all and you can see it from the just concluded Presidential/ National Assembly elections. They did not win any seat, whether senate or reps. Osoba is just a name, their time is over. And we are in a new political dispensation. If he cannot win in his polling unit and his son cannot win, how is he a factor. Even when President Goodluck Jonathan came to Ogun State, he gave the governor kudos as one of the best governors that have performed.

So, we all know that he has performed and we in Ogun State all want continuity and

with the help of God, now that APC is at the federal level, we are not going to be in opposition. This does not mean we are going to take things for granted.

With the attitude of our politicians and the recent victory of APC, people like Osoba and Kashamu might want to defect to APC; will the Ogun chapter of the party be willing to accept them into its fold?

Well, that is not going to be my decision or one persons decision, it is going to be the party decision. But if they like they can come, but it is about who you are dealing with. The important thing is that we know their antecedents and we will deal with them according to their antecedents. There is always going to be an opposition; we have been in opposition in the past, and that is why our party must not take the people for granted, because

now the people have shown that they have power.

Why do you think Nigerians rejected President Goodluck Jonathan and PDP at the polls?

A lot of factors: number one, impunity.

They believe they are ruling not governing, so whatever they did, no one can challenge them, so they did it with impunity. They corrupted every section of government, be it legislature, executive, judiciary, everywhere was corrupted. Corruption is unprecedented; it's like it has been institutionalised across the board, everywhere, there is nothing you can do in this country without bribery. Everywhere and anywhere, you can't do anything without bribe.

Then power, they talk to people anyhow. There is nepotism; it is just too much and people are fed up. And I hope we have a new deal, the

change that we have been yearning for where things can be straightened out, we have the discipline, integrity, etc. There are a million and one reasons why the people rejected them; unemployment, insecurity, light, you name it, it's numerous.

How would you asses Professor Jega and INEC's performance so far, especially in the Presidential/National Assembly elections?

All in all, I think Prof. Jega has tried, he has done his best. But to me I don't think his best is good enough for the country. But he has improved tremendously on what we had in the past. I hope whoever takes over from him can do better because there are still some lapses. Take the issue of PVC, why must it take them four years to produce PVCs? Some people have not gotten theirs uphill today.

There is no rocket science about all these things. In US for instance, you get your voters card the very day you register; you can even change your residential address and it is done immediately. You can do all this things through the internet and you get your new card through the mail. However, having said that, considering the usual Nigerian factor, where some people deliberately try to sabotage others' efforts, these things do happen. But there must be an immediate way of changing polling units when you move to another location so that you can vote. There should be continuous registration exercise, not waiting for another four years and collection of PVCs should also be a continuous exercise.

You are very passionate about SouthWest integration; do you still see it possible with governors Mimiko and Fayose pulling the region to an opposite direction?

Well, I think I am more hopeful now than before and the reason is that majority of the states in the South-West are under APC. Our two obstacles have been eliminated too, because now I believe they will stop all those impunity because of the new government.

And the integration of the South-West may be easier than before, and I hope the president can use the geo-political zones to develop this country so that they will have a common thing they share together.

A lot of Nigerians are expecting a miracle from the incoming government, but considering the current economic situation, do you see Gen. Buhari meeting the people's expectation?

People's expectations are different, and there are a lot of expectations out there, however, it is going to be difficult to meet all expectations. But I can understand because of the deep knowledge and understanding of what has transpired in this country, how bad the economy is. So we have to rebuild from ground zero. I have no doubt that Buhari and the APC government will perform. I believe we cannot go down further than where we are now, but things might not move as fast as people think, but if they can be patient with the PDP government for 16 years, Nigerians will have to be patient with the new government and give it support to benefit all Nigerians not a section of the country.

Only equity, rotation principles will unite Rivers people- Dagogo-Jack

A

LTHOUGH he remains a staunch chieftain of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), when it comes to the political future of Rivers State, former gubernatorial aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state and Senior Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan, Reynolds Bekinbo Dagogo-Jack, is for equity and power rotation.

Revealing his position in Lagos just before yesterday's governorship election, DagogoJack pointed out that "only fair distribution of power and justice will help to unite the people of the state."

Beks Dagogo-Jack, who is also the Grand Patron of Rivers Peace Restoration Agenda, in a brief meeting with some reporters in Lagos during the week, also pleaded with his Rivers State people to avoid violence during and after the governorship election.

"As we approach the final round of the elections, I am compelled by the forces of good conscience, peace and our shared destiny to call on all political actors and their leaders in the state to be peaceful and respect the sanctity of human life in their conduct before, during and after the voting processes," he said, adding: "I urge contestants and their followers to see this election as a unique opportunity to purge the political culture of our state from its

By Sam Egburonu, Associate Editor current vicious cycle of armed violence and killings whose seeds were sown in our land over a decade ago, so that together we can restore the state to her past glory when genuine, public spirited sons and daughters engaged in healthy political contest mainly to serve the people and when younger politicians were mentored not by acutely desperate power mongers or genocidal politicians but by positive role models of humility, honesty, hard work, integrity and respect for the established unifying traditions in a multi-ethnic state such as ours."

In a press statement he released before yesterday's elections, Dagogo-Jack also said, "On the fateful day of April 11, 2015, we the Rivers people shall have yet another date with destiny and a very unique opportunity to work together and uproot the wicked taproots of the politics of violence and killings, whose seeds were planted in our state over a decade ago and in its place plant new seeds for the restoration of the politics of mutual respect between contestants, total respect for the sanctity of human life, integrity in public service, regard for hard work and meritocracy, upholding of fairness and equity in sharing and rotation of key political offices and pursuit

• Dagogo-Jack of increased social trust cum integration amongst our different ethnic groups."

As the people await the results of yesterday's elections, Dagogo-Jack is of the view that they must maintain peace and brotherly affections.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 2015

POLITICS

39

Nigerians must endure coming change, says ex-APC guber aspirant W

ITH Nigerians breathing fresh air from the successful conclusion of the Presidential election, Nigerians are eagerly looking forward to the inauguration of the new government to be headed by General Muhammadu Buhari.

They are also eagerly waiting to see the reforms promised by Buhari and his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), while offering suggestions on the way forward.

One of such Nigerians is Salihu Isa Nataro who contested the governorship of the All Progressives Congress in Kebbi State, but lost to Atiku Bagudu in the primaries. Nataro believe that some of the sectors that need surgical operation from the Buhari government include education, security and the economy. He believes that reshaping the educational system in the country is a panacea for the success of whatever reform the Buhari government wants to put in place. He said "We must review our education policy by going back to former 6- 5- 4 system and recruit qualified teachers with NCE, BSC, Masters and PhD to teach in our primary and secondary schools. They should be placed on the same salary structure with those in the universities. That is the only way to boost our education and make them compete favorably with the rest of the world. Otherwise, any reform in the sector will fail woefully".

While expressing concern about the cost of governance in the country, he said "I have worked with a lot of industrialist, academicians, administrators in the past and I happened to be a modern politician who is concerned about the cost of governance. That is why I always call on the federal government to reduce the number the of ministries, parastatals, agencies of government and to cut down the workforce by up to 60 percent.

Those to be affected should be

From Tony Akowe and Stella Ayom, Abuja

given long term credit facilities to go into mechanised farming as a way of reducing crime in our society. At the same time, government should equip the remaining civil servants with modern equipment, especially audit department to make them efficient and effective in discharging their responsibilities. The same thing must be done for our military through training and re-training and the provision of modern equipment so that they can protect our territorial integrity.

The police must also be equipped with modern communication gadgets so that we can reduce incidents of many of them carrying arms and walking along the road".

Isa Nataro who said he has never seen Nigerians so excited about change however believes that the coming change will not come easy, saying "I hope the masses will endure the hardship that will accompany the process

and allow the incoming president revamp the economy and restore discipline in our day to day activities which is absent in our society today". He also believes that the government must be encouraged to withdraw security men from private individuals and to post them to places where they will be more useful to the society and help in fighting crime which is the primary reason why they were trained. He also believes that modern equipment as well as communication gadgets must be given to the security agents, especially the police, while reducing cases of police officers carrying arms in public.

He however expressed confidence that he "will be part of Buhari government as he is always looking for an opportunity to reconstruct this country. As an advocate of public sector reform and a former APC governorship aspirant, I believe that this is a chance for me to help Buhari in carrying out his electoral promises".

• Nataro

Mimiko's dilemma as Ondo PDP disintegrates •Contd. from page 37 by installing his loyalists as PDP candidates for the state and National Assembly elections.

The Nation gathered that several efforts by prominent members of the party, including Chief Olusola Oke and Jimoh Ibrahim to reach a consensus with the governor on the control of the party came to naught.

Other members like Kingsley Kuku, the Special Adviser on Niger Delta to President Goodluck Jonathan though not happy with the governor, refused to rock the boat in deference to the president.

But for most old members of Ondo PDP, the battle line was drawn.

In the last presidential and National Assembly elections, they mobilised against the party to spite Mimiko, who was the South West Coordinator of the president's re-election campaign.

The election results tilted heavily in favour of the APC, which won two senatorial seats and majority of the state seats into the House of Representatives.

But even within the governor's camp, all was not well. About three days to the March 28 elections,

Mimiko's deputy, Ali Olanusi, defected to the APC. "The defection really rattled the governor," a source in the party said.

Mimiko jittery over Assembly elections Against the backdrop of the outcome of the March 28 elections, panic has enveloped the governor's camp even as the results of yesterday's House of Assembly elections begin to trickle in.

The Igbotako Accord and the mass defection That the governor may have lost out in the battle for the political soul of the state was further demonstrated some days ago following an agreement reached by old PDP members and the leadership of the APC in Ondo State.

The agreement tagged, "Igbotako Accord" was signed by Mr. Isaacs Kekemeke, Ondo State Chairman of APC and Dr. Olu Ogunye, the factional Chairman of PDP and as well as the convener of the meeting, Chief Jimoh Ibrahim.

In the communiquĂŠ after the meeting at Igbotako home of Jimoh Ibrahim, the leaders called on all citizens of the state to vote en masse

for all APC candidates contesting for membership of Ondo State House of Assembly.

And just on Wednesday, dozens of PDP members, led by Olusola Oke, a former National Legal Adviser of the party and former governorship candidate, moved to APC, citing the alleged injustice in the party and dictatorial tendencies of the governor as reasons for jumping ship.

The precarious state of the Ondo PDP, sources say, may have been responsible for the governor's decision last week to recall thousands of local government workers who were sacked a few years ago.

This last minute move to placate civil servants who are reportedly at daggers drawn with him however seems a little too late, with many of the workers describing their recall as a desperation on the part of the governor to win their support in yesterday's House of Assembly elections.

Would the governor bounce back from this political setback or get consumed in it? The result of Ondo State Assembly election would surely determine his fate.

At a time like this

T

HE good book says there is a time for everything. This is a new time in and for our country; one that only few optimists could have predicted last year. It is a time that the outgoing President, as meek as a lamb, realises that power has changed hands. Mama Peace, too, has woken up to the reality that it is a new dawn in the country. For the President-elect who went to the polls as a retired head of state, detested by many in the Peoples Democratic Party, but us now the best thing to have happened in the reviewed position of the same people. The times have changed.

Not used to being in the opposition, many PDP chieftains from the states are dumping the umbrella to take hold of the broom. How shameless people could be. They went to the polls on March 28 believing that APC would lose and thus enthused that Buhari stood no chance.

Otherwise, they must have thought, President Jonathan would fight to the last, thus giving them the opportunity to profit from the crisis and chaos. But, God took control, gave Goodluck the Patience he would need for a time like this, for the dusk to turn to dawn. And, unable to contemplate being in the cold for four years, they quickly turned their coats. What a world. A loser is indeed an orphan.

I join other lovers of Nigeria in saluting President Jonathan for the uncharacteristic grace he showed in conceding that he had been defeated fair and square. He saved the country the pangs and pains that would have attended a legal and political contest. By that act, he tried to snatch victory from the jaws of a defeat.

But, the man of the moment is General Muhammadu Buhari.

He is the second military man to be elected President of the country. He proved a doughty political warrior by dodging all the bullets the enemy fired at him.

All the documentaries, the name calling and campaign of calumny. The people made him their leader, reposed confidence in his ability to put a broken country together again. It is a daunting task, but General Buhari seems prepared to give it all it takes.

As morning shows the day, the first indicator that we have found a compass for the journey ahead would be the quality of the team the man puts together. It is a time to realise that Nigeria deserves the very best in realigning the forces. As is the case in the United States of America from where we borrowed the P=presidential system of government, governance is not by the victorious political party only. Technocrats

are invited to help in building and shaping the country without the intent of corrupting them by inducting them into partisan politics. Then, in cases where the best materials for a post are located in the opposing party, he is brought in. So it should be in the new dispensation.

This is not the time for brickbats or witch-hunting. All hands must be on the deck. A lot has gone wrong under a Do-Nothing regime.

It is a time to smoothen the crooked.

It should be a time to set standards.

Anyone who misses the standard is brought to book. Corruption should have no hiding place in the New Nigeria we expect from President Buhari.

We also expect this to be a dawn of fairness and justice. The people still look back with nostalgia to the days Buhari was military head of state. Much as we detested the inhuman treatment he meted to some people, they covet the return of discipline and the fear of the awesome power of the state.

With the support of the highly cerebral Professor Yemi Osinbajo, we want and deserve a new day.

The Nigeria Buhari is inheriting is deeply fractured. Along ethnic, religious and class lines, it was divided and thus needs fixing. All eyes are on the General to do the needful. We are in need of a Father of the Nation. One who is loving and soothing, while at the same time strict. A Father who is in position to mobilise men and resources for the task at hand. It is not a job for the few men and women in government or even the politicians only. All of us have our parts to play.

In building modern India, leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru were seen as scrupulously patriotic. They lived and worked for the nation.

The people could trust them and followed them to work. Indira Gandhi was seen as the chosen one and followed in her father's footsteps.

The President and his men have won the war; it is time to work for the peace. By the verdict of March 28, the South and the South east were estranged from the rest of the country. They seem to have voted in anger. They reacted to rumors they heard and went to bank with them. IT is time to win them over by the conduct of the new leaders.

One way is to rebuild the collapsed walls of education, health and the economy. These are religion and tribe blind. The government must live up to the promise of making life secure now.

But, the more difficult task is improving social relations. The building of a united country has been long in cpming. I will see the Buhari administration as a success if by 2019 it has brought all together again. Buhari has to bow out of the stage in 2019 the Nigeria Mandela.

40

POLITICS

As the intrigues over the successor of Senate President David Mark at the Red Chamber deepens, Associate Editor, Sam Egburonu, reports that North-East has become better positioned for the plum job

W

HO will call the shots at the Red Chamber of the National Assembly after May 29, 2015?

That is one of the major questions agitating the minds of political leaders in Nigeria today. Already, leaders of the various geo-political zones are holding unending meetings both amongst themselves and with the leadership of All Progressives Congress (APC) to market their candidates and to explain why the plum position should be zoned to them.

There is no argument or pontification that the in-coming Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria will wear a new look leadership, courtesy of the triumphant entry of the All Progressive Congress (APC) against the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP).

For now, the APC has an overwhelming majority of 60 against PDP's 49. This development has emphatically changed the political calculations in the upper legislative chamber.

In the out-going dispensation, the Senate President, Senator David Mark, from Benue State, North Central geopolitical zone, held sway for eight uninterrupted years. He set an unprecedented, unblemished record of no scandal within these years. Mark rewrote the history of Nigeria Senate with quality leadership, transparency, honesty and accountability. He ended the era of "banana peels" which was the order of the day before his emergence in 2007. Senator Mark represents Benue South Senatorial zone on the platform of the PDP. In the emerging u- turn, the APC, except the extra- ordinary or unimaginable happens, has taken firm control of the Senate just like in the House of Representatives where it controls 214 out of the 360 members.

Unarguably, the APC takes charge in the Senate while the hitherto ruling PDP takes the back seat. The issue now is where would the "King makers" in the APC zone the plum position of Senate Presidency to? Would it remain in the North-Central or move to the North-East zone?

Most informed analysts say the South-South and the South-East zones are technically out of the equation because the zones did not produce any senator in the last elections. The SouthWest zone also seems out of reckoning in the contest because the zone already has the Vice President -elect, Professor Yemi Osinbajo.

Taking this scenario into consideration, the North-Central zone is already parading the likes of former governor of Benue State and incumbent Minority Leader, Sen. George Akume and former Kwara State governor, Bukola Saraki for the exalted seat.

Akume is said to be favoured by some powerful elders within the APC while Saraki, according to insider sources enjoys the support of the relatively younger but also influential elements within today's APC. But Akume's critics, especially amongst some serving Senators allege that Akume may have failed to deliver much as minority leader in the senate.

They therefore argue that he cannot be entrusted with a higher responsibility now. A source at the National Assembly, who begged not to be named, however said there is still a problem in the whole calculation of narrowing the contest between Akume and Saraki because while Akume's critics may not want him to occupy that seat now, it must not be

Who succeeds Mark in the Senate?

• Saraki

• Akume

• Goje

• Lawan

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 2015 forgotten that Saraki is yet to clear his cases with the EFCC." This reality has also thrown up speculations that the North-East may have emerged a stronger force in the quest to succeed Mark. It is on record that some influential leaders of the NorthEast zone are contending today that the Senate Presidency should be zoned to their zone because they have been neglected and marginalized in the political arrangement at least since 2007.

From the North-East zone, the likes of former governor of Gombe State, Danjuma Goje, Ali Ndume from Borno State and Senator Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan from Yobe State have emerged as frontline candidates.

However, critics are quick to point out that strong candidates like Goje and Ndume may be challenged because of some alleged cases and allegations.

Some of the cases and allegations include for example, allegation that Goje still has a case with the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) while Ndume has pending cases with security operatives over alleged complicity with the dreaded Islamic set, Boko-Haram.

For now, the third major contender, Senator Ahmad Lawam, seems to have no serious matter that may pose as a direct challenge against his quest to emerge the next Senate President. A source, an insider in the politics of the National Assembly, confirming this said, "Besides, Lawan parades robust academic credentials. He holds Master and Doctorate Degrees in Remote Sensing. His first degree is in Geography.

"Above all, should the ranking rules apply; it would be a done deal for Lawan. He is the highest ranking lawmaker among the contenders. He was in the House of Representatives from 1999 to 2003; 2003 to 2007 and moved to the Senate from 2007 to 2011 and 2011 to 2015. This is a testimony to the fact that Senator Lawan stands tall far above his competitors," the source said.

Also commenting on the likely successor of Mark at the Red Chamber, Dr John Udo, a social commentator, said he is not surprised at the names currently bandied in the media.

According to him, "While not dismissing other zones and candidates, I think the North-East may get it this time around. Also, amongst the names we have seen, Lawan, to me, seems advantaged here." He added that the Yobe State senator "has also demonstrated high level of competence and integrity as the Chairman, Senate Committee on Public Accounts. I understand he enjoys the respect of his colleagues for his intelligence and robust debates. Of course, that is why he was rated best Senator 2011 by Baseline Global Ventures."

If these testimonies are accepted by the leaders of APC, Lawan, who won the Yobe North Senatorial seat for APC, may just be the needed round peg in the round hole to wear the big shoe expected to be left behind by Senator Mark. The game is getting hotter by the day and Nigerians are eager to behold the third citizen.

March 28: How Akume, Gemade humbled Suswam Assistant Editor, Dare Odufowokan, reports on the gang-up I that made Governor Gabriel Suswam's defeat possible T is a known fact now that Governor Gabriel Suswan lost his bid to return to the National Assembly after an eight-year stint as governor of Benue State. Suswam, who was elected governor in 2007 after serving two terms as member of the House of Representatives, contested the Benue North East Senatorial election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and lost to a former National Chairman of the PDP, Barnabas Gemade, who contested under All Progressives Congress (APC).

Announcing the results after the election at the INEC headquarters in Makurdi, the returning officer for Benue North East Senatorial election, Prof Mohammed Adah, said Gemade polled 140, 715 votes to beat Suswam, who polled 118, 603 votes.

While the people of the state, especially supporters of the governor are wondering how Suswam, who before now, since his entrance into the politics of the state as a young

struggling lawyer in 1999, has never lost an election, succumbed to the political wizardry of Gemade, analysts are quick to mention that the governor's defeat was orchestrated largely by his estranged political godfather, former Governor George Akume.

"Although it was Gemade who squared up against the governor in the senatorial contest, those in the known will tell you that it was actually Akume who plotted and executed Suswam's first ever electoral defeat. Akume is yet to forgive the governor for the way he humiliated him out of the PDP in 2011.

Following Suswam's re-election in 2011, Akume and his camp returned to the political drawing board to plot how to humble the governor politically in the state. His declaration for the senate presented an opportunity and

the APC chieftains worked round the clock searching for how best to forestall such ambition on the part of Suswam," Tony Egoche, former All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP) in the state, said.

The Nation gathered that Akume's trouble with the governor started almost immediately the later was elected to succeed the former in 2007. It would be recalled that after eight years at the National Assembly, in April 2007, Suswam was almost singlehandedly picked by the then Governor George Akume as the gubernatorial flagbearer of the ruling PDP in the state.

The then youthful House of Representatives member went ahead to win the governorship election and was sworn in •Contd. on page 42

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 2015

POLITICS

41

Inside race for Speaker of House of Reps

• Famurewa

• Gbajabiamila

• Dogara

Returning members of the House of Representatives are not leaving any stone unturned for the occupation of the seat of the Speaker of the House of Representatives with the NorthEast, South-West and SouthSouth making case for themselves. House of Reps' Correspondents, Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi examine the chances of the regions in the unfolding political development.

T

HE emergence of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on the country's political landscape defeated all permutations as shown by the outcome of the Presidential election of 28th March, 2015. The implication on the House of Representatives is that about 300 members from the current composition of the House are not returning to the Green chamber for the 8th House of Representatives. While the South-East geopolitical zone had two seats for the APC, the neighboring South-South contributed three to the in-coming APC dominated House.

The question on the lips of some observes however is that what would be the lot of the South-South and the SouthEast if the geo-political zoning formula takes the center stage. The implication is that the South-East and the South-South would have lost out completely in the scheme of things as the North would have taken almost everything with the President, Senate President and the Speaker slots going to the North. On the other hand, the South-East/South-South axis may still go home with something if the NorthSouth formula is adopted.

Credence, according to some observers, should be given to the Change Mantra of the APC, by placing merit above the zoning arrangement that killed ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The Standing Orders of the House, Order 4 states that 'A member-elect, addressing the Clerk shall propose another member-elect with legislative experience as member of National Assembly to the House to be Speaker and shall move that such member-elect do take the chair as Speaker of the House of Representatives'. In view of this, it may not be entirely wrong to say the House heavily relied on this Order to produce the incumbent Speaker, against the norm and the wishes of PDP. If the APC tows the line of zoning, the South-West may not be in the scheme of things having produced the Vice-

• Iriase

President. Implication is that members from the South-South and the North-East would be the top contenders.

The North-West and South-West had the Presidency and the Vice respectively. While the South-South and the South-East contributed less than impressive performance to the emergence of APC with five members, the North-Central and the North-East on the other hand, played critical roles in the unfolding political equation. The North-East ensured that almost 90 percent of its members were on the platform of APC, while it was 100 percent for the North-West less Jigawa. The chances of the North-East however appear to be brighter as the NorthCentral is almost certain to retain the Senate Presidency.

Invariably, the battle now seems to be between the South-South and the North-East.

The three members from South-South are two returning members Pally Iriase and Peter Akpatason and Philip Shaibu. All three are from Edo State. From that zone, Iriase appears to be a stronger contender having been a former Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and a Deputy Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly for four years. He is also member to critical Committee of the House.

Rallying other members for support, for a region that performed so poorly for the top seat might be a Herculean task though.

If for whatever reason the contest is thrown open, then the South-West would go for it headlong, with the current Minority Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila leading the pack.

With a Juris Doctorate in Law, 12 years experience in the House and his relationship with members across party lines, Gbajabiamila should find it easy into the hearts of old and new members of the House to emerge as the Speaker in the 8th Assembly.

Already Gbajabiamila has ranking members

• Jibrin

of the House from North-West and NorthCentral leading his campaign for the speakership position. Ajibola Famurewa, representing Atakumosa East/West/Ilesa East/West Federal constituency of Osun State has also joined the fray. The engineer, who has been on a number of House Committee, is also a very active member of the House.

The North West is also keen to join the fray as the fiery House Chairman on Finance, Abdulmumin Jibrin, from Kano State has announced his intention to contest for the Speakership position. He is banking on his brilliance and ability to muster support across the board. He has always been a factor in House matters. Jibrin, while declaring his intention, promised to declare his assets on becoming the Speaker, in addition to making public the spending of the House. His declaration may witness a repeat of the 2011 scenario.

On the other hand, the North-East is boosted by numbers and some key players in the outgoing Assembly. The fight might come down to just two front runners from the region, Mohammed Monguno, Chairman House Committee on Agriculture and Yakubu Dogara, Chairman House Committee on House Services. The permutation was that Dogara, seen as a stickler to due process, which was responsible for his performance as Chairman of the very sensitive House Services Committee, could become the Speaker if the geo-political zoning formula prevails. Though his Constituency of Bogoro/Dass/Tafawa-Balewa was a stronghold of the PDP, Dogara, at the risk of losing his seat was among the first set of 37 members who defected to the APC in December 2013 and led his people to join the party. However, Bauchi, this time, gave the president and the APC almost 100 percent votes in the election.

• Monguno

The third term legislator equally has an impressive credential for the top job being Borno State former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice from 2003 to 2005, Commissioner for Education and then Commissioner for Water Resources between 2005 and 2007. The incumbent Chairman of Agriculture Committee is also seen a strong contender for the Speakership.

Making a case for the North-East, a member, who pleaded anonymity, said the region deserves to be considered for the number one seat in the House in the 8th Assembly. According to him, the region appears to be short-changed in the distribution of the highest seat in the House since the advent of the National Assembly in 1999. Besides, he noted that the overwhelming support from the region to the cause of APC in the Presidential and National Assembly elections should be a key factor in rewarding it with the Speaker's position.

"From 2007-2011, North-East produced Deputy Speaker Usman Bayero Nafada and that is the highest position the NorthEast occupied in the National Assembly since 1999. But the intriguing part is that in 2011, PDP zoned Deputy Speaker to the region but Emeka Ihedioha was instead elected despite the fact that Ike Ekweremadu was also elected Deputy Senate President.

The implication was that the region was left with nothing in both Senate and House of Representatives."

Another reason, according to the lawmaker that should sway the Speakership tussle in the way of the region is that it is not only the third most populous geo-political zone in the country after NorthWest and South-West, the region also has the highest number of minority tribes who have always been schemed out and marginalized. He however pointed out that the contribution of the region to the victory of APC in the 2015 elections cannot be overemphasized, despite the menace of the ravaging Boko Haram insurgency that has devastated the region. He said, "In the just concluded Presidential and National Assembly elections, the North-East produced the second highest number of votes for the APC and second highest number of federal lawmakers for the party.

Isn't this enough to consider the need to compensate the region adequately in the incoming government for the sacrifices it has made for the unity, stability and indivisibility of Nigeria?"

Whether the scenario that shaped the 7th House of Representatives will play out this time is another question to ponder; that is if the President-elect and the Party decide to stay away from interfering. However it pans out, already, all the contenders have deployed ranking and returning members to lead their campaigns for the coveted seat of the Speaker with special focus on the more than 300 new members that are making their ways into the Green chamber for the first time.

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 2015

POLITICS

Tallen aligns with Buhari's wife

ORMER minister in the administration of ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, Mrs. Pauline Tallen, appears to have regained her groove since she defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) a few months ago. For many years, Tallen was up in arms against her state governor, Jonah Jang, over issues not unconnected with the governor's alleged dictatorial style.

Now fully settled in her new party, Tallen in the past few weeks, has been sighted in the company of Hajia Aisha Buhari, wife of President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, on campaign tours to various states, a confirmation that she has fully integrated herself in her new party.

•Lawan

Lawan loses out in Kano politics

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•Tallen

Why GNI's talks with Ogun SDP collapsed T

•Osoba

•Isiaka

IME factor may have been responsible for the failed alliance talks between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ogun State, Gboyega Nasiri Isiaka and the state chapter of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), sources have disclosed. Some days ago, Isiaka reportedly held a marathon meeting with Chief Olusegun Osoba, Ogun SDP leader, on the need to forge a common front against the state governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, in yesterday's governorship election. But no concrete agreement could be reached, because as sources put it, some contentious issues could not be resolved before the governorship election.

ON. Farouk Lawan, once the golden boy of the House of Representatives, is not a happy man at the moment. The diminutive lawmaker lost in his 5th term bid to the National Assembly last month, with many of his supporters blaming his loss to his refusal to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (PDP). Sources say Lawan was under pressure to leave PDP, but opted to stay put in PDP owing to his ongoing trial over a bribery allegation, which the leadership of the PDP allegedly used to blackmail him into submission.

Awwal Tukur may dump PDP T

•Tukur

HE wave of defections that has hit the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Adamawa State may not end anytime soon. With the likes of Senator Jonathan Zwingina, former Minister of State for Health, Dr. Idi Hong, among others joining the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the PDP, there are strong indications that Awwal, the eldest son of Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, the former PDP National Chairman, is also allegedly toying with the idea of moving to APC. Ever since he was schemed out of the PDP governorship primaries won

by Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the younger Tukur and his father have lost interest in the affairs of the party, preferring to watch things from the sidelines.

March 28: How Akume, Gemade humbled Suswam •Contd. from page 40 on May 29, 2007. But in a most unexpected twist in the relationship of godfather and godson, Suswam and Akume started disagreeing almost immediately the new government was formed.

Many analysts have attempted to give insight into why they clashed so quickly.

Several reasons have been adduced for the collapse of their political relationship. But the most prominent of these reasons is the desire of the new governor to establish his own political empire.

Ushakuma Anenga, a columnists for Benue.com.ng, while trying to explain what led to the bitter political rivalry between Akume and his erstwhile political godson, said "Suswam wanted to stand alone and set up his own political empire, and for many other reasons well covered by the local media and rumoured on social media, details of which I'm not qualified to unravel, these two gladiators just couldn't get along.

"As the issues went unresolved, it became clear that they wouldn't share one umbrella - the umbrella party, PDP, could not accommodate them, hence Akume leaving to seek refuge in newly formed Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). Akume will go on to contest and win a return to the senate under this party."

"Rather than mark the end of the political wrangling between the two politicians, Akume's exit from the PDP and return to the senate led to a fiercer and more

intriguing competition within their supporters across the state. With ACN determined to upstage the PDP from the Government House and Suswam unrelenting in his effort to install another PDP administration in the state, the two battled themselves endlessly ahead of the 2015 general election.

The ensuing political exchanges and clashes have been adjudged widely as being stiffer and fiercer than any ever witnessed in the history of Benue State. And for nearly four years, the two camps struggled for political prominence and the people's support amidst serious tension across the state.

There was a sharp political divide among the people of the state. Those who were buoyed by the promise of change and a new beginning as canvassed by Akume and his party, the ACN and later APC, rallied round the Senator while those who desired that the PDP government should continue, supported Suswam and his party undauntedly.

"But while all the political battles lasted, the opposition and other critics of the governor really got at him. The protracted court cases bothering around allegations of certificate forgery, embezzlement, high-handedness and disrespect for elders and party hierarchy, amongst other issues that trailed the governor's second term in office did a lot of damage to his political standing amongst the people of the state.

No doubt, one can say while Akume's profile continued on the rise on account of his dodged and patriotic activities as a Senator of

• Suswan the Federal Republic, Suswam's dipped daily on account of the many controversies he had to contend with within and outside his party," Egoche said.

Not satisfied with installing an APC government alone, Akume vowed to thwart the governor's senatorial ambition at all cost even after Suswam allegedly arm-twisted the leadership of the PDP at both the party and national levels, to deny Gemade a second term and hand him the senatorial ticket of his Northeastern District.

And in keeping with that vow, Akume and his think tank risked everything, including a possible uprising within their new party, the APC, to give Gemade the senatorial ticket to enable him confront Suswam in what many pundits declared the mother of all senatorial contests, on March 28, 2015.

"In the runoff to the last senatorial election, Akume defiled party norms and reason to jettison competent hands like Andrew Ayabam and Adaa Maagbe to more or less, award the APC Benue north-east ticket on a platter of gold to someone he knew will give Suswam a run for his money, Chief Barnabas Gemade," Anega said Smarting from his recent humiliation by Suswam in their struggle for the PDP senatorial ticket, the former National Chairman of the governor's party was more than happy to join forces with his one-time political ally, Akume, to create what now is history, Suswam's epic defeat.

Expectedly, the governor is not going down without a fight. He is said to be plotting to approach the election tribunal as soon as it is inaugurated. Reacting to the results, Solomon Wombo, an associate of his, called for the cancellation of the results, alleging irregularities in four local government councils.

But pundits say with his unexpected and humiliating defeat at the senatorial election, Suswam may completely fizzle out of Benue political terrain sooner than he expected. No thanks, of course to the Akume, Gemade political gang up.

IN VOGUE

By Kehinde Oluleye

Tel: 08023689894 (sms) E-mail: kehinde.oluleye@thenationonlineng.net

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY APRIL 12, 2014

New WOMAN

PILLOWTALK YETUNDE OLADEINDE

Raising a voice for the Nigerian girl With Temilolu Okeowo temilolu@girlsclub.org.ng 07086620576 (sms only) Please visit my blog www.temiloluokeowo.wordpress.com for more inspiring articles. Twitter@temiloluokeowo

Pursue your destiny (XXIV)

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ONDERFUL Nigerians, I am happy to be in touch with you again today. No matter what you are passing through "There is no one like the God of Jeshurun, who rides across the heavens to help you and on the clouds in his majesty. The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. He will drive out your enemies before you, saying, 'Destroy them!' Deuteronomy 33:26-27 (NIV) In this new week, God will ride across your spirit and destroy every clog in the wheel of your progress and help you destroy all the negative elements in your spirit that have created a distance between your spirit and His. AMEN! I welcome you all to school on Sunday. We are still on a subtopic- Rebranding Your Spirit - which has been addressing how we can identify and rid our spirits of what could dim our spiritual illumination and cast a dark veil on our souls which would in turn affect our spiritual connectivity with God. Today, I'll be discussing Envy/Jealousy. I welcome you all to school on Sunday.

“But if you harbour bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.” James 3:14-15 (NIV) The King James Version for the word “demonic” in the scripture above is “devilish.” So, if you've been harbouring envy or jealousy, you've been housing the devil in your spirit and slowly killing yourself because, in the first instance, he's come to kill, steal and destroy every good thing God has planned for you. My goodness…what a waste of time? What's the point in letting the pain and bitterness you feel about what someone has shield the eyes of your soul from seeing the greater possessions and opportunities far better than what you are envying which God has prepared for you but which the devil is using every ploy to stop you from seeing? Na you know o!

Sadly, too many Christians are so carnal, lazy and distracted by inanities they just don't know that they could possess just about anything they want in life.

Envy is "sadness on account of the goods possessed by another which are regarded as harmful to oneself since they diminish one's own excellence or renown." Envy breeds hatred, gossip, detraction and resentment against one's neighbour. Not only does an

Fishing in troubled emotional waters

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AVE you been to love's molehill? Making a mountain out of love's molehill reminds you of the idiom that refers to making too much of a minor issue. It could also refer to exaggerating the importance of something. So in relationships, you discover that a number of people fall apart because of things that they should have overlooked; things that should have been inconsequential to the love matter.

Instead of showering the one they claim to love with affection, what we do is to look out for their mistakes, what they left undone as well as what we think they are likely to do. Unfortunately, that is why we always run into problems, instead of holding on to the power of positive thinking.

Love's molehill is usually clustered and cluttered with negatives. The molehill interestingly is a conial mound of loose soil raised by small burrowing mammals, including moles.

The love animal thinks like these burrowing mammals, we keep on unearthing things that break the heart. You keep on fishing in trouble emotional waters and result is the heartbreaks we have these days.

It's actually a long, tiring journey and you need perseverance to survive the odds. You also need a trusty road map and guidebook to benefit from the experience of those who have been through the bumpy road, climbing emotional hills with stress, getting lost in a valley of lust while a few make it to the mountaintop.

envious person resent another person's goods, be they talents, looks, possessions, works or popularity, he also takes joy in and even relishes in the setbacks or adversity that a person faces. Envy is a vicious sin because it creeps into the best of relationships, even between spouses who love each other. And you will agree with me that it is a spirit. And that is why I always encourage parents to let their kids study the bible and memorise verses right from their impressionable years so that once their souls are illuminated and filled with the word, which is the Spirit of God, it would be difficult for any foul spirit to penetrate as long as they make it a life style. But how many born-again Christians today even have time for the scriptures, least of all ensure their kids get acquainted with it? A mother or father who has an envious spirit automatically transfers it to his/her offspring. Now, how do you think a girl who is less-privileged would feel amongst those who have the best things in life? Not only would she be full of bitterness and strife, but because her imagination is so vivid, she ends up seeing life like it was created for just a special set of people. She may suffer from depression and inferiority complex and you would agree with me that whatever we are exposed to in our impressionable years and adolescence forms an imprint on our souls which further lays a solid foundation for our lives.

My darling sisters, if you find yourself being envious or jealous of anyone, you are only dulling yourself and reducing your value before God. Who says you cannot later in future employ the richest kid in your school today even when your parents can't afford to buy you a new uniform and you keep patching and patching? And who says you can't buy yourself an aircraft before you are age 40 even when you have to hawk bananas to pay your school fees today? Hmm…if a lot

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molaralife@yahoo.com

of you knew the sort of virtues you carry, you would never wish to be like anyone. Your virtues owe you the world and that is why Girls Club encourages you to stay chaste even if you don't have food to eat. God has a plan for every single person He created and we all have distinctive stars and roles to play on earth. Now, why concentrate on what someone has when you should be pursuing your destiny and let your eyes be fixed on God? Hmm…Sigh!

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” Psalm 139:13-16 (NIV) Assignment- Before you sleep tonight, say this prayer aggressively and let it resonate in your spirit till you fall asleep: “Oh God, my father, show me who I am destined to be, in the name of Jesus.”

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To be continued.

OR more inspiring articles and prayers against sexual perversion (masturbation, lesbianism, addiction to pornography and immoral thoughts etc.) please visit my blog www.temiloluokeowo.wordpress.com

For our sisters in captivity

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HE voice of God that shaketh the wilderness of Kadesh and discovereth the forests, roar at the enemies of Nigeria and release the captives of Sambisa forest in Jesus name. Amen.

FINAL WORD

HASTITY does not belong to the past. It saves you a lot of trouble, preserves your beautiful destiny and stands you out from the crowd.

You are better off not engaging in pre-marital sex. Stay chaste!

Miss Temilolu O.Okeowo is the founder of Girls Club of Nigeria, an NGO for girls in their teens and twenties aimed at influencing a positive change.

She published her debut-book for girls - THE BEAUTY OF LIFE - as an undergraduate and has other books and publications. She was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2003 and is a Certified Forensics Examiner.

Solomon is looking for a babe, someone he can be happy with 24/7. Happily, he tells his friends the type of gal he is looking for and they laughed at him. Dreamer? “You are just too ambitious, you need to look around and if you find someone who fits into your target. If the babe meets up at least 50 or 60 per cent, then you are okay. But if you insist on having all the details a 100 per cent, then it may just be a wild goose chase.”

A gap tooth and every smiling chic; this can really be a great source of inspiration in any relationship. A frowning babe is not a great companion. She's going to drag to the bottomless pit and make the whole idea very uninteresting.

A bad bargain, any day.

What is he going to do with a babe whose eyeballs are flat?

“No way. It's more exciting when you are in a relationship with someone that excites you. The eyeballs is the first contact, you must be able to connect positively at this point.

If the one you want to spend the rest of your life with possesses eyeballs that are not attractive, then it's not likely to work.”

That is not all. This dude also wants his babe to be intelligent or close to a genius at work.

Insatiable? Not really. A guy with class should go after what his heart desires. His dream is unique; not for ordinary souls. This dream gal must be a pot pourri of some sort; an angel in the midst of other angels, something worth having forever. A diamond must be forever.

Well, we can't really blame him. So, are we saying that it may not be possible to have just one babe with all these assets? No, we just can't make that lazy assumption. Let him try, try and try again. He may just be lucky to find this missing rib somewhere and somehow.

Like a molehill, love can be very difficult to define.

Most times, you may just have to make something out of nothing. You need to make the best of whatever situation you find yourself and make things work, if you can. Things are different from what we used to have in the past; obviously signs of the love times.

Two young lovebirds decided to go in search of a good love nest. Somewhere, they can live happily thereafter. Of course, they were not sure where true love was, they went to a love doctor for diagnosis. The doctor did the necessary tests to be sure that they were compatible. Once there was a confirmation that they both had enough of cupid's arrows in their veins to take them through this strenuous love journey, it was time to be practical.

Here, he took them though a shimmering path that got higher and deeper with every step. It was fun and the two lovebirds laughed, sang, danced and shed tears of joy. The sun was shining brilliantly and fragrant wildflowers were blossoming abundantly all around them as the skipped merrily around the path of love.

Just when you thought they had found love, the unexpected happened; the euphoria was interrupted by a voice from the past.

“Susan, how can you do this to me? How can you bite the love fingers that fed you? Why did you break a loving heart?” Yes, that was the voice of an old flame. It was a sad voice and it was also warning the new Romeo. The message here was that he had been a victim and the new guy was going to fall prey soon.

Our queen is a fair weather lover, the type who shows affection only when there are goodies in the emotional bag.

Once the bag becomes deflated, then she is going to take to her heels. Utopia? Well, you would find out as you sink deeper and deeper into this love quagmire.

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 2015

•National Troupe artistes on stage.

PHOTOS: SOIBIFA DOKUBO

‘Traditional songs good for relaxation’

•Artistes rendering traditional songs

With the assemblage of series of songs and stage dramas anchored basically on folklores and traditions of the people, the National Troupe of Nigeria has shown that truly tradition can never die. The idea of folk and traditional theatre as espoused by Akin Adejuwon, the director of the Troupe is to bring back the people’s heritage and present songs that appeal for national unity and cohesion. Edozie Udeze reports

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RADITIONAL theatre is gradually recreating its impact in the theatre scene in the society. For too long, the society, especially those who created stories and enacted issues that gave vent to stage drama seemed to have relegated the importance of folklores in Nigeria to the background. Due to this, many of the stories that made up the issues of theatre truly lacked in the areas of conveying the sentiments of the people and what they stand for and why they enjoyed listening to their traditional songs.

However, one man who has chosen to toe this new part and bring back to the basics the issue of folk-theatre is Akin Adejuwon, the Artistic Director of the National Troupe of Nigeria, (NTN). In all the Easter stage songs and dramas presented to the public last weekend, Adejuwon went deep into the heritage of the people, dwelling so much on those moon-light stories that shaped the history of the different localities in Nigeria. With these, he was able to produce one of the most outstanding and spectacular performances by the National Troupe of Nigeria.

Titled musical folk-theatre performance and which lasted for over two hours, the songs reminded the audience that history is made up of what the people have lived in the past. With these stories, the artistes presented series of electrifying dance-dramas, deeply imbued with colourful costumes to sooth the nerves of thespians. Adejuwon said: “Yes I thought we needed to go back into the culture of the people. We felt we needed to revisit the many rich cultural and folk stories of our people to be able to produce dances and songs that would satisfy the audience. It is an experiment in progress but I feel from what I saw today, how the people reacted, and how the artistes carried themselves on stage, we have succeeded in proving a point.”

In his reaction to the question of what gave him the idea to go more traditional in his latest stage offerings, Adejuwon, a painter and visual artist of no mean stature retorted: “The issue is that I want to throw back the question to you. What do you feel?

How do you see or assess the Troupe? All we have done is to produce and present what we feel can catch the fancy of the Nigerian audience. The stories are the stories of our people and what they believe in. I have done the work; I have put it out, so please do the critique,” he said.

He reiterated that his position is that of trust in the interest of the people. “The Troupe is for the people. What I have been able to do, goes far back to the interactions I have had with the people over the years.

Those interactions have helped to infuse ideas into me, into what I have been able to present to the people. And of course, this is a collective responsibility. The artistes are also involved in those creations. But the most important thing is that we are on the threshold of history whereby we need to do more in the areas of our traditional values for more and better stories and stage dramatizations of those stories.”

Some of the stories on stage were those used for the three-state tour embarked upon by the Troupe last year. Although the name has been changed from Ajoyo (celebration) to Ajodun (festival), basically the contents remain the same. They all encompass contemporary music, solo performances and so on, embedded in the cultures of different ethnic groups in Nigeria. Adejuwon explained that the introduction of the new costumes was to embellish the stories and give them proper stage colouration. “As it turned out,” he said, “the presentation became more relevant to the ideals of the moment and what the songs and dances stand for. In all, the thematic thrust is the national unity, cohesion and oneness of the Nigerian society.”

What this shows is that with theatre, one can safely showcase the Nigerian folkloric songs, bringing into focus the profundity of their performances, in different ways. What impressed people more was that Adejuwon and his team spent only three weeks to package these stimulating stories into theatre. To him, it wouldn’t have been pleasant to celebrate Easter without the input of the Troupe even if there was no fund to do it. He said “I believe in my wonderful team and I was quite sure we would be able to do it even at the shortest time possible. This was why of all genres of theatre, I chose music for this celebration. For me music is the height of theatre in the entertainment industry. Today music is giving, Nigeria a great mileage, so I felt we should continue in that tradition.”

For many years, the music department of the National Troupe was dormant and ineffectual. So with the infusion of new life into it, the Director decided to use the department to give the Nigerian theatre audience a hilarious musical ensemble for the season. “Although we have created this, we will still take it out to places like Abuja and so on to make the scenes more penetrating to the people. We will also go to Ghana to showcase these songs and also feel the pulse of the people.”

He went on, “I have looked closely at the production in the past. I have also listened to some new Nigerian singers and musicians. What do you think make most of them tick or why are they so popular? Many of them have gone back to the stories of their people. They have discovered that this is what people want to listen to; people want to identify your songs with what goes on around them. This is basically what I have decided to do also.”

Adejuwon stressed the need for people, especially artistes to first of all think in their traditional ways. “This is what Professors Wole Soyinka and Chinua Achebe do and

that is why they are great artistes today.

They prefer their African background; they eulogise their African traditions and use them to write stories. This is why we see wonderful folklores in their presentations.

If they are very great literary icons today, why wouldn’t we and others go back to those issues that pertain to the people to give them the kind of songs that appeal to their senses? So, this is why I will continue to go into our traditional African art and produce what people want.”

At the moment, with the array of musical presentation and the dance-dramas that go with it, Adejuwon and his team still hope to go on a second-leg of a nation-wide tour.

Apart from his avowed commitment to use theatre to cement love in Nigeria, he also hopes to use it to reach out to war-torn zones not only in Nigeria but elsewhere to preach love and togetherness and peace. “We still hope to embark on such tours to let the people know the whole essence and beauty of theatre. Theatre, to me, is a good vehicle to douse anger, recreate the mind and forge unity. And we are committed to it,” he said.

POEM

Handover my high perches I am my eyes and feet and heart inhabited me the bone work of the artist of origin but I am who I was and who I will be I was the big cat morning flatteries and the throne lampshade and and l shepherd of many lullabies are no longer here destinies so are the songs and chants but today the damask is off the ceremonies and and so is the lying xylophones the retinue is now dance if the cripple rented by another kisses now I am alone my feet I am no longer su- roosting with myself perior to see again the one they stole from me the law the majesty and the façade of By Sam Omatseye

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY,

ARTS

APRIL 12, 2015

Nigerian artists exhibit in London

• Abiodun Olaku, Lunar Watch, Oil on Canvas, 2015, 23 x 29 Inches (2)

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EGINNING from the 19 th of this month, some Nigerian contemporary artists would be showcasing their works at the famous Lacey Contemporary Art Gallery in London. Speaking to the Nation on the processes leading to the event, the president of Guild of Professional Fine Artists of Nigeria (PFA) Abraham Uyovbisere, explained that even though this is the third edition of the show, the whole essence of the outing is meant to use the

By Edozie Udeze

Nigerian contemporary art to reach out to the world.

With the theme of the exhibition as Transcending Boundaries 2015, the idea is to let the artists use the platform to square it out with their contemporaries in other parts of the world.

Uyovbisere said: “As you know, every year, the guild puts up an exhibition in London. It is usually packaged and curated by our dealer in England. What we are doing is to dwell extensively

•Fidelis Odogwu, Elements of Beauty, 41 Inches 104 cm, Metal, 2015 (3)

on professionalism in order to give the best we have to the world.”

This is why the likes of Dr. Bruce Onobrakpeya, Kolade Osinowo, Bunmi Babatunde, Fidelis Odogwu and such other great Nigerian artists are involved in this great show. With over 34 works of different genres of the visual art, it is expected that the two week event would afford both the older and younger Nigerian artists the opportunity to appreciate the whole

•Abraham Uyovbisere, Great Expectation, Enamel Oil on Canvas, 2013, 54 x 42 Inches

beauty and importance of the exhibition.

In this regard, Uyovbisere said: “It is to use this medium to increase the level of awareness concerning most of our contemporary art works. It is an opportunity for us to venture out, looking at the global stage. People who truly appreciate the work of art would view the works, then key in, because as you know, the world is a global village. So, whatever other artists are

doing should not be cut off from what we are also doing.”

The president of the guild re-emphasised that the reason behind the formation of the artists guild in Nigeria is to afford professional studio artists the opportunity to speak with one voice. “This is purely for studio artists with not less than seven years of practice. We made it so in order to ensure that members are truly committed to the ideals of studio prac-

tice and tenets. So, by the time we use the exhibition to extend the aesthetics of our art to Europe, America and beyond, we will be much more appreciated. In this way, both our local and international collectors will be involved” he said.

By the time the exhibition would be winding up on May 11, it is expected that most of the paintings, sculptures and other installations would have created the necessary impact in the minds of art lovers and collectors.

Masquerades represent lawmakers in my community-Mbanefo

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ROLIFIC Nigerian artist, Emmah Mbanefo, no doubt is among the many Nigerian artists who are known for their exceptional works. He has made significant contributions in the field of visual arts in Nigeria and beyond.

His artistic works revolves specifically around Igbo themes and symbolic mystery which provide a guide for artists. Beyond the Igbo titles of his works, the meaning behind it is equally of interest and it cut across everyone, with fascinating messages which no one can ignore.

Mbanefo’s use of masquerades and Igbo titles to communicate his thoughts can be attributed to his Onitsha, Anambra origin.

He said: “Masquerades represent lawmakers in my community where I come from. They make law and they repel it. Masquerades served as legislative, the judiciary and the executive arm of government in many communities in Nigeria before the coming of the whiteman,” he said.

No wonder this sculptor and painter most time uses masquerade to convey his messages which invokes mixed feelings of fear and peace. He keeps revisiting the ancestral linage of Onitsha people, as well as

By Udemma Chukwuma

contemporary issues in Nigeria with his work.

In May, 2014, he exhibited about 60 works in a solo art exhibition of paintings and sculptors titled: Wood Hood; at the National Mu-

seum, Lagos. “What could Wood Hood mean? The clause “out of the wood” means free at last, of trouble and danger. Perhaps, independent and emancipated, Wood Hood is directly the opposite, both “danger and

“trouble” are of a foundation (cause) whose superstructure (effects) are far from goodness.

“Wood Hood is a sequel to my first solo art exhibition “Ambivalence;” that which makes man intrinsically hu-

man, not good, not bad but both. Wood Hood searches for the good, the spirit of humanity.”

Explaining the titles of his works he said: “Itokili: this refers to being caged in the world of the living. The vic-

tim is highly vulnerable and humility could be the panacea. Humility is such a frail and dedicated thing that, anyone who dares to think that he has it, proves by that single thought that he has it not.” Other titles you will come across whenever you see his works are: Akpali: An admirable quality, Oche Igele: An achiever’s seat, Oso-Ogoli: Spiritual race, Anasi: First wife, Otanke: Spy, etc.

He went to the Federal Polytechnic Auchi, Edo State, Nigeria and worked briefly as a teacher before he established a workshop; Destiny Art Studio in Onitsha, Anambra State, Nigeria. Mbanefor later turned the studio to educational context, taking on a number of apprentices, including ceramic artist, Ato Arinze. He is planning to have a solo show towards the end of the year.

He was influenced according to him “by encounters with artists such as the late sculptor Okpu Eze, Pro Ben Enwonwu and Iraboh Emokpae. He majored in Art Education and earned certificate of participation in Art Law, Element of Management, and Insurance for Artist, Principles and Practice of Copyrights and Trademarks with certificate in Creative Enterprise.

How NEPC, SURE-P, OPS boost employment

Banks face liquidity crisis •CBN Headquarter, Abuja

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-- Page 53 'Operating environment tough on Nigerian entrepreneurs'

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 2015

•Adewole

Nigerian London Business ECA tasks African Central Forum tasks incoming government Banks on development finance T E CONOMIC Commission of Africa has impressed on Central Bank governors in Africa, the need to focus a lot more efforts on development finance.

Giving this charge at the weekend was Mr. Carlos Lopes, the Executive Secretary of the Commission, while addressing a group of central bank governors at the Conference of Ministers 2015 in Addis Ababa.

Lopes, who posed the question to a group of central bank governors and development financing experts during the Caucus of Governors session at the Joint Annual Meetings of the African Union Specialised Technical Committee on Finance, Monetary Affairs, Economic Planning and Integration and the ECA Conference of African

By Ibrahim Apekhade Yusuf with Agency report

Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, explained that "the pertinence of this question stems from the fact that US$ 1 trillion of capital has not been put to work to finance Africa's transformation. US$ 1 trillion dormant in the coffers of pension funds, central banks, commercial banks and other holders of remittances in Africa."

Experts and policy makers agree Africa's development must be financed from local sources. Therefore, Mr. Lopes posited, "controlling the finance is the key to fulfilling our aspirations."

Mr. Joseph Enyimu, member of the Intergovernmental Committee of Experts on

Sustainable Development Financing, confirmed that savings are on the rise on the continent but the challenge was channeling those savings into meaningful investments. Mr. Lopes put the ball in the court of the governors by telling them, "It is primarily you who can put this money to work."

During the first meeting of the Caucus of Governors in Abuja in 2014, the participants acknowledged the narrow mandate of central banks but agreed on the need for the banks to promote economic transformation.

The discussions soon showed that different countries have taken different approaches to development financing, with many participants citing the examples of Ghana and Nigeria in co-financing big infrastructure projects and Kenya and Uganda's bond

schemes as good practices.

On the question of conservative versus activist central banks, Mr. Louis A. Kasekende, one of the co-chairs of the meeting and the current Deputy Governor of the Bank of Uganda, pointed out that some central banks have begun to undertake innovative schemes where they work together with commercial banks to improve the loans and bond conditions for business, especially for small and medium enterprises.

The ECA stressed that central banks need to "include critical developmental roles with effective support to the fiscal authorities, within a macroeconomic policy framework that focuses on structural transformation and that controlling the finance is the key to fulfilling our aspirations."

BoI secures A-rating from Agusto & Co

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HE Bank of Industry (BOI) has secured a domestic credit rating of A- from Agusto & Co, a leading Nigerian credit rating agency.

By the rating, the Bank has been adjudged to be a financial institution with good financial condition and a strong capacity to repay obligations on a timely basis.

This is the first Nigerian development bank to be so rated.

According to a statement from the Bank, Agusto & Co

By Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie was engaged to carry out an assessment of the Bank's performance and to issue a credit rating for the Bank, based on a multitude of qualitative and quantitative factors. The objective was to provide useful benchmarks for BOI against global best practices.

The engagement was successfully completed and a rating of A- with a Stable Outlook was issued in December 2014.

The Bank had in 2014 commenced the implementation of a corporate transformation project leading to the development of a Five-Year Strategic Plan which is currently being implemented.

The key strategic issues addressed by the transformation plan include the diversification of the Bank's funding base, development of robust risk management systems, effective cost management, performance management

systems, credit process reengineering and automation, customer service delivery, new product development, loan quality, corporate governance, national coverage, and stakeholder management.

According to the Bank's Managing Director, Rasheed Olaoluwa, "the positive rating is an endorsement of our ongoing transformation project at BOI, and an affirmation of our strategic intent of adopting global best practices in all aspects of our operations."

•From left: Anabel Leadership Academy's Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Nicholas Okoye, Minister of Industries, Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga and Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) Mr. Ernest Nwapa, at the launch of Youth Empowerment Strategy, Oil and Gas Sector in Abuja at the weekend

HE Nigerian London Business Forum, Business Chamber Trade Association, UK, has lauded the choice of General Muhammadu Buhari as the president-elect even as they have impressed on the incoming government, the need to set the country on the path of speedy socioeconomic recovery.

The group in a statement issued on its behalf by Keven Carlos, a Senior Business Information Specialist and made available to The Nation noted that it may not be business as usual in Nigeria again owing to the a new government largely feared to be "a tough-minded leader may be a good thing capable of shaping a better future for Nigeria after all."

"Both within and outside Nigeria, it is generally held that "the fear of Buhari is the beginning of wisdom". This saying essentially points at those who in one way or the other may have something to hide or protect either in public or private sector activity.

"Already in certain vital ministries, departments and agencies of government where unethical practices ran rampage, panic waves have began to trickle down from top public office holders to low ranking personnel."

According to the Forum, Nigeria is again on the verge of experiencing a total attitude adjustment and a

"positive new order", capable of setting the desired pace for economic development especially the inflow of foreign investments.

While decrying the years of decreasing presence of foreign investment due to enormous corrupt activities, which has earned the country opprobrium in the comity of nation, the body said the time has come for a rebirth.

"As a non-profit business chamber, trade and investment promotion British association working assiduously in the past three years, we have significantly pushed up trade and investment into Nigeria and the United Kingdom; Nigerian London Business Forum, Business Chamber Trade Association, UK, believes that only strict enforcement of laws by the incoming government of General Muhammed Buhari can bring about attitudinal change in Nigeria."

Nigeria, it stressed, "can be like any other "decent country" if courage, fairness and firmness are exercised in the enforcement of laws on the part of the government.

All over the world, it is the enforcement of laws in an objective and impartial sense that results to the virtues of orderliness, respect for one another, trust and confidence all of which are essential for a robust trade and investment relations."

PTV levels go change promo winner gets car

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TV Ltd, a major phone retail company, has organised its 'level go change promo' as a reward scheme for consumers nationwide.

The final draw event was the climax of a four-month activity, which saw final 20 participants picked from thousands of entries across the country.

Some of the participants came from Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kwara and other states. To qualify, consumers were given promo vouchers upon purchasing any brand of phones from PTV outlets nationwide.

The winner of the grand prize, an Hyundai Accent brand new car, Abiodun Akano, who works with an electronic card reselling company, said: "I was skeptical at first when I was invited to participate in the draw; today here I am holding the keys to a brand new Hyundai Accent car. I am very happy to be the

lucky winner and I thank PTV Limited for their genuineness."

Managing Director, PTV Ltd Mr Banji Adesanmi said the promo is aimed at deepening shopping experiences for phone consumers across the country. "PTV is poised to create exciting moments for consumers and the promotion is one of the avenues to leverage the values of the PTV brand to make quality phones affordable for Nigerians.

The promo is also a reward scheme to appreciate consumers' patronage while guaranteeing quality customer service and customer satisfaction," he added.

The Assistant Director National Lottery Regulatory Commission, Mr Fidelis Ajigbogun, praised PTV for a very transparent and credible promotion.

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY APRIL 12, 2015

BUSINESS

F the opinion of insiders is anything to go by, it may be correct to say that the nation's banking community is in dire financial straits.

That much The Nation can authoritatively report.

For the avoidance of doubt and confusion, a short anecdote would suffice.

Alhaji Abubakar Muftau (not real name), a military retiree, had a fortnight ago gone to one of the new generation banks to collect his monthly pension of less than N100, 000. But on getting to his bank, he met a motley crowd, which was not unexpected anyway. But two hours later, rather than abate, the crowd seemed to be growing even larger with customers wearing long faces and shouting at the top of their voices amidst sweltering heat.

Tired out himself, Pa Muftau raised his voice above the din as he approached the cashier to know what was amiss only to be told that the bank was temporarily out of cash.

"Sorry sir, we're trying to collect deposits, please bear with us," begged the manager of the bank, Pa Muftau recalled, as he waited patiently for the whole day just to be able to collect his paltry pension.

Just like Pa Muftau, Miss Adebimpe Adewara, and a host of others, in a chanced encounter with The Nation, shared tales of woes as they also couldn't withdraw cash at their respective banks within Lagos metropolis and its environs.

Our correspondent also suffered a similar experience as he was unable to cash a cheque of N120, 000 at one of the branches of a new generation bank, as the cashier had to direct him to a sister branch due to cash squeeze at the particular branch.

The Nation gathered that there were also cases of cash squeeze in some banks outside Lagos as customers were left stranded.

However, many of the customers were disappointed because they could not get the amounts they requested across the counter and Automated Teller Machines.

Bank officials said some customers were making panicky cash withdrawals to make provision for their families in case of security problems after the elections.

A bank official told our correspondent that it was a sign of liquidity problem for banks to keep giving excuses of network breakdown and employ delay tactics to force some of their customers to leave in frustration without being unable to make withdrawals.

Crux of the matter It is instructive to note that the increase in the Cash Reserve Ratio of public sector deposits to 75 per cent at the twilight of last year by the apex bank was a clear indication that things are no longer at ease with the banks.

Besides, the implementation of the Treasury Single Account; this means banks do not have access to funds belonging to the Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government, analysts have argued, caused the current liquidity crisis in the banking system.

However, the immediate cause of the current liquidity squeeze across bank branches in the country, according to financial analyst, was largely attributed to the massive withdrawal of cash from Deposit Money Banks by politicians and their associates in preparation for the general elections.

Investigation by The Nation revealed that several billions of naira had left the banking system between December last year and last month as different political parties spent huge amounts on their campaigns.

Most banks, The Nation learnt, were facing serious liquidity crisis.

"Huge deposits running into several billions of naira have been withdrawn for election campaigns by politicians.

This has affected some of the banks.

So, liquidity issue is of utmost concern right now," a top official of a tier

Banks face liquidity crisis Most Deposit Money Banks in the country are increasingly battling unprecedented credit crisis as majority of their customers have had to bear the brunt of the biting economic crunch, reports Ibrahim Apekhade Yusuf

•CBN Headquarter, Abuja

one bank confided in our correspondent.

"Banks have been calling and pleading with some investors not to terminate maturing fixed-income debts as a result of liquidity problems; some bankers are also not lending not necessarily because of uncertainties in the economy, but due to lack of liquidity," a banker added.

The Nation further gathered that a majority of the politicians have had to resort to selling off their properties below the real values in a bid to raising funds for campaigns.

Shedding light on the cash squeeze, Prof. Chris Onalo, a credit expert, said political spending in the run up to elections usually affected the banking system and the economy in general, citing the examples of what happened in previous polls.

Onalo, who sits atop as Registrar/ Chief Executive Officer, Institute of Credit Administration (ICA), Nigeria's only national body for overseeing and monitoring standards, behaviour and administration of those who give, take, facilitate and manage credits in the economy, stressed that some banks are currently experiencing liquidity problems because a significant part of the huge funds leaving the banking system for election campaigns is currently held in the informal sector.

"The adverse effect of the not-toofavourable economic conditions in the last six months and the inflationary effects of the devaluation of the naira have reduced the income of the average household; this has also led to reduction in household savings. So, it will be difficult for banks to be very liquid in the face of all these factors.

Some banks may be more liquid than the others."

While attempting a prognosis of the prevailing economic crunch in most banks, Dr. Luka Marne, a senior management staff with First Bank of Nigeria Plc, said the current situation shares a verisimilitude with what happened in 2008 when there was recession in the banking sector in the country.

Marne, who spoke at a public fo-

rum in Lagos, organised by the ICA recently, said: "There is recession now in Nigeria, I hope you know. Most of you that are eating with two hands, you must plan to save. Some of these states that are not paying salaries if banks have extended loans to some of their staff those loans would have gone bad already because they can't pay."

The senior banker, while further buttressing his point, recalled: "One of the governors, Benue State governor, when he became the governor, reviewed the salary of the civil servants by up to 50 per cent. You know because then there was a boom in the economy. We had oil, and the share of the excess crude oil account was quite substantial. Now the price of crude oil has come down by almost 50 per cent as at last week, it was about $53 or thereabouts. He wanted to reduce the salary but labour said he could not do that. Now he is having crisis. For the last six months he has not paid salaries.

"If majority of the banks had borrowed these state governments money, you can imagine the level of cash crunch we would be talking about now."

Waxing philosophical, he said we must apply the wisdom of the biblical Joseph. "You will recall the story of Egypt, who interpreted the dream of seven years of abundance and seven years of famine.

"You need a man of wisdom. It's a difficult time, so we need to plan, especially now that we are not generating much as a country as we were generating before.

"The country is not as buoyant as it used to be. Our foreign reserve is fast depleting. Even if Jonathan had won this election, how is he going to run the economy?" he lamented.

Like Marne, Mr. Godfrey Ozurumba, a top banker in one of the old generation banks, is appalled that things are looking topsy-turvy in the nation's banking landscape right now.

"These days, most people who take loans from banks have the mindset that they're collecting their share of the national cake, hence they don't need to pay back, but that is a misconcep-

tion."

Those saddled with the management of credit in the banks, Ozurumba stressed, "should be very careful the way they manage people's deposits."

To him, the preponderance of bad debts in the banking system led to the establishment of the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON).

"It is because of the wrong management of credit that made the AMCON come into in 2010 and took away all the bad debts and toxic assets to make some of them come alive again."

Ripple effect of credit crunch Sadly, one of the dire consequences of the cash crunch, The Nation gathered, is that a number of foreign banks have started suspending short and medium-term credit lines to their Nigerian counterparts as falling crude oil prices continue to fuel exchange rate volatility and uncertainties in the economy.

This is coming just as several Nigerian lenders are said to be seeking extension on the settlement of their debt obligations to the foreign banks.

Top bankers told our correspondent that the overseas banks had been expressing deep concerns about the ability of Nigerian banks to continue to meet up with all their foreign currency denominated credit lines, especially maturing Letters of Credit, as the external reserves continued to be depleted due to falling oil revenue.

The situation has been further worsened by speculations over the possible devaluation of the naira after the February elections This, according to banking sources, has made some of the foreign banks to suspend credit lines to some Nigerian banks.

It was further learnt that the Central Bank of Nigeria's regulations aimed at curbing speculative attack on the naira had led to some delays in accessing foreign currencies by the banks.

Analysts, however, recalled that foreign banks had suspended credit lines to Nigerian banks during the global financial crisis of 2008 and 2009.

•xxx

They said the foreign banks were fond of doing so whenever they sensed that a crisis would come.

Blessed assurance by CBN However, addressing the issue of delay in accessing forex to fund LCs at an interactive session with the business community in Lagos last month, the CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, said there was no reason to panic over the state of the economy.

He said the CBN had recently introduced some measures into the foreign exchange market in order to curb speculative attack on the naira, adding that the volume of demand for forex being witnessed lately was abnormal.

The governor, however, urged the representatives of the foreign banks present at the event to continue their business with Nigerian banks as usual, assuring them that the CBN would provide enough forex for the banks to meet their obligations.

He also said there was no reason to panic over the challenges facing Nigeria and other commodity exporting countries.

Emefiele said, "Nothing bad will happen in Nigeria. We know the large volumes of obligations that are in the foreign banks; so, we will try as much as possible to give comfort. The demand for foreign exchange that I am seeing now is more than the demand we would normally see; it means something abnormal is happening.

"This is what we are checking at the forex markets. I want to urge Deutsche Bank, Stanbic IBTC, Citibank, Standard Chartered and others to renew their credit lines. There is no cause to worry.

Earlier in the conference, a representative of Deutsche Bank in Nigeria had complained that banks in the country were extending their obligations by 30 and 60 days as a result of delays in getting dollars from the CBN, among other factors.

Reporting the development to the CBN governor, the Deutsche Bank representative said, "I want to bring something to your attention, which is credit; and it is tied to a trend due to your pronouncement in November.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY APRIL 12, 2015

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•Onalo

•Emefiele

In the last three days, I have had requests from Nigerian banks, which are not meeting their obligations that have matured, and they are requesting extension of 30 days and 60 days.

"I am not panicking just as you have asked us not to panic. I have, however, reassured banks all over the world where Letters of Credit are due to be paid. I believe that they will pay the refinancing."

Meanwhile, domestic investments in the Nigerian Stock Exchange have recorded a substantial decline due to fears and uncertainties regarding the 2015 general elections, as well as concerns about insecurity.

The latest investment details from the NSE showed that local investments dropped by N40.1bn at the end of February 2015.

As of January this year, the total investments by domestic investors stood at N90.61bn.

The document obtained from the NSE on Friday, however, indicated this amount dropped by N40.1bn or 44 per cent to N50.24bn as of the end of last month.

On the other hand, statistics showed that foreign investments rose in the period under review, as a total of N133.95bn was invested by foreigners in February 2015.

The NSE document said, "Domestic investors conceded about 45.22 per cent of trading to foreign investors as domestic transactions decreased from 47.76 per cent to 27.39 per cent while FPI transactions increased from 52.24 per cent to 72.61 per cent over the same period.

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Cowry Asset Management Limited, Mr. Johnson Chukwu, said that factors leading to the decline in local investments were both external and internal, adding the trend was likely to continue until the second quarter of 2015.

HE Nigerian Export Promotion Council in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Finance recently organised a stakeholders' interactive forum on Graduate Internship Scheme (GIS), a component of the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SUREP), with the theme: 'Integrating GIS in Non-oil Export Development.'

The forum was organised to sensitise export sector stakeholders on the benefits of participating in the SURE-P Graduate Internship Scheme.

The forum was conceived to mobilise export-oriented firms to participate in the GIS as a means of building capacity of interns to be engaged in setting up and managing export-oriented businesses; open up opportunities for job creation in the non-oil sector, especially export business; sensitise stakeholders on the NEPC's Youth Empowerment Export Skills Acquisition Programme (YEESAP); revitalise the non-oil sector of the economy towards increasing its contribution to GDP growth and provide greater non-oil export job opportunities, focusing on youths as the bedrock of a sustainable national economic development and ensure that the Export Expansion Grant (EEG) scheme, as a fiscal tool, is also used for implementing government economic policies aimed at ensuring capacity building and creating enabling environment for employment generation.

The speakers were happy with the idea of the partnership between the Nigeria Export Promotion Council and the Federal Ministry of Finance' Graduate Internship Scheme (GIS) and they viewed the integration of internship into the export business as a platform for producing future managers and professionals for the non oil export sector.

The resolutions reached by the participants commended the federal government for introducing SUREP and especially the Graduate Internship Scheme, which was viewed as an important intervention in the life of unemployed graduates.

YEESAP was also commended as a well-thought out project and participants agreed that the interns should be trained on export skills before being deployed to the organisations in order to enable them contribute meaningfully to the participating organisations.

Challenges It has been alleged that some firms and interns were engaged under fraudulent circumstances, with several cases cited in Ondo and Osun states. These cases have been investigated and culprits - both firms and interns - were said to be expunged from the scheme.

Monitoring has also been strengthened in all states. In order to address the problem of delayed uptake of graduates by firms, internship firms have been identified and organised in all states to facilitate swift selection/matching and documentation of graduates.

The Executive Director of Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Olusegun Awolowo, expressed happiness with the partnership formed between NEPC and the GIS. In his words, the NEPC boss stated that "this is a clear effort at encouraging government to government partnership and by extension public private partnership (PPP) as well.

"The NEPC-GIS partnership is an attempt by our two organisations to work together towards discharging our statutory responsibilities as well as achieving some of the targets set out by federal government in the Transformation Agenda in the areas of reducing

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xxxx How NEPC, SURE-P, OPS boost employment A tripartite partnership with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Graduate Internship Scheme (GIS), a component of the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) and the organised private sector has helped alleviate the unemployment crisis in the country in no small measure, reports Assistant Editor, Nduka Chiejina unemployment, skills acquisition, capacity building and creating pool of trained graduates, capable of adding value to participating employers."

Speaking in similar tone, the Project Director, GIS, Mr. Peter Papka, stated that "Graduate Internship Scheme, which is one of the interventions of SURE-P, is a platform that provides young graduates with a one-year temporary work experience to make them stronger candidates for job openings in the labour market as well as boosting their chances of being self employed."

According to Papka, "among the objectives of the scheme is the resolve to enhance the employability of at least 50,000 unemployed graduates in the 36 states of the federation and in the FCT by improving their skills through work placement."

He emphasised that the "graduate internship scheme is providing a platform for the reduction of vulnerability among unemployed Nigerian graduates.

Internship from our experience provides soft landing for many such graduates in finding direction for their lives either through jobs or entrepreneurship. It is our hope that this scheme will be sustained as a veritable bridge between school and the job market, so that Nigerian graduates would disrobe the toga of despondence on completion of national service."

Mr. Peter Papka noted that different partnering firms around the country indicated that many graduates were willing to excel, while utilising the GIS to do so. The firms, he added, were also utilising the scheme to determine prospective candidates for their employment, without having to search wide.

To engender more interest in the GIS/NEPC partnership, Papka said government was planning to "review conditions of service for the interns, especially by increasing their monthly stipend and provision of insurance cover has also endeared serving interns to work harder, and other graduates to register; while also stirring interest

of more firms/organisations or firms have come to appreciate not just the benefits derivable, but the national implication of their participation, that is why they play their roles by opening their doors to mentor these graduates for 12 months. We have partners among multinational corporations, financial institutions and SMEs, NGOs and government institutions."

Special partners Partnership has been established with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council to integrate GIS into the export trade with a view to encourage and train graduates to key in and participate in government's divestment into the non-oil sector. The objective of NEPC's Youth Empowerment Export Skills Acquisition Programme (YEESAP) is to train 500 graduates on export trade, while the outcome expected is that they will be export-ready after internship.

YEESAP has been established to achieve this and over 3000 graduates are to be engaged at the first instance.

Emerging trends There are already several lessons emerging from the GIS which are reaffirming the objectives of its establishment and others which would guide future direction of the educational curricula. One of the key results emerging from the scheme is the high rate of retention of interns by their employers. Many interns have also found employment with other organisations as a result of the skills they have acquired and improved personality they have developed during internship.

Besides, GIS is gradually emerging as the bridge between educational institutions and the labour market, providing a pool of skilled, trained, experienced and work-ready graduates for firms to select without having to go through a formal, costly process of recruitment.

To analysts, there is need to take a look at school curricula at all levels and introduce mandatory

courses of entrepreneurship, thus preparing school leavers at all levels with a capacity to start and run their own businesses and not seeking employment.

This is even as more Nigerians are calling for the institutionalisation of the scheme beyond 2015, so that results are sustained and expanded to cater for more graduates and firms. There are also calls for academic reviews of the opportunities that GIS can create for national development in the execution of its mandate.

Registered graduates who may never benefit from matching to firms are being targeted for an online employability training in order to avail them an opportunity to develop skills through online modules, which are to be developed in collaboration with and certificated by sector professional bodies.

Nigerians are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of internship in the life of graduates, especially those that are unemployed, in terms of the value they can add during this waiting period as well as the benefits and skills they will develop. Katsina has shown more appreciation to GIS and commitment by establishing its own version of GIS, deploying 600 graduates for a year and paying them N30,000, just like GIS. There is a clear need for synergy between all tiers of government in a programme like this for optimisation of benefits and for greater impact.

States and local governments are therefore urged to key into such initiative as demonstrated by Katsina State.

The prospect for this graduate internship is huge. However, there is need for improvement in business environment for the private sectors, who invariably are the greater employers of labour.

Young graduates are becoming more interested in setting up cooperatives to raise capital and build partnerships, and are thinking more of building their own businesses rather than rely on white collar jobs.

• From left: Chief Richard Uche, past president, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and Mr. Chidi Ajaegbo, ICAN President during the launching of Tuition Houses Support Fund at ICAN headquarters in Lagos… recently

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OW did Adcem Pharmaceuticals Limited begin?

ADCEM Pharmaceuticals started in 1992 with the mission to dominate in a niche area where professionalism would make the difference. This was because the pharmaceutical industry was being represented by individuals and practices that were not very professional. I felt that to compete, I would have to find an area that was not saturated and that the barrier to entry would be a bit high. We commenced with parental nutrition and enteral nutrition - giving nutrition through the vessels and veins. It is a very specialised kind of pharmacy, not high volume, therefore not attractive, but also requires a lot of professional input.

Whilst researching on dialysis and kidney disease and discovering that services were inadequate, we partnered with Fresenius AG Germany (the company that we still work with today). They had both pharmaceutical and medical equipment divisions, mostly specialised in kidney diseases. As the company grew very rapidly in Germany, Fresenius bought another pharmaceutical company and became Fresenius Kabi. The medical equipment division then became Fresenius Medical Care. This is the company that manufactures dialysis machines.

For over 20 years, we have consolidated our mark in delivering quality services and providing sustainable solutions in the healthcare industry across the country to both public and private institutions. Our main area of operation, however, is in the provision and maintenance of state of the art renal care facilities; dialysis equipment, consumables, drugs and staff training, in a bid to consolidate our renal care service delivery. Other services we provide include blood expanders, cancer medication, vascular access implements and pneumatic tube systems. We are able to achieve these through our partnerships with Medcomp Inc, USA and Aerocom, Germany.

What are some of the major projects you've executed in Nigeria?

Through partnerships with corporate organisations, we have been able to execute a five-year turn-key and management service project with MTN Foundation, through which dialysis centres were established and managed in six geo-political zones in the country and the Heineken Africa Foundation HIV project, where a dedicated dialysis centre was established to cater for patients living with HIV and hepatitis infections. This centre is situated at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital.

What has been your personal experience operating in the Nigerian business environment?

It has its positives and negatives depending on where you are at a point in time. When you are a start-up, you find it very difficult to get the necessary support; but when you have developed a track record, things get easier.

However, this is a very volatile business environment - you can imagine what we are going through right now, with the rapid decline in the value of the naira and foreign perception of risk in Nigeria.

As an entrepreneur, there must be some attributes a chief executive must have or lack which can determine the success or failure of a company in Nigeria. What are some of these qualities?

An entrepreneur in Nigeria has to be resilient and tenaciously strong in the face of multiple surprises and challenges. One needs to be strong as plans do not always go the way you envisage.

You have to be a strong person. In Nigeria, you have to be extra-passionate and committed to your vision and goals, as a lot will happen to make you question your motives for going into the particular field you have chosen. I also believe one has to be forthright; do the right things and have integrity.

What are the major factors or challenges that militate against entrepreneurs in Nigeria?

Entrepreneurs in Nigeria have to deal with a host of problems. The first issue we have to contend with is lack of infrastructure (both physical and non-physical). We basically provide our businesses with the basic utilities needed to function. With non-physical infrastructure, I'm referring to access to financing or lines of credit; the human resources needed to get the job done efficiently and effectively.

What in your opinion is responsible for the spread of kidney diseases in Nigeria?

The major causes of kidney disease are hypertension and diabetes, which are described as silent killers because they typically do not warn you until they have progressed. Therefore, a lot of Nigerians suffer from these noncommunicable diseases without being aware, especially because we do not have a regular check-up culture. These diseases have become more common due to lifestyle choices, whereby we eat less of fresh organic food and physical activity is on the decline. Other reasons could be abuse of pain killers and other non-conventional medication usually described as traditional medicine, which could be harmful to the kidney.

'Operating environment tough on Nigerian entrepreneurs' Adeyemi Adewole, Managing Director/CEO, Adcem Pharmaceuticals Limited, is a graduate of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he trained as a pharmacist. He has had an eventful career which began in Nigeria and later the Republic of Zimbabwe, where he worked as a Hospital Pharmacist, working closely with international development agencies, including Danish Development Agency, and as a clinical computer programmer in the United States of America. A life member of the Enterprise Development Centre at Pan African University, Lagos, a member of the governing board of General Hospital Lagos and a director of the TLP Centre for Autism and related disorders, Adewole speaks with Bukola Aroloye on the challenges of the healthcare hardware business and the need for more friendly policies towards the importation of medical equipment. Excerpts:

• Adewole The proliferation of skin bleaching/lightening cream use could also be responsible.

The theme of this year's World Kidney Day is 'Kidney Health for All'. How do we realise this?

I believe, through a lot of sustainable collaborations, this can be possible. Firstly, through the sensitisation and education of individuals with apparently healthy kidneys, in order to place them on the right track and to avoid future illnesses. Secondly, there is a need to ensure continuous professional development for medical personnel specialising in Nephrology. Thirdly, supporting the provision and establishment of renal care centres, subsidised/ free dialysis sessions (through reimbursement programmes) to enable people afford them. Fourthly, by reaching out to rural areas where people will not have access to the established centres and subsidised sessions.

Installation of the MTNF Haemodialysis Centres at public hospital locations across the country are among the projects Adcem has executed. Considering the high quality of these installations, do you employ the services of expatriates for their implementation?

In the early days when we started the business, we needed the expertise of our foreign technical partners in the installation of equipment. However, over the years, our technical team has been instructed and trained, which enable us carry out installations on our own. Furthermore, we continuously expose our technical staff to annual foreign and local training and support to keep them abreast of modern

technology and global best practices. We did not get any foreign help to implement MTNF Haemodialysis Centres. We have very welltrained engineers who execute to the highest standards established by the original equipment manufacturers.

How do you ensure that the standards are maintained after you have handed over?

We ensure that the bio-medical technicians in the institutions where these machines were installed are trained regularly on the basics of equipment maintenance and management. We also provide online and offline technical support in form of planned preventive maintenance and ad-hoc repairs.

How did your partnership with MTN Foundation come about and how would you describe the journey so far?

We were approached by MTNF when the foundation wanted to set up centres around the country. We started the conversation, sent proposals and quotations to them concerning the establishment of dialysis centres. We also assisted in short listing beneficiary hospitals for the commencement of the project. So far, it has been an interesting and impactful journey.

How has this partnership with MTNF affected your business?

The partnership with MTNF has enabled us fulfil our mission and vision as an organisation one step closer. It has also given us more visibility as a business providing sustainable solutions in a niche market. Furthermore, we have benefitted from the accountability practices and guidelines required of a business partner to

MTN Foundation. These practices have been a source of education to our staff.

How would you describe the efforts of MTNF's role in renal failure and would you say the haemodialysis centres have made a significant impact in the lives of the people?

MTNF's role has been immensely helpful in ensuring that renal failure is tackled in a sustainable manner. Their involvement and continuous monitoring of the project has ensured that more individuals have access to treatment through the provision of equipment and consumables.

In terms of impact, I will say highly significant! Using Alimosho, which is the centre with the highest traffic as an example, the centre is being used to its full capacity as patients no longer need to travel so far for a service they are required to access three times a week. They are also used as screening points and providing awareness. In terms of the actual treatment and awareness creation, these centres have been of tremendous impact. From time to time, MTNF actually organises these outreach events where people are screened free of charge and so I would say the impact is very tremendous.

Access to haemodialysis centres is still a big challenge. How can we overcome the gaps?

We can overcome the gaps by having more centres being established through support from both the government and corporate organisations such as MTNF. Also establishing innovative practices such as mobile clinics which will carry out dialysis in remote locations will definitely solve the problem of access to centres and equipment.

What are the most memorable stories of survivors that you would like to share with us?

Patients at the centres mostly talk about the affordability of the sessions and how pleased they are on the accessibility of the centres. The improvements of their physical conditions after undergoing dialysis at the MTNF centres is also another source of joy to them.

How would you assess the contributions of the MTNF to the health sector in its 10 years of operation?

MTNF has contributed immensely to the health sector in Nigeria and it must be commended. Over the years, the foundation has positively affected various aspects of the health environment, through a lot of programmes: its medical intervention scheme, sickle cell project, medical support project (haemodialysis and mammography centres), Y'ello Doctor mobile medical intervention scheme, eyesight restoration and its work on AIDS and malaria.

With this, one can see how the organisation, through partnerships, has succeeded in creating measurable impact in a sector that needs a lot of attention.

What is your advice for other organisations?

I will advise other organisations to look beyond the financial benefits of being in business and focus on the social benefits instead, because in the long run, the economic rewards will come.

In addition, to be a successful organisation, you need a strong and dynamic team. Therefore, there is a need to get human resources right and invest in your staff. At ADCEM, we focus on continuous professional development.

Leadership is imperative; you need to be the embodiment of the ethics and values you wish to promote throughout the organisation. This is the only way you can get your staff to buy into the vision of the company. Finally, organisations need to communicate with each other, share ideas and collaborate to take on projects that will create impact. No one can do all things on their own; partnerships are very important for business success.

61

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 2015

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HE Director General, Consumer Protection Council Nigeria (CPC), Dr. Dupe Atoki, has declared that the council will curb consumer rights abuses in the country by forcing the major companies to comply with international standards.

Noting that the telecoms, aviation, banking and power sectors have the highest level of consumer rights abuses, she said the CPC has adopted major strategies of enforcing consumer rights and ensuring company's compliance with the council's enabling laws.

These strategies, she said, are sectoral intervention, litigation and improving the visibility of the council by using new methods and the redress of consumer complaints. These strategies, she said, are already yielding positive results.

Speaking at a public lecture organised by the Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Lagos, the CPC boss said that a successful intervention in the activities of usually the dominant player in a given sector resonates into a bandwagon compliance and block adherence to regulation and best practice.

Atoki explained that "Sectoral intervention was identified as a major strategy for the evaluation of business operations under the various sectors in order to arrest identified adverse trends and thereby resolve individual complaints in the long run."

She explained that this strategy is intended to focus on a sector by undertaking indepth analysis of consumer complaints and total evaluation of business practices to identify systemic irregularities.

She noted, albeit happily, at the lecture entitled "The state of consumer rights protection in Nigeria", that the council has

CPC vows to curb consumer rights abuses already carried out successful major interventions in the food and beverage and aviation sectors which modified the behaviours of all the other players in those sectors for best practices.

In order to enforce consumer rights, she said that CPC also has the strategy of criminal prosecution of recalcitrant businesses or litigation to achieve satisfactory redress, which is already paying dividends.

Acknowledging the low awareness of consumer rights in the country, Mrs. Atoki said that the council was undertaking different measures to ensure increased knowledge of consumer rights and responsibilities.

These measures, she noted, are hosting of consumer roundtable on phone rights, publication of a compendium of the rights of telecom subscribers, launch of 'Check the Best Before Date' campaign.

Other measures, according to her, are revamping and updating the council's website on a regular basis, using of social media to interact with consumers and establishing a strong media presence with a view to remaining in the consciousness of consumers.

Lamenting the wanton gross consumer rights abuses also in sectors such as satellite television, land transport, property, hospitality, food and beverage, home appliances, automobile and electronic commerce, the council's boss regretted that "while free market is currently operational in Nigeria, all forms of consumer abuse still pervade virtually every sector of the economy denying consumers their

•Dupe Atoki: DG, (CPC)

rights.

Highlighting the abuses, she said that in the telecom sector, for instance, "consumers still contend with drop calls, unsolicited texts, calls, poor network, credit wipe off, amongst others, while consumers in the aviation sector experience regular delays and cancellation of flights without notice, damage and loss of baggage without compensation etcetera."

In the banking sector, she said consumers experience ATM dispense error cases with prolonged resolution period, POS terminal issues, unexplained debit on consumer accounts. Equally, in the power sector, "consumers complain of

outrageous estimated billings, non-provision of transformers, metres, wrongful disconnections and inadequate electricity supply."

In the satellite television sector, she regretted that consumers were also struggling with regular disruptions, wrongful connections, poor service delivery and lack of redress for complaints. "Overloading, non refund of money when vehicles breakdown and use of dilapidated vehicles add to the burden of consumers of public transport services," noted Atoki.

Similarly, Dr. Dupe Atoki lamented that "In the property sector, developers fail to keep

D'Banj supports war against counterfeit drugs

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WARD-winning musician, Mr Oladapo Daniel Oyebanjo, popularly known as D'Banj, stormed the new ultra modern regional administrative headquarters and laboratories of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in Lagos last week to lend support to the agency's renowned public enlightenment campaign against counterfeit drugs and other substandard regulated products in the country.

D'banj who was conducted round NAFDAC's laboratories at Oshodi and Yaba strongly commended the agency for its relentless fight against counterfeit drugs and efforts to save the lives of millions of Nigerians.

He explained that his tour of NAFDAC laboratories and the illuminating explanations offered by the regulatory officers on duty should be widely disseminated to millions of vibrant Nigerian youths who are ignorant about public health issues and regulatory activities.

His words: "I am very impressed and inspired with what I have seen at NAFDAC laboratories and other offices.

Before now, I found it difficult to distinguish a genuine drug from the counterfeit. We hear a lot of news about fake drugs.

From what I have seen today, I am well informed. On behalf of the Nigerian youths, I just have to commend NAFDAC for their good works."

D'banj who was mobbed by enthusiastic fans praised the Director General of NAFDAC for taking the agency to greater heights as one of the top 20 medicines regulatory authorities in the world.

Director General of NAFDAC, Dr. Paul Orhii, who was highly elated, said D'banj's visit was a morale booster and source of encouragement for the NAFDAC regulatory workers saddled with the sacred mandate of safeguarding public health.

Dr. Orhii thanked the celebrated musician for his show of solidarity and readiness to strengthen NAFDAC's public enlightenment campaign through his musical platform.

•R-L:DG. NAFDAC, Dr. Paul Orhii and D.Banj, during D.Banj solidarity visit to NAFDAC

to agreement terms, tie down consumers' deposits for prolonged period and sometimes deliver substandard houses to consumers."

Consumers under the hospitality sector were identified as not free from the abuses as "many hotels fail to live up to their claims/required standard, while vendors of holiday packages do not deliver on promises made." Food and beverages industry are also guilty, said the DG, as foreign substances in drinks, sale of expired products, adulteration, improper storage, short measure, etcetera are rampant in the sector.

"Undiscerning consumers go home with substandard home appliances while non adherence to warranty by car dealers, sale of substandard spare parts, unqualified mechanics and ill-equipped workshops result in safety issues and loss of consumers hard earned money," bemoaned the DG. In the electronic commerce, the council's DG lamented that the infringements of consumers' rights here were completely unfair and potentially dangerous to the consumer.

She said some of these abuses in this sector were unsolicited commercial communications and unfair use of personal information.

However, while the agency is cognisant of its challenges and having evolved some strategies to deliver on its mandate within available means, Mrs. Atoki still stressed that several factors were militating against the council's bid to effectively protect the over 160 million consumers across all sectors of the economy whose rights are wantonly

abused.

According to the DG, these factors are "perceived overlapping duties of regulatory agencies, impunity of business-peddling of influence, protection of self-interest by trade associations, lack of consumer awareness and apathy, inadequate funding, inadequate spread, understaffing and dearth of specialised staff, gaps in the CPC Act.'' Underscoring the point, Atoki said "Market failures violate consumer's rights and inhibit their welfare in the marketplace. Impunity of businesses, rivalry among regulatory bodies due to seeming overlapping functions and protection of self interest by trade associations are part of the challenges inhibiting the effective protection of Nigerian consumers."

Nonetheless, she asserted that genuine businesses must comply with regulations and specified standards for goods and services in the country adding that the political might of the federal government must be available to support the council at all times to put recalcitrant businesses in check.

She urged regulatory agencies to collaborate with each other in order to foster seamless relationship in the regulation of businesses to ensure effective protection of consumers.

"The council recognises the need for aggressive consumer awareness campaign. However, consumers should be more aggressive, proactive and disposed to complaining when dissatisfied with a product or service,'' adding that mere grumble is not an option.

Fanfare as Etisalat Cliqfest fetes Mapoly students

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OR the student community in Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta (MAPOLY) penultimate Saturday would go down in the annals of the polytechnic more memorable in many ways than one.

First, it was a day it got its share of entertainment from arguably one of the most i n n o v a t i v e telecommunications company in Nigeria, Etisalat, which stormed the school with its unrivalled y o u t h - c e n t r i c , empowerment, and educative initiative tagged: 'Etisalat Cliqfest.'

The two-day event which held last weekend began with an inspirational session delivered by Motivational Speaker and Life Coach, Niyi Adesanya.

The icing in the cake was the second day as students were thrilled at a concert headlined by popular

Nigerian artistes, a football match and a raffle draw.

Speaking on the event, Elvis Daniel, Head, Youth Segment, Etisalat Nigeria, described Cliqfest as a touch point for young people where they are at liberty to express themselves and their dreams.

"We go around the country, bringing an entertaining platform that delivers a wholesome experience to students because Etisalat is passionate about the Nigerian youth and their aspirations. Cliqfest is designed to help them discover themselves right here within the walls of their institution," said Daniel.

The climax of the event emerged when Bilikis Egusola Omowunmi, a Science Laboratory Technology student was announced as the winner of a brand new Hyundai i10.

The elated student said, "To

be honest I bought two raffle tickets in anticipation that I might win but I still cannot believe that I truly won.

Etisalat is the best network ever and I am extremely grateful to Etisalat for this encouraging experience."

In just six years of operations, Etisalat Nigeria has become a major industry player with a growing subscriber base of 20 million in a highly competitive market. Its portfolio of voice and data-centric products include - easy starter, easycliq, easybusiness, and easyblaze; all tailor-made to meet the needs of its customers.

Etisalat Nigeria is one of the 19 operations of the Etisalat Group that spans across Africa, Middle East and Asia serving over 182 million subscribers; and it is committed to delivering innovative and quality services to its growing subscribers.

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY APRIL 12, 2015

BUSINESS

FTER months of lull, inactivity and losses, the Nigerian economy seems to be revving up, thanks to the just-concluded successful and violence-free presidential election.

The capital market which is the barometer of the economy was on the upswing after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared the former military ruler, General Muhammadu Buhari, as the winner of the March 28, 2015 presidential election.

The Nigerian capital market gained 8.30 per cent, its single biggest daily gain this year, wiping off the negative year-to-date (YTD) performance, after the INEC declaration.

In the first quarter, the capital market indicators lost 8.40 per cent as a result of the uncertainty surrounding the election and the poor macroeconomic factors.

Market capitalisation of the listed equities under the period went down by N76 billion to close at N10.718 trillion while the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) All-Share Index (ASI) fell by 8.40 per cent to close at 31,744.82 on March 31.

Operators in the Nigerian financial market are optimistic that the market will bounce back with a comfortable lead

by Buhari, a disciplinarian that has promised to reshape the national economy, in the incoming government.

Bureau De Change operators in Lagos have attributed the fall in the dollar to release of the foreign currency by hoarders who had stored it pending the outcome of the nation's general elections.

A cross-section of the operators said that the dollar sold as low as N185 to a dollar as against N220 in the parallel market before and during the Easter holidays.

Meanwhile, the Central Bank of Nigeria frowned at the growing practice of trading goods and services in foreign currencies instead of the naira in Nigeria.

The bank's governor, Godwin Emefiele, said in Abuja at the end of the Monetary Policy Committee meeting that it is illegal for landlords or school proprietors to demand rents or fees in dollars, while transacting other businesses in foreign currencies.

"The official currency for doing business in Nigeria remains the naira. Collecting rents or school fees in dollars in Nigeria is illegal. We like to advice those involved in these practices to desist from them, because CBN would very soon begin to go after them," Mr.

A

•Nigerian currency notes

Naira bounces back, investor confidence soars

Emefiele warned.

The CBN governor, who spoke on efforts to check the pressures on the naira as a result of the unnecessary demands for foreign exchange, said steps must be taken to prevent the dollar from dominating the country's economy.

Mr. Emefiele denied prioritising the sale of foreign exchange to foreign investors, explaining that all such transactions on a daily basis were only to people with effective demand in line with its policy.

He said attempts to meet the demand by foreign investors for foreign exchange was part of the promise of unhindered access to the country's foreign exchange market to support their needs to raise funds so as to encourage them to invest in the country.

On transparency of the market, Mr. Emefiele explained that the closure of the official foreign exchange market was to remove rent-seeking activities or opportunities for people who felt they wanted to take advantage of the vulnerabilities in the FOREX market.

According to capital market analysts, the one-day gain is the highest that has ever been witnessed in the history of the Nigerian stock market.

Analysts at APT Securities and Funds Limited stated that "we believe that the positive rally of the bourse is attributable to the peaceful conduct of the presidential election and the statesmanship of the incumbent president in accepting defeat and congratulating the presidentelect, General Muhammadu Buhari. This has, to a great extent, assuaged the fears of foreign investors about the capital market as they are taking position by snapping up shares across the board."

Similarly, the market capitalisation of the listed equities appreciated by N903 billion from N11.621 trillion to N10.718 trillion and market breadth remained positive with 65 gainers and three losers.

While it was business as usual at the money market and the interbank end of the foreign exchange market, the value of the naira got a boost at the black market where it sold between N209 and 210 to the dollar.

A black market dealer said that the value of the naira had been on an upward swing since Tuesday when signs that Buhari would win at the polls emerged.

Nigerian stocks end longest rally in 30 months as investors pump N1.8trillion into the economy, dollar crashes as hoarders release currency after presidential poll, reports Bukola Aroloye At the interbank end of the foreign exchange market, the value of the naira remained stable at N197 to the dollar.

Interbank lending rates also trended downwards since Monday with overnight rate dropping to 13.6683 per cent while one-month and sixmonth rates closed lower at 15.5486 and 17.5973 per cents.

The All-Share Index rose by 1,347.98 points or 3.92 per cent to close at 35,728.12, from the 34,380.14 achieved on Wednesday, returning the yearto-date increase to 3.09 per cent.

Also, the market capitalisation which opened at N11.621 trillion, appreciated N514 billion, to close at N11.621 trillion.

Nestle led the gainers' chart

by N44.60, to close at N936.60 per share. Forte Oil gained N19.78 to close at N215, while Seplat grew by N14.49 to close at N443.99 per share.

Nigerian Breweries appreciated by N7.91 to close at N166.25, while Mobil went up by N7.06 to close at N175 per share.

On the other hand, Okomu Oil recorded the highest price loss of N1.46, to close at N28.29 per share. Presco trailed with a loss of 67 kobo to close at N28.50, while Stanbic IBTC dipped by 61 kobo to close at N31 per share.

Unilever lost 35 kobo to close at N44.45, while Fidson depreciated by 17 kobo to close at N3.41 per share.

In all, the volume of shares traded increased by 33.21 per cent as investors exchanged a total of 1.174 billion shares worth N18.75 billion in 9,006 deals as against the 881.585 million shares valued at N10.94 billion traded in 4,611 deals on Wednesday.

The earning season hot up in the month of March, 2015 as many listed companies released their 2014 audited financial reports.

By the rules, companies whose financial year end is December, have March as deadline for the release of their results. So it is not surprising that a lot of companies

published their performance broadcast for the out-gone year in March.

Forty-two companies disclosed their corporate action in the month of March, announcing different amounts of dividend as rewards to shareholders for the financial year ended December 31, 2014.

Amongst the companies that have announced their corporate broadcast, Total Nigeria Plc has the highest dividend pay out to shareholders at N9.00 per share.

Dangote Cem followed with a declaration of N6.00 per share while Larfarge Africa paid N3.60k per share.

Of the many companies that announced their results in the month of March, 42 companies rewarded shareholders with dividend.

Four, out these, gave bonuses in addition to the cash dividend.

Nahco aviance paid a cash dividend of 20k and scrip issue (bonus) of 1 for 10. McNichols Consolidated paid a cash dividend of 0.04k while giving a bonus of 1 for 10.

Other companies that gave bonuses include Infinity Trust Mortgage Bank, 1 for 4 plus a cash dividend of 0.75k and Forte Oil Plc which paid a cash dividend of N2.50 and a bonus share of 1 for 5.

Analysts at FBN Capital noted that the election only became an investor concern on its postponement which created a number of negative scenarios for the offshore community.

"Once these proved unfounded, a strong rally was always likely," they said.

Speaking on the impact of the announcement of the new president on the Nigerian financial market, the executive secretary of the Financial Market Dealers Association (FMDQ), Wale Abe, noted that not much will change in the next quarter "because the new government that will take over will not do so until May 29. All that is likely to happen is that the status quo will be maintained. So we are not likely to have any significant development.

"However, there will be positive perception due to the fact that Nigeria is able to change its government peacefully. That is positive and a plus for Nigeria as an investment destination and those who have been waiting on the line will now say that the new government will soon come into place. We will wait a bit to see the policies, in terms of the policy direction.

Everything as at now is positive because peace will return."

Also, the Managing Director of APT Securities and Funds Limited, Mallam Kurfi Garuba, said, "The capital market has started to response to the good news as it gained over eight per cent on the day

Buhari was declared as the winner of the presidential election."

He noted that Nigerian investors were excited about the outcome of the election as the naira currency remained strong in the black market, saying that this election marks the first time in Africa's most populous nation where a sitting president was voted out of power through the ballot box.

"We believe that the positive rally of the bourse is attributable to the peaceful conduct of the presidential election and the statesmanship of the incumbent president in accepting defeat and congratulating the presidentelect, General Muhammadu Buhari. This has to a great extent assuaged the fears of foreign investors about the capital market," Kurfi said.

According to him, most analysts believe foreign investors backed Buhari's victory and have been taking position by snapping up shares across the board.

Foreign investors were skeptical on the Nigerian markets starting late last year, unnerved by political uncertainty before the election as well as the sharp fall in the global price of oil which

negatively impacted the currency, triggering devaluation in November.

The Managing Director of Highcap Securities Limited, Mr David Adonri, said that the stock market reacted positively to the election of Buhari, saying that after the initial euphoria, the direction of the market will depend on post-election peace and economic policies of the new administration while analysts from GTI Capital Limited noted, "The major challenges that the new president will inherit when he takes the reins include insecurity as posed by the Boko Haram scourge, power sector, depleting external reserves, corruption, exchange rate stability, the Niger-Delta, infrastructure and oil price volatility.

"Like we noted in our 2015 outlook report, the diamond in the rough, the crash in oil prices have exposed the frailties in the Nigerian economy and the consequences of our long years of dependence on crude oil. 90 per cent of our foreign exchange earnings have left the Nigerian economy vulnerable."

According to a broker with Calyst Securities Limited, the post-election (presidential) euphoria had an impact on the capital market as this will strengthen the economy, bring back investors' confidence.

Although the presidential handover is not due until late May, FBN Capital analysts say the new administration which seems to have a different ideology on managing the economy will be subject to the same fiscal constraints because a marked recovery in the oil price this year is unlikely.

BOI disburses N800b to SMEs in seven years

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HE Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Bank of Industry (BoI), Mr. Rasheed Olaoluwa, says the bank has disbursed a total of N800bn to the Small and Medium Enterprises in the country in the last seven years.

He said that the figure represented a significant improvement from what the bank used to disburse.

Olaoluwa spoke in Lagos at a symposium organised to mark the 50th birthday of the Chief Executive Officer, RTC Advisory Services Limited, Mr. Opeyemi Agbaje.

He said, "What we have seen in the case of the Bank of Industry is that we have a model that appears to be succeeding. For example, in our intervention in the Small and Medium Enterprises space, our cumulative disbursement of loans was less than N30bn up till 2009. But from 2009 till date, we are looking at about N800bn."

He stressed that the BoI was strategising to ensure that it sustained the momentum in order to have an institution that would last.

"An institution that will survive its chief executive officer; that can ensure that when loans are granted, they are repaid; an institution that can ensure that technologies are adopted; that can ensure that the institutions are properly run in terms of governance, compliance and so on," he added.

The CEO further noted that bad loans were part of the challenges responsible for the failure and eventual liquidation of past development banks.

Speaking on the status of Nigerian banks, the BoI boss said they had undergone "tremendous changes" in the last decade, beginning with the banking industry consolidation that led to the emergence of 20 strong banks in 2004.

Olaoluwa said, "Before then, domestic banks mustered the strength to finance anything close to mega transactions. But today, we find Nigerian banks facing transactions in their billions. That is a significant development. We used to rely on foreign banks to come and lead syndication in our domestic transactions. Now, we are able to do that. A lot of banks have really become very strong in terms of their institutional capacity building."

Domestic banks, he said, had developed capacity and strength in risk management, adoption of technology, and general competence among staff members.

According to him, the development has led to improved service delivery across the board.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY APRIL 12, 2015

Anglican Church gives polls pass mark

By Joe Agbro Jr. HE Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion (CONAC) has scored y e s t e r d a y ’ s gubernatorial and state assembly election a pass mark.

According to Bishop of Anglican Diocese of Lagos Mainland, Rev. Professor Adebayo Akinde, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the electorates were better prepared for the exercise this time around.

“The electorates are more determined to speak,” said the Archbishop who was in high spirits as he went around EbuteMetta, monitoring.

He said the atmosphere was calmer than what existed before the March 28 presidential and national assembly election.

Answering questions on reported cases of malpractices, Akinde who said he didn’t witness any of such, said, “Nigerians must realise the power of the ballot box. I am beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel.”

Bishop James Odedeji of the Anglican Diocese of Lagos West, who voted in Ikeja, however, said that though there were no records of violence, Lagos was tensed. Sounding a note of caution, especially concerning unguarded utterances, he said: “I want to believe so much that people should not enter into violence because they want to serve.

“To me, people are not novice. People are intelligent.

They are getting more enlightened and they believe so much that they can decide who will lead them in the next four years.”

Bishop Odedeji also said the restriction of movement disenfranchised voters who registered in far places.

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S

NEWS

Mark commends INEC for improved exercise

ENATE President David Mark has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) and security operatives for the orderly conduct of the governorship and State Assembly elections.

He however reiterated the need for candidates and political parties to allow the wishes of the electorate prevail.

This, he said, “is the only way to avoid rancour and acrimony in the polity”.

Speaking to newsmen in

Otukpo Ward 1, of Benue State after casting his vote along with his wife, Helen, Mark noted that there was much improvement in the exercise.

On security, the Senate President explained that the government was concerned about the safety of all

citizens.

According to him: “People should be allowed to exercise their civic rights.

Our elections should be free, fair and credible at all levels.”

He urged all citizens to be agent of peace even after the elections to move the nation forward.

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PDP leader dies on queue From: Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo.

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CHIEFTAIN of the Peoples Democratic Party, Abiodun Ajirotutu, yesterday slumped and died while on the queue for accreditation during the House of Assembly poll in Ilesa, Osun State.

The deceased was said to be the party chairman in Ward 2, Ireti Ayo Unit in Ilesa West Local Government area of the state.

It was gathered that the development delayed the voting exercise for a few minutes.

Meanwhile, the state governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, his wife, Sherifat and his mother voted at his Ifofin Ward 8,Unit 4,Ilesa West Local Council.

The card reader machines that malfunctioned in some parts of the state were effective in almost all the towns in Ilesa town as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) improved in the areas that posed challenges.

The Fountain of Life word explosion

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. Vice President Namadi Sambo (r) being accredited during governorship and State Assembly elections in Kaduna... yesterday

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Drivers, passengers groan over delay at Ondo Military check-point

RIVERS and passengers plying the Akure-Abuja road yesterday groaned over delays at the Owena military check- point near Igbara-oke in Ifedore local government area.

Trailer drivers, numbering about 50, were stranded on the

By Damisi Ojo

road as soldiers prevented them from moving passing through the road.

Some of the passengers who spoke with The Nation lamented that they had been on the road since 6.00am with empty

stomach.

The drivers, who were seen at 5.30 pm at the check point, said they had planned to get to Akure before commencement of the exercise by 8am.

One of the drivers, who identified himself as Ayotunde

Olusegun, lamented that they could not eat or drink for several hours as a result of the delay.

He said the soldiers who mounted surveillance on the road also threatened to beat them.

The officers however declined comment on the development.

HE annual word explosion conference of the Fountain of Life Church, Ilupeju Lagos kicks off from Tuesday.

The conference, which ends on Sunday, holds at the new auditorium of the church on 12 Industrial Avenue Road, by PZ Industries, Ilupeju.

A statement issued by the media office of the church stated that the conference coincides with the 23rdanniversary of the church.

Ministers expected at the conference with the theme supernatural harvest include Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM), Bishop Mike Okonkwo; Archbishop of Church of God Mission International, Dr. Margaret Idahosa; President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria(PFN), Rev. (Dr.) Felix Omobude as well as founder of the Scripture Pasture Christian Centre, Ibadan, Pastor Olubi Johnson.

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY APRIL 12, 2015

NEWS

GOVERNORSHIP/HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY POLLS Oyegun wins polling unit first time since 1999

Edo PDP vows to reject Uromehe results

• Prof. Osunbor loses

• They are not INEC, Edo Dep. governor

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

N

ATIONAL Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Chief John Oyegun, yesterday escaped defeat at his polling unit for the first time since 1999.

Oyegun secured victory for the APC at his Unit one Ward two polling unit in Oredo local government area.

The APC polled 54 votes to defeat the PDP who secured 48 votes at Unit one for the Oredo East Constituency seat in the Edo State House of Assembly.

In unit two, the APC candidate, Chris Okaeben polled 49 votes to defeat the PDP candidate, Barr. Uyi Ogbemudia, who pooled 43 votes.

Meanwhile, Prof.

Oserheimen Osunbor, a former governor of the state, who recently defected to APC lost at his polling unit to the Peoples Democratic Party in the State House of Assembly elections.

The APC polled 24 votes against 139 votes garnered by the PDP at unit six Ward six, Iruekpen in Esan West local government area where Prof.

Osunbor voted.

Soldiers impound commissioner's vehicle in Delta From Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

T

HE Delta State governorship and legislative elections in Asaba metropolis, the state capital, was yesterday disrupted after soldiers molested motorists.

In the ensuing fracas, many voters took to their heels as they thought that the action of soldiers could not be predicted.

But the PDP governorship candidate blamed the action of the soldiers on a breakdown of information, adding that the situation will normalise as the relevant authorities have stepped into the matter.

The Delta State Information Commissioner, Chike Ogeah, who was at St John Bosco polling unit was victim of the soldiers, as his vehicle was impounded by the soldiers, a development, which sent many voters scampering for safety.

Many of the cars were left in the middle of the ever-busy Nnebisi Road after the soldiers left with the car keys.

As the raid progressed from the Flyover Bridge, the soldiers in their multitudes arrived at the JohnBosco, the polling unit where Ogeah was billed to vote.

A visibly angry Ogeah, later told journalists that the action of the soldiers scared away voters from casting their votes.

He said: "They (soldiers) came to meet me and demanded the key from my driver. We even said please, let us pack, they refused to allow us leave the road. I identified myself. They still took the key and went away.

I'm surprised at the embarrassment of the soldiers.”

But a spokesman of the army, who disrupted the election and identified as Olaleye O, said the seizure of keys from vehicle drivers was an order from the Inspector General of Police that no vehicular movement should be allowed on election day.

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

E

• Rivers State governor, Chibuike Amaechi and his wife, Dame Judith casting their vote during the governorship and state house of assembly election at Ubima in Ikwere local government council in Rivers…yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Five feared dead in Akwa Ibom, three in Rivers, two in C/River Continued from Page 8 gathered that one was a National Youth Service Corps member while the other one, perhaps an indigene of the place was beheaded.

They were killed by suspected thugs while the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the house of one government official were burnt.

A man was also reportedly killed in Omagwa in Ikwerre LGA. There was voter apathy in some areas, especially in Diobu axis of Port Harcourt.

Trouble also broke out in some communities in Gokana LGA like Bumu and Beera, where a team of heavily armed policemen rushed to quell before accreditation started in the area.

The state governor, Rotimi Amaechi, who voted at about 2.30 pm in his Ward 2, Unit 14 in Umuigwe, Ubima, Ikwerre LGA described yesterday's elections in Rivers State as a sham, alleging that INEC and security operatives worked in favour of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) to the detriment of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Amaechi said: "At least we have seen some result sheets. I

From Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo, Clarice Azuatalam, Port Harcourt, Nicholas Kalu and Calabar

hope they have not stolen the collation result sheet at INEC. All over the places, there were shootings. I had to stop at Omagwa to rescue people."

The governorship candidate of the APC, Dr. Dakuku Peterside also described the election as a sham, noting that elections did not take place in some LGAs like Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni.

However, the governorship candidate of the PDP, Nyesom Wike, dismissed Amaechi's allegation even as he accused that the governor was using security operatives to harass him and his supporters at his father's house.

But the INEC National Commissioner in charge of Akwa Ibom, Cross River and Rivers states, Mrs. Thelma Iremiren issued a statement dismissing that as a rumour.

Iremiren said: "The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC has received with dismay news that materials in the field are fake. Please, we wish to inform the public and Rivers people that no fake materials are in the field and as such, voters should go out and vote

their leaders."

The two deaths recorded in Mkapani, Yakurr local government area of Cross River State occurred when thugs attempted to snatch election materials meant for Mkpani and Agoi wards in the area.

An eye-witness said: "No sooner had the election materials were distributed at about 8:00 am, at Government Secondary School, Mkpani that the incident occurred. Gunwielding thugs moved swiftly towards the INEC officials in their car and hijacked some of the materials that were meant for distribution to polling units in the area.

"In the panic that ensued, the driver of the INEC vehicle reversed the vehicle into the residence of former governor of the state, Clement Ebri, for safety.”

Reacting to the development, Hon. Willy Eteng, House of Assembly member for Yakuur 2 constituency, where Mkpani is, alleged that LP supporters hijacked electoral materials and fled into the house of former governor, Clement Ebri, who is a core supporter of LP. "LP supporters carted away electoral materials but that will not election in the entire constituency as voting is still ongoing in other polling units," Eteng said.

APC set to win 21 Assembly seats in Edo

R

EPORTS collated as at last night showed that the All Progressives Congress (APC) was set to win no fewer than 21 out of the 24 House of Assembly seats in Edo State.

The party also won the rerun of the National Assembly election in Orhionmwon Federal Constituency of the state.

It would be recalled that the March 28 Federal House of Representatives election for

the constituency was cancelled because of violence.

The state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mike Igini, while announcing the cancellation of the election said it was cancelled due to non-availability of electoral materials including result sheets.

"Quite a number of challenges which arose during the March 28 elections and were brought to our attention by the public have been acknowledged," the REC said.

Mixed reactions trail polls in Delta

M

IXED reactions have continued to trail yesterday's governorship and state House of Assembly elections, which held across Delta State.

While the state governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, praised the conduct of the exercise and commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for a job well done, candidates of the two main opposition parties in the state; Olorogun O'tega Emerhor of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Chief Great Ogboru of the Labour Party (LP), raised the alarm over reported irregularities and

• Exercise peaceful and commendable - Uduaghan • It was riddled with irregularities, fraud - Emerhor, Ogboru From Bolaji Ogundele, Warri

electoral fraud witnessed during the exercise.

Governor Uduaghan, who spoke shortly after casting his vote in his Abigborodo country home in Warri North council area of the state, also commended people of Delta state for properly conducting themselves during the exercise.

Uduaghan, who commended INEC for improving on its performance at the presidential/national assembly elections, also

thanked the people of the state for their peaceful conduct, saying their behaviour had proven doomsayers wrong about the state.

"The INEC conduct of the governorship and house of assembly elections in the Umuegbe Primary School polling station, Abigborodo Ward six was an improvement on its conduct of the presidential election, INEC officials and election materials arrived the polling station at 8:55 am while accreditation started at 9:52 am,"

he said.

Meanwhile, the governorship candidate of the APC, Olorogun Emerhor, said his party had taken notice of irregularities and malpractices in some places and would be seeking cancellation of results from such places.

Emerhor also alleged that ballot boxes were snatched and the denial of his supporters in some parts of the state from exercising their right, saying the allegations were being investigated.

DO State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has vowed to reject results from Uromehe Ward, Urhonigbe South in Orhionmwon local government area of Edo State.

Uromehe is the hometown of the state deputy governor, Dr. Pius Odubu.

It said its party agents led by one Barr. Sylvester Ogbe were attacked on Friday night and driven away from the community by thugs of xxx the All Progressives Congress.

Chieftain of the PDP, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, in a chat with newsmen, said the PDP agents were shot and had to escape to Delta State to seek medical treatment.

According to him, "Yesterday at about 2am, our agents in Uromehe called me to inform me that some thugs led by a younger brother to the deputy governor attacked them and they were shot."

The deputy governor, however, denied the allegations and insisted that no shootings occurred in his community.

He said, "There are policemen there and is nothing like that happened.

Is he now INEC?. If he chooses to keep his agents away, that is his problem."

xxxx

10 NYSC members, soldier caught voting in General's house From Uyoatta Eshiet, Uyo

T

EN corps members and a soldier were yesterday reportedly arrested at the home of a retired General and former NYSC Director, Gen. Edet Akpan, by men of the Department of Security Service for electoral offences in Akwa Ibom State.

The state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Barr Austin Okojie, gave this report while taking a break from the election to brief the press in Uyo, the state capital.

Okojie who reacted to general complaints about late arrival of result sheets and compromise by some INEC officials said INEC received sensitive materials on Tuesday, dispatched to local government areas on Thursday for early dispatch to polling units.

Okojie who reported cases of violence in Uyo, Ibesikpo, Nsit Ubium and Mkpat Enin, Nsit Ibom and Etinan local government areas said these are basically security issues and commended security agencies for being alive to their responsibilities.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY APRIL 12, 2015

NEWS

CHANGE OF NAME

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ADEYINKA

UZOH

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ADESANYA

UDENWEZE

UBOH

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I formerly known and addressed as Miss OJOYEMI ANN ANEKE, now wish to be known as Mrs. OJOYEMI ANN UAGBAE IZZI. All former documents remain valid general public please take note.

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Mainstreet Bank and general public should please take note.

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I formerly known and addressed as Miss Alarape Monsurat Ayomide, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Yusuf Monsurat Ayomide. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

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ALABI I formerly known and addressed as Miss Madinat Alabi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Maruf Madinat Aminu. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

NTUEN

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Unwana Akpan Ntuen, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Unwana Samuel Ukotang. All former documents remain valid.

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TAIWO

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OGBONNA

I formerly known and addressed as Owonte Emmanuel Awasima, now wish to be known and addressed as Iwaribubele Isoboye Emmanuel.

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I formerly known and addressed as Nwachukwu Loveth Onyinyechi, now wish to be known and addressed as Nwachukwu Loveth Faustina. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

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IGHARIEMU

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Augustina Oghogho Ighariemu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Augustina Oghogho Ebiye Shoboy. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

ENI I formerly known and addressed as Miss Peace Eni, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Peace Nna Benson. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

NNAKWE

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Nnakwe, Nkiruka Anthonia, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Nnaemeka, Nkiruka Anthonia. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

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YUSUF

OWONTE

NWACHUKWU

CHIMEZIE

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Amara Tracey Chimezie, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Amara Tracey Onuchukwu.

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General public should please take note.

ADEOYE

I formerly known and addressed as MISS ALAO DAMILOLA RUTH, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. OYEGOKE DAMILOLA RUTH. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

OGUNFOWORA

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Ogunfowora Mary Taiwo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Okafor Mary Taiwo. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

OMANI

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Omani Kema Roseline, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Obogwu-Ketuojor Roseline Kema. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

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I formerly known and addressed as Miss Aliyu Bilikisu Bukola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Labisi Aliyu Bilikisu Bukola.

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JOSEPH I formerly known and addressed as Miss Joseph Esther Rehoboh Egekeze, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Jidechi Esther Rehoboh Ekwerike. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

BALOGUN I formerly known and addressed as Miss Balogun, Ramat Adenike, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Osho, Ramat Adenike. All former documents remain valid.

Adekunle Ajasin University and general public should please take note.

LAWAL: I, formerly known and addressed as Lawal Fatimoh Abolore now wish to be known and addressed as Akinremi Esther Ayomide former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

OJO

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ojo Oluwabunmi Juliana, now wish to be known an addressed as Mrs. Olabisi Oluwabunmi Juliana.

All former documents remain valid general public take note.

OGUNLADE I formerly known and addressed as Miss Ogunlade Seun Adeniyi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Moses Seun Adebiyi. All former documents remain valid general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME Aransiola Funmilayo B. Is the same person as Aransiola Oluwafunmilayo Bukola, henceforth I want to be known and addressed as Aransiola Funmilayo Bukola. all former documents remain valid. Osun State Polytechnic Iree and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME Akingbola Mosunmola Labak is the same person as Akingbola Mosunmola Omolabake. All former documents remain valid general public take note.

OKPIAIFO

CONFIRMATION OF NAME Mr. EZE ARINZE MICHAEL and Mr. UZOEZIE MICHAEL ARINZE, refers to one and the same person now wish to be known as Mr. PAUL MICHAEL ARINZECHUKWU. All former documents remain valid. general public please take note.

I, formerly Miss KIKELOMO AKINGBADE, now wish to be known as Mrs. ABIMBOLA KIKELOMO. All former documents remain valid, the general public should please take note.

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I formerly known and addressed as Miss CHIKEZIE IJEOMA. Now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. GOODLUCKCHUKWUMEKA IJEOMA. All former documents remained valid.

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AKOAMHEN I formerly known and addressed as MISS AKOAMHEN HAPPINESS. Now wish to be known and addressed as MISS OMOCHIERE HAPPINESS. All former documents remained valid. The general public should please take note.

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OCHIABUTO

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I formerly known and addressed as Miss Monsurat Adenuga Badejo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Otubu, Adebukunola Monsurat. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

ILOANUSI I formerly known and addressed as Miss ILOANUSI EKWUTOSI, now wish to be known as Mrs. OKPALANWA AMAKA EKWITOSI CHRISTIANA. All former documents remain valid general public please take note.

IBEH

CONFIRMATION OF NAME Abdulganiyu Gary Sanusi is the same as Gideon Olakitan Sanusi. All documents bearing the above names remain valid. General public should please take note.

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CORRECTION OF NAME

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I formerly known and addressed as Miss Ayotola Opeyemi Afolabi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ayotola Opeyemi Akinyemi. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

NWOSU

I formerly known and addressed as Maria Ntinu, now wish to be known and addressed as Florence Akagha.

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MAKINDE

I formerly known and addressed as Taiwo , Christianah Adepeju, now wish to be known and addressed as Bankole, Christianah Adepeju. All former documents remain valid.

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WEST

AKINGBADE

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Formerly known and addressed as Miss Olabisi Flora Davies, now to be known as Mrs. Olabisi Flora Davies-Bolorunduro. All former documents remain valid. University of Lagos and general public take note.

AKINDEMOWO: I, formerly known and addressed as Akinkunle Ayo akindemowo , now wish to be Known and addressed as Akinkunle Ayodele . All former documents remain valid. The general public please take note.

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HAMTA: I formerly known and addressed as Miss Hamta Joy Ojochide, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Akor Joy Ojochide All former documents remain valid .The general public please take note.

NWAEBO: I, formerly known and addressed as, MISS STELLA IHEYINWA NWAEBO, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS STELLA IHEYINWA NWOKOCHA. All former documents remain valid. The general public please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MISS WEST PEARL HAPPINESS. Now wish to be known and addressed as MRS AIRIODION PEARL HAPPINESS. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

SANNI: I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Sanni Rukayat Adeola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Alli Rukayat Adeola. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note .

AJAYI

OKORUWA: I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Okienmua Okoruwa, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Winnie Okienmua Etebe. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note .

I formerly known and refers to as MISS AJAYI OLAJUMOKE OLUWAKEMI. Now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ADEBIYI OLAJUMOKE OLUWAKEMI. All former documents remained valid. The general public should please take note.

FASAE I formerly known and refers to as MISS FASAE FOLASADE FUNMILAYO CAROLINE. Now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. OLUWAMAYOWAAJAYI CAROLINE FOLASADE FUNMILAYO. All former documents remained valid.Irepodun /Ifelodun LGA,igede Ekiti, Ekiti state local Government service commission Ado-Ekiti and the general public should please take note.

IWUOHA

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS LUCKY CHIMUNYA IWUOHA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. LUCKY FESTUS GODWIN ESSIEN. All former documents remain valid. Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the general public should please take note.

BENJAMIN

ODOH: I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Odoh Amanda Isioma, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ikem Amanda Isioma. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note .

EZEUKWU: I formerly known and addressed as Miss Irene Ekwutorsi Ezeukwu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Irene Ekwutorsi Igwe. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

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I formerly known and addressed as MISS FRANCES NWACHIMERE BENJAMIN now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. FRANCES NWACHIMERE SAMUGANA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

IGE: I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Folakemi Florence Ige, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Folakemi Florence Eniojukan.

All former documents remain valid.

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YAHAYA

OMISORE: I, formerly known and addressed as Omisore Oluwafunke Hannah now wish to be known and addressed as Egbeyemi Oluwafunke Hannah. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

I formerly known and addressed as YAHAYA NIMOTALAHI OMOWUMI now wish to be known and addressed as ABDULAZEEZ NIMAT OMOWUMI. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

65

Four Kashamu’s aides arrested From: Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

F

OUR aides of billionaire hotelier and South West leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Buruji Kashamu, were arrested yesterday by security operatives for alleged electoralrelated offences.

The quartet, which include Kashamu’s driver and nephew, were apprehended in Ijebu - Itele in Ogun East local government area of Ogun state during the governorship and House of Assembly elections.

The two others were alleged to have adorned uniforms of the Mobile Police (MOPOL).

It was gathered that the suspects were riding in an unmarked jeep belonging to Kashamu, who doubles as the Senator-elect on the ticket of PDP for Ogun East.

But Kashamu, who spoke with reporters shortly after casting his vote at Ward 06, polling unit 26, in Ijebu - Igbo, admitted that his aides were arrested while on a legitimate errand at Itele community.

He said they were in the area to deliver money meant for the payment of the PDP party agents working at the polls.

According to him: “We all know for sure that I am the South West chairman Mobilisation and Organisation Committee and of course, I am entitled to INEC pass. But I am a little bit ill and did not go out.

“And last night when they were trying to distribute money to party agents, they couldn’t have enough money and I was told that Ijebu East remained N500, 000 which I gave to them.

“I sent one of my nieces with two colleagues and a tag on my Range Rover vehicle.

“From there, they arrested them and another party agent that supposed to perform in his ward.”

Tinubu, wife, Fashola, Ambode, Adebule win at Polling Units

C

ANDIDATES of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the Governorship and House of Assembly elections in the units of National Leader of the party, Alausa, Ikeja and Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State in Surulere, emerged winners with landslide victory.

Governorship polls result at Tinubu’s Polling Unit 047, Sunday Adigun Street, Alausa, Ikeja, shows; APC polled 230 to PDP’s 62.

Results for the House of Assembly is APC (233), PDP 60 The total number of registered voters is 1,388; the total number of accredited voters is 295 while the total number of vote cast is 293.

At Fashola’s ward G3, Unit 002, State Senior Grammar School, Itolo, Surulere, the APC governorship candidate scored 270 to PDP’s 132. There were 11 voided votes.

APC governorship candidate, Akinwunmi Ambode in his ward 3 Epe, polled 133 to PDP’s 57.

Ambode’s running mate Dr Idiat Adebule at Iba defeated PDP by 197 to 180 votes in the governorship poll. She also polled 197 for APC to defeat PDP with 176.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY APRIL 12, 2015

66

WORDSWORTH

Violence, apathy mar Ondo Assembly poll Jega’s rare maturity U “A

EBERE WABARA

S at 2012, the university admission ratio has (had) reflected the federal government’s directive of (on) 60:40 ratio in favour of postgraduate students” “NDIC, Polish bank enters (why?) into partnership” “Minister assures of improved services” Who did the minister assure— the object is very critical to the construction.

Please note that ‘in the hot seat’ is British English, while ‘on the hot seat’ is American English.’ Which is your preference? The former is mine.

“Mid-term report card: Jonathan lashes at critics” Collocational information: Jonathan lashes out at critics “The Honourable Minister for (of) Power….” But, Commissioner for Power…Niger State Government, take note!

“NDLEA arrests two over (for or in connection with) trafficking at Lagos Airport” “The man regained his freedom on the payment of a whooping (whopping) ransom of N15 million.” “…has given a firm assurance that his government will stop at nothing to (at) reducing the menace to the barest minimum in the state.” “…and like (as) Governor Fashola said, eternal vigilance should be the watch word (watchword).”

“I misled Middle Belt to vote for Jonathan” Politics Today: I misled Middle Belt into voting for Jonathan “…he has been able to repay back N20 billion.”

Delete ‘back’ and move forward!

“Osuntokun scores Jonathan low in education” My amiable and humanistic former lecturer scored GEJ low on (not in) education. An aside: Prof. Jide Osuntokun, thanks for all the biros and fatherly advice you gave to us during lectures almost three decades ago in UNILAG. I remember it all as if it were yesterday! God will continue to prosper you. I also fondly recollect another fine gentleman, the late Dr. Hakeem Haruna of History Department, for his unique didactic methodology. May his soul continue to rest in peace.

“ABUAD: It can stand with world class

08055001948

ewabara@yahoo.com

(world-class) universities” “ABUAD students on life in the campus” Special Report: ABUAD students on life on campus—or, simply, ABUAD students on campus life, especially for headline purposes “Jonathan has no solution to Nigeria’s crisis” Definitely, Nigeria has more than one crisis: therefore crises. “…creative people to interact at (in) the corridors of power” “One military personnel was also killed in the encounter.” ‘Personnel’ (plural) is a collective noun that cannot be used for just an individual. “…Amaechi said that his purported suspension was an act of political witch-hunting.

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth: political witch-hunt “SINOHYDRO…wishes to congratulate the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (GCFR) (another comma) for (on/ upon) the successful flagging off (inauguration, et al) and the Ground Breaking Ceremony (groundbreaking ceremony) for the….”

“We further wish to congratulate the Honourable Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo (yet another comma) as well as his counterpart (colleague/ deputy/partner/assistant) the Honourable Minister of State, Hajiya Zainab Kuchi.”

“Time for leaders to close rank (ranks)…”

“Jang assures on welfare” Who did the governor assure? ‘Assure’ compulsorily takes an object.

“Okorocha seeks on leadership training” Yank off ‘on’! “…the military lobby intensively for deployment into (in) the zone.”

(Editorial) “To bring this to the attention of the decerning (discerning) investors, the Jigawa State Government is organising the first Economic and Investment Summit.”

“Courts are not permitted to suo motu raise issues, resolve same (the same) without hearing from parties” “The good news came few (a few) hours before President Goodluck….” “…after overrunning three terrorists camps (terrorists’ camps) in the riotous….”

FEEDBACK Schooling in London is often regarded as a privilege that never comes on

a ‘“platter of gold” (silver platter/platter) to an average Nigerian.

Here was the opportunity for me which I could have “gotten on a platter of gold” (got on a silver platter/platter).

From a book entitled, DO YOUR BEST AND BE THE BEST (page 187).

Politicians of the First Republic said our political independence was handed to us on a “platter of gold” (silver platter) by the British.

Note on Usage: “To have something handed to one on a silver platter”, meaning “to get or be given something without having to put any effort into it”, is a more or less formal idiom. E.g. A friend of Janet’s father has offered her a well – paid job in Abuja; it was handed to her on a silver platter while the rest of us have spent ages replying to advertisements and filling in application forms.

Another special note: a formal idiom that has been fixed by usage, cannot be changed, restructed, altered or rearranged. For example, “on a silver platter” cannot be changed to “on a platter of gold”, I repeat, nobody has any licence – poetic, literary, journalistic, editorial, pastoral or papal to change a formal idiom.

In January 1964, the late Dr. Tai Solarin wished all: “May Your Road Be Rough”, meaning “More power to your elbow – work harder! It is apt for you (BAYO OGUNTUNASE, 08056180046.

Email: soloade12@yahoo.com) “BUT for Jega’s matured (mature, an adjective) response to the provocation...”

The writer, on Page 14, THISDAY newspaper, April 4, needs to know that “matured” is a verb, either past tense or past participle. Also on Page 11, a jubilant youth was reported to have been killed by a policeman. An eyewitness told the newspaper that the “incidence” occurred “at about 9:00 p.m.”. Grammatically, “incident” is an event while “incidence” means a trend or the rate at which21something happens. Second, “at” and “about” cannot be used together.

(KOLA DANISA, 07068074257) END OF POLITICKING IN THIS COLUMN!

NLIKE the March 28 presidential election, violence and apathy marred yesterday’s House of Assembly election in Ondo state.

There was also low turnout of voters in some areas visited by our correspondent.

In some places, there were pockets of crises.

It was gathered that ballot boxes were snatched in more than five polling centres in Ugbo, Ilaje Local Government Areas of the state and some units in Idanre Community by suspected political thugs.

Cash ranging from N1, 000 to N5,000 per head was shared in some polling units by the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP).

This was noticeable in many units in Igbogi,Obanla and Ayedun quarters.

Supporters of the PDP and those of the All Progressives Congress (APC) reportedly clashed in some polling centres in Ilaje/Ese-Odo Local Government Area of the state.

It was gathered that some voters were prevented from voting in many of the polling centres in Akure, the state capital, as they were chased by suspected

political thugs.

Also, the polling agents of some parties in Idanre, headquarters of Idanre Local Government Area of the state, were allegedly chased away by suspected political thugs.

However, the election recorded a low turn out in most parts of the state unlike the presidential and National Assembly polls.

Also, election materials, especially the sensitive ones, arrived late at most of the polling centres in Akure, Owo, Ore, Ikare and other towns in the state.

Governor Olusegun Mimiko, who was accredited by 10.30am at his unit 03, ward 05 in Ondo town, stressed the need for peace to reign during and after the poll.

He noted that the House of Assembly election was crucial to democracy and urged the people to defend their votes.

The governor maintained that the state was known for peace and urged the people to maintain it.

Commenting on the election, the state chapter of the APC noted that violence characterised the election in most parts of the state.

The Chairman, Media and Publicity committee of the party, Tunde Imolehin, said: “It was a sad day in most parts of the state, especially in the South senatorial district of the state due to violence recorded there.

“There are reports of ballot boxes snatching, open inducement of voters and thuggery at polling stations.

Most voters were chased away by PDP hired thugs.”

He noted that low turnout of voters was recorded in most of the polling stations in the state.

Reacting to the allegation that the PDP masterminded violence in some polling stations, a member of the state House of Assembly, Hon Akin Adeniyi said the APC was behind violence during the poll.

He said: “There was no meeting of the PDP where the issue of violence was discussed. The violence experienced during the poll was handiwork of APC members.”

A former member of the House of Representatives from the state, Hon Ifedayo Abegunde, however, attributed the low turnout of voters to threat by some political leaders in the state.

Poor turnout in Osun V OTERS’ turnout for the House of Assembly election in Osun State yesterday was not impressive.

Very few voters were seen waiting for accreditation at various polling units across the state.

Unlike the large turnout of voters from early hours during the March 28 presidential polls, scanty people were at the polling centres throughout the exercise.

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in the state, Barr. Ajibola Basirýu, who is formerly the Commissioner for Special Duties and Regional Integration, linked the poor turn out to inability of voters to appreciate the roles of the lawmakers in politics.

The exercise was however peaceful except for the incidents at Ilase in Obokun Local Government Area of the state where there was a clash between the supporters of the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party.

About three persons were injured as police tried to disperse and arrest hoodlums trying to manipulate the election process at Ward 2 in Oja Titun area of Obokun Local Government. ýIt was gathered that one Dare Orimogunje was shot in the leg during the crisis.

Armed political thugs were said to have stormed

From: Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo.

Ilase in a bus and another two Toyota saloon cars, shooting sporadically into the air to scare people away.

Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress in Osun State said its chieftain, Otunba Jumoke Ogunkeyede, was shot by suspected PDP hoodlums.

It said Ogunkeye was, shot while trying to resist the hoodlums’ snatching the ballot box at the polling unit.

Also, the APC said that Pa Dauda Akinwole, the

father of PDP House of Assembly candidate in Ife East Local Government, was arrested by security agents for carrying arms.

According to the party, the assault rifle was allegedly found in his car when the police was conducting a stop and search on vehicles at Ilode Ward 01, Ife Central Local Government.

Also, in many parts of the state there were reports of initial failure of card reader machines, particularly in Oriade and Orolu local local governments.

67

THE NATION ON SUNDAY APRIL 12, 2015

Ex-Soviet Kyrgyzstan weighs legacy of revolution five years on

Ethiopians badly burned in South Africa anti-foreigner violence

T

WO Ethiopian nationals suffered serious burns when their shop in a South African township was set alight by a mob, police said Saturday, as violence against foreign immigrants spread.

The men were in the shop in Umlazi, south of Durban, when it was petrol bombed on Friday night.

"They suffered severe burn wounds and are being treated in hospital," police spokesman Thulani Zwane said.

Three people including one foreigner had been killed in violence between residents and foreign nationals that has been raging for the past two weeks in townships south of Durban.

Seventeen people have been arrested over the recent attacks.

"The situation is still tense in all affected areas, and police are out in force to prevent further clashes," Zwane said.

The unrest erupted two weeks ago in Isipingo and Chatsworth, where several grocery shops owned by foreign nationals were looted and vandalised.

It has now spread to KwaMakhutha and Umlazi, also in the south of Durban, forcing over a thousand mostly African foreign nationals to flee their township homes.

Some of those who have fled are being housed in community halls and tents pitched in sports grounds.

Police said the reason for the current outbreak in xenophobic violence was unclear.

However clashes between immigrants and locals are not uncommon in South Africa, as impoverished residents often accuse foreigners of taking their jobs.

President Jacob Zuma Friday spoke out against the attacks, saying "no amount of economic hardship and discontent will ever justify attacking foreign nationals".

He said the government was "deeply concerned" about the violence.

Meanwhile, Zulu king Goodwill Zwelithini, who recently came under fire for suggesting that immigrants should "pack their bags and leave" the country, has rejected the comment as a distortion.

In a statement issued Friday, the king said the attacks were "taking our continent backwards".

"A mere suggestion that people who were looting were doing that under the king's instruction is disingenuous," said the king, who commands respect in the Durban region that is mostly inhabited by Zulus.

Some foreigners have begun to fight back, with a group protesting against the violence in an illegal march on Wednesday that was broken up by police who fired tear gas.

The latest round of xenophobic violence came just months after similar attacks around Soweto, south of Johannesburg.

K

• Historic Obama-Castro meeting in Panama

Obama, Castro herald new era at Americas Summit

U

S President Barack Obama and Cuba's Raul Castro heralded a new era of bilateral relations on Saturday as they both addressed a landmark Summit of the Americas ahead of historic one-on-one talks.

Sitting around an oval table with some 30 other regional leaders in Panama City, Obama and Castro spoke one after the other in an unprecedented public exchange between the leaders of the Cold War-era foes.

"This shift in US policy represents a turning point for our entire region," Obama said. "The fact that President Castro and I are both sitting here today marks a historic occasion."

As the US leader looked on, Castro declared: "President Obama is an honest man."

But both leaders acknowledged that the two countries, as

they negotiate to restore diplomatic relations that broke off in 1961, will continue to have disagreements.

Obama cited the human rights situation in Cuba, while Castro renewed calls for the US Congress to lift a decades-old embargo.

"I think it's no secret, President Castro I'm sure would agree, that there will continue to be significant differences between our two countries," Obama said.

Taking their bid to restore diplomatic ties to a new level, Obama and Castro will have a discussion on the sidelines of the second and final day of the summit.

The two leaders already said hello late Friday, greeting each other and shaking hands -- a gesture rich in symbolism -- as other leaders looked on.

The face-to-face talks will be the climax of their surprise announcement on December 17 that, after 18 months of secret negotiations, they would seek to normalize relations between their two nations.

It is Cuba's first time participating at the 21-year-old summit.

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos summed up the mood, saying "an old obstacle in relations between Latin America and North America is being removed."

The last time US and Cuban leaders met was in 1956, three years before Fidel Castro came to power.

"This is not just about two leaders sitting down together," said senior Obama advisor Ben Rhodes.

"It's about fundamentally changing how the United States

Mourners gather to remember black South Carolina man shot by police

H

UNDREDS of mourners gathered on Saturday morning at a South Carolina chapel to remember Walter Scott, an African-American father of four who was shot in the back last week while running from a white patrolman.

Scott's death, caught on a bystander's video, has reignited a public outcry over police treatment of AfricanAmericans. Michael Slager, the North Charleston officer who fired eight times at the man's back as he fled from a traffic stop, has been charged with murder.

Under cloudy skies, an early crowd stood under the portico of W.O.R.D. Ministries Christian Center in Summerville behind police tape that separated them from television cameras and media tents. The service, scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. EDT, will be open to the public.

"This is a sad day," said Rev. James Johnson, a minister who

is president of the local chapter of civil rights leader Rev. Al Sharpton's National Action Network.

"God has got a reason for what has happened," he told Reuters. "Hopefully this will heal the world."

Scott's family is expected to be escorted to the funeral by North Charleston police. The family changed its mind on allowing media to attend after a newspaper reported that the

family wanted Sharpton to stay away, Johnson said.

Sharpton was always welcome, though the family had not scheduled him as a speaker, he said.

Sharpton said on Friday that he had a scheduling conflict but would attend church services and a vigil in North Charleston on Sunday.

Scott, 50, was driving a black Mercedes-Benz on April 4 when he was pulled over by Slager,

•The casket containing Walter Scott’s body being received in Church at South Carolina

engages Cuba -- its government, its people, its civil society."

The format of the meeting has yet to be confirmed, but Rhodes said the two leaders would likely talk about the negotiations to restore diplomatic ties as well as lingering disagreements.

Cuba has demanded to be removed from a US list of state sponsors of terrorism before embassies can reopen, noting that this has blocked the country's access to bank credit.

Castro told the summit that Obama was taking a "positive step" by reviewing his country's inclusion on the list.

The White House indicated that Obama was not yet ready to decide whether to remove Havana from the blacklist, but that it could not rule out an announcement in Panama.

33, for a broken tail light. Video from the dashboard camera in Slager's police cruiser recorded a respectful exchange between the two men before the officer returned to his patrol car.

A few minutes later, after being told by Slager to stay in the Mercedes, Scott emerged from his car and took off running. He was apparently unarmed.

A second video by a bystander showed the men in a brief tussle before Scott ran off again, Slager fired his gun and Scott slumped into the grass.

In the days since his death, Scott has been remembered for his love of dancing and the Dallas Cowboys. He had a history of arrests for failing to pay child support and was forced out of the U.S. Coast Guard in 1986 after more than two years of service due to a drug offense.

He was nonetheless discharged under honorable conditions because he had a good record of service, the Coast Guard said.

An obituary published on Friday said Scott's survivors include his parents, two brothers and four children

Y L Y C H B E K Beksariyev lost two friends to a bloody revolution he hoped would transform ex-Soviet Kyrgyzstan, but five years after the ouster of a reviled leader he says his Central Asian homeland remains mired in poverty and corruption.

"Officials still steal," the sports instructor, 27, said. "I work the same job I worked in 2010. The pay increased 20 percent and the price of bread by 30 percent."

"Is that progress?" he asked.

A landlocked nation of some six million people, Kyrgyzstan has suffered periodic bouts of political instability and ethnic strife since shortly before its independence from the USSR in 1991.

The uprising of April 2010 -- when scores of protesters were killed as they seized government offices -- turfed out authoritarian leader Kurmanbek Bakiyev, who himself came to power on the back of a popular uprising five years earlier.

The ouster of Bakiyev -now in exile in Belarus -sparked hope of a rare democratic breakthrough in a region dominated by ageing Soviet-era autocrats.

Since then the country under current leader Almazbek Atambayev has made vital strides towards cementing a multi-party system and faces genuinely competitive parliamentary polls this fall.

Speaking Tuesday in the capital Bishkek at a ceremony to remember the people who died during the April 7 revolution, Atambayev insisted progress has been made.

"We are creating a country of free people. We are building a secular, democratic state," said Atambayev, whose legally-permitted single term ends in 2017.

But some say the expectations of the uprising have not been met.

"We cannot say the revolution's aims were fulfilled," says Osunbek Jamansariyev, who runs an organisation representing relatives of over 80 protesters who died in the violence.

"Our police force and courts are still vehicles for injustice. People are poor.

There is a danger the situation could become revolutionary again," he told AFP. On the international stage the strategically located country struggles to tread a line between its former Soviet master Russia, vast neighbour China and the West.

Last year, following Ukraine's Maidan revolution Kyrgyzstan's government released a statement sympathetic to the movement and critical of Russian-backed fugitive president Viktor Yanukovych.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY APRIL 12, 2015

68 SUNDAY LIFE EXTRA

T

wice frontline actor, Prince Ifeanyi Dike had to go to India to attend to his ailing kidneys. Twice he also had to undergo kidney transplants because the first transplant failed, and to stay alive, he had to travel the delicate route one more time. For the first time, he also shared his well-kept secret of how felt too embarrassed to call for public help on the second mission; hence he had to go it secretly probably with the help of a few close friends and family. The good news however, was, he survived.

Radio jockey, Steve 'the sleek' Kadiri wasn't that lucky. Like Dike, his first transplant also failed. Like Dike, he too wasn't able to call for public help until friends, led by Alariwo and co took up his case and launched another appeal. But unlike Dike, Kadiri did not survive. He died before the funding for the second transplant could be fully raised.

President Umaru Yar'adua, with all of the Nigerian state's machinery and endless cash at his disposal also did not survive. He lost his battle with the highly mortal kidney ailment, despite going to the best hospital in Saudi Arabia. Forget that he embarrassed the Nigerian nation in the process, as many thought the federal government as the sixth largest crude oil producer in the world had no business taking its president to a fellow oil producing state. Not even if it was the world's number one in the OPEC ranking.

53 year-old Rahila Jiboyewa, an economics teacher at the University of Maiduguri Staff School is currently facing the battle of her life. After an initial mis-diagnosis in Nigeria that focused treatment on her diabetes, doctors in India have confirmed that her problems were indeed caused by her ailing kidneys, which they say have all but packed up.

So she has been busy in the last couple of weeks, raising money through goodspirited Nigerians to go for treatment that includes series of dialysis and a kidney transplant in India. She would need a whopping N8million in the least to pay for the treatments and all the appendages of flight for herself and her companion, feeding and accommodation. She needs so much money because her country 'does' not have the capacity to take care of her situation, otherwise, she just have had to raise half of that amount for her treatment. The mis-diagnoses and other nasty experiences she went through in Nigerian hospitals and in the hands of

Epidemic of cardiac and renal diseases and the Lagos panacea “Year on year, I watched as we exported Nigerians abroad, with family members to care for and support them; all at high cost in foreign exchange, because there was no local alternative.â€? •Fashola

fellow Nigerian health personnel, would not even make her consider a Nigerian option, if there were any. Not even a dialysis session, as she has seen how a Nigerian hospital infected a fellow renal disease patient, during a pre-dialysis operation, complicating her situation in the process.

Of course the cases of actor Muna Obiekwe and radio guru Chaz B are still fresh in our minds.

So much for renal-related diseases.

Just last month, 13-year old Prince Tomiwa Adewale Abegunde returned from the United States of America, where he had gone for a vital hole in the heart operation, sponsored by the Americabased Gift of Life Foundation. Today, Adewale lives, to the glory of God and the goodwill of a foreign NGO and a foreign facility. Truth however was that before the NGO came on the scene, Prince Adewale's parents' hopes were only hinged on prayers and a miracle, which they probably didn't believe, deep down, could surface.

The whole of their country, Nigeria didn't

have the ability to take care of their boy's cardiac ailment, and unless they raised about N5million, together with flight and accommodation fee, their lovable son's fate was probably dicey.

Also, one is not likely to forget too soon, the pathetic story of Adetokunbo and Peace Kalejaye, published in the Nigerian media about a year ago, where their three-year old girl, Desola had been diagnosed with a 12.5mm hole in the heart situation and needed urgent surgery overseas. Even before her birth, the couple had known that difficult times lay ahead, having been forced to bring their daughter to the world prematurely through a caesarean section.

Then the doctors had warned that the foetus was not feeding well and was losing too much weight. On delivery, tests showed that she was suffering from hernia, which they said required an operation, that they recommended should be differed till a bit later, when she is older and stronger. The hole in the heart diagnosis, which came seven months after her birth, was therefore a case of double sorrow for both parents.

Aside the trauma they suffered as parents, they still had to contend with the hard task of raising N3.5 million.

A sizable number of Nigerian children suffer from hole in the heart ailments on a regular basis, putting their parents in desperate and panicky situations. That most of these parents are average Nigerians, who can hardly afford three square meals and the regular health treatments, have also meant them coming out cap in hand to seek for public support before accessing the treatment.

Inevitably, many die in the process, literally extinguishing their parents dream build around them.

Just last week, Sulaimon Owolabi walked into The Nation's office in Ladipo, Mushin, desperately crying for help. He wanted a public appeal story done for his three-year old son, Fatai, who has been diagnosed with celebral palsy, and is in the throes of death.

Cerebral Palsy by the way is strange situation, where a child is neither able to talk, sit, stand nor even eat properly, but only roll on the bed or floor.

According to Wikipedia, it 'is caused by an abnormal development or damage to the parts of the brain that control movement, balance and posture.'

Often, the problem occur during pregnancy, during childbirth or shortly after birth, but causes remain largely unknown, leaving doctors to hazard guesses at premature birth and some infections suffered by mothers during pregnancy, as risk factors.

Due to its strangeness, the elder Owolabi took the condition for a spiritual one, taking his son from one spiritual healer to the other until a friend told him it is a health condition and that he should go to a proper hospital.

So now, he needs N4.8million to go to India and access proper definitive treatment.

Pain of a Nation Even as there does not seems to be any accurate statistics that one can quote, since a good number of Nigerians suffering from the above diseases have died without going to the proper treatment channels, while others still wallow in their predicament, waiting to die in their homes, due to poverty, Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris said in a recent interview that the World Health Organisation's declaration in 2012 that noncommunicable diseases led by cardiovascular and renal diseases have attained epidemic proportion globally, suffices.

Almost on a daily basis, Nigerians wake up to read or watch on TV how their compatriots, even celebrities have to debase themselves to go cap in hand in public, seeking financial help to access treatment for their cardiac, renal or even cancer-related diseases.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 2015

69

70

SPORTS THE NATION ON SUNDAY

Obasi free to leave Schalke

EXTRA

APRIL 12, 2015

F

ormer Super Eagles forward, Chinedu Obasi, is on his way out of Schalke 04 in the summer according to reports coming out of Germany.

SL10.ng sourced from the media in Germany that the 28-year-old was told in clear terms by Schalke general manager Horst Heldt that his contract won't be renewed.

The Nigerian's case has not been helped by constant injury worries that has limited him to 52 appearances with just five goals since his four million euros move to Schalke three-and-half years ago.

Schalke signed Obasi in the summer of 2011/2012 as a back up to team cult hero Jefferson Farfan, but after few games an old shin injury picked up at his previous side Hoffenheim resurfaced.

He underwent surgery and missed all but seven games of that season, so far he has played just six games in the Bundesliga and his last league game was on the 11th of November 2014.

His last goal for the team was five months ago and it came in the UEFA champions league game against Sporting Lisbon where he scored and provided an assist in a 4-3 win.

Ikeme ready for derby test against Birmingham

W

olverhampton Wanderers goalkeeper, Carl Ikeme, is expecting a lively derby as Wolves takes a huge step towards the playoffs at St Andrews.

The Birmingham-born goal keeper, Carl Ikeme who has shown interest to represent Nigeria at full international level shared his expectations with the club's official website.

"We all know what a derby game means I was brought up in Birmingham and have already had about ten calls for tickets. I know a lot of Blues fans and they will be looking forward to the game and we know they are not going to want to lose to local rivals," said Ikeme “We are taking 4,000 fans and it's a big game and one we are all looking forward to. It makes it more interesting when you are involved in a derby game and you always get a bit more stick” Results Swansea 1 - 1 Everton S’pton 2 - 0 Hull S’derland 1 - 4 Crystal Tottenham 0 - 1 Aston West Brom 2 - 3 Leicester West Ham 1 - 1 Stoke Burnley 0 - 1 Arsenal

Francis Coquelin (left) celebrates Ramsey's opening goal in front of a disappointing Burnley crowd

Ramsey's strike gives Arsenal victory

A

RSENAL'S unlikely late title challenge gained further momentum when Aaron Ramsey struck the winning goal at Burnley to record their eighth consecutive victory.

Ramsey, the outstanding individual on show, finished strongly early in the first half

left, manager Sean Dyche won't be giving up ...Close gap on Chelsea games hope.

to leave Arsene Wenger's men just four points behind Chelsea albeit with the leaders having two games in hand, the first of which is at QPR on Sunday.

Burnley remain in the

bottom three with the defeat and are still odds-on favourites to be relegated though with fixtures against fellow strugglers Leicester City, Hull City and Aston Villa to come among their six

Pascal tips Dream Team to beat Zambia

F

ORMER Nigeria U23 star Pascal Patrick is sure the current national U23 team will conquer when they face their Zambian counterparts later today in All Africa Games qualifier.

Both sides could only manage a goalless draw in the first leg in Abuja over two weeks ago, and Pascal, a gold medal winner with Nigeria's U23's at the Atlanta '96 Olympics, says the Dream

Team will excel despite not winning the first leg.

“It is a game that I strongly believe we will win. It was disappointing not to have won here in Nigeria in the first leg, but I believe we will win there. This is a new and young team and they probably need more time to get better. But if you consider their away form, it is better than their home form which is something that should count for them.

“The players know this and they will go into the game with the knowledge they have always played better away.

“But that is not to say it will be an easy task because the Zambians will also have the belief they can g through, having played a draw here.

“But the Dream Team must believe in themselves and believe they can do it and if they play to instructions, I see them winning.”

Odemwingie resumes training

S

TOKE City coach, Mark Hughes, was delighted to see Nigerian International, Peter Odemwingie kick a football again, as the Potters head into the final seven games in the Premier League.

Odemwingie played for his country at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, and has been sidelined since August by a serious knee ligament injury.

But according to the club's official website it looks like Odemwingie's come back may have entered its final stage, as he has been given the all-clear to resume ball work, and Hughes hopes it won't be too long before he is able to resume full training with the rest of the first team squad.

"Peter is a real good news

story for us. He has done all the straight line running he can do and the next part is getting out a ball and being confident with the injury," Hughes told Stokecityfc.com.

"That's the key thing, having confidence in the knee.

You know when you've had an injury like Peter's that there will be differences but more often than not it's because the knee's stronger and you're not used to that.

"That's certainly the case with Peter. He's happy with where he's at in terms of his rehabilitation but you still need the confidence of actually going out and playing football, which he hasn't had."

Mark Hughes however highlighted the importance of seeing Peter Odemwingie

,who he last saw in action in August 2014, kick a ball.

"Once he's got that confidence then he'll progress very, very quickly and will be back in the group again but seeing him kicking a ball again is not only a massive boost for Peter but the Club as a whole."

Hughes stated.

George Boyd, who scored a spectacular winner against Manchester City last month, miskicked in front of goal when presented with their best chance of an equaliser from Ben Mee's cross, and the home fans felt Arsenal's players were given too much protection by referee Mike Dean when they tried to make the game physical.

Arsenal had won their previous seven games in a row, their best run since The Invincibles team in 2004, so they weren't the first team Burnley would have wanted to meet at Turf Moor in their fight against relegation.

Nonetheless Sean Dyche's side have performed well against the big guns this season. They drew at Chelsea and the only win in their last 10 games was a famous one against Manchester City.

Not surprisingly both teams were unchanged.

Burnley because they rarely do make changes, Arsenal because they thumped Liverpool 4-1 last time out.

There was a welcome face on the subsitutes' bench for The Clarets though with Matt Taylor available again after eight months out with an Achiles injury.

Defeats for Hull City and Sunderland earlier in the day had given Burnley renewed hope that the great escape was on. For Arsenal, it was all about putting Jose Mourinho under pressure before leaders Chelsea's west London derby at QPR at Sunday lunchtime. Mesut Ozil is surrounded by three Burnley players as the German star attacks inside Burnley's half Encouragingly for the home side, they weren't cowed by Alexis Sanchez going close with an early free-kick.

Indeed, Burnley striker Sam Vokes had an even better chance after six minutes, forcing David Ospina in his bright allorange strip to come quickly from goal and spread himself to stop the striker's shot.

Arsenal are simply irresistible at times though

Mikel returns against QPR

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HELSEA manager Jose Mourinho has declared that Nigeria international Mikel Obi is battle ready for the Sunday's derby against QPR, but he will start from the bench.

Mikel underwent a successful surgery on his knee and has been declared fully fit and ready to be involved in the Sunday EPL game as Chelsea close in on the EPL title.

"Everybody else is fine and ready," Mourinho said to the club official website.

"Mikel is ready, Fabregas with a mask is ready too. No problems."

However, he hinted that the Nigeria midfielder will stay on the bench as he will prefer Nemanja Matic and Cesc Fabregas in the middle of the pack despite both players been a yellow card from ban which may affect them in the games against Arsenal and Manchester United.

"They (Matic and Fabregas) will both start," he said.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY APRIL 12, 2015

SPORT EXTRA

Odibe sees red, as Kalu scores in Kazakhstan

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Crystal Palace winger Yannick Bolasie was the hero at the Stadium of Light having scored a hat-trick for the Eagles against Sunderland

ICHAEL Odibe was sent off as Atryau lost 2-1 at home to Tobol Kostanay in a league match in Kazakhstan on Saturday.

Odibe's compatriot Uche Kalu opened his goals' account in this match for his Kazakhstani club Tobol Kostanay.

The former Adanaspor forward opened the scoring for the visiting team in the 36th minute.

Odibe's Atryau are 10th on the league table with six points from as many games, while Tobol are fifth with eight points.

The former Arsenal Kiev player was given a straight red card in the 88th minute.

This is Odibe's second expulsion since he turned professional. His first dismissal was in the 2011/2012 season with Arsenal Kiev in Ukraine on November 27, 2011, in a 1-0 home loss to Chornomorets.

Emenike Re-affirms Love For Fenerbahce.

Guardiola bemoans injury crisis

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AYERN manager Pep Guardiola has expressed his dismay at the club's current injury crisis, calling it the worst he has ever experienced.

The Bavarians currently have just 14 players fit ahead of their Champions League clash with Porto on Tuesday as Arjen Robben, Franck Ribéry, Bastian Schweinsteiger, David Alaba and Javi Martínez are all sidelined.

Guardiola says the absence of both Robben and Ribery is particularly problematic, admitting they will have to significantly alter the style of their play to accommodate those who come in to replace the pacey wingers.

"Our situation is critical, truly critical, but we're hanging on in there. We'll fight until the very end," the Spaniard is quotes as saying

by Marca.

"Without Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery, we are a different team. Of course we have big problems because we have no players for the one-on-one situations. We have other players and have to adapt the game for them.

"I have a lot of faith in my team. I've learned a lot about my players over the past two games.

Gent place hefty price tag on Simon

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ENT have placed a hefty 20 millionpound price tag on their Nigeria wonder kid Simon Moses, according to manager Michael Louwagie.

While reacting to stories about Moses leaving the club in the summer, the manager admits a bid around what it cost Everton to price Marouane Fellaini will be good enough to tempt them into selling.

"Initially, I want to scare the clubs that way," said Louwagie to Nieuwsblad.

Okocha wants end to coaching saga

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ORMER Nigeria captain Jay-Jay Okocha urged the country's football authority to swiftly resolve the national team's managerial vacancy in order to prevent further setbacks.

Daniel Amokachi has been in charge of Nigeria on a temporary basis since December following lengthy contractual talks between Stephen Keshi and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

NFF president Amaju Pinnick announced two weeks ago that a two-year deal has been approved for Keshi to continue but a contract is yet to be signed.

Okocha, who won the Nations Cup in 1994 and was part of the gold-medal winning team at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, believes delays in the contractual process are hampering plans for the qualification campaign for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon."We need to resolve this coaching situation quickly to prevent another troubled qualifying

race for the Nations Cup," Okocha told BBC Sport.

"Nigerians want to hear about the team, the plans ahead and not who should or shouldn't be in charge of the team.

"Right now our focus should have shifted towards whoever takes charge of the team to enable us correct the ills of our previous qualifying series.

"We cannot afford to miss out on the next tournament, so we need to get the coach in to start work immediately."

Keshi initially took charge of the team in November 2011 but his contract ran out after last year's World Cup in Brazil, where Nigeria reached the second round stage.

During his first spell in charge, Keshi won the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations but working on a match-bymatch agreement he failed to qualify for the recent Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea.

As caretaker coach he endured a turbulent 2014, in which he was sacked by the

Bolasie nets hat-trick as Palace thrash Sunderland

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HEY have been in the Premier League for eight successive seasons but are now 16th in the table, only three points above QPR and Burnley.

Sunderland have only six games left to save themselves, but their last two matches of the season are away at Arsenal and then at current leaders Chelsea.

Dick Advocaat, brought in after former manager Gus Poyet had been sacked following a 4-0 home defeat

by Aston Villa, had stressed the importance of this match to his side.

But he was let down by some woeful defending as the hosts capitulated and conceded four goals in a 14minute spell early in the second half.

After a quiet first half that was low on quality and goalscoring chances, but high on fierce challenges, the match sprung into life within three minutes of the restart.

Murray headed in his sixth goal in six games to set Palace on their way to their eighth win in 12 Premier League games since Alan Pardew took over at the start of the January.

But even he could not have expected what was to follow.

The hosts fell apart and three minutes later Bolasie, with one goal in his previous 27 league matches this season, got to Murray's flick-on first to make it 2-0.

The third goal was a poor one to concede, although Bolasie showed great technique to lift the ball over advancing Sunderland goalkeeper Pantilimon.

Sunderland, who had beaten Newcastle 1-0 in their last match, fell further behind as Murray again linked up with Bolasie and he scored at the second attempt after being initially denied by Pantilimon.

NFF and only reinstalled after intervention from Nigeria President Goodluck Jonathan.

Debate has raged in the country over whether the 53year-old, who won the Nations Cup as a player with Nigeria in 1994, should be given a new contract.

But Okocha, who is the Delta State FA boss and chairman of the NFF's technical study group, has called for a quick end to the saga, insisting that any delays could further derail the country's football.

"We already know our group opponents for the qualifiers but the players

don't know who is in charge, this is something we need to nip in the bud," he said.

"I think the sooner the coaching status is finalised would be a big step in the right direction for our country's football.

"The uncertainty and the lack of clarity about the coach is obviously really concerning and worrying for everyone, including players, the local media and fans."

In one of the toughestlooking 2017 Nations Cup qualifying groups, coachless Nigeria will take on seventime champions Egypt in Group F alongside Tanzania and Chad.

Emenike re-affirms love for Fenerbahce

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UPER Eagles forward, Emmanuel Emenike has, again expressed his love for Fenerbahce even after the harsh experience of the attack by an armed gang on the team bus.

Fenerbahce had defeated Çaykur Rizespor 5-1 in the Super Lig and were on their way to Trabzon for a flight to Turkish capital, Istanbul when the team bus was attacked by an armed gang.

The big and energetic forward, Emenike whose goals helped Nigeria claimed the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations has at this time scored

four goals after 23 league appearances.

The former Delta Force player, Emenike expressed his love for Fenerbahce as he noted that he still has a contract with his club.

"I have a contract here and I love the club. The attack is only an isolated incident and it's not enough to make look for an easy way out. I have put the past behind me and I am only focussing on what lies ahead. I am stronger than before,"Emenike told the BBC Emenike's career has seen him play in the South African, Turkish and Russian league.

Ronaldo baffles Eibar keeper with wicked free kick

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hat makes Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi so great is that they can do things on a soccer pitch that no one else on the planet can do.

Saturday was one of those special moments for Ronaldo in Real Madrid's 3-0 victory over Eibar.

The reigning Ballon d'Or winner lined up to take a free kick in the 21st minute after Luka Modric won a free kick about 31 yards out. Ronaldo intensely eyed his target like a sniper as goalkeeper Xabi Irureta organized his wall and nervously awaited his

fate.

Ronaldo blasted a wicked free kick that cleared the wall and dipped so much that it bounced in front of Irureta.

The sudden sinking action of the ball completely caught the keeper off guard as he couldn't even get a touch. Hit with such heavy top spin, the ball bounded into the net for a 1-0 Real Madrid lead.

You can't blame Irureta for being wrong-footed so badly.

Ronaldo's free kick looked a lot like how a pitcher in baseball fools a hitter with a vicious split-finger fastball, which appears to "roll off the table" at the last second.

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Murray ties knot with Sears as thousands flock to Dunblane Cathedral

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ndy Murray tied the knot with Kim Sears on Saturday at Dunblane Cathedral, as thousands of fans waited outside to greet the couple.

The tennis star, who announced his engagement in November last year, tied the knot in the 12th century cathedral before a relatively small group of their family members and close friends.

Reverend Colin Renwick, led the service, was pictured outside the cathedral just after 3.00pm this afternoon with the wedding taking place at around 4.00pm.

Murray waves to his fans after making his way out of the cathedral following his wedding Hundreds of well-wishers gathered on the streets around the cathedral and one of the biggest cheer so far has been reserved for Judy Murray, who arrived just before 4.00pm looking resplendent in a white, tothe-knee overcoat with a detailed gold dress.The outfit was topped off with a dramatic gold hat.

This morning, the historic cathedral saw florists toting huge bouquets of flowers arrive to decorate the church - as hailstones and showers battered the venue.

Clearly unable to contain his excitement this morning, tennis ace Murray posted a tweet to his 2.98 million followers which shows his plans for the day - through the use of emojis.

He tweeted an umbrella, a picture of a church, a ring, a kiss, cake, drinks including beer, cocktails and wine and ends with hearts, a face blowing a kiss and several Zzzz icons for sleep.

People continue to gather outside Dunblane Cathedral just hours before the wedding is due to start at 4.30pm The forecast for the rest of the day isn't on the couple's side although there looks like being some respite from the rain between 3pm and 4pm as guests are expected to arrive. The heavens are likely to open again around 5pm.

Andy's mother Judy discussed the bad weather on social media, initially tweeting: 'Hailstones.

Marvellous,' and then a few hours later: 'Snowing. White wedding.'

Fans who have set up camp outside the church have found themselves battling the elements this morning as they were battered by wind, rain and sleet in short succession.

Murray took a moment out of his wedding preparations to chat on Twitter this morning about a prewedding snooker game last night. Tennis player Jamie Delgado tweeted: 'Prewedding snooker ended in another victory for guess who? Andy Murray, Rosco Hutchins, Johnny Delgado,' to which Murray replied: 'Jamie Delgado, Rosco Hutchins, Johnny Delgado, last night was actual carnage for those boys I couldn't believe it.' The reception is being held at the 15-bedroom Cromlix House Hotel, located just outside the town, which Andy bought two years ago for £1.9 million.

QUOTABLE

“It is interesting that despite their failure, in view of the dollar rain that fell on the South-west, to capture the region, they have not relented in wasting public funds to swing the outcome of elections.”

SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 2015 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM VOL. 9, NO. 3183

—All Progressives Congress National Publicity Secretary, Alh. Lai Muhammed, while speaking on the uncovering of a PDP plot to perpetrate mass rigging in Lagos in yesterday’s election

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IGERIA was awash with reports a day before the governorship and Houses of Assembly polls that President Goodluck Jonathan had visited Lagos on Thursday to confer with PDP leaders on how to win the state elections.

He also conferred inexplicably with Gani Adams, a factional leader of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), who has dedicated himself as an enforcement instrument in the hands of the president. After grieving for a week or more over the lost presidential poll, Dr Jonathan suddenly on Thursday bestirred himself, perhaps on advice from hawkish aides, and began to plot far-fetched schemes either to grab power in a few key states, such as Lagos and Rivers, or to engineer crisis of undetermined and far-reaching consequences.

While it was not clear last week just how far he was willing to go — whether he would go for broke, or whether he would fail again — it is at least evident that his capitulation two Tuesdays ago was not due to any altruism on his part, as he said yesterday in Bayelsa State, or what was misconceived as his statesmanlike disposition. Given the president’s desperate and despairing manoeuvres moments before the state polls, it is believed that his capitulation was probably due more to international pressures, particularly from the United States.

Dr Jonathan has never been truly and fully convinced about democracy or its indispensability for growth, peace and stability. In fact, in all his public discussions and speeches, he has offered nothing original on the topic. Those who ascribe to him noble deeds and democratic principles are, therefore, grossly exaggerating. He is also not a democrat by any interpretation of the concept, and had shown throughout his presidency that at bottom he was uncomfortable with the term. Given his dazed and vacant look on television moments after conceding defeat to the APC’s Muhammadu Buhari, Dr Jonathan gave the impression he wished a miracle could rejigger the result of the presidential poll, or even upturn the entire election and end his private nightmare. Until he hands over on May 29, the scorched Dr Jonathan re-

‘Statesman’ Jonathan in last-ditch manoeuvres

•Jonathan

•Suleiman Abba (IGP)

mains unpredictable.

At the time of writing this column, polling in some parts of Lagos was being marred by violence and irregularities. Sporadic shooting, ballot box snatching, wrong result sheets and other electoral malpractices were already reported in some parts of the state. Some of the disruptions were allegedly sponsored by uniformed security personnel, whether genuine or fake. Two days before the polls, the APC had alerted the country to alleged plans by the president’s men to subvert popular will through various forms of electoral she-

nanigans. The party’s spokesman had disclosed that the president met with some PDP state leaders and Mr Adams, the OPC factional leader who secured a multi-billion naira pipeline protection contract and openly swore to work for the victory of the PDP. The APC spokesman also disclosed that police, NYSC and military uniforms were being procured and distributed to thugs to engage in electoral violence.

But Reuben Abati, presidential spokesman, suggested that there was nothing wrong with the president meeting anyone.

Impeachment notice: farce and politics in Ekiti

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N the continuing saga of Governor Ayo Fayose’s impeachment, it is hard to tell who enjoys the most support: the governor, House of Assembly Speaker Adewale Omirin, or the constitution. Mr Fayose was last week served impeachment notice by 19 members of the House of Assembly led by Dr Omirin. The governor has done his best to evade direct service, and has instead tried to mobilise public sympathy. He argues that the 19 lawmakers, all members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), were attempting to use the tool of impeachment to secure what they lost through the ballot box.

Does the governor have the people’s support? There is no doubt that his supporters, most of whom have been publicly identified as trade union members, artisans, and office holders, are very vocal and troublesome and have loudly proclaimed their support for the governor and bitterness against the 19 lawmakers and the APC. These supporters have taken to the street and are constantly in the news, presenting a facade of huge and undeniable support for the paranoid Mr Fayose. There is, however, no doubt that over the months, as the governor displayed greater imbecility, the angry crowd of supporters, though still vociferous and implacable, had thinned out.

Dr Omirin also commands a huge and perhaps discrete following, first from a majority of lawmakers, and second from those pained by the precipitous decline of public morals and standards in this state of great learning. The Speaker’s educated supporters select and calibrate their responses, preferring the rule of law and due process. They naturally face the dilemma of seeming to be either docile in the face of Mr Fayose’s

monstrous behaviour, or are in reality not too bothered whichever way the pendulum would swing.

The third force in the saga is of course the constitution, which at the moment seems pristinely alone and isolated. No matter what support both Mr Fayose and Dr Omirin get from their partisans, the constitution is at the heart of the quarrel and controversy, and will probably be the deciding factor.

Who between the governor and the Speaker has acted constitutionally?

And what does the constitution say about the impeachment? In the view of Femi Falana, a lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), the impeachment notice served by the 19 lawmakers is in order and has precedence. The notice, anchored on eight constitutional breaches against the governor, appeared to have been inspired by the continuing buffoonery of the governor, including dealing with seven lawmakers as the legal and properly constituted House of Assembly under the leadership of the usurper, Dele Olugbemi.

It does not, however, appear that too many people are paying attention to what the constitution says. Politics predominates, and decisions and actions are determined by whom the parti-

sans support. While Ekiti and Nigerians wait to see whether the Chief Judge would set up an investigative panel as directed by the House of Assembly under Speaker Omirin, some lawyers cite a judgement of the Supreme Court, referenced in the case of the impeachment of former Oyo State governor, Rashidi Ladoja, indicating that impeachment notice could not be valid except it proceeded from a sitting in the legislative chamber.

But what if the lawmakers were barred from the legislative chamber by violent groups, such as clearly happened in Ekiti last week?

It is not certain how the impeachment matter would be resolved.

But if the farcical performance of Mr Olugbemi, leader of the Group of Seven who pretends to be the Speaker, is anything to go by, Ekiti is in trouble. Mr Olugbemi speaks very bad English, could hardly read his own prepared statement disputing Dr Omirin’s impeachment notice, his brief remarks were redolent with so many shibboleths, and he obviously knew little law and legislative practices. It was thus puzzling to see the governor embrace such appalling farce rather than concoct his own farce for which he is eminently gifted.

Though he confirmed the APC spokesman’s disclosures, Dr Abati nonetheless argued that there was nothing unusual in the president’s Thursday meetings, including meeting Mr Adams. The president of course has the right to meet anyone, but it speaks volumes about Dr Jonathan’s sense of propriety and judgement that on the eve of a major election, he saw nothing wrong in meeting Mr Adams who a few weeks ago paraded the streets of Lagos with OPC militants destroying APC billboards and openly mocking the impotence of the security agencies.

Dr Abati also tried to testify to the president’s fairness and impartiality by suggesting that because he conceded defeat, he could do nothing to jeopardise the polls. But what does the country make of the presidency’s interference in police postings? A few days before the poll, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Suleiman Abba, had shuffled the posting of some top police officers, perhaps in an effort to ensure peaceful polling. But both in Lagos and Rivers, the two states allegedly targetted by the presidency for the PDP, the IGP’s postings were overruled without notice. Obviously the presidency is engaged in desperate measures to accomplish certain goals. There is no explanation Dr Abati can offer to persuade the country of Dr Jonathan’s altruism.

Clearly, the president regrets his defeat, and perhaps, too, is still shaken by his hasty concession. He is unable to reconcile himself with the political tragedy that visited him, and can’t seem to appreciate the value of what relief and reassurance that widely acclaimed concession of defeat has done to the country.

As this column suggested last week, while Dr Jonathan did well in the particular instance of conceding defeat to Gen Buhari, that lone act does not compensate for his many malfeasances, poor judgement, bad policies, poor leadership, and considerable misdirection of the country. One act, no matter how weighty, does not make a statesman. As events are showing, including the president’s lastditch effort to reverse or mitigate his loss and lessen the damage to his image, not to talk of his meeting with characters who do not ennoble his blighted presidency, there is nothing fundamentally statesmanlike about him.

Soft landing for top officials?

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HERE are indications the incoming government of President-Elect Muhammadu Buhari might be willing to consider a soft landing for a few top government officials to help smoothen the transition process. All Gen Buhari has told the public is that Dr Jonathan has nothing to fear from him.

Whether that meant he would not be probed for alleged wrongdoings is left to anyone’s interpretation. It is also speculated that the so-called soft landing could be extended to some other top officials of the Jonathan presidency and those who perpetrated violence and murdered opponents during the last elections. The public will wait until the Buhari government makes a categorical statement on the matter.

But the public must anticipate the Buhari government and let officials know that in case they think of extending any soft landing to any other top official of the Jonathan presidency, that act would meet with public displeasure. There is no way a President Buhari would not inquire into many acts of the previous government, especially when it becomes quite inevitable. If what is unearthed is mindboggling, the decision to do something about it is unlikely to rest with the government. Public pressure will be the deciding factor, for after all, sovereignty resides with the people.

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Website: www.thenationonlineng.net ISSN: 115-5302 E-mail: sunday@thenationonlineng.net Editor: FESTUS ERIYE