GOVT SHUTDOWN: Presidency dares APC

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 62066

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ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 2014

Mu'azu, Obasanjo in secret meeting GOVT SHUTDOWN:

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Presidency dares APC

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LCCI faults CBN over rise 7 in Cash Reserve Ratio

BY HUGO ODIOGOR & JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU

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BUJA—THE Presidency and the All Progressives Congress (APC) were yesterday locked in a war of words over the opposition party’s directive to its members to shut down the affairs of the Federal Government. This came as APC

•Threatens security measures against party •Directive to our lawmakers stands — Lai Mohammed •Senate remains non-partisan, says Ndoma-Egba •Directive capable of truncating democracy — Yakassai

House members, weekend, vowed to heed the party's directive.

Flaying the APC’s threat to resort to selfhelp over the crisis in Rivers State, the Presidency vowed that appropriate sanctions by security agents would be ap-

Continues on Page 5

Nigeria bleeds as $1.7bn goes out weekly •P.17 COLUMNISTS:

LES LEBA —P.40

OCHEREOME NNANNA •P.47

Mr & Mrs

SAVE RIVERS RALLY— Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi addressing the crowd at the Save Rivers Movement Rally, weekend, in Bori, Rivers Sate. Inset: A cross section of the crowd at the rally. Photos: Nwankpa Chijioke.

Defection: Mark unwilling to declare senators' seats vacant 14

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POCKET CARTOON

INSTALLATION—The Installation of Hon Yacoob Ekundayo Adedeji Bush Alebiosu as the Otunba Fuwagbuyi of Ijebu by Alayieluwa, Oba Sikiru Adetona, Ogbagba 11, the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebu land took place at the Oba's palace, Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, weekend. From left: Otunba Subomi Balogun, Olisa Adeoye Adesanya and Chief Segun Osoba, former Governor of Ogun State with Oba Adetona at the event. Photo: Shola Oyelese.

GOVT SHUTDOWN: Presidency dares APC Continues from page 1 plied to any effort to derail the normal working of government.

The APC in a sharp rebuttal to criticisms over the directive issued last Thursday vowed to

press on with the directive, saying that the weekend success of the pro-APC rally in Rivers State was an indicator of the success of the directive. The party, however, alleged that the impu-

LIFEWORDS

BY PASTOR ITUAH

Never stop doing little things for others, you will be surprised that those little things occupy the biggest parts of their hearts.

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

I suppose there are many reasons we choose to give. But people who enjoy sharing with others the most do not share simply because they have a need to get rid of something. Those who find the greatest joy from giving have learned to give from a deeper place; they give from their hearts – Steve Goodier ANTA Claus is becoming a universal symbol of giving. Millions of children write letters to Santa each year in hopes that they won’t be forgotten during his annual giving spree. In some cities around the world, they have programmes that allow people to sort through these hand-written pleas, hopes and wishes and become “Santas” to others in need. They choose a letter and respond however they can. Most anyone can play Santa.

“I like to go to their home on Christmas Eve,” one joyful Santa said. One year he bought presents for four children and a ham for their mother. Then he added this poignant observation: “The feeling you get is just incredible.”

Steve Goodier says: “ I admit it - I don’t always get that feeling when I give. But then I don’t always give out of untainted motivations. Sometimes I give from other places. Sometimes I give out of social obligation or out of guilt. Or I give with an expectation for receiving back. But I give best when I give from that deeper place; when I give simply, freely and generously, and sometimes for no particular reason. I give best when I give from my heart.”

And isn’t it true? Opportunities to give from the heart are not limited to a particular holiday season or cultural tradition. We can give it sincerely and joyously.

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nity it is fighting in Rivers State has also spread to Gombe State where it claimed its posters and banners were being brought down by government agents.

The prospect of the APC having its way in the Senate were, however, downplayed at the weekend by Senate Leader, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, SAN who said the Senate would consider all issues without partisan consideration.

Elder statesman, Tanko Yakasai, meanwhile, has flayed the APC directive saying it was capable of truncating democracy.

Yakasai in a press statement issued in Kano, yesterday, declared: “I pray that this country will not reach a stage where the recklessness of some members of the political class will lead to the truncation of our nascent democracy.”

Meanwhile, a nongovernment group, Citizens Network for Peace and Development in Nigeria, CNPD, weekend, flayed the APC directive, saying the party had put partisan interest above national considerations.

We'll match action with action— Presidency

Special Adviser to the President on Political Affairs, Alhaji Ahmed

Gulak while flaying the APC resolution said it was a recipe for anarchy and vowed that whatever actions were made towards self-help, particularly in Rivers State would be matched with appropriate reaction by security agencies.

Gulak in a statement said: “The Federal Government has directed the law enforcement agencies to take seriously all statements aimed at inciting violence and disturbing the peace.”

He said no responsible administration would fold its arms and watch politicians incite their supporters to take up arms or resort to extrajudicial means to resolve disputes when there are legally established channels for conflict resolution in the country.

Noting that the Federal Government has a responsibility to protect all Nigerians and ensure that every Nigerian is free to pursue his business and happiness in an atmosphere of concord and tranquility, he said: “The Federal Government fully recognises the constitutional guarantees of freedom of speech and freedom of assembly, we regard such enshrined constitutional guarantees of basic rights of Nigerians as the pillars of democratic governance; we know that the full enjoyment of such rights come with personal and civic responsibilities on individuals and groups, it is therefore regrettable and unfortunate, that APC which prides itself as a progressive party, should go all out to incite its supporters to resort to self help to redress their grievances”.

According to Gulak, “this is a display of desperation and crass opportunism by a political party that wants to win at all cost. There are rules of engagement and we expect all parties to abide by such rules rather than fomenting trouble in order to gain media attention.

Our crtics are ignorant — APC

The APC in a sharp reaction through its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed described critics of its directive to its National Assembly members to shut down the Federal Government as those who are either ignorant of the workings of democracy or those who have chosen to play

to the gallery for pecuniary gains.

Noting that the directive was already having a positive effect on the situation in Rivers State, he noted that the members of the Save Rivers Movement (SRM) were able to, for the first time, stage a peaceful rally last Saturday.

"This is exactly what we are saying, that Nigerians, irrespective of their party leaning, who wish to stage a peaceful protest anywhere in the country must be able to do so without the police looking away while hired goons attack them.

It is all about justice, fairness and equity, without which democracy will not thrive. We will be watching to see if what happened on Saturday represents a paradigm shift in Rivers or it is just a flash in the pan," the party said.

APC said there is nothing anti-democratic, anti-people or inciting about the directive, which is aimed at ending the reign of impunity in Rivers State before it spreads to other parts of the country and truncates the nation’s democracy, wondering why it is so difficult for the President to act, for almost a year, as a part of the country he was elected to govern goes up in flames.

"We hereby reiterate the directive, which is a product of deep thinking and robust debate within our party’s NEC to save our democracy, and we commend our members in the National Assembly for their unequivocal support for our stand, and for understanding that filibustering or legislative non-cooperation are veritable tools of democracy," it said.

The party said already, copy cat attacks and intimidation of APC members have been launched by the government and the police in Gombe, because they have been watching the impunity being committed in Rivers.

"All over Gombe, our party flags, billboards and posters are being

vandalized by hoodlums aided and abetted by the police. Our youth supporters are being arrested while our members are being threatened by the police and the state government officials.

"They say the non-approval of the 2014 budget will pauperize Nigerians, as if the yearly ritual of budget passing since 1999 has benefited anyone but the fat cats.

In any case, of what use is a budget when the lives of citizens are at stake? Are budgets not made for the people? Do they understand that even the budgets are based largely on earnings from oil, which we cannot even produce if the violence in Rivers escalates and spreads to other oil-producing states?

We'll heed APC directive — Osagie APC whip in the House of Representatives, Rep. Osagie while giving his readiness to rally the party faithful to heed the directive told Vanguard: “I am a member of a political party and I cannot disagree with my party. All I can say right now is that even the deaf can hear, the blind can see that this government is not only rudderless, it is involved in huge illegalities and unconstitutionalities; it has no respect for the rule of law, neither does it have respect for the right of citizens."

Senate'll be nonpartisan — Ndoma-Egba

Senate Leader, Senator Ndoma-Egba, SAN, however, countered the prospect saying that senators would look at issues in the Senate without partisan considerations.

“My experience of the Senate for the years that I have been there is that it is not a partisan institution", he said.

6 — Vanguard, MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 2014

Ogun police arrest 70 suspects, recover 38 bags of hemp

BY DAUD OLATUNJI

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BEOKUTA — THE Ogun State Police command said, yesterday, it arrested 70 suspects from various criminal hideouts across the state and recovered 38 bags of Indian hemp in the state.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, in a statement explained that the raid was done as a follow up to the command’s earlier determination to rid the state of hoodlums and reduce criminality to its barest minimum.

He said: “The Ogun State Police command has intensified raid of black spots or criminal hideouts all over the state where almost 70 suspects were arrested weekend.

“The raids were directed by the Commissioner of Police, Ogun State, CP Ikemefuna Okoye and coordinated by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge Operations, DCP Mohammed Abdulkadir as one of the strategies adopted by the command to make the state inhabitable for hoodlums."

How 20-yr-old varsity student bought cannabis with tuition fee — NDLEA bag containing personal effects. He was immediately arrested and the case is under investigation.

“The suspect, who reportedly gained admission into the Faculty of Management Sciences at the Regent University is currently assisting narcotic investigators assigned to the case,” NDLEA said in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Mitchell Ofoyeju.

In his confessional statement, Ita was quoted as saying that he used his tuition fees in purchasing the drug found on him.

He said: “I spent my school fees on cell phone, smoking

BY DANIEL ETEGHE

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AGOS— A NIGERIAN undergraduate, who used his tuition fee to buy a hard drug, has been arrested for drug trafficking, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, said in a statement, weekend.

NDLEA said the suspect, Udiomeh Kufre Ita, a student of the Faculty of Management Sciences at the Regent University in Ghana, was arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

He was caught with 1.745 kilogrammes of dried weeds that tested positive for cannabis, popularly called Indian hemp.

The suspect was found in possession of the drug during the inward screening of passengers on an Africa World Airlines flight from Accra, Ghana, according to NDLEA Lagos Airport Commander, Hamza Umar.

He said: “An undergraduate was found in possession

Appeal court orders retrial of chieftaincy case, 13 years after The suspect, Udiomeh Kufre Ita of two parcels of cannabis weighing 1.745kg during routine search of passengers. The drug was hidden inside his

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SHIMILI —THE legal tussle between Idoko and Uwaile quarters in OkoAmakom, Oshimili South Local Government Area of Delta

14-yr-old boy plans grandmum's kidnap, collects N150,000 ransom

BY AUSTIN OGWUDA

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SABA — MEN of the Delta State Police command have arrested a 14year-old boy for allegedly masterminding the kidnap of his grandmother.

Ironically, the abductors also took away the boy along

hemp and attending night clubs. I bought a cell phone for N107,000 and spent my school fees recklessly. I thought I could make enough profit from the sale of cannabis to offset the deficit in my tuition. I bought each parcel of hemp for 220 Ghana cedis.

I did not know what came over me and I am afraid to go to my parents. My father is a retiree.”

NDLEA said Ita hails from Akwa Ibom State but grew up in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja.

NDLEA Chairman, Ahmadu Giade, has described the action of the student as shameful and sad.

with the grandmother and another victim in the process of kidnap but dropped off the accused before getting to their hideout.

It was also not the first time the boy had planned the abduction of his grandmother to enable him share from the ransom.

Street urchins in a fight at Mile 2 Oke, Lagos. Photo: Bunmi Azeez.

State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Mr. Charles Muka gave a vivid account of the incident.

According to him: “This is a case of conspiracy in which a grandson, for the second time, planned his grandmother ’s kidnap.

“On 17th of this month in Oleh, Isoko South Local Government Area at 6pm, one Hope Evivie, a 62-year-old woman, was kidnapped with the suspect, Julius Evivie, a14-year-old boy and Victory Oghenero, also a four-yearold boy.

"However, the suspect was later dropped off on the road while the victim was taken away with the other fouryear-old until January 25 when they were released without ransom.

“Through information, the roles of the suspect was revealed and on interrogation he confessed to receiving N150,000 for the role he played during the earlier kidnap when N4 million ransom was paid.

“The suspect will be charged to court at the end of investigation. Parents and guardians are advised to limit information about themselves to their children, drivers and domestic servants. This incident has re-affirmed our (police) assertion that all kidnappings have insiders’ roles.”

State, over the Onihe title is to continue in Asaba High Court, as an Appeal Court sitting in Benin City, Edo State, has ruled that the rights of Uwaile indigenes were breached by the judgment of High Court, Asaba, delivered in November 1997.

The high court presided over

by Justice Mathias Odita had delivered the judgment ceding the right to the title to the Idoko quarters, even as the Uwaile family’s lawyer withdrew mid-way into the proceedings, thereby leaving the Uwailke quarters without legal representation.

In spite of the withdrawal, the trial judge went ahead and delivered judgment in favour of the Idoko quarters, forcing the Uwaile quarters to appeal against the judgment on grounds that they were not giving fair hearing.

In a lead judgment delivered

by Justice Ibrahim Mohammed Musa Saulawa, the court, while nullifying the earlier judgment, noted that the lower court failed to accord the Uwaile quarters opportunity to present their final address which is a contravention of constitutional provision, stressing that any judgment or decision arrived at thereafter will amount to a denial of fundamental right to fair hearing.

The court said that a hearing can only be fair when all parties are accorded opportunity to fair hearing.

Consequently, the three-man justices of the court held that the judgment of the lower court delivered on November 3, 1997 is null and, therefore, set it aside and returned the case to the Chief Judge of Delta State to reassign same for further hearing, with a cost of N50,000 against the respondents.

Vanguard, MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 2014 — 7

Mu'azu not under probe —PDP

BY HENRY UMORU

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BUJA — NATIONAL leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, said yesterday that its National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Muazu, was not under investigation, adding that he never embezzled money as governor of Bauchi State.

This was made known by the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh.

Metuh said Muazu, like many other former governors, was invited by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC after serving for two tenures of eight years to respond to some petitions, adding that he was never invited again by the EFCC on any other issue.

Reacting to media reports about the national chairman on the issue, Metuh said they were completely false and baseless.

He also noted that the reports were part of the "the vicious scheme by the opponents of PDP to distract the new national chairman from his determination and commitment to rebuild and reposition the PDP as the pre-eminent party in Nigeria.’’

Metuh added: “However, for the purposes of these opponents, the PDP wishes to state the following: that the true position is that at the end of his tenure as governor of Bauchi State, Mu’azu, like many other governors who had completed their tenures, was invited by the EFCC to respond to some petitions.

Mu’azu was never invited again by the EFCC on any other issue.

“The succeeding government, elected on the platform of the defunct opposition ANPP in 2007, instituted a panel of inquiry which went ahead to issue a White Paper against Governor Mu’azu despite the fact that he did nor appear before it.

“In the exercise of his lawful rights, Mu’azu challenged the White Paper in suit number BA/295m/2009 at the Bauchi State High Court. The suit was heard by no other judge than the Chief Judge of Bauchi State, Justice Mohammed Ibrahim Zango, who after hearing all the arguments, set aside the whole findings and quashed it."

LCCI faults CBN over rise in Cash Reserve Ratio ...says it'll hurt economy further

BY OMOH GABRIEL

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AGOS — THE Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, yesterday, warned the nation over the recent raise in the Cash Reserve Ratio, CRR, of public sector funds from 50 per cent to 75 per cent.

It said it would have a profund negative effect on the fragile economy as the raise would push up interest rates.

A statement signed by Alhaji Remi Bello, LCCI President, said: “The recent review of Cash Reserve Ration (CRR) on public sector deposits with commercial banks from 50 per cent to 75per cent by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, would have profound effect on interest rates, financial system stability, the real economy and financial inter-mediation.

"Current monetary policy regime is inadvertently reinforcing the import dependence of the economy while penalizing domestic production.

“It is becoming increasingly difficult to produce domestically due to a combination of structural and monetary factors. The incentive to import is increasing while the motivation for domestic production is diminishing. It is impossible to build an inclusive and job creating economy with this scenario.”

flected in the balance sheet of banks; the financial intermediation role of banks would be impeded as the economy is being deprived of the surplus resources from the public sector.

"Financial intermediation is a major function of banks in any economy which makes it possible for resources to be channelled from the surplus segment of the economy to the deficit sectors at any point in time.

“It is important at this time for the CBN to maintain a balance between its pursuit of low inflation and exchange rate stability on one hand and the need to stimulate the economy on the other. This is crucial in the light of the worsening unemployment and poverty situation in the country.

“The limitation of monetary policy in fixing economic problems that are structural in origin should be recognised. The threshold of monetary policy tightening should, therefore, be defined to avoid unintended adverse conse-

quences for the economy.

“In stabilizing exchange rate, demand and supply side issues should be addressed. The current approach is too dependent on demand management. The Federal Government should address current concerns over fiscal leakages, depletion of reserves and the running down of the Excess Crude Account.

Need for better coordination

"Greater attention should be given by fiscal and monetary authorities to the fixing of the structural problems of the economy, especially the high infrastructural deficit.

“Fiscal and monetary authorities should commit to improvement in infrastructure investment to boost productivity in the economy and enhance inclusiveness. There is a need for better coordination between monetary and fiscal policies.

“The widening gap between

the official and parallel market exchange rates is detrimental to the economy because of the incentives it creates for round tripping and speculative activities in the foreign exchange market.

"Finally, we maintain that the current disturbing outlook for unemployment, poverty and inequality in the country calls for monetary stimulus rather than monetary tightening.”

The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, had last October withdrawn total of N1.2 trillion from banks in two months when it started the 50 per cent Cash Reserve Requirement, CRR, on public sector deposits.

Data from the Financial Market Dealers Association, FMDA, Economic report for last September, wo months after the policy was introduced, showed that the CBN withdrew N955 billion from banks as 50 per cent deposits from the public sector and N242.75 billion in September bringing to a total of N1.2 trillion.

Short and long term implication

Outlining the short and long term implication of the policy on the domestic economy, the Chamber said: “The immediate implications of the new monetary policy stance are high cost of fund for businesses, as banks adjust their rates to accommodate the new monetary conditions; draw down on existing loan facilities may be put on hold as the banks struggle to meet statutory ratio requirements; shock to the banking system which may trigger financial system instability.

"Nigeria has a strong public sector economy which is also re-

Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State (left) congratulating Governor Ibrahim Shema of Katsina State (right) after his turbanning as Sarkin Fulani Katsina I by the Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmumini Usman at his palace, in Katsina, weekend.

I fasted for 10 months to be Rivers gov — Amaechi

BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME

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ORT HARCOURT — GOVERNOR Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State said he fasted for 10 months, 6 a.m. to 6p.m., to be governor of the state.

The governor, at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, camp programme in Igwuruta, Ikwerre Local Government Area of the state, yesterday, said it was fasting that made the court to restore his mandate rather than call for a fresh election in the state.

He said: “I will evangelise.

I know most people will be surprised because I am not a pastor. So, in this case, I am part of the evangelism. One of the ways I have evangelised is to repeatedly tell people my past experience of God’s intervention, when I fasted for 10 months, 6am-6pm, praying to God to come down.

"That was how I became governor. I went to court. Instead of the court to say, Amaechi go and contest election, the court said Amaechi go and be the governor of Rivers State. And because I make public my experience, a lot of people now believe that if they focus on

God, God will hear their prayers. So, I am also evangelising by testifying to the public about the glory of God in my life.”

He called on the church to continue to pray for enduring peace in the state.

The governor also spoke on his achievements so far as governor, adding that he will continue to deliver the dividends of democracy to the state.

He said: “We have employed more teachers. We are doing bio-metric registration exercise and that is why we are going to pay them next month. We shall pay them by installments

until the arrears are cleared. I will continue to serve the poor, I will not compromise on service delivery.

“What I want you (Christians) to do is to pray for all of us as a state so that we can come out of the crisis plaguing the peace of the state. Please, also pray for those who have not received Christ to repent and change from their evil ways.”

General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, urged people of the state to continue to uphold the values of God Almighty and promote harmony in the state.

8 — Vanguard, MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 2014

Nigeria'll reach its destination — Jonathan

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BUJA — PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday, reiterated that despite the challenges facing the country in various facets, the country will reach its destination of greatness.

Speaking at a church service at the Goshen City, the Headquarters of the Winners Chapel, President Jonathan said what the Nigerian leaders need were prayers for them to lead the country aright.

He expressed the commitment of his administration to do the right things at all times for the country.

The President stated: “I am not here to make a formal speech as we have learnt to talk very little, just like the Bishop said in his sermon, your prayers have been helpful.

I request that you continue to pray for this country. Bishop, thank you for your message, it has been very instructive. ”As I listened to your message certain things were being reflected. I assure you this country will cross the bridge. Yes, we have challenges as a nation. Even the most developed nations pass through stages sometimes even more challenging than we face today. But what happened, yesterday, (Saturday) in South Africa will be the story of this nation.

"Those of you who watched that match will know that it is not easy at the beginning, it was as if Nigeria was going to be demolished, but all of a sudden the young men came very strong and we won. ”That is how it will be with the story of this country!

With your prayers and commitment we will get to the destination. The promised land has never been an easy one for any nation, it was not easy for the israelites and I promise that myself and my colleagues will continue to do what is right for this country.

"The bishop said it all that as mere mortals, there may be errors, but our commitment to do what is right is total.

"We will do our best but like I always say whatever I do I should be able to tell God why I did it. All what we require is your prayers, and Nigeria will get to its destination,” the President said.

In his remarks, Bishop David Abioye commended President Jonathan for signing the Same-Sex Marriage Prohibition Act, saying it will serve as a good example to other African countries.

2015: INEC timetable divides the North .NEU, Yakassi, blast ACF, NEF signed to encourage electoral irregularities.

This is coming at a time when the pan Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, said the ACF and NEF’s positions were not in the interest of the country.

Chairman of NEU, Alhaji Ahmed Gusau in a telephone interview with Vanguard, said that INEC had the constitutional right to fix election timetable, adding that only the National Assembly, NASS, could tamper with INEC’s position.

His words: ‘’The NASS is the only organ that can tamper with the timetable prepared by INEC. It is not the prerogative of either ACF or NEF to tell the commission what to do.

"Anyway, it is part of democracy.

It is within their constitutional powers to air their views on any issue. Anybody or groups with different views or opinions can channel their suggestions to the

NASS which is the only organ that can tamper with the timetable.’’

Also speaking, Alhaji Tanko Yakassai, said : ‘’I am a member of ACF. Whoever spoke for the forum on the issue must have spoken his opinion. ACF has not met to discuss the issue. Whoever spoke did so for himself and not for ACF. "It is impossible for INEC to conduct five elections in one day. We will have logistic problems. The problems that will trail the holding of the state House of Assembly, governorship, House of Representatives, Senate and presidential elections in one day will overwhelm the country. ’’Nigerians do not concede victory or do not accept defeat in any election. Anybody talking about holding five different elections in Nigeria in one day is not serious because it will be humanly impossible to do so. I am speaking

from experience.

"They are not experienced enough to understand the problems. I have been involved in the ROMINENT Northern soconduct of elections in this counciocultural groups, the try in the last 60 years. If all elecNorthern Elders’ Union, NEU, tions in this country are conducted Northern Elders Forum,NEF, and same day, the reactions that would the Arewa Consultative Forum, follow would swallow all of us.

ACF, and individuals are now at ’’We did not discuss the issue daggers-drawn over staggering in ACF; it is not the consensus in of the 2015 general election timeACF. Media men make this mistable by the Independent Natake of attributing one person’s tional Electoral Commission, opinion to the organisation he INEC. belongs to.

The apex Igbo socio-cultural "The ACF's statement quoted organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the National Publicity Secretary also pooh-poohed ACF and of the group as saying that ACF NEF’s stand on the staggered is not comfortable with the timetime table. Ohanaeze said it was table. They can be uncomfortable wrong to question INEC for perbut that does not mean that ACF forming its legitimate function. is against the time-table.’’

NEU specifically berated the On his part, Professor Ango ACF and NEF over their stand Abdullahi said there was noththat the commission erred by staging sacrosanct about the dates the gering the 2015 general elections, electoral body had chosen for the adding that the timetable was depolls just as a Second Republic politician, Dr. Junaid Mohammed said: ‘’The issue is not whether or not the polls should hold same day; the issue is, how competent is Jega and his team of compromised INEC men and women?

In my own opinion, INEC is partisan. You will recall that Jega himself had called for the amendment of the Electoral Act before the 2015.

But reacting to the issue, yesterday, Secretary-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Dr. Joe Nwaorgu, said it was wrong to question the election timetable released by the INEC Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega and his team, saying they arrived at the decision after due consultations.

“Professor Jega should be given a free hand to run his elections and give the nation a credible poll. He should be respected, the politicians who don’t have President Goodluck Jonathan (left), being welcome by Bishop David Abioye and wife, analytic mind than Jega should Pastor Mary Abioye, to the Living Faith Church (a.k.a Winners Chapel Goshen), near Keffi mind their own job if they have job at all.

Nasarawa State Where the President Join to Warship Yesterday STATE HOUSE PHOTOS

BY EMEKA MAMAH, TONY EDIKE & CHARLES KUMOLU

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G5 govs to PDP: It’s too late to return SONI DANIEL, Regional Editor, North & HENRY UMORU

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HE FIVE disenchanted governors of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, who defected to the All Progressives Congress, APC, last year, have dashed the hope of their former party to get them back to its fold.

The quintuplet, while reacting to the setting up of a committee by the National Chairman, Adamu Mu'azu, to woo them back, said that it was rather too late for them to think of returning to the party.

Three of the governors, who spoke to Vanguard, last night, pointed out that there was nothing the party could do to win them back, as they were already settling down in their new party and for good.

Kano State governor, Musa Rabiu Kwankwaso, said it

amounted to sheer wishful thinking for the party to imagine that they would return to its fold after all it did to them.

Kwankwaso, who spoke through his Director of Media and Press Affairs, Mr. Halilu Dantiye, noted that although the chairman of the party, Mu'azu, was his friend, it was impossible for him to go back to the PDP. The governor said: “It is a wishful thinking by what remains of the PDP to assume that His Excellency, Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso or any of the five governors will return to the party. No doubt, Mu’azu is a good friend to Kwankwaso but it is late for the PDP.” Adding his voice to the matter, Adamawa State governor, Murtala Nyako, said it was unthinkable for him or his colleagues to return to PDP after

signing up for the APC. The governor disclosed that he had already taken firm steps to make APC the ruling party in his state and was not in any way contemplating returning to the PDP. Speaking through his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Mr. Ahmad Sajoh, Nyako made it clear that he was preoccupied with nurturing the APC into a veritable tool for national development rather than thinking of going back to his former party.

Sajoh noted: “A lot of water has passed under the bridge.

It is no longer about who leads the PDP but about the credibility and ability of the party’s leadership to provide Nigeria with development options.

“Governor Nyako has already taken firm steps to effectively position the APC as the ruling party in Adamawa

State and there is no going back on it. Building the APC into a veritable tool for national development is the governor’s major concern for now.”

Meanwhile, Governor Ibrahim Shema of Katsina State said, yesterday, that nobody can stampede President Goodluck Jonathan to declare his interest in contesting the 2015 election, saying that Jonathan would make his intention known at the appropriate time.

Shema also said that the reconciliation being initiated by the National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, will lead to the return of Governors Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara; Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko of Sokoto; Musa Kwankwaso of Kano, Murtala Nyako of Adamawa and Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers states, who decamped to the opposition, All Progressives Congress, APC, to PDP.

Vanguard, MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 2014 — 9

Labour, employers meet over strike threat

BY VICTOR AHIUMA-

L

YOUNG

AGOS—EMPLOYERS in the nation’s construction industry are today meeting leaders of the National Union of Civil Engineering, Construction, Furniture and Wood Workers, NUCECFWW, to avoid a shut down of the sector by the workers.

The union, last week issued a seven-day ultimatum to all the construction companies in the country to end alleged protracted negotiation on improved welfare for workers and other working conditions or the entire industry would be shut this week.

The union in a letter to the employers’ body under the umbrella of the Federation of Construction Industry, FOCI, dated January 20, 2014, accused the employers of impoverishing the workers through deliberate frustration of the 2013 National Joint Industrial Company, NJIC, negotiation.

PHCN to clear workers terminal benefits

BY EMMA UJAH, ABUJA

BUREAU CHIEF

A

BUJA—THE federal government is to resolve pension terminal benefits issues of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, workers in the next two weeks.

The Bureau of Public Enterprises, BPE, said in Abuja, weekend, that its officials would commence a tour of designated centres across the country beginning Wednesday, this week to address residual issues related to the settlement of the terminal benefits of the workers.

The bureau said: “This is in line with the Bureau’s determination to ensure that all residual issues related to the settlement of the terminal benefits of staff of the defunct PHCN are resolved following the privatisation of the former government monopoly.”

It said that the tour would be co-ordinated by the Technical Sub-Committee of the Committee chaired by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Power, set up by the Federal Government on the Settlement of PHCN Terminal Benefits.

THANKSGIVING: From left: Mr Labaran Maku, Minister of Information, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, Ondo State governor, Chief Bode George, his daughter, Oyinkan and his wife, Roli, during the thanksgiving service for Chief Bode George, at Christ Cathedral Church, Marina, Lagos. Photo: Lamidi Bamidele.

Workers fail to resume at LUTH zAs health workers end 3-day warning strike

BY SOLA OGUNDIPE &

CHIOMA OBINNA AGOS—WHAT could be termed a graveyard peace returned to public health institutions, weekend, following the end of the threeday warning strike called by the Joint Health Sector Unions, JOHESU, on Friday last week.

The union leaders have vowed not to enter into any new agreement with government.

Meanwhile, peace remains elusive at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, Idi Araba, Lagos as health workers are still at loggerheads with the institution’s management.

Reacting to the outcome of the strike in a telephone chat with Vanguard yesterday, Chairman, Federal Area Council, Lagos, Mr. Stephen Ibe said the three-day warning strike was 100 per cent successful.

He said: “We are happy that the strike was 100 per cent successful because all the hospitals and agencies were under lock and key.

“We coordinated all the hospitals and agencies and all the workers complied. They quietly went home. It was a peaceful protest to let the government to know that we were ready to stay for more days if they fail to implement the already signed agreement.

“Most of the workers were asking that we embark on an indefinite strike immediately after the expiration of the 14 days period we earlier gave to the government.”

Asked if the meeting held with the Government was successful, Ibe explained that the Union was tired of entering into any new agreement.

“We don’t want to believe in any new agreement again. All we

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want is for the Government to implement the circular (skipping of CONHESS 10) as they did for the doctors and the agreement already signed by both parties should be implemented.”

Ibe who sympathised with families of patients who lost their lives during the strike said

Government should be held responsible for the deaths.

Among the health facilities visited in Lagos weekend, only at LUTH were the workers still on strike.

It was gathered that the management of the hospital will be meeting with the striking

workers today.

Confirming the development, Chairman, Medical and Health Workers Union, LUTH branch, Mr. Rotimi Akerele, said the meeting would determine whether the workers would continue with the strike or not.

Ribadu acknowledged my trial was political —BODE GEORGE

BY ABDULWAHAB

ABDULAH AGOS—FORMER national deputy chairman of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Olabode George has said that former Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC chairman, Nuhu Ribadu once acknowledged that his trial and conviction were politically motivated.

To this end he insisted that his conviction by a Lagos High Court was political conspiracy to get him out of

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the politics of the Southwest and the country.

George who spoke after a thanksgiving church service to celebrate the Supreme Court judgment that set aside the lower courts’ guilty verdict over his alleged contracts splitting case, said all that transpired under his leadership as the chairman of the board of the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, were guided by the long standing administrative circular which is still in use today by the authority.”

According to him, the

immediate past chairman of the anti graft body, Mrs. Farida Waziri, however, tried him in court, in spite of the fact that there was an advice against his arraignment in court by a legal officer of the commission.

His words: “Even Nuhu Ribadu in his heyday at the EFCC boldly stated that whatever problem was at the NPA was a systemic issue and not of fraud.

"He advised that those who had political issues with Bode George should go and sort it out with him."

Demolition victims slam N100bn suit on AGF, IG, others

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BY MONSURU OLOWOOPEJO

AGOS—VICTIMS of police demolition exercise in Lagos have dragged the Attorney-General of the Federation, Inspector General of Police, Commissioner of Police, Lagos State and the Ministry of Police Affairs to the Federal High Court in a N100 billion suit over the violation of their fundamental human

rights.

Also joined as respondents were: Attorney-General of Lagos State, Lagos State Taskforce on Environment and Special Offences Unit, Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Lagos State Lands Bureau and Area Commander, Area K Police command.

The Nigerian Police Force on December 16, last year demolished 1,500 structures

erected on 65 hectares of land in the three communities-Araromi Ale Extension, Mowo Phase 11 and Atinporome, accusing the owners of the structures of trespassing on its land.

The suit with case No.FHC/L/ CS/1779/13, was filed by 23 persons on behalf of themselves and on behalf of the landlords and residents of Araromi Ale Extension, Mowo Phase 11, and Atinporome communities.

10—Vanguard , MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 2014

S-West PDP meets in Kashamu's house, endorses Jonathan

BY DAUD OLATUNJI

A

B E O K U TA — LEADERS of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the South West, at a stakeholders meeting held at the Ijebu Igbo, Ogun State country home of the party’s Organisation and Mobilisation Committee Chairman for the zone, Prince Buruji Kashamu yesterday, endorsed President Goodluck Jonathan for the 2015 presidential election.

The PDP leaders also passed a vote of confidence on the new National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Adamu Mu'azu and as well voted for the continuation in office of the PDP National Secretary, Professor Wale Oladipo.

The former minister of works, Adeseye Ogunlewe who moved the motion for Jonathan’s adoption for a second term in 2O15 and for the adoption of his candidacy by the South West, said the President was the most qualified flagbearer the party could field in the forthcoming poll.

He said: “President Jonathan is performing wonders.”

A party chieftain, Otunba Tola Odulaja seconded the motion which was approved by a voice vote of the PDP stakeholders at the meeting.

The PDP National Auditor, Alhaji Adeyanju in his speech declared the zone’s support for Jonathan in 2015.

His words: “The enemy of Jonathan is my enemy.

So, if you are the enemy of President Jonathan for a second term, you are the enemy of the national auditor.”

He blamed the problem of imposition of candidates in the zone for the PDP loss of the 2011 election in the South West.

Ogun APC crisis: Speaker, others may lose out

BY DAUD OLATUNJI

A

BEOKUTA—SPEAKER of Ogun State House of Assembly, Suraj Adekunbi and other members loyal to governor Ibikunle Amosun may likely be consumed in the feud between Amosun and national leader of the All Progressives Congress in the state, Chief Segun Osoba.

A reliable source told Vanguard that shortly after the National Executive Council, NEC, ratified the harmonisation in the party, the leadership has started shopping for more loyal members of the party to replace most of the lawmakers who were given tickets in 2011 by Osoba.

There has been simmering crisis in the APC in the state as Osoba and Amosun were at loggerheads over the control of the party machinery.

Adekunbi and 17 others who were selected by Osoba and other party leaders won the election under the platform of defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, as members of the state House of Assembly.

It was gathered that out of the 17 defunct ACN members, only two were originally from the Amosun group while 16

belonged to Osoba group, before some of them were lured over by the governor’s camp.

But in the lobby and scheming for who controls the leadership and structure of the House of Assembly, it was learnt that Amosun decimated the Osoba group and was able to ‘buy’ over the six PDP and three PPN members.

Thus, the plan by the party to make Suraju Adekumbi, from Yewa North the Speaker scaled through, but, the party failed in the choice of the deputy speaker slot as it’s candidate Hon. Adijat Oladapo-Adeleye was dramatically replaced by Amosun’s man .

A reliable source told Vanguard that, the Osoba

BIRTHDAY: From left: Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, Speaker, Ogun State House of Assembly, Hon Suraj Adekunbi, wife of the Ogun State governor, Olufunso Amosun, the celebrant, Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State, his mother-in-law, Deaconess Christianah Odesanya and the governor's elder brother, Alhaji Abidoye Amosun, at the cutting of the birthday cake to mark the 56th birthday of Governor Amosun in Abeokuta. Photo: Wumi Akinola.

2015 elections: Police train 60,000 officers

BY GBENGA OLARINOYE

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SOGBO—IN readiness for the 2015 general elections in the country, over 60,000 antiriot mobile Police officers are being trained at the Police Mobile Training College, IlaOrangun, Osun State.

The Police officers who are currently undergoing training were drawn from the 36 states of the federation and they will be deployed next year during nationwide general elections.

The Commandant of the college, Mr. Jackson El-Ekoh, a Deputy Commissioner of Police, told newsmen, weekend, that the training was to make police effective before, during and after the various elections scheduled for this year and 2015.

El-Ekoh, who said the

training would be in batches, disclosed that the 700 officers and men in the first batch started receiving their training last Friday.

According to him, the training was at the instance of the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar who he said gave a directive to ensure proper training for all Police officers that will participate in the future elections.

He said that apart from a combat course for the participants, other aspects of the training to run for three months per batch would include specialised courses in Electoral Act, Fundamental Human Rights, The Rule of Law, Democracy and Conflict Resolution, Crisis Management, Disaster

Management and Operations, Bomb Awareness, Improvised Explosive Devices and Evacuation among others.

The Police boss who read a riot

Fayemi seeks re-election, names Daramola campaign Fayemi in a statement Commission, INEC, has profound sense of gratitude DG personally signed in Ado declared June 21, this year and responsibility that I

BY GBENGAARIYIBI

A

DO EKITI—AFTER keeping mute for sometime on whether or not he will seek re-election to the position of number one citizen of the state come June 21 ,this year, Ekiti State governor, Kayode Fayemi, has finally broken his silence, saying he is seeking re-election.

group has vowed to replace all the members tagged disloyal including the Speaker for pitching tent with Amosun during the crisis.

Sequel to the move to replace them , anxiety has gripped some of the members as they may likely dump the governor for Osoba to salvage their sinking ships.

Ekiti, yesterday, a copy of which was made available to newsmen equally named a current member of House of Representatives, Hon. Bimbo Daramola as the team leader and Director General of his campaign organisation The Independent National Electoral

as gubernatorial election date, while that of Osun State will hold in August.

Fayemi in the statement, said: “Following the ground swell of support by leaders and members of our party as well as the generality of Ekiti people from the nooks and crannies of Ekiti State and in the Diaspora, it is with a

today accept the calls by our people to seek reelection for a second term in office. “ You have made the calls, and today I have opted to act in deference to those sacred calls by throwing my hat into the ring for a free and fair contest for the exalted office for a second term.”

act to the officers said those who fail to meet up with the standard of the Police after the training would be demobilised back to the conventional arm of the Force.

Vanguard, MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 2014 —11

2015: Uduaghan bars commissioners from making political statements

BY AUSTIN OGWUDA

A

SABA—FOLLOWING the uproar generated by the statement credited to the Secretary to Delta State Government, Mr Ovuozourie Macaulay, to the effect that he was not aware of any agreement between the Anioma and other parts of the state for a power shift, the state governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, has ordered all his commissioners, including other political appointees, to refrain from making further comments on the matter or any other political issue relating to 2015 general elections until the appropriate time.

It was gathered that the governor handed down the order at a recent State Executive Council meeting in Asaba, during which the ongoing feud between Macaulay and the state Chairman of the ruling People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Peter Nwaoboshi, on power shift controversy, was exhaustively discussed.

Confirming the ban on the commissioners, Senior Political Adviser to the Governor, Chief Ighoyota Amori, in response to an enquiry on the issue, said: “There is no feud between the SSG and state chairman. It is an internal PDP misunderstanding, which is normal in any election year when political interest is high.

“The leader of the party in the state, Governor Uduaghan, has advised that they sheath their swords. We shall cross the bridge when we get there. No cause for

alarm at all. PDP remains one.

Both of them (Macaulay and Nwaoboshi) are leaders in their own right.”

Meantime, a group, Grassroots Movement, IGM, has called on the state chairman of PDP, Chief Nwaoboshi, to address issues raised by Marculay on the power shift controversy, rather than heaping insults on him.

Chairman of the group Mr. Sunday Elueni, in a statement, yesterday, challenged

other governorship hopefuls from Anioma, as well as their leaders, to respond to Macaulay’s argument.

He said: “He (Macaulay) merely pointed out the flaws in the strategies adopted by governorship aspirants and other Anioma leaders in their bid to swing the pendulum in favour of Delta North senatorial zone, come 2015.

“How can Anioma nation be talking of marginalisa-

tion despite the massive infrastructural development in the area? Are the Anioma more marginalised than the Isoko people? Why should they be talking about ethnicity instead of telling Deltans what they hope to achieve in the state?”

The IGM boss advised that rather than resorting to foul and negative words, all governorship hopefuls should change strategy and focus on issue based campaign.

THANKSGIVING SERVICE: From left: Secretary to Akwa Ibom State Government, Mr. Udom Emmanuel; Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State and the deputy governor, Mrs. Valerie Ebe, during the Special Thanksgiving Service by the Emmanuel family, at Qua Iboe Church, Nigeria, yesterday.

2016: Edo South APC urges unity among Bini leaders ...as Odubu, others shun meeting

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BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

ENIN—AHEAD the 2016 governorship election in Edo State, the leadership of All Progressives Congress, APC, in Edo South senatorial district of the state, weekend, called on the Binis to speak with one voice in order to produce a consensus governorship candidate that will take over from Governor Adams Oshiomhole.

But the deputy governor of the state, Dr. Pius Odubu, the Political Adviser to the Governor, Mr Charles Idahosa and APC Woman Leader, Madam Modino Emovon, who are key leaders of the party in the zone, shunned the meeting.

Vanguard learnt that they decided to shun the meeting when they felt that the conveners were using the platform to front for one of the governorship aspirants from the zone.

Consequently, the leaders, under the aegis of Edo South Consultative Forum, constituted a committee to meet with those who absented themselves from the meeting with a view to ensuring that they

attend the next meeting of the group. The weekend meeting was held at the residence of former governor of the state, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun.

However, in a communiqué by the convener of the meeting, Chief Odigie-Oyegun and Secretary, Isaiah Osifo, the forum said that “ a unified Edo South senatorial district will offer a formidable

platform to coordinate our collective destiny as a people, as politicians and as democrats. Our individual aspiration and ambition will better be realised if we embrace the culture of unity, regular consultations, discussions and meetings of like minds in our senatorial district.”

Denying backing any

particular governorship aspirant, they said “the forum is not designed to support or sponsor a particular candidate for any elective office at any level. The platform will be available to all aspirants to political offices to exercise their rights within the rules and regulations of our great party.”

Ugborodo community tasks new EPZ c'ttee on transparency

BY EGUFE YAFUGBORHI

W

ARRI—THE EghareAja and Chairman, Ugborodo Community Council of Elders, Eghare Wellington Ojogor, Warri South-West Local Governmrnt Area of Delta State, has charged the Chairman of the reconstituted multi-billion dollar Escravos Processing Zone, EPZ,

Project Committee, Mr. Austin Oboroegbeyi, to be fair and transparent, following his appointment.

Ojogor, who spoke at Ode-Ugborodo, through his Special Assistant, Prince Ojogor Anderson, commended Delta State Government for reconstituting the committee.

He said it was only in an atmosphere of openness

and responsibility that the new committee can carry everyone along and mend fences, following the crisis that rocked the volatile oil host community.

“All sons and daughters of Ugborodo should adhere to the resolution of the state government and create an enabling environment for the EPZ project to succeed,” he said.

Pirates attack Agip tug boat, abduct engineer, captain in Bayelsa

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

ENAGOA — SUSPECTED sea pirates, again Y struck, weekend, attacking a

tug boat belonging to the Nigerian Agip Company, NOAC in the Nembe creeks in Bayelsa State. An engineer and the captain were reportedly kidnapped.

The attack, it was learnt was launched by seven men, suspected to the pirates.

The whereabouts of the abducted oil workers, according to a security source, remains unknown. “They took them to an unknown place. Nobody know their whereabouts,” the source said.

The source who spoke anonymously, said that the incident occurred close to Peter’s town in Nembe creek.

“The tugboat was coming from Port Harcourt, Rivers State to Brass maybe to load petroleum product at the terminal. But suddenly, gunmen who were about seven in number double-crossed it and boarded it,” the source said.

According to him, the tug boat had about six crew members at the time it was attacked by the hoodlums.

He said while four others were dispossessed of their valuables, the captain and the engineer were taken away.

Another gang on Sunday reportedly assaulted a passenger boat at 12noon.

Victims of the attack were said to be returning to Akassa after a church service in Twon Brass in Brass Local Government Area of the state.

The bandits were said to have removed the engine of the boat and dispossessed their victims of their valuables.

The state Police Public Relations Officer Mr. Alex Akhigbe could not be reached at press time for comment.

RETRACTION

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n January 3, 2014 edition of our newspaper, we published an advertorial titled “Re-Threat To Multi-Billion Gas Industrial Complex At Ogidigben, Delta State: Unwholesome meddling In Ugborodo (Odidgben) Community Affairs,” where some uncomplimentary remarks were made to the person of an elder statesman, Pa Ayomike.

We have since discovered the publication, as it pertains to Pa Ayomike, as incorrect and as such, retract the said portions of the advertorial that referred to Pa Ayomike, in its entirety. We, therefore, tender an unreserved apology to Pa Ayomike, an elder statesman, and regret any injury the said publication may have caused him as we hold him in high esteem.

Editor.

12— Vanguard, MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 2014

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Vanguard, MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 2014 —13

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14 —Vanguard, MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 2014

Defection: Mark not in a hurry to declare senators’ seats vacant —Findings ... as 52 Senators warn against looming crisis

FG blasts states for not accessing N41 billion UBE fund

BY LAIDE AKINBOADE

BY SONI DANIEL & JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU

ABUJA — SENATE President, David Mark, is not in a hurry to declare vacant the seats of members defecting from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, findings have shown.

But threats by some influential persons within the National Assembly to annul the defecting members’ seats have forced no fewer than 52 senators to write the Senate President not to move against any of them who wanted to move to any party of their choice.

In a joint letter, which was made

available to Vanguard last night, the senators noted with concern the threats by elected and unelected persons to declare vacant the seats of lawmakers leaving the PDP for other political parties.

But a competent source in the Senate said that although the issue of annulling the aggrieved PDP members’ seats had been cropping up regularly, Mark did not want to drag his name into the mud by declaring any defecting senator’s seat vacant.

“The Senate President enjoys the support of majority of the senators across party lines and will, therefore, not want to shoot himself on the foot by playing to the gallery of some politicians.

“Although some officials would

want the action to be taken in order to save their jobs, the Senate President being mindful of the consequence of the action, would not want to do anything that might unduly heat up the already charged political atmosphere in the National Assembly,” the source said.

Reminding the Senate President that defection was not a new thing in the Nigerian political history, the senators asked him not to support any plan to cause any setback to the current political dispensation in Nigeria.

The senators described the threats to declare vacant the seats of defecting senators as mischievous and capable of undermining the independence of the legislature and taking away the man-

INSPECTION: From left, Gov. Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso of Kano State, inspecting Kano Drainage Improvement Project on Murtala Muhammed Way, weekend; Commissioner of Works and Housing, Alhaji Abba Yusuf, and the Managing Director of Kano Roads Maintenance Agency, KARMA, Abubakar Jibril. Photo: Govt. House, Kano

date given to them as representatives of the people.

The lawmakers also drew the attention of Mark to the suit pending at Abuja Federal High Court on the matter, saying that in the tradition of the NASS, the matter should not be a subject of discussion or debate on the floor of the Senate.

The senators said: “We hereby note that this is not the first experience in the Senate where some senators have moved to political parties of their choice as a result of one reason or the other, whereas, such has not caused any political tension or intimidation.

“It is our resolve that the Senate should maintain and sustain this principle and precedence.

“It is our resolve that we do not support any attempt that the seat of any senator proposing to defect to another political party be declared vacant except by recall process from their constituents or by pronouncement of a court of competent and final jurisdiction, rather than politics of intimidation, harassment and comment that could jeopardise the peaceful co-existence of Nigeria.

“Finally, we enjoin the leadership of the National Assembly to continue to accommodate all legislators irrespective of their views, believing that our country can only make progress when we tolerate, respect one another and the rule of law.”

Among the Senators, who signed the letter to Mark were: Chris Ngige, George Akume, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, Magnus Abe, Wilson Ake, Mohammed Danjuma Goje and Alhassan Aisha Jummai.

Others whose names were included on the lists were: Mohammed Ali Ndume, Ahmed Maccido, Kabidu Gaya, Prof Olusola Adeyeye, Oluremi Tinubu and Solomon Ewuga.

Obasanjo, Mu'azu in secret meeting in Abeokuta

BY DAUD OLATUNJI

A

BEOKUTA — THE new Na tional Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Adamu Mu’ azu was, yesterday, locked in a two-hour secret meeting with former President Olusegun Obasanjo, at the latter’s Hilltop Mansion, in Abeokuta.

Mu’azu, arrived Abeokuta around 3: 30p.m. in a convoy of four vehicles and headed straight for the meeting without speaking to newsmen. He also did not speak to waiting reporters when he left the residence at exactly 5: 35p.m.

The closed door meeting, had in C M Y K

attendance, Senator Andy Uba, who was a senior aide to Obasanjo during his administration, former PDP National Auditor, Bode Mustapha, among other associates of Obasnjo and Mu’azu.

Mu’azu’s visit, it was learnt, was not unconnected with the crisis rocking the party upon which Obasanjo last year decided to suspend himself from activities of the party at all levels.

Mu’azu was appointed last week by the National Executive Committee of the party following the resignation of the former Chairman Bamanga Tukur.

Mu’azu, a former governor of Bauchi State for eight years had promised to reconcile all aggrieved

members of the party.

Although details of their discussions were not made known, a highly placed source told Vanguard that Mu’azu begged Obasanjo for support ahead of the 2015 elections.

But a governorship aspirant in the state, Kayode Amusan while speaking with newsmen, said that his visit was not unconnected with the crisis in the state chapter of the party.

Amusan described Obasanjo as a strong factor to reckon with in the country’s polity, stressing that it would be difficult for anyone to come on board the affairs of the party without visiting the former president.

”Baba has ruled this nation for how many decades? So, you can't rule him out in this country. Of course, in a democratic dispensation, there must be re-grouping, there must be alignment and there must be re-alignment, and that is it. ’’No matter what the disagreement, there is need for him to go round and put things together.”

Commenting on the likelihood of resolving the crisis in the Ogun State chapter of the party which formed the basis of Mu’azu’s visit, Amusan told journalists that “the issues of the past are still lingering, you all know where the party structure is. The new chairman will have to look into that.”

ABUJA — THE Federal Government, yesterday, blasted state governors for refusing to access the N41 billion counterpart fund for the implementation of Universal Basic Education, UBE, in their states.

Supervising Minister of Education, Barr. Nyesom Wike, who expressed government’s disappointment at the 11th Quarterly Meeting of UBEC Management with Executive Chairmen of State Universal Basic Education Boards, SUBEBs, in Osogbo, Osun State, said it was sad that the money was yet to be accessed by states, lamenting that the situation was unhealthy for development of basic education in the country.

The minister, in a statement by the Principal Public Relations Officer of UBEC, Mr. David Apeh, weekend, said he was particularly worried that a lot of improvement could be done in existing schools and new schools established across the country with such huge funds not accessed by states. ”Nothing can justify the situation where billions of naira meant to expand access and improve the quality of basic education delivery are deliberately left unaccessed and, therefore, unutilised, while the problems facing effective basic education delivery continue to stare at us as a nation,” Wike lamented.

Wike, who was represented by the Executive Secretary of UBEC, Dr. Dikko Suleiman, explained that both conditional Matching Grant as well as the non-conditional special education fund from UBEC had been neglected by states and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT. He, however, noted that basic education in Nigeria would soon begin to experience a new era of transformation and pragmatic achievement, following the appointment of Dr. Suleiman as the new executive secretary of the commission.

Suleiman, appointed recently by President Goodluck Jonathan as the substantive Executive Secretary of the commission, is a seasoned educationist and a former Executive Chairman of Katsina State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB. Executive Secretary UBEC, in his remark, presented by the Deputy Executive Secretary (Services) Professor Rashid Aderinoye, said the meeting was crucial and presented another opportunity for members as leading stakeholders in basic education to exchange ideas and emulate good practices in the state.

Vanguard, MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 2014 —15

Sultan urges leaders to seek knowledge on leadership S

OKOTO — THE Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, weekend, urged leaders at all levels to seek for knowledge on leadership.

Abubakar said this at the launching of a book entitled, “Leadership in Islam,” written

by Alhaji Modibbo Ibrahim.

Abubakar, who was represented by Alhaji Isma’il Abubakar, District head of Gumbi, said, “it is very necessary for the leaders to seek for knowledge for that will give them the right way of leading

the society.

“The main frame of any society is the quality of their leaders and it can only be achieved by leaders that have good knowledge of leadership,” he said.

The Sultan commended the

author for the sacrifice he made to remind the people of the importance of knowledge in leadership.

Speaking at the event, the Vice Chancellor of Usmanu Danfodio University, Sokoto, Professor Riskuwa Shehu,

ANAN pledges amenities for host community

BY TAYE OBATERU

J

OS — THE Association of National Accountants of Nigeria, ANAN, has pledged commitment to the development of Kwali community in Plateau State which hosts the permanent site of its training arm, the Nigerian College of Accountancy.

President of ANAN, Alhaji Sakirudeen Labode, who disclosed this at re-commissioning of the administrative complex of the college, said a motor-park, a bank and and a market would be constructed in the village, as part of its corporate social responsibility to the host community.

He said the association was

determined to contribute its quota to the development of the community and opted for providing those facilities which were currently lacking to improve the wellbeing of the people.

He said the commissioning of the administrative complex was part of the development of the permanent site of the college to

ensure that necessary facilities were available for its full operation.

Prior to the commissioning, large lecture halls with a combined capacity of 4,500 students, male and female hostels, a shopping complex, among others, had been provided at the permanent site of the college.

commended the author for the gesture, saying, “the book touches the lives of the people the society.”

The author said that he wrote the book as his contribution towards entrenching good leadership in Nigeria.

NSGF urges security agencies to stop killings by Boko Haram

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INNA — THE Northern States’ Governors Forum, NSGF, has asked security agencies to end the killing of defenceless citizens, especially in the North-East region, where suspected Boko Haram members have continued their bloody campaign since 2009.

The forum’s Chairman and Governor of Niger, Dr Babangida Aliyu, stated this yesterday in Minna, noting that members of the forum were seriously concerned at the renewed attacks, which have killed 18 persons around Maiduguri.

“The forum is particularly alarmed that the shooting to dead of 18 persons in Njaba, Mude, Kwaljiri and Kaya villages in Borno followed the same pattern as previous midnight attacks on towns and villages in the region,” he said.

According to a statement signed by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Danladi Ndayebo, Aliyu described the fresh attacks as horrendous, callous and inhuman.

He also called on security agencies to halt the incessant clashes between Fulani herdsmen and farmers in the region.

The governor commiserated with the families of the victims and prayed Almighty God to grant eternal rest to the deceased and quick recovery to those who sustained injuries during the attacks.

Aliyu called on security agencies to do more to protect the lives and properties of citizens, and also ensure that those perpetrating violence in the region were brought to justice.

He reiterated the pledge of the forum to continue to work with other tiers of government to bring an end to security challenges confronting the nation.

16 Vanguard, MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 2014 A YEAR after they were tortured - one of them died - and their suspected attackers were strutting the streets in sheer defiance of the law; justice may come to three women assaulted in Ejigbo Central Market. The Lagos suburb gained a place in the map when about 1,000 people perished in its canals while fleeing the Ikeja bomb blast 12 years ago.

Ejigbo is 16km from Ikeja, the state capital. It is not to be confused with Ejigbo in Oyo State, 177km from Lagos. Ejigbo, Lagos, has a local council area authority, almost its own local government area, a police station, a traditional ruler, representatives in the state and national parliaments.

Yet the authorities had no interest in the incident, which was on social media since February 2013. The women were tortured; pepper and other foreign objects were stuffed into their genitals. They allegedly stole pepper from the market.

Section 34 of the 1999 Constitution states that, “Every individual is entitled to respect for the dignity of his person and accordingly, no person should be subjected to torture or to inhuman or degrading treat-

Ejigbo: Injustice Prowls, Justice Crawls ment”.

Worse than this violation is the connivance and indolence of the police. It took pressure from Arise, a human rights group, and conversations on the social media for the Lagos State House of Assembly to stir.

The police only acted after Inspector General of\ Police, in Abuja, 555km from Ejigbo, sent a special team.

Suspects have been arrested, but when and how would justice get to the victims and their families? The lawlessness and impunities that abound in Nigeria thrive on

fear the authorities create by abandoning the people to hoodlums who with their own laws fill the vacuum official indifference generates. Assuming the women stole, under what laws were they punished? What are the powers of vigilante groups? The concerns are nationwide.

In Makurdi, eight farmers were charged to court for allegedly stripping a widow, Mrs. Ann Adikwu, and parading her at a market square in Orokam, Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue State. They took her pictures, which, like in the Ejigbo case, they circulated. The men were her late husband’s relations who had issues with her. She said they also stole her clothes, money and jewellery.

It was the social media again that brought attention to the plight of Mrs. Alexandra Ossai, who lost her seven-month pregnancy after her Lebanese boss Kaveh Noine reportedly kicked her on the stomach. The police in Lagos ignored the case until the President ordered“investigation for sanctions and remedial action.” We cannot run a country where hoodlums are the law. Local authorities, as well as Abuja, share in making Nigeria governable.

OPINION

BY JOHNSON MOMODU

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HIEF David Oluwafemi Adewunmi Abdulateef Fani-Kayode (Femi FaniKayode, for short), former Special Assistant (Public Affairs) to former President Olusegun Obasanjo; former Minister of Culture and Tourism, and former Minister of Aviation, is truly a remarkable fellow.

Whenever he speaks or writes, he poses an intellectual challenge as to where to draw the line between normality and abnormality. The instances are numerous, but his last outing: “The gutless eunuch and the lion king”, published in The Nation of Friday, January 17, 2014, raised critical issues which the psychiatric community must tackle in the interest of the nation.

For the benefit of those who may not have any knowledge of the background and upbringing of the former Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode was born into an educated, well-to-do family. He had the opportunity of a good education and successfully graduated into the legal profession. Then, he went off the mark and has never been the same since then. The truth, however, is that it is strongly believed that a large number of psychologically ill patients suffer from recidivism- meaning that they are never totally healed.

However, it would be a colossal error to think that Fani-Kayode is an insane person who should, therefore, be treated accordingly. Of course, if he were, the asylum should be his permanent home and Nigerians would not take seriously whatever he says. He would probably neither have been appointed by Obasanjo as a presidential aide nor passed the Senate

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Jonathan bashing: R escuing FFani-k ani-k ayode fr om self Rescuing ani-ka from screening to become a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (some believe that there are many Nigerians in such high positions who cannot pass any psychiatric screening). If Fani-Kayode were categorised as insane, his actions and utterances would not be legally actionable.

Granting Fani-Kayode the benefit of the doubt, we must concede that he is a normal human being-although with some personal idiosyncrasies - who, like the rest of us, must be held accountable for his own actions.

After all, apart from alleged acts of crass impunity and corruption when he held public office, Fani-Kayode was really not declared mentally ill by any qualified psychiatrist. Besides, he has been actively involved in politics, initially as a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) before moving to the All Progressives Congress (APC) from where he has become the most vitriolic critic of the Jonathan administration. Indeed, neither the PDP nor the APC has perceived Fani-Kayode as an unstable person.

The thrust of Fani-Kayode’s article of January 17 was to paint President Goodluck Jonathan as a weak leader who had failed to carry out his primary functions of protecting the lives and properties of Nigerians, especially those in the North Eastern states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe. His main goal was to demonstrate to politicians from the North that the President did not care about them and that he (Jonathan) was working against their

interests. To drive this point home, he reeled out unsubstantiated statistics and figures of lives lost and properties destroyed since the war against insurgency in the affected states.

The article was full of Fani-Kayode’s bitterness against President Jonathan whom he accused of insensitivity to the plight of the children of those areas of the North affected by the Boko Haram insurgency. He wondered whether “the President would have been so unperturbed and detached from the whole thing if the children who were killed in their school just weeks ago had been from his Niger Delta area.” In his view, President Jonathan wanted “the North to burn and Northern blood to be spilt.”

He accused the President of having failed in his sworn oath of office to protect the lives and properties of those in the areas affected, “if the government can sit back and watch the locals slaughter themselves while they [sic] continue to drink champagne in the Villa.”

There can be nothing more inciting than the open declaration that a country’s President is watching while her citizens are being slaughtered or that the President, himself, is part of an agenda to slaughter the very citizens he was elected to protect.

That, precisely, is what Fani-Kayode has done in his publication, which amounts to treason, if the accusation turns out to be baseless.

Given Fani-Kayode’s background and antecedents, what he wrote should not be a

surprise. The only surprise is that these treasonable materials were published by a national newspaper, The Nation, whose proprietors want to grab power at all cost.

Otherwise, how can a newspaper of that status be party to the accusation of the President in a so-called conspiracy to “encourage and create turmoil and chaos in the North just to ensure that they [sic] are excluded from voting in 2015” This national newspaper is also guilty of treason and incitement. And, unless they can establish the veracity of the allegations, both Fani-Kayode and the newspaper ought to take responsibility for their action and face the wrath of the law.

To show the gravity of Fani-Kayode’s accusations, as they affect national stability, the Jama’atu Nasir Islam, a powerful Islamic organisation in Northern Nigeria, recently issued a statement, accusing President Jonathan of waging war against Muslims through the operations against Boko Haram. To a large extent, one might say that Fani-Kayode is succeeding because the organisation is on the same page with him. They do not seem to care about what happens to this country in 2015 and beyond, as long as they have Jonathan’s head.

If recidivism is anything to go by, it may still be necessary to persuade Fani-Kayode to return to Ghana.

*Mr. Momodu, a commentator on national issues, wrote from YBenin, Edo State.

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Vanguard, MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 2014 — 45

Police permit not required for rallies in Nigeria

BY FEMI FALANA, SAN

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Infringement of fundamental rights Since the disruption of public meetings and rallies is an infringement of the fundamental right of Nigerians to freedom of association, assembly and expression it is pertinent to draw the attention of the authorities to the state of the law on public meetings.

Under the Public Order Act (Cap P42) Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 the power to regulate public meetings, processions and rallies in any part of Nigeria was exclusively vested in the governors of the respective states of the Federation.

Thus, by virtue of section 1 of the Act the Commissioner of Police or any other police officer could not issue a licence or permit for

Map of Nigeria Inspector general of police, Mohammed to their members to hold unity rallies throughout the country to protest the rigging of the 2003 elections. The request was refused. There was a violent disruption of the rally organized in Kano on September 22, 2003 on the ground that no police permit was obtained.

In a suit filed at the Federal High Court against the Inspector-General of Police the Plaintiffs challenged the constitutional validity of police permit under the Public Order Act and the violent disruption of the rally. In defending the action the Defendant contended that the conveners of the rally did not obtain a police permit.

In dismissing the contention of the Police the trial judge, the Honourable Justice Chinyere stated inter alia: “The gist of the provision in section 1 of the Act is that the Governor of each State is empowered to direct the conduct of all assemblies, meetings and processions on public roads or places of public resort in the state and prescribe the route by which and times at which the procession may pass.

Licence of the governor

FEMI FALANA any meeting or rally without the authority of the governor. In other words, no police officer was competent to issue a permit for holding any public meeting or rally or cancel any such public meeting or rally without the authority of the governor of a state.

In the case of All Nigeria Peoples Party & Ors. v. Inspector General of Police (2006) CHR 181 the Plaintiffs being registered political parties requested the Defendant, the InspectorGeneral by a letter dated May 21, 2004 to issue Police Permits

Persons desirous of convening or collecting any assembly or meeting or of forming a procession in any public resort must apply and obtain the licence of the Governor. The Governor can delegate his powers to the Commissioner of Police of the State or to other police officers. Persons aggrieved by the decision of the Commissioner of Police may appeal to the Governor and the decision of the Governor shall be final and no further appeal shall lie therefrom.”

On the inconsistency of police permit with sections 39 and 40 of the Constitution and Article 11 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights Act (Cap A9) Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 the learned trial judge said: “In my view, the provision in section 40 of the Constitution is clear, direct and unambiguous.

It is formulated and designed to confer on every person the right to assemble freely and associate with other persons. I am, therefore, persuaded by the argument of Mr. Falana that by the combined effect of sections 39 and 40 of the 1999 Constitution as well as Article 11 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the right to assemble freely cannot be violated without violating the fundamental right to peaceful assembly and association. I agree with Mr. Falana that violation can only be done by the procedure permitted by law, under section 45 of the Constitution, in which case there must be a state of emergency properly declared before theses rights can be violated.

I also agree with Mr. Falana that the criminal law is there to take care if protesters resort to violence in the course of demonstration and that once the rights are exercised peacefully, they cannot be taken away. The Public Order Act so far as it affects the right of citizens to assemble freely and associate with others, the sum of which is the right to hold rallies or processions or demonstration is an aberration to a democratic society. It is inconsistent with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution. In particular, sections 1(2),(3),(4),(5) and (6), 2, 3 and 4 are inconsistent with the fundamental rights provisions in the 1999 Constitution and to the extent of their inconsistency, they are void. I hereby so declare.”

Permit for public meetings After declaring the provisions of the Public Order Act which require police permit for public meetings and rallies illegal and unconstitutional the Federal High Court proceeded to grant the following reliefs: •A declaration that the requirement of police permit or other authority for the holding of rallies or processions in Nigeria is illegal and unconstitutional as it violates section 40 of the 1999

Constitution and Article 11 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act (Cap 10) Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 1990.

• A declaration that the provisions of the Public Order Act (Cap 382) Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 1990 which require police permit or any other authority for the holding of rallies or processions in any part of Nigeria is illegal and unconstitutional as they contravene section 40 of the 1999 Constitution and Article 7 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforce-

,

N January 2012, the mass protests against the so-called removal of fuel subsidy were violently disrupted by the police and the army personnel. During its recent industrial action the Academic Staff Union of Universities had cause to direct its members to embark on protests to draw public attention to the underfunding of public universities in Nigeria. The police dispersed the protesting academics with tear gas. A fortnight ago, a political rally in Port Harcourt, Rivers State was brutally suppressed by the police. In justifying the violent attack, Mr. Joseph Mbu, the Rivers State Commissioner of Police claimed that the rally was unauthorized as the conveners did not obtain police permit.

public meetings and rallies in their states, Olufunmilayo Adekeye JCA (as she then was) had this to say: “On a proper perusal of the provisions particularly section 1 subsection 1-6, and sections 2-4 there is nowhere the name of the Inspector General is mentioned in connection with the issuance of permit for the purpose of conducting peaceful public assemblies. Such application is to be forwarded to the Governor within forty-eight hours of holding such. The Governor may delegate his powers under the Act to the Commissioner of Police of the State or any superior police officer of a rank not below that of a Chief Superintendent of Police as applicable to this case in hand.”

On the fundamental right of Nigerian citizens to assemble freely and protest without licence or permit, Adekeye JCA, proceeded to hold as follows: “The power given to the Governor of a State to issue permit under Public Order Act cannot be used to attain unconstitutional result of deprivation or right to freedom of speech and freedom of assembly.

The right to demonstrate and the right to protest on matters of public concern are rights which are in the public interest and that which individuals must possess and which they should exercise without impediment as long as no wrongful act is done…

The Public Order Act so far as it affects the right of citizens to assemble freely and associate with others, the sum of which is the right to hold rallies or processions or demonstration is an aberration to a democratic society

ment) Act (Cap 10) Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 1990.

•A declaration that the Defendant is not competent under the Public Order Act (Cap 382) Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 1990 or under any law whatever to issue or grant permit for the holding of rallies or processions in any part of Nigeria.

•An order of perpetual injunction restraining the Defendant (the Inspector-General of Police) whether by himself, his agents, privies and servants from further preventing the Plaintiffs and other aggrieved citizens of Nigeria from organizing or convening peaceful assemblies, meetings and rallies against unpopular government measures and policies.”

Completely dissatisfied with the judgment of the Federal High Court on the issuance of police permit the Inspector-General of Police appealed to the Court of Appeal. Upon hearing the case the Justices of the Court of Appeal unanimously affirmed the judgment of the Federal High Court. With respect to the powers of governors to authorize the issuance of permit for holding

,

Public Order Act should be promulgated to compliment sections 39 and 40 of the Constitution in context and not to stifle or cripple it. A rally or placard carrying demonstration has become a form of expression of views on current issues affecting government and the governed in a sovereign state. It is a tread recognized and deeply entrenched in the system of governance in civilized countries – it will not only be primitive but also retrogressive if Nigeria continues to require a pass to hold a rally. We must borrow a leaf from those who have trekked the rugged path of democracy and are now reaping the dividend of their experience.” (See Inspector-General of Police v. All Nigeria Peoples’ Party (2008) WRN 65).

In his contribution to the judgment of the Court of Appeal Muhammad JCA confirmed that police permit is alien to a democratic society when he reiterated that: “In present day Nigeria, clearly police permit has outlived its usefulness.

To be concluded tomorrow

46—Vanguard, MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 2014

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Tinubu’s aide faults Clark over statement on Yoruba race

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PECIAL Adviser on Media to former Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Mr. Sunday Dare, yesterday, called on erstwhile Minister of Education, Chief Edwin Clark, to refrain from making denigrating statements against the Yoruba race.

Dare, who alleged that Clark had said the lack of leadership among Yoruba was obvious, noted that the statements were targeted at Tinubu, former President Olusegun Obasanjo and other Yoruba politicians, who were opposed to President Goodluck Jonathan’s leadership style.

Dare, who noted this in a statement, said: “The recent diatribe launched by Chief Edwin Clerk against the Yoruba people in one of the national dailies fits into the trend of vitriolic attacks on any perceived opponents of the President, Goodluck Jonathan. For his proper education and enlightenment, this reaction is necessary so that before it’s too late, Edwin Clark would rescue himself from destruction.

“His recent comment about the lack of leadership among theYoruba was telling but not so much against Yorubas but as to the Chief himself. Who ever made him an expert on the Yorubas needs to rescind that appointment? Clark is not competent to utter such a comment. He would be better advised to tend to his own house and put that in order instead of remarking on the quality of a home that he sees from a far and cannot enter except through the kindness of the o w n e r .

“Of course, we all know that his remark was an attempted broadside against Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Olusegun Obasanjo and other leading Yoruba politicians who have refused to join the Jonathan choir.

Clark is afraid that the progressive party, APC launched by Asiwaju Tinubu and other progressives throughout the nation possesses the political clout to dislodge his ethnic kin from the Aso Villa. Thus, Clark hates Tinubu and all those who speak up against the missgovernance taking place.

“He hates Asiwaju Tinubu not because of Tinubu’s or the APC’s policies or programmes. Clark is ignorant of what Asiwaju Tinubu and the APC stand for.”

Vanguard, MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 2014 — 47

A

S we begin our historic journey into the new, pre-election year with its promised political tumult, I wish to congratulate the All Progressives Congress (APC) for its great success story so far.

When Senator Bola Tinubu of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), his partner, Major General Muhammadu Buhari of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and the National Chairman of the defunct All Nigerian People’s Party (ANPP), Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, started the merger moves that spawned the APC, few who were conversant with Nigeria’s history of failed mergers expected the venture to come to this juncture where APC is almost co-equal rival of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

We now have, on paper, a classic dominant two party system. It is safe to assume that when the presidential election comes up early next year, it will be a straight fight between the PDP and APC, with most of the minor political parties going into alliances with either of the two majors for the coveted prize.

At this juncture, the momentum is still on the side of the APC. The traffic is still heavy from PDP to APC, with occasional trickle in the opposite direction. The PDP

APC must shine or perish created by the new accruals from PDP with its old faithful, the APC is yet to undergo its ultimate litmus test: a rancour-free election of candidates, especially the substantive national executive council, presidential ticket, governors and state and federal legislators. While PDP is likely to have a relatively easy ride on this count, the APC must work hard to prevent largescale decamping back to the PDP, especially in the states of the former G5 PDP governors. PDP may be waiting in the wings to take back what was theirs.

The APC must now shine or perish. It must proceed to convince right thinking Nigerians that it is a better alternative to

If APC continues with the strategy of trouble-making as a means of demonstrating opposition, it has to bear in mind that no responsible government will sit back and allow troublemakers and anarchists to take over the public arena

,

has leaned out. It has never been this lean.

The PDP of today is much smaller than we have ever seen of it. It is an advantage and a disadvantage at the same. It is an advantage in that the volatile molecules in its midst have moved away, and the party is in a much better position to maintain a disciplined front if the new leadership proceeds with maturity. It is a disadvantage because it is no longer evident if PDP will win a credible, fair election were the polls to be staged tomorrow. However, the party’s prospects are very positive because it is still the ruling party, with the gamut of incumbency factors solidly lined up behind it.

The APC, on the other hand, has a much bigger challenge. Apart from managing its huge successes and uniting the factions

the PDP that has ruled the nation since the dawn of the renascent democracy in 1999. It must demonstrate this both in terms of politics and governance. The APC is a much more diverse political entity than the defunct ACN and CPC, where one man called the shots based on his personal political interests. APC is led by a college of leaders. Therefore the party must come up with a system of power sharing that is based on democracy and consensus. Any experiment in imposition will let all hell loose.

We are waiting to see if APC will continue to mimic PDP by zoning party offices. Or will it make a difference by simply throwing contests open for the best candidates to emerge through the wishes of the generality of members? If we wake up to

hear that the presidency, for instance, has been zoned to the North or West or elsewhere, then it shows the Party has nothing different to offer than PDP. Making governace difficult: APC must also retrace its steps from the ill-advised strategy of making governance difficult for the PDP as its own idea of opposition.

Rather, it should demonstrate how the nation can be more effectively governed in vital areas such as the war on corruption, transparent handling of the finances of the nation and prudent management of the economy. It must prove that Nigerians are safer in the hand of APC than PDP, rather than always threatening violence and its states being seen as the main centres of terrorism, crises and insecurity. If they are able to do this, Nigerians will see the party as a promising alternative and will be glad to transfer power from PDP to APC come 2015.

But what we are seeing appear to be more in consonance with the old agenda of some disgruntled northern leaders to make governance difficult for President Goodluck Jonathan after they failed to grab power back from him in 2011. It is this agenda of deliberately creating crises with a view to attracting media sympathy that Governor Rotimi Amaechi is staging from time to time in Rivers, while the PDP Federal Government responds by helping itself to some impunity using state uniformed agents. It was the same agenda that Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila deliberately deployed by calling the Deputy Majority Leader of the PDP in the House Representatives, Hon Leo Ogor “Minority Leader ” when it has not yet been conclusively proved that PDP is indeed now the minority party in the House. As a lawyer, Gbajabiamila should have known

better since the courts have imposed vital injunctions pending final verdicts that will make clear which party is the top dog in the NASS. The APC is likely to lose more face if it succeeds in getting it members in the National Assembly to scuttle the federal budget and block the approval of the Service Chiefs and the screening of new ministers over the Rivers crisis; a crisis in which both Governor Amaechi and his political foes in PDP are equally culpable.

The Rivers crisis is a normal political muscle-flexing. Assuming that the APC has the clout to cripple legislative activities in the National Assembly, it would be sacrificing the legitimate duties of the parliamentarians on the altar of political power struggle in one of our 36 states. It would be forcing the federal parliamentarians to abandon the duties for which they were elected simply because of a political crisis Amaechi started by undemocratically removing an elected local government chairman in Rivers State.

Previous official assignments It would be a different ball game if, for instance, President Jonathan’s ministerial list arrives for confirmation, and all APC senators rise in unison to oppose all the nominees that are facing investigation for stealing public funds while they were in their previous official assignments. That would be a laudable move that would show APC is against corruption.

If APC continues with the strategy of trouble-making as a means of demonstrating opposition, it has to bear in mind that no responsible government will sit back and allow troublemakers and anarchists to take over the public arena.

The law enforcement agents will do their job, especially when supporters are directed to resort to “self-help”. The continued sabre-rattling by Buhari, Junaidu Mohammed and Nasir el Rufai, threatening violence and bloodshed unless their political interests are met will never help the new mega party.

Nigerians must resist the antics of these uncivilised politicians. APC should rein in its hotheaded members immediately because this is the time to market itself to Nigerians as a better product than PDP. Trouble-mongering and threats are counter-productive as marketing tools.

OPINION

BY ADEWALE KUPOLUYI

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O doubt, housing is one of the basic comforts of life. It not only provides shelter for the people, the possession of a house confers a sort of social security and dignity on the owner.

Sadly, our governments have failed to give Nigerians good and affordable houses. Worse still is our comatose mortgage system, which offers no succour either, going by the exorbitant prices of houses usually, being put out for sale.

The land speculators, popularly known as Omo-Onile often sell landed property illegally to unsuspecting members of public.

Not only that, when construction work begins, these mischievous people extort fees in-discriminatory and if anyone dares challenge them, he is vulnerable to violent attacks. In Lagos and some metropolitan states, the problem is compounded by the alleged active involvement of some traditional rulers - obas and baales .

Many Lagosians became the latest victims of land speculators, as residents of Atinporome, Badagry area of Lagos, contended with 200 policemen from the Lagos State Police Command, when they demolished over 500 buildings worth billions of naira, which were erected on a land marked for construction of a police estate.

The police was said to have acquired the property about eight years ago, having obtained the Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-O) from the Lagos State Government, to enable it build an estate for senior police officers. Unfortunately, nothing was done on the land after obtaining the C-of-O, thus creating a room for the Omo-Onile to resell the land to needy property buyers as the residents, claimed that they acquired their properties from Omo-Onile. Before the latest demolition, the

Curbing the menace of speculators police authorities alleged that they had issued two eviction notices, but the residents refused to leave. While some of the residents claimed that they were not aware that the police actually purchased the land, others alleged that a law court had given an injunction, restraining the police from taking possession of the land.

Recently, the Lagos State Government took a more decisive action, through an amendment to the state’s criminal law, by dealing with persons who engaged in fraudulent land speculation, for prosecution. The state’s new criminal law ensures that assault, manslaughter and murder constitute criminal offences. The state also launched the ‘Code of Conduct of Estate Agency Practice in Lagos State’, under the Lagos State Real Estate Agent Transaction Department.

Before the introduction of this new law, it has been taken for granted that landed property cannot be stolen which, in the real sense was not true but has only aided unscrupulous people to sell third party properties. That is why the Lagos State House of Assembly should be commended for passing a bill to curb illegal acquisition and selling of land by indigenous land speculators. The Lagos State Properties Protection Bill 2013 also contains the punishment to be meted out to offenders.

Aside Lagos, the ugly activities of land speculators are ever embarrassing in other states of the federation. More pro-active approaches should be deployed to tame what has now turned out to be a social, economic and financial crime. To begin with, property agents should be made to have a registered office - a rare prescription in many states - which encourages mischievous

persons to dupe innocent people and quickly change base in a jiffy.

An agent should be made to maintain accessible record of his/her business and ensure that a prospective purchaser takes physical possession of the property paid for within a period, except otherwise stated in writing by explaining the necessary obligations. This is a necessity going by the frequent demands for payments by customers before their preferred property is found. In most cases, many people ended up being duped this way!

Again, the existing provisions of the Land Use Act that vest the ownership rights of all land in state governors, which are held in trust for all citizens, is not helpful. Rather, what I think should be of utmost importance to the people is a proviso that guarantees easy access to incontestable procedure and title perfection documents.

Government officials should be closely monitored to ensure that they do not collude or abet fraud. This was the assurance given by the Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Ade Ipaye, when he said, “Fraudulent staff, especially in the Land, Housing and Judiciary ministries, who aid and abet criminals outside in landed matters will be used to set example of how committed we are to checking fraudulent cases in landed property in the state". Other states in the country should follow suit.Stiffer penalty should be imposed on those found guilty of land speculation. *Mr Kupoluyi wrote from Federal University of Agric.

Abeokuta, Ogun State.

48—Vanguard, MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 2014

Govt Shut Down: Senators are not partisan — Sen Ndoma-Egba, Senate Leader SENATOR Victor Ndoma-Egba, SAN, the leader of the Senate in this interview asserts that senators irrespective of political leanings would not be moved by party sentiments in consideration of their duties.

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My experience of the Senate for the years that I have been there is that it is not a partisan institution. Yes, we were elected on the platform of political parties, but the moment you assume your seat on the floor, it is Nigeria that matters

BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN, POLITICAL EDITOR

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HAT is your reaction to the directive of the APC to its senators not to give passage to the budget?

My immediate reaction is that the Senate as an institution sees issues from just one prism, and that is the prism of national interest.

My experience of the Senate for the years that I have been there is that it is not a partisan institution. Yes, we were elected on the platform of political parties, but the moment you assume your seat on the floor, it is Nigeria that matters, that Nigeria that counts.

We have never been partisan and I don’t see us being partisan now, not at this critical time of our nation’s history.

You can say from outside that you would heed, but when you are on the floor, you are a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, not a PDP senator or an APC senator. It is the national interest.

If the APC senators decide to heed, what would you as the Senate Leader do? The House majority leader has said they would heed. Are you not frightened?

Are they saying that the security challenges that we have, that we shouldn’t have heads of the respective armed forces?

But what of the budget? They are so determined on that?

They said they should stop everything.

Budget for Nigerians You see the budget is not for PDP members only, Labour Party members or APGA members only. The budget is for Nigerians.

It has been said that it is an act of frustration on the part of the opposition with the government in checking the acts of impunity in Rivers State?

The Rivers situation has become partisan. Hasn’t it? It has become partisan.

But they blame the PDP administration for the partisanship, that security men protect some rallies and breakup those against the PDP? Ogun State is not PDP but is it any different?

But Rivers State is the issue now. The State House of Assembly cannot meet in its designated building?

The issue of Rivers State is a bit more complicated than you are making it sound.

First of all, don’t forget that at one point in time, the National Assembly

•Ndoma-Egba: Senators are nationalistic took over the affairs of the House of Assembly of Rivers State. Has the National Assembly been properly notified of the circumstances under which its functions were reverted to the Rivers State House of Assembly?

But don’t you feel worried by suggestions that elements in the PDP are manipulating the crisis in the state

to favour their goals?

I don’t want to dwell on the issues of Rivers State because having taken over the functions of the Rivers State House of Assembly, there are a number of issues that haven’t been resolved and if I make any comment now it would be pre-empting or prejudicing those issues, so I wont want to dwell on

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Rivers State House of Assembly. But the core of the APC statement is that government and governance should be grounded and my simple reaction to it is that as senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria we are elected on the platform of political parties, but the moment you are on that floor, there is only one prism through which you see Nigeria, and that is the prism of Nigeria.

So, if the APC members in the House of Representatives stop the passage of the budget, what would you do?

I can only talk for the Senate and in the Senate, we see Nigeria through the prism of Nigeria, not through the prism of partisanship.

Why we are shutting down government— Osagie APC House Whip THE All Progressives Congress Whip in the House of Representatives, Rep. Samson Osagie has pledged the readiness of the party members in the House to heed the directive of the party in shutting down the affairs of the Federal Government. He said:

BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN, POLITICAL EDITOR

I

AM a member of a political party and I cannot disagree with my party.

All I can say right now is that even the deaf can hear, the blind can see that this government is not only rudderless, it is involved in huge illegalities and unconstitutionalities, it has no respect for the rule of law, neither does it have respect for the right of citizens.

It is only reminiscent of events of the military days and a case in point is what is happening in Rivers State.

It is so sad that we have found ourselves in a democracy under a

•Osagie: This is no joke regime that cherishes unconstitutional acts. $10.9 billion is missing and that

is about two years budget of the Federal Government of Nigeria, it is no joke.

Let nobody deceive anybody, it is equivalent to two years budget of this government. Between the Central Bank Governor, the minister of finance, they cannot account for it.

Is that not farce? Never in the history of this country, even under military rule have we found this type of lack of transparency of government.

It is obvious and clear that under the PDP, Nigerians have suffered a lot and that even at that they want to continue to hold on. The choice really is for Nigerians.

Vanguard, MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 2014 — 49

Libya guns down Gabon 4-2 L

IBYA progressed to the semi-finals of the African Nations Championship after beating Gabon 4-2 on penalties following a deadlocked 120 minutes of football on Sunday.

The Mediterranean Knights scored four penalties on the trot at the Peter Mokaba Stadium, while Gabon’s Alain Mpanga and Sokambi Taty missed their efforts.

The game started brightly and Gabon should have been in front as early as the third minute but the man nicknamed “Playstation” in his homeland, Ntsitsigui Awouta, tried to make too fancy a move when he was one-on-one with the Libyan goalkeeper Mohamed Abdaula.

Promising 21-year-old midfielder Samson Mbingui almost put Gabon in front in the 14th minute when he whipped a seemingly

AUSSIE OPEN KING.....Switzerland’s Stanislas Wawrinka kisses the trophy after defeatingt Spain’s Rafael Nadal in the men’s singles final of the 2014 Australian Open in Melbourne on January 26. PHOTO: AFP unstoppable free-kick over the Libya wall, but it cannon off the crossbar and went over.

A minute later, at the other end, Libya were gifted the biggest

chance of the game so far when a defensive mix up by the Gabonese led to the ball landing at forward Almoatasembellah Mohamed’s feet.

match at the Cape Town Stadium this year.

Keshi enjoyed a long and distinguished career as a player in Nigeria and Europe, before going on to manage Togo, Mali and then the Super Eagles, which he guided to the 2013 African Cup of Nations title, subsequently being named as African Coach of the Year.

But he was hardpressed to think of too many other matches similar to Saturday night’s goal fest.

“It was something very unique. It happened when I was in Mali, 2010 Nations Cup, against Angola in the first game, we were four goals down, 12 minutes, we came back to score four to tie 4-4.

“This one was something else though. I just want to say thanks to my players for the character and the mentality that they brought in the second half, they ’re just awesome.”

Keshi said the secret to the stunning fightback was to pay less respect

to their opponents after the sides came out for the second half.

“This was not us playing in the first half. It was like we gave too much respect to Morocco. They are a good team, but we have to be ourselves and we have to take our game to them.

“In the second half I wanted to see different character, I wanted to see the same character that we brought into the Bafana Bafana game (a 3-1 win in the group stage which knocked South Africa out), or more.

“So they came in and they said, we are not going home, we want to be here for the final, and that’s what happened.”

Morocco coach Hassan Benabicha blamed his side’s second-half capitulation on the lack of preparation the team had before the tournament.

“Coming into this tournament we did not have any friendly matches, we came into this competition and faced a

D

IEGO Maradona says Pele will “always be second best” to him and has discredited the Ballon d’Or Prix d’Honneur he received in Switzerland last week.

Maradona and Pele have been going at each other ever since they retired from the game, and the Argentinean has now taken offence to the special award his long-time Brazilian rival received at Fifa’s Ballon d’Or ceremony.

Pele was awarded the Ballon d’Or Prix d’Honneur after being ineligible to win the original Ballon d’Or during his playing days, as it was then only for those plying their trade in Europe.

Maradona, currently the Dubai sports ambassador, is having none of it.

“How can you say that Pele received the Ballon d’Or before me? I received the award [like that] in Paris [in 1996]. So to make Pele the first one

Nigerians in Cape Town

Keshi Continues from BP

However, the No.16 couldn’t covert with the goal at his mercy, while Boubacar Toure also did well to get finger tips to

Maradona slams Pele

big team of the calibre of Nigeria and with such a great coach,” said Benabicha.

“Going forward we can start preparing for the 2015 Afcon, which takes place in Morocco.

“Our objective there is to do everything in our power to put in a good showing and eventually lift the cup.”

Continues from BP Cumba’s Lounge, a night club owned by a Nigerian businessman.

The entire set up was typically Nigerian as the club was populated by green-white-green colour. The Super Eagles jersey suddenly became the hottest property as those who could not wear it used the Nigeri-

Minister Continues from BP Nations Championship in South Africa.

The Super Eagles came back from three goals down to defeat the Morocco 4-3 in a thrilling quarterfinal match in Cape Town, which went into extra time.

Abdullahi said the team showed passion, discipline and commitment, which are hallmarks of the Nigerian spirit.

“With the kind of overwhelming joy that followed the victory across our country, one cannot but feel that perhaps, these players are destined to win the trophy.”

He also disclosed that

the NSC would offer the team the princely sum of 100,000USD if they beat their next opponent and qualify for the final of the CHAN tournament, which is for players in the domestic leagues of participating countries.

The NSC had earlier offered the team an incentive of 100,000USD if they beat Morocco and qualify for the semi final, which they did in a dramatic manner yesterday. The minister said the team would get the money before their next match on Wednesday.

Abdullahi stated the incentives are Government’s way of motivat-

an flag as head ties, ties and the like to identify with the Nigerian fans.

Inside the pub, the music was Nigerian as records by popular Nigerian artistes like 2face Idibia, PSquare, Prince Ice, Whizzkid, Flavour among others blared from loud speakers.

The revelers danced as if there was no tomorrow.

ing the players to give their best and triumph over their opponents.

He added that if the “boys qualify for the final and go ahead to win the trophy, they can be confident that a grateful nation will remember for a long time to come that they, with typical Nigerian grits and determination, have extended our dominance of African football.”

to receive the award before me is a huge mistake,” he said.

“According to me, Pele will always remain second best in football when compared to Maradona. Look at it this way, in his own country, Brazil, Pele is the second best sportsman after Ayrton Senna [the former F1 driver].

“Pele will always be second, be it in international football or in Brazilian sports. The sad thing is that he is second best and he will continue to stay in that position.

“While presenting the award [this year’s Ballon d’Or] to Cristiano Ronaldo, Pele uttered his name as ‘Cristiano Leonardo’.

This just shows where he belongs.

“I am happy with what I am doing for football and for myself. I am content living in a home in Dubai, but Pele lives in Fifa.”

Falconets grab World Cup ticket

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IGERIA became the first African team to qualify for the 2014 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, after beating South Africa 1-0 on Saturday in Johannesburg.

Striker Adeboyejo Yetunde scored the only goal of the match in the first half to power Falconets to a double and book their ticket for the global championship courtesy a 7-0 aggregate win.

With a 6-0 win from the first leg, the Falconets confirmed their superiority over the Basetsana by silencing them at their backyard to maintain their impressive record of being the only African team to have qualified for every edition of the global youth women’s championship since its inception in 2002.

The visitors sat back and contained the constant pressure from their hosts to cruise to victory in the second leg clash of the final round of the qualifying series.

50— Vanguard, MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 2014

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54 —Vanguard, MONDAY JANUARY 27, 2014

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In Dammam, Keshi’s suit Matas a great Li

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N Saturday, three goals down, I had prom ised my friends that I was not going to write about the match. “ Win some, lose some,” I surrendered.

My phone went crazy as messages and mails flooded in. There was so much concern regarding a match many considered to be “jazz induced”. Yes we could be beaten “…. but we should not be disgraced” a friend screamed.

Three goals that again exposed our goalkeeper after some dreadful defending . Was Keshi going to substitute Agbim? I said I was not sure, but that in addition to substituting Agbim, he needed to also substitute not less than four defenders! ( Laughter ) Another friend went back to Saudi Arabia and the Dammam miracle in 1989. I said it was possible, after all I am a living witness to that great comeback, four goals down and just thirty minutes to go the Flying Eagles clawed their way back to beat USSR on penalties, a victory that kept me and Ikeddy Isiguzo of the Vanguard to lose our voices through incessant screaming and singing as we made our way back to Riyadh 25 years ago, but for that to be a reality, they needed to lift their game……..

Saturday is history. My son Daniel summarized it hilariously when at the final whistle he said “ Daddy, Keshi is on drugs…..”. first time I have heard of a coach being on drugs on the bench and the effect intoxicates his players on the field……..( Laughter…)

Yes today we can afford to laugh and salute the so called “ Nigerian spirit and resilience….” Yet must we go through hell to get to heaven’s door? Waiting to hear from the Coach on what really happened and what he told his boys at the dressing room even as Ken, Bob Lee, Ayo, Mrs Emah, Daniel, Sanusi, Gboyega,…..all concluded that since God was a Nigerian, this, was His doing……

For the future we must brace ourselves for a situation where for every one goal that Agbim will concede, his colleagues will score two!

As the match wore on, I thought it was also time to move ahead, destination Brazil. Go back twenty

Chief Jonathan Ogufere former WAFU boss and President of the Sports Veterans Association of Nigeria took a look at Keshi...Keshi should be suited during the World Cup

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years to Calabar where Ette Effanga reigned supreme. Ette Effanga was the boss of the Cross River Referees Association. On this day one of his referees made a controversial call and the official of the affected team ran to Ette Effanga to complain. What he got as response startled him. “ …My friend you are complaining about the referee, look at your dressing. See how your opposition is neatly dressed with every thing to match.

Your jersey is tattered, the numberings an apology, already you have been beaten psychologically and you are here complaining about the referee……”

Chief Jonathan Ogufere former WAFU boss and President of the Sports Veterans Association of Nigeria took a look at Keshi during the FIFA Draws in Brazil and liked what he saw. “ Paul” he said “ Keshi should be suited during the world cup” I remember mentioning it during our last Technical Committee

meeting, even as Onochie Anibeze, Group Sports Editor of the Vanguard also mentioned it last week.

He will not want Coach Keshi to use his trade mark track Suit during the World Cup. “……He can dress better than that. He should be corporately attired” Readers may have a different view, just as the coach reserves the right to wear what he wants ( Don’t laugh……)

Why has the signing of Juan Mata causing Arsene Wenger so much pain? The man who his fans believe will win the league this year to banish eight years of agony has not slept since it was rumoured that Mata was on his way to Old Trafford. Wenger moaning was reverberated by Pellegrini, the Manchester City Manager who is also tipped to win the league.

I thought they said United was down and out? that they were finished? Just wait till Rooney and Versie come back…just wait they ain’t seen nothing yet ( Laughter…….)

I go back to Onochie on his brilliant column wondering why a South Africa that boast world champions in Rugby, Swimming, golf and athletics, a country that is doing well in tennis, hockey, boxing and cricket can go hysterical when we beat them in football, our “solitary sport” Watching China’s Li Na win the Australia Open on Saturday took me back to Onochie and how tennis was dead here. For two weeks I have followed a sport that has made young men and women fly the flags of their country with pride, including the South African Kevin Andersen, the competition’s 19th seed A sport that has thrown up promising youth in abundance, opening doors of fortune and fame…….Cibulkova of Slovakia, , Bouchard of Canada , Halep of Romania, Stephens of USA and Georgina Muguruza of Spain to mention a few of the ladies prospects…….not for us such opportunities.

Abeg , don’t let me spoil your day. Savour the Eagles victory and another great comeback in the history of our football…….

See you next week

Eagles Ekweremadu, Elegbeleye, Ndanusa EX-GREEN goalkeeper Emmanuel Okala on Sunday commend Eagles in Awka said Super Eagles’ forward Uzoenyi

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HE Deputy Presi dent of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu has congratulated the Super Eagles of Nigeria on their victory over Morocco to book a semi-final place in the ongoing CAF African Nations Championship in South Africa.

Senator Ekweremadu who however faulted the lackluster spirit exhibited by the team in the first half, especially in the defence line, commended the Eagles for showing enormous character and determination in the second half and extra time of the game.

He said: “The Super Eagles have just rekindled reminiscences of the Damman miracle at the 1989 FIFA World Youth Championship in which Nigeria upturned a four goal deficit to win the defunct Soviet Union C M Y K

in a breathtaking quarter final encounter.

Also, The Director General of the National Sports Commission, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye, has urged Super Eagles Team B to win the ongoing Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) for the sports-loving President (Dr.) Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

According to him, the goodluck of the President is already shinning on the Nigerian team in South Africa after the team qualified for the semifinals of the CHAN tournament against Morocco on Saturday in a dramatic fashion.

He described Eagles victory as a ‘miracle’ as they fought tooth and nail to run away with a 4-3 victory after first half disappointing 0-3 deficit.

“This team is good

enough to win the trophy. They have shown that they have the character to win the tournament. The President is solidly behind the team and also happy with their performance so far in the competition. The National Sports Commission is also happy with the team and the technical crew,” he said.

President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, Engr Sani M. Ndanusa also poured encomiums on the Super Eagles and their crew urging them to display that teethgritted determination in their semi final match and go on to win the trophy. ‘’There is no doubt that you made history in this CHAN. It is not complete until you bring the trophy back to an appreciative President Goodluck Jonathan.”, Ndansua said.

Ejike should get a place on the team’s squad to June’s FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

Okala said that Ejike was one of the most talented footballers of his generation.

He noted that the wing forward had only been unfortunate not to have left the shores of the country for greener pastures abroad.

“Uzoenyi is a rare player who has not made it to Europe. He fears no defence and urges his colleagues on.

“He will be a great asset to team head coach Stephen Keshi if he makes it to the World Cup finals in Brazil, because he is just too good enough for the mundial,” the former national under-17 team assistant coach said.

Okala who was full of praises for Ejike, describing his performance as

•Uzoenyi

Uzoenyi good enough for World Cup, says Okala spectacular, also said the Nigerian team deserved all praises for their dramatic comeback victory against Morroco.

Super Eagles had on Saturday won 4-3 against the Atlas Lions, after trailing 0-3 by half-time.

The former Rangers International FC goalkeeper pointed out that what actually turned the game around for the Eagles was

the motivating spirit of Ejike who kept the Moroccans busy.

“Ejike really deserved his Most Valuable Player (MVP) award, and it is a kind recognition of his efforts.

“But, overall, the Eagles showed the great Nigerian spirit, determination and patriotism, and these combined to win the game for us."

Vanguard, MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 2014 —55

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VANGUARD, MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 2014

Minister stakes another N16m for Eagles S/final match

We vowed not to go home yet — Keshi

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N extremely elat ed Minister of Sports and Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi has applauded the fighting

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NCE the dust had settled after Nigeria’s stunning 4-3 win over Morocco in a Chan quarterfinal match at the Cape Town Stadium on Saturday, Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi was left to reflect on one of the greatest games he has ever been involved in.

It was a breath-taking 90 minutes which showcased the best of African football. The game produced seven goals scored, nearly all of them brilliantly executed, as the West African team turned around a three-goal first-half deficit against a Moroccan side which very much played its part in what could well be the best Continues on Page 49

spirit of the Super Eagles of Nigeria, which beat the Atlas Lions of Morocco yesterday to qualify for the semi final of the ongoing African Continues on Page 49

Nigerians close down bars in Cape Town

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UNDREDS of Ni gerians kept late nights here in Cape Town as celebrations over Super Eagles victory over Morocco continued till early hours of

Sunday across the city.

Reveling Nigerian soccer fans were joined by their friends from South Africa at various night pubs, particularly, the Continues on Page 49

It’s Eagles, Black Stars s/final

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UPER Eagles will renew their rivalry with Ghana when both teams clash in the semifinal of the CHAN on

January 29 at the Free State Stadium. Ghana defeated Congo D.R last night to set up an all West African nation match.

RESULTS COOLING OFF ••• Super Eagles’ players cooling off in the pool of their hotel on Sunday morning

CHAN (Libya win 4-2 on penalties) FA Cup 1 Stoke 0

Gabon 1 Libya 1 Chelsea

QUICK CROSSWORD

Sudoku TODAY'S

PUZZLE

YESTER DAY'S YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 2 Feel (5) 7 Snake (5) 8 Restrict (5) 10 Go in (5) 12 Vehicle (3) 13 Quilt (5) 15 Lived (7) 17 Peruser (6) 19 Rotter (3) 20 Deciphered (7) 23 Couple (4) 25 Face (4) 26 Dedicated (7) 30 Conifer (3) 31 Ebb (6) 34 Dishearten (7) 37 Wagon (5) 38 Vegetable (3) 39 Keen (5) 40 Madness (5) 41 List (5) 42 Spree (5)

DOWN 1 Rascal (5) 2 Avarice (5) 3 Raved (6) 4 Nobleman (4) 5 Parted (7) 6 Collier (5) 9 Frenzied (3) 11 Regain (7) 13 Hang (5) 14 Insipid (5) 16 Unhappy (3) 18 Contrition (7) 21 Eater (5) 22 Passage (5) 24 Chorus (7) 27 Strive (3) 28 Erase (6) 29 Reimburse (5) 32 Colour (5) 33 Amusing (5) 35 Enclosure (3) 36 Secure (4)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 2, Fetch 7, Glee 8, Unsaid 9, Erase 11, Car 13, Rid 15, Omen 16, Big 18, Tallied 20, Pier 22, Dump 23, Rotated 25, Cost 27, Lad 28, Mere 30, Tie 31, Dad 33, Reset 36, Severe 37, Unit 38, Train.

DOWN: 1, Gleam 2, Fee 3, Tea 4, Hue 5, Ask 6, Tibia 10, Soil 11, Compact 12, Reverse 13, Reduced 14, Dripped 16, Banal 17, Glued 18, Wed 21, Rot 24, Tame 26, Oiled 29, Rabid 32, Wet 33, Bet 34, Sea 35, Tun.

How to Play Sudoku

P

lace a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number).

Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row.

No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination.

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