IT IS NOW THAT THE TRUTH IS GRADUALLY UNRAVELING : TMG Dissociates Self From Presidential Debates, Accuses Organisers Of Fraud ... SaharaReporters

The Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) has dissociated itself from the presidential election debates organised by the Nigeria Elections Debate Group (NEDG).Audience made up Presidential loyalists at the 2011 debate

Chairman TMG Ibrahim Zikirullahi in a protest letter to the NEDG Executive Secretary Eddie Emessiri obtained by our reporter on Saturday in Abuja also accused the organisers of fraudulently using its name to solicit fund without its consent.

"For the avoidance of doubt, TMG wants to make it clear that at no time were we invited either verbally or in writing to participate in putting together the 2015 Presidential Election Debates. We are therefore dismayed that our name and corporate identity has been used, including in requests for sponsorship, creating the impression that TMG is officially in the know of these debates.

"To say the least, we find the unauthorized use of our corporate identity in canvassing for funding, and in creating the impression that we are an integral part of the project, unacceptable. This runs contrary to the objectives of transparency and probity that an otherwise laudable project like the Presidential Debates would seek to entrench in Nigeria’s democratic space," Zikirullahi said.

He said the TMG believes in deepening Nigeria’s democracy and would ordinarily be at the forefront of promoting activities like the debate for candidates but would however not be party to underhand moves that sacrifice due process and good conscience on the altar of expediency.

RISING UP TO THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE PEOPLE SO LATE IN THE DAY ... A GOVT DESPERATE TO HOLD ONTO POWER ... SHAME!!! : 2 Generals, others arrested over Baga ... TribuneNews

TWO Brigadier-Generals, a Lieutenant-Colonel and other officers have been placed under arrest by military authorities over the recent loss of Baga and Monguno, two Borno State communities, to Boko Haram terrorists.

One of the Generals is injured and is under watch in a medical facility.

An online news medium, Premium Times, on Friday, reported that Brigadier General Enitan Ransome-Kuti, his Chief of Staff, Lieutenant Colonel G. A. Suru and other officers were arrested for failing to repel the attack on the headquarters of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) in Baga, which Ransome-Kuti commanded.

They were detained after they arrived in Maiduguri from Monguno, where they and their troops took refuge after they were dislodged from Baga.

Also arrested, it was gathered, are the commanding officers of the 134 and 174 battalions, Lieutenant Colonel Haruna and a Major Aliyu. The two battalions are under the MNJTF but were also overrun during the Boko Haram offensive of January 3.

The officers, now being held at the Officers’ Mess of the 21 Armoured Brigade, Maiduguri, were said to have failed to come through in the face of the attack in spite of a good arsenal.

They have also been asked to account for the weapons lost to the insurgents.

A top military source disclosed to Saturday Tribune that “no nation that is serious can keep quiet over the magnitude of loss in Baga and that is why the military authorities are doing something.”

The source added: “Look at the volume of both human and material losses and the quantum loss of equipment. They themselves know that they must account for their action. Everybody in that operation must account for his action. No serious military can ignore such a disaster that occurred in Baga.

“We know the source of this (media interest in the arrests). It is because one of them is a son of a civil rights activist that is late and they are now trying to use the media to whip up sentiments. But the military is not about sentiments; if you are capable, you are, and if not, there is nothing anybody can do about it.”

Major Aliyu is the acting commanding officer of the 134 Battalion. It was learnt that the substantive commanding officer, a Lieutenant-Colonel Etang, is already facing court-martial following an attack on his battalion on November 5, 2014.

Sources said the military authorities were disappointed that the attack on Baga was not repelled by troops of both battalions and the MNJTF headquarters despite the weapons at their disposal.

The sources said the authorities are especially angry with Ransome-Kuti for failing to lead his troops to counter the Boko Haram onslaught despite the high-calibre ammunition made available to his formation.

The Brigadier-General was also said to have gone underground for four days after the MNJTF was dislodged.

“Nobody was able to reach him and nobody could tell where he was. The suspicion is that he was roaming around Maiduguri in mufti while his troops were in disarray. He and his officers have to account for everything,” a source said.

The Commander of the 5 Brigade, Monguno, a Brigadier-General Yekini, is yet to be arrested because he is being treated for the injuries he sustained during the attack, it was leant.

According to sources, Yekini is being closely watched in his hospital bed and might be arrested once he is discharged from the medical facility.

When contacted, the Director of Defence Information, Major-General Chris Olukolade, told Saturday Tribune that it is routine in the military that every officer involved in an operation accounts for his action or inaction.

“After every operation, there is what we call post mortem, and that is where we know what actually happened, and if any officer deserves commendation, the military authorities will do that, and if any is found culpable for negligence, he will be disciplined,” Olukolade said.

Suspected members of Boko Haram  had on January 3 attacked the base of the MNJTF in Baga, dislodging the soldiers.

A senior security official said the attack, which started at about 5.00 a.m., was one of the fiercest in recent times as soldiers battled to hold their grounds without success.

The MNJTF was created by defence and military chiefs from the six countries that make up the Lake Chad Basin Commission to combat arms trafficking, terrorism and related cross-border attacks that have continued to rise in the region.

In the last two years, Baga town has suffered five major attacks with high casualty – the latest being that of November 2014 when Boko Haram terrorists ambushed fishermen returning from a night fishing expedition and slit the throats of 43 of them.

The terrorists also launched three different attacks on Borno’s three largest towns – Maiduguri, Konduga and Monguno on Sunday. While the attacks on Maiduguri and Konduga were repelled by the Nigerian military, Monguno fell to the insurgents. 

MEN, BEWARE OF CHARMS AND HOT LOVE : HOW I MAKE LOVE ‘CHARMS’ FOR LADIES’ – HERBALIST REVEALS ... TON

A Lagos based herbalist blew the whistle on one of his female clients after a huge fall out which led his arrest. The herbalist was said to have exposed his client who was using a love charm he had prepared for her to use on her latest conquest – a rich billionaire, identified as Chief Greg.

According to the herbalist, Chief Greg (surname withheld) abandoned his wife, children and home in Abuja travelling across the world with his newly found mistress, Augustina Chiegeonu, claiming he had found true love but discovered after he had lost a huge chunk of his wealth to a strange lover that he had indeed been under a spell.

Reports from The Sun Newspapers  says that herbalist set Chief Greg free from the spell in a bid to punish Chiegeonu.

“I met her in one of my business trips in Lagos and months later she was all that matters to me. Could you believe that I left home for the past eight months travelling from one country to another with her? I spent millions of naira funding her various boutiques in Lagos and Abuja. I bought houses for her in Abuja and was ready to give her all, till this man who God will continue to bless rescued me”, he told Saturday Sun after he recovered his senses. Chief Greg was let loose only after a quarrel burst the deal between Augustina and the herbalist, Segun Adesoye who prepared the love charm used on the billionaire businessman.

The middle aged herbalist based in Lagos sensationally told how he was contracted by Augustina to hypnotise the victim with love charm that will make Greg divorce his wife and marry her. Trouble started when part of the deal which was for the man to get married to Augustina dragged for months.  Sometime in November 2013, the lady who was infuriated having expended more than N5.5million on the contract without any positive result, alerted the police at Lagos State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti.  She alleged that the herbalist defrauded her. As such, Adesoye was promptly arrested. Unhappy that Augustina had to go to the point of getting him arrested, the herbalist decided to let the cat out of the bag.

Having secured his bail from police detention, he sought to see the victim who was still spell-bound under the voodoo. According to Adesoye “She (Augustina) is one of my major customers who I normally mix concoction to trap wealthy men. It may sound like a joke to you but the truth is that my charm which I normally procure from Osun State has its potency. She visited my house which I normally use as a shrine with the picture of this man (showing the photograph of Greg). She said that the man is very rich but stingy to a fault. Initially I told her to bring N1.8million to enable me start the process.

We agreed that as soon as the man starts yielding to her demands, she would pay the balance of N700, 000.  “Few weeks later, she returned with my balance grateful that my charm was doing wonders. Normally she is expected to renew the charm every two months or it will lose its effect.” The herbalist further revealed that when Augustina returned for the renewal, she requested that she wanted the victim to marry her. “I made it clear to her that this is a more sophisticated charm and will cost her more. The truth is that our charm is paid for according to the worth of the man in question. Most of the times, these wealthy men have their own juju which makes it much more difficult to penetrate. She agreed to pay any amount as she has already made millions from the man. I asked her to bring more of his personal effects, which includes hair from his private part, his underwear, and sample of his sperm, his shoes and the picture of his wife.

I also asked her to bring the sum of N8million for the charm. Part of the money will be used to procure all the ingredients needed for the sacrifice. I also gave her an assurance that I will return part of the money if the man fails to marry her within three months”, the herbalist narrated. He claimed that he had to travel to Benin in Edo State in search of a stronger charm when he discovered that the spirit of the man was becoming difficult to crack. “An Osun Mountain, I was warned that it will be difficult to break his spirit to the point that he would ask her hand in marriage. Because I knew I had a name to protect, I travelled as far as to Benin in search of solution and I was told the same thing. The only alternative is to keep him spell bound under the control of the woman or kill him. “I knew that if, the man should die, my contract with Augustina will end. I decided to ask for more money with the excuse that the amount she brought was not enough.

I knew she was making so much money from that man and without my help, it wouldn’t have been possible”, he added. On why he decided to let the cat out of the bag, the herbalist said: “She is an ingrate. For the fact that my charm was able to hypnotise the man in the first place should be enough for her. I was shocked that she used her friends who are policemen to arrest me for fraud. It was then I decided to save this man from her. Shortly after I secured my bail, I contacted him (Greg) on phone. I had his numbers all the while because these are some of the things that our customers have to submit about their clients. “I contacted him and we agreed to meet at a police station and that was how I assisted him in breaking the covenant. It was then that he regained his senses and sought his family. I dare Augustina to come and challenge me again and I am ready to expose all those that I helped her to hypnotise who are still under her spell.

She should be concerned with appeasing the gods or she will become insane”, Adesoye boasted.  Happy to regain his senses but financially wrecked already, Greg in an interview with Saturday Sun thanked his stars and those who prayed for him that his lost soul be found. “I am totally shocked and never believed that such a thing is real. I met her on one of my business trips in Lagos and months later she was all that matters to me. Could you believe that I left home for the past eight months travelling from one country to another with her? I spent millions of naira funding her various boutiques in Lagos and Abuja. I bought houses for her in Abuja and was ready to give her all, till this man (the herbalist) who God will continue to bless rescued me.” According to him, he was initially angry when the herbalist who called severally demanding to see him. “I was so angry but when he told me that it was a matter of life and death, I asked him to meet me at a police station. The truth dawned on me when he brought out my favourite underwears which I thought I had misplaced. My family pictures and so many other things.

It was then I realised the damage that I have done to myself and my family.  For the past eight months, I slept from one five star hotel to another with this wicked woman. It was God who said that my time to die has not come. Most especially, I thank God for my wife who did not lose hope and prayed that I will return one day. I am re-dedicating my life to God. ” Excited that her husband returned in one piece, Sat-urday Sun learnt that his wife who could not understand why her husband suddenly decided not to pick her calls and whenever he eventually picks them, will insist that he was busy doing business in other countries and should not be disturbed. Meanwhile Saturday Sun learnt that Augustina is currently on the run after she heard that Greg had regained his senses.

A police source however said that Augustina cannot be held accountable for love crime as the law does not admit such. The source added that the herbalist may however still face charges depending on legal advice. While reacting to the legal implication of the incident, a lawyer based in Ikorodu area of Lagos,  Kazim Omotunde, said that in law such an occurrence is known as Volenti non fit Injuria  meaning that someone who deliberately enters trouble can’t complain. “ I believe that the lady must have had sex with him severally in exchange for that amount of wealth. It is rather unfortunate but it remains true that there are people out there who will stop at nothing to extort money from people. The man should accept his fate and learn to bargain properly”, the legal practitioner stated.

WOMAN WHO MARRIED HERSELF SPEAKS : Houston Woman Who Married Herself Claps Back At Critics ... InformationNigeria

On January 3rd, Houston woman Yasmin Eleby married herself after finding herself still single at 40. She got a lot of bashing from the online community for marrying herself. Many didn’t agree with her methods and slammed her for it, many others mocked her. Well, Yasmin has clapped back at her critics, and says she doesn’t regret her decision…

“The ceremony is not about me being bitter for not having a man. It wasn’t like, “OK, I’m upset that I’m 40 and don’t have a man.” I wanted to show myself my self-love, my self-worth and my self-respect. It was always about me loving me. When God sends me my husband, he will come, but until then, I’m OK with it just being with me.” Continue

Yasmin sat down with The Root to discuss why she did it and why her family and friends didn’t stop her…
 
Yasmin Eleby: For a few years leading up to my 40th birthday, I’d been joking that if I didn’t have a wedding by 40 that I would just have one myself without a groom. I thought having a wedding ceremony would be a unique way to celebrate my 40th with my family and my friends. And the closer that it got, I realized I had to put up or shut up.

The Root: I’ve been reading the reactions to all the stories on you, and a common comment is, “Where were her friends? They didn’t stop her!” When you told your friends—like, “Hey, guys, I’m going to have a wedding and marry myself!”—what did they say?
Yasmin Eleby: Some of them didn’t believe me. They thought I was joking, but once I explained to them what it would be about, they were supportive.

The Root: When the invites for the ceremony went out to guests, what was their response? 

Yasmin Eleby: Not very many people knew it was a wedding. It was kind of a surprise. The invitations just said come celebrate my birthday in a unique way. I invited two of my exes. They were both happy for me. They were excited about it once they got there and realized what was happening.

The Root: A lot of people have assumed that marrying yourself was an act of desperation. What exactly was the ceremony about for you?

Yasmin Eleby: The ceremony is not about me being bitter for not having a man. It wasn’t like, “OK, I’m upset that I’m 40 and don’t have a man.” I wanted to show myself my self-love, my self-worth and my self-respect. It was always about me loving me. When God sends me my husband, he will come, but until then, I’m OK with it just being with me.

The Root: What vows did you take during the ceremony? 

Yasmin Eleby: The first one was about forgiving myself. We’ve all made mistakes. I had to realize that if I ask for forgiveness, then it’s done. I don’t have to keep dwelling on the past. I can let it go. My second vow was to honor myself as a beautiful, fabulous being, conscious of making decisions for myself and to honor my self-worth. The third vow was love. I made a promise to love myself and to know that the more love I have for myself, the more love I have to share with others.

The Root: This all sounds so sweet, but it’s been received in a much different light. What do you think of the reactions to your ceremony? 

Yasmin Eleby: It has been blown way out of proportion. From the few comments that I’ve read, they’re trying to paint me as crazy or bitter about not having a husband, and that is so not the case. I’m not bitter, I‘m not crazy. I’m just a fun-loving unique individual, and I just wanted to do something special and different.

The Root: In hindsight, do you have any regrets about the ceremony?

Yasmin Eleby: Not one.

BUHARI SPEAKS AT THE LAGOS RALLY : Tackling insecurity will be my priority, if elected, says Buhari ... PMNews

The Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), retired Maj.-Gen.Muhammadu Buhari, on Friday said he would prioritise tackling of insecurity in the country, if elected.

Addressing party faithful at the party’s presidential campaign rally at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, Buhari said that there could be no development in a state of insecurity.

“Whatever we are going to do, we have to secure Nigeria first. What we are witnessing in the North-East where people are being killed is not acceptable.

“We know the Nigerian military is capable of bringing peace and stability to this country. They need to be given the leadership and that is what I promise, if elected,” he said.

The APC presidential candidate also promised to fix the country’s infrastructure deficit and strengthen the nation’s economy, if given the mandate.

Buhari, who described corruption as an albatross to any nation’s development, promised to tackle the menace.

He promised to create employment opportunities for the teeming unemployed youths in the country and also to give special infrastructural support to Lagos, being a former capital if elected.

The presidential candidate urged Nigerians to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to enable them perform their civic duty.

A national leader of the party, Chief Bola Tinubu, described Buhari as competent, qualified, reliable and a truthful candidate.

Tinubu, the immediate past governor of Lagos State, said “one man that has been competent, brilliant, and steadfast and advocate of the poor is Buhari,” he said.

According to him, it is patriotism that made Buhari to decide to contest in the presidential election.

Tinubu said that Buhari would have chosen to go and rest but chose to contest for the love of the country.

Gov. Rochas Okorocha of Imo said that politics should not be based on religion or tribe.

“We must not play politics of religion and tribal issues,” Okorocha said.

Mr Segun Oni, South-West Vice-Chairman of the party, said governors in the states under the party’s control would declare two work-free days to enable residents collect their Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVC).

Oni, who did not ascertain the actual dates that would be declared, said the work free days would provide residents with busy work schedules the opportunity to get their cards.

The party’s stalwart urged residents in the concerned states and all eligible Nigerians to collect their cards, saying it was their power to make the desired change.

“Your PVC is your ticket to change Nigeria. Your PVC is your ticket to end unemployment. Your PVC is your ticket to end insecurity and bring about the desired change.

“In the next couple of days, we will declare two working days in the states governed by our party to enable residents in the states obtain their PVCs.

” So I urge residents of the concerned states and indeed all Nigerians to obtain their PVCs because it is their ticket to bring about change, “he said.

Gov. Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State and his Edo counterpart, Gov. Adams Oshiomhole also addressed the crowd, saying the APC was poised to improve all the sectors of the country’s economy.

NAN reports that the campaign, which drew a massive crowd, witnessed the presentation of the party’s flags to the state governorship candidate, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, and national assembly candidates by the party’s national chairman.

Meanwhile, no fewer than 10 people were injured during a brief stampede at the rally.

NAN reports that the stampede occurred when a group of thugs brandishing weapons invaded the venue and caused people to scamper to safety.

Those who sustained injuries such as fractures were those who were trampled upon by the panicky crowd.

Normalcy was returned shortly later by policemen who chased the thugs out of the venue even as APC leader, Sen Bola Tinubu described the thugs as agents sent to disrupt the rally.

TEACHING THE TERRORISTS A LESSON : 3 Chad soldiers, 123 Boko Haram fighters killed in Cameroon ... PMNews

Three soldiers and 123 Boko Haram militants were killed when the Islamist group attacked a Chadian army contingent in northern Cameroon, the Chadian military said Friday.

Twelve soldiers were wounded in the attacks staged by the Islamist group on Thursday and Friday in the Fotokol region, according to a military statement read out on national television.

The Chadian army has sent a convoy of troops and 400 military vehicles into neighbouring Cameroon to deal with the growing threat Boko Haram poses in the region.

A LEGACY OF SLEAZE AND OUTRIGHT THEFT : Money Lost By Jonathan Can Build 10 Burj Khalifa – Fashola ... LeadershipNews

Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola on Thursday said the $20 billion allegedly declared missing under President Goodluck Jonathan’s watch can build ten Burj Khalifa in Dubai, reputed to be the tallest building in the world.

Fashola who said this at the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign rally held in Epe area of the state noted that corruption and siphoning of public funds meant for the development of the country retarded the nation’s economic growth and transformation.

He said, “Rather than develop strategies that would improve the economy, the current administration inflicted pains on the citizens.

“The Burj Khalifa building in Dubai was built with $1.5 billion, to arrest the attention of the world. This administration has lost $20 billion. The money lost by the current administration could be used to build 10 of those structures.

“We are the only oil producing country that is importing oil products. And they spent over N2 trillion importing fuel.”

Fashola added that, “Even the hate campaign against General Muhammadu Buhari(GMB) has turned to helped him. They are so desperate by sending message of hate against GMB. All the documentaries have turned to help GMB. They have forgotten that it was only GMB that was elected to serve.

“His children weren’t elected to serve. And in their desperation, they started showing pictures of children and his wife that died. Is that the type of leader that you want in Nigeria? They are doing all these in the name of politics.”

The governor said he does not hate the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) saying issues of tax default is beyond personal relationship.

He said, “I don’t hate Agbaje .Revealing the unpaid taxes of Agbaje’s pharmacy was not personal but was for economic reasons. I didn’t say you did not pay two years Land Use Charge, (LUC) you did. But you have four years unpaid LUC. If you have paid all your LUC, please publish your receipt.”

A STOLEN MANDATE RESTORED ... CONGRATS SEN DAVID UMORU : Tribunal sacks Niger East senator, declares APC candidate winner ... PremiumTimes

The National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Minna on Friday declared David Umaru of of the All Progressives Congress, APC, as the winner of the August 30 election in the Niger East Senatorial District.
>
> The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Zagbayi Nuhu, was initially declared winner of the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, after a rerun.

The Commission had declared the election inconclusive due to electoral malpractices.

Mr. Nuhu, a former deputy governor of the state, who polled 92,056 votes to Mr. Umaru’s 87,405 votes, has since taken his seat in the Senate. But the latter challenged the result.

Announcing the bye election was held last August the verdict of the three-member tribunal, its chairman, Justice Ibrahim Bako said Mr. Umaru got 79,779 votes against Mr. Nuhu’s 68,525 votes.

It is not clear if Mr. Nuhu will challenge the result at the Court of Appeal.

If sworn in, Mr. Umaru will only spend four months in the upper legislative chamber. The seat became vacant following the death of its former occupant, Awaisu Kuta.

The outgoing governor of Niger State, Babangida Aliyu, is the PDP candidate for the senatorial district in the February 14 election.

ON THAT DUBIOUSLY ORGANIZED PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE : Nigerians Support Buhari’s Decision To Boycott Debate ... PMNews

Top Nigerian analysts on Friday supported the decision of Muhammadu Buhari, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the February elections, to boycott the debate being organised by the Nigeria Election Debate Group, NEDG.

The Buhari Campaign Organisation had on Thursday announced that Buhari would boycott the debate, citing the lack of integrity of members of the group.

The organisation also said Buhari would agree to participate in any debate organised by a body seen to be neutral and that would not end up being biased.

•General Muhammadu Buhari: thanks Nigerians for massive support

Speaking with P.M.NEWS on the issue that is currently trending, Biodun Sowunmi, a rights campaigner, said he supported Buhari’s stand on the debate.

He said apart from the influence of the Nigeria Television Authority, NTA, as well as the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, FRCN, on such issues, the alleged “campaign of calumny embarked upon by the Africa Independent Television, AIT, against the person of Buhari” is enough for him to boycott the debate.

“AIT just came up with a documentary full of a lot of malicious information. How would you then participate in a debate with the AIT, NTA and FRCN as part of the organisers?

“Such platforms should be organised and anchored by an independent body. AIT has peddled a lot of lies that it is now like your enemy inviting you.

“How do you trust the NTA and FRCN not to have leaked the questions the panelists would ask the candidates during the debate to President Jonathan before hand?” he asked.

According to Festus Keyamo, Buhari took a very wise decision.

Keyamo recalled that when President Goodluck Jonathan boycotted the debate of 2011, many Nigerians did not condemn him; instead he won the election.

He then wondered why some Nigerians would insist that Buhari participate in a debate where the organisers are widely perceived to have been highly compromised.

He noted that the debate group is made of 90 percent government agencies.

“They planned to embarrass him. They would have given Jonathan the ‘expo’, they won’t give Buhari, just to embarrass Buhari.

“I totally support Buhari,” he told P.M.NEWS.

President of Voters Awareness Initiative, Barrister Wale Ogunade, said he would ordinarily have loved Buhari to participate in a debate so as to sell himself to Nigerians, but that with the way the Nigeria Election Debate Group is currently constituted, he would not participate if he were Buhari.

He said before the decision not to participate was reached, the members of the campaign group must have met and analysed the situation.

“Personally, if I am in such a situation and someone who has been trying to destroy my reputation invites me for such a debate, I won’t attend.

“They (the PDP) are taking this campaign too far. They may have organised this debate particularly to disgrace Buhari,” he said, noting that Buhari has not said he would not debate, but that he wanted people who are truly interested in the cause of Nigeria and “not these particular people.”

He said the debate group should defend its integrity by creating a platform to bring on board people and organisations with better reputation. He listed organisations like the United Nations, the EU, AU and their like as credible organisations that should be considered for debate.

He suggested that even members of political parties and other organisations could be drafted into preparing the questions for the debate.

He also used the opportunity to caution those beating the drums of war that such threats should be condemned at this period.

Barrister Mustapha Nwaokobia, the co-ordinator of the Change Ambassadors of Nigeria, said Buhari’s decision is tenable and that since he believes in logic, he thinks participating in such debate is like asking someone to deliberately drink poision or walk into a booby trap.

“They are the same media that have broadcast very satanic documentary against the person of General Buhari.

“We will not support General Buhari walking into a booby trap. We are ready for debate in a better fora. Perhaps, a Channels Television, Nigerian Bar Association or Nigerian Medical Association-organised debate would do.

He noted that Buhari would not participate in a debate with media which insulted the memories of his late wife and daughter who died of sickle cell, which he called a natural cause.

“Help us appeal to Nigerians to understand with Buhari. He loves them and the country and would participate in a debate organised by a neutral body, not this charade they are trying to organise.”

Rotimi Fashakin, Buhari’s aide also said he supported Buhari’s decision, saying if the PDP could politicise the military to embarrass one of its own, the party could do anything just to win the election.

EMPLOYING EVERY CROOKED MEANS TO SELL A TOXIC PRODUCT : Nigerian Refugees Reject Jonathan Branded Relief Materials ... NigeriaNewsDesk

Nigerian refugees in Diffa State of Niger Republic yesterday rejected relief materials branded with photographs of President Goodluck Jonathan, the BBC Hausa Service radio reported.

The items were meant to assist them in their camps in Niger Republic after fleeing Boko Haram attacks.

The report monitored in Abuja yesterday said the refugees rejected the materials because they were adorned with President Jonathan’s pictures.

National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) representatives delivered the items which  included bags of rice, vegetable oil, mattresses, textiles and rugs.

The Nigerian delegation headed by Ambassador Isa Sokoto however handed over the items to Diffa State Governor, Yakubu Gawo, who promised to ensure their distribution to the refugees.

After the materials were delivered, the displaced persons said they would not receive them, saying  there was a political undertone behind the gesture.

“Who is going to collect these items? Who, Goodluck? No, no. All this time nothing happened until now? If we knew Jonathan’s pictures were on the item, we wouldn’t have come here. We don’t want them. What are we going to use them for? If you will do such a thing, it has to be with a clean conscience,” one of the refugees said.

Another told the BBC: “Actually, I don’t want it totally. The masses are suffering. Everybody is in hardship.” But Ambassador Sokoto said they were in Niger to discharge their responsibility for the Nigerian government to cater for its citizens anywhere they may be.

THEIR REGULAR TRADE-MARK : Kennedy Okpara Distributing Jonathan’s Bribes To Pastors ... SaharaReporters

SaharaReporters can report authoritatively that John Kennedy Okpara, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), has been delivering millions of Naira in bribes to some Christian pastors on behalf of President Goodluck Jonathan.

The money is meant to buy their support of the candidature of President Jonathan in the February 14 presidential elections.

The NCPC boss, our investigation revealed is a member of Jonathan’s kitchen-cabinet specifically saddled with the responsibility of mobilizing Christian leaders. 

Okpara is described as being close to prominent Pentecostal pastors in the country, and as serving as a middle man between Jonathan and Christian communities over vital issues.

A credible source said that in that capacity, he visited some key Northern states including Kano, Kaduna and Sokoto.  Meeting with the Christian leaders, he first explained the ‘dire need’ for Jonathan to be re-elected, before delivering the largesse to them.

The pastors who met with him in the hundreds, were offered N50,000 as each, while some senior Pentecostal leaders were paid in hard currency.

Okpara is said to have so far facilitated the disbursement of public funds running into millions in the name of Jonathan’s campaign.

AN UNBIASED ASSESSMENT OF THE JONATHAN/BUHARI CONTEST ... FOR THE RECORDS : A President with good luck and General with momentum ... By Fola Ojo ... PunchNews

In next month’s presidential election are nine people – eight men and one woman. Their mission is clear, their goal is overt; they are sure they have a lot to offer Nigerians better than what the sitting President, Goodluck Jonathan, has dished on the dinner-table for Nigeria and Nigerians. So, they are desirous to bring some kind of change, and they are promising, and campaigning, trying to unseat a President with good luck.

But only one of the challengers stands out with a big momentum on his side. Physically shoulder-high standing at over six feet. A bony, bold, venturous and venturesome retired Army General; a former platoon leader, former military governor, former head of sumptuous petroleum parastatals, and former Head of State and Commander-In-Chief of Nigerian Armed Forces. Gerrymandering geeks and masters of greed and graft in government hate him and wish he dies soon. But he is globally adjudged a man of unquestionable integrity who loathes corruption and indiscipline; and perceived a tower of threat to terrorism and lunatic Islamic insurgency. This is his fourth swing at the presidency, and he keeps coming back, and now in this election cycle, he has a monumental momentum. He is Muhammadu Buhari from the sleepy desert town of Daura, Katsina State, and he is the leader of the pack of those hungry for a big piece of Goodluck from Bayelsa.

To dethrone an incumbent President anywhere in the world cannot be achieved with a recumbent approach. To defeat Goodluck Jonathan next month can be likened to a 90-year-old man climbing a rugged mountain solo. Only one person did that in history. It was the biblical Caleb. But a lot of Nigerians believe this time it is doable; some even believe it is done already. Ask Baba Olusegun Obasanjo, the man who used to be Goodluck’s mentor and benefactor. He said last week; “I see Buhari as the next President and Jonathan is aware of that…a General is always a General…”

If you don’t want to believe Obasanjo, evidences abound in the General’s rallies all over the nation. Uncontrollable crowd, tumultuous and enthusiastic with boisterous shouts and screams; “Sai Buhari, Sai Buhari….” To many of these shouters, Buhari is a god who did not slither into human existence via the birth-canal of a woman. To some, he is not just a Muhammadu, he is a prophet; and to many others, Buhari is nothing but an old, brutish bully who is only desperate for power to stock up his Hausa/Fulani clan at all costs at the expense of a neglected, pillaged and deprived minority group.

Do not mention Buhari’s name too loudly in some parts of Nigeria; these are parts that love this President. The South-South zone where the President was born see the transfer of power to any other as a heinous heisting of their exclusive heavenly-endowed right to the presidency at least until 2019. Anything short of this, their acrimonious militants want us to believe, will be an invitation to pandemonium unimaginable. They have said it openly that the Nigerian Presidency is their exclusive property.

A former Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, has declared, “We shall not allow the Presidency to be occupied by the opposition. It is our bonafide property in the South-South for now and we will not allow it to slip off.” The coordinating chairman of the Southern Nigeria People’s Assembly, Chief Edwin Clark, who is an unrepentant backer of the President recently said that the President has outperformed every president in history but “some unrepentant irredentists want him out of office. The simple reason is that as a minority, he is seen as an intruder to what rightly and exclusively remains a preserve of the Hausa-Fulani hegemony.” If the option of no-election is on the discussion table, the President’s men will jump on it like hybla-bees around stripped sugarcane. Unfortunately, in a democracy, elections are the hallmarks.

Mr. President’s stronghold, however, does not have the number to give him a clear victory over the opposition. According to figures from the Independent National Electoral Commission, the South-South (Ikwere, Ogoni, Kalabari, and all), and the South-East (Igbo) boast 17 million voters while the rest of the nation, the North (Hausa, Fulani, Kanuri, Tiv, and all), and the South-West (Yoruba) have about 54 million voters. To lock up victory on February 14, Jonathan’s Goodluck must shine throughout the North and South-West too, not just the areas where he is considered a son and an in-law.

From readings on our political barometer, a thrashing and trouncing may be lurking around at the polls for our President, except if something changes between now and Valentine’s Day, and except Buhari is less hungry for a big chunk and a piece of Goodluck in this election.

To the best of his ability, the President believes he has worked hard enough to unquestionably deserve to be re-elected. Anyone who says that Jonathan has achieved nothing is not fair to this President. He has done well in some road construction, the face of the vital railway infrastructure in Nigeria may still be considered Neanderthal compared to other nations of the world, but it is not what it used to be six years ago. There is no doubt that Jonathan has done equally well through his Agricultural Revolution. There are evidences.

However, governing Nigeria requires a lot of hard work, not just good luck. Living and doing business in Nigeria are a lot of hard work. Killing the viruses of corruption and dishonesty in public office is a lot of hard work. I believe the President has a heart to do good, but I also believe like many other Nigerians that he has assigned governance to some ogres whose hearts pant to serve self and self alone. What he boasts about as achievements do not measure up one scintilla bit to the people’s expectation of a President who promised so much just four years ago. With his own hands, he has created an environment for nine other contestants to challenge him and stay hungry for a piece of Goodluck.

In 2011, Goodluck brought the Igbo, Yoruba, Hausa, Niger Delta together under an umbrella. Four years later, the same Goodluck has torn us far and wide apart. The umbrella under which Nigerians expected help has become an umbrella of hell leaking untold pain and suffering on a nation in pervasive agony. If the President’s men had invested same amount of energy they unleashed trying to dig up Buhari’s 53 years old School Certificate on revamping electricity, silencing Boko Haram, and finding the Chibok girls, very few people will be talking about Muhammadu Buhari for president today. Jonathan had all the opportunities to be the greatest Nigerian president that ever lived, but today, he is a statue of ridicule that is detested home and abroad.

To this writer and many people I know, all the voices of approbation suffusing the air in favour of opposition party, the All Progressives Congress, is not about Buhari, it is about CHANGING how government works, CHANGING the mindsets of political office-holders that public service is not about the people serving a leader, but about the leader truly serving the people. Buhari is just the immediate beneficiary of the clamour for CHANGE, and Jonathan may be the unfortunate victim of the people’s sledge hammer of hunger for something different.

In this election, it will be too naïve for anyone of us to leave God out of the equation because only He rules in the affairs of men. That is why in a moment like this, you cannot count out anybody. Not just yet, especially if he is a Goodluck that Buhari the General is hungry to dethrone fifteen days from today.

STILL HAPPENING IN PDP STATES? : Angry youths pelt Jonathan’s convoy with stones in Taraba ... PunchNews

President Goodluck Jonathan’s convoy was again stoned on Thursday by some aggrieved youths in Jalingo, Taraba State.

Jonathan was in the city in continuation of the Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential rally.

His convoy had before Thursday been stoned in Katsina and Bauchi states when he went to seek the votes for his re-election bid.

It was gathered that the windscreens and windows of some of the vehicles on the convoy were destroyed before security operatives   used tear gas and   horsewhips to disperse the youths.

Those who witnessed the Thursday incident but pleaded anonymity told The PUNCH that the incident occurred when the President’s convoy was going to the palace of the Emir of Muri,   Abass Tafida, from the airport.

One of them said, “Security agents ensured that people were moved very far from the main but at a point, the convoy got to a particular village where the youths became restive.

“Before we knew what was happening, they started stoning the convoy.”

It however could not be determined as of press time if anyone in the convoy was hurt or any arrests made.

One of our correspondents learnt that Jonathan, who was unruffled by the incident, used the opportunity of his visit to the state to meet with   ailing Governor Danbaba Suntai.

Suntai has been unable to return to work since he was involved in a plane crash in October 2012.

The PUNCH learnt that Jonathan met with Suntai inside the Government House, Jalingo.

But while Jonathan was busy campaigning, another set of angry youths descended on the state PDP secretariat in Jalingo.

It took the intervention of security agents to save the edifice from being reduced to rubble by the angry youths who vandalised 12 vehicles on the premises.

The spokesman for the PDP in the state, Napoleon Adamu,who lamented the incident, said the youths were protesting their non-inclusion in the preparation for Jonathan’s visit.

He expressed anger that despite the Abuja accord signed by all the presidential   candidates , some elements could still go as far as attacking members of the party.

He said, “We are happy that no life was lost and we want to appeal to our teeming youths to eschew violence and not to take the law into their own hands.

“Even before the date the President’s campaign was fixed, the youths had   been complaining that they were not carried along by the committees constituted for the visit.”

At the state stadium campaign ground, Jonathan   said he would ensure the completion of both the Kashimbila Dam and the Mambilla Hydro Power projects in the state if re-elected.

He added that plans were on to establish a presidential resort at Mambilla to attract top government functionaries and business moguls to the state.

Jonathan later moved to   Yola, Adamawa State, where he again assured the people   that Michika and Madagali Local government Areas   would be recaptured by the military from Boko Haram.

Jonathan told the crowd   that his administration would provide funds to enable those affected by insurgency to rebuild their houses and live a meaningful life.

Making inferences about insinuations in certain quarters that he was going about seeking re-election when Boko Haram was intensifying its attacks on parts of the North-East, the President urged the people to disregard such.

“No human being with his right senses, except a mad man, will encourage the insurgents to attack and kill people for political purposes while he is going about looking for votes,” Jonathan said at the Mahmud Ribadu Square venue of the rally.

“No political leader will compromise his stance and connive with terrorists under whatever circumstances to declare war on his country,” he added.

Calling on the electorate to have confidence in the leadership of the PDP for accelerated development, Jonathan warned Nigerians against playing politics with insecurity.

He said that his administration was “disturbed by the insurgents’ activities” and added that it was mad   for   political opponents to claim that he was not doing much to end the insurgency which, according to him, is a global phenomenon.

“This type of allegation from politicians who campaign to garner votes from the electorate amounts to madness.   People   should   disregard such insinuations because they are aimed at   derailing our   democracy,” Jonathan added.

He advised the people to also vote for the PDP governorship candidate in the state, Nuhu Ribadu, whom, he said, would   use his position to fight Boko Haram.

A PDP topshot and a former Petroleum Minister, Prof. Jibril Aminu; former acting Governor Umaru Fintiri;   and the Senate President, David Mark, jointly called on the electorate to vote for Jonathan.

They said the best legacy the President and the government of PDP could leave behind was a good educational standard for the people.

The National Chairman of the party, Adamu Mu’azu, after thanking the people,     presented the PDP flag to Ribadu.

He   also lifted the suspension of   a former National Chairman of the party, Bamanga Tukur, and the state executive   of the PDP .

A little drama however happened when   overzealous security agents on horseback   thrashed some of the party supporters. This made some of the party loyalists to react back by hauling chairs at the security operatives.

IS THIS A JOKE OR SOMETHING? : EFCC arrests Ebonyi Governor’s son, Nnanna Elechi, over alleged money laundering offences ... PremiumTimes

Elechi Nnanna Elechi, son of Ebonyi State governor, Martin Elechi, is currently being quizzed by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

Sources at the anti- graft agency confided in PREMIUM TIMES that the member of the Ebonyi first family who arrived the Commission’s head office in Abuja Thursday morning is being grilled over allegations of money laundering running into millions of naira .

He is alleged to be the face of the family’s company that profited from contracts from the state and local governments running into millions of naira and which remain unexecuted less than four months to the end of his father’s tenure.

Mr. Elechi was yet to be released when PREMIUM TIMES checked with EFCC sources at 9 p.m. on Thursday.

Last week the anti-graft agency quizzed the Permanent Secretary of the state Ministry of Works, Cornelius Onwe; while the state’s Accountant General, Edwin Igbele; Commissioner for Finance, Timothy Ogbonnaya Odaa; and Commissioner for Local government and Chieftaincy Matters, Cele Nwali had earlier been being quizzed by operatives of the EFCC, in Abuja.

They were all fingered in allegations of fraud regarding an Asphalt Project earmarked for the 13 local government of the state by the Elechi administration for which monies running into millions of naira was deducted at source, from local government accounts.

The spokesperson for the EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, could not be reached to comment for this story. He did not answer or return multiple calls made to him. He also did not answer a text message sent to him.

Governor Elechi, a second term governor, will step down on May 29 this year, and investigators suggest he too might be interrogated and prosecuted after his tenure.

Governors and their deputies, just like the President and his vice, are constitutionally immune from trial in Nigeria until after their tenures.