THOUGH it was a rally to receive Abia State Governor Theodore Orji back into the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), it could as well pass as a gathering to sell the candidacy of President Goodluck Jonathan for the office of president in 2011, reports Assistant Editor (News) OLUKOREDE YISHAU
THE Umuahia Township Stadium started receiving guests from as early as 8am. Before then, policemen, civil defence corps, mobile policemen and operatives of the State Security Service (SSS) had taken positions at strategic parts of the capital of Abia State. Street sweepers moved from street to street ridding them of dirt.
As from Friday, August 27, hotels had been fully booked. Walls of public and private property were defaced with posters and banners. The bulk of the posters and banners were of myriad organisations campaigning for President Goodluck Jonathan to return as president in 2011. They bear all kinds of names such as Better Nigeria Movement, Goodluck Nigeria and so on. There were also posters saying ‘Orji can’t stop Orji.’ This is a play on the surname of the state’s former governor, Orji Kalu and the sitting governor, Theodore Orji—who have fallen out politically. And for those who may be querying the rationale behind Orji’s move from Progressive Grand Alliance (PPA) to All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and then to Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), member representing Aba North at the State House of Assembly, Hon. Joe Mgbeh, commissioned a leaflet explaining ‘the change from PPA to APGA now PDP.’
Mgbeh said: "His Excellency, Chief T. A Orji, the executive governor of Abia State, like Moses in the Bible who was brought up as Pharaoh’s prince, forsook all the luxury and comfort of Egyptian kingship and told "Pharaoh" that PPA is dominated by people of insatiable appetite of their own only. Not the interest of the people that called for "Point Blank ‘let my people go…’ At first he led them near Jordan, APGA though fertile land, but the people must go to the promise land (Canaan) where his Excellency Ochendo said is full of milk and honey, where he will bring the federal presence, where he will bring prosperity for the entire Abians, above all where the dividend of democracy will be assured PDP.
"Ochendo has effected the change and caused Abia-God’s own people, the children of God to rejoice— which means he is experienced, he has the good will but what he doesn’t have is time. So let us with charity support Ochendo onward 2011 bid, so as to give him the needed time. The change he has brought to Abia is a divine project. He is on the Lord’s side, let him ride on."
That Saturday, August 28, youths bearing vest with the picture of Jonathan and Governor Orji, who was that day formally received into the PDP by Jonathan, marched from streets to streets telling those who cared to listen that Jonathan and Orji must both be re-elected in 2011.
While Jonathan was yet to leave Abuja, the stadium was already filled to the brim. But popular high-life musician, Bright Chimezie was there to cool their nerves with melodious tunes.
But it was not until about mid-day that Jonathan came in. Signs that he was soon to emerge had surfaced when Vice President Namadi Sambo came in. With Jonathan in, the event started, with the traditional breaking of kolanut, which was passed round key chieftains of the party.
Speakers after speakers, such as National Chairman Okwesilieze Nwodo, the immediate past PDP National Chairman, Chief Vincent Ogbulafor, Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, Senator Ike Nwachukwu, Senator Nkechi Nwogu, Chief Ojo Maduekwe, Governor Martin Elechi, Senator Uche Chukwumerije, and Hon Agwu U. Agwu of the Abia House of Assembly, took the stage and did nothing but sing the praise of Orji and PDP. They described their party, as usual as the biggest in Africa. They also added that it is "the party that puts the food on the table.’’
Nwodo, who a month ago made the first move to woo the governor into the party, said that the party had finally found its missing rib. "This is a historic occasion that will usher in good governance in the state. What we are seeing here today can only be done by God alone," he said. He later handed over the PDP flag to the governor.
President Jonathan, who was the last to speak, restated his commitment to free and fair election in 2011 even as he charged members of his party to work hard to achieve that in order not to be queried by the international community.
Jonathan said he was passionate about his party but that it had nothing to do with the elections. "We have to do what is right in order to continue bring good leaders," he said.
"I have to thank PDP elders in Abia for what is happening today. Let me specially thank Chief Onyema Ugochukwu for making this event possible, because he was the one that contested election with the governor and there are so many litigations in court over the election. Without him dropping the suits, all we are witnessing today would not have been possible."
He said: "Our primaries is an election before election and once we do that we will go and start celebrating. "The whole of South East is a critical place and I have never seen a people that work hard like the Igbo. If you remove men and women of Igbo origin doing business in Lagos, Lagos would go into oblivion."
Jonathan further said that now that PDP has got Abia, the next target is Anambra, which he said would join in no distant time.
Orji had earlier assured Jonathan of total support. He said: "Abia is number one in your support. You are anointed. If there are people who will not support the president, let there be confusion in their camp. I have come back to PDP. If I have problem I can freely go to him and say help us. When I was in another party, he could say that helping us is anti-party (activity). But today it will no longer be anti-party to help members of your own party."
He castigated those who are working against Jonathan’s emergence in 2011 and expressed his belief that God would see Jonathan through to Aso Rock in 2011.
The crowd of commoners and dignitaries soon dispersed and Umuahia became its quiet self once again. It remains to be seen if opposition within the PDP in the state will make things smooth for the governor or ruffle feathers with him in his quest for a second term in office.
For now, he seems to be the man with the ace- despite the opinion of APGA National Chairman, Chief Victor Umeh that the governors has betrayed Ndigbo by returning to the PDP.
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Eguavoen dares NFF over Eagles job
SUPER Eagles stand-in coach Austin Eguavoen has told the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to hastily unveil the new Super Eagles coach vowing to dump the team after the African Nations Cup qualifier against Madagascar on Sunday at the National Stadium Abuja.
In an interview with NationSport in Abuja, the former international said the Football House should waste no time in ensuring that a new coach takes over the helm of Eagles' affairs before the next match.
"I am not desperate about handling the Super Eagles. I have contributed my quota for the team. I think this is the time for the Football House to unveil the new coach to enable him settle down for the task ahead," Eguaveon stated.
He stressed that his decision to handle the team for the Madagascar match was purely out of his patriotic desire fo his Fatherland.
"I was in Belgium when I was called upon to handle the team for this match. I was skeptical about it, but after a second thought, I took it as a call for service, and accepted it," the coach added.
The former ACB of Lagos player said the NFF should hand over the team to Samson Siasia because he seems to be the most popular candidate among all. He however sounded a note of warning to Saisia that he would need to apply wisdom to enable him succeed at the job.
In an interview with NationSport in Abuja, the former international said the Football House should waste no time in ensuring that a new coach takes over the helm of Eagles' affairs before the next match.
"I am not desperate about handling the Super Eagles. I have contributed my quota for the team. I think this is the time for the Football House to unveil the new coach to enable him settle down for the task ahead," Eguaveon stated.
He stressed that his decision to handle the team for the Madagascar match was purely out of his patriotic desire fo his Fatherland.
"I was in Belgium when I was called upon to handle the team for this match. I was skeptical about it, but after a second thought, I took it as a call for service, and accepted it," the coach added.
The former ACB of Lagos player said the NFF should hand over the team to Samson Siasia because he seems to be the most popular candidate among all. He however sounded a note of warning to Saisia that he would need to apply wisdom to enable him succeed at the job.
2011: Babangida, Atiku selfish, says VP Sambo
VICE-PRESIDENT Namadi Sambo Monday took a swipe at ex-Military President Ibrahim Babangida and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar over their insistence on the North producing the President in 2011.
Sambo said they were passionate about the zoning of the presidency to the North by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) because of their personal interest and aspirations.
Sambo, an architect and erstwhile Kaduna State Governor, also said the North would not lose anything, if it conceded political power to the South in next year’s election.
The Vice-President spoke on a wide range of issues in an interview –perhaps his first major outing since leaving Kaduna’s governorship for vice president – with select journalists in Abuja.
Both Babangida and Atiku have been threatening fire and brimstone, should the PDP fail to adhere to zoning which, in their estimation, cedes the presidency to the North.
They have also vowed to sink their differences and fight together to win the presidency for the North next year.
But Sambo said: "If the people that are talking do not have personal interests, then it will be a different matter. But when you see people that have interest, and they are the same people talking, then it becomes a kind of problem."
He said only President Goodluck Jonathan and his team were in the position to deliver Nigeria now, adding that it was time to refocus politics to issues rather than talking about North or South.
Said the VP: "Am I not part of the power? I think I am from the North and as the Vice-President, I have confidence that whatever a President from the North will do, I am in the best position to do it for the North.
"I remember in the 60s, when we were still children, these issues that have to do with religion, zoning and what have you were part of the issues that did not really exist.
"So, I am from the North; I’m part of power and everything that is needed to do for the North is being done. Look at what has been happening of recent.
"The major programmes that are being implemented for this part of the country, that is the northern part, there are evidence to show that we have a President that is patriotic, a President that does not have anything that is religious or sectional as part of his disposition or administration."
Asked why he is advocating a "back seat" for the North, Sambo said: "That is why we have chauffeur- driven cars. If you are chauffeur-driven, which will you prefer; will you sit in the front or at the back?"
Sambo added: "And today; we are 50 years old. The PDP has made it clear that the issue of its candidature will be in line with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and zoning is still an existing factor, it is part of the PDP constitution.
"We have gone up, we are just going to celebrate our 50th anniversary. And at the age of 50, we expect any state to have grown. This country has come a long way and, therefore, the issues that have to do with our development of effecting programmes of government that will rejuvenate the country and create a better standard of living for Nigerians are what we are looking for."
Sambo said "very soon" Jonathan would make public his intention to contest for the 2011 election, adding that Ramadan fasting accounted for the delay. "Very soon; there is no specific date yet but it will be very soon."
Sambo said Jonathan would not be breaching any law by contesting in 2011.
He added: "We have agreed that zoning is part and parcel of PDP; it has not removed zoning. But PDP has said that as far as its candidate is concerned, it respects the Federal Constitution. And in all previous elections of the PDP, despite the fact that there is zoning, all Nigerians that were interested participated in such elections.
"Just look at the last election, there were 15 candidates from the South, and about 12 or so from the North. Despite the fact that there was zoning in PDP, still the Constitution is still the prime factor that is considered in the candidature for PDP.
"Any interested candidate from any part of the country, as a Nigerian, has the right to contest, if he wishes, just like it has been proved in other PDP’s presidential primaries."
Responding to a question, the Vice-President said all the governors were backing the Jonathan ticket.
He said: "The Northern Governors, and in fact all the Governors of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, are being carried along and we have good relationship with them, we are moving this country together.
"And the positions of all the sections or the zones of this country have been made very clear. The governors of the Southsouth have made their statement; the governors from the Northern states have made their statement; members of the Nigerian Governors Forum have also made their statement. These statements are all in line with our position. So we are all together."
Sambo dismissed alleged threats to his office by some governors who wanted VP as a precondition for backing Jonathan.
Concerning purported threats from governors to hijack the primaries with the new Electoral Act, Sambo said: "How? Have you read the amendments? Who has read the amendments? The governors do not control as many official delegates as it used to be.
"Their concern is about who can deliver so that our society will change to a society we can all be proud of and so that our socio- economic status will improve. I think that is the major concern of Nigerians."
Regarding the new management of INEC, he said it would be able to deliver its target.
The Vice-President denied that his political influence had waned in his Kaduna home state.
He said: "I have not heard of that really and in practice I have not seen anything like that. In fact, just before you came in, I received a group of political friends from Kaduna and they said the government is doing everything in line with the programmes we have put in place together in Kaduna and all these politicians are from Kaduna.
"We are even always getting stronger and strengthening all issues with politics in Kaduna State. It is just the same thing. Like I said, it is the same story; people say a lot of things that may not be right.
"So, really as far as I know, Kaduna is still a strong PDP state and we are moving on as one family."
Sambo said they were passionate about the zoning of the presidency to the North by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) because of their personal interest and aspirations.
Sambo, an architect and erstwhile Kaduna State Governor, also said the North would not lose anything, if it conceded political power to the South in next year’s election.
The Vice-President spoke on a wide range of issues in an interview –perhaps his first major outing since leaving Kaduna’s governorship for vice president – with select journalists in Abuja.
Both Babangida and Atiku have been threatening fire and brimstone, should the PDP fail to adhere to zoning which, in their estimation, cedes the presidency to the North.
They have also vowed to sink their differences and fight together to win the presidency for the North next year.
But Sambo said: "If the people that are talking do not have personal interests, then it will be a different matter. But when you see people that have interest, and they are the same people talking, then it becomes a kind of problem."
He said only President Goodluck Jonathan and his team were in the position to deliver Nigeria now, adding that it was time to refocus politics to issues rather than talking about North or South.
Said the VP: "Am I not part of the power? I think I am from the North and as the Vice-President, I have confidence that whatever a President from the North will do, I am in the best position to do it for the North.
"I remember in the 60s, when we were still children, these issues that have to do with religion, zoning and what have you were part of the issues that did not really exist.
"So, I am from the North; I’m part of power and everything that is needed to do for the North is being done. Look at what has been happening of recent.
"The major programmes that are being implemented for this part of the country, that is the northern part, there are evidence to show that we have a President that is patriotic, a President that does not have anything that is religious or sectional as part of his disposition or administration."
Asked why he is advocating a "back seat" for the North, Sambo said: "That is why we have chauffeur- driven cars. If you are chauffeur-driven, which will you prefer; will you sit in the front or at the back?"
Sambo added: "And today; we are 50 years old. The PDP has made it clear that the issue of its candidature will be in line with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and zoning is still an existing factor, it is part of the PDP constitution.
"We have gone up, we are just going to celebrate our 50th anniversary. And at the age of 50, we expect any state to have grown. This country has come a long way and, therefore, the issues that have to do with our development of effecting programmes of government that will rejuvenate the country and create a better standard of living for Nigerians are what we are looking for."
Sambo said "very soon" Jonathan would make public his intention to contest for the 2011 election, adding that Ramadan fasting accounted for the delay. "Very soon; there is no specific date yet but it will be very soon."
Sambo said Jonathan would not be breaching any law by contesting in 2011.
He added: "We have agreed that zoning is part and parcel of PDP; it has not removed zoning. But PDP has said that as far as its candidate is concerned, it respects the Federal Constitution. And in all previous elections of the PDP, despite the fact that there is zoning, all Nigerians that were interested participated in such elections.
"Just look at the last election, there were 15 candidates from the South, and about 12 or so from the North. Despite the fact that there was zoning in PDP, still the Constitution is still the prime factor that is considered in the candidature for PDP.
"Any interested candidate from any part of the country, as a Nigerian, has the right to contest, if he wishes, just like it has been proved in other PDP’s presidential primaries."
Responding to a question, the Vice-President said all the governors were backing the Jonathan ticket.
He said: "The Northern Governors, and in fact all the Governors of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, are being carried along and we have good relationship with them, we are moving this country together.
"And the positions of all the sections or the zones of this country have been made very clear. The governors of the Southsouth have made their statement; the governors from the Northern states have made their statement; members of the Nigerian Governors Forum have also made their statement. These statements are all in line with our position. So we are all together."
Sambo dismissed alleged threats to his office by some governors who wanted VP as a precondition for backing Jonathan.
Concerning purported threats from governors to hijack the primaries with the new Electoral Act, Sambo said: "How? Have you read the amendments? Who has read the amendments? The governors do not control as many official delegates as it used to be.
"Their concern is about who can deliver so that our society will change to a society we can all be proud of and so that our socio- economic status will improve. I think that is the major concern of Nigerians."
Regarding the new management of INEC, he said it would be able to deliver its target.
The Vice-President denied that his political influence had waned in his Kaduna home state.
He said: "I have not heard of that really and in practice I have not seen anything like that. In fact, just before you came in, I received a group of political friends from Kaduna and they said the government is doing everything in line with the programmes we have put in place together in Kaduna and all these politicians are from Kaduna.
"We are even always getting stronger and strengthening all issues with politics in Kaduna State. It is just the same thing. Like I said, it is the same story; people say a lot of things that may not be right.
"So, really as far as I know, Kaduna is still a strong PDP state and we are moving on as one family."
Don’t dare Ojukwu –APGA warns Jonathan
Don’t dare Ojukwu –APGA warns Jonathan
From NEWS EDITOR
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Ojukwu
Photo: Sun News Publishing
More Stories on This Section
National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Umeh has warned President Jonathan and his PDP to steer clear of Anambra State as the party is ready to fight to protect the mandate which the people gave to Mr. Peter Obi in the last election.
Umeh, who addressed a press conference in Enugu, Monday against the backdrop of attempt by the PDP to take over the entire South-eastern states, also warned that any attempt to claim Anambra would amount to an attempt on former Biafran leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu whichwould not be tolerated.
The APGA chairman, who was particularly concerned with the utterances credited to President Jonathan over the weekend in Abia State where Governor T.A Orji defected to the PDP, that Anambra State would be next, warned that the people would resist such an intimidation.
He urged Dr. Jonathan not to dissipate energy trying to annex the South-east but to first of all solve the problems in his own home front if he wanted to run for presidency in the 2011 general elections.
Said he: “That is a wishful thinking; Jonathan should learn from Obasanjo, who in his brute dictatorship could not conquer Anambra State under the control of APGA. So for him to begin to imagine that the state will join the PDP so soon is a very wrong calculation on his part. One is that Mr. Peter Obi who is governor of Anambra State today is holding a sacred mandate of the people given to APGA, Governor Obi, and principally, to Dim Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu.
“If you go through the longest road running through Awka today you will still see Ojukwu’s billboards with Obi, ‘this is my last wish’ vote for him. Our people voted for APGA, Ojukwu in the main and then Peter Obi as an instrument. So it’s not something anybody can stay somewhere and think he can takeover. All the things Obasanjo did to destroy APGA failed due to our resistance; he even admonished the Igbo to stop following Ojukwu’s party. So this time around, the last thing Goodluck can achieve is taking over Anambra State, he cannot do that. Governor Obi on his own cannot join the PDP with this mandate he has now; that mandate is the most sacred mandate in Nigeria; it is the only one, anybody can safely say that was given by the people.
“From what we have read in recent times it is obvious that his own backyard is leaking, so if he is serious about bidding for the presidency he should go back home to patch-up his backyard instead of being desperate to annex the whole of Igbo land. It is not the way to get the support of Igbo people by intimidation and force; it has not worked for anybody in the past and it will not work this time around.
On T.A Oji’s defection, Umeh said the Abia governor “is confused and we shall look for a man of valour who will fly our flag for the governorship election in Abia State.He has a personal right to join any political party but in doing that is expected to be very firm and decisive.
“On his invitation, Ojukwu went to receive him in Umuahia alongside the governor of Anambra on July 2; that he can within so short a time make a u-turn, he has in-advertently slighted Dim Chukwuma Odimegwu Ojukwu who we hold in very high esteem in Igbo land by telling the people that he had to join the PDP on the directive of President Jonathan. What he simply exhibited is lack of courage. And portrayed Igbo as slaves in Nigeria and I want to say that Igbo are not slaves and we can never be slaves; nobody can take Igbo by force the way Governor Orji made it to look. By abandoning Ojukwu and pitching his tent with Jonathan the way he presented it, what it shows is that he doesn’t have the courage to stand on anything Igbo.”
On Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo’s assertion that APGA was a village party, the APGA boss challenged his PDP colleague to name the parties those prominent Abia leaders belonged to at their time. “Dr. M.I Okpara who was the premier of the Eastern Region and the greatest Igbo man from Abia State was a member of the NCNC; Okwesilieze Nwodo’s father served M.I Okpara in the government of NCNC.
So if NCNC cannot be described as a village party but was able to impact in the lives of the people of Eastern Region, the people who made it happen then never belonged to an amorphous party like PDP; it could be said that Nwodo lost his head when he couldn’t remember historical records.
The PDP which Nwodo is leading is an amorphous party and it doesn’t represent anything in Nigeria.”
Also Reacting to recent endorsement of presidential aspirants in the zone, Chief Umeh said; “I was with Ojukwu in Dallas USA and we monitored all these developments in the internet and we were laughing away because if you look at the endorsements being paraded you will know that Igbo have not endorsed anybody. These endorsements were procured by those being endorsed and in a period of hunger and joblessness in Nigeria people are ready to do anything for money.
“Ojukwu will come back in the next one week from his vacation and when he returns APGA will hold a leadership meeting to review all the shenanigans going on in the Igbo land politically and he will be speaking to our people. And I am sure when he speaks the people will respect him because they know where he is coming from all these people running round the streets are doing that because Ojukwu is not at home. And they are also sending people to Ojukwu to secure his support but one thing is very clear, Ojukwu is not looking for anything in Nigeria today except the uplift of the generality of the people.
APGA as a political party will play the lead in determining who becomes president and anybody looking for support in the South-east must get the nod of APGA.”
From NEWS EDITOR
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Ojukwu
Photo: Sun News Publishing
More Stories on This Section
National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Umeh has warned President Jonathan and his PDP to steer clear of Anambra State as the party is ready to fight to protect the mandate which the people gave to Mr. Peter Obi in the last election.
Umeh, who addressed a press conference in Enugu, Monday against the backdrop of attempt by the PDP to take over the entire South-eastern states, also warned that any attempt to claim Anambra would amount to an attempt on former Biafran leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu whichwould not be tolerated.
The APGA chairman, who was particularly concerned with the utterances credited to President Jonathan over the weekend in Abia State where Governor T.A Orji defected to the PDP, that Anambra State would be next, warned that the people would resist such an intimidation.
He urged Dr. Jonathan not to dissipate energy trying to annex the South-east but to first of all solve the problems in his own home front if he wanted to run for presidency in the 2011 general elections.
Said he: “That is a wishful thinking; Jonathan should learn from Obasanjo, who in his brute dictatorship could not conquer Anambra State under the control of APGA. So for him to begin to imagine that the state will join the PDP so soon is a very wrong calculation on his part. One is that Mr. Peter Obi who is governor of Anambra State today is holding a sacred mandate of the people given to APGA, Governor Obi, and principally, to Dim Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu.
“If you go through the longest road running through Awka today you will still see Ojukwu’s billboards with Obi, ‘this is my last wish’ vote for him. Our people voted for APGA, Ojukwu in the main and then Peter Obi as an instrument. So it’s not something anybody can stay somewhere and think he can takeover. All the things Obasanjo did to destroy APGA failed due to our resistance; he even admonished the Igbo to stop following Ojukwu’s party. So this time around, the last thing Goodluck can achieve is taking over Anambra State, he cannot do that. Governor Obi on his own cannot join the PDP with this mandate he has now; that mandate is the most sacred mandate in Nigeria; it is the only one, anybody can safely say that was given by the people.
“From what we have read in recent times it is obvious that his own backyard is leaking, so if he is serious about bidding for the presidency he should go back home to patch-up his backyard instead of being desperate to annex the whole of Igbo land. It is not the way to get the support of Igbo people by intimidation and force; it has not worked for anybody in the past and it will not work this time around.
On T.A Oji’s defection, Umeh said the Abia governor “is confused and we shall look for a man of valour who will fly our flag for the governorship election in Abia State.He has a personal right to join any political party but in doing that is expected to be very firm and decisive.
“On his invitation, Ojukwu went to receive him in Umuahia alongside the governor of Anambra on July 2; that he can within so short a time make a u-turn, he has in-advertently slighted Dim Chukwuma Odimegwu Ojukwu who we hold in very high esteem in Igbo land by telling the people that he had to join the PDP on the directive of President Jonathan. What he simply exhibited is lack of courage. And portrayed Igbo as slaves in Nigeria and I want to say that Igbo are not slaves and we can never be slaves; nobody can take Igbo by force the way Governor Orji made it to look. By abandoning Ojukwu and pitching his tent with Jonathan the way he presented it, what it shows is that he doesn’t have the courage to stand on anything Igbo.”
On Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo’s assertion that APGA was a village party, the APGA boss challenged his PDP colleague to name the parties those prominent Abia leaders belonged to at their time. “Dr. M.I Okpara who was the premier of the Eastern Region and the greatest Igbo man from Abia State was a member of the NCNC; Okwesilieze Nwodo’s father served M.I Okpara in the government of NCNC.
So if NCNC cannot be described as a village party but was able to impact in the lives of the people of Eastern Region, the people who made it happen then never belonged to an amorphous party like PDP; it could be said that Nwodo lost his head when he couldn’t remember historical records.
The PDP which Nwodo is leading is an amorphous party and it doesn’t represent anything in Nigeria.”
Also Reacting to recent endorsement of presidential aspirants in the zone, Chief Umeh said; “I was with Ojukwu in Dallas USA and we monitored all these developments in the internet and we were laughing away because if you look at the endorsements being paraded you will know that Igbo have not endorsed anybody. These endorsements were procured by those being endorsed and in a period of hunger and joblessness in Nigeria people are ready to do anything for money.
“Ojukwu will come back in the next one week from his vacation and when he returns APGA will hold a leadership meeting to review all the shenanigans going on in the Igbo land politically and he will be speaking to our people. And I am sure when he speaks the people will respect him because they know where he is coming from all these people running round the streets are doing that because Ojukwu is not at home. And they are also sending people to Ojukwu to secure his support but one thing is very clear, Ojukwu is not looking for anything in Nigeria today except the uplift of the generality of the people.
APGA as a political party will play the lead in determining who becomes president and anybody looking for support in the South-east must get the nod of APGA.”
No deal with IBB - Jonathan •Aide faults report on president
2011 presidency:
No deal with IBB - Jonathan
•Aide faults report on president
From NEWS EDITOR
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
IBB
Photo: Sun News Publishing
More Stories on This Section
The presidency has debunked insinuations that President Goodluck Jonathan tried dissuading former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida from pursuing his presidential ambition come 2011.
The Presidency also assured that Jonathan is not against Nigerians seeking to occupy the highest office in the land, hence, he will not dissuade aspirants from pursuing their ambitions.
In a statement, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ima Niboro, reacting to a publication (not Daily Sun), insinuating that President Jonathan complained to some northern groups that visited him that some South-South governors were out to sabotage him, said the newspaper’s refusal to correct the report despite being reminded that it was false, was an ongoing campaign of calumny against the President.
Niboro said this is even moreso when there is no purpose to be served by it, since the long suffering masses would decide who governs them in a free and fair contest.
“Anyone who has even a passing acquaintance with the President knows he is not one who dissuades people from pursuing their personal ambitions. This is even moreso when there is no purpose to be served by it, since the long suffering mass of the Nigerian people would decide who governs them in a free and fair contest.
“Since June 12, 1993, Nigerians have in successive elections become wiser. The next presidential elections, no matter who the candidates are, would sound a resonant. Never Again! Never again shall the will of the Nigerian people be quashed underfoot by the vaunting ambitions of a few.
“This is what the President has promised Nigerians, and he is fully committed to delivering on this pledge. It is therefore, unfortunate that any self-respecting newspaper should lend its pages to reporting a series of lies against the person and the institution of the Presidency. These tales are unverified and sourced from openly interested parties. They are lies, pure and simple.
“The fact is that President Jonathan had been meeting different leaders on different occasions and platforms. Some have come to inform him of their intentions to run for the Presidency. Others he has met with as a matter of courtesy being a sitting President, and keen to ensure that the next presidential elections do not degenerate into a do or die affair as our elections are sometimes wont to do.
“He has met with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; he has met with Babangida; he has met with Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, and will meet him again soon. He has met with Gen. Yakubu Gowon, two-time president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo; former president, Alhaji Shehu Shagari; former Vice President, Alex Ekwueme, and former head of state, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar. He will meet with even more leaders and political actors as the race to 2011 heats up.
“It is extremely uncharitable for anyone to spin these meetings in such negative lights, and attempt to force the President into retreat from these well-thought out engagements with political leaders of all hue and disposition in the interest of the country.
“We think it is time to put an end to this long line of false stories and verify what is served to the general public,” Niboro said.
No deal with IBB - Jonathan
•Aide faults report on president
From NEWS EDITOR
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
IBB
Photo: Sun News Publishing
More Stories on This Section
The presidency has debunked insinuations that President Goodluck Jonathan tried dissuading former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida from pursuing his presidential ambition come 2011.
The Presidency also assured that Jonathan is not against Nigerians seeking to occupy the highest office in the land, hence, he will not dissuade aspirants from pursuing their ambitions.
In a statement, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ima Niboro, reacting to a publication (not Daily Sun), insinuating that President Jonathan complained to some northern groups that visited him that some South-South governors were out to sabotage him, said the newspaper’s refusal to correct the report despite being reminded that it was false, was an ongoing campaign of calumny against the President.
Niboro said this is even moreso when there is no purpose to be served by it, since the long suffering masses would decide who governs them in a free and fair contest.
“Anyone who has even a passing acquaintance with the President knows he is not one who dissuades people from pursuing their personal ambitions. This is even moreso when there is no purpose to be served by it, since the long suffering mass of the Nigerian people would decide who governs them in a free and fair contest.
“Since June 12, 1993, Nigerians have in successive elections become wiser. The next presidential elections, no matter who the candidates are, would sound a resonant. Never Again! Never again shall the will of the Nigerian people be quashed underfoot by the vaunting ambitions of a few.
“This is what the President has promised Nigerians, and he is fully committed to delivering on this pledge. It is therefore, unfortunate that any self-respecting newspaper should lend its pages to reporting a series of lies against the person and the institution of the Presidency. These tales are unverified and sourced from openly interested parties. They are lies, pure and simple.
“The fact is that President Jonathan had been meeting different leaders on different occasions and platforms. Some have come to inform him of their intentions to run for the Presidency. Others he has met with as a matter of courtesy being a sitting President, and keen to ensure that the next presidential elections do not degenerate into a do or die affair as our elections are sometimes wont to do.
“He has met with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; he has met with Babangida; he has met with Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, and will meet him again soon. He has met with Gen. Yakubu Gowon, two-time president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo; former president, Alhaji Shehu Shagari; former Vice President, Alex Ekwueme, and former head of state, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar. He will meet with even more leaders and political actors as the race to 2011 heats up.
“It is extremely uncharitable for anyone to spin these meetings in such negative lights, and attempt to force the President into retreat from these well-thought out engagements with political leaders of all hue and disposition in the interest of the country.
“We think it is time to put an end to this long line of false stories and verify what is served to the general public,” Niboro said.
Monday
PDP primaries: IBB, Atiku’ll lose – Jonathan’s aide
The Special Adviser on National Assembly Matters to President Goodluck Jonathan, Senator Mohammed Abba-Aji, on Sunday said that former military President, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, and ex-Vice-President Atiku Abubabar, would lose the presidential primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party.
Abba-Aji, in a telephone interview with one of our correspondents, said that the endorsement of Jonathan by the South-West PDP on Saturday had further strengthened Jonathan’s chances of winning the primaries.
He said, “It (South-West PDP‘s declaration) is heart-warming. It is expected, judging by the fact that South-West is a very enlightened section, if not the most enlightened, of the country.
“I am happy that the South-West has come behind the President. I was expecting it judging by the utterances of its leaders.”
The presidential aide restated that Jonathan‘s camp was not disturbed by Babangida’s decision to declare his presidential ambition on September 14 or 15.
He said, ”We are not disturbed. IBB is a former President. Let him come and test his popularity. Abubakar is a former vice-president; let him also come and test his popularity . If they lose, they and their supporters will come behind Jonathan.
”The Board of Trustees , the National Working Committee, and National Executive Committee of the PDP have said that the President can run. In effect, the President is the official candidate of the party. Others could contest because of the internal democracy in the party. Let them contest, they will lose.”
Abba-Aji spoke as indications emerged in Abuja that the Babangida camp had panicked over the South-West PDP‘s endorsement of Jonathan.
A source close to the ex-military ruler said that members of his inner caucus were taken by surprise by the way all the five governors of the party in the zone endorsed Jonathan.
He said that Babangida was surprised that the governors — Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala (Oyo), Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola (Osun), Mr. Segun Oni (Ekiti) and Otunba Gbenga Daniel (Ogun) — agreed with former President Olusegun Obasanjo to support Jonathan.
The source, who spoke with one of our correspondents on the condition of anonymity, said the former military dictator had thought that at least two of the governors would break rank with the rest and support his aspiration.
He said, “Following the decision of the people of the South-West to back Jonathan, there is a serious problem in the camp of Babangida at the moment.
“The camp had thought that at least two governors from the zone will support him.
“I think he knows that the people of the region are still not happy with the way he annulled the June 12, 1993 presidential election which eventually led to the demise of its winner, Chief M.K.O Abiola. But he never thought that those who are close to him among the governors would not back him.”
The other South-West PDP leaders that attended the meeting that endorsed Jonathan’s bid were the Speaker, House of Representatives, Mr. Dimeji Bankole; the National Vice- Chairman (South-West), Alhaji Tajudeen Oladipo;and a former Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Agagu.
Others were the Senate Leader, Mr. Teslim Folarin; Bankole’s predecessor, Mrs. Olubunmi Etteh; speakers of all the state houses of assembly in the zone; and other lawmakers from the zone in the National Assembly.
Others at the meeting held at the State Parliament Building also, were a former Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Agagu; the Senate Leader, Mr. Teslim Folarin; Bankole’s predecessor, Mrs. Olubunmi Etteh; speakers of all the state houses of assembly in the zone; and other lawmakers from the zone.
Reading an eight-point communiqué to journalists at the end of the meeting, Oladipo said the decision to back Jonathan for the 2011 poll had been taken after a critical assessment of all the presidential aspirants of the party.
Abba-Aji, in a telephone interview with one of our correspondents, said that the endorsement of Jonathan by the South-West PDP on Saturday had further strengthened Jonathan’s chances of winning the primaries.
He said, “It (South-West PDP‘s declaration) is heart-warming. It is expected, judging by the fact that South-West is a very enlightened section, if not the most enlightened, of the country.
“I am happy that the South-West has come behind the President. I was expecting it judging by the utterances of its leaders.”
The presidential aide restated that Jonathan‘s camp was not disturbed by Babangida’s decision to declare his presidential ambition on September 14 or 15.
He said, ”We are not disturbed. IBB is a former President. Let him come and test his popularity. Abubakar is a former vice-president; let him also come and test his popularity . If they lose, they and their supporters will come behind Jonathan.
”The Board of Trustees , the National Working Committee, and National Executive Committee of the PDP have said that the President can run. In effect, the President is the official candidate of the party. Others could contest because of the internal democracy in the party. Let them contest, they will lose.”
Abba-Aji spoke as indications emerged in Abuja that the Babangida camp had panicked over the South-West PDP‘s endorsement of Jonathan.
A source close to the ex-military ruler said that members of his inner caucus were taken by surprise by the way all the five governors of the party in the zone endorsed Jonathan.
He said that Babangida was surprised that the governors — Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala (Oyo), Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola (Osun), Mr. Segun Oni (Ekiti) and Otunba Gbenga Daniel (Ogun) — agreed with former President Olusegun Obasanjo to support Jonathan.
The source, who spoke with one of our correspondents on the condition of anonymity, said the former military dictator had thought that at least two of the governors would break rank with the rest and support his aspiration.
He said, “Following the decision of the people of the South-West to back Jonathan, there is a serious problem in the camp of Babangida at the moment.
“The camp had thought that at least two governors from the zone will support him.
“I think he knows that the people of the region are still not happy with the way he annulled the June 12, 1993 presidential election which eventually led to the demise of its winner, Chief M.K.O Abiola. But he never thought that those who are close to him among the governors would not back him.”
The other South-West PDP leaders that attended the meeting that endorsed Jonathan’s bid were the Speaker, House of Representatives, Mr. Dimeji Bankole; the National Vice- Chairman (South-West), Alhaji Tajudeen Oladipo;and a former Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Agagu.
Others were the Senate Leader, Mr. Teslim Folarin; Bankole’s predecessor, Mrs. Olubunmi Etteh; speakers of all the state houses of assembly in the zone; and other lawmakers from the zone in the National Assembly.
Others at the meeting held at the State Parliament Building also, were a former Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Agagu; the Senate Leader, Mr. Teslim Folarin; Bankole’s predecessor, Mrs. Olubunmi Etteh; speakers of all the state houses of assembly in the zone; and other lawmakers from the zone.
Reading an eight-point communiqué to journalists at the end of the meeting, Oladipo said the decision to back Jonathan for the 2011 poll had been taken after a critical assessment of all the presidential aspirants of the party.
Mourinho will make me better coach
Guardiola: Mourinho will make me better coach
Our Editor
Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola says Jose Mourinho's arrival at Real Madrid will make him a better coach this season.
Guardiola expects to be driven to his limit by Mourinho this term.
"The arrival of Jose Mourinho to our league will make me a better coach. It is very important he coaches in Spain because he is one of the best in the world.
"He will make all coaches better," said Guardiola.
The Barca coach also spoke of his row with new AC Milan signing Zlatan Ibrahimovic's agent Mino Raiola, who still has the likes of Maxwell on his books.
"I thank the club which has sent out a statement on the issue, but I know how to defend itself," he added.
Our Editor
Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola says Jose Mourinho's arrival at Real Madrid will make him a better coach this season.
Guardiola expects to be driven to his limit by Mourinho this term.
"The arrival of Jose Mourinho to our league will make me a better coach. It is very important he coaches in Spain because he is one of the best in the world.
"He will make all coaches better," said Guardiola.
The Barca coach also spoke of his row with new AC Milan signing Zlatan Ibrahimovic's agent Mino Raiola, who still has the likes of Maxwell on his books.
"I thank the club which has sent out a statement on the issue, but I know how to defend itself," he added.
NIGERIAN striker Brown Ideye was on target
NIGERIAN striker Brown Ideye was on target yesterday for his French Club, Sochaux as they thrashed Paris Saint Germain (PSG) 3-1 in front of thousands of home fans at the Stade Auguste-Bonal.
The Nigerian player hit the net in the 20th minute to record Sochaux's second goal of the game.Sochaux who banked on some sloppy PSG defending with some swift and efficient counterattacking smashed their way ahead in the in the 14th minute when Nicolas Maurice-Belay’s angled drive was only palmed away by Gregory Coupet, who scrambled helplessly as Modibo Maiga tapped home the rebound.
But PSG continued to look fairly positive but were caught again by Brown who beat PSG, keeper Gregory Coupet at his near post after another strong Sochaux break down the left.
The first half ended on a high note for the hosts as Damien Perquis took advantage of yet more uncertain goalkeeping to head Francis Gillet’s side into an unassailable lead.
Guillaume Hoarau reduced the visitors’ deficit soon after the break with a powerful left-footed drive, but les Parisiens couldn’t get any closer, with Jeremy Clement sent-off late on.
Brown joined Sochauxd in January on a three-and-a-half year deal from Neuchatel Xamax of Switzerland. The 21-year-old makes the short jump across the Franco-Swiss border as a direct replacement for headline summer signing Charlie Davies, who was involved in a serious car accident in late 2009, and has been ruled out for the rest of the season.
The Nigerian player hit the net in the 20th minute to record Sochaux's second goal of the game.Sochaux who banked on some sloppy PSG defending with some swift and efficient counterattacking smashed their way ahead in the in the 14th minute when Nicolas Maurice-Belay’s angled drive was only palmed away by Gregory Coupet, who scrambled helplessly as Modibo Maiga tapped home the rebound.
But PSG continued to look fairly positive but were caught again by Brown who beat PSG, keeper Gregory Coupet at his near post after another strong Sochaux break down the left.
The first half ended on a high note for the hosts as Damien Perquis took advantage of yet more uncertain goalkeeping to head Francis Gillet’s side into an unassailable lead.
Guillaume Hoarau reduced the visitors’ deficit soon after the break with a powerful left-footed drive, but les Parisiens couldn’t get any closer, with Jeremy Clement sent-off late on.
Brown joined Sochauxd in January on a three-and-a-half year deal from Neuchatel Xamax of Switzerland. The 21-year-old makes the short jump across the Franco-Swiss border as a direct replacement for headline summer signing Charlie Davies, who was involved in a serious car accident in late 2009, and has been ruled out for the rest of the season.
Jonathan’s campaign chief rescued
Jonathan’s campaign chief rescued
Abductors from Minna – Police
From Our Editor
Monday, August 30
Jonathan
Photo: Sun News Publishing
More Stories on This Section
The Campaign Chief of President Goodluck Jonahan, Dr. Jaihilil Tafawa Balewa, who was kidnapped last Friday, in Abuja, the Federal Capital, has been rescued by the police.
Balewa who is the son-in-law to the late Premier of the defunct Western Region, Chief Samuel Akintola was reportedly abducted at a shopping complex in the Jabi District, where he had gone to visit hs wife.
FCT Police Commissioner, Haruna John during a press conference where he handed over the rescued Tafawa-Balewa further disclosed that the suspects who were arrested in the process of collecting the ransom fee, confessed that they all hatched the plans. The police boss also said the abductors came from Minna, the Niger State capital.
The police said the kidnappers had initially demanded N100 million ransom from the victim’s family who negotiated the sum down to N10million. He added that the two of the suspects were nabbed with one of them sustaining serious bullet wounds and receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital in Abuja. The injured suspect, the police said, was wounded while trying to pick the ransom at a designated venue within Abuja at about 10.00 pm on Saturday.
According to Haruna, “when we got the report of Dr. Jaihalil Tafawa Balewa on Friday evening, I mobilized my men including myself and swung into action. We had sleepless a night all through using every method and available equipment. Eventually, through intelligent report gathering, we traced the kidnappers and finally got this breakthrough of rescuing the victim unhurt.
“Preliminary investigation so far revealed that the kidnappers came from Minna. The one we got has confessed. Two of them were arrested while trying to pick their demanded ransom fee. The suspects came within a Honda saloon car Reg. No. KB AL 874 BRK. After finishing the operation, they still drove back to Minna with the car which is parked at the Command here.”
One of the suspects who identified himself as Adamu, a student of the College of Education, Minna, and the driver of the gang, alleged that it was one of his friends by name Fatai, who is still at large, who drafted him into the crime.
“It was my friend by name Fatai, a carpenter, who called me that there was a work that we would do in Abuja. He left Minna before me and said I should meet him at Mpape junction. I arrived Abu
Abductors from Minna – Police
From Our Editor
Monday, August 30
Jonathan
Photo: Sun News Publishing
More Stories on This Section
The Campaign Chief of President Goodluck Jonahan, Dr. Jaihilil Tafawa Balewa, who was kidnapped last Friday, in Abuja, the Federal Capital, has been rescued by the police.
Balewa who is the son-in-law to the late Premier of the defunct Western Region, Chief Samuel Akintola was reportedly abducted at a shopping complex in the Jabi District, where he had gone to visit hs wife.
FCT Police Commissioner, Haruna John during a press conference where he handed over the rescued Tafawa-Balewa further disclosed that the suspects who were arrested in the process of collecting the ransom fee, confessed that they all hatched the plans. The police boss also said the abductors came from Minna, the Niger State capital.
The police said the kidnappers had initially demanded N100 million ransom from the victim’s family who negotiated the sum down to N10million. He added that the two of the suspects were nabbed with one of them sustaining serious bullet wounds and receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital in Abuja. The injured suspect, the police said, was wounded while trying to pick the ransom at a designated venue within Abuja at about 10.00 pm on Saturday.
According to Haruna, “when we got the report of Dr. Jaihalil Tafawa Balewa on Friday evening, I mobilized my men including myself and swung into action. We had sleepless a night all through using every method and available equipment. Eventually, through intelligent report gathering, we traced the kidnappers and finally got this breakthrough of rescuing the victim unhurt.
“Preliminary investigation so far revealed that the kidnappers came from Minna. The one we got has confessed. Two of them were arrested while trying to pick their demanded ransom fee. The suspects came within a Honda saloon car Reg. No. KB AL 874 BRK. After finishing the operation, they still drove back to Minna with the car which is parked at the Command here.”
One of the suspects who identified himself as Adamu, a student of the College of Education, Minna, and the driver of the gang, alleged that it was one of his friends by name Fatai, who is still at large, who drafted him into the crime.
“It was my friend by name Fatai, a carpenter, who called me that there was a work that we would do in Abuja. He left Minna before me and said I should meet him at Mpape junction. I arrived Abu
vanguard backs Jonathan
2011: PDP vanguard backs Jonathan
By Our Editor
Monday, August 30
President Goodluck Jonathan’s perceived Presidential aspiration in the 2011 polls has recorded a major boost. A vociferous group within the fold of Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) known as PDP Vanguard has resolved to throw its weight behind the president if he decides to contest.
The group equally warned proponents of the party’s zoning policy in order to stop President Goodluck from vying for the office to desist forthwith. Mazi Chinasa Nwaneri spoke on behalf of the group after a retreat at the Nicon Luxury Hotel, Abuja.
According to him, they resolved to support Jonathan after a careful performance analysis since assuming office in the last four months. They noted that some of the economic and socio-political problems that confronted the nation in the past, which appeared insurmountable, have been solved. Some of the economic problems they noted include: perennial fuel shortages, power generation which is seriously receiving presidential attention, implementation of the terms of post amnesty programme of the Niger Delta region, among others.
Again, the group maintained that a careful perusal of President Jonathan’s odyssey including his ascendancy to power reflects the true meaning of his name ‘Goodluck’. “Obviously, there is no doubt that God has packaged Jonathan to lift Nigeria from the pit of backwardness to the rostrum of development,” the group said.
However, the group went further to observe with great interest the president’s quiet but focused disposition, loyalty, respectability, sound intellect and high leadership ability. The group observed that all these rare qualities distinguished the President from other presidential aspirants hence their resolve to support him in 2011. The President, they said is a detribalized Nigerian who has shown enough evidence that he has outgrown cultural and tribal barriers which makes him the most suitable for the office of the President come 2011.
On zoning, the group maintained that it is not only unconstitutional but retrogressive. He, however, advocated for a level playing ground where every aspirant would be given equal opportunity to contest. They labeled those zoning as anti-Nigeria and ethnic bigots, and advised them to rise above parochial and mundane issues.
...As group gives reasons for support
Mr. Emola Andrew is the Secretary General of the Lagos State Chapter of the Middle Belt Forum and a die-hard loyalist of President Gooduck Jonathan. He spoke to CHINELO AGINA on the position of the middle belt on Jonathan’s presidency and his chances in 2011polls. Excerpts
Our focus
Since the independence of this country, the middle belt region has been largely marginalized. Most often, we are denied the oppourtunity to benefit from the resources of the country. If you take a tour to the region, you will find out that most of our areas are underdeveloped, while some other parts of the country are developed.
We have suffered this injustice for long. Based on this, we decided to come together and form a body through which our agitations will be addressed. A body that will represent the ideals of the people, and that was how the Middle Belt Forum was born. This middle belt in question comprises Adamawa, Taraba, Kogi, Benue, Plateau, Niger, Southern Borno and Southern Kaduna state.
The stand of the middle belt on zoning
I am speaking the stand of the totality of those from the middle belt. We are standing on the side of people like Solomom Lar, Theophilus Danjuma, Air Commodore Dan Suleman and others who are our leaders. After the meeting, we had in Abuja in 2005, we resolved that any of our sons from the middle belt or the South-South that declares interest in the presidency, we are going to support him. That is why anytime Jonathan declares his plan to run; we have resolved that we will give him our full support.
Our fears for the North
I foresee a situation where Nigeria will divide into two after Jonathan rules for the next eight years. Apart from General Yakubu Gowon and Olusegun Obasanjo, since the independence of Nigeria, the North has ruled for 35 years. Jonathan was very loyal to the late President Umaru Yar’Adua, and we believe that God has ordained him this time for him to be on top.
By Our Editor
Monday, August 30
President Goodluck Jonathan’s perceived Presidential aspiration in the 2011 polls has recorded a major boost. A vociferous group within the fold of Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) known as PDP Vanguard has resolved to throw its weight behind the president if he decides to contest.
The group equally warned proponents of the party’s zoning policy in order to stop President Goodluck from vying for the office to desist forthwith. Mazi Chinasa Nwaneri spoke on behalf of the group after a retreat at the Nicon Luxury Hotel, Abuja.
According to him, they resolved to support Jonathan after a careful performance analysis since assuming office in the last four months. They noted that some of the economic and socio-political problems that confronted the nation in the past, which appeared insurmountable, have been solved. Some of the economic problems they noted include: perennial fuel shortages, power generation which is seriously receiving presidential attention, implementation of the terms of post amnesty programme of the Niger Delta region, among others.
Again, the group maintained that a careful perusal of President Jonathan’s odyssey including his ascendancy to power reflects the true meaning of his name ‘Goodluck’. “Obviously, there is no doubt that God has packaged Jonathan to lift Nigeria from the pit of backwardness to the rostrum of development,” the group said.
However, the group went further to observe with great interest the president’s quiet but focused disposition, loyalty, respectability, sound intellect and high leadership ability. The group observed that all these rare qualities distinguished the President from other presidential aspirants hence their resolve to support him in 2011. The President, they said is a detribalized Nigerian who has shown enough evidence that he has outgrown cultural and tribal barriers which makes him the most suitable for the office of the President come 2011.
On zoning, the group maintained that it is not only unconstitutional but retrogressive. He, however, advocated for a level playing ground where every aspirant would be given equal opportunity to contest. They labeled those zoning as anti-Nigeria and ethnic bigots, and advised them to rise above parochial and mundane issues.
...As group gives reasons for support
Mr. Emola Andrew is the Secretary General of the Lagos State Chapter of the Middle Belt Forum and a die-hard loyalist of President Gooduck Jonathan. He spoke to CHINELO AGINA on the position of the middle belt on Jonathan’s presidency and his chances in 2011polls. Excerpts
Our focus
Since the independence of this country, the middle belt region has been largely marginalized. Most often, we are denied the oppourtunity to benefit from the resources of the country. If you take a tour to the region, you will find out that most of our areas are underdeveloped, while some other parts of the country are developed.
We have suffered this injustice for long. Based on this, we decided to come together and form a body through which our agitations will be addressed. A body that will represent the ideals of the people, and that was how the Middle Belt Forum was born. This middle belt in question comprises Adamawa, Taraba, Kogi, Benue, Plateau, Niger, Southern Borno and Southern Kaduna state.
The stand of the middle belt on zoning
I am speaking the stand of the totality of those from the middle belt. We are standing on the side of people like Solomom Lar, Theophilus Danjuma, Air Commodore Dan Suleman and others who are our leaders. After the meeting, we had in Abuja in 2005, we resolved that any of our sons from the middle belt or the South-South that declares interest in the presidency, we are going to support him. That is why anytime Jonathan declares his plan to run; we have resolved that we will give him our full support.
Our fears for the North
I foresee a situation where Nigeria will divide into two after Jonathan rules for the next eight years. Apart from General Yakubu Gowon and Olusegun Obasanjo, since the independence of Nigeria, the North has ruled for 35 years. Jonathan was very loyal to the late President Umaru Yar’Adua, and we believe that God has ordained him this time for him to be on top.
You can’t predict outcome of primaries now –IBB
You can’t predict outcome of primaries now –IBB
From Our Editor
Monday, August 30, 2010
Photo: Sun News Publishing
* More Stories on This Section
The Director, Media and Communications of the IBB Presidential Campaign Organization, Prince Kassim Afegbua has said it is too early to predict what the outcome of the yet-to-be-held primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Afegbua made the assertion in a statement against the purported endorsement of President Goodluck Jonathan by members of the South-west PDP. He stated emphatically that the purported endorsement “does not reflect the actual permutations on ground.”
While urging the teeming party members and would-be delegates to the 2010 presidential primaries of the PDP to ignore the report, the organization’s spokesman stated that that it was too early for anyone to declare the results of an election that has not been held, let alone determine who holds the ace. “Given the sophistication of the South-West, we are of the belief that the delegates would express their preference for IBB to any other aspirant bearing in mind that the issue of zoning is one principle that cannot be ignored,” Afegbua pointed out.
The statement read thus: “The reported endorsement of the undeclared intention of President Goodluck Jonathan by the South West PDP and non-PDP members does not reflect the actual permutations on ground. The South West is no doubt a politically sophisticated and enlightened zone comprising distinguished Nigerians who are well familiar and at home with the political dynamics of the country. It is therefore unlikely that such distinguished, enlightened, civilized and politically conscious people would reportedly concede to the endorsement of an aspirant that had neither declared nor made public his intentions. We suspect that someone is trying to be smart by half.
“Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, who is the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of our great party has repeatedly said that he and other party chieftains would maintain their neutrality to all aspirants but would exercise their rights to vote at the primaries for any aspirant of their choice. The recent reported endorsement of President Goodluck Jonathan who has not declared his intention to run defeats the earlier neutrality position of former President Olusegun Obasanjo on the choice of aspirants.
As one of the leaders of the party, a former President and elder statesman, we expect that his word should be his bond. We will not be drawn into any argument with those who easily suspect the political moves of former President Obasanjo, but we insist that a true leader should stand by his word.
From Our Editor
Monday, August 30, 2010
Photo: Sun News Publishing
* More Stories on This Section
The Director, Media and Communications of the IBB Presidential Campaign Organization, Prince Kassim Afegbua has said it is too early to predict what the outcome of the yet-to-be-held primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Afegbua made the assertion in a statement against the purported endorsement of President Goodluck Jonathan by members of the South-west PDP. He stated emphatically that the purported endorsement “does not reflect the actual permutations on ground.”
While urging the teeming party members and would-be delegates to the 2010 presidential primaries of the PDP to ignore the report, the organization’s spokesman stated that that it was too early for anyone to declare the results of an election that has not been held, let alone determine who holds the ace. “Given the sophistication of the South-West, we are of the belief that the delegates would express their preference for IBB to any other aspirant bearing in mind that the issue of zoning is one principle that cannot be ignored,” Afegbua pointed out.
The statement read thus: “The reported endorsement of the undeclared intention of President Goodluck Jonathan by the South West PDP and non-PDP members does not reflect the actual permutations on ground. The South West is no doubt a politically sophisticated and enlightened zone comprising distinguished Nigerians who are well familiar and at home with the political dynamics of the country. It is therefore unlikely that such distinguished, enlightened, civilized and politically conscious people would reportedly concede to the endorsement of an aspirant that had neither declared nor made public his intentions. We suspect that someone is trying to be smart by half.
“Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, who is the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of our great party has repeatedly said that he and other party chieftains would maintain their neutrality to all aspirants but would exercise their rights to vote at the primaries for any aspirant of their choice. The recent reported endorsement of President Goodluck Jonathan who has not declared his intention to run defeats the earlier neutrality position of former President Olusegun Obasanjo on the choice of aspirants.
As one of the leaders of the party, a former President and elder statesman, we expect that his word should be his bond. We will not be drawn into any argument with those who easily suspect the political moves of former President Obasanjo, but we insist that a true leader should stand by his word.
Odemwingie, Mikel vow to wreck Madagascar
Nations Cup qualifier
Odemwingie, Mikel vow to wreck Madagascar
By Editor
Monday, August 30, 2010
•Odemwingie
Photo: Sun News Publishing
• More Stories on This Section
West Brom of England's attacker, Osaze Odemwingie and Chelsea’s midfielder, John Mikel Obi, have vowed to put up superlative showing against Madagascar in the Nations Cup qualifier on Saturday in Abuja.
Both players already in top form for the match promised to arrive on time and redeem their images in the national team after the 2010 World Cup disappointing outing.
Mikel whose injury kept him out of the World Cup is keen to re-launch himself back into the team with the Madagascar march, while Odemwingie is ‘on fire’ with the recent transfer to West Brom.
The youngster has now fully recovered and looks forward to playing for Chelsea and Nigeria regularly."Towards the end of last season before I was injured, I was in good shape and playing almost every week.
Then, I got injured, had surgery and did my rehab,” claimed the Nigerian midfielder, while talking to the club’s official site.
Odemwingie, Mikel vow to wreck Madagascar
By Editor
Monday, August 30, 2010
•Odemwingie
Photo: Sun News Publishing
• More Stories on This Section
West Brom of England's attacker, Osaze Odemwingie and Chelsea’s midfielder, John Mikel Obi, have vowed to put up superlative showing against Madagascar in the Nations Cup qualifier on Saturday in Abuja.
Both players already in top form for the match promised to arrive on time and redeem their images in the national team after the 2010 World Cup disappointing outing.
Mikel whose injury kept him out of the World Cup is keen to re-launch himself back into the team with the Madagascar march, while Odemwingie is ‘on fire’ with the recent transfer to West Brom.
The youngster has now fully recovered and looks forward to playing for Chelsea and Nigeria regularly."Towards the end of last season before I was injured, I was in good shape and playing almost every week.
Then, I got injured, had surgery and did my rehab,” claimed the Nigerian midfielder, while talking to the club’s official site.
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