Tuesday, 22 February 2011
Friday, 18 February 2011
Wednesday, 16 February 2011
LASTMA bus crushes LAWMA staff •’No, it’s a truck driven by unknown driver’ - Nigeria Tribune
Barely a week that the Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) vehicle killed a commercial motorcyclist at Ketu on Ikorodu Road in another vehicle belonging to Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has killed a staff of the state Waste Management Authority (LAWMA).
The slain woman was deployed in Ojota as a street sweeper but met her untimely death when the LASTMA bus ran over her while pursuing a commercial vehicle.
Consequently, LASTMA officials and commercial bus drivers abandoned their vehicles and escaped from the scene of the accident as sympathisers hurled curses on them.
The accident, which occurred at about 7.00a.m. threw Ojota community into confusion as residents and passersby ran helter-skelter.
Speaking with the Nigerian Tribune, an eye witness, Mr Olaitan Eretan, said that LASTMA officials were pursuing a commercial bus from Ketu area of the state when their vehicle crushed the woman who was busy sweeping the road.
However, another version of the story said the woman was ran over by a truck when its driver attempted to escape from LASTMA officials who had accosted him for flouting violating traffic rules.
Omotola Beats Genevieve to Grammy Red Carpet in LA- Source: Nigeria Thisday
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| Genevieve and Omotola |
According to reports, the actress turned singer showed up in a lovely black and white mini dress accompanied by her new management team – the new international management “Bishop Entertainment consult & Bungalow/Universal records.
The actress has starred in nearly 500 home video movies from Nigeria’s Nollywood including the critically acclaimed feature film IJE co-starring fellow Nollywood Queen Genevieve Nnaji which made rounds at many international film festivals last year.
Certainly there was no Grammy for Omotola’s singing efforts. Omotola makes history as the first Nollywood star to walk the Grammys red Carpet…Congrats mama!
Violence on Eid-el Maulud day in Jos as 12 Are Killed-Source: Nigeria Thisday
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| Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State |
Panic, tension and stampede, all enveloped the city centre, as cars collided headlong, smashing windshields and rending bumpers asunder in desperate moves by motorists to escape from being caught in the madness that began at the Abuja Market in the area.
It all began when the policeman, who was on duty but went to purchase meat from an Hausa butcher in the market, was allegedly slaughtered by the butcher.
It all began when the policeman, who was on duty but went to purchase meat from an Hausa butcher in the market, was allegedly slaughtered by the butcher.
The meat seller reportedly turned his knife and killed the unsuspecting policeman, who was simply identified as Mr. John, by tearing open his abdomen.
As if well planned, another butcher beside them, also an Hausa, went after his own customer, a young lady, standing before him, and also killed her with his knife. And before long, the entire market turned into a pandemonium as the people used knives freely on each other.
And before the arrival of soldiers, five people were already dead, while several others were seriously injured.
This provoked angry Christian youths to pounce on a commercial motorcycle operator, believed to be an Hausa, in the terminus area, who was also killed before he could escape.
This provoked angry Christian youths to pounce on a commercial motorcycle operator, believed to be an Hausa, in the terminus area, who was also killed before he could escape.
While Muslim youths, who were reciting the Quaran at the Central Mosque that had earlier been restrained from their usual yearly procession, got wind of the crisis, they immediately made to launch further offensive on the Christians, who were equally battle ready.
But for the prompt arrival of the Commander of the Military Special Task Force, Brig. Gen. Hassan Umaru, who was also observing prayers at the mosque, more casualties would have been recorded. He quickly deployed troops in the area to contain the youths.
But for the prompt arrival of the Commander of the Military Special Task Force, Brig. Gen. Hassan Umaru, who was also observing prayers at the mosque, more casualties would have been recorded. He quickly deployed troops in the area to contain the youths.
The crisis quickly escalated to Gada-Biu area of the city where four other persons were burnt beyond recognition. Three corpses were also found lying near Bingham University Teaching Hospital.
Confirming the incident, the state Police Commissioner, Alhaji Abdulrahman Akano, said four people had been arrested in connection with the pandemonium. He however denied that any other person was killed apart from the policeman, whom he said is of the Bomb Disposal unitRascals : President's Statement Uncouth, Says Tinubu - Source: Nigeria Thisday
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| Asiwaju Bola Tinubu |
Chieftain of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and former Governor of Lagos state, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu , has taken a swipe at the recent statement credited to President Goodluck Jonathan that the South West was too sophisticated and too educated to be left in the hands of radicals, saying such statement was uncouth.
Fielding questions from newsmen at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Ikeja, Lagos Tuesday, Tinubu, when asked what he thought about the statement remarked , “I think the President is wrong because that is an insult to our parents. You don’t come to this land, seek our votes and then insult our parents that they raised rascals.”
The former Governor also denied any rift with the presidential candidate of his party, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, saying the allegation that he was fighting with the former chairman of Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) was not true and accused journalists who reported the story of practicing “isiewu journalism”.
“They (reporters) want a conflict but they cannot create a conflict or crisis where one does not exist. It is most unfortunate that today journalism reporting is taking another tone. It is just the kind of ‘isi ewu’ reporting. I’m no longer surprised about all of them; they are just speculations and imaginations of somebody being very, very cunningly creative.”
When asked whether the ManagingDdirector of World Bank, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iwuala, is a candidate of ACN, Tinubu waived the question and lauded the former Minister of Finance, remarking that she might even be inclined to take up political office, considering her engagements as World Bank top official.
“She is a very qualified individual and she is an asset; she is an asset to the nation, an asset to Africa and international community, no doubt about that. But you don’t know whether she is even free now. She will be ready to serve her fatherland as a patriotic citizen who is ready to serve her at any capacity and she will be willing.
“We have so much to gain from her, intellectually, in her character and professionally and for our reputation all over the world, so it doesn’t mean that she will serve the country better as a running mate to anybody. If she is to serve again as she once served as a minister, then she should be ready to serve the country. A patriotic citizen must be ready to sacrifice for his or her nation.”
The former Governor said ACN may not merge with any other party because it could go it alone, adding that his party is the party with promise and hope, insisting that Nigerians are tired of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
“Nigeria needs a re-making. Now we are fifty years and above and every time every year, the discussion is on potential, discuss expectations. Is the hope of Nigeria not dashed by a party that has
been in power for the past twelve years and making promises, unfulfilled promises characterized with same crises all over and fake and empty promises. There are over 20 million unemployed Nigerian
graduates; several millions of unskilled labour; year after year you run a deficit budget. What is the ratio of the capital and recurrent expenditure that are set aside for developmental projects?”
Criticizing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for non-performance, Tinubu sought to know “What values that Nigerians are benefitting from this shattered umbrella and shattered hope? We have two aspects of the idea; one is that you need a thinker and a doer because it is not everybody that can steer the ship of a nation, not everybody can chart a new courseLawyer in EFCC Net over Sale of Embassy Property- source:Nigeria Thisday
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| Farida Waziri, EFCC boss |
Ugwuonye is answering questions over the sale of four choice property between 2005 and 2007 worth $26 million. The anti-graft agency which launched an investigation into the matter last year is seeking to determine those who benefitted from the proceeds of the sale which is yet to be remitted to government coffers.
A dependable source told THISDAY that the agency is also seeking those who are in custody of the proceeds of the sale as well as the tax refund.
Ugwuonye, who is believed to have received a Power of Attorney from former Nigerian Ambassador to the United States, George Obiozor, for the transaction, was picked up at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, by operatives of the State Security Service (SSS) last Saturday.
He was subsequently handed over to the commission who had declared him wanted last year.
The property in question include Nigerian Ambassador’s official residence located at 6705 Connecticut Avenue, Chevy Chase, Maryland. It was sold in August 2007 for $1.6 million.
The property in question include Nigerian Ambassador’s official residence located at 6705 Connecticut Avenue, Chevy Chase, Maryland. It was sold in August 2007 for $1.6 million.
He also sold a property located at 3100 Woodlawn Avenue in Washington DC, in August 2005 for $3.25 million.
Others are property located at 1333 16th Street, along Ritz Hotel in Washington DC, sold for $7million in 2006 and another property located at 2201 M Street, Northwest, Washing-ton DC, sold at the cost of $14.2 million.
Others are property located at 1333 16th Street, along Ritz Hotel in Washington DC, sold for $7million in 2006 and another property located at 2201 M Street, Northwest, Washing-ton DC, sold at the cost of $14.2 million.
Ugwuonye had allegedly claimed that the $1.6 million he held back was a tax refund from United States Inland Revenue Service which he said would be converted to offset the bill for an unrelated transaction he carried out for the embassy sometime in the past.
EFCC spokesman, Femi Babafemi, confirmed that Ugwuonye, was in their custody and undergoing further interrogation.
EFCC spokesman, Femi Babafemi, confirmed that Ugwuonye, was in their custody and undergoing further interrogation.
Anti-Obasanjo protest rocks Abeokuta: source nigeria punch
A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ogun State on Tuesday embarked on a protest against former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
The PDP’s faction, believed to be loyal to Governor Gbenga Daniel, accused Obasanjo of injustice and high handedness.
The group also vowed to embark on a prolong fasting and prayer against what it described as an alleged injustice being perpetrated in the state.
Party supporters drawn from all the 20 local government areas in the state had converged at the faction’s secretariat as early as 8am and from there, proceeded to major streets in Abeokuta.
The development that let to heavy traffic across the metropolis, with commuters stranded at bus stops for several hours
The protesters moved round the major streets of Abeokuta with different placards with inscriptions such as “OBJ Going! Going! Gone,” “Judiciary, enough of kangaroo injunctions,” “Ogun PDP says no to OBJ,” and “OGD is our leader in Ogun”.
The group also criticised the non-acceptance of the list of the PDP’s primaries submitted by the faction to the Independent National Electoral Commission and denied it alleged plan to defect to another party just vowed to remain in the PDP.
The PDP’s State Chairman, Mr. Joju Fadairo, while speaking at the rally, described the crisis rocking the party as temporary, assuring the faithful that the party would rise above the present challenges.
He said he was optimistic about various court injunctions and expressed the hope that the position of the group would soon be validated by the courts.
He said, “Our coming here today is to tell them that we have not left the party, we are still in this party. I assure you we shall conquer all odds because we are the owner of the PDP. We are not going anywhere.”
The PDP governorship candidate of the faction, Mr. Gboyega Isiaka, who also spoke at the rally, expressed hope in the judiciary and insisted that he would not give up the struggle.
He said, “I want to assure you that the mandate you gave me on January 9, 2011 is still sure. We are still going to conquer. We will commit everything we have on this struggle but there shall be no violence. Justice is on our side. We have respected them enough, though justice may be delayed but cannot be denied.”
Meanwhile, a group, the Coalition of Oodua Self Determination Group, has blamed Obasanjo for the recent comment by President Goodluck Jonathan that the South-West should not be left in the hands of ‘rascals’
Though the President had said on Monday that he was quoted out of context, the group said the comment was the outcome of how Obasanjo presented his kinsmen to him.
In a statement by its President and General Secretary, Dayo Ogunlana and Razaq Oloko-Oba respectively, on Tuesday, COSEG said the “President Jonathan echoed what Obasanjo whispered into his ears.”
The group added that it would be out of place for Jonathan to refer to Yoruba leaders and elders as ‘rascals’ in the presence of Obasanjo, “if he has not been dragging the reputation of our leaders in the mud in the presence of Jonathan.”
But the group expressed satisfaction in the way the South-West governors described as rascals were turning around the fortunes of their people, saying that “if a governor like Babatunde Fashola, who has been adjudged worldwide as a born performer is a ‘rascal’, then we need more ‘rascals’ like him in the country to turn it around.”
COSEG said an elderly person of Obasanjo’s status was expected to mentor the younger ones like Jonathan to mind their language when referring to a geo-political zone.
The PDP’s faction, believed to be loyal to Governor Gbenga Daniel, accused Obasanjo of injustice and high handedness.
The group also vowed to embark on a prolong fasting and prayer against what it described as an alleged injustice being perpetrated in the state.
Party supporters drawn from all the 20 local government areas in the state had converged at the faction’s secretariat as early as 8am and from there, proceeded to major streets in Abeokuta.
The development that let to heavy traffic across the metropolis, with commuters stranded at bus stops for several hours
The protesters moved round the major streets of Abeokuta with different placards with inscriptions such as “OBJ Going! Going! Gone,” “Judiciary, enough of kangaroo injunctions,” “Ogun PDP says no to OBJ,” and “OGD is our leader in Ogun”.
The group also criticised the non-acceptance of the list of the PDP’s primaries submitted by the faction to the Independent National Electoral Commission and denied it alleged plan to defect to another party just vowed to remain in the PDP.
The PDP’s State Chairman, Mr. Joju Fadairo, while speaking at the rally, described the crisis rocking the party as temporary, assuring the faithful that the party would rise above the present challenges.
He said he was optimistic about various court injunctions and expressed the hope that the position of the group would soon be validated by the courts.
He said, “Our coming here today is to tell them that we have not left the party, we are still in this party. I assure you we shall conquer all odds because we are the owner of the PDP. We are not going anywhere.”
The PDP governorship candidate of the faction, Mr. Gboyega Isiaka, who also spoke at the rally, expressed hope in the judiciary and insisted that he would not give up the struggle.
He said, “I want to assure you that the mandate you gave me on January 9, 2011 is still sure. We are still going to conquer. We will commit everything we have on this struggle but there shall be no violence. Justice is on our side. We have respected them enough, though justice may be delayed but cannot be denied.”
Meanwhile, a group, the Coalition of Oodua Self Determination Group, has blamed Obasanjo for the recent comment by President Goodluck Jonathan that the South-West should not be left in the hands of ‘rascals’
Though the President had said on Monday that he was quoted out of context, the group said the comment was the outcome of how Obasanjo presented his kinsmen to him.
In a statement by its President and General Secretary, Dayo Ogunlana and Razaq Oloko-Oba respectively, on Tuesday, COSEG said the “President Jonathan echoed what Obasanjo whispered into his ears.”
The group added that it would be out of place for Jonathan to refer to Yoruba leaders and elders as ‘rascals’ in the presence of Obasanjo, “if he has not been dragging the reputation of our leaders in the mud in the presence of Jonathan.”
COSEG said an elderly person of Obasanjo’s status was expected to mentor the younger ones like Jonathan to mind their language when referring to a geo-political zone.
Tension, tight security as Jonathan campaigns in Jos- source Nigeria Punch
The President and his deputy, Vice-President Namadi Sambo, are scheduled to hold a campaign rally in the Tin City on Wednesday (today).
Meanwhile, the Police on Tuesday barred bag-carrying supporters from attending the President’s campaign rally.
“We want to crave the understanding of the public; there will be no entry with bags into the venue of the campaign,” the police said in a statement signed by the spokesman for the state command, Apev Jacob.
Jacob, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, also advised dignitaries and party loyalists to arrive the venue of the campaign rally early in order to avoid stampede.
At least 20 people died in the stampede that ensued at the President’s rally in Port Harcourt on Saturday. Thirty-six other victims sustained injuries. Some of the injured victims are still receiving treatment at the Braithwaite Specialist Hospital, Port Harcourt.
In Jos on Tuesday, the mobile policeman, identified as Corporal John Isuwa, was stabbed to death at the Abuja Market in the Terminus Area by hoodlums who were said to have traced him to the market where he had gone to shop for his wife who just delivered a baby. A little girl who was standing by was also stabbed by the hoodlums.
An eyewitness told our correspondent that the girl however ran to safety with blood all over her body thus provoking anger among traders in the market.
“The sight of the girl with blood all over her body angered the people around and within minutes the whole market was in turmoil. Traders quickly closed their shops and vehicles started fleeing the area,” the witness narrated.
Some of those who saw the corpse of Isuwa at the Bingham University Teaching Hospital (Jankwano) were said to have launched reprisals in Gada Biu and other sections of the city.
In the reprisal attacks, three other persons were killed in Gada Biu while four others were murdered at the Terminus area.
Businesses around Rwang Pam Street, Ahmadu Bello Way, Moshalasi Juma’a and Bukuru Park were completely paralysed as traders hurriedly closed shops.
Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Abdulrahman Akano, who confirmed the incident, said that his men and soldiers attached to the Special Task Force had been mobilised to keep the peace in the areas.
Akano said that four people were arrested in connection with the incident.
At least 300 people had been killed in sectarian violence in Jos since 2008. In January 2010, no fewer than 200 people lost their lives in a violence spurred by inciting text messages.
Residents were then forced to flee to neighbouring states in the North Central region.
A NAN correspondent who went round the metropolis, reports that virtually all shops and business centres were shuttered, thereby, paralysing business activities in the metropolis.
Also, there was a heavy presence of stern looking and heavily armed security operatives in the state capital.
Capt. Charles Ekeocha, the Spokesman for the Special Task Force (STF), who confirmed the incident, described the breach of security situation as “disturbing.”
“I am not sure of the cause of the stampede, but I was told that somebody raised a false alarm, sending fear into people, who got confused and misinterpreted it to be another fresh crisis.
“There is nothing much besides the alleged death of a mobile police officer.
The spokesman, however, called on the public to ignore the rumour and go about their normal duties and gave assurance that the STF and the police were on top of the situation
Saturday, 12 February 2011
Deal that sealed Bankole’s return ticket: source Nigeria Tribune
MORE facts have emerged on how the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Dimeji Bankole was finally handed the ticket to fly the flag of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the House of Representatives election of April 2011.
It was also gathered that there are underground moves within the leadership of the party to ensure that embattled governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel was also allowed to contest in the senatorial election on the platform of the party despite the fact that the list submitted by his faction was not accepted by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Sunday Tribune learnt from party sources that some highly placed members of the party from the Southwest zone met with former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who is also the chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees, where they pleaded with the former president to allow the Speaker to contest because he is still young and needs more tutelage.
It was also learnt that former governor of Ondo State, Dr Segun Agagu, his Ekiti State counterpart, Dr Segun Oni and former governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola as well as the governor of Oyo State, Otunba Adebayo Alao- Akala were among the party leaders who met with the former president to plead the cause of the Speaker.
At the end of the meeting with Obasanjo, he was said to have assured the emissaries that he would do just as they have pleaded.
Sunday Tribune further learnt that initially, Dimeji was not expected at the Ibadan presidential flag-off because of the news that made the round that his name had been dropped by INEC. But he was said to have been assured by the party leaders that he would be given the party’s ticket.
It was, therefore, based on that assurance that Bankole arrived the ancient city of Ibadan in company of vice president Namadi Sambo.
Despite the assurances, it was gathered that Bankole was not so sure that he would be given the ticket and that may have been responsible for his very short speech at the rally when he was called to address the people.
Sunday Tribune learnt that because of the controversy the non inclusion of Bankole in the INEC list had generated all over the country, the party, at the rally, decided to do what it had never done since its formation by publicly presenting a flag to Dimeji claiming that it used the House Speaker as a point of contact to other National Assembly candidates on the platform of the party.
According to a source, “You know that in the PDP, it is only the presidential and governorship candidates that our party present flags to, we do not give other candidates. The party decided to publicly present that flag to the Speaker in order to tell the world that the speaker had been given the ticket.”
It was also learnt that accepting to give the ticket of the group which had been recognized by the INEC to Speaker Bankole did not come easy as the original owner of the ticket in Obasanjo’s group rejected the idea.
But after the intervention of Obasanjo and the assurance from Bankole that his interest would be taken into consideration, he stepped dow
Ogun ACN drops Amosun, adopts Akinlade •My defection, a rumour -Amosun : source-Nigeria Tribune
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| akinlade abiodun |
Deacon Poju Adeyemi, a former Secretary to Ogun State Government, and chairman of ACN Elders Forum, confirmed this to the Sunday Tribune.
This is despite a denial by Amosun that he did not defect from the party.
According to Amosun, in a press statement issued on Saturday, the news about his defection was a mere rumour.
However, at a meeting of the ACN Ogun Central Senatorial District, comprising of six local governments, party leaders expressed disdain over the purported defection, saying it was a betrayal of trust and an attempt to destroy the party.
The meeting, which was presided over by Chief Segun Taiwo, the senatorial district leader of the party, said while it suspected that Amosun adopted the defection option to armtwist the party to making further concessions to him and his group, the district resolved that even if Amosun made a volte face and decided to return to the ACN, he would not be welcomed.
A source at the meeting said, “we consider it the height of ingratitude for a gubernatorial candidate to say what Amosun said and do what he did.
“Who were those at the meeting where it was decided that he would be impeached after six months in office? Why should he even want to control the house.
“The house is a separate arm of the government that should not be controlled by the governor. It is a good thing that he did what he has done now. It really shows the kind of person he is.
“As the gubernatorial candidate, he should see himself as the father of all and not the head of a group. We are all aware of how the people in the party in Ogun State came together.
“There are some that came from the PDP as well as other parties. All of these interets have to be taken care of. For the person that wants to be the governor to speak like that is highly disappointing.
Fresh attack: Husband and wife beheaded, two others killed in Jos •Deposed Olugbo loses wife, 3 daughters to inferno; source Nigeria Tribune
NO fewer than four people were again killed in the early hours of Saturday in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State by some armed men suspected to be on revenge mission.
Sunday Tribune reliably gathered that the assailants who stormed a village called Shekan in the council at about 3:30 am on Saturday, were armed with various dangerous weapons and consequently descended on the inhabitants of the village at random.
A resident of the village who narrowly escaped, said an aged woman and her husband were beheaded in their sleep by the assailants, while two other members of the family were also killed.
It was learnt that before the people of the village could put their acts together for counter attack, the people had disappeared and further took cover in the nearby hills, making it difficult for the law enforcement agencies to locate them.
The state Commissioner of Police Mr. Abdulrahman Akano who confirmed the incidence, said the attack was carried out in the early hour of Saturday, adding that the attack has nothing to do with the usual Fulani invasion.
“This particular killing has nothing to do with the normal Jos crises or attacks by Fulani herdsmen, it is purely a criminal act because no cattle was rustle in the attack, these criminals can be said to be ritual killers because they beheaded the woman and went away with her head, we only found the headless body somewhere in the bush”
The Commissioner of Police said the village was in Bassa Local Government not Jos North Council adding that the affected village was in between the two local government areas.
He appealed to the people of Bassa Local government to maintain calm and should not link the attack to the Fulani.
It will be recalled that the Irigwe Community of Bassa Local Government of Plateau State, the Hausa and Fulani communities living in the area on Tuesday last week, signed a peace pact to end the incessant crises in the area.
In the dotted line of agreement, the three communities unanimously agreed that they were tired of crises, pointing out that with the signing of the accord, there would be no more bloodshed in the local government again arising from communal clashes. The event was witnessed by the Special Task Force (STF), Bassa Local Government Council Chairman, Mr. Musa Haruna Sule, the police, the immigration, the Federal Road Safety Commission, the Civil Defence and other officials of the council.
Meanwhile, At least, four people, including a wife and three daughters of the deposed Olugbo of Ugbo, Adebanjo Mafimisebi, died on Saturday, when the residence of the former monarch was razed down by fire.
The house, located on number 11, Q Road in Oba-Ile Housing Estate, Akure, was razed down completely by the fire that was said to have started in the middle of the night.
The wife of the former Oba, Ayodele Mafimisebi, three of her daughters, Folake, who was 14 years old, Adekemi, 12 years; and Oluwaseun, 8 were all consumed by the inferno.
The neighbours of the deceased were said to have raised the alarm and alerted family members of the ex-monarch that their house was on fire.
When Sunday Tribune got to the building, one of the daughters of Mafimisebi Adetutu, said but for the vigil she went to attend, she too would have been a victim.
She, however, alleged that the building was bombed by some yet to be identified assailants.
She said, “I came in around 5.00am this morning (Saturday) and saw thick smoke coming out of the building. The gate was opened and I saw some sympathizers and security men trying to evacuate the corpses of my mother and sisters.
“Their remains were then taken away to the mortuary of the state hospital in Akure.”
A neighbour of the Mafimisebi’s, who spoke on condition of anonymity, however, said that sympathisers were able to gain access into the building through the kitchen door that was left opened.
He said, “The main door that led to the building was locked but the kitchen door was left opened. The kitchen did not burn like- wise the sitting room, but the fire razed the bedrooms while the occupants were crying for help.
“We could not gain access to them because the heavy smoke created a barricade, and this forced us to call the fire service men. The deed, had however, been done before the arrival of the fire service men.”
However, a nephew of the deposed monarch, Idowu Mafimisebi, alleged that the incident was arson, saying it might have been carried out by some people that were after the ex-Olugbo.
Ogun PDP crisis: Reconciliatory meetings deadlocked •Obasanjo rejects harmonised list •Daniel ‘s faction to decide future by Wednesday: source Nigeria tribune
The last may not have been heard of the crisis rocking the Ogun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),
as the meeting between the committee set up by the Presidency and leaders of the two factions of the party ended in a deadlock.
Sunday Tribune learnt that the committee members, comprising the Chief of Staff to the President, Chief Mike Oghiadome, former PDP’s Board of Trustees (BoT) Chairman, Chief Tony Anenih and the PDP’s National Secretary, Abubakar Kawu Baraje met with the Joju Fadairo-led faction, believed to be loyal to the state governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, last Wednesday, at the Asoludero private residence of the governor in Shagamu.
The meeting did not have the other faction of the party loyal to former President Olusegun Obasanjo in attendance.
It was reliably gathered that Daniel’s faction and the Jonathan team produced a list which gave the party’s standard bearer to Gbenga Nasir Isiaka while Obasanjo’s faction should produce three persons from whom the governorship candidate of the party would choose one as his running mate.
Sunday Tribune also gathered that the former President’s faction would produce candidates for two senatorial districts, namely Ogun West and Central, while Daniel was given Ogun East. It was also agreed that the former president’s faction would produce six House of Representatives candidates, while Daniel’s faction would produce three, with the Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon Dimeji Bankole, coming from Daniel’s faction. The governor’s faction, it was further learnt, would present three quarter of the House of Assembly members while the Obasanjo group would produce one quarter of the membership of the House.
It was also gathered that the committee, comprising Chief Mike Oghiadomhe, Abubakar Kawu Baraje and an unidentified person later met with Chief Obasanjo on Thursday to present the list agreed upon with the Joju Fadairo-led faction to him.
An insider source confided in Sunday Tribune that “The former president rejected the list presented to him.”
The source told Sunday Tribune that another meeting was also held at the presidency and President Goodluck Jonathan was expected to be in attendance on Friday, but due to the late arrival of the president from the presidential rally, the meeting could not hold as scheduled. Apart from the late arrival of the president, Chief Obasanjo was reported to have arrived the venue of the meeting before members of Daniel’s faction got there, submitted his list to the presidency and left.
Sunday Tribune learnt that Governor Daniel after waiting for a very long time for the arrival of the president left Abuja. He was said to have put a call through to the president where he assured President Jonathan that the PDP crisis in the state would not in any way affect his (Jonathan’s) electoral fortune in the April polls, saying that he would surely work for the victory of the president, not only in Ogun State but also in other states of the South West geo-political zone.
It was reliably gathered that loyalists of Governor Gbenga Daniel had mapped out strategies to finally dump the PDP following the inconclusive meetings held last week to reconcile the two factions. Daniel had also resolved not to involve himself in any political scheming that could scuttle the electoral fortunes of President Jonathan in April.
Meanwhile, loyalists of Governor Gbenga Daniel are expected to announce the party that they will defect to this week, though insinuations are rife in the state that he may finally pitch his tent with the Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN) as widely rumoured last week. This is likely to happen on Wednesday.
The Chairman of Ogun State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) harmonised executive, Chief Dayo Soremi, has, however, described as false and sponsored, the reports in some newspapers that the former president and chairman, Board of Trustees of the PDP, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, tore a purported peace list supposedly sent by President Goodluck Jonathan.
In a press statement issued on Saturday in Abeokuta, Soremi said: “Our BoT chairman, as an international elder statesman, has absolute respect for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which he had occupied as a military Head of State and as a two-term civilian President.
“We wish to state categorically that there was no list of candidates in Ogun State PDP other than the one submitted by the harmonised executives and approved by the national leadership of our party.
“The list containing our party’s flag bearers have been submitted and accepted by INEC. The only alteration we made was the accommodation of Rt. Hon. Dimeji Bankole, as directed by President Goodluck Jonathan.”
Soremi expressed happiness over the reaction of people to the Olurin/Oladunjoye governorship ticket since it was confirmed with the presentation of flag in Ibadan last Tuesday.
”I can tell you that even opposition parties in Ogun State are already imploding since the ticket was announced,” he added.
Soremi urged party faithful not to be deceived by people who have already made open their intention to defect and have since directed their followers to defect.
Dozens feared dead as Jonathan flags-off campaign in S/South •President expresses shock : source Nigeria Tribune
The number of casualties was yet to be ascertained, but Police spokesperson in the state, Rita Inoma-Abbey (SP), confirmed the incident.
Abbey, however, did not confirm if any person was dead.
According to her, “those coming in were pushing and those exiting were pushing their way out. In the ensuing stampede, so many people fell down. The Police Mounted Troop (PMT) and other security agents contained the push by closing the main gate to rescue the victims”.
She added that some of the injured had been taken to the Police Clinic, Teme Clinic and the Braithwaite Memorial Hospital for treatment.
Sunday Tribune gathered that the stampede happened immediately after the acting National Chairman of the party, Dr Bello Alihuru Muhamed, had presented PDP flags to Governors Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi of River State, Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State, Timipre Sylva of Bayelsa State, Senator Liyel Imoke of Cross Rivers State and Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State.
The supporters of the governors went into wild jubilation, singing victory songs while the police could not control the large crowd.
The ensuing scuffle, it was learnt, led to the collapse of some persons who were immediately rescued by security agents and rushed to the hospital.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State government has ordered full investigation into the incident, blaming the development on poor crowd control.
Earlier, President Goodluck Jonathan and Vice-President, Namadi Sambo, had promised to bring about transformational changes in the South-South if voted into office.
Jonathan said after the April election he would sit with the governors and opinion leaders from the region to evolve a concrete development plan for the area.
The President said the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) had begun a process of investing in the petrochemical industry in the region, saying that with the proposed PIB bill, the people of the region would be given a voice in the oil and gas sector.
In his speech, host governor, Mr Rotimi Amaechi recalled that four years ago he was not allowed into the arena even when he won the party’s primary election for the governorship race.
He expressed optimism that the PDP would win at the presidential and governorship race in the state.
Meanwhile, President Jonathan has received with shock and sadness news of the unfortunate loss of some lives in the stampede at the Port Harcourt Liberation Stadium.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ima Niboro, “the president mourns with the families of the deceased and prays the Almighty to grant repose to their souls.”
The statement added that President Jonathan noted with a heavy heart, “that these are persons who came to celebrate his success at the primaries of the PDP, and wish him well in the coming elections.”
It quoted him as saying, “I am sad, and heavily weighed down by this incident. It is sad, unfortunate and regrettable. I mourn with those who mourn tonight. May God grant us all the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.
The president has directed an investigation into the cause of the stampede.
Friday, 11 February 2011
ACN In Dilemma Over Presidential Election - source Nigeria Tribune
of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) candidate, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, was missing has cast doubt over the keenness of the party to participate in the presidential election.
It is uncertain if Ribadu would be allowed by his party to forge ahead with his presidential ambition.
The initial plan of the party was to work out an alliance with the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) which would see former Lagos State governor, Senator Bola Tinubu, being the running mate of the CPC presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari.
Since the alliance talks hit the rocks, the feeling had been that ACN would support another party in the presidential election rather than going into it headlong.
Some chieftains of the party told Saturday Tribune that they were in the dark as to the plan of the party for the presidential election. They said decisions in the party were made by a clique.
According to one of them, he had been sidelined and he was never privy to what was going on in the party. He said since he was not given a sense of belonging, he had chosen to remain quiet on issues affecting the party.
Another chieftain, who did not want his name in print, said it was unfortunate that they (leaders in the party) had been left in the dark as to what the plan of the party was for the presidential election.
He noted that they were not briefed on why the alliance talks with the CPC broke down, just as he bemoaned a situation whereby the party would go into the presidential election solely.
Another source in the party affirmed that the party was desirous of participating in the presidential election.
He said that the failure of the alliance weakened the party, but that did not translate into chickening out of the presidential race.
Speaking on the development, National Publicity Secretary of the party, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said INEC was being mischievous by saying that the document of its presidential candidate was not found.
He said ACN was among the first political parties to submit documents of their presidential candidates.
Mohammed maintained that the party was keen on participating in the presidential race and there was no going back.
He added that the party’s candidate was also keen on taking part in the election and he had since started working on his campaign
PDP rejects court order and present Chime and Orji as gubernatorial candidates : source Nigeria sun newspapers
Before the scheduled flag-off of the Jonathan-Sambo campaign in the South-East yesterday, there was tension as the party had been stopped by high courts in Abuja, which restrained the PDP from submitting names of Orji and Chime to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as its candidates in the April polls.
But at exactly 3:28p.m yesterday, the PDP acting national Chairman, Alhaji Bello Mohammed, at the rally held at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, in Enugu, called up Orji and handed him the PDP flag, urging him to lead other candidates in Abia to victory at the polls.
After Orji, Governor Martin Elechi received his own flag at 3:30p.m followed by Chime, who got his at 3:33p.m and lastly Governor Ikedi Ohakim of Imo State by 3:37p.m.
However, the duo of Orji and Chime are expected to return to the court next week, where Chief Ikechi Emenike and Chief Anayo Onwuegbu are respectively claiming to be the recognised candidates of the party in Abia and Enugu states.
The duo of Eminike and Onwuegbu were, however, absent from the rally that saw in attendance President Goodluck Jonathan and his deputy, Namadi Sambo and an avalanche of PDP stalwarts from across the country.
Speaking to the large crowd at the stadium, President Jonathan promised the Igbo that he would see that kidnapping, which has become rampant in the region, was stamped out even as he would set machinery in motion to ensure that facilities that would enhance the enterprising spirit of the Igbo are put in place.
He reminded them that his administration decided to upgrade the Enugu airport to international status to ensure that cargoes from Igbo business men and women arrive very close to them.
Similarly, he said they are in the upbeat in the dredging of the River Niger, just as a dry port would be built in Aba for easy access to Igbo traders.
Jonathan also promised that the completion of the Second Niger Bridge would be of utmost priority to his administration if they return in the second dispensation.
He saluted the entrepreneurial skill of the Igbo, thanking them for taking him as one of their own.
Though he said they had not come to campaign, he urged the Igbo to vote for him in the April 9 polls, saying that he believed in the Igbo as they always keep to their promises.
According to him, the coming out of all the traditional rulers from the various states of the region to welcome him, which was the first of its kind since he started his campaign, was a clear signal of his acceptance in the region.
In his welcome address, Governor Chime told Jonathan that he had not come to Enugu to campaign, but to identify with his people who are committed to returning him in the April polls.
He advised Jonathan to go to sleep and never bother to come back campaigning in the region, as the governors of the states and their people are on top of the situation and would surely deliver the party at the polls.
Also, former vice president, Dr Alex Ekwueme, toed the line of Chime, as he assured the president of the support of the zone.
Ekwueme pointed out that the PDP got landslide victory in 1999 in the zone, advising that what was left out now for the party in achieving the same feat was for the leadership to align and reach an accord.
Also Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State, whose party, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), held its national convention the previous day in Anambra State, where they adopted Jonathan as their presidential candidate, tried to explain why they took that decision.
Obi, who spoke in Igbo said he and the national leader of the party, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu as well as APGA factional chairman, Chief Victor Umeh, agreed to do so.
Besides, he said that the South-East governors had agreed to support Jonathan, just as they vowed that none of them would vie for the positions of president or vice.
Jonathan raises funds for Hometown university - Source: PM news
The fund raising for the development of a temporary site of the federal university, Otueke, Bayelsa state holds on saturday 12 th february, 2011.
Five people are killed in fresh Jos attack - source 234 next news
Five people were confirmed killed in a fresh attack by unknown gunmen at a village in Kuru, near Jos. The attack comes barely 48 hours after two warring communities signed a peace pact to end the deadly attacks. An eyewitness told the News Agency of Nigeria that the heavily-armed attackers who invaded the village on Thursday night, also injured eight others, while several houses were burnt. The Plateau State Police Commissioner Abdularahman Akano, who confirmed the latest attack, said that no arrests had been made. Moses Dalyop, chairman of the Jos South Local Government Area also confirmed the incident, but he declined to provide further details.
“We are in a meeting, I will call you later,” he said.
The latest attack is one of several on communities in Barkin Ladi, Riyom, Bassa, Mangu and Jos South local government areas of Plateau which have resulted in scores of people being killed. On Jan. 28 this year, officers of the Special Task Force arrested 27 men who allegedly attacked and killed some villagers in Barkin Ladi Local Government. A peace accord was signed, two days ago, by Hausa-Fulani and Irigwe communities in Bassa, a pact that analysts had hoped would signal an end to the violence. (NAN)
Ibikunle Amosun dumps Action Congress of Nigeria political party for CPC - 234 next
Ogun State governorship candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria, Ibikunle Amosun, on Friday dumped the party which has just concluded arrangements to begin its campaign tour across the state.
Mr. Amosun’s sudden decision hit the state like thunder. His Media Aide, Bola Adeyemi revealed that he {Amosun} has defected to the Congress for Progressive Change whose presidential candidate is the former head of state, Muhammadu Buhari.
Sources said the decision to leave the party followed allegations that the party hierarchy failed to fully incorporate his supporters in the sharing formula of elective posts.
He alleged that apart from the governorship slot given him, all other elective posts were given to a faction of the party who were members of the old Action Congress (AC) that metamorphosed into Action Congress of Nigeria {ACN}.
Mr Adeyemi said that “some of the candidates presented to the Independent National Electoral Commission are unknown personalities who could not win election but were favoured by ACN leadership at the expense of credible and sellable ones.”
A source who prefers to be anonymous argued that, “they gave him only (4) four House of Assembly members, no senate or house of representatives seat and the deputy governor, Segun Adesegun was also impressed on him.
“All they want is to naked him, they don’t want him to have a say in the government, they want him to be a toothless governor,” he said.
Efforts to speak with Mr. Amosun proved abortive, and party leaders were said to be at a crucial meeting to find his replacement.
Mubarak resigns as president of Egypt- Source BBC news
Hosni Mubarak has stepped down as president of Egypt, after weeks of protest in Cairo and other cities
The news was greeted with a huge outburst of joy and celebration by thousands in Cairo's Tahrir Square - the heart of the demonstrations.
Mr Mubarak ruled for 30 years, suppressing dissent and protest, and jailing opponents.
US President Barack Obama said that Egypt must now move to civilian and democratic rule.
This was not the end but the beginning and there were difficult days ahead, he added, but he was confident the people could find the answers.
"The people of Egypt have spoken, their voices have been heard," he said. "Egypt will never be the same again."
"They have made it clear that nothing less than genuine democracy will carry the day."
'God help everybody'
Announcing Mr Mubarak's resignation, Vice-President Omar Suleiman said the president had handed power to the army.
Mr Suleiman said on state TV that the high command of the armed forces had taken over.
"In the name of God the merciful, the compassionate, citizens, during these very difficult circumstances Egypt is going through, President Hosni Mubarak has decided to step down from the office of president of the republic and has charged the high council of the armed forces to administer the affairs of the country," he said.
"May God help everybody."
Later an army officer read out a statement paying tribute to Mr Mubarak for "what he has given" to Egypt but acknowledging popular power.
"There is no legitimacy other than that of the people," the statement said.
The military high command is headed by Defence Minister Mohamed Hussein Tantawi.
US diplomatic cables published by Wikileaks described Mr Tantawi as "aged and change-resistant", but committed to avoiding another war with Israel.
Mr Mubarak has already left Cairo and is in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh where he has a residence, officials say.
In Cairo, thousands of people gathered outside the presidential palace, in Tahrir Square and at state TV. They came out in anger following an address by Mr Mubarak on Thursday. He had been expected to announce his resignation but stopped short of stepping down, instead transferring most powers to Mr Suleiman.A Protester said 'I'll tell my children we made this revolution possible'
"The people have brought down the regime," they chanted in reaction to the news of his eventual resignation less than 24 hours later.
Opposition leader Mohamed ElBaradei said: "This is the greatest day of my life."
Thursday, 10 February 2011
Soyinka decries insecurity, backs Ribadu for President: source nigeria guardian
THE Democratic Front for a Peoples Federation (DFPF), yesterday declared its support for the candidature of Malam Nuhu Ribadu of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the race for the Presidency in the April elections.In a communiqué issued by the party’s Directorate of Publicity after an emergency meeting by its executive in Abuja, the DFPF declared: “Following a spirited debate on the credentials, track records, and potential of all the candidates for the position of presidency, the Democratic Front has made its choice, and now declares its support for the candidacy of Mr. Nuhu Ribadu.
The party said it took this decision “with a deep sense of responsibility to the nation, and to the generation that the failed ones have produced to mop up their failures, betrayals, egocentrism and waste of one historic opportunity after another. The efforts of these ‘chosen’ to replicate themselves in the coming elections through sponsored surrogates must be countered with all possible resources and strategic thinking.
“We shall join hands with other progressives and mobilise the resources of the party, material, moral, and organisational, towards the attainment of this goal in the coming critical elections for the nation.”
Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, founded the DFPF.
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