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Ogbulafor’s successor: Jonathan, governors, NASS members divided

Written by informationnigeria / Filed in Nigerian News

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Two days after the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Prince Vincent Ogbulafor, tendered his resignation letter, intense lobbying has commenced among members of the party for his successor.
Saturday Punch learnt that the top hierarchy of the party is divided over who should be propped up to succeed Ogbulafor, who served a 30-day notice of [...]
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Goodluck Jonathan Selects Kaduna Governor Namadi Sambo As VP

Written by Kingsley Ezeani / Filed in Nigerian News

12345

President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday did the unexpected by selecting Namadi Sambo, the Governor of Kaduna State as
the Vice President.
Sources have revealed that Goodluck Jonathan’s choice of Sambo over the long list of nominees was because he felt
he could work with Sambo.
Sambo, a relatively new entrant into the Nigerian political scene became the Governor [...]
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2011: Presidential aide hints that Jonathan may contest

Written by informationnigeria / Filed in Nigerian News

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The Special Adviser on National Assembly Matters to the President, Mr. Cairo Ojuogboh, on Wednesday dropped hints that President Goodluck Jonathan may contest next year’s presidential election.
He told journalists at the National Assembly, Abuja that Jonathan could vie for the race on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party.
Ojuogboh later issued a statement clarifying that [...]
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Court Grants Ogbulafor Bail

Written by informationnigeria / Filed in Nigerian News

12345

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) yesterday arraigned Vincent Ogbulafor, the national chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) over allegations of executing fictitious contracts.
Mr. Ogbulafor pleaded not guilty to the 16-count charge and was granted bail on liberal terms by the presiding judge, Ishaq Bello.
The arraignment was stalled at its [...]
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Obasanjo, Danjuma clash over Jonathan’s VP

Written by informationnigeria / Filed in Nigerian News

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A MAJOR confrontation is brewing between the Lt. General Theophilus Danjuma (rtd) led Presidential Advisory Committee, PAC and former President Olusegun Obasanjo over what is considered as the latter’s undue pressure on President Goodluck Jonathan on who becomes the nation’s Vice President.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo is said to be pilling pressure on President Jonathan [...]

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Ogbulafor’s successor: Jonathan, governors, NASS members divided

Two days after the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Prince Vincent Ogbulafor, tendered his...
Goodluck Jonathan Selects Kaduna Governor Namadi Sambo As VP

President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday did the unexpected by selecting Namadi Sambo, the Governor of Kaduna...
2011: Presidential aide hints that Jonathan may contest

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Yar’Adua: Revisiting the motion killed by the Senate

Yar’Adua: Revisiting the motion killed by the Senate

By OLUWOLE JOSIAH, Published: Saturday, 15 May 2010
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Sick-looking President Yar’Adua

Nigeria‘s 13th head of state, President Umaru Yar‘Adua, died on May 5 and his remains have since been buried. But the controversy surrounding the handling of his condition in his last months on earth could not be interred with him.

While his aides held sway at the Aso Rock Villa where he was on life support machine and shielded him from Nigerians, including his deputy, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, it was speculations all the way until the news of his death ended the ping-pong.

It is still mourning period for those who loved him and held him in admiration. But for others in the majority, the lies told Nigerians and the reign of chicanery during those dark weeks have deflated the kind of outflow of emotions reserved for gentle souls like that of Yar‘Adua.

As someone said, ”We mourned him long ago; there is nothing left. Who are they deceiving? Are they expecting us to believe that he just died?” This is not an isolated opinion. Many Nigerians share similar sentiments, even though it remains unresolved what actually happened from November 23, 2009 when he was flown to Saudi Arabia to last week Wednesday, when his death was announced.

On Tuesday, the Senate and the House of Representatives took the entire sessions to pay tribute to the departed President. While the eulogies poured out on the floor of the Senate, there were intermittent interjections of lamentations for the manner the late president was treated by his aides and family.

The argument is that Yar‘Adua was the President of Nigeria and occupied an office created by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It was then an affront on the people of Nigeria for a selfish few to play hide-and-seek with the health of the President.

The motion presented by the Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, to set the stage for the valedictory session, betrayed the eagerness of the leadership of the Senate to get to the root of the matter.

According to Ekweremadu, Yar‘Adua deserved all the honour, accolade and respect a former head of state could get, yet in spite of his enormous goodwill, his last days on earth were, to say the least, controversial for no fault of his.

”His illness and hospitalisation was badly managed by his aides and close associates. The half truth, deceit and secrecy orchestrated from 23rd of November 2009 when he was flown out on medical vacation to the time of his death was an insult and an embarrassment to the whole country.

”Our President deserved a better treatment than the politics that was played with his illness and hospitalisation. As we pay respect to our late and dear president, distinguished colleagues, the nation deserves to know exactly what happened so that we can put speculation to rest for ever.”

Ekweremadu called attention to some salient questions, which hitherto bothered the minds of many Nigerians. These questions, he said, were begging for answers. For instance, what exactly was the ailment that killed the President? Did he have the best possible medical treatment? Why did his handlers prefer Saudi Arabia to Germany where he was receiving treatment initially? Was he recovering in Saudi Arabia? Why was he brought home in February? Was he truly aware of the things going on around him? Who was behind the policy of denial of access to our president from the time he left Nigeria in November till his death? What was the reason for the denial of access to all those who had sought to see him, especially his Vice President?

There is no doubt that finding answers to these questions would remove the scales of deception that is still hanging over the eyes of the Nigerian populace. Such understanding would evoke a genuine sympathy and not a political one that pervades the land.

For the Deputy Senate President, it was time the perpetrators of the act were made to face the truth and as he put it, ”He (Yar‘Adua) was our president. We need to clear our minds and ensure that such embarrassment will not arise again in this country.”

Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, who is also the Deputy Leader of the Senate, was emotional about it. He placed the facts on the floor in a manner becoming of a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

He said, ”The Senate is a creation of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The Office of the President is a creation of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We are not just talking about Yar‘Adua as a private citizen, but the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

”Circumstances surrounding his death have thrown up some constitutional issues. If these issues are not resolved, they might turn around to endanger the Constitution.”

In buttressing his call for a probe, Ndoma-Egba noted that while Yar‘Adua was no longer in control of himself, those around him negated the essence of the President and endangered his legacies.

He said the circumstances around Yar‘Adua‘s death must be investigated so as to ensure that such actions did not reoccur.

Ndoma-Egba went an extra mile by calling the attention of the Senate to the fact that the 2009 Supplementary Budget was signed in controversial circumstances. He asked the question, ”Who signed the 2009 Supplementary Budget? We must know. We must also know why he was brought into the country in the dead of the night. Nigerians deserve to know and must know.”

Lamenting further, Ndoma-Egba said the issue should be investigated for posterity. ”It should never happen again that the President of this country should be appropriated by a few. It should be the first and the last.”

As lamentable as the situation may be, some senators still felt the mood of the time would not permit a serious enquiry. Even the intervention of the President of the Senate, David Mark, could not sway the thinking of the senators.

Mark was certain that the matter demanded some form of investigation. He said the matter should not be allowed to go without unravelling the mysteries behind it.

Referring to the shoddy manner Yar‘Adua‘s health situation was handled, Mark said, ”This unfortunately provided a fertile ground for mischief makers, rumour mongers and spin doctors of all kinds to feed the nation with fairy tales. Unfortunately, by a twist of fate, the death of this peace-loving Prince of Katsina has generated more questions than answers.

”For example, why was he taken from a hospital in Saudi Arabia to the State House when he had not fully recovered to resume duties? Who were his medical doctors and handlers? Why were we not briefed on a regular basis on the status of his health? If I know the late Umaru Musa Yar‘adua very well, these controversies, questions and confusion are the exact opposite of what he would have wished.

”We were expectantly waiting for the resumption in office of our President, having been assured at various times that he was recuperating, only to be confronted with the shocking news of his death.

”Clearly, the Federal Government owes the nation an explanation on the shortcomings surrounding the management and handling of our late President when he took ill. The Federal Government must provide answers to these questions to avoid a repeat in future. It is my sincere hope and belief that at the end of the day, some painful lessons would have been learnt.”

Senator Olorunibe Mamora, reputed for his forthrightness on thorny issues, said the inclusion of the prayer to probe the late president‘s health was out of tune with the moment of mourning. His contribution weakened the position of Mark, who thought he would get a fiery support from the Deputy Minority Leader of the Senate.

Senator Bassey Ewa-Henshaw, who had earlier shared the sentiments of Ndoma-Egba and Mark, placed the last straw and sealed the matter. According to him, the Senate lost the opportunity to investigate the President‘s health when Ndoma-Egba, at the heat of the crisis brought a motion before the Senate, but it was thrown out. ”I think we should put the matter to rest right now,” he admonished.

The Senate‘s overwhelming nay to the call to probe the shoddy handling of Yar‘Adua‘s travail at the hands of a cabal did not preclude the Presidency as it is currently constituted from going ahead with it in future. The puzzle must be solved.

While at the moment, the current feeling is sympathetic to Umaru Yar‘Adua, there is the need at a future date to revisit the import of the motion killed on the floor of the Senate on Tuesday, so that those who contrived the era of deceit would be made to explain their roles.





Comments :


* God, help us in this country. 1 thing I knw 4 sure is that senate will never support this investigating motion simply bcos,most of der strongest members workd&stil workin 4 d cabal bhind dis attrocities&dey dont want 2 implicate demslves.Add dis questions wit d 1s 2 b investigatd. Was he d 1 addrsd Nig on BBC? Was he d 1 orderd soildiers on d night claimd dat dey brot him? & finally, why r we silent abt d chronicleamerica(america site) dat tarnished our image?,claimd dat he died on 10th of dec

Posted by: Olumide , on Friday, May 14, 2010

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* I will really appreciate it if the senate can solve this mystery puzzle behind the handling of Yar’Adua’s health.

Posted by: Akin , on Friday, May 14, 2010

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Ibori is going to die in jail

Ibori will not be extradited to Nigeria –Source

By Akin Oyedele, Abuja, Published: Saturday, 15 May 2010
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Embattled former Governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori

Contrary to widespread belief, fugitive former Governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori, will not be extradited to Nigeria, investigation has revealed.

A top security source told our correspondent on Friday that the Metropolitan Police were in the process of extraditing the ex-governor to the United Kingdom to face money laundering charges.

Although the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had wished to have Ibori extradited to the country, the move was stalled by lack of extradition treaty between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates.

It was, however, gathered that operatives of the EFCC departed the country on Friday with ”relevant papers and documents” to assist the Met police in the trial of the ex-governor.

The UK and the UAE governments signed extradition treaty and mutual legal assistance in 2008, which paved the way for the UK to seek the extradition of Ibori from Dubai.

The ex-governor was arraigned for alleged theft in a Dubai court, on Thursday, following his arrest in his hotel room on Wednesday, by the Metropolitan Police.

He was, however, granted bail and left to ”go free,” according to his media aide, Mr. Tony Eluemunor.

The source said, ”We can‘t bring Ibori to Nigeria for now, because we don‘t have an extradition treaty with the UAE for now. We are in the process of entering into a treaty agreement with them.

”But the UK has a treaty with Dubai, and that is why our operatives are going there with relevant papers and documents to assist the Metropolitan Police in the movement of Ibori to the UK and his eventual trial.

”It is only after the UK might have been through with him that we can apply for his extradition from there to Nigeria to face the charges here.”

The source further said in the event that Ibori was found guilty of the charges against him and sentenced to prison, he would first be extradited to Nigeria for prosecution before going back to serve the jail term.

If he was also found guilty of the charges against him in Nigeria and jailed, the EFCC source said the ex-governor would be brought back to the country immediately after serving his jail term in the UK.

In a telephone interview with our correspondent, EFCC Head, Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Babafemi, confirmed that operatives of the commission departed the country for Dubai on Friday. He said, ”The Chairman (Mrs. Farida Waziri) gave directives on Thursday for our operatives to move to Dubai for further action. That directive has been complied with already. Our operatives left Nigeria for Dubai this (Friday) evening.”

He declined comments on whether Ibori was being brought to Nigeria or whether the EFCC operatives were only going to the UK to assist the Met police.

Ibori is wanted in the UK to answer charges on money laundering and other criminal offences, for which his associates, lawyer and family members are currently standing trial in a Southwark Crown Court, London.

Ibori‘s cat-and-mouse game with the EFCC entered a new phase in March when the commission declared him wanted on the strength of a fresh petition written against him by Delta State Elders, Leaders and Stakeholders Forum.

The stakeholders from Ibori‘s home state, led by Chief Edwin Clarke, had requested the EFCC to investigate the ex-governor for allegedly diverting the state‘s resources to personal use.

Ibori was alleged to have used 528 million units of the state‘s shares in Oceanic Bank as collateral for a personal loan he obtained from Intercontinental Bank for his private company, Ascot Offshore Nigeria Ltd.

Before fleeing abroad, the ex-governor had hibernated in his native Oghara home, where militants overwhelmed a police team led by a Deputy Inspector-General, Mr. Udom Ekpoudom, in a failed bid to arrest him.

Justice Marcel Awokulehin of an Asaba Federal High Court had earlier quashed the 170-count charge bordering on corruption, which the EFCC preferred against Ibori. The anti-graft agency had appealed the decision.



Comments :


* my greatest wonderis that, how did he managed to sneak out of the country to xubai i/ the first place?

Posted by: ADEJONWO KUNLE , on Friday, May 14, 2010

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* The cries of the masses has been heard. They will run and scatter in different direction, but will be caught and brought to justice. ODILLI the MASTER CRIMINAL is NEXT. God help us.

Posted by: Steeple C. , on Friday, May 14, 2010

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* HE SHOULD BE JAILED.IM ALSO WAITING 4 OHAKIM,ODILI,NNAMANI,ETC MAY GOD GRANT OUR PRAYERZ. ITS NO MORE FUNNY.WE ARE INDEED A GREAT COUNTRY BUT SEE WHAT THESE LEADERS ARE PUTTING US THRU.

Posted by: EJIKE , on Friday, May 14, 2010

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* ALL I KNOW IS THAT HIS TRADITIONAL PRISON ROOM IS STILL RESERVE FOR HIM EITHER IN NIGERIA OR IN BRITAIN.FROM DELTA STATE GOVERNOR’S PALACE TO PRISON IN BRITAIN OR KIRIKIRI IN NIGERIA. ONE OF THESE MUST WORK OUT HE WILL NEVER ESCAPE EITHER OF THEM.

Posted by: OGBENI NAIJA , on Friday, May 14, 2010

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* Thank God, this is the outset of a revolution process,the inevitable slugish response to the outcry of the downtrodden gradually filtering in, will invariably dawn on the unpatriotic incognitos under the guise of government official. The earth is the Lord’s and the fulness thereof,the eyes of the lord are all over the earth, there is no hiding place for criminals,immunity as it sounds perishes and gives way in the end for reality that never ceases to bite to champion the cause of Justice.

Posted by: the truth , on Friday, May 14, 2010

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