Monday, 18 May 2015

Attack from home: Jonathan’s troubles in Bayelsa




The defection of all three legislators representing President Goodluck Jonathan, senator, member House of Representatives and state House of Assembly was a jolt from the blues.
By lucky imafin
After gifting the presidency to the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, the defection of the legislators underscored the inclement political weather the outgoing president is bound to face when he returns home.
Senator Clever Marcus Ikisikpo, representing Bayelsa East, President Jonathan’s senatorial district, who led the other two legislators, Hon Nado Karibo representing Ogbia federal constituency and Hon Azibola Paul Omekwe representing Ogbia constituency I in the Bayelsa State House of Assembly to defect had been particularly close to the president. He had sojourned with the president through thick and thin since 1999.
Ikisikpo, a former classroom teacher, had been elected a member of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly to represent Jonathan’s Ogbia constituency III in 1999.
Following that, he proceeded to the House of Representatives in 2003 where he was re-elected in 2007 at the same time that Dr. Jonathan emerged as vice-president. Ikisikpo was to emerge as a pawn in the remote fight between the president and former Governor Timipre Sylva in 2011.
When Ikisikpo got the ticket to represent the Bayelsa East Senate seat in 2011 many believed that it was because of his closeness to the president. However, that fact did not reflect that he got the seat at the pleasure of Sylva who had fallen out very badly with the occupant of that seat, Senator Nimi Barigha-Amange who was also a very close associate of the president.
But even at that only few until recently would comprehend that Ikisikpo, regarded as one of the longest serving PDP chieftains from the Ogbia Ijaw speaking stock could abandon his kinsman and benefactor, President Jonathan by dumping the president and his party, PDP in their most challenging times.
PDP disciplinary committee
President Goodluck Jonathan (L), being received by the Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson, on arrival at the Government House helipad, Yenagoa, for his daughter’s marriage ceremony.
President Goodluck Jonathan (L), being received by the Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson.
The decision of the PDP to set up a disciplinary committee to investigate and sanction some of its high-ranking members at the state chapter over alleged anti-party activities in the last general election and alleged hijack of the party by Governor Seriake Dickson, Vanguard reliably gathered was responsible for the defection of Ikisikpo and others to the APC folk.
The rank of the PDP, a source told our correspondent, may be further depleted as some of the big names in the party are already holding secret consultations with their supporters and the powers that be in the APC.
Evading sledgehammer
Though the names of the party members facing the disciplinary committee were not made public, it was speculated that Senator Ikisikpo was on the chopping list and that he took the decision of opting out of the party at this time. His decision was seen as an irony given that he was a convener of the party in Bayelsa while Dickson did not join in the party until about six years after.
A source close to the senator said, “It was a smart move on his part to leave the party before the sledgehammer descended on him as there is no way he could have escaped given the cold war between him and the governor. Oga is a loyalist of the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, and you don’t expect the committee to come clean in their findings without indicting perceived opponents of the governor.”
Bayelsa Assembly declares four seats vacant over defection
In a surprising move, the Speaker of the Bayelsa State Assembly, Hon.Kombowei Benson weekend declared that four members of the House who joined in the defection to the APC have lost their seats purportedly over their alleged defection.
According to the Speaker, the decision to declare the seats of the four members vacant was based on the provision of section 109 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The affected members, had at separate fora, announced their decision to dump the PDP for the APC, citing the hijack of the party by the governor and the  crisis over the suspension of the State Chairman, Col. Sam Inokoba (rtd).
The affected members include Hon. Fini Angaye (Kolokuma/Opokuma constituency 2) Hon. Alfred Egba,(Yenagoa constituency 1),Hon. Victor Prezi (Ekeremor Constituency 3) and Hon. Azibola Paul Omekwe (Ogbia constituency 1).
Assembly action ‘ll reduce indiscipline, engender sanity- Dickson
Remarkably, Governor Dickson was quick to commend the decision of the legislature saying that the action was a step in the right direction and would help to bring sanity to the House.
Dickson, in a statement issued Friday night by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, said the action of the state legislature was not only constitutional, but would also instil party discipline and sanitize the polity.
He condemned the practice, where politicians cross carpet at will, without recourse to the parties under which they were elected into positions as no longer acceptable and practicable, under a thriving democracy.
According to him, the state assembly has by the singular act, set the pace and shown the direction of the new PDP in the state, where party discipline and loyalty, must be the overriding principles and factors for all members.
The governor noted that, indiscipline, disloyalty and greed have been the bane of the PDP at state and national levels in the past, stressing that, such acts would no longer be tolerated for whatever reason in the party.
He said, “We will continue to do the needful by ensuring that, only those who respect the position of the party on issues are allowed to remain, while all those with selfish and unacceptable behavioral patterns will be shown the way out for the good of the PDP. Henceforth, members of the party, if truly they belong to the party, must be held accountable for their actions and in-actions.”
Also defends PDP disciplinary committee
Dickson also had while inaugurating the disciplinary committee, which is expected to determine and recommend steps to be taken against those who worked contrary to the party’s interests during the general elections, said indiscipline within the party contributed to the failure of the president in the recent presidential elections.
He said, “We won the election no doubt, but this party must continue to be a party of discipline, commitment. One of the problems we have in the PDP, as a matter of fact, the main reason we even lost at the federal level in addition to other things, is because of indiscipline and disloyalty to party.
“Party interest supersedes individual interest and agenda. Regrettably, we have received reports that some leaders of our party in some cases did not only work against the interest of our candidates, but actually sponsored and actually worked to undermine the success of our party and our candidates at the just concluded elections” Dickson added.
Dickson, who warned that dire consequences await any member of the PDP, who engages in anti-party activities, emphasized the importance of party discipline and loyalty towards achieving success in any political contest.
He said reports at his disposal indicated that, some members sabotaged the interest of the party rather than demonstrate commitment and galvanize support for the party’s flag bearers.
According to him, “We will not sit idle and allow people promoting indiscipline and disloyalty to overrun our party. The PDP has to reform itself; it has to renew itself and be a party of committed and loyal members. Without discipline and loyalty, no political party can survive or stand or even win any political contest.”
Further trouble ahead of 2016
Dickson as the incumbent governor, no doubt has the war chest to prosecute his re-election bid but his fighting too many battles at the same time as well as his stringent fiscal policies, (tight fist) approach to governance coupled with the recent sharp drop in allocation to the state leading to stagnation at projects sites across the state due to the inability of the government to pay contractors may turn out to be his undoing.
A party chieftain who spoke on condition of anonymity, “Dickson may be planning the best for the party but is doing it the wrong away. This is not the time for the party to alienate its members especially as it is going for election. The unfolding drama if not handled with utmost care could backfire on the party in the state.”
The PDP, the source added, needs to act fast to mend its weather-beaten umbrella and save President Jonathan from returning to his home state to find a disjointed political ambience where the opposition APC is also desirous of taking charge of the Creek Haven, the state seat of power, come February 14, 2016. This, however, depends on the candidate the APC would present to confront Dickson and if indeed he has the support and command the respect of the electorate.
It is, however, left to be seen if the people of the state will agree to remain in the mainstream by tagging along this time around with the party at the centre, the APC. This was the scenario in 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2011-2015 when the PDP controlled the centre or chose to be an opposition state in 2016.
- See more at: http://www.9jianews.blogsport.com

Attack from home: Jonathan’s troubles in Bayelsa

The defection of all three legislators representing President Goodluck Jonathan, senator, member House of Representatives and state House of Assembly was a jolt from the blues.
By lucky imafin
After gifting the presidency to the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, the defection of the legislators underscored the inclement political weather the outgoing president is bound to face when he returns home.
Senator Clever Marcus Ikisikpo, representing Bayelsa East, President Jonathan’s senatorial district, who led the other two legislators, Hon Nado Karibo representing Ogbia federal constituency and Hon Azibola Paul Omekwe representing Ogbia constituency I in the Bayelsa State House of Assembly to defect had been particularly close to the president. He had sojourned with the president through thick and thin since 1999.
Ikisikpo, a former classroom teacher, had been elected a member of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly to represent Jonathan’s Ogbia constituency III in 1999.
Following that, he proceeded to the House of Representatives in 2003 where he was re-elected in 2007 at the same time that Dr. Jonathan emerged as vice-president. Ikisikpo was to emerge as a pawn in the remote fight between the president and former Governor Timipre Sylva in 2011.
When Ikisikpo got the ticket to represent the Bayelsa East Senate seat in 2011 many believed that it was because of his closeness to the president. However, that fact did not reflect that he got the seat at the pleasure of Sylva who had fallen out very badly with the occupant of that seat, Senator Nimi Barigha-Amange who was also a very close associate of the president.
But even at that only few until recently would comprehend that Ikisikpo, regarded as one of the longest serving PDP chieftains from the Ogbia Ijaw speaking stock could abandon his kinsman and benefactor, President Jonathan by dumping the president and his party, PDP in their most challenging times.
PDP disciplinary committee
President Goodluck Jonathan (L), being received by the Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson, on arrival at the Government House helipad, Yenagoa, for his daughter’s marriage ceremony.
President Goodluck Jonathan (L), being received by the Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson.
The decision of the PDP to set up a disciplinary committee to investigate and sanction some of its high-ranking members at the state chapter over alleged anti-party activities in the last general election and alleged hijack of the party by Governor Seriake Dickson, Vanguard reliably gathered was responsible for the defection of Ikisikpo and others to the APC folk.
The rank of the PDP, a source told our correspondent, may be further depleted as some of the big names in the party are already holding secret consultations with their supporters and the powers that be in the APC.
Evading sledgehammer
Though the names of the party members facing the disciplinary committee were not made public, it was speculated that Senator Ikisikpo was on the chopping list and that he took the decision of opting out of the party at this time. His decision was seen as an irony given that he was a convener of the party in Bayelsa while Dickson did not join in the party until about six years after.
A source close to the senator said, “It was a smart move on his part to leave the party before the sledgehammer descended on him as there is no way he could have escaped given the cold war between him and the governor. Oga is a loyalist of the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, and you don’t expect the committee to come clean in their findings without indicting perceived opponents of the governor.”
Bayelsa Assembly declares four seats vacant over defection
In a surprising move, the Speaker of the Bayelsa State Assembly, Hon.Kombowei Benson weekend declared that four members of the House who joined in the defection to the APC have lost their seats purportedly over their alleged defection.
According to the Speaker, the decision to declare the seats of the four members vacant was based on the provision of section 109 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The affected members, had at separate fora, announced their decision to dump the PDP for the APC, citing the hijack of the party by the governor and the  crisis over the suspension of the State Chairman, Col. Sam Inokoba (rtd).
The affected members include Hon. Fini Angaye (Kolokuma/Opokuma constituency 2) Hon. Alfred Egba,(Yenagoa constituency 1),Hon. Victor Prezi (Ekeremor Constituency 3) and Hon. Azibola Paul Omekwe (Ogbia constituency 1).
Assembly action ‘ll reduce indiscipline, engender sanity- Dickson
Remarkably, Governor Dickson was quick to commend the decision of the legislature saying that the action was a step in the right direction and would help to bring sanity to the House.
Dickson, in a statement issued Friday night by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, said the action of the state legislature was not only constitutional, but would also instil party discipline and sanitize the polity.
He condemned the practice, where politicians cross carpet at will, without recourse to the parties under which they were elected into positions as no longer acceptable and practicable, under a thriving democracy.
According to him, the state assembly has by the singular act, set the pace and shown the direction of the new PDP in the state, where party discipline and loyalty, must be the overriding principles and factors for all members.
The governor noted that, indiscipline, disloyalty and greed have been the bane of the PDP at state and national levels in the past, stressing that, such acts would no longer be tolerated for whatever reason in the party.
He said, “We will continue to do the needful by ensuring that, only those who respect the position of the party on issues are allowed to remain, while all those with selfish and unacceptable behavioral patterns will be shown the way out for the good of the PDP. Henceforth, members of the party, if truly they belong to the party, must be held accountable for their actions and in-actions.”
Also defends PDP disciplinary committee
Dickson also had while inaugurating the disciplinary committee, which is expected to determine and recommend steps to be taken against those who worked contrary to the party’s interests during the general elections, said indiscipline within the party contributed to the failure of the president in the recent presidential elections.
He said, “We won the election no doubt, but this party must continue to be a party of discipline, commitment. One of the problems we have in the PDP, as a matter of fact, the main reason we even lost at the federal level in addition to other things, is because of indiscipline and disloyalty to party.
“Party interest supersedes individual interest and agenda. Regrettably, we have received reports that some leaders of our party in some cases did not only work against the interest of our candidates, but actually sponsored and actually worked to undermine the success of our party and our candidates at the just concluded elections” Dickson added.
Dickson, who warned that dire consequences await any member of the PDP, who engages in anti-party activities, emphasized the importance of party discipline and loyalty towards achieving success in any political contest.
He said reports at his disposal indicated that, some members sabotaged the interest of the party rather than demonstrate commitment and galvanize support for the party’s flag bearers.
According to him, “We will not sit idle and allow people promoting indiscipline and disloyalty to overrun our party. The PDP has to reform itself; it has to renew itself and be a party of committed and loyal members. Without discipline and loyalty, no political party can survive or stand or even win any political contest.”
Further trouble ahead of 2016
Dickson as the incumbent governor, no doubt has the war chest to prosecute his re-election bid but his fighting too many battles at the same time as well as his stringent fiscal policies, (tight fist) approach to governance coupled with the recent sharp drop in allocation to the state leading to stagnation at projects sites across the state due to the inability of the government to pay contractors may turn out to be his undoing.
A party chieftain who spoke on condition of anonymity, “Dickson may be planning the best for the party but is doing it the wrong away. This is not the time for the party to alienate its members especially as it is going for election. The unfolding drama if not handled with utmost care could backfire on the party in the state.”
The PDP, the source added, needs to act fast to mend its weather-beaten umbrella and save President Jonathan from returning to his home state to find a disjointed political ambience where the opposition APC is also desirous of taking charge of the Creek Haven, the state seat of power, come February 14, 2016. This, however, depends on the candidate the APC would present to confront Dickson and if indeed he has the support and command the respect of the electorate.
It is, however, left to be seen if the people of the state will agree to remain in the mainstream by tagging along this time around with the party at the centre, the APC. This was the scenario in 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2011-2015 when the PDP controlled the centre or chose to be an opposition state in 2016.
- See more at: http://www.9jianews.blogsport.com

I was flown out for surgery during campaigns –Patience Jonathan


Mrs. Patience Jonathan
Wife of the President,   Patience Jonathan, on Sunday disclosed that she battled with another round of ill-health   during the re-election campaigns of her husband, President Goodluck Jonathan.
Mrs Jonathan, who was flown abroad about two years ago on health grounds, said the latest   was so severe   that she had to be sneaked out of the country to Germany in January for a   major surgery.
She spoke during a farewell service in honour of the Jonathan family at the Aso Villa Chapel.
The President’s wife said before she left the German hospital after the operation, she was billed for another in a bigger hospital immediately after the elections but that God miraculously healed her.
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She said after her husband lost his re-election bid, she returned to Germany for the surgery.
According to her, she was about to be taken into the theatre when doctors decided to carry out another round of checks on her.
Like her previous health challenge about two years ago,   Mrs. Jonathan   did not disclose the nature of the last ailment.
She said, “During the   last campaign period, the devil struck   again. I was in pain and was rushed to the hospital in January and the doctors told me, ‘mama, you have to go for a major operation now now.’
“What again? I asked. The campaign was still going on and I wondered how we were going to explain to Nigerians.
“You know that even when you go for medical check-up, they will be writing in newspapers, saying all sorts of things.
“I said my husband will continue with his campaign until the last day. That was how I went in for the first major operation (surgery) in the end of January.
“By God’s grace, I went for the operation (surgery) and came out. On my return from there,   I went straight to the campaign ground.
“They said to me when I was leaving the hospital: ‘mama, there is another bigger operation that you have to go in for again. This one will not be in this hospital. This hospital is too small for the type of operation you need when you come back. You have to go to a bigger hospital.’
“I said ‘ha! while   will you tear   my body again after I had done 12   operations within one month last year?
“I said my God will see me through because he created me for a purpose. I told my prayer partner to continue praying for me. I said to myself that I will never be used   for a sacrifice.
“I was booked for the operation in a bigger hospital and I was asked to go back to Nigeria and return after the campaign. They gave me a date. When I went back, I paid for everything and just when I was   to be taken into the theatre, the doctors   said, ‘let’s check her again.’
“By then, my husband had lost the election. I had packed out of the Villa. Behold! I went to four hospitals again and the thing was said to have vanished. My doctors were surprised; they didn’t believe that that could happen.”
Mrs. Jonathan recalled that many people thought it had ended for her when she went through 12 surgeries about two years ago.
She said although she was “dead,” God sent her back to complete her work.
But the President’s wife added that her husband’s electoral loss was an indication to her that she had completed the work given her by God.
She said, “I thank God for keeping me alive today. God is so wonderful. Just two years ago, I went through operations upon operations. Within one month, I passed through 12 operations.
“Some people said I was dead, yes, I was dead but God resurrected me.
“God told me, ‘my daughter, go back, I will give you a second chance, go and finish your work.’
“And since my husband lost the election, I believe God has made me to finish the work.”
Mrs. Jonathan said she would forever remain thankful to God because many people had prophesied that either her or the President would not leave the Presidential Villa alive.
She recalled that that was what happened in the case of Mrs. Stella Obasanjo, wife of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who died while her husband was still in office.
She said it was gladdening that she and her husband would be leaving the Villa on May 29 hale and hearty.
Mrs. Jonathan said she would continue to thank God for His mercies because she never dreamt of becoming a wife of a deputy governor much less of a President’s wife.
She   said, “I never thought in my life that I will be First Lady. I never dreamt of being the wife of a deputy governor because my husband was not a politician. But God made it possible and God lifted us up from deputy governorship position and here we are.
“We should be grateful to God for what he has done. To me and my family, we praise God.
“To our followers, today, it might not be too good but I want them to be grateful to God because they have followed us for a long time from deputy governor, governor, Vice President to President.
“You know that no position is for a life- time. There is no permanent thing so I want you to take it in good faith that it is the will of God. You should be praising God. God is really wonderful.”
Mrs. Jonathan disclosed that some unnamed persons had been visiting her since the March 28 presidential election with the hope that they would meet her in a mourning mood.
Thereafter, Mrs. Jonathan danced forward for a special thanksgiving to God for sparing her life throughout their stay in the Villa despite her sickness.

Wednesday, 13 May 2015

Rivers election: We won’t forgive killers, arsonists –says Buhari

ABUJA—Hard times await perpetrators of violence before, during and after the recent governorship elections in Rivers State as the President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari (retd) said he will not “forgive or forget” their evil acts.
Buhari spoke, yesterday, when the state chapter of All Progressives Congress, APC, paid him a congratulatory visit in Abuja.
Buhari, who said he owed the people a duty to ensure justice in the land, also assured that every Nigerian deserved respect and dignity.
He said: “We will confront them with facts and figures. We will not forgive and we will not forget those who perpetrated killings and arson in Rivers State during the elections. At least this is the much we owe Nigerians.”
Buhari
Buhari
He added that his government will not tolerate “an army within the army or a police within the police.”
Also speaking to journalists, the former deputy governor of the state, Sir Gabriel Toby, who led the Rivers delegation, said what happened during the presidential and the governorship elections was a coup, saying it did not reflect the wishes of the people.
While pledging the support of the people to the incoming administration, Toby added that they were also in Abuja to plead with the President-elect not to forget the persecution and many sacrifices made by their son, Governor Rotimi Amaechi, that culminated into APC’s success, urging Buhari to duly compensate Amaechi.
‘Justice will be served in Delta’
Also speaking during his meeting with Delta State chapter of APC members, led by its governorship candidate in the last election, Olorogun Otega Emerhor, Buhari said justice will define his government, assuring that the rights of Nigerians must not be trampled upon.
He said: “I thank you for mobilizing yourselves to come and congratulate me for emerging as the winner of the presidential election this year. I am very much in touch with your governor and he has kept me abreast with the running battle.
“I express my condolence to you for the people murdered and I assure you that my objective of remaining consistently in partisan politics is to make sure that Nigerians are given their inherent right as citizens of Nigeria, to choose whoever they want to lead them.
“It is not a favour for them as Nigerians, but a constitutional right as citizens of this country. I will not support anybody who will undermine that right of Nigerians by whatever means. To use the military, other law enforcement agencies and give drugs and weapons to unemployed youths and send them to kill their own people is the worst thing anybody aspiring to leadership can do.
‘My focus’
“I assure you that in this first term of four years, I will concentrate on things that Nigerians will be proud of. Nigerians, wherever they are, will be respected. Whoever they chose as a representative or as a leader should go and submit himself to them.
“If they like, let them vote for you, if they do not like, let him try again and again. It has not been easy. The field work is not easy and because it is not easy, you get a lawyer to put it in proper term.
“Going through the court is not easy both materially and physically and I maintained that consistency because my view about my country is that it should be truly free. I have said so, so often and I do not mind repeating myself here.
“I assure you that APC’s first objective is security and what destroyed the economy is lack of security, unemployment and the aggressive youths.
“I understand why many of you were denied the opportunity to choose those you want to represent and lead you and are taking the line I took in the last 12 years, which is in line with our constitution.
“Whether you get it or not, the most important thing is that you believe in the system and you should continue to try until the system is perfect. I appeal to you.”
Emerhor
Earlier, Otega Emerhor told Buhari: “We would like to bring to your attention how Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, disenfranchised the people of Delta and the South-South at both the presidential and governorship elections.
“As our submission to the tribunal in respect of the governorship and state assembly elections will demonstrate, in truth, majority of Deltans were ready for the change you represent and were geared to vote massively for you and APC.
“Unfortunately, a grand design executed by PDP in the South-South and South-East, particularly Delta, Rivers and Akwa Ibom, made sure that no proper election took place.
“Result sheets were confiscated and results fabricated, written, giving PDP massive votes, while giving paltry votes to APC to portray it as not existing in the two zones. To provide a cover for vote manipulation, PDP also resorted to violence, intimidation and ballot box snatching as a smoke screen.
“They effectively compromised both Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and the security forces against the will and preferences of Delta people and the two zones.
“Through the CTC of the card reader report that we have obtained from INEC, we have unearthed the massive fraud that PDP perpetuated in Delta State. We have filed our petitions to cancel these bogus elections in the tribunal in Delta State.”
Voters’ discrepancy
He said: “Our election petition shows that while announced voter accreditation was over 1,017,796, the actual card reader accreditation report shows only 709,700.
“A cursory look shows that the votes allocated to PDP governorship candidate (724,680) alone exceed the accredited voters as recorded by the card reader report. With these anomalies, we are indeed very optimistic that the governorship and assembly elections in Delta State will be nullified and a re-run ordered.
“As you are aware, Delta State, along with Akwa Ibom and Rivers, are rich in oil resources and PDP is determined to hold on to these states at all cost to utilize the huge revenue base of these states to re-launch itself to national reckoning.
“It is, therefore, strategic for APC and your administration to pay particular attention and to assist us put in place modalities to break the stronghold of PDP in Delta and the other states.”
Thanking Benue
Buhari also thanked the people of Benue State, who paid him a congratulatory visit, for voting APC.
The team, which was led by the governor-elect of the state, Mr. Samuel Ortom, included Chief Audu Ogbe, Senator George Akume, among others.
Buhari said: “I think Nigerians have decided. It has been a rough journey. They have realized it. We thank God and we thank the technology which made it possible because if not for PVC and card readers, the normal thing would have happened. The normal thing which sent me to the Supreme Court three times.
“ I beg Senator Akume and the governor-elect not to make my 2019 attempt too difficult.
“I assure you that we owe United States and Europe, led by Britain, for the support they have given to our system. They were really, very concerned about Nigerian security and that is why we must appreciate people of conscience all over the world.”
The President-elect also played host to APC women leaders, led by Hajiya Ramatu Ali, where he promised to include them in his government.
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Senate and Jonathan: Vain veto venture

President Goodluck Jonathan’s unimpressive legislative record has been compounded by the discord over his veto of the Fourth Constitution Alteration ActBy Emmanuel Aziken, Political EditorIt was supposed to be the last staging post for the Seventh Senate to further dent what would now turn out to be the mixed legislative record of the Goodluck Jonathan presidency.Yesterday’s decision of the Senate to stand down the campaign to override President Goodluck Jonathan’s veto on the Fourth Constitution (Alteration) Act did not come easily. Senators and indeed, members of the House of Representatives had been peeved by the decision of the president to veto the product of the constitution review embarked upon by the National Assembly almost four years ago.With a stroke of the pen, the president poured into the drain the work that had consumed more than N2 billion in direct funding besides associated cost in time and resources by other stakeholders.Though the capacity of the senators to muster, the two-third majority required was a matter of doubt, the readiness of the legislators to commence the action was undoubted.The fury of the senators had been further stoked by the ruling of the Supreme Court last Thursday in which it asked the National Assembly to stay further action on the constitution amendments pending the determination of the case brought before it by the president.Senate President, David Mark; President Jonathan and House of Reps Speaker, TambuwalSenate President, David Mark; President Jonathan and House of Reps Speaker, TambuwalFollowing a heated closed-door session yesterday, the President of the Senate, Senator David Mark again resorted to play the advocate for President Jonathan when he prevailed on the senators to stay action on the veto override.“We are law makers and will not be law breakers. We are not just lawmakers, and we are very senior responsible citizens and very senior lawmakers.”His stance was upon the heated constitutional controversy that had been ignited by last week’s Supreme Court ruling. Many senators had felt that it was very wrong for the judiciary upon the pleading of the executive arm of government to stop the legislature, from its constitutional duty of lawmaking.The Senate on Sunday rejected the court ruling, saying that the Supreme Court could not under any circumstance prevent it as an independent arm of government from proceeding with its constitutionally assigned duties.“The Supreme Court is wrong. The law does not allow one arm of the government to stop another arm of government from performing its duties,” Senate spokesman, Senator Abaribe had told newsmen.“The Supreme Court cannot stop us from legislating and if they say that the Supreme Court is stopping us from making laws, it is misleading and it amounts to misreading the powers of the Supreme Court,” he said.His stance and the consequent gazetting of the bill in the House of Representatives and the Senate had given an indication of an apparent determination of the legislators to override the veto.Such fury would have been driven by the angst of leading senators like Senator Ike Ekweremadu, the deputy president of the Senate who led the constitution review in the Senate and spent time and energy on the process.Many other lawmakers were also driven by some vengeful spirit to spite a president under whose watch the cordiality with the legislature got to the lowest level. So sad is the relationship between the president and the National Assembly that he has not in the last two years personally appeared for the traditional duty of laying the budget before parliament.The president was said to be wary of being booed by members of the House of Representatives with whom he never got along. His relationship with the National Assembly nose-dived from the ending of 2013 when in one of the most shocking decisions of his government, he dismissed his very diligent liaison officer to the National Assembly, Senator Joy Emodi.Emodi had in the two years she served been able to manage the relations between the executive and the legislature, dutifully pandering to issues of the legislators and with her aides monitoring legislative measures.However, once Emodi was removed, purportedly at the instigation of a powerful presidency cabal with roots from the Southeast, Dr. Jonathan’s legislative agenda immediately collapsed and it was no surprise that he has since then not ventured into the premises of the National Assembly.Good counsels from sympathetic senior legislators like Senators Mark and Ekweremadu were also received with scepticism and often diluted with sarcasm by presidential minders.Even at the worst of times, President Olusegun Obasanjo’s relations with the National Assembly was not as rancorous. The only time the National Assembly overrode a veto wielded by Obasanjo was on a matter of principle, and that was the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC Establishment Bill.File Photo: Tambuwal, Mark, Jonathan File Photo: Tambuwal, Mark, JonathanThough the bill was the initiative of Obasanjo, the National Assembly, however, tinkered with the funding proposals. Even at that, Obasanjo maintained a backdoor channel with some legislators like Senator Udoma Udo Udoma.However, in President Jonathan’s case, many legislators fumed that the president kept his distance all the while that the process of constitution review was in progress and did not voice the objections he subsequently made in his letter last month where he wielded the veto.Even worse, it is alleged that the president signed the bill as forwarded to him but allegedly recanted upon pressures from a very senior aide.It was such insinuations that compelled the Senate to request the president to return the original bill as forwarded to him including the signature page.Dr. Jonathan’s resort upon the Senate resolution was to head to the Supreme Court, which last Thursday gave the ruling urging all parties to the dispute to maintain the status quo until June 18.The legislators were, however, not ignorant of the fact that by that time the tenure of the National Assembly would have expired.As the senators left the chambers yesterday, the distaste was very evident, but as their presiding officer affirmed, in his submission, two wrongs do not make a right.- See more at: http://www.9jianews.blogspot.com

Ekiti Kidnappings: Fayose, APC lawmakers disagree over security checks -ò-

By Leke Adeseri, South West Regional Editor
BITTER politicking continued in Ekiti State yesterday even in the face of serious social ills including kidnapping and murder.
Governor Ayodele Fayose and the 19 All Progressives Congress, APC lawmakers pressing for his impeachment went to town to politicise new security measures put in place to check violent crimes.
While the lawmakers are saying the measures, including stop and search of vehicles were aimed at facilitating their abduction, the governor has described the men as evil, wicked and insensitive.
Fayose
Fayose
‘Stop And Search’, ploy for our kidnap – APC lawmakers
Opposing the new security measures in the state, the 19 All APC lawmakers alleged that the new measures were ordered by Governor Fayose to stem cases of kidnapping in the state through ‘stop and search’ operation as an orchestrated plot by the governor to track them for kidnap to stall his impeachment.
The lawmakers, in a statement by Speaker Adewale Omirin’s Special Adviser on Media, Wole Olujobi, said they had uncovered an alleged plot by the governor to engage the Government House security men on major roads in the state to conduct ‘stop and search’ operations in a frantic search to track them for kidnap.
Thanking “the good people in government” who leaked the plot, the lawmakers condemned such operation as unwarranted assault, particularly as the cars targeted for stop and search operation would be mainly dark grey Toyota Camry cars, which is the brand and colour of the lawmakers’ official cars.
“We are in possession of a report that the governor is using cases of kidnap in the state to break the nation-wide ban on roadblock ordered by the Inspector General of Police to raise some teams of security men working in the Government House to be on our trail to take us out of circulation.
“The officers, who worked for him in similar operations between 2003 and 2006 and who were indicted by the security panel set up President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2005 to investigate political killings in Ekiti State, are the ones specially requested by Fayose for reposting to Ekiti State after he was declared winner in the June 21 governorship poll and they are the ones leading this dastardly operation.
“As we speak, the security men and thugs are in possession of our photographs. They have been told to specifically be on the look-out for dark grey Toyota Camry cars , which are our official cars, to identify us for kidnap to stall his impeachment.
“Part of the instruction is that all vehicles with tinted glasses must be stopped for identification. All our cars are tinted so that will create excuse for stopping our cars just to hit their targets.
“This is the latest ploy after other plots had failed. We are also aware that the governor will soon address a press conference where he will allege that some of the lawmakers, who he believes constitute a threat to him, are responsible for cases of kidnapping in the state.
“He is already in the media selling a dummy that the Speaker, Dr Omirin, and Senator Babafemi Ojudu are sponsors of kidnapping in the state. The plan is to declare them wanted so they become targets of arrest by security agents,” Olujobi explained.
The lawmakers urged the state leaders to call the governor to order while also urging the Inspector General of Police, Solomon Erase, to put his men on the alert to stop the activities of criminal gangs bent of frustrating his ‘no roadblock’ order across the country.
Ekiti APC lawmakers are evil, wicked, insensitive – Govt
But in a swift response the governoryhrough a statement by his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka has described as “evil, wicked and insensitive” claim by the All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmakers in the state that the ‘stop and search’ operation ordered by the State Security Council to stem cases of kidnapping in the State was an orchestrated plot by the governor to track them for kidnap to stall Governor Ayodele Fayose’s impeachment plot.
The government said such unwarranted allegation by APC lawmakers was a clear exposure of the culpability of the party in the kidnapping of residents of Ekiti State, adding that; “they have betrayed their guilt by simply telling Nigerians that they want the kidnapping of Ekiti residents to continue.”
According to him; “The Fayose-led government will do everything humanly possible to protect lives and properties of Ekiti people and what is expected from genuine lovers of the State is to cooperate with security agencies, and not politicisation of every efforts of the government by the APC.”
Olayinka, who said the APC in Ekiti State was living up to its real identity as a congregation of evil minded people, asked; “Isn’t it interesting that elements like Kehinde Boluwade and Folorunso Gabriel Ogundele, who are standing trial for alleged murder are among the APC lawmakers they claimed Governor Fayose planned to kidnap?”
The statement read; “Our attention has been drawn to a reckless, wicked, insensitive and evil press statement issued on behalf of the APC lawmakers by a certain Wole Olujobi, who has been impersonating as Media Aide of the Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly, insinuating that the ‘stop and search’ operation ordered by the State Security Council to stem kidnapping in the state was meant to track the APC lawmakers down for kidnap.
“For the avoidance of doubt, introduction of strict security measures and check points in strategic places across the state, prohibition of the usage of tinted classes, frequent hotel checks, with a call to hoteliers to monitor their customers and offer information to security agents on any suspected person and seal up of any hotel linked to criminals were resolutions of the Ekiti State Security Council meeting that took place on Monday.
“Only wicked and evil people, whose agenda is to make Ekiti State ungovernable will kick against these measures that are aimed at securing the lives and properties of the people.’’
- See more at: http://www.9jianews.blogspot.com

Making money from tomato farming

Nigerians spend about N100 billion annually on tomatoes, with a chunk of it spent on importation of the item. In 2012, Nigeria imported 65,809 tonnes of processed tomato worth over N11.7 billion. Whatever amount one invests in tomato farming, a triple return on investment is achievable within nine months.
Benefits
Tomato is an excellent source of good amount of vitamin C and beta-carotene. Tomato’s deep redness means it’s a very good source of antioxidant agents. It’s a powerful source of vitamin E and enhances the health and sharpness of the eyes. You can never go wrong with tomatoes as far as nutrition and health is concerned.
Growing tomatoes
Tomato farming is very simple. Anyone can do it in any capacity, either in the backyard or in commercial quantity. Tomato can be grown round the year, especially in places where there is irrigation system specifically made for it. In other places, it is best cultivated during the rainy season.
Nursery – This can be done around March/April when the rain is just beginning in most parts of the country. You can use your backyard for the nursery or any other piece of land that is suitable for it. Tomatoes do very well in most soil types in Nigeria but better in a black loose loamy soil. Prepare the ground by clearing the grasses and rubbles; loosen the soil with hand trowel and hoes. Remove the seeds from the tomatoes and spread it on the prepared soil. You can cover it with dry grasses to prevent the loss of moisture from the soil and prevent birds, ants and fowls from eating up the tomato seed. Within 5-7days you will see it germinating. Wait till about another five days before you remove the dry grasses to allow for proper growth. Leave it for another one month before transplanting.
Transplanting – The final journey will be moving it into the permanent farm where they would grow to maturity and production. Open the soil with piece of small wood, insert the seedling into the hole and cover it with lose soil. Tomato plant is very tender and fragile, it is best transplanted the same day you uprooted it from the nursery to avoid dehydration and fatigue.
Weeding and fertilization – Two months after transplant, it would be time for weeding. Ensure that your tomato plants are not damaged Tomato-mrktduring the process of removing weeds. After the first weed, it is time to apply fertilizer to help replenish the soil nutrients taken by the weeds. To grow successfully, tomatoes need nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, potash, calcium, and magnesium, along with other trace minerals. Itfs always best to have your soil tested to check for nutrient levels and pH level. Use fertilizer that supplies those vital nutrients – N-P-K ratio fertilizer can be very good for tomatoes.
Harvesting – Tomato is harvested in batches, the moment you start harvesting, you’ll continue on weekly basis till the end of the season, usually it will keep producing till the dry season when the plant will die off due to the scorching heat. The first harvest starts within three months after planting. That means if you plant by April, you should be expecting your first harvest by June/July. From then, it will continue till November/December.
Green house production
Investment opportunites exist in greenhouse tomato production. This involves the installation of hundreds of units of greenhouse facilities of 8m by 24m size per unit with drip irrigation system that creates controlled environment for all season production of high quality pepper and tomato. Greenhouse technology offers a better alternative to the open field farming because of the effect of climate change and bacterial blight disease associated with open field tomato production. There is ready market for tomato and pepper in the country as well as potential for export. According to Chief Audu Ogbeh, Chairman, Efugo Farms, Nigeria spends $100 million (about N20 billion) annually to import tomato paste from China.
In a bid to encourage investment in green house tomato farming, the Ogun State government has promised to make land available for serious interested investors, with the State’s Ministry of Agriculture ready to share its experience with new comers and provide technical support to ensure successful take off of the project. Estimated Cost – Total Fixed Cost (Complete Greenhouse Kit, utilities, site preparation) – N2,366,000; Total Variable Cost (Labour & Technical Costs including soil sterilisation, Insurance (2 percent), Contingencies (10 percent)) – N858,000. Revenue: Expected yield (average 5.5MT), Price per tonne (N350,000)) – N1,925,000; Gross Marging per unit – N1,067,000; Return on Investment (RoI) – 33.1 percent; Payback period – 20 months
Marketing
Tomato is a perishable product and so it’s important to prepare a marketing well ahead of harvesting. Mile 12 is the major market for fresh tomatoes and other vegetables in Lagos. About 20 million people consume tomatoes almost on daily basis in Lagos alone. So, there is a huge market for tomatoes in Lagos. There are opportunities for big business and big money in this sector for smart entrepreneurs
- See more at: http://www.9JIANEWS.BLOGSPOT.COM