"PDP's 16years rule in Nigeria,a disaster."....Asiwaju Tinubu

President Goodluck Jonathan 

Asiwaju Bola Tinubu 

A leader of Nigeria’s leading opposition party, the All Progressives Party, APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has described the 16 years of PDP rule at the federal level as a period of steady decline into disaster. “

The former governor said this in a statement titled ‘A Return to Decency’, on Monday.in Lagos while commenting on the state of the nation preparatory to the country’s celebration of 54years of her Independence.

 Tinubu, who served as a former governor of Lagos State said the many years of misrule by successive Peoples Democratic Party presidents had continued to sink the country further into crisis.

He lamented that “The longer they rule, the less benefit the people derive. Nigeria now needs a ‘common sense revolution,’ a revolution that calls forth a return to decency, probity, transparency of process and fairness in outcome.

This is done not by subterfuge, divide and rule and turning Nigeria in a field of discord or a street of broken institutions. It is accomplished by honouring the principles of democratic good governance and economic justice. It is done by persuading the people they are better off as one instead of better off tearing at one another’s throats.

Noting that  there is a need for the country to undergo a “common sense” revolution, the APC leader urged Nigerians to be prepared for change. Said Tinubu ,”We must rescue Nigeria from those set to cause it irreparable harm. The change I talk about is the only route to our deliverance from 16 years of the PDP locusts. Nigeria is ours to keep and its democracy is ours to save.”

He advised that this year’s Independence Day should be a time of sober reflection because other countries that received independence at the same time as Nigeria had since surpassed the country.

He described the Nigeria of today as the nightmare of its founding fathers .and  berated the PDP-led Federal Government of using religion to divide Nigerians.

He said, “We commemorate this Independence Day because the nation has survived despite its many challenges. We dare not celebrate because the nation has not flourished as it should. Fifty four years our national trek began with hope and promise, peace and unity.

“Today, the nation staggers beneath the weight of trouble multiplied by hardship. Peace and unity seem to have yielded the moment to violence and discord. We exist as a political unit on a map but we do not prosper as brothers and sisters in one nation, under one flag and pursuant to one accord.”

“Never has an elected government in Nigeria which now employed religion as a tool to divide the people, setting Nigerian brother against brother in a manner that allows this administration to function at the basest level of governance while seeking to establish a political domination that seeks no greater purpose than its self-perpetuation.”

He described attempts to stigmatise and physically intimidate the APC and the militarisation of elections as features of a perverse democracy.

He described President Goodluck Jonathan’s transformation agenda as an avenue to siphon funds through a dubious blueprint. as their purported  blueprint and vision is for excessive self-enrichment. Their equation is simple: You work, they feast. You toil, they grow fat. You seek a decent wage; they pilfer the collective treasury to enjoy a king’s ransom,” he said.

Minister cautions Nigerians against using abducted Chibok Girls issue to make money.

By Tunde OLowu. The Minister of Special Duties, Alhaji Tanimu Kabiru Turaki has cautioned Nigerians reportedly using the issue of the abducted Chibok girls to make money and achieve cheap popularity to desist from their attitude in the interest of the country. Alhaji Turaki gave the caution while interacting with newsmen in Abuja.and said such act was opportunistic ,and a disservice to the country as well as the abducted girls and members of their family. He denied insinuations in certain quarters that the Federal Government could not match the terror group as untrue, noting that what was most needed against terrorists is the ability to be able to conquer their minds and get them deradicalised. Turaki pointed out that the Government was interested in engaging them in active dialogue and rehabilitating the insurgents through skills acquisition. The Minister opined that if the international community could rise up to support Nigeria in this war against terrorism, he saw no reason why citizens of this country should decide to sabotage the efforts of the Government to nip the Boko Haram issue in bud. Commenting on the abducted Chibok girls ,he stressed that the government has consistently applied the best option for the release of the girls as the Federal Government believes in dialogue as a great proactive way to win any war. He appealed to the media to be objective in both their coverage and reportage of events at this trying period in the history of the country bearing in mind at all times the unity of Nigeria.

Asiwaju Bola Tinubu comments on Murtala Nyako's Impeachment,Chibok Girls,Malala and Boko Haram.

The Presidency and the ruling PDP forcefully had their way in Adamawa. Governor Nyako has been impeached. Nigeria’s constitution suffers violence. Democracy has been setback. Under the constitution, a governor can only be impeached for “gross misconduct.” For the PDP, Nyako’s crime was not the false allegations contained in the articles of impeachment. To them, his gross misconduct was leaving the reactionary PDP to join the progressive APC. His misdeed was to exercise his constitutional right of freedom of association and political expression by leaving their corrupt assemblage and joining the party that just may represent the best hope of rescuing Nigeria from its present descent into authoritarian darkness. Perhaps, Governor Nyako’s greatest sin is his temerity to speak truth to power albeit in a courageous way. On two different occasions, he gave an unvarnished insight into the Boko Haram menace and the insecurity engulfing Northern Nigeria. At the Institute of Peace in Washington DC this year when he visited with other Northern governors, he placed the blame for the Boko Haran insurgency on the Jonathan presidency. He then followed this up with a detailed letter to the forum of the Northern governors in which he accused the Jonathan led government of genocide against the North. This rattled and unsettled the government.Repeated attempts to have Gov. Nyako withdraw his letter and apologize to the President failed. From the moment he wrote that letter, he became a marked man. The government savaged the governor through the media. This kangaroo impeachment is government’s way of punishing Nyako. The plan is to use the contents of the letter he wrote to the Northern Governors as a basis to try him for treasonable felony and eventually sentence him to life imprisonment. Nyako’s frank, if rough-edged, letter concerning the security situation apparently infuriated the monarch of Aso Villa who has become so arrogant as to believe no opposition against him is justified, thus he has the liberty to impose his brand of injustice to crush those who oppose him. Before our eyes and under Jonathan’s watch, Nigeria gradually descends into fascism. We must all act now before it consumes us all. In impeaching the Governor Nyako, the PDP used the constitution to abuse the constitution and the democracy it is supposed to enshrine. Governor Nyako’s impeachment must be seen completely as political move to punish his and deter others from leaving the PDP. It was a sanction imposed against political freedom and freedom of expression. It had little to do with alleged financial or other wrongdoing. A view of the alleged charges against him reveals that his purported wrongdoings revert to when he was still in the PDP, some dating back three years. His actions were known to the House of Assembly then. While he still adhered to the PDP, there was no talk of misconduct. Upon leaving the PDP, his actions suddenly became the meat for impeachment. There is only one thing new which was not then present. The governor’s political party affiliation changed. In the PDP mind, his party change transmitted him from the list of those to be praised to the list of those to be persecuted. He gave green light to this move and winked approvingly as his minions poured cash into the pockets of the pliable Adamawa State Assembly members who would do their bidding. That the impeachment came on the same day that PDP governors and National Assembly members scurried to Aso Villa to endorse another term for their king is no accident. This was orchestrated to appear that all the wind is at the PDP sails and that the APC has been stalled by PDP strong-arm tactics. They want to create the impression that all is well and that the president rides high on popular acclaim. But there is a large crack in their wall. Because they profit from and love the wreckage they have done to us, the president and his subordinates delude themselves into believing the average Nigerian also loves them for the damage they have caused. After over three months of avoiding the parents of the Chibok victims, Jonathan was shamed by the visit of a heroic teenager from another land, Pakistan’s Malala, into agreeing to meet them. However, after being shunned for months by the President’s cold indifference to their plight, the aggrieved parents refused to be party to the President’s slick public relations game. The parents shunned the man who would not meet with them when they wanted to meet him. He only decided to meet them to gain publicity. The parents saw through his uncaring charade. They decided not to add themselves to the farce. In the universe of his political hacks and courtiers, President Jonathan can do no wrong because his pockets are deep and seem never to run dry. For him, this is popularity and legitimacy. But if he truly wants to gauge how the people of Nigeria truly feel about him, he would seriously consider why the parents boycotted his meeting. These parents more accurately represent the mood of the nation than do all the processions of politicians who come to the Villa to lay themselves at the feet of their monarch. He and the PDP contrived the removal of Governor Nyako from office. This is a temporary and costly victory for it reveals more and more the undemocratic heart of the man who rules over the nation. He now justifies his illegal and immoral acts by claiming that any show of dissent or opposition to him is the product of partisanship and thus not to be seriously considered. This is what all dictators tell themselves and he has become one. As such, he believes he can turn his back on the will and welfare of the people in order to attain his personal ambitions. Yet, while he may ignore the people, even he cannot make them disappear nor can he keep them for seeing him for what he is. If he truly believes the false acclaim of his coterie and party dregs are genuine, let him stop these contrived attacks against opposition politicians. If he believes so much in himself, let the people decide things at the polls. He will not do this because he rightly fears Nigerians will do unto him what he has done unto them. When he calls unto the people, they will turn their backs to him in just reward for his sad and indifference misrule of this precious nation. Impeaching duly elected opposition politicians will not increase his popularity. These acts only undermine our democracy. The one party state and quasi-monarchy the PDP seeks are relics of the past and will not again stand in Nigeria. SOURCE ; NEWSWIRE

Senate confirms Chidoka,outgoing FRSC boss, Olanrewaju as Ministers

The Senate on Wednesday formally confirmed the nomination of Mr Chidoka ,and Mr Abubakar Olanrewaju as Ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Their confirmation at the senate plenary followed the forwarding of their names by President Goodluck Jonathan earlier for ratification for appointment as Ministers. Before Wednesday’s confirmation ,Osita Chidoka who represents the slot for Anambra State was the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps while Mr Abubakar Olanrewaju from Kwara State was a lecturer at the University of Abuja. Both Mr Chidoka and Mr Olanrewaju are expected to be sworn in by the President later.

Fighting Boko Haram : Jonathan seeks NASS approval to shop for $1billion loan.

Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan has asked the National Assembly to approve his request before them to borrow $1billion externally to be able to fight the Boko Haram insurgents to a stand still. Jonathan made the request in a letter he sent to both the Senate and House of Representatives on Tuesday which was read in both chambers on Wednesday. In the letter, the President said the money was to be used for among others, the upgrade of security equipment, so as to be able to wage the war against insurgents in the North East well. He added that the money when secured will also be used for the training of the military and other security officers in the country. The letter read by the Senate President at Wednesday sitting of the Senate read in part ,”I seek the concurrence of the National Assembly for external borrowing of not more than $1billion dollars including government to government arrangements for this upgrade “. President Jonathan said he was counting on the steadfast support of the legislators on the borrowing of the money. The Federal Government under the leadership of Jonathan has within this financial year dispensed close to N1 trillion on security especially in relation to insecurity in the country,a trend which the people believe is not abating.

Niger State Governor takes lead to stop medical tourism.

Governor Aliyu Babangida of Niger State has said that his administration has resolved to end all forms of medical tourism outside the country. As an indication in this direction ,the governor has entered into an agreement with an Abuja based private hospital to henceforth take care of the states' referal cases. Making this disclosure,the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr Israel Ebije in a statement in Minna said a sum of N18 million has already been deposited with the management of the hospital for treatment of the state's patients with special health needs. He staed further that the amount will be replenished periodically to encourage Nigerians not only to rely on government but also to patronise Nigerian hospitals.

2015 Election :Group ask Ihejirika,ex Army Chief , Senator to back down over their ambition,

LT Gen Ihejirika ( rtd)

A group in Abia State has called upon the retired Chief of Army Staff and indigene of the state, Lt Gen Azubuike Ihejirika and Senate Committee Chairman, Oil and Gas Nkechi Nwaogu to immediately halt whatever ambition they might be nursing concerning the 2015 governorship election. .
   
The group Coalition of Abia State Professionals in a statement released in Umuahia ,the state capital argued that the participation of the duo in the forthcoming governorship election as candidates would  disrupt the political equilibrum in Abia.
   
According to the chairman of the group, Kelechi Onwudiayo, the retired General from Abia North had ruled for eight years.
They noted that the duo should show respect for Abia Charter of equality  which recommends power rotation amongst the senatorial districts and give others the chance to equally serve the people.

Parents Advised Against Giving out their Daughters in forced Marriage,Lawyer says its breach of Human Rights.

Parents have been advised to desist from the practice of forcefully giving their daughters out in marriage.

                 

The Federation of Association of Women Lawyers gave the advise in Niger State while intervening in a case of  a girl who threatened to commit suicide if her family did not allow her to marry a man of her choice.

                       

The Chairperson of the Niger State Chapter of the  Association ,Mrs Fatimah Muazu had personally intervened in the case of the girl in Bida based on what she termed the associations commitment to assist in violation of all forms of human rights and injustices perpetrated against children and women in society.

                                           

She explained she particularly intervened in the matter to avoid a breach of human rights.

                     

Speaking on behalf of the parents of the girl, one Mallam Mohammed said they had no knowledge that the girl threatened to kill herself over the issue.

                   

Mallam Mohammed assured the association that the matter will be resolved amicably within the family members.

                                 

They subsequently both agreed to meet at a later date to resolve all contentious issues relating to the matter.

Avoid Alcohol While Driving,FRSC Warns Trailer Drivers.

Chidoka, FRSC Boss               

Stakeholders in the transport sector have been called upon to advise road transport union leaders to sensitize their members on the need for them to desist from taking alcohol while on duty.

The call was made at a sensitization campaign b the Oyo State Sector command of the Federal Road Safety Commission FRSC ,held at the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria.

The campaign was held for drivers of heavy duty vehicles including tankers, trailers and trucks.

In his speech at the campaign, the FRSC deputy Corp Commander, Operations, Danjuma Garba said there was no doubt that tanker and truck drivers were very important to the economy as they facilitated mass movement of goods across the country.

He noted that they should always drive with utmost care and concentration while on the wheels because of their role in society and the fact that life was sacrosanct without a duplicate.

He advised them not to jeopardize the trust reposed in them by owners of the vehicles they were commissioned to drive.

Discipline, he added, should always be the watchword of every driver on the highway.

In his own speech,the FRSC Oyo Sector Command, Mr Godwin Ogene urged motorists irrespective of whatever type of vehicle they drive to always be at the right side of the law.