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EFCC detains Akala, Daniel, Akwe Doma

2011-10-06T16:22:00.001+02:00

Three former governors – Adebayo Alao-Akala (Oyo), Gbenga Daniel (Ogun) and Aliyu Akwe Doma (Nasarawa) – were detained after being arrested yesterday by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The anti-graft agency is questioning them at its Abuja head office on alleged mismanagement of about N100 billion.

Alao-Akala was arrested in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. Daniel was picked up in Lagos. Doma was seized in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital.

There was drama surrounding the arrest of Daniel. He allegedly avoided EFCC operatives at his Asoludero Court mansion in Sagamu, Ogun State, at midnight on Wednesday.

Aware that the EFCC operatives were bent on arresting him, Daniel reportedly telephoned the EFCC, through a proxy, saying he learnt that he was wanted by the agency and would like to report at the commission’s annex office in Ikoyi, Lagos.

The ex-Ogun State governor gave himself up at the EFCC’s Lagos office, where he was picked up.

Alao-Akala was arrested at his New Bodija Quarters home in Ibadan.

He was flown to Abuja aboard an Arik Air flight from Lagos. Daniel was taken aboard IRS Airline.

The ex-Ogun State Governor arrived at the EFCC office in Abuja, accompanied by his wife, Olufunke.

Oyo State government asked the EFCC to allow the law take its course, following the arrest of Alao-Akala.

In a statement, Festus Adedayo, Special Adviser to Governor Abiola Ajimobi, said: “Though the arrest is a vindication of our earlier allegation of the predatory clean-up of the state’s patrimony for four years by the Alao-Akala government, the present government does not want to gloat over the fate of the former governor. We only enjoin both the EFCC and the judiciary to allow justice to be done.”

Diran Odeyemi, Alao-Akala’s aide said the former governor was not arrested by the EFCC, but invited.

Odeyemi said: “This morning, Otunba Alao-Akala left from his Ibadan residence to Lagos to honour an invitation by the EFCC. He was later transferred to Abuja. He was not arrested and by this we are correcting the insinuation that he was arrested.

“He is aware of the statutory functions of the EFCC and hopefully prepared to answer any question put to him. As a retired police officer, he is aware of the consequences of any crime committed while in office.

“He governed with the fear of God, we are not anticipating any problem and we believe that he is in safe hands with the EFCC.”

Daniel’s media assistant Adegbenro Adebanjo, in a statement entitled: Daniel: I will be indicated, said:

“Today, agents of the EFCC visited the Sagamu home of Otunba Gbenga Daniel. When they got there, Otunba Daniel was at the pan-Yoruba Summit in Ikenne. On learning of their presence in Sagamu, Otunba Daniel left Ikenne to join them. He was taken away by the agents, ostensibly to continue investigation into the petitions it had received against the former governor.

“It is important to state that prior to their visit, Otunba Daniel had not been invited to answer any question. Also, nothing incriminating has been found or brought to his notice by officials of the EFCC prior to their visit to his house on Thursday. Indeed, when speculation became rife that he may be invited for questioning, a scheduled trip abroad by the former governor was put on hold in order for him to be available to answer the summons of the EFCC.

“As a law abiding citizen, Otunba Daniel expects the agency to follow the due process in the current situation.

“Otunba Daniel remains confident that he will be vindicated as the petitions written against him and which may have formed the basis of his invitation, by the EFCC are politically-motivated.

“We believe that at the end of the day, the truth will prevail.”

The three governors are wanted in connection with alleged fraud as follows: Daniel (N58b); Alao-Akala (N25b) and Doma (N18b).

A EFCC source, who spoke in confidence, said: “These ex-governors will be quizzed alongside some of their ex-commissioners and contractors.

“We have already prepared a list of ex-commissioners and contractors that will appear before our interrogation team.

“Although we have reports that some ex-commissioners and contractors in Oyo State have gone underground, we may declare them wanted, if necessary. There is a case of a big time contractor in Oyo who has been located in Britain.”

Responding to a question, the source added: “We are likely to detain the ex-governors, pending the conclusion of investigations.

“We will surely complete our investigations within a timeline in order to arraign them in court.”

EFCC spokesman Femi Babafemi said: “At the moment, I know we have three ex-governors – Alao-Akala, Daniel and Doma – with us for interaction over allegations of fraud while in office.

“They are being investigated for alleged diversion and misappropriation of N58.5billion (Alao-Akala); N25 billion (Daniel); and Doma (N18billion).

“I cannot say how soon they will be released because investigation has just started.”

It was learnt that their arrest was fuelled by petitions from their states.

Part of the N25billion allegedly mismanaged by Alao-Akala is the alleged deduction of N8.2billion from the Excess Crude Funds belonging to the 33 local government areas to finance 155-kilometre road projects.

Each of the 33 local government areas was forced to part with N250million for the special road projects.

About five-kilometre road is to be constructed in each of the 33 local government areas.

Alao-Akala is expected to make the following clarifications: why the said deduction was not backed by law; diversion of a part of the fund; inflation of road contracts in some councils; and non-execution of the projects in some local governments.

Prior to his arrest, a six-man panel raised by the EFCC chairman, Mrs. Farida Waziri, had isolated some allegations against Daniel.

Some of the allegations are as follows: “Diversion of about N12billion revenue in Ogun State Bureau of Lands and Survey.

“Non-remittance of N1billion deducted from Ogun State workers’ salaries.

“Fraudulent and illegal payment of N1bilion purportedly as counterpart funding for water projects.

“Illegal debt servicing to the tune of N5.2billion as against an appropriation of N350million for the same purpose in 2009.

“Payment of N300million electricity utility charges by the State Electricity Project Agency, despite direct deduction of same from various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

“Diversion of N500million agricultural loan granted by National Agricultural Credit Bank for Rural Development.

“Diversion to cronies and associates of N5billion in the name of salaries and allowances under the Contingency and Miscellaneous of the Office of the Governor.

“Questionable transfer and disposal of government-owned enterprises and investment portfolio of over N15billion by Gateway Holding without enabling law or House of Assembly approval.

“Illegal purchase of 20 refurbished graders to the tune of N950million for Local Government Areas and subsequent deductions from their allocations monthly.

“Illegal purchase of 20 Toyota Prado SUVs to the tune of N200million for local government areas and subsequent illegal deduction of same from their accounts and allocations.

“Fraudulent procurement of loans from various financial institutions (mostly banks) amounting to over N22billion without approval from the House of Assembly.”

Doma is alleged to have inflated contracts; duplicated contracts and mismanaged the Local Government Joint Account.

http://www.thenationonlineng.net/2011/index.php/news/22125-efcc-detains-akala-daniel-akwe-doma.html

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2011-10-06T16:07:00.000+02:00

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Ogun gov race: The PPN challenge as Gov Daniel defects from PDP

2011-02-11T09:56:00.000+02:00

The crisis in the Ogun State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) took a new turn with the defection of Governor Gbenga Daniel’s faction to the Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN).Sulaimon Olanrewaju traces the genesis of the crisis and the chances of the party in the April elections.

The crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State has reached a crescendo. The spine has snapped and the two factions in the party have had to go their different ways. It is not the best for the party, considering the fact that this is an election year, but it is hardly avoidable. Now, the faction jointly led by Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Senator Jubril Martins-Kuye remains in the party, while the Chief Gbenga Daniel faction has to seek refuge in another party, Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN).

The problem has been on for a while. According to Governor Daniel, it started in 2006. The problem is not about ideology or principle, it is about control; control of party structure and resources. The pendulum swang different ways at different times.

When Obasanjo held sway as the president of the country, he was fully in charge of the party in the state. The governor had to kowtow to him. But then Obasanjo left office in 2007 and given the fact that his successor, Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, wanted to undo some of the things his predecessor had done, the pendulum of the power swang in the direction of Daniel, especially since the governor had the ears of the late president. The governor began to call the shot in the affairs of the party in the state. He put his own people at the helm of affairs in the party. That was when Elder Joju Fadairo-led executive was installed. At the time whatever the governor wanted from the party headquarters he got.

But then the unexpected happened, Yar’Adua died suddenly. The first sign of trouble for the governor was that he had no input into the two ministerial nominees from the state. He tried hard to push his own people into the cabinet of President Goodluck Jonathan without any luck. Obasanjo was back into reckoning. He nominated his former Minister of State for Finance, Jubril Martins-Kuye, and Jonathan appointed him. The ministerial nominee of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole, was also appointed by Jonathan.

The struggle for power in the state has gone up an octave since early last year with the two factions maintaining different secretariats. Several attempts by the national headquarters of the party to resolve the crisis had been rebuffed by both factions because either felt agreeing to the terms would shortchange it in the scheme of things.

The last straw that broke the camel’s back was the primaries. Each of the two factions, brandishing court judgments, had claimed that it was the authentic one and each prepared its people for the primaries. However, the members sent by the national headquarters to screen those interested in the primaries carried out the exercise at the secretariat of the Daniel’s faction. Initially, the other faction refused to be screened at the secretariat but this later changed and they subjected themselves to screening at the secretariat. According to the faction, they decided to undergo screening at the Daniel’s faction secretariat because the governor, who was the host of the panel, prepared the secretaiat of his faction for them and they knew that unless they were screened they would not be able to participate in the primaries.

However, the factions held their separate primaries in different places. For the gubernatorial primary, the Daniel’s faction had its own at the MKO Stadium, OBJ/JMK faction held its own at the Obasanjo Presidential Library. Not unexpectedly, the two factions had their separate lists of candidates. Governor Daniel won the Ogun East senatorial ticket at the primary organised by his faction. Mrs Lola Edewor-Abiola also won the senatorial ticket for Ogun Central, while Mr Gboyega Nasir Isiaka won the gubernatorial ticket. On the other hand, Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello won the Ogun Central senatorial ticket at the primaries organised by the OBJ/JMK faction while General Adetunji Olurin won the gubernatorial ticket.

Even at this stage, it was not clear which side had the upper hand as both of them claimed that they were recognised by the national headquarters without the national headquarters making any commitment. Then as the deadline for submission of candidates by parties to the INEC drew close, it appeared that the Daniel’s faction had an edge as the national headquarters appeared disposed to taking its list. Sources even said that the PDP national body presented the list to the INEC on the eve of the deadline but the electoral umpire had to turn it down because the other faction had been able to secure an interim injunction from a Federal High Court in Abuja restraining the PDP and the INEC from “announcing or making any pronouncement validating the results of the primaries/ congresses” organised by the Daniel’s faction.

The court order changed everything for the Daniel’s group. With the court order, the other faction became recognised by the INEC as being the authentic one, pending the determination of the case. An attempt by the Daniel’s faction to vacate the order by a Federal High Court in Abeokuta was last Friday rejected by the court.

With the development, Adetunji Olurin and others on the list presented by the OBJ/JMK faction have become the candidates of the party. This was accentuated with the presentation of the party’s flag to him in Ibadan on Tuesday.

This devastated the Daniel faction no end. They see it as the height of injustice given the fact that the governor gave his best to the party and worked tirelessly as the South-West coordinator of Jonathan /Sambo Campaign Organisation to deliver the zone’s delegates to the president at the presidential primary. The faction sees it as using the governor only to dump him at the end. It was so hit by the turn of events that it prevailed on Governor Daniel not to attend the kick off of the PDP’s campaign in the South-West in Ibadan in protest of their treatment in the hands of the party leadership.

In his reaction, Daniel said, “I was about going to Ibadan. You came to block the way and when I asked why, I was told the people of the state are unhappy. I pray that God will take away those who made us angry. We have been ruling Ogun State truthfully and the people appreciate and commend us. But some people came to disorganise things, playing god.”

He added, “We have fasted and we will break our fast tomorrow (Wednesday). Then you will all know where we are going. I will never lead you astray and I promise that none of your candidates will be substituted.”

The governor made it clear to his followers that he would provide them an alternative platform rather than allow the PDP leadership to thwart their aspirations.

Following that, the governor and his followers have resolved to defect to another party, the Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN).

The story of the new party is as interesting as it is intriguing. According to sources close to the governor, he had sensed that there might be a plan to undermine him in the scheme of things in the state and had therefore taken the precaution of registering the party. It was a wise move that has paid off. Now, the governor and his followers have a platform on which they can seek to be elected in April.

But why go to another party while their case is still in court?
A source in the faction said, “We have no doubt that the case will eventually go in our favour because we are the authentic faction, but we shall lose time if we don’t act now. We may be unable to campaign if we wait for the court to determine the case and that will affect our performance in the elections. That is why we have to take this step.”

Talking about the chances of the party in the general election, a spokesperson of the party said, “We have the people. The people of the state are solidly behind Governor Gbenga Daniel, they will go wherever he goes.”

There is no doubt that the emergence of the new party will change the political calculations in the Gateway State but can the party upstage the PDP and the ACN, which are solidly on the ground?

The gubernatorial candidate of the PDP, General Olurin, and that of the PPN, Gboyega Isiaka, are both from Yewa. The implication of this is that instead of a party getting the bloc votes from Yewa, the votes will be divided between the two parties. Although it may be difficult for the ACN candidate, Ibikunle Amosun, who is from Egba to get bloc votes from the area given the fact that there are many PDP and PPN heavyweights from that area, it is not unlikely that Amosun will have the upper hand in that area.

However, it is Ogun East, comprising Ijebu and Remo, that may likely determine the party that will win the election. Interestingly, the three major parties in the state picked their deputy gubernatorial candidates from the area. Comrade Tunde Oladunjoye of the PDP, Mrs Joko Odunuga-Odeyemi of the PPN and Mr Segun Adesegun are all from the zone and have to work extra hard to ensure victory for their respective parties in that area.

Then Governor Daniel is from that zone and so is Semator Martins-Kuye and a former deputy governor, Alhaji Gbenga Kaka, of the ACN. Each of these political big wigs will want to prove that he is in charge of his territory and no one is sure of what will happen.

There is no doubt that with the new entrant in the state politics, things cannot remain the same in
the Gateway State

http://tribune.com.ng/index.php/politics/17405-ogun-gov-race-the-ppn-challenge

'Looting' - Obasanjo Drags Daniel to EFCC

2011-02-10T13:07:00.000+02:00

The on-going feud between former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, has taken a new dimension.

LEADERSHIP sources at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), office in Lagos revealed yesterday that the former president last Friday submitted a strongly worded petition loaded with weighty allegations against the governor.

According to the source, the petition which has been forwarded to the chairman of the EFCC Mrs. Farida Waziri carefully chronicled the alleged financial misdeeds of the embattled governor in his eight years tenure.

The source further revealed "Based on this high profile petition, the operatives of the commission have resurrected the case-file of Daniel in readiness to bring him to book once his tenure is over in May this year".

The petition it was gathered is receiving all the attention of the Commission because of the calibre of the petitioner. "This is one petition that must be given serious attention because of the source and the manner in which it was presented. It emanated from a very important personality in the State and it carefully chronicled some of the alleged misdeeds of the governor during the eight years he presided over the affairs of the state. We must do something about this petition," said the senior EFCC operative.

Meanwhile, Femi Babafemi, spokesperson to the anti-graft agency in a telephone interview confirmed to LEADERSHIP that the investigation of financial recklessness in Ogun State during the eight years of Governor Daniel's tenure was on going. When asked whether the former president submitted a petition against Daniel he replied "no comment"

The petition according to the EFCC source listed a range of allegations which included outright diversion of funds meant for local government areas in the state to unauthorized borrowings. According to the petitioner, the debt profile of the state has almost hit the one trillion naira mark.

In a related development, an Ogun State High Court yesterday voided the harmonization of Ogun state chapter of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) declaring it "illegal, null and void".

The presiding Judge Justice A.O.Jibodu in his ruling declared that "by virtue of the provisions of article 14.1 of the constitution of the Peoples Democratic Party, the Claimants who were duly elected on the 28th of February, 2008 as Chairman and Officers of the Ogun State executive committee of the party are entitled to hold the offices into which they were elected as set out opposite their names in the Schedule annexed to the summons for a term of four years commencing from the 28th of February 2008".

The ruling declared, "the claimants are still holders of the offices set out opposite their respective names in the schedule annexed to the summons in the Ogun State Executive committee of PDP. It is hereby declared that the purported harmonization the Ogun State executive of the PDP as contained in a letter dated 30th July 2010 issued by the 2nd defendant (Alhaji Abubakir Kawu Baraje) is unconstitutional null and void."

The court was ruling in a suit filled by the chairman of Daniel group Chief Joju Fadairo and 26 others against the national chairman of PDP and three other defendants.

Daniel faction wanted the court to declare by virtue of the provision of article 14.1 of the PDP the plaintiffs who were duly elected on the 28th of February, 2008 as chairman and officers of the Ogun State executive committee are entitled to hold the offices set out opposite their names in the schedule for a term of four years commencing from the 28th of February 2008.

Daniel group also sought the court to declare that they are still chairman and members of the state executive of PDP.'Article 12.72(e) of the constitution of PDP 2009 (as amended ) which empowers the national Executive of the party to dissolve a duly elected Executives before the expiration of its tenure of office under article 14.1 is repugnant to inconsistent with the provisions of section 223 (1) (a)and (2)(a) of the constitution of Nigeria of 1999 and therefore is unconstitutional null and void.

The group also wanted the court to declare the harmonization of Ogun executives of the party null, void and of no consequence.

Reacting to the ruling one of the counsels to Obasanjo group, Ajibola Oliyide said the ruling lacks merit because the presiding Judge did not listen to the parties concern before giving the ruling. "The whole thing is a sham; you cannot rule on an issue like that without all the parties represented. The next line of action shall be unfolded in due course'

Also Chairman of Daniel led faction, Joju Fadairo, described the ruling as victory for democracy. He said "it is now very clear that justice can be delayed but never be denied".

It could recalled that recently an Abuja high court had gave an injunction restraining INEC from recognizing Daniel faction of PDP executives in Ogun State claiming that it had been dissolved by the national body of the party a situation which gave Obasanjo group an upper hand in the political landscape of the state.

Culled from: Leadership editors

Daniel, Bankole, Abiola Edewor, out of April Polls

2011-02-08T10:19:00.000+02:00

The political futures of Ogun State Governor, Gbenga Daniel, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole are in tatters. While Bankole was knocked out of Abeokuta South, Daniel’s dream of becoming a Senator representing Ogun East went up in smoke.

The names of Bankole and Daniel were dumped by the Independent National Electoral commission (INEC) few hours ago. Also affected was Ms Lola Biola-Edewor, and Gbenga Isiaka.

Tunji Olunrin is the Governorship candidate, Iyabo Obasanjo, Ogun Central, Peter Olusegun Alawode , Abeokuta South, and Mohammed Olatunji for Ogun East.The omission of Bankole is curious because he was unopposed at the primaries.

Pointblanknews.com learnt that the INEC dumped all those loyal to Daniel for the Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo faction.

The INEC had temporarily accepted the Daniel's faction list but the Obasanjo camp went to an Abuja High court to seek an interim order restraining the INEC and PDP from recognizing the Daniel faction. The INEC agreed, explaining that things could change if the matter is disposed off, but the possibility of anything before April is slim.

Daniel had vowed to fight Obasanjo to the end concerning who controls the Ogun PDP and the State, but considering the ex President’s colossal stature in the PDP,the battle may have been lost already.

Below are names of those cleared by INEC for the PDP and Action congress in Ogun State for now…details coming

List of Candidates Ogun State

Peoples Democratic Party [PDP]

Governor: Chief Adetunji idowu Olurin

Deputy Governor: Tunde Oladunjoye

Senate.

Mohammed Tayir Adetunji [Ogun East]

Iyabo Olusola Obasanjo Bello [Ogun Central]

Chief babatubde Fadun [Ogun West]

House or Representatives

Alexander Kayode Ajibade [Egbadoi North/Imeko Afon]

Salami Muideen Adegboyega [Odogbolu/Ijebu-Ode/Ijebu North]

Micheal Ajayi sewedo Fasinu [Ado-Odo/Ota]

Captain Musa Kehinde Borokini [Ipokia/Yewa South]

Peter Olusegun Alawode [Abeokuta South]

Dave Oladapo Salako [Sagamu/Ikenne Remo North]

Samuel Oluwafemi Abiodun Oni [Obafemi Owode/Abeokuta North/Odeda]

Osunbiyi Abidemi Jimmy [Ifo/Ewekoro]

Wasihi Adesegun Seriki [Ijebu North/Ijebu East/Ogun Waterside]

Action Congress of Nigeria

Governorship: Ibikunle Oyelaja Amosun [Senator]

Deputy Governorship: Prince Segun Adesegun

Senate

Odunsi Kamar Babalola [Ogun West]

Obadara Jeremiah Olugbenga Onaolapo [Ogun Cenral]

Kaka Adegbenga Sefiu [Ogun East]

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Odeneye Kehinde Olusegun [Ijebu-Ode/Odogbolu/Ijebu North East]

Buraimo Taofeek Bukunola [Remo North/Sagamu/Ikenne]

Osoba Olumide Babatunde [Abeokuta North/Obafemi Owode/Odeda]

Williams Samuel Olusegun [Abeokuta South]

Babatunde Olabode Ogunola [Ado-Odo/Ota]

Prince Adeluyi Akanbi Olusola [Egbado North/Imeko Afon]

Hunye Korote Somako Abayomi [Ipokia/Egbado South]

Adeyemi Adekunle Saheed [Ifo/Ewekoro]

Abudu-Balogun Abiodun Surajudeen [Ogun Waterside/IjebuNorth/Ijebu East]

Missing Dubai-Based Nigerian Family Found

2011-02-07T10:33:00.000+02:00

The sad tale of a Dubai-based Nigerian family – comprising the mother, three children and a cousin – declared missing since last week after departing Lagos for a trip to Asaba got even more tragic as it emerged late Friday that three of its members died after their car plunged into a river. The unfortunate incident which reportedly occurred a few metres from Okada, Edo State, also took the life of the driver of the vehicle. The three children miraculously survived and have re-united with their father.

The sudden disappearance of the family had greatly distressed the father, Ugochukwu Onyeocha, who reported the incident to the police. By Godwin Ifijeh

Mr. Onyeocha, who spoke to THISDAY from Benin on the phone could barely utter any word, saying: ”we have found them in Benin, the vehicle plunged into a river at Okada, the children are alive, I can’t tell you anything more. I will talk to you tomorrow.”

Mrs. Onyeocha, her two children and cousin, had traveled in a hired Toyota Camry car with registration No. KU 108 EKY, driven by one Mr. Godfry Emmanuel Inalegwu on January 26, 2 010, to Asaba, the Delta State Capital, to meet her mother’s request to see the children.

The family, who are based in Dubai, where Mr. Onyeocha is a mortgage manager and the late Mrs. Onyeocha, a staff of Standard Chartered Bank, had arrived the country on January 13, on holidays

Culled from: http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/missing-dubai-based-nigerian-family-found/85811/

Daniel vows to fight Obasanjo till the end

2011-02-07T10:28:00.000+02:00

Ogun State Governor Gbenga Daniel yesterday vowed to fight to the finish over his list of candidates for the April elections. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s faction in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Daniel’s are locked in a bitter feud for supremacy. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has rejected the Daniel faction’s list of candidates, following a court order secured by the Obasanjo faction. Daniel’s choice for governor is Gboyega Isiaka. The Obasanjo faction has former Military Administrator Gen. Tunji Olurin.

Obasanjo’s daughter, Iyabo, is the Ogun Central Senatorial candidate of his faction.

The late Bashorun Moshood Abiola’s daughter, Lola Abiola-Edewor, is the　candidate of the Daniel faction.

Daniel himself is the Ogun East senatorial candidate.

Speaking yesterday at the　inauguration of his group’s campaign　committees at the Valley View Auditorium of the Government House, Abeokuta, Daniel said: "We are fighting a last fight." The fight, he said, started in 2006. He urged them to be vigilant.

　"I want you to shine your eyes. Those who stole our vouchers to nail me; where are they today? We were harassed and intimidated, but God was on our side. I am not personally surprised with what we are witnessing today; you should not be shocked because of what we have been facing.

"We are in a marathon war; we will fight it to a logical conclusion. They even used the opposition media to fight us, an indication that they are working together with the opposition party to destroy our party and later move out.　You cannot be in a river and complain of cold. I want to assure that by May 29, we will successfully transit to a government of our choice," Daniel said.　

The governor spoke of how he did his best to placate　Obasanjo faction unsuccessfully. He said having failed to successfully derail his administration, they resorted to　balkanising　the party.

"We have used everything to appease them, yet, they are adamant and want to use power against us, but shine your eyes,"　he admonished his supporters.

According to him, the people rooting for　Gen. Olurin to become governor knew that the former military administrator of Oyo State　cannot win election, even in his Ilaro town. He wondered why the spirited attempt being made to foist him　on Ogun people,　if not for a sinister motive　of working against the PDP in connivance with the　opposition.

Obasanjo yesterday refused to answer reporters’ questions on the Ogun PDP crisis, among other issues raised with him in Okuku, Osun State.

Culled from: http://thenationonlineng.net/web3/news/27131.html

Comedy on Nigerian Power Sector

2011-02-01T20:33:00.000+02:00

Nice Nigerian Comedy on the power sector.

Enjoy.

Free -For-All Fighting Over "Lack Of Change"

2011-02-01T17:41:00.003+02:00

Bus driver, bus conductor and bus passengers in a free-for-all fight yesterday in Abuja. Cause of fight was lack of change!

After fight was over, bus conductor warns: "there can never be peace in Nigeria until everyone comes forward to a bus stop with their own change"

Culled from: http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/photonews-free-all-fighting-over-lack-change

Can Mubarak survive?

2011-02-01T09:38:00.000+02:00

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak is trying to reassert his control by offering talks with opposition groups and instructing his new cabinet to tackle corruption, maintain economic subsidies and move towards political reform.

Will this be enough to save Mubarak, who is the longest-serving Egyptian ruler since Muhammad Ali Pasha?

Will he be the second Arab leader to be removed by popular uprising after Zine El Abidine Ben Ali of Tunisia?

Lets keep watching!!!

"I see a plane crash that will claim the lives of many this year" TB Joshua’s 2011 prophesy

2011-02-01T09:23:00.000+02:00

The head pastor of the Synagogue Church of All Nations, TB Joshua gives this yearly predictions. He just released his prophetic words for 2011…some of it caught my attention…

“I see blood of personalities flowing. Take note of that. I repeat again, personalities should not enter the same plane and say they are flying from one state to another for any reason in this country. There is a danger. This is a plane crash that will claim the lives of many personalities. To avoid this, they should not enter the same plane together”

He claims to have predicted the death of a leader and the October Independence bombings last year.
#OK

I won’t contest in 2015, says Jonathan

2011-02-01T09:21:00.001+02:00

So our Current President/ Presidential Candidate of the PDP in the forthcoming Polls has promised not to contest in 2015. He stated this while addressing tne Nigerian Community in Addis-Ababa, Ethiopia also promised a free and fair election in April.

Can this be true??? Lets wait and watch, 2015 is by the corner.

Well that's if he wins this election.

Buhari names Bakare as running mate

2011-02-01T09:06:00.000+02:00

The presidential candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change, Muhammadu Buhari, has announced Tunde Bakare as his running mate in the April 9 presidential polls.

The choice of Mr. Bakare, the fiery preacher and general overseer of the Latter Rain Assembly, Lagos, was announced in a statement by the spokesman of the Buhari Campaign Organisation, Yinka Odumakin.

The statement said that Mr. Buhari hinged his choice of Mr. Bakare “on the need to put the best feet forward” in the forthcoming presidential contest. His name has been forwarded alongside that of the former head of state to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Source: 234next.com

The Future Awards 2011 Winners

2011-01-31T13:35:00.000+02:00

1. Actor of the Year- Mercy Johnson

2. Best Use of Advocacy - Muideen Salawu

3. Best Use of Science - Debo Olaosebikan

4. Best Use of Technology - Tolu Iruoye

5. Business Owner of the Year - Bode Pedro (VEDA Technologies

6. Creative Artist of the Year - Aisha Augie – Kuta

7. Comedian of the Year - Seyi Law

8. Designer of the Year - Bridget Awosika

9. Excellence in Public Service - Emmanuel Etim

10. Journalist of the Year - Tolu Ogunlesi (NEXT)

11. Magazine of the Year – FAB

12. Musician of the Year - Banky W

13. Music Producer of the Year – Sossick

14. On-Air Personality of the Year (Radio) - Maste Uwatse (Wazobia FM)

15. On-Air Personality of the Year (TV) - Tana Egbo Adelan

16. Professional of the Year (Corporate) Tokini Peterside

17. Professional of the Year (Creative) - Janet Nwose

18. Screen Producer of the Year - Clarence Peters

19. Sportsperson of the Year - Vincent Enyeama

20. Team of the Year – Falconets

21. Young Person of the Year - Nnaemeka Ikegwuonu.

Source: www.thefuturenigeria.com

Whose puppet will get the mandate!

2011-01-31T12:03:00.000+02:00

This is a big puzzle in the heart of Ogun PDP as it is yet to decide on who will carry the flag of the party in the forthcoming election. On Thursday 27th January, 2010, the widely known 'puppet' of the Governor, Alh Gboyega Isiaka (the immediate past MD/CEO, Gateway Holdings Ltd) was believed to have collected his INEC Nomination form to represent the party in Abuja.

However, there was a turnaround on Friday as a court injunction was served on the PDP State Exco (Led by Chief Joju Fadairo) by a Federal High Court on its illegality. This injunction also bared INEC from recognizing aspirants presented by the Fadairo-Led Exco which includes the Out-going Governor (a Senatorial Aspirant), Rt. Hon Dimeji Bankole (Speaker, House of Reps.) and Hon. Lola Abiola-Edowor among others.

Wide media reports also confirmed that the 'puppet' of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Maj. Gen Tunji Olurin Rtd. (A former Miliraty Administrator of Oyo State) was given his INEC nomination form on Saturday.

What seems to be a misery is 'will Ogun State be the first state to present two gubernatorial aspirants from one political party?'

Lets keep our fingers crossed.

INTRODUCTION

2011-01-26T17:04:00.001+02:00

Hallo peeps!

Thank you for viewing this blog. I'm Okanlomo Goke-Olateju from Ogun state, Nigeria. An Ex-May (12724) and a graduate of Sociology from the esteemed Bowen University (2003). A Human Resource Specialist with some banking experience. A Christian (Anglican by birth). FYI, I grew up in the village :D n still reside in one.

A strong advocate of #PUSH; #Bethankful; #Teamprogressiveparty; #TeamManUtd; #Lightupnigeria; #igovote; #cool2vote.etc

The aim of this blog is to discuss Economic and Socio-Political issues with particular reference on the Nigerian environment. I hope to open the eyes of many to the various happenings around the world.

Trust me; there is never a dull moment (#Nodulling), feel free n express yourself.

And so we start here.

"We must become the change we want to see in the world".~ Mahatma Gandhi