Constitutional posers trial Zakari’s stay in INEC

Constitutional posers trial Zakari’s stay in INEC Okechukwu Jombo, writes that ,Acting National Chairman of INEC Amina Zakari’s continued stay in INEC is generating moral and constitutional questions For the umpteenth time the continued stay in office of the Acting National Chairman of the independent National Electoral commission INEC Amina Zakari has refused to die down especially now that her tenure as National Commissioner has ended. Lawyers,Politicians,Public commentators have continued to ask what she is doing there in INEC.In response the Deputy Director Publicity Nick Dazang in trying to justify her stay said“There should be no controversy over the appointment of the Acting Chairman by the President because in Section 153 to 159 of the Nigerian Constitution, the President has the power to appoint the INEC Chairman subject to ratification by the Senate. ‘’There is a letter by the Head of Service appointing Zakari as the Acting Chairman pending the appointment of a substantive chairman and this is already in the public domain,” Also Ambassador Lawrence Nwuruku INEC National Commissioner justified her appointment in an interview by saying ‘’ She is legally appointed by the president with a letter from the head of service to back it up until either a substantive Chairman is appointed in her place or she is cleared by the Senate until that happens she is the acting INEC National Chairman’’ All the two speakers have hinged their arguments on the constitution and therefore it is pertinent to know what the book said INEC is established under section 153 of the constitution. And the mode of appointment of the chairman and members is constitutionally provided for under Section 154(1) and (2) of the constitution only. The President, in exercising his power to appoint the chairman or member of INEC, the constitution mandatorily says, “the president shall consult the Council of State”, and such appointment again, “shall be subject to confirmation by the Senate.” Now in writing a letter, though, through the Head of Service, purporting to appoint Amina Zakari in an “acting capacity” as chairman of INEC, a position that is unknown to the constitution He has gone out of the constitution he swore to uphold and defend, did the president act according to the above provisions of the constitution with respect to council of state made up of former Heads of State and governors of the 36 states as well as Senate confirmation? The duration of office of both National and Resident Commissioners is five years under Section 155(1)(c) of the constitution. UNDER a democracy with a written constitution, unlike British parliamentary system that is unwritten, the power exercisable by any elected or appointed state official like Mr. President must be derived from the constitution; otherwise, it is null and void. That is why section 1 of the 1999 constitution (as amended) declared unambiguously that, “this constitution is supreme and its provisions shall have binding force on all authorities and persons (including, Mr. President) throughout the Federal Republic of Nigeria.” The tenure of Amina Zakari ends on July 21, 2015 and must vacate office except re-appointed in consultation with Council of State and subject to Senate confirmation. The removal from office, before the expiration of five years, can only be done in accordance with Section 157(1), and not through unconstitutional letter that her tenure ended with Prof. Attahiru Jega on June 30, 2015, having not been appointed the same time. The condition precedent is the inability of the member to discharge his or her functions. The mode of removal is by the President, acting on an address supported by 2/3 of the majority of the Senate. Therefore, the letter that stated that her tenure should be deemed as completed with those of Jega and others whereas, her tenure comes to an end on July 21, 2015, is unconstitutional, null and void and of no effect. From the foregoing; every step with respect to appointment of Chairman and members of INEC is constitutionally provided for in mandatory terms involving critical stakeholders like Council of State and the Senate. The constitution does not give room for any form of discretion, perhaps, because of the sensitive nature of the role of INEC in the sustenance of the country’s democracy. From the foregoing,a legal practitioner Chief Nwankwo Obuma reeled out what he termed legal truths of what has happened According to him there is no provision for the position of INEC chairmanship in an “acting capacity’’ under the Constitution exercisable by the President, but power to appoint a substantive chairman and members of INEC. The constitution he said and no other statute have covered the field on issues relating to the appointment and removal from office of INEC members; On this note he summed up by saying that the letter written to the “acting chairman” requesting her to consider her term of office to have come to an end is written in violation of Sections 157(1) of the Constitution; That there is no implied removal from or elongation of term of office under the Constitution. Therefore, when the term of office of the acting INEC chairman constitutionally lapsed on July 21, 2015; she automatically ceased to be a member of the electoral body and as such, ceased to occupy the hitherto unconstitutional office of “acting chairman” because she cannot be acting in that capacity from outside the body He added that If the acting chairman is to be reappointed; the constitutionally recognised modes in Section 154(1) should be resorted to all over again; and He now opined that the position of the government whereby the acting INEC chairman was asked to consider her tenure ended on June 30, 2015, and yet to hold office as the acting chairman of the body is utterly contradictory and unconstitutional. This is because the “acting chairman” he explained has not been re-appointed and she cannot be conducting the affairs of INEC as a non-member of the body. The situation he insisted is a legal anathema, which must be corrected urgently because every passing day that she sits on that remains a violation of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. In the same line another lagos based lawyer Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa has dragged Zakari and the Federal Government to a Federal High Court in Lagos state, a lawyer seeking the court to remove her from the position because her appointment has ‘expired’. The plaintiff, who wants the court to bar her from parading herself as the INEC boss, said: “on July 21, 2015, the statutory tenure of Mrs. Amina Bala Zakari, as a member or commissioner of INEC, came to an end. She has not been re-appointed by the President upon due consultation with the Council of State and the re-appointment has not been communicated to the Senate for confirmation. Consequently therefore, the presence of Mrs. Zakari in INEC, is a constitutional aberration that must not be allowed to continue. “I have today, July 22, 2015, filed an action, at the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, to declare her appointment as acting chairman of INEC as illegal and unconstitutional, for her to vacate office immediately and for the court to restrain her from presiding over the conduct of any election in Nigeria, including the governorship elections of Kogi and Bayelsa States. “In the originating summons, I am seeking the following orders: “A DECLARATION, that the 1strespondent is not entitled to appoint the 4th respondent as acting chairman of the 3rd respondent, such appointment being illegal, unconstitutional, null and void. “A DECLARATION that the appointment of the 4th respondent as acting chairman of the 3rd respondent is unconstitutional, null and void and of no effect whatsoever. “A DECLARATION that effective July 21, 2015, the 4threspondent has ceased to be a national commissioner or a member of the 3rd Respondent cannot be appointed as chairman or acting chairman of the 3rd Respondent. “AN ORDER nullifying the appointment of the 4th Respondent, by the 1st Respondent, as the acting chairman of the 3rd Respondent, being in flagrant violation of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999. “AN ORDER, directing the 4th Respondent, to forthwith vacate office as acting chairman of the 3rd Respondent. “A PERPETUAL INJUNCTION. restraining the 4th Respondent and the 4th Respondent from proceeding with the organization or conduct or supervision of any election in Nigeria, under the leadership of the 4thRespondent as its acting chairman, in violation of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999. “AN INJUNCTION, restraining the 4th Respondent from further parading herself or holding herself out or functioning as the chairman or acting chairman of the 4thRespondent, in violation of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999.” “Long with this case, I also filed an application for an order of interlocutory injunction to restrain Mrs. Zakari from parading herself as acting chairman or member of INEC and also to restrain her from presiding over or organizing any election in Nigeria, including the governorship elections in Kogi and Bayelsa States. These are the orders that I am seeking in the application: “AN ORDER OF INTERLOCUTORY INJUNCTION. restraining the 4th Respondent from presiding over affairs of the 3rd Respondent or from supervising, organising or conducting any election in Nigeria, in her capacity as acting chairman of the 3rd Respondent, pending the hearing and final determination of this suit. With this oppositions one doesn’t need to be told that Amina Zakari is sitting on a keg of gun powder in INEC Reply, Reply All or Forward | More

I will be the last man standing for the PDP--Mark

I will be the last man standing for the PDP--Mark -----says defectors are fair weather friends By Okechukwu Jombo Senate president, Senator David Mark yesterday put paid to speculations making the rounds that he was contemplating joining the All Progressive Congress ( APC), just as he affirmed his unshakable loyalty to the People's Democratic Party ( PDP). Senator Mark stated: " I have no reason to jump ship. I will not leave the PDP. I will be the last man standing for the PDP. The party gave me the platform to be where I am today. " I will stay in the PDP to contribute my quota to the rebuilding and restructuring of the party. This is democracy. Winners emerge and the losers goes back to the drawing board and rejuvenate . Speaking at a special church service to mark his 67th birthday at St. Mulumba Catholic Chaplaincy Apo in ABUJA , the Senate President said: " The outcome of the presidential election in favour of APC is the will of God and majority of NIGERIANS. We, in the PDP have accepted the result in good faith. "Those drifting to the APC now are fair weather friends of the PDP. They are seeking new green areas. When the PDP bounces back, they will seek another return to the PDP. "I believe in PDP manifestos . I will work hard to bring the party back on track. What is important is that we have established democracy in Nigeria". In his remark, the Leader of the Senate, Senator Ndoma-Egba eulogised the President of the Senate for the wisdom he has used to pilot the affairs of the National Assembly adding that his (Mark) continued contributions to socio- economic and political development of the country cannot be undermined . Also, Senator TUNDE Ogbeha prayed God to grant Senator Mark good health, long life and courage in the years ahead. Clerk to the National Assembly, ALHAJI Salisu Maikasuwa praised the Senate president for his resourceful leadership and harmonious working relationship between the management and the political leadership. In his homily, the Parish Priest of St. Mulumba Catholic Chaplaincy, Rev. Fr. Innocent Jooji noted that only God determines the destiny of all human pointing out that "what ever the future holds for each and everyone of us is determined by God, " we should continue to have faith in God."

Over 40 senators not coming back to senate

Over 40 senators not coming back to senate Out of 109 senators currently in the upper legislative chambers over 40 of them are sure not to come back because they are not even candidates in the election Senators likely to be affected, according to findings, are Aloysius Akpan Etok (Senate Committee Chairman on Establishment and Public Service who represents Akwa Ibom North-West); Magery Chuba Okadigbo (Anambra North); Basheer Garba Mohammed (Kano Central); Barnabas Gemade (Committee Chairman on National Planning who represents Benue North-East); Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa (Committee chairman on Health, representing Delta North); Chris Nwankwo (Ebonyi North); and Paulinus Igwe Nwagu (Senate Committee Chairman on Police Affairs, representing Ebonyi North). Others are Senators Nkechi Nwogu (Gas Committee Chairman, representing Abia Central), Uche Chukwumerije (Education Committee Chairman, representing Abia North); George Thompson Sekibo (Committee Chairman on Defence and Army, representing Rivers East); Helen Esuene (Women Affairs Committee Chairman representing Akwa Ibom South); Prof. Benedict Ayade (Cross-River North); Sunday Ogbuoji (Ebonyi South) and Chris Anyanwu (Committee Chairman on Navy who represents Imo East). There are also Ayogu Eze (Committee Chairman on Works representing Enugu North); Senator Victor Lar; Senator Femi Ojudu, Senator Ganiyu Solomon,Victor Ndoma-Egba (Senate Majority Leader representing Cross-River Central,Senator Nnenadi Usman,Senator Muhammed saleh,Aisha Ahassan,Senator Abu Ibrahim, BELLO MOHAMMED TUKUR, ITA SOLOMON JAMES ENANG, LOKPOBIRI HEINEKEN, CLEVER MARCUS IKISIKPO, EDET BASSEY OUT, EDESIRI .E AGUARIAVWODO, EHIGIE EDOBOR UZAMERE, PAULINUS I. NWAGWU, ABUBAKAR ATIKU BAGUDU, NURUDEEN ABATEMI USMAN, SIMEON AJIBOLA, MOHAMMED SHABA LAFIAGI, SULEIMAN ASONYA ADOKWE, SOLOMON SUNDAY AKUKU EWUGA, NUHU. S ZAGBAYI, IBRAHIM MUSA, GYANG PWAJOK

CBN, AMCON to appear before senate on Cecilia Ibru’s N150 Billion assets.

CBN, AMCON to appear before senate on Cecilia Ibru’s N150 Billion assets. By Okechukwu Jombo The last may not have been had over the N150 Billion in assets and cash said to have been forfeited by the erstwhile Managing Director of the defunct Oceanic Bank Plc on her conviction of bank fraud by the court of law It was reliably gathered that the Senate Committee on Drugs, Narcotics, Financial Crimes and Anti-Corruption has invited the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) amongst others to appear before it to respond to a petition alleging certain irregularities perpetrated in the execution of the failed bank consolidation The Committee is also interested in the recovery of assets from loan defaulters and convicted Managing directors of the then oceanic bank Plc, intercontinental Bank Plc, Union Bank Plc, Afri Bank Plc and Bank PHB According to the correspondence from the Senate committee, the petition alleged that the funds and properties recovered by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission were not remitted to the banks and the properties and shares were never advertised for sales nor the proceeds remitted to either the banks nor AMCON The letter of invitation by the committee which was signed by Senator Victor Lar said of particular interest are the assets of Cecilia Ibru under the plea bargain with the EFCC which was alleged to have never been accounted for. The former MD was convicted of bank and securities fraud by a federal high court judge presided over by Justice Dan Abutuin Ikoyi, Lagos. She forfeited Two aircrafts worth $100 million, properties in Dubai, South Africa, London and Abridged Shares In listed Nigerian Companies The committee investigative hearing which is billed to take place today at the hearing Room 438 also summoned the Managing Director of Ecobank Plc formerly Oceanic bank to come along with statements of account from AMCON, NDIC or CBN under the bank consolidation from 2009 till date The MD of Ecobank is expected to also show proof of transfer of assets/shares/cash from AMCON to Ecobank plc Also expected at the hearing is the Ag. Director General of the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC), Munir Gwarzo, and the Chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Lamorde,

Ekweremadu Urges Pilgrims to Pray for Peaceful Elections, Fall of Boko Haram

Ekweremadu Urges Pilgrims to Pray for Peaceful Elections, Fall of Boko Haram By Okechukwu Jombo Deputy Senate president , Senator Ike Ekweremadu has enjoined Christians participating in the2015 Easter Pilgrimage to Jerusalem to pray for the peaceful conduct of the2015 general elections. He also charged them topray for the total fall of the Boko Haram insurgency while in the holy land. Senator Ekweremadu spoke during the flag-off ceremony of the 2015 Easter pilgrimage toIsrael, Greece and Rome at the Akanu Ibiam International airport, Enugu, yesterday. Praising the courage of the Nigerian military in the ongoing war against the Boko Haraminsurgency and terrorism, Ekweremadu noted that with God, Nigeria would havepeaceful elections contrary to the negative predictions in some quarters. Hesaid: “I want to ask you to pray for our country, especially for apeaceful, free and fair 2015 general elections and concerning the war againstinsurgency and terrorism. With your prayers, God will not only grant uspeaceful elections, but will have only good men and women elected into offices. “Today our soldiers are doing very well in the onslaught against Boko Haram in the North East. Onbehalf of the people of the South East, I commend their gallantry. But whilethey are engaged in the physical warfare, I urge you to take the spiritualwarfare for the soul of the country and fall of Boko Haram to the holy land." In a relateddevelopment, the Deputy President of the Senate has described the departure ofthe pilgrims from the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, as a dream cometrue. He therefore commendedPresident Goodluck Jonathan for upgrading the Enugu Airport to an international status, adding: “As the then Chief of Staff, Government House, Enugu, part of my responsibility then was to coordinate pilgrims leaving from Enugu. ‘’ One evening, I got a call that the vehicle taking our pilgrims to Port Harcourt had an accident and some people died. “When years later, I found myself in the Senate, one of my visions was to ensure that the people of South East would not have to travel for pilgrimage from outsideEnugu; all of us at the National Assembly and the South East political leaderscontinued to pursue it until late President Musa Yar’Adua sanctioned it andPresident Jonathan saw to its fruition”. He assured that the Jonathan Administration would see to the completion of theinfrastructural transformation of the Airport and called on the pilgrims topray for the President. While encouraging the pilgrims to hold their heads high in the holy land, he urged them to be good ambassadors of Nigeria and desist from any actions capable of tainting the image of the country

INEC’S readiness and many questions

INEC’S readiness and many questions Okechukwu Jombo, writes that INEC Chairman Professor Attahiru Jega has continuously contradicted himself about his readiness for the election, leaving room for many questions. When the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission,INEC Prof. Attairu Jega, appeared before the senate to defend himself against the use of card readers to conduct elections he didn’t know that he was deliberately telling Nigerians that he was not in any way ready for the election if it had held in 14 February . His utterance during the encounter sold him out to the extent that he accepted when he said it was a blessing in disguise that the election was shifted to March 28 . He even revealed that up to one million Permanent Voter Cards PVC are yet to be printed where they are being produced. He also said only the military can sanctify the rescheduled election date. These facts show only one thing which is that INEC was not prepared for the earlier date. What can one make of his statement that the problem is not with the production of the PVCs but with the collection.In all he said over 66 million PVCs have so far been produced and sent to the states even when most states still insist they don’t have it. According to him, the 66 million already produced have been distributed to the 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja for collection by their owners. He said the postponement of the elections by six weeks was a blessing in disguise as it will enable the commission to distribute the PVCs before the commencement of the general election in March And that it will enable them conduct Field evaluation-National Commissioners will visit all the state offices between Feb 11 and 19 to conduct evaluation and comprehensively determine the level of preparation in the field Following the field visit on Feb 20 and 21, the commission he adaded together with heads of departments and directorates of units will conduct a comprehensive assessment to determine what specific additional things need to be done before March 28 On Feb 24 they are to hold a meeting of the inter- agency committee on election security in order to discuss security arrangement for the rescheduled election On march 4, to hold a meeting of the commission with all the resident electoral commissioners to review progress of additional things done to finalise arrangement for the March 28 and April 11 elections The priotised areas of focus for the next six weeks has been identified the key areas are as follows Collection of PVCs’’This is an area which has attracted wide public commentaries and where collection rate has not been to the satisfaction of many Nigerians. The period of collection has been extended for four weeks to March 8 and all efforts are to be made to improve collection by voters with regular update with the rate of collection made public . He added that the collection rate nationwide has averaged 75.94 per cent ‘’ To organise mock tests of the card readers in each geopolitical zone and the ICT department in conjunction with the voter registry and electoral operations department mandated to immediately draw up plans for this and our decision is to now use this opportunity and identify polling units and do a mock test of the card readers particularly in each of the six geopolitical zones. Already we have conducted some specialised tests with partners in Nigeria in Texas USA and the card reader has passed in all the 13 test categories conducted in terms of its durability and versatility. ‘’ To organise additional training for adhoc staff especially those who are to handle the card readers and our electoral institute has already been mandated and they have already provided methodology and budget for doing this. ‘’To intensify voter education and public entitlement on Election Day procedures ‘’Resident electoral commissioners to intensify arrangement for election day transportation in consultation with the National Union of Road Transport Workers in the context of an MOU, which we have already signed with the union. All these are things that is to be done for a smooth election to be held yet they were not done before 14 February but Jega had told Nigerians that he was ready for the election. He told the council of state that he was ready when he briefed them about the shift in date he also told the Media he was ready but for a letter from the Military raising security concerns . At every forum Jega had continually painted a picture that he was ready even though he kept coming up with issues to indicate the contrally. Briefing the council of states before the Shifting of the date he said ‘’As of Monday, February 2, 2015, the total number of PVCs for the 36 states and FCT, which have been produced, delivered and taken to them for distribution to voters is 66,323,850 or 96 per cent of the total. ‘’ As at this date, there are balances of Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) cards for 7 states, which have been produced and shipped but would arrive thus: for 4 states expected on February 3rd, and for 3 states expected on February 4th. The total number of cards in this category is 1,365,552 or 1.98 per cent of the total. ‘’ There are PVCs, which have been stolen before they were collected by their owners, or which were damaged, or which were for people who have done transfers, and which the commission had decided to reproduce. These are being done here in Abuja. The total number in this category is 1,144,074 or 1.66 per cent. ‘’ As at February 3, 2015, out of the 66,323,850 PVCs already taken to the states for distribution, a total of 45,098,876 or 65.81 per cent of the total have been collected by voters (Attachment 2). Thus, about 34 per cent of the PVCs are yet to be collected by the voters. Our initial methodology for distribution of PVCs, given budgeting constraints, was: to distribute PVCs at the polling unit level, where registration took place, for 3 days, at the end of which, the remaining PVCs were taken to INEC LGA offices, from where voters, who could not collect, would be able to collect them until January 31, ‘’ 2015. Evidently, many voters did not, or could not, collect at the INEC LGA offices. In the past 3 weeks, in response to public complaints, we have introduced additional measures to help increase the rate of collection before the elections. For example, we have extended the period of collection on weekdays and introduced collection on weekends; we have further decentralised collection from INEC LGA offices to the Ward level; and we have shifted the deadline for collection from January 31st to February 8th. ‘’ If necessary, this can be further extended, but we prefer to cross the bridge when we get to it. We have also introduced innovative web and SMS-based facilities that would enable voters to find out whether they are on the register of voters, which polling unit they are registered in, and which ward they could go to collect their PVCs ‘’There are a couple of key questions to address: first, should INEC not conduct elections until every registered voter has collected his/her card? It is virtually impossible for every registered voter to collect his card (ill-health, travel, apathy, indolence, death, etc.). Second, what rate or percentage of collection is acceptable for an election to take place (51%, 75%, or 90+%)? In this case, whatever percentage is agreed upon, it would imply that a date for the election could not be fixed until it is attained. ‘’ Our assumption is that, since in the recent verifiable electoral history of our country, voter turnout in any election has never come close to 65 per cent, PVC collection rate of this irreducible minimum percentage point would or should be acceptable for the conduct of elections. More so because by the scheduled first date of the 2015 general elections, i.e., February 14, the rate of PVC collection would have by far exceeded this. At the end of the day the election dates were shifted only for him to appear before the senate and announce that they have distributed 66million PVC which means since the shift noting has been done the same number of PVC before the shift in date is even lesser than now. From the forgoing its either Jega doesn’t know what he is doing or he is outrightly lying for a reason Nigerians are yet to know

2015 Elections: Jonathan Will Win Amid Violence – US Ambassador

2015 Elections: Jonathan Will Win Amid Violence – US Ambassador A former United States’ ambassador to Nigeria, John Campbell, has warned of likely large scale violence in the March 28 and April 11 polls. A new report published and released by the US’ Council on Foreign Relations and authored by Campbell, said the 2015 elections may “precipitate violence that could destabilise Nigeria.” The report noted that the US government was at a loss as its influence on the Nigerian government has waned over the years. “The upcoming elections are a rematch of the 2011 elections between the incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan (a southern Christian) and Muhammadu Buhari (a northern Muslim and a former military chief). Tension between Washington and Abuja is higher than in 2011, largely over how to respond to the radical Islamist insurgent group, Boko Haram, which is steadily gaining strength in northeast Nigeria,” it said. According to the report titled, ‘Nigeria’s 2015 Presidential Election: Contingency Planning Memorandum Update,’ Jonathan will face a stiff competition from Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) in the March 28 presidential poll. “The APC is stronger than its predecessors (Action Congress of Nigeria and Congress for Progressives Change) and reflects a splintering of the political classes. The government’s inability to defeat Boko Haram, the economic hardships brought on by falling oil prices, and a growing public perception that the Jonathan administration is weak have fueled support for the All Progressives Congress. Though the APC’s voter base is in the North, it enjoys support all over the country, unlike the opposition in 2011,” Campbell stated. He, however, pointed out that Jonathan had significant advantages over Buhari. According to him, the President is “is at the centre of extensive patronage networks; he has access to the government’s oil revenue; and he and his party largely control the election machinery and ballot-counting infrastructure.” Though the former US ambassador to Nigeria said would-be voters in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe were likely to cast their votes for Buhari and the APC, he tipped the incumbent President to win the poll. “It is uncertain whether any provisions will be made for voters in the three northern states placed under a state of emergency because of Boko Haram, as well as the estimated one million people displaced by the insurgency. These displaced voters would likely support Buhari and the APC; their exclusion would benefit Jonathan and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Thus despite the strength of the opposition, Jonathan remains the likely—but not certain—winner.”

You are not God, Jonathan campaigners tell Obasanjo

You are not God, Jonathan campaigners tell Obasanjo The Peoples Democratic Party Presidential Campaign Organisation has told former President Olusegun Obasanjo to stop playing God over his numerous criticisms of President Goodluck Jonathan. The organsiation was reacting to the claim by Obasanjo that President Jonathan was planning to perpetuate himself in office. Apart from this, the former President also accused Jonathan of planning to cause chaos if he lost the March 28 presidential election. But the Director of Media and Publicity of the organsiation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, debunked the allegations, saying the former President under whom he served as Minister of Aviation and Special Assistant on Public Communication, was trying to play God. Fani-Kayode, who spoke at a press briefing in Abuja on Sunday, accused his former boss of trying in vain to control President Jonathan. He said the problem between the two members of the ruling party had nothing to do with Nigeria, and called on the former President to leave Nigeria out of the issues between him and the President. He said, “The bottom line is this: President Obasanjo’s grouse with President Jonathan is personal and it has nothing to do with Nigeria. “He should leave Nigeria out of it and let us all be. If he has a personal score to settle with Jonathan he should not do so at the expense of the peace and stability of Nigeria. “If he wants to stop Jonathan then let him attempt to do so through the democratic process and through the ballot box and not through foul and unconstitutional means. “We said it before and we will say it again: gone are the days that any President can be tele-guided and controlled because we have all come of age. “We continue to hold President Obasanjo in high esteem but his recent actions and utterances are beyond the pale. He has been unfair to Jonathan, to Nigeria and even to himself. “Most importantly the days of intimidating others with his harsh words and overbearing influence are long over. Obasanjo is not God. “Only God is God and He alone determines the fortunes of men and the destiny of nations.” Fani-Kayode said that after Jonathan came to power, Obasanjo did not only try to control and tele-guide the President, but he also asked him to do a number of things that he said were simply wrong and unacceptable. Asked to tell Nigerians those issues, he refused. He merely said that the President would speak on the matter anytime he likes.

Imo Guber election ,the stakes and swings.

Imo Guber election ,the stakes and swings. Okechukwu Jombo writes that Imo state Gubernatorial battle seem to be swinging out of the reach of the incumbent Governor Rochas Okorocha due to latest political developments in the state The Governorship tussle in Imo state between the incumbent Governor Rochas okorocha of the All Progressive congress APC ,The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Hon Emeka Ihedioha of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP and Capt. Emmanuel Iheanacho of the The All Progressive grand alliance APGA seem to be swinging out of the reach of the incumbent with latest developments in the state Okorocha before the developments was the candidate to beat and was heading to victory especially with the division in both opposition parties.A lot of people in PDP were still not sure of who their candidate in the gubernatorial election will be between Ihedioha and Senator Ifeanyi Ararume with their case still in court while Iheanacho battled legitimacy in his party due to the division between the leadership of the party. Some of the development included the peace resolution with Former governor of Imo state, Ikedi Ohakim, Mike Ahamba and Bethel Amadi and the winner of Imo state PDP governorship Primary, Hon Emeka Ihedioha . They urged their supporters to ensure victory for the party for the upcoming governorship election. Another incident is what happened to a well publicized students’ rally for Governor Okorocha of Imo state recently which degenerated into a violent protest against the governor leading to a major security breach following invasion of the government house by irate youths. Throngs of students and youths from all walks of life had gathered at the Governor Rochas Okorocha Campaign office along Okigwe road. They were said to have been gathered by the Executive Assistant to the Governor on Students Affairs, Godstime Samuel, for a solidarity rally in support of the re-election of the governor under a strange platform called the National Union of Imo State Students (NUISS). The students who turned out in their thousands were drawn 80 each from each of the 27 council areas in the state. They students indeed staged a massive rally and roadshow for the governor and reconvened at the freedom square where they were addressed by the Commissioner for Lands, Chief Uche Nwosu and later the governor himself who promised them N4million as transport. At the end of the rally, the Executive Assistant, Godstime Samuel presented the sum of N1.5million to be shared among over 10,000 young men. It was however not clear the reasons given by Samuel; whether N1.5million was all that was provided by the governor or whether he put the rest of the money to other uses, but the students would not buy any of the story. And in the confusion that followed, Samuel disappeared from the scene. Angry and unable to locate their contact man for explanations and completion of the money, anger led to frustration and a massive student rampage erupted. Now chanting solidarity songs in favour of the PDP and its governorship candidate, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, the youths marched into government breached the main gate and a near stampede ensued in government with government house workers scampering for safety. The action of the students who were virtually unchallenged saw government house workers fleeing to, as far as the Governor’s lodge for safety. Finding no one to address their grievances, the students vandalised and destroyed anything that stood in their way. The governor’s posters and billboards were torn to shreds, Street lampholders, APC flags along the government house drive-in were destroyed and traffic was grounded to a halt. The students were only restrained when a detachment of combat-ready policemen were drafted to the scene. The police had to shoot several cannisters of teargas to dislodge the defiant young men. The incident forced workers at commercial banks along the bank road area near government house to close down and flee their offices for fear of vandalised ion and teargas. Another incident was when a faction of the APGA adopted the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and PDPgovernorship candidate in Imo state, Ihedioha, and President Goodluck Jonathan as its choice for the February 14th and 28th elections. Factional national chairman of APGA, Chief Ejike Uche led some members of the Board of Trustees (BoT), and National Working Committee (NWC), to make the declaration while addressing journalists in Owerri, Monday. Uche told the media that their decision is based on the outcome of several meetings and consultations within and outside the party and urged all members of the party and the Imo electorate to demonstrate their support for the duo of Jonathan and Ihedioha by casting their votes for them. Uche said they did not accept the former Interior Minister, Capt Emma Iheanacho as their candidate, in view of his affiliation with Chief Victor Umeh, adding that the position of the group was a coalition and not merger. Also at the briefing were a former Attorney General of the state, Prof. Francis Dike, a former President of Orlu Zurume cultural group in the state, Chief Reuben Okoro, a former Mayor of Owerri Metropolis, Chief Uche Njoku, a Personal Assistant to Ihedioha and a member of his campaign organization, among others. While awaiting the court decision on the crisis befalling the APGA between him and Chief Victor Umeh, Ejike, said the party would produce a candidate by 2019, insisting that Prince Cletus C. Nwaka, remained their chairman in the state. He said: “After consultations, the best man today; the best man and the best man that will go on February 28, is Emeka Ihedioha.” Nwaka, who is a former chairman of the state’s Civil Service Commission (CSC), said he had remained the authentic party chairman in the state, who has discharged his duties well, stressing that he was in support of the party. Speaking for the party and Orlu, Okoro said he was being sincere, adding that it was the turn of Owerri zone and not the turn of re-enactment of Governor Rochas Okorocha, who comes from Orlu, after the Orlu zone had produced Chief Achike Udenwa for eight years before he handed over to Ikedi Ohakim after a stint of four years. With developments one cannot be sure of were the pendulum will swing but one thing for sure is that the PDP candidate seem to be gaining more ground everyday.

Buhari throws wife into political campaign

Buhari throws wife into political campaign By Okechukwu Jombo Against his known stance on women, Presidential Candidate of the All Progressive congress APC General Muhhamedu Buhari has resurrected his wife and thrown her into politics to campaign for him and his party. Aisha Buhari, the wife of the presidential candidate of the (APC), Buhari,is even heading the partys woman campaign committee alongside wife of the vice presidential candidate , Oludolapo Osinbajo. According to her, where such does not exist constitutionally, she will limit her roles to the traditional functions of visiting orphanages and caring for society’s downtrodden as the first lady. “`When my husband is elected as the president of this country, he will rule the country within the rule of law based on the constitution of the country. “If the office of the first lady is constitutionally recognised, he will not tamper with it, but if it is not that’s okay. “For me, I will perform my duties and role as the wife of the President of Nigeria traditionally. “Wives of presidents have some traditional roles, like receiving guests, visiting orphanages, helping the less privileged people. “They also lead in the fight for the right of women and malnourished children, infant mortality rate, kidnapping and girl-child trafficking,’’ she said. While inaugurating the initiative, Mrs Buhari urged the women to unite and cooperate with the men by mobilising women at all levels to ensure success at the February polls. She urged them to double their efforts in educating other women on how to cast their votes and at the same time be civil in their conducts. “As I am talking to you now, more than 55 percent of registered voters are women hence, it is imperative to have initiatives like this to mobilise fellow women at the grassroots. “The meeting will plan campaign activities that will show case the potentials of the women wing in selling the programmes of our great party to the women. “This will include mobilising women by creating voters awareness, particularly in the area of registration, collection of PVC, identifying the party logo and how to cast their votes,’’ Buhari said. Also speaking, the wife of the party’s vice-presidential candidate, Oludolapo Osinbajo, stressed the need to assist women and the less privileged in society. “I am happy that I am a mother, a wife and a sister. It is time to do more than we have been doing; encourage other women so that we all can be mothers of Nigeria. “Mothers heal, comfort, nurture, provide, and sacrifice. We have this virtue in us and by the grace of God; we will be given the opportunity to express who we are as women. “We are the ones who set the standard in the family; We decide whether our children will be honest or dishonest. “We have this opportunity to effect change, not only to change the things that are happening in this nation, we have the opportunity to change ourselves,’’ Osibanjo said. Present at the inauguration were the wives of the governors of Rivers, Imo and Nasarawa states, the national coordinator of #BringBackOurGirls campaign, and a host of other APC women and supporters Buhari before now had insisted the office of the first lady will be scrabbed because it was not constitutional.

Forget herbal cleansers, drink water and lemon

Forget herbal cleansers, drink water and lemon Many people start their day drinking herbal cleansers which they have been convinced would ‘cleanse’ their system of all wastes and toxic substances. Even though their efficacy and safety still remain a subject of hot debate in the medical world, millions of people keep downing herbal cleansers in quantities that could pose great danger to their health. More so, a recent study of 30 herbal cleansers by the Food and Drugs Administration in the United States revealed that they did not contain active ingredients or any medicinal substance that is beneficial to the body. The study also showed that 40 per cent of the random samples collected in the markets were adulterated. Another laboratory analysis conducted on samples of some herbal cleansers and ‘blood purifiers’ bought in open markets in Nigeria also revealed that many of them contained more alcohol than any of the herbal ingredients listed on their bottles. Scientists note that because of the high patronage they attract, herbal cleansers remain one of the most adulterated products in the country. This being the case, why expose yourself to the antics of counterfeiters who put suspicious substances in bottles and label them whatever they deem pleased, to the detriment of your health? Family physician, Dr. Segun Agbaje, advises that instead of ingesting substances that could predispose one to liver, kidney and other organ failure, one should rather consider simple but highly efficacious natural cleansers that you can make right in your kitchen that would improve your health. Agbaje states that natural cleansers such as water and lemon, when taken in reasonable quantity first thing in the morning, have been known not to only cleanse the body system but also detoxifies the body. “Warm water and lemon juice is a natural energiser and cleanser that is at the acceptable temperature and state with the body. Analysing them individually, experts say water is the fluid that takes nutrients and blood around the body. It is the medium in which toxins and wastes are excreted out of the body. So, if you want to cleanse your system or purify your blood, drinking more water than you do now should be the first step. “Lemon also has one of the highest concentrations of Vitamin C, a nutrient that must be derived from food because the body does not produce it. But the biggest benefit of drinking warm water and lemon is that it helps to maintain your body in an alkaline state. “When other foods such as rice, meat, yam, sugar and bread raise the acidic levels in the body, which allows bacteria and viruses to thrive in the body, water and lime, whose pH levels are alkaline, help to neutralise the toxic effects, reducing one’s chance of falling sick. However, the experts warn that one must not take lemon juice without water, as lemon is acidic and only becomes an alkaline fluid when water is added to it. Consultant Nutritionist, Tosin Akinsanya, says drinking warm water and lemon every morning keeps diseases at bay. Akinsanya notes that lemon is loaded with amazing quantities of potassium, folate, Vitamin B6 and thiamin, magnesium, calcium, phosphorous and vitamins A and E – nutrients that the expert says boost immunity levels and fortify the body to fight free radical cells that could cause cancer and other degenerative diseases. “There is no better cleanser or good morning drink comparable to the combination of warm water and lemon, as opposed to coffee and some ginseng or herbal teas that we have in the market these days. “Lemon has disease-fighting nutrients, something we all need at a time when the incidences of cancer and other non communicable diseases are rising. If you eat a lot of fatty foods or high calorie foods such as bread and rice; or solid foods such as fufu, eba, amala, pounded yam, etc., regularly, you need to cleanse your system often in order to remove the acidic wastes. “A diet overhaul is clearly in order if you fall into the above category; but a good first step is a daily regimen of a cup of warm water and the juice of half a lemon, first thing in the morning, to increase your metabolism,” Akinsanya counsels. The expert says that those who suffer from constipation and other digestive problems should incorporate this wonderful fluid combination into their breakfast routine. According to Akinsanya, lemon juice works wonders on the digestive system, relieving people of symptoms ranging from heartburn, belching and bloating in a natural and cost-effective manner. He adds, “The citric acid in this fruit contains enzymes that stimulate the liver to process all foods and detoxify the body. “Lemon juice is a friendly and natural solvent that absolves uric acid that causes joint pain and inflammation of some organs,” he concludes.