NDLEA officials surround Senator- elect, Buruji Kashamu’s home

Channels TV is reporting that officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have surrounded the home of Ogun State Senator-elect, Buruji Kashamu, who has an on-going drug case with the US. Something he has denied and even filed a case to prevent his extradition to the US.
The drug law enforcement agency is said to be set to extradite the politician to the US to answer drug related accusations proffered against him...

Madam Diezani Ignored by General Buhari throuhout d flight.

One of the few politician who can't be easily charmed by a woman is Muhammadu Buhari. The president who is expected to be sworn in on May 29 is not prepared for any nonsense from anyone.

Efforts by the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, to speak with Buhari aboard the British Airways aircraft failed abysmally as the President-Elect only greeted her during the boarding process and then quietly settled into his seat 2K in the First Class.

The embattled Minister booked herself into seat 3K, seating directly behind Buhari in the flight.

According to SR, she rose up a few times and tried to stir up a conversation with the President-Elect, but he only nodded and let her get back to her seat without permitting any dialogue. The flight arrived Heathrow in London at 2:15p.m. local time, but the passengers didn't disembark until 2:45pm due to delays at the airport.

Other Nigerian dignitaries in the First Class compartment of the flight included the chairperson of the National Electricity Commission, Sam Amadi, as well as Senator Philip Aduda, Segun Awolowo, and Hakeem Bello-Osagie, who sat in 4K directly behind Diezani.

When the airline crew announced passenger disembarkation, Buhari asked if Diezani had any of her bags in the overheard compartment so he could step out of her way. It then turned out she had occupied the entire overheard compartments with several of her carry-on bags, traveled with her aides also in First Class. Buhari was reportedly traveling with only one aide.

The Nigerian High Commissioner to the UK, Dalhatu Sarki Tafida, met Buhari at the airport.

According to reports, Madam Diezani Alison-Madueke was originally scheduled to travel to the UK next week Tuesday as she is billed to address the Nigerian Senate on Monday regarding the fuel scarcity crisis. But upon learning of Buhari's trip, she hurriedly booked herself on the same flight in the hope of an opportunity of a direct discussion with the President-elect. Unfortunately, her moves failed.

The Ministry of Petroleum, which she heads, is said to be one of the most corrupt in Nigeria.

APC Finally Consolidates Its Position As The Ruling Party

The wind of change blowing across the country again resonated on Saturday in many states that the ruling PDP has governed since the return of civil rule in 1999.

Results monitored by LEADERSHIP indicated that Benue, Niger, Jigawa and Katsina States have fallen to the winning streak of APC, whose presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, won the March 28 presidential election against the incumbent, President Goodluck Jonathan of the PDP.

In the governorship and house of assembly elections, a similar pattern of the "historic change" was seen in most of the states hitherto considered PDP strongholds...

Although final figures are still being compiled by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), our correspondents reported that the APC was "progressively leading" in most of the polling units monitored.

In Niger State, the APC candidate, Abubakar Bello, was jubilant and excited members of the party were seen celebrating across the state's 25 local government areas.

In Benue, the successes of Senators Barnabas Gemade and George Akume in the National Assembly election also rubbed off on the APC candidate for the state, Samuel Ortom.

Ortom resigned from the cabinet of President Goodluck Jonathan to contest the state's number one job. He was maintaining a comfortable lead in 18 of the 23 local governments at press time.

At the Government House polling unit, Ortom scored 145 votes to beat his PDP opponent, Terhemen Tarzoor, who polled 119 votes.

Also at Annunne Market Square Polling Unit in Tarka local government area, the APC polled 324 votes to PDP's 14 votes.

However, Tarzoor is said to have polled a total of 152 votes at the Ankpa Ward Polling Unit, an area where he grew up, to Ortom's 150 votes.

Contrary to expectations that PDP's Jimi Agbaje backed by the non-natives of Lagos State will replace Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, the APC candidate, Akinwunmi Ambode is conveniently coasting home to victory.

Results from the polling units indicated that Agbaje scored higher in Igbo-dominated communities like Amuwo Odofin and Oshodi/Isolo, but he lost by win margins in most polling units of Lagos East Senatorial District and Alimosho which have the largest populations in the state. Ambode was said to be in firm control of at least 15 of the 20 local government areas of the state.

Plateau also surprisingly favoured APC from the unit-by-unit analysis.

In Imo State, Governor Rochas Okorocha also cast off the state-sponsored rigging of the presidential election against his party, the APC, in the state to launch into an early lead, ahead of closest rivals, Emeka Ihedioha (PDP) and Capt. Emmanuel Iheanacho (APGA).

Also, Kaduna State, which had been ruled by PDP for 16 years, had Malam Nasir el-Rufai of the APC ahead of the incumbent governor, Mukhtar Yero, who hinted that things might not work his way.

Shortly after accreditation in Zaria, yesterday, Yero told his supporters and the entire people of state to accept the outcome of the election, whichever way it went.

Similarly, in Katsina, former speaker, House of Representatives and candidate of the APC, Alhaji Aminu Bello Masari appeared to cut short the winning streak of the PDP in the state since 1999.

President-elect Buhari was in Katsina on Thursday to attend the final rally for APC's governorship and state House of Assembly candidates in Saturday's elections, and he pleaded with the people of his home state to vote for his party's candidates.

Jigawa has also returned to the APC fold with results indicating that a majority of the House of Assembly seats as well as that of the governor went to APC. The state was governed by the All Nigeria People Party (ANPP) before the PDP took it over in 2007.

A similar situation is also playing out in Kebbi State as the APC governorship candidate, Senator Atiku Bagudu, is coasting home to victory and leading the PDP candidate Gen Sarkin Yaki Bello, in most of the local government areas of the state.

Why My Wife Didn't Accompany Me To Vote – Jonathan
President Goodluck Jonathan went to polling unit 039, Ward 13 in Ogbia Constituency 3 yesterday without his wife, Dame Patience.

The development was the first time the couple would be the first time the couple would not be voting together since the return of democracy in 1999.

Jonathan had arrived at 1:50pm unaccompanied by Dame Patience. Jonathan explained her absence: "We used different aircraft. She was supposed to be here. And we've been expecting her and we hope she will still come. The only problem is whether she will meet up with the accreditation period. But, she is supposed to be on her way."

But the First Lady has not visited her husband's home since he lost in the March 28 presidential election.

This APC woman has emerged First Female governor in Nigeria

Change is the only constant thing in life, and APC was smart to adopt the word as its slogan. The wind of change blowing across the land has thrown up a huge surprise in Taraba State with the emergence of a lady as the next governor of the state. That person is Senator (Mrs.) Aisha Jummai.

Desmond Elliot Celebrates His Election into Lagos Assembly

Popular Nollywood star, Desmond Elliot has succeeded in his bid to become a legislature. The actor turned politician has secured a seat for himself in the Lagos State House of Assembly to represent the good people of Surulere constituency in Lagos State. Congrats to him and other winners!

I Will Accept My Defeat In Good Faith ─ PDP's Jimi Agbaje

The hand writing is clear on the wall and the Lagos State governorship candidate of the PDP, Jimi Agbaje, says he will accept defeat in good faith if he loses the election to the APC candidate.

Agbaje's major contender, Akinwunmi Ambode, is the governorship candidate of the ruling APC.

Reacting to the election in Lagos, Agbaje said, "There is no attitude about it when it comes to offering yourself to serve the people. If they say they prefer the other candidate, then you have to accept it in good faith. That is sportsmanship."

From results available to  hot9jagist.Com , Ambode is the next governor of Lagos.

* INEC is expected to announce the results officially on Sunday.

Obasanjo Has Delivered For APC Again

Don't dare your godfather if you are not strong enough, if you are just surrounded by weak politicians. Again, the APC won the governorship and House of Assembly elections at President Olusegun Obasanjo's polling station, Ward II Unit 22, Olusomi Compound in Totoro-Sokori area of Abeokuta.

The APC defeated the candidates of Peoples Democratic Party, Social Democratic Party and Unity Party of Nigeria, among others.

In the governorship election results, APC polled 95 votes, PDP 4, UPN 8, while SDP polled 11 votes.
In the House of Assembly race, APC polled 85 votes, PDP 8, while SDP polled 14 votes.

Obasanjo, who addressed journalists after his accreditation, lauded Nigerians for their doggedness and never-say-die attitude by making the democratic process to thrive in the country.

The former president, who was accredited in less than one minute and voted around 2.26pm, said Nigerians had done themselves proud.

He said, "I think Nigerians should be proud of their performance in this election. There were apprehensions and, understandably so, because of those who were beating the drums of war.

"But God took control and people who expected a big bang did not even get a whimper. We should all be proud of ourselves. We have done it for ourselves; we have done it for Africa. I believe we are gradually maturing in our democratic process."

Father Mbaka's Prophecy Of CHANGE Has Been Fulfilled

Popular Enugu-based Catholic priest, Reverend Father Ejike Mbaka had predicted victory for the candidate of the APC in the presidential election, General Muhammadu Buhari.

In his New Year message he said Goodluck Jonathan would be defeated by Buhari.

In the words of Father Mbaka:
"President Jonathan has failed to stem the tide of insecurity and corruption in the country. In the year 2014, we had a lot of bloodshed in this country. People were dying like rats without anybody asking about them. This country suffered a lot of blood experience. Many of us witnessed that people were in tears. Just like the ancient world, the year 2014, the 4 in it had the queen in it, which had to do with death. Our leader's failed us with reckless abandon and nobody asked them question.

"We need change. Whatever it will be, let it be. This is my golden message to my beloved country.

"Ogini n'eme? (what actually is happening?). The multitude of our youths, the quality young men, quality young women, brilliants youths but nobody has plans for any of you. Our so-called leaders should come and apologize. In 2015, it shall not continue like that (everybody shouted AMEN).

"By the grace of God, by the power of the Holy Spirit, we are announcing, spiritually, Change! 2015 should not be a year of any hooligan manoeuvring to hijack power. This is our New Year message. Listen, when you go home, tell anybody you see that from the oracle of the Holy Spirit, we are announcing change (AMEN). Can somebody help me to shout Change (shouts of Change by the congregation rented the air) in Jesus holy name... I seal this year with the blood of Jesus."

After this message, a lot of Nigerians reacted because the Priest has earlier prayed for Jonathan's wife.

At the end of it all, that Chnage has come. But will it deliver for Nigerians? Our hopes are high!

Lagos Is Not In Bondage, Go Visit Chibok & See Bondage ─ Fashola replies Jonathan

Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State has reacted to President Goodluck Jonathan's statement that a vote for PDP in the forthcoming elections would free Lagos residents from oppression and bondage.

The governor while reacting to the Presidents statement said "It is an un-presidential statement made in an act of desperation. Lagos is not in bondage."
According to Fashola, "The question to ask him (Jonathan) is that if he had come to free residents of Lagos from bondage and he lived here for five days meeting with people and distributing money in dollars. That means he lived in bondage in five days while trying to free people.
"If he can live here (Lagos) for five days moving with patrol vehicles that we paid for, let him go and spend five days in Chibok and he will know what bondage is."

It will be recalled that Jonathan made the statement during a meeting with Lagos market women last week.

Bomb blast reported in Rivers state

Three bombs went off this afternoon behind Okrika Secondary school, venue of the APC rally in Okrika in Rivers state. Hundreds of APC supporters had
gathered at the venue of the rally waiting for the APC leaders when the bombs went off leading to a stampede. More details later.

Big Girl caught flaunting another Woman's Husband online

She didn't know that one of her friend online knew that the guy she is secretly dating is another lady's hubby. So, once she brought the show of shame online, her said friend decided to expose her. Smh!

PDP Insider Confesses: Jonathan is Truly Afraid of Buhari

A top member of the Peoples Democratic Party has revealed that the claims made recently by ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo that President Goodluck Jonathan is afraid that Muhammadu Buhari might jail him if he gets into power is real and they all know.

According to PUNCH, a meeting which might hold outside the country was to establish rapport between the two contenders before the election. A source close to the Presidency said, "We are trying to broker a meeting between the two leaders. The way the presidential electioneering is going may create serious divisions among Nigerians. We need to stop this.

"Apart from this, I think there is serious apprehension in the camp of the President that if Buhari wins, he's going to jail a lot of President Jonathan's supporters for alleged corruption...

"This is one of the issues that is causing serious tension in the camp of the President and we also need to make sure that in whatever we do, there must be peace in the country."

It was learnt that the claim by former President Olusegun Obasanjo that Jonathan was afraid that Buhari could jail him was real after all.

Another PDP man disclosed that Jonathan's fears is a fact that could not be denied by the Presidency.

He said, "You have listened to the press conference by our campaign office and we didn't deny that aspect. But we dealt with other issues.

"That statement by former President Obasanjo is real. It is true and we all know that. But we know that very soon, the meeting which we are hearing is being coordinated by some concerned leaders, might address that."

See what this Lagos Babe did to Herself in Public

How can a girl in her right senses do this on her shirt: "I Love F*cking You, Ayomide Mi"? I just wonder the level of home training some ladies of these days are getting from their parents... Really sad!

Buhari meets Catholic Bishops, allays fears on religious freedom

The presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress, APC, General Muhammadu Buhari (retd), has re-affirmed his commitment to ensure that Nigeria remained a multi-religious state where every individual was free to practice his religion of choice.

Buhari who spoke at an "Episcopal" Town Hall Conversation with representatives of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria in Abuja stated that although he had been severally and consistently vilified and maligned, he had no personal religious agenda, neither would he support any moves by anybody or group of persons to either Christianise or Islamise Nigeria.

In his speech, titled "One Nation bound in Freedom, Peace, Unity and Love", Buhari, who was accompanied to the event by his running mate, Pastor Yemi Osinbajo, the Director General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Governor Rotimi Amaechi, and a host of other members of the party's presidential campaign, said he "will not condone any initiative that seeks to promote one religion over the other."

Earlier in his welcome speech, President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, Bishop Ignatius Kaigama, who is also the Archbishop of Jos, said the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria believed in the unity and progress of Nigeria. He regretted the wide communication gap existing between the leaders and the people, hoping that the conversation was an indication of the willingness to establish a sustainable communication platform.

SOURCE: vanguardngr.com

Soldiers Invade Vicinity of Tinubu's House in Lagos

For three straight days, the private residence of the national leader of the APC, Bola Tinubu, has been under surveillance by battle-ready and helmet-wearing soldiers. Numbering close to thirty and riding in three patrol vans and an army trucs stationed close to the entrance of the gate to Tinubu's house along Bourdillon Road in Ikoyi, they have become a permanent feature.

Their obvious target is Tinubu himself and perhaps the hordes of politicians and visitors that visit his Bourdillon residence.
Tinubu said: "I remain resolute in my advocacy and support for the rule of law. Jonathan's government has through the service chiefs staged a coup against Nigerians and the Constitution and now wants to silence his critics. I will not be muzzled through the barrel of the gun. The guns and bullets they should use to defeat Boko Haram are now being turned against the opposition and innocent Nigerians."

The soldiers were first noticed on Sunday a few minutes to 11pm in an army truck. They stationed about 500 meters away from Tinubu's gate. Later they moved close to his gate as if making efforts to enter. The stern looking soldiers were around for hours on Sunday and returned on Monday to continue their surveillance. Monday night about 10.45pm, they returned to the residence in two army vans and were there throughout the night...

Some of the soldiers discharged from the van and walked back and forth in front of the house and around the house in what is clearly some casing effort.

On Tuesday morning, two vans from the army were stationed on both sides of the house along Bourdillon road their missions shrouded in secrecy.

In a swift reaction, Tinubu said he will not be intimidated by this show of strength, intimidation and possible harassment.

Tinubu remains emphatically resolute and committed to the path of change in Nigeria and the liberating manifesto of the All Progressives Party, APC. Tinubu is an unrelenting critic of the maladministration of the Jonathan-led PDP government. Tinubu is credited to have played the most pivotal role in the re-building of the Nigerian opposition and the formation of the APC, Nigeria's most formidable opposition party since independence.

The exact mission of the soldiers is not known but it fits clearly into a new pattern of intimidation of leaders of the APC and the opposition. The recent massing of soldiers for three days now at Tinubu's gate might be part of a broader plan by the Jonathan Presidency to intimidate Tinubu and his political associates and scare him from making provocative statements or building a broad coalition against the present government as he did during the NADECO days.

As the scaremongering by the army continues, Nigerians must come to the realization that the military has abandoned its statutory role and have now being dragged into partisan politics. Nigerians and the South West should hold the Jonathan led Military responsible if any harm or danger comes to Tinubu and his family. The case of the "Unknown Soldier" is too recent in our memory.

Did Pastor Adeboye Intentionally Did This To Jonathan?

From what those who should know are saying, left hand "blessing" is always one-kind one-kind. Lol...

...when it's time for him to release "blessings" for APC's Yemi Osinbajo, he used his right hand. Smh!

Jega Is Not Going Anywhere; He Will Conduct The Elections

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared that its chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, is not going anywhere before the end of his tenure in June and will conduct the elections.

Chief press secretary to INEC chairman, Kayode made the disclosure on Tuesday during a Channels TV show that was monitored in Lagos.

Idowu explained that the civil service rules does not apply to Jega, stressing that he would serve until his tenure elapses on June 30, 2015.

He added that the ballot papers for the presidential election scheduled to hold on March 28 are ready, adding they have been delivered by the printers and kept in the vault of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

He also disclosed that thousands of ad hoc staff were being trained for the elections initially billed to take place on 14 and 28 February but shifted to 28 March and 11 April.

He said the postponement would allow INEC perfect its preparations for the polls, adding that there can never be 100% preparations for an election since things continue to change until the last day of the polls.

Get Shoes & Go Back To Otuoke – David-West tells Jonathan

Professor Tam David-West, ex-Minister of Petroleum, has called on President Goodluck Jonathan to start preparing his hand-over note because his days in office as president of Nigeria are numbered.

The reason, according to David-West, is because Jonathan's party, the PDP will suffer a humiliating defeat in the hands of the fast moving train of the APC in the forthcoming general elections.
In the words of the Professor: "Jonathan should quickly look for shoes and go back to Otuoke. I have shoes in Ibadan and Abuja, I can give him some if he is in need of shoes. 
"Everywhere you go, you see signs that the end of this government, led by Jonathan, is very near. Honestly, I do not have anything against him, but a party and a man that can better manage Nigeria has appeared on the scene, and we have no choice but to save our country from an impending doom."

The elder statesman and Professor of Virology said Nigerians cannot continue to tolerate a government that is evidently confused and incapable of providing leadership. He warned that the drift in almost every sphere of our national life will continue if Jonathan is not shown the way out because, according to him, the president lacks the capacity to lead.

David-West also called on Jonathan to show Nigerians his doctoral thesis, and end the ragging controversy around his certificate. "I became a professor in 1974, so when I see a scholar I know. I have asked people to look for the PhD of Jonathan but I am yet to find it. I think he owes Nigerians an explanation because he is our president, Professor David-West said.

NUC Scraps Pass Degree in Universities minimum pass mark now 45% (D-grade)

The Vice Chancellor of Usman Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Prof. Abdullahi Zuru, during the matriculation ceremony of 2014/2015 admitted students revealed that the National Universities Commission (NUC) has abolished the pass degree in all Nigerian universities with effect from the 2013/2014 academic session.

According to him, this implies that the minimum pass mark for courses in the universities will now be 45 per cent, that is, D-grade instead of the previous 40 per cent which was E-grade while the minimum class of grade to be earned by the students will be now be Third Class,"

He, therefore, enjoined the students to work hard to earn their stay in the university.

Presidency finally Reacts to Asari and Tompolo’s threat of war

How did we get to the a level in Nigeria where ex-militants will sit right inside a government house to issue out threats to Nigerians? I think we are sinking too deep into this mess and must be checked.

The Federal Government officially reacted to the war threat by ex- Niger Delta militants, on Thursday, saying it was reprehensible.

The condemnation came barely a day after General Theophilus Danjuma called for their arrest and seven days after the ex-militants made the threat at the Government House in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

The ex-militants – Mujahiden Dokubo-Asari, Government Ekpemupolo (aka Tompolo), Victor Ebikabowei (aka Boyloaf) and others – had at the end of a meeting attended by Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson, said, "For every Goliath, God created a David. For every Pharaoh, there is a Moses. We are going to war. Every one of you should go and fortify yourself."

But as the Federal Government, through the Minister of Interior, Abba Moro, cautioned against inflammatory remarks, unrepentant Tompoli, said Danjuma was the one that should be arrested by the security.

The minister, at a news conference in Abuja, said, "It is reprehensible for people to threaten this country with mayhem should their candidate lose the election . The President, Dr. Jonathan, has not left anybody in doubt as to his preparedness to conduct a free, fair, credible and transparent election.

"Mr. President has said that in the unlikely event of his losing the election, in the course of this exercise, that he was straight man enough, he was democratic enough to concede defeat.

"So, if Mr. President himself, who is the main contestant, who is the President of this country, who is the leader of the PDP(Peoples Democratic Party) has come out to say that he was going to ensure free and fair elections where the choice of Nigerians would be respected, I do not see where statements from supporters of either Mr. President or any political party for that matter should derail the course of this democratic movement."

Lagos Big Boy Opens Up: I Can’t Impregnate My Woman

I have been living with my girlfriend for seven years but prior to that, I was diagnosed as having azospermia. That was before we had a family introduction. Though aware that I have not got a medical solution to this problem, she fell ill and was diagnosed to be pregnant! Now, she is frantically denying any foul play and claims it to be a miracle. I also believe in God's power but I can't remember the last time I went to church. I don't even pray fervently.

If it's still a miracle, why is my recent test (which I went for after she was confirmed pregnant) showing that I still have the same problem? 

What do I do? - Mr A.M. from Lagos

Below is the response he got:
"This is puzzling and you have to unravel everything before you think of accepting the pregnancy or even marrying her. I also believe in miracles but I think this is the time to have a heart-to heart talk with your girlfriend. 
Another option is to wait to conduct a DNA test when the child is born."
- Guys, trust no girl with issue of pregnancy, especially if you are very comfortable and she knows it!

Buhari was never stoned in Lagos - APC

Press release from APC regarding the alleged stoning of Buhari at his Lagos rally today...

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has denied the concocted story by former Minister of State for Defence Musiliu Obanikoro that the party's presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, was pelted with stone during the party's rally in Lagos, saying a lie has never worn a bolder face.
In a statement issued in Lagos on Friday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said Gen. Buhari and other top leaders of
the APC rode in a open bus from the Palace of the Oba of Lagos to the Teslim Balogun Stadium venue of the rally, to great cheers from Lagosians who lined
the route. ''Not once was he pelted with stone during the almost two-hour ride. It is obvious that those who were paid by Mr. Obanikoro to stone the General
failed to deliver. We therefore urge him to seek a refund of whatever money he paid to his hired hands to pelt Gen. Buhari with stones,'' it said. APC said Obanikoro's statement on an imaginary
attack on Gen. Buhari in Lagos must be his own way of saying 'thank you' to his masters for nominating him as Minister on Friday, as his reward for ceding
the gubernatorial ticket he claimed to have won to Jimi Agbaje.
The party thanked the good people of Lagos for turning out in unprecedented numbers to welcome Gen. Buhari to Lagos, saying the Centre of Excellence
has never witnessed such a huge and cheery crowd.

Alhaji Lai Mohammed
National Publicity Secretary
All Progressives Congress (APC)
Lagos, Jan. 30th 2015

Looks like President Jonathan doesn't trust Ribadu again

Nuhu Ribadu is laughing out loud, but Mr President is keeping a funny straight face. Is everything ok?

SEE the Large Crowd APC Pulled for Buhari Today in Lagos

Sincerely, it is only a quick change of campaign strategy that can save Goodluck Jonathan from the raging storm that Muhammadu Buhari and the APC now represents in the political landscape.

Tens of thousands of supporters of the APC took Lagos by storm as they defied the early morning shower on Friday to give a rousing welcome and support to General Buhari and his running mate, Professor Yemi Osinbajo.

The carnival-like scene was enacted as the party's presidential campaign train hit Lagos, one of the major strongholds of APC.
Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos, venue of the rally, witnessed an unprecedented crowd of party faithful from all walks of life.

Members of the party across the 20 Local Governments and 37 Local Council Development Areas, political office holders, candidates in the forthcoming February elections among others stormed the venue of the rally.

The Hausa community in Lagos came in their thousands displaying old and new portraits of Buhari. Also in attendance were different groups of pysically challenged people such as the deaf, blind and others. The party supporters took over the football pitch in the rain to dance to music from the loud speakers. The old, young and the disabled were not left out in the dancing game. Some waved their brooms shouting 'Sai Buhari, Change Jonathan'.

The crowd at the stadium is very intimidating.

Buhari, The Answer To Our Prayers

The government of Goodluck Jonathan is the most vivid example we have of the virus of lost standard. Under his watch, the country has gone to the dogs. Government officials are massively squandering our patrimony and looting the treasury with impunity.  It is so hard to work up any optimism because the president is simply not interested in fighting corruption. In this precious country of ours, Corruption is not only internalized but externalized.

People steal and keep outside thereby destroying our country and enriching those of other nations. This is a dispiriting take on the Nigerian situation because if this satanic corruption continues, Nigeria is doomed to speedy disappearance. We have had a long run of ill-luck in leadership that we cannot take this anymore.

Hence, the choice of General Muhammadu Buhari by the All Progressive Congress (APC) is historic, courageous and potentially transformative.  This man is about the most honest Nigerian of all time. He is a man who hates greed and corruption with a passion. 

Our prayer that God should help us to fight this evil called corruption has been answered. We are set to see the restoration of honour and integrity to the Aso Rock. No fair minded person will ever accuse Buhari of being involved in corruption or dubiously enriching himself.  This choice by APC is not just a nice decision but a turning point. He is just what we need because he has a reputation for thoughtfulness and rectitude.  Those who are undermining the reputation of this slow-talking, yet irrepressibly exuberant man are those who find moral piety and integrity offensive.

In one of his articles, Adeyemi Omotunde painted a pretty accurate fix on how General Buhari values moral rectitude and frugality. Quoting him will do justice to the point I have been laboring to bring to the fore. "Some months ago, an former member of the Federal House of Representatives, Dino Melaye, decided to investigate why Muhammadu Buhari could not afford APC nomination form because he read online the question a lady asked. He went to the Ministry of Finance where he discovered that all former presidents and heads of state actually get N23million monthly. Melaye said 'I read online the question a lady asked. The question is how can Buhari who earns over N300million monthly annually claim that he cannot afford to pay N27million for APC presidential nomination form? I became interested and decided to investigate. I went to the Ministry of Finance where I discovered that it's true that all former presidents and heads of state actually get N23million monthly. 

"But I found out that General Buhari actually wrote the Minister of Finance to reject the N23million monthly pay. He said in his letter that he will only accept 10 percent of that amount which is N2.3million and that is what he has been taking. This is just as clear as the air.' This is a man that says in his speech at the APC convention in Lagos that he has no foreign account and he owns no company profiting from government contracts." 

  This man of moral masculinity is what this country needs at the moment. Buhari is a mixture of great calm and boundless energy; he is all about compassion, tolerance and inclusiveness. His religious values will shape the way he will function as a president. Buhari's faith has been so central to his life that even his political foes know to respect it. His constant attack on corruption grows out of his religious scruples. 

On the issue of religion, some people have been judging him harshly. As a military head of state, he refused to register Nigeria as a member of Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC). If he couldn't do it as a military leader how in the world will he do it as a democratic president? To Buhari, religion is a private matter and he respects the fact that the constitution of Nigeria recognizes freedom of worship. To tell it like it is, those who are throwing up religious sentiments are simply mischievous.

But his faith in his God is something commendable. It tells people that there is something in life more important to him than politics—a message Nigerian politicians need to get. Again his choice of Yemi Osinbajo as a running mate is one that speaks of religious tolerance than tactics. This is the most spiritually minded pair that Nigerian political history has ever thrown up. Osinbajo is so friendly; intellectually and spiritually inclined that he will make a perfect Vice President. He has the ability to be aggressive without being nasty. 

Buhari and Osinbajo are unabashed about flaunting their faith. They have a purpose: to provide insulation against corrosive everydayness, to build fences against invasions by the profane and to create a space for the sacred.  Their service to Nigeria will be sacramental in quality.

By Ikechukwu Orji
Orji is a Media Consultant and Journalist
08023624097 | Ikechukwuorji@yahoo.com.

Amaechi replies Jonathan: You Deserve That Empty Stadium

Governor Rotimi Amaechi is not wasting time, he has fired back through the APC in his state:
Wednesday's re-election campaign rally in Port Harcourt by President Goodluck Jonathan has been described as a waste of time and an embarrassment. Reacting to the rally, the ruling party in the State, the APC, said the poor attendance only served to confirm the unpopularity of President Jonathan and his PDP in the State, while Jonathan merely ended up confirming APC's claim that the President has done nothing to deserve the votes of Rivers people in the February 14 presidential election.

"To say that President Jonathan and his PDP wasted their time in coming to Rivers State to campaign is to state the obvious. The half-empty stadium despite the renting of supporters from Bayelsa, Delta, Abia and Akwa Ibom states speaks volumes about Jonathan's unpopularity among our people,"
Rivers APC Chairman, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, said.

Ikanya in a statement in Port Harcourt said the party was happy that Jonathan during the failed rally personally confirmed that he has done nothing for Rivers State and her people as evidenced by his monumental neglect of the State. He quoted Jonathan as saying: "I should be congratulated and commended for not developing Rivers and Bayelsa states to avoid being accused of being biased in allocating developments to the two States but if we are re-elected we will now concentrate development in these two states." 

According to Ikanya, "By this statement, we need no further proof that it was a deliberate act by the President Jonathan administration not only to under-develop Rivers State but also to ensure that the State was stagnated by allocating our oil wells to Bayelsa, Abia and other neighbouring states."

Rivers APC told the President to stop dreaming of re-election as it will never happen. The party said: "We want to assure you, Mr. President, that you will never be re-elected because you have failed woefully and do not deserve any re-election. After all that Rivers State and her people did for you, you could be so mean not to site one single project in Rivers State. We have no reason for whatsoever to recommend you to any section of this country for re-election.

"It is a pity that out of all the states President Jonathan has visited, it is only in Rivers that he could not name a single development project he initiated, not to talk of executing, apart from posting the tyrannical Police Commissioner Joseph Mbu and supporting every imaginable act of impunity in the State, including the plot by five State Assembly members to impeach the Speaker in a House of 25 members. We can now better understand Governor Chibuike Amaechi, who has at various fora challenged President Jonathan to mention one single development project he has brought to Rivers State."

Rivers APC vowed to intensify campaigns to ensure that both President Jonathan and the state PDP gubernatorial candidate, Chief Nyesome Wike, do not get up to 10 percent of votes to be cast in Rivers during the February polls. "We will like to assure the entire world that if PDP scores up to 20 percent in these elections we will concede victory to the party," Ikanya said.

He congratulated Rivers people for staying at home and allowing Mr. President to address a half empty stadium, thereby telling him and PDP in unmistakable terms that Rivers State is fully and squarely an APC State.

If Mr. President and his managers knew that Chief Wike does not exist in Rivers State politically except in the minds of some expired and hungry politicians looking for food to fill their stomach and that he does not have what it takes to mobilize enough people to fill a 50,000 seater stadium in the capacity of the Adokiye Amiesimaka stadium they would have accepted the Liberation Stadium as counseled by Governor Amaechi to see if they could have used the 15,000 supporters hired from some neighbouring States to fill the stadium than embarrassing the President by making him to address an empty stadium in a Presidential rally.

APC should let Buhari seek medicare abroad - Ayo Fayose

This Governor Ayo Fayose is so relentless...lol. Here's a press statement I just received. Read below...
Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose has pleaded with leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC, especially former Lagos State governor, Senator Bola Tinubu to be human enough to allow the party's presidential candidate, Major General Mohammadu Buhari (rtd) embark on his planned medical trip abroad.
The governor said Buhari was being prevented from traveling abroad for medical treatment, despite his ill-health so as to avoid controversies.
Special Assistant to the Governor on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka quoted Governor Fayose as saying at a campaign rally in Omuo Ekiti, Ekiti East Local Government that "Buhari is a car with a damaged engine but being packaged by Tinubu and his cabal whose only interest is the wealth of Nigeria."

He said; "In all the campaign rallies held by the APC,  Buhari never spoke for more than six minutes.
"Buhari will just utter some words that he had rehearsed and any attempt to bring in new words always result to confusion in his brain due to senility. That was the reason he called his running mate Osunbade instead of Osinbajo and also referred to Imo State as Ibo State.

"This is clear evidence of ill-health, old and and senility.  Those packaging Buhari to achieve their personal ambition of gaining unhindered access to the wealth of Nigeria  should fear God and allow this old man to take care of his health," the governor said.
Speaking further, Fayose, who insisted that "Buhari is old and sick said; "they had programmed Buhari to travel to the U.S on 26th of this month, but they opted out when the secret trip was reported in the media. 

"As a cover-up,  the APC cabal sold a story to the press that Buhari was invited to attend a programme in the US by the Center for Strategic and International Studies, (CSIS).
"Interestingly, the CSIS programme was billed for January 26, the same day Buhari was said to have planned his medical trip to the United States of America. 

"However, the programme was cancelled, leaving Buhari with no excuse to travel and instead of them to allow the man to travel as he had planned, the APC cabal, who are obviously more interested in the presidency than Buhari's welfare are urging him on.

Jonathan visits Warri billionaire Ayiri Emami at home

I don't know if Ayiri has some influence on the militants who are threatening to burn down the country if Nigerians do not vote and elect President Jonathan on February 14, but this visit is significant!

AIT shuts Online Poll where Jonathan was defeated by Buhari

There is serious heat in the campaigns leading to February 14 presidential election. It is only a serious and very deliberate game changer that can stop the APC candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari.

As you read this, African Independent Television (AIT) has suddenly stopped an online poll where Buhari was resoundingly beating President Goodluck Jonathan.

Buhari's lead in the poll was despite a sponsored documentary against him that was being repeatedly shown on AIT stations across Nigeria, and online.

Sources who spoke to hot9jagists on the development say President Jonathan has a very limited time to change his campaign strategy, especially online, before it becomes too late.

Earlier on Tuesday, a screenshot of the poll was published and at that time it showed that Buhari well ahead of Jonathan and all other presidential candidate by over 75%.

As the day wore on, the poll saw Buhari's lead rise to 79%. The poll was then swiftly taken down, and AIT replaced the page with a claim that the page was "under maintenance."

AIT did not say whether the poll page would return after the so called 'maintenance', but some users had noted earlier that the Television Station was allowing multiple voting for President Jonathan.

AIT suddenly went into 'maintenance'. Political campaign is a practical process. PDP needs to learn!

I'm an illiterate but I will cast My Vote for APC – Musican 9ice

The level of support APC is enjoying across the land is quite unprecedented for an opposition party.

High-profile defections ahead of Election causing panic in PDP

Just weeks to the 2015 presidential election, the political atmosphere is charged again as high-profile political figures across the country have been moving from one political party to another.

The defection is not limited to the ruling PDP and the leading opposition APC but they are the major losers and gainers, respectively. Last Monday, the APC presidential candidate Muhammadu Buhari received Niger State deputy governor, Alhaji Ahmed Musa Ibeto, alongside members of national and state assemblies, and aides to Governor Babangida Aliyu who left the PDP for the APC.

The deputy governor had said he defected to APC alongside 200 others, most of whom were serving aides of Governor Aliyu because of PDP's shoddy handling of their petition on the gubernatorial primary election in the state.

Already, the Niger State deputy governor, Mr Ibeto, said on Wednesday that he had assumed leadership of his new party, being the highest political office holder in the state. 

He spoke during the inauguration of the state's APC gubernatorial candidate, Mr Abubakar Sani Bello's campaign committee in Minna.

Reacting to the defection last Wednesday, Governor Aliyu denied reports that he begged the former military president, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, to convince his deputy and others who recently defected to the APC, to return to the PDP.

Also, penultimate Saturday, prominent PDP chieftains in Plateau State also defected to the APC when the APC and Buhari visited the state for campaign.

The defectors, who were led by a former Minister of Science and Technology, Pauline Tallen, were officially received into the APC during the mass rally held at the Rwang Pam Township Stadium, Jos.

Former Minister Tallen, who was also a former Plateau State deputy governor and governorship candidate in the state in 2011, was received together with other PDP chieftains that included Mr Sambo Wampuk, a former director general of the ITF and a former House of Reps member, Leonard Dilkon.

Also last week, about 435 PDP members in Makarfi LGA of Kaduna State left the party for the APC during a campaign rally for the APC's governorship candidate, Malam Nasir el-Rufa'i, in Makarfi, the hometown of a former governor, Alhaji Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi.

El-Rufai's campaign spokesman Samuel Aruwan cited poor internal party politics in the PDP as one of the reasons given by the defectors, adding that they also promised to work for the success of the APC.

A former DG of NEMA, Alhaji Salihu Makarfi, and a former information commissioner, Saidu Adamu, who had earlier defected to the APC from the PDP also took part in the rally.

President Jonathan was said to have suspended his Akure rally about two weeks ago, following the defection of some aggrieved PDP leaders to the APC in Ondo State.

Among those who defected were Mr Femi Agagu, a former Chief of Staff to late Governor Segun Agagu, two former Speakers of the Ondo State House of Assembly, five former Commissioners in the state, eight former LGA chairmen as well as scores of ex-Councillors.

On Wednesday, January 14, 2015, the ranks of the PDP in the House of Reps further depleted as eight more members defected from the party. Four of the defectors joined the rival APC. 

The same day, the PDP lost nine senators to the APC and other political parties because of the outcome of last month's primary elections across the country, thereby depleting the membership strength of the party in the Senate.

Consequently, President Jonathan was said to have met with the PDP leaders last Sunday behind closed doors at his Campaign Office, Legacy House, Maitama, Abuja, to address the gale of defections. But will his intervention help save the situation before the elections? Hopefully!

Governor Yuguda’s revelations on the attack on Jonathan shock The Presidency

Revelations by Bauchi State Governor Isa Yuguda on the stoning of President Goodluck Jonathan in the state during a campaign rally by the PDP was said to have shocked the Presidency and the national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party in Abuja.

Yuguda, a PDP governor, in an interview with the BBC Hausa service, said that the stoning and the attack on the President were carried out by members of Jonathan's own party, the PDP.

Before now, the Presidency and the PDP had accused the opposition All Progressives Congress of being the mastermind of the attack.
In spite of Governor Yuguda's revelation, Special Adviser to the President on Political Affairs, Prof. Rufai Alkali, and the Presidential Campaign Office, have insisted that the attack was carried out by APC.

But Yuguda, a member of the National Executive Committee of the PDP, insisted those who organised the youths that threw stones and pelted Jonathan with sachet water, were members of PDP from Abuja.

The governor said, "I am sure and let the world know that the people who did this thing were PDP members and those politicians in Abuja were the ones behind it; they were not APC members.

"They found these youths on the road and gave them brooms and satchets of water and they instructed them that when the President was passing they should raise the brooms and throw the satchets of water at him.

"They did that so that the President would think that Isa Yuguda is against him. They have been telling him in Abuja that we are not supporting him. They did that to show the President that Isa Yuguda is nothing in Bauchi, to show that despite being an indigene of Bauchi, Isa Yuguda could not be respected with his guests in Bauchi."

Jonathan invites Top Pastors to a Serious Meeting in Abuja

The February 14 presidential election date is drawing closer by the day and President Goodluck Jonathan can no longer afford to leave anything to chances. He is up against a very strong opposition, hence the support of friends and associates must be sought and assurances obtained before the D-day!

Sources say President Jonathan is already taking steps in this direction with an invite to top Christian leaders in the country to a meeting on Monday at the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja.

Jonathan is expected to ask for their support as a sincere politician ahead of the election.

President Jonathan has Done Well for Economy – Reno Omokri

The Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan on New Media, Reno Omokri, has urged the opposition, All Progressives Congress, APC, not to be harbinger of negative stories about the country.

He noted that it is regrettable that while the APC is always the first to propagate negative and sad stories about Nigeria, the party is always reluctant to admit and celebrate good news about the country.
"President Jonathan remains committed to his pact with Nigerians. For him, it is not about him or PDP; it is not about religion or ethnicity but what is best for Nigeria. He recognises our challenges, he does not shy away from them which was why he came up with the transformation agenda which is a practical step on how to address the challenges and make the country attain her full potentials and fulfil the dreams of our heroes past and forefathers".

Omokri was reacting to the recent rating of Nigeria as the third fastest-growing economy by international Cable News Network, CNN.

He added that it is regrettable that the opposition will not celebrate the positive outlook but would have rushed to the media with press releases if it was the other way round.

Muhammadu Buhari was making his Presidential Declaration he said and I quote "the economy is down". With this rating by the experts it is now clear that the economy is up. Perhaps Gen. Buhari was referring to his time as military Head of State when the economy was truly down and Nigeria could not meet its international financial obligations".

Continuing further, Omokri said "This present rating is not a fluke. Do not forget that the UNCTAD said that Nigeria has the 4th highest rate of return in the world, that the International Food Policy Research Institute said that hunger in Nigeria is reducing, that the World Bank said that poverty in Nigeria is down by 2%, that Transparency International said that corruption in Nigeria had reduced. The APC are sad and quiet because of these strides and because CNN says Nigeria is the worlds 3rd fastest growing economy. They would have been happy and loud If we were least growing. It is saddening that APC play politics with everything. They will either labour to discredit this fact or cast aspersion on the integrity of the organisation. It is sad that APC do not want to hear anything good about Nigeria"

Omokri said the rating is a testament of the prudent economy policies of the government and the tenacity of Nigerians.

"I am without doubt that Nigerians are happy with the rating outlook, which will spur the government to do more. It is a plus to Nigeria and a confidence boost to Nigerians that notwithstanding the economy challenges and the drop in the global price of oil, the country is still on the path of prosperity and economy development. The president has always maintained that there are challenges but this administration is more than determined to tackle them and transform the country for a prosperous future," he said.

You may wish to know that CNN Money, a business analysis programme, on Friday listed Nigeria as one of the fastest growing economies for 2015. According to the report, in 2014, Nigeria's Economy grew by 7.1 per cent.

It said that in 2015 the economy was expected to grow by another 7 per cent.

"By our estimate, the fastest growing economies in 2015 will be China, Qatar and Nigeria.

(Ekiti agog for Buhari) Pictures from APC Presidential Rally in Ekiti today.

The wind is seriously blowing, I wonder what is going through their minds at the moment.

Naira hits N208 to a dollar...First time since God created heaven n Earth

The Naira on Friday depreciated against the dollar as it traded at N208 from the N191.50 it sold for on Monday, Jan. 19. The rate has made the naira to lose N16.50 within five days.

The CBN's website, however, put the Naira against the dollar at N167.50, while the Pound sold for N253.20 and the Euro stood at N193.89S
The development has resulted into speculation in the market and caused ripple effects on other currencies.
A some Bureau De Change and Black Market operators in Lagos, said that they could not give rates to the Pound Sterling and the Euro. Dealers who preferred anonymity said that there was scarcity of dollars in circulation.
They said that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had stopped selling forex to the Bureaux De Change, since last year. The dealers added that the recent review of trading positions for the forex trading positions of banks to 72 hours, also contributed to speculation in the system. The effect, they added, was that the naira could depreciate further by next week. The CBN in November 2014 devalued the Naira to N168 to the dollar.(NAN).

Exposed: $1bn excess crude money missing as FAAC meeting ends in confusion

The Federation Accounts Allocation Committee, FAAC, meeting for November ended in confusion in Abuja as representatives of Nigeria's 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory accused the federal government of not accounting for about $1billion (N168bn) of excess crude oil money.

The Chairman of State Commissioners of Finance, Timothy Odaah, told reporters after the meeting which ended Tuesday night, that no state knew how the $1 billion difference reported in the Excess Crude Account balance, between October and November, came about.

Prior to the October FAAC meeting, the Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, had told reporters that the balance of the Excess Crude Account stood at $4.11billion.

At the event, the minster also revealed that the country's external reserves rose from $36.6b in June to $39.48b as at October 16. The balance in the Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) stood at $1.55 billion.

But, at the end of the FAAC meeting on Tuesday, the Minister of state for Finance, Bashir Yuguda, told reporters that the current savings in the ECA had a balance of about $3.1 billion, raising questions about the $1billion difference.

The FAAC meeting is a monthly gathering of state finance commissioners and the federal finance ministry and the Accountant General of the federation, where federal oil receipts are shared between the federal and state authorities.

With falling oil price, the 36 states have turned more attention on the Excess Crude Account, which has depleted from more than $40 billion in 2007 to about $4 billion in 2014.

Though Mr. Odaah said the discrepancy has been noted for discussion at the next FAAC meeting, his disclosure called to question how transparent the management of the excess crude revenues is.

Mr. Odaah had said on October that owing to the dwindling revenue allocation to the states from the federation accounts as a result of falling oil prices, the states had sent a request to President Goodluck Jonathan that $2 billion be shared.

But in the latest meeting, he said no one can tell how the balance suddenly dropped from $4.1b to $3.1b.

Presidency, Nigeria Military finally set to flush out Boko Haram

Irked by the increasing manouvres of the terrorists laying claim to Nigeria's territories, the Nigerian military has finalized plans to conduct a "once and for all comprehensive operations" towards the elimination of Boko Haram terrorists in the parts of North East to the boarders of neighbouring countries. International media and satellite images suggest that areas presently under Boko Haram occupation could already be as large as Belgium.

Competent sources disclosed to PRNigeria in Abuja that political authorities which now feels so disturbed by the activities of the terrorists especially after viewing the latest video release from the terror group which claimed that it already has enough weapons to take on Nigeria and its neighbours, have endorsed the military plan and expressed full support for it.

According to the source, the determined onslaught has also
received the assurance of cooperation and support of Cameroun, Niger and Chad, which have now realised the danger posed by continuing to allow terrorists free movement across the borders.

The source disclosed that, "Nigerian military is reviewing strategy in the combat against terrorists to accommodate joint and combined operations with neighbouring military organisations. Massive deployment of air and amphibious assets are expected to feature in the operation. Preparatory to this mission, the Defence Headquarters has changed the General Officer Commanding the 7 Division which is the leading formation in the counter-terrorism campaign.

"The deployment for the mission is expected to facilitate the elimination of safe havens and escape routes of terrorists in or out of Nigeria. The arrangement has enlisted the support of the military forces of neighbouring countries towards ensuring that the plan to effectively block the terrorists for elimination while they are being pounded in the ongoing counter terrorism campaign is effectively attained," the source elaborated.

PRNigeria can reliably report that the operation will commence very soon and is expected to terminate well before the February 14 elections so that Nigerians living in every part of the country can vote in their towns and villages.

However, it is expected that innocent citizens living in the areas where the terrorists presently operate are expected to have temporarily vacated any area infested by terrorists for safe towns away from the theatre of operations.

When contacted for confirmation of this story, the Director of Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade, declined to give details. In a terse response, he simply declared that the military would not relent in its efforts to restore peace to every part of the country as quickly as possible but that details of such efforts would not be disclosed now.

He however admitted that all the countries bordering Nigeria are willing to compliment the efforts in Nigeria as terrorism has remained a menace or threat to all in the region.

Revealed: the Odds of the Presidential Election favours Buhari

The one picture you would hate to see in your dreams is that of the very opponent of the team you are supporting, clutching a massive trophy and jubilating all over the place! Not just once had one experienced a 'nightmarish' dream of this nature and not just once had 'Joseph the Octopus' proved to be revealing exactly what was about to happen.

Of course, it should not be interpreted as if one does not want Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari to be the next president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria but what the hell was he doing in my dream smiling so broadly as he acknowledged shouts of 'congratulations' from a horde of adoring supporters? The man can hardly manage a smile in real life and neither is he the candidate one would ordinarily be rooting for.

However, a warning would seem to have come from the unknown:
'Do not bet your house against Buhari becoming (the next) president unless you are equally prepared to be homeless!"

The above extracts are from an article I wrote (title retained) in the run-up to the 2011 presidential election, having dreamt that Maj. Gen Muhammadu Buhari won the election. Of course, he did not but, who knows, it could have been a distant event that one had foreseen!

In trying to rationalise the circumstances that could have made it a dream-come-true for Buhari, I examined the controversy that surrounded the candidacy of President Goodluck Jonathan over the zoning philosophy of his party, the Peoples Democratic Party. That controversy, more or less, pitted the northern leadership against him. I also examined the possibility that the then so-called progressive parties might actually co-operate among themselves in order to counterbalance the influence and power of the PDP. An attempt made in that direction did not succeed.

Quite a lot has changed since 2011 and the aforementioned factors, more than ever before, will have implications for the direction of the Presidency come February 14.

Firstly, the once splinter progressive parties have coalesced into the All Progressives Congress, thanks to the centralising influence of the institution of the Presidency. The February presidential election will be fought in what is a two-party competition between the PDP and the APC. Buhari could be the beneficiary of this new development, as he now competes for the Presidency under the platform of a political party which, unlike his defunct Congress for Political Change, enjoys nationwide support.

Secondly, the February elections will reveal the extent to which the intra-party crisis in the PDP – a crisis which led to the defection of five of its governors to the rival APC – has resulted into the loss or gain of popular support in the various constituencies. I have attempted to explain the causes of the crisis in the PDP by three factors: "One, a frosty relationship between President Goodluck Jonathan and Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State; two, an allegation of arbitrariness on the part of the immediate past PDP national chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur; and three, the perceived ambition of President Jonathan to seek re-election in 2015 in contradiction of a supposed agreement that he would not be doing so." (see my book, Party Coalitions in Nigeria (2014), pp. 129-130).

Cleavage, be it of ethnicity or religion, is the worst of political problems. You hardly can resolve the problem of cleavage by preaching to people to forget about those things they hold very dear to their hearts. There are not a few in the North who feel the South had dominated the Presidency for the greater part of the current Republic; they will grab the opportunity provided by the candidacy of Muhammadu Buhari in ensuring that the pendulum of political power swings back to their region.

Finally, Buhari faces an incumbent President, Goodluck Jonathan, who may be having problems with economic and security issues. Allegations of escalating official corruption and Boko Haram insurgency in the North-East may have overshadowed the modest achievements of Jonathan. Of course, diverse sentiments will compete and contend in the 2015 election, but there are not a few who would want to reward or punish him on their perception of his stewardship during the past four years. Buhari, himself a former leader, has his own "baggages" but he enjoys the perception of being one disciplined individual who passionately resents corruption. Corruption has been that most deadly virus afflicting the Nigerian state.

There is hardly any doubt that the days ahead will be quite interesting. What we must continue to do is to educate our people about the ramifications of democracy as a game where the minority must have its say while the majority has its way. Why, for instance, would you want to throw the nation into chaos just because someone has lost an election, even when another member of your ethnic or religious constituency could be a beneficiary in the near future? Why would you want the stigma of "intolerant democrats" stamped permanently on you and your people? Our nation must unite behind whoever wins the February presidential election.

BY ANTHONY AKINOLA
Dr. Akinola, a scholar and political analyst, is based in Oxford, United Kingdom.

Jonathan meets Emir Sanusi; says I Need Your Royal Blessing

President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday payed homage to the Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, in his palace in a bid to get the traditional ruler's blessing for his 2015 re-election bid.

The relationship between the two became strained last year when the President suspended Sanusi as the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Jonathan had suspended Sanusi as the apex bank's boss over what was described as financial recklessness and thereafter directed the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria to further investigate him.

Shortly after his suspension, however, Sanusi became the Emir of Kano following the death of the former occupant of the stool, Alhaji Ado Bayero.

There were unconfirmed media reports then that the Presidency made secret moves to ensure that Sanusi did not emerge as the Emir of Kano.

During the Wednesday visit, Jonathan congratulated Sanusi on his installation and condoled with him and the people of the emirate on Bayero's demise.

He told the traditional ruler that he was in his palace to formally introduce himself, Vice President Namadi Sambo and other PDP candidates in the election.

"I am here to seek your royal blessing and to reassure the people of Kano that the PDP is totally committed to developing the country," he told the monarch.

In his response, Sanusi thanked Jonathan for the visit and expressed the hope that his campaign in the state would be hitch-free.

He stressed the need for all office seekers to go about their campaigns without violence.

"Democracy is all about giving people the chance to make their choice and so, there is no need for violence," the Emir stressed.

Father Mbaka versus Patience Jonathan: N5m in offering bag? By Josef Omorotionmwan

Clearly, the Mbaka episode is multi-dimensional and it is getting messier by the day. It has reached a point where President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife cannot remain mute for too long, lest they will continue to be misunderstood. The theatricals are still unfolding.

Act I: Scene I – Dame Patience Jonathan visits the Catholic Adoration Centre in Enugu, a church headed by Revd Father Ejike Mbaka. Madam is pleasantly received and Father Mbaka eulogises her husband to the high heavens. So impressed was Dame that she dropped N5 million in the offering bag. And this was marvelous in the sight of Mbaka.

Scene II: Madam returns to Abuja. Father Mbaka makes several unsuccessful attempts to see her.

Act II: Scene I – A short while later, Father Mbaka lampoons the Jonathan administration for abysmal performance. In a New Year message titled:

"From Good luck to Bad luck", Mbaka openly canvassed the rejection of President Jonathan at the 2015 presidential election, thus asking Nigerians to vote for a leader who can tackle the many challenges facing Nigeria. He lashed out at men of God who hobnob with the powers-that-be.

Mbaka went ruthlessly personal: "The Jonathan administration has failed… When Goodluck met Yar'Adua, he got bad luck and died. When Goodluck met our oil, it poured away and met bad luck. When Goodluck met our Naira, it met bad luck… Look at you brilliant youth, nobody has any plans for you… 2015 cannot be the same. We announce change… Boko Haram has virtually crippled the Northeastern part of the country…

"Many are saying that it is Buhari that said he would make our country ungovernable. Even though Buhari never said such a thing, but if you are the President, will you not arrest such a person? Are you waiting for your own church to be bombed before you speak out? … If my father will be leader and my siblings will all die, let a stranger be my leader and let my family live…."

Questions: Where did things go wrong? When is a housewife who goes about throwing money around worth investigating? From the much we know, the office of First Lady is totally alien to our Constitution. Where did this housewife get all the money she is throwing around? When are we going to have an Internal/Inland Revenue Service that will be alive to its responsibilities? In the United States of America, for instance, if you are unable to account for your source wealth, Uncle Sam would pursue you far into the bottomless pit.

Which offering bag would contain N5 million, even in our highest denomination of N1000 notes? Is it possible, albeit most unlikely, that the
What would have transpired for the Reverend to exploded, and resolved to take his pound of flesh!

Only a good investigation would unraveled the truth here but given the pluralistic nature of our society, even the investigators are, ab initio, handicapped: if they push too hard, they are seen as supporting the opposition; and if they do not push hard enough, they are seen as working for the "oga at the top".

Meanwhile, Father Mbaka has come under severe criticism from many quarters. He is accused of washing the dirty linens in public. Our counsel is to prevent the linen from dirt for, once the linen gets dirty, it can be washed anywhere – even on the pulpit!

Again, the Mbaka sermon provides a most damning verdict on the Jonathan administration, particularly coming from the most unexpected quarters – the Southeast, where Jonathan's second-term bid had become a foregone conclusion.

The Mbaka sermon has a lot of parallels in history. Right from biblical times, courage has been the stuff of which leaders are made. When Queen Esther saved an entire generation of people, asserting unequivocally, "If I perish I perish", she demonstrated rare courage. When the Archbishop Olubunmi Okogie, as he then was, remained in the vanguard of critics of our military rulers, he demonstrated uncommon courage.

There is something that cannot be taken away from Father Mbaka – he has shown that the easiest way of perpetuating evil is for good men to do nothing. For too long, men of God have remained docile in the face of injustice in this country, oblivious of the fact that it is only when society is at peace that the church can be at peace. For instance, how many people can go to church in the troubled regions of the world?

There is no escaping the inevitable conclusion that the church in Nigeria today has become hopelessly compromised, commercialized and polarized.

But let no one be deceived into believing that religious leaders have no business in politics and governance. One major problem in this country has been the failure of the church to live up to expectation as the conscience of the people and the representatives of God on earth. We believe that many of the ills that have plagued this country would have been averted had our religious leaders been courageous enough to speak out as appropriate.

The situation here calls for a lot of restraint. Whatever the motivation mix and despite Mbaka's apparent duplicity, there are aspects of his message that cannot be totally ignored. There comes a time when we must ignore the messenger and still accept his message.