Buhari not only APC’s candidate but the choice of Nigerians —Aregbesola

The Governor of Osun State , Mr Rauf Aregbesola has said that the emergence of former Head of State, Gen Muhammadu Buhari as the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress is the best democratic pill to galvanise Nigerians towards the needed change.
He said the former Head of State is not just the candidate of the APC but that of the entire Nigerians who have been yearning for a dramatic and total change.
Aregbesola said the decision by all party men and women to elect the former head of state demonstrates the commitment to presenting a candidate who would not only win the presidential election but go ahead to rescue Nigeria from the present quagmire anti-democratic and anti-development elements had brought her in more than a decade and a half.

Ndigbo ‘ll still vote for Jonathan despite lack of FG’s presence in S/East – APGA chieftain

A member of Board of Trustees, BoT of the All   Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Chief Rommy Ezeonwuka assured that Ndigbo would still vote for President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015 presidential election, despite lack of federal presence in the Southeast geo-political zone.
He, however advised that in as much as Ndigbo has already made up their minds to vote massively for Jonathan, Jonathan should on his own part, be ready to reach an accord with Ndigbo to ensure a guarantee for Igbo votes. Ezeonwuka, lamented that for over 15 years the PDP has been in power, it failed to maintain Eastern roads built within only four years by the Shehu Shagari administration.
“We will vote for Jonathan on the condition that he has to speed up the second Niger Bridge project, maintain Eastern roads, give us uninterrupted power supply and ensure federal presence in the Southeast region,” the APGA chieftain said.

Buhari in dilemma over running mate

All Progressives Cong-ress, APC presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari is in a dilemma over the choice of a running mate for the forthcoming presidential contest. Buhari’s dilemma was said to have been accentuated by the rise in his ratings after the largely successful convention which has raised the prospects of a possible APC led Federal Government thus attracting many more interests into the choice of a running mate.
Basking in the euphoria of a largely successful nomination convention, party elders, hours after the convention Thursday night, went into a meeting in an undisclosed location in Victoria Island, Lagos with the issue top on the agenda. Buhari, it was learnt, was at the meeting but no conclusion was arrived at.

Defection: PDP loses suit against Amaechi, Wamakko, 2 other APC Govs

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has lost its bid to declare seats of the four ‘rebel’ governors that defected to the All Progressives Congress, APC, vacant.
In a ruling yesterday, the court dismissed the suit against Governors Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers); Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano), Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto), and Abdulfatai Ahmed (Kwara).
Though PDP originally dragged five governors before the high court, however, following the impeachment of Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State, his name was accordingly struck out from the suit.
Justice Gabriel Kolawole struck out the suit against the governors on the grounds that the originating processes filed by the PDP to initiate the action were invalid.
The court upheld the arguments of the plaintiff that the originating processes were wrongly issued and served on the defendants.

Iyabo Obasanjo writes father, says: ‘Dear Daddy, you don’t own Nigeria

In what is turning out to be a season of open letters, daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Iyabo, has ruled out further communication with her father till death, describing him as a liar, manipulator, two-faced hypocrite determined to foist on President Goodluck Jonathan what no one would contemplate with him as president.
Senator Iyabo Obasanjo in a letter to her father accused him of having an egoistic craving for power and living a life where only men of low esteem and intellect thrive.
In the 11-page letter dated December 16, 2013 exclusively obtained by Vanguard, Iyabo accused her father of orchestrating a third term for himself as president, cruelty to family members, abandonment of children and grandchildren, and also, a legendary reputation of maltreatment of women.
Iyabo who forswore further political engagements in Nigeria denied any political motive for her missive, and described Nigeria as a country where her father and his ilk have helped to create a situation where smart, capable people bend down to imbeciles to survive. She particularly noted her experience as chairman of the Senate Committee on Health when she led the committee on a retreat appropriated for in the budget only for her to be prosecuted for it.

Breaking News: Senator Chukwumerije is Unconfirmed Dead

The Senate Chairman on education and a senator representing Abia North senatorial district at the National Assembly is unconfirmed dead.

Ashiwaju.org spoke to the information officer government house Umuahia, Mr. Jinanwa Azubuike, who disclosed that the ailing health deterioration of the septuagenarian political activist causes serious worry to the people and government of the state, but affirmed that the state government is yet to issue any statement to Senator Uche Chukwumerije's whereabouts..

Why we’re yet to crush Boko Haram – Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday, blamed saboteurs and other external forces over the Federal Government’s inability to crush Boko Haram insurgents in the North East geopolitical zone of the country.
Over 5,000 Nigerians have been killed since the insurgents began their campaign to make the country an Islamic state over four years ago.
However, Jonathan, spoke when a delegation of Nollywood stars under the aegis of “Creative Professionals” visited him at the Presidential Villa, pointing out that the frustration in crushing the insurgents was from internal and external realms.
The delegation was led by an actor, Segun Arinze.
The President did not state the names of the saboteurs or the institutions they belong to, even as he reiterated his resolve to end the vicious cycle of violence unleashed on the country by terrorists and other malevolent elements in the land.
His words: “One of our greatest challenges and I have to thank you for observing that one-minute of silence in their honour, is this security challenge.

Jonathan reaffirms commitment to moving Nigeria from the vagaries of crude oil

President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday commended Creative Professionals for using their works to promote the country’s global image he also  reaffirmed commitment to moving Nigeria from the vagaries of crude oil.

Jonathan gave the commendation at an audience with a delegation of the Creative Professionals at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He said the nation’s creative professionals represent a blessing to the country, adding that they use their themes to promote good values.

‘You promote our culture and that is why Edem Duke has always been passionate about you.

‘You even bring value reorientation which I appreciate so much in some of the films you act and some of the music you play.

.People don't always take me serious- Charles Awurum

Charles Awurum is one of the highly rated comic-actors in the Nigerian movie industry. But the question is, can he be ever serious in whatever he is doing? His comic attitude makes many to wonder if he easily gets angry as he is seen laughing over everything that happens.The actor was at the resident of Nigeria’s football hero, Austin Jay Jay Okocha along with fellow actor, Saka, but when it was time for food to be served, Okocha’s wife, Nkechi, brought water for him to wash his hands.Being an Igbo lady with good upbringing, the lady had to hold the bowl for him while she pours water on his hands for him to wash.Charles, who could not hold back his happiness, bragged that he has been prophesying that he is a big man but people do not believe him and now he has an evidence to prove.“Una see am, i tell una sey God don bless me, una no gree, Nkechi, JJ Okocha 's wife serving me. I be Bigman,” he boasts.

“Buhari will defeat Jonathan this time because …”

More than 30 years after he ruled with an iron fist, jailing the corrupt and championing the virtues of military discipline in all things, Muhammadu Buhari is now being billed as Nigeria’s saviour.
The 71-year-old retired army general on Thursday won a landslide victory for the main opposition All Progressive Congress (APC) ticket to challenge Goodluck Jonathan for the presidency next year.
A win would be fourth time lucky for Buhari after a previous failed attempt against Jonathan in 2011 and unsuccessful bids in 2007 and 2003.
His latest candidacy was met with scorn by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who said the moustachioed former military ruler has nothing new to offer.
Jonathan, in power since 2010, said the February 14 vote was “a choice between going forward or going backwards, between the new ways and the old ways, between freedom and repression”.
PDP spokesman Olisa Metuh added: “Apart from changing to a dinner suit, General Buhari has not changed the tired ideas and provocative utterances that Nigerians rejected in previous elections.”
Yet far from being dismissed as one of the old guard, Buhari’s methods are seen by some as the only way to help Africa’s troubled giant change course.