Friday 27 September 2013
G7 govs not out to break PDP —Wamakko
Wednesday 25 September 2013
Celebrities at the Rivers State Carnival Flag Off \ Press Conference
Sunday 22 September 2013
Crisis looms in Osun •Communities poise for war over merger of schools •There’s no opposition from any community —Govt
But the government has refuted such a claim, saying the merger plan has been well received.
Sunday Tribune gathered that the new policy has started generating tension in the education sector of the state. The new arrangement, the source said, had made some school principals to resign their appointments, following their demotions.
PDP crisis: Presidency shuts door on G7 govs •Claims their requests are frivolous, can’t be met
Indications emerged at the weekend that the Presidency has started looking beyond a possible reconciliation with members of the G7 governors and the NPDP.
Sources close to the administration told Sunday Tribune at the weekend that the posture of the G7 governors had been suspicious from the start of the peace talks.
They further added that President Jonathan had been suspicious of the position of the aggrieved NPDP members from the start that the agitation was fuelled by the bid to stop him from seeking re-election.
“When the president listened to the aggrieved governors at the first meeting he had with them, it became obvious to him that there were no fundamental disagreements, but that the target of the agitators remained his seat in 2015. He, therefore, made up his mind to listen to them as much as possible and sieve any genuine request if at all,” a source said.
The source further stated that while the aggrieved governors were busy pushing out propaganda materials in the press and making frivolous demands, their posture at meetings with the president remained different.
Another source stated: “At meetings with the president, you don’t get to hear all these issues of 2015, but once they leave meetings, you see different papers postulating on their demands. What really are these demands? The G7 governors are saying something, but their leader, Kawu Baraje, is saying a different thing. The president cannot keep listening to a cacophony of voices whose agenda is clearly designed to derail his focus on good governance.”
A variety of sources spoken to around the administration, however, confirmed that the issue is clear on the direction of the NPDP members.
“They want the president’s seat, but the president is not ready to drop his ambition because of them. They want him to walk away, whereas they served two terms in their states. There is no point of convergence on this matter. When they are ready to leave, they will find their way,” another source stated.
It was gathered that the objective remains how to frustrate Jonathan’s reelection bid, something the sources said could not be compromised.
“At the meeting with the president, the G7 tabled four demands and those are the demands known to the president so far. These include stoppage of the Economic and financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from investigating governors, resolution of Adamawa and Rivers PDP crisis, resolution of the crisis in the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) and party structures. These are no issues that would warrant formation of a faction, but the underlining issue, which they cannot say clearly, is the 2015 agenda. Mr. President cannot wave off his right to a second term on the basis of all the propaganda,” a source said.
It was gathered that the Presidency had decided to look beyond the agitators and had configured a PDP without some of them.
It was learnt that while the president is disposed to accommodating two or three of the aggrieved governors, he believes that the others have no genuine issue to agitate for.
A source asked: “What would you say is the grouse of Sokoto State governor for instance? What is the real grouse of Jigawa State governor or that of Niger? These are governors who are in control of the PDP in their states and they kept talking about control of party structures. You will notice there are ulterior motives and the president is not losing sight of that.”
The source said that if the governors continued to prolong the crisis, the only option open to the PDP would be to apply the stick and create new party structures in the recalcitrant states.
“The analysis on ground remains that a majority of the aggrieved governors did not deliver for President Jonathan in the 2011 election. He lost the presidential primaries and the general election in their states. So, what is the stake they are laying claim to?”
Nollywood Actress, Chacha Ekeh Welcomes Baby Girl
Chacha and her baby are in good condition, according to what we gathered from reports.
The actress only recently got married to her husband, Austin Faani, who is a filmmaker and a director in Nollywood.
BBAThe Chase- Pokello's Dad Disapproves of Her Relationship with Elikem + Hot Couple's Pictures With Mr Ibu
It was gathered that the Retired Colonel chose not to meet with his daughter's boyfriend allegedly because he believes doing so was against the tradition, which must be strictly observed.
'My daughter called me and told me she was coming to Bulawayo with her boyfriend and wanted me to meet him, but I was very frank with her and I told her that it was against our tradition…I can only be able to meet him when they come for official introductions' he reportedly said.
George Nare however expressed his support for his daughter, adding that although the relationship is in its early stages, he is prepared to back whatever decision she makes. 'As a father I believe Pokello is a grown up woman who makes her own decisions and she has chosen to fall in love with this guy, Elikem and her happiness is what counts most to us...All I can do is help her make the best of her life and facilitate her to achieve her goals.'
Pokello is presently in Ghana as part of a courtesy visit to reciprocate Elikem's earlier visit to her home country in Zimbabwe
Mikel scores first EPL goal after seven years
NIGERIAN midfielder, Mikel Obi, scored
his first ever English Premier League goal on Saturday as Chelsea
defeated Fulham 2-0 at Stamford Bridge.
Mikel’s first goal came after 185 EPL appearances for Chelsea since he joined the Blues in 2006 from Lyn Oslo.
Brazilian Oscar put the home side ahead
in the 52nd minute but it was Mikel, who put the game beyond the hard
fighting visitors with a superb finish with six minutes to regulation
time, to the admiration of club owner, Roman Abramovich.
The Nigeria international seems to have
realised his attacking instinct as he had scored another classical goal
in the 2013 Confederations Cup against Uruguay.
“I am very happy for my goal; it’s been a
long time. I also did (score) for the national team. It’s something I
always want to do but I have to put myself in the right position,” Mikel
said after the match.
Another Nigerian, Sone Aluko fired a
spectacular late winner for Hull City as the Tigers twice came back from
behind to beat Newcastle 3-2 at St James’ Park.
Loic Remy opened the scoring from
close-range in the 10th minute before Robbie Brady drove the equaliser
under Tim Krul just before the half-hour.
Remy put the Magpies back in front just
before the break but Ahmed Elmohamady headed an equaliser three minutes
into the second half, and Aluko won it for the visitors with a superb
side-footed volley from the edge of the box in the 76th minute.
Aston Villa survived conceding an early
penalty and a first-half injury to their talismanic goalscorer Christian
Benteke to give Paul Lambert a 1-0 win at former club Norwich.
Robert Snodgrass saw his sixth-minute
spot-kick saved before the visitors lost Benteke to injury, with his
replacement Libor Kosak scoring the only goal for Villa.
At Anfield, Dejan Lovren’s second-half
header snatched a shock 1-0 win for Southampton at Anfield and consigned
Liverpool to their first Premier League defeat of the season.
The Croatian rose highest to head home
Adam Lallana’s 54th minute corner despite Steven Gerrard’s desperate
attempts to prevent the ball going over the line.
Liverpool’s loss left Everton as the
only unbeaten team in the top-flight this season after Leighton Baines
inspired a dramatic 3-2 win over 10-man West Ham at Upton Park.
Amaechi blames PH airport neglect on rift with Jonathan
Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi,
on Saturday accused the Minister of Aviation, Mrs. Stella Oduah, of
abandoning the remodelling of the Port Harcourt International Airport
because of his rift with President Goodluck Jonathan.
Amaechi, who said this in an interview with Channels Television,
monitored by one of our correspondents, said apart from leaving the
airport in deplorable state, the minister impounded the aircrafts
belonging to the state “for no reason.”
The governor said he had reported the minister to the President to no avail.
He said, “I have gone to the President
and told him that because of the disagreement between Chibuike Rotimi
Amaechi, who is not Rivers State, and the President, the minister of
aviation has abandoned the airport. They started that airport with Kano,
Lagos, Abuja, Benin, and Calabar. The rest have been completed,
including Enugu which has been commissioned. It is hatred. The Minister
of Aviation is reckless on that.”
Amaechi raised the alarm that with the
state of the international airport, terrorists could have easy access
and attack it at will.
He added that due to his rift with
Jonathan, Oduah had prevented the state government from fulfilling its
responsibility of securing the state and fighting crimes, including oil
theft, using surveillance helicopters that it had paid for.
“We paid for two surveillance
helicopters that would fly around Rivers State (and detect crime)
including oil theft and report real time to police, air force, army and
the government house. She (Oduah) refused the helicopters from coming.
They are there in America and the government of America has been
wondering why we don’t want to take our plane and the President
(Jonathan) is aware,” he said.
But in response, the Special Assistant
(Media) to the Aviation Minister, Joe Obi, described the allegations as
untrue and false, insisting that huge work was going on at the Port
Harcourt airport.
“Port Harcourt is among the 11 airports
in the first phase of airport remodelling. If you go to that airport
now, it is completely different from what it was two or three years
ago,” Obi said.
Senate flays FG’s implementation of SURE-P
Members
of the Senate ad-hoc committee on the Subsidy Re-Investment and
Empowerment Programme have expressed concern over the modalities for the
implementation of the programme.
They observed that the intervention strategy was no longer achieving the purpose for which it was established.
The Senator Abdul Ningi-led 13-member
committee stated this while receiving the SURE-P committee led by Dr.
Christopher Kolade, at the National Assembly complex on Thursday.
All the senators in the committee were
unanimous in their submissions that despite the huge amount at the
disposal of SURE-P, Nigerians, especially unemployed youths had yet to
see its impact.
The senators lamented that rather than
concentrate on projects that could have direct impact on the masses in
order to cushion the effects of the partial subsidy removal, the Federal
Government had reduced the committee to a channel for passing huge sums
to its foreign contractors.
They noted that the N27bn meant for the
payment of stipends to unemployed youths was not fully released to the
committee whereas the Federal Government had so far, based on the
committee’s report, paid about N285bn to it, for payment of contracts
awarded by the Federal Ministry of Works, to construction firms owned by
foreigners.
Ningi noted that the SURE-P committee
was unable to convince Nigerians that the N15bn being released to it
monthly from March 2012 till date was spent on projects that could
alleviate the sufferings of the poor masses.
He expressed worry that all
correspondences sent by his ad-hoc committee to relevant agencies of
government in charge of fund releases to the SURE-P programme, had not
been replied.
The development, he noted, did not allow
his committee to ascertain whether the SURE-P handlers were receiving
the appropriate funds from source, and whether projects on which
payments were actually made, were verified to avoid double payments
since they were awarded by a ministry which had its own vote for similar
projects.
He said, “All of you in the committee
were appointed because there was the need to commit the huge funds which
was actually meant for the masses, in the hands of Nigerians with
proven integrity so that it will give credibility to the SURE-P
programme.
“However, as it is now, Nigerians can
only see your efforts, they cannot see results. The unemployed youths
would only be happy if a greater percentage of the huge funds are spent
on projects that will have direct impacts on them”
Kolade had, earlier, raised the alarm
that the intervention body would no longer be able to pay the N10, 000
monthly stipends to beneficiaries of its empowerment programme from the
end of the month due to paucity of funds.
He said the inability of his committee
to honour its obligations to the 111, 000 youths it engaged across the
country was because the Senate reduced its budget of N27bn, meant for
that purpose, to N9bn.
Although Kolade said the committee had
N93bn yet to be spent in its project execution budget, he, however, said
the body was not empowered to divert funds meant for another project.
He said, “The actual amount needed to
engage 5, 000 youths across the 36 states and the FCT was N28.5bn but we
presented a budget of N27bn which was reduced to N9bn. We immediately
alerted the Federal Executive Council and we were assured that the
original amount requested would be restored.
“However, since April when we were given
the assurance, the amount was not restored; hence, we reduced the
numbers of beneficiaries to 3, 000 per state but the fear now is that
there is no more fund left in the budget and we won’t be able to pay
them at the end of the month if urgent steps were not taken to address
the situation.
“The regrettable development will
definitely affect the credibility of the programme and the sincerity of
government to utilise parts of the funds deducted from the partial
subsidy removal, to cushion the effects of the hardship on Nigerians,
especially the jobless youths.”
The SURE-P Senate adhoc committee
chairman, expressed surprise that Kolade’s committee was not aware that
the Senate had restored the initial N27bn budget it presented and had
passed it as part of the supplementary budget, which was submitted by
the Federal Government.
Saturday 21 September 2013
JONATHAN SACK TWO SPECIAL ADVISER
About a week after President Jonathan sacked nine ministers, he has again sacked two more people. In a statement signed by his Special Adviser (Media & Publicity) Mr Reuben Abati, Pres. Jonathan announced the sack of two special advisers - Mrs. Joy Emordi, the Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters and Dr. Tunji Olagunju, the Special Adviser to the president on the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD)
The statement said the sack is with immediate effect. Rumble in the jungle!
Jay Z & Beyonce top Forbes list of highest-earning celebrity couples
Beyonce and Jay Z top the 2013 Forbes list of highest earning celebrity couples while Kim & Kanye came in at No.5. Jay and Bey made more than any other celebrity couple this year with an estimated $95 million in earnings between June 2012 and June 2013. See the top 5 list below..
1. Jay Z and Beyonce - $95million
2. Tom Brady and Giselle - $80million
3. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie - $50million
4. Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis - $35million
5. Kanye West and Kim Kardashian - $30million
Kate Henshaw gets more to make her smile
Recently, popular Nollywood actress, Kate Henshaw, got a customised whiskey from Johnie Walker. She put the picture up on her instagram page, saying, ‘ama keep walking…’ The star actress has every reason to raise her glass for a toast.
Since her marriage, which got her a child, Ella, ended with Roderick Nuttall, she has been in the news for good reasons.
Although in May, the Internet went abuzz with news of her being spotted with a man, he turned out to be a family friend.
Earlier in the week, she launched a book, The Life of an actress; My Story. Some of her colleagues were at the event. Saturday Beats gathered that she got N5m from the Rivers State government.
Prior to that, the young lady who celebrated her birthday recently, had every reason to smile to the bank courtesy of Samsung.
She got endorsed by the brand shortly after the rap diva, Sasha was dropped. Known to love wearing bowler hats, the screen diva proved that with the right workout, one can have the body of your dream.
So far, this year has been a good one for the Calabar, Cross River State – born actress who keeps moving on wearing a smile which she is known for.
Wednesday 18 September 2013
Stop encouraging corruption, President Jonathan tells Nigerians
“When you talk about corruption, the private sector is involved; the public sector is involved; even the individuals, including other societies, and I wouldn’t want to mention names so that I will not be attacked. But I know that if collectively all of us don’t reward corruption, people would not be attracted to corrupt practices, but when we all reward corruption, then of course, we will be tempted to go in that direction.
“I want a society where all of us will frown against people who come up with what they are not supposed to have. If a young man who just started a job and within six months or a year comes up with a car of N7m to N15m and you clap for him, then you are rewarding corruption." the president said.
Tuesday 17 September 2013
Epic female battle for Glo’s N24m on X Factor
The three secured their place for the final after 49-year-old Mohie Patience Uyoyo Oghene, known as Princess Pat was evicted, leaving the three young girls to slug it out
In casting the deciding vote, Ghana’s Reggie Rockstone said, “Like I always do, I’ll like to give praises to Jah and Sister Pat. I love you. You’re an inspiration. Vicky, I love you too, you’re a fighter. Both of you deserve to wear the crown. I’ll give my sister, the young girl, a shot. I didn’t just come up with that, Princess Pat, God needs you out there. Give the young girl a shot”
And now, it’s up to the trio to give the opportunity of a lifetime a shot with support from the audience through votes and each of the trio has reiterated wish to get the ultimate price
DJ Switch, one of the crowd’s favourites on the show whose performances are usually greeted with exuberant applause said she would give a leg to win
“By God’s grace, I’ve been giving everything that I have since I came. If I could drop a leg on the stage to win, I would do it. I’m still going to give my best.”
For Vicky, generally called “The Voice” because of her amazing voice quality, the money will change everything
“It will mean a lot to me, because that money will change everything. I hear constructive criticisms from the judges and my dance coaches and I’m working on it to put in that extra spice to bring out that Vicky that has never been seen.
And for Eshun, all the way from Ghana, it is all about a a spirit in her that connects.”I will give my all. Just like I’ve always been doing, I will give everything that I have without holding back. I have a warm spirit that connects. I don’t see it myself, but people around me testify to it.”
Nasarawa killings: NYSC evacuates corps members
Bolanle said that the corps members would remain in such lodges until the restoration of normalcy in the affected areas.
“There is, however, no palliative measure in place for them to cushion the difficulty associated with their new environment, having hurriedly left their places of abode without any thing on them,” she said.
The coordinator also ruled out the possibility of re-deploying the corps members to relatively more peaceful areas, but assured them of safety in their temporary places of abode.
It will be recalled that the state police command had confirmed three persons killed and property worth millions of naira destroyed in the mayhem.
9 steps to end relationships with maturity
Acknowledge the problem
How do you know when your relationship has hit a dead-end? Sometimes the answer is obvious. Other times you may not be so sure. Here are some signs that it is time to end your relationship:
You always feel frustrated.
You find reasons to spend time apart.
You wish your relationship was more like the way it was in the beginning.
You changed your values, beliefs or goals to accommodate your partner with the hope that the relationship would get better. It didn’t.
You have drastically changed your appearance so that your partner will find you more attractive.
You have cut off close relationships with friends and family members to be with your partner.
You are being physically, emotionally or sexually abused.
If you and your partner are constantly fighting, if you don’t share the same beliefs or goals, and (especially) if you are being abused, it is time for your relationship to end. But what if you are stuck in a mediocre relationship? On a scale of 1-10, your relationship is a six. Should you risk what you already have in the hopes of finding something better? Only you can decide. But the bottom line is, a relationship should add to your quality of life, not taking away from it.
Make a decision.
Make sure that you assess the issue from a clear, rational perspective. Never make a decision when you feel angry. Take the time to consider the consequences of all your possible actions – especially if you have children together. Ending a marriage is not the same as breaking things off with a guy you’ve been seeing casually for a few months. Whatever you choose to do, you must be confident in your decision.
Find a neutral setting.
The best place to have “the talk” is a private, neutral setting. Find someplace where the two of you will have the privacy to freely express yourselves and show your emotions. Restaurants and other public places are generally a bad idea. The last thing you want is your partner weeping, yelling or calling you names in front of a live audience.
On the other hand, if you are afraid that your partner may react violently, definitely end your relationship in a public setting where you can call for help if necessary.
Choose your words carefully.
Start by letting your partner know how much you value the good parts of your relationship. Maybe, he is a great listener. Maybe he has a killer sense of humour. Tell him how much you’ve gained or learned from your relationship. Go above and beyond the standard by saying something like, “You’re a great guy, but…” or, “It’s not you, it’s me.” Tell him something genuine and from the heart that he can remember and, hopefully, find comfort in later.
Prepare for backlash.
Your partner may be so devastated by your break-up that his only recourse is to hurt you in return. It’s an immature reaction, but we’re all human. If your partner starts throwing out verbal and emotional slings and arrows, resist the temptation to fire back. Understand that he is only trying to hurt you because he feels hurt. Be the bigger person and hold your tongue. If that doesn’t work, just walk away.
Don’t blame yourself.
You are ending your relationship because it is the best move to make for both of you. If you are addressing the situation honestly, without placing blame or judgment on your partner, there is no reason to feel guilty. You are attempting to end the relationship as painlessly as possible. But the truth is, his feelings will probably be hurt. Just know you are not obligated to take responsibility for his feelings. All you can do is be honest with him and with yourself. In the end, you have to do the right thing.
Make a clean break.
A few days, weeks or even months after your break up, you may start to reminisce about your ex-partner. You may start thinking about all the good times you had, or wonder what he is up to. These are normal and natural feelings, but it is important not to act on them. There is a reason why you ended the relationship in the first place, and starting things up again will only reopen old wounds. Keep your distance, at least for a few months, until you can get back on your feet. And no matter what, do not drink and dial. Booty calls are strictly off limits.
Allow yourself grieving time.
Ending a relationship means losing a person who used to be a significant part of your life. Even if you are the one breaking it off, the loss is bound to hurt. Allow yourself to feel the sadness and grief that naturally accompanies a break-up. These emotions are nothing to be ashamed of and signify the real feelings you once had for another.
When you end a relationship, you may feel as if you’ve lost a part of yourself. Understand that this feeling will go away in time. Until then it is important to let go of the past and learn from your mistakes. Breaking up with someone doesn’t make you a bad person. It makes you honest and uncompromising about who you are and what you want out of life and love.
Do you fight fair?
No relationship is perfect, and at some point you’re going to have a confrontation with a coworker, neighbor or someone you love. Disagreements can be a way to respectfully voice your opinion and carefully consider the other person’s thoughts - or they can be an all-out, name-calling fiasco.
JONATHAN REJECTS DEMANDS OF ‘NEW PDP’ •Says, ‘I can’t stop EFCC from probing any Nigerian’ •Silent on 2015 ambition
A communique issued after last Sunday’s meeting had hinted that all parties in the squabble accepted to commence immediate action and agreed towards complete resolution of all matters and will continue to meet until all processes toward reconciliation were totally complete.
But the political adviser to President Jonathan, Ahmed Gulak, said after a separate meeting he had with the president on Monday that none of the three cardinal demands of the aggrieved governors will be considered by the president.
He rather insisted that the aggrieved governors had no choice than to fall in line.
Gulak gave the cardinal demands of the aggrieved governors as hinging on the president’s 2015 presidential ambition, the removal of Bamanga Tukur, as well as suspension of the corruption case against the former governor of Kwara State, Bukola Saraki.
Speaking to State House correspondents, the presidential aide maintained the grounds that the constitution of the party and that of the country cover the president if he shows interest in the 2015 elections.
He equally insisted that the factional chairman, Bamanga Tukur, was duly elected and cannot be forced out of office.
“I have always said PDP has its internal mechanism to resolve its problems. Whatever crisis the outsiders may think we have, we are talking, we are dialoguing, peace is gradually returning to PDP in accordance with the constitution of the party and in accordance with the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. These two documents are our guide, we abide by them and we are dialoguing in accordance with the provision of the constitution.
“I will tell you that PDP is the only national party that has maintained its name and identity since 1998 till date, nobody can beat that record.
“The national chairman has no problem, he was elected and I always say that as there are processes for election, there are processes for removal or resignation.
So nobody can cajole anybody to say the national chairman will not survive. Nobody is against the national chairman.
“I have said it before that 2015, national chairman, EFCC, these are the three demands and we have to be guided by the constitution. The constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended has given Mr. President the right to offer himself for second term if he so chooses and nobody, either individual or group can abridge his constitutional right. If he decides not to contest, let it be on his own volition, not because he is intimidated or cajoled into doing that.
“Secondly, about EFCC, I have said it before and will say it again, Mr President will never ask such an independent body not to carry out their job or statutory function. The third is about national chairman and I have said he emerged through the process of election and his removal is also guided by constitutional provisions.
“Politics is about give and take. What camp are you talking about? There is no camp. There is only one PDP please and that PDP as at today is led by Bamanga Tukur. There is only one PDP, that we have some aggrieved members does not derogate from the fact that there is only one PDP and these aggrieved members, the elders are already talking to them and they are understanding the constitutional provisions and all of us must be guided by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and by the constitution of our party.
“We don’t just do things just because we want to do them; we must abide by the principles of democracy and the principles of democracy must be abided with,” he said.
The Nigerian Tribune recalled that the New PDP had last week insisted that the conditions given to President Jonathan by the group must all be met and within stipulated time before peace can return to the party.
The group dismissed reports that the crisis rocking the party would soon be over.
The national youth leader of the New PDP, Comrade Timi Frank had insisted that though discussions were ongoing, the crisis would be far from over until all the conditions given to the President were met within the stipulated time.
He stated that if the conditions were not met within the stipulated time, the leadership of the new PDP would unveil its next plan of action when and if any agreement is reached with its numerous supporters across the country.
Frank maintained that the new PDP would not betray the trust of the Nigerian people.
The youth leader said it was wrong for Gulak to have attempted to hoodwink party members into believing that a truce was in sight while knowing that the truth remained that except some sacrifices were made by the President and his allies, it would be practically difficult for the crisis to be over.
“The truth remains that the crisis in the PDP is far from over. While there has been ongoing talks, it would be wrong for persons, who in the first place instigated this crisis, to begin to play to the gallery.
“The truth remains that options are open but definitely the crisis is far from over, more so that we have noticed that even in the middle of discussions, there seem to be shifting of goal posts
“It is regrettable that informations made available suggest that attempts were being made to hound up members of the New PDP in some states like Bayelsa. Such practices will only aggravate ongoing negotiations
“Reports just coming in indicates that some members of the New PDP in Bayelsa State are being haunted for identifying with the party, with the new PDP secretariat in Port Harcourt been sealed off by police
“I dare say that if this is the case, then it would be a grievous mistake as actions like these will only worsen matters. I urge the Nigeria police to concentrate on security issues and kidnappings ravaging the country instead of joining in internal political matters.
“The constitution of the Federal Republic is clear as it relates to freedom of association, even more as regards the factionalisation of a party even as stated by INEC.
It would therefore, amount to outright breach of the constitution as well as abuse of the rule of law and denial of fundamental human rights for persons to be haunted or arrested based on the current crisis in the PDP. We shall resist such attempts as they are simply barbaric
“I want to urge security agencies to remain neutral and not to join in the present squabble in the party. I also enjoin party stalwarts, supporters and indeed Nigerians to remain steadfast in the bid to enthrone a new order and instill internal democracy within the ruling party,” he said.
Aggrieved governors agreed to drop demand on President’s ambition —Akpabio
The governor of Akwa Ibom State, Godswill Akpabio who was part of Sunday’s meeting convened by President Goodluck Jonathan with the aggrieved governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said the governors have agreed to drop their demand that President Jonathan drops his 2015 ambition.
The governors were said to have tabled three key demands which must be met before the crisis in the party which led to formation of New PDP could be over.
But Akpabio, who is the chairman of PDP Governors’ Forum disclosed that during Sunday meeting, the two sides agreed that the President’s right to contest in 2015 was not negotiable.
Speaking on the two other demands, the governor described them as issues of processes that would be resolved very soon since the talks would resume on October 7.
He said, “The PDP family is coming back together. We have started a process of total reconciliation and of course you know the house is very large, very robust and PDP is very entrenched and there is no way we can have internal wrangling without being able to resolve it. So, clearly speaking, it was just a family disagreement and the processes are in place now to bring everybody on board and Nigerians are very happy.
“I have received a lot of calls from party faithful across the entire country and people are happy, stakeholders are happy that the family is coming back as one strong family.
“The disagreement differs from state to state. So, it wasn’t as if there was a major issue with all PDP governors. There were few states that had difficulties.
“Some states complained about, maybe their delegates were not allowed entry to Eagle Square. Some complained about party positions and some had court issues. But these are all things that we cannot allow to affect the fabric of the party and of course by implication the fabric of the nation because the PDP is Nigeria.
“We have been in power for the past 14 years and Nigerians have confidence that this is the only truly national party that expresses true aspirations of all and sundry and of course it is also the only party that is not owned by any individual. It is a party that belongs to all Nigerians. Even the market woman in Sokoto claims ownership of the PDP and of course the same thing with the trader in Akwa Ibom State. The same thing with somebody in the south west and the same thing in south east.
“So, the PDP is Nigeria and so anything that affects the PDP will affect the entire country. And so that is why we commend the President for the peace process, for his humility and for his decision to be a father to all and for behaving like a good shepherd where if one single sheep goes astray, he abandons the 99 to go and pick that one. And that was the spirit and everybody is coming on board now.
“That process is going to be concluded on the 7th of October. We are all very excited.
“That is why I said that the processes are on and of course on the issue of 2015, both sides agreed that it wasn’t an issue for discussion because every single person has a right to have ambition.
“Some of the governors may have ambition like I have ambition to go to Senate and you can’t discuss anything about another person’s ambition. You are the only person that can discuss your own ambition. Ambition is personal. So both parties agreed to that.
“In all other issues, we have put in place methodologies of settling them and of course it’s a process issue. Process is on. It was in the first place an internal issue of the PDP and so we are going to settle it internally and if you want to know how it is going to be settled, then you have to leave being a journalist to join the PDP family.
“In the first place, the controversy was too minor for the opposition to feast on. Were they waiting to see the party, which opposition are you talking about, is it APC? Well, you know the only thing I can see for the APC, in 2015 they will change their name.
“They normally change names. That is the only thing I know. I think they used to be AC, later they changed to ACN, then of course they now linked it with CPC and now they turned to APC and by 2015 it will be Panadol.”
Meanwhile, FIVE hours of meeting between President Goodluck Jonathan and aggrieved governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) failed to get the desired results on Sunday.
Sources close to the peace meeting confirmed to the Nigerian Tribune that the president refused to declare his ambition for 2015 when he was asked by one of those at the meeting.
A source said one of the governors, who gave a preamble to the question, said the group wanted to know whether the president wanted to seek re-election or not.
The governor was also said to have added that the issue was within the constitutional powers of the president but that the governors would like to know, so that the party could plan ahead.
The president was, however, said to have refused to answer the question directly.
A source said Jonathan, instead, decided to lecture the governors on democracy dividends, adding that there was still time for all elected officials to start delivering dividends to the people.
“We were all elected to better the lives of the people and deliver dividends of democracy to the people. I believe that as leaders we must continue to do that which we were elected to do.
“Let all governors go back to the states and continue the process of delivering democracy dividends rather that bury ourselves in this politicking that does not bring food to the people’s table,” he was quoted to have said.
Sources further added that the meeting resolved that the Adamawa State executive committee should be returned to Governor Murtala Nyako, in line with the constitution of the party.
The source also said Jonathan told the aggrieved governors to erase the idea that a president would wake up and order the anti-graft agencies not to investigate certain categories of citizens.
He was said to have advised that any governor that had issues with the Economic and Financial crimes Commission (EFCC) should go ahead and clear himself rather than attempt to politicise it.
“I will not sit here and guarantee anyone that I will stop EFCC probe of any Nigerian or non-Nigerian operating within our territory,” the president was quoted as saying.
He was also said to have told the meeting that the issue of Rivers crisis had to do with court orders and several suits already filed and that he could not in any way overrule the court orders.
The responses were said to have been stated after the G7 group of aggrieved governors, led by Kano State governor, Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and his counterpart from Niger, Dr Mua’zu Babangida Aliyu, had restated their positions.
NASS: New APC principal officers to emerge
Strong indications emerged on Monday that the main opposition political party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), in the two chambers of the National Assembly, would elect new principal officers to pave the way for those elected under the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and the All Nigerian People’s Party (ANPP).
The National Assembly is expected to reconvene from its annual recess which its members began on July 25.
The three defunct political parties got the approval of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to operate as one political party under the umbrella of APC during the recess of the lawmakers.
A source close to the National Assembly told the Nigerian Tribune in confidence in Abuja on Monday that the harmonisation of the positions would be done among members of the defunct political parties at the state and National Assembly levels in consultation with the national secretariat of the new party.
“I want to confirm that there will be new principal officers at the both chambers of the National Assembly, that is, the Senate and the House of Representatives as soon as the lawmakers reconvene from their recess. Henceforth, there is nothing like ACN, CPC or ANPP, we are one APC, so, there will be the need to collapse everything together as being done at the state, local government and ward levels nationwide,” the source said.
The source further said, “all the interests of the defunct three political parties that merged to become the APC will be duly accommodated in the elections of the principal officers in the two chambers. Nobody will be short changed in the process because it will be done in consultation with the elders of the party, the consultation is already in progress.”
Senator George Akume from the ACN, Benue State, is the Minority Leader in the Senate while Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila, ACN from Lagos, is also the Minority leader in the House of Representatives. One of these two positions, the source hinted, might be altered in favour of either the ANPP or CPC in either of the chambers.
This is coming just as it was learnt that several issues of urgent national importance including the massive theft of crude oil, the lingering strike by university lectures, non-implementation of the 2013 budget and the PDP crisis among others have been slated for debate on the floor of the House of Representatives.
Monday 16 September 2013
An evening with Miss Russia, Miss Kenya and Miss Ghana in Lagos
Some of Nigeria’s leading celebrities came together yesterday, Sunday, September 15, 2013 to support the Exquisite Face of the World 2013 launch in Nigeria which will have over 50 beauty queens from across the globe converge in Lagos for the pageant. The event, which held at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos, had past beauty queens, Miss Kenya (right), Miss Russia (left) and Miss Ghana (centre) in attendance as well as Ethel Okosun, former Miss Earth, 2005 and daughter of late musician, Sunny Okosun who is the Nigerian Project Director for the pageant.
Guests in attendance include Dbanj, Uti Nwachukwu, Steve Onu, Tee A, Toni Kan, Latasha Ngwube, Yvonne Vixen Ekwere, DJ Zeez, , Tolu Ogunlesi, Gbemi Olateru-Olagbegi, Azuh Arinze among many others. More photos after the cut...
NAETO C RETURNS TO SCHOOL AGAIN
The rapper extraordinare is currently outside the shores of the country studying. According to the mother, Dr. Kema Chikwe in an interview with Punch, she said,
"he is in London at the Oxford University taking a course in Energy Economics. He is there with his wife and baby. He is a son any mother would want."
Two Girls Die While Swimming In Enugu River
While the corpse of one of the victims, Chidera Nwekwe, was recovered hours after the incident, the body of the other victim had not been located as of Sunday afternoon. Her identity remained a
mystery.
Eyewitnesses at the riverside told our correspondent that the victims were hawkers on the popular Bisalla Road/New Haven junction, about 800 metres from the Enugu State Government House.
It was learnt that they had gone swimming with some of the destitute persons who usually begged for alms on Bisalla Road, but drowned since they were inexperienced swimmers.
Chukwuebuka Nwekwe, the elder brother of one of the victims, said he was shocked that Chidera could go swimming when she had never attempted such.
He said they hailed from Akpugo Village in Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State.
According to him, the last time he saw her was on Saturday morning, shortly before he left for work.
Chukwuebuka said, “She was only 13 and had never tried swimming. I feel so sad that she had to die this way. She would have been alive if these people who beg for alms on the road had not lured her and her friend to swim at the river.
“The painful thing about the whole situation is that we are orphans and we have no one to turn to.”
The Enugu State Police Command said it was unaware of the incident. However, the Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu, said the command would immediately mobilise its officers to the scene.
He said, “Thank you for informing us. I will alert the command and we will mobilise our men to the scene right away. I will get back to you as soon as we are readyto make a statement.”
UN report confirms usage of chemical weapon
The United Nations has confirmed “unequivocally and objectively” that chemical weapons have been used in Syria, British Broadcasting Corporation reports.
A UN report says sarin gas was used in a rocket attack in the Syrian capital, Damascus, last month, although it has not attributed blame.
“This is a war crime,” Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said.
US allegations that the government was responsible led to threats of military action and then a US-Russia deal for Syria to make safe its chemical arms.
World powers will now try to hammer out a UN Security Council resolution.
Earlier, UN investigators said they were probing 14 alleged chemical attacks in Syria since September 2011.
Meanwhile, Turkey said it had shot down a Syrian helicopter close to its border. Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc said the aircraft was engaged by fighter jets after violating Turkish air space. It came down in Syria and the fate of the crew is unknown.
Ban briefed the Security Council on the report, and then addressed the media.
He said he was submitting the UN mission’s report “with a heavy heart”.
He added, “The mission has concluded that chemical weapons were used on a relatively large scale in the Ghouta area of Damascus (on 21 August). The attack resulted in numerous casualties, particularly among civilians.
“Survivors reported that following an attack with shelling, they quickly experienced a range of symptoms, including shortness of breath, disorientation, eye irritation, blurred vision, nausea, vomiting and general weakness.
“Many eventually lost consciousness. First responders described seeing a large number of individuals lying on the ground, many of them dead or unconscious.”
The UN investigators examined blood, hair, urine and rocket samples.
Ban said 85% of the blood samples tested positive for sarin.
“On the basis of its analysis, the mission concluded that it – and I quote – ‘collected clear and convincing evidence that surface-to-surface rockets containing the nerve agent sarin were used in the Ein Tarma, Moadamiyah and Zalmalka in the Ghouta area of Damascus,” he said.
Undergraduates, others arrested for stealing N2bn from bank
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arrested two young men who claimed to be undergraduates of the University of Jos, Isaiah Friday and Azzaior Samuel, for an alleged N2.05bn fraud.
Two bureau de change operators, Salihu Mahmoud and Dan Ibrahim, were also arrested in connection with the alleged crime.
The suspects were also accused of being members of a syndicate that specialised in breaking into the computer data base of financial institutions to carry out dry posting of funds.
The Head, Media and Publicity, EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, said the suspects were arrested in Lagos and Jos.
He said, “Their arrest comes on the heels of a petition which the commission received from Union Bank of Nigeria Plc, Marina, Lagos, in January 2013, alleging that a criminal attack had been launched on its data base known as ‘Flexcube’, by yet-to-be-identified criminals who falsified the bank records and accounts and created unjustified huge opening balances in several accounts across the bank’s branches. They subsequently transferred funds from those accounts to several accounts in other banks.
“The petition, which was signed by one A.F Olufade, Head of Fraud Investigation at the bank, said cash withdrawals and electronic transfers totalling N2.05bn was involved in the scam.”
It was learnt that EFCC initial investigation showed that Friday, who was carrying out computer system maintenance services for one of the Union Bank branches in Jos, Plateau State, on a part-time basis, paved the way for the fraudsters to penetrate the bank’s database.
Uwujaren said, “Friday was traced and arrested. His arrest led to the arrest of Azaaior Samuel.
“Investigations further revealed that Samuel introduced Friday to Mahmoud, who is the mastermind of the fraud with others now at large.
“Mahmoud and other collaborators told Friday that they needed access to the bank’s database in order to carry out some postings. They promised to give Friday N.5m if the deal succeeded.”
PUNCH Metro gathered that Friday agreed. On the day the crime was committed, he told people at the bank that Samuel was his colleague who had accompanied him to work.
It was learnt that after the gang had succeeded in gaining access to the bank’s premises, it carried out the postings to six different company accounts domiciled in Union Bank’s Marina branch in Lagos.
Uwujaren said, “The accounts are Gona Bureau De Change Limited, Jaxmine Bureau De Change Limited, Dan Kawu Bureau De Change Limited, Godswill Great Communications, ZHG Services Limited and A and B Console Limited. The postings were carried out and the syndicate thereafter went to the bank to withdraw all the funds. Friday was paid as promised and other syndicate members now at large shared the remaining balance.”
The EFCC spokesman added that the commission had been able to recover $2,129,900 and another N134,542, from the fraudsters.
He said, “Other items recovered are furniture worth N10m from Salihu Liman’s one bedroom apartment in Yaba, Lagos; four vehicles, landed properties in Kano and Kaduna and a four-bedroom duplex worth N45m in Lagos.
Investigation into the scam continues.”
CHILD MARRIAGE: "Senator Yerima Is A Mad Man” – Actress, Hilda Dokubo
Hilda who is back to acting is totally in support of her Nollywood colleague, Stella Damasus who is against child marriage in Nigeria.
Hilda Dokubo dissed Yerima for supporting marriage for underage girls and also claims Senator Yerima is a mad man who should be avoided at all cost.
Read what Hilda said below
I am a proud Nigerian always so proud of my Nationality that I carry my passport with a lot of respect. I was a girl child, loved, protected and guided so much by all the adults around me at the time… by the actions of our senators I don’t know what to do with my passport the next time I approach another's borders.
Listening to our senators discuss, debate and finally deviate from the original discuss to now publicly endorsing and accepting that a majority of those who represent people are insane and sexual perverts who are so hungry for completely under developed bodies of female children that they now have set a new age of adulthood and a new description for womanhood. Hopefully they’ll make the Guinness book of records as world sexual perverts hurray!!!.
I do not think that any religion hates the girl child that much that their law will approve of early deaths by self slavery.
In fact what normal parent would give out a child to a near death adult as wife?
When Yerima returned with the 13 year old Egyptian child did any of the security agencies try to find out if the child was not stolen, kidnapped or even an abductee by our insane senator? Because she was not married under Egyptian law and she was not his wife under they both arrived Nigeria.
My real worry is the safety of our female children around these perverts in the National Assembly including their own children!!! Can any girl child escape being raped by them? Will female children around them escape VVF? Will their female children be allowed to go to school?
What they have approved is a sin against God and humanity and must be stopped. The senate president is not a Muslim I know. He loves his children dearly I want to believe if he allows this mess by his colleagues posterity will not forgive him and everyone in that house?
Yerima is an insane person needing help please can a psychiatrist help Nigerians keep Him away from us especially the girl child thank you.
READ MORE: http://news.naij.com/47185.html
The deal between Jonathan, rebel governors
More facts have emerged on the Sunday night meeting between President Goodluck Jonathan and aggrieved governors in the New Peoples Democratic Party.
Presidency sources made this known just as Jonathan met behind closed doors with some PDP governors loyal to the Bamanga Tukur-led National Working Committee of the party.
One of the sources at the Sunday meeting, said that the President and the other attendees discussed and agreed on five contentious issues: Amaechi’s suspension by the Tukur-led NWC; control of the PDP structure at the state level; Jonathan’s alleged 2015 ambition; Tukur’s fate and court cases.
On Amaechi, the parties agreed that he should be recalled and that a committee be constituted to visit Port Harcourt and reconcile all aggrieved members of the PDP in the state.
The governor was suspended on June 21 for his alleged refusal to “obey the lawful directive of the Rivers State Executive Committee to rescind his decision dissolving the elected Executive Council of Obiokpor Local Government Area of the state.”
The meeting also accepted that all the governors of the party, including the aggrieved ones, should be in charge of the State Working Committees of the party in their respective states.
It was further learnt that since the governors were to be in charge of the party structures in their states, President Jonathan should determine the fate of Tukur, who all the aggrieved governors want removed.
Our source said that “the President argued that since it had been accepted that he should not interfere in the running of the party at the state level, he should be allowed to determine what would happen to its national chairman (Tukur).”
He added that the meeting, which was also attended by three pro-Tukur governors – Godswill Akpabio(Akwa Ibom), Idris Wada(Kogi) and Liyel Imoke (Cross River State) - agreed that all pending court cases concerning the party must be withdrawn immediately.
Amaechi is therefore expected to withdraw a case in which he is challenging his suspension. Also, numerous cases filed by members of the New PDP and the Tukur-led PDP will also be discontinued.
It was gathered that Jonathan’s 2015 ambition,generated heated arguments as the aggrieved governors insisted that he had told them that he would not run for a second term.
According to our source, the President argued that there was no time he told anyone that he would not contest for second term.
The PUNCH gathered that Jonathan specifically accused one of the aggrived governors, Babangida Aliyu of Niger State, of misleading Nigerians on the 2015 debate.
Aliyu was said to have told the President he had said at different fora that he was not going to seek re-election.
“The governor listed Ethiopia, United States and different caucus meetings of the party where the President made the statements,” our source added.
When argument on the issue raged,the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the PDP , Chief Tony Anenih, who was also present at the meeting,which was held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, interjected and advised that it should be suspended for a latter date.
The source said, “It was a give and take meeting, but at the end of the day, we agreed that the issue of 2015 should be revisited and resolved amicably.
“I can tell you that the meeting was very frank . We all spoke our minds, including the President and his deputy (Namadi Sambo). So, we wait to see the implementation of the resolutions reached.”
The other aggrieved governors, who were also pillars of the New PDP at the meeting were Amaechi (Rivers), Rabiu Kwankwanso (Kano), Murtala Nyaho (Adamawa), Sule Lamido (Jigawa), and Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara).
A statement read by Aliyu at the end of the talks stated that the parties agreed to avoid inflammatory remarks, pending the final resolution of the crisis.
The statement added that further talks would continue on October 7.
On Monday Jonathan held secret talks with Wada, Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam and other PDP governors loyal to Tukur at the Presidential Villa.
The identitities of the other governors were not known as they arrived in the Villa in vehicles with security number plates.
A source in the Villa described the meeting as “consultative.”
Earlier on Monday, Akpabio and Anenih were also sighted in the Villa. Commenting on the outcome of the meeting, the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Chief Olisa Metuh, said the leadership of the PDP was happy that the problems bedevilling the party were being resolved.
Metuh said, “We are very happy and grateful to the President, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, the chairman of BoT and other elders of the party.
“We are also happy with our governors. We are happy that the party has shown that it is capable of resolving its crises.”
In spite of the ‘no inflammatory comment order’, the Special Adviser to the President on Political Affairs, Mr. Ahmed Gulak, boasted on Monday that nobody could intimidate the President into not contesting in 2015.
“The 1999 Constitution gives Mr. President the right to offer himself for second term if he so chooses and no individual or group can abridge his constitutional right. If he decides not to contest, let it be on his own volition not because he is intimidated or cajoled into doing that, ” he told State House correspondents in Abuja.
Gulak, who added that peace was gradually returning to the party, said that Tukur would survive the crises.
He said, “The national chairman has no problem. He was elected and I always say that as there are processes for election, there are processes for removal or resignation. So nobody can cajole anybody to say the national chairman will not survive. Nobody is against the national chairman.”
The Presidential aide dismissed claims that the crisis would mark the end of the ruling party, saying it (PDP) has internal mechanism for resolving its problems
“We have entered into dialogue. Peace is gradually returning to the PDP in accordance with the constitution of the party and in accordance with the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. These two documents are our guides. We abide by them and we dialogue in accordance with the provision of the constitution,” he said.
Gulak explained that the President would consider the demands of the aggrieved governors based on the constitution
He also said that the President would never ask the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission not to perform its duties.
'90s-Style Timberland Boots Make a Comeback
Timberlands are one of the most recognizable shoes of all time, and, in the fashion world the they're suddenly more popular than ever. Launched 40 years ago as a durable, waterproof shoe for workmen, the wheat-colored boots were repurposed in the 1990s by members of the hip-hop community like Wu-Tang Clan, DMX, TLC, and Aaliyah. Record producer and rapper Timothy Zachery Mosley even got his now-famous stage name (you probably know him better as Timbaland) thanks to his fondness for the shoes. By the time the new millennium rolled around, Tims were a style staple. Jennifer Lopez famously rocked Timberland-inspired Manolo Blahnik heels in her 2002 "Jenny From the Block" music video, and Beyonce and her then-boyfriend Jay-Z wore matching Timberland-style boots in their "'03 Bonnie & Clyde" video. Even Victoria and David Beckham were spotted wearing matching Tims way back when. Now, with the recent resurgence of '90s fashion trends, Timberlands have been spotted on the feet of trendsetters like Rihanna, Khloe Kardashian, and Kanye West. Beyonce recently Instagrammed a photo of her family's Timberland collection (yes, baby Blue Ivy wears them too).
Aggrieved govs meet New PDP Senators, Reps
Aggrieved Peoples Democratic Party governors on Monday night met with National Assembly members loyal to the Abubakar Baraje-led Peoples Democratic Party.
It was leant that the impromptu meeting was convened at the instance of the governors because neither they nor their supporters in the assembly envisaged an early declaration of a ceasefire.
Governors at the meeting were Murtala Nyako (Adamawa); Sule Lamido (Jigawa); Babangida Aliyu (Niger); Rotimi Ameachi (Rivers); and Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara).
The ceasefire agreement entered into with President Goodluck Jonathan on Sunday night, changed the game plan hence the need by the aggrieved governors to meet and strategise with the lawmakers.
This arrangement compelled Senators loyal to the New PDP to put their attendance of the Senate PDP caucus meeting on hold.
It was further gathered that the Senators delegated Senator Ali Ndume (PDP, Borno) to convey their apologies to the Senate leadership.
The meeting between the governors and the legislators began at about 8:58pm at the Kano State Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja. It was still in progress as of the time of filing this report.
According to a source privy to the meeting, the Senators were invited for the briefing by their state governors at about 8pm-the same time slated for the Senate caucus meeting.
Our correspondent further gathered that the legislators were eager to get the details of what transpired between the governors, Jonathan and the Tukur-led PDP in order to decide what steps to take next.
A member of the group, who pleaded anonymity so as not to derail the peace process, said none of them was averse to a sincere truce.
He said, “We (legislators) just finished a meeting. Our governors invited us to another meeting which we are obliged to honour with due respect to the leadership of the Senate.
“The only agenda for our meeting with the governors is an update on what transpired during Sunday night’s meeting with the President.
“This is very important because it will determine the future of this movement and what steps we will take next.”
According to the lawmaker, none of them was averse to peace because problems within the party and the solutions were also within reach.
Another lawmaker, who also spoke in confidence, said, “Some people around the President sowed the seed of this big problem.
“They laid a foundation for this crisis because Mr. President is a decent man but politics is not a one-man show; we all have rights within the party and such rights cannot be trampled upon without a reaction.”
He also said the struggle was about having a better leadership in the PDP and not the destruction of the party.
When contacted, a member of the group, who is also the Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Zakari Mohammed, said,“I cannot say anything now.”
While admitting his membership of the New PDP, Mohammed added, “I am the Spokesman for the House of Representatives, whatever opinion I express may be interpreted to mean the position of the House.”
Gunman kills 12 and injures 15 at Washinton Navy Yard rampage
Aaron Alexis (pictured right), opened fire and killed 12 people this morning Monday September 16th at the Washington Naval Yard in Washington DC before being shot and killed by responding officers. The 34-year-old who worked as a civilian I.T contractor at the military base, entered the complex's cafeteria around 8.30am brandishing an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle, shotgun and handgun and began shooting. It is thought that he used another employee of the base's identification card to gain entry to the heavily secured Building 197, where he carried out his deadly attack. Aaron killed 12 people and injured at least 15, who are all in critical conditions.
Aaron, from Fort Worth Texas, served in the U.S. Navy for almost four years before being kicked out in January 2011 for 'misconduct'. The motive for the killing has not been revealed though there are speculations that it could be connected to his dismissal from the U.S. Navy. RIP to those who lost their lives.
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