Mixed reactions welcome Jonathan, Buhari peace pact

MIXED reactions, yesterday, greeted the peace pact signed by Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, President Goodluck Jonathan and that of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Maj-General Muhammadu Buhari (retd).
2015-buhari-jonathan-pollWhile the leadership of the PDP hailed the signing of the peace accord, a retired Archbishop of Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, Anthony Cardinal Okogie, and activist lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, said the agreements reached by presidential aspirants to prevent violence during and after the forthcoming general elections cannot hold water.
However, notable Nigerians who spoke in support of the pact included former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Professor Tam David-West; one-time Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Alhaji Abubakar Tsav; constitutional lawyer, Professor Itse Sagay (SAN); Afenifere’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr Yinka Odumakin and the Labour Party scribe, Mr Kayode Ajulo.
PDP urges APC to rein in members
The national leadership of the PDP in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, explained that the accord was in line with what he described as the irrevocable commitment of the party to peace and progress of the nation at all times.
According to the PDP spokesperson, the PDP has already, in the last one week of campaigns, demonstrated its resolve for peaceful polls by ensuring that its members adhere strictly to its code of conduct on violence free polls, just as it urged the leadership of the APC to inculcate same in their members.
Metuh said: “The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has commended its presidential candidate, President Goodluck Jonathan, and the presidential candidate of the APC, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari for signing the pact on non-violence ahead of 2015 general elections. This is in line with the irrevocable commitment of the PDP to peace and progress of the nation at all times.
“It is timely, therefore, to urge the leadership of the APC to move beyond signing of the peace pact to genuinely taking practical steps to rein in members, especially, the horde of brigand thugs already on the loose in parts of the country or be held responsible for any failure.
It’s capable of engendering healthy polls —Tsav
Also throwing his weight behind the initiative, a retired Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Tsav, said the pact was capable of bringing about a healthy conduct of the elections.
He, however, warned that the good intentions of the president could be jeopardised by security operatives through overzealousness if not checked.
According to him, “the security agencies must remain impartial and civilised in the discharge of their duties during the elections.”
Jonathan should show us commitment  —David-West
On his part, former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Professor David-West, urged Jonathan to show that he is committed in conducting a violence free-election.
He said: “It is a welcome development but it is shameful that after so many years of existing as a nation, Nigerians have not learnt how to live peacefully. It is shameful that they are signing accord on how to remain peaceful. Having non-violence elections should have been part of our political culture. Much as I am happy that they signed the agreement, implementation is where we should focus on. Implementation of what they agreed upon is the issue.
It’s superior to the law—Sagay
Legal luminary, Prof. Sagay, welcomed the development, noting that the peace pact is superior to the law.
Sagay said: “It is morally binding, it is superior to the law because this is a question of not only of conscience but also of integrity and honour. For me, it is superior to any law because any act of violence is a crime already.
It should go beyond photo hugs —LP
Describing the peace accord as a good omen for Nigeria’s democracy, the Labour Party, LP, however, said it should go beyond the photo hugs.
LP’s National Secretary, Mr Kayode Ajulo, said: “It is welcome development. We are happy and we are sure that entire people of Nigeria are happy. This is one of the issues the Labour Party has been canvassing. We need to eschew violence, we need to ask for peace.
Elections should not be a do-or-die affair. One of the things I will urge the participants is that this should go beyond the photo hugs, they should put it into play. It is easy for them to smile and ask their supporters to do something else. This should go down to the ward and unit levels.”
It’s more of a moral issue — Afenifere
Pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, in its reaction, described the pact as more of a moral issues.
Afenifere’s spokesman, Mr Yinka Odumakin said: “Like somebody said that it is a shame for us as a country, 54 years after independence, we still have to ask international bodies to come and help us sign treaties. That is the bitter truth of it.
“We believe in Afenifere that the peace pact does not have any legal binding on anybody. It is not a legal document, it is more of a moral issue. If we all decide that we have a non-violence elections, the politicians must be guided in their utterances and Nigerians must not allow themselves to be used for violence.”
A waste of time  — Okogie, Falana
The retired cleric, Okogie and activist lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, faulted the initiative, saying it will not work. The duo said this at a programme organised by the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, in honour of the late fiery lawyer, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, in  Lagos.
The 11th series of the annual programme tagged “Fawehinmiism” was with the theme: “Ethnicity, Religion: Promises and illusions of democracy in the struggle to uplift the masses from impoverishment.”
According to Okogie and Falana, nothing in the agreement can prevent voters in Lagos, Borno or any part of the country from going violence if their votes did not count at the forthcoming general elections.
“The peace pact signed by President Jonathan and Buhari will not work. They think we are fools and can deceive us,” Okogie said.
According to them, Jonathan and Buhari cannot sit in Abuja or any part of the country and speak for the masses of Nigerians who are willing to express their minds through the ballot boxes.
Okogie said: “The event was a waste of time as none of those who signed the peace accord could be made to account for any uprising that may happen after the elections. The country should be concern about ensuring that electoral
offenders and those against the progress of Nigeria are prosecuted rather than signing an accord that will never work.” “Out of all these politicians, I don’t see anyone of them worthy to lead the country. Anyone who want to lead the country must be a father to the people in its true words and see Nigerians as his family. Every citizens problem must be his problem,” he said.
It’ll amount to nothing if… — Mohammed
For Second Republic lawmaker, Dr Junaid Mohammed, the peace accord will amount to nothing if the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Police and Presidency fail to conduct a free and fair elections.
According to him, those who are after peace must warn both INEC and the police to conduct themselves during and after elections to avoid mayhem because Nigerians will not stand and watch elections being rigged this time.
Mohammed said “the peace accord between the two gentlemen means absolutely nothing if the government in power tries to use INEC and the Police to rig out the opposition. Some of us still believe strongly that INEC is partisan and General Buhari raised some very pertinent issues which I believe we must all listen to because he has contested elections severally, so he knows where the shoes pinches”.

Enugu PDP denies violating court order on Ugwuanyi

Enugu State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has dismissed report accusing the PDP of violating a purported court order restraining it from recognising Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi as the party’s governorship candidate in the state.

pdplogoThis came as a former Deputy Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Ogbo Asogwa has criticised Senator Ayogu Eze and some other PDP governorship aspirants, including Prof. Onyeke O. Onyeke and Dr Sam Onyishi for “not deeming it fit to join the Enugu PDP family to receive President Goodluck Jonathan during the recent presidential rally in Enugu”.

Speaking yesterday on behalf of PDP, an Abuja-based legal practitioner and one of the leaders of the party in Enugu, Chief Onwurah Aniagboso, said the PDP, had addressed the matter extensively before now and explained that “there was no such order.”

He maintained that the PDP remained a law-abiding party and “could not have disobeyed an order that is inexistent in the first place”.

“Yes, there are two pending cases on the Enugu PDP governorship primary before Justice S.E Chukwu of the Federal High Court, Abuja. One was filed by Sen. Ayogu Eze against the PDP, but Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s Counsel, P.I.N Ikwueto (SAN) applied and Ugwanyi was joined in the suite,while another case is Dr. Samuel Onyishi V. PDP.”

He explained that although it was true that Senator Ayogu Eze had initially asked for an ex-parte order to restrain the PDP from submitting Ugwuanyi’s name to Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, as Enugu PDP governorship candidate, the court turned down the prayer and demanded that the PDP and INEC be put on Notice.

Chief Aniagboso said he was aware that the PDP’s counsel, Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), filed a preliminary objection on resumption of the case on December 18, 2004, contesting that the court had no jurisdiction to hear the case, which had been adjourned to January 14, 2015.

It could however be recalled that the case was not heard due to the industrial action by the judicial workers union.

According to him, “I am also aware that the court did not grant any prayer by Dr. Onyishi’s counsel, Chief Chris Uche (SAN) seeking to restrain the PDP from submitting Hon. Ugwuanyi’s name to the INEC or restraining INEC from accepting Ugwuanyi as Enugu PDP governorship candidate.”

“Unless a prayer for an order of injunction is granted, you cannot call it an order yet; hence I see nothing in law, which bars the PDP from presenting its flag to Hon. Ugwuanyi as its bonafide candidate in the February 28 election or the INEC from treating him as PDP’s candidate”.

‘My wife threatens my life when she’s drunk’

A businessman, Rasheed Ogunwande, yesterday, made an impassioned plea at a Yaba Customary Court to dissolve his 10-year-old marriage on the grounds of drunkenness.
Ogunwande, 43, who resides at 10, Araromi Street, Onike, in Iwaya area of Lagos, told the court that his wife, Ajarat, was always threatening his life.
He said: “She threatens my life anytime she is drunk. She is also fond of fighting me and raining abuses on me whenever she is in her state of stupor.
“My wife drinks alcohol as if it is water and gets drunk easily. She is a disgrace.”
Ogunwande, therefore, urged the court to dissolve the 10-year-old marriage already blessed with three children.
He said the love he had for her had turned sour.
The President of the court, Mr. Rahim Daodu, who said the respondent had refused to appear in court, ordered the court’s registrar to summon her to appear before him.
Further hearing has been adjourned till January 27.

Why Agagu boys defected to APC in Ondo: The Obasanjo/Tinubu connections

Finally, the bubble burst on Tuesday, January 13 in Akure, the Ondo State capital, as some politicians known as the Agagu Boys defected from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC.
This development, though a big shock, but was dismissed by the State PDP, which said their defection was long overdue.
Reports had it that the late former governor Dr. Olusegun Agagu, before his demise had been fraternizing with the leadership of the APC.
The late Agagu at some point was alleged to have met with the national leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu several times on the possibility to collaborate.
The information leaked to the leadership of the PDP and Agagu was said to be sidelined on matters of the state, as Mimiko dictated the tune, even while in his former Party. Then, Agagu and his boys were tagged PDP Jagaban.
However, with the death of Agagu and the development which led to Mimiko defection to the PDP, the Agagu boys became threatened and uncomfortable with his leadership of the party.
File: APC chieftains with Obasanjo yesterday during Buhari's presidential campaign to Abeokuta.
File: APC chieftains with Obasanjo yesterday during Buhari’s presidential campaign to Abeokuta.
Political future
After much dilly-dallying, Agagu’s younger brother who was his Chief of Staff for six years Femi Agagu led others to the former President Olusegun Obasanjo, his late brother’s god-father, to seek his advice on their political future under Mimiko’s leadership of the Party in the state.
Femi confirmed to journalist that former President Obasanjo knows and approves of their defection bid. Asked if their recent meeting with President Obasanjo in Abeokuta, Ogun State has anything to do with their defection, Femi said “It has every thing to do with our action.”
journalist reliably gathered that the former President Obasanjo facilitated the meeting  Agagu boys had with Tinubu in his Bourdillion, Lagos residence.
Basking in the euphoria of his endorsement by the former President and Tinubu, Femi Agagu swung into action and started the mobilization of those he helped while he was the Chief of Staff and who benefited from his brother’s six years reign.
He won the hearts of some  former Commissioners who are his friends and whom he influenced their appointment- Olaitan Ayeni (Works), Boye Adegbemisoye (Special Duties) and two former Speakers, Victor Olabimtan who is a Federal Commissioner, Federal Civil Service Commission and Taofiq Abdusalam.
Ondo State Governor, Olusegun Mimiko
Ondo State Governor, Olusegun Mimiko
Others are a State party chairman, working committee members, members of National Assembly, Speakers and members of Ondo State House of Assembly, commissioners and Special Advisers. A former Speaker, Hon Olabimtan was said to have jumped ship because of an alleged disagreement over his re-appointment as Commissioner in the Federal Civil Service Commission after serving his term.
But another source said he was annoyed because his appointment as the state Coordinator of President Goodluck Jonathan campaign was allegedly upturned by Governor Mimiko. This has however been denied by the governor’s aide who described him as been selfish and self centred. No fewer than 48 names were paraded as defectors to the opposition APC. Among the defectors were former Commissioners- Niran Sule (Special Duties), Mrs Bukola Tenabe (Women Affairs), Tola Wewe (Tourism), Tola Aworh (Information) and Akinyemi Akinnigbagbe (Agriculture), .
Also a serving member representing Owo/Ose Hon Eniolorunda Omosule and another former member, Hon Akinyujha Jones equally defected.
Some foot soldiers of the PDP governorship candidate in the 2012 election, Chief Olusola Oke were among the defectors.
Femi Agagu at a conference to announce their defection said “We have resolved to embrace change which the APC represents and drum support for the victory of General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) and Professor Yemi Osinbajo, as well as all the candidates of the party.
“We took this decision after lengthy sessions of consultation with friends, political associates as well as supporters in all the 203 wards of the state. We have also received the confidence of distinguished elder statesmen, non political young and elderly citizens who are concerned about the future of our dear state and country.”
Swift reaction
Meanwhile, receiving the defectors, the party Vice Chairman in the South West, Chief Oluwole Akinyelure and the state Chairman, Hon. Isaac Kekemeke said they will be integrated into the party not as joiners but co-founders.
They urged the new members to work tirelessly for the party to win in the next year elections.
But in a swift reaction to the development, the Peoples Democratic Party in Ondo State, in a statement issued by the state’s Publicity Secretary, Hon. Banji Okunnomo said those who claimed to have defected from the PDP had since ceased to be members of the ruling party.
The party said: “The game plan of  the members of the opposition who only waited till now to make their membership of the party public was to act as spoilers within but failed to achieve their aims. The PDP in Ondo state today is free of disloyal elements who hitherto worked with the opposition from within.

BIU ATTACK: 78 Boko Haram terrorists killed in military onslaught

Military authorities, yesterday, said 78 Boko Haram insurgents were killed during the two-hour gun battle with the insurgents who tried to capture a military base in Biu, Borno State, Wednesday.
Hundreds of terrorists, including foreign nationals, in the early hours of Wednesday invaded Biu, in an attempt to capture a military base with the aim of carting the weapons in the armoury, thus expanding their operational bases.
Biu is a religiously mixed town and the largest in southern Borno. It is an important commercial centre that includes a large military base
Among the terrorists who were either killed or captured during the battle included some Chadians. Two anti-Aircraft Guns were captured from the terrorists during the operation.
Military sources told Vanguard yesterday afternoon that, no fewer than 78 bodies of the terrorists had been recovered.
Residents trooped to the scene of the fighting to see the dead gunmen and their bullet-riddled vans, Vanguard learned.
Contacted, Defence spokesman, Major General Chris Olukolade noted that the military was more concerned about the success of the operations than the figures of terrorists killed during operations.
Olukolade, nevertheless, confirmed that mopping up exercise in the area was continuing, adding: “What is important now is for us to consolidate on the victory, recapture areas where the terrorists are presently operating and restore peace to the entire north east.”

Gov Debate: Ambode, Agbaje, others differ on education, tax

Gov Debate: Ambode, Agbaje, others differ on education, tax
All Progressives Congress, APC, Lagos governorship candidate, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, his People’s Democratic Party, PDP, counterpart, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, National Conscience Party, NCP, governorship candidate, Mr. Ayodele Akele and six other candidates vying for the state governorship seat, yesterday, disagreed over the tax regime, the challenges confronting education and other issues bordering on the development of the state.
2015-Gubernatorial-Debate-a
L- R Mr Olujimi Agbaje PDP , Gubernatorial Candidate, Mr. AyodedeAkele – NCP Gubernatorial Candidate, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode , APC Gubernatorial Candidatae, Rt. Rev. Biodun J. Adeyemi Bishop of Badagry Diocese, Rt. Rev. (Dr.) Olusola Odedeji Bishop Diocese of Lagos West( Chief Host) During Diocese of Lagos West ( Church of Nigeria) In conjunction with the Dioceseof Badagry &Lagos MainlandOrganised 2015 Gubernatorial Debate at Vining Memorial Church G. R. A. Ikeja Lagos Photo By Diran Oshe
The candidates spoke at the third edition of the gubernatorial debate organised by the Diocese of Lagos West, Anglican Communion (Church of Nigeria), Ikeja which also had in attendance Senator, Musiliu Obanikoro, Lagos chairman of APC, Chief Henry Ajomale and others.
Other candidates at the debates were; Action Alliance, Mr. Ishola Aregbesola, Kowa Party, Mr. Victor Adeniji, Mega Progressives Peoples Party, MPPP, Mr. Kayode Jacobs, Alliance for Democracy, AD, Mr. Bolaji Ogunseye, Labour Party, Pastor Biodun Popoola, Independent Democrats, Mr. Akinola Obadia.
The debate was moderated by Professor Bayo Asaju while President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Mr. Femi Adesina, Dr. Oladimeji Alo, Mr. Ray Echebiri and Rev. Olusola Odedeji and Reverend Adeyemi, Bishop of the Diocese of Lagos West and Badagry respectively.
Speaking on the effect of the price of crude oil on the state’s economy, Ambode said: “Two-third of the Lagos revenue is generated from tax. And we knew that a day like this will come and that was why we strengthened our tax system.
“There are eight million residents of Lagos who should be in the tax net but we have only four million captured at present. The next strategy is to ensure that we become more efficient in generating more revenue internally. We will be more creative with it by pleading with those that are yet to embrace the payment of tax in the state. The tax we get was what we have used to develop the state”
But Agbaje was quick to fault the claim by Ambode, saying “the state government is putting the burden of the eight million persons who should have paid tax on the four million tax payers. And it is heavy and they are grumbling. You have to expand the tax net rather than over burden the few that are complying. Also, there is need to expand the economy to create more jobs and others.”
He noted that the revenue generated within the state was enough to cater for the state needs. “But there is a lot of wastage by the government. At the moment, the state does not encourage businesses.”
Ogunseye avowed that “the drop in oil price globally does not translate to over taxing the residents. Rather than increase the tax levies, I will increase the number of production and the number of people engaged in it. Our problem is that few people are doing the job.
Jacob said the tax regime in the state has forced “a lot of SMEs to relocate to Ogijo and Mowe in Ogun State. But for us, we will give tax holidays to these smaller companies in order to thrive.”
According to Akele; “The bulk of the revenue generated by the state government is been mismanaged by some individuals. But when I am elected, I will use 15 per cent of the revenue generated in the state to run the State service and we will terminate the contract of those private individuals who manage the tax administration in the state. And we will have enough funds to provide infrastructure.

On education
On the challenges affecting education, Agbaje lamented; “82 per cent of the state budget in this sector is spent on recurrent expenditure. All the funds allocated to education was always spent on salaries. And with that, our education will not improve. The education of today is not for the factory but about creativity.”
The PDP candidate added; ”The state government spends three per cent on primary education and that is the key because if the foundation is not effective, there can never be solid structure.”
Akele noted that public school classrooms were overcrowded, saying; “The student ratio in our time was 20 students to a teacher. But in Lagos, our classroom is like a venue for Town Hall meeting. We will reduce the population in the classrooms.
“For instance, the infrastructure in Lagos State University, LASU, is in shambles. It is disservice to the founders of the institution. The current government has inflicted injury on the residents of the state.”
Jacob affirmed that everything was wrong with education because the students who graduated from the College of Educations in the state do not go into teaching, adding “the government is not making teaching attractive.”
Ambode in a swift reaction said: “Agbaje said that 85 per cent of the state budget is spent on salary. That is not true. He didn’t understand that there are several schools in the state and the population of the pupils is increasing daily.
“And the number of teachers must also increase. Obviously, the numbers reflect the number of teachers and others that were gainfully employed by the government. Also there would be need to review the curriculum to ensure that our youths meet international standards.”

You have no governance experience before 1999, Agbaje tells Tinubu
Agbaje in reaction to the claim by Leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu against him, said that Tinubu had no governance experience before assuming the post of governor in the state.
“Even the national leader of the ruling party in Lagos did not have government experience before he was elected as governor of this state in 1999. All he had was three months as Senator before he was elected.”
Ambode reacting, said: “But the result of what that leader (Tinubu) did can speak for itself.

APC govt’ll cater for women, youths, end insurgency — Buhari

All Progressives Congress, APC, Presidential Candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari (retd), yesterday, in Abuja, said APC government would not only initiate policies and programmes that would impact positively on the lives of youths and women, if voted into office, but would also provide the necessary military equipment and personnel to end insurgency in the country.
BUHARI-optimism
Buhari
In two separate statements, through APC and APC Presidential Campaign Organisation, APCPCO, Buhari promised Nigerians a better and safer country if APC was voted into power in the February 14 presidential election.
Buhari, while expressing his condolence to the families of members of the Armed Forces who lost their lives in various military operations to keep Nigeria secure including the current battle against the insurgents in North East, in a statement through APC, said: ‘’May their gentle souls rest in perfect peace. An APC government will provide the necessary military equipment and personnel to prosecute the battle effectively and efficiently as soon as we are voted into power in the forthcoming elections.
“APC as a party also recognises the sufferings of the pensioners whose pension arrears and gratuity have remained a serious problem. This will be corrected by the APC government.
“I urge you all in the Armed Forces to remain apolitical and focus on the ethos of discipline which is the hallmark of your profession. I wish to assure you of my unalloyed commitment to returning the Armed Forces to its place of pride among comity of nations.
“I am aware of the neglect of the military over the years and assure you that everything will be done within available resources to train and equip the military to the level comparable with other developed armies of the world in the shortest possible time.
“The Nigerian military had accomplished a lot of feats in building and ensuring global security and peace in conjunction with the armed forces of other great nations of the world as was experienced in the Congo, Sierra-Leone, Liberia, Lebanon and other areas (since the Armed Forces were established) Therefore, I call on all Nigerians to join us in the APC in our quest to making Nigeria a better place for all.
In another statement through, APCPCO’s Directorate of Media and Publicity of the campaign organisation, Buhari said: “APC’s manifesto contains several innovations and legislative proposals that will promote the manpower development and social participation of women and youths in the country.
The statement, signed by Mallam Garba Shehu, said: “Drawing extensively from the information contained in the APC’s manifesto, a federal government under the leadership of Buhari promises to offer women and youths in Nigeria a new deal.
“We are firmly committed to the value that women are the backbone of the Nigerian society, especially in our rural communities. Therefore, issues that matter to the average Nigerian woman cut across the spectrum of policy areas, such as agriculture – where they predominate as farmers and farm labourers – to health and education, where their concern for their children are paramount.
“Our policy position for women takes into cognisance the fact that in spite of several rights outlined in the 1999 Constitution, many women do not enjoy the same freedoms as men, particularly in the fields of education, economic empowerment and political participation.
“No society can progress where half of its population suffers systemic discrimination. An APC government will seek to end all forms of gender discrimination in both public and private sectors, in education, employment and housing and also protect equal property and inheritance rights.”
The statement explained the core policy objectives of the APC for women and youths to include, “improving anti-discriminatory legislation and instituting merit-based action in employment; injecting gender as a component of federal character and appointing a Minister for Women and Gender in the Office of the President.”