2015: Choose one Nigeria or face disintegration –Ezeife

F ormer old Anambra State Governor, Dr
Pius Chukwuemeka Ezeife, is one of those
who passionately believe in ideological-
based two-political system as an ideal
way to achieve good governance.
However, in this interview, he dismissed
the present two parties as an agglomera­
tion of politicians without address. He
also warned of the danger of possible
disintegration of the country, if voting
pattern in 2015 general election suggests
that some people are born-to-rule and
others born-to-be ruled. Excerpts:
What is your prediction of the 2015
presidential election with the emergence
of Gen Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) as the
candidate of the All Progressives
Congress APC?
You have asked a very big question. Ni­
geria is at a crossroads. One way leads to
what people have been predicting for Ni­
geria-disintegration. The other way leads
to a strong, more virile and purposeful Ni­
geria. Which way will it be? Before I give
an answer, let me adumbrate the problem
of Nigeria. It will surprise you to hear me
say that the chief problem of Nigeria is
religious intolerance. Some people; not
very many but many enough to cause
concern, are bent on Islamising Nigeria.
And unfortunately, the West-America and
her allies seem to believe that those who
want to Islamise Nigeria are determined
enough to win at the end. And in the eyes
of the Western powers, an islamised
Nigeria will be very difficult for world gov­
ernance. There is a continuing effort to Is­
lamise Nigeria.
Over decades, churches were destroyed.
And more recently, all the 99 churches in
Mubi were destroyed. I do know that
majority of Muslims in Nigeria are not
looking for Islamisation. But there is a
handful of Muslims who tenaciously
believes in Islamisation. Will we be
islamised? To the West, it is yes. So, it is
suspected that the West views in a
positive light disintegration of Nigeria. I
don’t know whether there is a fear of our
coming to the world stage to dominate.
With this background, it is not surprising
that the promise by America to help us
against Boko Haram is not in anywhere
found. So, what do we do? Everything is
in our hands. We can appeal to those who
want to Islamise Nigeria and show them
the consequences. Breaking up of Nigeria
is not in the interest of anybody. It is not
in the interest of Muslim Nigerians, it is
not in the interest of Christian Nigeria.
Hausa/Fulani gain better from one
Nigeria. Igbo have voted with their legs
for one Nigeria as they are everywhere in
Nigeria behaving as if the places they are
homes. The Yoruba gains from one
Nigeria. All other smaller groups gain
from importance of a larger Nigeria.
How then do you predict 2015 election?
Some people say it will lead to disintegra­
tion. Others say it will lead to the
emergence of a stronger Nigeria. I see
one way that can lead to the emergence of
a stronger Nigeria. And that is if the result
of the elections say clearly that this
country belongs to all of us, no group is
born to rule, no group is born to be ruled,
we are all one equal citizens of one
Nigeria. On the other hand, if the result
suggests the contrary, if the result
suggests that some people are born to
rule and others are born to be ruled,
Nigeria will be made ungovernable. So,
we have to choose either one Nigeria or
disintegration. I hope we will choose
wisely.
Nigeria is tending towards a two-party
system. Are you saying that the present
structure is not good enough for the
country?
First of all, we do not have a two-party
system now. None of the parties is based
on any ideology. When we had SDP and
NRC, the difference was clear. One was a
progressive party (SDP), the other one
was a Republican conservative.
And the dividing line was clear. What we
have today is agglomeration of Nigerian
politicians. PDP is an agglomeration of Ni­
gerian politicians with ideological
address. APC is an agglomeration of
Nigerian politicians without ideological
address. So, if it is ideological party wise,
none should be chosen. Let me tell you, if
Nigeria should survive this election, I will
come out as a politician and start selling;
one, a two-party system and two, true
democracy, which means the local people
will select among aspirants who will be
their candidates and not the cabals in
Abuja or anywhere else. I will also preach
welfares for any Nigerian thrown out of
job. Anyone thrown out of job must
receive money from government. SDP
came so late and the money to bankroll it
is not available. But after this election, we
will fight for the expansion of SDP and
destruction of PDP and APC. Those who
are conservative republicans should go to
one party. If they like, they can recreate
NRC. Those who believe in SDP ideology
should go to SDP. The next election after
2015 will be between two parties where
parties are identified by their ideology, not
just random parties.
Are you saying that emergence of Buhari
as presidential candidate will polarize
Nigeria along religious line?
There was a time APC was a Muslim
brotherhood. That time, 17 topmost
leaders of the party were Muslims. That
was why I call them Muslim brotherhood.
But they are now moving away from that
brotherhood. It is now mixed up. Nobody
can call them Muslim brotherhood now.
The fact that Buhari emerged the
presidential candidate of APC should not
polarize Nigeria along religious line.
What looks like dichotomy is the social
perception of Nigerians regarding those
who insisted on making Nigerian
ungovernable if Jonathan became the
President. Some people finance Boko
Haram. Some people finance all kinds of
insurgents. Some people finance all kinds
of discordant voices. Some people insult
the person of the president on everything
about the country. If I am to play politics,
I will rise up and say the North has ruled
for 39 years, why should they be in a
hurry to come back to power? The
country is divided into North and South. It
is the amalgamation of North and South
that produced this Nigeria. The North has
supplied presidential leadership for 39
years. The South is below 20 years and
the North still wants to take over again.
From that social point of view, a victory of
one can lead to disintegration of Nigeria.
A victory of the other can lead to a
stronger Nigeria.
Democracy is all about change. If people
decide to vote for a candidate that
represents your so-called born-to-rule,
why should that be a problem?
There is no problem. But are people
allowed to choose?
It is the electoral process that will decide.
The electoral process is baptized democ­
racy. Some cabals decide who emerges
as President. Like I said before, the only
genuine democratic process is when
candidates emerge through direct primary
election by the voters. What is clear is that
the incumbent President is being vilified.
Some people put fire in the house and
expect the president to put off the fire. For
me, I want one Nigeria where Hausa is
happy, Fulani is happy, Yoruba is happy,
Igbo is happy and the country itself is
happy. If people are happy, they will vote
for Igbo President in 2019 and Nigeria
will take quantum jump into to develop­
ment. Change will come because a
believer in one Nigerian has taken over.
They (Igbo) make a home of everywhere
they go. Now, I am calling on all Igbo
people, it is time to make friends with all
Nigerians. When you are telling the truth
and your friends begin to abandon you,
you don’t have to change. Just make sure
you are honestly telling the truth.
What makes you think that the sentiment
about whether the North has ruled for 39
years will sell in today’s Nigeria?
If we are practicing democracy and the
votes of the people represent their choice
and there is no manipulation or rigging,
even if people are misguided, we have to
accept returns from the field. If they are
told lied and they voted on the basis of
lies, they have voted. If they are given
money and they voted on the basis of
money, they have voted. But there are
cases when the will of the people is
deliberately disregarded.
Then, the onus of creating a credible elec­
toral process lies on the incumbent.
(Cuts in). Is it the incumbent that
decided to create 1200 polling units for
Abuja and 1157 for the whole of
Southeast? Isn’t that a clear design to
rig election?
But that has been resolved.
At what stage? It shows a clear intension
to rig. To me, all electoral tribunal needs
to do is to establish intension to rig to
arrive at whatever decision.
You talked about vilification of President
Jonathan. Why will he not be vilified? He
promised stable electricity supply, there is
no electricity. He promised resuscitation
of railway sector, he failed to deliver on
the promise. Universities were shut down
for six months last years. The health
crisis has not abated.
What else do you want from the
president?
He has brought Standard Gauge railways
system; you said you did not see it. He
has given you even more than he
promised as far as railway is concerned.
In all your born years as a Nigerian, have
you ever had steady supply of fuel at
filling stations as you have had under
President Jonathan? We have not got
power as promised but the system for
delivering power has been made such
that any minute of darkness costs
someday some money. Some private
persons lose for any minute of darkness
and that private persons will not want to
be losing money. The system has been
created to make for full availability of
power.
It has not arrived there yet, but the condi­
tion for steady supply has been created.
Over time, the private sector person who
loses money for any minute of darkness
will work to ensure he doesn’t lose that
money. Yes, universities were shut and
there is strike in the health sector.
Today, the condition for more strike is
rife. With the decline in the world market
price of oil, some kind of austerity
measures may become necessary. I won’t
recommend any cut of anybody’s salary
but sometimes it may become necessary.
Politics had affected all strikes. Because
the last government was going, it agreed
to any demand. And now when it came to
meeting the demands, it was not possible.
So, if there is any demand by former
negotiator which cannot be met even if
there is no drop in the price of oil, it is a
matter of having people who know how to
negotiate. If they labour people know the
truth, they will strike if they must but not
at any time.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo in
his recent book washed down the present
government for not fighting corruption.
How do you see the present effort to rid
the country of corruption?
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo is
also corrupt. If he is not corrupt, where
did he get money to build university? I
don’t know whether it is from his salaries.
Obasanjo may say anything he likes to
say against Jonathan because somehow
godfathers sometimes quarrel with their
godsons. It happens in government.
He thought he will be running government
for Jonathan. Although Obasanjo fought
corruption during his time, it was only
against those who quarreled with him. It
was selective justice. If Obasanjo doesn’t
like your face, he would prosecute you
and leave me. Obasanjo actually made
corruption worse in his time. If he had
taken action properly, corruption would
have been reduced. But having said that,
the present government hasn’t done
enough to deserve any mark on the fight
against corruption.
With the present political permutations,
what is the possibility that Igbo
presidency will come so soon?
We (Igbo) thank God for His gift, although
that gift sometimes provokes jealousy
against us. Anywhere we are, we should
be friendly with our host communities
and keep to their laws, traditions and
customs. We should identify with things
around us when we live in diaspora in
other people’s place. Anywhere you go, if
you remove indigenes, the next populous
tribe is Igbo. One Hausa man said if you
go to any place and there is no Igbo there,
be on the run. Now, why is it that Igbo
have not had a taste of power when by
now every zone has supplied presidential
material? For the avoidant of doubt,
Azikwe was a ceremonial president not an
executive president just as he was
ceremonial Governor-General not
executive Governor-General. If you were
in the National Conference, you will notice
a new Nigeria that is evolving.
When the issue of extra state to the east
was being discussed, come and see how
Nigerians are becoming their brother’s
keepers. There was no dissent.
A small negative comment made by one
of the delegates was attacked furiously by
none Igbo. No Igbo man stood up to
defend one extra state. In 2005 when we
had political conference, the same thing
happened. Out of 42 people, 39 said give
the east one extra state. That sense of
justice will let Nigerians vote an Igbo
president. An Igbo president will banish
poverty because of our egalitarian culture.
As things roll by and the spirit of fairness
is in people, they will say if we find a well
adjusted Igbo, we can vote for him.
But there is apprehension that the report
of the conference you raised may not see
the light of the day. Don’t you agree?
Once result of election in 2015 brings
about a stronger, more virile and more
united Nigeria that will resort from voting
in as president a person more likely to be
favourable to the report, Nigeria will be
better for it and the other way round.
If Jonathan is voted in, he will implement
the report. If you vote in Buhari whose
bothers keep manufacturing hidden
agenda, he will discard the entire
recommendations and postpone the evil
day.

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‘People ‘ll work free for Buhari’s presidency’

S enator Obafemi Ojudu is a member of
the Organizing Committee for the national
convention of the All Progressives
Congress (APC) recently at Onikan
Stadium, Lagos. In this interview, relives
the experience of the convention that led
to the emergence of Buhari as a
presidential contender, insisting that APC
will take over the leadership of the
country in 2015. Excerpts:
Having had a successful convention
leading to the emergence of Gen Mu­
hammadu Buhari (rtd) as presidential
candidate of the All Progressives
Congress (APC) for the 2015 general
election, where do you go from here as a
party?
The thing is to take over power and then
solve the problem confronting Nigeria as
a nation. Nigeria is in a very bad shape.
As at today, people have lost hope; people
are despondent; people are scared of
their future. They don’t know what
tomorrow will bring to them. It is now the
biggest responsibility of APC to give hope
to Nigerians with the emergence of Buhari
as presidential candidate. We have to
ensure that change becomes a reality. So,
we have a very big challenge on our
hands. I have never seen the kind of
interest people are showing after the
election of presidential candidate of a
party. People are so passionate, so
concerned, so involved. Even from
quarters you do not expect, people have
sent text messages of congratulations as
if the general election has come and gone.
They are also showing interest in who be­
comes his running mate. They are now be­
ginning to see some kind of hope. That
hope must be turned into reality.
But then, some people now see the
emergence of Buhari as a battle between
the North and South, Muslims and
Christians. What is your take on this?
Nobody can see it that way other than
supporters of Jonathan. That is the way
they want it to be. That is the way they
think it will make it easy for them to
defeat APC. What they want to do is to
divide the country along religious and
ethnic lines and then rule thereafter. But
Nigerians have seen through them. In the
past, it was either APC was responsible
for terrorism or Buhari was the father of
Boko Haram and all that kind of things.
Now, Nigerians have seen beyond that.
They have seen that these people are just
deceiving them. There is no truth about it.
So, if they tell you that Buhari is a
Northern politician, tell them it is not true.
If they tell you he is sponsoring Boko
Haram, tell them it is not true. If you have
the Yoruba rooting for Buhari, you have
the Northerners rooting for Buhari, you
have some people from Southeast and
South South rooting for Buhari, what are
we talking about?
It is now incumbent on Nigerians to insist
on having a president who can fight insur­
gency. They want a president who can
ensure that they feel secured, who can
fight corruption so that our system can
work again. Corruption is killing us in all
sectors. And here is a man who has a
good credential in the area of corruption.
He has been in government several times,
he has not stolen money. Today, the oil
price is crashing; yet these people are not
doing anything. The crash of oil price
wouldn’t have affected us the way it is
affecting us, if not because of corruption
we are experiencing. Before the crash oil
price, we had lost so much to crude oil
theft at the creeks. Saudi Arabia and
Venezuela are going through the same
thing we are going through, but they are
not panicking as we are panicking.
We now have an alternative. They thought
on the day of our convention that the
party was going to split. But unfortunately
for them, the party didn’t split. All the
aspirants accepted the process as
transparent, clean, fair and just. They
were shocked; so, they have to move to
another mode. The mode of let us divide
them; Buhari has now turned to godson of
Asiwaju and all those kinds of cheap
thoughts. But that is not going to stick; it
is not going to work. People are
determined that we must rescue this
country. If we allow things to remain the
way they are now, the federal government
of this country will operate from Lagos by
this time next year. We would have been
driven away from this place. If we allow
things to remain the way they are,
workers will not get their salaries by this
time next year. So, if we have a man who
can arrest the situation, why can’t we give
power to him? Jonathan is a Christian.
How many Christians have benefited from
his government? What is my business
about my leader being a Muslim or
Christian? I come from a family where my
father was a Muslim and my mother a
Christian without any rancour because we
respected each other. That Jonathan is a
Christian does not make life easier for the
Christians. That he is an Ijaw man does
not mean that all Ijaws are now
millionaires. Obasanjo was president for
eight years. Does that make life
meaningful for Yoruba? Did he because
he was a Yoruba man construct the road
that leads to Lagos from Ibadan? So,
whoever is capable, let us put him there
for the job.
What is your party’s blueprint for better
governance?
The party has come up with a very
detailed and comprehensive manifesto.
On the final day of our convention, the
manifesto was unveiled and launched. It
is very comprehensive. So, it is not
business as usual. They set up
committees in different sectors; they de­
bated, argued and came up with solutions
to these problems. That is the way
democracy should run. That night, the
manifesto was handed over to Buhari.
Apart from that, Buhari has had his own
team that has done some work for him
too. We expect that as soon as he gets
there, they will get up and run with all the
preparedness that has come into being.
You have rightly identified corruption is a
major problem killing this country. With
integrity Buhari is bringing on board, do
you think people surrounding him to will
allow him to fight corruption?
Again, it is about leadership. If the head is
rotten, the whole part of the body is rot­
ten. Fish starts to rot from the head. If a
head says this is where I am going and
you are not ready to go with him, you
quit. If a leader is serious about it and he
is living by example, Nigerians will follow
him. If you are preaching one thing and
doing another, they too will cut corner as
well and you will not be able to deal with
them. I have the belief that if Buhari
becomes president today, as soon as he
is sworn-in and declares his assets,
everybody will have to follow suit. He has
promised to further empower EFCC to
investigate, put on trial and deal with
those people who are found to be corrupt.
Before he even gets there, people are
already scared. Some people will run
away from this country. The man is 71 for
God’s sake, what will he do with money
now? Will he want to build a house, buy a
jet or whatever? If he wants to own
houses, he probably would have done that
when he was Minister of Petroleum re­
sources. When he was Chairman of PTF,
he has no houses abroad, he has no
foreign accounts. The only glory left to
him now is to turns Nigeria from bad to
good and bring it back from the brink.
That, for me, is the only thing left for that
kind of a man. People say he is an old
man. Well, he is an old man with a
mission. Anybody who is going to negate
that regime is probably not going to be
part of that regime.
As you know, electioneering is all about
money. But this is a man who claimed to
have bought nomination form with a
bank loan. How is he going to do his
campaign without money?
I can assure you that this is going to be
an election that people themselves will
finance. If you have read the
advertisement he placed in the papers for
people to donate to a particular account,
people have been responding. I have had
people who have called me and said
please help me to look for that account
number I want to put money into it. You
cannot imagine what that money
becomes at the end of the day from
across the country. If two million
Nigerians put down a thousand naira, you
know how much that amounts to?
How much will it amount to in the face of
a sitting government that has enormous
resources at its disposal?
It doesn’t matter. This man came to La­
gos for the primary; he didn’t give
anybody any kobo; he didn’t house
anybody. People housed themselves and
yet they voted for him. In the same way,
people will go out and collect money from
those who have loads of money and they
will still vote for Buhari. A colleague of
mine told me that when Buhari contested
the last time, ACN paid its agents N5000
each, the CPC didn’t pay its agents a
dime. Yet, while the CPC agents were very
open and confident about being agents at
the polling booth, the other parties’
agents that were paid were busy
negotiating with other party. The same
thing will happen. People will work for
him for free. They will work for him
without taking money. They will put down
their vehicles; they will put down their
resources for him to become president.
The wealth of rich people is being
threatened by insecurity in the country.
They will want their wealth to be secured.
How would you assess the budget
performance for the 2014 fiscal year?
That was not implemented at all. Budgets
have become a ritual and meaningless to
the survival of Nigeria. What they do every
year is just to photocopy, doctor the
figures here and there and then send to
the senate.
Then the blame comes to your doorstep
for not doing your oversight function.
(Cuts in). I agree with you, the blame
should come to us for not being vigorous
enough in the performance of our
oversight functions. I totally agree with
you. I am being very critical of the senate
and critical of myself too. I agree with you
that we could still have done better in
ensuring that we make those budgets
relevant to the needs of Nigerians.
Your party lost Ekiti State to PDP in the
last governorship election. How is this
not going to affect the fortune of the
party in the coming state and National
Assembly elections?
We will continue to hope.
What do you think led to the defeat of for­
mer Governor Kayode Fayemi?
We went for an election, we were declared
losers and a new governor has been
sworn-in. Too bad!
Does that have to do with performance?
I don’t know. History is there to give the
verdict.
You are coming back to the senate.
(Cuts in). No, I am not coming back. I
didn’t apply to come back. I am not inter­
ested.
Then, what’s your plan after this tenure?
I go back to the newsroom. I have a job, I
have a company, I will go back there.

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Benue governorship contest is a walkoverfor APC –Waku

S enator Joseph Waku needs no introduc­
tion. Though he has a caustic tongue, he
doesn’t speak with both sides of his
mouth. No matter whose horse is gored,
he would always call a spade a spade.
For that reason, many people appreciate
his nuisance value. In this interview, the
68-year old Benue-born politician and
businessman unfolds the reason why he
is interested in the governorship contest,
promising to fight the state chapter of the
All Progressives Congress (APC) to a
standstill for its alleged imposition of
consensus candidate on other aspirants.
Excerpts:
Some governorship aspirants, including
you, have kicked against the candidate of
your party for the 2015 general election.
What is your grouse?
Yes, you used the right word. Most of us
decide to dissociate ourselves from the
so-called consensus candidate because
there was no consensus. Even among
ourselves, we never sat to decide on a
consensus let alone bringing somebody
who never participated in the primaries.
He is not even a member of our party.
The guy did not participate in the APC
primaries. He participated in the PDP pri­
maries held on December 8 and lost. Our
primary was scheduled for December 4
and shifted to 5. If we had finished our
primary in APC by the time he lost out in
PDP, he perhaps would have gone for the
Labour party or any of the mushroom par­
ties to pick their ticket. So, the issue of
being our candidate does not arise. How
long has he been in the party? At what
point did he buy the form when the
screening had already been concluded
and sales of form closed. Somebody
smuggled him in and that is Senator
George Akume. We thought it is not right.
We were five; including Akume’s
Permanent Secretary who later decided to
chicken out because Akume threatened
him. So, four of us are on now. We came
in to Abuja to lay our complaints because
we believe the national secretariat will
listen to us to save APC in Bebue State.
Otherwise, APC in Benue State will not
have a candidate because there is no
primary in the state. And the law says a
gubernatorial candidate shall emerge
through the primaries and in this case
there is no primary. If there is going to be
a consensus candidate, he must be
among ourselves. Even if there is a
consensus agreement, there must be an
affirmation witnessed by the electoral
body, police and the SSS. We can no
longer tolerate impunity of one person
who claims to be financing the party. This
party belongs to all of us. As we speak
today, APC has no governorship
candidate for Benue State because of
court injunction. And when the court
injunction is lifted, Senator Akume who
called himself the leader of the party
frustrated the process of concluding pri­
maries because he had an agenda and
his agenda was to sell the party to
somebody who was an Acting Minister for
Aviation. His impunity led to several
defections in the party.
Are you saying that the national head­
quarters did not listen to your complaints
before you went to court?
For some activities of some national
officers, we don’t want to trust them. We
don’t want to take things for granted. We
want to protect the party from being run
as a private company of an individual.
Do you realise the enormous of chal­
lenges in your hand if you have to govern
Benue State because that is a state
where salaries of teachers are being
owned?
That is why we need somebody who
knows the policies and manifestos of our
party. That is why we need somebody
who is conversant with the thinking and
working of the party. There are certain
loans that have been taken by the current
government. If I am elected as governor
of APC, I will not run a one-man
government. There will be a committee
set up to verify those loans that are taken
to determine whether they are really
beneficial to the state and the people.
Definitely, the state is not going to be
strangled because somebody took a very
huge loan. We will work on the Internally
Generated Revenue so as to cater for
some services.
Why do you want executive power in­
stead of legislative experience you are
already familiar with?
I agree with you that experience matters
in this job. But that is why I can do the
two having gained experience from not
just being a one-time senator, but also as
one time member of the state house of
assembly. Again, experience I have
acquired as a successful businessman
can be transmitted into governance rather
than those who have no kitchen to
manage and yet they want to govern the
state.
If the party leadership suggests idea of
consensus candidate, would you accept
consensus arrangement?
Genuinely, of course. Whoever they
choose, we would have no objection but
to support. It is not all about me; it is
about the due process and integrity of the
people. If I am chosen as a consensus
candidate, so be it. If another person’ is
chosen, I will fall in line to work for the
success of the party. It is not about
Senator Waku.
Do you know that age is already becom­
ing a very strong factor in determining
who leads a state?
It depends on where you are coming
from. You can have a 10-year old person
who wants to rule the state. You can have
a 100-year old man who wants to rule the
state. It depends on age bracket you are
talking about.
If you have to put age into consideration,
do you think you have all it takes to gov­
ern the state?
I don’t know what age you are referring
to. Is it 80, 90 or 100?
You know your age; I don’t know.
At 68, I will govern the state with the fear
of God. I will govern the state with less
anxiety. I will govern the state without the
desire to be this or to be that. I have done
all those things. All I want is to render
service at the tail end of my journey. What
do I need now that I have not got? If I
have not built house at my age, then God
has made it impossible for me to have a
house. I can’t be struggling to build a new
house now at this age. Where am I taking
it to? This is the correct age to govern a
state. I will not have time to go to disco
dancing all night. I have done all the
travels in my life. So, I will concentrate to
make a difference. You can see the dif­
ference in the states being controlled by
advanced age people except a few states
where the younger generation leads well.
How did Benue State find itself in the
state it found itself today not being able
to pay salaries of teachers and civil serv­
ants?
If you bring somebody who is well
experienced with age advantage, he will
not allow his children to be suffering while
he flies in and out of the country without
bothering about what is happening to the
people. Benue is such an unfortunate
state and that is why I offered myself to
serve and I know I will do better. I also
know that if I am denied to serve my
people, it is my people that will regret, not
me.
Don’t you think that if this situation is
not well managed, APC may not achieve
the objective of bringing about the
change you are talking about?
From the look of things, if the national
secretariat does not intervene in this
matter, we may end up not having a
candidate. So, the end may be jeop­
ardized because from what we found out,
George Akume is the biggest saboteur of
APC in Benue State. He is sabotaging the
party for reasons best known to him. In
fact, we are made to believe that he is
working against the party.
But that is left to the national secretariat
of the party to take the necessary
disciplinary action so as to save the
situation.
And do you think APC has enough strong
hold in Benue to win governorship
election?
If there is genuine and acceptable
candidate, it is a walk over. In 2011 when
we just brought ACN for three months,
nobody can say our performance was
abysmal, let alone now that we have seen
too many lapses of the ruling PDP
administration in the state. Civil servants
are not paid, teachers are on strike for
several months, children have not gone
back to school, hospitals are just mere
consulting centres, nobody sleeps at
home well because of security, no water
to drink even though we have River Benue
around us, no industries. Everything is in
our favour, it is a matter of management
of the party. We must ensure that a
dictator in the party in the state is
checked.
Are you mindful of the power of incum­
bency?
I have heard so much about the power of
incumbency. Was there no power of
incumbency in Imo State, in Nassarawa
State, my next neighbor? This again
depends on who you choose.
Gen Muhammadu Buhari has emerged the
presidential candidate of your party,
where do you go from here?
We are going for the election. He told
everybody that he didn’t have money and
that even if he had he won’t bribe
anybody, Nigerians were happy and they
clapped for him and gave him the ticket.
Atiku spent 14 million dollars in one night.
He gave each of the 7000 delegates 2000
dollars, he didn’t get it. This, of course,
does not include accommodation, feeding
and the aircraft he hired or chartered. He
visited all state secretariats of the party
donating this and that, yet he lost
because it was a collective resolve of the
people to say no.
The slogan of your party now is change.
(Cuts in). A positive change and also a
counter change within the change. If a
leader misbehaves, we will change him.
So, change does not really mean chasing
Goodluck away and sacking the PDP.
Even within APC, change may become
necessary. It is change for whoever is an
impediment for good governance.
Looking at the enormity of the challenges
confronting the nation, where do you see
Nigeria after 2015 if the change you’ve
so much talked about doesn’t come true?
Then, Nigeria is doomed. You will wake
up one morning and you will not be
happy to call yourself a Nigerian because
we have a daft and Nigerians decide to
keep a daft in government. Of course,
they will pay a price.
How do you think Buhari will be able to
tackle corruption even with the enormous
goodwill and integrity he is bringing on
board bearing in mind that the people sur­
rounding him too also have their own in­
nate tendencies?
When the head is rotten, the shoulder will
not hold. Corruption is from leadership. If
a leader corrupts himself, he has given
absolute permit to the followership to be
corrupt. When a leader is upright, there
will be sanity. Petty stealing may contin­
ue, but massive corruption can no longer
be there. Buhari was one time oil
minister, he has no filling station let alone
oil bloc. As we speak, Buhari has no plot
in Abuja. That is integrity of a leader.

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Benue guber: Akume in the eye of the storm

A s in other political parties, the gover­
norship primary of the All Progressives
Congress (APC) in Benue State is still a
subject of controversy. At present, the
party is the only major opposition in the
state that is capable of giving the ruling
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) a tough
fight in the coming general elections. For
one, it was the platform the immediate
past governor of the state, Senator
George Akume, used to secure a seat for
himself in the senate in the 2011 general
elections. So also some members of the
state legislature. Therefore, in terms of
numerical strength and popularity, APC
has all it takes to make a better showing
in the state in the coming general
elections.
However, it appears all is not too well
within the party, as internal squabble aris­
ing from the governorship primary is al­
ready tearing the members apart.
Strongly dissatisfied with an alleged
intrigues introduced into the process of
the primary, some aggrieved aspirants are
already threatening to fight what they
described as ‘habitual arbitrariness and
gross impunity’ of the state leadership.
And, of course, the man at the centre of
this controversy is no other person other
than Akume. He is said to be behind the
news making the round that the state
chapter of the party had adopted a
particular aspirant as its consensus
candidate for the coming governorship
election.
But the group in a swift reaction has
vowed not to let the arrangement stand.
Consequently, four out of the five
aggrieved contestants who claimed that
they were not carried along before the
adoption of the so-called consensus
arrangement on Wednesday stormed
Abuja to seek the intervention of the
national leadership of the party in the
matter.
Addressing a press conference in Abuja,
the spokesperson for the group, Prof
Steve Ugbah said the so-called anointed
aspirant was not a member of the party
and had no time participated in the
screening exercise for the governorship
contest.
“Until the day (Wednesday 10th Decem­
ber, 2014) that we heard a self-
sponsored radio announcement to the
effect that a PDP Chieftain was the APC
consensus governorship candidate, we
did not know that he had joined the APC
after failing woeful in the PDP primaries a
few days’ earlier,” he said.
Although no name was mentioned at the
press briefing, it was obvious that they
were referring to a former Minister of
State for Industry, Trade and Investment
and Acting Minister for Aviation,
Emmanuel Ortom, who is said to be
Akume’s preferred choice. He alone, they
said, unilaterally took the decision without
consulting concerned stakeholders.
Accordingly, the aggrieved aspirants con­
sidered the alleged imposition as an
affront, insisting that consensus
candidate could only emerge from among
themselves.
A release statement signed by four of the
aggrieved aspirants reads: “As an opposi­
tion party, we are becoming more notori­
ous for impositions. Under the
supervision of the state leadership, the
Benue APC has constricted from a
democracy into an autocracy; from a
political party into an impossibly
arrogant, one man show!
“Consensus is the outcome of a meeting
or a series of meetings. Yet, at no time did
we meet with this “Consensus Candidate”
or even met to discuss the issue, the
group said.
It further lamented several losses the
party had suffered as a result of the al­
leged impunity of the state leadership. “It
is not surprising, therefore, that many
APC heavy weights have left that party for
another parties, especially the PDP from
where they came out! These include: for­
mer senate President, Dr Iyorchia Ayu:
two time-senator, Prof Daniel Sasor;
former Speaker, Benue State House of
Assembly and member of the House of
Representatives, Hon Mzenda Ihyo, world
class Management Consultant and
political strategist, Prof David Iornem;
ACN deputy governorship candidate in the
2011 governorship election, Alh Abubakar
Usman; one of Nigeria’s foremost
diplomats, Amb Mike Gbasha; former
military governor of Katsina State,
Lawrence Onoja and Senator Joseph
Akaargerger as well as member of the
House of Representatives, Col Aboho (rtd)
.”
Concerned aspirants said they had un­
covered the moves by the state executive
to release concocted results of the gover­
norship primary that never took place in
Benue State.
“It appears the National Secretariat has
been provided with manufactured results
purporting to have come from an APC
Governorship primary that did not hold.
On both occasions when the primaries
were about to hold in Makurdi, they were
halted mid-way by the court injunctions,”
the statement added.
The aspirants, pledging their continued
loyalty to the party in spite of their griev­
ances, maintained that they would explore
every available option to ensure that due
process is followed in the emergence of a
candidate before the deadline for submis­
sion of names of candidates to the INEC.
It, therefore, urged the national leadership
not to give the party’s ticket to anyone
parading himself as consensus candidate
on the basis of fictitious primaries. They
expressed the fear that the state may loss
Benue State to the PDP if nothing was
done to amicably resolve the matter,
threatening to go to court as a last option.
In attendance at the press briefing were
Senator Joseph Waku, Prof Steve T. Ug­
bah, Hon Emmanuel Jime and Chief Mike
Lordye.
If performance is to be a factor in the
choice of who governs the state in 2015, it
will be much easier for a camel to pass
through the hole of a needle than PDP win­
ning the state. Benue State as at today is
going through one of its most difficult peri­
ods in the recent time. Apart from its
huge debt overhang, the economy of the
state is said to be in a very bad shape.
Schools are down, while teachers and
civil servants are being owned arrears of
salaries. And with the dwindling revenue
accruing to the state from the federal
allocation due to falling price of oil at the
international market, there is no doubt
that harder times may be lying ahead.
These and many more are issues one
would expect to be put at the front burner
as campaigns for the next year’s election
kick off in the state.
Therefore, there is no gainsaying that the
extent to which APC can go in its bid to
wrest power from PDP will depend largely
on how soon its can put its house in
order.
One of the aggrieved governorship aspi­
rants, Senator Joseph Waku, in an exclu­
sive interview with Sunday Sun, expressed
the fear that the party may end up not
fielding any candidate, if the matter is not
amicably resolved. “From the look of
things, if the national secretariat does not
intervene in this matter, we may end up
not having a candidate. So, the end may
be jeopardized because from what we
found out, George Akume is the biggest
saboteur of APC in Benue State. He is
sabotaging the party for reasons best
known to him. In fact, we are made to
believe that he is working against the
party.
But that is left to the national secretariat
of the party to take the necessary disciplin­
ary action so as to save the situation.”
For whatever decision to be taken, time is
off essence. But the group is optimistic
that the matter could be resolved before
the deadline for submission of the names
of candidates to the INEC.
All attempts made to get Senator Akume’s
reaction to the allegations leveled against
him proved abortive, as he did not pick
several calls put through to his mobile
phone.

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Xmas: Kaduna Christians, Muslimsworship together

In an effort to maintain and sustain
peaceful co-existence irrespective of
religious and ethnic differences,
Christians and Muslims in Kaduna
yesterday seized the opportunity of
Christmas celebration to worship together
in a church.
Pastor Yohanna Buru, Head of Christ
Evangelical Church, invited members of
the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, Kaduna
zone, to celebrate the Christmas with
members of his church.
Responding on behalf of the Islamic
Movement in Nigeria, Dr. Shu’aibu Musa
extended a goodwill message from the
Leader of the movement, Sheikh Ibraheem
Zakzaky to the Christian faithful at
Christmas, and called for more
collaboration to rid the society of religious
extremism.
Both Muslims and Christians, he said,
were equally oppressed and therefore had
a common enemy. He called for closer
ties to salvage the society.
However, in his sermon, Pastor Buru said:
“Every man and every society expect a
saviour at the end of time. Both Muslims
and Christians have always been waiting
for saviours in the names of Imam Mahdi
(AF) and Jesus Christ respectively.
The Christian cleric also pointed out that
there was no dispute between Christian
and Islamic books on the re-appearance
of their two great men at the end of time.
He added: “Until their imminent re-
emergence, no politician can salvage this
society from its predicament. This is why
we celebrate Christmas, we rejoice in
anticipation of saviours of the society,”
reading from Luke 2: 1-7 to buttress his
point, he lamented the senseless killing of
innocent people on the basis of religion,
saying in reality, people were from the
same root and lineage.
He urged Muslims and Christians to
reconcile and forgive one another before
the re-emergence of the awaited saviours.
“If we don’t reconcile now, I live to see
how we can be salvaged by Imam Mahdi
and Jesus Christ. Though, I am sure
Imam Mahdi and Jesus Christ will
reconcile us, it is better that we do it now.
They are the melting point, so let us
please live in peace with one another.”
The presence of Muslims in his church on
Christmas Day, he said, should not be out
of place, explaining that it was to
celebrate and anticipate the re-emergence
of the awaited saviours both religions
professed. “We call you here not as
guests, but as brothers and neighbours,”
he stated.
Highlights of the occasion were special
song by Malam Rabi’u Tudun Iya on
peaceful co-existence, songs of praise
and feast.

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Jonathan to politicians: Watch yourutterances

Ahead of 2015 general elections,
President Goodluck Jonathan has a word
of advice for politicians: watch your
utterances.
The President said such comments are
overheating the polity, noting that those
politicians do not mean well for the
country.
Speaking at a special Christmas service
held at St. Matthew’s Anglican Church in
Maitama, Abuja, he stressed that
politicians should embark on issues-
based campaigns.
Jonathan said, “As a nation, we have our
challenges, every day, we hear what is
happening to some parts of the country,
including Abuja, bombing by terrorists
and extremists. These are temporary
things, surely God will see us through. It
will surely, come to an end the way it
started.
“All what I request from you is to continue
to pray for the country as you have been
paying. Pray for the victims of terror, we
have widows, widowers and orphans,
some children are just few days old and
their parents have been killed, so what is
their fate? Their communities shattered,
people have to run to different places, but
that is the handiwork of the devil. As a
nation, we will pull through.
“I thank our religious leaders, Christian
leaders and all Christians who constantly
pray for this country, especially for me
and my family and the government for us
to go through. The challenges of the
moment, but for your prayers, probably
something else would have happened.
“God bless this country, even with the
challenges, one would have expected the
economy to collapse completely and of
course, if that happens, people working
with government and some of the people
with the private sector would not have
been receiving salaries or anything. God
is with us and in spite of what is
happening, we are forging ahead and we
will pull through.
“I re-assure you that we will continue to
do more. It is a week to the end of the
year, next year, from January, we will see
all political actors campaigning and from
the middle of February to the end, we will
have the elections at the various levels.
“If a politician wants to take power
whether at the House of Assembly level, at
the House of Representatives or Senate or
governor or president, you don’t sow seed
of discord and enmity because of course,
it will consume you”, he warned.
The President also urged elder statesmen
who have served the country as either
Heads of State or Chief Justice of Nigeria
to utilise their constitutional roles in the
National Council of State meetings, and
advise the government of the day with
their wealth of experience, rather using
the media to lampoon and rubbish the
system.
“As a nation, we know that if anybody
who has the privilege of being a governor
of a state after serving, he becomes a
senior citizen of that state, it is your duty
to assist in-coming government.
“For us who are looking for various
offices, we should just talk about what we
can do for Nigerians, you can market
yourself, but not to sow the seed of
discord.
“For a politician to stand up, who is even
a Christian to say that if he fails election,
he will form a parallel government. What
makes him feel that he must win the
election, even me as a serving president,
what makes me feel I must win the
election, no matter what I think I am?
Nigerians will decide who will govern
them at the state level, or federal level,
state assemblies or the National
Assembly in terms of the federal
constituencies and the senatorial districts.
“It is not for you who is looking for the
office to think that you are the best person
to be there. Are you the most qualified
person even by certificate? Are you telling
me your certificate is larger than that of
others or you even have more
certificates? It is the chance of the people
and the will of God.
“So, let me use this opportunity to plead
with you to continue to pray for us that
God should forgive us our sins and that is
the only way to move this nation forward.
God should give us the wisdom to do
what is right.
“All of us who by divine and the will of
God are still holding sensitive offices, God
should give us the wisdom and the
courage to do what is right for our
people”, he said.
Jonathan thanked religious leaders and
followers for their continued prayers for
peace and unity in the country.
The First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan,
read the first lesson drawn from Isaiah 9:
2, 6 and 7, while the President took the
second reading from Hebrews 1:1-12.
In a sermon titled: “The Jewish Messianic
Expectations and 2015 Elections”, the
Primate of the Anglican Church, the Most
Revd Nicholas Okoh, said the 2015
elections were a critical period in the
country.
He reminded political office seekers that
Nigerians have expectations, which
border on peace, freedom, security and
general prosperity.
He urged both serving and incoming
leaders to be guided by the people’s
expectations in their decisions. Okoh also
advised the citizens to base their voting
decisions on the communion good, noting
that if they elect people that don’t care,
their conditions would worsen.
On security challenges, the cleric
emphasised the need for Nigerians to
pray and work together to put “an end to
the reproach.
“We need to stop viewing security issues
as politics. It is everyone’s duty to join in
the fight against terrorists and rescue our
nation.”
The President was accompanied by his
wife, mother, Eunice, and members of the
Federal Executive Council (FEC).
The service was also attended by some
past government officials including a
former Minister of Information, Prof. Jerry
Gana.

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Tragedy: Midnight inferno razes hospitalin Ondo

A popular private hospital in Akure, the
Ondo State capital, the Ultimate Specialist
Hospital was in the early hours of
yesterday gutted by fire.
Medical equipment and other valuable
items worth millions of naira were
destroyed by the inferno, which lasted for
almost two hours.
It was, however, not certain whether or
not any casualty was recorded, but many
patients receiving treatment at the
hospital were rescued.
Although the cause of the fire incident
which started at 2a.m. in the midnight
could not be ascertained as at press time,
Daily Sun gathered that a power surge
occurred few minutes to the incident.
Daily Sun was reliably informed that
officials of the state Fire Service arrived
the scene of the incident late, hence, the
high gravity of the inferno.
The proprietor of the hospital, Dr. David
Oguntuase could not be reached as at the
time of filing this report.
A similar incident occurred penultimate
Saturday at the Arakale gas company,
Akure.

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Police kill 4 armed robbery suspects inKano

Police on Wednesday killed no fewer than
four suspected armed robbers, who have
been terrorising motorists on the Kwanar-
Dangora Road in Bebeji Local
Government Area of Kano State.
Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr.
Aderenle Shinaba, who disclosed this
yesterday in Kano, said the robbers were
killed following an exchange of gunfire,
near the Nigerian Law School, Kano.
“In the course of our special patrol in the
night on Kwanar Dangora Road towards
the Law school, our team had an
encounter with armed robbers and in the
ensuing shootout, four of them died,’’ he
said.
The police boss said items recovered from
the robbers included three .9mm beret
pistol, one .3mm special revolver pistol,
two masks and charms.
Shinaba said the command would not
relent in its effort to ensure a hitch-free
Christmas and New Year celebrations
across the state.
‘’The police are fully determined to protect
lives and property because Christmas is
not meant for criminals but for the law-
abiding citizens. We will not allow
criminals to take over the state as the
special patrol will continue throughout the
period and beyond,’’ he said.
The bodies of the four suspects, the News
Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said were
displayed at the state police headquarters.

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2015: War in Enugu PDP is over, saysEkweremadu

Deputy Senate President, Chief Ike
Ekweremadu, yesterday in Enugu
declared that the rift between him and
Enugu State Governor, Sullivan Chime is
over.
Ekweremadu spoke while addressing
thousands of his constituents and
supporters including widows, members of
Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria
(TAN), Jonathan Support Group (JSG),
and Project Monitoring Group (PMC) in
his constituency, Enugu West Senatorial
District; that he had reconciled with
Chime to move the constituency and the
state forward.
He announced that there was no more
division and discrimination between
‘Ekweremadu and Ikeoha Group’, and
‘Sullivan Group’, saying everybody
belonged to ‘Ikeoha Group’ because he
was the senator representing the zone,
including Governor Chime.
Ekweremadu stated that he and his wife,
Dr. Nwanneka called the people together
to use the opportunity to celebrate and
wish them Happy Christmas and a
prosperous New Year and thank them for
their prayers and support throughout the
year.
“We are thanking our governor, there was
a time I had a misunderstanding with
him; but I am announcing to everybody
that we have reconciled, we are now
working harmoniously. Everything is
going well in the state. So, when you get
to your wards, there is no more anything
like Ekweremadu group and Sullivan
group; we are all the same. Everybody
now belongs to Ikeoha group, including
Sullivan because I am the senator
representing everybody, including the
governor.
“We don’t want to see any division, let us
work together, so that things will be
moving well in our zone. I am telling you
that the politics of 2015, Enugu West will
play a major role.
“so, I will like to announce that peace has
returned to Enugu state and that the
peace should be sustained and everybody
should be part and parcel of the joy that
comes with the peace,” he said.
Earlier, Mrs. Ekweremadu had distributed
Christmas gifts including bags of rice, a
wrapper and cash of N10, 000 each to
over 500 widows from Enugu West
Senatorial District. Deputy Senate President, Chief Ike
Ekweremadu, yesterday in Enugu
declared that the rift between him and
Enugu State Governor, Sullivan Chime is
over.
Ekweremadu spoke while addressing
thousands of his constituents and
supporters including widows, members of
Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria
(TAN), Jonathan Support Group (JSG),
and Project Monitoring Group (PMC) in
his constituency, Enugu West Senatorial
District; that he had reconciled with
Chime to move the constituency and the
state forward.
He announced that there was no more
division and discrimination between
‘Ekweremadu and Ikeoha Group’, and
‘Sullivan Group’, saying everybody
belonged to ‘Ikeoha Group’ because he
was the senator representing the zone,
including Governor Chime.
Ekweremadu stated that he and his wife,
Dr. Nwanneka called the people together
to use the opportunity to celebrate and
wish them Happy Christmas and a
prosperous New Year and thank them for
their prayers and support throughout the
year.
“We are thanking our governor, there was
a time I had a misunderstanding with
him; but I am announcing to everybody
that we have reconciled, we are now
working harmoniously. Everything is
going well in the state. So, when you get
to your wards, there is no more anything
like Ekweremadu group and Sullivan
group; we are all the same. Everybody
now belongs to Ikeoha group, including
Sullivan because I am the senator
representing everybody, including the
governor.
“We don’t want to see any division, let us
work together, so that things will be
moving well in our zone. I am telling you
that the politics of 2015, Enugu West will
play a major role.
“so, I will like to announce that peace has
returned to Enugu state and that the
peace should be sustained and everybody
should be part and parcel of the joy that
comes with the peace,” he said.
Earlier, Mrs. Ekweremadu had distributed
Christmas gifts including bags of rice, a
wrapper and cash of N10, 000 each to
over 500 widows from Enugu West
Senatorial District.

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Pope seeks divine peace for Nigeria

Nigeria was among the nations that Pope
Francis prayed for yesterday in his “Urbi
et Orbi’ Christmas Day message, which
he delivered in Italian from the central
balcony of St.
He also prayed for other parts of the
African continent, charging political
leaders to promote lasting fraternal
coexistence. He also prayed for children
who are victims of violence, trafficking as
well as all victims of the deadly Ebola
virus.
“May Christ the Savior give peace to
Nigeria, where (even in these hours) more
blood is being shed and too many people
are unjustly deprived of their possessions,
held as hostages or killed,” the Pontiff
prayed.
“I invoke peace also on the other parts of
the African continent, thinking especially
of Libya, South Sudan, the Central African
Republic, and various regions of the
Democratic Republic of the Congo. I
beseech all who have political
responsibility to commit themselves
through dialogue to overcoming
differences and to building a lasting,
fraternal coexistence.
“May Jesus save the vast numbers of
children who are victims of violence,
made objects of trade and trafficking, or
forced to become soldiers; children, so
many abused children. May he give
comfort to the families of the children
killed in Pakistan last week.
“May he be close to all who suffer from
illness, especially the victims of the Ebola
epidemic, above all in Liberia, in Sierra
Leone and in Guinea. As I thank all who
are courageously dedicated to assisting
the sick and their family members, I once
more make an urgent appeal that the
necessary assistance and treatment be
provided.
His blessing yesterday included hope for
peaceful resolutions of other conflicts
around the world. He prayed for
reconciliation in Ukraine. He condemned
Islamic State fighters who have killed or
displaced Shi’ite Muslims, Christians and
others in Syria and Iraq who do not share
the group’s ideologies.
“I ask him, the savior of the world, to look
upon our brothers and sisters in Iraq and
Syria, who for too long now have suffered
the effects of ongoing conflict, and who,
together with those belonging to other
ethnic and religious groups, are suffering
a brutal persecution,” he said.
The pontiff appealed for compassion for
refugees “so that all who now are
suffering may receive the necessary
humanitarian help to overcome the rigors
of winter.” Tens of thousands gathered
yesterday in St. Peter’s Square in Vatican
City to hear the pontiff’s blessing, which is
customarily global in nature. “Urbi et
Orbi” is Latin, meaning “to the city
(Rome) and to the world.”
The message comes a day after Francis
delivered his second midnight Mass as
Pope. The Pope has used his influence as
the spiritual leader of all Catholics around
the world to affect political outcomes this
year. He played a key role in a historic
breakthrough in U.S.-Cuba relations this
month and urged religious tolerance
during a visit to Turkey in November.

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APC, PDP bicker over Ekiti workers’salaries

All Progressives Congress (APC) and
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti
State yesterday traded words over
payment of Ekiti workers’ salaries.
While the APC alleged that the Governor
Ayo Fayose-led administration had not
paid the September and December
salaries, the PDP said payments were
made a few days ago.
Some workers, who spoke with Daily Sun,
however conformed that they got their
payment alerts during the week.
Publicity Secretary of APC in the state, Mr.
Taiwo Olatunbosun, said: “It is ungodly
for a leader to enjoy all the bliss that goes
with Christmas while denying the people
he leads their entitlements at the time
members of their families look up to them
for the yearly pleasure of Christmas.”
But the Chief Press Secretary to the
Governor, Mr. Idowu Adelusi, who refuted
the allegation, said the APC as an
opposition should not be lazy in
extracting facts from the government,
saying the salaries of workers had been
paid.
Olatubosun said by December 18, last
year, all workers had received their
salaries and Christmas bonus in addition
to their leave bonus, while pensioners
were also paid. He alleged that Fayose
only grudgingly asked the banks to pay
workers half of their salary in the night of
December 24 after bitter complaints from
workers.
“It is evil for a leader to deduct N2,000
from the salary of each worker for the
purpose of buying them Christmas gifts,
only to give not up to half of the workers a
chicken smaller than a pigeon worth less
than N800. It is callous to take convention
funds for the delegates of your party
members in the guise that you are
spending it for Christmas gift, only for
you to keep more than half of that money
in your private pocket while your party
members go hungry during this festive
period,” he said.
He added that Fayose had made
avoidable suffering part of his policy to
make life unbearable for Ekiti people,
condemning the putting off of streetlights
in the state capital at night with the
attendant insecurity of life and property.
“On Christmas eve when our people were
supposed to be in celebration mood, Ekiti
frustrated workers were on queues at ATM
points waiting for the salary alerts.
Today, nightlife is gone in the state capital
because there is no streetlight again.
Armed robbers and pickpockets are back
in the state capital terrorizing residents at
night.”
“The governor promised Ekiti people rice
and chicken for Christmas but only gave
one and half ‘congos’ of rice and one
‘oromodiye’ (chicken) that cost less than
N600 and not fit for consumption,” he
said.
Adelusi said: “The APC should not be a
fool in reacting to issues.
They should not be lazy in getting to the
roots of any matter because everybody is
aware that salaries of workers have been
paid. Ayo Fayose is a sensitive and
responsive governor, who has started
distributing Christmas gifts to all
categories of people since Monday.
So, it sounds so unfathomable that a
governor that could do that would now
abandon the workers, who are critical to
this government.
“The APC must realize that no amount of
propaganda would bridge the wide gulf
that existed between it and Ekiti workers
due to highhandedness of the immediate
past government, led by Governor Kayode
Fayemi to workers.”

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Amaechi spent N30bn on Buhari –Wike

Former Minister of State for Education
and Rivers State governorship flag bearer
of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),
Nyesom Wike, has accused Governor
Chibuike Amaechi of spending a
whopping N30 billion on General
Muhammadu Buhari campaign to be All
Progressives Congress (APC) presidential
candidate.
Besides, he said Amaechi was deceived
by the leadership of the APC to spend the
state fund on Buhari, in the hope that he
would be chosen as the vice presidential
candidate.
He attributed the alleged non-payment of
salaries of civil servants in the state to the
funding of the party by the governor.
Wike stated this yesterday at a “thank-
you” visit to the people of Ikwerre held in
Omagwa, Ikwerre Local Government Area
of the state.
He said: “Do you know why workers’
salaries have not been paid? Amaechi
spent N30 billion in funding the
presidential campaign of the APC. They
allowed him to spend the money and
later, they called him mugu.
“They said we would not make this ‘boy’
who does not respect the president
(Jonathan) the vice president. We should
know that our future is in the PDP and
not the APC.”
But, the state government, through the
Commissioner for Information and
Communications, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari,
has debunked the allegation of Amaechi
funding Buhari.
She described the claim as baseless and
false, saying Wike should provide proof to
back his statement.
Semenitari stated: “It is unbelievable that
a man who wants to be the governor of
this state can make such an unbelievable
statement without any proof.
“We challenge him (Wike) to show proof
that Governor Amaechi spent N30 billion
to fund APC campaign.
“There are some things that are
unbelievable. With what President
Jonathan is giving us, N30 billion is three
months allocation. Is that what he (Wike)
is saying that we used for primary? Rivers
State Government will not dignify such
unintelligent talk with responses. We will
not respond to unintelligent talk; we will
not react to stupid conjecturing.”
Wike, while expressing gratitude to
Ikwerre people for endorsing him to run
for the gubernatorial slot, disclosed that
the PDP had chosen a woman to be his
running mate, adding that she would be
unveiled on Tuesday. He urged Ikwerre
people to vote for President Goodluck
Jonathan, saying APC was not the hope
of Nigerians.
He said: “We are getting women involved
in decision making of the state. The
campaign is now for women to take to the
next level. We have gone beyond the stage
of just sharing wrapper to women as
empowerment. This is a new era in Rivers
State. The fate of Rivers people does not
lie in the opposition APC. We are for the
PDP all the way”
The governorship flag bearer stated that
the legacies Governor Amaechi-led
government had bequeathed to Rivers
people were closure of the judiciary,
House of Assembly, monorail and the N50
billion Karibi-Whyte Hospital.
Wike promised the people that, if voted as
governor in 2015, he would review the
economic value of their lands acquired by
the state government for the Greater Port
Harcourt City (GPH) project.
He urged the people to remain vigilant,
alleging that APC was sewing fake police
uniforms in an attempt to rig the 2015
elections. Wike charged the people to
resist any attempt to compromise the
electoral process by the APC.
A PDP chieftain in Ikwerre Local
Government Area, Ernest Wosu, regretted
that Amaechi failed the people, hence the
decision to support a politician with a
pedigree.

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How to Join Illuminati and Become Rich, Powerful And Famous

Illuminati has been popularized in
recent years all over the world by the
media and entertainment industry.
Many popular celebrities have been
seen wearing Illuminati symbols and
some making the tattoos, while others
are using it in their lyrics. Jay Z, Miley
Cyrus, Rihanna, Kanye West, and
Beyonce are all said to be members of
The Illuminati.
I was doing my regular keywords
research this morning and came up
with these keywords " How to Join
Illuminati" on Google search query
suggestions. I decided to dig deeper
and was able to unearth even bigger
surprises - the sheer number of
people in all parts of the world who
are looking for information on How to
Join Illuminati.
The search terms goes as far as:
How to Join Illuminati and become
rich and famous
How to Join Illuminati in UK
How to Join Illuminati in Kenya
How to Join Illuminati in USA
How to Join Illuminati in South Africa
How to Join Illuminati in India
How to Join Illuminati in Pakistan
How to Join Illuminati in Malaysia
How to Join Illuminati in Ghana
How to Join Illuminati in Nairobi
How to Join Illuminati in Zambia
How to Join Illuminati in Nigeria
How to Join Illuminati for Wealth
How to Join Illuminati and become
Rich
How to Join Illuminati for Fame
how to join illuminati and get rich
how to join illuminati for money
how to join illuminati for wealth
illuminati members
how to join illuminati online
how to join illuminati for fame
join freemasons
how to join illuminati yahoo answers
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how to join illuminati for wealth
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join illuminati secret societies
how to join illuminati for fame
join secret societies
join freemasons
illuminati members
The
list goes on and on to include almost
all the cities in all countries of the
world in all Languages. It's equally
amazing how many people out there
who desires to be wealthy and
famous without working for it! Does
such thing actually exist or people are
just chasing shadow?
Well, this article is not about guiding
you on how to join Illuminati but to
expose the bitter truth I discovered in
the course of my search. I visited
some websites and found out how
Fraudsters are using this Illuminati
hype to defraud hundreds of
thousands of people who are looking
for how to join Illuminati and become
rich and famous.
All the above keywords have all
simply been populated by fraudsters
who are experts at taking advantage
of people's ignorance. Public forums
like Topix.com is where they operate
most, posting invitations to any would
be Illuminati candidate to fall into. And
when they fall (which happens on
daily basis) they end up getting
poorer and miserable instead of
getting rich and famous.
But what really is Illuminati?
According to the information available
on Wikipedia - The Illuminati is a
name given to several groups, both
real and fictitious. Historically the
name refers to the Bavarian Illuminati,
an Enlightenment-era secret society
founded on May 1, 1776 to oppose
superstition, prejudice, religious
influence over public life, abuses of
state power, and to support women's
education and gender equality.
The Illuminati were outlawed along
with other secret societies by the
Bavarian government leadership with
the encouragement of the Roman
Catholic Church, and permanently
disbanded in 1785. In the several
years following, the group was vilified
by conservative and religious critics
who claimed they had regrouped and
were responsible for the French
Revolution.
In subsequent use, "Illuminati" refers
to various organizations claiming or
purported to have unsubstantiated
links to the original Bavarian Illuminati
or similar secret societies, and often
alleged to conspire to control world
affairs by masterminding events and
planting agents in government and
corporations to establish a New World
Order and gain further political power
and influence.
Central to some of the most widely
known and elaborate conspiracy
theories, the Illuminati have been
depicted as lurking in the shadows
and pulling the strings and levers of
power in dozens of novels, movies,
television shows, comics, video
games, and music videos.
This is what the The Illuminati has to
say
Selfishness (VOS) or Capitalism: The
Unknown Ideal (CUI), though VOS is
preferred because of its other valuable
essays dealing specifically with rights.
These books are usually kept in stock
at most major bookstores or easily
ordered.
It must be emphasized, however, that
the Illuminati Order is not an
Objectivist organization, per se.
Accepting Objectivism, the philosophy
of Ayn Rand, is not a requirement of
membership. All who support
individual rights--which include the
rights to life, liberty, justly acquired
property, and the pursuit of
happiness--are encouraged to join us!
Why here? Why now?
The Internet offers the means to
reach an amazing number of people
both quickly and easily, which is at
once a blessing and a curse. Many
people have at least heard of the term
"Illuminati," which is good. However,
because of widespread conspiracy
theories, a significant portion of what
they have heard about the Illuminati
Order is incorrect. One of the purposes
of this site is to act against the
misconceptions and disinformation
and set the record straight by
revealing the true nature of the
Illuminati Order.
To begin with, the Illuminati Order
actually supports personal freedom. It
is pro-liberty and many of its
members are outspoken advocates of
individual rights. The term
"libertarian" describes it very well.
Secrecy: Past, Present and Future
A universally accepted theme of the
Illuminati Order is that of being a
secret society. Using this, some have
tried to discredit its authenticity
because it is not as secret as it is
supposedly required to be. So, to be
clear here and now, the Illuminati
Order is only as secret as necessary
in order to exist relatively unimpeded.
It was on this topic that Thomas
Jefferson, one of the Founding Fathers
of the United States, wrote the
following with regard to the Illuminati:
"As Weishaupt lived under the tyranny
of a despot and priests, he knew that
caution was necessary even in
spreading information, and the
principles of pure morality. This has
given an air of mystery to his views,
was the foundation of his
banishment. ... If Weishaupt had
written here, where no secrecy is
necessary in our endeavors to render
men wise and virtuous, he would not
have thought of any secret machinery
for that purpose." This situation is in
a constant state of flux, both in the
United States and elsewhere. Since
the Illuminati Order takes secrecy and
privacy very seriously, it is monitoring
this closely. It will not hesitate to
make any internal changes deemed
appropriate and necessary.
No matter what The Illuminati means
or what they stands for, I want you to
understand that no shortcut to wealth
and fame anywhere in the world. To
create sustainable wealth, you need to
engage in serious business and
vocations and be good at it. Only then
can you smell anything called Riches!

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No Christmas fun in Bauchi, Borno, Yobe

Christians in Bauchi State celebrated
Christmas yesterday amidst tension and
tight security, following the bomb blasts
that ripped through Central Market, the
largest market in the state capital on
Monday.
Heavily armed security operatives were
seen manning most of the churches in the
state capital where Christians turned up
for the Christmas service.
Although there was no restriction of
movement by the authorities, most
residents indicated that they would not
step an inch from their houses.
“I am going to church, after that I will go
straight home,” Mr. Uchena Maxi who has
since relocated his family to the South-
East, told the reporter.
Some residents said that they would
rather not go to church in view of the
increasing attacks by insurgents of
recent.
“They have attacked markets, schools,
churches, name it. Nobody knows what
their next plan is. So, to avoid problem, I
prefer to spend the Christmas indoors,” a
resident who asked to not to be named
said.
Our correspondent who went round some
of the churches to monitor the situation
noted that there was low turnout of
worshippers in most of the churches in
the state capital.
“Most residents usually travel out of the
state or the state capital to celebrate the
Christmas but this year, it appeared the
number of people who travelled out of
Bauchi was high because our church was
half full,” a middle-aged man who
worships at the Living Faith Church, a.ka.
Winners’ Chapel in the state capital,
informed the reporter.
The resident who preferred anonymity
said he was surprised that for the first
time, a mobile policeman in uniform
patrolled their backyard as part of the
security measures.
“He was not there to worship. He was
going round the place. Later he went back
to meet his colleagues,” he said.
At the ECWA 1 near Abubakar Tafawa
Balewa University Teaching Hospital
(ATBUTH), Bauchi, armed soldiers and
gun-wielding mobile policemen were seen
patrolling the vicinity while a few were
stationed at the gate.
At the St John Catholic Church near
Wunti, the situation was not different. It
was the same situation in churches such
as the Baptist Church located at Yandoka,
and the ECWA Church in Yelwa to mention
a few.
Unlike in the past when the streets
bubbled with activities amidst human and
vehicular movement, most of the major
streets visited such as Yankoda and
Ahmadu Bello Way were deserted.
“I would rather remain indoors and spend
the Christmas with my family. I don’t
want to risk their lives by taking them
out,” Mr Mathew Keffas told Daily Sun.
“Last year I took them to Zaranda Hotel
for a Christmas party. But this year I am
not taking them out because of the
security situation,” Mathew who is a
Customs Officer based in Lagos but has
his family resident in Bauchi said.
Daily Sun investigation also revealed that
the hospitality business might have
incurred huge losses as the insecurity has
chased fun seekers from patronising their
facilities.
For example, when our reporter visited
some hotels, it was observed that the
annual Children’s Christmas party hosted
by them had been cancelled.
The swimming pool of one of the hotels,
which served as the venue of the Children
Christmas party, was deserted with a
handful of children swimming.
A man in his late 20s or early 30s at the
hotel’s swimming pool lamented that the
security situation was having a negative
impact on their business.
Most other joints that served as venue for
social gatherings witnessed notably low
patronage.
The situation is worsened by the fact that
most civil servants in the state received
their salaries just few days to Christmas.
Most of them were seen at Automated
Teller Machines (ATM) trying to make
withdrawals.
They complained that most of the paying
machines in the banks were not working,
frustrating the plans they had to travel or
buy Christmas things.
“I managed to withdraw some money
yesterday (December 24) but even at that,
the Central Market where I normally
bought things has been bombed. I don’t
even know where to start,” Kauna Joseph,
who works with the state Ministry of
Health, lamented.
A lecturer with the Federal Polytechnic,
Bauchi who pleaded anonymity
commended the authorities for making
electricity available since Christmas Eve.
“I have gone to service my generator
because my family and I will remain
indoors. But I am happy that PHCN has
been generous with electricity,” he said.
The situation was hardly different in
Borno and Yobe, two states currently
under Boko Haram siege. In both states,
nothing showed it was Christmas.
Residents said the incessant Boko Haram
attacks and restriction of movement in
the two states by the military authorities,
made the Christmas day appear like every
other day.
“Nothing shows today is Christmas here,”
53-year-old Nehemiah Buba, a Maiduguri
resident, told the reporter. “We can’t even
come out. I have been indoors with my
family and we couldn’t go to church on
Christmas day because of the ban on
movement of vehicles in Borno. This is the
first time in my life that I observe
Christmas indoors, without any
celebration.”
The military in Maiduguri and Damaturu,
the capitals of Borno and Yobe states,
had on Monday announced restriction on
vehicular movement from 6pm on
Wednesday December 24 to 7am Sunday,
December 28, citing intelligent reports
which indicated planned attacks by Boko
Haram during the Christmas period.”
“Security reports at the disposal of the
Headquarters of 7 Division Nigerian Army
indicated concerted efforts by the Boko
Haram terrorists to unleash mayhem on
some parts of Borno State and in
particular, the city of Maiduguri during
Christmas celebration,” spokesman of the
7 Division of the Nigerian Army in
Maiduguri, Colonel Sani Usman said
through a statement made available to
reporters.
He said the measure became necessary to
protect lives and property of the people of
the states from Boko Haram attacks. With
this, all roads within the cities and towns
as well as highways into and out of the
two states were shut down to prevent
entry and exit out of the area.
Streets and roads in Maiduguri and
Damaturu were largely deserted
throughout the Christmas Day. Tunde
Alakija, an undergraduate, said the initial
apprehension of possible attacks during
the Christmas might have also scared
people from walking around, even with
the ban on movement of vehicles, at least
to greet friends and loved ones.
“Anyhow, we thank God. At least
everything is calm,” he stated, adding that
he took some children to the Sanda
Kyarimi Zoological Garden located at the
heart of the city to relax. “They’re children
and they need such things, else they will
miss the opportunity in life because of the
security situation. But in all, there are no
social activities,” he told Daily Sun.
Few churches opened for Christmas Day
service on Thursday, said Mr. David
Olutayo, a church worker. He, however,
said even fewer members turned up for
services.
“It was difficult for most people who live
far from their churches to attend
Christmas Day service, so attendance
was very poor,” he disclosed.
Attendance at the Christmas services at
EYN (Church of the Brethren Nigeria),
Goodnews Church and Anglican Church
located at Wulari-Jerusalem ward was
fair while Baptist Church, The Apostolic
Church, Catholic Church, C&S Church at
the Post Office Area, got fewer members.
Unlike other churches in most parts of the
country that held Christmas Eve or
Christmas Carol service on the night of
Wednesday, December 24, all churches in
Borno and Yobe states suspended such
church services.
The situation in Damaturu, Yobe State
capital, was also the same, as most
people remained indoors. However,
tricycle operators popularly call Keke
NAPEP were allowed to transport
residents within the capital.
“You can only go to any place you intend
to with this means of transportation, and
that’s just within the town,” Abdullahi
Adamu explained.
Meanwhile, thousands of persons
displaced by Boko Haram from the
communities who now take refuge at
various Internally displaced persons
(IDPs) camps in Maiduguri said they
were not celebrating Christmas.
“What celebration are you talking about
when we’ve been cut off from our
ancestral home? I haven’t seen two of my
grown-up sons since July when Boko
Haram raided our community in Gwoza.
How does one celebrate when I am living
like a destitute in my own country,” an
elderly man, one of the displaced persons
at the Christian Centre who did not want
his name mentioned, told the reporter on
phone.
Recounting his ordeal in the hands of the
insurgents and the pain he has been
going through, the man said nothing was
worth celebrating again to him until Boko
Haram insurgents were wiped out of the
North-East, his community restored and
his sons reunited with him. “I don’t even
know if they are dead,” he lamented.
Hundreds of under-aged children
orphaned by Boko Haram are kept at the
centre managed by the Christian
Association of Nigeria (CAN), Borno State
chapter. Their destiny has indeed
changed. Indeed, Christmas can only
make meaning to them when they
surmount the hurdles of life and be
reunited with their parents, said Mr. Eliza
Mamman.

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NERC stops new tariff for residentialelectricity consumers

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory
Commission (NERC) has frozen the new
tariff for residential consumers till June
2015. This is contained in a statement
signed yesterday by Mr Michael Faloseyi,
the Head of Media.
The statement said the tariff, which was
signed, was a review of the Multi Year
Tariff Order (MYTO) 2 to factor the losses
that were now different. It said the new
price of gas was usually part of the minor
review done every six months.
The statement said the review had raised
the cost of distributing power supply
nation-wide by the 11 electricity
Distribution companies (Discos).
It said the tariff was expected to increase
for all electricity consumers.
“But because of NERC’s commitment to
ensure that consumers are not further
exposed to increased cost until there are
improvements in supply, which we expect
shortly, we have frozen the increment for
six months for Residential consumers
(R2).
“We approved an amendment to the MYTO
tariff basically which means a new tariff
order that continues with the existing
framework but now shows a different
figure for the remaining five year tariff
structure,” it said.
According to the statement, with the
commencement of MYTO 2.1, NERC will
hold electricity distribution, transmission,
generation companies and other market
operators to the terms and conditions of
their licences.”
The measures were being put in place to
ensure that the new owners fund their
operations and improve electricity supply.
It said the rationale behind the
adjustment was to shield ordinary
Nigerians from possibility of rates shock
that could have accompanied the review.
“The review is imperative on account of
the take-off date of January 1, 2015 for
the transition electricity market and the
Memorandum of Understanding between
the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the
Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry,” it
said.

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Police record peaceful Xmas

Reports from across the country so far,
have indicated that this year’s Christmas
was celebrated without any ugly incidents,
the Inspector-General of Police, Mr
Suleiman Abba, has said.
Abba, who spoke to newsmen at the Jabi
Lake Resort after he patrolled the FCT,
expressed delight for the incident-free
celebration.
He also confirmed that security agencies
have continued to receive reports of
intended attacks by insurgents, but added
that the plans had been nipped in the bud.
“But the police, as well as other agencies
involved in law enforcement and security
activities have beefed up operations to
make sure that people enjoy the
festivities. This is to make sure that
people celebrate with some sense of
safety in them. I am happy that quite a
number of people are relaxed, enjoying
themselves.
“We are out to make sure that places the
people are likely to visit, including the
roads they use in getting to those places,
are well secured’’, he said.
Abba promised that the police and other
security agencies would put in extra hours
to make sure that Nigerians celebrate the
Christmas and New Year in safety.

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Our members are dying daily, Abiapensioners cry out

Deputy Governor, we have virtually met
everybody we ought to meet. Where do we
go to, except to the public that elected this
government to see whether they can in
any way make the government to look at
us with pity”, the pensioners said.
“We are not claiming anything that does
not belong to us, but they should pay us
our dues”, they said.
The union said most permanent
secretaries who retired around 1999 are
still earning N32,000, while those who
retire today are earning about half a
million naira, decrying a situation where
those who are earning N35,000 are still
being owed for up to five months is
pitiable.
“It is a pitiable situation that is worth
crying for, and I do believe that the
government we are crying to, has
conscience.”
The pensioners said the gratuity which
they were supposed to be paid since
1999, is still being owed to them.
“Gratuity is supposed to be paid a
pensioner immediately he retires from
service, it is unfortunate that in Abia
State, it is allowed to fall into arears for
no reason,” they lamented.

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Dangote urges young entrepreneurs tostay focused

Foremost industrialist, Aliko Dangote, has
tasked young and upcoming
entrepreneurs to always stay focused on
achieving their dreams despite the many
challenges of doing business in Nigeria.
Dangote, who gave the advice at the
National Summit on Entrepreneurship and
Innovation, with the theme:
‘Entrepreneurship, Job creation and
Poverty reduction,’ in Lagos urged young
entrepreneurs to focus on achieving their
goals of establishing their businesses
instead of dwelling on the challenges
militating against their enterprises.
Dangote, who was represented by Group
Executive Director, Stakeholders’
Management & Corporate
Communications, Dangote Industries Ltd,
Mansur Ahmed, said that all
entrepreneurs in Nigeria face similar
challenges, therefore, focus should be on
finding ways of making the business
succeed and move forward, rather than
dwelling on constraints.
Addressing the young entrepreneurs, he
counseled them to know themselves and
identify their calling saying that ‘success
is in your calling and character’. He
challenged them to build the necessary
skills and competence required to
succeed. According to him, young
entrepreneurs should think big, dream big
and aim high.
Dangote, speaking on the theme of the
summit: ‘Entrepreneurship, Job Creation
and Poverty Reduction,’ said “the theme
is quite apt, as the three terms are clearly
interwoven. Entrepreneurs create jobs and
when people are gainfully employed, the
incidence of poverty is greatly reduced.
“This forum is coming at a time when
Nigeria has been rated the largest
economy in Africa with a gross domestic
product (GDP) of $510billion (well above
South Africa’s $350bn); the 26th largest
economy in the world; and the leading
destination for investment in Africa.”
However, he described the situation as a
curious paradox that despite these
excellent achievements, the level of
unemployment in the country remains
high.
Citing relevant reports, he said, “Reports
put Nigeria’s unemployment rate at about
24 percent. The job creation figure
released by the National Bureau of
Statistics, (NBS) in September 2014,
showed that the economy created
500,224 jobs across the country in the
first six months of 2014.
“More efforts are obviously needed in
view of the large army of unemployed
Nigerians, particularly graduates, roaming
the streets in search of often elusive
white-collar jobs. As you may well
imagine, this has a lot of security
implications for the country.”

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