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Nov 11th, 2008
Nov 11th, 2008
Appeal fixed for January 19 and 20 2009
The Appeal Court yesterday fixed January 19 and 20, 2009 for hearing of the appeal filed by the Ondo State Governor Olusegun Agagu against the Labour Party (LP) and its candidate Dr. Olusegun Mimiko.
145 Responses to “Appeal fixed for January 19 and 20 2009”
ON GOD WE TRUST, WITH GOD WE WAIT, FROM GOD WE GET OUR STOLEN MANDATE, NO MATTER HOW LONG IT TAKES. When God sent Moses back to Egypt to tell Pharaoh to let his people go, it wasnt a one day journey or task. God kept on hardening the heart of Pharaoh and each step of the way, the Egyptian suffered heavy consequences until ONE DAY Pharaoh had to concur and LET THE PEOPLE GO. When the Israelites went, they were again pursued but to their total deliverance from the Egyptian taskmasters, and to the total annihilation of Pharaoh and his army.
Let patience, peace and piousness prevail. Soon and very soon… in God’s good time, this charade of a group of charlatans will be brought to an end.
Peace my people.
Nigeria is a society where the system can frustrate the less privileged (the innocent masses) while working in favour of the almighty leaders. It is a pity that the masses who lives in this society where money and power talks cannot do anything about the corruption and the illegality of the system like in the western world. It is also a shame that only the poor masses that want this change we are all craving for in Nigeria.
The leaders who supposed and that can turn the wheel of a change are not interested only because it will eventually work against them. They prefer watching the country sinking as long as it is to their advantage. Now I am not even sure if the majority in our legal system in Nigeria want a change. The adjournment of appeal court till next year makes me sick as our legal system appears to give room for corruption. That means Agagu will have more time in holding on to this stolen mandate and to steal our money. There is no doubt about the fact that Nigerian legal system always works against the masses and that is the reason why the people have cautious optimism for justice.
Many Nigerians at least thought that the recent Obamamania syndrome would find its way into our system as we all celebrated the USA election together worldwide. It was a joy for me when the victory of Obama in the most talk about election that the whole world has ever witnessed was announced. But unfortunately, the joy was cut short when I saw our political leaders in Nigeria on the national television celebrating. I wish I could have the opportunity to pull them by their ears just like naughty children to pop the questions of why they were celebrating, felicitating and for been shameless. I would even make them stood down for many hours if not for days more than the way we were used to be punished by our parents and teachers in our elementary schools in those days if I had the chance.
Till this day, I cannot still understand why they were celebrating. Was it because they thought the Americans were not expert enough like them to rig Obama’s election which now leaves the Nigerian leaders the all time unbeatable world record holders of election rigging? Or happy the way they have put shame on the face of our democracy in the last election 2007 as the worst election the world has ever seen according to international observers? I am very sure it was not because of the peaceful, free and fair election that made Obama the first black President of the US.
Now that they are celebrating, if that election were to take place in Nigeria would Obama have been allowed to take the seat in Aso rock peacefully like that? An ordinary black man in the land of the white people with a traceable connection to Africa winning election without been deprived! Yet the white man believes he should be given the chance regardless of his colour or where he came from.
He won the election with a landslide victory and the son of the soil who competed with him without any grudge or animosity, accepted the defeat gloriously with passion and promised to give his total support to his (Obama) new government. How more humble can a man be than that?
A good and worthy leader is the one who has respect for the people and his/her country and that leader will never compromise his integrity and character. These we are supposed to emulate in Nigeria but never, because they will work against the rampant penchant for greed. I was even more moved by Senator McCain’s speech than that of Obama because it reflects how God wants us to show love for one another, our country and also to accept defeat so as to be a winner tomorrow.
To me McCain is winner even though he did not win the election. If this cannot put shame on our leaders, I wonder what would. I also wonder if they have wives, families and friends who could make them realise how ridiculous and shameful they seemed internationally while celebrating on TV.
Obama was not only accepted by the whole world because of his charismatic or intelligent character, but also because he is the hope to establish universal peace and the modern solution to bridge the gap between the two races if our world is to embrace the mission of one world where we can all live together in peace and as one regardless of our colours.
America has taken the lead and also demonstrated that it is possible to make this world a place where equality will be taken and worshiped like a religion to eliminate racial difference which will eventually make Martin King’s dream of many decades come true.
How many Obama like do we have in Nigeria? I know of a few at least, who have been deprived to shine like him, people like the Governor elect Dr. Mimiko who is still being denied of his mandate to this day.
Nigerians had the opportunity to conduct free and fair elections that could be worldwide celebrated but lost it because of these profligate leaders now celebrating Obama instead of going to the corners of their houses crying and confessing their atrocious acts to God for forgiveness for depriving Nigeria of its glory. Shame on you and I mean shame on you lot.
The most annoying of all were their comments and congratulatory messages in all the media. I see all these as hypocritical. If truly they support the election and victory of Obama, while then they are denying true democracy in their own beloved country Nigeria? Why then Dr. Mimiko and others are being denied of their mandates and why the choice of the masses are not recognised? People should tell them to stop pretending because we all know that Obama would have had no chance in Nigeria election.
Dr. Mimiko is a legendary phenomenon that has brought the people of Ondo State together after they had lost hope in our democracy; therefore, his stolen mandate means so much to the people. They have spoken with their votes. My simple message to the people in our legal system (appeal court) is not to give Agagu the chance to take the advantage of our loose legal system. Going through the court for two years to recover a stolen mandate in any Democratic Republic is villainous and shameful. Can Nigerian leaders learn from the USA recent monumental change? Only God can answer that question. But for all I know God is the only one with Almighty Power. He know WHY, HOW and WHEN. Does He our God sleep? Not at all, in His hand lies Justice and Victory. Justice 4all.
Congratulations, Oshiomole has been declared the governor of Edo State by the Appeal Court.
NO man can change what God Himself had said. He just used the judiciary to speak what He want for the EDO People. Am a happy man.
No man can stop what He (GOD) have for the Ondo people. No matter how long it may be God still speak and HE will surely speak through the Judiciary in ONDO state. Congrates in Advance. Dont be weary it is a good time for preparation for us all. Congrates to the New age Politicians
This words are piercing words to the heart. I which they can think over this. Culled from Iroko Kekere UK – They prefer watching the country sinking as long as it is to their advantage.
You just hit the nail on the head. Those people prefer to destroy everything if they know they will not be there at a time and still use our resources to start it over again and destroy it when they want to leave. Let God deliver us from this wicked and evil men.
CONGRATULATIONS TO DEMOCRACY IN EDO STATE. THIS IS NOT JUST FOR OSHIOMOLE BUT FOR THE FIGHT FOR JUSTICE, AND WE SHALL WIN THIS FIGHT, STATE BY STATE, LITTLE BY LITTLE WE SHALL WIN THIS FIGHT.
Governor Oshiomele should please work hard and do the people proud, please please this is not a joke. Nigerian road to emancipation starts from the leaders and the people state by state and we just cannot afford any “F” word in this fight. The people have spoken in Ondo State and the people have been listened to.
Now now in my dear Ondo State, we know for a fact that Agagu is a gonner hence the charade at court yesterday when his so called new lawyer was trying to waste precious time (only in Nigerian courts), and hence the adjournment. We are not perturbed. VICTORY IS ON THE WAY AND WONT BE DELAYED. Agagu had better abscond now and drop this fallacious appeal, Agagu, EFCC and everybody in Nigeria will soon demand your “head on a plate” – pardon my biblical analogy.
Iroko Kekere, I feel your deep deep hurt even to my bone marrow in your comment above. It takes a caring, loving and just person to voice deep feelings and by the grace of God, bekun pe titi dale ayo mbo lowuro. Owuro ayo wa ti de. We are the winners in this fight.
Governor elect Mimiko, be refreshed. See how God pours annointed oil on our pains and wounds. Your spirit will always be lifted high and you shall see your wishes over your foes granted by the true and living God
Edo State, once again congratulations. Let peace prevail, dont be a stooge for anyone to use to broker conflicts. Ondo State, get ready for the people who stated their intent and wish will soon have this granted.
GOD IS ON THE THRONE. Amen. Peace
I want to Join Omotaylor to tell our Governor elect D.r. Mimiko that the peace of the Lord will keep him in strnght and joy. Keep rejoicing bacause to day God has spoken and no man can change it.
Yes the Lord God Jehovah did speak today and as Punch Reports it, no going back on what God has predestined for us in Ondo State:
Appeal court declares Adams Oshiomhole Edo State Governor
By Hamed Shobiye, Special Correspondent, Online
Published: Tuesday, 11 Nov 2008
The Court of Appeal sitting in Benin, has confirmed Mr Adams Oshiomhole, the Action Congress candidate in the April 2007 governorship election, the duly elected governor of the state.
The five-member panel headed by the President of the Appeal Court, Justice Umaru Abdullahi, while ruling on the suit filed by Prof Oserheimen Osunbor declared that Oshiomhole polled the highest number of votes in the election.
The court also ordered the ex-governor to vacate the Government House immediately.
With this ruling, the Court of Appeal has ended moves by Prof. Osunbor’s camp to upturn the verdict of the State Election Petitions Tribunal which declared the Action Congress candidate winner of the last governorship election in the state.
The Election Petitions Tribunal had in March this year, declared Oshiomhole the winner of the governorship poll in Edo State, having recorded the highest number of votes in all the local government areas of the state.
Let me repeat the sweetest words in the post:
“The court also ordered the ex-governor to vacate the Government House immediately”.
You will be hearing same in Ondo State in the not too far distance.
Be blessed all and Peace
The appeal court decision in Benin city today upholding the tribunal decision of declaring Oshiomhole winner of the Edo guber is fast restoring hope to many that have almost given up on Nigeria and its lopsided, jaundiced, inequitable system/values/culture etc. Long may this continue. Acts of brigandage must not be rewarded.
Open question to all:
Is there any solution to the status quo of corruption and illegality in Nigeria?
Answer – Jerry Rawlings had the right solution in Ghana and 20years on Ghana is a Country of pride. Yes, there are many other ways. Either we change or we are changed. Whatever it is this state of corruption, flagrant abuse of power, threats, intimidation, looting, foolery, blackmail, blacklisting, backbitting, sycophancy, phantom achievements and holier than thou attitude which are all detrimental to progress, to democracy, to the happiness of the common man MUST STOP or BE STOPPED.
We salute yesterday’s verdict at Edo State. We commend the Panel of Justice Abdullahi in not allowing the evil trend of bribery, corruption, injustice and illegality to affect their integrity. They will be blessed by God for declaring the truth. They are respected worldwide for not getting swayed by individuals who feel they can do anything.
We look on to the Ondo State saga. We have waited too long but we dont mind waiting till January 09 as the judicial system in Nigeria permits unwarranted waste of time by allowing shallow excuses to defer truth and judgement. We however will not tolerate Agagu and his so called new counsel coming up with more stupid excuses to defer court hearing. Isnt it a crying shame that Agagu who was the one that put in an appeal came to court ill prepared? But it is good. Let Agagu and PDP in Ondo State keep exposing their real selves to the people and Nigerians, and the world. The people are not stupid. They know what is going on The youths are getting fed up. Obama and the American race has educated so many to the truths and to the fact that deserving people should be given a chance.
Alluta Continua my people. Very soon our mandate will return and Mimiko will be sworn in and Ondo State will start a new journey of peace, progress, tranquility and development in all areas.
Iroko Kekere, there is solution, but the people want God to direct all affairs in Nigeria. He who trusts in God will always WIN. It is well.
Peace
It is true that he who trust in the Lord win, I still want to say a revolution is coming and the revolotion will do a lot to the democracy of this country. What am sure is that people are now begining to know who they are and their rights. Am based in Port Harcourt, I want to tell you that Amaechi is doing a good work, it is the people who are now revolting against those evil doers (evil Godfathers and mentors) Edo state have joined, if you listen to what Comrade have for the Edo people. As a leader you dont need to fight or struggle, your words are backed up by the people and follow-up by the people. That is Leadership. As a one time campus leader one thing I love doing is been on the side of the student and not the school management who promised us money and sending us abroad. Many of us compromised but we have refuse to sell our conscience. God will take us there no matter the challenges. Iroko Kekere Uk. the revolution is coming, I can assure you the eyes of our people is opening day by day. 2011 will be full of suprises. I just plead with the people leaders to do well. That is a tool I know God is about to use.
I congratulate Comrade Oshiomale the Edo Governor and also congratulate Dr.Olusegun Mimiko in advance because their casess are similar even that of Dr. Mimiko is more staight forward than that of Com.Oshiomale. The bible says that with God all things are possibleand by Gods grace you will be declared the winner come January 2009, just be positive, have patience , pray and have faith that God will return your stolen mandate to you very soon, it is question of time, January 19th is near. The mandate will be ruturned in God’s name and we shall rejoice together. God has heard the coice of Ondo State people through their votes and there is no going back , he will see you through. Agagu will fail and he will continue to fail because he has waisted people time. He just like dry leaves that falls on rivers, God has demolished his godfatherims efforts who wanted to see that the peoples votes do not count. He knows that there is no transparency and accountability in his government, his cohorts and stoogies are pushing him and when they get to the bank of the river, they will push him to the river and desert probably the river will take him to Dubia as a refugee. GOAHEAD
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SWEET MUSIC TO THE EARS:
Oshiomhole is Edo governor
Thanks God, Nigerians
Osunbor accepts Appeal Court ruling
AC, Buhari, others laud verdict
Jubilation all over
From Alemma-Ozioruva Aliu, (Benin City), Alifa Daniel (Kano) Clifford Ndujihe, Dele Fanimo (Lagos), Collins Olayinka, John-Abba Ogbodo, Mohammed Abubakar, Nkechi Onyedika (Abuja) and Abiodun Fanoro
NEWS UPDATE: Former labour leader, Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole, who was affirmed the duly elected governor of Edo State 19 months after the April 14, 2007 gubernatorial elections on Tuesday by the Court of Appeal, was sworn in at about 1.30pm on Wednesday in Benin City, the Edo State capital
READ THE FULL POST IN NIGERIA WORLD NEWS ON THE NET.
ONDO STATE NEWS EARLY IN 2009 WILL EVEN BE SWEETER MUSIC. GOVERNOR MIMIKO E KU IPALEMO O. ALAGBAKA A SAN YI NI ORUKO JESU. E KU IROJU ATI ISE ILU. OJU O NI TI YIN O. AMIN.
Be blessed
READ THE FULL EDO VERDICT COURTESY OF PUNCH NEWSPAPER:
All hail Governor Oshiomhole
By Fidelis Soriwei and Olayinka Oyebode
Published: Wednesday, 12 Nov 2008
The Court of Appeal on Tuesday upheld the declaration of the Action Congress candidate, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, by the Edo State Election Petitions Tribunal as the winner of the April 14, 2007 governorship election in the state.
A five- member panel of the appeal court led by its President, Justice Umaru Abdullahi, also agreed with the lower tribunal that Oshiomhole polled 162,557 votes as against the 129, 017 scored by the ousted governor and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor.
The court, therefore, ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to withdraw the certificate of return issued to Osunbor and issue a fresh one to Oshiomhole for polling two-thirds of the total votes in 16 out of the 18 local government areas in the state.
Although Abdulahi did not mention the exact date for the inauguration of the governor-elect, the Secretary to the Oshiomhole Campaign Organisation, and a member of the legal team of the AC, Mr. Omorodion Ogie, told our correspondent on the telephone that it would take place at 9a.m on Wednesday (today). The state government has declared today a public holiday.
The lower tribunal had returned Oshiomhole as the duly elected governor of the state on the grounds that the election was marred by irregularities and non-compliance with the Electoral Act in some parts of the state.
The tribunal had ordered a recount of the votes in the election which formed the basis for the victory of the AC candidate.
In its judgment , the Appeal Court agreed with the decision of the lower tribunal to cancel the election in Akoko Edo and Etsako Central Local Government Areas because the AC and its candidate were able to prove with documentary evidence that the exercise was marred by violence, irregularities and other abhorrent acts.
Abdullahi, whose lead judgment was accepted by other members of the panel, also dismissed the objection raised by the lawyers to Independent National Electoral Commission, the PDP and Osunbor that the charts which were used as the determinants for the final figure of the election were not front loaded and, therefore, impinged on the right to fair hearing.
It was the position of the lawyers that the process of arriving at the charts involved the parties in the electoral contest and INEC which had the legal powers to serve as an impartial umpire.
The court also held that the argument which stated that the charts were not front loaded in accordance with the practice direction was flawed because they (the charts) were a product of the evidence pleaded before the lower tribunal.
Besides, it dismissed the contention of INEC that the lower tribunal was wrong in using the evidence presented by its Head of Operations in Benin, Mr. Kayode Olawale.
According to the panel, Olawale, who testified as PW 47, did not appear in a personal capacity but as the head of operations of INEC.
It said since he gave evidence with due authorisation from the then Resident Electoral Commission in Edo State, Alhaji Abubakar Ahmadu, the lower tribunal was right to have used what he tendered during the trial. Other issue which was considered critical to the determination of the appeal, was the non-joining of the presiding officers and other officials of INEC who played various roles in the election.
In dismissing the position canvassed by the lawyers to INEC, the PDP and Osunbor that the petition was incompetent on the basis that the presiding officers and other polling agents were not joined, the appeal court aligned with the argument of Oshiomhole and the AC that it could be assumed that they were joined since INEC was involved in the suit.
The court held that contrary to the claim of the appellants, the tribunal did not cancel election results in 12 of the local government areas.
It said that Oshiomhole won in both the 12 councils and the uncontested four local government areas.
The panel agreed with the AC candidate’s contention that ”the issues raised in the appellants brief and the submissions of their counsel were poles apart from the judgment of the lower tribunal.”
It said, “It is the position of the law that an appeal is a continuation of hearing and that grounds of appeal must be anchored on the judgment of the lower court.
“In making his presentation, at an appellate court, an appellant is not allowed to distort the findings and conclusions of the lower court, more particularly by reading into them what they do not contain or intend…
“The above submission is well taken, and it represents the true position of what the tribunal found after a painstaking review of all the materials placed before it.
“It is manifest from the tribunal‘s finding, which is unchallenged that the petitioners scored 25 per cent of the lawful votes cast in 10 out of the 12 contested local government areas, as well as the four uncontested local government areas.
“The petitioners, therefore, satisfied the requirements of section 179 (2) (a) and (b) of the 1999 Constitution by scoring the ”highest number of valid votes cast and scoring ” not less than one-quarter of all the votes cast and at least, two-thirds of the 18 local government areas of Edo State.
“From the foregoing, it is clear that the three main appeals lack merit. They are accordingly dismissed. The judgment of the tribunal delivered on March 20, 2008 is hereby affirmed as well as all the consequential matters therein which are as follows:
- Mr. Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole is hereby declared as the elected governor of Edo State, being the candidate who scored the highest number of valid votes cast and has satisfied the requirements of the constitution and the Electoral Act, 2006;
- The Certificate of Return issued to Senator (Prof.) Oserheimen Osunbor as elected governor of Edo State is withdrawn and nullified;
- INEC is hereby ordered to issue Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole, a Certificate of Return as the elected governor of Edo State forthwith; and
-Each party will bear its own cost.”
Osunbor’s lawyer, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), was full of praises for the members of the panel, who according to him, showed commitment and determination by concluding the case within a short time.
Fagbemi said that those who played various roles in the case were people of honour and integrity.
“We lost today, we will win some other times, just as we have been winning,” he said.
Also, the lawyers to INEC and the PDP, Mr. Ighodalo Imadigbelo and Roland Otaru , said the judgment would strengthen democracy in the country.
A former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Chief Wole Olanikpekun, who led the legal team of Oshiomhole, commended the judiciary for the “landmark judgment.”
He said the verdict would strengthen democracy in the country and boost people’s confidence in the judiciary.
Indication that Osunbor might lose the appeal was palpable as at 9.30am when his presence and that of his deputy, Chief Lucky Imasuen and the Speaker of the House, Mr. Garuba Zakawanu, was not noticed.
Oshiomhole, his running mate, Mr. Pius Odubu, and the South-South Zonal Chairman of the AC, Chief Tom Ikimi, were in the court.
The judgment was also witnessed by prominent pro-democracy activists and the labour movement in the country led by the Nigeria Labour Congress President, Mr. Abdulwalid Omar,
For Oshiomhole, the journey to victory was long and tiresome.
He had shortly after the April 14, 2007 election rejected the possible outcome of the election, citing massive rigging and violence by the ruling PDP.
He had told THE PUNCH in an interview on April 14 that ”the agents of the PDP, aided by the police and soldiers and INEC officials, stole ballot boxes, engaged in multiple voting and ballot stuffing, thereby making the entire exercise meaningless.”
Osunbor, on his part, said the election was “very orderly and healthy,” adding that “this is good for democracy.”
The former NLC president, however, proceeded to the election tribunal, seeking a redress of the election.
He had sought amongst other things, a declaration that he was the winner of the election.
The tribunal headed by Justice Peter Umeadi sat for about nine months before delivering its judgment on March 20, 2008.
In a unanimous decision, the tribunal declared that Oshiomhole was validly elected , having won the majority of lawful votes cast in the election. It put Oshiomhole‘s total votes at 165,577 as against Osunbor‘s 129,071 votes.
The tribunal ordered INEC to withdraw Osunbor‘s certificate of return and present same to Oshiomhole.
Other members of the appeal tribunal included Justices John Fabiyi, Ayo Salami, Amina Adamu-Augie and Uzor Anyanwu.
THE EDO STATE APPEAL COURT VERDICT – ANOTHER NAIL INTO THE COFFIN OF ARBITRARINESS AND POLITICAL THUGGERY
Congratulations to Governor Adams Oshiomole and the poor people that voted for him nearly two years ago.
The Tribunal spoke in March and spoke well. Now that the Appeal court has again spoken in the same way and the people’s will have been upheld, then what?
What happens to the do or die thugs that rigged the election?
What happens to the fake Professor that sat on a throne that was not given to him for nearly two years?
How do the people, whose rights were trampled upon, by a bunch of criminals, in collaboration with INEC get justice?
One thing is to tell Osunbor to vacate the government house immediately, another thing is to tell the world that although we are blacks, we have brains too and we can be a people with organizational skills and respect for the rule of law.
If we want the world to take us seriously as a nation, that has a vision – 20, 20, 20
We must create an environment where a line is drawn that no one transgresses, and if anyone crosses that line, there will always be a heavy price to pay.
Remember Chris Ngige and Peter Obi in Anambra State, after three years of Chris Ngige, usurping the people’s power, the Tribunal merely asked him to vacate the place, there was no penalty or sanction for the electoral crime that brought him to power!!! If the full weight of the law had been brought to bear on those that connived to rig the Anambra election, I doubt if we would have seen the bare faced rigging that characterized the April 2007 elections. Now tell me why other criminals would not have seen the 2007 election as a “DO OR DIE AFFAIR”
Tell me why “Amala Politics” will not be acceptable to the political elite in our country.
Tell me why political jobbers will not see it as their birth right to rule the people by force.
The big question about the criminals that rigged the Edo State gubernatorial election is this:
How does our legal system make an example of them? Remember that in Nigeria, death penalty is prescribed for armed robbers. These are criminals who only rob a few people at a time, with the excuse that they do it because the level of unemployment is very high. This reason would have sufficed in the developed world, to put them in jail for a few years and let them out. I sincerely believe that election rigging in Nigeria should attract the death penalty. Pardon me if you think this is too extreme. If you come to think of it, election riggers have robbed millions of people to get to power, if criminals who rob a few citizens get the death penalty, what should people who rob millions get?
There is a popular say in Ibo language ““anu gbaa aj?, agbayere ya aj ? ? egbe.” Literally speaking, if the game makes a wily escape, we shoot a wily gun after it. Meaning, that in all material conditions of history, there is almost always, a solution to intractability.
In a civilised environment, Osunbor’s arrest and those who collaborated with him would have been the first action after finally upholding the people’s verdict, but not in Nigeria!!
The message to the criminals seems to be “Go on and steal as much as you can, after all it’s the country’s free money, if you are caught, we’ll simply ask you to refund some and you’ll be able to keep the rest” To corroborate this assertion, look no further than the former governors and political office holders who after being caught by the EFCC are still free and going about their businesses as if nothing happened. A typical example is James Ibori, caught with different currencies in his home – if the image being circulated on the internet is true of course. The fact still remains that Nigeria is a country where people commit crimes with impunity, hence the reason why the country takes one step forwards and five backwards!
I have leaved in England for nearly two decades and most Nigerian professionals do not touch our country with a badge pole. They believe it’s a country that is built on false hood and ruled by “never do wells” Some of them have not been to their fatherland in over a decade, and with a Skinny boy from Kenya, now been elected into the highest office on earth, I am afraid many high ranking professionals, whose skills and expertise could be immensely useful to Nigeria will simply tell people to “stuff it, we have another country where our dreams can be realised”
I want to appeal to President Yar Adua, who has consistently made respect for the rule of law his watchword, to ensure that a thorough investigation is carried out to fish out those that connived to rig the Edo state election, and ensure that the full weight of the law is brought to bear on them.
This will act as a deterrent to others and form the pillar of the much touted electoral reform. He should also ensure that the God father of “DO OR DIE POLITICS” is investigated fully, to ascertain his part in all these while he held forth as the Nigerian leader. This is the only way our lost glory can be restored among the comity of civilised nations.
It is not enough to simply ask an armed bandit to drop his loot and walk away. To stop others from imitating him, we must let people know that it does not pay to engage in criminal activities so that our country can make the much anticipated leap into the new world order.
This new world order is a world where Democracy is given a fair and proper chance. A world where political thuggery is met with armed force on behalf of the ordinary people. A world where bribery and corruption is swiftly dealt with and meets the stiffest punishment imaginable. A world order where office seekers are scrutinised past present and future and where leaders to be are given proper training in Leadership and Mastery. A world where the so called “third world” loses its stigma and strives to be a force to be positively reckoned with (The China Model)? A world where even from the grass roots people are trained and educated in terms of their actual and not perceived responsibilities. A world where out children are not misled into thinking the only way to get rich is loot and steal (seeing that’s what their parents and leaders do best). A world where home would be sweet home and not a place to abscond or go on self exile from. A world where criminals, be they common, elitist, rich or vagabonds in power criminals, are not spared and given up to life imprisonment for their crimes; ranging from flogging innocent motorists until they are near dead; to stealing the people’s mandate, talk less of perjury in court, mass looting and tarnishing the image of Nigeria abroad. A world where we do not have to wait for a revolution before we come to our senses. A world where even if we cannot “leap” into the new order, we march into it. What then is the reason why we cannot attain this in Nigeria? Well if you have the answers i.e. these reasons, we know where to start. We then focus our attention on these reasons, and finally call for the removal/elimination of these clogs in the wheel of progress in Nigeria.
Ondo State in the meantime clamours for the removal of a mandate stealer, prays for the restoration of the true man of the people, voted in enmasse in the April 07 polls. Mimiko is the elected governor of Ondo State and not Agagu. Period. This tragi-comedy of errors must come to an end. Agagu, why dont you just throw in the towel now. You know you have no chance in heaven for your fallacious press releases, ludicrous utterances, serpentine governance and your wickedness in making the people suffer longer and longer while you know your position is HOPELESS. This will make you more and more a hated, despised and totally berated individual. Those advising you wrongly dont care about you, they care about what you all can loot and stash while the saga is prolonged. BUT THERE IS A GOD WHO IS ON THE SIDE OF THE POOR AND DEFENCELESS. You say you are a Christian. ~Then read the story of Lazarus and the Rich Man – Luke 16:19-31. Maybe then your grandiose deluded mind would be touched. IT IS WELL.
My question for today is another simple one, but needs deep reasoning before we attempt to answer it, be it openly or in our minds:
HOW MANY TRUE LEADERS DO WE HAVE IN THE WHOLE OF NIGERIA (PRESENT ONLY PLEASE)?
To answer the above simple question, we need to first understand the true meaning of a true leader. In my own simple words, a true leader is that man/woman who is not short on character and integrity. (a genuine, faithful, reliable, trustworthy, loyal, humble, caring, committed, tested and principled individual with a true interest for the welfare of the people).This is a leader who is rightfully chosen by the people to occupy a leadership position on merit and not by fraud). A true leader will always put his/her country and the people first, will never frustrate or intimidate the opponents or engage in do or die or any other malpractice machineries in the pursuit of power and influence. And will always live his/her daily life obediently with the conscience that will please God.
People say that the mentality of an average Nigerian leader either political or not is to enrich him/herself. Yes it is true but I know for sure that not all Nigerians are corrupt. There are still some people out there who have the fear of God in them. All we need is to encourage them to come to the rescue of our demise democracy so that Nigeria can be given a chance to be a proud country again.
To digress a little bit, there are many factors that make Nigeria to be backward and we must address these in order to move forward. It is a shame that some of our people are heartless and will do anything just to make money regardless of what their actions will cause to others. Just few days ago in the UK, there was a program on the national TV (channel 4) about some innocent children marked as witches. This is ridiculous and appalling. That makes one to imagine how many more untold stories Nigerians are subjected to throughout their lives. Just the same way many innocent children born with sickle cells have been tagged with the name Emere popularly known as Ogbanje only to have created avenue for the Babalawo to make their livings, while mutilating and abusing children for the sake of personal gains. We need to educate our people and not turn away as if there is nothing wrong with it.
Now back to the subject. There are good people in Nigeria but unfortunately many of those who are meant to represent the people at the moment are physically and mentally contaminated with corruption and evil spirits.
The bible says ‘‘by their fruit we shall know them’’. Look at the supports given to these two leaders by the people of both States throughout these periods of the elections, the tribunals and the appeals disregarding PDP daily intimidations. Many have lost their lives in this process but the people remain focused and determined.
Comrade Oshiomhole and Dr. Mimiko are the Obamas of Nigeria, they are enlightened, honest, humble and capable to sail and drift our country away from the present institutional status quo of corruption. That is why the people want them. They have both been tested as leaders and chosen on merits based on their characters and the antecedent performance in their various public office positions.
Only a true leader and a man of God could say to the people on his inauguration that he would not revenge but would leave the intimidations, frustrations and other nasty experiences he was subjected to for that long to Almighty God. Comrade Oshiomhole actually said this in Benin 3 days ago.
The Governor Elect Dr. Mimiko once said “I must say that as a public officer, I do not need to convince the people of Ondo state about my capacity to deliver on promises. I also consider my life an open book that is available to be examined by all. I say this because I am aware that critical to success in governance is leadership. I have seen enough of governments to know that whosoever is short on integrity and character should just not be entrusted with the position of leadership.”
“Those who know me know that my personality is already made up. I am therefore not likely to misbehave in office. Good enough, it has pleased God to commit something into my hands in the past. I therefore would wish that I be assessed based on how well or how badly I performed in those official capacities that it has pleased God to allow me to serve. It is on this platform that I stand to offer you a promise of great performance that would make Ondo State second to none in Nigeria.” Just look at that my people, common, Mimiko is a confirmed true leader tori Olorun. When I look at these two leaders, I know that Edo State and Ondo State are very lucky. The reasons why the masses are standing firmly behind them are very simple. THEY ARE THE FRIENDS OF THE POOR MASSES AND SIMPLY THE HOPES.
I believe we know all the 419s and the evil people in our society. We must make sure that they do not find their ways into Comrade Oshiomhole and Dr. Mimiko’s administration by alerting the public. We must be part of the process in separating the grains from the chaffs if Nigeria must produce true leaders.
We need to educate our people on how to support true leadership and to reject all the shameful political approaches that are battering our democracy by those who always use thuggery and the power of money to buy positions and votes
The Governors, Comrade Oshiomhole and Dr. Mimiko are good examples of true leaders who can make Nigeria a great country where opportunities will be in abundant for all its citizens. And I believe there are many others like them that will eventually come out when all the Professor Iwus, the Agagus and the OBJs in our political system are totally eliminated. Justice 4all.
The sad story above, about the innocent children marked as witches on the national TV (channel 4) in UK 3 days was actually filmed in Nigeria (Niger Delta).
This question is a broad question omotaylor that need a careful thinking before answering. I can tell you that I read your comments for more that 12 times. Am yet to really figure out who to mention. Nevertheless I have this to say. Until you move closely to some leaders you will not be able to be sure of whta they are made of. I want to grade it by percentage.
Also my defination of true leadership is under this category:
1. Accountability and openess to the people.
2. Your relationship with the people
3. Style of administraion (all inclusive mostly professionals)
4. The fear of God and respect to those who elected them into that position.
5. Free hand to staffs and subordinates (not a dictator) etc
1. Gov. Amaechi – 65 -70% An accountable leader full of charsima to restructure his people and the state.
2. Gov. Fashola – 60% – 65% Carry everyone along with him in governace
3. Nuhu Rubadiu – 70 – 75% Radical in his approch but tactic in is style of approach (I wish he can be send to become Nigeria IG)He his past but present. Pls Omotaylor allow me to include it
4. Omotaylor – 80% An inspiration to millions of people for the fact that you have not have a encounter with her. Passionate about others through her write up.
5. Prof. Dora Akuyili 90% despite all odds against her, her pesistance to continue the fight againt evil men.
6. Donald Duke -80% Full of creativity and ability to work with others to achieve his goals. He his past but present. Pls Omotaylor allow me to include it.
7. My President (Yaradua) – 60% I rated as this because he is yet to settle down in office, his performance in Katisna state was 90%. Work with professionals and not politicials.
8. Adamu Muazu – 90% He transformed his state to a small Ghana. Was not tribalistic but a good administrator and lover of his people. He his past but present. Pls Omotaylor allow me to include it
9. Danjuma Goje. 60% He is trying all his best to educate his people, so as to have future leaders. Lover of his people.
10. David Mark – 70%. A good administrator who brought stability to the senate. Objective man with great ideas.
11. Gov Akpabio -80% Stop millantancy in his state by employing youths to various company and creation of jobs. The man of the people in the rural area. He is describe as the Peoples Governor.
12. Gov. Suswan -75% The transformation of his state was a suprise to his people. Many never believe Benue State will be what it it now. A good Administrator to the core. Believed in professionalism. Restructuring the edcational sector of the state.
13. Gov. Bukola Saraki. 80% – Have tried to bring his people out of poverty (mechanized farming, education, skill aquisation etc) Lover of the rural people.
14. Celicia Ibru – 90% – Very creative and innovative woman bringing combine idea to make a whole success.
This is a few I can mention. I love all those I mention above and I see them as true leaders. As I have studied them afar and have a close watch on their records.
leadership has to do with character which will reflects in your dealings with people and encopass all facets of ones life.
a true leader must be asertive in nature and forward thinking.he must be proactive, an attitude that will be a driver or influencer to his followers.he must be honest and highly intelligent.
though this quality is scarce in nigeria of today but few still portray this attibutes which makes one to refer to them as true leader.
if i have to rate, comrade governor Adams himself is number one.
he has demostrate this quality home and abroad and people have seen it which is the reflection of what we are seeing now.
Am loving all your answers folks, and am loving your very involved definition of true leadership which gives credence to your analysis.
@ola, first what I meant by “present” are all those still alive – young and old, so I will not take away from your answers. You really flatter me oh, “Omotaylor 80%” – I claim it in Jesus name. May I be an epitome of integrity, love and useful leadership in life, and I pray God I remember at all times the 80% (i.e. A+) vote of leadership confidence given to me, so that I dont fall below expectation. Glad to say as a Team Leader with many staff to manage, I have been more on the side of the staff than management and I have been a motivator and enabler, so I am working and walking in the right direction. May God give us the wisdom, opportunity, willpower and stamina to perfect our leadership skills. Ola, I must say you have demonstrated a real good interest in Nigeria, the tools of government and versatility. You will go far in Jesus name. Doors will open for you, which no enemy will be able to shut. Just keep on, and we will collectively keep going FORWARD EVER, Amen.
Ola, your examples and percentages to some are noted. We dont have to restrict this leadership position to Governors -past or present. Are there others out there who we can call a true leader, e.g. Gani Fawehinmi? Who really really stands out, head above all others in Nigeria, not just in a particular state? Who can, in Nigeria, compare to the likes of Nelson Mandela, Mother Theresa, Winston Churchill to mention but a few? I am concerned that or president Yaradua to whom you have awarded 60% is yet to settle down into office, almost two years on. A true leader should be prepared and not be caught sleeping. A true leader will not feel threatened by challenges, criticism and bloggers reports, I mean here the unethical arrests of Huhu and . A true leader will be guided by the constitution of his country and not impinge on the civil rights of others. A true leader will be fast and decisive and follow cases to the end, and show the results to the people, e.g. Ehindero, Etteh, Iyabo OBJBello, and many others. A true leader will delegate powers when absent and not leave a whole country wondering if we have a leader or not. Yaradua has a long way to go, but I still give him passmark especially for allowing that sacred procedure called Election tribunals and appeals. A true leader will give realistic deadlines for conclusion of delicate but deeply involving cases and not let it drag on for over 19months! Am sure you get my flow.
‘Iroko kekere UK, oh I didnt watch that Channel 4 documentary on the serious child abuse, mutilations and killings of innocent children in Cross River State, but i heard all about it. Really being talked about in London and makes me wanna bury my head in the sand for being a Nigerian. What are the elders looking at when these attrocities happen? Some if not many need face the firing squad, honest! It is a crying shame.
On the subject of true leadership, Iroko Kekere UK, yes, I get where you are going with the mention of Mimiko and Oshiohmole. Yes they are on their way to the top and by the grace of God, they and we all will get there. Oshiomhole has been given the chance to prove he is a true leader. By the grace of God, he will not fail the people. He will not be detracted. He will remember how and how long it took for him to have this opportunity. Now as for Mimiko, knowing him, we have no fear at all. He can never be detracted, for his track record is a constant reminder of the fact that he is a man of the people. He will soon be called to prove his renewed and upgraded leadership skills both in Ondo State in the present present and in Nigeria in the future present. Mark these words. A true leader will live by example, lead without fear or favor, and bring to books and justice any bad or rotten egg, and worse still the smelly dead rats in their cabinets. On this I also vouch for Governor Mimiko. He will deliver.
@efapo, another good definition/example from you. Only one and we are yet to really access his overall worth. May Adams not fail the people in Jesus name.
Well let us see, insha allau, what we shall be saying in about 4 years time when we revisit this question. I hope others will comment on this for we are learning and sharing. I will defer my next question for one or two days.
All be blessed.
THIS IS INTERESTING – READ AS POSTED ON SATURDAY INDEPENDENT:
Oshiomhole: PDP Frets Over Agagu, Others
By Olusola Balogun, Assistant Editor
Tuesday’s ouster of Professor Oserheimen Osunbor as Edo State Governor by the Court of Appeal has set the leadership of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) on edge with fear that a similar fate might befall Olusegun Agagu of Ondo State.
The PDP hierarchy is worried stiff that Osunbor’s sack might have a domino effect on neighbouring states with Ondo emerging as the first likely to go the same way of Edo.
President of the Court of Appeal, Umaru Abdulahi, had sacked Osunbor and declared the candidate of the Action Congress (AC) in Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, as the duly elected governor of Edo.
Umaru, who personally handled the case that had dragged on since the tribunal pronounced Oshiomhole the winner, is also to preside over the case involving Agagu and his Labour Party (LP) opponent, Olusegun Mimiko.
The Ondo State governorship tribunal has also pronounced the LP candidate as the winner of the election contrary to the declaration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that Agagu won the April 14, 2007 poll.
Justice Garba Nabaruma, Chairman of the tribunal in July had delivered a similar judgment to that delivered by Justice Peter Umeadi of Edo whose judgment was affirmed by the Appeal Court.
Like Umeadi, Nabaruma too deducted votes that were deemed illegal from the legal votes to arrive at the pronouncement that Mimiko, a former secretary in Agagu’s government, was the winner.
A source close to the leadership of the PDP in the South West noted that the “Edo case has set us thinking that all might not be well with our chances in Ondo. They said it follows the same pattern and the most disturbing aspect is that the setting is too similar for comfort. The same judge will preside over it; the same legal team that won Oshiomhole his victory will be facing us again to argue a similar case in Ondo. I really don’t like the setting at all.
“The most disturbing aspect is that they said Nabaruma has a record of being thorough, and that the Court of Appeal has never overturned his judgments since he became a judge. I don’t like the prospect at all,” he noted.
The source disclosed that the leadership of the PDP is already planning a meeting to discuss the matter next week.
He, however, expressed confidence that the national leadership of the PDP might be able to wriggle out of the problem that might arise over the issue.
“What is more disturbing is that the loss of Ondo might be a precursor to a major push by the opposition into the South West. We were working on to win in Lagos in 2011 but this is most unexpected that we now face the possibility of losing the Yoruba states to the opposition,” he noted.
He accused former Lagos State governor, Bola Tinubu of being the mastermind of all the issues.
“He supported Oshiomhole and we have it on good authority he is behind Mimiko too, but we will put him where he rightly belongs, he wont succeed.”
Publicity Secretary of the PDP in the South West, Yinka Adigun, however refused to accept that the party is afraid of losing Ondo the way it lost Edo.
He insisted that the Party would retain Ondo, arguing that “the two cases are not the same. There are differences and our lawyers are going to explore that to reverse the earlier ruling.”
A HAPPY SUNDAY TO MY GOOD PEOPLE OF ONDO STATE. MAY THE GOODNESS OF THE LORD PERPETUALY DWELL WITH US AND MAY HIS GLORY UPLIFT ALL CORNERS OF OUR STATE. EVEN AS WE PRAYERFULLY MARCH ON TOWARDS OUR ULTIMATE ELECTORAL VICTORY IN JANUARY 2009, MAY THE PEACE OF THE LORD KEEP US ALL BODY AND SOUL. AMEN. PLEASE ENJOY THIS VANGUARD PIECE AS A LIGHT SUNDAY READING, AND REJOICE. PEACE
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Opposition parties in Ondo laud appeal court ruling on Oshiomhole
Written by DAYO JOHNSON
Sunday, 16 November 2008
Akure—THe Progressives Coalition a body of all existing opposition parties in Ondo State weekend says it welcomes with joy the judgment of the Appeal Court Tribunal affirming the earlier judgment of the Edo State Elections Tribunal, which declared the Comrade Adams Oshiomole of the AC as the duly elected governor of Edo State.
According to the coalition in a statement in Akure “this positive development that will certainly be replicated in Ondo State.
The statement signed by Hon Bola Ilori the director media and research and former Senatrial candidate of the AC in Ondo Central senatorial District said that “Our joy knew no bound as that unanimous decision was delivered and we believe that sound judgment equally justifies an earlier sound judgment that was delivered by the Edo State Tribunal but which affirmed Oshiomhole’s stolen mandate.
“We join millions of Nigerians and several millions of others all over the world to laud this judgment and state that it portends something good for Nigeria¢s bashed and devalued democracy.
“Above all, it serves as enough warning to the pretenders in Ondo, whose sham victory has been voided similarly by the Ondo State Tribunal that they should prepare to vacate the seat they stole from Ondo people in April 2007.
“Oshiomhole’s victory serves as a tonic needed by Nigerians who were the primary victims of the callous rape of democracy witnessed in April 2007 by the PDP in concert with INEC.
“It is a vista of hope to those who are still struggling to retrieve their stolen mandates from the various tribunals and an assurance that all is not lost with Nigeria, even as the forces of darkness grow increasingly audacious by the day.
“Oshiomole’s victory signposts an end to the era of darkness and decay, which the electoral robbery of 2007 imposed on Nigeria.
It is so unfortunate that those we call our leaders are the true enemies of the country. When will Nigeria free herself from the hands of these shameless and sick leaders? Please read this yet another interesting story from This Day on the 15th November 2008. Nigerians! Nigerias!! Nigerians!!! which way we dey go?
Oshiomhole foils plot to loot govt lodge
•Threatens to Arrest Osunbor
From Ike Abonyi and Juliana Taiwo in Abuja, 11.15.2008
The new governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole in the early hours of Friday morning foiled an attempt by some suspected aides of former Governor Oserhiemen Osunbor to loot the Edo State Governor’s Lodge located along T.Y.Danjuma Crescent Asokoro, Abuja.
Oshiomhole who at the time was granting THISDAY his first print media interview since his swearing-in as governor, was suddenly alerted around 12 midnight yesterday and immediately led his personal security detail to intercept some property that was being carted away.
Police personnel at the lodge confirmed that Osunbor and his wife were there earlier in the day, but they could not confirm if they supervised the removal of the items from the lodge.
In reaction to the development, Oshiomhole threatened to arrest his predecessor “if the looting and vandalisation of government property is not discontinued and the stolen items returned immediately.”
THISDAY was conducting an interview with Oshiomhole in his private residence in Maitama when he received intelligence reports that suspected aides of Osunbor were in the lodge removing some items.
Oshiomhole immediately contacted the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mike Okiro. But before Oshiomhole and his men could reach the lodge, most of the items in the lodge including cars, doors and window blinds, tables, chairs and electrical items like chandeliers, among others had been removed.
Oshiomhole and his team however intercepted some items including a new Hilux pick up truck (without registration plates) that was fully loaded with household items.
The driver of the vehicle was quizzed about the whereabouts of the number plates, but gave no coherent reply.
When he was manhandled by the security men who accompanied the governor, the driver eventually showed them where he had hidden them.
The driver was later handed over to the police along with eight other domestic staff found in the lodge.
THISDAY reporters who accompanied Oshiomhole to the lodge discovered that the huge house had been almost emptied with no reasonable item left behind.
It was also discovered that the police personnel guarding the lodge apparently looked the other way while the looting lasted.
The governor, who later led THISDAY team into the lodge said a similar thing happened at the Government House, Benin, “where even spoons were taken away.”
Oshiomhole said since his was a government chosen by the people, he might resort to them “to protect their property if the police failed to do so.”
The new governor said he was not too surprised at the development “because rogues have found their way into government and are even called Your Excellencies.”
Apparently to stem similar looting of other Edo State property, Oshiomhole instructed his aides to reach the Liaison Officer in Lagos to contact the Police Commissioner for adequate protection of all Edo property in the state.
Oshiomhole also warned that he might resort to the use of Edo people to protect their property, “if the Nigerian Police continues to look the other way while the looting of Edo property is carried out.” Efforts by THISDAY to reach Osunbor last night were fruitless.
The Court of Appeal sitting in Benin Edo State, had on Tuesday upheld the March 20 judgement of the Edo State Election Tribunal declaring the Action Congress (AC) candidate and the former President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) the duly elected governor in the April 2007 gubernatorial poll.
He was sworn in before a mammoth crowd on Wednesday in Benin.
This is simply the more reason why when the Tribunal has ruled that a governor is ousted for election malpractices and while the ruling also states that there is a governor elect i.e. the true winner of the election; it is important that the ousted government is not allowed to continue in office pending the result of any appeal in place. There should be an interim government and all major projects should be put on hold. This serves two good purposes on behalf of the people/masses. 1. There will not be further looting and misappropriation of the state treasury and 2. The appeal procedure would speed up and no governor e.g. what Agagu is currently doing in Ondo State, will keep on trying to defer the truth and justice with flimsy excuses. This is simply enough, or isnt it? Well so why didnt the Nigerian policy and procedure on election matters, take this into consideration. We all talk about the truth, simple governance and openness but WHAT ARE OUR LEADERS DOING ABOUT THIS? Always a crying shame in Nigeria when they behave like vagabonds in power (and even when stripped of power). Oshiohmole should rightly take Osunbor to court if all these lootings are linked to him. We should all be vigilant in Ondo State for this Edo State story is a pointer to what could be happening and still happen on a grander scale in our dear Ondo State. Peace
My question for today is on the issue of injustice and it is three-fold:
1. What to you is injustice (no dictionary definition please)?
2. What is the best and fastest way of doing away with injustice either at State, National or International Level?
3. Can injustice last forever? (Guess this is the apparently simplest of the three questions. But take a good think and maybe it is not as simple as it seems).
Be blessed folks
Am not against Comrade Gov action but as a true leader, there are ways things ought to be done. I think he should be cautioned, so as to act as a true administrator. Let him address issues and not personality. We are all in Nigeria, they will sing well of you tday, tomw they will say crucify him. Let him take Gov Amaechi as an example, he came in as the Gov elect and worked with who were on ground at a time and later removed them one after the other, as they commit error themselves and at the end of the day you can not point an evil hand on him as witch hunting any one. Am againt looting but as a leader as Gov. he should take some caution. We are all still human beings.I wish someone can talk to him. Wisdom is profitable to direct. please I want comments. I want to also learn. Nigeria politics is not like that of USA, Europe etc, we are still at the teething stage, anybody can promise today but divert tmw. Crime commited by the Govs Aides might not be the Gov. Most of the time I read in paper of how the Govt of Ondo state is trying to waste money on projects and the LP call for a check and caution, everyone see it and not an attack on Agagu, that is wisdom. One thing am sure we will still meet somewhere. I have not meet anyone who comment on this site but we share ideas, dont be suprise one day when we meet we might have meet each other one way or the other.
@Ola, thanks for your comment above and why I say thanks is that it begs a lot of questions and addresses a few good issues in one.
First, no matter what stage of politics we consider to see Nigeria in, either teething, milk or meat stage (for this is also debatable i.e. should Nigeria be at teething stage and remain there for how long)? Nobody should take laws into their own hands, NOBODY, be it an outgoing or incoming governor. That said, what in the newspaper reports of Nigeria are we to believe? Have you noticed that Nigerian papers report sometimes subjectively, depending on who they support? We do not have the full facts and until then we cannot start apportioning blames and our advice could be misconstrued.
Osunbor should make factual press statements with examples, names, incidences and dates if he is crying foul i.e. this victimisation issues. Likewise Comrade Gov should make all facts publicly known also with specific instances, names and picture evidences in this matter. For example, in the case of the Naval Rating (Arogundade?) and the poor 27 year old innocent lady, they quickly concoted lies against her, thank God for the amateur video evidence (in spite of the ratings destroying all evident ones). Comrade Gov would then allay the fears of the people that he is concentrating on personal vendetta as opposed to righting the “wrongs” and carrying on with the “rights” of the past governance.
Let us take America Obama example. Obama has chosen a member of the opposition as one of the strongmen in his cabinet. It is said that he is considering his former foe from the same party i.e. Hilary Clinton as Secretary of State. He has promised to work with ALL so as to take America out of the doldrums. This is good. But the same Obama promised to meet with determined force all those who plan to mar or cause confusion in his governance. This is very acceptable. I dont see any reason why in Edo State there should be acrimony and divide, for this takes away some sweetness from the victory to Democracy. This will also distract Oshiohmole and this will not be good for the masses that voted him in. That said, why would Osunbor and his ousted cabinet also take the law into their hands and decide to remove properties, be they personal or government without following the right channel. Surely what stops Osunbor giving formal notice of intention to Oshiomhole requesting his personal effects and listing these? Surely the procedure followed is wrong (if we are to believe newspaper reports). Why send drivers with vehicles without number plates to remove goods from government house? If he didnt someone definitely did and this is why the driver’s explanations should be made public. Misinformation is bad, but no information and miscommunication is evil!
In ordinary circumstances, I would say that there is nothing wrong in all working together for the progress of the state. But I have learnt that due to what we call the “Nigerian Factor”, nothing is ordinary in Nigeria. Even the most simple things of life is compounded, right from the top down and vice versa. Do we now say that Comrade Gov should fold his hands and let people undermine his position by looting and refusing to return government property, right under his nose? To do this, he would lose the upper hand and this could well erode his leadership stance in the near future.
Comrade Gov is very correct in not allowing a state of “loser takes it all”. Rightly said, all election fraudsters should have been arrested and tried, but in Nigeria this is not in place.
If for example you are governor, and there are people who are there to make governance difficult, undermine you or worst still, work against your vision for the people, would you allow this to continue? Would you be able to work with them?Of course not. It is too early yet to apportion blame or accuse Oshiohmole of wanting to rule with an iron rod. He needs to maintain order and establish his position. He needs to do this efficiently, effectively and without intimidation. Deep down it is only Oshiomohle that can say what is in his mind. If vendeta is part of it, he had better drop it for the people have laboured too long and many lives were lost in the process and he cannot fail them. He would need to let go and let God. But he cannot allow looting and disorder to prevail in Edo State. How are we sure that Osunbor and his people and even Edo State PDP are not planning to discredit Oshiohmole’s victory in order to fault the ruling of both theTribunal and Appeal Court? Dont forget, if he cannot contain this, other unscrupulous elements would follow suit, and where would this leave Edo State?
Am happy you pointed out the careful monitoring of affairs in Ondo State and the democratic and lawful procedures followed in voicing out the anomalies and wastefulness/corruption of the present government. If these are not checked sooner than later, what would be left in the state treasury by the time the fraudulent mandate stealer is finally sent packing?
It is not easy to govern. We hear all sorts, there would be criticisms and sycophancy from those who still want their bread buttered at all cost, but with God on our side, I pray that both in Edo State and in Ondo State, the right decisions would be made all the time and all those who want to disturb the wheel of progress, all those who slander and pass malicious lies would be UTTERLY BROUGHT TO SHAME. Peace
Just one more thing, in view of all I mentioned above, I do not agree that Oshiohmole should resort to using the Edo People to right wrongs because the police have chosen to look the other way. First two wrongs can never make a right. Second, Okiro has actually visited Comrade Gov and acknowledged him as Governor of Edo State. Now this is a God given channel for Comrade Gov to find a good solution in Edo State as it involves the police participation. Lastly Comrade Gov should remember that one thing the opposition and some neutral persons have against him is his “Blue colllared” approach to solving problems. Governing the whole of Edo State is different from being head of labour workforce. Let him borrow a leaf from Governor Fashola’s good book of governing without fear, favour or intimidation, while governing with required firmness which is not a rule of brutal force at all times (in spite of Lagosians not behaving well at oft times).
I love this.
“Lastly Comrade Gov should remember that one thing the opposition and some neutral persons have against him is his “Blue colllared” approach to solving problems. Governing the whole of Edo State is different from being head of labour workforce” When our president was a Gov, he performed well, now a president the speed of performance is slow because we have different person around him.
Omotyalor a lesson I have just learnt again from the above comment.
Sometimes I am not very sure if we ordinary Nigerians crying for a change know exactly what we want. When we cry for a change and a new approach to our problems and the leader immerges with that new approach, then we criticize. To me a new governor with a new approach has been immerged and installed in Edo State, let him do it with the new idea and this might be the solution. If Nigeria is teething for almost 50 years, how many years will it take her to sit, crawl and walk? One thing I don’t understand is our direction. When Idiagbon came with War Against Indiscipline, we all condemned it and later realised what a good leader for Nigeria he was. This could be injustice if we look at it critically.
Either at the local, state, national or international level, this world we live in is full of injustice; therefore, we are faced with both direct and indirect injustice in our daily activities. Injustice can come in different forms, its all depends on how many we can identify, what individuals or the people of a particular society believe to be unjust in their own environment by law or customs. And when these law and customs are purposely used to the advantage of some and in disadvantage of others especially the less privileged, to me I see this as injustice. But it takes a caring, humble, honest, justified and big hearted person to identify one. Injustice is injustice no matter how small or at what level it operates. For example look at all the inhuman conditions that we are forced to accept as our faith in Nigeria (religiously, democratically and in our different homes especially those who come from polygamous family). The whole nation is infected with injustice (the traditional rulers, the police, the courts, both the junior and senior civil servants, including our honourable members from the local level to Aso rock). The international world has got its own injustice as well (the western world). I call this advanced injustice which is carefully polished, controlled and applied by them on what they call underdeveloped and undeveloped world. Thank God America is now realizing and leading the way to where the whole world can be given the equal opportunities. For the children of God, all impossibilities are possible and I hope we Nigerians can positively and genuinely without hypocrisy learn from the recent Obama and the US new political dimension and apply it to bring a change to our democracy to make Nigeria a better society instead of following India that is competing in the super power arena wasting billions of dollars while its citizens are still eating from the trash. I can go on and on this but there is no time as am still at work.
We can only do away with injustice if the society is ready to fight it. The people must be ready to say NO to any form of injustice and this must be the majority, we must discipline ourselves right from our homes as most of our leaders were already corrupt from their individual homes, people of integrities and good characters must occupy leadership positions. We need this in Nigeria in order to make the change and for things to start moving in the right direction, otherwise, our politics and the legal system which supposed to bring justice to the oppressed will continue to be dominated by the corrupt minded people who will also forever build the nation on clay feet. And above all, all of us including our leaders must have the fear of God in our hearts, otherwise, our society which suffers the shortage of Nabarumas and Abdulahis in the system will also continue to be ineffective in applying solutions and injustice may therefore, continue as well. It is sad to see that injustice still prevails in this 21st century, but I still believe God does not sleep and when the time comes MIRACLE will surely happen. Justice 4all.
Yes Justice for All, that is the watchword. We live in a global world riddled with problems of different kinds. Name a country or continent that is problem free? None i believe. Name a country or continent that has one way or the other battled it out and made amends? We can say Ghana, South Africa, Ireland etc, depending on what problems are being solved. How much of problem solving has Nigeria done especially in the past 20 years? The answer is not zero, but overall, we havent scored 50% so not a pass mark yet.
Can the cancer of corruption be curtailed in Nigeria before it mastesizes? I still believe yes. Even with miracles, performance is the key. Can we re-arrange our misplaced priorities? Yes again. We need the right people in the right places to do this. Will we allow the right people to get in the right places, and can we allow them to perform when they do? Well from the look of things Nigeria has no choice for this state of chaos, wranglings and backwardness cannot be allowed to continue. It has gone on for far too long.
Edo State has commenced her new journey. Very soon, we shall be able to assess the journey so far. Lagos State is carrying on and looking into their strengths and weaknesses in terms of achievements. One major weakness identified so far, is that before grandeur, there must be stability and provision of the basics needed in life e.g. good roads, well equipped hospitals, stable energy supply, provision of pipe borne water, good waste management etc. Prioritising needs, wants and desires is important.
In Ondo State, we have denied the rightful mandate holder governance for almost 20 months. This delay could continue for anything up to 3 more months. So for going on to two years, the right person is being denied his rightful position. Nevertheless, we are not discouraged. Better late than never we say. Chief Mr Agagu spent 4 years doing nothing significant. This lost him the people’s votes and confidence. He has unfortunately been allowed almost two more, playing the people for a fool, with white elephant projects, grandiose delusions and gift of the garb, forgetting that you cannot fool all of the people all of the time. We have witnessed it all, where only their inner caucus will state phantom achievements.
Let us pray for a quick relief. Let us pray for a speedy handing back of our Mandate. Ondo State like Obama, pre and post campaign are crying out that “it is time for change”. We join in the Obama slogan of “Yes We Can” i.e. Yes we can make a difference. Yes Mimiko can deliver on behalf of the people.
Iroko Kekere is right in pointing out that Nigerians can complain about anything, but some complain or voice their concerns because they care and we should take all these on board. Comrade Gov should be given a chance. How can we access him in only 2 weeks? Nevertheless those who love him dont want him to play into the hands of evil doers hence the words of advice. I repeat, there is order in everything we do. Osunbor rightly or wrongly as “governor” for 19months should know better than sending people to remove items from public domain without requesting it via the proper channel. This must desist. Comrade Gov must also be aware of plots to distract him, and rise above this and with precision, bring to books anybody who tries to rubbish his position as Governor of the people. He must not give the no good doers amunition by letting himself be drawn into a war of words bothering on personal vendetta.
One major thing I have learnt from Governor Elect Mimiko is the rule of golden silence while the opposition tries to draw him into a verbal duel, and then talking factually and specifically (as opposed to generalisations) when need be. Whatever we do on earth, not everybody would agree but as long as what we are doing is right by God, it will turn out alright in the end. Peace
@Iroko kekere, I agree with your observation above and this quote from one of my imputs above is a pointer to the fact:
“Comrade Gov is very correct in not allowing a state of “loser takes it all”. Rightly said, all election fraudsters should have been arrested and tried, but in Nigeria this is not in place.
If for example you are governor, and there are people who are there to make governance difficult, undermine you or worst still, work against your vision for the people, would you allow this to continue? Would you be able to work with them?Of course not. It is too early yet to apportion blame or accuse Oshiohmole of wanting to rule with an iron rod. He needs to maintain order and establish his position. He needs to do this efficiently, effectively and without intimidation.”
@Iroko kekere, I agree with your observation above and this quote from one of my imputs above is a pointer to the fact:
“Comrade Gov is very correct in not allowing a state of “loser takes it all”. Rightly said, all election fraudsters should have been arrested and tried, but in Nigeria this is not in place.
If for example you are governor, and there are people who are there to make governance difficult, undermine you or worst still, work against your vision for the people, would you allow this to continue? Would you be able to work with them?Of course not. It is too early yet to apportion blame or accuse Oshiohmole of wanting to rule with an iron rod. He needs to maintain order and establish his position. He needs to do this efficiently, effectively and without intimidation.”
Patience is what we should all excercise, and at the same time we should search all facts dilligently.
Good morning to all beloved on this site and to all still prayerfully fighting for justice and return of our stolen mandate in Ondo State. Today is a day of mercy. May the mercy of the Lord fall and abide with us all, especially those that God has searched their hearts and found that the welfare of Ondo State is indeed their main and utmost concern in this fight for freedom and democracy in Ondo State. May the good Lord continue to bless and prosper all those who are supporting our Mandate owner and Governor Elect of Ondo State, because they believe in his ability to perform and deliver in Ondo State.
There are many with thier proboscis ready to try and chop and quench! We cannot help this for this is the human nature. One thing we can do is pray them into oblivion and annihilation. We shall pray that these people quench before they chop i.e. chopping what they have not worked for. We shall pray that even as His Excellency is working day and night to put together a package that will bring Ondo State out of an era of corruption, looting, lies, treachery and foolery; even as HE Dr Mimiko has made cleaning up Ondo State and providing for the comforts, welfare, progress and safety of all, his prerogative in governance; anyone who worms his or her way into any area of governance in order to continue this stigma attached to politics and politicians (i.e. corruption), such people will not last one month in Jesus name. They will be visited by God, with the same visitations metted out on the Egyptian taskmasters.
The end of this particular fight to get our mandate back is near. We all know that it is VICTORY FOR LABOUR PARTY AND MIMIKO. What can change the truth? Nothing. So from now we are also concentrating our prayers on the next stage of this battle, so that our Governor Dr Mimiko will not have to struggle to be able to deliver and rule like a Daniel in Ondo State.
Anyone who in his or her mind, while reading this comment, and is feeling uncomfortable, should ask themselves why? Is this not a good prayer for the poor people who voted for democracy? Such people should make amends and change for Nigeria will change. If you work hard, you will gather the fruits of your labour. If you have integrity and the fear of God, if you love the people, your amen to my prayers will be the loudest. But if you are a die-hard who thinks you can curse Omotaylor for praying that “baraus”, “anninis”, “oyenusis”, “419s”, looters, jesters, liars, and lazy greedy accursed people; will never have a part in Ondo State “Room for All”, You have failed for “back to sender” is an effective prayer for the child of God, Amen.
Peace my people
@Mr Fred, long time sir. Hope you are fine. Missing your name on this page sir.
@Governor Elect Dr Rahman Mimiko, you are continuously blessed and highly favoured. You shall see your desires upon your enemies. “Ehinkule lota wa, inu ile ni aseni ngbe”- all those who dont truly love you and love what you stand for will perish even before the verdict that will make you jump and shout Halleluia is pronounced early next year. Can Mimiko win this battle? YES HE HAS. The so called Agagu appeal is merely now a paper excercise. Be blessed. IROKO YI JOO, GBA SIBEEEE. MIMIKO JARE. GONGO ASO.
Our joint efforts fighting for justice will not be in vain in Jesus name. Thinking of all the contributions on this forum so far makes me happy for Ondo State and Nigeria as a whole. Regardless of all the tight schedules, still many of us find time to contribute regularly. My prayer for you all is that God will reward you abundantly. As omotaylor has declared today a mercy day, and I add to it that the mercy will continue from today till the end of our lives. You’ve all inspired me to find time at all cost to make my contribution as well even if I have to do it from work.
@omotaylor, I appreciate and enjoy all the comments yesterday. Just to add a little more contribution, like you have rightly said ‘‘patience is what we should all exercise and at the same time we should search all facts diligently.’’ There is no doubt about that and I like it, but will like to say this, if Nigeria must change for better, this patience and the diligent facts must be encompassed with something that will make our leaders to respect the people and public properties. We are just like spectators at the football match, those who know how difficult it is to score goals are the players.
Comrade Governor Oshiomhole can see the true picture of what is going on better than us. I am sure there is an insider(s) who furnishes him with information about these atrocities. Just before the scene in Abuja, there was N500 million taken out of Edo State’s a/c within 24hours Comrade Governor Oshiomhole was announced as the new Governor? He had to take immediate action by frozen all the State accounts, otherwise, the State account would have been emptied by now.
There is no known government without those who will make governance difficult both within and outside that government. But that government must remember always the people whose votes established it, must remain focused and apply achievable solutions to all the problems. I know Comrade Governor Oshiomhole very well through some of his brothers that I attended secondary school with. Trust me this man is no nonsense man. He is one of those Nigerians that I can bet my life on that he will deliver like I always on Governor elect Dr. Mimiko. Very strict and disciplined, that is him for sure. To me, he has demonstrated that his government is for the people and that the State and the people counts. How many leaders in Nigeria that will put his country and the people first? I believe we don’t have many of them.
In S/Africa, after many years of apartheid, the people’s choice and one voice were at last respected, then Mandela became the President and he left the throne with a legacy. As we all make references to Ghana today, can we Nigerians allow Jerry Rawling’s approach in Nigeria? I don’t think so and still we all want our country to change.
In Nigeria we need leaders who are very disciplined, with the fear of God in them. Yes, of course, a leader that will make our forever baby of 50 years old that refused to grow due to the enjoyment from corruption and all other sorts of injustice to wake up to see that all its age mates are now adults. And a no nonsense leader who will build our teething patience and the diligent facts on solid foundations made with War Against Indiscipline (WAI). Thank God that at least we now have a leader who is brave enough to say to the people who elected him as their Governor that he was ready to protect their money and properties at all cost. I believe that the looters/mandate robbers who are killing our democracy deserve intimidation and frustration instead of pampering them. They need to be disgraced and at this same time must be disallowed while still operating rather than shouting when they have gone with their loots.
Omotaylor, I like this comment that you made to Ola at 7.21am yesterday ‘‘Am happy you pointed out the careful monitoring of affairs in Ondo State and the democratic and lawful procedures followed in voicing out the anomalies and wastefulness/corruption of the present government. If these are not checked sooner than later, what would be left in the state treasury by the time the fraudulent mandate stealer is finally sent packing?’’ So also if Prof. Osunbor and his Aids should be allowed to continue this looting after they have left the office, what message is that to the people of Edo State, Nigerians at home and to us Nigerians living abroad? Will the people of Edo State be happy if Comrade Gov. Oshiomhole just pretends as if there is nothing because he wants to establish his position first?
Wastefulness and corruption are at the highest point in Nigeria. For example, look at the sad story of our under insured NigComSat, while investigations are still on to know exactly what has happened to it, the Managing Director Professor Ahmed Rufai is asking for another $500 million loan to build two more. Things like this can only happen in Nigeria not in developed countries because he would have been made to resign from his position. The areas of basic necessities are total abandoned in our country while we keep channeling funds to unmanageable and unnecessary projects.
Nigeria is a country where people like Prof. Osunbor, Dr. Agagu, OBJ etc can get away with anything and proudly roam about displaying their loots. I am sure it will made a difference if the people can be allowed to protect their properties, not by violence anyway, but through the government that will carry them along, and the Police will have no choice then than to join in. Nigeria has suffered enough. That diligent facts and patience in Nigeria must be done now watchfully and by swift actions, enough is enough. If Ex Gov. Osunbor could not be stopped from looting the treasury while in office, at least we should be able to stop him when he’s out. Justice 4all.
@Iroko Kekere, the blessings and grace of our almighty God will never depart from you and your household in Jesus name. I always read your comments word for word and they always inspire me. By the grace of God, Ondo State will know peace progress and stability very soon and nobody will stand in our Governor-elect Dr Mimiko’s way of progress oh. Please I dont for once discredit Oshiomohle’s actions. That is why I clearly stated that Osunbor should have followed due procedure if he had any personal effect to take. I also credited the stance of Comrade Gov for who would want his leadership position undermined and hope to still hold his head high in Nigeria? All I have added is that watchful word we all need so as not to fall prey to the enemy by playing into their hands. Comrade Gov am sure is a man of integrity so I have no qualms at all.
On the subject of NigComSat, please visit African Loft and read my latest post on Nigeria asking for more billions to get NigComSat 2&3 while one is a total waste and failure and the dust has not even settled on the matter. Why do we think the people will just sit like mumu and be fooled on and on and on.
Evil people are not going to get away with their evil ways. Dont you just see the punishment and shame being metted out on vagabonds in power, be it in lower or upper power. We are reading of the Obasanjo-Bello vs Daniels saga, we know that the wicked will not go unpunished. In the words of Comrade Gov again “Everyday for the thief, one day for the owner”. No injustice can last forever. God is there and will visit heavy brimstones on all evil people. This I know for a fact. According to the words of David in the Psalms “Only with our eyes shall we behold the rewards of the wicked”.
On the subject of wastage, corruption, looting and lack of accountability, I came across this post today and I just shook my head in disbelief at Agagu and his so called government. What are the exact measured and verified achievement in the Educational field. We get these highly generalised statements that even the people on ground in Ondo State cannot pinpoint. We need statistics, rated Performance Indicators and names of schools, establishments and not just this open statements that mean nothing while the billions are flowing away like tsunami water. Enough is enough. We need to put a stop, a plug to this hole called treasury sapping in Ondo State. Please read on curtesy of Vanguard:
Ondo spends N62bn on education
Written by Dayo Johnson
Wednesday, 19 November 2008
ABOUT N62 billion has been committed to primary and secondary education since May 2003 in Ondo State, Governor Olusegun Agagu said yesterday in Akure.
Agagu added that in furtherance of efforts in providing conducive learning atmosphere in all schools in the state, the government has awarded contracts for the construction of six-classroom model school blocks in 100 schools across the state’s three senatorial districts.
He added that another N1.24 billion contract was awarded for the supply of furniture for students, head teachers and teachers.
“It is an addition to the 200 six-classroom blocks earlier awarded in the year which construction has reached advanced stages.
“Apart from the six classrooms, each of the blocks has the headteacher’s office, library, computer and science laboratories with basic amenities,” the Governor said.
He added that his administration would continue to make learning attractive and conducive in all primary and secondary schools in the state through provision of necessary infrastructure, equipment and encouragement.
The administration, according to the governor, had constructed no fewer than 10,000 modern classrooms in schools across the state in the last five and half years to replace the dilapidated structures in the schools and also renovated no fewer than 300 school buildings.
The governor said the huge investment of the administration to the primary and secondary sub-sector has started paying off in terms of better academic performance of pupils from public schools in the state, attendance in classes and increasing enrolment.
@iroko kekere, one more thing, who says one day Nigerians will not be publicly calling upon a Jerry Rawlings to save the day if things dont change and continue like this? We pray God that Nigeria will willingly change in this subtle way we have been hinting as opposed to Jerry Rawlings way.
@omotaylor, amen, amen and amen. The change in Nigeria shall come through Democracy in Jesus name.
This writeup is very interesting and funny, please read. Obasajo is a shameless evil animal that needs to be caged and I doubt if there is a place for him in heaven.
From today’s Daily Sun.
Obasanjo’s sermon on Obama’s election
By Yushau A. Shuaib
Thursday, November 20, 2008
“For the most powerful country to be ruled by a minority, a man of “colour” makes colour to recede into insignificance and cease to be regarded as an important consideration in American life.” -Obasanjo
The above quote is from the recent article by former President Olusegun Obasanjo with the title, “Obama’s Election and the Needed Change”, in which he gave a sermon on the newly elected President of the United States of America, Barack Husseini Obama.
The article was not widely celebrated in the Nigerian Press probably due to the sentiments against his leadership as only few media houses published or reviewed it.
The former president was at his usual best… eloquent, with catchy words and fanciful phrases, with intellectual fervor that can compete with the best academic paper.
While many Nigerians may deliberately ignore his seeming tribute to Obama, the message and the theme of the essay is indeed a good material for researchers and students of political science and even the politicians.
Yes, most of his points and argument are not only timely and worthy reference material in assessing the dynamism of American politics and the sagacity of Obama’s campaign managers, but the views coming from Obasanjo would definitely make one to wonder if the same processes were observed during his reign as Nigeria’s President.
The piece which he started with a congratulatory message to President-Elect, Senator Barack Obama, for his well-deserved victory, states that Obama’s victory brought with it a new, refreshing and exciting taste in our mouths. According to him “apart from doing himself and his family proud, he has also done his nation proud by crossing a Rubicon that was considered impassable and almost inconceivable at least in the then immediate future.” Nigerians and indeed Africans would have wished Obasanjo too provided a level playing ground for political aspirants without intimidation and unbecoming collaboration of some security agencies and electoral umpires to scuttle the democratic process from running its natural course.
The entire piece by General Olusegun Obasanjo centres on change and he keeps on repeating the theme. According to him “The feeling of change that Senator Obama engendered through his campaign for the White House represents a significant theme of change we have all aspired and fought for in different areas…, regions, cultures and historical times.” He added this fanciful and quotable phrase: “The desire for change has never been the question nor has it ever been in question. It is the extent, the range, the tone, the quantity, the quantum and the sustenance of change that has always been the question.”
Nigerians actually seek for such positive changes, but politicians and political appointees always have ways of denying us the opportunity to achieve our desired changes. I couldn’t help but wonder which of the changes Gen. Obasanjo is referring to… living condition, security or electoral processes?
As Nigerians and Africans continue to argue the possibility of Obamania in our climes considering the bastardization of political and electoral processes by our leaders, Obasanjo points out that “Rooted in the achievements of Senator Obama is a far more significant theme for people aspiring to lead their communities, particularly for young Africans in Africa. It is the aspiration, the determination, the energy, the strategic thinking, planning and execution that Senator Obama and his campaign team have brought into what is being regarded as a movement.”
Nigeria has many talented, intelligent, respected and incorruptible individuals who could have been great leaders but were eliminated from aspiring to lead either by local government chairmen, governors of states and President of the country by using the paraphernalia of office, as we observed with dismay during the last government. If not for the intervention of the Judiciary, we wouldn’t have witnessed the emergence of Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State, Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers and the new Comrade Governor Adam Oshimhole of Edo State. Many similar cases are still in the court waiting for justice.
Our President who was once described as a close friend of President George Bush Jnr. considering the numbers of times he travelled abroad, indirectly lashed at his former ally when he writes: “In some ways, his (Obama) election has been described by some analysts as a referendum on George Bush’s eight years of unnecessary and totally avoidable wars and the meltdown economy.”
In another place in the article, he is more direct when he adds: “His (Bush) position of going for force of persuasion rather than persuasion of force must sound like sweet music in the ears of those who have agonised on the unilateralism of the use of force under the guise of fighting terrorism by the Bush administration.”
Commenting on the personality of Barack Obama, our former president proudly narrates his personal close encounter thus: “Let me relate my first and only encounter with Senator Barack Obama.
In September 2007, during the Black Caucus Convention in Washington DC, I met and chatted with both Senator Hilary Clinton and Senator Barrack Obama separately, albeit briefly. One cannot but be impressed by Senator Obama’s disposition, he was intelligent, quick-witted and smart in his reactions and answers to my few questions.
He was also courteous and cultured. He exuded confidence and friendship even though it was our first meeting…. I also recalled that when he first contested for political office in Illinois, though his funny name raised questions for him, it did not make him lose the election, he won.”
One thing our former President doesn’t state, which is necessary in an article like that is that Obama doesn’t have any godfather and doesn’t use any big corporate mafia to foot his campaign bills. He did not lobby members of his political party in public offices to channel states resources for his campaign. We know what happened in Nigeria when we had the Chris Ubas, the Adedibus, Sarakis and the influence of the powerful business cartel like the so-called Corporate Nigerians in making things happen their ways sometimes against the wishes of the people.
There are indeed great lessons to learn from Obama’s campaign compare to primitive and uninspiring electioneering in our lands. INEC Chief, Maurice Iwu clearly states this when he observes that Obama out-campaigned, out-strategised, out-funded, and out-debated his Republican rival, Senator John McCain. The crowd drawn by Obama during his visit to Europe was nothing short of a movement and it was simply electrifying.”
He adds that “I must express my admiration for the managers and advisers of Senator Obama during the campaign. They were cautious, meticulous, and painstaking; they left nothing to chance. They checked and crosschecked everything and every milieu.” In Nigeria, one can succeed in all these but still fail because the power-that-be has a preference on whom they need and must be whether the citizens like it or not or whether he is of questionable character.
In fact, when the Ota farmer said Obama’s campaigners and supporters carry no baggage of fear, doubt and prejudices of their parents and those before them, the contrary seemed to be the case in Nigeria where ballot papers and boxes are hijacked, where political opponents are haunted, where area-boy-vagabonds who are the usual typical campaign managers, maimed and killed on the instruction of their financiers in a country where we have an electoral empire as being insensitive to the feelings of the people.
I totally agree with our former President that “what has happened in America is for a man to be seen for what he is – human and what he is capable of delivering – removes the consideration of minority-majority as a major debate or factor. People should be seen, accepted, judged and placed for what they are and what God has endowed them with.”
Where I got confused after I recalled the only-one-man can rule Nigeria campaign for Third-Term was when Obasanjo writes: “Those who preach the sermon of superiority of Intelligence Quotient or simple intellect based on colour, race, tribe or language must start to review and indeed change their sermon.”
In Nigeria, we have seen leaders who want to rule for life, thinking that without them nothing can move as they attempt to amend the law to accommodate their megalomaniac quest that they are those gifted with the power to rule for life.
For the losers in the Maurice Iwu-led elections in Nigeria, the retired military General probably has them in mind when he admonishes them to consider Obama’s disposition before the election that “he (Obama) maintained that he would not blame discrimination of any sort, if he had failed to win the election, rather he would blame himself for not putting his ideas and programmes across to the electorate properly and adequately.”
I think our former President needs to know that the election in America is clearly as it is indisputably free and fair in every sense that John McCain had to immediately concede defeat and congratulate Obama in a genuine and sincere tribute.
We can not deny Obasanjo’s sense of humour, intellect and charisma, when we recall the way he mesmerized the international community and bulldozzed his way to plum positions even in group pictures with world leaders. How he became a failure by public and media rating is still of great concern to political observers and students of history even when he succeeded in some areas of economic development.
Shuaib writes from Abuja
Obasanjo has the following problems:
1. He does not ever look inward and always plays to the gallery. He is not sincere in anything he says or does.
2. Obasanjo does not write his speeches and the ideas are not his. He gets people to write for him after describing what he wants, and the eloquence is not his at all. Even the animals on his farm would make better noises than his if given the chance.
3. Obasanjo has suddenly realised that at the age of 71, time is running out and wants to cover up with goodwill ambassador style life and talks. But nothing would erase from the memories of Nigerians the state of things when Obasanjo left; the do or die politics he spearheaded that is still rocking Nigeria. Ondo State for one would have moved far ahead with the Governor of the People’s choice in place (oh yes Mimiko is the one), if not for Obasanjo’s evil influence and hold, playing Godfather to a son who is better described as a partner in crime. Ondo State people will always remember this. The blood of those that were killed will haunt OBJ et al forever.
4. Obasanjo has no shame. He has no shame. Period. Earlier this year when he had his 71st birthday, he hosted a Squash competition and donated a trophy. Fine. People who played spent money to get to his hilltop residence, they even ordered t-shirts etc. Obasanjo the host decided to take part in the competition. He was well beaten by many, but the points were given to him so he was made winner stage by stage, until he won the league table. It doesnt end there, guess who won the trophy donated by OBJ to mark his birthday? Well OBJ HIMSELF, showing off the trophy to the press for being the best Squash player. Let him come play Squash against me, so I can show him “do or die” squash! This explains the sort of person OBJ is.
5. Obasanjo will only be forgiven by God if he apologises to Nigerians for all the lives lost, all the sufferings, all the busted businesses, all the school drop outs and so on. Failing this, he would know no peace. But who wants apologies anyway.
6. Obasanjo should be investigated for all allegations of corruption and embezlement. This should be done without fear or favour and Nigerians should know the outcome. His partners in crime e.g. AGAGU, Ehindero etc must not be spared too. When found guilty (not if), life imprisonment is what they deserve.
7. Obasanjo is yet to apologise to Governor Elect Dr Mimiko for slander and libel. The only thing he had against Mimiko then was that Mimiko decided not to be OBJ puppet on the string, to be pulled and shoved like so many senseless sycophants parading themselves as this or that in present day Nigeria. Well their shame is being exposed, gradually but surely.
Do you think Americans have any respect or regard for Obasanjo?
What would they think when the read such falsely “eloquent” speech from a man who just last year headed the most shameful and treacherous election in Nigerian history? Americans and others worldwide decried the death of Democracy just last year. Luckily with the Judiciary, Democracy is gradually ressurecting and will live.
All we need to do is LEARN and don’t fall prey to the same evils that we are decrying. We must keep our heads on and think deeply and pray that God who exposes the evil ones will keep them far away from us or better still – WIPE THEM OUT. No matter what positions we occupy in life right now, our integrity must always be intact and this will see us trample over our enemies.
Peace
My question for today is this:
Who is (are) the most important in any given Country, and why?
I will appreciate your answers, and I guarantee we all learn from whatever answers we give.
Remain blessed all
Hi to all.
Have missed out of contribution for a while. I was just sent a conditional offer from the university of Greenwish London to study MSc Information Technology with e-business for January, so I have to run around with God to see what I can do to fulfill this dream (still on it)
Your comments are heart burning Iroko kekere Uk, you feel like putting the truth into the heart of our leaders by force by fire (laughs). All I Know is that Nigeria will be great.
Yesterday I was listening to Commorad Gov on NTA 9′O clock news, and he said “I now need wisdom in my governence” not exactly the way he said it, but he has realised that governing Edo State is not Trade Union leadership. You need everyone to work with except the son of perdition as the bible says.
Let us remeber to pray for ourself please as we need His help. Moreso I need it so much. Love you all
Have a nice night all.
Hi Ola, been wondering what happened to you. Good on you – with the admission into University of Greenwich for your Masters. By the grace of God, you will get everything in Order and commence your studies hitch free. And by His grace you will become a very worthy and noble Nigerian, both at Home and Abroad in Jesus name. Can I just say, seeing your intellect and political ambition, when you get to London, please endeavour to join “Brighter Days Network UK” and you will be glad you did. You can check them out on their website. Let me know if you need the link.
There are many nice Nigerians and very intelligent university students in the Network. You will be able to mix and Socialise as well and before you know it, you will be home from home.
By the grace of God, all our good prayers will be answered and especially those we have offered to Dr Mimiko, Ondo State, Nigeria and Democracy. Even if we havent prayed for ourselves, by praying for others, our prayers are answered fourfold. God is good. Keep in touch on this site.
Regards
Has anyone heard from Mr Fred? Its been a while.
Admin, God bless your untiring effort and God grant you the grace to keep this site alive forever (amen). January 2009 is not too far away. The truth will take over the day.
Morning,
Thanks Omotaylor. I will appreciate if I can have the link as it will assist me all round. Also Omotaylor, I will want to be sincere to you, after the Embassy grant me Visa by the grace of God, I will appreciate a link of doing something to keep me up overthere. As I only have God on my side.
I have gone through the website (Brighter Days Network UK) and I still feel your taste from the website. Appreciate all you have done for me. Thanks
@Ola. you are welcome. Remember Isaiah 40: 28 – 31?
28 Have you not known?
Have you not heard?
The everlasting God, the LORD,
The Creator of the ends of the earth,
Neither faints nor is weary.
His understanding is unsearchable.
29 He gives power to the weak,
And to those who have no might He increases strength.
30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary,
And the young men shall utterly fall,
31 But those who wait on the LORD
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.
I will implore all readers on this website, all lovers of our fight for justice in Ondo State and also Your Excellency, Governor Elect Dr Olusegun Mimiko, please let us read and pray Isaiah 40 daily till the return of our Mandate, if we can do this daily fine, if not once every week on Fridays will be good. The Lord is Mighty in battle, and He is our Strength. Let us use each verse of Isaiah 40 as a prayer point, to pray out the enemy and evil in our midst and to pray God into our blessings and freedom. Only the Godly can do this successfully, and every little helps. After our prayers and halleluahs, let is shout out our slogan – IROKO YI JOOO GBA SIBBEEEE, MIMIKO O JAREEEE. Oluwa a da wa lare (amin).
For long we have decried the evil in our midst. Concerted efforts are still needed to bring utter shame into the camp of Ondo State vipers and vagabonds. See how God is shaming them. See how they are being arrested for corruption. It is the Lord’s doing and it is marvelous in our sight. He who laughs last laugh best. Oh Sweet Victory, how soon will we behold you in Ondo State? The Lord will not allow indefinite injustice, for even if weeping tarries for the night, Joy will come in the morning. We are comforted. We are conquerors. We are connected.
I AM STILL AWAITING ANSWERS TO MY QUESTION POSED ON 20TH NOVEMBER FOLKS.
Be blessed all. Peace
@ Ola, congrats for the admission, I was a student in the same uni yrs back. Thanks for your contributions omoluwabi. He who rules with force is not a true leader and will never succeed! Even God who has the power does not rule us by force. Anyone that desires to lead needs wisdom, it is the best gift ever from almighty God. Even we the ordinary citizens, we need wisdom to excel in all our engagements. The truth can only be told and followed by only those who eat from that tiny plate of honesty. Truth is simple but man is not interested because it will not allow him to cheat. Things of this world have also made man to turn his back to the truth and as long as greed remains the number 1 priority in our minds, man will surely continue to suffer.
There are some who prefer the truth but cannot level up or maintain the relationship. You will even be surprised that many of those that we think are walking in the truth are not, in reality they are full of hypocrisy. Only God knows who is clean in the heart as we human beings are only capable to listen to the mouths and cannot see the inside of others. Who am I to force the truth into our leaders? I was only burning from the inside because of my experience on what is going on in Nigeria and for the love I have for my country and my people (the innocent masses) who have been for so long cheated and neglected by all the leaders and the system. The Police and the courts who are supposed to protect the oppressed and the nation are fully loaded with first class corruption. I respect you guys’ views and I always learn from every contribution you have made but at the same time I think these leaders who thinks they own us needs to be thought some lessons by those who are brave and capable to do it. To them, we are just nothing.
For example, look at the way that lady, Uzoma Okere was beaten and molested in Victoria Island recently by Rear Admiral Arogundade’s boys because she was unable to move her car from the way. That was inhuman, it happens everyday and everywhere in Nigeria. And how long shall we maintain or remain silent on that type of treatments in our own country while we join to fight discrimination in other countries that you find Nigerians dwelling? Who would not be happy if Obasanjo, Rear Admiral Arogundade etc are given dirty slaps or frog matched by new no non sense young leaders and the masses in Nigeria for treating us like animals and for what OBJ has done to our democracy? I would.
Nigeria is a society where the Police and the courts can’t protect the citizens. Like I said 2days ago, I still believe it will make a difference if the people can be allowed to protect their properties through a no nonsense leader and the government that will carry them along. It is time our leaders started treating us like human beings and not like animals, we must take our stand.
These deranged, corrupt and shameless leaders are full of evil, they are enemies of progress and will do anything to make sure that Nigeria does not progress so as to secure and allow them undisturbed passage to corrupt the country. If there is any young enthusiastic, loyal and honest leader who is interested in coming out to help shape Nigeria, they will not allow him. They will put their physical intimidation and frustration machineries into operation, right from the start of election campaign to the day of election and even beyond to make sure that person is dead or never reappear in Nigerian politics anymore.
Look at all what OBJ said about Dr. Mimiko before the election just to frustrate him and take him out of the race so that Agagu could be easily re-elected. If not because the masses took their stands and with the help of almighty, what would have happened? If the masses can be brave to sing a loud and unstoppable song of enough is enough with one voice in Nigeria, I believe things will be better.
I was a victim of PDP and Agagu myself when I went home to join Dr. Mimiko’s election campaign team before the election. I was offered millions of naira by the PDP to join them but I rejected it. I told them my support would only go to Iroko whose capable hands and conscience I trust. In one of our (LP) convivial crowded and peaceful campaign rallies in Akure filled with many innocent children and women, the PDP rallied us round with guns, machetes and other deadly weapons, we could not fight back because LP neither carries nor believes in weapons and as a result, so many of us landed in hospitals. This is not a story I like to tell because it brings back bad memory. My car was destroyed, I was brutally attacked and subjected to all sorts of intimidation by the PDP senior members just because I refused to join them. Today I still carry the trauma and the marks from the wounds I sustained.
Is that a true democracy? I took the matter to the police, all they wanted was my money and they could not help or give LP members any protection. That was the order from above. Some of them who were really concerned about the attack and what they (PDP) could possibly do to me again, advised me to leave town and stay away from the LP. If the police cannot protect you what are you left with?
But I refused to take that option and continued to support the mission that I believe will free the people. Thank God, the more they attacked us, the more infallible and more indestructible we became, though we suffered but the mission worth it.
He who fights for himself without God is a looser. I have left things for God to handle the way He (God) will like as his revenge is mightier and in right proportion.
The poor masses are not given the chance to choose in our country, they are forced to accept whatever the political godfathers presents. Look at the President, Umaru Yar’Adua, he was selected not really elected, but thank God, the almighty is in control of him and that is why he has declared rule of law that now allow SOME courts to follow due process, otherwise who are we to win cases in the tribunals. I believe God has a purpose and that was why Obasanjo’s 3rd term agenda did not materialized. Jesu oku se and Oseun.
@ Mr President, your Excellency sir, if you really want Nigeria to be one of the G20 nations in 2020 according to your promise, we will like you to make that RULE OF LAW in which you said you believe not only to be allowed but to be physically seen operating in all corners in Nigeria under your supervision. If you can do this for Nigeria, am sure Allah will place you higher than Aso rock. Sir, remember that a fancy title does not make anyone a true leader but what he does as a leader.
Now look at what Prof. Iwu and Obasanjo are saying about Obama and the election in the USA. Is that not a shame? They know what they have done and they have both demonstrated that what happened in the US was possible in the last election in Nigeria too but they refused to do the right thing because they are devil’s advocates. Shame on you Obasanjo, we all knows that you wouldn’t even have allowed Obama to win any election in Nigeria. Your boys would have killed him or made him to choose exile as an option. Your Do or Die agenda would have even frustrated our young energetic and Nigeria future leader ‘‘omotaylor’’ the Margaret Thatcher of Nigeria by the grace of almighty God.
I weep for our Nigerian leaders last Sunday when I saw people (whites) traveling from all over the world to S/Africa just to touch and take pictures with Archbishop Desmond Tutu on BBC1 TV program called sundaylife hosted by the former 60/120m hurdles world record holder Colin Jackson and co host Michin. Honestly Most of our leaders are disgrace to the nation. Is legacy in our dictionary in Nigeria at all?
@ Ola, good luck to you at the uni, always remember the son of whom you are and the reason why you are there. Don’t join bad gangs to reflect the stereotype of a typical Nigerian the way the white man perceives. Good character can be easily lost in London if one is not very careful. Be good and God will be with you and lead your way. And don’t forget as you have been told by young mentor omotaylor, when you get to London ask for Brighter Days Network UK, that could give you the opportunity to meet your able mentor and I will see you there too. Good luck. Justice 4all.
@Iroko kekere, you just wont believe how you have deeply touched my heart with your above comment. I have had to steel myself against a lot especially the decadent rot around me, even here in the Diaspora. I dont shed emotional tears that much for I used to shed a lot before the world toughened me, but today, I shed loads reading your comment from the heart. A lot of us have experienced all sorts, some more than others, but we fight on. I really really understand your deep comment, and I know deep in my heart now that you are really ONE WITH GOD.
I do not want to keep repeating you hence all I can say is this: GOD IS IN CONTROL. See how he is touching our hearts early on a Friday morning and bringing out deep feelings and prayers. May the good Lord stand by you, with you, and watch over you and yours now and always.
Ondo State is blessed, having dedicated and truth loving people like you Iroko kekere and now I see again another side of you that does make you Iroko (ati kekere ati nla, Iroko ni Iroko nje, Iroko ni baba igi, so me too, mo claim irokobirin once again).
I have taken the liberty to post your comment as a Community Blog Post on African Loft titled IROKO KEKERE BARES HIS HEART; cause i know you wont mind. Also this is in appreciation of a message that means a lot to me. I have also emailed it to a few caring friends. I look forward to meeting you one day in Ondo State.
God bless you my brother, really, God bless. You see lately I experienced another conivance of evil, bug God hammered things on the head, Nevertheless, I ask question in my mind daily, for two weeks now. You know what, many words you said above has been of comfort to me. In fact when we look at the bigger picture, who cares about life’s nonentities? The fight for Democracy, truth and justice; the fight for emancipation of Ondo State people, and the fight for overall good governance and CHANGE in Nigeria is well worth it, and God will protect our lives. We will make a difference and our voices will count in Nigeria in Jesus name.
Remain firm in the Lord and God will continue to uphold you, and me, and of course our leader and his CLEAN, UPRIGHT AND INTEGRITY SUPPORTERS only.
Peace my brother, peace
@ omotaylor, I think am speechless,what can i say now? Maybe thank you very much for your genuine concern is the best word. May God bless you. There are many other stories that are even worse than mine. We are all inspired by one another and there is no stopping now, we must carry on doing what we all believe will bring justice at last. See you in Alagbaka next year by the grace of God. The struggles continues. Justice 4all.
Another one bites the dust. One by one they will all be disgraced out of office. Another lesson to our leaders. Agagu must have been aware of Olabisi’s actions and paid deaf ears and blind eyes as they are all a party of looters and choppers. May we not ever have a leader of no moral, scrupples of conscience in Ondo State. Boy, am I glad that His Excellency our Governor Elect Dr Mimiko, has promised leadership from top down, where nobody will be allowed to engage in corrupt and immoral activities without facing the music. May God continue to expose all evil acts in our midst in Ondo State. Please read on curtesy of the Guardian:
ICPC detains Ondo Council Commission chief
From Florence Oretade, Abuja
THE Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) said it has arrested the Chairman of Ondo State Local Government Service Commission, Mr. Joseph Olabisi, over alleged institution of fraudulent syndicate in councils in the state.
The ICPC Residents Consultant, Mr. Folu Olamiti, in a statement said Olabisi was arrested and currently being detained by security operatives after it was informed of the alleged unlawful act perpetrated by him.
Olabisi has been the commission’s chairman since 2003 while he is accused of using his local council (Ondo West) as the gateway to effect his motives.
The statement reads: “Olabisi, who has been occupying the position since 2003 is alleged to be using his own council (Ondo West) as a focal point in the perpetuation of the fraudulent act.
“He is also accused of planting collaborators and stooges in all the councils Treasury Department across the state, using them to effect the inclusion of ghost workers in the councils’ pay roll with their salaries and entitlements diverted into private accounts of the chairman and his collaborators.”
The statement added that the embattled chairman was alleged to have amassed property worth N203 million, including landed property, vehicles and a school from the proceeds of his fraudulent activities.
evry body in ondo town and the state at large knows that olabisi johnson has been living far far beyond his renumeration and allowances that suppose to be for the political office holders of his calibre.
it is a pity that this set of people have alot of men and women in their fold celebrating them.
can you imagine an account clerk in ondo west local goverment now a proud owner of filling station at oke odunwo in ondo town.not only that chains of business around.
God will help us.
Yes God will help us Efapo, but as heaven help those who help themselves, Ondo State good people will keep on reporting with facts and exposing the evil corrupt looters and killers in our midst and in our State. They are killers for while they loot the State treasury so unashamedly and flount their ill begotten wealth all over the place, innocent people are dying in hospitals, on the roads and even at home from lack of food, bad roads, unequipped hospitals, drinking of untreated water and what have you.
Our Governor Elect Dr Mimiko, please by the grace of God, you will get your Mandate back in January 09. We cannot wait any longer for every passing day in Ondo State marks another day of looting and emptying od state coffers. We need you in place sooner than later. We need your governance of compassion. We need your uprightness and fortrightness. We need my poor people of Ondo State to be delivered by pharaoh Agagu and his Egyptian taksmasters out of Ondo State with immediate effect. We are tired and are barely holding on cause you our Governor being a man of peace and a respecter of law and order, keep on telling us to have patience. We have excercised Godly patience but there will be a time when enough will be enough.
O ti su wa o. Ijoba Agagu npa awon enia lara. Ijoba Agagu nfi iya je wa ni Ondo State. Agagu ki nse eni ti a le pe ni eniyan o. Ko ni ife Ondo State abi awon mekunu. Ife owo ti pa Agagu ati awon ebi ati ore re o. Iro won ti poju. Eke won o lonka. Phantom projects oni billion naira ti po ju. Se Agagu ro wipe oponu ni awon enia ni? Olorun gba wa o. Awa ko fe ija, sugbon awon enia ti ko Agagu tipe. Olorun wa ma sun o. Iya to nje awon enia ti poju. Ekun ati igbe awa omo re ko gbodo ja sasan o. Olorun ba wa da ejo fun gbogbo awon afi eyin pin eran wonyi o. Tu asiri won, fi ida Mikael ba won ja. Gbogbo ile ti won fi owo eru ko, Baba wa, je ki iri ki o wo gbogbo won o. Je ki win di eni itiju larin ilu. So won sinu tubu, da seria fun won. Awon olotito ni ilu, Baba fi abo re bo won o. Je ki gbogbo wa ri batise, ki a ri ona gbe gba. Eyi ni a toro loni ojo Agbara Re o Baba, amin, be ni ki ori.
Peace my people. It is well says the Lord. We shall laugh last and it will be a good laugh indeed.
Ah Nigerians, why don’t we have the fear of God!!! Please take time to read this newly discovered fraud. I wonder how many more in the pipe line yet to uncover. Courtesy of THISDAY
Lagos-Kano Rail Contract ‘Inflated by $700m’
By Alike Ejiofor, 11.24.2008
The Lagos-Kano Rail contract awarded by the immediate past administration and which Federal Government plans to revoke was inflated by a whooping $800 million, THISDAY has learnt.
Information made available to THISDAY showed that the last administration allegedly awarded the contract at the cost of $8.3 billion, but the Chinese firm handling the project claimed that the contract was awarded to it for $7.6 billion.
THISDAY gathered that this discrepancy may have informed the decision of the government to revoke the deal, in addition to legal issues.
It was also gathered that the contract was not presented to the National Assembly for appropriation before the past administration went ahead in 2007 to make an advance payment of $250 million to the Chinese Civil Engineering and Construction Company (CCECC) that was awarded the project.
The government is said to still be investigation the account from which the quarter of a billion dollars was paid to the Chinese company as it was not appropriated by the National Assembly.
THISDAY checks revealed that the government would soon revoke the contract and execute the project on Built, Operate and Transfer (BOT) basis, under a Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiative.
Already, French companies have indicated interest to be part of the new initiative that will soon be worked out by government.
Government had hinged its decision to revoke the contract on the inability of the past administration to follow due process and the rule of law.
The Chief Economic Adviser to the President, Dr. Tanimu Yakubu, declared the contract illegal at the Abuja Business and Investment Roundtable last week.
“For an administration that prides itself in the rule of law, I don’t see how an illegality will be strictly adhered to in the name of continuity,” Yakubu said.
He stated that since the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo did not present the budget to the National Assembly, the present administration would revoke it in view of the administration’s commitment to the rule of law and due process.
The contract, which has duration of 48 months was awarded as a turnkey package for the design, construction and maintenance of about 1,315kilometres of standard gauge double track rail line to run from Lagos to Kano.
Most of the over 200 locomotives that ply the 3,505 kilometres (2,178miles) network of narrow-gauge single-track railway lines, covering nine states in the country are in state of disrepair.
The railway line modernisation project, which passes through eight state capitals and the Federal Capital Territory, was the first phase of the country’s 25-year railway modernisation project embarked by the past administration to increase the traveling speed of passenger trains in the country to 120-150 kilometres per hour.
The previous administration disclosed that about $2 billion soft loan would be obtained from the Chinese Government to finance the project, but the Minister of Transport last year stated that an inter-ministerial committee had been set up to review the contract with a view to finding the modalities for the funding.
However, in September this year, the House of Representatives resolved to set up an ad-hoc committee to investigate the $8.3 billion railway modernisation project.
This followed a motion on “state of the Nigeria’s Rail Transport System” by Hon. Ike Chinwo (PDP Rivers) and 41 other members praying the House to “mandate the Committee on Land Transport to conduct an investigative public hearing on the railway modernisation project and report back to the House within six weeks”.
The motion expressed concern that the first phase of the project spanning 1,315 kilometres from Lagos to Kano, estimated to cost $2.5 billion in line with international per kilometre rate for railway modernisation project was awarded for $8.3billion to CCECC for take-off of the project.
THISDAY gathered that members of the House Committee on Land Transport led by Hon. Benard Udoh may have travelled to China yesterday for their investigation.
As part of its oversight function, the committee last week visited the corporate headquarters of CCECC to ascertain the reason behind the slow pace of work on the project.
It was gathered that during the visit, the project co-ordinator, Mr. Karl Leo, expressed the readiness of the Chinese firm to execute a world-class contract in accordance with the terms of agreement between it and the Federal Government.
He however stated that the efforts of the company had been slowed down by paucity of fund.
Leo noted that rather than being paid the sum of $1.13 billion being the agreed 10 per cent of the mobilisation fee, the company was paid only $250million, representing 3 per cent of the value of the contract.
The project coordinator disclosed that the company had spent over $250 million on the project in anticipation that government will release more funds.
According to him, equipment worth over $100 million had been purchased for the project.
Nigeria is the only place I know where the saying that “you cannot fool all of the people all of the time” is fast becoming a myth and debunked daily. This is why those who want to rule and dwell with integrity and honesty are those hounded, libeled and frustrated. So heaven help those who help themselves for Ghana was heading this direction until 1977, then something happened to change it all. Go to Ghana now, and you find a beautiful country, good roads, good schools, good government, less corruption and happy ordinary people. How did this come about? Not by sitting down and feeling sorry and hoping that impossible miracles would happen. Anyway, first things first. There is a time and season for everything and God will direct our affairs.
Reading this, I now believe strongly that decrying corruption is the main reason why the likes of Nuhu Ribadu and Dimeji Bankole are being hounded. God really save us in Nigeria. Ondo State, please learn from this. My people, let us all eschew corruption and selfishness. Let us cling on to the real fight for justice and democracy under our soon to be sworn in governor Rahman Olusegun Mimiko. Let us show Nigeria that in Ondo State we can be different. Let us forget for once trying to get rich at all cost to the detriment of the progress of Ondo State. Let us collectively decry dehumanisation, looting and ineptness; and let God reward us permanently. I am richest when people around me are happy and not dying. God give us His moral tutelage in these matters.
Iroko Kekere, I fully share your agony. The people’s outward and inner cries in Nigeria stabs through my heart daily and make me feel so hapless and inert, in not being able to do much about it except pray and pray. Prayer is the key. Prayer works. Didnt Nigeria pray Abacha into oblivion? Unfortunately we seemed to have forgotten to pray for a better leader the next time around. What prayers are we now offering to God? We need leaders with not only vision but conscience. God dont sleep on our matter. This is getting out of hands. Nigerian is gangrened in the present times. Is there a cure? ALL IS NOT LOST SAYS THE LORD. One day we shall see the hand of God at work. Oh the calibre of leaders and their seemingly degenerate and degraded standing stinks.
Peace my people, Ondo State will arise and shine in spite of the decadence called Nigeria.
DEAR PEOPLE OF CONSCIENCE IN ONDO STATE & NIGERIA, PLEASE READ THIS POST BELOW FORM THE DAILY CHAMPION AND I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT THE SAME WAS AND IS STILL THE CASE IN ONDO STATE UNDER AGAGU THE OUTSTED GOVERNOR. NOT ONLY DO WE HEAR OF SPONSORED RALLIES, SPONSORED PROTESTS BY YOUTHS, SPONSORED SPEECHES BY SOME OBAS; WE NOW HAVE THEM RESORTING TO SUBTLE SUBTERFUGE (WHICH BY GOD WILL ALL FAIL); IN THE NAME OF SPONSORED PRIVATE COMMENTS IN DAILY TRIBUNE AND VANGUARD NEWSPAPERS. DO NOT BE FOOLED BY ANY OF THIS. THE TRUTH IS SO SO OPEN FOR ALL TO SEE. AS THIS TRUTH IS BEING EXPOSED IN NIGER STATE, WAIT FOR IT, A LOT WILL BE EXPOSED IN ONDO STATE AND YOU WILL ALL SEE THAT AGAGU IS SO DEBASED THAT ANIMALS HAVE MORE CONSCIENCE THAN HIM. PLEASE READ ON:
PDP stalwarts confess collecting N150m for guber poll
Vice chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Niger State, Mr. Tanko Beji has testified before the State Judicial Commission of Inquiry that he collected N150million for the success of governorship and house of assembly election campaigns in the state.
The Judicial Commission of Inquiry headed by Justice Aliyu Maiyaki was set by Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu to investigate malpractices and award of contracts by former Governor Abdulkhadir Kure from May 1999 to May 2007.
The confession of the PDP leader followed a testimony by a former Cashier of the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Mohammed Yaman Edozhigi that he paid N150million to the account of Ministry of Finance on the instruction of a former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Alhaji Jibrin Alhassan Bala Guna.
It was alleged that the money was withdrawn from the state joint account for 2007 governorship and house of assembly elections in the state and released to the Director General Talba Campaign Organisation Hajiya Kaka Wabi and Barr Tanko Beji who was then the State Secretary of PDP.
According to the cashier, the disbursement of the fund was allegedly approved by the former governor Engr. Abdulkhadir Kure for the purpose of ensuring the victory of PDP in the 2007 elections.
The Director-General of Talba Campaign Organisation, Hajiya Kaka Wabi had told the commission that she did not know where the money was sourced but that it was given to them by a staff of ministry of finance following a directive from the former governor’s office.
Hajiya Wabi revealed that the money was released to them in order to facilitate the election of the present governor, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu and PDP candidates for the state house of assembly election in the state.
She said the money was disbursed to various committees at units, wards, local and state level; stressing that, “the acknowledgement receipt for the money was that Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu and majority members of the state house of assembly won the April 14, 2007 election in the state”.
Similarly, Barr. Tanko Beji who was then the secretary of the party in the state confirmed that N150million was actually released to them and was disbursed based on the strategies evolved by the party for the success of the governorship and house of assembly election in the state.
Thank you omotaylor ‘’heaven help those who help themselves.’’ God has given us the strength and the wisdom to win this war, but the problem is, we are still waiting for him (God) to supply weapons. How long shall we keep praying without doing the right thing and expecting heaven to fall? Will that not be forever? Prayer without action is just like a lazy man who dreams he will one day become Bill Gates. The Israelites prayed for freedom from captivity for well over 200yrs in Egypt and until when action was taken. My suggestion: why can’t we Nigerians declare one day to protest (peaceful) all over the world against corruption in our country? Or don’t you guys think ”ENOUGH IS ENOUGH”?
Iroko kekere, I very much agree with you that ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. Yes Iroko, it is not only a bloody bloodbath called revolution that can solve our problems in Nigeria. I have quoted the example of Jerry Rawlings of Ghana so many times in the past, then it occured to me that Nigeria and Nigerians are a different set of people. Nigeria has a way of thwarting all efforts to rights the ills and sicknesses and plagues of our society.
One thing we do not need is a “fake” Jerry Rawlings who for selfish reasons will call for revolution, and then we find that things have not really changed but has become worse. An example I will give is the “kini Buhari nse ni Idiagbon to wa nsaAbacha” syndrome. We know what Nigeria went through with Abacha and we all hailed Obasanjo as the forthcoming “saviour”. Yeah right. Did Obasanjo perform to expectations? Nigerians can answer this. But we should really look at our present condition and how we got here. We should look at the 8 year corruption riddled administration of Obasanjo and even look at the looting that came from top down, i.e. from OBJ down. The stigma is long lasting and the effects are devastating. Obasanjo by the grace of God will not go free. So he thinks he can become a goodwill ambassador in other countries now, after the havoc he created in his own country? Tufiakwa!!! God will judge him and all his other followers who use their teeth to divide Nigerian meat, instead of a knife. Oh by doing so, not all can see what is happening in the mouth and how the teeth is assisting the tongue to swallow plenty meat in hiding.
There is no transparency in Nigerian government, there is no truthful accounting and above all there is a lot of treachery, bullying and ganging up to witchhunt the just. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.
Now to your question Iroko Kekere – “why can’t we Nigerians declare one day to protest (peaceful) all over the world against corruption in our country? My answer is WHY NOT? The time is ripe for this action. There has been many such actions in the past by some other groups. I remember last year that Nigerian Lighthouse had a “Speak Up” campaign. There has been others. What we should do is get all bloggers, all writers, all websites to join hands and unite in a concerted and MASSIVE pen, paper, keyboard protest, while physically, rallies should be organised to have such protests in all States in Nigeria. But there are risks. If not well organised, this could (as always is the case in Nigeria), turn into an area/garage boys riotous, kill and plunder and pillage protest. We do not want this. We should organise this in an orderly fashion as is done in civilised world, and even inform government and police of this action and ask for their support. We just want to drum it into the ears of our leaders that enough is enough. We just want them to see the plight of the poor Nigerians and how their actions or lack of it, are affecting everybody. We want CHANGE in Nigeria.
We demand change in Ondo State. This said, I believe that we should wait until after the appeal verdict in Ondo State before the enemies of progress say that all we want to do is destabilise their bullshitted government.
Now who will bell the cat, in organising a chain reaction to decry corruption? This issue will not go away until something is done. Do we all subscribe and creat a website that will involve all Nigerian Blogs worldwide? Can other websites like African Loft, Grandiose Parlor, etc help? Can this particular website under Mahogany Force help? We will get our Mandate back in Ondo State soon (oh dont listen to those useless paid croonies and their crones writing nonsense about Ondo State electoral appeal case being different from Edo State. We know what the people know. This is the fact that Ondo State case of election rigging is more apparent and more straightforward than Edo State. The people have spoken and nothing can change this. Not a century of lies can change the fact that Mimiko won the elections in Ondo State and beat Agagu hands down). This was acknowledged by the upright Jutice Nabaruma, and will be ratified permanently by the just and fearless Abdullahi. Mimiko will be vindicated. No amount of villification of his name or our names will change what God has decreed. Agagu the ignoramous will fade away in ignominy soon.
My people, pen and paper power is useful, very useful. Read my post on African Loft titled “Pro-democracy Campaign – Nigerian Nobel Laureate Soyinka Honoured”. I quote the United State Department Statement titled “Dissident Writers Fight for Justice by Speaking Truth to Power”:
“These writers, and countless others, have demonstrated that literary art can be a potent weapon against tyranny, corruption and injustice. By shining a spotlight on the world’s ills – and the regimes that perpetuate them – writers of conscience are doing their part to address urgent problems and hold authorities accountable.”
I am calling on all writers of conscience to come together and in unity to decry the workers of iniquity in Nigeria. Yes ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. We have all said this over and over again, but we need to take it a step or two further.
Ondo State, I again greet and pray for you today. Governor Elect Dr Mimiko, may God through you do the right thing for Ondo State for if at least in Ondo State we can win this war against injustice, corruption and tyranny, many others will follow suit and Nigeria go better. Edo State under Comrade Gov, many are looking up to you as a pathfinder. Please help us in this battle for we do this for posterity in years to come.
Peace my people.
CAN THIS AGAGU MAN STOP BLASPHEMING THE NAME OF THE TRUE JUST AND LIVING GOD WHO WILL NEVER IMPOSE EVIL ON ONDO STATE. SO PDP WILL RULE BEYOND 2011? HOW? 3RD TERM AGAGU? DO OR DIE POLITICS AGAIN? GOD WILL JUDGE. PLEASE READ ON:
God ordained PDP to rule Ondo beyond 2011- Agagu
By Femi Makinde, Akure
Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Agagu, has said that he was not losing sleep over the likely decision of the Court of Appeal in his case against Dr. Olusegun Mimiko of the Labour Party. He said God had ordained that the Peoples Democratic Party would rule the state beyond 2011.
The Labour Party, however, described the prediction as laughable, saying that the governor would go the way of Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor in Edo State.
The governor who spoke through his Chief of Staff, Mr. Femi Agagu, in an interview with journalists in Akure on Sunday, also debunked the speculations that he was planning to resign from office ahead of the January 19, 2009 date for hearing in his appeal.
The governor had filed an appeal against the judgment of Justice Garba Nabaruma-led tribunal which removed him from office and declared Mimiko as the duly elected governor of the state.
The Chief of Staff, Agagu said that his boss was confident that the panel headed by the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Umaru Abdulahi, would set aside the decision of the lower tribunal because “the judgment was terribly flawed.”
He said, ” I am quite confident that the lower tribunal’s judgment will be quashed. The judges in this case are quite experienced and I strongly believe that the panel which is headed by the President of the Court of Appeal will do justice to our appeal.”
Reacting to why the current administration is awarding so many contracts in the last quarter of the year, Agagu said that there was nothing wrong with that because the contracts had been budgeted for.
Meanwhile, the LDP’s Director of Publicity, Mr. Kola Olabisi, said that Agagu’s days at the Government House were numbered. He said: God is not mocked. They stole the people’s mandate. God punished them at the lower tribunal, the same God is waiting for them at the Appeal Court in Benin.
ONE QUESTION I HAVE IN RESPONSE TO THIS REPORT – AGAGU PLEASE RELEASE A LIST OF THESE 100 COMPLETED PROJECTS AND THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS. WHY DO STUPID REPORTERS REPORT ON HALF TRUTHS WITHOUT EVEN QUESTIONING FURTHER. PLEASE READERS NOTE THE LAST TWO PARAGRAPH OF THIS POST. DOES IT MEAN THESE PROJECTS ARE YET TO BE CARRIED OUT IN SPITE OF THE OPENING PARAGRAPH OR ARE THESE ADDITIONAL NEW PROJECTS? WHO IS FOOLING WHO. ONDO STATE IS NOT INHABITED BY FOOLS:
Ondo to commission 100 projects in councils
From Julius Alabi, Akure
ABOUT 100 projects executed by the 18 local council areas of Ondo State are due for commissioning by the state Governor, Dr. Olusegun Agagu, early next month, just as the councils shared over N1.354 billion from the Federation Account as Statutory Allocation for the month of November 2008.
The amount is against over N1.4 billion received for last month.
The Guardian gathered that the projects were made possible following compulsory saving of 20 per cent from council allocation set aside monthly.
Addressing journalists in Akure, the state capital yesterday on the November allocation to the 18 councils, Permanent Secretary, Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Dr. Deji Akinwalere, said the state government’s 10 per cent contribution of its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) amounting to about N29.5 million was remitted to the councils’ account.
According to him, the councils also got about N354.375 million from the Excess Crude Oil sharing for the month of November while about N227.7 million was accrued to it as Value Added Tax (VAT) in the month of November against N203.6 million obtained in October.
He said the break down of the allocation was being done on monthly basis to let the people know what was being received at the local level as statutory allocation from the Federation Account.
Akinwalere further explained that teachers and local council workers were paid regularly, while the money to the Loans Board, Local Government Service Commission and the five per cent to the traditional rulers throughout the state have been remitted.
He noted that after deducting all the expenses from the allocation, about N773.5 million, which was left from the November allocation would be distributed to the councils based on the population and density among others.
“I want to say that the state government is very concerned with the type of projects to be executed by the council chairmen and not just to squander the money paying allowances or be involved in any white elephant project, which have no bearing with the need of the people of the area,” he added.
He said the state government had given the councils directives on which type of projects they should embark on and get approval from the governor before executing such project.
SO OLABISI JOHNSON IS TAKING OVER FROM AGAGU IN THIS DESPICABLE ACT OF FOOLERY, CONMAN AND BIG LIAR SAGA. IF FIVE “PHANTOM” OFFICIALS WERE INDEED SACKED FOR LIVING ABOVE THEIR MEANS, IF INDEED HE WANTS US TO BELIEVE THAT HE KNEW NOTHING ABOUT THEIR WANTON LUST FOR LOOTING AND HE KNEW NOTHING ABOUT THE PETROL STATION, ALL I BEG HIM TO DO IS RELEASE THE DETAILS (NAMES AND LOCATION) OF THESE 5 OFFICERS – SIMPLE. FUNNY THAT THEY ARE NOW LOOKING FOR GHOST SENIOR OFFICIALS (THEIR WORDS, NOT MINE).
ALSO THESE PAID REPORTERS OF UNTRUTHS COULD DO BETTER BY ASKING QUESTIONS AND ASCERTAINING FACTS BEFORE PRINTING THEIR RUBBISH. WHAT HAPPENED TO THE NOBLE PROFESSION OF MASS COMMUNICATION? IF FOR EXAMPLE I WAS TOLD TO TAKE THIS STORY TO THE PRESS, I WILL SAY “SIR, GIVE ME THE FULL DETAILS OF THESE PEOPLE SO THAT MY REPORT WILL HAVE CREDITABILITY”. BUT OH NO, JUST TAKE SOME ACCURSED NAIRA AND PRINT THE STORY IS WHAT THEY DO NOWADAYS. AGAIN OLABISI JOHNSON IS QUICK LIKE HIS PREDECESSORS TO SAY “I WAS ONLY INVITED IN FOR A CHAT”. WHO IS FOOLING WHO? HOW LONG WILL THIS CONTINUE IN ONDO STATE? PLEASE READ ON:
Ondo sacks five officials for living above means
From Niyi Bello, Akure
FIVE officials on the payroll of the Ondo State Local Government Service Commission, who were alleged to be living above their means have been sacked by the state government.
The chairman of the commission, Olabisi Johnson disclosed this yesterday.
The officials, who were discovered to be flaunting ill-gotten wealth include a grade level-12 local council treasurer that could not explain how he came about owning a multi-million naira petrol station at Akure, the state capital. They were investigated by the office of the state auditor-general following request by the commission.
And to detect more of such corrupt officials and bring them to book under the civil service regulation, a fresh auditing of senior staff of all the 18 local councils, which is also expected to expose ghost workers, commenced last week.
According to Johnson, who, himself, was a guest of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) at the anti-graft agency’s Abuja headquarters last week, there is a built-in anti-fraud mechanism in the financial operations of the Ondo State government to detect sleaze in fund handling.
He threw more light on his invitation by the ICPC, saying he was only invited to explain some issues raised in a petition by some unknown individuals who used a non-existing Ondo address to accuse him of corruption.
The petition had alleged that Johnson was the head of a ring of fraudsters that deal in the payment of millions of naira to ghost workers which the petitioners claimed were compiled by the chairman in conjunction with some other unknown commission officials.
But the chairman, who traced his ordeal to “political detractors”, debunked the allegation, stressing that his commission neither handle funds meant for local councils nor engage in salary payment “since various council authorities have the list of workers and how much they are paid.
“Those who wrote that petition against me don’t know the workings of this commission. We are only concerned with staff recruitment, discipline and welfare. Ours is to recruit and do the posting and where an officer is found to have done anything wrong, to sanction such officer. We don’t handle funds at all. In fact, we don’t know the wage bill of council workers,” he added.
THIS IS WHAT A HONEST MAN DOES, GOES STRAIGHT TO THE POINT. THIS IS WHAT A LEADER DOES, BEGS THE PEOPLE FOR PATIENCE AND PRAY. WE CANT WAIT FOR THE START OF GOOD GOVERNANCE, AND I TELL YOU OUR GOVERNOR ELECT WILL BE TRUE TO HIS WORDS AND DELIVER THE GOODS IN ONDO STATE. I PRAY HE DELIVERS ONDO STATE FROM THE EVIL CLUTCH OF THE PRESENT LOOTERS AND FOOLERS OF THE PEOPLE’S INTELLECT. ANYWAY AGAGU AND HIS PEOPLE HAVE LACKED INTEGRITY FROM DAY 1. GOOD ON YOU DPA, YOU ARE DOING THE RIGHT THING AND GOD WILL SUPPORT YOU ALL. PLEASE REMAIN TRUE TO THE CAUSE AND TO THE PEOPLE. ONDO STATE NEW DISPENSATION IS TO BE RID OF CORRUPTION. PLEASE READCOURTESY OF VANGUARD:
Mimiko promises rapid dev in Ondo
Written by Dayo Johnson
Wednesday, 26 November 2008
LABOUR Party (LP), governorship candidate in Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, yesterday assured the people of the state of rapid development once he takes over the mantle.
Mimiko, who said he was optimistic that the Appeal Court will rule in his favour, pleaded with the people to be patient and continue to pray.
He spoke through LP’s Chairman, Dr. Olaiya Oni, while receiving no fewer than 500 members of the Democratic Party Alliance (DPA), in the Akure South Local Government Area who defected to the party.
Mimiko alleged that the state had been stagnant despite the huge resources that accrued to it in the last five years.
According to him, “No area would be left unattended to in our development drive when we take over in the state by the grace of God.”
Those who decamped were led by the Chairman, Tactical Working Committee of DPA, Mr. Ellis Ogunlade; the treasurer, Mr. Gani Orunmoluyi; Vice Chairman, Pastor Mustapha; Organising Secretary, Mr. George; Public Relations Officer, Mr. M.A. Bamisaye and Secretary, Mr. Femi Ojo.
Oni congratulated the decampees on joining the progressive forces. He said they should see themselves as members of the same family, adding that they have become full members of LP.
In God we all continue to wait and trust in Ondo State. The news of continued massive spendings by the Agagu government on projects that are unspecified and unknown is so alarming. One would have thought that by now these people, in light of all the efforts of honest Nigerians to fight against corruption, would desist or take a break from looting the State treasury. Dont they have any shame? Dont they have any conscience? Cant they at least repent so as not to fall into eternal damnation. This is definitely wickedness in high places and this must STOP. Enough is enough.
Peace my people. There will be light at the end of this tunnel of evil by the grace of God.
Our Governor Elect Dr Mimiko, God will uphold, guide and guard you. The work to come very soon is plenty, but you being a man of resource, good ideas and forthrightness, you will help Ondo State big time and the people – old and young, rich and poor, male and female will have cause to thank God that Mimiko the Daniel has come to justice and fairness in Jesus name (amen).
Amen and amen. Am all the way with you omotaylor my sis in the Lord and in the struggle, you have said it all. In God we stand. At this point in time, if there is any human being who still think Agagu is a good leader, that person must be a heartless beast like him (Agagu).
Those who are hailing him as Baba o, especially his caucus senseless devilish slaves who knows very well that since Agagu has been in office, he only pat them on the shoulders with just a finger from his right hand while he assist his left hand with the other four fingers to rob them and our people.
The reason why Agagu had gone into politics is to have his share from both the State and the National CAKE as they all call it. And to make this mission and his unparallel penchant for greed possible and effective, he fixed his family members into strategic positions. Agagu is a thief, a 419, a con, a mandate robber, a murderer, a devil, heartless and whatever bad name anyone can think of. He is one of those not elected but selected leaders who are pulling Nigeria down from the ladder of prospect and progress.
He has proven this not only to the people of Ondo State but the whole nation since he has left Uni Ibadan to join his colleagues in their pack of wolves eating the flesh of our country right to the bone. There is no leadership position entrusted into his hand that he has not spattered with fraud.
Let us go back the memory lane- Nigerian Airways, Power and Steel Industry and the present Ondo State governorship position. What shall it profit you Mr. Agagu to gain all the wealth you are acquiring by greed without thinking of God, the people and also your integrity? What goes round comes round, it’s only a matter of time.
And if only you have a conscience Mr. Agagu and can think through your acts and all you have put all the innocent children and the people of Ondo State through, you will discover that the collateral consequence from these will constitute some far graver punishments to you and all your partners in crime. You have totally forgotten like others that there is almighty God who will one day take his revenge on you lots.
With all you have acquired by fraud from everywhere you have represented the people in your own eyes, still you refused to be satisfied. Look Mr. Agagu you are not the people’s governor but Obasanjo and PDP’s governor because you were not chosen by the people. And if you think you can fool the people, take the advantage of our gentle and loose system to continue your evil mission, you must remember that you can not fool God.
You can’t and will never miss his wrath in Jesus name. You continue to foist yourself on the people, intimidating and frustrating them while they are crying that they did not cast their votes for you because you think all the power of this world belongs to you and your PDP godfathers. Perhaps you have forgotten that the voice of the people is the voice of God. The people do not want you, Simple!!!!!!
If our Governor elect Dr. Mimiko is greedy or had spattered the seat like you before he left Abuja according to OBJ’s calumnious attempt on him, EFCC would have exposed him, dealt with him seriously to shame him in order to satisfy your godfather Obasanjo’s intension before your corrupt and shameful election that fraudulently made you PDP governor.
We the people of Sunshine State are happy that the war has been won already, you a looser and there is nothing makes us happier than knowing that a tested, committed, principled and the choice of the people, the governor elect Dr. Mimiko will very soon govern our State and lead us out of your captivity to the promise land where birds shall sound like birds, animal shall sound like animals and human beings shall be treated like human beings under a transparent and good governance that will make Ondo State a proud State. Be happy people, it’s only a matter of time our joy is just round the corner. Agagu is a goner. Justice 4all.
God bless you my brother Iroko Kekere, and the Lord who gave you wisdom and conscience will never leave you desolate. Ondo State will have a reprieve from evil rulers in Jesus name. It is so sad, whenever Agagu speaks, he makes shallow noises and his bark never has any bite. I mean he talks big, cannot prove any claim to all the phantom projects he keeps on shouting about. Let us look at it another way: when have the people really spoken or lauded checkable and confirmed projects in Ondo ~State? Why is Agagu the one blowing his own elephant trunk?
One thing is sure. Agagu has cheated too much in Ondo State. Agagu has stolen Mimiko’s mandate and will soon return it by force. Agagu has stolen money from Nigeria and Ondo State and I can only liken his story to that of the foolish rich man in the bible Luke 12: 16-21:
…”And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.” But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’
“So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”
Our God is good, and He is also a just God and will reward everybody according to their deeds. Agagu cannot bribe Abdullahi and his group. As he failed to effect injustice and a wrong verdict via bribery and con in Justice Nabaruma, so will he fail big time, for Justice Abdullahi is not going to allow blood money to tarnish his life and integrity. Agagu is just playing the fool period. It is not his fault. It is only in Nigeria that an inertly corrupt governor will be allowed to parade himself about, make stupid noises and still dip his hand into the State treasury. Not to worry. Agagu will soon be in chains and caged. He will not escape judgement and will meet his nemesis in Nigeria. He will not be allowed to escape and if he tries, he shall be so hunted down. I do not have any personal grudge against Agagu or PDP in Ondo State, I am only stating facts about the evil of Agagu and his croonies turn crooks. God is watching and will deal ruthlessly with the evil ones in our midst in Ondo State (amen).
Be blessed my people. Be happy. Be rest assured that the journey from the dark ages of 5 years of Agagu in Ondo State is almost over.
Peace
Dear Lord God, as we your children head to and return from all our different places of worship today, we pray and beseech you to bless and prosper us all. We petition You, as always, on behalf of Ondo State that Your truth shall prevail and that our Mandate which You have given back to us will be handed over very soon. We want to thank You for allowing peace to prevail in Ondo State. Even as we lament and decry the loss of hundreds of lives in Jos, we pray that You will spare us such tragedy in Ondo State. We pray for the families of those who have lost their loved ones and we pray that You grant them Your peace.
Our Governor Elect Dr Mimiko, as a man of peace has always called on the people to be patient, follow the path of peace and justice; and never allow Ondo State to suffer mutiny. We bless You that so far this has been so, and we pray that as we have done the right thing, You do the right thing by us in Christ name.
We pray You remove all the evild doers in our midst in Ondo State for You know them and their works. We pray that if they refuse to tow the path of Your truth, and if they have any evil sinister plan to hold on to the Mandate they stole, we pray You Lord to visit them with confusion, disgrace and total destruction, so much so that they will be begging to return the Mandate. We know You have done Your will and we know that Justice Abdullahi will never stoop to disgrace and bribery. We thank You Lord that even in the Nigerian dirtied legal system, You have spared the lives of some people of integrity and we pray these would wash the legal system clean.
Thank You for our answered prayers, in Jesus name. (amen). Peace my people.
Morning to all.
Want to pray that the month of December will be a month of fullfilment. Let us continue to pray for our Nation and all sundry.
Kindly remeber me in prayer for HIS favour in the embassy.
Love you all.
Good morning Ola, your faith and conscience shall never work against you. Good luck.
Good morning to you all. Good morning to my brothers Ola, Iroko Kekere, Fred, and our dear Admin. Good morning to your Excellency Governor Rahman Olusegun Ajasegun Mimiko and family. Good morning to my dear Ondo Sunshine State – oh what a warm name. I say the sun will shine yet on our State and the cloud called Agagulooter that has hung over Ondo State for five years+ will soon vapourise and fade away in Jesus name. Good morning to our dear Mother Land Nigeria.
Today is a new day, in a new week, in a new month of an outgoing year. I feel happy today. This is an assurance that God is answering our prayers and will continue to do so. As the year 2008 comes to an end, may all our misfortunes, anger, anxiety, and all other problems come to an end in Jesus name.
I pray again for Ondo State; our struggle for the enactment of true Democracy; and for good governance in Ondo State. I pray that that Mandate of ours which we have gotten back will be retrieved from Agagu next month in Jesus name.
It is well, and our God is good. All our good hearts’ desires will be granted in Jesus name. Peace my people for the Lord will see us through
@Ola, only believe and you shall receive, good measure, pressed down, shaken together and rolled over. Go with God to the Embassy and return with joy in Jesus name.
@Ola, God will grant you your heart desire(s) but only the one that will not harm you.
Good job to all of you, Omotaylor etc.
God bless you all.
Mr Fred nice to read from you. I kind of missed you. God bless.
I believe I have a family you care about me. I am sincerely happy to hear from you all as I was down for a while. Your words are encouragement to my heart. I need advice. I want to pay my fees and I was asked to pay a deposit of #3500 pounds and am only able to raise #4,000 pounds. All those you promised to assit me all backed out. Please do you all have idea of a scholarship that can assist me to achieve this dream. I dont mind paying back on installmental as I work overthere. I know I will be great tmw, like fred prayed, Let God make me to be far away from what will destroy me. My resumption is to be 19-01-09. I find it difficullt to see myself lossing this 3rd opportunity. I need GODLY advice please.
I believe I have a family you care about me. I am sincerely happy to hear from you all as I was down for a while. Your words are encouragement to my heart. I need advice. I want to pay my fees and I was asked to pay a deposit of #3500 pounds and am only able to raise #4,000 pounds. All those you promised to assit me all backed out. Please do you all have idea of a scholarship that can assist me to achieve this dream. I dont mind paying back on installmental as I work overthere. I know I will be great tmw, like fred prayed, Let God make me to be far away from what will destroy me. My resumption is to be 19-01-09. I find it difficullt to see myself lossing this 3rd opportunity. I need GODLY advice please. All I need is to further my studies.
Dear Ola, as a foreign student, I doubt if you will have access to any scholarship in Britain, except if this was granted before you commenced. As you have the school fees, you can pay it but let them know that depending on your visa success, you may or may not need the refund (they will charge admin fees if you request a refund). Please think well about your coming and funding. One thing I can tell you is that the average person working hard in Britain expends most on bills, and other payments, so charitable deeds dont come that easy anymore. Anyone you talk to will have a catalogue of complaints and needs. Its just how things are nowadays, a bit tight. If you have someone you can live with, you could manage with whatever you get from a part time job. Even that please think well, for jobs are hard to come by, and you may not like the type, but if you are focussed and strong minded you will persevere.
Years ago (about 19 years), my brother was in the same position. As a medical doctor, he had to do jobs like security etc, and even those are hard to get now. But he kept on, had to do his PLAB 3ce (no fault of his, but the British has a quota they pass yearly). He finally passed it all and one step after the other he kpet on progressing. He is now a GP and has his own surgery.
I hope I am making sense. Britain is not like Nigeria where this uncle or that auntie or that Alhaji or that chief will give money to sponsor. Everyone works and works hard but hard work has its rewards.
Pray about your situation. God will grant you divine favour. God will open doors and you will be blessed. All the same be ready for hard work and I pray you find enough money to bring with you for you need extra to carry you on for a month or two before you get a job. Good thing is you will be here legally, so you could seek jobs without fear.
Sad to say, Nigeria should have scholarships to assist brilliant and goal oriented individuals like you, but the system has been so abused that we can only pray that in some states, there will be room enough for all.
Ondo State, e ku iroju. Our Mandate is soon to be released by that thief, and we can carry on without fear or favour in Ondo State, except the fear of the Lord.
All be blessed.
To all Beloved in Ondo State; all lovers of truth and justice; all fighters of corruption and foolery; all haters of lies and deception, today is a MERCY day. I pray that our Lord God will have mercy on all of us, shower us with His blessings, restore happiness and truth in Ondo State and above all THE LORD WILL RETURN OUR STOLEN MANDATE. No matter how long it takes, we will not relent in our prayers that God restores back the Mandate to Dr Rahman Olusegun Mimiko, the Iroko of Ondo State Politics. A true man of the people, an intelligent and just man. A highly elevated but humble man, a man with vision and action. He will change for good our present sorry plight in Ondo State.
We are all TIRED of AGAGU AND HIS LIES. We are tired of doctored and paid for news broadcasts of falsities. We are tired of hearing of Millions and Billions of our money in Ondo State being spent on projects that we cannot see; that are not actualised or practicalised. Most of these are in theory and the people are not fools. The fact of the matter is this: most of the money Agagu claims he has spent on Ondo State have been LOOTED and have ended up in chosen pockets and he and his followers’ bank accounts worldwide. We will not rest until Agagu gives account and he is brought to books, with his evil thieving followers.
AGAGU, I challenge you to prepare a new year written account of Income and Expenditure in Ondo State and list all names and addresses of schools, hospitals, and other infrastructure you tell your croonies to print on newspaper pages. List all the roads and other projects you have done and let us know how much you spent on each. If it is the people’s money we are talking about, then of course the people are entitled to this information. And please if the Auditor is a member of your family as many other key position holders in Ondo State are; then we demand an external auditor.
Agagu do you think God can have mercy on you when you live a life of lies and deceit? Do you really believe in God or fear him? Agagu, you are not wanted by the majority of the people in Ondo State, you will go. AGAGU MUST GO. You are an evil man and you can never be honest again in this life. You will be judged by God and by man and of course EFCC IS WAITING FOR YOU. When a product goes past its sell by date, it becomes rotten, poisonous and must be disposed of or incinerated. Agagu you have gone past your sell by date. Go Go Go, you are a hateful and hated person in Ondo State. Go and join your godfather at Ottafarm so that you both can face the music together. The world, Nigeria and Ondo State will never forget the problems you caused Ondo State. Stop this calumny of Mimiko. He may have worked under you in the past, but he is a much BETTER LEADER than you can ever be in this world. Stop paying people to tell lies about Mimiko, stop bribing and hiring thugs to pretend they belong to Labour Party. Remember what the Delta boys did to you and your people when you refused to pay the money you bought them over with to help rig elections? You see when these area boys and garage thugs you are empowering now, to do your dirty work, turn on you; hmmm, o ma se o, afopina ma sun ara re jona ni o. They will tear you to pieces.
Agagu, a lot of people see you as a jester, but an evil one, who does not give a hoot about the common man in Ondo State. You are only interested in buying people with money that does not belong to you. By the grace of God you will not succeed in buying Abdullahi. Remember your experience with Nabaruma? He refused to sell his soul to the devil for money. You are the Judas and you dont need other namesakes.
My people in Ondo State, open your eyes to the TRUTH OF THE MATTER. Mimiko is your governor, voted for by you my people and denied true governance so far. Do not relent in your prayers. It shall be well for God is on the throne. Even if Agagu gives some of you fish, it is only temporary and will not last you or your posterity. Let Mimiko come in and TEACH YOU HOW TO FISH so that you can have food for life. Empowerment, job opportunities, good roads, good schools, pipe borne water, constant electricity supply, good agricultural programmes, productive industries, good and clean markets, salaries duly paid, good sanitation and waste management, less pollution, global economic opportunities and so much more are just what Mimiko will do for us in Ondo State. Who needs a billion naira stadium when there is no food or health? Who needs Billions on Idanre Hills when armed robbery (due to joblessness), no electricity and dangerous roads will keep the tourists away? Please let us get our priorities right.
Daily I spend time to share the truth. Ondo State is my concern. The welfare and happiness of my people are paramount in my mind. The wind of change must blow in Ondo State and Nigeria. Change for the better. If Ghana can do it, YES WE CAN. If Obama can do it, YES WE CAN. If God can do it, YES MIMIKO CAN. Iroko yi jooo, gba sibe ojaree. Ogo Olorun to wa lara re, lo nmu won binu, ko de si eni ti o le fowo bo ogo Irawo. Remember the story of Joseph, David and Modecai? Oga wa, your excellency, Gomina wa in Ondo State, Dr Mimiko, BE HAPPY. Peace my people
Hmmmmm omotaylor the ‘IROKOBIRIN’. Oluwa lo foro sie lenu and iwo lo loro ma solo! ‘‘Daily I spend time to share the truth. Ondo State is my concern. The welfare and happiness of my people are paramount in my mind. The wind of change must blow in Ondo State and Nigeria.’’ I am more than inspired as ever by your words and good spirit. My prayer for you is that the Lord who made today possible for you to see shall never allow the DEVIL to succeed in planning your absence when Ondo State and Nigeria starts experiencing and enjoying the CHANGE for better in Jesus name.
@Ola, I have seen a lot of foreign students from Nigeria without scholarship in the past with less than what you have now. All you need doing is to contact your friends who are students here to give you better advice. I do not know how, but trust me they do it. Good luck.
Another sad story from home. It is a shame, Nigeria is still a country where N20 is worth a lot more than human lives to the Police!!! Please read.
Courtesy of The Guardian 02/12/2008
Two feared killed at Ondo police check point
From Julius Alabi, Akure
SUSPECTED gunshots by a mobile policeman at a checkpoint in Idanre town in Ondo State have killed two persons and injured one, The Guardian has learnt.
An eyewitness account said in Akure yesterday that the incident happened at the weekend when a bus driver refused to give N20 allegedly demanded by the mobile policemen who mounted roadblock in the area.
According to him, the incident happened at Yaba area of the town when the bus driver who had stopped for checking refused to part with the N20 allegedly demanded.
It was learnt that as the driver was trying to escape, one of the mobile policemen chased him and threatened to shoot if he refuse to part with the money.
As the driver was trying to escape, he ran into a commercial motorcycle and killed the cyclist’s passenger.
It was gathered that the passenger died instantly before sympathisers could render any help.
It was learnt that when the news of the woman’s death got to the community, the people mobilised and took the corpse to the police station in the town to protest the death, but when the mobile policemen saw the protesters, one of them opened fire and killed another person.
It was also gather that the third person who was hit by a bullet was on danger list in an undisclosed hospital in the town.
However, when contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Adeniran Aremu, said he had not been informed about the incident but promised to speak on the issue immediately when he gets any information on it.
Iroko Kekere, my blessed brother and brother for life. Thanks for your prayers and I say a resounding amen. By the grace of the true God we serve, you will live long, in good health and with glory. I say all the good things that are coming Ondo State way, will be witnessed by you and me and all lovers of truth and justice in Ondo State, amen.
About the police, when the head is rotten, the rest of the body will smell. The police on the street have to give kickbacks to their DPO’s and as usual are trigger mad. We have so many problems in Nigeria and the police belong to the top half of the problem list. If they ignore their IG Okiro about road blocks, who will they listen to. If only Okiro himself would make an example of these culprits, if only death by firing squad would be the instant punishment of killer policemen, i tell you, they will learn.
One question is this, why entrust ogogoro vagabonds in uniforms with guns? In Britain not all police officers carry guns. For you to carry a gun as an officer, you will have special training and belong to a special unit called the Tactical Firearms Group (TFG) and you dare not misbehave even in your personal life, or else you will be expelled from the TFG. No not Nigeria. Do you know that sometimes you cannot tell the difference between armed robbers and the Nigerian policemen? How many responsible and decent ones do you see on the streets? They are more dangerous than the worst Area Boys.
God save us o. God give us good governance from the top. What do you think will happen to these trigger happy killers? Nothing. They will be covered up as usual and transferred somewhere else to continue looting and killing. God will pay them back in their own coin. Nigerian police are detestable! May we not fall prey to them. The blood of the innocent shed will cry out against them and haunt them to their graves.
I feel so sad for my country and weep for my people. Ah Lord God, where is thy face? It is well.
Can Nigeria afford to loose another Idiagbon? If NO is the answer, then we must rise up today. We must support RIBADU worldwide to shame our forever corrupt government. Please read, the courtesy of This Day.
World Body Links Ribadu’s Travails to Ex-Gov
…Asks FG to protect his life
By Abimbola Akosile, 12.04.2008
Globally respected anti-corruption watchdog, Human Rights Watch (HRW), yesterday frowned on Nigeria’s efforts to check official corruption. It linked the “falter” to “a campaign of calumny” against former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, after he decided to prosecute a “powerful” former governor.
The body, in a statement issued by its Associate, Africa Division, Mr. Thomas Gilchrist, called on the Federal Government to protect Ribadu, who informed the organisation that he had been subjected to an escalating campaign of harassment, threats and an apparent attempt on his life in recent weeks.
The body said Nigeria, the world’s eighth-largest oil exporter, suffers from rampant government corruption and mismanagement, which has led to gross violations of the right to basic health care and education.
It also stated that corruption also lies at the heart of Nigeria’s most pressing human rights problems and that many politicians have used stolen government revenues to sponsor political violence in order to win elections.
In an interview with HRW in Nigeria, Ribadu, a police official, said he feared for his life and believed the threats against him – including shots fired at him in late September and telephoned death threats – were linked to his work at the EFCC.
“I fear for my life,” Ribadu told the group. “I have made a lot of enemies.”
He was removed from his position in December 2007 after the commission arrested and indicted on corruption charges a politician who was known to be close to President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.
“The campaign of intimidation against Mr. Ribadu appears aimed at silencing a key voice in the crucial fight against corruption in Nigeria,” said Georgette Gagnon, Africa director at HRW. “The Nigerian government and President Yar’Adua need to protect Ribadu and anyone else who dares to speak out against the corrupt and powerful.”
The anti-corruption watchdog also said despite Nigeria’s tremendous wealth, its abject poverty ranks among the worst in the world.
“Public funds that could have been spent on improving the lives of ordinary citizens have instead been squandered and stolen by members of Nigeria’s political elite. Nigeria’s compromised police force has consistently turned a blind eye to these and other abuses by well-connected politicians,” the statement read.
The group traced Ribadu’s previous efforts at fighting against official corruption in Nigeria, specifically mentioning his arrest and trial of a former governor from the South-south.
“In December 2007, the EFCC sent shock waves through the political establishment by arresting the powerful former governor and charging him with 103 counts of corruption, including an alleged attempt to bribe Ribadu with $15 million in cash to drop the case against him,” the statement read.
According to the body, “EFCC’s decision to prosecute [the ex-governor] was notable because the former governor was widely seen as politically untouchable. He is among the wealthiest politicians in Nigeria and is known to be a close associate of Yar’Adua. Two weeks later, the Inspector General of Police [Mike Okiro] ordered Ribadu to resign and attend a 10-month police training course.
“During his tenure at the EFCC – from 2003 to 2007 – Ribadu pursued politically sensitive investigations into suspected corrupt activities of powerful ruling-party officials, though the institution’s credibility was at times tarnished by its apparent selective prosecution of political opponents of then-president Olusegun Obasanjo”.
The Washington DC-based watchdog insisted that despite pledges to allow the EFCC to pursue an impartial ‘zero-tolerance’ effort to pursue corrupt officials, “the government of President Umaru Yar’Adua – now in its second year – has seriously undermined the fledgling anti-corruption efforts that began under his predecessor”.
According to the statement, “the EFCC under Ribadu indicted hundreds of individuals collectively implicated in the theft of several billion dollars. These included a former inspector general of police, several former state governors, and politically influential businessmen”.
Ribadu described to HRW the apparent attempt on his life in late September, while he was driving from Jos to Abuja, the capital. More recently, Ribadu told the group that he had received credible information about another planned attempt on his life.
He also said he had received threatening phone calls in which he is advised to “say his last prayers.”
“The harassment, the intimidation is meant to put fear in me, to break me, but I am going to stand and continue standing,” he told HRW.
Ribadu, the statement noted, firmly believes the posting would leave him vulnerable because the powerful former governors from all three of these states were investigated, charged, or convicted of corruption by the Ribadu-led EFCC.
“Ribadu is also a material witness in the corruption trial against [the ex-governor], should it take place,” Gilchrist said.
“Following the appointment of Farida Waziri as the new EFCC chair in May, the commission sacked at least 12 of its top investigators. Several were later reassigned to the states whose governors they had investigated. In February 2008, a senior EFCC official was attacked by armed thugs. In August, the former head of the unit investigating Ibori was arrested and held without charge for several weeks”, the group observed.
It also noted that interviewed judicial personnel and other political observers said certain actions by the attorney general had allegedly undermined anti-corruption efforts both in Nigeria and in the United Kingdom, including intervening on behalf of the ex-governor in a British court case involving his alleged embezzlement and money laundering of $35 million of state funds.
“Although Waziri has indicted several senior-level politicians, including three former governors and the head of the Nigerian Ports Authority, on corruption charges, the high-profile cases initiated under Ribadu, including that of [the ex-governor], have been effectively stalled. Meanwhile, the EFCC has initiated an investigation into Ribadu’s acquisition of property – a move considered by many observers to be politically motivated. Ribadu has on several occasions publicly declared his assets,” the group stated.
Ribadu is being hailed a Hero or a Villain (see my post on African Loft about this). It depends on who is seeing what and from which angle. Yes the corrupt people of Nigeria (and a lot of them are our current and past “leaders”) will see him as a villain because they want him out. They have a lot to hide. Ribadu is a threat to them and they know this. The law abiding, honest and innocent Nigerians see Ribadu as a Hero. All fighters of corruption and for democracy are in support of Ribadu, from Wole Soyinka, to Gani Fawehinmi, and even to righteous church leaders. All in all many Nigerians are in support of Ribadu, and have shown this through writing letters, blogs, posts and petitions.
Ribadu’s life is in danger for those after him are mostly deranged, rabied, overpowered, overlooted, and overcorrupt people. Who is fooling who. Ribadu’s travails started with the arrest of Ibori and co. If Ibori sings, hmm, even Yaradua will not be left out, so they try to cover up. Where they have made a mistake is in thinking that Nigerians are foooooolllllssss. We are not. But Nigerians are weak in uniting and carrying out a good action plan to fight the evils in our midst.
Look at the recent airport seige in Taiwan where protesters without resorting to violence, came out in thousands to decry the government and forced the resignation of key leaders. Only yesterday did they call of the protest. I believe only 2 lives were lost. If in Nigeria, mad policemen will be shooting sporadically and killing hundreds, with or without official orders. Nigeria I hail thee.
Have you heard of how much the National assembly will be getting from the 2.87trillion naira 2009 budget (which is even in deficit as Yaradua can only finance 1.1trillion)? They get 7billion naira, i.e. Senate will get 2.2billion and House of Rep 3.8!!! Nigeria I hail thee. What achievements so far with all these Billions???
In Ondo State Agagu has presented a budget of 95 billion. We know what this means, if Ondo State allows this man to continue (God forbid for he is not the original governor, he is a fake), it means that 95 billion will be split into three. 31.5 billion will disappear. 31.5 billion will be spent on fake projects, phantom constructions, bribes and what have you, and only 32 billion will Ondo benefit from. Agagu is hailing Yaradua’s deficit budget while even members of the House of Rep are uneasy about this. ~Well, we know that Agagu has sycophantic tendecies, to and from Agagu.
My people, Iroko kekere has made a valid point. How long are we going to continue with this VISCIOUS CYCLE in Nigeria. It must be broken. We have made a catalogue of errors. Our country is the key actor in this Comedy of Error drama. So when do we have enough of this? When all is lost? When there is nothing left to fight for? Look at Zimbabwe and trace the origin of its present plight my people. Over 5000 have recently died of Cholera in Zimbabwe and the future looks bleak. Omotaylor is not a lone voice here. Check other blogs like African Loft, Nigerian Muse etc and see what they are saying.
Our God is good. Peace my people
Another day dawns and I feel even more energised as we take each day as a day of Faith. It depends on how we see it. Do you see the Ondo State CUP half full or half empty? I see it half FULL so that we can collectively work together to fill it up under the governance of Dr Olusegun Mimiko. The coffers of the State will not be depleted. There would be good returns from all investments. Ondo State is blessed. Very blessed by God for in Ondo State we have oil, minerals, cocoa, palmoil and even rubber. All these are ecomomically viable if allowed to grow and invested.
Agagu has been seeing to it that the Ondo State CUP is half full and he is even evil bent on leaving it empty! But our God will forbid this. Ondo State has no reason not to be a MODEL STATE, honest. I feel so excited when I picture in my mind what Ondo State would look like under a caring, focussed, hardworking, honest governor with vision. Dr Mimiko fits this description and I cant wait for that Mandate back so that Dr Mimiko can get to work. Work hard he will.
Looters and wanna be looters beware. Dr Mimiko does not need 419, corrupt, sycophantic looters who also would believe they can have a share of the State Cake. It wont happen. All these have happened with and under Agagu. We are calling for change, and we cannot have a change while following the old corrupt heartless order, my people. Hard work, lwisdom, love for the people and focus are some key words to our development in Ondo State.
Daily brings us nearer to our Mandate retrieval. Daily our prayers arise to God and daily our enemies and enemies of progress in Ondo State are brought to shame. Let us believe and hold on fast to what is good and acceptable unto the Lord.
FOR OUR REDEEMER IS MIGHTY AND HE SHALL PLEAD OUR CAUSE WITH US (PROV 23:11).
Peace my people. Be blessed
Please visit Grandiose Parlor and you will find a short but interesting post titled “ONDO STATE – THE 2.5TRILLION NAIRA INVESTMENT…WHERE IS IT”.
Na wa for Agagu and the level of deceit he can rise to. Na wa o. I wonder what he takes the people for? Idoits? Of course we know who the idiots are, not my people in Ondo State I can assure you but these looters that believe they can “fool all of the people all of the time”.
Sunday greetings to you all my good people of Ondo State. May the Lord of the 7th day who declared a day of rest so that we use it as a day of worship; give us all rests from our trials, troubles and tribulations. May we as we worship the Lord today wear a garment of praise and thanks now and forever.
Even as we await our Mandate back early next year my people, I urge you all to use the whole of this week GIVING THANKS TO THE LORD. I declare this week a week of THANKS. Thank God for all He has done in your lives and the lives of a collective Ondo State people. Do you believe you have uncountable reasons to thank the Lord? I believe. Thank God for Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow. Thank God for the life of our authentic governor Dr Rahman Olusegun Mimiko and for the success of our fight for truth and justice in Ondo State.
In spite of the presence of that pathetic looter and liar Agagu and his followers of no conscience, God has held Ondo state together as one and has given us the forbearance and fortitude to carry on. God has not allowed evil to overcome us and God has spared our lives, this is a symbol of hope. Our faith and hope in God will not fail in Jesus name.
I Thessalonians 5:17 tells us to “pray without ceasing”. My people do not relent in your prayers for Ondo State and indeed for Nigeria. Double up in your prayers for the swift removal of Agagu (the made in Otta Farm governor). Double up in your prayers for more exposures of all hidden lies, deciet and continued looting of our financial resources in Ondo State. Personally I am not given to reading Psalm 109; but you see my people “Since the days of John the Baptist, the Kingdom of God suffered violence and the violent will take it by FORCE”. I now pronounce Psalm 109 daily on all evildoers and looters in Ondo State and Nigeria. These people have brought untold and unprecedented miseries to my people. They have made orphans out of many innocent children. They have killed, maimed and destroyed lives and livelihood of too many of my people. For the soul of every person that dies when the death could have been prevented, I render Psalm 109. For lives lost in vehicle accidents due to bad and grossly unmaintained roads, I render Psalm 109. For the souls of those that died in hospitals because they dont have money to pay hospital bills; because hospitals dont have drugs; because NEPA is non existent in spite of billions of money collected and shared in the Power Sector; I render Psalm 109. I can go on and on and on…
Dr Mimiko, rest and be strengthened for you have work to do. My people are waiting for your HELP in giving a governance of love, fairness and wisdom. The good Lord that bestowed Wisdom on Solomon will give you wisdom and strenght to do the work in front of you successfully. God will bless and protect you.
Lastly my people, as the people of Ghana go to the Polls today, pray for them to have a free and fair elections that will not be marred with rigging and violence. As we pray for Ghana today, we are throwing cool water in our front prayerfully, so that our election 2011 in Nigeria will for the first time be Democratic. Our God is good and will answer our prayers in Jesus name.
Peace my lovely people. God will put joy in our hearts, laughter in our mouths and dance on our legs in Jesus name AMEN.
ONDO STATE IS ALL TOO AWARE OF THE CHAOS THAT OBASANJO BROUGHT TO US BECAUSE OF “DO OR DIE POLITICS”. WE ARE ALSO AWARE OF AN UNGODLY GOVERNOR IMPOSED ON US FOR SO LONG. READING THIS NEWS POST IN THE DAILY SUN, I FIND THE NEED TO SHARE WITH MY PEOPLE FOR I TAKE ON BOARD MANY FACTUAL STATEMENTS IN THE POST. PLEASE FIND TIME TO READ THROUGH IT:
How Obasanjo humiliated me – Anyim, Ex-Senate president
Monday, December 8, 2008
It was meant to be a book presentation, but former Senate President, Anyim Pius Anyim held the audience spellbound when he began preaching about service and integrity, with a call on Nigerians to stop praying for good roads, electricity and other basic social amenities, but rather pray for righteous men to take over the governance of this country.
Quoting from the Bible, where it says “when righteous men are in position of authority, the people rejoice,” the former Senate President said those being referred to in the Bible should be the kind of leaders Nigerians should be praying for, adding that “it is after finding such people that we can talk about genuine service that will meet the need and aspirations of the people.”
He spoke recently as a Guest Speaker at the ECWA Good News Church, Kaduna at a book presentation ceremony organized by the church. The book, titled “Service and Integrity- the Christian Perspective,” was written by the church, with Anyim as one of the contributors. Incidentally, Anyim spoke on the title of the book.
According to him, integrity was the only thing that makes one leader different from the other. With integrity, he continued, “you will rule with compassion because you are after the name you are building for yourself and not the acquisition of material things.”
He further said that “you can acquire all the material things on earth, without integrity, once you are dead, the material things will all fizzle out and nobody will remember you ever existed or lived.
“What most leaders lack in Africa, particularly in Nigeria is integrity. Our leaders do not bother about integrity, which is why they indulge in primitive accumulation of wealth.
“They accumulate this wealth for their children, but when they die, the children will squander the whole thing in just a day. So let’s stop praying for light, good roads and what have you, let’s pray that righteous men will become leaders in this country some day.”
Anyim, like most Nigerians believe that God’s hands is in Nigeria, insisting that it was the reason issues that ordinarily would spark off violent reactions elsewhere would come and go in Nigeria as if nothing happened.
And he used the death of late Sani Abacha and the aborted third term agenda to buttress his argument. Hear him “what we have today in Nigeria, are leaders who mystify themselves. Leaders who act like God and think that they will never die. Death is not in their agenda.
“The two things that happened in Nigeria that further strengthen my belief that there is the hand of God in Nigeria is the death of Abacha and the death of third term. I was involved and I know that nothing would have stopped Abacha from succeeding himself. But God came to the rescue.
“The second issue is that of third term. Till date, the way the thing ended is still a mystery to those who conceived it,” Anyim added.
He was, however, quick to add that the issue of service and integrity should go beyond political leaders. He argued that the followers and the church leaders especially too have a role to play in ensuring that Nigerians live in a corrupt-free society, even as he spared some knocks for church leaders on the issue of corruption.
“What most of you seated here today (referring to the audience) do in secret is worse than what we see the leaders do in the open. The leaders we see are the ones we think are corrupt, but as Nigerians, what we do individually accumulate to bring about corruption in the country.
“Even in the church, pastors and men of God sometimes quarrel over transfer on the premise that certain place is juicier than the other. So, those who do that are not ready to serve. So you can see that there is rot in the church system too. You should not murmur over transfer. Therefore, if corruption is to be curbed, the church and other religious leaders must come together to pray for the evolvement of a sincere leader.”
Going down memory lane, the former Senate President who attributed the fear of the unknown as the reason most Nigerians fear to confront certain situations frontally said that he entertained similar fear when he was leaving the office in 2003.
He, however, said he relied on God to overcome the fears and since then there has been no looking back in his resolve to partner with other like minds to speak against the ills in the country.
“The fear of the unknown is also inhibiting us from doing some of those things we believe in. I had a similar experience when I was to leave office as the Senate President. I am sure many of us here are familiar with the situation that characterized my relationship with the then President Obasanjo.
“He ordered that all my security be withdrawn, this certainly calls for fear, and that was the day I felt humiliated. But I summoned the courage to say, ‘if human beings who are my security are removed, God is the ultimate security.’ After the withdrawal of my security, I drove myself to the village without security and nothing happened to me. Like I said earlier, I felt humiliated on the day the security was withdrawn, but I looked up to God. Men can try to humiliate you, but with God, you are confident,” Anyim declared.
Prominent among those who attended the book presentation were Reverend Father Mathew Hassan Kukah, officials of the Northern States, Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, and Kaduna State Peoples Redemption Party, (PRP), gubernatorial candidate in the last elections, Tom Mai-Taimaki Mai-Yashi.
The 275 page book centres on the need for Christians to be righteous when they are in positions of authority and to strive to correct leaders who they think are corrupt.
REMAIN BLESSED
SO HAVING READ THE POST, ISNT IT TIME THAT WE ALL ARISE AND SUPPORT DR RAHMAN OLUSEGUN MIMIKO, OUR GOVERNOR OF INTEGRITY, COMPASSION AND GODLINESS? NOW YOU SEE WHY OMOTAYLOR MUST AND WILL SUPPORT MIMIKO ALL THE WAY. WE WONT BE DISSAPOINTED FOR GOD IS ON THE THRONE.
Why they are chasing NUHU
Okiro may quit in July 2009
By Musikilu Mojeed
Published: Wednesday, 10 Dec 2008
The Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mike Okiro, may have only seven months to remain in the Nigerian Police , as he is due to bow out from the force on July 24, 2009.
Though the IG would have served in the police for 32 years on that date, he would be 60 years old then.
Public officers in Nigeria are expected to retire after putting in 35 years in service or after attaining 60 years of age.
Okiro, who was appointed IG in June 2007, was born on July 24, 1949. He enlisted in the Nigeria Police Force on August 1, 1977.
But before the IG goes in July, three of those people currently serving under him as Deputy Inspectors-General of Police, would have proceeded on retirement, thus putting paid to their chances of succeeding Okiro.
Mr. Gazali Lawal, who is the DIG in charge of Works/Logistics, will be the first to retire next year.
Born on February 14, 1949, Lawal will bow out on his 60th birthday next year even though he would have only served in the police for about 33 years, having joined the force on August 1, 1976.
Next to quit will be Adedayo Adeoye, the DIG in charge of operations, who also joined the force on August 1, 1976.
By April 18, 2009, when he would leave the force, Adeoye would be 60 years old but would have put in less than 33 years in service.
Shortly after Adeoye’s departure, his colleague in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department, Mr. Yusuf Haruna, is also expected to proceed on retirement with effect from June 15, 2009, after 35 years of service.
Haruna, born on October 1, 1953, joined the Nigerian Police on June 15, 1974.
The imminent retirements will leave only DIGs Ogbonna Onovo, Uba Ringim and John Ahmadu, as those in line to succeed Okiro.
Onovo, who almost got the IG job ahead of Okiro in 2007, was born on February 7, 1953. He would still be in service till August 1, 2009. He is currently the DIG in charge of Administration.
Another contender for the post is Ringim, a former Force Secretary, who is expected to retire from the force on August 1, 2014.
Now the DIG in charge of Training, Ringim was born on August 1, 1955. He joined the police on August 1, 1979.
John Ahmadu, the DIG in charge of research, has the longest period to remain in office. Born on November 16, 1955, he enlisted in the police on December 1, 1981. He, therefore, has up till November 11, 2015 to remain in service.
The appointment of the police boss is the prerogative of the President who can by-pass the DIGs to appoint an Assistant Inspector-General as IG.
Let the president appoint NUHU as the next IGP pleasssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss
@Ola, well Nigerians (most) know that Nuhu is being hounded so that he would either resign by coercion or be dismissed. What I know is that Nuhu will be what God sets him out to be by the grace of God. Joseph went through worse and still got to where God had predestined for him. David (the) King was so haunded and haunted but didnt he wear the crown as King? Yes he did successfully and even left a good legacy. I know he is now wearing the crown of life.
Those whom God love are always targets for Lucifer and his deputies, but by the grace of God, we shall overcome and see the demise of all our enemies. We shall excell in all God has promoted us into. The gates of hell shall not prevail us in Jesus name.
Dr Rahman Mimiko, the Iroko of Ondo State Politics is also destined to win and take governance in the seat at Alagbaka, he is also destined to occupy Aso Rock one day. No matter how much the detractors try, they shall all fail. God will give Nuhu what he really deserves for it is only God that knows us all.
Remain blessed. Peace
Just to add to your good points omotaylor, Nuhu has done his bit in Nigeria like others, if that bit is not yet enough God will surely create another chance no matter what barrages or destruction already planned for him by either known or unknown enemies. But one thing that I know for sure is that man can only see the face and favour of God according to his deeds. Mr Ribadu your faith and conscience are the only weapons that can set you free as we your loyal supporters can see what we only know about you and not what you and your God shares. Enough is enough in Nigeria, its time to get up and ACT. Justice 4all.
MY GOD, MY GOD WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN NIGERIA!!! IS GETTING TOO MUCH oh Lord have mercy on Nigeria. How long shall they continue while we sit down and watch? Another sad story you need to read please, my people.
Courtesy of THE NATION.
Girl, 11, beheaded by uncle
What could have made a man to allegedly kill his niece? That is the poser before the police in Delta State following the killing of an 11-year-old girl, Loveth Balogun, allegedly by her uncle. The late Miss Balogun was reportedlylured into a bush where she was beheaded. Shola O’Neil reports
Two pastors in Udu Local Government, Delta State have been arrested by the police in connection with the murder of an 11-year-old girl. She was allegedly killed for money-making rituals.
The girl, identified as Loveth Balogun, was beheaded last Saturday in Egini, allegedly by her uncle.
The suspect has been arrested and is being detained at the Ovwian-Aladja Police Station.
But two pastors of a new generation church in the community were picked up following confessional statements by the prime suspect shortly after his arrest.
A source told our correspondent that the victim had been living with her father’s elder brother, Mr. Collins Balogun, before her death.
On the fateful day, one of her uncles lured her away shortly before midday under the pretext that he wanted to send her on an errand.
“He took her to a nearby bush where he cut off her head and abandoned her headless body. He made away with the head hidden in a shopping bag,” the source said.
But nemesis caught up with him when a member of the community sighted him wielding the bloodied cutlass afterwards. The terror-stricken resident raised the alarm that attracted other members of the community.
“He was brandishing the cutlass dangerously, but when he saw youths from the community pouring out, he threw away the bag, where the head of the young girl was discovered,” the source added.
The suspect, who absconded from the community, was later arrested by Egini youths who mobilised to nearby communities in frantic search for the suspect. He was found on Sunday.
Police spokesman Charles Muka said four persons had been arrested in connection with the incident.
He said the police would ensure that all the culprits were brought to book.
the grief-stricken mother of the child, Mrs. Patience Balogun, who also confirmed the report, urged the police to unmask all those involved in the dastardly act.
The woman said she was forced to take the late Loveth and her siblings to their paternal family in September, when her brothers-in-law allegedly refused to let her benefit from the entitlements paid by her late husband’s employers, Saipem Nigeria Limited.
Iroko Kekere, I hear your cry for mercy all the way to my heart. I have been feeling particularly down today and couldnt quite place it. So down that I wrote a post on African Loft which may or may not have been published by Caretaker. Titled NIGERIAN DECADENCE, A SELF ASSESSMENT, I was drawn to the issues of Dehumanisation, Hunger, Poverty and Clueless Governance;(watch out for the post on African Loft). Nigeria is worrying me daily for I will never give up on her. North or South, East or West, Home is Best =- as the saying goes.
Now what can we do? Nigeria will shock you in uncivilised reactions even to the slightest of protests. Nigeria can shock you as to the extent to which they have tried to kill Democracy. Nigeria has a way of shocking and shocking, and unfortunately, while we freeze up in shock, ritual killings like that of this 11 year old Loveth Balogun continues. Oh you have to be very careful nowadays what church you step into. Many used to associate evil and ritualisitic tendencies with white garment churches. I am not totally debunking this, for I am not foolish to happenings around me, but you see most of these pastors who engage in ritual murders are not even from white garment churches. Na wa o, my borther. Are these not signs of the end times?
In the meantime, Nigeria needs to take stock and ask – HOW DID WE GET TO THIS LOW DOWN DEGENERATE LEVEL? Now I know why I just feel very unhappy, because most news on the home front have been very depressing. Ah Lord God, how long will You forget the innocent in Nigeria.
Capital Punishment must now apply to many areas if we want to clean up this mess called Nigeria. How many examples of ritual killers who have been hanged, or executed can we show to wanna bee killers? How many policemen who have killed wantonly and unprovoked have suffered same? How many murderous election riggers and ballot snatchers/stuffers have been brought to books? WHERE IS JUSTICE IN NIGERIA? But instead we have Mr President detaining Bloggers and Writers who are only trying to help by raising people’s awareness to the truth. We have gross looters still given allocations and encouraged to loot more. We have sycophants, liars, jesters, and big fools in power and we wonder what is wrong with Nigeria!
Well Ondo State still awaits the truth. At least let us see one decent thing done by the return of the people’s stolen Mandate to Mimiko, the voted for governor. Let us see Agagu face the music for all cases of fraud and corruption he is associated with. Let us see EFCC Act as opposed to all this talk talk and no result.
Yes rightly said, we support Ribadu for we see injustice in action, but at the same time, we say God knows best for God He is who sees both in and out. If Ribadu has blood or tainted hands, let him get his reward. But if innocent, God will vindicate him.
My people, I can say that Dr Rahman Olusegum Mimiko is a clean man. Yes intelligent and yes will not play the fool. But a humble, God fearing man with integrity I find in him. The truth remains to be said, nitori “a ki pa ohun mo agogo lenu”.
In God we trust. Hell and damnation on all evil doers and workers of demonic disposition. The blood of the innocent shall cry out loud against all perpetrators of evil in Jesus name.
HOW MUCH LOWER CAN A COUNTRY STOOP. CRY MY BELOVED NIGERIA.
It is unfair and uncall-for, for those who called tyhemselves legal experts to have made bad ane one sided comments in Newswatch magazine of 2nd December 2008, identifing flaws in the July 25 2008 ruling of the Election Petition Tribunal in Ondo State in favour of Olusegun Mimiko oof the Labour Party. One would definitely agree with Labour Party alleging the PDP to have planned to influence the court of appeal to upturn the judgement of the lower tribunal. With these type of allegations it is true and I beleive that the PDP is planning to disburse money to some powerful interest groups who will facilitate the plan as alleged by LP. There is no doubt Segun Adegoke the 419/kolokun lawyer spearhed these group and I am sure he must be the writer of these comments. The Newswatch is liable for apology or litigation by the LP to have published these disturbing – unwanted comments, although the magazine is not a popular one.
Even though I expected nothing otherwise, but still glad supreme court upholds the election of Yar`adua.
All remain blessed.
I wonder why now with all these multi-billion Naira contracts. Your guess will be as good as mine.
All remain blessed.
Ondo awards N15bn water contract
SUNDAY KUDAISI, Akure
ANOTHER round of contract worth N15.432 billion has been approved by the Ondo state government for the construction of transmission and distribution of water for the Owena multipurpose dam water supply project in Ondo State.
The dam is a federal government project which had been abandoned after it was initiated in 1972.
The project was designed to be a multipurpose dam that would supply water for irrigation, fishing, tourism, hydro-power and potable water supply to several communities and towns in Ondo state.
Dr. Olusegun Agagu said the project has been re-designed only for irrigation and potable water supply.
It would be recalled that the state government has awarded over N50billion contracts since the Election Petition Tribunal in the state gave judgments against Dr. Olusegun Agagu who appealed the tribunal judgment and is awaiting the outcome of the appeal verdict in the last few months .
Other contracts approved for award at the state executive council yesterday was the purchase of 300 tricycles at N59.4million even when the one bought in 2004 were rejected by the people of the state.
The contract also included the supply of spare parts to last six months.
I SAID IT BEFORE THAT THE OUTGOING GOVERNOR CPOME JANUARY 09 IS SUFFERING FROM A DELUSION (GRANDIOSE TYPE) EVEN THE YORUBA ADAGE SAID IT THAT “IKU TI O PA OJUGBA ENI OWE NI PA FU NI” BUT AGAGU FAILED TO REASON THIS WAY IS HE DEAF OR CUT AWAY FROM THE MEDIA? HELL NO BUT HIS COUNTERPART OSUNBOR IS DROWNING IN DISGRACE STILL UGAGA CANNOT USE HIS TONGUE TO COUNT HIS TOOTH. WELL I SEE AN IMMINJENT DIGRACE COMING THE WAY OF OLUSEGUN AGAGU COME JAN 09. HE SHOULD PACK AND LEAVE OFFICE NOW BEFORE ITS TOO LATE. ABO ORO LAN SO FUN OMO BI UGAGA. AS FOR IROKO HE SHOULD START REJOICING COZ COME JAN 09 ONDO STATE SHALL BE UNDER THE SHADE OF THE IROKO TREE
IROKO JO GBASIBE SUCCESS IS INEVITABLE FOR U WHILE DOOM, DISGRACE AND BITING OF FINGER IS IMPENDINMG FOR UGAGA AGAGU OLUSEGUN ARA E LOL HAHAHAHAH
President Yaradua would not have failed for the burden of proof is there that he was voted in as President of Nigeria. We now pray that he wakes up and help save the situation in Nigeria for enough is enough about the state of disorder in Nigeria.
Agagu and the billions he is squandering. Well do I blame him? Or dont I blame the system that allows a fraudulent governor who should be incacerated spend and waste and continue to loot the state coffers? Agagu has nothing left to do in Ondo State so why not loot and waste and try to fool the people that he is actually doing something (TOO LATE). Agagu cannot fool the people any longer. ~Everyone is wise to his acts and especially to the fact that he does not love the people but loves himself, his pocket and his immediate family. He does not even love his hometown.l All Agagu can concentrate on doing now is stashing more money away so that when it is time for flight, he could live on Ondo State money in damned splendour outside Nigeria. But Agagu will be hunted down, located and brought back to give account and be judged in Nigeria.
Well our Governor, Dr Rahman Olusegun Mimiko, well done for your Godly patience, your towing the path of truth and justice and your integrity will and has seen you through. God brought you to it, God will see you through, and you shall have the last laugh in Jesus name.
My people be blessed o. God will do a new thing for His people in Ondo State, and this will be good, magnificient, and marvelous in Jesus name.
Peace
Mr President should now make the Nigerian Policing issues and their failure to curb looting and robbery, their wanton greed and their shooting people dead unprovoked and unwarranted a priority please.
Mr President should make getting Nigeria to enjoy constant electricity supply, ensuring that Federal and State roads are repaired and looking into the failing educational system another priority.
Mr President should push for this welcome idea of removing “immunity” from fraudulent persons in power, especially the president and governors and senate/house of assembly reps etc a third priority.
I will be back with more, but my people, be rest assured that these and many more that will make the people happy are already PRIORITY for Governor Rahman Olusegun Mimiko, a man of the People by the people for the people = DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR.
In whom do we trust as we wake up to another brand new day today? ONLY IN GOD. My people in Ondo State, continue daily in your prayers for Prayer is the Master Key. God has answered and will continue to answer all our prayers. Ohun gbogbo lo nfe adura. Ohun rere na nfe adura nitori Xtiani ma ti wa simi, gbo bi angeli Oluwa ti wi. Ni arin ota lo wa, ma sora. Adura ni o nfun okan ni isimi. Pray dilligently at all times and remember to pray for the generality of the people in Nigeria and particularly in Ondo State at all times. May God see us all through these trying times and may God restore sanity back into Nigeria. Sometimes I wonder if Abacha’s period was as bad as these, what will all the evil happenings here and there and leaders still looting on without a thought for the common man. Have a good weekend all. Peace
OUR LORD GOD IS GOOD AND WILL SEE US THROUGH. PLEASE KEEP ON PRAYING TO GOD. YES WE KNOW WE ARE GETTING OUR MANDATE BACK (ACTUALLY IT IS ALREADY GIVEN BUT NEEDS TO BE TAKEN) AND EVERYTHING IN THIS WORLD NEEDS PRAYERS. E KU IPALEMO XMAS. GOD BLESS
READ THIS MY PEOPLE AND MAKE UP YOUR MINDS YOURSELVES. IF ANYONE TURNS ROUND TO SAY LP IS MAKING UP STORIES, PLEASE TELL ME IF THIS IS NOT FACTUAL. AGAGU IS SO SO EVIL AND HE WILL BE SO SO DISGRACED AND INCACERATED BY GOD’S NAME. I JUST FEEL SORRY FOR THE PEOPLE WHO KEEP ON HAVING TO SUFFER WHILE AGAGU IS HAVING A BALL:
LP raises alarm on Ondo contracts bazzare
…Alleges N65bn contracts awarded in 4 months
By OLA AGBAJE
Monday, December 15, 2008
The Labour Party (LP), Ondo State Chapter has raised alarm over alleged systemic looting of the state through frivolous award of contract totalling N65 billion within the last four months by Dr Olusegun Agagu’s administration.
LP in a statement signed by its Director of Press, Research and Strategy, Kolawole Olabisi gave a detailed account of the mindboggling contracts bazzare allegedly going on in the Sunshine State, and pointed out that it was an exercise orchestrated to cripple the state financially so that if LP governor-elect, Dr Olusegun Mimiko is eventually confirmed by the Appeal Court, he would meet an empty treasury.
According to the statement, the Agagu’s administration embarked on the contract award spree immediately after the July 25, 2008 verdict of the state election tribunal, which held that Mimiko was duly elected as Governor of the state at the April 21, 2007 gubernatorial election in the state.
The statement alleged that Agagu had boasted in one of the caucus meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that by the time Mimiko comes in as governor, if confirmed by the Court of Appeal, he would meet an empty treasury.
Giving details of contracts bazzare going-on Olabisi said: “Only three weeks ago, Agagu, despite protestations, sold a Bielomatic automatic exercise books making machine worth N2 billion to his front for a paltry N4.8 million.
This was followed by a plethora of road contracts awards on roads which are either long completed or have not been worked upon despite billions of Naira said to have been expended on them since 2003. In Akure, the state capital, Agagu awarded a road contract which is less than 2-kilometres and with not a single culvert bridge and on high ground for a whopping N1.5 billion!
“Almost on a daily basis now, Agagu now award one funny contract or the other for billions of Naira and against every grain of financial prudence, he gives as much as 70 per cent of the contract sums to the contractors.”
The simple truth is that while these contractors sign for the 60 or 70 percent so-called mobilization fee, they are given only 30 % while Agagu, through his fronts, pockets the rest. This is the nature of the fraud going on in Ondo State presently.
“And only last week, Agagu, who claimed to have spent over N15bn on the provision of non-existent water, awarded another whopping N14.5bn contract for the Owena Multipurpose dam which is a federal government project. This is aside from over N7bn Agagu claimed to have expended on the same dam by his government since 2003! Also last week, after his weekly Executive Council (EXCO) meeting, he approved the sum of N57.1m for the supply of Laboratory Science equipment to 55 secondary schools in the State, yet Agagu did not tell the world that on page 21 of his 5 years of Action 2003-2008 anniversary book, he had claimed to have supplied “standard science laboratory equipment in Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics to all the 300 Secondary Schools in the State.”
This is how Agagu had been fleecing the State’s resources with multiple re-award of contracts in the last few months in his desperation to cripple the State for his successor. For Agagu, this is a harvest time to borrow from his often quoted media advertorials with which he has been hoodwinking those outside the State not familiar with the real sorry situation of infrastructure in Ondo State despite almost N500bn it had taken from the Federation Account,” he said.
Olabisi while describing the list of the frivolous contracts as long and almost in-exhaustive, wondered why Agagu could, in this transition period, suddenly embark on a plethora of re-award of contracts even on projects that had already been long completed and those that had no direct bearing on the improvement of the people’s welfare whatsoever.
He warned Agagu, his acolytes and contractors in this unholy conduct to be mindful that in the fullness of time, they will be called upon to account for how they managed the people’s resources.
The LP also have a stern warning for public officials who are being used to refrain from being used to defraud the state, adding that when Agagu is eventually forced out, they will be called upon to account for their deeds.
“We specifically want to remind such civil servants to take into cognizance what recently happened during the Power and Steel probe panel at the House of Representatives when Agagu, during his testimonies as a former Power and Steel Minister, told the panel that it was the civil servants in his Ministry then that were responsible for Government paying $6.5bn to unregistered companies. This is very instructive and would definitely be their lot when Agagu is eventually thrown out of the office he currently occupies at the Appeal Court. The people of Ondo State are watching and God Himself is watching and in the fullness of time, everybody would be made to account for their deeds and misdeeds,” he warned.
Well, well, well, why will Agagu not take the advantage of our loose system (tribunal process) which is made purposely to allow people like him to empty the State treasury? The system that allows an illegal government to continue to operate like a legal government for nearly two years is to be blamed. Enough is enough, its time to get up and act. Justice 4all.
Laughably although not funny, I read in some other paid and well oiled/sponsored Nigerian papers that Agagu and his cohorts of looters debunked these factual figures which over the months are plastered over many papers as baseless and unfounded. They even went as far as calling LP names saying they will win etc. One thing they forget is that even if the people have been advised to keep the peace and await justice via the appeal courts, that there is a GOD who will vindicate the innocent and judge the wicked.
Yes they are cashing in and capitalising on the flawed Nigerian system, but they are exposing themselves to the masses that they have never cared for the people, will never care and are bent on just emptying Ondo State treasury. By the grace of God, they will cough it all out, and all in God’s good time. Sebi ojo gbogbo ni tole, ojo kan ni to olohun.
They think by emptying the coffers they will be able to frustrate our Governor Mimiko when he assumes office, but guess what, God has predestined it that Mimiko will always be a winner and he will win in the task of governing Ondo State to the people’s delight. We have been crying time to act, on and on but no one wants to act as yet for we will encourage the people to make rebellion their last choice.
God is good. Peace my people
All is well with Dr. Mimiko. We pray to have people that will help us build our nation and give hoe to the hopeless. As I write this mail I am weeping in my office because good people never have any opportunity in Nigeria whereas evil people have upper hand to do their wicked imagination. I am glad to say that I let go my Msc programme becaus eam unable to pay my deposit and will not wnat to be a shame to my people and parents when I travel to London. It look as if and defected but God will do it again. Can someone help me tell Dr. Mimiko that there are millions of individuals that are good, intellegent and creative on the street but they dont have God fathers that can assist them. Let opporunity be create for them. As I earlier said am from Oyo State but my wife to be from Ondo and for the past two years as accountant she had no job because we have leaders who do not plan for their people.
I work in aplace where am paid 40K monthly, and very hard working with my job yet the management have no hope for us for my 2 years of work experience with the coy. I have resolvedto leave my present job and to ask God to help me.
please let our leaders do some thing to salvage our nation. Why will the youth not be evil when they know that their money are only used by some evil men for evil purpose. As a student I had an opportunity to visit Lome in Togo, the Late Eyadema ruled that country by destroying the future of the youths, so as not to have some one to challenge him. Nigeria is growing to that level, let somebdy help me. I am discourage. Like Fred said, I have prayed that Let God have His way.
Love you all. Omotaylor, your quotes are great (Africaloft) Iroko Kekere I love you, you speak with passion. Fred, you are a constructive writter. I desire you have a forum (NGO) where you can talk to individuals who think they dont have hope any more. Long to meet you one day.
Found this write up very interesting and like to share it with my people. Surely there are still good Nigerians with integrities that we can be proud of.
Gani Rejects National Award
By Victor Ebimomi, Snr Reporter, Lagos
President Umaru Yar’Adua has failed to deliver good governance and has, instead, subjected Nigerians to hardship and oppression, Gani Fawehinmi reiterated on Monday as he turned down the Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) conferred on him.
He issued a statement in Lagos that highlighted areas where Abuja has fallen short, and concluded that Yar’Adua lacks the honour to give such an award.
The areas include poverty, human rights, rigged elections, social welfare, right to free and qualitative education at all levels, free and qualitative health services and facilities, dearth of infrastructure, and corruption.
Gani said nobody can dispute the fact that poverty has become more pervasive, despite “our mounting and skyrocketing billions upon billions of Dollar in revenues from oil and gas exploration.”
In the last 43 years, he contended, both military and civilian governments have abused fundamental rights, citing as an example, the recent closure of Channels Television by Yar’Adua.
He lamented that “rigging has been the order of every election in the country. We have never had a truly elected leader with the ballots of the people. Several thousands have died at every election.
“Only recently in Jos, more than 500 Nigerians were killed, including three National Youths Service Corps members, one of whom was a lawyer.
“The 2007 general elections from which the present government that awarded me the OFR emerged, were characterised by blood letting, rigging and all forms of malpractices at all levels, including the elections of some Governors who are members of the National Council of State that approved my OFR honour.”
Gani noted that all schemes that promote welfare have been ignored since the 1999 Constitution came into being “and they are still ignored by the present regime.”
For example, he added, the national minimum wage has remained at a level that it cannot buy a bottle of palm oil for workers, yet the leaders in the executive and the legislature swim in splendour of wealth.
“How can I wake up in the morning and look at the insignia of honour bestowed on me under a government that prosecutes anti-corruption efforts, particularly those of Nuhu Ribadu?
“It is generally agreed, nationally and internationally, that Ribadu did a lot to retard the inhibitive progress of corruption. 419 crimes were on the decline. Gross misuse of public funds by public officers was on the downward trend. Looting at the top became minimised.
“As Nigerians were breathing a sigh of relief, the government of Yar’Adua threw Ribadu out of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at a time Nigerians were saying the fear of the EFCC was the beginning of wisdom as far as corruption was concerned.
“Today, the architect of the unprecedented anti-corruption war, unprecedented in the annals of Nigeria since 1914, is now literally roaming about the streets of Nigeria without an official car, without official status, without any form of security, and yet he is still being subjected to hounding, haunting and all forms of dehumanising vilification by the government.
“Instead of the government to publicly acknowledge the unprecedented good Ribadu has done to the psyche of Nigerians by awarding him the greatest national honour, it has decided to continuously persecute this young man.”
@Ola, the magic behind any success is not to give up. You are not defeated, go back to your drawing board. I am very optimistic that you will make it if you don’t let go of your hope. I love you too.
Great people of Ondo state. guess who this is : Spent 65 billion naira of state money on questionable contract since the tribunal ruled in his favor. Read the full story here”
Hmmm where do I start?
1. Ola, didnt I hear a quote in my younger days which made a lot of sense to me? Oh yes it did say that AMBITION IS MADE OF STERNER STUFF didnt it? Of course it is very human to feel discouraged and it is human to feel sad when what you have hinged your hopes on doesnt materialise. But the child of God will not let this make him or her feel down for in doing this Satan would be feeling happy. Look on the bright side Ola. If it is the will of God, nothing can stop it for though it tarries says the psalmist, wait for it. Trust in God and you will have many reasons to praise His name. Many people think London is the key, it could be and maybe not. Wherever you will have your breakthrough and happiness, God will take you to it. Dont ever give up. In “Sound of Music” Maria said “When the Lord closes the door somewhere He opens a window. Nigeria needs dilligent, hardworking, Godly and purposeful young men like you. Ondo State needs the likes of you so maybe God has something in store for you. I see what you mean by people having Godfathers before making it. Dont worry, when God is your Godfather then lesser Godfathers will become insignificant. I do agree with you as regards your request for a youth forum and this I am sure His Excellency Dr Mimiko will have already added in his program for Ondo State. Rightly said there are many out there who now turn to crime due to disillusionment and anger. God will touch them, bring them back and the State will create job opportunities, mentoring, monitoring and other trainning programmes to assist such. You are not forsaken for God has promised that He will never forsake his own. Be happy and smile and laugh for joy for WEEPING MAY TARRY FOR THE NIGHT, JOY COMES IN THE MORNING. We have many reasons to thank God. Ti emi ba wa ireti mbe. God will take you to higher hieghts in Jesus name.
2. Iroko Kekere, yes Uncle Gani F has always been straight laced, just as Wole Soyinka and some very upright others in Nigeria. All what GF said in the speech above are very very true. God is the true and just rewarder. If one gets honour from a dirty person, the honoured and honourer are both dirty. WS declined naming a street in Abuja after him. One need not dine with the devil, no matter how long the spoon could be. May we not lose our integrity and heaven because of power, money or cheap popularity.
How I long for a quick realisation of the Ondo State of Mimiko’s dream and plan. I can just visualise it. Peace, order, progress, amenities, health plans, good roads, people working hard but getting their due renumerations, clean air, clean environ, technological advancement, government subsidies to assist the people with business, buildings and even painting all the homes to create a very friendly and beautiful environment, hospitals functioning to the max, Chinese and other technological advanced countries assisting with projects at not inflated sums, police brought to order, cultists and ritualists curtailed for stiff penalties will be imposed, no corruption for many looters would be made scapegoats etc etc. I could go on and on. Mimiko will do su proud in Ondo State. From monarchy to market women, songs of praise would be sung. Let us not relent in our prayers. Enough of Agagu the thief, Agagu the fooler, Agagu the impostor, Agagu Mr Artful Dodger who believes his sweet mouth and supposed gift of the garb would keep fooling the people. Iro Nla for the people can see past their noses Mr Agagu sir.
Peace my people. In God we trust, and He will not let us down.
What a shame on Agagu. Why must people plead with him after he promised to increase teachers salary. I found out that if you are not in PDP or Agagu’s camp you will be posted into a rural area. I cant wait for the total removal of Agagu Dynasty.
By Our reader
Published: Friday, 19 Dec 2008
The Teachers in Ondo State are long overdue for a special salary structure, which the state government had promised them during the last strike. We urge Governor Olusegun Agagu to fulfil his promise to the people of this noble profession by including their demand in the 2009 budget. Its implementation should start with their January salary as the administration had promised. Teachers in the state deserve higher remuneration like others. They should be treated as nation builders and as implementors of government policy and programmes. I equally plead that the administration give secondary schools’ library top priority, while teachers’ computer literacy should also be considered.
Adegoke Wale,
Jide-Mac,
Ijoka, Akure,
Ondo State
I can count the number of cafes and ICT training centres in Ondo, It bother me a lot because of the attitude of government on enlighten of the our people is poor.
A very happy Sunday to my beloved people of Ondo State. I wish you all a very Merry Xmas. This is a season of goodwill and glad tidings to all men. Let us remember at all times that Xmas is not just a time to eat, drink, shop, get and send hampers and share gifts. Yes all these are okay to celebrate and remember Xmas but what is more important is that Xmas is a time to remember CHRIST and his purpose on earth. Xmas is a time to spread good tidings and celebrate Christ. Xmas is a time to remember the poor and needy. Xmas is a time to forgive and forget all past hurts. Xmas is a time to pray for forgiveness from God and make amends. Christmas is a time for repentance and sober reflection. Xmas is a time to stop all evil acts and sins against man and God. Let he/she who steal, loot, kill, commit fornication and adultery, and other evil acts including carrying out rituals refrain from all these and turn to God.
I pray that Segun Agagu will use this period to really look inward and start making amends so as to be ready to meet his Maker. I pray he stops all these unholy holding on to a Mandate that he knows he stole with the help of a so disgraced man, Olusegun Obasanjo.
I pray for my people in Ondo State. I pray that God will show mercy on us and get rid of a wicked impostor governor who up till today is still milking the State dry and dont care a hoot for my people. I pray the few fools and thieves who follow Agagu will repent and have a new mind which will take care of the common man. See how our youths are languishing and daily turning to crime. I pray that God will send to these youths a governor in Ondo State who will encourage them to get proper education, get trained in other skilled professions and get jobs so that they turn out worthy citizens.
I pray for Labour Party. I pray that as they have set out to wipe out corruption in Ondo State and work hard to make Ondo State a place of enterprise and pride, that God will support their worthy cause.
I pray for all groups worldwide associated with Dr Rahman Olusegun Mimiko, the governor of Ondo State. I pray that God continues to pour out a new spirit on all the people and make them care and love the people of Ondo State above everything else. I pray that God gives them all a spirit of contentment, love and integrity.
I pray about the appeal court process and the results we will be getting come January or latest February 2009. I pray that God manifests Himself and only the truth be declared. I pray for the judges and that God gives them a spirit of God that will not accept bribes and tarnish their names and image. I pray against all spirits of corruption, bribery, untruths, animosity, and evil propaganda being carried out in Ondo State. May God wipe Ondo clean of all these evil people, rumour mongers and looters.
I pray for Governor Elect Dr Rahman Olusegun Mimiko and his household. I pray that God upholds you and keeps and protects you. I pray that God takes you straight to Alagbaka very soon so that you could start the process of true, caring and purposeful governance in Ondo State. I pray that all your dreams come true and that the spirit of truth, integrity,humility, love and selflessness that God has endowed you never diminishes. I pray that you lead Ondo State as Governor problem free and even if there are lesser problems all you have to give will be solutions to the problems. I pray and proclaim in your life, happiness, good health, long life and prosperity.
All above prayers I claim in my life and in the lives of my family. May we all continue to do good, help the needy, progress and prosper in all we do. May the real spirit of Xmas be real in our lives and may we sit at the right hand of God our maker and Redeemer when the trumpet sounds on the last days (amen).
HAPPY XMAS TO YOU ALL AND GOD BLESS. Peace:)
DID A YINKA ADEBAYO OF AKURE WRITE IN THE PUNCH THAT HE WAS AMUSED WHEN HE READ A POST BY GBENGA GBADESIRE AND CALLED HIM A LP NOM DE PLUME, WELL READERS READ BELOW HIS REJOINDER AND TELL ME WHO REALLY IS A PAID SPOKESMAN AND TELL ME IF HIS RESPONSES TO THE SPECIFIC POINTS POSED BY GBADESIRE, ARE TRUTH OR FALLACY. FOR STARTERS, WE ALL KNOW THAT ONDO STATE ELECTION RESULT WAS FIRST ANNOUNCED IN ABUJA BEFORE THE INEC OFFICER ANNOUNCED IT IN ONDO STATE AS AN AFTERTHOUGHT. WE ALL KNOW THAT IT IS TRUE THAT MR DEPUTY GOVERNOR CARTED BALLOT BOXES. WE ALL KNOW THAT IT IS TRUE THAT FALSE NAMES E.G. MIKE TYSON ETC WERE USED TO RIG ELECTIONS. WE ALL KNOW THAT ONDO AND NIGERIA AND THE WORLD GREETED MIMIKO’S DECLARATION AS GOVERNOR OF ONDO STATE WITH MASS APPLAUSE AND WE ALL KNOW ABOUT ALL OTHER POINTS RAISED. SO WHO DOES THE FOOL THINK HE CAN WRITE TO FOOL? RUBBISH. PLEASE FIND SOME OTHER USEFUL PASTIME YINKA ADEBAYO (AGAGU’S NOM DE PLUME) AND STOP HALLUCINATING. I FIND YOUR WRITE UP JERICULOUS IF NOT OVER AMUSING. LET US SEE WHAT YOU WILL BE WRITING IN FEBRUARY 2009 WHEN THE FINAL TRUTH IS ANNOUNCED.
Re: Agagu vs Mimiko: Waiting for moment of final truth
By Yinka Adebayo
Published: Sunday, 21 Dec 2008
I was amused by a write-up with the above title on page 19 of SUNDAY PUNCH of December 7, 2008 written by Mr. Gbenga Gbadesire. It is not improbable that ‘Gbenga Gbadesire‘ may well be a nom de plume for Mr. Kolawole Olabisi of the Labour Party in Ondo. Now, the issues raised by Gbadesire:
(1) That Ondo was the only state whose election result was declared in Abuja by INEC. This is far from the truth. Whatever internal politics within INEC played itself out should be consigned to the dustbin of history. However, residents of Ondo State saw on prime time radio and television how the erstwhile INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner for Ondo State, Barr. E. Nwanzuronye, declared Dr. Olusegun Agagu the winner of the gubernatorial election of April 14, 2007.
(2) That the Deputy Governor of Ondo State ”was caught carting away ballot boxes.” This lie could only have come from a mind that is destitute of simple reasoning and logic. Even a councillor would not risk going about carting ballot boxes when he could do so conveniently, if he had to, through thugs and miscreants who would gleefully do it for a pittance? Were Gbadesire a witness of truth, he would have known that most reputable newspapers, which had earlier been misled by Labour Party‘s ”tale by the moonlight” had since retracted the story and published an unreserved apology to the Deputy Governor. At least, I read the retraction and apology of The Nation.
(3) The Deji of Akure‘s plea with SREC: Truth is that the Deji of Akure, the Osemawe of Ondo and the Owa of Idanre went to plead with the SREC to declare the authentic result reflecting the choice of the electorate. Being satisfied that the polls favoured Dr. Agagu, the Deji of Akure was one of the first callers at the Government House to congratulate Dr. Agagu on his well-deserved victory.
(4) That ”strangers” like V-P Goodluck Jonathan, CBN‘s Charles Soludo, Mike Tyson, etc. voted in Ondo State. This is another tissue of lies without any probative value. If this were true, the Election Tribunal in its 606-page judgement would have dwelt extensively on it. But what do we find: not even a micro-dot of a sentence was made on this ”monumental lie” of LP‘s. Assuming, for the sake of argument that this was even true, would anyone be able to determine who these ”strangers” cast their votes for in a secret balloting in which none of the 11 registered parties which participated in the election scored zero?
(5) That the declaration of Dr. Mimiko by the tribunal caused euphoria like Obama‘s. Undoubtedly, Gbadesire is a man who does not recognise the limits of hyperbole. He must also be pretending to possess the gift of clairvoyance. Otherwise, how can he stay in his remote corner in Lagos seeing ”euphoria” enveloping Ondo State? If Gbadesire had a 20/20 vision, or any vision at all, he would have seen clearly that a pall of gloom was cast on Ondo State on that ‘black Friday,‘ July 25, 2008 because the electorate in Ondo State felt that Dr. Mimiko was ”awarded” by the tribunal what he failed to achieve through the ballot box.
(6) The alleged plundering of Ondo State: If EFCC‘s ”visit” to Ondo State is all the ”evidence” Gbadesire and his rabble-rousers can adduce as confirmation of the ”plundering” of the state, then they need the fervent prayers of us all. If mere EFCC‘s ”visit” amounted, in his estimation, to plundering of the resources of a state, what will he then say about states where some public officers had been arrested by EFCC, charged, and convicted by a court of law?
(7) Alleged rubbishing of the judiciary: Gbadesire and his pay-masters have been straining themselves hard to bring Agagu on a collision course with the judiciary by perversely labelling every informed and factual critique of the judgement of the Ondo State Election Tribunal as ”going vulgar and brazen.” What an amateurish way of calling a dog a bad name in order to hang it. For the records, the judgement of the tribunal was first brought into the public domain by the LP and The Nation, which published the full judgement.
Now back home, is it fair if an Election Tribunal acts contrary to its earlier ruling that ballot papers should only be counted but not sorted into units and wards, but suddenly makes a U-turn after the parties had closed their case and it had adjourned for judgement and thereafter started to sort out ballot papers, which had no identifying features into units and wards in the secret recesses of its chambers, without inviting the contestants – PDP and/or LP? If the tribunal eventually nullified over 161,000 votes of one of the parties (as the Ondo State Election Tribunal actually did to Agagu and PDP), will an impartial observer conclude that the tribunal had not unduly favoured one party to the detriment of the other? If the party who had a raw deal as a result of the tribunal‘s ”secret investigation” raises such a fundamental issue, should a fair and just society commend or condemn him?
If INEC declared a candidate the lawful winner of an election after computing the scores recorded in its statutory forms (EC8 series), can an impartial tribunal conclude that such forms did not exist without asking questions from INEC or the respondent? Will the tribunal still be regarded as impartial and not acting a script if it nullified over 83,000 votes cast for the legitimate winner on such pretext? If the Nigerian Constitution is the supreme law of the land which every judicial officer swore to defend and uphold, can an impartial judge or tribunal breach with impurity a party‘s right to fair hearing which is entrenched in the same constitution he swore to uphold without anybody raising even a whimper? Should such a voice crying loud for justice be muffled or encouraged?
These and many more questions beg for answer in our nation‘s quest to deepen her democracy and achieve the status of an egalitarian nation. The likes of Gbadesire may extol Ondo State Governorship Tribunal ”for taking the pains to count and sort out 163 bags of ballot papers into wards and units without allowing PDP and LP officials into the room…” But let it not be lost on us that when justice is trampled upon in the street nobody knows whose turn it will be. After all, what goes around comes around.
Yinka Adebayo writes from Akure and can be reached on yinkadebay@yahoo.com
A CRY FOR HELP
PLEASE GOD SAVE US FROM AGAGU AND THIS STEADY EMPTYING OF ONDO STATE TREASURY. WHAT IS HAPPENING HERE? WHY ARE WE SO POWERLESS TO DO ANYTHING? PLEASE READ ON COURTESY OF NIGERIAN VANGUARD:
Agagu flags-off N740m Banquet Hall
Written by Dayo Johnson
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
GOVERNOR Olusegun Agagu of Ondo State, yesterday, flagged-off the construction of a N740m Banquet Hall with a sitting hall capacity of 1,008 in Akure.
According to Agagu, the new banquet hall would have hall foyer, offices, VIP lounge, changing rooms, preparatory, store and kitchen and delivery bay.
A cheque of N300m, being 50 per cent of the contract sum, was handed over to the contractor by the governor.
He added that the construction of a befitting secretariat for the Council of Obas by the government has reached an advanced stage, and that the two projects would be completed next year.
Agagu said the government would, next year, construct another 300 units of six classroom blocks while it would provide books, teachers’ guide and instructional materials, furniture for pupils and teachers and computers.
Government, he added, has approved the construction of two faculty buildings in the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, for N246bn.
The governor said 50 per cent of the cost of construction has been released to the contractors while the building is expected to be completed next year.
According to him, contract for the administrative building, the library, auditorium, school of sciences, engineering and information and communication technology, the student centre and the Houses of the principal officers have been awarded.
XMAS BLESSINGS TO ALL AND ESPECIALLY IN ONDO STATE. MAY THE JOYOUS BIRTH OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST BRING US JOY AND HAPPINESS NOW AND ALWAYS. MAY THE NEW YEAR BE A YEAR OF UNEQUIVOCAL BLESSINGS AND GOOD NEWS TO US ALL. MAY OUR NIGHT OF WEEPING COME TO AN END AND MAY OUR MORNING OF JOY COME RIGHT FROM JANUARY 2009. GOD BLESS US ALL AND GOD BLESS THE MIMIKO HOUSEHOLD IN JESUS NAME. AMEN.
Dearly beloved, as we approach the very end of this ever to remember leap year 2008, let us all lovers of our dear Ondo State, and true lovers of democracy spend the last 3 days dedicated to intense prayers for a blessed, peaceful and happy new year 2009 for our lives, our families, our dear Ondo State, Dr Mimiko and Family and also our dear country Nigeria. Let us pray for democracy and useful, dedicated and purposeful leadership in Ondo State and Nigeria. Let us pray for an undelayed return of our treasured Mandate for we have had Godly patience and enough is enough. Let us all pray to God to endow in OUR lives a spirit of service, selflessness, love, care and brotherliness/sisterliness at all times. What gain if we keep looting and enriching ourselves to the detriment of the poor ordinary people? Agagu has done this and see how he is being disgraced daily. OBJ did this and see how well and truly abased he has become.
There is joy peace and happiness in contentment and Godly achievement. This is the way forward and by the grace of God, we shall have good health and longevity of life to see the Goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. We shall see our desires over our enemies and all enemies of progress in Nigeria. We shall see the dawn of a fresh new and Godly beginning in Ondo State. We shall soon see Mimiko on seat as Governor of Ondo State and witness a new thing unequivocal to any that had happened in the past of Ondo State.
Remain blessed my people. The Joy of the Lord is our strength. God will never forsake His own and we shall all soon have cause to glorify God mightily in Jesus name.
Happy festivity and a blessed new year soon.
Peace
Just one more day left in the year 2008. Just one more day to go to usher in a brand new year 2009. A year of peace and joy to all Godly people and lovers of Democracy. A year of new awakening for my dear Ondo State. A year of guaranteed success for Dr Olusegun Mimiko, the authentic governor of Ondo State. A year of gnashing of teeth for usurpers, ballot stealers, looters and all their shameless followers. 2009 will be a year for the children of God. So as we enter this new year, let us start reflecting on our personal and collective lives. What are all those things we ought to have done and didnt do? What things ought we not to have done but did? Did we take genuine care of the common man, or did we suck them to their bone marrow by spending even at the ember days of this month billions of naira on projects that are not going to materialise? Did we genuinely support Nigeria in her fight against corruption or did we huddle together and sing false praises of monsters in power so that we could get a chunk of the action?
One thing is clear. There is no act of man that God will not judge and the wicked will not go scott free. God will not vindicate the evil and punish the innocent even if man think they can. So in effect God will RETURN OUR STOLEN MANDATE AND THIS IS A FACT. Be of good cheer my good people. Soon you will see how God works. All we need to do is pray and thank God all the time. We need to help the needy. We need to be content and work hard for our living. We need to clean up Ondo State and we need to make Ondo people proud to be from Ondo state. In the words of Obama, CAN WE DO IT? YES WE CAN IN JESUS NAME.
Peace my people
peoples destruction party are still mourning their loss at tribunal.
you can read peoples analysis:
There is a hardly a tribunal judgement, in the current dispensation, that has generated so much furore as that delivered by Justice Garba Nabaruma in the petition filed by the governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Dr. Olusegun Mimiko over the conduct of the 2007 election in Ondo State.
The judgement, which nullified the election of Dr Olusegun Agagu, has brought about all sorts of reactions and retractions from all various quarters thus further heating up the political temperature in the state.
While the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) and its supporters have tried to present, while rejecting the judgement in its entirety, a picture of wide support and acceptability, the Labour Party believed the judgement could not have been otherwise considering the plethora of evidence of massive electoral fraud before it. The party was thus happy and justified when Justice Nabaruma ordered that Mimiko should be sworn in immmediately. That was before Agagu went on appeal and Mimiko filed a cross appeal.
Agagu and his party had submitted separate notices of appeals with 185 grounds each while INEC had eight grounds. The major grouse of the appelants were that the tribunal erred in many ways while determining the petition and that the final verdict, based on all the cited errors, was a miscarriage of justice.
But Olusegun Mimiko and his Labour Party had hinged their case before the Tribunal on the fact that, the results of the Governorship election of the 14th April, 2007 as declared and announced variously by the INEC officials are void by reasons of malpractices and/or election not taking place at all; that Dr. Olusegun Agagu who was the 1st Respondent in the case was not duly elected by majority or highest number of lawful votes cast at the election nor did he score at least one quarter of all lawful votes cast in each of at least 12 local government areas of the total number of 18 local Government Areas in Ondo State in accordance with section 179(2) of the 1999 constitution; that Agagu had through his counsel averred the opposite of the petitioner’s claim.
Mimiko further revealed the following in his petition: That he satisfied section 179(2) of the constitution in 12 out of the State’s 18 Local Government Areas and that Agagu, by INEC’s declaration of result, was acclaimed to have scored and/or satisfied 15 out of the Local Government Areas.
That he, Mimiko, based on the above issue filed his petition that Agagu could not have scored/won election in all those 15 local government areas based on account of various acts of corrupt practices that characterised the said election in those areas, hence, he (Mimiko) be declared the winner of the election if the votes in some of the areas of the 15 local government are voided.
Interestingly, many in Mimiko’s camp believe that Agagu’s team never deemed it fit ab-initio and through their pleadings that the 12 local government areas Mimiko is claiming to have won be also annulled as well. They argue that the necessary implication is that if Mimiko succeed in his evidence before the Tribunal to prove the facts alleged, then the question of re-run does not arise but that of outright declaration as the winner of the election.
According to legal experts, the above were the booby traps laid in the petition from the beginning by Mimiko’s counsels. They also added that, for Agagu and the PDP, to be able to impeach Mimiko’s claim to an extent of calling for re-run, Agagu ought to have pleaded as well in his reply to the petition that even the “so called” 12 local government areas claimed to have been won by Mimiko be voided too for reasons of corrupt practices on the part of Mimiko. This was not done. Curiously however, the Agagu team went ahead in his pleading to allege that the election throughout Ondo State was peaceful, free and fair on the 14th April, 2007 and, by inference, that of Mimiko in the 12 LGA were free and fair thus building up the case of his opponent.
The tribunal had also listed the following issues for determination: Whether ground one of Mimiko’s petition is invalid having regards to Section 145 (1)b of the Electoral Act, 2006; whether by non-joinder of some necessary parties to the petition, the tribunal’s jurisdiction is thus ousted;whether Mimiko has proved his case as required by law to entitle him to reliefs claimed.
And for the records Section 145 (1) of the Electoral Act 2006 provides as follows: “An election may be questioned on any of the following grounds: That the person whose election is questioned was at the time of the election not qualified to contest the election; that the election is invalid by reason of corrupt practices or non-compliance with provisions of the Act; that the Respondent was not duly elected by majority of lawful votes cast at the election;that the petitioner or its candidate was unlawfully excluded from the election.
This section also proved a thorny issue during the course of the tribunal as Agagu team had argued that rather than using “corrupt practice” as was stated in the provision of the section, Mimiko only used the word” malpractice” instead, therefore rendering the said ground incompetent.
It became an interesting aspect as the tribunal went into the lexicon as provided by the Act itself and the jurisprudence of the law to interprete the word “corrupt practice” and “malpractice” and came into the conclusion that they both mean the same thing thus enabling Mimiko to bring his petition in line with the requirements of section 145 (1) (b) of the Act.
The tribunal also examined the provisions of the interpretative section of the Act, that is, Section 164 of the Electoral Act, 2006 and held that there was no where in the Act where the word “corrupt practices” or “Malpractices” are defined thus calling in an aid, the Black’s Law Dictionary and Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, which both defined these words as unwholesome behaviour, inappropriate act or some illegal or wrongful act.
The unreported case of KING Vs. SULEIMAN ABDULKOKORI No.CA/A/CP/284/07 delivered on 29th April, 2008 by the Court of Appeal also came in handy as, in the eyes of the tribunal, it has settled the interpretation of section 145 (1) (b) of the Electoral Act 2006: The Court of Appeal held in the case as follows,“It could be seen that the Appellants challenging the validity of the election on ground of non-compliance only. It is my considered opinion that this ground is proper in law. Unless the petitioner is relying on both corrupt practice and non-compliance he is not bound to combine the two. Moreover there is no where in the Act where it is stated that Section 145(1)(b) must be quoted verbatim for the ground to be valid. In the circumstances, we hold that ground B is valid ground”.
Some questions however still subsist: Now that the case has gone on appeal, what will Agagu’s team make of it? Would this form part of the grounds of Appeal that Agagu is seeking to nullify the judgement of the Tribunal? Would the Court of Appeal overrule itself on a sound and perfect interpretation of Section 145 (1)(b) of the Act?
In its judgement, the tribunal distilled issues raised in the pleadings of both Mimiko and Agagu vis-à-vis evidence led at the tribunal by witnesses in relation to the disputed areas.
The tribunal touched on both legal and factual issues surrounding every evidence in relation to the disputed polling units or wards and the local government areas. For instance, in the Akoko North-West Local Government Area of the State, Mimiko’s complaint is rooted in the fact that election did not take place in ward 05 which comprises of Ajowa/Igasi/Eriti/Gedegede and in proving that election was never held in those areas, Mimiko’s evidence through one of the prosecution witnesses was so discredited that the tribunal never shied away in saying so in its judgement; not even the allegation of ballot snatching and stuffing and over-voting held sway in the mind of the trial judge because, according to him, Mimiko ought to have tendered in proof form EC8A for all the units of WARD 05 which he did not.
The only reason or part of the reasons the tribunal voided the election in this ward was because it was proved by Mimiko that one Yemi Alao who at all material times to the election was the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Ondo State that is, an office holder was found to have signed form EC8B for the ward contrary to the provisions of the Electoral Act.
The said form was tendered in evidence as Exhibit 1051. The finding of facts by the Tribunal is that Agagu ought to have called the said Yemi Alao to come and debunk that claim or in the Tribunal’s language to come and “destroy the prima-facie case established by the petitioner as regards his signature but they woefully failed to do so”.
It was on this basis as aforesaid that led the Tribunal to hold that the signing of the form EC8B by Hon. Yemi Alao, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice who is a political office holder is contrary to the provisions of the Electoral Act and therefore renders the said election void and in the final analysis held that the election purportedly conducted by INEC in the ward was characterized by several irregularities and non-compliance with the Electoral Act thereby rendering the election in WARD 05 of the said local government area a nullity.
Everybody is waiting with bated breaths on what will happen at the appeal particularly as the position of the appellate courts is that it will not interfere with the findings of fact of a trial court which had the advantage of hearing before it unless it is clear or established that such findings are perverse or likely to occasion a miscarriage of justice.
THISDAY Board of Editors has named seven governors as winners of the 2009 THISDAY Awards for Excellence. The winners in the six categories under “Governor of the Year” are Gabriel Suswam (Benue) and Peter Obi (Anambra) who emerged joint winners of Best Governor in Fiscal Mana-gement; Liyel Imoke (Cross River) Best Governor in Tourism; Sule Lamido (Jigawa), Education; Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta), Healthcare; Bukola Saraki (Kwara), Food Security and Babatunde Fashola (Lagos), Infrastructure.
Under the new format for this year’s awards, the overall “Governor of the Year” will be named from among these seven governors at the awards ceremony scheduled to hold at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, on January 14, 2009.
Peter Obi (Anambra State)
Obi, the governor of Anambra State, has established a reputation for transparency and budget discipline, a development that is believed to have saved the state treasury substantial amounts of money in the awards and execution of contracts. Obi is known for his tight scrutiny of contracts being awarded by his government.
Gabriel Suswam
(Benue State)
Suswam emerged the joint Best Governor in Fiscal Management because of his budgetary discipline and his internal revenue generation drive which has seen the IGR move up from a total of N900 million last year to N3.6 billion in the first 11 months of 2008. The former member of the House of Representatives was chairman of Appropriation Committee, a position that must have adequately prepared him for the financial management of his state. Projects being executed by his government are generally believed to be within budget and proving value for money.
Liyel Imoke (Cross River)
Imoke, who succeeded tourism savvy Donald Duke, has enviably carried on with the vision of turning Cross River to the favourite tourist destination in Nigeria. He has maintained and expanded the Obudu Cattle Ranch project, completed the Tinapa project as well as added more glamour and international touch to the yearly Christmas Carnival.
Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta State)
The Delta State governor, a medical doctor, has worked relentlessly to improve healthcare delivery in the state. His initiative, D3 (Delta Diaspora Direct), is rejuvenating the health sector in the state. The state is proving free maternal healthcare, in addition to bringing back the state’s medical exports to come and help improve service delivery in the state. The state is also about to take delivery of medical equipment which it sourced from the United States to turn around its healthcare system.
Sule Lamido
(Jigawa State)
In education, Lamido was picked as the best even though the state faced a stiff challenge from Kano, Zamfara, Kwara and Lagos States. Lamido’s initiatives, which include a comprehensive rehabilitation of classroom facilities for conducive learning and retraining of the teachers both at primary and secondary school levels, were considered to be far-reaching and worthy of emulation.
Bukola Saraki
(Kwara State)
In Kwara, Saraki has continued to consolidate on his agricultural programme with the production of milk and yoghurt by local farmers who are benefiting directly from the expertise of Zimbabwean farmers in the state. Kwara has also entered into partnership with a Syrian company to produce about 10 million chickens in a year, while its rice project in Lukulade has continued to empower local farmers and boost foot productivity.
Babatunde Fashola
(Lagos State)
The governor of Lagos State, Fashola, has been widely acknowledged for his articulated approach to governance, but his strides in infrastructural development have drawn attention from far and wide. His efforts at giving the state a facelift through the beautification project as well as road construction are also widely acknowledged.
Best Governors 2008: All the Nominees
Best Governor in Education
Winner – Sule Lamido (Jigawa)
Top Contenders – Aliyu Shinkafi (Zamfara), Babatunde Fashola (Lagos), Bukola Saraki (Kwara), Chibuike Amaechi (Rivers), Ibrahim Shekarau (Kano)
Best Governor in Fiscal Management
Winners – Peter Obi (Anambra), Gabriel Suswam (Benue)
Top Contenders – Babatunde Fashola (Lagos), Bukola Saraki (Kwara), Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta), Ibrahim Shema (Katsina)
Best Governor in Food Security
Winner – Bukola Saraki (Kwara)
Top Contenders – Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Gabriel Suswam (Benue), Ibrahim Shekarau (Kano), Murtala Nyako (Adamawa), Namadi Sambo (Kaduna)
Best Governor in Healthcare
Winner – Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta)
Top Contenders – Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Chibuike Amaechi (Rivers), Gabriel Suswam (Benue), Namadi Sambo (Kaduna), Saidu Dakingari (Kebbi)
Best Governor in Infrastructure
Winner – Babatunde Fashola (Lagos)
Top Contenders – Danjuma Goje (Gombe), Gabriel Suswam (Benue), Isa Yuguda (Bauchi), Peter Obi (Anambra), Sullivan Chime (Enugu)
Best Governor in Tourism
Winner – Liyel Imoke (Cross River)
Top Contenders – Gbenga Daniel (Ogun), Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom), Isa Yuguda (Bauchi), Olagunsoye Oyinlola (Osun), Saidu Dakingari (Kebbi)
I am sure that in 6 months when the next awards will be given Dr. Mimiko will be surely among on Education, infastructures and Healthcare.
Get ready and you will see it happend.
Happy New Year to my beloved and Gov. Mimiko Love you all
Happy New Year to all.
I am sure that the Lord will give us Joy unspeakable in the year ahead in Jesus Name.
This forum is a blessing to opening my eys and educating me in governance.
LOve you all.
Now that we have all in great happiness and thanks to the almighty Jehovah, entered and ushered in 2009; our year of breakthrough and success; let us while rejoicing remember that God is the one and only Force that can direct our footsteps and make things possible for us. January 2009 is a crucial year in Ondo State for setting the pace of governance. By the grace of our Almighty God, this would mark a NEW beginning in Ondo State. Even reading the reports kindly submitted by Ola above, it is clear to all that under AGAGU Ondo State has nothing much to show or be proud of. And as Ola rightly said, under MIMIKO, Ondo State will compete healthily with all other states in Nigeria in many categories of excellence.
As Obama is sworn into the White House on 20th January, Mimiko’s swearing in into Alagbaka will soon follow by 15th February in Jesus name. Agagu has no case. Agagu is a time waster, or should I say a crafty fox, canivorous to the last for all this buying time in Ondo State is just to siphon more money and loot because he knows Nigeria would be too hot for him after his FAILURE in the Appeal process. Agagu and PDP all know that their days are numbered, and most of their loud noises and false declarations of achievements in Ondo State are signs of jitterness and fear. Well let them fear for they have made the people suffer and fear for too long. The people do not deserve this. The people must be liberated and their lot in life must IMPROVE.
Congratulations on entering the year 2009 my people. It is not by our doing but by the power and might of our God. To God we owe a lot and a good way of repaying God is to take care of our brothers/sisters i.e. the poor and needy in the land. I pray God gives us all the Godly spirit so to do.
Your Excellency Dr Governor Rahman Olusegun Mimiko, we the people in Ondo State thank God for your life. We thank God for the vision and wisdom God has given you. We thank God that you, a man of the people, have been set aside to Govern Ondo State. Any destruction fashioned against you, your family and your supporters will BACKFIRE in Jesus name. You have the mark of God on you and no harm will ever come your way. E ku ipalemo sir. The months have turned to weeks and the weeks soon to days then the D-DAY. Our God is good.
My people, please let us all for a change in Ondo State support Dr Mimiko in governing the people democratically and with compassion, integrity and selflessness. Let us remember that JOY means:#
Jesus first
Others in between &
Yourself last.
Many people need direction, mentoring, trainning and guidance. Let us remember that whatever we do for Ondo state today would be remembered by posterity.
Our God will see us through. Again I say, it is well for all of us in Ondo State. Peace
it is nice knowing you. I pray that God will do what He want to do in Our lives. Happy New Year once again
Ola, I am happy to have met a progressive, Godly and compassionate youth in you over this website. I pray that all the God endowed talents that God has given you would be put to good use in Ondo State, for the people. You see when you did not get the Visa, you took it as an act of ~God. I pray that God turns your disappointment into APPOINTMENT in Jesus name. Keep up the good works and God will see you through. The least we can do is pray and do good at all times. God bless.
Welcome into the first Monday of the year 2009. May the good Lord grant us all our heart’s desires and answer all our good prayers. We shall all enter into our glory soon for that good news we are expecting is near at hand. Our God is good. All remain blessed (amen).
Greetings.
Omotaylor, it is the motivation I got from this forum that kept me going. Meeting with determined, passionate and focused people like you have greatly helped me to see what life is all about.
One thing am sure of is that God in His mercy will help us. Our help is from above and not on man. Let us keep moving because God is on our side.
Love you all.
please I want to hear from mr. fred. He speaks passionate and with determination. His words are piercing to me always.
let hear from you. What do you all think on what Nuhu is passing through? I think madam (omotaylor) you are like Dora the new minister of information and communication. You have so much information with you to share. I vote for you as SSG or commissioner for information and communication in OSG (laughs) Am just myself.
All is well.
Happy New year to you all and thank you Mr Ola, appreciate your comment.
I only want the best for Ondo State citizens and of course for Nigeria as a whole as there is a Yoruba saying that goes like this; `Ile lati nko eso rode`, that is , `we must change situation at home(in this case, Ondo State) before looking to change the rest of the country`. I`m neither a politician nor looking for a political post but we must all unite to help build a great future for our Children in Ondo State and beyond, for whether you live outside Ondo State or Nigeria, one day indeed, our lives will be touched by the good or bad on the ground in that state.
I was in Nigeria from Late December till 3days ago and it appears as if nothing works except in Lagos where Fashola is doing a great job and I`m convinced that our Governor elect will match if not surpass the Lagos State Gov.
We eagerly await the final verdict from the appeal court later this month, I must add that the `IROKO` camp is in good spirit.
All remain blessed.
@Ola, really you have a way of making one feel very worthy and appreciated. God will appreciate and reward you and answer our prayers. Me too oh, I want to hear from Mr Fred and Iroko Kekere for I kinda miss them on the forum.
Now about Nuhu Ribadu’s travails, there has been a lot of talk, discussion and rejoinders on this matter. Opinions are very mixed but one thing is clear, Nuhu Ribadu has done good in Nigeria and in his work and does not deserve the shame and hounding. But then also, anything linked to Obasanjo has a way of getting tainted and the law of retributive justice is strong in life what goes round does come round, so Ribadu must take heart and focus on God. Okiro I believe, no get mouth, for he too was doubly promoted in the past. I just pray that this Ribadu experience wont deter other hardworking people of integrity in Nigeria.
I pray that Dora Akinluyi turns her disappointment into Godly appointment in Jesus name.
Peace my people and God bless you Ola.
Dr Mimiko, your blessed Excellency, 2009 is your year if Divine Appointment and you are going to celebrate good time very soon. But the work ahead is going to be very ardourous but you will sail through it all successfully for God is always by you, with you and in you. Happy New Year. Please remember the ordinary poor man more than anyone else when you assume duty in Ondo State. Our God is good. Peace
MR FREEEEEED welcome and happy new year to you and the family. We thank God for journey mercies and for His blessings. We bless His holy name always. This year is a year for the children of God. As Ondo State is our concern by the grace of God, the people under the governance of Dr Mimiko will surely see exemplary governance and Ondo State will progress ( factual progress and not the fake lies as told by Agagu and his croonies). I feel better now that I have heard from you. God bless.
Nice to hear from you sir (Mr. Fred) I appreciate your comments during your visit to Nigeria. I wish you had opportunity to visit places like Imo state, Akwa Ibom and Anambra you will be sure that the ray of hope is coming back to our nation Nigeria. The respective Governors are trying their best. Behold my entrance to Ondo, I felt I was in a villiage in the northern part of the country. No sign of activities at all. I felt so disappointed with the gov of ONDO state.
I know that God will do something soon. Nice hearing from you sir. Am also not a politician but want things done in the right way.
Kudos to all
Ondo trains 6000 workers
Written by Dayo Johnson
Tuesday, 06 January 2009
TO engender workers well-being and higher productivity, over 6000 workers in all cadres in the Ondo State public service have participated in various local, national and international training programees.
Governor Olusegun Agagu said in Akure yesterday that 18 of the workers in the management cadre were trained overseas last year.
The governor pointed out that over N300m was expended on the training programmees in the last four years while another N220m has been earmarked for the same purpose in this year’s budget.
Dr Agagu added that staff emoluments were paid when due, pledging that the administration will continue the trend this year as N16b is being proposed as personal emolument.
On pensioners, he pointed out that they were adequately catered for by the government as N1.4 b was expended for the settlement of their gratuities and pensions last year while N1.6b is to be paid them this year.
He said the government would this year begin the implementation of the new contributory pension’s scheme earlier passed into law by lawmakers in the state.
Agagu said the government’s dream of a responsive, dedicated and efficient public service will be realised soon.
He said with the intervention programmes, there has been improvement in the public service.
The governor said that to consolidate on the achievement recorded in the area of Information and Communication Technology ICT, the state government has se aside N220m in this year’’s budget for the implementation of the various e-government projects and activities.
The question I want to ask Agagu is what are they trained for, who trainined them and where are they going to praticalised the training. Infastructure for the people are not on ground and he just want to waste money. Just to inform people that he is working. Can someone help me tell that man that he can no longer fool us.
omotaylor,fred,ola, God bless you all your write ups have been so wonderful many of us visit this site daily,you lift our spirits up.Thank God its january when the shameless ones will leave our dear state and peace will return once again.ola you asking about infrastructure and the people he trained we all know it is all lies.I just remembered what omotaylor wrote months back that agagu seems not to listen to himself talking,in four years he spent 300million on training programes and this year alone he is going to spend 220million and so on and so forth.surely the end to this wickedness has come.
@Ola, good questions indeed but will Agagu have an answer? To be honest, Agagu plays to the gallery, tells a lot of lies and lives in foolery and deceit. He is not winning the evil games he plays for the people are much much wiser and can see through Agagu, and the fact that he does nothing in reality but prints loads on paper. Clueless governance by a group of clueless people, whose sole aim is to enter government via do or die means and then chop chop chop till they quench. The good news is that all these will come to an end soon and Ondo State will be very relieved when we all see the back of Agagu. I am not a politician either and being so vocal and direct, it will take a new age/era of politicians who know how to talk straight, who will not say yes when they really are saying no, …. you get the drift…. It will take these type to get me remotely interested in politics. That said what is very important is for us to ensure that Ondo State develops, that Democracy is given a good chance and that Corruption is made a punishable crime with long term prison sentences and no plea bargaining.
Dr Mimiko will soon be sworn in and watch out Lagos, Imo or Anambra state for Ondo State will be DIFFERENT AND DEVELOPED under Governor Olusegun Mimiko.
Peace
ANOTHER SPONSORED ADVERT BY THE ONE AND ONLY FEMU MAKINDE – ONDO PDP CROONIE:
Wednesday, January 7, 2009 Printer Friendly Version
Ondo to stop rice importation by 2010 – Commisioner
By Femi Makinde, Akure
The Ondo State Government has said that it will stop the importation of rice by 2010.
The state Commissioner for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forest Resources, Dr. Jibayo Oyebade, who said this in Akure on Tuesday, added that the state might begin the exportation of the commodity as from 2011.
Speaking at the inauguration of the executives of the All Farmers Association Nigeria/Ondo State Farmers Congress, the commissioner said the state government had entered into partnership with a team of Thailand experts on rice production.
He said the government had also approved the citing of the rice farms in each of the three senatorial districts in the state.
The projects, according to the commissioner, who was represented by the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Mr. Olumuyiwa Busari, will take off on 6,000 hectares of farmland.
He explained that Thailand would finance 60 per cent of the project while the Ondo State Government would provide the remaining 40 per cent.
Oyebade added that to avoid the problem of quarantine, the experts would develop the Nigerian rice and make it to conform to the international standard.
He noted that apart from the decline in the price of crude oil, the state was planning to diversify its sources of revenue generation because oil reserves would not last forever.
Oyebade added that the projects would reduce the number of unemployed youths in the state as about 3,000 people would be needed to work on each of the three farm sites.
He also said that the project would afford farmers the opportunities to be trained on modern rice production techniques.
The commissioner commended Governor Olusegun Agagu for his efforts at reducing the impact of global food crisis on the people by ensuring that the state was self-sufficient in food production.
He called on youths in the state to enrol at the agriculture institute expected to take off this month.
He added that the institute would be run by the Leventis Foundation in conjunction with the state government.
The school, according to him, will be tuition-free, adding that the students would be paid stipends.
The President of the AFAN/OSFC, Mr. Joshua Oyedele, appealed to the state government to assist the farmers by providing additional 50 tractors to enable more farmers to practice mechanised farming.
HOW MANY TIMES OVER AND OVER HAVE WE HEARD SUCH BUT SEEN DIFFERENT. TIME IS RUNNING OUT FOR SOME PEOPLE AND THEIR SHAMBOLIC TALKS.
WHAT IS THIS?
Nigeria’s oil wells may dry up in 30 years, by Agagu
Written by Dayo Johnson
Thursday, 08 January 2009
NIGERIA may be worse off in the next three decades if oil revenues are not judiciously channelled toward developing the nation, Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Agagu, has warned.
Agagu, who spoke in Akure during an interactive session with professionals in the state tagged, “An evening with the Governor,” expressed fear that the nation’s oil reserve “might dry up in the next 32 years.”
He said: ”The nation’s oil reserves which now stood at 35 billion barrels might not last more than the next three decades giving the production of three million barrels per day.”
Agagu said “it took about 65 million years for the oil the nation was enjoying today to form,” adding that was the reason some nations had intensified researches on renewable sources of energy.
The country, he warned, might be worse off in terms of infrastructure development in the next 32 years if oil proceeds were not used for the benefit of all Nigerians.
Agagu said, “The oil will last us only 32 years. If the oil dries that means there is no more money coming into states from Abuja. Before the oil dries up, we must put infrastructure in place. We need to be prudent in management of our resources.”
AGAGU DONT HAVE A FOCUS. IF HE KNOW THE OIL WELL WILL DRY IN 30 OR 32 YEARS THEN WHAT IS HE DOING WITH THE ALLOCATION GIVEN TO HIM. I AM ASHAME TO HEAR AN ELDER LIKE HIM SAYING THIS. YOUNG PEOPLE LIKE US CAN NOT SAY THIS IN THE PUBLIC BECAUSE IT IS AN EMBARASSEMENT. AGAGU GET OUT AND STOP ALL THIS RUBISH.
Ikale, Agagu and the verdict of history
By Tope Temokun (Friday, 02 January 2009)
WHEN in 1993 the scion of the famed Agagu family from Iju-Odo in the old Okitipupa division, which comprised the Ikales, the Ilajes and the Ese Odos (the Ondo Ijaws) packed his portmanteau and exited his obscure official sanctum in the pioneer University of Ibadan, for a foray into the wavy political ocean on the waterboat of Ikale dynasty, he held out neither unusual charisma nor any definable political character.
But he became the deputy governor to a retired diplomat and businessman, Bamidele Olumilua, who later answered “Evangelist” and who, 10 years before then, precisely in 1983, had lost in the contest for the seat of Ondo State Central Senatorial District to Lawrence Agunbiade and headed straight for the tribunal which never read its verdict before the military take-over of December 31, 1983.
From the version the historians made us know, after Akin Omoboriowo’s appeal against the verdict of the Olakunle Orojo-led Governorship Election Tribunal had been finally determined in favour of Adekunle Ajasin in the Supreme Court on October 13, 1983, the former was offered a ministerial appointment by President Shehu Shagari, but graciously declined the offer and selflessly put forward Bode Olowoporoku’s name for the appointment.
That was when politics had philosophical taste, when politicians still engaged in philosophical fore-thoughts and political foresights prevailed before political decisions. Agagu jumped at the juicy ministerial offer by Obasanjo after he had lost to Adefarati in 1999 general elections, which apparently held out a promising financial prospect for a future governorship candidate in an era of money politics. From there he seemingly got more fortified politically and reinforced financially to return home in 2003 to incite the support of the Ikales for his reinvigorated ambition to become the governor of Ondo State.
It was a weirdly wild mammoth crowd that gathered, with pumps and pageantry, to welcome Agagu in Ode-Aye, an Ikale town, in 2003, as he toured Ikale land lengthwise for home support for his governorship ambition. When the crowd dissolved that evening, it had become clear that a governor had been made. The ethnocentric quest of the Ikales to have their son head the government business of Ondo State for the first time enkindled by the non-satisfaction of the people with the Adefarati-led government reinforced this conclusion.
Years passed and as the tale became one of unfulfilled promises and dashed hopes, tongues began to wag in disappointment among the Ikale folks, asking questions with unquenchable anger about the promised university and the promised bitumen exploitation which they thought would turn Ikale and the fate of the natives around, while Agagu’s reign lasted. These were the cardinal clauses in their unwritten contract with their son, Agagu.
While the 1983 unbridled carnage in Ondo State lasted, as the unwary party loyalists got carried away in their political calculations and devised machinations, fate silently ambushed men to claim its gory harvest in hundreds, as brothers had to raise arms against brothers, because they belonged to different sides of the political divides.
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As the entire state moved from disaster to catastrophe, the only identifiable cause to which all these were traceable was no more than the same fearful phrase of “second term,” which made ambition to clash with ambition and blood had to flow. Nowhere has it been more proven that men never learn from their past than in politics, for if men learn from their past, history will not repeat itself as it often does. So kokumo, meaning: “He will not die again,” for that was Agagu’s second name, flagged off his campaign train for a “Second Term” in office and in his wild imagination, that was the only way to make good his old promises to his people of Ikale race. Time merely changes, the rottenness that dwells in the minds of our politicians have and may not yield to change.
Mired in such dilemma, a fissure began to grow within the Ikale home supporters of the governor, this soon developed into an unbridgeable wall cleavage, which has proverbially been said that without which lizard would not gain an entrance. But those who declined to follow Agagu’s “Second Term” train had hurdles to cross.
As they chorused that “God gives us relatives, but at least we can chose our own friend,” and frittered away to queue behind Mimiko, Agagu’s perceived political adversary and a non-Ikale. On April 14 the quietude of Ikale land was invaded, as Agagu became set in his irredeemable ways of power aphrodisiac. He lost his native temper in the glitter of power trappings, and the political recalcitrants who would not recant were heavily dealt with, with what the euphoric Agagu’s scanty loyalists christened “Owo Agbara,” meaning: “The hand of power.”
And for those who were so slow to realiise the political signs and wonders of the mythical “Owo Agbara” in the early hours, in the evening of Saturday April 14, 2008, the mere mention of “Owo Agbara” evoked fears and tears from the Ikale natives because of the gory imagery it left behind in its wake.
In 1979, Ajasin as the governor of Ondo State proposed to make Wunmi Adegbonmire a Political Adviser (PA), but the latter insisted he wanted a more “substantial” job; a more definable job he meant. He was therefore appointed as the Chairman of Ondo State Investment Corporation in Akure. That was the era when people went into politics with a clear zeal for contribution.
Those idle PAs and SAs were those who were deployed in droves to Ikake townships on April 14, on behalf of Agagu, escorted by unknown and unknowable soldiers, (apology to the most respected Fela), who shot sporadically into both air and men, to create the scary and rowdy atmosphere ingrediential for their evil mission that day.
So like “Akogbatugbaka,” the proverbial farmer, who made a hundred heaps and scattered all the hundred, in search of a mere snuff box, Agagu worked his way through sheer academic hardwork and focus to the near apogee of the academic ladder known in the academia in the pioneer University of Ibadan as a doctorate degree holder in the geological extraction of the physical sciences, descended into the political scene in 1993, and became a favoured candidate for ministerial offer in 1999, returned home to get the nods of his Ikale people to become a state governor in 2003. Barely six years after, the path he ascended gloriously for an upward of 60 years is now the same path he has descended, and within six years, albeit ingloriously.
Mr. Temokun, a lawyer, writes from Lagos.
On “Nigeria’s oil wells may dry up in 30 years, by Agagu” –
It could be a statement of fact that Nigeria’s oil wells could dry up decades to come, and this would have been a good reason to expect so called Leaders i.e. Presidents, Governors and Statesmen in the country to rule judiciously; preserve the dwindling ecomomy and reserves, ensure that there are adequate returns for investments; ensure that alternative revenue generating ventures are sought after and implemented; not loot or waste what is available; use the present gains for national growth and infrastructure; build, provide basic amenities, good roads, export opportunities, employment channels etc… I could go on. And I am not even a Secretary or PA.
But ridiculously Agagu, the devil, will always want to potray and advertise himself as a “saint”, Agagu who is the chief culprit in wastage and looting of Ondo State coffers and every other monies that has come his way; Agagu who is nationally known to be a thief and enricher of his EFF – “evilly faithful few”; Agagu who expended over 65Billion Naira on CONTRACTS in just a few months and no proper accounting done yet; Agagu who over 5 years as governor of Ondo State has not done much to assist the common man; Agagu who gave Democracy a stab in the stomach as instructed by Godfather OBJ in “do or die” politics; Agagu who told so many lies in court and fielded fake professors who in turn committed perjury; Agagu who during his aviation days stole so much from the industry to the extent that Nigeria cannot boast of an aviation industry (not the private sector); Agagu who has the most dirty hands in Nigeria as a governor, Agagu who should rot in jail then hell… I could also go on here, but let me pause.
So this same Agagu will have the mouth to warn that Nigeria oil reserves could dry up in the next 3 decades!!!lol. AGAGU WHEN YOU STAND IN FRONT OF THE MIRROR, WHAT DO YOU BEHOLD? WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT YOURSELF? AND MOST IMPORTANTLY WHAT DOES GOD KNOW ABOUT YOU? BEWARE MR AGAGU. THE YOUTHS ARE BECOMING RESTLESS. IT IS MIMIKO AND LP THAT ARE CALLING FOR CALM AND RATIONAL THINKING IN ONDO STATE. IF NOT BY JOVE, MEND, THE YOUTHS, THE MARKET WOMEN AND MANY OTHERS WOULD FRY YOU FOR DINNER. YOU ARE PUSHING THE PEOPLE TOO FAR AND YOU NEED TAKE A DEEP LOOK INWARDS AND STOP THESE FALLACIES AND FOOLERIES. MY BLOOD BOILS WHEN AGAGU MAKES PRONOUNCEMENTS THAT CLEARLY SHOW HE THINKS THE PEOPLE ARE FOOLS.
My people in Ondo State, it is well for all is well that ends well and this matter will end well and justice shall soon be done. Not too far to go. Mimiko will be vindicated soon, the people will soon have cause to rejoice and Ondo State will be liberated in Jesus name. Peace
It has been written.nobody can change the word of God,i believe in God.i know that Mimiko will get his mandate at the appellate court,no matter how it is..i want to advise our Governor olusegun mimiko to do something about those people that are decamp from PDP to LP.pls dont let them to destruct your government.they were coming to destruct what you have done but God will not allow them.pls sir i dont want you to offend any body.all these people has ambition.they are coming to contest against.in your slogan you said room enough for all but not for those people that are coming there to destroy what you have done.Akure people love you and i dont want you to offend them.
The Vision is for an Appointed Time at the End It shall Speak for itself. My Great People of Ondo State I wish You Happy New Year and Happy Waiting for The Appeal Verdict on January 19 and 20 th 2009. We Shall All give Thanks to God on behalf of Our Brother Olusegun Mimiko
When Jesus says YES, nobody born of man and woman can change it or say no. Ayanmo ni. Mimiko is born to be great. Born to liberate Ondo State and born to go down in the history books of greatness with the likes of Winston Churchill, Nelson Mandela, Abraham Lincoln, Napoleon Bonaparte, Colin Powell, Nnamdi Azikiwe and of course our Papa Obafemi Awolowo. Can Obasanjo boast of such? Can Agagu ever be remembered for good?
In God we Trust.
Iroko yi jo gba sibeeeee
No Shakkkiiiiiiiiiiiinnnnnng
Mimiko o jareeeeeeee
YOU ARE A WINNER
Soon my people.
Peace
PS: Has anyone heard from Iroko Kekere?
Father Lord Jehova, this is the dawn of a new day – 12midnight 20th January 2009 (GMT). We bless thee for the first day of the Appeal hearing and now we doubly bless the for the 2nd and final day of the hearing, knowing fully well that You are absolutely, well and truly in control of everything. Please enter into the hearts of the Judges, and your son Abdullahi so that only the Truth is declared in this case. Mimiko we all know won without any shadow of doubt the April 07 polls as Ondo State Governor. Father your son Mimiko has patiently and obediently followed the path of truth and justice for his vindication. Vindicate him o Lord. Give us something to smile about for a change in Ondo State. We know that you are a true God. Our vigils, prayers, petitions and requests will not be in vain. Father Lord I thank you for You have done it and Mimiko is vindicated. Thank you Jehovah. I will forever declare your name and sing your praise in Jesus name. I stand in the gap for Governor Olusegun Mimiko and say that Mimiko will govern with integrity, uprightness, love, care and upliftment of the people who voted him into power in Jesus name.
Thank you Lord for allowing that Ondo State coffers are frozen for Agagu over the past few months have openly proved to the whole world what a liar, thief, monster and uncaring robber he is. Remove him like “jigger” from Alagbaka and let him face his nemesis.
Thank you o Lord on behalf of all the good people of Ondo State. We will continue to love and obey you now and forever. Amen.
Peace my people, it is well. The glory of the Lord will be revealed.
MY PEOPLE YOU WILL LIKELY READ THIS REPORT IN THE NATION BUT NO WORRIES. IT IS NOT AN INDEFINITE ADJOURNMENT, YOU CAN SEE AGAGU AGAIN IS TRYING TO BUY TIME AND DELAY, BUT GOD WILL DELIVER A FASTER JUDGEMENT THAN AGAGU THINKS IN THIS MATTER. TAKE HEART FOR GOD’S TIME IS THE BEST AND HE WHO LAUGHS LAST LAUGHS BEST:
Court puts off judgment in Agagu’s appeal 20/1/2009
From Osagie Otabor, Benin
Ondo State people will have to wait a while to know who their bonafide governor is.
The Court of Appeal sitting in Benin City, which heard the suit over the nullification of the election of Governor Olusegun Agagu yesterday reserved judgment indefinitely.
Agagu is challenging the judgment of the Election Petitions Tribunal which voided his election and declared Labour Party’s (LP) governorship candidate, Dr. Segun Mimiko winner.
The appeal was heard by a five-member panel, headed by the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Abdullahi Umar.
Justice Umar said the date for the judgment would be communicated to both parties later.
As at 7:30am yesterday, the court premises had been filled with supporters of both political parties.
Security operatives sealed off roads leading to the court.
They searched those entering the premises.
Before hearing the arguments of the parties, the court granted an application seeking for an extension of time to reply to briefs by counsel to Agagu, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the police.
The lead counsel to Agagu, Chief Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), said the strike by judicial workers affected the filing of the application, which he said was supported by a 10-paragraph affidavit.
In his brief of argument, Fagbemi said the ballot papers tendered as exhibit at the tribunal were not arranged in units or wards and that it was wrong for the tribunal to order them to be counted in bulk.
He said: “No witnesses came forward to say they have sorted out these exhibits. The tribunal did not say which exhibits contained in the 67 bags related to each unit. The tribunal without the awareness of the parties sorted out the documents. Parties did not know how the documents were sorted and the parameters used to know which one belongs to which party.
“Unused voters ‘ card were tendered. Owners of the card were alive but not called to testify. The tribunal made use of voter’s card whose ownership was shrouded in mystery.”
Fagbemi said it was wrong for the tribunal to rely on the report of the State Security Service (SSS), which he said the petitioner claimed not to exist.
“The original of the SSS report was tendered by the petitioner,” he added.
Calling on the court to set aside the verdict of the tribunal and uphold the election of Agagu, Fagbemi said there was a difference between the case of Edo State Governor Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and that of Mimiko.
He said Mimiko could not be declared governor because the election was characterised by irregularities according to the tribunal’s judgment.
Counsel to PDP, Alhaji Abdullahi Ibrahim said Mimiko failed to prove allegation of hijacking of electoral materials, thuggery and falsification of results.
He said: “One cannot run away from the fact that the petition is based on criminality from certain people. All activities were criminal activities and, therefore, the respondent could not have been returned.
“Evidences were skeletal. Few witnesses gave account of what happened. Many of the witnesses were supervisory agents. The tribunal ran from making serious findings in the issue of crimes.
“It was the tribunal that sorted out the ballot papers on polling units’ basis without parties. It is an illegal act and cannot be the basis. I urged Your Lordship to allow the appeal of the PDP. The tribunal cannot sit on its own and allocate votes to those parties in the absence of those parties.”
Lead counsel to INEC and the Police Mr. Joseph Daudu and James Cooler Idachaba supported the argument of the counsel to the PDP and Agagu.
But the lead counsel to Mimiko, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) prayed the court to uphold the judgment of the tribunal.
Olanipekun argued that the issues raised by the PDP, INEC and the police lacked merit.
“Laws are never applied in a vacuum. You cannot wish something on nothing and expect it to stand,” he added.
On the use of the SSS report which was admitted as an exhibit, Olanipekun noted that it was the PDP counsel who pleaded it.
“The SSS report admitted as exhibit which he said to be a mystery, he pleaded mystery at the lower tribunal because both parties pleaded the SSS report. In fairness, he pleaded it conclusively to be factual and most authentic.
“All the ballot papers were admitted and accordingly marked unit by unit, local government by local government.
“May we, therefore, urged Your Lordship to dismiss the appeal and uphold the judgment of the lower tribunal, and also commend the tribunal’s judges for their wise decision,” Olanipekun said.
My people, our prayers will be answered by God. No fears and no worries. We can already see God moving in this appeal. Agagu and co really have no appeal hence their dilly dallying tactics and wasting of time. When will “Maku” not die? God is good. Keep praying and the best is yet to come. MIMIKO IS ON TO A WINNER. BE ASSURED.
PEACE