BRAIN DAMAGE: Suntai Unable To Recognize State Lawmakers Who Visited Him

• Share on Facebook
 
• Share on Twitter

The severity of Governor Danbaba Suntai’s brain damage became obvious to the leadership of the Taraba State House of Assembly who visited him today, two of the legislators have revealed.

A surprise invitation was extended to the lawmakers to meet Mr. Suntai after a group of state legislators threatened to commence the ailing governor’s impeachment. One of the lawmakers who saw Mr. Suntai said the sudden invitation was designed to placate lawmakers.

The delegation of lawmakers was led by the speaker of the Taraba State Assembly, Haruna Tsokwa. Our sources revealed that the legislators met Mr. Suntai who was seated on a couch struggling to speak some words to the delegates. They disclosed that Mr. Suntai did not recognize any of the lawmakers. His speech was characterized as garbled, confused and mostly inaudible, according to one source. He added that, at one point, the brain-injured governor managed to say that one of them was his “big deputy.” The person he referred to then told Mr. Suntai that he was not his deputy.

Our sources added that the bizarre meeting convinced the assembly leadership that Mr. Suntai was incapable of running the state. They retreated to a meeting at the state assembly. The meeting ended and the lawmakers left without addressing the media, the promised to return to the chambers tomorrow.
Meanwhile, the cabal tied to Mr. Suntai that has sought to maneuver the sick governor back in office this evening carried out another charade by swearing in some so-called “newly appointed” government officials in the state. The alleged swearing-in took place at the governor’s dining room without any member of his executive council or security chiefs in attendance. There was no judicial officer in sight to administer the oath

Mr. Suntai was made to seat on one of the chairs and at a point given a paper to read. A witness said it was unclear what he tried to do with the paper, at a point he spoke a few words in Hausa but  for the rest of the event  his voice was inaudible throughout the charade.

Anambra Guber: Tukur’s Letter To Jega Stirs Controversy

A letter from the national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Bamanga Tukur, to the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Attahiru Jega, appears to have stirred a fresh controversy as it concerns the party’s governorship primary in Anambra State.

Tukur’s letter, dated May 8, 2013, is an introductory correspondence to INEC notifying the commission of certain changes the PDP had effected and contains Ejike Oguebego as the Anambra State chairman of the party.

Meanwhile, the governorship primary of the PDP in Anambra State had produced two candidates, Andy Uba and Tony Nwoye, in two separate exercises conducted by two factions.

While Uba emerged victorious at the primary conducted by the INEC-backed Oguebego-led faction, Nwoye was elected by the Ken Emeakayi-led faction that has the support of the national leadership of the PDP. The Tukur-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the party has already confirmed Nwoye as the governorship candidate of the PDP.

But Tukur’s letter, entitled ‘Forwarding New Developments in the Composition of National Executive Committee (NEC) of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) reads as follows:

“In view of some important developments that led to changes in the executive officers of our party, I write to forward to you the list of our National Executive Committee (NEC) members, as attached, for your kind perusal and guidance.”

The letter, personally signed by Tukur , LEADERSHIP gathered, was part of the evidence Oguebego provided as proof before the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, when he approached the court to stop the Emeakayi faction of the PDP from presenting Nwoye as the governorship candidate of the party.

I want to see the letter – Tukur’ aide

But Tukur’s media assistant, Oliva Opala, when asked about his principal’s response,  said it was difficult for him to comment on the said letter since he did not have the opportunity to see the document.

He said, “For now, all I can tell you is that I cannot make a categorical statement or comment on that because the document you are talking about is not in my possession, neither is it available for me to sight;  if only you can do us a favour by bringing the letter to us so that we can know whether or not such a correspondence emanated from the national chairman of the PDP”.

Court orders INEC, PDP to accept Andy Uba

Meanwhile, the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt has ordered both the PDP and INEC to disregard the results of the ward and state congresses conducted by the Emeakayi-led faction of the party, and directed INEC and PDP to accept the candidacy of Dr Andy Uba.

In the suit instituted by Oguebego and Gilbert Okoye (as plaintiffs) in which they listed the PDP and INEC as first and second defendants respectively, Justice Hyeladzira  Nganjiwa ordered as follows:

“That the 1st and 2nd Defendants (PDP and INEC) are to accept the results that emerged from plaintiffs’ ward and state congresses, pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice for Interlocutory Injunction to set aside the interim order

“That the 1st and 2nd Defendants are hereby restrained from accepting the wards and state congresses results from Ken Emeakayi-led PDP Executive from Anambra State pending the hearing and determination of the motion for interlocutory injunction and the motion to set aside the interim order made on the August 6, 2013.”

The case has been adjourned till Friday for ruling on the earlier order the court made on August 6, 2013.     

Uba shuns PDP as Nwoye gets certificate of return

The national leadership of the PDP yesterday handed its certificate of return for the Anambra governorship election to Nwoye just as Senator Uba did not appear before the party as ordered on Tuesday.

Ubah was invited alongside his brother - Chris,  Oguebego, Chief Benji Udeozor, Mrs. Tonia Nwankwu, but none of them showed up for the parley.

Speaking with journalists after receiving the certificate of return from the national chairman of the party, Nwoye described his emergence as an act of God.

He, further, said that INEC cannot stop him from contesting the election, noting that “it is the national chairman of the party and secretary that present a party’s candidate for an election. Once a party presents a candidate, INEC cannot object to it.”

APC to conduct primary in Anambra

Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress, APC,  has said that it will conduct governorship primary in Anambra State.

APC national secretary, Tijani Tumsah said the party’s primary will hold in Awka, the state capital on Monday next week.

This development has ended speculations that Senator Chris Ngige had been endorsed as the consensus candidate for the APC. Ngige will now face Tony Ezeemo who had earlier rejected the adoption of Ngige.

SUNTAI FIRES CABINET, MEETS SPEAKER

SUNTAI FIRES CABINET, MEETS SPEAKER

Gov Danbaba Suntai

.Ag gov says some people trying to foment trouble

The political situation in Taraba State remained dicey yesterday as officials held series of meetings to break the impasse created by the return of Governor Danbaba Suntai from a foreign medical trip on Sunday.
Suntai has not been seen in public since his return, after spending 10 months in Germany and the United States to treat injuries sustained in a plane crash in October last year.
On Tuesday, the State House of Assembly expressed doubt on if he was fit enough to take charge from Acting Governor Garba Umar, and therefore summoned him to brief lawmakers as a condition for allowing him to resume work.
But events took a swift turn yesterday, beginning with the announcement by the governor’s office of the dissolution of the state executive council, moments before the council was scheduled to hold a weekly meeting with the acting governor.
Suntai’s spokesman Sylvanus Giwa, who announced the sack of the cabinet, said also a new secretary to the state government and a chief of staff in the Government House were appointed.
He said the cabinet dissolution affects all commissioners and special advisers but not special assistants.
On whether Suntai was fit enough to administer the state, Giwa responded in the affirmative.
Soon after this, the acting governor’s office held a news conference where it said some people were trying to foment trouble in the state.
Umar’s spokesman Kefas Sule, who addressed journalists on behalf of the acting governor, said Umar and other major political stakeholders were working to resolve the impasse.
He said that the state executive council was worried that some individuals were bent on fomenting trouble in the state, and urged the people to continue with their normal activities.
Following the announcement of the dissolution of the cabinet, journalists gathered at the State House of Assembly to see if lawmakers would take stand on the latest developments.
The House leadership promised to brief reporters on their position. But many hours after, deputy majority leader Josiah Sabo Kente informed journalists at about 8pm that there would be no further briefing until today.
Daily Trust learnt that the leadership had moments earlier been given access to Suntai at the Government House. On Tuesday, Speaker Haruna Tsokwa had said they were blocked from seeing the governor by a cabal who wanted to run the state by proxy.
Reporters were not allowed to cover the meeting between the lawmakers and Suntai yesterday.
Earlier, footage aired on state television showed the swearing-in ceremony of the newly appointed Secretary to the State Government, Gebon Timothy Kataps, and Chief of Staff, Malam Aminu Jika, at the Government House.
The footage showed Suntai reading a script, in which he thanked the people of the state for their prayers and urged them to continue to pray for him. He also congratulated them on the 22nd anniversary of the creation of the state.
Only a cameraman of the state television was allowed to cover the swearing-in ceremony and he later played the clip to reporters.
A similar scenario happened on Monday when Governor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State visited Suntai, during which only two cameramen—one each from Taraba and Adamawa state television stations—were allowed to cover the visit.
A senior Taraba official yesterday told Daily Trust what actually happened on Monday afternoon during Nyako’s visit. He said Nyako and his entourage were received in the ground floor sitting room of the Government House by Mrs Hauwa Suntai, who made a long welcoming speech.
The source said afterwards, after much hesitation, Mrs Suntai invited Nyako to go upstairs and see Suntai, and the Adamawa governor beckoned to his deputy Bala Ngilari to follow him.
Other members of Nyako’s entourage including the Secretary to the Adamawa State Government were not allowed to see Suntai.
The source added that television pictures shown that night of the visit were misleading because they gave the impression that Suntai received the entire Adamawa delegation. A clip from Nyako’s brief audience upstairs was cleverly grafted into a clip of the general audience that took place downstairs to give that impression, the source said.
Another security official who saw Suntai during the brief appearances said the governor is able to respond when someone greets him, but does not say more than that.
But chairman of the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Mr. Victor Bala Kona said he spoke with the governor and even discussed plans for the party’s national convention coming up in Abuja on Saturday. He told the BBC Hausa radio last night that Suntai would soon address the public when he completed his “rest” after a long trip back from the United States.
Before the cabinet sack was announced, Attorney General Kataps, who is now the SSG, said it was wrong for the House Speaker to invite Suntai to appear before the House.
Kataps told journalists that the constitution stipulates that the governor only needed to transmit a letter to the House, to inform lawmakers of his return.
“When the executive governor transmits a letter to the House of Assembly, every other thing reverts back to the status quo ante and the governor has resumed office as the executive governor of the state,” he said.
When asked about the health status and ability of the governor to perform his duties, Kataps said he would not comment on that because of pending court cases on the matter
.

PDP Crisis: Clashes Between Jonathan And Obasanjo Escalate Over Andy Uba’s Rejection

The recent confrontation between the former and the current presidents, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, seems to be escalating after the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rejected the Anambra State governorship primary that produced a former aide to Obasanjo, Senator Andy Uba, as the party’s candidate for the November 16 governorship election in the state.

Not long ago, the former president had sought Jonathan’s support for Senator Uba in the run-up to the PDP nomination date, after what Obasanjo joined the crisis between the President and some governors elected on the platform of the PDP two weeks ago.

But, the PDP national Chairman Bamanga Tukur confirmed Mr. Tony Nwoye as the party's candidate. The party's leadership also condemned the parallel primary and rejected Uba's candidacy.

However, it has been revealed, that Obasanjo is angry as he was said to have questioned what Nwoye possessed that was lacking in Uba.

“We are watching where the action of the PDP leadership would lead us. We begin to wonder why they would have a preference for a youth leader and why they would reject the man who had won the same governorship poll for our party before the court terminated his mandate, and who is now a serving senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria."
“From all indications, if the party fails to reverse itself, then the outcome of that November 16, 2013 election in Anambra has been decided by them,” a political follower of Obasanjo told Leadership's correspondent."

The source recalled the efforts made by Senator Uba in the ongoing reconciliation between Jonathan and the ex-president and called on the chairman of the Board of Trustees of the party, Chief Tony Anenih, to intervene quickly before it is too late for the party:

“It is our hope that Chief Anenih would stop this drift before it would be too late; we wonder why these people would never see anything good in Baba Obasanjo and yet they run to him in the cover of the night asking him to help them to come out of their self-inflicted crises. “Mark my words, PDP would never win that poll with that boy as PDP’s candidate.”

Meanwhile, both the presidency and the former president have denied that they were on a collision course over the choice of PDP candidate for the Anambra election.

It will be reminded, that the parallel primaries took place on 24 August 2013. The PDP disapproved the primary held by the faction chaired by Ejike Oguebeogu and recognized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), where Mr. Uba was elected as its governorship candidate. After that, PDP summoned Uba to appear before a disciplinary panel to "show cause why disciplinary action should not be taken against them.” Senator will be joined by his brother Chris and three other party leaders in Anambra, Ejike Oguebego, Benji Udeozor, and Tonia Nwankwu. They are to appear before the National Working Committee (NWC) for a preliminary hearing at the PDP National Secretariat at Wuse Zone 5, Abuja on Wednesday, August 28, at 10 am.

Manual: How to Get a Girl to Be Your Girlfriend

The good news is that you've found a girl you really like and you want her to be your girlfriend. The bad news is, every time you think about asking her to make it official, you start to feel nervous...or even nauseous.

You keep asking yourself, "What if she rejects me? What if my question doesn't come out the right way?" If you follow these easy steps, your question will most likely be met with a resounding, "Yes, please!"

1. Examine your reasons for asking the girl to make it official.

If you've found a girl who makes you feel special and your heart is beating at a million miles per minute, then chances are, she would make a great girlfriend.

However, asking someone to be your girlfriend could be making a serious commitment that could lead to marriage, and it's important to understand your motives before you plunge into your question.

• If she's the right girl, then she will possess many positive qualities that will make your relationship thrive. Here are a few signs that she is girlfriend material: You love spending time with her. Every time you are apart, you're counting down the minutes until you'll see each other again.
• She makes you want to be a better person. Her intelligence, quick wit, and work ethic makes you want to read more books, work harder, and brush up on your jokes.
• She is committed to you. If she has demonstrated loyalty by showing up to watch your band perform, or bringing you chicken soup when you're feeling sick, chances are, she'll transition smoothly into the girlfriend role.
• You have common interests. You have things in common, from your favorite sports teams to your love for running marathons. Though you don't have to share all of your interests, you have to have enough in common so you can find meaningful ways to spend time together as the relationship progresses.
• If she's the wrong girl, or you're in it for the wrong reasons, then chances are, you're better off being single. Here are some signs that you should not take your relationship to the next level:
• If she expresses interest in other men. If you know she is casually dating others, and makes no plans to stop seeing them, chances are she won't stop pursuing her extra-curricular activities once she becomes your girlfriend. However, give her the benefit of the doubt: she may be on the dating market, but you could be the one she has her eye on.
• You only want to date her because you are lonely, or in need of some attention in the bedroom. Casual dating works best for these situations. Having a girlfriend is a real commitment, and you should be asking the girl to make it official because you care about her--not about what she can do for you.

2. Make sure she likes you.

If she's sending you mixed signals, try spending a little more time with her until you feel confident about how she feels.

• Avoid asking too early! If you're only just beginning to get to know her and you immediately ask her to be your girlfriend, she will say no because she doesn't know you well enough, and the resulting happiness might decrease your chances of being together. Furthermore, she will probably think you're a bit strange (in a not so great way).
• Listen to her words, and note her body language. Do you get the impression that she wants to be around you? You can pick up on this pretty easily if you concentrate on her actions.
• Get a sense of her feelings from her friends. Without being too obvious, you can check in with her friends to see if she's really digging you. This can help boost your confidence--and to avoid potentially awkward situations if she has you deep in the Friend Zone.

3. Find the right place and time to ask your question.

It's important to be thoughtful about when and where you'll be asking your question. This will show your girl that you put time and effort into planning your special moment, and will increase your chances of getting a favorable response.

• Pick a location that sets the right tone. It's important to pick a place where you can have enough privacy to ask your question. You can avoid any overly-romantic location, such as a candle-lit dinner, which will make your intentions too obvious and will make things more awkward if you are rejected. Asking during a long walk in a park or over quiet drinks can be just perfect.
• Pick the right time. Evenings are more romantic and will allow the girl to focus on you, not her busy day. You can ask her on a weekend night, but be wary that this will make it look like a date already.
• Make plans in advance. Be mysterious. Ask her to meet you a week in advance, so she'll be thinking about your intentions. This will show her that you're playful and thoughtful.

4. Have the right attitude.

You should approach the evening with a positive attitude. Thinking that your conversation will go well can really help you succeed. If you have confidence in the future of your relationship, she will too.

• Avoid being nervous. Don't bite your nails, or retreat into awkward silence. Just be yourself.

5. Pop the question in the best way possible.

It's important to deliver your question in the best way possible, so that your intentions are clear.

• Once you've gotten to know your girl, it's time to ask her to be yours. There are several ways to ask a girl to be your girlfriend, and it's going to depend on how people your age refer to it. For example, "going steady" is an outdated phrase. The following are pretty timeless:
• "Will you be my girlfriend?" Asking her to be your girlfriend is much more direct and upfront than "would you go out with me?" Most girls would be flattered by your confidence and direct speech.
• Don't be afraid to be creative if the direct route is not for you. You can ask the girl by handing her a letter, writing "Will you be my girlfriend?" on a cake, or finding another creative way to capture her attention--and her heart.
• Don't wait a long time or she'll think you don't like her anymore. Girls have their limits.
• Avoid asking her to be your "implied girlfriend." This may happen when you've been hanging out for a few weeks and generally having a good time. Then, one day you sort of look at each other and you ask, "Hey, are we going out?". Invariably, the answer will be No. Most times, it is just worse not to be direct about what you are.

6. React appropriately

Whether she agrees to be your girlfriend and gives you a big hug or turns you down, your actions after you pop the questions can set the tone for the rest of the relationship.

• If she says yes, tell her how excited you are to hear that you'll be spending time together as boyfriend and girlfriend. All of your cards are on the table and you don't have to worry so much about playing it cool anymore. Reciprocating her enthusiasm will show how thrilled you are about your future together!
• If she rejects you, be understanding. There are many reasons that she may not want to be your girlfriend, such as having feelings for someone else, or only seeing you as a friend. Whatever her reason, it's important not to put her down or act like you don't care about her anymore. This will show that you're mature and reasonable, and will allow you to continue your friendship. Also, this will make it more likely that she will reconsider your question if you ask her in the distant future!

"I Believe I Can Fly": Nigerian Builds Unusual Jet Car (VIDEO)

A wannabe aviator, Mr. Kehinde Durojaiye Obasanjo, built a locally made engine in a contraption that runs on road and sea.

SaharaTV found him operating the contraption in Ikeja to attract minor donors who collected his Compact Disk in which he said he recorded its operation on water.

Mr. Obasanjo said he designed it to operate on three mediums: ground, water and air, but has only achieved two due to financial constraints. But for now, the invention can only run on ground and water.

He said he had contacted State Governments of Lagos and Ogun to find support, but he only got their promise since beginning of 2013.

Nigerian Government Break Off Negotiations With ASUU, Blames Opposition

The Nigerian Government has decided to break off negotiation with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) over what it called the infiltration of the union by the opposition to discredit the government.

The committee set up by the Federal government to negotiate with the union had given a verdict of non-compromise on the part of the union and the security report of the infiltration of the opposition it decided to break the negotiation.

It was revealed that the committee had reported to the government that the union had remained 'rigid and unbending' to suggestions on how to agree on some of the issues it was agitating for so as to end the strike which had entered its ninth week.

The committee had told the government that the union leaders were arrogant and selfish as their interest was paramount to that of their students who had been at home all this while.

The government after the report told the committee members that it had fresh security report that the union's stance on the lingering crisis in the education sector was as a result of the opposition's infiltration into the union.

It said the opposition wants to portray the government as irrational and uncaring to the plight of the lecturers and their students as well as present the government in bad light to Nigerians and the international community.

The government in breaking the negotiation has decided to fund individual student's education as it is done in advanced countries.

As a way of making nonsense of the industrial action by ASUU, SaharaReporters gathered that the government plans to introduce loans to the students throughout their period in the university so as to cushion the effect of the financial hardship on the students.

The government expects the students to re-pay the loans after graduation provided they get jobs of their choice. It however could not be ascertained how the loan to the students would compel the lecturers to call off the strike.

The National President of ASUU, Dr. Nasir Fagee, had last week during a press conference at the University of Lagos, Nigeria said the union had pulled out of the negotiation between the union and the Nigerian government citing insincerity as reason for its decision, adding that the union would not call off its strike until the agreement the government signed with the union in 2009 is honoured.

CAR-SPOTTING: A Memorable Nissan Family Reunion Photo

The Nissan Motor Company recently annexed the driveway at the posh Pelican Hill Resort in Newport Beach to create a memorable family reunion photo.

This impressive and improbable array of historical vehicles dates to the 1930s, and includes such confections as the lovely Fairlady Roadster of 1961 and the R390 GT1 Le Mans racer, who penned the Jaguar XJR-9 and Ferrari 333 SP racers.

The Nissan 360 event gives a global array of journalists the rare opportunity to sample some 130 different Nissan and Infiniti models, new and old.

VOP: All 6 Governors Deny Hand In New Party

The request by six Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors allegedly linked with moves to seek approval from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to float a new political party, the Voice of the People (VOP), has continued to generate controversy, as details about the promoters of the political association have remained shrouded in secrecy.

Curiously, too, all the six governors allegedly linked with the political association seeking registration as a new political party have denied any involvement in the move to register the VOP as they reiterated their loyalty to the PDP.

Governors Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), Sule Lamido (Jigawa), Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano), Murtala Nyako (Adamawa), Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu (Niger) and Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto) are mentioned as the promoters of the new party which is coming on the heels of irreconcilable differences with the national leadership of the PDP on one the hand and President Goodluck Jonathan on the other.

The Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed and another unnamed governor, it was learnt, might also key into the idea of the new party.

Amidst the denial by the governors are indications that the proliferation of the new parties is being masterminded by the Presidency with a top shot of the party as the arrowhead just as the PDP leadership is mulling the idea of summoning the governors mentioned in the new move.

But speaking to journalists in Port Harcourt yesterday, the chief of staff, Government House, Port Harcourt, Hon Tony Okocha said: “That Governor Amaechi and five other governors are planning to float a political party? They must be soothsayers to know what the governors are planning. Why don’t they allow it to play out and see whether it is true?

“People just sit down and begin to speculate. Look, nothing good comes out from the man who hates you. So, there is nothing to say there other than to say that it is in their imaginations.”

Chief press secretary to Governor Nyako, Ahmed Sajoh, told LEADERSHIP that he learnt of the VOP from our correspondent.

“Well, I am hearing of VOP from you for the first time; as far as I am concerned, Governor Murtala Nyako remains a member of the PDP”, Sajoh said on telephone.

Governor Kwankwaso’s chief press secretary, Aliyu Baba Dantiye, in his response to LEADERSHIP enquiries, replied: “He (Kwankwaso) is still a member of PDP”.

His Niger State counterpart, Danladi Ndayabo’s response was not different: “My boss is a member of the PDP,” he said.

The Jigawa State governor’s chief press secretary, Umar Kyari, also responded to a text message from LEADERSHIP, saying: “Governor Lamido remains a committed member of the PDP.”

However, the presidency’s game plan, according to an impeccable source, is to encourage the emergence of ‘at least three presidential candidates from the north’, a report the Political Adviser to the President, Ali Ahmed Gulak, described as untrue.

Nonetheless, the source confided in LEADERSHIP that the need to be ‘pro-active’ became necessary when ‘the so-called aggrieved governors’ did not show signs of truce with the leadership of the PDP and the Presidency.

The excitement that greeted the recent registration of the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM) is a pointer that something was amiss.

“In politics, you don’t underrate anybody; I think that was the reason the president and all concerned leaders of the PDP tried as much as possible to ensure that areas of conflict are resolved and settled with the so-called aggrieved governors.

“But when things became more difficult, of course, there had to be some pro-active measures; after all, they are all politicians who know the game well. If you recollect, you would observe that rather than being disturbed, the president’s men were happy that PDM was registered to, at least, increase the number of possible northern candidates aside the PDP; and now, VOP has come on board. If you are on ground, you would know that there is something more than the ordinary in the game we are witnessing. Forget all the abuses you see on the pages of newspapers between one leader of the PDP and PDM, they are all one I can tell you,” the source noted.

He mentioned an unnamed top shot of the PDP as the brain behind the strategy to prop up at least three northern presidential candidates to distract President Jonathan’s opponents from the region while has a field day in the south.

For instance, the source mentioned a particular inner caucus member of the PDM as not only an ‘avowed supporter’ of Jonathan, but a kinsman of the president who has several times made his pro-Jonathan position known in the press. The said PDM chieftain is from Rivers State and has served in the Management Committee of the PDM prior to its being registered as a political party. 

But Gulak faulted the report that the president was behind the registration of new parties, describing it as baseless.

He said: “It is most unfounded, mischievous and untrue in all respects. Nigerians should by now know that politicians, particularly those who have tried all means to discredit the president but failed, can go to any length to achieve their aims.  “Before now, the story was that President Jonathan was stopping APC from being registered as a party; now that APC has been registered and new ones coming on board, the story has changed, that the president is behind the registration of more parties to whittle down the opposition. These are unserious talks from unserious quarters that cannot be allowed to distract the president; it is most untrue and fallacious,” he said.

Meanwhile, as the PDP leadership is considering the idea to summon the affected governors to explain their roles in the reported move to form a new party, INEC said that, like many others, VOP  will not be denied registration if it met all requirements stipulated by law.

A highly placed PDP source confided in LEADERSHIP that the report of the move by the governor first got to the leadership of the party even before the truce meeting brokered by former president Olusegun Obasanjo three weeks ago.

According to him, but for the meeting in which the affected governors were part, the announcement of the new party would have been made even before the registration of the PDM.

“The party (PDP) is quite aware of all the moves; the first step the governors took was to ensure that they bonded themselves together without any infiltration from the APC so that that can float their own party but, unfortunately, Baba’s (Obasanjo) intervention in the crisis put a halt to the move.

“As a party, naturally, we should be disturbed that leaders cannot find a common ground to iron out their differences and stay within the party, but as the situation unfolds, we shall continue to ensure we follow up because we will not give up the efforts to reconcile everybody until the last day.

“But essentially, at this point that they have not denied being the promoters of the Voice of the People as a party, we will have no option than to invite them and confirm from them. We will not take media reports to mean that they are, indeed, promoting another party without leaving the PDP. We shall invite them and hear them out in the next one week so that we know where we stand”, he said.

Kayode Idowu, chief press secretary to the INEC chairman, Prof Attahiru Jega, said there was nothing spectacular about the VOP’s application for registration as a political party.

 “Like others, whether VOP or not, all applications shall be treated according to their own merits, and INEC does not need to know who is behind what group to act, whether to register such group or not.

“To be sincere, INEC does not need to identify individuals; we are only interested in whether the rules have been followed or not; so it is an open thing that no one can stop - not even INEC can stop any party from being registered, the VOP  inclusive if at all a group like that is seeking INEC’s approval”, Idowu said.

Anenih Insists On Automatic Ticket For Jonathan

The need for an automatic ticket for President Goodluck Jonathan to contest the 2015 presidential election was again given a forceful push at  the South-South Expanded Caucus meeting held in Calabar, with the chairman of the Board of Trustees {BOT} of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chief Antony Anenih insisting that it was best arrangement for the party.

The propriety or otherwise of an automatic ticket for the president and first-term governors in 2015 has been fingered as two main reasons for the unending conflict between the six governors allegedly linked with the new party, VOP, and the leadership of the PDP.

But Anenih, who was at the meeting convened to take stock of President Jonathan’s administration, expressed satisfaction with the political and economic development of the country under Jonathan, saying that “his performance is enough for PDP to give him an automatic ticket.”

He dismissed opposition elements and critics of the president as empty voices, even as he appealed to the people of the zone not to be distracted by the activities of such persons.

Addressing participants at the meeting, Anenih said the PDP was the strong pillar of the country and a source of economic and political strength, and warned that any persons or groups that attempted to scuttle the second term ambition of the president “will not be forgiven by the gods of the land”.

2014 Anambra Guber: Soludo Dumps PDP For APGA

The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) on Wednesday recorded a big catch with the defection of the former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo to the party.

The former CBN governor defected to APGA from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) under which platform he ran the 2010 governorship election in the state.
In a letter addressed to the national chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, dated July 17, 2013, conveying his resignation from the PDP, Professor Soludo thanked the party for offering him the opportunity to serve in it some capacities.

“This is to convey my resignation as a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with effect from today. Let me use this opportunity to thank the party for the opportunity given to me to serve it in some capacities. This resignation is without prejudice to the possibility of future collaboration with the party in any areas of common interest designed to advance the course of nation-building,” the letter read.

Meanwhile, Professor Soludo was on Wednesday registered as APGA member at his Isuofia Ward in Aguata local government area of Anambra State by the ward chairman, Mr. Okeke Anthony and subsequently issued with the party’s membership card.

He said he joined APGA because he believed the party had sound and progressive ideology that would enable him transform Anambra State into “Africa- Taiwan Dubai” of his dream.

How My Father Broke My Virginity And Forced Me To Have Sex With Him – 17-Year-Old Girl Confesses

A 17-year-old female student of Takoradi Senior High School (name withheld) revealed in an interview that her biological father broke her virginity and has been having sexual intercourse with her for the past nine months, at his Adiembra residence near Sekondi.

According to the girl, her father who was sojourning in Spain returned to Ghana December last year and that was when it all started. “At the age of 16, I had not slept with any boy or man, but my father returned from Spain last December and started having sex with me,” she said.

The girl said her parents were divorced and her father was the one taking care of her so he threatened to stop supporting her if she told anybody. “If my father doesn’t pay my fees no one will do it. My mother does not have the means to take care of me in school so I was afraid to inform anybody about my ordeal; not even my mother,” the victim claimed.

She also revealed that her father stopped her from going to church in fear that she might inform some of the church leaders of what he had been doing to her.

The girl indicated that on Friday August 23, 2013, after she had returned from school her father demanded to have sex with her but she refused and he gathered all her belongings including school uniforms, text and exercise books and set them ablaze. “After that he still wanted to have sex with me so I run away to a neighbour’s house and it was there that I broke the news to some of the residents.

It was learnt that personnel of the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVSSU) of the Ghana Police Service in Sekondi yesterday arrested the father and placed him in custody pending further investigations, after a report was made. Also, a medical report form was issued to the 17-year-old girl to attend hospital after which the accused person was arrested.

States Get 12 Months To Switch To Nigeria’s Internet Address

As part of measures to ensure Nigeria plants its feet firmly on the cyberspace, all the 36 states governments and their agencies have been given till August 18, 2014, to complete the switch to www.gov.ng in order to maintain a secured presence on the internet using Nigeria’s country code top level domain (ccTLD).

The move would create a single signature for the federal and state governments and their agencies on the internet; help minimise fake government websites as well as increase the use of .ng, Nigeria’s suffix on the cyberspace. 

This decision was part of 30 others taken at the just concluded National Council on Communication Technology (NCCT) which ended few days ago in Akure, Ondo State.

The NCCT recommended that the National Policy on Information and Communication Technology in principle by the Federal executive Council (FEC) recently be adopted and states should develop ICT policies that are aligned to the National ICT policies; the Ministry of Communication Technology be established in each state of the federation and the ICT secretariat in the Federal Capital Territory.

They also agreed that each state should hold Microwork/Elancing workshops with the objective of creating awareness about the work opportunities in the Microwork and Elancing space, creating job opportunities for the youths and reducing unemployment and underemployment, and also that all states and local government areas should collaborate with the NITDA on the development of their IT policy and establish the necessary institutional framework.

Others were that state governments be encouraged to commence the immediate implementation of National Economic Council (NEC)’s decision on multiple taxation and levies by the issuance of executive order and ensure strict adherence to its implementation;  be encouraged to, as part of executive order, ensure that all access to telecom infrastructure by states and local government operatives would require the consent of the governors as part of the measures for protecting them as critical national infrastructure.

The NCCT recommended that state governments be encouraged to take necessary policy action on the implementation of relevant aspects of Nigeria’s National Broadband Plan; a collaborative framework to stem irregular/illegal use of radio frequency in Nigeria should be developed and in collaboration with NIPOST,  build post offices in local communities within their states to enable NIPOST provide financial and ICT services.

The meeting chaired by Mrs Omobola Johnson, Minister of Communications Technology, had in attendance Dr Olusegun Mimiko, Ondo State Governor, who declared the conference open; Dr Henry Akpan, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Communication technology; commissioners and officials of ICT, science and technology sector and other related areas from 22 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as well as the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF).

Others present were Oyetunde Ojo, chairman, House of Reps Committee on Communication; other National Assembly committee members; representative of the Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Dairo; the Presidents of Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), Association of Licenced Telecomm Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Computer Registration Council of Nigeria and executives and captains in the ICT private sector/industry.

PHOTO: Check Out Agbani Darego Stunning Look

Former Miss World Agbani Darego was spotted looking stunning in this long flowing dress she wore to Senator Daisy Danjuma‘s 61st birthday party which took place on Tuesday 6th August 2013 at the Wheatbaker Hotel, Ikoyi, Lagos.

What do you think of her dress?

Obamas Show Off New Pet (PHOTO)

US President Barack Obama and his family have acquired a second Portuguese water dog, Sunny.

In October 2012 Michelle Obama told reporters that their first dog Bo was lonely, but now she will have a 'little sister' to keep her company at the White House.

Named Sunny, the Portuguese Water Dog is same breed as the Obamas' current pet, Bo, who was adopted by the the President in April 2009, fulfilling a campaign promise to daughters Sasha and Malia.

The White House says that breed works well for the Obamas because of family allergies.

Sunny was born last June in Michigan and arrived at the White House on Monday. She is expected to join Bo for evening walks and the occasional Oval Office huddle with the president.

ASUU STRIKE: FG SUMMONS VARSITY COUNCILS, VCS

ASUU STRIKE: FG SUMMONS VARSITY COUNCILS, VCS

• 

President Goodluck Jonathan

The Federal Government has summoned the governing councils and the vice-chancellors of all the universities over the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday instructed the Governor Gabriel Suswam-led government negotiating team to meet the governing councils and the vice chancellors within the week.
Suswam disclosed this to State House correspondents in Abuja yesterday after an emergency meeting attended by Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo, Secretary to the Government of the Federation Anyim Pius Anyim, Chief of Staff to the president Mike Oghiadomhe as well as Education, Finance and Labour Ministers.
Suswam, who heads the Needs Assessment Committee of Universities, said the president’s instruction was aimed at updating the governing councils and the vice chancellors on some of the decisions taken on the earned allowance and the N100 billion physical infrastructure budget.
The governor did not provide the details on the decisions, but said the government opted to meet the governing councils and the vice chancellors “because earned allowance is something that can be certified by the management and councils of the universities”.
According to him, the government hopes to see the strike end as soon as the ASUU is satisfied with the measures taken so far.
Reiterating the government’s commitment to flagging off the N100bn project comprising hostels, classrooms, lecture theatres, libraries and laboratories in the universities across the country on September 1, he stressed that procurement process would be followed.
Suswam claimed that the government had shifted its ground by offering N30 billion to assist the various university councils on the contentious issue of earned allowance.
Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has asked the federal government to honour its agreement reached with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in order to end the ongoing strike that has paralyzed academic activities in the nation’s public universities.
In a statement issued in Abuja yesterday by its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said no government worth its salt can afford to play with education, because it is the path to national development.
It said ASUU was not making any fresh demand beyond the agreement it reached with the government in 2009, adding that “Agreements are meant to be honoured, and breaching them comes with some consequences.”
The statement said the strike which has kept students in public universities at home for many weeks is a further blow to the country’s education system.

Jonathan Okays Governing Boards Of 42 Parastatals

President Goodluck Jonathan has approved the appointments of the Chairmen and members of the Governing Boards of 42 Federal Government Parastatals and Agencies.

A press statement signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, indicated that membership of each Governing Board would include all the statutory ex-officio members in accordance with the enabling laws of the parastatals and agencies.

Some of them include Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology, with Prince Olusola Akanmode as Chairman, National Mathematical Centre with Sen. Abubakar H. Girei as Chairman, Universal Basic Education Commission with HH. A. J. Turner as Chairman, National Commission for Colleges of Education with Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife as Chairman, National Institute for Education Planning and Administration, Elder Bolaji Anani is Chairman, National Institute for Fresh Water Fisheries Research, with Alhaji Arma Yau Abubakar as Chairman, Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria,  Alhaji Suleiman Galadima is Chairman, Nigerian Institute of Oceanography and Marine Research has Alhaji Bello Gusau as Chairman.

Others are National Inland Waterways Authority with Alhaji Bashir Dalhatu as Chairman, National Cereals Research Institute with Igwe Ginger Ibeneme as Chairman; National Eye Centre has Prof C.I.P. Anibeze as Chairman, National Root Crops Research Institute has Chief Oluwole Oludaisi Aina as Chairman.

According to the statement, the dates for the formal inauguration of the Governing Boards will be announced in due course by the supervising authorities and Ministers.

25 Ways A Man Shows He Is Still In Love With You

If you really want to know just how much your man loves you, stop letting words play the important part. Instead, watch his behavior and use these 25 signs he loves you to read his mind.

It’ll help you understand your man better and even make you see just how much he really loves you! So does your guy really love you, even if he doesn’t express his love through words? Find out here.

#1 He remembers what you say. A guy who’s in love with a girl always listens to her and remembers what she says, even if it’s something trivial because he takes her seriously.

#2 He’s chivalrous and treats you like a lady. A guy is chivalrous to a girl when he cares about what she thinks of his behavior. If your guy doesn’t care about you, he wouldn’t care what you think of his behavior.

#3 He takes care of your needs. If your man truly loves you, he’d always look for little ways to make your life better, be it about covering you with a blanket when you’re cold, charging your cell phone even when you don’t ask him, or serving you the better piece of chicken when you’re not looking.

#4 You’re always a part of his big plan in life. He speaks about his life and his dreams with you, and you always have a prominent place in all his future plans.

#5 He holds your hand instinctively when you’re in a crowd, or places his hand on your back while crossing the street. This is a reflex action that neither of you may realize. If a guy loves you, he’d definitely want to protect you and reassure you.

#6 He values your opinions a lot and doesn’t take any important decisions about his own life without hearing your opinions and having a discussion with you.

#7 He wraps his hands around you or stands closer to you when you’re talking to some other guys and having a good laugh. It’s his way of letting the world know that you’re the one he loves and every other guy should back away.

#8 He uses the word “we” instead of saying “I” or “Me” while talking and doesn’t even realize it.

#9 He’s very protective of you. If you’re taking a trip by yourself or even if you’re just driving out with friends, does he like receiving your call after you get to your destination? If your man can relax only after knowing that you’re safe, no matter where you are, he definitely has a special spot for you in his heart.

#10 He’s very interested in your life. If your man loves you, he’d always be eager to know everything about your day, including the little details.

#11 The helping hand. He’s always ready to offer a helping hand every time you ask him *even if he’s busy and he does it while whining and grumbling at the same time*.

#12 After the fight. He makes up after a fight just as much as you make up with him. And at times, he even swallows his pride and apologizes first even if it’s not his fault in any manner.

#13 He keeps you updated. He keeps you informed about his life and what he’s up to even though he knows he has no obligation to do so.

#14 He respects you and treats you with a lot of respect. He doesn’t stare at other girls when you’re around, neither does he cut you in the middle of a conversation.

#15 You’re the last person he speaks to or texts at night. If he loves you, you’d be the first and last thing on his mind every time he wakes up or goes to sleep.

#16 He sacrifices his happiness to see you happy. It could be something as small as choosing a restaurant for dinner or giving you the fluffier pillow or something way bigger that can impact his life.

#17 He makes a lot of effort to be liked by your friends and family. He cares about what your friends and family think of him and he also understands that their impression of him will affect your relationship with your friends and family.

#18 He can’t stay mad at you for any reason for more than a couple of hours. People in love can’t stay mad at each other for long, it hurts both lovers too much. So if he takes the effort to apologize or accept your apology, he really does care about you and your feelings.

#19 He talks a lot. If a guy loves you, you’d find that he opens up really easily to you and talks a lot about everything, be it his life, his plans, his work or even about how annoying his friends really are.

#20 He loves spending time with you. He goes out of his way to be with you. And if he has to cancel a date for any genuine reason, he’d do everything it takes to make it up to you on the next date.

#21 He stands up for you, no matter what you’ve done and no matter where he is. A man who truly loves his woman will stand by her side even if she’s on the wrong. He may criticize you in private, but never ever in public.

#22 Making a choice. If he has to choose between you and anything else in the world, he’d choose you in a flash without even thinking, because he doesn’t need to weigh any options there.

#23 He never forgets your special days, be it your birthday or anniversaries or a big day at work. And he goes out of his way to help you prepare for any big days or events in your life.

#24 He doesn’t get annoyed with you even if he’s busy and you tease him or fool around with him.

#25 At a social gathering, he never gives any girl more attention than he gives you, even if he meets a celebrity.

Don’t jump to conclusions about your man’s love for you. After all, most men aren’t the biggest romantics. But they do have really big hearts that’s full of love for you and you alone.

Crisis: Banks Set Up N105bn Sinking Fund

The 24 deposit money banks (DMBs) operating in the country yesterday agreed to set aside not less than N105 billion into a sinking fund to cover the cost of cleaning up the system after the 2008-2009 banking sector crisis and further consolidate on the system’s post-crisis stability gains achieved in the industry over the last three years.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the banks signed an industry Resolution Cost Trust Fund Deed to which the DMBs are expected to contribute 0.5 per cent of total assets and  0.5 per cent of 33 per cent of their off-balance sheet assets to the sinking fund.

Going by the DMBs’ total assets which stand at N21 trillion, the sum to be set aside would amount to about N105 billion from the banks to help cover the cost of the banking crisis of two or three years ago.

This disclosure was made by the CBN director, banking supervision, Mrs Agnes Tokunbo Martins, at the end of the Bankers’ Committee meeting in Abuja yesterday.

Martins explained that what had hitherto existed to mitigate the devastating effects of the crisis in the sector was a memorandum of understanding between the CBN and the DMBs on how to clean up toxic loans from their balance sheets, adding that with the signing of the deed, they have now formally agreed on the percentage and other ratios to be used in contributing to the sinking fund.

She said: “One major event that took place today was the signing of the Resolution Cost Trust Fund Deed. This deed is between the banks and, basically, the intention is to cover the cost of the banking crisis that we had about two or three years ago.

“Initially what we had in place was a memorandum of understanding where the banks on their own agreed to contribute 0.3 per cent of their total assets to clean up the banking system at that time.

“But today the deed has been signed and what is in the deed is that the banks have agreed on their own to contribute 0.5 per cent of total assets and 0.5 per cent of 33 per cent of their off-balance sheet assets to the sinking fund.

“The whole intention that is to ensure that going forward the banking system is safe and there is no incidence whereby we have to fall back on tax payers’ money.”

On the latest CRR policy decision which required the DMBs to deposit 50 per cent of public sector deposits with the CBN and how the banks intended to deal with its implications for lending and other business, the managing director, Zenith Bank Plc, Godwin Emefiele, said the committee agreed that the banks would need to rev up their deposit drives and other marketing initiatives that would help them to sustain their financial roles in the economy.

He explained that the banks were not only well-informed about the reasons that necessitated the apex bank to adopt the policy measure but also determined to ensure that the overall objectives are achieved in the interest of the economy.

The banks, he said, will have to develop strategies to encourage the private sector to bring their cash into the banking system “and for that reason we are all aware of the cashless policy that was introduced to ensure that they are encouraged, the cost of keeping those costs in the banks are being reduced or the banks are bearing those costs themselves, and we think this will actually help the banks to mop up deposits.”

The immediate effects of the withdrawal of 50 per cent public sector funds, he explained, “is that deposit rates will go up and to that extent we expect that lending rates will go up. We believe that at some point there will a dampening effect on these and the banks will eventually bring down the lending rates just as we expect that deposit rates will come down over time.”

The deposit rates, he said, “will go up to the extent that those who are saving money in banks will earn more but unfortunately lending rates too will go up, but we do expect that as banks continue to focus on mobilizing deposits from private sectors as well as some informal sectors in the economy -- we are aware of the fact that many who have not still effectively adopted the formal banking arrangement, as we do this and encourage them to channel their funds into the bank sector -- deposit rates will come down. As this comes down, lending rates will come down which will be for the benefit of the economy.”

The managing director of Fidelity Bank, Mr Reginald Ihejiahi, on his part, said the banking system was doing its best to lend to agriculture and that lending to the sector had increased from 1 per cent to around 4 per cent and there was the possibility that lending to the sector will still increase.