Don’t disintegrate our party and senatorial district, party Chairman warns Lanlehin

The Chairman, Oyo South Senatorial District of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Alhaji Bello Adeleke Oladeji, has warned the Senator representing the district at the National Assembly, Femi Lanlehin, not to be used to play a spoiler’s role with a view to disintegrating the party.

He made this known in a release he issued on Sunday, in response to an interview the Senator granted a national newspaper where he passed uncomplimentary remarks about the state governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi.

Alhaji Oladeji also alleged that the Senator was on his way out of the party for the Accord Party.

According to the District Chairman, it was uncharitable for Senator Lanlehin to assume the role of the mouthpiece of the district and the state party as a whole when no one had given him any such role.

“The Senatorial zone Lanlehin hails from has endorsed the second term bid of the governor. We wonder where Lanlehin was when the party made this endorsement which was widely applauded by all our party members. To allege that the governor induced us to do this is the height of anti-party activity and an attempt to play the spoiler’s role, with the aim of destabilizing our party,” Alhaji Oladeji said.

The party district Chairman, who warned Senator Lanlehin to leave for his Accord Party without setting the party on a collision course with itself, said that the party in the district endorsed Governor Ajimobi for a second term because of the illustrious and gallant roles he had performed in the lives of the people of the state and the party as a whole.

Alleging that Senator Lanlehin had perfected plans to defect to the Accord Party, the Chairman said that the party in the senatorial district wished him well but was of the opinion that the Senator would meet his political waterloo in the party he was heading for.

“As he has always done by changing political parties like a prostitute changes partner, Senator Lanlehin is on his way to the Accord Party. If you read his responses to questions he was asked by his interviewer, it was as if former governor Rashidi Ladoja was speaking. It was the same cadence and the same warped mind-set aimed at trivializing the monumental developmental strides of the governor. It is the mindset of the enemies of progress and those who wanted Oyo State to remain in its static and low level state,” the Chairman said.

Alhaji Oladeji also said that the Senator was barely representing the Senatorial district at the National 

Assembly as he was consumed by his destructive bid to unseat the incumbent governor of Oyo State.

“His participation at the Senate is almost nil, as we hardly hear him participate in debates, make any representation at the National Assembly or even feel his presence at his Senatorial district.

 We would not be surprised if he is listed as one of the Senators who have initiated zero bills in the last two years or so. While Senator Ajimobi was at the Senate, he performed so creditably that the senatorial district did not have any constraint in nominating him to vie for the governorship of the state,” the chairman said.

No room for second term in Oyo, Lanlehin tells Ajimobi •He’s not a true party member - Oyo govt

The senator representing Oyo South Senatorial district in the National Assembly, Mr Femi Lanlehin of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), has declared that no governor will be given a second term in office in the state, wondering who endorsed Governor Abiola Ajimobi for a second term.

But the media adviser to Governor Ajimobi, Dr Festus Adedayo, said it would be better to ignore the statement credited to Senator Lanlehin, adding that no true party member would go against his party’s wish.

Lanlehin, who spoke in an exclusive interview with Sunday Tribune, was reacting to a question about the recent reported endorsement of Governor Ajimobi at a public event held at Mapo Hall, Ibadan, and the response of the governor that he would love to be in the saddle for eight years.

“Who endorsed him? Everybody has a wish, but who endorsed him for a second term? There are so many endorsements all over the place, more so when he has the reins of power and the money.

“Tell me the governor that has not been endorsed for a second term from the days of yore. All the governors have been endorsed by their parties; the case of Oyo State is more peculiar and you must carry everybody along. If you think you are so smart, the people, at the appropriate time, will tell you that you are not. And who endorses who? In Oyo State, it is only one term per governor. For you to change that, you must be exceptionally kind to the people. Whether or not he has been kind to the people, you can go and find out what the people are saying in town,” he said.

According to Dr Adedayo: “We are sure Senator Lanlehin was misquoted, as no faithful ACN-APC party man would pour such vitriol on the representative of his party to whom even non-party men are giving kudos for having gallantly hoisted the party’s flag in the last two years or thereabout.

“But in the unimaginable circumstance that he was not misquoted, we want to put his vitriol in a proper perspective. Senator Lanlehin was special adviser to former governor of Lagos State, Senator Bola Tinubu and an Alliance for Democracy member. He fled the AD for the PDP and took flight again for the ACN where he contested for Oyo governorship with Senator Ajimobi in 2011. As the Yoruba would say in their evergreen aphorism, one’s enemy could never be considered to have hunted a massive game; it will always be one lean grasscutter! We could never have expected him to say otherwise about his 2011 gubernatorial nemesis.

“Since no true party man would say all those things attributed to Senator Lanlehin, and since the ACN as a party endorsed Governor Ajimobi, deductive logic gives us the latitude to wonder whether Lanlehin is still in the ACN-APC or, as usual, he is about to take his well-known flight and, hence, the need to destroy the party before his departure.”
culled from Nigerian Tribune.

Oyo NUJ declares 7days mourning over dead colleagues

THE Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo state council has declared seven days mourning over the death of three journalists in a ghastly auto crash of Friday at Osu area, near Ilesa, Osun state.

Some officials of the NUJ, mostly from Oyo and Lagos State councils were on Friday involved in a fatal auto crash which left Adolphous Okonkwo, who was the national financial secretary of the union, Kafayat Odunsi from the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) Victoria Island, Lagos and the chairman of the Radio Nigeria, Ibadan Network Centre of the NUJ, Tunde Oluwanike died in the incident.

A release issued by Oyo NUJ Secretary, Comrade Rotimi Babalola stated that the seven day mourning commences today (Saturday) and will last till Friday, August 9th after which special interdenominational prayers would be offered for the repose of the victims; quick recovery of the injured ones and to forestall future occurrence of such incident among journalists.

It added that all activities including conferences and social events have been suspended forthwith at the Press Centre, Iyaganku, Ibadan while condolence register has also been opened at Executive Chambers of the union for members to pay their respect for their dead colleagues.

It would be recalled that following the incident, the victims were rushed to the Osun State General Hospital, Ilesa, from where they were referred to the Ladoke Akintola Teaching Hospital (LAUTECH), Osogbo, where the injured victims are currently receiving treatment.

Narrating their experience, the chairman of the NUJ, Oyo State council, Mr. Gbenga Opadotun said "We are coming from Abuja where we held a meeting and by the time our vehicle got to Osu area, the rear tyre of our bus burst and the vehicle veered off the road before we somersaulted about eight to nine times and finally crashed in the bush".

"It was a terrible experience because we lost three of our members in the accident. The rest of us involved in the accident survived by the grace of God", he said.

At the emergency unit of LAUTECH on Friday night, doctors and nurses were seen making frantic efforts to attend to the survivors of the accident, while the Osun state Deputy Governor and chairman of the NUJ, Osun State council, Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori and Comrade Abiodun Olalere mobilised support and care for the injured officials.

Nigeria's Foreign Direct Investment Now $8.9bn- MInister

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru,  Thursday told the members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that the foreign direct investment (FDI) into Nigeria rose significantly to $8.9 billion at the end of 2012.

The amount, he said was far higher than the $6.1 billion realised by the country in 2010.
He also said at the end of 2012, Nigerians in the Diaspora contributed over $15 billion to the economy. Also, the minister of foreign affairs told the PDP NWC members that there were over 9,500 Nigerians in foreign prisons.

Giving accounts of his stewardship, Ashiru cited the United Nation’s World Investment Report, which stated that the total FDI into Nigeria was $8.9 billion. This, he said was far above the 2010.

Giving details, the minister said the General Electric Company of the United States was investing over $1 billion in the construction of a factory in Calabar, Cross Rivers state, while Procter and Gamble had begun the construction of a factory in Agbara, Otta in Ogun state, which is expected to create over 1,000 jobs.

He also said 1,000 ex-Niger Delta militants had been trained in various American institutions. The minister listed some foreign investments in Nigeria from Germany to include a financial inflow of €65 million for the 30 megawatts Kiri Dam project in Adamawa state, the €50 million for the 20 megawatts Yola Solar power station and a €1.5 billion for the 450 megawatts Gombe coal to power station, among other foreign investments into Nigeria.

Ashiru also told the NWC members that there was an FDI Portfolio of $54 million from Mexico for the development of agriculture plantations for the cultivations of bananas, pineapple and other crops for export to EU markets.

According to the minister, there was also another inflow of over $15 billion from Nigerians in the Diaspora.

Though, he said there had been plans to bring back some Nigerians in foreign prisons home to serve their jail terms through a new policy called Prisoners’ Transfer Agreement (PTA), he revealed that this would depend on the prisoners concerned, as they would not like their families and friends to know of their incarceration in foreign lands.

On the discriminatory United Kingdom Visa policy expected to commence by November this year, he said, “Nigeria have protested this policy, as it is against Commonwealth Policy”, adding that Nigeria would take measures to protect and defend the interest of Nigerians.

READ CHARLES OPUTA (CHARLEY BOY) MESSAGE TO POPE FRANCIS

The first 20yrs of my life, I seriously had this dream of being a priest. I was overfed with an overdose of religion which has always been a very serious business in my family. You dare not be late for morning mass or else you get the whipping of your life, yes my father was that strict, no nonsense when it came to going to church or anything spiritual. That’s where I’m coming from, we were a family that prayed together and were very staunch Catholics for that matter. 

When I turned 16 I became an altar boy, at that time that was the coolest thing to be, considering years of going to bible classes and regular confessions. Eight months into the spiritual things as an altar boy, I made a big goof; I drank the priests wine and ate a bunch of Holy Communion enough to fill me up. I figured I could be more spiritual by that action, but I got expelled as an altar boy, needless to say how scandalized and angry my father was then, OMG. 

By the time I turned 20, I’ve had enough religion to last me two life times. By 1974, I left to further my studies in the USA, I was overjoyed because for the first time, I was going to be on my own. I was really carried away with my new found independence. Being an adventurous young man I started dabbling into not only the occult but with metaphysics, Buddhism, astrology, magic and all that Jazz. However, I still believe I was fundamentally a Catholic by birth, but the catholic fate has suddenly become boring and old fashioned for me.

 When I read that controversial book, “In God’s Name”, all the negativity I started to feel about the Catholic Church became magnified in my mind. What about the s*x scandals about priests and little boys. Hummmmmmm! I am aware that the Catholic Church is not a perfect body, and doesn’t claim to be one. Of course it is plagued with the same corruption, scandals and sin as any other organization. Last night as I was watching CNN, the Pope’s visit to Brasil was being beamed to the world and all of a sudden, there it was, “who am I to judge as long as they walk in the light of Christ” Pope Francis on Gays. As reflexes would have it, I jumped out of my seat and hugged my TV, funny ha ha. Not because homosexuality has been part of my advocacy through the years but because I feel that every adult has a right to make their bed and lie on it as they choose, and who the hell are we to judge. I have always said that it is really not our place to judge those who do not fit our view of normal. So once again the church is attempting to evolve in order to keep up with the rest of civilization. That is how a religion survives. Its belief has to be flexible enough to stay somewhat relevant to current or the public will abandon it.

 Ever since the Pope’s election, my man has taken actions that seem to be very ‘unpopelike’. He even used public transport as a cardinal, he lives in a smaller quarter, he asked for blessing before blessing the crowd which gathered in St Peters square on the day of his election. But my people, what is stranger than Pope France’s action have been evangelicals’ reactions all over the world. Never before has a Pope become so widely accepted by Protestants and evangelicals. It’s a proud day for Catholics and all mankind. Finally a Pope who doesn’t see himself as equal to God, unlike our men of god down here. It is really amazing. Every Pope in the Catholic Church’s past has had a mastery over catholic rhetoric, because theoretically they always say the right things. But Pope Francis has decided to lead with his actions. Before delivering his message at the Holy Thursday Mass, Pope Francis spent time on his Knees washing the feet of young women incarcerated at a nearby prison. This is the first time a Pope has ever washed the feet of women, not to mention that one of the women was a Muslim, which is another break in papal tradition. In the holy book, the bible calls us to be the light to the world if Christ is to be present to the world. This is why Pope Francis’ way should be imitated for imitating him we make Christ visible and that is what influences others to walk in the way of Christ. So much to be said for our so called “men of god” in this neck of the woods who strut around as if they are God’s gift to mankind, most of them bunch of con men and fraud stars who are continually ripping off unsuspecting Nigerians, living in fancy houses, building universities their congregation can’t even afford for their children and buying private jets because their God is not a poor God, as Nija’s hand over their pay checks in return for a miracle because they have bought into the Hocus-pocus that is Pentecostalism. Just look at our churches today, tell me those priest, pastors or our so called men of god, who makes Christ visible. Jesus needs us to make him Visible and present in this troubled world. Blessed mother Teresa is a perfect example of showing us the love and mercy of Christ in the millions she cared for. The gospel calls us to imitate Christ and it is in the way we live that the gospel of Jesus gets proclaimed, that is how we speak Christ to a world that does not know him.

I am very scared for this Pope, he is a little too Christ like for his own good. There are still some die hard winches, vampires in the Vatican. I fear assassination, probably by the very people who call themselves “devout”. If any Pope can show us what Jesus was saying, I think this one is the one. At least I hope so. I am impressed with this Pope not for his Catholicism but for his Christianity. As I lay in the comfort of my room watching the Pope’s visit to Brazil, it was clear to me that Pope Francis will go down in history as the greatest Pope ever, I just pray that he lives out his Pope ship for many years to come as to spread his light and make our lord Jesus more visible in the world. More than 3million people where at Copacabana beach for the re-enactment of the Stations of the Cross and farewell mass. This world Youths Day smashed previous attendance records and goes down in the record books as one of the best attended papal events ever.  In short, this Pope is a rock star. Here is a Pope who speaks the language of the people; In fact in Rio he kicked his penchant for simplicity, humility and accessibility into high gear. The security operatives were all overwhelmed by zealous pilgrims, he insisted on leaving the windows of his car down so he could extend his arm to those seeking his blessings. Countless babies kissed, photo ups with adoring faithfuls only added to the pontiff reputation for being a man of the people, and all of this took place in the roughest side of town, a crime ridden zone in Rio.

 Pope Francis is now standing up to the Mafia. First the Vatican honoured Rev Giuseppe Puglisi, killed 20yrs ago by mobsters for preaching against the Mafia, as a martyr. Pope Francis himself demanded that Mafia members abandon their “evil ways” especially those who exploit their fellow humans via human trafficking, drug dealing and prostitution. “They cannot make our brothers slaves; let us pray that these Mafiosi convert to God”. Hummmmm na wa, if the Mafia decides to take Pope Francis out in retaliation for his words against them, I pray that there’s a Pope Francis army out there ready to throw down.  If the Pope manages to mobilize all of Italian society against the Mafia, his days maybe numbered, but he will be unable to do so, and as a result I pray that the Mafia won’t remember him. They say the only thing needed for Evil to exist is for good men to do nothing. I am glad that he is doing something. He looks and sounds to me like he has a beautiful spiritual light burning  inside of him and is preaching goodwill for all and trying to turn around the corrupt so they too can walk in the sunlight of the spirit. I really admire him for standing up to the Mafias. I recognize the Popes effort in trying to bring a better image and name to Christianity. Anyway you flip it, the Holy Father is full of surprises, born of true and faithful humility, at another occasion, he declared that all people, not just Catholics, are redeemed through Jesus, even atheists. “Those people must still do good. Infact, it is in doing good that they are led to the one who is the source of all that is good” In essence he simply restated the hope of the church that all come to know God, through his son Jesus Christ. Pope Francis is saying more than ever before, that Christ offered himself as a sacrifice for everyone. That has always been a Christian belief, but rarely do you hear it said by Catholics so forcefully, and with such evident joy. And in this era of religious controversies, it is a timely reminder that God cannot be confined to our narrow categories. Thumbs up for my man Pope Francis, nothing do you.

APGA Accuses APC of Plans To Rig Anambra Poll

 Barely 72 hours after the registration of the APC , National Chairman of the APGA Victor Umeh, has alleged that the newly registered  is employing desperate measures to rig the scheduled Nov. 16 governorship election in Anambra State by importing touts from Lagos State under the guise of deporting destitute to Anambra.

He also faulted the use of APGA logo in an advertorial placed in four national dailies in a message sponsored by the Lagos State Governor, Fashola, congratulating the new APC.

The APGA chairman demanded a retraction of the said advert, threatening that the party would go to court to demand payment of N20 billion from Fashola for “the willful mischief” aimed at deceiving the supporters that APGA is a party to the merger.

“I want to alert Nigerians of the plot by the APC to rig the Anambra governorship election scheduled for November 16 through the antics of Governor Fashola under the guise of deporting destitute from Lagos State. I want to state that APC is desperate and we will contain them.

“Our attention has also been drawn to a protest letter written to the President by the Anambra State Governor Peter Obi that 72 destitute, were deported from Lagos and dumped in Onitsha Anambra State.
“Fashola in his desire to rid Lagos State of destitute decided to designate Anambra State as a dumping ground, it is unconstitutional and inhuman, I join the Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, in calling on Fashola to take them back and rehabilitate these people. We support Obi’s petition to the President to call Fashola to order.

“They may have begun their plot to rig the election by bringing in people that will assist them in the rigging of the Anambra governorship election under the guise of deporting destitute,” Umeh added.

APC may not Last- Presidency

The presidency said it is not worried by the registration of Nigeria’s largest opposition party.

The Senior Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan on Public Affairs, Doyin Okupe, has said the newly registered All Progressives Congress, APC, may not last for long because “its foundation is wrong, its combination is faulty and its ideologies are not clearly defined.’’

He said the registration of APC by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, underscored the openness of the present administration.

Mr. Okupe made this remark when he spoke with newsmen in Abuja on Thursday.

He stressed that the registration of the APC by INEC also demonstrated “political liberalism of President Jonathan.

“This would not have happened under many Africa Presidents, especially when it is obvious that there were obvious hurdles and obstacles to that registration’’, Mr. Okupe said.

Such obstacles, he said, could have been exploited and amplified and used by people of lesser integrity to frustrate the registration of the party. He held that the PDP-led Federal Government was not afraid of the APC registration.

“These are people that were beaten individually and collectively before, we will defeat them randomly.

“But we are glad that at least, instead of fighting three or four parties, we can concentrate on one and get it done.

“I can assure you that there is nobody in the Presidency that is worried. For us, it is a good thing, it is a great development. We will see how far they can go.’’

On speculations that some governors were planning to leave the PDP for opposition parties, he said they cannot afford to leave the party.

“Yes our party may have its problems, faults and inadequacies, but there is no alternative than to be inside. There are more than enough reasons for people to leave, but you know you don’t leave a winning platform politically; it amounts to committing political suicide.

“These are empty boasts and things that do not hold water. None of these governors as you can see for yourself is prepared to move.

“What they are trying to do is to move around and ensure that they are heard and have some of their demands met. Nobody is going anywhere because PDP is still the real party to beat’’, Mr. Okupe said.

Asked if President Jonathan will re-contest the presidency in 2015, Mr. Okupe said the president “has not decided and has not told anybody.”

“If the President decides to run for the presidency in 2015, nobody can beat him.’’

“The calculations are in his favour, the odds are in his favour, the national supports are in his favour, the performance index is in his favour,” he added.

He stressed that the only worry of the presidency for now, was how to ensure it delivered democracy dividends to the people and not 2015 presidential election.

“This is not the time to campaign. Those who are doing so are doing so because they have nothing to do, they are professional political jobbers.

They are not serious minded people, and they have nothing serious to do’’, Mr. Okupe contended.

He said the PDP leadership was working round the clock to have the court injunction restraining the party from holding its forthcoming Special National Convention slated for Aug. 31, vacated.

“I was told that those who went to court had said that they were no longer interested in the case, and so are withdrawing their case.

“So, the court injunction is not an issue anymore. The convention is on course’’, he added.

APC may not last long- Presidency

Posted by NaijaOnPoint Admin National 8:01 am

The presidency said it is not worried by the registration of Nigeria’s largest opposition party.

The Senior Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan on Public Affairs, Doyin Okupe, has said the newly registered All Progressives Congress, APC, may not last for long because “its foundation is wrong, its combination is faulty and its ideologies are not clearly defined.’’

He said the registration of APC by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, underscored the openness of the present administration.

Mr. Okupe made this remark when he spoke with newsmen in Abuja on Thursday.

He stressed that the registration of the APC by INEC also demonstrated “political liberalism of President Jonathan.

“This would not have happened under many Africa Presidents, especially when it is obvious that there were obvious hurdles and obstacles to that registration’’, Mr. Okupe said.

Such obstacles, he said, could have been exploited and amplified and used by people of lesser integrity to frustrate the registration of the party. He held that the PDP-led Federal Government was not afraid of the APC registration.

“These are people that were beaten individually and collectively before, we will defeat them randomly.

“But we are glad that at least, instead of fighting three or four parties, we can concentrate on one and get it done.

“I can assure you that there is nobody in the Presidency that is worried. For us, it is a good thing, it is a great development. We will see how far they can go.’’

On speculations that some governors were planning to leave the PDP for opposition parties, he said they cannot afford to leave the party.

“Yes our party may have its problems, faults and inadequacies, but there is no alternative than to be inside. There are more than enough reasons for people to leave, but you know you don’t leave a winning platform politically; it amounts to committing political suicide.

“These are empty boasts and things that do not hold water. None of these governors as you can see for yourself is prepared to move.

“What they are trying to do is to move around and ensure that they are heard and have some of their demands met. Nobody is going anywhere because PDP is still the real party to beat’’, Mr. Okupe said.

Asked if President Jonathan will re-contest the presidency in 2015, Mr. Okupe said the president “has not decided and has not told anybody.”

“If the President decides to run for the presidency in 2015, nobody can beat him.’’

“The calculations are in his favour, the odds are in his favour, the national supports are in his favour, the performance index is in his favour,” he added.

He stressed that the only worry of the presidency for now, was how to ensure it delivered democracy dividends to the people and not 2015 presidential election.

“This is not the time to campaign. Those who are doing so are doing so because they have nothing to do, they are professional political jobbers.

They are not serious minded people, and they have nothing serious to do’’, Mr. Okupe contended.

He said the PDP leadership was working round the clock to have the court injunction restraining the party from holding its forthcoming Special National Convention slated for Aug. 31, vacated.

“I was told that those who went to court had said that they were no longer interested in the case, and so are withdrawing their case.

“So, the court injunction is not an issue anymore. The convention is on course’’, he added.

(NAN)

- See more at: http://www.nigeriaonpoint.com/2013/08/apc-may-not-last-long-presidency.html#sthash.23mALNSu.w6thNyBj.dpuf

APC may not last long- Presidency

Posted by NaijaOnPoint Admin National 8:01 am

The presidency said it is not worried by the registration of Nigeria’s largest opposition party.

The Senior Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan on Public Affairs, Doyin Okupe, has said the newly registered All Progressives Congress, APC, may not last for long because “its foundation is wrong, its combination is faulty and its ideologies are not clearly defined.’’

He said the registration of APC by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, underscored the openness of the present administration.

Mr. Okupe made this remark when he spoke with newsmen in Abuja on Thursday.

He stressed that the registration of the APC by INEC also demonstrated “political liberalism of President Jonathan.

“This would not have happened under many Africa Presidents, especially when it is obvious that there were obvious hurdles and obstacles to that registration’’, Mr. Okupe said.

Such obstacles, he said, could have been exploited and amplified and used by people of lesser integrity to frustrate the registration of the party. He held that the PDP-led Federal Government was not afraid of the APC registration.

“These are people that were beaten individually and collectively before, we will defeat them randomly.

“But we are glad that at least, instead of fighting three or four parties, we can concentrate on one and get it done.

“I can assure you that there is nobody in the Presidency that is worried. For us, it is a good thing, it is a great development. We will see how far they can go.’’

On speculations that some governors were planning to leave the PDP for opposition parties, he said they cannot afford to leave the party.

“Yes our party may have its problems, faults and inadequacies, but there is no alternative than to be inside. There are more than enough reasons for people to leave, but you know you don’t leave a winning platform politically; it amounts to committing political suicide.

“These are empty boasts and things that do not hold water. None of these governors as you can see for yourself is prepared to move.

“What they are trying to do is to move around and ensure that they are heard and have some of their demands met. Nobody is going anywhere because PDP is still the real party to beat’’, Mr. Okupe said.

Asked if President Jonathan will re-contest the presidency in 2015, Mr. Okupe said the president “has not decided and has not told anybody.”

“If the President decides to run for the presidency in 2015, nobody can beat him.’’

“The calculations are in his favour, the odds are in his favour, the national supports are in his favour, the performance index is in his favour,” he added.

He stressed that the only worry of the presidency for now, was how to ensure it delivered democracy dividends to the people and not 2015 presidential election.

“This is not the time to campaign. Those who are doing so are doing so because they have nothing to do, they are professional political jobbers.

They are not serious minded people, and they have nothing serious to do’’, Mr. Okupe contended.

He said the PDP leadership was working round the clock to have the court injunction restraining the party from holding its forthcoming Special National Convention slated for Aug. 31, vacated.

“I was told that those who went to court had said that they were no longer interested in the case, and so are withdrawing their case.

“So, the court injunction is not an issue anymore. The convention is on course’’, he added.

(NAN)

- See more at: http://www.nigeriaonpoint.com/2013/08/apc-may-not-last-long-presidency.html#sthash.23mALNSu.w6thNyBj.dpuf

APC may not last long- Presidency

Posted by NaijaOnPoint Admin National 8:01 am

The presidency said it is not worried by the registration of Nigeria’s largest opposition party.

The Senior Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan on Public Affairs, Doyin Okupe, has said the newly registered All Progressives Congress, APC, may not last for long because “its foundation is wrong, its combination is faulty and its ideologies are not clearly defined.’’

He said the registration of APC by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, underscored the openness of the present administration.

Mr. Okupe made this remark when he spoke with newsmen in Abuja on Thursday.

He stressed that the registration of the APC by INEC also demonstrated “political liberalism of President Jonathan.

“This would not have happened under many Africa Presidents, especially when it is obvious that there were obvious hurdles and obstacles to that registration’’, Mr. Okupe said.

Such obstacles, he said, could have been exploited and amplified and used by people of lesser integrity to frustrate the registration of the party. He held that the PDP-led Federal Government was not afraid of the APC registration.

“These are people that were beaten individually and collectively before, we will defeat them randomly.

“But we are glad that at least, instead of fighting three or four parties, we can concentrate on one and get it done.

“I can assure you that there is nobody in the Presidency that is worried. For us, it is a good thing, it is a great development. We will see how far they can go.’’

On speculations that some governors were planning to leave the PDP for opposition parties, he said they cannot afford to leave the party.

“Yes our party may have its problems, faults and inadequacies, but there is no alternative than to be inside. There are more than enough reasons for people to leave, but you know you don’t leave a winning platform politically; it amounts to committing political suicide.

“These are empty boasts and things that do not hold water. None of these governors as you can see for yourself is prepared to move.

“What they are trying to do is to move around and ensure that they are heard and have some of their demands met. Nobody is going anywhere because PDP is still the real party to beat’’, Mr. Okupe said.

Asked if President Jonathan will re-contest the presidency in 2015, Mr. Okupe said the president “has not decided and has not told anybody.”

“If the President decides to run for the presidency in 2015, nobody can beat him.’’

“The calculations are in his favour, the odds are in his favour, the national supports are in his favour, the performance index is in his favour,” he added.

He stressed that the only worry of the presidency for now, was how to ensure it delivered democracy dividends to the people and not 2015 presidential election.

“This is not the time to campaign. Those who are doing so are doing so because they have nothing to do, they are professional political jobbers.

They are not serious minded people, and they have nothing serious to do’’, Mr. Okupe contended.

He said the PDP leadership was working round the clock to have the court injunction restraining the party from holding its forthcoming Special National Convention slated for Aug. 31, vacated.

“I was told that those who went to court had said that they were no longer interested in the case, and so are withdrawing their case.

“So, the court injunction is not an issue anymore. The convention is on course’’, he added.

(NAN)

- See more at: http://www.nigeriaonpoint.com/2013/08/apc-may-not-last-long-presidency.html#sthash.23mALNSu.w6thNyBj.dpuf

APC may not last long- Presidency

Posted by NaijaOnPoint Admin National 8:01 am

The presidency said it is not worried by the registration of Nigeria’s largest opposition party.

The Senior Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan on Public Affairs, Doyin Okupe, has said the newly registered All Progressives Congress, APC, may not last for long because “its foundation is wrong, its combination is faulty and its ideologies are not clearly defined.’’

He said the registration of APC by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, underscored the openness of the present administration.

Mr. Okupe made this remark when he spoke with newsmen in Abuja on Thursday.

He stressed that the registration of the APC by INEC also demonstrated “political liberalism of President Jonathan.

“This would not have happened under many Africa Presidents, especially when it is obvious that there were obvious hurdles and obstacles to that registration’’, Mr. Okupe said.

Such obstacles, he said, could have been exploited and amplified and used by people of lesser integrity to frustrate the registration of the party. He held that the PDP-led Federal Government was not afraid of the APC registration.

“These are people that were beaten individually and collectively before, we will defeat them randomly.

“But we are glad that at least, instead of fighting three or four parties, we can concentrate on one and get it done.

“I can assure you that there is nobody in the Presidency that is worried. For us, it is a good thing, it is a great development. We will see how far they can go.’’

On speculations that some governors were planning to leave the PDP for opposition parties, he said they cannot afford to leave the party.

“Yes our party may have its problems, faults and inadequacies, but there is no alternative than to be inside. There are more than enough reasons for people to leave, but you know you don’t leave a winning platform politically; it amounts to committing political suicide.

“These are empty boasts and things that do not hold water. None of these governors as you can see for yourself is prepared to move.

“What they are trying to do is to move around and ensure that they are heard and have some of their demands met. Nobody is going anywhere because PDP is still the real party to beat’’, Mr. Okupe said.

Asked if President Jonathan will re-contest the presidency in 2015, Mr. Okupe said the president “has not decided and has not told anybody.”

“If the President decides to run for the presidency in 2015, nobody can beat him.’’

“The calculations are in his favour, the odds are in his favour, the national supports are in his favour, the performance index is in his favour,” he added.

He stressed that the only worry of the presidency for now, was how to ensure it delivered democracy dividends to the people and not 2015 presidential election.

“This is not the time to campaign. Those who are doing so are doing so because they have nothing to do, they are professional political jobbers.

They are not serious minded people, and they have nothing serious to do’’, Mr. Okupe contended.

He said the PDP leadership was working round the clock to have the court injunction restraining the party from holding its forthcoming Special National Convention slated for Aug. 31, vacated.

“I was told that those who went to court had said that they were no longer interested in the case, and so are withdrawing their case.

“So, the court injunction is not an issue anymore. The convention is on course’’, he added.

(NAN)

- See more at: http://www.nigeriaonpoint.com/2013/08/apc-may-not-last-long-presidency.html#sthash.23mALNSu.w6thNyBj.dpuf

APC may not last long- Presidency

Posted by NaijaOnPoint Admin National 8:01 am

The presidency said it is not worried by the registration of Nigeria’s largest opposition party.

The Senior Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan on Public Affairs, Doyin Okupe, has said the newly registered All Progressives Congress, APC, may not last for long because “its foundation is wrong, its combination is faulty and its ideologies are not clearly defined.’’

He said the registration of APC by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, underscored the openness of the present administration.

Mr. Okupe made this remark when he spoke with newsmen in Abuja on Thursday.

He stressed that the registration of the APC by INEC also demonstrated “political liberalism of President Jonathan.

“This would not have happened under many Africa Presidents, especially when it is obvious that there were obvious hurdles and obstacles to that registration’’, Mr. Okupe said.

Such obstacles, he said, could have been exploited and amplified and used by people of lesser integrity to frustrate the registration of the party. He held that the PDP-led Federal Government was not afraid of the APC registration.

“These are people that were beaten individually and collectively before, we will defeat them randomly.

“But we are glad that at least, instead of fighting three or four parties, we can concentrate on one and get it done.

“I can assure you that there is nobody in the Presidency that is worried. For us, it is a good thing, it is a great development. We will see how far they can go.’’

On speculations that some governors were planning to leave the PDP for opposition parties, he said they cannot afford to leave the party.

“Yes our party may have its problems, faults and inadequacies, but there is no alternative than to be inside. There are more than enough reasons for people to leave, but you know you don’t leave a winning platform politically; it amounts to committing political suicide.

“These are empty boasts and things that do not hold water. None of these governors as you can see for yourself is prepared to move.

“What they are trying to do is to move around and ensure that they are heard and have some of their demands met. Nobody is going anywhere because PDP is still the real party to beat’’, Mr. Okupe said.

Asked if President Jonathan will re-contest the presidency in 2015, Mr. Okupe said the president “has not decided and has not told anybody.”

“If the President decides to run for the presidency in 2015, nobody can beat him.’’

“The calculations are in his favour, the odds are in his favour, the national supports are in his favour, the performance index is in his favour,” he added.

He stressed that the only worry of the presidency for now, was how to ensure it delivered democracy dividends to the people and not 2015 presidential election.

“This is not the time to campaign. Those who are doing so are doing so because they have nothing to do, they are professional political jobbers.

They are not serious minded people, and they have nothing serious to do’’, Mr. Okupe contended.

He said the PDP leadership was working round the clock to have the court injunction restraining the party from holding its forthcoming Special National Convention slated for Aug. 31, vacated.

“I was told that those who went to court had said that they were no longer interested in the case, and so are withdrawing their case.

“So, the court injunction is not an issue anymore. The convention is on course’’, he added.

(NAN)

- See more at: http://www.nigeriaonpoint.com/2013/08/apc-may-not-last-long-presidency.html#sthash.23mALNSu.w6thNyBj.dpuf

APC may not last long- Presidency

Posted by NaijaOnPoint Admin National 8:01 am

The presidency said it is not worried by the registration of Nigeria’s largest opposition party.

The Senior Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan on Public Affairs, Doyin Okupe, has said the newly registered All Progressives Congress, APC, may not last for long because “its foundation is wrong, its combination is faulty and its ideologies are not clearly defined.’’

He said the registration of APC by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, underscored the openness of the present administration.

Mr. Okupe made this remark when he spoke with newsmen in Abuja on Thursday.

He stressed that the registration of the APC by INEC also demonstrated “political liberalism of President Jonathan.

“This would not have happened under many Africa Presidents, especially when it is obvious that there were obvious hurdles and obstacles to that registration’’, Mr. Okupe said.

Such obstacles, he said, could have been exploited and amplified and used by people of lesser integrity to frustrate the registration of the party. He held that the PDP-led Federal Government was not afraid of the APC registration.

“These are people that were beaten individually and collectively before, we will defeat them randomly.

“But we are glad that at least, instead of fighting three or four parties, we can concentrate on one and get it done.

“I can assure you that there is nobody in the Presidency that is worried. For us, it is a good thing, it is a great development. We will see how far they can go.’’

On speculations that some governors were planning to leave the PDP for opposition parties, he said they cannot afford to leave the party.

“Yes our party may have its problems, faults and inadequacies, but there is no alternative than to be inside. There are more than enough reasons for people to leave, but you know you don’t leave a winning platform politically; it amounts to committing political suicide.

“These are empty boasts and things that do not hold water. None of these governors as you can see for yourself is prepared to move.

“What they are trying to do is to move around and ensure that they are heard and have some of their demands met. Nobody is going anywhere because PDP is still the real party to beat’’, Mr. Okupe said.

Asked if President Jonathan will re-contest the presidency in 2015, Mr. Okupe said the president “has not decided and has not told anybody.”

“If the President decides to run for the presidency in 2015, nobody can beat him.’’

“The calculations are in his favour, the odds are in his favour, the national supports are in his favour, the performance index is in his favour,” he added.

He stressed that the only worry of the presidency for now, was how to ensure it delivered democracy dividends to the people and not 2015 presidential election.

“This is not the time to campaign. Those who are doing so are doing so because they have nothing to do, they are professional political jobbers.

They are not serious minded people, and they have nothing serious to do’’, Mr. Okupe contended.

He said the PDP leadership was working round the clock to have the court injunction restraining the party from holding its forthcoming Special National Convention slated for Aug. 31, vacated.

“I was told that those who went to court had said that they were no longer interested in the case, and so are withdrawing their case.

“So, the court injunction is not an issue anymore. The convention is on course’’, he added.

(NAN)

- See more at: http://www.nigeriaonpoint.com/2013/08/apc-may-not-last-long-presidency.html#sthash.23mALNSu.w6thNyBj.dpuf

APC may not last long- Presidency

Posted by NaijaOnPoint Admin National 8:01 am

The presidency said it is not worried by the registration of Nigeria’s largest opposition party.

The Senior Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan on Public Affairs, Doyin Okupe, has said the newly registered All Progressives Congress, APC, may not last for long because “its foundation is wrong, its combination is faulty and its ideologies are not clearly defined.’’

He said the registration of APC by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, underscored the openness of the present administration.

Mr. Okupe made this remark when he spoke with newsmen in Abuja on Thursday.

He stressed that the registration of the APC by INEC also demonstrated “political liberalism of President Jonathan.

“This would not have happened under many Africa Presidents, especially when it is obvious that there were obvious hurdles and obstacles to that registration’’, Mr. Okupe said.

Such obstacles, he said, could have been exploited and amplified and used by people of lesser integrity to frustrate the registration of the party. He held that the PDP-led Federal Government was not afraid of the APC registration.

“These are people that were beaten individually and collectively before, we will defeat them randomly.

“But we are glad that at least, instead of fighting three or four parties, we can concentrate on one and get it done.

“I can assure you that there is nobody in the Presidency that is worried. For us, it is a good thing, it is a great development. We will see how far they can go.’’

On speculations that some governors were planning to leave the PDP for opposition parties, he said they cannot afford to leave the party.

“Yes our party may have its problems, faults and inadequacies, but there is no alternative than to be inside. There are more than enough reasons for people to leave, but you know you don’t leave a winning platform politically; it amounts to committing political suicide.

“These are empty boasts and things that do not hold water. None of these governors as you can see for yourself is prepared to move.

“What they are trying to do is to move around and ensure that they are heard and have some of their demands met. Nobody is going anywhere because PDP is still the real party to beat’’, Mr. Okupe said.

Asked if President Jonathan will re-contest the presidency in 2015, Mr. Okupe said the president “has not decided and has not told anybody.”

“If the President decides to run for the presidency in 2015, nobody can beat him.’’

“The calculations are in his favour, the odds are in his favour, the national supports are in his favour, the performance index is in his favour,” he added.

He stressed that the only worry of the presidency for now, was how to ensure it delivered democracy dividends to the people and not 2015 presidential election.

“This is not the time to campaign. Those who are doing so are doing so because they have nothing to do, they are professional political jobbers.

They are not serious minded people, and they have nothing serious to do’’, Mr. Okupe contended.

He said the PDP leadership was working round the clock to have the court injunction restraining the party from holding its forthcoming Special National Convention slated for Aug. 31, vacated.

“I was told that those who went to court had said that they were no longer interested in the case, and so are withdrawing their case.

“So, the court injunction is not an issue anymore. The convention is on course’’, he added.

(NAN)

- See more at: http://www.nigeriaonpoint.com/2013/08/apc-may-not-last-long-presidency.html#sthash.23mALNSu.w6thNyBj.dpuf

Wonders on earth

Lawsuit against Shakira by ex-boyfriend dismissed

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 A lawsuit by Shakira's ex-boyfriend seeking tens of millions of dollars from the singer was dismissed Thursday by a judge who determined the case should not be heard in California.

 According to AP report, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Abraham Khan's ruling sided with lawyers for the pop star who argued that the case should be filed in her native Colombia or the Bahamas, where she currently claims residency.

Antonio de la Rua sued his ex-girlfriend in April stating he was instrumental in her transformation into a global star. His lawsuit seeking more than $100 million claimed that Shakira has not paid him according to their business contracts since 2010. The pair broke up in 2011.

De la Rua has pursued his claims in courts in Switzerland and New York, but those actions have been dismissed.
"I am very grateful that the courts are not allowing these groundless lawsuits to proceed," Shakira, whose full name is Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll, wrote in a statement Thursday. "I have moved on in my life and could not be happier now. I hope this harassment will now come to an end."

Khan's ruling does not address the merits of the case, but he determined that the case should not be heard in Los Angeles.
Rachel Fleishman, an attorney for de la Rua, argued during a hearing Wednesday that the case should be heard in Los Angeles because its judges were experienced in the complexity of entertainment contracts and Shakira frequently travels to the city to serve as a judge on the competition show
 "The Voice."She also argued that many of the witnesses in the case live and work in Los Angeles.
Shakira's attorney Daniel Wall argued that de la Rua was scouring courts to try to get their case heard, but that it should be handled by judges in other countries.

De la Rua sought access to Shakira's Swiss bank accounts, but a judge rejected that effort in June. He also sued the singer in New York, but the case was dropped.
"When Switzerland didn't work out and New York didn't work out, they filed this case in Los Angeles," Wall said.
"This is a classic case of, 'you can run, but you can't hide,'" de la Rua's attorney William T. Reid IV wrote in a statement. "Eventually, Ms. Mebarak will have to respond to his claims because she will run out of procedural arguments and delay tactics."

De La Rua dated Shakira, whose songs include "Hips Don't Lie," for more than a decade and worked on some of her business deals.

Two Arraigned For Impersonating EFCC Officials

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on July 24, 2013 arraigned two suspects, Joseph Olatunde Badmus and Akeju Isaac Bola, before Justice Mudashiru Oniyangi of the FCT High Court, Abuja on a 30-count charge bordering on conspiracy, personation and forgery.

The suspects are alleged to have been parading themselves as EFCC officials and defrauding unsuspecting victims of millions of naira under the pretext of assisting them to suppress petitions pending before the Commission.

One of the charges read; "That you, Joseph Olatunde Badmus and Akeju Isaac Bola sometimes between October 2012 and May 2013 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory falsely pretended to be officers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, and in such assumed character did attempt to obtain money from various unsuspecting individuals under the colour of such office and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 132 of the Penal Code Cap 532 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (Abuja) 1990".

The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Counsel to EFCC, Chris Mshelia then urged the court to remand the accused in prison custody pending the hearing of their bail application. However, counsel to the accused persons Osuagwu Ugochukwu prayed the court to admit his clients to bail, assuring that they will be available to face their trial.
Justice Oniyangi ordered that the accused persons be remanded in Kuje prison and adjourned the matter to September 27, 2013 for hearing of the bail application.

The suspects were arrested following a complaint by Dr. Olotu Sunday Osasu, the Medical Director of Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Benin, Edo State. He stated that the suspects claimed that there was a petition against him and advised him to part with some money to enable them give him a soft landing.
Olotu further stated that after several attempts to meet the suspects one-on-one failed, they agreed to receive the sum of N1.2 million to be paid in two installments to a UBA account. The accused persons were arrested while attempting to cash the money at the bank.

The EFCC has repeatedly warned members of the public to desist from offering money to persons purporting to be officers of the agency as such practice is alien to the Commission's code of professional conduct.