2015 Presidency It’s either Jonathan or war–Asari-Dokubo

Leader of the Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Force (NDPVF), Alhaji Mujahid Asari-Dokubo, said at the weekend that the current insecurity and tension in the country would be a child’s play if President Goodluck Jonathan fails to win a second term in 2015. He said that Niger Delta will ensure the nation does not know peace if Jonathan is prevented from returning to office after the 2015 general elections.
Asari-Dokubo told reporters in Abuja that peace will take a flight in Rivers State if Governor Rotimi Amaechi continues his romance with the northern leaders who are plotting against the President, even as he lashed out at former Head of State, Maj-Gen. Muhammad Buhari, saying he is unfit to rule the country again. He said: “Recently, the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta, Mr. Kingsely Kuku, made a statement in the United States of America that the peace being enjoyed in the Niger Delta will not be guaranteed if President Goodluck Jonathan is not returned in 2015.
This statement has been supported by several groups from the region.” According to Dokubo-Asari,” the statement has been attacked from several quarters, expectedly from the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and others. I want to go on to say that, there will be no peace, not only in the Niger Delta, but everywhere if Goodluck Jonathan is not president again, by 2015, except God takes his life, which we don’t pray for. “Jonathan has uninterrupted eight years of two terms to be president, according to the Nigerian Constitution.
We must have our uninterrupted eight years of two tenures I am not in support of any amendment of the Constitution that will reduce the eight years of two tenures that Goodluck Jonathan is expected to be President of Nigeria. “For a very long time, our resources from the Niger Delta had been used to feed and fund Nigeria, and some people are still feeling that Nigeria is their personal property, and they can manage it the way they like, but those days are gone forever, it can never come back again.
The days when we will elect a president and some people will annul our mandate, and place the winner of that mandate in their dungeon and murder him, such days are over and they will never come back again.” Asked if he was aware of claims that the President has not lived up to expectations, he dismissed such views as the handiwork of those he called greedy politicians. He said: “A lot of people will say that Goodluck has not performed as President. We from the Niger Delta have been fair. We criticize our own, but that does not change what I have always said that “monkey no fine, but him mama like am”.
We will continue to support and stand by Goodluck. “Our colonial operators left functional railways system and roads that were motor able, education and energy sectors that worked. But from Yakubu Gowon, to Murtala Mohammed, Olusegun Obasanjo, Shehu Shagari, Muhammadu Buhari, Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida, Sani Abacha, Abdulsalami Abubakar, Olusegun Obasanjo again, these infrastructure built by the colonial operators were totally destroyed. We are all aware of it and nobody can deceive us.
“But today, the story has changed, I made five hours from Benin to Lagos by road. Electricity supply is relatively constant now than what it was before Jonathan came in as President. The Abuja-Lokoja Road that was neglected is almost completed and several other roads across the country. People have started using the rail system again. This shows that Jonathan is silently moving the country at the direction to satisfy these in-searchable people, while we from the Niger Delta are not being satisfied.
“Before now, we have had university lecturers going on strike for over six months, people go to universities to study courses of four or five years, but end up staying five and six years because the lecturers were always going on strike, but that is not the case as at today because the government is handling the issue. Even at that, this is the most maligned government because some people think, and they have been made to believe that they are born to rule, and so many people who are very timid to challenge them have accepted it.”
On Buhari , Asari-Dokubo said: “They talk about Buhari, and I asked them what has Buhari got to show in all the years he had been in government. He was a governor in the North, later he became Commissioner for Petroleum and Natural Resources, he was Head of State, and he also headed the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF), in all of these positions, he held, what are his achievements? “When we go to Dubai and other former Third World countries, we see the achievements of their leaders, if Buhari is so good, let him show us one thing that he achieved when he was in the positions he held before.
Let him show us one monument in the former North-Eastern that can be attributed to him when he was governor there. He has nothing to show. They’re saying he is not corrupt, and we were told how $2.8 billion got missing. “Group Captain Usman Jubril, a Muslim and former governor in the North, accused Buhari of corruption, that his cronies were given contracts in the Afri Project, Buhari’s cronies controlled PTF, we all saw it. But because some people love slavery, and they will say the master is coming with koboko, he will flog me if I don’t fall in line. President Jonathan is not using the hammer that IBB and Buhari used when they were in power. Jonathan is not using the retroactive laws that Buhari used to murder people that is why they see him as clueless.
They want him to start behaving like IBB, Buhari and Obasanjo, then he becomes a president that is strong”. On the rift between Amaechi and the Presidency, Asari-Dokubo lambasted the governor, accusing him of acting like a traitor. He accused the Rivers State governor of not respecting President Jonathan and creating an impression that Governors’ Forum was bigger than the Presidency. He said, “There is this war that is going on, instigated by Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi. The law does not know the Nigerian Constitution, and as a body, Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) as an association that is unknown, it has no legal power. Where the governors’ forum wants to usurp the constitutional powers of the president elected by the people, is something that will not be acceptable to anybody.
“They didn’t do it under Babangida, they also didn’t do it under Obasanjo, they didn’t do it under Yar’Adua, for Chibuike to arrogate this power to himself, he has been looking for trouble. Now he is saying that failure to provide security is an impeachable offence, that is what Chibuike is telling the President. Chibuike has been making statement, disparaging the person of President Goodluck Jonathan. “He went to Kano State and declared there that he will contest 2015 presidential election as a running mate to a northern aspirant, he is free to do so, but the South-South region will not allow traitors among us. And if Rotimi Amaechi has singled himself out as a traitor, he will be treated as a traitor.
There is nothing anybody can do about it. “Now that we have come out of slavery, nobody can take us back into slavery, it is not possible. Rotimi Amaechi with his background enjoys slavery. He knows his background and everybody knows him. If God has given him a lease of life to be with people who have freedom, he should appreciate what God has given him, but to think he will take us back to slavery, we will not let him do so. There is monumental corruption going in Rivers State under Amaechi. He budgets $3billion every year, and there is nothing to show for such budget in Rivers State, which is a one city state,” Asari-Dokubo alleged.
SOURCE: SUN NEWS ONLINE

Protest as vigilante kills one, injures two in Delta

UGHELLI — PANDEMO-NIUM broke out, yesterday, in Ughelli, headquarters of Ughelli North Local Government Area, Delta State, following the alleged killing of a middle aged man by men of the Ughelli vigilante.
The killing of the young man  identified as Avwerosuo Idoro, 28, led to a protest by some youths in the Ughelli metropolis who carried the corpse of the victim to the palace of the Ovie of Ughelli kingdom and the Ughelli Police ‘A’ division, seeking redress.
According to a reliable source, two of the protesters were also allegedly shot by the vigilante in a bid to disperse them, adding that the two yet-to-be identified persons  have been taken to the Ughelli Central Hospital for treatment.
The source, who pleaded anonymity, said the corpse of Avwerosuo Idoro had been deposited in the Ughelli central hospital morgue on the orders of the police. Efforts to reach the leadership of the Ughelli vigilante team for comment on the matter proved abortive at press time.
Giving details of what led to the killing of the young man, the source said: “The compound of Avwerosuo’s father at Akpomedaye Street was used for a marriage ceremony.
“After the marriage, Avwerosuo who took over the late father’s estate called the celebrants to clean up the compound. This resulted in serious argument, which led to a fight between Avwerosuo and a boy suspected to be a relative of the celebrant. Members of the Ughelli vigilante team came into the matter and Avwerosuo was arrested and granted bail by the police last Monday.
“After Avwerosuo was granted bail, a member of the Vigilante group threatened that he was going to deal with Avwerosuo. So, yesterday (Saturday) evening Avwerosuo went to eat in restaurant at Upper Afiesere road and the vigilante member who had threatened to deal with him met him there and shot him.”
“Avwerosuo was immediately rushed to the hospital after it was confirmed that he was shot by the vigilante member. Unfortunately, he died this morning (yesterday) at the Ughelli central hospital, which made us to embark on this protest. Until his death, Avwerosuo was a trainee welder.
“And as we were protesting this morning (yesterday), the vigilante team came and two people among us were shot, one on the back, while the other was shot on the leg. As we speak, they are at the Ughelli central hospital receiving treatment.
“We, therefore, appeal to the police and the Delta State Government to get to the root of this matter.”
Contacted, a senior police officer attached to the Ughelli Police ‘A’ division, who pleaded anonymity confirmed the incident, saying justice would be done in the matter, but could not confirm whether any arrest had been made.
SOURCE : VANGUARD ONLINE

IT BEGINS: Probe Fashola’s govt, PDP urges EFCC

Lagos State chapter of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to probe the Governor Babtunde Fashola-led administration over alleged massive corruption.

However, in a swift reaction, Lagos State chapter of Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, dismissed the call by PDP, describing it as all noise and no substance.

A statement by the state chairman of PDP, Mr. Tunji Shelle, said: “Recently, the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Mr. Adeyemi Ikuforiji, had disclosed plans by House Committees to begin probe of ministries in the state.

“This move we learnt has been vehemently opposed to by Governor Fashola and the leadership of the ACN.”

Shelle alleged that the state was trying to hide the alleged massive misappropriation of public funds by gagging its officials from speaking to the media, saying “media personnel covering the Government House, including the Deputy Governor’s office, are now forced to swear to an oath of silence.”

It’s all noise— ACN

However, Publicity Secretary of ACN, Mr. Joe Igbokwe, told Vanguard: “If you take the words of Lagos PDP seriously, then nothing is safe.

“If you believe Lagos PDP and their millions of pathological lies, then you can believe anything.

“Lagos PDP thinks that Governor Fashola’s ACN can be compared to their PDP that has frittered away millions of naira in the past 14 years, leaving Nigeria plundered, gang-raped and stripped naked.”

GUNMEN IN HUNDREDS LAUNCH ATTACK IN BORNO STATE

Gunmen in their hundreds in a convoy of 50 Hilux vans attacked Marte Local Government Area of Borno State, yesterday evening, where they succeeded in burning down all public buildings like schools, hospitals/clinics, police stations and all telecommunications masts in the council headquarters.
Marte is about 150 kilometres from Maiduguri, the state capital which also shares borders with Baga and Chad Republic. It is  also an epicentre of Boko Haram sect which had witnessed series of attacks and bombings.
A top police officer in Marte said: “The gunmen invaded the town at about 4p.m with over 50 Hilux 4-wheel drive vehicles armed with sophisticated weapons, chanting Allahu Akbar, meaning (God is Great) and started throwing Improvised Explosive Devices, IEDs, at all public structures without being challenged by security operatives.”
Another reliable source said: “Apart from the Lake Chad Development site, no other public structure remained standing in the town as all of them have been destroyed by the terrorists.”
Our correspondent gathered that the suspected terrorists had after the Baga carnage, issued a warning that Marte town would be their next target of attack.
No life was, however, lost as the terrorists had warned those working in the public buildings in the town to vacate before they struck.
Contacted, the state Police Commissioner, Mr. Yuguda Abdullahi and his image maker, DSP Gideon Jubrin’s phones rang several times without response, but a top security officer who did not want his name mentioned confirmed the incident

EIGHT KILLED AS MILITANTS ENGAGE IN SHOOT OUT IN BAYELSA STATE

Armed militants who are regrouping in Bayelsa State struck again on Saturday when they attacked Lobia community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State and engaged in a fierce gun battle, killing eight people, including a sibling of an ex-militant leader, Pastor Reuben Wilson.
Southern Ijaw has been identified by intelligence operatives of the Joint Military Task Force (JTF), Operation Pulo Shield, as the breeding ground of the so-called new Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND).
The new group, which is made up former soldiers in various camps of ex-militant leaders, but headed by a former commander in the Young Shall Grow Camp, has been fingered in the recent killing of 12 policemen.
They have also been linked with the increasing wave of sea robbery and kidnapping along the major waterways in Southern Ijaw.
Based on its intelligence report, the JTF stormed the area recently and clamped down on seven hideouts, seizing some military uniforms, communication gadgets, arms and ammunition.
Sources in Lobia community said five of those killed were youths who had embraced amnesty and have been integrated back into the society.
There are two versions on how the eight people died, with one version saying they were tricked into the creeks while another version said they engaged in a shootout.
A community source said the boys were tricked by some people close to the creeks where they were shot dead by gunmen.
According to the source, it is strongly believed that the alleged killers of the 12 policemen, who had escaped from their hideouts in Azuzuama, were responsible for the latest killing to thwart investigation by the police to trace their whereabouts using repentant militants.
Friends and relatives of the deceased believe that they were deliberately set-up to be killed by the gunmen.
“Our brothers were set up by some persons in the Lobia community. The report we gathered showed that after they were killed,” a source said.
Pastor Rueben, whose 37-year-old younger brother, Judah Benaibi Wilson, was among those killed, had recently alleged that anti-President Goodluck Jonathan forces had planned to destabilize Bayelsa State and the Niger Delta region, using renegade ex-militants to launch crisis.
At Rueben Wilson’s house, scores of mourners gathered consoling the family members over the death of Wilson’s younger brother.
Wilson, who confirmed the story, was in a pensive mood as he was surrounded by his close associates.
The media coordinator of the JTF, Lt. Col N. Nwachukwu, who also confirmed the incident, however, stated that there was a shootout.
Nwachukwu said: “At about 2am on Sunday there was an armed collision between two armed groups at Lobia 1 in Southern Ijaw Area which led to the death of unspecified number of persons. Our troops have carried out a cordon and search operation in the community and recovered items including two AK 47 riffles, One GPMG barrel, six AK47 Magazines, one speed boats.”
SOURCES: SUN NEWS ONLINE

NEW EFCC POLICY: LOOTERS OF PUBLIC FUND TO SPEND 15 YEARS IN JAIL

Senate has begun amendment of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Act of 2004 whereby public officers, on conviction of stealing public funds, now risk 15 years imprisonment. The extant EFCC Act only provides for a jail term of not less than three years and not more than five years, for a public officer. But in the new amendment, such convicted public officers will bag a 10-year imprisonment penalty or a fine equivalent to 100 per cent of the value of the proceeds of the economic or financial crime.
These are contained in a Bill for an Act to provide for the amendment of the EFCC (Establishment) Act, 2004 to make punishment for economic and financial crimes stiffer and stringent and for matters connected therewith. The new amendments being sought by the Senate, as obtained by Daily Sun, are contained in sections 2, 16, 17 and 18 of the Principal Act.
The amended Section 16, Sub section 2 would be reviewed by deleting the phrase ‘not less than three years and not more than three years’ provided that where the offender is a public officer, the penalty shall be imprisonment for a term not less than three years and not more than five years following immediately after the phrase, “for a term” and replacing it with the phrase, not less than 10 years, provided that where the offender is a public officer, a penalty shall be imprisonment for a term not less than 15 years…”
Conversely, Section 17 Sub section (b) would also be amended by replacing a three-year imprisonment with “not less than 10 years or to a fine equivalent to 100 per cent of the value of the proceeds of the economic or financial crimes or to both such imprisonment and fine…” Further amendments being sought by the Senate to the EFCC Act include expanding the jurisdiction of courts that can try economic and financial crimes from any other court to include those in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The new section 19 would now read: “Section 19 of the Principal Act is amended in subsection 1 by inserting a new phrase”or any other court as may be established by the National Assembly” immediately following the phrase “the Federal Capital Territory.” Elsewhere, Senate has also started legislative work on the formal establishment of Nigerian Financial Intelligence Agency that will take over the functions of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) currently under the supervision of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the EFCC The new agency will receive, request, analyze and disseminate financial intelligence reports and other information to law enforcement, security and intelligence agencies and other relevant authorities.
As part of its proposed functions, the agency would create the legal, institutional and regulatory frameworks to ensure transparency, effective and efficient management, administration and operation of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Agency. As listed in Vol. 10 of the National Assembly Journal of April 25, 2013, the agency’s principal objectives are to “institutionalise best practices in financial intelligence management; put in place an effective system to combat money laundering and terrorist financing activities. and make provision for the agency to exchange information with financial institutions or similar bodies in other countries in matters relating to money laundering, terrorist financing activities and other predicate offences.”
The new body is also expected to receive and collect currency, suspicious and unusual transaction reports and other information, including wire transfers reports relevant to money laundering and terrorist financing activities from financial institutions and designated non-financial institutions as required under the Money Laundering (prohibition) Act 2011(as amended), the Terrorism (Prevention) Act 2011(as amended) or any other relevant law. The agency will also have powers to order prompt monitoring or freezing of financial transactions, accounts and any other means of payment or transfer of funds, properties and assets in the possession of any financial institution, designated non-financial institution or any other institutions or persons, pending the order of the court obtained by a relevant agency.
Section 25 of the bill, however, provides penalties, stating that, “any person or institution who has an obligation to report under this Act, who breaches any of the requirements of this Act or who fails to comply with any notice, order or direction given by the agency pursuant to the provisions of this Act; commits an offence and shall be liable to pay an administrative fine of N1 million.” As provided for in section 27 (1), being the regulatory authority for designated non-financial institutions for the purpose of ensuring anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing compliance, the agency would be empowered to apply sanctions administrative sanctions, in accordance with the provisions of the Money Laundering and Anti-terrorism Acts.
SOURCE: SUN NEWS ONLINE

THE DAY I CRIED FOR MY BOYFRIEND POPULAR ACTRESS EXCLAIMED

Kogi State-born but Kano bred actress, Halima Abubakar, some years back gained instant fame for baring her cleavages. She was taken to be in the league of Cossy Orjiakor who became popular as a boobs baring actress.
Even though, Halima became known, she certainly did not get movie roles she so much craved. And so she withdrew into her shell. But when she resurfaced, Nigerians saw a reformed and well-groomed Halima. In this interview, the actress talked about a number of interesting issues. Excerpts:
Can you tell us about your new movie, The Mistress?
Yes. It’s about a group of friends who all have individual private lives. Its basically the stress that goes through every normal relationship that we put together as a movie for entertainment and to learn one or two things about the other side of relationships. And to tell the people that relationship is meant to be private in nature and fulfilling. So, the story is just meant to teach us lesson about relationship basically.
It’s really uncommon for actors in the English sector of Nollywood to produce movies. What gave you the gut?
I just felt it’s about time I do something instead of wasting money. I needed to lay the foundation. I am not competing with anybody… just because I am producing this does not mean I am producing forever. And the fact that I am producing this one does not mean I am stopping; I just wanted to produce this one and be happy.
Could it be said it’s a way for you to be more fulfilling?
Yes, I am just trying to be happier than I am, and being who I am, I am trying to do business.
When did you come up with the idea of doing your own movie and did you write the story yourself?
The story was co-written by Ruth Kadiri and me. Ruth also wrote the screenplay and acted in it. It was a creative idea between the two of us and it was written under three months. We polished it until we got what we wanted. Erike, the assistant director, added other things.
Who were the people you worked with?
I have myself and Yvonne Nelson from Ghana. There were three directors, Afe Omo-Oluwa, Eyika Obim and Ifeanyin Ogbonna who was the main director and Malio Entertainment coordinated in the UK because I also shot in the UK. Also, I have Maria Kukara, she lives in the UK and works as an actress there. I have Moyo Lawal and Mary Uranta who supported Yvonne Nelson, the major character in the movie. And I discovered three people on Twitter, Ibraheem, who acted as well. I am happy I was able to discover talents.
Can you put a figure to how much it cost you to shoot the movie?
I spent N9 million and I am still spending. The movie is a major hit already and that is what we are praying for. The movie is not released yet and it is everywhere, everyone is supporting and I am grateful.
What is the experience you have had as a producer?
Production is tasking, demanding, and heartbreaking.
How impactful are you in the industry?
Of course, I am treasured and my contribution is highly felt. You can ask my president (AGN) and my fans can tell. I have contributed in discovering a lot of stars, we don’t need to go into the details because we all know, and I don’t need to be the highest paid actress to know that I have touched lives but knowing that I have is a joy I have within.
Being around for a while, how can you describe your experience?
It’s a journey, only the strong can take it. My journey in life, only the strong can actually handle it. That’s the truth.
What are the positive things that being an actress have attracted to your life and what are the ones you never wanted that are happening?
It has only given me a sense of belonging. I used to be very impatient, I get angry over everything but now I am changed. I am matured.
There was so much noise about you when you just came into the industry but that has really changed. What can you say to that?
This question I really don’t know what it’s really about. I am busy. I am winning awards, what else do you want to hear? I don’t know! What else do you want to hear? My private life or what?
May be I am driving at the fact that you were a little bit controversial?
So? Are you not changing as a human being? The question is funny.
What would you say prompted the change because your controversial deeds looked intentional?
Just growth. I am a different person than I was. Like I said, I have changed. I have changed in every ramification of life so, I believe in growth, maturity.
What was your mission or motive when you started out as an actress?
Nothing. I just wanted to act. Seriously, I never knew I was going to last in Nollywood because I just wanted to act and return to something else, get married or something. I just wanted to act and keep the tape; it was cassette at that time. I just wanted my face in the movies, that’s all.
You just said you wanted marriage but it does not seem to be on your list at the moment?
I am not in that age where I would give up yet. I am not in that age where I will be bothering myself about marriage. When I clock 34, people can begin to say whatever they want to say. Then I will start thinking, but that is not in my budget now.
As a sort of role model, what is your disposition to being a single lady or single parent?
I cannot speak for them because I am sure they will have their own stories to tell.
What are your aspirations as an actress?
I want to be a UNICEF ambassador; I want to go for summits and I want to reach out to as many people I can reach out to. I want to be a teacher someday and I want to see how I will be able to incorporate it into showbiz, if I will still be in showbiz because anything can happen. I might decide to do something else and I might still continue because I am enjoying it.
Are there things you would want to change in the industry?
I would want us to be together because I have actually experienced tribalism from some people. I know people are going to say it does not happen but I have experienced it personally, it happens. So, we need to check that, and welfare of people needs to be properly taken care of. We also need to be more loving, we need to be together and support each other, if we have that, we have everything.
What roles have you played that you consider most challenging?
I am still looking for a challenging role. I am not saying those I have done were not challenging, but I am still looking for the greatest one.
How do you put aside issues that are bothering you when you want to act?
Sometimes I just cry. I can cry anywhere, anytime, trust me. I don’t have shame when it comes to crying. I once cried at a supermarket when I was telling a lady who sells shoes, I don’t even know her, but I was just telling her about my boy friend. It’s not everyone you can do that to because they will start talking when you leave. But I don’t behave like nothing is happening where there is something because we all have private lives.
Do you get carried away when acting romantic scenes?
Never. In fact, I don’t kiss deeply on set. I don’t like to exchange saliva. It has happened like three times when an actor complained that I refused to open my mouth when kissing. And I was like, ‘must we exchange saliva before the message is passed across?’ I am a woman and he’s a man so I draw boundaries. Although, I kiss to convince viewers about what the character is all about, I am not going to go gaga because I am trying to play a role. I can’t go crazy because I am shooting a movie, I have boundaries.
Is it that your man might get angry if you do?
Not really but there are things to do and not to do. He’s a man and he would get jealous but aside that one should know where to put a stop.
What comes to your mind when you remember those days when you used to bare your cleavages?
It was just advert, an advert I did for a laundry company. It was just an audition picture where I was wearing a bikini. Back then, it was a big deal in our society but nowadays it’s common because ladies put pictures like that on their BB and nothing happens.
What effects did the pictures have on you then?
I actually did not know. It was only in Lagos that the pictures were seen. I spent most of my time in Kano then and those magazines hardly circulate in Kano. It was my father who saw the write-ups and you can guess what that would have meant for me. Funny enough, I ended up not getting the job for which I took the pictures because of the controversy that surrounded it. It got to a level that people were using the opportunity to ask me to do nude scenes in their movies. Many producers were writing scripts with nude scenes for me but I refused. I knew if I started to act nude at that point in time, I wouldn’t go back. I have seen one or two movies that people are becoming daring and all that. But then when I look back, I just laugh. I laugh when I think about all the things I have gone through in life.
SOURCE : SUN NEWS ONLINE

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