Friday 30 December 2016

French National Captured By Troops In Boko Haram Camp Is A Military Mechanic

The mysterious white man captured by Nigerian soldiers during last week’s storming of Boko Haram’s headquarters in the Sambisa Forest is a Frenchman and he specializes in repairing and unlocking armored personnel vehicles and other fighting equipment, Daily Trust learnt from authoritative military sources yesterday. The white man’s identity is being concealed by the Federal Government and military authorities for diplomatic reasons, the sources also said.
Defense Headquarters has been silent on the development since the news broke last Friday, shortly after President Muhammadu Buhari announced that   Boko Haram’s last stronghold in the Sambisa forest, Borno State had been overrun by troops. Soldiers who took part in the operation told our correspondent yesterday that a white man was actually arrested in the Sambisa forest and that he has been providing “credible information” to military authorities. A source said, “He was arrested along the Bama axis of the Sambisa forest and agreed to give vital information provided he would be spared. I learnt that he is from France but authorities do not want to make his real identity known for diplomatic reasons…They  don’t want to jeopardize the success recorded.” Although some sources only said the captured white man is “from Western Europe,” Daily Trust learnt that he is actually a Frenchman. All Nigeria’s neighbours in the North East, namely Cameroon, Niger Republic and Chad are French speaking. 
The French embassy in Nigeria did not respond to email and text message sent to it for comment yesterday.
 
How top officers led Sambisa offensive 
The one month long military offensive that led to the capture of Sambisa Forest last Thursday was led by “the best hands” in the Nigerian Army and Air Force, sources close to the operation told Daily Trust yesterday. Before the renewed offensive to reclaim the dreaded forest where Boko Haram fighters held sway since 2013, officers between the ranks of Lieutenants, Captains and Majors normally led operations, sources said. This time around, more senior officers led the operation on all fronts during the final onslaught. It was gathered that the officers, besides various trainings they obtained at home, have been trained abroad and had participated in serious military operations.
The 60,000 square kilometres (23,000 sq mi) vast Sambisa Forest had been the nightmare of the Nigerian security forces, including their foreign allies, who provided various security reports over the years. It was gathered that some of the fighting troops were mobilized with light rocket propelled grenades [RPGs], weapons they did not use previously.  The light RPGs, according to one of our sources, could be carried on by soldiers on their shoulders for long distances because of their light weight and were used against far flung targets.
“With the exception of one major of the Nigerian Army, all the commanding officers that led the 4,200 troops into the Sambisa Forest are of the rank of Colonel and Lieutenant Colonel,” a soldier who participated in the operation said. He said “the Bama axis was led by a Colonel who viciously decimated many Boko Haram fighters. Together with his troops, he captured Alafa 1, 11 and 111 in the Sambisa Forest and freed over 1,000 people. He also captured nearly 500 suspects, mostly men who are being interrogated for having links with the Boko Haram.” 
According to him, “some of the suspects are claiming that they were forcefully conscripted into the violent group while others have admitted that they belong to the group.” Another source said the Konduga/Aulari axis of the Sambisa Forest was captured by a daring army Major. “This Major is one of the heroes in the Nigerian Army. He was very close to the late Lieutenant Colonel Abu Ali of blessed memory. He knows the Sambisa Forest very well and was therefore directed to approach the forest through the infamous Gate One,”the source said. He added, “The Ngurosoye axis of the Sambisa Forest was led by a Lieutenant Colonel who is also a fearless and versatile officer. His 151 Battalion is known as Blocking Force. His troops recovered many AK47 rifles of fleeing Boko Haram insurgents and they also freed many women and children.” 
The real operation
Sources said during the planning to re-take Sambisa Forest, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt. General Tukur Buratai frequented Maiduguri almost on daily basis. “Sometimes he passed the night there (in Maiduguri) and sometimes he went back to Abuja. He personally commanded the general operation,” an officer who craved for anonymity said. He said radar with monitors was mounted at the 7 Division of the Nigerian Army and everything, including troop movement; logistics, ground operation and aerial reconnaissance both day and night were closely monitored with precision. 
He said, “The close monitoring from Maiduguri helped a great deal in reducing mistakes. This gave the troops the confidence to relentlessly march on during operations. The fact that the mine detectors deployed to the Sambisa forest also demobilized all the bombs planted by the insurgents gave our troops added impetus. The mine detectors normally detonated most of the IEDs with ease and also cleared the terrain for armoured vehicles to move freely.” 
The source that added some Boko Haram commanders and foot soldiers who were arrested long ago and “de-radicalized” were also imbedded in the operation. “The repentant insurgents, some members of the civilian JTF and local vigilantes know the Sambisa Forest very well, far better than the maps we used in the operation and therefore, they assisted greatly in helping us to locate hideouts. Also, sophisticated fighter jets and drones that have capacity to monitor things as far as away as 600 meters were deployed to the Sambisa forest and worked day and night,” he said.
The fall of ‘Camp Zero’
A military officer told our correspondent that this was not the first time attempt made to capture “Camp Zero” in Sambisa Forest where the factional leader of Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau used as his hide out on different occasions. “This is the second time Camp Zero is taken. The first was during the JTF (Joint Task Force) in June 2013 before it (JTF) was disbanded and the area was lost completely,” the officer said.
He said despite the success recorded, there is worry among the military high command because some of the things expected to be recovered at the building were not found. “It is likely they (Boko Haram) are somewhere because they moved away with their equipment and prized possessions, including the Chibok girls in possession of Shekau group,” he said.
He said there were other dreaded cells that have been deserted by the Boko Haram terrorists, such as the ones in Kareto and Gudumbali at the height of offensive last year and another one in Kukawa which was reclaimed this year. It was learnt that while some of the Chibok girls and other captives are with the Shekau camp, many of them are with the Mamman Nur faction, led by Abu Musab Al-Barnawi, son of the group’s late Mohammed Yusuf. They are suspected to be held in cells in northern Borno State.
“Camp Zero has for a long time been an objective for our troops but it is not the end of Sambisa in the true sense of the crisis. Boko Haram terrorists have been trained in the art of war, so it is likely they moved away for tactical reasons,” he said. The source said the COAS, the Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole as well as the GOCs of the army’s 3, 7 and 8 Divisions and other key Army Headquarters officers held a marathon meeting on December 24 and continued meeting yesterday on the operations in the North East. “They had a break on the 25th because of Christmas and they went to open the roads from Maiduguri to Damasak and to Baga. Their main concern in the meeting is the disappearance of Boko Haram leaders with their equipment and lack of trace of the Chibok girls,” the officer said. Sources said beside the equipment found there, Boko Haram fighters had raided many workshops and laboratories in schools around the Sambisa Forest in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states and had fabricated fighting equipment and chemicals with the facilities they carted away. 
There is controversy as to how Camp Zero actually looked like. While some soldiers that participated in the operation said it has two underground buildings and tunnels as well as hardware and equipment for the training of the disbanded National Guards, some officers told our correspondent that the place was actually inherited from the Sambisa Game Reserve.
“The National Guard were to train there but were never there. A team went to inspect the place in the 80s but the movement and training did not hold. The solid structure there belonged to the forest management authority,” he said.

Year in review: Notable deaths of 2016


By Simon Ejembi

Majority of Nigerians made it through the emotional roller coaster that is 2016, but many fell along the way.
Here are some notable deaths that rocked us during the year:
James Ocholi (November 26, 1960 – March 6, 2016)
The Minister of State for Labour and Productivity, James Ocholi, died in a road crash along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway on March 6, 2016. His wife, Blessing, and son, Joshua, also lost their lives in the crash.

Maj. Gen. Yushau Abubakar
The Chief of Training and Operation of the Nigerian Army, Maj. Gen. Yushau Abubakar, lost his life in a road accident along the Maiduguri-Damaturu Road on March 8, 2016.
Felix Ibru (December 7, 1935 – March 12, 2016)
The first elected governor of Delta State, Felix Ibru, passed away on March 12, 2016 at the age of 80.
Tunji Braithwaite (1933 – 2016)
Lawyer, activist, politician and elder statesman, Tunji Braithwaite passed on at a hospital in Lagos on March 28, 2016. He was 82.
Oba Erediauwa of Benin (1923 – 2016)
On Friday, April 29, 2016, the Iyase of Benin Kingdom, Chief Sam Igbe, announced that the Oba of Benin Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Omo n’Oba n’Edo Uku Akpolopkolo Erediauwa, h‎as passed on. The Oba, who succeeded his father, Oba Akenzua II, on March 23, 1979 as the 38th Oba of Benin Kingdom, reigned for 37 years.
Giwa FC goalkeeper Timothy Okere
Timothy Okere, one of Giwa Football Club’s goalkeepers died after a prolonged spinal cord-related ailment in Jos on May 4.

Henrietta Kosoko (May 30, 1964 – June 6, 2016)
Nollywood actress, filmmaker, and wife of veteran actor Jide Kosoko, Henrietta, died on Monday, June 6, 2016 after a long battle with diabetes.
Stephen Keshi (January 23, 1962 – June 7, 2016)
Former Super Eagles captain and coach, Stephen Keshi, died suddenly in Benin City, Edo State on June 7 after suffering a heart attack. The Nigerian football legend was 54.
Amodu Shaibu (April 18, 1958 – June 10, 2016)
Former Super Eagles coach and Technical Director of the Nigeria Football Federation, Amodu Shuaibu, died in his sleep in Benin City, Edo State on June 10, 2016.
His death, which came just three days after that of his close friend, Stephen Keshi, shocked the football community in Nigeria and beyond.
OJB Jezreel (July 4, 1966 – June 14, 2016)
Nigerian music producer and singer, Babatunde Okungbowa, popularly known as OJB Jezreel, died in Lagos on June 14 as a result of kidney failure.
Niki Tobi (July 14, 1940 – June 16, 2016)
A former Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Justice Niki Tobi, died in Abuja on Thursday, June 16, 2016 less than a month to his 76th birthday.
Elechi Amadi (May 12, 1934 – June 29, 2016)
Popular Nigerian author, Capt. Elechi Amadi, who wrote famous books like The Concubine, Isiburu, Sunset in Biafra, and Peppersoup and The Road to Ibadan, died aged 82 in Port Harcourt on June 29 – about a week after he became ill.
Ojo Maduekwe (May 6, 1945 – June 29, 2016)
Former Minister of Foreign Affairs and member of the Peoples Democratic Party’s Board of Trustees, Ojo Maduekwe, died aged 71 in Abuja on June 29, 2016.
Bukky Ajayi (February 2, 1934 – July 6, 2016)
The iconic Nollywood actress died in Lagos on July 6, 2016 at the age of 82 with tributes pouring in from the many Nigerians who grew up watching her as well as those who worked with her.
Shettima Ali-Mongonu (1926 – 2016)
A former Minister of Mines, Power and Petroleum, and President of OPEC, Shettima Ali-Monguno, died on Friday, July 8, 2016 in Maiduguri, Borno State.
Rep Adewale Elijah-Oluwatayo (1951 – 2016)
The representative of the Ifako-Ijaiye Federal Constituency of Lagos State, Adewale Elijah-Oluwatayo, died suddenly in Abuja on July 20, 2016. He was 65.
Oba Michael Sonariwo (1936 – 2016)
The Akarigbo of Remoland and Chairman of the Ogun State Council of Obas, Oba Michael Sonariwo, joined his ancestors on July 24, 2016 aged 80 at a hospital in the United Kingdom.
Michael Ibru (December 25, 1930 – September 6, 2016)
The Head of the Ibru Organisation, and Otota of Agbarha-Otor kingdom, Michael Ibru, died at the age of 85 on September 6 at a hospital in the United States after a long illness.
Etim Inyang (December 25, 1931 – September 26, 2016)
Former Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Etim Inyang 
Etim Inyang, Nigeria’s 6th Inspector General of Police (1984 – 1986) died at a hospital in Lagos on September 26, 2016.
Chris Jeyibo
The Chairman of Koga Entertainment, owner of Koga Studio, Chris Jeyibo, was killed in the wee hours of October 7 when his Range Rover ran into a stationary truck in the Magodo axis of Lagos.
Lt.-Col. Muhammad Ali (August 15, 1980 – November 4, 2016)
One of the Nigerian Army’s bravest and gallant officers, the Commanding Officer of 272 Task Force Tank Battalion, Lt.-Col. Muhammad Ali was killed in a Boko Haram Ambush on November 4, 2016. Even the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, could not hold back tears after he died.
Olaniwun Ajayi (April 8, 1925 – November 4, 2016) 
Solicitor and Advocate, Notary Public of the Supreme Court of Nigeria and Afenifere chieftain, Olaniwun Ajayi passed away on November 4 at 91.
Ibrahim Dasuki (December 31, 1923 – November 14, 2016)
The 18th Sultan of Sokoto, who was on the throne from November 2, 1988 to April 22, 1996 when he was deposed by Gen. Sani Abacha, died after a protracted illness on November 14 aged 92.
Rasheed Gbadamosi (December 7, 1943 – November 16, 2016)
A former Minister of National Planning, industrialist, art collector and writer, Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi, died on November 16, 2016 at the age of 72.
Fred Agbaje
Human rights lawyer, Fred Agbaje, died from an undisclosed ailment in London on November 26, 2016.
Bola Kuforiji-Olubi (September 28,1936 – December 3, 2016)
A former banker and minister of Commerce and Industry, Dr. Bola Kuforiji-Olubi, passed away aged 80 on December 3, 2016.
Rahma Haruna
The Kano State born girl without limbs and who was moved about in a washbasin died on December 25 at the age of 19 years after a brief illness at her Lahadin Makole’s home, Warawa Local Government Area of Kano.
Chief Francis Okpozo
A Second Republic Senator and Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Chief Francis Okpozo, died at the age of 84 in Delta State on December 26, 2016 after a brief illness.

Thursday 27 October 2016

ONDO STATE'S POLITICS IN PERSPECTIVE

Good morning my good people of Ondo State. We have every reason to thank God for the unfolding scenario in our political firmament. With the first round of the unstoppable crumbling of the political edifice of the crafty one, it is now becoming clearer than ever that no man/woman can mock God. A government built on the contradiction of monthly Thanksgiving service in government house & daily looting of people's collective patrimony in government offices will never be protected by God. The crumbling has just begun. More incredible revelations are coming pretty soon. The immediate lesson in this reality for us in Ondo State is for all of us to guide our loins, roll up our sleeves, open our minds, and faithfully join up with AD and Olusola Oke. The decision we take at this critical juncture of our life as a people will go a long way to determine what becomes of our Sunshine State.


 Recall that the mistake of some of us in 2012 brought us to painful state of neglect by the one we re-elected. If providence has been so kind to us by edging out those who had perfected their usual plan to pilfer money from our treasury to buy our vote, it is now our turn to show gratitude to God by voting Oke as our next Governor. There are signs & signals to convince us that  Olusola Oke is God-endorsed. We cannot risk entrusting our state to candidates whose emergence was thoroughly compromised, or who in the past exchanged their ambition for a pot of porridge gifted them by the falling crafty one. If a man accepted a xyz million naira cheque (which turned out to be a dude cheque) to team up with the fox against his small collection of followers four years ago, we better imagine (but not experience) what he will do with state fund under his control. If a man is so cocky, heady & not given to consensus building, & unilaterally picked another character of questionable & already questioned integrity as running mate, we better imagine (not experience) what he will do with power. But, if we find a man like Olusola Oke who radiates love, passion to serve, strong sense of traditional wisdom, wide berth of fame & acceptance across the complex divides of our land, a physique easy to describe, a mien so polished, an aura so dignifying, integrity so untainted, & character so unimpeachable, then we are in safe hands. What else do we want God to do for us? The man is ready. Against negative news from the mill of fear-stricken political foes, the party AD has presented him. INEC has accepted, listed & publicized his name. All of us have to embrace him. Let's go there & vote Olusola Oke. He will not fail God. He will not disappoint us. We love him because we can trust him. 





Dr Okajare S.T. writes.






OLUSOLA OKE PHENOMENON ---- Tai Okajare

The 'Oke Phenomenon' is redefining Ondo politics & redesigning its contours. It is good that about a month to the election, the Jegede/Mimiko team promised Ondo people to continue with the present programme of impoverishment. APC/AKETI team cannot see anything pitiable, painful & regrettable in the present parlous state of Ondo State. As a people severally deceived & thoroughly defrauded, we are now better informed. I have high hope that we will take informed decision on November 26 by voting Olusola Oke. He is the only candidate who has the eyes to see the decay in the land, the ear to listen to people's wails, the nose to smell the sickening stench in our neighborhood, and the prepared mind to articulate & deploy genuine solutions to our multifarious challenges in Ondo State. I hope we can begin to rehearse our songs of victory.


Once beaten, twice shy.   The next election offers an ample chance to all of us, the good people of Ondo State, to rescue ourselves, our children, grandchildren and collective patrimony from the clutches & stranglehold of serial looters, ruthless oppressors & mindless impostors. Olusola Oke is the answer. He can be called at any time to account for his stewardship. We love him because we can trust him with our people's commonwealth. Vote Oke and lift our state higher to enviable pedestal.



ONDO 2016::: RURAL TRANSFORMATION MY PRIORITY, OLUSOLA OKE


Alliance for Democracy (AD) governorship candidate in Ondo State, Chief Olusola Oke, has promised to give prior attention to the rural dwellers and agricultural development when elected in the November 26 election.
Oke, who said rural dwellers have great roles to play in ensuring food sufficiency in the state, said the AD government would make life conducive in rural areas across by executing first class rural development policies and provision of necessary infrastructures.

The governorship candidate who spoke at Irese, Ikota, ijare, Ibulesoro, Ero and Ipogun during his campaign tour of Ifedore Council area yesterday, lamented the neglect and lack of infrastructures in the rural areas despite their role in food production and supply chain.
Oke said the need to ensure good living condition and environment for rural dwellers is a policy thrust of the AD, promised the rural communities good access roads, water supply, electricity, healthcare facilities and storage faciilities.

The AD governorship candidate, while assuring of restoring prosperity to Ekiti state and its people, said development of the rural areas was necessary in driving the need to boost agriculture and agri-business being mainstay of Ondo economy.
Oke told the mammoth crowds at Ilara Mokin and Igbara Oke that chief among reasons he is aspiring to govern the state is the need to restore prosperity to the land and its people.
He lamented that the present Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administration in the state had reversed all traces of development and left the people impoverished and yearning for alternative.
Oke, who described the AD as the much desired alternative, said he had the required experience to turn the present sorry situation of the state around.

He promised to revive of the moribund industries in the state and as well revisit the Olokola and Deep Seaport projects to attract viable investors and as well establish medium scale industries in the three senatorial districts of the state.



Monday 17 October 2016

‎TINUBU, BETRAYALS, LARGE-HEARTEDNESS

Get this to you head, Tinubu-haters: Asiwaju is a good leader by all established parameters and he also has his own weaknesses as well.
Before, during and after the #OndoAPCprimaries, one person that has continued to feature is no other person than Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. He is not from Ondo but he influences ‎decisions. In 2002, when president Olusegun Obasanjo solicited support of South West (SW) governors to back his re-election bid, all, except Asiwaju accepted Obasanjo's plea. They were all rigged out except the son of late Abibat Mogaji.
A veteran of many successful political wars, he decided to rescue the Yorubas from the locusts who had rigged their way to power. As the only opposition governor in the SW‎, he battled the Federal Government (FG) under the leadership of Obasanjo - thirteen times, Tinubu took the FG to court.
During his tenure as Lagos governor, he brought young minds, within the ages of 25 and 43 into governance. One by one, he helped retrieved the stolen mandate of the people of Edo, then Ondo, Ekiti and Osun -all through ‎court pronouncement. Ogun and Oyo were in the hands of Gbenga Daniel and Adebayo Alao-Akala respectively until 2011.
The merger of the four political parties wouldn't have been made possible without Tinubu. From the day Rauf Aregbesola recorded what transpired at the Nigeria Governors' Forum (NGF) election which was manipulated in favour of Jonah Jang of Plateau State, to the defection of the 5 PDP governors led by Rotimi Amaechi, it was through the assurance given by Asiwaju. To prepare the ground for the emergence of Muhammadu Buhari as the candidate of the newly formed All Progressives Congress, APC, he didn't only 'imposed' Fayemi as the convention chairman, he brought the convention to Lagos. Atiku reportedly 'dollarised' the convention but many people collected his money and did the bidding of Asiwaju. Buhari emerged and most of the campaign strategies were designed in Lagos.

It was very obvious that Tinubu was the backbone. He was blackmailed. Maligned. His character defamed and all sorts of propaganda were manufactured, just against the Jagaban of Borgu Kingdom. Tinubu was not contesting but he was their enemy and so he was mercilessly attacked. Africa Independent Television, AIT, owned by a known chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party from Edo State, almost incurred the wrath of the law, for airing a documentary -Lion of Bourdillon‎ on its medium. It was made to apologise.
For the first time, an opposition party rode into power and Buhari, who had contested thrice unsuccessfully, became Nigeria's president. In all the three times Buhari contested the president‎ial election, he neither win Kaduna, where he lives, nor Katsina where he comes from until the fourth time. The campaign strategies that were deployed were very potent.
In politics, nobody assists you without expecting patronage - at least to empower those who worked for the electioneering campaign. Most of Tinubu's men were not considered when the government was formed. Most of us, were at first shocked but later had a rethink - that Buhari should be allowed to pick the very best not knowing that he has been fenced by some people. These people, including two northern and one southern governors, take charge when Buhari goes to sleep every night. They have an agenda - to edge out Asiwaju -"...he is becoming too power and it is time we clipped his wings" -one of them was quoted as saying. Pekelepekele -ogede wo koko ye tan..." Surely, they have succeeded to a considerable extent.
Not many people know that APC died that day Saraki and Dogara became Senate President and Reps Speaker respectively. And for the first time, let me break my silence. To the moralist, it was not constitutional to have a preferred candidate but others were right. A Tinubu wouldn't hide his choice. The cabals surrounding Buhari advised Buhari otherwise and surely they had their way.

Soon after, late Audu picked James Faleke, a two-term chairman and three-term Reps member as his running mate. Many were quick to term it 'Tinubu arrangement'. In short, Audu died on the eve of the announcement of result and as they were trying to sort things out, the names of Yahaya Bello, who left the state after he had lost the primary and didn't vote on election day was ‎submitted as a replacement for the deceased candidate by Odigie-Oyegun on the order of the 'president's men'.
Before the Ondo APC primaries, Tinubu endorsed his longterm friend and business associate, Dr Olusegun Abraham. Many people, most of whom had visited Bourdillon to seek his endorsement but didn't get it, were angry. They ganged up against the father of Iyaloja -won n boke sote, oke o jé, oke o mu..." Two of them, both lawyers, the youngest being 62, who had enjoyed Asiwaju's unstoppable benevolence, began the war whose end they may not see. Tunji Abayomi, whose biography cannot be written without the mention of Asiwaju, wrote a letter, advising Asiwaju 'not to impose' candidate on them. Ever since the death of late Ade Adefarati, Tinubu has been the sole financier of the progressives in Ondo, every now and then, they run to him for political and financial assistance and he has never failed them. Trust Tinubu, he fired back, exposing the 'furo' of an 'adie'. But let's come to think of it: is there no difference between impose and endorse. As that was not enough, Akeredolu, who Tinubu brought to political reckoning in Ondo State, fired another salvo published on the election day in Punch. Like he predicted, he shocked Tinubu. Through the help of some renegades, the delegates' list was manipulated and Aketi 'won' the ticket. Some aspirants, especially Olusola Oke who was the first to discover the fraud, petitioned the party and it set up a panel of 11 men -six of the members, having discovered the fraud, voted for a fresh primary while five voted against it. Oyegun, acting another script, submitted the names of Akeredolu, while the party was still looking for solution to the issue. Tinubu, never found wanting, wrote a long letter, accusing Oyegun and his ilks of plans to pollute the change the party campaigned for. The letter sent jitters than the spine of many political observers. Why should anybody blame Olusola Oke for defecting to the Alliance for Democracy to realise his ambition? He was not satisfied with a process and he followed the rules only for one old man to 'veto' everything.
When he 'imposed' people like Muiz Banire and Odigie Oyegun as national legal adviser and national chairman of APC respectively, it was a good decision.‎ When he made this same Muiz Banire as commissioner, at age 32, it was a good thing. Banire, now a SAN, is now out to settle scores because his hope of becoming Lagos governor was dashed. He is angry with Tinubu, his mentor, just like Fashola, Fayemi and others. But was it Tinubu that dashed his hope? No! It was agitation for a christian governor that threw up Ambode. Only last Thursday, I saw Banire's press statement, threatening that any attempt to withdraw the ticket from Akeredolu would be resisted.
To these dissidents, they are battle-ready to 'molest' their benefactors, forgetting that Tinubu is known for winning wars. This is not the first time he was betrayed but each time, he comes out stronger. Before the 2002 election, all his three ‎senators -Musiliu Obanikoro, Wahab Dosunmu and Adeseye Ogunlewe left him and he won his re-election and the senators lost their bids. In 2006, people also betrayed him and he won again. However, he is a true leader -he has a forgotten spirit. Femi Pedro, MOB, Tokunbo Afikuyomi, Demola Seriki and host of others were forgiven for their mistakes.
In Asiwaju: Leadership in Troubled Times, edited by the trio of Tunji Bello, Sam Omatseye and Segun Ayobolu, Bello, who was commissioner from 1999 till 2015 and now Secretary to the State Government of Lagos said: "Incidentally, some of Asiwaju's weaknesses come from those virtues he cherishes. His obsession with loyalty, love for the poor and respect for human rights as some of us his lieutenants have observed did sometimes prevent him from taking rightful but painful decisions. His love for loyalty has been exploited by some who claim to be more loyal to him to deal with their political enemies.
"Asiwaju is someone that listens. He is ever willing to concede to superior argument of his advisers. But where he is sure of his facts and the result he will get, he remains obdurate‎....
"In 2005, Asiwaju was about to introduce a new measure of opportunities into the civil service that was capable of destroying the civil service. Babatunde Fashola, his Chief of Staff was designated to formally announce the new decision. But he took Asiwaju on for several hours in his office. When Asiwaju remained obstinate, Dele Alake also went to meet him at home and took him on from midnight‎ to 5 am in the morning. When Alake left, Asiwaju was still adamant on his position. Two hours later, perhaps after reflection, Asiwaju bowed to superior argument and he called Fashola to stop the announcement.
"In early October 2006, the controversy over Fashola's choice as his successor-nominee was still raging seriously. Eight of his commissioners that were members of the inner circle within his cabinet with views that he respected on any matter thought they could persuade him against his choice. They rose from a meeting in Ikoyi one night and went straight to Asiwaju's house to inform him‎ that Fashola's choice would not sell as it would end up dividing the party and possibly cost us the 2007 election. Asiwaju annoyingly rose up and told the advisers: "He is the man for the job. If you will not help me carry him, I will do so on my own. Thank you." and that was the end of the matter. His response disarmed the commissioners and they had no choice but to follow him.

‎Written in the foreword of the book by Alhaji Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar III, Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, Nigerian Supreme Counci for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) is: "I have known Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for many years and since 2006, have interacted and worked closely with him. I have found in Asiwaju...an affable, humane and sincere personality who is forthright in his views and deeply committed to the lofty ideals that he believes in. He accords respect to each and everyone, irrespective of tribe and tongue; and remains a legendary bridge builder who has been able to foster understanding, amity and partnership across the variegated landscape of our collective existence...May Allah (SWT) grant Asiwaju guidance and support and bless his noble efforts in the service of humanity."
Despite the many people who have betrayed Asiwaju, there are still many, eggheads, who are still proud to be associated with the Lion. Vice-president Yemi Osinbajo, Rauf Aregbesola, Dele Alake and host of others remain gidigba.
We just have to thank those who are misleading Buhari to continue - winners would emerge soon.

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Monday 10 October 2016

How BVN exposed corrupt judges arrested by DSS

Sources within the Department of State Security (DSS) have revealed that the implemented Bank Verification Number (BVN) was responsible for its operative to trace several millions to alleged corrupt judges

 – DSS access to the bank accounts of the detained judges revealed  that they had been taking bribes from many sources in the discharge of their duties but used the names and pictures of their wives, children and siblings to open such banks account.

Sources within the Department of State Security (DSS) have revealed that the implemented Bank Verification Number (BVN) was responsible for its operative to trace several millions to alleged corrupt judges who are currently in its custody. Recall that seven judges- Justice Inyang Okoro and Sylvester Ngwuta of the Supreme Court; Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court, Abuja; Kabir Auta of the Kano High Court; Muazu Pindiga of  Gombe High Court, Mohammed Tsamiya of the Court of Appeal in Ilorin, and the Chief Judge of Enugu State, I. A. Umezulike-  have been arrested and currently in detention at the SSS office.


In a report by Vanguard newspaper, DSS access to the bank accounts of the detained judges and revealed  that they had been taking bribes from many sources in the discharge of their duties but used the names and pictures of their wives, children and siblings to open such banks account.

“When we brought in most of the children, wives and relatives of the suspects based on the papers we got from the banks, they did not even have an idea that their names had been used by the judges to open such accounts. “But you see under the Bank Verification Number, you must put in your passports, name, signature and others. So, for some of the judges, who used fake names and their wives names to open the accounts into which they paid in the proceeds of crime, they foolishly appended their signatures or used their pictures, something that gave them out. “From what we have found out, some of the suspects acted foolishly in committing the offence because they cannot prove that even if their children were to earn N1 million monthly since they were born till date, none of them can accumulate the amount of money we have traced to their accounts and the type of property they have. “Look, it may interest you to know that one of the two Supreme Court judges in our custody has a property worth N1.5 billion in one of the South-South states. If we may ask, where did he get the money to set up such project?” 

“As far as we are concerned, there is nothing unusual in arresting corrupt judges and taking them to court because it would be an offence against the nation to continue to turn a blind eye to mounting corruption in the judiciary.’’ The report also pointed that another judge, who is being detained and questioned, disguised as a shopper in one of the supermarkets and ended up collecting bribes in Dollars from a ‘client’ only to be caught on CCTV camera. Commenting on the botched arrest of a judge in Rivers by Governor Nyesom Wike, the official wondered what Mr Wike went to do at that time of the night, if he was not part of the judge’s deal. “It was the governor, who blocked the DSS operatives from seizing the $2 million crime proceeds, which the judge had made from the PDP crisis stoked by a faction backed by the governor.
“But for the our highly professional operatives and service direction, we would have beaten up Wike that night so that he would have explanations to make on why he went to a crime scene at odd hours and aided a suspect to move $2 million crime proceeds to an unknown location. “But we already have an idea of where the money was moved to and we are going to retrieve it and bring the judge to trial. As a matter of fact, we are going to treat the Port Harcourt FHC judge case as a ‘special case’, given his collusion with the governor to obstruct our work.
“The behaviour of the judge has worsened his case. In the last three months, the judge has been going across the Nigerian borders with other countries collecting bribes for himself and others.’’ The source also indicated that the judges might be allowed to go home as soon as they answered the questions put to them by the operatives, adding that they were being given royal treatment, in view of their status and the need to give them a conducive atmosphere to speak up. Meanwhile, Police authorities is set to sanction the commissioner of police in Rivers state, Francis Odesanya for his role in the foiled arrest of a judge of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt by Rivers state governor, Nyesome Wike.  

Trump's Tape Scandal: The Latest Updates

With only 31 days to go until Election Day, a growing number of elected Republicans are demanding Donald Trump, their party’s nominee for president, step down.

The burgeoning revolt comes after the Washington Post published a 2005 video clip in which Trump brags about groping women without their consent. “Grab them by the pussy,” he is heard saying at one point. “You can do anything.” Trump has weathered no shortage of scandals over the past 15 months of his presidential run, but his recorded descriptions of what amounts to sexual assault are prompting Republican legislators and governors to forcefully denounce him and demand he withdraw from the race.


Wednesday 5 October 2016

Ondo Poll: PDP, APC Chieftains To Support Oke’ s Governorship Ambition

Notable politicians in the camps of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP and the All Progressives Congress, APC are set to join Chief Olusola Oke in Alliance For Democracy any moment, NIGERIAN PLAINTRUTH gathers on Wednesday.
Oke, had last week left the APC for AD to actualize his governorship ambition.
Political observers in the state had described Oke’ s new political journey to AD as a welcome development.

It was gathered that chieftains of the PDP, especially from the Central Senatorial District area of the state would soon be declaring their support for Oke.
Already, report has it that the about seven popular aggrieved APC aspirants, had instructed their supporters to ensure Oke becomes the next governor of the state.



Tinubu - The Political Huckster and Ambitions (IV) By :: Bámidélé Adémólá-Olátéjú


Yoruba internal politics has always been plagued by rivalry since the days of the Alliance for Democracy (AD). Tinubu quickly seized the opportunity for leadership to the consternation of the rest. Baba Akande was the fulcrum. He maintained balance between the other five until he pitched his tent with Tinubu, when the Obasanjo Tsunami swept all of them out of power in 2003. He joined Tinubu to form the Action Congress. The politics, between all of them and their differences except for Lam Adesina and Adefarati who are dead, still colors Yoruba politics till date. Asiwaju has not helped matters too in that he did not cede anything to these former governors when ACN was formed and consequently the APC. In politics as in life, it is always good to find work for your "enemies". Keep them busy so they don't think about you. When Fayemi did not keep Fayose busy, we saw what happened. Instead of allowing Adebayo to chair the party in the Southwest, he tipped Baba Akinyelure who is not a baptized politician. Of course the envy multiplied!


On Ondo State, the plan to make Aketi win was hatched up North and perfected in Abuja. Before then, I was convinced Aketi wouldn't win his Owo constituency. From earlier on, there were two hard workers on ground for the governorship race on APC platform; Ajayi Boroffice and Olusola Oke. The party knew it. They knew Oke was going to win in a free and fair primaries and they were never comfortable with him. Why? He joined the party late from PDP and his loyalty was always in question. In my small capacity, I advised them to call him and table their fears and get an understanding. Apparently they did not buy that. Meanwhile, the issue of zoning which the state has always respected was there. By that arrangement, Akoko/Owo should produce the governor. They started thinking of how to broaden the delegates list. In 2012, Segun Abraham spent money and time in the state, he was favored in most quarters but Aketi was handed the ticket which among other reasons led to their colossal loss. Since then, Abraham withdrew. Up until May, he was not on ground. He was waiting for Asiwaju to show his hand. That proved to be his undoing because he could have won had he been on ground earlier. The moment Asiwaju showed his hand, which was a huge mistake, the Abuja folks swung into action. They were energized and united in their "clip the wings" mission. They perfected the delegate swap strategy. Aketi was unaware of their plans until 24 hours before the election. When he was told, he couldn't contain himself! He almost gave the game away. He went to the press and boasted how Tinubu will be shocked. It happened! It was near perfect because the aspirants did not know what hit them. Delegates were accredited in one place and driven to another place to vote. While in transit, they were swapped and pre-printed tags were given to imported delegates while bonafide delegates couldn't get in. All eyes were on ballots and accreditation while the "job" was on logistics and who could vote. The margin of swap, defined the winning votes and it was openly counted. It was almost 6pm before anyone could guess a thing. It was near perfect! Aketi won and most of them had congratulated him before they realized what happened. The ward chairmen were aggrieved and taken by surprise.
As things stand today, the duo of Fayemi and Fashola and their supporters who resent Tinubu's influence have resolved to fight this to finish. I really do not like this because of the grave implications for us as a people. Yoruba former governors are fighting their mentor and the governors are not talking. There is so much disunity going on. Nothing is happening, everyone is in his own cocoon of influence. I don't understand why our ministers can't see that, all these is a failing strategy. It is foolhardy to brush of twigs, cobwebs and dirt when you are still in the bush. Why don't you get out first? What power have they acquired before seeking their independence from Tinubu? I know it is not only Yorubas who are reading these series. Our people say; you cannot ask how your father was killed if you are not wielding a sword. Where is the political clout for this duo? These are thoroughbred elite who are not gifted in retail politics. They are good at giving well crafted speeches and they are best suited for Think Tanks. If Buhari can discard Tinubu, what makes them think they can't be discarded? They are just being used as fodder for candidates who want to succeed Buhari. What else after their ministerial jobs? Why can't these otherwise brilliant men see this?

It is a bad development for the Yoruba and it portends evil for the nation. Because of these games, certain actors within Buhari's inner circle whom I won't mention are determined to sabotage Buhari's effort so they can pave way for 2019. The economy is primed for sabotage, the anticorruption fight is lying prostrate! It is all by design. The plan is to make us so dissatisfied as to stone Buhari on the streets towards the end of next year. I don't pity Buhari! I don't! He has offered himself to those whose vocation is to hold Nigeria by the jugular. President Buhari is too old to function and he is not in good health. Add to that is his loyalty blinkers by which he sees nothing wrong in his long standing friends. Many of the reliable people who stood by him for years have been sidelined. The swashbuckling arrogance and clotted conformity of his inner circle is galling. It is like the rest of us do not matter and we can go and die! Like the PDP, the APC political machinery is a growing skein of looters and economic saboteurs. No one seem concerned by the great class divide and its deepening social contradictions. No one cares about the suffering Nigerian. As far as I know, there seem to be a deliberate intent to dash the hopes for a new Nigeria. To gain political power, they seem to want a furtherance our mediocre culture that promotes a lack of work ethics, penchant for short cuts, easy money, stealing and conversion of public funds, indiscipline, lack of patriotism, erosion of traditional values and dislocated religious beliefs.
Olusola Oke has defected to AD. Tinubu is courting Fayose and Buruji through his surrogates. The ministers are hoping to wrest power from the top by courting young bureaucrats and aspiring politicians with no electoral value, Tinubu is courting grassroots politicians that stinks. Which way? APC is set to split into three. As things are today, parties will emerge that will have only regional reach. PDP is decimated, no one has the money to revive it. Buhari and his factotums have rubbished the handshake with the Yoruba and he will be hated more and more unless some miraculous healing takes place. The North will split into two politically because of ambitions. The state is set such that no party will win 23 states in 2019. 2019 is too far but the actors are unthinking. Burying one man to sink the fortunes of a country instead of managing him is a bad idea and strategy. I hear Baba is ready to let the Daura hostage takers go. I'm not optimistic. The treachery there is worse than what the Bolsheviks did.
What is the way out? I think the party leaders in the Southwest should reach out to Awujale and Alaafin again. Let them talk to Asiwaju. Let them reconcile the governors and stress the need for unity and call the ministers in. I am aware peace talks are ongoing and reports reaching me are not reassuring with everyone still working at cross purpose. I hope they learn. To governor Fayemi and Fashola, please stop dancing. Mo be yin l'oruko Olorun. A young antelope who dances too early will be lame before the main dance starts. Eni to ju'ni lo, le ju'ni nu. E je ki a fi agba f'agba k'aye o le gun ati wipe awon agba so fun wa pe Ilá kìí ga ju onire lo! To Asiwaju, a leader must embrace influence to gain power. Owo omodé o to pepe, t'agbalagba o wo kengbe. Ko maa je ti eyin agba. That is the lesson for Tinubu. I hope he listens, for the love of country over self.