NIGERIA: A CHAMELEONIC WIDOW by Yomisaint Adebayo

07:06 ondopdp 0 Comments



Nigerians forget things easily; many of us do not appreciate the atmosphere we currently enjoy in our Nigeria of today. We love to live like slaves in our own land. Years back, we moved against white colonization, we lamented about independence, we wanted freedom, and freedom we got. But, same freedom did not stop being enslaved by people of the same colour. Black still enslaves black. 
 
A popular Radio presenter, Late Gbenga Adeboye, likened Nigeria to a widow who will never satisfy with whatever is tossed at her. If fed satisfactorily, she will curse her dead husband that he failed to do such when alive, if underfed for a minute, she will tagged her guardian idiot and praise her dead husband. The revelations from the present political ambience justified Adeboye’s claim as many prefer that will go back to slavery.

Before now, political prisoners were the celebrities we know; press harassment was everyday story and it was more like a religion. Dele Giwa a fearless Nigerian journalist, ignorantly embraced his death at age 39 via a well packaged envelope, in exchange  for writing  "God's experiment", Ken Saro Wiwa, President of MOSOP, which was campaigning for greater control over oil and gas resources on their land, for economic development, and autonomy over their affairs, (including cultural, religious and environmental matters) was killed. His offence, Saro Wiwa led a nonviolent campaign against environmental degradation of the land and waters of Ogoniland by the operations of the multinational petroleum industry, Tunde Thompson and Nduke Irabor of Guardian Newspaper were jailed because they published an incorrect story about the naming of a new envoy to Britain, Femi Aribisala was jailed,  Gbenga Aruleba (Focus Nigeria) detained, and  Idris Abdulkareem  was likened to the title of his song.

Today, Omoyele Sowore (Sahara reporter) and Kayode Ogundamisi throw abuses at the President from US and the UK respectively, besides the local reporters that do the same to make a living. Even, Omoyele employed Dr. Damages to mimic the president, another source of livelihood.  Omojuwa Japhet rode on the horse of “Occupy Nigeria”, turned twitter celebrity, and then graduated to calling the President names, and Dele Monmodu turns a full political commentator and his ovation still sells.  If Omoyele and Kayode would do half of their stories about the leaders of the countries where they both reside, they would have retraced their steps back to this country long time ago. But all these people still enjoy the comfort of their homes, merry with their families, and their relatives are never on queue at different police stations to free their bread winners from government incarceration. 

A Nigerian officer was mocked to the extent it became a clothing line “OGA AT THE TOP”, MI turned First Lady’s speech into musical lyrics, and opposition parties win elections and are allowed to govern. People of today make a more money by mocking the government, call governor names, mimic any political office holder and nobody cares to penalize.
This is the change we are talking about, where I can feel more like a Nigerian, where I can freely ink my thought on the paper without being bullied, where I can tell that Buhari is senile, Obasanjo has turned political entertainer, Tinubu is a thief living in Bourdillion, Rotimi Amaechi behaves like a pig, Fashola’s brain has started malfunctioning, and Fayemi is a con artist.

Have we forgotten so soon that we have anticipated for this government for long, a country where we are truly Nigerians? Where we don’t see State Houses as Military barracks and Military barracks are not seen as (land of no return) hell. 

Some cabals are not happy about our true freedom from oppression, they are fighting to win elections because oil blocks will be re-awarded next year, and they want to seize power by all means to send us back to slavery, I think we must look back, think of where we are coming from and say an affirmative No!

What more do we expect, than to vote for a man who embraces the gesture Dele Giwa died for, a man who is ready to give the demands of Late Ken Saro Wiwa. A man who believes Nigeria must be a home, and not a jungle.

Vote the true transformation, vote wisely.

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5 Ways Election Postponement Reduced Buhari's Popularity

14:42 ondopdp 0 Comments

Editor’s  note:  There is no doubt that the six week postponement of the general election has effectively hurt the popularity of Gen Buhari of the All Progressive Congress (APC).While Buhari appears to be  struggling to keep up with the change in tide, President Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party seems to be gaining momentum. But what are the factors that have given President Jonathan an edge at this crucial hour? Kess Ewubare of Naij.com pens down 5 ways the poll shit might have made Jonathan more popular than Buhari .
Story highlights:
– A short overview of  the momentum that surrounded Buhari before the February presidential election. 
– author’s opinion on the 5 ways why the poll shift has given President Jonathan an edge over Buhari
Below is the full text of the opinion:

Before the February 14 elections presidential election, President Goodluck Jonathan and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) appeared to be heading for certain defeat, on the other hand, the presidential candidate of the All Progressive Party (APC), Gen Buhari, was souring on eagles wings. The euphoria around Buhari was so high that many renamed the month of February FeBuhari.  The APC presidential aspirant was almost sure of victory in the coming poll until the elections were postponed under controversial circumstances. Since then, the tides seem to have turned. The euphoria surrounding Buhari has suddenly diminished and it appears good luck might just be on the side of President Jonathan and the PDP once again. In this light, here are five reasons why the election postponement might have given Jonathan an edge over Gen Buhari.

The Recent Military Victories Against Boko Haram
The insecurity in the northeast of the country was the main reason why the elections were postponed. The military chiefs said the army might be unable to provide adequate security during the poll because they will be engaged in counter insurgency operations in the northeast of the country. The elections therefore had to be shifted.Now, the Nigerian Army has recorded significant victories against Boko Haram. These victories began three weeks ago with an assault on Sambisa forest, the notorious hideout of Boko Haram. On February 21, Saturday, the Nigerian army recorded another feat by  recapturing  the strategic town of Bama in northeastern Borno State from  Boko Haram and blocking the sects  march on the state capital of Maiduguri. Although President Jonathan has been increasingly criticised for his inaction against the terror group, these recent victories by the army has added boost to his chances in the forthcoming poll. Buoyed by Boko Haram’s retreat, President Jonathan on Tuesday, February 24,  said the tide has “definitely turned” against the militants. He has even promised to arrest Boko Haram leader, Shakau before the March 28 election. This new firm stance by the president is likely win him more fan base among those who might have been skeptical about him.
Buhari Has Suffered A Battered Image Through Media Propaganda
The rescheduling of the general election by six weeks has given the PDP ample time to adopt divers media channels in attacking the image of Buhari. The party has now shifted from highlighting the achievements of President Jonathan’s administration to castigating and soiling the Image Of the APC presidential candidate. Buhari’s image has suffered from questions about his health; his dictatorial past; the 2011 post-election violence; and has even been labeled as an Islamist waiting to impose sharia on Nigeria if elected president. In achieving this PDP has sponsored divers groups who wash the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), African Independent Television (AIT) and other media stations with campaigns that raise questions on the character of Buhari. With few weeks to the elections, it is evident that Buhari’s image would suffer more attacks and this may sway the minds of many who once saw him as a fitting presidential candidate. With a battered Image courtesy of PDP propaganda, Goodluck Jonathan has gained significant advantage over Buharii.
APC Has Ran Out of Campaign Funds
On the 25 of February, Punch Newspaper reported that the APC  has embarked on cost-saving measures for its rallies due to the shift in the dates of the general elections. The party was said to be  opting  for other less capital intensive campaign strategies to deal with the challenge. Although a member of the party’s Board of Trustees, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu dismissed insinuations that the party had run into financial trouble. The writing on the wall is clear for all to see. The APC which in past organised campaigns that draw mammoth crowd has struggled to repeat such feat .While President Jonathan with endless source of cash continues to travel round the country building his fan base. Buhari on the other hand has to lay low aware of his limited source of cash. This has has  also hurt Buhari’s popularity to a large degree.


PDP Has Few Weeks To Plot Buhari’s Defeat
While the All Progressive Congress (APC) might have ran out of breath, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) appears to be perfecting plans to ensure that victory on March 28 is certain. This explains President Jonathan’s recent visit to the Yoruba traditional rulers who have unequivocally vowed their support to the president. In a country where integrity is scarce, the poll shift might have also have given the PDP ample time to plant people in strategic positions to ensure that the party emerges victorious on March 28.  Truth be told, the APC which seemed to have the edge before the election postponement is now struggling to catch up with the PDP. Within the next few weeks the euphoria that surrounds Buhari might have disappeared, giving Jonathan a clear edge over his rival.
APC Has Lost Momentum
APC has lost the element of surprise. Prior to February 24, the APC was the party to beat, with rallies drawing mammoth crowds all over the country, the momentum of the APC was at a crescendo. But With the rescheduling of the general elections the party has yet to gain the kind of moral it previously had. Like Femi Aribisala noted on Scam news : “the six week postponement of the election has effectively crippled the APC. It is no wonder then that the party has been grumbling non-stop. In the meantime, PDP has been able to get a full measure of the APC. Putting all its eggs in the 14th February date, which it insisted cannot and must not be changed; the APC played all its cards. It put all its eggs in one basket. However, PDP held some in reserve, banking on the postponement of the election.”
It seems the party threw all its weight behind the February 14 elections, now the ego of the party has been hurt by the poll shift. The APC appears to have ran out of ideas. This might be an explanation for Buhari’s recent trip to London and his speech at the Chatham House. A public relations stunt meant  to buy out time for the party to re-strategise and come out smoking. But while Buhari is in London giving public talks in a foreign country, President Jonathan is spreading his popularity by visiting troops battling Boko Haram and building his fan base ahead of March 28 poll. This has indeed giving Jonathan a boost ahead of Buhari.
I would have liked to see the PDP lose, but the the poll shift has worked in the PDP’s favour. What do you think, can Buhari still gain the momentum he had before the elections were postponed?
Kess Ewubare Is a senior Content Editor With Naij.com. The opinions expressed in this article are his and does not represent the views of Naij.com.
READ MORE: http://www.naij.com/392697-5-ways-election-postponement-reduced-buharis-popularity.html

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APC, waste basket of PDP by Hon Nelly Olaniyi.

07:22 ondopdp 0 Comments

APC has been consistent in sayin that PDP hasruled Nigeria for 16 disastrous years in whichcorruption, 

impunity, insurgency, armed robberyand several ills of society held sway. But at a veryclose look at the 

APC, I am seeing:
 1. RotimiAmaechi – 8 years speaker; 7 years, Governorunder PDP. 
 2. Atiku Abubakar – 8 years Vicepresident under PDP. 
 3. George Akume – 8 yearsGovernor under PDP. 
 4. Bukola Saraki – 8 yearsGovernor; 2 years, Senator under PDP. 
 5. TimipreSylver – 4 years Governor under PDP. 
 6. AuduOgbe – 2 years Chairmanship of the PDP.
 7. AminuMasari – 4 years as the Speaker, House ofRepresentatives under PDP.
 8. Chris Ngige – 3years Governor under PDP. 
 9. Rabiu Kwankwaso –7 years Governor; 3 years Defense minister underPDP. 
10. El Rufai – 4 years FCT Minister; 2 yearsBPE chairman under PDP.
11. And to cap it all,Obasanjo is the navigator of the APC, a man who spent 8 of the disastrous 16 years as the maximum ruler of Nigeria. It is now clearer that APC is a waste basket of the PDP, where thepeople who created and perpetuated the 16 disastrous years are now dumped. So where is thechange coming from? Are they now saints becausethey joined APC? Pls be WISE & VOTE not for those seeking power by FORCE. "ASSOCIATION OF PAST CRIMINALS (APC )." 
Share this for d love of your country.

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We won’t forgive Buhari – South West leaders endorse Jonathan Read full story here:

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  • Prominent Yoruba people have endorsed President Goodluck Jonathan for re-election. The Yoruba leaders endorsed the President during a summit held in Ibadan, Oyo State on Thursday. The summit which was tagged “The national conference, 2015 elections and the Yoruba Nation,” took place at the Premier Hotel, Ibadan where the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari (retd) was rejected. They claimed Buhari did so many damages to the zone during his tenure as head of state and that they were not ready to forgive him. The summit was organized by the Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, and had many prominent Yoruba sons and daughters in attendance, including ; Chief Olu Falae, former Presidential candidate of the Alliance for Democracy/ All Peoples Party; Chief Reuben Fasoranti, Leader, Afenifere; General Adeyinka Adebayo (retd), leader of the Yoruba Council of Elders; Senator Femi Okurounmu; Otunba Kunle Olajide, former Secretary, YCE; Chief Shuaibu Oyedokun, PDP leader; Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu; Otunba Gbenga Daniels, former Governor of Ogun State; Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala, former governor of Oyo State; Mr. Peter Obi, former Governor of Anambra State; Dr. Doyin Okupe, Senior Special Assistant (Public Affairs) to President Jonathan; Otunba Iyiola Omisore; Chief Richard Akinjide (SAN), former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation; and Senator Lekan Balogun, a PDP chieftain. Also at the summit were Oloye Jumoke Akinjide, Minister of State, FCT; Prof. Wale Oladipo, national secretary of PDP; Mr. Yinka Odumakin, Publicity Secretary, Afenifere; Senator Teslim Folarin, PDP governorship candidate in Oyo State; Otunba Gani Adams, Oodua Peoples Congress national co-ordinator; Prof. Temitope Alonge, Chief Medical Director, University College Hospital, some members of Accord Party and Labour Party among others. Governor Mimiko who organized the summit said, “Today, the Yoruba people have marched out in their large numbers to their political capital, Ibadan to discuss and articulate once more, an issue which for decades, has been considered to be the main agenda for their race. You will recall that for several decades, the Yoruba were at the fore front of the agitation for the convocation of a National Conference. “I, therefore, congratulate the Yoruba Nation and all Nigerians that finally, their dream of coming together to dialogue how they should be governed has come to reality. “Let me salute President Jonathan for his bold and momentous move as well as his focused leadership which was demonstrated through his compliance with the agitations by Nigerians to debate their collective future. Convening the 2014 National Conference was indeed a historic assignment that we are proud of and as a people, we must do everything possible to ensure that the Confab recommendations get implemented. “The Confab Report when implemented, will create room for each state to have its own constitution, its own police force, its own prison service, can create its own local governments, can build its own airports, seaports and railways and in addition; in the economic domain, solid minerals that had been the exclusive preserve of the Federal Government since independence, have now been brought to the concurrent list. “States can now create employment and develop at their own pace. With all that, it liberates everybody, it opens up the political space.” Got a news tip, article or press release for us? E-mail: scoop@today.ng or editor@today.ng Follow us on Twitter at @todayngr and Facebook at facebook.com/todayngr

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MIMIKO AT SIX IN OFFICE: CELEBRATING TALL ACHIEVEMENTS (1) & (2)

06:57 ondopdp 0 Comments


Greatness is great power, producing great effects. It is not enough that a man has great power in himself, he must shew it to all the world in a way that cannot be hid or gainsaid.

- William Hazlitt

Sometimes in the autumn of 2006,his declaration to contest for the coveted governorship seat was received by the people of the state with great enthusiasm, His campaigns across the state were always attended by mammoth crowds, pump and pageantry. His votes by the people on election day were not only massive but were also tremendously more than those of other candidates put together. 

Even though his mandate was impiously subverted by a power wielding, ruling cabal backed by a despotic Presidency, he was regarded as the people’s governor until the fair-minded appellate panel sitting in Benin City unanimously upheld the initial verdict of the hope restoring Nabaruma election petition tribunal.

The verdict that confirmed him as the duly elected Governor of the State on the 22nd of February 2009 was received with wild jubilation devoid of violence in every nook and cranny of the state as it did not only reflect the wishes of the people but also rescued them from over 14 tortuous months of official subterfuge,political jiggery pockery,and official dissemination of mendacious ,misleading information which became the fundamental objectives of a state then in the stranglehold of an inviduous ruling cabal persistently seeking to rationalise and cover up the tracks of a stolen mandate.

When it was close to the expiration of his first term in office,it was so obvious that he will clinch victory once again in the ensuing re-election battle as he has succeeded in re-defining governance and exhibited a populist administration the type of which could only be traced back to the Obafemi Awolowo era.

In line with expectations of the generality of the people,his victory over his two closest opponents, was landslide which confirms the fact that the people were in approval of his populist agenda largely executed with such tenacity and fervour never before experienced in the land. 

Attempts by his vanquished rivals to rubbish his clear cut victory through the courts were not only futile and abortive but were also dismissed ignominiously as all sixteen judges that sat over the matter from the Tribunal through the Court of Appeal to the Supreme Court concurred with the October 21,2012 electoral body's verdict of victory in his favour.

This is the story of Olusegun Rahman Abayomi Mimiko, the Ondo born medical doctor turned politician who has combined his God-given attributes of credibility, charisma, character, compassion and competence (I call it his 5Cs) to turn the fortunes of his state around,such that he is being applauded accross the world for a job well done.

By the 23rd of February 2013 which makes it four years that he had been in the sadddle,Governor Mimiko has gotten nothing less than twenty awards and recognition by as many reputable national and international bodies and institutions that have pronounced him and his phenomenal life-changing projects as outstanding. 

Among them are The Worldbank (which not only declared his Abiye safe Motherhood scheme as the benchmark for Africa but also invited him to address its Spring session in New York on Community health in Africa),The UNDP,NUJ,The Academy of Entrpreneural Studies(AES), BEN TV in The UK, Nigeian Medical Association(NMA), The Nigerian Society for Gynecologists and Obstetricians, Radio Nigeria, Financial Standard, The NLC, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Zik Leadership Foundation, RATTAWU ,The Nigerian Tribune,The Nigerian Tourism Board ,The Bill and Merlinda Gates Foundation which gave him an award for polio eradication, The United Nations which made him the first Nigerian governor to win its Habitat Scroll of Honour Award and The Nigeria Association of Nephrology which gave him the most kidney friendly governor award among others.

Six years on now and it still appears like yesterday in our eyes, but the performance of Mimiko and his team have been so impressive that one might begin to wonder how he did it. At the initial stage some of those who wanted him in power did so because they wanted a change, and they saw in him the ready alternative, many also supported him because they knew he possess the ability to turn things around. But as he commenced his campaign and began to reel out his manifestoes, with the phrase “I will work for you” which he usually elucidate with tenacity of purpose and sincerity to a cause, more and more people began to believe in him. 

For the first time in the annals of both democratic and non-democratic governance, Ondo state is experiencing dynamism and a wholehearted paradigm shift in governance as the Governor appears to have a Midas touch in almost every notable area of human endeavour.
The first area where Mimiko won national and international applause is the health sector. The ‘Abiye’ programme and the health rangers shceme to ensure positive change in infant mortality and health care delivery is a resounding success. For the first time in the state,we have a world class Diagnostic centre , two award-winning Mother and Child hospitals in Akure and Ondo,Nigeria's first Accident Trauma Centre,a vaccine storage centre,the Primary Health board building, the modern kidney centre, the diabetes treatment centre, five accident rescue stations at Owo,Bolorunduro, Ilaramokin,Epinmi and Ore,over sixty functioning basic health centres across the state,about sixty tricycle ambulance for pregnant rural women and so on.
And now,a bill establishing a state university of health sciences at the medical village in Ondo has been passed into law even as the trauma centre has been accredited as a Teaching hospital to kickstart the university.

The Governor also took the urban renewal drive to another phenomenal level touching areas hitherto unimaginable. The idea of the caring heart neighbourhood markets never cease to amaze me. As at the last count, nothing less than forty-five of them are in appropriate locations accross the state replacing the tattered, dirty unkempt, often roofless and boundless orthodox market style that are often extended to the major roads.
The new markets are constructed to meet up with international standards in the sense that they take trading totally off the streets, there are provision for enough parking lots, toilet facilities, concrete grounds, portable stalls with decent roofs, water supply, good drainage and electricity.
Also, the modern Automart,has taken the trade in automobiles totally off the roadsides. Not even in the whole of West Africa have I heard of an automart. It is something I was used to seeing whenever I travel out of Africa . The aesthetics and sense in this one will always be astounding to lovers of progress.
The Akure city beautification project is also phenomenal. Even though the past administrations did their best in this regard, they cannot match the reach,class and quality of this one. Most places that used to be rough and dirty habitats of thugs and criminals have been turned to modern parks with lush green fields, flowers and trees;and at night,never before has the city of Akure been effectively illuminated with street lights. Each passing day, new things are happening and the face of the capital city is changing accordingly. Even the cab drivers are receiving a great gift from the governors in the mould of a soon-to-be-commissioned ultra modern Motor Park . 

Little wonder that with the flurry of activities,so much has shifted to the state that it has moved from the 13th spot in 2009,when Mimiko took over to the sixth largest economy in the 2012 economic ranking of Nigerian states.
The establishment of the state independent traffic-control unit ,the provision for modern motor parks and beautiful bus stops on major roads of the city, to be complemented with modern buses will not only ease the city’s transport worries but is also fast changing its worldview to that of a millennium city.
In terms of roads and infrastructure,perhaps, the most phenomenal of all his projects is the dualization of the old Arakale road. It is amazing that as important and strategic as this road is, it never occurred to previous governors to embark on it, or may be they were scared of the intricacies involved. Very courageous of the governor to have even attempted it. And even exceptional was the way he compensated those whose houses were demolished without any clear cut remonstrance or complaints from them. Nevertheless, Mimiko's government also became the first to embark upon the dualization of roads outside the state capital with the completed and and close to completion works in Owo, Ondo and Igbokoda,while not forgetting the 27 kilometers- Ugbe-Ibiropa-Ise road in Akoko,and. The following are some of the other completed infrastructures Education Quality Assurance Building,Civil Service Commission building,Public Service Trainning Institute,Ilara Mokin,Orange Fm building ,Event centre Ijapo ,State Pry Health Care building ,ORIREWA (vaccine storage center) building ,M&C Akure,Phase 1&2, M&C Ondo,Trauma centre,Ondo,Gani Fawehinmi Diagnostic Building,Democracy Park Akure, New Civil Engineering building (4storey),New Governor's house building,Sunshine Housing Estate,Ilekun Housing Estate,Igbotako general hospital ,51 Mega schools,34 new structures at AAU,17 New structures at Osustech, 16 new structures at Rugipo, New Administrative buildings at the stadia in Akure and Ondo. 4 Agric Villages, 27 modern bus stops in Akure,8 new roundabouts in Akure,Owo & Ondo,47 neighbourhood markets across the state and the NEPA ultra modern Shopping Mall,Akure.

The State's civil service also received a big boost with the first comprehensive renovation of the State secretariat in twenty five years, while the lingering feud between the government and the civil servants arising out of the new national minimum wage has been successfully doused as Ondo state emerged with the highest minimum wage in the country.
Twice in his administration,the State has won the National Productivity Merit Award which it never won before.

To uplift the State judiciary, the government successfully completed the compehensive renovation of all the High Courts and Magistrate courts in the State and carried out a successful review of the State laws for the first time since 1976. The governor was also instrumental in bringing the Court of Appeal to Akure. This is by no means a small achievement when one consider the stress we used to go through travelling to Benin for appeal cases. He established Nigeria's first Prison High court,the state customary court of Appeal ,eighteen new magistrate courts and two new High courts in Idanre and Ifedore Local Goverment areas.

Talking sports, it is amazing how the fortunes of the Sunshine Stars Football Club has changed since Governor Mimiko came to power. Never in the history of the football in the state has any team from the State clinched a second spot in the Nigeria Premier League, won the bronze in the FA Cup ,got to the Semi-final of an African Cup and qualified for CAF Champions League where it reached the semi-finals . Also, in 2012, the second club side sponsored by the state government, Rising Stars also won promotion into the NPL while the female team Sunshine Queens emerged national champions. 

At the 17th edition of The National Sports festival held in Port Harcourt last year, the state also clinched an unprecedented 4th position leaving on it's trail all other South western state's. Also worth mentioning here is the Federation of International Swimming Federation- graded- Eight-lane-Olympic Swimming pool that was completed by the Mimiko government within it's first eighteen months,the synthetic pitch a d flood lights of the Akure stadium and the reconstruction of the Ondo stadium among others. It is remarkable to note here that it was since 1977 that the swimming pool project has been in the pipeline with succeeding administrations sidelining it, yet the state is one of the leading states in the sport that has produced many national champions.

The governor has also performed impressively in the Education,Housing and Tourism Sector. What, with the innovation of the Quality Assurance agency,the Free School Bus shuttle that is now operative in at least 15 Lgas,the transformation of AAUA which now has arguably the biggest university Senate building in the country,OSUSTECH and RUGIPO , the mega schools, the renovation of the unity secondary schools and other schools,The completion of at least two housing estates and the sensational Idanre Hills Resorts and the MARE festival which has become an annual event in Idanre town that has also attracted the attention of UNESCO.

Also,the Governor's novel community development ministry has seen the government completing at least one project in close to 800 rural communities.

On the personal note, the governor cuts the picture of a healthy, morally upright God-fearing and charismatic leader who frequently ensure physical inspection of projects while still creating enough time to attend to social activities.

The average Ondo state resident sees in him an entirely different Governor from what he was used to,he sees an energetic ,hardworking ,no-nonsense,kindhearted and sincere individual who is resolutely committed to lifting the state to enviable heights. 

The people of Ondo state have seen a great deliverance of the dividends of democracy in the past six years and I do not have any doubt in my mind that they would continue to vote in the direction of the Governor and good governance even beyond 2017 when His Excellency might have gloriously completed his two terms.

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Putting Jonathan’s Achievements In Perspective

12:36 ondopdp 0 Comments


AS the countdown to this year’s presidential election begins in earnest, Nigerians are sharply divided over who should get their mandate come February 14 — whether President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) should be re-elected for another term of four years or whether the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, who is contesting for the office for the fourth time, should be given a shot at the presidency under a democratic dispensation. There have been arguments for and against the two candidates but I would like to quickly align myself with those routing for President Jonathan’s continuity in that exalted office. 
  I have heard those wishing for an APC-led Federal Government under Gen. Buhari argue that President Jonathan has been in power for almost six years without any ‘solid achievement’ to point at. It is, however, my candid opinion that ‘solid achievement’ or not, the Jonathan administration has put Nigeria on the track of sustainable development through its transformation agenda. The President’s commitment to a united Nigeria is one thing people don’t reckon with but which is paramount to the welfare and well being of Nigerians. 
  It is on record that in the history of Nigeria, President Jonathan ranks among the most committed in terms of uniting the nation. Forget the propaganda of the opposition and the mischief of the disgruntled — Jonathan has the most diverse cabinet, electing to appoint more people from other parts of the country rather than his own ethnic group. Unlike in the past when heads of state and presidents always gave certain positions to their kinsmen and women, Jonathan bucked the trend by making critical appointments, especially in security and finance, from across the nation. Federal projects and appointments are evenly spread. Jonathan’s desire is to see a country where people talk less about sectional issues but focus on one indivisible nation. He demonstrated his belief in uniting and strengthening Nigeria by successfully convening the National Conference in 2014.
  The Jonathan administration has also conscientiously worked to consolidate democracy in the country. According to one Emmanuel Nwosu in his article in the Sunday, January 25, 2015, edition of The Guardian, “the most tangible achievement of the PDP government, under Jonathan, is in the Rule of Law and fundamental freedom and liberty to all citizens, which, truly, constitute the primary foundation of democracy upon which all other dividends would germinate, if well cultivated.” One would better understand Nwosu’s assertion when one takes a critical look at the characteristics of our democracy under previous administrations.
  For instance, in the past, governors were illegally removed from office. Senate Presidents and Speakers were impeached or removed with impunity. Court orders and judgments were disobeyed willingly. Contracts were terminated without recourse to the Rule of Law. All these happened even when Nigerians thought they had entered the era of democracy. It is a fact the scenario has changed since Jonathan assumed office. 
  Other facets of the country’s affairs also have President Jonathan’s imprints as a visionary leader. Under Jonathan, Nigeria became Africa’s biggest economy with a rebased GDP of $510 billion in 2013 compared to $169 billion in 2009. Also, before Jonathan became president, Nigeria’s food import stood at N1.4 trillion but is now less than N700 billion, thanks to the administration’s transformation of the agricultural sector. The transformation of the sector brought to an end four decades of corruption in fertilizer and seed distribution as farmers now access them directly, thereby saving the government about N25 billion in 2012 alone. Also, over 250, 000 farmers and youths in northern states are now profitably engaged in farming. The administration also developed Nigeria’s first ever database of farmers with six million farmers registered. The database is now being updated and monitored annually.   The manufacturing sector also got a boost through Jonathan’s transformation agenda. With the large domestic market, government policy in the sector is geared towards encouraging import substitution where Nigeria has a comparative advantage, and exports, where we can be competitive internationally. The Federal government under Jonathan has developed the National Industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP) on the entire value chain of sub-sectors such as agro-processing (e.g. rice milling, sugar procession, cassava for wheat flour and other products, etc, consumer goods manufacturing, cement, textiles, and petrochemicals). It has also developed the National Sugar Master Plan (NSMS) to provide roadmap for 100 per cent local production of sugar. Also, Nigeria has moved from producing two million metric tones of cement in 2002 to a capacity of 28.5 million metric tones today. With no permit issued in 2012 for cement importation, the country saved over N200 billion. 
  Nigeria’s education sector was not left out. In addition to initiating and implementing the Almajiri school system in the northern part of the country to widen the region’s access to education, the government also established 12 federal universities — nine in the north, three in the south. These citadels of learning will no doubt help decongest the already overcrowded classrooms in most our tertiary institutions.
  I would like to conclude by advising those that are saying the Jonathan administration has not recorded any ‘solid achievement’ in office to be fair in their evaluation. The administration has actually laid the foundation for Nigeria’s prosperity and this traverses every sector of the economy, all of which cannot be highlighted in this write up. A vote for Jonathan is, therefore, a vote for the consolidation of the achievements so far and this is where I stand. 
Odugu wrote from Abuja
- See more at: http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/features/policy-a-politics/196008-putting-jonathan-s-achievements-in-perspective#sthash.gkd4MUSQ.dpuf

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Amaechi is Rivers’ problem – PDP

12:30 ondopdp 0 Comments

The national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party has alleged that Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State remains the main problem of the state.
Deputy National Chairman of the party, Prince Uche Secondus, stated this at a press briefing in Abuja on Saturday.
He accused the governor of shutting down the courts and also taking total control of the State House of Assembly, actions he said were being resisted by the people of the state.
Secondus was reacting to the crisis in Okrika, where hoodlums suspected to be members of the PDP disrupted the governorship rally organised by the All Progressives Congress.
He further accused the governor of using the state resources to fund the presidential campaign of the All Progressives Congress.
Secondus said, “The crisis in Rivers State is Amaechi. You journalists should go and investigate. He shut down the courts, he shut down the state assembly and he is now the sole administrator and maximum leader and the people are resisting.
“Salaries aren’t paid as at when due, the state fund being taken away to sponsor the Presidential Candidate of the APC, General Muhhamadu Buhari. Our jet now is owned by Buhari. Where in this world is it done that people are happy?
“So, all the news of crisis are being generated by Amaechi because he has lost the state and he sustains himself on the pages of newspapers. So, Amaechi is the problem.
“Take for instance the national assembly here if they have disagreement, and the President moves from Villa to the National Assembly and be a partaker in what is going on there.
“But the governor of Rivers State who is the architect of the crisis moved from government house to House of Assembly and took sides. You people should do your investigation and report accurately. Tell him to stop.”
Specifically, he insisted that the the crisis in Okrika was between factions of the APC in the state.
According to him, “The Okrika matter that you talked about, it is APC versus APC, but Amaechi is orchestrating it as if it is PDP and he is even bringing the name of the wife of the President.
“Governor Amaechi has insulted the intelligence of the Rivers people. He is now permanently based in Lagos, in fact, the government of Rivers state has collapsed because Amaechi is no longer governing.”
On the call by the APC that the Court of Appeal judgement be respected concerning the deployment of soldiers for elections, Secondus said soldiers were never used for elections.
He said they were usually deployed for logistics .
He said, “It isn’t new, it has been done before, soldiers aren’t involved in elections, but they are kept in strategic places to safeguard the nation.”

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Akiolu slams Obasanjo, denies endorsing Buhari

23:21 ondopdp 0 Comments

By Evelyn Usman
LAGOS—Oba Rilwan Akiolu of Lagos, yesterday, took a swipe at former President Olusegun Obasanjo, accusing him of being the cause of the injustices he was accusing the present administration.
akiolu-obj
Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu and former President Olusegun Obasanjo

This is just as he has described as false, reports in the social media that he had endorsed the All Progressives Congress,’APC, presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari.
Akiolu, who was one of the special guests at the commissioning of four Nigerian Navy Ships by President Goodluck Johnathan, told journalists while leaving the venue of the occasion at Naval Dockyard, Victoria Island, that Obasanjo allegedly inflicted pains on Lagos State while he was President.
He said: “ God gives many people long lives so that they can get enough punishment, like what is happening now. All the injustices they did against Lagos State from 1999 to 2007, God is exposing them. All the accusations the former President, Obasanjo is giving now, he initiated and nurtured it. He masterminded it and now he is complaining. God has a way of doing things. More are still coming to him,” he said.
On his alleged endorsement of Buhari as president, he said: “Who gave you that rumour? Who said so? Some of the things they are writing, for instance, like that former Minister Obanikoro, I went to his aged mother that they should warn him seriously. For the Presidency, I support the best person.
“If I want to do something, I do not pretend, God almighty Allah will give the Presidency to the people Nigerians want to do the best for this country”, he stated.
He was, however, quick to state: “I have picked Akinwunmi Ambode as the next governor of Lagos State . I have my reason for saying it and I do not hide it. I acted on God’s wisdom and picked him and by the grace of God, he will be the governor of this state.”
On the postponement of the election date by the Independent Electoral Commission, INEC, he said: “The Head of State and INEC have told us that the elections will take place March 28 and April 11 and I hope by the grace of God, it will be like that. For the time being, the intent and purposes for the postponement is acceptable.”

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The Change we need is in Nigeria's structure not Buhari - Yoruba Elders

11:27 ondopdp 0 Comments


Prominent Yoruba elders from the 6 states of the southwest met on Thursday in Akure, Ondo state, for a Post National Conference Summit.

According to the convener of the summit, Gov Olusegun Mimiko, the main aim of the summit is to discuss the gains of the Yoruba Nation from the 2014 National Conference and the optional frameworks for the implementation of the CONFAB recommendations with an eye on Yoruba interests.

Delegation at the summit included the following top leadership of the Yoruba Nation; Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Gov Olusegun Mimiko, Dr. Kunle Olajide, Yinka Odumakin, Dr. Fredrick Fasheun, Otunba Gani Adams, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, Engnr Jide Adeniji and Kola Are, among others.

At the end of the conference, the leaders came up with the following resolutions;

1. That Mr. President, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR and the presidential candidate of the PDP for the 2015 presidential election be commended for yielding to the yearnings of the Yoruba Nation and the generality of Nigerians by convening the 2014 National Conference.

2. That the President be commended for the successful conduct of the 2014 National Conference, which perhaps can be described as the most courageous step ever taken by any President since the return to democracy in 1999.

3. That Mr. President be further commended for setting a technical committee composed of outstanding statesmen and technocrats to fashion out modalities and strategies for the implementation of the Confab resolutions.

4. That the profound recommendations of the Confab that each of the existing 6 geopolitical zones be equally divided into 9 States accords with the Yoruba core value in which equity is ranked very high.

5. That other profound recommendations of the Confab particularly those that touch on devolution of powers, creation of state and community police services; making prisons service a concurrent matter; allowing each state to have its constitution; decentralization of the powers over the establishment and management of railways, sea ports, airports and development of solid minerals are central to the core interests of the Yoruba.

6. That the thoughtful recommendation of the Confab on the constitutionalisation of rotational Presidency among the 6 geo-political zones and the rotation of the position of Governor among the senatorial district of each state is in accord with the political aspiration of the Yoruba.

7. That the Yoruba Nation is committed to a united and indivisible Nigeria based on the principles of justice, equity and rule of law, with ample respect and understanding for cultural, religious and linguistic differences.

8. That the Yoruba Nation is going to work assiduously to ensure that the Confab recommendations get translated to concrete realities

9. That we resolve therefore to fully back and work for the re-election of President Goodluck Jonathan in the Presidential elections as only this could guarantee the implementation of the CONFAB recommendations.

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Obasanjo is Lobbying to Head Interim Govt -President Jonathan

13:56 ondopdp 0 Comments
President Goodluck Jonathan has accused former president Olusegun Obasanjo of lobbying to head an interim government if elections do not hold in Nigeria. 

President Jonathan made the accusation via a statement issued by Reuben Abati, his Special Adviser on Media & Publicity. 

The statement read; We find the false claims and allegations reportedly made against President Goodluck Jonathan by Chief Olusegun Obasanjo on Saturday in Abeokuta very odious and repugnant.

As we have had cause to say before, it is most regrettable indeed that a man like Chief Obasanjo, who should know better, chooses to repeatedly, wantonly, and maliciously impugn the integrity of a sitting President of his country for the primary purpose of self-promotion.

It is obvious from Chief Obasanjo’s serial vituperations against President Jonathan who is doing his best to positively transform Nigeria for the benefit of all of its people that he has wilfully chosen to close his eyes to the present administration’s good works and intentions. For reasons best known to him, Chief Obasanjo has set his mind on regime change by fair or foul means.

Otherwise, it would be completely senseless, irrational and out of place for Chief Obasanjo, who still claims to belong to the same party as the President, to accuse President Jonathan of plotting to win the rescheduled presidential elections by “hook or crook” and planning to plunge the nation into crisis if he loses the election.

For the record, President Jonathan has no such intention and will continue to give the greatest possible support to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other relevant federal agencies to ensure that the rescheduled elections are successfully conducted.

Indeed, it is not President Jonathan who remains faithful to his oath of office who is trying to plunge Nigeria into crisis, but Chief Obasanjo who is scheming to plunge the country into chaos in pursuit of a selfish and highly egocentric agenda.

Chief Obasanjo’s plot with others within and outside the country to thwart the general elections and foist an unconstitutional Interim National Government, which he hopes to head, on the nation is well known to us, but by the Grace of God Almighty, his odious plan to return to power through the back door will fail woefully.

We know very well that it is in pursuit of this nefarious plot that the former President continues to sow the seeds of discord and crises in the polity by purporting to remain in the ruling party while openly consorting with the opposition, endorsing its candidates and predicting victory for opposition candidates in a manner most unbecoming of a supposed elder statesman.

Thankfully, the vast majority of Nigerians who are patriotic and right-thinking cannot be fooled by Chief Obasanjo’s antics.

We urge them to be assured that President Jonathan’s commitment to democracy in all its ramifications remains constant and that he will never be party to the use of any unlawful means to remain in office or gain political advantage over his opponents.

The President stands by his commitment, which he reaffirmed on national television last Wednesday that on his watch, all elections in Nigeria, will be free, fair and credible, and that all certified election results will be respected.

As President Jonathan has also assured the nation, the rescheduling of the general elections was in the best interest of the nation and was never driven by any ulterior motive on the part of government as Chief Obasanjo and others have alleged.

President Jonathan will continue to put his best efforts into giving Nigeria quality leadership and will not be distracted from his purpose by unwarranted and needless criticism by persons who ought to know better.
The President also continues to trust in the good judgment of Nigerians and to believe that in appreciation of his sincere efforts to move the country forward over the past four years, they will re-elect him for a second term on March 28, 2015 with a mandate to pursue his agenda for national transformation to a successful conclusion.


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