For presiding over the affairs of Nigeria as its president in the last three years, you won’t believe how much President Goodluck Jonathan has pocketed as salary.
Vanguard reports that in the last three years President Goodluck Jonathan has pocketed N43.231 million as salary while he had in the last three years, paid N6.264 million as
tax to the country.
The years which the president earned the salary and paid the tax, according to document from the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, he released to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, were 2011, 2012 and 2013.
Vanguard also made it known that the document which was placed at the INEC office at Area 10, Abuja, showed that the president, in 2011, 2012 and 2013, received the said amount.
The document showed that the president’s salary stands at N14,410,290.48 per annum. The president also paid a total of N6,264,221.75 as tax in the years under review.
The income tax clearance certificate from the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Abuja, with Ref. No: ABJ/MDA/PAYE/09690150 and dated July 2, 2014, revealed that in the
years 2011, 2012 and 2013, he received a total of N43,230,871.44 as salary.
While he paid N1,242,670.21 as tax in 2011, President Jonathan paid N2,510,775.77 for 2012 and for 2013.
The document tagged:“To whom it may concern”, indicated that the president’s source of income was “employment”.
The clearance which was stamped and received in the Legal Services Department of INEC on December 18 2014
reads:
This is to certify that Dr. Jonathan, Ebele Goodluck (Presidency) has paid income tax assessment for the past three years.
The details of the president’s tax payment also showed that the president did not earn any other income besides his fixed income as president of the country in that period.
There were no indications of income from stocks or other businesses that the president could have had
Sunday, 19 April 2015
Obasanjo Plotting My Extradition To Settle Scores – Kashamu
A Peoples Democratic Party chief in Ogun State and Ogun East Senator-elect, Buruji Kashamu, has accused former President Olusegun Obasanjo of working with local and foreign security agencies to extradite him to the United States of America through illegal means.
Buruji said Obasanjo was involved in the alleged plot to extradite him to the United States over drug related indictment in the foreign land because of the defeat the former President had suffered in the PDP.
The senator-elect, through his lawyer, Mr. Ajibola Oluyede, said this in a petition to the National Human Rights Commission, seeking investigation into an alleged plan to abduct him and forcibly extradite him to the US.
The petition, dated April 15, 2015 and addressed to the Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Prof. Bem Angwe, is entitled, ‘Prince Buruji Kashamu: Abduction plans by United States of America agents in collaboration with law enforcement agencies in Nigeria’.
“The current plan to abduct him (Kashamu) is an admission by the US authorities that there is no case against him and is a design instigated and commissioned by Obasanjo who seeks revenge against him for the comprehensive political defeat Obasanjo suffered because of Kashamu in the PDP,” Oluyede wrote.
Oluyede urged the NHRC to urgently intervene “in accordance with the jurisdiction expressly given to your commission by the National Human Rights Act 1995 as amended to carry out an inquiry into the matter in order to establish the culpability and compromise of certain institutions in this despicable plan and to protect our client’s fundamental human right to liberty, life and dignity of hisperson.”
Kashamu explained that despite previous court decisions both in Nigeria and the United Kingdom exonerating him of alleged offences, “desperate politicians” were still mounting pressure on the Attorney General of the Federation to resuscitate the US indictment against him in Nigeria to extradite him to the US.
Oluyede however, said the pressure on the AGF did not work because as the US authorities had never made a request for Kashamu to be extradited to the US as required by the Extradition Treaty the US and Nigeria as well as the Nigerian Extradition law.
The petition reads, “Kashamu’s enquiry revealed that indeed there had been moves by US officials within the region to secure the assistance of the head of the INTERPOL division in Nigeria, Mr. Solomon Arase, a Deputy Inspector General of Police, for the arrest and delivery to the US officials of Kashamu for transportation to the US without following the due process required by the Nigeria Extradition Act.
“Mr. Kashamu’s informant revealed that Arase has confirmed that one Donna Chabot approached him in January 2015. The said Ms Chabot is an Attache Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement at the American Embassy route Des Almedies BP 49 Dakar Senegal and requested that INTERPOL Nigeria assist in the abduction of Kashamu for the purpose of his forcible transportation to the US to face trial before Judge Norgel.”
Buruji said Obasanjo was involved in the alleged plot to extradite him to the United States over drug related indictment in the foreign land because of the defeat the former President had suffered in the PDP.
The senator-elect, through his lawyer, Mr. Ajibola Oluyede, said this in a petition to the National Human Rights Commission, seeking investigation into an alleged plan to abduct him and forcibly extradite him to the US.
The petition, dated April 15, 2015 and addressed to the Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Prof. Bem Angwe, is entitled, ‘Prince Buruji Kashamu: Abduction plans by United States of America agents in collaboration with law enforcement agencies in Nigeria’.
“The current plan to abduct him (Kashamu) is an admission by the US authorities that there is no case against him and is a design instigated and commissioned by Obasanjo who seeks revenge against him for the comprehensive political defeat Obasanjo suffered because of Kashamu in the PDP,” Oluyede wrote.
Oluyede urged the NHRC to urgently intervene “in accordance with the jurisdiction expressly given to your commission by the National Human Rights Act 1995 as amended to carry out an inquiry into the matter in order to establish the culpability and compromise of certain institutions in this despicable plan and to protect our client’s fundamental human right to liberty, life and dignity of hisperson.”
Kashamu explained that despite previous court decisions both in Nigeria and the United Kingdom exonerating him of alleged offences, “desperate politicians” were still mounting pressure on the Attorney General of the Federation to resuscitate the US indictment against him in Nigeria to extradite him to the US.
Oluyede however, said the pressure on the AGF did not work because as the US authorities had never made a request for Kashamu to be extradited to the US as required by the Extradition Treaty the US and Nigeria as well as the Nigerian Extradition law.
The petition reads, “Kashamu’s enquiry revealed that indeed there had been moves by US officials within the region to secure the assistance of the head of the INTERPOL division in Nigeria, Mr. Solomon Arase, a Deputy Inspector General of Police, for the arrest and delivery to the US officials of Kashamu for transportation to the US without following the due process required by the Nigeria Extradition Act.
“Mr. Kashamu’s informant revealed that Arase has confirmed that one Donna Chabot approached him in January 2015. The said Ms Chabot is an Attache Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement at the American Embassy route Des Almedies BP 49 Dakar Senegal and requested that INTERPOL Nigeria assist in the abduction of Kashamu for the purpose of his forcible transportation to the US to face trial before Judge Norgel.”
Former Akara-Seller, Cattle-Rearer & Bus-Conductor Become Governors-Elect
Twenty-six governors have been declared elected by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) during the April 11, 2015 elections. Out of this number, some governors have been in the public glare over the years. Others are just emerging from a long history of life’s struggles. In this special report, our reporters have unearthed some previously unpopular details about some of these governors-elect, culminating in their journeys to the top in their states.
Bagudu: ‘Kosai’ hawker takes over mantle of leadership in Kebbi
The governor-elect of Kebbi State, Senator Atiku Bagudu sold bean cake, popularly known in Hausa as ‘kosai’ while he was growing up. A former Commissioner for Finance, Mr Garba Muhammad Dandiga, who was a classmate and a childhood friend of the governor-elect, revealed this to our reporter when he spoke on the governor-elect’s background last week in Birnin Kebbi.
Making bare some of the unknown story of the governor-elect, Dandiga said “Just like the governor-elect has been saying, as a struggling child, he used to hawk kosai (bean cake), panke (fried flour balls (kpof-kpof) in a motor park in Karaye, Maiyama Local Government Area of Kebbi State, where he grew up.”
He was born in 1961 into a reputable family of a seasoned educationist, Alhaji Abubakar Ibrahim Bagudu, who was the headmaster of Karaye Primary School and taught in many primary schools. The former commissioner said Senator Bagudu is the second child in the family. His elder brother is Bello Bagudu. His other younger brothers are Farouku Bagudu, Ibrahim Bagudu, Shehu Bagudu and his other younger sisters.
“His elder brother, Bello, was actually my mate before Senator Bagudu got accelerated promotion due to his outstanding performance. At the end of the day, we became classmates. We took school leaving exams together. He also attended same Government Secondary School, Kontagora in Niger State,” he added.
He said the governor-elect became lecturer after his first degree at the Department of Economics, Usman Danfodio University (UDU), where he graduated because of his excellent performance. But later went into banking.
He added, “From the banking job, he travelled abroad for further studies and returned to become the special assistant to a finance minister during General Sani Abacha’s reign. He worked closely with the late head of state’s children. That was his last stint in government service and continued to be an economic consultant.”
Ortom: From motor park to Benue Government House
For many people, the Benue State governor-elect, Dr. Samuel Ortom, is the immediate past Minister of State for Trade, Commerce and Industry, who aspired to become governor on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in December, 2014 but lost the bid. He defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), where he finally achieved his dream.
Beyond this mere knowledge of his triumph, Ortom, who is today an industrialist, a farmer, a businessman, a politician, a philanthropist, an administrator and an employer of labour, rose steadily in life from what can best be described as “grass to grace.”
Born on April 23, 1961 in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, young Ortom was enrolled into St. John’s Primary School, Gboko in 1970 but moved to St. Catherine’s Primary School, Makurdi in 1974, where he completed primary education in 1976. He was later admitted into Idah Secondary Commercial College, Idah in Kogi State that same year, where he spent only two years before his father’s retirement in 1979 brought an abrupt end to his dream of completing formal secondary school education on account of inability to pay school fees.
It was about this time, he once testified, he knew Jesus Christ and became a born again Christian. So, the story has never been the same from one stage to another. From a tout to bus conductor, taxi driver, and salesman, he rose steadily by God’s help.
As a hardworking teenager, he began to strive for a living, working as a tout at Gboko motor park, where he met a good spirited Nigerian, who taught him how to drive on account of his honesty and dedication to duty. Another one helped him to obtain a driver’s license. Soon, he was employed as a professional driver.
He became the driver and confidant of a prominent Gboko-based Christian leader and politician, Pa Samu Ihugh. In his usual manner, he normally waited for his boss after closing from work every day with a view to assisting his benefactor. One day, he hung around voluntarily in the house, sitting on a bench when the wind blew a piece of paper, which was an advert for enrolment into the National School of Salesmanship, Manchester, towards him.
Ortom picked the paper, read the content and decided to enroll for a course by correspondence. Soon, he obtained the General Certificate of Education (GCE) as well as Diploma in Salesmanship. Thereafter, he enrolled at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and obtained both the Interim Joint Matriculation Board Certificate, in 1995 and Diploma in Journalism in 1998.
He also attended the Benue State University, where he obtained Advanced Diploma in Personnel Management in 2001 as well as Masters of Public Administration in 2004. He crowned his educational pursuit with a Doctor in Philosophy, Ph.D, from the Commonwealth University, Belize, through distant learning.
He rose from salesman to sales manager in Gyado Foods Coy. Ltd, before his election as executive chairman of Guma Local Government Area between 1991 and 1993 on the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP). He held various party positions in different political parties. He was a PDP national auditor before his appointment as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in July 2011.
Ganduje: Herdsman becomes governor-elect in Kano
While growing up, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the governor-elect of Kano State, like other Fulani children in the country, herded livestock from their community in Ganduje, Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area to other areas.
With his stick, the governor-elect, who has been in the corridors of power for over three decades in the state, took care of the livestock of his late father to graze around their farming community, an act that exposed him to the nitty-gritty of animal rearing.
Born to the late Mallam Umar, the district head of Ganduje in 1949, the Kano governor-elect started his education at Dawakin Tofa Primary School in 1956. But his close aides said even at school, he never stopped the rearing of animals. During holidays, he returned to his father’s cattle ranch.
From the primary school, he went to Government Secondary School, Birnin Kudu, Jigawa State. He proceeded to Advanced Teachers’ College, Kano, where he bagged the Nigeria Certificate of Education (NCE).
To enhance his academic base, he went to the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he bagged B.Sc in Education in 1975. He obtained a master’s degree in Psychology in 1979. In 1993, he crowned it with a Ph.D in Public Administration at the University of Ibadan in Oyo State.
After his NYSC in Delta State in 1976, Ganduje started his working career at the Kano State Ministry of Education. After a year, he joined the services of Advanced Teachers College in Gumel.
He had an inroad to the political terrain in 1981 when he moved his services to the Federal Capital Development Authority as he held several positions during his 12 years sojourn.
In 1994, he was appointed Commissioner for Works, a position he held for four years until 1998 when he resigned and joined politics. He was elected as the running mate of Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. Since, he has been around the corridors of power in the state.
Sunday Trust gathered that despite his political growth, Ganduje is still addicted to cattle rearing as he has a gigantic cattle ranch that is being managed by the herdsmen.
Abubakar: Jigawa governor-elect started transport business with one car
Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, the governor-elect in Jigawa State is a renowned local and international businessman.
A source, who spoke to Sunday Trust on condition of anonymity, said the governor-elect, whose business now spread across various sectors, started transport business two decades ago with one car.
Born in 1962 at Babura town in Jigawa State, he holds a B.Sc in Accounting from the famous Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria. He is also an alumnus of the glorious National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS).
His business empire, which is now Talamiz Group, is a conglomerate, with vast interest in automobile distribution, logistics (including maritime and road transport), haulage, real estate and manufacturing, construction, agriculture and agro-allied, and commodity distribution among others.
The source said Badaru’s business, the Talamiz Group, had developed into vast conglomerate with branches in Nigeria, Niger, Egypt, Holland, Saudi Arabia, Belgium.
The Talamiz Group comprises Talamiz Nigeria Limited, Talamiz Motors, Talamiz Consumer Company, Talamiz Transport, Talamiz Commodities, Talamiz Properties, Talamiz Poultry and Farms, and Talamiz Petroleum, Talamiz Oil Mill Limited, Socar Talamiz Limited, RMR shipping Bv (Breda Holland), AML BONDED TERMINAL, ALUAFRIC Cairo and a Director of Sahih Nigeria Limited.
Badaru is also a member of the National Council on Privatisation, Federal Republic of Nigeria, the immediate past national president of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) and the second vice president of the Federation of West Africa Chamber of Commerce (FEWACCI), which is the regional body of Chambers of Commerce in the West African region.
Udom: From grace to glory
Mr Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governor-elect of Akwa Ibom State, had a headstart in life, which many people, in his home state, never have.
Unlike his contemporaries, who walk through thick and thin to achieve success in life, Udom was lucky to have been born with a silver spoon in his mouth.
His father, Mr. Gabriel Emmanuel Nkanang, was an educator, a headmaster and a great teacher, whose commitment to education, training and development of children and youths in the community impacted a lot on the development and growth of the child.
This humble beginning helped define the greater part of Udom’s life as he weathered through the storms of life with ease.
Born in Awa Iman, a city in Onna local government of Akwa Ibom state in 1966, Udom had his primary education around the same community. On completion, he went to secondary commercial school, Okot Akpan Ishiet, in Onna local government area of the state.
He later attended the School of Arts and Science, Uyo, where he received his Advanced Certificate of Basic Studies (CBS) and a Higher School Certificate (HSC), transferred his education pursuit to the University of Lagos and graduated with a degree in Accounting in 1988.
Since his graduation from the university, Udum has been a hot demand. As a result of his vast experience in corporate governance, he was authorized by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) to carry-out financial services in the United Kingdom. At Zenith Bank, where he rose to become the executive director, he was always sent to develop new branches across the globe.
These outstanding credentials perhaps guided Governor Godswill Akpabio in appointing him as the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), a position he held until he was tipped to succeed the governor.
Umahi: the son of a peasant farmer to preside over Ebonyi
Engineer David Nweze Umahi, the governor-elect of Ebonyi State, was born into the family of Elder Chief Joseph Umahi Nweze in January 1, 1964.
Elder Umahi, his father, who hails from Umunaga-Uburu autonomous community in Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, was a peasant farmer.
Growing up in a humble background at the countryside, Engineer Dave, as he is popularly known, attended Umunaga Primary School, Uburu, from 1971 to 1977 and came out with distinction. He started secondary education at Ishiagu High School in 1978 but completed it at Government Secondary School, Afikpo, where he showcased his leadership qualities as library prefect. After secondary school, Umahi was admitted into the then Anambra State University of Science and Technology, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. While at the university, he was elected into the student parliament as a senator representing the Faculty of Engineering.
Engr. Umahi did the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme between 1988 and 1989 at SAIPEM SPA in Benin City, capital of the present day Edo State. He was honoured with the NYSC state award for his outstanding performance.
After the NYSC programme, he worked in the SCC Nigeria Limited and rose through the ranks to the position of project engineer. As a manager, the now governor-elect supervised the Umuahia water project and the Ndiegoro Aba flood control site.
From 1990 to 1993, he became the general manager and shareholder in Norman Engineering and Construction Nigeria Limited, which he co-founded with the then managing director of NAFCON, Port Harcourt, Dr. Ombo Isokarari. Umahi was also the chairman and chief executive officer of Brass Engineering and Construction Nigeria Limited, Fucus Investment Nigeria Limited, Osborn La Palm Royal Resort Limited until he was elected into public office. He is also a fellow of some professional bodies, including the Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE), Council of Registered Engineers (COREN) and Council of Technologists of Nigeria (FCORTN).
Engr. Umahi’s foray into politics started when he was first appointed as the acting chairman of the Ebonyi State chapter of the PDP from 2007 to 2009. He was subsequently elected the substantive state chairman of the PDP during the 2009 state congress of the party, a position he held till 2011. He was also appointed the chairman, Governing Board of the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba.
It was in 2011 that Engr. Dave Umahi became a running mate to the outgoing governor of the state, Chief Martin Elechi, during the gubernatorial election of that year. Subsequently, he was elected the deputy governor of Ebonyi State.
Professor Ayade: He dreamt of ruling Cross River when he was a teenager
The governor-elect in Cross River State, Professor Bennedict Ayade, recently said he started working toward his new office when he was 15 years old in 1984.
Ayade, a business mogul with interest in oil and gas, transportation and other investments in and outside the state, said he grew up from a state of abject poverty.
He said because of his background he thought deeply about how to change the society and alleviate poverty.
Speaking to journalists in Calabar, Ayade, who was born on March 2, 1969, said he struggled through three universities; University of Ibadan, Ambrose Alli University and Delta State University. He said he was involved in students’ unionism up to university senate.
The 46-year old governor-elect worked as lecturer and rose to become head of department.
Abubakar: Career civil servant becomes governor in Bauchi
The governor-elect in Bauchi State, Barrister Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar, who was born 59 years ago, is a lawyer by profession, who has built a career in Jurisprudence. He holds a certificate in Law Drafting from the University of Washington, after his first degree and Master’s in law. He has held several positions in Bauchi State and at the level of federal government.
The governor-elect was a successful civil servant, who garnered vast experience in public and private service that spanned over 34 years.
Ugwuanyi: A man with milk of kindness to govern
Enugu
Born in 1954 in Enugu, the capital of Enugu State, Chief Ifeanyi Lawrence Ugwuanyi has a Bsc and MSc in Banking and Finance from the University of Nigeria, Enugu campus. He also has another MSc in Public Relations from the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT). He has enrolled for a PhD programme.
Married to Monica from Abia State, Ugwuanyi , a member of the Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani-led Ebeano political camp, was elected into the House of Representatives on the plantform of the PDP, where he represented Igboeze South-Udenu Federal Constituency. He is spending his third tenure in the House.
In 2002, based on his charity works, he, alongside his wife, Monica, was given the chieftaincy title of Gburugburu by his community. He was the 15th president of Rotary Club, Emene, Enugu. It was his involvement in Rotary activities that spurred the philantrophic spirit in Ugwuanyi. It is said that Ugwuanyi hates seeing people suffering. Little wonder, he has some milk of kindness in him.
When he was chosen after a stakeholders’ meeting of the PDP in Enugu State as the successor to Governor Sullivan Chime, almost the entire people of the state accepted him.
Since the creation of Enugu State, no person, chosen to succeed a sitting governor, has been widely accepted.
Bindo: Son of a billionaire to take charge in Adamawa
The Adamawa State governor-elect, Senator Muhammad Jibrilla Bindo, is the son of a billionaire business man. Sunday Trust gathered that he learnt the art of business from his father. After completing his secondary school education, he established a construction firm which later expanded to Lagos and Abuja, making him a successful businessman.
Bindow had been a business man before he was elected as a senator representing Adamawa North Senatorial District in 2011. He is the Vice Chairman of Senate Committee on Defence, a position he still occupies at present.
Bello: The son of a military governor will now lead Niger
The Niger State governor-elect, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, popularly known as Abu-Lolo, is the son of a former military governor of the old Kano State and the former Aide De Camp (ADC) to the supreme commander (Nigeria’s first military head of state), Major General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi. He was born with a silver spoon, as he attended Military School, Zaria and the University of Maiduguri, where he graduated with a degree in Economics.
A friend of the governor-elect and a Polo player, Muhammad Ibrahim (Dangaye), said Abu-Lolo is a very friendly person. He said though “he does not play polo, he likes riding horse.” He was said to be enjoying being close to his stallion. He has extended the love of horse-riding to his children as they all ride horse, particularly, when they are in Kontagora.
Abubakar, who won the governorship election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), is seen by many as a serious-minded person who hardly smiles. Sunday Trust, however, gathered that the governor-elect is very humorous.
He did not inherit politics from his father but from his uncle, Engineer Musa Bello, who was a Minister of Commerce in the tenure of former President Olusegun Obasanjo and a former executive secretary of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Council (NIPC), who contested for the office several times.
He is also known as a businessman, who likes to be behind the wheel often despite the number of drivers under his management. He is said to be driving around the town, particularly in the midst of friends and associates.
Abu-Lolo is married to the daughter of the former military Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar. The woman is a medical doctor, Amina Abubakar Abdussalmi. The governor-elect will be sworn in by the Chief Judge of Niger State and his mother in-law, Justice Fati Abubakar, on May 29.
Bagudu: ‘Kosai’ hawker takes over mantle of leadership in Kebbi
The governor-elect of Kebbi State, Senator Atiku Bagudu sold bean cake, popularly known in Hausa as ‘kosai’ while he was growing up. A former Commissioner for Finance, Mr Garba Muhammad Dandiga, who was a classmate and a childhood friend of the governor-elect, revealed this to our reporter when he spoke on the governor-elect’s background last week in Birnin Kebbi.
Making bare some of the unknown story of the governor-elect, Dandiga said “Just like the governor-elect has been saying, as a struggling child, he used to hawk kosai (bean cake), panke (fried flour balls (kpof-kpof) in a motor park in Karaye, Maiyama Local Government Area of Kebbi State, where he grew up.”
He was born in 1961 into a reputable family of a seasoned educationist, Alhaji Abubakar Ibrahim Bagudu, who was the headmaster of Karaye Primary School and taught in many primary schools. The former commissioner said Senator Bagudu is the second child in the family. His elder brother is Bello Bagudu. His other younger brothers are Farouku Bagudu, Ibrahim Bagudu, Shehu Bagudu and his other younger sisters.
“His elder brother, Bello, was actually my mate before Senator Bagudu got accelerated promotion due to his outstanding performance. At the end of the day, we became classmates. We took school leaving exams together. He also attended same Government Secondary School, Kontagora in Niger State,” he added.
He said the governor-elect became lecturer after his first degree at the Department of Economics, Usman Danfodio University (UDU), where he graduated because of his excellent performance. But later went into banking.
He added, “From the banking job, he travelled abroad for further studies and returned to become the special assistant to a finance minister during General Sani Abacha’s reign. He worked closely with the late head of state’s children. That was his last stint in government service and continued to be an economic consultant.”
Ortom: From motor park to Benue Government House
For many people, the Benue State governor-elect, Dr. Samuel Ortom, is the immediate past Minister of State for Trade, Commerce and Industry, who aspired to become governor on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in December, 2014 but lost the bid. He defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), where he finally achieved his dream.
Beyond this mere knowledge of his triumph, Ortom, who is today an industrialist, a farmer, a businessman, a politician, a philanthropist, an administrator and an employer of labour, rose steadily in life from what can best be described as “grass to grace.”
Born on April 23, 1961 in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, young Ortom was enrolled into St. John’s Primary School, Gboko in 1970 but moved to St. Catherine’s Primary School, Makurdi in 1974, where he completed primary education in 1976. He was later admitted into Idah Secondary Commercial College, Idah in Kogi State that same year, where he spent only two years before his father’s retirement in 1979 brought an abrupt end to his dream of completing formal secondary school education on account of inability to pay school fees.
It was about this time, he once testified, he knew Jesus Christ and became a born again Christian. So, the story has never been the same from one stage to another. From a tout to bus conductor, taxi driver, and salesman, he rose steadily by God’s help.
As a hardworking teenager, he began to strive for a living, working as a tout at Gboko motor park, where he met a good spirited Nigerian, who taught him how to drive on account of his honesty and dedication to duty. Another one helped him to obtain a driver’s license. Soon, he was employed as a professional driver.
He became the driver and confidant of a prominent Gboko-based Christian leader and politician, Pa Samu Ihugh. In his usual manner, he normally waited for his boss after closing from work every day with a view to assisting his benefactor. One day, he hung around voluntarily in the house, sitting on a bench when the wind blew a piece of paper, which was an advert for enrolment into the National School of Salesmanship, Manchester, towards him.
Ortom picked the paper, read the content and decided to enroll for a course by correspondence. Soon, he obtained the General Certificate of Education (GCE) as well as Diploma in Salesmanship. Thereafter, he enrolled at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and obtained both the Interim Joint Matriculation Board Certificate, in 1995 and Diploma in Journalism in 1998.
He also attended the Benue State University, where he obtained Advanced Diploma in Personnel Management in 2001 as well as Masters of Public Administration in 2004. He crowned his educational pursuit with a Doctor in Philosophy, Ph.D, from the Commonwealth University, Belize, through distant learning.
He rose from salesman to sales manager in Gyado Foods Coy. Ltd, before his election as executive chairman of Guma Local Government Area between 1991 and 1993 on the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP). He held various party positions in different political parties. He was a PDP national auditor before his appointment as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in July 2011.
Ganduje: Herdsman becomes governor-elect in Kano
While growing up, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the governor-elect of Kano State, like other Fulani children in the country, herded livestock from their community in Ganduje, Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area to other areas.
With his stick, the governor-elect, who has been in the corridors of power for over three decades in the state, took care of the livestock of his late father to graze around their farming community, an act that exposed him to the nitty-gritty of animal rearing.
Born to the late Mallam Umar, the district head of Ganduje in 1949, the Kano governor-elect started his education at Dawakin Tofa Primary School in 1956. But his close aides said even at school, he never stopped the rearing of animals. During holidays, he returned to his father’s cattle ranch.
From the primary school, he went to Government Secondary School, Birnin Kudu, Jigawa State. He proceeded to Advanced Teachers’ College, Kano, where he bagged the Nigeria Certificate of Education (NCE).
To enhance his academic base, he went to the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he bagged B.Sc in Education in 1975. He obtained a master’s degree in Psychology in 1979. In 1993, he crowned it with a Ph.D in Public Administration at the University of Ibadan in Oyo State.
After his NYSC in Delta State in 1976, Ganduje started his working career at the Kano State Ministry of Education. After a year, he joined the services of Advanced Teachers College in Gumel.
He had an inroad to the political terrain in 1981 when he moved his services to the Federal Capital Development Authority as he held several positions during his 12 years sojourn.
In 1994, he was appointed Commissioner for Works, a position he held for four years until 1998 when he resigned and joined politics. He was elected as the running mate of Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. Since, he has been around the corridors of power in the state.
Sunday Trust gathered that despite his political growth, Ganduje is still addicted to cattle rearing as he has a gigantic cattle ranch that is being managed by the herdsmen.
Abubakar: Jigawa governor-elect started transport business with one car
Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, the governor-elect in Jigawa State is a renowned local and international businessman.
A source, who spoke to Sunday Trust on condition of anonymity, said the governor-elect, whose business now spread across various sectors, started transport business two decades ago with one car.
Born in 1962 at Babura town in Jigawa State, he holds a B.Sc in Accounting from the famous Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria. He is also an alumnus of the glorious National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS).
His business empire, which is now Talamiz Group, is a conglomerate, with vast interest in automobile distribution, logistics (including maritime and road transport), haulage, real estate and manufacturing, construction, agriculture and agro-allied, and commodity distribution among others.
The source said Badaru’s business, the Talamiz Group, had developed into vast conglomerate with branches in Nigeria, Niger, Egypt, Holland, Saudi Arabia, Belgium.
The Talamiz Group comprises Talamiz Nigeria Limited, Talamiz Motors, Talamiz Consumer Company, Talamiz Transport, Talamiz Commodities, Talamiz Properties, Talamiz Poultry and Farms, and Talamiz Petroleum, Talamiz Oil Mill Limited, Socar Talamiz Limited, RMR shipping Bv (Breda Holland), AML BONDED TERMINAL, ALUAFRIC Cairo and a Director of Sahih Nigeria Limited.
Badaru is also a member of the National Council on Privatisation, Federal Republic of Nigeria, the immediate past national president of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) and the second vice president of the Federation of West Africa Chamber of Commerce (FEWACCI), which is the regional body of Chambers of Commerce in the West African region.
Udom: From grace to glory
Mr Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governor-elect of Akwa Ibom State, had a headstart in life, which many people, in his home state, never have.
Unlike his contemporaries, who walk through thick and thin to achieve success in life, Udom was lucky to have been born with a silver spoon in his mouth.
His father, Mr. Gabriel Emmanuel Nkanang, was an educator, a headmaster and a great teacher, whose commitment to education, training and development of children and youths in the community impacted a lot on the development and growth of the child.
This humble beginning helped define the greater part of Udom’s life as he weathered through the storms of life with ease.
Born in Awa Iman, a city in Onna local government of Akwa Ibom state in 1966, Udom had his primary education around the same community. On completion, he went to secondary commercial school, Okot Akpan Ishiet, in Onna local government area of the state.
He later attended the School of Arts and Science, Uyo, where he received his Advanced Certificate of Basic Studies (CBS) and a Higher School Certificate (HSC), transferred his education pursuit to the University of Lagos and graduated with a degree in Accounting in 1988.
Since his graduation from the university, Udum has been a hot demand. As a result of his vast experience in corporate governance, he was authorized by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) to carry-out financial services in the United Kingdom. At Zenith Bank, where he rose to become the executive director, he was always sent to develop new branches across the globe.
These outstanding credentials perhaps guided Governor Godswill Akpabio in appointing him as the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), a position he held until he was tipped to succeed the governor.
Umahi: the son of a peasant farmer to preside over Ebonyi
Engineer David Nweze Umahi, the governor-elect of Ebonyi State, was born into the family of Elder Chief Joseph Umahi Nweze in January 1, 1964.
Elder Umahi, his father, who hails from Umunaga-Uburu autonomous community in Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, was a peasant farmer.
Growing up in a humble background at the countryside, Engineer Dave, as he is popularly known, attended Umunaga Primary School, Uburu, from 1971 to 1977 and came out with distinction. He started secondary education at Ishiagu High School in 1978 but completed it at Government Secondary School, Afikpo, where he showcased his leadership qualities as library prefect. After secondary school, Umahi was admitted into the then Anambra State University of Science and Technology, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. While at the university, he was elected into the student parliament as a senator representing the Faculty of Engineering.
Engr. Umahi did the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme between 1988 and 1989 at SAIPEM SPA in Benin City, capital of the present day Edo State. He was honoured with the NYSC state award for his outstanding performance.
After the NYSC programme, he worked in the SCC Nigeria Limited and rose through the ranks to the position of project engineer. As a manager, the now governor-elect supervised the Umuahia water project and the Ndiegoro Aba flood control site.
From 1990 to 1993, he became the general manager and shareholder in Norman Engineering and Construction Nigeria Limited, which he co-founded with the then managing director of NAFCON, Port Harcourt, Dr. Ombo Isokarari. Umahi was also the chairman and chief executive officer of Brass Engineering and Construction Nigeria Limited, Fucus Investment Nigeria Limited, Osborn La Palm Royal Resort Limited until he was elected into public office. He is also a fellow of some professional bodies, including the Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE), Council of Registered Engineers (COREN) and Council of Technologists of Nigeria (FCORTN).
Engr. Umahi’s foray into politics started when he was first appointed as the acting chairman of the Ebonyi State chapter of the PDP from 2007 to 2009. He was subsequently elected the substantive state chairman of the PDP during the 2009 state congress of the party, a position he held till 2011. He was also appointed the chairman, Governing Board of the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba.
It was in 2011 that Engr. Dave Umahi became a running mate to the outgoing governor of the state, Chief Martin Elechi, during the gubernatorial election of that year. Subsequently, he was elected the deputy governor of Ebonyi State.
Professor Ayade: He dreamt of ruling Cross River when he was a teenager
The governor-elect in Cross River State, Professor Bennedict Ayade, recently said he started working toward his new office when he was 15 years old in 1984.
Ayade, a business mogul with interest in oil and gas, transportation and other investments in and outside the state, said he grew up from a state of abject poverty.
He said because of his background he thought deeply about how to change the society and alleviate poverty.
Speaking to journalists in Calabar, Ayade, who was born on March 2, 1969, said he struggled through three universities; University of Ibadan, Ambrose Alli University and Delta State University. He said he was involved in students’ unionism up to university senate.
The 46-year old governor-elect worked as lecturer and rose to become head of department.
Abubakar: Career civil servant becomes governor in Bauchi
The governor-elect in Bauchi State, Barrister Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar, who was born 59 years ago, is a lawyer by profession, who has built a career in Jurisprudence. He holds a certificate in Law Drafting from the University of Washington, after his first degree and Master’s in law. He has held several positions in Bauchi State and at the level of federal government.
The governor-elect was a successful civil servant, who garnered vast experience in public and private service that spanned over 34 years.
Ugwuanyi: A man with milk of kindness to govern
Enugu
Born in 1954 in Enugu, the capital of Enugu State, Chief Ifeanyi Lawrence Ugwuanyi has a Bsc and MSc in Banking and Finance from the University of Nigeria, Enugu campus. He also has another MSc in Public Relations from the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT). He has enrolled for a PhD programme.
Married to Monica from Abia State, Ugwuanyi , a member of the Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani-led Ebeano political camp, was elected into the House of Representatives on the plantform of the PDP, where he represented Igboeze South-Udenu Federal Constituency. He is spending his third tenure in the House.
In 2002, based on his charity works, he, alongside his wife, Monica, was given the chieftaincy title of Gburugburu by his community. He was the 15th president of Rotary Club, Emene, Enugu. It was his involvement in Rotary activities that spurred the philantrophic spirit in Ugwuanyi. It is said that Ugwuanyi hates seeing people suffering. Little wonder, he has some milk of kindness in him.
When he was chosen after a stakeholders’ meeting of the PDP in Enugu State as the successor to Governor Sullivan Chime, almost the entire people of the state accepted him.
Since the creation of Enugu State, no person, chosen to succeed a sitting governor, has been widely accepted.
Bindo: Son of a billionaire to take charge in Adamawa
The Adamawa State governor-elect, Senator Muhammad Jibrilla Bindo, is the son of a billionaire business man. Sunday Trust gathered that he learnt the art of business from his father. After completing his secondary school education, he established a construction firm which later expanded to Lagos and Abuja, making him a successful businessman.
Bindow had been a business man before he was elected as a senator representing Adamawa North Senatorial District in 2011. He is the Vice Chairman of Senate Committee on Defence, a position he still occupies at present.
Bello: The son of a military governor will now lead Niger
The Niger State governor-elect, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, popularly known as Abu-Lolo, is the son of a former military governor of the old Kano State and the former Aide De Camp (ADC) to the supreme commander (Nigeria’s first military head of state), Major General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi. He was born with a silver spoon, as he attended Military School, Zaria and the University of Maiduguri, where he graduated with a degree in Economics.
A friend of the governor-elect and a Polo player, Muhammad Ibrahim (Dangaye), said Abu-Lolo is a very friendly person. He said though “he does not play polo, he likes riding horse.” He was said to be enjoying being close to his stallion. He has extended the love of horse-riding to his children as they all ride horse, particularly, when they are in Kontagora.
Abubakar, who won the governorship election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), is seen by many as a serious-minded person who hardly smiles. Sunday Trust, however, gathered that the governor-elect is very humorous.
He did not inherit politics from his father but from his uncle, Engineer Musa Bello, who was a Minister of Commerce in the tenure of former President Olusegun Obasanjo and a former executive secretary of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Council (NIPC), who contested for the office several times.
He is also known as a businessman, who likes to be behind the wheel often despite the number of drivers under his management. He is said to be driving around the town, particularly in the midst of friends and associates.
Abu-Lolo is married to the daughter of the former military Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar. The woman is a medical doctor, Amina Abubakar Abdussalmi. The governor-elect will be sworn in by the Chief Judge of Niger State and his mother in-law, Justice Fati Abubakar, on May 29.
Woman Married 2 Husbands Same Time For 11 Years
A woman from Delta State who effectively hid her adulterous relationship from her husband, Lekan Onipede, is now on the run after she viciously attacked him with boiling water and pursued him with a knife.
The woman, Rosemary David, had a son for Onipede, a 31-year-old indigene of Ondo State, about 11 years ago, when he was 20. While still living with him under the concept of common law marriage, and in what would appear to be a case of polyandry, she allegedly hooked up with another man in Delta State and had two other children (a boy and a girl) with the man, and then passed them off as Onipede’s children.
Over the years, David perfectly juggled the two ‘husbands’ in Ondo and Delta states, co-habiting with one or the other in a near seamless manner until the bubble burst, and set the stage for the heinous attack on Onipede after accusing him of adultery.
The tale began when David who was living with her parents in Ore, Ondo State, got into a relationship with Onipede and became pregnant.
With Onipede insistent on not allowing her abort the pregnancy, she dropped out of school and later gave birth to a baby boy. After the birth of the baby, Onipede relocated to Lagos to study at a technical school and also seek means of earning income to support David and the baby. While Onipede struggled to find his feet in Lagos, David alternated between living with her parents and Onipedes’ parents in Ondo State on the one hand and her aunt in Delta State on the other hand.
Two years later, Onipede completed his training at the technical school at Abule-Ado, Lagos State, got a job and then invited David to come and live with him. This began their ‘marital’ journey. A few weeks later, David informed him that she was pregnant. Quite upset with the news, Onipede expressed his displeasure, but promised to do his utmost to cater for the family.
As it would later turn out, David regularly traveled to Delta State to visit her aunt and her mother, during which she would stay for three weeks or one month. She continued to make the frequent visits to Delta State until she gave birth to a third child.
The first twist in the tale occurred four years ago, when Onipede and his elder brother attended a wedding in Delta State, where they met one of the brothers of David and his friend named Okey.
When Okey learnt that David was married to Onipede, he laughed scornfully and said: “Okay, let’s see after the wedding because we have something to talk about.” Okey exchanged numbers with Onipede and they kept in touch.
When the duo spoke, Okey told Onipede that his ‘wife’ had another husband in Delta State. Despite the protestations of Onipede, Okey challenged him to trail David to Delta whenever she embarks on another visit to the state. Still unbelieving, he did not act on the advice until the 2014 Easter period when David traveled to Delta State with the third baby.
Onipede called Okey, who urged him not to believe David’s story of going to visit her aunt. Acting on this advice, Onipede trailed David to Delta State and spent three days searching for her. On the third day, he finally saw her with another man. Heartbroken, Onipede returned to Lagos the same day, after discovering his wife’s infidelity.
Recalling what he overheard in the bar that night, Onipede told Sunday Sun: “As I sat at the bar monitoring my wife, one of the men seated there said that he did know what Rosemary always went to do in Lagos. Every time, she would go to Lagos and leave her husband here at home. I am sure it is because of the first wife of the man she is married to. I returned home, I took my two children that Rosemary left behind for blood test since DNA test is expensive. The only child who had the same blood group as my was the first child I had with Rose in secondary school. When she came back from Delta, I told her that I got a new job and said that she should go and do a blood group test as the company required the whole family to do such. When she did it, the second and third children had the same blood group but it was not the same with their mother’s blood group or mine. That was when I knew the children were not mine.”
Based on this discovery, Onipede told David he didn’t want anything to do with her again. She left for her parent’s place in Ore with the children.
Despite the separation he continued to cater for the children. Then one day David called and said she wanted to visit Lagos to buy jewellery and sell in Ore, Ondo State. Out of a sense he told her to stay in his apartment to ease her accommodation problem while in Lagos. Upon her arrival, she tried to perform her wifely duties, like cooking and cleaning. To discourage her, he casually mentioned that he was in a relationship with a young lady, who was already pregnant for him and would give birth soon.
The revelation enraged David and she extracted the lady’s number from Onipede’s phone. She then called and threatened her. David allegedly made several unsuccessful efforts to start up a fight between her and Onipede. On Friday of that week, he left for work and deliberately stayed back in the office to avoid her. But on Saturday night she called him and pleaded with Onipede to return home because she needed money to make up her fare to Delta State. The next day, he went home and gave her the money she wanted and laid down on a settee in the room to rest.
It was at this point that David made her Jezebelic move. From behind, she poured a pot of boiling water on his back. When he screamed and turned towards her, she did the same to his stomach. With his body severely scalded, Onipede rushed out, calling his landlady for assistance. She advised him to go to the Police station to file a report. Mounting his motorcycle, Onipede headed to the police station as David continued to rain curses on him. Enraged that he left her in the house, David allegedly picked up a knife, flagged down a motorcyclist and instructed him to follow Onipede’s motorcycle. With both motorcycles trapped in traffic, she continued to hurl insults on Onipede while passers-by watched her. Soon enough, people who didn’t know the facts joined in insulting him for sleeping with a prostitute and not paying her. The apparent support of the by-standers fueled David’s anger, prompting her to pick up a plank by the roadside and almost hit him with it before she was over-powered by some men who promised to deal with him instead. As the argument was still going on, Rose brought out the knife and tried to stab him. Upon seeing that she had been held back, Onipede told the sudden roadside jury that David was his wife and he was heading to the hospital to treat burns he got after she poured hot water on him. Instantly, the people turned against her and forcefully dragged her to Area K Police Station, Okokomaiko.
She was promptly arrested, detained and asked to make a written statement. As this progressed, Onipede’s burn wounds had become critical necessitating the police to transfer him to Ikeja General Hospital, where he was given proper medical attention.
The next twist in the tale happened when the brother of the lady, who is a policeman attached to the Iyana-Ira Police Station allegedly facilitated her release by taking somebody else to the station to secure bail for her. Though David promised at the police station to apologise to Onipede, she never did so or bother to visit him at the hospital.
“I never knew she was going to react like this or even get angry. We are no longer together so I was shocked when she took the news personal and attacked me with hot water. Actually I saw the pot in the bedroom but I never checked what was in it,” Onipede said, recalling that terrible day.
As it stands now, the police are said to be making efforts to track down David who is on the run.
Why I’m Not Proud To Call Buhari My President — Aribisala
Dr. Femi Aribisala, a pastor and Vanguard columnist, in this interaction with Vanguard editors, ventilates his passion for President Goodluck Jonathan and explains his position on the person and politics of the president-elect, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari.
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How PDP Leaders Betrayed Jonathan
Further details emerged at the weekend as to the factors that informed the decision of top bigwigs of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to betray President Goodluck Jonathan at the just-concluded March 28 presidential election.
Insiders in the party said at the weekend that the “age factor” played a major role in forcing a number of the top echelons of the party to drop their guards at critical points and in some cases allow some untoward things happen to the votes.
A source described the “age factor” as the age-related campaign mounted by the PDP in a bid to checkmate president-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari.
It was learnt that in a bid to draw attention to the fact that a 73-year-old should not be allowed to preside over Nigeria’s affairs, the PDP went too far and in the process forced its chieftains into believing that there would be no hope of being allowed to contest the presidential election in 2019.
According to sources within the party, constant references to the fact that the PDP believes in the younger generation and that it would ensure that those to take over from Jonathan would be younger than him alienated a number of chieftains who immediately lost interest in mounting a vociferous campaign.
A source stated that President Jonathan himself played into the hands of those who betrayed him when he repeatedly mentioned the age factor and the role age would play in determining his successor in 2019, if he succeeds in winning the 2015 election.
According to the calculations, President Jonathan’s declaration would automatically disqualify the like of Vice-President Namadi Sambo; Jigawa State governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido; Governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu of Niger State, Senate President David Mark, National; Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Adamu Muazu and the Governor of Bauchi State, Isa Yuguda from the 2019 race.
It was learnt that following repeated mentioning of the age factor, the camps of many bigwigs became jittery and lukewarm towards the Jonathan campaign, thus paving the way for the All Progressives Congress(APC) candidate.Though Governor Aliyu said last week that Jonathan’s refusal to respect the single term pact he had with the governors led to PDP’s defeat, information gathered at the top hierarchy of the part have confirmed the real issues.
“I was with one of the top brass during the campaign, and I saw his countenance when the president mentioned the issue of age and suggested that the PDP would ensure the emergence of a younger successor for him if he wins the 2015 election. I recall the man was cold and that was the way it affected all other chieftains, who began to feel what would be in the offing for them if they frontally backed Jonathan to the Presidency in 2015,”a source said.
The source stated that Aliyu could not be trusted, because he was in Lagos to attend the PDP Governors’ Forum meeting a week before the election and canvassed for his re-election at the meeting.
Meanwhile, some other conspiracy theories have started trending at the weekend revealing the grand plot that knocked Jonathan out of the contest.
A document entitled: “Let them know that we know” indicated that alleged massive conspiracy that led to Jonathan’s ouster.
The document read in part: “In a gradual process, we will say things the way they were, we will speak of the conspiracy that even the closest ally of President Jonathan entered into in the dark against our people.”
The document alleged that the result from Bauchi State was at a stage reading 457,786, for APC and 559,897 for the PDP but that when the anti-Jonathan agenda was allegedly ignited, the figures changed.
It made similar allegation about Kano, indicating that the PDP had scored close to half a million votes and was closely trailing the APC before things purportedly changed.
http://tribune.com.ng/news/top-stories/item/34111-how-pdp-leaders-betrayed-jonathan
Insiders in the party said at the weekend that the “age factor” played a major role in forcing a number of the top echelons of the party to drop their guards at critical points and in some cases allow some untoward things happen to the votes.
A source described the “age factor” as the age-related campaign mounted by the PDP in a bid to checkmate president-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari.
It was learnt that in a bid to draw attention to the fact that a 73-year-old should not be allowed to preside over Nigeria’s affairs, the PDP went too far and in the process forced its chieftains into believing that there would be no hope of being allowed to contest the presidential election in 2019.
According to sources within the party, constant references to the fact that the PDP believes in the younger generation and that it would ensure that those to take over from Jonathan would be younger than him alienated a number of chieftains who immediately lost interest in mounting a vociferous campaign.
A source stated that President Jonathan himself played into the hands of those who betrayed him when he repeatedly mentioned the age factor and the role age would play in determining his successor in 2019, if he succeeds in winning the 2015 election.
According to the calculations, President Jonathan’s declaration would automatically disqualify the like of Vice-President Namadi Sambo; Jigawa State governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido; Governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu of Niger State, Senate President David Mark, National; Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Adamu Muazu and the Governor of Bauchi State, Isa Yuguda from the 2019 race.
It was learnt that following repeated mentioning of the age factor, the camps of many bigwigs became jittery and lukewarm towards the Jonathan campaign, thus paving the way for the All Progressives Congress(APC) candidate.Though Governor Aliyu said last week that Jonathan’s refusal to respect the single term pact he had with the governors led to PDP’s defeat, information gathered at the top hierarchy of the part have confirmed the real issues.
“I was with one of the top brass during the campaign, and I saw his countenance when the president mentioned the issue of age and suggested that the PDP would ensure the emergence of a younger successor for him if he wins the 2015 election. I recall the man was cold and that was the way it affected all other chieftains, who began to feel what would be in the offing for them if they frontally backed Jonathan to the Presidency in 2015,”a source said.
The source stated that Aliyu could not be trusted, because he was in Lagos to attend the PDP Governors’ Forum meeting a week before the election and canvassed for his re-election at the meeting.
Meanwhile, some other conspiracy theories have started trending at the weekend revealing the grand plot that knocked Jonathan out of the contest.
A document entitled: “Let them know that we know” indicated that alleged massive conspiracy that led to Jonathan’s ouster.
The document read in part: “In a gradual process, we will say things the way they were, we will speak of the conspiracy that even the closest ally of President Jonathan entered into in the dark against our people.”
The document alleged that the result from Bauchi State was at a stage reading 457,786, for APC and 559,897 for the PDP but that when the anti-Jonathan agenda was allegedly ignited, the figures changed.
It made similar allegation about Kano, indicating that the PDP had scored close to half a million votes and was closely trailing the APC before things purportedly changed.
http://tribune.com.ng/news/top-stories/item/34111-how-pdp-leaders-betrayed-jonathan
Help! South Africans After Our Lives - Nigerians
Some Nigerians in South Africa have cried out against the xenophobic attacks on non-indigenes in the country.
Looting-of-foreign-owned-businesses-in-South-Africa
In separate telephone interviews with Punch, the Nigerian migrants expressed their fear of attacks as death threats were being circulated on social media. A Nigerian, Itunu Bodunrin, who on Monday had attended his master’s degree graduation ceremony at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, was unable to leave the school campus afterwards due to the violence in the town. Bodunrin forwarded a text message to Punch which, according to him, had been circulated among South African residents via an instant messaging mobile application, WhatsApp.
In the message, signed by several groups, including the Patriotic Movement, Pan Local Forum, Unemployed Workers Forum and Anti-Crime Movement, Nigerians and other African foreigners were warned to leave the country.
It read in part, “Dear neighbour from Africa and other parts of the world, we have travelled the world and have not found one country that allows the floods of humans across its borders as South Africa is experiencing. Even in war-torn parts like Syria, Ukraine, Yemen and Somali.We were seven million people in Johannesburg city in 2011. Today, we have an estimated 13 million. In Johannesburg alone, you have taken over entire suburbs: Yeoville, Berea, Bez Valley, Turfontein, among many. You have even moved into rural parts of our country that have 80-per-cent unemployment, and there are no visible signs that you have jobs either.
“We want to be proudly part of the geographic construct called Africa, but we are as different from one another as Kenyans are from Nigerians; Ivorians from Chadians, etc. We are pleading with you to return to your home countries. Go and build up those countries so that we can all live in economic, social and political prosperity and peace as neighbours. The genocide in this corner of Africa will be far worse than what happened in Rwanda in 1994. Then the entire continent will be condemned to ashes. Is that what you want?
“South Africans not fully employed or who were found guilty of crimes, were recently repatriated from Nigeria and rightly so. Our people are preparing for war against all foreigners (from Bulgaria, Pakistan and Bangladesh to Africa, north of the Limpopo) and we are all very scared. Please go home and build Africa. Millions will die if you don’t. This we can guarantee.”
Also, Samson Ojako, a master’s degree student studying Mathematics also at the University of KwaZulu-Natal noted that looting is now on a high level for over a week.
“Those that opened their shops were attacked by the Zulu. During all of this, those of us on campus were warned by the school management to stay indoors. They said no one should leave the school premises, especially during the weekend.”
Ojako noted that a large number of Zulus often migrated from their villages into town on weekends in order to launch attacks on non-nationals. He likened the last one week to life in a refugee camp, saying that those living on campus could not go out to shop for food.
“A lot of people are living in fear, especially the ladies. Even for us who are guys, last week, we had to move in groups,” he said.
Olawale Olawepo, another Nigerian studying for a doctorate degree in Industrial Organisation and Labour Studies said the school authorities also warned students against taking public transportation.
The saga apparently started with the speech by King Goodwill Zwelithini who last month said that foreigners must pack up and leave the country. Soon reports about attacks by locals on immigrants broke out. Ten Nigerians were said to be among those attacked. The king, whose so-called “hate speech” is believed to have incited violence, blamed the media for misinterpreting his words. But it did not help to solve either the international diplomatic conflict, nor the violence on the local level.
Seyi Ashekun Talks Love
The fast-rising actress Seyi Ashekun has told us what she wants in love and relationships in this interview.
The winner of last year’s Best Actress award at the Best of Nollywood awards is from Ogun state and talks also about her sex for roles and why she desires the bum of Kim Kadarshian, among other issues.
Seyi Ashekun
Excerpts
What is your opinion on sex for roles. Have you experienced such?
I’ve never been desperate enough for such experience. I studied Mass Communications and I graduated with a good grade, so I can do other things. People around me know that acting is not a do or die affair for me.
What encouragement will you give to those starting out in the acting career?
They have to be ready to take things one day at a time. A baby never walks the same day it’s born, so they should be ready to grow through the experiences they are sure to have.
What is the most ridiculous thing you have ever heard or read about yourself?
One of such is that I condemned some of my colleagues whose marriages have broken. I’m not married so how can I see myself as an authority on such a topic?
You were also quoted in an interview, saying you desire to have the bum of Kim Kadarshian. What prompted that statement?
Each time I remember that, I literally laugh out loud. Let me start by saying I believe in looking and feeling good, so I don’t judge people when they decide to do things that boost their confidence. Confidence makes people more attractive. However, I do not like pains and for that, I don’t see myself going under the knife to enhance anything. I made that statement when a reporter asked me what I might get done if I ever considered cosmetic surgery. Saying that really doesn’t mean I would go for it.
It’s said that actresses don’t get married early and are promiscuous .What do you make of that?
I have seen bankers and doctors who don’t get married until they are well into their 30s. Omotola Jalade who happens to be my role model, is an actress and a married mother of four. I know other actresses who got married in their 20s and are still married. Promiscuity has nothing to do with the profession. People talk about actresses because they are known.
Would you say being curvy has gotten you more roles?
I’ve only gotten roles based on my ability to interpret them not as a result of being curvy
What is your general opinion on marriage and love?
I believe marriage is necessary. After all, it was ordained by God. I however believe it is meant for mature people, people who are ready psychologically and are capable of loving other people beside themselves.
What is your definition of a sexy woman?
A sexy woman is one who has confidence in herself. She is the one who understands that when it comes to serious business, men prefer women with brains than body.
Can you date someone in the movie industry?
I don’t like so much attention where my love life is concerned, I like to be the only public figure. As an entertainer myself, I really don’t like to date men who are in the entertainment industry.
What changes do you want to see in the movie industry?
I want the industry to be more profitable. I want people to be able to make good profit on their investments. It is really frustrating when you spend so much and get so little.
What would you regard as a memorable day in your life?
The day I won Best of Nollywood Award in the best actress (Yoruba) category. I used to think that was an award that came with age or years of experience. It turned out to be something that comes with God and hard work.
Seyi has been having an amazing year so far, having grown leaps and bounds to one of the most sought-after actresses in Nigeria.
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