Finally, Tambuwal defects to APC  

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal

The Speaker of House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, on Tuesday in Abuja defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Tambuwal announced his defection shortly after the House Leader, Mulikat Akande-Adeola (PDP-Oyo) moved a motion for the house to adjourn sitting till Dec. 3.
“In pursuit of the provisions of the 1999 Constitution and in view of the political developments in my state, I wish to formally inform you of my membership of the APC .
“This is in continuation of the great sacrifice and also the need to ensure development of constitutional democracy,” Tambuwal said.
Meanwhile members of APC caucus in the house, in a swift reaction, told newsmen that the development was a historic one.

Leader of the APC caucus, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila (APC-Lagos) said that the move was consistent with the law, adding that “the APC members would continue to support the current leadership”.
Similarly, Rep. Samson Osagie (APC-Edo) said that the house, which adjourned till Dec 3, was to enable the lawmakers to consult with their constituents and promote their political interest ahead of the 2015 general elections.
Osagie, however, ruled out possible counter move by the PDP against the leadership of the house.

According to him, “there is unity in this house and that is the kind of unity we want to be replicated in every part of this country”.

He further described Tambuwal as a bridge builder who had united the house in spite of different political affiliations of members of the parliament.
NAN recalls that Tambuwal became the Speaker of the House of Representatives on the platform of PDP in 2011.

 President Goodluck Jonathan

Barring any change in plan, President Goodluck Jonathan will on Wednesday pick his presidential nomination form at the Peoples Democratic Party national secretariat, Abuja.

Our correspondent learnt that the leadership of the party had been informed of this and that words had been sent to all members of the National Working Committee to be present on that day.

President Jonathan is expected to present to the party a bank draft of N22m as payment for the nomination form.

He is expected to be accompanied to the party secretariat by some governors of the party, ministers and aides.

The National Executive Committee of the party and other caucuses of the party had endorsed the President as the sole candidate of the party for the 2015 presidential election.

Attempt by a group, the Niger Delta Youth for Jonathan, to buy the form for the President was frustrated by the party.

The Chairman, Board of Trustees of the group, Benjamin Egbunike, said the group’s demand to buy a bank draft was also turned down by a bank(name withheld).

Meanwhile, the deal the PDP had with its governorship aspirants in Adamawa State might have crumbled as the Governor of the state, Mr. James Ngilari, had picked the nomination form.

The form was said to have been picked on his behalf by two of his aides in Abuja.

Ngilari, a former deputy governor of the state, was not among those that bought form few months ago and the party asked them to step down till 2015.

The party had promised those that stepped down then that they would be the ones to contest its primary in the state this November.

But a court ruling, which nullified his resignation as the deputy governor to the impeached Governor of the state, Murtala Nyako, was said to have cancelled all agreements in the state.

Before the court ruling, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu and seven other governorship aspirants agreed to step down after a meeting at the Presidential Villa before the party had its governorship primary that produced Umaru Fintiri as the PDP candidate.

Those who attended the meeting included the PDP National Vice Chairman, Mr. Uche Secondus, and the Special Adviser to the President on Political Affairs, Rufai Alkali.

Also at the meeting were two governors, Ibrahim Dankwambo (Gombe) and Isa Yuguda (Bauchi).

Apart from Ribadu, others that stepped down after the discussions at the meeting included Auwal Tukur; Aliyu Idi Hong, Andrawus Sawa; James Barka; Gen. Aliyu Kama; Markus Gundiri; and Abubakar Girei.

Those who took part in the primary were Jerry Kumdisi, Ahmed Gulak, Buba Marwa, Dr. Umaru Ardo, Ahmed Modibbo and Fintiri.

With the buying of the nomination form, it was not clear if the PDP would allow Ngilari to join these governorship aspirants to vie for the party’s sole ticket in November.

Meanwhile, a former Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Terhemen Tarzoor, has said that there are only two aspirants in the Benue State governorship election. These, he said, was all the other aspirants and himself.

Pornography finds home at motor parks

Pornographic materials on display

There is no dull moment at Obalende Motor Park. Almost every time of the day, there is a beehive of activities at the park.

Voices from rickety loud speakers mounted on commercial buses alternate between lewd music and frenetic calls for passengers. But the first gains go to roving petty traders who hawk chilled soft drinks and other edibles they sell to commuters.

Near the bus terminus are more established ‘ad hoc’ activities. This sub-sector is replete with cobblers, ‘vulcanisers’, food and compact disc vendors and others who contribute, in no small measure, to the economy of the park. They make less fuss about their wares yet they command the attention of passengers and commuters.

Last Friday was no exception. By noon, two young men dealing in compact disc sales had set up wares and were already attending to customers. With the rippling muscles and six packs of boxers on the jackets of some of the discs, the setting seemed normal at first. But a closer look revealed differently. Nude women and men posing in different erotic postures were on the jackets of many of the compact discs. It was obvious that the majority of his products displayed so openly are pornographic.

Our correspondent who had watched the men from inside a commercial vehicle alighted to get a copy. Sitting by the side of the stall was an old man printing tickets to people who seemed oblivious to the ‘wares’ displayed beside them. While some passengers streaming into the terminus stared openly, others abruptly averted their gaze, refusing to make further eye contact with the materials.

Pointing to one of the CD, the journalist haggled with him over the cost and   probed him on the appropriateness of his business. The products cost a token N150 each.

“Make u dey hide dis thing nah. If task force catch u, na wahala be that’, she started.

“Which task force? Na before bi dat o. Once you settle, you are okay,’ he said.

“Dem dey collect money? Dis country don spoil’’

“Before nko? Dem no get their price?

Later, our correspondent made a detour out of the terminus to the other side, where she met one of the unit officials of the National Union of Road Transport Union. Behind her, business activities continued, not missing a beat. Efforts to speak with the chairman of the unit were not successful as it was learnt that he and other key officials had gone to Onikan Stadium for the declaration of a governorship aspirant, Mr. Akinwumi Ambode.

However, findings by our correspondent showed that sales of pornographic materials are a norm in many motor parks in the state. From the popular Okokomaiko park, Agege motor park to those in Iyana-ipaja and some others, sales and display of pornographic materials unfold with varying degrees. While some hide the materials, others care less, flaunting erotic pictures on posters.

While the state’s new traffic law does not overtly address issues of pornographic and decency in motor parks, a human rights lawyer, Mr. Fred Agbaje, told our correspondent that Governor Babtunde Fashola in 2010 signed an executive order proscribing the sales, broadcast and display of pornographic materials in open places, including motor parks. In addition, he pointed to sections 149 and 150 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Lagos State which prohibits the publication of obscene matters and performance of obscene plays.

“The government has provided the law to regulate such morally offensive activities in our parks and bus stops, it is now left for the police to ensure that violators are arrested and prosecuted before the appropriate courts.

“But if the police choose to look the other way, you can’t blame Fashola. You can’t blame the chief judge. 

But the environmental taskforce who are busy arresting people who indiscriminately cross the road at Ojota should also keep the society free of this morally-provocative business. If we don’t care about our own moral as adults, shouldn’t we care about the moral upbringing of our children? This is why the government must not stop at merely criminalising such things at parks, it should go further and see to it that the laws are implemented and offenders punished,’’ he said.

According to the Faculty Director, Soar and Heritage, Mr. Sola Adeyiga, location still plays a role in the viability of any business venture. He said this business tenet was understood by many players no matter the legal status of their trade.

Adeyiga added that the primary business of bus terminuses make them attractive to petty traders who may not be able to pay exorbitant fees for lock-up shops in the metropolis. He however, noted that this was not an excuse for government agencies to allow illegality.

Efforts by our correspondent to reach the Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Kayode Opeifa, on Monday were not successful as he neither picked his calls nor responded to a text message sent to him.

However, in a telephone interview on Monday, the Secretary of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Lagos State chapter, Dr. Matthew Oloko, said he was not aware of such activity at motor parks.

“I don’t know anything about sales of pornographic materials at the parks. This is the first time I will hear such a thing and it has not been reported by any of our unit chairmen,” he said.

Redknapp disagrees with Mourinho on Mikel

 

Former Liverpool midfielder Jamie Redknapp has questioned Jose Mourinho’s decision to bring on John Obi Mikel against Manchester United on Sunday, insisting that the Chelsea boss should have learned his lesson from the game against Manchester City.

The Blues travelled to Old Trafford on Sunday looking to continue their unbeaten run this season and it seemed like that would be made even sweeter, as Didier Drogba gave them a second-half lead.

Mourinho decided to shut up shop with roughly 20 minutes left and sent on midfield enforcer Mikel to nullify United’s attacking threat. However, that move backfired and a stoppage-time goal from Robin van Persie stole a point for the hosts.

Mourinho did the exact thing at the Etihad last month when a late goal from Frank Lampard earned a point for City, which Redknapp believes Mourinho should have learned from.

The former Spurs man told Daily Mail, “That’s twice now – against City and United – Chelsea have been 1-0 up, brought on Jon Obi Mikel and conceded late on. It’s not him as a player, it’s the message of the manager.

“Jose is a safety first boss but when you make that switch, it tells the team to sit back and defend. Unfortunately for him, it’s not working.”

Oyo PDP crisis: Party leaders, aspirants battle Patience Jonathan

 

Patience Jonathan

Some Peoples Democratic Party leaders in Oyo State have kicked against a request by the wife of President Goodluck Jonathan, Patience, for a former governor of the state, Rashidi Ladoja, to be “accommodated” in the PDP.

Mrs. Jonathan was said to have made the request during a meeting she had with the state PDP leaders at the Presidential Villa in Abuja nine days ago.

Rev4mation's world learnt on Sunday night that some of the leaders in attendance were another   former governor of the state,   Adebayo Alao-Akala; the Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory,   Jumoke Akinjide; a former Senate Leader, Sen. Teslim Folarin, and Chief Yekini Adeojo.

Ladoja, a former member of the PDP and now the National Leader of the Accord Party, is nursing a governorship ambition. He was also present at the villa meeting.

A PDP source, who attended the meeting disclosed to Rev4mation's world on Monday that most of those in attendance were stunned when the President’s wife suggested that Ladoja should be supported to realise his ambition.

He added that   they did not only kick against her proposal , they also rejected her suggestion to share party offices in the state with Ladjola.

The source   said, “The President’s wife asked that we should accommodate someone who is not a member of the party. How do we do this?

“She was tactically telling us to support his governorship ambition because she was saying she knew that Ladoja has the capacity to win election and defeat the All Progressives Congress in the state.

“But we disagreed and told her so. That was what happened, but she promised to convey another meeting soon where the issue would be further discussed.

“But I can tell you that we are not pleased with her activities in our party. We don’t understand where she derives the power to interfere in running of the PDP. In fact, most of us may not attend any other meeting summoned by her because she is not our leader.

She should keep off because if we field a wrong person, we may not defeat the APC in our state during the governorship election.”

Alao-Akala said it was true that the meeting with the First Lady was held, but he said he   was not asked to step down for Ladoja.

He told our correspondent on the telephone on Sunday night that the First Lady merely asked them to “accommodate” Ladoja in the PDP.

The former governor   also confirmed that majority of those in attendance disagreed with Mrs Jonathan on the grounds that Ladoja had yet to dump the AP for the PDP.

Alao-Akala said, “Yes, it is true that the First Lady met us. But she didn’t ask me to step down. She said we should accommodate Ladoja in our party and we said it would be difficult to do so because he is not a member of the PDP. That was what happened.”

A Media Assistant to the President’s wife, Mr. Ayo Adewuyi, told Rev4mation's world in Abuja that he was not aware of the meeting.

Ladoja’s media aide,   Lanre Latinwo, had said in a statement that his boss was not on his way to joining any party.

“Accord party in Oyo State remains one united entity and will continue to grow in leaps and bounds due to the sincerity of leaders of the party and the genuine love of the people.

“We urge members of the party and the general public to disregard the insinuation in all its entirety asserting that the Accord Party at the moment is not involved in any alliance talk.”

A member of the NWC who, also spoke on condition of anonymity said, “We appreciate her concern for the party, but she’s over doing it.

“We will appreciate it if she can stay off our party affairs. Her actions are making some members to feel that she’s controling her husband and all that.”

Mrs. Jonathan is known to be rooting for a former Minister of State for Education, Mr. Nyesom Wike and ex-Diamond Bank Managing Director, Alex Otti, for the PDP tickets in Rivers and Abia states respectively.

Some of the PDP leaders in the two states, who did not want their names in print, warned that if her activities were not checked, the PDP might not win the   states.

Mrs. Jonathan   described Wike as a listening and respectful politician who   obeyed her when she asked him to drop his senatorial aspiration in 2011.

“You listened to me and dropped your senatorial aspiration. I pray God to protect you, lead you.   Please go on with your aspiration, ” Mrs Jonathan had said when she visited the former minister in Abuja five days ago.

“I have handed you (Wike) over to our father, Dr. Peter Odili, and the people of Rivers State. You are going to Rivers State for the betterment of all of us and to wipe our tears,” she   added.

After her speech, she symbolically handed Wike over to Odili, who was part of her entourage.

Speaking on the endorsement in Abuja on Monday, another PDP governorship aspirant,   Mr. Tamunosisi Jaja, said though as a native of the state, Mrs. Jonathan had the right to endorse anyone. But he added that such aspirant needed the blessing of God.

He said, “I wouldn’t want to react to that endorsement by Dame Jonathan, who incidentally, by the Grace of God, is the First Lady   and is an indigene of Rivers State.

“By virtue of the fact that she’s from Rivers State, she has every right to express her support for anybody.

“But of utmost importance to any seeker of public office is the fact that the most important endorsement is the endorsement of the Almighty God.

“As a Christian, my Bible tells me power comes from God and when God says yes, no one can say no.

“I think that what we are praying for is the Grace of God and even whoever she has endorsed needs the Grace of God, that’s the most important thing.”

A PDP chieftain in the state, who pleaded not to be named for fear of victimisation, said the endorsement of Wike by Mrs Jonathan was a personal thing.

“She has only expressed her personal desire. But I am worried, just like my colleagues who are not speaking out that she should not get directly involved in our party affairs. Her activities are not good for our party. They may have a boomerang effect on our performance in the governorship race.

“I know that our national leadership are also worried by her meddlesomeness.”

In Abia,   Mrs Jonathan is said to be rooting for the former Group Managing Director of Diamond Bank, Dr. Alex Otti, while the governor of the state Chief Theodore Orji prefers Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu.

“Her support was what   made the man (Oti) to resign from his lucrative job, “ a source close to the President’s wife claimed.

He however feared that a clash between Orji and Mrs Jonathan over who would fly the PDP governorship flag in the state could give an edge to opposition parties in the state like the APC and the All Progressives Grand Alliance.

Otti, who was at the national secretariat of the party in Abuja on Monday where he bought his nomination form, has said he would create a Ministry for Aba Affairs to transform the popular Aba market.

Boko Haram raped, beat us – Abducted girls

Abducted Chibok girls

He soon began to threaten me with a knife to have sex with him and when I refused, he brought out his gun, warning that he would kill me if I shouted.

“Then he   began to rape me every night … I had never had sex before; it was very painful and I cried bitterly because I was bleeding afterwards.”

These were the words of a 15-year-old girl, who was abducted by Boko Haram and forcibly married to one of its commanders in a camp in the Sambisa Forest, Borno State.

The girl, according to a report by Human Rights Watch, was abducted in 2013 but she escaped after four weeks in captivity.

The teenager is one of the five girls that personally recounted their ordeals in the publication which was made public on Monday. She said that after her marriage to the commander who was in his early 30s, she was ordered to live with him in cave.

The experiences of three others who   suffered sexual violence were narrated by witnesses in the 63-page HRW report titled, Those Terrible Weeks in Their Camp: Boko Haram Violence against Women and Girls in North-East Nigeria.’

The publication provides details of how hundreds of girls and women aged between 15 and 22 were being made to suffer other forms of abuses and used for ambushes.

The HRW said in the report that it spoke to 47 witnesses and victims, including some of the Chibok schoolgirls kidnapped from their hostel in April this year.

The group also described how some of the Christian abductees were ordered to convert to Islam or be executed.

It claimed that four of the eight sexual assaults it recorded occurred after the girls and women were forced to marry   Boko Haram combatants.

According to the HRW, before “marriage,” the commanders appeared to make some efforts to protect the women and girls from sexual assault.

It said that in two cases, the insurgents   took advantage of the absence of a commander and sexually abused abductees who had yet to be “married.”

An 18-year-old victim also described how an insurgent sexually abused her when she went to use the bathroom.

She said, “I did not know he followed me when I walked a short distance away from the tree under which we slept. He grabbed me from behind, roughly fondling me while trying to take off his pants. I screamed in fright and he hurriedly left me as I continued to shout for help.”

Another woman, who was raped in 2013 in one of the militants’ camps near Gwoza, described how a commander’s wife seemed to encourage the crime.

“I was lying down in the cave pretending to be ill because I did not want the marriage the commander planned to conduct for me with another insurgent on his return from the Sambisa camp. When the insurgent who had paid my dowry came in to force himself on me, the commander’s wife blocked the cave entrance and watched as the man raped me.”

Another woman aged 19,   who was married and had children, described how she and one other woman were raped after having been abducted   in April 2014.

She said, “When we arrived at the camp, they left us under a tree. I managed to sleep. I was exhausted and afraid. Late in the night, two insurgents woke me and another woman, saying their leader wanted to see us.

“We had no choice but to follow them; but as soon as we moved deep into the bush, one of them dragged me away, while his partner took the other woman to another direction.

“I guessed what they had in mind and I began to cry. I begged him, telling him I was a married woman. He ignored my pleas, flung me on the ground, and raped me. I could not tell anyone what happened, not even my husband.

“I still feel so ashamed and cheated. The other woman told me she was also raped but vowed never to speak of it   as she was single and believes that news of her rape would foreclose her chances of marriage.”

The HRW had previously documented the widespread abuses carried out by the Nigerian security forces in responding to the attacks by Boko Haram.

However, the rights organisation asserted that few members of the security forces implicated in “serious violations of humanitarian and human rights law, including violations against girls and women, have been prosecuted.”

It advised that “to ensure accountability, Nigerian authorities should investigate and prosecute, based on international fair trial standards, those who committed serious crimes in violation of national and international laws during the conflict, including members of Boko Haram, security forces, and pro-government vigilante groups.”

The group said that “in addition, the government should provide adequate measures to protect schools and the right to education, and ensure access to medical and mental health services to victims of abduction and other violence.

“The government should also ensure that hospitals and clinics treating civilian victims are equipped with medical supplies to treat survivors of sexual and gender-based violence.”