Nigerian Elites forum - Presidency,Judiciary ,Legislative and Policies http://www.nigerianelitesforum.com/ng/ The Presidency, Judiciary, Legislative and Policies en Mon, 20 May 2013 02:31:39 GMT vBulletin 60 http://imagesmisc.mastersmultimedia.com/rss.png Nigerian Elites forum - Presidency,Judiciary ,Legislative and Policies http://www.nigerianelitesforum.com/ng/ <![CDATA[President Jonathan's Aide Demands Boko Haram Dialogue Sustained]]> http://www.nigerianelitesforum.com/ng/presidency-judiciary-legislative-and-policies/32006-president-jonathans-aide-demands-boko-haram-dialogue-sustained-new-post.html Sat, 18 May 2013 14:56:17 GMT The Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs, Kingsley Kuku has called for a continuation of dialogue with members of the Boko Haram... The Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs, Kingsley Kuku has called for a continuation of dialogue with members of the Boko Haram sect despite the declaration of a State of Emergency in three northern states.

Mr Kuku said this while addressing past and present leaders of the National Association of Nigerians Students.

Recently, President Jonathan said the growing insecurity in Adamawa, Yobe and Borno states had compelled him to declare a state of emergence, exercising his powers as enshrined in Section 305 Subsection 1 of the Nigerian Constitution.

Mr Kuku has now said that the amnesty committee must succeed for peace to return to the country.

At the event, several NANS members criticised the Federal Government’s decision to offer amnesty to the insurgents despite the killings by the group.

The National President of NANS, Yinka Gbadebo said that the militants had killed several students whilst rejecting modern education.

However, Kuku explained that the nation must give peace a chance especially through the amnesty committee. ]]> Presidency,Judiciary ,Legislative and Policies enoscolly http://www.nigerianelitesforum.com/ng/presidency-judiciary-legislative-and-policies/32006-president-jonathans-aide-demands-boko-haram-dialogue-sustained.html Jonathan Commissions Re-constructed Enugu Airport http://www.nigerianelitesforum.com/ng/presidency-judiciary-legislative-and-policies/32001-jonathan-commissions-re-constructed-enugu-airport-new-post.html Sat, 18 May 2013 13:11:48 GMT President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is currently on a one day state visit to Enugu. The president is scheduled to commission the re-constructed Enugu... President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is currently on a one day state visit to Enugu. The president is scheduled to commission the re-constructed Enugu Airport and perform the foundation laying ceremony for the international terminal of the Enugu Airport. Later in the day, the president will hold a town hall meeting with the good and peace loving people of Enugu state.

It will be recalled that reconstruction of the Enugu Airport and building of an international terminal were some of the promises made by the president during the 2011 election campaigns. ]]> Presidency,Judiciary ,Legislative and Policies 007 http://www.nigerianelitesforum.com/ng/presidency-judiciary-legislative-and-policies/32001-jonathan-commissions-re-constructed-enugu-airport.html Emergency Rule Declaration Not Against North- Presidency http://www.nigerianelitesforum.com/ng/presidency-judiciary-legislative-and-policies/31972-emergency-rule-declaration-not-against-north-presidency-new-post.html Sat, 18 May 2013 08:06:53 GMT The Presidency, yesterday, said the President Goodluck Jonathan government would not declare war on the north, as the President holds the northern... The Presidency, yesterday, said the President Goodluck Jonathan government would not declare war on the north, as the President holds the northern elders and leaders in high esteem.

The statement was in reaction to a statement credited to the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) that the declaration of the state of emergency in three northeastern states; Adamawa, Borno and Yobe, was a declaration of war on the northern states.

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The Presidency also said that the amnesty plans stands, as there was nothing to stop it, explaining that the state of emergency did not in any way affect the amnesty committee’s work.


The spokesperson of the Northern Elders Forum, Prof. Ango Abduallhai had said, Thursday, that the imposition of state of emergency on the three northeast states was nothing but a declaration of war. Ango Abduallahi said, “It is very sad to see that the President has easily changed direction from dialogue and reconciliation to war in his bid to end the cycle of violence in the north. The volte-face by Jonathan amounts to undermining our agreement with him on peace and reconciliation and we are disturbed that he has opted for force rather than peace to end the violence.


What the President has done has now justified the fear of those, who rejected membership of the Boko Haram amnesty committee on the suspicion that he was not sincere in setting up the panel and that it was programmed to fail so as to justify military action against the north.


“We hereby call on the President to immediately disband the so-called Boko Haram amnesty committee, as there is no need to continue to waste public funds on a matter, whose purpose has been deliberately truncated by the very person who initiated it.”

But the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, who spoke to THISDAY, said that the declaration of state of emergency was not a declaration of war on the north, rather, he said, it was for the overall interest of the north and the nation in general.

According to Okupe, “The President has not declared any war on the north by the declaration of the state of emergency in the affected states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe. The President holds the north as an integral part of nation and holds it very dearly.

“The principle of President Jonathan’s administration is that any problem in any part of country concerns and affects the entire nation. This has been the guiding principle as it affects the Boko Haram insurgency and, for the avoidance of doubt, the declaration of the state of emergency in the affected states is, on the long run, in the overall interest of the affected states and the nation as a whole.”

He further explained that “where it becomes impossible to guarantee lives and property of the citizenry, compounded by the inescapable action or acts of rebellion, leading to the hoisting of another flag other than the Nigeria’s anywhere on the Nigerian soil is a direct challenge to the sovereignty of the nation. When all these are viewed in the perspective, the action of the President as endorsed by majority of Nigerians is an inevitable one.”

Accordingly, Okupe, said, “The declaration of state of emergency is meant to halt the mindless killings, bombing and the pervasive insecurity prevalent in those areas. Therefore, this should not be seen as a declaration of war against the north, rather, one will like to seize this opportunity to ask for the cooperation of northern leaders and elders and in fact all Nigerians to cooperate with the President and the federal government in its determined efforts to end this menace once and for all.

“However, it should be noted that the President holds the opinions and sentiments of the northern elders in a very high esteem, which explains why their views and opinions have always been accommodated by this administration.”

On the amnesty talks, the President’s aide said that the amnesty committee stands and was doing great work, saying, “The committee is doing a great job and briefs the President on what it is doing. The committee is working assiduously to ensure that peace is restored in the country through dialogue and other terms of reference.”
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]]> Presidency,Judiciary ,Legislative and Policies daniella http://www.nigerianelitesforum.com/ng/presidency-judiciary-legislative-and-policies/31972-emergency-rule-declaration-not-against-north-presidency.html House Of Reps Urges FG To Dissolve Amnesty Committe http://www.nigerianelitesforum.com/ng/presidency-judiciary-legislative-and-policies/31945-house-of-reps-urges-fg-to-dissolve-amnesty-committe-new-post.html Fri, 17 May 2013 10:11:55 GMT JOS—MEMBER representing Plateau South/Plateau East Constituency in the House of Representatives, Mr. Bitrus Kaze, has called on the Federal... JOS—MEMBER representing Plateau South/Plateau East Constituency in the House of Representatives, Mr. Bitrus Kaze, has called on the Federal Government to disband the Kabiru Turaki-led committee on amnesty for Boko Haram as the declaration of a state of emergency in three states no longer makes the issue of amnesty tenable. Reacting to the declaration of a state emergency in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states in a statement in Jos, he said the issue of amnesty was no longer relevant given the lack of remorse from the sect members. The statement said: “Having declared emergency rule, the prospect for achieving peace by granting amnesty to remorseless and ever rampaging terrorists has been invariably jettisoned. A band of terrorists who have categorically declined amnesty plans directed at them and who instead are beginning to overrun some parts of the country ought not to and must not be entertained in any form of dialogue. ”If the purpose of the emergency rule must be achieved, it’s time for government to call a spade by its name and save millions of taxpayers’ money from being wasted in a fruitless endeavour.” Kaze commended President Goodluck Jonathan for “eventually mustering the guts to declare emergency rule in certain states where our national territorial integrity is already being compromised by rampaging Islamic terrorists” adding, “the primary purpose of government anywhere in the world is the security and welfare of its citizens.” He also praised the president for not tampering with the democratic structures in the affected states but noted that “the recurrent and rather frequent declaration of emergency rule in Nigeria by the Federal Government since our return to constitutional democracy in 1999 is however self-indicting.” ]]> Presidency,Judiciary ,Legislative and Policies Docky http://www.nigerianelitesforum.com/ng/presidency-judiciary-legislative-and-policies/31945-house-of-reps-urges-fg-to-dissolve-amnesty-committe.html <![CDATA[2015 Presidential Eletion: N-Delta Leaders To Jonathan- "Contest Or Never Return Home"]]> http://www.nigerianelitesforum.com/ng/presidency-judiciary-legislative-and-policies/31933-2015-presidential-eletion-n-delta-leaders-to-jonathan-contest-or-never-return-home-new-post.html Fri, 17 May 2013 08:46:24 GMT UGHELLI — PEOPLE of the Niger Delta region, under the auspices of Niger Delta Leaders Assembly, have told President Goodluck Jonathan to contest... UGHELLI — PEOPLE of the Niger Delta region, under the auspices of Niger Delta Leaders Assembly, have told President Goodluck Jonathan to contest the 2015 presidential election, otherwise he should not return home, insisting that “it is a must do project.”

Speaking during a courtesy call on Chief Edwin Clark at his Kiagbodo country home, Delta State, National Chairman of the group, HRM Carson Agidah, said despite the fact that God has made them feeder station of the country, their brothers in the North, East and West had never allowed people from the South-South region to preside over the affairs of Nigeria, but for President Jonathan, who emerged through divine intervention.


He said: “We have been shortchanged for too long, impoverished by our extreme attention to the needs of our brothers. We have made the bourgeois of the North, East and West feast on our wealth to the detriment of our children. Our magnanimity is taken for granted; we have been mocked for allowing our wealth to be accessed by all; our generosity has turned to an offence as we are rated as those who do not know the value of their wealth.


“Politically, our region has always been known to be the shopping centre for votes and support to make others President of Nigeria. As far as presidential elections are concerned, we have never been qualified to be voted for.
“Respectfully, our dear elder statesman, we are here to let you know that we are set to reverse the tide. We are set to break that jinx in 2015 for posterity. For the 2015 presidential election, we the people of Niger Delta have a candidate. Our candidate is Dr Jonathan. He must contest the 2015 presidential election.”


Responding, Chief Clark said all the regions in the country needed one another to move on, noting that, “Alhaji Shehu Shagari was to do eight years when the military struck; Chief Olusegun Obasanjo did eight years; Alhaji Umaru Yar’Adua was to do eight years before his death; so Dr Jonathan is entitled to eight years.”
Urging the group to meet with other regions to seek their consent and support, he said the group or the Niger Delta region alone cannot make Jonathan president come 2015. He added that he will convey the message of the group to President Jonathan.


He said: “President Jonathan has resuscitated the railways. He has improved on the power situation in the country; air transport has been improved upon; the aviation industry is being improved upon and he has also improved on the educational sector.”
Clark said all the states in the country now have a federal university, adding that “President Jonathan is doing his best. He believes in one man one vote and he has strengthened democracy.” ]]> Presidency,Judiciary ,Legislative and Policies Docky http://www.nigerianelitesforum.com/ng/presidency-judiciary-legislative-and-policies/31933-2015-presidential-eletion-n-delta-leaders-to-jonathan-contest-or-never-return-home.html Amnesty Committee Denies Meeting With Kabiru Sokoto http://www.nigerianelitesforum.com/ng/presidency-judiciary-legislative-and-policies/31932-amnesty-committee-denies-meeting-with-kabiru-sokoto-new-post.html Fri, 17 May 2013 08:36:15 GMT The Presidential Committee on Dialogue and Peaceful Resolution of Security Challenges in the North, has said at no time did it say it met with... The Presidential Committee on Dialogue and Peaceful Resolution of Security Challenges in the North, has said at no time did it say it met with alleged Boko Haram kingpin, Kabiru Sokoto, in Kuje Prisons.

The Committee, in a statement made available to Nigerianelitesforum, yesterday, said while it visited the Kuje prisons and met with the Prison officials, it never had discussions with Kabiru Sokoto.

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The statement which was signed by the secretary to the Committee, said: “While indeed, the Committee did visit Kuje prison and met with officials and some of those detained there, at no point did the committee state that it saw Kabiru Sokoto, let alone hold discussions with him during the visit.

“The Committee does not consider Kabiru Sokoto a sufficiently significant figure in the hierarchy of Ahlul Sunnah Lil Da’awa Wal Jihad, to warrant such a special attention to him.”

The statement which was in reaction to a publication that the Committee lied that it had discussions with Kabiru Sokoto as part of efforts to restore peace in the North, described the publication as false and a deliberate act of mischief intended to discredit the committee’s work.
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]]> Presidency,Judiciary ,Legislative and Policies daniella http://www.nigerianelitesforum.com/ng/presidency-judiciary-legislative-and-policies/31932-amnesty-committee-denies-meeting-with-kabiru-sokoto.html President Jonathan Appoints New Heads For BPE,PTDF http://www.nigerianelitesforum.com/ng/presidency-judiciary-legislative-and-policies/31865-president-jonathan-appoints-new-heads-for-bpe-ptdf-new-post.html Thu, 16 May 2013 10:14:42 GMT President Goodluck Jonathan has approved the appointments of new Chief Executive Officers for some federal parastatals including the Bureau of Public... President Goodluck Jonathan has approved the appointments of new Chief Executive Officers for some federal parastatals including the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE).

Jonathan announced these appointments in a statement signed Wednesday by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator Anyim Pius Anyim.

The new appointees included Mr. Benjamin Ezra Dikki, who is now the substantive Director General of BPE, which had been under an "acting" leadership since the sack of Ms. Bolanle Onogorua.

Others are Hon. Gbenga Elegbeyele as the Director General, National Sports Commission (NSC); and Mr. Oluwole Oluleye who is now the Executive Secretary, Petroleum Technology Development Trust Fund (PTDF).
Anyim also confirmed that the appointees are expected to resume duties with immediate effect. ]]> Presidency,Judiciary ,Legislative and Policies daniella http://www.nigerianelitesforum.com/ng/presidency-judiciary-legislative-and-policies/31865-president-jonathan-appoints-new-heads-for-bpe-ptdf.html South-South Governors Applaud Jonathan Over Emergency Rule Declaration http://www.nigerianelitesforum.com/ng/presidency-judiciary-legislative-and-policies/31858-south-south-governors-applaud-jonathan-over-emergency-rule-declaration-new-post.html Thu, 16 May 2013 09:25:22 GMT Governors of the South-South geo-political zone yesterday threw their weight behind President Goodluck Jonathan on the state of emergency he declared... Governors of the South-South geo-political zone yesterday threw their weight behind President Goodluck Jonathan on the state of emergency he declared in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States.

Chairman of the South-South Governors’ Forum, Senator Liyel Imoke who disclosed this to State House correspondents after he had a meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan at the presidential villa, Abuja also argued that the chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State may be having a disagreement with his colleagues, the governors and not President Jonathan.

Imoke said, “I don’t think my colleague from Rivers State is having disagreement with the president. He might have disagreement with his colleagues, governors”.

On the emergency rule declared by Jonathan in the three northern states, Imoke said, “The south-South Governors’ Forum endorsed the state of emergency by Mr. President and we asked him to be firm on security.

“His actions are positive; the democratic institutions are still in place and I think is very significant and commendable, I think is for us now to throw our support behind the president, encourage him in dealing with this insurgency and ensure those states are returned to normalcy”.

On the demand by the north for power to return to that region, he said, “Everybody has the right to agitate and to contest. This is the first time we will have a president from the minority and I think it speaks volume about the maturity of our democracy in this country and I think we need to sustain that”. ]]> Presidency,Judiciary ,Legislative and Policies daniella http://www.nigerianelitesforum.com/ng/presidency-judiciary-legislative-and-policies/31858-south-south-governors-applaud-jonathan-over-emergency-rule-declaration.html Emergency Rule: PFN Hails Jonathan http://www.nigerianelitesforum.com/ng/presidency-judiciary-legislative-and-policies/31851-emergency-rule-pfn-hails-jonathan-new-post.html Thu, 16 May 2013 08:04:06 GMT Afenifere, a Yoruba pan socio-political group, the South-South governors and the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN have hailed President... Afenifere, a Yoruba pan socio-political group, the South-South governors and the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN have hailed President Jonathan for declaring state of emergency in the crisis-ridden Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states on Tuesday.

Secretary General of the Afenifere, Chief Seinde Arogbofa, said the President was right for declaring state of emergency in the states because, the activities of the Boko Haram sect were threatening the unity of the country.

According to Arogbofa, desperate disease needs desperate remedy.

He affirmed, “The Boko Haram insurgency has really tasked us in this country. Lives and property have been destroyed.

“We seemed to be under the threat of foreign invasion. I don’t know how the president will manage military and civil.

“It is a curious combination that is my reservation.”

Also, National President, PFN, Dr Felix Omobude, in a statement on Wednesday, described the measure as long overdue.

The PFN leader and President-General of Gospel Light International Ministries, expressed optimism that the proclamation of emergency rule in the affected states would help check activities of terrorists in the country.

He however urged the Federal Government to go beyond declaration of emergency rule, by ensuring that all those involved in terrorists activities in the country were “promptly brought to justice, so as to reduce the pains being suffered by victims of the Boko Haram Islamic sect.” ]]> Presidency,Judiciary ,Legislative and Policies 007 http://www.nigerianelitesforum.com/ng/presidency-judiciary-legislative-and-policies/31851-emergency-rule-pfn-hails-jonathan.html <![CDATA[President Jonathan's Speech On State Of Emergency]]> http://www.nigerianelitesforum.com/ng/presidency-judiciary-legislative-and-policies/31811-president-jonathans-speech-on-state-of-emergency-new-post.html Wed, 15 May 2013 07:46:29 GMT PRESIDENT GOODLUCK EBELE JONATHAN, GCFR ON THE DECLARATION OF A STATE OF EMERGENCY IN BORNO, YOBE AND ADAMAWA STATES IN ORDER TO RESTORE PUBLIC... PRESIDENT GOODLUCK EBELE JONATHAN, GCFR

ON THE DECLARATION OF A STATE OF EMERGENCY IN BORNO, YOBE AND ADAMAWA STATES IN ORDER TO RESTORE PUBLIC ORDER, PUBLIC SAFETY AND SECURITY IN THE AFFECTED STATES OF THE FEDERATION

MAY 14, 2013


Dear compatriots,

1.It has become necessary for me to address you on the recent spate of terrorist activities and protracted security challenges in some parts of the country, particularly in Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Gombe, Bauchi, Kano, Plateau and most recently Bayelsa, Taraba, Benue and Nasarawa states. These unfortunate events have led to needless loss of lives and property of many innocent Nigerians including members of our security forces.


2.The recent killing of security operatives by a cult group in Nasarawa state is particularly condemnable. I have directed that no effort or expense be spared in identifying and bringing to justice all those who had a hand in the killing of the operatives.


3.The activities of insurgents and terrorists have been reprehensible, causing fear among our citizens and a near-breakdown of law and order in parts of the country, especially the North. We have taken robust steps to unravel and address the root causes of these crises, but it would appear that there is a systematic effort by insurgents and terrorists to destabilize the Nigerian state and test our collective resolve.


4.Since I returned to the country after cutting short my visit to South Africa and aborting a planned state visit to Namibia, I have received detailed briefings from our security agencies. These briefings indicate that what we are facing is not just militancy or criminality, but a rebellion and insurgency by terrorist groups which pose a very serious threat to national unity and territorial integrity. Already, some northern parts of Borno state have been taken over by groups whose allegiance is to different flags and ideologies.


5.These terrorists and insurgents seem determined to establish control and authority over parts of our beloved nation and to progressively overwhelm the rest of the country. In many places, they have destroyed the Nigerian flag and other symbols of state authority and in their place, hoisted strange flags suggesting the exercise of alternative sovereignty.


6.They have attacked government buildings and facilities. They have murdered innocent citizens and state officials. They have set houses ablaze, and taken women and children as hostages. These actions amount to a declaration of war and a deliberate attempt to undermine the authority of the Nigerian state and threaten her territorial integrity. As a responsible government, we will not tolerate this.


7.Previously, we adopted a multi-track approach to the resolution of this problem through actions which included persuasion, dialogue and widespread consultation with the political, religious and community leaders in the affected states.


8.We exercised restraint to allow for all efforts by both State Governors and well-meaning Nigerians to stop the repeated cases of mindless violence.


9.Yet, the insurgents and terrorists seek to prevent government from fulfilling its constitutional obligations to the people as they pursue their fanatical agenda of mayhem, mass murder, division and separatism.


10.While the efforts at persuasion and dialogue will continue, let me reiterate that we have a sacred duty to ensure the security and well-being of all our people and protect the sovereign integrity of our country. Therefore, we shall, on no account, shy away from doing whatever becomes necessary to provide the fullest possible security for the citizens of this country in any part of the country they choose to reside.

11.We have a duty to stand firm against those who threaten the sovereign integrity of the Nigerian state. Our will is strong, because our faith lies in the indivisibility of Nigeria.

12.Following recent developments in the affected states, it has become necessary for Government to take extraordinary measures to restore normalcy. After wide consultations, and in exercise of the powers conferred on me by the provisions of Section 305, sub-section 1 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended, I hereby declare a State of Emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states.

13. Accordingly, the Chief of Defence Staff has been directed to immediately deploy more troops to these states for more effective internal security operations. The troops and other security agencies involved in these operations have orders to take all necessary action, within the ambit of their rules of engagement, to put an end to the impunity of insurgents and terrorists.


14. This will include the authority to arrest and detain suspects, the taking of possession and control of any building or structure used for terrorist purposes, the lock-down of any area of terrorist operation, the conduct of searches, and the apprehension of persons in illegal possession of weapons.


15.The details of this Proclamation will be transmitted to the National Assembly in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution. But in the meantime, let me make it clear that within the purview of this Proclamation, the Governors and other political office holders in the affected states will continue to discharge their constitutional responsibilities.


16. I urge the political leadership in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states to co-operate maximally with the Armed Forces and the Police to ensure that the exercise succeeds. We call on the citizenry to co-operate with our security agencies to ensure a return to normalcy within the shortest possible time.


17.I am again approaching our neighbouring countries, through diplomatic channels, as done in the recent past, for their co-operation in apprehending any terrorist elements that may escape across the border.


18.Nigerians are peace-loving people; these sad events perpetrated by those who do not wish our nation well have not changed the essential character of our people.


19. I want to reassure you all that those who are directly or indirectly encouraging any form of rebellion against the Nigerian state, and their collaborators; those insurgents and terrorists who take delight in killing our security operatives, whoever they may be, wherever they may go, we will hunt them down, we will fish them out, and we will bring them to justice. No matter what it takes, we will win this war against terror.


20.I am convinced that with your support and prayers, we shall overcome these challenges and together, we will restore every part of our country to the path of peace, growth and development.

Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria. ]]> Presidency,Judiciary ,Legislative and Policies Bobspiffy http://www.nigerianelitesforum.com/ng/presidency-judiciary-legislative-and-policies/31811-president-jonathans-speech-on-state-of-emergency.html FG Amnesty Committee: Kabiru Sokoto Accuses Committee Of Feeding Nigerians With Lies http://www.nigerianelitesforum.com/ng/presidency-judiciary-legislative-and-policies/31793-fg-amnesty-committee-kabiru-sokoto-accuses-committee-of-feeding-nigerians-with-lies-new-post.html Tue, 14 May 2013 12:31:13 GMT Contrary to widely circulated media reports of his meeting with the Presidential Committee on Dialogue and Peaceful resolution of security Challenges... Contrary to widely circulated media reports of his meeting with the Presidential Committee on Dialogue and Peaceful resolution of security Challenges in the North, the alleged mastermind of the Madala Catholic Church bombing, Kabiru Umar, a.k.a Kabiru Sokoto, says he never met with the Committee.

Dismissing the report on Monday,Kabiru Sokoto accused the committee of feeding Nigerians with lies.

Sokoto is standing trial for allegedly masterminding the Christmas day bomb blast that killed about 44 persons and wounded 75 others at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, Madalla, Niger State, in 2011.

Speaking through his lawyer, Mr. Sheriff Okoh, he maintained that as at the time the committee said it met him at Kuje Prison, he was standing trial before the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court.

“I think the press is supposed to pick information, investigate such information before making it available to the public. But I think what they have been doing in this regard is to sit down and wait for people to feed them with lies.

“For instance our client has pleaded not guilty in this matter and we are doing our best to see how it is established that he is not guilty as he has pleaded.

“For those of you who were in court, it is clear that our client never masterminded the Madalla bomb blast. They have told the whole world that they have visited Kabiru Sokoto at Kuje prison.

“In fact that he was in the prison together with more than 40 other people who were under arrest or detention and that they have discussed.

“Sincerely, Kabiru Sokoto, we have asked him and he has confirmed again and again that no member of the amnesty committee, or anybody who is their privy or agent visited him with respect to the issue of amnesty or otherwise.

“That means that these honourable members of the Nigerian society have been brandishing lies about a process that they have on their own initiated and agreed to carry on.

“This is very wrong because we expect that they will be honourable men and state exactly, things that have taken place and what they have experienced, and not lying to Nigerians.

“Now, most fundamentally, we want to state categorically that our client has said he is not guilty. We will wait for the trial to be concluded, then we will go ahead and follow everything up accordingly. But for now, we believe in the integrity of the Judge, we believe in the integrity of the court and we believe in the sanctity of our democracy”, he stated. ]]> Presidency,Judiciary ,Legislative and Policies davis http://www.nigerianelitesforum.com/ng/presidency-judiciary-legislative-and-policies/31793-fg-amnesty-committee-kabiru-sokoto-accuses-committee-of-feeding-nigerians-with-lies.html First Lady, Patience Jonathan Leads Cyber Security Global Campaign http://www.nigerianelitesforum.com/ng/presidency-judiciary-legislative-and-policies/31777-first-lady-patience-jonathan-leads-cyber-security-global-campaign-new-post.html Tue, 14 May 2013 07:13:55 GMT The Secretary-General, International Telecommunication Union, Dr. Hamadoun Touré, has appointed the wife of the President, Mrs. Patience Jonathan, as... The Secretary-General, International Telecommunication Union, Dr. Hamadoun Touré, has appointed the wife of the President, Mrs. Patience Jonathan, as the union’s Online Protection Champion.

The union said it believed in the President wife’s ability to spread the cyber security message and push for necessary reforms not only in the Africa region, but across the globe.

Jonathan received her letter of appointment from the Director, Telecommunication Development Bureau, ITU, Mr. Brahima Sanou, who met with her on Friday to discuss issues related to cyber threats and cyber security in the Africa region, the union said in a statement.

Sanou was accompanied by the Chairman of the International Multilateral Partnership Against Cyber Threats (ITU’s executing arm for cyber security), Mr. Datuk Amin; and ITU’s Regional Director for Africa, Mr. Andrew Rugege.

“It is a great honour for ITU to have the support of Nigeria’s First Lady,” Touré was quoted as saying, adding, “Her commitment is a further confirmation of the key role that ITU is playing as a global catalyst and facilitator in international dialogue and cooperation in the area of cyber security.”

Sanou added, “COP framework has become a crucial means of creating a safe environment for our children, while they are on the net. Both ITU and IMPACT have faith in her ability to spread this message and push for reforms not only in the Africa region but across the globe.”

The Chairman, IMPACT, Mr. Datuk Amin, said Jonathan would be the advocate for ITU’s Child Online Protection initiative.

“She is both a progressive leader and renowned humanitarian, and is the ideal candidate to help ITU-IMPACT in its mission to push for COP awareness and the need for national online protection frameworks to protect and support the younger generations online,” he said.

In addition to the COP initiative, ITU and IMPACT are looking at the possibility of setting up a Cybersecurity Regional Centre in Nigeria, which will play an essential role in supporting the expansion of their network globally, by localising cyber security services to meet the unique needs of the region.

Nigeria has indicated its interest in hosting a new regional centre under the ITU-IMPACT framework.

The proposed regional centre will become a vital hub of expertise and constitute an important component of the multi-stakeholder network that must be built to support government, industry and citizens so that the full benefits of information and communications technology can be assured for all citizens.

“While acting as a catalyst for greater regional collaboration to address escalating cyber threats, this centre would also help promote Nigeria as an advanced cybersecurity hub for the region,” Sanou added. ]]> Presidency,Judiciary ,Legislative and Policies sheye http://www.nigerianelitesforum.com/ng/presidency-judiciary-legislative-and-policies/31777-first-lady-patience-jonathan-leads-cyber-security-global-campaign.html <![CDATA[2015 Presidential Election: I'm Not A Contestant- Akpabio]]> http://www.nigerianelitesforum.com/ng/presidency-judiciary-legislative-and-policies/31762-2015-presidential-election-im-not-a-contestant-akpabio-new-post.html Mon, 13 May 2013 11:41:21 GMT For the umpteenth time, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State and the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum (GF), Chief Godswill... For the umpteenth time, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State and the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum (GF), Chief Godswill Akpabio, has stated that he has no interest in contesting the presidential election in 2015. Rather, he would only vie for the senatorial seat of his state as requested and endorsed by his people.

Akpabio made further clarification on the purported presidential ambition, when in the early hours of yesterday, his posters as running mate to Governor Ibrahim Shehu Shema of Katsina State, just like it happened in Abuja last week, flooded some strategic areas of Lagos such as the Awolowo Road, Airport Road and Medical Road, Ikeja.

According to a statement issued in Lagos by the Special Assistant to the Akwa Ibom State Governor on Media, Mr. Jackson Udom, the posters had also been sighted around Sagamu with plans said to be in the offing to spread them to other parts of the South-west and the entire country. The statement noted that the vigilance groups in the affected areas stated that those behind the posters had come around 2:00a.m. yesterday, with an Osun State-marked Toyota Sienna space bus, claiming to have been sent by one hounourable to paste the posters.

“We wish to completely dissociate Chief Akpabio from the printing and circulation of these posters, which are clearly the handiwork of political jobbers who are bent on causing undue tension in the polity with their political mischief. “For the avoidance of doubt, Chief Akpabio is not interested in the presidency in 2015 and has not mandated anybody to campaign for him. His focus is on the completion of his uncommon transformation agenda in Akwa Ibom State.

“In fact, he has made it very clear that based on the pressure by the good people of Akwa Ibom North-west (Ikot Ekpene) Senatorial District, he wishes to represent them at the Senate in 2015,” the statement read in part. “We urge the general public to completely ignore this politically-engineered mischief and continue to support the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan in the arduous task of transforming this nation.” ]]> Presidency,Judiciary ,Legislative and Policies Bobspiffy http://www.nigerianelitesforum.com/ng/presidency-judiciary-legislative-and-policies/31762-2015-presidential-election-im-not-a-contestant-akpabio.html Governors Urges Jonathan To Confront Terrorism In Nigeria http://www.nigerianelitesforum.com/ng/presidency-judiciary-legislative-and-policies/31761-governors-urges-jonathan-to-confront-terrorism-in-nigeria-new-post.html Mon, 13 May 2013 11:22:41 GMT ASABA—Robust support came for President Goodluck Jonathan from South-South and South-East governors, who yesterday, gave a strong endorsement of his... ASABA—Robust support came for President Goodluck Jonathan from South-South and South-East governors, who yesterday, gave a strong endorsement of his leadership and charged him to confront terror wherever it may be found in the land.

The governors at a meeting in Asaba, Delta State, condemned the behaviour and antics of Nigerians and those they described as their “evil collaborators,” who according to them, have decided to assault the collective consciousness of the nation by encouraging terrorism in the country.

The meeting of the governors was across party lines. The only absentee was Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State.

Those present were Senator Liyel Imoke of Cross River; Peter Obi of Anambra; Chief Theodore Orji (Abia), Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom), Hon. Seriake Dickson, Bayelsa and Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, Delta.

Also present were Chief Martins Elechi (Ebonyi), Sullivan Chime (Enugu), Rochas Okorocha (Imo), while Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State was represented by his deputy, Engr. Tele Ikulu.

The governors said they “salute the resolute stance of Mr. President to confront terror wherever and whenever it occurs in Nigeria”.

Yesterday’s meeting hosted by Governor Uduaghan was also an opportunity to foster regional integration and is believed to dovetail into the quest for greater economic self-determination as has recently been championed by South-South governors through the BRACED commission.

Prior to yesterday’s meeting, political leaders from the South-East met in Enugu on Saturday where the governors of the region were believed to have articulated their positions ahead of yesterday’s meeting.

Yesterday’s resolutions were also believed to boost the quest of authorities in Delta State to use Asaba as a hub for regional integration between the two zones.

Further support also came the way of the president in a meeting of the South-South caucus of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which was going on in Asaba at press time, yesterday.

Present at the meeting were political office holders at national and state levels, including senators and members of the House of Representatives, zonal and national officers of the party and governors from the South-South geopolitical zone.

The meeting Vanguard learnt, was expected to call on party members to rally round the president and the party in the light of increasing dissension within and outside the party. Before the meeting commenced last night, top officials from the zone called for unity and in the words of one attendee, “we are rallying round to ensure that we are one in word and action because if we are not, we would not be able to confront the attacks that would soon start coming.”

The meeting was also expected to give strong support for the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB and make a declaration on the ongoing constitution review in the National Assembly, especially as it concerns the position of local governments in the federation and within the state.

The communiqué

The communiqué issued on the meeting of South-South and South-East governors, jointly read by Governors Imoke and Obi, said:

*The South-South and South-East Governors commend His Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, for his focused leadership and bold, result-yielding Transformation Agenda, which deserves the unwavering support of all Nigerians and friends of Nigeria alike, as the laudable achievements of the administration in strengthening our democracy, stabilising the polity, growing the economy and improving the quality of life of all citizens continue to unfold.

*The South-South and South-East Governors agreed on economic and political integration of the old Eastern and Midwest regions now the South-South and South-East. The governors pledged to strengthen cooperation across the board with particular focus on development of infrastructure linking the region particularly federal roads.

*The Governors also called on the Federal Government to rehabilitate all rail lines linking the States in the region as well as embark on the construction of railway links between all the states. The Governors also pledged to work together to ensure the development of all the ports in the region, including the Abia Dry Port and called on the Nigeria Ports Authority to facilitate the achievement of this objective.

*The Governors commend Mr. President for the extensive ongoing rehabilitation/modernisation of the airports across the country particularly those in our regions. The Governors also called on Mr. President to establish cargo airports, including Owerri and additional deep-sea ports in the regions including Ibaka, Escravos, Agge and also calls for the dredging of the Calabar Port.

*The Governors agreed to work to revive agro-allied industries particularly in palm and rubber plantations to exploit the comparative advantage in agriculture in both regions.

*The Governors of the South-South and the South-East states called on the Federal Government to facilitate the full implementation of the Free Trade Zones status amongst the states of the region.

Security and State of the Nation

*The South-South and South-East governors plead with all Nigerians to adopt dialogue and peaceful means to resolve issues affecting our country. The governors also agreed to work together and ensure regional cooperation in stemming the spate of kidnapping, arson, pipeline vandalisation as well as other nefarious activities in the regions to secure the regions and ensure that they remain conducive environment for investments.

*The meeting was concerned at the condemnable behaviour and antics of some Nigerians and their evil collaborators in assaulting the collective psyche of the nation, by waging various acts of terrorism; the South-South and South-East Governors not only commiserate with the President, the Governments of all affected areas, the victims, their families and majority of peace-loving Nigerians, but salute the resolute stance of Mr. President to confront terror wherever and whenever it occurs in Nigeria, while appealing to all law-abiding citizens to sincerely join hands with Governments to stamp out these and other evils from our society.” ]]> Presidency,Judiciary ,Legislative and Policies sheye http://www.nigerianelitesforum.com/ng/presidency-judiciary-legislative-and-policies/31761-governors-urges-jonathan-to-confront-terrorism-in-nigeria.html President Jonathan Confronts Security Chiefs Over Nasarawa Massacre http://www.nigerianelitesforum.com/ng/presidency-judiciary-legislative-and-policies/31702-president-jonathan-confronts-security-chiefs-over-nasarawa-massacre-new-post.html Sat, 11 May 2013 09:37:46 GMT President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday met with heads of all the security agencies in the country to review the murder of over 80 policemen in... President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday met with heads of all the security agencies in the country to review the murder of over 80 policemen in Nasarawa and Bama in Borno states between last Monday and Tuesday.

About 23 policemen were massacred in Bama, Borno State while over 60 others suffered same fate in Nasarawa, with the additional 20 bodies recovered yesterday as 40 others were earlier recovered Wednesday.

The meeting which lasted for about two and half hours had in attendance, the Chief of Defence staff, Admiral Ola Ibrahim; National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki; the Chief of Naval Staff, Dele Ezeoba; the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Mohammed Abubakar and the the Director General of the Department of State Security, DSS, Ita Ekpenyong.

The Chief of Army Staff was represented by Maj. General Emmanuel Bassey, Chief of Policy and Plans in the Army Headquarters.

The meeting took place at State House, Abuja even as the Nasarawa State police command yesterday arrested two policemen who allegedly gave information that led to the killing of no fewer than 60 of their colleagues who were on a mission to arrest the chief priest of Omatse cult at Alakio, about 10 kilometres from Lafia, Nasarawa State, Tuesday.

Widows of the over 60 policemen who were brutally murdered in an ambush by the Omatse cult members also yesterday barricaded the Lafia-Akwanga highway to protest the massacre of their husbands, wailing and chanting songs.

The widows and hundreds of sympathizers created a chaotic traffic situation at Squadron 38 Mobile Base, Ubbe Junction as they blamed the state governor, Alhaji Tankuo Al-Makura for exposing their husbands and breadwinners to undue risks by sending them on fatal assignment, without the requisite intelligence backup.

However, the security chiefs who met with Jonathan declined to speak with the press, although, the IGP Abubakar, who wore a black arm band to the meeting, described the murder of the police officers as a sad development for the country before he was shielded into his waiting car by the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Dele Ezeoba and the Director General of DSS, Ita Ekpenyong.

The Minister of Police Affairs, Caleb Olubolade who attended the meeting briefly before he was excused to allow the president meet with the service chiefs and the IGP separately told newsmen that though the killing of security personnel who are paid to protect Nigerians was a sad development, the police would not carry out any reprisal attack on the community because it would not solve the problem.

Olubolade said, “it is sad that those who are protecting lives and property are becoming the targets of various insurgents and criminals, be it political or otherwise.

”The security agencies particularly the police will not want to go and revenge, it is not going to help us because they are supposed to protect lives and property; going to revenge will not douse tension and will bring about lack of confidence in the system. So, we will strictly discourage that.”

The Minister further said that President Jonathan “is looking at how we can put an end to all these troubles we are having and I think at the end of that deliberation, you will get to know the outcome”.

He said though the President has increased government’s support to the police in recent times more than ever before, the challenges confronting the force have also increased. What is important now is to re-strategise and empower the police the more so that they can carry out their responsibilities.”

He defended the police decision to effect the arrest of the alleged leader of the cult group, noting that “the police will not just wake up and pick their leader if nothing had gone wrong.

”The populace must know that anybody can be brought in by the police for interrogation depending on the intelligence the police have and that is what happened.”

Reacting to the call in some quarters for the declaration of a state of emergency in the troubled states, Captain Olubolade said it is a decision that only the president can take and urged populace “to look inwards as Nigerians, work together, give information to the security agencies who in turn will protect them.”

However, earlier yesterday morning, the widows of the slain officers, most of them young women who protested along the Akwanga- Lafia highway, wailed uncontrollably just as they accused Al-Makura of insensibility to their plight. According to them, Al-Makura had not visited them or said anything reasonable since their bread winners were massacred.

The highway was blocked with stones, logs of wood and tree branches, just as Okuchku bush path, which should have been an alternative route, was equally blocked, thereby forcing commuters to spend several hours in the scorching sun as the protest lasted.

One of the widows who spoke with Saturday Vanguard on condition of anonymity lamented that her children had consistently asked for the whereabouts of their father in the last four days without her being able to provide any response, a situation she said had become a burden to her.

“I haven’t slept neither have I eaten since they killed my husband. The governor of Nasarawa State, has not addressed us. They have refused to release the body of my husband. And nobody is telling us what is going on,” another mourner said. Perplexed travellers who were trapped by the protests were still in their endless wait, as the time of filing this report at about 4 pm.

The delegation from the widows of the slain officers later visited Governor Al-Makura at Government House, Lafia to express their pain and grievances over the cruel murder of their spouses who they said had served the country faithfully.

Al-Makura sympathized with the widows and assured them that the perpetrators ‘’shall surely be brought to book,’’ just as he also promised that government would compensate them.

Meanwhile, confirming the arrest in Lafia, of two police corporals who reportedly gave out information that led to the Nassarawa massacre, the Police Commissioner, Mr. Abayomi Akeremale said the two suspects were arrested following a tip off.
The two suspects who were part of the 117 security personnel detailed to arrest the Omatse chief priest were said to be natives of the area but they allegedly alerted the cult members who moblised and laid ambush for the unsuspecting members of the team.

Sources revealed that the policemen who whose names were given as Corporals Enugu and Haruna Joseph, led the way, described the type of vehicle they would be inside and reportedly told them that they should start firing as soon as their van had passed.

But Akeremale said, “When we went to search his house, we recovered a lot of arms and charms and as insiders, both took part in the operation. This goes with the saying that the insect that eats cola lives inside the cola. They were the insiders that were giving information about the movement of our policemen.

There are also some accomplices they were working with but we will start with them so that we can get the others. There was a confirmation that the cache of arms that we were looking for (that led to the massacre) are somewhere and is a threat to the society, not only to the police officers that are trying to maintain law and order but other innocent members of the society and that is how we stake our lives so that other will live.” ]]> Presidency,Judiciary ,Legislative and Policies 007 http://www.nigerianelitesforum.com/ng/presidency-judiciary-legislative-and-policies/31702-president-jonathan-confronts-security-chiefs-over-nasarawa-massacre.html