Monday, April 20, 2015

Xenophobia: See the camp where about1,000 displaced people are now living in SA


Here are a few photographs from the Internally Displaced evacuees camp with 1000 individuals, including a ton of little kids and pregnant ladies who up to this point had their own particular homes however now are compelled to live in these tents in this camp in dowtown Johannesburg in a area called Germiston which additionally was community for a ton of Xenophobic assaults.


The camp, lodging displaced workers from all over Africa including Nigeria, was set up about a week back alongside the Primrose Hill Police station, on Poppy Rd, Germiston to counteract further assaults.


Organizer of Health PR and Catwalk the World Peace campaigns in South Africa, Matthew Mensah, was there as of late to deliver foods.See more photos bellow.

PDP: National Working Committee did Not Handle Presidential Campaign Fund - Metuh

The National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chief Olisa Metuh has distanced the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) from the controversy surrounding the handling of the PDP Presidential campaign funds saying the NWC never received any amount from any quarter for the campaigns.
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The PDP spokesman who stated this while fielding questions at a radio programme in Abuja on Monday also noted that President Goodluck Jonathan has denied ever spending the bandied N2 trillion on his campaigns but added that NWC was not involved in the management of any fund released for the campaign.


He further explained that all funds during the campaign were directed and managed by the Directorates of the Presidential Campaign Organization, which the NWC had no control over.

Rasaq Okoya's daughter & Alao-Akala's son mark 1st wedding anniversary with superhero-themed shoot



Ex-Oyo governor Adebayo Alao-Akala’s son Olamiju Alao-Akala and elite rich person businessperson, Rasaq Okoya’s daughter Hadiza Okoya, who got hitched April 20th 2014 are marking their first wedding commemoration today. They released this superhero-themed pics to celebrate. Well done to them.


"I've photographed more N@ked Girls than I will ever F**k" - Famous photographer Obi Somto

You know they say exceptionally created people can be unusual.
obi


Obi has captured very much various models naked, and it looks some of them think he needs to lay down with them. This is similar to a disclaimer from him. Perused what he posted beneath…

See what oligarchs told Putin when he became the president of Russia

Russian President Vladimir Putin shared his view on topics “starting from the Chechen campaign and ending with oligarch friends, attitude to power and attitude toward God” in new made-for-TV film, according to the statement of Russian journalist Vladimir Solovyov.


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Russian President Vladimir Putin covered a wide range of issues, including the Chechen war and Russia’s role in world affairs, during an almost two-hour interview to be used for a new made-for-TV film, Russian journalist Vladimir Solovyov, who hosted the interview, said Monday.Solovyov said Putin shared his view on topics “starting from the Chechen campaign and ending with oligarch friends, attitude to power and attitude toward God.”

The president also spoke about what it takes to be a leader on this scale, according to Solovyov.


“He said: ‘as a matter of fact [you have to sacrifice] everything, there is no normal life at all, this is why I always honestly say that I do not like to work as president at all,'” Solovyov stated.



Putin’s relations with Russian oligarchs also came up in the interview, parts of which will be used in the film, dedicated to the 15th anniversary of Putin’s presidency, which will be broadcast on Sunday.


“Putin said that soon after he became president a group of oligarch mates came and said: ‘Do you understand that you are not a president? We will rule the country,’ and Putin said: “We shall see,” Solovyov said.


Putin is currently serving his third four-year term as president of Russia after also holding the post in back-to-back terms from 2000 to 2008. He served as prime minister for four years before being elected president again in March 2012. Putin’s current term expires in 2018.



US Army Commander Confirms NATO "Not Interested in a Fair Fight"

Konstantin Kosachev, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the State Duma, the lower house of Russia’s parliament, says comments made by the commander of the US army in Europe, Lieutenant General Frederick “Ben” Hodges, in a recent interview, is an admission that NATO would never have an equal relationship with Russia.


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© AP Photo/ Sergei Chuzavkov




“The commander of ground forces in Europe, General Frederick Ben Hodges, was very honest in his interview with the Telegraph,” Kosachev wrote on his blog, citing part of the article in which General Hodges said:


“We’re not interested in a fair fight with anyone. We want to have overmatch in all systems. I don’t think that we’ve fallen behind but Russia has closed the gap in certain capabilities. We don’t want them to close that gap.”


Superiority Over Russia


Kosachev says that western military leaders have admitted that NATO will work to achieve superiority over Russia and that the expansion of NATO to the Russian borders is dictated by the desire to dominate in all fields.



This, according to the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, is the first time a commander of ground forces in Europe has reiterated what the Russia Federation has been saying for a long time.


“The goal of the plans is to get NATO military superiority over Russia (not the defense of values, nor even containment and preservation of defense capabilities needed),” said Kosachev.


“NATO would never allow equality.”


Samuel Eto'o & his wife lra Lou Georgette cuddle up on the steps of his Private Jet

Footballer Samuel Eto’o and his wife lra Lou Georgette loved up on the steps of his private jet as they arranged to fly out.


See another pic bellow.


See Sweet new Pics of Mo Abudu!

Photo credit: Joyce Jacob Beauty


She’s soo beautiful.

See another one bellow.

US Requests For Drug Baron Senator-Elect Kashamu’s Extradition

According  Saharareporters, the government of the United States of America has begun fresh moves to extradite Senator-elect, Buruji Kashamu to face drug trafficking charges, which he has been evading for several years now.buruj-Kashamu


This was revealed by his lawyer, Mr. Ajibola Oluyede, in a petition to the National Human Rights Commission, NHRC. In the petition, Oluyede also accused former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, of being behind the plot to extradite Kashamu.  According to Oluyede, “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 Donna Chabot approached him in January 2015. The said Ms Chabot is an attaché with the 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 U.S. to face trial before Judge Norgel.”


According to Saharareporters, the name of the self-acclaimed philanthropist and a stalwart of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, came up in a Court ruling dated September 25, 2009 by Judge Charles R. Norgle of the United States District Court in Chicago, Illinois in which the Judge upheld Kashamu’s indictment by the U.S government on drug trafficking charges and conspiracy to smuggle heroin into the country. Kashamu was described by the U.S government as the kingpin of the drug cartel.


In his response, Kashamu published several rebuttals in the newspapers and alleged that he was not the one being sought after by the United States Government, but that the alleged crime was committed by one of his brothers who is now dead. Kashamu, in his defence, also claims that he had been cleared by a British Court and produced what purports to be the decision of a Magistrates’ Court in England. Kashamu also referred to his issuance of German visa sequel to his clearance by international security agencies as a further proof that he is not a fugitive and that the U.S. may have been looking for a wrong person.


However, the matter is far from over as the United States government insists that the man the U.S government is looking for is no other person than Buruji Kashamu, not his brother and that the government of the U.S. still regards Buruji Kashamu as a drug kingpin and a fugitive from the United States law.


The U.S. further states that it has never withdrawn its warrant of arrest against Kashamu, maintaining further that the charges against Kashamu remain pending and will request for his extradition from Nigeria in due course.

The United States Government has also accused Buruji Kashamu of using fraudulent means to obtain a German Visa in 2009. The U.S government notes in its brief that Kashamu communicated with German officials using the name “Buruji Kashamu Shodipe” instead of Buruji Kashamu. According to the U.S. government, Kashamu was indicted in the United States under the name “Buruji Kashamu” and the warrant of arrest against him was issued in that same name. It is the position of the U.S. that any confusion by German officials that led to the issuance of a Schengen visa to Kashamu may have been caused by Kashamu’s use of the surname “Shodipe” in his application and communications with the German consulate.


Saharareporters investigation has revealed that there is indeed, a pending criminal action against Mr. Buruji before the United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois involving fifteen people. The Case 1:94-cr-00172 is before Hon. Judge Charles R. Norgle. While Kashamu’s other coconspirators had been jailed, Kashamu’s case is being held under the fugitive Calendar.


In February, 2009, Kashamu hired a team of lawyers to appear for him in the case for the purpose of filing a Motion requesting the Court to quash the arrest warrant which his lawyers led by Pravin B. Rao did.


In the Motion to quash the arrest warrant, Mr. Pravin Rao made copious reference to the United Kingdom’s extradition proceedings in which Kashamu was freed after spending five years in British jail. His lawyers also pleaded res judicata and argued that the U.K. decisions are final and should therefore, be binding on the U.S.


In its response, the United States government disagreed with Kashamu on all four grounds and argued that Kashamu’s Motion to quash arrest warrant should be denied by the Court. On September, 25, 2009, the District Court Judge upheld the U.S. position and denied Kashamu’s Motion to quash his arrest warrant. The judge also declared Buruji Kashamu a fugitive.


However, Kahamu’s lawyers  filed another Motion praying the Court to reconsider its decision of September 25, 2009.


Trouble started for Kashamu when in March 1994, defendant Kary Hayes, a passenger arriving at O’Hare International Airport  (“O’Hare”) on a flight from Zurich, Switzerland, was arrested after he tried to smuggle into the United States a suitcase containing approximately 14.16 pounds of heroin. Hayes was one of a long line of couriers in a heroin smuggling operation allegedly led by Kashamu.  The government charged Hayes and other couriers after this initial arrest. Many of these couriers cooperated and provided information about their contacts with Kashamu.


On May 21, 1998, a grand jury charged Kashamu and others in a Second Superseding Indictment with conspiracy to import heroin into the United States in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 963. Between July 7, 1998 and January 27, 1999, nine of the fourteen defendants named in the Second Superseding Indictment pleaded guilty. These nine defendants admitted their participation in the heroin smuggling organization and all acknowledged that Kashamu, the man they called “Alaji” or “God,” was the person ultimately in charge of the heroin smuggling organization. Some of these couriers, including defendants Catherine Cleary Wolters and Nicholas Fillmore, Jr., had visited with Kashamu at his residence in Benin in connection with the heroin smuggling organization.


One of the couriers, defendant Ellen Wolters, had a romantic relationship with Kashamu. The smuggling trips and trips to visit Kashamu in Benin were documented by, among other things, money transfer orders from Western Union and American Express, flight records, credit card charges, hotel records, and telephone call detail records. The telephone records, for example, reflected calls from the couriers to Kashamu’s residence in Benin.


Kashamu was ordered detained following his December 1998 arrest and he was incarcerated  in London’s Brixton Prison during the pendency of extradition proceedings based on the government’s warrant in the instant case.

APC disregards speculations about appointments, zoning !

The All Progressives Congress has urged Nigerians to disregard what it portrayed as “the wild hypotheses” making the rounds concerning the arrangement of ministers and the zoning of workplaces under the approaching Muhammadu Buhari administration.
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In an announcement in Abuja on Monday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said there was no truth to anything that had been dispensed by the “hyperactive gossip factory” concerning the issue of arrangement, particularly the zoning of the National Assembly’s primary positions and different workplaces.

It said “in the genuine custom” of the APC, all issues of open interest would be taken care of straightforwardly and passed on to Nigerians through the typical communication channels.




”No appointments have been made and no offices have been zoned. The main concern of our party at the moment is to ensure a smooth transition and to hit the ground running, in the overall interest of the long-suffering people of Nigeria.

 

”At the appropriate time, Nigerians will be informed of the appointments made and the offices zoned,” APC said.

Xenophobia In South Africa: Nigerians lost ₦ 21m in burnt cars, looted & burnt shops, - envoy

In a meeting with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, the Nigerian Consul-General in South Africa, Amb. Uche Ajulu-Okeke, said Nigerians living in South Africa have lost more than N21m Rand (1.2m) in plundered shops, smoldered shops, two blazed mechanic workshops, 11 smoldered autos and two stolen autos, among others since the xenophobic assaults in a few parts of South Africa began. She said the damages are huge.


See what she said bellow.




Couple nabbed for stabbing 10-year-old girl in her private part

A couple, Eucharia Chukwuma and Jerry Oko-Oboh living in Joshua road, Ajangbadi territory in Lagos state have been captured for wounding 10 year old Chidinma presented above in her private part over assertions that she fiddled with the private part of their 3 year old little girl, Peace on April 6th.
privat
According to Punch, on the day of the incident, the 10 year and the 3 year old, who are neighbours, went out to play. After the couple’s daughter returned home from playing with Chidinma, she complained to her parents that Chidinma had fiddled with her private part. Angered by the allegation, the girl’s mother Eucharia went to Chidinma’s house and met with Chidinma’s mother, Ofia.

She asked to see Chidinma and when she saw her, she told the little girl to follow her. On getting to the couple’s house, Chidinma denied the allegation and was beaten up and stabbed with a broken bottle and smeared it with pepper. Chidinma’s mother, hearing the cry of her child, rushed to the couple’s house but found that the door was locked.Seeing the harm they had done to Chidinma, the couple immediately fled their compound. They were later arrested by the Okokomaiko Police station and dragged before an Apapa Magistrate Court on a three count charge bordering on assault.


The case is currently in court.

OBJ planning to extradite me to the US- Buruji Kashamu alleges

Chieftain of the PDP, and Senator-elect for Ogun East Senatorial District, Prince Buruji Kashamu, has raised alarm over what he describes as a plan by former President Obasanjo to instigate local and foreign security agencies to arrest him in Nigeria and extradite him to the US, to answer to some alleged drug-related charges.
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Recall that Prince Kashamu was the one who got the Federal High court order that banned the former President’s autobiography, My Watch, which has now been vacated by the same court.


Prince Kashamu had accused Chief Obasanjo of dedicating some portions of his book on his alleged involvement in drug pushing and an allegation that he is a wanted fugitive in America, a subject matter he said had already been surrendered to a competent court of jurisdiction.


In a letter titled “Prince Buruji Kashamu: Abduction Plans By United States of America Agents in Collaboration with Law Enforcement Agencies in Nigeria.”  sent to the National Human Rights Commission NHRC signed by his lawyer, Mr Ajibola Oluyede dated April 15th, Prince Kashamu

said the former President’s plans to extradite him to the US is a form of revenge against him for the comprehensive political defeat he (Obasanjo) suffered because of Kashamu in the PDP.

“Kashamu has instructed that we bring certain important facts and records to your attention with regard to the illegality of this plan and the malicious and unpatriotic motives of those behind it and seek your urgent intervention in accordance with the jurisdiction expressly given to your commission by the National Human Rights Act 1995 as amended to carry out and inquiry into the matter in order to establish the culpability and compromise of certain institution in this despicable plan and to protect our client’s fundamental human right to liberty, life and dignity of the person. 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, 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 with the 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” the statement in part reads


Ijaw group asks President GEJ to grant Presidential pardon to James Ibori before he leaves Aso Rock

An Ijaw group called the Ijaw People’s Development Initiative, IPDI, in Delta State, over the weekend asked President Jonathan to grant presidential pardon to former governor of Delta state, James Ibori, before he leaves as president of Nigeria on May 29th.
ibori


“Ibori should be freed. Hundreds of persons, who looted heavily from government coffers are walking freely in the streets. The continuous incarceration of one corrupt man among a million other corrupt citizens cannot change the menace of high level corruption in the country. Ibori’s imprisonment could be seen as a witch-hunt and such is highly barbaric and provocative and the Nigerian government must quickly do something about his matter. Despite the ordeals Ibori is passing through, Deltans hold him in high esteem and his great achievements while in office cannot be discountenanced.


There should be no sacred cow among political office holders. Ibori’s case is not different, he is a victim of circumstances. Release him and let him breathe fresh air and let other corrupt public office holders be tried as well.” National President the group, Mr. Austin Ozobo, in interactive with newsmen, said (Vanguard)

Photos: Toke Makinwa looking sweet in lace top & short skirt


She shared the photos on instagram.

Photos: Babangid's son releases cute family photo

Mohammed Babangida, son of former Military leader, Gen Ibrahim Babangida, pictured with his wife Rahama and their four children. Beautiful family!




See Another photo bellow.

Baltimore Man passes on From Broken Back Incurred During Arrest (Video)

Freddie Gray, the Baltimore man who was severely injured while being arrested last week, died today in what many are calling yet another example of police brutality.


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Freddie Gray was stopped by Baltimore officers the morning of April 12 but tried to run. He was caught and placed in the prisoner wagon shortly later and transported to the Western District police station. More than an hour later, an ambulance was called to the station to treat him.


Cell phone video of the arrest shows an incapacitated Gray being dragged away by police officers while handcuffed. A voice can be heard warning the officers that he appears critically injured.


Gray was found to have suffered broken vertebra for which he underwent surgery. He fell into a coma afterward and never recovered. He was also found to have an injured voice box.


Gray’s death came just a few hours after hundreds of Baltimore residents protested his beating at the hands of police. Barricades surrounded the Baltimore police headquarters where they reallied. “No justice, no peace, we don’t need you on our streets,” protesters chanted at the police.



“What happened to Freddie was unnecessary and uncalled for,” Rev. Jamal Harrison Bryant of the Empowerment Temple shouted to protesters. “All of those police officers involved need to be held accountable and answer for what they did, and need to be terminated from their positions.” Baltimore police are conducting a criminal investigation, they said.





Deputy commissioner Jerry Rodriguez said at a news conference on Sunday that a criminal investigation was under way.


“It’s a two-part investigation,” Deputy commissioner Jerry Rodriguez said at a news conference. “One is a criminal case, for Mr Gray and also the officers. We always have that component in there to determine whether there is criminal culpability.”





The mayor also vowed to ensure the city held “the right people accountable.”


Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake said her office would be asking “How was Mr Gray injured? Were the proper protocols and procedures actually followed? What are the next steps to take from here?”


Bukola Saraki receives Certificate of Return as Senator (Photos)

Bukola Saraki got his Certificate of Return as Senator Representing Kwara Center Senatorial District today, April 20th at INEC Office in Kwara State.



See more photographs bellow.

Al Jazeera columnist reacts to Ali Baba's (Chibok) tweets, see the comedian's reply



Al Jazeera columnist, Femi Oke took to twitter to react to Ali Baba’s tweets concerning the likelihood of discovering Chibok young ladies in one place, portraying it as brutal parody. Ali Baba reacted to her and clarified his position. See that bellow.

"We can't find the Chibok Girls again in one Piece" - Alibaba



See more bellow

No to Piracy: Kunle Afolayan, Yemi Shodimu, Tunde Kelani, others take to the street.

Kunle Afolayan, film chief Tunde Kelani, Kehinde Bankole, Yemi Shodimu, and others held a protest against piracy at the beginning of today.


They walked from Ikeja Under Bridge through Awolowo route to the Governor’s office in Alausa where they are sitting tight for the representative to take care of them. See more pics bellow.

Russian Archeologists Unearth 'White Walls' of Ancient Memphis

The Head of the Russian archeological expedition Galina Belova expressed hope that “other archeological witnesses of this early period of Ancient Egypt’s history dated back to nearly 3200 B.C.” will be discovered.


 Archeologists© Sputnik/ A. Basenko


A team of Russian archeologists working in Saqqara near Egypt’s Cairo discovered the remains of the so-called “The White Wall” of the ancient Egyptian capital Memphis. Its Ancient Egyptian name was Inbu-Hedj which is translated as “The White Walls.”


According to Egyptian Antiquities Minister Mamdouh al-Damati, the finding of the great historic site was made near the town of Mit Rahina, 20 kilometers south of Cairo and near Saqqara which was the necropolis of Memphis.


In addition to the parts of the wall, well-preserved remains of stoves and bronzes were found.





“We hope this finding will enhance our knowledge of one the most important cities of Ancient Egypt. Memphis played a significant political, religious and economic role in the history of the country. One of its names was Inbu-Hedj, or the White Walls,” the minister said.The Head of the Russian archeological expedition Galina Belova, in her turn, explained that now scientists are finishing excavation on the site and will search for other parts of the wall in the coming days. She also expressed hope that “other archeological witnesses of this early period of Ancient Egypt’s history dated back to nearly 3200 B.C.” will be discovered.


Egyptian authorities are taking efforts to maintain free and secure conditions for Russian archeologists on the site. The tourist police and Giza security office have boosted security measures. The administration is helping clear the excavation site of modern constructions.


Memphis holds a special place in the history of Ancient Egypt and is believed to the oldest capital of Egypt. The city was founded more than 5,200 years ago by the pharaoh Menes. Memphis was capital of Egypt during the period of the Old Kingdom. Now it is listed as a world historic heritage site.


Located south of Cairo, Saqqara and Mit Rahina have already delivered several important archeological findings. Among them are the stepped pyramid of Djoser and the famous statue of Ramses. Meanwhile, Egyptian and foreign archeological teams continue their work in the area in a bid to uncover new unique monuments.


Why My Cabinet Will Be Small - President Elect, Buhari Speaks To The Press

If statements from the president-elect, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari, are to be believed, the incoming administration, to be inaugurated on May 29, will hit the ground running. Buhari says he intends to put together a small cabinet that may go into action even before the swearing-in. In a nutshell, he speaks on the shape of things to come in this interview.
Buhari_acceptance
There has been an influx of defectors from the ruling People’s Democratic Party, PDP, to your party, APC, since after your victory at the polls. Many think the development may destabilise the APC. How do you intend to manage the situation?

I think this is a question meant for the party. I wish John Oyegun was here to answer you because we have a system. Just because I am the presidential candidate and the president-elect, I don’t think  the system has allowed me to usurp the power of the party executives. But, certainly, in a multi-party democratic system, fundamentally, it is the number that matters for the people. But for the party, what matters is the ability to manage the number so that the majority will have its way and  there will be justice. No matter what happens to the PDP by May 29, I assure you or I assure them through you that there will be justice in the APC.


A new government, which you will head, will soon be inaugurated. Can you tell us what criteria you will be using in selecting those who you will work with?


It is a difficult time for Nigerians as you all know. I have said it in the past that, in the last 16 years, Nigeria has never realised the amount of revenue it received. The price of a barrel of crude oil rose to about 140 dollars and then  crashed to about 50 dollars. During the 16 years, we know what happened to some big companies that employ a lot of Nigerians and give them training facilities like the Nigeria Airways, Nigeria  National Shipping Line.


Even Nigeria Railway is managing to be on paper with some refurbished engines moving from Lagos to Ibadan and a few other places. If you go to their stations all over the country, you will realise that they are in a terrible shape. The important thing in a country with a huge population  of youths with more than 60 percent of them under the age of 30 who are unemployed is that you  need these institutions to give jobs and training to them. It is very disappointing that the PDP government virtually failed to use those resources to  grow the economy.


I think the worst thing is the lack of accountability and the terrible budgetary system. Imagine that over 90 percent of Nigerian budget is on recurrent. How can you sustain development in a country like Nigeria with only about 10 percent of your income? Things just have to change. There must be more money available for infrastructure, for investment in getting the factories back, employment and getting goods and services for the population. I think the sins of PDP will be coming out for several years to come.


Do  we expect a government of national unity?


Again, you want me to encroach on the party’s main power. Even if I, as president-elect, want to form a broad based government, I think that the executive of the party will have some influence on that decision. So, for me to maintain a good rapport with the leadership of the party, I want to keep your question in abeyance until further notice.


The 2015 elections did not go without pockets of violence here and there. Does that strike you in any way?


I think there are less disruptions in the second leg of the general elections on April 11 than we had  during the presidential and National Assembly elections. I hope it was as a result of the bandwagon effect because APC had the upper hand during the  first leg of elections. But what happened in the South-South and the South-East cannot be compared to what happened on April 11.


What I saw was that there was a few ballot snatching in some local government areas of Bayelsa State and a few disruptions in Adamawa, but that is nothing near what happened on March 28. I don’t think what happened on 11 is up to 25 percent of what happened  on March 28?  I think that after the elections, both parties, APC and PDP, will perhaps make their representations to INEC or the courts and then more details will emerge. Maybe we had less infractions on April 11 because the turnout was much lower. Maybe the people just wanted a president and once they got one, they just walked away. They are Nigerians and there is nothing we can do, but to convince them that they have to use this weapon which is the permanent voter cards (PVCs)


Reports from Rivers and some states on April 11 indicated violence. How do you feel about this?


I think we should allow INEC to give its comprehensive report. Meanwhile, as you mentioned in some of the states, especially in Rivers and Lagos, the two parties slugged it out. I think we have to take our time and let us get as much report as possible in accordance with the Electoral Act. I personally want to be legal about this so that people will appreciate that we believe in a system. What we need to do is to modify the system according to the law if we don’t like it, and  no one should come out and do to the system whatever he likes. For what happened in Lagos, I think that for whatever political reason, the PDP wanted to have Lagos by all means.


I have a lot of respect for the governor of Rivers State for his courage. At a certain time, the Commissioner of  Police virtually hijacked the state and the governor was virtually sentenced to the streets fighting thugs without law enforcement agents while the Constitution makes it very clear that the governor is the Chief Security Officer of the state.


So, a lot of  lawless acts of the PDP are on record and we intend to make the PDP understand it and make sure that, according to  the law, those who are responsible for that are taken to the court and properly charged. We are in this system because we believe in it and we want it to stabilize because it is good for our country. If Nigerians have the confidence that their votes count, then they will mind their business and I assure you that there will be more  security in the country.


But when people feel that they are abandoned, then they will resist. I think that by nature, human beings are rebels especially in Nigeria. You must try and placate them, convince them and show them that their rights are respected or you will not have peace. On what we hear about the money that changed hands, it would have been impossible for APC to win anything in this country because we don’t have the treasury in our pocket. There was no amount of money that could convince Nigerians this time around.


A lot of them took the money and did exactly what their conscience wanted them to do, while some even returned the money. Somehow, Rivers and Lagos were  seen as strategic to the PDP. Otherwise, how could  APC have a marginal 100,000 votes over APC in Lagos which is virtually the capital of the APC in the South- West?  A lot of things will come out, but we want to do it basically on facts which can be verified and quantified.


To some  extent, the general elections are seen by many to be credible. Will you try to retain the INEC Chairman to build on the successes recorded even though he said he wouldn’t accept another term of office?


I think Prof. Jega knows exactly what to do. He has already said that he is not going to accept a renewal of his tenure in June. I believe that he has learnt enough and will submit a comprehensive hand over notes some of which he seems to have written. At the last National Council of States meeting, he submitted a document of INEC activities right from the 2011 general elections to date with attachment showing the personnel trained, acquisition of election materials, the distributions, security, among others, and I don’t think that such that report can be faulted.


In fact, INEC was forced to accept the six weeks extension by the Office of the National Security Adviser. Luckily, those six weeks were accommodated within the constitutional time limit within which election must hold. The law says election must hold 30 days before 29th of May. So, INEC did not have much trouble to agreeing to the six weeks extension. As people say, it has come to pass.


For many years, Nigerians have been clamouring that something be done to punish those involved in election rigging. The Uwais Committee recommended a special court to try electoral offenders, but government has refused to implement that recommendation. Will your government set up a special court to try electoral offenders?


No matter how you the media try, you will not catch me undermining the authority of the party. I will look for understanding and cooperation from the National Assembly when a change of the Constitution or the Electoral Act is necessary. So for me to make up my mind here and later try to lobby is out of it because, some of them, if they are very hard, they will give me a tough time.


I will say that I haven’t read the Uwais Report, but l have read a few extracts from news papers. l think it is a good thing and we will encourage it. But we need to get a comprehensive report from the field. The running battle in Rivers, South-East and South-South, especially by Governor Amaechi, Rochas Okorocha and governor of Edo state with INEC officials and law enforcement agencies and  the army is remarkable and I think it has to be totally exposed so that Nigerians will know which of the law enforcement agencies and at what levels is undermining the Constitution of Nigeria because the Electoral  Act is derived from the Constitution of the country so that, in future, those who are in position will know that they are not above the law. I think that is what will bring more stability into the system. In view of that, I will try and work with the National Assembly to make sure that we do something about it.


There are speculations that looting of public treasury is ongoing in the land. What do you intend to do to check this problem?


I will like to work within the system because we believe in it. I have just told you about three governors and the battle they have with law enforcement agents in their states. We discussed and I  advised them to try and document these things so that they can be taken before the court and we will make sure that we register the cooperation of the court so that people who work against the law are prosecuted, especially those who have lost their immunity because this is the best way to stabilize the system.


People must not benefit from being lawless. You can’t be in a position by virtue of the Constitution, subvert the Constitution and continue to enjoy the privileges offered by the Constitution. I don’t think that will be acceptable by the APC. So, whether you are in the opposition or government, you have to behave yourself. I think that is the way we can make progress.


APC preaches transparency and accountability. But a lot of people with apparent questionable characters are moving into the APC. Don’t you think they will also pollute the APC?


For those that are coming into the APC, I have no fear because we have our party structure. The fact that you were a party Chairman or you were a minister before you joined the APC, we appreciate the fact that you remain relevant in your immediate locality. But when it comes to the centre, there is  equality in the way the government will handle you.


If we win majority of members of the National Assembly and House of Assembly in the states, it means that it is with the agreement of their constituencies that the Federal Government has the power that it has. If the Federal Government is insisting on accountability and being responsible, even if they go back to their constituencies, there is nothing they can do about the decision of the government. We are banking on that. I will give you an example of my state, Katsina.


In 2011, the CPC won all the senatorial seats and 13 out of the 15 House of Representatives seats but lost the governorship. Who did the election? Did people from space come to do the election? That is the bad thing about lack of cohesion in a party. Leadership at all levels must work in concert. Otherwise, what Katsina State suffered, any state or the centre can suffer same. Those who were chief executives from local government, to states will be encouraged to work together.


So, those that are coming in, I hope they will accept that they are coming to join those who succeeded and they should cooperate with them. They can’t come and say that because they were once ministers under PDP, they will join APC and become ministers the following month or so. I don’t think that it will be acceptable even by their constituencies.


You introduced War Against Indiscipline, WAI, as the military Head of State in 1984 to fight indiscipline. Years after, the cankerworm has remained? How do you intend to handle this?


I will mention how it came about. When we had our first Supreme Council meeting and governors were appointed, in my office, it was only me and the late Tunde Idiagbon, we discussed and agreed that the main problem of Nigeria was indiscipline. If we could get majority of Nigerians to accept, which ever level they were, we will make a lot of progress. I could recall that I advised that we should go to the Ministry of Information because there were a lot of people with first degree, masters and Ph.D who were sociologists and criminologists just warming their seats.


They should get together and come up with a programme that will last for years and not just for six months and fizzle out. That was how we came about WAI. It was very well thought out. It was a military system. In democracy, people want a lot of freedom, but if they see the restraint in advanced democracies in Europe and America, they will realise that discipline is forced on people. There are things that, no matter how much you want to do them, you can’t do them.


I think that we have suffered enough as a people and I think that people are more prepared to behave properly now. About two years ago, I made some remarks in Hausa and people felt, now, some senior civil servants who are Directors either at the state or federal can’t educate four children because the level of education has gone down so much. Those that can afford will rather send their children to Ghana or Sudan and those who can afford it more send theirs to America and Europe because the educational system in Nigeria has virtually collapsed.


Therefore, we feel that, by voting APC into power, Nigerians are placing confidence in us. On security, economy, especially unemployment and corruption, I believe that Nigerians will give us the understanding to make sure that we get our priorities right. Education is going to be very important because when you educate the people, you solve half of your problems because there is a level that an educated person will not accept. But when people are sentenced to illiteracy, when they are exposed to all manner of social vices such as ethnicity and religion so that people don’t move forward, they are used to fight themselves.


During your campaigns you promised to declare your assets if elected. Now that you have been elected, will you stick to your position?


I made a statement which has not been correctly captured by the media. I said that our generation, from the Murtala, made sure that those who had appointments must declare their assets and this was later articulated in the Constitution.


It is up to government to make sure that those who borrow money to build a house and end up with another house somewhere else with 50 bedrooms and 20 living rooms should explain to Nigerians how they got the money. I could recall that I declared my assets three times. First was when I got my first political appointment as governor of Borno State; secondly, when I was leaving government to go to the United States War College. I declared my assets then because I was closing my political chapter then technically. I could recall that Gen. Jemibewon was the Adjutant General of the Nigerian Army then. I had to declare my assets, deposit it there to be taken to court before I was allowed to proceed to the United States for my course.


The third one was when I became Head of State. From General Obasanjo down till now, those of us who  were in the Supreme Military Council, Council of State, Executive Council and even those who were Permanent Secretaries, at the time we got our appointment, the courts should be made to produce our declarations. So, all the noise about people being rich and nobody is saying anything about it, why can’t you prick the conscience of the existing government or are some of you part of the cover up?


There have been reports that you promised to end the Boko Haram insurgency within two months, but your media team reacted saying you never said so. Can you now set the record straight?


I think I am too experienced in internal security to give two months deadline on Boko Haram. I don’t think I would have made that mistake because I tried to look at some of my experiences even when I was in uniform with the rebels from Chad when I was GOC in Jos and with Maitatsine. So, for me to say that when I come into office, I will get rid of Boko Haram in two months, I don’t think I would have made that statement. I didn’t.


As I have mentioned on several occasions, we that have, at one time or the other, wore Nigeria military uniform felt terribly embarrassed that for six years, the military couldn’t bring order to 14 out of 774 local governments in the country after Burma, Zaire, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Dafur where Nigerian military earned respect internationally for their performance.


To fail to secure 14 out of 774 local governments. I still can’t reconcile myself with that disgrace. We will try and work with our neigbours such as Chad, Cameroon and Niger who are fighting Boko Haram for us. Look at Chad helping Nigeria or Niger, or Cameroon itself. This nation has been humiliated by the PDP. God willing, with our experiences, we will quickly marshal support and we are asking Boko Haram to pack and go.


Can we know when your Transition Committee would be in place?


We have started discussing about it. Personally, I will make sure that it is not too big because if it is big, they will start thinking of how to influence the choice of ministers either for themselves or those they want to be ministers. But my idea is to get knowledgable and experienced technocrats who are really patriotic to study the handing over notes by ministries and make recommendations.


I want them to be completely detached people who are patriotic Nigerians, who are knowledgable and experienced. If we get majority of politicians involved it will lead to a lot of row and we may end up with inconclusive recommendations which are not very helpful in our condition.


When I get it ready and before it is published, I will show it to the leadership of my party and the terms of reference as well as the time limit and the result of their work, we will quickly study before the inauguration so that before we are sworn-in, we get into action.


 

US Planes Ferry Arms to ISIL - Iranian General

The top commander of the Iranian Armed Forces said the US military planes are making regular flights to and from ISIL-controlled cities in Iraq to supply the terrorist group with weapons, money and food.


 isil



“We have received reports that the US planes visit the ISIL(-controlled) airports,” Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Hassan Firouzabadi told reporters on the sidelines of military parades held in Tehran on Saturday morning to mark the Army Day, Fars news agency reported.”The US shouldn’t supply weapons and money to ISIL and then apologize and say that it has made a mistake. The Americans say that they want to confront the ISIL (but) we haven’t seen any practical steps, only reconnaissance and surveillance operations,” he added.


Warning of a “cruel wave of terrorism” that would sweep Europe, the US and all mankind in the near future, Firouzabadi said that people everywhere, including in the US and Europe, should try to fight terrorists instead of providing them with weapons and huge sums of money that has made ISIL the best-paid militant group around.


“If the US is honest in its statements that it has not created the ISIL, it can fight against it easily and we hope that the US and British governments will fight against the ISIL even for the sake of their own nations.”


In Washington, meanwhile, lawmakers in both the Republican and Democratic parties are now calling on the Obama Administration to provide better accounting for the weapons the US is sending to Iraq, and which often wind up in the possession of the country’s Shiite militias.


Chemical Weapons Used by Saudi Arabia in Yemen Kill Scores of Civilians

Civilians who were injured during the attacks said they have been suffering from suffocation, nausea and diarrhea since the start of the attacks.


 Chemical Weapons_in Yemen


Saudi warplanes used toxic gas during Saturday’s strikes on markets and civilian areas in Sa’ada, leaving a number of people injured and dead, Iranian media reported.



Yemeni locals said that the Saudi warplanes used prohibited weapons in their airstrikes on the Fag Attan area in Southern Sana’a on Friday.Those who were injured during the attacks said they have been suffering from suffocation, nausea and diarrhea since the start of the attacks.


The Saudi Arabia led coalition has been attacking Yemen for 24 days now to restore power to President Mansour Hadi, a close ally of Riyadh. The Saudi-led operation has so far killed over 2655 Yemenis, including hundreds of women and children. The attacks have also left thousands of people injured.