2015ELECTIONS
Elections will come and go but Nigeria will always
the coming elections will go a long way in determining Nigeria's future
this is the why you should vote,
it will determine the future of our unborn kids
go out massively and vote when the time comes
because if you don't vote when the time comes
you may never have the opportunity to do so
it would be too late.
Nigeria will never split
that I'm sure  of
we never split during the civil war

OneNigeria

by ; olawoyin tolani mustapha

Buhari Speaks On Obasanjo Publicly Endorsing Him

Yesterday, former president Olusegun Obasanjo who is a founding member of the peoples Democratic Party endorsed the presidential candidate of the opposition party, Rtd. Gen. Muhammad Buhari.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and General Mohammadu Buhari (retd)

Obasanjo publicly endorsed the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate at the launch of his controversial book, My Watch, in Kenya, saying:
“The circumstances [Buhari] will be working under if he wins the election are different from the one he worked under before, where he was both the executive and the legislature, he knows that. He’s smart enough. He’s educated enough. He’s experienced enough. Why shouldn’t I support him?”
However reacting to the news that the former president publicly endorsed him, the APC presidential candidate told Christiane Amanpour on CNN this evening how he feels with the new development. Buhari said:
“I am happy about it. It means more supporters and more confidence for those still sitting on the fence. He’s well respected. No serious issue can happen (in Nigeria) without people seeking his opinion and listening to it.”
See the video of the CNN interview where the APC presidential candidate talked about national issues, Boko Haram and his controversial past below:

It would be recalled that just today, Ayodele Fayose, the Ekiti State Governor advised Nigerians not to fall for the antics of former President Olusegun Obasanjo for allegedly endorsing the presidential candidature of Major Gen Muhammadu Buhari for the 2015 elections.

BREAKING: Obasanjo Denies Endorsing Buhari

Former President Of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has finally cleared the air on the endorsement of The All Progressives Congress (APC) aspirant, General Muhammadu Buhari in the upcoming 2015 general election.
Speaking at the launch of his new book “My Watch” in the United Kingdom, the former president revealed his stand concerning the elections, as well as the candidate he will vote come march 28.
While responding to questions on reports that he had endorsed APC presidential candidate, Gen. Buhari, he disclosed that his wish is to see Nigeria headed by a strong president.
In his words; “Well, whatever you get in the paper and in the press, please yourself” he said, referring to guests at the event who wanted to confirm the reported endorsement.
He added that ”What I said and I maintain that and I will say it again and I will do it. When the time comes for me to vote, I will consider the track record of all the candidates that are contesting and I will assess and based on my assessment for who I believe have the best track record to perform the job of the Nigerian president, then he will have my vote and if anybody should know what the job of the Nigerian president requires, I should know.”
He further noted that “Nigeria has a population of 180 million and you wouldn’t have anybody other than one person or two persons that can run the affairs of Nigeria? What the hell are we talking about?
“For me there are millions who can run the affairs of Nigeria who are not even coming out. So why should you die on behalf of one who is probably performing as a mediocre. With all due respect.
“Nigeria, if you love it, you would look for the best for Nigeria and I don’t believe that at this point in time we have the best for Nigeria,” he said.
READ ALSO: Launch Of Obasanjo’s Book ‘My Watch’ In London (PHOTOS)
It would be recalled that, reports had it yesterday, February 11, that Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, had endorsed the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Muhammadu Buhari, in the upcoming elections.

Media Chat: 10 Philosophical Questions For President Goodluck Jonathan By Rudolf Ogoo Okonkwo

Anyone who has followed the media chat could predict the questions to be asked and the typical answers the president would give in each case. What would be different would be the delivery and the occasional slips. Each time the president goes off the script, he delivers a colorful language made up of fanciful new expressions.

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Since we could not have a presidential debate, the presidency has decided that they would showcase what the president has prepared to dish out had there been a debate. They will showcase it tonight in a special media chat on current national issues.

President Goodluck Jonathan
With handpicked journalists from government owned media, this media chat, like the ones before, is expected to showcase the same softball questions that will produce routine answers; answers, so slimy that they could drag the elephant down the throat of a fish.
Anyone who has followed the media chat could predict the questions to be asked and the typical answers the president would give in each case. What would be different would be the delivery and the occasional slips. Each time the president goes off the script, he delivers a colorful language made up of fanciful new expressions.
That was how we got the answer, “I don’t give a damn” to a demand that he should declare his assets. And in another media chat, he argued that, “stealing is not corruption.”
Just for a change, what if we ask President Jonathan ten philosophical questions?
  1.     You often refer to yourself as a politician. You do so with gusto. You talk about what you and your colleagues do as ‘playing politics.’ It comes off the way people use the expression in villages, especially when they know they are doing something wrong. But the politics that men in your position play has impact on the lives of millions of people. What does ‘playing politics’ mean to you?
2.     American preacher, James Freeman Clarke said that, "a politician thinks of the next election; a statesman of the next generation.” What is the most important thing that you have done in the last 6 years for the next generation of Nigerians?
3.     A great man once said that the history of the world is nothing but the biography of great men. How do you want history to remember you? And what do you make of the first draft of history that has been written about you? How much of it have you read?
4.     Nigeria’s leadership landscape is littered with men who succumbed to some form of Oedipal Complex? How much of it do you concern yourself with? Do you think you can avoid such a fate?
5.     Even the worst of your critics acknowledge that you are a humble person. Are you humble because of your upbringing or are you humble because it is a political tool that opens doors for you? How have you used your humbleness to advance your political goal? How does humbleness work within the bubble of the presidency?
6.     If a graduate student decides to work on the 'Jonathan political philosophy' and comes to you for advice, which philosophy would you tell them is yours? Where was it conceived? How do you want to infuse it into your legacy?
7.     If you die and find out that you have the option to come back again, I assume that you will like to come back as a Nigerian. What kind of Nigeria will you want to return to? And how will you say your actions of the last 6 years helped bring about hat Nigeria?
8.     Theodore Roosevelt noted that, “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.” What has been the greatest mistake you have made in governance over the last 6 years?
9.     Being the president of Nigeria comes with a lot of frustrations. You have talked about receiving conflicting advice from people around you amongst other frustrations. If you have a magic wand and could wish one frustrations away, which one would you eliminate?
10. You have been propelled by luck in your career. In fact, you have acknowledged several times that God knows why He placed you where you are. Have you figured out the reason? Do you think you have lived up to the expectation of the God who placed you there?

Why Jonathan Cannot Fire Jega

Last week, some southern elders under the aegis of Southern Nigeria Peoples Assembly, led by a former Federal Commissioner for Information, Edwin Clark, demanded Mr. Jega’s sack and arrest.

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Amid speculations of plots by the Presidency to remove the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Attahiru Jega, from office, it has been established that the president has no powers to do so.

According to the 1999 Constitution (amended), the president can only remove the INEC Chairman on the strength of an advice from the Senate.
Mr. Jega, a former vice chancellor of Bayero University, Kano, who was appointed in June 2009, completes his five year tenure on June 30 this year.
However, there are reports that the presidency is already shopping for a replacement for the embattled INEC chairman over allegations that he has been compromised.
The presidency and the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, are believed to be uncomfortable with the INEC chairman and have allegedly vowed to remove him before the March 28 and April 11 dates for the general elections.
Mr. Jega had last Saturday announced the shift of the polls from February 14 and 28 citing security challenges in the north east. He also said the military had told the Commission it would not be available to provide security on the Election Day.
Last week, some southern elders under the aegis of Southern Nigeria Peoples Assembly, led by a former Federal Commissioner for Information, Edwin Clark, demanded Mr. Jega’s sack and arrest.
The elders, who are rooting for the re-election of President Goodluck Jonathan, alleged that INEC was favouring the North in the distribution of Permanent Voter Cards.
However, should Mr. Jonathan succumb to pressure to remove Mr. Jega, he cannot do so unilaterally. In accordance with the Constitution, the president will have to rely on the nod of the two-third members of the Senate, the nation’s highest law-making body, which is currently on break.
Section 157 (1) states that “Subject to the provision of subsection (3) of this Removal section, a person holding any of the offices to which this section applies may only be removed from that office by the president acting on an address supported by two-thirds majority of the Senate praying that he be so removed for inability to discharge the functions of the office (whether arising from infirmity of mind or body or any other cause) or for misconduct.”
Subsection 2 states “This section applies to the office of the chairman and member of the Code of Conduct Bureau, the Federal Civil Service Commission, the Independent National Electoral Commission, the National Judicial Council, the Federal Judicial Service Commission, the Federal Character Commission, the Nigeria Police Force, the National Population Commission, the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission and the Police Service Commission.”
Although none of the nation’s law gives the president powers to ask the INEC chairman to proceed on retirement leave, he could however want to rely on Part D Section 171, under Public Service Rules of the Federation, to move against Mr. Jega.
Section 171 (1) states, “….Power to appoint persons to hold or act in the office to which this section applies and to remove persons so appointed from any such office shall vest in the President.
Subsection 2 listed such officers to include the secretary to the government of the federation, ambassadors and high commissioners, permanent secretaries or head of any extra ministerial department of the government of the federation however designated.
Appointment
In appointing an INEC chairman, the president consults the Council of State but the appointment will be subject to the confirmation of the Senate.
Section 153 (1) of the 1999 Constitution (amended) listed 14 bodies, including the INEC to be established by the Federal Government.
According to Section 154 “Except in the case of ex officio members or where other provisions are made in the Constitution, the Chairman and members of any of the bodies to the provisions of the Constitution, be appointed by the President and the appointment shall be subject to confirmation by the Senate.”
Section 154 (3) says “In exercising the powers to appoint a person as Chairman or member of the Independent National Electoral Commission, National Judicial Council, the Federal Judicial Service Commission or the National Population Commission, the President shall consult the Council of State.”
Precedence
As he did in the case of the immediate past Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Lamido Sanusi, the president might ignore the laws to oust Mr. Jega.
On February 20, 2014, the president, via a statement by his media aide, Reuben Abati, accused the former CBN Governor, who was on an assignment outside the country of “Various acts of financial recklessness and misconduct which are inconsistent with the administration’s vision of a Central Bank propelled by the core values of focused economic management, prudence, transparency and financial disciple”.
The statement also said the president was “deeply concerned about far reaching irregularities under Mallam Sanusi’s watch which have distracted the Central Bank away from the pursuit and achievement of its statutory mandate.”
Before his suspension, which was to allow the Financial Regulatory Council, FRC, to conclude investigations on the allegations, Mr. Sanusi had alleged at a Senate public hearing that the sum of $20 million was missing from the Federation Account.
But the action of the president raised questions as to whether he had the power under the nation’s laws to suspend the CBN chief.
In a media chat few days later, Mr. Jonathan said he had full powers to suspend the CBN Governor because of his oversight functions he exercises over the bank.
“Yes, I have absolute power. The CBN is not well defined in the Nigerian Constitution,” he said while responding to a question by the panel of journalists.
Though under the CBN Act, 2007, the president cannot suspend the CBN Governor, it however provides that he has powers to remove a CBN Governor subject to the approval of two-third majority of the Senate.
The Act states that the Governor, Deputy Governor or Director of CBN shall cease to hold office if he “is removed by the President Provided that the removal of the Governor shall be supported by two-third majority of the Senate praying that he be so removed.”

adapted from premium times.

Some of the things President Jonathan said during his media chat this evening

Some of the things President Jonathan said during his media chat this evening

President Jonathan held a media chat this evening and below are a few important points he put across.

He said in Lagos, on 38% have their PVCs, so if elections are held, 62% will not be able to vote.

About Boko Haram, he said there is no hiding place for the terrorist group. That he had meetings with the President of Chad and he said before he can send troops to Nigeria, the AU have to be involved. He also said Boko Haram doesn't necessarily have to be completely wiped out before elections are conducted. He also said taking over the territories captured by Boko Haram does not mean that the group have been wiped out.

About INEC chairman Prof Jega, GEJ said he has the constitutional right to appoint and the right to remove but he never told anyone that he's planning to remove Jega. He said reports making the rounds that he's planning to send Jega on a 3-month terminal leave is garbage bin story. Continue..

GEJ said INEC is an independent body but if they don't conduct the elections well, it will be on his head. He said people shouldn't doubt that the elections will hold. That it must hold.

Asked about his 'Stealing is not corruption' comment, president Jonathan said he never said stealing is not corruption -

"The word corruption we have abused it and it's not making so much sense. I did not say stealing is not corruption. I made that statement in reference to ex-CJN, Justice Musdapher. A thief should be called a thief. Ole should be called ole! If you say somebody is corrupt people don't know what you mean". He added "A thief is a thief. Don't use the word corruption to cover stealing. Call the person a thief"

He said the ICPC is the only agency that is expected to deal with corruption and not even the EFCC.

On the election, he said if the elections are conducted and he loses, Nigeria will definitely inaugurate a new govt

"Let me reassure Nigerians that elections will be conducted in this country and a govt will be inaugurated on May 29th" He said

He said there's absolutely no truth in him not wanting to relinquish power. That it's not right for anybody to want to contest an election and not be willing to take the outcome.

About his political campaign ads, he said he doesn't know most of the people placing one form of advert or the other

About Buhari, GEJ said the key actors around him in 2011 are different from those around him in 2015. When asked to assess Buhari, GEJ refused saying it will not be proper. "The insult that I have to carry is enormous" he said.

When asked why he only goes to churches and not mosques, GEJ replied "I’m united by different people. I can’t attend ceremonies that I’m not invited to

On $9.3m seized in South Africa, GEJ said the matter is in court and Nigeria will get the money back.

#Nigerians
are waiting

Do not die for a mediocre performer - Obasanjo to Nigerians

Do not die for a mediocre performer - Obasanjo to Nigerians

At the launch of his book, My Watch, in London today, former President Olusegun Obasanjo urged Nigerians not to die for a mediocre performer, and said he maintains the statement credited to him of his endorsement of APC presidential candidate, Gen Buhari.

"What I said and I maintain that and I will say it again and I will do it. When the time comes for me to vote, I will consider the track record of all the candidates that are contesting and I will assess and based on my assessment for who I believe have the best track record to perform the job of the Nigerian president, then he will have my vote and if anybody should know what the job of the Nigerian president requires, I should know. 

"And there is no sentiment in the affairs of Nigeria.Nigeria is a population of 180million and you wouldn't have anybody other than one person or two persons that can run the affairs of Nigeria? What the hell are we talking about? For me there are millions who can run the affairs of Nigeria that are not even coming out. So why should you die on behalf of one who is probably performing as a mediocre. With all due respect. Nigeria, if you love it, you would look for the best for Nigeria and I don't believe that at this point in time we have the best" he said