Jonathan: I have no plan to sack Petroleum Minister

Jonathan: I have no plan to sack Petroleum Minister

Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja 12/08/2010 00:24:00


• 'Nobody will know if I want to remove any aide


THE President Wednesday accused his opponents of waging a press war against him, even as he moved two ministers in a minor cabinet shake-up.

Minister of State (Finance), Remi Babalola and Special Duties Minister Navy Captain Caleb Olubolade were affected in the exercise.

Mrs Yabawa Wabi, who joined the cabinet Wednesday, succeeds Babalola at the Finance Ministry.

Two other new entrants -Mrs Salamatu Suleiman and Kenneth Gbagi - are Ministers of State (Foreign Affairs) and (Education).

At their swearing in before the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the State House, Abuja, the President lashed out at the media for what he called speculative reports about his planned removal of some ministers, among them the Petroleum Minister, Mrs Diezani Allison- Madueke.

"Nobody will know if I want to remove any minister," Jonathan said, adding that the reports were not good for the country's image as they were capable of deterring investors in the oil and gas sector.

Others sworn in are Special Adviser, Policy Monitoring and Performance Dan Adebiyi and two National Commissioners for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Ahmed Wali and Christopher Ehimoga.

Urging media to remain agents of development, the President said the redeployment of a minister was not an indictment.

He said: "What we read in the media convey a kind of sponsored press war; this is not helpful to the nation. If a minister is not to be removed and you continue to tell the world that the minister is to be removed, what you publish affects the ministry drastically as people who have one thing or the other to do with that ministry will become careful, they would want to wait for the day the minister will be removed which will not come.

EFCC to probe jumbo allowances of Senators, Reps

EFCC to probe jumbo allowances of Senators, Reps

Yusuf Alli, Abuja 13/08/2010 01:14:00


• Group alleges NASS members’ pay not approved by revenue commission


THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Thursday said it would probe alleged jumbo allowances and illegal quarterly allocation by members of the National Assembly.

The Commission’s Director of Operations , Mr. Steve Otitoju, made the disclosure while receiving a petition from the Transform Nigeria Movement (TNM) in Abuja.

The petition was signed by an Abuja lawyer, Mr. Kayode Ajulo and Mr. Law Mefor, on behalf of 76 other Nigerians.

TNM is asking the EFCC to probe allowances and quarterly allocations to Senators and members of the House of Representatives.

It alleged that some of the allowances and quarterly allocations were not approved by the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).

The EFCC however said it will look into the petition.

Otitoju, who stood in for the Chairman of the EFCC, Mrs. Farida Waziri, said: "The EFCC is committed to its statutory responsibilities; we will continue to do the job assigned to us. We have been doing it, and we will not relent in our efforts.

"You specifically requested that those people found culpable if investigation is concluded should be prosecuted. Of course, we have a track record on this; you are all living witnesses to that. We prosecute people and our cases are before the court.

"Also, we will go in line with the laws of the land. If any matter is before and we are able to secure court ruling, any fund that has been illegally spent or somehow misappropriated is refunded to the purse of the Federal Government.

"Most of the time, through our efforts misappropriated funds had been refunded to the government. This has been going on and we will continue to do that. This is not going to be an exception.

"We will not treat it anyhow; we will do a thorough job. We will do what you have given us, we will take action."

The TNM petition reads in part: "The attention of the Transform Nigeria Movement(TNM) has been drawn to uncontradicted reports that in addition to the regular and legitimate salaries and allowances of N17million and N14.99million which members of the National Assembly(Senators and Representatives) were collecting yearly and the irregular allowance of estacodes, duty tours etc, they were also collecting N192million and N140million respectively in illegal quarterly allocation which is not provided for by the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission(RMAFC).

"In the circumstances, we therefore urge you to use your good offices to cause investigation in the following terms:

"Confirm the actual and total payments made to each member of the National assembly in salaries and allowances annually.

"Investigate the veracity of the allegations of corruption and financial impropriety made by former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and other eminent Nigerians, against the members of the National Assembly".

Who will be Akpabio’s running mate?

Who will be Akpabio’s running mate?

OLUKO-REDE YISHAU 13/08/2010 07:01:00

It appeared the issue was settled last October. Then, Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio declared that he would seek a second term with his deputy, Chief Patrick Ekpotu, as running mate. Before that declaration, speculations were rife that some powerful forces wanted Akpabio to drop Ekpotu and replace him with his erstwhile Adviser on Political and Legislative Affairs, Mr. Samuel Akpan, who later declared his intention to challenge Mrs. Eme Ufot-Ekaette for the ticket of the Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District.

But last year when the Ibibio endorsed Akpabio for a second term, he said he would run with Ekpotu, who is Ibibio.

Ibibio is the largest ethnic group. It controls no fewer than 18 of the 31 Local Government Areas of the state. Annang, Akpabio’s enclave controls eight Local Governments while Oron the third largest ethnic stock, has five local government under its control.

But what appeared to have been laid to rest has resurfaced again. Between then and now, the relationship between the duo is said to have become frosty and has made the governor consider dropping his deputy. A PDP chieftain in the state, Nsima Ekere, is mentioned as the replacement. Ekere was Akpabio’s original choice as running mate in 2007 before he was made to accept Ekpotu, who was chosen by former Governor Victor Attah.

But prominent indigenes of the state such as Chief Don Etiebet are said to be advising Akpabio against dropping Ekpotu.

It is not only Ekere who has been mentioned as possible replacements to Ekpotu. Those who have been mentioned include:Bishop Sam Akpan, Martyns Udoinyang, Aniefiok Smith and Mrs. Grace Anwana.
The camp of Senator James Akpanudoedghe is said to be happy over the purpoted move to drop Ekpotu. They see it as a sign that all is not well in the governor’s camp. Udoedeghe wants to be governor and has declared under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He is being backed by Attah, who nominated Ekpotu for Akpabio in 2007.

Ekpotu, an Ibibio of Ikot Abasi extraction was a product of consensus in the run up to the 2007 governorship election. While he served Attah as Commissioner for Information, Akpabio was Commissioner of Local Government Affairs.

Time will tell who among Ekpotu and others will run with Akpabio in 2011. For now, there is anxiety in the deputy governor’s camp.

Chime lights up Enugu Communities

Chime lights up Enugu communities

Chris Oji 13/08/2010 07:25:00



GRASSROOTS people toil the year round but find it difficult taking their produce to the markets in the towns and cities. Why? Because their roads are often in utter disrepair.
When Governor Sullivan Chime took office, he promised to open up feeder roads. Now, he has kept faith with that developmental agenda. Feeder roads are being upgraded. Hitherto unlit communities are also being connected to the national grid

This was demonstrated when the governor commissioned the 33KVA Oji Substation Circuit Breaker and the Oji-Nachi Inter-Town Connection (ITC) network to improve quality of electricity supply to Udi and Ezeagu Local Government Areas.

The project, which was executed by the state government in partnership with Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) of Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) at the cost of N68m included the Construction/Installation of 33KVA circuit breaker and 7.2 kilometer route length of 33KVA Inter-Town Connection (ITC) Network from Oji Substation to Nachi.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Chime said the execution of the project was in line with government’s efforts to improve the number and effectiveness of PHCN facilities in rural areas and boost power supply in rural communities in the state.
Chime noted with satisfaction that the impact of the improved power supply is being felt by power consumers in the affected communities in Udi and Ezeagu council areas.



He commended the State Rural Electrification Board, officials of PHCN, the State Water Corporation and all the unseen hands that contributed in one way or the other to the successful execution and commissioning of the project.

Governor Chime then appealed to the people to protect the project, even as he said: "So long as we protect what we have and pay our electricity bills promptly, things will be better and government will continue to provide the people with the basic needs of life."

In his speech, the State Commissioner for Rural Development, Mr. Casmir Ugwu said the project was embarked upon to address the age-long epileptic power supply to communities in Udi and Ezeagu Local Government Areas from the 9th Mile Corner injection substation.

Ugwu explained that before now, some communities in the two local government areas used to connect light to the dedicated electric power line to Ajalli Owa and Oji River water intake pumping stations thereby increasing electricity demand on the line and resulting in water shortage in the state capital.

He said: "It is as a result of these disturbances on the dedicated line that the State Rural Electrification Board (REB) and the PHCN conceived this alternative route of supply from Oji River Power Station to supply light to these communities within the affected two local government areas."

He stated that the project was completed in March this year by the (REB) through direct labour and confirmed fit for energisation by the Ministry of Energy, Electrical Inspectorate Division in May. He thanked the PHCN and the state government for their support towards the execution of the project.

The Chief Executive Officer, Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), Mr. S.A. Yahaya in his brief remarks said with the commissioning of the electricity project and its improved quality and quantity of power supply, the socio-economic well-being of the entire people of Udi and Ezeagu council areas will improve greatly.

Yahaya used the occasion to appeal to electricity consumers in the area to reciprocate government’s gesture and help Enugu Electricity Distribution Company to serve them better. This, he said, they could do by protecting the power line from vandalisation and prompt settlement of their monthly electricity bills to sustain the power supply.

Setback for Jonathan as PDP throws race open

2011: Setback for Jonathan as PDP throws race open

Sanni Ologun 13/08/2010 01:27:00


THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) threw the presidential race open Thursday.

President Goodluck Jonathan can run, just as any other aspirant, party chair Okwesilieze Nwodo said.

He spoke at the 52nd National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting where Dr Jonathan said opposition parties have conceded the presidency in the 2011 election to the PDP.

Nwodo said, adding that the party would hold a special national convention where it would amend its constitution – in line with the new Electoral Act.

Katsina State Governor Ibrahim Shema was said to have moved the motion that Jonathan should be allowed to contest. It was seconded by former BOT chair Chief Tony Anenih.

The NEC also adopted a memo by Nwodo that zoning and rotation of offices would continue to be an integral part of the administration of the PDP.

The NEC was also said to have suspended the e-registration of PDP members to “allow for wider consultation”.

The party also readmitted Abia State Governor Theodore Ahamefule Orji and granted him a waiver to contest.

Politicians who returned to the party from Bauchi, Borno, Yobe, Abia and Niger states were granted waivers to contest elections under the banner of the party.

The National Working Committee (NWC) was mandated to revisit the dissolved state executive committee in Ogun State, with the aim of settling the party’s crisis amicably.

Nwodo and other leaders of the party are to visit Ogun State next week to reconcile the factions.

A source who attended the meeting said: “The National Chairman of the PDP read the resolution of the Expanded Caucus Meeting to NEC.

"At the end of the day, the motion for the retention of zoning was endorsed, pointing to the fact that the governors had done their homework.

"After the resolution, the mood of the President’s camp at the meeting suggested a kind of unease because he has to oil his political machinery very well in running against the decision of the party.

"So, in the real sense of it, the ticket is open, but most members would be guided by the party’s decision that the zoning formula should be respected."

Concerning online registration, the source added that when it was raised, three governors rose up to condemn it.

He added: “To the surprise of everyone, Governor Timpre Sylva and the chairman of the PDP in Ekiti said NEC members do not want it. Sylva said 85 per cent of Bayelsa State is water-logged and the online registration is impossible.”

Governors Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta) and Sullivan Chime (Enugu) said online registration is “no-go area and should be stopped.” Uduaghan also said that 35 per cent of Delta landmass is covered by water, it was learnt.

"All the governors and state party chairmen rejected the exercise, which would have been launched on Friday (today).

"The NEC members asked that the online registration be stopped forthwith. The decision reflected the outcome of an earlier meeting which the governors had in Kwara Lodge yesterday,” said another source.

Jonathan’s camp has returned to the drawing board to consider whether to take the risk to contest or not.
A source in the camp said: “We were not pleased with the double-speak resolution of the NEC. They opted for zoning and asked Jonathan and any member to exercise their rights to contest.

"It is a delicate situation but we will meet to re-strategise and weigh options before any pronouncement from the President."

Ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo was absent at the meeting.

It was learnt that Obasanjo’s absence may not be unconnected with the rejection of his suggestion by the Board of Trustees of the PDP that zoning should be cancelled.

Jonathan said: "Just look at the issue of zoning or no zoning; it is PDP affair. Whether we zone or don’t zone, it is our own internal affairs. But the debate is even being spearheaded more by non-PDP members.

"That shows that what happens in PDP; in fact, they have already conceded the presidency to us. Otherwise, they have no business coming to join our own debate. That means that they have already known that the PDP will produce the president of this country, but do it well.

"That is why they decided to join our debate; whether we zone or not zone. So I believe those other candidates who want to be president know that their parties have surrendered to PDP."

The President noted that there is bound to be disagreements when two people are working together. The PDP would continue to resolve its internal disputes through dialogue and not by fighting, Jonathan said.
Jonathan said the 2011 elections would be conducted in such a way that only very few candidates would want to challenge the results in court.

He said: "The way others look at us, as if we cannot conduct elections that are acceptable. To some extent, we are doing fairly well. But at the end of the elections, the number of us that go to court are so many.

"This time around, we will conduct the elections in a way that only very few people will want to go to court.”

He said going by numbers, the party could always predict the outcome of elections because it still has the majority.

Nwodo, in his opening remarks, said zoning had been entrenched in the party’s constitution and there is no way it could be jettisoned, if equity, fairness and justice are to be upheld.

He added that since Jonathan came on the same joint ticket with the late President Yar’Adua, it was fair for him to be allowed to contest the 2011 presidential election without excluding other presidential aspirants who also wish to partake in the exercise.

Nwodo said: "It has become imperative, due to the new Electoral Act to hold a special convention and bi-annual conference to update our party constitution before the primary election.

"Already, the constitutional amendment notices have gone out, but additional notices would follow to capture the changes in the Electoral Act and other areas.”

He tacitly apologised to the governors who had drawn a battleline with him on the way he has been going about the issue of reforms in the party.
Nwodo said: “I know that reforms are sometimes hard to accept, especially when we are called upon to abandon old ways of doing things.

"Furthermore, in preaching these reforms, we may have hurt the sensibility of some of our members; we hereby present our unreserved apology. But, we, however, continue to appeal that these reforms be accepted by all our party members."