Obasanjo is worse than Jonathan – APC chieftain

   A former deputy governorship candidate of the now rested Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, in Jigawa State, Alhaji Danladi Auyo, has flayed former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, over his recent 18-page letter to President Goodluck Jonathan.

Chief Auyo said OBJ had no moral justification to accuse President Jonathan of corruption.

Auyo, a chieftain of the APC in a statement issued in Lagos last weekend, accused the former president of political gimmickry.
 He wondered why he couldn’t have made his grievances known to Jonathan in privacy or deliberate the matter at the forum of former heads of states, instead of the public show he made of it.

“The letter is nothing but to create political tension in the country. With his calibre, Obasanjo should not be engaging in primordial sentiments.

“The tenure of the former president was characterised by fraud, intimidation and continued harassment of political opponents and even members in the ruling party not on good terms with his administration. The EFCC machinery, selective judgment and intimidation were the weapons he used”, part of Auyo’s statement said.

Auyo noted that the only way to reduce tension in the polity was for all Nigerians to understand and appreciate one another, devoid of religious, political and ethnic chauvinism.

Tunisia has big potential for Islamic Finance: Zubair Mughal ....Tunisia would be the global hub of Islamic Finance for French speaking countries

Zubair Mughal,CEO ALHUDA CIBE speaking at International Conference "The Enterprise and Finance" which is jointly organized by worldbank, IMF, IFC, and European Bank of Reconstruction and Development at Sousse--Tunisia.

There are big opportunities to promote Islamic 

finance in Tunisia which can be the global hub of Islamic Finance for French speaking countries, said by Muhammad Zubair Mughal, Chief Executive Officer - AlHuda Centre of Islamic Banking and Economics (CIBE) in an international conference on “Finance and Enterprise” jointly organized by World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF), International Finance Corporation (IFC) and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development in Sousse – Tunisia, which was attended by the Prime Minister of Tunisia including many government ministers, heads and senior delegates from Central Banks, World Bank, IMF, IFC, European Bank and other dignitaries from different international organizations.

Muhammad Zubair Mughal, being the guest of honor, during his address stated that international financial crisis can be addressed in a better way through Islamic Finance and such financial crisis could have not been happened if Islamic financial system was followed and implemented at that time, he said there are about 2000 Islamic Financial Institutions working globally as Islamic Banks, Takaful ( Islamic Insurance), Sukuk ( Islamic Bonds), Islamic Fund and Islamic Microfinance institutions etc in more than 100 countries and fortunately no Islamic Financial institution was effected by such global financial crisis which ensures the strength and rationality behind the Islamic financial system. He also added that international institutions such as Islamic Development Bank (IDB), Accounting and Auditing Organization of Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI), Islamic Financial Services Board (IFSB) and International Islamic Liquidity Management (IILM) are dedicatedly working for Islamic finance around the globe which will further promote and strengthen the Islamic finance in future globally. He, responding to a question related to the relationship between religion and Islamic finance in question answer session, said that Islamic banking and finance is a name of a system not religion so all other religions can get benefit from it and that is why Islamic banking and finance is growing in the western world while non Muslims are utilizing the Islamic financial products, considerably, to fulfill their business, personal and financial needs as in only America which has more than 20 Islamic financial institutions are working, which are actively providing the Islamic financial services to fulfill the financial needs of Muslims and non-Muslims equally.

During his stay in Tunisia, he met with Dr. Amel Amri, President – Tunisian Association for Islamic Finance (TAIF), Dr. Raza, President – Islamic Economic Association Tunisia and heads of some other Islamic financial institutions. He said that Tunisia has a good recognition in Islamic financial industry having 2 full-fledged Islamic banks, Takaful companies, universities with having Islamic finance program, Sukuk Laws and some other similar institutions which are indicating the best future of Islamic finance in Tunisia but he, realizing the need of Islamic microfinance, said that Islamic microfinance is missing component of Islamic finance in Tunisia while socioeconomic development and poverty reduction can be done in better way through Islamic microfinance in Tunisia.
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2015: Elders Moves to stop Jonathan

     After months of turmoil within the ranks of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) , elders of

the party have finally decided to step in.

The crisis within the ruling party began in August this year after some of its members walked out of the PDP convention and formed a faction of their own.

The situation has gone downhill from there and the elders are said to have blamed the non-resolution of the crisis on President Goodluck Jonathan, whom they accused of failing to show a mastering of intra-party crisis management.

Leadership reports:

Consequently, the elders who are mostly founding fathers of the party, said the defection that has swept across the PDP within a month, had shown that something urgent must be done to save the party form total collapse.

LEADERSHIP Sunday learnt that among the options being considered by the founding fathers is to stop Jonathan from flying the PDP flag in the 2015 presidential election.

According to them, this is the most feasible way of keeping the party afloat at the centre and building confidence in those that have left or plan to leave to return and remain in the PDP.

Lately, the PDP has faced a formidable challenge from the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) as the party, formed barely six months ago, has become the entry point for aggrieved members of the ruling party.

Five PDP governors and 37 members of the House of Representatives have so far dumped the PDP have dumped for the APC. With the development, APC has clinched the majority seats in the Lower Chamber with 172 to PDP’s 171.

Worried by these developments, the concerned party elders, LEADERSHIP Sunday learnt have resolved to “advise” President Jonathan to opt out of the 2015 presidential race to “save the PDP from being disgraced out of office.”

A founding father of the PDP confided in our correspondent last night that the challenges faced by the party were due to the refusal of the presidency and the PDP hierarchy to accept certain critical decisions taken to salvage the party.

According to him, two things now pose challenges to the PDP – allowing President Jonathan to contest and “lose the election in the face of the current crisis and advising him to step aside and search for a credible successor to re-bounce the party to its former position.”

He said: “All these things that are happening now some of us predicted them long time ago, especially before the ranks of the PDP governors split just before the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF’s) election because we saw it all coming and we warned against some actions, but some of us were taken as enemies who wanted someone out of office either as chairman or whatever.

“I can tell you authoritatively that as things are now, drastic measures have to be taken to save the party and no one should be scared to say the truth because our refusal to say the truth has largely been responsible for where we have found ourselves.

“If you look at the demands of the G-7 governors, two things were very topical – and that is the resignation of Tukur as national chairman of the PDP and that the president should not contest.

“The view of some of us was that we should pick one of the two and sacrifice one for the other, but all our pleas have always fallen on deaf ears because of the lust for lies on the part of some of our members who misinterpret issues as they arise,” he said.

The elder continued: “Now before our very eyes, five governors have abandoned the party; as if that is not enough, 37 lawmakers have also defected. Can we still say we don’t have problems in the party?

The only way out of this debacle is for us to come out courageous and say the truth as things have reached a point that any measure to save the party should be seen as important as saving the ambition of an individual.

“The only way for us to come out strong as a party is to humbly advise the president to save the PDP from being disgraced in 2015 because what is happening now is like a wild fire that might not extinguish easily unless we take steps to make some painful sacrifices to save the party,” he said.

The source, who is a pro-Jonathan party elder, said some selected elders of the PDP would have audience with President Jonathan shortly after the New Year and explore the possibilities of having him to consider their position.

LEADERSHIP Sunday learnt that once the president acceded to the position of the elders, a subtle search for a successor would commence in earnest.

Among those in the new clamour, which the source, called Third Force, are a former Senate president, a former minister and some members of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT).

Okotie marks 30th year anniversary, buys N150 million cars

  Pastor Chris Okotie, General Overseer of the Household of God church has bought two vehicles to mark his 30th year anniversary as a born again Christian and 27th year anniversary as a Pastor.

The flamboyant pastor known for his sense of fashion and failed presidential ambitions, acquired the latest editions of the Rolls Royce Coupe Bespoke Edition valued at N120 million and the RangeRover Autobiography Edition valued at N33 million.

A source close to the Bishop told Punch, “Pastor Okotie just bought a Rolls Royce Coupe, 2014 Bespoke Edition at N120m to mark his 30 years as a born-again Christian and 27 years as a pastor. He had earlier bought a Range Rover (Autobiography) 2014 Model for N33m, reputed to be the costliest SUV in the world to mark this ministry’s milestone.”

Okotie has come under controversy for being twice married and twice divorced.g

Rivers Police Restrains Assembly Members

  The Rivers State Police command has ordered the leadership of the state House of Assembly to stop carrying out their oversight functions.

The order is contained in statement signed by the Police Public Relations officer, Ahmad Mohammad.



Deputy speaker of the Rivers state House of Assembly, Leyii Kwanee had within the week led some members of the assembly to inspect road projects in the state as part their oversight functions.

The police PRO said the order to restrain the lawmakers became imperative following the appeal of the judgment that reinstated the state assembly.

Speaker of the Rivers Assembly, Otelemaba Dan Amachree appealed the Abuja court judgment asking for stay of execution.

The police, therefore, stated that the state Assembly complex would not be opened until the appellate court determines the status of the case.

OBJ set to Join APC

 The bid to win more political stakeholders over to the All Progressives Congress (APC) continues today as leaders of the APC are set to meet with former President, Olusegun Obasanjo today.

According to reports, this trend of event has caused panic and anxiety at the Presidential Villa.

The move is coming after Chief Obasanjo’s 18-page letter to President Goodluck Jonathan and the continuous exodus of  Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members into the APC.

Nigerian Eye reports:

Presidency officials, who said a formal response to Obasanjo’s tirade would come at the appropriate time, feared that the ex-president might use his meeting with the APC leaders to launch a fresh attack on President Jonathan.

It was gathered yesterday that Obasanjo might meet the APC leaders in Abeokuta. It is part of the ongoing consultations by the APC.

Others expected at the session are the five governors, who defected to the APC from the PDP.

They are Governors Murtala Nyako (Adamawa); Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers); Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano); Aliyu Wammakko (Sokoto) and Abdulfatai Ahmed (Kwara).

A top source, who spoke in confidence, said: “Forces in the presidency are jittery that Obasanjo might further open up on the state of the nation. They are worried that such pronouncement from Obasanjo would finally be a setback for the PDP.

“If Obasanjo asks his followers to join the APC, it will certainly be disastrous for the PDP.

“The President and his strategists are uncomfortable with the visit which they think has the potency of undermining Jonathan’s aspiration for a second term in 2015.”

Jonathan’s strategists are said to have been meeting on how to manage the outcome of the APC leaders’ visit.

Another source, however, clarified the mission of the APC leaders.

He said: “Actually, the five governors were expected to meet Obasanjo before their defection to the APC. But they could not do so because of the exigency at the time.

“The APC leaders and governors are going to Abeokuta to rub minds with Obasanjo on why a change is necessary in the leadership of the nation.”

A governor, who responded to enquiries from our correspondent, said: “At least, we will expect Obasanjo to be neutral as the campaign for the presidency in 2015 begins early next year.”

A PDP source said: “We have got wind of the visit of the APC leaders and it would be a shock to the party, if Obasanjo has decided to host them. In what capacity will he be meeting with APC leaders?

“I think Obasanjo wants to confirm the suspicion that he has sympathy for the APC. Well, the electorate will decide.”

Meanwhile, the defection of some relations and political associates of some ministers has created a crack in Jonathan’s cabinet.

It was gathered that the presidency was pained that the husband of a serving minister has defected to the APC

Sources said some forces are pushing for the exit of such ministers, while others insisted that as long as those ministers are loyal to the government, they should be left alone.

Obasanjo asked me to Pay 10million to Godfather--Mbadinuju

  Former governor of Anambra state, Chinwoke Mbadinuju in an exclusive interview with The Punch, spoke on the controversies that trailed his administration while he was governor.

Mbadinuju also fingered the  issue of godfatherism in Nigerian politics and Anambra state, saying it hindered his ability to perform as governor during his tenure.

Read excerpts from his interview:

With your experience as governor, what would you say about godfatherism?

Well, a godfather has many connotations. You could have  positive godfathers and negative ones. The good ones work towards making things work and succeed but if you have a godfather that is always challenging, he wants to make appointments, if you have 10 commissioners, he would want to have three or four. After you have given him two commissioners, he will say he wants Special Advisers, Special Assistants and he will even want to choose their portfolios but I said these things are not done like that and they said it is done like that, that is controversy. You are the governor and you run your administration the way you want it. I know some people helped us. There is nobody who campaigned for elections or any position who was not assisted. I have not seen one person who will  come out and say I didn’t have any help and it was the same type of help I got and I was in trouble. Some of them wrote a petition to the President and the petition was carried by the then Vice-President Atiku Abubakar to the President. They said I had N3.5bn abroad and I told the President- we were in his office that I never saw such money in Awka. After attending the federal allocation meeting, sometimes Anambra State will get N200m, sometimes N600m; it was never straight. I couldn’t pay salaries in some of the months so where could I get such money to send N3.5bn abroad? I told him it was not possible, he said, if he didn’t approve it for investigations, some people would think that he was colluding with me. I said okay. Atiku brought the petition and Obasanjo looked at the petition and said but there is no covering letter, Atiku put his hands into his pocket and brought out a covering letter. These people were ready, everything that they could do to get me jailed or killed, what did I do? I was doing well. Christ was doing good, healing all types of diseases. It is my experience to be doing good while people that run me down  go through all sorts of problems, it was terrible I must tell you. In any case, they went to Europe, London where I studied, they went to Russia where we visited when I played football, I played in Spain, everywhere, they saw my CV and thought that all the places I went, I put money there, they went to America  where I also studied and saw nothing and at the end, President Obasanjo called me on phone and said “Governor Anambra,” I said sir, he said you can walk with your head high and I said I told you sir. The only thing I had was three pounds in London at the University of Southampton where I studied Law and I had left in Lloyds Bank three pounds, I couldn’t have finished it. I kept it there. Godfather or no godfather, in my own case, they were negative even in the case of those who came after me, they had it rough with godfathers. The person who started godfatherism in Anambra State was former President Obasanjo because he wanted his boys to be governor. In   my own case, he wanted his boy Andy Uba to rule Anambra and indeed his nominee became governor for a few weeks. Anambra State is not an easy state where you can go and do two terms, it’s tough. You can ask Peter Obi what he went through to get a second term; he succeeded because he had godfathers  who were positive. In the case of the PDP, we had godfathers who were negative.  I was sent to prison pending bail but 5,000 hoodlums were hired to start a riot and attack the prison with the aim of killing me. They came to the prison where I was. They trampled upon the prison gate and came to my cell but I was gone. One judge told me their aim was to arrest me, tie my hands and feet and drive me through the streets of Onitsha main market in an open van, the same market I go to for prayers, before killing me.

Is it correct then to say that godfatherism hindered your performance?

If you performed 90 per cent with all these distractions, there is no way you can tell anyone that you performed 100 per cent but the important thing is if you go to Anambra State today, they will tell you that my four-year administration was the only time politicians could come to Akwa and go back home with money to take care of their families. No governor from then till date has done it. I did the best anybody in my circumstance could do, I am happy with what I was able to achieve. When you read my book which I entitled: “How I governed Anambra State,” after reading it you can read: “Legacies and Challenges” and you will know what I went through to achieve whatever we achieved in Anambra State.

Was there an agreement you had with these godfathers that you reneged on?

How can anybody say I was paying godfathers while at the same time they said I reneged on an agreement? There is a godfather who had an arrangement with the military that he would be paid N10m every month, I wasn’t there when the agreement was made. When I tried to stop it, I was dragged to President Obasanjo’s office and I told Obasanjo this is the situation I found on ground and Obasanjo said I had to go back and continue paying it; that it was legal. At what stage did I renege? They will always try to give a dog a bad name in order to hang it. Obasanjo gave them contracts worth billions of naira, they were super rich, there was nothing I could give to them.

You mean Obasanjo asked you to pay this godfather; who is he?

Yes, Obasanjo asked me to pay. The godfather is one of the Uba family.

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Nigeria drops again in FIFA ranking, now on 37th spot

  Nigeria has again dropped in the monthly official FIFA World ranking from the 36th spot to the 37th.

The ranking table on the World governing body’s website on Thursday showed that though Nigeria still had 710 points, like it had in the last ranking in November, but it dropped by one spot.
However, in the December ranking, Nigeria still remained the fourth in Africa behind Algeria, Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire with 800, 849 and 918 points, respectively.
On the global scene, Spain maintained the first spot, ahead of Germany, Argentina and Colombia, who also maintained the second, third and fourth spots, respectively.
Though the ranking might be a disappointment to Nigerians with the successes recorded by Nigerian teams in recent times, the ranking procedure explains that many things are put into consideration.
It stated that the number of points that can be won in a match depends on “if the match was won or drawn, and how important the match is.’’
It also considers how strong the opposition team are in terms of ranking and the confederation they belong to.
These factors brought together are used in the formula to ascertain the number of points got from a match.
The next FIFA World ranking will be published on Jan. 16, 2014

DEAL ACCOMPLISHED: SENATE BANS SAME SEX IN NIGERIA

Nigeria Senate yesterday, unanimously passed a harmonised Conference Committee report, banning same sex marriage in Nigeria, a development is one that defies stiff Western opposition.

The Senate President, David Mark, has called on the president once again, to quickly sign the Bill into law.

According to Mark, “We have been under series of attack from different quarters. I think we believe in this Bill. The earlier we sign it into law, the better. We (Nigeria) have have many shortcomings, we don’t one to add this one (same sex marriage) to it”.

Leadership reports:

It would be recalled that the Same Sex Bill, 2011 was passed by the Senate on Tuesday 29, November, 2011 and the House of Representatives on Tuesday 2, July 2013.

However, some differences were noticed in the two versions of the Bill, as passed by the two Chambers. Consequently, a Conference Committee was constituted in the Senate on Tuesday 9 July 2013 to reconcile the areas of differences, which appeared essentially in five clauses of the Bill.

In detail the Bill passed by the Senate provides: a marriage contract or civil union entered into between persons of same sex by virtue a certificate issued by a foreign country shall be void in Nigeria.

Also, marriage or civil union entered into between persons of same sex shall not be solemnized in any place of worship either Church or Mosque or any other place whatsoever called in Nigeria.

Again, only marriage contracted between a man and a woman either under Islamic Law, Customary Law or the Marriage Act is recognised as valid in Nigeria.

The Bill also provided that persons that entered into a same sex marriage or civil union contract commit an offence and are jointly liable on conviction to a term of 14 years imprisonment each.

Also, any persons or group of persons that administers, witnesses, screens, abet and aids the solemnization of a same sex marriage contract or civil union or supports the registration, operation of gay clubs, societies and organisations, processions or meetings in Nigeria commits an offence and liable on conviction to a term of 10 years imprisonment.

FG suspends UNN Governing Council Chairman

   The Federal Government on Tuesday in Abuja suspended Dr Emeka Enejere, the Chairman/ Pro-Chancellor of University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), Governing Council with immediate effect.

This is contained in a statement signed by Mr Simeon Nwakaudu, the Special Assistant on Media to the Supervising Minister of Education, Chief Nyesom Wike.



The statement said that the suspension was announced by the supervising minister of education.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Enejere was appointed as the Chairman of UNN Governing Council in April this year.

Edo Court Judge Orders Police To Exhume Four Bodies In The Ute Police Murder Case

  A Coroner's Court Judge ordered the Edo and Nigerian State Police on Monday to exhume the bodies of four persons for examination by medical experts to ascertain the cause of death.
The four men will killed by Nigerian Police officers in the Edo State Command in the Ute Community on the Benin by-pass in November.   The police argued the four men were robbers.
The story was reported by NaijaBubbles on December 7th 2013
Counsel for the deceased, Benjamin Iluobe Esq who, told reporters it was a landmark judgement, "The order was a proper one because we are tired of the arrogant use of power by the Nigerian Police on citizens.  They killed the Ute 4 to make the public believe they were fighting crime.  This is bad for a democratic society, and a flagrant violation of the right to life and a right to a fair hearing."
During the hearing, the Nigerian Police Prosecutor, Inspector Adah John requested more time for the police to prepare for the case.  The deceased counsel argued the police were served notices of summons but the human bodies were subject to decomposition, and that was the matter before the Judge.
The African Network for Environment and Economic Justice, Executive Director, Rev. David Ugolor told NaijaBubbles, "We've been advocating for the end of extra-judicial killing with impunity by the Nigerian Police Force. It was confirmed in court the police didn't even obtain the necessary documentation to bury the so-called suspects, yet they hurriedly buried them."
"We urge Nigerians to join the struggle to sanitize the Nigerian Police; if this does not concern you today it will tomorrow when your household, friend or relation is affected."

How 23 Rivers State Council Chairmen Defected To APC

 NaijaBubbles has learnt how the chairmen of the 23 Local Government Areas in Rivers State defected from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC), with a pledge to work with the leadership of the party which is currently gaining political grounds in the state.

The defection of the council chairmen to the APC follows the recent defection to the party of the Rivers State Governor and Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi whom they have promised to get massive support for in the state.

Speaking at the end of a crucial meeting between the council chairmen and the interim State Chairman of the APC, Hon. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya at the party’s state secretariat in Old GRA, Port Harcourt on Monday, the Chairman of Port Harcourt City Local Government who also doubles as State Chairman of Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Hon. Chimbiko Akarolo, on behalf of his colleagues, pledged the commitment of the local council chairmen in the state to the APC.



“We want to assure you (referring to the APC Chairman) that we will work with you collectively. We want to reassure you that as mobilizers and grassroots politicians we are and leaders, we will not disappoint this party”.

“We want to reassure you that as various leaders in the various LGAs, we will continue to sensitize our people on the programmes of our party (APC), sensitize them and re-engineer them on the manifesto of our party and where the party is going to and how progressive the party is”, he said.

Earlier, the interim chairman of the APC in the state, Hon. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya said the party is determined to carry its message to the grassroots and win future elections in the state. With Governor Amaechi’s membership of the party, he said the APC is now in charge of Rivers State and would win upcoming elections in the state.

“You know that APC is in charge of Rivers State. We have an APC governor (Governor Amaechi) and we have 23 APC local government chairmen, so we have talked with them, we have rubbed minds and we are ready to win the state for APC”, Hon. Ikanya stated.




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Impeachment: Jonathan pledges not to allow 2015 destroy the country

  President Goodluck Jonathan has remarked that the constant attack he comes under in the media is due to selfish ambition of some politicians who want to rule Nigeria come 2015.

The President stated that he would not allow the selfish ambition of the few tear the country apart.

Speaking on the latest call by some members of the opposition to effect his impeachment President Jonathan compared the situation to the “wrongful overthrow” of Shehu Shagari in 1983. He said such a move would have negative effects on the economy.

The President spoke through the Minister of Information, Labran Maku at an Award Ceremony in Abuja.

He said, “There is a difference between ambition and reality. Go for your ambition, nobody is disturbing you because it is a free world. Go and compete, but don’t pull down this country called Nigeria because of your personal ambition. It is unacceptable.

“I think there is a difference between debates and insults. I reject insults and the fact that I am a public officer doesn’t give anybody the liberty to insult me. Most of the time you cannot detach the Office of the President and honour of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“There are people who are honestly trying to put things down for this country to move on. I think we can see the difference between facts and fiction.

“Let us not continue to behave as if we can pull down our own house; we as politicians and public servants should not behave as if we were picked on the streets. You don’t just go and pour acid on the faces of public officers.
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“When Shagari was overthrown in 1983, there was a lot of noise that the government was not doing anything and nothing was not said about Shagari’s regime.

“Shagari was overthrown amidst lies….The greatest shame of this country is Ajaokuta Steel Complex. If Shagari was there, by 1986, he would have completed Ajaokuta.”

The President said the media was full of insults for President Jonathan almost on a daily basis.

He said, “If you look through our media reports today, we see insults and abuses, every day. If somebody did not abuse Mr. President, it will look as if there is no journalism on that day.

“We are talking about our country, our nation’s institutions and democracy;  we are talking about setting standards for this democracy, standards of behaviour, standards of conduct and standards of principles of behaviour and every democracy must be parliamentary. We should not go personal, but we are going too personal.”

He added, “We must not destroy the mirror and present the image as ugly.

“The mirror is very important in conveying the good image of our people. We have completely ignored issues on the ground and we are embarking on personality debates.

“The way we are sensationalising the development of this nation in public debates,  is so annoying and it is not supposed to be so. I am a big time journalist.

“But there is a difference between reporting events and articulating a position because the media are supposed to articulate public debates. When the media embark  on abuse and insults, the people will be confused.”

He also stated that the liberty   being enjoyed by Nigerians  had  been taken for granted simply because   “the  President   believes in the rule of law.”

BREAKING NEWS: ASUU SUSPENDS STRIKE, RESUMES

 The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has suspended its over five months old strike.ASUU Chairman, University of Lagos Chapter, Dr. Karo Ogbinaka told Channels Television that the union decided to suspend the strike after a marathon meeting held in Minna, Niger State capital on Monday.

In attendance at the meeting, which ran till late in the evening, were all the ASUU branch chairmen and secretaries, the national executive members of the body, coordinators and past leaders, including 56 members from 52 universities.

Dr. Ogbinaka said that, in line with procedures, the different chapters of ASUU would hold congress meetingson Wednesday to inform members and managements of the institutions of the latest development.

“We expect the students to resume and expect their members to go back to class immediately after the congress meeting and we expect the government to keep to the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU),” Dr. Ogninaka stated.

He said that the union and the government would hold meetings in 2014 to look at gray areas that may arise and come to a common ground.

The Federal Government and ASUU had reached a compromise during a negotiation brokered by the President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Abdulwaheed Omar on Wednesday, December 11, which led to the signing of the MoU.

Speaking to journalists after the agreement with the government on Wednesday, the National President of ASUU, Dr. Nasir Isa Fagge, said that the union would consult with its National Executive Council and would intimate Nigerians of its decision on the strike within one week, expressing optimism that the outcome of the consultation would be positive.

It was gathered that the MoU addressed all the resolutions that the leadership of the ASUU and the Federal Government agreed to in their 13-hour meeting with President Jonathan on November 4, as well as their widely criticised fresh demands.

ASUU’s demands include the upward review of the retirement age for professors from 65 to 70; adequate funding to revitalise the university system; progressive increase of budgetary allocations to the education sector by 26%; transfer of Federal Government property to universities; setting up of research and development units by the companies; and renegotiation of the signed agreement.

The fresh demands include a non-victimisation clause, provision and deposit of N200 billion infrastructure revitalisation funds in an account with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) details of disbursement of the funds and payment of salary arrears which has accrued to the teachers during the strike.

The Wednesday agreement between the two which is reportedly due for renegotiation in 2014 was reached barely 24 hours after the Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe presented a proof of payment of N200 billion into an account with the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Nigeria’s university lecturers have been on strike since July 1, 2013 to demand full implementation of the 2009 agreement it reached with the Federal Government on conditions of service for university lecturers, and funding of infrastructural development in Nigerian universities.

Rivers State Latest: Court Stops Bipi From Parading As Speaker Of House Of Assembly

  The High Court of Rivers State sitting in Ahoada has ordered Assemblyman Evans Bipi from parading himself as the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly with immediate effect.

Judge C.N. Wali, presiding, was ruling on an interim injunction for the maintenance of the undisputed position in the Assembly prior to the commencement of hostilities on July 9, 2013.
Granting the order, which followed an affidavit filed by Deputy Speaker Leyii Kwanee last Friday, the court restrained Mr. Bipi from calling or acknowledging himself as the Speaker.
He is also forbidden, among others, from allowing himself to be addressed in that manner by any person without promptly refuting such appellation; writing to any person in that manner; or acting in any manner whatsoever as the Speaker of the House of Assembly.
The court further ordered Mr. Bipi not to do anything whatsoever to obstruct, hinder, prevent or disturb the Speaker, Otelemaba D. Amachree and the Deputy Speaker, Mr. Kwanee, in the performance of their duties in the House pending the determination of the motion on notice.
Of great significance, the court ordered the Police Force and its principal officers, including the Inspector General of Police, to enforce the interim orders and to accord to the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker every recognition and protection to enable them discharge their duties and exercise their powers in the Assembly pending the determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.