Judge threatens to jail Ohanaeze leaders

An Enugu State High Court judge, Justice Romanus Odugu, has threatened to jail some leaders of the Igbo pan cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, for contempt if they disobey an order restraining them from conducting an election to elect a new executive committee for the organisation.
The threat was contained in a Notice of Consequence of Disobedience of Court Order (Form 48) issued by the court on the Ohanaeze Ndigbo chieftains, including an elder statesman, Chief Mbazuluike Amechi, Senator Chris Ngige, Chief Enechi Onyia, SAN, Dr Eze Agbogu, Prince Richard Ozobu, Prince Chukwuemeka Onyesoh, Chief Raph Obioha and Chief Chekwas Okorie.
Others are Prof. Ukwu I. Ukwu, Senator Offia Nwali, Dr. Jumbo Offor, Dr. Zed Chukwujama, Prof. Elochuchukwu Amucheazi,   Elder Oyibo Chukwu and Lady Maria Okwor.
The court warned that unless they obey the directives contained in the order, they would be guilty of contempt of court and liable to be committed to prison.
The court had earlier issued an interim injunction, restraining Amechi and four others from holding any election in December 2014, or before January 7, 2015, to elect a new executive for the organisation.

Even Babangida Comments: I Never Looted Nigeria's Money

A former Military President, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, has said that he is not corrupt as being insinuated in many quarters.
He asked any Nigerian with facts on corruption against him to release them to the public.
He also said the $12.4billion Gulf Oil War windfall of 1991 was not stolen.
Babangida made the clarifications in an exclusive interview with a team of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s press crew for the agency’s in-house magazine, “Zero tolerance.”
The EFCC released the transcript of the interview to journalists in Abuja on Monday.
He denied looting billions from the treasury, challenged anyone with proof of corruption against him to reveal it.
He said: “Let me tell you something, maybe you have a hand in it. I have been the most investigated President Nigeria has ever had. By now, somebody should have come forward to say here it is.
“Every government that came after me investigated me because of that perception because they wanted to retrieve the billions I stole.”
He said he and those who served in his administration were saints and angels going by the level of corruption in the country.

PRESIDENTIAL POLL: We’ll deal with Jonathan – Ndigbo reveal why they are angry with president

MAJORITY of South-East and Igbo votes may not go to President Goodluck Jonathan in the February 14 presidential polls contrary to expectations unless the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) takes the complaints of the zone seriously, Founder of the Igbo Youth Movement (IYM) and Deputy Secretary of the Igbo Leaders of Thought (ILT), Evangelist Elliot Uko, has said.

To make amends and continue to enjoy the support of the Igbo, Uko urged President Jonathan to unveil his plans and blueprint and what he had done for the zone in the last six years.

In an interview with Vanguard, Uko said the polls would be fierce but assured that ‘’This time around, Ndigbo will vote right, we have learned painfully over the years that if we vote right, it will be well for everybody. Ndigbo do not want to make mistakes any more.’’

INEC gets positive signals over N75bn budget

The Independent National Electoral Commission on Monday said it had been receiving positive signals from the Federal Government on the disbursement of N75bn budget for the 2015 general elections.
The commission also said it was the duty of relevant security agencies to enforce laws whenever political parties breached their code of conduct.
Mr. Kayode Idowu, chief press secretary to INEC chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, said this while reacting to enquiries by The PUNCH on efforts being made to get the money few weeks to the 2015 elections and sanctions for violation of code of conduct by parties.
“I don’t know where the indicated figure (N75bn) will be sourced. INEC is in talks with relevant authorities on disbursement of outstanding and is receiving favourable consideration,” he stated.
The Political Parties’ Code of Conduct 2013 reflects the determination of parties and INEC as major stakeholders in the Nigeria democratic project to establish an enduring platform for sustained and constructive political engagement, within and between political parties and then between parties and the commission.

Ballot and blood? Never again!

Yea, they are greedy dogs/Which cannot have enough,/And they are shepherds
That cannot understand:/They all look their way,/Everyone for his gain Isaiah 54 v11
On the surface of it, the recent appeal made by President Goodluck Jonathan canvassing a violence-free general elections and the subsequent endorsement by the opposition party, the All Progressives Congress, are both patriotic and auspicious. No one’s vaulting political ambition should put the country’s troubled soul literally on fire. Or, the unity of the nation on the edge. No power seeker’s desperation is worth the shedding of the innocent blood of a fellow citizen. Indeed, I had warned several times against the wanton wasting of priceless and irreplaceable blood of innocent citizens on the altar of political ambition. That was through my opinion essays in my Drumbeats column a national newspaper. These include: 2015 and tongues of fury(September 18s,2013);God’s warning: There is too much bloodshed here!(October 2,2013), 2015and arms build-up(February 12,2014) and Insurgency and the enemies within(September 3,2014).But would the politicians ever listen to words of caution?

Presidential Poll: ‘Forget your re-election’ – OAU students tells Jonathan

Students of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Osun State have appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan to reduce their tuition or be ready to face their wrath during forthcoming presidential election….You need to read this
The Student Union President, Mr. Isaac Ibikunle, and the Secretary, Mr. Oludare Bamidele, stated this in a statement.
Jonathan met briefly with the student union leaders when he attended a political meeting organised by some Yoruba leaders in the university.
Ibikunle then told our correspondent that the President promised to act fast to reduce the fees in the university.

How to make your child love reading

I am among the luckiest fathers on earth. My wife is also among the luckiest mothers. Why? Our children prefer reading to eating. One is nine while the other is seven. Any time they have a novel in their hands, they cannot concentrate on whatever they are doing. I may get angry and reprimand them, but deep inside, I am overjoyed.

When our friends see or hear about it, they ask: “How did you do it? I have bought my children all manner of books, but they don’t like to read them.”

And the result is that our kids have got the fundamentals of language. They easily know when there is an error in tenses, which is the critical element in the English language. So, when you say something like, “I wish I were there,” you would need to explain to them why “were” should be used for “I” instead of “am” or “was.”
In addition, whenever you tell them anything, they think about it, and if it does not sound logical, they ask you questions. So, I am confident that they will not grow up to become adults that will be led by the nose.

2015 Election: ‘A litmus test for Nigeria’ -Asiwaju Musulumi of Yorubaland

Foremost religious leader and businessman, Asiwaju Khamis Badmus has warned that failure in the 2015 election in the country would affect the growth of Nigeria.

The Asiwaju Musulumi of Yorubaland said this in an Eid Maolud message through his Special Assistant on Media and Public Affairs, Alhaji Dawood Ajetunmobi.

Badmus also said it was important both candidates of the Peoples Democtratic Party, PDP, and All Progressive Congress, APC, while canvassing for votes from the electorates across the country, to refrain from using combative words so as not to set the nation on fire.

He added that “peace and unity of the country before, during and after 2015 election should be made the focal point of prayers of all adherents of Islam. Unity of the country is not negotiable, adding that all hands must be on deck to ensure that the country enjoys free , fair , credible exercise in the February, 2015 general elections.

Mr. President, America is not the enemy

It says a lot about a country and the integrity of its leaders when they deliberately deploy propaganda to portray another country as the “enemy” responsible for their own incompetence and domestic crises. In an increasingly globalised world, one would have expected a government responsible enough to understand the dynamics of international laws and how such laws affect other countries’ involvement in her domestic affairs. This is even more so when clauses or provisions from extant laws of other countries limit their intervention in others’ internal affairs. As such, no government has demonstrated ignorance or engaged in deliberate propaganda as a diplomatic strategy in its relationship with the international community like this administration.
In the fight against Boko Haram, the United States of America has come under spurious attacks and needless propaganda war by the Jonathan administration. The strategy by this administration to engage in propaganda while feigning ignorance of extant US laws that prevent the latter from a comprehensive engagement with our military is unfortunate indeed. Since the abduction of the Chibok girls in April 2014 and the botched international engagement with our military, the Jonathan administration has been throwing tantrums, belching out North Korean-like propaganda war that portrays the US as responsible for its failure to find the girls and end the terror war. The strategy is to brand America as the enemy. Nothing can be farther from the truth. But this strategy fits into the character of a government long used to shirking its responsibilities while blaming others for its own failing.

11 soldiers died in Baga Army base attack

Over 11 soldiers and scores of civilians were reportedly killed when the Boko Haram sect attacked the army base in Baga, Borno State on Saturday, a security source and witnesses said on Monday.

The Islamists attacked the northeastern town of Baga and the barracks on its outskirts on Saturday, potentially providing a launchpad for more attacks in the country and other neighbouring nations.

Lying at the end of a semi-desert road, Baga is the headquarters of a multinational force comprising troops from Niger, Nigeria, Chad and Cameroon.
Soldiers and civilians had fled the town after the attack on the Army base.

Amokachi not impressed despite Eagles’ win

Coach Daniel Amokachi has said he is not impressed with his team of home-based super Eagles even after they thrashed FCT League side NYSC 5-2 on Monday, Africanfootball.com reports.
Amokachi said he was not impressed by the performance of his Eagles as they showed signs of heaviness, adding that more work needed to be done before the team departed for friendlies against Cote d’Ivoire and Sudan in Abu Dhabi.
“If you concede such an early goal against an experienced side like Cote d’ Ivoire you will be in trouble because you will have to chase the game all day,” he said.

Obasanjo meets women leaders, blasts Jonathan

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo   has said the country is currently facing economic problems due to the failure of the Goodluck Jonathan administration to plan for a rainy day.
He told Iyalodes and eminent women leaders   from the South-West, who visited him at his   Hilltop residence in Abeokuta, Ogun State, that the nation’s reserves which as of 2007 stood at $67bn had been depleted by the Federal Government.
The former President was responding to a call by the delegation led by the Iyalode of Yorubaland, Chief Alaba Lawson, and the Iyaloja General of Nigeria, Chief Folashade Tinubu-Ojo,   to   lend his voice to the socio-economic crisis rocking the country.
Stressing that the country did not deserve the situation it currently finds itself, Obasanjo vowed that he would not keep quiet until the right things were done.
He said, “When I was leaving office about eight years ago, I left a very huge reserve after we had paid all our debts.

Read Ten Things Apostle Johnson Prophesied Would Happen In 2015

As the 2015 general elections draws nearer, revelations has been emanating from different men of God across the federation, a popular man of God, Apostle Johnson Sulieman, leader of the Omega Fire Minitries International (OFM) has also released his 2015 Prophecies and what he believes will happen this year.
Below are his prophecies.

How Governor Dickson sacked Patience Jonathan’s allies

Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson has sacked the Commissioner for Local Government Administration, Marie Ebikake, and his Special Adviser on Special Projects, Remmy Kuku.
Ebikake and Kuku, it was learnt, were allegedly   fired because of their closeness to the wife of President Goodluck Jonathan, Patience.
There has been no love lost between Dickson and Patience over the latter’s alleged interference in the affairs of the state and   plan to hijack the structure of the Peoples Democratic Party from the former.
The sack of the two aides, which is with immediate effect, is contained     in a special announcement on Monday   by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Daniel Iworiso-Markson.
The governor had in March 2014 sacked seven commissioners in a major cabinet shake-up since his administration came on board in February 2012.

Enugu rejects newly redeployed REC

The main opposition parties, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the United Progressives Party, UPP, at the weekend, took a swipe on the Independent National Electoral Commission,INEC, over the recent redeployment of Resident Electoral Commissioners,RECs, ahead next month’s general elections.
The Chairman,Enugu State chapter of APC,Mr. Ben Nwoye said,”it is bad for INEC to routinely, switch the RECs few weeks before the general elections. It shows that INEC trusted in the conduct of the elections.
He posited that these RECs must have built confidence with the political stakeholders in their various states.
The APC chieftain who described the recent exercise as a recipe for disaster, stated that the re-deployed RECs already appreciate the geographical terrain of their operations as well as gasrn3ered knowledge of their states.

Why I quit my marriage – Moji Olaiya

Since popular Yoruba actress, Moji   Olaiya, walked out of her marriage; it has been particularly difficult to track her down. Saturday Vanguard cornered her at an Inter House sports competition event in Gbagada, Lagos, where she was the matron of one of the Houses competing for prizes at the event.
Looking as pretty as ever, Moji decided to grant us an interview which unfolds some of the closed chapters in her life; career, marriage and religious beliefs:
Many actors have complained over time that the government has abandoned the film industry, in what respect can the government assist the industry?

I won’t betray Keshi — Amokachi

Nigeria assistant coach Daniel Amokachi insists Stephen Keshi remains in charge of the Super Eagles, despite his contract having expired last year.
Keshi’s deal with the Super Eagles came to an end after the 2014 World Cup, although the tactician maintained the reins throughout their failed AFCON qualifying campaign, where they finished third in Group A.
Question marks still hang over the role Keshi will have with Nigeria in 2015, but Amokachi, who is preparing the side ahead of friendly matches against Sudan and Ivory Coast, insists the coach is still very much in charge of the team.
“This is not my team I’m only sitting in for my boss, Stephen Keshi. I can;t betray him. He’s the boss and I’m only here to do a job as a coach,” Amokachi told Cool FM.

APC Reveals Renewed Threat to Amaechi’s life

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has described as totally unacceptable, the kite being flown by the Federal Government about the possible arrest and trial of the State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, in connection with some of his recent public statements in his capacity as Director General of the General Muhammadu Buhari Presidential Campaign Organisation (GMBPCO).
Meanwhile the Rivers State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP said that public declarations by the outgoing governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi were treasonable.
The PDP therefore, calls for the arrest and trial of Rotimi Amaechi to protect the peace and unity of the country.
Governor Rotimi Amaechi’s call to form a parallel government if the All Progressives Congress, APC loses the general elections and his call on soldiers to protest, are calls to arms, incitement at best from one who is the chief security officer of a State.

Aliko Dangote’s humble drive to the top

Alhaji Aliko Dangote is from a very wealthy family in Kano. He is related to the late Alhassan Dantata, who was reputed to be one of the wealthiest Hausa merchants in Kano as at the time of his demise in 1955. However, his wealth dwindled as it was shared among 18 children.
Despite the death of their mentor, the Dantata Dynasty remains an indispensable force in virtually all spheres of human endeavour in the northern Nigeria, particularly in Kano state.
Today their fortune may not equal that of some families who recently made the list of wealthy Nigerians since the death of the founder of the empire. Almost 59 years after, the death of the great Dantata of Kano seems to have washed away the fame of the dynasty, but the great grandson in the person of Alhaji Aliko Dangote has emerged to occupy the vacuum created by the exit of Dantata.
In March, 2014, he was reported to worth over $25 billion USD. Dangote is ranked by Forbes Magazine as the 23rd richest person in the world and the richest in Africa. He surpassed the Saudi-Ethiopian billionaire’s 2013 record, Mohammed Hussein Al Amoudi, by over $2.6 billion, to become Africa’s richest person.

APC jabs Jonathan again!

The United States government yesterday donated a war ship to the Federal Government to enable it checkmate criminal activities like crude oil theft, arms proliferation, piracy and other forms of insecurity in the nation’s maritime environment and the Gulf of Guinea.
The donation is coming even as the All Progressives Congress, APC, has asked Nigerians to use their votes to express their dissatisfaction with President Goodluck Jonathan’s alleged inability to fight corruption and insecurity which were the two major challenges facing the country in the last six years.
However, the warship earlier known as the United States Coast Guard Gallatin ,USCGG was designed as a high endurance cutter. The ship which was completely overhauled in Charleston, South Carolina, USA, with about $8 million (about N1.34billion) had already been renamed as NNS Okpabana by the Nigerian Navy.

Nigerian Army Denies Having Buhari's Original Cetificates

Few days after the former Head of State and Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Major General Muhammadu Buhari, retd, explained in an affidavit submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, that all his academic credentials were with the Military Board, the Army have stated that they do not keep the certificates of any serving or retired officer or soldier.
General Buhari is contesting the presidential election for the fourth time under different political parties including the defunct All Nigeria People’s Party, ANPP and the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, but the issue of his qualifications had never been controversial until the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, recently described him as a ‘’semi- illiterate.’’

Former PDP National Chairman Emerges As Jonathan/Sambo Campaign Director General

Former PDP National Chairman ,Chief Ahamadu Ali, has been appointed as the Director General of  for the President Goodluck Jonathan/Namadi Sambo campaign organization..
The Presidential Campaign Organisation (PCO), according to a statement by the president’s political adviser, Rufai Alkali, was confirmed to be  headed by erstwhile  National Chairman of the party and Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees Chief Tony Anenih (National Campaign Adviser).
Others are Tunde Adeniran (Deputy DG), while Minister of Special Duties Kabiru Turaki and ex Anambra governor Peter Obi will serve as deputy DGs for north and south, while Chief Femi Fani-Kayode as the Director Media and Publicity respectively.

Jonathan, best candidate for Nigeria now, says PDP National Secretary

Prof. Wale Oladipo, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Secretary, has said that President Goodluck Jonathan is the best candidate for Nigeria in 2015 general elections.

Oladipo made the statement during the celebration of his 55th birthday in Ile-Ife, Osun, on Thursday.

He said that the citizens would want the continuation of Nigeria’s transformation under President Jonathan, saying that PDP would be victorious in the February polls.

According to him, former Head of State, Gen. Mohammadu Buhari (rtd.), APC presidential candidate, a 72 year-old, cannot bring about any change, compared to Jonathan who is democratic.

Ogbe leads committee to raise N5 bn for Buhari from yams

Forme PDP National Chairman, Chief Audu Ogbe would on Jan. 4 inaugurate the sale of five million tubers of yam donated by farmers to raise N5 billion for Buhari/Osibajo presidential campaign.

Mrs Felicia Yakzum, The The Public Relations Officer of APC Micro Finance Cooperative Society Ltd, said in a statement on Thursday in Jos that the sales would commence at Mararaban Demshin in Qua’an Pan Local Government Area of Plateau.

JONATHAN IS NIGERIA’S BEST PRESIDENT EVER, MAKU INSISTS

A former Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, on Friday called on Nigerians to vote for dependable candidates in the forthcoming general elections.
He made the call on Friday in his home town, Wakama, Nasarawa, while addressing some of his supporters who paid him a visit.
The immediate past minister also urged Nigerians to vote popular candidates irrespective of their ethnic or religious affiliations.
“Nigerians must know that in this 21st century, elections must be based on issues and not on religious or ethnic affiliations,’’ he said.
Mr. Maku called on political leaders, especially those seeking election into public offices, not to be self-centered.

Salary arrears: Governors shun bank loans

Nigerian workers may still need to be more patient as the 36 states of the federation have shunned bank loans to offset the backlog of their workers’ salaries.
Ashiwaju.org  learnt that the states will have to rely on internally generated revenue as against borrowing to pay their workers.
It was learnt that the states shunned the bank loans because the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, had instructed banks not to grant credit facilities to them without her approval.
Some of the states have, however, adopted other strategies to shore up their revenue such as slashing the salaries and allowances of political office holders, if necessary and plugging loopholes in their revenue-generating drive.
The Kwara State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Tunji Moronfoye, confirmed to one of our correspondents that Okonjo-Iweala had, on three occasions, turned down the state government’s application seeking approval to borrow money from banks.

Army condemns four more soldiers to death

The General Military Court Martial set up by the authorities of the Nigerian Army to try some soldiers of the 111 Special Forces Battalion, Maiduguri, have again condemned four soldiers to death by firing squad.

Investigations revealed that the President of the Court, Brig.- Gen Musa Yusuf, found the four soldiers guilty of conspiracy to commit mutiny and thus sentenced them to death.

It was learnt that the court condemned the four soldiers to death on December 24, 2014.

The GCM had earlier convicted 54 of the 59 soldiers to death after finding them guilty of conspiracy to commit mutiny on December 17, 2014.

IBB as GEJ’s ‘fada,’ and the long goodbye

The Nigerian section of social media is horrified by President Goodluck Jonathan’s comment that Dec. 28 was the New Year. This gem dropped while Uncle Lucky was speaking with journalists following his visit to former President Ibrahim Babangida in Minna on Sunday. To me, this is not a big deal because in a round world (not flat, as Thomas Friedman claims), Dec. 28 could have been January 1 somewhere though it was just Tuesday morning in India – which is how far I mapped the time zone. There is always outer space to consider!

The President also said IBB is his “fada.” My response? “No Sir, you are no son of IBB’s!” A man “fada-ed” by IBB would have known better than to claim him so publicly 45 days to a critical election in which he seeks a mandate for four more years. If he wins, President Jonathan will tie with General Yakubu Gowon as the longest serving head of state in Nigeria, longer than IBB!

Pastor Chris Okotie Shows Off His Phantom Rolls Royce Worth N80 Mllion

The name, Pastor Chris Okotie, is a household name in Nigeria being the Pastor of the Household of God Church International Ministries. The 56-year-old pastor has had a lot going for him as a pop music artiste in the 1980s and now as a preacher.
Okotie is a lover of good things and has often been criticised for flaunting his wealth.
To celebrate his 27 years as a pastor and 30 years as a born again Christian, Okotie acquired the 2014 edition of Rolls Royce Phantom in 2013. The car reportedly cost him N80m.

Photo News: How Father Films Daughters Playing With Burmese Python

A father from Detroit, Michigan has released a video of his baby daughter interacting with a 13-foot Burmese python, in a bid to dispel the snakes’ poor reputation.
Jamie Guarino, a professional snake handler, filmed his daughter Alyssa playing with the family’s pet python, Nay-Nay, at their home in Warren, a suburb of Detroit, when she was just 14-months-old. As the Daily Mail reports, he has made it a personal mission to educate people about snakes, attempting to dispel the perception that pythons and their ilk are dangerous.
“I was trying to show that snakes are not evil creatures, they can be a loving pet despite their bad reputation,” he said.

Chibok schoolgirls’ parents blast President Jonathan

Two-hundred and sixty-two days after their daughters were kidnapped from school, some of the distraught parents of the students of Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, on Thursday criticised President Goodluck Jonathan for not fulfilling his promise to rescue the girls from the custody of Boko Haram.
The abduction of the 219 girls from their hostel at night on April 14, 2014 has attracted global outrage and the President had promised several times that the girls would be rescued alive.
Nine of the abducted girls’ parents, during their meeting with the BringBackOurGirls group on Thursday in Abuja, carpeted the President for failing to bring back the schoolgirls.
The leader of the parents, Rev. Mark Enoch, accused the government of having a hand in the abduction of the girls, noting that the principal of the school in Chibok had, few hours before the abduction, locked the girls in their hostel and warned them not to leave.
Enoch explained that the relatives of the principal and the school matron were able to rescue their daughters

Step down for Buhari, Catholic priest tells Jonathan

Renowned Catholic Priest, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, has urged President Goodluck Jonathan to abandon his re-election bid so that the All Progressives Congress candidate, Maj.Gen Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) can emerge the winner of the presidential election next month.
Mbaka, who heads the popular Catholic Adoration Centre in Enugu, said this in his New Year sermon titled “From Good luck to Bad luck,” while addressing thousands of parishioners on Thursday.
He urged all well-meaning Nigerians to vote for Buhari on February 14.
According to the cleric, Jonathan has disappointed Nigerians and cannot deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.
Mbaka subsequently knelt down in front of the altar, cried and asked God to give Nigeria a good leader and not Jonathan. He used the opportunity to beg Nigerians to vote wisely in the forthcoming elections.
He said, “I love President Goodluck Jonathan and I used to be his ardent fan, but I want good for my people and that’s why I want Nigerians to vote out Goodluck Jonathan and vote General Muhammad Buhari. I don’t care if Buhari is a Muslim and from the North; all I care about is that Buhari can save Nigeria.”

PDP woos Atiku, Kwakwanso, others

The Peoples Democratic Party has said that it is wooing former members of the party, including former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and Kano State Governor, Alhaji Rabiu Kwakwanso, who defected to the All Progressives Congress to return to the party before the next general elections.

The PDP National Secretary, Prof. Wale Oladipo, who stated this on Friday at a press conference in Ile-Ife, said the party had begun moves to bring back the former members.

He said, “The PDP has begun moves to bring back some of our former chieftains who are now in the APC. The PDP reconciliation committee set up by the National Working Committee will meet with all former members for the purpose of bringing them back before the next general elections.”

Jega Cries Out:FG yet to approve N75bn INEC budget

Six weeks to this year’s general elections, the Federal Government has yet to appropriate the remaining N75bn out of the N120bn budgeted for the conduct of the poll by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
This, according to social commentators, lawyers, and other concerned stakeholders is already hampering the INEC’s preparations for the much awaited elections.
Ashiwaju.org gathered that INEC had estimated that it would need N120bn to prepare for the elections, but only N45bn was appropriated by the Budget Office of the Federation in 2014 budget, leaving a shortfall of N75bn.
The House of Representatives had recently raised concerns over the general elections, saying that adequate funding and security would determine the credibility of the polls.
The House Committee on Electoral Matters said it had resolved to summon the Chairman of INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega, to brief the lawmakers on the preparedness of the commission to conduct the poll.

Our New Year Hopes, Dreams Shall not Fall with Falling Oil Prices - Obiano

The Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano has assured Ndi Anambra that their hopes and dreams for a prosperous year shall not fall with the falling price of oil in the international market.

Delivering his New Year Message to the people titled “Stretching to a New Height of Excellence,” Governor Obiano observed that “the future of any society lies in its capacity to look beyond the darkness and doubts of today and see a glimmer of hope in the shadows of tomorrow.”

According to him, though many experts have predicted a tough year for Nigeria in the face of plummeting oil prices, such forecasts would never dampen the aspirations of Ndi Anambra adding that “with our enormous human and material resources, we shall not surrender our ambitions to dwindling oil prices in the international markets. We shall draw on history and our past accomplishments to stretch the scope of our vision and expand the boundaries of our possibilities.”

Obiano’s Wife Showers First Baby of the Year in Anambra with Gifts

The wife of the governor of Anambra State Chief (Mrs.) Ebelechukwu Obiano has described the birth of the first baby girl in Anambra State in the New Year as a good omen for the people of the state.

Chief Mrs Obiano who showered the new born who was delivered at 12am on New Year’s Eve with assorted gifts also observed that women bear good tidings which according to her are an indication of a positive outlook for the state and the people in the New Year.  Mrs. Obiano made the observation when she visited the new born on January 1, 2015 at Basic Health Centre, Court Road Onitsha, Anambra State.

Jonathan To Inaugurate Campaign Team

President Goodluck Jonathan will inaugurate his campaign team on Monday in Abuja, ahead of the February 14 election.
A release by the Special Adviser on Political Matters to the President, Rufai Alkali, a professor, on Thursday said the inauguration will take place at the Peoples Democratic Party [PDP] presidential campaign office at Legacy House, in the Maitama District of Abuja by 2p.m.
According to the release, the Chairman of the Board of trustees of the PDP, Tony Anenih, has been appointed the national campaign adviser, while a former National Chairman of the PDP, Ahmadu Ali, will serve as the Director-General of the campaign organisation.
A former minister, Tunde Adeniran, will serve as deputy director general of the campaign’s head office, while the duo of Special Duties Minister, Kabiru Turaki and ex-Anambra governor, Peter Obi, will serve as Deputy Directors-General for north and south respectively.

End Of Year Prophecies By Ijabla Raymond

Every night on New Year's Eve day, Nigerian Christians throng to churches in their millions to pray and listen to prophecies that they believe will guide their lives in the new year. This has become a culture and a way of life. Needless to add that offerings and donation are almost always collected during these church services.
Almost every other Pentecostal church leader produces an end-of-year prophecy. Sometimes, the prophecies contradict one another, causing one to wonder how the same God can say contradictory things to different pastors and prophets.

Uduaghan emerges Silverbird's Man of the Year

The Governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, has emerged the Man of the Year of the Silverbird Group.
The emergence of Uduaghan was announced on January 1 by the Silver Bird Group.
Part of the consideration for his emergence was his sterling performance in health signposted by the free medical care for children and the elderly as well as the free maternal care for pregnant women.
There is also the micro-credit scheme where over 111,000 Deltans have been empowered to set up their own businesses.
According to press release issued by the Silverbird Group, owners of Silverbird Television and Rhythm FM, Uduaghan’s massive investment in infrastructure and his success at restoring and sustaining peace and security in the state won the admiration of Nigerians who voted for him.
The award was decided through popular vote open to all Nigerians and is the latest in the critical appraisal of Uduaghan’s administration by the media.
The award comes on the heels of others he won in the final weeks of 2014.
They were

Update: Oge Okoye snatched ex-husband from Nkiru Slyvanus

A few days ago, news broke that Nollywood actress, Nkiru Sylvanus, is allegdly  involved in husband snatching of her fellow nolltwood actress Oge Okoye that led to series of criticism in the media..
The reports further claimed that the pair had concluded plans to get married.
We reached out to the management of all the parties involved, but so far, none of them has responded to our inquiries
However, a family source from Nkiru’s camp who knew about the whole affair, shed some light on the story to Ashiwaju.org .
Our source, who pleaded anonymity  said: “It is funny how the media is blaming Nkiru when it is actually a complicated affair. Oge and Nkiru used to be close friends, they met Stanley at the same time in Enugu in 2006.  Nkiru and Stanley fell in love and Oge the back stabber, knew this yet somehow she sheepishly let Stanley impregnate her. Nkiru was hurt but she let go of the love of her life for a friend, she didn’t want her to be put to shame and mocked for having a child out of wedlock. So, Oge Okoye and Stanley Duru moved to Amsterdam and got married.”

California Woman Accuses President Jonathan’s Aide, Reno Omokri, Of "Wendell Simlin" Identity Theft

A California woman, Deborah Campbell, disclosed that she has reported President Goodluck Jonathan’s social media aide, Reno Omokri, for identity theft. Ms. Campbell alleged that Mr. Omokri used her son’s name to engage in forgery.
In telephone calls as well as emails to Ashiwaju.org Ms. Campbell said she was determined to clear her son’s name and get Mr. Omokri punished. She said she was appalled that Mr. Omokri used her son’s name, Wendell Simlin, to create a Facebook page. Ms. Campbell added that the president’s aide proceeded to use her son’s identity to create a fake document that sought to link Nigeria’s former Central Bank Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, to terrorism.

How FCT Police Recover 17 Stolen Cars, Return 14 To Owners

Seventeen stolen cars were recovered in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and 14 of them returned to their owners, in the past one month alone, the FCT police command said on Tuesday.
In a press briefing, Commissioner of Police Wilson Inalegwu recalled that upon assumption of duty three months ago, he assured residents of the FCT of the preparedness of the force to rid the city of criminal elements.  Efforts in that direction, he said, have yielded tremendous results, including the arrest of 24 persons for various offences.
Among the command’s successes, it also intercepted and recovered over 203 cattle from rustlers who operate from such neighboring states like Nasarawa, Niger and Kogi.

INEC RELEASES LIST OF THE CONTENDERS FOR ANAMBRA NATIONAL ASSEMBLY WITHOUT PDP CANDIDATES

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidates have started again to manipulate the system in Anambra state as the list for its senatorial candidates is missing at the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Awka. INEC released the list of Anambra State candidates for the February 2015 National Assembly polls, with Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidates. Political parties whose National



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2015: BUHARI FAILS TO SUBMIT ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS TO INEC

Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Alhaji Muhammadu Buhari, did not present his academic qualifications to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, even as he prepares for the 2015 presidential contest.Unlike his Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, counterpart, President Goodluck Jonathan, whose academic certificates were conspicously displayed by the



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BLAME BUHARI FOR LAGOS TRAFFIC – MINISTER

The Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, Jumoke Akinjide, says the people of Lagos State should blame the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Maj.Gen Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) for the heavy traffic motorists face every day.She said when Buhari was the Head of State between December 1983 and August 1985, he terminated the Lagos Metroline project initiated by



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My lesbian story— Yvonne Nelson

My interview with top Ghanaian actress – Yvonne Nelson-was a revelation in so many ways. Of the leading Nollywood stars, Yvonne is among those I had not had a close relationship with. I had watched her from afar, seen countless number of her movies and had always thought she was a great and talented actress – someone who combined poise, beauty and style. I had also heard of some unsavory things



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Tompolo picks running mate for gov candidate

Nigeria’s ex-warlord, Mr. Government Ekpemupolo, also known as Tompolo, is emerging the undisputed strongman of Delta State politics. He has further demonstrated his political influence, having virtually nominated the running mate to Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Delta state, various news reports said. Tompolo’s nominee is Kingsley Otuaro,



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Governor Mimiko’s Aide Assaults Female Worker At His Akure Office

Akin Akinbobola, an aide to Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State, may be in serious trouble after he allegedly assaulted one of his female workers, Funmilayo Alao-Kwabe in his office in Akure, the state capital.
Mr. Akinbobola, who is the chairman of the Ondo State Football Agency (ODSFA), was reportedly  gave Ms. Funmilayo a brutal beating after the two had a row over salary increment at the agency. The alleged victim heads a maintenance department at the agency.
Another source disclosed that the fight originated from the chairman’s sudden decision to increase junior employees’ salaries, adding that he then approved a N2000 increase for Ms. Funmilayo, increasing her salary to N42,000. The source, a staff of the agency, revealed that Ms. Funmilayo considered her pay increase too paltry. “She was infuriated and walked up to the agency chairman to demand an explanation. He got angry and began to beat her brutally,” the source said.