Wike is Afraid of Defeat in April 11 Governorship Polls

 Chief Nyesome Wike.

GUBER POLL: WIKE LOSES HOPE, SEEKS SOFT LANDING •ASKS RIVERS STATE PEOPLE TO VOTE OUT PDP AS HE TRADES OFF PDP NATIONAL ASSEMBLY CANDIDATES 
•Rivers APC lists benefits of voting for Peterside 
*Postpones and Turns the 10,000 PDP defectors rally slated for 10th April, 2015 to Victory Celebration

With defeat staring him in the face, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the April 11 governorship polls in Rivers State, Chief Nyesome Wike, has made overtures to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), seeking to negotiate his future after the expected victory of the APC candidate, Dr. Dakuku Peterside. Rivers APC Chairman, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, revealed in Port Harcourt on Thursday that Chief Wike had reached out to him through his running mate, Dr. (Mrs.) Ipalibo Banigo, making the following requests:

1. That APC should not go to the Election Tribunal over the National Assembly election of 28th March awarded to PDP candidates.

2. That Governor Chibuike Amaechi should prevail on the President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari, not to probe his activities as junior Minister of Education and that Dr. Peterside, upon assumption of office as governor, should not probe his office when he served as the Chief of Staff to Governor Amaechi.

3. That he be allowed to nominate three members of his Grassroot Democratic Initiative (GDI) as Commissioners in the cabinet of Dr. Peterside.

To show the seriousness of Chief Nyesome Wike on this, he has asked the people of Rivers State to vote out all PDP candidates in the April 11 polls. The attached audio tape says it all.

Dr. Ikanya said in a statement that he was non-committal after being contacted by Dr. Banigo but rather advised that Chief Wike should bring up these issues after the election of April 11th as it is already too late to go into negotiation with regard to the polls.

Ikanya in the statement maintained that all the stolen National Assembly seats by PDP would be retrieved through the Election Tribunal as APC cannot allow illegal occupants to represent Rivers State in the National Assembly.

The Rivers APC Chairman advised the electorate to troop out on Saturday and vote for Dakuku Peterside. He said that apart from saving Rivers State from PDP-induced violence, occultism and worship of the devil, an APC victory in the governorship election would mean aligning the Rivers State Government and the entire State with the incoming APC-led Federal Government and to attract the following benefits to the State:

1. Urgent re-modeling and completion of the Port Harcourt International Airport Omagwa.
2. Reimbursement of over N100 Billion owed Rivers State by the Federal Government.

3. Further investments into and commencement of Train 7 of the NLNG project Bonny to create more employment opportunities for Rivers State indigenes.

4. Construction of the Bodo-Bomu-Bonny Road, completion of the East-West Road and the rehabilitation of Rivers State section of the Port Harcourt-Aba Road.
5. Return of the Soku oil wells and other oil wells to Rivers State.

Dr. Ikanya commended and congratulated former Governor of Rivers State, Chief Rufus Ada George, for advising people of the State to vote APC in order to align the State with the incoming APC Federal Government for the rapid development of the State.

“We pray and hope that the good people of Rivers State will adhere to this wise counsel and ensure that we don’t have a government in Rivers State that will antagonist against the APC Government at the centre. With PDP members joining APC in droves in order to salvage our nation, it is unthinkable that any right-thinking Rivers person should be contemplating wasting his vote on the doomed PDP and its candidates in the April 11 elections,” Ikanya stated.

For some strategic reasons, the rally slated to hold on 10th April, 2015 to accept the 10,000 PDP defectors will no longer hold. This is to avoid running fowl of the electoral laws that says that campaigns or rallies should not hold 24hours to the date of an election. The event will now take place after the election of April 11th at a date that will be used to celebrate the APC's victory as expected.
Long Live APC!

Long Live Rivers State!!

Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze,

SSA Media and Public Affairs to the State Chairman, APC Rivers State.

09 - 04 – 15

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Posted at 20:28 WAT Security Council Press Statement on Boko Haram Attacks against Civilians in North-East Nigeria and Chad

A history of Zaria Central Prison 1903-1967: This study is on the history of Zaria Central Prison from 1903 when it was established to 1967.

The author, Mal.Muhammadu Buhari, was a student of History at Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria. He obtained his B.A and M.A History from the above mentioned university. He is a member Historical Society of Nigeria (HSN).

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Oba Akiolu of Lagos Never Said Igbos Will Perish in the Lagoon

Oba Akiolu of Lagos said a different thing from the misinterpretation by ignorant mischievous trouble makers who don't understand English.
GEJIDIOTS deliberately misreporting it to anger and provoke Igbos and others in Lagos not to vote for Akinwunmi Ambode of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Well, Igbos are too intelligent to be fooled and misinformed.

The palace of the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, has issued a statement, clarifying the Oba’s statement when Igbo leaders in Lagos visited him on Sunday.
Read full statement below.

 THE PALACE MAKES FURTHER CLARIFICATION ON THE STATEMENT BY THE OBA OF LAGOS.

‎My attention has been drawn to a publication in a national newspaper where HRM Oba Riliwanu Akinolu was alleged to have threatened Igbos in Lagos to make them vote for Ambode.

Last Sunday, all honorary Eze Ndigbos in Lagos paid a courtesy call to HRM Oba Akinolu. At the meeting the visitors praised the Oba for his fatherly support for and cooperation with Igbos in. Lagos. They assured him of their continued good neighborliness with other tribes in Lagos and support everything that’ll further strengthen that harmony.

Oba Akiolu on his part acknowledged the enviable performance of Governor Fashola and his contribution to the growth of investments in Lagos. He gave the assurance that he is not disturbed or angry with South-East and South- South votes for President Jonathan as perceived by the Eze Ndigbos. The Obas thereafter called on the Igbos chiefs to show appreciation to Lagos State by supporting his candidate Mr. Ambode for continuity of excellence as they have earlier promised.
He assured them of his continued support‎ and assistance where needed and the meeting ended with the traditional breaking of kolas, alligator pepper, and bitter kola and pouring of libation on the ground. It was within this context that that the tradition of Lagos with regard to the lagoon came up. It was noted that whoever works against the throne and the interest and peaceful co-existence of Lagos would end up in the lagoon as per tradition.

2.Oba Akiolu stated further that the Igbo people have not betrayed the throne. Lagos has also not betrayed the Igbo people. Lagos has done so much to make the Igbos comfortable and to prosper. For this, we expect reciprocal respect and understanding. The Oba of Lagos prays that the Lagoon and the throne will continue to bless and protect all those who reside and visit Lagos.

3. Oba Akiolu is the father of all irrespective of tribe, religion or political persuasion. In Lagos, we have an old traditional proverb that relates to the Lagoon. The Lagoon is unique to Lagos. The proverb stresses the need for unity and understanding when you do business in an environment and in this case when you live and do business in Lagos.
Oba Akiolu prays for peace for the land of Lagos and prosperity for all its inhabitants.
Signed: Chief Lateef Aderibigbe Ajose, Opeluwa of Lagos
April 6, 2015


http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/180665-alleged-anti-igbo-comment-what-oba-akiolu-really-said-palace.html

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Revealing Text Messages I Received on the 2015 Presidential Election

These are very revealing text messages I received on the 2015 presidential election from March 28 –April1,, 2015.
They are from friends and associates in different states of Nigeria, including those who are close associates of President-Elect Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and outgoing incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). They are from my coming book "The Victory of Muhammadu Buhari and the Nigerian Dream:
My Testimony on the 2015 Presidential Election" to be released on May 29, 2015.

Chief Eze:
Congrats my broad fr bn part of history. Regs.
BD:
Sweet victory Chima. It is God’s work. He alone made Jona to concede defeat.
IE:
Okay. Cool. Still waiting for the final announcement.
BD:
God is amazing!
Chief Eze:
Thanks and congrats also.
ECE:
Places like Abia, Rivers, were rigged by PDP, d delay is for security to tightened in those areas.
APC won Kaduna, Katsina, Kano, Jigawa, the one of Kebbi & Niger not out yet.
BD:
Not yet announced, but Edo may go to PDP
****
I know he will win, but in politics, it is not over until it is over.
****
Looks like it.
RA:
Results announced so far 19 states, APC has won 10, PDP, 9 states. APC winning with over 2 million votes. Please, tell Mr. Hope
Chief Eze:
U are right.
Bekee:
Again, to God be all the glory.
Chief Eze:
Total Results in d 16 collated states by INEC- APC-7,926, 632 VOTES. PDP- 4, 426, 106. Diff-3, 500, 526 – APC LEADING WITH D DIFF-3,500, 526… (2)…, Pls, don’t take this result near Aso Rock until we send Dr. Sampson Parker to ensure that nobody suffers heart attack. I am just begging. Regs and thanks fr bn a true soldier of democracy.
God bless u fr me. Chf. Eze. C.
Bekee:
Sure! God is alive! To Him be all the glory!
BD:
Looks like it.
3.4 million
BD:
No wahala. I DEY.
RA:
Kaduna was won by APC, but Kebbi and Niger have not been announced and APC is leading by 4 million votes.
IE:
I think you should watch it. I’m going to sleep soon.
I have no idea. Kebbi has not been announced.
BD:
Not yet.
IE:
APC won Kaduna. Niger has not been announced.
BD:
Kaduna, APC. Niger not announced yet.
True. Tension dey Abuja.
BD:
Not official, sir.
BD:
I hope so o.
BD:
They stopped at 9 states and Abuja. To continue tonight.
IE:
Alright. Well, I’m watching NTA.
IE:
Seriously? You’re funny.
IE:
Are you watching it?
IE:
Results are being announced. Even, I am nervous for Nigeria.
BD:
So who go win?
BD:
Desperation.
IE:
I’m happy to hear they are alright. I’m sure the issues in Rivers will be sorted out.
IE:
Good morning. Have you been in tough with your family? Are they alright? I hear there is tension is some places. I hope you area is not affected?
FA:
My room mate, she is in PH now.
RN:
Hello Mike, I am not sure yet. We spoke yesterday, and he said they were still waiting. By tomorrow, we will all know the result.
IE:
Okay. Stay safe.
EE:
D question is how can brodas be killing oda pple to get power. D boys fighting are fools.
EE:
I am a GOODLUCK supporter. I don’t have a party yet, but if I will belong to one, it must be a Christian party. How are u doing my broad? PH is always like dat. Very stubborn pple.
BD:
Barbaric!
IFE:
Do you have proof? The side I live is safe and very safe. We voted and went home. Olaka is APC. I will call him and ask. I doubt sha.
BD:
Na wah o. In Imo and Rivers.
Who dey win o? Dem floor ur man for Villa. Fani Kayode English don change.
BD:
We dey monitor elections.
Chief Eze:
Links to d much publicized report of RS APC rejection of d INEC Polls in RS.- http://thenationonlineng.net/new/scores-of-apc-members-shot-arrested-in-rivers/
Chief Eze:
Read my release again.
IFE:
Or maybe he is lying.
Sandra Appiah:
Hi Michael. So sorry to hear what is going on. Is your family okay?
IFE:
Which ward?
BD:
I hope it won’t lead to something else.
IE:
Your family will be fine.
IE:
Be careful with these people.
BD:
Na wah!
Chief Eze:
Pls assist me. Check ur box for our reaction to the sham and charade of an election held in RS today and act accordingly. The release is titled, ‘BREAKING NEWS-SCORES OF APC MEMBERS SHOT DEAD IN RIVERS, 100 MEMBERS ARRESTED*Party cries out over intimidation and disenfranchisement. *Rejects the outcome of the elections”., Regs. Chf. Eze. C.
Chief Eze:
Governor of Rivers State, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has just returned from his polling unit in Ubima (ward 8, unit 14) without being accredited. INEC officials there claimed that they did not have the result sheet for the unit.
The Governor said he could not subject himself to accreditation when the required election materials meant for his unit cannot be accounted for by INEC officials.
Chief Eze:
HE SIR, OLAKA NWOGU CAME TO MY WARD WT LOADS OF SOLDIERS TO FORCE US TO START ACCREDITATION & VOTING WITHOUT RESULT SHEET AND OTHER MATERIALS. AS MY PEOPLE RESISTED, OLAKA ORDERED THE ARMY TO SHOOT AT US. ONE OF OUR YOUNG BOY MR. CHRIS, WAS KILLED EXECUTION STYLE. THE DPO ELEME WAS INFORMED. HE CAME AND VIEWD THE BODY & LEFT WITHOUT A WORD. WE HAVE STOPPED ALL
THEIR INTENED FRAUD HERE. BUT THEY COULD BE WRITING THEIR FAKE RESULT NOW. PLS. HELP US.L.
16:56:59.
28-03-2015.
IE:
Okay. Stay safe.
IE:
How’s it going over there?
 


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Foreign Minister Steinmeier on the Elections in Nigeria

BERLIN, 01 April 2015 / PRN Africa / -- Foreign Minister Steinmeier issued the following statement today (1 April) on the elections in Nigeria:
Zusatzinformationen

Since last night, it has been clear that General Muhammadu Buhari is the winner of the presidential election in Nigeria. In this poll, Nigerians have sent a signal that could have an impact on the region and on Africa as a whole. For the first time in Nigeria's history, the electorate has voted against the incumbent president and brought about a change of government democratically.

I congratulate Muhammadu Buhari on his election. The Nigerian electorate has given him a clear mandate, which must now be fulfilled. Buhari and Jonathan have already urged their followers to follow due process in disputes over the election results. I support this call. In view of the great challenges faced by Nigeria, all those involved must now focus on ensuring there is an orderly transition of power. By conceding defeat at an early stage, Jonathan has taken an important step in safeguarding the handover of power.

SOURCE Federal Foreign Office, Federal Republic of Germany


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In Phone Call, UN Chief Congratulates Nigeria's President-elect Buhari

NEW YORK, 01 April 2015 / PRN Africa / -- Taking note of the results of the Nigerian presidential and parliamentary elections announced yesterday, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called President-elect Muhammadu Buhari to congratulate him, and called on all Nigerians to accept the outcome of the elections.


“The Secretary-General talked to President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and Major General (Rtd) Muhammadu Buhari. He congratulated President-elect Buhari and commended President Jonathan for his leadership throughout the electoral process and his statesmanship in upholding the democratic process,” said a note released by Mr. Ban's spokesman's office in New York.


“The Secretary-General believes the successful conduct of these polls is a testament to the maturity of Nigeria's democracy,” the statement added.


Mr. Ban also thanked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for organizing and carrying out the elections in a professional manner under challenging circumstances. He also appealed to the Nigerian people to address any complaints they may have through existing legal and constitutional channels.
The UN chief also said that he hoped the same democratic spirit will prevail in the conduct of the Governorship and State House of Assembly elections on 11 April.


“We must also reflect on some of the possible root causes of this insurgency,” continued Mr. Zeid, strongly encouraging a concerted effort to redress the imbalances so evident in Nigeria's eastern region, with particular efforts in the territory that has fortunately been recovered from Boko Haram's grasp.
“In this regard, I welcome Nigeria's recent Presidential Initiative for the Northeast, which aims to address longstanding social and economic issues, and to create the context necessary for sustainable recovery and economic development,” he said.


SOURCE UN News Centre


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The Greatest Achievement of President Goodluck Jonathan - Free Speech

The Greatest Achievement of President Goodluck Jonathan - Freedom of Speech

Many people may not agree, but the real greatest achievement of out-going President Goodluck Jonathan is the freedom of speech given to Nigerians to express themselves openly online and offline without government censorship and restriction.

Nigerians have never been so free to express their opinions and thoughts as they have been under the watch of President Jonathan. But his minister of information did not even know this fact, because of intellectual ignorance of the huge impact free speech can make on the collective psyche of the people and how to use it effectively for mass communication and mass literacy of majority of Nigerians for national orientation and national development. Majority of the ministers and advisers of the President have been more interested in using their offices for selfish gratifications and enriching themselves and their cronies instead of being honest and transparent, because they deliberately did not want the people to know the immense benefits of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act signed into law on May 28, 2011; an Act that gives every Nigerian a legal right of access to information, records, and documents held by government bodies and private bodies carrying out public functions. (http://foicoalition.org/foi_bill/)
Majority of Nigerians are clueless about the FOI.

Freedom of Speech is fundamental to the survival and welfare of human civilization, because it breaks all barriers to public enlightenment which is pivotal to the advancement of humankind, as defined in Articles 18 and 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on December 10, 1948 at the Palais de Chaillot, Paris, France.

Article 18.

Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.


Article 19.

Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.

http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/#atop

Nigerians unleashed their thoughts on the most popular social network sites all over the internet, using the social media to address every matter affecting them and to express the issues in public information. 

The freedom of speech has been the greatest weapon of the Change mantra of the opposition which ignited the conscience of the populace in the 2015 general elections and boosted the public knowledge of almost everything positive and negative about President Jonathan which the presidential campaign of his main opposer Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd), the presidential flag bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC) used effectively to sway public opinion to their advantage and succeeded in taking the wind out of sails of the incumbent President and his campaigners got drowned in the deluge of free speech on the internet. And by the time he realized it, his presidential campaign ship was already sinking.

The president elect Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd) must not stop the liberties of the freedom of speech. But also use the media of free speech to communicate and connect with the citizens who now know that the government can no longer fool them. They demand popular democracy in honesty and transparency without censorship of public opinion. It is freedom of speech that won him the mandate of the electorate and he must promote this fundamental human right of Nigerians and thanks to President Goodluck Jonathan for making it all possible.

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Change is Here for Nigeria - Buhari/Osinbajo Campaign office Lagos

Change is Here for Nigeria - Buhari/Osinbajo Campaign office Lagos

LAGOS, Nigeria, April 2, 2015/ -- The spontaneous outpouring of emotions and celebrations that characterized the pronouncement of Muhammedu Buhari as the President-elect of Nigeria in major cities and towns across the country was clear evidence that the people wanted change.
The campaign theme of the Buhari-Osinbajo ticket resonated clearly amongst a nation that successfully transitioned from the erstwhile Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which had ruled Nigeria since 1999 to the All Progressives Party (APC) by a clear majority of almost 3 Million Votes.

More importantly, it also marked the first time that the world’s most populous black country would unseat an incumbent president. Furthermore, it is the first time the so called progressives in the country will take control of the federal government.

While the euphoria is clearly palpable within the citizens, the prognosis for the country is actually dim. Insecurity had become rife – the kidnapping of 276 girls by the terrorist group Boko Haram has entered its 10th Month, and the economy is in doldrums, characterized by the freefall of the Naira in the past months. News of Buhari’s election put the Naira in a rebound and the stocks gained almost 6.5% to wipe out months of decline.

So what exactly is Buhari promising? As a former ruler, he was known for his intransigent stand on Corruption – a bane in Nigerian society; and that was a banner issue for him during the campaign. As Buhari said, “If we don’t kill corruption, corruption will kill us”; many expect the new government to thus put a halt to the culture of graft and public funds looting that has created a gulf between the super wealthy and the very poor.

Despite Nigeria’s Oil riches, the country still suffers from abject poverty – Nigeria is home to about 110 million poor - which makes the country home to the largest number of poor people in Africa!. Buhari has pledged to tackle poverty by creating jobs and setting up social welfare schemes that cater to the poorest Nigerians.

One of these schemes is a Conditional Cash Transfer that pays between N5000 – N7500 monthly to 25 Million of the poorest Nigerians as long as they send their children to school and get them immunized. This program will be phased over the four year the sure of the administration.

Another program is to provide a free meal a day to children in all public primary schools in the country. This program is expected to:

- Reduce the number of out of school children in Nigeria ( the highest in the world) which currently stands at about 10.3 million.

- Improve the academic performances of the students as the will now be guaranteed at least one balanced diet a day.

- Stimulate the agricultural industry due to the massive demand this program will have on the sector.

They also intend to institute a National Health Insurance Scheme that will make basic health care services available to the people. To partake in the scheme NIGERIANS will be expected to pay between $3-$5 as yearly contribution.

Buhari’s running mate and Vice President-elect Yemi Osinbajo is a Professor of Law who has served as Attorney General in Nigeria’s commercial capital – Lagos State. Many are thus encouraged that the Rule of Law will take centre stage in a country where the rich can flout it with impunity. His antecedents suggests that this tandem are equipped with the capacity and political will to begin to right the ship that is Nigeria and effect the necessary stimulus that will bring Nigerian reality closer to the potential she doubtless promises.

If that happens, there’ll be more dancing in the streets. Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of the Buhari/Osinbajo Campaign office Lagos.  


Media Contact:
(Mr) Obafela Bank-Olemoh
Media aid for Buhari/Osinbajo Campaign office Lagos
bank_olemoh@yahoo.com

 SOURCE Buhari/Osinbajo Campaign office Lagos


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"Thank You, Nigeria's Youths" - A Message from GMB

"Thank You, Nigeria's Youths" - A Message from GMB

Today, more than 54 years after we got our independence and 16 years since our return to democracy, the walk to true change has started.

We have toiled, sweated and worked hard for this victory. We refused to give up because the work of building the Nigeria of our dreams is not to be taken for granted. It is out of our love for this country and the belief in what it can be that we went across the length and breadth of Nigeria and sacrificed so much for this victory.

I want to thank young Nigerians especially for this victory. You have been with us from the very beginning. Many of you left your jobs to work for the campaign, contributed your money and your time, volunteered in your areas and brought the innovation and energy that comes with youthfulness to bear on the outcome.

This is your victory.

You have chosen to vote for a Nigeria that sees you as not a Northerner or a Southerner, not as a Christian or a Muslim but as a Nigerian. You have chosen to vote for a departure from a nation that was decaying, that did not give you hope and pride.

You have chosen to vote for change and we promise you that we will not be disappointed. We know that your hopes are high: a country that is safe and peaceful, a country that is without corruption, a country that produces jobs for you, a country that gives you the environment for your business to thrive.

I promise you that the APC government led by me will deliver these to you. We will ensure that we meet and exceed your aspirations.

This government is your government and every decision we shall take shall be to give you a positive future.

We shall also run a country that will listen to you, engage with you and take corrections from you. This is because the task of building the Nigeria of our dreams cannot be done by us alone. We need you too.

We need you to support us and we also need you to admonish us when we make missteps. This shall be a government for all Nigerians and we shall listen to everyone.

We thank you once again for your support and we look forward to a great future together.

God bless you and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

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Gen. Olúsẹ́gun Ọbásanjọ́ (retd), Boss of All Bosses of Nigerian Politics

Chief Olúsẹ́gun Mathew Okikiọla Arẹmu Ọbásanjọ́, GCFR, is the most highly respected Nigerian leader in the world today and author of more than 28 books and whether you like it or not, he is the boss of all bosses of contemporary Nigerian politics since Nigeria's return to democratic rule in 1999.
I prefer to call him General Olúsẹ́gun Ọbásanjọ́ (retd).
He is the first Nigerian military head of state to become a civilian President of Nigeria.

One of the worst political mistakes of out-going President Goodluck Jonathan is to disrespect Gen. Ọbásanjọ́ and breaking the first rule of the 48 Laws of Power: "Never Outshine the Master."

The 48 Laws of Power

by Robert Greene and Joost Elffers

Law 1

Never Outshine the Master

Always make those above you feel comfortably superior. In your desire to please or impress them, do not go too far in displaying your talents or you might accomplish the opposite – inspire fear and insecurity. Make your masters appear more brilliant than they are and you will attain the heights of power.

General Olúsẹ́gun Ọbásanjọ́ (retd) is currently the indisputable political father and leader of the Yorùbá people. His approval and support of any politician goes a long way in influencing his people to follow his command. Losing his support and vote cost President Goodluck Jonathan millions of votes in the south west region of Nigeria.

Ọbásanjọ́ has more national political influence than any other politician in Nigeria since his heroic exploits in the Nigerian civil war chronicled in his best selling war memoir "My Command" published by the Heinemann African Writers Series (AWS) that confirmed him as a national hero and endeared himself to the northern political leadership as the right hand man and second in command to General Murtala Ramat Muhammed (November 8, 1938–February 13, 1976) whom he succeeded to become the first Yoruba head of state in 1976 until he handed over to Alhaji Shehu Shagari in 1979.

Then Ọbásanjọ́ also won the hearts of millions of Igbos with his best selling book "Nzegwu", on Major Patrick Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu, (1937–1967), the daring revolutionary soldier and when he appointed Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to head the Ministry of Finance; Charles Chukwuma Soludo to head Central Bank of Nigeria; Mrs. Ndidi Okereke-Onyuike as Director-General of the Nigerian Stock Exchange and Bright Okogu as the Director-General of the Budget Office. He appointed Fabian Osuji, Chinwe Obaji and Obiageli Ezekwesili in succession as the Minister of Education, and the late great Amazon Dora Akunyili as the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). Finally, Ọbásanjọ́ "broke a taboo by appointing Ambassador Thomas "Tom" Aguiyi-Ironsi (the son of Nigeria’s first military head of state, Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi) as Minister of Defence and "made history by appointing Air Marshal Paul Dike as Nigeria’s first Igbo service chief in 2006 when he appointed Dike as the Chief of Air Staff.". Lest we forget, the prominent Igbo Ambassador and former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chief Ojo Maduekwe is still one of his closest political allies.

For a detailed account of his local and global influence, see "The Three Categories of Those Attacking Chief Olusegun Obasanjo" published on Tuesday, February 17, 2015
http://www.nigeriansreport.com/search?q=Olusegun+Obasanjo

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The Universal Lesson of the Success and Victory of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari

Never give up your dream and pursuit of success and victory no matter what your detractors and enemies say to discourage and pull you down

No matter what they throw at you, don't give up.
And you can still make it and succeed no matter your age and the challenge of those opposed to your dream.
In truth, the only lucky breaks you can count on are the ones you create.
The only real luck you have is you.
~Julien Smith, Co-founder and CEO, @Breather. NYT bestselling author. Also the lovechild of Tony Hawk and Topher Grace. http://breather.com — http://juliensmith.com

Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd), the President-elect for the Federal Republic of Nigeria is the most charismatic and ironically also the most maligned presidential candidate in the political history of Nigeria since independence.

He has been vilified as much as he has been lionized by his detractors and agitator in the 2015 presidential campaign for the highest political office in Nigeria; with sponsors and supporters of the incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan saying the worst things that could be said to character-assassinate and defame any political aspirant and even wishing him dead. But he endured all their unscrupulous and ignominious attacks and insults to discourage and humiliate him so that he would give up his dream of becoming a democratically elected President of Nigeria.

Ironically, majority of his detractors are millions of Nigerians claiming to be "Christians", but have disregarded the words of God and turned to mockers and scoffers of His words on faith and hope. They cursed and swore at him for being too old to pursue his ambition to lead the nation; they queried his academic and professional credentials and conjured ghosts of his past as a military dictator with terrible TV documentaries and adverts in their unchristian and ungodly hate campaign against his legitimate presidential ambition. But his followers and supporters defended him and stood by him from the beginning to the end. And in spite of all the hate campaigns of calumny against Buhari, he attracted majority of the youths who were not even born when he was the military head of state of Nigeria from 31st of December, 1983 to 27th of August, 1985, All the atrocities they accused him of committing failed to make them hate him and instead showed him as a brave and daring national leader whose intolerance of corruption and indiscipline made him their hero and they formed the vanguard of his mission and vision of Change for the nation building of a New Nigeria in the leadership of Africa.

The fact that he contested and failed thrice for the office of President in the 2003, 2007 and 2011 elections and yet is not afraid of contesting for the fourth time is a universal lesson in dogged determination and endurance in the pursuit of success in life and turned him into a role model for millions of Nigerian youths in search of heroes among their leaders who have failed to show them exemplary leadership.

Leadership is best by example and not by lip service without sacrifice. And they saw in the indefatigable character and pragmatic actions of Buhari, the national leader they need for such a time as this tortuous period of vicissitudes in the chequered sociopolitical history of Nigeria and desirous of a solution to the precarious lives of millions of hopeless and jobless youths who need a government that will secure their future in the turbulent 21st century. A solution that the incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan and his ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have failed to give them since May 29, 1999. And they want a change of luck. And what they need most to succeed in the world is not luck, but dogged determination and faith. Because, the size of your faith is the size of your strength.
Your faith is the spirit of your soul.

The inspiration for your motivation that propels your ambition to success and victory.



This is the lesson in the success and victory of Gen. Muhammad Buhari (retd), the "Never Say Die" presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who has just made history by succeeding in his fouth attempt in the presidential contest for the highest political office in the biggest and largest democracy in Africa.


~ By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima,
Publisher/Editor
Nigerians Report Online

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