Clay Richie

It would be inappropriate for President Goodluck Jonathan- if re-elected- to reappoint the current Nigerian minister of petroleum. The Chief Justice of Nigeria’s Supreme Court will swear in a newly elected president of the country on May 29, 2015.

 Military forces in Chad, Niger and Cameroon have continued their onslaught against Boko Haram, reclaiming more Nigerian territories from them. It was gathered yesterday night that Chadian forces cleared the insurgents from Gamboru-Ngala to the north-eastern part of Borno State while men of the Nigerien military overwhelmed the insurgents and chased them out of Malamfatori to the north. Cameroonian forces also cleared Kirawa and Ashigashiya in the eastern flank of the state.

The Oba of Lagos Alhaji Ridwan Osulale Akiolu Friday warned the newly posted Assistant Inspector of Police to the Lagos Zone, Joseph Mbu, to desist from any attempt to intimidate the people of Lagos, as he earlier did in Rivers State. The traditional ruler who urged people of Lagos to cooperate with security agencies, warned Mbu, saying that “nobody can intimidate us. Let it be clear that Lagos is not Port Harcourt.”

Fellow Nigerians, let me confess that I have a soft spot for men of God, especially Pastors. The reason can’t be difficult to fathom. I’m not just a Christian; I had the great privilege of being born by my heavily spiritual mum and dad in an Aladura church in Ile-Ife. That was in the good old days when men and women truly served God and prayed more than a praying mantis. We never doubted the efficacy of prayers or the supremacy of the almighty. We lived side by side with Muslims, animists, atheists and sometimes worshipped with them or indeed, practised whatever we chose to practice. That was your own business.

 Is it truly the fault of Buhari that so many things have gone wrong leaving Nigeria in a state of stinking mess? Let’s do a count. Buhari attempted to smuggle Umaru Dikko from the UK to Nigeria that is why our exchange rate has fallen to N213 to $1. Buhari is old that is why GEJ’s government stole $40Billion of our oil revenue and N1trillion through a petroleum subsidy scam, in just a year! We do not know how much they have stolen in total as of today. They also stole over N40Billion pensions fund, over N800Billion SURE-P funds…the list goes on and on. All because Buhari is old. If Buhari were young, America would know because it is their money.

President Good luck Jonathan was chosen as the Vice Presidential running mate of late President Umaru Musa Yaradua in the 2007 presidential election mainly because he is from Bayelsa State in the South/South Region in accordance with the Zoning Policy of his Party –Peoples Democratic Party.

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has been a lucky man all his life. This is an undisputed fact. Any doubting Thomas only has to look at how he has been elevated from one political level to the other to get to the most coveted political position in the country.

Barring any change in their plan, the Nigerian presidency and the Peoples Democratic Party [PDP] will any moment from now begin to instigate protests against the Independent National Electoral Commission [INEC] as a way of forcing the commission to postpone the February 14 and 28 general elections.

Former Minister of Defence, Theophilus Danjuma, has demanded the immediate arrest of some former Niger Delta militants for threatening to plunge the country into war if President Goodluck Jonathan is not re-elected in the February 14 election.

While campaigning for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential ticket sometime late last year, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar came up with what I considered the most fundamental statement I have heard from any Nigerian politician on how to redirect our economy and put public finance on a path of sustainability. He pledged that if elected president, his medium-term (a four-year period) strategy would be to ensure that recurrent expenditure is financed fully with non-oil revenue while every kobo earned as oil revenue is devoted to investment in infrastructure, security, education and health.

Professor Soludo’s article on the elections in Nigeria is the best writing I have read recently on the real situation politically and economically in Nigeria. The well-articulated response from Dr. Fayemi compared to the abuse infused response from Femi Fani-Kayode on the PDP side is a great example of the contrast of the status-quo compared to the alternative.

I have just passed through the Adokiye Amiesiemaka stadium newly constructed by the Rivers State government in the new Port Harcourt City. It has been taken over by gun-toting and combat ready military men after the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial candidate in the state, Chief Ezebunwo Nyesom Wike, led some thugs and forcefully broke into it. I am in shock that such a thing can happen in a democracy.

The governorship candidate of All Progressives Grand Alliance in Nasarawa State, Labaran Maku, has hit back at Senate President, David Mark, and a former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party [PDP], Ahmadu Ali, for accusing him of betraying the party.

My understanding of the Nigerian way of life, is certainly based on my self- propounded theory of “The Rich Spared, and the Poor Sanctioned”. Although, I realised that GEJ is on the haves part of this theory, hence reason for him to perceive the second part of the theory as meaningless. Thus, GEJ have made Nigerians to believe that he does not go after the Rich, because most whom their wealth is all gotten by ‘Stealing’ from the Poor, which does not count in his understanding of criminal offence in a sane state like Nigeria. Even though under his tutelage, GEJ does not see the country Nigeria as a sane state.

President Goodluck Jonathan has said that he remains committed to the May 29 handover day even as he kept mum on calls by top officials of his government to postpone the election already slated for February 14 and 28. The president gave the assurance today in discussions he held with US Secretary of state, John Kerry in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.

The Boko Haram insurgents group on Saturday launched three daring attacks in Maiduguri, Konduga and Monguno with a bid to capturing the capital city of Borno. They were however engaged by the Nigeria troops in a fierce fight which lasted into the morning of Sunday, several hours after they launched their attacks.

I need to preface this article with a few clarifications. I have taken a long sabbatical leave from partisan politics, and it is real fun watching the drama from the balcony.  Having had my own share of public service (I do not need a job from government), I now devote my time and energy in pursuit of other passions, especially abroad. A few days ago, I read an article in Thisday entitled “Where is Charles Soludo?”, and my answer is that I am still there, only that I have been too busy with extensive international travels to participate in or comment on our national politics and economy.

"The climax of every tragedy lies in the deafness of its heroes.” (VANGUARD BOOK OF QUOTATIONS p90). Nothing is more pathetic that when a contestant, out of hubris, and refusal to listen to all sides, loses a contest he should have won easily. President Goodluck Jonathan had just handed over Akwa Ibom State to the All Progressive Congress – on a silver platter.

As quoted in PremiumTimes, Asari Dokubo said “We are going to war. Everyone of you should go and fortify yourself.” In a meeting of terrorists and associates held in Yenagoa Saturday, the enemy of the state and other desperate folk, threatened Nigeria that if their premiere didn’t win the February 14 th  presidential elections, they will go to war.

 All Progressives Congress presidential candidate Muhammadu Buhari has again called on security agencies to arrest and prosecute those involved in election violence. “I again call on security agencies to promptly arrest and prosecute all those found guilty of violence in any form. This is an urgent duty,” Buhari said Saturday in his Twitter handle (@ThisIsBuhari).

 The deadly attack launched by the Boko Haram insurgents group in a bid to take over the city of Maiduguri has led to the death of several soldiers, just as the town of Munguno in the state has been taken over by the sect. The insurgents in a bid to capture Maiduguri launched coordinated attacks from various fronts, icluding Konduga, a town located 35 kilometres from the state capital.

To be honest, I don’t know whether to rejoice or sympathise with Gen. Muhammadu Buhari anytime I read all the sweet comments about him on social media — especially on Twitter.  I don’t know any presidential candidate who has been so idolised in recent times — which is an excellent accolade any politician will gladly take. On the one hand, it is good for him. He will not be complaining at all. No politician will complain about such good fortune, especially with only a few weeks to an election. On the other hand, my God! The expectations are sky-high. Incredible. From what I am reading, Buhari is expected to perform nothing short of magic in Aso Rock if he wins the presidential election.

Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki said to the Uk in a lecture at the Chatham house: On ceasefire with Boko Haram Not too long ago, government came up with a statement that we are entering into a ceasefire with Boko Haram. That came up about because two letters were written to the Chadian president by people who are supposed to be Boko Haram leaders and Chad, we believe, has some links with the leadership.

Prominent Niger Delta militants have vowed to ensure that President Goodluck Jonathan wins the February 14 presidential election. The meeting was called by Seriake Dickson, governor of Bayelsa state, with ex-militants in the Niger Delta region, as part of measures to ensure the success of President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election bid.

“Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come…”       -  1 CORINTHIANS 10: 11 Fellow Nigerians, now more than ever, I believe History must be taught in our schools. Every time I watch and observe our politicians, I come to the conclusion that we’ve learnt nothing tangible from the terrible mistakes of our tragedy-prone past. And it makes me ponder over that profound Yoruba proverb: if it takes us 20 years to prepare for madness, when are we going to go stark raven mad? It is a very important poser to contemplate.

United States Of America Secretary, John Kerry will travel to Lagos, Nigeria, on January 25 to emphasize the importance of ensuring the upcoming elections are peaceful, non-violent, and credible.

 President Goodluck Jonathan, on Saturday continued his 2015 re-election campaign with a visit to Maiduguri, Borno State, the hotbed of the Boko Haram insurgents group. During his stay in Maiduguri, residents of the town were barely allowed to move on major streets for what was described as security reasons.

I wonder how my friend, Abba Risqua Mohammed, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial running mate in Kano State, would have felt on Monday to see his late father and national hero, General Murtala Mohammed being denigrated on the front page of a national newspaper. It is all the more galling that such stupidity was sponsored by a governor within his own party who is promoting President Goodluck Jonathan. Unfortunately, while a person like Ayo Fayose may lack the capacity to appreciate the danger inherent in such recklessness, nobody in government has had the presence of mind to distance President Jonathan from the advertorial that is hate speech writ large.

‘On May 29, after Buhari’s assumption of office as President, all the borders are going to be shut so none of these corrupt men can escape.’ This was one of the opinions a Buharist shared on social media. I do not share his optimism and black-and-white perspective, but I will vote for General Muhammadu Buhari on February 14.

Contrary to the claims by the nation’s National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), that over 30 million Permanent Voters Cards (PVC), were yet to be collected, thus calling for the shift of the February elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has declared that there was no operational reason, including the concerns over the distribution of the PVCs, to postpone next month’s general election.

President Goodluck Jonathan’s bid to seek the support of Bauchi people ahead of the  February 14th Presidential election turned bloody yesterday. Six operatives of the Department of State Security, DSS, were hospitalized after sustaining varying degrees of injuries from the fracas that ensued after the rally.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has again demanded for the removal of President Goodluck Jonathan to allow for a peaceful handover to the opposition APC presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari. He stated this in a statement issued on his tweeter handle in which he insisted that Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose is a certified bastard.

Today in the front pages of the Punch and the Sun Newspapers, Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State jettisoned all norms and decency associated with that exalted office and consequently put the whole of Nigeria in danger.

As president Obasanjo reveals that President  Goodluck Joanthan never completed his thesis and is not a “Doctor,”  with his claims of being one being subject to perjury, a few hours after Government College Katsina released APC presidential candidate Muhammadu Buhari’s WASC certificate and result, some Nigerians are calling for President Jonathan to present his doctorate thesis which he obtained from the University of Port Harcourt.Below are some of the tweets by Nigerians:

The Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, has shut down the 35350 SMS platform for raising fund for the General Muhammed Buhari presidential campaign. The platform was one of the five launched in Lagos on Tuesday, but the Director, Buhari-Osinbajo Fund Raising Campaign and Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola told a news conference on Thursday at the State House, Marina, Lagos, southwest Nigeria, that President Goodluck Jonathan has become so desperate that he is using the NCC to haunt the opposition party.

“Aba ma ndi Aba (Aba knows its own people)”, the cheering crowd yelled as Alex Otti waltzed through Ariaria market; a characteristic smile playing on the corner of his lips. “Alex Otti Ka anyi ma (Alex Otti is the one we know)”, a sea of locals chanted in Ohafia a few days later as the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate made a campaign stop in the community.

Government College, formerly Provincial Secondary School, Katsina, which Muhammadu Buhari, the All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential candidate, graduated from in 1961, has released Mr. Buhari’s secondary school certificate examination results.

The controversial leader of the Boko Haram terror group Abubakar Shekau on Tuesday released a video where he claimed responsibility for the massacre in Baga, Borno State. In the 36 minutes video, Shekau also declared that President Goodluck Jonathan and the presidential candidate of the Progressives Congress (APC) Muhammadu Buhari are infidels who cannot rule Nigeria.

 Youths including men and women numbering over 3,000 have given one week ultimatum to the Presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) to table his certificates before the Independent National Electoral Commission or they will go to court. They were led by the National Coordinator of Coalition of Nigerian Youth for Good Governance, Godwin Meliga and a female activist, Princess Amarachi Nlumanze.

Yesterday, the Minister of petroleum surprised Nigerians by announcing the reduction of pump fuel price from N97 to N87. The first thing I did was search for a document explaining the rationale behind the policy change, but I didn’t find any. Thought it was rather odd, given the significance of the change. Reminds me of when Gala reduced their meat by half without even announcing it. The Minister of Petroleum did cite reduction in crude oil price in the international market as the reason for the price cut.  This reduction in fuel price is well known as a subsidy – a word made famous to Nigerians on the 1st of January 2012.

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Peter Ayodele Fayose have reacted to certain negative comments that trailed the advertorial he caused to be published on the front pages of Punch and Sun newspapers of last Monday, saying that he has no apology over the advertorial as it contained facts. Fayose who stated this through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Idowu Adelusi in Ado Ekiti on Tuesday said that the truth can never be covered indefinitely, insisting that the All Progressive Congress (APC) Presidential Candidate, General Buhari was too old and sick to be president of this country.

The pricing template shows the landing cost, the ex-depot price, which is the price that products marketers are to pay for products they lift, and the expected open market price of petroleum products. The Executive Secretary of PPPRA, Farouk Ahmed, said on Monday that based on the landing cost of N74.35 per litre of PMS as at the close of business on Friday, January 16, 2014, the addition of distribution margin of N15.49 per litre would translate to an open market price, or pump price of N89.84 per litre.

 All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate Muhammadu Buhari said he refused to be provoked into discussing President Jonathan’s family, health and religion because he’s preoccupied with issues affecting the country. Buhari said yesterday morning on his Twitter handle (@ThisIsBuhari) that he is worried by Jonathan’s desperation, anger and threats, adding that elections are not wars.

The merchants of death are advertising their trade.  The ravening wolves; gatherers of thorns and thistles. The corrupt trees that bring out evil fruit.  As it has been said, “A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.” [Mathew 7:15-28] We have given up on this tree that in the words of Femi Fani-Kayode is a “rotten carcass,” giving off “putrid scent.” *holds nose* Trees hewn down, cast into the fire.  By their fruits we knew them: a transformation from light to darkness; a transformation from life to death; a transformation from security to insecurity; the transformation to hunger, misery, global disgrace, poverty, injustice, pilfering, terror, cabal impunity, limitless corruption and what have you.

The All Progressives Congress (APC), has accused the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of committing more time and energy to “demonising” its presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), than it is putting into informing Nigerians about how it plans to address the problems confronting the country.

Let’s start with those who will not be voting in next month’s presidential election. There will be those who have no interest, who are distressed that in 2014 the choice Nigeria is faced with is between an underachieving President and a septuagenarian former military dictator. Then, there are those who would like to vote but cannot, because the Independent National Electoral Commission has made it impossible. Many have in recent weeks been on a frantic manhunt for their Permanent Voter Cards, and are already frustrated. Others are people like me who were not in the country during the last elections, hence never got the Temporary Voter Cards, and by implication, no PVCs. We will be hoping INEC opens one final registration window for us.

Why blame General Obasanjo (OBJ) for his book launch inspite of the fact that there was a court order restraining him from doing so. If Nigerians want to be truthful and thoughtful, those that attended the ceremony are to be blamed.      The reason is simple: those that attended the book launch knew quite well that Nigeria is supposedly a democratic society under the rule of laws. Instead of OBJ’s friends/relatives to carry him away from the street where he was dancing to the sound of music from a nearby store as a mad man, they all stood and watched him entertained the public as he has certainly developed dementia disorder. Furthermore, the attendants of OBJ party (book launch) knew that a reputable court of law had restrained OBJ, yet they encouraged him to prevaricate a court order with impunity. What an impetus for a man who recently occupied Aso Rock – Nigeria’s seat of power and would flagrantly disobey a court order in a society with a three arm of governance ...

Nigeria’s Minister of Petroleum Allison Madueke has announced the reduction in the Pump Price of Petrol from 97 to 87 Naira per liter.. Following the slide in oil prices the Federal government had been criticised for maintaing the initial 97 naira. Presidential Spokesman Dr Reuben Abati in a tweet said, “ Petroleum Minister Alison-Madueke announces a N10 reduction in pump price of petrol from N97 per litre to N87 per litre effective midnight “..

This is a season of hire-wired deceits, misinformation, campaign of calumny and spewing of outright falsehood and lies – all to hoodwink and deceive ordinary and gullible Nigerians for their votes. I am not worried about these antics of the politicians. It is their way. For them, their business is politics and their politics is business. No scruple. My real worry is that many Nigerians who are the elites can see through some of these outright falsehoods but have decided to sit on fence and keep an embarrassing silence. They forget that millions of ordinary Nigerians who are confused and hoodwinked by these falsehoods and who do not have access to facts depend on their voices and guidance to make their choices. This is, therefore, a message directed at those silent Nigerian elites who should speak up at this time. For me, I have decided that enough is enough. This is the time to speak up.

No one fights a war that was supposed to be engaged at the warfront from afar. However, a scholarly journalist with the THISDAY Newspapers, Mr. Olusegun Adeniyi was seemingly fighting such a war from afar, as he succinctly expressed in his article in the THISDAY edition of January 15, 2015, titled, “2015 Elections: A Time to Choose” in which he misdirected some issues as were affecting Abia State.