Clay Richie

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, and some governors in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, today walked out of the party’s convention held at the Eagles Square in Abuja.

It was a free for all fight between two groups loyal to the two candidates who both emerged from the parallel primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Anambra state, Dr Andy Uba and Mr Tony Nwoye.

Government agents from 74 countries sought information on about 38,000 Facebook users in the first half of this year, with about half the requests coming from the United States, the company said Tuesday.

Dateline – August 28, 1963. 50 years ago, Rev. Martin Luther King(MLK), Jr delivered the now famous “I have a dream” speech while addressing a gathering of about 250,000 black folks who had gathered at the National Mall in Washington to protest about jobs and wages. The history books and various reports tell us that King spent the night preparing his speech and the most famous part of the speech he gave on the day was not part of the prepared speech!

Nigerians woke up on Sunday 25 August, 2013 to learn of a stowaway teenage boy, Daniel Ohikhena, who flew with Arik’s flight W3 544 from Benin to Lagos, thinking the plane was US-bound! Daniel, probably, had fantasised of life in far away America, watched films where some movie stars in a feign show of bravado, stowaway precariously on fast moving cars and aircrafts , chose to be the hero in reality, difficult to tell if he was oblivious of the risk his bluster involved, how far a flight from Benin to US was, or how he planned to survive extreme weather conditions. Only the intrepid adolescent had the answers to these questions. As mother luck would have it, the flight was Lagos-bound.

Just as he was advised by the Taraba state House of Assembly, after confirming that he is not fit to rule the state, Taraba state governor, reports reaching Abusidiqu.com indicates that Governor Danbaba Suntai of Taraba state may have been flown abroad for further treatment.

There is an age-old Igbo wisdom concerning the managing of a rascally child’s internal injury; these people of yore thought of everything you know. The scenario is this: the playful, rascally child had gone and earned himself an internal injury and his mother (it’s always mothers of course bless them) would apply the hot water dabs. Since you are not exactly sure where lies the heart of the injury, mothers, (wise as spirits), would watch carefully and determine the sore spot by the reaction of the lad as they apply the hot towel. The saying therefore translates thus: you linger upon and dab harder where the child feels the most pain.

A whooping fifty million Dollar cash was allegedly found in the Uyo residence of the immediate past Secretary to the Government of Akwa Ibom State, Umana Okon Umana.

Do not run a campaign that would embarrass your mother – Byrd Robert C. As I ponder over the political situation of Delta State, I find it more complex because of its hydra headed problems and complication because even some of the masses voices have concluded in their minds to eat their share of the national pie. It is disturbing.

President Goodluck Jonathan said Friday in Abuja that although measures taken by his administration had resulted in a significant reduction in the occurrence of  terrorist attacks in the country, the federal government will keep on doing everything possible to further enhance security in all parts of the country.

Fani-Kayode had in his article, entitled: “Neither a tribalist nor a hater,” published in the social media and some segments of the national dailies, claimed to have met with Bianca when she was Miss Bianca Onoh at the Cambridge College and had “intimate” relationship with her together with two other Igbo ladies. Reacting to this, Bianca said  she had never met Fani-Kayode before, either at official or private level, not to talk of having an “intimate” relationship with him.

As often said, beside every successful man, there is a woman. It has just come to the fore that every successful politician has a woman of great influence who plays along with him. If it was the man’s spouse, it is considered better because courage and support are brood right from home. This is more so, considering the fact that no woman will watch her husband record a public and documented failure during his stay in office.

“That the members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) have been on strike for the past 8 weeks is no longer a news. Also, that our ideological, vision-oriented and peace-loving association, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), has been accused by some renegade, uninformed and anti-progressive elements of supporting federal government against the yearnings and aspirations of ASUU is no longer a News. The news we have for the entire Nigerians today is that it is time to fight as our peaceful approach to the ongoing industrial action is no longer golden and productive.”

The move by the lawmakers in the Taraba state House of Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against the governor of the state, Danbaba Suntai having certified him unfit to resume duties 10 months he was hospitalised has as result of the life threatening injuries he sustained in a plane crash last October, has forced the wife of the governor, Hajiya Hauwa Suntai to plead with the lawmakers not to impeach her ailing husband.

National Association of Nigerian students (NANS) is the mother of all Nigerian universities unionism which ought to be a body that fights for rights and privileges of students and to ensure that we have good Education system and sound academic environment alongside with ASUU and other student bodies. In those years when NANS was NANS there was unity among all Nigerian students with the spirits of oneness that comprises of young vibrant, energetic and student minded union. Wherever they call for assembly of students across the federation, they will match until they see the light of the day.

“My dream was a beautiful one: after graduation, I’d go home and alleviate the suffering of all those unfortunates who had been victimized like my father. In the event of war, I’d become a surgeon in the military; and in any case, I would strengthen my countrymen’s faith in modernization.” Lu Xun, the late Chinese writer, referring to his initial ambitions to serve his country as a doctor. He later decided that he could do this better by becoming a writer.

If you’re observant, you’d have noticed that hardly does a The Nigerian presidency has raised the alarm through the Department of State Security over plans by a Northern group to mobilize thousands of people from the region to disrupt the planned special convention of the ruling PDP already scheduled to hold at the Eagles Square on Saturday.

The Taraba State Governor, Mr. Danbaba Suntai, finally addressed the people on Wednesday , exactly  four days after  his return from a 10-month medical sojourn abroad.

The Federal High Court in Port Harcourt has ordered both the PDP and INEC to disregard the results of the ward and state congresses conducted by the Emeakayi-led faction of the party, and directed INEC and PDP to accept the candidacy of Dr Andy Uba.

If you’re observant, you’d have noticed that hardly does any debate or divergence of opinions between Nigerians occur on social media or in the blogosphere these days without it turning into a tug of torrent abuses and personality assassination.

The recent fence-mending between former President Olusegun Obasanjo and President Goodluck Jonathan looks set to suffer a hiccup again as the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rejected the Anambra State governorship primary that produced a former aide to Obasanjo, Senator Andy Uba, as the party’s candidate for the November 16 governorship election in the state.

The request by the ailing Governor of Taraba state, Danbaba Suntai asking for the nod of the State House of Assembly  to resume duties as governor of the state has pitched the law makers into two major political divides.

The recent unguarded statements credited to the controversial Chairman of the PDP in Rivers State, Felix Obuah where he exposed the secret behind the campaign by the junior Minister of State for Education, Barr. Ezebunwo Nyeso Wike against the Governor of Rivers State, Chibuike Amaechi may have jolted the powers that be in Aso Rock who are threatening to withdraw their support for the Minister whose penchant for violent criticism has drawn the ire of many stakeholders in the Nigerian question.

Ever since the All Progressives Congress (APC) was registered, we have been subjected to non-stop tales of a mystical democratic journey beginning in Nigeria. Admirers of the party chieftains, loyalists, and gullible Nigerians have bombarded us over and over again with tales of the inevitability of change in Nigeria because of the emergence of APC.

Amidst the denial by some governors in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP believed to have floated a new political party and applied to the Independent National Electoral Commission for the Registration of Voice of the People, VOP, indications have emerged that the proliferation of the new parties is being masterminded by the Presidency with a top shot of the party as the arrowhead.

As part of its strategy to break the stronghold and triumph over the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in the South-East region of the Country, the opposition All Progressives Congress, (APC) is considering zoning the vice-presidential slot to the region in the 2015 general election.

The need for an automatic ticket for President Goodluck Jonathan to contest the 2015 presidential election was again given a forceful push at  the South-South Expanded Caucus meeting held in Calabar, with the chairman of the Board of Trustees {BOT} of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chief Antony Anenih insisting that it was best arrangement for the party.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has warned that Nigeria is at a crossroads but that the road to continued mediocrity is not an option if the country must attain the desired greatness.

Just as the Men of the Edo State Police Command intensified efforts to effect the release of kidnapped human rights’ activist and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, (SAN), Mike Ozekhome who was abducted with his driver on Friday,  the whereabouts of a chieftain of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the state, Mr Athanasius Ugbome, is yet unknown.

Barely 24 hours after he was flown into the country after a 10 months stay in a Germany and US hospital, indication have emerged that the governor of Taraba State, Mr Danbaba Suntai may be flown back to the US hospital where he has been receiving treatment of recent.

Kaduna-based human rights activist and President of the Civil Right Congress of Nigeria (CRC) has faulted the insinuations that the leader of the Boko Haram sect Abubakar Shekau is dead. Shehu Sani who spoke to journalists in his Kaduna office yesterday said if indeed Shekau was killed, it would have been announced by the Shura Council and a successor would have naturally been appointed.

Former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mallam Nasir El- Rufai has again come down hard on Dr Goodluck Jonathan describing him as the most incompetent president Nigeria ever had in history. The former Minister who is the interim Deputy National Secretary of the newly registered opposition mega party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, stated this in Kaduna today where he promised that the progressive party would not sacrifice a quality candidate on the alter of zoning as it obtains in the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

The All Progressives Congress (APC) plans to untangle the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) if elected into power in 2015.

Ailing Governor of Taraba State, Danbaba Suntai arrived Abuja from the US today around 1:00 PM Nigerian time.  Mr. Suntai who had to be assisted out of a charted Gulfstream jet that brought him from the US had to be assisted to leave the aircraft by three persons before he was driven in a Land Cruiser SUV to the VIP section of the airport.  He was received at the airport by Peoples Democratic Party eleders led by Prof. Jerry Gana.

Idris Elba, who is of Sierra Leonean and Ghanaian parentage, will play the lead role of a military commander in the upcoming flick. American director and film writer Cary Fukunaga will direct the movie.

The leader of Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau, may have died a traumatic death.That was the picture security forces painted at the weekend. From the vast forests of Sambisa, Borno State, where he was reportedly shot and sustained injuries in June during a raid on his hideout by military forces, he was said to have been taken to Mali for treatment by the Boko Haram top hierarchy.

Nigeria’s nationality question is neither the creation of the Igbo nor the Yoruba. It is the consequence of Hausa-Fulani’s megalomaniac quest for political power in the nation. Yet the Hausa-Fulani accept the fact that both the Igbo and Yoruba hold the key to their attainment of this divine-right objective only if both groups agree to remain suspicious of the other. It therefore becomes obvious that the solution to this national question can only be attained if both the Igbo and Yoruba realize that their mutual understanding and respect of the other’s perception of Nigeria’s progress would save the nation millions in loss of human and material resources.

It is a no news that the strike which started early in July now over fifty days old, yet amidst all shouts from students and parents to call of the strike, there is still no hope that the federal government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities can tie a knot to call off the strike in few days time. The fundamental question is “How far can the strike benefit Nigerians and the education sector?”

Controversial Chairman of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees,  Chief Tony Anenih today declared that anyone from the South South region of the country not in support of the second term ambition of  President Goodluck Jonathan must be a mad person.

The Presidential Committee on Dialogue and Peaceful Resolution of Security Challenges in the North on Friday said it has signed another peace deal with the Boko Haram Shura Council which is the highest decision making body of the dreaded sect.

You may have heard that Senator Dr Chris Ngige got the endorsement of his party to run for November 16 governorship elections in Anambra State, when one of the strong contenders for the governorship ticket in APC, Senator Annie Okonkwo stepped down for him.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities on Thursday announced its disengagement from further negotiations with the Federal Government, over what it describes as the latter’s perceived insincerity in the 2009 agreement as well as the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) both parties signed in January last year.

On May 14, 2013, when I published an article ‘Fashola: Porting from admirable achievements to peeving policies’, some respondents could have sworn that it was sponsored. Their position was however pardonable because unfortunately, we are in a country where due to the poverty rate, some believe that you can only disagree with an incumbent government after someone somewhere has deposited something in your bank account.

Although it is common to see Nigerians tear down the Goodluck Jonathan administration in so many unprintable words, I have not found myself dispassionately querying these assessments until I read an article last week.

President Goodluck Jonathan Thursday rained curses on the leaders of the newly registered All Progressives Congress, APC, who he said will be disappointed by the imminent resolution of the crises rocking the ruling PDP as well as his emergence as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2015 elections.

Former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, yesterday, approached an Abuja High Court to challenge his disqualification by All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA from participating in the forthcoming gubernatorial election in Anambra State,

Transformation can be defined as a thorough and dramatic change in form or appearance, so when President Jonathan promised Nigerians a Transformation Agenda, it is easy to assess if he is delivering on his promise by checking to see if there has been a change in the form and or appearance of  Nigeria and Nigerians.

One of the most tragic aspects of Nigeria’s aborted promise is that too many Nigerians have now imbibed a terrible culture of low expectations. They look daily at the series of crises bedeviling their country, and they manage, somehow, to see something admirable. It is sad to encounter this attitude in Nigerians who have never traveled outside their country, and who are, therefore, blind to the dramatically higher levels of efficiency in most other countries, including some of Nigeria’s neighbors on the western hump of Africa. Lacking a reference point, these Nigerians may be forgiven for believing that the intolerable state of affairs in their country is a mirror of how things happen elsewhere in the world.

LitCaf is set to make Nigeria’s first indigenous encyclopedia. Speaking on the necessity for the project, Tope Apoola, CEO, LitCaf discussed how the need for a well rounded story and well documented history can be instrumental even to the development of a nation. According to him, over 400 writers across the country have signed up to be part of the project.

The young Yoruba man was leaving office early to go and receive his visiting Igbo wife undergoing her National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) primary assignment in a neighbouring town when he encountered a co-worker who planted in him the seed of doubts that eventually destroyed a beautiful union and set his own life crashing down. The careless remark that would play in his head again and again was that he was being naive to believe that his wife would remain faithful, especially considering that “she is young, she is a corper…and she is Igbo!”