16 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2013
2015: Niger PDP zones guber candidacy to Zone C BY WOLE MOSADOMI
M
INNA—THE Ni ger State chapter of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has zoned the 2015 governorship to the Niger North Senatorial District otherwise known as "Zone C," saying it was not perturbed in any way by the merger of some political parties in the country to ensure a formidable opposition against the party. Addressing journalists soon after the reconstitution of the PDP Elders Committee in Minna, yesterday, Chairman of the Committee, Col. Aminu Kontagora, rtd, said that with the development, Zone ‘C’ which was the Hausa speaking area of the state would produce the next governor. “The resolution today which the party chairman has also upheld is that zoning in Niger State remains. That means, the next governor should come from Niger North and by that definition, Kontagora and Borgu Emirates will produce the next governor unless the situation dictates otherwise." Kontagora, a one time military administrator of Kano state who is also from the zone said “my appointment as chair of a committee in the party does not affect the emergence of any candidate and so, the zoning remains.” Speaking on the merger of some political parties to unseat the PDP in the next general elections, Kontagora described the development as the beauty of democracy which would however not make the party to be jittery. “The PDP has been contesting elections in the past 15 years at the local, state and federal levels and we have never been jittery in any of such elections. We faced every election with the seriousness it required. Merger or no merger, there must be an opposition and PDP is ever ready to confront squarely, any opposition no matter how little it is in any electoral process,” Kontagora added. Also commenting on the several aspirants already showing interest in the coveted governorship seat from the zone, the chairman said that he even expected that more people would come, which also showed the beauty the electoral process."
Southern Mandate group cautions Boko Haram BY EMMA UJAH, Abuja Bureau Chief
A
PRESSURE group, the Southern Mandate said, yesterday, that the sustained explosions by Islamic sect, Boko Haram, in the northern part of the country were targeted at discrediting the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan and urged the sponsors of the sect to stop forthwith in order not to plunge Nigeria into disintegration. The group in a statement signed by its President-General and South/South Coordinator, Tito Zuokumor and Dr. Wilson Omene, respectively said, “we foresee that there are no two ways about it - the consequence of Boko Haram’s present activities is the disintegration of our dear country
Kwara advises labour leaders BY DEMOLA AKINYEMI
I
LORIN—GOVERNOR Ab dulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State, yesterday, urged labour leaders in the country to partner with the three tiers of governments for the attainment of economic growth. Ahmed made the call in Ilorin when the newly-elected executive council of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, paid him a courtesy visit. He noted that virile unions like the NURTW must play critical roles in nation building as it required collective efforts to achieve the desired objectives, adding:“NURTW has a critical role to play in building Nigeria as a country; we have critical roles to play because by the very nature of our activities we have social and economic and of course political roles to play in driving the system." Ahmed described NURTW as one of the most important unions in the country as its members are in charge of the movement of goods and services which he described as germane to economic development.
in the near future. “In the circumstances, we wonder why some Nigerians could still regard Boko Haram as an enemy only to President Jonathan and his government. However, it is time to tell ourselves the bitter truth: the earlier all Nigerians from the North and South realize and confront Boko Haram as a common enemy, the better for the unity of Nigeria.” The group condemned those who blame President Jonathan for the prevailing insecurity without considering the attendant result of sitting on the fence and allowing sectional violence as a tool to score political goals, with which some political figures have been identified. It said: “Let the truth be told that there is no region or ethnic nationality in Nigeria that is weak. The West, East and South-South all have the capacity to create a similar scenario of deliberate insecurity in their zones to make any administration ungovernable just to score political points. “And if such acts of artificial insecurity are perpetrated by a
group or groups of persons from a part of the country without resolvable aims and objectives other than to waste innocent lives just to deny a particular region the right to attain the presidency or complete the constitutionally stipulated tenure of office, then we have got to check ourselves, apply restraint in whatever we do, and not acting with impunity as is presently the case with some self-seeking politicians fuelling the Boko Haram activities. Otherwise, we are all heading for the doomsday. “We are all not unaware of the political aim of Boko Haram, but we fail to see beyond the kite which the group and their sponsors are flying in the air and progressively piloting us to disintegration." The Southern Mandate added that “the serial bomb explosions and death of innocent Nigerians are receiving applause from certain quarters today because those behind the barbaric acts believe they are winning the battle against Dr.
Jonathan’s presidency, unmindful of the fact that they are laying landmines for the nation’s disintegration. The determination of a few selfish individuals seeking the highest political office to “do everything possible, whether good, bad or terrible to unseat President Jonathan” for fear of becoming too old to occupy the presidency if Dr. Jonathan is allowed to remain in office for two terms, must be stopped”. The group urged all goodspirited Nigerians to support the Federal Government in tackling the present menace to avoid similar bombs exploding from other parts of the country tomorrow. It claimed that Nigeria’s unity was being preserved by the petro-dollars from crude oil in the Niger Delta region and that the people of that region had borne the brunt of oil production for several decades in the interest of the entire nation.
Leadership Editors in Court : Group News Editor, Leadership Newspaper, Tony Amokeodo, with Political Correspondent, Chibuzor Ukaibe, after their arraignment before the Federal High Court in Abuja, yesterday, over the publication of a Presidential Directive. Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan
Two Leadership newspaper reporters charged with felony BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI
A
BUJA—THE Federal Government, yesterday, dragged two reporters of Leadership Newspapers, Tony Amokeodo and Chibuzor Ukaibe before a Federal High Court in Abuja, over alleged vexatious publication. In a 10-count amended charge against the media outfit and embattled
reporters, the government alleged that they committed felony to wit: “forging of document titled Bromide of the Presidential Directive and place same on the front page of Leadership Newspaper of April 3, 2013.” FG alleged that the accused persons knew that the said document was false, but published same, “with the intent that it may in any way be used or acted upon as genuine and thereby committed an offence
punishable under section 467 of the Criminal Code Act Cap ‘C’ 38 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.” Besides, the court was told that the accused persons conspired between themselves and committed felony by forging/making a false document, having on it the Seal, Signet or Sign Manual which purports that it was a presidential directive from the President of the
Federal Republic of Nigeria and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 516, 461 (1) (b), 467 (3) (a), 468 of the Criminal Code Act Cap ‘C’ 38 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004. However, Justice Adeniyi adjourned the case till April 23 to take plea of the accused persons, and sequel to an application by counsel to the accused persons, the court released them yesterday