Amaechi, Jang, others attend Jonathan’s dinner

For the first time since the election that  caused a division in  the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, almost all the 36 state governors converged on the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Wednesday for a   mid-term dinner organised by President Goodluck Jonathan.

The two main antagonists in the NGF crisis Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State, who won the  May 24 election of the forum and Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State, who leads a faction of the group- attended the event.

Although Jang and members of his faction were already seated before the arrival of the President which signalled the commencement of the dinner, Amaechi and his loyalists arrived at the same time shortly after the event had started.

A mild drama however played out when Amaechi, who cancelled a meeting of the NGF earlier scheduled for 8pm on Wednesday,  joined the table where Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State and others were already seated.

In the process of exchanging pleasantries, Amaechi was heard pointing to Akpabio and saying, “No, you can never be a democrat.”

Some governors in the Amaechi faction were initially  seated among journalists at the back of the hall before they were  ushered in   to the front where seats were reserved for them.

The other  governors  in attendance were  those of Niger, Lagos, Nasarawa, Imo, Edo, Adamawa, Zamfara, Ogun, Kano, Ekiti and Jigawa.

Others were the governors of  Sokoto, Cross River, Bauchi, Abia, Plateau, Kogi, Ebonyi , Ondo, Delta, Anambra and Kaduna states.

The  acting governor of Taraba State and the deputy governors of Bayelsa, Kwara, Katsina, Benue and Gombe States were also in attendance.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwwal, was however  absent at the dinner attended by the President of the Senate, David Mark; and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu.

The dinner was still ongoing at the time of filing this report.

Before the cancellation  of the NGF meeting, some of the Pro-Amaechi governors had converged on the Rivers State Governor’s Lodge, Asokoro, where they took the final decision to  attend the dinner.

In a brief chat with journalists before they moved to the Villa, Amaechi said “We have shifted the meeting to honour the invitation sent to us for dinner by the President. We would have loved to meet, but we have to honour the President’s invitation.

Sambo, Jang tie stable democracy to strong parties

VICE President Namadi Sambo and the Plateau State Governor Jonah Jang have said that without strong and focus political parties in the country, Nigeria’s democracy cannot be sustained due to lack of vibrant policies that will impact positively on the lives of the electorate.
Sambo added that political parties in the country lacked capacity to develop into strong instruments for developing sound institutions. He said that rather than developing strong political institutions to deepen the country’s democratic culture, more attention was being paid to the establishment of governmental bodies and civic organisations.
The duo spoke Wednesday at the inauguration of Political Party Leadership and a Development Centre at the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, near Jos in Plateau State.
The Vice President who was represented by his Special Adviser on Political Matters, Senator Isaiah Ballat, added that both institutions were important but that without strong and dynamic political parties, democracy cannot survive on the long run.
According to him, political parties like any other institutions should continually seek to enhance their capacity in response to changing circumstances.
Sambo added: “Leaders of political parties owe themselves the obligation to take advantage of the opportunities offered by this all important Centre for self-improvement. Let participation in this training become the turning point in your lives as you position yourselves to effectively take up the challenges of being the successor generation to today’s leaders.”
He added that leadership is developed through a never-ending process of self-study, self-assessment, education and training, saying that there was the need to constantly sharpen the skills of political party leaders to be in tune with the developing environment.
Jang stressed that political parties play critical roles in the sustenance of democracy hence a forum that will bring the parties together to brainstorm in the interest of the country cannot be over emphasized.
Jang who was represented by his Deputy, Mr. Ignatius Longjan said the development has encouraged him to continue to work for enduring peace in the state to provide a conducive environment for political discourse, adding that the state had hosted several national political events.

West Brom won’t sell Osaze cheap

West Bromwich Albion will not allow want-away front man Peter Odemwingie to leave the Hawthorns this summer until they receive a offer that meets their valuation of the player, according to reports in the Daily Mirror.

The controversial Nigeria international caused outrage in the Midlands last season when trying to force through a move to Queens Park Rangers on the final day of the January transfer window.

However, the Baggies are now adamant that the 31-year-old will have to remain at the club until a potential buyer for the striker stumps up the right amount of money for the player, who still has a year left on his current deal at the Hawthorns.

“We have a player who is under contract until the end of the season,” West Brom chairman Jeremy Peace told the Birmingham Mail.

“Unless something comes in to change our way of thinking he will be back in pre-season and we will deal with that.”

Keshi wants Yobo, Osaze back

Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi has opened the national team door to striker Osaze Odemwingie and skipper Joseph Yobo, but Taye Taiwo may not find a way back in.

All three players, along with a few other established internationals, have been on the outside looking in under the former national captain. Yobo since the African Nations Cup, and Odemwingie just before.

Both players reacted with very public disaffection to their exclusion.

But shortly after the Super Eagles’ FIFA Confederations Cup campaign came to a grinding halt against Spain, Keshi told KickOffNigeria.com how the players can get back in.

“They should just be themselves, play their game,” Keshi said. “Yobo is still my captain. It’s unfortunate that he’s not here, but he’s still the captain of the team.

“Taiwo is still playing but I have younger players that are playing well. I have Juwon (Oshaniwa), who is not here. I have Benjamin Francis, and I have (Elderson) Echiejile whose performance has improved greatly. So it will be a difficult thing for Taiwo to get back in.

“For Osaze, he still has a place in the team.

“I’m not looking for an apology from him. Osaze is somebody that I like very well and he knows that. The thing is, it’s about the team that I’m worried about.

“I don’t want to have a player that will come in and divide the team, or want to come and do something to destabilise the team, because when the team is not together, it becomes very difficult to win.

“I’m not saying he is going to come in and do that, but a little bit of what he has shown has told me that this is possible.

“I really want to have him in the team, and I would like to give him another opportunity.”

One player that Keshi says he really wants to see back in the national team is Obinna Nsofor, along with Seattle Sounders forward Obafemi Martins.

“The person I am really keen to have is Obinna Nsofor.

“Unfortunately, each time I call him, he’s always injured. Hopefully next time he will be fit.”

Bauchi female teachers protest against non-payment of salary arrears

FEMALE teachers in both primary and junior secondary schools in Bauchi State on Wednesday defied all odds to stage a demonstration over the non-payment of their six months’ salaries by the state government allegedly hinged on their low educational standard.
The school teachers in the state early this year experienced non-payment of their salaries when the Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) under which they operate, claimed that over 5,000 of them lacked the basic requisite qualification to teach.
The Board, in what was termed as a cleansing exercise to determine the qualification or otherwise of each and every teacher, in conformity with the required teaching standard of National Certificate in Education (NCE), embarked on tests to screen teachers.
However, under the auspices of their union, Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), the teachers decided not to partake in the exercise as, according to the union, the board’s action was geared not only to discredit but also victimise its members.
In Ekiti State, Governor Kayode Fayemi has appealed to teachers in public schools to call off their three-week-old strike in the interest of the pupils.
He urged them to accept the 15 per cent out of the 27.5 per cent Peculiar Allowance being demanded by them, pledging to commence the payment of the remaining 12.5 per cent as soon as the state’s finances improve.
However, civil servants in the state have demanded that they must also benefit from the teachers’ allowance because the teachers were also included in the 33 per cent Relativity Allowance meant for the core civil servants.
Fayemi, who made the appeal while featuring on his monthly media chat, “Meet Your Governor,” urged the teachers to consider the very lean purse of the state and the future of their pupils and students rendered idle by the strike.
It will be recalled that last week, Bauchi female teachers took their protest to the state House of Assembly penultimate week and urged the state government to pay the teachers within two weeks their backlog of salaries.
However, Governor Isa Yuguda at an event marking the 2013 Civil Service Day celebration in the state, said about 2,400 of the 5,300 teachers purportedly laid off have been screened and re-engaged into the service while the second batch of the exercise was about to start

Amaechi urged to drop planned protest against police commissioner

RIVERS State residents have urged Governor Chibuike Amaechi to drop his planned protest against the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Mbu Joseph Mbu, warning that the action may exacerbate the political tension in the state.
Meanwhile, a member of the House of Assembly, Mr. Evans Bipi, has faulted a statement credited to the former state chairman of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Mr. Eugene Ogu to the effect that the First Lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan’s week-long stay in Port Harcourt was aimed at worsening the political tension in the state.
The residents said though it was sad that the commissioner allegedly did not have regard for the governor who remains the Chief Security Officer of the state, Amaechi should maintain calm for the sake of peace.
They lamented the political uproar in the state and the role of the police commissioner, alleging a calculated plan to distract the governor whom they advised to remain focus and avoid yielding to political pressures.
In an interview, one of the residents, Mr. Chukwuma Obi, said it was needless calling for the removal of Mbu as the powerful forces allegedly controlling him from Abuja may send a similar character whose actions may be worse than Mbu’s.
“We urge the governor to continue to be peaceful, God is watching the whole drama and will surely intervene. The protest may result to something else.
Another resident, Mrs. Franca Akpan, urged Amaechi to channel his grievances to the appropriate authorities like the Police Service Commission or write to President Goodluck Jonathan, rather than taking the laws into his own hands.
“We feel the frustrations of the governor, it’s obvious that the battles were meant to distract him, but he should remain focus and allow peace to reign. It is not good to over heat the polity for the sake of future generations,” she said.
Amaechi had on Tuesday vowed to lead a protest to demand removal of Mbu, alleging that the Police Commissioner, in partnership with those he described as Abuja–based politicians, has played some roles that caused serious problems in Rivers State.
The lawmaker who represents Ogu/Bolo Constituency in the House of Assembly, said the clergy did not have the right to ask Mr. President to withdraw his wife from Rivers State, noting that Ogu does not know the reasons for the First Lady’s visit. He therefore described the call as worthless and baseless.
According to Bipi, Mrs. Jonathan was in Rivers State to attend some important functions and not for any political reason.

Why We Killed Condemned Convicts – Edo AG

The condemnation that followed the execution of four condemned convicts by the Edo State government was the best thing to rid the society of unwanted elements, the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Henry Idahagbon, has disclosed, stating that one of the condemned convicts, ThankGod Ebohs, was yet to be executed because he was sentenced to death by firing squad. Idahagbon explained that the reason was because the Nigeria Prison Service (NPS), had only one hangman noose for executing condemned persons. Those executed were Chima Ejiofor, Daniel Nsofor, Osarenmwinda Aiguokhan and Richard Igagu. According to Idahagbon, Ebohs was convicted in Kaduna State, by a Robbery and Firearm Tribunal and the judgment stipulated the method of execution.

Idahagbon told journalists that Ebohs was convicted for robbing a family, raped the wife of the family and forced a bottle into the private part of the woman which led to her death. He said Ejiofor, a spare parts dealer in Benin City, killed a child delivered to him out of wedlock. The Commissioner revealed that “Chima impregnated an Edo woman and had a child. Several years later, he went back to his village and married an Igbo woman. During Christmas, he invited the child to spend the holiday with him. When the child came, he killed him, saying he did not want to have a child outside wedlock.” He stated that Aiguokhan killed his victim and buried the dismembered body in different places. Idahagbon, therefore, advised those against death penalty to direct their energy to the National Assembly for an amendment of the law on murder and armed robbery. To him, “These are gory murders done by hardened criminals. If a person is convicted for armed robbery, the only thing the judge can give is the death penalty.”

I Killed 23 People In 2 Days – Boko Haram Member

A front-line member of the dreaded Boko Haram Islamist sect who is currently begging for forgiveness, has confessed to how he single-handedly killed 23 people including a traditional ruler and police officers in only two days in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital. The Boko Haram member who was arrested on Tuesday evening, was said to have rented a room in the area about a year ago. According to one of the vigilante group popularly called Civilian JTF who arrested the dangerous killer, he was a resident of Gwange, a stronghold of the sect. He said the arrest was made possible when the youths went looking for him and arrested his younger brother, who took them to Ngomari where the suspect had been hiding. The arrested sect member who is now begging the Federal Government to forgive him, confessed when the Presidential Committee on Dialogue and Peaceful Resolution of Security Challenges in the North, visited some detained Boko Haram members with about 50 of them repented, saying they were brainwashed into joining the group fully understanding what they were doing.

Oil Discovered In Lagos

Lagos State, the commercial nerve center of Nigeria may soon join the ranks of oil producing states in the country after it was reported that oil has been discovered in the state. We gathered that Optimum Petroleum Development Limited and its partners, Afren Nigeria Plc and Lekoil Limited, have discovered a significant crude oil in commercial quantities accumulation at the high impact Ogo-1 well located on the OPL 310 licence offshore Nigeria. Afren Plc and Lekoil Limited, announced the discovery in offshore Dahomey Basin in Lagos, according to the London Stock Exchange. Statements from the partners in OPL 310, on Wednesday, said the discovery was based on the results of drilling and wireline logs. The Ogo-1 well was drilled by Optimum Petroleum Development Limited and its partners to a total measured depth of 10,518 ft (10,402 ft true vertical depth subsea). According to the partners, further wireline log evaluation is currently underway prior to extending the well to target deeper prospectivity above basement, to a total measured depth of 11,800ft (11,684ft TVDSS). The expected timetable for completion of this further drilling together with additional testing is four to six weeks, inclusive of drilling a planned Ogo-1 side-track well.

Igbo will dump PDP for APC in 2015- Gov Okorocha

From GEORGE ONYEJIUWA, Owerri
Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha has stated that there are clear indications that the people of the Southeast have decided to dump the People Democratic Party (PDP) for the rival All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2015 forthcoming general elections owing to the criminal neglect of the zone by the ruling party.
Governor Okorocha stated this when a delegation of Igbo Rescue Mission from Abia State paid him a solidarity visit at the Government House, Owerri.
Okorocha described APC as a child of circumstance arising from the abysmal failure of the PDP to deliver quality and good governance to Nigerians in the last 14 years, adding that the new party, which represents a coalition of major opposition parties in Nigeria is presently being positioned to provide the credible and acceptable platform that will enthrone the leadership Nigerians desire in the 2015 general elections.
He lamented that the level of marginalisation meted out to Ndigbo by ruling PDP, pointing out that the party has continuously denied Ndigbo the five principal positions, which he listed as the office of the president, vice president, senate president, speaker House of Representative and the chairman of the ruling party.
He, however, enjoined Ndigbo to play politics that can guarantee them national relevance as APC now remains the only party that has future for Ndigbo and Nigerians going by its ideology.

Youths mob Onoja at ACF meeting over Jonathan endorsement

I’ve no apology to Northern leaders- Ex-milad
By  ADE ALADE and NOAH EBIJE,  Kaduna
The alleged endorsement of President Goodluck Jonathan for the 2015 election by a chieftain of Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF and former military governor of Katsina as and Plateau states, Gen. Lawrence Onoja (rtd) has earned him not only the reprimand of Northern leaders but a physical threat from youths who almost lynched him at the forum’s annual general meeting in Kaduna on Thursday.
National Chairman of ACF, Alhaji Mohammed Aliko had in his opening remarks at the Forum’s AGM condemned the alleged endorsement of President Jonathan for a second term by Gen. Onoja along others who recently visited the presidential villa.
According to him “We noticed with dismay that some members of this organization have gone to the President and assured him that he must contest for 2015 election. We are really surprised that some members who went there are also members of ACF. It is very sad that the Presidency has employed the divide and rule  tacties against the North.
“I am speaking particularly of two gentlemen; the two gentlemen I am referring to, one is ACF and the other is of Northern Elders Forum.  The ACF is retired General Lawrence Onoja, he was actually part of the group that went to see the President. Also, one of the elders, Senator John Wash Pam was there.
“It is the considered view of ACF that starting politics of 2015 is too early, it is counter-productive. Apart from heating up the polity, such early start can distract from governance, more so that INEC is yet to give the green light for political activities to begin.
“We were surprised that really they have gone to see the President, particularly Onoja that is here with us in ACF. We have gone with Onoja to every meeting we have held, and he turned round to say the President must contest in 2015, using the word, must.”

CAN, NSCIA tackle CBN over freezing of accounts

A showdown is looming between the Central Bank of Nigeria and Christian and Islamic leaders across the country over the freezing of their accounts on the orders of the apex bank.

CBN Governor, Lamido Sanusi, had two weeks ago directed banks to commence the updating of the accounts of designated non-financial businesses and professions with evidence of registration.

The CBN circular, which was obtained by Saturday PUNCH, stated that the DNFBPs include religious and charitable organisations, dealers in jewellery, precious metals and stones, cars and luxury goods, audit firms, tax consultants, clearing and settlement companies, lawyers, notaries, other independent legal practitioners, chartered accountants and trust company service providers.

Others include hotels, casinos, supermarkets, real estate agents, non-governmental organisations, Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment or appropriate regulatory authorities.

It said, “In consideration of some challenges encountered by the Special Control Unit against Money Laundering as a result of the number of persons seeking to enjoy late compliance, the CBN has decided to further extend the second deadline of April 30, 2013 by eight months to December 31, 2013.”

The bank warned DNFBPs that were yet to register to take advantage of the extension or risk losing their accounts.

Under the new regime, the designated institutions are required to fill forms listing their shareholders and directors.

Religious organisations are registered under Act C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act which is for non-governmental organisations while the new regime has placed them under Act F, which applies to businesses.

They are also required to get their forms endorsed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, as part of CBN’s ongoing tracking of sources of funds for Boko Haram and other terrorist groups in the country.

Sources said the Christian Association of Nigeria had directed churches not to fill any form in any bank. It has also asked affected members to forward evidences of the freezing of their accounts to their respective state secretariats for onward transmission to the national secretariat.

CAN’s Public Relations Officer for the 19 Northern states and Abuja, Mr. Sunny Oibe, confirmed the development to Saturday PUNCH on the telephone on Friday.

He said, “We are preparing our grounds in CAN for that and we will respond in a big way. What has the church got to do with the issue of Boko Haram? Churches are not profit-making organisations and so how can somebody now begin to equate churches with business that doesn’t concern them?

“They know those who are sponsors and financiers of Boko Haram and the people through whom this money are paid.

“We are therefore pleading with President Goodluck Jonathan to caution the CBN Governor.”

When contacted, the media aide to the President of CAN, Mr. Kenny Ashaka, said, “For now, we don’t want to make any comment on the issue. We will act as at when due.”

The General Overseer, Evangelical Ministries, Lagos, Bishop Steven Ogedengbe, described the CBN order as a “distraction that will not last.”

Ogedengbe said his church’s account was not affected but called on affected religious organisations to resist the move.

The Secretary-General, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, said the organisation was worried about whether bank officials and security agents involved in the matter would be transparent, sincere and avoid sentiments.

In a telephone interview with Saturday PUNCH on Friday, Oloyede said, “I do not have any objection to it. I have seen the form. It is not limited to churches and mosques. It has a lot of people on the list.

“From what I see, it is for transparency. As far as Islam is concerned, we do not do anything under the table so why are we afraid? The only fear I have is those who are involved and claim to be doing for the government or security agencies should be transparent in the way they do it.

“Except for fear of misuse by government agencies, I have no reservation at all. The only problem I have is about whether government or their agencies and security agencies will be sincere and unsentimental in their issues..”

But the Director, Corporate Communications, CBN, Mr. Ugo Okoroafor, told one of our correspondents on Friday that the directive was not targeted at religious organisations but was meant for all designated non-financial businesses and professions.

He said, “The directive is expected to enable the regulator check money laundering and other malpractices in the sector. We want to know who is moving what at any point in time. If you don’t fall under the financial institutions category, then you must fall under another category.

“Churches are under what we call DNFBPs. All we told them was that they should update their account information with their banks. They are not the only ones in the category. Besides, the directive has been extended by six months so we have not frozen any account. This is the second time we are extending it to allow for proper registration.”

In a statement issued on Friday night, CBN said it had not directed any bank to freeze the accounts of churches and mosques.

It reads, “The attention of the Central Bank of Nigeria has been drawn to some reports being circulated in the media to the effect that the CBN had ordered the freezing of the accounts of some religious organisations, citing alleged suspicion of links with terrorist groups.

We wish to state as follows:

1. That the CBN has not ordered the closure or freezing of the bank account of any religious body or any institution whatsoever as alleged in the publications and posts. There is, therefore, no iota of truth in these allegations.”

The statement by Okoroafor said the affected bodies are expected to present certificate of registration showing registration number with the Special Control Unit Against money Laundering.

He also said the deadline was extended from February 2013 to June and finally to December 2013.

When contacted, EFCC Acting Head, Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, said, “It is not a new thing; it is part of anti-money laundering revolution in the banking system. Banks are required to report any transaction that is above $1000 by Designated Non-Financial Institutions to the Special Control Unit against Money Laundering.

“It is not a special directive to churches; it is for all Designated Non-Financial Institutions which include churches, casinos, supermarkets, accounting firms and dealers in jewelleries and precious stones, among others.”

On April 23, the SCUML arrested officials of a real estate firm and two hotels in Abuja for non-compliance with extant regulations mandating DNFIs to register with the Unit in line with the anti-money laundering laws.

The special operation was conducted in conjunction with the EFCC.

 The Nigeria Bar Association is currently challenging the regulation in court.

PDP moves to reconcile with Amaechi, others

The Peoples Democratic Party has initiated moves to reconcile with Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, and other estranged governors elected on the platform of the party.

This indication was given in Abuja on Friday by Akwa Ibom State Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio, after a meeting of the PDP National Convention Planning Committee.

PDP governors at loggerheads with the party over its suspension of the Rivers State governor are Aliyu Babangida (Niger); Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto); Rabiu Kwakwanso (Kano); Sule Lamido (Jigawa); Murtala Nyako (Adamawa);and Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara).

They had been at the forefront of moves for the removal of the PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, over his alleged interference in the running of the Adamawa State chapter.

They also fell out with the party after it suspended Amaechi on May 27 for seeking a second term as chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, despite warnings from the PDP leadership.

The party’s National Working Committee explained that Amaechi was suspended for his “refusal to obey the lawful directive of the Rivers Executive Committee (of PDP) to rescind his decision dissolving the elected Executive Council of Obiokpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.”

Amaechi has, however, gone to court to challenge the suspension and to stop the disciplinary committee set up by the party to investigate him from sitting.

He has also filed a separate suit seeking to stop members of the Rivers State House of Assembly from impeaching him.

Already, he has secured a court order stopping the committee from proceeding with the investigation.

Wamakko was suspended on June 5 for allegedly ignoring party directives. He was, however, recalled on Monday.

However, his suspension was believed to have been orchestrated by some party leaders over his support for Amaechi at the NGF election on June 24.

Akpabio told journalists that there were possibilities of returning Amaechi to the party.

He said the party and the governors were already exploring the possibilities of settling the cases instituted by Amaechi over his suspension.

Akpabio said the PDP was not ready to lose any of its governors to opposition political parties.

He said both the leadership of the PDP Governors Forum and the party were committed to return peace to the troubled party.

But Akpabio said the party was already looking into the matter and was ready to give the governor a reprieve just as the governors intervened in the lifting of the NWC’s suspension of Wamakko.

He said, “The reconciliation already going on among the governors led to the return of my brother, Governor Wamakko, to the party.

“The reconciliation is already ongoing. You saw almost all the governors at the PDP National Executive Committee meeting.

“Those who were not there at the meeting either travelled or were doing something for the country. You know I said that the matter involving my brother in Rivers State is subjudice.

“We are exploring all means for out-of-court to return him to the party. We are not ready to lose any of our members to the opposition.”

He said the governorship elections coming up in Anambra, Ekiti and Osun States would be a test case for the party.

Interestingly, the presidency engineered the formation of the PDP Governors Forum headed by Akpabio to counter Amaechi.

Although Amaechi defeated Plateau State Governor, Jonah Jang, at the NGF election, President Goodluck Jonathan endorsed the latter and met with the group, which included Akpabio.

However, none of the affected governors was willing to react to Akpabio’s comments.

They rather said they would “wait and see” how things unfold.

When contacted, the Director of Press to the Niger State governor, Danladi Ndayabo, said, “No comments.”

His counterpart in Sokoto State, Sani Umar, also said,“There is no comment.”

Calls to the mobile telephone number of the Director of Press to the Kano State governor, Mallam Baba Dantiye indicated that the number was unavailable.

The Director of Press and Public Relations to the Adamawa State governor, Ahmad Sajo, could not be reached for comments as his mobile telephone did not connect.

But the Rivers State PDP Chairman, Mr. Felix Obuah, said the reconciliation would only work if Amaechi apologises to the party.

Obuah, who described the reconciliatory move by the party at the national level as a welcome development, maintained that the governor must ask for forgiveness from the state chapter for his utterances before his recall.

“If the PDP at the national level reconciles with him (Amaechi), he still needs to apologise to the state PDP for his utterances in the past. The truth is that nobody hates Amaechi, but he must change his ways and apologise to the party,” Obuah said.

Reacting, the State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, said she was not aware that the PDP was making any move to reconcile with Amaechi.

Semenitari, who spoke in a telephone interview with Saturday PUNCH, explained that the governor was open to reconciliation and would support any move that would bring about peace and progress in the party.

“I’m not the governor and I do not know if there is any move for reconciliation. But what I can say is that the governor is open to peace and anything that will enhance the progress of the party,” she said.

On Obuah’s position, she said, “I do not know him (Obuah) as the state chairman. At best, we can call him a factional chairman of the party since the matter is still in court. For now, let us leave the court to decide that one.”

Also on Friday, the Chairman of the Convention Committee, Prof. Jerry Gana, said that about 4000 delegates would vote at the July 20 convention.

While saying that the committee at its inaugural meeting deliberated on issues that would make the convention a crisis-free, he added that a letter had been sent to the Independent National Electoral Commission on the matter.

Asked about the cost of the convention, Gana declined, saying it was aim internal matter for the party.

The committee was put in place at the end of Thursday’s NEC meeting with a mandate to conduct fresh convention to fill the offices of the officers of the party that resigned.

Out of the 20 officials of the party that tendered their resignation letters because of the complaint from the Independent National Electoral Commission that they were not properly elected, eight of them were members of the party’s decision making body, NWC.

Also on Friday, the party released the guidelines for the conduct of the forthcoming South-West zonal congress and Special National Convention.

While the zonal congress is to hold on July 11, the National Convention has been fixed for July 20.

The guidelines, sighted by one of our correspondents on Friday, indicated that the elections would be by secret ballot.

It added that in case of a tie, “a run-off election shall be immediately conducted before the candidates with the highest equal votes.”

Seventeen officers are to be elected during the convention.

On appeals arising from the election, the parties said that there would be a Special Zonal Congress Appeal Panel, comprising three members.

But the party said that there would be no appeal arising from the National Convention.

“By virtue of the fact that the National Convention is the supreme decision-making organ of the party, there shall be no appeal arising therefrom,” the party said in the guidelines signed by the National Chairman, Dr. Bamanga Tukur.

It added that statutory delegates and delegates who took part in the 2012 national convention would vote at the special convention.

360Downloads: DJ Frizzie – Fresh Off Tha Streetz Mix [Hosted by IceBerg Slim]

Female Dj Frizzie is back with a Spanking new dj mix “Fresh off tha Streetz” hosted by rapper, Iceberg Slim and in conjuction with VKB Entertainment. Don’t be surprised when you see this mix on the streetz, like literally.
DOWNLOAD MIXTAPE HERE/LINK
Playlist:
1. Iceberg Slim ft MI – Ayanfe (remix)
2. Tillaman ft Burna Boy, Trigga, Iyanya, Phyno & Ice Prince – Koma Roll Remix
3. Sean Tizzle-Sho-Lee
4. Wizkid – Jaiye Jaiye Ft Femi Kuti
5. Davido – One of a Kind
6. EVER RIGHT AKA OMO EDO
7. PAPER BY SHEYMAN
8. Jaywon – Madantin
9. De Legacyz – OGOGORO
10. SNA-Z – Kolobi
11. helen9th – mofidilu
12. KCEE – Limpopo
13. georgee ft jmartins and phyno ticket to love
14. Mr Fluz Gasmilla PUMP IT UP RMX
15. Ruggedman and Mbryo – Remote
16. FRANK D’NERO – IGBIGI
17. jah faze – sexy mama
18. Selebobo – YOYO remix ft. J.Martins
19. May D – So Many Tinz
20. Wande Coal – Rotate
21. Iyanya-Ft-Wizkid-Sexy_Mama
22. Magnito ft Patric Ellis – Kaka
23. kem gee – alhaji by vkbmusic
24. Mr 2KAY – Bubugaga (03:48)
25. Danny Young ft Olamide – Omo Lepa
26. Le’mmon – Legoma (freestyle)
27. TEECUL TRIZZY – MALERA
28. IREKE MI – MIRIKI
29. Timaya – EkolomaDemba
30. Balance for me – Dipp
31. Dee’Jay Hacker Jp ft Sym19 – Come ‘N’ Stay
32. Weird-Mc Ft Young D – Ijoya_Remix
33. Karisma – Open The Door Mixy
34. Mish – Go & Marry
35. Uhuru ft. Mafikizolo – Khona
36. OLAMIDE – DUROSOKE
37. Mish – A LITTLE
38. Jenny O Feat. Ex-O – Follow U Go

D’banj Set To Paint Lagos Red With #DKMConcert

African superstar entertainer; D’banj is set to paint the city of Lagos red with a five-star DKM concert at the Eko Hotel and suites on the 23rd of June. Click for more details.

#GLOBOUNCE: Win an Opportunity to Perform Live on stage with Waje, P-Square, M.I, Lynxxx, Burna Boy, Flavour, Omawumi & more in the Glo SlideNBounce Tour

Home « Back to Home Genevieve Nnaji, Jackie Appiah to be honoured in Ghana Posted by Femi Katin on June 22, 2013 at 3:20 AM Comments comments (0) Nollywood star actress Genevieve Nnaji and Ghana’s Jackie Appiah are among 15 persons to be honoured at the upcoming Accra International Film Festival (AIFF). According to a report by Ghana’s entertainment newspaper Graphic Showbiz, the event will also be honouring 13 other actors and actresses from Nigeria, Ghana, Burkina Faso ... Read Full Post » Wande Coal To Perform At D'banj's DKM Concert

Mavin artist and former D'banj protege, Wande Coal is set to perform at D'King's Men concert which will hold this Sunday June 23rd at Eko Hotel.

Despite the Mohits split, the two are said to still be on good terms as they were even spotted partying together at D'Place Lekki a few weeks back.
Unfortunately the whole Mavin crew won't be ..able to perform.

Mohits Split Destroyed My Wedding Plan – D’banj

D’banj revealed that he would have been married if he’s still with Mohits. He claims his split with Don Jazzy is the reason why he is still single today.
Hear him in his own words below;
“To tell you the truth, I would have been married if Mo’Hits had not broken up. The crisis really affected me and I had to start so many things afresh.
Just like my mentor 2Face Idibia, I will be married and have my own kids one day”