Debate: Buhari is afraid of Jonathan, says supporters

The citizens of Nigeria will like to hear the two top contenders of the Office of the Presidency in a televised presidential debate, that is GEJ and GMB to enable them listen to them directly, understand their vision, passion and strength with a view to making an informed choice, and holding them accountable should they derail.

This hope has been truncated by the APC candidate and his party for refusing to participate in the presidential debate. But supporters of president Jonathan said, any plan to smartly shield any of the candidates from the debate under any guise will amount to cowardise, lack of confidence in the candidate and unnecessary fear of the unknown.

Muhammadu Buhari, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), will not be featuring in the presidential debate organised by the Broadcast Organisation of Nigeria (BON).
According Garba Shehu, directorate of media and publicity of the APC presidential campaign organisation, the boycott is due to the “unhidden bias and campaign of calumny by some key organisers of the programme, against the corporate political interest of the party (APC) and its candidates
Garba Shehu, Director Media and Publicity of the APC Presidential Campaign Organization (APCPCO) said in a press statement on Thursday in Abuja that the Nigeria Election Debate Group (NEDG) powered debate was fraught with fundamental errors from the outset, by wearing the toga of government control, especially being composed mainly of agencies and allies of the incumbent People’s Democratic Party’s (PDP) administration.
The party said “A salutary inspection of the composition of NEDG brings into focus the Broadcasting Organization of Nigeria (BON), National Television Authority (NTA), Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) and the Africa Independent Television (AIT, owned by a PDP chieftain). And going by the avalanche of inflammatory statements, misinformation and blatant lies being propagated by some of these media against our Party and candidates contrary to the Koffi Annan brokered Abuja Peace Accord, and the failure of these aggressors to desist and apologize, have left the APC Campaign with no option than to steer clear of any premeditated smear campaign that could be inimical to our prospective electoral success,” Shehu said.
The APCPCO spokesman further explained that the boycott by the APC should not be seen as disrespect to Nigerian voters, or an alibi for the party to dodge public scrutiny; but it must be viewed as an honorable right not to consent to any activity that could distract, demean, denigrate or derail the fast-moving train of the party.
“The APC is a party of progressive intellectuals, genuine technocrats, successful businessmen and women, and most of all eminent and courteous people of honor who would never condescend to the level of sadistic gutter propaganda, all in the name of political exigency and crass opportunism,” Shehu said.
He noted that that many Government-controlled media have clipped the wings of APC promotional advertisements on one excuse on the other adding that, until a court upturned their decision recently, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) shutdown some telecom portals for soliciting legitimate campaign funds from members of the public for APC.
"Aside, elements close to sitting President Goodluck Jonathan have commissioned series of derogatory and death threat advertorials against the person, family and associates of the opposition leader, General Muhammadu Buhari, to which the APC had sent letters of complaint to the Inspector General of Police, the Director General of State Security, Advertisers Practitioners of Nigeria (APCON), Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the erring media that published or aired such offensive adverts or documentaries.
“None of our letters of protest has been attended to by the authorities. So whatever the incumbent President wants to do with the instrument of state to harass members of the opposition into humiliating submission would not work. The APC/Buhari campaign is now a people’s movement. The more they try to rubbish it, the more popular we are with the populace.
“We are not shadow-chasers or moonwalkers. The APC is concerned mainly with the lack of unity and security in Nigeria; plus the growing decimation of lives, property and territory of our great country due to preventable insurgency; the slumbering economy; decaying educational system; absence of jobs; poor public health; and the cancerous institutionalization of corruption in our national life. You can’t fool the people all the time. Nigerians will vote out their oppressors come February 14."

Tompolo replies TY Danjuma, calls for his arrest too

Days ago, TY Danjuma, a prominent personality in the North called for the arrest of militant, Tompolo and others for making inflammatory statements, threatening to set the country on fire if Jonathan losses the February polls. Below is his response to Danjuma…

”The call by Gen. T.Y Danjuma (rtd) to arrest me and other agitators for a better living for the people of the Niger Delta region is an indication that he is behind terrorism in the North eastern part of the country as well as the stoning of President Jonathan’s convoy in Kastina and Bauchi states, because he has never condemned those acts, even though Boko Haram attacked churches and mosques in his home town.
”Is Gen. Danjuma not aware of the peaceful atmosphere when Gen. Buhari visited Delta, Rivers and Bayelsa (home state of the President) states for campaign? Why is it that President Jonathan’s convoy was attacked in Kastina and Bauchi states without any provocation?
“Who is Gen. Danjuma if not for the oil wealth he is enjoying from the Niger Delta? He should be rather arrested for being behind terrorism in the North.
“Where was Danjuma when Mallam Ciroma Adamu threatened to make Nigeria ungovernable, if President Jonathan defeated the All Progressive Congress Presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammedu Buhari? Where was this so called statesman when the APC campaign Director General (DG), Mr. Rotimi Ameachi threatened to form a parallel government if President Jonathan wins the 2015 elections? Where was this hypocrite when Dr. Junaid Muhammed, Muhammedu Buhari and Atiku Abubakar all said in separate interviews that the nation will boil if Jonathan won the election in 2011?
“Is it the interest of Nigeria Gen. Danjuma is protecting or his oil bloc in the Niger Delta? Is it the interest of Nigeria Danjuma is protecting or his 50 million dollars donation to Gen. Buhari for his campaign?
”Let Gen. Danjuma and his cohorts know that they will not see any Ijaw man, the Igbos and others to fight on their side if the war that they are planning broke up,” he added.

Anambra North Senate: Other candidates of afraid of Obaze, says supporters

In a senatorial debate held today at the palace of the traditional ruler of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe in Onitsha, other senatorial candidates for the zone failed to show up, raising the question of whether theyb are afraid of Chief Dubem Obaze, the only candidate that showed up.

Obaze is running for the election on the platform of APGA and was the only candidate that showed up, and was given the opportunity to sell his manifesto to everyone in the zone.

The duo of Prince John Emeka and Princess Stella Oduah whoare running on the platform of PDP were conspicuously absent, sending the message that they were afraid to match Obaze’s oratory.

A supporter of Obaze Pascal Azubuike Said, “am wondering why other Senatorial Candidates are yet to come to debate face to face with Dubem. Invitation was extended to all and time fixed. Are they afraid of Debate? Did their car spoil on the road? Or did they miss their flight? Let's wait for their excuses....Dubem will win” he said.

Ekwunife is our campaign manager, says Chris Uba

Former godfather of Anambra State politics, Chief Chris Uba has dismissed Uche Ekwunife, a member of the house of assembly running for senate of Anambra Central on the platform of PDP, saying that her campaigns will only help the candidates in his camp to achieve victory.

Uba who was in Awka on Wednesday said members of the party should not loss sleep about a paid announcement running on radio on the account of Ekwunife, saying that she, Stella Oduah and his elder brother, Andy Uba are the authentic candidates of the party for the senate in the state.

Uba also stated that He and everyone on their line up are sure of victory in the election, and that ekwunife and all the others are only helping them as campaign managers.

Ngige, Annie Okonkwo, Ekwunife can not challenge me, says APGA boss, Umeh

The national chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Chief Victor Umeh has said that none of the candidates of the other political parties running for the Anambra Central Senatorial zone has the pedigree to challenge him.

Umeh who spoke to journalists in Awka during a programme organized by Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria(APBN) said the people of the zone, Anambra and the south east need to vote people of character into elective positions.

He stated that sending people without pedigree to the senate will be a minus to the people of the zone as they will spend four years in the red Chambers without making any meaningful contribution that will better the lot of the people.

“I am here to grace the function of the APBN because I am a professional myself. I am an Estate Surveyor and Valuer, and I am a Fellow of the National Institute of Estate Surveyors and Valuer. With due respect, apart from Ngige who is a medical doctor, there is no one in the race who is a professional. Annie Okonkwo is a trader, and for Ekwunife; her name is not even in the list, and you all know her antecedent.” Umeh said.

He said sending unqualified people to the senate will not help the cause of Ndi-Igbo who are planning an alliance that will give them a voice and recognition in the entity called Nigeria, and that he is going to the senate with the agenda of the south east, not just Anambra Central.

Umeh queried what the likes of Annie Okonkwo were going to the senate to do, after having failed in their representation previously.

He also rated the current senator representing the area, Dr Chris Ngige as having performed poorly, saying that no noticeable infrastructure can be attributed to the jumbo allowances he has collected in the senate in the past four years.

“I am a man who has been tested, and my Christian background makes me to understand that I should not take what belongs to the people, so you can be sure that I will represent the people very well and use the constituency allowances accruing to them to their benefit.

“I was at the National Conference, and most of you know the role I played during my short stay, that is the kind of thing I will do in the senate when I get there. I am going to give Igbo people a voice.

END.

Why I built the best hotel in Awka, says Meloch Hotel Proprietor

Anambra born Ghana-based business mogul, Mr Elochukwu Gwacham has said that the Best Western group built the Meloch hotel which has been rated the best in Awka to help the development of the state.

He called on the Anambra government to encourage investors in the state with incentives like tax reduction to encourage ” Think Home Philosophy”

 

Gwacham made the call in an interview with the newsmen in Awka on Wednesday.

 

He said that the incentives, particularly on tax waiver would encourage successful indigenous business men and women abroad to come home and invest to enhance development of the state.

 

Gwacham, owner of a four-star hotel in Awka said that such incentives would commit any true citizen of the state to come home and invest, but the intending investors would be discouraged with high taxation and hard policies.

 

“I lived greater part of my youthful age outside the country and discover that no place like home, Western world survive with taxes paid by the people but they in turn give back to the people basic amenities to make life meaningful.

 

“I support government collection of taxes from industrialist and others but if waiver can be given so as to encourage people who put down their life hard earned money to set up business to recoup because at initial take-off no gains are recorded,” he said

 

He said that investment in a hotel of International class meant huge sum of money had went under construction, and government should partner with such people by providing good incentives with considerable tax rate.

 

Gawacham said he built the four-star hotel, Meloch Hotel, Awka, a subsidiary of Best Western, pointing out that the hotel is one of the five such in Nigeria in Lagos, Port Harcourt, Benin City, Abuja and Awka.

 

“It is  one of my contributions in developing the state ,I came to invest this huge amount of money here because someone got to start the development so I wish to join the race and make our state the Dubia of our time, “ he said

 

He said that he had received lots of discouraging words like “why did you come to build this fine hotel here Awka not Abuja Lagos, Port Harcourt , it  could have been better as in three years or less you will recover”

“I smiled back at them because money is not everything, we have to reduce the cost of a room in Meloch Hotel because there is no money in Anambra it is my own sacrifice for good things to begin to happen here” he said.

 

Gawacham said that the services in the hotel rendered were of International standard in Internet facilities all in the over 50 rooms, over 60 graduates employed and with Insurance cover to both guests and workers

.

He appealed to the government to improve electricity supply as it will enhance the hotel business and operators and encourage other wealthy people from the state to come home and invest.

 

“Their coming home to invest will bridge the gap of  unempolyment level  in the state as well create wealthy for the state as taxes are paid  tourist come in freely and feel relaxed and  patronsie the hotels and other tourist centres in the state” he said

 

Gawacham hails from Osile Ogbunike community in Oyi Local Government Area and his is happily married.

 

Meloch Hotel is known to have its swiming pool hung in the middle of the hotel, high up. It is reputed to be the most expensive in Anambra with the least room being N15,000 per night.

Maku in Anambra, for APGA support

Mr Labran Maku, former Minister of Information and supervising Minister of Defence, yesterday visited Anambra State to solicit support from APGA members in the state, and also confer with the BOT chairman of the party, Governor Willie Obiano.

Maku said the state governors should jointly tackle the insurgency ravaging the country

State instead of pointing accusing fingers at the president.

He said that President Goodluck Jonathan should not be held responsible for the insecurity in the country, rather the governors should be in charged to take responsible of their duty as chief executive of their various states.

“Governors are undependable, unaccountable to the presidency they are autonomous and closer to the people as such should know better than the presidency what goes wrong in their domain,’’ he said.

He urged those behind political violence in the country to desist from it as such was no longer fashionable, rather superior argument and ideas should be placed down.

Maku also condemned the recent political attack on Jonathan who was in Bauchi and Kastina to canvas for votes for re-election in February. He described the incidences as unruly and unfortunate.

"The president was not supposed to be attacked in any part of the country because he has demonstrated quality leadership which every Geo-Political Zone would attest to, therefore no right thinking person would have melted any form of attack on him."

Speaking on his governorship bid, he said that he joined APGA to run for the gubernatorial election in his state, Nasarawa as he suffered politics of religion and ethnicity on the platform the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

Maku said that he was in Anambra to garner more tactics from the APGA National Chairman, Chief Victor Umeh who is from the state as well as to identify with the party in the state.

ABS Radio/TV excited about going digital

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Anambra Broadcasting Corporation(ABS), Mr Uche Nworah has said that station is excited about the prospect of going digital, in compliance with the 2015 deadline of the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria(BON).

Nworah said that the excitement is accentuated by the fact that the order is coming at a time when the station is rolling out the drums to celebrate its 30^th anniversary, and also made a personal commitment to ensure that it steps up its game in the broadcasting world.

“We in ABS have been preparing for this for a long time, we are on course to meeting the challenge. Digitalising our stations will shore up the quality of our production, and we will stop worrying about masts and airwaves and all that.

“Our organization has been shopping for partners that will help us to deliver good content to meet the goal. Our equipments have already been paid for by the governor. The governor has awarded a contract to the tune of N728 for the digitalization and mordernisation of ABS radio and television.”

Activities lined up for the anniversary which is a year long event include; a lecture on the media, politics and national development to be delivered by Prof Pat Utomi on 4^th March, at the women’s development Centre, Awka.

Other activities are; health workshop, novelty match, local government tours, staff training and workshop, book launch and a beauty and make-up fair among others.

ABS was set up in 1985 as the official radio and television station of the old Anambra State, and has since been in operation as one of the flagship broadcast station of the south east zone of the country.