Nigeria may collapse if... NDIG

Being a Communiqué’ Issued At The End Of An Emergency Meeting Held In Ugheli, Delta State On The 20th Day Of January 2010 @ 12:30 P.M. Nigerian Time.
The NIGER DELTA INTEGRITY GROUP (NDIG) held an emergency meeting at Ugheli, in Delta State on the 20th of January 2010 concerning matters of urgent importance in the Niger Delta Region. At the end of the meeting, the NDIG resolved as follows: 1. That Nigeria stands the risk of a constitutional crisis owing to the prolonged absence of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. To prevent this impending crisis, the Group lends it voice to those calling for the immediate swearing-in of the Vice President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan (GCON) as acting President. In our view, the lacuna created by the absence of President Yar’Adua will escalate tension, mistrust and unnecessary power tussle, which are inimical to good governance and the rule of law. The Group affirms the corporate existence of Nigeria as an indivisible entity, and holds the view that the stability of Nigeria transcends ethnic, religious and party barriers.

2. That the Federal Government should implement the Post-Amnesty programme in a sustainable and holistic manner without any further delay. The Group strongly believes that the relative peace the Niger Delta People savour now may soon be truncated by the non-implementation of the programme. There are already palpable fears that militancy is likely to rear its ugly head if the tempo of peace is not sustained. The implementation of the Post-Amnesty programme should go simultaneously with the implementation of the 25% derivation funds in our collective push towards an equitable fiscal federalism. The Post-Amnesty Programme should not be politicized.

3. The NDIG calls on the Federal Government to revive all the moribund industries in the Niger Delta Region and Support the establishment of new ones to create employment for the teeming unemployed youths in the Region. With specific reference to Bayelsa State, the Federal Government needs to embark on physical infrastructural projects such as roads because of the huge capital outlay involved coupled with the difficult terrain. The NDIG believes that the slow pace of development in most States of the Niger Delta Region is as a result of lack of Federal presence in terms of industries and infrastructure that can attract foreign investments. In addition, special financial grants be given to Bayelsa, Rivers, Delta and Akwa Ibom States for the huge sums of money spent in the prevention of militant activities from snowballing into full-scale war. The monies spent in paying militants, the Joint Military Task Force and other matters pertaining to conflict resolution could have been committed to development projects.

Is this the kind of president in Jonathan Goodluck?

Dear Editor Sir: It is unfortunate and looks like if the Vice-President Goodluck Jonathan transmutes to President of Nigeria, through the expected constitutional means, Nigeria may not fare better either. Judging from his utterances then good governance, transparency and rule of law in Nigeria have been thrown to the dogs.

On Friday December 11, 2009, many newspapers were awash with Vice-President’s unguarded statements concerning the situation with future Presidential elections and the Anambra 2010 gubernatorial election. Jonathan and the PDP hierarchy at their Party’s NEC meeting on November 10, 2009 showcased their stocks-in-trade, which are disobedience to rule of the law, arrogance and win-by-rigging posture.

Hear the Vice-President: “If you conduct presidential elections 100 times and bring angels from the moon to conduct them, PDP will still win”. He spoke as if he is God. Then hear the PDP NEC members: “INEC cannot stop us in Anambra; Soludo remains our candidate for Anambra 2010”. Though there are few exceptions like Governor Akpabio of Akwa Ibom and a PDP BoT member Chief Don Etiebet who have openly canvassed for APGA Peter Obi against their own, on the forthcoming Anambra’s 2010 gubernatorial election.

The Vice President Goodluck Jonathan and that of the PDP NEC members made mince meat to the Nigeria’s ‘rebranding’ project. One thing is that PDP has set out to rig any future elections; but it looks very obvious that citizens now know their rights and would in subsequent elections insist that their votes count. The present ruling party should not throw mud at the masses and expect them not to be on their guard. PDP members should start to learn how to allow transparency in all things that involve all Nigerians; they can continue to do otherwise within their party as is the case presently.

Cosmos Erhabor,

Mississippi Street,

Maitama-Abuja.

Yar'adua admits to suffering from "Acute Pericarditis" of Churg-Strauss syndrome

In a statement released a few hours ago in Abuja, aides of Nigeria's sickly leader, Umaru Yar'adua, admitted that he is suffering from “acute pericarditis,” a heart condition that results from complications of Churg-Strauss Syndrome.

The statement was written by Yar’adua’s personal physician, Salisu Banye, but distributed by chief spokesman, Segun Adeniyi.

The statement amounts to validation of Saharareporters’ disclosure a long time ago that Yar’adua is plagued by the degenerative disease. 

Acute pericarditis is the inflammation of the membrane surrounding the heart. The condition could lead to heart attack and heart failure. Mr. Yar’adua already manifests other symptoms of Churg-Strauss Syndrome, including skin scarring, renal damage and peripheral nerve damage.



In his statement, Mr. Adeniyi stated, “The medical review and tests undertaken at the hospital have confirmed the initial diagnosis that the president is indeed suffering from acute pericarditis. He is now receiving treatment for the illness and he is responding remarkably well."


Mr. Adeniyi’s statement was silent on the date of return for Mr. Yar'adua who is on admission in a Saudi hospital. Saharareporters had revealed that the ailing Nigerian leader was unconscious for four hours on Tuesday night at the hospital in Jeddah. 


Appeal Court Panel Unanimously Dismisses Andy Uba's Petition

Andy Uba, the controversial former domestic aide to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, today lost his case at the special election's appeals panel made up of Court of Appeal justices sitting in Enugu. Spontaneous and widespread celebration broke out in the streets of Enugu and Anambra States as soon as word spread about Uba’s latest humiliating defeat.The five-judge panel led by Justice J. Sylvanus Ngwuta unanimously dismissed Uba’s application to be declared Anambra’s “governor-in-waiting” based on the fraudulent electoral exercise conducted by the Professor Maurice Iwu-led electoral commission in April 2007.“The justices have finally rescued their names from ignominy and Anambra from a serious constitutional crisis,” said a lawyer who was present in court to hear the panel announce its decision. The lawyer further stated that several reports by Saharareporters exposing massive behind-the-scene corrupt deals between Uba and some of the justices led to a massive public outcry, including a threat by Ikemba Nnewi, Emeka Odimegwu Ojukwu, who said the country could be embroiled in another civil war should the justices sell the judgment to Uba.