Uduaghan, Omo-Agege, Ogboru make INEC list for Delta guber re-run

A list containing 14 candidates has been released by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for the Delta State re-run election, which has been fixed for January 6, next year.
The list, signed by the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner for Delta State, Dr. Ogbudu Ada, contained the 14 governorship candidates and their deputies.
On the list are Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, whose tenure was cut short by the Court of Appeal judgment, which overturned his April 14, 2007, election victory alongside his deputy; Obarisi Ovie Omo-Agege of the Republican Party of Nigeria, RPN, and Great Odveje Ogboru,  who is contesting on the platform of Democratic Peoples Party, DPP.
Also on the list are three female candidates, with two vying for the governorship slot, while one is a deputy governorship candidate.
Peter Oghenevwogaga is to fly the flag of the Accord Party with Fidelis Akihagun as his deputy while Chief Ngozi Agbogbo will represent African Democratic Congress, ADC, with Michel Akiele as his deputy. The All Nigerian Peoples Party, ANPP, has Mrs. Veronica Musu as its governorship candidate with Prince Dan Omughele  as her deputy.  Citizens Peoples Party, CPP, has Chief Onkpite and Mr. Rossy Egho Aroghogene as its candidates, just as Democratic Peoples Alliance, DPA, has Dr. Emmanuel Mafiana and Michael Asugo contesting on its platform. Donald Chukwuemaka will contest on the platform of Justice Party with his deputy candidate, Olorogun Felix, while  Labour Party will be represented by Abel Omamamo Edijala and Mr. Obed Onwochie.
Other candidates are Johnson o Aje Boghudu and his deputy Enibashi Michael (MRDD), Okeya Ojamovo Edwin and Dr Patrick Okenwagho N.M (NMDP), Taju Sumonu Isichei and chief Erobuke Alordiah (PPA). PRP also has Igbini Odafe Emmanuel and  Eruvie Ohinoavwoyoma.
Dr. Ada advised all stakeholders that the release supersedes the earlier one published by the commission.
A Court of Appeal in Benin had earlier in the year overturned the election of Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan in 2007 and ordered the conduct of a fresh election within 90 days of its judgement.

Ex-militants attack Amnesty Office in Abuja

By Emma Ujah, Abuja Bureau Chief
ABUJA — A group of young men numbering about 60 that claimed to be ex-militants from Bayelsa State, yesterday, attacked the Abuja headquarters of the Presidential Amnesty Office.
According to the group, it was protesting their non-inclusion in the benefits of the amnesty programme, especially the N65,000 stipend and feeding allowance paid to their colleagues on a monthly basis.
The attackers who damaged the gate of the premises and  disputed activities in the amnesty office, were part of the last group of 6,600 ex-militants who got presidential approval only last month to be included in the programme, more than one year after the expiration of October 4, 2009 deadline for them to surrender.
But in a swift reaction, Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta and Chief Executive Officer of the Amnesty Programme, Mr. Timi Alaibe, denounced the use of violence by the men whom he alleged were being used by politicians to discredit President Goodluck Jonathan and the programme.
Alaibe said since the inclusion of the group, his office had been working hard to ensure they benefitted from the programme and that indeed arrangement had been put in place for a decentralised payment of the stipend in all the states of the region.
He explained that the payment commenced on Tuesday but that rather than patiently waiting to collect their allowances in their state, the group attacked his office on the pretext of protesting non-inclusion in the programme.
His words: “Given that proper bank accounts are yet to be opened for these new entrants, the Amnesty Office working closely with the Joint Military Task Force, JTF, arranged for the payments to be done directly to the 6,166 ex-militants in pay-parade format at designated locations and this arrangement was promptly communicated to the leaders of the ex-militants who excitedly welcomed it.

Anioma Asociation USA Congratulates Obi

A Delta Diaspora group, Anioma Association USA has congratulated Prince Samuel Obi on his swearin in as the Acting Governor of Delta State.

In a statement to the media signed by the group’s National President, Uche Honnah, the group said:

“Anioma Association USA, Inc. (AAU), on behalf of all Aniomas in diaspora, joyfully congratulates Hon. Prince Sam Obi on his swearing in as the Acting Governor of Delta State.  No Anioma son or daughter has ever been at the helm of affairs of Delta State since its creation and we are especially proud that today we have one even if it is supposed to be for a short period. We urge all people of the Delta North Senatorial district to unite behind the Acting Governor and make this period one of tranquility and peace.

“AAU makes no apologies for its unabashed position in desiring for a governor from Anioma that will govern the state for a minimum of eight years because we believe it will bring greater economic progress closer to us.

“Your Excellency, we do realize that it will be a tall order to expect you to solve all the problems of Delta State in ninety days but we the Aniomas in diaspora can guaranty you that as one of us, we will give you our one hundred percent support.”

Witness Tells How Bayelsa Officials Shared N2 Billion Loot!

Fresh facts have emerged about how four officials of the Bayelsa state government who are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, over a N2 billion scam,  shared the money which was meant for augmentation of the state’s workers salary. 

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja was on Tuesday November 30, 2010 told that the officials:  Bayelsa state Commissioner for Finance, Dr. Charles Sylva Osuala, and three others:  Francis Okokuro, Abbot T. Clinton and Ikobho Anthony Howells, actually shared the money among themselves.

The accused were recently arraigned on a six count charge of criminal conspiracy and money laundering among others by the EFCC.

At the resumed hearing of the case,  prosecution witness, Adeniyi Adebayo,  tendered the statements he obtained from the accused persons  during investigation before Justice Donatus Okorowa. He said that the accused admitted sharing the money among themselves under various guises. Though counsel to the accused persons,  raised an  objection to the admissibility of the statements as an  evidence, a development which prolonged proceedings of the court, the accused persons were however made to withdraw their objections.

Adebayo told the court that the accused persons between October 2009 and February 2010, at various places in Nigeria induced the Union Bank Plc, with the intent to defraud, to grant an overdraft facility of the sum of N2 billion to the Bayelsa state Government under the false pretence of using the amount to augment salaries of the state workers. He also told the court that letters were written to UBA and Intercontinental Bank investigating the fraud  and prayed the court to give him time to tender the correspondence with the banks at the next adjourned date.  While adjourning the case to December 14^th and 15^th for continuation of hearing, the judge urged all parties to the case to ensure expeditious determination of the case.

Count one of the six count charge reads: “That you, Francis Okokuro, Abot T. Clinton, Ikobho Anthony Howells and Dr. Charles Sylva Osuala on or about the 22^nd of January, 2010, at Abuja, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, converted the sum of N380, 000,000.00 (three Hundred and Eight Million Naira), property of the Bayelsa State Government, through the account of one Habibu Sani Maigidia, a Bureau De Change Operator with Account No. 221433478108, in Fin Bank, Plc, which sum you knew represented the proceeds of the said illegal act with the aim of concealing the nature of the proceeds of the said illegal act and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 14(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition Act) 2004 and also punishable under Section 14(1) of the same Act

Air planes will land and take off at Asaba International Airport next January. Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan disclosed this in Lagos while fielding answers to question at a Grand House Reception (GHR) organised in his honour at Niteshift Coliseum. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the February 2011 rerun governorship election in Delta State, also vowed to return fire for fire to his opponents. " I will say that there will always be an opposition; some maybe very loud, some maybe very vocal. But let me say that if they give me problem, I will give it back to them. If they give me one problem I will give them two," he said in response to a question. Accompained by Richard Mofe Damijo and Oma Djeba and some members of his campaign organisation, Professor G.G. Dara and Sunny Ofili, Uduaghan used the occasion to announce that by January 2011 air plane will land and take off in Asaba International Airport which his administration conceived. According to him all is set for the maiden flight operation in and out of the airport which he described as the biggest by any state government in Nigeria. Uduaghan who seized the opportunity of the reception to name some of his achievements in office before the election petition appeal tribunal that sat in Benin, ordered a rerun of the 2007 election that brought him to office also told the audience, made up mainly of Deltans, that contrary to insinuations, his administration has transformed Asaba into a worthy state capital. He cited the new government house, which is yet to be completed, the event centre, the street lights including the airport as part some of the landmark efforts of his government at making Asaba a befitting state capital. He said that as part of efforts to improve the standard of education, his administration came up with enhanced salary package for teachers in the state especially those in the rural and riverine areas just as he had embarked on massive rehabilitation of all primary and secondary schools in the state before the appeal tribunal judgment came. He was also quick to point out that Delta State under his stewardship is one of the few states that all the courses in its territay institutions are fully accredited by the relevant government agencies. on the issue of power, Uduaghan who also used the occasion to appeal to Deltans outside the state to "come hope regularly and see things for themselves", said that the state has contributed its own financial share to the federal government Independent Power Project (IPP) while the state's Agip Power Plant (APP) generates 480 megawatts but that the state's energy need of 450 megawatts has not been met because all of the 480 megawatts that the state generates are fed into the national grid which is distributed to other parts of the country and not a drop for the state. "Delta State requires about 450 megawatts of electricity but on a good day we get about 100 megawatts and some other days we get 50 megawatts. It is as bad as that. Our Agip Power Plant generates 480 megawatts but not one drop is used in Delta; everything is fed into the national grid and distributed to other parts of the country," he said. He also gave his administration a pass mark in the area of sustenance of peace in the state which he said he was able to achieve by not adopting the military option.

Air planes will land and take off at Asaba International Airport next January. Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan disclosed this in Lagos while fielding answers to question at a  Grand House Reception (GHR) organised in his honour at Niteshift Coliseum.

The  Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the February 2011 rerun governorship election in Delta State, also vowed to return fire for fire to his opponents.

" I will say that there will always be an opposition; some maybe very loud, some maybe very vocal. But let me say that if they give me problem, I will give it back to them. If they give me one problem I will give them two," he said in response to a question.

Accompained by Richard Mofe Damijo and Oma Djeba and some members of his campaign organisation, Professor G.G. Dara and Sunny Ofili, Uduaghan used the occasion to announce that by January 2011 air plane will land and take off in Asaba International Airport which his administration conceived.

According to him all is set for the maiden flight operation in and out of  the airport which he described as the biggest by any state government in Nigeria.

Uduaghan who  seized the opportunity of the reception to name  some of  his achievements in office before the election petition appeal tribunal that sat in Benin,  ordered a rerun of the 2007 election that brought him to office also told the audience,  made up mainly  of Deltans, that contrary to insinuations, his administration has transformed  Asaba into a worthy  state capital.

He cited the new government house, which is  yet to be completed, the event centre, the street lights including the airport as part some of the landmark efforts of his government at making Asaba a befitting state capital.

He said that as part of efforts to improve the standard of education, his administration came up with enhanced salary package for teachers in the state especially those in the rural and riverine areas just as he had embarked on massive rehabilitation of all primary and secondary  schools in the state before the appeal tribunal judgment came.

He was also quick to point out that Delta State under his stewardship  is one of the few states that all the courses in its territay institutions are fully accredited by the relevant government agencies.
on the issue of power, Uduaghan who also used the occasion to appeal to Deltans outside the state to "come hope regularly and see things for themselves", said that the state has contributed its own financial share to  the federal government Independent Power Project (IPP) while the  state's Agip Power Plant (APP) generates 480 megawatts  but that  the state's energy need of  450 megawatts  has not been met because all of the 480 megawatts that the state generates are fed into the national grid which is distributed to other parts of the country and not a drop for the state.
"Delta State requires about 450 megawatts of electricity but on a good day we get about 100 megawatts and some other days we get 50 megawatts. It is as bad as that. Our Agip Power Plant generates 480 megawatts but not one drop is used in Delta; everything is fed into the national grid and distributed to other parts of the country," he said.

He also gave his administration a pass mark in the area of sustenance  of peace in the state which he said he was able to achieve by not adopting the military option. 

Obasanjo, IBB, Daniel, Others Grace Oyinlola’s Exit Party

Olagunsoye Oyinlola put a gloss on his travails on Sunday and celebrated his exit with a thanksgiving service where he thanked the people of Osun State for the opportunity given him to serve.

The Appeal Court ruled on November 26 that his  was a stolen mandate.

The court declared his election on April 14, 2007 null and void, and gave the victory to Rauf Aregbesola of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

Oyinlola, nevertheless, rallied his fellow Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members for the thanksgiving service at Saint Michael’s Anglican Cathedral Church in Okuku, Osun State. 

Those who attended included former President Olusegun Obasanjo; former military President, Ibrahim Babangida; Governors Gbenga Daniel (Ogun) and Adebayo Alao-Akala (Oyo); and former Lagos State Deputy Governor, Femi Pedro.

Also present were Youth Development Minister, Akinlabi Olasunkanmi; Secretary to the Oyo State Government (SSG), Olayiwola Olakojo; former Osun SSG, Fatai Akinbade; Shuaib Oyedokun, Yusuf Alli, Adebayo Adelodun, Kunle Kalejaye, Patrick Aziza, and Tunde Osanupin.

Oyinlola, in his remarks thanked God for giving him the opportunity to serve as Governor for seven and a half years. 

He also expressed appreciation to Nigerians for their show of support since the Court of Appeal ousted him from office. 

He urged the people of the state to fortify his successor with prayers saying, “Osun State is our Jerusalem.”

Oyinlola said his joy knew no bounds for his achievements in office, stressing that human welfare was the focal point in power. 

He also thanked government workers, noting that none of them was unjustly treated by his administration and that projects were evenly distributed statewide, irrespective of the politics of the areas. 

Oyinlola said he has not lost sleep over the court verdict because “if there is no disappointment, there cannot be appointment.”

He thanked Babangida, Daniel, Alao-Akala, and all the other dignitaries for honouring him with their presence, stressing that it was wonderful that an array of people across the country witnessed the thanksgiving service despite the fact that he did not send out formal invitations. 

He prayed that Almighty God would continue to take charge of the affairs of Osun for the good of the people of the state. 

Bishop Ayo Ladigbolu, who delivered the sermon, noted the occasion was one of joy for the Oyinlola family whose son did not disappoint the people in office. 

He said God does not disappoint His people and He is always available to support the beleaguered. 

Ladigbolu asked the people to also support the new government of Aregbesola as they did Oyinlola’s.

Oil Spill: Uduaghan Hails Judgement Against Shell

former Delta state Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, has lauded a Federal High Court N15.4 billion judgment against Shell Petroleum Development Company over a 40-year oil spill at the Ejama-Ebubu Community in Tai Eleme Local Government area of Rivers state, as a vindication of his position that community action through legal redress can offer opportunity to remedy the devastation and destruction caused by oil spill according to a statement released by his Communications Manager, Paul Odili.

“Governor Uduaghan wishes to recall his recent call at a book launch: “The Laws of Oil Pollution and Environmental Restoration” authored by Prof. Lanre Fagbohun that: “This book I foresee will be useful in so many ways one of which might well be that where moral persuasion and community agitation fail to impel positive action from the oil companies, legal redress becomes the only option. And for legal option to be successful, it must be drawn from a position of knowledge.”

“Governor Uduaghan wishes to state further that without knowing such an action was before the court and that judgment was in hand, feels elated by the decision of the court which further shows that judicial action rather than violence can yield positive results. Seeing the report of the judgment, Governor Uduaghan feels that the learned justices displayed a keen understanding of the issues concerning oil spill and how it is devastating the lives of the people of the zone.  

“He also calls on oil companies to take more practical and proactive action in the management of their operations by renewing their infrastructure such as aging pipelines, deploying the right technology and proper skill because oil spill has terrible effect on the environment, and with awareness by the people, cover ups, distortion of facts and spin can no longer prevent the people from seeking civil action to protect their environment and their way of life.      

“Governor Uduaghan reiterated his call on the Federal Government to audit the spill that has occurred in the zone and to commence without delay criminal investigation into the activities of oil companies as it relates to oil spill in the zone.”

Several Kidnapped In Nigeria Oil Rig Attack

LAGOS Nov 8 (Reuters) - Gunmen attacked an oil rig off the coast of Nigeria's southeastern state of Akwa Ibom late on Sunday, kidnapping several people including two foreigners, security sources said on Monday.

The sources said the attack took place in the shallow-water Okoro oilfield off the Obolo local government area of Akwa Ibom. There was no immediate confirmation from the security services.

Nigerian Militants Say They Attacked NNPC Oil Pipe

Militants in Nigeria's Niger Delta Monday said they had attacked an oil pipeline operated by the state-run Nigerian National Petroleum Corp. Sunday after their demand for an economic development conference wasn't met.

In a statement, the Niger Delta Liberation Force said it had "struck the major pipeline belonging to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company, NNPC, near Batan flow in Delta State last Sunday night at about 11.30pm 5th December.

Northern Group Blasts VP Sambo

A northern political group has lashed out at Vice President Namadi Sambo “for disparaging credible and foremost northern leaders on the issue of northern political leadership and the consensus candidate.”

In a statement to the media, Arewa Defence League said Sambo should desist from arrogating the leadership of the north to to himself.

“The attention of the Arewa Defence League has been drawn to media reports credited to Vice-President Namadi Sambo disparaging credible and foremost northern leaders on the issue of northern political leadership and the consensus candidate.

“In media reports quoted from the interview, Vice-President Sambo granted the British Broadcasting Corporation; he also claimed and asserted that he is the leader of the northern region today.

According to Sambo, “As for those coming out saying they are the leaders of the north, this is in fact a big surprise to us. But you know we don’t talk too much. Today, Allah the Almighty has told us in our capacity as Muslims and Christians, that He gives leadership to whosoever He likes and at whatever period He wants, Almighty Allah also retrieves power.”

"Today, there is no doubt and everybody knows, the Almighty Allah has already bestowed the leadership of the North on me Architect Namadi Sambo. He has made me the leader of the North politically," he said.

“In the light of these unwarranted attacks and insults on our leaders, we wish to condemn in clear terms the outburst of the Vice-President and restate that Namadi Sambo despite his occupation of the number two office in Nigeria is not the leader of northern Nigeria.

His self acclaim to throne of northern leadership is nothing but an excise in political masturbation and influence peddling. It makes meaning only as flight of fancy.

“He should not confuse his narrow political ambition to pick any crumbs from the table with the larger interest of his people. The fact that he is an enemy of zoning despite having benefited from zoning by virtue of the office he boasts of today. His public statements on power rotation are in conflict with the larger thinking of his people.

“It is therefore curious for Namadi Sambo to usurp the position of northern political leadership at a time he is going in tangential direction with the interest of the people he purports to represent.” The statement was signed on behalf of the group by Murtala Abubakar.

Atiku, IBB Draw Battle Line With President Jonathan

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Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar yesterday raised the stake in the political crisis plaguing the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with a warning that “that those who make peaceful change impossible, make violent change inevitable.”

His warnings were also echoed by former military President, Ibrahim Babangida who alerted that the party will lose credibility and may be perceived as lawless if it ignores its own rules, particularly on zoning. 

They insisted that it is the turn of the North to occupy the Villa.

Babangida warned at a national stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja that taking the Presidential ticket away from the North will portend danger and send the signal that rules and laws can easily be ignored.

Said he: “Any attempt to disrupt this arrangement therefore portends ominous prospects to the electoral fortunes of the party, but more seriously endangers orderly political transition in the nation. 

“The way I see it is that our task has now been clearly set; that is to do whatever is lawfully possible to ensure that our party, its organs, and officials do what is right for the long term interest of the party and the larger interest of our nation. 

“To do otherwise is to send the message that we are not ready to abide by our own rules and cannot be trusted by the larger society to adhere to its own. 

“This is one message we cannot afford to communicate to the people of this country upon who we depend to acquire political power; or indeed even to the larger international community.” 

Babangida argued that the rotation of power is beyond the North,  and certainly beyond the PDP as a political party, rather, “It is simply a national challenge to come up with an arrangement that guarantees to all sections of this country a sense of belonging. 

“Jettisoning this arrangement, regardless of the excuse that is being bandied around, endangers not only the prospects of orderly political transition in the country but also its progress towards evolving into a single indivisible nation. “

Atiku, the consensus Northern Presidential aspirant in the PDP, added: “We have some elder statesmen on consensus building. It is about the rule of law, due process and standing for what is right. I am an instrument for realising these values. 

“I promise that by the grace of almighty God, we shall bring this country back to the part of honour.”

He warned that if the PDP “does not reform, it stands the risk of making itself irrelevant. Let me again send another message to the leadership of the PDP that those who make peaceful change impossible, make violent change inevitable.”

Former Senate President Iyorcha Ayu urged the gathering “to ignore the Nigerian history of the 60’s that produced coups and counter coups with its leaders as Northerners. It was not conspiratorial on the part of the Northern political leaders, it was accidental. 

“When we had opportunity, we not only brought out former President Olusegun Obasanjo who was in prison for treason, but the North made him President even when his immediate community rejected him. 

“It was the highest show of solidarity by the North. The least our brothers from the South can do is to demonstrate and reciprocate the goodwill.”

Elumelu Calls For Deepening Of The Capital Markets In Africa

Tony Elumelu, the Chairman of Heirs Holdings; a pan-African investment firm focused on investing in key sectors, including financial services, real estate and resources, as well as health care and infrastructure, has again reiterated the need to deepen the capital markets in Africa. 

The immediate past chief executive of United Bank for Africa, who spoke at the Commonwealth Economic Partnership Forum organised by the Commonwealth Business Council in London, said incentivising the increasingly regional African growth companies, as well as subsidiaries of multinationals to become listed on African stock exchanges is crucial to deepening the African capital markets, increasing liquidity and ensuring wealth creation.

He was however quick to point out that the markets in spite of the global challenges have been supportive of local institutions, enabling them to continue to raise finance for their businesses, even when international markets remain effectively closed. Citing UBA as an example during the panel discussion on “Accessing Commonwealth Financial Markets”, he said the Bank has through the market raised funds including equity and debt, to finance its Africa expansion agenda.  “UBA recently, raised N20 billion through a 7-year tenured bond from the capital market. The corporate bond issue was over-subscribed by local investors”. 

Responding to a question on how SMEs can access funds from the capital market, Mr. Elumelu urged SME operators across Africa to focus on capacity building and ensuring their businesses are institutionalised, implementing well defined strategies and operating structures as a first step, before approaching the capital market for finance. Domestic and international institutions were targeting the SME sector, and for the right business, capital was clearly available. Capital markets should not be seen as the first port of call for these entities, but only after the SMEs were well established and looking to expand operations and grow market share. 

The Commonwealth Economic Partnerships Forum brought together over 250 business and government leaders from 30 Commonwealth countries. Hosted by the Commonwealth Business Council in collaboration with the City of London Corporation, the Forum was addressed by the Right Hon Kamla Persad-Bissessar, Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and Commonwealth Chairperson in Office, His Excellency Mr Shaukat Aziz, former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Ministers from the United Kingdom, Barbados, Kenya, Trinidad, and over 50 business leaders and international experts. 

The Forum provided a good opportunity to reassess the trade and investment linkages amongst the Commonwealth countries and reinvigorate the role the private sector can play in creating economic growth for the benefit of all Commonwealth countries. Participants noted that there is a new sense of dynamism emerging from the Commonwealth relationships with the possibility of economic partnerships based on the ‘Commonwealth factor’, drawing on English as a common language, similar governmental and legal frameworks as well as business systems. 

Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar said, “The Commonwealth market potential of 2 billion people is an attractive proposition for trade and investment, also as a gateway to other lucrative markets.” The Forum welcomed the new British Government’s emphasis on leveraging the Commonwealth and linkages with emerging markets. Given the role of new global structures, particularly the G20, participants urged the Commonwealth countries in the G20 to advocate priority issues for the broader Commonwealth membership.

The Forum agreed that the future role of the Commonwealth should emphasize trade and investment for economic growth, building on partnerships between governments and the private sector. There is now over $4 trillion worth of trade carried out by Commonwealth countries, with the potential to grow significantly. By 2020, the Commonwealth will have a market with over 1 billion middle class consumers and 40% of the global workforce. From advanced manufacturing to pioneering developments in the energy, engineering, ICT, education, scientific research and agriculture sectors – there are Commonwealth companies leading the way. The Forum highlighted opportunities and partnerships in different regions of the Commonwealth, including Africa, the Americas , and Asia

Four key areas were identified for action. Firstly, the Forum called for sharing of experience between Commonwealth stock exchanges to strengthen good practices for capital market development. Secondly it emphasised that greater focus should be given to expanding intra-Commonwealth trade, particularly intra- regional trade and thirdly called for the harnessing of entrepreneurship and new business models for broad-based growth. The Forum fourthly called for greater partnership between institutions on research and sharing of results stating that skills development should be developed further through private-public collaboration and private sector delivery of training programme.

ECOWAS Suspends Ivory Coast

ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast - The chairman of a regional body representing 15 countries in West Africa said that Ivory Coast had been suspended from their organization.

The suspension, announced by Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, comes as Ivory Coast's incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo continued to refuse stepping down following an election the U.N. says he lost.

Ivory Coast's electoral commission released results last week indicating Gbagbo had lost to opposition leader Alassane Outtara. The results were certified by the U.N. but Gbagbo defiantly went ahead with a shotgun inauguration and has ignored calls from world leaders to stand down.

The 15-nation Economic Community of West African States, known as ECOWAS, said in a statement Tuesday they recognize Ouattara as president and call on Gbagbo to "yield power without delay."

Atiku Blasts Akpabio As ‘Busy Body”

Atiku Abubakar Campaign Organization has labelled Akwa Ibom State Governor, Godswill Akpabio, as a ‘busy body’ over his comment on Monday that the former Vice President’s recent waiver by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) could be reviewed. 

It also described absence of Raymond Dokpesi from the newly constituted executives of the Atiku Campaign Organization as “tactical”.

This is because “Dokpesi has been projected for a higher position in the scheme of things and will soon be made public”. 

Director General of the Atiku Campaign, Ben Obi, while responding to Akpabio’s comments, said the organization was not perturbed because the comment did not come from the PDP.

“Akpabio is an inconsequential person who has not solved all the multitude of problems in his state. 

“He should mind the business of his state and see how he can tackle the crisis in his state, rather than comment on party issues which he has no business with,” Obi said.   

He added that the group was worried about the spate of losses the PDP has incurred in the recent times.

“Though this calls for concern, however, those who perpetrated those fraud must be held responsible for the dwindling fate of the party.” 

Obi had earlier in a prepared speech thanked former presidential aspirants, Ibrahim Babangida, Bukola Saraki, Artiku Abubarkar and Mohammed Gusau, for the honour done him by endorsing him as the campaign Director General while pledging to “carry the banner thrust upon me with honour, dignity, fairness and commitment. 

“Furthermore, I want to commend all our principals in particular for the paradigm shift they have introduced into Nigeria’s electioneering campaign. 

“This new shift from dirty propaganda, blackmail, thuggery and all sorts of 

unwholesome and unethical conduct to a neat, clean, rancourless and  thuggery-free intra-party presidential campaign is noteworthy,” Obi added.

Atiku Calls For Probe of Jonathan’s “Election Rigging Manual”

The Atiku Abubakar Campaign Organization has called for an independent panel of inquiry to investigate the “Election Rigging Manual” prepared by the Jonathan/Sambo Campaign Organization. It appealed to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to also show interest in the matter as it is capable of tarnishing its image as a party undergoing reform. The campaign in a statement released in Abuja yesterday stated that such an independent inquiry is necessary to allay fears that have been raised by the controversy surrounding the “Rigging Manual.” The Campaign Organisation said it is calling for the inquiry because the credibility crisis raised by the document could impact negatively on the 2011 elections. “The document is a throwback to the era of Garrison politics. The content of the document, which outlines strategies to compromise the Judiciary, the INEC, the Police and the Media, should bother every Nigerian who is desirous of credible elections and good governance in the country. “We should not fold our arms when a candidate in an election outlines plans to use the Police Service Commission to compromise the Police. We should not fold our arms when a candidate outlines how he is going to compromise the Judiciary for election purposes. We should not close our eyes when a candidate outlines how he will compromise an important institution like the media for electoral gains.” These issues deserve urgent attention so that we can assure Nigerians that the 2011 elections will truly be free and fair.