I’ll vote for Oshiomhole as president — Fashola

The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, on Saturday, said  he would vote for his Edo State counterpart, Adams Oshiomhole, if he decides to run for the Presidency.

Speaking in Benin City at a youth summit organised by the Edo State Government, with the theme, 'Nigeria's centenary: Defining the issues and setting agenda for the future of our youths,' Fashola said, "If Governor Adams Oshiomhole decides to run as President of this country, he will have my vote. He is the kind of leader that Nigeria needs. I say that because, I have spent five memorable years of my life in Benin City as an undergraduate and as a youth corps member and they are very fond memories that I hold dear in my heart today.

"I am always looking forward to coming here each time I am invited. The excitement to come here is at an all time high. Since my brother assumed office as your governor,  Benin City has not remained the same. It has changed positively and continues to change.

"On my way here, I drove past my former office on Sapele Road and clearly the place has been transformed. And the Airport Road is now wider. I know what Ring Road used to be like and Akpakpava Road. It is nice to know that tourism is back, flights are regular and you have done it because you have allowed yourselves to be led by a man who can inspire you to act. And I don't think anybody can claim the credit for what has happened here if not the people of Edo State."

In his remarks, Governor Adams Oshiomhole appealed to the youths not to give up on the nation, stating that the future of the country was in their hands.

Oshiomhole argued that every nation had its history and that Nigeria has come to stay.

He said, "As a people, what we should think about is how we can get our people properly managed such that the wealth of this great country is expressed in the quality of life of the citizen. How do we address the paradox of a nation so rich and yet its people are getting poorer?

"How do we raise the issue of how the promise of democracy can be fully realised, if the Federal Government continues to pocket 52 per cent and asks the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to share 26 per cent and the rest is shared by 774 local government areas.

"I do not think it is helpful for us to question whether Nigeria is a reality. So, I ask you as young people to recognise that every country has its share of problems and none of those problems can be resolved because the people have perfected the act of lamentation."

Tukur’s Successor: Jonathan under pressure to dump Patience’s candidate

AHEAD of tomorrow's National Executive Committee, NEC, meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, where a successor to the immediate past National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, will emerge, strong indications emerged, yesterday, that President Goodluck Jonathan was under pressure to dump the Minister of Transport, Idris Umar.
Sunday Vanguard gathered that following the plan by governors elected on the platform of the PDP to protest against the President if he succumbs to submitting Umar's name to the NEC as the new party leader, Jonathan has begun to beam his searchlight on Senator Abubakar Mahdi; a former Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters, Senator Abba Aji; and former National Chairman, Grassroots Democratic Movement, GDM, Gambo Lawan, all from Borno State.
Before yesterday's pressure on the President, he was said to have favoured the Transport Minister for the position against the backdrop that he is an absolutely loyal personality and his name was coming from his wife, Patience.
A source told Sunday Vanguard that Governors Isa Yuguda of Bauchi and Ibrahim Dankwanbo of Gombe and acting governor of Taraba State, Umar Garba, all from the North-east to which the PDP national chairmanship is zoned, had settled for Mahdi as their candidate.
According to the source, the governors discussed the name, presented it to the PDP Governors Forum and subsequently to Jonathan.
A source said several blocs have also emerged to be part of the selection of Tukur's replacement, just as the Chairman, Board of Trustees, BoT, Chief Tony Anenih, was said to be rooting for Mahdi as a leader of his group, Peoples Democratic Movement, PDM, while the former federal commissioner and Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark, and his group were, reportedly, backing Aji for the position of the PDP National Chairman.
But when contacted yesterday by one of our correspondents on the matter and whether he was supporting Aji, Clark said he was not part of the process as he had chosen to be neutral.

Tukur Resigns: From left, former National Chairman of PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur; President Goodluck Jonathan with Tukur's resignation letter and Vice President Namadi Sambo at 63rd National Executive Committee meeting of PDP held in Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan.
According to a source, the pendulum is shifting to Borno, a non-PDP state, to avoid having a party National Chairman from a state with a PDP governor to guard against what happened in Enugu State where Governor Sullivan Chime and former PDP National Chairman, Dr. Okwesilize Nwodo, engaged in a cat and mouse relationship throughout Nwodo's tenure, as well as the fight between Tukur and his governor, Murtala Nyako.
Aji is seen as a stabilising factor in the PDP, a good party man, but a source disclosed that issues that revolved round the alleged letter by the late President Umaru Yar'Adua to the National Assembly when he sought medical vacation, even as it caused disquiet then in Aso Rock, may work against him, just as the Presidency is of the view that having Lawan is like having former governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori.
The position of the PDP National Chairman was, in 2012, zoned to North-east where Tukur, from Adamawa State, emerged from while the zone, as part of continuity, retains the position.
The underlining factor now is that the fight is between the PDP and non-PDP controlled states in North- east. The PDP states are Bauchi, Gombe and Taraba while Adamawa, Yobe and Borno are the non-PDP states.
Still as top contenders are the former Acting National Secretary, Dr. Musa Babayo, from Bauchi State, who was the choice of the zone in 2012 before politics played out and Tukur got it. Also from Bauchi is former Governor Adamu
Mauzu. Babayo and Muazu are said to be good party men, humble, loyal, and loved by the people.
The list of aspirants include Barrister Ibrahim Birma, Shettima Mustapha, Abba Gana, all from Borno State.
Speaking with Sunday Vanguard on the development, a member of the PDP BoT said, "We have discovered that the problem of PDP is orchestr

CHAN 2014: Nigeria’s Super Eagles eliminate Mozambique

Nigeria defeated Mozambique 4-2
Mozambique became the first country to exit the African Nations Champions after suffering a second consecutive defeat.
The Mozambique team, who lot their first game to South Africa, lost 2-4 to Nigeria's Super Eagles on Wednesday evening.
The Eagles defeated the Mambas to effectively keep their hopes of progressing in the CHAN tournament alive after going down to a shock 2-1 loss in their first game against Mali.
The Mambas took the lead inside 10 minutes via a stunning free kick by their captain around the centre circle. The thunderbolt off the boots of Diogo Khan caught goalkeeper Chigozie Agbim off his line and went straight into the net to make Nigeria start from behind yet again.
However, before Mozambique could catch their breath from celebrating their goal, the Eagles were back on level terms as Bright Esieme's long throw into the Mambas box was knocked down by Egwuekwe; and Ifeanyi Ede was well placed to volley in from close range.
Two minutes later, Rabiu Ali put Nigeria in the lead when he ran at his man and then fired a shot from 20 yards that was simply unstoppable for Mozambique's goalkeeper, Soarrito.
The Eagles' lead lasted for only seven minutes as Mozambique's star, Diogo, made nonsense of goalkeeper Agbim yet again. He skillfully rounded the Warri Wolves shot stopper before slotting in his second goal of the tournament.
After the fierce first 20 minutes both teams took things a bit easier and ended the first half at 2-2.
In the second half, Ejike Uzoenyi fired a shot into the Mambas penalty box and a Mozambique defender was wrongly adjudged to have handled the ball. A penalty kick was subsequently awarded to Nigeria
Kano Pillars Rabiu Ali took the kick; sending the keeper the wrong way to put the Eagles back ahead on the 54th minute mark.
Nigeria was assured all three points when substitute Barnabas Imenger netted the Eagles fourth goal barely seven minutes after coming in for Gbolahan Salami.
With the victory, Nigeria now has three points from two games and remains third on the log in Group A, behind South Africa and Mali.
The Super Eagles will play their last group game against South Africa on Friday.

NHRC probes Obasanjo’s claim of rights abuses against Jonathan

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) yesterday set up a five-man probe panel headed by its Chairman, Prof Chidi Anselm Odinkalu to investigate allegations of extra-judicial killings and human rights abuses raised against President Goodluck Jonathan by his political godfather, former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Other members of the panel which was constituted at the extra-ordinary emergency meeting of the Commission in Abuja are the Executive Secretary, Prof Bem Angwe, Mrs. Eugenia Abu; D.O.C Ezeigwe and Alhaji Ibrahim Nikau.

In reaching its decision to probe, the NHRC considered the claims contained in the transmission from the Attorney-General of the Federation [AGF] to be quite weighty and grave, concluding that they raised issues of serious and systematic violations of the rights to life, access to fair hearing and justice, personal liberty, safety and security, equality before the law and the prohibition against discrimination.

The commission also raised a three-man panel of Mr. Kayode Komolafe, Mrs. Rita Ifeyinwa Njokanmma and Mr. Eric Bell-Gam to investigate, identify and verify the facts and actors involved in the ongoing crisis in Rivers State and any violations of human rights. In the case of Obasanjo's letter to Jonathan, the council considered the referral transmitted to the commission by the AGF and Minister of Justice on December 23, 2013 in relation to the allegations contained in recent correspondence between them.

In taking cognizance of the AGF's referral, the council said that Rule 79(2) (e) of the Standing Orders and Rules of Procedure the NHRC provide for the AGF or state AGFs to refer appropriate cases to the commission. Council is at all times guided also by the provisions of Section 6(3) of the National Human Rights Commission Act (as amended) that "in exercising its functions and powers under this Act, the commission shall not be subject to the direction or control of any other authority or person."

After comprehensive deliberations, the council decided, in exercise of its powers under Sections 5 and 6 of the NHRC and in accordance with Rule 79(2)(a), (c) and (e) of the Standing Orders and Rules of Procedure of the commission to constitute a panel to inquire into the following:

*Whether or not there is or has been state-sponsored killings or assassinations in Nigeria at any time since November 1995 to date;

*If so, what organizations, institutions, agencies or persons were or are involved in or affected by such killings;

*Whether there is or has been at any time since November 1995, a list of persons to be targeted for watching or for such killings;

* If, in any of such cases, the perpetrators, known or unknown, were brought to justice or assisted, facilitated or helped by any persons or institutions to evade justice;

*Whether the victims of any such killings were or have been afforded access to truth or to effective remedies; and

*Undertake any other or further tasks related to or necessarily incidental to the foregoing.

Council authorized the executive secretariat of the commission to immediately issue an invitation or call for memoranda on the above-indicated terms of reference.

The commission also considered the deepening crisis in Rivers State and concluded that the situation calls for urgent action to verify the facts and stem any further deterioration.

Accordingly, the council constituted a panel to undertake a verification mission into Rivers State with the following terms of reference:

* Identify and verify the facts and actors involved in the ongoing crisis in Rivers State and any violations of human rights connected therewith;

* Identify and interact with all parties or actors connected with or affected by the crisis;

*Recommend any interim measures to ameliorate or prevent further escalation of the situation in Rivers State into serious or massive violations of human rights; and

*Undertake any other or further tasks related to or necessarily incidental to the foregoing.

The NHRC authorized the verification mission to work on an expedited time-line and report

We Have Not Increased Price of Recharge Cards, Says MTN

Worried that recharge card vendors have unilaterally increased the prices of all denominations of MTN recharge cards, without a corresponding increase in the value of the cards, the management of MTN has said it has not effected any retail price increase in any of the recharge card denominations.

In Lagos, most recharge card vendors have added between N10 and N50 to every denomination of MTN recharge card they sell. For instance, a N100 MTN recharge card is now sold for N110, while the N200 denomination is now sold for N210. The N400 card is sold for N420, while the N750 and N1,500 recharge cards now sell for N780 and N1,550 respectively.

The arbitrary increase is applicable to only MTN recharge cards in most parts of Lagos. However, some vendors in Lagos who spoke to THISDAY, explained that MTN cards were scarce and dealers have now capitalised on the scarcity to increase their retail prices.

"MTN cards are scarce in Lagos and dealers are selling to us at increased prices, so we too have to add N10 or more to each denomination to recoup our money," a retail vendor, Emeka Ogor, told THISDAY.

But MTN has stated that the face value of all its recharge card denominations remain the same. Corporate Services Executive, MTN, Mr. Wale Goodluck, said: "We have not effected a price increase and the retail price of the various denominations of our recharge cards and recharge vouchers remain the same.

"Our recharge vouchers come in the following denominations: N1,500, N750, N400, N200 and N100, and must be sold at the face value."

Disturbed by the new development which started last week, Goodluck said: "Any such hike is contrary to MTN's wishes or knowledge. MTN has a well-established distribution structure and all our authorised partners within this structure are obliged to sell recharge cards at their face value.

"Any variance from the authorised face value of recharge cards is without MTN's knowledge or authority."

MTN's 55 million customers can purchase airtime via recharge cards or recharge vouchers as well as through a virtual top-up. The airtime recharge options are generally distributed via a very extensive trade and distribution network which has over the years successfully enhanced accessibility to airtime and customer convenience, he said.

Goodluck assured customers that the company was working assiduously to arrest the situation and urged its customers in the affected areas to explore other options of purchasing their airtime, such as the MTN Virtual Top Up (VTU) or MTN Auto-Top Up.
In a related development, vendors in Asaba, Delta State, have increased prices of recharge cards above their face value for all denominations of cards across all networks.

Advancing reasons for the increase in Asaba, some of the vendors said recharge cards for all the networks suddenly became scarce in January this year, and that the dealers decided to increase the price of their old stock and sell to retail vendors at higher prices.
The retail vendors in turn, added a N10 margin on all denominations of recharge cards of all network operators in Asaba.

APC leader In Ondo State, Pa Akerele Adu, Has Died

All Progressive Congress leader and chieftain of Ondo State, Akerele Adu died today.  He was 84 years old.

His son, Babatunde Adu made the announcement but didn't give further details.  

SaharaReporters learned he died at the Ofafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital where he had been suffering from an age-related illness.

Pa Adu, was a former Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resource in Ondo State during Governor Adebayo Adefarati administration.  

He is remembered for playing a vital role in ensuring the mergers of various political parties, without too much conflict, under the All Progressive Congress.

He was also former state chair of the defunct Alliance for Democracy, which later merged with the Action Congress of Nigeria, now part of the APC in Ondo State.

Born in Ijare, Ifedore, Adu was known for his grassroots mobilization and politics  for the ACN.

He is survived by his wife, many children and grandchildren.

Chelsea confirms Matic signing

Chelsea confirmed Wednesday it has re-acquired midfielder Nemanja Matic from Benfica.Chelsea confirmed Wednesday it has re-acquired midfielder Nemanja Matic from Benfica.
The Blues were on the brink of agreeing a deal worth €25m for the Serb on Monday after holding talks with the Portuguese giants in Lisbon. Matic travelled to London on Tuesday to undergo a medical, and has now signed a five-and-a-half-year contract at Stamford Bridge according to Goal.com.
The Blues were on the brink of agreeing a deal worth €25m for the Serb on Monday after holding talks with the Portuguese giants in Lisbon. Matic travelled to London on Tuesday to undergo a medical, and has now signed a five-and-a-half-year contract at Stamford Bridge according to Goal.com.
"I am very happy for this opportunity to be back at this club," Matic told the club's official website. "I feel very good because of that and just want to say I will give my best to help the team and make the Chelsea fans happy."
"I am very happy for this opportunity to be back at this club," Matic told the club's official website. "I feel very good because of that and just want to say I will give my best to help the team and make the Chelsea fans happy."
The 26-year-old joined Chelsea for just €1.8m in 2009 but left two years later as part of the deal that brought David Luiz to west London in January 2011.
The 26-year-old joined Chelsea for just €1.8m in 2009 but left two years later as part of the deal that brought David Luiz to west London in January 2011.
Jose Mourinho has long considered a top-class defensive midfielder his most urgent transfer target, and with his physique, technical ability and athleticism, Matic is believed to fit the bill perfectly.

Court sacks Umeh, reinstates Okwu as APGA national chairman

The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, yesterday, sacked the National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Chief Victor Umeh from office and directed the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to forthwith, recognise Chief Maxi Okwu as the chairman of the party.
The court presided by Justice Abdulkadir Abdul-Kafarati further ordered the National Secretary of the party, Alhaji Sani Shinkafi and other members of the National Working Committee, NWC, elected alongside Umeh at a convention held on February 18, 2011, in Awka Anambra State, to vacate their respective offices.
Aside Okwu, the court also directed the electoral umpire to henceforth relate with Mr. Ibrahim Carefor, Chief Dickson Ogu, Dr. Gbenga Afeni and Alhaji Abubakar Adamu as the duly elected national officers of APGA. They all emerged from a separate convention of the party that also held in Awka on April 8, 2013.

Victor Umeh
Meanwhile, Umeh, has kicked against the verdict, filed an appeal and insisted that the court had no jurisdiction to entertain the suit. His team had also dragged Justice Kafarati before the National Judicial Council, NJC.
Specifically, Justice  Kafarati ruled that "Umeh and Shinkafi (1st and 2nd defendants), having been expelled from the party whether lawfully or unlawfully, regularly or irregularly, cannot validly continue to occupy the positions of National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively when the suit they filed challenging their said expulsion has not been decided and in their favour."
He maintained that "the 2nd Defendant, having first been elected National Secretary of the party on January 10, 2003, which is over 10 years ago, cannot validly continue in office 10 years after he was first elected when by Article 18(2) of the Constitution of the party, any official of the party can only stay in office for a maximum of two terms of four years each."
The judge equally noted that both the defendants were voted into office by voice votes rather than secret ballot as stipulated by the Constitution of APGA, a process he said, invalidated their emergence as valid national officers of the party.
He stressed that unless and until the judgement of the Awka High Court given in a suit that was earlier filed by one Michael Joe Onwudinjo, which had recognised the Okwu-led faction of the party, was set aside by a higher court, it remained binding, subsisting and must be obeyed by INEC.
Efforts to get Okwu to react to the verdict, yesterday, did not yield dividend as several calls to his mobile phone number did not go through.
However, a press statement by his Senior Media Assistant, Victor Chigozie Eneh, showed the joy that has enveloped Okwu's camp.
Outlining how the details of the judgement, Eneh expressed happiness that Justice Abdulkadir Abdul-Kafarati granted all the reliefs sought by Okwu.
Meantime, the Umeh- led faction of the party, yesterday, took the matter before the Appeal Court sitting in Abuja, alleging that the trial judge engaged in acts of judicial rascality.
It contended that the Enugu Division of the Appeal Court had ab-initio okayed the indefinite suspension of all the Okwu-led executives from the party and stressed that the Supreme Court was already aware of the facts of the case.
Accusing the judge of overreaching his powers by delving into an issue they contended was purely within the purview of domestic affairs of a political party, Umeh and his faction, yesterday, equally filed a motion for an order staying the execution of the judgment pending the hearing and determination of their appeal.
More so, the defendants, through their lawyer, Chief Patrick N. Ikwueto, SAN, also applied for an order of injunction restraining the Okwu-led faction from interfering in the leadership and management of APGA in any manner whatsoever, including by way of dealing with INEC as officers of APGA and or from parading themselves as the validly elected national officers of the party, pending the outcome of the appeal they lodged yesterday.
It was their argument that the high court lacked the juris

APC faction faults Amosun’s second term endorsement

A  faction of the  All Progressives Congress, APC,  in Ogun State, loyal to a former Governor  Olusegun Osoba has kicked against the recent endorsement of the state governor,  Senator Ibikunle Amosun for second term.
The faction in a statement  signed by lawmakers representing Ogun State at the  National Assembly   described the endorsement  process as effort in futility and a charade.
Some of the lawmakers include Senators Gbenga  Obadara (Ogun Central),  Adegbenga Kaka (Ogun East) and Akin Odunsi (West).
Others were Honourables Olumide Osoba, Segun Williams, Adekunle Adeyemi, Abiodun Abudu Balogun, Kehinde Odeneye, Bukola Buraimoh and Babatunde Ogunola.
It will be recalled that some members of the party had adopted Amosun for second term at a stakeholders'  meeting on Monday, at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta.
The lawmakers while faulting  the process of the endorsement said  since the party was yet to have a membership register, the action could not hold any water.
It also wondered when endorsement of governorship aspirants  became the responsibility of political appointees and kitchen cabinet of the governor.
The statement advised the governor to stop heating up the polity in the state with his style of politics of exclusion and hatred.
"We, members of the Ogun State APC caucus in the National Assembly were embarrassed by the purported endorsement of Governor Ibikunle Amosun for 2015 by a group. The action is better described as effort in nullity and a charade.
"We wonder under which platform the endorsement was done since the party was yet to have a membership register. We wonder if Amosun intends to run as an independent candidate.
"How can the endorsement of an aspirant which is strictly a party issue become the responsibility of Governor Amosun's employees and kitchen cabinet members," the statement said.
The lawmakers expressed disappointment that some elders of the party were misguiding the governor for selfish interest and urged all members to remain calm as any endorsement done without due process was of no effect.
They appealed to the  national leadership of the party to caution Governor Amosun and his group to desist from actions capable of derailing the on going transition process in the party.

Photos: Ciara finally confirms she's pregnant, shows off baby bump

Ciara showed off her belly bump today on The View. She's expecting her first child with fiance, singer Future, who already has three children from three different women. Big congrats to her.

Dozens arrrested in Northern Nigeria as anti-gay law comes into force

According to this report, they have started arresting people suspected to be gays in the Northern part of the country. Here's an article I found on UK Guardian. Read below
Dozens of gay men are reported to have been arrested across northern Nigeria as police begin to enforce punitive new laws that criminalize same-sex marriages and membership of gay rights organizations.
Dorothy Aken'Ova, executive director of the country's International Centre for Reproductive Health and Sexual Rights, said that the legislation, hailed the "Jail the Gays" law, had led to mass arrests. Police in Bauchi state, she claimed, had a list of 168 purportedly gay men, of whom 38 had been arrested.
The laws, she cautioned, will endanger medical programmes combating HIV-Aids in the gay community. Nigeria has the second-largest HIV epidemic globally with an estimated 3.4 million people living with HIV.

Responding to the spread of anti-gay legislation,Kerry said: "The United States is deeply concerned by Nigeria's enactment of the Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Act. Beyond even prohibiting same-sex marriage, this law dangerously restricts freedom of assembly, association and expression for all Nigerians.

"[The law] is inconsistent with Nigeria's international legal obligations and undermines the democratic reforms and human rights protections enshrined in its 1999 constitution," he added.
"People everywhere deserve to live in freedom and equality. No one should face violence or discrimination for who they are or who they love."

The London-based Human Dignity Trust, which supports legal actions around the world aimed at overturning anti-gay legislation, criticised both the Nigerian and Ugandan acts.
Jonathan Cooper, the trust's chief executive, has described the Ugandan legislation as "a bleak day for human rights. The bill undermines Uganda's human rights protection, breaches its international treaty obligations and violates Uganda's own constitution".

One of the men whose legal challenges the trust supported, Roger Jean-Claude Mbede, 34, died this week after being removed from hospital by his family. He had been jailed in Cameroon for sending a text message to another man saying: "I'm very much in love with you".

Mbede, whose case was highlighted by the Guardian in 2012, was subsequently declared a prisoner of conscience by Amnesty International.

His lawyer, Alice Nkom, said: "[Mbede's] family said he was a curse for them and that we should let him die."

Tukur reaches out to Akpabio, Jang to save his job as PDP Chairman

The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Bamanga Tukur, has reached out to the governors of Akwa Ibom and Plateau states, Godswill Akpabio and Jonah Jang, to help him save his job.
Mr. Tukur reportedly held a meeting with some select PDP elders from his native Adamawa State at his residence in Abuja. At the end of the meeting, he delegated the elders to reach out to the two governors.
PREMIUM TIMES learnt Mr. Tukur decided to reach out to the two governors because of their apparent closeness to President Goodluck Jonathan and because Mr. Akpabio is the chairman of the PDP Governors Forum while Mr. Jang is the chairman of a faction of the Nigeria Governors Forum, NGF, recognised by Mr. Jonathan.
Those mandated to meet with the two governors were former Corps Marshall of the FRSC, Haladu Hanaiya; the spokesperson of the Adamawa PDP elders Forum, Umar Ardo; and former Governor of old Gongola State, Wilberforce Juta.
When contacted, Mr. Ardo told PREMIUM TIMES that the committee has met with the Governor of Plateau State.
"We met with Governor Jang and all I can tell you for now is that the meeting was a huge success," he said.

Dozens Killed, Scores Injured in Sallah Day Suicide Bombing

As the Muslim community worldwide celebrated the birth of Holy Prophet Mohammed, Maiduguri, the troubled capital of Borno State, was thrown into pandemonium yesterday when a suicide bomber detonated a massive bomb in the centre of the town which led to the death of about 30 persons, with 50 others injured.

The bomb blast, which left the streets deserted, was greeted by protests by some aggrieved youths who alleged that the latest ordeal was traceable to the immediate past governor, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, who had stayed away from the state for a long time.

The youths went about smashing every car on the road with the sticker or poster of the former governor or his alleged anointed political son, Mohammed Imam, who he is believed to be supporting to take over from the incumbent, Alhaji Kashim Shettima in 2015.

In the last four days, tension had risen in the state which degenerated when supporters with alleged ties to Sheriff pelted the governor with stones at the weekend.
On Monday, Sheriff got a taste of his own medicine when alleged supporters of Shettima got their revenge when they pelted the former governor with stones at the Shehu of Borno's palace.

Immediately the bomb went off, the youths took to the empty streets to protest the incident as they were seen shouting "Sheriff means no good for us and he has brought this present bomb explosion."

The irate youths also destroyed the political office of the former governor at the UTC area, along the popular Kashim Imam Way, and headed for the highbrow GRA to torch Sheriff's imposing residence, but were turned back by the military and police who had been alerted to keep them off.

A military source revealed that Sheriff, who was still in the state at the time of the explosion at 1.30 pm, was ferried to the airport to his waiting private jet by the police to avoid being lynched by the angry mob.

The police were said to have dispatched a strong team to his residence to escort him out of town.

As a result of the explosion, businesses and shop owners were forced to hurriedly close their shops and scampered home.

Hospital sources revealed that 30 corpses were deposited at the morgue with over 50 persons brought in injured.

The Commissioner of Police, Lawan Tanko, however, told journalists that 17 persons had  so far died in the explosion and that his men who had brought back reports said five persons including a police traffic warden was seriously injured, adding, "They are still going round hospitals to confirm the number of casualties."

He said the explosion which happened between 1.15 pm and 2 pm was caused by a suicide bomber who drove a firewood seller truck and detonated the bomb in the middle of the road.

Tanko revealed that security personnel had to be sent immediately to all public buildings to forestall more attacks.

The bomb was detonated close to a roadblock mounted by the military and at the centre of the town, which is a beehive of activities and densely populated. 
Also confirming the attack, the spokesman of the 7 Division of the Nigerian Army Maiduguri, Col. Mohammed Dole, in a statement, said: "At about 14:13 hours on Tuesday, January 14, a Honda car laden with an improvised explosive device IED) exploded near the post office area in Maiduguri metropolis.

"Members of the frustrated Boko Haram terrorists are suspected to be behind the bomb explosion.

"Scores of deaths and injuries were recorded and 10 vehicles and five tricycles are confirmed damaged and one suspect has been arrested.

"This incident happened after a long period of relative peace in Maiduguri and its environs." 

Also speaking on the attack on the state capital, the Borno State governor condemned the explosion which rocked the city.

The governor said it was regrettable that the explosion came when the people in the town have started celebrating the return of peace to the town.
Shettima, in a statement by his spokesman, Isa Gusau, described the incident as most cruel, evil and inhuman.

He expressed his deep condolences to the families and friends of all affected victims and pra

Evading Her Certificate Scandal, Aviation Minister Stella Oduah Takes ‘Medical’ Leave

Embattled Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah, has not returned to Abuja after SaharaReporters broke the news of her certificate scandal, presidency sources said on Tuesday.

They told SaharaReporters the minister informed President Goodluck Jonathan that she was attending to her medical needs in Brazil, following which she apparently left for an undisclosed country.

Mrs. Oduah, who was also embroiled in a BMW purchase scandal prior to the certificate mess, reportedly took off from Nigeria after the report of a presidential panel indicting her for a string of corrupt practices was leaked to her. The panel reportedly went beyond its initial brief to unravel a string of corrupt acts of the minister including how she connived with commercial banks to receive kickbacks for renovation projects initiated at airports across the country.

The panel, which was set up by President Jonathan in October to look into how she squeezed the cash-strapped Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority to purchase two armored BMW cars for $1.6million.  The story was also broken by SaharaReporters. 

Rather than face the consequences of her own actions, Mrs. Oduah has been telling anyone willing to listen that she merely "stepped on powerful toes" in the country.

Boko Haram Claims Responsibility For Tuesday's Maiduguri Attacks

Boko Haram, under the leadership of Imam Abubakar Shekau, has claimed responsibility for today's suicide bombing attack in Maiduguri, capital of Borno State.

About seven persons were reported to have been killed.

A security source in Maiduguri has confirmed to SaharaReporters that the military is in receipt of an audio recording in which Shekau claimed responsibility for the deadly explosions in which he also promised more attacks.

"Yes, we have the audio and I heard it," the source said.  "Their leader Shekau said they did it. And that we should expect more of this."

SaharaReporters has also gathered that military officials are still silent on the number of casualties, particularly those that were killed following the bombings.

It is notable that just minutes after today's bombings, angry youths burned to the ground a building reported to be the proposed Senatorial campaign headquarters of Ali Modu Sheriff, a former governor who is seeking re-election to the Upper House in 2015. 

A source told SaharaReporters the youth in Maiduguri are angry that that the Boko Haram menace took root during his tenure as governor.  Mr. Sheriff was widely alleged to have looted public funds that he burnt on himself.