Please find time to read, though lengthy, but interesting: [14:48, 12/23/2014] +234 807 575 2665: Jonathan’s N21bn donation: Impunity taken too far - Jonathan’s N21bn donation: Impunity taken too far feedproxy.google/~r/punchng/NEWS/~3/u3Ugn6X6KL0/ [14:49, 12/23/2014] +234 807 575 2665: Jonathan’s N21bn donation: Impunity taken too far 12 hours ago THE Peoples Democratic Party Fund Raising Dinner held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, to boost President Goodluck Jonathan’s campaign war chest has been attracting public attention. The event, which took place last Saturday, was attended by business people, multinational organisations, interest groups and individuals who donated a sum of N21.27 billion to support his campaign for the 2015 presidential election. But the President and his party will definitely have trouble explaining away this latest bizarre development in regard to the law of the electoral game and the morality in politics. Though how a political party’s candidate raises his or her campaign funds is the party’s affair, the process must comply with the extant laws and pass the integrity test. First, Nigerian laws are unambiguous on campaign expenses and funding. The 1999 Constitution in Section 221 clearly states: “No association, other than a political party, shall canvass for votes for any candidate at any election or contribute to the funds of any political party or to the election expenses of any candidate at an election.” The Companies and Allied Matters Act also expressly forbids companies in Section 38 (2) from funding or donating gifts, property or money to any political party or association. Then the Electoral Act 2010, as amended, specifies in Section 91 (2) that “the maximum election expenses to be incurred by a candidate at a presidential election shall be N1 billion.” But Jonathan, the ruling PDP and its 21 state governors took lawlessness to a new height on Saturday when one Tunde Ayeni, leading other donors, gave N2 billion on behalf of himself and his unnamed “partner” and “friends.” Jerry Gana, a permanent fixture in successive governments, announced N5 billion on behalf of his equally mysterious friends and “associates in the power sector.” Not to be outdone, oil and gas sector “friends” also pledged N5 billion; real estate and building sector, N4 billion; transport and aviation sector, N1 billion; food and agriculture, N500 million; power, N500 million; construction, N310 million; road construction, N250 million; National Automotive Association, N450 million; and Shelter Development Limited, N250 million. Going by the Electoral Act, which caps the donation an individual could make at N1 million, 5,000 donors must have been behind Gana’s N5 billion gift. There is no doubting the fact that these donations raise salient questions verging on transparency. At a period when the government should be taking interest in enforcing compliance with the money laundering laws, people should not come out to announce donations on behalf of themselves and their “friends,” without actually naming those “friends.” It should also be of interest to know if those donors and their anonymous “friends” have complied with appropriate tax obligations. International best practices stipulate this as the minimum irreducible requirement. Many Nigerians will also be interested in knowing how the Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission, which was credited with producing N15 million, came about its donation. As a government agency, where did it derive such powers to donate to a political party from? Having done this for the PDP presidential campaign, will the commission also make a similar amount available to other parties? As for the sectoral donors, there is also the need for total disclosure. Who were the actors in the oil and gas sector that donated N5 billion? If they are publicly quoted companies, did they get the approval of their shareholders before going on the spending spree? How did the power sector that has not been able to muster enough investible funds come about a N500 million donation? With the automobile industry donating N450 million, it is no longer surprising that it benefited so much from the government’s controversial waivers. Ayeni, a legal practitioner whose consortium recently acquired NITEL and Mtel, is also the chairman of Skye Bank Plc and a director in the Ibadan Electricity Development Company. Given that these big time sectoral players have suddenly become the big donors to the President’s campaign, what is the guarantee that regulators would be able to control them? It is little wonder that the government, after selling the power sector to private operators, is still interested in arranging a N213 billion bailout for them. So, except the players in the various sectors donated their own money, they have brazenly violated the law if they did so on behalf of their companies. The relevant authorities should demand their tax returns. As of 2010, domestic airlines collectively owed banks and regulators over N300 billion. To say the least, this is another outrageous example of brazen impunity in government. Indeed, a string of ugly scandals has dotted the Jonathan administration. Among the most unsettling cases is the N2.53 trillion paid out in 2011 as petrol subsidies to cronies and “ghost” businessmen when the National Assembly approved only N245 billion that year. We also recollect the mind-numbing loss to the national treasury of some questionable waivers that cost the country N64 billion in first six months of the year. Funds that disappeared from the public till can now find their way back as campaign donations. There is also the unresolved issue of missing billions of dollars at the state-owned oil company. This scale of campaign slush funds and illegal contributions in return for some political and economic favours is deeply worrying. On moral grounds, leveraging on political power to raise campaign funds is corrosively anti-democratic. That it was done by previous administrations should not be a justifiable excuse for the flagrant abuse of power. There is next to no doubt that some of these funds are of doubtful origin. It is just sickening to find a President who claims to be fighting corruption fraternising with the venal high and mighty. But a graver worry is how the toxic donations will further poison the electoral process and shore up the system of patronage. We are also faced with a total collapse in political morality, with corruption worn now as a badge of honour. It is sad to note that there is an instinctive conclusion among the Nigerian public that the Jonathan government is the most financially corrupt, fiscally irresponsible, politically insensitive and socially disconnected in Nigerian history. What a shame! The 21 PDP governors should also explain if their state legislatures approved the N50 million each they donated and whether they will extend the largesse to other parties. In real democracies, laws regulate the conduct of candidates and international best practices demand transparency and specificity in campaign financing. In the United States, for instance, campaign contributions from government contractors, personal or business funds, individuals or sole proprietors who have entered into a contract with the government are prohibited by law. Any infraction or suspected questionable behaviour is investigated and culprits punished. This explains why French authorities since 2013 have been investigating Nicolas Sarkozy, the immediate past French President, over the allegation that he received €50 million from the late Muammar Gaddaffi as financial help for his 2007 presidential campaign. The US federal prosecutors have launched a clutch of corruption investigations against politicians such as Washington Mayor, Vincent Gray, and Virginia governor, Bob McDonnell, who received money from local businessmen they claim was in accordance with accepted campaign finance practices. Impunity starts from little things left unpunished. These financial irregularities inside the Jonathan re-election campaign should also be investigated. While Section 8 (1) of the Federal Inland Revenue Service enabling law empowers the FIRS to adopt measures to identify, trace, freeze, confiscate or seize proceeds derived from tax fraud or evasion, Section 35 (3) says “…the Service may cause investigation to be conducted into the properties of any taxable person if it appears to the Service that the lifestyle of the person and extent of the properties are not justified by his source of income.” Most of the donors in this bizarre event fall within this category. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has sufficient grounds to investigate the suspicious financial transactions. It is all evident that Jonathan has failed badly to build a credible, honest and minimally effective government for almost half a decade that he has been President. This is regrettable indeed. Copyright PUNCH. All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH. Contact: editor@punchng Visit website [15:07, 12/23/2014] +234 807 575 2665: Dr. M.K. Hassan Fires Back At PDP For Calling Buhari A Semi-Illiterate - Dr. M.K. Hassan Fires Back At PDP For Calling Buhari A Semi-Illiterate ladunliadinews/2014/12/dr-mk-hassan-fires-back-at-pdp-for.html [15:07, 12/23/2014] +234 807 575 2665: Dr. M.K. Hassan Fires Back At PDP For Calling Buhari A Semi-Illiterate 1 hours ago Prof. Wale Oladipo, PDP National Secretary Dr. M.K, a Nigerian who resides in Washington D.C. has fired back at Professor Wale Oladipo, secretary of the People’s Democratic Party, for calling APC’s presidential candidate, Muhammadu Buhari a semi illiterate. Dr. M.K who sounded very furious in his write up has this to say; On a lighter note, I am glad we are grown to witness these happenings in Nigeria now. I remember when all these ‘dramas’ were on years back, we had look aside and say, what are these people saying?. But then, see what we have been missing. May the right candidate win, lol. Too much to deal with! Chai… Please continue below… A Rejoinder to Semi-Illiterate PDP Secretary Prof. Wale Oladipo by Dr. M.K. Hassan I was shocked to read a press statement from Wadata Plaza issued by a so called Professor Wale Oladipo, secretary of the PDP, saying that General Muhammadu Buhari is a semi illiterate jackboot. It is no wonder that our education system has fallen so low, else how can one explain a professor making such a statement? How did Wale Oladipo become a professor to start with? It is quite astonishing that he can say this. The professor doesn’t seem to understand the basic rudiments of learning and what it means for one to be literate or not. Buhari attended the best military schools in the world. In case the professor doesn’t know, Buhari graduated as a military officer (Lieutenant) in Royal Military Academy, Aldeshot UK. He attended the Defense College India. Col Buhari attended the US Army War College Carlisle in Pennsylvania from 1979 -1980 and earned his command as a Brigadier General. The respected General Collin Powel attended the same school in 1976 to become Brigadier General. Some of Buhari’s classmates include General Beltson, General Thomas P Carney, General Bill Matz, General David E.K. Cooper etc. all of them are alive and can be reached and they will give glowing tributes of the man, Buhari, they know as their classmate. The curriculum at the U.S. Army War College earns one a Masters Degree in Strategic Studies and that is what Buhari has. Anyone interested in verifying Buhari’s academic credentials can write the school instead of reading jargon from a deranged Wadata Plaza Professor of Politics of Destruction Party (PDP). I have checked Google Scholar hoping that Prof. Wale Oladipo’s name and publications will show up but nothing is showing up, that says a lot about him as a Professor than Buhari as a retired decorated General who served his country so well and has not claimed any scholarship. For somebody to claim that a graduate of such a prestigious school is semi-illiterate, means something is very wrong with that person’s brain. By all academic and military standards, Buhari’s education is superb and the best any general can get in the world. Therefore, for Wale Oladipo to claim Buhari is semi-illiterate speaks volumes about his understanding of what education is even all about. The unlearned professor thinks education is about earning paper degrees only, and even if it was the case, Buhari has them from the most respected military institutions in the world. General Muhammadu Buhari has the kind of military strategic education and experience to deal a decisive blow on Boko Haram and end the insecurity challenges facing Nigeria. Buhari is the only army officer with the opportunity to command 3 out of 4 Nigeria’s army divisions as a GOC. In 1983, when rebels from Chad took over our land, seizing more than 19 villages (much like what the Boko Haram is doing now), Major General Buhari led a successful operation as the GOC to push back the Chadian rebels and reclaim our territory. In 1984, when the Maitatsine sect decided to declare war on Nigeria like what Boko Haram is doing now, Head of State, Muhammadu Buhari wasted no time in crushing them. Boko Haram is a descendant of the Maitatsine sect with the same extremist ideology and anti-western education philosophy. It is surely President Buhari that will be able to handle them: eliminating these terrorists when he comes to power like he did before. Muhammadu Buhari as a captain fought in the Congo Civil War and won the Congo Medal. He was there during our civil war to bring peace and keep Nigeria one. That is true patriot: a man that gave his life to another country not only his fatherland. Since the goons in Wadata Plaza have started the literacy debate, it is very appropriate to ask them that they produce Dr. Goodluck Jonathan’s Ph.D thesis and publications in renowned journals. Goodluck’s speeches, attitude, and interviews with international media don’t portray him as a Ph.D holder. His past interview with Christiane Amanpour was quite embarrassing; he couldn’t even make eye contact with her. Nigerians are eager to read his thesis and publications. In conclusion, it is obvious to all Nigerians that the PDP government and its illiterate professor are only interested in playing dirty politics with the lives and properties of Nigerians. Nigerians now need Buhari, a man with international military education and experience, a seasoned administrator with zero tolerance for corruption to end this insecurity, bring prosperity, and place Nigeria at the seat it deserves in the comity of nations. Dr. MK Hassan writes in from Washington D.C. Visit website [15:09, 12/23/2014] +234 807 575 2665: Tunde Bakare Declares! I’m 100% With Buhari 1 hours ago Pastor Tunde Bakare have asked Nigerians to ignore the rumours circulating that he is no longer on the side of General Muhammadu Buhari whom they both ran the presidential race together in the last election (2011), with Pastor Tunde Bakare being his vice. Pastor Bakare in this video released by SaharaTv says he knows about almost everything going on now with Buhari’s presidential race and says he is 100% with him. Watch the video above! Visit website [15:11, 12/23/2014] +234 807 575 2665: Obasanjo Sings A New Song, Begs God For A Change In 2015 - Obasanjo Sings A New Song, Begs God For A Change In 2015 ladunliadinews/2014/12/obasanjo-sings-new-song-for-nigeria.html [15:11, 12/23/2014] +234 807 575 2665: Obasanjo Sings A New Song, Begs God For A Change In 2015 4 hours ago Chief Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday night during the 2014 Ogun State Christmas Carol begged God to do something new in Nigeriain in this forthcoming year. The former president who was invited to give a speech shortly after Pastor Adeboye of the Redeemed Christian Church Of God finished ministering said, there is nothing more to say. I and the Governor have agreed that what Baba Adeboye said here tonight is what all of us have said. There is no more word. But you will assist me to sing this song, Nigeria needs something new this time around. “The song goes thus, ‘Do something new in my life and do something new in this country’,” Obasanjo sang, as the mammoth crowd at the programme venue, went into jubilation screaming “Sai Buhari”, as Baba continued in his song which changed the tune of the programme. Visit website [15:26, 12/23/2014] +234 807 575 2665: Why I Support General Buhari and Attorney Osinbajo for 2015 5 hours ago by Dr. Peregrino Brimah I do not support Buhari because I think he is the Messiah; I support him because I see him as a simple and rather ordinary man who only always strives to do his best. I do not support Buhari because I think he has all the magical answers; I support him because I am convinced he is not arrogant or insolent and will listen, feel and absorb our input to do what is best by us, with us and for us. I do not support Buhari because I think he is perfect and has not made mistakes in the past; I support him because I am convinced that through it all he has learned, gained tremendous wisdom; grown with Nigeria and learned the important lessons to today deliver to us a new best, in a new effort to make Nigeria as perfect as it can be. I do not support Buhari because I think he will be the War Against Indiscipline General of the 80’s; no, I support Buhari because I am convinced that he will temper justice with mercy, he will first give us hope and promise, helping us re-establish trust, fate and confidence in the government and ourselves before he focuses on seriously cordoning our excesses. This I believe he will do in cognizance of our chronic malodorous state. I do not support Buhari because of the region he is from; I support him because I know he is for all regions. I support him because I have seen his unique ability to work with and for people of all regions including mine. I do not support Buhari because he has had it easy and had a silver spoon; I support him because I have watched him through it all, taking unbearable pain, accusations and unfair insults worse than I ever have; he has been a victim like me, and been graceful through it all, taking it all in, with unsurpassed patience. I support him because he has suffered and bled with Nigeria. I support him for his courage and dedication to serve Nigeria and his maturity in responding to the jingoists and libelous ruling politicians and their media men. I support Buhari for patiently and responsibly taking Reuben Abati to court and securing a judgment against the desperate presidential spokesman for the libel that was intended to tarnish his good name. I support him for his empathy, accepting Jonathan’s plea for him to settle the case with Reuben Abati out of court. I support him for his show of courage, compassion and forbearing in the face of the highest level of provocation and tempering justice with mercy. [See: How Buhari Won Libel Suit against Reuben Abati in “Reuben Abati: Nigeria’s Evil Genus?” Link: ends.ng/?p=1252 . And See: How Jonathan begged Buhari To Settle Reuben Libel Suit Out of Court in “It Was PDP That Promised To Make Nigeria Ungovernable in 2011, Buhari Never Did;” Link: ends.ng/?p=1295]. I support Buhari because in the past he made Nigerians proud and Nigeria strong and stood up for our true economic growth against the whims and wishes of the colonialist. I support him because he refused to bow to the pressures of the World Bank and IMF and put Nigeria on its own course of self-development with only Nigeria’s interest at heart; earning himself the wrath and the foreign sponsored coup to depose him. A true pro-African leader in the ranks of the Nkurumahs and Sankaras. I do not support General Buhari because he will ever be a puppet, fool and slave to the colonial master, or beg them for arms, etc as the incumbent does, on the contrary, I support him because putting corrupt cabal and billions of Naira accused looter Dikko in a suitcase to repatriate him from his safe haven in the colonialist UK who hide him and his loot away from the justice of Nigerians, is so me. Gangsta! I support General Buhari because the Cabal are scared s-h-!-t of him, even those in his own party; just as those in late Yar’Adua’s party were scared of the President and are even accused of poisoning him to speed his death! I do not support him because I believe he will be able to do it all by himself. I support him because now I and many like me have realized what he stood for and we will fight to ensure that this time we together protect, ensure and secure the Nigerian dream. I support Buhari because he has a dream for Nigeria… and I am in that dream. Dr. Peregrino Brimah ENDS.ng [Every Nigerian Do Something] Email: [email protected] [truncated by WhatsApp]
Posted on: Wed, 24 Dec 2014 07:47:31 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015