Atiku Finally Dumps PDP For APC; See Reason For His Action!

 

In 2006, as a result of my firm stand in defence of our constitution and our democracy, my supporters and I were pushed out of our party, the Peoples Democratic Party, a party that we worked tirelessly with other compatriots to build as a vehicle to restore democracy to our country. We later returned to that party in 2009 when a new leadership of the party and the country promised a new direction, a direction of inclusiveness, of internal democracy, of an end to impunity, adherence to the rule of law and respect for the dignity of members and Nigerians. 

Sadly, however, those promises have not been kept. In addition, the PDP continues to be beset with many crises, mostly leadership-induced crises. It has since lost touch with Nigerians and efforts made by many well-meaning members and stakeholders to bring it back to the vision of the founders have been rebuffed. 

To demonstrate the seriousness of the challenges and bring public attention to it I and some other leaders and stakeholders staged a walkout during the party’s last convention in Abuja.

As I speak, most of the issues that led to that walk-out are yet to be addressed. Many founding members of the PDP, I included, continue to be marginalized and excluded from the affairs of the party. For instance as a former Vice President, I am by virtue of the PDP constitution, a member of the party’s Board of Trustees and its National Executive Committee. However, I am not invited to the meetings of those organs nor consulted on their decisions, apparently because I dared to exercise my right to contest in the party’s primary election for a chance to be its flag-bearer in the 2011 elections. We have, therefore, concluded that that party cannot be redeemed. In short the PDP has abandoned Nigerians, the very people who gave it life and many electoral victories.

More worrisome though is the danger posed to the continued existence of this country by this culture of impunity and arbitrariness. We continue to have threats from officially protected political extremists.

Increasingly our people are recklessly being divided along the lines of religion, ethnicity and region for political gains. Our history and that of many other countries in Africa and Eastern Europe ought to teach us that this is very dangerous and must stop.

We can and we must do better. Our people deserve better.

It is against this background that we should understand the visit by the leaders of the APC and their invitation to me to join hands with them to save the country. Consequently, I have been consulting my supporters and associates, my family and friends for the past few weeks. My decision may not satisfy some of my friends and associates. In the end, however, I have to put the interest of our country first. This country has done so much for me personally and it deserves all that we can do to help rebuild it and serve our people better.

Following this extensive consultative process, I have, therefore, decided to cast my lot with the APC, a party of change committed to the improvement of the lives of our people and to the continued existence and development of Nigeria as one indivisible country. My resignation letter as a member of the PDP will be delivered to the party tomorrow.

This is the right decision. As in 2006 it is the struggle for democracy and constitutionalism and service to my country and my people that are driving my choice and my decision. Let me emphasize that this is not about me. We have to have a country before people can aspire to lead it, but as it is today we may be losing this country. That is not acceptable.

I encourage my political associates and friends to register andjoin the APC once the registration exercise commences, so that together we can change this country for the better.

The process of building a nation, of securing and deepening democracy is indeed difficult. And it is not a lineal process. There would be alignment and realignment of political forces. There would be ups and downs and zig-zags, triumphs and challenges. Amidst all that, patriots must remain focused and do what has to be done to save and build the country and serve our people better.

That is what I have decided to do. I will do all within my God-given powers to help the APC win elections all over Nigeria and bring true change to our country and its long-suffering people.

Thank you and God bless Nigeria.

Atiku Abubakar, GCON
(Turaki Adamawa)
Former Vice President, 

Federal Republic of Nigeria.

FORMER VICE PRESIDENT ATIKU ABUBAKAR TO MAKE POLITICAL STATEMENT TODAY!

Some political commentators believe that the former Vice President will announce his decision to defect from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC).
According to Leadership's source, Atiku would on Monday in Yola, capital of Adamawa state declare for APC at a rally to be attended by his supporters.
Today, however, he will issue a letter of intent to leave the PDP to the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja, the source added.
In the past weeks Atiku was consulting with his associates across Nigeria whether to shift parties.
During what he called "consultations on his next role in the emerging political dispensation", Atiku met with his associates in the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM), especially in the north east. They urged him to join the APC.
When last year Atiku's loyalists formed the PDM, some alleged he would move to the new party. However, he said he was a loyal PDP member.

The former Vice President had previously left the PDP to join opposition. 

In 2006, he had joined the defunct Action Congress (AC) and run for president on its platform in 2007. However, it was Umaru Yar'Adua who won the election.
Atiku had returned to the PDP, of which he is a founding member, and became the northern consensus candidate in an arrangement co-ordinated by some northern elite. He sought the presidential ticket of the party in 2011, but current President Goodluck Jonathan had defeated Atiku getting 2736 votes against 805.
The signs that Atiku might leave the PDP again emerged in August when he led five governors to storm off the PDP mini convention in Abuja.
READ MORE:  http://news.naij.com/58236.html

Africa: FAO Welcomes Historic Commitment to End Hunger in Africa By 2025!

 

 

 

Addis Ababa/Rome — FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva today welcomed a breakthrough commitment by African heads of state to end hunger on the continent by 2025.
"This is the first time in history that African leaders have made such a strong pledge to eliminate hunger and it is also a show of confidence that, working together, we can win the fight against hunger in Africa in our lifetimes," Graziano da Silva said after African Union (AU) Member States officially adopted the target at the AU Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
"Africa is witnessing economic growth of unprecedented proportions, but it is also the only continent in the world where the total number of hungry people has gone up since 1990," he said.
"The challenge now is to transform the vision of a food-secure Africa into reality by tackling the multiple causes of hunger.
"Investing in agriculture, creating safety nets and social protection for the poor, guaranteeing the right of access to land and water resources and targeting small-holder famers and young people will be key," he said, adding that FAO would continue to support Africa in its efforts to eradicate hunger.
The 2025 target was initially hashed out at a high-level meeting on food security in Africa organized by the AU, Brazil's Lula Institute - headed by former Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva - and FAO in Addis Ababa in July 2013.
Governments, international organizations, civil society and the private sector agreed upon the target as a means of promoting concrete actions that build upon the momentum of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP).
The Director-General highlighted the leadership of the AU Commission and Chairperson Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma in taking this process forward.
"This is a fully Africa-owned effort. The commitment of the African Union Commission was crucial to get where we are today. FAO is committed to supporting the AU and African nations in reaching the 2025 target."
Millennium Development Goal
Eleven African countries have already met the first Millennium Development Goal hunger target to reduce by half the proportion of hungry people between 1990 and 2015: Algeria, Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Djibouti, Ghana, Malawi, Niger, Nigeria, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Togo.
"This is clear evidence that African countries are moving in the right direction," Graziano da Silva said.
Three countries - Djibouti, Ghana, and Sao Tome and Principe - have also met the even more ambitious 1996 World Food Summit goal to reduce by half the total number of hungry.
The new 2025 African Union target aligns the continent with the Zero Hunger Challenge launched by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in 2012.

20YEARS OLD NIGERIAN ISAAC OJIABO STABS HIS MOTHER TO DEATH IN MARYLAND.

20 year old Isaac Anya Ojiabo Jr. (pictured above) has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of his mother, Joy Ojiabo, who was found beaten and stabbed to death at their million dollar home in Forest Hill, Maryland.

When police arrived at the home of 51 year old Joy Ojiabo around 5pm on Wednesday Jan. 29th, they found her suffering from multiple injuries, "to include a large, wooden handled knife protruding from her chest.". She was pronounced dead 20 minutes later.

Isaac Ojiabo Snr, the deceased's husband who called the police said Isaac Jr., had escaped with his mother's Lexus SUV after the stabbing.

Police later located Isaac and the vehicle around 4:35 a.m. Thursday January 30th about a mile and a quarter from the crime scene. He told police they had fought and he lost it. He is being held without bail. Continue...

At his bail review on Friday afternoon in Harford County District Court, the judge heard that police had been called to the Ojiabo residence (pictured above - police at the home after the murder) three times since March 2013 for domestic complaints, two that involved Joy Ojiabo and her son.

On the first call, on March 7, at 8:58 p.m., the Sheriff's Office responded to a call for a verbal family argument, Hopkins said. It involved the father and an unidentified family member.

On. Sept. 1, police were called to the home at 10:12 a.m. for an alleged domestic fight between mother and son.

On Dec. 23 at 9:45 a.m., another call was received for an alleged domestic fight between mother and son.

No arrests were made and no reports were filed by the responding deputies in any of the 3 incidents.

Isaac Ojiabo Jr. graduated from Fallston High School in June 2011 and completed 2 years of course work at Harford Community College. He had also enlisted in the U.S. Marines, but had no formal training.

According to state tax records, Isaac Ojiabo Sr. and Joy Ojiabo acquired their 6,100 square foot home in November 2007, paying $1,032,847 for the home and one-acre lot.

MOTOROLA IS NOW A LENOVO COMPANY.

It’s official: Motorola is now a Lenovo company. The purchase is worth $2.91 billion, and includes $1.41 billion to be paid at closing. The rest will be in the form of a three year promissory note. Of the $1.41 billion to be paid at the time of closing, $660 million will be cash, with the remaining portion ($750 million) being Lenovo common shares. This comes on the heels of Lenovo purchasing IBM’s server business a few days ago. For Google- Motorola fans, this closes the chapter indefinitely. The transaction is still subject to regulatory clearances, closing conditions, and any other approvals needed. Since being acquired by Google for $12.5 billion, Motorola has seen a rapid uptick in both attention and activity. Their recent lineup, including the Moto X and Moto G, are among the better Android devices around. Yang Yuanqing, Chairman and CEO of Lenovo, had the following to offer about the transaction: The acquisition of such an iconic brand, innovative product portfolio and incredibly talented global team will immediately make Lenovo a strong global competitor in smartphones. We will immediately have the opportunity to become a strong global player in the fast-growing mobile space. We are confident that we can bring together the best of both companies to deliver products customers will love and a strong, growing business. Lenovo has a proven track record of successfully embracing and strengthening great brands – as we did with IBM’s Think brand – and smoothly and efficiently integrating companies around-the- world. I am confident we will be successful with this process, and that our companies will not only maintain our current momentum in the market, but also build a strong foundation for the future. In the interest of rounding out the commentary, Google CEO Larry Page said “Lenovo has the expertise and track record to scale Motorola Mobility into a major player within the Android ecosystem. This move will enable Google to devote our energy to driving innovation across the Android ecosystem, for the benefit of smartphone users everywhere”. Dennis Woodside, CEO of Motorola, noted that for his company, this changes nothing. They’ll still be focussed on innovation and reaching “the next 100 million”. Google will, however, retain Motorola's patent portfolio, though they'll license it to Lenovo as part of the deal.

Libya Faces Ghana in CHAN Finals!

The last time Libya national side played in a continental tournament final was at home in 1982 Africa Cup of Nations. Their opponents on that 19th of March in the 11 June Stadium in Tripoli were none other than the Black Stars of Ghana. This is just the beginning of the ironic clash of the two teams who contest the 3rd African Nations Championship final on Saturday 1st February 2014 at Cape Town Stadium.
In 1982 AFCON finals both sides were in the same group and played the opening match which ended in a 2-2 draw. At this year’s CHAN the two sides have been in the same group (C) based in Bloemfontein and played out a 1-1 draw in their group match. George Alhassan put the Blacks stars in front after 35 minutes but Libya hit back with Ali Al-Beshari and the match ended in a 1-1 draw. Ghana would triumph 7-6 on penalties to claim their fourth championship leaving hosts Libya disconsolate at home and thirty-two (32) years later the Mediterranean Knights and the Black Stars play each other in another continental final. With this trail of similarities what are the odds of history repeating itself one might ask?
Libyan team administrative manager, Wail Bazina who was four (4) in 1982 says Libya is ready to banish the memories of 1982 into history and write a new chapter with victory on Saturday.
Bazina told Cafonline.com from Cape town where the Libyans have arrived for the final , that winning the CHAN Cup will be the best present the country could ever wish for at this particular time. “The whole country is behind the team and expectant as well as ready to celebrate and embrace this occasion. It is our dream to win and take the Cup with us to Libya and give people of Libya something to cheer about and uplift the nation” said Bazina. ”It has been a long time since we last played a final and we know what happened then and we certainly would like to get one back against Ghana this time round” added Bazina
Coach Javier Clemente will be forced n to make changes to fill in for defender Osama Ghit and striker Abdelrahman Fetori who both sit out the final dues to suspension after yellow card accumulation. Clemente admitted the Mediterranean Knights had ridden their luck in the semi-final against Zimbabwe and will be hoping that good fortune carries on. Libya will host the 2017 AFCON finals and the Spaniard is assembling a team with that tournament in mind. Reaching CHAN final will certainly have gone someway in justifying the work and time he and his squad have invested in the project for 2017. Their focus for now will be to derail Ghana who contested and lost the first CHAN final in 2009. Ghana will probably start out as favorites but according to Bazina the Libyans enjoys that role of being underdogs and will be aiming to upset Ghana, “This is football anything can happen, we will prepare well and battle hard and see what the outcome will be. We are prepared for and will accept the outcome whatever it is. It is simple a great joy and achievement that we have reached the final, of course we want to win it but even if we don’t it has been a great tournament for us” said Bazina

Africa: Human Cause of Global Warming Is Near Certainty, UN Reports!

Global warming is unequivocal, human influence has been the dominant cause since the mid-20th century, and atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases, already at levels not seen in at least 800,000 years, will persist for many centuries, the final version of the latest United Nations report on climate change warned today.
"Continued emissions of greenhouse gases will cause further warming and changes in all components of the climate system," according to the report, which finalizes a summary of findings by the UN-backed Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) issued in September, outlining a litany of threats from the melting of the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets to rising oceans to extreme weather events such as cyclones and heat waves.
"Limiting climate change will require substantial and sustained reductions of greenhouse gas emissions," it stresses, using the term "extremely likely" for human causality since the mid-20th century, meaning there is a 95 to 100 per cent probability that humankind, and not naturally occurring phenomena, are to blame, a 5 percent increase from the 90 to 100 per cent "very likely" probability of if the IPCC's last report in 2007.
Even if emissions of global warming carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions are stopped, most aspects of climate change will persist for many centuries. "This represents a substantial multi-century climate change commitment created by past, present and future emissions of CO2," the report warns.
"Human influence has been detected in warming of the atmosphere and the ocean, in changes in the global water cycle, in reductions in snow and ice, in global mean sea level rise, and in changes in some climate extremes," it says.
"This evidence for human influence has grown since AR4 (the last IPCC report). It is extremely likely that human influence has been the dominant cause of the observed warming since the mid-20th century."
The report says it is extremely likely that more than half the observed increase in global average surface temperature from 1951 to 2010 was caused by the increase in greenhouse gas caused by humans and other human causes. Some of the major warming emissions caused by humankind since the birth of the industrial era 250 years ago - CO2, methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O) - have all increased since 1750 due to human activity.