Referee sends off wrong player in Man United clash

The central defender was incorrectly dismissed instead of centre-back partner John O’Shea after the Irishman fouled Radamel Falcao in the penalty area in the second half

Referee Roger East made a huge error in Manchester United‘s 2-0 win over Sunderland, sending off Wes Brown when it was John O’Shea who should have been given his marching orders.

O’Shea brought down Radamel Falcao in the box, with Wayne Rooney converting the subsequent penalty, but the official instead gave the red card to the Irishman’s defensive partner Brown.

O’Shea attempted to correct the official, but Brown was still dismissed in the 64th minute.

The pair, both former United players, had performed well until the concession of the spot-kick, with the game goalless at Old Trafford ahead of Rooney’s strike.

Despite Falcao winning the penalty with an impressive turn in the penalty area, Louis van Gaal withdrew the Colombian for Marouane Fellaini just minutes later, much to the bemusement of the majority of home fans, who booed the decision.

Rooney then doubled his side’s lead minutes later to wrap up the points for the hosts.

(sports) Burnley 0-1 Swansea: Trippier Own Goal Condems Hosts To Bottom Three @Richard

The Clarets defender turned the ball into his own net, after a Jack Cork effort, to gift the Welsh outfit all three points as the home side fail to climb out of the drop zone

Swansea City earned a 1-0 Premier League win against Burnley on Saturday as Kieran Trippier‘s own goal gave Garry Monk‘s side all three points at Turf Moor.

A low-key affair was settled by a scrappy goal midway through the second half, as Swansea were able to build on last week’s 2-1 win over Manchester United.

Home goalkeeper Tom Heaton produced a superb save to keep out former Burnley loanee Jack Cork at the back post, but Cork’s rebound struck Trippier and was then fumbled over the line by the shot-stopper.

Victory lifts Swansea up to eighth in the table, while Burnley remain mired in the bottom three, with QPR just above them on goal difference with a game in hand.

It was a disappointing return to action for a Burnley side who had shocked leaders Chelsea to earn a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge last weekend.

The hosts, unchanged from that clash, made the brighter start, with George Boyd thumping a volley straight at Lukasz Fabianski in the fourth minute.

The Swansea goalkeeper was called into action again midway through the half, spreading himself well to smother Ashley Barnes’ close-range effort after Danny Ings’ smart turn had caused confusion between Ashley Williams and Cork.

Swansea had their first sight of goal in the 25th minute when Wayne Routledge lofted an effort over the advancing Heaton, but the ball dropped wide.

Bafetimbi Gomis then wasted a golden opportunity to open the scoring five minutes prior to the interval when, after running onto Jonjo Shelvey’s ball in behind, the striker blazed his effort over the crossbar.

The home side began brightly after the break and felt they should have had a penalty when the ball struck Federico Fernandez on the arm in a scramble following Fabianski’s save from Michael Kightly.

Burnley continued to look the more likely to break the deadlock, and Barnes went close on the hour mark with a smart volley on the turn that went wide of the right-hand post.

Slightly against the run of play, the visitors took the lead in the 64th minute.

Gomis’ header found its way to Cork, whose close-range shot was brilliantly tipped onto the crossbar by Heaton. Cork’s second effort was heading wide of goal until it struck Trippier on the thigh, and Heaton failed to keep hold of the ball as it squirmed over the line.

Burnley pushed hard for a leveller, substitute Sam Vokes seeing his near-post effort well-saved by Fabianski six minutes from time as Swansea held on to claim maximum points.

(Sports) Granada 1-3 Barcelona: Messi, Suarez And Rakitic Fire Visitors To Victory

The Catalan side built on their midweek win over Manchester City by comfortably seeing off the challenge of Saturday’s hosts

Luis Suarez’s hot streak continued on Saturday as the Uruguayan inspired Barcelona’s 3-1 win over Granada in La Liga.

The former Liverpool star, who netted twice in Wednesday’s 2-1 Champions League triumph at Manchester City, scored his fourth goal in as many matches and had a hand in two more, ensuring Barca bounced back from their shock 1-0 defeat to Malaga last weekend.

Suarez played a crucial role in Barca’s first, setting up Ivan Rakitic for an easy finish with just under half-an-hour played at Estadio Nuevo Los Carmenes.

And the pair switched roles at the start of the second half, as the Croatia playmaker teed up Suarez to open a two-goal lead.

Granada swiftly responded, as Fran Rico buried a 53rd-minute penalty, but the Catalans killed off any hopes of a revival in the 70th minute, with Lionel Messi tapping in for his 27th league goal of the season following more impressive play by Suarez.

The visitors had no problems holding on to their lead and they could have made the victory even more comfortable, but regardless of missing late chances, the triumph sees Barca move back to within a point of Real Madrid, who face Villarreal on Sunday.

(War Against Insurgents) Nigerian Military Nabs Abductor Of Chibok Girls @Richard

ABUJA—Almost three months after Boko Haram terrorists abducted more than 200 schoolgirls in Chibok, Borno State, the military announced, yesterday, that it has arrested one of the sect’s leaders, who was one of the abductors.

This came on a day the sect members bombed a Divisional Police Headquarters in Shani Local Government Area of Borno State and also attacked an emir’s palace.

The alleged abductor of the Chibok girls, whose name was given as Babuji Ya’ari, was also said to have led the attack in which the Emir of Gwoza, Alh. Idriss Timta, was killed a few weeks ago.

The Director of Defence Information, Maj. Gen. Chris Olukolade, disclosed in a statement issued in Abuja, yesterday, that Ya’ari doubled as member of the Youth Vigilante Group, popularly known as Civilian JTF.

According to the Defence spokesman, the Boko Haram kingpin used his membership of the civilian JTF only as a cover, as he has been coordinating deadly attacks in Borno State since 2011.

He added that the arrest of Ya’ari led to the arrest of several other Boko Haram intelligence cell members. Olukolade said that those arrested had confessed their involvement with the deadly sect and named several others who were being trailed.

The full text reads: “A terrorists’ intelligence cell headed by a businessman, who participated actively in the abduction of School Girls in Chibok has been busted by troops. The man, Babuji Ya’ari, who is also a member of the Youth Vigilante Group popularly known as Civilian JTF which he uses as cover while remaining an active terrorist, also spearheaded the murder of the Emir of Gwoza. His main role in the group is to spy and gather information for the terrorist group.

“Babuji has been coordinating several deadly attacks in Maiduguri since 2011, including the daring attacks on Customs and military locations as well as the planting of IEDs in several locations in the town.

“The arrest of the businessman, who is known to deal in tricycles has also yielded some vital information and facilitated the arrest of other members of the terrorists’ intelligence cell who are women. One of them, Hafsat Bako had earlier escaped to Gombe State to avoid suspicion but was tracked and arrested. Prior to her arrest, Hafsat coordinated the payment of other operatives on the payroll of the group. In her confession, she disclosed that a minimum of N10,000 is paid to each operative depending on the enormity of his task.

“Another female suspect named Haj Kaka, who doubles as an armourer and a spy for the terrorist group has also been arrested. Until their arrest, all the suspects actively operated a terrorists’ intelligence cell in collaboration with others still at large.

“In another development, troops deployed in Goniri, Yobe State, over the weekend, had an encounter with terrorists, resulting in casualties on both sides after the attack was successfully repelled”.

Boko Haram bomb police headquarters, attack Emir’s palace, burn houses, shops

Meanwhile, barely 24 hours after the terrorists attacked Cbibok communities in Borno State killing no fewer than 51 persons, the sect members, yesterday, invaded Shani Local Government Area of the state and bombed the Divisional Police Headquarters.

Shani is south and about 245 kilometres drive to Maiduguri which also shares boundary with some parts of Adamawa State.

The insurgents also attacked the palace of the newly appointed Emir of Shani, Alhaji Sanusi Mailafiya. The sect members were said to be hunting for the Chairman of the council, Alhaji Madu Walama, whom they believed was hiding inside the palace.

According to the residents of the community, after the heavily armed terrorists attacked the police headquarters with an Improvised Explosive Device at about 2.45pm, yesterday, they proceeded to the town and started shooting indiscriminately at people. They also set houses, shops and vehicles on fire. Many of the residents were feared dead, although casualty figure could not be ascertained.

After attacking the Emir’s palace, the terrorists were also reported to have looted a pharmaceutical store in Witambaya village before escaping into the hills of Pelambirni village bordering some communities in Adamawa State.

Another set of gunmen also reportedly attacked Mandaragirau village in Biu Local Government Area and went away with 60 cows.

A resident told Vanguard on phone that the gunmen came at about 10:00pm on Sunday and started shooting sporadically for some hours before they carted away 60 cows. No life was however lost.

Efforts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) DSP Gideon Jibrin for confirmation did not yield any result, as his phone was switched off.

Jonathan condemns attack on Chibok

Meantime, President Goodluck Jonathan has called on all lovers of peace in the country to condemn efforts by agents of global terrorism to disunite and destabilize Nigeria by callously instigating violence among religious groups in the country.

Reacting to the attack on some churches in Chibok where scores of worshipers were killed, President Jonathan said he shares the view of the most learned Islamic leaders and scholars that no true Muslim will resort to the mindless killing of innocent people at any time, especially during the holy month of Ramadan, to redress any perceived grievance.

“The President deplores the renewed targeting by Boko Haram of adherents of a particular religion and urges all lovers of peace and unity to wholly condemn the renewed violence by the Boko Haram insurgents.

A statement by Reuben Abati, the Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity said: “The President believes, therefore, that Sunday’s attacks on churches and other similar atrocities by Boko Haram are conclusive proof, if any is still needed, that its leaders and members are thoroughly misguided persons who are only using religion as a cover for their reprehensible crimes against their countrymen and women.

“President Jonathan urges all Nigerians, irrespective of their religious beliefs, to resist this new attempt to undermine the nation’s firm and collective resolve to unite in full support of its armed forces and security agencies against the vicious perpetrators of brutal attacks on innocent citizens.

“The President assures all Nigerians once again that the Federal Government and national security agencies will continue to intensify ongoing efforts to end Boko Haram’s senseless attacks until the terrorists are routed and totally defeated.

“He commiserates with the families and churches that lost loved ones, members and places of worship during Sunday’s attacks” the statement concluded.

Chibok abduction won’t hinder fight against terrorism – FG

The Federal Government has also restated that it would not be deterred by the abduction of more than 200 school girls in Chibok, Borno State to fight the insurgents.

The National Coordinator of National Information Centre, Mr Mike Omeri stated this, yesterday, at the routine security briefing, alongside with spokespersons of security forces, in Abuja.

Fielding questions from journalists on why killings continue in spite of the deployment of security operatives by the government, Omeri said government was not demoralised and would not be, despite challenges it is facing to rescue the girls.

He said: “The President, security agencies, even all of us sitting here said in relation Chibok girls: The focus is to rescue them alive not attracting collateral damage or destroying the lives of those children. And therefore, the approach at rescue is different.

“Now, the Air Force even as at yesterday (Sunday) came out to fight the insurgents, where they make themselves available to be confronted. You can confirm that from Chibok and even the other week as well.

“As I said earlier, there are rules of engagement in the war, a conventional professional armed forces will stick to it, but an unconventional group or team of criminals will not stick to it.

“And don’t forget that this government have zero tolerance for abuses whether by armed forces, police or whosoever. So, we will stick to the rule of engagement and do the right thing,” he said.

Speaking on the attack in Kautikeri, kwada and Birnjuzu about 10 kilometres from Chibok, Borno state, Omeri said government had intensified patrol in the area.

He maintained that government and the community leaders were working to ascertain the extent of damage and figures, noting that there were causalities from both the security forces and the insurgents.

-Vanguard

(Sports) Beauty And The Beast: Suarez Shows Barcelona How To Win Ugly @Richard

Beauty and the beast. Barcelona faced another tough test against a defensive rival on a difficult pitch and at a kick-off time they notoriously dislike, but came through thanks largely to the efforts of one man. Luis Suarez showed the Catalans the way forward – and also the way to win ugly.

Ivan Rakitic played perhaps his best game in Barca colours behind the forwards and it was the Croatian midfielder who gave Luis Enrique’s side the lead, but only after Suarez had forced Cala into a calamitous defensive error which left the former Sevilla man with the goal at his mercy.

The fluent football from Tuesday’s 2-1 win at Manchester City was missing, but as at the Etihad, Suarez proved the difference between the two teams, this time poking home a second goal and later selflessly setting up Lionel Messi for a third after Granada had pulled the scores back to 2-1 from the penalty spot.

It wasn’t pretty, but it was efficient. Barca had toiled in Andalucia already in 2014-15, claiming a fortunate 2-1 win at Almeria and drawing at Malaga, who also beat the Blaugrana at Camp Nou last weekend.

So this was a tough test of their title credentials, particularly as the Catalans were back in action at 16:00 CET, a kick-off time they seem to struggle with, and on a particularly poor pitch at Granada.

“I have to congratulate the players from both teams for trying to string more than three passes together and achieving it at times,” an ironic Luis Enrique said after the game.

But in the absence of the side’s usual pretty passing, Suarez happily did the dirty work. Aided by the excellent work-rate and vision of Rakitic (who also participated in all three goals), the Uruguayan demonstrated once again that he is unpreturbed by adverse conditions. Unlike some of his team-mates, he is a man for all terrains.

And as time goes by, the much-maligned striker continues to improve his statistics. After playing a pivotal part in the first, the striker scored his 10th goal of the current campaign and added his 13th assist too. Not bad in 24 matches and that record will now surely get better and better in the weeks and months ahead.

More importantly than that, the 28-year-old was signed from Liverpool for afternoons like this one. Barca have so often been ruffled in previous seasons when the conditions are against them. But Suarez adds a more direct dimension to the Blaugrana forward line and he is happy to make the runs and put in the effort to help his team when situations seemingly suit the opposition.

“I know you will value him more for the goal,” the Barca boss told reporters after the game. “But ever since he started playing for us he has been at a very high level. He brings a lot of things to this team and his work is still very special.”

Indeed it is. Thanks to the striker’s superb contribution on Saturday, Barca move provisionally to within a point of Liga leaders Real Madrid at the top of the table and, more significantly, Suarez showed the Catalans can win ugly too when needed. Beauty and the beast.

(Entertaiment) Myro Returns To Nigeria, Set To Release ‘Ocha’ Video @Richard

Rave of the moment, Oghenemairo Ozah Daniel, better known as Myro has returned to Nigeria from South Africa where he has gone to shoot the video of his latest effort, Ocha.

It was gathered by our reporter that Myro just breezed into the country and is set to drop the much anticipated video which was produced by Godfather is South Africa.

It was also gathered that he returned to the country with his Canadian girlfriend, Emdna who also joined him in south Africa during the Valentine celebration and who we understand is pregnant for him.

(Sports) Superheroes? Dortmund’s Jokers Must Improve Finishing To Eliminate Juventus @Richard

Dortmund are on a roll. A fourth straight Bundesliga victory following a convincing 3-0 derby success over Schalke has, for the first time, given BVB a chance of heroically rescuing their miserable season.

Jurgen Klopp’s men are back in the top half of the Bundesliga table and are now eight points off a Champions League place. With a quarter of the season still to play, fourth spot is no longer an impossible dream.

Morale is also sky-high, as evidenced by goalscorers Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Maro Reus donning Batman and Robin masks to celebrate the Gabon star’s goal.

“A better feeling does not exist. It was a well deserved victory,” smiled a delighted Reus after the game.

Klopp agreed: “It was a fantastic afternoon for us.”

But despite a devastating performance against Roberto Di Matteo’s men on Saturday, Dortmund will know that their caped crusaders cannot afford to be so profligate in front of goal if they are to keep on winning at home and abroad.

From the opening whistle, Dortmund laid siege to the Schalke goal. In the first half-an-hour alone, they had accumulated 13 shots and created a host of clear-cut opportunities.

Aubemayang, restored as the lone striker following Ciro Immobile’s stint in midweek, squandered two glorious early opportunities. First of all, the attacker could not find a way past teenage goalkeeper Timon Wellenreuther when through on goal. He then somehow struck Benedikt Howedes with a virtual open goal at his mercy.

Marco Reus, who had scored in four successive matches, ran riot down the left flank against Atsuto Uchida but Germany’s most talented footballer also was wasteful. He struck a daisycutter wide from the edge of the area, walloped a screamer against the crossbar and then also spurned a one-on-one chance in the second period.

(POLLS) How Jonathan Will Win South West- Adeyinka @Richard

The President Goodluck Jonathan Campaign Coordinator for Obafemi Owode Local Government area of Ogun State, Mr. Adeyinka Kotoye, has said that the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, will win the majority of votes in the South West, based on his performance and contributions to the growth of the region and the country.

“Jonathan deserved to return, he has done well. He has improved the transport sector, improved the agriculture sector, aviation sector and he has done so much for the education sector in the country. In the economy sector, he has done well. In many areas, President Jonathan has recorded success,” he said

Kotoye said that the region will not fall to the propaganda of the All Progressives Congress, APC and its presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd), stressing that the result of the polls will be a shock to the opposition.

“I believe the electorates will decide but I don’t like sounding absolute but Jonathan will win. When people postulate about Tinubu’s influence in the Southwest, I often shudder. It is very unpredictable on how people will vote.

He added that the media rebranding of Buhari will have limited influence, especially at the grassroots.

“The media rebranding of Buhari will have limited influence because at the grassroots, people do not use facebook, twitter or watch the television like the elite.

”The APC are using double standard to promote his candidature; in the South, they are projecting Buhari as a pro-Christian while in the North, the slogan is if you vote Jonathan, you are voting a Christian; so why the deceit?”.

-Vanguard

(Tribal Violence) Gathering Storm Over Killing Of Five Igbos @Richard

The immediate family members of the five Igbos gunned down in Madalla town, Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State last Thursday are now totally scared of everyone, including their own shadows.

They see anybody approaching them as a potential killer following their traumatic experience that ill-fated day which has left them in shock and may haunt them for the rest of their lives.

The experience is indeed a painful one, made more acute by the fact that some of them witnessed how their husbands and other relatives were gunned down for no reason. For them, the sad memories still linger. In fact, wives of two of the slain victims have fled Madalla town and returned to their state of origin with no plans of returning back to base.

Residents, especially non-indigenes, of the areas where the people were gunned down are still living in perpetual fear.

When the sad news of the mysterious killing of the five Igbos broke out last Thursday night, there were divergent stories about how they were felled by the gun men.

How it happened: AT about 7p.m on the fateful day, two gun-wielding men were said to have stormed Madalla Market. Most traders were said to have retired back home when these gun men stormed the area.

Chairman, Igbo Community in Madalla town, Mr. Fortunatus Madu told Vanguard Metro, VM, that the peace relatively enjoyed in the area was suddenly disrupted as people of the area ran helter-skelter for dear lifes when five corpses were found lying in the area.

“I was in my shop when my daughter called me on phone that there were gun shots in the area and that two people have already been gunned down in my area called Junction I opposite Madalla Hotel. Before I could rush home, there was fresh information about the finding of the bodies of two other people killed by the same men in the market,” the chairman narrated.

He said the two gunmen who were said to have carried out the dastardly act moved freely through the street on foot.

How they were killed: One of the casualties who wedded last June and was blessed with one issue was gunned down because of his inability to recite the Holy Qur’an.

“My husband was just outside our premises and he was accosted by two men. After exchanging greetings, he was asked to recite the Qur’an but as a Christian, he could not.

“I was busy listening to their conversation through the window of our room. My husband begged them to spare his life, they refused and the next thing I knew the two men gunned down my husband and fled. It was unbelievable. I could not believe what I saw when I rushed to rescue him and found he was already dead,” the wife narrated to the Igbo elders.

Mr. Madu further explained that two other Igbo boys were also accosted by the same gun men and were instructed to recite the Qur’an.

Discharged and acquitted

The two of them are Christians. One of them was lucky to recite some passages of the Qur’an due to his familiarity with some Muslim friends; he was “discharged and acquitted”. But not the same with his partner who could not even recite a line as he was immediately gunned down.

Mr. Madu in an emotion-laden voice narrated how one of the last victims was gunned down. According to him: “The last victim was gunned down by these men while on his way to purchase just five litres of petrol for his generator. He never made it to the filling station and did not return back home as he met his untimely death also for his inability to recite the Qur’an”.

Armed robbery or Boko Haram? The identity of those behind this dastardly act is yet to be unraveled. When asked whether it was an armed robbery or an attack based on Islamic fanaticism, the Igbo retorted: “You can answer the question yourself. How can armed robbers ask you to recite Qur’an?

“The mission of an armed robber is to steal your property; he may decide to spare your life or gun you down. But in this case, the demand was for the recitation of the Qur’an and death for failure to comply”.

According to him, no property was stolen from the victims except their lifes that were taken prematuredly.

Clarion call: Though business activities in the town have resumed, traders at the one-time bubbling satellite town now hurriedly close shop between 7-8p.m. since last Thursday when the ugly incident occurred. The prevailing low business is a fallout of the fear of possible return of the killers.

Mr. Madu called on the Federal Government to come to the immediate assistance of Suleja Madalla and other satellite towns of Abuja.

“What Madalla needs is about five police posts. The town is big and it is growing bigger everyday because of its proximity to Abuja,” he remarked. He added that the police posts should also be provided with vehicles and other logistics to enable them function effectively.

Mr. Madu who hails from Imo State said he has been living in Madalla town for over 25 years and that at no time did he witness any friction between the indigenes and other Nigerians resident in the town. According to him: “When the indigenes ( that is Gwaris) heard about the ugly incident, some of them sobbed like babies and moved from one shop to the other and from house to house assuring us of the safety of our lifes and property and pleaded with us not to flee the town.”

Although the Divisional Police Officer “C” Division in Madalla, CSP Nurudeen Abdul, confirmed the ugly incident, he, however, refused to comment further but added: “One thing I can assure you is that the police is on top of the issue and we have provided additional security everywhere”.

He, however, said that the only assistance members of the public can give the police in checking the spate of crimes in the society is to avail them (police) of useful informations that could lead to the arrest of the criminals.

Four of the casualties were identified as John Kalu, Oliver Ezemah, Uche Nguwene and Sunday Emmanuel, while the name of the fifth was yet to be released as at the time of going to the press.

-Vanguard

(Politics) Real Reason Obasanjo Is Fighting Jonathan @Richard

Chief Augustine Onyemaechi Mazie, is the Chairman, Board of Trustees, New Paradigm Transformation Initiative, NPTI, and strong advocate of unity, peace and progress of Nigeria. A retired Air Force personnel, he served as the Chairman Unity Campaign Team for the Election of the National Chairman and National Secretary of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2001 and is a two-time Principal Secretary of PDP, 2001 and 2005. In this interview, he bared his mind on the chances of the presidential candidates of the two major political parties in the forthcoming elections, saying that Gen. Muhammadu Buhari would have toppled Jonathan’s administration if he was still in the military. He also spoke on why former President Obasanjo is having issues with President Jonathan. Excerpts.

What is NTI’s assessment of Jonathan’s re-election bid?

The New Paradigm for Transformation Initiative, NPTI, is a socio-economic and Non-Governmental Organization, committed to the improvement and sustenance of peace, unity, positive transformation of Nigeria, and socio-economic wellbeing of the Nigerian people. In essence, one of the cardinal principles of the organization is to support any leader that upholds the principles of good governance.

Presently, it is pledging its support to President Goodluck Jonathan because the members were convinced that the President truly inspired them through his transformational policies and initiatives like FoI law, free and fair elections, institutional restructuring, economic reawakening and the ongoing infrastructural revival. As stakeholders in Nigeria, we in NPTI can talk about what is wrong with Nigeria, if the President is not tackling the Transformation Agenda, which he promised Nigerians, but if Nigerians are misunderstanding what he has been doing, we will help him to project his good work.

Don’t you feel jittery that the President is not getting the expected support?

Well, I can tell you that there is no fear at all in the Jonathan camp as I speak. I have come to realize that some people criticize everything that is begin said about the President without actually knowing what is being done. Some people said that President Jonathan has not built roads and other infrastructure, you cannot say that of him. If they are saying that, what were the situations of our roads when he became President? If you travelled during the last Christmas and saw the condition of the roads. You would agree with me that he is working.

But some people will wonder if it is only roads you could point at?

But he has performed in other areas as well. Take a look at our railways. I was so happy  because I have little children who didn’t know when the rail were running, but this past December, we saw train running from Port Harcourt to Enugu.

The President has not hidden his plan for the aviation sector. When you go round, you will realize that he has worked on that sector too, including agriculture, economy, and attracting foreign direct investments.

What is your take on his anti-corruption war?

I am surprised that the opposition is talking about corruption. Obasanjo in his inaugural speech as President in 1999, commented on corruption. He said he was going to fight corruption, but this corruption turned back to fight them. And you can see that is what is happening to Jonathan now.

Do you think his approach to the fight is yielding result?

The fact that the President has not jailed anybody does not mean he is not fighting corruption. He said “I am putting structures in place to be sure that if you block the way people steal money, there will no more corruption’’. The President is devising a system that was created by past leaders that will not tempt people to commit corruption. He said we have to put some processes, checks and balances in place, so that people do not just steal money anyhow. If those things are put in place, how do you think people will engage in corruption?

But the opposition insists his government is corrupt?

Those pointing accusing fingers at the President have not cleaned their cupboard very well. How could Buhari say he wants to come and fight corruption? When he was Minister of Petroleum, it was reported that $2.8 billion was missing. He has not accounted for it till today. At that time, one NTA journalist, Ms Vera Ifudu, reported it extensively.

There is also this case of 53 suitcases that passed through Buhari’s ADC, Jokolo, which has not been accounted for till date. What do we see in this country as corruption? Those corrupt people who fought Obasanjo are still fighting back. Buhari committed the greatest disservice to Nigeria by toppling a civilian government. If Buhari was still in army, the way he is fighting to become president, he would have toppled this present government. If Jonathan were to be like Buhari, he would have probably sent Buhari to jail for the atrocities he committed.

Do you think the Transformation Agenda is real?

Remember that the President told Nigerians that when he was growing up, he had no sandals. The same man who said he had no sandals  after going to school is now trying to prove to Nigerians that there are so many people like that by building 125 Almajiri schools. That is impacting because most of these Almajiris did not have the privilege to go to school, rather, they go pan-in-hand begging for food.

These young lads, through Jonathan’s intervention, are now in classrooms and would be future leaders. So, if you are building for the future, you are impacting lives. We were spending billions of naira importing rice. The agricultural reform plan of this administration has changed all that, that we now have rice.

-Vanguard