Babangida Angered By Jonathan’s Election Campaign

Ibrahim Babangida, former military head of state has expressed disgust over a pro Jonathan documentary which he says demonizes some of the country’s former military rulers.

The documentary in question according to Vanguard, was aired on Tuesday night on a private television network to project President Goodluck Jonathan ahead of the presidential election.

Babangida on March 25, Wednesday, described the documentary as an attempt to ridicule the military institution and some of its sterling lights in the name of politics.

He noted that the message aired by the documentary was undermining the sterling contributions past generals such as Olusegun Obasanjo, Muhammadu Buhari, himself; Ibrahim Babangida, late Sani Abacha, Abdulsalami Abubakar, and T.Y Danjuma had made for the nation.

Babangida said that the film which appeared to be a hate campaign against the nation past military generals omitted information about the pivotal role he played in the formation of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP)

He said: “For record purposes, and without sounding immodest, the idea of a PDP that has now become the “largest party in Africa” started in my home, here in Minna. With the support of my fellow colleagues, we prepared the way for this democratic process that has now led us to where we are presently. We built the democratic infrastructure and architecture.

“Those who are parading themselves as democrats today, all participated in military governments. As a deliberate principle of remaining unsung, or blowing my own trumpet, I have elected over the years to maintain dignified silence on so many issues concerning Nigeria while I cultivate my access to each sitting President to pass across my advice in whatever form.

“It is on record and this is incontrovertible that the government I ran paraded some of the best brains this country can be proud of. I still remain eternally grateful to those wonderful brains who participated in our government to fashion a new roadmap for re-engineering the country. Some of our policies have remained unsurpassed till date and most of what the country enjoys today was a creation of the Military.

“From primary healthcare to good roads, DFRRI, Better Life for Rural Women, housing, river basin authorities, MAMSER, new airports, agricultural development and other economic infrastructure, to mention but a few, were platforms where our interventions were felt. We achieved that much with very slim resources. If we had the several billions of dollars that are flying around today, we would have turned Nigeria to the Dubai of Africa.

“The military is an institution that is so dear to my heart. It is an institution that nurtured my growing up and my achievements in life. I am not only sold to the military institution and by extension the Nigerian state, I am betrothed to it. As a profession, retirees are bound to participate in politics and democracy as an all-inclusive process, same way that Doctors, Lawyers, Teachers, Nurses, and Civil Servants get involved in it.

“It is the reason why I ventured into politics in 2003 before I quit in 2010. It is the same reason why General Obasanjo participated and got elected; and now General Buhari. It is therefore very curious that promoters of President Goodluck Jonathan’s aspiration would attempt to demonize and stigmatize former military leaders and cast aspersions on them in order to malign their reputation. This is very unfair.

“Fact is; the military fought a civil war to keep this country together. What I suffer today is a consequence of the injuries I sustained during the Nigeria Civil War. I am not sure there is any patriotism that is more than that. Some of us were prepared to die for the country. The military is presently combating the dreaded Boko Haram sect to restore Nigeria’s territorial integrity. What law under a democracy forbids retired military personnel from participating in politics and presenting themselves for election? Over 90 percent of American Presidents have military background.

“Leadership training is better grounded in the military than any other profession. And the military parades some of the best brains in any country, including Nigeria. In fact, some of my military students that I tutored have Doctorate Degrees. It is therefore callous, wicked, out-of-sync, cynical and a show of crass ignorance for anyone to undermine the military institution by embarking on mudslinging campaigns against former presidents and leaders of military background.

“While those campaigners are pointing their accusing fingers at us, they forget to recall that the present Director-General of the PDP Presidential Campaign Organization is actually a retired Military Officer. It is this form of demonization and stigmatization that often compels us to exhibit espirit de corps amongst ourselves in support of our military institution and colleagues when the stakes are high. As disciplined military officers, we are patriotic Nigerians and must be treated with utmost respect and decorum.”

Following the harsh campaign strategies employed by the two major political parties, using the core and social media, several civil societies have called for severe punishment for media houses that violate the basic ethics of journalism and advertising as it regards politics.

President Obama addresses Nigerians.

“Their God changes the path of our rockets in mid-air, said a terrorist.” Reports of divine intervention in Gaza War?

(Source: Jewish Telegraph/WND)

(Denver, Colorado) — “More claims of divine intervention are being reported in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, with an operator of Israel’s Iron Dome missile-defense system saying he personally witnessed ‘the hand of God’ diverting an incoming rocket out of harm’s way,” says a fascinating report published by WorldNetDaily.

Excerpts from the article:

Israel Today translated a report from a Hebrew-language news site, which noted the Iron Dome battery failed three times to intercept an incoming rocket headed toward Tel Aviv last week.

The commander recalled: “A missile was fired from Gaza. Iron Dome precisely calculated [its trajectory]. We know where these missiles are going to land down to a radius of 200 meters. This particular missile was going to hit either the Azrieli Towers, the Kirya (Israel’s equivalent of the Pentagon) or [a central Tel Aviv railway station]. Hundreds could have died.

“We fired the first [interceptor]. It missed. Second [interceptor]. It missed. This is very rare. I was in shock. At this point we had just four seconds until the missile lands. We had already notified emergency services to converge on the target location and had warned of a mass-casualty incident

“Suddenly, Iron Dome (which calculates wind speeds, among other things) shows a major wind coming from the east, a strong wind that … sends the missile into the sea. We were all stunned. I stood up and shouted, ‘There is a God!’

“I witnessed this miracle with my own eyes. It was not told or reported to me. I saw the hand of God send that missile into the sea.”

The commander’s account is reminiscent of a recent newspaper headline which trumpeted the possibility of supernatural protection.

“Their God changes the path of our rockets in mid-air, said a terrorist,” was the headline in the July 18 edition of the Jewish Telegraph.

It was a partial quote from Barbara Ordman, who lives in Ma’ale Adumim on the West Bank.

Her exact quotation was: “As one of the terrorists from Gaza was reported to say when asked why they couldn’t aim their rockets more effectively: “We do aim them, but their God changes their path in mid-air.”

She opened her piece by noting: “In October 1956, [Israeli Prime Minister] David Ben Gurion was interviewed by CBS. He stated: ‘In Israel, in order to be a realist, you must believe in miracles.’”….

Meanwhile, the Times of Israel reported a senior officer in Israel’s army said divine miracles protected his soldiers during fighting in the Gaza Strip.

Givati Brigade commander Col. Ofer Winter told the weekly publication Mishpacha that he “witnessed a miraculous occurrence, the likes of which he had never seen before during his military career.”

Winter indicated a predawn raid intended to use darkness as cover was delayed, forcing the soldiers to move toward their objective as sunrise was approaching.

With the troops in danger of being exposed at daybreak, Winter explained how heavy fog quickly descended to shroud their movements until their mission was accomplished.

“Suddenly a cloud protected us,” he said, referring to clouds the Bible says guided the ancient Israelites as they wandered in the desert. “Clouds of glory.”

Winter said only when the soldiers were in a secure position, the fog finally lifted.

“It really was a fulfillment of the verse ‘For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to give you victory,’” he said, quoting Deuteronomy 20:4….

PHOTOS: Jonathan Goes To Buhari’s Hometown, See What People Did After He Left

President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday travelled to Daura, Katsina state and told the people that the idea of an interim national government (ING) being talked about by some politicians was strange to him and such a call is “treasonable”.

The president revealed this as he paid a visit to the Emir of Daura, Umar Faruk Umar, with members of the PDP presidential campaign organisation, top government functionaries and prominent northern leaders.

President Goodluck Jonathan

Daura is the hometown of Jonathan’s main opponent for the 2015 election, the All Progressives Congress’s Muhammadu Buhari, and Buhari is expected to win the region in a landslide.

The president said that those who were suggesting an interim government were wrong, and their actions could be said to be treasonable as they contravened the constitution of the country.

READ ALSO: Gaidam Explains Why Buhari Was Absent At Yobe Rally

He said that those who don’t follow the law will be dealt with accordingly.

“Anybody planning ING or is linked with ING must be dealt with by law because it is treasonable.

“ING is not known to our constitution; it is treasonable,” he said.

President Jonathan said that rather than make up trouble, the people should get ready for the polls on March 28 and April 11 to chose a credible candidate for the country.

“Nigerians should go and vote for those who will bring about development to the local, state and federal government levels.’’

Jonathan told the Emir that his administration is a member of the Emirate council as he, Jonathan, was a title holder in the Emirate.

“I will continue to do what is good for Daura, Katsina State and Nigerians.’’

He then said that his government has achieved much in the past four years and will not stop doing so for the next four.

“Within this time, we have done quite well but we have not reached where we want to reach yet.

“We have developed education at various levels and in Katsina alone we built 28 Almajiri schools to create a future for the youth.

“We are working with the Katsina State Government to improve education in the state, now and in the future.

Jonathan also praised his agricultural intervention in the country and said the government has changed the state of Nigerian roads, railways and health services.

He also said that the government had recorded successes in the eradication of polio, guinea worm and Ebola, adding that at the tertiary health level, Nigerian institutions were carrying out successful heart and kidney surgeries.

“My administration is totally committed to improving the lives of Nigerians.
“We will also continue to bring peace to the country.’’

He commended the Emirate and the subjects for working together to ensure peace in the country.
The president further promised that in the next dispensation, his administration will implement the decisions of the just concluded National Conference to raise the standards of the traditional institutions in the country.
“As a member of your emirate council, I will not disappoint you,” he told the Emir.

UPDATE: Twitter user MR Kabirx released pictures of Daura awaiting Jonathan’s arrival and to the suprise of many the streets were empty, according to the Daura native.

  

Then immediately Jonathan left the town, Daura indigines took to the road with water and brooms to sanitize and disinfect their roads.

Dauda after Jonathan’s visit

Pictures courtsey of Instagram user, @Sheedah.

Pastor Uses His Church as ‘Sexy’ Spring Break Night Club

It's an ironic headline, considering how hard this Florida beach town is trying to tame Spring Break. Panama City has more churches than it has bars—but one church has positioned itself more like a strip club than a sanctuary for the season. Yes, really.

The Panama City News Herald shows photos of The Life Center's banner inviting youth to naked paint parties and slumber-party Sundays that promise the "sexiest ladies on the beach." The everyday party is called Spring Break Amnesia. It's been running since Feb. 28—and a pastor who was recently arrested on charges of giving drugs to a minor and forcing himself on her masterminded it.

Making the most of a potentially profitable opportunity, the "spiritual community" even installed an ATM out front with an "iDrink" banner. That got the attention of Bay County Sherriff Frank McKeithen, who called it a "blatant slap in the face" to taxpayers and law enforcement.

"When you think you have seen it all ... the church is converted into a night club every night," McKeithen said. "You should be warned that it is X-rated. You can even buy sexually explicit T-shirts at the site. Lets not forget how creative the reverend has gotten just in case you forgot your cash. There is an ATM machine located at the church entrance for your love offering. This is supposedly a youth ministry, but we will let you decide." 

An Unholy Frat House?

A Saturday event hosted by the Kappa Alpha Psi & Omega Psi Phi fraternities at the church bills itself "for the pretty and the nasty." On Sunday, youth can head to "Slumber," a pajama event "hosted by the sexiest ladies on the beach."

Monday brings you "Anything But Clothes" to showcase your artistic side. The party continues Tuesday with "Mardis Gras," Wednesday with "Wet n Wild," Thursday with an "Illumination" rave party" and so on. Tickets are $20 for "nights you can't remember with people you won't forget."

This is more shocking than the special event at a Tulsa church last October that included beer. You might remember me writing about "Beer and Hymns Sunday" in a Christian church at which outreach pastor Evan Taylor wanted to "rattle the cage a little bit." The beer-sipping stunt capped the experiment at a three-beer limit.

All I can do is shake my head. But McKeithen did more than that. The Life Center will now have to pay property taxes while officers investigate the church's practices. Of course, the church maintains its innocence, claiming "sometimes the news gets it wrong!"

"The Tabernacle is a community that serves NO alcohol and bans illegal drugs for the youth to go during Spring Break at night to interact with each other in a fun safe environment up to 5 AM," a statement on the Spring Break Amnesia website reads. "Help us get the word out about our safe place to go instead of wandering the strip club at night."

'I Feel It's an Abomination'

It seems the youth love it and Life Center is raking in the cash. Jordy Brewer, a spring breaker from Kentucky, told NBC news: "I feel it's an abomination. How can this be a house of the Lord but at the same time participate in so much sin?

That's my question exactly. The Bible says to "abstain from all appearances of evil" (1 Thess. 5:22). Certainly, these sexually charged gatherings, at best, appear evil. The church may ban illegal drugs but if you're hosting rave parties you've got to consider lost souls will wander in taking the latest street drug.

What's also disturbing is that Life Center pastor Markus Quin Bishop, 54, was arrested last September and charged with delivering a controlled substance to a minor and felony battery, according to the Panama News Herald. He was also charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

"On Sept. 11, Bishop allegedly provided the minor with marijuana in an attempt to intoxicate her before professing his love and kissing her against her will, according to his arrest affidavit," the paper reports. "Bishop then began kissing the waist area of the minor. She exited the pool in an attempt to get away from Bishop, but he followed, police allege. Bishop walked up to her and began kissing her on the mouth, according to BCSO's investigation."

Again, I'm shaking my head. Where's the fear of the Lord? Why are some churches looking more like bars and strip clubs than holy sanctuaries? Why are pastors getting minors high and making sexual advances toward them? Why are so ministry leaders falling into sexual immorality, for that matter, and why are denominations allowing practicing homosexuals into leadership?

We need to repent. Yes, you and me. We need to posture our hearts like Daniel and repent for the sins in the church even if we're not the ones committing them because if one part of the body suffers, all parts suffer with it (see 1 Cor. 12:16). The body of Christ is suffering, it's sick and wading in sin. The Great Falling Away is underway. We can sit and point fingers or we can fall to our knees and intercede for the church. I choose the latter. How about you?

Governor Mimiko Blackmailing Ondo Teachers To Vote For Jonathan

A source in the State told SaharaReporters the governor is traveling around with his campaign team, forcing the teachers into meetings with him and preventing them from undertaking their official responsibilities.

The trip is part of Governor Mimiko’s no-holds-barred carrot-and-stick assault on voters in an effort to ensure victory for President Jonathan in the March 28 presidential contest. 

Yesterday the team arrived in Ondo West Local Government where the governor cancelled all school and compelled all the teachers to be present, with attendance taken. 

“The governor was not present,” one teacher told SaharaReporters, “but [members of] his campaign team was around telling us why we should not vote for Buhari and APC.”

According to the disgusted teacher who asked not to be named, “They educated us on what we've known. Telling us history. They thought we are happy sitting and some people standing while they are vibrating, telling us lies.” One of the teachers disclosed that while some teachers were given N400, during yesterday's campaign they were each given N100 by Mimiko's team.

Governor Mimiko, who defected to the Peoples Democratic Party from the Labour Party last year, is desperate to deliver Ondo to President Jonathan, and is known to be using bribes as one of his weapons. 

It would be recalled that last Monday, he bribed some former members of the Peoples Democratic Movement, pretending to be current members, to “endorse” Jonathan.  They then held a press conference at the Adegbemile Cultural Centre Press in Akure, claiming they had endorsed the PDP candidate.

“Quote me anywhere,” one of the beneficiaries said after the make-believe press conference, “Governor Mimiko gave us money through our leaders to endorse President Goodluck Jonathan for second term.”

Bashir Yusuf, the National Chairman of the PDM, subsequently disclosed that those who claimed to be members of the movement endorsing Jonathan were “not card carrying members” of the movement.

Nonetheless, he said, the PDM had as far back as January already endorsed the candidature of General Muhammadu Buhari of the APC for the presidency. 

Boko Haram Insurgents Slaughter Wives As They Prepare For Gwoza Showdown

A source in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, has told SaharaReporters that many embattled Boko Haram insurgents in the town of Bama slaughtered their wives as Nigerian soldiers continued to rout the Islamist fighters in Nigeria’s northeast. Some of them later moved to Gwoza where they vowed to defend their so-called capital with the last drop of their blood.

“They killed their wives so that the women would not get remarried to unbelievers if their husbands die in the fierce battles with Nigerian soldiers,” said the female source, who just arrived in Maiduguri from Bama, a major battlefront in the continuing military operations to dislodge the Islamist insurgents from Yobe, Adamawa and Borno.

According to the source, the Islamist fighters told their ill-fated wives, “We will not spare anyone of you because if unbelievers marry you, when we get to heaven, there is no way we can meet again. So we are doing this so that we can meet in heaven.”

She said many of the women pleaded for their lives, but their Islamist husbands slaughtered them all the same.

The source said the residents of Bama were terrified as the battle raged, adding that many people lost their lives. “My husband and children hid in one house until the battle was over. Then yesterday we were bought to Maiduguri by the military who saved us from Boko Haram,” the woman said.

A top military source confirmed that many civilians were rescued from Bama. “We received intelligence reports that many civilians were in the town. That’s why we used careful strategies to rescue them. Hundreds of them were brought to Maiduguri yesterday by our troops,” said the source.

Boko Haram insurgents had captured Bama last September, but the town was rescued by Nigerian troops last week.

The soldiers brought more than two hundred civilians, including children and women, in ten vehicles to Maiduguri.