by Kolapo Olapoju

Winners & Losers is a roundup of the week’s major happenings, where we spotlight the ‘winners’ and ‘losers’ of the news cycle. As always, you can agree or disagree..

 

WINNERS

1. Atiku uncharacteristically, embraces fidelity

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, is not exactly known for hanging around a political party whenever he doesn’t get his way, but this time around, his foray into the ‘change’ party may have actually changed him.

He has promised to be loyal and faithful to the main opposition party, in its quest to topple the Peoples Democratic Party from the seat of power at the upcoming polls.

“I remain irrevocably committed to the APC, as I promised in my concession speech at the conclusion of our party’s presidential primaries, and has been working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the victory of General Muhammadu Buhari and other candidates of our great party at the general elections.”

 

2. Nigerian troops on a winning streak

After being subjected to domestic and foreign ridicule, the combatant soldiers of the Nigerian Army, have stepped up their game and have maintained an impressive streak.

The troops have little by little, begun to take back captured territories from insurgents of Islamic terrorist sect, Boko Haram.

On Thursday, they recorded a resounding victory over the Boko Haram insurgents as they recaptured Madagali, the last of towns held by the terrorists in Adamawa state.

 

 

3. Oshiomhole, the trouble-averter

You may not always agree with him or even like him, but you have to be impressed by the action of Edo state governor, Adams Oshiomhole during the week.

Oshiomhole prevented what may have become another squabble between the APC and the PDP.

The Edo state Ministry of sports had collected money from both parties for the First Lady, Patience Jonathan and Aisha Buhari to make use of the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium – on the same day, Saturday, March 14.

Regardless of the outcome, it would have led to another war of words, however, Oshiomhole forestalled it by intervening and saying the First Lady should use the facility, despite paying for it after the APC.

 
4. With open arms, Tambuwal receives his security

Who wouldn’t miss being guarded by a string of armed men in uniform?

Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, must be a happy man this week, following the sudden return of his security aides.

Following the directive of Inspector-General of Police, Suleiman Abba, they had been forced to leave the Speaker all alone for months.

After being away in the wilderness for so long, Tambuwal’s prodigal security team came back home during the week.

 

LOSERS

1. Liars and fraudsters lie in the foreign affairs ministry

Blatantly and boldly, the Nigerian ministry of foreign affairs lied to Nigerians and the world, that President Jonathan spoke with the King of Morocco.

After the North African country denied it, the ministry even went ahead to release a statement to back up its superficial truth. This led to an international embarrassment, with Morocco withdrawing its Ambassador from Nigeria.

After a few days of stomaching the ridicule, the President came out to do the needful, by denying the occurrence of any conversation between him and the Moroccan king.

 

 

2. Fashola’s skewed accusation

There was a robbery, policemen were killed! Jonathan was in Lagos, policemen flocked to secure him!

Hence, Fashola blames Jonathan for policemen’s death.

There must be thousands of policemen in Lagos and the state’s governor believes that almost all of them went to secure President Jonahan last Thursday.

He said: “All the vehicles we bought for the police were stationed to receive the President in Lagos while the citizens were left vulnerable. Those policemen have children. Their mothers will be have to explain to them why daddy is not coming home.”

It just doesn’t add up; that Jonathan was responsible for this deaths, because it makes no sense that thousands of officers will go and receive the president.

 

 

3. Jonathan, the rejected endorsement-suitor

After the elections got postponed, President Jonathan has embarked on an endorsement-seeking tour, especially in the south-west.

Thus far, the president’s tour has been largely successful, however, on Thursday, he got a shocker from the paramount ruler of Ijebu land.

The Awujale, Oba Dr. Sikiru Kayode Adetona, said to him: “In Ijebu here, it is not possible for any Oba, not even in Ijebu, in Yorubaland, to go out and say vote for this, vote for that, that person is looking for trouble, but give them the opportunity to present their programme so that people can make up their minds on what to do, I think this is a very sound democratic principle and that is what I have decided to do, to give you the opportunity of meeting with the people.”

 

 

4. The broken Senate of undue process
We are very unimpressed with the Nigerian Senate and its recent ratification of Musiliu Obanikoro as a Minister.

Why are we displeased?- Simply because the man has been accused of being complicit in the alleged rigging of the June 2014 governorship election of Ekiti state.

But Senate President, David Mark, is not exactly concerned about our feelings… or yours for that matter.

He presided over the confirmation of Obanikoro, and tainted the Senate’s floundering integrity in the process.