Pornography finds home at motor parks

There is no dull moment at Obalende Motor Park. Almost every time of the day, there is a beehive of activities at the park.

Voices from rickety loud speakers mounted on commercial buses alternate between lewd music and frenetic calls for passengers. But the first gains go to roving petty traders who hawk chilled soft drinks and other edibles they sell to commuters.

Near the bus terminus are more established ‘ad hoc’ activities. This sub-sector is replete with cobblers, ‘vulcanisers’, food and compact disc vendors and others who contribute, in no small measure, to the economy of the park. They make less fuss about their wares yet they command the attention of passengers and commuters.

Last Friday was no exception. By noon, two young men dealing in compact disc sales had set up wares and were already attending to customers. With the rippling muscles and six packs of boxers on the jackets of some of the discs, the setting seemed normal at first. But a closer look revealed differently. Nude women and men posing in different erotic postures were on the jackets of many of the compact discs. It was obvious that the majority of his products displayed so openly are pornographic.

Our correspondent who had watched the men from inside a commercial vehicle alighted to get a copy. Sitting by the side of the stall was an old man printing tickets to people who seemed oblivious to the ‘wares’ displayed beside them. While some passengers streaming into the terminus stared openly, others abruptly averted their gaze, refusing to make further eye contact with the materials.

Pointing to one of the CD, the journalist haggled with him over the cost and   probed him on the appropriateness of his business. The products cost a token N150 each.

“Make u dey hide dis thing nah. If task force catch u, na wahala be that’, she started.

“Which task force? Na before bi dat o. Once you settle, you are okay,’ he said.

“Dem dey collect money? Dis country don spoil’’

“Before nko? Dem no get their price?

Later, our correspondent made a detour out of the terminus to the other side, where she met one of the unit officials of the National Union of Road Transport Union. Behind her, business activities continued, not missing a beat. Efforts to speak with the chairman of the unit were not successful as it was learnt that he and other key officials had gone to Onikan Stadium for the declaration of a governorship aspirant, Mr. Akinwumi Ambode.

However, findings by our correspondent showed that sales of pornographic materials are a norm in many motor parks in the state. From the popular Okokomaiko park, Agege motor park to those in Iyana-ipaja and some others, sales and display of pornographic materials unfold with varying degrees. While some hide the materials, others care less, flaunting erotic pictures on posters.

While the state’s new traffic law does not overtly address issues of pornographic and decency in motor parks, a human rights lawyer, Mr. Fred Agbaje, told our correspondent that Governor Babtunde Fashola in 2010 signed an executive order proscribing the sales, broadcast and display of pornographic materials in open places, including motor parks. In addition, he pointed to sections 149 and 150 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Lagos State which prohibits the publication of obscene matters and performance of obscene plays.

“The government has provided the law to regulate such morally offensive activities in our parks and bus stops, it is now left for the police to ensure that violators are arrested and prosecuted before the appropriate courts.

“But if the police choose to look the other way, you can’t blame Fashola. You can’t blame the chief judge. But the environmental taskforce who are busy arresting people who indiscriminately cross the road at Ojota should also keep the society free of this morally-provocative business. If we don’t care about our own moral as adults, shouldn’t we care about the moral upbringing of our children? This is why the government must not stop at merely criminalising such things at parks, it should go further and see to it that the laws are implemented and offenders punished,’’ he said.

According to the Faculty Director, Soar and Heritage, Mr. Sola Adeyiga, location still plays a role in the viability of any business venture. He said this business tenet was understood by many players no matter the legal status of their trade.

Adeyiga added that the primary business of bus terminuses make them attractive to petty traders who may not be able to pay exorbitant fees for lock-up shops in the metropolis. He however, noted that this was not an excuse for government agencies to allow illegality.

Efforts by our correspondent to reach the Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Kayode Opeifa, on Monday were not successful as he neither picked his calls nor responded to a text message sent to him.

However, in a telephone interview on Monday, the Secretary of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Lagos State chapter, Dr. Matthew Oloko, said he was not aware of such activity at motor parks.

“I don’t know anything about sales of pornographic materials at the parks. This is the first time I will hear such a thing and it has not been reported by any of our unit chairmen,” he said.

Amaechi shows strength

IT was the seventh anniversary of Governor Rotimi Amaechi’s extraordinary inauguration as governor of River State last Saturday. The opportunity turned out to be an opportunity for the governor to make a bold statement on the political morphology of the state.

The 40,000 seating capacity stadium in Port-Harcourt, the state capital was fully occupied forcing many late comers to the celebration to make do on the playing pitch.

It was an opportunity for several stakeholders to give assessment of the Amaechi administration and among them were Non-Indigenes who speaking through a representative, just identified as Obinna praised Amaechi for integrating non-indigenes into the politics of the state.

Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mr. Dan Amacheree who has 25 of the 32 members of the House on his side equally affirmed the determination of the House not to be cowed by money or might into fighting the governor.

“Governor Amaechi has brought change and transformation to Rivers state. He has made been made the face if transparency in Rivers state. We want to assure you that the 25 members of the house are behind you and we pledge our commitment to you because no form of opposition, intimidation or bribery will deter us from supporting you.

Opposition and intimidation

We will make sure we change Nigeria and Rivers state. They even bribed some of us with oil blocs but we resisted it. Go home and spread the message that we do not exist on billboards.”

Rivers will vote the APC way — Reps members

Members of the House of Representatives caucus from the state were not left out. Chairman, House Committee in the Downstream sector, Mr Dakuku Peterside, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues said: “We have taken note that you are a man of principle, character and integrity and you have shown that you can stand up for Rivers state. We also want to assure you that the people of Rivers state will vote APC all the way from the president down to the councilors.”

Change is coming to Nigeria—Sen Abe

Also, the Senators from the state predicted victory for the party ahead of next year’s polls just as they appealed to Rivers people to vote out PDP at the centre.

Senator Magnus Abe, who led seven other senators on solidarity said “from the National Assembly, we have seven senators present here, we are celebrating the seventh year anniversary of the governor and seven represents victory. Our message for Nigerians is that they should get ready with their voters card because by February 2015, there will be change in Nigeria”.

A thief ‘ll not govern Rivers——Amaechi

When it was time for governor Amaechi to deliver his speech, he went spiritual as he led the people into a spiritual realm of singing and dancing to God the victory he got at the apex court seven years ago.

Amaechi, who interrupted his speech with repeated jubilation, was in high spirit at the rally. He, however, took a swipe at one of his arch opponents, who was aspiring to govern the state.

Amaechi said “one of them campaigning for governorship was the contractor that was supposed to do the roads. He collected N3 billion and left, now he wants to become governor, a thief will not become governor. I challenge them from Rivers State to Abuja, to an integrity test. I have worked with them, I have their records, their records are in the office of the governor. So go and rest.”

He also took time to fault the anti- graft fight saying “the problem we have is that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is no longer working, corruption is at its industrial peak. Thieves are thieves because we now have an industry called corruption”.

My victory is divine

While he appreciated God for his Supreme Court victory, he said “the day I was told that the President and his people were trying to remove me as governor, I called for prayer session in Government House and I said to them, ‘God told me that I would finish my tenure’. When we finished praying, I said the fight has started and believe me, this fight will continue but we are going nowhere.”

“There was a case in the Supreme Court and everybody was worried but I told you we would win it, that the God I worship told me we would win it. I thank God for keeping us and I want to tell them, we are going nowhere. There is a punishment for people who betray others, God is very clear about thieves and those who betray others. After stealing government money, you betray people because you want to become governor, they will get nowhere.

Before I became governor, I went to God for more than 10 months. They have the president, the army and the police but they do not have God.

They can go to Jerusalem 50 times, God has decided what will happen in Nigeria in 2015. Take it for free, there will be change in Nigeria”, he said.

He also commended the Senate President, Senator David Mark and the leadership,of the Senate for wading into the planned hijack of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

According to him, “in thanking members if the Senate, let me also thank the President of the Senate because when they tried to hijack the house, the a Senate President and all the members of the Senate, rose up to the task and stood by us. Rivers people stood by me as governor and are still standing by me, I have no choice but to deliver on my service. I have to deliver on my promise because that is the task I have.”

Achievements

In seven years. I have built 20 classroom blocks and 500 of them are ready. We have built over 140 health centres, we employed over 13000 teachers, we have employed over 400 doctors and we have created farms so that our children can go there to seek employment. The federal government does not care for you, they want you to die of water borne diseases, punish them with your votes.”

He lampooned the presidency for failing to embark on developmental projects in Rivers State. He said “punish PDP with your votes. They said the reason the President is not performing in Rivers State is because he is quarrelling with the governor of Rivers State that is what they said. It is more of lack of performance. What is the quarrel? When the president spoke in Benin, he spoke in a stadium that was less than 20000, when TAN held their rally in Port-Harcourt, it was held in a 15000 capacity stadium.”

Commenting on his move from the PDP to the APC. Amaechi said “We had to leave the PDP because they were against a Rivers people and we moved to the APC. APC is the solution, it will protect our interest, we must vote out the PDP. He (Jonathan) is not my brother, my brother is the one who delivers on the service for me. So, if the president says he is our brother, let him call one project he has done for Rivers state”.

Solidarity messages

Solidarity messages were received from the party’s presidential aspirants who were present at the occasion who used the occasion to sell themselves. Those present were Leadership publisher Sam Nda-Isaiah, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, Atiku Abubakar and Rabiu Kwankwanso.

For APC national chairman, Odigie-Oyegun, the outpouring of affection for Amaechi that day was enough to rubbish the claim made by the President at the Benin PDP rally that the PDP was in full control of Rivers. “The entire leadership of APC has come, we have seen and we are convinced that Amaechi controls the crowd in Rivers state.”

Gunmen kill expatriate, abduct another in Ogun

Tragedy struck last weekend in Sagamu as gunmen, alleged to be kidnappers, reportedly shot dead a man suspected to be a German construction worker and abducted his colleague, while on their way to Ogbere in Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State.

Vanguard reliably gathered that the incident occurred when the two foreigners, believed to be workers with the German construction company, Julius Berger, were on their way to their quarry site.

It was further gathered that the expatriates were going to the site without their security escorts.

A source said the driver of the vehicle the Germans were travelling in was trying to make a U-turn when they were stopped by the abductors who opened fire on their car.

Confirming the incident, the  Deputy Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Abimbola Oyeyemi, said the police were on the trail of the abductors.

Oyeyemi, however, said the identity of the expatriates could not be ascertained at press time.

He said: “The hoodlums ambushed the expatriates on the way to their quarry site. As soon as they saw their vehicle coming, they opened fire on them.

“One of the expatriates was hit and his colleague abducted. The one that was hit by the bullet was rushed to the hospital, where he later died.”

A spokeswoman for Julius Berger said: “One expatriate, a sub-contractor to Julius Berger, was shot and is dead. The other expatriate, a staff of Julius Berger, has been abducted.”

“Julius Berger is currently working in close cooperation with the Nigerian authorities to make certain the safe and prompt release of the person abducted.”

PASTOR CHRIS’ DAUGHTER REJECTS HIM, SUPPORTS MUMS ON DIVORCE

A decision is set to be announced on the divorce suit filed by Anita Oyakhilome against her husband Rev. Chris Oyakhilome, the President of Christ Embassy church.

Funny enough, the couple’s first daughter Sharon Oyakhilome has decided to take sides, supporting her mum against her father, Pastor Chris. She took to Twitter to post a cryptic message which seemingly appears to support her mother’s divorce decision.

Her tweets appear to be similar to the case Rev. Anita Oyakhilome cited in the divorce papers where she stated that her husband had been away for the most part of their marriage.

In Defence of Anita Oyakhilome the FRustrated Wife:

Anita Oyakhilome, the frustrated wife of Nigeria’s most flamboyant preacher, Chris Oyakhilome has obviously passed through 15 years of adulterous endurance and what she needs is our prayers and protective respect and defense of her choices to forget all the anti-rhapsody of heartbreak she endured all these years. Fifteen (15) years of being abandoned by a preacher husband is not an easy way of lifefor a preacher’s wife. Fifteen (15) years of hearing that some mini skirted daughters of Jezebel have taken over your possession is not a joke. Fifteen years of a husband not staying with the wife for up to a week on a stretch,while spending time with some double breasted figure eight(ed) daughters of eve is not an easy thing to swallow. 15 years of being used as a showcase to make church members believe in Rhapsodies of Blissful Union, while dying in silence,is not a palatable experience for any woman.

Fifteen years of being called Mama, Mummy, and other glorified names of Senior Pastor’swife while some domestic harems sneer at the same Mummy behind is not a sweet experience. For goodness sake, this woman never probably had a good kiss in fifteen years and yet she is being accused of carnality for crying out loud.She was continually being led into temptation of seeking for s*xual satisfaction from outside for fifteen years and she managed to escape the traps of sin.

Fifteen years when their two lovely daughters would wake up and ask their mother why Dad had not cared to visit, and she would have to release a lie to stave off the frequent probing questions. Above all, fifteen years when Anita had to fake that all is well with their marriage, while she is actually dying emotionally. Every person she complained to among the pastoral cadre sided with the man, and she was left alone to bear her cross.

I warned some pastor friends with Christ Embassy early 2013 that they had better settle this marriage rift between Oga and his wife before it destroys the church. The same pastors have called me to express regret that a national embarrassment has ensued. This woman has been called Jezebel by some pastors and members of the church. Some claimed she was disrespectful while others claimed she was always bitter of recent.They have tried to castigate her before members of the church who came in private to ask for the way out. She was described as unreasonable and insubordinate.

Her husband, according to news reports has even followed to cast her in bad light. According to Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, “Bitterness is prolonged and accumulate danger. My wife is always angry and bitter,” Going further he told his members to “Be careful of the friends you keep. My wife keeps friends who bring out the worst in her and help her see the worst in people, instead of keeping friends that will help her vision, especially as the wife of a global pastor like me.” Please, which preacher woman who has been abandoned for fifteen years will not be bitter and angry? Was Anita expected to clap and dance while some hot legs are parading around the White House?

This pastor’s wife was also disclaimed by her husband who told his congregants in reaction to the divorce saga that Anita is not necessarily a Woman of God.According to Pastor Oyakhilome “Don’t act like those people. If you are married to a man of God, it doesn’t make you automatically mature. You can make mistakes; you can do something that is wrong. But some people expect the wife of a minister to definitely be at the level of that minister and so they may be looked upon and the expectation may be like that, but it’s a positional thing”.He clarified his theory by saying that “If a man of God is married, it doesn’t automatically mean that the wife of a man of God is therefore a woman of God.

“That’s not the way it is in the Bible.” Pastor Chris also added that “That’s why you don’t really find the wives of men of God mentioned in the Bible. How many of them? Who was Peter’s wife, did you ever know her name? You never find that out. Who was John’s wife? Did you ever read the name? What about all theother Apostles? How many of their names are written in the Bible. You never find their names.”

Anita Oyakhilome actually proved that she has fear of God in the manner she worded her divorce plea. She opted to use the word “inappropriate relationship with female staff members” instead of out rightly accusing her husband of adultery.According to the statement, “the wife has discussed with the husband his appropriate relationship with some of his female staff members. She has explained that this has given her cause for concern. The husband has minimised her worries and taken no step to alleviate her grievances.”

Anita Oyakhilome could have said that her husband abandoned her and ran into the arms of sister A or B, or gospel singer C or D and left her roasting and murmuring in the house. Anita could have said that her husband is a hypocrite who says a thing and means another, but she veiled her grievances of years of abandonment by saying in the divorce file that “The wife feels that she has been used to portray and enhance the husband’s image as a family man when the reality is that there is no existing relationship between them. She feels that she has been present for official functions simply for his convenience.

On occasions she has been copied into his travel itinerary which has been given to him by his staff on a need to know basis”. “The wife has tried to discuss her concernswith the husband. He claims that she is carnal and he is insensitive to her feelings and her needs.”

Thus Anita had acted with much restraint in order to preserve the integrity of Christ Embassy and the work of evangelism, and all she got for her discretion was hate messages all many sections of church members who wanted her to sacrifice her marriage to keep them in a rhapsody of deceit.

This woman, according to the testimony of many British residents who attend their church, is one person who is always willing to give gifts to the needy. She is ever ready to counsel people and does not breed class. She is a patient listener who laboriously introduced many things in the church for which the glory goes to her husband. Londoners believe that she is not that demon theywant to portray her as. Those who know her closely have attested to an affectionate good naturedness and stickler for details.

Whatsoeverthing some misguided church members want to think, Anita had lived a lie formany years. Anita was said to have became born again at believers Loveworldcampus fellowship at Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma, while Chris was thepastor. She had probably paid her dues as a Christian and knows what it is todeceive the congregation. She cannot deceive herself and the church anymorethus she opted for divorce. Divorce, according to scripture is unbiblical, but between deceiving a congregation that already knows the truth but pretends otherwise and staying in unfulfilled marriage, which is better. It is a matter between her and her conscience.

Last year, a Nigerian personality blogger by name Ese Walter was lured by her Senior Pastor in Abuja into a cozy hotel bed space in London and after two weeks of adultery, the man cleaned up, returned to Nigeria and told his congregation to shout some Hallelujah. The sin partner was arrested by the Holy Spirit and she sought a meeting with the COZA Chief to resolve the burden of guilt. She was continually shunned and described as agent of satan even by other senior pastors in the church until she turned the internet into the confessional. Ese Walter freed her conscience and probably escaped eternal damnation but the entire Christendom took the brunt of the exposure.

Anita has chosen to free herself from a life of deceit and lies. The truth had set her free. However, I still counsel her that if the misbehaving preacher husband demonstrates a verifiable change of heart, she should consider him back and so that somebody can shout some more Hallelujah. Fifteen years of adulterous endurance in the midst of charismatic rhapsody is not easy and Anita Oyakhilome sure needs all the defense and understanding she can get- Let somebody shout a better Hallelujah!”

Power Outages: Help on the way, FG tells Nigerians

Following the significant decline in power supply witnessed across the country in the last couple of days and the untold hardship it has brought upon Nigerians, the Federal Government, yesterday, said, “Nigerians should take heart, help is on the way.”

Speaking at the Worldstage National Electricity Power Conference, in Lagos, Minister of Power, Professor Chinedu Nebo, said the Federal Government is aware of the challenges confronting the sector and is working assiduously to address the problems.

This is coming on the heels of a worsening power situation, with power supply dropping to as low as 2,000 mega watts in the last couple of days. This has led to rationing of electricity as a number of households in the country are grappling with about six hours of electricity daily.

Nebo, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Investment, Finance and Human Resources, Mr. Olajuwon Olaleye, said the Federal Government is aware that the power sector is the hub of development, and it is ensuring that all hands are on deck to bring progress to the sector.

Explaining why the Transitional Electricity Market has not kicked off, Nebo stated that the Federal Government is currently putting finishing touches to ensure that the power companies are seen to be operating in an effective manner.

He further stated that they are at the second stream of the shadow trading phase, which is designed to mirror and test run all the segments of the power sector, making sure that everything is in place before the kickoff of the TEM.

He maintained that the transmission section of the power sector needs a total investment of $7.7 billion over the next couple of years for the maintenance of the transmission grid, while the distribution and generation sections needs an investment of $5 billion annually to drive growth in the power sector, making possible for the country to attain all the targets for the sector.

The investment is important, because as the generating capacity of the country is being upgraded in the next couple of months, the wheeling capacity of the transmission facility also needs to be upgraded to be able to deliver power to every nooks and crannies of the country.

Also speaking, Mr. Aderemi Bello, President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, bemoaned the epileptic power situation in the country, saying that, “the sector is critical to Nigeria’s economic development and all hands should be on deck to ensure it is fixed.”

He further stated that there are concerns that the successor companies did not conduct due diligence before buying into the power companies, in addition to the funding challenges confronting the companies.

According to him, the Nigerian financial system cannot support the funding structure of the power sector due to the long term gestation period for the power projects, high interest rates and legacy debts.

He further expressed concern that the top management of the successor companies has little experience on how the sector is run, while there is no proper framework to ensure a meaningful level of local content.

He disclosed that investors in the power sector are grappling with a lot of challenges beyond their control, noting however, that efforts should be made to tackle the challenges, as this will ensure that the sector is fixed and also make the country competitive.

Boko Haram frees abducted women, girls rumoured married off to insurgents

The Boko Haram insurgents, who reportedly abducted about 50 women and girls from two border villages between Adamawa and Borno states have freed the women among their captives.

This was disclosed in an interview by villagers, who spoke on the issue with newsmen on the telephone from their hide-outs.

They however, said that the exact number of those released could not be ascertained, but that no fewer than 45 girls were still being detained.

According to the villagers, the women and girls were abducted from Waga Mangoro which was between Gwoza in Borno and Madagali in Adamawa states.

Relatives of some of the abducted women who were later released by the insurgents also, told newsmen in Yola that some of the girls have been turned to cooks while others were married off immediately to some of the insurgents.

A relative to the one of the women who spoke on the condition of anonymity said; ”Initially, the insurgents captured 80 girls and women whom they later loaded into their vans and zoomed off into the bushes.

Later in the night, the insurgents separated the elderly women from the girls and released the women, who are now languishing in the forest because they could not relocate the towns because they were razed down by the insurgents.

“We are confused that hours after the so called cease fire agreement between the Federal Government and Boko Haram insurgents, our girls are still being abducted by the insurgents.

“We are at a loss about government’s insincerity on the whole issue and we urge them to rescue our daughters without further delay as we are ready to die searching for our missing ones.”

2015: I will run – Jonathan

Less than 24 hours after an ultimatum from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP to him and others to purchase nomination forms within seven days, President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday swiftly moved to formalise his re-election process with the constitution of a declaration committee.

The declaration, Vanguard learnt Thursday has been tentatively scheduled for between the 7th and 15th November, 2014.

A highly placed presidency source disclosed yesterday that the president would also pick the nomination form before the expiration of the one week deadline given by the PDP to all aspirants to various offices.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on the matter said the declaration committee, which is to be headed by erstwhile national chairman of the PDP, Dr. Bello Haliru Mohammed is composed of representatives of governors, the National Assembly and other political stakeholders. The committee is to choose a convenient date for the president to make a formal declaration.

Before the decision was arrived at, the president met with some prominent members of the party in and outside of government in the Presidential Villa yesterday where he told them that following his adoption by the governors of the PDP, the National Working Committee and the Board of Trustees of the party, he has accepted to heed their call to contest in the 2015 election.

Among those at the meeting Vanguard learnt were the national chairman of the PDP, Adamu Muazu, the chairman of the Board of Trustees of the party, Chief Tony Anenih, the president of the Senate, Senator David Mark and other close aides of the president.

“President Jonathan met with key party members where he thanked them for giving him the opportunity of first refusal. He thanked them for adopting him as the candidate of the party and formally informed them that he has accepted to run and would be purchasing the nomination form before the expiration of the one week deadline given by the PDP for all its aspirants to pick nomination forms within one week,” the source said.

According to the official, in order to ensure a smooth formal declaration ceremony, the president has constituted a committee that would prepare the logistics for his formal declaration which will be between the 7th and 15th of November.

Similarly, it was gathered that the president has also constituted a fund raising committee for the campaign proper, which is headed by former Minister of Information, Professor Jerry Gana.

Other members of the fund raising committee have, however, not been named yet.

Members of the Declaration Committee include: Dr. Bello Halliru Mohammed  (Chairman) from Kebbi, Sen. Ken Namani (Deputy Chairman), Enugu, Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim (Secretary), Ebonyi, Prof. Rufa’i Ahmed Alkali (member), Gombe, Julius Imagwe – SSA – Youth (member), Edo, Dr. Baraka Sani (SSA -NSAP) – Kano, (member).

Governors representing the six geographical zones include; Liyel Imoke, Cross River (South South), Theodore Orji, Abia (South East), Olusegun Mimiko, Ondo (South West), Dr. Mua’zu Babangida Aliyu Niger (North Central), Ibrahim Shema, Katsina (North West) and Ibrahim Dankwambo, Gombe (North East).

Representatives of the National Assembly are Sen. Hosea Agboola , (Oyo), Sen. Ahmed Makarfi (Kaduna), Rep. Bitrus Kaze (Plateau) and Rep. Salmas Badru (Ogun).

Members representing the Federal Executive Council include; Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Dieziani Allison-Madueke  (Bayelsa), Minister of Police Affairs, Alhaji Abduljelili Adesiyan (Osun), Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Zainab Maina (Adamawa), Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Sen. Bala Mohammed (Bauchi).

Representatives of the PDP in the committee include: Deputy National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus  (Rivers), Chairman, PDP Benue State, Chief Emmanuel Agbo, (Benue) National Women Leader,  Kema Chikwe (Imo) and North West Zonal Chairman, Amb. Ibrahim Kazaure (Jigawa).

Other members are Sen. Stella Omu (Delta), Sen. Walid Jibirn (BOT Secretary, (Nasarawa), Ibrahim Bunu (Borno), Rev. Jolly Nyame (Taraba), Sen. Aniette Okon (Akwa Ibom), Peter Obi (Anambra), Mrs. Remi Adiuku Bakare (Lagos), and Gen. A. B. Mamman (PDP National Youth Leader) – FCT.

Others appointed to the committee at the discretion of the president were Barr. Halima Alfa (Kogi), Nigeria Ambassador to Netherland, Dr. (Mrs.) Nimota Nihinlola Akanbi (Kwara), FCT ALGON Chairman, Hon. Micah Yohanna Jiba  (FCT) and Hon. Sam Ikon (Akwa Ibom).