Clinton Tries to Soothe Progressives
As Ted Cruz rallied the GOP #39;s conservative wing with his Monday announcement that he #39;s running for president, all-but-declared Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton quietly tried to calm...
By: wochit General News
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Clinton Tries to Soothe Progressives - Video
President Aquinos appeal for understanding could only anger the people more, progressives say.
By DEE AYROSO Bulatlat.com
Progressive groups said President Aquino opened the Lenten season by doing a Pontius Pilate in his latest speech on the Mamasapano bloody clash, which could only anger the people even more.
Speaking today at the graduation of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) Lakandula class of 2015, Aquino appealed for understanding, saying that he is fully responsible for whatever success or failure in the nations security and peace.
To every Filipino who has felt failure or has been hurt because of the events related to this operation: It is with the abiding humility that I ask for your deepest understanding, the President said in what he called as his last speech on the incident.
Kabataan Partylist Rep. Terry Ridon called Aquinos speech a non-apology apology, which asked for understanding but admitted nothing.
Note how the president didnt even ask for the publics forgiveness. He asked for understanding. Mr. President, the public understands we the people understand that it is you at fault in this botched operation, Ridon said.
The President has purposefully and willfully missed the point in this speech. The point is to admit that he broke the chain of command, that he used the PNP SAF (Special Action Force) as cannon fodder, that he is ultimately responsible for the bloodshed in Mamasapano, he said.
Yet here is Aquino at his worst: showing not even an ounce of remorse for his criminal actions that led to the death of almost 70 Filipinos, Ridon said.
Aquino repeated in his speech that he was not fully informed of the risks of the Mamasapano mission in the version presented to him, but did not name sacked Special Action Force chief Getulio Napeas Jr and resigned PNP chief Alan Purisima. Neither was he informed of the heavy casualties of the SAF troops, he said.
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Progressives to Aquino: We understand its your fault
Ondo State deputy governor, Alhaji Ali Olanusi
Barely two days to the presidential election, the Ondo State deputy governor, Alhaji Ali Olanusi, has dumped the Peoples Democratic Party to the rival All Progressives Congress in the state.
The development came barely five days after the Rivers State Deputy Governor, Mr. Tele Ikuru, dumped the APC for PDP.
In a swift reaction to Olanusis defection, the Ondo state government said it wished the deputy governor well.
The state Commissioner for Information, Kayode Akinmade, in a two-paragraph statement, said, The state government just received the news of the defection of Alhaji All Olanusi, the Deputy Governor of Ondo State, to the All Progressives Congress.
Though it came as a surprise, the government acknowledges his right to determine his political affiliation and wish him well.
Announcing his defection on Thursday, Olanusi, in a statement, said, While still being in place as the democratically-elected Deputy Governor of Ondo State, I have decided to lead my teeming supporters and well wishers in the state into the All Progressives Congress where we can find justice, fairness, equity and democratic liberty, a party to which majority of our kith and kin in Yorubaland belong.
I have taken this decision at this critical time, in the best interest of peace, stability and good governance of our dear state and for the overall development of the South-West and the nation.
The deputy governor noted that as a result of the unfolding political development in the country, particularly in Ondo State, it was clear that he needed to chart a new course for majority of his followers who looked up to him for direction and leadership.
They (his followers) have watched helplessly in the last six years the untold marginalisation and total exclusion from the government they laboured to put in place, he said.
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Ondo deputy gov defects, Mimiko wishes him well
Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose
The All Progressives Congress in Ekiti State has asked the National Human Rights Commission to present its complaints against Governor Ayodele Fayose before the International Criminal Court in The Hague, for prosecution.
The APC had, about five weeks ago, petitioned the NHRC, listing various physical attacks launched against its members and leaders, including the media blockade of the opposition activities and destruction of their billboards and posters.
The Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatubosun, said in a statement on Thursday that the party was taking the step owing to the escalation of hostilities against the opposition leaders in the state.
According to him, attacks on APC leaders increased on Monday.
Those attacked included Oluwole Ariyo, Alhaji Jinadu Ayodele, Remi Olorunleke, Bayo Aina, former Commissioner for Environment and House of Representatives candidate, Dr. Eniola Ajayi and House of Assembly candidates, Mrs. Olubunmi Oriniowo and Mr. Shola Fatoba.
Others include the senatorial candidate, Gbenga Olofin, and a former Chairman of Ijero Local Government Council, Bode Agbeleye, who had their bullet-ridden cars damaged.
In Ijero Local Government, the house belonging to the father of a former Finance Commissioner, Dapo Kolawole, was damaged, Olatubosun stated.
He added that non-politicians perceived as having sympathy for the APC were also threatened with arrests, citing as example the Market Womens Leader in Ado-Ekiti, Chief Waye Osho, who was harassed by the governor for attending an interactive session involving all Ekiti State stakeholders with the wife of the former Governor, Kayode Fayemi, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, at Fajuyi Hall, in the state capital.
As we speak, Fayose has listed over 100 APC influential members for arrest. The purpose is to take them out of circulation to enable him have a field day during election.
Continued here:
APC asks NHRC to report Fayose to ICC
Musiliu Obanikoro
The All Progressives Congress has asked the International Criminal Court in The Hague, to investigate President Goodluck Jonathan and eight others as regards an audio file which allegedly captured some Peoples Democratic Partys leaders giving orders to a military officer on how to rig the June 21, 2014 governorship election in Ekiti State in their favour.
Apart from Jonathan, others named as accused persons in the petition are Minister of State for Foreign Affairs II, Musiliu Obanikoro; Ekiti State governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose; former governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Osun State, Iyiola Omisore; and Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh,
Others are Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Kenneth Minimah, the Commanding Officer of the Nigerian Armys 32nd Artillery Brigade Commander, Akure, Ondo State, Brig. Gen. Aliyu Momoh; a member of the Federal House of Representatives, Abdulkareem; and the Minister of Police Affairs, Mr. Jelili Adesiyan.
A copy of the petition dated March 25, 2015, read in part, Essentially, the recording provides evidence of a clearly articulated strategy to militarise Ekiti and emasculate the opposition parties and their supporters as an approach to rigging the elections in favour of the PDP.
The meeting was attended by top Federal Government officials including two ministers responsible for the Armed Forces and Police. Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, who was then Minister of State for Defence, and Mr. Jelili Adesiyan, the serving Minister for Police Affairs, were senior government officials, who actively participated in the discussions.
A copy of the petition sighted by our correspondent on Thursday was said to have been submitted to the office of the ICC prosecutor, Ms. Fatou Bensouda.
It was submitted on behalf of the APC by a United Kingdom-based human rights lawyer, Mr. Olukunle Omojuwa.
An electronic mail containing an attachment of the petition, which was forwarded to our correspondent, showed that the same mail was originally sent to the information desk of the ICC prosecutor on Thursday.
Meanwhile, our correspondent contacted the Public Information Officer of the ICC, Florence Olara, on Thursday to confirm if the court had received the APCs petition,
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APC drags Jonathan, Obanikoro, Fayose others to ICC