Atiku Abubakar and his history of party defections

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="333" data-original-width="500" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsSjUtQaa9Q7CTeGpMc_iny1nSQg0GfoMNWG13EfTm-BqCclSzHqzlYU7Uu6UiwlfNTFqK_PAZuoLoNlVBh8plIpawos99wO7pELZAb9jiBbeCfnV9VqGOJgVR63qoKX-kkmCCod0CBLdv/s400/atiku+smile+nigerianeye.jpeg" width="400" /></div> <br /> <br /> Ex-Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, on Friday announced his withdrawal from the governing All Progressives Congress, APC.<br /> <br /> In Friday’s announcement, Mr. Abubakar said he was still pondering his next political move. But if he ends up returning to the major opposition Peoples Democratic Party as he is widely expected to do, it will be the third time that Mr. Abubakar will be returning to the party after defecting to other parties.<br /> <br /> <a id="more" name="more"></a><br /> <br /> He was a founding member of the PDP in 1998.<br /> <br /> <b>1999-2006.</b><br /> Mr. Abubakar was elected governor of his home state, Adamawa, in 1999 on the PDP ticket.<br /> Before he could be sworn in as governor, he was picked as running mate by Olusegun Obasanjo who secured the PDP presidential ticket. The ticket proceeded to win the presidency, with Mr. Abubakar becoming Vice President from May 29, 1999 and for a second term in 2003.<br /> <b><br /></b><b>2006-2009.</b><br /> Before the end of their second term, however, Mr. Abubakar left the PDP for the first time in 2006 and joined Action Congress, AC, after years of internal battle with Mr. Obasanjo.<br /> <br /> The influence of Mr. Atiku in the PDP was systematically eroded through fresh membership registration that saw most of his supporters pushed out of the party, all in a bid by Mr. Obasanjo to ensure that he was not nominated as his successor.<br /> Mr. Abubakar thus defected to pick the AC ticket to run for president in the 2007 election.<br /> <br /> <br /> He was in AC from 2006 to 2009. Following disagreements with one of the leaders of the AC and former governor of Lagos State, Bola Tinubu, the former vice president dumped the AC and returned to the PDP in 2009.<br /> <br /> <b>2009-2013</b><br /> Mr. Abubakar ran for the PDP presidential ticket in the 2011 election and lost to incumbent Goodluck Jonathan.<br /> Following the success of the PDP in 2011 and the appointment of Bamanga Tukur as the national chairman of the PDP, the party was engulfed in a serious crisis.<br /> Mr. Abubakar alongside seven governors eventually staged a walk out of a PDP national convention in August 2013, accusing the leadership of the party and then President Jonathan of impunity.<br /> They eventually formed the ‘new PDP.’<br /> <br /> <b>2013-2017</b><br /> After efforts to reconcile with the Bamanga Tukur-led PDP failed and their push to stop Mr. Jonathan from running for election also failed, Mr. Abubakar and five of the governors and others announced in November 2013 defected to the APC.<br /> Mr. Abubakar and a former Kano State governor who was also in the ‘new PDP’, Rabiu Kwankwaso, ran for APC presidential ticket and lost to Muhammadu Buhari who eventually won the 2015 election.<br /> Mr. Abubakar remained in the APC but has been consistently absent in many of the party’s activities at the national level.<br /> The former vice president had complained that Mr. Buhari and the party had been side-lining him.<br /> <br /> <b>November 2017-???</b><br /> Mr. Abubakar eventually defected from the APC on Thursday, November 24. Reports suggest that he has done so because he has received commitment of the PDP to give him its platform to again run for president in 2019.<br /> The former vice president has, however, not formally declared for the PDP, nor has he declared he would run for the 2019 presidency although he is expected to do both.<br /> Whether he will remain in PDP or his new party for long remains to be seen, given that he had announced on September 2014 that “As for me, as far as I am concerned, APC is my last bus stop.”

Latest-News Atiku Abubakar and his history of party defections

Ex-Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, on Friday announced his withdrawal from the governing All Progressives Congress, APC. In Friday’s an...

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I will never join APC – Governor Obiano says after meeting President Buhari in Abuja

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCr3T482rAifsB5f65V6tXyI4HFi-aDBkUxtUlYYFmWHYa0PgFoSzydf0Jm_708pfVm-fwnqHrPxk6SyGhckM7dWOxgxoMr0wbDK998bzdXx3wIWoPF2i2VgAvtiG7PANJJHl2at-e6-kU/s1600/obiano+buhari.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="275" data-original-width="412" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCr3T482rAifsB5f65V6tXyI4HFi-aDBkUxtUlYYFmWHYa0PgFoSzydf0Jm_708pfVm-fwnqHrPxk6SyGhckM7dWOxgxoMr0wbDK998bzdXx3wIWoPF2i2VgAvtiG7PANJJHl2at-e6-kU/s640/obiano+buhari.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> The governor of Anambra state, Chief Willie Obiano who made history by wining 21/ 21 local governments in the just concluded Anambra gubernatorial election has on Friday told newsmen that he would never dump All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, for All Progressives Congress, APC.<br /> <br /> <a id="more" name="more"></a><br /> <br /> He made the call while addressing newsmen after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari in the state house, Abuja. In his words, “APGA is very strong in the south-east and I will never abandon my party.<br /> <br /> “I’m the leader and the BoT chairman of APGA and again by God’s grace the governor and governor-elect.<br /> <br /> “To win 21 over 21 is not easy, it just showed the faith the people had in me and that is exactly why it happened and I thank Ndi Anambra for the confidence reposed in me and reassure them that this will encourage me to work harder.” “My visit to Buhari was to thank him for keeping to his words that the election in Anambra will be free and fair and that are exactly how it went.<br /> <br /> “Mr. President was excited that the votes of Ndi Anambra counted and that is a legacy he wants to leave behind, that he conducts free and fair elections without any interference from the federal.” “Am good with my fellow contenders and together we will make Anambra a great state, he finally said.

Latest-News I will never join APC – Governor Obiano says after meeting President Buhari in Abuja

The governor of Anambra state, Chief Willie Obiano who made history by wining 21/ 21 local governments in the just concluded Anambra guber...

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Chinese doctors tries World's first ever head transplant

<br /> <br /> The world’s first human head transplant has been carried out on a corpse, it was claimed yesterday.<br /> <br /> During an 18-hour operation, doctors in China showed that it is possible to reconnect the spine, nerves and blood vessels to a severed head.<br /> <a id="more" name="more"></a><br /> <br /> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8_BAUuHmYbNKkeF3o2kQ4CdqRuOdXKe-iN5OMZ_YD3xSU1zmvlWFng26kv177WRyPP_Mm5mdX-DXenpeWINrfkSDM_dD_p0OhFtgtYPzZ1rvVpPmwVIHpw97q0Lvlv5RRWr8kMGv9t8og/s1600/Professor+Sergio+Canavero+head+transplant.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="401" data-original-width="534" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8_BAUuHmYbNKkeF3o2kQ4CdqRuOdXKe-iN5OMZ_YD3xSU1zmvlWFng26kv177WRyPP_Mm5mdX-DXenpeWINrfkSDM_dD_p0OhFtgtYPzZ1rvVpPmwVIHpw97q0Lvlv5RRWr8kMGv9t8og/s320/Professor+Sergio+Canavero+head+transplant.JPG" width="320" /></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Professor Sergio Canavero</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> Controversial Italian neurosurgeon Professor Sergio Canavero, who announced the breakthrough, said an operation on a living human was now ‘imminent’. The next stage is a ‘full head swap’ between brain-dead organ donors – which British scientists said would be extremely difficult and ‘nothing short of criminal’.<br /> <br /> The Chinese head transplant was performed on two human corpses by a team led by Dr Xiaoping Ren, an orthopaedic surgeon from Harbin Medical University.<br /> <br />  Last year he decapitated two rhesus monkeys and connected the head of one to the other’s body. The date for the first live human head transplant is due to be announced in the next few days by the Chinese team, who will also release an academic paper on their operation on corpses.<br /> <br /> Their aim is to use the procedure to help people with long-term medical conditions. The first human head transplant is expected to be carried out on a Chinese volunteer with paralysis. Speaking at a press conference in Vienna, Professor Canavero said: ‘The first head transplant on human cadavers has been done. A full head swap between brain- dead organ donors is the next stage. And this is the final step for the formal head transplant for a medical condition.’<br /> <br /> The professor, who wants head transplants to help people live beyond 120, added: ‘For too long, nature has dictated her rules to us. We are born, we grow, we age and we die. For millions of years humans have evolved and 110billion humans have died in the process. That’s genocide on an unprecedented level.’ Professor Canavero was described as a modern- day Frankenstein in 2015 when he said he would be ready to transplant a human head within two years.<br /> <br /> British experts were unimpressed by yesterday’s announcement. Dr James Fildes, NHS principal research scientist at the transplant centre of the University Hospital of South Manchester, said: ‘To surgically attach a dead head on to a dead body warrants no publicity and is not a head transplant. ‘His next goal, to transplant the head from a brain-dead donor on to the body of a brain-dead donor, again will not be a head transplant.<br /> <br /> ‘Unless Canavero or Ren provide real evidence that they can perform a head, or more appropriately, a whole-body transplant on a large animal that recovers sufficient function to improve quality of life, this entire project is morally wrong.’ Jan Schnupp, professor of neuroscience at the University of Oxford, said: ‘Professor Canavero’s enthusiasm notwithstanding, I find it inconceivable that ethics committees in any reputable research or clinical institutions would give a green light to living human head transplants in the foreseeable future. ‘Indeed, attempting such a thing given the current state of the art would be nothing short of criminal.’

Latest-News Chinese doctors tries World's first ever head transplant

The world’s first human head transplant has been carried out on a corpse, it was claimed yesterday. During an 18-hour operation, doctors...

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Undergraduate commits suicide in Bauchi

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeuPat2fOt4I7_suTz8gs0mb-R0s76n3GmNFkHJw8vG0cAkmhfDaNqdUwOKOHIA7SNf-OYQU8cQsxbJ5sTea_jczMKNEgJsVDnygxOtkx7oGFD6zn4zZIhCCD2Gm-4GXeORyF_k9o_wHAQ/s1600/suicide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="146" data-original-width="345" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeuPat2fOt4I7_suTz8gs0mb-R0s76n3GmNFkHJw8vG0cAkmhfDaNqdUwOKOHIA7SNf-OYQU8cQsxbJ5sTea_jczMKNEgJsVDnygxOtkx7oGFD6zn4zZIhCCD2Gm-4GXeORyF_k9o_wHAQ/s640/suicide.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> A 300-level student of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, on Friday morning reportedly hanged himself.<br /> <a id="more" name="more"></a><br /> <br /> The deceased, Dahiru Adamu, 30, was said to be a student of the Department of Technology Education at the institution. He was found hanging from a tree.<br /> <br /> The incident was said to have occurred at the Gubi campus of the school along Kano Road.<br /> <br /> A student of the institution, who spoke on a condition of anonymity, told Saturday PUNCH that the body of the victim was left hanging from the tree for about two hours before it was brought down.<br /> <br /> He said, “I got to school on Friday morning only to find out that a student had hanged himself in the compound.<br /> <br /> “I saw the vice-chancellor and some management staff members at the scene with an ambulance parked by the side. I believe they were waiting for the police to arrive.<br /> <br /> “The deceased left his shoes and books under the tree before hanging himself. I don’t know the deceased but I learnt his name was Dahiru Adamu and that he was a 300-level student of Woodwork Section in the Department of Technology Education. He was supposed to be on industrial training but he was still around.”<br /> <br /> Confirming the incident, the Public Relations Officer of the Bauchi State Police Command, Kamal Datti, said it was the Chief Security Officer of the university that informed the police about the incident. He said, “Our men immediately swung into action, removed the body and deposited it at the mortuary at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital.<br /> <br /> “Preliminary investigation revealed that the name of the deceased was Dahiru Adamu and he was 30 years old. He was a 300-level student of the Technology Education Department of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi.”

Latest-News Undergraduate commits suicide in Bauchi

A 300-level student of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, on Friday morning reportedly hanged himself. The deceased, Dahir...

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Zimbabwe’s Mnangagwa takes power, vows to serve all citizens

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="1000" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt9xLIjVRP9JHQeBpToWHvc9p09xjy_3xZFwq-s9ysyPhEosuabk0qBuUancD-KIMrFD7NMkeUWD811Lg4jsVVsgiqKGkw-M3tj2GtXrYosHUuI6CWwvpzeBlc1-NJ61aQ3O1cgXY8-kf7/s400/Zimbabwe++Emmerson+Mnangagwa.jpg" width="400" /></div> <br /> <br /> Zimbabwe’s new President Emmerson Mnangagwa has addressed a packed stadium, vowing to serve all citizens.<br /> <a id="more" name="more"></a><br /> <br /> He said he felt “deeply humbled” to take the role.<br /> <br /> And he said he was “not oblivious to the many Zimbabweans from across the political and racial divides who have helped make this day.”<br /> <br /> He paid tribute to his predecessor, Robert Mugabe – to muted applause – calling him “a father, mentor, comrade-in-arms and my leader”.<br /> <br /> Mr Mugabe left office dramatically this week after 37 years of authoritarian rule. His departure followed a power struggle in which Mr Mnangagwa was sacked as vice president to pave the way for Grace Mugabe, the then-first lady, to take up the presidency.<br /> <br /> Mr Mnangagwa fled the country, but returned to a hero’s welcome and yesterday struck a conciliatory tone.<br /> <br /> “The task at hand is that of rebuilding our country,” he said.<br /> <br /> “I am required to serve our country as the president of all citizens, regardless of colour, creed, religion, tribe, totem or political affiliation.”<br /> <br /> Although Mr Mnangagwa has unseated Zimbabwe’s long-time ruler, he is still associated by many with some of the worst atrocities committed under the ruling ZANU-PF since the country gained independence in 1980.<br /> <br /> How did the inauguration unfold?<br /> <br /> Tens of thousands of people packed the National Sports Stadium in Zimbabwe’s capital, Harare, to witness the inauguration. Pop singer Jah Prayzer provided the entertainment and, as people in the crowd danced, the atmosphere was closer to that of a concert.<br /> <br /> Dignitaries, including leaders from various African countries, filed in to cheers.<br /> <br /> Opposition leaders Morgan Tsvangirai and Joice Mujuru – who both had their sights on the presidency at various times – were there.<br /> <br /> Mr Mnangagwa was led in the oath of office by Chief Justice Luke Malaba, saying he would “be faithful to Zimbabwe”, “protect and promote the rights and people of Zimbabwe” and discharge his duties to the best of his abilities.<br /> <br /> Mr Mnangagwa was accompanied by his wife, Auxilia, and gave her a kiss after the green presidential sash was placed around his neck.

Latest-News Zimbabwe’s Mnangagwa takes power, vows to serve all citizens

Zimbabwe’s new President Emmerson Mnangagwa has addressed a packed stadium, vowing to serve all citizens. He said he felt “deeply humb...

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Anyim Pius Anyim still in EFCC custody, faces fresh hurdles

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6zl87CxKIpkwrwAJERZerCcroKnfoyoSZqEyNLb_Kfc6Whn2ntwKq6WFV54PI194H_nZV7Q8uwaqu0W3QsAHVTW9KpkpCpYu_YXO4_FBJdYBYi-ExqKPOMOLrVjNGTiW2Q4KMbtbd63F_/s1600/anyim+efcc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="410" data-original-width="482" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6zl87CxKIpkwrwAJERZerCcroKnfoyoSZqEyNLb_Kfc6Whn2ntwKq6WFV54PI194H_nZV7Q8uwaqu0W3QsAHVTW9KpkpCpYu_YXO4_FBJdYBYi-ExqKPOMOLrVjNGTiW2Q4KMbtbd63F_/s320/anyim+efcc.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <br /> The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was still holding on to a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Anyim Pius Anyim , as at press time yesterday.<br /> <br /> <a id="more" name="more"></a><br /> <br /> Ayim, who was yet to meet the bail conditions as at yesterday, is facing fresh hurdles in connection with the ongoing probe of some huge contracts in the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND).<br /> <br /> His lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome(SAN) , yesterday faulted the position of the EFCC and insisted that the ex-SGF had met all the conditions for his freedom.<br /> <br /> He said Anyim was being compelled, under duress and undue influence, to sign all manner of “self-incriminating documents.”<br /> <br /> “As a matter of fact, the EFCC has granted bail to Anyim, but he is yet to meet the conditions for his freedom. We will not release him until the terms are fulfilled.<br /> <br /> “The noise by the counsel was unnecessary because the court order, which we obtained to detain him, is still subsisting.<br /> <br /> “The fact is that Anyim’s case has many dimensions. He still has issues to clear in connection with some huge contracts in the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund(TETFUND). Anyim is expected to make a few clarifications on his implication on these contracts, “ a highly placed source in the commission said.<br /> <br /> In a statement yesterday , Ozekhome faulted the EFCC and insisted that his client was yet to be released.<br /> <br /> The statement said: “We are solicitors to Senator Pius Anyim, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation who was detained by the EFCC and has since been kept in its gulag for about nine days.<br /> <br /> “Our attention has been drawn to the carefully planted false and misleading report published in various online and print media to the effect that Anyim has since Wednesday 22nd November, 2017, been released by the EFCC on administrative bail.<br /> <br /> “This is a lie from the pit of hell. These false reports which credit ‘unnamed sources within the EFCC’ have continued to circulate throughout Thursday and Friday, with the intent to deceive the world and divert its attention from the gross abuse of fundamental rights of Anyim who has been kept under inhuman and degrading condition for this unconstitutionally lengthy period.<br /> <br /> “The truth is that Anyim is still held in EFCC custody till this minute, in spite of fulfilling all administrative bail conditions laid out for him, including deposit of his international passport and being compelled, under duress and undue influence, to sign all manner of self-incriminating and property-stripping documents against his will.<br /> <br /> “In spite of this and the clear provisions of sections 35 and 36 of the Nigerian Constitution and the Administration of Criminal Justice Act(ACJA), the EFCC has bluntly refused to release Anyim to go and attend to his very poor health over which he was receiving treatment before he was forcibly taken away from his home.<br /> <br /> “This is calling upon the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice to prevail on the EFCC (and all law-enforcement agencies) to respect the rule of law and the constitution they have sworn to protect and defend by promptly ordering Anyim’s release forthwith, since no charges have been preferred against him and since he has fulfilled all administrative bail conditions.”<br /> <br /> Besides the UBEC and TETFUND cases, Anyim has been interrogated on how he allegedly laundered over N13billion out of N58, 146,983,677.85 in the Ecological Fund account.<br /> <br /> He was also asked to explain how the ecological cash ended up in the accounts of about 15 companies linked with him.<br /> <br /> A third peg of the interrogation bordered on why Anyim collected N520million from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) on the eve of the 2015 general elections.

Latest-News Anyim Pius Anyim still in EFCC custody, faces fresh hurdles

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was still holding on to a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. An...

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Our pains, by brother of ex-PDP chairman’s son allegedly killed by wife over 'cheating text message'

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6MA5Md2PTj0s3c7ulqLqLkDJQriPgwBM3yZxMtmfN6mgLMMmyZzvxNp3RVEMLBKjUXqIaU_xksSDU4uwCVXMKku2EYq5Jx_gSA5VkqOKnDWi8clzEvtuClKjRv3nCu1RgJnLfw6Omy0S-/s1600/bil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="664" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6MA5Md2PTj0s3c7ulqLqLkDJQriPgwBM3yZxMtmfN6mgLMMmyZzvxNp3RVEMLBKjUXqIaU_xksSDU4uwCVXMKku2EYq5Jx_gSA5VkqOKnDWi8clzEvtuClKjRv3nCu1RgJnLfw6Omy0S-/s320/bil.jpg" width="289" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> Family and friends of Bilyamin Bello, who was killed by his wife, Maryam, held a vigil in his memory during the week in Abuja. There, they called for justice claiming that a murder was committed and the culprit should be made to face the full wrath of the law without reservation.<br /> <br /> <a id="more" name="more"></a><br /> <br /> One of the deceased’s siblings, who pleaded anonymity, said that Bilyamin married Maryam because he loved her, he added that they were best of friends stressing that they were always happy and planning one fun trip or activity together. He said he is however, unhappy that Maryam does not look remorseful for killing his brother.<br /> <br /> He said: “So far, the family is grieving. Maryam’s family have come to pay their condolence, the mother has come but what is more painful is the fact that Maryam does not look remorseful for what she did at all. I just pray one day, she finds it in her heart to honestly say what it is that made her do what she did.<br /> <br /> “As a family, we are looking at the authority to do what is right, to let justice prevail. This is an example to others. The way this case is treated will determine how we move forward…Bilyamin was not just my older brother but best friend.”<br /> <br /> But one of Bilyamin’s friends, Hakeem Ali, who knew the couple very well explained that the deceased was actually a prisoner in his own home. According to him, Maryam was obsessive. He said that she was the kind of wife who kept tabs on her husband by always calling him anytime he tries to hang out with friends, even if it was in the afternoon.<br /> <br /> He said, “My friend was being held a prisoner in his own home. He couldn’t leave the house in the sense that it was an ongoing thing; the abuse went on for a while. For me there is a difference between love and when somebody is being obsessive. People tend not to understand the difference between love and obsession.<br /> <br /> “It wasn’t the best marriage and I believe either of them could have just walked away. It’s easier to sit down in that sorrow and think you can change things, or that if I can’t have him, no one will. I don’t consider it love. I can’t speak on his behalf. I can’t speak on his personal issue, he is a good friend and he is gone,” said Ali.<br /> <br /> He emphasised that the deceased was never a serial cheat. “He was that one guy that the minute we step out, we will be like, it is time for you to go home, your wife is about to call, after hanging out for as little as an hour or even 30 minutes. Even in the afternoon because she always calls. So we formed the habit of going to see him at home,” he said.<br /> <br /> “The situation with the law, there are a lot of speculations right now on social media but if Nigeria should excuse people for murder just because they have a child then if I am a murderer, then I will keep on having babies every week, that is not an excuse, for me, if somebody has committed a murder, either intentionally or by mistake, she should not be allowed to even see her baby because you don’t even know her state of mind. I don’t understand the system. A conversation has to begin on domestic violence against men as well because it’s becoming recurrent.<br /> <br /> “If it is a case of murder by mistake then there is a price to pay of which a family can forgive but only God gives life and only God can take it. So, if you take a life, then your life should be taken. It is that simple. If the evidence shows it is a murder, then there is no excuse. It should be a case of an eye for an eye. It is that simple.”<br /> <br /> Another friend of the deceased, Jamila Shehu, insisted that the couple was truly in love. According to her, Maryam might be suffering from bipolar disorder or PTSD and no one will know, since Nigerians are not good with visiting therapists.<br /> <br /> She said: ” I have no idea. I was not in her mind. I don’t know what she was thinking. All I know is that they both loved each other. There was love there, only God knows. It beats my imagination and I don’t want to think about it or give any excuse as a Muslim. He is gone but I don’t know what she was thinking. I don’t know what to think about her.<br /> <br /> “For me, she should be punished. She committed murder. So, she should serve the punishment fully. This happened to someone that was loved by a lot of people. He was kind, quiet and people knew them to be in love. So, it beats everybody’s imagination. Domestic violence should be treated. People should relax, love is not by force. Obsession is a disease. There are a lot of people in Nigeria that are sick but people don’t know because you think that if you go to the therapist, they look down on you or think you are crazy but there are a lot of PTSD, bipolar patients and they live among us. Maybe she flipped, maybe it was a psychotic break or maybe she planned it.”<br /> <br /> Organiser of the vigil and friend of the deceased, Ibrahim Usman, said he organised the event for two reasons: “First, in the memory of my friend, Bilyaminu and second, to create an awareness against domestic violence. There should be no gender barrier, whoever abuses another should be made to face the law and to remind the world that what happened to Bilyamin is tragic.<br /> <br /> “We will be following the case closely until justice is served. We know that someone died and a scene was tampered with. We will follow it closely. We want a Nigeria that will work for us in our life time,” he said.

Latest-News Our pains, by brother of ex-PDP chairman’s son allegedly killed by wife over 'cheating text message'

Family and friends of Bilyamin Bello, who was killed by his wife, Maryam, held a vigil in his memory during the week in Abuja. There, the...

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