IF there was any ambiguity that the Joint Task Force, JTF, on the Niger-Delta was not battle-ready to wipe out renegade militants in the Niger-Delta, who returned to the creeks following their alleged dissatisfaction with the post-amnesty programme , it was cleared on Wednesday, December 1, when they invaded Ayokoromor community in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta in search of the leader of the Niger-Delta Liberation Force, NDLF, “General” John Togo and his fighters.

Dr Olusegun Kokumo Agagu, former governor of Ondo State has faulted the emergence of a Northern Consensus Presidential Candidate, saying it has no basis. In this interview with Vanguard, the one-time Minister of Power and Steel, said the Adamu Ciroma-led committee could not speak on behalf of the entire North. Among others, he attributed the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, loss in the South West zone to questionable court verdicts made the party lose in the region.

FOR three and a half years Governor Rauf Aregbesola fought to reclaim the mandate freely given to him by the people of Osun State on April 14, 2007 before the Court of Appeal sitting in Ibadan declared him as the true winner of that election . In his maiden press conference on Monday with journalists in the state, he spoke on a number of issues ranging from how he wants to be addressed and his programmes for the people of the state.

After the euphoria that greeted his declaration to run the 2011 presidential race, there has been an unusual quietness in the camp of Kano State two-term Governor, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau.

THE political permutations in the country are definitely bound to change as the 2011 general elections gather storm. Indeed, next year’s elections will certainly be interesting as a result of the possibility of politicians and their various supporters jumping ship especially from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to other alternative political parties.

AS the 2011 political race gets more intense, those jostling for the Governorship of Ogun State have increased their tempo of campaign with a bid to clinching their parties’ ticket. Although only two parties: Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, are actually on ground in the State, the number of aspirants has continued to increase. Most are seen as pretenders and people hoping to use their declaration as a bargaining chip.

Ahead the 2007 general elections, one of the two-term Governors, now a Senator, had in a simulation of raw political power lined up loyal federal legislators and some of his trusted aides as he dictated what would be the portion of each of them in the then forthcoming election.

NIGERIAN-born Dutch politician, Chief T.A.O Osuji says President Goodluck Jonathan has won his admiration because of his pedigree, diplomacy and performance so far in office.

Dr. Sam Nwanti is a presidential aspirant on the platform of Chief Anthony Enahoro-led National Reformation Party, NRP. With 18 years experience as a detective in the United States, Nwanti has a Masters Degree in Law Enforcement Management and a Bachelors degree in Criminal Justice Management.

The dwindling fortunes of the Peoples’ Democratic Party in the South West is no doubt giving President Goodluck Jonathan sleepless nights.

For Edo Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, these indeed are interesting times. Sacked from its hold on the governorship in 2008 and now under attack from the ruling Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), the party is faced with the prospects of going through the stress of sharing its tickets for the next round of general elections.

Kwara State Governor, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has said that the decision of the Northern Consensus Committee not pick him as the North consensus presidential flagbearer on the banner of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has prepared him to pursue his aspiration in future.

AFTER several years of failed trial, the Hydro-Power Producing Areas Development Commission, HYPADEC Bill was recently passed by the two chambers of the National Assembly and assented to by President Goodluck Jonathan.

MAJOR-GENERAL David Jemibewon is one Nigerian,who does not hide his feelings when it comes to addressing national issues. When VANGUARD met him in his Abuja residence to talk about the emergence of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar’s as the Northern consensus candidate, he bared his mind on the role he played as one of the Northern elders. He also spoke extensively on zoning and the 2011 elections among other issues. Excerpts:

Friday victory of Action Congress of Nigeria ACN candidate in 2007 governorship election in Osun State was indeed a long road for Engr.Rauf Aregbesola who comes across as a dogged fighter and political long distant runner.