Paul Manafort, Donald Trump’s campaign chairman, has only recently become familiar to Americans. But in Ukraine, Manafort has played a decisive role in politics for nearly a decade – one that is being closely scrutinized after his name has appeared in documents that are being examined in a corruption investigation. That is why on Friday, I helped to make public more documents related to Manafort’s dealings with the Party of Regions, which he used to consult for. I remember Manafort clearly during the inauguration of Victor Yanukovych, the former president of Ukraine. On a cold February morning, men and women wearing tailcoats and evening gowns hurried towards the Lenin monument. There was a little bit of commotion at the entrance – Rinat Akhmetov, the richest Ukrainian man and the right arm of Yanukovych, was trying to make way for an inconspicuous American. It was only me and a few of my colleagues who recognized the mysterious stranger’s face: it was Paul Manafort. Manafort had served as a consultant to the Party of Regions for many years. He had just as much cause for celebration as the newly inaugurated president, since he was the mastermind behind the president’s victory. The two had worked together since 2004. After Yanukovych’s election defeat that year, Manafort was hired by him and they worked on four election campaigns (including one presidential and three parliamentary ones) together. The American consultant was recommended to Yanukovych by his business and political partner Rinat Akhmetov, who in turn was recommended by Oleg Deripaska, his Russian colleague from the circle of fellow oligarchs. That way Manafort passed from one person to another as a relay baton to later become one of the most influential players in the Ukrainian politics. The question is now if he ever abused his position. So-called “shadow accounting” documents I have seen show $400,000 in cash payments were made to him, which were intended to be spent on conducting exit polls. The documents show a further $812,000 to be paid to him for engaging international observers. And, these documents, which I reported on and which were the focus of a New York Times article this week, list a total of $12.7m of payments made to Manafort. Ukrainians are concerned about the theft of public money. We want the chain of corruption to end. That is why many are troubled that Manafort’s name has emerged in this investigation. It is not just these latest revelations that cast a shadow over Manafort’s name in Ukraine. Manafort was an advisor to President Yanukovych when he pursued a divisive electoral campaign, such as focusing on the alleged infringement of rights of the Russian-speaking population in Ukraine. This wasn’t an issue before, but after years of driving this idea into the heads of voters, the question of the Russian language has really become an important factor in Ukrainian politics. Subsequently, after the escape of Yanukovych in 2014, it was under the guise of protecting the Russian population that Putin invaded Crimea, violating the post-war balance of power in Europe. Manafort worked with Victor Yanukovych – one of the most notorious European politicians – for nearly 10 years. This is not a casual relationship between the client and the performer. Such long-term cooperation incorporates a general worldview and values. Now voters in America will have to ask themselves: are these values they want in their country?. Thanks for reading.
Ukrainians saw Paul Manafort's political impact up close; and it wasn't pretty
Paul Manafort, Donald Trump’s campaign chairman, has only recently become familiar to Americans. But in Ukraine, Manafort has played a decisive role in politics for nearly a decade – one that is being closely scrutinized after his name has appeared in documents that are being examined in a corruption investigation. That is why on Friday, I helped to make public more documents related to Manafort’s dealings with the Party of Regions, which he used to consult for. I remember Manafort clearly during the inauguration of Victor Yanukovych, the former president of Ukraine. On a cold February morning, men and women wearing tailcoats and evening gowns hurried towards the Lenin monument. There was a little bit of commotion at the entrance – Rinat Akhmetov, the richest Ukrainian man and the right arm of Yanukovych, was trying to make way for an inconspicuous American. It was only me and a few of my colleagues who recognized the mysterious stranger’s face: it was Paul Manafort. Manafort had served as a consultant to the Party of Regions for many years. He had just as much cause for celebration as the newly inaugurated president, since he was the mastermind behind the president’s victory. The two had worked together since 2004. After Yanukovych’s election defeat that year, Manafort was hired by him and they worked on four election campaigns (including one presidential and three parliamentary ones) together. The American consultant was recommended to Yanukovych by his business and political partner Rinat Akhmetov, who in turn was recommended by Oleg Deripaska, his Russian colleague from the circle of fellow oligarchs. That way Manafort passed from one person to another as a relay baton to later become one of the most influential players in the Ukrainian politics. The question is now if he ever abused his position. So-called “shadow accounting” documents I have seen show $400,000 in cash payments were made to him, which were intended to be spent on conducting exit polls. The documents show a further $812,000 to be paid to him for engaging international observers. And, these documents, which I reported on and which were the focus of a New York Times article this week, list a total of $12.7m of payments made to Manafort. Ukrainians are concerned about the theft of public money. We want the chain of corruption to end. That is why many are troubled that Manafort’s name has emerged in this investigation. It is not just these latest revelations that cast a shadow over Manafort’s name in Ukraine. Manafort was an advisor to President Yanukovych when he pursued a divisive electoral campaign, such as focusing on the alleged infringement of rights of the Russian-speaking population in Ukraine. This wasn’t an issue before, but after years of driving this idea into the heads of voters, the question of the Russian language has really become an important factor in Ukrainian politics. Subsequently, after the escape of Yanukovych in 2014, it was under the guise of protecting the Russian population that Putin invaded Crimea, violating the post-war balance of power in Europe. Manafort worked with Victor Yanukovych – one of the most notorious European politicians – for nearly 10 years. This is not a casual relationship between the client and the performer. Such long-term cooperation incorporates a general worldview and values. Now voters in America will have to ask themselves: are these values they want in their country?. Thanks for reading.
Paul Manafort resigns as chairman of Donald Trump campaign
Donald Trump’s campaign chairman Paul Manafort has resigned, in the latest convulsion to sweep a candidacy reeling from poor polling numbers and self-inflicted controversy. With voters able to cast absentee ballots in the crucial swing state of North Carolina in just three weeks and his poll numbers sliding rapidly, the Republican nominee ousted his campaign chairman on Friday, only two months after the forced departure of campaign manager Corey Lewandowski. Manafort’s exit followed another unconventional move by Trump, who hours earlier had admitted that he “regretted” the pain caused by some of his intemperate remarks this year. “Sometimes in the heat of debate and speaking on a multitude of issues, you don’t choose the right words or you say the wrong thing,” he said, in tightly scripted remarks said to bear the hallmark of new campaign manager Kellyanne Conway. Though the apology at a rally in North Carolina did not specify precisely whom he was saying sorry to, it was the first acknowledgment by the candidate that his swashbuckling style was proving self-destructive. News of Manafort’s resignation also came as a surprise to some within the campaign, and followed a slew of denials that a shakeup was under way. “I would have thought we were done with revolving chairs,” one source familiar with the campaign told the Guardian after the publication of Friday’s statement. Another person familiar with the shakeup said the change underlined how Manafort had never quite been able to communicate with Trump the way Lewandowski had. His departure meant Conway would be in charge of the messaging, whereas Bannon, a former banker, was there to run the business side of the campaign. It was also pointed out that Trump had long been uncomfortable with the campaign spending heavily to buy television commercials, a step that was taken earlier this week with Trump shelling out $4m to go on the air in Ohio, Florida, Pennsylvania and North Carolina. “He thinks he is being robbed,” said the source familiar with the shakeup. “Boots on the ground are worth it” but “media buys, mail and other stuff” were looked on by Trump skeptically. In an interview with Fox News, Trump’s son Eric suggested that the controversy over Manafort’s ties to Russia and a report this week that he had potentially committed a felony by evading the reporting requirements of the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) led to the top operative being pushed out. “My father just didn’t want to have the distraction looming over the campaign, and, quite frankly, looming over all the issues Hillary is facing right now,” said the younger Trump. Who supports Donald Trump? The new Republican center of gravity Read more Manafort, a veteran political strategist, has been under mounting scrutiny as more details emerged of his role in advising foreign politicians, including Ukrainian strongman Viktor Yanukovych. His close connections to Russia through Yanukovych, at a time when Trump is trying to criticise Clinton for taking money from foreign donors for her family foundation, were proving a growing problem. Manafort first joined the campaign as an unpaid adviser in March after Trump had been repeatedly outmaneuvered in the delegation selection process by rival Ted Cruz. The veteran operative, who helped Gerald Ford win the last contested convention in American history in 1976, soon used that foothold to expand his mandate. Within weeks, he had in effect replaced former campaign manager Lewandowski, who was disdained by many within the party establishment as well as the Trump family. In a statement issued on Friday, Trump suggested Manafort’s role had peaked as an adviser during the Republican national convention in Cleveland, where rival Ted Cruz had threatened to lead a revolt, but this time expressed no regret over the departure. “This morning Paul Manafort offered, and I accepted, his resignation from the campaign,” said a statement from the Trump campaign issued on Friday morning. “I am very appreciative for his great work in helping to get us where we are today, and in particular his work guiding us through the delegate and convention process. Paul is a true professional and I wish him the greatest success.” The resignation, which contradicts claims Manafort would stay on earlier in the week, is the second moment Trump has exercised his famed slogan “you’re fired” – following the ousting of Lewandowski, in June. Lewandowski is now thought likely to make a comeback within the constantly shifting Trump inner circle, as he favours the same approach of “letting Trump be Trump” as Bannon is believed to. Trump also appeared rattled by recent opinion polling which suggests he is far adrift of where he needs to be to challenge Clinton in crucial swing states. The urgent need to confront his collapse in the polls suggests expediency, rather than a personality, may have been the largest factor leading to Manafort’s departure. At a rally on Friday night in Dimondale, Michigan, he again read off a prepared speech, with no mention of polls or crowds – two of his favorite topics for months of rallies. Instead he urged African Americans to join his “change movement”, saying, “to those hurting, I say: what do you have to lose by trying something new?” Signs of the old Trump did break through his restrained performance. At one point he went off-script, riffing to the mostly white crowd, “I am nothing more than your messenger.” Amid the Trump campaign shakeup and the apologetic address on Thursday night, Democrats rejected the notion of a new-look Trump on Friday, ridiculing a new emphasis on unifying the country that emerged on the same day as a campaign ad attacking immigrants. “In case you thought for a split second Trump was genuine about feeling regret, he is back to demonizing immigrants again in his new ad today,” said Clinton spokesman Brian Fallon. Thanks for reading.
How Agriculture Would Eradicate Poverty – Obasanjo
Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo has said that if agriculture is taken seriously, it could eradicate poverty.
He said this when he visited the Adamawa state government house in Yola. The former president also said that the sector could bring industrialisation to the state.
Obasanjo however promised to encourage investors interested in agricbusiness to visit Adamawa.
“Your emphasis on agriculture gave me pleasure and if agriculture is taken serious in this state, it will eradicate poverty. If you can provide a conducive atmosphere, people will want to come and invest in agribusiness.
“We will encourage those who are interested to invest in agribusiness to come to Adamawa and invest. Agriculture will not only be useful as a security too but as part of the industrialisation of the state, and as such will make the economy of this state more viable”.
He further commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his understanding about the situation in the north-east.
“To us, the issue of the north-east is special even when Mr President and I are discussing, it always form the centre of our discussion,” Obasanjo said.
“I must commend the unique leadership vision of the governor especially as he did not only focus on Adamawa but extent his vision to the entire north-east geopolitical region.”
How Kennis Music Inspired Me – Don Jazzy Reveals
Mavins boss, Don Jazzy has opened up on how Kennis Music inspired and shaped him to do better music.
Don Jazzy said he started paying more attention to music during the Kennis Music era.
“I would say I started listening more during the Kennis music time because after Storm records, then it was a time for Kennis music and they came with Tuface, Remedies and all”. keke-and-dayo
“At that point, I was still in secondary school and I was like “Yo! They were putting a lot of swags into this my work”. So I started taking note of the music and it started shaping me into what I would like to do but then, there was no way for me to do it.”
Don Jazzy also said that Nigerian music is designed to make people happy during their struggles. “Everyone is struggling; we all have a problem in the country but there are sometimes when we need that peace of mind which is when the music comes in. “While some people are consciously trying to make you aware of what is going on in the struggle, there should be other people that would keep you happy when you are going through the struggles and that is where we come in
Don Jazzy also said that Nigerian music is designed to make people happy during their struggles. “Everyone is struggling; we all have a problem in the country but there are sometimes when we need that peace of mind which is when the music comes in. “While some people are consciously trying to make you aware of what is going on in the struggle, there should be other people that would keep you happy when you are going through the struggles and that is where we come in
Change, Not Chain Is Coming, Pastor Bakare Insists
Pastor Tunde Bakare, on Friday pleaded with Nigerians to be patient with President Muhammadu Buhari.
He assured that the maxim of change which is the slogan of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC would not translate to chain for the people.
Bakare spoke with State House correspondents after meeting the President at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The outspoken preacher who was Buhari’s running mate in the 2011 presidential election on the platform of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change, said he was sure that the present administration would, in due time, respond to the yearnings of Nigerians.
The pastor said, “I will like to appeal to all Nigerians that we should just excise a bit of patience. This change will not become chain that will tie all of us down.
“Change for good takes time and we should just exercise a little bit more of patience. We trust that government is listening and the leaders are listening too and they will respond to the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians.”
Bakare said when one is driving in the wrong direction and suddenly realises one’s mistake, there would be a lot of suffering in returning to the right direction.
“Pain is part of gain. No pain, no gain. The years of wastage and all that we have done wrong have finally caught up with us.
“All we are praying for is wisdom for this government to think right and to do the right things, so that gradually, we can begin to come out of the woods,” he said.Thanks for reading.
Fraud: 21-Year-Old Student Faces 15 Years In Jail
A 21-year-old student from the of the Osun State Polytechnic, Identified as Adaramaja Olawale, was on Friday docked for alleged Facebook fraud.
The students, who reside at Abeokuta Street in Mushin, Lagos State, is standing trial on a two-count charge of fraud and stealing at an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court in Lagos. If found guilty, he will spend up to 15 years in jail.
The prosecutor, Sgt. Yomi Egunjobi explained to the court that the accused committed the offences on July 28, at No. 4, Moroti Bankole St., Ojodu area of Lagos State.
Sgt Egunjobi alleged that the accused made a false presentation on Facebook that one Alebiosu Adebola committed fraud. He said the accused used the complainant’s name to defraud her friends on Facebook.
“Olawale hacked into the complainant’s Facebook account and changed her password. Through fraudulent means, the accused collected money and recharge cards amounting to N16,000 from the complainant’s Facebook friends.
“The complainant’s friends called her to confirm if she were the one chatting with them and requesting for money and recharge cards,” he added.
The prosecutor narrated that the accused was apprehended in Osun by the police after it had investigated the allegation while noting that the offences contravened Sections 285 and 312 (a), (b) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
After reading the charges to the accused, he pleaded not guilty to the charges. Section 312 provides a 15-year imprisonment if convicted.
The chief magistrate, Mrs M. O. Oshinbajo, admitted the accused to N50, 000-bail following the defence counsel’s submission for the bail application, with two sureties in like sum who must be gainfully employed.
She adjourned the case to Sept. 1, for mention. Thanks for reading.
When We Intend To Conclude Rivers Election – INEC Reveals
October 2016 has been announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the month for the completion of March 19, inconclusive election.
INEC while addressing leaders of 28 political parties in the state said it had concern that Rivers people do not have representatives at the national assembly till date.
Speaking on behalf of the electoral umpire, INEC National Commissioner in Charge of Operations, Mrs. Amina Zakari, stressed that the commission would do everything within its capacity to ensure that the election does not extent further than the last two weeks in October.
She called on politicians in the state to work hand in hand with the electoral body so that the state can meet up regarding election into National Assembly.
“We are working tirelessly to ensure that this election that was suspended in some local governments is concluded. We are looking at completing the elections within October. The first week of October is out of it because that week we would celebrate our independence.
“The meeting was convened in order to evolve a way to complete the election. Because the election was more of a war, we also need to cool ourselves as well as plan new strategies.
“We don’t have a stake in the election; we are only to support democracy to survive in our country. We are giving that period to ensure that we are prepared.”
Thanks for reading.
