Buhari: From Pillar To Post

With initial momentum on his side, promoters of the All Progressives
Congress (APC) candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, touted him as the man
who will emerge all-out winner in next week's presidential election.
His well-trumpeted moral high-ground was enough to drive his
aspiration against any other candidate. Not even the impressive list
of positive development indices from President Goodluck Jonathan could
match the solid pillar of integrity that Buhari flaunted.

Then the controversies started tumbling in. Week after week, the
Buhari candidacy has faced one scandal after another, leading to the
certificate saga that has brought a once-promising campaign to a near
stop. The well-oiled opposition campaign machinery, which once churned
out issues and facts that were to define the campaign, has since been
bogged down in firefights. In trying to extricate their candidate from
one self-inflicted scandal after another, chips keep falling from the
pillar of integrity on which his candidacy is built.

It all started with Buhari's health condition and his fitness to
withstand the rigours of the office of President. Against the
background that the last President of Northern extraction, Alhaji
Umaru Yar'adua, died without completing the first of his possible two
terms in office, the concern among Northern leaders over the reported
collapse of Buhari on the second day of his nationwide campaign in
Calabar, was understandable.

Buhari's shoddy handling of the finances of the Petroleum (Special)
Trust Fund during the regime of Gen. Sani Abacha is another scandal
his party is still trying to dismiss as inconsequential. Over the
years, the former military strongman has been hard-put explaining the
humongous amounts of money frittered away in the PTF under his watch,
the discrepancies associated with the award of its contracts and the
lopsided nature of location of its projects.

It has still not been possible to sweep it aside, which is why Gen.
Olusegun Obasanjo, who has since become more APC than the party
leaders, rushed to his rescue. Penultimate week, in an apparent effort
to clear Buhari, the former President who instituted the probe which
revealed unwholesome dealings and phoney expenditures in the PTF
amounting to over N25 billion, declared, rather curiously, that Buhari
is innocent of the various financial scandals that were unearthed
because he determined that Buhari did not personally benefit from the
sleaze. It was Obasanjo at his duplicitous best.

The question to ask is, must he be a personal beneficiary before he is
held accountable for profligate spending of public money? The PTF
cover up will, however, pale into insignificance when the certificate
scandal involving Buhari, is considered. The simple personal duty of
submitting his nomination form along with his personal details has
turned into the most confounding political rigmarole of all time. For
a man who has over the years been sold up as upright and painstakingly
meticulous, the hazy submissions about his certificates have turned
out a scandal of gargantuan proportions. It all started when he
submitted his nomination forms to the Independent National Electoral
Commission (INEC); but instead of attaching his West African School
Certificate (WASC) as required by law, he referred the electoral body
to the Secretary of the military board for them.

The Board has since come out to deny it was holding his certificate
and all manner of rigmarole have followed. In explaining the gaping
deficit in integrity, his campaign office has carried a bloody nose
for weeks; if their lawyer is not rationalising how the military rank
of general equals a school certificate, we are being inundated with
phoney and funny diplomas from military institutions from across the
world. When all of them refused to stick, the Provisional Secondary
School ,Katsina, which is now known as Government College, Katsina,
now remembers that it can issue him, in 2015, a statement of result
for exams taken in 1961. Incredible!

It is a school certificate that the PDP Presidential Campaign
Organisation has expressed doubt over, but which the APC Presidential
Campaign Organisation insists, brings the scandal to a close. For the
APC, that can only be wishful thinking, considering that Buhari`s
academic qualification is at the heart of his eligibility to contest
the presidency in February 14. It cannot be swept away so easily.
--DailyTimes

Parma President Arrested For Money-Laundering

Parma president Giampietro Manenti has been arrested over allegations
of money laundering during his takeover of the club, according to
reports.

The Serie A club have been plagued with financial difficulties all
season and are on the brink of bankruptcy, which has seen them
deducted points twice for not paying players and staff.

Italian news agency ANSA claims that Manenti, who bought the club for
just 1million Euro in February, is one of several people who have been
arrested following over 60 house searches across Italy.

A statement from the Guardia di Finanza - an arm of law enforcement
responsible for monitoring smuggling and financial crime - confirmed
the arrest of 22 people "for crimes of embezzlement, conspiracy,
computer fraud, use of cloned payment cards and mafia-style money
laundering".

Imo May Go into Deep Financial Distress --Peter Obi

Imo State, heartland of the South East, is on the verge of bankruptcy,
according to former Anambra State Governor, Mr. Pe-ter Obi.

The blame for this develop-ment should be placed squarely on the
doorstep of the incum-bent Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha of the All
Progres-sives Congress (APC). Obi added.

In reaction the media adviser of Okorocha, Sam Onwuemeodo, told the
Daily Times that Obi is suffering from "Rochas-phobia."

Obi warned that Imo State could go into deep financial cri-sis if
Okorocha is re-elected for a second term. Already, Imo State is
bankrupt, Obi said.

The former Governor who is a chieftain of the Peoples Demo-cratic
Party (PDP), made the statement in Owerri, the Imo State capital, on
Wednesday dur-ing youth town hall meeting of his party.

He expressed concern that in the entire South East, Imo State is
indebted to the tune of N30 bil-lion.

Obi said: "Enugu is not ow-ing, Abia is not owing Anambra is not
owing. As you all know, Ebonyi, which receives the least allocation in
the entire region, justifiably owes just a little while Imo owes a
whopping sum of N30 billion.I left behind about N60 billion.

"We can all guess where the fund is because before Okorocha came into
power three years ago, he had no estate but just within three years,
he owns the largest private estate in Nigeria."

Obi said that the presidential candidate of the APC, Major General
Muhammadu Buhari, is incapable of handling the chal-lenges of the
office of the Presi-dent in a 21st century.

"The retirement age in Nige-ria 65 years but the APC wants to cajole
Nigerians into voting a man who has exceeded the age of retirement. We
need to re-mind them that Aso Rock Villa is not an Old People's Home.
It is a place people go to work, not where people go to retire. How
would Nigerians in this era vote and relate with a man who knows
little or nothing about the Facebook or the internet? We are not even
talking about his credentials and certificates they want to gloss
over. It's a tragedy waiting to happen."

Responding to the allegations against Okorocha, Onwuemeodo who is a
Senior Special Adviser to Governor Okorocha on media, sent a test
message to the Daily Times which read: "There is an office in this
country that has the debt profile of every state. And I am sure you
know. They can help you to know the truth. Obi has "Rochasphobia."
--TheNation

Rivers Boils: Killings Everywhere, Politicians Hire Cultists

There is tension in Rivers state as the two major political parties,
the All Progressive Congress, APC and the Peoples Democratic Party,
PDP continue to claim brutal murder of their members by the other.

While governor Chibuike Amaechi alleged recently that over thirty
members of his APC have been gunned down in Rivers state in political
related circumstances the PDP governorship candidate, Barr Nyesom Wike
on his part said over 45 PDP members have also been killed on account
of their political affiliation. He said this when he addressed a team
from the National Human Rights Commission, NHRC led by the Chairman,
Prof Chidi Odinakalu in Port Harcourt.

The two parties have continued to evidence some of their claims with
names of alleged members killed. Governor Amaechi at a press briefing
in Government House, Port Harcourt, reeled out about eight names of
members of his party he said were killed at different locations in the
state recently, adding that about thirty members of his party had been
arrested by the Police on what he termed frivolous reasons.

The APC and the PDP have also lashed at the police for allegedly being
biased. The PDP governorship candidate, Barr Wike alleged that the
governor and his APC maintain a killer squad in the police , code
named C4I and urged the Inspector General of Police to immediately
disband the body

"Amaechi and APC brewed the crisis in Rivers State through their
illegal actions and acts of violence against the PDP. Since this year,
we have lost over 40 PDP members murdered by armed agents of the APC
and members of the See for Eye, C4I, Police team directly answerable
to Governor Amaechi.

"We call on Inspector General of Police to, as a matter of urgency,
disband Amaechi's hit squad called C4I used to kill our members before
the general elections. We will, otherwise, be compelled to defend
ourselves against the killings", he said.

The APC on its part accused the Police of conspiring with the PDP to
harass, intimidate and arrest its members, saying the move were part
of plots to rig the elections for the PDP.

"Unfortunately the Nigeria Police force in Rivers state has led to a
great escalation of these acts of killings, unlawful arrests and
detention on frivolous and unsubstantiated reasons as well as constant
and un-abating harassment using the very same police meant to protect
all sides.

"The most ridiculous is that the Police whom we are supposed to run to
for protection have commenced the withdrawal of Police security for
top APC members including that of gubernatorial candidate, Dr Dakuku
Peterside", Amaechi said.

Amaechi further said the reported withdrawal of Policemen from his
party's governorship candidate was a likely step towards executing an
alleged scheme to assassinate Peterside.

Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG zone 6, Mr Tunde Ogunsakin
who responded to the allegations by the various parties on the Police
said they were not true.

According to him, the Police would continue to discharge their
responsibility professionally in all states under his zone. To
reassure the political parties of the neutrality of the police he said
he had to order that men of the C4I should no longer be deplored to
protect politicians, adding that they should also not be posted to
campaign rallies of any of the political parties any longer.

" The C4I unit should henceforth stop featuring in political
campaigns. The C4I Unit of the Department of Operations should on no
account post their officers to any political appointee or VIP;", he
said.

Also the state Police Public relations officer, DSP Ahmad Muhammad
who declined comment on the allegation of arrest of APC members
indiscriminately by the Police said most of them were being tried at a
federal High court in Port Harcourt for criminal offences. "The matter
is in court so I will not want to comment on an issue before the
court", he told the Vanguard.

Residents of the state have also expressed worries over political and
cult related killings in the state.

According to Sopriye David it had been difficult to draw a line
between cult and political killings in the state because of the
elections around the corner.

According to him, most of the cult groups have been recruited by the
political class to prosecute their interest in the coming elections.
"So the killings you see are both political and cult- related.

Read more at Vangiuard:
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/03/rivers-boils-killings-everywhere-politicians-hire-cultists/

Tinubu Vs AIT: Court Fixes April 1 For Ruling

An Ikeja High Court has reserved ruling till April 1, 2015 on the
interlocutory application filed by the National Leader of All
Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu against Africa
Independent Television, AIT, over a libel case.

Justice Iyabo Akinkugbe, who sat over the case, fixed the date after
she took over three-hour arguments from counsel representing Tinubu
and the AIT, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN and Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN
respectively.

National Leader of All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu

Tinubu had dragged the television station, owned by Chief Raymond
Dokpesi, before the court alleging that a documentary broadcast by the
station, titled 'Lion of Bourdillion,' was libelous and aimed at
tarnishing his image.

In his ex-parte motion, Tinubu prayed for an order of interim
injunction restraining AIT, whether by itself, agents, privies and or
other persons from producing or continuing to broadcast, airing, or
continuing to reproduce the said documentary.

The motion also sought to restrain the TV station from continuing the
broadcast of the documentary, which it started airing on March 1 and
had been repeating daily, pending the hearing and determination of the
motion on notice dated March 5, 2015.

According to Tinubu in his motion, the damages would not adequately

compensate him if the ex-parte order was not granted and prayed that
the rest of the suit may be extinguished if the ex-parte order was not
granted.

He further averred that there was "real, imminent and urgent threat
and danger" of continuing to decimate his person and integrity by AIT
by continuing to air the "offensive" broadcast if the ex-parte motion
was not granted.

Moving the application, Olanipekun argued that by granting the motion,
the television station stands to lose nothing by temporary stopping
the broadcast of the contentious documentary, pending the
determination of the substantive suit.

He further argued that AIT's contention that the said documentary was
a sponsored advertorial was also not an excuse to further continue the
broadcast, which has become a subject of litigation.

He added that AIT cannot continue to make money at the expense of
Tinubu who he claimed had never been convicted by any court of law
either in Nigeria or abroad.

However, responding to the argument, Ozekhome, SAN insisted that
Tinubu's application will not in anyway be prejudiced if the court
chooses not to make an order stopping the broadcast.

Moreover, he stated that AIT had since stopped the broadcast of the
documentary immediately after Tinubu instituted the suit, while
contending that the issues contained in the documentary was already
public knowledge as several website had already published similar
facts.

Moreover, he noted that since Tinubu had already demanded for
N150billion as compensation which is the worth of his purported
damaged integrity, it would not be wise to grant his prayer for
interlocutory injunction restraining AIT from further broadcasting the
documentary.
--Vanguard

Delayed Presidential Election Set To Hold Next Week

Africa's most populous nation, Nigeria, goes to the polls to elect a
new president next week after a controversial postponement, with the
six-week delay seeing major gains against the Boko Haram jihadists.

Fourteen candidates, including the first woman, are eyeing the top job
but the election is a two-horse race between incumbent Goodluck
Jonathan and former military ruler Muhammadu Buhari.

Next Saturday's poll is being watched closely, given the strong
opposition challenge and the possibility of defeat for a sitting head
of state.

The head of the country's electoral commission, Attahiru Jega,
maintains that "everything humanly possible" has been done to ensure a
free, fair, credible and peaceful vote.

But security threats -- from Boko Haram to political violence -- are the
prime concern, with the Islamist militants renewing attacks on
civilians, despite a wave of claimed military successes.

Just how many of the hundreds of thousands of people displaced by the
violence in the northeast will be able to vote will come under
scrutiny, as will the first use of voter ID card technology.

The election delay has hurt Nigeria's crude-fuelled economy, which has
been battered by the global oil shock, creating investor uncertainty
and an urgent problem for whoever wins.

On Friday, credit ratings agency Standard and Poor's downgraded
Africa's leading economy further into junk territory, blaming falling
crude prices, political instability and Boko Haram.

- Security issues -

Security on polling day is the major concern, with the inability of
soldiers to provide cover nationwide given as a reason for delaying
the initial vote on February 14.

Since then, there has been a wave of military successes, with
indications that the government may soon announce an end to the
six-year conflict, that has claimed more than 13,000 lives.

But there have been warnings against any premature declaration given
fears that the rebels, who have allied themselves to the Islamic State
group, will revert to guerrilla tactics.

Nnamdi Obasi, senior researcher at the International Crisis Group,
said Boko Haram is still able to carry out its threat to disrupt
elections, which it views as "un-Islamic".

"Its fighters may not be able to seize new territory but they could
certainly still send suicide bombers to public places, including
polling centres," he told AFP.

"In many parts of Borno state, the security situation is still tenuous
and displaced persons have not returned or settled down well enough to
participate in elections.

"Elsewhere in the region, the polls will go but very much in an
atmosphere of unease and insecurity."

Political violence, which has plagued previous Nigerian elections and
which in 2011 saw nearly 1,000 people killed in clashes, is also seen
a major risk.

Nigeria's human rights commission recorded nearly 60 deaths in
December and January and there are fears of many more with the
campaign so close.

The head of the Nigeria federal police, Suleiman Abba, vowed on Friday
that trouble-makers will face "the full wrath of the law".

The United Nations has also promised "accountability for anyone who
will choose to contest the election results through violent means".

"The world really is watching," UN Under-Secretary General Jeffery
Feltman said on a visit to Abuja this week.

- Voting procedure -

Some 68.8 million of the 173 million Nigerians are registered to vote
in the presidential and parliamentary election, which are followed on
April 11 by state assembly and gubernatorial polls.

But Jega has been under pressure over the electoral commission's
preparations, particularly from Jonathan's ruling Peoples Democratic
Party (PDP).

The PDP has criticised the rate of distribution of biometric voter ID
cards, the technology used to "read" them and the ability of election
volunteers to use the devices.

Buhari's All Progressives Congress (APC) for its part senses a
government plot to revert to the former paper system, which made
ballot rigging easier, allowing the PDP to cling to power.

Jega said on Monday that 67.8 million cards or 98.5 percent of cards
had been sent out -- up from 66.5 percent a week before February 14 --
but some 20 million had not been collected.

A further delay has been ruled out, with Jonathan's mandate due to
expire on April 30 and a formal handover of power set for May 29.
--AFP

Top European Leagues Threaten Legal Action Over Qatar World Cup

(Photo: Aspire Dome is seen in Doha in this aerial view. Qatar will
host the 2022 World Cup.)

Europe's top leagues could launch legal action against FIFA for the
sporting and economic damage caused by moving the 2022 World Cup to
Qatar, according to the French league president Frederic Thiriez.

At a meeting in Barcelona on Saturday, the European Professional
Football Leagues (EPFL) adopted a resolution slamming the decision to
move the competition from its traditional date in June and July to
November and December to combat the searing heat in the middle-east.

"The EPFL is ready to support any legal actions that the individual
leagues may take in this respect in the near future," said Thiriez.

"The EPFL is very disappointed with the decision of the FIFA ExCo who
decided to move the World Cup to November and December in 2022.

"This is seriously damaging to the European leagues both from a
sporting and a financial point of view.

This decision raises serious questions about the motivations of many
involved in the decision-making process and further demonstrated the
lack of good governance within the national football governing
bodies."

FIFA announced on Friday that it will triple the amount paid to clubs
who release their players for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups to $209
million.

However, Thiriez insisted that the EPFL has to look out for the
interests of all clubs with the vast majority of the compensation
promised going to the top clubs in a few leagues.

"The EPFL has the responsiblity to protect the interests of all clubs,
including those that do not release players for the national
associations competitions. Today the interests of those clubs are not
protected."

Whitney Houston's Daughter Moved To Rehab Facility

The comatose daughter of late singer Whitney Houston has been moved to
a rehabilitation facility, though this was not necessarily a sign of
her condition improving, US media reported.

Bobbi Kristina Brown, 21, was placed in a medically induced coma after
she was found facedown and unresponsive in her bathtub on January 31.

Several media outlets including CNN and NBC, citing sources close to
the family, said Friday that Brown had left Emory University Hospital
in Atlanta, Georgia and had been moved to a nearby rehabilitation
facility.

NBC said Brown's condition remained the same.

Celebrity news site RadarOnline.com said the transfer was the result
of hospital policy.

Whitney Houston died in February 2012 when she was found in a bathtub
at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles on the eve of the music
industry's annual Grammy Awards show.

Sierra Leone President Orders Three-Day National Lockdown Against Ebola

Sierra Leone's President Ernest Koromo ordered the country's entire
population Saturday to keep to their homes on March 27-29 in a bid to
stem the spread of the deadly Ebola epidemic.

"All Sierra Leoneans must stay at home for three days," he announced,
expanding a previous order from the authorities for a lockdown in the
capital Freetown and northern areas of the country.

Chad Troops Return To Nigeria Town After Boko Haram Kill 11

Chadian troops on Saturday returned to the northeast Nigerian border
town of Gamboru, locals said, after Boko Haram took advantage of a
lack of military presence to kill 11 people.

"Hundreds of Chadian troops moved into Gamboru this morning from
Fotokol," said Babagana Karimbe, who lives in the town in northern
Cameroon which is separated from Gamboru by a bridge.

Troops from Chad were credited last month with liberating Gamboru in
Borno state from Boko Haram control but the Chadians' withdrawal from
Nigeria last week appeared to have left the town exposed.

The Islamists returned on Wednesday, killing eight people, while three
more were killed on Thursday.

Karimbe told AFP that the deployment began at about 7:20 am (0620 GMT)
and involved dozens of vehicles, including tanks.

"They are now in Gamboru. It is clear Boko Haram gunmen had fled
before the troops deployed because we have not heard a single shot
since the Chadian soldiers moved in," he added.

"Our prayer is for the troops to remain in Gamboru because if they
withdraw again Boko Haram will definitely return and continue killing
people."

The lack of security presence exposed an apparent lack of coordination
between the allies, whose sustained offensive has led to the recapture
of dozens of towns in northeast Nigeria.

Chadian troops had pushed into Nigerian territory after freeing
Gamboru, going on to retake the Borno town of Dikwa, near Boko Haram's
Sambisa Forest stronghold.

Fotokol resident Umar Ari said by telephone that Gamboru residents
welcomed the soldiers with clapping and cheering, supporting Karimbe's
account that no shots were fired.

"From Gardumba neighbourhood (on the outskirts of Fotokol) we can see
the Chadian soldiers moving around Gamboru but we have not seen any
Boko Haram gunmen," he added.

"We catch glimpses of Boko Haram gunmen whenever they are in Gamboru.
On Wednesday we saw them riding around Gamboru on motorcycles
brandishing guns".

The regional offensive involving Nigerian troops, Chad, Cameroon and
Niger was cited as a reason for postponing the Nigerian general
election, which was initially scheduled for February 14.

It will now take place on March 28, with President Goodluck Jonathan
hoping to capitalise on the reversal of the insurgents' military
fortunes in his quest for re-election.
--Vanguard

Kudos As AfricaMagic Igbo Channel Debuts

Jubilation greeted the long-awaited launch of an Igbo channel on
Africa Magic during the week which is designed to showcase the rich
cultural heritage of the Igbo nation. The 24-hour general
entertainment channel follows the success of the Africa Magic Hausa
and Yoruba channels and will go on air from April 2.

The launch of AfricaMagic Igbo which will be available on DStv channel
159 could not have come at a better time. M-Net, owners of the
AfricaMagic channels that avail Africans with platforms to tell their
stories from their perspective, is following a tradition of excellence
that has long trailed its operations.

The launch of AfricaMagic Yoruba was hailed as a highly strategic move
which helped to display the rich Yoruba culture in all its glory to a
global audience. Thereafter followed the launch of AfricaMagic Hausa,
a development which surprised quite a few people who were hitherto
unaware that a vibrant movie industry existed in the northern part of
the country.

Ohanaeze Ndigbo Nollywood coordinated by Chief Harris Chuma has
congratulated Africa Magic for the establishment of Igbo Channel on
its platform.

Chief Chuma said, the launch of the Igbo Channel will help to boost
the Igbo language film industry as well as encourage many into
producing Igbo contents which have been on the decline. "We solicit
film makers of Igbo extraction to see this medium as a veritable
platform to showcase our rich cultural heritage, promote and project
our cultural values. We have over the years clamoured for the
establishment of an Igbo channel on Africa Magic, now that is a
reality, we are hopeful that it will serve as a catalyst towards
revitalising the dwindling fortunes of Igbo language films," he said.

With the launch of Africa Magic Igbo, which brings to eight the total
number of Africa Magic channels, follows the redefinition of the
Africa Magic channels in 2014 and the recent refreshing of the Africa
Magic Urban channel. Speaking on the launch, the Managing Director,
M-Net (West Africa), Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu, said: "We are thrilled to
announce the launch of Africa Magic Igbo.

Igbo language entertainment content has always played a prominent role
in the Nigerian film and television industry and we are glad to offer
a platform where this rich content can be showcased to the rest of
Africa and the world. Popular Igbo language content like Living in
Bondage, Nneka the Pretty Serpent and many others set the trend for
the modern Nigerian film and television industry, or Nollywood as it's
called; it is thus only fitting that such content should be given a
platform where it is easily accessible by audiences around the
continent. With the launch of Africa Magic Igbo, we have once again
proven our commitment to providing content made for Africa by
Africans."
--Vanguard

Long Queues Return To Fuel Stations In Abuja

Long queues have returned to petrol stations in Nigeria's Federal
Capital Territory despite assurances by the Nigeria National Petroleum
Corporation that there is enough Premium Motor Spirit to last the
country throughout the month.

Some motorists, who queued for up to four hours to buy petrol, blamed
the fresh crisis on marketers who they accused of playing politics
with the oil sector.

But in a press statement, the State Security Service said the
marketers were concerned about the incidence of post-election crisis
and were unwilling to travel up north just a few days to the general
elections.

There have been queues at fuel stations for two days now.
While some stations have closed to customers most major petrol
stations have the products for sale and have steady attendance to
customers.

The black market is witnessing a bustle of activities with 10 litres
selling between 1,700 Naira to 2,000 Naira as against 870 Naira.
Twenty-five liters sell for as much as 4,000 Naira and their customers
are those who are unwilling to join the long queues.

It is less than two weeks since the last fuel crisis and the attendant
long queues at petrol stations were last seen in Abuja. They are
slowly returning.

Residents have expressed concerns that this is happening less than 10
days to the general elections and are asking for urgent intervention
from the Federal Government.
--ChannelsTV

21 Awesome Uses Of Epsom Salts

Epsom salt is made up of magnesium and sulfate, which can help improve
health in numerous ways. A lack of magnesium--which helps regulate the
activity of more than 300 enzymes in the body--can contribute to high
blood pressure, hyperactivity, heart problems and other health issues,
doctors warn. Sulfate is essential for many biological processes,
helping to flush toxins and helping form proteins in joints, brain
tissue and mucin proteins.

21 Amazing uses of Epsom salt

Regulate Blood Sugar

Research indicates that raising magnesium levels can promote a healthy
heart by improving circulation and lowering blood pressure. It also
improves the body's capacity to use insulin. Magnesium is necessary to
sustain calcium levels in the blood.

Sulphates are not easily obtained through the food we eat but are
absorbed through the skin. These stimulate the pancreas to make
digestive enzymes and assist in detoxifying the body. Epsom Salt
flushes toxins and heavy metals from the cells, easing muscle pain and
helping the body to eliminate harmful substances.

Detoxification

Epsom salt can assist in eliminating toxins from the body. The
magnesium in Epsom salt is required for detoxifying cells. It also
helps detox the body of environmental contaminants that can
potentially cause ill health.

To enjoy a relaxing detox bath, stir in 1 to 2 cups of Epson salt in a
bathtub filled with warm water and soak in it for 10 to 15 minutes, 2
or 3 times a week.

Fade Bruises

To lessen the appearance of bruises, make a compress by soaking a
washcloth in cold water mixed with Epsom salt - use two tablespoons
per cup - then apply to the skin.

Treats Sunburn

Epsom salt is very soothing for sunburned skin. Its anti-inflammatory
properties alleviate mild sunburn irritation like itchiness and pain.
It can even help maintain an even skin tone.

To treat sunburned hands and legs, mix 2 tablespoons of Epsom salt in
1 cup of water and store it in a spray bottle. Spray it on the
affected area. Leave it on for 10 minutes, then take a bath. Do this
several times a week to notice improvement.

Another option is to fill a bathtub with lukewarm water and mix in 1
cup of Epsom salt, stirring thoroughly so the salt crystals dissolve
properly. Add a few drops of lavender essential oil and soak in the
water for 20 minutes.

Pest control

If you have lawn pests and you're looking for natural insect control,
consider turning to Epsom salt. A spray solution on the lawn can
control insects without damaging the grass, and it's totally nontoxic.
Sprinkle some dry Epsom salt to deter slugs and snails.

Fertilizer

Some plants like tons of food, especially roses. Work some Epsom salt
into the soil around them to keep them happy, especially during
blooming season, when you want them producing beautiful, long-lasting
flowers. Palm trees and tomatoes are also big fans of Epsom salt!

Quick bruise treatment

Use a warm compress with Epsom salt to fade the appearance of bruises.
They won't vanish like magic, but they won't be as large, or as
painful. Use a solution of two tablespoons Epsom salt per cup of water
for best effect.

Body scrub

After you shower, rub your skin with Epsom salts using circular
movements. It removes dead skin cells and leaves skin soft.

Soothe Bug Bites

Dissolve 1/4 cup of Epsom salts in a cup of warm water. Cool the
mixture in the refrigerator. Apply with a cotton ball to bug bites to
soothe pain and itching.

Remove Splinters

According to the Epsom Salt Council, Epsom salt increases osmotic
pressure on the skin, which draws foreign bodies toward the surface.
Dissolve one cup of Epsom salt in a tub of water and soak the affected
area.

Keep Houseplants Healthy

Add 1-2 tablespoons of Epsom salts per gallon of water to nourish your
houseplants.

Relief from muscular pain

An Epsom salts bath can promote detoxification through the skin and
they are traditionally used as a soaking agent to bring relief from
muscular pain and stiffness.

Improves Digestion

Epsom salt assists in the elimination of harmful toxins and waste
products from the body and the digestive system. It also works as a
laxative to soften stools, making them easier to pass, and can be used
to treat constipation.Dissolve 1 or 2 teaspoons of Epsom salt in 1 cup
of warm water and drink it on an empty stomach once a day. When taken
internally, Epsom salt can cause some side effects, including
gastrointestinal irritation, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. Consult
your doctor before taking Epsom salt. Do not take it longer than 1
week.

Read more at Infonaija:
t.co/n90QSKD7VO

Minister For Labour Recognizes Ayuba Wabba As NLC President, Says Not Aware Of Factional Leadership

The Federal Government on Friday in Abuja said it would not recognise
the factional group of the Nigeria Labour Congress led by Joe Ajearo
of the National Union of Electricity Employees.

The Minister of Labour and Productivity, Joel Ikenya, declared the
stand of the Federal Government when the Ayuba Wabba-led newly-elected
executive members of the congress paid him a courtesy visit.

Mr. Ikenya said the election that brought in Mr. Wabba was duly
monitored by all stakeholders in the sector.

"We have not heard and we have not got any letter from anywhere in
respect of any other NLC," Mr. Ikenya said. "It was in the media and
our ministry participated in monitoring the process of the election.
Therefore, controversy is internal. The ministry is not part of it. We
know that you will sort yourselves out because there is a process and
I know that all of you know that process."

The minister said that Nigerians would like to see a better united NLC
that would work in workers interest.

"I want us to understand each other; the government is very serious
about the welfare of civil servants," he said. "So, I will continue to
consolidate on the achievements so far made."

Mr. Wabba of the Medical and Health Workers Union emerged the new
President of the NLC at the 11th National Delegates elections held on
March 12.

However, Mr. Ajaero, who controls 23 affiliate unions, was later
elected leader of a faction of the NLC after he complained about the
process of the first election.

Mr. Wabba had told the minister that the visit was to declare the
readiness of the new labour leadership to partner with the Federal
Government to achieve a better working environment for workers.

Mr. Wabba decried the devaluation of the naira owing to the drop in
crude oil prices at the international market, saying it was already
taking its toll on the economic fortunes of workers.

"Labour is a critical component of our economy, we produce and create
wealth," he said. "Therefore, as the creators of the wealth, it is
very important that our issues and aspirations are taken on board."

Meanwhile, Mr. Wabba also paid a courtesy visit to the
Director-General, Department of State Services, Ekpenyong Ita.

Mr. Ita used the occasion to call on workers to continue to
collaborate with security services in their quest to tackle security
challenges facing the country.

He also urged them to share information with relevant security
agencies in the fight against insurgents.
--NAN

Muhammad Imam Still PDP Borno Guber Candidate Despite Court Ruling --Campaign Organization

The Muhammad Imam campaign organisation has said that, the court
judgement on Wednesday against its candidate will not deter their
efforts towards rescuing Borno as their candidate remains the standard
bearer of the PDP gubernatorial election in the state.

A statement from the organisation, which is made available to
journalists in Maiduguri reads: "Following the outcome of the
judgement by the Federal High Court in Abuja, we call on our
supporters to remain calm and steadfast in our struggle to rescue
Borno.

"The Federal High Court in Abuja is the court of first instance and
hence we have the right to appeal and our lawyers have already
appealed against that decision. We have also applied for a stay of
execution pending the outcome of the appeal which by law is our right.
Muhammad Imam still remains the valid candidate of our party, PDP".

The campaign organization also called on their supporters not to
relent in their efforts at mobilizing people and ensuring the ultimate
victory of the party at all levels.

Top 6 Lifestyles That Can Compromise Your Health

Depending on our experience and influences, we tend to lean on only 1
or 2 things when it comes to regaining our health. Unfortunately,
there are a multitude of factors we never even consider as important
to our health, and any one of them could block our efforts to get the
health we desire.

Here are 6 core reasons your health may be compromised.

1.Chronic stress

Stress is one of the most recognized factors for causing health
problems, yet it seems to be the most difficult one to control. As a
result of this chronic condition, adrenal exhaustion sets in, which
taps out your ability to adapt to situations in your life, leaving you
worn out, stressed, overwhelmed, and depressed.

A study done by Texas A&M University illustrated the relationship
between chronic stress and immune dysfunction. As stated by lead
author Mary Meagher, "People exposed to chronic social conflict
experience high levels of stress and consequent dysregulation of the
immune system, thereby increasing vulnerability to infectious and
autoimmune disease."

2. Nutritional deficiencies

Living off a food production system that encourages "strip mining" of
the soils, toxic plant and insect management, as well as excessive
processing, leaves the consumer with choices that are up to 50% more
nutrient deficient than 50 years ago. This lack of appropriate
vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and beneficial bacteria results in the
body eventually suffering from nutritional deficiencies.

When the body becomes nutrient deficient, simple processes become
problematic as the body struggles to carry out functions without the
necessary material in which to do them. Even one glaring nutrient
deficiency can cause a serious health problem. A combination can
result in many chronic diseases until deficiencies are corrected.

3. Excessive toxicity

We live in a toxic world, and the inability to properly remove these
toxins from our lifestyle and our body will inevitably lead to pain
and suffering.

Some tend to believe that the body is designed to detoxify, and they
are right, except our design has become burdened with toxins to the
point that it has become partially paralyzed and unable to perform its
duties appropriately. With toxins placed on our plates, in the air we
breathe, the water we drink, the personal care products we use, and
even put directly into our physiology (dental amalgams, vaccines), our
body has no choice but to break down and be overcome with disease.

4. Poor sleep

Sleep is the key period for the body to regenerate; yet we have
treated this crucial aspect of a healthy lifestyle as an afterthought.
"I'll sleep when I'm dead" is a commonly coined phrase, which may
bring that end game faster than expected.

Going to bed in the wee hours of the morning and waking up early, not
only robs you of precious regeneration time, it also disrupts your
circadian rhythm, which eventually will result in completely messed up
sleep patterns in the future. This is a recipe for faster degeneration
and illness.

5. Lack of movement or flow

Inactivity is another major component to sickness. Not necessarily
because it contributes to obesity, but more because it contributes to
stagnation. Flow is required in order to keep your muscles, organs,
muscles, tendons, and tissues flooded with nutrients in all areas of
the body.

This doesn't mean you need to work out 6 days a week for 60 minutes a
day, but you should engage in some type of physical activity at least
5 times a week so you increase your heart rate and blood flow.

6. Disconnect from the basics

We tend to ignore or block the most basic necessities in life, and it
has a direct negative affect on our health. We have blocked the suns
rays, unplugged from the healing nature of the earth, and are
consuming poor water, which has resulted in vitamin D deficiencies,
inflammation, and inadequate hydration. The end result of deficiencies
in these basics of life is poor health.
--naturalnews.com

Gunmen Kidnap Zamfara Emir From Palace

Gunmen on Friday picked up the Emir of Bukukuyum in Zamfara State from
his palace.

His whereabouts as of Saturday morning remains unknown.

Commissioner for Information in the state, Ibrahim Magaji, confirmed
the emir's abduction.
--NAN

Jonathan Accepts Blame For Violence In Nigeria

President Goodluck Jonathan has accepted responsibility for the Boko
Haram violence in his capacity as the leader of the country.

"Whatever goes wrong, I accept. Whatever goes right, I take the
glory," the President said in an interview with theBritish
Broadcasting Corporationon Friday while fielding questions on the
violence that has characterised his administration.

"Whenever I hear that somebody dies in Nigeria... I feel pain because we
are all Nigerians," he added.

On the 219 schoolgirls abducted from Chibok last year, the President
assured that the girls are still alive.

"We have not seen dead girls, that is the good news. I believe they
are still alive, I believe we will get them," he said.

Jonathan, however, reiterated his belief that he would win the March
28 election.

The election is expected to be tough between him and the All
Progressives Congress presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari,
with many analysts concluding that the latter would win.

Barely one week to the presidential election, experts say it is still
too close to call but Jonathan believes his disposition, party
structure, good judgement of Nigerians and his achievements while in
office would swing victory his way.

"I will surely win... my party is still the strongest party," he said.

The President also said that all territories seized by Islamist
militant group Boko Haram would be retaken within a month.

He said, "I'm very hopeful that it will not take us more than a month
to recover the old territories that hitherto have been in Boko Haram's
hands.

"We never expected that Boko Haram will build up that kind of
capacity. We under-rated their external influence. Since after the
civil war we've not fought any war, we don't manufacture weapons, so,
we had to look for help to re-equip our army and the Air Force."

But the President admitted that the response to the insurgents'
initial advance in the North-East of the country had been too slow.

The army has claimed recent victories over Boko Haram in a conflict
that has killed thousands since 2012.

Backed by neighbouring countries Chad, Niger and Cameroon, Nigeria's
military said it had recaptured 11 of the 14 districts which had been
under Boko Haram control.

On Thursday, however, Boko Haram attacked Ngala town, killing 11
people, after the army said it had retaken it.

February's elections were postponed by six weeks after the armed
forces said they needed more time to secure the country.

President Jonathan told theBBChe was confident of victory - despite
many predicting the most fiercely contested polls since the end of
military rule in 1999.

His main opponent, Buhari, has described the 16-year rule of
Jonathan's party as "a disaster for the country and its citizens."
--PUNCH

Gov. Okorocha's Security Aides Batter Couple To Stupor

Governor Rochas Okorocha's security aides allegedly beat up a couple
Mr. and Mrs Chidi and Perpetua Okeke last Wednesday at the Ezeogba
Emekuku Owerri point of Owerri-Umuahia Imo State.

According to account from many eye witnesses of the event, trouble
started when the governor's convoy motorcade was blocked by the
couple's car which was also in motion.

The governor's armed security aides bounced on the Mr. Chidi who hails
from Umuoke Obowo also in Imo State, dragged him out and started
battering him.

An attempt by the victim's wife to rescue her husband also saw the
governor's men beat the nursing mother mercilessly which saw the woman
completely stripped off her clothes and seriously injured.

It was reported that while the security men were having a field day
with the couple, their few months baby continued to cry inside the
couple's car. The governor was said to be watching the whole drama
from his staff car as the couple were covered in their own pool of
blood.

According to reports, the governor later came out from his car blaming
Mr. Okeke for being drunk. But when the crowd that had gathered at the
scene of the incident wanted to attack the governor and his convoy, he
and his convoy took off.

Speaking in their hospital beds, the couple who sustained different
degrees of injuries confirmed the story. On his own part, Mr. Chidi
said that he was not drunk but suspected that what attracted the
wrought of the governor and his men might be the campaign sticker of
President Jonathan on the man's vehicle. He also said that when he
heard the governor's convoy siren, the side of the road to go clear
off the lane had big ditches but that before he could get to a better
point to go off the road, the security men had blocked him.
--thenigerianvoice.com

Imo State University Students Laments Receiving Toy Laptops From Gov. Okorocha

Some Imo state University students (IMSU) are claiming on Facebook
that their Governor, Rochas Okorocha distributed fake laptops to them
while politicking. Pictures of the laptop and the governor handing
them out as seen on twitter above. One person said he eventually sold
his laptop for N7k as that was the value.
--infonaija

Court Suspends Proceedings Of Suit Challenging Use OF Card Reader

A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted an order of stay of
proceedings in a suit challenging the plan by the Independent National
Electoral Commission (INEC) to use the electronic card reader machine
in Nigeria's forthcoming general elections.

The trail judge, Justice Adeniyi Ademola, said the order of stay of
proceedings is to subsist pending the determination of an appeal by
the All Progressives Congress (APC) and some other defendants
challenging a March 13 ruling of the court.

The APC had appealed against the decision of Justice Ademola abridging
the time within which parties are to respond to the suit.

Apart from the APC, other respondents in the suit are the Civil
Empowerment and Rule of Law Support Initiative and the Fiscal and
Civil Rights Enlightenment Foundation.

Justice Ademola held that it was appropriate to grant the order of
stay of proceedings since the APC, through its counsel, Mr Lateef
Fagbemi, had shown proof that it had filed its appeal and application
for stay of proceedings before the Court of Appeal in Abuja.

A Federal High Court in Abuja had on March 2 refused an application
brought by four registered political parties, seeking to restrain the
electoral commission from using the Smart Card Reader in the conduct
of the general elections.

The United Democratic Party, Action Alliance, Allied Congress Party of
Nigeria and Alliance for Democracy filed the suit.

The parties, through their counsel Alex Iziyon, told the court that
the proposed use of the card reader was contrary to the provisions of
the constitution, as well as the amended 2010 Electoral Act.

In the suit, the political parties challenged the powers of the
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to introduce a
process not specifically provided for in the constitution, as it
prepares for the rescheduled polls.
--ChannelsTV

Jonathan Congratulates Netanyahu

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has congratulated Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu on his victory in Tuesday's general elections in
Israel.

President Jonathan looks forward to continuing to work with Prime
Minister Netanyahu to further strengthen the existing cordial and
mutually-beneficial relations between Nigeria and Israel.

The President and the Federal Government will also continue to count
on the cooperation and support of the Israeli government under Mr.
Netanyahu's leadership as Nigeria strives to overcome the challenges
of terrorism, violent extremism and sustainable development.

Recognizing that strife and crisis in the Middle East remain matters
of great concern to the international community, President Jonathan
called on Prime Minister Netanyahu, his incoming Administration in
Israel and other countries in the Middle-East to rededicate themselves
to achieving lasting peace in the region through peaceful
negotiations.

The President wished Mr. Netanyahu a very successful new term in
office and prayed that God Almighty will continue to grant him the
wisdom, courage and strength he requires to lead the people of Israel
into greater peace, security and prosperity.
--Vanguard

100 Bodies 'Mass Drave' In Town Taken From Boko Haram

Around 100 bodies were found Friday in a mass grave on the outskirts
of the town of Damasak after it was liberated from Boko Haram
Islamists, a Chadian army spokesman told AFP.

Soldiers discovered the bodies -- some decapitated -- under a bridge
just outside the town, which was retaken from Boko Haram on March 9 by
troops from Chad and Niger.

"There are about 100 bodies spread around under the bridge just
outside the town," said Colonel Azem Bermandoa Agouna, adding that he
had visited the scene himself close to the border with Niger.

He claimed the massacre probably happened about two months ago and
said: "This is the work of Boko Haram."

It was, however, impossible to verify the claim independently.

Colonel Bermandoa Agouna said several of the victims had been
decapitated while other had been shot. "There are heads here and
bodies there, the mass grave has become like a termite mound," he
added.

Chad and Niger launched a vast air and ground offensive against Boko
Haram in the area on March 8, quickly taking Damasak from the Nigerian
Islamist militants.

According to a Chadian army source, the militants suffered heavy
losses in the push, with some 200 killed in fighting on Sunday for the
loss of 10 Chadian soldiers with 20 wounded.

"Operation Mai Dounama", named after a 13th-century emperor of Borno
province in northern Nigeria, aims to destroy Boko Haram bases close
to Niger, a Nigerien army spokesman said Thursday.

Boko Haram took Damasak on November 24, killing around 50 people and
forcing another 3,000 to flee, according to the UN's High Commissioner
for Refugees.
--Vanguard

'Ebola-Proof' Tablet Device Developed

A tablet device that can withstand being doused in chlorine has been
developed to help medics caring for patients with Ebola. BBC reports.

Designed by technology volunteers and Google, it can be used even
wearing gloves and in storms and high humidity. Medecins Sans
Frontieres put out a call for an Ebola-proof tablet to help teams
record vital patient information. At the height of the current
outbreak, doctors were shouting patient notes across fences to avoid
contamination.

Ebola is passed on through close contact with infected bodily fluids.
Even a single piece of paper leaving a high-risk zone poses a risk of
passing on the infection, the charity says. And health workers caring
for these patients have to be encased in full protective suits with
goggles and multiple layers of gloves, despite the soaring
temperatures.

But dictating notes across a fence at the end of exhausting shifts
while wearing masks was a "recipe for error", MSF said.

To overcome these challenges the group of international tech
volunteers came together, including Pim de Witte of Whitespell and
Daniel Cunningham at Hack4Good. They were later joined by Google.

Islamic State Claims Responsibility For Yemen Mosque Bombings Which Killed 137

Islamic State (IS) say its militants carried out suicide bombings on
two mosques in the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, which killed at least 137
people.

The attacks are the first claimed by IS - a Sunni group - since it set
up a branch in Yemen in November.

Both mosques were used mainly by supporters of the Zaidi Shia-led
Houthi rebel movement, which controls Sanaa.

Yemen has suffered from political instability for years and Houthi
rebels control nine of the 21 provinces.

The government of internationally recognised President Abed Rabbo
Mansour Hadi has fled to the southern port city of Aden.

Four suicide bombers attacked the Badr mosque, in the south of Sanaa,
and the al-Hashoosh mosque, in the north of the capital, as
worshippers gathered for Friday prayers.

At the Badr mosque, one bomber entered the building and detonated his
explosives while other people were caught by the second bomber near
the main gates.

Prominent Houthi cleric Al-Murtada bin Zayd al-Mahatwari, the imam of
the Badr mosque, was among those killed, local media reported.

Two more bombers attacked the al-Hashoosh mosque, with one detonating
explosives near the entrance and the other running into the mosque
itself.

"Blood was running like a river," said survivor Mohammed al-Ansi.

Rebel controlled al-Masirah TV broadcast footage from the al-Hashoosh
mosque showing volunteers using bloodied blankets to carry away
victims. Bodies were also lined up in the prayer hall.

About 300 people were wounded, medics said, and hospitals appealed for
blood donors.

There was another suicide attack on a mosque in the northern city of
Saada - a Houthi stronghold - reports said, but only the attacker was
killed.

Air strike

Both al-Qaeda and IS consider Shia Muslims to be heretics and have
rallied against Houthis in Yemen.

A statement from Islamic State published on Twitter promised further attacks.

"Let the polytheist Houthis know that the soldiers of the Islamic
State will not rest until we have uprooted them," the statement said.

The White House "strongly condemned" the attacks, but said it could
not confirm that those behind them were affiliated with IS.

Spokesman Josh Earnest said IS could be falsely claiming responsibility.

"It does appear that these kinds of claims are often made for a
perception that it benefits their propaganda efforts," he told
reporters.
--BBC

Jonathan To Win Presidential Election Says UK Research By 13 Per Cent --UK Research

Kevin, Charlyn & Kimberly Associates, a United Kingdom based research
and political risk consultancy firm, has stated that incumbent
President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will
win the 2015 presidential election with a margin of 13 per cent
(probability).

The group, which used both 'monkey survey' and 'Political Risk Index'
to forecast the Nigeria election, projected a Jonathan's win if
everything remains constant.

In a statement by Mr O.C Vince, the Vice President of the firm for
West Africa, while addressing a press conference in Abuja, on
Thursday, explained that the firm has no partisan interest in the
outcome of the election which is left for the people of Nigeria to
decide.

The company said it decided to conduct the survey because of the
general global interest the Nigeria election has generated. "Many
people around the world, including political leaders and investors are
focusing on Nigeria to see how the process of democracy is managed,"
he stated.

Mr Vince said the ruling PDP appears to be facing its toughest
challenge in 16 years and hoped the efforts they have made will help
deepen and strengthen democracy in Nigeria and enable the different
contending parties manage their final push toward 2015.

He stated that "We randomly conducted a nationwide opinion poll
focusing on the six geo-political regions of Nigeria: North-East,
North-West, North-Central, South-West, South-East and South-South. The
sampled population were asked three questions centre on human rights,
the economy and security.

One of the questions stated that between Major-General Buhari and
President Jonathan, who would best protect the fundamental human
rights of Nigerians? While APC's Buhari scored 30%, President Jonathan
scored 70%.

The firm noted that the electoral map tilted more favourable towards
President Jonathan in the South-West and middle belt, adding to his
advantage in Niger Delta and South-East while Buhari did well in core
north where he has large followership.

Another question stated that between the elections holding in February
14 as previously scheduled and March 28 as postponed, which date do
you feel safer to participate in the presidential election? 35 %
thinks the election should have been held on February 14 as scheduled
while 65% thinks the March 28 new date is a safer and more secured.
They believe INEC is now more prepared having issued more PVCs and as
wells as tested the card readers.

On the question bothering on who would best grow the economy, while
APC presidential candidate scored 42%, the PDP presidential candidate
scored 58%.

The firm's spokesman explained that its conclusion were reached in
respect of the question 'who would best protect your fundamental human
rights' by taking cognizance of the antecedents and past records of
the two candidates, the past and current utterances of the candidates
and how Nigerians of diverse gender, ethnicity, religion and social
status perceive both candidates and how effectively both candidates
has been marketed to the voting population.

The company said though the Buhari's public relations team has done a
tremendous job in repackaging him yet an overwhelming majority of
Nigerians still view him as a divisive character.

"Majority of the population agrees that President Jonathan is tolerant
and has the best temperament as a democratic president. They cited the
signing of the Freedom of Information Bill by the president and his
high tolerant of criticism as a rare quality for an African leader.
Many, however, criticized President Jonathan's public relations team
for not doing enough to market his achievements which they said
surpassed that of any former leader in recent history.

"We viewed Goodluck Jonathan as a favourite to win re-election based
also on a number of factors even though the election will still be
difficult to call. Our expectation of a Jonathan's win was predicated
on other several factors, chiefly, is the postponement of the election
which has helped him comeback decisively into the race.

"The tepid supports of northern members of PDP seem to have ebbed.
Many of his supporters, especially in the North, now feel safer to
openly campaign for his victory. Governors Lamido and Babangida Aliyu
are now vocally leading the campaign while the vice president is
making major inroads in the North-East and North-West. The incumbency
and financial advantages of the ruling PDP will still help Jonathan
and the PDP.

Read more at Tribune:
http://tribune.com.ng/news/news-headlines/item/32450-jonathan-to-win-election-by-13-probability-uk-based-research-firm

Why I'll Never Forgive Buhari --Afenifere Leader *Urges Yorubas To Vote Jonathan

Leader of the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, Chief Ayo
Adebanjo, says he can never forgive the presidential candidate of the
All Progressives Congress, Maj.-Gen Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), because
of the sins he (Buhari) committed against Yoruba leaders while he was
head of state between December 1983 and August 1985.

The Afenifere leader, who was a close associate of the late Premier of
the Old Western region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, said Buhari, who
overthrew the democratically elected government of Alhaji Shehu
Shagari, locked up all the Yoruba governors that served in that
administration.

Adebanjo said this at a post-National Conference in Lagos titled,
'Into tomorrow and beyond' on Thursday.

He said, "Back then, Awolowo warned Shagari that his government would
soon hit the rock if he did not put things in order. Shortly after, in
December 1983, Buhari overthrew the government but the man that was
speaking against Shagari (Awolowo), was harassed by Buhari.

"Buhari picked up all the Yoruba governors: Adekunle Ajasin (Ondo
State); Olabisi Onabanjo (Ogun) and others, who were true progressives
and locked them up.

"Somebody said I am a Christian and I should forgive Buhari but I said
I cannot forgive such. Ajasin's children say they have forgiven Buhari
but I am not in their party, I can't forgive him".

Adebanjo said the North is strongly opposed to the implementation of
the resolutions of the national confab because the region was
benefitting from the system to the detriment of the South.

He, therefore, urged Yorubas to vote for President Goodluck Jonathan
next week as he had promised to implement the report of the confab.

He also dismissed claims that he and other Afenifere leaders were
bribed by the president to support his second term bid.

He said, "I am saying vote Jonathan not because he is Ijaw or from the
South-South. No northerner will convoke a national conference because
everything we are talking of that has been unfavourable to the South;
they (North) are the beneficiaries".
--infonaija

Ignore IGP, Make Sure You Stay And Protect Your Votes --APC Tells Voters

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has asked Nigerian voters to
ignore the order by the Inspector-General of Police that they should
go home after casting their ballots during the forthcoming elections.

According to a statement issued in Lagos on Friday by its National
Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party urged the
electorate to rather listen to the INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega,
who said the electoral law does not state anywhere that voters cannot
or should not wait to watch and ensure that their votes are counted.

"According to Jega, who appeared on Channels TV on Friday morning, the
electoral law says anyone that has no business with the electoral
process at the polling booths but desires to monitor events should
stay at least some metres away from the polling agents and completely
away from the ballot box after casting their votes," the statement
read.

"The INEC Chairman further clarified that all registered voters have
businesses with the process and can therefore not be classified as
people that don't have businesses at polling units.

"Therefore, the IGP has no constitutional right or powers under the
constitution or Police Act to rewrite the electoral law. The role of
the police is to maintain law and order or such other assistance as
may be sought from the police by INEC," the APC said.
--CodedGist

Liberia Records New Case Of Ebola

A patient has tested positive for Ebola in Liberia's capital,
officials said Friday, deflating hopes that the country had beaten the
disease after weeks with no new cases.

Liberia has seen the most deaths in the West African Ebola outbreak,
which has killed more than 10,000 people. But since it discharged its
last case on March 5, it was counting down to being declared
Ebola-free. Countries must wait 42 days from when the last patient
tests negative to be declared free of the virus.

But a new patient has now tested positive, Dr. Francis Kateh, the
acting head of the country's Ebola Incident Management Team, said
Friday. A second test is generally done to confirm the diagnosis.

BREAKING NEWS: INEC Shifts Elections By Two Weeks

The Independent National Electoral Commission has announced a further
two weeks postponement of the 2015 general elections. This
announcement which is quite unexpected is made known by the chairman
of the commission, Prof. Jega who spoke to journalists at the
headquarters of the commission in Abuja few minutes ago.

He said that the postponement was as a result of some litigations
which the commission needed to clear with before going ahead with the
elections.

By this announcement, the presidential and national assembly elections
which was earlier slated for March 28th will now hold on April 11th.
Meanwhile, the state houses of assembly and governorship scheduled for
April 11th will be held on April 25th.

While making the pronouncements, INEC chairman made it clear that the
postponement, which happens to be the second one in a row, is still
within the constitutionally allowed time frame for holding elections.
He reminded Nigerians that elections can still be held so far as it is
not within 30 days before hand over date. He further reminded
Nigerians and the international community that the hand over date in
this case is May 29th and thus, elections can still be conducted even
till April 29th.

Speaking to the journalists on the present turn of events, the
Inspector General of Police, Abba, who was at the joint press
conference with INEC Chairman, issued a stern warning to unguided
elements who might use the opportunity of the second postponement of
elections to forment trouble. He said that the rank and file of
Nigerian police formation and other security forces have been placed
on red alert to checkmate hoodlums who might disrupt the peace of the
country. He therefore call on law abiding citizens to go about their
lawful duties without fear of any harassment.

Source: This news item first appeared on the website of fake naija news.com.

Amaechi Attacking Rivers Police Because We Refused To Release Hardened Criminals --CP

The Rivers State Police Commissioner, Mr. Dan Bature, has reacted to a
statement credited to the state governor, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, that the
state police command was exposing the governorship candidate of the
All Progressives Congress, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, to danger by
withdrawing his police details.

Denying the allegation in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, CP Bature
accused the governor of embarking on a smear campaign against the
police because of their refusal to grant the state government's
request to release criminals involved in cases of murder.

Amaechi had raised the alarm over the plot by the Peoples Democratic
Party to assassinate Peterside just as he expressed lack of confidence
in the police in the state.

The governor had accused the police of working for the PDP, saying
while policemen attached to APC members had been withdrawn, those
attached to their counterparts in the PDP remained intact.

But Bature said that the police had merely replaced the C4I operatives
around Peterside with men of the Special Protection Unit.

The C4I is a special police unit trained in Israel to combat violent
crimes in the state.
The police commissioner expressed surprise that Gov. Amaechi could
interpret that to mean withdrawal of police protection for the APC
governorship candidate.

He described Amaechi's allegations as false and delicate.

He said, "The Rivers State Police Command is once again constrained to
respond to the spurious and wispy allegations against it and the false
alarm raised by His Excellency, Rt Hon. Chibuike Amaechi, the
Executive Governor of Rivers State, to the effect that the Command
exposes Hon. Dakuku Peterside to danger by withdrawing policemen
attached to him, and unsubstantiated killings and plan to arrest
supporters of his party.

"It is strongly believed that the vituperations are frustrating signs
of the government's inability to pressure the Command to release
hardened criminals involved in heinous cases of murder, deadly cult
activities, unlawful firearms possession, kidnappings and sundry acts
of lawlessness that ordinarily would have been charged to court, but
for the industrial action of the Rivers State Judiciary.

"Redeployment of C4I Policemen from Hon. Dakuku Peterside to their
traditional duties of fighting violent crimes and their immediate
replacement with the elite Special Protection Unit has now been
attributed to withdrawal of the policemen attached to him.

"Cases of cultists-related clashes that sometime resulted in deaths
have suddenly been attributed to killing of political party
supporters. The alleged killing of seven supporters of a political
party is not only unfounded as the Command has not received such
report.

"What a mathematical wonder! Six suspects arrested and charged to
court for unlawful possessions of firearms have now become over 400
supporters of a political party in our custody.

"The allegation of the purported plan to arrest 307 leaders of a
political party is nothing but a ruse to whip up public sympathy. The
Command has no plan to arbitrarily arrest anybody. Anyone who is not
planning to cause or foster violence or breach public peace has no
cause to fear or raise false alarm".

Reacting to the Bature's statement, the Commissioner for Information
and Communications, Ibim Semenitari, said the police boss was
economical with the truth.

Semenitari said, "The Rivers State Commissioner of Police is
economical with the truth. Everybody knows that Amaechi cannot support
the request that hardened criminals should be released from police
custody.

"Amaechi refused to support amnesty programme because he was not in
support of pampering people who have committed crimes. The whole world
knows that Amaechi does not condone crime.

"It is uncharitable of the CP to say such a thing about the governor.
He (Bature) should focus on the issues. Does the CP mean that the only
criminals in Rivers State belong to the APC?

"The fact of the matter is that the police in Rivers State are
arresting innocent people for no reason and try to hang charges on
them. The police are arresting members of APC in Rivers State for no
reason".

'Muhammadu Buhari Stole 2.8 Million Dollars When He Was Petroleum Minister'

Former Federal Commissioner for Information and South South leader,
Chief Edwin Clark claimed yesterday that the Peoples Democratic Party,
PDP and its Presidential candidate, President Goodluck Jonathan have
already won the election.

Speaking yesterday at his Asokoro residence, Abuja when he received
Youth Enlightenment Solution YES led by Ambassador Paulina Maimekere,
Members of the National Association of You Win Awardee led by its
President, Nwaigwe Tonia; Ex- Councillors Association of Nigeria,
among others separately, Chief Clark who drew an analogy of light and
dark, which he symbolises President Jonathan and the Presidential
candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, General Muhammadu
Buhari, retd, warned that Nigeria cannot afford to move from light to
darkness.

According to Vanguard Newspaper,the Elder Statesman reiterated that
the APC was a party of corrupt leaders that have nothing good to offer
the nation, described President Jonathan as God sent to Nigeria, even
as he stressed that if re-elected, the country will continue to enjoy
peace, stability, unity and development.

Chief Clark who stressed that no body can stop President Jonathan from
winning the election, as nobody an intimidate the PDP and Jonathan,
vowed that the ruling party will not succumb to blackmail, adding that
no amount of abuses will mean anything to the President.

According to him, " we have already won the election, nobody can stop
us, nobody can intimidate us, we shall never succumb to blackmail. If
you re -elect Jonathan as President for second term, there will
continue to be peace, stability and there will be no intimidation.
Jonathan is a man sent by God, humble. No amount of abuses will mean
anything to him.

"He will not take those abusing him serious. Jonathan is the most
abused President by people of bad character. People saying that
Jonathan cannot fight corruption are the most corrupt. Buhari cannot
fight corruption. He said bank borrowed him to buy form, what he is
spending today, is he borrowed by bank also?

"Those funding his campaign are corrupt and they have cases to answer
in court.? Let them answer that they are not corrupt, they cannot.
Whoever want to abuse should look at himself first.

"They are not qualify to rule Nigeria. They lie about, raise
uneccessary alarm. ? Buhari became head of state through a coup. He
stole 2.8m dollars when he was Petroleum Minister. Buhari was to be
probed for the loss of that money. But before the probe will start
Buhari staged a coup. Locked up Shagari, Ekwueme in kirikiri. Every of
their leader is a corrupt person. A corrupt leader cannot probe
corrupt members".

He reiterated that Buhari was surrounding himself with corrupt people
who are having cases to answer.

Earlier the leader of Youth Enlightenment Solution YES, Ambassador
Paulina Maimekere ?who explained that they visited Clark to show their
solidarity to President Goodluck Jonathan, stressed that the group has
about six million members and that members of the group would begin an
aggressive campaign in all the six geo-political zones for the
re-election of Jonathan.

She said, "Having sat down and thought of the achievements of
President Jonathan, the over six million members of this group have
resolved to support the re-election bid of Jonathan.

"We are going to engage in the last minute campaign to change whatever
deceptive impression the opposition may have created in the minds of
Nigerians."

"We'll Stop Edo Girls From Traveling Abroad For Prostitution" --Aisha Buhari

The wife to Nigeria's All Progressives Congress Presidential
Candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, Mrs Aisha Buhari used a
stereotypical term in addressing the people of Edo state while
addressing them yesterday.

Mrs Buhari while promising to tackle girl-child trafficking and end
widows' sufferings said, "I am here to let Edo women know that when my
husband is elected, insecurity, girl-child trafficking and suffering
of widows will end. They don't need to go and prostitute somewhere to
survive.".

The statement credited to Mrs Buhari is sure not going well with Edo
born Lawyer, Abdul Mahmud who tweeted the following..

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>&quot;We&#39;ll stop
Edo girls from traveling abroad for prostitution when my husband is
voted in as president&quot; -Aisha Buhari 1/</p>&mdash; Abdul Mahmud
(@AbdulMahmud1) <a href=" https://twitt er.com /AbdulMahm ud1/status
/578930330 901614592″>March 20, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async
src="// platform.twi tter.com/wi dgets.js" charset="utf-8″></script>

"Buhari will stop export of Edo prostitutes abroad-Aisha Buhari",
Vanguard online reported this morning. 2/
— Abdul Mahmud (@AbdulMahmud1) March 20, 2015

That news report has ostensibly been removed by Vanguard but it can
still be traced to it with a simple engine search 3/
— Abdul Mahmud (@AbdulMahmud1) March 20, 2015

If that remark isn't offensive, stereotypical and crass, nothing is.
Defend it as you would want to 4/
— Abdul Mahmud (@AbdulMahmud1) March 20, 2015

Every foul language has what is contained within it: disdain,
disrespect and disregard. No one has monopoly of abuses. I say no more
5/5
— Abdul Mahmud (@AbdulMahmud1) March 20, 2015