Amaechi Begs For Forgiveness Over His Presidential Election Conduct

Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi has appealed to everyone that was
offended by his conduct during the presidential election in the state
to forgive him. He claimed that his actions were in the interest of
the state.

In a pre-election broadcast, yesterday, in Port Harcourt, Amaechi also
urged the people of the state to shun violence during the coming
governorship election.

"As we prepare for that election, we have a little time to reflect on
the issues at stake. It must be about Rivers state. It must be about
its progress and the prosperity of all who live here and are from
here.

"It must be about development, good governance, peace and security. We
need to stand firm as a people for what we believe in.

"When that day breaks, I encourage you all to come out with your
Permanent Voters Cards, walk to the polling station to get accredited.

"Even if it rains, stand to be counted. This election is about your
life, your safety, the wellbeing of your loved ones, your business,
and the future of your children, and ultimately, our great state.

"Let it be said of you in the future that you stood up to be counted.
Deep down inside everyone of us, we want a peaceful, transparent,
credible and violence-free election."

"As long as you remain peaceful and law abiding people, the state will
ensure that its security personnel act professionally, in keeping you
safe because they and their families also have a stake in a peaceful
election. Certainly, afflictions shall not rise a second time.

"Again, I call on the youth to resolve not to be instruments in the
hands of politicians who don't wish our people well. Those who divide
and pitch us against ourselves are not of us; they are not our
friends, they are our enemies and we must avoid them," Amaechi said.

CIA Predicted Nigeria Will Break Up After 2015 Elections, It Took GEJ To Stop It --Doyin Okupe

Media aide to President Jonathan, Doyin Okupe says he never said
anyone should call him a bastard if the APC won the elections and also
said it took the humanness of President Jonathan to stop CIA's
prediction that Nigeria will break up after the 2015 elections. What
he posted on Facebook below... Firstly I never said if APC survives
"call me a bastard" what I said was that " I will change my name" that
is the truth. So the prerogative of changing my name is mine. Bastard
is not an alternative. But u can continue to say that if it gives u
the kick. I really and truly don't care.

Secondly if I make a prediction it is my right to do so. A prediction
is essentially what it is... A forecast or projected statement about the
future. It does not have to come to pass. The Almighty CIA predicted
Nigeria will break up after 2015 elections. It took the Godliness and
intrinsic humaneness of one man to stop that prediction. Whatever it
is you guys have won an election that was keenly contested yet you are
not satisfied. 12m Nigerians voted for Jonathan while 15m for Buhari.
This is nothing to be ashamed of. We are politicians and in our
business we are at liberty to use whatever lawful means we have to try
and discourage or put our opponents down. This is why when the game is
over we down tools and joke with each other again. Only inexperienced
rascals and ill bred effusively emotive or misguided individuals will
carry on as if a war has just been won or lost. It was not a war it
was a game. Please cool your temper. Life goes on. WE WILL BE BACK.
--CodedGist

Ojukwu's Son Set To Drag PDP, INEC To Tribunal

Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu Jnr. son of the late Ikemba Nnewi and
Biafra warlord, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu yesterday said that he
has concluded arrangements to drag the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP
and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to the
Election Petitions Tribunal in Anambra State to recover the mandate
stolen from him during last Saturday's National Assembly election for
Nnewi North/Nnewi South/Ekwusigo Federal Constituency in the State.

Ojukwu Jnr who was the candidate of the All Progressives Grand
Alliance, APGA for the election said he was surprised that rather than
declaring himself winner of the election, INEC declared his PDP rival,
Hon Chris Emeka Azubogu winner after some PDP bigwigs in the
constituency stormed the collation centre at the INEC office at Ukpor,
the Headquarters of Nnewi South Local Government Area with written
results when collation was still ongoing, chased away INEC officials
and ad-hoc staff, scattered already recorded INEC sensitive materials
all over the premises and then conspired with INEC to declare Azubogu
winner in such a commando style.

Ojukwu Jnr who had just been re-appointed the Sole Administrator of
Nnewi North Local Government Council Area by Governor Willie Obiano,
said he would be heading to the tribunal right away to challenge the
result of the election, for possible reversal of the monumental fraud
allegedly perpetrated in conspiracy with INEC, adding that for now,
INEC should not issue a certificate of return to the said winner
because doing so would amount to contempt of court.

He said that those he described as the perpetrators of the electoral
fraud had showed no respect for his late father and Igbo leader, Dim
Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, pointing out that the electoral fraud had
added credence to the saying that Igbo do not respect their leaders.

According to him, "it would have been a different thing if the PDP had
actually beaten me at the polls which I know is not possible, other
than snatching the ballot boxes from various polling units when they
discovered that I was winning and twisting the results in their own
favour".

He expressed optimism that at the appropriate time, he would reclaim
his stolen mandate, adding, "We have enough evidence to prove that we
won that March 28 election for House of Representatives in Nnewi
North/Nnewi South/Ekwusigo Federal Constituency. because we campaigned
vigorously to deserve victory and our people turned out enmass to
ensure our victory at the poll".
--Vanguard

Who Controls Bayelsa Waterways: Pirates or Govt?

The high level of insecurity on the waterways in Bayelsa State is now
a source of concern to the people, as they, daily, live in fear of the
unknown. Worst hit are Azuzuama axis, Koluama, Foropah, Ekeni, Brass,
Nembe and Akassa, all located in different parts of the state, which
are flashpoints for kidnapping, piracy and other criminal activities.

These vices are now a regular feature in the daily life of many people
in the state, and more worrisome is the fact that the victims no
longer report to the police or other security agencies, because of the
lackadaisical approach of these agencies in repelling the criminals.
For the people, the fear of these criminals is the beginning of
wisdom, especially for those plying the Yenagoa-Akassa road, which is,
literally, a no-goarea.

Before the festive period, the maritime workers' union went on strike
twice for what it described as insensitivity of the state government
for not providing adequate security for the grassroots, especially
those living in the rural areas. A victim, Mr. Sam Osaisai, narrated
how he and others were robbed, brutalised and dispossessed of all they
had on them by sea pirates at the Koluama axis of Southern Ijaw River.

Commuters along the Brass waterways also had a taste of the brutality
of the sea pirates who took control for about 24 hours, halting
business activities along that axis, with the security agencies having
no way of checking them.

This festive period witnessed one of the worst situations experienced
by travellers in the Southern Ijaw area, around the Olugbobiri
community, where commuters were maimed, robbed of their belongings and
abandoned in the middle of the sea, according to a victim. A similar
case happened three days ago where travellers were robbed and kept in
the mangrove till late in the night when they were rescued by local
hunters.

Chairman of the maritime workers' union, Comrade Lloyd Sese, while
speaking with newsmen in Yenagoa recently, urged youths involved in
illicit activities along the waterways of the state to drop their arms
and do something meaningful with their lives.

According to him "if not for the constant patrol by the JTF gun boats
along the Azuzuama axis of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area during
the yuletide, that area was a red spot but during the festive period,
there was no report of attacks by sea pirates. "I want to call on JTF,
like Oliver Twist, to deploy more gunboats to Kuluoama, Foropah,
Ekeni, Brass, Nembe and Akassa in order to completely stem presea
pirates' attacks on traders around those areas".

GOVERNMENT AND SECURITY FAILURES

In 2012, when Governor Seriake Dickson assumed office, he stated that
the security of lives and properties of the citizens of the state was
going to be one of his priorities and during a public programme, he
declared that the state had acquired gunboats to complement other
security agencies in fighting sea piracy, kidnapping and other crimes
along the waterways.

These statements appear relevant today because these crimes are still
a daily occurrence with the criminals operating freely. One wonders if
the security services need the permission of the government before
carrying out their constitutional duty of protecting the people, or
does it also mean that the security agents in the state might not have
the intelligence needed to avoid these criminal activities before they
occur? Whichever way one looks at the situation, the government and
security agents are to be held responsible.

To make matters worse, the perpetrators of these crimes, if arrested
are never prosecuted to deter others. Recently, the special team of
the anti-kidnapping and sea robbery squad of the Joint Task Force
operation codenamed Operation Pulo Shield arrested five suspected sea
pirates involved in last week's killing of six soldiers on duty along
the Nembe waterways of the State.

The JTF, at a media briefing anchored by the Head of the Joint Media
Centre of the Task Force, Col. Mustapha Anka, five of the suspected
killers of the soldiers were arrested during a sustained
stop-and-search operation along the waterways and creeks of the State.

According to the statement issued by the JTF, "The arrest is not
unconnected with the attack on the fiber boat belonging to JTF. The
aggressive and continuous day and night raids, stop and search patrols
of the JTF operations along the waterways resulted in the arrest and
recovery of some weapons from the hoodlums."

Read more at DailyTimes:
http://dailytimes.com.ng/who-controls-bayelsa-waterways-pirates-or-govt/

Hundreds Protest Sharia Law In Australia

Protesters waving Australian flags and carrying signs such as "Yes
Australia. No Sharia" rallied around the country on Saturday in events
organisers said were against Islamic extremism.

The "Reclaim Australia" events drew hundreds of supporters but also
triggered counter-rallies from other groups who criticised them as
racist and called for greater tolerance.

"We are pro-Australian values and anti-extreme Islam, but we're not
anti-Muslim," Reclaim Australia spokeswoman Catherine Brennan told
AFP, adding there was no racism behind the rallies, which she said had
attracted people from diverse backgrounds.

"Since when is it being racist to love your country and to love the
values and culture that you've been brought up with?"

Reclaim Australia's John Oliver told the Australian Broadcasting
Corporation that the group was "not against any particular race or any
particular religion".

"We're against the extremists of one particular religion," he said.

"I know in Sydney and Melbourne they've got Muslims already signed on
to attend because they can see what's happening and they don't like
what's happening."

In Sydney, hundreds braved the rain to rally in Martin Place, near the
site of a deadly siege in which a lone gunman inspired by the Islamic
State group took customers and staff hostage in a cafe in December.
Two people, and the gunman, were killed in that incident.

"We have an extreme ideology called Islam which is starting to gain a
foothold in our societies," one speaker told the event, in which one
person held a home-made sign reading "No Islam. No Sharia. No Halal".

In Melbourne, tensions between competing protesters led to scuffles,
with police on horseback forced to form a barrier between the groups,
and reports paramedics treated several people for injuries.

And in Queensland, former politician Pauline Hanson defended the
rallies, which on its website Reclaim Australia said were against
sharia law and the burqa and in support of gender equality.

"We have people here today who stand against racism. So do I," Hanson said.

However, rival protesters called the Reclaim Australia rallies anti-Muslim.

"Events like theirs incite racism and violence against Muslims," Clare
Fester, who organised the counter-protest in Sydney said in statement.

"Their attacks on Islam imply that anyone who is a Muslim is violent,
supports terrorism and is anti-woman. This in an attempt to target all
Muslims with classic racist stereotypes."

Fayose Dismisses APC Lawmakers' Impeachment Plot

The Governor of Ekiti state, Ayodele Fayose has advised the APC
members in the State's House of Assembly to stop acting like jesters,
saying, "The script being acted by the APC is a failed one because no
one, no matter how highly placed he is, would be allowed to test the
will of Ekiti people".

The governor who described the purported impeachment notice posted
online by the APC lawmakers as "joke of the century" said, "The
Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly is Hon Dele Olugbemi and
not Dr Adewale Omirin."

In a statement issued on Saturday by the Assistant on Public
Communications and New Media, to the governor, Lere Olayinka, said,
"Omirin is already in court, challenging his impeachment and common
sense dictates that when you are challenging an action already taken
in court, you have accepted the consequences of such action pending
the determination of the suit you filed."

The Governor further said that the APC lawmakers should stop
advertising their ignorance and crudity in the market place by posting
impeachment notice online.

"Since last year November, these so-called lawmakers abdicated their
duties and ran to Lagos only for them to resurface on Wednesday, but
they hurriedly ran away again".

"Now they are posting notice of impeachment signed on March 9, 2015
and Ekiti people are asking, was the motion for impeachment moved and
adopted in Lagos or Osun State House of Assembly?"

"Is impeachment of a Governor done along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway
inside a moving bus?"

"Rather than going about advertising their ignorance and crudity, the
APC lawmakers should wait for the court to adjudicate on the case
they filed because even the President-Elect, Major General Mohammadu
Buhari (Rtd) would respect the rule of law when he assumes office,"
the Governor said.
--ChannelsTV

Mikel Is Tired --Mourinho

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has said Nigeria midfielder Mikel Obi is
fit again.

However, the former Real Madrid boss said he would not pick the 2013
Africa Cup of Nations Cup winner for Saturday's Premier League match
against Stoke City at Stamford Bridge.

Mikel has recovered from knee surgery and has been training but the
Portuguese manager said he is tired to play a game now due to the
injury.

"In this moment we have no injuries, but Mikel is not selected. He's
fine and has worked all week with the group,"
AfricanFootball.comquoted Mourinho as saying on Friday.

"He's very tired so he is not selected, not injured. Mikel is tired
because he was injured for a month, had surgery and was not working
with the group.

"After four sessions with the group he needs time to adapt and be in condition."

However, Mourinho also expects Eden Hazard to start against Stoke,
despite complaints of fatigue during the week following the
international break.

The forward was involved in Belgium's 5-0 win over Cyprus, and then
the 1-0 win over Israel, in their Euro 2016 qualifying group.

Mourinho also claimed the title race has now extended to four teams,
given how tight the top is, and refused to do what he did in 2004-05
and predict a date Chelsea would win the league.

He toldAFP,"Four (teams) now," Mourinho said, with the two Manchester
clubs and Arsenal all giving chase.

"Look at the points difference. You have to say four now. Not five,
because there's a gap from fourth to fifth and, with eight matches to
go, that's a difficult game from first to fifth."

Jonathan, Family Move Personal Effects From Aso Rock

President Goodluck Jonathan and his family members have started moving
their personal belongings out of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, few
days after the President lost his re-election bid, PUNCH reports.

PUNCH correspondent sighted some buses loaded with travel bags moving
out of the President's official residence at about midday on Friday.

One of the buses, a white 18-seater Hiace bus marked PF 6244 AL, was
still being loaded with bags of different shades and sizes at the time
of filing this report.

It was not clear at press time where the buses were heading for.

A source said the early removal of the personal effects of the first
family might have been necessitated by the need for the renovation of
the residence ahead of the May 29 handover date.

For renovation work to commence on time, the President may have to be
operating from outside the residence in the days ahead.

PUNCH also reports that the Presidency had commenced a discreet
investigation into how a recording of the telephone call by the
President to Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) on March 31,
congratulating him on his victory at the last Saturday's presidential
election was leaked.

The recording which revealed details of what transpired between the
two leaders went viral on the Internet on Thursday.

The audio of the conversation credited to one ENDS.ng @EveryNigerian
was titled, "Historic congratulatory call from President Goodluck
Jonathan to President-elect Muhammadu Buhari on March 31, 2015."

A government official, who pleaded anonymity, told The PUNCH on Friday
that the Presidency was embarrassed by the leaked recording.

While saying that a thorough investigation is underway, the security
source said the first step was to ascertain whether the recording was
leaked from the Presidency or was made public from the
President-elect's camp.

He said it was only if it was discovered that the recording was leaked
from the Presidency that further investigation would be conducted to
ascertain those behind it in order to mete out appropriate punishment.

He, however, refused to talk on how long the investigation will take.

"Definitely, unauthorised release of a raw recording of the
President's telephone conversation, if from our (Presidency's) end is
a security breach that cannot go without being investigated," he said.

The President also promised on Friday to break his silence on his
experience in office and other sundry issues at the appropriate time.

He, however, did not give any indication on when the appropriate time will be.

Jonathan made the promise when State House correspondents approached
him for interview at the end of the Good Friday Service organised by
the Aso Villa Chapel.

"Don't worry; I will talk to you at the appropriate time," the
President said amid smile as he made his way from the chapel to his
official residence.

He was accompanied to the three-hour service that featured the Seven
Words of Christ on the Cross by Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa
State, and the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Christians Pilgrims
Commission, Mr. John Kennedy-Okpara.

The seven short exhortations that accompanied the seven lessons all
centred on the sacrifice the preachers said Jonathan made to keep the
county united.

They likened Jonathan's decision to concede defeat in the last
Saturday's presidential election and congratulate the President-elect,
Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) of the All Progressives Congress to the
sacrifice Jesus Christ made to save mankind.

All the preachers agreed that the bold step taken by the President at
the appropriate time was commendable.

They urged him to remain focused because his future is in the hands of God.

"This man (Jonathan) said here that he is the most criticised
President and he prophesied that by the time he will be leaving, he
will be the most celebrated President. That has come to pass with the
way he is being celebrated worldwide for conceding defeat," one of the
clergymen who led intercessory prayers said.

The service also featured renditions of special hymns as well as
intercessory prayers for the President, for peace and for the country
at large.

Read more at PUNCH:
http://www.punchng.com/news/jonathan-family-move-personal-effects-from-aso-rock/

Al-Shabab Threatens More Attacks In Kenya After Killing 148 People

Al-Shabab, the Somali armed group that carried out a deadly attack on
a Kenyan university killing 148 people on Thursday, has threatened to
stage more attacks in the country.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the group warned Kenyans that their
cities will "run red with blood".

"No amount of precaution or safety measures will be able to guarantee
your safety, thwart another attack or prevent another bloodbath from
occurring in your cities," the statement read.

Four al-Shabab fighters stormed the Garissa University College campus
in what appeared to be an extensively planned out attack, which the
group says was to avenge Kenya's involvement in Somalia.

Kenya's interior ministry said the dead included 142 students, three
policemen and three soldiers. The ministry said on Saturday that five
men - suspected accomplices - were arrested in connection to the
attack.

Surviving students have been taken to a military camp, waiting to be
bussed home as the university has been indefinitely closed.

Christine Onyongo, one of the survivors, told Al Jazeera that she had
heard the attackers threatening female students that they would be
burnt. Women were then let out, holding their hands up.

She said the men were treated more harshly, "especially those who were arguing".

"They were just slaughtering them," she said..

Like many other students, Onyongo said she would not come back to Garissa.

"After what I saw, not me - I can't come back."
--Aljazeera

INEC Declares Delta Central Senatorial Poll Inconclusive

The Independent National Electoral Commission has declared the Delta
Central Senatorial election inconclusive.

The commission's declaration came six days after the election was held
and after several reviews and updating of the collated votes.

INEC said it decided to declare the election inconclusive because of
manipulations, snatching of ballot materials and violence in Ughelli
South, Ethiope East and Ethiope West Local Government Areas.

Elections will therefore be held in the three local government areas
before the final result can be declared, the commission said.

Details later.
--PUNCH

Obasanjo Presents Soludo As Finance Minister Tinubu Kicks

>Photo: Prof. Charles Soludo

The historic conclusion to the March 28th presidential elections may
have turned the political structures of the ruling party on its head
in a manner that marveled many within the country but the
uncertainties surrounding the staffing of the incoming Buhari
administration appears to pose a more intriguing scenario. This is as
information available to 247ureports.com indicates that the typical
horse trading for the sensitive ministerial positions within the
Buhari administration has ensued.

Available information indicates that the former Central Bank of
Nigeria [CBN] Governor, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo may have
been presented by the former president of Nigeria, General Olusegun
Obasanjo as the possible Minister of Finance for the Buhari
administration. Prof. Soludo had served as a member of the economic
team for the Obasanjo administration prior to becoming the governor of
the CBN.

Soludo's presentation to the incoming administration as the likely
minister of finance is reported to have raised eyebrows within the
inner circles of the All Progressive Congress [APC] - who explained
that Soludo remains a card carrying member of the All Progressive
Grand Alliance [APGA]. He complained that Soludo cannot be allowed to
reap where he did not sow. The main chieftain of the party, Bola
Tinubu is said to be among the APC members who were skeptical about
Soludo's possible appointment as Finance minister.
--247ureports

True Story Of The Battle For Ihiala Federal Constituency

>Photo: Ernest-Azudialu

Ihiala Federal Constituency is one of the politically conscious and
hot zones in Anambra State. Analyst scrutinises the fierce battles and
undercurrents that determined the outcome of the election.

Anambra State has no doubt gained recognition that borders on
notoriety as one of the hottest political zones not only in the
South-East, but also in Nigeria as a whole. Since the inception of the
current democratic dispensation in 1999, the actors and gladiators
have continued to change as new kids mount the block, but the
character of the political tussle has largely remained the same.

However, although the battle for the Ihiala Federal Constituency in
Anambra did not disappoint on the forecasts of fierce battle, the
extremeness and ferocity of some of the actors no doubt took pundits
by surprise as people's will clashed with excess money and political
influence.

The Gladiators and How they Stood

The battle for the seat featured three major contenders.

Hon. Chukwuemeka Anohu: The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidate
polled 25,024 votes to emerge victorious in the three-horse race. He
entered the contest with an intimidating profile and track record of
achievements in both politics and community service. He is currently
the Member representing Ihiala II Constituency in Anambra State House
Assembly. A PhD holder educated abroad, he is the most educationally
qualified among the trio.

His acceptability and popularity by his people is not in doubt. This
was put to test when he contested primary election on the platform of
the PDP in 2011 and won the ticket. Some powerful political
"godfathers" subsequently denied him the ticket because they allege he
has his own mind. However, his people urged him to contest on the
platform of a relatively unknown minority Labour Party in Anambra
State where he defeated both the APGA and PDP candidates to emerge the
representative of Ihiala II Constituency. But in 2015, he returned to
his first base, the PDP, after rapprochements and became the only PDP
candidate with general acceptability as name appeared on the list of
the two PDP factions in Anambra.

Another major edge Hon. Anohu had over the other candidates going
into the 2015 race was that he is a man of charity that has greatly
impacted the lives of his Ihiala people through his foundation, Emeka
Anohu Foundation. He is said to have used the platform to tackle
problems of poverty in his area, bring in foreign doctors into Nigeria
to provide free medical services to over 27 thousand people with
different health issues and has done several educational projects like
construction of new school, renovation of old ones and has also
awarded scholarships to several educationally disadvantaged students
and less privileged ones. He also used the platform to build a
microfinance bank to give microcredit loans to support small-scale
businesses and entrepreneurs, especially women and youths. It was
therefore never in doubt that his records of projects and achievements
both in his official capacity and as an individual in his constituency
would count for him. Besides, his family has a strong history and
record of philanthropy and community service. Ihiala people, the
Catholic, Anglican, Pentecostal Christian communities, youth
organizations, community leaders and youths, had roundly endorsed him,
making him the candidate to beat.

Momah Chudy Ifeanyi : The APGA candidate who came a distant second
with 12, 774 votes emerged as the party's flag bearer in controversial
circumstances and he had no political records. Uncertainty loomed
around his candidacy as he was said to have been dragged to court over
the APGA ticket by one Mr. Martin Nabineli who was alleged to have won
the primaries by 39 votes as against Momah's 36, but was shortchanged.
Apart from this case, some people had expressed serious concerns about
his background.

Read more at:
http://247ureports.com/true-story-of-the-battle-for-ihiala-federal-constituencythe-nestoil-boss-connection/

EXCLUSIVE: Who Is Who In The Eighth Senate, >See List Of Elected Senators Across The Country

The next Senate will be men-dominated. Only eight of the 109-member
Chamber of the National Assembly are women, going by the list of
elected Senators.

As against the outgoing Senate where four parties have members elected
on their platforms, only Senators from the All Progressives Congress
(APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will constitute the next
Senate.

Sixty of the Senators have been elected on the APC platform and the
PDP has 49 elected on its platform.

Three of the eight women-senators are of the APC. They are: Oluremi
Tinubu, who is a ranking member of the Red Chamber from the Lagos
Central Senatorial District, the incumbent Speaker of the Oyo State
House of Assembly, Alhaja Monsurat Sunmonu. She will be representing
Oyo Central.

The third is Binta Masi Garba from Adamawa North.

The five others are from the PDP.

Anambra and Ekiti states produced two each and the other is from Cross
River State.

From Anambra are: House of Representatives member Uche Ekwunife
(Central) and former Aviation Minister Stella Oduah. The two elected
Senators from Ekiti are: Abiodun Olujimi (South), who was Governor
Ayodele Fayose's deputy between 2003 to October 16, 2006, when they
were impeached by 24 of the 26-member House of Assembly and Fatima
Raji-Rasaki (Central), a House of Representatives member between 2003
and 2007.

Fatima is the wife of former military administrator of Oyo and Lagos
states, Brig-Gen. Raji Rasaki (rtd).

The fifth PDP Senator-elect is Rose Okoh, Cross River (North).
Mrs. Okoh has been indisposed since her nomination as the PDP
candidate. She did not participate in the campaigns.

The list of Senators-elect:

*Mao Ohuabunwa (Abia North)

*Theodore Orji (Abia Central)

*Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia South)

*Bassey Albert Akpan (A/Ibom North)

*Godswill Akpabio (A/Ibom West)

*Nelson Effiong (A/Ibom South)

*Uche Ekwunife (Anambra Central)

*Andy Uba (Anambra South)

*Stella Oduah (Anambra North)

*Ben Murray-Bruce (Bayelsa East)

*Emanuel Paulker (Bayelsa Central)

*Ogola Foster (Bayelsa West)

*David Mark (Benue South)

*Rose Oko ( Cross River North)

*Gershom Bassey(C/River South)

*John Enoh (Cross River Central)

*Alfred Joseph (Delta Central)

*Peter Nwaboshi (Delta North)

*James Manager (Delta South)

*Ogba Joseph (Ebonyi Central)

*Samuel Egwu (Ebonyi North)

*Sunday Oji (Ebonyi South)

*Clifford Ordia (Edo Central)

*Mathew Urhoghide (Edo South)

*Duro Faseyi (Ekiti North)

*Fatimat Raji-rasaki (Ekiti Central)

*Biodun Olujimi (Ekiti South)

*Gilbert Nnaji (Enugu East)

*Ike Ekweremadu (Enugu West)

*Utazi Chukwuka (Enugu North)

*Philips Aduda (FCT)

*Joshua Lidani (Gombe South)

*Samuel Anyanwu (Imo East)

*Uzodinma Goodhope (Imo West)

*Achonu Nneji (Imo North)

*Danjuma La'ah (Kaduna South)

*Philip Aruwa Gyunka (Nasarawa North)

*Buruji Kashamu (Ogun East)

*Yele Omogunwa (Ondo South)

*Jeremiah Useni (Plareau South)

*Joshua Dariye (Plateau Central)

*Jang Jonah (Plateau North)

*George Sekibo (Rivers East)

*Olaka Nwogu (Rivers S/East)

*Osinakachukwu Ideozu (Rivers West)

*Mohammed Hasan (Yobe South)

*Abubakar Sani Danladi (Taraba North)

*Bashir Marafa (Taraba Central)

*Emmanuel Bwacha (Taraba South)

*Binta Masi Garba (Adamawa North)

*Ahmadu Abubakar (Adamawa South)

*Abdul Aziz Murtala Nyako (Adamawa Central)

*Isah Hamma Misau (Bauchi Central)

*Ali Wakili (Bauchi South)

*Suleiman Nazif (Bauchi North)

*Barnabas Gemade (Benue East)
*Akume George (Benue West)
*Abubakar Kyari (Borno North)
*Ahmad Zannah (Borno Central)
*Ali Ndume (Borno South)
*Francis Alimikhena (Edo North)
*Bayero Nafada (Gombe North)
*Goje Danjuma (Gombe Central)
*Abubakar Gumel (Jigawa N/West)
*Sabo Mohammed (Jigawa S/West)
*Muhammad Shitu (Jigawa N/East)
*Suleiman Hunkuyi (Kaduna North)
*Shehu Sani (Kaduna Central)
*Barau Jibrin (Kano North)
*Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano Central)
*Kabiru Gaya (Kano South)
*Mustapha Bukar (Katsina North)
*Abu Ibrahim (Katsina South)
*Umaru Kurfi (Katsina Central)
*Yahaya Abdullahi (Kebbi North)
*Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central)
*Bala Ibn Na'allah (Kebbi South)
*Dino Melaye (Kogi West)
*Abdulsalami Ohiare (Kogi Central)
*Abdulrahman Abubakar (Kogi East)
*Shaába Lafiagi (Kwara North)
*Bukola Saraki (Kwara Central)
*Rafiu Ibrahim (Kwara South)
*Oluremi Tinubu (Lagos Central)
*Olugbenga Ashafa (Lagos East)
*Adeola Olamilekan (Lagos West)
*Abdullahi Adamu (Nasarawa West)
*Salihu Hussain Egye (Nasarawa South)
*Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi ( Niger North)
*Mustapha Sani (Niger South)
*David Umaru (Niger East)
*Olanrewaju Tejuoso (Ogun Central)
*Gbolahan Dada (Ogun West)
¤Ajayi Boniface(Ondo North)

¤Tayo Alasodura (Ondo Central)

¤Olusola Adeyeye (Osun Central)

¤Babajide Omoworare (Osun East)

¤Isiaka Adeleke (Osun West)

¤Monsura Sunmonu (Oyo C)

¤Buhari Abdulfatai(Oyo N)

¤Adesoji Akanbi(Oyo S)
¤Aliyu Wamako (Sokoto N)
¤Ibrahim Gobir(Sokoto E)
¤Bukar Baba Ibrahim (Yobe E)
¤Ahmed Lawan (Yobe N)
¤Kabir Marafa (Zamfara C)
¤Tijani Kaura (Zamfara N)
¤Ahmed Rufai Sani (Zamfara W)
--TheNation

Card Reader Consultant Sues DSS For N100m Damages

Director-General, State Security Service, Mr. Ekpenyong Ita
A consultant to Act Technologies Limited, one of the firms engaged by
the Independent National Electoral Commission to supply the Card
Reader Machines, Muhammad Musa, has sued the Department of State
Services.

Musa, in his fundamental rights enforcement suit which he filed before
the Federal High Court in Abuja, alleged that he was illegally
detained by the DSS since March 24, 2015.

According to an affidavit filed in support of his suit, Musa is being
held in DSS detention alongside the Chief Executive Officer of the
consultant to Act Technologies Limited, one of the suppliers of the
machines to INEC.

Musa wants the court to award N100m damages against the security
organisation for illegally detaining him.

He also wants the court to order his release and declare his arrest,
detention and continued intimidation by the respondent (the DSS) in
relation to the card reader issue as illegal, unconstitutional and a
violation of his fundamental rights.

The suit, FHC/ABJ/CS/292, was filed on his behalf on March 27 by his
lawyer, Mahmud Magaji (SAN).

The plaintiff was said to have on March 24 received a phone call from
the Director General of the DSS inviting him to the organisation's
headquarters in Abuja and had since been held in detention upon
honouring the invitation.

He was said to have since 1pm on March 24 been held without any charge.

Wife of the applicant, Mrs. Sa'adatu Musa, deposed to a supporting
affidavit because he was still being held in the DSS detention.

The wife said the respondent's officials had refused her access to her
husband since he honoured the DSS boss' invitation.

Musa, who is praying the court to award N100m as general and exemplary
damages against the DSS for its unlawful acts, also seeks an order of
perpetual injunction restraining the respondent and its agents from
engaging in further harassing, intimidating, arresting and detaining
him in relation to the card reader used by INEC.

He hinged his prayers on three grounds, one of which was that SSS
agents' unlawful interference with his liberty in connection with the
procurement of the card readers constituted an infringement of his
fundamental rights guaranteed by the constitution.

The plaintiff's wife said her husband was not an employee of Act
Technologies, but a consultant, who was being held with the company's
Chief Executive Officer.

The wife, who prayed the court to order the immediate release of her
husband, including granting all the prayers in the application, said
if not restrained by the court, the DSS would continue to detain her
husband without arraigning him before any court if the respondent has
anything against him.

The case was said to have been assigned to Justice Adeniyi Ademola,
but had yet to be fixed for hearing.
--PUNCH.

PDP's Defeat, A Lesson For APC

"If you set fire on a tree that is standing and it burns so well, then
it is a lesson to the dry tree, that if the same fire is set on that
dry tree, you won't find the aches,"a member of the All Progressives
Congress said, describing the outcome of the Presidential election in
Nigeria and the chances of the APC, considering Nigerians'
expectations.

In an interview with Channels Television on Friday, Mr Benson
Enikhuomehin said the victory of the APC should not be celebrated with
so much merry, but should be seen by the party as an opportunity to
look at the critical issues that led to the defeat of the PDP and
address them.

He stressed that "Nigerians have realised that their votes would
count" and that "any party fails to fulfil its promises would be
kicked out".

"The effect of the victory is that whatever government messes up and
does not keep faith with whatever it has promised Nigerians, we have a
right to change that government and this should be a lesson to my
party.

"I am not scared. I am rather, this will keep us on our toes.

"While we are rejoicing, General Muhammadu Buhari and the leaders of
the party should look beyond making merry.

"In the next six months, I expect tremendous changes. We should sit
down and plan.

"We need to cut the wastage. Let men sit down and face the issues in
Nigeria and not travel about.

"We have the resources. All the leakages, let's block them.

"There should be good briefing on quarterly basis of what the
government has done.

"We are Nigerians. If we do well, they will tick us and if we do badly
the people will throw them away," the APC member said.

On the courage of President Goodluck Jonathan to call the winner of
the Presidential election, General Muhammadu Buhari before the
declaration of the winner to congratulate him, Mr Enikhuomehin said
"President Jonathan is a gentle man".

"He said it before that, peradventure he loses, he will leave the office.

"Despite predictions that Nigeria would breakup, the man doused the
tension and he should be commended. I respect him.

"If we do not give him the pride of place for the role he has played
in calming down the tension in this country, someone may not be
willing to do that tomorrow, saying 'when Dr Goodluck Jonathan did
that what was done for him?'.

"The man is a true statesman and I commend him for it," he emphasised.

The member of the APC also commended Nigerians for their resilience
and the fact that this time around our votes counted.

He stressed the need for political parties to look for persons of
integrity and capable of delivering their promises to Nigerians and
present to the people.
--ChannelsTV

NASS Election: Returning Officer Reveals Irregularities In Abia

More revelations have emerged on what transpired on the field during
the just concluded National Assembly election in Abia State.

The latest is coming from the Returning Officer for Abia North
Senatorial District, Dr. Ihekwaba Chukwugoziem, who revealed that the
process was characterized by massive fraud and irregularities in the
five Local Government Areas that make up the Abia North Senatorial
District.

Dr. Chukwugoziem revealed that electoral and collation officers were
forced by hoodlums to manipulate figures in favour of the Peoples
Democratic Party.

The Returning Officer said that he had advised the Resident Electoral
Commissioner to organise a rerun in all five Local Government Areas.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Abia North senatorial candidate,
Mao Ohuabunwa, and his All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA)
counterpart, David Ogba, have traded words over the National Assembly
(NASS) election results released by INEC.

While the PDP candidate insists that the election results were
genuine, the APGA candidate rejected the claim, saying the authentic
results were yet to be declared.

Also, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in
the state, Anyim Nyerere, condemned the conduct and urged the
electoral body to investigate the allegations of malpractice.

The Abia State Government has warned political parties and their
candidates to refrain from using inciting statementscapable of causing
rampage among the party supporters thereby truncating the existing
peace in the state.
--ChannelsTV

Buhari's Win: Suspected Militants Fire First Warning, Blow Up Main Gas Pipeline In Delta

Are the Niger Delta militants posing a threat to the incoming
administration of the former Head of State and president- elect, Major
General Muhammadu Buhari as they did to current and past regimes?

This question has become relevant because, barely four days after
Buhari was declared winner of the Presidential election, beating
incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan, suspected militants have blown
up a major high pressure gas pipeline at Ighwrenene Community in Delta
State, warning the President-elect that he may have his hands full in
containing the economic sabotage.

The incident allegedly occurred around 2:30 am yesterday.
The economic sabotage was coming about one week after some former
leaders of the Niger Delta militants threatened to return to the
creeks and resume their war against the Nigerian state in response to
General Buhari's election victory over Jonathan. But Jonathan's quick
congratulatory message to Buhari even before INEC, the electoral body,
officially declared him winner doused tension in the land and forced
some of them to retract their words. However, yesterday's incident
made the situation hazy.

Also, a group of Urhobo youths under the aegis of Urhobo Gbagbako
yesterday claimed responsibility for the March 22, bombings of the
Nigeria Petroleum Development Company, NPDC, oil pipe lines in
Ekiugbo, Ughelli Local Government Area "on a massive scale." It said
that the aim was to give vent to their demand for pipe line
surveillance contracts.

Nigeria is almost a one- product economy with oil contributing to
about 90 percent of her wealth.

Late former President, Alhaji Musa Yar'Adua had to grant amnesty to
the Niger Delta militants who fought from the creeks to drive home
their demand for derivation and resource control in the country.

The Federal Government also approved 13 percent derivation as well as
other programmes aimed at cushioning the effects of degradation
occasioned by oil exploration for the oil producing states.

However, as at 10am yesterday when Saturday Vanguard visited
Ighwrenene Community, an official of the NPDC accompanied by two
mobile policemen were at the scene making frantic calls on how to
extinguish the inferno which was ravaging the area.

Another official attached to the Pipeline Surveillance Unit, PSU, in
the area who spoke on the condition of anonymity said that the
affected pipeline was a trunk line which convey the product from
Eriemu, Kokori, Afiesere, Uzere, West-End at Kwale, Ogini, Olomoro
and Owhe to the Ughelli Quality Control Center, UQCC.

Attempts by fire fighters from the NPDC, SPDC and the Delta State Fire
Service departments to extinguish the fire had not been successful
even as one of their trucks got stuck along the road to the scene of
the explosion making access to the spot almost impossible.

Meanwhile, the Commanding Officer of the 222 Battalion, Agbarha-Otor,
Lt. Col Mathew Oyekola told Saturday Vanguard that 15 suspects have so
far been arrested in connection with the incident.

Pipeline surveillance contracts: Urhobo youths commence bombings of
oil installations

In a statement yesterday, leader of Urhobo Gbagbako, Priest Omodjuvwu,
said the group carried out the latest round of bombing along the
Afiesere and Ekiugbo axis of the council area, during which it shut
down all the oil fields in Urhobo and Isoko nations.

Omodjuvwu said, "We have earlier warned NPDC and the Federal
Government on the pipeline surveillance contract to no avail.

''The contract is going on without the inclusion of the Urhobo, and
that is injustice being meted to the Urhobo, which we will resist to
the end. We need the pipe line surveillance contract now or the
bombings will continue.

"We have now commenced bombings of oil and gas installations in
Ekiugbo/Ighrenene/Afiesere areas and we will continue in an
unprecedented scale, until we get the pipe line surveillance contracts
in our area."

He also, added that the group's quest for oil contracts was immediate,
in the absence of which the youths would continue the assault on oil
facilities in their domain, without waiting for the expiration of the
14 days ultimatum earlier credited to it.

The Federal Government was said to have on March 16, reviewed its new
plan to safeguard the waterways and oil pipelines by allegedly
directing the Police and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence
Corps, NSCDC, to quit the job for some companies, which had been
signed on by the government.

Read more at Vanguard:
t.co/RGpKYoqNYg

Second Black Box Indicates Alps Crash Was Deliberate

Data from the second black box found in the wreckage of the
Germanwings flight that crashed last week in the French Alps confirm
the co-pilot acted deliberately, investigators said.

"A first reading shows that the pilot in the cockpit used the
automatic pilot to descend the plane towards an altitude of 100 feet
(30 metres)," said the French BEA crash investigation office in a
statement on Friday.

"Then, several times during the descent, the pilot changed the
automatic pilot settings to increase the aircraft's speed," added the
investigators.

The latest information appeared to confirm the theory that co-pilot
Andreas Lubitz deliberately smashed his plane into the mountains,
killing all 150 people on board.

Authorities found the second black box, which contains technical
flight data, on Thursday after a gruelling nine-day search in
difficult mountain terrain.

Data from the first black box, which records conversations in the
cockpit, suggested that Lubitz, 27, locked his captain out and then
deliberately set the plane on a deadly collision course with the
mountains.

The plane smashed into the mountains at a speed of 700km an hour,
instantly killing everyone on board - half of them German and more
than 50 from Spain.

It emerged on Thursday that Lubitz had searched online for information
about suicide and cockpit doors.

German prosecutors have said Lubitz was diagnosed as suicidal "several
years ago", before he became a pilot.

Obiano Rejects NASS Election Result

The Anambra State Governor,Willie Obiano,has condemned the results of
the National Assembly election, saying it was hijacked at the
collation stage by elements of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
extraction.

Governor Obiano, who is a member of the All Progressive Grand Alliance
(APGA), while speaking with journalists in Aguleri, Anambra East Local
Government Area, said that the seeming victory of the PDP in the
National Assembly elections would be challenged in court.

Mr Obiano, while reminding the people of the April 11 elections,
assured the people of Anambra that the mandate of APGA candidates
would be reclaimed.

The Governor also commended President Jonathan for his statesmanship
and humble acceptance of the outcome of the Presidential election,
also congratulating the President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari for
his victory at the polls.

Governor Obiano had expressed his concerns on the election day. In an
interview on Channels Television's special election programme, Nigeria
2015, he called the overall performance of the card reader device in
the state 'a disaster', noting that his fingerprints could not be
captured despite several attempts. "It was in my opinion a disaster at
the early stages", Obiano said.

The Governor also listed other issues recorded in the state, including
nonavailability of result sheets at some polling units as well as
cases of thuggery.

Manual accreditation was eventually applied in the state.
Nevertheless, issues and complaints continued to trail the polls.

The leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), led by the
Senator representing Anambra Central and a leader of the party in the
state, Senator Chris Ngige, on Monday condemned the election and
called for its cancellation.

In a press briefing, Senator Ngige, demanded that another election
should be conducted. He cited challenges with the use of card readers
and the issue of party members being held hostage in some parts of the
state.

Arsenal's Giroud And Wenger Win Monthly Awards

Arsenal Manager, Arsene Wenger, has been named Barclays Manager of the
Month alongside the Gunners' striker, Olivier Giroud, who clinched the
Player of the Month Award.

The Gunners won four Premier League games consecutively in March,
scoring nine goals and conceding two.

The French international Giroud scored five times, with a brace at
Newcastle adding to goals against Everton, QPR and West Ham in the
English Premier League.

The Arsenal boss had earlier won the award 13 times, while this will
make it the 14th time of winning the same award in 19 years at
Arsenal.

The Gunners are third in the Premier League table with eight matches remaining.

They are seven points behind Chelsea, who is leading with a game in
hand and Manchester City who is just a point ahead.

Arsenal's remaining games also include a home match against Chelsea on
April 26 and a trip to fourth-placed Manchester United on May 17.

Fifth-placed Liverpool travel to the Emirates on Saturday.

Although, based on current form, the Gunners seem likely winners
against Liverpool on Saturday, Arsene Wenger is not taking chances
especially as the international break could have affected the
momentum. He just wants to keep on winning!

"It's a big game and an opportunity for us to continue our run, which
is what we want to do," Wenger said. "We are on a strong run and we
just want to focus on winning our games, winning the next one.
Liverpool is a big opponent but we play at the Emirates and we want to
do it.

"You know after the international break it's always important that you
come back and straight away you are on it."

Liverpool Manager, Brendan Rodgers, is also confident he can get a
result at the Emirates after a disappointing home loss to Manchester
United.

"It's a game we will want to get something from," he said.

"In terms of the objectives going into the game, it's no different to
what it was before Manchester United. But of course we had a
disappointing result and performance last time out.

"We really want to make sure we perform and give ourselves a chance to
get a positive result."

Jonathan Holds Closed-Door Meeting With Buhari

Nigeria's President-elect, General Muhammad Buhari (Rtd.), has met
behind closed doors with President Goodluck Jonathan.

The meeting took place inside the Presidential Villa and was handled
as a strictly private affair.

It was the first time the two leaders would be meeting since the
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Buhari
winner of the March 28 presidential election.

More details soon.

INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, His Family Burnt To Death In Kano

Alhaji Abdullahi Minkaila, the Kano state resident electoral
commissioner, was on Thursday, April 2, burnt to death with his
family.

The dead man was burnt along with his wife and two children in an
inferno when his house was engulfed by fire.

The late Mikaila and his family were hurried to the Murtala Mohammed
specialist hospital where they died on Friday morning.

Minkaila oversaw last Saturday's presidential and National Assembly
polls in the state.

The cause of the fire is yet to be determined at the time of this report.

A spokesperson of the Independent National Electoral Commission,
Mallam Garba, confirmed the incident.

Magaji Majiya, an assistant superintendent of police, said the fire
was supposed to have been caused by a spark in the family's generator
set at about 4a.m. Friday morning.

He said the fire later spread to other parts of the house and that the
INEC Commissioner and his family tried to escape through the window of
one of the toilets in the building but were barricaded by a burglary
barrier.

Majiya said the State Police Commissioner, Ibrahim Idris, and the
Deputy Police Commissioner in-charge of Criminal Investigation
Department, arrived the scene almost on time.

While the police said they are waiting for the result of a postmortem
on the remains of Mr. Abdullahi and his family, the spokesman for the
Kano state office of INEC, Garba Muhammed, said the bodies of the
victims were already being transported to his native Dutse, the Jigawa
state capital, for burial, in line with Islamic tradition.

Some neighbours, who rejected to be named in this story for fear they
might be harassed by the police, said the fire was strange, and
suggested the police should not believe the case an ordinary one.

They wondered why a spark from a generator would engulf an entire
building and kill its occupants so fast.

As was reported earlier Nigeria's presidential poll has been a
watershed: the first time that the most populous African nation is
has handed over power peacefully and democratically. Muhammadu
Buhari, the APC candidate won the election fairly, according to
election observers.

What Is Good About Good Friday?

Significance of Good Friday

Christians believe that Jesus sacrificed his life for the sins of the
world. Some people stay fasting and meditating throughout the day to
show the agony and pain that they feel because Jesus was hanged on
cross and nailed and left to die there. But most of the Christians
believe that the 'good' about Good Friday is the hope of resurrection
and new life that was showered on Jesus from God.

Good Friday is one of the crucial moments in Christians' lives and has
great traditional significance too. Jesus sacrificed his life to help
human beings get rid of the sins that separate them from God. This was
the time when people lost hope. But very soon, when Jesus rose from
death, it created hope and anticipation in people's mind and heart.

Rituals followed on the Occasion of Good Friday

People cover all crosses, images and statuettes in black and mourn for
Christ's death by extinguishing the candles as well. Attend Good
Friday Service that is held in churches. Some churches enact the
entire scene and spread the words of Jesus among people. Some churches
keep it sober and solemn and have prayers and readings from bible.
Traditions do vary from country to country but the message and the
intention remains the same. The way of expressing their love for Jesus
is different from people of different locations. No matter how people
celebrate, there is a somber tone of remembrance along with regret but
there is always hope.

Message of Good Friday

Good Friday's message is that goodness can never be won by evil. This
means goodness, non violence and love should be the weapons of people
and with that they can conquer evil, violence and hatred.

Jesus Christ taught people to have complete trust in God and love
their enemies too. No one should judge others and always do only that
to others that you would like them do to you.

Good Friday - Significance and History

Good Friday is the day on which Lord Jesus was crucified. Good Friday
is also known as Holy Friday. Good Friday is followed by Easter Sunday
which is the day on which Lord Jesus came back after his crucifixion.
Read on to know more about the significance of Good Friday.

Good Friday is the Friday that comes just before the Easter Sunday and
Christians all over the world believe that Jesus Christ died that day
after being hanged on the cross. The entire week is considered holy
and auspicious as they live in the hope of life after death just like
Jesus rose on first Easter.

Significance of Good Friday

Christians believe that Jesus sacrificed his life for the sins of the
world. Some people stay fasting and meditating throughout the day to
show the agony and pain that they feel because Jesus was hanged on
cross and nailed and left to die there. But most of the Christians
believe that the 'good' about Good Friday is the hope of resurrection
and new life that was showered on Jesus from God.

Good Friday is one of the crucial moments in Christians' lives and has
great traditional significance too. Jesus sacrificed his life to help
human beings get rid of the sins that separate them from God. This was
the time when people lost hope. But very soon, when Jesus rose from
death, it created hope and anticipation in people's mind and heart.

Rituals followed on the Occasion of Good Friday

People cover all crosses, images and statuettes in black and mourn for
Christ's death by extinguishing the candles as well. Attend Good
Friday Service that is held in churches. Some churches enact the
entire scene and spread the words of Jesus among people. Some churches
keep it sober and solemn and have prayers and readings from bible.
Traditions do vary from country to country but the message and the
intention remains the same. The way of expressing their love for Jesus
is different from people of different locations. No matter how people
celebrate, there is a somber tone of remembrance along with regret but
there is always hope.

Message of Good Friday

Good Friday's message is that goodness can never be won by evil. This
means goodness, non violence and love should be the weapons of people
and with that they can conquer evil, violence and hatred.

Jesus Christ taught people to have complete trust in God and love
their enemies too. No one should judge others and always do only that
to others that you would like them do to you.

On Good Friday we remember the day Jesus willingly suffered and died
by crucifixion as the ultimate sacrifice for our sins (1 John 1:10).
It is followed by Easter, the glorious celebration of the day Jesus
was raised from the dead, heralding his victory over sin and death and
pointing ahead to a future resurrection.

Nigerian Pastors Who Predicted 2015 Elections Outcome Woefully

Nigerian presidential elections has come and gone. But there are
lessons to be learned, especially from our supposed "Men of God" who
claimed that God himself revealed the outcome to them before the
election. I want to remind you of what they said. We must hold both
our political and religious leaders accountable for every word they
speak. Please read carefully and draw your own conclusion.

The Bible said, "Thou shall not take the name of your God in vain."
What are these men thinking now? Are these revelations really from
God? Could He possibly be sending them contradictory messages? I know
there are already explanations for all the false prophecies. But at
this point, I must leave you to judge for yourselves.

1. Apostle Fredrick, Senior Pastor of Wonder City Chapel and President
of the BB Frederick Ministries, Ghana

"Nigerians should watch out for the second term of His Excellency
President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. Although it looks very challenging
with him and his ruling party now, yet the Lord says Nigerians
shouldn't lose hope in Jonathan."

"As long as I'm concerned as a man gifted by God to see the past, the
current and the future beyond the curtains of the natural, I know by
the inspiration of the Almighty that President Jonathan is the set man
for Nigeria. His next term on the seat will bring liberation to
Nigeria."

"It will bring hope to hopeless situations in Nigeria. On this account
I therefore declare that HE Goodluck Ebele Jonathan will win the
coming elections."

3. Prophet Joshua Iginla

"No matter how powerful or well-organized 2015 election is, it will be
faulted. I am not a politician nor belong to any political party, I am
just speaking God's mind. The person sitting on the seat might not be
perfect, but he will retain the seat. It's not guess-work. However, it
will be a battle between the lion and the tiger...Shortly after the
election, especially on the night of the election, there will be great
vandalisation. I see cars being burnt, lives killed."

"President Jonathan will win, but he has to pray about his health and
so many political blows. I pray the two people who enter the Aso Villa
will leave together. That's why we should pray for the woman beside
the president. The president and wife should pray that the first lady
would finish the tenure together and not losing one before the end of
their tenure."

4. Apostle Johnson Suleiman

"I see president Goodluck Jonathan coming back but trouble... Patience
Jonathan needs serious prayers."

"2015 presidential election will be rigged, marred in violence and end
up in court case. 2015 election is another June 12. The man who truly
won will not govern or rule."

5. Primate Theophilus Oluwasaanu Olabayo, founder, Evangelical Church of Yahweh

"To start with God has revealed to me that there may not be elections
next year because in 2015, we are going to witness one of the worst
political assassinations in Nigeria. God further informed me that the
South West geo-political zone should be very careful so that the
region would not be thrown into another era of wild, wild west because
I saw political assassinations everywhere," the founder of Evangelical
Church of Yahweh foretold adding that, "if there will be elections
next year in Nigeria, the seat of the president is not vacant."

"God has revealed to me that if at all there is going to be
presidential election, it will be inconclusive just like (the June
12,) that we had during the time of the late Chief MKO Abiola who flew
the flag of the Social Democratic Party under the military
administration of General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida."

6. Prophet Michael Olubode

"I want to let the people of Nigeria know that the Lord will return
His Excellency, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to his presidential seat.
Despite many hatred for him, it pleases the Lord God of Celestial to
increase his tenure at the Presidential Villa in Aso Rock. The Lord
revealed to me that the purpose of making him remain in government is
to use him to build Nigeria's economy. He will surely bring good luck
to us."

7. Apostle Dr. Ogochukwu Tochukwu Amaukwu

"If at all there will be election in 2015, I see President Goodluck
Jonathan returning as president."

"President Goodluck Jonathan is the last PDP president."

"I see APC winning seventy percent(70%) of the seats but I see PDP
taking the presidency."

"If at all there will be election, APC will claim to have won the
presidential election and will drag PDP to court."

Read more at Newsrescue:
http://newsrescue.com/nigerian-pastors-who-predicted-2015-elections-outcome-woefully/#axzz3WD0JURql

CNN Reports That Nairobi Is In Nigeria

International media giant, CNN is at it again. While reporting the
recent terrorist attack on a Kenyan university CNN stated that Nairobi
is in Nigeria. See screen shots.

CNN Reports That Nairobi Is In Nigeria

International media giant, CNN is at it again. While reporting the
recent terrorist attack on a Kenyan university stated Nairobi is in
Nigeria. See screen shots.

Your Greed Denied Us Senate --Rochas Okorocha Tells Ndi Igbo

Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State has warned that lack of vision
on the part of political leaders from the South-East may deny the
region the opportunity to produce the next President of the Senate.

While addressing leaders of the APC and party supporters at the Imo
International Convention Centre in Owerri, Okorocha lamented that
despite the contributions of the Igbo to national development since
Independence, they had continued to lag behind in Nigerian politics
due to their leaders' selfishness.

He blamed the present situation on members of the Peoples Democratic
Party, whom he accused of stealing the mandate given to the candidates
of the All Progressives Congress in the 2015 National Assembly
election by the electorate.

The governor said, "It is very painful for the Igbo to lose the
position of the Senate President after they have been denied leading
positions in the country for a long time. We saw it coming and we told
our political leaders why Ndigbo should embrace the APC, but they did
not believe us.

"Now the story has changed. The PDP, which they have been following
all these years with nothing to show for it, is now an opposition
party."

Noting that there was no election in the South-East geopolitical zone
last week, the governor said Ndigbo still stood a chance of clinching
the position of Senate President.

"There was no election in the entire South-East on the March 28. The
PDP leaders, with the aid of the military and INEC officials,
intimidated and harassed our people and thereafter wrote the results
in their homes," he said.

He assured APC supporters and natives of Imo State that the party
would do everything necessary to recover the stolen mandate of its
candidates in the state.

Addressing the gathering, former Governor Ogbonnaya Onu of Anambra
State, who is also an APC stalwart, observed that with the emergence
of the APC in 2013, everything about Nigerian politics had changed and
would no longer be the same.

Onu believed that Nigeria had started moving forward and Ndigbo should
not continue to lag behind in the country's politics.

He added, "In the past, the people of the South-East put all their
political eggs in one basket. They were taken for granted. The things
that were of great importance to them were left undone. They gave
their very best to the PDP, but got little or nothing to show for it.
Ndigbo should embrace the APC and make it the number one party in the
zone.

"We need Nigeria as much as she needs us. We must be in the mainstream
of Nigerian politics. Our political home should be the APC. In the
last election, members of the APC were not treated fairly in the
South-East. They were harassed and intimidated by the PDP. In the end,
those who were rejected by the voters were declared winners."

Senator Chris Ngige, however, described the March 28 election as the
end of "bad election in the country."

He expressed satisfaction with the knowledge that the PDP's alleged
involvement in electoral irregularities in the South-East could not
stop its presidential candidate, Muhammadu Buhari, from winning the
election.
--PUNCH

Asari Dokubo Issues New Threat

Former Militant and Goodluck Jonathan's homeboy,Asari Dokuboreleased a
new statement through his spokeperson, Comrade RexEkiugbo Anighoro.

Asari blamed Yoruba's and Northerners for GEJ loss in the 2015
elections. And he said they (Niger Delta People) will go back to their
roots and fight for their survival.

The statement reads:
The Election of Muhammadu Buhari as President of the Nigerian union
clearly reinforces the fact of Self Determination and that Nigeria
remains a very divided and separated entity whose claim to Unity
remains a fraud of gargantuan proportion. The celebrated victory of
Buhari is not the victory of the people but victory of regional
conspiracy and supremacy.

The voting Partern has clearly shown that the Gambari North and the
Yorubas are United in the conquest of the Niger Deltans and the Igbos
of defunct Biafra with the middle belt now used as pawns. We remain a
people separated by our ideologies and interests, we are not
integrated nor reconciled.

The conditions that advanced the need to embrace the creeks have been
sadly re energised, it is clear that a vicious government who may maim
and murder the voice of the so called minorities may have just been
birthed. Indeed integration is nonexistent as regional gang ups and
supremacy is symbolic with this victory.

The victory of Muhammadu Buhari is a historical reminder that we are a
conquered people who are mere appendages existing at the pleasure of
the supremacist and the regional overlords.

We salute the gallantry and courage of Elder Godsday Orubebe who spoke
the truth to power on facts of our collective existence in this
colonial union of convenience. He need not apologise to be politically
correct having demonstrated to the world what a deception the Nigerian
union is.

While President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan enjoys his moments and bask in
the euphoria of a now world renowed statesman having congratulated
Muhammadu Buhari his conqueror, we must quickly remind that our
struggle was never about Jonathan nor about Presidency. President
Goodluck Jonathan was an establishment beneficiary of our struggle,
our sweat and blood that many bled and died for, he was never in the
struggle and he can never wish away our collective march forward for
statesmanship. Yes Indeed to an extent he was a mitigating factor in
our self determination pursuit as we went on sabbatical, this
mitigation he seem to have willingly repudiated.

The days coming will be critical, we shall study all the conditions
and consult widely before determining the way going forward for our
collective existence and survival as a people. The days coming shall
either drive the quest of integration or further separate us.

Finally, may I state that Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo Asari is yet to issue
statements nor congratulatory messages to any one at any level since
the end of the Presidential and National Assembly Elections, therefore
suggestions to the extent that he made statements that he supports any
Government in power is monumental balderdash that must be
discontennanced, treachery is not part of the Mujahid's DNA as the
restoration of our confiscated sovereignty can never be compromised
nor wished away.

Signed
Comrade Rex Ekiugbo Anighoro
Spokesman,

Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo Asari
and the Niger Delta People Salvation Front/Niger Delta People
Volunteer Force (NDPSF/NDPVF)

PDP Congratulates General Muhammadu Buhari

Nigeria's ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has commended the
winner of the Presidential Election, General Muhammadu Buhari, saying
it will respect the outcome of the election, "if it truly reflects the
wishes and aspirations of our citizens".

In a statement, the chairman of the party, Mr Adamu Mu'azu,
congratulated the President-elect, flag-bearer of the APC for his
resilience and victory and wished him success in the onerous task of
leading Nigeria once again.

Heroic Act

He also commended the PDP flag bearer, President Goodluck Jonathan,
for his heroic act in conceding to the voice of the people, an action
that stands him out as a true democrat and a statesman.

"On the same note, we wish to also commend the electorate for the
peaceful manner with which they conducted themselves in the course of
this election," the PDP chairman said.

He, however, stressed that the PDP had received reports of serious
irregularities that characterised the conduct of the election.

"We shall channel our protests to the appropriate quarters in line
with our profound respect for the rule of law and democratic ethos.

"Our party comes with great values and tradition and we will adhere to
them and ensure that nothing is done to truncate our democracy, which
we have proudly worked so hard to nurture and sustain to maturity.

"What is paramount to us is the survival of our democracy, the unity,
peace and progress of our dear nation and the happiness of all our
people. Nigeria is bigger than any political party, individual or
group and her overall interest must be our priority at all times," Mr
Mu'azu said.

"We Are Not Down"

The party leader further stressed that "the PDP is not down".

He said: "For us in the PDP, we want to state in very clear terms that
we are not down. We are only at our redefining moment. Rather than
demoralise us, this election has afforded us great lessons and we are
now more than ever before reinvigorated for the race ahead.

"As we return to the electorate for the April 11, 2015 governorship
and state assembly elections, we go recharged with faith in our heart.
We assure all our candidates in the remaining elections that the party
will stand with you, campaign with you and work vigorously to ensure
your total victory at the polls".

Read full statement of the Peoples Democratic Party below.

Position Of The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) On The Outcome of The
2015 Presidential Election.

Sixteen years ago, Nigerians gave our great party, the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP) the mandate to build, nurture and deepen
democracy after three decades of military rule in our country.

That historic mandate was freely given in recognition of the
courageous and patriotic role of the founding fathers of our party
whose resilience and doggedness championed the return of democracy and
the personal freedom we all enjoy today.

Within this period, our party worked very hard in rebuilding and
strengthening democratic institutions, tenets and norms while lifting
our status as the leading democracy in Africa and one of the best in
the world.

It is incontrovertible that under the PDP-led government, our nation
moved from a near pariah status to a strong actor in the international
democratic arena, a product of various electoral reforms and our
iron-cast commitment to transparent, free and fair electoral process
at all levels.

Even in the midst of obvious threats to our democracy, the PDP and the
government it sponsored continued to stabilize the polity through
strict adherence to rule of law and liberalization of the political
and economic space.

In the last 16 years the PDP-led administration achieved significant
milestones in our social and economic lives. We moved Nigeria from a
debtor nation to Africa's largest economy and one of the fastest
growing in the world, a feat, which is accompanied with unprecedented
expansion of the private sector as well as multi-sectorial
infrastructural development, all, great legacies we achieved for our
nation.

Presently, our nation is at the threshold of history and its defining
moment for the future. As you are aware, in the early hours of
Wednesday, April 1, 2015, the Independent National Electoral
Commission (INEC) returned the candidate of the All Progressives
Congress (APC), Gen. Muhammadu Buhari as winner of the 2015
presidential election.

However, we have received reports of serious irregularities that
characterized the conduct of the election and we shall channel our
protests to the appropriate quarters in line with our profound respect
for the rule of law and democratic ethos.
--Read more at ChannelsTV:
http://t.co/rqA1KEvExi

APC Calls For Cancellation Of Imo North Senatorial Election

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Imo State is seeking the
cancellation of the Imo north senatorial election, claiming that it
was marred by series of rigging and electoral malpractice.

They claimed that the malpractice was masterminded by the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.

Speaking to reporters in Owerri, the Imo State capital, the speaker of
the Imo State House of Assembly and the candidate for Imo north
senatorial district, Ben Uwajimogu, requested that the Independent
National Electoral Commission (INEC) should cancel the elections due
to the irregularities during the election.

Mr Uwajimogu accused the PDP in the state of colluding with security
operatives and INEC to write fake results even in places where there
was no election.

However, the state collation officer for the APC, Mr Alfred Ononugbo,
refused to sign the collated result at the INEC office during the
declaration of the final result.

The tension caused by the claimed irregularities was, however, doused
by the announcement of the presidential election result.

Jubilation erupted across the streets of Owerri, the Imo State
capital, following the emergence of the presidential candidate of the
APC, General Muhammodu Buhari, as the winner of the March 28
Presidential elections.

The announcement was made by the Chairman of INEC, Professor
Attahiru Jega, in the early hoursof Wednesday, April 1, after the
completion of the collation and announcement of results which started
at the collation centre in Abuja, the nation's capital, on Monday and
ended on Tuesday, March 31.

General Muhammadu Buhari of the APC polled a total of 15,424,921 votes
to defeat all other candidates, with Dr Goodluck Jonathan of the PDP
polling a total of 12,853,162 votes to place second.

Meanwhile, the coordinator of President Goodluck Jonathan Campaign
Organisation in Imo State and a PDP chieftain, former Governor Achike
Udenwa, described all the allegations by the APC as untrue and
baseless.

Mr Udenwa maintained that in the National Assembly and presidential
elections in the state, the PDP won with a far margin on merit without
any form of rigging or electoral malpractice.

The former Governor of Imo State, also argued that no security
operatives or INEC official worked to favour the PDP.
--ChannelsTV

Idowu Fearon Appointed World Anglican Secretary

The Archbishop of Kaduna Arch Diocese, Most Rev. Josiah Idowu Fearon,
has been appointed as the new Secretary-General of the Anglican
Communion worldwide.

The appointment followed the resignation of former Secretary-General
of the church, Kenneth Kearon, who was appointed Bishop in Ireland
early this year.
Bishop Idowu Fearon was selected from initial field of applicants from
Oceania, Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas.

This is the first time an African is occupying the position.

Briefing newsmen on his new appointment, Bishop Fearon expressed
excitement to take up the post and gave an assurance to serve the
church diligently.

The Bishop said that his appointment would assist Africa, Nigeria in
particular, in tackling some of its security challenges, poverty and
diseases currently ravaging the country and Africa as a whole.

He added that his appointment would not influence the Nigerian Church
and Africa in adopting same sex marriage as being practiced by some
churches in Europe and America.

The Anglican Communion is an international association of churches
consisting of 80 million members worldwide.

Bishop Idowu Fearon has been Bishop of Kaduna since 1988 and
currently, he is the Director of the Kaduna Anglican Study Centre.
--ChannelsTV