In response to threats made by Oba of LagosRilwan Akioluin which he
stated that Igbos saying they would "perish in the lagoon" if they
don't vote for Lagos State APC governorship candidate,Akinwunmi
Ambode, Jimi Agbajehas responded.
According to Punch, Agbaje stated that Igbo people in Lagos should use
their votes to push APC into the Atlantic Ocean. He is said to have
stated this while addressing Igbo traders at the Alaba International
Market on Thursday.
"Nobody can push you into the Atlantic Ocean. Rather, you should use
your votes to push the APC into the Atlantic Ocean by voting massively
for the PDP on Saturday," Agbaje said.
"Election is like a snake. You have to make sure you win by killing
the snake completely by using your votes to drive the APC out of
power. The reason why they are harassing you is because they fear Igbo
votes. They will try to do 'shakara' for you but you must vote
massively for the PDP and protect your votes...
In the last 16 years, the APC has been full of arrogance. This
arrogance must end once and for all. Saturday is the time to say
enough is enough...
"God is on our side and power will change hands on Saturday and life
will be better for you and your businesses. There will be no
oppression again because this election is about freedom from bondage."
--PUNCH
Friday 10 April 2015
Military Aircraft Crashes At Lagos Airport
A military aircraft was involved in an accident in the morning of
Friday, April 10, 2015 at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport
(MMIA), Lagos State.
ChannelsTV reports that a malfunctioning blade of the helicopter was
responsible for the accident, as it was said to have come off
in-flight.
No casualties were reported as at the time of compiling this report.
Friday, April 10, 2015 at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport
(MMIA), Lagos State.
ChannelsTV reports that a malfunctioning blade of the helicopter was
responsible for the accident, as it was said to have come off
in-flight.
No casualties were reported as at the time of compiling this report.
No Card Reader, No PVC, No Vote -- Imo INEC
announced stringent measures to be adopted in this weekend's
governorship and house of assembly elections.
Addressing journalists yesterday in Owerri, the state Resident
Electoral Commissioner, Dr Gabriel Ada stated that the smart card
readers and the permanent voter cards (PVCs) will be strictly used by
INEC to determine those eligible to vote.
Ada who disclosed that the commission having reviewed its performance
of the presidential and National Assembly elections agreed that their
were lapses that led to hindrances in the smooth conduct of the last
election.
He maintained that in the weekend's election, no manual accreditation
would be accepted adding that where that fails, election will be
postponed in such unit till the next day .
Also, Ada have announced that election results would be pasted from
various polling units where election took place before the final
announcement by the state headquarters.
"Results would be announced by all presiding officers from the units,
they should paste the results, in addition results should be collated
at all levels of collation centres. On no account should a collation
officer be allowed to collate results outside designated centres, we
observed this anomaly in the last election" Ada stated.
The commissioner also warned that no collation centre should be
located within the premises of a Local Government secretarial as he
noted was observed in the last election, however if a collation centre
should be sighted in such an area he stressed, the security chiefs
shall take absolute control of such areas.
Umuahia Agog As INEC Rejects Gov Orji's Senatorial Result
informa-tion that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)
has rejected the result being paraded by the Peoples Democratic Party
(PDP) as being that of Abia Central District.
Daily Sun reports that Gov Theodore Orji was roundly beaten at the
poll including in his polling unit, ward and local government by the
candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Ahamdi
Emmanuel Nweke, but that PDP in connivance some Independent National
Electoral (INEC) officials allegedly manipulated the result in favour
of the governor.
It was also gathered that following complaints lodged at the INEC
headquarters, Abuja, a three-man committee was set up to look into the
allegation of result manipulation.
"Although the committee's report has not been made public, but a
source revealed the APGA candidate won the election and members are
taking their findings back to the INEC headquarters.
When news of the development filtered into town, the capital city went
agog with residents saying that at last, the man they voted for, would
represent them in the Senate.
A prominent Umuahia chief, who hails from the same area with Gov Orji,
was said to have held an elaborate party to celebrate the development.
Addressing newsmen, Chief Nweke said there was no time he had doubt
about his ability to defeat Gov Orji at the poll, stating that his
non-performance in office made victory easier for him.
Nweke said it was not only that he defeated Orji, but that he beat him
at his (governor's) polling unit, which, according to him, meant his
kinsmen rejected him and that he also defeated the governor at the
wife's polling unit.
He said: "If I could beat the governor at his polling unit and that of
his wife, all in Umuahia, which means total rejection by his kinsmen,
where else could he get the votes that will make him to defeat me?
Could it be from my own ward and local government? It's impossible.
"How could people have voted for APGA and they are writing a different
result? That's why I like what INEC at the headquarters is doing; it
will restore people's confidence in the system.
"T.A Orji should emulate President Goodluck Jonathan and concede
defeat so that peace will reign in the area. If President Jonathan
with all the powers at his beck could concede defeat, why shouldn't
T.A Orji?" While thanking the outgoing President for his statesmanship
by not allowing the blood of innocent Nigerians to be shed in the
pursuit of self-satisfaction and urge for power, he called on
President Jonathan to call to order one of his ministers, who he said
had been using the military and other agencies of government to rig
elections in the state and also intimidating opposition party members.
He also called on the chairman of INEC, Prof Attahiru Jega and other
stakeholders to ensure credible polls on Saturday, alleging that they
have obtained reports on the plot by the PDP to hire thugs from Abala
Ibeme in Obingwa LGA and Rivers State to unleash mayhem on Abians in
the nine local govern-ment areas of Ngwaland, set the famous Ariaria
International Market ablaze as well as cause confusion among voters on
the day of the election.
He also alleged of an ongoing thumbprinting of fake ballot papers in
an undisclosed location in Ngwaland, plans to rig the election among
other hidden agenda including the planned mass arrest of APGA senior
officials a few days to the gover-norship poll.
--DaiiySun
Guber Poll: How States Will Vote
based on their assessment of the political scenario to predict which
parties and candidates may emerge victorious in tomorrow's
governorship and houses of assembly polls.
Incidentally, the governorship poll will only take place in 29 out of
36 states of the federation following different court judgements which
led to staggered elections in seven states, namely, Bayelsa, Osun,
Ekiti, Osun, Edo, Anambra and Kogi.
South East
As the electorate in the South-East geo-political zone, like other
Nigerians, goes to the polls tomorrow to elect governors and members
of the state Houses of Assembly, indications are that there might be
skirmishes in some areas, and one or two states in the zone, it is
feared, might be captured by the opposition All Progressives congress
(APC).
During the March 28 presidential/National Assembly polls, the
presidential candidate of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),
Dr Goodluck Jonathan overwhelmed his major opponent, General Muhammadu
Buhari (retd) of APC), in the five South-East states of Abia, Anambra,
Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo.
While President Jonathan scored a total of 2,464,906 votes, Buhari,
polled an appalling 198,248 votes - a mere 8 per cent of Jonathan's
tally.
This scenario is understandable. Since Jonathan emerged as president
in 2010 following the death of his boss, the late President Musa
Yar'Adua, a majority of Ndigbo have regarded Jonathan as one of their
own. It was against this backdrop that the South-East zone also voted
overwhelmingly for him during the 2011 presidential election.
The same feat was repeated in the just concluded March 28, 2015
presidential election, albeit with a relatively lower margin.
As the governorship/House of Assembly elections come up tomorrow -
April 11, 2015, the questions is whether President Jonathan's victory
in the South-East zone would influence the outcome of the poll or
whether the overall victory of General Buhari would have any effect on
the polls in the zone.
Enugu
Enugu State is traditionally PDP. Dr Chimaroke Nnamani, a medical
doctor-turned politician was elected governor of the state in 1999 on
the platform of the PDP. He was succeeded in 2007 by Sullivan Chime, a
lawyer. In both administrations, the State House of Assembly was also
almost entirely PDP.
The groundswell of opinion in Enugu State is that the governorship
candidate of the PDP, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, would defeat his main
rival, Barrister Okey Ezea, of the APC, with a wide margin. The two
are from Nsukka zone where the state zone the next governor. But while
Ugwuanyi has been in public service, having served three terms in the
House of Reps since 2003, his rival, Ezea, has been a wealthy
businessman who has been running for governor in the last two
dispensations.
The general feeling here is that Governor Chime has performed well in
the last seven years and ten months, so the mantra here is continuity.
Nevertheless, the APC has, since the victory of General Buhari
increased the tempo of its electioneering campaign, but whether this
would translate into vital votes is a matter of conjecture.
The expectation is that this Saturday's election would be peaceful.
However, there was bomb explosion that rocked several polling booths
located at the old Women Teacher Training College (WTC), Enugu, on the
eve of the last presidential election, as well as the alleged
manipulation of results in some local government areas in the state in
favour of a particular political party on March 28.
Ebonyi
Ebonyi has also remained PDP-controlled since 1999, but if today's
governorship/house of assembly elections in the state is peaceful,
free and fair, it is doubtful if the PDP would retain the state.
There is no love lost between outgoing Governor Martin Elechi, and his
deputy, Engineer Dave Umahi, following the governor's preference for
the former minister of health, Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu, to fly the PDP
flag in the state and Umahi's controversial emergence as the party's
standard bearer.
Apparently irked by this development, several thousands of the
governor's supporters moved in drove to the Labour Party (LP), with
Architect Edward Nkweagu, known to be the governor's confidant, as
governorship candidate.
Though the PDP won all the National Assembly slots in the state during
the March 28 election, not a few alleged the party got through
following the connivance of security personnel and some officials of
the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Continue reading at Leadership news:
http://leadership.ng/news/424397/guber-poll-how-states-will-vote
Guber Poll: How States Will Vote
based on their assessment of the political scenario to predict which
parties and candidates may emerge victorious in tomorrow's
governorship and houses of assembly polls.
Incidentally, the governorship poll will only take place in 29 out of
36 states of the federation following different court judgements which
led to staggered elections in seven states, namely, Bayelsa, Osun,
Ekiti, Osun, Edo, Anambra and Kogi.
South East
As the electorate in the South-East geo-political zone, like other
Nigerians, goes to the polls tomorrow to elect governors and members
of the state Houses of Assembly, indications are that there might be
skirmishes in some areas, and one or two states in the zone, it is
feared, might be captured by the opposition All Progressives congress
(APC).
During the March 28 presidential/National Assembly polls, the
presidential candidate of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),
Dr Goodluck Jonathan overwhelmed his major opponent, General Muhammadu
Buhari (retd) of APC), in the five South-East states of Abia, Anambra,
Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo.
While President Jonathan scored a total of 2,464,906 votes, Buhari,
polled an appalling 198,248 votes - a mere 8 per cent of Jonathan's
tally.
This scenario is understandable. Since Jonathan emerged as president
in 2010 following the death of his boss, the late President Musa
Yar'Adua, a majority of Ndigbo have regarded Jonathan as one of their
own. It was against this backdrop that the South-East zone also voted
overwhelmingly for him during the 2011 presidential election.
The same feat was repeated in the just concluded March 28, 2015
presidential election, albeit with a relatively lower margin.
As the governorship/House of Assembly elections come up tomorrow -
April 11, 2015, the questions is whether President Jonathan's victory
in the South-East zone would influence the outcome of the poll or
whether the overall victory of General Buhari would have any effect on
the polls in the zone.
Enugu
Enugu State is traditionally PDP. Dr Chimaroke Nnamani, a medical
doctor-turned politician was elected governor of the state in 1999 on
the platform of the PDP. He was succeeded in 2007 by Sullivan Chime, a
lawyer. In both administrations, the State House of Assembly was also
almost entirely PDP.
The groundswell of opinion in Enugu State is that the governorship
candidate of the PDP, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, would defeat his main
rival, Barrister Okey Ezea, of the APC, with a wide margin. The two
are from Nsukka zone where the state zone the next governor. But while
Ugwuanyi has been in public service, having served three terms in the
House of Reps since 2003, his rival, Ezea, has been a wealthy
businessman who has been running for governor in the last two
dispensations.
The general feeling here is that Governor Chime has performed well in
the last seven years and ten months, so the mantra here is continuity.
Nevertheless, the APC has, since the victory of General Buhari
increased the tempo of its electioneering campaign, but whether this
would translate into vital votes is a matter of conjecture.
The expectation is that this Saturday's election would be peaceful.
However, there was bomb explosion that rocked several polling booths
located at the old Women Teacher Training College (WTC), Enugu, on the
eve of the last presidential election, as well as the alleged
manipulation of results in some local government areas in the state in
favour of a particular political party on March 28.
Ebonyi
Ebonyi has also remained PDP-controlled since 1999, but if today's
governorship/house of assembly elections in the state is peaceful,
free and fair, it is doubtful if the PDP would retain the state.
There is no love lost between outgoing Governor Martin Elechi, and his
deputy, Engineer Dave Umahi, following the governor's preference for
the former minister of health, Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu, to fly the PDP
flag in the state and Umahi's controversial emergence as the party's
standard bearer.
Apparently irked by this development, several thousands of the
governor's supporters moved in drove to the Labour Party (LP), with
Architect Edward Nkweagu, known to be the governor's confidant, as
governorship candidate.
Though the PDP won all the National Assembly slots in the state during
the March 28 election, not a few alleged the party got through
following the connivance of security personnel and some officials of
the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Continue reading at Leadership news:
http://leadership.ng/news/424397/guber-poll-how-states-will-vote
Tomorrow's Elections: States That May Feel The Buhari Factor
Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) won, is, to
say the least, a game-changing happenstance. Apart from a change of
baton from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC, the historic
outcome of that election will define tomorrow's governorship and state
Houses of Assembly elections.
Considering Buhari's landslide victory in Kano, Bauchi, Sokoto, Kebbi,
Jigawa, Kaduna and Zamfara states, there is no gainsaying that
gubernatorial candidates of the APC in these states could be having
easier rides to the government houses of the respective states.
There is general feeling that there may be a bandwagon effect in the
voting pattern in the April 11 governorship and state assembly
elections in the affected states. Similarly, the results of the last
election equally show that APC is in a comfortable position, having
swept the majority votes in five of the six states in the region. Some
political pundits, however, believe that the governorship election may
not follow the same pattern, especially in Lagos, Oyo and Ogun states.
Permutations and Defections
After the presidential election, politicians have been hopping from
the PDP to the APC in what is clearly a singular desire to be part of
the system and partake in the sharing of the national cake, that is,
if it will still be business as usual. Hence, political analysts and,
indeed, the populace have been engaging in political permutations of
what could occur in states hitherto considered as core PDP strongholds
and vice versa for the APC.
Abia State
Mrs Eunice Uzor Kalu, leader of the Reality Organisation in the
South-East and mother of former Abia State governor, Dr Orji Uzor
Kalu, and her members have joined the APC. This necessitated a
high-powered thank you visit from Buhari to Imo State.
The Ohanaeze Ndigbo also endorsed APC for Abia. This was contained in
a statement signed by Chief Ralph Obioha, Caretaker Committee chairman
of Ohanaeze in Enugu.
Abia, however, presents an interesting spectacle, owing to the sharp
political division in the state. For the governorship race, it is a
straight battle between PDP, APGA and PPA. Sir Chikwe Udensi is of the
PPA, while Dr Alex Otti is flying the flag of the All Progressives
Grand Alliance (APGA) while Dr Okezie Ikpeazu is of the PDP.
Although, the PDP won the presidential and National Assembly elections
in the state, the unpopularity of the governor, Dr T.A Orji, may count
against the governorship candidate of the PDP. Besides, the clamour
for a governor of Ukwa-Ngwa extraction may work in favour of Otti, the
former Diamond Bank chief executive. The axis has never produced a
governor before, despite having a high population.
Jigawa State
The defection of the deputy governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Mahmud
Gumel, and others may have radically altered the political paradigm of
the state ahead of the gubernatorial election in the state.
This therefore has given room for the Buhari factor which has become
very strong and all-consuming. A new Jigawa is likely to emerge after
the coming polls. The issue of emirate dichotomy, the rivalry between
Governor Sule Lamido and former Governor Taminu Turaki will have a
minimal role to play. The coast is clear for the "Change" hurricane
Kwara State
Senator Gbemisola Saraki and the PDP youth leader, Chief Segun
Olawoyin, are the latest in the state to defect from the PDP to the
APC.
The Kwara State governorship election is expected to be a three-way
affair as the ruling APC, the PDP and Labour Party (LP) are the three
major parties out of the 16 parties that fielded candidates for the
election. The governorship poll is expected to be the most keenly
contested in the history of Kwara State.
The APC has the incumbent Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed as its flag
bearer. Senator Simeon Sule Ajibola is for the PDP while Dr Mike
Omotosho is flying the flag of Labour Party.
Omotosho, who was the coordinator of the Jonathan Actualisation
Movement, one of the support groups for Jonathan's re-election, dumped
the PDP for the LP after losing the House of Representatives ticket
during the party's primary.
Continue reading at Leadership news:
http://leadership.ng/news/424404/tomorrows-elections-states-that-may-feel-the-buhari-factor
Teachers To Get Free Tertiary Education --Prof. Yemi Osinbajo
in the country's public schools will get free tertiary education when
the next administration is sworn in on May 29, this year.
Osinbajo disclosed this during a consultative meeting with Governor
Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State and members of Nigerian Union of
Teachers, NUT in Ikeja.
The vice president-elect lamented that "one of the basic problems
confronting education in the country was lack of training for teachers
especially those in the public schools."
He noted that continuous education for teachers is one of the core
programmes of the next administration.
--Vanguard
Read Governor Fashola's Letter To All Lagosians
First let me thank you all for turning out to vote on the 28th March
2015 and for doing so peacefully to make history by electing the All
Progressives Congress candidates in the Presidential and National
Assembly elections.
Once again, I must address you as we approach Saturday's elections,
when you will be electing a Governor who will continue after me and
consolidate on the progress we have built together.
You will also be electing members of the State House of Assembly who
will make laws on your behalf to assist the Governor and his team in
the Executive arm.
Although your votes will be cast for one political party or the other,
let me remind you that you will actually be voting for your
well-being, security, prosperity and future.
You will also be voting for the future of your children. You will be
choosing candidates and a party that you will entrust your lives to.
Think hard, think clearly, think deeply. Ask yourselves a few questions.
Who has shown a better record and example of protecting and securing
you between the political parties?
Which of the parties cares more when disasters happen?
What is the record of the parties as it relates to the promises they
have made to you in the past?
Which of the parties do you see regularly and which one do you see
once in a while?
Which of the parties do you see when your life or property is
threatened by epidemics like Ebola or by unfortunate accidents like
plane crashes?
Which of the parties is showing that you can become home-owners
without knowing anybody?
Which party has responsibility for providing electricity for you, and
which one is taking up the responsibility to light up your streets and
communities at night?
Which of them cares more about your children and their safety?
Indeed ask yourself; which of the parties threatened you with thugs on
that sad Monday of March 16th and which is seeking to protect you by
supporting the police; with patrol vehicles, fuel and other equipment?
Ask yourself when last you saw the Federal Fire Service in Lagos. The
proud men and women of the Lagos State Fire Service have taken over
admirably.
Ask yourself who should be supporting the police and who is actually doing it?
Dear Lagosians, your choice of who to vote for will be easy if you
answer these questions within yourself honestly.
Indeed, you have clear choices to make between parties that use your
resources to develop your society and community on the one hand, and
the party that chooses to bring money to you for distribution when
election beckons.
So you can choose between schools for your children, hospitals for
your community, roads for your transportation or in the alternative,
you can choose to have these services monetized once in four years.
Remember, that choices have consequences and your vote will decide the
choice that shapes your lives.
Dear Lagosians, it is tempting to take the right and opportunity to
vote for granted. It is tempting to think that it is too much trouble.
I agree that the process can be made much easier. But it is no excuse
to refuse to vote.
Out of 5.8 million registered voters and 3.8 million PVC collections,
only about 1.5 million turned out to vote, on the 28th March 2015.
Think of all the pain, the effort, the sleepless nights it took to get
the PVCs to you. Think of the best way to show that the effort was not
wasted or in vain.
It seems to me that the best way is to have all these 3.8 Million
voters come out to vote.
By refusing to vote, you surrender decision making to a few and you
will be bound by the consequences of your choices.
By refusing to vote, you do a great disservice to many who have lived
before you, who fought very hard at great personal costs to
themselves, to earn you this right.
By refusing to vote, you dishonour the sacrifice of patriots before
you who fought for the right to vote.
Remember that when they were fighting for the right to vote, they were
not fighting for yesterday, they were fighting for today and tomorrow.
They have handed today to you and I, can we secure tomorrow for the
next generation?
Remember that since the capital of Nigeria was moved from Lagos 24
years ago in December 1991, Lagos has been abandoned by the Federal
Government.
Ask yourself when the last major new road in Lagos was built by the
Federal Government. It was the 3rd Mainland Bridge completed in 1990.
Read more at GistReel:
http://gistreel.com/2015/04/08/read-governor-fasholas-letter-to-all-lagosians/
Goodluck Jonathan Pays Visit To Sen. David Mark at His Private Home In Abuja
at his residence in Abuja, Wednesday, April 8, 2015.
David Mark added a year to his age Wednesday and he celebrated his
67th birthday with close friends and family. GEJ was also at the party
to felicitate with him on his birthday.
David Mark promised to stay in PDP even if he's the last man standing.
He also said those who dumped the party are fair-weather friends.
--GistReel
Ryan Giggs Apologizes To His Brother For Sleeping With His Wife
Giggshas reconciled with his younger brother,Rhodrifor sleeping with
his wife,Natasha.
Ryan affair with Rhodri's ex wife, Natasha was revealed in June 2011,
when Natasha admitted an eight year affair with the former Manchester
United winger.
Natasha also revealed that she aborted the Man. UTD assistant
manager's baby just weeks before she got married to his younger
brother in Las Vegas.
The shocking revelation destroyed Rhordi's marriage. According to UK
Sun, Ryan called Rhordi a few weeks ago to squash the beef and move on
with life.
A close source told the Newspaper that,"Rhodri moved on a long time
ago but he was never going to contact Ryan. He was adamant Ryan had to
make the first move as he was the one who had done wrong."
"Ryan and his brother Rhodri were on Easter Sunday seen drinking
together at a bar in Manchester."
Rhodri and Natasha tried to get back together after the sex scandal
but they finally divorced in 2013.
Rhodri is now married to Ashleigh Turner and they have a baby son
while Natasha had a son last year with a new partner.
--
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala Listed Among 50 Worlds Greatest Leaders
Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has been named one of the
world's 50 greatest leaders by the American magazine,Fortune.
She was ranked at number 33. Here is what the publication said about her:
"A magna cum laude Harvard grad who holds a Ph.D. from MIT,
Okonjo-Iweala has helped usher in a GDP-trebling decade of Nigerian
prosperity. "She is a fearless promoter of sound economic policies,"
says Witney Schneidman, a former deputy assistant secretary of state
for African affairs. No wonder Nigeria's two-term finance minister--and
first woman in the role-- has been considered a top contender to run
the World Bank one day."
Others on the list including Taylor Swift, Pope Francis, Ellen
Johnson-Sirleaf, Mark Zuckerburg, and more.
--GistReel
world's 50 greatest leaders by the American magazine,Fortune.
She was ranked at number 33. Here is what the publication said about her:
"A magna cum laude Harvard grad who holds a Ph.D. from MIT,
Okonjo-Iweala has helped usher in a GDP-trebling decade of Nigerian
prosperity. "She is a fearless promoter of sound economic policies,"
says Witney Schneidman, a former deputy assistant secretary of state
for African affairs. No wonder Nigeria's two-term finance minister--and
first woman in the role-- has been considered a top contender to run
the World Bank one day."
Others on the list including Taylor Swift, Pope Francis, Ellen
Johnson-Sirleaf, Mark Zuckerburg, and more.
--GistReel
Obama Visits Bob Marley's Museum in Jamaica
Jamaica and Panama where he is expected to discuss energy and security
issues.
Obama is a fan of the reggae legend,Bob Marleyand he decided to visit
the singer's museum in Jamaica on Tuesday night, April 8, 2015.
Obama told the museum guide Natasha Clark,"What a wonderful tour...I
still have all the albums."
Bob Marley's family transformed the singer's property into a museum
complete with a well-equipped 80-seat theatre, a photographic gallery,
and a gift shop selling T-shirts, posters and CDs and other Bob Marley
memorabilia.
Goodluck Jonathan And Sambo Pays Condolence Visit To Douglas Family
April 9, 2015.
President Goodluck Jonathan, Vice President Namadi Sambo and former
Governor Alamiyeseigha paid condolence visit to Oronto's family.
Seyi Law, Bovi Make Jokes Of Oba Akiolu's Threat To Igbo
growing numbers of Nigerians to make a joke of the threat issued by
Oba Rilwan Akiolu to Igbo residents in the state.
The Oba of Lagos has urged the Igbo residents to vote for his anointed
candidate, Akin Ambode of the All Progressives Congress, APC or get
ready to be drown in the lagoon within seven days.
Seyi Law and Bovi took to their instagram pages to post hilarious
pictures in reaction to Akiolu's threat.
Thursday 9 April 2015
The Changing Political Calculations In Lagos
determine where the pendulum of victory will swing tomorrow.
Since 1999, Lagos state has remained a political enclave of the
opposition; from the Alliance for Democracy (AD) to Action Congress
(AC), Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and now All Progressives
Congress (APC) as opposed to the People's Democratic Party (PDP) at
the federal level.
Ahead of Saturday's election, there are permutations that the state
may be ruled by the ruling party at the centre as from May 29, 2015,
if APC wins the governorship election. Major-General Muhammadu Buhari
(retd), APC's presidential candidate won the penultimate Saturday's
presidential polls. The closeness of the polls shows that Lagos State
is for the first time experiencing its closest political battle since
1999.
The PDP won a record six seats in the House of Representatives from
the state two weeks ago.
The APC lost the Federal Constituencies in Amuwo-Odofin, Ojo,
Oshodi/Isolo, Surulere I and Ajeromi/Ifelodun to the PDP while Accord
party, an unknown party in Lagos, trounced the APC in Mushin. The
greatest shocker was the emergence and victory of two Igbo candidates
namely: Mrs. Rita Orji (Ajeromi/Ifelodun Federal Constituency) and Mr.
Tony Nwulu (Oshodi/Isolo Federal Constituency both of which are
members of the PDP.
Between 1999 and now, factors that seem to have changed the political
landscape of Lagos include the population figure which has moved from
about nine million in 1999 to 18 million in 2015.
Lagos is considered to be a cosmopolitan city which consists of
several ethnic nationalities most of who now see Lagos as their home
and want their presence felt since they live and contribute their
quota to the development of the state.
--Vanguard
Tinubu Blasts Party Leaders Over Loss To PDP
of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed disappointment
over the loss of five House of Representatives seats to Peoples
Democratic Party, PDP, in the March 28th, presidential and National
Assembly elections.
Tinubu stated this at an emergency stakeholders meeting to review last
election and strategize for the Saturday governorship and state house
of assembly election, held at APC Lagos Secretariat, Ikeja.
Those in attendance at the meeting were: State Chairman of the party,
Chief Henry Ajomale, Senator elects, Oluremi Tinubu, Gbenga Ashafa and
Olamilekan Adeola, Demola Seriki, all state party leaders among
others.
According to Tinubu, who reeled out some of the results across the
local government areas in the state, "You, the party leaders have
disappointed us. For the first time, we lost five House of
Representatives seats to the opposition party, this is unacceptable, a
huge disappointment.
Though in politics you win some you loose some You have failed. So
there is no excuse to fail this time.
"Also you did not come out in large number, were you afraid.? You have
no cause to be afraid as adequate security is on ground to protect you
and your property. So don't be intimidated by their sporadic shooting
of guns meant to scare you away from doing your civic right. The Hausa
communities had a very good and encouraging turn-out, we expect better
performance this time."
Tinubu who lambasted the leaders for failing to adequately mobolise
the people, including party agents across the wards, charged them to
redeem their in-action or be changed according to the slogan of the
party.
He stressed that despite APC confidence to continue in the state, the
party can not afford to miss it again in the next election as its too
risky to leave Lagos in the hands of those without experience.
--Vanguard
Ajimobi Appoints 9ice As Special Adviser
appointed as the Special Adviser to the governor of Oyo state, Abiola
Ajimobi, who is seeking a re-election on Saturday.
The Gongo Aso crooner joined All Progressives Congress, APC and
contested for the ticket of the party for the Ogbomosho Federal
Constituency but was defeated at the primary.
His appointment was announced on Twitter, although, his primary
assignment to the governor is unknown as at now.
--Vanguard
Lawmakers Mandate Chief Judge To Set Up Panel To Investigate Fayose
directed to set up a seven-member panel to investigate allegations of
constitutional breaches by the state governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose.
The directives was contained in the resolution passed at plenary by
the 19 lawmakers of the All Progressives Congress of the House of
Assembly.
According to the factional Majority Leader of the House, Churchill
Adedipe, the lawmakers held the sitting in a public building in Ado
Ekiti, the state capital due to the security issues at the State
Assembly complex.
It had earlier been reported that the sitting took place in one Mary
Hill High School in Ado Ekiti, but the Principal of the school,
Bolanle Fasuan, told Channels Television that nothing of such took
place there.
ImoDecides: How APC Plans to Stop Rigging "There Will Be Casualties"
around as elections approach and the case is no different in Imo
state.
The governing party, the All Progressives congress (APC) has alleged
that the opposition, the Peoples Democratic Party is planning to rig
the April 11 governorship and House of Assembly elections in the
state using 'fake soldiers'
Director-General, Rochas Okorocha Campaign Organisation, Mr.
Iheukwumere Alaribe, raised the alarm and alleged that his party was
aware that the PDP allegedly plans to rig "just like it did during the
presidential and National Assembly elections"
He continued that, "the PDP has decided to use fake soldiers to
achieve its devious motives on Saturday. This time, they want to make
sure that no electoral materials get to the designated polling
centres. They have been bringing thugs into Imo State. If you go to
the rural communities right now, you will find strange people there."
Alaribe further noted that there were irregularities during the last
elections, especially in Ohaji- Egbema, Isu, Oru-East, Isiala-Mbaino
and Oguta Local Government Areas, where ballot boxes and other
electoral materials were allegedly carted away from the polling booths
and non registered people used as ad-hoc staff by the Independent
National Electoral Commission in Imo.
He added that the APC was determined to ensure the PDP did not
perpetrate such electoral malpracticeson Saturday. The campaign
manager failed to mention how the APC intends to forestall the alleged
plot rather he said "there will be casualties in Imo" if the PDP
allegedly tries to rig Alaribe stated, "If what happened last time
repeats itself during the governorship elections, there will be
casualties in Imo State."
The APC campaign director added that not less than 20 members of the
PDP had defected to the ruling party.
--
Imo Guber: Why We Should Vote Ihedioha
Written by OSONDU Nwachukwu
It is now quite clear that Imo State and indeed all the other states
in the South East and South South regions are predominantly PDP. This
is so because the zone recorded an impressive turn out for the party
in the last presidential and national assembly elections. In Imo State
in particular, the PDP got eight out of the 10 federal constituencies
while it swept all the three senatorial seats in the state. That is,
PDP won 11 out of the available 13 federal seats in the state. No
matter how you look at it, the clear testimony is that Imo State is a
PDP enclave. Taking the stake higher, the people of Imo State made it
abundantly clear that we are governed by the APC by accident as,
despite the fact that the sitting governor is of APC stock, we still
voted massively for the PDP presidential candidate who polled over
half a million votes as against the APC candidate who garnered only
few votes above 130,000.
Based on the situation of political inclination, the APC is now
campaigning here that it will not do Imo State any good to vote for
the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, candidate of the PDP in
this Saturday's election as it would expressly put the state on an
opposition to the APC led government at the centre. But, I must say
that this frankly, a needless propaganda because the APC government of
Governor Okorocha in Imo State was, first, APGA and later, APC, all
opposition parties to the then PDP national government in Abuja. Even
at that, states like Osun, Edo, Lagos and few others have been ruled
by APC, opposition party to the former PDP in Abuja and their people
were happy with them. Therefore, it is out place for Okorocha and his
group to now tell us that "it is not good to put Imo State in the
opposition".
Having secured an overwhelming majority in the National Assembly in
the last election, it is now evidently clear that Imo State is a PDP
zone and it is only normal and natural that we once more vote PDP's
candidate in this Saturday's governorship election. I equally urge our
people to cast their votes for PDP in the House of Assembly elections.
The reason for this is very simple. With Imo PDP members dominating
National Assembly seats in Abuja, it will be for the good of the state
to have a PDP governor and a state House of Assembly predominantly
dominated by PDP members. This will guarantee peace, harmony and
understanding and the state will grow and develop.
Lastly, among all those contesting for the governorship election, the
PDP candidate, Ihedioha is certainly the best qualified and the most
suitable. He has been consistent since 1992 he joined politics even as
he has been having a meteoric rise since 1998 when the current
democratic dispensation. He has since served two Senate presidents and
a Vice President. In 2003 he contested and won a seat to represent
Aboh Mbaise/Ngor Okpala in the Federal House of Representatives where
he was Chairman, House Committee on Marine. Returning four years
after, he became the Chief Whip and, as his people retuned him for the
third time because of his effective representation, he was unanimously
elected the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly where he has
severally performed duty as a Presiding Officer. It is from this
standpoint that Ihedioha is seeking to be elected as the Imo governor.
From every indication, the road appears set for his victory this
Saturday and we, the PDP family in Imo State, are wishing him well.
Osondu, a PDP chieftain, writes from Umuhu in Aboh Mbaise
Buhari's Ministers List: New Details Emerge
presidential poll, intensive internal campaigning has started over the
formation of the cabinet of the president-elect, Muhammadu Buhari.
Though some candidates have been marked down for definite offices, the
selection of those to fill the sought-after "juicy" positions may not
be an easy task, as powerful party members and others who gave Buhari
support from outside the APC are pushing their own nominees.
According to Daily Post, the former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)
governor, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, may have been offered the
Ministry of Finance in the Buhari government by the ex-president
Olusegun Obasanjo.
Soludo was a member of the economic team for the Obasanjo government
prior to becoming the governor of the CBN.
Many APC leaders are said to be against him. One of the reasons is
that Soludo remains a card-carrying member of the All Progressive
Grand Alliance.
The other is that it was under Soludo that the banking sector almost
collapsed, a situation confirmed by the former CBN chief and Emir of
Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, a loyal supporter of the APC.
The former Lagos state governor, Bola Tinubu, is considered also to be
strongly against Obasanjo's recommendation.
Sources say he had in fact agreed a contract with Buhari prior to the
APC presidential primaries regarding appointments to ministerial
positions.
Tinubu is said to have drafted an agreement with Buhari, to which the
president-elect added his signature.
According to the accord, the former Lagos governor will name nine ministers.
Some of the positions are said to comprise Petroleum, Finance, Works,
Federal Capital Territory and Interior.
It is for this reason that Tinubu opposes Soludo as minister of finance.
Soludo is reported to have been persuaded by Obasanjo to accept the nomination.
Tinubu is now reportedly pulling the strings for President-elect
Buhari's transition team. Buhari is expected to constitute his
transition team which will consist of politicians and private sector
players that will enable his smooth takeover from the leaving
President Goodluck Jonathan government.
--NAIJ.COM
Obasanjo Tried To Bribe Me With N150m --Ihedioha
Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo state, accused former president Olusegun
Obasanjo of trying to bribe him with N150m for nis third term bid.
Meanwhile, Ihedioha said that he denied the offer because of
Obasanjo's "forthrightness."
He was speaking to All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) supporters
at a reception organised by the party's candidate for Owerri Federal
Constituency, Honourable Dan Ikpeazu.
Ihedioha expressed gratitude to the people for welcoming him, and
promised them that with his links and connections within and outside
Nigeria, he would give sound leadership devoid of discrimination.
He said: "Anybody who knows me would know that I am not the
discriminatory type, if I don't believe in something, I will let you
know why I don't believe in it.
Ihedioha also called on APGA supporters to put sentiment aside and
vote for him in the incoming governorship poll on April 11, as he is
the only candidate that has the chance to overcome the current
governor Rochas Okorocha of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He said he had been constituent, righteous and firm in his entire
political career, continuing that if they voted for him to become the
state governor, he would rule with the fear of God. Ihedioha added
that Imo state and the South East in general were lucky that he became
deputy speaker of the House of Representatives to enable that Ndigbo
still stayed relevant in the decision-making of the nation.
He praised Ikpeazu, APGA standard bearer for Owerri federal
constituency, for his forthrightness, adding that the former Imo House
of Assembly member shared the same traits with him. Speaking earlier,
Ikpeazu praised Ihedioha for coming to address his supporters, adding
that his only interest was how to unseat the incumbent Governor
Okorocha.
The meeting, which attracted other PDP leaders, saw APGA members
firmness to support Ihedioha in the forthcoming governorship poll.
It should be noted that Obasanjo has repeatedly said he would comply
with the constitution, which limits presidents to two four-year terms.
--NAIJ.COM
S-East PDP Caucus Resolves To Remain In Opposition
at the residence of the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike
Ekweremadu, in Enugu and resolved to remain in opposition in the
emerging new political dispensation to be piloted by the
President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari (retd), effective May 29,
2015.
The party's leadership in the zone made it clear that it had no regret
voting en masse for their party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
"As a zone, the South East delivered all their votes to the PDP and we
are proud to do so,'' the party said.
In attendance at the meeting were Governor of Abia State, Theodore
Orji, Minister of State for Defence, Col. Augustine Akobundu (retd);
Senator Hope Uzodinma, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Senator Gil Nnaji,
the host, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, among others.
They, therefore, used the opportunity to thank all members of the PDP,
including the governors, stakeholders and the people of the zone, for
working tirelessly and voting massively for the party during the last
elections and urged them to remain loyal and do the same on Saturday.
Addressing newsmen shortly after the closed door-meeting, the group's
spokesman who is also the National Vice Chairman of PDP South East,
Col. Augustine Akobundu (retd), said they were resolute in remaining
in the party and not contemplating defecting to other political
parties.
His words: "Everything that we need to do to deliver the goodies that
our people deserve in the zone, we can bring through a very solid
platform of negotiation.
''We voted for a party that integrated us into the mainstream of
Nigerian politics, elected/appointed our people into strategic
offices, and addressed some of our major infrastructural challenges.
So, we took a principled position and accept full responsibility for
our political choices."
--Vanguard
Fire Outbreak Will Not Deter Us From Conducting Elections --Imo REC
Ada, on Wednesday said despite the fire outbreak at the commission's
office at Nwaoriubi in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of the state
last Sunday, the commission will still go ahead with the conduct of
the governorship and state assembly elections slated for Saturday,
April 11, 2015.
Speaking to our correspondent in Owerri, the REC said the commission
has taken delivery of some non-sensitive materials from the
headquarters in Abuja, adding that they have also secured a caravan
which will be used as a temporary office for Saturday's elections.
He, however, said they are still expecting some sensitive materials
which will be dispatched to the local government as soon as they get
to their office in Owerri to ensure that elections go on smoothly
without any hiccups in the area come Saturday, April 11.
Mr Ada insisted that the card reader machine will be used more
effectively during Saturday's election and any place where the card
reader malfunctions, elections will be shifted till the next day to
ensure that elections in the state is free and fair.
Mr Ada also added that the commission has already worked on the lapses
and challenges faced in the last elections and remained optimistic
that this coming elections will be successful.
He further noted that the commission is giving a level playing ground
for all the political parties, warning all politicians to play by the
rules and warn their supporters to desist from any form of ballot
snatching or act of rigging that will discredit elections in the
state.
--ChannelsTV
Ohanaeze Drags Oba Akiolu To Human Rights Commission
Akiolu to drown Igbo in Lagos if they failed to vote his candidate,
Akinwumi Ambode, of the All Progressives Congress,
APC, in Saturday's governorship elections in the state, Igbo groups in
Lagos have dragged the Oba to the National Human Rights Commission,
NHRC.
Ohanaeze-Ndigbo Lagos and Igbo Justice Congress in petition to the
Executive Secretary of NHRC, Prof. Bem Angwe, called for the
intervention of the Commission to forestal the threat by Oba Akiolu.
The petition by Innocent Arinze for Ohaneze Ndigbo and Arinze Ugwu for
Igbo Justice Congress, reads:
"The entire Igbo in Lagos State seeks your intervention to forestall
the threat by HRM Oba Akiolu, the Oba of Lagos to drown all Ndigbo in
Lagos State inside the Lagoon if they failed to vote his candidate,
Ambode of the APC Lagos.
--VANGUARD
F/Eagles Captain 'Vanishes' From U-23 Camp
U23s in Abuja without informing coach Samson Siasia or any other
official of the team.
"Musa has left the camp without telling anybody of his where about,"
Siasia told media in Abuja when asked about the skillful right back.
"But I can assure you that there is no cause for alarm because we have
enough players that can deliver the goods here. The boys just need to
play to instructions in the return leg in Lusaka and we will pick the
All Africa Games ticket, I am confident of this," he said.
It was also gathered that the Flying Eagles skipper allegedly left for
Germany on Friday night in the company of his agent cum manager, Abbah
Mohammed, who once managed former Golden Eaglets striker, Christantus
Macaulay, to seal a deal with an unknown club.
The source also frowned at the way the player left the camp after
being officially released by the Nigeria Football Federation to join
the U23 national team together with four players of the Flying Eagles
namely Mustapha Abdullahi, Taiwo Awoniyi, Benard Bulbwa and goalkeeper
Dele Alampasu.
The other four players have been dazzling at training while Siasia,
despite trying to hide it, was very disappointed with the player for
not consulting him before making the trip.
Sources in the Dream Team camp also disclosed that the coach had taken
huge interest in the defender and had already tipped him to man the
right back position for the team in Lusaka because of his productive
display and his good crosses.
But the coach has now given the player up till today to show up in
camp or forget about being a member of the team.
Musa Abdullahi was one of the early arrivals to the Dream Team when
the five Flying Eagles players were drafted into the U-23 side.
Obasanjo Meets Elechi Over Ebonyi Governorship Election
Martin Elechi of Ebonyi State met for over two hours on Wednesday on
issues bordering on Saturday's governorship and state House of
Assembly elections in the state.
It was learnt from sources in the state that the meeting, which held
at the Government House in Abakaliki, the state capital, had only two
of the governor's aides in attendance.
But a source close to the governor denied knowledge of such meeting,
saying, "I heard Obasanjo was in Ebonyi State to visit his in-laws,
but I am not aware that there was a meeting between him and the
governor in the Government House."
However, a former commissioner confided in Punch correspondent that
the former President, whose son's wife hails from Elechi's hometown in
Ikwo Local Government Area, did not want his visit to the governor to
be made public.
However, the former commissioner stated that Obasanjo's visit to the
state was aimed at stopping the governorship candidate of the Peoples
Democratic Party and the incumbent Deputy Governor, Mr. Dave Umahi,
from emerging victorious in Saturday's elections.
He said, "Obasanjo is not pleased with the kind of treatment being
meted out to his contemporary and friend, Elechi, by the PDP. He is
not pleased that Elechi's candidate and a former Minister of Health,
Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, was denied the Ebonyi PDP governorship ticket.
"He is also not pleased with the crisis that has engulfed the state in
general since after the ill-fated Ebonyi PDP primaries and has come to
ensure that Elechi's wish prevails."
It will be recalled that while Elechi is still a member of the PDP and
supported the re-election bid of President Goodluck Jonathan, his
aides defected to the Labour Party where they were campaigning against
the PDP in other elective positions. They only campaigned for
Jonathan's re-election bid.
However,The PUNCHrecalled that Elechi was conspicuously sidelined at
President Jonathan's campaign rally in Abakaliki recently.
The governor, who has lost control of the PDP structure in his state,
was not given an opportunity to speak at the rally, which held at the
Abakaliki Township Stadium.
Meanwhile, in a live broadcast to the people of the state on
Wednesday, Elechi warned against manipulation of Saturday's elections.
--PUNCH
PDP Condemns Buhari's Apathy To National Issues
The Peoples Democratic Party has expressed deep concerns over the
alleged indifference of the President-elect, Maj.Gen. Muhammadu Buhari
(retd.) to what it described as burning national issues threatening
the unity and stability of the country.
The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Olisa Metuh, said this in a
statement in Abuja on Wednesday.
Metuh said, "While well-meaning Nigerians and the international
community are celebrating the peace fostered by the patriotic action
of President Goodluck Jonathan in conceding defeat, Buhari and his
party, the APC have been moving around the country instigating
division, engineering crises and heightening tension in the polity.
"Whereas Buhari had assured Nigerians that he would be the President
of the entire nation and not of a political party, his actions in the
last one week show otherwise as he has continued to display
sectionalism and insensitivity to matters inimical to the survival of
our democracy and well-being of Nigerians.
"Instead of settling down to plan a smooth transition and design ways
of deepening democracy in appreciation of the mandate given to him,
General Buhari has tacitly encouraged his men to foment crisis and
cause panic in the bid to muzzle personal freedom and impose a reign
of terror in the land."
For instance, Metuh alleged that Buhari had remained indifferent "to
the crisis in Ekiti State where majority of the lawmakers who are all
members of the APC have been planning to impeach Governor Ayodele
Fayose."
Metuh added, "The APC's ambition in Ekiti coupled with its odious
triumphalism in the aftermath of the presidential election have led to
avoidable confrontations and near breakdown of law and order in the
state as the people rise to defend the mandate freely given to the
PDP.
"It is indeed unfortunate that while his men are causing crisis and
threatening Nigerians, General Buhari, instead of cautioning them,
displays his insensitivity by jetting around the country campaigning
for his party.
"If this sort of insensitivity and arrogance of victory are foretaste
of what to expect in a Buhari presidency, then our dear nation and its
people are headed for a long trek in the wilderness."
Meanwhile, Metuh in reaction to reports of defection from its fold,
described the defectors as political trojans, who from within have
ceaselessly worked against the interest of the party and now fear that
they would face sanctions for their actions.
Stating that the party would not miss such fair-weather members, Metuh
commended the courage and steadfastness of all its supporters and
members who had remained committed to the PDP.
--PUNCH
Ifeanyi Ikpoenyi Fires Back At Kunle Afolayan For Insulting Igbos
to Twitter to curse out Igbos whom he blamed for piracy of Nollywood
films.
Film maker,Ifeanyi Ikpoenyi doesn't care as he has fired back at the
ace award winning movie producer.
Read below:
"I almost ignored Kunle Afolayan's useless tweets about Igbos being
the only Pirates in Nigeria because to me, Kunle is just an over rated
Nollywood film maker. He's not better than Izu Ojukwu, Teco Benson,
Obi Emelonye, Chineze Anyaene to mention but a few.
"The secret of Kunle is his DOP Yinka Davies who does everything for
him and at the end of the day Kunle will just come and announce
'action'... Give him another local DOP and see if Kunle is worth all the
praises his kinsmen showers on him.Kunle should thank Peace Anyiam
Osigwe for giving him the platform of AMAA as a pedestal to limelight.
Trust me, if Kunle walks the street of Onitsha, Aba, Enugu or any
where outside yoruba land, not even one person will recognise him as a
celebrity. I will rather worry myself with the Oba's threat to Ndi
igbo than spend one second of my time thinking about Kunle's senseless
tweets about the Igbos.
Ifeanyi Ikpoenyi (Mr Hollywood).
--INFORMATION NIGERIA
Wednesday 8 April 2015
Corps Members WiII Receive N13,000 For Governorship, House Of Assembly Polls --NYSC
who participate in the conduct of Saturday's governorship and state
house of assembly elections will receive N13,000.
The NYSC Director of Press and Public Relations, Mrs Olubunmi
Aderibigbe, in a statement on Tuesday explained that each corps member
is entitled to N13,000.00 comprising N9,000.00 (honoraria), N3,000.00
(transportation) and N1,000.00 (feeding).
She also debunked the false information making the rounds that the
allowance due to corps members that participated in the 2015 general
elections was N53,500.00.
The statement reads in part, "The attention of the NYSC Management has
been drawn to an online publication misinforming corps members that
the allowance due to them for participation in the 2015 General
Elections is N53,500.00. The originator of the false publication is
also mobilizing them to shun the next election on 11 April unless this
total sum is fully paid.
"Our preliminary investigation has so far indicated that this
publication did not emanate from our corps members and it is a
mischievous circulation by some unscrupulous elements to discourage
Corps members from participating in the next election for whatever
reasons best known to them.
"To correct the misinformation, management hereby wishes to put the
record straight for public awareness and restate to corps members in
clear terms their true entitlement for the elections. The allowances
for each corps member is as follows:
"Training allowance of N4,500 only paid directly by INEC to corps
members for the training held before elections.
"For each of the two elections, a corps member is entitled to
N13,000.00 only, which breaks down to N9,000.00, N3,000.00 and
N1,000.00 for honoraria, transportation and feeding respectively. This
implies that for the two elections, the total allowance due to each
Corps member is N26,000.00 only".
The statement added that the fund for the allowance was approved by
INEC and remitted directly into each of the NYSC state secretariat's
account a week before the presidential and National Assembly
elections.
It further disclosed that N13,000.00 for the presidential and National
Assembly elections had been fully paid and urged corps member who
could not receive the payment to make complaints through the approved
channels.
"Also, Management has directed that the N13,000 allowance for the 11
April Gubernatorial and State Assembly Elections should be paid in
advance by all NYSC State Secretariats latest by Friday 10 April
2015", it added .
The NYSC, however, warned that corps members, who opted out after
receiving the advance payment for participation in Saturday's polls,
would forfeit their April 2015 monthly allowance.
One Feared Dead In Ekiti Anti-Impeachment Protest
at Itawure near Efon-Alaaye in Ekiti State as anti-impeachment
protests by persons believed to be loyal to Governor Ayo Fayose
entered the second day.
The police is yet to confirm the death as all attempts to speak with
the Police Commissioner, Taiwo Lakanu by Vanguard was not successful.
Olaiya, one of the protesters was said to have been hit by a stray
bullet when a bus conveying the 19 All Progressives Congress (APC)
lawmakers in the assembly were coming from Osun State and the
protesters blocked the road to prevent access to the state capital,
Ado-Ekiti. He died at the hospital he was rushed to by his
co-protesters.
Meanwhile, there were anti impeachment protests in various parts of
the state yesterday, while leadership of the labour movements
including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress
(TUC), the Joint Negotiation Council (JNC) and the Nigeria Union of
Local Government Employees (NULGE) mobilising their members to the
assembly to prevent the APC lawmakers from impeaching the governor.
According to Vanguard, aside Ado Ekiti, protests were equally held
simultaneously in major towns of Ise, Emure, Efon Alaaye, Iworoko,
Aisegba, Ikere, Ogotun Igbemo, against the attempt to impeach Fayose
from office.
Police commissioner, Taiwo Lakanu, had since deployed Armoured
Personnel Carriers and personnel to all the affected towns and
troubled spots, while the House of Assembly complex was sealed off by
heavily armed policemen, who kept vigil in the place.
Reacting to the impeachment move by the APC lawmakers, deputy
governor, Dr Kolapo Olusola, expressed confidence that the governor
will triumph over his enemies in the state.
"This Egyptian war led by APC will be defeated. Governor Fayose did
not elect himself, but the people put him there. This is just a
passage and it will go by the grace of God. I want to assure you that
we will see this war against an anointed man no more in few days
time", the deputy governor said.
Enugu Election Day Blast: Police Discover Bomb Factory --IG
Explosive Devices that caused explosion in Enugu State during the
March 28 elections.
The Inspector-General of Police, Suleiman Abba, disclosed this on
Tuesday in Abuja before a closed-door meeting with senior police
officers to strategise on security for the April 11 elections.
Mr. Abba said three suspects had been arrested in connection with the incident.
"The investigation into the incident has reached advanced stage; we
have identified even the factory where those IEDs were manufactured",
Mr. Abba said.
"I think that alone is a big success".
Bomb explosion occurred at WTC School 1 polling unit in Enugu on the
Election Day.
The blast was said to have caused pandemonium as people, including
INEC staff and voters, ran for safety.
Two other bombs also were said to have been detonated by the anti-bomb
squad of the state Police Command.
--NAN
Gabon To Host AFCON 2017
edition for the Africa Cup of Nations on Wednesday.
Ivory Coast are the defending champions after winning the tournament
for a second time in Equatorial Guinea in February this year.
The announcement came shortly before the draw was made.
Even If I Am The Last Man Standing, I Will Remain In PDP --David Mark
if it means he is the only one standing. In a statement he released to
mark his 67th birthday today April 8th, the Senate President said all
those who are currently defecting from the party are fair weather
friends.
"If I will be the last man standing, I will remain in PDP, defectors
are fair weather friends," the statement in part reads.
Oba's Threat: Igbos Are Ungrateful To Lagos --Gov Rochas Okorocha
The Imo state Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha has thrown his support
for the Oba of Lagos, who threatened Igbos residing in Lagos of Death
inside Lagoon if they fail to vote the APC Lagos Governorship
candidate, Ambode, whom he claimed he hand picked for the position.
According to report by Hope-for-Nigeria, Okorocha speaking to the
press in Imo state capital, Owerri, after Buhari's visit defended the
Oba of Lagos and pointed out that the Oba of Lagos was not totally
wrong in insisting that Igbos must vote Ambode .
He went further to echo that "Igbos should not portray themselves as
ungrateful people, the only way they can show appreciation is by
massively voting for APC the party that has protected their lives and
properties over these years.
"The Lagos state government led by APC has the capacity to make life
unbearable for all Igbo traders and resident in Lagos if they so wish.
So you see, the Oba was figurative in his speech not necessarily that
Igbos will be drowned in Lagoons" the governor added.
--www.thenigerianvoice.com
for the Oba of Lagos, who threatened Igbos residing in Lagos of Death
inside Lagoon if they fail to vote the APC Lagos Governorship
candidate, Ambode, whom he claimed he hand picked for the position.
According to report by Hope-for-Nigeria, Okorocha speaking to the
press in Imo state capital, Owerri, after Buhari's visit defended the
Oba of Lagos and pointed out that the Oba of Lagos was not totally
wrong in insisting that Igbos must vote Ambode .
He went further to echo that "Igbos should not portray themselves as
ungrateful people, the only way they can show appreciation is by
massively voting for APC the party that has protected their lives and
properties over these years.
"The Lagos state government led by APC has the capacity to make life
unbearable for all Igbo traders and resident in Lagos if they so wish.
So you see, the Oba was figurative in his speech not necessarily that
Igbos will be drowned in Lagoons" the governor added.
--www.thenigerianvoice.com
High Court Stops MultiChoice From Raising DStv Subscription Fees
injunction restraining MultiChoice from enforcing its increase on DStv
bouquet prices that was supposed to take effect on the 1st of April.
The issue all stems from the annual price increasesthat MultiChoice
has effected in every country where it provides its DStv Pay TV
service. In Nigeria this was represented by a 20% price surge. Locally
prices increasedby at least US$1 for the entry level bouquets and up
to US$5 for the premium package.
There were outcries from a lot of countries across Africa, with
thousands of DStv subscribers in countries like Zambiaactually
starting petitions on social media.
This class action which was filed by two subscribers identified as
Adebayo Osasuyi and Oluyinka Oyeniji, is the first of its kind in
Nigeria, despite threats of similar action from a group of
subscribers back in 2012.
The Nigerian federal court where this case was filed has adjourned
until the 16th of April 2015 when it will hear the case. The outcome
will be for Nigeria only, but if MultiChoice is censured in any way,
this will likely set a precedent in other countries where subscribers
feel shortchanged by increases that MultiChoice has always justified
as necessary for the delivery of quality content.
FG Closes Borders For Governorship Election
from midnight of Thursday to midnight of Sunday for the success of the
governorship election.
Details later.
Poll Outcome May Affect Eligibility Suit Against Buhari
President-elect, Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), to contest in the
March 28 presidential election is to decide on whether or not to
continue pursuing the case after the outcome of the poll.
Buhari, who contested on the platform of the All Progressives
Congress, was on April 1 declared winner of the election, defeating
the incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic
Party.
Chukwunweike Okafor had filed the suit FHC/ABJ/CS/01/15, challenging
Buhari's eligibility to contest in the election before a Federal High
Court in Abuja.
The presiding judge, Justice Adeniyi Ademola, had on March 25, fixed
April 22 for hearing in the suit.
The judge had also adjourned two other similar suits in his court till
the same date.
Many had observed that the suit and other similar ones challenging
Buhari's eligibility could be more vigorously pursued if Buhari won
the election or become an academic exercise if Jonathan was declared
the winner of the poll.
Punch correspondent on Tuesday inquired from Okafor's counsel, Chief
Mike Ozekhome (SAN), who is leading other Senior Advocates of Nigeria
in the legal team, if his client would still be interested in pursuing
the case after Buhari won the presidential election.
The question sent as a text message to Ozekhome's phone had read in
part, "Sir, I want to know if your client is interested in the
eligibility suit against Buhari given the outcome of the election and
President Jonathan's decision to concede defeat?"
Ozekhome in his reply through a text message said, "I will discuss
with my client."
Apart from the suit by Okafor, there are two other suits before
Justice Ademola challenging Buhari's eligibility to contest in the
election.
The plaintiffs in all the three suits want the court to declare Buhari
ineligible to contest in the election on the basis of his alleged
failure to submit his certificate of academic qualifications along
with his Form CF001 to the Independent National Electoral Commission.
--PUNCH
17 Girlfriends Show Up At Hospital After Man Had Accident
him in hospital - and his 17 girlfriends rushed to his bedside.
According to the South China Morning Postreport, the Chinese casanova
is known only as Mr Yuan from the city of Changsha, in Hunan province
and he had apparently been dating all 17 women at the same time,
without their knowledge - he even has a child with one.
However, his numerous affairs were exposed after he was taken to
hospital on March 24 following a car accident when he received
non-life-threatening injuries.
Doctors contacted his 'relatives' and were surprised when 17
girlfriends turned up - although presumably not as surprised as Mr
Yuan.
Changsha newspaper Xiaoxiang Chen Bao reports that the women were also
stunned to discover the truth about their sweetheart.
One of the girlfriends, called Xiao Li, said: 'I've been with him for
a year and a half. [After hearing he'd been in an accident] I cried so
hard I didn't have any tears left.
'I was really worried when I heard that he was in hospital. But when I
started seeing more and more beautiful girls show up, I couldn't cry
any more.'
Xiao says she's now set up a chat forum for all of Yuan's partners and
she's discovered that some of the women had been supporting him
financially - one of them for nine years.
Wang Fang, the mother of Yuan's child, said: 'We've already had a son
together. What can I do now? I don't love him any more, but I do love
my son.'
Another girlfriend, Xiao Ting, said she thought Yuan had been her 'Mr
Right' and she had already been planning her wedding.
The hapless casanova's story has now been shared across social media
sites in China, with some expressing admiration for his multitasking
ability, while others are wondering how exactly he kept 17 women in
the dark.
As for loverboy, the online speculation is the least of his problems -
according to reports, the police have now launched an investigation
into allegations of fraud.
Talk about a car crash. This guy na proper job man..lol!
--Metro UK
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