Nigeria Fines MTN $5bn For Failing To Disconnect Unregistered Subscribers

Nigeria's Communications Commission, the country's telecommunications
regulator, has issued mobile phone firm MTN Nigeria, with a $5bn
(£3.5bn) fine for failing to disconnect subscribers with unregistered
Sim cards bought before January 2012.

From that date anyone buying a SIM card in Nigeria has had to register
it under their name by law.

Phone companies were told to register their existing customers' SIM
cards, which MTN Nigeria – the biggest telecommunications firm in
Nigeria – has failed to do.

The fine is the largest in the history of telecom infringements in
Nigeria and may redefine the relationships between telecommunications
operators and the regulator.

Nigerians continue to complain about poor services from mobile network
operators and blame the regulators for not doing enough to solve the
problem.

A senior executive at MTN Nigeria tells me that the company will issue
a statement on the fine later today.

--BBC

FIFA Presidency: No Nigerian Nomination Submitted As Deadline Ends

All the talk of a Nigerian Presidency of the Federation of
International Football Associations (FIFA) yesterday ended like hot
air blown into a balloon, with the deadline for
submission of nomination expired last night, with neither Segun
Odegbami nor Orji Uzor Kalu submitting their forms, as at press time.

The two Nigerian gladiators, the former, a 1980 Nations Cup winner and
the latter, a two-time Governor of Abia State, had in the last couple
of months been involved a two-way battle to get the nod of the Amaju
Pinnick-led Executive Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation to
run for the biggest office in world football.

Since it became clear that Sepp Blatter's successor would emerge at an
extraordinary congress next February 26, the race for the plum job has
assumed an intense and frenetic pace, with many self-professed
football buffs entering the fray, with little or no understanding of
the dynamics involved to aspire for the position.

While the NFF had earlier hesitated to back Odegbami and Kalu, it
later buckled, with reports that it endorsed Odegbami, who we however
gathered as at press time, was yet to file his nomination with FIFA.

As at the filing of this report, only seven candidates had submitted
their nominations, with UEFA supporting a 'holding' application from
its general secretary, Gianni Infantino.

Sports Vanguard reports authoritatively that Odegbami and Kalu might
have fallen off the way because of the qualification demands, which
comprise a minimum of five written endorsements from national football
federations plus a declaration of a role in the game in two of the
past five years.

Besides the submission of their nomination forms, all aspiring
contenders will have their submissions put through an integrity test
by the Ethics Committee before being confirmed, formally, as
candidates to stand to succeed Blatter on February 26.

For clarification purpose, the seven hopefuls vying for Blatter's
position include Prince Ali bin Al Hussein of Jordan, Musa Bility, who
is the President of the Liberian Football Federation, Jerome
Champagne, Gianni Infantino, who is the General Secretary of UEFA,
David Nakhid, a one time Trinidad international, Michel Platini, who
is the suspended President of UEFA and Tokyo Sexwale, a South African
businessman and head of FIFA's Palestine-Israel Monitoring Commission.

However confusion surrounded a planned candidacy from Asian
Confederation head, Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa of Bahrain,
with suggestions that he might have been advised to step back after
last-minute negotiations because of his alleged role in the detention
and torture of footballers and other athletes in a Bahrain crackdown
in 2011. But Sheikh Salman has always denied the claims.

The Nigerian no-show is bound to be a bizzare end to a late-minute
foray into the global politics of world football by Odegbami and Kalu,
who had hitherto been advised to withdraw their intentions because of
their perceived lightweight status.

They were expected to have toed the way of the likes of Zico, David
Ginola, Ramon Vega who all withdrew from the race after earlier
declaring their intentions to succeed Blatter.

Interestingly, Zico, who like Odegbami, is a Brazilian legend, on
seeking the support of his own Brazilian confederation, was told it
would back him only if he could first find four other countries
willing to nominate him, which sadly he was unable to find.

-Vanguard

NCC Withdraws ‘Data Floor Price’ For Telecoms Operators

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on Monday said it has
withdrawn the "data floor price'' for operators in the
telecommunications industry.

"Floor price'' is a government or group-imposed price control or the
limit a price can be charged for a product to check unhealthy rivalry
among players.

In a statement in Lagos, the commission said that the withdrawal was
in a bid to ensure sustainability, growth and development of the data
service market segment.

"However, the commission will restore the floor price if any
distortion is observed within the market segment,'' it said.

NAN reports that with the withdrawal of the price, telecommunications
industry now has the permission of NCC to charge subscribers lower
than the set lowest industry prices.

The regulatory body had in May 2013 imposed a price floor on
telecommunications operators in the country as a means of controlling
anti-competitive behaviours by operators considered to have attained
the dominant status in the industry.
Such anti-competitive behaviours include charging calls within their
networks much lower than what they charged for calls terminating on
other networks.
With this, the operators might just be setting up calling clubs – a
practice where subscribers just call those within the network of their
own service providers.

-Vanguard

Rivers Assembly Speaker, 20 Other Lawmakers Sacked By Tribunal

The Rivers State Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Abuja
yesterday nullified the victory of 21 out of the 32 members of the
state House of Assembly.

Top on the list of the sacked legislators is the Speaker of the State
House of Assembly, Hon Owaji Ibani from Andoni constituency.

The nullification of the Rivers lawmakers came barely two days after
another tribunal nullified the election that brought Governor Nyesom
Wike into power as the state governor.

The tribunal cited cases of irregularities and violence among other
electoral malpractices which warranted the nullification of the
lawmakers' election.

Other constituencies where PDP candidates' elections were nullified
are Gokana, Eleme, Obio/Akpor I and II, Eleme, Etche II, Opobo/Nkoro,
Akukutoru I and II, Asari Toru – and II, Bonny, Tai, Onelga I, Degema,
Khana Iand II, Port Harcourt II and Ikwerre.

The tribunal further directed that fresh elections should be conducted
to fill the vacant seats.

The tribunal ordered fresh elections to be conducted in the 20 constituencies.

But the elections of the PDP candidates were upheld by the tribunal in
11 constituencies which are Oyigbo, Etche I, Omuma, Ogu-Bolo, Port
Harcourt I and III, ONELGa II, Abua/Odua, Ahoada West, Ahoada East II
and Emuoha.

Earlier in the preliminary stage, the tribunal had upheld the election
of PDP candidate in Okrika constituency.

It is yet uncertain what will happen next since the remaining 11
legislators would not be able form a quorum for the state's
legislative businesses.

But indications have emerged that the affected legislators will appeal
the judgement.

-Leadership

Okorocha Shuts Imo General Hospitals, Doctors, Patients Affected

The Imo State Government, on Sunday, locked up all its General
Hospitals in state with the aid of suspected thugs and chased all the
workers out thereby denying people access to healthcare services.

The affected General Hospitals were in Aboh Mbaise, Umuguma,
Awo-Ommama, Arondizuogu, Ngor-Okpala, Ogwa.

Governor Rochas Okorocha had earlier announced the concession of
health institutions, including primary health centres in the rural
areas, as well as over 17 parastatals in the state.

Daily Times gathered that the state security outfit, the Imo Security
Network, invaded different hospitals and forced every staff and
patients out the hospitals.

When Daily Times visited Umuguma Specialist Hospital, in Owerri West
Local Government Area, on Monday, fracas broke out between the
leadership of the organised labour and operatives of Imo Security
Network, when the labour union officials tried to reopen the hospital.

They later over-powered the men of Imo Security Network, led by former
commissioner for Public Utilities, Dr. Ifeanyi Nwachukwu.

Confirming the incident, the State Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress
(NLC), Mr. Austin Chilakpu, expressed shocked that the state
government could embark on such a move when the Federal Ministry of
Labour through Industrial Arbitration Panel had intervened on the
concession.

He said that the state government was directed to discuss the fate of
workers with the organsed labour and report back for further
discussion.

While Okorocha has embarked on building 27 general hospitals, the
existing state owned hospitals were in the state of despair, while the
state government had, for a long time stopped funding them.

Reacting, the Chairman Task Force on Health and former Commissioner
for Health, Dr. Edward Ihejirika, admitted that the state government
had closed down the hospitals to carry out renovations in them ahead
of the takeover by the concessioneers.

Chairman of the Hospital Workers Welfare Association, Mrs. Ngozi
Onyeaka, said the lock out was as a result of the workers refusing the
concesssioning of the hospitals.

It was gathered that the workers were being owed 12 months' salary,
four months in arrears from 2014 and eight months in 2015.

-DailyTimes

Imo State Governor Names Government Building After Daughter

Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha, has named a government building
after his first daughter, Uloma Nwosu (nee Okorocha).

Uloma is married to Uche Nwosu, a former Commissioner in Governor
Okorocha's cabinet. Uloma Nwosu is the Director General of her
father's foundation, Rochas Okorocha Foundation while her husband who
was the Honorable Commissioner for Land Survey and Urban Planning is
now the state Chief of Staff.

—TheBreakingTimes

Sepp Blatter Endorses Orji Kalu For FIFA President

FIFA president, Sepp Blatter has endorsed former Abia State Governor,
Dr Orji Uzor Kalu's FIFA Presidency ambition.
Speaking in Zurich, Blatter said "the position of the FIFA president
is too important to be left to just anybody. I have heard of some
candidates who want to take over from me. But I find the Businessman
from Nigeria Kalu very qualified and interesting because he is not
only a businessman, but a politician with lots of contacts and
corporate experience. He can bring his great experiences to bear in
the running of world football."

He is passionate about the game. I remember how he sponsored one of
Nigerian clubs to win the CAF championship twice. He is a man that can
take world football to the next level", Blatter told the Swiss Radio
monitored on Sunday.

Blatter said though Kalu had not formally declared his interest, it
was in the best interest of Africa to nominate him because of his deep
passion for the game. "If Africa hopes to win the support of other
federations, then they must queue behind the Nigerian business man.
Football has developed beyond just anybody taking over.

Kalu and Segun Odegbami are the two candidates vying for the post from Africa.

Ile-Ife Gets A New Ooni: Adeyeye Ogunwusi

A new king has been unveiled for the Yoruba town of Ile-Ife, in Osun State.

He is Prince Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi of the Giesi ruling house and a
holder of Higher National Diploma in Accountancy from the Polytechnic
Ibadan. He is 40 years old.

According to a 24 October 2015 statement, entitled "Appointment of a
New Ooni," , "This follows the completion of the due process and the
communication of their (Kingmakers') choice to the government."

Ogunwusi will sit on the throne of Oduduwa, left by Oba Okunade
Sijuade, who died on July 28 2015 in a London hospital.

The statement was signed by secretary to the state government, Alhaji
Moshood Adeoti.

The announcement of a new Ooni followed Friday's judgment by an Osun
State High court dismissing a suit challenging the Ooni of Ife 1980
Chieftaincy Declaration.

Sooko Adegoke and Prince Marcus Adebola Akimoyero on behalf of
Lafogido Ruling House of Ile-Ife, had sued Governor Rauf Aregbesola,
the Obalufe of Ile-Ife, the late Oba Solomon Omisakin and Lowa of Ife,
Chief Joseph Ijaodola over the decision to allow only the Giesi Ruling
House to present a candidate for the stool.

The plaintiffs asked the court to set aside the 1980 Ife Chieftaincy
Declaration which they said was "lopsided, unjust, unconstitutional
and unfair."

Here is the new King's profile, according to his website,
www.adeyeyeogunwusi.com
Prince Adeyeye is best described as an astute entrepreneur driven by
turning 'impossibilities to possibilities'. His power of imagination
has set him aside hence revolutionizing his approach to creativity and
innovation. He is a distinct achiever with the conscience of youthful
excellence.

The ambitious Young Prince with exceptional savvy business ideas
delved into Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) locally
and abroad for over 12 years. He is also actively involved in the
development of over 2,500 housing units with various consortia of
developers within the last 8 years. In Nigeria, He set up and fostered
strong trade relationships through the Association for International
Business (AIB) with presence in over 200 member countries across the
globe. One of the laudable achievements of this body includes the
trade facilitation between the United Arab Emirates (Jebel Ali free
Trade Zone development) and the Federal Government of Nigeria through
the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC).

Furthermore, he led the Government delegation team to Canada in 2002
that promoted strategic alliances through a partnership with the Ondo
State Government on solid mineral potentials of the State (Bitumen,
Dimension Stones, Granite, etc.) that gave rise to the formation of
the 'Amalgamated Mining and Exploration Company Limited' – wholly
owned by Ondo State Government.

He facilitated the development of Sparkwest Steel Galvanizing Plant
(the only Steel Galvanizing Plant in Nigeria), National Iron Ore
Mining Company Limited and Jakura Mines resuscitation projects, which
has eventually become the major limestone feedstock to Obajana Cement
Plant in Kogi State, Nigeria.

Abia Tribunal Annuls Election, Bars APGA From Re-run

THE National and State Assemblies Election Petitions Tribunal sitting
in Umuahia has barred the opposition All Progressives Grand Alliance,
APGA, from participating in a fresh election it ordered in Aba North
State Constituency.

The tribunal has nullified the election of Mr. Emeka Nnamani of All
Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, representing Aba North State
Constituency on the ground that he was ab initio not qualified to
contest the election held on April 11, 2015.

Delivering judgment in the petition filed by Dr. Blessing Nwagba of
PDP challenging the election of Nnamani, the tribunal nullified his
election and ordered a fresh election in the constituency but said
that APGA would not participate in the fresh election.

According to the chairman of the tribunal, Justice Sabiu Yahuza, "the
petitioner, Dr. Nwagba proved the allegation of non-qualification
leveled against the respondent as his name was not in the register of
his Eziama Ward of his party, APGA, and ought not to have participated
in the said election."

The panel however exempted APGA from participating in the re-run of
the election, saying that it would be between the petitioner's party,
PDP, and the other candidates from the other parties that participated
in the April election.

On the allegation that Nnamani forged the certificate of University of
Port Harcourt, the tribunal directed the police to investigate the
matter and prosecute the respondent if found culpable.

It would be recalled that during the trial, the tribunal admitted in
evidence a letter from the Registrar of the University of Port
Harcourt disowning Nnamani as a graduate of the University.

Concentrate On Boko Haram Now, Not MASSOB -- Monarch Tells Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has been urged to stop the clamp down on
members of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State
of Biafra (MASSOB), but should concentrate on how to end Boko Haram
insurgence in the country.

The traditional ruler of Emede Ibeku Autonomous Community in Umuahia
North Local Government Area, Eze Henry Ezekwem, made the call in
Umuahia, and described the clamp down on MASSOB as a misplacement of
priority by the federal government.

Ezekwem was of the view that the government should concentrate on how
to stop the killings, destruction of life and properties of innocent
and law-abiding citizens of the country, which is perpetrated by the
armed Boko Haram group, instead of beaming its search light on the
MASSOB group, which, he said, were agitating peacefully for a cause.

While pointing out that the country was running a democratic system of
government, where citizens had the right to express their opinions,
the traditional ruler noted that unlike the deadly Boko Haram group,
the MASSOB does not pose any threat to human lives as they do not
carry arms to agitate their cause.

"In the North there is Arewa, in the South there is Oduduwa, in the
Niger Delta, we have the militants while in the South East, there is
MASSOB, all crusading for a cause. MASSOB does not pose any threat to
human lives.

"The Federal Government should stop the killing of members of this
group as they are demonstrating peacefully without weapons and
concentrate on ending Boko Haram in Nigeria. If God says he will not
approve Biafra, nobody will question Him".

Meanwhile MASSOB has declared that no amount of intimidation, arrests
and killings would deter NdiIgbo from aspiring for their separate
homeland in the face marginalisation and a concerted effort to
decimate the Igbo people.

Spokesman of the group, Uchenna Madu, said the recent memo dispatched
from the office of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to all
commissioners of Police in the south-east to the effect that members
of MASSOB be apprehended wherever they were found would not hold
water, maintaining that all efforts to suppress the group would amount
to a waste of time and resources of the government.

Full Text Of Governor Wike’s State Broadcast After Tribunal Ruling

My dear people of Rivers State

It is with a profound sense of concern and responsibility that I
address you over the judgment of the Rivers State Governorship
Election Petition Tribunal delivered on Saturday, October 24, 2015,
purportedly nullifying my election and return as the duly and lawfully
elected Governor of our State.

2. We all know that on April 11, 2015, Rivers people in their millions
joined the rest of the country and enthusiastically participated in
electing their Governor and members of the State House of Assembly.

3. Apart from the reported malfunctioning of the card readers supplied
by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which placed
no advantage on any of the contestants, the election took place
throughout the State and was adjudged both by local and international
observers to be largely peaceful, transparent, free, fair and
credible.

4. Following the success of the election, I was returned as duly and
lawfully elected by the INEC, having satisfied all the necessary legal
requirements.

5. However, following the petitions by my friend, the APC
gubernatorial candidate and his party, and despite the woeful failure
of the Petitioners to discharge the burden of proof with respect to
their contradictory, wild and false allegations against the conduct of
the election, the State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal
nullified my election on the basis of INEC's alleged infraction of its
administrative guidelines on the use of card readers.

6. It is common knowledge that INEC's card readers malfunctioned
throughout the country in the 2015 general elections. It is also
common knowledge that wherever the card reader malfunctioned, manual
accreditation, which is the only process, recognized by the current
Electoral Act, was used to accredit voters all over the country.

7. So far I am not aware of any State where the election was postponed
as a result of failure of card readers. Furthermore, the Court of
Appeal in Agbaje v Ambode clearly stated that the partial or non-use
of card readers is not the basis for the cancellation of an election.

8. Yet, against all legal odds and the grains of logic, the Tribunal
in its wisdom decided to accord undue legal weight to the straw of
statements around the use or non-use of card readers to support its
decision in the face of a hopelessly bad case of the Petitioners.

9. As we all know, our judicial system is built on the doctrine of
hierarchy of courts in which lower courts are bound by the decisions
of courts higher in hierarchy on the same or similar issues. It is
therefore strange for the Rivers State Governorship Election Tribunal
to arrive at a decision that negates subsisting judgments of the Court
of Appeal or the Supreme Court.

10. Being an implacable believer in the majesty of our judicial system
as the last hope of the common man, I have implicit confidence in the
ability of the appellate courts to correct the mistakes of the
Tribunal and right the wrong that has been done to our collective
psyche and aspiration.

11. Accordingly, I have since instructed my team of lawyers to
immediately commence the appeal process and have the decision of the
Rivers State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal upturned for
good.

12. At this point, I appeal to all our supporters across the state and
beyond to remain calm and go about their legitimate duties in a
peaceful manner. There is no cause for alarm.

13. By virtue of the Constitution and the Electoral Act, I am still
your Governor and will remain your Governor until the exhaustive
conclusion of the appeal process at the Supreme Court.

14. Therefore, be assured that your mandate, which you freely gave to
the Peoples Democratic Party and my humble self, is intact, safe and
secure. God will not allow your mandate to come to naught.

15. I wish to thank the people of Rivers State for the unwavering
support I have enjoyed from you since the beginning of the struggle to
this moment. I am highly humbled with the show of solidarity from all
and sundry and in particular, the confidence in our ability to move
the State forward, and the overwhelming satisfaction with what we are
already doing as our government to reposition the State.

16. I wish to further assure you that my team and I will not be
distracted by this minor irritation. We shall remain focused on our
vision and continue to deliver on our fundamental promises on
improving security, massive development of infrastructure and
socio-economic empowerment in Rivers State.

17. Finally, be assured that by the special grace of God, we shall
ultimately prevail over our adversaries, retain our mandate and return
the glory to God Almighty our Maker and Refuge.

18. Thank you and May God continue to bless Rivers State.

Obasanjo Escapes Death In Road Accident

Exactly ten years after he lost his wife, Former President, Chief
Olusegun Obasanjo, escaped death by the whiskers , Saturday, while
travelling to Lagos State.

Vanguard reports that the incident occured shortly after Obasanjo left
Abeokuta after he had participated in the church programme in honour
of his late wife, Mrs. Stella Obasanjo who died ten years ago.

It was further gathered that, the former President had hurriedly left
the programme to attend 80th birthday ceremony of pool magnate, Sir.
Kesington Adebutu in Lagos.

According to an eyewitness one of the rear tyres of the Jeep in which
he was travelling in burst on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway,few metres
away from the Sagamu-interchange.

Obasanjo was said to have alighted from his vehicle to join another
one in his convoy, and headed straight to Adebutu's church service.

The former president had since jetted out of the country.

-Vanguard

About 50 Heavily Armed Soldiers Deployed To Wike’s Residence

About 50 heavily-armed soldiers mounted a blockade around the family
residence of the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic
Party, PDP, Barr Nyesom Wike as early as 6am today.

Vehicles were thoroughly searched before being allowed to drive
through Wipey Junction, a busy intersection close to the family
residence.

At about 6:40 am the soldiers were seen emptying sand bags from one of
their trucks.

Efforts by Vanguard to take shots was rebuffed by one of the soldiers
who appeared like the head of the troop.

Pedestrians were seen raising their hands as they walked pass the
soldiers who took strategic positions with their riffles.

-Vanguard

How APC, Presidency Influenced Tribunals To Annul Rivers, Akwa Ibom Elections – PDP

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) declares the verdict of the River
state governorship election tribunal sitting in Abuja, which showed
clear bias against Governor Nyesom Wike and the PDP, as completely
bizarre, unacceptable and part of the script by the APC to manipulate
the will of the people.

PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, in a statement on
Saturday said indications to this spurious judgment had months ago
been hinted to the PDP, which in turn, alerted the nation and the
international community of the heinous plot by the APC government, to
use the judiciary and various security agencies to reverse the victory
of the PDP in Rivers, Delta, Akwa-Ibom, Taraba and Abia states.

"We invite Nigerians and the international community to recall various
reprehensible steps taken by the APC government that culminated in
this ruling as well as the ridiculous Wednesday's verdict of the
Akwa-Ibom state governorship election tribunal, also sitting in Abuja.

1. The curious and controversial relocation of the elections tribunals
from their states to Abuja without any justification.

2. The constant juggling of judicial officers and members of
governorship elections tribunal in PDP states, especially, Rivers and
Akwa-Ibom states.

3. Constant harassment of judicial and electoral officers involved in
the governorship election cases in these state, using agencies of
government, particularly, the Directorate of State Services (DSS)
under the direct command of a known APC member, Alhaji Lawal Daura.

4. Constant threats, intimidation and coercing of witnesses against
the PDP in the tribunals.

5. The recent mass transfer of security operatives, especially the DSS
and police personnel that actually participated in the conduct of the
elections in Rivers and Akwa-Ibom, ostensibly to frustrate the course
of genuine evidences in the process.

"The bias in the judgment against the PDP in Rivers as well as
Akwa-Ibom is evidenced in the contradictions inherent in the trial
process of the two cases and the verdicts therein, whereby the
tribunals clearly disregarded standing legal norm that a petitioner
must establish prove of claims.

"Also curious is the fact that after both the petitioner and
respondent agreed before the tribunal that both card reader and manual
accreditations were used for the election, the tribunal still went
ahead to base its decision on issues of card reader.

"While it is convenient to them to use legal technicalities to deny
PDP victory in Imo, Lagos, Ogun and Yobe states, the same rules are
misapplied to wickedly favour APC petitioners in Rivers and Akwa-Ibom
states.

"It is therefore evinced that these contradictions are direct fall-out
of compromises as well as boasts by the APC of being in direct and
remote control of the tribunals. If not, how can one explain the fact
that while governorship elections are being upturned in PDP states, in
APC states, where similar claims and facts are in contention,
elections are being upheld.

"Further proof of bias by the Rivers tribunal is the fact that less
than 24 hours after various counsels submitted nine written addresses
and documents, the tribunal rushed its notice of judgment, an action
ostensibly aimed at ambushing the pending Supreme Court action on the
issue of jurisdiction regarding the relocation of the tribunal outside
River state, which was due to be delivered on Tuesday.

"This is not withstanding the fact that the tribunal has up to seven
days after of receipt of addresses, to deliver its judgment, but chose
instead, to rush to deliver this spurious verdict even on a Saturday,
a development eliciting suspicion that the judgment may have since
been predetermined and written even before the commencement of the
case.

"The PDP calls on all Nigerians and the international community to
note this growing manipulation of the judiciary by the APC government,
a factor which portends great danger to our democracy and the
stability of our country.
"Nigerians would want to recall that under the PDP-led government with
former President Goodluck Jonathan's commitment to the tenets of
democracy as encapsulated in the safeguard of 'one man one vote' and
the independence of the judiciary, the PDP conceded electoral defeat
in Edo, Anambra, and Imo states without attempting to collect victory
through executive manipulation of the judicial process.

"The PDP restates unequivocally that this judgments must not stand in
view of the prevailing inherent contradictions, in addition to the
huge threat they portend to our democracy and national stability.

"Finally, the PDP charges all lovers of democracy, particularly our
members in Rivers and Akwa-Ibom state not to be daunted, as these
judgments will not stand the test of the law and the will of the
people. We therefore reassure that the PDP will do all within the
ambit of the law to resist this criminal attempt by the APC to steal
and thwart the will of the people.

-Vanguard

Tribunal’s Judgment Is Not The Verdict Of God -- Wike

Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers said on Saturday that the he will appeal
against the nullification of his election by the Election Petition
Tribunal.

Wike disclosed this to newsmen at the Port Harcourt International
Airport, Omagwa, shortly after arrival from Abuja.

He said as a lawyer, he was not supposed to criticise any judge for
whatever opinion the judge had.

" So, what I can say is that the tribunal has given it own verdict,
but we know that by the special grace of God, that is not the verdict
of God.

" Nobody can take your mandate, " he said.

According to Wike, our lawyers are going on appeal, we are going to appeal.
He said if need be, the case would get to the Supreme Court.

The governor said he was convinced that he had a good case and that in
Lagos, one of the grounds that the PDP governorship candidate went to
court was the issue of card reader.

"So, I want to urge you to be calm and be peaceful; I am still the
governor of Rivers State.

"Our lawyers are going on appeal; we are all going on appeal. There is
also the Supreme Court. We believe that we have a good case, " he
said.

-Vanguard