Why Jonathan Was Defeated – Babangida

Former military president, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, on Tuesday said President Goodluck Jonathan lost the presidential election to Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress, APC, because Jonathan failed to meet the yearnings and aaspiration of Nigeria’s citizens. In a congratulatory message titled: “Buhari deserves this victory” and which he personally signed, Babangida said the country had witnessed a downward trend and wanted a leader who would salvage it. He said Nigerian politicians had a lot of lessons to learn from the election and Buhari’s victory saying one of this was that an incumbent could be defeated if he did not do well as President. Apart from this, he said there was a lesson to learn from Buhari’s perseverance after he had lost three previous elections. “I have just finished watching the proceedings of the declaration of results of the March 28, 2015 elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission and the emergence of my friend, professional colleague and former Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari as the President-elect. “Let me, therefore, formally congratulate General Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives’ Congress for this well-deserved victory. “This victory to me conveys two significant statements on our political history and evolution. First; that incumbents can be defeated in any democratic process if the people’s aspirations are not fulfilled. Second, that there is good reward for perseverance and hard work. General Buhari has been very consistent in pursuing his political aspiration. In fact, he reminds me of President Abraham Lincoln of the American fame, who was very dogged in pursuing his political aspiration and enriched the contents of democracy in America. General Buhari lives true to his military calling by remaining very consistent, resilient and courageous right from 2003 till date. This enviable feat to me further enriches our democratic process and matures us into the top echelon of nations where democracy has taken firm root. That President Jonathan has indeed conceded defeat and congratulated the President-elect is also cheering news. “Let me also congratulate other presidential candidates of the other political parties, especially Mr. President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan for putting up a good fight in the elections. I wish to also commend the Independent National Electoral Commission, for conducting such a free, fair and transparent election despite all the initial hitches and challenges. The beauty of democracy is that it is an on-going process that gives room for improvement, provides opportunity to make amends, and affords the people the opportunity to make a statement with their ballots during elections. “With this election and its outcome thus far, Nigeria has once again recorded another milestone in her march through the enviable ladder of democracy. Our leadership role in Africa will further be enhanced by the way and manner we manage the gains of this process. But I trust that the President-elect will live up to the expectations of many Nigerians that crave for change; and lift Nigeria to greater heights. I wish to implore the President-elect to reach out to other contestants in the spirit of one Nigeria, as he settles down for the task of leading this nation in the next four years. Your victory has no doubt broken the barriers of ethnicity and religious inclinations; two sensitive issues that undeservedly dominated the campaigns. I am confident that this victory will usher in a new perspective in our political history and development. “On behalf of my family, accept from me, our hearty congratulations,” the statement read. Meanwhile, Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has congratulated the Presidential candidate of the All progressives congress Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd,,) on his victory in the presidential poll, charging him to fight corruption and carry out reforms in different sectors. The congratulatory message was made available to our correspondent at Abeokuta on Tuesday following Buhari victory in the March 28 presidential election. Obasanjo, who noted that so much harm had already been done to many national institutions, including the military, however, advised him to be magnanimous in victory. He said, “With so much harm already done to many national institutions including the military, which proudly nurtured you and me, you will have a lot to do on institution reform – education, healthcare, economy, security, infrastructure, power, youth employment, agri- business, oil and gas, external affairs, cohesiveness of our nation and ridding our land of corruption. “Your varied and wide experience will undoubtedly stand you in good stead.” The former president said the country “is blessed with men and women of goodwill, character and virtue across the board that you can mobilise to join hands with you in the reform, repairs and re-direction that will be imperative to put Nigeria back on the fast lane of good governance, unity, cohesiveness, development and progress.” Obasanjo noted that Buhari’s victory, after three previous unsuccessful attempts, must be a great lesson to himself and for all politicians, particularly in Nigeria. He said, “For me, the totality of 2015 elections hold many lessons for our democracy and democratisation process, which are both maturing. “On this occasion, the system has been unnecessarily overheated before and particularly during the campaigns when emphasis was more on trivialities and hate, divisive, undignifying and disrespectful statements and comments rather than on pressing issues requiring attention. “I know that in victory, you will be magnanimous to start binding the wounds and bitterness occasioned by the campaign and the evil disciples.”

The journey so far on election results

Nigeria‘s main opposition on Tuesday claimed victory in the country’s tense general election, as its candidate, former military ruler Muhammadu Buhari pulled ahead of President Goodluck Jonathan. Asked if the All Progressives Congress (APC) was claiming victory over Jonathan’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), spokesman Lai Mohammed told AFP: “Yes. “This is the first time the opposition has voted a government out of power in Nigeria‘s history,” he added. Muhammadu Buhari pulled ahead in Nigeria‘s tense general election on Tuesday, stretching his lead against President Goodluck Jonathan with eight results to come in. Declarations from 28 states plus the Federal Capital Territory of Abuja put Buhari’s lead over Jonathan at just over 1.5 million votes, with the remaining states in his northern heartland. Buhari’s All Progressives Congress (APC) had 16 states while Jonathan’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was on 12 plus the Federal Capital Territory.

More results coming

General Muhammadu Buhari (retd) of the All Progressives Congress was on Monday morning announced the winner of the March 28 Presidential elections in Kogi State. The State Collation Officer, Prof. Adikwu Michael, who is the Vice Chancellor of the University of Abuja, made the announcement at the State headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Lokoja in the early hours of Monday. Gen. Buhari polled 264,851 of the total votes cast – 439,287- to defeat President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party, who had 149,987 votes. The collation, which began on Sunday evening and ended around 4am on Monday morning, saw Buhari win in 15 of the 21 Local Government Areas of the state to poll 60.3 per cent of the total votes while Jonathan could only manage victory in six Local Governments and has 34.1 per cent of the votes cast. APC won with high margins in most of the LGAs with Okene, Lokoja, Adavi, Kogi-Koton Karfe and Okehi accounting for the highest margins. Okene gave APC 34, 293 votes as against the 3, 728 votes for the PDP, LOkoja accounted for 24, 658 votes against 5, 112 for PDP, Adavi had 22, 659 votes for Buhari and 7, 767 votes for Jonathan, Kogi-Koton Karfe voted 15, 358 in APC’s favour and 2, 735 for the PDP while Okehi had 17, 801 votes in favour of the retired General while they gave President Jonathan 5, 808 votes. The PDP however won with slim margins in the five LGAs they had with the highest margin coming from Ibaji Local Government, where they had 13,885 votes to the APC’s 6, 076 votes. The other Local Governments won by the APC include; Ogori-Magongo, Idah, which is the hometown of Senator Ahmadu Alli, a PDP chieftain, Mopa Moro, Dekina, the LGA of the state Governor, Idris Wada of the PDP, Olamaboro, Ofu, Ajaokuta, Yagba East, Ankpa and Ijumu Local Government Areas. The other four LGAs where the PDP won are; Yagba West, Igalamela/ Odolu, Bassa and Omala. Of the 1, 348, 956 voters registered in the state, 476, 839 were accredited to vote while 439, 287 votes were cast with 17, 959 of them rejected. The event was witnessed by the agents of the two major political parties, the Kogi State Commissioner of Police, Adeyemi Ogunjemilusi, the Director of the Department of State Security in the state, Mr Fubar, among others. In Osun state, INEC announces results of presidential polls in all 30 Local Government Areas in Osun State: APC wins 28 LGAs while PDP wins 2 (Ife East and Ife Central) Total votes: APC – 383,603; PDP – 249,929. In Jigawa state, The All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari has beat President Goodluck Jonathan by a rather comfortable margin. Declaring the presidential election result, the returning officer – Professor James Ayatsa – who is the Vice Chancellor of Federal University Katsina, announced that General Buhari scored 885, 988 while President Goodluck Jonathan scored 143, 904 votes. Similarly, the APC won all the three senatorial seats contested in last Saturday general election in Jigawa state.

Presidential Elections Result coming

The results of the presidential election in 11 out of the 27 local government areas in Imo State collated on Sunday in Owerri, capital of the state, show that President Goodluck Jonathan, who is the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, is clearly leading his main opponent, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Major-Gen Muhammadu Buhari (retd.). The collated results were from Ideato North, Isiala- Mbaino, Isu, Obowo, Ohaji-Egbema,. Okigwe, Owerri Municipal, Owerri West, Nwangene, Oru East and Ideato South LGAs. Jonathan polled a total of 210,022 votes to grab the lead ahead of Buhari, who had 50,977 votes. The latter won in Ideato South, Governor Rochas Okorocha’s home LGA, by 12, 128 votes as against Jonathan’s 6,406 votes. In Edo, As the collation of results of the presidential election continues, the Peoples Democratic Party has won the poll in seven Local Government Areas in Edo State. Edo has 18 LGs. At the INEC office in Benin where the collation of results continued into the early hours of Monday, at Igueben the PDP led with about 6,854 votes while the All Peoples Congress followed with 5,692 votes. In Esan Central, PDP polled 12,003 votes while the APC polled 7,688 votes while in Etsako Central, PDP led with 10,365 votes while APC won 8,152 votes. At Esan North East, PDP led with 19,440 votes while APC polled 6,151 votes. At Etsako East, the PDP polled 13,071 votes while the APC polled 9,788. At Esan West, the PDP polled 19,600 votes while the APC polled 9,578 votes. At Ikpobaokha, PDP polled 31,373 votes while the APC garnered 18,527 votes while at Owan East, the PDP polled 12,121 votes. The APC polled 12,925 votes. Present at the collation were the agents of all the political parties, which took part in the election, as well as the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mike Igini, and State Collation Officer, Prof. Falade Orunwense. who is also the Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin. In Plateau, President Goodluck Jonathan’s Peoples Democratic Party is coasting to victory in Plateau state following results released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Of the 17 local government areas in Plateau, Jonathan has won in the nine councils, beating the All Progressives Congress candidate by 277,811 to 58,502 votes.

Oyegun loses ward to PDP in Edo

National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Chief Odigie-Oyegun, lost his ward to the People’s Democratic Party in Saturday’s Presidential elections. Two units made up Ward 2 of the Staff Training School at GRA Benin; the APC lost in both units. At Unit one, the PDP polled 95 votes in the presidential election while APC polled 78 votes. The party also polled 94 votes in the Senatorial election while APC polled 85 votes. In the House of Representatives, the PDP polled 95 votes while the APC polled 80 votes. At unit two where Oyegun cast his vote, the PDP polled 88 votes in the Presidential election while APC polled 65. For the House of Rep, PDP polled 79 votes while APC polled 75. Elsewhere, The Senior Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan on School Agriculture, Dr. Baraka Sani, on Saturday in Kano escaped death from the hands of suspected political thugs, who prevented her from voting. The incident happened at Jigriya Ward in Dakatar Quarters, Nasarrwa area of Kano State, when Baraka was attempting to cast her vote but was prevented by the thugs, who hauled missiles at her. According to an eyewitness account, the thugs on sighting Baraka started chanting: “Ba muayi, ba zaki ye zabe ba,” meaning, “We are not with you and will not allow you to vote.” In the ensuing fracas, which lasted for over 10 minutes, two of Baraka’s aides sustained injuries and were rushed to a nearby hospital for medical attention. The thugs hauled pebbles at the President’s aide before a good Samaritan came to her rescue, as she was shielded and escorted from the scene of the incident to a waiting black Honda Pilot Jeep, which zoomed off immediately. Sani, who rushed back home and mobilised a combined team of security operatives, comprising the Army, Air Force, Directorate of State Security and the Police, who accompanied her to the polling unit where she eventually cast her vote amidst tight security. Narrating her ordeal, Sani asked, “Is that the kind of change Nigerians are yearning for, where Nigerians would be denied their constitutional right? Is this the kind of change that women will be summoned before the ICC? “Is this the kind of change that the opposition is denigrating women that they will never again participate in the political process, limiting their freedom of expression, freedom and constitutional right?”

Fayose delivers Ekiti for PDP, wins 14 in 14

Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti state has put his money where his mouth is, by delivering the 14 local government area where results were released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) this morning. Fayose who has played a massive hate game against General Muhammadu Buhari, presidential candidate of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) was not even accredited and could not vote. But results from Ekiti shows that he delivered for his party, Peoples Democratic Party and President Goodluck Jonathan. There are results from two local governments yet to be released. Meanwhile Presidential election results from seven out of the 20 local government areas in Ogun State were released by the Independent National Electoral Commission,INEC in Abeokuta today. The seven local government councils released so far are; Ijebu Ode,Sagamu,Odeda,Remo North,Obafemi- Owode, Ewekoro and Imeko-Afon. The INEC headquarters was jam-packed with journalists as the results were read out. The journalists had earlier gathered at the Centenary Hall,Ake,where the results for both the Senatorial and House of Representatives elections will be declared. From the released results so far, All Progressive Congress won in four councils while the Peoples Democratic Party,PDP won in the remaining three. The four local government areas won by the APC are; Ijebu Ode with 14,043 to PDP 8,972. Total valid votes in the area was 23,473 with voided votes recorded 1,160. Others are Obafemi-Owode with 15,207 votes for the APC and 5,786 votes for the PDP. Valid votes in the area were 21,708 and the voided votes were 897. Also the APC won convincingly in Odeda local government with 11,102 votes to 4,456 votes of the PDP. Total valid votes was 16,152 with 775 votes voided. The last local government won by APC from the results released so far is Ewekoro local government with 9,626 votes while the PDP polled 3,227 votes. Valid votes were 13,189 and the void votes was 504. The Peoples Democratic Party,PDP won in Imeko-Afon, the local government of the governorship candidate of the party in the State,Prince Gboyega Nasir Isiaka. The PDP polled total votes of 12,153 votes to 7,657 votes won by APC in the area. The valid votes in the area is 20,466 with 1,122 votes voided. The other two local government councils won by the PDP are Sagamu with 17,263 votes and Remo North with 9,278 votes. All Progressive Congress,APC scored 15,761 votes in Sagamu and 6,164 votes in Remo North local government areas. So far, Buhari has polled 79,560 votes to Jonathan’s 61,135 votes. From feelers from the headquarters of INEC in Abeokuta,it was gathered that the All Progressives Congress,APC has won two of the three Senatorial seats and six Federal House of Representatives seats.

Remi Tinubu, Obanikoro win polling units

The lawmaker representing Lagos Central Senatorial District, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, won her Polling Unit 34, Ward 9, |Ikoyi. She scored 105 while her Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) challenger polled 21 votes. At the same unit, the APC won the House of Representatives with 103 votes to PDP’s 16. APC also had 106 votes in the presidential to PDP’s 25. Minister of State Foreign Affairs, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, also delivered Ward 8, Polling Unit 012, Eti- Osa Local Government to the PDP. In the presidential election, the PDP had 151 votes to APC’s 86. In the senatorial election, it was 147:83 in favour of of PDP and 147:78 for the House of Representatives. Tinubu, Fashola deliver Also Senator Bola Tinubu delivered his unit 047, Sunday Adigun Street, Ward C, Alausa, Ikeja as APC candidates defeated their opponents at the polls. The counting at the ward started around 5 pm by the National Youths Service Corps, NYSC, INEC staff. Total number of people accredited was 891 and total number of voters was 723 while the total number of voided votes was 15. Presidential results were as follows: APC, 180; PDP 55; APA 1, and KOWA 2. Senatorial: KOWA 2; PDP 53; APC 181; and House of Reps: KOWA 1; AD 1; PDP 53 and APC 178. At Ward G-3, State Senior Secondary School, Itolo, Surulere, where Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State voted, the results were: Presidential (APC 317, PDP 135); Senate (APC 318 , PDP 129) and House of Reps (APC326 and PDP 114). The result in Unit 005, Nobest, Council area, Egbe-Idimu Local Council Development Area, LCDA, Alimosho for Presidential. APC 220 and PDP 137, House of Reps, PDP scored 140, and APC 209, while the Senate recorded APC 213, PDP 139. At Unit 039, Ifako, APC with 100 votes won the presidential poll while the PDP polled 50. Bode George loses polling unit to APC Former Deputy National Chairman of the PDP, Chief Olabode George, lost his 001 Evans Street, Lagos Island, polling unit to the APC by one vote. For the presidential poll, the PDP scored 108 votes to APC’s 109.

Fayose, Tinubu’s in-law win at polling units

Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, led the Peoples Democratic Party to massive victory in his polling unit at St. David Primary School, Afao Ekiti. The results indicated that PDP polled 189 to APC 24 in the presidential election. For the Senate, PDP again won by 181 votes to APC’s 25 while it is PDP 185 to APC 21 in the House of Representatives election. Serving member of the House of Representatives and candidate of the All Progressives Congress for Ekiti Central Federal Constituency II, Oyetunde Ojo, also recorded victory in his polling unit. Ojo, who is married to Folashade, the daughter of the APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, won in Ward 004 unit 004 in Erinjiyan. Presidential election: APC 71, PDP 45; Senate: APC 73, PDP 41 and Rep: APC 80, PDP 32. The State Publicity Secretary of the APC, Taiwo Olatubosun, also ensured victory for the party in his ward in Igbimo Ekiti with the following result: Presidential election: APC 115, PDP 73; Senate: APC 114, PDP 74 and Rep: APC 106, PDP 75. Elsewhere, the result of PU 005 of Sabon-Pegi ward in Numan, #Adamawa state: President; PDP - 189, APC – 38; Reps: SDP - 126, APC- 34, PDM - 20, PDP – 43; Senate: PPN - 6, APC - 37, PDM - 143, and PDP – 52” #NigeriaVotes

Card reader failure: INEC okays manual accreditation

The INEC has given approval for its officers to accredit voters manually after being sufficiently satisfied that the Permanent Voter Card belongs to a prospective voter presenting it. In a statement by INEC’s Chairman, Information, Voter Education and Publicity Committee, Dr. Chris Eyimoga, on Saturday, the commission said this step was informed by the level of challenges encountered in the Saturday elections to accredit prospective voters. Iyimoga said, “The Commission has, therefore, decided as part of the Guidelines for the Conduct of the 2015 general elections that in Polling Units where card readers have so failed to work, the Presiding Officer shall manually accredit voters by marking the register of voters, upon being satisfied that the person presenting a Permanent Voter’s Card is the legitimate holder of the card.” Meanwhile Kunle Adewale, a son of the Olu of Epe, and five others drowned on Saturday in a river after their boast capsized. It was learnt that Kunle, who is a Director in the Lagos State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, is the first son of the Olu of Epe, Oba Shefiu Adewale, who ascended the throne two years ago. Our correspondent learnt that Kunle and a local government chairman aspirant, Mr. Muiz Bello, as well as four others had gone to cast their votes for the All Progressives Congress when their boast suddenly capsized on their way back. A close source said, “It is indeed a very sad day. We were all together in Epe early in the morning and we ate together. After some time, they said they registered at a polling unit across the river. “About five hours later, we heard that he had died. We still don’t know how it all happened.” Confirming the incident, the state Chairman of the APC, Chief Henry Ajomale, said it was unfortunate. Ajomale prayed for the repose of their souls, adding that they died as honourable men. The APC boss said, “It is very unfortunate and we pray that the Almighty God grants them eternal rest and gives their families the strength to bear the loss. They died as honourable men, who fought for the progress of this country.” Ajomale lamented the voting process, adding that as of 8pm in Oshodi/Isolo Local Government Area, voting was still ongoing. He said, “INEC should have been more prepared because in many places, voting is still ongoing at this time (8pm) while in some places, there were no INEC officials.” Ajomale, however, maintained that he was confident that he would be able to deliver his ward to the APC even though it is an Igbo dominated area. Elsewhere, The Gov. of Rivers State Chibuike Amaechi and the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state are trading accusation following the irregularities recorded in some LGAs in Rivers state. Although, the INEC has said it will conduct fresh election, Today, in those areas that faced technical hitches. This is basically those units that had technology failure from the card reader machine. On the same development, all the elections in Opobo/ Nkoro was been also postpone to today. Governor Chibuike Amaechi has decried poor conduct of the election in the state. He has accused the Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Dame Gecila Khan of trying to rig election in favour of his Bayelsa brother, President Goodluck Jonathan in Rivers. He accused the Khan of sending fake result sheets to some LGA in the state, adding that result sheets were not sent to some wards at all. Meanwhile, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Gecila Khan has debunked the accusation saying Amaechi is whipping up sentiment. She said no report about result sheets has been communicated to her at the time of this report.

PDP in early leads in Ekiti

For unrin,Odo Igede Ward 007,Igede Ekiti in Irepodun / Ifelodun Local Government Area of the state For the presidential PDP has 116,APC 44,while the Labour Party recorded 2 votes Senate PDP 116 ,APC 40 LP 1 House of Representatives PDP 104,APC 55 At Ward 004,Idi Uto polling unit,Ikole Ekiti in Ikole Local Government area of the state Presidential PDP 93,APC62 Senate PDP 97,APC 64 ,Rep PDP 86 APC 60, At Aafin polling unit,Ikoe Presidential PDP 79,APC 44 Senate PDP 82,APC41 House of Rep PDP 77,APC 42 Meanwhile the All Progressive Congress candidate for the House of Representatives has defeated the Peoples Democratic Candidate at the two polling units located within the precincts of the Presidential Villa. In the polling Unit 021, the APC candidate polled 255 votes while the PDP candidate polled 254 votes. In the second polling unit 022, the APC candidate got 334 votes while the PDP candidate came second with 241 votes. The votes for the senatorial candidate is still being sorted at the time of filing this report, in lugbe, the result of 2 voting points out of the 3 voting point in Government Secondary school, Lugbe, Abuja 1st voting point: Reps: PDP 60, APC 39, APGA 37, LABOUR 3. Senate: APC 47, PDP 77, APGA 17, SDP 1, invalid 3. Presidential: APC 47, PDP 91, IDC 1, SDP 1, APGA 4. 2nd voting point: Reps: Labour 5, APC 34, APGA 23, PDP 58, Invalid 2. Senate: APC 32, APGA 10, PDP 82. Presidency: APC 33, PDP 90, . Elsewhere Former deputy national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Olabode George lost his PU001 Evans Street, in Lagos Island, Lagos State to the All Progressives Congress, APC, by one vote. The outcome of the presidential polls declared by the Electoral Officer, showed that the PDP scored 108, while the APC pulled 109. Presidential polls PDP – 108 APC – 109

Sambo delivers polling unit, defeats APC

Vice President Namadi Sambo, after several defeats at his polling unit by opposition party, trounced the All Progressives Congress at his new polling unit in the Saturday’s presidential and National Assembly elections. In the 2011 general elections, Sambo was roundly defeated in his polling unit, ward and local government. However, in the Saturday’s polls, the Returning Officer, Olorufemi Raphael, while announcing the result at the Kabala Doki Ward 5, Police College polling unit 11, said PDP polled 105 votes, APC 20 votes, NCP 01, and while APA 01. The Vice President had earlier, on the eve of the Saturday’s election, relocated his polling unit from Link/Camp Road to swimming pool road by the Kaduna Police College fence. The result of the wards and the Kaduna North LGA were still being awaiting as of the time of filing this result. Elsewhere Some armed thugs have reportedly hijacked ballot boxes on Ayilara Street in the Mushin area of Lagos. INEC officials told presmen that the thugs, after snatching the ballot box, emptied them in the gutter. We learnt that the House of Reps and Senatorial ballot materials were affected, hence residents could not vote. An official said, ,”They came in a car. They also carried bottles and cutlasses. As soon as they hijacked the boxes, they poured them(papers) into the gutters and ran away in their car. “We tried to salvage those papers, but we could not conduct the elections. because we did not know if they took some of the papers away. “But we were able to conduct the presidential election since it was only the house of reps and senatorial ballot boxes that were hijacked.” The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, Kayode Aderanti while commending the officials for their courage, promised to beef up security in the area. In Ogun state, The Presidential and National Assembly elections in Ogun State held, Saturday was peaceful with little skirmishes in various parts of the state. The All Progressives Congress seems to be in early leads in some polling units so far as at the time of filing this report . At ward 11, polling unit 2, Olusomi’s compound in Sokori, Abeokuta, where Obasanjo cast his vote, APC won with wide margin. Also, at Ajura ward 4 in Obafemi-Owode where Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun cast his vote, APC won with wide margin. Meanwhile, some candidates of Senate and House of Representatives in the state as well as some politicians and electorates were disenfranchised following their inability to obtain Permanent Voter Cards. Some of the candidates who were disenfranchised include, APC Senate candidate from Ogun Central, Lanre Tejuoso , APC House of Representatives candidate, Mikhail Kazeem and former Special Assistant to former President Obasanjo on women affairs, Chief Mrs.Titilayo Ajanaku. Others who could ot vote were all electorate in ward 11 unit 21 as officials of Independent National Electoral Commissions failed to show up. Also at ward 10 unit 1 and 2 in Abeokuta North out of 704 registered voters only 18 people had PVCs and were allowed to cast their vote. At Ward 15, Unit 13 Polling Centre, Omida, Abeokuta, Buhari polled 118 votes, while Peoples Democratic Party got 47. Again at Ward 1, Unit 8, Ilawo Abeokuta North Local Government, Buhari polled 129, as againt Jonathan’s 28. At Ward 1, Unit 4, Buhari scored 129, while Jonathan managed to get 14. Also, results coming in from National Assembly elections, showed that APC candidates have defeated most of the PDP candidates; for example at Ward 15, Unit 13, for House of Representatives, APC candidate scored 49, while PDP candidate scored 16 and Social Democratic Party (PDP) polled nine. For the Senate, APC scored 49, PDP 21 and SDP 7. At Obasanjo’s ward, APC polled 98 as against PDP’s 8 and SDP 12 for the House of Representatives seat. For Senate, APC got 93, PDP 8 and SDP 15. At Ward 1, Unit 8, Ilawo, Abeokuta North local government, for the House of Representatives, APC scored 125 as against PDP’s 27. For the Senate, APC polled 126, PDP 28, SDP 3 and Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), got 1. At Ward 1, Unit 4, Abeokuta North, for the House of Representatives, APC scored 126, PDP 17, while SDP got 5. For the Senate, APC polled 116 as against PDP’s 21 and SDP 9. Reports from many part of the state, indicated that the APC was leading in almost all the centres. The race was however, neck to neck between APC and PDP in Ijebu area of the state. The election was peaceful, as there was not major incident recorded so far. The former president, who spoke shortly after he was accredited by electoral officers at African Grammar School polling unit, Ward 11 in Abeokuta North Local Government of Ogun state, said that the election ” is a constitutional issue and every four years whether for all elective officers in Nigeria, we must go through this ritual”. He added: “What I have gone through is very okay, they checked my card, my finger print and they said it was okay and that I should come back and vote.” Ashimu Argungun, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Southwest zone, also said: “The election is perfectly alright, the election is going on smoothly, not only here, as you know, I am DIG Ashimu Argungun in charge of the Southwest for the election, almost from Lagos down to here and other Southwest, things are going on perfectly as expected, everybody is conducting themselves in line with the dictates of the election exercise. “In terms of peace, everything is going on peacefully, I can rate the level of peaceful conduct at 9+ per cent, even above that, in terms of peace even everywhere I visited, no fight, no argument of whatsoever.” In Ogun state, security agencies, including Army, Police, Civil Defence, SSS and other paramilitary were seen at every strategic points and polling units manning INEC sensitive materials and supporting electoral officers at polling booths, although there were some good numbers of men of Nigerian Army barricading major roads and streets, especially entry and exit roads in major cities of the state. Large turnout was witnessed almost every where in Ogun state despite heavy rain in Ado-Odo/Ota and some part of Ijebu in Ogun east, but defied rainfall and went to cast their ballots in a very peaceful manner, just as the observers were even ‘jobless’ since there were no strong challenges to attend to. Although, some challenges were encountered in some polling units in Ado-Odo/Ota, Abeokuta, Ilaro, Owode, Ijebu-Igbo, Ijebu-Ode, Sagamu among others as a result of malfunction and slow pace of card readers, INEC was however beat the situation as alternatives were provided in form of incidence forms to ease the voting processes in the affected areas. But, findings in Ijebu-Igbo in Ijebu in Ijebu North local government area of the state was worrisome as voters were sighted collecting N2, 000 for each vote cast in virtually all the polling units visited were indicated that voters showed their ballot papers to party agents after casting their votes. The voters were immediately and subsequently directed to another group of about five people who gave them money for voting their candidates. Ijebu-Igbo is the hometown of the Senatorial Candidates of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Buruji Kashamu and Adegbenga Kaka of Social Democratic Party (SDP) A beneficiary, who was also a voter in the axis told news men after voting said he received N2, 000 for voting for PDP candidate. He explained that he was at the voting center purposely to vote for Kashamu and no other candidate adding that they were properly trained on how to get their money after showing evidence of voting.

Elections update: Police arrest man with snatched 300 PVC, others in Ebonyi

A middle aged man, Ozemena Odeta among others have been arrested at Ekawoke Ward in Ikwo local government area of the state while distributing Permanent Voters Cards, PVC allegedly snatched from Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC staff during the last distribution exercise in the area. Addressing newsmen immediately after his accreditation, the state Deputy Coordinator, Goodluck/Sambo Presidential Campaign Organization, Ambassador Franklin Ogbuewu stated that the suspect disappeared from the community after stealing the cards but resurfaced during the election. He noted that the suspect was arrested by the police when he was allegedly distributing the PVC to voters who agreed to vote the candidate of his choice. According to Ogbuewu, the reports reaching him from different parts of the state has it that the Card Reader failed to authenticate most voters. “I want to inform you that the person that snatched about 300 PVCs from INEC staff during the last distribution exercise has been arrested by the police; you see immediately after the theft, the guy disappeared from the community but resurfaced during the election”. A police source which further confirmed the development added that the police in the area had commenced investigation into the matter to ascertain the involvement of any other suspects Meanwhile The chairman Peoples Democratic Party Taraba state chapter Hon. Victor Bala Kona and 700 others were denied been participated in the presidential and National Assembly election. Victor Bala and the 700 others were denied participation in the election by INEC for not having their names on the voters register even though they were with their PVCs. The Electoral officer of Ardo-Kola local government area, where Victor Bala and the 700 others came from, Mallam Garba Inua confirmed the incident, he also said the hitches occured in three other polling units of the local government. Bala Kona while briefing journalist at his house in Sunkani said he was protesting along side the 700 others for been disfranchised by INEC in an election that matters so much to Nigeria. He stated that after visiting INEC office in Ardo-Kola he also proceeded to Jalingo the state capital to meet with the INEC resident commissioner to register his protest. “I went to REC at Jalingo office of INEC and he has taken the responsibility because there it was confirmed that my PVC is INEC own” “I have to rush back home and calm the situation here because the tension was getting tensed up” “Am disappointed and my people are disappointed with the way we were denied of our civil responsibility” He call on the INEC to find a way for giving him and the 700 others who he claimed they were his relatives to vote for the elections.

Elections update: INEC official, one other killed in Benue

MAKURD – A female adhoc staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, (name withheld) and a commercial motorbike operator were reportedly killed on Saturday morning, along the Obussa-Ebonyi road, in Oju local government area of Benue state. We learnt that the INEC staff had boarded the motorbike to Oju town where she was posted for election duties when she, alongside the bike operator, met their untimely death. According to the source,”they were riding on top speed at about 7:45 when the front part of the motorbike suddenly pulled of leading to the fatal accident and the instant death of the INEC staff. “Though the bike rider survived after sustaining seriously injuries he later died before receiving medical attention.” Reacting to the development, the Public Relations Officer, PRO, of INEC in Benue state, Mr. Louis Ochai confirmed that the deceased official was an adhoc staff who was moving to her place of assignment when the accident occurred. “We have already sent people there to give us a detailed report on the matter for further action. When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Assistant Superintendent, ASP, Austin Ezeani who confirmed the incident said the victims were on election duty when they met their untimely death. “I also want to state that aside this accident, we have not recorded any ugly incidents in the state, so far it has been a peaceful exercise in Benue state.”Ezeani said.

Elections updates: INEC suspends election in Delta community over insecurity

The Independent National Electoral Commission has suspended election in Udu Local Government Area of Delta State after the police said they could not guarantee security in the area. The Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Anidi Ikowak, said in Agbor that some stakeholders in the area did not allow electoral officers to move voting materials to polling units. He said the initial complaint was that they wanted to see the constituency collation form. He said, “But even when the form was brought, they did not still want the materials moved. “So the police had to advise that for security reasons, the election should be suspended.”

Elections update: Gov. Fashola accredited, calls for patience

Gov. Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State arrived at Polling Unit 002 at State Grammar School , Surulere at exactly 10.30a.m. and was accredited at 10.45a.m. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that though the governor’s right thumb failed the thumbprint verification, the right one passed. His wife, Abimbola, son, and some of his aides who came with him to the polling unit, were also accredited minutes after. Fashola, on arrival, joined the long queue of voters waiting to be accredited and stayed on it until it was his turn. Speaking with journalists after completing his accreditation, Fashola expressed satisfaction at the process. He said that he did not have problems getting his PVC verified. ” From my experience here, things seem to be heading in the right direction. People are very orderly as you can see and I have not heard any complaints. “I have been here for 16 minutes waiting on the queue and it took only one minute to get my verification and identification done. “The right thumb failed, the left one passed and I think people should be patient with the officials; we should get things right as a country. ” I am hopeful that the process will be a success at the end of the day, ” he said. (NAN) Meanwhile Some Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) on Saturday shed tears of joy as they were reunited with their family members and relations during accreditation at IDP special polling centre, Yola 2015 general polls. The IDPs wept as they reunited with their relations whom they thought were dead when Boko Haram sacked their towns in 2014. The correspondent of News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) who monitored the accreditation of electorate in Yola reports that many IDPs were seen in warm embrace with relations and friends. Most of them were from Michika and Madagali Local Government Areas in Adamawa. One of them, Madam Hajara Samuel, seen at the IDPs Special Polling Centre, Aliyu Mustafa College, Yola, told NAN that he was separated from his family five months ago by Boko Haram insurgents. She, however, expressed joy that the exercise had afforded them the opportunity to reunite. Samuel, who was in tears, said that before the insurgency, he and his neighbours used to cast their votes in the same unit in Michika LGA. Alhaji Haruna Manzo, who hails from Bazza in Michika, said that since he and other IDPs fled Michika in 2014, he was seeing his immediate neigbour, Mr Ezekiel Haruna, for the first time. Manzo described Haruna as a closed friend adding they fled for safety when Boko Haram elements took over their village. He, however, expressed joy that he met Haruna again at the polling unit as IDPs in Yola. NAN reports that there was impressive turnout of voters at the IDPs special polling centre. Speaking shortly after being accredited at the Alyu Mustafa Secondary School IDPs polling centres, Alhaji Abubakar Kari, an IDP also from Michika said he was impressed with the electorate’s turnout. Kari, who was the state Chairman, Adamawa Positive Change and Initiative, an NGO, said that almost all eligible voters from his polling unit came out for the exercise. “There is massive turnout of voters. It is very interesting because the electorate are willing to cast their votes for the candidates of their choice”, Kari said. He commended INEC for creating the special polling units for the IDPs and expressed optimism that the exercise would achieve its aims and objectives. Meanwhile, Gov. James Ngilari of Adamawa has commended voters in the state for their large turnout for accreditation ahead of the Presidential and National Assembly elections. Ngilari was accredited at 10 a.m. at Shishiwa unit 009, in Madagali Local Government Area. He said it was interesting that the citizenry through the impressive turnout had signaled their willingness to choose their own leaders

Elections update: INEC website hacked

The website of the Independent National Electoral Commission has been hacked. The website is hacked by a group that parade itself as Nigerian Cyber Army. The hacking was confirmed by INEC on its Twitter handle, @inecnigeria “We are aware of the recent hack of our @inecnigeria website, we are currently investigating this incident #NigeriaDecides” Information on the INEC website: www.inecnigeria.org reads: [!] StruCkED by Nigerian Cyber Army[!] Sorry xD Your Site has been STAMPED by TeaM Nigerian Cyber Army FEEL SOME SHAME ADMIN!! Security is just an illusion Remember US :D GREETINGS OF PEACE TO CITIZEN OF NIGERIA FROM TEAM NCA Meanwhile in Abuja voters troop out enmasse to exercise their franchise at the presidential and National Assembly elections, the Card Reader appears to be the cause of the little delays witnessed in many polling units. In Zuba, a suburb of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja and Madalla in Niger State but close to the FCT, over 300 people were unable to be authenticated by the Card Reader and the Presiding Officers in some of the units visited told our reporter that those that the Card Reader could not complete their authentications were those that could not complete their registration process especially on issue of finger print. The returning officers in the various polling units said that in as much as the names of those with PVCs were found on the voters register, their names were written on Form E40 which they said was the Incidence form. As at about 10am only about 100 eligible voters had been accredited at Kwankwashe Polling Unit in Madalla, with about 1106 registered voters. Speaking after his accreditation, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, chairman in Suleja local government area, Shuaibu Danjuma Tanko said, “So far so good in my units here we have three units and thank God all are working well, as you can see the spirit is high, all Nigerians are ready to perform there civic duty by coming out to vote their leader. “We Nigerians have started understanding that it is not everything that crisis can get for us. When you talk of security is when there is crisis but as far as we Nigerians have the understanding that not in everything that crisis will we useful for us, Nigerians have started to accommodate themselves well.”

Elections update: INEC’s arrangement “excellent ” – Buhari

THE All Progressives Congress APC, Presidential candidate, Gen. Mohammadu Buhari Saturday said his administration would run an all inclusive government if he emerges victorious at the polls. Gen Buhari said his administration would operate in such a way that every ones interests would be brought to bear irrespective of party differences. Clan in a White Buba riga with a cap to mach, Gen. Buhari arrived the Sarkinyara ward A Kaafar Baru 0003 polling unit to a large tumultuous crowds was accredited at exactly 9,30 am. Security personnel’s had hectic moments controlling the surging crowds as they made desperate attempt to have a glance of Buhari. I think am satisfied with the whole process so far. Let me use this opportunity to call on my surppoters to remain calm and conduct themselves in the most peaceable manner throughout the elections The APC presidential candidate expressed happiness over what he described as “excellent “‘ arrangement put in place by the Independent National Electoral Commission for the polls. “From what I have seen on ground here to me indicates the electoral body has really braced” he said. Meanwhile, accreditation of voters for the elections went on peacefully with eligible voters cueing up as early as 8,am in their large numbers. Meanwhile at least two people were killed in a suspected Boko Haram attack on polling stations in northeast Nigeria on Saturday, residents and an election official told AFP. The attacks happened in the villages of Birin Bolawa and Birin Fulani in the Nafada district of Gombe state, which has been repeatedly targeted by the Islamists. An election official, who requested anonymity, said: “We could hear the gunmen shouting, ‘Didn’t we warn you about staying away from (the) election?'”

Elections update: Thug accuses Tinubu of neglect at polling unit

A former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, was embarrassed by a thug, Ise Aye, while Tinubu was doing his accreditation at polling unit 047 on Kaffi/ Sunday Adigun Street, Alausa, Ikeja. The thug, who had scars on his face and tattoos all over his body, shouted at the governor and accused him of neglecting some of the youths in the area. While shouting in Yoruba, he said, “You abandoned us here. The leaders here did not give us money. I know what I have suffered in the hands of the PDP all because I refused to join them. We remained loyal to the APC because of your late mother (Iya Mogaji) that lived here. “Anytime I come here looking for money, they refer me to Bourdillon in Ikoyi but no one allows me to enter your mansion.” Tinubu, who felt insulted by the outburst, described Ise Aye as an untrained young man lacking in wisdom. He said, “Do you have any sense at all? Is that how you were trained to talk to elders. Get out of here, you are embarrassing me.” The young man eventually prostrated for Tinubu. Tinubu, while addressing journalists at his late mother’s home, said he was impressed with the conduct of the elections so far. The APC leader admitted that it took a few minutes before the card reader could authenticate his finger print but added that it still remained the best option. He distanced himself from text messages purportedly sent to Lagosians by him that they should vote for President Goodluck Jonathan. When asked by a reporter why he supported Jonathan instead of Nuhu Ribadu of his party(the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria) in the 2011 elections, Tinubu said, “You must retract that statement. If not, I will assume that you are working for the PDP. “I never supported Jonathan in 2011. I can never destroy what I used my hands to build.”

Elections update: Hoodlums shoot at police, soldiers escorting Corps members

Sporadic shootings was witnessed around 10:30am Saturday in Ozuaha community in Ikwerre Local Government Area. Thugs who had barricaded the road into the town, opened fire on a team of policemen and military police escorting Corps members to their polling unit. The gun duel which lasted for about 25 minutes, has since left the town looking like a ghostyard. According to a police officer who helped brought the situation under control, the armed thugs advanced towards Ubima, hometown of governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi. As a result of the development, the corpers and electoral materials were kept in several buses, preparing to leave the community. Our correspondent who arrived the area 5 minutes after the gun duel, saw pieces of shattered ballot boxes on the major road leading into the town. Tension was still very high when our correspondent left the area 30 minutes later.

Elections update: Security beefed up in FCT

Security has been beefed up in the FCT on Saturday for the Presidential and National Assembly elections. Additional check points manned by soldiers have been created with the soldiers enforcing strict restriction of movement order. Though they were civil in the enforcement, the military men subjected motorists, including those on election and other essential duties to thorough search. Mr Wilson Inalegwu, the Commissiooner of Police in the FCT, who led other head of security agencies to monitor the accreditation of voters, said that there was no cause for alarm. He assured of adequate deployment of security personnel to all polling centres and urged voters to go out and exercise their franchise without fear. Many security personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) were deployed to the Area 2 Poling Centre in the territory. However, policemen had yet to arrive at the venue as the time of filing this report. A police officer who preferred anonymity, said the policemen deployed to the polling unit order had moved to the INEC Materials Distribution Centre. He said this was to enable them escort the voting materials safely to the polling centre. Meanwhile, voters in Kuje, FCT, have commended security agencies for maintaining law and order at the Science Primary School Polling Centre, Kuje. Mr Kola Idowu told NAN that the security operatives were being professional in handling issues at the centre. Also, Hajiya Fatimah Lawal said she appreciated the manner she was screened by a female security officer. Armed soldiers also patrolled the area, screening human and vehicular movements to and from the town.

Elections update: Still on Enugu bomb blast, Everywhere is safe – CP

Enugu CP Dan Bature addressing newsmen at the scene of the bomb blast said “what I am confirming to you is that there is a Hoda Accord car that was abandoned and as soon as we got information we sent our special unit on Anti Bomb Squad to confirm and assess the situation there were placed improvised devices . It was safe and we had to detonate it. “We are trying to get whatever information we can get, whatever is their motive we don’t know. “Whoever is responsible we don’t know but what I am assuring you is that nobody was hurt. Everywhere is safe and election is going on smoothly. I am on routine check and we have provided adequate security everywhere and that is why I said we are on top of the situation. One exploded and we have detonated two others. The no of the vehicle is KUJ 971 LB

Elections upate: APC raises alarm over use of FG facility in Lagos, blockage of leaders’ phones, other matters

The All Progressives Congress ( APC) has raised the alarm over suspicious, election-related activities being carried out at the Federal Government Press on Mobil Road, opposite Coca Cola, at Ajegunle, Lagos. In a statement issued in Lagos on Saturday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said workers at the facility were sent home early on Friday, apparently so it can be made ready for use today (Saturday, March 28th) for a ‘presidency’ assignment. ”A concerned Nigerian alerted us to these developments, and we wonder what a federal government facility can be needed for on election day if it is not part of the facilities designated by INEC for election collation purpose. ”We are therefore compelled to alert the security agencies to urgently put the Federal Government Press at Mobil Road in Lagos under surveillance, with a view to stopping any possible illegal activities that may be going on there on this election day,” it said. APC said with the avowed desperation of the PDP to capture Lagos State at all cost, it cannot be trusted not to resort to underhand activities to manipulate the polls in the state, hence the alarm. Blockage of APC leaders phone lines The party also said the phone lines of key leaders of APC have been bombarded with calls from an unknown number with a view to rendering them useless on election day. The calls, which started in the early hours of Saturday, were so persistent that genuine calls could not come in while no calls could be made from the phone lines.

Elections update: Card Reader reject Jonathan’s PVC

President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has been accredited after 30 minutes delay due to the failure of the card readers in polling unit. The president stood for more than 27 minutes until the fourth card reader worked after the failure of the first three. He encouraged Nigerians to be patient with the process, insiting that the election will be free and fair. “I encourage Nigerians to be patient, even if card readers have issues. Don’t instigate violence, ” he said. Nigerians praised his gentlemanly behaviour. “Ever the gentleman, President Jonathan remains standing for half an hour, surrendering available seats to his mother & wife If the President can wait patiently to be accredited, it is a good example for all Nigerians. Follow the President’s lead #Nigeriadecides” His mother and wife were accredited without hitches.

Elections update: INEC staff scamper as explosion rocks polling unit in Enugu

An explosion has occurred at WTC School 1,polling unit at about 7.38AM which left voters and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission,INEC, scampering for safety. Two others were detonated at about 8.56AM at the same premises by the operatives of the Anti-Bomb Squad of the Enugu Police command. According to an eyewitness,the bombs were laden in a Honda car which was parked beside the entrance gate of the school. As at the time of filing this report, accreditation has not started at the centre and most centres in the state. Newly posted Commissioner for Police,Dan Bature confirmed the incident at the scene of the incident saying,’three bombs were found in a Honda Accord car with registration. Number KUJ 971 ABJ. “One of the bombs exploded while we have just successfully detonated two. It was an Improvised Explosive Device,IED. We do not know who plant it. “We are working assiduously to unravel the identity of the suspects. The suspects abandoned the car at the entrance gate. We are working to get the area safe.”

Elections update: One killed as violence erupts in Osun

One person was murdered in Ikirun, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Osun state in the early hours of Saturday by an unknown gunmen. It was gathered that some hoodlums invaded the area killing a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, Yomi Ademola. It was further learnt that residents of the area were woken up with the sounds of gunshots at around 4:45am by the hoodlums before carrying out the dastardly act. The victim, it was learnt had recently defected to the PDP from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Elections update: Card reader malfunctions as accreditation commences in Osun

Turn out of voters was impressive in most parts of Osun State. But at Oja Oba, ward 2, unit 2 in Iragbiji, Boripe local government area of Osun state, no accreditation has been successfully carried out as at the time of filling this report. When our correspondent visited the poling unit around 8:25am, voters were seen waiting to be accredited . There was however confusion when the card reader could not locate the polling unit of the bearer of the Permanent Voter Card. When asked what could have caused the development, the presiding officer of the unit, Mr. Joshua Amos said they were given the wrong card reader and that was the reason it could not read the PVC validly.

Elections update: Police Arrest Man With INEC Registration Materials In Oyo

Police have arrested some persons in possession of registration materials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Ona Ara Local Government Area of Oyo State. The Oyo State Police Commissioner, Mohammed Katsina, said that the arrests were made following some intelligent tip-off. Mr Katsina said that the arrest would serve as a stern warning that the command meant business and would not hesitate to bring any culprit to book. The suspect, an elderly man, was caught with in possession of the INEC Permanent Voter Cards and registers. He was arrested around Olorunsogo area in Ona Ara Local Government. The suspect admitted that the registers were given to him on Friday morning by a party member. The Oyo State Police boss said investigations would continue into the matter. Meanwhile sensitive and non- sensitive materials have been distributed by the INEC to all the 33 Local Government Areas of the state, while accreditation for all election monitors and observers have been concluded. Over 700 observers have arrived the state for Saturday’s election. The Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, said that he was satisfied with the level of preparedness with INEC and state of security in the state even as the police read riot acts to transport unions in the state. Governor Ajimobi expressed satisfaction at the level of Permanent Voters Card distribution and expressed confidence in the joint effort of security chiefs to ensure violence- free and credible elections. After a meeting with youth across the state on the need for credible polls and zero violence, Governor Ajimobi expressed satisfaction at the level of preparedness and security in the state. The Oyo State Police Commissioner had earlier held a crucial meeting with members of the Nigerian Union of Road Transport Workers on the need for peace to reign. At the meeting the Police boss listed the rules of engagement in the elections. The transport union on their part also assured the Police of their commitment to violence-free polls.

Elections update: INEC postpones elections in 11 Federal Constituencies

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the postponement of election in seven out of eleven federal constituencies in Jigawa state, the Vanguard has reported. The resident electoral commissioner in charge of state, Alhaji Halliru Aliyu Tambawel announced the development while briefing news men yesterday night at INEC headquarter in Dutse, said the postponement was due to the short-fall of Sensitive materials including ballot papers and results sheets from the central Bank of Nigeria. He listed the affected seven federal constituencies as Dutse/Kiyawa, Ringim/ Taura, HadeJia/Kafin Hausa/Auyo, and Jahun Miga federal Constituencies of Jigawa state, others include Gumel/Maigatari/Sule tankarkar/ Gagarawa, Kaugama/Malam- madori and Gwaram Federal constituencies. Tambuwal explained that the remaining four federal constituencies in the state election will hold today and they include Babura/ Garki, Birnin Kudu/Buji, Birniwa/ Guri/ Kirikasamma and Kazaure/Roni/ Gwiwa/’Yankwashi federal constituencies in the state. The resident electoral commissioner further explained that, the Presidential election and senatorial elections will hold as scheduled in all the 27 local government areas in the state as the commission received both sensitive and non sensitive material for the election and ready for election.

Elections update: INEC distributes 1,100,346 ballot papers in Osun

Ahead of Saturday’s presidential election, the Osun State Resident Electoral Commission, Dr. Adekunle Ogunmola, said the commission has ensured adequate preparation to ensure the success of the process. Ogunmola said at the distribution of some materials for the presidential and National Assembly elections to the various local governments in the state that 1,100,346 ballot papers had been received and would be used for the elections as against 1,047,949, Permanent Voter Cards that were issued. He said the 52,397 increase in the number of ballot papers distributed was meant to cater for any unforeseen circumstances. Addressing journalist before the distribution, he said, “Adequate security arrangement has been made for the distribution of these materials to their various locations. We are fully prepared.” Osogbo, Ife Central and Ife East local government areas topped the ballot papers distribution list with 88,908; 66,038 and 62,444 respectively. Meanwhile, various political parties’ representatives, who were present at the event, expressed mixed feelings, especially as to the five per cent addition of ballot papers as against the number of PVCs issued. The Peoples Democratic Party spokesperson for Osun State, Mr. Bola Ajao, said the party could only hope that everything would be successful at the end. He said, “I cannot really understand the motive behind the five per cent addition, though the commission gave us its reason. We can only hope that things will get better. We had a stakeholders’ meeting here yesterday and the kits have been released to us. “As long as there’s accountability, though, there’s nothing to worry about.” However, the All Progressives Congress spokesman for the state, Kunle Oyatomi, expressed satisfaction with the process. “So far, we have to give kudos to INEC. We have monitored and confirmed that the materials on the ground correspond with the paperwork. We are satisfied with the distribution process so far,” he said. The Central Youth Representative for the state’s chapter of the Labour Party, Mr. Rasaq Ajibade, also described the process as fair enough.

Elections update: Okorocha’s aide arrested for arms possession

The Imo State Police Command has arrested a Senior Special Assistant to Governor Rochas Okorocha, Mr. Okechukwu Okorocha, for illegally being in possession of arms. Briefing newsmen at the State Police Command Headquarters in Owerri on Friday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Andrew Enwerem, said Okorocha was arrested after operatives of the State Criminal Investigation Department, who were acting on a tip- off, conducted a cordon-and-search operation at his residence on Friday and recovered three pump action automatic rifles with 24 live cartridges and a Kenwood walkie-talkie. He said the command had received information that some top government functionaries were stockpiling arms with the intention to disrupt the general elections in Imo State. The police spokesman noted that Okorocha had acted contrary to an instruction from the police to all residents, particularly members of the State Vigilante Service, to surrender all the arms and other dangerous weapons in their possession before the general elections. “We have been announcing that the vigilance group will not be part of the security beef up at the polling centres during the elections. As a result, we have been warning them to return the prohibited firearms in their possession to the Divisional Police Officers nearest to them,” Enwerem said. In a similar operation by the State CID in Owerri, three automatic pump action rifles with 14 live cartridges were found in the security post of Ebuada Housing Estate in the city. In the process of recovering the weapons, Kelechi Onuoha, Chigozie Uzowuru, Osita Obiako and Linus Aka were also arrested. “It is believed that these arms were going to be used to disrupt the coming elections. The arrested suspects are currently in the custody of the police and they are undergoing interrogation. This is what we have done in preparation to ensure that there is a peaceful, credible, free and fair elections in Imo State,” the PPRO said.

Election: We Are Headed For Victory- Adamu Muazu

On Saturday, Nigerians will once again troop out in their numbers to exercise their constitutionally guaranteed rights to elect their President and members of the national parliament. (Senate and House of Representatives). In the past three months, our party’s campaign train has been traversing the nooks and crannies of our great country campaigning and interfacing with our citizens at different levels soliciting for their support ahead of the general elections, which is now at the doorstep. In the course of our campaigns, we met with Nigerians from all walks of life, especially those in the grassroots and we found in them, irrespective of creed, tribe or class, a resilient people with an unwavering belief and commitment to democracy, freedom, rule of law, peace and unity of our dear nation. As a party that has nurtured democracy in our country in the past 16 years, the PDP deeply appreciates the relentless support and goodwill from our citizens across board without which this would not have been possible. As you are aware, in keeping with our avowed commitment to a peaceful electoral process, the PDP under my leadership has ran an orderly campaign based only on issues, devoid of unnecessary political mudslinging and acts of desperations, especially seeing the fact that a majority of the Nigerian voting population is solidly behind us. Our campaigns and rallies have been greeted by the turnout of millions of Nigerians, men and women of good faith, citizens who cherish democracy and the indivisibility of our great nation, the cardinal values of the PDP as the only true democratic party committed to the national interest. We ran a very vigourous campaign based on sincerity and truth. We could not have done otherwise. We placed before Nigerians an array of credible candidates and records of verifiable achievements of our elected and appointed officers especially our standard bearer, President Goodluck Jonathan. Let me at this point salute the commitment and dedication of our party leaders at the national, zonal, state, local government and ward levels as well as our volunteers across the states of the federation. In the course of this campaign they all showed extra-ordinary vigour and indeed put in their best and braced all odds in mobilizing and strengthening the confidence Nigerians have for us and the President. It may interest you to note that apart from our rallies and town hall meetings, we leveraged on our enormous strength as the only true national party and activated our structures at all the electoral wards across the country. Our leaders alongside volunteers and supporters quietly engaged in personal mobilization of Nigerians, using doors to door and person to person approach especially at the grassroots. The result is a massive mobilization of millions of voters in strategic parts of the country ready to cast their votes for the PDP. Though a herculean task, it was made easy by our record of achievements and the ability of our publicity machinery to effectively articulate the unique selling points of our party and got Nigerians to know and understand the major difference between us and the opposition in terms of character, content and mission. We effectively articulated the fact that whereas the PDP is the only true democratic party committed to the national interest and platform where all Nigerians can freely engage and realize their yearnings and aspiration without regard to sectional, ethnic and religious considerations, the opposition was mainly a parochial platform, without a national agenda, driven by the whims and ambition of few individual pursuing narrow personal interests. We made Nigerians to see beyond the veneer of propaganda to appreciate the fact that the opposition has nothing to offer other than empty promises, deceit and lies. Indeed, the hollowness of their campaigns vindicated us. They have no manifesto, no development blueprint and no clear model for wealth creation. In fact, they do not have any policy direction to back their much-mouthed change slogan. The difference between the opposition and us in this regard is that while they have nothing to offer, we do. We have our manifesto, our programmes and projects. We have our roadmap for a prosperous future, our array of credible candidates, our abiding faith in the unity, stability and prosperity of our dear nation and above all a better and more acceptable product in President Goodluck Jonathan, our standard bearer. As we moved along, one thing was clear. Nigerians from across the nation identify with President Jonathan as a sincere, forthright and committed leader whose exceptional steadfastness Nigeria and record of performance despite daunting challenges stand him out as the man for the future. President Jonathan has proven to be a man of very strong character and a brave leader and it is certain that our nation will continue in the path of unity, stability and prosperity under his leadership. Never in the history of our nation have we witnessed the insurgency that is hitting at the very heart of our national unity and cohesion. Instead of reacting in ways that could damage the trust and love of Nigerians for one another, our President has been acting more on the side of caution by ensuring that actions to defeat terrorism are carefully thought-out and pursued. Today we are seeing the results. The fact that the president has been able to stabilize the polity by his pan-Nigeria outlook and approach to governance is not in dispute. Today, every geo- political zone in the country enjoys a sense of belonging in terms of infrastructure development, economic and human capital empowerment. In the last four years under Jonathan, our economy has grown to become the largest in Africa and one of the fastest growing in the world, a fact the opposition cannot contest. This feat did not occur by accident but through the meticulous application of well thought-out policies and programmes, which created and sustained an investment-friendly environment in addition to directly empowering Nigerian businesses to thrive in all sectors under the Transformation Agenda. Furthermore, in the last four years, our private sector has witnessed a phenomenal expansion with unparalleled volume of domestic and direct foreign investments empowering our people in all walks of life. Within this period more businesses have opened in Nigeria. There have been more investments in telecommunication, banking, oil and gas, transport, aviation, hospitality, automobile, education, agriculture, healthcare and manufacturing with an unprecedented expansion rate, providing business and employment opportunities for millions of our citizens across the country. With strategic investments in power and road infrastructure; the return of the railways and inland waterways; the repositioning of the aviation industry, the rapid expansion in the telecommunication sector; the unequalled investment in agriculture with food production exceeding the targeted 20 million metric tons in 2015; the revamping of the manufacturing sector with automobile companies setting up factories in Nigeria, the economy is on sure foundation and prepared to move to the next level of growth under a Jonathan-led PDP administration. Also our citizens have been directly empowered through various job creation initiatives such as the SURE-P, YouWin, Nagropreneurs project, the N220 billion Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Fund, the National industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP), and the National Enterprise Development Programme (NEDEP) expected to generate no fewer than five million direct jobs before the end of 2015. We have also witnessed a revolution in education with the establishment of the Almajiri system of education, the Girl-Child Education and Back-to-School programmes, the establishment of 14 new universities among other landmark projects. In health, President Jonathan has vigourously pursued his administration’s National Strategic Health Development Plan resulting in affordable health care and a record increase in life expectancy in the nation. It may also interest you to note that the Jonathan administration recorded health milestones with the eradication of polio and the globally acknowledged feat on the control of Ebola Virus Disease, which attracted accolades from the international community. In addition, President Goodluck Jonathan has shown that he is a listening leader, ready to accommodate the views of the citizenry, the hallmark of democracy. The recent approval of the final report of the 2014 National Conference, the reduction in electricity tariff and cut in the price of petrol clearly underscores his commitment to democratic tenets, the wellbeing of the people and development of the nation. Nigerians as resilient people appreciate sincerity, genuine efforts and capacity. It is on this tripod that they anchor their insistence that what the nation needs at the moment is an uninterrupted flow of the transformation effort under President Goodluck Jonathan, particularly as the opposition has failed to articulate any workable alternative to them. Undoubtedly, the next four years under Jonathan is expected to witness a maximum yield in the development efforts especially given the measures already put in place by the administration to plug all loopholes and check waste in the system. The independent revenue e-collection scheme, an automated system under the Treasury Single Account, is one of the deliberate policies already put in place to ensure greater monitoring and control of spending in government ministries, departments and agencies across board. Gentlemen of the press, I can therefore most confidently assure you that with the support of Nigerians, we are headed for an overwhelming victory at the Presidential and National Assembly elections come Saturday, the 28th of March 2015. Our support base in all the states and the six geo-political zones are formidable. We have worked hard and we will win fair and square. Not only that we will give the opposition a crushing defeat in our original states of Sokoto, Kano, Nasarawa, Edo, Rivers, Imo and Kwara we are also headed for a sweeping victory in the south west and the northern states of the federation including in states regarded as the strongholds of the opposition. In the south west, apart from the fact that we are in control of Ekiti and Ondo states, we are set to win in Lagos, Oyo, Ogun and Osun states where we have worked hard to secure the support of the people. In these states, especially Lagos, our task was made easy by the fact that the people are fed up with the insincerity of the APC and the huge levies and taxes imposed on them. Indeed, nobody wants to continue to support a party whose leaders have turned their states into private businesses, looting funds meant for development, converting state owned property to personal belongings and milking the citizens to finance their wasteful lifestyle. In the north, where we control the governments of 12 out of the 19 states, we are happy to report that we enjoy the full goodwill and support of the people. The north remains a stronghold of the PDP with solid political structures oiled over the years in all the electoral wards and local governments in the region. Our capacity for a sweeping victory is buoyed by the various tangible development projects that have hugely affected the lives of ordinary Nigerians in the region, a factor that has put us in a good stead to win back our original states as well as others considered to be fortress of the opposition. When we went to the north, we did not just go to canvass for votes. We went loaded with verifiable achievements of our party and our Presidential candidate. The people of the north are well aware that no government has touched their lives in more positive way that the Jonathan administration. They know that the establishment of the Almajiri system of education, the first of its kind in the area was borne out of deep love and commitment to the development of the region. Furthermore, the people of the north are aware that out of the 14 new universities established by President Jonathan, 9 are located in the northern states thereby ensuring that every state in the region has a federal university. They know that President Jonathan ensured that out of the 2.7 million direct farm jobs achieved by this administration, over 2 million are in the north. Indeed, the north knows that the establishment of the e- wallet system, which eliminated the corruption in the distribution of fertilizers and other farm inputs making them directly accessible to millions of farmers in the region has boosted their productivity. They appreciate that the silos are brimming and food pyramids are returning in the region. In the same vein they know that the revitalization of the railways by the Jonathan administration brought immense benefit to their economic and social lives. Today, northern businesses are better connected through the revamped north-south rail lines. The Minna- Kaduna-Zaria-Kano narrow gauge has been rehabilitated while the Markurdi-Lafia-Kuru-Bauchi-Gombe-Ashaka- Maiduguri, as well as the branch line from Kafanchan to Kaduna are at completion stages and will be operational soon. On roads, the north has also witnessed unprecedented investments. Remarkably, the decades-long intractable Kano-Maiduguri highway that is the longest stretch in the country is being successfully tackled. Hundreds of such gigantic road projects are going on in the region in addition to the dredging of the River Niger from Lokoja to Baro in Niger states. Gentlemen of the press, may I state that this election is beyond propaganda and empty popularity claims in the social media. It is about performance, sincerity of purpose and commitment to the unity, stability and prosperity of our dear nation. On these, the PDP and President Jonathan stand much more taller than the opposition and its presidential candidate. Finally, we charge our members and supporters at all levels of our structure to remain focused and steadfast to the course as we move together to victory on Saturday. For the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) security agencies and other key stakeholders in this election, we stress in the strongest possible terms that we stand with the Nigerian people in desiring nothing short of free, fair and credible elections. I thank you all

Sound Sultan’s message to politicians

Ahead of tomorrow’s presidential election, music star, Sound Sultan has called on politicians to tread with caution, warning them to respect the people as well as the role they are poised to play in electing them into office. He also sued for peace, a free and fair election, devoid of violence. The entertainer took to his Instagram page to express his worries. He writes, “I honestly would love to appeal to politicians to respect the people, and the role they play in putting them in power (if any) ! And the power they possess. Consider people who have died on the roads you failed to construct. People who died in the hospitals you fail to maintain, people that fail to understand the meaning of National Pride because you gave them no reason to. Who ever gets the people’s votes, should consider “every hour you spend in power. God bless Nigeria.”

Two die in SDP, APC clash in Edo

Two persons have been reportedly killed while six others injured in a clash between the supporters of All Progressive Congress (APC) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) at Imiegba in Estako East Local Government Area. Witnesses said there were sporadic shootings which led to the killings. It was gathered that trouble started when the SDP Edo North senatorial candidate, Hon Abubakar Momoh was at Imiegba to inaugurate projects when his convoy ran into a campaign rally of the APC canvassing votes for APC candidates. Details soon...

Buhari becoming a president, disaster for Africa –Ex US envoy

A former spokesman for four United States Ambassadors to the United Nations, Richard Grenell, has said that if former military Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari, emerges as the next president of Nigeria in next Saturday’s elections, it would be a disaster for the entire African continent. Grenell, who made the declaration in a piece titled: Nigeria on the brink, and which was published in the Washington Times, a US based publication, of Thursday, March 19, 2015, described Buhari as working tirelessly to enthrone Sharia law across the country, which he said would further pose a major challenge to the fight against terrorism in Nigeria and the continent at large. He said, “Western foreign policy observers pre-occupied with the rise of ISIS in the Middle East should wake up to the reality unfolding in Nigeria. Opposition candidate General Buhari wants Sharia law throughout Nigeria. In fact, he wants it everywhere. “Is this an indication that Buhari supports violence because the end goal of the terrorist attacks throughout Nigeria and Africa is an Islamic state? It is a legitimate question that should be asked by leaders of the Obama administration. “Boko Haram has pledged its allegiance and support to ISIS. The Northern Nigerian based Islamic terrorist group wants Sharia law throughout the country and beyond. They are also actively terrorising Chad, Niger and Cameroon with their goal of an Islamic state. “Buhari has also spoken sympathetically about members of the terrorist group Boko Haram, has cautioned against a rush to judgement on its members and has personally been selected by the terrorist group to lead its negotiations with the Government of Nigeria. “Buhari’s election as Nigeria’s head of state would be a disaster for Africa. It would also signal trouble for the West’s fight against ISIS and terrorism throughout the Middle East.” According to Grenell, incumbent president and Buhari’s main rival at next Saturday’s election, Goodluck Jonathan has made commendable inroads in strangling Boko Haram to submission in recent weeks and so deserves the support of the Barack Obama led United States administration and the rest of the world. “The Nigerian economy has been growing faster than South Africa’s. Imagine what Nigeria could do for Africa if it was also free of Boko Haram’s violence. The Obama Administration should be doing more to ensure Africa’s most populous country doesn’t slip away,” he said. Speaking further, Grenell said that with the election in Israel over, the West must quickly turn its attention to Nigeria where the outcome of next Saturday’s presidential elections could have a profound impact on the future of Africa. “Islamic radicals have Africa on their target list and young Nigerians are reported to be interested in ISIS’ messages. Nigeria is at a tipping point. The West, and specifically the Obama Administration, needs to wake up to the growing problem,” he said. In October 2014 during an interview with TheCable, an online news platform, Buhari had said that he was not a religious fundamentalist or extremist as his opponents had alleged and that all those trying to hang such malicious tag on him were merely attempting to demonise and tarnish his image. “Nigerians will always uncover impossible room for manoeuvre for politicians. In 2003, I chose Chuba Okadigbo as my running mate. He was a Roman Catholic. He was an Igbo. In 2007, I picked Edwin Ume- Ezeoke. He was a Roman Catholic. He was an Igbo. And in 2010, I chose even a pastor, Pastor Tunde Bakare. “Honestly, what do Nigerians want me to do? If they don’t believe I’m not a fundamentalist, what else can I do? The era of short-changing people in the name of religion should stop,” he had said.

Abacha loot: David Ugolor condemns FG, Switzerland secret pact

A civil rights organisation, Africa Network for Environmental and Economic Justice, has raised the alarm on the purported secret agreement between the Federal Government, Switzerland and World Bank on the repatriation of $380m (about N75.2bn) stolen by late General Sani Abacha. The organisation which said it was sending wrong signals, also stated that the conditions for the return of the loot did not have clear guidelines and ran counter to transparent dealings. ANEEJ said, “We call on the World Bank and the Nigerian Government to make public the details of the negotiations and how they intend to monitor the use of the funds and urge the Swiss government to continue to support the process leading to the repatriation of all monies stolen from Nigeria as a safeguard against a re- looting of the repatriated funds.” A statement issued on Friday in Abuja by the Executive Director of ANEEJ, Mr. David Ugolor, advised government and the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to abide by the provisions of various international statutes by involving civil society organisations both at home and in the Diaspora who had been involved in the issue. He said, “We are concerned that the precedence of best practices set in 2005 when the Swiss government opted to return $500m being part of the stolen monies in a very transparent and open process, involving all stakeholders is now being undermined with the planned return of N75.2bn Abacha’s loot to Nigeria by the Swiss Government and to be ‘monitored’ by the World Bank. “Lessons from our monitoring of the repatriated $500m in 2005 under the Public Expenditure Management and Financial Accountability Review, reinforces our worries that the absence of any credible legal framework to deal with issues of stolen assets, as it stands in the present arrangement, sends the wrong signals and increases levels of anxiety of concerned civil society organisations like ours that have fought long and hard to ensure that repatriated funds from the Swiss government to Nigeria do not end up being re-looted.” ANNEJ therefore condemned government’s action by allowing Abacha’s family to go away with some of the loot saying it “certainly fuels the culture of impunity in looting public funds.” According to Ugolor, the role of the World Bank in the monitoring of recovered looted assets to countries of origins particularly Nigeria should not be used by the government to undermine the legitimate voices of the people to participate in designing and advocating a framework that will ensure that the recovered stolen assets are used transparently for the benefit of the country. “We want a framework put in place that such repatriated funds are spent on projects and programmes that would be visible and appreciated by all Nigerians and serve as a disincentive to looting of public treasury,” he said.

Nigeria gears up to become biggest, largest fertilizer exporter by 2017

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has said plans are underway to reposition the Country to become the regional hub of gas and largest fertilizer exporter in Africa by 2017. The Group Executive Director, Gas and Power of the (NNPC) Dr. David Ige stated this during an interview in Abuja. Dr. Ige said the NNPC‘s strategy for Gas is for domestic supply, Gas-to-power and Gas-to- Industry to stimulate the growth of Gross Domestic Products (GDP) in the country. The NNPC GED said the Corporation is working round the clock to ensure sufficient supply of Gas to power to impact on the lives of Nigerians stressing that so many aggressive reforms have taken place in the sector in the last three years. Dr. Ige said the NNPC in collaboration with the private sector are working round the clock to boost fertilizer and Petrochemical Industries in the Gas Industrial park in Delta State of Nigeria. He said natural compressed gas is now been used by vehicles in Edo state and efforts are been made to step up LNG consumption in the Country. On Pipeline Vandalism, Dr. Ige noted that various technological options are being considered and commended the Joint Task Force for their relentless effort to stem the tide of pipeline vandalism in the country.

Nigerian student sentenced to death in Malaysia

A Nigerian studying at a private college in Malaysia was sentenced to death by hanging after the High Court Shah Alam on Friday found him guilty of trafficking 725.4 gm of methamphetamine three years ago. Luke Nnaemeka Ugwu, 29, was said to have committed the offence at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport arrival hall in Sepang at 9.45 pm on May 15, 2012. Justice Datuk Abdul Alim Abdullah found his defence to be a mere denial, according to Bernama, Malaysian National News Agency. Deputy public prosecutor Hasifulkhair Mohammed Jamaluddin and Husniyah Hanapi represented the prosecution while counsel Hasnan Hamzah defended Luke. In the same court, two other Nigerian students were said to have escaped the noose after one of them pleaded guilty to an alternative charge. Onyeme Chibunna Okechukwu, 31, and Obdiegwu Chinwuba Sigismund, 29, initially claimed trial to trafficking in 4,432 gm of cannabis, under Section 39B (1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries the death sentence, according to Bernama. They were accused of committing the offence at the parking lot at Magna Villa Condo, Selayang around 1 am on February 20, 2012. When the trial was about to commence, Onyeme was said to have pleaded guilty to the alternative charge of drug possession and received a 12-year sentence and 12 strokes of the cane, while Obdiegwu was acquitted. The judge ordered Onyeme to serve the jail term from the date of his arrest on February 20, 2012.

Oba of Benin indisposed -Traditional Council

The Benin Traditional Council on Monday announced that the Oba of Benin, Oba Erediauwa, is indisposed, after weeks of speculation over his health. The council, in a statement signed by its Secretary, Mr. Frank Irabor, also suspended public engagements in the palace, including settlement of disputes, “until further notice.” It, however, urged all palace chiefs and functionaries to perform their “routine traditional duties as usual.” The statement read, “It is hereby announced for the information of the general public that, in the Palace parlance, ‘Uhunmwun ve Ekpen vb’ Ato,’ meaning the Leopard is ill in the Savannah bush. The explanation is that Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolopkolo, Erediauwa, CFR, Oba of Benin is indisposed. “Public engagements, including courtesy visits, hearing of complaints from individuals, families and communities, and in particular, complaints over inheritance and land disputes, are therefore suspended until further notice. All palace chiefs and functionaries are to note that their routine traditional duties continue as usual.”

Police arrest men with 500 PVCs in Oyo

Some men with over 500 Permanent Voter Cards were apprehended by the residents of Orita Sekoni, Ogbomoso, Oyo State on Saturday. The men were, however, saved from being lynched by an angry mob which surrounded them after getting a whiff of the information by men of the Nigerian Police. An eyewitness said the men were apprehended by the residents at Orita-Sekoni area of the town. He said the men would have died but for the arrival of a patrol van of the men of Oyo State Police Command, who shot into the air to disperse the mob. The eyewitness said the men were caught in a Honda Accord car with Oyo State number plate AR 892 LUY after a tip-off. He said, “Some people noticed that those in the car were in the possession of huge amount of PVCs and alerted some of the boys in the area. They were stopped and after a search, the cards were discovered.” He added that other things noticed in the car indicated that they were working for one of the governorship candidates from Ibadan, although he refused to say which party he is representing. When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Adekunle Ajisebutu, told our correspondent that the command was yet to receive signal from Ogbomoso on the crime but he reiterated that the command would not tolerate any act capable of disturbing the peaceful conduct of the coming elections in the state. He said, “We are yet to get such report. The state Commissioner of Police has said many times in his short stay here that he will not tolerate such act. The police is here to maintain law and order and that is what the command will do if anyone is caught in an attempt to disrupt peace in this state or tries to do anything that will discredit the coming poll.”

Suspected stowaway dies in Arik Air plane

A suspected stowaway has reportedly died in the undercarriage compartment of an Arik Air plane. The body was evacuated by men of the Airport Police Command on Saturday. A statement by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, which confirmed this, said the body was discovered in the Arik airbus A345, Reg CS-TFX, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos. It added that the corpse, whose identity is yet to be ascertained, has been deposited at an undisclosed mortuary, following due diligence by the relevant Aviation and Security agencies. The statement said FAAN is currently reviewing footages of the CCTV system and airside security operations with a view to identifying the gaps and personnel failure, if any, in order to take remedial actions. The spokesperson of Arik Air, Mr. Banji Ola, could not be reached for comments on the issue. However, the General Manager, FAAN, Mr. Yakubu Dati, confirmed to our correspondent that the flight was due to take off for JFK on Saturday night. He said, “Well, the aircraft was parked by the time the body was discovered, but we found out it was bound to leave for JFK later this night.” He added that FAAN had intensified efforts at improving security and safety at both land and airside through the installation of high tech screening machines, CCTV surveillance cameras and patrol teams. “The Authority is assuring all travelling passengers of safety of lives and property throughout the nation’s airport,” he said.

South Africa claims first successful penis transplant

South African doctors have confirmed that they performed the world’s first successful penis transplant, three months after conducting the ground-breaking operation. The 21-year-old patient had his penis amputated three years ago after a botched circumcision at a traditional initiation ceremony. In a nine-hour operation at the Tygerberg Hospital in Cape Town on December 11 last year, he received his new penis from a deceased donor. “We’ve proved that it can be done — we can give someone an organ that is just as good as the one that he had,” said Professor Frank Graewe, head of plastic reconstructive surgery at Stellenbosch University. “It was a privilege to be part of this first successful penis transplant in the world.” Doctors said the man, whose identity has not been disclosed, has made a full recovery since the operation and had regained all his urinary and reproductive functions. In 2006, a Chinese man had a penis transplant but his doctors removed the organ after two weeks due to “a severe psychological problem of the recipient and his wife.”

Nigerian phone maker gets global attention

A 30-year-old Nigerian mobile phone maker, Michael Akindele, is beginning to attract attention from the global community, especially the international media. Akindele is an application developer and co-founder of SOLO, a Nigerian smarthphone marker. For instance, a Forbes contributor, Mfonobong Nsehe, describes the Nigerian as a serious challenger in the highly competitive smart phone business. Akindele, he adds, is a mobile phone entrepreneur, who is challenging Apple in Africa. According to Nsehe, SOLO has the wherewithal to compete with leading brands for the African mobile phone market. Born in Washington DC to Nigerian parents in 1984, Akindele returned to Nigeria at two, spending 10 years in Ibadan, Oyo State. At 12, he returned to the US to continue his education, receiving a degree in engineering with focus on Computer Science and Information Technology. Before venturing into mobile telephone and application creation, Akindele had been involved in business mentorship, having worked at Accenture in the US. He recalls in the interview published by Forbes, “I gained valuable professional experience from being a technology analyst with Accenture. While at Accenture, I started working on a project, which gave birth to The Apprentice: Africa. “A business partner and I successfully licensed an American reality game show from Mark Burnett Productions for the Sub-Saharan media market, which featured real estate magnate, businessman and television personality, Donald Trump. “I returned to Nigeria in January 2007 and was part of a team that developed, produced and distributed the 18- week reality show – The Apprentice: Africa – that had a strong following in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.” On how innovation could help reduce poverty in Africa, the entrepreneur says, “Wealth is in the mind” not pockets. Akindele, who says everybody has enormous mental resource to achieve financial freedom, adds that every individual can benefit the society if they engage in rigorous thinking. SOLO, established in 2013, he says, is driven by “speed and innovation.” He notes that Africa, being the second biggest mobile phone market after Asia and predicted to hit 160 million users next year, offers massive opportunities for manufacturers. His company, he stresses, looks forward to gaining from the growing market. “This trend reflects the gradual change in consumer habits. More people are gaining their first Internet experience through mobile devices. This is the future of content distribution and value added services,” Akindele observes. He also hopes the devices, which his team currently manufactures in Asia, will be produced in Africa when the business climate encourages that. Listing the unique features of SOLO and the value it has added, he states that the fir, is ready for the unfolding competition in the mobile market. According to him, the company has started affecting the society with no fewer than 160 employees already on its payroll. The story of Akindele has added to the growing profile of Nigeria in the emerging information technology industry. Last year, Chinedu Echeruo, a US-based Nigerian, made the list of the Forbes 10 Most Powerful Men in Africa. Echeruo’s unique contributions to the relatively-new digital mapping informed his selection. When HopStop, a travelling blog established by Echeruo, was acquired by Apple Inc. in 2013, the $1 billion-deal attracted attention in the industry. Before the purchase, HopStop, which was founded in 2005, had two million monthly active users and launched an active service for reporting real-time delays and other information that made it a toast among travellers. Again, before Apple bought it, the firm ranked among the top 1000 fastest growing companies in the US. With reach in more than 300 cities, the firm has offered services on walking, biking and taxi to commuters. Travelogy.com, another start-up travelling blog the Nigerian startup guru founded, is ranked as a fast unique service provider by different industry reviewers. Today Travel Media Group, another U.S. company, later acquired Trevelogy.com, an interactive travel referral service with focus on connecting travellers with travel specialists.

Fire razes Igbinedon’s TV transmission station in Benin

There was confusion among the management and staff of the Independent Television following an inferno which razed the transmission section of the station in the Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State. ITV is a private broadcast station owned by the Esama of Benin and renowned businessman, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion. It was gathered that the fire, which started at about 9pm on Saturday, completely razed the Masters Control Room and interrupted the live transmission of the network news of the Nigerian Television Authority. It was further learnt that it took the combined effort of firefighters from the Edo State Fire Service, the University of Benin Fire Service and the Military Fire Service to extinguish the fire and prevent it from spreading to other parts of the building. When our correspondent got to the scene of the incident, the charred remains of broadcast equipment valued at millions of naira littered the area. The roof of the affected building was also destroyed, while smoke billowed from some of the charred walls, which were originally treated with acoustics. Men of the Department of State Security were also at the scene of the incident, while some staff of the station were seen discussing the incident. Although the actual cause of the fire had yet to be identified at the time of filing the report, the station’s Head of News, Mr. Abiodun Mudashiru, however, said the fire resulted from a “light explosion.” He said, “It was some minutes after 9pm last night (Saturday), when the network news was going on, that (technical) operatives observed that there was an explosion in the main studio. “They usually sit behind the walls. When they heard the light explosion, they decided to investigate what was happening. “In the process of doing that, the roof just came down at once with a wild fire. That was it and before we knew it, the whole place was engulfed in flames,” he said. Efforts to reach the Edo State Police Command were unsuccessful, as calls made to the telephone line of the Edo State command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Joseph Edoighiawerei, rang out.