₦airaland Forum

The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Uche Secondus, during his speech at the opening session of the caucus meeting of the party in Abuja, raised the alarm that there might be no election in 2023 if the military continued to participate during elections as they were allegedly used during the February 23 elections.

He stated that the alleged involvement of the military in the elections was undemocratic and unconstitutional.

He said they were committed to going to the tribunal, adding that they might file the case on Tuesday.

According to him, it is surprising that the National Peace Committee had allegedly kept silence over the alleged intimidation and harassment of Atiku, his acquaintances and some PDP stalwarts.

He urged the Independent National Electoral Commission to ensure that Saturday’s elections were free, fair, transparent and credible.

Secondus said, “On February 23, 2019, how will history judge you (Buhari)? How will the next generation judge you? In fact, there may not be election in 2023, it may just be announcement because if you have the military on your side, you do not need the people, you do not need to campaign. All you need to do is to put the figure on election day and announce. Is that what is going to happen again on March 9?”

The PDP chairman urged the military to remain professional in the discharge of their duties, adding that they must not allow themselves to be used by politicians.

He said, “We appeal to the authorities especially our professional military men and women that this has never happened before. They must have a rethink. If they want to participate in politics, they are free to do so. I think it happened in Thailand where the military and civilians can contest and share offices. If our constitution is changed to contain that, it is a happy development but whereas the constitution says they are not part and parcel of the process, is that what is going to happen on March 9?

“The son-in-law to our presidential candidate was arrested without justification; he has been detained and has not been released. His personal lawyer has been detained and the leaders of our country are keeping quiet; the Peace Committee is keeping quiet. Everyone here is keeping quiet.”

Secondus alleged that Buhari had unleashed a full-blown dictatorship on Nigerians. He said he was hopeful of God’s intervention, adding that with the collective efforts of the people, Nigeria would be rescued.

https://punchng.com/there-may-be-no-elections-in-2023-says-secondus/amp/?__twitter_impression=true

Cc lalasticlala Mynd44

The All Progressives Congress in Sokoto State has reacted to reports making the rounds of plans to remove the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, after the governorship election in the state.

Reports had it that some youths on Monday took to the Sultan’s palace demonstrating against the planned removal of the monarch.

Addressing newsmen at the palace, one of the leaders of the group, Murtala Abdulrahman, said, “We are at the palace to alert the Sultan on the evil plot by the APC to remove him if they win the governorship election.

“They alleged that the Sultan has not been supporting the APC. They are saying, ‘new government, new Sultan.’ We will not allow them to rubbish our traditional ruler. We shall put them to shame.”

But, reacting, the state chairman of the APC, Isa Acida, addressing journalists at the Party secretariat in Sokoto, denied the reports,describing it as a plot by Peoples Democratic Party,PDP ahead of governorship election.

He accused PDP Chairman in the state, Alhaji Ibrahim Milgoma of making statements capable of throwing the state into turmoil.

Acida said “Leadership of the PDP is inciting the youths to violence ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in the state.

“Milgoma and the Zonal Vice-Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Muhammadu Dangwaggo, alongside other party leaders in the state, made the inciting statements on Sultan of Sokoto removal during a rally organised by PDP youths at Government House on Saturday.

“The demonstration at the palace was sponsored by the opposition to tarnish the image of our party.”

http://dailypost.ng/2019/03/05/apc-speaks-removing-sultan-sokoto/amp/?__twitter_impression=true

Cc lalasticlala

By Dirisu Yakubu

ABUJA – The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has called for the immediate and unconditional release of the Deputy Director General (Administration) of its Presidential Campaign Organization, Barrister Tanimu Turaki SAN, who was allegedly arrested on Monday by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

The party described Turaki’s arrest and detention as part of the “grand plot by the Buhari-led Presidency and the All Progressives Congress, APC, to use state apparatus of power to intimidate PDP leaders and scuttle PDP’s determination to reclaim our February 23, 2019 Presidential election victory in court.”

In a statement released late Monday night by PDP spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan, the party maintained that since its candidate, Atiku Abubakar and the PDP expressed “our unwavering determination to reclaim our victory at the tribunal, being armed with overwhelming evidence, our leaders have been subjected to escalated harassments, constant threats, blackmails, cajoling and contrivances by the APC to drop our legal option.”

The statement read in part: “It is instructive to state that Tanimu Turaki was arrested and detained upon invitation by the EFCC to endorse a bail document for the Finance Director of Atiku Abubakar’s company, Babalele Abdullahi, who was arrested earlier by the commission over flimsy allegations.

“The PDP, however, states in clear terms that the APC and the Presidency are fighting a lost battle as no amount of harassment and threats will ever make the party to buckle in its determination to take back the mandate, in line with the wishes and aspirations of Nigerians.”

Turaki, a former Minister of Special Duties in the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan has been vociferous in his criticisms of the Present administration.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.vanguardngr.com/2019/03/release-turaki-now-pdp-tells-efcc/amp/

- Luka Modric insists Real Madrid are struggling since losing Cristiano Ronaldo to Juventus

- The Los Blancos return to Champions League action against Ajax at the Benerbeau on Tuesday

- Real Madrid are now 12 points adrift of La Liga leaders Barca after Saturday's Clasico defeat

Luka Modric says Real Madrid are struggling in the current campaign due to the club’s inability to sign a quality replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo after his switch to Juventus last summer.

According to Daily Mail report, the Croatian playmaker, who was speaking Monday ahead of the Los Blancos Champions League last-16, reverse fixture against Ajax on Tuesday insists the club’s current strikers have also failed to step into the role vacated by Ronaldo.

The Ballon d'Or winners further hinted that the major problem facing the Galaticos is centered on inconsistency and lack of goals this term.

At the last count, Real Madrid could not account for a single goal in 180 minutes of football, in two Clasico fixtures against Barca last week.

A performance that saw Real Madrid sent packing from the Copa del Rey as well as going down 12 points adrift of Barcelona at the summit of the La Liga log,

Surprisingly, the Champions League is now the only available window, the Los Blancos can seek a silverware in the 2018-19 campaign.

Interestingly, Real Madrid have failed to sign quality forward as the Portuguese replacement, but opted for youngsters like Vinicius Junior and Mariano Diaz.

“The absence of Cristiano is something every team would feel; to find a replacement for Cristiano is almost impossible,” Modric told journalists.

“Given what he did for us and this club, we miss Cristiano. The club wanted the other players to make up for what he did, divided between the strikers and that is not easy.

“Cristiano scored 50 goals and you can't find someone today who scores that many. Some of us have to take a step forward and, while not scoring 50, what we need is two or three players who score 15, 20, or 10 goals and we don't have that.

“That is our biggest problem this year. For example against Barca in the cup we had many chances and when you don't take advantage your opponent punishes you.

“The club tried, and it seems good, putting faith in other players like Gareth (Bale), (Marco) Asensio, Karim (Benzema); they brought in Mariano, Vinicius is here.

“(Vinicius) is doing very well for the age he is but sometimes things don't go how we wanted them to,” Modric summed up.

https://www.legit.ng/amp/1225479-modric-claims-real-madrid-missing-ronaldo-switch-juventus.html?__twitter_impression=true

The first part of the 2019 general elections held last week as Nigerians trooped out to vote their presidential, senatorial and House of Representatives candidates across the country. The second part of the election, in which Nigerians are expected to vote their governorship and states’ Houses of Assembly candidates, is scheduled for next week.

The next electoral contest scheduled for March 9 would bring to an end several months of intrigues, name-calling, propaganda, networking and alliance formation across party lines. Politicians on their part adopted different slogans, slangs and street lingo to connect with the people and canvass support. These electioneering activities have informed as much as they have entertained Nigerians.

Many Nigerians would not forget in a hurry some of the powerful imageries that characterised electioneering and party politics in this election. PREMIUM TIMES highlights some of the dominant imageries:

1. “O to ge”

The “ O to ge” (meaning ‘Enough Is Enough’) campaign mantra is by far the most potent political mantra in the 2019 general election. Adopted by Kwara State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as its campaign catchphrase, the slogan is largely believed to have contributed to the fall of Senate President Bukola Saraki and his allies in the state Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Although there are conflicting accounts of how the “O to ge” mantra was birthed in Kwara, the dominant narrative is that it was coined by Islamic gospel artiste, Ibrahim Labaeka. Mr Labaeka, a member of the Islamic Musicians Association of Nigeria (ISMAN), is a popular Ilorin artiste whose musical works was used to rally voters toward the anti-Saraki cause in Kwara.

In Ilorin, the chant of “O to ge” is often followed by “Lilo le e lo”, meaning “We will ensure you are chased away”. Aside that the campaign slogan led to the fall of Mr Saraki, it also swept away all PDP aspirants across Kwara State. It has since taken a life of its own outside Kwara and now being adopted by people in other states, including Lagos.

2. 4 plus 4 – “NextLevel”

While “O to ge” is a campaign slogan rendered by words of mouth, the “4 plus 4” is a non-verbal use of sign language. It’s essentially meant to convey the desire to support President Muhammadu Buhari’s re-election bid in 2019. The sign is done by spreading one’s two hands apart, with all of one’s fingers but the thumb raised while displaying both hands. The two separate four fingers displayed conspicuously are representative of each of the four-year periods of the two terms the Nigerian constitution stipulates for the president.

Mr Buhari himself popularized the sign last year when he appeared before the National Assembly to present the 2019 budget. The sign was however trailed by controversies as some Nigerians, among them opposition leaders, suggested that the sign was “occultic”, a charge many pro-Buhari commentators promptly dismissed.

The “4 plus 4” campaign sign goes hand in hand with occasional chant of “NextLevel” among Mr Buhari’s supporters. NextLevel is the campaign roadmap of the ruling APC, launched in November 2018.

With the victory of Mr Buhari in penultimate Saturday’s election, it is safe to consider the sign as one of the most potent of the election season.

3. #TakeItBack

One election slogan that would not be forgotten easily by Nigerians, especially those of the younger generation, is #TakeItBack. It was popularised by publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore. Mr Sowore contested for the presidency on the platform of the African Action Congress (AAC) after he emerged the party’s candidate unchallenged on October 6, 2018, at the AAC’s national convention.

Mr Sowore, a reknown activist, is the convener of #TakeItBack movement, with the core philosophy of taking the nation back from those who plunder its resources. Mr Sowore lost the presidential election to APC’s Muhammadu Buhari.

4. Atikulated

Shortly after former Nigerian Vice President Atiku Abubakar emerged candidate of the opposition PDP at its convention in PortHarcourt in 2018, the internet was awash with posts and comments expressing support for his candidature. Across Cyber Nigeria, especially on Twitter, the hashtag #Atikulate was projected to campaign for the PDP flagbearer and wish him well.

A subtle campaign message was also launched to show that Mr Abubakar was more articulate and has better grasp of the issues plaguing Nigerian than his major challengers, especially Mr Buhari of the APC. It was not surprising to hear Nigerians say that they are #Atiku-lated, in reference to throwing their support for Mr Abubakar, widely known among Nigerians as “Atiku”.

5. Obidiently

Used alongside the #Atikulated slogan is #Obi-diently. When paired together, it was said as “Obidiently Atikulated”. It was a campaign catchphrase coined with the name of Mr Abubakar’s running mate and former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi.

With the uncertainty that clouded the security situation in the South East, the slogan was also used to encourage voters in the region to come out and cast their votes.

6. Ortomatic

Another campaign catchphrase that was popular in the 2019 electioneering is #Ortomatic, popularized by supporters of Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom. Mr Ortom defected from the ruling All Progressives Congress into the PDP in 2018. This was at the height of the herdsmen-farmers’ clash that claimed numerous lives in Benue and other parts of the country.

Upon his defection, some old-time PDP members ruled out possibility of the party granting the governor automatic ticket. But supporters of the governor dismissed the charge and drummed support for him. Mr later would later emerge the party’s flagbearer and his campaign supporters promptly adopted the Ortomatic mantra, perhaps to affirm that the governor’s re-election bid would be seamless.

7. ‘O tun ya’

When the “O to ge” mantra began in Kwara, it was not given much attention by the PDP. But when it got to its crescendo, with youths and non-partisan adults willingly popularising it, the PDP promptly coined its own slogan to dilute the popularity of the APC’s catchphrase. Since they were canvasing for continuity, they adopted “O tun ya”, meaning “Let’s do it once again”. But as events would show, the “O tun ya” mantra did little to save the party from the impending tsunami as all of its candidates in Kwara lost the election.

It however remains unknown whether the party would bounce back in the forthcoming governorship election on Saturday.

8. “O Penkele”

Adegoke Adelabu, the late Ibadan politician, popularized the catchphrase “peculiar mess” which his supporters in Ibadan corrupted as “Penkelemesi”. Decades after his death, Bayo Adelabu, a scion of the Adelabu family, has resurrected the catchphrase, adopting it as campaign slogan. “O Penkele” is the refrain of his supporters whenever issues of electioneering and Oyo State 2019 governorship election are raised.

9. OtogeLagos

Shortly after the fall of Senate President Bukola Saraki in Kwara, which signaled the success of the “O to ge” movement, some opposition elements in Lagos politics adopted the slogan and launched what they called “OtogeLagos”. The new ‘movement’ was apparently opposed to the political dynasty of Bola Tinubu, a former governor of Lagos and National Leader of the All Progressives Congress. Mr Tinubu is believed to wield enormous influence in the politics of who becomes Lagos governor and he is instrumental to the ouster of incumbent governor Akinwunmi Ambode and emergence of Babajide Sanwo-olu as APC flagbearer.

“OtogeLagos” has also been linked to the PDP candidate in Lagos, Jimi Agbaje. It however has been criticised has being unoriginal and untimely, apart from being championed mostly by people from a section of the country. Since its birth, the politics of Lagos has once again taken an ethnic dimension, resulting in name-calling, squabbles and tension among Lagos residents of different ethnic identities, especially on the internet.

10. Sanwo-Eko

Sanwo-Eko is the adopted campaign slogan of Mr Sanwo-Olu, APC flagbearer in Lagos. It was popularised during the party primaries last year and has since been adopted by his supporters and other party chieftains. Sometimes, supporters of Mr Sanwo-Olu adopt an abridged version of the slogan, “Sanwo-e!”

11. Omi Tuntun

PDP governorship flagbearer in Oyo State Seyi Makinde has been a household name in Oyo politics. But he has tried to distinguish himself by identifying as being of the new breed. Hence, the adoption of the name “Omi Tuntun”––meaning a breath of fresh air. Although the campaign slogan is not relatively new to Oyo people, it has generated considerable interest in the last few months, placing Mr Makinde among the major contenders for the governorship seat.

In 2015, when he contested on the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Mr Makinde adopted same slogan. He is now widely considered a major contender in the election.

12. “Ambo!”

Until his governorship ambition hit a brickwall, “Ambo” was the campaign catchphrase of Akinwumi Ambode, the outgoing governor of Lagos State. Mr Ambode met his waterloo when the APC members in Lagos adopted Mr Sanwo-Olu as their flagbearer in the party primaries held last year.

Before then, the slogan had generated interest among supporters of Mr Ambode in the party, especially in Epe, his hometown. “Ambo” is a Yoruba word which means “We are coming”.

On occasions when the governors supporters had the luxury of time or space, it was spelt in full as “Ambo lekan si”––meaning “We are coming one more time”––to popularize the reelection bid of the governor. It was however cut short by Lagos APC members who denied the governor a return ticket.

13. #GrowNigeria

In the days before the emergence of Atiku Abubakar as the PDP presidential flagbearer, a campaign slogan popularized on Twitter was #GrowNigeria.

It was birthed by handlers of Senate President Bukola Saraki. In his movements across Nigeria, Mr Saraki said at the time that he was spreading the message of how to #GrowNigeria.

Every campaign message on the internet, especially Twitter, at the time contained the #GrowNigeria hashtag. Mr Saraki would later lose the ticket to Mr Abubakar and returned to pick the senatorial ticket in his native Kwara State, where he lost penultimate Saturday.

https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/317239-atikulated-takeitback-11-other-popular-slogans-of-nigerias-2019-general-elections.html

More

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) says it is “thinking of” embarking on another strike.

The union said this via its official Twitter handle, in reply to a question.

It had called of its three-month strike in February after reaching an agreement with the federal government over issues bothering on staff welfare among others.

“Thinking of going on another 3 months strike action,” it wrote.

It is not yet clear if the union was joking but the tweet did not go down well with many Nigerians.

While some said the post was “useless”, others used some unprintable words while attacking the union.

Below are some of the reactions to the tweets:

https://twitter.com/ASUUNGR/status/1102100918655430658?s=19

https://www.thecable.ng/ASUU-under-fire-for-thinking-of-another-strike/amp

Cc lalasticlala

President Muhammadu Buhari says only those with integrity and interest of Nigeria will be considered in the next cabinet.

He also promised to appoint more women and youth during his second tenure, acknowledging the “significant role” they played toward his re-election.

He said his administration would not disappoint them.

Buhari spoke at a dinner the All Progressives Congress (APC) women and youth organised to celebrate his re-election, on Saturday.

He said more fertilizers were being made available to Nigerian farmers at a lower rate, adding that this has resulted in an increase in agricultural production and reduction in food importation.

Buhari also called on Nigerian youth to embrace agriculture to ensure more food sufficiency and food export.

He again faulted the 16-year rule of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which he said, “wasted the nation’s resources”.

According to him, the country witnessed “rampant infrastructure decay” in spite of the huge resources earned during the period.

https://www.thecable.ng/buhari-only-those-with-integrity-will-make-my-next-cabinet/amp

Governor El-Rufai of Kaduna State has concluded plans to institute a Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the Kajuru killings.

The judicial commission of inquiry is saddled with the responsibility to investigate the causes of violent killings in the local government.

A statement from the governor’s spokesman, Samuel Aruwan said, “The aim of the commission is to establish all facts around the incessant killings in the area.”

The statement explained that the state governor, Nasir El-Rufai, disclosed this in Karamai while addressing the survivors of the attacks that took place this week in parts of the two local government areas.

The statement observed that the governor was accompanied on the visit by the heads of security agencies in the state, including Rear Admiral D.M. Dogonyaro of the Nigerian Navy, General O.J. Akpor, the Garrison Commander 1 Division Nigerian Army, Air Commodore I.A. Sani of the Nigerian Air Force and Police Commissioner Ahmad Abdurrahman.

Also on the delegation, according to the statement were Priscilla Ankut and Saleh Momale of the Kaduna State Peace Commission.

It explained that the delegation inspected the wreckage left behind by the attackers in Karamai, and prayed at the mass grave where 15 of the 40 residents killed were buried. A policeman was also killed in the attack.

The statement noted, “Malam Nasir El-Rufai commiserated with the people on the loss of lives and sympathised with the pain of the survivors.

“He appealed to them that even in their grief, they should resist any temptation to vengeance because the cycle of attack and reprisal can only bring pain.

“He urged all communities to avoid any resort to self-help and report their complaints, suspicions and observations to the law enforcement and security agencies.

“He condemned the attackers as godless people who are wantonly violating the injunctions of the Holy Books of Christianity and Islam.”

The chairman of Kachia Local Government, the District Heads of Kufana, Kajuru local government area,, and Bishini in Kachia local government area and the Village Head of Karamai also spoke at the event.

They explained the plight of the people who were displaced from their homes after the attack and made suggestions for further security of the areas.

Malam El-Rufai, the statement added said the State Emergency Management Agency has already visited the survivors and is handling the provision of relief materials for the obviously traumatised survivors.

He assured the people that the state government would address the issue of the access road into the area in conjunction with the local government councils and find ways to address the absence of communications network in the area.

http://dailypost.ng/2019/03/03/kajuru-killings-kaduna-state-institute-judicial-commission-inquiry/amp/?__twitter_impression=true

Cc lalasticlala

Photos From Abdulsalami-led Peace Committee Meeting With Atiku, Obi In Abuja

Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto state, has paid a visit to the All Progressives Congress, APC Leader in the state, Aliyu Wammakko – begging for forgiveness.

Tambuwal who dumped the ruling party, sometime in 2018 for a shot at the presidency under the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP but lost to Atiku, has now gone to beg.

The APC via their Twitter handle in Thursday, shared a photo of Tambuwal bending to greet Wammakko, as he allegedly begged to be forgiven – saying he was misled

https://twitter.com/APCUKingdom/status/1101144963868516353?s=19

Cc lalasticlala Mynd44

The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Zamfara State, Alhaji Sani Shinkafi, on Wednesday confirmed that he has ejected all displaced persons taking shelter in his houses in Shinkafi for voting the APC in Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly elections.
Shinkafi made the confirmation in Gusau at a news conference organized by a coalition of some political parties in the state protesting against the elections.

According to NAN, he said “I have asked all the IDPs residing in my Shinkafi houses to immediately pack out because they are not serious in life.

“These are people who had to leave their villages due to insecurity caused by a government that could not provide such basic necessity to them, yet they went and sold their votes at the last elections trying to bring back the same gang,” he claimed.

According to NAN, he said in spite of earlier advice to the displaced persons “to vote out those who failed them in the past years”, they still did.

He claimed that the Internally Displaced Persons allowed themselves to be bought over during the election by “the people who failed them.”

Shinkafi said the coalition would not support the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) and all security chiefs in the state to handle the March 9, governorship and state assembly elections.

“This is because we have no confidence in them and their ability to be fair and just to us,” the APGA governorship candidate added.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the coalition is comprised of the PDP, APGA, ACCORD, NRM, APP, ADC, NPP, DPP and YPP.

http://dailypost.ng/2019/02/27/presidential-election-result-governorship-candidate-ejects-idps-living-houses-voting-buhari/amp/?__twitter_impression=true

Cc lalasticlala Mynd44

RECs, National Commissioners may go in protest

By Johnbosco Agbakwuru

THERE are indications that some Resident Electoral Commissioners, RECs, and National Commissioners of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, will resign their appointments following alleged intimidation, harassment and threat to life by security agencies during the February 23 presidential and National Assembly elections.

States electoral commissioners and national commissioners alleged that at the height of the threat to their lives, they had looked up to the national chairman of the commission but couldn’t because he was also under intense pressure and massive attack by high profile individuals.

It was gathered that some of the states and national election umpires are living in fear that they may be subjected to severe attacks in the March 9 governorship and House of Assembly elections.

Competent sources close to the RECs and national commissioners claimed that some of the states electoral officers were held hostage during the elections and were even left at the mercy of hoodlums as security personnel attached to protect them curiously disappeared, and left them to the elements when their services were required most.

The sources also accused security agencies, including the military and other paramilitary organisations, of distracting officers of the electoral umpire on the pretense of protecting election facilities and at the same time facilitate illegal distribution of the materials to politicians.

A source said: “If there is no intervention, many of the RECs and national commissioners are contemplating the option of resignation because what they passed through in the hands of security agencies, they have not witnessed it before.

“We have not seen this kind of thing before and all through the preparations. Some of the RECs were held hostage.”

The source further alleged that in some states, collation officers were caught in hotels sharing money and that even those arrested were immediately released as a result of what they described as “orders from above.”

“I think this country is worse than a banana republic,” one of the electoral officer who was a victim of the harassment and intimidation stated.

The officer said that the security agencies involved in the harassment were in a convoy of armored personnel carriers, adding that in some cases, retired security officers were drafted into the ‘ugly’ affair.

“They mutilated result sheets. On the eve of elections, they were moving materials away,’’ the source said.

Besides, the source alleged that the most worrisome aspect of it was that some RECs and National Commissioners condescended by working with politicians to undermine the process.

The source said: “You are not free anymore. You can’t even exchange ideas with your colleagues. It is a complete takeover of INEC by all security agencies.

‘’You will sit in office, a group will say it is from Defence Intelligence, after finishing with you, 10 minutes later another will come from National Intelligence Agency, NIA, not only one person but about three or five and they will sit in your office. So, there was a lot of distractions, you cannot even concentrate.

“Then your office will be filled with security agents under the guise of protecting facilities. You will see about 15 soldiers, police, you can’t count, civil defense, everywhere was just choked up.

“Most of the electoral officers were caged. All these figures they are reeling out have no basis. In the area where they have these bandits, after taking the security men out, early morning of the election, they withdrew the security and left the youth corps members at the mercy of thugs hired by the politicians.

“So the youth corps members were endangered and had to run for their dear lives, they now stuff the boxes. When I was flying out of….it was like I was flying to heaven. It was so terrible that I have never seen this type of election before.”

Another source said: “One fundamental thing why some Resident Electoral Commissioners and National Commissioners are threatening to resign is that chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission that they looked up to was helpless.

“Understandably, even the man who could have led that protection himself was under massive attack.”

One of the sources alleged that in the far north, the results released did not reflect the actual votes cast, especially in Zamfara and Borno as a result of military harassment.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/02/aftermath-of-polls-mass-resignation-looms-in-inec/amp/?__twitter_impression=true

15years old OBI CHUKWUKA AKAEZE 1 of Ubulu-ukwu kingdom, Nigerian youngest king met with Delta State governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa at Delta State Government House Asaba.
The youngest king in history of Nigeria, only king jehoash and Josiah (of Ancient) are pretty younger than he is in history of kings. LONG LIVE YOUR MAJESTY!

https://www./newsflash9ja/permalink/1928554257249112/

Cc lalasticlala Mynd44

Peter Obi Votes, Says He Was Harassed On Election Eve.

Watch the video here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b55cbLHeCgo


https://twitter.com/channelstv/status/1099258584314118144?s=19

Cc Mynd44

John Ameh, Katsina

The eldest sister to President Muhammadu Buhari has arrived at her polling unit to cast her ballot in Daura, Katsina state.

She is 84-year-old Hajiya Rekiya Adamu.

She arrived at Polling Unit 003 at 9.30am with security operatives guarding her.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/punchng.com/buharis-84-year-old-sister-votes/amp/

LIVE UPDATES: A Corp Member sitting in the booth of a car while conveying election materials along Bauchi-Dass Road
#NigeriaDecides2019

https://twitter.com/MobilePunch/status/1099222967035330560?s=19

PHOTO: Voters at a polling unit in Bauchi used stones to reserve their spaces on the queue as they took refuge from the weather in sheltered places.
#NigeriaDecides2019 #ElectionDay

https://twitter.com/MobilePunch/status/1099224413298458625?s=19

DG of Atiku Campaign Organisation, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, at his polling unit, ready to vote.

https://twitter.com/MobilePunch/status/1099217914773815299?s=19

Cc Mynd44

More

Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani-Bello has visited Internally displaced Persons, IDPs in Kagara and Pandogari Camps in Rafi Local Government area of the state and assured them of the administration’s determination to provide adequate security as well as ensure that they exercise their fundamental rights to participate in the 2019 general elections.

Armed bandits had attacked 14 communities in Rafi and Shiroro local government areas which claimed 5 lives and rendered over 4700 people homeless.

The Governor revealed that machineries are in place for quick return of the IDPs to their communities.

Addressing the IDPs, the governor says
"We are here to assess the situation and to do whatever we can so that our people can return to their homes.

"We are taking actions that will further improve peace and security in the affected area. We are providing some safety nets for these communities, so that they can go back to their homes and continue with their lives.

"There is need for us to come up with different strategies on how to maintain some level of security so that they can go back home". He added.

Governor Sani-Bello then charged heads of security agencies on the need for inter-agency cooperation, adding that they should also come up with a unified operation plan to address security challenges in the state and in the country at large.

The State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Sabo assured that the security agencies in the state will continue to work together to intensify security in the area and the entire state.

The Director General of Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) Alh. Ahmed Ibrahim Inga disclosed that 14 communities in Rafi and Shiroro Local Government Areas were attacked leaving 4,065 displaced and 5 people killed.

He also disclosed that relief materials are being provided by the state government for the victims.

Jibrin Baba Ndace
Chief Press Secretary
20th February, 2019

https://www.facebook.com/254147984630562/posts/2321943591184314/

Cc lalasticlala Mynd44

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has adjourned four appeals filed by Walter Onnoghen, the suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), over his trial before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), as well as the tribunal’s order for his suspension.

Onnoghen is standing trial before the CCT over allegations of fraudulent declaration of assets.

This is the third time the appeals have been adjourned.

At an earlier sitting on February 12, 2019, the case was adjourned as the three-man panel led by Justice Abdul Aboki did not form a quorum.

At another sitting on February 15, 2019, Oyin Koleosho, counsel to the Nigerian government, applied for an adjournment to allow Onnoghen’s prosecutor the opportunity to take charge of the case, in line with a directive by Abubakar Malami (SAN), the Attorney-General of the Federation. The request for adjournment was granted till Wednesday, February 20, 2019.

However, at the resumed sitting on Wednesday, Umar asked for another adjournment for amendment of various parts of the papers filed by the lawyers from the Federal Ministry of Justice, as well as a response to a fourth appeal.

The appeals bordered on jurisdiction of the CCT to hear the case, the legality of the ex parte order upon which Onnoghen was suspended by President Muhammadu Buhari, the refusal of the CCT on the rulings by the Federal High Court and the National Industrial Court to halt the trial, and the warrant issued for the suspended CJN’s arrest. Although, the CCT has withdrawn the warrant for his arrest as Onnoghen appeared before the Tribunal on February 15, 2019.

The appeals were adjourned till February 27 for hearing.

http://saharareporters.com/2019/02/20/appeal-court-adjourns-hearing-onnoghen%E2%80%99s-appeals-again-%E2%80%94-3rd-time-eight-days

Cc lalasticlala Mynd44

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has adjourned four appeals filed by Walter Onnoghen, the suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), over his trial before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), as well as the tribunal’s order for his suspension.

Onnoghen is standing trial before the CCT over allegations of fraudulent declaration of assets.

This is the third time the appeals have been adjourned.

At an earlier sitting on February 12, 2019, the case was adjourned as the three-man panel led by Justice Abdul Aboki did not form a quorum.

At another sitting on February 15, 2019, Oyin Koleosho, counsel to the Nigerian government, applied for an adjournment to allow Onnoghen’s prosecutor the opportunity to take charge of the case, in line with a directive by Abubakar Malami (SAN), the Attorney-General of the Federation. The request for adjournment was granted till Wednesday, February 20, 2019.

However, at the resumed sitting on Wednesday, Umar asked for another adjournment for amendment of various parts of the papers filed by the lawyers from the Federal Ministry of Justice, as well as a response to a fourth appeal.

The appeals bordered on jurisdiction of the CCT to hear the case, the legality of the ex parte order upon which Onnoghen was suspended by President Muhammadu Buhari, the refusal of the CCT on the rulings by the Federal High Court and the National Industrial Court to halt the trial, and the warrant issued for the suspended CJN’s arrest. Although, the CCT has withdrawn the warrant for his arrest as Onnoghen appeared before the Tribunal on February 15, 2019.

The appeals were adjourned till February 27 for hearing.

http://saharareporters.com/2019/02/20/appeal-court-adjourns-hearing-onnoghen%E2%80%99s-appeals-again-%E2%80%94-3rd-time-eight-days

The Federal Government of Nigeria has directed the immediate payment of February salaries to workers.

This, it said, is to financially enable workers wishing to travel to vote in Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly election to do so.

The announcement was made by the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, while briefing journalists at the end of the meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), presided over by the president, Muhammadu Buhari.

The minister said the payment of salaries to federal workers already commenced on Tuesday, which is “to ease the burden off civil servants planning to travel for the elections”.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), postponed the presidential election billed for February 16 to February 23.

Many who had travelled to their voting destinations were forced to return to their bases and there have been ruminations among the populace that many will not return to vote.

Mr Mohammed said the FEC, on Wednesday, discussed the issue and reviewed some of the palliatives put in place to help people return to cast their votes.

He said the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), with a membership of about 50,000, “(which) controls 80 per cent of the petroleum sector distribution has agreed to cushion the effect of the postponement by reducing the price of pump price of petrol from N145 to 140 from February 21 to 25th”.

The minister said the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), which has about 2 million members and operates motor parks in all the 774 local government areas across the country, has offered to provide discount to travellers using their motor parks.

“All these (are) aimed at encouraging voters who might have been disenfranchised by the postponement,” he said.

Mr Mohammed also said as part of the incentives, two airlines, Aero contractors and Arik Air, are offering discounted fares to passengers.

He said while Aero is offering a 50 per cent discount to all travellers who present their Permanent Voters Card (PVC), at point of purchase, Arik has slashed the price of their tickets to N16000 to all destinations across the country from February 18 to 11 March 11, 2019.

https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/more-news/314128-just-in-election-postponement-nigerian-government-orders-immediate-payment-of-workers-february-salary.html

Cc lalasticlala Mynd44

More

LIVE photos

More

.

The newly acquired Akwa Ibom aircraft has landed in Nigeria and is set to land in Uyo today for commencement of operations.

Cc lalasticlala Mynd44

Eniola Akinkuotu, Abuja

All Progressives Congress chieftain, Bola Tinubu, has again stated that he is richer than Osun State and that he indeed said he was richer than Osun State during the run-up to the Osun State governorship election last year.

This comes months after Tinubu’s media team had claimed the APC chieftain was quoted out of context.

Tinubu had during the countdown to the Osun governorship election last September, paid a visit to the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun, where he boasted that he was richer than Osun State.

While addressing party faithful ahead of the postponed Presidential and National Assembly elections in Lagos last Thursday, the former governor of Lagos State said he indeed made the statement but he did not know he was being recorded.

The APC chieftain also boasted that President Muhammadu Buhari did not possess the kind of money he can steal, adding that he did not even need to go to the Government Secretariat, Alausa, before he could get money.

He said, “They insulted me and said I used my mouth to speak anyhow. However, that rough-handedness paid off in Osun. They claimed that we brought candidates from Lagos to become governors in Osun; people like (Rauf) Aregbesola and (Gboyega) Oyetola.

“If we train your children, and they become experts in their fields, won’t we ask them to come home to make things better? How much is your money that I’ll embezzle? You can’t match my pocket. I told them so, and their traditional rulers were seated.

“They were even recording the incident and published it. Let me not say something like that again today. However, Buhari doesn’t have the kind of money I can steal neither does he have the money I can collect. He doesn’t even have the money for Lagos votes. So, whatever I promise, it’s for real and is coming from my pocket. It’s not until I go to Alausa before I get money to give you.”

Addressing APC supporters on the need to deliver votes, Tinubu said handsome cash rewards await those who can deliver votes for the party.

He said he would not make mistakes of the past where people would collect money in advance and not deliver on election day.

Tinubu added, “Those of you that say you come to Bourdillon for mobilisation, it is mobilisation that we are doing here or don’t you understand? Definitely, if you know people in your neighbourhood, our members, how we used to do.

“They would surround me like the way ants surround sugar but they duped me; calling for mobilisation funds as if they are not all from the same neighbourhood.

“For this one, even if your footwear is worn-out, as long as you can deliver on votes, I guarantee that I’ll pay you money that will surprise you. May we not lack!

“Definitely, if you know people in your neighbourhood, who are our members, you should be able to call them out. If you’re a registered member, go out and vote. Vote and let it be much, and when I see the result, that’s when I’ll bring out money that is worthwhile for you.”

Watch the video here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOtt9po2fY8

https://punchng.com/i-said-i-was-richer-than-osun-state-tinubu-admits/amp/

Cc lalasticlala Mynd44