₦airaland Forum

Kobojunkie:
That is the most ridiculous excuse ever . . .  his name was not on the ballot . . .and there were other candidates who lost. If I lived in the sate, I would definitely make sure to avoid anything that has to do with him for this. Jeez!!

This excuse of voting based on belief is the most unfortunate one I've heard in recent times. The Vice President should accept that he failed to deliver his state and not giving excuses. If the people made up their mind to vote for Buhari based on religious sentiments, then where did PDP get the votes in Sokoto, Kano, Jigawa, etc, which are predominantly muslim more than Kaduna?

Kaduna voted on religious sentiment, says Sambo

Vice President Namadi Sambo has attributed the poor performance recorded by the People’s Democratic Party in Kaduna State during last Saturday’s National Assembly elections to a religious conspiracy by some northerners against the presidential ambitions of Goodluck Jonathan. The vice president who spoke through his senior special assistant on media, Umar Sani, said that the defeat was not targeted at him but at the PDP. He said that those who voted against the PDP in the state were mostly Muslims who saw the coming presidential election as a religious contest between Goodluck Jonathan, a Christian, and Muhammadu Buhari who is a Muslim.

According to him, “Some people have been going around the North warning that any Muslim that votes for PDP or any other party outside CPC (Congress for Progressive Change) is not a genuine Muslim and will be punished for that.

“They have already made up their minds to vote for CPC because of Buhari without minding the calibre of candidates they voted on Saturday. Many of those who were elected are not even known by the electorate and they did not campaign. But because of the presidential agenda which they are so much interested in, they voted for CPC. But I can assure you that Sambo will deliver his ward to PDP and the entire Kaduna state come Saturday.”

Mr. Sani told NEXT that many of the places lost by the PDP had always voted for Mr. Buhari since 1999, adding that the party would have captured all the seats if the presidential election had come first.

“In 2007, when the presidential election was conducted first, the PDP was able to capture Kaduna Central which had always been controlled by the ANPP (All Nigeria People’s Party). This is because the people are much interested in where the president comes from,” he declared.

The special assistant said that Mr. Sambo won his polling unit when he contested the governorship election in 2007 and had always maintained a cordial relationship with his people. Mr. Sani said that President Jonathan would emerge victorious in Saturday’s election despite all the scheming by certain people in the North to scuttle his chances.

http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/Home/5689587-146/story.csp

FG’s public debt rises by N1trn

The total public debt of the Federal Government, comprising both external and securitised domestic debt, rose by $6.7 billion (about N1.005 trillion) in the past ten months, from $25.82 billion as at December 31, 2009 to $32.5 billion, currently.

The Director-General, Debt Management Office, DMO, Dr. Abraham Nwankwo, who stated this at a media chat yesterday, in Lagos, also disclosed that two bookrunners have been shortlisted for appointment next week, for Nigeria’s planned sale of $500 million Eurobond before the end of the year.

Nwankwo noted that the domestic debt stock constitutes the bulk of the total public debt at $28 billion, accounting for about 86 percent of the total while the remaining $4.5 billion is for external debt.
Statistics

He revealed a steady increase in domestic debt from 2005 to date, except for 2008 when a marginal decrease was recorded. The domestic debt in 2005 was $11.83 billion; 2006, $13.81 billion; 2007, $18.58 billion; 2008, $17.69 billion, and $21.87 billion in 2009.

The figures for the external debt stocks, however, show that $20.48 billion was recorded in 2005, $3.54 billion in 2006, $3.65 billion in 2007, $3.72 billion in 2008, while $3.95 billion was recorded as external debt in 2009.

Nwankwo also debunked insinuation that the interest rates on Nigeria’s external borrowings are as high as 20 percent.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2010/11/fgs-public-debt-rises-by-n1trn/

Delta, Bayelsa and Imo record highest cases of ballot box snatching

Delta State recorded the highest cases of ballot box snatching in Saturday’s National Assembly election, followed by Bayelsa and Imo states, the Independent National Electoral Commission said yesterday.

The chairman of the commission, Attahiru Jega, said the three states topped the chart of incidences of diverted ballot boxes, amongst several other poll malpractices but gave no specific figure.

An official of the commission, however, said the highest number of the violation recorded by Delta State during the relatively well-conducted election was nearly 50.

A spread of detailed statistics of malpractices, including violence, diversion of materials, lateness of officials and materials, during the elections on state-by-state basis was expected from the commission on Monday. Mr. Jega’s spokesperson, Kayode Idowu, later said there were problems with the analysis of the data and the information would be made available Tuesday.

Large-scale malpractice

While addressing international observer teams, including the Commonwealth, African Union and the National Democratic Institute, Mr. Jega said the worst cases of the breaches, were recorded in the three states.

“There were problems with thuggery. Luckily the police have made a number of arrests in fact earlier today I got information that the police have arrested over 500 people, many of them thugs,” he said.

“Delta is a state where we received most cases of ballot box snatching followed by Bayelsa and then followed by Imo states”.

Mr. Jega’s remarks came as a growing number of political parties that lost in the elections, laid complaints to the commission, amid concerns that the overwhelming success of the election generally could deny attention on genuine cases of violations no matter how minute they may appear.

The parties blamed their defeat on large scale rigging by the ruling parties, ballot paper stuffing and box snatching and demanded a rerun and redeployment of INEC staff alleged to have been compromised.

In Bayelsa State where one of the most damning cases of violence was recorded, the opposition parties accused the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) of hijacking electoral materials in connivance with security operatives including the police, the Joint Military Task Force (JTF) and some INEC officials.

The parties, led by the Labour Party (LP) Chairman in the state, Addo Badou, and the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) told the electoral commission that elections did not hold in six local government areas of the state. They demanded the immediate removal of the State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Edwin Nwatalari, for alleged connivance with the politicians.

‘Cancel the poll’

In Kwara State where the PDP dominated in the election according to results announced, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) Sunday threatened to contest the results of the elections. Opposition parties have made similar calls in Benue, Adamawa, Rivers and Akwa Ibom states.

There are concerns as to whether new measures including complex ballot paper security, voters waiting behind to defend their votes and a customized ballot box, are enough to deal with intricate electoral fraud scheme which exploits human factor for a compromise.

In the case of Akwa Ibom state where a raging rivalry between ruling PDP and the ACN supporters recently reached violent dimensions, the parties say there abound heaps of questions about the exercise and the commission says they would be investigated when properly tabled before it.

After a startling defeat margin on Saturday, the ACN has been quick to dismiss the outcome of the elections and asked for a repeat as well as the removal of the REC in that state, Maria Owi.

In a detailed petition to Mr. Jega signed by the state chairman, Aniekan Akpan, the party claims many of its agents were chased off from collation centres by paid security agents siding with the ruling party while some corps members were compelled to release surplus ballot papers to the party.

“Unused ballot papers were not returned but were given to PDP members who used palm kernels or bitter kola nuts to print in place of thumbs! What an innovation,” the party said in the letter which spokesperson to Mr. Jega, Kayode Idowu, said he could not confirm whether it had been received as of Monday noon.

In a particular case, in Essien Udim Local Government Area of the state, all registered voters in the state voted for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), according to the announced results, leaving no allowance for voters who died, travelled, took ill.

By yesterday, INEC headquarters could not confirm the total number of petitions it has received already on the Saturday election.

http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/Home/5689422-146/story.csp

Abuja Election Shocker: 12 Persons Arrested With 1 million Presidential Election Ballot Papers!

The Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) has alerted Nigerians of massive efforts to print election ballots for the purpose of rigging next Saturday’s presidential elections, for which 12 people are now under arrest.

This follows the discovery by the police that over one million ballots had been printed at Tulip Press, an Abuja printer. The men are in police custody at Utako Police Station, Abuja, and the DPO, Mallam Usman Umar, has confirmed that the case has been transferred to the Force Headquarters.

In a statement issued this evening, signed by Rotimi Fashakin, the National Publicity Secretary of the CPC, the Congress said two men, Akinlolu Akinto and Habila Stephen, were first caught with 100,000 ballot papers loaded into a van. In the ensuing police investigation, the other one million ballots were discovered.

The CPC noted the allegation that TULIP Press was responsible for the fake ballot papers that have been found in Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara and other parts of North West.

“In another potential ‘show stopper’ for the presidential elections, our impeccable sources pointed that a lorry load of ballot papers had been removed from INEC stores to the Aso rock villa, ostensibly as samples for the view of Candidate Goodluck Jonathan,” the Congress said. “When INEC was confronted with this allegation, the veracity of which was confirmed we were told the matter is still under investigation!”

It said it recognizes that Saturday’s presidential election “is a ‘do or die’ for some because they have a lot to explain to the Nigerian people, should they lose,” for which no effort is being spared to ensure victory.
The CPC then appealed to its supporters to be even more determined to be prepared to give the final push for the espousal of a new Nation.

http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/abuja-election-shocker-12-persons-arrested-1-million-presidential-election-ballot-papers-0

this is very healthy for a democracy, Kudos to INEC

no hope for PDP, SMH

Nigeria deports 87 Niger nationals over vote fears

KANO, Nigeria — Nigeria has deported 87 Niger nationals over fears they could be involved in election rigging during this month's rescheduled polls, a senior immigration official said Wednesday.
"All the 87 deportees crossed into Nigeria without valid papers and the arrest of some of them at polling stations last week created fears they could be used in electoral malpractice," head of immigration in northern Bauchi state Haruna Sa'idu Dawop told AFP.
He said voter registration cards were found on the immigrants arrested at polling stations, but they would not say who gave them the cards.
There have been allegations in the past of Nigerian politicians recruiting youths and others, including Niger nationals, to help rig elections. Recent elections in Nigeria have been deeply flawed.
Niger is located across Nigeria's northern border.
Nigeria was to hold parliamentary polls last Saturday, but the country's electoral chief has since twice postponed the vote as a result of widespread organisational problems.
The vote is now to be held this coming Saturday, with presidential and state polls now pushed back to April 16 and April 26 respectively.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iDuUMQtxY5m1l7O7AVM5RfQEjr3w?docId=CNG.1806babfc6e484e29ec020186325443c.3d1

So even those in PDP are beginning to see the good in Buhari, They are in for a shocker this time. BB all the way

Blast rocks Nigerian poll candidate's guesthouse

YENAGOA, Nigeria, April 5 (Reuters) - Attackers threw dynamite into a guesthouse in the southern Nigerian oil city of Yenagoa on Tuesday owned by an opposition candidate in upcoming parliamentary elections, but nobody was seriously injured.

The attack happened at a hostel owned by Peremobowei Ebebi, a former deputy state governor and member of the opposition Labour Party who is standing for a Senate seat in parliamentary elections set for Saturday.

"I was out at the restaurant when I heard an explosion. I ran to check and found that dynamite had been thrown through the fence," guesthouse manager Bail Timi told Reuters.

A Reuters correspondent said windows were shattered and walls cracked by the explosion but there was no major structural damage to the three-storey building. Security forces cordoned off streets in the area.

The attack underscores the risks in the restive oil-producing Niger Delta during parliamentary, presidential and state governorship polls being held across Africa's most populous nation this month.

Bayelsa state, of which Yenagoa is the capital, has already seen bombs and shootings at political rallies in recent months.

The state governorship race is particularly fierce, with incumbent Timipre Sylva, from the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP), facing a challenge from former presidential adviser Timi Alaibe of the Labour Party.

In January, gunmen killed several of Alaibe's supporters at his home while the Labour Party office in Yenagoa was bombed after the state governorship primaries a week later.

Ebebi himself is a controversial figure. He was once Sylva's deputy but the two fell out and became locked in a bitter and sometimes violent power struggle before Ebebi was impeached over allegations of corruption last year.

Gunmen in speedboats attacked Ebebi's home last July, while the same guesthouse that was firebombed on Tuesday was also hit by a car bomb last May

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/04/05/nigeria-delta-idUKLDE7342BF20110405

Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan vows fair elections

Nigeria's President, Goodluck Jonathan has been speaking for the first time about the controversy surrounding the country's chaotic elections on Saturday.

Voting had to be abandoned because basic paperwork did not reach huge swathes of the country on time.

In an exclusive interview with the BBC's Caroline Duffield, he vowed that despite delays, elections would be held that were free and fair.

Click on the link to watch the interview

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12978913

Botched polls: INEC lost N4bn

ABUJA – CHAIRMAN of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega, yesterday, summoned the 37 Resident Electoral Commissioners for a meeting today at the headquarters of the Commission in Abuja.
Jega held a closed-door meeting with his national commissioners to strategize on next Saturday’s rescheduled National Assembly election.
This came as indications were that the postponed election might have cost the Commission some N4 billion in logistic deployment and allowances to the more than 400, 000 ad-hoc staff comprising mainly corps members.
The Commission, however, said it was not contemplating asking for more money from the Federal Government, even as it has so far been given almost N100 billion for the voters registration and the conduct of the election.
INEC’s board meeting, yesterday, comprised the Secretary of the Commission, Alhaji Kaugama and national commissioners.
A source close to the meeting told Vanguard that Jega had to beg the commissioners to handle tasks assigned to them to ensure the Commission did not repeat last Saturday’s failure.
Three legged general elections
Jega had, Sunday, announced the postponement of the three_legged general elections to start with the National Assembly on Saturday, April 9; Presidential on April 16 and Governorship/State Assemblies on April 26.
Details of the meeting include the fact that the Commission would formally report the contractor who failed to deliver the election materials on schedule to the appropriate security agents for sanctions and punishment for breach of contract in line with the contractual terms and agreement.
Vanguard also gathered that the INEC boss told the commissioners that the meeting was not for buck passing on what went wrong but to strategize on how to make a success of the rescheduled elections. He also reportedly said they needed to co-operate to compensate Nigerians on the embarrassment caused them with last Saturday’s failed election.
INEC chairman’s Chief Press Secretary, Kayode Idowu, confirmed that since the contractual terms have been breached, “the contractors have to pay for the lapse.” He added: “We just don’t want to do media trial. But I can assure you that penalties will be applied.
Sanction will be enforced,” adding that members of the public deserved to know the defaulters and that their identities would be disclosed at the appropriate time.
In his reaction, INEC Director of Public Affairs, Emannuel Umenger, said that no sacrifice was too much. He said: “We were overwhelmed by show of supports that we should go ahead and do all, to conduct good election. Whatever cost will be in the best interest of the country. INEC doesn’t contemplate asking for more money.”
On the botched election, Umenger described it as an act of God, noting: “What happened is an act of God. Japan with all its sophisticated technology, they have been planning against tsunami but what happened now that they were caught napping. We had plan B but its’ just that it didn’t work. It was not sabotage, it is an act of God.”
The National Commissioner in charge of Information, Prince Solomon Soyebi also denied the involvement of any national commissioner in the diversion of INEC sensitive materials

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/04/botched-polls-inec-lost-n4bn/

Nigeria dumps nuclear power plans

Nigeria may have foreclosed any plans to explore nuclear energy as an alternative source of electricity power generation.

Minister of state for power, Nuhu Wya, who gave this hint in Lagos, said the country would explore other means of power generation in which it has comparative advantage.

Responding to a question at the power conference held in Lagos last week, he said with the inherent danger in nuclear power, the country had no business pursuing that source.

"Why do we have to be talking about using nuclear power? If we have so many other sources of energy that are untapped, why do we have to be talking of one that is not readily available and is a long term development plan? For you to put a nuclear plant and get it working, you are talking about eight years," Mr. Wya said.

Minister of environment, John Odey, had said the use of nuclear energy for electricity generation is no longer an option but a necessity, if Nigeria is to meet her energy needs. According to him, the grid capacity built around oil, natural gas, and hydro is not only grossly inadequate but cannot meet the country's current and future energy demand.

Nuclear emergencies

However, with this pronouncement, the government may have jettisoned the idea. Following the earthquake in Japan, its nuclear plants, which accounts for about 29 per cent of the country's electricity power supply, were badly affected, raising global concern about the dangers of nuclear plants, especially for developing countries like Nigeria.

Though the country has a watchdog, the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority, which is supposed to regulate and ensure safety in the use of nuclear energy, its state of preparedness to handle such emergencies is still in doubt.

Mr. Wya said the country has abundant capacity in other energy sources such as hydro and thermal, which have not been fully utilised.

"We have received expression of interest from firms that want to invest in the power sector in hydro, gas, wind, coal, and solar power plants.

"We must remember that Nigeria is gas and oil economy and already has enough gas to potentially power the whole of Africa. In the same manner, government has commenced effort to balance the energy needs with the development of new sources of power from naturally evolved resources. Already, pilot scheme for solar and wind projects are ongoing," Mr. Wya said.

Potential impediments

Mr. Wya said potential impediments to the entrance of private sector investment in every facet of the power sector will be totally eliminated, in order to make it attractive to investors.

Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Sam Amadi, said government would guide against the emergence of monopolies and manipulations in the power sector once it is privatised.

"It is normal to find collusion. A market participant can be so powerful that it can consistently act independently in keeping price above competitive level. Electricity market can lend itself to manipulation," Mr. Amadi said.

He said the commission will strive to protect consumers while ensuring that electricity tariff will be competitive enough to encourage investment in the sector.

"We will protect consumers by ensuring just and fair pricing, carry out social policies, and prevent anti-competitive practices by active participants," he said.

http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/Money/5687384-147/nigeria_dumps__nuclear_power_plans.csp

Nigeria's presidential election is scheduled for April 9; however, at a campaign rally in Lagos on Tuesday, March 1, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, the undisputed godfather of current President Mr. Goodluck Jonathan, who is also a candidate in the upcoming election, was full of celebration galore by declaring victory as if the election was over. The event was also attended by Chief Bode George, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stalwart who was convicted of corruption by the Nigerian court in 2009 for complicity in an 85 billion naira fraud at the Nigerian Ports Authority where he was Chairman.

According to an account of the campaign rally printed in Nigeria's widely read daily newspaper The Punch, Mr. Obasanjo said to Mr. Jonathan in the presence of other high-ranking members of the ruling PDP: "All that you need from me is to congratulate you. Let us congratulate ourselves for this victory." However, the declaration of victory did not end there. The paper reported that Mr. Obasanjo commenced to sing in Yoruba words literally translated to mean, "Bravo is the song of the day/ Obasanjo cannot condone/Obasanjo would resist if we vote and we don't win."

This declaration of victory is insulting to Nigerian voters. It also underscores concerns that some powerful 'kingmakers,' such as Mr. Obasanjo, like to manipulate the outcome of the elections in Nigeria to suite their own agenda. It suggests that votes do not count and power does not belong to the people in Nigerian democratic society.

There is nothing convincing about Mr. Jonathan since he assumed office after the untimely death of his predecessor, Umaru Yar'Adua, that demonstrates he is adequately prepared to lead the country toward reform, economic prosperity, and to alleviate the suffering of ordinary Nigerians by providing jobs for over sixty percent of unemployed Nigerian graduates. Mr. Jonathan is a candidate of PDP, the so-called political party that is nothing more than a lobbying interest group primarily interested in sharing what has been known as 'Nigerian national cake.'

It is not surprising that Mr. Jonathan has been running a rudderless administration with little oversight and replete with fiscal irresponsibility. For example, the Financial Times of London and Nigerian newspaper Next reported earlier this year that investors shun Nigeria's $500 million Eurobond because they are concerned with how $20 billion in the Nigeria Excess Crude Account shrunk to less than $400 million under Mr. Jonathan's watch.

Similarly, Mr. Jonathan's own presidential advisory panel recommended that he reduce the size of his large government to save money for infrastructure development. Rather than heeding this advice, Mr. Jonathan created frivolous portfolios for newly appointed aides, such as an Advisor for Diaspora Affairs. Mediocrity and cronyism also crept into his administration when the Nigerian Senate confirmed the appointment of Mr. Jonathan's nominee for the post of ambassador -- someone who can neither recite the Nigerian national anthem nor explain the duties of the ambassadorial post.

Moreover, the president has refused to engage his opponents in the April 9 elections in debates to discuss the issues, policies and their respective manifestos for Nigerians. Another bizarre twist that was introduced into Jonathan's campaign is an admission of truth by former President Obasanjo that there were zoning agreements in the Peoples Democratic Party between the North and South regarding who would produce Nigeria's presidency. He further suggested that Mr. Jonathan would be a one-term president and that northern Nigeria will produce the next president. This double talk and turncoat behavior by Mr. Obasanjo, a statesman who is expected to rise above partisanship and selfish interests to provide straightforward and truthful communication regarding all areas of national concern, causes Nigeria to be more polarized along ethnic, regional and religious lines. As a result, the country's fragile unity and stability remains more vulnerable than it has ever been before.

The best way for Nigerians to move forward and experience real democracy is to make sure that PDP is voted out of power, otherwise we risk being a perpetual One Party State. A vote for President Jonathan is a vote for four more years of economic stagnation and continued suppression of the Nigerian people by the corrupt political class that has created an abnormal society whereby we have two paradoxical Nigerians -- the Haves and the Have Nots -- who live in two different Nigerias. It is alarming that juvenile delinquency is on the rise in a country with inmates whose age ranges between 8-15. It is also a shame that Nigeria now has first-class and third-class citizens, among others, in pecking order. For example, there are first-class Nigerians like billionaire Aliko Dangote, who made his fortune through his cozy arrangement with Obasanjo's regime, which "encouraged the sell off of State-owned corporations, presidential aircrafts and government properties to Dangote and other questionable businessmen," according to the Sahara Reporters website. While the poor Nigerian masses, including the "Talakawas" on the streets of Kano City in Mr. Dangote's home state can hardly survive on less than $2 a day, our Forbes magazine-ranked richest man in Africa, with an estimated net worth of $13.8 billion, bought himself a 'token' brand new Bombardier Global Express XRS private jet for a mere $45 million for his birthday.

I also think it is high time that former President Obasanjo take a back seat from his usual business of pre-anointing who rules Nigeria. He should let the Nigerian people decide the country's destiny. It is shocking that Mr. Obasanjo had imposed his own preferred candidate as the flag bearer of PDP for gubernatorial elections in his home state of Ogun. I hail from Ogun State, like Mr. Obasanjo, and find it disturbing that he handpicked a septuagenarian former military general with health issues to succeed the outgoing governor of the State, Gbenga Daniel, who has his own political baggage.

Nigerians can make a statement with their votes by rejecting the overtures of PDP, which has been either through buying voters conscience with money or by poll rigging, as was evident in past elections. For example, courts overturned the elections of PDP governors who stole the people's mandates in States like Edo, Ondo, Ekiti and Osun, respectively.

Finally, this presidential election is about fighting for the future of Nigeria between the retrogressive forces that have turned the country into their milking cherry orchard and those who believe in a Nigeria for all. A vote for an alternative party rather than PDP will be good for the country and help to restore the hope that we have a system that works. Mr. Jonathan is a disingenuous character that lacks passion, conviction and gravitas to lead Nigeria to the desired Promised Land.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ademola-bello/why-nigerians-should-reje_b_843926.html

I came across this video recently and it amazed me how Christianity is practised with traditional Religion in Nigeria. For how long is this uncivilized practice of killing children and maltreating them in the name of Witchcraft
continue to take dominance in so-called christian religion especially in Akwa Ibom? Pls click on the link below to watch the video






http://www.channel4.com/programmes/dispatches/4od#3008630

So we now live in a society where the Police cannot arrest someone if he is a suspect? The end of the so-called high and mighty in Nigeria is coming to an end gradually.

Arrest me now, Rochas dares police

The All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) governorship candidate in Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, yesterday, dismissed rumour making the rounds in the state that he has gone into hiding to avoid police arrest, saying that police could locate him anytime.

Okorocha, who confirmed the rumour that the state police command had launched a manhunt against him and other APGA chieftains in a media chat yesterday at his country home, Ogboko in Ideato South Local Government Area of the state said that he was too big to go into hiding.

According to him, “I have heard about it; it is a confirmed rumour that I am being looked for by the police but quite frankly, I am not in anyway hiding. The police know where they can locate me at anytime, anywhere, anyday. I am too big to hide, I do not know where to hide without being spotted.”
He stated that a barrage of policemen comprising the commissioner of police, director of the State Security Service and brigade commander Obinze with over 50 armed policemen stormed the Lemonde Hotel, Owerri, looking for him.

He disclosed that the security men that stormed the hotel requested to search every guest at the hotel where his Chief of Staff (COS), Prince Eze Madumere who was at the hotel was arrested and detained at the State Central Investigative Department (SCID). He said when he learnt of the arrest of his COS at about 2.45am on Friday, April 1, he ordered his domestic staff to keep the gate leading to his residence open and until 6am, he did not see antbody.

He stated that the arrest of his COS may not be unconnected with the final rally of the party on Thursday, March 31, in Owerri where it was alleged that a vehicle conveying the state Governor, Chief Ikedi Ohakim and the former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo was pelted with pure water sachets by angry mobs.

Throwing more light on the incident, the APGA standard bearer said he had called on the inspector general of police (IGP) to find out who ordered the arrest of his COS and others but the police boss denied knowledge of the incident. He said, “I do know that the people of the state are no longer happy with Ohakim. Nobody informed me that pure water sachets were thrown at any car throughout the rally until I got to my home. ”

He warned: “In Imo State arresting me is like upsetting the political situation in the state. I don’t know who is taking that advice from the state government.” He further lamented that the arrest and detention of his COS was illegal since he had been kept in police cell for over five days, saying the party did not intend to blow his arrest out of proportion for the sake of democracy in the state.

“Holding my chief of staff is still confusing. We don’t know really what offence the young man committed. I had called the inspector general on police of his arrest, he said he was not aware of it. Ohakim had been boasting that he is going to buy off everybody.” He therefore expressed joy that power was gradually returning to the people in the country stressing that power did not belong to an individual as the people decide who governed them at anytime.

“I have said it that power must go back to the people in Nigeria, it (power) is not for any individual or governor; the people must decide who must govern them.” He stressed that he had no regrets if he was failed for the sake of the people. “Even if I had to put my hands in chains and go to jail for my people, I will be glad to do so. Let it be known that I cannot hide and I will not hide. Let it be know that I have committed no offence.”

He said that the only thing Governor Ohakim had intended to achieve was to bring the presidency and APGA in the state into a head on collision pointing out that, it was the party (APGA) with its teeming supporters to deliver President Goodluck Jonathan on April 9 presidential election because nobody in the state likes to hear the name Ohakim as it irritated them.

http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2011/apr/04/national-04-04-2011-003.htm

POLL: BUHARI TO WIN AT THE FIRST BALLOT

The presidential candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, Gen Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) may win next weekend’s presidential election on the first ballot, a study has revealed from Washington, USA. This is countering speculations that opposition parties might field a joint candidate against the incumbent president, Goodluck Jonathan.

The study, which was conducted by a US-based independent organisation that operates internationally and stands for humanitarian interest of all Nigerian citizens and for a transparent democracy- Freedom and Democracy in Nigeria (FADIN), revealed that Buhari is the most preferred presidential candidate among 67 percent of Nigerian registered voters. The report also revealed that a record number of Nigerians at home would be massively voting at the National Assembly polls today.

President and CEO of FADIN and coordinator of the study, Mr. Saidu Nda Ugonoh who has presided as electoral officer monitoring and supervising millions of registered voters in the State of Virginia, USA, said that Nigerians are ready to protect their votes and will not vote blindly for unfit candidates in the series of elections, stressing that, the outcome of the polls will see Buhari winning in the South-west and all over the north, while the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN will win the local elections in Lagos if politicians would allow the electorates to vote without snatching of ballot papers or boxes. He disclosed that Nigerians are now beginning to be motivated to vote for credible leaders with concrete issues that matter to them for the first time since 1999.

The study carried out by Freedom and Democracy in Nigeria FADIN, shows Buhari in the lead by a majority in the North with 89.1 percent and South-West, 65.1 percent respectively. In a shocker, the study shows Buhari coming close to the required 25 per cent short by 3 percent, while the Peoples Democratic Party candidate, President Goodluck Jonathan in the South-South had 41.1 per cent.

According to the survey, the low rating of President Jonathan will transmit a negative advantage of PDP candidates as voters clamour for a total sweeping change. Buhari is expected to sweep the polls in the South-West underlining political forces in the region. The Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN will do well in many of the states in the South-West.

It will be recalled that FADIN was an accredited international election observer in Nigeria during the 1999 and 2003 general elections and during the 1999 election, Mr. Ugonoh worked closely with world leaders such as former U.S Secretary of State, Colin Powel, former British Prime Minister, Tony Blair and former US President, Jimmy Carter.

http://www.leadershipeditors.com/ns/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=28215%3Apolls-buhari-to-win-at-the-first-ballot&catid=51%3Acover-stories&Itemid=142

May their Soul rest in peace. Its alarming the rate at which people have died in Nigeria lately.

Nigerian mass car crash leaves 20 dead

Witnesses say more than 20 people have died after a fuel tanker slammed into the back of a line of cars waiting at a police checkpoint in central Nigeria.

The crash happened on Friday as vehicles waited at a police checkpoint on the border of Plateau and Bauchi states in Nigeria's fertile 'middle belt' region.

At least 20 vehicles caught fire in the ensuing explosion and blaze that spread across the two-lane highway running through the town of Narabi.

The roadblock was in place as Nigeria faces heightened security with the start of its three-week election period.

http://www.skynews.com.au/world/article.aspx?id=596370&vId=

na_so:
i dey laugh oh. 

It appears these BB fans know little about the determinants of electoral victory at the national level. I have interviewed literate BB fans in lagos and shockingly discovered that 80% of these fans dont even know the party logo. So wetin go happen for rural area now? kai it appears we will have 2 presidents after april 9; One  for the internet which of course will be BB, while the actual president on ground will be GEJ.

[size=50pt]Fresh air[/size]

If you had said illiterate fans dont know the CPC logo then your post would have made sense but saying the literates are ignorant of the the CPC logo is a lie and an insult to anyone you call a Literate Person

Does this suggest any plan for fairness in the elections? When is NIGERIA going to grow up and stop all this rubbish?

Explosives intercepted in Delta

The police in Asaba, Delta State, yesterday nabbed two policemen and a driver of a Kia Rio car that was conveying guns, explosives and grenades to Bayelsa State from Delta.
The Commissioner of Police Alhaji Mamman Tsafe said the ammunitions which included a Rocket Propelled Grenade, five dynamites, 25 cartridges, seven single barreled guns and two double barreled guns, were procured for Saturday’s elections and others to come. The commissioner’s submission was corroborated by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Charles Muka, who confirmed the incident yesterday in Asaba.

A source disclosed that two policemen escorted the car with an aide to a prominent candidate in one of the political parties that were apprehended by the police at a checkpoint in Patani axis in Delta State. Patani council had been in the news lately. In January, a top member of the PDP and former Transition Committee Chairman of the council, Mr Paul Atie was shot dead. Muka refused to disclose the names of the culprits and their sponsors, saying “three young men were arrested” at Patani with arms and are presently being interrogated by the police in Asaba.

http://www.dailytrust.dailytrust.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=15780:explosives-intercepted-in-delta-&catid=1:news&Itemid=2

Three killed in fresh attack in Jos

THE Plateau State Police Commissioner, Mr. Abdulrahman Akano, has confirmed the death of three persons in a fresh attack by unknown armed men in Mararaban Forom, Barkin-Ladi Local Government.


Akano said in a statement on Thursday that the attack, carried out on local miners at about 12 midnight, left three people dead and many others injured.


The police commissioner said one of the deceased, Mr. Gyang Pam, was attacked and killed on his farm while watering his crops.


Akano, who added that no arrest had been made, explained that the police were on the trail of the perpetrators.


Meanwhile, less than two weeks after an attempt to bomb the regional headquarters of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles in Jos was aborted, an armed youth on Thursday stabbed a policeman, who was guarding the church premises.


The attack came at a time the operatives of the Special Task Force said they were ready for Saturday’s election.


Our correspondent gathered that the policeman sat on a bench in front of the church when the assailant launched a surprise attack on him, stabbing him in different parts of the body.


The victim was said to have hung his gun on the shoulders, awaiting the arrival of a colleague.


An eyewitness said that the cry of the policeman for assistance attracted some residents of the area, who rushed to his rescue just as the attacker fled the scene.


It was further gathered that while the policeman was trying to prevent the hoodlum from snatching the two guns, the attacker inflicted machete cuts on him.


“We heard shouts of ‘help, help’ and before we knew what was happening, the attacker had fled, leaving the policeman in the pool of his blood,” an eyewitness said. Akano, who confirmed the development, said the policeman was rushed to the University of Jos Teaching Hospital and was responding to treatment.


The Special Task Force has stated its preparedness for Saturday’s election.


STF Commander, Brig. Gen Hassan Umaru, told journalists in Jos on Thursday that movement would be restricted from the midnight on Friday to the midnight on Saturday and subsequent election days.


He said a security council meeting was held on Wednesday where adequate measures were mapped out to ensure that the election was free and devoid of any trouble.


Umaru said, “Security arrangements have been tightened in all local government areas, while movements have been restricted from 23.59pm on Friday to 23.59pm on every election day.


“We like to take this opportunity to reassure the people of Plateau that we shall do everything practically possible to ensure a free and fair election. We will also like to add that whatever inconveniences the people may experience as a result of the security arrangement we have put in place, would be insignificant to what would happen in the event of any breakdown of law and order.”


The commander said all vehicles coming into Jos would be thoroughly searched, warning against any attempt to circumvent security.


He added that the measures being put in place by the task force were without prejudice to the arrangements being made by the police.

http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art20110401228385

where u get this news from? abi na April Fool you plan to do here?

Two Bombs Defused At Buhari's Rally In Katsina

Men of of the Nigerian police claimed they foiled a bomb plot at the venue of Muhammad Buhari's rally in Katsina earlier today. Policemen protecting the venue of a massive rally inBuhari'shome state, Katsina said they apprehended and retrieved two bombs hidden a bag before the rally.

The bomb plot is coming on the heels of an attempt to bribe the Emir of Katsina by an advance team sent by President Jonathan, according to a palace source, Dr. Dalhatu Sarki Tafida and Isayat Balat met with the Sarkin Katsina before a scheduled meeting between Dr. Goodluck Jonathan and nothern emirs and mallams in Kaduna to offer some monies in dollars but the Emir rejected the bribe.

The emir reportedly told Jonathan's emissaries that the People's Democratic Party (PD) was buried with late president Umaru Yar'adua in the ancient burial ground of the city of Katsina.

After the meeting in Kaduna with National Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), each of the particiapnts were reportedly offered N1 million ($7,000) for transportation back to their respective states.

http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/two-bombs-defused-buharis-rally-katsina

Lagosboy:
Whoever gave him that advice has done the a wonderful thing. Mr Utomi cannot win any ward in Edo state where he is from. This has nothing to do with his intellect neither does it have anything to do with his not being mega rich , it is only because he doesnt have grassroots touch.

He would have made impacts in the senate, governorship or minister. Everyone doesnt have to be president to make an impact.

He is from Delta and not Edo state.

Even if he had not quit he still would have gone nowhere in the election results. Dont understand why the government can work with people like him. Very bad you know.