₦airaland Forum

Its very clear PDP haven't found a way to rig with this machine so they want to discredit it and make sure it isn't used for the elections. Nigerians are clamouring for change and that change we are clamouring for is inevitable. I can already feel it like the clothes I'm wearing. A Vote for APC will safe guild the future of your children. No sentiments, Buhari is just the best choice for now. March4Buhari

There were indications that the Presidency and the Peoples Democratic Party were already commencing tactics aimed at frustrating the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission to make use of card readers for the 2015 elections.

Investigations by our correspondent in Abuja on Monday and Tuesday, indicated that the ruling party and the Presidency were already looking at the possibility of mobilising Nigerians to demand that the use of card readers for the election be stopped.

This is coming as a former National Chairman of the ruling party, who is now a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Chief Audu Ogbeh, said there were signs that the PDP was not interested in holding the elections.

Rather, Ogbeh said, the party was still hell-bent on foisting interim government on Nigeria.

A source in the Presidency, who spoke on condition of anonymity with our correspondent in Abuja on Tuesday, said that both the Presidency and some members of the National Working Committee of the party had been asked to continue to either condemn the use of the card readers for the elections or also that the commission be told to allow Nigerians to use the Temporary Voter Card instead of the Permanent Voter Card for the election.

He said, “We are not comfortable with the card readers. For example, we have not seen any and we don’t know how it works.

“What will happen if the card readers fail to work? We have not even been told that they would not fail. And if they fail, what would happen. I think the issue of card readers must be re-examined.”

The commission had said that it would introduce card readers for voters’ accreditation in order to verify the rightful owners of PVCs.

It said that the device would eliminate impersonation and voting by proxy during the elections.

Meanwhile, the Director General of the PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation, Amadi Ali, on Monday criticised the electoral commission for the postponed elections.

He said the electoral body was not fully ready for the polls.

Ali, who spoke at a press conference which was also attended by the Director of Media and Publicity of the organisation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, also criticised the use of card readers for the elections.

He said, “There are also reports that the PVC readers are not fully distributed and tested. How can INEC handle cases of faulty card readers?

“Do they have a credible plan B in situation where voters line up and the card readers refuse to work? Ballot boxes are reportedly inadequate. Adequate training of INEC’s members of staff for the election had not been concluded and other problems facing INEC.

“Quite clearly the shift in election date is meant to save INEC from monumental embarrassment. I would like to reiterate that the PDP is ready for the election any day.”

But Ogbeh in a statement, insisted that the PDP was not ready for the elections and advised Nigerians to reject any call for the installation of ING by the government.

He said that the letter sent to the Chairman of INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega, by the National Security Adviser, Col. Dansuki Sambo (retd.), in which he asked for elections postponement by six weeks must be properly digested by Nigerians.

Ogbeh said, “Does this not suggest that we should expect high level theatric manipulation as the six weeks get closer to convince us that another six weeks will be necessary?

“Isn’t this a ploy to ensure we enter May 29 without an election on the grounds of a nationwide instability? Doesn’t this then give credence to the rumours, and indeed, the declaration in a rowdy press conference four days ago by Dr. Doyin Okupe that they have no intention of handing over to Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.)?

“Isn’t this leading to the strongly rumoured Interim National Government? It is time for all Nigerians to take heed that there is a stormy and dark clouds ahead.”

He said that Nigeria had been reduced to children’s playground where individuals and groups presumed that they could name on their own without recourse to the constitution and the slightest respect for the 170 million Nigerians.

Source: http://www.punchng.com/news/presidency-pdp-reject-card-reader-for-election/

NIGERIANS on Tuesday reacted angrily to speculations that the President Goodluck Jonathan administration was planning a major clampdown on media houses considered to be “unfriendly”.

Prof. Itse Sagay, SAN, a constitutional lawyer; Mr. Yusuf Ali, another SAN; Mr. Debo Adeniran, an activist leader of the Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders, and others who spoke to our correspondents said the alleged plan to clamp down on the media was symbolic of a government desperate to hold on to power by all means.

Sagay said, “I won’t be too surprised if the government clamps down on the media because as you can see, there is lot of desperation coming from the government’s side; desperation and fear of losing the election that led to postponement and a lot of very undemocratic practices that have been going on.

“But the press should just do its work as they should under the law. At the end of the day, there is no army in this world that can conquer the press. The press is the most powerful organisation and its pen is a great weapon. Ultimately, nobody, no institution can conquer the press. The press should just do its work and be courageous.”

Sagay and the others spoke as the speculation about government’s plot against the media reached a climax on Tuesday, with the National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki, said to be the anchor for the government’s plan.

A ‘news alert’ on Tuesday that purportedly reported a discussion at a military meeting in Kaduna, leaked an anti-media action being championed by the National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.).

The nucleus of the plot, according to the alert, is the arrest of top management personnel of the mentioned media houses: The PUNCH, The Nation and Channels, a privately-owned television station.

Worse than the clampdown on the named media houses, the ‘alert’ revealed other dangerous anti-democratic steps the government is alleged to be taking even as the nation gets set for the general elections.

The alert, unedited, read, “News Alert: Once again am back here with some of the highlights of the Military meeting in Kaduna. Like I told you yesterday, the Military is doing everything possible to derail this democratic process. The representative of the Federal Government to the meeting today made it very clear that President Jonathan would never allow GMB to take over from him. Rather, the military body should be ready to take over govt on May 29.

“As preparation for this, the meeting came up with the plans to clampdown on some notable media organisations found to be crusading for the opposition. They specifically mentioned the Channels TV, The Nation and The PunchNewspapers as some of the media houses to be dealt with. He suggested ways to go about the clampdown including the arrest of notable management of these media organisations.

“The issue of Nigerian Sovereignty also came up in the light of an expected attacks and condemnation from international communities and organisation. To our surprise, IBB sent one Bob Caleb to the meeting to add some impetus. He came in around 12pm and left about 20 minutes later after holding some private brief with the NSA. The meeting continues tomorrow, but I can say that the country will witness some strange development in some weeks to come. Stay tuned.”

The Presidency on Tuesday debunked some of the contents of the ‘alert’. For one, it denied a report that the President would rather hand over to the military on May 29 than handing over to Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress.

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, in an interview with The PUNCH said the report was a sign of desperation by some people with partisan interest.

Abati said Jonathan remained committed to democracy and the rule of law.

He said, “That (the alert) is absolute nonsense. It is nothing but a sign of desperation on the side of certain elements with partisan interest.

“President Jonathan remains fully committed to democracy and the rule of law. He is a man who believes in one man one vote; one woman, one vote; one youth, one vote and the right of every Nigerian of voting age to exercise their franchise.

“One of the major achievements of this administration had been the conduct of free, fair and credible elections at all levels since 2011 and it is a legacy of which he is proud and he has made it clear that his ambition does not worth the blood of any Nigerian.

“It won’t happen under his watch that the gains of democracy will be reversed. He remains committed to transforming Nigeria so that democracy can be further consolidated and the rule of one man one vote will continue to be strengthened.

“I am saying categorically that the story is not true and cannot be true. It should not be taken seriously by anybody.

“What is clear is that there are a lot of unpatriotic, partisan and deliberate elements who are determined to heat up the polity for their own narrow and selfish purposes.

“But we say to such people that they should realise that this country is bigger than all of us. President Jonathan continues to call on all stakeholders to come together and work together to put Nigeria first always.”

Given that most actions of the Jonathan government, especially in recent times, often started off as a speculation, reactions on Tuesday indicated that the speculations could be true and those who spoke warned the government against its alleged plan.

Ali, who spoke to The PUNCH on the phone from Ilorin, Kwara State, described as dangerous any step to gag the media.

He said, “That is a very dangerous step to take. It is inimical to the nation; it is inimical to democracy and inimical to the rule of law. There is freedom of expression in our Constitution and any media house or other organisations whose rights are being infringed upon should approach our courts; the courts are open.”

Adeniran said, “It means the system has bared its fangs and they have decided to go all out to become tyrannical, but that would be resisted by the Nigerian populace because we rely on what the media, especially the conventional media, can dish out to us.

“So, apparently, the present system or government has a lot of things to cover up; it means they have things they don’t want the public to know, that would be the reason they want to do that. But I am not sure that they would go far because the international community is watching and the international community is ready to defend the ordinary citizen of this country. Even if they do it, they would only embarrass themselves but we pray that it is not true.”

The Executive Director, Civil Liberties Organisation, Ibuchukwu Ezike, said, “That would be undemocratic and the Civil Liberties Organisation will not support such an attempt.

“Already the President has signed the Freedom of Information Bill and it has become a law and this bill empowers the media to enquire into the activities of the government.

“Any attempt by the government to clamp down on the media is condemned and will be condemned and the Civil Liberties Organisation will resist it and lead the Nigeria people to fight against such impunity or lawlessness. We pray it doesn’t happen but it would be an opportunity for another Occupy Nigeria.”

The Independent National Electoral Commission on Friday announced a shift in the elections originally scheduled for February 14 and 28 with new dates now set at March 28 and April 11 for Presidential and Governorship polls respectively.

The shift had drawn the anger of many, especially the opposition, but the crux of the matter was that the postponement of election started as a mere speculation, just like the current speculation of a plot to deal with unfriendly media houses.

Perhaps in recognition of how mere a speculation under the present administration could take on a life of reality, the INEC chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, on Tuesday reacted to speculations that he would soon embark on a terminal leave, preparatory to the expiry of his tenure of office in June.

Jega said the condition of his engagement was different from the normal civil service practice and said he would serve till the end of his tenure on June 30.

The speculation that Jega would proceed on terminal leave before the commencement of the rescheduled polls came amid further speculations that the Jonathan administration had lost faith in the INEC boss and would want the election to be handled allegedly by a pliant INEC chairman.

Before the former Central Bank of Nigeria governor, Sanusi Lamido, was removed, there had been rumours that President Goodluck Jonathan was going to sack him for his whistle-blowing activities against the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation. The Presidency had kept mum until it finally announced the suspension of Lamido in February 2014.

Meanwhile, anti-media actions are not new under the Jonathan administration.

In June 2014, armed soldiers seized and destroyed copies of newspapers, mainly The PUNCH, The Guardian, The Nation, Leadership, ThisDay, Daily Trust, Sun, Pilot, Newswatch and The Mirror.

The military authorities claimed then that the seizures were based on intelligence report that newspapers were being used to ferry arms into the country.

The action then drew the ire of Nigerians with the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project   asking Frank LA RUE, UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression to “urgently issue urgent appeal and measures to stop the government of President Goodluck Jonathan from continuing harassment and intimidation of several media houses and newspapers.”

Last year, according to the World Freedom Index, Nigeria was ranked 112 among 180 countries. The 2014 WPF index cited the negative impact of conflicts on “freedom of information and its protagonists.”

Nigeria was ranked 115 and 126 in 2013 and 2012 respectively.

The report linked the ranking of some countries like Nigeria to its government’s “tendency to interpret national security needs in an overly broad and abusive manner to the detriment of the right to inform and be informed.”

This trend, the Index noted, constituted a growing threat worldwide and “is even endangering freedom of information in countries regarded as democracies.”

The 2014 index underscored the negative correlation “between freedom of information and conflicts, both open conflicts and undeclared ones.”

It said further that, “In an unstable environment, the media become strategic goals and targets for groups or individuals whose attempts to control news and information violate the guarantees enshrined in international law, in particular, article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the 1949 Geneva Conventions and the 1977 Protocols Additional 1 and 2 to the Geneva Conventions.”

WFI, however, noted that the upsurge in violence against journalists elicited a response from the international community.

Source: http://www.punchng.com/news/nigerians-warn-jonathan-military-against-media-clampdown/

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega, has said he does not have any plan to embark on terminal leave.

This was contrary to unsubstantiated report that Jega would proceed on a forced terminal leave on March 1.

But Jega’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Kayode Idowu, denied this saying his boss was busy preparing for the conduct of the elections.

He said, “Jega is busy preparing for the elections and you are asking about terminal leave. Does anyone planning to conduct elections go on terminal leave? There is nothing like that.”

Idowu had in an interview on a TV programme monitored in Lagos, on Tuesday, said Jega’s appointment was not guided by civil service rules and would serve until the end of his tenure on June 30.

He said the postponement of the elections would make INEC better prepared for the elections scheduled for March 28 and April 11.

Idowu also denied the report that Jega had resigned his appointment due to pressure from the Presidency.

Idowu said, “No, that’s (resignation) is not true, he has not resigned. He didn’t resign. It is a mere rumour.”

Similarly, the minority leader of the House of Representatives, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, said Jega could not be asked to go on a terminal leave because he was not a civil servant.

He said, “I do not consider the Chairman of INEC as a civil servant subject to civil service rules the same way I, as a member of the House of Representatives, is not a civil servant. There is a difference between a civil servant and a public servant or officer. Jega falls under the latter.”

However, it was learnt that by norm, political appointees had at several times in the past been ordered to go on terminal leave even though they were not civil servants.

The provisions of Public Service Rules 100238 states that officers are required to give three months notice of their retirement from service terminating on the effective date of their retirement. This means Jega might be forced to proceed on terminal leave before the elections.

For instance, the tenure of Jega’s predecessor, Prof Maurice Iwu, was due to expire on June 13, 2010 but on April 28, 2010, President Goodluck Jonathan, ordered Iwu to proceed on terminal leave.



Source: http://www.punchng.com/news/i-wont-go-on-terminal-leave-jega/

Tomorrow it will be Channels and Lagos Tv saying PDP supporters are coming to threaten them. Nigerians should use their heads. This might just be a propaganda from PDP. Anyone who watches AIT knows that they are Pro-Jonathan in a way. The only Neutral programme there is Focus Nigeria. Too bad that politics has been dragged this far

Bad!!!!!

Jega should be allowed to do his work. Only a mad person will consider removing him and bringing in another person who doesn't know the laid down plans of the commission for the election in the last minute. I know Jonathan must have made some errors in the past but if he does this, it will be the worst mistake in his administration. Every right thinking Nigerian knows that Jega is a man with credibility.

How can he boost of only 5400 jobs? How many percent is that compared to the millions of unemployed youth in the country.

This shift in elections will end up hurting PDP more than APC

It is so sad that our Nations Security agencies haven't been able to stop Nigerians especially those in the North east from suffering from the hands of Boko Haram. One of the most unfortunate thing now is that some APC and PDP members will use this as a campaign against each other. When we are suppose to fight this blood sucking group as Nigerians irrespective of political affiliations

If at 16 she could do this one can only imagine what she would have done when she is 30 to the man

M+2M +2M+5= 100


M= 19
Mum= 38
Dad 2M+5=43

Add up=100

This is a very critical question we need to ask our military and security agencies. If they couldn't guarantee safety for one day because of 14 LGA out of 774 LGA then we should know that there is a problem in this country. This goes to show in a long way that the Nigerian military is highly partisan and are dancing to the tune of the ruling party. Nigerian Security agencies are now in the pocket of the PDP. Such a shame for our military.

This man called Fayose self. Always on the media for all the wrong reasons. I think it's either he doesn't have good media advisers or he doesn't take their advice. Creating more problems for himself everyday. Nigerians are not just lucky with good leaders and its as a result of most people not participating in our electoral process. Now that they know better, I hope we all will do better. Vote wisely for development and not sentiment.

I guess that was a dream. Or super story. A President that likes corruption so much can never give such order

I believe this are some of their strategies especially the first point you made. We as Nigerians have to dig deep to hold on to our resolve that what we want is change irrespective of what the PDP are willing to do at this last minute. All of this shows one thing that we have the power in our hand. Let's use that power to vote in who we know will stamp out corruption and make Nigeria a better place. Even the rich ones in this country are scared to enjoy their hard earned money because when you do, you will be the next target of kidnap. All this is as a result of no availability of jobs. Let's vote for a better Nigeria. I am saying this as a Nigerian who wants a better future for Nigerians and not a member of any political party. I think this present government has failed to provide security for those in the North east and are highly corrupt. I hope the change we all clamour for becomes a reality in March. # March4Buhari

So unfortunate what the presidency is using our military to do. Instead of putting them to good use of fighting boko haram properly, they are here seizing books.

The truth is Destiny is delayed but not denied. I watched the press conference and it's not fault of INEC to postpone the elections, its simply that of our security agencies that couldn't guarantee availability of security officials for the elections. It might be that the presidency has arm twisted the security agencies. So we should channel our grievances towards the security agencies.

okpamson15:
How much did he give you to write the whole of this cook up story. Mr. Ambass.

This is the wrong mentality most of you have. Why must you say he must have been paid. Anybody who comes out with the truth or his opinion you people who are in PDP will say he has been paid. Its a very wrong notion and you have to change it. How much can they pay an 83 year old man to write this? Everybody is not like you who collect money to say and write things.

I am sure he is calling for Jega to resign because he hasn't collected the money been offered by them and has chosen to conduct a free and fair election. In 2011 when he was with and played along them why didn't they ask him to resign? When you choose to do the right thing PDP will say you have been bought by APC. This is wrong. I believe Jega wants to make sure that this election is the most credible election ever in Nigeria. And I encourage Nigerians to stand by him so that he can have the strength to withstand the pressure he is currently facing from the ruling party to play games with them.

If the President was taking corruption seriously, she should have been in Jail by now for miss appropriation of funds during her time as minister and yet she wants to be a Senator. What is she going to do there? . And yet some people want Jonathan to continue when he doesn't give a damn about the level of impunity going on in the system. Only in Nigeria Thieves are celebrated.

The Economist mag just said the truth. A dictator is better than a failed President. And its so unfortunate that we have to chose between this two individuals who necessarily many people wouldn't have wanted. But its bad for Abati to be defending the indefensible because even a layman knows that Buhari will be better than President Jonathan. Buhari's government I am sure will be more accountable and more prudent in the spending of our Nations money. I don't expect to see a minister using 10 billion Naira for chattering a private jet in one year during Buhari's reign in office.

If this is true, then I must say he has earned my respect. It is not easy to be on that hot sit with people coming to offer you huge amount of cash and you still stand on your ground. He must make that tough decision of not postponing the election as that is the best decision to make at this point in time to avoid chaos in the country

What would be his reaction before. They said the recording has been authenticated so what is he saying. I know in his mind he knows the recordings are real.

Gbawe:
ABi OOOO. Not only front page but this needs to be 'stickied' at the top of other threads in the politics section. Seun and his mods should show they love Nigeria more than their private affiliations by helping Nigerians to see what the PDP engaged in. This is an absolute disgrace and anyone considering voting GEJ must rethink that choice if at all they love Nigeria and do not wish to see her fail completely like Afghanistan.

We now see, glaringly, what GEJ has turned the Nigerian army into. I.e a hungry, indisciplined , completely partisan, unpatriotic and totally amoral armed force like the sort one find in failed Nations. This is a President who knows only how to divide and destroy to get his way. He has divided and virtually killed his own Party the PDP. He has divided Nigerians horribly along religious and ethnic lines. He has completely destroyed the Nigerian army, NPF and made the Nigerian Navy a glorified errand boy to Tompolo et al. The DSS ,under GEJ, has been reduced to acting as the loudspeaker of the PDP while the EFCC is now a PDP hound dog used to extort political loyalty and/or favours out of dissenting politicians. Christians and Muslims are now at loggerhead in Nigeria because of the brand of divisive ethno-religious politics GEJ and his minions like Obanikoro, Fayose, Metuh, Omisore et al practise. This openly Machiavellian President is shockingly bad and his gross misrule must make every sane Nigerian to ask "how did someone this terrible become the President of the biggest black nation on earth?".

I guess its because we were deceived by his humble face and his humble beginning that we thought all of us could relate with. Sentiments played a huge roll why I voted him in too. But this time I know better. They say if you know better you do better. I have stripped myself of all sentiments coming from the south region of Nigeria to vote for who I think will take us away from this mess we are in now as a nation. I will also encourage any well meaning Nigerian to do the same too. Vote Buhari now so that your children can have a better Nigeria. God bless Nigeria

The national council of states has directed INEC to go on with the proposed dates for the 2015 election.


Details later


Source: AIT

Hmmm. Very hard to separate Christianity from politics in Nigeria these days

What is going to keep taking this country backwards is sentiments. Too much sentiment or ethnicity is shielding some people from seeing who can really do the Job. They promised us refineries when they partially removed subsidy. Now the refineries are yet to be built. Now we hear 30 trillion naira is either stolen or mismanaged and yet some Nigerians still want to vote this government in. I guess those who wants to vote Jonathan in are as Clueless as he is. I believe its best if we try an alternative government and if they don't perform we vote them out too its as simple as that. The power is in our hands for a brighter tomorrow.

Why is the group "CAN" trying to divide Nigerians on religious grounds. It is not good the way they are going about this election. You can easily deduce that "yeye dey smell" MAYBE they have really been paid. Christ came for both the sinners and the righteous. How are you going to convert the non-christians when you continually throw jabs at them. CAN should retrace their steps and stop been partisan

This buttresses the claims that the APC has been making. The PDP wants to remain in power by all means. And they know that if they go to the polls now, they will loose woefully. Nigerians have said no to the postponement of the elections. This INEC incompetence is just an excuse as INEC cannot force everybody to come and collect their voters card that is already available. Too bad for PDP because they are already gone whether they like it or not.