₦airaland Forum

God help us

After 1 year.
God help us o

http://www.punchng.com/news/husband-snatching-saga-njc-queries-osun-judge/


The National Judicial Council has issued a query over allegation of amorous scandal against a judge in the Osun State judiciary, Justice Olamide Oloyede, who initiated a petition calling for the removal of the state Governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola.

The NJC issued the query dated July 28, 2015 and with reference number, NJC/S.29/HC.OS/16/1/55, against Justice Oloyede upon a petition by a mother of four, Mrs. Emily Richard-Obire, who accused the judge of cohabiting with her (Richard-Obire’s) husband.

Oloyede came to prominence recently after she submitted a petition to the Osun State House of Assembly calling for the removal of Aregbesola on the grounds of his alleged financial misappropriation.

But Richard-Obire had stated in her petition dated July 13, 2015 that she only “recently” discovered that the judge had been having an affair to the detriment of her (Richard-Obire’s) matrimonial home since 2011.

The Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman of the NJC, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, who personally signed the query, directed Justice Oloyede to respond to the query within 14 days of receiving it.

A copy of the query obtained by our correspondent on Monday was issued to the judge through the Osun State Chief Judge, Justice O.A Ojo.

It was entitled, ‘Re: Petition against Justice Olamide Oloyede of the Osun State Judiciary’ and reads thus, “I forward herewith a petition dated July 13, 2015 against you by one Mrs. Emily Richard-Obire on the above subject matter. The petition speaks for itself.

“I shall be glad to have your comments within 14 days from the date of your receipt of this letter.”

It could not be ascertained on Monday if Oloyede had responded to the query.

Richard-Obire alleged in her petition that the judge’s relationship with her (the petitioner’s) husband was threatening her 23-year-old marriage which had produced four children, one of whom is suffering from autism and Down’s Syndrome.

In the petition addressed to Justice Mohammed, the petitioner alleged that her husband, Mr. Richard Obire, moved out of their matrimonial home in Lagos since 2011 and often travelled to Osogbo, the Osun State capital to cohabit with the judge.

She said her husband and Justice Oloyode were both adherents to Grail Message and must have met in one of their meetings.

According to her, the relationship between her husband and the judge had got to the extent that the judge’s official car was now in permanent custody of Obire.

Urging the NJC to restrain Justice Oloyede “from further acts of having an affair with my husband,” Richard-Obire expressed fear that if something urgent is not done, the judge might finally “snatch” her husband eventually and finally abdicate his responsibilities.

The petition read in part, “I am afraid that if something urgent is not done, Justice Oloyede may finally snatch my husband and he may eventually and finally abdicate his responsibilities. I have evidence to the effect that she has been addressing my husband as her “husband” and also my husband addresses her as “my beautiful wife” knowing full well that there is subsistence of marriage between us.

“I urge you to use your good offices to restrain Justice Olamide Oloyede from further acts of having an affair with my husband.”

Copyright PUNCH.All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.

Contact: editor@punchng.com

Goodluck for them.

Betterluck for you.

Bestluck for me.

atlwireles:
Inspite of all the months spent vetting candidates for office, something as basic as educational qualification has been missed. What will these almajiris and their dullard from Daura, do next?

I hope this is honorary degree.
What about his 1st degree? Basic education is what is needed.

Chin curtain. It resemble Islamic way

Naija don begin dey do the right thing. #fearofbuhari

THANK GOD OOOO!!!!!

http://www.bellanaija.com/2015/07/24/nuc-says-international-university-degrees-received-via-online-education-will-not-be-recognized-in-nigeria/

NUC Says International University Degrees Received Via Online Education Will Not be Recognized in Nigeria

24.07.2015 at 8:27 am By Moremi Amuta 35 Comments



The National Universities Commission (NUC) has ruled that henceforth, degrees obtained online from any institution outside the country, “will not be recognised as a means of seeking employment or doing other legitimate business in Nigeria.”

According to Punch, the commission’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Ibrahim Usman Yakasai, said:

“Nigeria will not recognise online degrees. Online degrees are not accepted in Nigeria at the moment; the Nigerian constitution does not even give recognition to such degrees. Those who ran out of Nigeria for study outside this country are those looking for cheaper degrees. It is either they cannot pass the examinations or they do not possess the minimum entry qualifications.”

The commission also stated that degrees obtained from Maryam Abacha American University, in Niger Republic, would not be recognized in Nigeria.

Photo Credit: Dreamstime.com

May God help us o.

ijustdey:
http://thenationonlineng.net/court-rejects-sarakis-protest-against-senate-forgery-suit/

One chance

GOATandYAMtheory:
https://sunnewsonline.com/new/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/dame-patience-jonathan-600x336.jpg

Plans by former First Lady and wife of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Patience Jonathan, to hijack the All Progressive Congress in Bayelsa State to foist a candidate of her choice in the forthcoming governorship election in Bayelsa State has been uncovered.

A group simply known as the ‘Forum For Political Freedom in Bayelsa State’ (FOPOF) accused the former First Lady of using illegally acquired wealth to heavily fund and create a power bloc in the APC in Bayelsa State, using members of the defunct Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN) whom she equally used to undermine the leadership of the PDP in the State in the period leading up to the last presidential election which the husband lost.

According to the Director General of FOPOF, Elder Adenzi Kakarite, the majority of those defecting from the PDP to the APC are not only her close associates, but vocal members of the defunct TAN in Bayelsa State, whom she wants to use to impose a candidate of her choice to run on the platform of the party in the upcoming elections.

Elder Kakarite pointed out that the former First Lady, who had promised to remain in Okrika, has now made Otuoke her political sanctuary, where she holds daily meetings and raises funds, with a view to ensuring that the defectors hijack the machinery of the APC.

The FOPOF statement further alleged that Mrs Jonathan was also funding and working with the PDP Unity Forum, made up of PDP members who were accused of anti party activities during the last State House of Assembly polls in the state, and were either expelled or suspended from the party.

FOPOF explains that most of this group of PDP members, who were readmitted into the party after the peace and reconciliation efforts of the National and State offices of the party, are being funded by the former first lady to carry out campaigns of calumny and spreading deliberate falsehood to discredit Governor Seriake Dickson.

FOPOF also warned Bayelsans to be mindful of the dirty and anti progressive antics of this group of persons, who are going about propagating falsehoods, using some vulnerable Bayelsans to state that the PDP would lose the Bayelsa governorship if it fields incumbent governor Henry Seriake Dickson in the upcoming election.

The statement read in part:

“The former First Lady is very greedy and selfish by wanting to sponsor the candidates of both the PDP and the APC, so that she can continue to milk the state dry.

“Bayelsans must rise up and resist this woman, who clearly does not mean well for Bayelsa state, because she was partly the reason for the husband’s defeat in the last presidential election; and since she couldn’t succeed at the national level, she wants to come and force a governor of her choice down our throats. No, we must resist it.”

The statement disclosed that Mrs Jonathan was meddling in Bayelsa politics, because she has fallen out of favour with her kinsmen in Okrika, Rivers state.

http://sunnewsonline.com/new/bayelsa-poll-tension-in-bayelsa-as-patience-jonathan-plans-to-hijack-apc-pdp/

Mama peace

NgeneUkwenu:
President Buhari, do all you can to protect our naira, even if it takes suspending the current Clueless CBN Governor who only makes knee jerk decisions on major macro economic policies!


May God Bless Buhari For Us!!!

God bless me too

Zakah means to grow and to increase.

When it is said about a person, it means to improve, to become better.



Consequently zakah is blessing, growth, cleanliness, and betterment.



In Shari'ah the word zakah refers to the determined share of wealth prescribed by God to be distributed among deserving categories.



It is also used to mean the action of payment of this share.



The Main Differences between Zakah in Islam and Zakah in Other Religions



Firstly, zakah in Islam is not a mere charity left to the righteousness of individuals, as part of their good deeds. It is rather an essential pillar of this religion, one of its major rituals and the second of its main four forms of worship. Not paying it is like going astray. He who denies its obligation is considered disbeliever. It is an obligation supported by the ethical values of Islam as well as by the power of law in the Islamic state.


Secondly, zakah is a right to the poor in the wealth of the rich, a right decided by the true Owner of wealth, God and imposed on those who have been given control of that wealth by Him.

Zakah thus does not humble or humiliate the receiver nor does it make the rich get a higher rank, ethically or socially.

Thirdly, zakah is a recognized and defined due, determined by Shari'ah so that Muslims may know with clarity the ratios, conditions, and exemptions of this due.

Fourthly, the Islamic state is charged with the responsibility of collecting zakah and distributing it. Zakah is in this respect like a tax that must be collected and not like a contribution that is granted. The Quran states: {Take out of their wealth sadaqah} and the Sunnah says: "to be taken from the rich".

Fifthly, the state has the right to penalize that who refuses to pay zakah. This penalty may include a fine of as much as half the assets as mentioned in the saying, "we shall take it along with half the wealth of the rejecter".

Sixthly, any group of people that thinks of using force in resisting the payment of zakah would be fought by the Islamic government. War is declared on them until they accept to pay the due on their wealth, imposed by God, to the poor.

Seventhly, the individual Muslim is called upon to establish this essential obligation of Islam even if the state does not collect it, since the payment of zakah is in itself a worship that a Muslim offers to his Lord. If the government does not require its collection, it is required by the faith and by the Quran. Each Muslim should know of all the rulings of zakah so he or she may pay it according to the conditions stipulated in Shari'ah.

Eighthly, the proceeds of zakah are not left to government or to religious leaders or priests to determine their distribution. The distribution of zakah and the deserving categories are determined in this religion in the verse {sadaqat are only for the poor, the needy,...}

zakah is not merely temporary relief to the immediate needs of the poor and to attenuate his misery, leaving him in the long run to his poverty
The Sunnah brought the details of distribution. It is known from human experience that righteousness is not achieved by merely collecting the right dues. The disbursement of the proceeds is even more important, so Prophet Muhammad announced that neither he nor any member of his family and descendents were allowed to take any part of the proceeds of zakah. Zakah is taken from the rich in every area and rendered to the poor in that same area.

Ninthly, zakah is not merely temporary relief to the immediate needs of the poor and to attenuate his misery, leaving him in the long run to his poverty. Zakah aims at eliminating poverty and making the poor at least self sufficient, helping them with sufficient financial means to enable them to work and produce for their own sustenance, zakah is a periodical due repeated each year, aimed at raising the level of living of the poor.

Tenthly, zakah in its disbursement aims at achieving several spiritual, moral, social, and political purposes. For that reason, it may be spent for the reconciliation of hearts, for the liberation of slaves, for those who are in debt, and for the sake of God in the widest meaning of the word.

With these characteristics of zakah that are so distinct from alms in other religions, we realize that zakah is an institution unique in its characteristics and features. It is different from taxes and other dues in as much as it is different from alms known in other religions

http://www.onislam.net/english/reading-islam/research-studies/comparative-religion/462246-differences-of-zakah-in-islam-and-other-religions.html

Abdullah ibn `Abbas was still a child when Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) passed away.

He was, at best, on the verge of maturity. Nevertheless, he was a rival of the senior companions in his knowledge, erudition, and good opinion.

He relates the following about his pursuit of knowledge:

After the Prophet (peace be upon him) died, I said to a man from among the people of Madinah:

“Let’s go and ask the Companions about the Hadith of the Prophet (peace be upon him), because the Hadith are so many.”

He said to me:

“This is strange of you, Ibn `Abbas. Do you think that the people need you when there are so many of the Prophet’s Companions around?”
      

So that man did nothing and I went forward, pursuing the companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and asking them about his Hadith. Whenever I learned that a man had heard a hadith directly from the Prophet (peace be upon him) and I found him taking an afternoon nap, I would place my cloak against his door to shield my face from the wind until he came out. He would say:

“What has brought you here, cousin of Allah’s Messenger?’ I would reply:

“A hadith that I have learned you heard directly from the Prophet and that I wished to hear directly from you.” He would say:

“Why didn’t you send for me to come to you?”

I would say: “It was more right for me to come to you.”

That man (from the beginning of my story) passed me by one day while the people were coming to me with their inquiries and he said:

“You were smarter than me.” (Ahmad and Al-Darimi)

SeverusSnape:
Buhari is a bigoted illiterate.

Any zombie with a contrary opinion?

Let wailers continue wailing

barcanista:
Is the value of the Naira really appreciating in the real sense or the CBN and the FG are playing pranks on Nigerians? Why are commodities still high in the market?

Ideal Situation
Ideally, customers operating domiciliary accounts will go to the banks, deposit their dollar and through that account they do whatever transaction that they deem necessary. The Banks inturn will take the dollars(and other foreign currencies) to the CBN.

The Buhari/Emefiele Situation
1. The CBN has stopped receiving dollars from banks, as a result the banks has stopped accepting dollars at the counter because their vaults are full.

2. Because of the restriction at 1(above) the demand for dollar reduces in the BDC. The BDCs seek every means to trade the currency including reducing the cost at the black market. The CBN will go to the press to scream "NAIRA IS APPRECIATING."

3. As a result of 1(above) the banks also refuse to request dollars from the CBN's foreign exchange reserve. The CBN will then come out to scream "RESERVE IS GROWING".

Is that the best way to manage the naira?

Salient Question and Effects:
1. What happens to a businessmen with domiciliary account seeking to deposit dollars and transfer to their partners abroad after buying the dollar from BDC or Bank?

2. The bank's refusal to accept dollar deposit means business transaction on that will be halted. Because no domiciliary account holder will be willing to withdraw from his account when he knows that he won't be able to make further deposit due to the CBN's policy except if his intention is solely for converting the dollar to naira for local transaction.

3. Instead of doing transactions from domiciliary account, businessmen will be left with no choice but to operate domiciliary account in neighbouring countries where they will be making transactions or resort to wiring money via Western Union in neighboring country.

4. As a result of 3(above) the cost of commodities will go UP because businesses will make up for the extra expenses. Also, that will mean reduction in business activities in the banks.

5. Should the above persist it will get to a certain point where there will be scarcity of the dollar in the market. When it get to that point, the dollar rate is astronomically shooooooot up in the market because demand will outweigh supply. At this point, the naira problem will be worse than it was.

Is The Naira Really Appreciating?
Make no mistake, the naira-dollar rate is yet to appreciate in the international market. As at May 29 the naira/$ rate was N199 in the market. The rate as at today Aug 5, 2015 is still N199. You can't appreciate a currency via the backdoor. Even the black market rate cannot be regulated through the back door.

What "Sane" Countries Does:
The CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele made it look like one can't deposit foreign currencies in cash in another country. This is contrary to the facts on ground. No country will shut down foreign currencies transactions in banks. Let me give two instances...

On February 27, 2015, the Central Bank of Egypt instituted a new policy to help the Egyptian pound. As part of the policy, Individuals and businesses are allowed a maximum of $10,000(or equivalent) deposit daily and $50,000(or equivalent) monthly. The measure would stop companies from buying large amounts of dollars from the black market and then depositing them briefly in banks in order to open letters of credit for imports.

In China the maximum daily deposit/withdrawal of foreign currencies is $10,000(or equivalent).

Is it not better to place a transactional limit for foreign currencies than discourage deposit completely(that will solve nothing)?
We don't produce, we import, we have no policy to promote local production nor infrastructures in place toencourage manufacturers, yet we expect the naira to appreciate. That is no done anywhere.


I will be glad to get the views of others.


God Bless Us All

What you saw is the immediate effect.

We shall all live long to see the long term effect.

God bless Naija

God bless me.

Sai Baba carry go

archcharles:
President Buhari Appoints ExxonMobil Vice-chair To Head Nigeria's Petroleum Corporation








http://saharareporters.com/2015/08/04/president-buhari-appoints-exxonmobil-vice-chair-head-nigerias-petroleum-corporation

ellabooz:
Why all this propaganda?
No go fight your malam for this cheap lies oh.

As at today, dollars sell at 230 naira per dollar.

Lies everywhere

Where did you buy at #230.00?

Perhaps you live in far village.

2sex:
http://dailytimes.com.ng/anxiety-as-naira-falls-n250-to-dollar/

BIG LIE.

DEN SELL #219 TO DOLLARS THIS MORNING IN LAGOS.

As salaam alaykum Abu,
 
From the desk of Shaykh Yasir Qadhi....
 
"Imagine, if you will, two people trying to communicate with languages the other doesn’t understand (for example one speaking in Swahili while the other in Cantonese). That type of frustration happens everyday in marriages across the world.
 
Men and women speak different “languages” when expressing their love, and unfortunately this means messages are often left unreceived or unregistered.
 
There are 5 general languages of love you can start using and start recognizing with your spouse.
 
1. Verbal Language - the most obvious and direct way is to say “I love you” and to do so plentifully and with variety. Never underestimate the power of compliments, appreciation, and praise.
 
2. Quality Time - dedicating your prime time to connect with your spouse speaks volumes for especially the wife. When undivided attention is given exclusively to your spouse, it is a demonstration of love.
 
3. Thoughtful Gifting - frequent gifting demonstrates that your spouse has been on your mind, that you took the time out for their happiness and that you appreciate them.
 
4. Helping the Other - as much as possible help lift your spouse’s burden with some of their daily chores. Little acts of help really go a long way in showing your spouse that you don’t take them for granted.
 
5. Physical Touch - touching in general is a sign of warmth, compassion and connection. Women especially appreciate more non-sexual touching to feel loved and secure. When you enter the house, when you’re eating together or doing regular chores, hug, kiss, or stroke one another.
 
Start using different languages of love with your spouse, and also be attuned to when your spouse is saying “I love you” in their own special way.

What of Arelu

Changing name is temporary.

If there is divorce, that is the end she change back to her fathers name or another mans name.

The only permanent name for her is her fathers because this can't change.

It make continuation in the genealogy.

It may have been in existence for long but that does make it the best option.

Prophet's option remain the best.

olaolayink:
jazakallah airan.....i understand what you mean clearly but lemme remind us here that,sometimes culture determine what we do or how to do what we intend doing.....sometimes we use culture to determine punishment for an offence vis a vis......women changing name might not be in Islam and it might also be harram but it's our culture.Africa culture,Nigeria culture.....it's been happening long enough before the western invasion. Google it to confirm. some of our forefathers usually married alot of wives not for anything than to command respect, to show their class and mostly for the pride......so tell me how all dis is possible if those women refuse to change deir name.....culture and religion are 2 different things,that's why you find a Christian man in Nigeria having 2 or more wives. may Allah increase us in knowledge

Jazakalahu khaeran

babs01:

Tawakkul— Letting Allah Take Hold

What is Tawakkul?

The first part of the dua of Ibrahim alayhi salam gives us the first point of tawakkul- Hasbi Allah— Allah is sufficient for me.

The first and most important thing to understand in life, in all spheres of life and at all times, is that no matter what we think, Allah alone is sufficient for us. When this realization takes over, we know that no matter where the situation gets, He alone is enough for us, and He is the only One we need.

The second part is understanding our neediness before Allah. It is understanding that while we are reading this at home, we are in as much need of Allah as the one who is drowning and his heart desperately calling out for help.
It is understanding that the starving child who doesn’t know if he will have food for the next meal is in as much need of Allah as us who have five days’ worth of food in our fridge!

The third part is understanding that whatever Allah does is good for us, whether we perceive it or not.
Yusuf alayhi salam was thrown into a well. It was wrong. He was picked up and sold into slavery.
It was preposterous! His master’s wife tried to seduce him, and when he refused, he was put into prison! It was blatant injustice. And yet, all of it was good for him! And that is why later when Yusuf alayhi salam became the King of Egypt, he remarked that Allah was “ al-Lateef” towards Him. Al- Lateef is the One who is subtle.

He is the One who brings benefit to His slave in a way that the slave can never perceive. He is the One who is doing good for His slave, while the world thinks the slave is being punished! Understanding that Allah is enough for us, that we are in need of Him and that whatever He will allow to happen is good for us are the foundations of trusting in Him. How can you not have trust in the One who is enough for you? Of whom you are in perpetual need of? And the One who will only allow good to happen to you?

Tawakkul is to follow the commands of Allah even when disobeying Him seems easier.
Tawakkul is to believe that He will grant us paradise for choosing Him over the fleeting pleasures of this world.

Tawakkul is to entrust our affairs
to Allah and be content knowing that He will take care of us. Tawakkul is to know that all will be well, even if things look impossible.
Tawakkul is knowing that at the end of the tunnel there is light, even if we don’t see it. Tawakkul is understanding that when Allah shields something from us, He is actually redirecting us to something better. Tawakkul is among the biggest keys that cause miracles to happen in our lives. Tawakkul is among the most beautiful fruits of the tree of la ilaha illa Allah.
.
We ask Allah that He makes us from among those who have Tawakkul in Him. Among the ways to increase our tawakkul is to know Allah. Knowing Allah is best done by knowing His book. And to understand His book better

source. http://understandquran.com/tawakkul-letting-allah-take-hold.html?utm_source=Free+Membership&utm_campaign=eadf3d2f77-New_Design9_29_2013&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_58fa0abd81-eadf3d2f77-412829049

fabulous660:
It is with great pleasure that I wish to announce to all those people who completed their primary school education in Nigeria and not in France that there have been some improvement in the primary school sector....

But if you were born in the indomie generation maybe this will not make any sense to you.

*Do u know that Ali is no longer a boy?
*Simbi is now a mother with two children.
*Chike is no longer the river boy but he is now a Marine Engineer.
*Edet no longer lives in Calabar but has
moved to Canada. *Agbo is happily married too and has left the town of Lagoon for London. *Eze no longer goes to school, he is now a graduate.
*Even Mr Salami is no longer a farmer but a
politician.
*Remember Ralia the sugar girl? she now owns one of the biggest sugar factories in Kano.
*Ade our naughty little brother is now a doctor in one of the biggest hospitals in the country.

Wow!!! what a great medium to recall those days of "Macmillian English." We all had them off hand. Spirit of primary school days, but if u don't know all dis den u are part of indomie generation...
Source: self

What about Mr Bako of New oxford English course

He may need to be exorcised.

Something may be worrying him.

A devil may already be with him.

On the authority of the Mother of the Believers, Umm `Abdillah `Aaishah (radi Allahu 'anha) , who said: The Messenger of Allah (sallAllau alayhi wa sallam) said:
“He who innovates something in this matter of ours that which is not of it will have it rejected”.
[Related by al-Bukhari and Muslim]
In one version by Muslim it reads:
He who does an act which we have not commanded, will have it rejected.

Mikel

hahn:
Unfortunately so. However, there are lots of mature minded individuals here as well. I try to follow such people so when I have an issue I can share it to them or mention them so they can share their opinions

Good

3

Pressure mounted by President Goodluck Jonathan’s loyalists and service chiefs on the Independent National Electoral Commission led to the postponement of the 2015 general elections, SUNDAY PUNCH has learnt.

The polls were billed for February 14 (presidential and National Assembly) and February 28 (governorship and House of Assembly).

Jonathan, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, is contesting against retired Gen. Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressive Congress and 12 other candidates at the presidential poll.

Those who pushed for the postponement, despite the opposition from the All Progressives Congress and many Nigerians, include the Presidency; the Peoples Democratic Party Jonathan’s loyalists; the National Security Adviser, Colonel Sambo Dasuki; the Chiefs of Defence, Army, Naval and Air Staff, among others.

Two weeks ago, Dasuki, while speaking at a forum at the Chatham House in London, asked INEC to postpone the elections, saying the shift would allow for proper preparations and distribution of PVCs by the electoral body.

In an apparent reaction to Dasuki’s call, the United States had on January 25, 2015, advised Nigeria against postponing the elections.

The US Secretary of State, Mr. John Kerry, gave the advice after he met with Jonathan and Buhari.

Kerry urged the Federal Government not to postpone the elections as canvassed by Dasuki.


Army Chief, Minimah

However, the military chiefs wrote to Jega, informing him of the security implication of holding the elections in February as earlier scheduled. This, it was learnt, what part of what influenced shifting of the polls.

Before the INEC chairman announced the new dates for the elections, the commission had insisted that the presidential and National Assembly elections be held on February 14, while the governorship and states House of Assembly election be held two weeks later.

Jega, however, changed the dates of the elections at a press conference he addressed at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja on Saturday. He repeatedly held the NSA and security chiefs responsible for the shift.

The press conference came up after he met with representatives of all registered political parties.

Jega was said to have on Saturday told the leaders of the parties, his officers and the civil society groups that the commission was ready for the election as planned, but that he was worried because of the claim by the security agencies that they would not be able to protect members of the staff of the commission and the electorates.

Sixteen political parties led by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party were said to have favoured the shifting of the elections, while nine others led by the opposition All Progressives Congress were against the move.

Jega also had a marathon meeting with the Resident Electoral Commissioners of all the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.


Naval Chief, Jibrin

At the meetings, Jega was said to have told the attendees that he had received a letter from service chiefs advising that he should postpone the general elections on the grounds that the security agencies were engaged in a renewed battle against insurgency in the North-East.

This, they claimed, would require their full concentration.

In the letter, it was gathered that the security agencies were demanding a rescheduling of elections by, at least, six weeks.

He also told the leaders of the political parties and the Resident Electoral Commissioners that he received a letter on Wednesday from the NSA, informing him that it would be difficult for the security agencies to protect the electorates during the election.

The Council of State had on Thursday rose from a seven-hour meeting, advising the INEC to conduct the elections.

Jega was quoted to have told the council that the commission was ready for the conduct of the election but the military chiefs were quoted to have said they could not guarantee the security of electoral officers, materials and the electorate should the commission go ahead with the earlier schedule.

Same Thursday, Jonathan’s supporters under the aegis of the Southern Nigeria Peoples Assembly led by Ijaw leader and ex-Minister of Information, Chief Edwin Clark, called for the postponement of the polls.

The group, at a press conference, pressed further by asking for the sacking Chairman, INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega, and his arrest for allegedly conniving with some northerners to manipulate the presidential election against Jonathan.

Those in attendance included a former Vice-President, Alex Ekwueme, ex-Minister of Information, Walter Ofonagoro; ex-Governor of Anambra State, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife; Peoples Democratic Party’s National Vice-Chairman (South-South), Dr. Cairo Ojugboh, and the Chairman, Presidential Advisory Committee of the recently held national confab, Senator Femi Okurounmu, among others.

Okurounmu, who read a prepared speech jointly signed by him, Clark and Ekwueme on behalf of the group, said the alleged connivance with the Northern Elders Forum was responsible for the near 100 per cent collection of Permanent Voter Cards in the North.

The PDP has also repeatedly called for a shift of the polls in the past two weeks.

An INEC National Commissioner, who spoke to SUNDAY PUNCH under anonymity after the Saturday meetings, said it was better for the commission to shift the elections in order to protect the integrity of their outcome and those that would take part in the conduct of the elections.

He said, “You needed to be at the meeting and see the mood of Jega. He was not happy because his integrity was at stake and because these same service chiefs had earlier given their words that they were ready.

“Now, if he didn’t listen to their advice, these same security agencies could create scenes (problems) for the elections. They could sabotage the distribution of sensitive materials.

“Apart from that, they could also refuse to provide security for those involved in the elections and could also sabotage the movement of sensitive materials.”

The source said almost everyone in the country was aware that the PDP-led Federal Government was not ready for the elections.

“If the Federal Government that is funding the security agencies and appointed their heads is not ready for elections, how do you compel their heads who are all appointees of the same government to say they are ready,” another INEC National Commissioner asked.