₦airaland Forum

Following the outcome of the Presidential and National Assembly elections in Benue State, members of the Peoples Democratic Party have been defecting in droves to the All Progressives Congress.

APC presidential candidate, Maj. Gen. Mahammadu Buhari(retd.), defeated the incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan in the state while state Governor, Gabriel Suswan, lost to Senator Barnabas Gemade in the governor’s bid to clinch a Senate seat.

The governorship candidate of the APC, Samuel Ortom, said he had so far received over 8,000 PDP supporters, notable among them are Maj. Gen. Lawrence Onoja(retd.), a former governorship aspirant, Matthias Oyigeiya, and former House of Reps candidate. John Tion.

Ortom, in a telephone interview with our correspondent, maintained that the PDP should expect another shocker as several other members of the state ruling party would join the APC before the April 11 polls.

According to him, the PDP misrule had made change easier as the people of the state were tired of not being paid their wages.

Meanwhile, a former Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Chief Mike Aondoakaa(SAN), and Prof Tony Ijohor(SAN), who is also Suswan’s lawyer, have resigned their membership of the PDP.

With Gemade’s victory, the APC now has two Senators in the state – George Akume – while PDP has only one, David Mark.

The House of Reps now stands at six seats for APC against five for the PDP.

http://oyiidoma..com/2015/04/benue-2015-mass-defection-hit-benue-pdp.html?m=0

A civil society organisation, Centre for Social Justice, Equity and Transparency, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to transfer the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Benue State to avoid a blot on the Commission’s integrity.

In a protest letter to INEC Chairman, Prof.  Attahiru Jega, the Centre’s Executive Secretary, Comrade Ola Oluwasanmi, called for the removal of the REC or the reposting of Prof. Istifanus Dafwang, from Benue State, for alleged compromise. Oluwasanmi accused the REC of compromising with certain political bigwigs in Benue State from the opposition camp, to rig the elections.

 He referred to the recently- concluded elections for Senate of the Benue North-East Senatorial District, in which he claimed the Resident Electoral Commissioner had connived with the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Sen. Barnabas Gemade, to cancel certain results from the PDP strongholds to give the APC an upper hand.

Samuel Ortom (APC)
Former Minister for Trade and Investment

[Vote Here][/http://oyiidoma..com/2015/02/benue-2015-online-poll-who-will-you.html
]

Terhemen Tarzoor (PDP)
Former Speaker Benue State House of Assembly

[Vote Here][/http://oyiidoma..com/2015/02/benue-2015-online-poll-who-will-you.html]

Chief Stephen Lawani has come out to debunk rumour making rounds that himself and other top members of the PDP in Benue are set to dump the party for APC.

In his words even if PDP is without a single elective position in the country, I will remain in the party; I am not known for double standard , I am not prepared to join queue in any other party, if I dump the party that offered me the opportunity to serve my fatherland, what would you make of me?

What legacy am I leaving behind for my children? Politics is not only when you in the corridors of powers, Tinubu and Buhari started out with the opposition, they never contemplated joining the PDP, that APC is here today is a clear confirmation that PDP will rebound tomorrow, we will remain in PDP to correct our mistakes.

http://oyiidoma..com/2015/04/benue-deputy-gov-lawani-debunk-decamp.html

A hundred naturists converged Saturday on a beach in South Africa, which has become Africa's first official nudist beach, despite objections from some locals.

A 500-metre (yard) stretch of Mpenjati Beach, which lies on the Indian Ocean, received local government approval last year to become the continent's first official nudist venue.

"It was a fantastic day on the beach, we had lots of people on the beach, no problem whatsoever, wonderful weather, warm water, fantastic beach," enthused Serge Pavlovic, chairman of the South African National Naturist Association (SANNA).

"We got congratulations from all over the world," he added.

Pavlovic said earlier that planned activities during the Easter weekend would include volleyball and sack races.

South Africa has been home to unofficial nude beaches for decades, such as Cape Town's famous Sandy Bay, but this was the first weekend of authorised naked beach sports and sunbathing.

Last-minute objections by a local group secured a compromise from officials, who have designated the opening as a "trial run".

The residents' group said in its appeal that naked sun-lovers would have a "negative effect on a society that is striving for wholesome lifestyles".

However the first day of the nudist beach passed without incident.

The Hibiscus Coast local municipality approved SANNA's application last October, thus endorsing Africa's first official naturist beach.

Source: news.yahoo.com/south-africans-bare-first-official-nudist-beach-182537761.html

http://oyiidoma..com/2015/04/africas-first-official-unclad-beach.html

GOING by the results of the March 28, 2015 National Assembly elections, it is clear that majority of National Assembly members will come from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and they will be in control of lawmaking for the country.



Benue State has for almost the past 16 years of democracy placed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the helms of affairs.

The party, however, has begun to loose its grip on power. The PDP in the state is gradually being overtaken by the APC’s hurricane of change. The truth is: the ruling PDP in the state would soon be called the opposition.

Two critical factors have brought about PDP’s downturn. One of such is the shoddy conduct of its primaries in the state. Most of the aspirants were forced to step aside for the party’s flag bearer, Hon. Terhemen Tarzoor, on the night of the governorship primaries.

They felt aggrieved and tricked by the governor. As a result, they forsook the governor, leaving the party’s candidate to campaign alone. Another reason is the non-payment of salaries and pensions by the PDP-led administration for many months.

This resulted in massive votes for the APC. The PDP, which in 2011 placed two senators (Barnabas Gemade and David Mark) in the Upper Chamber, now has only one – Senate President, David Mark.

Benue North West was captured by former governor and Minority Leader of the Senate, Dr. George Akume of the APC. For Benue North East, the erstwhile National Chairman of the PDP, now chieftain of the APC, Barnabas Gemade, got the ticket and won the election for a second term to the Senate.

For the Lower Chamber, those who would call the shots also are predominantly members of the APC, except four persons from Benue South where the Senate President, David Mark holds sway. Of the three, Ezekiel Adaji of Otukpo Ohimini and Samson Uku of Oju/Obi Federal constituencies are going back for a second term, while the incumbent member for Ogbadibo/Okpokwu/Ado constituency, Hon. Hassan Salleh, was disqualified by an Abuja court.

In his place, Mr. Chris Abbah was declared unopposed winner. Similarly, for Benue North East, where Gemade comes from, only Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency has a new face. He is Barrister Benjamin Wayo of the APC.

He beat the incumbent, Col. Benjamin Aboho, who decamped to the Labour Party in order to re-contest the seat after loosing the PDP ticket at the primaries. Hon. Herman Hembe (APC) representing Vandeikya/Konshisha was again elected for a third term and Hon. Emmanuel Udende (PDP) representing Katsina-Ala/Ukum/Logo constituency was voted in for a second term.

For Benue North West where former governor of the state and Senate Minority Leader, George Akume, holds sway, all the four House of Representatives members are of the APC. Of the three, Mr. John Dyeh of Gboko/Tarka constituency is going back for a second term while Mr. Dickson Tarkighir of Makurdi/Guma federal constituency will replace Hon. Emmanuel Jime, who left the PDP to unsuccessfully contest the governorship slot under the APC. Hon. Orker Jev (APC) of Buruku Constituency was voted again for a third term.

The only new person among them is Hon. Mike Gbilah, elected to replace Hon. Christina Alaaga of Gwer East/Gwer West Federal Constituency.

http://oyiidoma..com/2015/04/benue-apc-dominates-pdp-at-nass.html

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP), which Mark belongs to, has lost its majority status in the Senate.

Senate President, David Mark will no longer be the occupant of his seat, come May 29, 2015.

This is because the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), which Mark belongs to, has lost its majority status in the Senate.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) won 64 out of 109 Senatorial seats during the March 28 and 29 National Assembly elections and as such will now produce the next President of the upper house.

Political analysts say that the next Senate President could’ve come from the South-East but for the fact that the people in that zone voted overwhelmingly for the PDP hence cutting themselves off from the position.

The contest for leadership of the Senate is now said to be between former governor of Kwara State, Bukola Saraki, former governor of Benue State and Senate Minority Leader, George Akume, and Barnabas Gemade, a former National Chairman of Chairman of the PDP.

However, it is said to be unlikely that either Gemade or Akume would be chosen due to the fact that they are both from Benue State, which has occupied the position for eight years through David Mark.

Thus, this leaves Senator Saraki as the strongest contender for the position of Senate President.

Saraki will begin his second term in the Senate on May 29.

http://oyiidoma..com/2015/04/who-will-be-nigerias-next-senate.html

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State is gradually fizzling out with the overwhelming of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the last Saturday election.

The former youth director for the Suswam campaign organisation, Chief John Akperashi Gum has already fixed a date, 7th April, 2015 for his defection ceremony.

Meanwhile, former minister of justice, Mike Aondoakaa (SAN) and Suswam’s deputy, Chief Steven Lawani and a member-elect of the House of Representatives for the Ukum, Katsina-Ala and Logo, Emmanuel Udende have concluded plans to defect to the APC.

Yesterday, the former youths director of Suswam, Akperashi withdrew all his campaign vehicles from the PDP campaign organisation, rebranded them with the campaign pictures of General Buhari and Chief Ortom and formally donated them to the Ortom/Abounu campaign organisation in a well organised ceremony.


http://leadership.ng/news/politics/422911/suswams-deputy-lawani-aondoakaa-others-set-to-defect-apc-in-benue

Screaming in pain, Filipino devotees had themselves nailed to wooden crosses to mimic the suffering of Jesus Christ on Good Friday in Asia's largest Roman Catholic nation.

Church leaders have spoken against the annual practice mixing Catholic devotion with folk belief, but it continues to draw big crowds, particularly in northern Pampanga province.

Painter Ruben Enaje, 54, was among half a dozen men whose hands and feet were rubbed with alcohol before locals dressed as Roman soldiers hammered sterilized nails into his flesh.

He has repeated the same act for the last 29 years as part of giving thanks after surviving a fall from a building. This year, he added a gadget— a small microphone near his mouth, although a technical glitch made it difficult to hear him utter Christ's last words.

The reenactment of Christ's crucifixion at a dusty mound in San Pedro Cutud village drew at least 4,000 spectators and tourists, dozens of them foreigners. Unlike in the past, organizers this year banned foreigners from being nailed to crosses to prevent the event from "becoming a circus," said Councilor Harvey Quiwa.

After they were lowered from the crosses, medical workers carried the devotees on a stretcher and made sure there were no complications from their injuries.

"I think it takes an incredible amount of dedication and commitment to really go through something like that," said American tourist Tracy Sengillo. "It's really fascinating."

Devotees undergo the crucifixions in the belief that such extreme sacrifices are a way to atone for their sins, attain miracle cures for illnesses or give thanks to God.

Similar reenactments were held in other villages around Pampanga and in other provinces, but San Pedro Cutud attracts most crowds.

Before the crucifixions, hundreds of barefoot devotees walked the streets whipping their bare backs with bamboo sticks dangling from a rope.


"I started doing this when my mother got sick, kidney problem. I vowed and prayed to God so that she could be cured," said electrician Marvin Tao, 25, who has been a flagellant for nine years.

http://oyiidoma..com/2015/04/filipino-devotees-nailed-to-crosses-in.html

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State won two Senate seats and five House of Representative seats in last weekend’s elections.

The result declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) showed that APC won in Makurdi/Guma, Gboko/Tarka and Buruku federal constituencies.

APC also won in Jechria Federal Constituency, as Iorwase Hemmbe was returned. In Kwande/Ushong, William Wayo of APC won.



The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won in Ukum/Logo/Katsina Ala, Apa/Agatu, Otukpo/Ohimini, Obi/Oju and Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency.

Senator George Akume, Barnabas Gemade of the APC and David Mark of the PDP also won their elections.
Source: http://oyiidoma..com/2015/04/apc-wins-two-senate-seats-five-reps.html

The ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has become a minority party following the crushing defeat the party suffered in the just concluded  Presidential and National Assembly elections.


Although the Senate President, David Mark, won his election in Benue South Senatorial District, he will return as a floor member because his party, the PDP, is no longer in control of the Senate.

Mark has been in the Senate since 1999 and has been president of the Senate for several years.

PDP party has dominated Nigeria’s politics since 1999 and its leaders have often boasted that it is the largest in Africa and would rule Nigeria for 60 years.

However,  that self-delusion dawned on the leaders of the party last Saturday when it was trounced in the election in most parts of the country, except the southeast and southsouth, the strongholds of the outgoing president, Goodluck Jonathan.

Following the widespread victory of the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, in the two key elections last Saturday, PDP is now relegated as a minority party nationwide.

In the National Assembly, the Senate in particular, which comprises 109 senators, PDP lost most of the seats to the APC, which now has the majority seats.

APC now has 64 seats, the same number of seats PDP had before the elections on Saturday. PDP now has 45 seats.

Most of the prominent PDP senators such asVictor Ndoma-Egba, Abdul Ningi, Smart Adeyemi, among others are not returning in the next dispensation as they all lost their election to APC candidates.

PDP had long lost its dominance in the lower chamber of the National Assembly, the House of Representatives, following the formation of the APC and the mass defection of PDP members to the new party.

To further underscore the fact that PDP is now a minority party, it only won 15 states and the Federal Capital Territory,  Abuja, during last Saturday’s election, while  APC swept 21 states in the presidential election. In the past PDP controlled over twenty states across the country.

The dominance of APC is reflected in the overwhelming victory of Muhammadu Buhari, the party’s presidential candidate in the Saturday election. He polled a total of 15,424,921 votes to defeat the incumbent PDP president, Goodluck Jonathan, who polled 12,853,162 votes.

Source: http://oyiidoma..com/2015/04/the-fall-of-david-mark-pdp-now-minority.html

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon congratulated General Muhammed Buhari on his hard worn victory in the presidential election held last Saturday.

Ban in a statement issued on Tuesday night in New York, said he had spoken to Jonathan and Buhari on the outcome of the polls as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Ban commended Jonathan for his leadership qualities throughout the electoral process and his statesmanship in upholding the democratic process.  He also applauded the INEC for organising the elections in a professional and credible “manner under challenging circumstances”.  The UN Chief called on all Nigerians to accept the outcome of the elections.


Ban also appealed to them to address any complaints they may have through existing legal and constitutional channels.  The Secretary-General said the successful conduct of the polls was a testimony to the maturity of Nigeria’s democracy.  He expressed hope that the same democratic spirit would prevail in the conduct of the governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections on April 11.

Source: http://oyiidoma..com/2015/04/un-secretary-general-ban-ki-moon.html

Fellow Nigerians, I thank you all for turning out en-masse for the March 28 General Elections.

I promised the country free and fair elections. I have kept my word. I have also expanded the space for Nigerians to participate in the democratic process. That is one legacy I will like to see endure.

Although some people have expressed mixed feelings about the results announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), I urge those who may feel aggrieved to follow due process based on our constitution and our electoral laws, in seeking redress.

As I have always affirmed, nobody’s ambition is worth the blood of any Nigerian. The unity, stability and progress of our dear country is more important than anything else.

I congratulate all Nigerians for successfully going through the process of the March 28th General Elections with the commendable enthusiasm and commitment that was demonstrated nationwide.

I also commend the Security Services for their role in ensuring that the elections were mostly peaceful and violence-free.

To my colleagues in the PDP, I thank you for your support. Today, the PDP should be celebrating rather than mourning. We have established a legacy of democratic freedom, transparency, economic growth and free and fair elections.

For the past 16 years, we have steered the country away from ethnic and regional politics. We created a Pan-Nigerian political party and brought home to our people the realities of economic development and social transformation.



Through patriotism and diligence, we have built the biggest and most patriotic party in Nigerian history. We must stand together as a party and look to the future with renewed optimism.

I thank all Nigerians once again for the great opportunity I was given to lead this country and assure you that I will continue to do my best at the helm of national affairs until the end of my tenure.

I have conveyed my personal best wishes to General Muhammadu Buhari.

May God Almighty continue to bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

I thank you all.

Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR

President,

Federal Republic of Nigeria

March 31, 2015

Source: http://oyiidoma..com/2015/04/statement-by-president-goodluck-ebele.html

The Senate Minority Leader, Dr. George Akume of APC has been returned for the record 3 terms.


In the result announced at INEC office, Makurdi by 2am on Tuesday, Senator Akume pulled a total of 168,806 to defeat his closest rival and traditional political opponent, Hon. Mike Mku of PDP who recorded 110,180 votes

Via: http://oyiidoma..com/2015/03/senator-akume-emerges-winner-of-benue.html

COMPLETE RESULTS OF BENUE ZONE A SENATE ELECTION IN SEVEN LGA'S

Katsina-Ala
APC 13, 152, PDP 30, 124.
Vandeikya
APC 25,789, PDP 15,593.
Konshisha
APC 34, 376, PDP 7,171.
Kwande
APC 29001, PDP 16, 379.
Ushongo
APC 18, 956, PDP 13, 414.
Ukum
APC 13, 445, PDP 19, 505.
Logo
APC 6, 016, PDP 16, 687.
Total:
APC 140, 735, PDP 118, 793.
Difference between APC and PDP 21, 942.

Source: http://oyiidoma..com/2015/03/gov-suswam-lose-senatorial-election-to.html

INEC Collation centre in Ugba, Logo LG of Benue State is on fire after thugs storm the office shooting sporadically before burning down the office.

Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam (PDP) is in a head to head battle with Sen. Barnabas Gemade (APC) for the senate seat.
More Details to follow

Via http://oyiidoma..com/2015/03/breaking-news-tension-in-benue-north.html

Benue Election Result
Presidential - APC
Senatorial
Zone A- PDP leading, a runoff is likely
Zone B - APC
Zone C - PDP
We await official figure from INEC stay tuned!

Via http://oyiidoma..com/2015/03/nigeria-2015-live-text-update-of.html

Blessing Agidi Odeh until her death was a student of University of Agriculture Makurdi she was an INEC Adhoc staff going to her place of assignment when she met her untimely death.

According to an eyewitness ”they were riding on top speed at about 7:45 when the front part of the motorbike suddenly pulled of leading to the fatal accident and the instant death of the INEC staff.

Source: http://oyiidoma..com/2015/03/photo-inec-adhoc-staff-lost-her-life-on.html

A yet-to-be identified electoral officer has lost her life while another was seriously injured in a road mishap that occured in Oju area of Benue State.The incident happened along Obussa-Ebonyi road in Oju around 7:45 am.


More Details soon...
http://oyiidoma..com/2015/03/nigeria-2015-live-text-update-of.html

President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday laid foundation for construction of Teaching Hospital of the University of Agriculture in Akwete, Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue.

Jonathan, represented by Vice President Namadi Sambo, said the teaching hospital was in fulfillment of his promise to rebuild the nation’s infrastructure and provide quality education to the people.

He said his administration had established 14 universities with 10 located in the North while 4 were cited in the South, explaining that the development had provided ample opportunities for youths to obtain qualitative education.

The president added that the establishment of the teaching hospital in Otukpo was aimed at boosting health delivery to the people of the area.

Senate President David Mark said he was overwhelmed by the gesture of the President to locate the university in his domain.

Mark commended Jonathan for continuing with the Transformation Agenda.

He advised Jonathan not to join issues with his political foes, whom he said, were bent on distracting him.

He said the teaching hospital would be one of the President’s enduring legacies long after his exit from political office.

The Minister of Health, Dr Khaliru Alhassan, said the Otukpo teaching hospital was one of those established recently.

The Minister of Interior, Comrade Abba Moro, urged the Idoma people to reciprocate the good gesture by giving their bloc votes to the President and the PDP.

Governor Gabriel Suswam, appealed to the people to vote for the President, whom he said, was committed to transforming the economy through job creation to uplift the standard of living.

Source: http://oyiidoma..com/2015/03/jonathan-lays-foundation-of-uam.html

At least, 80 persons have been feared killed in a renewed invasion by Suspected armed Fulani herdsmen on Egba village, Agatu local government area of Benue State on Sunday.

Locals who ran away from the community told newsmen that the village came under severe attack by suspected Fulani invaders who stormed the area at about 5:am on Sunday.

While the locals said that 80 corpses have been found, deputy governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), John Ngbede who hails from the area confirmed 60 dead but added that search was still ongoing to recover more corpses.

When contacted, Police commissioner, Hycinth Dagala while confirming the crisis said his men just arrived the scene of the crisis told him they had recovered 30 dead bodies and were still searching to see if there were more at the time of filling this report.

Dagala said he would rely more on the report of his men despite claims by locals that 80 dead bodies had been recovered.

Recall that about nine local government areas of Benue State came under attack of Fulani herdsmen last year with hundreds of persons killed while thousands were displaced.

But just while the farmers were returning back to their villages to commence farming activities last year after a peace pact instituted by Governor Gabriel Suswam two local government areas of Agatu and Logo have again come under sever attack by the herdsmen this year, a development which has posed concern to the Benue people.


Source: http://oyiidoma..com/2015/03/fulani-invasion-80-feared-killed-in.html

http://thenewsnigeria.com.ng/2015/03/15/herdsmen-kill-45-villagers-in-benue/

http://www.channelstv.com/2015/03/15/fulani-herdsmen-kill-scores-in-agatu-benue-state/

Two cousins have lost their lives in a mysterious manner in Ai’Oga community in Oglewu District of Ohimini Local Government Area of Benue State.
The victims, Odeh Ogbo and Edoh Christopher, aged 20 and 25 respectively were said to have lost their lives while they were attempting to clear refuse from a well in Ojali community where they reside.

According to eye witnesses from the community, one of the deceased, Ogbo had entered the well that serves the community with water and was trying to clear refuse from it when he suddenly got stuck and died in the process.

His cousin, Christopher was said to have rushed to the scene and in an effort to rescue his cousin, entered the well when he also got stuck in the process and died.

A member of the community, John Inalegwu described the incidence as a rude shock which have put the entire community in a state of mourning and wondered what must have been responsible for the tragedy.

Meanwhile, the Otukpo Police Area Commander, Mr. Samuel DraKoji, when contacted, lamented the death of the youths in such tragic circumstance and sympathized with members of the family.

http://oyiidoma..com/2015/03/tragedy-two-cousins-die-in-well-in-benue.html

Benue APC gubernatorial candidate, Dr Samuel Ortom and his PDP counterpart, Prince Terhemen Tarzoor were pictured in a handshake in what is believed to be their first public meeting since both became candidates of their respective parties.

Though not planned, the two leading candidates met at the funeral of Pa Matthew Anyiku Agu at Taraku in Gwer East Local Government Area.

The picture shows them smiling as eye witnesses say they even shared jokes and laughed, to the admiration of many. This pleasant show should serve as an example to their supporters who recently engaged each other in a series of attacks.

Source: http://oyiidoma..com/2015/03/benue-2015-ortom-tarzoor-meet-for-first.html

About 40 prospective JAMB candidates today appear before the court sitting in makurdi the Benue State capital.

The candidates numbering over 70 were arrested 4days ago by a joint team of security operatives & detained at the Police Headquarters. 
While some were granted police bail maybe to reduce congestion, the remaining ones were congested to court in a Police Van surrounded by legion of SARS. At the court premises, it was quite dramatic as cream of lawyers were refused entry into court room until what seems to be protest cum negotiations were made.

 During the trial the accused person's were charged for criminal conspiracy, mischief & rioting. The accused persons pleaded not guilty & were granted bail upon application. The adjourned to 15, April 2015. In a separate charge a twenty year old man was convicted & sentence to 8 months imprisonment for theft with an option of fine (N4000) which he could not pay.

Source: http://oyiidoma..com/2015/03/detained-jambites-released-on-bail-today.html

JAMB candidates protest over unwillingness by officials to provide them with registration printouts scheduled for collection today.


The protest which lasted for almost an hour caused heavy traffic along the Makurdi International Market Road as protesters barricaded movement of vehicles to and fro the area of the board.

It took the intervention of the Police who exchanged teargas with stones from protesters to restore normalcy, even as over four Hilux full of arrested candidates were seen being conveyed to the station by the Police.

Correspondent Samuel Orahii learnt that, trouble started when teeming candidates gathered for over 6 hours at the Makurdi Zonal Office of the Board unattended to by the officials whom they alleged were not concerned about their several hours of standing under the sun.

Speaking with one of the protesters who identified himself as Terfa accused the board of neglecting the plights of candidates, some of whom have travelled from different parts of the state to collect a document which the board officially slated by text messages to them.

In a similar reaction, another protester said the board was using security officials to intimidate complaining candidates. In his words, "for how long will they continue to use security operatives to shade them from a difficulty they caused over a thousand number of candidates?"

It would be recalled that the board earlier slated 21 February, 2015 for collection of printouts which witnessed massive turn up of candidates who were later addressed by JAMB officials to return home due to unpreparedness of the board.

Efforts to speak with officials of the board to get their side of the story proved futile as entrance into the office vicinity was sealed by the police.

Source: http://oyiidoma..com/2015/03/jambites-protest-in-makurdi.html

JAMB candidates protest over unwillingness by officials to provide them with registration printouts scheduled for collection today.


The protest which lasted for almost an hour caused heavy traffic along the Makurdi International Market Road as protesters barricaded movement of vehicles to and fro the area of the board.

It took the intervention of the Police who exchanged teargas with stones from protesters to restore normalcy, even as over four Hilux full of arrested candidates were seen being conveyed to the station by the Police.

Correspondent Samuel Orahii learnt that, trouble started when teeming candidates gathered for over 6 hours at the Makurdi Zonal Office of the Board unattended to by the officials whom they alleged were not concerned about their several hours of standing under the sun.

Speaking with one of the protesters who identified himself as Terfa accused the board of neglecting the plights of candidates, some of whom have travelled from different parts of the state to collect a document which the board officially slated by text messages to them.

In a similar reaction, another protester said the board was using security officials to intimidate complaining candidates. In his words, "for how long will they continue to use security operatives to shade them from a difficulty they caused over a thousand number of candidates?"

It would be recalled that the board earlier slated 21 February, 2015 for collection of printouts which witnessed massive turn up of candidates who were later addressed by JAMB officials to return home due to unpreparedness of the board.

Efforts to speak with officials of the board to get their side of the story proved futile as entrance into the office vicinity was sealed by the police.

Source: http://oyiidoma..com/2015/03/jambites-protest-in-makurdi.html