₦airaland Forum

President Goodluck Jonathan says he has not told anybody that he will remove the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Prof Attahiru Jega.
Jonathan said this in Abuja last night during the
presidential media chat.
Asked whether he has confidence in Jega despite
the accusations against him by the People’s
Democratic Party (PDP), Jonathan said if he feels
Jega is not good, for obvious reasons, he could
use his constitutional power to remove him.
“If you ask Jega, he would tell you. I appointed all
the commissioners and resident electoral
commissioners in INEC. They are my appointees.
So, if I feel that Jega is not good enough for
obvious reasons, then I can by that provision of
the constitution, that gives the person who
appointed him the power, to remove him. But I
have not told anybody that I am going to remove
Jega”.
The president said some people were using the
opportunity of the election rescheduling to create
confusion and misinform Nigerians.
“One thing about politics or leadership generally is
that when you’re a leader, you’ve your members
who support you, but what they do or
say...maybe somebody has been making
statements to advance your cause, the
assumption is that the person is close to you and
he is your fan. There are too many messages
that go out and sometimes I call people. More
than 80 percent of people sponsoring these
messages I don’t even know. So, whatever that
person says is different from Jonathan.
Elections will hold
President Jonathan also assured Nigerians that
elections would be conducted and a new
government inaugurated on May 29.
He described as incredible, stories that elections
would not be conducted.
“Elections must be conducted and a government
inaugurated on May 29. Let’s not be perturbed by
stories that are not real.
“These stories belong to the garbage. The stories
are not credible. Let me reassure Nigerians that
we will conduct elections.
“It is better for INEC to conduct elections that will
be free and fair. It is only proper that Nigerians
are given the opportunity to vote.
“I want a situation where every [eligible] Nigerian
will vote. Even if they cannot distribute PVC 100
percent, let the percentage improve”, he said.
Service chiefs didn’t consult me on poll shift
Jonathan also claimed that the service chiefs did
not consult him on the need for the elections’
postponement.
He was responding to a question on whether he
believed the elections were shifted for the reasons
the INEC gave.
“People are not being fair to me...In a number of
cases in Africa; we’ve had cases where
governments reschedule elections to extend
tenure.
“This is not the case in Nigeria. In Nigeria, the
law is very clear about when elections should be
conducted, not less than 30 days to the
inauguration of the new government and not more
than 150 days before the inauguration of the new
government.
“But within that period, if there are issues that
could require the electoral body to adjust the
date...INEC works with security services because
they must provide protection for the election
materials and staff and for the country.
The security services did not consult me. “Of
course I was not consulted and I did not want to
be consulted. In 2011, INEC didn’t consult me
(before shifting the election). If they had
consulted me, I wouldn’t have wasted my time
and government resources. For any trip I make, I
know what the government spends”.
Insurgency not only reason for poll shift
The president also noted that it was not the Boko
Haram insurgency alone that led to the shift of
the polls. He said the tense atmosphere
witnessed during the electioneering campaign
period was another factor.
On why the government hopes to contain the
Boko Haram insurgency within six weeks having
failed to do so in six years, Jonathan said: “I’m
not the Chief of Defence Staff, but I’m the chief
security officer of the federation. There are two
things to it. The recent Council of State meeting
emphasised this issue of security...There are two
things to the security. Yes, the Boko Haram is
there; but also the tensed factor in the country.
When INEC came up with the dates for elections,
there was so much threat and the security
agencies saw a lot of red points and they believed
elections should be shifted, otherwise the whole
country would go into flames.
“And when the issue of PVC was also being
branded as a problem, INEC said it was ready...in
Lagos, only about 38 percent of eligible voters
have PVCs...
“We’ve found it difficult to really contain Boko
Haram the way we ought to have done because
we could not get the platform and the equipment
we needed for the army and the navy.
“Luckily, we’ve got a substantial quantity of this
for now. I’ve had several meetings with the
president of Chad for example who was willing to
send troops, but before he does that the United
Nations must key-in so that whatever he is doing
has legal backing.
“The issue of security is beyond Boko Haram
because within this campaign period, there were
some instigations which I believe some
politicians used some young people to act the
way they are not expected to act...we’ve seen
some very dangerous signals and no security
chiefs will take it lightly.
You would agree with me that the aspect of the
attempt to pelt the presidential convoy by young,
ignorant people, because I saw them myself, is
treasonable offence...”
On war threats by kinsmen
On whether he was not worried by the threat of
war by his kinsmen if he is not re-elected,
Jonathan said his government would make sure
that things are done “in such a way that nobody
goes to war. We will not encourage anybody to
destroy this country. We must protect this
country. And those who support us must not
destroy this country”.
The president also stated that he would concede
defeat if he loses the March 28 presidential
election, noting that a lot of other African sitting
presidents had lost elections.
“If in 2011, I said that I would conduct free and
fair elections and if I lose, I’d happily go home
and it should be recorded. And as at that time,
no African sitting presidents has lost election. But
within this period, a lot of African sitting
presidents have lost election. But I said I want to
create the history to be the first African president
to lose election but let the world know that the
elections are free and fair.
Chibok girls story will change in weeks
On the fate of the over 200 Chibok schoolgirls
abducted by the Boko Haram sect last April, the
president said there were renewed efforts to
rescue them.
He said some people were playing politics with
the case of the schoolgirls’ abduction instead of
supporting his administration’s efforts towards
freeing the captives.
“I believe now that we are working with Chad,
working with Cameroon. I believe in the next few
weeks, the story of the chibok girls will change.
It’s going to get better. I believe we should be
able to rescue some of them.
“But I don’t want to be quoted, I don’t want you
to say the president said that in two weeks’ time
or in four weeks’ time. I cannot say that because
the disappearance of those girls has taken quite
some time. But we’ve mapped out strategies,
we’re working with our neighbours and we’ll comb all the areas. So, just give us some time.

The plot to remove the chairman of the
Independent National Electoral
Commission (INEC), Prof Attahiru Jega,
has thickened as the Peoples Democratic
Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign
Council (PDPPCO) yesterday finally
alleged that he is working with the All
Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the
forthcoming election.
Director of media of the PDPPCO, Femi
Fani-Kayode, who made the allegation
during a press conference, further alleged
that Jega met with some leaders of the
APC in Dubai.
However, when asked to provide evidence
of these allegations, Fani-Kayode
declined, noting that he was aware that
the allegations were weighty and would
expect Jega to react.
He threatened to pass a vote of no
confidence on Jega if he fails to respond
to the allegations of partisanship and live
up to his responsibilities as an
independent electoral umpire.
This is coming against the background of
alleged moves to either force the INEC
chairman to resign or make him proceed
on terminal leave from March 1, in
anticipation of the end of his tenure in
office on June 30.
However, the spokesman of the PDPPCO
stated that Jega deliberately refused to
tell Nigerians the whole truth about the
postponement, “thus providing the APC a
questionable platform to accuse us of
complicity in the decision to postpone the
elections”.
He added that the statistics of Permanent
Voter Card (PVC) collection for states and
geo-political zones before the
postponement of the elections buttressed
“Jega’s contrived grand conspiratorial
alliance with the APC to fraudulently
secure victory in the elections”.
He continued, “We must state here and
again that the decision to postpone the
elections was INEC’s since it is
constitutionally saddled with that
responsibility.
“The commission has done just that and
it had at the press conference hinted that
it was having challenges with the
distribution and collection of the
Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs). The
commission had claimed substantial
readiness for the general elections despite
that as at 5th February, 2015, the total
number of PVCs collected was 45, 829,
808, representing 66.58% of the total
number of registered voters.
“We had immediately commended the
INEC on the grounds that the
postponement would enable the 23 million
eligible voters who had not collected their
PVCs to do so before the new dates
announced for the elections.
“But we have now realised how Professor
Jega had disingenuously presented the
reasons for the postponement of the
elections at the press conference, making
it look as if the problem was mainly
security. We would like to say that the
major issue that informed INEC’s decision
was the deliberate attempt by the
commission to disenfranchise over 23
million eligible voters who are yet to
collect their PVCs.
“The matter is that INEC has failed in its
responsibility to produce and distribute
PVCs to about 34 per cent of registered
voters who would require the cards to
vote in the elections. “We express our
concerns today that Jega may have
decided to aid the APC to rig the
forthcoming elections through the
manipulation of the production,
distribution and collection of PVCs such
that emerging trends have consistently
shown calculated attempts to deprive
parts of the country that would
traditionally vote for President Jonathan
of their PVCs whilst the parts of the
country that would traditionally

WE NIGERIANS MUST VOTE RIGHTLY IN 2015
If SOMEONE is
J= Just
O= On
N= Negative
A= Assignments
T= To
H= Harm
A=All
N= Nigerians
THEN we must also find someone who will
B= Bring
U= Us
H= Hope
A= And
R= Remove
I= Incompetence
CHANGE IN 2015....

WE NIGERIANS MUST VOTE RIGHTLY IN 2015
If SOMEONE is
J= Just
O= On
N= Negative
A= Assignments
T= To
H= Harm
A=All
N= Nigerians
THEN we must also find someone who will
B= Bring
U= Us
H= Hope
A= And
R= Remove
I= Incompetence
CHANGE IN 2015....

WE NIGERIANS MUST VOTE RIGHTLY IN 2015
If SOMEONE is
J= Just
O= On
N= Negative
A= Assignments
T= To
H= Harm
A=All
N= Nigerians
THEN we must also find someone who will
B= Bring
U= Us
H= Hope
A= And
R= Remove
I= Incompetence
CHANGE IN 2015....

WE NIGERIANS MUST VOTE RIGHTLY IN 2015
If SOMEONE is
J= Just
O= On
N= Negative
A= Assignments
T= To
H= Harm
A=All
N= Nigerians
THEN we must also find someone who will
B= Bring
U= Us
H= Hope
A= And
R= Remove
I= Incompetence
CHANGE IN 2015....

WE NIGERIANS MUST VOTE RIGHTLY IN 2015
If SOMEONE is
J= Just
O= On
N= Negative
A= Assignments
T= To
H= Harm
A=All
N= Nigerians

THEN we must also find someone who will
B= Bring
U= Us
H= Hope
A= And
R= Remove
I= Incompetence
CHANGE IN 2015....

WE NIGERIANS MUST VOTE RIGHTLY IN 2015
If SOMEONE is
J= Just
O= On
N= Negative
A= Assignments
T= To
H= Harm
A=All
N= Nigerians

THEN we must also find someone who will
B= Bring
U= Us
H= Hope
A= And
R= Remove
I= Incompetence
CHANGE IN 2015...

WE NIGERIANS MUST VOTE RIGHTLY IN 2015
If SOMEONE is
J= Just
O= On
N= Negative
A= Assignments
T= To
H= Harm
A=All
N= Nigerians

THEN we must also find someone who will
B= Bring
U= Us
H= Hope
A= And
R= Remove
I= Incompetence
CHANGE IN 2015...

WE NIGERIANS MUST VOTE RIGHTLY IN 2015
If SOMEONE is
J= Just
O= On
N= Negative
A= Assignments
T= To
H= Harm
A=All
N= Nigerians

THEN we must also find someone who will
B= Bring
U= Us
H= Hope
A= And
R= Remove
I= Incompetence
CHANGE IN 2015...

tobillionaire:
Buh his dad z rich, d chance of him succeding z h!gh

in terms of French? No,he hasn't

See life o

gratiaeo:
This is why no sensible Nigeria will support Fulani candidacy. Buhari have not win, yet his fellow cattle rearers have started raping and killing their slaves

wetn carry fulani go ogun? evry mumuness u relate it to ur superiors

etiosa79:
Thunder fire allah and his puppet mohammed

You're no different than those who go out n kill innocent lives if u can utter such, the real reason is that ure a coward. But you'll be haunted if He wills.

OKDnigeria:
Pls how did PDP come into dis?

Y do u think they postponed the election?

So this Valentine's only ladies are given d gifts? I dnt understand it

ceejay80s:
I am yet to see an ad tarnishing GEJ's image
(nigerian news direct ad page 5)

Then u r yet to make some common sense, is it the boko haram, the girls or the missing trillions or the unlawful replacements? or is it that u r mad?

So pesin no fit enta church unless he's worshipping

SeverusSnape:
So he removed his cap this time around?
Funny... waiting for Jonathan to visit a mosque....

Visit wetn? who go allow am? and this is not worshipping, its like they're addressing the crowd (campaigning )

EmmaOgbu:
My fear is dt if PDP win, APC will not take it lightly, but if APC win noting like violence will happen. So what do we do?

Are u sure another insurgent incident won't occur in d south? I heard som of dem hv bn threatening Nigerians

God does what he wishes to his servants..

INEC POSTPONEMENT OF ELECTION; THE
IMPLICATIONS?
PDP celebrating election postponement as victory.
Tells you all you need to know about the direction
of this election
What difference can 6 weeks make?
Will it return our 30 trillion naira?
Will it return our 6.8 trillion naira?
Will it build our refineries?
Will it bring back our girls?
Will it bring back our youths? murdered by Abba
Moro?
Will it sanitize NNPC?
Will it end boko haram terrorism?
Will it reduce the poverty rate?
Will it add the year our children lost in the
universities?
Will it give us purposeful leadership?
Will it restore the dying naira?
Will it restore the credibility of our president in the
international community.
Be patient folks, we will definitely vote out
cluelessness, incompetence and corruption
Everyday for the thief, one day for the owner, the
owner's day is here.
Even,if the election is eventually postponed;
Nigerians have decided to vote Buhari/Osinbajo as
president; Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The election is no longer between PDP & APC but
between Nigerians and PDP.
Please all, stay the course, no shaking. Spread the
word!!!

Whatever

Its simple, God hears HIS servants

They de craze

Naira is falling against the dollar like an Ashley young dive. Complain and GEJ apologists will show you a picture of a train.

SeverusSnape:
From your name, I know you're a northerner, That's why you're angry with my comment, go and kiss a pig!.
NORTHERNERS are sponsoring them,and you know it.

My brother u r dull, u think we the northerners live in a hut or some kind of shelter abi, i don't kno it, But like I said, ur parents might kno

Naira is falling against the dollar like an Ashley young dive. Complain and GEJ apologists will show you a picture of a train.

SeverusSnape:
Definitely... They are, Why won't they be?

They are being sponsored by some highly placed individuals in the North.

why don't u mention them, or are u afraid ur father's name will come up?

PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN HAS SHOWN
THE HIGHEST FORM OF DESPERATION AND
TYRANNY TO RETAIN POWER BY STOPPING THE
FEBRUARY 14, 2015 ELECTION. It has been
confirmed that President Jonathan has instructed
the Chief of Army staff, Inspector General of
Police, Chief of Naval staff, and the commandant
of the NSCDC to withdraw from the February 14
General election. INEC Chairman
confirmed that all the security chiefs wrote to
INEC that they are not ready to provide security
for elections in Nigeria. Before now, PDP and
Jonathan were saying that INEC IS not ready and
has not distributed voters card. Today, INEC has
shown that they are ready and has shown that
they have given out all the cards. Nigerians
should not that Goodluck Jonathan has finished
plans to cause violence, and kill Nigerians. Be
informed that violence may erupt in few days
because Jonathan will cause violence in Nigeria
so he can remain in office. Nigerians it is up to
you now. Be informed that President Jonathan is
finished politically. This tyranny, desperation and
arrogance will plug him into oblivion. You haven't
heard the last. Let us watch President Jonathan
dance Unclad at the market square. Who the
gods want to kill, they first of all make mad.

PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN HAS SHOWN
THE HIGHEST FORM OF DESPERATION AND
TYRANNY TO RETAIN POWER BY STOPPING THE
FEBRUARY 14, 2015 ELECTION. It has been
confirmed that President Jonathan has instructed
the Chief of Army staff, Inspector General of
Police, Chief of Naval staff, and the commandant
of the NSCDC to withdraw from the February 14
General election. INEC Chairman
confirmed that all the security chiefs wrote to
INEC that they are not ready to provide security
for elections in Nigeria. Before now, PDP and
Jonathan were saying that INEC IS not ready and
has not distributed voters card. Today, INEC has
shown that they are ready and has shown that
they have given out all the cards. Nigerians
should not that Goodluck Jonathan has finished
plans to cause violence, and kill Nigerians. Be
informed that violence may erupt in few days
because Jonathan will cause violence in Nigeria
so he can remain in office. Nigerians it is up to
you now. Be informed that President Jonathan is
finished politically. This tyranny, desperation and
arrogance will plug him into oblivion. You haven't
heard the last. Let us watch President Jonathan
dance Unclad at the market square. Who the
gods want to kill, they first of all make mad.

PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN HAS SHOWN
THE HIGHEST FORM OF DESPERATION AND
TYRANNY TO RETAIN POWER BY STOPPING THE
FEBRUARY 14, 2015 ELECTION. It has been
confirmed that President Jonathan has instructed
the Chief of Army staff, Inspector General of
Police, Chief of Naval staff, and the commandant
of the NSCDC to withdraw from the February 14
General election. INEC Chairman
confirmed that all the security chiefs wrote to
INEC that they are not ready to provide security
for elections in Nigeria. Before now, PDP and
Jonathan were saying that INEC IS not ready and
has not distributed voters card. Today, INEC has
shown that they are ready and has shown that
they have given out all the cards. Nigerians
should not that Goodluck Jonathan has finished
plans to cause violence, and kill Nigerians. Be
informed that violence may erupt in few days
because Jonathan will cause violence in Nigeria
so he can remain in office. Nigerians it is up to
you now. Be informed that President Jonathan is
finished politically. This tyranny, desperation and
arrogance will plug him into oblivion. You haven't
heard the last. Let us watch President Jonathan
dance Unclad at the market square. Who the
gods want to kill, they first of all make mad.