Amosun wins Ogun State guber election

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), today declared Governor Ibikunle Amosun of  Ogun State, winner of the April 11, 2015 governorship election in the state.

According to the state returning officer, Professor Duro Oni, Governor Amosun of the All Progressives Congress (APC) polled 306,988 votes to defeat the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Gboyega Isiaka who got 201,440 votes while the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate came a distant third with 25,820 votes.

See breakdown as follows: (1). Ewekoro

APC – 10, 735

PDP – 3, 275

2). Remo North

APC – 7, 365

PDP – 6, 567

SDP – 923

3). Ijebu Ode

APC – 10, 570

PDP – 11, 381

4). Odeda LG

APC – 10, 637

PDP – 3, 633

5). Abeokuta North

APC – 22, 740

PDP – 6, 371

SDP – 1, 439

6). Ijebu North East

APC – 5, 992

PDP – 6, 780

7). Abeokuta South

APC – 35, 511

PDP – 10, 288

8). Obafemi/Owode LG

APC – 16, 333

PDP – 6, 637

9). Ikenne

APC -11, 085

PDP – 8, 686

10). Ifo

APC – 28, 596

PDP – 5, 818

11). Imeko/Afon

APC – 8, 253

PDP – 12, 412

12). Odogbolu

APC – 10, 129

PDP – 10, 430

13). Ado-Odo/Ota

APC – 36, 108

PDP – 13, 763

14). Egbado South

APC – 10, 844

PDP – 12, 915

15). Ipokia

APC – 16, 240

PDP – 16, 877

16). Ijebu North

APC – 14, 317

PDP – 18, 787

17). Sagamu

APC – 18, 491

PDP – 14, 011

18). Ogun Waterside

APC – 8, 468

PDP – 7, 400

19). Ijebu East

APC – 8, 980

PDP – 9, 408

20). Egbado North

APC – 15, 594

PDP – 16, 001

Photo credit: Thesheet.ng

 

We are confident of Agbaje's victory - Shelle

Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Lagos State chapter, Tunji Shelle has expressed optimism that his party's governorship candidate, Jimi Agbaje will emerge the Governor-elect of Lagos State at the end of today's voting exercise.

Shelle, who spoke to newsmen after his accreditation at Baale Street, Igbo- Osan in Lekki said he is hopeful that the PDP will break the sixteen year-old jinx and produce the next governor who will liberate the residents from the clutches of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He also debunked the claim by the APC spokesman, Lai Mohammed that PDP is instigating violence in some parts of Lagos, saying PDP members in the state have been conducting themselves in appropriate manners from reports reaching him.

"We are hopeful and confident of victory at the end of the day.  From the reports we are getting across the state, the PDP will carry the day at the end of the day. No matter the propaganda of the ruling party, no matter their rigging plot, I see our candidate, Jimi Agbaje emerging victorious".

Also speaking on the allegation by the APC that President Goodluck Jonathan visited Lagos where he met with some prominent leaders to rig for the PDP, Shelle urge Nigerians to ignore the APC's propaganda, saying "President Jonathan, by the grace of God still remains the President of the country and he is constitutionally allowed to go wherever he wishes.

"Few days ago, the President- elect, Muhammadu Buhari visited Lagos and campaigned for Ambode. The PDP never made any fuss about it. Why should the APC be crying wolf where there is none because the president visited Lagos?" He asked.

Photo credit: InformationNigeria

 

Guber poll: Ebonyi PDP chairman, youth assassinated

The Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ishielu Local Government Area (LGA) of Ebonyi State, Mr. Emeka Nworie has been shot dead alongside a middle aged man, Mr. Mike Ojor in Ikwo Nnoyo in Ikwo LGA by yet to be identified gunmen in the early hours of today.

Sources said the mastermind of the murder are thugs allegedly loyal to an opposition political party in the state. Information has it that the charman was attacked in his house in Ezzagu in Ishielu LGA and shot several times by his assailants.

In confirming the development, the state Police spokesman, ASP Chris Anyanwu maintained that the assailants before killing the PDP stalwart asked for money which was generously given to them but still went ahead to kill their victim.

Photo credit: ynaija

 

Amaechi alleges cloning of his mobile numbers

Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi, has raised the alarm that his telephone numbers have been cloned by unknown criminals.

In a statement by the governor's Chief Press Secretary, David Iyofor, "This is to inform members of the public that the Telephone numbers of the Governor of Rivers State, Rt. Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has been cloned and the criminals who did the cloning are using his phone numbers to send out fake text messages to people not to come out and vote.

"Pls that text message is not from Gov Amaechi. The Governor’s position remains that Rivers voters should come out to vote today. People should disregard that fake text message."

Photo credit: ekekee

 

INEC throws out poll shift report

Lagos office of the  Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has condemned reports that, "It is planning to disenfranchise would-be voters during the governorship and state House of Assembly polls on Saturday."

The commission in a statement issued by its  Head of Department, Voter Education and Publicity in the state, Mrs. Ijeoma Okey-Igbokwe, described as unfounded allegations that the commission would postpone elections by one day.

According to her, "The attention of INEC has been drawn to rumours making the rounds that the commission in the state intends to delay the governorship and state House of Assembly elections slated for Saturday, April 11, 2015 till Sunday, April 12, 2015.

"Also, the commission has learnt of rumours that teachers of the state schools will be used to replace the National Youth Service Corps members in the ongoing elections, to disenfranchise non-indigenes.

"We wish to state here clearly that the rumours are callous, unfounded, and malicious. The commission in the state wants to assure Lagosians that everything is set for the smooth takeoff of the above mentioned elections and that there is no intention by the commission to delay the electoral process."

INEC issued a warning to, "The peddlers of these rumours to desist from acts that were capable of disrupting the peace of the state. Lagosians are advised to come out in their numbers to elect leaders of their choice."

Photo credit: dailymail

 

Policemen carting away voting materials, Ameachi's aide raises alarm

The Chief of Staff, Government House, Port Harcourt, Chief Tony Okocha, this morning raised an alarm that a group of policemen, stormed the Olanada Registration Area Centre in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.

Specifically, Chief Okocha raised an allegation that some of the original materials for the governorship and State House of Assembly elections have been taken away from the registration centre when the police stormed the place at about 3.30am.

According to the Chief of Staff, the original election materials, were replaced with cloned ones.

Photo credit: dailymail

 

Ndigbo, their politics and the rest of us

By Niran Adedokun

Since the conclusion of the March 28 presidential election and the emergence of Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress as winner, I have come across assorted commentaries on how the Igbo are the losers.

About how they have lost the opportunity of a life time by voting for Buhari’s opponent, President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party, and not giving the APC the chance of winning just one single Senate or House of Representatives seat in the South-East zone.

Some of these criticisms, the most scathing in fact, have come from native Igbo themselves and so you are lured into taking a keener look at the issues.

Simply put, the point is that if the Igbo had voted for the APC, thereby joining the three zones in the north and the South-West zones in not just giving the day to Buhari but also returning people like Chris Ngige to the Senate, the zone would have been in a good stead to cling the Senate Presidency position- the number three seat in the country. But that is not going to happen!

So, a lot of Igbo men and women and their friends sympathise with this remarkable group of people for the wilderness that they would be for the next four years. On the flip side, those who have never seen good in the Igbo gloat over yet another evidence of the tendency of the people to orchestrate their own undoing.

If you live in a country where credentials for leadership are mostly hung on descent like Nigeria, you would most definitely understand why some would mourn while others rejoice at the inability of a major ethnic group to take its position in the country’s politics. As it is, the loss of the Igbo is the gain of some other ethnic groups that “delivered.”

Most analyses that I have read tried to identify reasons why the Igbo would almost always find themselves in this place of dryness. One of the very common arguments that I have heard in the past two weeks is that the Igbo are legendary at not being able to speak with one voice. In other words, they are so opinionated that they are unable to aggregate opinions in the interest of their kin.

The second argument is that the Igbo do not trust the two other major ethnic groups to wit, the Yoruba and the Hausa essentially as a fallout of their collaboration against the former during the civil war which ended 45 years ago! They are also accused of always putting their eggs in one basket.

But I find these arguments either impeachable or not peculiar to the Igbo. The first, in my opinion is, not sustainable beyond its mention, at least as far as it concerns the March 28 elections.

Igbo-speaking people of Nigeria occupy the five states of the South-East zone and a part of Delta and Rivers states which fall into the South-South zone. At the end of the elections, all these states without exception voted for President Jonathan. Now, I do not know how a people could possibly speak in unity more than this. Unless we are saying that speaking in unity is equivalent to voting for the APC.

But let us for a moment assume that the Igbo did not speak with one voice in the recently concluded elections, I want to suggest that they are not alone in this failure. I suggest that even the Yoruba, in spite their eventual gain, did not speak with one voice on the presidential election. As far as I recollect, the only group that is known to speak for the Yoruba is the Afenifere and it indeed rooted for Jonathan! 

The prime position that the South-West finds itself today is through the effort of one man and his foot soldier governors. And I would be shocked if anyone suggested that these men were particular about the interest of Yoruba when they embarked on the venture that resulted in the victory of Buhari.

After all, it was this same set of people that denied the Yoruba the opportunity of having the Speakership of the House of Representatives in 2011. I am sure someone will describe that as strategising.

And that may be right but I will return to the subject later. Not even the North, which made up its mind to fight for the return of power which is the same as the presidency to Nigerians since 2011, could be said to have spoken with as much eloquent oneness as the South-East as Jonathan and his PDP still made some good show in the North-Central and the North-East.

I also do not think that having all eggs in one basket was anything peculiar to the South-East during the last elections. The North-West and the North-East voted exclusively for Buhari while the South-South voted exclusively for Jonathan. It is only in the South-West and the North-Central that both candidates made gains.

On the inability of the Igbo to trust the Yoruba and Hausa/Fulani, I posit that the Igbo are not alone in the trade. The three major ethnic groups in Nigeria must be honest enough to agree that there is mutual distrust among them and it is disingenuous to continually posit that it is only the Igbo that have refused to move away from the event of 1967-1970.

Those who accuse the Igbo of not voting right in the last elections advocate a collaboration of the three major ethnic groups in Nigeria and that would have amounted to a conspiracy of the majority and an inherent entrenchment of the injustice that trails the history of this country. They accuse the Igbo of some selfishness and of lacking the capacity for “strategic thinking like their Yoruba counterparts” insisting that this is why they may not make it to “power” anytime soon.

But some questions agitate my mind when I hear these arguments. Does an ethnic group need to have people in government before it feels a sense of belonging in a country? How far can Nigeria go with this level of strife in spite of its immeasurable resources? How does strategising on how to get members of your ethnic group into national offices even help that group?

For instance, it is on record that the individuals from the north have governed for 37 out of its 55 years yet the region has nothing to show for it except grinding poverty and lack of opportunities.

Thanks to Northern Nigeria, this country has the highest number of out-of-school children in the world! This means that the North is not just lagging behind, it is not preparing for the future. Poverty is highest in the North-West and North-East of the country with rates put at 77.7 per cent and 76.3 per cent respectively.

The condition of the woman in Northern Nigeria is one of the worst in the world. It starts with lack of education, followed by early marriage cum pregnancy and the lack of adequate medical attention which could lead to anything from lifelong deformation to maternal and infant death.

What did the eight years of President Olusegun Obasanjo do for the South-West? Has President Jonathan’s five years improved the lot of people of the South-South remarkably?

This is why I am hoping that the incoming administration would do a good job of national integration. That it would address the structural imbalance in the country and give every Nigerian a sense of belonging irrespective of where they come from.

I do not only see this as an important task, I see it as a very urgent one, central to the success of the administration. These primordial sentiments and the prominence that they have gained in national life are at the root of some of the most disturbing problems, including corruption and mediocrity, that beset our nation.

Without bringing the tribes together, this blessed country of ours would go nowhere in spite of the potential that it holds for African and global development. Without bringing the tribes together, making everyone feel like an essential part of the country, this giant will remain a dwarf.

Am not in Lagos to rig election for Agbaje, Jonathan declares

Out-going Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, today questioned the claims proffered by the All Progressives Congress (APC) that his visit to Lagos on was to see to the coordinate of the rigging plans for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for tomorrow's governorship election.

Besides, the president expressed wonders as to why he would rig the governorship election for the PDP when he did not rig the March 28 presidential election in which he was a candidate.

Jonathan stated this in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati. According to Abati, "There is nothing unusual in people paying homage to the President when he is on a visit to Lagos or any other part of the country.

"The APC spokesman lied as usual and was rude to insinuate that Jonathan met with people in Lagos for the purpose of rigging the elections. Lai Muhammed is wrong to say that the President came to Lagos to rig the governorship and State House of Assembly elections scheduled for Saturday, April 11. He is of course lying as usual. And rude.

"President Jonathan visited Lagos. He arrived on Thursday and left on Friday. People visited him. So what? Anytime the President is in Lagos or any part of the country, a lot of people come to pay homage to him.

"Nothing unusual happened during his last visit to Lagos. Senator Musiliu Obanikoro’s visit to the President in Lagos is not something that anybody should use to play politics. Koro is a Minister of the Federal Republic. He came to see his boss.

"Mr. Jimi Agbaje is the governorship candidate of the PDP in Lagos. I don’t see how his visit to the President, who is also the leader of his party, the PDP, should become an issue. Yes, Gani Adams also visited, but so did a lot of other people."

Abati equally clarified that President Jonathan did not hold meetings with INEC officials, neither did he meet with the police, polling officials or with anybody who is involved in organising elections.

Abati added, "After the presidential election, the President immediately congratulated Gen. Buhari and the whole world has commended him for saving Nigeria.

"President Jonathan’s sportsmanship, statesmanship and leadership saved this country at that critical moment. He has demonstrated his commitment to free and fair election, the rule of law and due process.

"He has shown that he is a man of character, honour and integrity. Nigerians generally are proud of him. He has left a worthy legacy and shown a great example. That, obviously, is the narrative that Lai Muhammed and his masters want to change, so they are now cooking up meaningless tales.

"Lai Muhammed should look for another target and leave the President alone. His fatuous tale does not make any sense. I repeat: we will like to advise that the APC should just leave the President alone.

"President Jonathan was a candidate in the presidential election; he did not rig the election. Why would he want to rig tomorrow’s elections?

Photo credit: The Punch

 

I have no plans to rig Rivers election, Says Patience Jonathan

First lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan today maintained that she has no such intention to rig tomorrow's governorship election in Rivers State.

She consequently distanced herself from the allegation that she was pressuring the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to rig the governorship election in Rivers State in favour of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

It would be recalled that the Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi had on Thursday raised the alarm that Mrs. Jonathan was in her hometown, Okrika, to supervise electoral malpractices during the elections.

However, the firstlady in a statement by the Director of Information in her office, Ihuoma Priscilla, argued that as an apostle of peace, she could not be involved in act that would hinder peaceful conduct of elections in any part of the country.

According to the statement, "The First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan has dismissed the allegation that she was pressurising the Independent National Electoral Commission (and the Security Agencies to rig tomorrow’s (April 11, 2015) elections in Rivers State.

"As an apostle of peace and non-violent elections, the First Lady distances herself from any alleged actions that could hinder successful elections in Nigeria, especially in her home state, Rivers State.

"She countered the insinuations that she was in her home town, Okrika for the purpose of the governorship election, pointing out that she registered in her husband, President Jonathan’s village, Otuoke in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

"The First Lady, a highly respected indigene of Okrika in Rivers State visited her home town on Wednesday, April 8, 2015 to a tumultuous welcome by her kinsmen and women who thronged the streets to welcome and appreciate her wonderful support to her husband, the President and for bringing development to Okrikaland."

Photo credit: Channelstv 

Guber polls: APC planning to impersonate us, says PDP

Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), today raised the alarm that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is planning to implicate it in Saturday’s Governorship and House of Assembly elections in the state.

The party in a statement signed by the Lagos State publicity secretary, Taofik Gani, maintained that the APC had concluded plans to use printed PDP symbols to snatch ballot boxes to disrupt the Saturday’s election.

 

The statement reads, "The meeting which had two leaders from each Local Council Development Area in Lagos and some known thugs‎ held in a popular hotel and ended at exactly 3:45pm today (Friday). It was presided over by the chairman of APC.

 

"The meeting also discussed the possibilities of compromising the Independent National Electoral Commission to shift elections in some identified areas to Sunday in the belief that the non-indigenes, who are mostly christains, will go to church and not come out to vote.

"It is our appeal to our fans to remain resolute and to make sacrifices to make their choice count."

Photo credit: The Punch

 

Don't setup probe panel against Fayose, Ekiti PDP lawmakers warns CJ

The Chief Judge of Ekiti State, Justice Ayodeji Daramola, was today warned by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) factional leader of the State House of Assembly, Dele Olugbemi, that no impeachment panel should be inaugurated to probe the state governor, Ayodele Fayose over alleged constitutional breach.

The factional leader was apparently reacting to a letter written to the CJ by the impeached  Speaker and leader of the All Progressives Congress lawmakers in the Assembly, Dr. Adewale Omirin yesterday.

Specifically, the letter had directed Justice Daramola to raise a seven-man panel within seven days of getting the letter to investigate the governor alongside his deputy, Dr. Oluosla Kolapo, over allegations of impunity, violence, stalking and other constitutional breaches.

The Omirin led faction relied on Section 101 of the 1999 Constitution as amended, which according to them, gives powers to Assembly to regulate its sittings, including sitting in a public building within the state capital if the lives of members are not safe.

But Olugbemi argued that the said letter directing the CJ to raise the investigative panel did not emanate from the office of the Speaker because Omirin had been impeached on November 20.

Acccording to him, "We never wrote any letter to the Chief Judge directing him to constitute an investigative panel, neither was the House involved in any impeachment proceedings against the Executive Governor of our great state.

"It is common knowledge that all legitimate sessions of any House of Assembly takes place only inside the hallowed chambers of House of Assembly. Indeed, any other purportedly sitting of the House at any other location outside the Hallowed Chamber of the House of Assembly is null and void and of no effect whatsoever.

"This is more so when such sittings purportedly took place without the principal officers here present with me now. I have also copied the Chief Justice of Nigeria, the Director of State Services and the Commissioner of Police so that they can jointly assist with the apprehension of this impostor and his cohorts before they cause further breakdown of law, order and further havoc on Ekiti State and it’s people."

Photo credit: OsunDefender

 

Eligibility suit against Buhari: Where would the pendulum swing?

Baring any last minute change, an Abuja Federal High Court (FHC), will on April 22, 2015, commence hearing into the action seeking to disqualify president elect, Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC), from participating in the already concluded presidential election.

It would be recalled that four different plaintiffs had approached the FHC, with a prayer that it should disqualify Buhari from participating in the presidential poll over alleged certificate forgery and perjury.

In the substantive suit initiated by one Chike Okafor, he claimed that Buhari’s failure to submit his certificate of academic qualifications contravened Sections 131 and 318 of the 1999 Constitution and Section 31(3) of the Electoral Act, 2010.

The plaintiff further stated that the president elect perjured under oath to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) when he swore that the military was in possession of his academic papers. However, while the suit was pending, APC applied to be joined and was consequently joined as a co-defendant.

But in responding to the development, lawyer to the plaintiff, Mike Ozekhome (SAN), issued a warning that Buhari’s supporters should stop celebrating prematurely as the High Court could overturn Saturday March 28, 2015 election result if it finds that Buhari lacked the requisite qualifications.

According to him, “In the event, for example, Buhari wins the election, all it simply means is that when eventually we finish this case and the court finds that he was not qualified… the court will simply dethrone him.”

Lawyer to Buhari, Akin Olujinmi, on the other hand, argued that he was absolutely happy with the court’s decision as it removed the air of “uncertainty and pressure on the INEC.” Challenging the suit initiated by two plaintiffs, Chike Okafor and Max Ozoaka who had filed separate suits seeking to stop Buhari, his lawyer, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), who led about seven other Senior Advocates of Nigeria told the court that he is opposing the suit in its entirety and also the order for substituted service on his client.

Counsel to the APC, Chief Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), submitted that with the postponement of the elections as announced by the INEC on Saturday, there is no urgency in the matter and as such the order for substituted service be set aside.

Apart from this particular suit, a kinsman of President Goodluck Jonathan from Bayelsa State, Donald Daunemigha had also instituted a suit before the Federal High Court in Abuja against Buhari, demanding that the General be disqualified from participating in the March 28 election.

Daunemigha also joined in the suit filed by his lawyer, Douye Fiderikumo, is the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as 2nd defendant.

In the suit designated FHC/ABJ/CS/116/15, Jonathan’s kinsman want the court to issue an order declaring that the APC Presidential candidate is not qualified to contest the election to the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria slated for March 28th or such other time as the 2nd defendant may determine having presented a forged certificate to INEC.

Daunemigha in his originating summon, is also seeking an order disqualifying Buhari from contesting the election to the office of President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, slated to hold on the 28th of March, 2015 or such other time as the INEC may determine having presented a forged certificate to INEC.

The suit reads: “Also an order of perpetual injunction restraining the INEC by itself or by its servants, agents, privies however described from recognising or treating or accepting the APC flag bearer, Muhammudu Buhari, as a candidate for the election to the office of President, Federal Republic of Nigeria slated to hold on the 28th day of March, 2015 or such other time as the 2nd defendant may determine having presented a forged certificate to the INEC.”

Another plaintiff who is said to be a farmer from Abia State, Mr. Sergin Onuka Ibe, had equally gone to the Federal High Court in Abuja, asking it to stop Buhari from contesting the March 28, 2015 presidential election.

The self acclaimed farmer through his counsel, Mr. U.O. Ukairo,prayed the court to invoke its original powers and compel Buhari to not only withdraw from the presidential race, but to equally stop parading himself as a bonafide candidate for the poll.

The plaintiff further argued that the 1st defendant (Buhari), is not legally fit to vie for presidency in view of the pendency of a perjury charge against him. He maintained that Buhari violated the provision of section 31 of the Electoral Act by lying on oath about his educational qualifications.

The farmer equally intimated the court that a personal investigation he conducted revealed that Buhari lacks the basic educational qualifications, adding that the information the 1st defendant supplied to the INEC, in his Form CF001, were falseH He also joined INEC as a defendant in the suit numbered FHC/UM/C9/13/15. 

The plaintiff is among other things, praying the court to make, “A declaration that the information contained in Form CF001 the 1st defendant supplied on oath to the 3rd defendant in accordance with section 31 of the Electoral Act, are false.

“An order that upon determining the falsity of the above depositions that the 1st defendant is thereby disqualified from contesting the Presidential election holding on March 28, 2015, on the platform of the 2nd defendant.

“An order directing the 3rd defendant (INEC) to remove the name of the 1st defendant as a candidate in the Presidential election holding on March 28, 2015.

“An order directing that any votes accredited to the 1st defendant at the election shall be null and void, he being disqualified ab-initio as a candidate in the election.”

According to a 14 paragraphed statement of claim, the plaintiff, told the court that he is a citizen from Amaekpu-Ohafia in Abia State and is a farmer/politicianH He equally explained that he was formerly elected as a Councilor that represented Isiama ward in Okasia Local Government Area of Abia State and a registered voter who is entitled to vote in the forthcoming general elections.

Ibe argued that, “The first defendant in order to be eligible to contest the presidential election submitted to the 3rd defendant an affidavit which is by the nomenclature of the 3rd defendant, known as Form CF001.

“The said Form CF001 contains, on oath, the personal particulars of the 1st defendant. The 3rd defendant in accordance with electoral procedure published the said particulars of the 1st defendant in Umuahia, Abia State, being one of the constituencies of the 1st defendant. The plaintiff inspected the said Form CF001 and has reasonable grounds to believe that the following information are false:

“(1) All my academic qualification document as filled in my presidential form, ApC/001/2015, are currently with the Secretary military board as at the time of this affidavit. (2) WASC-1961.

“The particulars and or facts upon which the plaintiff founded the reasonable grounds are: 1) The Nigerian Army like other organisations do not keep certificates of serving or retired Soldiers, but copies only, a fact known to the 1st defendant as a past military Head of State of Nigeria. (2) Accordingly the academic qualifications documents or some or one of them do not exist. (3) the defendant knowing that he does not have “WASC-61″ academic qualifications resorted to lying on oath, failed to attach any certificate. (4) There is a presumption against unnatural events to the effect that where a person claims that his certificates are with the office that regulated his previous services, it is probable that no such certificate is in existence. (5) There is no office known under any law at all as “The Secretary Military Board”, a fact known or ought to be known by the 1st defendant, a retired General of the Nigerian Army. (6) Arising from above, the plaintiff has no place at which he could verify the deposition of the 1st defendant.

“The plaintiff is “a person” under section 31(5) of the Electoral Act and accordingly has the requisite locus standi to file this suit. The plaintiff upon inspecting the said Form CF001 applied to the 3rd defendant for a copy of it at its office at Umuahia but the 3rd defendant refused to give any copy to the plaintiff but directed the plaintiff to submit the application to its Abuja office. The plaintiff in obedience to the directive of the 3rd defendant at its Umuahia office submitted another application at the Abuja office of the 3rd defendant.

“Regrettably, the 3rd defendant has continued to refuse to give a copy of the said Form CF001 to the plaintiff for which reason the plaintiff went to the notice board of the 3rd defendant and took photographs of the Form CF001 with a digital Samsung Tablet which the plaintiff will be relied upon at the trial.

“The plaintiff has demanded that the 1st defendant withdraws from the presidential election but he continues to parade himself as a candidate.” But the APC seemed not to be satisfied with the barrage of litigations. This apparently may have been responsible for it, raising the alarm that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is plotting to use the courts to find Buhari guilty of perjury.

The APC in a statement signed by the party’s Presidential Campaign Organisation media director, Mallam Garba Shehu said, “APC Campaign alerts on Presidency’s, PDP’s grand plan to scuttle 2015 elections.

“PDP plans to procure judgment, precipitate crisis, impose state of emergency. We have it on good authority that the kernel of the plan is to use the subterfuge of the frivolous litigation by some people to get a court pronouncement (from one of the Presidency’s pliable Judges) to the effect that General Muhammadu Buhari – the APC presidential candidate – lied under oath in saying that the military had his certificate, whereas, the military had denied being in possession of the certificate.”

The campaign organisation further alleged that Buhari’s defence in court may not matter, as the plot to stop him has been allegedly sealed. APC added that should Buhari’s disqualification trigger any violence, the PDP-led federal government would anchor on that to slam a six-month long state of emergency.

The statement further reads, “The All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Organisation (APCPCO) has alerted of a dastardly plot by the PDP and the President Jonathan-led government to scuttle the 2015 general elections.

“The campaign has it on good authority that the kernel of the plan is to use the subterfuge of the frivolous litigation by some people to get a court pronouncement (from one of the Presidency’s pliable Judges) to the effect that General Muhammadu Buhari – the APC presidential candidate – lied under oath in saying that the military had his certificate, whereas, the military had denied being in possession of the certificate.

“The counter arguments by the APC’s candidate’s counsel would not matter because the particular Federal High Judge has been prepared to do a dirty hatchet job. The APC revealed it is their calculation that this wicked pronouncement of disqualification of the APC candidate shall precipitate spontaneous violent protests across the country.

“This scenario shall then make President Goodluck Jonathan, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the 2015 general election, to declare a six-month state of emergency across the land.

“The three-week long strike action by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) was embarked upon on the prodding of the PDP-led Federal government as a way to stymie any higher Court upturning of the lower Court pronouncement which ruled on President Jonathan’s eligibility to contest the February 14 election.

“The same trade union has been procured to open the Court to allow for this court pronouncement in disqualifying General Buhari from contesting the election. We are aware of the intense desperation of the PDP-led Federal government of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan in desiring to retain political power at all costs despite his and his party’s overwhelming rejection by the Nigerian people, ahead of the 2015 general election.

“We have brought this wicked plot of the PDP-led government to the attention of Nigerians, from whom any government derives its legitimacy. Nigeria cannot be thrown into chaos because of the selfish and callous desire of a tiny cabal to goad the Nigerian people into its destructive path.

“The governance of the Nigerian people by any person or group of persons must have the assent of the Nigerian people.” The APC campaign organisation charged the international community to prevail on, “This obviously agitated presidency not to plunge the Nigerian State into avoidable intractable crisis.”

Meanwhile, the president elect has said he is not touched by the various litigation challenging his eligibility. He Infact directed those challenging his competence to meet INEC. Buhari said: “Well I am not surprised. This is Nigeria. If people are serious about this issue they ought to have listened to the legal adviser of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“This is the first time, INEC by law, has got those documents and they said they have got them. So, anybody who has any different view should go to court. I think they have gone to court. So, let them remain there.”

Photo credit: Newswatch Times

 

Impeachment: Ekiti APC assembly members file notice of discontinuance

Impeached Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Dr. Omirin Adewale Albert, alongside 18 other lawmakers of the All Progressive Congress, (APC), yesterday filed a notice of discontinuance in the suit initiated against seven Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), lawmakers in the state.

The reasons for the notice of discontinuance dated April 7, 2015, and signed by all the APC lawmakers before Justice Saliu Saidu, was however not given. It reads in part, "Take notice that the plaintiffs doth hereby wholly discontinue suit number FHC/CS/1823/14."

Aside the impeached Speaker, other APC lawmakers that gave accent to the development includes; Deputy Speaker,  Orisalede Adetunji Taiwo, Adedipe Churchill Olubunmi, Ajaiyi Isaac Adebowale Alabi Olajide Idowu,  Fasakin Kayode Ajayi, Ogundele Gabriel Folorunso,  Oriniowo Olubunmi Anike,  Ogunlola Olubunmi Omowunmi, Adu Clement Sunday, Agidi Peter, Oguniride Ojo Olasheinde, Odu Ayodele Olurotimi,  Erinle Samuel Olusegun, Shittu Ahmed Oluwaseyi,  Daramola Israel Oluyomi, Olabode Odebunmi Gbenga, and Boluwade Bolics Kehinde.‬

It would be recalled that Omirin and the other lawmakers had taken the state governor, Ayodele Fayose to court together with the seven PDP lawmakers, which include, Dele Olugbemi,  Samuel Ajibola, Adeojo Alexander, Adeloye Adeyinka, Isreal Olowo Ajiboye, Fatunbi Olajide, and Olayinka Abeni, the Department of State Security (DSS), Ekiti State Commissioner of Police (CP), Owoseni Ajayi, Mr. Kayode Oso, and Chief Toyin Ojo, seeking to nullify the speaker's purported impeachment on November 20, 2014.‬

Omirin alongside other aggrieved APC lawmakers are praying the court for an order restraining Dele Odugbemi, and  Olayinka Abeni, from parading themselves or otherwise acting in the capacity of Speaker and Deputy Speaker, respectively, of the Ekiti State House of Assembly as same is illegal, unconstitutional and ultra vires pending the determination of the suit filed before the court motion.

They also prayed for, "An   order of interim injunction restraining the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and their contingents, servants or privies from exercising powers against the plaintiffs and their assigns or privies, other than the lawful operational use of their powers as to interrupt, retard or otherwise interfere with the constitutional exercise of the legislative functions of the plaintiffs within the premises of the Ekiti State House of Assembly Quarters.‬"

Photo credit: OsunDefender

 

Implement 5-point agenda to end corruption, SERAP tells Buhari

A Lagos based human rights group; Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), yesterday put up a challenge to the president-elect, Muhammadu Buhari to put up a 5-point agenda against corruption if he is to send a strong signal of change and ensure improved governance throughout the country.

The group in a statement signed by its Executive Director, Adetokunbo Mumuni argued that, "The biggest obstacle to reconstruction and development in Nigeria is corruption. For many years, systemic corruption has distorted incentives, undermined critical institutions of governance, slowed economic progress and redistributed wealth and power to the undeserving.

"No wonder the percentage of Nigerians living in poverty has continued to rise. Today the level of confidence in Nigeria is low but there is clearly public enthusiasm that the incoming government will be able to bring about a society that serves its people’s interests.

"Nigerians have heard plenty of rhetoric about corruption and now is the time to take concrete action to combat the problem. SERAP urges the president-elect to consider and implement the following 5-point programme against corruption to make sure that Nigeria does not drop deeper into a pattern of corruption and impunity of perpetrators.

"The 5-point programme reads in part: The president-elect must appreciate the legacy of systemic corruption, its human rights costs; and anticipate the scale and challenges of reconstruction.

"First, the president-elect should demonstrate the political will to prevent and combat corruption not only within his presidency but also at all levels of governance. His strategy should reflect the importance of transparency, accountability and participation.

"As a first step, the president-elect should immediately after 29 May 2015 demonstrate his total rejection of corruption by publicly declaring his assets and publicly instructing all members of his government to do the same.

"Second to break through a culture of corruption, the president-elect should not shy away from frying big fish including members of the National Assembly and regardless of the political party they may belong.

"The president-elect should promote and ensure the naming and punishment of big corrupt politicians so that a cynical citizenry can believe that his anticorruption drive is more than words. Such prosecutions can send a powerful signal of change.

"All unresolved cases of corruption including in the aviation, oil subsidy scandal, alleged mismanagement of trillions of naira by the Security and Exchange Commission, missing N300 billion in the petroleum ministry since 2011; and others should be urgently and satisfactorily addressed.

"Nothing will kill public confidence quicker than the belief that the anticorruption drive is directed only at those below a certain level in society. But it is also important that a campaign to combat corruption is not confused with a campaign against the opposition.

"Third, the president-elect should also prioritise prevention of corruption by carrying out reforms of institutions of governance including the judiciary, the police, anticorruption agencies, and the regulatory authorities on electricity. To build momentum, the president-elect should begin his anti‐corruption campaign where citizens perceive it to be most evident.

"Fourth, the president-elect should be able to mobilize other actors and invite those outside of politics to become part of the solution. Only collective action and credible systematic reform can end the problem of corruption.

"Citizens should be part of the solution. The president-elect should also be able to mobilse international support in the fight against corruption, including the diagnosis of corrupt systems and institutions.

"Finally, the president-elect should lead the process to domesticate and effectively implement the UN Convention against Corruption within the legal system.

"The president-elect should publicly endorse the global initiative for an International Anticorruption Court (IACC) to demonstrate their expressed commitment to satisfactorily address corruption and impunity of perpetrators.

Given that many Nigerians have lost faith in the ability of successive governments to combat high-level official corruption and money laundering, an IACC could erode the widespread culture of impunity and contribute to creating conditions conducive to the democratic election of honest officials in a country with history of grand corruption.

"Ultimately, the president-elect should work hard to reduce monopoly of government’s institutions, limit and clarify discretion and increase transparency and accountability at all levels of government.

"The objective should be to empower Nigerians, to enable them to overcome poverty and insecurity, and enjoy the basic necessities of life that citizens of civilized countries take for granted."

 

Photo credit: ynaija 

 

PUBLIC ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, BABATUNDE RAJI FASHOLA, SAN TO LAGOSIANS ON THE APRIL 11 2015 GUBERNATORIAL ELECTIONS

Dear Lagosians,

First let me thank you all for turning out to vote on the 28th March 2015 and for doing so peacefully to make history by electing the All Progressives Congress candidates in the Presidential and National Assembly elections.

Once again, I must address you as we approach Saturday’s elections, when you will be electing a Governor who will continue after me and consolidate on the progress we have built together.

 You will also be electing members of the State House of Assembly who will make laws on your behalf to assist the Governor and his team in the Executive arm.

Although your votes will be cast for one political party or the other, let me remind you that you will actually be voting for your wellbeing, security, prosperity and future. You will also be voting for the future of your children. You will be choosing candidates and a party that you will entrust your lives to.

Think hard, think clearly, think deeply. Ask yourselves a few questions. Who has shown a better record and example of protecting and securing you between the political parties?

Which of the parties cares more when disasters happen? What is the record of the parties as it relates to the promises they have made to you in the past? Which of the parties do you see regularly and which one do you see once in a while? Which of the parties do you see when your life or property is threatened by epidemics like Ebola or by unfortunate accidents like plane crashes?

Which of the parties is showing that you can become home-owners without knowing anybody? Which party has responsibility for providing electricity for you, and which one is taking up the responsibility to light up your streets and communities at night?

Which of them cares more about your children and their safety? Indeed ask yourself; which of the parties threatened you with thugs on that sad Monday of March 16th and which is seeking to protect you by supporting the police; with patrol vehicles, fuel and other equipment?

Ask yourself when last you saw the Federal Fire Service in Lagos. The proud men and women of the Lagos State Fire Service have taken over admirably. Ask yourself who should be supporting the police and who is actually doing it?

Dear Lagosians, your choice of who to vote for will be easy if you answer these questions within yourself honestly. Indeed, you have clear choices to make between parties that use your resources to develop your society and community on the one hand, and the party that chooses to bring money to you for distribution when election beckons.

So you can choose between schools for your children, hospitals for your community, roads for your transportation or in the alternative, you can choose to have these services monetized once in four years. Remember, that choices have consequences and your vote will decide the choice that shapes your lives.

Dear Lagosians, it is tempting to take the right and opportunity to vote for granted. It is tempting to think that it is too much trouble. I agree that the process can be made much easier. But it is no excuse to refuse to vote. Out of 5.8 million registered voters and 3.8 million PVC collections, only about 1.5 million turned out to vote, on the 28th March 2015.

Think of all the pain, the effort, the sleepless nights it took to get the PVCs to you. Think of the best way to show that the effort was not wasted or in vain. It seems to me that the best way is to have all these 3.8 Million voters come out to vote. By refusing to vote, you surrender decision making to a few and you will be bound by the consequences of your choices. By refusing to vote, you do a great disservice to many who have lived before you, who fought very hard at great personal costs to themselves, to earn you this right.

By refusing to vote, you dishonour the sacrifice of patriots before you who fought for the right to vote. Remember that when they were fighting for the right to vote, they were not fighting for yesterday, they were fighting for today and tomorrow.

They have handed today to you and I, can we secure tomorrow for the next generation?

Remember that since the capital of Nigeria was moved from Lagos 24 years ago in December 1991, Lagos has been abandoned by the Federal Government.

Ask yourself when the last major new road in Lagos was built by the Federal Government. It was the 3rd Mainland Bridge completed in 1990. The assets the Federal Government left behind almost became a burden but for our resilience to maintain them.

Today the Federal Government is owing Lagos N51 Billion which remains unpaid.

This is not in accord with the spirit of the promise made to Lagos when the Federal Government first declared Abuja as the capital in 1976.

The Head-of-State at the time, the late Gen Murtala Muhammed, said then and I quote him:

“…Lagos will, in the foreseeable future, remain the nation’s commercial capital and one of its nerve centres. But in terms of servicing the present infrastructure alone the committed amount of money and effort required will be such that Lagos State will not be ready to cope. (But we have coped at great sacrifice)

“It will even be unfair to expect the state to bear this heavy burden on its own. It is therefore necessary for the Federal Government to continue to sustain the substantial investment in the area. The port facilities and other economic activities in the Lagos area have to be expanded.

“There is need in the circumstances for the Federal Government to maintain a special defence and security arrangement in Lagos which will henceforth be designated a special area. These arrangements will be carefully worked out and written into the new constitution. Kaduna and Port Harcourt are to be accorded similar status and designated as Special Areas…”

Sadly, no Federal Government and indeed not the PDP Government has done anything to redeem that promise for the 16 years it was in power or to protect Lagos. Instead of assisting Lagos, they attacked her. If you remember FERMA, in 2006, the same PDP seized your Local Government money and resisted the attempt to bring Government closer to you by creating more local Governments

On Monday 16th March 2015, the same PDP continued in their tradition of assaulting Lagos.

Their supporters took over a major road in Lagos and threatened your peace and security.

On Wednesday 18th March 2015, the President-Elect, Muhammadu Buhari came to Lagos and said Lagos will receive compensation for the role she has played in maintaining Federal Government Assets.

Yesterday on Tuesday the 7th of April 2015, he was here in Lagos in his first political engagement since he became President-Elect and he reiterated his commitment to support Lagos.

This is what I will vote for. This is what I urge you to think about as you vote on Saturday. This is the place that every Nigerian calls his home. It is the home of displaced people. It is the place where the homeless arrive and are made welcome.

It is the place where generations of Nigerians have arrived without knowing anybody but have, through the opportunities and inclusion, become somebody. This is the place where the Late Chief Adeniran Ogunsanya and Owelle Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe consummated the handshake across the Niger and played politics without bitterness. Tell those who try to divide us that our greatest strength has always been our diversity.

Tell them that you feel safe here, and that I have continuously assured you of your safety as the basis of our mutual co-existence. Tell them that our waterways have been assets of prosperity and sustenance, for transport, recreation and fishing and they will remain so. Let nobody now attempt to re-write that history for you. When they reel out false statistics about Lagos, please ask them the statistics about the places they governed for 16 years.

When they reel out statistics, please remind them that those statistics don’t stand in isolation, they are the burden of a whole nation and many parts of West Africa that Lagos state bears. When they promise you heaven and earth, remember their broken promises on power, security and many more. Ask them to show you a plan, if they can produce one, which is doubtful, ask them whether they have implemented it elsewhere.

Tell them that you have seen the Lagos Development plan for 2012 – 2025, that the Lagos Light Rail Project, the Adiyan Water Works Phase II of 75 Million gallons a day, the solar power for all schools and many more which are part of the plans for you and your children and which are already being implemented.

Tell them that you will vote to keep a plan that you can see, that is already working, instead of a plan that you have not seen. Ask them what happened to Vision 20:20, to the 7-Point Agenda and to Transformation.

Tell them that your bird in hand will not be traded for a dozen unseen birds in the bush.

Tell them that this election is not about money, tell them that it is not about ethnicity and it is not about religion. Tell them that this election is about the place you call your home, the place you earn your living and the place where your investments are the safest.

Tell them that you will not play ethnic or religious politics with your survival. Tell them that you will not vote with anger. Tell them that you will vote with common sense and for experience.

Tell them that you have seen Lagos survive without Federal support, and you wish to see her flourish with Federal support.

That will be the most historic thing you will have done, putting Lagos in the centre with your votes. History and tomorrow beckons. Don’t turn your backs.

Photo credit: uncova

 

Why are you indifferent to burning national issues, PDP queries Buhari

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), today questioned the reason why president-elect, Muhammadu Buhari has been showing some level of indifference to burning national issues threatening the unity of the country.

National Publicity Secretary of the party, Olisa Metuh, in a statement in Abuja said, "While well-meaning Nigerians and the international community are celebrating the peace fostered by the patriotic action of President Goodluck Jonathan in conceding defeat, Buhari and his party, the APC, have been moving around the country instigating division, engineering crisis and heightening tension in the polity. 

"Whereas Buhari had assured Nigerians that he would be the President of the entire nation and not of a political party, his actions in the last one week show otherwise as he has continued to display sectionalism and insensitivity to matters inimical to the survival of our democracy and well-being of Nigerians.

"Instead of settling down to plan a smooth transition and design ways of deepening democracy in appreciation of the mandate given to him, General Buhari has tacitly encouraged his men to foment crisis and cause panic in the bid to muzzle personal freedom and impose a reign of terror in the land."

Particularly, Metuh made reference to the crisis in Ekiti State where majority of the lawmakers who are all members of the APC have been planning to impeach Governor Ayodele Fayose.

He added that, "APC’s ambition in Ekiti coupled with its odious triumphalism in the aftermath of the Presidential election have led to avoidable confrontations and near breakdown of law and order in the state as the people rise to defend the mandate freely given to the PDP. 

"It is indeed unfortunate that while his men are causing crisis and threatening Nigerians, General Buhari, instead of calling them to order, displays his insensitivity by jetting around the country campaigning for his party.

"If this sort of insensitivity and arrogance of victory are foretaste of what to expect in a Buhari presidency, then our dear nation and its people are headed for a long trek in the wilderness."

Photo credit:ynaija

 

APC not endorsed as Igbo party – Ohanaeze

The Ohanaeze Ndigbo, today maintained that it has not adopted the All Progressive Congress (APC) as the party that should be supported by the Igbos. Making this known in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, a prominent member of the Caretaker Committee of the group, Aja Nwachukwu argued that the group dis-associated itself from the comments credited to the Chairman of the Committee, Chief Ralph Obioha, stating that it had endorsed the APC as the party for the Igbo.

He stressed that the views expressed by the chairman were personal and did not reflect the collective interest of Igbo people in Nigeria and beyond. According to Nwachukwu, "What Ralph Obioha said does not represent the collective interest of Ndigbo. In our meeting, which took place at Nike Street in Enugu, we did not say we were supporting APC or the Peoples Democratic Party.

"What we discussed in our meeting in Enugu was that we were not going to be partisan, and we commended our brothers and sisters for voting according to their conscience in the last presidential elections."H He further stated that, "It was premature for Ohanaeze Ndigbo to take sides with any political party in the country. Any resolution reached by the committee must be ratified by the congress before it would become a policy statement of the pan-Igbo socio-cultural organisation.

"At the meeting, we also commended the caretaker committee chairman for sending a congratulatory message to the President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari (retd) and President Goodluck Jonathan for his show of maturity and magnanimity at the polls. We subsequently called on Ndigbo to re-strategise and get a very strong platform to negotiate the interest of Igbo at all levels of governance. Anybody talking about party A or B is on his own; that was not a congress resolution. 

"We agreed that we were not going to be partisan as we are satisfied with the elections in Ebonyi State. The organisation’s duty was to play a fatherly role on behalf of Ndigbo and therefore warned, that no one should draw the organisation into controversy."

Photo credit: Thenationonline