A few weeks to the handing over of government to General Muhammadu Buhari, President Goodluck Jonathan has set the nation’s Police Force on confusion course as he sacked the Inspector General of Police, Suleiman Suleiman. Suleiman was appointed Inspector General of Police and assumed office on August 1st last year, barely eight months, making him one of the nation’s police boss that served the shortest. in a terse statement today, special adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on media and publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati simply said that Suleiman has been relieved of his appointment and duties with immediate effect. No reason was given for the sudden sack. He went to say that President Jonathan has also appointed Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase as Acting Inspector-General of Police, also with immediate effect. According to the statement, Arase was until his appointment, was the Head of the Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department. It said that Arase holds Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Law, as well as Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Political Science and Strategic Studies and that he is also a Fellow of the Nigerian Defence College. [myad]
America has declared a former Nigeria Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe, Rivers State Governor-elect, Nyesom Wike, former militant commanders, Mujahid Asari-Dokubo, Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo) and several other persons who either encouraged violence through inciteful comments or interfered with the electoral process during the last general elections as persona non-grata, meaning that they are barred from entering the United States and subjected to visa sanctions.
Though the U.S government did not specifically name those it intends to punish for their actions before, during and after the elections, Orubebe, Wike, Tompolo, Asari-Dokubo, First Lady Patience Jonathan, Katsina State Governor, Ibrahim Shema and several other major political actors made national news headlines by their heated comments and actions.
Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, who disclosed this in an article captioned “When Nigeria decides, Nigeria wins”, hailed Nigerians for participating peacefully and enthusiastically in the electoral process which culminated in the election of General Muhammadu Buhari of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) as president.
The Assistant Secretary of State, who was also one of the international observers that monitored the elections, noted the commitments made by President Goodluck Jonathan, who lost his reelection bid and Buhari to work together in order to ensure a peaceful and smooth transition to the new government. She warned Nigerians that the next phase will be critical.
Here is the full text of her article reads:
When Nigeria Decides, Nigeria Wins
Now more than ever, it is up to all Nigerians to stay united so that Nigeria can move forward with a clear set of priorities for the future. We welcome the commitments made by both President Goodluck Jonathan and President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari to work closely together in order to ensure a smooth transition to the new government.
This next phase is critical as the world continues its hopeful watch for what happens in Nigeria. Indeed, because Nigerians showed up, stood in line, and respected the results of elections even when they may have disagreed with the outcome, Nigeria will serve as an example to other African countries and nations elsewhere in the world preparing for elections. Nigerian democracy will be a beacon across the continent and beyond.
With deep appreciation for the long friendship and partnership between our two great countries, the United States looks forward to the inauguration on May 29 and the beginning of a new chapter in our relationship.
The world takes notice when Nigerians, citizens of Africa’s largest democracy, decide.
By participating peacefully and enthusiastically in the recent electoral processes in March and April, millions of Nigerians stood strong to re-affirm Nigeria as a leader for democracy in Africa — and around the world.
It was an honor for me to lead the U.S. observer mission during the presidential and National Assembly elections last month. Today, I join the chorus congratulating Nigerians and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the April 11 vote, which built upon the earlier successes in March.
Many Nigerians waited for hours, in sun and rain, to cast their ballots and see their votes counted. When I spoke with voters, I was struck not only by their patience, but also by their determination to show Nigeria’s dedication to democracy and to democratic principles.
Elections are ultimately about people—the volunteers and poll workers who manage polling stations, the party candidates and supporters who craft policies and political platforms, the civil society activists who work for transparency, the journalists who report on the campaigns and events on election day, the political leaders who accept victory or concede defeat, especially when stepping down is in the country’s best interest.
It is about those men and women who shared their stories with me as they stood in line and those members of the security services who remained neutral and vigilantly guarded against fraud and intimidation. Again, we salute you all.
I especially want to reiterate President Obama’s accolades for INEC Chairman, Attahiru Jega.
Under Chairman Jega’s steadfast leadership, the staff of INEC succeeded in conducting a generally smooth electoral process and making improvements between March 28 and April 11. We commend INEC for its extensive efforts to increase credibility and transparency in the electoral process, including through the use of technology.
Despite some technical glitches, it is clear that technology and use of social media—INEC’s online posting of results for each polling unit, live tweeting of results, the use of biometric permanent voter cards and electronic card readers—improved efficiency and limited fraud.
I encourage Nigeria and other nations to continue to explore the use of relevant technologies in future elections.
This electoral process, however, was not without violence and irregularities in a number of states.
Some individuals worked to undermine the will of the Nigerian people, interfering with electoral processes and resorting to violence and voter intimidation.
We regret any loss of life and destruction of property. As Secretary Kerry said when he visited Nigeria in January, violence and rigging have no place in democratic elections.
Anyone found to have incited violence or interfered with electoral processes will be unwelcome in the United States and subject to visa sanctions.
When President Obama spoke to Nigerians last month, he said successful elections and democratic progress will help Nigeria meet the urgent challenges Nigerians face today.
Now more than ever, it is up to all Nigerians to stay united so that Nigeria can move forward with a clear set of priorities for the future. We welcome the commitments made by both President Goodluck Jonathan and President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari to work closely together in order to ensure a smooth transition to the new government.
This next phase is critical as the world continues its hopeful watch for what happens in Nigeria. Indeed, because Nigerians showed up, stood in line, and respected the results of elections even when they may have disagreed with the outcome, Nigeria will serve as an example to other African countries and nations elsewhere in the world preparing for elections. Nigerian democracy will be a beacon across the continent and beyond.
With deep appreciation for the long friendship and partnership between our two great countries, the United States looks forward to the inauguration on May 29 and the beginning of a new chapter in our relationship.
We are deeply committed to working with you, the Nigerian people, for many years to come. Nigeria, you made us all proud! [myad]
No fewer than 30 people have been reported to have died in the latest cholera outbreak in Isoko South community of Nigeria’s oil-rich Delta State as a result of the intake of polluted water.
The chief epidemiologist at the Delta State health ministry, Steven Ofili said that people of the local community have been facing challenges of cholera disease since 2010, as their main source of drinking water was polluted.
He said that rather than seeking medical help at the local health center in the area, the people resorted to traditional medicines and self-medication to cure themselves.
“It was not until after the disease had claimed five lives that they (the local residents) brought it to the knowledge of the local authorities.”
Confirmed cases of cholera were promptly treated at the local health facility where medical workers, in addition to examination and administration of preventive drugs, have been giving tips on how to combat the disease, the senior health official said.
In 2010, more than 30 people had died when the first cholera outbreak was recorded following the pollution of the main source of water supply in the same area of Delta State.
Cholera, an infectious disease, causes severe watery diarrhea and can lead to dehydration and even death if untreated. [myad]
There are indications that President Goodluck Jonathan has dispensed with the services of his senior special assistant on public affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe. The President hired him a couple of years ago to launder the image of his administration, and, according to political analysts, also as an “attack dog.” Information reaching Greenbarge Reporters in Abuja today indicated that already, the office from where Dr. Okupe has been operating has been disbanded and the supporting staff sent home. One of the senior staff in his office confided in our reporter that no staff has been reporting in office since March 28 when the Presidential and National Assembly elections were held and lost by his employer, President Jonathan. “The office has remained closed since then,” the senior staff complained, adding that even their March salary is yet to be paid. [myad]
Brigadier General Hossein Salami, the number two official in Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corps has vowed that Tehran will never allow outsiders to inspect the regime’s military sites under any nuclear agreement, the state media organ, Press Television quoted Brigadier General Salami as making it clear that harsh response would await anyone who raised the subject of inspections. “Visiting a military base by a foreign inspector would mean the occupation of our land,” Salami said. Even discussing the subject is tantamount to “national humiliation,” he added.
There had been reports in Western media outlets that broached the possibility that Tehran might permit international inspectors to visit its military sites in an effort to determine whether there had been nuclear-related activities there. But according to Salami, the Iranian regime “will respond with hot lead (bullets) to those who speak of it.” He declared that Iran “will not become a paradise for spies” and “will not roll out the red carpet for the enemy.” Iran and six world powers – the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Russia, and China – announced earlier this month that they had reached a framework deal to curb Iran’s nuclear program in return for lifting sanctions. Participants said they would work to conclude a final agreement by June 30.
A fact sheet on the framework accord issued by the State Department said Iran would be required to grant the U.N.-affiliated International Atomic Energy Agency access to any “suspicious sites,” the Associated Press noted. But Iran has questioned numerous points in the fact sheet – including Washington’s claim that sanctions against the Islamic Republic would be lifted only after the IAEA verified Tehran’s compliance with commitments it made in the talks. Iranian leaders, by contrast, have said the deal requires that sanctions be removed immediately, and have accused Washington of lying about its contents. The U.S. fact sheet said Iran has agreed to implement the Additional Protocol to the Non-Proliferation Treaty, which grants the IAEA expanded access to both declared and undeclared nuclear facilities, including military bases. But Salami declared that permitting foreign inspectors to visit a military base was unacceptable because it would potentially expose Iranian “military and defense secrets,” the Associated Press reported. [myad]
Defeated Senator in Kogi West Senatorial Area of Kogi state in the March 28 National Assembly election in the country, Smart Adeyemi has dragged the winner of the election, Dino Melaye before the National Assembly Petitions Tribunal sitting in Lokoja, the state capital, alleging irregularities in the conduct of the election as well as the result declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, on March 28, 2015.
In the petition filed by his counsel, Mr. J.O. Olatoke (SAN), Adeyemi said that Melaye was not duly elected or returned by the majority of the lawful votes cast during the election adding that he (Adeyemi) should be declared the winner.
The petitioner said he scored the majority of lawful votes cast during the election and ought to have been declared the winner.
According to the petitioner, the declaration of Melaye as winner was wrongful and invalid.
“Melaye was declared the winner of the election because of wrong and/or incorrect computation of lawful votes cast and intentional omission of collating results of the polling units won by the petitioners and counting of spoilt ballots in his favour.”
He also sought an order withdrawing or nullifying the Certificate of Return, CoR, already issued to Melaye as the winner of the election and then directing INEC, which is the third respondent in the petition to issue a fresh CoR to him, as according to him, he scored the highest number of lawful votes cast at the election contrary to the result declared by the INEC.
He further stated that Melaye, who is the first respondent was also not qualified as at the time of the election to contest for the Kogi West Senatorial District by reason of substantial non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended), and therefore sought for his disqualification as the candidate for the election .
Adeyemi, on the alternative, however, asked the tribunal to order INEC to conduct a fresh election into the Kogi West Senatorial District on the basis of alleged irregularities.
No date has however been fixed for the hearing of the petition.
INEC has declared Adeyemi, who contested on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, second with 38,148 votes as against Melaye of the All Progressives Congress, APC, who scored 41,120. [myad]
The Nigerian Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) has constituted a committee to find out the reasons for the inability of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to pay the $1.48bn into the federation account as directed by PriceWaterHouse Coopers in its forensic audit of the corporation.
PriceWaterHouse was last year, hired to carry out the exercise following an allegation by the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, that $20 billion was not remitted to the Federation Account by the NNPC.
Sanusi, who is now the Emir of Kano, had written a letter to President Goodluck Jonathan that $49bn was not remitted to the Federation Account by the NNPC.
But following the controversy, which the letter generated, a committee was set up to reconcile the account.
Sanusi later recanted and said the unremitted fund was $12bn. He later again changed the figure to $20bn.
PwC, in the report, had stated that while the total gross revenues generated from crude oil liftings was $69.34bn between January 2012 and July 2013 and not $67bn as earlier stated by the Senate Reconciliation Committee, what was remitted to the federation account was $50.81bn and not $47bn.
Within the $69.34bn, the audit report revealed that $28.22bn was the value of domestic crude oil allocated to NNPC, adding that total amount spent on subsidy for Premium Motor Spirit amounted to $5.32bn.
But the Chairman, Forum of Finance Commissioners of FAAC, Mr. Timothy Odaah,while speaking on the matter during an interview with journalists after this month’s allocation committee meeting today said that the committee is worried about the delay in releasing the fund.
He said that while the President had given directive for the fund to be made available, the corporation had yet to release the fund with about a month to the end of the current administration.
Considering the persistent drop in allocations to the three tiers of government, he said the money was needed by the states so that they could meet up with their obligations since majority of them had yet to pay salaries and contractors.
“We are making a clarion call that the directive on the $1.48bn, coming from the audit of NNPC, should be made available so that we can clear that.
“The coming (April) FAAC is the last FAAC and we believe it should come during that period because if it doesn’t come in by then, it is belated and we don’t want it to escape that period.
“Today, there was a committee constituted for the purpose of ensuring that we meet with the NNPC so that everything would be ironed out because we know that Mr President had already given the directive and we also know that the minister had directed that it should be paid but we don’t know exactly what is happening.
“We need that money, the Federal Government needs it, the states and local governments also need it and if it is not released with this type of abysmal funding we have, it will be very terrible.” [myad]
President Goodluck Jonathan, President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari, former Nigeria’s Vice President Atiku Abubakar were among several national leaders that have expressed various emotional feelings over the death of Senator Uche Chukwumerije yesterday. In his condolence message issued today by his special adviser on media and publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, President Jonathan described the deceased as an ardent believer in national unity, peace, political stability and progress. The President said that the late senator, whom he referred to as a patriot and nationalist, has left behind an impressive legacy of discipline, honesty, integrity and hard work in public service. The President believed that the late Senator Chukwumerije, “who had a distinguished career as a journalist, social critic, Minister of Information and Senator, will be long remembered for his dedication and passion for a just and equitable society.” He called on the friends, associates and family of Senator Chukwumerije to honour his memory by continually upholding the values and principles which he lived for and never stopped fighting for till his death. In his condolence message issued by Director of media and publicity for the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Organisation, Mallam Garba Shehu, General Buhari said that the death of Senator Uche Chukwumerije has diminished the generation of true progressives in Nigeria and the African continent. Buhari said that Senator Chukwumerije was a Pan-African par excellence, adding: “as a man of my own generation, I observed the progressive political activities of Uche Chukwumerije and admired the Pan- African interests and national patriotic zeal which dominated and dictated major part of his actions and pursuits.” The General recalled that in the Second Republic, Chukwumerije’s parted ways with the ethnic and regional politics of that era to identify with Mallam Aminu Kano, the leader of the masses (Talakawas) and this “marked him out as a worker for national unity and a man of noble values.’ “As a media practitioner, Chukwumerije was a professional who did his job with passion and conviction in all positions he held. I was not surprised he was a leading voice in the Senate for twelve years, where he had been serving the Federal Republic till death came calling.” The President-elect noted that Comrade Chukwumerije, as he was fondly called by admirers, lived an active life and never sat on the fence on any national issues. “Senator Chukwumerije has played an exceptional role in the business of legislation in the country and we will all dearly miss him as an outstanding politician and an elder statesman. “I sincerely condole with his family and friends, especially his constituents in Abia North senatorial district, the people of Abia State and members of the National Assembly.” Atiku Abubakar also described late Chukwumerije as a fine gentleman, saying was well cultured, sartorial in style and in presentation. “As a politician, he was very classy and as a statesman he was exceptional. His death came as a rude shock and I do sincerely pray that God grants his family, the people of Abia State, friends and colleagues at the National Assembly the fortitude to bear the loss.” Amongst others that have condoled with the nation and family of the late Senator were the Senate President. David Mark, House of Representatives leadership, led by speaker Aminu Tambuwal, governors and members of the business community. [myad]
Kano Pillars Football Club on Sunday defeated visiting Enyimba International FC of Aba 1-0 in a Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) week four match.
Moses Ekpai scored the only goal in the 43rd minute from a solo effort in the match played at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano.
Speaking during the post-match conference, the Kano Pillars’ Head Coach, Okey Emordi, expressed delight at his team’s style of play.
He however acknowledged that his players wasted many goal scoring opportunities.
“It was a good match. Both teams played very well. But we (Pillars) had several chances, and we failed to convert them.
“It is a game we contested very well. It was a game of the two top teams in the league.”
Also speaking, Enyimba’s Head Coach, Kadiri Ikhana, said his team prepared very well for the encounter.
“The match was a classic between two good sides.” [myad]
Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Senator-elect for the Ogun East Senatorial District, Prince Buruji Kashamu, has cried out for help against former President Olusegun Obasanjo whom he said has been instigating foreign security agencies to apprehend him in Nigeria and extradite him to the United States of America, USA, to answer to drug related charges.
Kashamu has therefore sent a Save-My-Soul (SMS) letter to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) insisting that the subterranean plot to ‘capture’ him has thickened even as he begged the Commission not to stand by and watch his fundamental human rights trampled upon at the behest of former President Obasanjo.
It will be recalled that it was Kashamu that persuaded Justice Valentine Ashi of the Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting at Apo to order security agencies in Nigeria to confiscate Obasanjo’s autobiography entitled “My Watch.”
It took the former President some efforts to get the high court to vacate that confiscation order which had even prohibited both Vendors and Libraries in the country from as much as touching the autobiography.
Kashamu had insisted that portions of the book dwelt on his alleged involvement in drug pushing and an allegation that he is a wanted fugitive in America; a subject matter he said had already been surrendered to a competent court of jurisdiction.
In his petition to the NHRC, Kashamu urged the commission to investigate the alleged move to abduct him and forcibly take him to the US to answer to charges bothering on drug related offences.
The petition, dated April 15th, 2015 was written on his behalf by his lawyer, Mr. Ajibode Oluyede and entitled: “Prince buruji Kashamu: Abduction Plans By United States of America Agents in Collaboration with Law Enforcement Agencies in Nigeria.”
The lawyer in the petition which was addressed to the Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Professor Bem Angwe, stated: “Kashamu has instructed that we bring certain important facts and records to your attention with regard to the illegality of this plan and the malicious and unpatriotic motives of those behind it and seek your urgent intervention in accordance with the jurisdiction expressly given to your commission by the National Human Rights Act 1995 as amended to carry out and inquiry into the matter in order to establish the culpability and compromise of certain institution in this despicable plan and to protect our client’s fundamental human right to liberty, life and dignity of their person.” [myad]
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