Former Nigeria Vice President and chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC), Atiku Abubakar has said that the officials of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security officials implicated in the conduct of last weekend’s Governorship election in Taraba State should be removed and replaced with new personnel in the re-run election in the state. The former Vice President made the suggestion while welcoming INEC’s decision to cancel the gubernatorial election results in some local government areas of Taraba State and declare the outcome of last Saturday’s polls in the state inconclusive. Atiku was quoted in a statement by his media office as expressing agreement with the widespread reports of irregularities in some local governments of the state. “These irregularities included using armed personnel to intimidate voters,” Atiku said, adding that armed soldiers were attached to Senator Emmanuel Bwacha; Joel Ikenya, a current minister; as well as Senator Anthony Manzo, chief of staff to senator David Mark. He said that these soldiers engaged in brazen acts that violated the electoral act including ballot-box snatching. “Elections should not be militarized. Nigeria is a democracy, not a dictatorship. Citizens should be able to go out and vote without fear of being threatened with the nuzzle of a gun.” He said that these election violations were noticeably perpetrated in Southern Taraba, specifically in Wukari, Takum, Kurmi and Donga local councils. And also in the North, particularly in Lau and Yoro where Manzo comes from. Atiku noted that thousands of troops were deployed to these areas and electoral officers were heavily compromised. “These people should not be allowed to go back during the rerun election,” Atiku said. “No troops should be allowed nearby.” Atiku also called on the Inspector General of Police to replace security personnel in Taraba with new teams from neighbouring Gombe, Bauchi and Adamawa, during the period of the rerun elections. [myad]
Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has asked the President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari to see the whole of Nigeria as his constituency while executing his programmes. The Governor who spoke at an interactive session with Journalists in Warri today, saidd that for the President-elect who emerged on the platform of the All Progressive Congress (APC) to succeed, he must not be biased or sectional in running the affairs of the country. “The elections have come and gone and it is obvious that Delta State is a PDP state. We congratulate the President-elect, General Mohamadu Buhari. We do hope that as he has won, he will see the whole country as his constituency. It will not be in the interest of the country for him to be sectional in his activities. “It is obvious that South South States are PDP states and the region cannot be ignored. We wish the President-elect well.” For Delta, Governor Uduaghan acknowledged that the people have resoundingly asked the PDP to continue to govern the state by electing Senator Okowa who has also pledged to carry everybody along. “I want to appeal to those who lost to in the spirit of the wind blowing in the country to congratulate those who won, they should accept defeat because their defeat was very glaring. The PDP campaigned more than any other political party in the state.” Governor Uduaghan assured Deltans that Okowa will deliver on his electoral promises. He said that Commissioner for Special Duties, Mr. Anthony Obuh is the chairman of the committee preparing his handover note awaiting the May 29 handover date to his successor. On the series of projects he has commissioned and those earmarked for commissioning, Uduaghan said that such projects are his own way of saying “thank you to Deltans.” Meanwhile, Governor Uduaghan has sent condolence messages to the families of late Chief (Barr.) Oritsegbiten Popo Edodo, the Olorogun of Warri and former Commissioner in the defunct Bendel State and the families of Justice Silvanus Ayere Ajuyah (OFR) on the death of their fathers. At the home of the late Chief Oritsegbiten Popo Edodo, who is the father of Justice Alero Edodo-Eruaga of the High Court, Benin City and a former Commissioner for Local Government, Governor Uduaghan said that the late Chief Edodo had admirable law partnership which he said was based in trust and honesty and that he lived a life worthy of emulation. He noted that the country will be better if Nigerians imbibe the spirit of honesty and life of trustworthy partnership in their actions, adding that Deltans are proud to have had the legal icon. “Let me on behalf of the government and people of Delta State, condole the family of Chief Edodo. As a state government, we are very proud of what he did when alive. He was the Commissioner in charge of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs during Chief Samuel Ogbemudia’s administration. “As a legal practitioner, he was also well known, he was a prominent lawyer but what was interesting was his partnership with other lawyers which was exemplary, based on trust.” “In the political scene, we will never forget him, his legacies are there, he was a vibrant member of Itsekiri Leaders of a Thoughts and in the Palace, a very respected Chief,” Chief Charles Ikomi who spoke on behalf of the Edodo family thanked Governor Uduaghan for his interest in the affairs of their family and prayed that God will bless him Governor Uduaghan also visited the home of late Justice Silvanus Ayere Ajuyah, OFR to commiserate with them on the death of their father who died at the age of 90 years. “On behalf of the government and the people of Delta State and my family we commiserate with you, the death of our elder, our leader, former President of Customary Court of Appeal no doubt, has left a vacuum in our hearts, there is no doubt that he lived a fulfilled life at 90, there is no doubt that he made his mark as a Lawyer and a family man. “As a lawyer, we all know his track record, he exhibited a character that united the people, a lot of his judgements were straightforward and were not faulted, he was a straightforward and forthright man, we will miss him, the law profession will miss him.” He added that the deceased was the Chairman of Itsekiri Leaders of Thoughts. He said: “Justice Ajuyah for us as a family, has been a blessing to us. You may not know him personally, but you can know him through his children. “We shall miss his thoroughness, we shall miss his wisdom, we pray that as he goes, God will also grant us that old age.” The late Justice Ajuyah was the father of the State Commissioner for Justice and the Attorney-General of Delta State. [myad]
My story as told by my father, Pa Joseph Adeleye Obutu as earlier as I could comprehend anything and repeated several times till he died at the age of 88 was how he had a dream the night before my birth. He narrated that he was given a sword which he repeatedly swung both ways and fell several of his enemies. Truly, it manifested in the physical when I was born the following day. That was why I was named Olusegun for ‘God’s victory’ and Ebenezer for ‘this is the extent to where God helped me.’ My earliest recognition of my father was when he seemed ill for some time, probably the hangover from the battle with his enemies. He wasn’t going to his farm then and I had to be left with him all days. I remember how he would give me money to buy a fresh loaf of bread everyday immediately I arrived to stay with him! He was living at his brother – Baba Ogunbuyide house then, while my mother was with her mother at Ogbonintun. My daily fresh loaf was very unique then because roasted plantain was common for children. In my little mind then, I thought my father was so lonely with no one to stay with him and he had to be bribing me with bread everyday so that I could keep his company. But I later grew up to know that his love for his children and humanity was unconditional. In fact, he was my first hero. My father always shared one third of his dinner with us every night even though we would have earlier had our fill with our own food. Even when we were not there when he was eating, he would keep our share with the accompany pieces of meat. And in the morning, I cannot remember any that he did not wake us up to pray together. His eyes were my first elementary school, then my high school and later university. One only needed to look at them to know where he stood on the wisdom of life. Baba, your farm was so massive then with its endless labour. It was the symbol of your strength and aspiration for self reliance. As you combined your farming with trading in cocoa and agro allied products, you travelled extensively across Western Nigeria which exposed you to different plants which you introduced into your farm as you always strived to raise the bar. In fact, if there were equity and justice on what farmers were paid for their labour, cocoa and other products during your time, you would have been a billionaire. Going to the farm with you had turned out to be the foundation of my enterprise. Your style was for us to be focus, to face the work of the day in the morning without wasting time breakfasting, and when we were through late in the afternoon, we would retire to the hut to prepare and eat to our satisfaction. Whenever your traps caught games, we would have a feast with pounded yam. Our soup made with tender cassava and cocoyam leaves without any spicing besides salt was the most delicious ever. With your style, we conquered hunger with food only meant to be eating to live, not to live to eat. Even when your health was failing lately, your strong will was still to be empowered and allowed to attend to your farm. While I’m grateful to God to be alive along with other children to plan a befitting burial for you, my wish was for you to stay a bit longer so as to taste more of your children’s dream. You were progressively inclined with everyday yearning for justice and good governance in your country. Your love for education was unparallel despite only being self educated. Your laugh was deep, your smile was infectious and your principles were real. Your virtues were hard work, honesty, integrity, love, resilience, fearlessness, contentment, absolute strong will and submission to the way of the Lord. Yet, you still combined these with high taste for good life and quality, which made you to stand out elegantly among your pairs. Your virtues all combined are our crude oil, our mineral resources, your Will and the audacity of hope for us to explore to become whatever we wish to be in life. I only need to dream, and I will change the world. I was still young then during the burial ceremony of your mother. I didn’t get to know her and your great father, Prince Obutu Akenzua. They called you and you called us ‘Abejoye’ (begged to be crowned) because when your father came from Benin Kingdom, the Itaogbolu elders persuaded him to become the king, but he declined, pleading that he came a long way there just to rest (simi). Not to take no for answer, they resolved that rest itself was a chieftaincy title, so they created and installed him as Imi of the Imi ruling house. Also from Iju, they invited your father to become Ogun Chief (Defence minister), he also declined with the same excuse, but that his children would take it in the future if they so wish. The lavished burial ceremony for your mother was the greatest feast I’ve ever seen till date, with so many goats killed that the sighting of meat became so irritating to me for many months after. That you could do that for your mother and showed us and humanity so much love, you deserve the best burial ever. Rest in peace Baba.
*Segun Adeleye, President/CEO, World Stage Limited is the fourth child of Late Pa Joseph Adeleye Obutu. [myad]
When Boko Haram attacked a school in the town of Chibok, in North-eastern Nigeria, kidnapping more than 200 girls, on the night of April 14, 2014, the people of my country were aghast. Across the world, millions of people joined them in asking: How was it possible for this terrorist group to act with such impunity? It took nearly two weeks before the government even commented on the crime. This lack of reaction was symptomatic of why the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan was swept aside last month — the first time an incumbent president has been successfully voted out of office in the history of our nation. For too long they ruled, not governed, and in doing so had become so focused on their own self-interest and embroiled in corruption that the duty to react to the anguish suffered by their citizens had become alien to them. My administration, which will take office on May 29, will act differently — indeed it is the very reason we have been elected. This must begin with honesty as to whether the Chibok girls can be rescued. Currently their whereabouts remain unknown. We do not know the state of their health or welfare, or whether they are even still together or alive. As much as I wish to, I cannot promise that we can find them: to do so would be to offer unfounded hope, only to compound the grief if, later, we find we cannot match such expectation. But I say to every parent, family member and friend of the children that my government will do everything in its power to bring them home. What I can pledge, with absolute certainty, is that from the first day of my administration, Boko Haram will know the strength of our collective will and commitment to rid this nation of terror, and bring back peace and normalcy to all the affected areas. Until now, Nigeria has been wanting in its response to their threat: With our neighbors fighting hard to push the terrorists south and out of their countries, our military was not sufficiently supported or equipped to push north. As a consequence, the outgoing government’s lack of determination was an accidental enabler of the group, allowing them to operate with impunity in Nigerian territory. That is why the answer to defeating Boko Haram begins and ends with Nigeria. That is not to say that allies cannot help us. My administration would welcome the resumption of a military training agreement with the United States, which was halted during the previous administration. We must, of course, have better coordination with the military campaigns our African allies, like Chad and Niger, are waging in the struggle against Boko Haram. But, in the end, the answer to this threat must come from within Nigeria. We must start by deploying more troops to the front and away from civilian areas in central and southern Nigeria where for too long they have been used by successive governments to quell dissent. We must work closer with our neighbors in coordinating our military efforts so an offensive by one army does not see their country’s lands rid of Boko Haram only to push it across the border onto their neighbors’ territory. But as our military pushes Boko Haram back, as it will, we must be ready to focus on what else must be done to counter the terrorists. We must address why it is that young people join Boko Haram. There are many reasons why vulnerable young people join militant groups, but among them are poverty and ignorance. Indeed Boko Haram — which translates in English, roughly, as “Western Education Is Sinful”— preys on the perverted belief that the opportunities that education brings are sinful. If you are starving and young, and in search of answers as to why your life is so difficult, fundamentalism can be alluring. We know this for a fact because former members of Boko Haram have admitted it: They offer impressionable young people money and the promise of food, while the group’s mentors twist their minds with fanaticism. So we must be ready to offer the parts of our country affected by this group an alternative. Boosting education will be a direct counterbalance to Boko Haram’s appeal. In particular we must educate more young girls, ensuring they will grow up to be empowered through learning to play their full part as citizens of Nigeria and pull themselves up and out of poverty. Indeed, we owe it to the schoolgirls of Chibok to provide as best an education as possible for their fellow young citizens. Boko Haram feeds off despair. It feeds off a lack of hope that things can improve. By attacking a site of learning, and kidnapping more than 200 schoolgirls, it sought to strike at the very place where hope for the future is nurtured, and the promise of a better Nigeria. It is our intention to show Boko Haram that it will not succeed. My government will first act to defeat it militarily and then ensure that we provide the very education it despises to help our people help themselves. Boko Haram will soon learn that, as Nelson Mandela said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” [myad]
Governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Ayodele Fayose has begged the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) to forgive his past mistakes and embrace his government to foster peace and radical development of the State.
Fayose, who tendered apology for whatever offences he must have committed against anyone in the course of his political career, said that he has no grudge against anyone for challenging his victory in the June 21 governorship election.
The Governor who moved round the town to address the people, asked Ekiti people to beg the opposition for the state to have peace, saying: “I am sorry for whatever mistakes I must have made. I am a human being and I cannot be perfect. All I want is for all of us to ensure that there is no tension in the State.”
Earlier, Fayose in a statement by the Chief Press Secretary, Idowu Adelusi, said he would continue to live harmoniously with other political parties for development of the State.
”I want to sincerely appreciate Ekiti people for their resilience and love for me. I am formally dedicating this victory to God and to them.
“Having voted for me ten months ago, and confirming the victory by the subsequent elections in the last few weeks, they have shown that they are unequivocal about their choice and their determination to protect and defend that mandate.
“I cannot but appreciate the Apex Court for protecting democracy and also for living to the expectation of the Chief Justice of Nigeria,Hon. Justice Mahmud Mohammed, who had assured that under his leadership, the judiciary would not subscribe to any plot to change the outcome of elections through the instrumentality of the Court.
“I think the necessary lessons must have been learnt and it is obvious that Nigeria is evolving democratically.”
Fayose urged his opponents to sheathe their swords and cooperate with his government to bring Ekiti out of the woods, saying that nothing would profit anybody if the State is set on fire. [myad]
All Progressives Congress (APC) has queried the moral aspect of the Nigerian Supreme Court ruling confirming that Ayo Fayose actually won the June 21, 2014 governorship election in Ekiti state in accordance with the earlier ruling of the Court of Appeal.
The seven-man panel led by Justice John Fabiyi, had, in their unanimous ruling today, upheld the appellate court and the State Governorship Election Tribunal, saying the grounds of the plaintiff prayers lacked merit.
Justice Sylvester Ngwuta in the leading judgment dismissed all the grounds of appeal filed by the petitioner – the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) and subsequently resolved the four points of the appeal against the plaintiff.
Earlier, Justice Abdul Aboki-led five-man panel had upheld the ruling of the State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, a development which resulted in the complainant to approach the apex court.
It would be recalled the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) early Sunday, June 22, 2015 declared Governor Fayose the winner, having scored a total of 203,090 votes as against former Governor Kayode Fayemi, of the APC who polled 120,433 votes in the election.
The Publicity Secretary of the APC in Ekiti State, Taiwo Olatubosun, in a statement, said even though the party had accepted the verdict because it had no choice, he said that there were moral issues arising from the judgment.
He noted that what flew from that judgment was that citizens can lie with ease under oath and get away with it, adding: “as at the time Mr. Fayose filled his form at INEC and lied he had never been indicted by any panel, no judgment had been delivered to reverse his impeachment until the Supreme Court verdict of today. This implies that it is profitable to lie and cheat as the end will always justify the means.”
“We had expected that the judgment will serve as a deterrent to the likes of Mr. Fayose who believes in impunity and extra judicial method of doing things. We are shocked that a man who did not allow a case of eligibility against him to be heard till today at the state High Court after assaulting judges and desecrating the judiciary would come out clean at the topmost temple of justice. “We know the law is an ass but we had expected that those who trampled on it will have their comeuppance but this was not to be.
“We accept the judgment of the Supreme Court as a law abiding party even though the moral questions it raised have refused to go.
“We call on our party members to be law abiding and not to despair. The present wind of change which is blowing across the country will soon be felt in Ekiti as there will be an end to impunity, brigandage and gangsterism.
“This is the time for our party members to come together and strengthen our resolve to rescue Ekiti from her present abyss under the iron grip of a dictator.”
But the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) described the Supreme Court ruling upholding the election of Fayose as a triumph of democracy and the rule of law.
The party said the ruling was a testimony that the judiciary remains the last hope of the common man having sustained the wishes and aspirations of the people of the state as expressed in the June 21, 2014 governorship election.
The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Olisa Metuh, in a statement in Abuja, said that the ruling has given hope to the survival of democracy especially coming at a time when some officials of key institutions of democracy such as INEC and some security personnel have already started compromising their independence apparently under the dictates of an obsessive All Progressives Congress.
Metuh congratulated Fayose and the people of Ekiti State for their doggedness in the face of daunting challenges from those he described as anti-democratic forces and urged the governor to be magnanimous in victory while using his mandate to deliver good governance in line with the PDP manifesto and vision of its founding fathers.
He restated the PDP resolve to continue to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the governor and the people of the state and vowed to resist any form of political intimidation or blackmail aimed at destabilising the state.
“In this regard, we warn all anti-democratic forces hiding in the state, especially the outgoing APC lawmakers, against any action intended directly or indirectly to destabilise the state or undermine this democratically elected PDP government under Fayose.” [myad]
Governor-elect of Enugu state, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has thanked the electorate for entrusting the development of the state in his hand by voting for him even as he made it clear that he was committed to maintaining what he called a seamless continuity and consolidation from where Governor Sullivan Chime would stop by May 29 when he would formally assume the reins of government in the state.
Ugwuanyi spoke in an acceptance speech he presented to the people of Enugu state in appreciation of his victory at the April 11 governorship election. He contested on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
He said that his administration would be anchored on a 4-point agenda of Employment Generation, Social Services and Good Governance, Rural Development, Security and Justice which would run concurrently with the present administration’s 4-Point agenda of Physical Infrastructure, Economic Expansion and Employment, Rural Development and Service Delivery which he hopes to see through.
“Government is a contiuum. And when a people are lucky to have been blessed with a foresighted leader who has laid a solid foundation for the socio-economic development of our state within the last 8 years, it is only rational to continue and consolidate that vision.”
While thanking Governor Chime for his great and heroic roles in making his victory possible, Ugwuanyi also expressed appreciation to other leaders of the state including, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, former Senate President, Ken Nnamani, former Governors Jim Nwobodo, Okwesilieze Nwodo, Chimaraoke Nnamani, Allison Madueke and Anthony Ogugua for their support and encouragement.
He noted that the victory was not just for him and his Deputy, Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo but for the people of the state who he said came out in their numbers to vote massively for him and by so doing accepted the proposals he offered durjng the campaign season. He said he would reward them with good governance.
He also extended hand of fellowship to those who contested against him asking them to come and join him in moving the state forward because according to him “there is work to be done.”
While commending INEC for conducting a free and fair election which he said had been widely acknowledged as transparent and credible, devoid of any moral burden of legitimacy crisis, the incoming governor also appreciated the security agencies and other related bodies for ensuring peace and security. [myad]
Unknown gunmen have kidnapped a Syrian national whose name was given as Mah Fath Nagor, an Engineer with RIM Construction Companry in Awe Local Government Area of Nasarawa state.
Information reaching us indicated that Syrian national was kidnapped yesterday, Monday evening by the gunmen who arrived at the site of the construction company and started to shoot sporadically into the air to scare away onlookers.
They were said to have subsequently forced the Syrian into their waiting vehicle and sped off to an unknown destination.
The kidnapers of Fath Nagor are now demanding a sum of fifty million naira as ransom for his release.
Meanwhile, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for Nasarawa state, Ismaila Numan has confirmed the incident and said that the police was working towards the release of the man. [myad]
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed Saturday, April 25th for the run-off election between Arch. Darius Ishaku of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Senator Aisha Jumai Alhassan of All Progressives Congress(APC).
This is coming as normalcy finally returned to Jalingo, Sunkani in Ardo Kola local government area and Gembu, headquarters of Sardauna Local Government Area.
The Head of Department of Enlightenment and Publicity for INEC in the state, Mr. Phebian Yame, who announced the date for the election during a briefing at the head office of the Commission in Jalingo, said the date has been communicated to all the parties involved.
INEC had declared the gubernatorial election in the state inconclusive and ordered based on the fact that cancelled votes in the election were more than the margin between the votes polled by Ishaku who came top in the election and Sen. Alhassan who was runner up.
The margin between Darius Ishaku who polled 317,198 votes and Senator Alhassan who polled 262,386 votes was 54,812 while the canceled votes were 127,125.
In declaring the elections inconclusive, the returning officer, Prof Kyari Mohammad explained that the Constitution of Nigeria and the Electoral Act stipulates that when the difference between the total canceled votes in an election is higher than the margin between the first and the second person, elections should be declared inconclusive and a run-off should be conducted.
The run-off election would be conducted in all the 165 polling units of Donga local government as well as some polling units in Bali, Karim Lamido, Takum, Ussa, Wukari, Yorro and Zing.
Meanwhile, normalcy has returned to Jalingo and other communities that recorded incidents of electoral violence though it was gathered that the death toll of the violent clash in Sunkani has risen to 11. [myad]
Kaduna State Governor-elect, Mallam Nasir el-rufai pays courtesy visit on the President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari (left) in Daura, Katsina State on Tuesday, April 14. In the middle is Dr. Aloy Chife. [myad]
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