Rivers Youths Apprehend INEC Officials Allegedly Thumb-Print Ballot Papers

April 5, 2015

Vigilant youths in Bori, the Khana Local Govt Area of Rivers State, have caught some officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) allegedly thumb printing ballot papers at the Commission’s office, three days after the declaration of the results of the Presidential and National Assembly elections.
The youths, who allegedly acted on a tip off, were able to video the officials and others that supervised the thumb printing, debunking the INEC Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega’s claim that there was no substantial evidence to cancel the elections in Rivers State.
One of the officials disclosed under condition of anonymity, that the mass thumb printing, days after the election, was to justify the results tendered and provide evidence in preparation for the tribunal.
The ballot papers from the March 28 Presidential and National Assembly elections were allegedly thumb printed by Peoples Democratic Party, PDP members.
This move by the PDP is believed to be coming at a time the people of the area are mourning the yet to be investigated murder of three APC supporters in cold blood; one of them killed by a soldier. It also strengthened the belief about collaboration between INEC, security agents and PDP to rig elections in Rivers State.
Professor Jega had, during the collation of votes of the March 28 elections, admitted the results, which indicated that PDP scored 1,487,075 to APC’s 69,238 votes from Rivers State.
The INEC boss said that there was no substantial evidence to cancel election results in Rivers State, based on the report of an investigative committee that visited Port Harcourt, but acknowledged administrative deficiencies during the conduct of the polls.
Senator Magnus Abe, Rivers South-East Senatorial candidate of APC, who received the electoral materials from the Khana youths, urged the CID unit of the police to commence a full scale investigation and prosecute the INEC and police officials involved in the fraud.
“As you can see, before me are INEC ballot papers from Khana. At about 12noon, youths stumbled on some INEC officials in their office in Bori, where they brought in presiding officers and supervisors to thumb-print ballot papers and doctored results all in favour of PDP.
“I called the Area Commander, Bori and the DPO who told me the INEC officials were in Bori to collect their stipends on the last elections; I called CP Karma, who asked me to report the matter to the CID; I decided to inform the Nigerian public before proceeding to the police CID.”
Abe called on Professor Jega to urgently effect the redeployment of the Rivers State REC, Gesila Khan before the April 11 guber elections for showing executive recklessness in collaboration with PDP and the police.
He asked for the cancellation of the concocted elections, insisting that the votes counted in favour of the PDP were not cast by Rivers people. [myad]

CAF Championships League: Kano Pillars Beats Morocco 2-1 But Crash Out

Greenbarge Reporters

April 4, 2015

Kano Pillars, today, beat the Moghreb Tetouan of Morocco at the Sani Abacha stadium in Kano, but was not enough to see them through to the next level of the CAF Championships League.

Pillars, who are the Nigeria’s flag-bearer in this year’s edition of the Championship, crashed out as Moghreb emerged tops on a 5-2 aggregate having won the first leg in Morocco 4-0.

Pillars were undone by their poor finishing with the Moroccan Team getting the first goal in today’s encounter in the 33rd minute through Mouchine Iajour, who scored a hat-trick in the first encounter in Morocco.

Pillars equalized at the 61st minute through forward Tony Edjomareigwe, while Rabiu Ali dribbled his way into the box and scored the team’s second goal a minute before the final whistle.

Pillars have now been eliminated the same way they crashed out of the tournament last year in the preliminary round after losing to AS Vita of DR Congo.

With Pillars already out, the onus is now on Enyimba to do Nigeria proud as they take on Egyptian side Smouha FC in their own crucial second leg clash today. [myad]

Kabiru O. Ademoh Weds Rivelle From United Kingdom

Greenbarge Reporters

April 4, 2015

It was a society wedding on Saturday when Kabiru O. I Ademoh, the son of the Acting Director in the Agric Department of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, took former Miss Rivelle Noupou, a United Kingdom-born Cameroonian to the altar in Kuje, Abuja, the Nigerian Federal Capital Territory (FCT). It attracted the big and the mighty from Nigeria, the United Kingdom and Cameroon.

Kabiru O. Ademoh poses with his fresh new wife, former Miss Rivelle, during the reception today, April 4 in Kuje, Abuja

Former Miss Rivelle feeds her new husband, Kabiru O. Ademoh during the wedding reception in Kuje, Abuja.

From right: Alhaji O.I Ademoh, father of the groom: Mrs. Dakleu, mother of the bride: the bride, Mrs. Rivelle Kabiru; Kabiru O. Ademoh; Hajiya Maimunat O. Ademoh, mother of the groom and Ms. Bernie Gaeumani, bride’s sister. [myad]

Palestinians Trapped As Jihadists Seize Most Of Syria Camp

Greenbarge Reporters

April 4, 2015

Thousands of Palestinian civilians are trapped in Syria’s Yarmuk camp, which is besieged by government forces and has been largely overrun by jihadist fighters. An opposition official said today that the camp in Damascus is now almost completely under the control of the Islamic State group (IS) and Al-Qaeda’s local branch Al-Nusra Front, a monitoring group said.

The UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) issued an urgent plea for humanitarian access to the area, saying the situation in Yarmuk was a “source of universal shame”.

Jihadists from IS first attacked the camp, just seven kilometres (four miles) from central Damascus, on Wednesday.

They were initially repelled by Palestinian forces inside Yarmuk, but have since captured 90 percent of the sprawling area.

“The residents of the camp are between the devil and the deep blue sea,” said Ayman Abu Hashem, who heads the Syrian opposition interim government’s committee on Palestinian refugees.

“The camp is surrounded by the regime, and inside the forces of IS have almost completely taken over.”

Abu Hashem said Palestinian forces from the Aknaf Beit al-Maqdis group, which is loyal to the Palestinian movement Hamas, were effectively encircled by the jihadists.

And he said fears were running high that IS would take revenge in the camp because members of the jihadist group were expelled by residents and fighters last year.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitor, said jihadist forces now controlled 90 percent of Yarmuk, which was once home to 160,000 people, both Syrian and Palestinian.

Observatory director Rami Abdel Rahman said Al-Nusra fighters were not battling alongside IS forces, but were also not opposing the its advances.

Palestinian officials accused Al-Nusra of facilitating IS’s entrance into Yarmuk, where the population has dwindled to just 18,000 residents.

Al-Nusra and IS are largely rivals, despite sharing a similar jihadist ideology, though there have been instances of local cooperation between fighters from the two movements.

Abdel Rahman said at least 18 people had been killed since the fighting in the camp began on Wednesday, six civilians and 12 Palestinian fighters.

The Observatory also reported government air strikes on the camp, though there was no immediate information on casualties.

Yarmuk’s residents have suffered through regular clashes, government shelling and a regime blockade that has caused medical and food shortages.

Syrian forces remain outside the camp, and sources said troops had set up additional checkpoints around Yarmuk after the fighting began.

An agreement last June between the government and rebels, backed by Palestinian factions, led to easing of the blockade.

But humanitarian access has remained limited and was halted completely with the jihadist advance.

UNRWA spokesman, Chris Gunness, today, described the situation in the camp as “an affront to the humanity of all of us, a source of universal shame”.

“The humanitarian actors on the ground, like UNRWA, must have immediate access to bring urgent assistance to civilians,” Gunness said.

He urged “moral and diplomatic leadership from the international community” to ensure the protection of civilians.

Palestinian officials in the West Bank and Gaza also called for action, and the Syrian opposition National Coalition urged a safe passage for civilians.

The body called for “urgent intervention” from the Arab League and United Nations “to force the regime to open a safe passage for the safety of civilians”.

In Khan Yunes in the southern Gaza Strip on Saturday, around 300 Palestinians staged a march in solidarity with their compatriots trapped in Yarmuk, a Hamas official said.

[myad]

Easter: Jonathan Calls For More Sacrifices To Make Nigeria Great

Greenbarge Reporters

April 4, 2015

President Goodluck Jonathan has called on Nigerians to make more sacrifices for greater unity, peace, political stability and progress of the country as they. Celebrate this year’s celebration of Easter which he said is taking place at a period of very critical national choices and decisions.
In a statement he personally signed today, President Jonathan asked Nigerians to be prepared and willing to seize the opportunity of the Easter holiday to reflect deeply on what more they need to do as a people, to ensure that the political process in which the country is currently engaged is successfully concluded.
He wanted the citizens also, to reflect on the country would continue to move towards a better future for all of its citizens.
“Happily, we have already successfully scaled the hurdle of the Presidential and National Assembly Elections. I am quite hopeful that the Gubernatorial and State Assembly elections will also be conducted peacefully.
“To the glory and pride of our fatherland, our collective actions since March 28 have assured the world that the democratic spirit is alive and well in our nation.
By the grace of God, our beloved nation, Nigeria is moving forward despite all challenges.
“Let us all pray this Easter, that God Almighty who has brought us this far, will continue to bless our nation as we march onward towards the fulfillment of our collective vision of a truly united, strong and prosperous nation.”

[myad]

Buhari Campaigns For Votes For APC Governorship, House Of Assembly Candidates On April 11

Greenbarge Reporters

April 4, 2015

The President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari is canvassing for voted for governorship and House of Assembly candidates of All Progressives Congress (APC) across the country in next weekend’s second round of elections.
In a statement issued in Abuja today, General Buhari, who thanked Nigerians for voting him into office, said that there are still greater challenges of consolidating the previous electoral victory of the opposition party.
According to him, the election of APC Governorship and House of Assembly candidates is no less important than his own victory during the March 28 presidential election.
He explained that his election should not be treated in isolation because the APC needs to win at other levels of democratic representation across the country.
The President-elect added that for APC to govern effectively, its supporters should also elect the party’s candidates in the Governorship and House of Assembly elections on April 11.
General Buhari used the opportunity to condole with the families of his supporters who lost their lives celebrating the APC victory and wished speedy recovery to those nursing injuries.
He also called for total moral support to INEC to enable it improve on its previously impressive performance, despite logistical challenges and other unforeseen hiccups.
Meanwhile, General Buhari has been receiving phone calls from world leaders calling to congratulate him on his victory.
The leaders have also praised the peaceful nature of the election and its outcome.
Latest among such callers were the United Nations Secretary General, Ban-Ki Moon, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyep Erdogan, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, Chadian President Idris Deby, Denis Sassou Nguesso of Congo Brazzaville, and Alfa Konde of Guinea.
Buhari also received congratulatory phone calls from the Kenyan President, Uhuru Kenyatta, former US President Bill Clinton and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
In all cases, the President-elect responded to the positive gestures with assurances that Nigeria will act as responsible member of the international community in conducting its affairs.
He called for support for the country in dealing with global terror manifesting itself as Boko Haram in Nigeria.

[myad]

Yield From My War Against Corruption Will Be Invested In Education, Says General Buhari

Greenbarge Reporters

April 4, 2015

President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari, has promised that savings from the war against corruption which he hopes to wage, will be ploughed into education with the objective of empowering the citizens.
“If you give education to a man or woman, you have empowered them to be productive. There is no better way to empowerment,” Buhari asserted.
The President-elect, who exchanged received in audience old schoolmates and kinsmen, among the 130-odd delegation today at the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Headquarters in Abuja, made it clear that he would not condone the looting of public funds.
Buhari who also spoke about his resolve to work with all Nigerians to pull the citizens out of the current hardships facing them, assured that he would handle state resources with utmost responsibility and honesty.
He told the delegation from his home state, Katsina, who came to congratulate him that citizens had been made poorer by the 16 years of PDP maladministration in spite of the fact that the country received more income in that period than at any other time.
Buhari expressed his commitment to multi-party democracy as the best system of government and appealed to all citizens to imbibe courage and perseverance. He said that it is such virtues that had seen him to victory, after failing three times in the past presidential elections.
The leaders of the delegation, who spoke included the Chairman of the Katsina State chapter of APC, Engineer Mustapha Mohammed Inuwa; a former Governor of the state, Alhaji Saidu Barda, a leading Muslim Cleric, a representative of federal legislators and a representative of the traditional institutions in the state.
They all pledged their support and commitment to the in-coming Buhari administration and promised to avoid the mistakes of others by imbibing humility and respect for all sections of the country.

[myad]

I Suddenly Found Myself Making Love To My Mother, Son Confesses

Greenbarge Reporters

April 3, 2015

A 19-year old student in Asaba, capital of Delta state, whose name is being withheld, has confessed that he suddenly found that he was making love to his biological mother after taking a love charm given to him by a native doctor.

In his confessional statement to the Police in Asaba, the young man said: “I am deeply sorry for all that has happened. I did not mean to do this. I saw myself falling in love with her after the love charm prepared for me. I have to confess because I know by so doing, God will touch her mind and I know she will forgive me. I suddenly found that I was making love to mum when I thought the charm will not work, and upon the revelation, I threatened to kill her and the matter was reported to the police.”

The young man was alleged to impregnate his mother while testing his love charm.

He was said to have gone to a native doctor, who allegedly prepared a love charm for him to use on his mother and one of the matrons in the college where he is a boarding student.

It was gathered that the husband of the woman, who has been away for some time outside his Port Harcourt operational base, denied being responsible for the pregnancy during interrogation.

But the victim, the suspect’s mother, while speaking to journalists said:“I did not know how it all happened, but all I can say is that a young man who looked like my son suddenly found his way into my room at the wee hours and I was speechless”, adding that the whole exercise had remained inexplicable.

The Delta state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Celestina Kalu, who confirmed the report, said that the young man has since been arrested over threat to life. [myad]

March 28 Election: PDP Made Costly Mistakes, Governor Sule Lamido Admits

Greenbarge Reporters

April 3, 2015

Jigawa State governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido has admitted that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lost the March 28 Presidential election to Opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) because the party made what he called costly mistakes.

Governor Lamido who fielded questions from newsmen shortly after he had a close door meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan at the Presidential Aso Villa last night said: “PDP made some mistakes. I have been saying so. It made very very costly mistakes and we have not been able to properly manage our successes. But to me I don’t think quitting PDP is the answer.”

Lamido made it clear that the election showed that Nigerian people have said yes to the APC, adding: “they have spoken in very loud and unmistaken ways. The votes are very very unambiguous and so we respect their choice and their rights and we praise (General Muhammadu) Buhari for being able to take the ticket from the PDP even though I am not happy.”

He said that in the March 28 election, it was Nigeria that won and not Buhari, adding: “none of them lost but Nigeria won and is enough of the anxiety, enough of the worry and the fear in Africa. It was so intense you will not believe it as confirmed by the Chairperson of the African Union (AU) and other international friends who have called to thank Nigeria for really saving Nigeria and also saving Africa. So I also say thank to Nigeria for saving Africa and saving Nigeria.”

He said that whoever becomes the president of Nigeria is a Nigerian President ‎and not a president for a particular region, stressing that this is how it should be.

Sule Lamido thanked Nigerians for standing for Nigeria, even as he also admitted that the result of the Presidential election would have a bandwagon effect on the April 11 gubernatorial election in the country.

“There is tendency of bandwagon effect but it ‎is up to us to work very hard.”

The governor gave assurance however that whatever happened, PDP would remain solid and would bounce back.

“I’m sure if you know the party’s history, what it went through in the last 16 years, ‎it has the capacity to bounce back.” [myad]

Atiku Insists He Can’t Campaign For PDP Candidate, Says Fraud Stars Are At Work

Greenbarge Reporters

April 3, 2015

Former Nigeria Vice President Atiku Abubakar has made it clear that under no circumstance would he canvass for vote for any candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), much less its Adamawa state gubernatorial candidate, Nuhu Ribadu as was shown in media recently by those he called fraud stars.
In a statement in Abuja, Atiku said that the photograph being circulated, showing him carrying a banner asking for votes for Ribadu is the work of fraud stars and is done out of malice.
According to him, the banner in question was the banner he held in canvassing for votes for the Osun State governor, Rauf Aregbesola, during the last governorship election in Osun State last year.
Atiku said that the imperative of voting for the APC in the next line of elections in the country on April 11 is a virtue that he is firmly committed to, and to which he will urge all Nigerians to give unwavering support.
“The purported photograph of me canvassing for votes for the PDP in the Adamawa governorship election is a fraud and done out of outright malice.
“I did not and will never call for support for any candidate of the PDP. The photograph that is being circulated is the Photoshop copy of my photograph that called for votes for the Osun State governor in the 2014 gubernatorial election in that state.
“My commitment to support and canvass for votes for the APC, not only in Adamawa State, but in all strata of elections across the country is a virtue that I will urge all Nigerians to follow.” [myad]

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