I Will Return North To Safety And Elections Must Hold, Jonathan Promises

February 19, 2015

President Goodluck Jonathan has promised to rout out Boko Haram and return the North East to safety even as he assured that elections will be held in the region come March 28 and April 11.
Commissioning four Naval ships in Lagos today, the President made it clear that nothing would make the elections to be shifted again.
“Let me also use this platform to promise my good country men and women that we will rout out Boko Haram. Our capacity to achieve results in the northeast has increased sufficiently. Our men and officers are doing well in the northeast and we must conduct the elections as scheduled by INEC. We will return the north to safety.”
President Jonathan assured Nigerians that the Armed Forces now have sufficient capacity to rout out the Boko Haram sect from the northeastern, adding that the elections would go ahead as scheduled by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
He commended officers and men of the Nigerian Army who are fighting the terrorists in the northeast, saying that he was very impressed with the reports of successes coming out of the zone.
He said that his administration had made it a deliberate policy to properly equip and improve the security architecture available for officers and men of the Nigerian Army and Nigerian Airforce. [myad]

4 Nigerians Want Court To Declare That Jonathan Can’t Be President For More Than 8 Years

Greenbarge Reporters

February 19, 2015

Four Nigerians: Tunde Samuel, Junaidu Mohammed, Rasak Adeogun and Yahaya Ezeemoo Ndu are asking an Abuja High Court to declare that constitutionally, it is unlawful, illegal and not permissible for any person to occupy the office of the President of Nigeria for more than a cumulative and aggregate period of eight years when the country was not at war.

It will be recalled that the plaintiffs had applied to withdraw their suit from the Federal High Court for tactical reasons.

The trial judge, Justice Ahmed Mohammed, consequently struck it out and slammed a N50, 000 fine on them.

But the new case has been re-assigned by the Abuja High Court, to Justice Ishaq Bello, who had adjourned the matter to February 22 for hearing.

The judge had earlier ordered that the Originating Summons be served on the President, Goodluck Jonathan, to enable him file his defence.

The President was served through substituted means, to wit; by publication of the court processes in a national newspaper.

The plaintiffs, through their counsel, Yusuf Ali, told the court that they have complied with the order for service.

The plaintiffs’ case is that the constitution does not permit anyone to stay in office for more than eight years.

According to them, Jonathan is not legally fit to contest the presidential election.

They argued that allowing him to participate in the election would amount to giving him the opportunity to spend more than eight years in office, contrary to the provision of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

The plaintiffs argued that should Jonathan win another term of four years from 2015, he would have been permitted to occupy the office of President for more than eight years.

They, therefore, prayed the court to declare that in computing the period already spent in office as President, the period from 6th day of May 2010 to 28th May 2011 should be considered.

Among others, the plaintiffs asked the court to declare that having spent a period of more than four years in office as President since May 6 2010, Jonathan no longer had the “competence, authority or entitlement to contest the same office for another term of four years.” [myad]

Senate Gives INEC Go-Ahead To Use Card-Reader For 2015 Polls

Greenbarge Reporters

February 19, 2015

Senate on Wednesday expressed confidence on the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) readiness to conduct free, fair and credible elections. The Senate President, David Mark, disclosed this when the Chairman of INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega, briefed the house and demonstrated how the card reader would be used during plenary.

Mark, who expressed satisfaction at the demonstration of the card reader and the level of preparedness of INEC, said that the session was beneficial. “We have so much confidence that you will organise free, fair and credible elections; indeed all of us who are standing for election in the Senate will like to come back. “We will like to win our election but we want to win in free, fair and credible elections. I can say that nobody seated here wants to come back through the back door.

“It is for us to assist you to conduct free, fair and credible elections and whatever we can do between now and the date you have chosen for us to go for the elections, we will not hesitate to do. “I believe that you have benefitted from this interaction; we have also benefitted. “A number of issues have been raised and they are pointers to the way you will like to look at the administrative and technical issues that have also been raised.’’

Mark urged all senators to utilise the commission’s email address to report any problems they might be experiencing in their constituencies relating to the elections. Sen. Bukola Saraki (APC-Kwara) in an interview after the session, said he was satisfied with the card reader demonstration on the floor of the Senate. He said “I am very satisfied with the working of the card reader; it has shown that it does work.

“I think everybody will be more convinced that for this election, we will be using the card reader.’’ Sen. Ita Enang (PDP-Akwa Ibom) also expressed satisfaction with the demonstration but expressed concern if the card reader was unable to accredit all voters in polling units with high number of voters. Earlier, the INEC team demonstrated the use of the card reader using PVCs of some senators present. [myad]

Fani-Kayode Defends Governor Fayose Over Clip On Ekiti Poll Rigging

Greenbarge Reporters

February 19, 2015

Director of media and publicity for the Presidential Campaign Organisation of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Femi Fani-Kayode has defended some footage of a meeting involving some PDP leaders in the southwest zone which purportedly reflected attempts to rig the Ekiti governorship election, describing it as both petty and despicable.
The leaders involved in what has now been termed “Ekitigate” include Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti state, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro of Lagos state, Minister Jelili Adesiyan of Osun state and Senator Iyiola Omisore of Osun state.
At a news conference today in Abuja, Fani-Kayode said that he has listened to the audio clip and he found out that the discussion that took place in it did not make any mention of any form of rigging in the Ekiti state governorship election and neither did it contain any evidence of any conspiracy to rig.
“Rather than attempting to orchestrate rigging, what the audio clip clearly reveals was Governor Fayose expressing concerns that a Military commander was not acting on information about illegal movement of weapons into certain parts of the state. The Governor and others were apparently worried that safety of the voters and INEC officials could be compromised if security measures were not strictly enforced.”
He challenged opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) to do a critical content analysis of the discussions in the audio clip and that it would find out that the claims of rigging against Governor Fayose and all the others that were mentioned cannot be sustained.
“Sadly the same cannot be said about the electoral perfidy which the APC
perpetrated in the Osun state
governorship elections. During the course of those elections, some of their agents gathered in secret locations where they thumb-printed ballot papers in favor of their governorship candidate, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.” [myad]

President Jonathan Commissions 4 Naval Ships In Lagos

Greenbarge Reporters

February 19, 2015

President Goodluck Jonathan, today, commissioned four large Naval ships in Lagos. They are the Nigerian Navy Ship OKPABANA, a High Endurance Cutter acquired from the United States of America; Nigerian Navy Ship PROSPERITY, a former Irish Navy fishery patrol boat, acquired purposely for use as a training ship; and Nigerian Navy Ship CENTENARY, one of the two offshore patrol vessels procured from China and Nigerian Navy Ship SAGBAMA, which was donated by the Peoples Republic of China.
Commissioning the ships, President Jonathan announced that the ships are part of 6 which will be commissioned for the Navy this year. He said that one of the ships which came from the United States was the 6th from that country since 2002.
The President said that the high dependence of the nation’s economy on offshore resources, as well as the enormous potentials of the maritime sector to contribute to food security and employment generation have made the provision of effective maritime security very imperative.
“Therefore, the Nigerian Navy, as the lead maritime security agency, deserves all the support it needs, to effectively carry out its statutory roles.
“In this regard, and in spite of other pressing demands, my administration has continued to support the fleet recapitalization objective of the Nigerian Navy Transformation Plan 2010 – 2020, which was formulated to support the realization of the goals of the Federal Government’s Transformation Agenda.
“This commissioning ceremony gives me opportunity to once again reaffirm my confidence in the competence and commitment of the officers, ratings and civilian staff of the Nigerian Navy. I am glad to particularly note the achievements of the Navy in the fight against oil theft and other maritime crimes.”
President Jonathan reassured the Navy that his administration will not waiver in its support to the on-going capacity building effort it has started.
The President acknowledged the fact that this was the first time any Nigerian government would commission 5 Naval ships at the same time, adding that the last time such thing happened was when the then President Shehu Shagari commissioned three ships.
Speaking earlier, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin commended the present administration for committing huge resources into the advancement of Naval operations, adding that the commissioning ceremony was a milestone in the history of the Navy.
According to him, the 4 Naval ships would be deployed into the effective patrol of the country’s territorial waters.
The Naval Chief also handed the 4 ships to their respective commanding officers.
NNS Okpabana was handed to Captain Majidadi Ibrahim while NNS Centenary was handed over to Captain Chidozie Donald Okehie. Captain BK Effiong was given the responsibility to command NNS Sagbama while Captain Musin Yahaya Abba will take charge of NNS Prosperity. [myad]

Dan Idonor For Burial February 27 In Ughelli, Delta

Greenbarge Reporters

February 19, 2015

February 27 has been announced as the date for the burial of the late Executive Editor of Frontiers Newspaper Online, Mr. Daniel Ovwigho Idonor. He died in Abuja on Monday February 2, 2015.
An official announcement from the family showed that a Christian Wake and Service of Songs would be held at his residence, 16 Pibe Street, Mpape, Abuja, on Monday February 23, by 5.00 pm while his remains will be laid to rest at his residence Opposite Victory Group of Schools, Old Ogor Road, Ughelli, Delta State, on Friday, February 27.
Already, many prominent Nigerians and professional colleagues, including spokesman of President Goodluck Jonathan, Dr. Reuben Abati, Mallam Umar Sani, senior special assistant on media and publicity to Vice-President Namadi Sambo and members of the State House Press Corps have visited his Abuja residence to commiserate with the family.
Aged 45, Mr. Idonor, popularly called “Chair” by his colleagues in the media, died on Monday, February 2, at the Nigerian Air Force Hospital, Abuja, after a protracted illness.
A devoted Christian and a Deacon with the Living Faith Ministry, Abuja, the late Idonor was a former Chairman of the State House Press Corps, Abuja.
He is survived by a wife and four children. [myad]

Fashion Designer Begs For N12 Millions To Undergo Renal Transplant In India

Greenbarge Reporters

February 18, 2015

A 35-year-old fashion designer in Lagos State, Damilola Emmanuel, is appealing to Nigerians to assist him by contributing to the sum of N12 Million he needs to raise to enable him undergo renal trnsplant in India.
Life Support Medical Centre, located at 1, Oba Docemo Street, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos State has been handling his case and he has been on weekly dialysis.
A letter signed by the Chief Medical Director of the Centre, Dr. U.B.C. Onuzo, said the patient was diagnosed with “acute renal failure” and was referred from the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital “for urgent dialysis in our centre.”
The hospital said that the solution to the patient’s medical condition is renal transplant.
Emmanuel was said to have had “five sessions of haemodialysis and several blood transfusion but cannot keep up with the treatment cost.”
A session of the dialysis costs about N70,000. And it is done weekly.
As a result of this, Onuzo said he has not been complying with his treatment, adding: “this letter is written on his behalf, for whoever is willing to assist him. Renal transplant is the definitive treatment.”
The transplant is expected to take place in India at the cost of N12 million.
Emmanuel gave his account details as follows:
Name of Bank: Skye Bank
Account Name: Damilola Shedrack Akinuyi.
Account Number: 1019053381. [myad]

Elections: Jega Vows To Use Card Reader, Says Whoever Not Satisfied Can Go To Court

Greenbarge Reporters

February 18, 2015

Amidst the furor over the plan by the Nigeria Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to use card reader in the March 28 and April 11 general elections in the country, the Commission’s chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega has vowed to go ahead to use the card reader and asked those who have contrary view to challenge it in the court of law.

“Nothing in the constitution says we should not use electronic device in the process of accreditation. Anybody that is not satisfied can go to court. We have solid ground on that,” he said.

Professor Jega spoke today when he was virtually grilled by Senators at a special sitting at the National Assembly.

He made it clear that INEC will go ahead with its plan to deploy card readers for the elections, adding that the card readers would only be used for accreditation not actual voting.

He emphasized that there is no law that forbid the use of electronic devices for accreditation.

“Card reader is used for accreditation not voting. Voting is defined as dropping of ballot paper into ballot box. Accreditation is essential for integrity of the election.”

According to Professor Jega, the card readers would curb electoral malpractices, as cloned cards would be detected.

He however promised that INEC will perform a mock test on the card readers even as he said that some tests had already been taken in the United States, and will now be tested in the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria.

“The card reader has passed in all the 13 test categories conducted in terms of its durability and versatility.”

There have been some concerns, mainly from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) about the plan by INEC to use the card readers for the election as Nigerian law prohibits electronic voting.

On the postponement of the elections, Professor Jega said that it will enable INEC to have flawless, near-perfect elections, adding that the commission will meet with the heads of departments and directorates of units to conduct a comprehensive assessment, to figure out additional things to be done before March 28.

Professor Jega said that a meeting with the inter-agency committee on security will hold a meeting to discuss security on the Election Day. [myad]

General Buhari Angry With PDP’s Litany Of Lies

Greenbarge Reporters

February 18, 2015

Presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), General Muhammadu Buhari is angry with the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for what he called “litany of lies” its leaders have been peddling against him.
General Buhari, who reacted to a PDP’s newspaper advertorial about Nigeria’s military expenditure during his 20-month reign as Head of State, said that his short-lived regime expended more in equipping the military than President Goodluck Jonathan has done in four years.
“The advertorial in question is part of the litany of lies being peddled by the PDP and its presidential candidate to confuse Nigerians about how incapable the Jonathan administration is.”
In a statement by Garba Shehu, the Director of Media and Publicity of the APC Presidential Campaign Organisation, Buhari said that whereas he spent only 20 months in office and imported 940 million United States Dollar worth of arms when crude oil sold for between 10 and 14 US Dollar per barrel, President Jonathan spent 48 months in office and imported 284 million United State Dollars of arms between 2011 and 2013 when a barrel of crude oil sold for 140 million US Dollars.
“This is an administration that got revenue in an unprecedented proportion in the history of the country through the sale of crude oil and, at the same breadth, show-cased corruption and wastefulness in unprecedented proportions.
“Nigerians have seen through the nearly six years of the Goodluck Jonathan’s administration that it has been six years of stealing of crude oil at an industrial scale; six years of clueless leadership and six years of high-level corruption.
“The PDP doesn’t need to tell a lie about how wrongly President Jonathan has steered the affairs of the state in the past years, and that is why we need to remind Nigerians that this election is a referendum about the Jonathan’s administration.” [myad]

Jonathan, Buhari Greet Christians As Lent Begins

Greenbarge Reporters

February 18, 2015

President Goodluck Jonathan who doubles as Presidential candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Presidential candidate of the main opposition, All Progressives Congress (APC), General Muhammadu Buhari have felicitated with all Christians in the country as they begin the observance of Lent for the year 2015.
In a separate messages, the two leaders appealed to Christians to use the period to meditate and pray to God for peace and the rebuilding of the nation.
President Jonathan reminded Christians that as they undergo the rites of the 40-day Lenten season which runs from today to Easter Sunday, they should be constant in prayers, penitence, fasting and self-denial.
The President further asked Christians to pray fervently for peaceful, violence-free and successful general elections in the country on March 28 and April 11, 2015.
He called on all political leaders in the country, Christians and non-Christians alike, to rededicate themselves to the commitment they have made to peaceful, non-violent campaigns and elections, and do their utmost best to ensure that their supporters across the country uphold that commitment.
President Jonathan further asked all those seeking political office in the coming elections to eschew hate speech, incitement to violence, divisiveness and the malicious denigration of opponents, adding that all political parties in the country should join the federal government in giving the fullest possible support and cooperation to INEC to ensure that it delivers free, fair and credible elections.
The President appealed to Christian community to reflect more on all the ideals of human existence taught by Jesus Christ during his ministry on earth even as he also called on Christians to make those ideals, including piety, love for others, tolerance, humility, selfless service to others, honesty, fairness, justice and equity more manifest in their daily lives.
General Buhari also asked Christians to let the 40 days Lent period be for “a greater opportunity to change our ways and our hearts so that God can heal our land; which is in dire need of leaders and citizens who will show love and care for the poor and the rejected in our midst, for whom, Jesus Christ also sacrificed and died for.
“Let us abhor discriminations in our country on the grounds of ethnicity, religion, gender and political orientation and work for a united, peaceful and progressive Nigeria where few men and women will no longer have the pleasure and privilege to deprive the majority of our common wealth.
“As you observe this very important spiritual exercise, I will also join you in prayers to God for the strength you need to go through this season and for the forgiveness of the sins we all have committed against God and humanity.” [myad]

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