Presidential flag bearer of Nigeria’s leading opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), General Muhammadu Buhari, speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal and all the governors of APC made a surprise appearance today at the Presidential Aso Villa, Abuja to attend the Council of State meeting.
Genera Buhari, who is attending the meeting after a long time absence from such meeting, is there in his capacity as former Nigerian Head of State. He was said to have been ushered in to see President Goodluck Jonathan shortly on his arrival at the State Hosuse by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim.
Also in attendance at the meeting, which is still ongoing, are all the PDP Governors and other past leaders of the country.
Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Professor Attahiru Jega has threatened not to stay in office a day longer the moment he is being pushed to do things that is not from his conscience.
Professor Jega who spoke at an interactive session in Chatham House, London yesterday, made it clear that for now he is not under pressure from any quarters on what INEC should do or not do on the 2015 general elections.
“No one can make me do what is against my conscience. I will walk away the day I feel I can’t do the job according to the dictates of my conscience”, he declared.
He added that whatever INEC does are in accordance with provisions of the law, logistics and the exigencies of the issues at hand, explaining that the recently released election timetable was premised on the commission’s capacity and resources.
Professor Jega said due to the enormity of the tasks and challenges involved, INEC is not yet ready to conduct all elections in one day, stressing that the commission would however go a step better in 2015 by staggering the elections over two days instead of the three days as was the case in 2011.
He said that it was logical to conduct national elections – presidential and National Assembly elections in one day and local elections – gubernatorial and state houses of assembly elections – on another day, but lamented that whatever the sequence INEC chose to conduct the elections, people would still complain as it is difficult to satisfy everyone.
Professor Jega assured that the 2015 elections would be “much better than 2011” but expressed concern over the “must-win” and “do-or-die” attitude of some politicians whose mindset is to win at all costs.
He also criticized media practitioners in Nigeria for pandering to the propaganda of politicians instead of sticking to the dictates of their profession.
He called on all to support INEC in its onerous task to conduct free and fair elections, stressing that the task of ensuring credible elections in the country is not on the commission alone, but all stakeholders. [myad]
State House Press Corps (SHPC), made up of Journalists and special editors covering the Nigeria Presidency for their media organizations, has declared a three-day mourning for the former Chairman of the Corps, Mr. Daniel Ovwigho Idonor who died last week Monday, February 2nd, in Abuja. A statement signed by the current chairman of the SHPC, Mr. Kehinde Amodu today said that the three-day mourning period would be observed by members with prayers. “During the period, which is from Thursday 5th to Saturday 7th February, 2015, members are enjoined to pray for the repose of his soul as well as ask God to grant his family and friends the fortitude to bear the huge loss,” the statement explained. It also enjoined members of the Corps to visit the immediate family of late Idonor at their Abuja residence even as it commiserated with the management and staff of Frontier Newspapers which the deceased co-established and served as Executive Editor until he died. The SHPC also condoled with Champion and Vanguard Newspapers where he previously worked respectively before venturing into online publication. “Mr. Daniel Idonor, popularly referred to in the Villa as “Chair” will be remembered for his purposeful and bold leadership during the two terms he served as Chairman of the State House Press Corps. “The Corps prays God Almighty to grant his soul eternal rest.” [myad]
Pirates are reported to have hijacked a 15-year-old crude oil tanker, Malta-flagged Kalamos, off the Nigerian coast, taking three hostages and killing the vessel’s Greek deputy commander.
The Greek coastguard confirmed that Malta-flagged Kalamos was anchored and awaiting fresh cargo from Qua Iboe, an oil terminal in Nigeria’s southeastern region operated by ExxonMobil, when it was boarded on Tuesday.
Report says that two of the three hostages are Greek, and that Greeks make up 10 out of the total 23 crew.
A spokeswoman for the coastguard said that the hijacking of the tanker took place in the Gulf of Guinea, which experts have said is the new epicentre of piracy in Africa.
It would be recalled that between January and September last year, the area recorded 33 incidents of piracy and armed robbery.
According to the International Maritime Bureau, the pirates operating off the coast of Nigeria, Togo and Benin are heavily armed and violent, and often hold crews hostage for several days. [myad]
Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State has advised Igbo People living in the northern part of the country not to leave the North out of panic over the February general elections, assuring that there will be no crisis during and after the elections.
This was even as he blamed the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of intruding politics of religion and ethnicity in Nigeria.
Governor Okorocha, who spoke in Abuja after a meeting between leaders of All Progressives Congress (APC) and its National Assembly candidates nationwide, dismissed insinuations that the party’s presidential candidate, General Mohammdu Buhari would pursue an Islamic agenda if elected.
According to him, the idea of Islamizing the country was propagated by PDP, which he accused of dividing Nigerians along ethnic and religious lines.
“it is uncalled for to return home. There is no need for it. The elections, as far as we are concerned, will be peaceful. Nigeria and Nigerians are only passing through a challenging period in their political history.
“That does not mean it will bring about crisis. I do not think so. Unless for Igbo who have registered at home. They should come home to vote. But those who registered in the north should stay there.
“Again, this is one of the things we have been complaining about. Since the advent of PDP, this nation has been polarized between Muslims and Christians.
“That is the most dangerous point PDP has introduced in the Nigerian politics. Before now, you do not even know where you come from or who is who. We were all one.
“But when PDP decided to go to churches and other religious houses, they polarized the polity. That is why the only thing they have to say about Buhari is that he will make the whole Christians become Muslims overnight.
“The General was once the Head of State with Idiagbon; very powerful then. With decree in their hands, they could not Islamize anybody. Is it now we have National Assembly and state Houses of Assembly they will do that? It is not possible.
“This is cheap politics by PDP and that is what is creating the tension. Nigerians love themselves and this campaign of hate introduced by PDP is also very worrisome.
“But what is before us now is more than the sentiments of tribe and religion.” [myad]
Amidst the agitation amongst some Nigerians for the postponement of the general elections scheduled to hold across Nigeria on February 14 and 28, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has given an indication that though there is no plan for postponement of the elections but that there may be a few days extension in some isolated cases.
A statement from the Chief Press secretary to the INEC Chairman, Idowu Kayode said: “INEC has not completely foreclosed the possibility of granting a few days of extension in isolated cases of low percentage of collection after February 8.”
The electoral body had earlier extended the deadline for Nigerians to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to February 8, almost a week to the Presidential election on February 14.
Kayode, who reacted to report in some media that INEC had agreed to postpone the entire elections, said that it was not true.
“I write to refute your story in Reuters attributing National Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Amina Zakari, as saying that the 2015 general elections may be delayed if the number of Permanent Voter Cards collected by voters is too low. “I was at the Situation Room Dialogue with INEC in Abuja this morning and I know that the Commissioner spoke in regard of the February 8 deadline for the collection of PVCs, nothing about the schedule of the general elections. “You said she spoke to you ‘on the sidelines’ of the event. Well, I have checked with the Commissioner and she denied that the issue discussed was the schedule of the 2015 elections. You had during the question-and-answer session at the event asked about the notably low level of collection in some states and the implication for voter turnout, which the Commission had missed out in her responses. Later ‘on the sidelines’ she explained to you that the number of PVCs already collected rates highly in comparison to the level of voter turnout historically in Nigerian elections. “The inference you’ve made for the schedule of elections is entirely yours, and misrepresents the conversation that took place at the event this morning. You will do well to correct the report urgently, please.” [myad]
National Universities Commission (NUC), the body charged with setting standards for Nigerian Universities has announced the abolition in all the universities, of pass degree for student to earn graduation. The new rule takes effect from the 2013/ 2014 academic session. Announcing the new standard for graduation yesterday at the 2014/2015 matriculation of 4,133 students of the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, the Institution’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Abdullahi Zuru, said: “this will have far reaching implications on the grading system of students in universities. “This means that the minimum pass mark for courses in the universities will now be 45 per cent: that is D-grade, instead of the previous 40 per cent which was E-grade. It also means that the minimum class of degree to be earned by students will now be Third Class.” He emphasised that henceforth, no university student will graduate with a Pass Degree, even as he enjoined the students to work hard to earn their stay in the university. The vice chancellor also advised them to shun extremism, bigotry, violence, ethnicity, political intolerance and religious prejudice. Professor Zuru commended the Federal Government and its agencies for fully transforming the landscape of the university. Earlier, the Dean of Students Affairs, Dr. Adamu Aliero warned that any student that flouted the rules and regulations of the university would be sanctioned. He assured the students that the management of the institution would continue to accord top priority to their welfare. In a remark, Mr. Aminu Wushishi, Chairman of the caretaker committee of the students union government, assured that the students would be law abiding. [myad]
Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo has asked President Goodluck Jonathan not to worry himself too much about the February 14 election as God has already known who He will give power to. President Jonathan had, as usual, paid the Oba a courtesy visit at his palace to seek his royal blessing for the February 14 presidential poll. From the palace, President Jonathan proceeded to the Benin stadium where he told a mammoth crowd that he is out to transform Nigeria and not the change the opposition party, All Progressives Congress (APC) has been banding about. He emphasised that what the country needed now is transformation and not change. The President, who addressed the crowd in the local ‘Nigerian English’ popularly known as pidgin English, made it clear that his administration had concentrated its effort in building schools instead of prisons. He said that it is for this reason that the federal government is building construction technology in Edo State to take care of the young people who want to develop competent talent and skills in the construction industry. Jonathan insisted that the country needs transformation at the moment and not change, adding: “Change takes place every day. If you move from your bedroom to your sitting room you have made a change but you have not transformed yourself. If you move from your sitting room to your Kitchen you have changed but you have not transformed yourself.” President Jonathan went on: “as we dey talk today, it is that we go move this country forward. If you don read some books, person wey transform a country called Singapore. Singapore and Nigeria been dey the same level but e transform Singapore from third world country to first world country. “That is the transformation we are talking about. We are not talking about somebody turning and say ‘I have changed’ and turn this way and say ‘I have changed.’ “We dey talk about transformation and that is why as we dey talk about school, this is a government wey be say when we come we know say so many Nigerian young people no fit get space for our university because we know say universities wey dey our country no plenty reach. “Them the go Ghana go every where to study. Na im we come say make we get enough universities too make we see whether people go come here. So, we open 14 new universities. For secondary schools, if you look our law wey them dey call constitution no be dey work wey federal government dey do but because we know say we go make sure say our young people go school we build them plenty.” President Jonathan said that his government is interested in building schools and not prisons adding: “we know say if person do bad thing, government say make you no do dat thing again. That is why Police dey. “But wetin we like be say we go build schools for Nigerians. No be to build where we go go lock people where them dey call prison. Prison no dey bring better thing out. Na schools. The people wey dey say them want change, ask them say when they were there how many schools them build for us? Ask them; how many school them build?” In his remarks, Vice President Namadi Sambo asked Nigerians not to vote for a person who cannot produce his primary school certificate, adding that President Jonathan is a PhD holder and scientist who can represent the country anywhere in the world. “He (Jonathan) is a PhD holder and he is a scientist. To every global standard, Mr. President can go anywhere as one of the most educated people in this world. And me, Namadi Sambo, a fellow of the Nigeria Institute of Architect, I am an experienced Vice President. “We have been working with the president as we promised you, designing, developing, constructing and transforming Nigeria. Mr. President has moved this country forward, all our infrastructure there is no sector that has not been improved tremendously.” He said that PDP success story was not by accident adding: “it is by your right decision to elect Mr. President with the educational background and wealth of experience that he has been able to achieve this and to achieve more for you Nigerians. “Would you want to vote for a president that cannot prove his primary school certificate? Do you want to vote for a president that do not have a primary school certificate at this age?” Also speaking, First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan reminded the women of Nigeria that PDP is the only party that has remembered the women and their children. According to her, PDP is the only party that has given Nigerian women 35 percent, adding that APC does not wish Nigerian women good. “They (APC) can never come to power. When they were in power they did not carry any woman along in those days. They gave out appointments; they did not give any woman appointment. “But when PDP came to power they remembered Nigerian women; they remembered that we women are intelligent, they remembered that we women are honest, they remembered that we women are trustworthy, they remembered that we women are educated, they remembered that we women can contribute to the development of this country and they carried us along. “Because PDP know that we women are trustworthy, they gave us a portfolio to coordinate the economy of this country and we have proven it by improving the economy. CNN has proven it when they announced that Nigeria in economy we are doing well.” Chairman of the PDP board of trustees, Chief Tony Anenih said instead of the people of south south to vote for tyranny and autocracy they will give President Jonathan their full votes with nothing left for the opposition. Many Nollywood stars and top musicians in the country accompanied the president to his campaign rally in Edo State. [myad]
All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Organization has appealed to members of the Council of State not to listen to President Goodluck Jonathan, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and those they sponsored to be clamouring for postponement of February 14 and 28 general elections in the country. “With INEC (Independent National Electoral Commission), which is constitutionally empowered to conduct elections saying it is ready, there is no basis to contemplate on the grounds of politically expedient excuses.” The Council of State, made up of former Nigeria Presidents and Heads of State as well as other past and present leaders, is scheduled to hold a meeting tomorrow, Thursday, where President Jonathan will seek advised on whether or not to postpone the elections. In a statement from the Director of Media and Publicity of APC Presidential Campaign Organization, Mallam Garba Shehu, APC appealed to members of the Council of State to put the higher interest of Nigeria above selfish and other narrow considerations. The APC presidential campaign organization said that considering the zeal of Nigerians for change and their passion to vote, there should be no excuse to deny Nigerians the right to exercise their franchise. “The Independent National Electoral Commission is the custodian of the electoral process and should therefore be given a free hand to conduct the 2015 general elections in line with the laws of the land.” According to the statement, postponement of election is a serious national issue, and called on members of the Council of State to vote according to their conscience when the issue of election postponement comes up for consideration. Garba Shehu reminded members of the Council of State that their honour and integrity are at stake, and therefore, they must weigh the implications of election postponement. He said the incredible enthusiasm with which Nigerians are ready to vote during the February general election should not be dampened and ruined by any idea of election postponement to serve expedient political objectives. “As at the last count, all stakeholders have committed to the conduct of the general elections as scheduled. INEC had expressed its preparedness, the military and police have committed to providing adequate security and even the PDP says it is prepared for the election. From all indications the only person who is not prepared for the election appears to be President Jonathan who has seen defeat staring him in the face and is pulling all the strings to re-enact the June 12, 1993 scenario.” [myad]
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign Organization has reminded the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) that the Federal Government which it controls has no constitutional power to postpone the February 14 and 28 general elections in the country. Addressing news men in Abuja today, the Director of media and publicity of the PDP Presidential campaign organization, Femi Fani-Kayode said that allegation by APC National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed that the ruling party is not ready for the scheduled February general elections and that it is plotting to scuttle the process with a view to emplacing an Interim National Government is shameful. “These allegations are disingenuous, tenuous and shameful. Rather than elevate the APC, this resort to mendacity and scaremongering further reduces them to a gang of desperadoes seeking power by all means and simply for the sake of it.” Fani-Kayode made it clear that PDP and Jonathan government do not superintend over electoral processes and elections in this country, adding that there is an independent election body in place-the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) under the chairmanship of Professor Attahiru Jega. “It is within the purview of INEC to make decisions about the holding and/or postponement of elections. It is not within the functions of the PDP or the Federal Government. We take exception to the fact that they keep on making this allegation deliberately to provoke us. “When they say that the PDP is controlling INEC they have become nothing but victims of their own delusions and they are obviously suffering from terrible hallucination. INEC is completely independent. We have called on INEC to ensure that everybody has the Permanent Voter Cards (PVC). We have done that public service; but as to whether election is to be postponed or not is INEC’s sole decision. Whichever way, we are very well prepared for election. Let it be clear that the APC leaders and members are the ones who are afraid of elections. We are traversing the length and breadth of the country campaigning to win votes. Our candidate, President Jonathan has given a good account of himself, using the campaign platform to brilliantly articulate and showcase his sterling achievements and to place on the table those projects and programmes he intends to execute and/or implement once his mandate is renewed.” Fani-Kayode also said that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria does not provide for the Interim Nation Government contraption which APC has been talking about. APC’s Lai Mohammed alleged at a news briefing in Lagos yesterday said that the Presidency and PDP are determined to postpone the elections and installed an interim government. Fani-Kayode asked Nigerians to discountenance APC and Lai Mohammed’s petty lies, adding: “they can be rest assured that all arms of government are patriotically committed to discharging their constitutionally-prescribed responsibilities and duties. “We believe that the APC’s unconscionable alarm is part of its characteristic and habitual propaganda through which it has over and over again imposed its skewed agenda on many undiscerning Nigerians. We are constrained to take this opportunity to paint an accurate portrait of the APC and its leaders. It is time for us to expose them for what they really are. The truth is that they are agents of destabilisation. They comprise of retrogressive elements that are desperate to take power just for the sake of it. If they ever succeed in taking power in this country, God forbid, they will take the country back into darkness because they represent darkness and everything that is reprehensible. “We, as a party, will not allow them to damage the good work that the PDP, most especially the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan, has done to transform our nation. The APC can go on its illusive flight of self-importance, but it is now increasingly clear to every Nigerian at home and in the Diaspora as well as members of the International Community that the opposition party is excessively desperate for presidential power and has imported unrestrained violence into our body-politic. “The truth is that they cannot win the forthcoming elections and they know it. That is why they have come up with the allegation of Interim National Government. “We repeat: those who want Interim National Government are the APC and some elements that are secretly behind their party. Their plan is to prepare a fertile ground upon which to discredit our anticipated victory at the polls, unleash anarchy and violence on the country after they lose so that we would not be able to enjoy our victory. By the grace of God and the support of a vast majority of Nigerians, their plan will fail. “The nation is already subjected to a dress rehearsal of the monumental violence that the APC is planning. You can see how the party has attacked virtually everyone except itself. It is time that all Nigerians of goodwill told the APC that enough is enough. “They must stop intimidating people and they must know their place. Indeed, the APC should stop alleging that everybody has a hidden agenda except for its own leaders and members.” [myad]
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