Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Attahiru Jega, again assured the nation of the readiness of his commission for tomorrow’s National Assembly election even as the problem of logistics appeared to be far from over.
As the INEC Chairman was reeling out arrangements made for the election, yesterday, sources as at the commission disclosed that logistics challenges being faced by the electoral agency were still very much on ground and that “all he was saying was a mere window dressing.”
Jega confirmed at a news briefing the exclusive report by Daily Sun that election would not hold in some senatorial districts and federal constituencies, disclosing that elections had been suspended in 15 out of the 109 senatorial districts and 48 out of the 360 federal constituencies spread across 27 states.
The election, Jega said, had been rescheduled for Tuesday, April 26 when the governorship and state Assemblies elections would be held. According to Jega, areas where election would not hold represented 86 per cent of the senatorial districts and 87 per cent of the federal constituencies, and that the election would not be held in those areas because the commission could not meet up with the printing of ballot papers to cover all the areas.
He stated that the commission met both local and foreign contractors on the possibility of having fresh ballot papers printed before Saturday and seeing the impracticability and the fact that the commission did not want to take chances, it decided to postpone the elections so that printers would have two weeks within which to supply the papers.
The INEC boss also admitted the logistics challenges being faced by the commission was far from being solved as he said the commission could only boast of 600 pick-up vans for all the 774 local government electoral officers. He explained that the commission had mobilised the state electoral commission to arrange for transportation for the movement of Electoral Officers and materials.
He regretted that governors did not comply with the directive of the commission that they should not bombard the polling units with their retinue of aides and securitymen warning that securitymen had been placed on alert to resist such conduct tomorrow.
On the defaulting contractors, Jega explained that the commission was already exploring judicial means of redress because there were clauses in the contractual terms governing the contract and the breach of the term should necessarily be taken up.
However, he stated that the commission was being very cautious because of the clauses and since the commission was still investigating the matter. Jega said that was the reason the commission would not disclose the identities of the vendors. “We are fine-tuning our judicial options to take appropriate step,” he said.
Jega said the commission was trying all it could to revive hopes and confidence of Nigerians following their disappointment at the sudden shift of the elections last Saturday. On his rumoured threat of resignation, Jega would neither confirm nor deny it, saying “no comment, it is not everything in the media that I have to react to.”
Jega pleaded with Nigerians for understanding saying “when the commission last Saturday, April 2, 2011, rescheduled the National Assembly elections, it stated very clearly that the elections will hold this Saturday, April 9, 2011. We are happy to say that the elections will go ahead this weekend as planned.
We, as a commission, fully appreciate the enormous sacrifices made by millions of Nigerian voters who turned out for the exercise on April 2. I urge you to also do the same this weekend. “Since the postponement, the commission has worked tirelessly to address the challenges observed in the conduct of the rescheduled elections. Thus, result sheets have not only been delivered to the country, but have been received by states and local government areas nationwide.
Similarly, other election materials needed at the State and Local Governments have been supplied. Logistic challenges have been addressed and we have had further consultations with political parties, security services and other stakeholders to address other challenges that emerged last Saturday. Consequently, all is now set for the National Assembly election to hold across the country on Saturday.
“However, some challenges emerging from the fact that voting took place in some areas in spite of the postponement require more time than we have had since last Saturday. For example, in some areas a good quantity of ballot papers had been used and it is not possible to reprint enough replacement ballot papers before the elections. Also, in a few constituencies, party names and logos were missing on ballot papers. While some of these resulted from human errors in compiling the names of qualified candidates and parties for the elections, others are related to sudden changes emanating from several judicial pronouncements on party nominations. These challenges dictate that fresh ballot papers be printed prior to conducting the elections.
“The commission has made strenuous efforts to get these ballot papers printed within the available time; but given the security requirements of the printing of ballot papers and the inability of domestic and international companies to deliver on time, it has become imperative that sufficient time be given for the printing of these ballot papers. Consequently, while elections will in general take place on Saturday, it has become inevitable to postpone elections in a few affected constituencies, that is 15 Senatorial Districts and 48 Federal Constituencies which are as follows: [See Attached]
“I should say that the postponed elections affect only about 14% of all Senatorial Districts and 13% of Federal Constituencies. This means that elections will take place this Saturday in 86% and 87% of Senatorial Districts and Federal Constituencies respectively. “Elections in these affected constituencies will now hold on Tuesday the 26th of April 2011 together with the Governorship and State Assembly elections.
“For purposes of clarity, it is not everywhere that voting took place last week that is affected by this rescheduling. In some areas, only very few ballots were used, which means that elections can go on unhindered in those places this Saturday. “I want to seize this opportunity to advise all voters to be orderly and peaceful during the elections. Those who choose to stay behind after voting must be orderly and non-violent. I appeal to political parties to implore their supporters to eschew violence. We are working closely with the security agencies to arrest political thugs and vigilantes. Also, underage voters will be arrested. I appeal to parents and community leaders not to allow their children to indulge in this illegal act.
“We also noticed last Saturday that some governors did not comply with the appeal to them not to move around with their security orderlies during the elections. Although we recognize that governors are chief executives of their states, I once more appeal to them to vote and return home in order to reduce political tensions during the elections. Security agencies will strictly enforce compliance with this directive.
“Let me once again thank Nigerians for their understanding and support for the commission in its efforts to deliver free, fair and credible elections. I urge you all to come out on Saturday, April 9, to exercise your right to vote,” Jega said.
As the INEC Chairman was reeling out arrangements made for the election, yesterday, sources as at the commission disclosed that logistics challenges being faced by the electoral agency were still very much on ground and that “all he was saying was a mere window dressing.”
Jega confirmed at a news briefing the exclusive report by Daily Sun that election would not hold in some senatorial districts and federal constituencies, disclosing that elections had been suspended in 15 out of the 109 senatorial districts and 48 out of the 360 federal constituencies spread across 27 states.
The election, Jega said, had been rescheduled for Tuesday, April 26 when the governorship and state Assemblies elections would be held. According to Jega, areas where election would not hold represented 86 per cent of the senatorial districts and 87 per cent of the federal constituencies, and that the election would not be held in those areas because the commission could not meet up with the printing of ballot papers to cover all the areas.
He stated that the commission met both local and foreign contractors on the possibility of having fresh ballot papers printed before Saturday and seeing the impracticability and the fact that the commission did not want to take chances, it decided to postpone the elections so that printers would have two weeks within which to supply the papers.
The INEC boss also admitted the logistics challenges being faced by the commission was far from being solved as he said the commission could only boast of 600 pick-up vans for all the 774 local government electoral officers. He explained that the commission had mobilised the state electoral commission to arrange for transportation for the movement of Electoral Officers and materials.
He regretted that governors did not comply with the directive of the commission that they should not bombard the polling units with their retinue of aides and securitymen warning that securitymen had been placed on alert to resist such conduct tomorrow.
On the defaulting contractors, Jega explained that the commission was already exploring judicial means of redress because there were clauses in the contractual terms governing the contract and the breach of the term should necessarily be taken up.
However, he stated that the commission was being very cautious because of the clauses and since the commission was still investigating the matter. Jega said that was the reason the commission would not disclose the identities of the vendors. “We are fine-tuning our judicial options to take appropriate step,” he said.
Jega said the commission was trying all it could to revive hopes and confidence of Nigerians following their disappointment at the sudden shift of the elections last Saturday. On his rumoured threat of resignation, Jega would neither confirm nor deny it, saying “no comment, it is not everything in the media that I have to react to.”
Jega pleaded with Nigerians for understanding saying “when the commission last Saturday, April 2, 2011, rescheduled the National Assembly elections, it stated very clearly that the elections will hold this Saturday, April 9, 2011. We are happy to say that the elections will go ahead this weekend as planned.
We, as a commission, fully appreciate the enormous sacrifices made by millions of Nigerian voters who turned out for the exercise on April 2. I urge you to also do the same this weekend. “Since the postponement, the commission has worked tirelessly to address the challenges observed in the conduct of the rescheduled elections. Thus, result sheets have not only been delivered to the country, but have been received by states and local government areas nationwide.
Similarly, other election materials needed at the State and Local Governments have been supplied. Logistic challenges have been addressed and we have had further consultations with political parties, security services and other stakeholders to address other challenges that emerged last Saturday. Consequently, all is now set for the National Assembly election to hold across the country on Saturday.
“However, some challenges emerging from the fact that voting took place in some areas in spite of the postponement require more time than we have had since last Saturday. For example, in some areas a good quantity of ballot papers had been used and it is not possible to reprint enough replacement ballot papers before the elections. Also, in a few constituencies, party names and logos were missing on ballot papers. While some of these resulted from human errors in compiling the names of qualified candidates and parties for the elections, others are related to sudden changes emanating from several judicial pronouncements on party nominations. These challenges dictate that fresh ballot papers be printed prior to conducting the elections.
“The commission has made strenuous efforts to get these ballot papers printed within the available time; but given the security requirements of the printing of ballot papers and the inability of domestic and international companies to deliver on time, it has become imperative that sufficient time be given for the printing of these ballot papers. Consequently, while elections will in general take place on Saturday, it has become inevitable to postpone elections in a few affected constituencies, that is 15 Senatorial Districts and 48 Federal Constituencies which are as follows: [See Attached]
“I should say that the postponed elections affect only about 14% of all Senatorial Districts and 13% of Federal Constituencies. This means that elections will take place this Saturday in 86% and 87% of Senatorial Districts and Federal Constituencies respectively. “Elections in these affected constituencies will now hold on Tuesday the 26th of April 2011 together with the Governorship and State Assembly elections.
“For purposes of clarity, it is not everywhere that voting took place last week that is affected by this rescheduling. In some areas, only very few ballots were used, which means that elections can go on unhindered in those places this Saturday. “I want to seize this opportunity to advise all voters to be orderly and peaceful during the elections. Those who choose to stay behind after voting must be orderly and non-violent. I appeal to political parties to implore their supporters to eschew violence. We are working closely with the security agencies to arrest political thugs and vigilantes. Also, underage voters will be arrested. I appeal to parents and community leaders not to allow their children to indulge in this illegal act.
“We also noticed last Saturday that some governors did not comply with the appeal to them not to move around with their security orderlies during the elections. Although we recognize that governors are chief executives of their states, I once more appeal to them to vote and return home in order to reduce political tensions during the elections. Security agencies will strictly enforce compliance with this directive.
“Let me once again thank Nigerians for their understanding and support for the commission in its efforts to deliver free, fair and credible elections. I urge you all to come out on Saturday, April 9, to exercise your right to vote,” Jega said.
How PDP plans to rig National Assembly poll !
In its desperation to win tomorrow’s rescheduled National Assembly poll, the chiefT.A Orji-led government in Abia State has hatched a plan to use the military and other security agencies to intimidate opposition candidates and their supporters.
A source told Daily Sun that feelers from the botched Saturday’s polls sobered the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government. “It brought home clearly to them their dwindling popularity to the point. They were so shocked that they have decided that the only way out of the woods is to cause mayhem with the use of the military that is already playing along with them,” the source said.
At high level meeting in Umuahia which had the governor in attendance, to review the poll, was said to have told the governor point blank that the popularity of the opposition was so pronounced that the only way to checkmate them is to throw caution to the wind.
The governor and his kitchen cabinet at the meeting held in a secret location was said to have tagged their mission, “Stop Orji Kalu and his boys at all cost.” “They did not understand why people voted the opposition, particularly PPA during last Saturday’s polls despite all the money they have spent on the electorate,” the source said. Even one of their members was said to have told the governor’s think-tank that the only thing they can do to win at the poll was to “take it by force and violence.
According to the aide, “any attempt to play by the rules of the game will surely fail us. Since we have the soldiers on our side, we should use them and get victory first; then if there is any need for explanation, that will be done later. We have the money, we have the military and can influence other security operatives, so why can’t we use what we have to get what we want?” the aide said.
In fact, a security adviser to the governor, who is a retired military personnel, reportedly boasted before an audience in Ohafia they would use the military to effect victory for PDP on Saturday.
He was said to have advised government to leave Ebem and other parts of Ohafia to him and his military boys, which he vowed to “deliver on a platter of gold.”
Other places they have planned to “take by force” are Obingwa, Isialangwa South, Ukwa East and west as well as Osisioma, Umunneochi, Isuikwuato etc. These are areas considered as stronghold of the opposition. “The plot is to rattle them with violence and once that is done, they will substitute such areas with already prepared results.
Investigation also revealed that there are plans to use his house and those of other well placed PDP Ohafia natives as rigging points, since he will provide the security that would guide them .
“His exploits during last Saturday’s polls where some soldiers were reporting back to him whatwas happening on the field during the polls shows that democracy has been thrown into the dustbin in Abia,” our Source said.
Another meeting has been slated for today to fine-tune the winning plan, which will not be without violence. They are said to have boasted that they have the military, police and other Security agencies and so cannot fold their arms and allow somebody who is not in government to over-run them in the “battle.” Meanwhile, Mr. Aloy Nwabueze, a youth leader in Umunneochi who was battered by the military has cried out to President Goodluck Jonathan and the Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika for justice.
Speaking with journalists in Umuahia on his experience in the hands of soldiers at his community during the last postponed National Assembly election, Nwabueze said he was forcefully arrested by the soldiers over trump-up charges that he slapped the soldier’s niece. He said the soldiers took him to Leru hill, where he was undressed and flogged with cable. He said he was saved by a captain after interrogating him. “He asked them if they found any incriminating tools with me and they said no before I was released.”
The youth leader said that his niece ha told him when he was released that she wanted him to join her party the PDP, but that he went and joined the wrong party, “I told her that I do not belong to any political party and do not care what happens politically only came home to vote”. He said that he had gone to the police to lay his complain after he was discharged from hospital where he went to after the soldiers allowed him to go, stressing that he is not ready to go to court, but only want those in authority to call they soldiers to order.
Nwabueze said that he went home from school where he is studying law to perform his civic duty and that while waiting for the INEC officials to come, a to that the deputy chairman of the council Daniel Okoli came in with some soldiers and asked for his brother. He said that while this was going his niece Obiageli Okereke brought the soldiers to where he was and pointed him out as the one that slapped her, after which the soldiers came after him and ran upstairs in a bid to escape from them.
He said, “On getting to him they started beating him and threw him down from upstairs and forced him into their armoured car and took me away, saying that they are going to waste me, after all many people have died before you and you will not be the last”. The youth leader said that they also told him that the elections have been concluded and that there is nothing he or any other person for that matter can do about it, stressing that there need for the authorities to define the role of the army in the elections.
Nwabueze noted that when he asked them what his offences were, they told him that he is a cultist and trouble maker, “but I told them that I just came back to the village to vote and a law student that I know what it means to be a law breaker and that I know my right”. Nwabuze explained that his aim is to bring to the public what the soldiers are doing in some communities in the rural areas, like parading the roads of the villages with armoured cars and swinging their guns from the top of the armoured cars, making people to run away.
He warned that if the soldiers are not called to order that their behaviour will not make room for a free and fair credible elections in both the state and country, stressing that it could lead to breach of peace as some people may not be ready to allow some few people in cloths bought with public funds to scuttle the elections.
A source told Daily Sun that feelers from the botched Saturday’s polls sobered the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government. “It brought home clearly to them their dwindling popularity to the point. They were so shocked that they have decided that the only way out of the woods is to cause mayhem with the use of the military that is already playing along with them,” the source said.
At high level meeting in Umuahia which had the governor in attendance, to review the poll, was said to have told the governor point blank that the popularity of the opposition was so pronounced that the only way to checkmate them is to throw caution to the wind.
The governor and his kitchen cabinet at the meeting held in a secret location was said to have tagged their mission, “Stop Orji Kalu and his boys at all cost.” “They did not understand why people voted the opposition, particularly PPA during last Saturday’s polls despite all the money they have spent on the electorate,” the source said. Even one of their members was said to have told the governor’s think-tank that the only thing they can do to win at the poll was to “take it by force and violence.
According to the aide, “any attempt to play by the rules of the game will surely fail us. Since we have the soldiers on our side, we should use them and get victory first; then if there is any need for explanation, that will be done later. We have the money, we have the military and can influence other security operatives, so why can’t we use what we have to get what we want?” the aide said.
In fact, a security adviser to the governor, who is a retired military personnel, reportedly boasted before an audience in Ohafia they would use the military to effect victory for PDP on Saturday.
He was said to have advised government to leave Ebem and other parts of Ohafia to him and his military boys, which he vowed to “deliver on a platter of gold.”
Other places they have planned to “take by force” are Obingwa, Isialangwa South, Ukwa East and west as well as Osisioma, Umunneochi, Isuikwuato etc. These are areas considered as stronghold of the opposition. “The plot is to rattle them with violence and once that is done, they will substitute such areas with already prepared results.
Investigation also revealed that there are plans to use his house and those of other well placed PDP Ohafia natives as rigging points, since he will provide the security that would guide them .
“His exploits during last Saturday’s polls where some soldiers were reporting back to him whatwas happening on the field during the polls shows that democracy has been thrown into the dustbin in Abia,” our Source said.
Another meeting has been slated for today to fine-tune the winning plan, which will not be without violence. They are said to have boasted that they have the military, police and other Security agencies and so cannot fold their arms and allow somebody who is not in government to over-run them in the “battle.” Meanwhile, Mr. Aloy Nwabueze, a youth leader in Umunneochi who was battered by the military has cried out to President Goodluck Jonathan and the Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika for justice.
Speaking with journalists in Umuahia on his experience in the hands of soldiers at his community during the last postponed National Assembly election, Nwabueze said he was forcefully arrested by the soldiers over trump-up charges that he slapped the soldier’s niece. He said the soldiers took him to Leru hill, where he was undressed and flogged with cable. He said he was saved by a captain after interrogating him. “He asked them if they found any incriminating tools with me and they said no before I was released.”
The youth leader said that his niece ha told him when he was released that she wanted him to join her party the PDP, but that he went and joined the wrong party, “I told her that I do not belong to any political party and do not care what happens politically only came home to vote”. He said that he had gone to the police to lay his complain after he was discharged from hospital where he went to after the soldiers allowed him to go, stressing that he is not ready to go to court, but only want those in authority to call they soldiers to order.
Nwabueze said that he went home from school where he is studying law to perform his civic duty and that while waiting for the INEC officials to come, a to that the deputy chairman of the council Daniel Okoli came in with some soldiers and asked for his brother. He said that while this was going his niece Obiageli Okereke brought the soldiers to where he was and pointed him out as the one that slapped her, after which the soldiers came after him and ran upstairs in a bid to escape from them.
He said, “On getting to him they started beating him and threw him down from upstairs and forced him into their armoured car and took me away, saying that they are going to waste me, after all many people have died before you and you will not be the last”. The youth leader said that they also told him that the elections have been concluded and that there is nothing he or any other person for that matter can do about it, stressing that there need for the authorities to define the role of the army in the elections.
Nwabueze noted that when he asked them what his offences were, they told him that he is a cultist and trouble maker, “but I told them that I just came back to the village to vote and a law student that I know what it means to be a law breaker and that I know my right”. Nwabuze explained that his aim is to bring to the public what the soldiers are doing in some communities in the rural areas, like parading the roads of the villages with armoured cars and swinging their guns from the top of the armoured cars, making people to run away.
He warned that if the soldiers are not called to order that their behaviour will not make room for a free and fair credible elections in both the state and country, stressing that it could lead to breach of peace as some people may not be ready to allow some few people in cloths bought with public funds to scuttle the elections.
Presidency keeps Jega under surveillance.
THE presidency has mounted surveillance on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the activities of its chairman,
Professor Attahiru Jega, as a strong measure towards ensuring an improved performance of the commission as Nigerians file out for the National Assembly election tomorrow, Nigerian Tribune can report.
This is coming as top INEC officials confirmed that logistics for tomorrow’s election is in place, more so as the result sheets which caused the postponement of the National Assembly election scheduled for last week were said to have been stationed for onward distribution to the states.
At the time of filing the report, Professor Jega and the commissioners were holding a series of meetings meant to concretise efforts towards ensuring that tomorrow’s election is held with very minimum irregularities, Nigerian Tribune was told.
The security department was said to have been placed on alert to focus keener attention on INEC, amid reports of possible sabotage of the election by yet to be identified forces.
The presidency’s resolve to keep INEC and Jega under surveillance, according to findings, stemmed from a meeting held by the president with relevant security authorities last weekend in the Presidential Villa, after which the INEC boss pledged to do his best to conduct hitch-free elections.
The meeting was said to have been very stormy as security chiefs reportedly cautioned the INEC boss to be more circumspect in his activities in the light of available reports against him and the overall disillusionment caused by the botched National Assembly election.
According to findings, Jega was made to know that he had been under surveillance since he was appointed as chairman and that he would still be under watch till after the elections, an indication that the government was serious about ensuring that the 2011 elections would record maximum success in line with earlier promises made by the president.
The decisions taken after the meeting, the Nigerian Tribune was told, was the reason President Jonathan re-affirmed confidence in the INEC chairman, noting that he would have forwarded a new name to the National Assembly if he did not have confidence in him.
However, indication that INEC is now leaving no stone unturned towards cleaning its house has started emerging, as it directed a probe of one of its commissioners (name withheld), who was suspected of being the mole to some politicians.
The suspicion against the commissioner stemmed from a text message being circulated in Abuja, detailing his alleged unwholesome activities which portrayed him as a mole. The text was sent also to some INEC officials and journalists.
The commissioner in question, who hails from one of the northern states, according to investigations, had raised the issue at a meeting of top officials which was held at the INEC headquarters the previous day, with the claim that he was being blackmailed.
He reportedly told the meeting that he could trace the attempt to blackmail him to a hanger-on who, he said, made futile attempts to extort money from him for no just cause, stressing that he resorted to blackmail to get at him.
It was learnt, however, that all the policemen and men of the State Security Services (SSS) in INEC had been directed to probe the commissioner, with a view to unravelling the allegations levelled against him.
Meanwhile, the police has announced the restriction of movement from 10.00 p.m on Friday, to 6.00 a.m on Saturday.
Also, there will be restriction of people from 8.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m on Saturday within the voting areas and centres.
Force Public Relations Officer, Olusola Amore, who announced this on Thursday, reminded Nigerians that the restriction of movement during the election would remain in force till the end of election.
According to him, this restriction order was to enable law enforcement agents to monitor the activities of miscreants, thugs and other criminal elements, who might intend to use the cover of darkness to interrupt the smooth conduct of election.
Those on essential duties and INEC officials are exempted from this restriction order.
In another development, the Inspector-General of Police, Alhaji Hafiz Ringim, on Thursday, approved the dismissal of two policemen who were found to have engaged in illegal election duty.
The dismissed policemen are No. 210711 Ishaya David and No. 430026 Yusuf Abdullahi
The men were formerly attached to 44PMF Force Headquarters, Abuja and without lawful excuse or permission, left their allocated place of duty and embarked on illegal escort duty to Akure, Ondo State, where they were arrested.
The defaulters claimed to be on escort duty of unspecified sum of money, which they said belonged to a lawmaker.
I left PDP to save my marriage —Akunyili
Former Minister of Information and Communications, Prof. Dora Akunyili, on Thursday said her husband, Dr. Chike Akunyili, forced her to quit the Peoples Democratic Party.
Akunyili, who left the PDP last December to contest the Anambra Central Senatorial seat on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, said her husband could no longer accept the violent nature of the PDP in Anambra State.
She recalled how she called a stakeholders’ meeting of the PDP in Awka in 2010 after the party lost the governorship election, saying developments at the meeting shocked her husband, who gave a choice between her marriage and the PDP.
She said some PDP members organised hoodlums, who released teargas cannisters at the meeting venue and sent everyone scampering to safety.
“There and then, my husband asked me to choose between my marriage to him and attending PDP meetings,” she said.
Akunyili said in contrast with the situation in the PDP in Anambra State, APGA was fostering peace and unity, fostered by the Anambra State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi
On her campaign for the forthcoming National Assembly election, she lamented the high cost of electioneering in Nigeria, but said she had been able to sustain her campaigns because of the goodwill she enjoyed from people both in Nigeria and abroad.
She said, Akunyili said, “Politics is a rough and difficult terrain. It is crazy. It saps one emotionally. When you are dealing with agbero politicians, it becomes more stressful.
“My experience in the field is bad. There are all sorts of campaigns of calumny, but I am happy I have overcome all of them. I have to go to the market and dance like a crazy person.”
Conflicting claims trail printing of ballot papers by Mint.
THE Independent National Electoral Commission and the Nigeria Security Printing and Minting Corporation on Thursday disagreed on the involvement of the corporation in the printing of election materials for the April general elections.
While the electoral body in Kaduna State said election in the state might be delayed because the materials for the conduct of the polls were yet to be delivered by NSPMC, the printing corporation said it was not undertaking any job for INEC.
The INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner for the Kaduna State, Alhaji Halilu Tambuwal, had disclosed at a joint news conference between the commission and the Kaduna State Police Command that the ballot papers meant for the conduct of the polls in the state were still being printed by the NSPMC.
But the NSPMC denied printing election materials for INEC, saying that despite proposals made by the company to be involved in the process, the electoral umpire had not contacted it in the election process.
Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer of the company, Mr. Ehi Okoyomon, while addressing journalists in Abuja also denied media reports that it had beefed up security in its offices because it was involved in the printing of election materials.
He said that the company submitted proposals and followed same with an expression of interest to INEC in September last year for the printing of ballot papers but never got any response from the commission.
He said, “The newspaper report that published that we have beefed up security because we are printing election materials is completely false and misleading. So, it becomes very important for us to say that as at today, the NSPMC is not printing any ballot paper for INEC and anybody that published this information is spreading the wrong information.
“We have not been approached by INEC to print its ballot papers. INEC has its statutory responsibility to organize elections for this country and we are not printing any ballot papers, not even for INEC or any politician.
“But if INEC desires that we should print its ballot papers or supply security documents at all given our expertise in the business, then we will be prepared to do that, but as at this moment, nothing has happened.
“We are a high security printing company and we have printed cheque books, share certificates, currencies and we have indeed printed ballot papers in the past but as it is, we are not doing it for them.”
On the proposal submitted to INEC for the printing of ballot papers, he said, “We submitted a proposal for the printing of ballot papers to INEC in September 2010, and we also did an expression of interest which was followed up with series of meetings with INEC; they promised to get back to us and up till this moment, we have not received any formal invitation from INEC to help them secure ballot papers but if they do, we will assist them. But it is only INEC that is in the best position to say why we are not selected.”
We’re Ready to Kill, GOC Warns Political Thugs !
General Officer Commanding {GOC}, 2 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Muhammad Abubakar, has declared that soldiers have been ordered to shoot and kill any political thug that attempts to disrupt the peaceful conduct of Saturday’s polls.
The army officer spoke as both the State Resident Electoral Commissioner {REC}, Ayo Adakeja and the Commissioner of Police, Salihu Hashimu, clarified that there was no truth in the media claim that a commercial printer had been engaged to print voters’ cards in the state capital.
The trio at a political stakeholders’ meeting in Ibadan told political parties chieftains at the meeting to call their supporters to order and direct them to maintain peace and orderliness during and after the polls.
The army officer contended that even when a person has been licenced to carry firearms, such person should not bring the firearms to the polling station, declaring, “we will arrest anybody found carrying arms to the polling station and if such person resists arrest, we will shoot him.”
He added: “ You should remember that we are not trained to shoot and maim but shoot to kill and that is the order we have given the soldiers who will be at the polling booths.”
The warning in Oyo state came as the Labour Party (LP) in Bayelsa state raised the alarm that the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state has been stockpiling arms in readiness for Saturday’s elections.
Director General, Timi Alaibe Campaign Organisation and Deputy Governorship candidate, Senator Inatimi Rufus-Spiff , at a press briefing in Yenagoa Thursday, alleged that the arms and ammunitions are now being moved to some local government areas of the state ahead the of tomorrow’s National Assembly elections.
According to Rufus-Spiff, the PDP is using the instrument of office to intimidate and cow the people, adding, the attempt of operatives of Operation Famou Tangbei to arrest the former Deputy Governor of the state, Peremobowei Ebebi from his Yenagoa home less than 24 hours to last Saturday’s botched elections is a pointer to this.
He regretted that this is coming on the heels of the reinstatement of the embattled Ebebi to his position by the orders of the Court of Appeal as the de facto Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State.
Rufus-Spiff disclosed that the Party was investigating a report that the PDP led government was planning to collaborate with INEC to rig the general election.
But the Bayelsa State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Engr. Edwin Nwatalari and the State Commissioner of Information, Strategy and Orientation, Chief Nathan Egba has dismissed the claims as unfounded and a desperate attempt by the opposition to set a stage for confusion.
The Labour Party however insisted that it is ready to produce evidence to back up the claim of movement of cash between the Government House and the INEC headquarters in the state.
“Our campaign organization is seriously investigating the allegation and will come out with concrete evidence when we are through.” Said Rufus Spiff.
“However we wish to use this opportunity to call on INEC officials in the state not to allow themselves to be compromised by the outgoing government by ensuring a level playing ground for all political parties.”
The Alaibe campaign group warned that Bayelsans would resist any attempt to disenfranchise them and rig the polls.
In his reaction, the Bayelsa State Commissioner of Information, Strategy and Orientation, Mr. Nathan Egba said the government does not need to engage in violence or any unholy acts because the state is a PDP state. “In their tradition of whipping up sentiments, they have issued misplaced claims.”
Egba stressed that “the government does not have such money to give to INEC. We don’t have enough money to meet our obligations let alone to give INEC money. Government does not need to engage in fraud because the entire people of the state are for the PDP body and soul”.
HOURS to the National Assembly elections, the crisis rocking the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Lagos State deepened yesterday.
Housing Commissioner, Mr. Dele Onabokun, was sacked “with immediate effect” by Governor Babatunde Fashola for allegedly working for the success of Labour Party (LP) candidates at the polls.
A statement signed by the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Governor on Media, Mr. Hakeem Bello, announcing the sack, did not give any reason for the immediate termination of Onabokun’s appointment, but directed the commissioner to immediately hand over to the most senior official in his ministry.
The statement reads: “The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN) on Thursday relieved the Commissioner for Housing, Mr. Dele Onabokunn of his appointment with immediate effect.
“Governor Fashola directed that Mr. Onabokun should hand over to the most senior official in the ministry”.
The Nigerian Compass gathered that the sack was a fallout of last Saturday’s postponed National Assembly elections, when the fired commissioner was said to have told his supporters in his Epe home to vote for LP candidates against ACN candidates.
Housing Commissioner, Mr. Dele Onabokun, was sacked “with immediate effect” by Governor Babatunde Fashola for allegedly working for the success of Labour Party (LP) candidates at the polls.
A statement signed by the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Governor on Media, Mr. Hakeem Bello, announcing the sack, did not give any reason for the immediate termination of Onabokun’s appointment, but directed the commissioner to immediately hand over to the most senior official in his ministry.
The statement reads: “The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN) on Thursday relieved the Commissioner for Housing, Mr. Dele Onabokunn of his appointment with immediate effect.
“Governor Fashola directed that Mr. Onabokun should hand over to the most senior official in the ministry”.
The Nigerian Compass gathered that the sack was a fallout of last Saturday’s postponed National Assembly elections, when the fired commissioner was said to have told his supporters in his Epe home to vote for LP candidates against ACN candidates.
Onabokun, a loyalist of Fashola, had earlier told some of his followers in Epe, where he is a leader of the ACN, to move to the LP, when they were unable to get the party’s tickets, an action which prompted his political son and member of the House of Assembly, Sakiru Adebanjo, who was denied a return ticket, to move to the LP.
Following that development, the commissioner was said to have instructed his supporters on Saturday to vote against ACN, an action which annoyed some of the contestants, who promptly reported him to the party leadership in the state.
This, the source said, prompted a meeting of the party leaders in which former governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Fashola and the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji, among others, were in attendance.
At that meeting, a livid Tinubu was said to have thoroughly lashed out at Fashola who he accused of disloyalty, a reason he said he never wanted to support his return bid, but for the intervention of some well-meaning leaders in the state and outside.
Tinubu was said to have further accused Fashola of instructing his loyalists to vote for LP against his party, the ACN, in his bid to create his own ‘league of loyalists’.
Tinubu specifically instructed Fashola to sack Onabokun with immediate effect and do whatever it takes to dissuade his supporters from voting against the ACN at tomorrow’s election and subsequent ones.
This development, the source said, may have informed the current advert running in several electronic media, telling voters that Fashola has said that a vote for LP or PDP is a vote against him that he has not instructed anyone to vote for any other party except ACN.
With Onabokun’s sack, many fear that the party may have given the former commissioner a good reason to now work against it tomorrow.
Meanwhile, text messages from opposition parties masquerading as Lagos Voters have continued to throw the ACN into disarray.
Amid insinuation that Fashola was behind some of the messages, the governor yesterday wrote that he is not “duplicitous” as portrayed by text messages emanating from the group parading itself as Lagos Voters, stressing that he remains loyal to his “mentor and hero of democracy”, Tinubu.
Fashola, who personally reacted to the series of text messages making the rounds, said: “I, Governor Fashola (SAN), reject the impression of me created by the opposition text sponsored messages. I am not a duplicitous person and I stand solidly by my mentor and hero of democracy, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Remember that a vote for PDP or Labour is a vote against me. Please vote only for ACN candidates. Thank you. BRF,” Fashola said.
Fashola’s message came in just as Lagos Voters intensified its campaign against the ACN in another text message yesterday.
The message called on the electorate to save the state from Tinubu’s godfatherism.
The text messages have intensified even as ACN leaders went into a marathon meeting yesterday at the state secretariat, Ikeja, to put finishing touches in their quest to get into their fold those who have defected to the opposition as a result imposition during the primaries.
Buhari to Jonathan: I have never stolen public funds.
Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) Presidential candidate Muhammadu Buhari has challenged Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, to publicly declare that he has never stolen public funds as a public officer. Buhari also declared that he has never touched a Kobo of public funds throughout his career in government. Buhari spoke in Lagos Wednesday at the presentation of CPC election manifesto. He said, “I have had the fortune and privilege of managing national resources in various capacities - as a military commander, as a state governor, as a minister, as head of the Petroleum Trust Fund and as the Head of State of this great country. And in all that I have been and done, I have never touched a Kobo of public funds.” Challenging Jonathan, his main rival in the presidential contest, Buhari said, “I say this without pride and with all sense of responsibility and humility, but I challenge anyone in the race for the leadership of this country then or now to dare make the same claim.” It would be recalled that the Jonathan camp recently in some newspaper advertisements, attempted to link Buhari with some corruption cases and some individuals indicted over corruption.
“I am sure I could easily have retired into a life of comfort and ease as an elder statesman, as a contractor or as a beneficiary of anyone of the nation’s many generous offerings. But that is not what I wish to do with my life”, Buhari said. The CPC presidential flag bearer said he was not into the race for personal aggrandisement, but, “If I don’t take any of these alternative courses of action, it should be clear that I am not in this for the love of office or for pursuit after personal glory or in order to achieve some personal goal.”
EFCC docks El-Rufai, 2 others over alleged fraud.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has re- arraigned a former minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai and two others on a newly-amended eight-count charge before a Federal Capital Territory High Court presided over by Justice Sadiq Abubakar Umar. The two other accused persons are former director-general, Abuja Geographic Information System (AGIS); Altine Jubrin, and former general- manager, AGIS, Ismail Iro.
All the accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them. Their arraignment on Thursday April 7, 2011 followed a ruling by the trial judge last week dismissing the objection raised by the former minister and others to their trial. The judge had held that the charges against them were not only proper but that the EFCC also has the power to prosecute them for graft.
The charge was filed against the accused persons based on findings from a petition to EFCC, chronicling allegations of abuse of office and graft against El-Rufai. He was accused of allocating government land to his friends and family members, in flagrant breach of the Abuja master plan. According to the petition, the former minister, between 2003-2007, allocated ten plots of land in choice areas of Abuja and in various sizes to his family members, including his wife, Hadiza Isma El-Rufai, who got two plots- one in the Asokoro district and the other in the Kubwa district.
When they were to be arraigned on March 28, 2011, the accused questioned the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the matter saying that the ICPC Act 2000, under which the accused persons were charged, had been repealed and could therefore, not be used as a legal platform for their trial. They also argued that the EFCC lacked the power to prosecute them as the entire allegation against them did not constitute financial crimes.
But counsel to the EFCC, Adebayo Adelodun (SAN) had submitted that El-Rufai and the other accused persons were newly brought before the court on the basis of an eight amended charges and urged the court to allow their immediate arraignment. He pointed out that, “as a matter of law and fact, the objection on this ground has become mute, spent and academic by reason that the prosecution had filed an amended charge.” He vehemently opposed the plank upon which the defence counsel based their objection to the arraignment saying that the objection was doomed since it was based on an un-reported decision of a Court of Appeal that had been voided by the Supreme Court.
The court however granted EFCC leave to prosecute the former Minister, and two others on the amended eight count charge. This, the court said was in accordance to Section 208(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code and the EFCC Establishment Act.
When the case came up on Thursday, the accused took their plea, as Akin Olujimi, SAN, counsel to first and second accused persons applied for bail on behalf of his clients saying he had earlier filed an application to that effect ealier in the day which had been served on the prosecution counsel. He placed his request for bail on the fact that it had been granted to them by EFCC and also by Justice Adamu Bello, when the accused were initially arraigned before a Federal High Court. He also stressed that the duo had completely complied with the conditions of the administrative bail given to them by EFCC.
Another earthquake hits tsunami-ravaged Japan !
Authorities in north-east Japan ordered a general evacuation and workers at the damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant took shelter after an earthquake triggered a new tsunami warning the British Broadcasting Corporation reports.
However, the tsunami warning was lifted after 90 minutes and the earthquake - with a magnitude of 7.1 - did little obvious damage.
Fukushima officials said the quake had no detectable effect at the plant.
Last month’s 9.0 earthquake set off a tsunami which devastated the region.
The earthquake - at a depth of 49km (32 miles) - struck off Japan’s north-east coast, close to the epicentre of the 11 March quake.
All seven of the workers at Fukushima Daiichi were safe, a spokesman for plant operator Tepco told a news conference in Tokyo.
“They have not been injured and they have all taken shelter in our seismic-resistant building. We are continuing to inject water, or we are continuing the injection operation at reactors 1, 2 and 3,” said the spokesman, whose name was not given.
The workers are trying to keep the damaged reactors cool to stop further releases of radioactive material.
Thursday’s quake struck at 2332 local time (1432 GMT) on Thursday, 118km (78 miles) north of Fukushima, 40km offshore.
First reports said it had a magnitude of 7.4 but that was later revised downwards to 7.1, according to the United States Geological Survey.
Last month’s earthquake had a magnitude of 9.0 and struck at 32km deep.
USGS geophysicist Paul Caruso said Thursday’s quake struck at about the same location as the 11 March quake, the AP news agency reported.
The quake was strong enough to shake buildings in Tokyo, 265km to the south.
“The earthquake was moving in an up-and-down motion,” Miri Gono in Tokyo told the BBC by e-mail. It started off with small shakes, then shook bigger. I was alone in my house with my brother and we were so scared... We took our bottles of water and hid under the table.”
Japan’s meteorological agency issued tsunami warnings and advisories for a stretch of coast 420km long, from Aomori prefecture in the north to Ibaraki prefecture in central Japan, just north of Tokyo.
Hundreds of aftershocks have shaken north-eastern Japan in the wake of the earlier earthquake, but few have measured higher than 7.0.
About 28,000 people are dead or missing, and hundreds of thousands were left homeless after the tsunami which ripped through north-eastern Japan.
Court orders Obasanjo-Bello to grant access to tenant.
A Lagos High Court in Igbosere on Thursday ordered Senator Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello to allow her tenant at M10, Road 2, Victoria Garden City, Lekki, Lagos, to remove his property from her premises.
Justice Adesuyi Olateru-Olagbeji gave the order at the resumed hearing of the case filed by Mr. Martin Abhulimhen against Obasanjo-Bello.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Abhulimhen is seeking an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendant from evicting him without recourse to the due process of law.
He is also seeking a declaration that the attempt by Obasanjo-Bello to forcefully evict him from the property was illegal, unlawful, null and void.
The claimant is also praying the court to award him the sum of N200m as damages for trespass on his quiet enjoyment of the property.
In his affidavit, Abhulimhen alleged that he entered into a tenancy relationship with the defendant for a period of two years at an agreed sum of N5m.
He also alleged that after payment, he and his family had quiet enjoyment of the apartment without any disturbance from the defendant.
According to him, he departed the premises with his family to pursue a doctorate degree programme in the United Kingdom, leaving his sister, Faith Ajayi, in occupation of the apartment.
“It came as a shock to me when in March 2010, I was informed by my sister that the defendant stormed the premises with armed mobile police officers who forcefully broke into the apartment,’’ he said.
Abhulimhen also stated that while his tenancy had not expired, the defendant stationed armed mobile policemen at the gate, with an instruction to bar him and his family members from entering the premises.
NAN reports that Obasanjo-Bello is yet to file a defence despite being served with the court processes.
Justice Olateru-Olagbeji adjourned the case till July 4 for trial.
Mob attacks Bauchi Gov !
Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State narrowly escaped being mobbed yesterday by irate natives of Bogoro during a visit to the area. While at least three vehicles in his convoy were destroyed in the process.
The governor was on an assessment tour of Tafawa Balewa and Bogoro Local Government areas bedevilled by sectarian crisis since January which left scores dead and property worth millions of naira destroyed.
Yuguda, accompanied by top security chiefs during the tour, visited Bununu, Gital and some villages affected by the crisis where he addressed displaced victims before moving to Bogoro.
Trouble started for the governor who all along had avoided the area during his electioneering campaign tour of the state when his convoy reached Bogoro to address stakeholders on the lingering crisis at the palace of the district head.
Yuguda whose rating has allegedly dropped due to what many described as his poor handling of the crisis in the area, got more than he bargained for as a large angry crowd which gathered at the palace of the district head of Bogoro prevented him from proceeding to the affected villages.
Daily Sun gathered that their grouse was because the governor failed to visit them and commiserate with them when the crisis broke out in January. Rather he gathered stakeholders from the areas and threatened to level the place and relocate Tafawa Balewa town if the inhabitants could not live in peace with one another.
Our correspondent gathered that since the statement made by the governor in January, there had been reprisal attacks between Fulani and Seyawa people of the area with the latter spreading to Bogoro where many villages were burnt and the villagers killed or fled.
An eye-witness close to government circles said following the shouting and confusion building outside the district head’s palace, the governor became jittery and demanded from the security chiefs who accompanied him what was amiss and he was told that a crisis was brewing somewhere in the area.
“The governor then said it was better to leave the area. But the chiefs told him it was better to go there and see what the problem was.
As the governor came out of the district head’s palace, he was confronted by an angry mob which started shouting that they did not want to see the governor. “Before we knew what was happening, they started stoning him and he had to be hurried into his car. The confusion was too much and the convoy had to speed out from the area, but not until three vehicles in his convoy were destroyed by the angry mob.”
Reacting to the incident, the district head of Bogoro, Alhaji Haruna Yakubu described it as an “embarrassment. We have never received an Executive Governor only to be treated this way.”
According to the district head, the governor visited Tafawa Balewa and other villages and there was no problem. He conducted his visit peacefully. On coming here, he was about going out when we heard some women shouting. I asked my subordinate to find out what was the problem but the noise persisted.
Alhaji Yakubu said that it was people from Tafawa Balewa that came to Bogoro to incite the stoning of the governor’s convoy. “We don’t know the reason behind their motives”
The governor was on an assessment tour of Tafawa Balewa and Bogoro Local Government areas bedevilled by sectarian crisis since January which left scores dead and property worth millions of naira destroyed.
Yuguda, accompanied by top security chiefs during the tour, visited Bununu, Gital and some villages affected by the crisis where he addressed displaced victims before moving to Bogoro.
Trouble started for the governor who all along had avoided the area during his electioneering campaign tour of the state when his convoy reached Bogoro to address stakeholders on the lingering crisis at the palace of the district head.
Yuguda whose rating has allegedly dropped due to what many described as his poor handling of the crisis in the area, got more than he bargained for as a large angry crowd which gathered at the palace of the district head of Bogoro prevented him from proceeding to the affected villages.
Daily Sun gathered that their grouse was because the governor failed to visit them and commiserate with them when the crisis broke out in January. Rather he gathered stakeholders from the areas and threatened to level the place and relocate Tafawa Balewa town if the inhabitants could not live in peace with one another.
Our correspondent gathered that since the statement made by the governor in January, there had been reprisal attacks between Fulani and Seyawa people of the area with the latter spreading to Bogoro where many villages were burnt and the villagers killed or fled.
An eye-witness close to government circles said following the shouting and confusion building outside the district head’s palace, the governor became jittery and demanded from the security chiefs who accompanied him what was amiss and he was told that a crisis was brewing somewhere in the area.
“The governor then said it was better to leave the area. But the chiefs told him it was better to go there and see what the problem was.
As the governor came out of the district head’s palace, he was confronted by an angry mob which started shouting that they did not want to see the governor. “Before we knew what was happening, they started stoning him and he had to be hurried into his car. The confusion was too much and the convoy had to speed out from the area, but not until three vehicles in his convoy were destroyed by the angry mob.”
Reacting to the incident, the district head of Bogoro, Alhaji Haruna Yakubu described it as an “embarrassment. We have never received an Executive Governor only to be treated this way.”
According to the district head, the governor visited Tafawa Balewa and other villages and there was no problem. He conducted his visit peacefully. On coming here, he was about going out when we heard some women shouting. I asked my subordinate to find out what was the problem but the noise persisted.
Alhaji Yakubu said that it was people from Tafawa Balewa that came to Bogoro to incite the stoning of the governor’s convoy. “We don’t know the reason behind their motives”
Lady battered by naval men, looks back in gratitude.
Uzoma Okere. Remember her? She’s the lady that was stripped naked and battered in Lagos in September 2008 by some naval ratings attached to a senior Naval officer, Rear Admiral Harry Arogundade. The Lagos State government, through the Office of the Public Defender (OPD), later took up her case in court. She eventually got justice, with the court awarding her N100m.
Well, Okere was in the news recently. On March 29, at a forum in Lagos, the lady relived her bitter experiences in the days following her ordeal, even as she heaped praises on the state governor, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) for coming to her aid in her hour of need.
She spoke at the Onikan Stadium, Lagos, at an event to commemorate Fashola’s 1, 400 days in office. Many others, who claimed to have benefited from the state government were at the event to publicly applaud the Fashola administration for always coming to the aid of the citizens in their moments of distress. Okere recalled how she was brutally attacked by the Admiral’s guards that morning. The naval men, who accused the lady of blocking their principal’s convoy, jumped on the lady and thoroughly battered her in the presence of on-lookers. She was thereafter rushed to the hospital by some of those who witnessed the ordeal.
According to her, she never imagined that she would get justice when those angry ratings were humiliating her. She expressed joy that help came from the state government when she never expected it. Her words: “I could have been assaulted and harassed without justice if the state Office of Public Defence initiative was not “conceived, established and effectively operated to help the downtrodden in the state. Even though I am not from Lagos, I benefited from the state’s people-oriented policies.
“I’m grateful to the Lagos State government under Governor Fashola for making an initiative like the OPD work. When I was beaten by those ratings, and Governor Fashola heard about how they dragged me down from my car and assaulted me, he directed the OPD to intervene. I got free legal service from the state and a N100 million claim.”
She wasn’t the only one. Kunle Hassan was, a few years ago, diagnosed with a kidney condition. His heart fell when he was told he would be dead in a matter of months if he couldn’t get a kidney transplant. With no means to raise the N5m needed for the surgery at an Indian hospital, the man simply resorted to fate. But he wasn’t allowed to die. According to him, he was surprised when the state government offered to sponsor his medical trip to India where he underwent a successful kidney transplant. Today, he’s alive and well.
“I could not have been able to raise such an amount,” he said at the event. “I’m grateful to the state government for coming to my aid at a time I was dying. May God continue to be with Fashola and other members of his administration,” he prayed. Indeed, Onikan Stadium was filled to the brim by people from all walks of life who had come to celebrate Fashola’s administration that had just clocked 1, 400 days. Apart from government officials, there were traditional rulers, private businessman, workers, artisans, security agencies and students, among others, at the event. Many were those who came with various inscriptions showering praises on the governor, asserting that he had done quite well since he started steering the wheels of the state.
Naturally, the event also metamorphosed into a political rally, with many people endorsing the governor’s second term ambition. While expressing delight that his administration had been able to spread joy in the lives of the people, Fashola said his government had only done what was right, saying a government exists for the welfare of the people. “That is why we are urging you to ensure that this state does not fall into the hands of political jobbers who have no record of accomplishment, but are now seeking to experiment with Lagos. I have had the privilege to serve you. Our votes remain the safest weapons to protect and preserve our common patrimony,” he said.
He praised Lagos residents for helping the administration succeed in its plans. “The transformation that has won our state honours and recognition within and outside our fatherland has been delivered by your participation and inclusiveness which has allowed everybody to contribute to the development of our commonwealth. You have been the pillars of the successes of our administration. You have lived together peacefully, respecting each other’s diversity. This has indeed made it possible for this government to deploy the inherent advantages of that diversity to propel our state towards progress and prosperity through the various policies and programmes that have touched many lives in a most rewarding way at different levels.”
He also spoke about some of the achievements of his government in the last 100 days. One of such, he said, was handing over of 17 Skills Acquisition Centre in Mushin built to provide skill development, technical education and self-employment opportunities to the youths. Also, according to the governor, a facility comprising a school and clinic for physically challenged children in Owode-Elede was opened. “There is also the completion and handing over of three mini-water works each with a capacity for two million gallons of water daily to service at least 500 homes in Ifako Ijaiye, Ikorodu and Badore,” he said.
In the area of healthcare, the governor said medical missions were undertaken in Epe, Oshodi and Shomolu in the past 100 days. “The mission was designed to bring healthcare services closer to thousands of citizens without a charge. This is a clearer evidence of taxes being put to work. Recently, we engaged 507 degree holders in such basic subjects as English, Mathematics, Biology, Physics and Chemistry. The teachers have undergone special innovative conversion course to enable them acquire required skills in teaching methodologies and techniques,” he said.
He also announced the construction of new blocks of classrooms with libraries and laboratories in some parts of the state. “We also plan to construct a ramp from Ozumba Mbadiwe Road to Falomo Bridge. The purpose is specifically to solve crisis of traffic congestion, which always plagues the Nigerian Law School intersection. Our administration has improved our capacity for road maintenance, as more roads are daily being rehabilitated and repaired. We have restored hope to the middle class settlement of Adeniran Ogunsanya with a new road, and a rejuvenated shopping centre as we are also about to complete and hand over Ogunlana Drive, while work is going on in Akerele and Bode Thomas.”
He said a number of road projects being undertaken in Fashoro and Mba Streets in Idi- Araba and Mushin as well as in Ijeshatedo, Agiliti, Agege and other parts of Lagos, are in different stages of completion. And on water transportation, the governor said the government had procured more ferries that will transport people from Ikorodu to Ebute-Ero in 17 minutes.
The governor showered encomiums on his predecessor, Asiwaju Bolaji Ahmed Tinubu, saying the former governor is the architect of the present transformation currently taking place in the state. He expressed happiness that his 1, 400 day in office fell on Tinubu’s birthday.
Well, Okere was in the news recently. On March 29, at a forum in Lagos, the lady relived her bitter experiences in the days following her ordeal, even as she heaped praises on the state governor, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) for coming to her aid in her hour of need.
She spoke at the Onikan Stadium, Lagos, at an event to commemorate Fashola’s 1, 400 days in office. Many others, who claimed to have benefited from the state government were at the event to publicly applaud the Fashola administration for always coming to the aid of the citizens in their moments of distress. Okere recalled how she was brutally attacked by the Admiral’s guards that morning. The naval men, who accused the lady of blocking their principal’s convoy, jumped on the lady and thoroughly battered her in the presence of on-lookers. She was thereafter rushed to the hospital by some of those who witnessed the ordeal.
According to her, she never imagined that she would get justice when those angry ratings were humiliating her. She expressed joy that help came from the state government when she never expected it. Her words: “I could have been assaulted and harassed without justice if the state Office of Public Defence initiative was not “conceived, established and effectively operated to help the downtrodden in the state. Even though I am not from Lagos, I benefited from the state’s people-oriented policies.
“I’m grateful to the Lagos State government under Governor Fashola for making an initiative like the OPD work. When I was beaten by those ratings, and Governor Fashola heard about how they dragged me down from my car and assaulted me, he directed the OPD to intervene. I got free legal service from the state and a N100 million claim.”
She wasn’t the only one. Kunle Hassan was, a few years ago, diagnosed with a kidney condition. His heart fell when he was told he would be dead in a matter of months if he couldn’t get a kidney transplant. With no means to raise the N5m needed for the surgery at an Indian hospital, the man simply resorted to fate. But he wasn’t allowed to die. According to him, he was surprised when the state government offered to sponsor his medical trip to India where he underwent a successful kidney transplant. Today, he’s alive and well.
“I could not have been able to raise such an amount,” he said at the event. “I’m grateful to the state government for coming to my aid at a time I was dying. May God continue to be with Fashola and other members of his administration,” he prayed. Indeed, Onikan Stadium was filled to the brim by people from all walks of life who had come to celebrate Fashola’s administration that had just clocked 1, 400 days. Apart from government officials, there were traditional rulers, private businessman, workers, artisans, security agencies and students, among others, at the event. Many were those who came with various inscriptions showering praises on the governor, asserting that he had done quite well since he started steering the wheels of the state.
Naturally, the event also metamorphosed into a political rally, with many people endorsing the governor’s second term ambition. While expressing delight that his administration had been able to spread joy in the lives of the people, Fashola said his government had only done what was right, saying a government exists for the welfare of the people. “That is why we are urging you to ensure that this state does not fall into the hands of political jobbers who have no record of accomplishment, but are now seeking to experiment with Lagos. I have had the privilege to serve you. Our votes remain the safest weapons to protect and preserve our common patrimony,” he said.
He praised Lagos residents for helping the administration succeed in its plans. “The transformation that has won our state honours and recognition within and outside our fatherland has been delivered by your participation and inclusiveness which has allowed everybody to contribute to the development of our commonwealth. You have been the pillars of the successes of our administration. You have lived together peacefully, respecting each other’s diversity. This has indeed made it possible for this government to deploy the inherent advantages of that diversity to propel our state towards progress and prosperity through the various policies and programmes that have touched many lives in a most rewarding way at different levels.”
He also spoke about some of the achievements of his government in the last 100 days. One of such, he said, was handing over of 17 Skills Acquisition Centre in Mushin built to provide skill development, technical education and self-employment opportunities to the youths. Also, according to the governor, a facility comprising a school and clinic for physically challenged children in Owode-Elede was opened. “There is also the completion and handing over of three mini-water works each with a capacity for two million gallons of water daily to service at least 500 homes in Ifako Ijaiye, Ikorodu and Badore,” he said.
In the area of healthcare, the governor said medical missions were undertaken in Epe, Oshodi and Shomolu in the past 100 days. “The mission was designed to bring healthcare services closer to thousands of citizens without a charge. This is a clearer evidence of taxes being put to work. Recently, we engaged 507 degree holders in such basic subjects as English, Mathematics, Biology, Physics and Chemistry. The teachers have undergone special innovative conversion course to enable them acquire required skills in teaching methodologies and techniques,” he said.
He also announced the construction of new blocks of classrooms with libraries and laboratories in some parts of the state. “We also plan to construct a ramp from Ozumba Mbadiwe Road to Falomo Bridge. The purpose is specifically to solve crisis of traffic congestion, which always plagues the Nigerian Law School intersection. Our administration has improved our capacity for road maintenance, as more roads are daily being rehabilitated and repaired. We have restored hope to the middle class settlement of Adeniran Ogunsanya with a new road, and a rejuvenated shopping centre as we are also about to complete and hand over Ogunlana Drive, while work is going on in Akerele and Bode Thomas.”
He said a number of road projects being undertaken in Fashoro and Mba Streets in Idi- Araba and Mushin as well as in Ijeshatedo, Agiliti, Agege and other parts of Lagos, are in different stages of completion. And on water transportation, the governor said the government had procured more ferries that will transport people from Ikorodu to Ebute-Ero in 17 minutes.
The governor showered encomiums on his predecessor, Asiwaju Bolaji Ahmed Tinubu, saying the former governor is the architect of the present transformation currently taking place in the state. He expressed happiness that his 1, 400 day in office fell on Tinubu’s birthday.
Police save okada rider from suspected killer.
Policemen from Ojo Division in Lagos have rescued a commercial motorcyclist, (okada) from a man, who allegedly tried to snatch his motorcycle, and probably, kill him. The police are currently working on the theory that the suspect might be a ritualist and not just a robber, considering the spot, (near Obadore bridge, LASU-Iba Road), where he attempted to commit the alleged crime.
Many motorcyclists had been hacked down on the bridge by ritualists, who killed and removed private parts of the victims. The suspect, Jelili Olaiya, had hired the motorcyclist, Zira John at First Gate bus-stop, on the Lagos-Badagry Expressway, to take him to Obadore on Thursday, March 24, 2011.
After they agreed on N1,000 fare John, who hails from Adamawa State, who didn’t know the direction to Igando, said he took off at about 8 pm. “When we got to Iyana Iba, he told me to take Iba Road. When I complained about the distance, he told me not to worry, and that we were almost at Igando,” he said.
He said at that point, Olaiya started appealing to him to bear with him and to continue the journey. Besides, he was said to have brought out his handset from his pocket and started making calls. They passed the first and second police checkpoints and were about getting to the dangerous and controversial Obadore bridge, when the suspect brought out a rope also from his pocket and put it round the victim’s neck.
But as the suspect tried to tighten the noose, the victim used his left hand to obstruct him from tightening the rope.
“As he was trying to tie the rope round my neck, he told me to slow down but I increased the speed, when I saw a torchlight in front of us,” he said. Luckily for the victim, it was the policemen, at the third checkpoint, who were flashing their torches. “The alarm raised by me aroused the curiosity of the policemen, who asked me to park my motorcycle. They interrogated two of us and brought us to the station,” he said.
But Olaiya, 23, who claimed to be a panel beater, denied being an armed robber or a killer. He said he was surprised when the motorcyclist raised the alarm which attracted the attention of policemen on patrol. “I told him to stop shouting. I didn’t mean any harm for him. I am a panel beater, returning from Festac after the day’s job. Police did not find any gun on me.”
On the phone calls he was alleged to have made before he tried to strangle John, from Ibadan, Oyo State, said he was calling those who were waiting for him at home.
Many motorcyclists had been hacked down on the bridge by ritualists, who killed and removed private parts of the victims. The suspect, Jelili Olaiya, had hired the motorcyclist, Zira John at First Gate bus-stop, on the Lagos-Badagry Expressway, to take him to Obadore on Thursday, March 24, 2011.
After they agreed on N1,000 fare John, who hails from Adamawa State, who didn’t know the direction to Igando, said he took off at about 8 pm. “When we got to Iyana Iba, he told me to take Iba Road. When I complained about the distance, he told me not to worry, and that we were almost at Igando,” he said.
He said at that point, Olaiya started appealing to him to bear with him and to continue the journey. Besides, he was said to have brought out his handset from his pocket and started making calls. They passed the first and second police checkpoints and were about getting to the dangerous and controversial Obadore bridge, when the suspect brought out a rope also from his pocket and put it round the victim’s neck.
But as the suspect tried to tighten the noose, the victim used his left hand to obstruct him from tightening the rope.
“As he was trying to tie the rope round my neck, he told me to slow down but I increased the speed, when I saw a torchlight in front of us,” he said. Luckily for the victim, it was the policemen, at the third checkpoint, who were flashing their torches. “The alarm raised by me aroused the curiosity of the policemen, who asked me to park my motorcycle. They interrogated two of us and brought us to the station,” he said.
But Olaiya, 23, who claimed to be a panel beater, denied being an armed robber or a killer. He said he was surprised when the motorcyclist raised the alarm which attracted the attention of policemen on patrol. “I told him to stop shouting. I didn’t mean any harm for him. I am a panel beater, returning from Festac after the day’s job. Police did not find any gun on me.”
On the phone calls he was alleged to have made before he tried to strangle John, from Ibadan, Oyo State, said he was calling those who were waiting for him at home.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
FG, Investors to Spend $53bn on Refineries, Petrochemicals.
Federal Government and other local, as well as foreign investors will spend an estimated $53billion on construction of Greenfield refineries and petrochemical plants.
Speaking Thursday in Abuja at the commemoration of the one-year anniversary of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act of 2010, the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mr Austin Oniwon said the money would be spend over the next four years.
Meanwhile, Shell awarded contracts worth nearly $693million to Nigerian companies in 2010, representing over 93 per cent of the overall number of contracts in the year.
Speaking Thursday in Abuja on the success of the Nigerian Content Act, Chairman of Shell Companies in Nigeria and Managing Director of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), Mr. Mutiu Sunmonu, stated that the value of the contracts also amounted to over 94 per cent of the total money the company spent on contracts.
He identified some of the notable contracts to include the contract to Nigerian-owned Caverton Helicopters Limited to provide helicopters and
associated services; a $59million contract for engineering services and pipeline maintenance to Nigerian company – Baywood Continental
Limited and $28million contract to BG Technical Limited for integrated pipeline pigging and corrosion control. Others include $26.7million contract awarded to Sonar Limited for Ocean bottom node seismic acquisition; and operational insurance policy contract worth $7.6million awarded to Sovereign Trust Insurance
for the Bonga deep water production vessel. Sunmonu also stated that $41million contract for brownfield maintenance of the Bonga and EA FPSOs was awarded to Dorman Long Engineering while Nestoil Nigeria Limited was also awarded $450million
pipeline contract, being the largest awarded to a Nigerian company in the history of SPDC.
“By insisting on doing more in Nigeria, we are also creating opportunities for training knowledge sharing and technology transfer; opportunities for investment in tab yards, facilities to support
industry operations; opportunities for Nigerians to own equipment,marine vessels and Rigs and other equipment used in Industry. These
opportunities are key to rapid and sustainable growth of the Nigerianeconomy,” he said.In her address, the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani
Alison-Madueke said with the return of peace to the oil producingareas of the Niger Delta, there were greater prospects for the oilindustry to better serve the economy and provide the sectorial linkages that drive productivity.
She stated that the industry must work with government and community leaders to sustain the amnesty programme and continuously address the negative impacts arising from oil production.
“This strategy is already ensuring access to the oil fields with consequential boost in oil production and opening up the industry for new projects and investments on which the aspirations on Nigeria Content could be further realised,” she said.
Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Mr Ernest Nwapa stated that implementation strategies were working, adding that they would ensure
that other reluctant partners come on board in the implementation exercise.
“It is very important for the industry to speak same language in terms of Nigerian Content, even if we don't agree in some areas. All discerning Nigerians never stop thanking President Goodluck Jonathan each time we talk about the Nigerian Content law,” he said.
THE Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) yesterday commissioned N50 billion equipment that will help track aircraft if they are involved in an accident .
The acquisition of the tracker is coming months after the country through the NCAA attained the United States (U.S.) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Category One Status, which allows Nigerian registered aircraft to fly directly to the U.S. airspace .
Speaking at the official commissioning of the tracking system in Lagos yesterday, the Director General of NCAA, Dr. Harold Demuren said the device was the first of its kind on the continent and would allow the regulatory authorities, airlines and other operators to know the whereabouts of aircraft.
He said that the acquisition of the tracker would make the tracking of aircraft possible, adding that concern over missing aircraft was now a thing of the past.
Demuren, who noted that the device would complement the total radar coverage of Nigeria (TRACON) , explained that in case of an accident, the equipment would aid in tracking the flight data recorder (FDR) and cockpit voice recorder (CVR).
The NCAA boss explained that the device had the capability to track aircraft anywhere in the world whether on ground or in the air and assured that with its installation the incident of the missing Beechcraft 1900D on March 15 would not recur.
He explained that the system would also be critical in search and rescue operations as well as help airlines to track their multi-billion dollar investments in equipment.
He said: “Airlines will be by far the biggest beneficiaries. If you have 26 aircraft, costing more than $6 billion , you want to know where they are at all times.
“You can be in your hotel room, hook up to our system and you see exactly where your aircraft are.”
“About three years ago we had this problem of a missing aircraft and it was a very dark period for the Nigerian aviation. We at the NCAA made a vow that this will never occur again in this country. We believe that the latest technology can solve the problem.
“The technology we had at that time was emergency locator transmitter (ELT) and with it if anything happens today it won’t give you where the aeroplane is. So what we have achieved right now is to install this aircraft tracking system which will show the exact position of the aircraft. Whether the aircraft is flying or it is on ground, the system is satellite-based; we will see it. If the aircraft is flying, it will tell you the speed and the altitude,” he said.
Demuren also said that the new device came with meteorological capabilities, which could generate accurate, real-time weather report for departure, en-route and arrival.
He stated that the meteorological component made the tracker a compelling part of air safety procedure, stressing that weather plays a significant role in many air accidents in the country.
Demuren posited that unlike the Total Radar Coverage of Nigeria (TRACON) system and other tracking devices already in use in the aviation industry, the aircraft tracking would track both aircraft airborne and on ground.
His words: “With this, a pilot can plan his flight and know how to approach the squall if it’s on his path. That is one of the legacies that I will leave behind and this might even be more than CAT I for me. You know what is good about our system, If the aircraft is flying, you will see it, if it is on ground you will see it.”
Dangote Cement’s profit rises by 74%
Dangote Cement Plc has recorded a profit after tax of N106.6bn for the financial year ended December 31, 2010.
This amount represents an increase of 74 per cent or N45.2bn over the N61.4bn recorded in the similar period of 2009.
The company’s results released to the Nigerian Stock Exchange on Wednesday, showed that its turnover increased by 6.8 per cent or N12.96bn from N189.6bn the previous year, to N202.56bn.
Accordingly, the company has recommended a total dividend payout of N65.84bn for the financial year, translating to N4.25 per share.
It stated that the package comprised an interim dividend of N2 per share paid in the period ended September 2010, and final dividend of N2.25 per share.
“The interim and final dividends are part of the group’s strategies of enhancing and growing shareholders’ value through consistent dividend payment,” the statement added.
The statement quoted the President, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, as saying that the significant contributions of the new cement line in Obajana and the anticipated commencement of production at the six million metric-tonne in Ibeshe later this year, would positively affect returns on shareholders’ investments.
The statement quoted the Special Adviser to the President, Dangote Group, Mr. Joseph Makoju, as saying, “This impressive result for the 2010 financial year, when viewed against the background of the relatively stable environment of 2010, is not unexpected as the supply and cost of major input of cement manufacture, such as natural gas, LPFO and diesel were relatively stable.”
He commended the Federal Government for improved environment in the Niger Delta, the major source of energy driving the nation’s industrial sector, in the face of competition from cheap but low quality imports, being dumped in the Nigerian markets.
“Nigerian manufacturers need predictable, stable and realistically priced supply of gas, fuel oil and diesel to keep their energy cost low and, ultimately, the end-product pricing competitive,” he said.
The statement noted that the latest ranking of Africa’s Top 50 Companies, released by IC Publications, publishers of the London-based African Business magazine, indicated that Dangote Cement had a total market value of $12.2bn, as at mid-March 2011, making it the largest company in the entire West African sub-region.
POLITICS
PDP raises alarm over 250,000 fake voters’ cards.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has raised the alarm over an alleged circulation of 250,000 fake voters’ cards in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State.
A statement issued by the Chairman of the party in the local government, Chief Mukaila Awolumate and Secretary, Prince Mahmood Oyewole, alleged that the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) was the mastermind of the supposed fake cards.
The statement said coloured photocopy of the voters cards were being deliberately produced with unclear pictures of the voters on the cards so that the would-be impersonator will claim the error was from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Awolumate, however, urged the Resident Electoral Officer (REC) of INEC in Lagos State to be more vigilant and monitor his officers closely so that some bad eggs among them will not soil the good work of the commission in the state and the country. He also enjoined the voting public to rise up to the call by ensuring that nobody impersonates them in these elections.
Meanwhile, founder and spiritual head of Shafaudeen In Islam Worldwide, Professor Sabitu Ariyo Olagoke, has warned all security agents deployed for this year’s general election to maintain absolute neutrality in the discharge of their national assignment. In a statement issued in Ibadan, the renowned Islamic cleric in the south west urged law enforcement agents to resist the temptation of discrimination in arresting saboteurs during elections.
Olagoke, who is also the President of Ajagun Esin Consultative Forum, commended the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega, for the courage he exhibited by taking responsibilities for the lapses that led to postponement of this year’s general elections.
He urged the electorate not to be discouraged in the execution of their civic responsibilities based on the postponement that emanated from logistic problems. Olagoke advised the clerics in all the religions to be undaunted in offering sincere prayers to God for the success of the whole exercise.
A statement issued by the Chairman of the party in the local government, Chief Mukaila Awolumate and Secretary, Prince Mahmood Oyewole, alleged that the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) was the mastermind of the supposed fake cards.
The statement said coloured photocopy of the voters cards were being deliberately produced with unclear pictures of the voters on the cards so that the would-be impersonator will claim the error was from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Awolumate, however, urged the Resident Electoral Officer (REC) of INEC in Lagos State to be more vigilant and monitor his officers closely so that some bad eggs among them will not soil the good work of the commission in the state and the country. He also enjoined the voting public to rise up to the call by ensuring that nobody impersonates them in these elections.
Meanwhile, founder and spiritual head of Shafaudeen In Islam Worldwide, Professor Sabitu Ariyo Olagoke, has warned all security agents deployed for this year’s general election to maintain absolute neutrality in the discharge of their national assignment. In a statement issued in Ibadan, the renowned Islamic cleric in the south west urged law enforcement agents to resist the temptation of discrimination in arresting saboteurs during elections.
Olagoke, who is also the President of Ajagun Esin Consultative Forum, commended the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega, for the courage he exhibited by taking responsibilities for the lapses that led to postponement of this year’s general elections.
He urged the electorate not to be discouraged in the execution of their civic responsibilities based on the postponement that emanated from logistic problems. Olagoke advised the clerics in all the religions to be undaunted in offering sincere prayers to God for the success of the whole exercise.
I’ll Defeat Fashola, Says Dosunmu.
Lagos State governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Ade Dosunmu Wednesday declared that “ACN government is jittery and knows that their defeat is imminent.
"In a free and fair election, I will defeat him (Fashola) because the people are tired of their party that is being held into ransom by one man"
"In a free and fair election, I will defeat him (Fashola) because the people are tired of their party that is being held into ransom by one man"
Dosunmu told voters in Yaba, Iponri and Oyingbo that he believes in the power of the people to install him and other PDP candidates in all elections and that is why he took it upon himself to take a walk with his supporters to tell them what lies ahead for them if he is voted into power as the executive governor of Lagos State.
Meanwhile, the former Lagos state Governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has denied ever taking oath with his successor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, saying the issue was brought up to cause confusion between him and the governor.
Speaking to journalists Wednesday at the presidential wing of Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos, he insisted that he had never partook in such act and would never partake in it
Speaking to journalists Wednesday at the presidential wing of Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos, he insisted that he had never partook in such act and would never partake in it
"It is their tradition, particularly my noisy neighbour to go into oath taking and their party to go into blood oath, kolanut oath, goat fish oath and all of that. So, if they think that way, I’m not part of all of that and I don’t have to because when I discovered Fashola, I didn’t take an oath from him.
Court supports candidacy of Gbenga Daniel's candidates.
A Federal High Court sitting in Abeokuta, yesterday ruled that the candidates of the Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN) in Ogun State are qualified to contest the forthcoming general elections. The state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had filed a suit against the PPN over the emergence of the candidates.
Dayo Soremi, chairman of the party and two others, on behalf of PDP candidates for the 2011 general elections had, on March 22, approached the Federal High Court, Abuja seeking an order to stop the PPN governorship candidate, Gboyega Nasir Isiaka, from contesting the governorship election. The case was, however transferred by the judge to a Federal High Court in Abeokuta, under argument that a circular dated March 16 ordered that all pre-election cases be filed in the state where the primaries and nominations were conducted.
The PDP, in the suit, argued that the respondents were members of the PDP before defecting to the PPN and that they were previously on the list of the party as candidates for the election before decamping. In view of this, the party asked for an order of the court to restrain INEC from publishing the name of Mr Isiaka and eight others as candidates for the election.
Not your business But the court, in its ruling yesterday, declared that the PDP has no locus standi to institute a case seeking to disqualify candidates of another party and therefore dismissed the suit in its entirety. The presiding judge, Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia, also ruled on an application filed by PPN seeking a restrain on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from tampering, altering or in any way removing the nomination list of PPN as submitted to the commission by the party.
Mrs Ofili-Ajumogobia upheld the arguments of the PPN, saying the PDP and its members have no locus standi to institute the action and therefore dismissed the case. She also restrained INEC from tampering, altering or removing the nomination list as submitted to the commission by the PPN.
CRIME FILE
Fire guts AIT again !
Fire on Thursday ravaged the head office of DAAR Communication Plc, owners of Raypower FM and Africa Independent Television, Alagbado in Agbado-Oke-Odo Local Council Development Area of Lagos State.
According to a witness who craved anonymity, the fire which started at about 4pm emanated from the Information Technology Department.
The source said the fire was not promptly noticed because the office was locked.
“The office was locked because the engineers were repairing some equipment at the sports department,” the source, who is an employee of the organisation said.
About six months ago, fire similarly gutted the DAAR Communication’s office in Kano on October 29, 2010 and destroyed equipment worth millions of naira.
Also, on 30 December 2009, fire engulfed the Alagbado headquarters of the broadcast company, destroy the studios, newsroom and other facilities within the complex.
Rape: Osun king ‘ll not go free – NYSC DG
The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps, Brig.Gen. Maharazu Tsiga, has vowed that the Alowa of Ilowa in Osun State; Oba Adebukola Alli, who allegedly raped a corps member in Osogbo will not go free.
Tsiga said this while fielding questions from journalists in Abuja, on Thursday.
The DG said it was sad that a traditional ruler who was a member of the Security Council saddled with the responsibility of protecting corps members would descend to that level of criminality.
He said the NYSC family was grieved by the alleged indiscretions of the royal father who was supposed to be a custodian of the culture of the people.
Tsiga said, “We heard the report. My coordinator called, the corps member also phoned me.
“It is most unfortunate that a traditional ruler, who the law gives the authority to protect corps members in times of crisis, could (allegedly) commit such atrocity. The law makes it clear that corps members should seek refuge in traditional rulers’ houses when there is crisis in their places of primary assignment.
“She respected him as a father and a traditional ruler. I want to state that, if it happened the way we received it, it is unfortunate.
“No matter the kind of judgment that the court gives, we are maintaining our position.
“We have already written to the National Assembly, informing them about it, we’ve written to government and organisations that are gender-sensitive to inform them about what happened.
“We have sent the report to our ministry so that this ugly trend that is rearing its ugly head in our society is curtailed. If you give your child to somebody and say keep her for me, it is unfortunate that the same man will turn around and abuse the child.
“It is most unfortunate, we are going to take it very seriously, and he must be sanctioned.”
Man in custody for allegedly killing wife .
Residents of Temidire Ikola, Ipaja, a Lagos suburb, are mourning the alleged murder of a housewife in the area, Titi Tao, by her husband.
Mrs Tao, a mother of five children, was allegedly killed by her husband, Tao, a bricklayer, during a fight in their apartment at 5 Temidire Street, Ipaja, on April 3. Residents said they heard Mr Tao accusing his wife of infidelity after she allegedly received a phone call late in the evening.
The fight
"We heard him shouting and calling his wife a prostitute," said a resident, who did not want to be named. "Tao is a drunk and everybody knows him in this area as a wife beater. Despite the wife said she was receiving a call from her brother but he kept accusing her of infidelity. They quarrelled but later we started hearing noise from their room, they were fighting but nobody could enter as the door had been locked from inside.
After beating her, he left her in the room and he went to beer parlour to drink his usual Paraga (local gin) and Igbo (marijuana). When we entered the house, she we saw her lifeless body. We even thought she was unconscious but efforts to rescue her and take her to the hospital did not yield any result as she was already dead."
Angry neighbours
Reacting to the development, residents of the area attempted to lynch the suspect before police officers came to his rescue. "Sympathizers flooded the house as soon as her death spread," said the source. "They gathered wood and petrol and some youth went to the drinking joint and dragged him to the house. They beat the hell out of him, said he must die for killing his wife, but officers from the Alagolo Police Station came to this rescue."
The victim was the only female child of her aged parents. Residents say one of her children died last year, and described her as a gentle and quiet woman. "Titi was a good and hardworking woman despite the fact that people told her to leave Tao because of his rascality," said a friend of the victim who gave her name as Mama Aina. "She still stayed with him despite all his waywardness. Now he has killed her and left the parents in agony because she is the only female child they have."
Samuel Jinadu, the Lagos State police spokesman, said the case is under investigation. "The man has been arrested and taken to the state Criminal Investigation Department at Panti, Yaba for interrogation," he said.
SPORTS
Ancelotti blames ref for United defeat .
Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti questioned the courage of the referee after Chelsea’s 1-0 Champions League quarterfinal first leg defeat by Manchester United on Wednesday.
Ancelotti said it was “clear” Patrice Evra fouled Ramires but Alberto Undiano Mallenco denied the hosts a chance to equalise after Wayne Rooney’s goal.
“It’s not easy to give the penalty in the last minute,” the Blues boss said.
“You need to have personality, courage and character. Not always do referees have these kind of skills.”
Ramires was through on goal when Evra wrapped his legs around the midfielder and hauled him to the ground inside the box.
The Spanish referee waved away strong appeals for a penalty and was confronted by Ancelotti on the pitch after the final whistle.
The west Londoners must now overhaul an away goal when the two sides meet at Old Trafford in the second leg on April 12.
“It was clear. For everyone. Everyone knows it was clear,” Italian Ancelotti added.
“I’m disappointed but this is the result. Not just the referee, but the assistant was in the right position to decide that was a penalty.
“I said to the referee [after the game] that it was a penalty and he needed to whistle. He said nothing. No answer.
“The players are aggrieved. But we have to forget it and be focused for the next game. We have to try our best there.”
United boss Sir Alex Ferguson took a different view and suggested that if his side were fortunate it was no more than they deserved.
“Yeah, someone said it could have been a penalty. It was the first penalty decision we’ve had in seven years, so we’re due one,” the Scot said.
“But I don’t feel guilty about that at all. It was a 50-50 from where I was and I don’t know what the contact situation was.”
And regarding a second penalty claim from Chelsea, this time when Fernando Torres tumbled, Ferguson took a stronger stance and insisted: “He dived, he got booked for it.”
England dares Nigeria over Moses.
Moves by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to secure the allegiance of Wigan Athletic striker, Victor Moses, could face few hurdles, as England are interested in still capping the youngster at the under21 level.
England’s under21 national team manager, Stuart Pearce, spoke to the agent of the Wigan striker, Tony Finnigan, this week about the international future of Moses.
Pearce is said to have spoken to Finnigan over the possibility of the former Crystal Palace man joining up with the England under21s in preparation for the European and world championships.
Moses, 20, has been capped once by the England under21 selectors and nine times by selectors of the under19s, under17s and under16s at different times.
The striker has already expressed a strong desire to play for Nigeria’s Super Eagles.
Moses, to that effect, has trained with the Nigerian team to signify his interest in switching his international career from England to the West African nation.
His planned debut with the Nigerian seniors was put on hold during last month’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Ethiopia and international friendly against Kenya.
Acting General Secretary of the Nigerian FA, Musa Amadu, has declared that Moses’ official switch is now dependent on the Football Association in England.
“We are waiting on the English FA to give the clearance to allow Victor Moses complete his international switch. On our own part, we have fulfilled every requirement of us and hopefully the issue will be rested soon,” Amadu said.
Moses’ agent, Finnigan, alongside his lawyers is also said to be in talks with the English FA over the player’s international future .
Twitter rant: Osaze begs Siasia .
WEST Bromwich Albion forward, Peter Osaze Odemwingie has apologised to the head coach of the Super Eagles, Samson Siasia following his twitter rantings.
The comments came after the light skinned attacker opted out of the international friendly against the Harambee Stars of Kenya.
“What I tweeted was not any criticism on him, it was like a thought. I had a question in my head like why didn’t he understand why I had to leave, its not an insult but I can say sorry to coach.
“We are assuring Nigerians that everything is okay and I am always ready to give my best to the national team,” he stated.
Osaze revealed that he received a lot of messages and emails following his twitter comments.
“Well I know for the past few days, I have received messages asking me if there is a problem. Honestly there is no problem. My tweet was, wont say unnecessary because were the two things I thought at the moment in my head when I saw an article which stated 'Siasia face off with Osaze, Martins', so, I was really surprised it became a problem.
Osaze further told brilafm.net “I must confess that I poured out my anger on him in frustration, but it is nothing personal. If it was said by any one else in the national team, I would have twitted the same thing. It sounded rude, but we don’t have problems, we are all together for a cause to win and lift a trophy for Nigeria. I have never won any trophy with the Super Eagles. Winning bronze twice is not enough for me. I hope we work together as I am ready to play for the coach”.
Redknapp slams Real
Harry Redknapp has accused Real Madrid’s players of deliberately trying to get Peter Crouch sent off in Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-final 4-0 defeat at the Bernabeu on Tuesday.
Tottenham’s faint hopes of overpowering the nine-time European champions suffered a serious blow 15 minutes into the first leg when Crouch was sent off for his second foul on a Real defender in the opposition’s half.
Redknapp was not impressed by the way that Real defender Pepe immediately pleaded with referee Felix Brych to send the striker off after the second foul, and with the play-acting which he feels followed both tackles.
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