Interim National Publicity Secretary, All Progressives Congress (APC), Lai Mohammed has on Tuesday accused the Peoples Democratic Party of luring opposition legislators with amounts ranging from $1m to $10m to join the ruling party.
This was contained in a statement signed by its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.
According to the APC, the PDP is allegedly using public funds to lure back some of the federal lawmakers who have defected from the ruling party to the APC.
The opposition party condemned the act which it described as “a political horse trading carried too far.”
Mohammed said, “The PDP, in an unprecedented show of desperation, has rolled out a mouth-watering enticement package that promises $2m to each senator who returns to the PDP; $1m to each member of the House of Representatives and $10m to each ‘leader’ who abandons the APC for PDP.”
But the APC said there was no cause for alarm, as no amount of inducements would stop the change that was in the horizon, because Nigerians were ready and eager to vote out the PDP next year.
The party noted that the five House of Representatives members who had allegedly taken the PDP’s killer bait and returned to the party were doing themselves a disservice.
But the leadership of the PDP was engaged in a marathon meeting when the APC statement was issued. None of the party leaders was available for comments but a source close to the party leadership described the APC allegation as laughable.
The source said the APC was afraid of the defection. He asked what the APC gave those who defected to it from the PDP.
It was however learnt that the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh, who is also attending the meeting at the national secretariat of the party would respond to the allegations today (Wednesday).
Showing posts with label 2015 election. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2015 election. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
Kidnapped APC registeration officers regains freedom
The two registration officers of the All Progressives Congress(APC) who were kidnapped by unknown gunmen in Ebonyi state last Sunday have regained their freedom.
Mr Donatus Omenyi while Speaking to news men after their release, said that gunmen numbering about six came to his house around 2am fully armed and ordered him out of his house and took him away in a vehicle suspected to belong to the Ezza North Local government area.
According to him,he was ordered to follow them and threatened to shoot if he attempted to raise alarm or resist following them. They requested that he give them all APC registration materials in his possession. He was also asked to surrender the camera being used for the party registration exercise as well as the camera,which happened to be with his assistant, Mr Samuel Aligwe who escaped before the gunmen could get to his house.
After been beaten and tortured,they were asked to call their relatives to pay the ransom of N3million before they could be released.
They were however released after been threatened to be eliminated if they remain APC members ,that PDP must be allowed to take over the Ezza North council area and that every presence of the APC in the council area must be laid to rest.
Source: NAN
Mr Donatus Omenyi while Speaking to news men after their release, said that gunmen numbering about six came to his house around 2am fully armed and ordered him out of his house and took him away in a vehicle suspected to belong to the Ezza North Local government area.
According to him,he was ordered to follow them and threatened to shoot if he attempted to raise alarm or resist following them. They requested that he give them all APC registration materials in his possession. He was also asked to surrender the camera being used for the party registration exercise as well as the camera,which happened to be with his assistant, Mr Samuel Aligwe who escaped before the gunmen could get to his house.
After been beaten and tortured,they were asked to call their relatives to pay the ransom of N3million before they could be released.
They were however released after been threatened to be eliminated if they remain APC members ,that PDP must be allowed to take over the Ezza North council area and that every presence of the APC in the council area must be laid to rest.
Source: NAN
Friday, February 7, 2014
5,000 Youths allegedly undergoing Training as Political Thugs In Lagos Under FG Sponsorship
A shocking exposé has just been made by PM News, this report details the activities of about 5,000 youths who are currently being trained in Lagos State as political thugs ahead of 2015 general elections under the disguise that they’re FERMA recruits.
Below is how PM News Detailed it all:
It has been revealed that at least 5,000 youths are currently being trained in Lagos State, southwest Nigeria as political thugs in preparation for the 2015 general elections.
P.M.NEWS investigation revealed that the youths were being recruited and trained under the name of FERMA Federal Task Force at the Old Tollgate near 7Up Bottling Company, the former yard of the Federal Road Maintenance Agency, FERMA.
It was gathered that as some have started training, more youths were still rushing to the place enmasse to get recruited because of the employment conditions.
P.M.NEWS learnt that the youths were not interviewed and were promised to be paid under the federal government salary scale according to their qualifications.
The emergence of the illegal taskforce is creating panic among stakeholders in the state as there are fears that the youths were being trained by the leading opposition party to destabilise Lagos and other southwest states during next year’s general elections.
More worrisome is the fact that the taskforce is not backed by any law or act setting it up.
Sources said the youths will undergo intensive training somewhere in Badagry and they will then be drafted to all southwest states under the guise of maintaining and protecting Federal Government roads.
There are allegations that the youths will be used to create mayhem in the zone to enable the PDP win all the southwest states during the forthcoming elections.
A lady that has been recruited told P.M.NEWS in confidence that they were told that over 5,000 youths will be drafted to the southwest zone for the 2015 general elections.
She said they were told that after the recruitment exercise, they would be taken to Badagry for intensive training.
Another youth who was recruited told our reporters that to be drafted by the agency, one must pay a fee of N10,000 for the registration form and purchase kit worth N35,000 and get captured on a data system after paying some charges.
A top PDP chieftain in the southwest zone was alleged to be involved in the recruitment and training of the youths.
P.M.NEWS gathered that the first aim of the taskforce is to drive officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management, LASTMA, out of the federal roads in Lagos and take over activities of the traffic officers.
The new taskforce would be playing the same role with the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC. While FRSC is backed by law, the group will not be backed by any federal law or be affiliated to any agency of government.
One of those recruited told P.M.NEWS that there is an illegal detention cell at the taskforce office at the old tollgate.
This was confirmed also by a top police boss who craved anonymity, saying that a detention cell has been created at the tollgate where motorists and others arrested would be detained.
The top police boss said such a taskforce never had the backing of the law and so lacked the powers to carry out such activities.
The police officer wondered what the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, Umar Manko, is doing that he has not disbanded the illegal taskforce as it had political undertone.
Members of the Lagos State House of Assembly have also expressed concern over the emergence of the illegal taskforce.
The lawmakers have raised concerns twice over the recruitment exercise.
The first time was when the Commissioner of Police in the state, Umar Manko, visited the House in relation to the security issues in the state.
The lawmakers asked the commissioner if he was aware of a nocturnal recruitment and trainings of some youths in the Badagry area of the state, but the commissioner told the members that he was not aware.
He also promised to investigate the case and take action against who were involved in the illegal activities.
But with more complaints from constituents and the seeming inability of the commissioner to act, the House again, during the plenary, called on Manko to urgently save the state by ridding it off unauthorised people or paramilitary organisations in the state.
The House said it was confused on why the youths were being recruited by an agency of government, FERMA, that is not a paramilitary organisation.
FERMA, however, disowned the illegal taskfoce, saying it has no hand in any group operating under the name of FERMA Federal Task Force and carrying out recruitment and paramilitary training for youths in Lagos.
FERMA South West 2 Zonal Coordinator, Mr Oladipo Fagbamila, said the agency had an organisational structure fit to carry out its constitutional responsibilities of nationwide road maintenance.
He said that the agency had enough machinery to handled all of its operations without any other group fronting for them, saying that “last year, our attention was drawn to a group which referred to itself as our “Federal Task Force” which is perpetrating activities that negate the mission of FERMA in some areas of Lagos State.
“It suffices to state in this disclaimer for the avoidance of doubt that FERMA did not engage and had not engaged anyone to contract business or businesses in the form of the activities of this so-called ‘FERMA Task Force,’ of which this disclaimer is hereby made.
“Notice of this disclaimer is hereby given by FERMA that the agency had no knowledge of the operations being conducted by the imposters, the identities of whom remain unknown but who had fraudulently employed the agency’s impeccable image being capitalised upon by this unknown imposters,” he said.
According to him, FERMA had written the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Commissioner of Police, and Lagos State Governor on the matter, adding that FERMA was committed to its responsibility of providing good, safe and motorable roads to residents of Lagos and Nigerians to ensure economic growth and development.
He enumerated FERMA’s functions to include daily surveillance, carrying out condition surveys, identifying bad portions and fixing them on federal roads, among others which according to him, it could undertake without support of imposters.
The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, also issued a release warning that any attempt to compromise the present security of lives and property being enjoyed by Lagosians would meet with stiff resistance by both the government and people of Lagos State.
In a release in Lagos, signed by the Lagos State Interim Publicity Secretary of the APC, Joe Igbokwe, the party said that neither the party nor Lagosians are fooled by the antics of those behind the training of youths in Lagos on the purported excuse of protecting the dilapidated federal roads in Lagos.
It warned that the government and Lagosians are ready to deal with the instigated mischief behind these training and would mobilize Lagosians to resist any effort to compromise the enviable peace and security ambience in Lagos by desperate politicians.
“For the avoidance of doubt, there are only about 200 federal roads of the more than 10,000 roads in Lagos. These federal roads are so ill maintained and so dilapidated that the Lagos State government since 1999 has taken over the reconstruction and maintenance of some of these roads for the economic benefit of Nigerians.
Below is how PM News Detailed it all:
It has been revealed that at least 5,000 youths are currently being trained in Lagos State, southwest Nigeria as political thugs in preparation for the 2015 general elections.
P.M.NEWS investigation revealed that the youths were being recruited and trained under the name of FERMA Federal Task Force at the Old Tollgate near 7Up Bottling Company, the former yard of the Federal Road Maintenance Agency, FERMA.
It was gathered that as some have started training, more youths were still rushing to the place enmasse to get recruited because of the employment conditions.
P.M.NEWS learnt that the youths were not interviewed and were promised to be paid under the federal government salary scale according to their qualifications.
The emergence of the illegal taskforce is creating panic among stakeholders in the state as there are fears that the youths were being trained by the leading opposition party to destabilise Lagos and other southwest states during next year’s general elections.
More worrisome is the fact that the taskforce is not backed by any law or act setting it up.
Sources said the youths will undergo intensive training somewhere in Badagry and they will then be drafted to all southwest states under the guise of maintaining and protecting Federal Government roads.
There are allegations that the youths will be used to create mayhem in the zone to enable the PDP win all the southwest states during the forthcoming elections.
A lady that has been recruited told P.M.NEWS in confidence that they were told that over 5,000 youths will be drafted to the southwest zone for the 2015 general elections.
She said they were told that after the recruitment exercise, they would be taken to Badagry for intensive training.
Another youth who was recruited told our reporters that to be drafted by the agency, one must pay a fee of N10,000 for the registration form and purchase kit worth N35,000 and get captured on a data system after paying some charges.
A top PDP chieftain in the southwest zone was alleged to be involved in the recruitment and training of the youths.
P.M.NEWS gathered that the first aim of the taskforce is to drive officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management, LASTMA, out of the federal roads in Lagos and take over activities of the traffic officers.
The new taskforce would be playing the same role with the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC. While FRSC is backed by law, the group will not be backed by any federal law or be affiliated to any agency of government.
One of those recruited told P.M.NEWS that there is an illegal detention cell at the taskforce office at the old tollgate.
This was confirmed also by a top police boss who craved anonymity, saying that a detention cell has been created at the tollgate where motorists and others arrested would be detained.
The top police boss said such a taskforce never had the backing of the law and so lacked the powers to carry out such activities.
The police officer wondered what the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, Umar Manko, is doing that he has not disbanded the illegal taskforce as it had political undertone.
Members of the Lagos State House of Assembly have also expressed concern over the emergence of the illegal taskforce.
The lawmakers have raised concerns twice over the recruitment exercise.
The first time was when the Commissioner of Police in the state, Umar Manko, visited the House in relation to the security issues in the state.
The lawmakers asked the commissioner if he was aware of a nocturnal recruitment and trainings of some youths in the Badagry area of the state, but the commissioner told the members that he was not aware.
He also promised to investigate the case and take action against who were involved in the illegal activities.
But with more complaints from constituents and the seeming inability of the commissioner to act, the House again, during the plenary, called on Manko to urgently save the state by ridding it off unauthorised people or paramilitary organisations in the state.
The House said it was confused on why the youths were being recruited by an agency of government, FERMA, that is not a paramilitary organisation.
FERMA, however, disowned the illegal taskfoce, saying it has no hand in any group operating under the name of FERMA Federal Task Force and carrying out recruitment and paramilitary training for youths in Lagos.
FERMA South West 2 Zonal Coordinator, Mr Oladipo Fagbamila, said the agency had an organisational structure fit to carry out its constitutional responsibilities of nationwide road maintenance.
He said that the agency had enough machinery to handled all of its operations without any other group fronting for them, saying that “last year, our attention was drawn to a group which referred to itself as our “Federal Task Force” which is perpetrating activities that negate the mission of FERMA in some areas of Lagos State.
“It suffices to state in this disclaimer for the avoidance of doubt that FERMA did not engage and had not engaged anyone to contract business or businesses in the form of the activities of this so-called ‘FERMA Task Force,’ of which this disclaimer is hereby made.
“Notice of this disclaimer is hereby given by FERMA that the agency had no knowledge of the operations being conducted by the imposters, the identities of whom remain unknown but who had fraudulently employed the agency’s impeccable image being capitalised upon by this unknown imposters,” he said.
According to him, FERMA had written the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Commissioner of Police, and Lagos State Governor on the matter, adding that FERMA was committed to its responsibility of providing good, safe and motorable roads to residents of Lagos and Nigerians to ensure economic growth and development.
He enumerated FERMA’s functions to include daily surveillance, carrying out condition surveys, identifying bad portions and fixing them on federal roads, among others which according to him, it could undertake without support of imposters.
The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, also issued a release warning that any attempt to compromise the present security of lives and property being enjoyed by Lagosians would meet with stiff resistance by both the government and people of Lagos State.
In a release in Lagos, signed by the Lagos State Interim Publicity Secretary of the APC, Joe Igbokwe, the party said that neither the party nor Lagosians are fooled by the antics of those behind the training of youths in Lagos on the purported excuse of protecting the dilapidated federal roads in Lagos.
It warned that the government and Lagosians are ready to deal with the instigated mischief behind these training and would mobilize Lagosians to resist any effort to compromise the enviable peace and security ambience in Lagos by desperate politicians.
“For the avoidance of doubt, there are only about 200 federal roads of the more than 10,000 roads in Lagos. These federal roads are so ill maintained and so dilapidated that the Lagos State government since 1999 has taken over the reconstruction and maintenance of some of these roads for the economic benefit of Nigerians.
President Jonathan in a reconcilatory move to make peace with Ameachi
According to reports by PUNCH, President Goodluck Jonathan may meet the Governor of Rivers State Mr. Rotimi Amaechi soon.
According to the report, a source at the Presidential villa disclosed this on Tuesday night after the President met with governors who were elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic.
Going by the tune of the meeting, the source said the President might initiate a meeting with Amaechi soon.
The source, who is close to the President explained that the President was asked to make peace with anyone capable of helping him to win the 2015 presidential election.
This, he said, was one of the decisions reached at the meeting between the PDP governors and the President.
Punch Reports:
The source, who was one of the governors at the meeting, told our correspondent that the expected meeting with Amaechi might start with the leadership of the party.
“The President, at the meeting, was made to know that there is crisis in the party and that we need to work harder if we are dreaming of winning the 2015 elections,” the governor added.
Meanwhile, there were indications that governors elected on the platform of the PDP aided the removal of the Commissioner of Police in charge of Rivers State, Mr. Joseph Mbu.
Investigations by our correspondent in Abuja showed that the governors at their meeting with Jonathan on Tuesday night, advised the President to give approval for the redeployment of the controversial CP.
The meeting was held at the Presidential Villa.
Culled from THE PUNCH
According to the report, a source at the Presidential villa disclosed this on Tuesday night after the President met with governors who were elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic.
Going by the tune of the meeting, the source said the President might initiate a meeting with Amaechi soon.
The source, who is close to the President explained that the President was asked to make peace with anyone capable of helping him to win the 2015 presidential election.
This, he said, was one of the decisions reached at the meeting between the PDP governors and the President.
Punch Reports:
The source, who was one of the governors at the meeting, told our correspondent that the expected meeting with Amaechi might start with the leadership of the party.
“The President, at the meeting, was made to know that there is crisis in the party and that we need to work harder if we are dreaming of winning the 2015 elections,” the governor added.
Meanwhile, there were indications that governors elected on the platform of the PDP aided the removal of the Commissioner of Police in charge of Rivers State, Mr. Joseph Mbu.
Investigations by our correspondent in Abuja showed that the governors at their meeting with Jonathan on Tuesday night, advised the President to give approval for the redeployment of the controversial CP.
The meeting was held at the Presidential Villa.
Culled from THE PUNCH
Update: SSS releases Mujahid Asari Dokubo
The President of the Niger Delta Peoples Volunteer Force, Asari Dokubo has been released by the Department of State Security Services, SSS, hours after he was picked up for repeatedly making inciting comments. His personal assistant (Media) and younger brother, Rex Asari, confirmed his release to the media.
Bianca Ojukwu becomes APGA's National Leader
Bianca Ojukwu, wife of the late Biafran leader, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu has been adopted as the leader of the Maxi Okwu led faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA.
Bianca's appointment took place yesterday at the National Executive Committee, NEC, of the party in Abuja.
A communiqué read to journalists by the acting National Publicity Secretary of the Maxi Okwu's faction, Stanley Chira, APGA said it re-affirmed an earlier decision of February 16 and March 22, 2013, while it was marking the one year anniversary of Mr. Ojukwu’s death, to appoint Bianca into the position.
"He remains our symbol and leader, the fact of his transit to glory notwithstanding. His wife and next of kin, Iyom Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu is hereby adopted as the living embodiment of his ideal. She shall in his stead be acknowledged as leader",the party said.
Mr. Ojukwu was the Chairman, Board of Trustees, BoT, of the party before his demise in 2012. The Okwu led faction of the APGA was pronounced the authentic leadership of APGA by a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.
Meanwhile,Bianca is currently Nigeria’s Ambassador to Spain.
Source: NAN
Bianca's appointment took place yesterday at the National Executive Committee, NEC, of the party in Abuja.
A communiqué read to journalists by the acting National Publicity Secretary of the Maxi Okwu's faction, Stanley Chira, APGA said it re-affirmed an earlier decision of February 16 and March 22, 2013, while it was marking the one year anniversary of Mr. Ojukwu’s death, to appoint Bianca into the position.
"He remains our symbol and leader, the fact of his transit to glory notwithstanding. His wife and next of kin, Iyom Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu is hereby adopted as the living embodiment of his ideal. She shall in his stead be acknowledged as leader",the party said.
Mr. Ojukwu was the Chairman, Board of Trustees, BoT, of the party before his demise in 2012. The Okwu led faction of the APGA was pronounced the authentic leadership of APGA by a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.
Meanwhile,Bianca is currently Nigeria’s Ambassador to Spain.
Source: NAN
Thursday, February 6, 2014
Breaking News: SSS arrests Asari Dokubo
President of the Niger Delta Volunteer Force, Mujahid Dokubo-Asari, has been arrested by the men of the Department of State Security, DSS for making inciting comments on the 2015 election.
The former Niger Delta militant was arrested this morning, less than 24 hours after Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, called on security agents to arrest and caution him for repeatedly making inciting comments. He is currently being interrogated by SSS operatives.
Replying to comments made by former Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari, on Tuesday Feb 4th Asari Dokubo said that he would make Nigeria ungovernable unless Pres. Jonathan wins a second term ticket in the 2015 presidential election. He also asked Northern politicians to stay away
"If they say the blood of the dogs and the baboon will be soaked in water on the street, in blood on the street, in salt water on the street, we will help them soak them in blood”.
Security operatives believe such a comment is capable of causing chaos in Nigeria.
The former Niger Delta militant was arrested this morning, less than 24 hours after Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, called on security agents to arrest and caution him for repeatedly making inciting comments. He is currently being interrogated by SSS operatives.
Replying to comments made by former Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari, on Tuesday Feb 4th Asari Dokubo said that he would make Nigeria ungovernable unless Pres. Jonathan wins a second term ticket in the 2015 presidential election. He also asked Northern politicians to stay away
"If they say the blood of the dogs and the baboon will be soaked in water on the street, in blood on the street, in salt water on the street, we will help them soak them in blood”.
Security operatives believe such a comment is capable of causing chaos in Nigeria.
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
Asari Dokubo threatens that Nigeria will be 'ungovernable’ if APC fails to field a South-South Candidate
The Founder of the Niger Delta Peoples Voluntary Force, Alhaji Asari Dokubo has vowed that no political candidate from the Northern part of Nigeria would win the 2015 elections or else....Ijaw militants would make Nigeria ungovernable and threaten the sovereignty of the country.
Asari Dokubo told newsmen that his boys would take control of Nigeria’s territorial waters and cripple the economy of the country. He advised the All Progressives Congress to field a candidate from the South South as the region must rule for eight years.
He said: “If it is war the North wants, we are ready for them because Jonathan must complete the mandatory constitutionally allowable two terms of eight years. “At home, we have regrouped and we have put our people at alert.
“In less than one hour, the way we would strike, the world will be shocked. If anybody does anything against Jonathan, we will retaliate. What we will do will shock the whole world. We will cripple the economy of the country not only in the creeks, but also on the nation’s territorial waters, no vessel will be allowed to enter Nigeria’s territorial waters.
“Let them not try anything. If they abuse Jonathan, there is no problem, he is their President but anything that will affect the interest of the Ijaw people and the interest of the entire people of the Niger Delta will be resisted at any cost.” Asari-Dokubo also vowed that the defeat of Jonathan in a free and fair election would trigger crisis. He said: “Jonathan cannot be defeated, they cannot defeat him, they don’t have the right, every part of the country must have equal stake in the presidency of the country.
“Let them go and sleep in their houses. If they don’t, they are looking for trouble and we are going to give it to them. “It will make better sense if APC picks its presidential candidate from the South- South. With that, there will be no battle for us to fight and it will make it easier for us. Whichever way it goes, it will enable us to continue our right of uninterrupted rule of eight years, which is the minimum constitutional requirement.
“They cannot take that from the South-South and we will not accept it because every part of the country must have equal access to the various institutions of government, especially at the federal level,” he added.
Culled from The Herald
Asari Dokubo told newsmen that his boys would take control of Nigeria’s territorial waters and cripple the economy of the country. He advised the All Progressives Congress to field a candidate from the South South as the region must rule for eight years.
He said: “If it is war the North wants, we are ready for them because Jonathan must complete the mandatory constitutionally allowable two terms of eight years. “At home, we have regrouped and we have put our people at alert.
“In less than one hour, the way we would strike, the world will be shocked. If anybody does anything against Jonathan, we will retaliate. What we will do will shock the whole world. We will cripple the economy of the country not only in the creeks, but also on the nation’s territorial waters, no vessel will be allowed to enter Nigeria’s territorial waters.
“Let them not try anything. If they abuse Jonathan, there is no problem, he is their President but anything that will affect the interest of the Ijaw people and the interest of the entire people of the Niger Delta will be resisted at any cost.” Asari-Dokubo also vowed that the defeat of Jonathan in a free and fair election would trigger crisis. He said: “Jonathan cannot be defeated, they cannot defeat him, they don’t have the right, every part of the country must have equal stake in the presidency of the country.
“Let them go and sleep in their houses. If they don’t, they are looking for trouble and we are going to give it to them. “It will make better sense if APC picks its presidential candidate from the South- South. With that, there will be no battle for us to fight and it will make it easier for us. Whichever way it goes, it will enable us to continue our right of uninterrupted rule of eight years, which is the minimum constitutional requirement.
“They cannot take that from the South-South and we will not accept it because every part of the country must have equal access to the various institutions of government, especially at the federal level,” he added.
Culled from The Herald
Sunday, February 2, 2014
Breaking news : Former VP, Atiku Abubakar Joins APC
Former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has abandoned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and joined the All Progressive Congress (APC)! Cos according to him, PDP is bereft of ideas and is refusing to live up to the promises it made in the past.
Find below the press statement he released today:
In 2006, as a result of my firm stand in defence of our constitution and our democracy, my supporters and I were pushed out of our party, the Peoples Democratic Party, a party that we worked tirelessly with other compatriots to build as a vehicle to restore democracy to our country.
We later returned to that party in 2009 when a new leadership of the party and the country promised a new direction, a direction of inclusiveness, of internal democracy, of an end to impunity, adherence to the rule of law and respect for the dignity of members and Nigerians. Sadly, however, those promises have not been kept.
Many founding members of the PDP, I included, continue to be marginalized and excluded from
the affairs of the party. For instance as a former Vice President, I am by virtue of the PDP constitution, a member of the party’s Board of Trustees and its National Executive Committee. However, I am not invited to the meetings of those organs nor consulted on their decisions, apparently because I dared to exercise my right to contest in the party’s primary election for a chance to be its flag-bearer in the 2011 elections.
We have, therefore, concluded that that party cannot be redeemed. In short the PDP has abandoned Nigerians, the very people who gave it life and many electoral victories. Let me emphasize that this is not about me. We have to have a country before people can aspire to lead it, but as it is today we may be losing this country. That is not acceptable.
Atiku says his resignation letter as a member of the PDP will be delivered to the party tomorrow.
Find below the press statement he released today:
In 2006, as a result of my firm stand in defence of our constitution and our democracy, my supporters and I were pushed out of our party, the Peoples Democratic Party, a party that we worked tirelessly with other compatriots to build as a vehicle to restore democracy to our country.
We later returned to that party in 2009 when a new leadership of the party and the country promised a new direction, a direction of inclusiveness, of internal democracy, of an end to impunity, adherence to the rule of law and respect for the dignity of members and Nigerians. Sadly, however, those promises have not been kept.
Many founding members of the PDP, I included, continue to be marginalized and excluded from
the affairs of the party. For instance as a former Vice President, I am by virtue of the PDP constitution, a member of the party’s Board of Trustees and its National Executive Committee. However, I am not invited to the meetings of those organs nor consulted on their decisions, apparently because I dared to exercise my right to contest in the party’s primary election for a chance to be its flag-bearer in the 2011 elections.
We have, therefore, concluded that that party cannot be redeemed. In short the PDP has abandoned Nigerians, the very people who gave it life and many electoral victories. Let me emphasize that this is not about me. We have to have a country before people can aspire to lead it, but as it is today we may be losing this country. That is not acceptable.
Atiku says his resignation letter as a member of the PDP will be delivered to the party tomorrow.
Breaking news : Former VP, Atiku Abubakar Joins APC
Former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has abandoned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and joined the All Progressive Congress (APC)! Cos according to him, PDP is bereft of ideas and is refusing to live up to the promises it made in the past.
Find below the press statement he released today:
In 2006, as a result of my firm stand in defence of our constitution and our democracy, my supporters and I were pushed out of our party, the Peoples Democratic Party, a party that we worked tirelessly with other compatriots to build as a vehicle to restore democracy to our country.
We later returned to that party in 2009 when a new leadership of the party and the country promised a new direction, a direction of inclusiveness, of internal democracy, of an end to impunity, adherence to the rule of law and respect for the dignity of members and Nigerians. Sadly, however, those promises have not been kept.
Many founding members of the PDP, I included, continue to be marginalized and excluded from
the affairs of the party. For instance as a former Vice President, I am by virtue of the PDP constitution, a member of the party’s Board of Trustees and its National Executive Committee. However, I am not invited to the meetings of those organs nor consulted on their decisions, apparently because I dared to exercise my right to contest in the party’s primary election for a chance to be its flag-bearer in the 2011 elections.
We have, therefore, concluded that that party cannot be redeemed. In short the PDP has abandoned Nigerians, the very people who gave it life and many electoral victories. Let me emphasize that this is not about me. We have to have a country before people can aspire to lead it, but as it is today we may be losing this country. That is not acceptable.
Atiku says his resignation letter as a member of the PDP will be delivered to the party tomorrow.
Find below the press statement he released today:
In 2006, as a result of my firm stand in defence of our constitution and our democracy, my supporters and I were pushed out of our party, the Peoples Democratic Party, a party that we worked tirelessly with other compatriots to build as a vehicle to restore democracy to our country.
We later returned to that party in 2009 when a new leadership of the party and the country promised a new direction, a direction of inclusiveness, of internal democracy, of an end to impunity, adherence to the rule of law and respect for the dignity of members and Nigerians. Sadly, however, those promises have not been kept.
Many founding members of the PDP, I included, continue to be marginalized and excluded from
the affairs of the party. For instance as a former Vice President, I am by virtue of the PDP constitution, a member of the party’s Board of Trustees and its National Executive Committee. However, I am not invited to the meetings of those organs nor consulted on their decisions, apparently because I dared to exercise my right to contest in the party’s primary election for a chance to be its flag-bearer in the 2011 elections.
We have, therefore, concluded that that party cannot be redeemed. In short the PDP has abandoned Nigerians, the very people who gave it life and many electoral victories. Let me emphasize that this is not about me. We have to have a country before people can aspire to lead it, but as it is today we may be losing this country. That is not acceptable.
Atiku says his resignation letter as a member of the PDP will be delivered to the party tomorrow.
Friday, January 31, 2014
2015 Election : Local Government Chairmen and Councillors defect to APC in Kwara State
I guess we haven't heard the last of this defecting syndrome. As 2015 draws closer and campaigns kick starting soon, a lot of party members would be defecting from one party to another and probably defecting back (not a prophesy o,but the reality sha)
Well reports reaching us is that; 16 Local Govt Chairmen and 194 Councillors have defected to the ruling opposition party, the All Progressive Congress, APC. The defectees were actually elected on the platform of PDP.
Announcing their defection today, the Chairman, ALGON, Kwara State chapter (under whose aegis they announced their defection) Mr. Abdulateef Okandeji said failure of the national leaders of the PDP to listen to their grievances is the main reason for their defection.
"I recall that following the refusal and failure of the national leaders of the PDP to address the observations and complaints of its founding members especially about the lawlessness, impunity and injustice which had become the norm and which led to the factionalisation of the PDP, our leaders decided to team up in what is known as the newPDP under the national Chairmanship of our own Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje. After exhaustive consultations and deliberations by our leaders spearheaded by Senator Bukola Saraki, it was unanimously decided that the best option for us would be to merge with the newly formed APC and work together in the overall interest of the good people of this country towards the advancement of democracy,” he said.
....Meanwhile ,APC would commence its registration in a few days time,would keep you posted,incase you are interested.
Well reports reaching us is that; 16 Local Govt Chairmen and 194 Councillors have defected to the ruling opposition party, the All Progressive Congress, APC. The defectees were actually elected on the platform of PDP.
Announcing their defection today, the Chairman, ALGON, Kwara State chapter (under whose aegis they announced their defection) Mr. Abdulateef Okandeji said failure of the national leaders of the PDP to listen to their grievances is the main reason for their defection.
"I recall that following the refusal and failure of the national leaders of the PDP to address the observations and complaints of its founding members especially about the lawlessness, impunity and injustice which had become the norm and which led to the factionalisation of the PDP, our leaders decided to team up in what is known as the newPDP under the national Chairmanship of our own Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje. After exhaustive consultations and deliberations by our leaders spearheaded by Senator Bukola Saraki, it was unanimously decided that the best option for us would be to merge with the newly formed APC and work together in the overall interest of the good people of this country towards the advancement of democracy,” he said.
....Meanwhile ,APC would commence its registration in a few days time,would keep you posted,incase you are interested.
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Breaking news: Shekarau decamps to PDP!!!
Former Governor of Kano state, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau has just decamped to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
He announced the defection during a meeting at his palatial residence in Mundubawa road, Kano State( The meeting is still on).
Earlier Ahead of today's defection of former Governor of Kano state, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau from the All Progressive Congress (APC), his supporters are seen chanting support and wielding logo of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP).
Speculation are rife that he would decamp from APC,At the end of the meeting.
The former governor is holding a meeting with stakeholders of ANPP from across Kano state.
Source:Daily Trust
He announced the defection during a meeting at his palatial residence in Mundubawa road, Kano State( The meeting is still on).
Earlier Ahead of today's defection of former Governor of Kano state, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau from the All Progressive Congress (APC), his supporters are seen chanting support and wielding logo of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP).
Speculation are rife that he would decamp from APC,At the end of the meeting.
The former governor is holding a meeting with stakeholders of ANPP from across Kano state.
Source:Daily Trust
Governor of Taraba State,Suntai declares self "UNFIT" to return to office
In what appears to be “end of discussion” over the ailing health of Governor Dambaba Suntai of Taraba State, the Governor has declared that he’s clearly not fit to return to office.
The governor, in a 6-minutes-25-second video interview that has gone viral online lamented his drinking habit which he described as ‘unfortunate.’
It would be recalled that Suntai who was seriously injured when his plane crashed on October 25, 2012 in Yola, capital of Adamawa State, had suffered extensive brain damage and was in German hospital for months before he was flown back into the country.
Since his arrival, several efforts by his loyalists to return him to office hit the rocks, as the governor’s health remains complicated.
Lately, political cabals in the state took the governor to his office in Jalingo alongside his physical therapists to see if he could be smuggled back into office but after five minutes, the governor was not himself.
They were utterly disappointed during their visit to Aso Rock when governor Suntain also failed to recognize where he was.
With the release of the footage, which was obtained by SaharaReporters; every argument over the resumption of the governor has been laid to to rest.
Am still unable to upload videos,please bear with me,below is the transcript of the interview.......
Suntai: Unintelligible
Man in white, sitting next to the governor: It’s beautiful out here, I’m happy to see you. I’m happy to see you. We thought the situation was worse than this. But thank God, this is very, very interesting. I’ve been told about your developments and how you’re improving.
Governor Suntai: Yes.
Man: Good to see you.
Governor Suntai: unintelligible…and I believe my governor has received you.
Man: Yes yes yes he has.
Man: The process of your recuperation, I hope it’s going on well.
Governor Suntai: It is going on well.
Man: And what would be your message to Nigerians?
Governor Suntai: Well if they can put all these things aside and tend to good, I think that will stop the problem. Because these things, God does not like it. But we are doing it when we know God does not permit us to do it. It is unfortunate that we have decided to listen to the devil in this case. So it is unfortunate that I am involved in this drinking of hot drinks.
Man: So your excellency, looking at it now, are you well or fit enough to return to your office as the executive governor of Taraba state?
Governor Suntai: Well I can tell you that it is well with me to return to my office simply because I want you to support me. But you know the truth, I am not well at all to return to office as I am now.
Man: So with time, you’ll pick up and you’ll be able to discharge your function?
Governor Suntai: I know that I will pick up with time and be able to discharge my duty but that will take some time before I am able to do that. And that is not supposed to be my my my my my duty, to misbehave once and then to misbehave another time.
Man: Alright but your excellence, finally, because I wouldn’t want to stress you more, what would be your message to the people of Taraba at this new year?
Governor Suntai: My message is very simple, let them try to live according to the laws of God, and that will definitely give them an exciting life on this earth. But if you go outside from God’s law, you’ll just destroy yourself, and that is what is happening to me, because I was already counting the days that are left for me on this Earth with this issue of drinking, drinking, drinking. It is not the best at all, to venture into drinking.
Man: Thank you so much your excellency, we wish you the best of luck and we hope that you recover on time to be able to return to your office as the executive governor of Taraba stateThank you so much sir.
Governor Suntai: Thank you so much, I’m very grateful
For those that still want to watch the video, here is the link(enjoy) : http://youtu.be/76XN0ysn1SU
The governor, in a 6-minutes-25-second video interview that has gone viral online lamented his drinking habit which he described as ‘unfortunate.’
It would be recalled that Suntai who was seriously injured when his plane crashed on October 25, 2012 in Yola, capital of Adamawa State, had suffered extensive brain damage and was in German hospital for months before he was flown back into the country.
Since his arrival, several efforts by his loyalists to return him to office hit the rocks, as the governor’s health remains complicated.
Lately, political cabals in the state took the governor to his office in Jalingo alongside his physical therapists to see if he could be smuggled back into office but after five minutes, the governor was not himself.
They were utterly disappointed during their visit to Aso Rock when governor Suntain also failed to recognize where he was.
With the release of the footage, which was obtained by SaharaReporters; every argument over the resumption of the governor has been laid to to rest.
Am still unable to upload videos,please bear with me,below is the transcript of the interview.......
Suntai: Unintelligible
Man in white, sitting next to the governor: It’s beautiful out here, I’m happy to see you. I’m happy to see you. We thought the situation was worse than this. But thank God, this is very, very interesting. I’ve been told about your developments and how you’re improving.
Governor Suntai: Yes.
Man: Good to see you.
Governor Suntai: unintelligible…and I believe my governor has received you.
Man: Yes yes yes he has.
Man: The process of your recuperation, I hope it’s going on well.
Governor Suntai: It is going on well.
Man: And what would be your message to Nigerians?
Governor Suntai: Well if they can put all these things aside and tend to good, I think that will stop the problem. Because these things, God does not like it. But we are doing it when we know God does not permit us to do it. It is unfortunate that we have decided to listen to the devil in this case. So it is unfortunate that I am involved in this drinking of hot drinks.
Man: So your excellency, looking at it now, are you well or fit enough to return to your office as the executive governor of Taraba state?
Governor Suntai: Well I can tell you that it is well with me to return to my office simply because I want you to support me. But you know the truth, I am not well at all to return to office as I am now.
Man: So with time, you’ll pick up and you’ll be able to discharge your function?
Governor Suntai: I know that I will pick up with time and be able to discharge my duty but that will take some time before I am able to do that. And that is not supposed to be my my my my my duty, to misbehave once and then to misbehave another time.
Man: Alright but your excellence, finally, because I wouldn’t want to stress you more, what would be your message to the people of Taraba at this new year?
Governor Suntai: My message is very simple, let them try to live according to the laws of God, and that will definitely give them an exciting life on this earth. But if you go outside from God’s law, you’ll just destroy yourself, and that is what is happening to me, because I was already counting the days that are left for me on this Earth with this issue of drinking, drinking, drinking. It is not the best at all, to venture into drinking.
Man: Thank you so much your excellency, we wish you the best of luck and we hope that you recover on time to be able to return to your office as the executive governor of Taraba stateThank you so much sir.
Governor Suntai: Thank you so much, I’m very grateful
For those that still want to watch the video, here is the link(enjoy) : http://youtu.be/76XN0ysn1SU
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
2015 Election: 3000 APC members defects to PDP in Yobe State
According to The National Mirror;
The PDP in Yobe State has claimed that 3000 members of the ruling APC in the state have dumped the party and joined the PDP. The state chairman of the party Alhaji Lawan Gana, Karasuwa who disclosed this to newsmen in his country home in Karasuwa Gaalu noted that the defection of the APC members to the PDP was as a result of the reconciliatory approach recently adopted by the party in the state. According to the chairman, all the 3,000 that defected were from the governor’s home town in Yunusari, Alhaji Ibrahim Gaidam. He noted that Yobe PDP is seriously re-strategizing; adding that part of the strategy is the party’s efforts to reconcile all aggrieved members both within and outside the state. “I am happy to inform you that the party has constituted two committees to reconcile with aggrieved party members. “The two reconciliatory committees are handling reconciliation with aggrieved members outside the state and those within Yobe state and, to scout for new members. “We are happy that soon after the committees commenced work, supporters of other parties are now defecting to the PDP” he said. The Yobe PDP helmsman debunk claims by Yobe state government on lack of federal presence in the state, stressing that a total of over 56 federal projects were currently ongoing in the state under the leadership of Dr. Yerima Ngama, the minister of state for Finance. Karasuwa added that the sterling leadership of Dr. Ngama in the affairs of the party in the state has greatly increased the people’s support and confidence in Federal Government The chairman pointed out that the party will take advantage of the failures of the ruling APC government to woo more support from the people to change the government in 2015. He expressed delight with the renewed support from elders, elites, youth and women to the party, stressing that, “this has rejuvenated and strengthened our hope for the party in the state.
.....I guess this coming weeks/months is going to be dramatic,because there would be a lot of "porting" that is ;movement(defection) from one party to another. #fingersXd
The PDP in Yobe State has claimed that 3000 members of the ruling APC in the state have dumped the party and joined the PDP. The state chairman of the party Alhaji Lawan Gana, Karasuwa who disclosed this to newsmen in his country home in Karasuwa Gaalu noted that the defection of the APC members to the PDP was as a result of the reconciliatory approach recently adopted by the party in the state. According to the chairman, all the 3,000 that defected were from the governor’s home town in Yunusari, Alhaji Ibrahim Gaidam. He noted that Yobe PDP is seriously re-strategizing; adding that part of the strategy is the party’s efforts to reconcile all aggrieved members both within and outside the state. “I am happy to inform you that the party has constituted two committees to reconcile with aggrieved party members. “The two reconciliatory committees are handling reconciliation with aggrieved members outside the state and those within Yobe state and, to scout for new members. “We are happy that soon after the committees commenced work, supporters of other parties are now defecting to the PDP” he said. The Yobe PDP helmsman debunk claims by Yobe state government on lack of federal presence in the state, stressing that a total of over 56 federal projects were currently ongoing in the state under the leadership of Dr. Yerima Ngama, the minister of state for Finance. Karasuwa added that the sterling leadership of Dr. Ngama in the affairs of the party in the state has greatly increased the people’s support and confidence in Federal Government The chairman pointed out that the party will take advantage of the failures of the ruling APC government to woo more support from the people to change the government in 2015. He expressed delight with the renewed support from elders, elites, youth and women to the party, stressing that, “this has rejuvenated and strengthened our hope for the party in the state.
.....I guess this coming weeks/months is going to be dramatic,because there would be a lot of "porting" that is ;movement(defection) from one party to another. #fingersXd
Update: Mallam Nasir El-Rufai released on bail
Mallam Nasir El Rufai has been released on bail by the State Security Service hours after he reported to the security agency to answer some questions.
According to reports, Mallam El-Rufai was released in the early hours of this morning after about 15 hours in SSS custody.
His Media advisor Muyiwa Adekeye. In his word,said...
"Mallam El-Rufai will not be silenced. He will continue to do his patriotic duty of challenging INEC and the security agencies to guarantee the climate for free and fair elections in Nigeria by desisting from partisanship and the embrace of impunity.”
According to reports, Mallam El-Rufai was released in the early hours of this morning after about 15 hours in SSS custody.
His Media advisor Muyiwa Adekeye. In his word,said...
"Mallam El-Rufai will not be silenced. He will continue to do his patriotic duty of challenging INEC and the security agencies to guarantee the climate for free and fair elections in Nigeria by desisting from partisanship and the embrace of impunity.”
Monday, January 27, 2014
Update: El-Rufia honours SSS invitation
Days after playing hide -and seek with the SSS, the former FCT minister Mallam Nasir El-Ruafi has finally honoured the invitation of the State Security Service, SSS .
In his tweets this morining,he said that he was accompanied by the Governor of Rivers' state; Rotimi Ameachi,Dr. Chris Ngige,APC National secretary,Treasurer,Hubert Shaiyan and AU Mustapha. Though they (except El-Rufia) were not allowed into the building even after they had trekked 500 meters to get to the SSS building.
In his tweets this morining,he said that he was accompanied by the Governor of Rivers' state; Rotimi Ameachi,Dr. Chris Ngige,APC National secretary,Treasurer,Hubert Shaiyan and AU Mustapha. Though they (except El-Rufia) were not allowed into the building even after they had trekked 500 meters to get to the SSS building.
Tinubu replies Clark, says his attack on Yoruba lacks wisdom
The All Progressives Congress (APC) leader Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has described the recent attack on the Yoruba by Chief Edwin Clark as lacking in wisdom and a "near idiotic vitriolic attack on any perceived opponent of President Goodluck Jonathan".
Tinubu said Clark should be rescued before he self-destructs.
Clark last week said the Yoruba have no leader. He added that since the death of Chief Adekunle Ajasin and Chief Bola Ige, the Yoruba have been without leaders.
In a statement yesterday from Tinubu's Media Office (TMO), the opposition leader said Clark should talk less and listen more. He queried his qualification to pass judgement on the Yoruba.
"Clark should not have insulted the Yoruba and some of their leaders. He is not competent to utter such a statement," Tinubu said, adding that the Ijaw chief would be better tending to his own house instead of remarking on the quality of a home he knows nothing about.
The former Lagos State governor said the statement shows Clark is afraid of the giant strides being made by the opposition party.
"Clark is afraid that the progressive party, the APC, launched by Asiwaju Tinubu and other progressives throughout the nation which possesses the political clout to dislodge his ethnic kin from the Aso Villa. Thus, Clark hates Tinubu and all those who speak against the mis-governance taking place.
"Clark cares nothing for actual modern democratic governance that will move this nation forward, regardless of ethnic origin. He is obsessed with making sure his ethnic kin remains in the Villa by all means necessary; he cares less if the nation crumbles around him; as long as his ethnic son is on the seat, all is fine for him," Tinubu said.
The statement said Tinubu never claimed to be a Yoruba leader, but can lay claim to being a national leader because he seeks the betterment of all Nigerians. "Can Clark make the same claim about himself?" the statement added.
It also said Tinubu has engineered the rebirth of the opposition in the country by working in tandem with like- minded progressives. "From forging the first political merger in the history of Nigeria, he has remained fixed on providing a platform for progressive governance and policies to lift Nigeria from the clutches of poverty and unjust government. This is not a Yoruba dream; it is a Nigerian dream. Clark's utterances are part of our present nightmare."
Warning that with utterances like this coming from Clark, Tinubu said the nation is on a political, moral and economic slide that must be arrested. "The nation is suffering and if this is not arrested, we shall crash against the hard rock of ill-fate. The crash will not be a pretty one," Tinubu warned.
Tinubu said Clark should be rescued before he self-destructs.
Clark last week said the Yoruba have no leader. He added that since the death of Chief Adekunle Ajasin and Chief Bola Ige, the Yoruba have been without leaders.
In a statement yesterday from Tinubu's Media Office (TMO), the opposition leader said Clark should talk less and listen more. He queried his qualification to pass judgement on the Yoruba.
"Clark should not have insulted the Yoruba and some of their leaders. He is not competent to utter such a statement," Tinubu said, adding that the Ijaw chief would be better tending to his own house instead of remarking on the quality of a home he knows nothing about.
The former Lagos State governor said the statement shows Clark is afraid of the giant strides being made by the opposition party.
"Clark is afraid that the progressive party, the APC, launched by Asiwaju Tinubu and other progressives throughout the nation which possesses the political clout to dislodge his ethnic kin from the Aso Villa. Thus, Clark hates Tinubu and all those who speak against the mis-governance taking place.
"Clark cares nothing for actual modern democratic governance that will move this nation forward, regardless of ethnic origin. He is obsessed with making sure his ethnic kin remains in the Villa by all means necessary; he cares less if the nation crumbles around him; as long as his ethnic son is on the seat, all is fine for him," Tinubu said.
The statement said Tinubu never claimed to be a Yoruba leader, but can lay claim to being a national leader because he seeks the betterment of all Nigerians. "Can Clark make the same claim about himself?" the statement added.
It also said Tinubu has engineered the rebirth of the opposition in the country by working in tandem with like- minded progressives. "From forging the first political merger in the history of Nigeria, he has remained fixed on providing a platform for progressive governance and policies to lift Nigeria from the clutches of poverty and unjust government. This is not a Yoruba dream; it is a Nigerian dream. Clark's utterances are part of our present nightmare."
Warning that with utterances like this coming from Clark, Tinubu said the nation is on a political, moral and economic slide that must be arrested. "The nation is suffering and if this is not arrested, we shall crash against the hard rock of ill-fate. The crash will not be a pretty one," Tinubu warned.
Saturday, January 25, 2014
2015 Election: INEC releases timetable
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has released the timetable for next year's election, stating that the next presidential and National Assembly election, will be staged on February 14, 2015.
The electoral body, also announced that governorship and elections for state assemblies, would be conducted on February 28, 2015.
The gubernatorial polls in Ekiti and Osun, where fresh elections will be held, because of the expiration of the tenure of the current Governors, have also been scheduled for June 21 and August 9 respectively.
Meanwhile campaigns are to commence by march this year while the selling of forms would begin on the 1st of April this year also.
INEC faces a major test and unprecedented challenge in conducting next year’s general elections. The recent upheavals in the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as well as a dramatic rise in the rhetoric of supporters and opponents of President Goodluck Jonathan have provoked speculations that a rigged election could precipitate a level of post-poll violence that has not been witnessed in Nigeria in a long time.
The electoral body, also announced that governorship and elections for state assemblies, would be conducted on February 28, 2015.
The gubernatorial polls in Ekiti and Osun, where fresh elections will be held, because of the expiration of the tenure of the current Governors, have also been scheduled for June 21 and August 9 respectively.
Meanwhile campaigns are to commence by march this year while the selling of forms would begin on the 1st of April this year also.
INEC faces a major test and unprecedented challenge in conducting next year’s general elections. The recent upheavals in the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as well as a dramatic rise in the rhetoric of supporters and opponents of President Goodluck Jonathan have provoked speculations that a rigged election could precipitate a level of post-poll violence that has not been witnessed in Nigeria in a long time.
Friday, January 24, 2014
Breaking news:SSS secures warrant to arrest El-Rufai
The State Security Service, SSS, has finally secured a warrant of arrest for the Deputy National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Nasir El-Rufai, and has now launched a manhunt for him, the spokesperson for the agency has said.
This is even as armed operatives of the Service again stormed a second house in Abuja believed to belong to the former minister in their desperate bid to arrest him.
They had earlier in the afternoon invaded his first house in the Maitama District of the nation’s capital, but could not find him as he had reportedly gone to pick his children from school. They were said to have tried to force their way in to arrest the former minister. Continue...
In the latest siege on another property, also in the Maitama District, the operatives were said to have beaten up some private guards for refusing them entry.
The spokesperson of the SSS, Marylyn Ogar, confirmed that the operatives visited Mr. El-Rufai’s second house to arrest him, but denied that anyone was beaten.
“I hate cheap blackmail,” Ms. Ogar told Premium Times on telephone. “We went to the first place, nobody was beaten up. How will we go to the second place and beat people up?”
She explained that the SSS got an arrest warrant demanded by Mr. El-Rufai, but could not find him to personally serve him the document.
“We extended a friendly invitation to him,” the SSS spokesperson said. “He was invited honourably to come and make some explanations about the comments attributed to him.
“He said he wanted an arrest warrant. We have now obtained that from a competent court and we are wondering why he is running.
“We want to serve it on him. Or is there any Nigerian that is above the law?
“The president has said his ambition is not worth any Nigerian’s blood. So why will anyone else be making provocative statements?”
The manhunt for the former minister followed his refusal to honour an invitation from the SSS on Thursday.
He cited his pending suit against the Service over his detention in a hotel in Awka during the Anambra State Governorship last November 16 as the reason for refusing to honour the invitation.
Mr. El-Rufai also insisted on seeing a warrant of arrest before he could go to the SSS office.
The invitation of the APC chief was in connection with his remarks at a conference in Abuja on Wednesday that there might be violence if the 2015 general elections were not credible.
Meanwhile, Mr. El-Rufai, in statement by his media advisor, Muyiwa Adekeye, on Friday, confirmed that armed SSS officials stormed his home in Abuja following his rejection of the attempt by the organization to compel him to report at their office without a valid warrant.
The statement said the former minister had on Thursday firmly told the Director General of SSS that he would be exercising his right not to go to the SSS offices except a warrant mandates him and offered to meet the SSS officials in his home or office.
“The armed invasion of his house is a clear indication that the SSS imagines itself as an agency immune from respecting fundamental rights, behaviour akin to a gathering of toughs before whom every citizen must quake,” the statement said.
“The SSS agents did not produce any warrant to back their invasion of his premises.
“The assault on El-Rufai’s house continues a sorry tradition of serial violation of his rights by the SSS which has arrested him at airports and hotels.
“The most recent was the action of the SSS in violating his right to freedom of movement in Awka during the Anambra elections. Without any just cause or formal charge, the Directorate of State Security Services (SSS) had unlawfully detained El Rufai, the Deputy National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the premises of Finotel Hotel, Akwa, Anambra State, from the 15th day of November, 2013 to the 16th day of November, 2013.”
The statement said during the period, Mr. El-Rufai was not only restricted to the hotel, he was denied access to his congregational prayer as a devout Muslim, and kept incommunicado without access to anyone and or the press.
It stated that in order to remedy the flagrant violation of his fundamental rights as enshrined in sections 35, 39, 40 and 41 of the Constitution, the former minister sued the SSS, seeking eight reliefs, including an injunction to restrain the SSS from further infringing on his fundamental rights.
Source: Premium Times
This is even as armed operatives of the Service again stormed a second house in Abuja believed to belong to the former minister in their desperate bid to arrest him.
They had earlier in the afternoon invaded his first house in the Maitama District of the nation’s capital, but could not find him as he had reportedly gone to pick his children from school. They were said to have tried to force their way in to arrest the former minister. Continue...
In the latest siege on another property, also in the Maitama District, the operatives were said to have beaten up some private guards for refusing them entry.
The spokesperson of the SSS, Marylyn Ogar, confirmed that the operatives visited Mr. El-Rufai’s second house to arrest him, but denied that anyone was beaten.
“I hate cheap blackmail,” Ms. Ogar told Premium Times on telephone. “We went to the first place, nobody was beaten up. How will we go to the second place and beat people up?”
She explained that the SSS got an arrest warrant demanded by Mr. El-Rufai, but could not find him to personally serve him the document.
“We extended a friendly invitation to him,” the SSS spokesperson said. “He was invited honourably to come and make some explanations about the comments attributed to him.
“He said he wanted an arrest warrant. We have now obtained that from a competent court and we are wondering why he is running.
“We want to serve it on him. Or is there any Nigerian that is above the law?
“The president has said his ambition is not worth any Nigerian’s blood. So why will anyone else be making provocative statements?”
The manhunt for the former minister followed his refusal to honour an invitation from the SSS on Thursday.
He cited his pending suit against the Service over his detention in a hotel in Awka during the Anambra State Governorship last November 16 as the reason for refusing to honour the invitation.
Mr. El-Rufai also insisted on seeing a warrant of arrest before he could go to the SSS office.
The invitation of the APC chief was in connection with his remarks at a conference in Abuja on Wednesday that there might be violence if the 2015 general elections were not credible.
Meanwhile, Mr. El-Rufai, in statement by his media advisor, Muyiwa Adekeye, on Friday, confirmed that armed SSS officials stormed his home in Abuja following his rejection of the attempt by the organization to compel him to report at their office without a valid warrant.
The statement said the former minister had on Thursday firmly told the Director General of SSS that he would be exercising his right not to go to the SSS offices except a warrant mandates him and offered to meet the SSS officials in his home or office.
“The armed invasion of his house is a clear indication that the SSS imagines itself as an agency immune from respecting fundamental rights, behaviour akin to a gathering of toughs before whom every citizen must quake,” the statement said.
“The SSS agents did not produce any warrant to back their invasion of his premises.
“The assault on El-Rufai’s house continues a sorry tradition of serial violation of his rights by the SSS which has arrested him at airports and hotels.
“The most recent was the action of the SSS in violating his right to freedom of movement in Awka during the Anambra elections. Without any just cause or formal charge, the Directorate of State Security Services (SSS) had unlawfully detained El Rufai, the Deputy National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the premises of Finotel Hotel, Akwa, Anambra State, from the 15th day of November, 2013 to the 16th day of November, 2013.”
The statement said during the period, Mr. El-Rufai was not only restricted to the hotel, he was denied access to his congregational prayer as a devout Muslim, and kept incommunicado without access to anyone and or the press.
It stated that in order to remedy the flagrant violation of his fundamental rights as enshrined in sections 35, 39, 40 and 41 of the Constitution, the former minister sued the SSS, seeking eight reliefs, including an injunction to restrain the SSS from further infringing on his fundamental rights.
Source: Premium Times
SSS summons El- Rufai
The State Security Service (SSS) has invited the Deputy National Secretary, All Progressives Congress, Malam Nasir El-rufai, to appear at its headquarters in Abuja on Friday over a statement attributed to him in the Thursday edition of ThisDay newspapers.
The former FCT Minister was said to have been invited to clarify the statement, where he was quoted to have said, "The next election is likely to be violent and many people are likely going to die. And the only alternative left to get power is to take it by force, this is the reality on the ground."
El-Rufai had warned that the 2015 general elections would be marred by riots and other forms of violence that might lead to loss of lives and property except the Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies were ready to hold free and fair elections.
He accused INEC of incompetence, arguing that if it was not able to organise credible elections in Anambra and Delta states, it would be almost impossible to expect free and fair elections from the umpire in 2015.
He said he had no confidence in the Attahiru Jega-led electoral commission and security agencies to organise impartial elections in 2015, predicting a disastrous outcome if those involved did not get their acts together early enough.
The SSS, which is uncomfortable with El-Rufai's comments, was said to have summoned him and also issued a statement warning politicians against making provocative and disruptive comments.
The Media Adviser to the APC stalwart, Muyiwa Adekeye, who confirmed the invitation via a text message, however said his principal would not honour it.
The former FCT Minister was said to have been invited to clarify the statement, where he was quoted to have said, "The next election is likely to be violent and many people are likely going to die. And the only alternative left to get power is to take it by force, this is the reality on the ground."
El-Rufai had warned that the 2015 general elections would be marred by riots and other forms of violence that might lead to loss of lives and property except the Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies were ready to hold free and fair elections.
He accused INEC of incompetence, arguing that if it was not able to organise credible elections in Anambra and Delta states, it would be almost impossible to expect free and fair elections from the umpire in 2015.
He said he had no confidence in the Attahiru Jega-led electoral commission and security agencies to organise impartial elections in 2015, predicting a disastrous outcome if those involved did not get their acts together early enough.
The SSS, which is uncomfortable with El-Rufai's comments, was said to have summoned him and also issued a statement warning politicians against making provocative and disruptive comments.
The Media Adviser to the APC stalwart, Muyiwa Adekeye, who confirmed the invitation via a text message, however said his principal would not honour it.
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