The Nigerian government Wednesday ordered the immediate payment of February salaries to the civil servants so as to encourage them to participate in the rescheduled Saturday presidential and senatorial election. “On the part of the Federal Government we decided that to make it easy for those who will want to go back to vote, salary payment started on Tuesday as opposed to the normal 25th of every month,” minister of information, Lai Mohammed, told journalist after Federal Executive meeting on Wednesday. “This is just to ease the burden of people who want to go back and cast their vote.” The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)postponement of the general elections by a week, less than five hours to the start of the polls last Saturday. The Commission’s chairman Mahmood Yakubu said the postponement was necessary due to some logistics and operational problems. After the election was postponed many Nigerians expressed displeasure on the development by lamenting t
Posts
Chief Kingsley Moghalu, presidential candidate of the Young People’s Party (YPP), says the endorsement of a particular candidate by Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo is in vain. Moghalu disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, on Wednesday in Awka. He said youths in South East are now wise to know who to vote for and not for Ohanaeze to compel them on what to do. “We in the South East now know that our elders in Ohanaeze have been economical with the truth, they tell us what they want us to believe for reasons best known to them. “This time around the youth in the region have decided to vote for candidates that appeal to them in terms of development plans for the country,” he said. Moghalu said he has done much for Nigerians to deserve their votes in Feb. 23, poll. “I did so much for the country while serving as the deputy governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). “I introduced POS services; the ATM card was also my initiative as well as Bank Verification Num
..Deployment of material to end on Thursday ….Says INEC good to go The Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) has said that the deployment of voting materials to the 774 Local Government Areas of the country will be completed on Thursday. INEC also said that it has completed 100% the configuration of the Smart Card Readers (SCRs) which will be used for the accreditation of voters on the 23rd February and 9th March 2019. Updating the media and observers on the preparedness of the commission on Wednesday, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman of the Commission said deployment commenced on Wednesday in ten(10) states. This he said will be completed on Thursday. He also acknowledged that there are reports of missing materials in some states. The commission he assured has made good progress in the area of logistics and is good to go. He also said that only accredited diplomats will be allowed to move about as there is restriction on movement . Details shortly…
The Nigerian Air Force said on Wednesday that it has destroyed Boko Haram terrorists’ camp and neutralized some of its fighters in a village called Arboko in Borno State. The NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola said in a statement that the strikes were launched after an intelligence platform had established the presence of the terrorists in the area. Air Commodore Daramola said: “The Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation LAFIYA DOLE has decimated a Boko Haram Terrorist (BHT) camp and neutralized some of their fighters at a settlement called Arboko in Borno State. “The operation was conducted on 18 February 19 while a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Alpha Jet and an Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platform were providing close air support to troops of 82 Brigade Nigerian Army. “In the course of the operation, the ISR aircraft spotted a group of BHT fighters within Arboko village and vectored the Alpha Jet to engage the
Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has revealed alleged plots by President Muhammadu Buhari to rig the Saturday presidential election by postponement of polls in three northern states. He said the plot is to ensure that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) shifts elections in Borno, Adamawa and Kaduna states based on security issues. According to Atiku, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) will then on a slated date for elections in those three states, use security agents to massively rig polls in favour of Buhari. Atiku, who stated this in a statement signed by his spokesperson, Phrank Shaibu, on Tuesday, claimed that the plot was part of the discussion Buhari had with governors of the three northern states during a closed-door meeting with them in Abuja on Tuesday. The statement read, “The deal, cut at a meeting with some northern governors and service chiefs in the presidential villa in Abuja is simple:
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has hailed the judgment of the Supreme Court nullifying primary elections of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers state. By implication, the APC chapter in River State will not be fielding candidates in the upcoming general elections. In a statement Friday by the spokesman for the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, the party described the apex court’s judgment as victory for democracy and the rule of law. The statement said, “The party commends the apex court for its courage in delivering the landmark judgment, which has saved the nation from a serious constitutional crisis that could have marred the 2019 general elections and detract from our overall electoral system. “The judgment of the Supreme Court serves as a huge lesson to politicians and political parties, to eschew impunity and always conduct their affairs in a manner that is in tandem with the provision of the law. “The courage displayed by the Supreme Court in delivering the j
Alex Enumah in Abuja The European Union has said its election observation missions are impartial and adhere strictly to its core principle of non interference in the electoral process of any country particularly the forthcoming election in Nigeria. The EU’s assurance was occasioned by a statement from Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasiru El-Rufai, who had in a television broadcast Tuesday evening threatened foreign nationals who may interfere with the forthcoming elections. Reacting, the EU EOM in a statement by its Press Officer, Sarah Fradgley, Wednesday said the EU only go to countries to observe elections on invitation, adding that they are in Nigeria based on the fact that the government of Nigeria extended invitation to them to monitor the elections. “We are aware of the comments by the Governor of Kaduna about non-interference by foreigners during a talk show on the elections Tuesday 5 February. “The EU only deploys an election observation mission when it is invited
The Police in Jigawa said they had arrested 10 suspected political thugs for fighting after a political gathering in Gwaram Local Government Area of the state turned riotous. The Police Public Relations Officer for the command in the state, SP Abdu Jinjiri, who confirmed the arrest in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Dutse on Tuesday, said that four others were injured during the fight. “We have arrested 10 suspects for fighting after a political gathering in Gwaram town yesterday. “Adequate security was provided for the gathering; however, after the event, thugs began to fight during which four persons were injured,” he said. The Police image maker warned that the Police would not tolerate any act capable of disrupting public peace in the state. According to him, investigation into the cases was ongoing, adding that afterwards, the suspects would be charged to court.
The Spiritual Director of the Adoration Ministry, Enugu Nigeria, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka has come under attacks over his latest prediction on the fate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar and his running mate, Peter Obi in the 2019 election. Mbaka had during Sunday thanksgiving service predicted failure for the flag bearers of the PDP: Atiku and Obi. In a viral video from the service, Mbaka berated Atiku’s running mate, Peter Obi, for not doing a project for his church, warning him of the consequences. Fr. Mbaka curiously withheld Obi’s blessing and said he would only release it after Obi had done a project for the church. The fiery priest said: “My brother and Governor, stand before all of us and tell what you want to do for God.” Responding, Obi said: “Father, what I said is straightforward. You will come and show me the project so that the two of us will talk. That is what I said.” Mbaka then accused the former governor
Presidential candidate and former deputy governor of Central Bank of Nigeria Profesor Kingsley Moghalu has reiterated the need for a paradigm shift in Nigerian politics, stating that based on an objective assessment of President Muhammadu Buhari’s failed performance, he does not deserve to be re-elected by Nigerians for a second term. Speaking in a statement after a confirmation of the current president’s intention to contest for office again, the Founder, Institute for Governance and Economic Transformation, affirmed that although President Buhari had the unalienable right to run if he wishes, he should be judged on his record. “Nigeria has the highest number of poor people in the world, with 15% inflation and 1% GDP growth due to economic mismanagement. We deserve a very different kind of effective and inclusive leadership that can unite the country and reverse the poverty that has made our country the poverty capital of the world with the highest numbers of absolutely poor peopl
The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) has lambasted former President, Olusegun Obasanjo for his attacks on President Muhammadu Buhari. Obasanjo recently advised Nigerians not to re-elect Buhari in 2019 . But the group in a statement signed by its National President, Alhaji Yerima Shettima, on Friday, slammed the ex president for the comment. “For quite some time, former President Olusegun Obasanjo has turned himself into a self-appointed messiah in the efforts to define the political and democratic future of this country. “And the result of this meddlesomeness by the former president has been disastrous for the country,” the group said. AYCF said that it is disgusting that the former president is still bent on interfering with Nigeria’s leadership problems created by people like him. The group said that it has noticed that the former president has made it a duty to lampoon President Buhari at every given opportunity, in a desperate bid to portray himself as Niger
Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed, an ex-chieftain of the All Progressives Congress,APC, has joined the 2019 presidential race Senator Datti Baba Ahmed’s (DBA) political journey started when he was first elected in April 2003 to the Federal House of Representatives for the Zaria Federal Constituency, Kaduna State. He ran on the platform of the All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP). In the April 2011 elections, Baba-Ahmed polled 366,398 votes in the contest to represent Kaduna North Senatorial district, beating his closest rival, Senator Ahmed Makarfi of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), the incumbent, who polled 365,043 votes. Senator Datti Baba Ahmed is a young and vibrant Nigerian who has all the credentials to move Nigeria to the next level. He is capable of unifying the country and bringing peace to all the regions. Datti Baba-Ahmed studied Economics at the prestigious University of Westminister, United Kingdom and at a time when the nation’s economy is on its knees, he comes high
A heavy drama occurred yesterday at the 8th fidau prayers for late Deputy Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Buba Jubril, in Lokoja, Kogi State, as operatives of Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, failed to arrest the senator representing Kogi West, Dino Melaye, who was at the event. The Police had a few days ago, declared the senator wanted over his implication in handing over illegal weapons to some kidnappers who claimed to be his thugs. The SARS’ operatives had stormed Kabawa Primary School, Lokoja, venue of the fidau prayers, in efforts to arrest Senator Melaye but were awe-struck as local vigilante men encircled him and made it impossible for the SARS operatives to get close to him. Melaye actually stole the show on the occasion, raising his two fingers to acknowledge cheers from the crowd who greeted him with loud ovation. Dino, after the prayer session was escorted into the waiting vehicle of the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, by the local vig