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Jonathan To Freeze Tinubu’s, Amaechi’s Accounts - APC

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<b>The All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council (APCPCO) has alleged that President Goodluck Jonathan and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are plotting “to clip the electoral wings of the APC” by grounding of aircraft and freezing of bank accounts of party stalwarts”.</b></div>
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“In as much as we understand politics to be a game of wits and guts, yet the desperate way and manner the PDP and its henchmen are going is anathema, criminal and inimical to our nascent democracy and civilised human behaviour,” Garba Shehu, director of media and publicity of APCPCO, said in a statement on Saturday.</div>
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“Hence, any attempt by anyone to cripple the APC and its presidential candidate will be foiled by the citizens who have taken over the movement of change as symbolised by Muhammadu Buhari.</div>
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“The hint we gather from sources is that the government, through its agents, is plotting to ground aircraft and freeze bank accounts of APC stakeholders. But history has shown that the forces of evil can never succeed against the zeal of men and women of virtue and good deeds,”</div>
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“Information at our disposal has uncovered the ruinous plan by the Jonathan administration to use the aviation ministry and secret arm of the Security Service to hound and clamp down members of the APC, by prospecting obnoxious means that would ground private jets belonging to senior members of our party, in order to halt and slow down Buhari’s world-acclaimed phenomenal popularity as president-in-waiting.</div>
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“There is also a plot to block or freeze the bank accounts of APC chieftains like Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Rotimi Amaechi (director-general of APC Presidential Campaign Organisation), and other prominent leaders believed to be funding the general’s campaign; and availing him their aircraft for electioneering purpose”, a report credited to <b>CableNews</b> reveals.</div>

Jonathan To Freeze Tinubu’s, Amaechi’s Accounts - APC

The All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council (APCPCO) has alleged that President Goodluck Jonathan and Peoples Democrati...

Buhari Visits Gordon Brown, British Ex-Prime Minister

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<b>The All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, has been welcomed by a former Prime Minister of the UK, Mr Gordon Brown.</b></div>
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According to a photo posted by ace journalist, <b><a href="https://instagram.com/delemomoduovation/">Dele Momodu</a></b>, on his Instagram page this evening, General Buhari was seen been ushered in by Mr Brown.</div>
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Bob Dee as Dele Momodu is fondly called by admirers captioned the photo with the words: "A superb welcome for General Buhari from former British Prime Minister The Rt Hon Gordon Brown"</div>
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Buhari Visits Gordon Brown, British Ex-Prime Minister

The All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, has been welcomed by a former Prime Minister of th...

Fani-Kayode Talking "Nonsense", Says Osinbajo

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<b>Yemi Osinbajo, the running mate to Muhammadu Buhari, presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has denied swearing any oath to step down for Bola Tinubu, his benefactor and national leader of APC. </b></div>
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Speaking on Saturday during a programme tagged <i>Conversations for Change</i>, Osinbajo said Femi Fani-Kayode, the Director of Media and Publicity of the PDP presidential campaign, who made the allegation, was only saying "nonsense". </div>
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<b><a href="http://nigerianewsroom.blogspot.com/2015/02/tinubu-scheming-to-be-president-pdp.html">Fani-Kayode had alleged that Osinbajo had a secret pact with Tinubu to hand over power to him</a></b> if APC wins the forthcoming presidential election. </div>
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“Tinubu, according to our information, has compelled Osinbajo to swear to an oath that after six months in office, he would resign as the vice president, in the unlikely event that their party wins,” he had said. </div>
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But according to a report by <b><a href="http://www.thecable.ng/fani-kayode-talking-nonsense-says-osinbajo">TheCable</a></b>, Osinbajo described the allegation as the handiwork of a mischief maker. </div>
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“I never entered any negotiation with any person to hand over six months after, if APC is elected,” he said. </div>
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“Those behind the allegation have exhausted their thinking faculties.” </div>
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Osinbajo further accused the federal government of being incapable to pilot the affairs of the country in the right direction. </div>
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“The major problem this country has is corruption,” he said. “A current minister spent $10 billion to maintain a private jet and questions are not being asked. Every single day, 400,000 barrel of oil is stolen and the government is not asking questions. </div>
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“Our Naira is on a free fall because our foreign reserves is steadily falling. Every aspect of our lives is affected by corruption. I’m not surprised that they cannot find money for social welfare programmes. </div>
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“Everyone knows the issues but the discipline to apply solutions has been the problem. The change we seek is absolutely very important and that change must come.” </div>
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He clamoured for state policing as a practical solution to the problem of insecurity, accusing the current administration of politicising insecurity. </div>
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“There must be the local police. It is the only logical way to police. You cannot police without understanding the local language of the people. </div>
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We need the state police,” he said “Policing is an important part of security. It is completely impossible to run an efficient policing system from the centre. </div>
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“The federal government mishandled and politicised Boko Haram insurgency. When the bomb goes off, it doesn't care what religion you practice. It murders.”</div>

Fani-Kayode Talking "Nonsense", Says Osinbajo

Yemi Osinbajo, the running mate to Muhammadu Buhari, presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has denied swearing...

Disquiet In The Army Over Promotions

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<b>Attempts by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Kenneth Minimah to boost the morale of the soldiers fighting insurgency in the northeast by automatically promoting all those who took part in the operation to liberate Baga town in Kukawa LGA of Borno State, has lead some soldiers fighting in other parts of the northeast to allege bias.</b></div>
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Soldiers in two of the states, Adamawa and Borno, who spoke to <b><a href="http://leadership.ng/news/414325/disquiet-in-military-over-promotions">LEADERSHIP</a></b> on condition of anonymity, said the success recorded in Baga should be hinged on the level of commitment and performance of all soldiers fighting in the northeast. They allege that the lopsided favouratism shown to those who took part in the liberation of Baga means they who have been staving off repeated attacks from the insurgents haven’t done anything commendable.</div>
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Some of the serving soldiers spoken to in Adamawa State said such preferential treatment given to a selection of Nigerian troops could only spell doom for the revered profession, as it will be difficult for sidelined soldiers to give their best when their efforts are seemingly nlocot acknowledged by the authorities.</div>
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The soldiers alleged that the gesture extended to the troops in Baga was a cheap attempt by the federal government and the military authorities to sweep under the carpet, the gory incident that led to the capture of the fishing community by Boko Haram insurgents, leading to the death of hundreds of civilians and soldiers.</div>
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While expressing disappointment over the incident, a soldier currently stationed in Mubi said the situation where some soldiers will be given preferential treatment at the expense of other equally gallant officers, is not only condemnable, but is a sure way of further decimating the integrity of the profession which was recently dented by political interference.</div>
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The soldier noted that if achievements and gallantry were the underlying factors for recognition and promotion, then the troops fighting the war on the Adamawa end ought to have been doubly promoted because they are the ones who lost the most lives and limbs in the quest to expunge the Boko Haram insurgency.</div>
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“About 7 local governments of AdamawaState where hitherto under the grip of the Boko Haram insurgents, including Mubi, the second largest town in the state, but within weeks of the commencement of our operations, we swiftly liberated four local governments, including Mubi.</div>
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“We also went ahead to liberate two other local governments despite our seeming constraints, but it seems that with the feat and successes we recorded, the military authorities did not deem it fit to promote us but went ahead with exuberance to promote soldiers that liberated only one local government. This action is highly reprehensible,” he said.</div>
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Another soldier who claimed to be part of the effort to liberate all the local governments in Adamawa State that fell into the hands of the Boko Haram insurgents said the new development was another low point in the noble profession, where political considerations have taken the place of merit and achievements.</div>
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“When I heard the story that soldiers who liberated Baga were promoted, I dismissed it as a lie because despite the rot in the system, I didn’t think the authorities would glaringly indulge in an action that is capable of ruining the military profession in its entirety.</div>
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“Those that feel that the sanctity of the profession must be compromised for them to achieve their devious aims must be told in plain language that they are doing a great disservice to the security and wellbeing of this country.</div>
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“If they do not recant their devious ways, definitely they will incinerate the military as a profession and by so doing, incinerate the country. They should be forewarned about the negative effects of their actions because right now, many soldiers are agitated by the development and until it is reversed, the military may implode,” he asserted.</div>
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In Borno, soldiers under the 7th Division of the Nigeria army, Maiduguri have also cited unfairness and breach of due process in the blanket promotion of soldiers that participated in the Baga liberation.</div>
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Soldiers who spoke to LEADERSHIP Weekend on the issue said that apart from the fact that such a promotion which involved both commissioned officers and troopers cannot be automatic, singling out only troops that went to Baga would be very unfair to other soldiers that had participated in other similar operations.</div>
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“With due respect to the COAS, it cannot be possible to promote soldiers through an administrative fiat or mere declaration,” said a ranked soldier.</div>
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“Those that went to Baga comprised commissioned officers, noncommissioned senior officers and privates; and promotion for all these involved serious courses and examinations. So, how can a soldier go ahead and hang a commissioned rank without passing through due process? As far as I am concerned, the declaration is political and cannot come to pass,” said the army officer.</div>
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Another soldier, who is a noncommissioned ranked soldier, lamented that the army is not being fair in its declaration of promotion for the Baga soldiers.</div>
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“More than a hundred soldiers that I know have been killed or badly injured in many Boko Haram operations; many of us had fought bloody battles with obsolete weapons; many of us were killed; some were permanently rendered disabled because of the Boko Haram insurgency; so how can it be fair to now say soldiers that invaded Baga and Mubi with better arms and ammunition should be declared national heroes and given instant promotion, including those that had died?”</div>
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“Most of us had participated in battles in Damboa, Konduga, Gwoza, Bama, Gamboru-Ngala and even some parts of Sambisa Forest, and today no one is speaking of them. This is not fair at all,” said the soldier.</div>
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Meanwhile, repeated attempts to contact the director of Defence Information, General Chris Olukolade, weren’t successful as he neither answered calls made to his cell phone nor replied to text messages sent to him requesting his reaction.</div>

Disquiet In The Army Over Promotions

Attempts by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Kenneth Minimah to boost the morale of the soldiers fighting insurgency in the northeast ...

Jonathan Won't Sack Jega But...

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<b>The Federal Government on Friday further compounded fears in some quarters that the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega, could be sacked before the general elections.</b></div>
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In an answer to enquiries on government’s stand on allegation that the INEC boss would soon be asked to proceed on a terminal leave, the Federal Government through the Minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke, gave a rather ambiguous answer.</div>
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He said the exit of Jega from the chairmanship of the INEC would take a natural course. Duke, who is also the supervising Minister of Information, spoke with journalists at the headquarters of the Ministry of Information in Abuja on Friday.</div>
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While answering a question on whether the Federal Government planned to send Jaga on terminal leave before the expiration of his tenure in June, Duke said Jega would not be sacked as President Goodluck Jonathan had pledged, but added that his exit from the electoral body would be a natural sequence.</div>
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The minister said, “On the issue of the INEC chairman, I align myself with what the President said that he has no plan to sack the INEC chairman.</div>
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“That is not to say that if it is time for the INEC chairman to naturally exit his office, then the natural course of things will not take place.</div>
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“It is like saying a civil servant has done 35 years or achieved the age of 60; we now begin to say that he must not retire or he must retire. I think all of that is in the terrain of the Presidency and he has spoken. I have nothing to add to that.”</div>
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Duke added, “I will also like to say once on that issue. I recall that for several weeks now; people keep threatening the President on the shift in the date of the poll. You begin to wonder that parties have a couple of extra weeks in order to reinvigorate their campaigns and try to reach as many voters as possible. Rather than do that, you begin to identify imaginary pockets of unlikely developments and then focus your attention on them and then when you lose election, you begin to complain.”</div>
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But members of the All Progressives Congress in the Senate and the Northern Elders Forum said that they would resist alleged plot to sack the INEC boss.</div>
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The senators had on Thursday alleged that there was a fresh plot by the Federal Government to   prevent Jega from superintending over the forthcoming general elections.</div>
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The Northern Elders Forum warned against attempts to remove Jega and insisted that the elections must hold within the timeline allowed by the law.</div>
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The APC senators, led by George Akume, <b><a href="http://nigerianewsroom.blogspot.com/2015/02/pdp-jonathan-still-on-plans-to-remove.html">told a news conference in Abuja</a></b> that they heard from a reliable source that the Head of Service would direct Jega to proceed on his pre-retirement leave next week.</div>
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“We have received information from a very credible source that next week, the INEC Chairman will be given a letter from the Office of the Head of the Civil Service to proceed on a terminal leave,” they said.</div>
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The opposition senators alleged that the Federal Government was trying to use a circular from the HoS dated August 11, 2010 to place Jega on compulsory pre-retirement leave.</div>
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They threatened to resist any attempt by the presidency to either suspend or remove Jega before the March 28 presidential election.</div>
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Some of the senators, who spoke with one of our correspondents on the issue on Friday, said they would employ legal and constitutional means to ensure that Jega conducts the next general elections.</div>
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Akume said President Goodluck Jonathan has the right to remove Jega, but could not unilaterally do so without seeking the permission of the National Assembly through a two-third majority.</div>
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He, however, said that Jonathan does not have the legal powers to suspend the INEC boss under whatever guise.</div>
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He said, “Section 157(1) clearly states that the President can only remove Jega with the vote of 2/3 majority of all senators. Under whatever guise whether suspension, retirement or voluntary leave, he cannot be removed.</div>
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Akume said, “ Section 157 (1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the President cannot remove the INEC Chairman from office without getting approval of the Upper Chamber.</div>
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“Section 157 (1) of the constitution reads: “…a person holding any of the offices to which this section applies may only be removed from that office by the president acting on an address supported by two-thirds majority of the Senate praying that he be so removed for inability to discharge the functions of the office.”</div>
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He said, “We will resist any attempt by the presidency to sack jega for any sinister reasons. We will continue to say no to impunity and any attempt to undermine the credibility of the forthcoming general elections. We would never accept.</div>
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“We condemn what the Federal Government is trying to do. We will rise up and defend our democracy. This is the Road to Golgotha, the road to Armageddon. These people want to destroy this country completely and we will resist it.</div>
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“We are waiting for the president to bring the notice before the National Assembly and we will decide on its legality or otherwise.”</div>
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Also Senator Ahmed Lawan, (APC Yobe North), admitted that the President has the constitutional powers to remove Jega if he so wishes but that there is a procedure contained in the constitution.</div>
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He said, “The National Assembly must pass a resolution backed by two-third majority of members either giving accent to the request or not. That is the only way that the Chairman of the INEC could be removed. The President cannot do it alone.”</div>
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Senator Babafemi Ojudu, (APC Ekiti Central) said, “The President cannot suspend Jega because he has no such powers in the constitution. There is no law which empowers the President to suspend anyone who was legally appointed to occupy a position for a period of time.”</div>
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Ojudu said his colleagues were raising the alarm because the information about the plot to sack Jega was made available to them hence they would not ignore it.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
He said, “We have met, and we are still going to meet over the issue. We are watching and already considering all lawful and constitutional options even pre-emptive strategies to make sure that this democracy is not truncated through Jega’s sack”</div>
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Addressing a press conference, the spokesman for the Northern Elders Forum, Prof. Ango Abdullahi, said that sacking Jega now would be a recipe for disaster.</div>
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Abdullahi said, “With regards to Jega’s tenure, any attempt at this last minute by this government or its agency to remove the INEC chairman is a clear message that the Presidency is determined to rig the presidential election in which its sees Jega as an impediment simply because he thinks that the commission must follow the rules for a free and fair and credible election.”</div>
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While lamenting that the February elections were postponed on “flimsy, clumsy and indefensible” reasons, he said the electoral body had for several months now been consistent and emphatic on its readiness to organise and conduct the 2015 elections in February.</div>
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He noted that the insecurity excuse given for the postponement of the elections must “fail because only a small fraction of the security personnel in the country are directly engaged in the fight against insurgency within the North-Eastern enclave of the country.”</div>
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Abdullahi said, “Assuming that the soldiers are needed, we need to know that of the about 180,000 soldiers in uniform only about 20,000 are currently in the North-East of the country.”</div>
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Meanwhile, most national and resident electoral commissioners have expressed their support for Jega over his readiness to conduct the polls.</div>
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They asked him to reject alleged plan by the Presidency to send him on terminal leave.</div>
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<i>Saturday PUNCH</i> reliably learnt that the commissioners were disturbed that the removal of Jega would erode the credibility of the polls.</div>
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One of the national commissioners, who spoke with <i>Saturday PUNCH</i> on condition of anonymity, said there was no way the results of the elections would be fair, if the polls were not conducted by the commission’s current chairman.</div>
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He said, “The whole world is watching us. Anyone who’s thinking about sacking Jega is not working for the interest of the country.</div>
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“Yes, there are plans and attempts at dividing us, but we need to remain resolute in this task. We should not allow anyone to put the country into shame.”</div>
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Asked if there was division among the ranks of the officers, he said it was possible as witnessed during the meetings on the postponement of the elections.</div>
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Another national officer, who spoke on the issue said, “We are all the same. There is no seniority among us. We are all national officers.”</div>
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It was learnt that not many commissioners were happy with the predicament of the chairman.</div>
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Investigations by <i>Saturday PUNCH</i> showed that those in this category included commissioners that supported the postponement of the elections and some who were against the use of card readers and permanent voter cards for the elections.</div>
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Jega’s term ends on June 30, 2015 but the All Progressives Congress on Thursday alleged that the Federal Government planned to send him on a three-month terminal leave starting from next week.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
The chairman, who spoke to <i>The PUNCH</i> through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Kayode Idowu, had on Thursday said he had yet to receive any letter asking him to proceed on terminal leave.</div>
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Also, Idowu told one of our correspondents on Friday that the electoral body was not prepared to join any conversation on the chairman’s exit.</div>
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He said the commission is absolutely focused on preparation for elections. “It is the last thing on the mind of the chairman now,” he added.</div>
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An INEC commissioner, who confided in <i>Saturday PUNCH</i>, identified, “the move to send the chairman on leave as one of the reasons that forced INEC to shift the elections to March 28 and April 11.”</div>

Jonathan Won't Sack Jega But...

The Federal Government on Friday further compounded fears in some quarters that the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Comm...

Nigerian Military Closing In On B'Haram Leader, Shekau

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<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>The Nigerian military is fast closing in on the dreaded leader of Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau.</b></div>
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Intelligence sources disclosed to <b><a href="http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/military-liberates-gulak-others-closes-in-on-shekau/202928/">THISDAY</a></b> that Shekau had been cornered but could not yet be taken out because of the use of captured girls, women and children as shield by him.</div>
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A top intelligence source, who doesn't want to give more details because of the sensitive nature of the operation, noted that "Shekau's operational areas had been depleted and the military are ever closer to locating him".</div>
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"The military knows where he is but the truth is that he is using some of the captives as shield," the source said.</div>
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Meanwhile, Western forces in the Lake Chad region are said to have avoided confrontation with the insurgents.</div>
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The AFP reported yesterday that Canadian Special Forces participating in military training in southeast Niger, near the border with Nigeria, were ordered to withdraw recently to avoid fighting Boko Haram.</div>
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According to the report, the troops had been posted to the town of Diffa, where the government of Niger declared a state of emergency on February 11 following attacks in the region that borders Boko Haram's stronghold in Northeast Nigeria.</div>
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The Canadians, it noted, were participating in US-sponsored counter-terrorism training that started on February 16 and due to end on March 9.</div>
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The annual programme has 1,300 troops from 19 countries training militaries in five African countries in shooting, movement, communications, and mission planning.</div>
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Dominique Tessier from Canada's defense department did not say how many Canadians were at risk of confrontation with Boko Haram, but noted in an email to AFP that "several members" were relocated from Diffa to other areas such as Agadez and Niamey in Niger and N'Djamena in Chad "due to security issues."</div>
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"This was seen as a prudent measure given the current security situation in the region," Tessier said, adding the exercise continues.</div>
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The Canadian Special Forces also stand ready to provide humanitarian or other assistance, should Ottawa decide to offer help, Tessier said.</div>

Nigerian Military Closing In On B'Haram Leader, Shekau

The Nigerian military is fast closing in on the dreaded leader of Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau. Intelligence sources disclosed to TH...

We've Tested Card Readers For Elections - INEC

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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIw0Qj2r2wbzXbitpXvMPpGFuYvUBSb-gFv03n5Jpj6jcO_oNWceJ6PBF-xhJgp9TzejgwxivgMAABoYkM86t2uCXFp0ueAuHqWBnOLY_IWvgt8dAkAN-Xuc9jjLAgttZ6ESd4lLSKHPe5/s1600/INEC-Card-Reader2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIw0Qj2r2wbzXbitpXvMPpGFuYvUBSb-gFv03n5Jpj6jcO_oNWceJ6PBF-xhJgp9TzejgwxivgMAABoYkM86t2uCXFp0ueAuHqWBnOLY_IWvgt8dAkAN-Xuc9jjLAgttZ6ESd4lLSKHPe5/s1600/INEC-Card-Reader2.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday reiterated that the card readers for the general elections have been subjected to assurance and functionality tests.</b></div>
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Responding to a question, the chief press secretary to the INEC chairman, Kayode Idowu,  said “the Card Reader units have been broadly subjected to simulation Quality Assurance, Integrity and Functionality tests and INEC has full confidence in their performance for election purposes.</div>
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“The device has also been subjected to Performance and Conformance Test, both locally and in Texas, United States, laboratories by the Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Research Centre, and found to be of the highest quality grade.</div>
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“Besides all these, and with additional time resulting from the rescheduling of the 2015 general elections, the Commission has directed that Stress Test be conducted on the Card Reader device in mock election scenarios - two states in each of the six geo-political zones - ahead of the new election dates. (Details of this exercise will be unveiled by the Commission next week.)", <b><a href="http://leadership.ng/news/414504/card-readers-are-tested-for-general-elections-inec">LEADERSHIP</a></b> reports.</div>

We've Tested Card Readers For Elections - INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday reiterated that the card readers for the general elections have been sub...

Tinubu Scheming To Be President - PDP Campaign

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<b>Presidential Campaign Organisation of the Peoples Democratic Party has alleged that a former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, is plotting to become the President of Nigeria through the back door.</b></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
It said the plot by the former governor, who is a stalwart of the main opposition party, the All Progressives Congress, was to take over as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the event that Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) wins the March 28, 2015 presidential election.</div>
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Director of Media and Publicity of the PDP-PCO, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, made this allegation at a news conference in Abuja on Friday.</div>
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He nevertheless said the campaign team of the PDP-PCO wishes Buhari long life.</div>
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Fani-Kayode said skeletal information available to the PDP-PCO suggests that the Vice Presidential candidate of the APC, Prof Yemi Osibanjo, was picked by Tinubu and forced to take an oath to resign his appointment six months into the new cabinet should the APC win the elections.</div>
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The PDP-PCO further alleged that the party would field Tinubu as Osinbajo’s replacement after the alleged resignation.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
Fani-Kayode argued that given the huge financial war chest being deployed by the leader of the party and his overbearing influence at single-handedly facilitating the emergence of Buhari and Osinbajo as the party’s candidates after allegedly failing to push the Muslim-Muslim ticket, further lends credence to his claim.</div>
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He asked Buhari to watch his back, adding that the alleged gang-up against him and Nigerians was based on the calculation that his health conditions would deteriorate and lead to his death, paving way for the vice president to take over power.</div>
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Fani-Kayode said, “It should baffle well-meaning Nigerians why Tinubu has decided to draft Buhari, despite his age, acrimonious background and questionable health status, into the presidential race whilst ensuring that his stooge, Prof Osinbajo, was foisted on the general as vice presidential candidate.</div>
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“The reason is that the PDP-PCO wishes to use this forum to expose the ungodly plan by Tinubu to seize the presidency of Nigeria by subterfuge.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
“You will recall how Tinubu wanted to be running mate to Buhari in spite of the nationwide resentment for Muslim-Muslim ticket that he and Buhari planned to foist on their party.</div>
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“Senator Tinubu had justified the ticket by saying that competence was the important thing and not the issue of religion.</div>
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“But when he and Buhari could not push through the agenda within the APC, he (Tinubu), after being given the opportunity to nominate a vice presidential candidate, decided to prop up his stooge in the person of Prof. Osinbajo.</div>
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“Now the real reason Tinubu nominated Osinbajo has been made known to us and we hereby offer a public service to the Nigerian people by drawing their national attention to it. Credible pieces of information at our disposal indicate that Tinubu has perfected plans to come to power through the back door.</div>
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“Tinubu, according to our information, has compelled Osinbajo to swear to an oath that after six months in office, he would resign as the vice president, in the unlikely event that their party wins. The wicked plot, as laid out by them, is to force Osinbajo to resign for Tinubu to be nominated by Buhari as his replacement.</div>
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“The ultimate objective of this plot is to ensure that Tinubu becomes President. The script is simple: given the questionable health of Buhari, Tinubu, who is desperate to be president for his own selfish reasons, will simply bid his time in the evil expectation that Buhari will not be able to go the whole hog.</div>
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“How wicked can those that hatched this plan be? How unfair can they be to the North, to Buhari and to Nigerians? We wish Buhari long life. Senator Tinubu’s dangerous plan is about getting power. This is sad. No thoroughbred Yoruba man or indeed Nigerian wants to get power through the misfortune of another person.</div>
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“But this is the perfidious path that Tinubu is passing through. This is repugnant.</div>
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“It will interest you to know that our information is strengthened by the very similar act of resignation which Senator Tinubu had planned to force on Pastor Tunde Bakare which you can all watch now.</div>
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“We will like to show to you some footage that is on YouTube of Pastor Tunde Bakare’s interview where he openly admitted that he refused to sign a resignation letter that would have seen him hand over his vice presidential position had Buhari been successful in his presidential campaign in 2011.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
“Becoming the vice president is not the destination but becoming the president! The agenda of the cabal within the APC is with the perceived health challenges of Buhari. They have told themselves in hushed tones that he has prostate cancer, acute asthma and that he suffers from dementia. This is their assessment and not ours. We do not know how true this is or what the nature of his illness is and neither are we interested. All these allegations of ill-health, to the cabal provide the justification for their evil plan.”</div>
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He said the structures around Buhari belong to Tinubu and that the actors around him, driving his campaign behind the scenes are also Tinubu’s men.</div>
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He said, “Most of the covert funding for this campaign comes from Tinubu’s friends outside the country and from Tinubu himself. So if he becomes President, Buhari will become virtually incapacitated and he will not be the one running the government. Those behind this plan would now be waiting for Buhari to pass on. That is what Tinubu wants to do to the North and to Nigeria.</div>
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“This is a wicked and ungodly attempt for Tinubu not only against the North and the Hausa/Fulani but against the whole country. We are convinced beyond any reasonable doubt that most Nigerians are not with this cabal. This is because no sane or rational person would wish another person evil to actualise his political ambition.”</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
The <b><a href="http://www.punchng.com/news/tinubu-plots-to-be-president-says-pdp/">PUNCH</a></b>'s attempts to get the response from the spokesperson of the APC, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report. Calls to his mobile phone indicated that it was switched off while an e-mail sent to him had yet to be replied.</div>

Tinubu Scheming To Be President - PDP Campaign

Presidential Campaign Organisation of the Peoples Democratic Party has alleged that a former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinu...

Supreme Court Asks Dariye To Face Trial For Corruption

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<b>The Supreme Court has ordered a former Plateau State governor, Joshua Dariye to submit himself for trial for corruption and money laundering charges before the Abuja High Court.</b></div>
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In a unanimous judgment by a panel of five justices, the court dismissed the former governor's appeal for lacking in merit.</div>
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Two members of the panel, Justices Sylvester Ngwuta (who read the lead judgment) and Chima Nweze frowned at the delay tactics adopted by Dariye to prevent his trial.</div>
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While Ngwuta described it as a sad commentary on the nation's fight against corruption, Nweze said the action of some members of the elite class, who saw themselves as being above the law, was worrisome.</div>
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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had in 2007 filed a 23-count charge against Dariye, and on which he was arraigned.</div>
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He was also accused of diverting state's funds estimated at billions of naira, while in office. He pleaded not guilty to the charges, following which the trial judge, Justice Adebukola Banjoko fixed November 13, 2007 for the commencement of trial.</div>
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Before November 13, Dariye filed an application, challenging the competence of the charges and the jurisdiction of the court.</div>
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He argued that he ought to be tried at High Court of Plateau State and not a high court of the Federal Capital Territory.</div>
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On December 13, 2007, the trial judge heard and dismissed Dariye's application for lacking in merit, a decision he appealed to the Court of Appeal, Abuja and subsequently to the Supreme Court.</div>
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According to a <b><a href="http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/you-must-face-trial-for-corruption-scourt-tells-dariye/202927/">ThisDay</a></b> report, Justice Ngwuta had while reading the lead judgement delivered yesterday resolved all the four issues, distilled for determination by the court, against the appellant.</div>
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"So, the appeal has no merit. It is hereby dismissed. The appellant should go back to the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja to stand his trial on the charges levelled against him.  </div>
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"This is a sad commentary on our fight against corruption. Appeal dismissed," Ngwuta said.</div>
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Justice Nweze said: "I have noticed a most worrying trend in most recent time, particularly among the politically exposed citizens of this great country, imagining that they are above the laws of the land,  have perfected some awkward and baseless tactics of delaying their trial when they run into conflict with the law.</div>
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"The appellant in this appeal falls into this category. In 2007, about eight years ago, leave was granted to the respondent to prefer charges against him. He was duly arraigned before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory.</div>
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"On November 13, the date set aside for the prosecution to marshal its witnesses, he implored the trial court to quash the charges against him on the ground that the trial court lacked the jurisdiction to hear and determine the charges.</div>
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"When the application was dismissed, he proceeded to the Court of Appeal, Abuja division, which heard and dismissed his appeal. Instead of returning to the trial court to face his trial, he appealed against the lower court's judgment. I agree that this appeal is unmeritorious," Justice Nweze said.</div>
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Other members of the panel that heard the appeal, agreed with the lead judgment.</div>

Supreme Court Asks Dariye To Face Trial For Corruption

The Supreme Court has ordered a former Plateau State governor, Joshua Dariye to submit himself for trial for corruption and money laund...

PDP, Jonathan Still On Plans To Remove Jega - APC Senators

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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLLpVmZJ1YB9RDvI0GBH1pshCvSaiIXu7wnZ501_Djwih8n4UF5xZgkw7OwfZWHnCMCIrDEAQ6bV-1GC0P2ibIrgygrn0AIJi18XFn6QC4hiRgjNs-RmPpVXD0M3MT_sA0HzWS9rj4DHsW/s1600/Jega3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLLpVmZJ1YB9RDvI0GBH1pshCvSaiIXu7wnZ501_Djwih8n4UF5xZgkw7OwfZWHnCMCIrDEAQ6bV-1GC0P2ibIrgygrn0AIJi18XFn6QC4hiRgjNs-RmPpVXD0M3MT_sA0HzWS9rj4DHsW/s1600/Jega3.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Members of the All Progressives Congress in the Senate on Thursday   alleged that there was a fresh plot by the Federal Government to prevent the Independent National Electoral Commission Chairman, Attahiru Jega, from superintending over the forthcoming general elections.</b></div>
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The APC senators, led by George Akume, told a news conference in Abuja that they heard from a reliable source that the Head of Service would direct Jega to proceed on his pre-retirement leave next week.</div>
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“We have received information from a very credible source that next week, the Chairman of INEC will be given a letter from the office of the Head of the Civil Service to proceed on a terminal leave,” they said.</div>
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The opposition senators alleged that the Federal Government was trying to use a circular from the HoS dated August 11, 2010 to place Jega on compulsory pre-retirement leave.</div>
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They said, “Whether the letter emanates from the HoS office or the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, it does not make sense. Even if we go by the terms of the Civil Service circular of August 11, 2010, (it) is not applicable whatsoever to the INEC chairman.”</div>
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The lawmakers explained that the circular, with reference number HCSF/CMO/1772/TI/11, talks about clarifications on pre-retirement leave, which is only applicable to tenured officers who are career civil servants.</div>
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They said anyone who has spent 30 years in service or has attained 60 years of age was bound to disengage officially from the service. The senators however said that the case of Jega did not fall into any of these.</div>
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The lawmakers claimed that Jega’s offence was his readiness to conduct the elections when the Peoples Democratic Party-controlled Federal Government was not.</div>
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The opposition senators insisted that using the issue of card readers to discredit Jega would not work because the National Assembly appropriated money for that purpose.</div>
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They said, “We want a credible election but in a situation where we are being informed that because the postponement of the elections attracted no reaction from the people, Jega could be removed for a plan-less person who will do the bidding of the government, doesn’t hold water.</div>
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“You cannot start a game which is about to end and suddenly you want to change the goalpost. You don’t want a referee that is fair to all. You want to have someone who will subvert the whole system for sinister, personal purposes.</div>
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“We will continue to say no to impunity. We will continue to say no to any attempt to undermine the credibility of the forthcoming elections.</div>
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“We therefore want to appeal to Nigerians to be steadfast to keep watch so that their labour will not be in vain. If Ghana and other countries can get it right, Nigeria can also get it right.</div>
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“We are opposed to the removal of Jega because it is criminal, illegal and unconstitutional. They want to remove him through the back door.”</div>
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Akume maintained that President Goodluck Jonathan reserved the right to remove Jega but that he could not unilaterally do so without seeking the permission of the National Assembly through a two-thirds majority.</div>
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The lawmakers added that Jonathan lacked the legal powers to suspend the INEC boss under whatever guise.</div>
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They said, “Section 157(1) clearly states that the president can only remove Jega with the vote of 2/3 majority of all senators. Under whatever guise; whether suspension, retirement or voluntary leave he cannot be removed.</div>
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“Section 157 (1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the President cannot remove the INEC Chairman from office without getting approval of the Upper Chamber.</div>
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“Section 157 (1) of the Constitution reads, “…a person holding any of the offices to which this section applies may only be removed from that office by the president acting on an address supported by two-thirds majority of the Senate, praying that he be so removed for inability to discharge the functions of the office.”</div>
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The senators also reiterated their opposition to the clearance of Musiliu Obanikoro as minister and the deployment of soldiers for elections.</div>
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Giving further clarification on the fate of Obanikoro, their spokesperson, Babafemi Ojudu, said their position was that the ministerial nominees was not qualified to hold public office, reports the <b><a href="http://www.punchng.com/news/jonathan-pdp-plotting-to-remove-jega-apc-senators/">PUNCH</a></b>.</div>
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He said, “We are going to oppose that and the three senators from Lagos have written to Mark opposing that."</div>

PDP, Jonathan Still On Plans To Remove Jega - APC Senators

Members of the All Progressives Congress in the Senate on Thursday alleged that there was a fresh plot by the Federal Government to p...

Man In Police Net After Selling Son For ₦300,000

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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil7dL94gdgi1Ka0bqQNS_e04I3XBodoogpDihDcxwPxB7tQIss_726-uJbcKKRVqj-BM_Jz7o9JpY5pnA8l5UawumcVTXswuXwgC6F-mSdmpu5SsNjuw_o1IiFjzS6rKsb9gsKNFn1dac5/s1600/Eberechi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil7dL94gdgi1Ka0bqQNS_e04I3XBodoogpDihDcxwPxB7tQIss_726-uJbcKKRVqj-BM_Jz7o9JpY5pnA8l5UawumcVTXswuXwgC6F-mSdmpu5SsNjuw_o1IiFjzS6rKsb9gsKNFn1dac5/s1600/Eberechi.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>A middle-aged palm tree harvester, George Maduabuchi, from Owerrinta in the Isiala-Ngwa South Local Government Area of Abia State is in the police net for allegedly selling his 14-month-old son for </b><b>₦300,000.</b></div>
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The father of four was said to have connived with another suspect, Obinna Erondu, now at large, to perpetrate the act.</div>
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The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Joshak Habila, who paraded the suspect along with other suspected criminals on Thursday, said, “Luck ran out on Maduabuchi when the wife alerted the police on his questionable role when the baby fell ill and he took him out and did not return with him.”</div>
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But the suspect told our correspondent that he did not sell his son, but only took him to a herbalist when he took ill.</div>
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He said, “The herbalist gave me money and told me that he could not heal the baby. I therefore left the baby in the herbalist’s home.”</div>
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But his explanation was countered by his wife, Eberechi, who said he took their son, who had a cough to the said herbalist, but instead of returning with the baby, rather came back with bundles of money.</div>
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She said, “When I demanded explanations on the whereabouts of our son, he could not offer any convincing answer.”</div>
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The wife, who is also pregnant, said she raised the alarm, which attracted neighbours who helped to arrest the husband.</div>
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The neighbours subsequently alerted the police, who picked up the husband who later led the police to the herbalist’s house at Owerrinta where the boy was recovered, the <b><a href="http://www.punchng.com/metro-plus/man-in-police-net-for-selling-son-2/">PUNCH</a></b> reports.</div>

Man In Police Net After Selling Son For ₦300,000

A middle-aged palm tree harvester, George Maduabuchi, from Owerrinta in the Isiala-Ngwa South Local Government Area of Abia State is in...

Ebonyi Assembly Serves Impeachment Notice On Gov Elechi

Ebonyi State House of Assembly Friday passed an impeachment notice to the governor Martins Elechi for alleged fraud. Details later

Jonathan In Surprise Visit To Mubi, Adamawa State

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President Goodluck Jonathan is currently on a surprise visit to Adamawa State.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3VgVFpdkD9LfD2ytvguzQ3m00rNWNghljmlz_LwY1VKORAo7Km-9V4fk6e-Uw12G5aC3hoT2jurCa0K3PY-14xSeSXIcoN7KDjcVmzgmmNy7IhC4d9UrQYz9fzhOU1XBzKDt7-RM-0XEE/s1600/GEJ+Mubi2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3VgVFpdkD9LfD2ytvguzQ3m00rNWNghljmlz_LwY1VKORAo7Km-9V4fk6e-Uw12G5aC3hoT2jurCa0K3PY-14xSeSXIcoN7KDjcVmzgmmNy7IhC4d9UrQYz9fzhOU1XBzKDt7-RM-0XEE/s1600/GEJ+Mubi2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Adamawa is one of the states currently being terrorised by members of the Boko Haram sect.</div>
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Accompanied by the the National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki; service chiefs and the state governor, Bala Ngilari, the President is said to be touring troubled towns in the state like Mubi and Vimtim among others.</div>
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A source said the visit was designed for the President to interact with soldiers in the battlefield and assess territories already reclaimed by troops from the insurgents.</div>
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It will be recalled that Jonathan had on January 15 paid a similar surprise visit to Maiduguri, Borno State believed to be the stronghold of the sect.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7LZhC_Jc5td1Jdv73qR6WN3-N51E9TQR7FoBQtcy-aSau-lOBMnRO5aK49OGoaSAP-nDd5UWtwOR5zZtAeKZl5PtmR8zGPlM59n_WqEjJ-i9nIkpqYTv6TZ7iDEJn3lXI-4H0JQD_lBrw/s1600/GEJ+Mubi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7LZhC_Jc5td1Jdv73qR6WN3-N51E9TQR7FoBQtcy-aSau-lOBMnRO5aK49OGoaSAP-nDd5UWtwOR5zZtAeKZl5PtmR8zGPlM59n_WqEjJ-i9nIkpqYTv6TZ7iDEJn3lXI-4H0JQD_lBrw/s1600/GEJ+Mubi.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Story Credit: <a href="http://www.punchng.com/news/jonathan-pays-surprise-visit-to-adamawa/">PUNCH</a></b></div>
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<b>Photo Credit: VANGUARD</b></div>

Jonathan In Surprise Visit To Mubi, Adamawa State

President Goodluck Jonathan is currently on a surprise visit to Adamawa State. Adamawa is one of the states currently being terrorise...

VIDEO: In Case You Missed It - Buhari Speaks At Chatham House

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<b>The presidential candidate of the APC, Gen Muhammadu Buhari was a guest speaker at Chatham House in Central London Thursday, February 26 where he addressed world political and economic leaders on Nigeria's democracy and her march towards another election in a couple of weeks from now.</b></div>
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The theme of the discussion which was chaired by former British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Sir Richard Gozney and had many Nigerians in attendance including several APC stalwarts like Governors Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State and Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State is <i>Prospects for Democratic Consolidation in Africa: Nigeria’s Transition</i>.</div>
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Below is the video of the Gen Buhari's speech at the event:</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Gm58FyEEDXc" width="640"></iframe>

VIDEO: In Case You Missed It - Buhari Speaks At Chatham House

The presidential candidate of the APC, Gen Muhammadu Buhari was a guest speaker at Chatham House in Central London Thursday, February 26...

VIDEOS: The Unreported Chartham House Extras

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<b>The APC presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari was at Chatham House London today to honor a talk event having him as a speaker. He was accompanied by the chiefatains of his party among whom are Governors Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), Adams Oshiomhole (Edo), Rochas Okorocha (Imo), and the national leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.</b></div>
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Apart from these men of APC, the party's UK Chapter was also fully represented in the crowd of supporters that massed outside Chatham House. So also were the supporters of President Goodluck Jonathan and the PDP who attended the event to demonstrate to the world why General Buhari should not be president.</div>
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Below are some embedded videos from a Nigerian journalist, <b>Rose Graham</b> who was at Chatham House to report those scenes no media house will report.</div>
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Enjoy them!<br />
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<b>When APC and PDP Supporters Exchanged Verbal Attacks</b><br />
<div class="fb-post" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10152755163346939" data-width="640">
<div class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10152755163346939">Post</a> by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/rose.peter.982">Rose P. Graham</a>.</div>
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<b>The Clash Of Supporters</b><br />
<div class="fb-post" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10152755121921939" data-width="640">
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10152755121921939">Post</a> by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/rose.peter.982">Rose P. Graham</a>.<br />
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</div>
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<b>When Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha Arrived</b><br />
<div class="fb-post" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10152755148461939" data-width="640">
<div class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10152755148461939">Post</a> by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/rose.peter.982">Rose P. Graham</a>.<br />
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</div>
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<b>And Some APC Supporters Confronted the UK Police</b><br />
<div class="fb-post" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10152755239841939" data-width="640">
<div class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10152755239841939">Post</a> by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/rose.peter.982">Rose P. Graham</a>.<br />
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<b>Photo and Video Credits: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/rose.peter.982">Rose Graham</a></b></div>
</div>

VIDEOS: The Unreported Chartham House Extras

The APC presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari was at Chatham House London today to honor a talk event having him as a speaker...

Full Text Of General Buhari's Speech At Chatham House, London

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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDgRRCazNPNX6ueTiHuzCPu3O8GlEW4hi9V4gkm2ke9_evD6v460JSWW2CYMngKt49l9XDsw3UoFxhwzWFCgOYwAQRyfcflY2i0uI3r9ebALyPhE9rldcWHJi13-v9fQ-bHZFDTOyhUvHb/s1600/GMB+Chatham1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDgRRCazNPNX6ueTiHuzCPu3O8GlEW4hi9V4gkm2ke9_evD6v460JSWW2CYMngKt49l9XDsw3UoFxhwzWFCgOYwAQRyfcflY2i0uI3r9ebALyPhE9rldcWHJi13-v9fQ-bHZFDTOyhUvHb/s1600/GMB+Chatham1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>The presidential candidate of the APC, Gen Muhammadu Buhari was a guest speaker at Chatham House in Central London Thursday, February 26 where he addressed world political and economic leaders on Nigeria's democracy and her march towards another election in a couple of weeks from now.</b></div>
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The theme of the discussion which was chaired by former British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Sir Richard Gozney and had many Nigerians in attendance including several APC stalwarts like Governors Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State and Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State is <i>Prospects for Democratic Consolidation in Africa: Nigeria’s Transition</i>.</div>
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Below is the full text of Gen Buhari's speech at the event:</div>
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Permit me to start by thanking Chatham House for the invitation to talk about this important topic at this crucial time. When speaking about Nigeria overseas, I normally prefer to be my country’s public relations and marketing officer, extolling her virtues and hoping to attract investments and tourists. But as we all know, Nigeria is now battling with many challenges, and if I refer to them, I do so only to impress on our friends in the United Kingdom that we are quite aware of our shortcomings and are doing our best to address them.</div>
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The 2015 general election in Nigeria is generating a lot of interests within and outside the country. This is understandable. Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country and largest economy, is at a defining moment, a moment that has great implications beyond the democratic project and beyond the borders of my dear country.</div>
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So let me say upfront that the global interest in Nigeria’s landmark election is not misplaced at all and indeed should be commended; for this is an election that has serious import for the world. I urge the international community to continue to focus on Nigeria at this very critical moment. Given increasing global linkages, it is in our collective interests that the postponed elections should hold on the rescheduled dates; that they should be free and fair; that their outcomes should be respected by all parties; and that any form of extension, under whichever guise, is unconstitutional and will not be tolerated.</div>
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With the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, the collapse of communism and the end of the Cold War, democracy became the dominant and most preferred system of government across the globe. That global transition has been aptly captured as the triumph of democracy and the ‘most pre-eminent political idea of our time.’ On a personal note, the phased end of the USSR was a turning point for me. It convinced me that change can be brought about without firing a single shot.</div>
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As you all know, I had been a military head of state in Nigeria for twenty months. We intervened because we were unhappy with the state of affairs in our country. We wanted to arrest the drift. Driven by patriotism, influenced by the prevalence and popularity of such drastic measures all over Africa and elsewhere, we fought our way to power. But the global triumph of democracy has shown that another and a preferable path to change is possible. It is an important lesson I have carried with me since, and a lesson that is not lost on the African continent.</div>
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In the last two decades, democracy has grown strong roots in Africa. Elections, once so rare, are now so commonplace. As at the time I was a military head of state between 1983 and 1985, only four African countries held regular multi-party elections. But the number of electoral democracies in Africa, according to Freedom House, jumped to 10 in 1992/1993 then to 18 in 1994/1995 and to 24 in 2005/2006. According to the New York Times, 42 of the 48 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa conducted multi-party elections between 1990 and 2002.</div>
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The newspaper also reported that between 2000 and 2002, ruling parties in four African countries (Senegal, Mauritius, Ghana and Mali) peacefully handed over power to victorious opposition parties. In addition, the proportion of African countries categorized as not free by Freedom House declined from 59% in 1983 to 35% in 2003. Without doubt, Africa has been part of the current global wave of democratisation.</div>
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But the growth of democracy on the continent has been uneven. According to Freedom House, the number of electoral democracies in Africa slipped from 24 in 2007/2008 to 19 in 2011/2012; while the percentage of countries categorised as ‘not free’ assuming for the sake of argument that we accept their definition of “free” increased from 35% in 2003 to 41% in 2013. Also, there have been some reversals at different times in Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Cote D’Ivoire, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Lesotho, Mali, Madagascar, Mauritania and Togo. We can choose to look at the glass of democracy in Africa as either half full or half empty.</div>
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While you can’t have representative democracy without elections, it is equally important to look at the quality of the elections and to remember that mere elections do not democracy make. It is globally agreed that democracy is not an event, but a journey. And that the destination of that journey is democratic consolidation – that state where democracy has become so rooted and so routine and widely accepted by all actors.</div>
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With this important destination in mind, it is clear that though many African countries now hold regular elections, very few of them have consolidated the practice of democracy. It is important to also state at this point that just as with elections, a consolidated democracy cannot be an end by itself. I will argue that it is not enough to hold a series of elections or even to peacefully alternate power among parties.</div>
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It is much more important that the promise of democracy goes beyond just allowing people to freely choose their leaders. It is much more important that democracy should deliver on the promise of choice, of freedoms, of security of lives and property, of transparency and accountability, of rule of law, of good governance and of shared prosperity. It is very important that the promise embedded in the concept of democracy, the promise of a better life for the generality of the people, is not delivered in the breach.</div>
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Now, let me quickly turn to Nigeria. As you all know, Nigeria’s fourth republic is in its 16th year and this general election will be the fifth in a row. This is a major sign of progress for us, given that our first republic lasted five years and three months, the second republic ended after four years and two months and the third republic was a still-birth. However, longevity is not the only reason why everyone is so interested in this election.</div>
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The major difference this time around is that for the very first time since transition to civil rule in 1999, the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is facing its stiffest opposition so far from our party the All Progressives Congress (APC). We once had about 50 political parties, but with no real competition. Now Nigeria is transitioning from a dominant party system to a competitive electoral polity, which is a major marker on the road to democratic consolidation. As you know, peaceful alternation of power through competitive elections have happened in Ghana, Senegal, Malawi and Mauritius in recent times. The prospects of democratic consolidation in Africa will be further brightened when that eventually happens in Nigeria.</div>
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But there are other reasons why Nigerians and the whole world are intensely focussed on this year’s elections, chief of which is that the elections are holding in the shadow of huge security, economic and social uncertainties in Africa’s most populous country and largest economy. On insecurity, there is a genuine cause for worry, both within and outside Nigeria. Apart from the civil war era, at no other time in our history has Nigeria been this insecure.</div>
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Boko Haram has sadly put Nigeria on the terrorism map, killing more than 13,000 of our nationals, displacing millions internally and externally, and at a time holding on to portions of our territory the size of Belgium. What has been consistently lacking is the required leadership in our battle against insurgency. I, as a retired general and a former head of state, have always known about our soldiers: they are capable, well trained, patriotic, brave and always ready to do their duty in the service of our country.</div>
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You all can bear witness to the gallant role of our military in Burma, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Darfur and in many other peacekeeping operations in several parts of the world. But in the matter of this insurgency, our soldiers have neither received the necessary support nor the required incentives to tackle this problem. The government has also failed in any effort towards a multi-dimensional response to this problem leading to a situation in which we have now become dependent on our neighbours to come to our rescue.</div>
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Let me assure you that if I am elected president, the world will have no cause to worry about Nigeria as it has had to recently; that Nigeria will return to its stabilising role in West Africa; and that no inch of Nigerian territory will ever be lost to the enemy because we will pay special attention to the welfare of our soldiers in and out of service, we will give them adequate and modern arms and ammunitions to work with, we will improve intelligence gathering and border controls to choke Boko Haram’s financial and equipment channels, we will be tough on terrorism and tough on its root causes by initiating a comprehensive economic development plan promoting infrastructural development, job creation, agriculture and industry in the affected areas. We will always act on time and not allow problems to irresponsibly fester, and I, Muhammadu Buhari, will always lead from the front and return Nigeria to its leadership role in regional and international efforts to combat terrorism.</div>
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On the economy, the fall in prices of oil has brought our economic and social stress into full relief. After the rebasing exercise in April 2014, Nigeria overtook South Africa as Africa’s largest economy. Our GDP is now valued at $510 billion and our economy rated 26th in the world. Also on the bright side, inflation has been kept at single digit for a while and our economy has grown at an average of 7% for about a decade.</div>
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But it is more of paper growth, a growth that, on account of mismanagement, profligacy and corruption, has not translated to human development or shared prosperity. A development economist once said three questions should be asked about a country’s development: one, what is happening to poverty? Two, what is happening to unemployment? And three, what is happening to inequality?</div>
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The answers to these questions in Nigeria show that the current administration has created two economies in one country, a sorry tale of two nations: one economy for a few who have so much in their tiny island of prosperity; and the other economy for the many who have so little in their vast ocean of misery.</div>
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Even by official figures, 33.1% of Nigerians live in extreme poverty. That’s at almost 60 million, almost the population of the United Kingdom. There is also the unemployment crisis simmering beneath the surface, ready to explode at the slightest stress, with officially 23.9% of our adult population and almost 60% of our youth unemployed. We also have one of the highest rates of inequalities in the world.</div>
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With all these, it is not surprising that our performance on most governance and development indicators (like Mo Ibrahim Index on African Governance and UNDP’s Human Development Index.) are unflattering. With fall in the prices of oil, which accounts for more than 70% of government revenues, and lack of savings from more than a decade of oil boom, the poor will be disproportionately impacted.</div>
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In the face of dwindling revenues, a good place to start the repositioning of Nigeria’s economy is to swiftly tackle two ills that have ballooned under the present administration: waste and corruption. And in doing this, I will, if elected, lead the way, with the force of personal example.</div>
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On corruption, there will be no confusion as to where I stand. Corruption will have no place and the corrupt will not be appointed into my administration. First and foremost, we will plug the holes in the budgetary process. Revenue producing entities such as NNPC and Customs and Excise will have one set of books only. Their revenues will be publicly disclosed and regularly audited. The institutions of state dedicated to fighting corruption will be given independence and prosecutorial authority without political interference.</div>
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But I must emphasise that any war waged on corruption should not be misconstrued as settling old scores or a witch-hunt. I’m running for President to lead Nigeria to prosperity and not adversity.</div>
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In reforming the economy, we will use savings that arise from blocking these leakages and the proceeds recovered from corruption to fund our party’s social investments programmes in education, health, and safety nets such as free school meals for children, emergency public works for unemployed youth and pensions for the elderly.</div>
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As a progressive party, we must reform our political economy to unleash the pent-up ingenuity and productivity of the Nigerian people thus freeing them from the curse of poverty. We will run a private sector-led economy but maintain an active role for government through strong regulatory oversight and deliberate interventions and incentives to diversify the base of our economy, strengthen productive sectors, improve the productive capacities of our people and create jobs for our teeming youths.</div>
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In short, we will run a functional economy driven by a worldview that sees growth not as an end by itself, but as a tool to create a society that works for all, rich and poor alike. On March 28, Nigeria has a decision to make. To vote for the continuity of failure or to elect progressive change. I believe the people will choose wisely.</div>
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In sum, I think that given its strategic importance, Nigeria can trigger a wave of democratic consolidation in Africa. But as a starting point we need to get this critical election right by ensuring that they go ahead, and depriving those who want to scuttle it the benefit of derailing our fledgling democracy. That way, we will all see democracy and democratic consolidation as tools for solving pressing problems in a sustainable way, not as ends in themselves.</div>
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Prospects for Democratic Consolidation in Africa: Nigeria’s Transition</div>
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Permit me to close this discussion on a personal note. I have heard and read references to me as a former dictator in many respected British newspapers including the well regarded Economist. Let me say without sounding defensive that dictatorship goes with military rule, though some might be less dictatorial than others. I take responsibility for whatever happened under my watch.</div>
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I cannot change the past. But I can change the present and the future. So before you is a former military ruler and a converted democrat who is ready to operate under democratic norms and is subjecting himself to the rigours of democratic elections for the fourth time.</div>
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You may ask: why is he doing this? This is a question I ask myself all the time too. And here is my humble answer: because the work of making Nigeria great is not yet done, because I still believe that change is possible, this time through the ballot, and most importantly, because I still have the capacity and the passion to dream and work for a Nigeria that will be respected again in the comity of nations and that all Nigerians will be proud of.</div>
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I thank you for listening.</div>

Full Text Of General Buhari's Speech At Chatham House, London

The presidential candidate of the APC, Gen Muhammadu Buhari was a guest speaker at Chatham House in Central London Thursday, February 2...

Chatham House: PDP Hired Protesters Don't Know Buhari's 'Sins' [VIDEO]

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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglaWZpFsoJujGgIBlxcER_F8f86T678Pl8_3DV7QDNto-t5abgzNE4Tirs0tfkq6wNeHAQhzX6FggVKszcXcDx1vSYT9hz5x1151fTOeoFfzjIMqmfAlpvOXJnXbOBrNwpWtzIWmea4mwN/s1600/pro-GEJ2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglaWZpFsoJujGgIBlxcER_F8f86T678Pl8_3DV7QDNto-t5abgzNE4Tirs0tfkq6wNeHAQhzX6FggVKszcXcDx1vSYT9hz5x1151fTOeoFfzjIMqmfAlpvOXJnXbOBrNwpWtzIWmea4mwN/s1600/pro-GEJ2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Some UK-based Nigerian journalists have done wonderfully well in reporting events inside and outside the Chatham House in London where the APC presidential candidate had just finished participating in an event centered on Nigerian democracy. One of such journalists is Dare Lasisi.</b><br />
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Also, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/rose.peter.982"><b>Rose Graham</b></a> of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) has been doing a great job out there in London. She has kept us glued to her Facebook wall for minute-by-minute update on happenings at the Chatham House in London.</div>
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<b>The Nigeria Newsroom</b> have been following these two personalities to update our readers on happenings at the Chatham House.</div>
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Below, we embed a video posted by Rose on her Facebook page for your viewing.<br />
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After watching this video, I bet you'll sorry for Nigeria and Nigerians.<br />
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Enjoy it!</div>
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<script>(function(d, s, id) {  var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];  if (d.getElementById(id)) return;  js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id;  js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#xfbml=1";  fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));</script><br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10152755079911939">Post</a> by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/rose.peter.982">Rose P. Graham</a>.<br />
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<b>Video Credit: Rose Graham</b><br />
<b>Photo Credit: Dare Lasisi</b></div>
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Chatham House: PDP Hired Protesters Don't Know Buhari's 'Sins' [VIDEO]

Some UK-based Nigerian journalists have done wonderfully well in reporting events inside and outside the Chatham House in London where ...

PHOTOS: Metro Bus Teeters Off Johannesburg Bridge

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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3UVrihPJPqBJr3q1f7wnmxue1_NlLCqV_1qJlUARMc68yGHbq4nqKpQN56WOFs0Jzqdx9bRRlocoZ9ESAI7XGgqSobtOXu-dhtJlKsBZkKIT7h6Q2_q63LLg22AId4LFY9cJ-HMVtpJQX/s1600/SA+accident1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3UVrihPJPqBJr3q1f7wnmxue1_NlLCqV_1qJlUARMc68yGHbq4nqKpQN56WOFs0Jzqdx9bRRlocoZ9ESAI7XGgqSobtOXu-dhtJlKsBZkKIT7h6Q2_q63LLg22AId4LFY9cJ-HMVtpJQX/s1600/SA+accident1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>A metro bus did something no bus should do when it crashed and went off the Queen Elizabeth bridge in Braamfontein on Wednesday morning.</b></div>
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The bus ploughed into the side of the bridge and broke through a large section, crashing all the way down to bottom of the structure, metres away from Park Station.</div>
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The nose of the vehicle was planted firmly into the ground and emergency officials were standing near the broken glass and cement around it.</div>
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A large section of the road surrounding the wreckage was cordoned off while the road leading to the accident was also closed off.</div>
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The accident scene was a hive of activity with several Johannesburg Metro Police (JMPD) officers, emergency services and Johannesburg Road Agency (JRA) officials at the scene.</div>
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Several people braved the early morning drizzle to get a glimpse of the wreckage and take photos.</div>
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Motorists driving on the opposite lane slowed down to take pictures.</div>
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Pedestrians attempted to cross the cordoned off line to get a closer view of the bus, but were quickly reprimanded by officers who warned them to back away.</div>
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ER24 spokesman Russel Meiring said there were no passengers in the bus and the driver escaped with a few minor injuries.</div>
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JMPD spokeswoman Edna Mamonyane said the rain and the bus accident had caused major traffic back-ups throughout the city on Wednesday morning, <b><a href="http://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/gauteng/pics-bus-teeters-off-joburg-bridge-1.1823215#.VO4nknyUc4I">IOL News</a></b> reports.</div>

PHOTOS: Metro Bus Teeters Off Johannesburg Bridge

A metro bus did something no bus should do when it crashed and went off the Queen Elizabeth bridge in Braamfontein on Wednesday morning....