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Nigeria’s Miserable Choices | New York Times

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<b>The Nigerian government was supposed to hold presidential elections this past weekend, which presented voters with the dispiriting choice of keeping a lousy incumbent or returning to power a former autocratic leader. Now they will have to wait at least six weeks to cast votes.</b></div>
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The Nigerian election commission said earlier this month that it had pushed back the vote until at least March 28, after the country’s security chiefs warned that they could not guarantee the safety of voters in northeastern areas of the country where Boko Haram, the extremist militant group, captured international attention last spring when it abducted hundreds of schoolgirls. On Friday, Boko Haram fighters attacked a village in neighboring Chad for the first time, an alarming sign of the group’s expanding strength in a region that also includes areas of Cameroon and Niger.</div>
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Any argument to delay the vote might be more credible if President Goodluck Jonathan’s government had not spent much of the past year playing down the threat posed by the militants and if there were a reasonable expectation that the country’s weak military has the ability to improve security in a matter of weeks.</div>
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It appears more likely Mr. Jonathan grew alarmed by the surging appeal of Muhammadu Buhari, a former military ruler who has vowed to crack down on Boko Haram. By dragging out the race, Mr. Jonathan stands to deplete his rival’s campaign coffers, while he continues to use state funds and institutions to bankroll his own.</div>
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That Mr. Buhari, who helped launch a coup against a democratically elected government in 1983 and ruled until late 1985, has emerged as potential winner is more of an indictment of Mr. Jonathan’s dismal rule than a recognition of the former military chief’s appeal.</div>
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Nigerian voters have grown increasingly worried about the stunning rise of Boko Haram, which has committed terrorist atrocities including bombings. </div>
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The abductions and attacks by the group have exposed the weaknesses of Nigeria’s armed forces and the dysfunction of the government. Although Mr. Jonathan’s government has in the past been less than enthusiastic, and at times obstructive, in response to offers of American and European aid, he appears to be growing increasingly worried. In an interview with <b>The Wall Street Journal</b> last week, he said he would welcome American troops to fight the insurgency. </div>
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Beyond security matters, entrenched corruption and the government’s inability to diversify its economy as the price of oil, the country’s financial bedrock, has fallen have also caused Nigerians to look for new leadership. Nigeria, the most populous nation in Africa, and a relatively young democracy, cannot afford an electoral crisis. That would only set back the faltering effort to reassert government control in districts where Boko Haram is sowing terror. The security forces may not be able to safeguard many districts on Election Day. But postponement is very likely to make the security threat worse.</div>
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<b><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/16/opinion/nigerias-miserable-choices.html?ref=opinion&_r=0">New York Times</a>' Editorial</b></div>

Nigeria’s Miserable Choices | New York Times

The Nigerian government was supposed to hold presidential elections this past weekend, which presented voters with the dispiriting choice of keeping a lousy incumbent or returning to power a former a…

16 Feb 2015

Egypt Launches Offensives Against Libyan Jihadists

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<b>Egypt’s Air Force has launched airstrikes against ISIS targets after the terrorist group posted a video online showing the beheading of 21 Egyptian Christians.</b></div>
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The airstrikes began early on Monday, February 15, and Libya’s Air force also participated in the operation.</div>
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The gruesome video showed 21 Coptic Christians being led down a Libyan beach by an equal number of terrorists clad in black.</div>
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The men, who had gone to Libya in search of jobs, were then forced to kneel and beheaded.</div>
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The airstrikes were targeted at and hit Islamic State camps, training sites and weapons storage areas in Libya.</div>
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A statement released by the Egyptian military stated that the purpose of the operation was “to avenge the bloodshed and to seek retribution from the killers”.</div>
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“Let those far and near know that Egyptians have a shield that protects them,” it added.</div>
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Jordan also recently launched airstrikes against ISIS after the group burnt Jordanian pilot, Moaz al-Kasasbeh alive.</div>

Egypt Launches Offensives Against Libyan Jihadists

Egypt’s Air Force has launched airstrikes against ISIS targets after the terrorist group posted a video online showing the beheading of 21 Egyptian Christians. The airstrikes began early on Monday, F…

16 Feb 2015

We're Saddened By Obasanjo's Exit - PDP

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<b>The ruling Peoples Democratic Party has expressed sadness over former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s decision, Monday, to dump the party.</b></div>
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Mr. Obasanjo announced his resignation fromthe party at a dramatic meeting where he ordered his party membership card be shredded. PDP officials had earlier condemned the act, with the secretary of the party’s Board of Trustees, Walid Jibrin, saying Mr. Obasanjo acted irresponsibly.</div>
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The chairman of the board, Tony Anenih, said the former leader will not be missed by the party. In its official statement, signed by spokesperson, Olisa Metuh, the PDP said it was “saddened” by Mr. Obasanjo’s departure, and lamented the party’s inability to pacify the former president after several pleas.</div>
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Read full Statement below:</div>
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"The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has received the news of the decision of former President Olusegun Obasanjo to withdraw his membership of our great party. We have also carefully examined the circumstances and the reasons adduced for this unfortunate decision.</div>
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"While we concede to the inalienable rights of every citizen to hold opinion and to decide who to associate with, we are however deeply saddened that Chief Obasanjo, a revered leader of our party, our first Presidential flagbearer whom the PDP offered the platform to rule our nation for eight years, could decide to abandon this party at this critical point in time.</div>
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"This is especially as Chief Obasanjo, who was also the Chairman of the highest advisory organ of the PDP, the Board of Trustees (BoT) discountenanced all pleas by elders and leaders of our great party with regard to his reservations on certain issues within our fold. Many Nigerians are still bewildered as to what manner of provocation could have led a former President to lose his composure and go to the extent of tearing the membership card of the party that he once led.</div>
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"Indeed, the PDP is hugely at loss as to how the decision and action of the former President who had enjoyed the benefits of being elected to the highest position of leadership will assist in deepening our democracy and stabilizing the polity.</div>
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"It is our considered opinion that no matter the provocation, a statesmanly disposition from a person of Chief Obasanjo’s status could have encouraged our citizens and help in stabilizing system.</div>
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"We believe however, that what this country needs now is patriotic actions that engender national unity, tolerance and peaceful coexistence of our people irrespective of political, ethnic and religious persuasions. The overall interest of our nation and wellbeing of our citizens must remain paramount and above all personal and group interests."</div>

We're Saddened By Obasanjo's Exit - PDP

The ruling Peoples Democratic Party has expressed sadness over former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s decision, Monday, to dump the party. Mr. Obasanjo announced his resignation fromthe party at a dram…

16 Feb 2015

We Won't Miss Obasanjo In PDP, Says Anenih

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<b>The Chairman Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party, Tony Anenih, on Monday said former President Olusegun Obasanjo will not be missed by the leaders of the party.</b></div>
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Mr. Obasanjo, a former president for eight years on the platform of the party, had on Monday dumped the party, saying he will no longer be a politician.</div>
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Emerging from a meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan and PDP chieftains at the Presidential Villa, Mr. Anenih told journalists that Mr. Obasanjo had the right to either quit or join any political party of his choice as a Nigerian.</div>
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The BoT chairman said, “(Mr. Obasanjo) has the right to leave any party, and he has the right to join any party; he is a Nigerian.”</div>
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Asked if PDP would miss Mr. Obasanjo, Mr. Anenih replied, "Why should we miss him?"</div>
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He added that to the leaders of the party, Mr. Obasanjo was not loss.</div>
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The former President has been one of the most vocal critics of Mr. Jonathan, his estranged political son.</div>
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Mr. Obasanjo had repeatedly criticized Mr. Jonathan’s style of governance, and had at the weekend alleged that the polls shifts were masterminded by the president to manipulate the result of the elections in his favour.</div>
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He had also in an audience in Kenya last week, endorsed the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Muhammadu Buhari, the 2015 elections. He later denied the endorsement in an audience in London.</div>

We Won't Miss Obasanjo In PDP, Says Anenih

The Chairman Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party, Tony Anenih, on Monday said former President Olusegun Obasanjo will not be missed by the leaders of the party. Mr. Obasanjo, a former…

16 Feb 2015

Ogun PDP Expels Obasanjo Hours After He Dumped Party

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<b>Hours after former president Olusegun Obasanjo announced his exit from the Peoples Democratic Party, the Ogun State chapter of the party has announced that it was expelling the former president from its fold.</b></div>
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The statement expelling Mr. Obasanjo from the party was issued by the state chairman, Bayo Dayo, who said the former President had to be expelled following series of unabated anti-party activities "unbecoming of a highly celebrated party man".</div>
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"The totality of the executive, leaders and members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) family in Ogun State hereby state categorically as from today Monday 16th of February 2015, that Olusegun Aremu Obasanjo stands expelled and ex-communicated from the party, thereby loosing all rights, previous privileges and respect of our teeming party members", Mr. Dayo said.</div>
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"The general public especially the media are to take note that whatever Obasanjo does or say must no longer be seen from the prism of a PDP leader. Indeed he seems to have lost all sense of proper behaviour expected of a man who previously used and abused the opportunity provided him by the PDP.</div>
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The statement explained that, his Ward 11 Abeokuta North Local Government, has earlier sent in a letter dated February 12, 2015 expressing serious concerns at his numerous anti-party activities and uncomplimentary utterances targeted at the leader of the party, President Jonathan.</div>
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"It is ironic that this is the same Obasanjo who when he was President never tolerated nor accept(ed) any opinion, suggestion or criticism of his tenure", Mr. Dayo said.</div>
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Coming as the climax of his feud with the leadership of the PDP and President Goodluck Jonathan, Mr. Obasanjo had supervised the shredding of his PDP membership card on Monday at his Abeokuta, Ogun State, Hilltop residence.</div>
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This happened while the former President was hosting members of the PDP from his Ward 11, Ita-Eko, led by Surajudeen Oladunjoye, whom Obasanjo asked to tear his card.</div>
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Mr. Oladunjoye tore the card amid anti-PDP chants by the guests.</div>
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They danced and sang in Yoruba: “Bi awada, bi ere, PDP wole lo” (like play, like play, PDP sinks).</div>
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Also, in a speech at the ceremony, Mr. Obasanjo indicated he was aware the PDP planned to expel him from its fold.</div>
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"They said they want to expel me from PDP, although I have not been told but I have my ears on ground. We've been trying to run away from a man but he pleads we wait for him at the other side of the river", he said.</div>
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Then, barely two hours after asking his membership card be torn, the Ogun State chapter of the PDP announced his expulsion.</div>
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Mr. Obasanjo had on Saturday accused Mr. Jonathan of planning to scuttle the forthcoming elections, thereby unleashing "Gbagbo treatment" on Nigeria.</div>
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But in its reaction, the Presidency, in a statement by Reuben Abati, Presidential spokesperson, said Mr. Obasanjo was rooting for interim national government which he hoped to head.</div>

Ogun PDP Expels Obasanjo Hours After He Dumped Party

Hours after former president Olusegun Obasanjo announced his exit from the Peoples Democratic Party, the Ogun State chapter of the party has announced that it was expelling the former president from …

16 Feb 2015

Obasanjo Is A Disappointment To The Military - DHQ

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<b>Nigerian military has come down hard on former President Olusegun Obasanjo, saying his conduct and unguarded utterances have fallen short of the standard of discipline expected of a General.</b></div>
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According to the military high command, his recent negative comments about the military are far from being "noble".</div>
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While positing that his motive "as usual remains unknown but it is certainly less than noble or well intentioned", the Defence Headquarters added that "We dare say again that Chief Obasanjo’s assertions are false".</div>
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The Defence Headquarters was reacting to the recent press conference addressed by Obasanjo, during which he accused the Service Chiefs of being used to plot tenure extension and force the postponement of the general elections.</div>
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In a statement on Monday, the Director of Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade, posited that the former military leader was only playing to the gallery or indulging in policisation of serious national security affairs.</div>
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<i>The statement reads in full:</i></div>
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"The Defence Headquarters has noted the remarks of a former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo as reported in the media stating his views on perceived state of the armed forces and the roles being allegedly played by the military in the nation’s political process in recent times. The leadership and cross section of the military believes that the former President and retired General has every right to be interested in the actions and fate of the military. Hence, his views like many others will continue to be accorded the well-deserved attention. </div>
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"It is however noteworthy that most of his utterances lately indicate an attitude of playing to the gallery or indulging in politicization of serious national security or military affairs.</div>
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"For instance, the comments credited to Chief Obasanjo alleging that the postponement of the general elections was to enable President Jonathan to use the Service Chiefs to plot a tenure extension is to say the least, very surprising. It is surprising indeed, considering the fact that the retired General chose to ignore the clarification and emphatic assurances of non-partisanship of the military as declared in a DHQ statement on the position of the Armed Forces in the ongoing political activities. His motive as usual remains unknown but it is certainly less than noble or well intentioned. We dare say again that Chief Obasanjo’s assertions are false.</div>
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"Much as the military desires to respect the old General and his views, it has become necessary to point out that his conduct and unguarded utterances of late have fallen short of the standard of discipline expected of an individual who has had the privilege of service in the military and risen to the status of a General. The behavior of retired General (Chief) Obasanjo has been so unbecoming and continues to constitute a serious embarrassment to the military before all who have reasonably and rightly adjudged the essence of military background in terms of the high value and standard it tends to contribute to statesmanship.</div>
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"We feel constrained to remind the old General that the world has moved beyond that parochial and self-adulating reasoning and mindset which he seems stuck to. Indeed, he needs to be told that by virtue of their better training, exposure, education, assessment and environment, the military personnel of today are already far beyond his level in their appreciation of democracy and it’s indispensability for the stable and prosperous society which Nigerians cherish.</div>
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"In this instance, the military wishes to inform the retired General, that the institution which he bequeathed to the nation has certainly developed beyond how he left it. The Nigerian military is now better placed to strive for the maintenance of the legacies & ethos of service, valour, subordination to constituted authorities, and nonpartisan commitment to duty and fatherland. It has to be restated that the military as an institution, is neither as inept in the discharge of its duties, nor is it being misused for political ends in the manner the retired General Obasanjo who was also a former President has possibly been made to believe.</div>
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"Indeed, the system now strongly believes in democracy as well as its structures and institutions to the extent that it will do nothing whatsoever to undermine or truncate the steady growth and development of the nation’s democracy. The military will remain professional as it keeps doing its best along with others to ensure adequate security and defence of the nation’s territorial integrity in this auspicious period in the country.</div>
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"The Defence Headquarters will like to encourage Chief Obasanjo to be genuinely interested in the growth and sustenance of Nigeria’s democratic credentials. He is also enjoined to endeavour to improve in his understanding of intricate issues and try to encourage the military rather than continue with this tendency to indulge in imputation of ulterior motives to every effort, all for the purpose of discrediting well thought out policies or decisions related to the military’s roles in the polity. The support of all well-meaning elderly Nigerians remains vital in the onerous duty of working for the stability, defence, and peace of our country under duly constituted authorities in a democratic environment".</div>

Obasanjo Is A Disappointment To The Military - DHQ

Nigerian military has come down hard on former President Olusegun Obasanjo, saying his conduct and unguarded utterances have fallen short of the standard of discipline expected of a General. Accordin…

16 Feb 2015

Kashamu, Bode George Attack Obasanjo Over Jonathan

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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPPjQi1PMi64cByxJ36JoHG5kMY2yqJjtsqMcdJ4_FOIR4-6OlPSICwJBF7ELtiNFQtU3J9-uiMtFzlJ8qlwSWjL7WXQ5XmQz1vUc7OHAKUI2Mf8YWDrPCG-hv-uWKMgJ6fe7CezrUsHUo/s1600/Bode-George.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPPjQi1PMi64cByxJ36JoHG5kMY2yqJjtsqMcdJ4_FOIR4-6OlPSICwJBF7ELtiNFQtU3J9-uiMtFzlJ8qlwSWjL7WXQ5XmQz1vUc7OHAKUI2Mf8YWDrPCG-hv-uWKMgJ6fe7CezrUsHUo/s1600/Bode-George.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Two chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, on Sunday in Lagos described Saturday’s statement by former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s against President Goodluck Jonathan as unsavoury.</b></div>
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Mr. Obasanjo had in reaction to the postponement of the February 14 polls, alleged that it was done to further the interest of President Goodluck Jonathan.</div>
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Bode George, a former Deputy National Chairman of the PDP and Buruji Kashamu, Chairman, Organisation and Mobilisation Committee of the PDP South West, condemned the statement.</div>
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Addressing separate press conferences in Lagos, the PDP chieftains expressed dismay over Mr. Obasanjo’s verbal attacks on the president.</div>
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Mr. George, who called for caution, said “it is unsavoury and unjust to compare Jonathan to Laurent Gbagbo”.</div>
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“Baba has served his own term, he has played his roles. I don’t want to conclude that his life would end up like Saul in the Bible.</div>
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“I will also want to call on our Obas to talk to Baba that he should remain at that pinnacle of respect because it is becoming too personal. No human being is perfect,” he said.</div>
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‎On the postponement of the general elections, Mr. George faulted the former president’s position.</div>
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“If Baba had attended the Council of State meeting in Abuja, he would have understood why the elections were postponed,” he said.</div>
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On his part, Mr. Kashamu called for the immediate investigation and arrest of former President Obasanjo over his statements.</div>
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Mr. Buruji accused the former president of making unguarded utterances capable of heating up the polity.</div>
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He said Nigerians should not be deceived by the former president’s antics.</div>
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“Let us not be deceived. As well-intentioned as Chief Obasanjo’s homily may seem, it is all lies. It is an open show of his manipulative skills and his well-known egoistic craving for power and relevance,” he said.</div>
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“I urge Nigerians to be wise and conduct their independent investigations on claims by politicians,” he added.</div>
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<b>NAN</b></div>

Kashamu, Bode George Attack Obasanjo Over Jonathan

Two chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, on Sunday in Lagos described Saturday’s statement by former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s against President Goodluck Jonathan as unsavoury. Mr. Ob…

16 Feb 2015

Borno Declares Public Holiday To Host Buhari

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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSw9QdOSRMcjhcQLMuJulvPQCOpvjP0HoxLBphCz8FnCAS-zFrAADWFOiG4SYn-g45uEDhlRS9FiUUCWQx2RaDZOUlTfrGbU-rwDYAJa0oMPPVdcUSqkW2vKazKbdSN8dqlPsB_dwAj1CO/s1600/GMB+Media.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSw9QdOSRMcjhcQLMuJulvPQCOpvjP0HoxLBphCz8FnCAS-zFrAADWFOiG4SYn-g45uEDhlRS9FiUUCWQx2RaDZOUlTfrGbU-rwDYAJa0oMPPVdcUSqkW2vKazKbdSN8dqlPsB_dwAj1CO/s1600/GMB+Media.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>The Borno State government has declared Monday (today) a work-free-day for the visit of the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) to the state.</b></div>
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Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Ahmed Jidda, announced this on Sunday in a statement in Maiduguri, the state capital.</div>
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Jidda said that the public holiday would enable residents of the state to receive Buhari during his campaign rally.</div>
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The statement read, “The Borno State Government has declared Monday as a work-free day. The declaration is to enable the people of the state welcome the APC presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, who will arrive Maiduguri on a campaign visit on Monday.</div>
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“Governor Kashim Shettima has enjoined all Borno residents to come out en mass and line up the streets to welcome the Peoples' General.”</div>

Borno Declares Public Holiday To Host Buhari

The Borno State government has declared Monday (today) a work-free-day for the visit of the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) to the state. Secretar…

16 Feb 2015

UPDATE: Obasanjo Dumps PDP, Tears Membership Card [PHOTOS]

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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHnmQ-erHkb98HK16ZmCjvoGpf71Gl0Yd9r1Z-_xJJViFhqnkrrOsiNMiyitqRa3zHpoEfuVbHVZLxMAWnQl8GLXx5X5ByHy-A4gn0OU1RotibvkHOz-8mi_hdK7DBlnYxM0ore525YP0n/s1600/OBJ+PDP1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHnmQ-erHkb98HK16ZmCjvoGpf71Gl0Yd9r1Z-_xJJViFhqnkrrOsiNMiyitqRa3zHpoEfuVbHVZLxMAWnQl8GLXx5X5ByHy-A4gn0OU1RotibvkHOz-8mi_hdK7DBlnYxM0ore525YP0n/s1600/OBJ+PDP1.jpg" width="595" /></a></div>
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<b>Former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo has dumped the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), stating that, he is no longer interested in the party.</b></div>
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He reportedly tore his PDP membership card but has not declared his interest to join any other party.</div>
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Here are pictures from the press conference.</div>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPbCD5B2wWxul7dt4G4Mu3489CwTHITIlKytLOQ1wmfhG0QvdpyOtwqB0JN4Adsi3nmlTCQ122g5Aavm1Vq21h4vNs2YfT06beKcyjoKO0Bs-5y55Y9AdXL_Q2cm4HvzWZMDOVbbnzrGO6/s1600/OBJ+PDP2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPbCD5B2wWxul7dt4G4Mu3489CwTHITIlKytLOQ1wmfhG0QvdpyOtwqB0JN4Adsi3nmlTCQ122g5Aavm1Vq21h4vNs2YfT06beKcyjoKO0Bs-5y55Y9AdXL_Q2cm4HvzWZMDOVbbnzrGO6/s1600/OBJ+PDP2.jpg" width="579" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSuLyR3-wVqhu9_dChMlhypN52VnhzQwOW-RTy7UgZfMg6CNNDWvlDaN1oSXWTKSbTWIFEYDx09tlMQWwNR19e2YlNkRgBsXLwM9lVnw1ItopxJzGx0aUCWqLrOQieIouIVghGy2_YaT1R/s1600/OBJ+PDP3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSuLyR3-wVqhu9_dChMlhypN52VnhzQwOW-RTy7UgZfMg6CNNDWvlDaN1oSXWTKSbTWIFEYDx09tlMQWwNR19e2YlNkRgBsXLwM9lVnw1ItopxJzGx0aUCWqLrOQieIouIVghGy2_YaT1R/s1600/OBJ+PDP3.jpg" width="473" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm448Ahs1k-S_b_025QBHOqbeJXYfNEYSzqokvzkQAEN51Y4Gdihk9-lP-gfgJBCFe4ksxW4T6sz9HLn58QMUy3GpPR7ZBdlQ47DBbFtRw1eZzV4XiiRmLYaXfwwB6CYTcb5k7bPJmL6nr/s1600/OBJ+PDP4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm448Ahs1k-S_b_025QBHOqbeJXYfNEYSzqokvzkQAEN51Y4Gdihk9-lP-gfgJBCFe4ksxW4T6sz9HLn58QMUy3GpPR7ZBdlQ47DBbFtRw1eZzV4XiiRmLYaXfwwB6CYTcb5k7bPJmL6nr/s1600/OBJ+PDP4.jpg" width="547" /></a></div>
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UPDATE: Obasanjo Dumps PDP, Tears Membership Card [PHOTOS]

Former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo has dumped the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), stating that, he is no longer interested in the party. He reportedly tore his PDP membership card but…

16 Feb 2015

Man Kills Neighbor With Scissors

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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD2My_PF5Lg7On02rHSz3NZtvl3AriviTT1In4N7kVRIVf2S1EdT2hFmsP9syGoNTtU7RvVTQeehlXguRXO45kUEFNQUm5sNPjBAgtZiiiEJnrZRZW2f0RoK6eYGQksht3-JCU6yRmd_yt/s1600/Pastor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD2My_PF5Lg7On02rHSz3NZtvl3AriviTT1In4N7kVRIVf2S1EdT2hFmsP9syGoNTtU7RvVTQeehlXguRXO45kUEFNQUm5sNPjBAgtZiiiEJnrZRZW2f0RoK6eYGQksht3-JCU6yRmd_yt/s1600/Pastor.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>The Lagos State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, Yaba, has detained one Ibrahim Tijani for allegedly killing his neighbour at Okun, Ogombo area of Ajah.</b></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/02/man-klills-neighbour-scissors/">Vanguard</a></b> gathered that the suspect purportedly used a pair of scissors to stab his neighbour to death after chopping off his hands during a minor misunderstanding which degenerated into a fight.</div>
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The victim, Bashorun, it was gathered, sustained injuries on his chest and reportedly bled to death before he could get help.</div>
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The case, which was initially reported to Ogombo Police Division on the first week of February, had been transferred to Lagos State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, Yaba, for further investigation.</div>

Man Kills Neighbor With Scissors

The Lagos State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, Yaba, has detained one Ibrahim Tijani for allegedly killing his neighbour at Okun, Ogombo area of Ajah. Vanguard gathered that the suspect pur…

16 Feb 2015

BREAKING: Obasanjo Dumps PDP, Tears Membership Card

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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggMCSaje1ShkFJNxEwg1ivDqNSmS7F7zWdhAgpPf3gmpYnVpaP_BipTGXTHrDs_lMqu3mx_kU52H2-GNO4Vi8tWRuh_bCXRuJG94c1vWcHCAqXzXYkv4lldHsV_fCrgEd3VE41Pjn7778J/s1600/TNN+BN+610+x+610.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggMCSaje1ShkFJNxEwg1ivDqNSmS7F7zWdhAgpPf3gmpYnVpaP_BipTGXTHrDs_lMqu3mx_kU52H2-GNO4Vi8tWRuh_bCXRuJG94c1vWcHCAqXzXYkv4lldHsV_fCrgEd3VE41Pjn7778J/s1600/TNN+BN+610+x+610.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Monday announced his decision to quit the Peoples Democratic Party.</b><br />
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To prove his decision was irreversible, Obasanjo tore his PDP membership registration card.<br />
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The former president announced his decision when members of the party from his Ward 11 in Abeokuta North Local Government Area of Ogun State visited him at his Hilltop mansion residence in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.<br />
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The Chairman of the party in the ward, Alhaji Usman Oladunjoye, led the delegation.<br />
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Obasanjo ordered Oladunjoye to tear his (Obasanjo’s) PDP membership card at the meeting.<br />
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The move was hailed with a thunderous applause by those present.<br />
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Obasanjo said he has now become a statesman.<br />
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He equally denied the allegation by President Goodluck Jonathan that he was plotting to head an Interim National Government, which was the reason advanced by the administration at the centre for the recent criticism of the regime by Obasanjo.<br />
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More details soon.<br />
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See how our source reported the story on Facebook.<br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/ajibabi.adetunji/posts/1080799275269433">Post</a> by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ajibabi.adetunji">Ajibabi Muhydyn Adetunji</a>.</div>
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BREAKING: Obasanjo Dumps PDP, Tears Membership Card

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Monday announced his decision to quit the Peoples Democratic Party. To prove his decision was irreversible, Obasanjo tore his PDP membership registration card. T…

16 Feb 2015

Reps Set For Showdown On Tenure Elongation

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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbhcYR23OFhNxxtet-NTC5fb1V6ZRCfN-otHAx5tSjvd73JmAZzrZJy2cgKCXwZa1_aI3HI2VzDGJwu3aghkByHPsaNcCKGkt3Uw4g3t7i8K7raRHBJOnRB1TBbGsQkEvCkPaRTvrXBHeA/s1600/rep-chamber2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbhcYR23OFhNxxtet-NTC5fb1V6ZRCfN-otHAx5tSjvd73JmAZzrZJy2cgKCXwZa1_aI3HI2VzDGJwu3aghkByHPsaNcCKGkt3Uw4g3t7i8K7raRHBJOnRB1TBbGsQkEvCkPaRTvrXBHeA/s1600/rep-chamber2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Any request for further extension of the 2015 elections by six months from President Goodluck Jonathan may result in serious bedlam in the House of Representatives, it was learnt yesterday.</b></div>
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Members of the House are billed to reconvene tomorrow after embarking on a 5-week break in preparation for the earlier scheduled February polls.</div>
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Some members of the House who spoke to Daily Trust yesterday alleged that although Jonathan had said that the May 29 hand-over date is “sacrosanct” plans were afoot to come up with a request based on Section 135 of the constitution so that the National Assembly would extend elections for six months, thereby extending Jonathan’s tenure.</div>
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One of the lawmakers told our reporter on phone that some of his colleagues had already started making moves to create an enabling environment for such a request to scale through but added that “we won’t allow that to happen.</div>
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“I can tell you that some of their foot-soldiers among my colleagues have started working towards that. About three people called me this afternoon on this issue, saying we should support it,” said the lawmaker, who pleaded not to be named.</div>
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The lawmaker said part of the plan was to woo members with financial inducements “since some of us did not get return tickets, while others are saying that they've spent a lot of money during the campaigns, so the six months additional period will give them time to recoup their money.</div>
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“My tenure ends on May 29, because that is the mandate given to me by my people. I won’t take part in any illegality, although I have my return ticket,” saying “it’s really a dicey situation we may find ourselves,” he added.</div>
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Another lawmaker said no matter the amount of money that might be given, “we will not allow some selfish individuals to truncate our democracy.”</div>
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Similarly, House spokesman Zakari Mohammed told <b>Daily Trust</b> on phone that as they reconvene tomorrow, they would do everything possible to see that the new elections dates were adhered to, saying they would not approve any extension.</div>
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He said: “Budget will be part of our main focus, but there is need for us to invite all the relevant agencies so that we’ll hold them responsible.”</div>
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Asked if the House would endorse polls shift outside May 29, Mohammed said “it’s not possible. Nigeria is not anybody’s estate that they’ll change the rules in the middle of the game. The May 29 date is sacrosanct. We’ll invite all the agencies involved so that there won’t be another shift. It’s not possible to postpone again; we won’t accept that.”</div>
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“Let’s see the rationale for that. Let’s listen to them, but it’s not attractive at all. Whoever that wants to bring any extension now must explain to us the reasons behind that,” said Rep Bimbo Daramola (APC, Ekiti).</div>
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“It supposed to be a collective decision. So we are waiting. How can tenure elongation be made when the present administration needs to hand over? The issue is that I am representing my people, once matters like this are tabled, you are allowed to consult your constituency. Your constituents’ decision on the matter will determine your position in the House,” said Rep Jerry Mamwe (SDP, Taraba).</div>

Reps Set For Showdown On Tenure Elongation

Any request for further extension of the 2015 elections by six months from President Goodluck Jonathan may result in serious bedlam in the House of Representatives, it was learnt yesterday. Members o…

16 Feb 2015

PDP, Jonathan Scaring Voters Away From Buhari’s Strongholds - APC

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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5cNdVGUv5mcKZ7Q1wxPRLx39bO79NjiXaahz66PLrqtlN-rPnRmMGPOEmmR8NfURsb8-WgNpEjp0SMvt4zWi4C5Qqhj_Y1i9AcvBVC0oHR1YDBzsBqXAjsc6OVFiQj0WXzOhdSFqvetL8/s1600/Buhari.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5cNdVGUv5mcKZ7Q1wxPRLx39bO79NjiXaahz66PLrqtlN-rPnRmMGPOEmmR8NfURsb8-WgNpEjp0SMvt4zWi4C5Qqhj_Y1i9AcvBVC0oHR1YDBzsBqXAjsc6OVFiQj0WXzOhdSFqvetL8/s1600/Buhari.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>The All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused President Goodluck Jonathan and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of scaring voters away from north-eastern states where Buhari is favourite to record landslide victories.</b></div>
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It also alleged that an emissary of President Goodluck Jonathan is meeting with emirs in the north in a bid to push for an interim government.</div>
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APC added that PDP was “sponsoring the circulation of leaflets urging the people of Gombe to stay away from polling booths on election days or they will be in trouble.”</div>
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In a statement issued in Lagos on Sunday by Lai Mohammed, its spokesman, the party said “it could put anything beyond the PDP and the Jonathan administration, because of their desperation to ensure that the general election did not hold, at all costs.”</div>
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It said even the attack on Gombe on Saturday was suspect, wondering how Boko Haram insurgents would drive on the highway from Maiduguri to Gombe in a convoy of many vehicles without being spotted or stopped at the myriad of military checkpoints dotting the area.</div>
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The APC said it was curious that “the Boko Haram terrorists, who have never mentioned the elections in their regular videos on YouTube, had suddenly started campaigning against the conduct of elections”.</div>
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The party also noted that the local government elections in Yobe, one of the hotbeds of the Boko Haram insurgency, went without any incident in 2013, indicating there had not been a systematic campaign by the insurgents to attack voters.</div>
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“Part of the strategy of the PDP and the Jonathan administration is to depopulate perceived opposition strongholds through all sorts of dangerous measures, and this scaremongering, supposedly by Boko Haram, fits into that strategy. They are also the unseen hands behind the advertisement by faceless groups urging Muslims to vote for Muslim candidates. It is in line with their exploitation of religious and ethnic fault lines to divide Nigerians,” it said.</div>
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APC stated that the alarm raised by Mike Omeri, coordinator of the national information centre that some female suicide bombers might strike at polling units during the elections, also fits into the PDP and Jonathan administration’s opposition stronghold depopulation strategy.</div>
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“It is now very clear to Nigerians that the PDP-led federal government does not want the forthcoming elections to hold, because it is guaranteed a shellacking. First, the government sponsored a campaign to postpone the elections because of low PVC distribution. When they realized the number of PVCs collected was growing and that their argument might no longer be tenable, they suddenly used security as an alibi, abandoning their earlier push for the election shift on the basis of low PVC distribution,” the party argued.</div>
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“After they succeeded in forcing the postponement, they launched another campaign for the PVCs and the card readers to be jettisoned in favour of TVCs, because that will allow them to rig if indeed the elections proceed in spite of them. Those campaigning against the use of PVCs and card readers have forgotten that Ghana successfully used the same technology in its last elections, and that it is not rocket science.”</div>
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It further accused the PDP-led federal government of exhibiting the traits of election phobia by “continuing to clandestinely campaign for an interim government, even though the attorney-general of the federation and minister of justice had publicly denied such moves”.</div>
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“It is an open secret that as we write this statement, their emissary is touring the north meeting with emirs and others to push for an interim government. It has also been revealed how they plan to use the national assembly to seek tenure elongation. Never before has a sitting government been this desperate to avoid elections. This election phobia by a sitting government is a first in contemporary history,” the APC alleged.”</div>
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The party urged President Goodluck Jonathan not “to plunge Nigeria into crisis or give the country the Gbagbo treatment, all in pursuit of personal interest at the expense of national interest”.</div>
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“The plot that landed Ivory Coast under Laurent Gbagbo in hot water, and for which Gbagbo is currently cooling his heels in a holding cell at the International Criminal Court (ICC) at The Hague, was not as elaborate as that being pushed by the PDP and the Jonathan administration. That is why we are urging them to tread softly and save Nigeria from crisis,” it said.</div>
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“We know Nigerians have seen through the games being played by the PDP and the Jonathan administration. Nigerians and the entire world know those who are behind the election postponement, the myriad of court cases seeking to disqualify our presidential candidate, the ongoing efforts to depopulate opposition strongholds, the devilish advertisements seeking to use ethnicity and religion to divide Nigerians, the campaign to jettison the PVCs and card readers in favour of TVCs as well as the tenure elongation and interim government options</div>
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“That is why we are calling on all lovers of democracy to be vigilant in the run-up to the rescheduled polls, and for them to insist that nothing but the holding of the elections will be acceptable to Nigerians.”</div>

PDP, Jonathan Scaring Voters Away From Buhari’s Strongholds - APC

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused President Goodluck Jonathan and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of scaring voters away from north-eastern states where Buhari is favourite to record…

16 Feb 2015

Patience Jonathan, Gov Dickson Mourn Bayelsa Women

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<b>Wife of the President, Mrs. Patience Jonathan, and the Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, on Sunday mourned some prominent women from the state who died in a motor accident in Rivers State.</b></div>
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Although the two-paragraph statement by her spokesman, Ayo Adewuyi, did not give the circumstances surrounding the death, the Federal Road Safety Corps in Bayelsa State said the wife of the Secretary to the State Government, Elizabeth Allinson-Oguru, and 10 other women died in a ghastly road accident on Ahoada/Elele section of the East-West Road on Saturday night.</div>
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It was learnt that the deceased were coming from Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State where they had gone to pay a solidarity visit to Mrs. Jonathan.</div>
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The statement read, “The First Lady, Dame Dr. Patience Faka Jonathan wishes to commiserate with the Government and people of Bayelsa State, over the death of some prominent Bayelsa women in a motor accident around Elele in Rivers State, on their way to Bayelsa.</div>
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“The First Lady prays the Almighty God to grant the souls of the deceased eternal rest and the families the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”</div>
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The FRSC Sector Commander in the state, Mr. Vincent Jack, said on Sunday that the preliminary report released to him by his men indicated that apart from the deceased, 18 persons were injured.</div>
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He said the 11 women were killed on the Ahoada/Elele Section of the East-West Road in Rivers State on Saturday night when the bus conveying them to Bayelsa State went up in flames.</div>
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Explaining that 29 persons in three separate vehicles were involved in the road crash, Jack, who forwarded the report of the accident to newsmen on Sunday, stated that those who died in the accident were burnt beyond recognition.</div>
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Jack explained that the report showed that the accident was caused by burst tyre, adding that the injured were immediately rushed to Madonna Hospital along Elele Road by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force.</div>
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He also identified the three vehicles involved in the accident as a Toyota Hiace Bus with Registration Number GBB591FS, a Toyota Siena (ABU640AE) and a Toyota Highlander Jeep (YEN371RJ).</div>
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It was learnt that while the corpses of two of the dead women were taken to a nearby mortuary, nine others were burnt beyond recognition.</div>
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A source disclosed that some of those involved in the accident were an ex-member of the State House of Assembly from Brass Local Government and Special Adviser to Governor Seriake Dickson, Mrs. Ruby Benjamin and ex-Commissioner for Women Affairs during Timipre Sylva’s administration, Mrs. Gimbra Panowei.</div>
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Others, according to the source, are a woman Leader from Otuoke Community in Ogbia Local Government Area, Madam Consider Amadi, wife of the owner of Ayakpor International Schools, Mrs. Inamamu Ayakpor.</div>
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Mrs. Ebisinte Ayabowei, who is an ex-commissioner in the state, was said to have escaped death during the accident.</div>
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Meanwhile, the Bayelsa State Governor, Mr. Henry Seriake Dickson, on Sunday, expressed shock over the death of the wife of the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Edmond Allison-Ogoru and a group of other women in a ghastly road accident.</div>
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Dickson, who spoke through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Marson, described the incident as a monumental and painful loss to the people of the state.</div>
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“The Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson, has expressed deep pains, shock and grief over the sudden death of the wife of Professor Edmond Allison-Oguru, the Secretary to the State Government and a group of prominent Bayelsa Women in a fatal road accident along the Ahoada/Elele section of the East/West Road in Rivers State,” the statement read.</div>
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The governor also described the women that died during the accident as “our mothers and sisters,” even as he prayed God to grant their families the courage and strength to bear the losses.</div>
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The road accident, according to the governor, had forced him to suspend official engagements for three days as a mark of honour for the souls of the departed women.</div>

Patience Jonathan, Gov Dickson Mourn Bayelsa Women

Wife of the President, Mrs. Patience Jonathan, and the Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, on Sunday mourned some prominent women from the state who died in a motor accident in Rivers State. Alt…

16 Feb 2015

You're Not God, PDP Campaign Tells Obasanjo

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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizfSdlVHfOeLtCHWszSwZqb2EHy2PDQSCJh2m5vHqd7lLD70_lea04NXsZz5c00PfvGhl9hcoUS_SRr41_I0aM2_Ghq4hyphenhypheneUO0f6bgE5I5b2Jp1zsSDbmLX9AHufL01bSFe5HSjyLUvHWK/s1600/femi-kayode.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizfSdlVHfOeLtCHWszSwZqb2EHy2PDQSCJh2m5vHqd7lLD70_lea04NXsZz5c00PfvGhl9hcoUS_SRr41_I0aM2_Ghq4hyphenhypheneUO0f6bgE5I5b2Jp1zsSDbmLX9AHufL01bSFe5HSjyLUvHWK/s1600/femi-kayode.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>The Peoples Democratic Party Presidential Campaign Organisation has told former President Olusegun Obasanjo to stop playing God over his numerous criticisms of President Goodluck Jonathan.</b></div>
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The organsiation was reacting to the claim by Obasanjo that President Jonathan was planning to perpetuate himself in office.</div>
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Apart from this, the former President also accused Jonathan of planning to cause chaos if he lost the March 28 presidential election.</div>
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But the Director of Media and Publicity of the organsiation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, debunked the allegations, saying the former President under whom he served as Minister of Aviation and Special Assistant on Public Communication, was trying to play God.</div>
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Fani-Kayode, who spoke at a press briefing in Abuja on Sunday, accused his former boss of trying in vain to control President Jonathan.</div>
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He said the problem between the two members of the ruling party had nothing to do with Nigeria, and called on the former President to leave Nigeria out of the issues between him and the President.</div>
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He said, "The bottom line is this: President Obasanjo's grouse with President Jonathan is personal and it has nothing to do with Nigeria.</div>
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"He should leave Nigeria out of it and let us all be. If he has a personal score to settle with Jonathan he should not do so at the expense of the peace and stability of Nigeria.</div>
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"If he wants to stop Jonathan then let him attempt to do so through the democratic process and through the ballot box and not through foul and unconstitutional means.</div>
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"We said it before and we will say it again: gone are the days that any President can be tele-guided and controlled because we have all come of age.</div>
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"We continue to hold President Obasanjo in high esteem but his recent actions and utterances are beyond the pale. He has been unfair to Jonathan, to Nigeria and even to himself.</div>
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"Most importantly the days of intimidating others with his harsh words and overbearing influence are long over. Obasanjo is not God.</div>
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"Only God is God and He alone determines the fortunes of men and the destiny of nations."</div>
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Fani-Kayode said that after Jonathan came to power, Obasanjo did not only try to control and tele-guide the President, but he also asked him to do a number of things that he said were simply wrong and unacceptable.</div>
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Asked to tell Nigerians those issues, he refused. He merely said that the President would speak on the matter anytime he likes.</div>

You're Not God, PDP Campaign Tells Obasanjo

The Peoples Democratic Party Presidential Campaign Organisation has told former President Olusegun Obasanjo to stop playing God over his numerous criticisms of President Goodluck Jonathan. The organs…

16 Feb 2015

Save Me From Defeat, Jonathan Begs PDP Govs

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<b>Not wanting to take chances or ignore the formidable forces arrayed against him within and outside his ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the build up to the rescheduled general elections, President Goodluck Jonathan, on Friday night met stakeholders of the party.</b></div>
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The objective of the meeting was how to maximise the opportunity offered by the new poll’s date, March 28, 2015, to swing more support and votes for the second term ambition of the President.</div>
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According to Dino Melaye, former member of the House of Representatives, who first broke the news in his official tweeter handle (@dino_melaye), the meeting was attended by PDP governors, members of the party’s National Executive Committee and some key persons, including Tony Anenih, chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) and Edwin Clarke, a party leader.</div>
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“The President who spoke after lengthy discussions by participants at the meeting chaired by PDP National Chairman, Adamu Mu’azu, thanked those present particularly the governors and NEC members, assuring them of his total support.</div>
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“He appealed to the governors to stave off the impending loss at the poll and called for collaboration to ensure victory at the polls.</div>
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“We must work hard to save the party and all our contestants. It is true, the report out there calls for great concern and this is why we must use the new window in the poll shift to talk to Nigerians, woo them and even beg them where necessary,” Melaye said.</div>
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Also speaking, Chief Anenih begged the gathering to put more efforts in their various states to ensure victory in the coming election. For him: “It is either we win or perish together.”</div>
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Melaye also revealed that Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State, blamed the conspiracy by some unnamed elements, in reply to an otherwise rhetorical question by Clark as to why the President is seemly unacceptable despite all his laudable achievements.</div>
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“Please my people I beg you, this election is a must win for our president and all of us,” Chief Clark was quoted as saying.</div>
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The meeting was attended by all governors under the party’s platform, except Isa Yuguda and Sule Lamido of Bauchi and Jigawa States respectively, who were also not represented.</div>
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At the meeting, which held at the First Lady’s Conference Hall in the Presidential Villa, ending minutes after 6 a.m. on Saturday, Mu’azu was said to have lamented the way intra-party wrangling had been allowed to degenerate to the point where five governors dumped the PDP at the same time.</div>
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The governors are Murtala Nyako (Adamawa) who was subsequently impeached; Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara); Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers State); Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano); and Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto).</div>
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They were part of the group called G7 Governors in the aftermath of the elections of the now splinter Nigerian Governors Forum, dumped the party first for the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM), before moving to the All Progressives Congress (APC), the nation’s main opposition party. The other two: Dr. Babangida Aliyu and Lamido of Niger and Jigawa respectively, however, chose to stay back in the PDP at the last moment.</div>
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As the meeting progressed, Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State was said to have announced a Presidential approval for the distribution of ₦20 billion among some state governors, just as key swing states like Kano, Lagos, Rivers and Kaduna would get ₦2 billion to woo voters.</div>
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Another “₦2 billion was also set aside to buy some political and public analysts to talk more about Mr. President and his achievements over the last six years. Some TV stations such as AIT and Channels would do the job,” he added.</div>
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Those at the meeting, Melaye continued, were particularly pained by the exit of the governors of Rivers and Kano, which were PDP strongholds before now.</div>
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It was further learnt that there was a mild drama at the point when the party chairman tactically blamed the First Lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan, for allowing matters to degenerate to the point where the problem she had with Amaechi snowballed into his leaving the PDP. The intervention of Clark was said to have saved the situation from going worse.</div>
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The party’s chairman was also said to have taken a hard look at the build-up to the election and cautioned Femi Fani-Kayode, Director, Media and Publicity of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council, who was also at the meeting, and Olisa Metuh, Publicity Secretary of the party.</div>
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Melaye said both men were told that their propaganda activities seem to be having a backlash and rather making the APC candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari more popularly rather than the contrary.</div>
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“Instead of the current situation, he called for more issue based campaigns rather than attacking Buhari’s people as most of the campaign materials already churned out have done, if the PDP must get good support from the ordinary northerner.</div>
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“The meeting agreed to reduce negative adverts on Buhari, but Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti and his counterpart from Ondo saw it differently,” he noted.</div>
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Calls to the phone numbers of Metuh, the PDP spokesman, did not connect, just as short messages to his phones were not replied as at press time.</div>
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When contacted on telephone, Fani-Kayode who neither confirmed nor denied that the meeting actually held promised to return the call. When he did, he said it was not true. “No meeting of such took place,” he said.</div>
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In a phone interview with our correspondent on Sunday evening, Anenih, who allegedly arrived the meeting venue in company of Clark, denied knowledge of such a meeting, talk more of being in attendance.</div>
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He told <b>Daily Independent</b> from his Abuja base: “I am not aware of such meeting. I have been in Benin and just landed in Abuja.</div>
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<i>Chief Anenih:</i> “When was the meeting held?</div>
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<i>Daily Independent:</i> “Between Friday night and very early Saturday morning, Sir.</div>
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<i>Chief Anenih:</i> “I have been in Benin (City), I just arrived Abuja… Why not call Mu’azu…”</div>
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But another source told one of our correspondents that the meeting indeed held and that members of the PDP National Executive Committee moved from the party’s Wadata Plaza secretariat in Abuja, where they held a meeting to the Presidential Villa that Friday night.</div>

Save Me From Defeat, Jonathan Begs PDP Govs

Not wanting to take chances or ignore the formidable forces arrayed against him within and outside his ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the build up to the rescheduled general elections, Pres…

16 Feb 2015

PDP Calls For Support For INEC

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<b>The PDP has called on all political parties and other stakeholders in the electoral process to join hands with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to make the 2015 general elections a success.</b></div>
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The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Olisa Metuh, in a statement in Abuja on Sunday, said all parties must come together in the interest of the nation and ensure that measures that create the environment for credible, free and fair elections were firmly put in place.</div>
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He said, "The responsibility of building a united, strong and prosperous nation anchored on democratic principles lies on all of us collectively.</div>
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"We therefore charge all political parties, other relevant groups and all stakeholders in the electoral process to jettison all personal/group interests and put that of our nation and its people ahead of all.</div>
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"The future of our nation is determined by what we do or say at this point in time. We must therefore resolve to work together as patriotic citizens and join hands with INEC and relevant institutions of government to ensure credible, free and fair elections devoid of rancour and disagreements.</div>
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"At this point, what should be paramount is the well-being of our people and the survival of our dear nation and its democracy.</div>
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"We must therefore close ranks as brothers and sisters and resist the machinations of enemies of our country who do not wish us well."</div>
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Metuh called on the political parties to redirect their energy to issues that promote national development, reinforce unity among Nigerians and engender mutual understanding and peaceful co-existence.</div>
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Metuh said, "Nigeria is a great nation. We must appreciate the resilience of our people and their resolve to succeed.</div>
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"Indeed, we cannot afford to fail our citizens at this time of our national life. We must work hard to continue to ensure that the environment that contributed to the successes we have recorded is adequately maintained and enhanced".</div>
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He also called on INEC to gird it loins and appreciate the fact that it was "saddled with an enormous responsibility and that “Nigerians expect nothing less than a transparent electoral process".</div>
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Metuh said the commission should understand that "observations by stakeholders are not intended to castigate, weaken or destroy the electoral process but to assist in deepening democracy so that at the end of the day, Nigerians will be the ultimate winners".</div>
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Also on Sunday, the National Auditor of the PDP, Adewole Adeyanju, advised INEC to allow eligible voters to use their Temporary Voter Cards during the elections.</div>
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Adeyanju advised INEC to commence the use of the Permanent Voters Cards during the bye elections that might arise from the March 28 and April 11 polls to test its card readers.</div>

PDP Calls For Support For INEC

The PDP has called on all political parties and other stakeholders in the electoral process to join hands with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to make the 2015 general elections …

16 Feb 2015

Jonathan Set To Negotiate Soft-Landing With Buhari

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<b>The Peoples Democratic Party Presidential candidate, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan and his All Progressives Congress counterpart, Maj.Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) may meet before the March 28 presidential elections.</b></div>
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The <b><a href="http://www.punchng.com/news/jonathan-buhari-may-hold-fence-mending-meeting/">PUNCH</a></b> gathered on Sunday that the meeting which might hold outside the country was to establish rapport between the two contenders before the election.</div>
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A source close to the Presidency said, “We are trying to broker a meeting between the two leaders.</div>
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“The way the presidential electioneering is going may create serious divisions among Nigerians. We need to stop this.</div>
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"Apart from this, I think there is serious apprehension in the camp of the President that if Buhari wins, he’s going to jail a lot of President Jonathan’s supporters for alleged corruption.</div>
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"This is one of the issues that is causing serious tension in the camp of the President and we also need to make sure that in whatever we do, there must be peace in the country."</div>
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It was learnt that the claim by former President Olusegun Obasanjo that Jonathan was afraid that Buhari could jail him was real after all.</div>
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A top member of the ruling PDP, who also spoke with our correspondent on the condition of anonymity said, this fact could not be denied by the party and the Presidency.</div>
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He said, "You have listened to the press conference by our campaign office and we didn't deny that aspect. But we dealt with other issues.</div>
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"That statement by former President Obasanjo is real. It is true and we all know that. But we know that very soon, the meeting which we are hearing is being coordinated by some concerned leaders, might address that."</div>
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Obasanjo had on Saturday said, "I believe the President’s fear is particularly motivated by whom he sees as his likely successor, that is, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari. I believe people would have been telling him that Buhari is a hard man; he will fight corruption and he (Jonathan) may end up in jail if not in the grave. I think people would have told him that sort of thing and he is not the only one afraid of Buhari."</div>

Jonathan Set To Negotiate Soft-Landing With Buhari

The Peoples Democratic Party Presidential candidate, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan and his All Progressives Congress counterpart, Maj.Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) may meet before the March 28 presidential e…

16 Feb 2015

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