I’ll speak at the right time, says Jonathan

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1Gqc2Z3" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><img border="0" src="http://ift.tt/1Gqc2Z3"/> </b> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><b><br/> </b> <b>President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday promised to break his silence on his experience in office and other sundry issues at the appropriate time.</b><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He however did not give any indication on when the appropriate time would be.<br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Jonathan made the promise when State House correspondents approached him for interview at the end of the Good Friday Service organised by the Aso Villa Chapel.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“Don’t worry, I will talk to you at the appropriate time,” the President said amidst smile as he made his way from the chapel to his official residence.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He was accompanied to the about three-hour service that featured the Seven Words of Christ on the Cross by Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State; and the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christians Pilgrims Commission, Mr. John-Kennedy Okpara.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The seven short exhortations that accompanied the seven lessons all centred on the sacrifice the preachers said Jonathan made to keep the county united.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />They likened his decision to concede defeat in last Saturday’s presidential election and congratulate the President-elect, Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), of the All Progressives Congress, to the sacrifice Jesus Christ made to save mankind.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />All the preachers agreed that that bold step, taken by the President at the appropriate time, was commendable.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />They urged him to remain focused because his future is in the hands of God.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“This man (Jonathan) said here that he is the most criticised President and he prophesied that by the time he will be leaving, he will be the most celebrated President. That has come to pass with the way he is being celebrated worldwide for conceding defeat,” one of the clergymen, who led intercessory prayers, said.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The service also featured renditions of special hymns as well as intercessory prayers for the President, for peace and for the country at large.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Apart from Dickson and Okpara, the Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission, Mrs. Joan Ayo; Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria, Mr. Ima Niboro; and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Power, Ambassador Godknows Igali, also attended the service.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Wife of the President, Patience; and his mother, Eunice, were however absent.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Both of them had hitherto been accompanying Jonathan to such service.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The service saw only the first three rows of both sides of the chapel occupied by worshippers.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

I’ll speak at the right time, says Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday promised to break his silence on his experience in office and other sundry issues at the appropri...

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Three burnt to death in Kwali auto crash

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1NHvuRq" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://ift.tt/1NHvuRq" width="400"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Three female passengers were on Friday burnt to death in an automobile accident along Abuja-Lokoja road.<br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Sector Commander in the FCT, Mrs Susan Ajenge, confirmed the report on Friday in Abuja.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Ajenge said that the accident involved a Peugeot 505 Station Wagon and Toyota Corolla vehicles.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />She said that the two vehicles burst into flames after crashing into each other near the SHEDA Research Centre at Yan-Goji , Kwalli area council in the FCT.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The commander attributed the mishap to dangerous overtaking and warned motorist against reckless driving.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Corpses of the burnt victims have been deposited at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH), Gwagwalada, where the survivors are also receiving treatment, she said.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Ajenge urged relatives to check for their loved ones at the UATH. (NAN)<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

Three burnt to death in Kwali auto crash

Three female passengers were on Friday burnt to death in an automobile accident along Abuja-Lokoja road. The Federal Road Safety Corps (F...

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Militant group claims responsibility for Delta pipeline explosion

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br/><br /><br/><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1DwqBuZ" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" src="http://ift.tt/1DwqBuZ" width="320"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />An Urhobo militant group, Urhobo Gbagbako, on Friday claimed responsibility for Thursday night’s bombing of the NPDC Oil pipelines at Ighrenene, Afiesere and Ekiugbo communities in Delta State.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The group, which made the claims in an email sent to some reporters, said it is also planning to shut down all the oil fields in Urhobo and Isoko areas.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The email signed by the group’s s spokesperson, Priest Omodjuvwu, said the bombing of the Ekiugbo/Ighrenene/Afiesere was to draw attention to the neglect of ex-militants of Urhobo extraction.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />It said the Urhobo had been sidelined in the pipelines protection contracts offered to ex-militants from other ethnic groups and they now want to show that they too had the capacity to cause trouble if ignored.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The group said it had sent warning signals to the NPDC and the federal government on the pipeline surveillance contracts, which had excluded the Urhobo.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Urhobo Gbagbako however dissociated itself from media reports about a 14-day ultimatum given to the federal government and NPDC on the oil pipeline surveillance contracts.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“We have now resumed attack on the NPDC pipeline facilities on a massive scale, which scale of bombings shall be unprecedented,” the email said.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The group said the attacks will continue until the Urhobo got what rightly belonged to them.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />It explained that Urhobo Gbagbako Group is a militia group of all ex-militants, youths, women and elders of Urhobo origin.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

Militant group claims responsibility for Delta pipeline explosion

An Urhobo militant group, Urhobo Gbagbako, on Friday claimed responsibility for Thursday night’s bombing of the NPDC Oil pipelines at Ighr...

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Gunmen scouted Kenya campus before attack – Survivor

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><img border="0" height="243" src="http://ift.tt/1NNfP57" width="400"/> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Al-shabab gunmen who killed 148 people at Garissa University College in Kenya as they shouted “God is great” appeared to have planned extensively, even targeting a site where Christians had gone to pray, survivors have said.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />One of the first things the fighters did when they attacked the campus early on Thursday, survivor Helen Titus said, was to head for a lecture hall where Christians were in early morning prayer. Al-Shabab is a Somalia-based armed group with ties to al-Qaeda.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“They investigated our area. They knew everything,” Helen Titus told the Associated Press at a hospital in Garissa where she was being treated for a bullet wound to the wrist. Officials said 79 people were wounded.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Titus, a 21-year-old English literature student, said she covered her face and hair with the blood of classmates and lay still at one point, pretending to be dead.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Al Jazeera’s Malcolm Webb, reporting from outside the campus, said bodies had been taken to the capital Nairobi and that relatives of the victims had been told to collect them.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“Forensic investigations have been going on [at the campus] and people have been waiting to learn more about what exactly happened,” he said.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Police on Friday were at the campus, taking fingerprints from the bodies of the four assailants and of the students and security officials who died, for thorough identification purposes. The northeastern Kenyan town lacks the facilities to store all the bodies.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The interior ministry revised the death toll on Friday, saying 148 people had been killed. They included 142 students, three policemen and three soldiers.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Thursday’s attack, in which all four assailants were killed, was the deadliest on Kenya’s soil since the 1998 bombing of the US embassy in Nairobi, which killed more than 200 people.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Al-Shabab is also blamed for the siege on a shopping mall in Nairobi in September 2013, which killed 67 people.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />(Al Jazeera)<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

Gunmen scouted Kenya campus before attack – Survivor

Al-shabab gunmen who killed 148 people at Garissa University College in Kenya as they shouted “God is great” appeared to have planned exte...

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Second black box indicates Alps crash was deliberate

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br/><br /><br/><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1NNfP53" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="http://ift.tt/1NNfP53" width="400"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Data from the second black box found in the wreckage of the Germanwings flight that crashed last week in the French Alps confirm the co-pilot acted deliberately, investigators said.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“A first reading shows that the pilot in the cockpit used the automatic pilot to descend the plane towards an altitude of 100 feet (30 metres),” said the French BEA crash investigation office in a statement on Friday.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“Then, several times during the descent, the pilot changed the automatic pilot settings to increase the aircraft’s speed,” added the investigators.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The latest information appeared to confirm the theory that co-pilot Andreas Lubitz deliberately smashed his plane into the mountains, killing all 150 people on board.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Authorities found the second black box, which contains technical flight data, on Thursday after a gruelling nine-day search in difficult mountain terrain.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Data from the first black box, which records conversations in the cockpit, suggested that Lubitz, 27, locked his captain out and then deliberately set the plane on a deadly collision course with the mountains.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The plane smashed into the mountains at a speed of 700km an hour, instantly killing everyone on board – half of them German and more than 50 from Spain.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />It emerged on Thursday that Lubitz had searched online for information about suicide and cockpit doors.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />German prosecutors have said Lubitz was diagnosed as suicidal “several years ago”, before he became a pilot.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

Second black box indicates Alps crash was deliberate

Data from the second black box found in the wreckage of the Germanwings flight that crashed last week in the French Alps confirm the co-pi...

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LAGOS GOVERNORSHIP ELECTIONS: 10 candidates step down for APC’s Ambode

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1GqcyX2" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="314" src="http://ift.tt/1GqcyX2" width="640"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><b>Governorship candidates of 10 opposition political parties in Lagos State on Friday dropped their ambitions to contest the April 11 governorship elections in the state.</b><br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The candidates in the presence of their party chairmen, however, declared their total support for Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />They also directed all their supporters to vote for Ambode during the governorship and State House of Assembly elections on April 11.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The parties and their candidates are Accord Party, Mr Adeshina Buruji; Independent Democrats, Mr Obadia Akinola; Action Alliance, Mr Ishola Aregbesola; and Allied Congress Party of Nigeria‎, Mr Babatunde Sarumi.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Others include the African People’s Alliance, Mr Abiodun Oyegunle; KOWA Party, Mr Victor Adeniji; All Progressives Grand Alliance, Mr Adeshina Olayokun; NNPP, Mr Sesan Olatunde; the Citizens Popular Party, Mr Sylvester Eze; and the Progressives People’s Alliance, Mrs Pauline Ojochide.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Mr Obadia Akinola, the governorship candidate of the Independent Democrats, spoke on behalf of the other candidates at the declaration event in Lagos.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Akinola said the decision was taken in the interests of the people of Lagos State.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“What we are saying is that we, the 10 undersigned governorship candidates, have shelved our individual governorship ambitions and aspirations as we unanimously give our unwavering solidarity to work together with Ambode of the APC,” Akinola said.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

LAGOS GOVERNORSHIP ELECTIONS: 10 candidates step down for APC’s Ambode

Governorship candidates of 10 opposition political parties in Lagos State on Friday dropped their ambitions to contest the April 11 govern...

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Shell denies shutting down operations

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1Gqc03r" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="181" src="http://ift.tt/1Gqc03r" width="400"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The Management of Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria has denied reports that it shut down its flow stations in Bayelsa State owing to fears of attack by aggrieved militants.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The SPDC’s spokesperson, Mr Joseph Obari, told the News Agency of Nigeria on Friday that the operations of the oil firm were running but declined further details.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“Our operations are continuing and we will not comment on security issues.” he said.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The reports had alleged that the oil firm acted to forestall attacks by militants aggrieved by President Goodluck Jonathan’s loss in the March 28, 2015 presidential poll.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Tunu and Bensede Kussi flow stations operated by SPDC in Southern Ijaw and Kolokumo/Opokum Local Government Areas Bayelsa were allegedly shut down due to security concerns.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />However, NAN sources at the Tunu flow station within SPDC’s oil fields in Bayelsa State confirmed that the facility was shut down for operational reasons.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The source, who pleaded anonymity, said the shutdown had nothing to do with anticipated attack by militants.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“Tunu flow station was shut down for operational reasons not because of threat by ex-militants.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“Can we not shut down for operational reasons, what is the big deal if Tunu station is closed down for operational reasons ? I cannot understand why they are eager to drag Shell into all these,” he added.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />(NAN)<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

Shell denies shutting down operations

The Management of Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria has denied reports that it shut down its flow stations in Bayelsa State o...

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Governor Ayo Fayose imposes curfew on Ekiti over Buhari's win

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><img border="0" height="240" src="http://ift.tt/19zvuWs" width="400"/> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><span style='font-size: large;'><b>Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State has imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew on the state.</b> </span><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Fayose declared the curfew today, March 31, in a statewide broadcast from Ado Ekiti, the state capital.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The Governor reportedly stated that the curfew, which would be in effect from 7.30pm and 6.00am, was necessary in order to prevent violence as a result of the recently announced Presidential election results.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential candidate, Muhammadu Buhari has emerged winner of the elections which held on Saturday, March 28 and Sunday, 29.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Fayose, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has frequently attacked Buhari but today, March 31 called on Nigerians to accept the results as the will of God.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

Governor Ayo Fayose imposes curfew on Ekiti over Buhari's win

Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State has imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew on the state. Fayose declared the curfew today, March 31, in a statew...

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Nigerians have made history through the ballot – APC

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br/><br /><br/><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1bOh6es" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="142" src="http://ift.tt/1bOh6es" width="400"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><b><span style='font-size: large;'>The National Publicity Secretary of All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Lai Mohammed, on Tuesday said Nigerians had made history through the ballot box.</span> </b><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Mohammed made the statement in Abuja at the APC secretariat while fielding questions from newsmen.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />According to him, by voting into power someone not in government, Nigerians have reclaimed their power at the polls.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />”I think it’s first of all victory to all Nigerians; we are all here on the verge of history, this is the first time in the political history of Nigeria that a government in power would lose an election via the ballot box.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />”This also sends a strong message to the incoming government that the people have reclaimed their ballot.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />”People have reclaimed their rights and they would punish any government who fails to do their expectations,” Mohammed said.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He said further that Gen. Muhammadu Buhari’s victory across the zones was due to the selflessness of the party leaders.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Mohammed added that the merger of various political parties was another reason for the victory.<br/><br /><br/><br />”Buhari won across the zones, we thank our leaders who thought it fit to come to a merger.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />”Before now, we were in ANPP, CPC and ACN but our leaders made that bold sacrifice, dropped their personal ambitions and agreed at a merger and gave us a broader platform.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />”A platform that was national in outreach and for the first time in Nigeria, we had a truly pan-Nigerian political party,” he added.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The party’s spokesman pointed out that Buhari’s victory was made possible because of the issues that defined the election.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />”The issues that defined Buhari’s win across the zones were corruption, ineptitude, bad economy and insecurity and in him they (electorate) found these qualities,’’ he said.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Also, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Aminu Tambuwal, said, ”we are all full of thanksgiving to God about the happenings in the country.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

Nigerians have made history through the ballot – APC

The National Publicity Secretary of All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Lai Mohammed, on Tuesday said Nigerians had made history throu...

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‘We are not under pressure to declare elections inconclusive’ - Jega

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><b><br/> </b><br/><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1CngnJJ" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="http://ift.tt/1CngnJJ" width="640"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><b><br/> </b> <b><br/> </b> <b>Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Atahiru Jega has said the commission is not under any pressure to declare the elections as inconclusive.</b><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Jega made this known while fielding questions from journalist during a press briefing on the election situation at the INEC headquarters in Abuja.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He said: “we are not under any pressure to declare inconclusive the elections,” noting that he would be surprised if any of the candidates would be interested in that, but rather prefer to be declared winners.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Jega also said out of 150 thousand card readers utilized for the elections only 374 did not work which represents .025 percent of the total number, saying it was a tremendous achievement.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He confirmed that INEC has received a letter from the APC in Rivers State calling for the cancellation and rescheduling of the state election.<br/><br /><br/><br />Jega said the Commission has commenced investigation but no decision has as yet been made, noting that the commission is concerned about what seems to be happening in Rivers state where there are many allegations of malpractices.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He added that INEC will investigate allegations of other malpractices and accusation of INEC staff colluding with politicians to commit electoral fraud, stating that INEC will take action.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Jega who declared that the elections were successful said INEC would improve in the April elections, however, admitting that: “there were lapses much more than we ourselves anticipated.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Asked about military cordoning polling units in some states in the south east and South-South, Jega said he has not received any petition or information on the allegation, pointing out that INEC several levels of monitors in the regions.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Jega said the Commission hopes to keep to earlier promise of announcing elections results within 48 hours after elections, starting from the end of elections in most areas last night.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

‘We are not under pressure to declare elections inconclusive’ - Jega

Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Atahiru Jega has said the commission is not under any pressure to de...

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Presidential Election: Jonathan begs North for votes

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1E6wpLB" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="http://ift.tt/1E6wpLB" width="640"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><span style='font-size: large;'><b>President Goodluck Jonathan has begged the North, specifically the North-East geo-political zone, to support and vote for him on Saturday.</b> </span><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Jonathan in a letter titled, ‘My dear Arewa brothers and sisters’, which he personally signed, said it would be unfair for anyone to blame him for the Boko Haram menace which resulted in the death of over 15,000 Nigerians.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The President admitted that his administration initially underestimated the menace and that was why the terrorists were able to kill many Nigerians.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He added that the menace was compounded by the lack of equipment.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The President, however, said the successes recorded by the Armed Forces in the last six weeks showed that he was indeed capable of curbing terrorism. He, therefore, called on northerners to vote for him in order to perfect the work he had started.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He said, “I do understand that my first duty to you at this time is to rid the entire North of the menace of Boko Haram and secure your lives and property. You and I know that nothing in Nigeria’s past prepared us for the unprecedented reign of unmitigated terror, mayhem and destruction which these murderous terrorists have visited on parts of our country.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“The initial slowness in effectively responding to the threat was as a result of the asymmetrical nature of the war on terror and the need for us to properly equip our security agencies for the successful prosecution of the war.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“Given the recent successes recorded by our Armed Forces with your cooperation and patriotic support, the cooperation of our neighbours as well as the laudable gallantry of security agents, I am confident that in the shortest possible time, the menace of Boko Haram would have been eliminated for good.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Jonathan’s inability to curb terrorism had made him very unpopular in some northern states to the extent that he was stoned in some of the states while he was campaigning.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Jonathan said he and the people of the South-South geo-political zone supported his late predecessor, Umaru Yar’Adua who was from the North.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He, therefore, urged them to do the same for him.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He said, “Because Nigeria today is in desperate need of stability, I plead with you to join me in building on the foundation of the traditional alliance between us which has always served to keep Nigeria one strong, united and prosperous nation,” he said.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The soaring popularity of Jonathan’s main rival, Maj.Gen Muhammadu Buhari (retd), of the All Progressives Congress, among the Arewa community seems to have jolted the President.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The Vice President, Namadi Sambo, also met northerners in Lagos on Thursday to beg them to vote for Jonathan for the sake of national peace and unity.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Incidentally, the wife of the President, Patience Jonathan, who has been campaigning for her husband, has avoided visiting the North-West and the North-East.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

Presidential Election: Jonathan begs North for votes

President Goodluck Jonathan has begged the North, specifically the North-East geo-political zone, to support and vote for him on Saturday....

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Don’t celebrate people with ill-gotten wealth - Jonathan urges Nigerians

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1HokIRr" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://ift.tt/1HokIRr" width="400"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><b><br/> </b> <b>President Goodluck Jonathan has urged Nigerians to stop celebrating people with ill-gotten wealth in order to discourage corruption in the country.</b><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Jonathan, who participated in the Presidential Debate organised by the Nigeria Elections Debate Group (NEDG) on Sunday in Abuja, said Nigerians should change their attitude towards primitive accumulation of wealth.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He said that his government has introduced e-payment system in the country to stop the flow of raw cash and diversion of funds to reduce embezzlement.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Jonathan said the method he used in fighting corruption was prevention, strengthening of institutions and re-orientation of the people.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“Nigerians should change their mentality and condemn people with ill-gotten wealth.<br/><br /><br/><br />“What we see is a situation where somebody gets wealth illegally and goes to his village and they give him a chieftaincy title.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“In the government circle, we used the IPPIS; no more use of raw cash; it cuts across all sectors and in that case you stop people from stealing public fund.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />According to Jonathan, the government has tackled irregularities that characterised the supply of fertiliser to Nigerian farmers.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />On corruption, the presidential candidate of National Conscience Party, Mr Martins Onovo, said that no meaningful development would be achieved if corruption was not tackled.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Contributing, Chekwas Okorie, the presidential candidate of the United Progressives Party (UPP) said that the fight against corruption must start from the top and that leaders must lead by personal example.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“Assets declaration will be compulsory and made public and should be reviewed yearly.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“Security votes must be tied to only security matters and must be accounted for<br/><br /><br/><br />“Immunity must be limited to civil matters and all criminals must be tried.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Prof. Oluremi Sonaiya, the presidential candidate of KOWA Party, said that public office should be made less attractive by making the holders to earn normal salaries.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

Don’t celebrate people with ill-gotten wealth - Jonathan urges Nigerians

President Goodluck Jonathan has urged Nigerians to stop celebrating people with ill-gotten wealth in order to discourage corruption in t...

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PDP planning to compromise voting materials – Ekiti APC

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><b><br/> </b><br/><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1MYm5GO" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="156" src="http://ift.tt/1MYm5GO" width="400"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><b><br/> </b> <b>The All Progressives Congress in Ekiti State has said ‎it has uncovered a plot by the state leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party to compromise voting materials in favour of President Goodluck Jonathan.</b><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />It asked the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Professor Attahiru Jega, and all election monitors to put Ekiti State under special watch to forestall electoral fraud.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />A statement by the Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatubosun, on Sunday said‎ the allegation could not be ignored considering the latest revelations in a leaked audio file that INEC materials were allegedly compromised by PDP in June 21 Ekiti governorship poll to favour its then candidate, Ayodele Fayose.<br/><br /><br/><br />‎<br/><br /><br/><br />Olatubosun said, “Our fear is not without basis. Nigerians and indeed the whole world have heard Fayose talking on Ekitigate tape about how he collected INEC soft copies and got them printed to manipulate the poll to secure victory. They also heard how the military provided cover to subvert democracy in Fayose’s favour.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“We are calling on Jega that we have it on good authority that Fayose has again printed fake ballot papers as usual to exchange with INEC original ballots on Friday night preceding election day.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Olatubosun alleged that the plan was to exchange the ballot papers in the night of Friday March 27 just as it was done in the night of Friday June 20, 2015.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He urged Jega, INEC officials and security agents to ensure that ballot papers were not distributed at night, pleading that the distribution be done in the morning in the presence of party agents.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He added that Jega should put his staff under intense surveillance to avoid compromise with polls riggers.<br/><br /><br/><br />The APC also alleged that Governor Ayodele Fayose, his Ondo State ally and their agents were in possession of fake army uniforms to be worn by the thugs allegedly imported into the state three weeks ago.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Fayose has repeatedly denied sewing fake military and police uniforms.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />According to Olatubosun, the thugs in security outfits are to be unleashed on APC leaders and candidates from Thursday.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“Part of the plan is also to start hijacking money allocated to each polling unit on Friday night by Fayose’s fake soldiers who are actually PDP thugs,” Olatubosun said.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

PDP planning to compromise voting materials – Ekiti APC

The All Progressives Congress in Ekiti State has said ‎it has uncovered a plot by the state leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party to ...

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Maiduguri blasts death toll rises to 62

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1BWPkGE" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="http://ift.tt/1BWPkGE" width="640"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><b><br/> </b> <b><br/> </b> <b>The death toll in Saturday’s multiple bomb attacks on Maiduguri rose to 62 on Sunday as four persons, who were injured in the explosions, lost the battle to stay alive, a hospital source told our correspondent.</b><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Commissioner of Police in Borno State, Clement Adoda, had said after the explosions at three spots in the town — two markets and a motor park — that 58 persons died while 139 persons were injured in the attacks.<br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />A source, who spoke to our correspondent on Sunday, said, “Due to the gravity of injuries of some victims brought to the hospital yesterday (Saturday), having lost so much blood, three of the injured were lost overnight. Another one was lost this morning before the medical routine checks by the medical doctor on duty.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The source, a nurse, who spoke on Sunday evening to our correspondent, said, “We are presently observing the case of one of the victims, who is in critical situation and will need a miracle to survive.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“Apart from these isolated cases, majority of the victims have been treated and discharged and have since gone home.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />In a similar development, there was another bomb attack on a market in Borno State, where five persons were said to have been killed on Sunday, a member of the youth vigilante group, who craved anonymity, told our correspondent on the telephone.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He said, “The insurgents planted a bomb at the Beneisheikh market around 10am on Sunday. This led to the death of five persons while 15 others were injured.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“Today, being the market day of Benisheikh here, villagers do come to buy and sell grains and others goods but they had bad news to tell as a bomb, suspected to be planted by a suspected Boko Haram insurgent, exploded.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He said the casualty could have been higher if the bomb had been planted within the market.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />A resident of Beneisheikh, Modu Gana, told our correspondent, “We saw the dead bodies being conveyed to Beneisheikh hospital and those wounded were assisted by the civilian JTF to the hospital.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

Maiduguri blasts death toll rises to 62

The death toll in Saturday’s multiple bomb attacks on Maiduguri rose to 62 on Sunday as four persons, who were injured in the explosio...

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PDP’s war accusation against Buhari felonious – APC campaigners

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br/><br /><br/><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1BWPj5F" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://ift.tt/1BWPj5F" width="400"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign on Sunday described as felonious, claims by the Peoples Democratic Party Presidential Campaign, which seems to call to question Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari’s commitment to Nigeria.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The APC campaign dismissed questions raised about the civil war role and commitment to the nation of its Presidential candidate.<br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />This was contained in a statement by the Directorate of Media and Publicity of the APC Campaign, Mallam Garba Shehu.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Shehu described the PDP as questioning the “the continued existence of Nigeria as single entity.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He added, “This is nothing short of treason. It rocks the foundation of the oneness of Nigeria, its constitution, its flag and desecrates the blood of fellow citizens, who fought on both sides of the war as part of their commitment to one, united nation.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He dismissed the PDP’s attack on Buhari’s illustrious war record and inspiring patriotism as “a grim pointer to the desperation by the President to return even if in the process, he causes a permanent damage to the well being and continued existence of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Shehu accused the PDP of riding roughshod over the emotions of the Nigerian peoples, saying the latest statement beamed an unflattering light on the PDP and its government and lent credence to those who accused the ruling party of having lost interest in the unity of Nigeria.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The APC noted in the statement that the world history had shown that in the process of the development of any nation, challenges bordering on national unity always crop up.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The statement added, “This is the case with most developed nations. Take the United States of America for example, the civil war they fought did not decimate the nation but rather set up the base for unified development. Today, we all know how great the United States is.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“So, as it happened there, we, Nigeria as a nation, equally faced this type of challenge. We had to take actions, difficult as they were, to ensure peace, unity and progress. As a soldier of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Buhari’s participation in efforts to keep the country together was not because he loved the Igbos less but because it was imperative that we develop as a unified nation.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“Today, we are all here because of the sacrifices of our past heroes. Buhari, as a person, believes that these sacrifices should not be in vain; that we should build on our gains as a unified country on the pains of the past.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“Neither as Igbo, Hausa, Efik, Yoruba, Ijaw and Fulani, among other tribes, but as brothers and sisters unified in the vision of a greater future for our children.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

PDP’s war accusation against Buhari felonious – APC campaigners

The All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign on Sunday described as felonious, claims by the Peoples Democratic Party Presidential ...

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IN PICTURES: Obasanjo Plays Football To Celebrate His Birthday, Scores Two Goals

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><b><br/> </b><br/><br /><br/><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1zKXoEI" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="364" src="http://ift.tt/1zKXoEI" width="640"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><b><br/> </b> <b>Former Nigeria’s President Olusegun Obasanjo on Wednesday, March 4th, showed his soccer skills as he captained OBJ football team in a soccer duel with the Ogun State Executive Team, led by the governor Senator Ibikunle Amosun.</b><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Ex-president wore T-shirt with number of his years, 78.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a href="http://ift.tt/1KleFPW" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" src="http://ift.tt/1KleFPW" width="640"/> </a> Obasanjo who was the skipper for his team showed some adeptness on the field of play and scored the two goals while the Special Assistant to the governor on Special Duties scored the only goal for the government team.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1zKXoV1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="427" src="http://ift.tt/1zKXoV1" width="640"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><table align='center' cellpadding='0' cellspacing='0' class='tr-caption-container' style='margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;'><br /><tbody><br /><tr><br /><td style='text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1KleFPY" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://ift.tt/1KleFPY" width="640"/> </a> </td><br /></tr><br /><tr><br /><td class='tr-caption' style='text-align: center;'><span style='font-size: small;'>Obasanjo scoring his first goal</span> </td><br /></tr><br /></tbody><br /></table><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Ibikunle Amosun was honoured as the most valuable player of the match, while Mr. Obasanjo won the Golden boot award and Akin Mabogunje got award of Best Goalkeeper of the encounter.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><table align='center' cellpadding='0' cellspacing='0' class='tr-caption-container' style='margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;'><br /><tbody><br /><tr><br /><td style='text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1zKXoV6" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://ift.tt/1zKXoV6" width="640"/> </a> </td><br /></tr><br /><tr><br /><td class='tr-caption' style='text-align: center;'><span style='font-size: small;'>Obasanjo breezing past his marker like Lionel Messi</span> </td><br /></tr><br /></tbody><br /></table><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Speaking to journalists after the match, ex-president expressed contentment over the match. He said sports is an essential exercise for both the old and the young.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He said: “I am satisfied and fulfilled, even at my age I cherish sport, because it is relevant to health and we should all endeavour to engage in sporting activities”.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><table align='center' cellpadding='0' cellspacing='0' class='tr-caption-container' style='margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;'><br /><tbody><br /><tr><br /><td style='text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1zKXoV8" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://ift.tt/1zKXoV8" width="640"/> </a> </td><br /></tr><br /><tr><br /><td class='tr-caption' style='text-align: center;'><span style='font-size: small;'>Obasanjo scoring his second goal</span> </td><br /></tr><br /></tbody><br /></table><br /><br/><br />Chief Obasanjo was born on March 5th, 1938.He served as a military ruler from 13 February 1976 to 1 October 1979 and as a democratically elected president from 29 May 1999 to 29 May 2007.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1KleIv9" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://ift.tt/1KleIv9" width="640"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br />Mr. Obasanjo recently left the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, and has publicly shown support for General Muhammed Buhari of the APC<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

IN PICTURES: Obasanjo Plays Football To Celebrate His Birthday, Scores Two Goals

Former Nigeria’s President Olusegun Obasanjo on Wednesday, March 4th, showed his soccer skills as he captained OBJ football team in a s...

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IN PICTURES: President Jonathan wears military uniform as he visits Nigerian troops in Baga, Mubi

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1Axnccc" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://ift.tt/1Axnccc" width="640"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />In a bid to boast the moral of the Nigerian troops currently battling the Boko Haram sect in North-Eastern Nigeria, President Jonathan on Thursday visited in Mubi, Adamawa State and Baga, Borno State where he met with the troops who are fighting Boko Haram.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He applauded the troops for recapturing territories formerly held by insurgents. He said that he and all Nigerians were very proud of the bravery, competence and patriotism with which they were now undertaking operations to expel the insurgents from all parts of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa state.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />More pictures below...<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1Df9K9Y" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://ift.tt/1Df9K9Y" width="640"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1Df9Ka0" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="544" src="http://ift.tt/1Df9Ka0" width="640"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1Df9Jmr" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="636" src="http://ift.tt/1Df9Jmr" width="640"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1AxnbEX" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="594" src="http://ift.tt/1AxnbEX" width="640"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1Df9Ka2" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="626" src="http://ift.tt/1Df9Ka2" width="640"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1Axncsw" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="636" src="http://ift.tt/1Axncsw" width="640"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1AxnbF1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://ift.tt/1AxnbF1" width="640"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1Df9Ka6" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://ift.tt/1Df9Ka6" width="640"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

IN PICTURES: President Jonathan wears military uniform as he visits Nigerian troops in Baga, Mubi

In a bid to boast the moral of the Nigerian troops currently battling the Boko Haram sect in North-Eastern Nigeria, President Jonathan on ...

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FIFA Rankings: Super Eagles now ranked 42nd in the world

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1zbjmBl" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="284" src="http://ift.tt/1zbjmBl" width="640"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><b>The Super Eagles moved up one place in the monthly FIFA ranking despite not participating in grade A games last month.</b><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The Super Eagles are now ranked 42nd in the world and 7th in Africa after accumulating 664 points .<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Nigeria missed out on the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea, failing to defend their title and also not being able to garner points accrual from the tournament.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />However, Nigeria’s homebased Eagles played two friendly matches last month in Dubai, losing 1-0 to Ivory Coast and beating Yemen 2-0, with the matches aimed at making up for the team’s inactivity in January.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Meanwhile, the top three teams in Africa remained unchanged: Algeria, Ivory Coast and Ghana in that order.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Ghana by virtue of reaching the finals of the Nations Cup tournament moved twelve places in the overall world rankings to 25th position. While Ivory Coast who won the 2015 Nations Cup title are now 20th in the world.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Despite crashing out in the quarterfinals, Algeria is still the highest ranked African team in 18th position.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Equatorial Guinea who finished fourth at the 2015 African football showpiece are the highest movers after climbing 69 places up the ladder to the 49th position in the world.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />There is no change in the top seven positions, with Germany, Argentina and Colombia still the top three teams in the world.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

FIFA Rankings: Super Eagles now ranked 42nd in the world

The Super Eagles moved up one place in the monthly FIFA ranking despite not participating in grade A games last month. The Super Eagles ar...

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Gov. Aliyu bans deputy gov from cabinet meetings

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><b><br/> </b><br/><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1J4wbaF" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="http://ift.tt/1J4wbaF" width="640"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><b><br/> </b> <b>Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State has ordered his deputy, Alhaji Ahmed Ibeto, to stop attending the state executive council meetings following his defection from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress.</b><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The governor claimed that Ibeto had called him a thief in one of the APC campaign rallies in the state.<br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />It was learnt that the governor, in his opening remark before the commencement of the regular weekly state executive council meeting on Wednesday at Government House, Minna, said he would not chair a council where the deputy governor would be seated but be excused out of the chambers.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Ibeto was said to have parked his valuables out of the office when he got feelers that his boss would not have anything to do with him at the council.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Israel Ebije, on Thursday said the Deputy Governor sought and was granted permission to stay away from state executive council meetings, adding that he would have access to all the entitlements of his office.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />It said, “The deputy Governor, Ahmed Musa Ibeto, asked council to excuse him from Wednesday’s meeting when issues concerning the general elections were presented. He is now in the opposition and the right thing to d, based on moral grounds, was to leave the meeting.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“The Deputy Governor is smart enough to realise he cannot sit in council and listen to political strategies of the PDP and be seen either as a mole for the APC or as an unnecessary distraction. It is clear he cannot operate within the reasoning of the PDP-led council, hence, he had to take the most honorable decision.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Ibeto, however, described the statement as total falsehood, which did not represent the true picture of what had transpired at the council.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The deputy governor said, “If this statement is coming from government, let me react. It is not true that I excused myself. When I received notification of the council meeting of yesterday(Wednesday), I went as usual. But before the council started, the governor, in his opening remarks, said people and members of the executive council were aware that I had defected from the PDP to APC, and that we had gone on campaign round the state.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“He said that he had the information and clips that I called him a thief and that he would not preside over the council where I am seated.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Ibeto said the governor said he was no longer sure that the deputy governor would not use council deliberations against the PDP government.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“I objected and explained that I have never called him a thief and that everywhere we go, people always wanted to know why I defected to APC and I have been telling them I left PDP because of the injustice in the party,” he said.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

Gov. Aliyu bans deputy gov from cabinet meetings

Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State has ordered his deputy, Alhaji Ahmed Ibeto, to stop attending the state executive council meeti...

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‘Stop your tales by moonlight’ - Amaechi rubbishes Wike’s allegations

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><b><br/> </b><br/><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1J4wdPy" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://ift.tt/1J4wdPy" width="640"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><b><br/> </b> <b>The Rivers State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, on Thursday described as bogus and ‘tales by moonlight’ the claim by the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state, Chief Nyesom Wike, about government expenditure in the state.</b><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Wike had accused Amaechi of running the “most corrupt regime” in the country, alleging that the governor had, between January and November 2014, squandered over N298bn that accrued to the state from the Federation Accounts and loans obtained from various commercial banks.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The PDP governorship candidate also alleged that between December 2014 and January 2015, the governor, through the Government House and the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, expended N11bn believed to have been channelled to the Buhari Campaign Organisation.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />But Amaechi, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. David Iyofor, said Wike’s verbal attack during his recent campaign rallies in Port Harcourt and Obio-Akpor were outright lies aimed at deceiving the public.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He said, “It (Wike’s claim) is a failed attempt to tarnish his (Amaechi’s) sparkling image. But he (Wike) should know by now that the people are not gullible and know that Wike is rather an embodiment of corruption and everything that is wrong with our country.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The governor urged the people of the state and Nigerians in general to disregard Wike’s allegations, even as he described the former minister as a drowning man, desperate to score cheap political points by falsifying figures and spreading falsehood.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />It read, “That Governor Amaechi run a transparent, accountable administration has never been in doubt. Everything about the income and expenditure of this government is in the public domain and have never been shrouded in secrecy. So, Wike’s ignominious attempt to dish out cooked figures will never fly.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“Is Amaechi a candidate in the governorship election? Why has Wike insisted on campaigning against someone that is not a candidate? Is Wike clearly telling the public that he is no match for the APC governorship candidate, Dakuku Peterside, and the only way to divert attention is to keep making wild, spurious claims?<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“Of course, it is glaring that the All Progressives Congress candidate, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, is by far, a better choice than Wike. The two can’t be compared in terms character, attitude, performance and achievements in public service.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“As supervising minister for education, Wike drove the Nigerian education sector to comatose. Universities and polytechnics across the country were on strike for months. He is known for squandering public funds on frivolous, selfish activities.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

‘Stop your tales by moonlight’ - Amaechi rubbishes Wike’s allegations

The Rivers State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, on Thursday described as bogus and ‘tales by moonlight’ the claim by the governorship ca...

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