REVEALED: How South African king sparked xenophobic attacks on Nigerians, others

<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/1G6NS7y" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="406" src="http://ift.tt/1G6NS7y" width="640"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><b><br/> </b> <b><br/> </b> <b>Countries neighbouring South Africa on Friday prepared to evacuate their citizens from South Africa as the UN raised the alarm over deadly xenophobic attacks which have displaced thousands.</b><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The anti-foreigner violence, which erupted in the eastern port city of Durban, has left at least six people dead and spread to the economic hub, Johannesburg.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“In South Africa, xenophobic attacks over the last three weeks have displaced over 5,000 foreign nationals,” the UN refugee agency said, adding it was “extremely concerned”.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“We would like to underscore that those affected in these xenophobic attacks are refugees and asylum seekers who were forced to leave their countries due to war and persecution,” the UNHCR said.<br/><br /><br/><br />Foreigners who have fled their homes are sheltering in makeshift camps.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Neighbouring Zimbabwe, Malawi and Mozambique announced plans to evacuate their citizens, as the violence drew regional outrage.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Zimbabwe’s ambassador to South Africa, Isaac Moyo said the repatriation of about 1,000 Zimbabweans from Durban would start today.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />In the Zimbabwean capital Harare, demonstrators marched to the South African embassy to condemn what they called the “senseless and gruesome slaughter” of fellow Africans.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />In Mozambique, a group of about 200 on Friday blockaded the southern Lebombo border with South Africa, stoning South African vehicles.<br/><br /><br/><br />“The demonstrators blocked the road for half an hour, refusing to allow cars with South African registration plates to pass,” Moamba district police commander Alfonso Rocco told reporters.<br/><br /><br/><br />In Zambia, a privately-owned radio station has stopped playing South African music in protest against the xenophobic attacks.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“Radio QFM has blacked out the playing of South African music from yesterday, April 17, in protest against xenophobic attacks on foreign nationals taking place in that country,” QFM managing director Asan Nyama said in a statement posted on the station’s website.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />South African singer Kelly Khumalo was forced to postpone performances in London because of outrage, while Big Nuz — a group that plays the popular Kwaito dance music genre — had to cancel a concert in Zimbabwe, Minister in the Presidency Jeff Radebe said at the weekend.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The anger in neighbouring countries was exacerbated by the fact that they hosted thousands of South African exiles during the struggle against apartheid — a point that President Jacob Zuma raised in a speech to parliament last Thursday.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“We were treated with generosity, dignity and respect by our brothers and sisters on the rest of the continent,” Zuma said, noting that their solidarity was “critical to achievement of freedom and democracy we are enjoying today”.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The latest violence has been largely blamed on a speech last month by King Goodwill Zwelithini, traditional leader of the Zulus, in which he blamed foreigners for South Africa’s high crime rate and said they must “take their bags and go”.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The king has since said his words were misinterpreted, but for some, Zwelithini simply articulated what many were feeling.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />South Africa’s relatively sophisticated economy attracts both legal and illegal African immigrants, but massive inequalities and high unemployment among locals breed resentment against them.<br/><br /><br/><br />“We believe that the cause of the xenophobic attacks is policy failure by the government,” said Mienke Mary Steytler, of the South African Institute of Race Relations. “High unemployment and inequality are not being tackled.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS) condemned the “barbaric, criminal and xenophobic murder of innocent foreigners”, calling on the South African government to act quickly to end the violence.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />This is not the first wave of anti-foreigner violence in South Africa. In January, foreign shopkeepers in and around the vast township of Soweto, south of Johannesburg, were forced to flee and six were killed as looters rampaged through the area.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />And in 2008, 62 people were killed in xenophobic violence across the city’s townships.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

REVEALED: How South African king sparked xenophobic attacks on Nigerians, others

Countries neighbouring South Africa on Friday prepared to evacuate their citizens from South Africa as the UN raised the alarm over de...

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Arik Air abandons New York bound passengers in Lagos

<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/1Q2FBEC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="437" src="http://ift.tt/1Q2FBEC" width="640"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />New York bound intending passengers on Arik Air have been stranded at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.<br/><br /><br/><br />The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) airport correspondent reports that the intending travelers, numbering no fewer than 100 were stranded at the airport since April 17.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The intending travelers resorted to violent protests, invading the tarmac of the airport and disrupting a scheduled Lagos-Accra flight of Arik Air early on Saturday.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />However, the Spokesman of Arik Air, Mr Ola Adebanji, told reporters that the issue had been resolved and that the Accra-bound aircraft later made the trip.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Adebanji explained that the U.S. bound passengers could not depart as scheduled, due to malfunctioning of the browser, fuelling the aircraft.<br/><br /><br/><br />He assured that the U.S bound passengers would make their trip immediately the problem was fixed.<br/><br /><br/><br />One of the stranded intending travelers, who identified herself simply as Tolu lamented her inability to make the trip on schedule.<br/><br /><br/><br />She said that the management of Arik Air had kept them in the dark on the inability of the plane to depart on schedule.<br/><br /><br/><br />Tolu said that the intending passengers were abandoned, instead of being lodged in a hotel and that they had no means to get in touch with their families.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />She claimed that the abandoned travelers were only given snacks and a bottle of water since Friday morning when the flight was cancelled.<br/><br /><br/><br />Another passenger who also declined to mention his name described the handling of the intending passengers by the airline as poor.<br/><br /><br/><br />According to him, Arik Air has persistently abandoned intending passengers without tangible excuses while “the industry regulator, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) often looks the other way’’.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He, however, vowed to challenge the latest development in court.<br/><br /><br/><br />When contacted, the Director of Consumer Protection, of the NCAA, Alhaji Abdullahi Adamu, said that the duty of NCAA on passenger processing stopped at the boarding gate where Aviation Security takes over from.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Adamu, however, promised to investigate the matter, especially the non-protection of passengers who were supposed to be taken to hotel and offered amenities.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

Arik Air abandons New York bound passengers in Lagos

New York bound intending passengers on Arik Air have been stranded at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos. The News Agency o...

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Arsenal beat Reading, head to Wembley to defend FA Cup

<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/1b8OcoD" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ift.tt/1b8OcoD"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><b><br/> </b> <b>Arsenal reach the FA Cup Final for the second year in a row after Alexis Sanchez scores twice at Wembley to beat Reading 2-1 after extra-time.</b><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Arsene Wenger's men, who required penalties to see off Wigan Athletic at this stage last year, struggled to find the momentum that has seen them embark on an eight-match winning run.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Nevertheless, Alexis Sanchez put the holders in front six minutes before the break with a cool finish having been fed by Mesut Ozil.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />But the Arsenal section of the ground was stunned into silence after 54 minutes when Wojciech Szczesny failed to keep out a Garath McCleary volley.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Arsenal hit the woodwork twice as they looked to avoid extra time - once via a superb save from Federici - but the Australia international will have wanted the ground to swallow him whole when he allowed another Sanchez effort to squirm underneath him at the end of the first period of additional time, dashing Reading hopes of a first final.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The result sees Arsenal become the outright record holders for most appearances in the FA Cup final, their 19th moving them one clear of Manchester United.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Arsenal welcomed back defender Mathieu Debuchy for his first appearance since January following shoulder surgery and, after a bright start from Reading, the holders began probing their opponents' back line.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Federici got down well at the feet of Danny Welbeck to thwart an early attack, before tipping around his left-hand post when Per Mertesacker threatened to open the scoring with a header from a corner.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />But Reading weathered that storm and Jordan Obita unleashed a powerful strike from 25 yards at the other end, albeit straight at Arsenal goalkeeper Szczesny, while Nathaniel Chalobah saw a volleyed effort deflected wide.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Having seen an earlier chance fizzle out courtesy of a heavy touch, Sanchez made no mistake with his next opportunity, showing great composure in the box to bring down an Ozil pass, see off his marker and send the ball between Federici's legs.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Reading refused to go down without a fight, though, and pulled level nine minutes into the second period.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Pavel Pogrebnyak crossed from the byline for McCleary to volley home via a deflection off Kieran Gibbs, although birthday boy Szczesny should have done better.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Reading then had appeals for handball against Debuchy in the Arsenal box waved away by referee Martin Atkinson, before Danny Williams skewed wide from a promising position.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Gabriel Paulista came off the bench for Mertesacker shortly after the hour mark and one of his first contributions was to draw a fantastic save from Federici, who pushed the Arsenal defender's header onto his crossbar.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Chalobah tried his luck from 20 yards out with seven minutes left of normal time, forcing Szczesny into an unconvincing save, before Aaron Ramsey – Arsenal's goal hero when they won last season's competition – hit the post after forcing his way into the Reading box under pressure from Obita.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Reading then squandered a two-on-one situation as the match headed for extra time, and Ramsey gave the Championship side a scare when his effort bounced over off Federici.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The match looked set to be heading for the second period of additional time with the sides all square until Sanchez burst into the Reading penalty area from the left and fired a shot straight at Federici.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The Reading stopper was unable to hold the low strike and somehow allowed the ball to sneak through his legs and over the line, sending Arsenal into a final clash with the winner of Sunday's semi-final between Liverpool and Aston Villa.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

Arsenal beat Reading, head to Wembley to defend FA Cup

Arsenal reach the FA Cup Final for the second year in a row after Alexis Sanchez scores twice at Wembley to beat Reading 2-1 after extra...

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Pics: Seyi Shay without make up

<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'><p><a href="http://ift.tt/1DwwPIf"><img alt="image" class="alignnone size-full" src="http://ift.tt/1DwwPIf" title="964556794037514286_220594843_edit-300x300_5.jpg"/> </a> </p><br /><p>Hmmm. What do you think?</p><br /></div>

Pics: Seyi Shay without make up

Hmmm. What do you think?

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Flavour’s Baby Mama wahala: Anna Banner Replies Critics

<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'><p><a href="http://ift.tt/1yFre3R"><img alt="image" class="alignnone size-full" src="http://ift.tt/1yFre3R" title="Anna-Banner-300x208.jpg"/> </a> </p><br /><p>Former beauty queen, Anna Banner, who is pregnant for contemporary Highlife singer, Flavour has responded to a fan who wanted to know if she had put the bed.<br/><br />The winner of MBGN 2013 has drawn the ire of critics on issues that bordered on her boyfriend singer, Flavour’s penchant for putting his fans/lover in the family. Last year, former model Sandra was reported to be pregnant for Flavour and that she had given birth abroad.<br/><br />Anne Banner on her Instagram posted the question from the fan with the name, Oga_madam, “Have you put to bed?” and the beauty, who is now in South Africa, responded by saying “why are u so serious? By the way, is it your business? Please stop acting like<br/><br />others…it doesn’t suit you. Be happy.”<br/><br />Oga_madam went ahead to respond to this comment. “Am happy<br/><br />hun but just concerned about you, because you should be facing<br/><br />your book not getting pregnant for a thaut (tout), you are still young haba.”<br/><br />The ex-MBGN made sure she had the last word. Replying, she wrote<br/><br />“Awwww darling…am glad you are concerned about me n I really appreciate, but dat doesn’t give you the right to call him names cuz I didn’t call your boyfriend names. Plus u should learn not to judge people cuz ur not God. Am living my life and am happy! Pregnant or not I love my life! Please don’t show concern wen its not needed,” wrote Anna.<br/><br /><br/><br /><a href="http://ift.tt/1zra6cT">Leadership</a> </p><br /></div>

Flavour’s Baby Mama wahala: Anna Banner Replies Critics

Former beauty queen, Anna Banner, who is pregnant for contemporary Highlife singer, Flavour has responded to a fan who wanted to know if s...

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Boko Haram Slaughters 12 During Army Rescue Operation in Borno

<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 readability='58'><br /><p><img alt="boko haram" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-286641" height="300" src="http://ift.tt/1CZrgQ1" width="400"/>Gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram members on Friday reportedly killed 12 persons near Gwoza, in Borno State.</p><br /><p>A witness, whose parents were killed in the attack, said the gunmen struck after the soldiers had moved one set of people from the hills around Gwoza, where they had been taking refuge from the terrorists’ attacks.</p><br /><p>The witness said before the soldiers could go back for the remaining people, “some Boko Haram members attacked them and slit the throats of 12 people”.</p><br /><p>A comprehensive counter-insurgency operation by Nigerian troops, supported by their Chadian, Nigerien and Cameroonian counterparts, had successfully pushed members of the sect out of most of the areas they had controlled before now, reducing significantly, their operational capabilities.</p><br /><p>Gwoza was one of the last places recaptured from the terrorists by the troops, but handful of violence are still reported in some areas in the northeast.</p><br /></div><br /></div>

Boko Haram Slaughters 12 During Army Rescue Operation in Borno

Gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram members on Friday reportedly killed 12 persons near Gwoza, in Borno State. A witness, whose parents were k...

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How We Turned the War against Boko Haram Around – Minimah

<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 readability='126'><br /><p><img alt="CHIEF-OF-ARMY-STAFF-KENNETH MINIMAH" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-286631" height="250" src="http://ift.tt/1CZrgzK" width="400"/>The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt-Gen. Kenneth Minimah, has revealed how the Nigerian military was able to turn the tide against the Boko Haram insurgents within the space of six weeks, having not been able to achieve that couple of years back.</p><br /><p>Speaking in a special interview with select journalists in Abuja, the army chief stated that about three to four key factors were responsible for the dramatic turn of events against the insurgents.<br/><br />According to him, the game changing factor was the change of military tactics, enforcement of discipline through the court-martials, procurement of new and appropriate weapons, and the agreement with the neighbouring countries of the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) to join the war.</p><br /><p>Minimah added that the obsolete weapons and the difficulty in acquiring the right kinds of arms and ammunitions marred the counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency war in the North-east.</p><br /><p>He said: “It is a common knowledge too that the Nigerian Army has been demanding equipment from the government, it is a common knowledge that part of the seething problems of the war against the insurgency has been requisite modern equipment for the Army and the Armed forces.</p><br /><p>“It is a common knowledge that the equipment the Army had, were old, aging, obsolete equipment and that we were doing local repairs to maintaining them. It is common knowledge too that our troops were running away from battle. It is also common knowledge that the government was doing everything it could to buy equipment for the army”.</p><br /><p>According to Minimah, “the equipment that arrived changed the battle dynamics, changed the battle platform, everything reversed, the terrorists started running. That is what happened.</p><br /><p>“The personality of the chief of army staff, utility of the equipment that arrived, changing the dynamics, changing the individual soldiers itself, that is what we have done. So, for the common man who does not understand, let him have his rights to free speech, he can interpret it any way he wishes”.</p><br /><p>On the court-martial of some officers and men of the Nigerian Army, Minimah made it clear that the gale of desertion from battle field, cowardice, sabotage and general state of indiscipline was more damaging to the counter terrorism efforts than even lack of arms and ammunition.</p><br /><p>“What you do not know too is that the battle had been turned before the equipment arrived, because the average officer realized that if he runs, he would be court martialed.</p><br /><p>“The soldier knows that if he runs away he will be dismissed. So everybody was prepared to stand and fight and die, because if you run back there is nothing. And for the fact that they stood and fought back for hours instead of running caught the Boko Haram by surprise…and terrified them”, he said.</p><br /><p>In the same vein, the COAS noted that “at one point these equipment came in, and with my personal effort of ensuring that officers and soldiers were court-martialed, dismissed for running in the face of adversaries, for abandoning the equipment we have and running away and so forth, the psyche of the Nigerian soldier changed”.</p><br /><p>In a related development, the army chief commended the efforts of the Nigerian military in the just concluded general elections.</p><br /><p>He said that despite the initial fears and opposition in some quarters over the deployment of soldiers for election duties, they performed credibly well with a 100 per cent performance score.</p><br /><p>“I think if you ask me to score myself, I will score myself 100 percent, because for our state of political development, we cannot expect to see our elections held as it is done in the most advanced nations”.</p><br /></div><br /></div>

How We Turned the War against Boko Haram Around – Minimah

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt-Gen. Kenneth Minimah, has revealed how the Nigerian military was able to turn the tide against the Boko H...

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Jonathan Under Pressure To Sack IGP Abba

<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'><p><span class='itemImage'><a class="" data-rel="prettyPhoto" href="/media/k2/items/cache/7a2588783a542a179047fb84bc9ff74d_XL.jpg" title="Click to preview image"><img alt="Jonathan Under Pressure To Sack IGP Abba" src="http://ift.tt/1DlbQ88" style="width:770px; height:auto;"/> </a> </span> </p><br /><div class='itemFullText'><br /><p><strong>There were indications yesterday that the presidency is unhappy with the inspector general of police (IGP), Suleiman Abba, for alleged security and protocol breaches, The Nation reports.</strong> </p><br /><p>Some forces in government have started mounting pressure on President Goodluck Jonathan to drop the police chief, but the president was said not to be interested in taking any disciplinary action against Abba.</p><br /><p>It was learnt that Jonathan has made up his mind to leave Abba’s fate to the incoming administration.</p><br /><p>Investigations revealed that there had been disquiet in the presidency over certain steps Abba took during the recently concluded presidential election, and since Jonathan conceded defeat to the president-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari.</p><br /><p>Some forces in government were disturbed that with the exception of Rivers, Delta, Cross River, Ekiti, Akwa Ibom and the entire South-East region, the Nigerian police did not follow the election script written for the force in strategic states like Lagos, Oyo, Ondo, Ogun, Osun, Borno, Kaduna and Kwara.</p><br /><p>Abba was said to have instructed the divisional police officers in Lagos to comply with the directives of the commissioner of police in Lagos and not those of the assistant inspector general of police.</p><br /><p>It is understood that upon the <em>‘failure’</em> of the police in the strategic states, the presidency was angry that Abba was at the presentation of the certificate of return to the president-elect by the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega, contrary to the norm.</p><br /><p>The presidency had also noted that Abba was at the airport in time to receive the President-elect.</p><br /><p>But a source said that what really <em>“pissed off”</em> the presidency was the alleged leakage of the presidential directive to redeploy Assistant Inspector-General Tunde Ogunsakin from Rivers state on the eve of the April 11 governorship poll.</p><br /><p>The covert decision was said to have been taken in the presidency by three officials, including the Abba.</p><br /><p style='padding-left: 30px;'>A reliable source said: <em>“There is disquiet in the Presidency on whether or not to drop the IGP for certain missteps. Some forces are angry that the police failed to back the status quo in some states during the recently-concluded poll.</em> </p><br /><p style='padding-left: 30px;'><em>“I think the IGP chose a neutral position and opted to live up to his oath of office during the general election.</em> </p><br /><p style='padding-left: 30px;'><em>“The IGP’s presence during the presentation of certificate of return to Buhari left many presidency officials dazed because it was alleged not to be within his official “mandate.”</em> </p><br /><p style='padding-left: 30px;'><em>“The presence of the IGP at the National Collation Centre with Buhari was rated as a partisan move and a provocative initiative.</em> </p><br /><p style='padding-left: 30px;'><em>“Some forces in the Presidency believe that Abba should be asked to step aside. The leakage on the redeployment of AIG Tunde Ogunsakin from Rivers State on the eve of April 11 governorship poll has fueled the demand for IGP’s sack.”<br/> </em> </p><br /><p>It was, however, learnt that the president is not disposed to the exit of the IGP.</p><br /><p>Instead, he was said to have left the fate of the IGP and service chiefs to the president-elect.</p><br /><p style='padding-left: 30px;'>Another source added: <em>“The President might not bow to the demand by some forces to drop the IGP because he is not a vendetta person. He has decided to leave the fate of the IGP and other service chiefs to his successor.</em> </p><br /><p style='padding-left: 30px;'><em>“The fact that a former President sacked some public officials few days to his exit does not mean that Jonathan would follow in his footsteps.”</em> </p><br /><p>A police source said: <em>“You see, the IGP made sure that the police force was non-partisan throughout the election period, and this was a departure from the practice in 1983, 1993, 2003, 2007 and 2011 polls.</em> </p><br /><p style='padding-left: 30px;'><em>“Naturally, some government officials, governors and politicians will not be happy at all. This IGP is professionally inclined and he has been enforcing this.</em> </p><br /><p style='padding-left: 30px;'><em>“If you look at his antecedents even when Rivers State was volatile, he made sure that he was non-partisan. Up till today, the people of Rivers State still celebrate Abba for his professionalism.</em> </p><br /><p style='padding-left: 30px;'><em>“He remains loyal to the President irrespective of the outcome of the election. To the best of my knowledge, he has not eroded the confidence reposed in him by the President. He keeps official secrets and he has never leaked any. Since he came on board, signals or information flow had become more compact.”<br/> </em> </p><br /><p style='padding-left: 30px;'>Responding to a question, the source added: <em>“How can any IGP ignore the President-elect at any airport? Is Gen. Buhari not a former Head of State? Does he not deserve respect as an elder statesman? All these issues they are raising are petty.”</em> </p><br /><p>Meanwhile, the Network on Police Reform In Nigeria had earlier demanded the sacking of the Inspector-General of Police, Suleiman Abba.</p><br /></div><br /></div>

Jonathan Under Pressure To Sack IGP Abba

There were indications yesterday that the presidency is unhappy with the inspector general of police (IGP), Suleiman Abba, for alleged se...

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APC boycotts Rivers re-run election

<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/1Q2mbj4" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="http://ift.tt/1Q2mbj4" width="640"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><b>The All Progressives Congress APC, has boycotted the re-run for the state house of Assembly election which held in four LGAs in the state, Saturday.</b><br/><br /><br/><br /><b><br/> </b> The election which held in the state was peaceful but witnessed a low turn out of voters.<br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Candidates of the APC for the State Assembly election had insisted that they will not participate in the election, questioning the grounds on which two elections, governorship and state assembly, were conducted simultaneously the result of one was declared while one was cancelled.<br/><br /><br/><br />Hon. Chidi Lloyd, the Majority leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly told news men that APC will not participate in the rescheduled election accusing INEC of bias.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP in Ibaa ward 6, Elder Chinedu Tasie told newsmen that the election was peaceful. He said that about four political parties participated in the election.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He said there is no legal backing for APC boycotting the election, adding that PDP and other parties have voted.<br/><br /><br/><br />Mr. Waleruchi Ebere said that the election was peaceful. He commended INEC for the disappointing the voters who were ready to vote.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

APC boycotts Rivers re-run election

The All Progressives Congress APC, has boycotted the re-run for the state house of Assembly election which held in four LGAs in the state,...

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Sat Guru Maharaj Ji advises President-elect on sincere, transparent gov

<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 /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1Q2m9rA" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://ift.tt/1Q2m9rA" width="400"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Sat Guru Maharaj Ji, founder of One Love Family, has called on the President-elect, Gen. Mohamadu Buhari, and governors-elect, to make the welfare of Nigerian workers their priorities.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Maharaj Ji gave the advice during the 28th Anniversary of the establishment of his Maharaj Ji Village in Ibadan on Saturday.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He said the advice became necessary in order to increase the productivity of the workers and move the country forward.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />According to him, civil servants should not be subjected to hardship before their salaries are paid to them.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The founder of One Love Family said civil servants had contributed a lot to the development of the country in one way or the other.<br/><br /><br/><br />“The pensioners too should be paid their entitlements when due because they served the country before their retirement.<br/><br /><br/><br />“ Some pensioners have died of hunger because their entitlements are not paid in time.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“ If the incoming administration can tackle this, it would make Buhari and governors-elect to make history where others Nigerian leaders had failed’’, he said.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Maharaj Ji said the incoming administration should run a sincere, transparent and inclusive government.<br/><br /><br/><br />“Project allocation and execution should be equally distributed so that every citizen could benefit from the dividends of democracy.<br/><br /><br/><br />“No section of the country should be singled out for development at the detriment of the others.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“ Employment and appointment opportunities must be on merit and be equitably distributed’’, Maharajji added.<br/><br /><br/><br />He stressed that the president-elect should ensure that elections at the local government level were held in line with provisions of the Constitution.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The religious leader said the president-elect should tackle the problem of Fulani herdsmen across the country.<br/><br /><br/><br />Maharaj Ji said he was ready to provide solution to Nigeria’s spiritual problem if invited to do so. (NAN)<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

Sat Guru Maharaj Ji advises President-elect on sincere, transparent gov

Sat Guru Maharaj Ji, founder of One Love Family, has called on the President-elect, Gen. Mohamadu Buhari, and governors-elect, to make th...

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Chelsea 1-0 Manchester United: Mourinho's men extend lead to 10 points

<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/1zucvDq" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="442" src="http://ift.tt/1zucvDq" width="640"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Chelsea extend their lead at the top of the table to double figures after Eden Hazard scores the only goal of the game to down United at Stamford Bridge.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The Blues’ win extends their advantage over second placed Arsenal to 10 points with both sides now having played 32 matches.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Manchester United failed to capitalise on their sustained first-half pressure and Chelsea made them pay as Hazard collected Oscar’s smart back-heel before slotting under David De Gea at the near post.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The Belgian went on to strike the crossbar from an acute angle in the second period before Louis Van Gaal's men began to further impose themselves on the match.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Radamel Falcao crashed a shot against the woodwork from the left of the box with 15 minutes to play but United were unable to break down a resilient Chelsea defence.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Ander Herrera was booked for diving in the box in stoppage time as Jose Mourinho's side take a big step towards their first league title since 2010.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

Chelsea 1-0 Manchester United: Mourinho's men extend lead to 10 points

Chelsea extend their lead at the top of the table to double figures after Eden Hazard scores the only goal of the game to down United at S...

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Messi nets 400th goal as Barca edge past Valencia

<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/1Jgi5OY" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://ift.tt/1Jgi5OY" width="320"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Lionel Messi scored the 400th goal of his Barcelona career as the Catalans beat Champions League-chasing Valencia 2-0 to move five points clear of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga on Saturday.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Luis Suarez got Barca off to a flying start as he slotted home the opener after just 54 seconds from Messi’s through ball.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />However, it was Valencia who enjoyed the majority of the chances thereafter and they were left to rue Dani Parejo’s missed penalty in the first half.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />And Messi made sure of all three points with the final kick of the game after Diego Alves had saved his initial effort.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Madrid can move back to within two points of the leaders when they host Malaga later on Saturday.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Defeat, meanwhile, leaves Valencia still a point adrift of third-placed Atletico Madrid, who are in action away to Deportivo la Coruna.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Suarez scored two wonderful individual goals as Barca all but secured their place in the Champions League semi-finals with a 3-1 win away to Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />And he took less than a minute to pick up from where he left off in the French capital as Sergio Busquets fed Messi and his pass was fired low past Diego Alves by Suarez for his 12th goal in as many games.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />However, Valencia went on to dominate the remainder of the opening 45 minutes and were desperately unlucky still to be behind at the break.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Rodrigo flashed a shot just wide before he was deemed to have been brought down inside the area by Gerard Pique.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Parejo’s penalty was poorly struck, though, and Bravo made a comfortable save low to his right.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Paco Alcacer then had a hat-trick of chances to grab a deserved equaliser as he turned Andre Gomes’s dangerous cross wide, saw a goalbound effort blocked by Pique and struck the outside of the post.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />However, it could have been even worse for the visitors had Messi not sliced wide a great chance on his weaker right foot five minutes before half-time.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Barca boss Luis Enrique introduced Ivan Rakitic for Adriano at half-time in a tactical rejig to gain more control in midfield and Valencia found chances much more difficult to come by in the second period.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Messi was first to threaten after the break as he sent a dipping free-kick off the crossbar 25 minutes from time.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Luis Enrique then took the slightly surprising decision to replace Suarez with Pedro Rodriguez to keep the former Liverpool striker fresh for the return leg against PSG on Tuesday.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Bravo was needed to come to his side’s rescue once more 15 minutes from time when he turned the ball behind from Rodrigo’s volley.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />But it was Messi who had the final word as he was given all the space he needed to break clear and score his 400th goal in 471 games for Barca in stoppage time as Valencia chased in vain for an equaliser.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />(AFP)<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

Messi nets 400th goal as Barca edge past Valencia

Lionel Messi scored the 400th goal of his Barcelona career as the Catalans beat Champions League-chasing Valencia 2-0 to move five points ...

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PDP condemns attacks on foreigners in South Africa

<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/1Jgi79M" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="http://ift.tt/1Jgi79M" width="640"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The Peoples Democratic Party has describes as provocative and completely unacceptable the xenophobic attack on Nigerians and other foreign nationals in South Africa.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />PDP National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Olisa Metuh, in a statement on Saturday in Abuja, said the attacks were “outrightly barbaric, primitive and cannot be justified under any guise whatsoever.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Metuh said it was “unfortunate and disheartening that South Africans by this attitude have shown that they are not appreciative of the roles played by Nigeria and other African countries in liberating their nation from the clutches of the obnoxious apartheid system.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He said while the PDP was aware that the unfortunate incident was a fallout of incendiary utterances by certain leaders in South Africa, he called on the ruling African National Congress and South African government to take urgent practical steps to stem the tide and guarantee the safety of lives and property of Nigerians and other nationals targeted by the xenophobes.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He said well-meaning world leaders especially Africans should stand up and condemn the dangerous trend, which he said was a clear threat to the much desired unity, cooperation and development in the continent.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

PDP condemns attacks on foreigners in South Africa

The Peoples Democratic Party has describes as provocative and completely unacceptable the xenophobic attack on Nigerians and other foreign...

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Gunmen kidnap Rivers LG chairman after gunfight

<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/1DwibRd" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" src="http://ift.tt/1DwibRd" width="400"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The Police Command in Rivers State has confirmed the abduction of Chief Cassidy Ikegbudu, Chairman, Caretaker Committee of Ahoada East Local Government Area.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The command’s Public Relations Officer, Ahmad Muhammad, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Port Harcourt that Ikegbudu was abducted in the early hours of Saturday.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Muhammad said the police had received report of the abduction of the council chairman and “the command is aware of the incident involving the caretaker committee chairman.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“Action has been put in place to rescue him safely,’’ he said.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />All Progressives Congress House of Assembly candidate for Ahoada East Constituency 1, Mr Eric Apia, told NAN that armed men abducted Ikegbudu from his village, Yiboko, early on Saturday.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“Reports received from his family said there was an exchange of fire between security personnel attached to the chairman and the armed men.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“The armed men later took the chairman away, dragged him to a nearby river and went away in a speed boat,’’ Apia said.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Apia said Ahoada East was supposed to have a re-run for the House of Assembly and that shooting began last night.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />(NAN)<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

Gunmen kidnap Rivers LG chairman after gunfight

The Police Command in Rivers State has confirmed the abduction of Chief Cassidy Ikegbudu, Chairman, Caretaker Committee of Ahoada East Loc...

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Buhari backs FG’s steps over S’Africans attacks on foreigners

<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/1b8wP7E" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://ift.tt/1b8wP7E" width="400"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The President-elect, Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari(retd.), on Saturday expressed full support for the steps taken by the Federal Government to protect Nigerians from xenophobic attacks in South Africa.<br/><br /><br/><br /><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 Director, Media and Publicity, All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Organisation, Malam Garba Shehu, in Abuja.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“Nigeria’s Head of Mission in Pretoria had taken the right steps by advising the Nigerian community in South Africa to close their shops, stay at home and keep out of trouble.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“Nigerians in South Africa should obey the laws of their host country,’’ the statement quoted Buhari as saying.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />According to the statement, we equally understand that the South African government is making efforts to bring an end to this unfortunate situation.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“In the meantime, Nigerians in South Africa should abide by the words of caution extended to them by their government’s representative in Pretoria.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“I am happy to see that the Nigerian government is very well aware of its responsibilities to its citizens in South Africa,’’ the statement stated.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Buhari, in the statement, commended the Federal Government for its decision to monitor the situation in South Africa and evacuate its citizens at any sign of escalation.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The statement expressed the president-elect’s sadness at the unfolding events in South Africa, recalling Nigeria’s friendly relations with the country since the end of apartheid.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />(NAN)<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

Buhari backs FG’s steps over S’Africans attacks on foreigners

The President-elect, Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari(retd.), on Saturday expressed full support for the steps taken by the Federal Government t...

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OGUN: PDP heads for tribunal to unseat Governor Amosun

<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/1b8wQZ0" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="http://ift.tt/1b8wQZ0" width="640"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ogun State, Mr. Adebayo Dayo, has said the party will be heading for the election petitions tribunal to challenge the victory of the ruling All Progressives Congress in the governorship and House of Assembly elections in the state.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The PDP chairman said this in a telephone interview with our correspondent on Saturday.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Dayo said the state PDP governorship candidate, Gboyega Isiaka, won in the governorship election, alleging that the APC rigged the poll by manipulating the scores at the collation centres.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He said, “We are going to the tribunal to challenge the results of the governorship and House of Assembly elections. We won the governorship election but the APC rigged by changing figures at the collation centres.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“We are already putting our facts together.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He said the party executive council in the state tried its possible best for the party in the just-concluded elections.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />But the Director General, Senator Ibikunle Amosun Campaign Organisation, Chief Bode Mustapha, described the allegation of rigging against the APC as unfounded.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He said the PDP’s governorship candidate, who had declared himself winner before the election was concluded,should be questioned.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Mustapha added, “We got information that the PDP wanted to rig the election but they were not successful. There are 4,010 polling booths in Ogun State, results were still being collated across different polling booths with some of them very far away. Then where did he get his results from?”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Chief Timothy Ibitoye, said Isiaka’s allegations were untrue.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He said, “Were you in the collation centre? If you were, then how is it possible for any irregularity to take place? Results were collated and announced publicly, and we have all seen the results.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

OGUN: PDP heads for tribunal to unseat Governor Amosun

Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ogun State, Mr. Adebayo Dayo, has said the party will be heading for the election petitions tr...

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Nigerian Union to resettle 50 Nigerians attacked by S’Africans

<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/1GYLEr5" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://ift.tt/1GYLEr5" width="400"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><b><br/> </b> <b><br/> </b> <b>The Nigerian Union in South Africa has said that it has concluded arrangements to resettle 50 Nigerians affected by the ongoing xenophobic attacks.</b><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The President of the union, Mr Ikechukwu Anyene, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on phone from Pretoria, South Africa, on Saturday.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Anyene said the Nigerians were displaced at Jeppes Town, near Johannesburg.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“We met about 300 Nigerians in Jeppes town, near Johannesburg, who fled for their safety and about 50 of them do not have any place to stay.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“We are making arrangements with the Nigerian mission in South Africa to get them a place to stay for their safety.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“The Nigerian union has also presented relief materials to those affected by the attacks and we are in touch with various branches of the union in the provinces on their safety and security.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />According to him, Nigerian shops and businesses in Durban and Johannesburg have been looted and some burnt.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He said two shops belonging to Nigerians in Durban were looted and they lost goods worth 400,000 Rand.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“In Jeppes Town, near Johannesburg, five shops were looted and one burnt while the estimated loss is put at One million Rand.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“The incidents have been reported to the police and we are still taking stock of attacks on Nigerians,” he said.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Anyene reiterated the union’s call to the Federal Government to put more pressure on the South African government to halt the attacks.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

Nigerian Union to resettle 50 Nigerians attacked by S’Africans

The Nigerian Union in South Africa has said that it has concluded arrangements to resettle 50 Nigerians affected by the ongoing xenoph...

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Anambra holds rescheduled election in four constituencies

<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 /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1G6l13c" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="195" src="http://ift.tt/1G6l13c" width="400"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The re-scheduled election in four state constituencies held in Anambra State amid tight security on Saturday.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The constituencies are Anaocha 1, Anaocha 2, Aguata 1 and Ekwusigo where elections were cancelled due to irregularities on April 11.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Accreditation of voters started at about 8am.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the electorate conducted themselves peaceful during accreditation of voters while the card reader machines were effective in every polling unit monitored in Agulu and Obeledu.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

Anambra holds rescheduled election in four constituencies

The re-scheduled election in four state constituencies held in Anambra State amid tight security on Saturday. The constituencies are Anao...

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Fayose begs those he has offended for forgiveness, says “nobody is perfect”

<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/1DkLPps" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://ift.tt/1DkLPps" width="400"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><b><br/> </b> <b><br/> </b> <b>Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has said he is ready for dialogue with his opponents to bring peace to the state.</b><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He also asked for forgiveness from those he might have offended, saying “nobody is perfect.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Fayose spoke on Friday at a special prayer session organised for him by the Ansar-udeen Mosque, Atikankan in Ado-Ekiti to celebrate his recent electoral victory at the Supreme Court.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The 19 All Progressives Congress lawmakers of the Ekiti State House of Assembly have issued a notice of impeachment to the governor, citing eight impeachable offences.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The embattled Speaker, Dr. Adewale Omirin, had last week Thursday requested the state Chief Judge, Justice Ayodeji Daramola, to raise a seven-man panel within seven days of receipt of the letter to investigate Fayose and his deputy, Dr. Kolapo Olusola, over allegations of impunity, violence and stalking among other constitutional breaches.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Fayose said, “If they say someone has enemies, I’m number one in the world. But God has been merciful and has been helping me to overcome my challenges.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“I need your prayers because it will strengthen me more. I’m here in the mosque to thank God.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“All I want is peace. I have a constitutionally guaranteed tenure. A governor is judged by his achievements in office. All I’m interested in is to bring development to my people. My opponents know if I have a rest of mind I will achieve my objectives.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“All those I have offended should forgive me for the sake of the masses and orphans. They should know people gave me the mandate. Nobody is above mistake; they should forgive me.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The governor said a lot of people in the state had been living in palpable fear of the unknown before the judgment of the Supreme Court.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“We are here to thank God and pray for peace. I’m appealing to those aggrieved to please allow peace to reign.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“There is no perfect man. They should allow peace to reign. All I want is peace that will energise development.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“Anything that can bring peace cannot be wished away. For me, I’m ready to accommodate everybody. Whatever they want we can sit down and talk.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Earlier before leading the prayers for the governor, the State Missioner of the Ansarudeen Movement, Alhaji Liadi Adebayo, called on politicians in the state to settle their differences.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He canvassed for peaceful co-existence of the entire people of the State, irrespective of their political differences.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The Cleric urged residents to live together in harmony as politics was not supposed to be a do or die affair.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

Fayose begs those he has offended for forgiveness, says “nobody is perfect”

Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has said he is ready for dialogue with his opponents to bring peace to the state. He also asked ...

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PLATEAU: Lalong accuses Jang of looting govt property, treasury

<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/1DkLRO2" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="195" src="http://ift.tt/1DkLRO2" width="400"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Plateau State Governor-elect, Mr. Simon Lalong, has accused the incumbent governor Mr. Jonah Jang of looting government treasury, hurriedly selling government assets and unwarranted withdrawals in order to put the incoming administration in a precarious condition.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The governor-elect also accused the governor of massive recruitments and lopsided employments and removing furniture and other movable household materials from the newly-built N9bn Government House at Rayfield.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

PLATEAU: Lalong accuses Jang of looting govt property, treasury

Plateau State Governor-elect, Mr. Simon Lalong, has accused the incumbent governor Mr. Jonah Jang of looting government treasury, hurriedl...

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