Jonathan: indiscipline rampant under Suleiman Abba

President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday gave reason why the immediate former Inspector General of Police (IGP), Suleiman Abba, was sacked. He was quoted as saying that indiscipline was rampant among the rank and file of the police under Abba. Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC) and former IGP, Mike Okiro, said this to State House Correspondents after the council, chaired by Jonathan, confirmed Solomon Arase as the substantive IGP. On why Abba was sacked, Okiro said: “I may not attempt to answer that question because I’m not part of the Presidency that removed him. So, I cannot give adequate answer. “Though at the meeting, he (Jonathan) tried to explain to members based on the question raised by one of the governors that Nigerians may want to know why the former IGP was removed. “The President, in very brief way, said during the period of the former IGP, a lot of indiscipline was noticed among the rank and file of the police and as such, he felt that a new IG should come and try his luck. That is what he said, though I cannot give details of that.” On issues discussed at the closed-door meeting, he said: “Issues that border on security were discussed, how to ensure that Nigerians live in peace, how to ensure that their security are assured and how to ensure that their lives and property are well-protected. With that, a new IGP was brought on board to ensure that the policies and programmes put in place are promoted.” Arase took over from Abba, who was removed by the Presidency on April 21 through a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati. No reason was given in the statement for his removal. In an interview with correspondents, the newly promoted IGP said: “I have just been confirmed.” On what else was discussed at the meeting, he said: “We talked about the security challenges we are having and our strategic responses to addressing those challenges. “I can assure Nigerians that we are going to address these issues.” He disagreed that the current security situation in the country was getting worse and next to the period of the civil war in Nigeria. On the dismantling of roadblocks, he said: “We already have an enforcement policy in place. Sixteen teams have moved out across the length and breadth of this country to ensure there is strict compliance to that order.” He promised to put the welfare of the men and officers of the police force on the front burner. He said: “To my men, I will tell them that their welfare will be number one on my cardinal responsibilities. You don’t motivate a workforce, except their welfare is paramount. I’m going to ensure that their welfare is going to be put on the front burner. “To Nigerians, I know that their expectations are high, but I can assure them that no Nigerian will suffer any injustice by my inaction or action.”

Nigeria Elections 2015: Presidential results announced (Live Updates)

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is holding a press conference in Abuja. The first official announcement of the first batch of results is happening now. 21:41 Recess of 10 minutes before the results from two more states will be announced. 21:36 Prof Benjamin Chukwuma, the Collation Officer, announces the information on elections from Abia state. AA – 315 ACPN – 2194 AD – 448 ADC – 569 APA – 2766 APC – 13,394 CPP – 1046 PDP – 368,303 HOPE – 125 KOWA – 173 PPN – 424 NCP – 745 UDP – 213 UPP – 330 Valid votes – 391,045, rejected votes – 10,004, votes cast – 401,049. 21:31 Anambra is next. Prof Chigozie, the Collation Officer, is about to read the results. AA – 547 ACPN – 1259 AD – 475 ADC – 534 APA – 2303 APC – 17,926 CPP – 1279 HOPE – 357 KOWA – 311 PDP – 660,762 PPN – 537 UDP – 286 UPP – 1121 NCP – 887 VALID votes – 688,584, rejected – 14,825, votes cast – 703,409. 21:28 Update on Kaduna: Elections affected: Igabi, Kachia, Kagarko, Kudan, Sabon gari, Sanga, Soba, Zangon and Kataf. Polling units involved – 38. Votes affected – 27,482. 21:20 The next state is Kaduna, represented by Prof Kaura. AA – 218 ACPN – 424 AD – 273 ADC – 546 APA – 1611 APC – 1,127,760 CPP – 824 PDP – 484,085 HOPE – 105 KOWA – 176 NCP – 754 PPN – 549 UDP – 79 UPP – 78 Valid votes – 1,617,482, rejected – 32,719, total votes cast – 1,650,201. 21:17 Kwara state results are ready. Prof Musibau Akanni, the Collation Officer, announces them. 21:12 Katsina state is up next and also saw 14 parties contesting. Prof. Amin will announce the results. APC – 1,345,441 PDP – 98,937 ACPN – 402 AD – 283 ADC – 498 CPP – 976 HOPE – 47 PPN – 254 UDP – 117 UPP – 72 21:06 Prof Yayatu is the Collation Officer in Jigawa state that has 27 LGAs. 14 parties participated in the elections in Jigawa. AA – 394 ACPN – 540 AD – 587 ADC – 375 APA – 2527 APC – 885,988 CPP – 1553 HOPE – 337 KOWA – 423 NCP – 548 PDP – 142,904 PPN – 853 UDP – 338 UPP – 197 20:57 Prof Mohammed is the Collation Officer for Kano state that has 44 LGAs. AA – 206 ACPN – 778 AD – 708 ADC – 657 APA – 2770 APC – 1,903,999 CPP – 1552 HOPE – 292 KOWA – 288 NCP – 697 PDP – 215,779 PPN – 485 UDP – 234 UPP – 156 Total valid votes in Kano – 2,128,821. Total votes rejected – 43,626. Votes cast in Kano – 2,172,447. 20:56 There may be a correction in Enugu results earlier announced. 20:55 Collation resumes. Nigeria Decided: INEC Announces Official Results INEC announces the results of the presidential election. Photo: INEC Nigeria 20:48 Prof Jega has shown up. INEC set to announce results from more states. Nigeria Decided: INEC Announces Official Results INEC boss leaves the venue after the first session. Photo: INEC Nigeria 16:15 The results of eight states and the FCT have been announced so far: “We will reconvene at 8pm for more results. We learnt that 18 more states have already collated their results and the collation officers are on their way to the INEC headquarters in Abuja,” Jega said. 16:04 Prof Abdulmumuni is the Collation Officer of Nasarawa state. There are 13 Local Government areas in Nasarawa. AA – 40 ACPN – 95 AD – 74 ADC – 105 APA – 310 APC – 236,838 CPP – 131 HOPE – 4 KOWA – 48 NCP – 222 PDP – 273,460 PPN – 164 UDP – 23 UPP – 33 Total number of valid votes in Nasarawa – 511,547. Total number of rejected votes – 10,094. Total votes cast – 521,641. 15:54 Prof Ayobami Salami, the Deputy VC Academics of OAU, is the collation officer of Oyo state. Total number of registered voters in Oyo – 2,344,448. AA – 6331 ACPN – 8979 AD – 6282 ADC – 5000 APA – 4468 APC – 528,620 CPP – 6674 HOPE – 839 KOWA – 1312 NCP – 1895 PDP – 303,376 PPN – 2842 UDP – 1069 UPP – 3665 Total valid votes in Oyo – 881,352. Total rejected votes – 47,254. Total votes cast – 920,066. 15:45 Prof Micheal Faborode is the collation officer of the FCT Abuja. There are six area councils in the FCT. Total number of registered voters – 886,573. Number of accredited voters – 344,056. 14 political parties took part in the FCT. AA – 139 ACPN – 342 AD – 240 ADC – 288 APA – 674 APC – 146, 399 CPP – 347 HOPE – 83 KOWA – 165 NCP – 473 PDP – 157,195 PPN – 269 UDP – 95 UPP – 96 Total valid votes in FCT – 306,805. Total rejected votes – 9,210. Total votes cast – 316,015. 15:37 Prof Olusola Oyewole is the collation officer of Ondo state. Number of registered voters – 1,501,549. Number of accredited voters – 618,040. AA – 386 ACPN – 2406 AD – 1237 ADC – 1227 APA – 1139 APC – 299,889 CPP – 1012 HOPE – 184 KOWA- 223 NCP – 846 PDP – 251,368 PPN – 734 UDP – 184 UPP – 221 votes Total valid votes 561,056. Total rejected votes 21,379. Total votes cast 582,435. 15:27 #Nigeria2015: Osun state results is next. Prof Isaac Uzoma is the collation officer of Osun. Number of registered voters – 1,378,113. Number of accredited voters – 683,169. AA – 377 ACPN – 1731 AD – 1667 ADC – 937 APC – 383,603 CPP – 1029 HOPE – 132 KOWA – 255 NCP – 767 PDP – 249,927 PPN – 599 UDP – 124 UPP – 159 Total valid votes – 642,615. Total rejected votes – 20,758. Total votes cast – 663,373. 15:17 #Nigeria2015: Kogi results are next. Professor Atiku, Vice Chancellor of University of Abuja, is the collation Officer of Kogi state. Prof Atiku: Total registered voters – 1,350,883, accredited voters – 476,839. AA – 700 ACPN – 1089 AD – 427 ADC – 761 APA – 1001 APC – 264,851 HOPE – 147 KOWA – 190 NCP – 399 PDP – 149,987 PPN – 476 UDP – 180 UPP – 1456 15:08 Prof Hillary, the VC of Mike Okpara University, is the collation officer of Enugu state. 14 political parties took part in Enugu state. Total number of registered voters – 1,381,563. AA – 441 ACPN – 479 AD – 269 ADC – 478 APA – 715 APC – 14,157 CPP – 237 HOPE – 110 KOWA – 203 NCP – 761 PDP – 553,003 PPN – 407 UDP – 1623 UPP – 290 Total valid votes – 573,173. Total rejected votes – 12,459. Total votes cast – 585,632. 14:55 Prof Duro Oni is the Ogun State Collation Officer. 20 local governments participated in Ogun state, 14 political parties took part in the polls. Total number of registered voters in Ogun – 1,709,409. Accredited voters – 594,975. AA – 584 AD – 1927 ACPN – 3072 ADC – 1364 APA – 1930 APC – 308,290 PDP – 207,950 PPN – 4339 UDP – 562 UPP – 597 HOPE – 332 KOWA – 432 NCP – 815 Total valid votes – 533,172. Total rejected votes – 26,441. Votes cast – 559,631. INEC officials in some states have collated their individual numbers pending the collation and announcement of the final results. Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) have begun to announce results from Nigeria’s Presidential elections. INEC officials in some states have collated their individual numbers pending the collation and announcement of the final results. Here are some of the Presidential results that have been released: KOGI APC: 264,851 PDP: 149,987 JIGAWA: APC: 885, 988 PDP: 143, 904 NASARAWA: APC: 236, 838 PDP: 273, 460 ENUGU: APC: 14,157 PDP: 553,003 EKITI Ilejemeje: PDP-3,799, APC- 3,000. Ekiti South West: PDP-10,220; APC -7,195. Efon: PDP- 5,699, APC-3,103 Irepodun/Ifelodun: PDP-11,895; APC- 7,970. Oye: PDP-11,262; APC- 8,574. Emure: PDP- 6,822 ; APC 5,353. Ikere: PDP-14,091; APC- 7,990. Ekiti West: PDP-10,003, APC-8,001 Ado: PDP-25,419, APC-14,414 Ikole: PDP-13,306; APC-10,026. Gbonyin: PDP- 8,792; APC 6,334 Ekiti East: PDP-11,922 ; APC-8,274. Moba: PDP- 8,687; APC- 7,492 Ise/Orun: PDP-9,158; APC 5,675 OSUN Boluwaduro: APC- 5288, PDP-4413. Egbedore: APC- 9577 PDP- 6507 Ila: APC- 11576, PDP- 7647 Boripe: APC-12152, PDP- 7457 Ife North: APC-8369, PDP- 7921 Ife South: APC-9793, PDP-9283 Ife East: APC-12513, PDP-15532 Olorunda: APC- 23,342, PDP-7958 Atakumosa West: APC- 6639, PDP-4734 Ife East: APC 12513, PDP-15532 Odo Otin: APC-13351, PDP-10230 Isokan: APC-10187, PDP-6974 Orolu: APC-8466, PDP-6360 Atakunmosa East: APC 6639, PDP-4734 Ifelodun: APC 17040, PDP 9847 Irepodun: APC-12485, PDP-7750 Ayedaade: APC- 13560, PDP- 9466 Olaoluwa: APC 8125, PDP 5910 OGUN Odeda: APC-11,102; PDP -4,456 Imeko Afon: APC-7,657; PDP-12,153 Sagamu: APC-15,761, PDP -17,263 Ijebu Ode: APC -14,043, PDP -8,972 Remo North: APC- 6,164, PDP -9,278 Ewekoro: APC -9,626, PDP -3,227 Obafemi-Owode: APC -15,207, PDP -5,786. Ijebu North-East: APC- 7638, PDP-6163. Odogboolu: APC -11623, PDP -11405. Abeokuta North: APC 21213, PDP 5,742 OYO OYO WEST: APC-16,431; PDP- 5,381. ATISBO: APC-9,090; PDP-6,392 SAKI WEST: APC- 7,208; PDP-5,368 ATIBA: APC-16,755; PDP- 6,443 IWAJOWA: APC-8,715; PDP-7,389 ONA ARA: APC- 12,291; PDP-7,175 IBARAPA EAST: APC-10,482; PDP-7,009 IDO: APC-17,235; PDP- 6,538 OLUYOLE: APC-19,642; PDP-6,956; KAJOLA: APC-14,538; PDP- 11,045 AFIJIO: APC- 8,001; PDP-5,738 OORELOPE: APC-9,425; PDP -5,384 IREPO: APC-10,380; PDP -4,979 ITESIWAJU: APC-7,257; PDP-7,605 KANO Kibiya: APC- 23,000; PDP- 4,999 Gabasawa: APC-31,000; PDP- 8,840 Bagwai: APC- 3 8,750; PDP 8,159 Kunchi: APC-24,542; PDP 2,921 Tsanyawa: APC-32,662; PDP 4,819 Gaya: APC -38,085; PDP 1,888 BORNO Marte: APC 426; PDP 742 Kala Balge: APC 1766- PDP 98 Askira Uba: APC, 5220 PDP, 1308 Ngala: APC 2764; PDP 241 Kukuwa: APC 5662, PDP 230 Mobbar APC 4487, PDP 108 Abadam APC 2657, PDP 70 Ngazai APC, 3521, PDP 211 Kaga APC 6133 PDP 202 Mafa APC 7140, PDP 178 Dikwa APC 3031, PDP 114 Gwoza APC 15702, PDP 1414 Gubio APC 6481 PDP 306 Munguno APC 5461, PDP 181 Bama APC 11,133 PDP 193 Guzamala APC 2720 PDP 397

Police arrest INEC officer in Taraba for collecting bribe from politician

JALINGO—The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC resident commissioner in Taraba State, Alhaji Ahmed Makama has confirmed that his Electoral Officer in Ibbi local government area of Taraba state was in the police net at the police headquarters in Jalingo for allegedly collecting bribe from a politician from the area to manipulate election results. The Electoral Officer who was attached to Ibbi to conduct the Saturday presidential and National Assembly elections was manhandled by angry youths in Ibbi for allegedly collecting 20 million naira bribe from a staunch politician in Ibbi to change the result of the state house of representative within the area. The elections in Nwonyo II ward of Ibbi local government area was suspended by INEC as a result of the crisis that broke out between youths of the area and the Electoral Officer in the local government on Saturday. He however explained that affected Electoral Officer has been replaced by a Head of Department of the commission to conduct the elections.

#NigeriaDecides: APC Winning Comfortably In Kaduna & Parts Of Oyo & Osun States

Results coming in from Kaduna North shows that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is leading in the polls with the Peoples Democratic Party coming not too far behind. Vanguard correspondent gathered that APC led in Kawo, Uguwan Liwan and many other wards. Below are the results from Kaduna. Ward: Kawo Presidential APC-17,823 PDP 1,001 Senate APC-17,750 PDP-1,094 Uguwan Liman Presidential APC-4,190 PDP-1,782 Senate APC 4,101 PDP 1,911 House of Reps APC 3,992 PDP 1,899 Shaba Ward Presidential APC 3,871 PDP 1,827 Senate APC 3,780 PDP 1,942 House of Reps APC 3,517 PDP 2,127 Unguwan Shanu Ward Presidential APC 10,345 PDP 219 Senate APC 10,156 PDP 390 House of Reps APC 9,889 PDP 380 Unguwan Sarki Presidential APC 11,668 PDP 997 Senate APC 11,266 PDP 1,212 House of Reps APC 10,211 PDP 1,185 Hayin Banki Presidential APC 10,813 PDP 1,193 Senate APC 10,684 PDP 1,193 House of Reps APC 10,202 PDP 1,195 Presidential Election results from Oyo OYO WEST APC 16,431 PDP: 5,381. ATISBO APC 9,090; PDP-6,392 SAKI WEST APC: 7,208 PDP: 5,368

#NigeriaDecides: Jonathan Wins Ekiti With 176,474 Votes

According to Vanguard, President Goodluck Jonathan won in all the 16 local government areas of Ekiti State in Saturday’s presidential election The PDP candidates equally cleared all the three senatorial seats and 6 House of Representatives seats in the state. Briefing newsmen at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office ,Ado Ekiti Sunday,the Chief Returning Officer for the Presidential election for Ekiti State and Vice-Chancellor of Federal University of Technology,(FUTA), Akure, Prof. Biyi Daramola said the president and other PDP candidates won in all the 16 local government areas of the state

APC Reveals Why There Was Massive Turnout For Election

Following the massive turn out of voters in Saturday’s presidential election, a scribe of the major opposition party, the All Progressive Congress (APC) has come out to reveal to Nigerians what it truly signified. Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday in Damaturu, Yobe State, the APC’s National Secretary, Mai-Mala Buni revealed that the mass turnout of voters in Presidential and National Assembly elections is a reflection of Nigerians’ faith in democratic governance. Buni urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to respect the people’s choice. “The unprecedented turnout of electorate, their peaceful conduct, patience and cooperation for successful conduct of this election should be respected with declaration of winners without bias. In spite of the security challenges in some areas and threats and the hitches associated with the card readers, people remained resolute and committed to ensuring that they participated in the exercise,” he said. The APC scribe called on electorate to remain peaceful, law abiding and cooperate with INEC in the remaining exercises to ensure its success. He also advised security agencies to remain neutral and objective in the discharge of their duties throughout the electioneering period. “The loyalty of security agencies is to the country and not to any political party or candidate; they must resist any attempt by anybody to drag them into politics and avoid any act that will portray them as being partisan,” he said. The national secretary also urged the electoral commission to improve on its performance in order to reduce challenges posed by the use of card readers during Saturday’s poll to ensure credible and acceptable election in the country. Election observers on Saturday acknowledged the fact that there was a huge turnout of voters in most part of the country, and that the poll was very peaceful. It was also confirmed by the international observers that electorates were very calm and patient even when the card readers were malfunctioning and not being able to accredit so many potential voters during the voting exercise. In states like Katsina, Kaduna and Adamawa, there was a huge turn from even the elderly people who stormed the various polling units with the assistance of their wards and grandchildren to cast their votes for the candidate of their choice. - See more at: http://www.jazzyfans.net/apc-reveals-why-there-was-massive-turnout-for-election/#sthash.J44BqtMF.dpuf

See Who Wants Jega Arrested And Prosecuted

National Secretary of the Labour Party (LP), Barr. Olukayode Ajulo has called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega over what he called the “total failure of the card reader for Saturday’s presidential election”. Ajulo, who described the election as an election between the PDP and smart card reader said Jega deserves total blame for going ahead with the use of the card reader despite stiff opposition from many concerned stakeholders in the polity on the problem that may arose from the use of the cards. According to him “I think the election is between PDP and smart card reader. If I have my way, Professor Attahiru Jega ought to have been arrested and prosecuted. Because we raised this issue right from beginning that the card reader will fail. And it failed”. “This is the same Jega about six months ago that told everyone that Ekiti and Osun election are important elections to use card reader which they are not sure of. Then, how manage he now accepted to use card reader for presidential election. Honestly, the card reader failed woefully. Now, he now said they should use manual voter register in the last minute. Why didn’t he say that before?” National Secretary of the Labour Party (LP), Barr. Olukayode Ajulo has called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega over what he called the “total failure of the card reader for Saturday’s presidential election”. Ajulo, who described the election as an election between the PDP and smart card reader said Jega deserves total blame for going ahead with the use of the card reader despite stiff opposition from many concerned stakeholders in the polity on the problem that may arose from the use of the cards. According to him “I think the election is between PDP and smart card reader. If I have my way, Professor Attahiru Jega ought to have been arrested and prosecuted. Because we raised this issue right from beginning that the card reader will fail. And it failed”. “This is the same Jega about six months ago that told everyone that Ekiti and Osun election are important elections to use card reader which they are not sure of. Then, how manage he now accepted to use card reader for presidential election. Honestly, the card reader failed woefully. Now, he now said they should use manual voter register in the last minute. Why didn’t he say that before?”

BREAKING NEWS: INEC’s WEBSITE GETS HACKED BY NIGERIA CYBER HACKING GROUP ON ELECTION DAY

The website of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been hacked about 30 minutes ago. The hackers introduced themselves as “StruCk By Nigerian Cyber Army | TeaM NCA” The statement on the website read: “Sorry xD Your Site has been STAMPED by TeaM Nigerian Cyber Army FEEL SOME SHAME ADMIN!!” “Security is just an illusion, Remember US GREETINGS OF PEACE TO CITIZEN OF NIGERIA FROM TEAM NCA NIGERIANS No Body Can Give You Freedom No Body Can Give You Equality Or Justice If You Are A Man/Woman YOU TAKE IT” Its 2015 Elections And We Are Here AGain But This Time In A Different Form, APC Claimed They Hacked Into INEC DATABASE But We Own The DATABASE Long Before Now So No Worries No Fear To All NIGERIANs…GO And Cast Your Vote And We Assure You That Your Vote Must Count Because We Are The Kings Of The NIgerRian CYber SPACE.” NOTE: WE GAT ACCESS TO OTHER HIGH RANKING NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT SERVERS, BUT WE ARE NOT HERE FOR THAT TODAY!. INEC DONT TRY TO RIG BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN WATCHING YOU DAY AND NIGHT FOR MONTHS NOW BUT DONT BE SCARED WE MEAN NO HARM COS IF YOU ATTEMPT TO RIG YOU WILL PAY!!,” the hackers wrote. “WE ARE THE THE VOICE OF THE YOUTHs!! WE ALSO USE THIS MEDIUM TO ADVICE ALL POLITICAL PARTIES: WHO PRICE GO PAY. WE DO NOT FORGIVE, WE DO NOT FORGET EXPECT US!”

BOKO HARAM FIGHTERS TOLD TO KILL WIVES AS TROOPS TAKEOVER ITS HQ: GWOZA

Abuja (AFP) - Nigeria's military on Friday announced that troops had retaken the town of Gwoza from Boko Haram, from which the group declared their caliphate last year. Defence spokesman Chris Olukolade told a news conference in the capital, Abuja, that the recapture came after "concerted and well-coordinated land and air operations". "A lot of arms and ammunition have been recovered and the administrative headquarters (of Boko Haram) completely destroyed," he said. "A massive cordon and search has commenced to locate any of the fleeing terrorists or hostages in their custody." Earlier this month, residents who fled the town in Borno state told AFP that militants had been massing in Gwoza and killing local people who were unable to flee. That led to speculation that the group, which has been pushed out of a number of towns in three northeast states in recent weeks, was preparing for a final assault. Olukolade said dead bodies had been discovered in a well, while one man who was forcibly conscripted into the militants' ranks said the group's leader had ordered women in the town to be killed. Usman Ali, a 35-year-old farmer, said Abubakar Shekau addressed his fighters on March 15 and told them to kill the women they have taken as wives. View galleryNigerian soldiers patrol close to a former camp of … Nigerian soldiers patrol close to a former camp of Islamist extremist group Boko Haram near Maidugur … "He said they should go back to Gwoza and kill all of their women they left behind. He said if they didn't kill them they would not join them in paradise," he told AFP after managing to escape. "They took us along to Gwoza where we witnessed the carnage." Earlier this month residents who fled Bama, also in Borno state, had also reported that dozens of women forced into marriage with Boko Haram fighters were killed. - Boko Haram 'fleeing' - On August 24 last year, Shekau declared that Gwoza was "part of the Islamic caliphate", adding to speculation the militants were imitating the Islamic State group. Shekau had the previous month praised IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi but stopped short of pledging allegiance. He has since formally allied himself to the group in Syria and Iraq. Nigeria's national security spokesman Mike Omeri said last week that troops had begun the "final onslaught" against Boko Haram, saying Gwoza was one of three areas yet to be retaken. Olukolade said on Friday: "As at yesterday, the military has been able to take over virtually all the enclaves and hideouts where the terrorists were marauding. "It is observed that some of the terrorists are currently fleeing towards border areas." He said fleeing Boko Haram fighters were likely to "run into subsequent encounter(s) with contingents" of the Multinational Joint Task Force who have been mandated to contain them, he added. A four-nation coalition of Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Cameroon has claimed a number of successes since the turn of the year to end the insurgency which has claimed more than 13,000 lives since 2009. The ongoing operation was cited as a reason to delay Nigeria's general election on February 14 to this Saturday, as soldiers would not be able to provide security nationwide. In a televised address broadcast on Friday before weekend elections, President Goodluck Jonathan hailed troops for having "successfully stemmed the seizure of Nigerian territories". But Chad's President Idriss Deby accused Nigeria of failing to cooperate with the regional coalition battling the jihadists, saying there had been zero contact between their armies. "The whole world is asking why the Nigerian army, which is a big army... is not in a position to stand up to untrained kids armed with Kalashnikovs," Deby told French magazine Le Point, in an interview published this week.

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BBM LAUNCHES PROTECTION FOR ANDROID AND IOS

In a bid to put more focus on digital privacy, BlackBerry has announced BBM Protected support for Android and iOS. This will allow those smartphone owners to access a more secure enterprise-based version of its BBM messaging service. Earlier BBM protect was only accessible through Blackberry devices but now devices running Android and iOS can also use the feature. BBM Protected for iOS, Android, and BlackBerry phones uses encryption keys which are generated by the communicating mobile devices themselves. It is part of the BBM Protected IM service which offers the standard IM app-like features along with boosted security. To use the service one can start a Protected conversation on the BBM Protect and even invite non-BBM protected users into the conversation, as long as they have the BBM app on their device.

KONGA: 48 HOURS DEALS

KONGA

BUHARI PLANNING TO SEND ME TO PRISON- PATIENCE

The wife of the President, Patience Jonathan, says the All Progressives Congress Presidential candidate, Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) will send her to jail if he is elected. In a manner typical of a prayer session, Patience, at the Peoples Democratic Party rally in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Wednesday, invoked the ‘Holy ghost fire’ to consume PDP’s opponents. Patience also called on the crowd to vote for the PDP at the polls. Patience, who had earlier entertained the crowd of supporters by dancing to household music tracks such as ‘Kukere’ and ‘Personally,’ said the Goodluck Jonathan-led government was a lover of women and youths in the country and should, therefore, be encouraged to continue. She said, “I want to warn you not to listen to the All Progressives Congress. The APC does not have materials to match what the PDP has on (the) ground. Their candidate was there in governance initially. What did he do? They only sent your fathers to prison. “They are planning to even send me to prison. Holy Ghost fire! Holy Ghost fire! Holy Ghost fire! They have nothing to offer. They only say ‘I will’, ‘I will’. “A train is moving and it has now got to Oyo State. When we talk about train, some of you may have not seen a train before now. The last time a train moved in this country was when I was small and in primary school. “When my children were small, they asked me what a train was. I had to take them to London and we entered a train from London to Paris. But the PDP government has brought this back to Nigeria. If you want to see train working today, you don’t need to travel again.” The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Jumoke Akinjide, who spoke earlier, said Jonathan deserved to be re-elected because he gave women 35 per cent representation in his cabinet. She said, “I enjoin the women and youths of Oyo State to vote for our party on Saturday. I have seen a campaign advert by the APC in the newspapers saying ‘God give us men’. But our prayer in the PDP is different. We pray that God gives us men and women. “Jonathan is the first President in Nigeria to give women 35 per cent. Going by the National Conference report, the President has said that if women have 35 per cent, youths will also have 30 per cent. “I was looking at the list of the universities set up by this administration, and I saw that one of them was set up even in the hometown of his opponent – Gen. Buhari. I think that if Buhari could not set up a university in his own state, Jonathan has done it and, therefore, deserves to continue.” Other dignitaries at the event were the PDP governorship candidate in the state, Senator Teslim Folarin, his wife, Angela; wife of Ondo State Governor, Mrs. Kemi Mimiko, and the party’s senatorial candidates in Oyo State.

JONATHAN, BUHARI RENEW PEACE DEAL

President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Gen. Muhammedu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Thursday signed another peace deal for violent-free elections. The duo are the top candidates for the March 28 presidential elections. They had signed a similar agreement along side other presidential candidates on the 14th of January, 2015. The agreement then was popularly called the Abuja Accord. The meeting on Thursday at the Sheraton Hotel, Abuja was facilitated by‎ the Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar‎’s led ‎National Peace Committee on 2015 Elections. Just like the first meeting, they again shook hands and hug each other at the venue. They also renewed the accord in January by reassuring Nigerians and the world that the country is more important than their own aspirations. The accord signed on Thursday by the two candidates and read by Bishop Mathew Kukah was titled ‘Renewal of our pledges to peaceful elections. Joint statement issued by His Excellency, President Goodluck Jonathan and Major General Muhammad Buhari on Thursday, March 26, 2015 ahead of the 2015 presidential elections.’ It reads: “You may recall that on 14th January 2015, both of us, long with nine other party leaders signed what has now come to be known as the Abuja Accord. The substance of that Accord was our commitment to free, fair and credible elections in our dear country. “In the Accord, we agreed to, among other things, run an issue-based campaign and pledged that our electoral campaigns will not involve any religious incitement, ethnic or tribal profiling, both by ourselves and all agents acting in our names. “Now that the campaigns have come to an end, we meet today to renew our pledge for peaceful elections. We therefore call on all fellow citizens of our dear country, and our part supporters, to refrain from violence or any acts that may in any way jeopardize our collective vision of a free, fair and credible election. “In addition, we call on INEC and all security agencies to ensure strict adherence to their constitutional roles. We also pledge to respect the outcome of free, fair and credible elections. “Today, we again renew our commitment to a united, democratic and prosperous Nigeria. We want to all Nigerians to stand together at this critical phase of our nation’s history.Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria. God bless you all.” It stated In his remarks, Abdulsalami Abubakar said: “This committee has been working round the clock to assist the parties and Nigerians to ensure that there is peace and harmony before, during and after the elections this time around. “Mr. President was kind enough to see us yesterday (Wednesday), one he is the President of the country and secondly he is a contestant. And this morning Gen. Buhari despite his late arrival last night or early arrival this morning, was kind enough to meet with this committee. “In essence all the meetings were held to brief them the current situation of the country and what we expect of them as stakeholders and as presidential candidates. I want to thank both the President and Gen. Buhari for finding time to meet with the committee. And I want to thank both party chairmen for the support received in trying to send this message of peace. “I’m happy both parties, the contestants are committed to free and fair elections, free of violence. And this morning a document to reiterate their commitment for this peaceful and for the forthcoming elections,” he added

KONGA CLOTHLINE

SKYE BANK ISSUES N100bn COMMERCIAL PAPER

Skye Bank has signed an agreement with Stanbic IBTC Bank and Financial Market Dealers Quotation System to issue N100bn in commercial paper to increase its ability to do more transactions.

The first tranche of the transaction is worth N20bn and opens on Monday and closes on Friday.

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Skye Bank, Mr. Timothy Oguntayo, said the bank was taking advantage of the commercial paper window to expand the number of instruments on its balance sheet.

According to him, the bank is driven “to take advantage of this programme to increase awareness of the availability of this innovative product in the market place and to help acquire investments that are tradable without suffering penalty.”

A statement by the bank on Tuesday stated that Skye Bank was the second lender to take advantage of the reintroduction of the commercial paper window since 2009 by the Central Bank of Nigeria and FMDQ, and that the current transaction represented only the third since then.

For a bank to qualify to issue commercial paper, it must be liquid, have a favourable credit rating of not less than B- and must have record assuring investors of its ability to perform, according to Nosakhare Aguebor, an associate at G. Elias and Co.

According to the statement, Skye Bank has investment grade ratings of A- from Global Credit Rating; BBB by Standard and Poor’s; and Bbb by Agusto & Co.

The Chief Executive Officer, StanbicIBTC Capital, Yewande Sadiku, described the deal as a milestone in the history of market innovation in the country and thanked Skye Bank for the opportunity to be involved in the deal.

“Skye Bank is making the issue on the back of its strong brand and reputation; experienced and stable management team; good ratings; strong subsidiaries and presence in West Africa; and sound use of proceeds,” a summary of issuance programme stated.

The issue, which has StanbicIBTC as agents and adviser, has a 90-day tenor benchmarked against the 91-day Treasury Bill. Minimum subscription to the offer is N5m in multiples of N1,000 and notes may be rediscounted at investors’ option and subject to one week notice.

Skye Bank had recently acquired Mainstreet Bank for N126bn in a deal promising to transform it into a tier one bank.

OBASANJO WARNS AGAINST PLOT TO HAND OVER TO MILITARY

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Tuesday warned against handing over the reins of government to the military.

Obasanjo said the speculation that the government was planning an Interim Government had been substituted by speculations that President Goodluck Jonathan was plotting to hand over to the military. He said that doing so would undermine the integrity of the country.

The ex-President, while hosting Aisha Buhari, wife of the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, said, “I do hope we will get things more right. A lot of rumours are flying around; I think we have gone away from the rumour of Interim Government because that is not in our constitution.

“I hope we will soon go away from the rumour of handing over to the military because the military is not meant to run the affairs of a nation in terms of running government.”

Obasanjo, who said that he was happy that the country had gone beyond the Interim Government rumour, added that he hoped the nation would also survive the rumour of handing over to the military.

He said, “The international community will not condone it, particularly the African Union where we have a situation, we have said and it is part and parcel of the constituting Act of the African Union. Any government that is brought about not on the basis of the constitution will not be accepted; will not be tolerated and will not be a member of the AU until that government is dismantled.

“It shouldn’t be. We are the largest country in Africa; we should be a model, setting examples, we shouldn’t be drawing Africa backwards. I hope we will not. I hope at the end of this exercise, we would be where we should be, leading Africa and showing examples for the rest of Africa and indeed the rest of the world.

“We have the goodwill of many people. I watched last night, President (Barack) Obama talking about our constitution; I watched our Brother from Ghana, the current Chairman of ECOWAS talking about our constitution. They are all interested, they all wish us well; should we wish ourselves anything less?”

Recently, the former President had warned the current administration not to plunge this country into chaos by following the footsteps of the former President of Cote d’lvoire, Laurent Gbagbo, who refused to hand over to the winner of the presidential election in his country.

Obasanjo also bemoaned hate campaigns among politicians, advising that they should focus more on what united the country as opposed to what divided the country.

According to him, for anyone who is interested in the future of this country, issues of insecurity, economy and unemployment, among others, should form the focus of political campaigns.

He said, “Unfortunately, issues that should have been the main item of our campaign, they did not. We have serious issues of security, we have serious issue of our economy, we have issue of unemployment, particularly youth unemployment, we have serious issues of infrastructure.

“These are issues among others that I believe campaign of those who are interested in the present and the future of this country should be directed at.

“How are we going to get them and what are we going to do? Not trivial issues of certificate or no certificate, not trivial issues of somebody talking about someone is a Nigerian and not a Nigerian.

“I said it, this is what they had in Cote d’Ivoire and led them into almost a very serious problem, not issue of religion, not issue of tribe, not issue of section but issues of unity of this country and the hate campaigns that we have embarked upon now, I hope this will be the last time in the history of this country that we will have this type of campaign of hatred or division.”

Obasanjo commended Buhari’s wife, stressing that women had a role to play in politics and enthronement of good governance.

JEGA: THOSE AFRAID OF CARD READER ARE ELECTORAL OFFENDERS

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega Wednesday assured that his commission has made all the necessary preparation for transparent elections this Saturday and on April 11.

He said although his commission has evolved various electronic measures aimed at limiting fraud in the nation’s elections, it will delay the application till 2019, but will only apply the card reader this time. He said those opposed to the deployment of card reader in this year’s elections were those who feel their fraudulent conduct will be detected.

“To my mind, and to many in INEC, this is one of the many reasons many people are opposing the use of the card reader. Because a clear way that they had used in the past to somehow get away with fraudulent conduct in elections, will now be made difficult, because if they do, it is very likely now to be established.

“The use of the card reader will help us address some of the concerns about the alteration of, particularly accreditation figures in order to fraudulently advantage to a candidate and disadvantage the other candidate.

‘Information about accreditation, which will be saved on the card reader and which will be transmitted to our data base, will be useful in term of addressing irregularities, when the emerge in relation to alteration of accreditation figures,” Jega said.

The INEC Chairman spoke in Abuja Wednesday while inaugurating the Civil Society Organizations’ (CSOs) Situation Room, where CSO representatives, under the Nigerian Civil Society Situation Room, will receive and analyze reports of the elections.

He assured that the commission has done “everything possible to ensure that the 2015 general elections are successful, and in particular, we have done everything possible to ensure that we have prepared operationally and logistically for the conduct of the elections, we have worked very closely with security agencies and we have received assurances, through the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security, and most specifically from the Inspector General of Police (IGP), because the police has a lead role in terms of providing security for the elections.

“These reassurances make us comfortable that all that need to be done has been done to ensure the successful conduct of the elections.

Jega gave a picture of some of the improvements the commission has made since the last election in the movement of material and men to minimize hitches experienced in previous elections and its preparation for this one.

“Beginning from today, we are commencing the rolling out, leading to Saturday, the Election Day. Before now, all the non-sensitive materials had been taken to all the local government offices. Form today, the sensitive materials will be received from the vault of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and taken to our state offices, accompanied by agents of political parties.

“Then, later this evening, till tomorrow morning, these will be distributed various local governments, and will also be accompanied by parties agents. At the state level, we expect that as from tomorrow evening, up until Friday afternoon, all the materials taken to the local governments will also be distributed to the ward levels.

“At each ward level, we have established what we call Registration Area Centre (RAC). We have equipped it reasonably to ensure that both our staff and security agencies spend the few hours of the night there, in readiness to deploy very early in the morning to the various polling units in each of those wards.”

On collation and presentation of results, Jega said the commission will use the same method it applied in previous elections. He said the although the commission had tested the process of electronic transmission of results, having used it in some elections in the past, it will not use it in the 2015 general elections because of the reaction of some people to the introduction of card reader in this elections.

“We will not put that electronic transmission of results to use in the 2015 general elections. We consider the reactions from innovation of using the card reader and we felt that we should just, cope with that rather than create additional challenges about electronic transmission of results. And particularly, the memory of that in the Kenya election is still fresh in the memory of many.

“So, we felt that lets keep piloting it and improving upon it beyond 2015. Hopefully, by 2019 general elections, the commission will get there where it can do full electronic transmission of results. Even though we are not going to do electronic transmission of results, we have tried to address a concern, which was expressed after the 2011 general elections, with regards to the transparency of the collation of the results.

The coordinator of the Situation Room and Executive Director of the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), Clement Nwankwo urged INEC to do all within its powers to ensure that it improves on all the lapses experienced in past elections.

He commended INEC for its efforts so far, noting that there was a substantial improvement on its preparation as against the experience in past elections. he urged the military to realize that its role is to give back-up security to the police, whose main duty is to provide security during elections.

He warned the soldiers against intimidating electorates or acting in manners that betrays it sympathy for a particular party or candidates, noting that soldiers are not to be seen close to the polling booths.

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Suleiman Abba also assured that the police was ready to provide adequate security during the elections.”

IGP, who was represented at the event by the Force Public Relations Officer, Emmanuel Ojukwu, said the police is ready for the elections.

“Our men are adequately motivated.

“We are ready to go. Where we do not have sufficient men on the ground, we are working with other security agencies. We are even preparing for the 2019 elections for those who feel the country will not exist after this year’s elections,” he said.

He said unlike previous experience, men to be deployed for electoral duties will be paid their allowances before departure.

He also assured that the police will pay attention to the security of the Youth Corps members and ad-hoc staff to be deployed for the election.

NNPC CAUTIOUS AGAINST PANIC BUYING, HOARDING AND STOCK-PILING OF PETROL

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Wednesday called on members of the public to shun panic buying and stock-piling of petrol as there is enough stock of the product to keep the country on for two months.

In a statement made available to journalists by the Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Mr. Ohi Alegbe, the Corporation put the current stock of premium motor spirit (petrol) in its depots across the country at 1.9 billion litres.

It also appealed to tanker drivers who had stopped hauling fuel from depots in the coastal states to the Northern part of the country for fear of being caught in unfounded fears of post-election violence, to return to work as the Corporation is working closely with security agencies to provide maximum security for them.

The Corporation also cautioned marketers to desist from capitalizing on the situation to hoard and divert petroleum products thereby subjecting Nigerians to unnecessary hardship, adding that the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke, has directed the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) to sanction any marketer found hoarding, diverting or selling products above regulated prices.

The Corporation urged members of the public to discountenance rumours or insinuations of petrol scarcity as all issues relating to the importation of fuel by marketers have been resolved, stressing that the Petroleum Pipelines and Marketing Company (PPMC) has released a huge volume of petrol into the market.

Buhari Vows To Make $1 Equal to N1 if voted President

                             

                           

The All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Muhammadu Buhari, on Monday said he would ensure that the Naira was equal to the dollar in value, if voted into office.

Speaking during the South-East presidential rally of the party at Dan Anyima Stadium, Owerri, the former head of state expressed the current value of the naira does not speak well for the economy.

“It is sad that the value of the naira has dropped to more than N230 to one dollar; this does not speak well for the nation’s economy,” he said.

He therefore urged the people to vote for APC,so as to ensure that the required change comes.

- See more at: http://www.mavindee.blogspot.com/buhari-vows-to-make-1-equal-to-n1-if-voted-president/http://mavindee.blogspot.com/2015/03/vows-to-make-1-equal-to-n1-if-voted.html

DAVIDO SET TO RELEASE ALBUM ON HIS GRADUATION DAY

               DAVID SET TO RELEASE ALBUM ON HIS GRADUATION DAY




As the month of March draws to an end, music star Davido is determined to end the month with a bang as he plans the release of his album as well as his graduation day. He posted a photo on Instagram and expressed his excitement with the caption: ‘Game face!! Time to get back to the hustle!! Last month of school ever!! So happy im getting my degree!! Album drops on my graduation day!!! Nigeria im coming home!!’ - See more at: http://www.mavindee.blogspot.com davido-album-to-be-drop-this-month-on-his-graduation-dayhttp://mavindee.blogspot.com/2015/03/set-to-release-album-on-his-graduation.html