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Tag: 2015 elections

  • Nigeria ready for 2015 elections – Mark

    Nigeria ready for 2015 elections – Mark

    Despite anxieties and fears being expressed ahead of the 2015 elections, Nigeria is adequately prepared for a peaceful, free, fair, transparent and credible polls, Senate President, David Mark has assured.

    A statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Senate President, Paul Mumeh, said that Mark told visiting United States Ambassador to Nigeria, James Entwistle, in Abuja Friday that the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is well equipped with necessary tools and personnel for the polls.

    Mumeh quoted Mark to have told his visitor that Nigerians are also ready for the elections.

    Mark said, “Our citizens are now more conscious of their rights and indeed the values of their votes. What we expect from our friends and the international community is support and cooperation.

    “Security challenge is there but we have intensified efforts and our security operatives now more equipped to contain the situation. So far, Nigerians are desirous of a peaceful conduct of the elections. I’m sure the outcome would be cheering to all.”

    The statement said that Mark believed that the exercise would be interesting and thanked the government and people of U.S for the support to Nigeria especially towards the elections.

    It said that Entwistle acknowledged that Nigeria is heading towards a great democratic exercise in 2015 which he said the global community is looking forward to with keen interest.

    The Ambassador, the statement said, harped on the need for a violent- free election and expressed satisfaction that all the principal contenders for the polls have all signed a pact for a violent free- elections in 2015.

    It said that Entwistle stressed the need for transparency and the inevitability of citizens to hold officials accountable at all times.

  • 2015: APC diaspora members declare support for Buhari

    2015: APC diaspora members declare support for Buhari

    Ahead of the 2015 presidential election, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Diaspora under the auspices of APC-Diaspora, Canada Chapter has declared support for the election of General Muhammadu Buhari and his running mate, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.

    The declaration was made by the Public Relations Officer, APC-Diaspora, Canada Chapter, Mr. Jerry Solomon, in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja.

    Solomon said the policy framework by the APC standard-bearer, Gen Buhari and his running mate, Prof. Osibanjo was the way out for the country to come out from the doldrums of under-development.

    He said: “We in APC-Diaspora, Canada Chapter and other branches are in full support of the party and appeal to Nigerians back home to vote wisely.

    “We encourage Nigerians to objectively analyze issues confronting the nation, assess the performance of the current government and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) as a whole, in comparison with development witnessed in APC controlled States in Nigeria and the good policies and plans itemised by Prof. Osinbajo and choose the path of true positive transformation.

    “We are agreeing absolutely with the issues raised by Prof. Osinbajo on how the administration of successive governments have been characterized by graft and corruption, whose effect inhibits the nation’s progress and development.

    “Osinbajo said APC recognizes corruption as the central issue in Nigeria challenges, which is one of the major reasons General Muhammadu Buhari, who has a worldwide reputation as a strict fighter against corruption, has been chosen as the presidential candidate.

    “What of protection of lives and properties, which is a major national issue? As Osinbajo said, is one of the most important responsibilities of the government that has been perpetually neglected, resulting in the increased level of insurgency as witnessed in the north-eastern part of the country, daily kidnapping of people that have plagued the south-east and south-south, theft and arm robbery that have almost become a norm in the society.

    “He lamented that the current leadership in Nigeria did not only lack the quality but have clearly demonstrated to Nigerians the lack of interest to function in that regard. He cited the inability of the government to visit the areas affected by insurgency to assess situations first hand, as an indication of lack of will and insensitivity to the plight of the masses.
    “He also said the military has to be adequately equipped and made combatant ready. He regretted that over N4 trillion spent on de fence does not reflect in any form in the status of Nigerian defense system. Osinbajo said the ill-equipped and inadequate support of the military is responsible for their demotivation and inability to effectively fight the insurgency.”
    Solomon urged the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and security agencies to ensure a level playing ground was provided for all the aspirants, where a free and fair election will be conducted.
    He also advised the political parties and all the stakeholders to emulate Prof. Osinbajo and base their campaign strategy more on issues that bordered on how to develop the country rather than attacking each other and using political thugs to cause violence and disturbing the peace of the nation.
    “We are much concerned about the conduct of election in Nigeria and want to urge the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and also security agencies to provide a level playing ground and avoid the use of security apparatus to harass and intimidate the electorates,” Solomon stated.

     

  • We will end insecurity, corruption – Buhari

    We will end insecurity, corruption – Buhari

    …Amaechi accuses Jonathan of deceiving Ndigbo

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), on Monday in Owerri, Imo State, said his administration will sign an undertaken for good governance with Nigerians in order to ensure that it will promptly address the challenges of leadership failure the country is grappling with.

    Buhari ,who spoke at the Dan Anyiam Stadium during the grand finale of the APC rally in the Southeast, said in the last 16 years under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) led government, the “country has gone from bad to worse,” lamenting that all the sectors of the economy had taken a turn for the worst.

    The APC candidate who was given an Ibo name, Okechukwu, meaning God’s own portion, said, “we will sign an undertaken that the APC led government will make Boko Haram a thing of the past. We will upgrade the low standard of education, healthcare, infrastructure and power to revive our ailing economy.”

    He therefore urged the people of the Southeast to “send the PDP parking,” assuring that his administration will place priority on job creation and youth empowerment as a viable tool to tackling insecurity and restiveness.

    Speaking earlier, the Director General of Buhari Campaign Organization and Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, disclosed that the purported second Niger Bridge contract, was a mere ruse conceived by President Goodluck Jonathan to deceive Ndigbo and give them a false sense of belonging.

    He said, “The second Niger Bridge was a mere fraud by the PDP to deceive Ndigbo but we in APC are honest men, we don’t have 419 men among us and we will fulfill all our promises. You should ask President Jonathan to show you what he has done for the Igbo.”

    Further accusing the President of corruption, the Rivers Governor, noted that, “the economy has gone down completely because of large scale corruption encouraged by President Jonathan. During Yar’Adua’s administration, the price of crude fell to $45 per litre but Nigerians did not feel the pain because of the excess crude reserve but the present administration has squandered the excess crude reserve and Nigerians are suffering.”

  • PDP denies plot to postpone elections

    PDP denies plot to postpone elections

    … Rates Jonathan above Buhari on projects

    The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has denied alleged plot to postpone the February elections, describing the allegation as diversionary.

    A statement issued on Monday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, emphasised the preparedness of the ruling party for the elections.

    The opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) had accused the PDP of working in tandem with the Department of State Security (DSS) to set the stage for postponement of the poll.

    The DSS had, last week, come up with “shocking findings” from its investigation of data and documents carted away by the Service when its operatives raided the APC’s data centre in Lagos late 2014.

    The Spokesperson of the DSS, Ms. Marilyn Ogar, had, at a press briefing in Abuja last week, stated that “findings” showed that the APC was attempting to hack into the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) data base.

    Ogar had also accused the opposition of attempts to clone INEC’s voter cards, adding that the APC registered infants, babies and serving security personnel as party members.

    The PDP is backing the DSS, accusing the APC of attempts to divert attention from the findings by the DSS.

    The ruling party stated that nothing could be more evident that the APC was not preparing to face the electorate than the frivolous and unfounded allegations and use of propaganda in an effort to hoodwink Nigerians even in the face of clear proof of culpability.

    The statement continued: “The PDP is fully ready for the coming elections. Our leaders and members are working hard in all the nooks and crannies of the country leveraging on our existing grass roots appeal, wide-spread political structures, a track-record of performance and abiding affinity and loyalty to the people.

    “We have very popular and acceptable hard working candidates which the people are anxious to vote for. Our Presidential flagbearer, President Goodluck Jonathan with verifiable achievements and commitment to national unity remains the candidate the beat.

    “We have engaged on issue-based campaigns. We have effectively shown Nigerians that we can be trusted. Our amiable leader, President Jonathan has demonstrated strength of character, sincerity of purpose in his handling of state affairs and Nigerians are desirous to demonstrate their support for him come February 14.”

    Meanwhile, the party has rated President Jonathan above his major opponent in the election, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari.

    The party said Buhari could not boast of any developmental project in any sector of the economy during his 22-month regime as head of state from 1983 to 1985.

    Metuh said in a statement that when juxtaposed with the performance of Jonathan’s democratically elected government, it becomes clear that Buhari is not and cannot be a match for President Jonathan.

    PDP said Buhari failed because he lacked the capacity and the capability to comprehend complex issues at the highest level of governance.

    It said the APC presidential candidate lacked team spirit, which the party described as a principal component of public private partnership critical for national development, “a character his colleagues in the military rejected and kicked him out of office.”

    “In a sector by sector juxtaposition of the Buhari and Jonathan administrations, the PDP observed that while Buhari suspended the constitution and led Nigerians by the nose, President Jonathan exhibited excellent democratic credentials by enhancing the rule of law wherein Nigerians, including Buhari now relish all kinds of personal freedoms which he denied the citizens during his rule,” the statement added.

    The party recalled that while Buhari enacted the Military Decree 4 of 1984 with which he abolished the freedom of the press, Jonathan not only signed into law the Freedom of Information Act, but also consolidated the rule of law in the country.

     

  • Nigeria will not break up – U.S

    Nigeria will not break up – U.S

    The United States Ambassador to Nigeria, James Entwistle, has said that although the country is currently in a very challenging situation, there are no signs that it will break up after the 2015 elections as asserted in some quarters.

    Entwistle, who spoke on a live interview monitored in Abuja, said Nigeria is gradually moving towards a very bright future.

    The envoy said: “It is a ridiculous assertion. Here we are sitting in Nigeria in 2015, do any of you see any signs of this country breaking up? I don’t. I see Nigeria in a challenging time, nonetheless gradually moving forward to a very bright future and the United States looks forward to working with you towards that bright future. When I spend time with young Nigerians, I can’t help but have a strong optimism about this country.”

    Speaking on the forthcoming general election, Entwistle assured that his country would continue to provide support to Nigeria in its election process.

    He also asserted that “in a democratic election there is no place for violence.”

    Entwistle added: “Every time I call on a politician or a candidate in this country, I ask him or her if they will publicly take a non-violence pledge on camera. Commit themselves to not fomenting or condoning violence before, during or after the elections.

    “I have been very happy to see that Nigerian civil society, Nigerian media and entertainers like 2Face with his ‘vote, not fight’ campaign has picked up this project.

    “The accountability aspect of this is crucial.

    “I believe in the democracy and I have observed elections around the world and there is no place for violence.

    “One thing I have observed as a key benchmark in democratic rule in any country is when the loser comes out to accept results.

    “We can make violence unacceptable in public arena.”

  • 2015: INEC meets on modalities for IDPs participation

    2015: INEC meets on modalities for IDPs participation

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is expected to come out later on Friday with the modalities to address the Internally Displaced Persons’ participation in the general election.

    The commission is still locked in a meeting at the time of filling this report.

    INEC chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, had at different fora assured Nigerians that people from the troubled Northeast will participate in the elections.

    Consequently, the commission sets up a committee to fashion out how to accommodate the IDPs in the conduct of the elections.

     

  • Jonathan to INEC: Issue PVCs to all eligible Nigerians

    Jonathan to INEC: Issue PVCs to all eligible Nigerians

    President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday directed the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, to ensure all registered eligible Nigerians get their Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs) before the next month’s general election.

    He gave the order while swearing in the new INEC Commissioner representing Oyo State, Prof. Akinola Murtala Salawu, at the Presidetial Villa, Abuja.

    Jonathan said that it is unacceptable for any eligible Nigerian not to vote in next month’s election because of inability to get their PVCs.

    He said: “I believe Prof. Jega will even want to double the number of staff if he has the resources to make sure that they can cope. Nigerians are getting worried if INEC can actually conduct the elections.

    “Talking about the PVCs, even some governors are complaining that they are yet to get their PVCs. If governors are yet to get their voters cards of course that means that so many Nigerians are yet to get and people are a bit worried.”

    “So the chairman of INEC luckily you are here, all Nigerians must get voters cards, we cannot conduct an election where some people will not have the rights to vote.”

    “People must decide who rules them at all levels not just about presidential elections, at the lowest level of elections conducted by INEC, the state assembly elections, House of Representatives, Senate and Presidency. All Nigerians must vote and INEC must do everything possible to make sure that all Nigerians have their voters’ card because we cannot have a situation where some Nigerians will not vote that day. So Prof. Salau and Prof. Jega I wish you success.”

    But Jonathan noted that the improvement in the electoral system under his tenure gave room for the complaints from various quarters.

     

  • MEND’s adoption of Buhari inconsequential – Ijaw youths

    Ijaw youths on Wednesday dismissed the endorsement of the All Progressive Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, by the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND), describing it as inconsequential.

    The youths under the aegis of Ijaw Youths Council (IYC), Worldwide, said Buhari’s adoption by a non-existent group was of no electoral value.

    The group in a statement signed by its Spokesperson, Mr. Eric Omare, said MEND was an empty organisation since it was disbanded after its members and former agitators accepted amnesty.

    Omare said all the ex-agitators from the region were behind the reelection of President Goodluck Jonathan.

    The statement said, “The adoption of Gen. Buhari by the present MEND is inconsequential and of no electoral value as election is won by votes cast by physical and verifiable human beings.

    “The real Niger-Delta freedom fighters are in support of President Jonathan’s second term ambition as demonstrated in the massive rally they held in his support at Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State in November 2014 under the leadership of Alhaji Asari Dokubo, Pastor Reuben and others.

    “Furthermore, the Niger-Delta people are solidly behind President Jonathan’s re-election bid as we believe that he has performed creditably during his first term and deserves a second term in office.

    “The injustice against the people of the Niger-Delta which led to the agitation was foisted on them through the successive administration of people from the born to rule clan of Gen. Buhari.

    “Hence, it is a contradiction for the so called MEND which claimed to be fighting for the Niger-Delta region to adopt the continuation of the injustice against the Niger-Delta region.”

     

  • Genuine Nigerians will vote for APC – Sani

    The president of Civil Rights Congress, Comrade Shehu Sani, has said any Nigeria that loves the nation dearly will vote for the All Progressives Congress in the forthcoming  elections.

    He said no African country can match Nigeria in terms of abundance of resources, but what the country lacks since the return of democracy in 1999 was good leaders that will turn around the country’s fortunes to propel its development.

    Sani, who is APC senatorial candidate for Kaduna Central, spoke when he visited the people of Tudun Wada and Bakin Ruwa in Kaduna South local government on Tuesday.

    Addressing the leadership of Keke NAPEP riders at Bakin Ruwa, the Senatorial hopeful lamented that things have degenerated in the country to the extent that the northern region which used to be independent now has to wait for oil proceeds to feed its people.

    “Today the north is facing series of challenges, ranging from Boko Haram insurgency to poverty and unemployment. Therefore, we must rise up and elect an APC government that will reopen industries in the north and revive its agriculture.

    “We are not opposed to any part of Nigeria producing the President of the country, but now, we need someone like Gen. Muhammadu Buhari to get the country back on track.

    “Countries like Saudi Arabia are better today, because they are being governed by people with the fear of God and interest of the masses at heart. But, in own case, corruption at high places has stagnated the development of our dear country,” he said.

  • MEND backs Buhari for Presidency

    MEND backs Buhari for Presidency

    The presidential candidate of the All Progressives’ Congress (APC), Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), on Tuesday gained an unusual support as the main agitating militant group in the Niger Delta, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), pledged its total support for the former military ruler.

    MEND, in a lengthy press statement circulated through email by its spokesperson, Jomo Gbomo, anchored its decision on the need to deliver Nigeria, especially the Niger Delta region, from the crunching effects of corruption.

    It also lamented the unconcerned attitude of the President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration at the unrelenting degradation of the Niger Delta environment, taking a hard stance on the increasing level of oil theft in the region.

    President Jonathan, according to MEND, does not deserve a second more in the Presidency.

    The group also commended Buhari for proposing to scrap the office of the First Lady, which it considered to be a drain on the nation’s resources and a conduit through which corrupt government officials stole across all levels of government.

    It said, “The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has, upon careful consideration of the state of the nation, endorses and fully supports the presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Gen. Mohammadu Buhari.

    “Our decision to throw our full support on Gen. Mohammadu Buhari stems from the pathetic state in which the country has been put by the government of Goodluck Jonathan and our strong believe in Buhari as the man and change the country needs.

    “President Goodluck Jonathan does not deserve a second more in the Presidency as soon as his tenure expires as he has continuously and blatantly disregarded the very people who voted him into office.

    “A President that told Nigerian to their faces that he does not ‘give a damn’ when asked to declare his assets. A requirement that is constitutional on assuming the office of the President.

    “President Jonathan, since assuming his office, has setup countless committees, whose reports have never been implemented. From the Nuhu Ribadu report to the KPMG and fuel subsidy reports, just to mention a few.

    “How can Nigerians expect a highly corrupt person like Goodluck Jonathan to fight corruption when he believes that stealing is not corruption, as he shamelessly told the Nation?

    “He has proven beyond all reasonable doubt, his inability to tackle corruption or prosecute a single government official in his six years in office.

    “MEND finds it laughable the recent statement by Goodluck Jonathan on his government’s plan to fight corruption. This statement not only smacks of ignorance of the highest order, but also shows just how stupid he thinks Nigerians are. A president that had six years to tackle the problem but chose to shield corrupt government officials, joined in the looting of our resources and now has the temerity to say his government has a plan to fight corruption. This is a big slap in the face of every single Nigerian!

    “We re-state our disregard and lack of confidence in President Goodluck Jonathan. Rather than address the perennial issues in the country responsible for his administrations failures, he is concentrating government funds in a campaign of misinformation intended to hoodwink Nigerians who, unfortunately for him, are now wiser and smarter than he is.

    “Goodluck Jonathan’s actions, utterances and arrogance prove that he is totally disconnected with the situation facing the ordinary Nigerian and completely out of touch with reality.”