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2015 poll: IPC sensitizes journalists on media code

As part of bid to ensure violence free election come February, the International Press Centre on Tuesday organised a seminar (Tweet-a-thon) to sensitize journalists.

The seventh tweet-a-thon themed: ‘Making use of Media Code of Election Coverage for Credible Reporting’, generated several tweets which reached 134,853 accounts, thereby making 173,975 impressions through hashtag #Media4Elections.

Lead discussant, Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief, The Sun Newspapers and President, Nigerian Guild of Editors, Mr. Femi Adesina, charged the Nigerian media on professional coverage of the general elections.

Speaking at the International Press Centre (IPC) Tweet-a-Thon, on Tuesday, Adesina who was represented by Mr. Bolaji Tunji, Executive Director, Special Duties, The Sun Newspapers, stressed that if the elections would go well, without negative incidents, it depends largely on how the media do their work.

“There are several factors that instigate electoral violence, but a key one is the perceived sense of injustice, through electoral manipulation. But if the media does its work professionally, covers the elections dispassionately, and the electoral umpire also does its work with absolute neutrality, and efficiently, then the possibilities of violence flaring are greatly reduced,” he said.

According to him, credible reportage promotes the transparency and impartiality that goes into an election that has been properly conducted.

He noted that stakeholders in the media had worked hard over the past many months to articulate what is now called ‘The Nigerian Media Code of Election Coverage’, which has now been formally presented to the public.

Also present at the seminar is former Assistant Editor, Vanguard Newspapers, Mrs. Funmi Komolafe as well as General Secretary of the Lagos State council of the Nigerian Union of Journalist, (NUJ), Mrs. Abimbola Oyetunde.

Mrs. Komolafe in her presentation advised journalists not too over trust anybody to the extent of not having necessary details about situations reported.

“Politicians in most cases want to use you. Do not over trust your sources because the person giving you the information only wants to get it across through you. So double check the details,” she reiterated.

Mrs. Yetunde responded to a question from Mrs. Komolafe on how Police representatives, the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Civil Defence Corps and the Department of State Security (DSS), were informed about the role of the media in the coverage of election.

In her response, she suggested that the Union at the national level set up a monitoring team to mediate between military and paramilitary personnel as well as journalists when need arises.

Mr. Adeshina, who observed that elections should be about free will, making choices, and contributing to development through the emergence of leaders who can serve faithfully, said: “Elections in our country need not be doomsday.”

He said: “Why then should a country perish, simply because it is holding elections? That is the scenario in Nigeria. But the evil day can be avoided if journalists do their work impartially, professionally and efficiently.

“A document has been put together to help us. Let everyone that has the code of election coverage run with it. The vision is for an appointed time. And that time is now,” he summed.

The associations involved in the months-long bid to produce the document included Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN), Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) and Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON).

Others are Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Workers Union of Nigeria (RATTAWU), Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Media Rights Agenda (MRA) as well as International Press Centre (IPC).

January 14, 2015
President shifts Ondo rally as 46 PDP leaders join APC

•Party in disarray as Mimiko’s leadership is rejected

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)in Ondo State might have fallen apart with yesterday’s defection of 48 ky members to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Following the development, President Goodluck’s campaign – slated for today in Akure, the state capital, was cancelled.

Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko who is the Southwest coordinator of the Jonathan campaign, received a huge jolt by the defections, announced at a news conference in Akure, it was learnt.

Since Mimiko’s return from the Labour Party (LP) to the PDP, the party in the state has not knonw peace.

Party leaders have accused the governor of playing politics of exclusion.

Part of the reasons they gave is his choice of Mr. Tokunbo Modupe as the Jonathan campaign coordinator in the state when he (mimiko) is the Southwest coordinator. He was accused of not giving any consideration to the original members of the PDP.

Mimiko’s spokesman Mr. Eni Ekinsola, however, said the Presidential Campaign in Akure was rescheduled because of the need for the President to receive visiting former Secretary General of the United Nations (UN), Mr. Kofi Annan.

The defectors who were mostly former political office holders, old PDP members and former Labour Party(LP) chieftains include, the Chief of Staff to former Governor Olusegun Agagu, Mr. Femi Agagu, former Speakers of the State Assembly, Victor Olabimtan and Taofeek Abdulsalam, a House of Representatives member for Owo/Ose federal constituency, Eniolorunda Omosule, Niran Sule, Akinyemi Akinnigbagbe and Tola Wewe.

Others are Prince Olowokanga, Bukola Tenabe, Boye Adegbemisoye, Olaitan Ayeni, Mrs Tola Owoh, Ife Iji, Felix Okereji, Akinyugha Jones, Kunle Odidi, Abiodun Jerome, Pelemo Samuel, E.O Obagbemi, Ade Obe, Banji Ajaka, Tolu Babaleye, Akin Aibinuomo, Funso Esan, Kole Oluwajana and Feyi Bali.

The rest are: Deolu Ijose, Otunba Itiola, Deji Aiyejoto, Tolu Fadahunsi, Tony Jayeola, Tola Akinseye, Yinka Orokoto, Jide Ipinsagba, F.A Falohun, Kunle Adebayo, Razaq Obe, Rasak Isijola, Falana Tajudeen, Segun Adagunodo, Wale Ogunmola, Prince Kiladejo, Wale Adegbakinro Hon. Olasunkanmi and Tunde Taiwo.

Agagu, who spoke on their behalf, hinged their defection on the fact that Nigeria needs a change and Ondo state needs a new direction.

The former CoS said those in their group were formidable stakeholders.

He decried the level of tyranny and bad leadership in the state.

Agagu said the defectors included former state party chairman, working committee members, members of National Assembly, Speakers and members of the State Assembly, commissioners and Special Advisers, Permanent Secretaries and Senior Civil Servants; Chairmen of Boards, parastatals and local government councils, special assistants, councilors and established grassroots political leaders.

He added that they had resolved to embrace change which the APC represents and drum support for the victory of General Muhammadu Buhari (Rtd) and Prof. Yemi Osinbajo and other candidates of the party.

The former CoS said: “We took this decision after lenghty sessions of consultation with friends,political associates as well as supporters in all the 203 wards of the state. We have also received the confidence of distinguished elder statesmen, non political young amd elderly citizens who are concerned about the future of our dear state and country.

“Today is indeed a watershed in the political history of Ondo State. Never before have so many notable people chosen to desert a political party at the same time like this.

‘’There are several reasons for our decision but most important is the obvious fact that Nigeria needs change and Ondo State, a new direction, we need change which is the burden of good, honest, diligent, prepared, tested and competent leadership.

“Change, which is a mission to a destination of greatness where our state and nation ought to be. Change from broken promises, broken infrastruture, broken confidence, broken trust, broken leadership and broken future, all from which our people daily and consistently suffer”.

Receiving the defectors, National Vice Chairman (Southwest) of APC, Chief Pius Akinyelure assured them of level play ground,stressing that there is no founder, no joiner in the party.

Akinyelure charged members to go back to their local governments and collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

State APC Chairman, Isaac Kekemeke, said the defection of prominent chieftains of PDP has finally collapsed the structure of the party.

The former Secretary to the State Government(SSG)said the party and the entire citizenry would resist any attempt to rig the elections.

He urged INEC to allow collection of PVC,urging the electoral body to inform the people that “Kaadi Igbeayo” could not substitute PVC.

Dignitaries at the event include Senator Ajayi Boroffice,Chief Tayo Alasoadura, Lebi Morayo, Ifedayo Abegunde, Adedipe Adegboyga, Ade Adetimehin, Tunji Abayomi, Erelu Modupe-Akindele Johnson, Kehinde Adeniran, Abayomi Adesanya, Olu Adegboro, Solagbade Amodeni,Adewale Omojuwa, among others.

January 14, 2015
PDP lacks integrity to query Buhari’s certificate, says Tinubu

All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has lambasted the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for calling on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to disqualify APC presidential candidate General Muhammadu Buhari over certificate issues.

Tinubu, who spoke yesterday during the APC’s rally in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, described PDP as a “shameless” party.

He said: “I laugh when the incapable government of Nigeria, the Poverty Development Party has nothing to say; they have the temerity to question the educational qualification of General Buhari and look for his certificate. Aaaaaaa! (laughter) Shame on them… what an insult!.

“The Armed Forces institution… Don’t go through General Buhari, ask the military. After all, he went to Army school – from Cadet School, he got a star. From there, he became Colonel, dem no talk. Then Major, dem no talk, from Brigadier General to General, dem no talk. He went to war and came back, dem no talk. They (military) sent him to Army School in London, he passed; you (military) also sent him to United States where he and white Americans did left, right, left, he passed. He came back and was not removed from the Army. He became Head of State. Nobody talked about his certificate. Since he has been contesting for the presidency, no one complained about his certificate. Now that we begged him to come and rule, they are asking for his certificate. I don’t want to follow a leader who lies.”

Tinubu reiterated that Gen. Buhari is the right person Nigeria needs at this challenging period.

“Every nation,” he said, “has a period of challenges.” “When United States was challenged, they turned to a war great man, their ex-military general, Harrison Iowa; when the French were challenged, they turned to General Charles de Gaulle; when Britain was challenged, they turned to their great general, Winston Churchill. Today, Nigeria is challenged, economically challenged, physically challenged and security challenged; who do we turn to… General Muhammadu Buhari. He is the real man for the job; if you talk of military experience, he has it abundantly; if you talk of courage, he has it abundantly; if you talk of simplicity, he has it abundantly; if you talk of great determination, a combination of mission and ability to perform, honesty and integrity, he has it abundantly, abundantly, abundantly…”

Tinubu flayed President Goodluck Jonathan’s 10 million jobs promise made at a campaign in Ibadan on Monday.

He said: “Today, many of our youths are unemployed and only yesterday (Monday), the man (Jonathan) promised 10 million jobs. He has spent six years without securing jobs for our children and now you are looking for votes. Is he a liar or not? Lies have torn their umbrella. They are failures. Under free economy aspect, they cannot create jobs for you. Are you not tired of it? You went to the university for seven or eight years for a four-year course. Are you not tired of it? School fees are becoming a thing of tears. Are you not tired of it? I can teach them how to create the jobs locally. We will give you student loan. Our programme – four years would be four years. You will not stay beyond four years before graduating from the university. By your fourth year, you will be taken through that critical path.

“You have not been able to create that job for six years. You assembled our youths at the stadium in Abuja, Owerri, Enugu, everywhere and told them to pay for forms; they died without getting job. You did not show remorse. Nobody was sacked; and now he is making another promise. Who are you deceiving? PDP! Don’t be deceived. If they want to continue to say we are sadistic, we are not. Our children are dying. Our nation, our being, devastated through the hail of bombs. If your son comes back from school and says he has failed, you tell him to look for another job. Jonathan said he has failed; let him go and look for another job. We don’t want a President that can’t perform. It is not his fault; he does not have what it takes to rule Nigeria. Let him go and rest at home.”

January 14, 2015
Over 1,650 Edo PDP members defect to APC

Exactly a month to the February 14 general elections, the Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has lost more of its members to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Over 1,650 PDP members in Uhunmwode Local Government Area yesterday dumped the party for the APC.

Receiving the defectors, led by Justin Omoruyi, Edo Sate Deputy Governor Pius Egberanmwen Odubu described their decision as “quite gratifying”.

The deputy governor noted that the defection had also increased the APC chances of winning next month’s general elections in the state.

He said the APC was an all-inclusive, participatory party, irrespective of whether or not the members were new or old.

Dr. Odubu said the party would continue to ensure equal opportunities for the people to have a sense of belonging in the party’s activities.

He said: “The people I saw coming into the APC are those we have always worked with since 1980s. What happened today is very reassuring: Uhunmwode is 99.9 per cent APC.

“I thank the leader of the local government, Charles Idahosa, for bringing them (the defectors) back. Their defection has further lightened the burden of APC in winning next month’s elections.”

On the candidates for the National Assembly and House of Assembly elections, Odubu said they were tested on their wealth of experience and competence to deliver the people from the shackles of poverty.

Idahosa hoped that APC would sweep the February elections in the local government, with the defection of the former PDP members.

He said: “Over 500 PDP leaders from across the local government have just joined the APC. This is even without their followers. With this, it is over for the PDP in the local government.”

January 14, 2015
Leave Ekiti workers out of politics, APC tells Fayose

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has urged Governor Ayodele Fayose to stop dragging civil servants into politics, saying such is dangerous to neutrality and professionalism in the civil service.

The party’s comment followed a directive by the governor to the workers, making their attendance compulsory at President Goodluck Jonathan’s campaign rally in Ado-Ekiti yesterday.

Its Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatubosun, said declaring a holiday for civil servants to enable them attend a political rally is against the tenets of civil service rule, which bars civil servants from direct partisan politics.

The party praised the civil servants who acted professionally by objecting to the governor’s plan, saying by maintaining their professional integrity, they had demonstrated that their loyalty belongs to the state and not individuals.

Olatubosun said Ekiti workers have become wiser not to sacrifice their careers and integrity on the altar of campaign deceits, which is the hallmark of PDP politics.

His words: “The last time President Goodluck Jonathan visited Ekiti State during Fayose’s campaign rally, he said he would immediately start development projects in the state if Fayose won.

“After Fayose was declared winner, the Federal Government awarded N480 billion road contracts across the country. Ekiti State did not benefit from these contracts.

“The only two federal projects in Ekiti over the years- the silo and 132/133KVA electricity projects- have been abandoned.

“Fayose sacked workers and a list of others to be sacked is being prepared. He collected September allocation but refused to pay workers.

“If Fayose is sure the teachers love him, why was he forcing them into waiting buses as they arrived in the schools?

“The governor reversed the promotions of many workers and has abandoned even the members of his party who he deceived with juicy appointments.”

The APC spokesman said it was regrettable that a President who created conditions of impunity for all these to happen is coming to the state again to deceive Ekiti people.

“What will President Jonathan tell the people after the man he foisted on the state had desecrated all the institutions of government?“

January 14, 2015
‘Stop removing our posters’

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State has alleged that Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members are removing its posters and banners.

It said this is a dangerous display of political recklessness and illegality that will not be allowed to stand in Lagos.

In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Joe Igbokwe, the party said the open display of outlawry and brigandage by the PDP with the show of support from the Commissioner of Police, Cornelius Aderanti, showed that PDP disregards the law.

“We recall that recently the Lagos PDP alleged that it was not being allowed to paste posters in Lagos, which necessitated the intervention of the state police.

“Following this tacit support from the Commissioner of Police, the PDP members and agents began removing APC’s posters and campaign bills on Lagos Island.

“They have gone further to lay their posters on top of APC posters in flagrant disregard of the feeling of Lagosians and the Commissioner of Police has remained conspiratorially silent.

“While we await the action of the police commissioner on these flagrant display of illegality and actions against our party, we want to warn that we will not take kindly to any effort by any party and the police to intimidate us in our state.”

January 14, 2015
We’re shocked by your ignorance, Oyo APC tells Folarin

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has said it was shocked by what it called the “crass ignorance of the state” by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Senator Teslim Folarin.

The party said this showed that Folarin is incapable of ruling the state judging by his comments at the launch of his campaign in Ibadan on Monday.

The APC, in a statement in Ibadan yesterday by its state Director of Publicity, Olawale Shadare, said it was inconceivable that a person aspiring to rule Oyo State needed to rely on the brief by his cohorts before knowing what to tell the people.

“Unfortunately, throughout Folarin’s speech, he could not tell the people what he has in stock for them and how he intends to run the state in the next four years better than Governor Abiola Ajimobi.

“He succeeded in dampening the people’s morale who had waited patiently to hear from him what he intends to do differently.

“Folarin’s barren speech at the rally has given him away as clueless, incompetent and grossly incapable of ruling the state without being spoon-fed.

“This has shown that he has no mind of his own and intends to rule the state by proxy.

“We are, however, not surprised because his eight-year stay in the Senate, four of which he spent as the leader, yielded virtually no dividend for the people of his senatorial district,” the party said.

The party also said it is regrettable that the PDP candidate is completely lacking in facts by saying that only 200 doctors are in the civil service to cater for the medical needs of seven million citizens.

It stated that only recently, the government employed 1,000 health workers, 300 of whom are medical doctors.

APC called on the people to be wary of Folarin whom it said has no electoral value but only out to hoodwink them and whip up unnecessary sentiment.

January 14, 2015
PDP loses six Senators to APC, LP

At least six Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senators have dumped the party to join forces with the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Labour Party (LP).

The defection of the senators to the opposition parties was said to be fallout of the controversial PDP primary elections.

PDP governors in collaboration with the national party leadership were alleged to have hijacked primary elections to the disadvantage of senators.

One of the defecting lawmakers, Senator Atiku Bagudu Abubakar representing Kebbi Central joined the APC.

Abubakar received APC ticket to contest the governorship election in Kebbi State.

Senator Bassey Out, who represents Cross River South Senatorial District, is another defector.

Otu defected to the LP to actualize his ambition for re-election to the Senate.

Otu is said to be popular in his constituency which is why most of his constituents are said to be clamouring for him to go back to the Senate.

He was denied PDP ticket in place of Chief Geshom Bassey, Chairman of the State Water Board.

Otu, however, settled down with the LP where he has become the party’s candidate for the February 14, Senatorial election for Cross River South.

A former National Chairman of the PDP, Senator Barnabas Gemade who had a running battle with Governor Gabriel Suswan of Benue State on who should fly the flag of the

PDP for the Benue North East Senatorial District, is also another defector.

January 13, 2015
Obasanjo clears air on PTF, absolves Buhari of wrongdoing

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Tuesday on Tuesday absolved the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) of wrong doing while he was the chairman of the Petroleum Trust Fund.

Obasanjo said the former head of state made no personal gains while his headship of the agency lasted

He also advised the APC and Buhari to recruit into their government “men and women of character” if the party wins the February 14 presidential poll.

Obasanjo said such people of character and integrity abound in all political parties and also in every parts of the country, adding that when brought in, they make things better for a government, the country and the citizenry.

The former president, who addressed Buhari and other APC chieftains, said the advice also applies to other political parties.

The meeting which took place at Obasanjo’s Presidential Hilltop Estate, Abeokuta, Ogun State, was also attended by Buhari’s running mate, Prof. Yemi Osibajo, the party’s National Chairman, Chief John Odigie – Oyegun, the party’s national leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Barnabas Gemade, Chief Audu Ogbe, Senator Bukola Saraki and Chief Bisi Akande, among others.

On PTF, Obasanjo said the report of a panel of inquiry established to look into the book of the agency “was not of any material importance.”

According to the former president, he called off further inquisition into the PTF when Buhari assured him that there was no personal benefit accrued to him while his tenure at the agency lasted.

The former Nigeria leader insisted that he is still a card carrying member of the Peoples Democratic Party and had chosen to remain firm in PDP at the ward level, noting that regardless of the political parties participating in the elections, Nigeria “comes first and should remain paramount” to him.

Obasanjo told the visiting APC chieftains that he put off all engagement outside the state capital on Tuesday when he gathered that they would be visiting him, urging politicians seeking votes to engage in campaign of “issues” and how to solve the nation’s “crying problems” rather than feeding them with inanities.

Buhari in his address, said, “Your Excellency, under whom I served the most lucrative appointment‎ of the Minister of Petroleum Resources for three and a quarter years before he sent me on course.

“When I set about the programme of going round the states‎, somebody has the temerity to ask me that when I come to Ogun State, shall I call on Chief Olusegun Obasanjo?

“I don’t think I answered the man, I just looked the other way. I think that I should not come here (Abeokuta) in whatever capacity without calling to pay my respect.

“Sir, it’s a fact that you know more than all we know about the problem that we are in. But what we will do is ‎try to convince you to believe us that we are going to do better.
“We expect your understanding and support, although you insist in remaining in PDP. I have reached a certain degree of frustration in my attempt for you to try to shift a bit but you have refused.

“Briefly, we have been going around three fundamental issues – security, economy, corruption. This vicious circle is what the APC is determined to break. Because without security, there is no way the country can settle down not to talk of living in it.”

January 13, 2015
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.

January 13, 2015