The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Peace

  • Jonathan, others urge peace at Eid-el-Maulud

    As Muslims celebrate the Eid-el-Maulud, commemorating the birth of Prophet Mohammed, President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday sent greetings to Nigerians, especially Muslims, urging them to pray for peace.

    He also enjoined true believers in the prophet’s divine message to support the ongoing efforts by the Federal Government and its security agencies to ensure the safety of life and property.

    Jonathan, through a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media & Publicity, Reuben Abati, urged them to pray for the officers and men of Nigeria’s security agencies at home and abroad, who are working hard and making sacrifices for security in the country.

    He told Muslims to remember the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero and members of his family in their prayers and pray for their speedy recovery.

    Speaker of the House of Representatives Aminu Waziri Tambuwal urged Nigerians to imbibe the culture of tolerance as the country celebrates the Maulud (birth) of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

    In a message issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Malam Imam Imam, Tambuwal also appealed to Nigerians to eschew bitterness and primordial sentiments in their dealings with one another.

    Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu urged Muslim Ummah to pray for peaceful co-existence, security and prosperity of the nation.

    He made the call in a goodwill message to the Muslim Ummah on the occasion of the Eid-El-Maulud.

    He said it was worrisome that whereas the country’s religions and cultures professed peace, love, good neighbourliness, “acts of hate and terrorism are being perpetrated under the guise of religion and ethnicity.”

  • Peace returns as Mambilla gets new king

    Peace returns as Mambilla gets new king

    Ruler pledges to unite community

     

    Peace and joy have returned to Mambilla Plateau, one of the coldest communities in the country. A new king has been chosen, awaiting coronation there after a decade, throwing the residents into jubilation.

    In those years without a ruler, there were constant battles and conflicts which claimed lives and property valued in millions of naira.

    Mambilla Plateau is in Sardauna Local Government Area of Taraba State.

    Between 2002 to mid 2012, the people had made unsuccessful efforts to get a traditional leader they could look up to in times of need. Peace euded them in those years, becoming a source of worry to the state government.

    All of that is now history. A new king who is more of a servant-ruler has been installed. He is Dr. Shehu Audu Baju.

    Peace has returned in the land and the once warring people are now relating with one another with cheerful hearts.

    Mambilla is made up of Fulani, Mambilla, Kaka, Panso and Kambu ethnic groups. The new king is a Mambilla.

    During the old days of the defunct Gongola State, district heads serving in Gembu and other villages were posted by the state government from Yola, the state capital. By 1961 the communities had gained independence to elect their chiefs by themselves. Thus, Mallam Audu Baju, of Mambilla extraction became the first indigenous ruler to mount the Mambilla chiefdom. Then, Audu served only as a District Head for a year and died in 1962. His death brought on board Alhaji Muhammadu Mansur, a Fulani who ruled for 42 years. Mansur also took over as a district head before he was upgraded over the years to become a second-class chief.

    Mansur’s death in 2002 brought fierce crisis, as to which ethnic group should produce the next ruler. The war was between Fulani and Mambilla: the later insisted it was their turn to mount the throne but the Fulanis, who wanted to continue, instituted a legal suit to stop the other tribes from contesting the throne. During this period a lot of mysterious things happened: those who illegitimately mounted the throne did not last. They died in the saddle.

    Late last year a solution was found as all the ethnic groups met to seek the way forward. It was a treaty brokered by Governor Danbaba Danfulani Suntai, before he plane crashed. Suntai also upgraded the stool’s sovereignty to first-class status. The stakeholders of the area therefore, resolved that the chiefdom leadership should be rotational only between Fulani and Mambilla. It was from this calculation that the slot went to Mambilla community, after the Fulanis withdrew their court case.

    Shehu, who said he was mounting the throne of his late father (Audu Baju), seemed to be accepted by the entire ethnic groups. This was shown when the people rolled out the drums for the triumphant homecoming of the new chief who was hitherto based in Jalingo, the Taraba State capital.

    On this historic day, an air of joy and festivity pervaded Gembu, headquarters of Sardauna, where the monarch lives. Multitudes yelled as they gathered on the roadside with their welcome mantra with which they received Shehu and his entourage led by the Deputy Speaker Abel Peter Diah.

    A lot of cultural troupes enlivened the day.

    In his acceptance speech, the new king who is also the first first-class chief of Mambilla, tracked the issues that had deeply touched his long-suffering people. He promised to encourage inter-tribal marriage to integrate the people, for harmonious co-existence.

    Shehu reminded the people that the Mambilla Plateau was endowed with huge potentials enough to go round everybody but the desired development would not be achieved under a conflict-ridden atmosphere.

    “The traditional council will encourage alternative justice system whereby many disputes including land matters could be settled out of the court,” he said.

    Such a momentous reception for Baju who is now awaiting coronation, captures his total acceptability as the true king of Mambilla Plateau.

    Many Mambilla residents who spoke to Newsextra said: “The proper thing has been done”.

    But pundits have observed that the Mambilla chiefdom crisis may only be half-way solved, since the system of rotation does not take care of the Panso, Kaka and Kambu tribes. A source said: “The excluded ethnic groups may have conformed now, but what about their future offspring –who may one day oppose the arrangement when the present generation is long gone? They will definitely ask questions as to why they will not produce the king”.

  • NBA plans peace and security summit for Jan 30, 31

    The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) will hold a peace and security summit on January 30 and 31, at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.

    A statement from the Chairman of the Peace and Security summit committee, Okey Amaechi (SAN) said the theme is “Comprehensive and Sustainable Peace and Security in a Plural Society: Extreme challenges to Nigerian security.”.

    The state reads: “However, since the issue of the summit is of such importance that spans beyond our municipal confines, we have decided to involve foreign organizations.

    Our choice of the theme is informed by the need to address both short and long term solutions to peace and security, so that the eventual action plan the NBA may recommend to the government will be comprehensive.

    “To that end, we have looked at how other plural nations have handled their own problems and are today enjoying the benefits of their diversity rather than suffering from it. Of the greatest appeal in this regard is the Malaysian model, which is widely held to be very successful, and which many nations are copying today. We have looked at their internal organizations which have proved very effective in addressing issues of multi-cultural and multi-religious differences, and more importantly in inculcation the culture of peaceful coexistence and tolerance in the citizenry.

    “The first day of the summit will have two sessions beginning with the keynote address and the formal opening of the summit. This will be followed by a show case session where invited speakers (including Governors) will express their views on how best to tackle this seemingly intractable problem of insecurity and lack of peace in our nation.

    The second session will be the presentation of a major paper on the effects of corruption in fuelling insecurity and want of peace. A highly respectable and reputable personality has been chosen to handle this topic and discuss same from multi-dimensional perspectives.

     

  • Northern leaders should seek for peace first

    Northern leaders should seek for peace first

    SIR: I refer to the lead caption of the Sunday edition of The Nation of January 6, 2015: Babangida, Buhari others begin consultations.

    I concede to these elder-state men of northern extraction the unquestionable right to associate peacefully and confabulate politically. But I do not know whelther these men fall within the class of men cardinal Ottaviani wrote of when he said “nearly everyone can read but only few can think”. If they belong to the class of men who can think their priority will be on how to work for peace, security and unity.

    At this time, some despicable species of Homo sapiens are on the verge of “Afghanistanising “the Nigerian state. Yet these men called elder-statesmen see no need to consult with those merchants of sudden death to lay down their weapon and embrace dialogue in the interest of peace and security. Their sole ambition like men with incurable monomania and irredeemable idée fixe are busy consulting for 2015 presidency.

    If those growing army of Canes Venatici (hunting dogs) succeed in there unthinkable quest to sink this geographical ship called Nigeria in the ocean of disintegration, then which country will Babangida and his associates rule in 2015?

    Sincerely I wish to appeal to them to join hands with the federal government to restore peace back to the northern part of Nigeria. The transformation of places of worship into cemetery by those who kill in the name of religion and education should worry them and not 2015. The killing of fellow men like dogs should be condemned by these elder-statesmen in the interest of security of life and properties. I expect these leaders to push for the end of the on-going groundless hostility.

    I think its imperative to admonish northern leaders with the words of Robert Green that “give to every human being every right you claim for yourself”. If the northern leaders think the presidency is their birth right, then they must be able to concede such right to the Ijaws, Igbos, Yorubas, Benin’s and other tribes which make up Nigeria.

    Finally, those who know General Obasanjo should advice him that he cannot northernise his ethnicity. It is immaterial if he relocates to Kaduna or the North in search of 2015 presidential candidate. The people will decide who governs them. The Ota farmer has just one vote.

     

    • Ehi G.O.

    Benin-City

     

  • Osun ACN calls for peace

    The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Osun State has urged residents to remain united.

    It wished them a merry Christmas and a New Year filled with love, peace and progress.

    In a statement by its Director of Publicity, Mr. Kunle Oyatomi, ACN congratulated the people on the state’s outstanding performance at the capital market on December 12, where its bond issue was over subscribed by more than 100 per cent.

    It said the success at the capital market should be seen as “a special Christmas gift” from the Nigerian business community to the people of Osun State in appreciation of the development achieved by the Governor Rauf Aregbesola administration in the last two years.

    ACN said: “We celebrate Christmas in remembrance of the birth of Jesus Christ, who brought salvation to all people.

    “It is, therefore, imperative that we always keep in mind the great teaching of Christ, which says we should love our neighbour as your self.

    “If the people of Osun extend love to one another, the state will become a wonderful example for others.”

    The party urged residents to support the Aregbesola administration in the New Year to make the state the hub of economic activities in the Southwest.

     

  • Orji, Akume advocate peace

    Abia State Governor Theodore Orji has urged Nigerians to pray for peace and development.

    In a statement by his media aide, Mr. Ugo Emezue, Orji said: “Governments across the three tiers needed prayers to navigate the difficult ship of the state. Prayers can change our situation in Nigeria. I am optimistic that the country will soon become the envy of other nations.

    “Nigerians should support the federal, state and local governments to succeed. In Abia, we will ensure the security of residents. We urge our people to support the government in ensuring security, peace and progress.”

    Senate Minority Leader Chief George Akume (Benue Zone B) has urged the people of Benue State to hope for a brighter future.

    The former governor said peace is vital to development and urged the people to be tolerant and co-exist in peace.

    Akume said: “In this season of goodwill, I urge you to remain calm and devoted to the cause of peace, development and progress. The remembrance of the birth of Christ is instructive. Just as the birth of Jesus brought hope to mankind, I urge the good people of Benue State to remain hopeful that our state will join the league of states enjoying good governance and other dividends of democracy.”

     

  • How to usher in peace in Middle East, by Palestine Ambassador

    How to usher in peace in Middle East, by Palestine Ambassador

    Dr.Montaser Abuzaid is the Ambassador of the State of Palestine to Nigeria. In this interview, the envoy spoke against the backdrop of the massive support Palestine received at the United Nations General Assembly on November 29. One hundred and thirty eight countries voted in support of the proposal to upgrade Palestine’s “Observer Status” to a “Non-member State” of the United Nations. Abuzaid, who has been in Nigeria for about one year spoke to Assistant Editor, Onyedi Ojiabor in Abuja.

     

    On November 29, the United Nations overwhelmingly voted to upgrade the State of Palestine from “Observer Status” to a “Non member State.” How did you receive the news.

    What happened on November 29, 2012 was a victory not only for the Palestinian people but a victory for all the honest people in the world. It was 29th of November; this day is the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. The United Nations in 1977 decided that 29th of November every year should be set aside for Solidarity with the Palestinian People. This is because in 1947, 29th of November, the UN had resolution number 181 to build two states on the Palestinian territory, the Palestinian State and the State of Israel. But while the State of Israel was given a birth certificate to exist as a State, Palestine was not given a birth certificate to exist. Before 1948 there was no State of Israel on the Palestinian territory. Palestine was under the control of the United Kingdom then. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the United Kingdom, Mr. Belford, on the 2nd of November, 1917, promised the Jews to give them a home land on the Palestinian territory. At the end of the Second World War in Yalta, Ukraine, a decision was made by the winners of the war to propose to the United Nations to create the State of Israel on our territory. They promised to give them a homeland because they didn’t want them to live in Europe, so they just sent them to us. At that time, the population in our country was as follows: eight per cent were Jews and 92 per cent were Palestinians. That is why resolution 181, to have two states, came as a shock to the Palestinian people.

    So what happened on November 29, is really a victory for the Palestinian people and all the honest people in the world, for all the countries that voted for the State of Palestine as a non member State in the United Nations. They understood that Palestinian people are under occupation since 1967 since Israel started war against the Arab world and occupied the West Bank, Gaza, Lebanese, Syrian and Egyptian territory. Since then many Resolutions have been adopted, among which was 1967’s Resolution 242 which stated that Israel must go back to the borders of 1967. The United Nations Resolution 338 of 1973 also urged Israel to go back to the 1967 borders. Israel refused to implement any of the Resolutions.

    Implementation of Resolution 181 of 1947 to have a Palestinian State, was ignored by Israel. In 2000, all heads of Arab States gathered in Beirut to consider a proposal for comprehensive peace in the Middle East with Israel to end the Arab-Israeli conflict. The proposal included to have a diplomatic relationship between 22 Arab countries and Israel under the condition that there will be a Palestinian State, implementation of the Resolutions concerning the Arab-Israeli conflict, implementation of UN Resolution 194 granting the right for Palestinian refugees to go back to their homeland. In 1947, Israel invited Jews from Ukraine, Russia, Canada and from other countries to come to Palestine. They drove Palestinians out of the country that is why we have a lot of refugee camps in Lebanon, Iraq, Syria and Jordan.

    According to UN Resolution 194, Israel should implement the Resolution but it refused it and refused the Arab proposal. If Israel accepts the Arab proposal made by the 22 Arab countries it will be a very good thing for them. Then we will have security and a good relationship as good neighbours. Israel also refused to implement the old agreement which was signed between our leader Yasser Arafat and the Israeli Prime Minister, Yitzhak Rabin, in 1993 in the White House in Washington DC. After that, an enemy of peace, a young man from Israel, who is in prison in Israel killed Rabin and the jewish fundamentalists supported him by saying that Yitzhak Rabin is the enemy of Israel because he signed a peace agreement with Palestine.

    It means they have to occupy by force all the Arab World to build a big Israel. Ask them to give you their map, the map of Israel, they will not give it to you. Israel till today did not publish its official map because the map has to be a big Israel. They have to occupy small countries to build big Israel. That’s why ‘this young man’ decided to kill Yitzhak Rabin because he was a peace maker. He was the Prime Minister of Israel, but we were able to reach and sign a peace agreement with him. It is our right to ask for our legitimate rights.

    Your Excellency, what is the import of the UN Resolution on November 29 to Palestine?

    The implication of the UN Resolution is that the United Nations General Assembly accepted to recognize the State of Palestine born in 1967 with East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine. Before 1967, Jerusalem was under our control not their control. They took it by force, by war and it was an illegal act. Now, UN accepted to recognize that there is a State of Palestine and that this State is under occupation by Israel. The resolution of the UN does not allow any member of the UN, and that applies to Israel because it is a full member, to occupy by force another country. It opposed Iraq when it occupied Kuwait by force, so the UN decided to use force to liberate Kuwait from Iraq. We heard America said that Israel has the right to defend itself. Killing civilians, women and children is not Israel defending itself. To bomb places with military planes is not self-defense. When civilians went to the Headquarters of UN in Gaza seeking refuge from the bombs, Israeli planes bombed them. Israel does not believe in International Law and do not respect UN resolutions. They believe in the law of the jungle. The law of the jungle means that the strong animal has the full right to kill and eat the smaller animals. However, we have to be civilized human beings and the laws of the jungle should no longer apply.

    The State of Israel has continued to lay claim to its right to exist. What is the position of Palestine on the right of Israel to exist?

    We recognize the State of Israel by President Yasser Arafat since the 9th of September, 1993. It was a recognition between Yitzhak Rabin and Yasser Arafat. In order to assemble recognition from both sides, the Minister of Foreign Affaires of Norway flew to Tel Aviv and to Tunis, because at that time the Headquarters of Yasser Arafat were in Tunis, and brought Arafat’s recognition to Rabin and Rabin’s recognition to Arafat. On the 9th of September 1993, the leadership of the Palestinian Liberation Organisation signed that we recognized the State of Israel based on the 1967 borders which would leave Israel with 78 per cent of the Palestinian territory. This means that we accepted much more than just their right to exist. At the same time Yitzhak Rabin recognized that the PLO officially represents the Palestinian people. After the 9th of September, on the 13th of September both of them flew to Washington DC and signed a peace agreement. We agreed that we will be in 22 per cent of our territory and they will be in 78 per cent of it. They should give us the opportunity to have our State on this small territory in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. It will be good for them and for us. There will be security for us and for them. As it is today, the people cannot move from city to city because of Israeli military check points. The people cannot work because of these daily difficulties. They occupied the cities, they occupied the borders. It is not fair.

    The conflict between the State of Palestine and the State of Israel has lingered for quite a long time. Will there ever be peace between the two neighbours. What are the terms of resolution of the conflict

    If you have a problem with your neighbour, what is the solution? To fight each other or to go to court? We went to court. That is why we said, the solution is very easy. The implementation of all UN Resolutions concerning the Arab-Israeli conflict. We accepted the court but they refused to accept the court. They want to continue the occupation under the pretext of continuing endless negotiations. Israel must implement all the UN Resolutions, as respect to UN and International Law in general. Nigeria voted in favour of all the UN Resolutions on the Arab-Israeli conflict. From 1947 till November 29 2012, Nigeria voted in favour of the UN Resolutions. Resolutions 194, 242, 338 and the one concerning Lebanon because Lebanese land is still also under occupation by Israel, as well as Syrian land. If Israel implements all the resolutions there will be comprehensive peace for everyone.

    It was a landmark achievement by the State of Palestine on the floor of the UN General Assembly on November 29. Palestine recorded overwhelming vote in favour of the State of Palestine to gain a non-member status in the UN. What next for Palestine

    The meaning of what happened is that the UN has recognized the State of Palestine, though not as a full member of the UN. It means that the State of Palestine, having received its birth certificate on November 29th, 2012, is still under the occupation of Israel. The UN can tell Israel, you are a member of the UN, you are not allowed to occupy another nation. You have to respect the international community, you have to respect Nigeria on behalf of 170 million people. You have to respect Nigerian people and other members of the African Union who voted to recognize the State of Palestine. You have to respect all the countries who have voted in favour. Enough is enough, we want justice, freedom and peace. One hundred and thirty eight countries said ‘yes’ to recognize the State of Palestine, only nine countries said ‘no’. If you don’t accept the resolution of the UN, this means you don’t accept International Law. If you refuse, it means you don’t respect the 170 million people represented by the government of Nigeria. The European Union comprising 15 countries from Europe. The rest of the countries who voted in favour. They cannot occupy Palestinian people forever. Following this great event, we will be moving towards full UN membership.

    It has been shown that the use of force may not solve the conflict, only dialogue will lead to solution.

    It is Israel who uses force. If you go home and find your home taken over by foreigners you will not defend it? You don’t want us to defend ourselves? We are under occupation, you know. We want peace, we want justice, we want freedom. They said that they are ready to play with time with Palestinian people for the next 100 years. It is not fair. They divided brothers and sisters. You cannot see each other because of the wall they have built illegally to divide the people. It is wrong if they will continue with this wrong policy. The right thing to do is accept UN resolutions, accept the agreement we signed with Yitzhak Rabin and Arafat. The Palestinian leadership is ready for peace, they are ready for justice, and they are ready for comprehensive peace concerning the Arab proposal. It will be a great thing for them to have the two countries living as good neighbours. But you shouldn’t deprive people of their lawful rights.

    How do you see the relationship between Nigeria and the State of Palestine?

    The relationship between Nigeria and the State of Palestine is excellent. We appreciate Nigerian people, we appreciate the government of Nigeria and all the presidents since the beginning of our relationship and I can say that Nigeria was one of the first countries to recognize the State of Palestine since 1988, when Palestine’s National Council declared the independence of the Palestinian State. Nigeria was one of the first African countries to recognize the State of Palestine. That is why we have the Embassy of State of Palestine in Nigeria. It is an honour for me to be here. When we will have our borders under our control we will have free international trade. And we will have good cooperation in investment. Our companies will visit Nigeria. We have some companies here, construction companies who are working here. But when we will have our borders under our control business will be more active. We are ready to expand when we have our freedom and Israeli forces will go back to their position in 1967 according to the UN Resolution, our businessmen will be free to invest in Nigeria.

    What has been your experience in Nigeria?

    Nigeria is a very important country for us. Nigeria is a great country and we respect Nigerian people. We appreciate the government concerning the Palestinian question. Nigeria has a great future and Nigeria is playing a very important role in ECOWAS and Nigeria has always been participating to find a solution to any problem like the problem in Mali. The international community respects Nigeria and in the future I hope we will be able to support Nigeria when we will become a member of the Security Council of the UN. The Nigerian people have always been our friends.

    What about the security challenge facing Nigeria

    What is happening in Nigeria sometimes can happen in any big country. I believe that the problem will be sorted out very soon. You may have misunderstandings, you may have different opinions among the people, but I am sure things will settle down in time. I feel pain and sadness when we hear explosions. We condemn all kinds of terror. The best way is to try to come to understand one another. In Palestine for example, we have Christians and Moslems. We respect each other. In Bethlehem, where the Nativity Church is situated, where Jesus was born, people live like brothers and sisters. Christians and Moslems should live as brothers and sisters, no need to kill each other or to bomb each other. I feel pained. Nigerians should love one another because they are brothers and sisters. You have to find a solution, always compromise. Sometimes two brothers living in the same house find their differences. There is always a solution to any problem, it is always best to find a solution through peaceful means like we are trying to do with Israel.

    Nigeria has a population of 170 million people, of course this may bring difficulties and challenges.

    When will the world witness peace between your country and Israel and by extension peace in the Middle East?

    Thank you for this question. If they are ready today not tomorrow to implement UN Resolutions, to move their forces and borders to the 1967 position, the two of us will be good neighbours. The result of what happened on November 29, speaks for itself: 138 countries against only Israel and eight other countries, some of which have a population of only 20,000, although we do respect every country regardless their population. 138 countries including great Nigeria with 170 million people who voted for us. They said that they are ready to play with Palestine for 100 years. Since 1993 they have been playing with us and are ready to play for another 100 years. Let us take a couple of quick-solution examples from recent history: the United States gave Kosovo their State in a matter of four days without consulting Serbia, while South Sudan State was created within three days without consultation or negotiation with Khartoum. We have been suffering for 64 years. It is not fair. We will witness peace the day that all UN resolutions will be implemented by Israel and the day Israel will show some regard to International Law. We have been waiting for this day for too long, so this is a good question.

     

  • Ghana President seeks peace

    Ghana President seeks peace

    Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama yesterday urged his defeated political opponents to join him “as partners” to improve the country.

    But Nana Akufo-Addo, his chief rival, threatened to launch a court battle over the poll results.

    Mahama was declared winner of last weekend’s election, which was widely seen as a test of whether the country – one of the fastest growing economies in Africa – can maintain its reputation as a pillar of democracy.

    “I wish to welcome my fellow candidates to join me now as partners in the projects of nation-building and of creating a better Ghana,” Mahama said in a victory speech to cheering crowds at a field in Accra.

    “We have come too far on this journey to weigh ourselves down with pettiness, intolerance and negativity.”

    Ghana’s electoral commission said on Sunday Mahama, who replaced former president John Atta Mills after his death in July, had won 50.7 percent of the ballots cast, enough to avoid a run-off against Akufo-Addo.

    Ghana’s non-partisan Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO), which deployed more than 4,000 poll watchers, said the vote had been generally free and fair.

    But Akufo-Addo said yesterday his party would take a decision toaay on whether to challenge the results, which he said were manipulated by electoral workers.

    “We have serious reservations about the counting and the declaration of results,” Akufo-Addo told Reuters in his office at his residence in Accra.

    “If we are going to challenge the results, the main question is; do we have enough evidence to suggest that, materially, the evidence will have affected the outcome?”

    “The obvious option is to go and challenge the results in the courts. The other option is to forego it and make your case to the country,” Akufo-Addo said.

    Akufo-Addo called for calm among his supporters, saying leaders of his conservative-leaning New Patriotic Party would meet to decide the party’s response.

    On the wall of his office is a portrait of his father Edward Akufo-Addo, president from August 1970 to January 1972 before he was deposed by a military coup. Outside, there was a dour atmosphere among supporters milling about the yard, some yelling that the election had been stolen.

    A cliff-hanger election in 2008, in which Akufo-Addo lost by less than 1 per cent, pushed the country to the brink of chaos, with disputes over results driving hundreds of people into the streets with clubs and machetes.

    Ghana’s sprawling seaside capital Accra was bustling as normal on Monday.

    The cocoa and gold-producing nation, which also began pumping oil in 2010, has had five peaceful and constitutional transfers of power since its last coup in 1981.

    Voting on Friday was fraught with delays after hundreds of newly introduced electronic fingerprint readers failed, forcing some polling stations to reopen on Saturday to clear the backlog.

    But CODEO observers said their parallel tabulation of results confirmed those declared by the electoral commission.

    “The results of the 2012 presidential polls declared by the Electoral Commission are generally an accurate reflection of how Ghanaians voted in the December 7 polls,” the group said in a statement.

    The African Union’s current chairman, Benin President Thomas Yayi Boni, visited Accra yesterday and congratulated Mahama on his win.

     

  • We are willing to hold peace talks with Boko Haram, says govt

    We are willing to hold peace talks with Boko Haram, says govt

    The Federal Government has restated its preparedness to dialogue with members of the Boko Haram sect in a move to put an end to the security challenges facing the country

    The government, however, explained that no meaningful dialogue could take place as the members of the sect still remain faceless.

    Minister of State for Defence, Mrs. Olusola Obada spoke in Abuja yesterday while receiving the Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Chris Cooter and the Defence Attache, Col. J.G. Savard, to her office.

    She said the government would do everything within its power to put an end to the spate of violence being experienced in certain parts of the country due mainly to the activities of the sect.

    Obada assured the delegation that President Goodluck Jonathan would not hesitate to negotiate with the members of the sect whenever the opportunity presents itself, noting that Nigeria remains one indivisible nation in spite of the insecurity problem.

    She also called for assistance of the Canadian government in the fight against terrorism and insecurity in the country.

    She said: “Now, for our own local problems here, which we even believe that some of these elements are over there in Mali also where they are trained, we shall be very happy if you can assist in the area of training our troops, and also some other forms of assistance that you could give which I would talk to you about. We are hoping that all these things would become a thing of the past.

    Cooter said that his country recognised the importance of Africa and the strategic role being played by the country in the subregion especially in Mali where efforts were on to reclaim territories captured by militant groups.

    He stated that the establishment of bi-national commission between Canada and Nigeria had resulted in increased cooperation between both countries in security, politics and economic issues.

    He said that he was in the office of the Minister to discuss areas of cooperation between his government and Nigerians on the stated issues.

     

  • He was a man of peace, says Gani Adams

    THE National Coordinator of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), Gani Adams and members of the OPC have expressed sadness at the death of the former governor of Oyo State, Alhaji Lamidi Onaolapo Adesina.

    In a statement issued yesterday, Gani Adams said: “Baba Lam was in the forefront of the struggle against military rule, during which he displayed an uncommon trait.

    “He was selfless and always ready to assist the less-privileged. His death has brought an end to a chapter in the politics of Oyo State and Nigeria.

    “As a governor, he was modest and he left a legacy. It was to his credit that during his tenure, Oyo State was peaceful.

    “He was a man of peace, a progressive politician and he served the people. His death has denied Oyo State indigenes and Nigerians the opportunity to continue to drink from the fountain of wisdom and peaceful co-existence, which he was known for.

    “Though death is a sure end, we seek solace in the fact that Baba Lam lived an exemplary life worthy of emulation.”