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  • PDP protests INEC’s refusal to release electoral materials

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has protested the alleged refusal by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to release election materials used for the February 23 presidential election, as ordered by the Court of Appeal.

    In a statement Monday by the spokesman for the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, the party cautioned INEC chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, not to plunge the nation into a monumental crisis.

    The main opposition party said INEC, by this action, is blatantly standing in the way of justice and working against the will of the people in their quest to salvage the nation and reclaim their “stolen mandate” at the tribunal.

    “The continued refusal of INEC to release the electoral materials to the PDP and our legal team is completely provocative and shows that the commission is working in cahoots with the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Buhari Presidency to frustrate the PDP, our candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and majority of Nigerians from retrieving our mandate at the tribunal.

    “INEC and the APC are apprehensive that the materials, particularly the forms EC8D and EC40G covering the nation in addition to the report of the Smart Card Readers used in the presidential election will show at the tribunal that the PDP and Atiku Abubakar clearly won the presidential election.

    “The PDP has been reliably informed of how the APC and some compromised top officials of INEC have been boasting that they will never allow these materials and documents to be released to the PDP legal team”, the statement added.

    The PDP dismissed claims by the APC and INEC that forms EC8D, EC40G and reports from the Smart Card Readers were not specifically captured in the said order of the court.

    Read also: PDP wins Rivers supplementary elections

    The party, however, insisted that the court was unequivocal in its order that all materials used for the election be made available to the PDP legal team.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, the Court of Appeal, among other orders, directed INEC to release and allow our legal team to inspect, scan, forensically audit and make copies of forms EC4OA, EC8A, EC8AVP, EC8B, EC8C, EC8E and all other electoral forms and materials including, but not limited to ballot papers and voters registers and materials used for the conduct of the presidential election, held across Nigeria on the 23rd of February, 2019, for the purpose of instituting and maintaining an election petition,” the party said.

    It noted that the refusal of INEC to release forms EC8D, EC40G and the reports of the card readers was a deliberate and vicious disobedience to the orders of the court for which the management of INEC should be charged for contempt.

    The party called on Nigerians to note that INEC, having allegedly rigged the election in favour of APC, is now seeking ways to frustrate its petition at the tribunal.

    “We therefore charge INEC, having been exposed, to end its shenanigan and release these documents without further delay,” the PDP concluded.

  • Two killed, three hospitalised as hoodlums attack Ekiti community

    Two persons were killed while three others were hospitalised after suspected hoodlums attacked Iyemero- Ekiti in Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti.

    The attack came barely a week after the traditional ruler of the town, Oba Agboola Ogungbemi, had raised an alarm of an impending attack on his community.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the attack occurred in the early hours of Monday.

    Some residents were also displaced by the assailants who were said to have invaded Eda,  a  farmstead in the community.

    A source in the community identified one of the dead as Danjuma Ali, a farmer, while the identity of the second deceased remained unknown.

    Those injured were, however, taken to the emergency section of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido Ekiti.

    While two of the injured persons were identified as Mrs Jennifer Akoko and Mr Joseph Achebe, the third was simply identified as Kayode.

    The source said the assailants shot those at the farmstead in what had become recurrent killings.

    “They came around 1:00 am and were there till dawn. Our farmers are all afraid to go to their farmsteads now, we are indeed in trouble.

    “They all rushed to the palace of Oba Kagboola Ogungbemi, the Olu of Iyemero Ekiti,  to take refuge.

    Read Also: Man with roasted human hands arrested in Ekiti

    ” We are mourning today at Iyemero, we are not happy about this incident and the government must do something about it,’’ the source said.

    Ogungbemi confirmed the incident, adding that he had been calling for the establishment of a police station in the community to curb criminal activities.

    The monarch, who spoke through the palace spokesman, Chief Ariyo Abejide, said there was urgent need for the teeming population of farmers in the farmstead to be protected by the security agencies.

    “These hoodlums stormed the community through the border of Iyemero at Eruku in Kwara.

    ” Iyemero is porous and this portends danger to the communities in Ikole Local Government and the state in general,’’ he said.

    Ogungbemi, however, urged the residents to be peaceful while awaiting government’s prompt intervention.

    But reacting to the development, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Caleb Ikechukwu, said he had not been fully briefed on the incident.

    NAN

     

     

  • Aviation unions protest at Lagos Airport

    Aviation union members Monday protested at the Lagos Airport over brutality of their members by officers and men of Nigeria Police in Caverton Helicopters.

    The union members alleged that the management of Caverton Helicopters directed the Rapid Respond Squad RRS, to brutalise and molest their members who were protesting the non-payment of the redundancy benefits last week.

    The protest led to many passengers and motorists stranded along roads leading into both the local and international airports as they chanted solidarity songs calling on the Nigeria Police to stay within their limits.

    National President, National Union of Air Transport Employees, NUATE, comrade Ben Nnabue said it was unacceptable for the police to be involved in the matters of the unions when they were unaware of the Genesis of the issues at hand.

    He explained that the protest was to express their displeasure over the brutalization of their members and for Caverton helicopters company refusing to fulfill the agreement reached with them on the redundancy benefits.

    Secretary General, Association of Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, ATSSSAN, Comrade Francis Akinjolie said the involvement of the police in the matter was uncalled for, adding that the unions are irked about this development and the unions would not take it likely for the police to dabble in matters that does not concern them and to the extent inflicting injury on their members.

    According to Comrade Akinjolie, the unions have it on good authority that it was the tradition of the company to embark on redundancy exercise and later re-absorbed the staff as casual workers.

    The labour Union leaders however noted that on Monday evening, the Caverton management scheduled a meeting with the unions this morning to discuss with a view to ending the continuous picketing of the company.

    Read Also: Aviation group highlights risks in drone use

    The company is said to have pleaded for six weeks  to garner funds to off-set what was owe the disengaged staff.

    The unions also picket two catering companies, ASL and Servair.

    Officials and vehicles of the Lagos State Task Force were deployed to the NewcrestASL to man the gates where members of the unions are protesting.

    Comrade Nnabue said the two companies have refused its staff who was interested in joining the unions from doing so, adding that some of them have been placed on suspension.

    He said the freedom of association allows that one can join unions they like and preventing such a staff from doing so was an infringement on their fundamental human rights.

    Comrade Nnabue emphasized that the unions would not take this likely with any organizations who threaten, harass or stop any of their staff interested in union activities from doing so.

    The unions involved in the protests match are; National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE); Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN); Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals (ANAP); National Association of Air Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) and Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations Civil Services Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE).

  • Breaking: Driver, four others kidnapped in Kogi

    A commercial bus driver simply called Sapamo along with four passengers travelling from Ayetoro/Gbede in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State, have been reportedly kidnapped along the Obajana – Kabba road.

    The victims were said to be returning to Lokoja, the capital on Monday, when they were attacked and abducted.

    Read Also: Breaking: INEC fixes Kogi, Bayelsa gov polls for Nov 2

    A relation of the driver said the kidnappers contacted the family and initially demanded for N10 million for their release, but “after much negotiation, the kidnappers lowered the ransom to N4 million” for their brother and the four others.

    All efforts to confirm the development from the state police command headquarters proved abortive, as the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Williams Aya was yet to respond to calls put across to his mobile lines.

  • Kajuru crisis: Release Adara leaders in detention, stakeholders tell El-Rufa’i

    Some stakeholders in crisis ridden Kajuru Local Government, Kaduna  State, on Monday urged the State Peace Commission to prevail on Gov. Nasiru El-Rufai to facilitate the release of Adara leaders arrested after recent killings in the area.

    The News  Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that members of the peace commission led by the Chairman, Rev. Josiah Idowu-Fearon, visited the area in their push for reconciliation among the warring communities.

    Both the Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the area, Mr Makama Danjuma and Mr Patrick Maigari, Chairman of the local reconciliation committee, said the release of Adara community leaders would fast track reconciliation and engender confidence in the process.

    Maigari in particular said reintegration of the people for lasting peace was possible, but the first step should be the release of those in detention.

    He called on all communities in the local government to shun all forms of violence, ethnicity and religious bigotry and ensure peaceful coexistence.

    Idowu-Fearon, said the commission would continue to play its part until peace is achieved in the state.

    “We are also investigating the situation that brought about the reoccurrence of the crisis in the area.

    ”We are here to help government to resolve the situation and also give out recommendations for lasting peace,” he said.

    Read Also: Kadun: El-Rufa’i vows to punish perpetrators of crisis

    The Executive Vice Chairman of the commission, Priscilla Ankut while commensurating with victims of the crisis, said the commission would continue collaborating with the stakeholders to jointly bring about solution to the crisis in order to bring about meaningful development in the area.

    Ankut explained that the meeting was to discus with stakeholders to commit themselves to proper and lasting reconciliation.

    The Chairman, Kajuru LGA,  Mr Cafra Caino, represented by his deputy, Mr Jagaba Kutara, thanked the commission for the encouraging engagement towards peace building in the area.

    According to him, over 40, 000 internally displaced persons are currently taking refuge in eight camps in the area.

    Also, JNI Chairman, Kajuru LGA, Sheikh Dahiru Kabir, expressed regret over recurring attacks in the area after each reconciliation meeting

    He called on all to shun sentiments, be sincere and committed to the peace process, and “expose those behind the crime irrespective of who they are”

    NAN

     

  • Nigeria’s Matti for ITTF Training Camp in Thailand

    For his exceptional display coupled with his good conduct at the World Junior Circuit (WJC) and African Junior and Cadet Championships (AJCC) in Accra, Ghana, Nigeria’s Taiwo Matti has been invited to the High Performance Training Camp for U-15 and U-18 players across the world in Bangkok, Thailand on May 6 to 13.

     

    In a letter signed by ITTF High Performance & Development Operations Manager, Dora Jeler, Matti’s invitation was based on the recommendation of the High Performance Manager, Massimo Costantini, who was in Accra for the tournaments.

     

    “In our second round of invitations, ITTF High Performance & Development is pleased to invite Mati Taiwo (NGR) to our High Performance Training Camp for U15 & U18 players, to be held in Bangkok, Thailand from 6-13 May 2019. The camp will be held prior to and in preparation of the ITTF World Junior Circuit Thailand Junior & Cadet Open in Bangkok, so that players and coaches wishing to attend both the camp and the tournament will be able to connect the two,” Jeler said.

    Read also: 2019 ITTF: Nigeria dominate boys’ singles

     

    The training would be handled by top coaches including the High Performance Manager, Massimo Costantini, who is ITTF Coach of the Year.

     

    Matti was outstanding for Nigeria at the just concluded World Junior Circuit (WJC) and ITTF African Junior and Cadet Championship held in Accra, Ghana and he emerged as the cadet champion in the two events.

     

    He was also instrumental to Nigeria’s triumph over Egypt in the boys’ U-21 team event and their emergence as the new champion in the continent.

    The Ondo State-born star was one of the stars that ignited the tournaments in Ghana with his beautiful and outstanding display particularly against the highly-rated Egyptian players. 

  • Gunmen murder son of Benue PDP chieftain

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Benue State Chapter has described as barbaric and unacceptable the murder of Torkuma Amaa-Bai, son of the National Ex-Officio member of the party, Prince Vincent Yandev Amaabai Sunday in Gboko.

    Torkuma, who is the first son of his father and an active member of the PDP, was shot death by unknown gunmen who trailed him to a location in the town at about 10 pm in the presence of onlookers.

    Confirming the incident, the bereaved father, Prince Amaa Bai, lamented the tragedy wondering why anyone would want to visit such evil on his family.

    Read Also: Two students drown in River Benue found

    In a statement signed by the publicity secretary of the Benue PDP Hon Bemgba Iprtyom and made available to The Nation, called on security agencies to fish out the killers of the son of PDP chieftain.

    The statement reads in part: “While it is yet early for us to draw any conclusions about the unfortunate incident, we nevertheless, demand that security agencies must act with dispatch and fish out the perpetrators of this crime.

    “Prince Amaa-Bai, national official of our great party was also appointed to serve as the Director of Security and Intelligence on the State Campaign Organisation of the party in Benue in the just concluded elections.”

  • Breaking: Fire breaks out at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris

    A massive fire broke out at Notre Dame Cathedral in central Paris on Monday afternoon, sending flames shooting out of the roof of the iconic building. Smoke could be seen billowing from miles away.

    Fire officials told Agence France-Press that the fire was potentially linked to the renovation of the building and is believed to have started in the attic.

    Dramatic images posted to social media showed the roof of the medieval cathedral engulfed in flames.

    Details shortly…

     

  • Barcelona will not repeat last year’s Champions League meltdown, says Marc-Andre ter Stegen

    Marc-Andre ter Stegen has warned Barcelona they will be living dangerously if they try to defend their slender lead against Manchester United – but is confident there will be no repeat of their Champions League quarter-final meltdown against Roma last season.

    Barcelona face United at the Nou Camp on Tuesday night holding a 1-0 advantage from the first leg of their quarter-final at Old Trafford last week.

    The Spanish champions led 4-1 against Roma last season only to lose 3-0 in the return leg in Italy to exit on away goals and Paul Pogba has claimed United’s dramatic comeback against Paris St-Germain last month might also play on Barcelona minds.

    But Ter Stegen is not expecting Barcelona to wobble again, even if he is adamant they can leave nothing to chance against United, who have scored nine goals in four Champions League away ties, including a 2-1 win at Juventus.

    “There is not much to be said about what happened in the past,” the Barcelona goalkeeper said.

    “It was hard of course but it’s another year on, we got over it [Roma]. We don’t want that to happen again.

    “We need to bear it in mind and look forward and tomorrow is a good time to achieve a good success for us, with all our fans around us, and hopefully we will beat them.

    “United are very quick. You always have to be alert. I think it’s the key to win this very difficult game. They know how to play in a very calm way.

    “They made things really hard for us. We want to go out and master the game, have the ball as much as possible. We have to defend as we did there.

    “The good thing is that we play differently to PSG but they are really dangerous. The result we got in Manchester is dangerous because it’s a very small advantage, it’s not enough to defend.

    “We need to step forward and create risky situations. We have to keep the ball and create good chances and score.”

    Ernesto Valverde, the Barcelona coach, rested six senior players, including Lionel Messi, in Saturday’s surprise 0-0 draw against La Liga’s bottom club, Huesca, although Ousmane Dembele made his comeback after a month out with a hamstring injury.

     

  • Rivers crisis: Leave Amaechi alone, APC chieftain urges Wike

    A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers state, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, has urged Governor Nyesom Wike not to link the Transportation Minister, Rotimi Amaechi with the crisis witnessed in the state during the last elections.

    Eze made the admonition Monday in an online statement.

    Wike, a chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), shortly after last week’s Supreme Court’s judgements involving cases filed by members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in a state broadcast, pleaded with Amaechi, his predecessor, who is the leader of APC in Rivers state and the Southsouth zone, and other chieftains of the party (APC) to join him to move the state forward, promising that political court cases against APC members would be discontinued.

    Eze, however, said: “Wike’s state broadcast, among other deficiencies, failed to address the critical issues bedeviling the State, especially insecurity and loss of value for human lives. The starting point for Rivers governor ought to have been an unreserved apology to Rivers people, because he (Wike) engineered the insecurity, which has destroyed many communities in Rivers State.

    Read Also: Wike pledges to tackle cult-related killings

    “Contrary to the erroneous impression contained in Wike’s state broadcast, Amaechi has no case that Wike’s Attorney-General has to withdraw or recommend to be discontinued, as it is hypocritical to sit on a seat of the governor unjustly and look for who to hold peace parley with.

    “Neither the Transportation Minister nor the APC is the cause of the current bad governance in Rivers State. Wike, through his lack of vision and ineptitude, has turned the once economically bubbling, secure and peaceful state into a hotbed of cultism, killings, kidnapping and an unsafe haven. Persons who are responsible for the criminal activities are those Rivers governor and his PDP are backing and protecting.”

    The APC chieftain also stated rather than wasting time on empty broadcast, Wike should be preparing his defence at the election petitions tribunal, declaring that the manipulated and massively-rigged elections would not stand.

    He said: “It is sad that instead of Wike to address challenging issues confronting the people of Rivers State, he is dwelling so much on the crisis he ignited in Rivers APC, to his benefit.

    “While Wike was reading his state broadcast, medical doctors were protesting non-payment of their seven-month salaries. Pensioners and civil servants are at a loss on who to present their plight of non-payment of their pensions and salaries for many months to.”

    Eze also stated that pursuance of peace without social justice, mapping of strategies on the creation of jobs for the teeming qualified youths and elimination of hunger, amelioration of the plights of the civil servants, pensioners and most importantly strategies on restoration of security in Rivers state, would not bring about the much-desired results.