IYANDA'SBLOG

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Prosecutors say there was "compelling evidence" jailed Briton Matthew Hedges was guilty of spying.

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The Kashmir assembly is dissolved amid failed attempts to fax a claim to form the government.

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His victims spoke of his "divine power" and said they had to do what he asked because "he was God".

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The head of Russia's GRU agency is reported to have died following "a serious and long illness".

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People living in Paris are planting little gardens in the streets.

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Residents of the Californian town of Paradise, devastated by a deadly wildfire, are coming together for Thanksgiving and assessing the damage to their lives.

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A favourite with millions of Indian women, this loose garment has fallen foul of a village council.

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African states should allow EU to build and run cities in their countries, a German minister tells the BBC.

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Solar activity is now believed to have caused explosions during the Vietnam War. Our reliance on technology means the next event could have far more serious effects.

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The storm has turned skies orange and prompted health warnings as it moves towards Sydney.

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How a Dutch visionary brought clean cars to Amsterdam.

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Military officers will not have guns or be able to arrest migrants, the US defence secretary says.

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Thousands of Nigerian patients are being held in extreme circumstances over unpaid medical bills.

Omoyele Sowore, presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), and his running mate and Public Health Expert, Dr. Rabiu Ahmed Rufai, are set to hold 20 mega town hall meetings and rallies in tour that will take place in 100 cities across Nigeria.

The tour was announced in a statement signed by Dr Malcolm Fabiyi, Director-General of the Sowore/Rufai 2019 Campaign Organization.

According to Fabiyi, the rallies take place in the next three months.

The statement read: “The programme will span the next three months, spreading the TakeItBack Movement as aggressively as possible through rallies, town-hall meetings, Grassroots Mobilisation Efforts (G.E.T) and a Diaspora Electoral Empowerment Project."

He extended his appreciation to members and supporters of the TakeItBack Movement who have “come to hear and accept Sowore’s message of national transformation and progress”, and called on Nigerians to "be a part of the Transformation Caravan in their villages, cities, states and zones”.

The series of events, as contained in the statement, will begin with a mass rally in Lagos on November 22, 2018 at 8am.

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Omoyele Sowore, presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), and his running mate and Public Health Expert, Dr. Rabiu Ahmed Rufai, are set to hold 20 mega town hall meetings and rallies in tour that will take place in 100 cities across Nigeria.

The tour was announced in a statement signed by Dr Malcolm Fabiyi, Director-General of the Sowore/Rufai 2019 Campaign Organization.

According to Fabiyi, the rallies take place in the next three months.

The statement read: “The programme will span the next three months, spreading the TakeItBack Movement as aggressively as possible through rallies, town-hall meetings, Grassroots Mobilisation Efforts (G.E.T) and a Diaspora Electoral Empowerment Project."

He extended his appreciation to members and supporters of the TakeItBack Movement who have “come to hear and accept Sowore’s message of national transformation and progress”, and called on Nigerians to "be a part of the Transformation Caravan in their villages, cities, states and zones”.

The series of events, as contained in the statement, will begin with a mass rally in Lagos on November 22, 2018 at 8am.

#NigeriaDecides Elections Politics News AddThis :  Featured Image :  Original Author :  SAHARAREPORTERS, NEW YORK Disable advertisements : 
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Omoyele Sowore, presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), and his running mate and Public Health Expert, Dr. Rabiu Ahmed Rufai, are set to hold 20 mega town hall meetings and rallies in tour that will take place in 100 cities across Nigeria.

The tour was announced in a statement signed by Dr Malcolm Fabiyi, Director-General of the Sowore/Rufai 2019 Campaign Organization.

According to Fabiyi, the rallies take place in the next three months.

The statement read: “The programme will span the next three months, spreading the TakeItBack Movement as aggressively as possible through rallies, town-hall meetings, Grassroots Mobilisation Efforts (G.E.T) and a Diaspora Electoral Empowerment Project."

He extended his appreciation to members and supporters of the TakeItBack Movement who have “come to hear and accept Sowore’s message of national transformation and progress”, and called on Nigerians to "be a part of the Transformation Caravan in their villages, cities, states and zones”.

The series of events, as contained in the statement, will begin with a mass rally in Lagos on November 22, 2018 at 8am.

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The Senate has ordered investigation into allegations of harrassment and arrests by the Nigerian Police during the bye-election held in Kwara State on Saturday.

The decision was taken during the plenary session held on Wednesday.

Senator Rafiu Ibrahim cited Order 14, stated that "On November 15, 2018 at 4:15pm, a police helicopter landed and offloaded some packages during the House of Representatives bye-election. All these were under the direct order of IG of Police."

He also claimed that “less than 45% of registered voters showed up for the election because of the harassment and arrest going on. The DSS were protecting only members of the ruling party".

After deliberation on the matter, the Senate resolved to "mandate the Committee on Police and National Intelligence to investigate the matter and report back to the Senate".

In his comments on the incident, Senate President Bukola Saraki called on security agencies to play their roles to ensure free, fair and credible elections.

His words: “We must rise above partisan views. We have the responsibility as representatives of the people to ensure the election does not involve issues of harassment to the nation and the security operatives must be seen to be non partisan.

“It is very important that we ensure that our security agencies look into this matter not just because it has affected members of the Senate.

“We have elections coming in 2019 and it is important that we play our role to ensure the security agencies allow Nigerians carry out their civic responsibility to go and vote. A situation where individuals are not allowed to carry out their vote is a recipe for disaster. We must prevent it.

“An ad-hoc Committee should look into it and give us recommendations on how best to address this before next year because this is a matter of great importance and we must do something to call the security agencies to order so as to ensure free and fair elections.”

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The Senate has ordered investigation into allegations of harrassment and arrests by the Nigerian Police during the bye-election held in Kwara State on Saturday.

The decision was taken during the plenary session held on Wednesday.

Senator Rafiu Ibrahim cited Order 14, stated that "On November 15, 2018 at 4:15pm, a police helicopter landed and offloaded some packages during the House of Representatives bye-election. All these were under the direct order of IG of Police."

He also claimed that “less than 45% of registered voters showed up for the election because of the harassment and arrest going on. The DSS were protecting only members of the ruling party".

After deliberation on the matter, the Senate resolved to "mandate the Committee on Police and National Intelligence to investigate the matter and report back to the Senate".

In his comments on the incident, Senate President Bukola Saraki called on security agencies to play their roles to ensure free, fair and credible elections.

His words: “We must rise above partisan views. We have the responsibility as representatives of the people to ensure the election does not involve issues of harassment to the nation and the security operatives must be seen to be non partisan.

“It is very important that we ensure that our security agencies look into this matter not just because it has affected members of the Senate.

“We have elections coming in 2019 and it is important that we play our role to ensure the security agencies allow Nigerians carry out their civic responsibility to go and vote. A situation where individuals are not allowed to carry out their vote is a recipe for disaster. We must prevent it.

“An ad-hoc Committee should look into it and give us recommendations on how best to address this before next year because this is a matter of great importance and we must do something to call the security agencies to order so as to ensure free and fair elections.”

Elections Politics News AddThis :  Featured Image :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/2S4OiDK

The Senate has ordered investigation into allegations of harrassment and arrests by the Nigerian Police during the bye-election held in Kwara State on Saturday.

The decision was taken during the plenary session held on Wednesday.

Senator Rafiu Ibrahim cited Order 14, stated that "On November 15, 2018 at 4:15pm, a police helicopter landed and offloaded some packages during the House of Representatives bye-election. All these were under the direct order of IG of Police."

He also claimed that “less than 45% of registered voters showed up for the election because of the harassment and arrest going on. The DSS were protecting only members of the ruling party".

After deliberation on the matter, the Senate resolved to "mandate the Committee on Police and National Intelligence to investigate the matter and report back to the Senate".

In his comments on the incident, Senate President Bukola Saraki called on security agencies to play their roles to ensure free, fair and credible elections.

His words: “We must rise above partisan views. We have the responsibility as representatives of the people to ensure the election does not involve issues of harassment to the nation and the security operatives must be seen to be non partisan.

“It is very important that we ensure that our security agencies look into this matter not just because it has affected members of the Senate.

“We have elections coming in 2019 and it is important that we play our role to ensure the security agencies allow Nigerians carry out their civic responsibility to go and vote. A situation where individuals are not allowed to carry out their vote is a recipe for disaster. We must prevent it.

“An ad-hoc Committee should look into it and give us recommendations on how best to address this before next year because this is a matter of great importance and we must do something to call the security agencies to order so as to ensure free and fair elections.”

Elections Politics News AddThis :  Featured Image :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
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Former Malawi President, Joyce Banda, has endorsed the presidential candidature of Dr. Oby Ezekwesili of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN).

Banda testified that Ezekwesili “possesses the ability to fight corruption,” adding that Nigeria needs a leader like her.

Banda, who was the President of Malawi from April 2012 to May 2014, said Ezekwesili’s advice saved her from corruption allegations.

She said Ezekwesili's international exposure, transparent and accountable skills would help the growth of Nigeria.

Endorsing the ACPN candidate on Wednesday, Banda said: “While fighting corruption during my presidency in 2013, Oby Ezekwesili advised me to protect myself with a forensic audit, which United Kingdom government supported. I am forever grateful for this transparent, accountable daughter of Africa; a servant leader pushing #Nigeria #Hope2019."

On her part, Ezekwesili assured Nigerians that she would put effective structures in place to fight corruption.

She said that defeating corruption in Nigeria would ease job creation and boost the economy.

The female presidential candidate also assured the citizens that her tenure as President would end the attitude of using political positions for personal gains.

She said: "Needless to say, every other area in our comprehensive manifesto, including our anti-corruption, sports, foreign policy, security agenda, and every other programme of our platform, will be evaluated on three questions: How much wealth is it going to generate? How many jobs is it going to create? And how many people it will get out of poverty?

"We will measure our economic success as a government, not by the number of private jets parked at our airports, but by the number of Nigerians we lift out of poverty who go on to live richer lives. We mean business.

"We will put in place a massive programme of deregulation of the Nigerian economy to unleash the depth of competition and efficiencies necessary for higher and deeper economic growth and expansion of the economy. The division and rebalancing of roles between business and government will reduce opportunities of corruption and bottlenecks that limit the competitiveness of the Nigerian economy."

While accusing previous governments of paying lip service to the fight against corruption and accountability, she stated that her promises would be fulfilled.

"When I make these promises, I do them with the realisation that you are tired of broken promises. The broken promises of previous administrations are still fresh in your memories and it has tainted the way you look at politics. That is why as a principle, our campaign will only promise what we can deliver, and will deliver what we promise," she said. 

"Our politics is the promise of a new, honest start to rebuild and renew our country. Our direction is clear; and our destination is also clear. When we deliver, we would rebuild the crucial bonds of trust between the people and their government without which a democracy cannot flourish.

"This election is the most important of our lifetime. I believe that the next four years could determine the next 40. If we fail to get it right, what would we tell our children? What manner of consequences would befall us? What would another four years of wrong leadership mean for you and I? More poverty. More divisions. More corruption. More debt. More insecurity. More disregard for human rights. More and more of the same."

Elections Politics News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
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Former Malawi President, Joyce Banda, has endorsed the presidential candidature of Dr. Oby Ezekwesili of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN).

Banda testified that Ezekwesili “possesses the ability to fight corruption,” adding that Nigeria needs a leader like her.

Banda, who was the President of Malawi from April 2012 to May 2014, said Ezekwesili’s advice saved her from corruption allegations.

She said Ezekwesili's international exposure, transparent and accountable skills would help the growth of Nigeria.

Endorsing the ACPN candidate on Wednesday, Banda said: “While fighting corruption during my presidency in 2013, Oby Ezekwesili advised me to protect myself with a forensic audit, which United Kingdom government supported. I am forever grateful for this transparent, accountable daughter of Africa; a servant leader pushing #Nigeria #Hope2019."

On her part, Ezekwesili assured Nigerians that she would put effective structures in place to fight corruption.

She said that defeating corruption in Nigeria would ease job creation and boost the economy.

The female presidential candidate also assured the citizens that her tenure as President would end the attitude of using political positions for personal gains.

She said: "Needless to say, every other area in our comprehensive manifesto, including our anti-corruption, sports, foreign policy, security agenda, and every other programme of our platform, will be evaluated on three questions: How much wealth is it going to generate? How many jobs is it going to create? And how many people it will get out of poverty?

"We will measure our economic success as a government, not by the number of private jets parked at our airports, but by the number of Nigerians we lift out of poverty who go on to live richer lives. We mean business.

"We will put in place a massive programme of deregulation of the Nigerian economy to unleash the depth of competition and efficiencies necessary for higher and deeper economic growth and expansion of the economy. The division and rebalancing of roles between business and government will reduce opportunities of corruption and bottlenecks that limit the competitiveness of the Nigerian economy."

While accusing previous governments of paying lip service to the fight against corruption and accountability, she stated that her promises would be fulfilled.

"When I make these promises, I do them with the realisation that you are tired of broken promises. The broken promises of previous administrations are still fresh in your memories and it has tainted the way you look at politics. That is why as a principle, our campaign will only promise what we can deliver, and will deliver what we promise," she said. 

"Our politics is the promise of a new, honest start to rebuild and renew our country. Our direction is clear; and our destination is also clear. When we deliver, we would rebuild the crucial bonds of trust between the people and their government without which a democracy cannot flourish.

"This election is the most important of our lifetime. I believe that the next four years could determine the next 40. If we fail to get it right, what would we tell our children? What manner of consequences would befall us? What would another four years of wrong leadership mean for you and I? More poverty. More divisions. More corruption. More debt. More insecurity. More disregard for human rights. More and more of the same."

Elections Politics News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/2DOnwfX

Former Malawi President, Joyce Banda, has endorsed the presidential candidature of Dr. Oby Ezekwesili of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN).

Banda testified that Ezekwesili “possesses the ability to fight corruption,” adding that Nigeria needs a leader like her.

Banda, who was the President of Malawi from April 2012 to May 2014, said Ezekwesili’s advice saved her from corruption allegations.

She said Ezekwesili's international exposure, transparent and accountable skills would help the growth of Nigeria.

Endorsing the ACPN candidate on Wednesday, Banda said: “While fighting corruption during my presidency in 2013, Oby Ezekwesili advised me to protect myself with a forensic audit, which United Kingdom government supported. I am forever grateful for this transparent, accountable daughter of Africa; a servant leader pushing #Nigeria #Hope2019."

On her part, Ezekwesili assured Nigerians that she would put effective structures in place to fight corruption.

She said that defeating corruption in Nigeria would ease job creation and boost the economy.

The female presidential candidate also assured the citizens that her tenure as President would end the attitude of using political positions for personal gains.

She said: "Needless to say, every other area in our comprehensive manifesto, including our anti-corruption, sports, foreign policy, security agenda, and every other programme of our platform, will be evaluated on three questions: How much wealth is it going to generate? How many jobs is it going to create? And how many people it will get out of poverty?

"We will measure our economic success as a government, not by the number of private jets parked at our airports, but by the number of Nigerians we lift out of poverty who go on to live richer lives. We mean business.

"We will put in place a massive programme of deregulation of the Nigerian economy to unleash the depth of competition and efficiencies necessary for higher and deeper economic growth and expansion of the economy. The division and rebalancing of roles between business and government will reduce opportunities of corruption and bottlenecks that limit the competitiveness of the Nigerian economy."

While accusing previous governments of paying lip service to the fight against corruption and accountability, she stated that her promises would be fulfilled.

"When I make these promises, I do them with the realisation that you are tired of broken promises. The broken promises of previous administrations are still fresh in your memories and it has tainted the way you look at politics. That is why as a principle, our campaign will only promise what we can deliver, and will deliver what we promise," she said. 

"Our politics is the promise of a new, honest start to rebuild and renew our country. Our direction is clear; and our destination is also clear. When we deliver, we would rebuild the crucial bonds of trust between the people and their government without which a democracy cannot flourish.

"This election is the most important of our lifetime. I believe that the next four years could determine the next 40. If we fail to get it right, what would we tell our children? What manner of consequences would befall us? What would another four years of wrong leadership mean for you and I? More poverty. More divisions. More corruption. More debt. More insecurity. More disregard for human rights. More and more of the same."

Elections Politics News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/2DOnwfX

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has condemned the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for its alleged "serial show of irrationality and fear since the recent posting of a new Commissioner of Police to the state".

The APC also accused the PDP of inciting the people against the Police.

In a statement on Tuesday in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, APC said PDP had "taken its phobia to an alarming extent of now creating frightening scenarios and plotting low level fiction all in an attempt to incite the populace against the Police".

The statement was signed by the Bayelsa APC Publicity Secretary, Doifie Buokoribo, and was a response to a statement by PDP alleging that the state Police Commissioner’s office had become "APC’s operational political base".

The statement read: "As usual, the PDP has not provided any evidence to support this low level fiction. We consider it indecent, reprehensible and ungodly for a political party that is in control of government and power at the state to serially incite the populace against the police.

"We are in a democracy, and the PDP must know that it has to respect all the institutions of law and order. The PDP cannot decide for the Inspector General of Police whom he should appoint as Police Commissioner in the state. Except there is something they are not telling us, the PDP is not in a position to say it is only someone they can do business with that must be Police Commissioner in the state

"The PDP is taking its objection to the posting of the new Bayelsa State Police Commissioner, Joseph Mukan, beyond the red lines. It has become a joke taken too far.The Bayelsa APC is a party of peace-loving people committed to democracy and the progress of Bayelsa State.

"Like President Muhammadu Buhari, we would like to take the state to the next level. We have nothing to gain in the event of a breakdown of law and order in the state. We recall once again that Governor Seriake Dickson’s personal friend and PDP member was not too long ago posted to the state as Police Commissioner under his administration. Despite obvious biases and injustices against the APC at the time, we remained committed to peace.

"We never resorted to the open incitement to violence and campaign for anarchy, which has become the stock in trade of the Bayelsa PDP since the recent police postings to the state. We cannot help but wonder with alarm what unlawful acts the PDP plans to engage in this time, which they fear the new Police Commissioner, unlike their friend and party man, would not condone.

"To us, the new police commissioner is doing very well in the state. Indeed, we commend him for reaching out to all the critical segments of society, especially the youth, in his attempt to rid the state of crime and criminality. Similarly, we salute Police Commissioner Mukan for apprehending the suspected killers of Miss Seifa Fred. Fred, a first year student of Niger Delta University, was killed recently in Yenagoa."

Elections Politics News AddThis :  Featured Image :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
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The All Progressives Congress (APC) has condemned the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for its alleged "serial show of irrationality and fear since the recent posting of a new Commissioner of Police to the state".

The APC also accused the PDP of inciting the people against the Police.

In a statement on Tuesday in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, APC said PDP had "taken its phobia to an alarming extent of now creating frightening scenarios and plotting low level fiction all in an attempt to incite the populace against the Police".

The statement was signed by the Bayelsa APC Publicity Secretary, Doifie Buokoribo, and was a response to a statement by PDP alleging that the state Police Commissioner’s office had become "APC’s operational political base".

The statement read: "As usual, the PDP has not provided any evidence to support this low level fiction. We consider it indecent, reprehensible and ungodly for a political party that is in control of government and power at the state to serially incite the populace against the police.

"We are in a democracy, and the PDP must know that it has to respect all the institutions of law and order. The PDP cannot decide for the Inspector General of Police whom he should appoint as Police Commissioner in the state. Except there is something they are not telling us, the PDP is not in a position to say it is only someone they can do business with that must be Police Commissioner in the state

"The PDP is taking its objection to the posting of the new Bayelsa State Police Commissioner, Joseph Mukan, beyond the red lines. It has become a joke taken too far.The Bayelsa APC is a party of peace-loving people committed to democracy and the progress of Bayelsa State.

"Like President Muhammadu Buhari, we would like to take the state to the next level. We have nothing to gain in the event of a breakdown of law and order in the state. We recall once again that Governor Seriake Dickson’s personal friend and PDP member was not too long ago posted to the state as Police Commissioner under his administration. Despite obvious biases and injustices against the APC at the time, we remained committed to peace.

"We never resorted to the open incitement to violence and campaign for anarchy, which has become the stock in trade of the Bayelsa PDP since the recent police postings to the state. We cannot help but wonder with alarm what unlawful acts the PDP plans to engage in this time, which they fear the new Police Commissioner, unlike their friend and party man, would not condone.

"To us, the new police commissioner is doing very well in the state. Indeed, we commend him for reaching out to all the critical segments of society, especially the youth, in his attempt to rid the state of crime and criminality. Similarly, we salute Police Commissioner Mukan for apprehending the suspected killers of Miss Seifa Fred. Fred, a first year student of Niger Delta University, was killed recently in Yenagoa."

Elections Politics News AddThis :  Featured Image :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/2S6SRxb

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has condemned the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for its alleged "serial show of irrationality and fear since the recent posting of a new Commissioner of Police to the state".

The APC also accused the PDP of inciting the people against the Police.

In a statement on Tuesday in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, APC said PDP had "taken its phobia to an alarming extent of now creating frightening scenarios and plotting low level fiction all in an attempt to incite the populace against the Police".

The statement was signed by the Bayelsa APC Publicity Secretary, Doifie Buokoribo, and was a response to a statement by PDP alleging that the state Police Commissioner’s office had become "APC’s operational political base".

The statement read: "As usual, the PDP has not provided any evidence to support this low level fiction. We consider it indecent, reprehensible and ungodly for a political party that is in control of government and power at the state to serially incite the populace against the police.

"We are in a democracy, and the PDP must know that it has to respect all the institutions of law and order. The PDP cannot decide for the Inspector General of Police whom he should appoint as Police Commissioner in the state. Except there is something they are not telling us, the PDP is not in a position to say it is only someone they can do business with that must be Police Commissioner in the state

"The PDP is taking its objection to the posting of the new Bayelsa State Police Commissioner, Joseph Mukan, beyond the red lines. It has become a joke taken too far.The Bayelsa APC is a party of peace-loving people committed to democracy and the progress of Bayelsa State.

"Like President Muhammadu Buhari, we would like to take the state to the next level. We have nothing to gain in the event of a breakdown of law and order in the state. We recall once again that Governor Seriake Dickson’s personal friend and PDP member was not too long ago posted to the state as Police Commissioner under his administration. Despite obvious biases and injustices against the APC at the time, we remained committed to peace.

"We never resorted to the open incitement to violence and campaign for anarchy, which has become the stock in trade of the Bayelsa PDP since the recent police postings to the state. We cannot help but wonder with alarm what unlawful acts the PDP plans to engage in this time, which they fear the new Police Commissioner, unlike their friend and party man, would not condone.

"To us, the new police commissioner is doing very well in the state. Indeed, we commend him for reaching out to all the critical segments of society, especially the youth, in his attempt to rid the state of crime and criminality. Similarly, we salute Police Commissioner Mukan for apprehending the suspected killers of Miss Seifa Fred. Fred, a first year student of Niger Delta University, was killed recently in Yenagoa."

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Former President Goodluck Jonathan has given his own personal account of the circumstances around his concession of the 2015 presidential election to Muhammadu Buhari, the then candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

There are conflicting accounts of the final moments before that momentous phone call, with many believing that the former President had bowed to pressure from some of the nation’s former leaders to make the phone call.

However, writing in ‘My Transition Hours’, a book he launched in Abuja on Tuesday, Jonathan said it was his own personal decision even though many of his supporters across the nation would have liked for him to act otherwise.

“I knew what was coming the day before I called General Muhammadu Buhari. I had reports on the polls around the country. It was clear the results were not going to favour me. Apparently, there were many instances of irregularities. There were series of problems with card readers, resulting from widespread technical hitches leading to the non-uniform application throughout the country,” he said.

“For some inexplicable reason, the INEC had been able to achieve near 100% distribution of Permanent Voters Cards in the North, including the North East, which was under siege with the Boko Haram insurgency but failed to record a similar level of distribution in the South which was relatively more peaceful.

“Social media was filled with all manner of stories, pictures and videos. I was settled in my mind that I was not going to be the sitting President pointing out these infractions and accusing the opposition and the very INEC I helped to strengthen.

“The world saw my ordeal at the polling unit in my community in Bayelsa State, where the card reader refused my PVC even after we tried repeatedly during accreditation, and it was the same with my wife and my mother. It was a moment that exposed the shortcomings of INEC. However, I was heading towards peace. Stopping the election on voting day would have been like detonating an atomic bomb. After we managed to vote upon filling the incident forms, I left Bayelsa for Abuja to monitor the elections and collation of results all over the country from the 29th to 31st of March, 2015.

“The country was tense. I had to do something; I could no longer wait for the collation of the final results. The pressure on the country was palpable. In Lagos, people were ready to burst loose on the streets and in the North, the stage was set for envisaged violence. One of my party’s agents at the INEC National Collation Centre in Abuja, Elder Godsday Orubebe, eventually got into a heated argument with the INEC chairman, Prof.  Attahiru Jega. That further raised the tension in the country. Everyone was expecting the worst; I knew it was time to douse the tension.”

Jonathan added that he knew the consequences of hanging on to power would include bloodshed for the country, so the phone call was an easy decision to reach.

“As I said earlier, I was fully informed about the manipulation, intrigues, intimidations and betrayals. The consequences of the not conceding were only better imagined. My natural instinct for peace automatically surfaced. I was going to make a decision which reflected my commitment to that ideal. This is the foundation of my essence. In my periodic projection into the future, I did not see how I would be presiding over any kind of chaos. I was prepared to promote the peace unity and progress of Nigeria,” he wrote in the book.

“This is a huge sacrifice, but I hope my readers believe me when I say it turned out to be one of the easiest decisions I ever took while in office. With my mind made up, I knew it was time for me to inject peace into the tense polity, especially before INEC completed collation.

“I was in my living room with some ministers, aides and friends. Among them were the Coordinating Minister for the Economy/ Honourable Minster of Finance, Dr. Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo- Iweala; Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN); the Honourable Minister of Aviation, Mr. Osita Chidoka; and Waripamower Dudafa, my Senior Special Assistant on Domestic Affairs.

“They were recommending sundry alternatives, but I was quiet in the midst of their discussion. I hugged my thoughts, figuring out how to do that which was best for the country. My personal interest was receding rapidly and the interest of Nigeria looming large. I excused myself and left the sitting room. I walked into my study. Even here, my mantra was a strong circle around me, supporting and comforting me. Let the country survive. Let democracy survive. My political ambition is not worth people being ‘soaked in blood’.

“More reports flowed in and I could not wait anymore, the announcement of the final result could take issues out of all our hands. It was time for me to take action and bring peace to the nation. I felt it was destined by God at that point in time to inject the peace serum and douse the palpable tension in the country.

“I reached for my telephone and placed a call through the State House operators at about 4:45 pm. A peace I had never felt since my political sojourn descended on me. It showed me where I had been in the past 16 years and where I was then. I smiled at the thought of what I was about to do. I waited calmly for the person at the other end of my call to answer.”

The ensuing conversation went thus:

Buhari: “Hello Your Excellency”

Me: “Your Excellency how are you?”

Buhari: “I am alright Your Excellency”

Me: “Congratulations”

Buhari: “Thank you very much your Excellency…”

“For several seconds the line was seized by the loudest silence I have ever known. Then we had a brief discussion. I could sense his relief too. He knew what could have been. Here is a man who had contested three times and lost. Maybe my gesture humbled him against his expectations because he thanked me and we talked about the handover processes,” Jonathan continued.

“Everywhere all over Africa, Asia and other parts of the world, countless deaths have been recorded on the scores of elections and power disputes. I mentioned Cote d’Ivoire earlier, where people died in their thousands during post-election violence. A similar scenario had unfolded in Kenya. African nations are more prone to post-election violence than other parts of the world. Only very few African nations have not experienced post-election violence on a very grand scale or some bitter power tussle fed by tribal or ethnic sentiments.

“I hung up the phone, confident that my decision was right for Nigeria and would probably have a great impact on Africa. This may well be the beginning of a new perspective which places national interest above personal preference. It should not always be about winning.”

Jonathan revealed that after his conversation with Buhari, which lifted his spirits greatly, he felt better and lighter.

“It was time to break the news to my ministers and aides. I wandered back into the living room. These are people I came to know over a period of time. I anticipated what their response will be.

“In my newfound calm, I stood before them and told them what I had just done. The elections were over. I had called and congratulated Muhammadu Buhari on his victory. It was time for all of us to move on. Stunned silence greeted the room for some time and after they overcame their shock, they all congratulated me.

“My Aviation Minister, Osita Chidoka, sought my permission to tweet my phone conversation with Muhammadu Buhari. I obliged and he did. The country was no longer waiting for the declaration of the election results. The nationwide tension automatically dissipated as though a red hot piece of iron had been dipped in a bowl of water. Thereafter I addressed the nation.”

Jonathan formally handed over power to Buhari on May 29, 2015. He has sent the bulk of his time since then observing elections across the continent and helping other African countries strengthen their democracies. 

Books Elections Politics News AddThis :  Featured Image :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/2KoMov8

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has given his own personal account of the circumstances around his concession of the 2015 presidential election to Muhammadu Buhari, the then candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

There are conflicting accounts of the final moments before that momentous phone call, with many believing that the former President had bowed to pressure from some of the nation’s former leaders to make the phone call.

However, writing in ‘My Transition Hours’, a book he launched in Abuja on Tuesday, Jonathan said it was his own personal decision even though many of his supporters across the nation would have liked for him to act otherwise.

“I knew what was coming the day before I called General Muhammadu Buhari. I had reports on the polls around the country. It was clear the results were not going to favour me. Apparently, there were many instances of irregularities. There were series of problems with card readers, resulting from widespread technical hitches leading to the non-uniform application throughout the country,” he said.

“For some inexplicable reason, the INEC had been able to achieve near 100% distribution of Permanent Voters Cards in the North, including the North East, which was under siege with the Boko Haram insurgency but failed to record a similar level of distribution in the South which was relatively more peaceful.

“Social media was filled with all manner of stories, pictures and videos. I was settled in my mind that I was not going to be the sitting President pointing out these infractions and accusing the opposition and the very INEC I helped to strengthen.

“The world saw my ordeal at the polling unit in my community in Bayelsa State, where the card reader refused my PVC even after we tried repeatedly during accreditation, and it was the same with my wife and my mother. It was a moment that exposed the shortcomings of INEC. However, I was heading towards peace. Stopping the election on voting day would have been like detonating an atomic bomb. After we managed to vote upon filling the incident forms, I left Bayelsa for Abuja to monitor the elections and collation of results all over the country from the 29th to 31st of March, 2015.

“The country was tense. I had to do something; I could no longer wait for the collation of the final results. The pressure on the country was palpable. In Lagos, people were ready to burst loose on the streets and in the North, the stage was set for envisaged violence. One of my party’s agents at the INEC National Collation Centre in Abuja, Elder Godsday Orubebe, eventually got into a heated argument with the INEC chairman, Prof.  Attahiru Jega. That further raised the tension in the country. Everyone was expecting the worst; I knew it was time to douse the tension.”

Jonathan added that he knew the consequences of hanging on to power would include bloodshed for the country, so the phone call was an easy decision to reach.

“As I said earlier, I was fully informed about the manipulation, intrigues, intimidations and betrayals. The consequences of the not conceding were only better imagined. My natural instinct for peace automatically surfaced. I was going to make a decision which reflected my commitment to that ideal. This is the foundation of my essence. In my periodic projection into the future, I did not see how I would be presiding over any kind of chaos. I was prepared to promote the peace unity and progress of Nigeria,” he wrote in the book.

“This is a huge sacrifice, but I hope my readers believe me when I say it turned out to be one of the easiest decisions I ever took while in office. With my mind made up, I knew it was time for me to inject peace into the tense polity, especially before INEC completed collation.

“I was in my living room with some ministers, aides and friends. Among them were the Coordinating Minister for the Economy/ Honourable Minster of Finance, Dr. Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo- Iweala; Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN); the Honourable Minister of Aviation, Mr. Osita Chidoka; and Waripamower Dudafa, my Senior Special Assistant on Domestic Affairs.

“They were recommending sundry alternatives, but I was quiet in the midst of their discussion. I hugged my thoughts, figuring out how to do that which was best for the country. My personal interest was receding rapidly and the interest of Nigeria looming large. I excused myself and left the sitting room. I walked into my study. Even here, my mantra was a strong circle around me, supporting and comforting me. Let the country survive. Let democracy survive. My political ambition is not worth people being ‘soaked in blood’.

“More reports flowed in and I could not wait anymore, the announcement of the final result could take issues out of all our hands. It was time for me to take action and bring peace to the nation. I felt it was destined by God at that point in time to inject the peace serum and douse the palpable tension in the country.

“I reached for my telephone and placed a call through the State House operators at about 4:45 pm. A peace I had never felt since my political sojourn descended on me. It showed me where I had been in the past 16 years and where I was then. I smiled at the thought of what I was about to do. I waited calmly for the person at the other end of my call to answer.”

The ensuing conversation went thus:

Buhari: “Hello Your Excellency”

Me: “Your Excellency how are you?”

Buhari: “I am alright Your Excellency”

Me: “Congratulations”

Buhari: “Thank you very much your Excellency…”

“For several seconds the line was seized by the loudest silence I have ever known. Then we had a brief discussion. I could sense his relief too. He knew what could have been. Here is a man who had contested three times and lost. Maybe my gesture humbled him against his expectations because he thanked me and we talked about the handover processes,” Jonathan continued.

“Everywhere all over Africa, Asia and other parts of the world, countless deaths have been recorded on the scores of elections and power disputes. I mentioned Cote d’Ivoire earlier, where people died in their thousands during post-election violence. A similar scenario had unfolded in Kenya. African nations are more prone to post-election violence than other parts of the world. Only very few African nations have not experienced post-election violence on a very grand scale or some bitter power tussle fed by tribal or ethnic sentiments.

“I hung up the phone, confident that my decision was right for Nigeria and would probably have a great impact on Africa. This may well be the beginning of a new perspective which places national interest above personal preference. It should not always be about winning.”

Jonathan revealed that after his conversation with Buhari, which lifted his spirits greatly, he felt better and lighter.

“It was time to break the news to my ministers and aides. I wandered back into the living room. These are people I came to know over a period of time. I anticipated what their response will be.

“In my newfound calm, I stood before them and told them what I had just done. The elections were over. I had called and congratulated Muhammadu Buhari on his victory. It was time for all of us to move on. Stunned silence greeted the room for some time and after they overcame their shock, they all congratulated me.

“My Aviation Minister, Osita Chidoka, sought my permission to tweet my phone conversation with Muhammadu Buhari. I obliged and he did. The country was no longer waiting for the declaration of the election results. The nationwide tension automatically dissipated as though a red hot piece of iron had been dipped in a bowl of water. Thereafter I addressed the nation.”

Jonathan formally handed over power to Buhari on May 29, 2015. He has sent the bulk of his time since then observing elections across the continent and helping other African countries strengthen their democracies. 

Books Elections Politics News AddThis :  Featured Image :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/2KoMov8

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has given his own personal account of the circumstances around his concession of the 2015 presidential election to Muhammadu Buhari, the then candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

There are conflicting accounts of the final moments before that momentous phone call, with many believing that the former President had bowed to pressure from some of the nation’s former leaders to make the phone call.

However, writing in ‘My Transition Hours’, a book he launched in Abuja on Tuesday, Jonathan said it was his own personal decision even though many of his supporters across the nation would have liked for him to act otherwise.

“I knew what was coming the day before I called General Muhammadu Buhari. I had reports on the polls around the country. It was clear the results were not going to favour me. Apparently, there were many instances of irregularities. There were series of problems with card readers, resulting from widespread technical hitches leading to the non-uniform application throughout the country,” he said.

“For some inexplicable reason, the INEC had been able to achieve near 100% distribution of Permanent Voters Cards in the North, including the North East, which was under siege with the Boko Haram insurgency but failed to record a similar level of distribution in the South which was relatively more peaceful.

“Social media was filled with all manner of stories, pictures and videos. I was settled in my mind that I was not going to be the sitting President pointing out these infractions and accusing the opposition and the very INEC I helped to strengthen.

“The world saw my ordeal at the polling unit in my community in Bayelsa State, where the card reader refused my PVC even after we tried repeatedly during accreditation, and it was the same with my wife and my mother. It was a moment that exposed the shortcomings of INEC. However, I was heading towards peace. Stopping the election on voting day would have been like detonating an atomic bomb. After we managed to vote upon filling the incident forms, I left Bayelsa for Abuja to monitor the elections and collation of results all over the country from the 29th to 31st of March, 2015.

“The country was tense. I had to do something; I could no longer wait for the collation of the final results. The pressure on the country was palpable. In Lagos, people were ready to burst loose on the streets and in the North, the stage was set for envisaged violence. One of my party’s agents at the INEC National Collation Centre in Abuja, Elder Godsday Orubebe, eventually got into a heated argument with the INEC chairman, Prof.  Attahiru Jega. That further raised the tension in the country. Everyone was expecting the worst; I knew it was time to douse the tension.”

Jonathan added that he knew the consequences of hanging on to power would include bloodshed for the country, so the phone call was an easy decision to reach.

“As I said earlier, I was fully informed about the manipulation, intrigues, intimidations and betrayals. The consequences of the not conceding were only better imagined. My natural instinct for peace automatically surfaced. I was going to make a decision which reflected my commitment to that ideal. This is the foundation of my essence. In my periodic projection into the future, I did not see how I would be presiding over any kind of chaos. I was prepared to promote the peace unity and progress of Nigeria,” he wrote in the book.

“This is a huge sacrifice, but I hope my readers believe me when I say it turned out to be one of the easiest decisions I ever took while in office. With my mind made up, I knew it was time for me to inject peace into the tense polity, especially before INEC completed collation.

“I was in my living room with some ministers, aides and friends. Among them were the Coordinating Minister for the Economy/ Honourable Minster of Finance, Dr. Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo- Iweala; Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN); the Honourable Minister of Aviation, Mr. Osita Chidoka; and Waripamower Dudafa, my Senior Special Assistant on Domestic Affairs.

“They were recommending sundry alternatives, but I was quiet in the midst of their discussion. I hugged my thoughts, figuring out how to do that which was best for the country. My personal interest was receding rapidly and the interest of Nigeria looming large. I excused myself and left the sitting room. I walked into my study. Even here, my mantra was a strong circle around me, supporting and comforting me. Let the country survive. Let democracy survive. My political ambition is not worth people being ‘soaked in blood’.

“More reports flowed in and I could not wait anymore, the announcement of the final result could take issues out of all our hands. It was time for me to take action and bring peace to the nation. I felt it was destined by God at that point in time to inject the peace serum and douse the palpable tension in the country.

“I reached for my telephone and placed a call through the State House operators at about 4:45 pm. A peace I had never felt since my political sojourn descended on me. It showed me where I had been in the past 16 years and where I was then. I smiled at the thought of what I was about to do. I waited calmly for the person at the other end of my call to answer.”

The ensuing conversation went thus:

Buhari: “Hello Your Excellency”

Me: “Your Excellency how are you?”

Buhari: “I am alright Your Excellency”

Me: “Congratulations”

Buhari: “Thank you very much your Excellency…”

“For several seconds the line was seized by the loudest silence I have ever known. Then we had a brief discussion. I could sense his relief too. He knew what could have been. Here is a man who had contested three times and lost. Maybe my gesture humbled him against his expectations because he thanked me and we talked about the handover processes,” Jonathan continued.

“Everywhere all over Africa, Asia and other parts of the world, countless deaths have been recorded on the scores of elections and power disputes. I mentioned Cote d’Ivoire earlier, where people died in their thousands during post-election violence. A similar scenario had unfolded in Kenya. African nations are more prone to post-election violence than other parts of the world. Only very few African nations have not experienced post-election violence on a very grand scale or some bitter power tussle fed by tribal or ethnic sentiments.

“I hung up the phone, confident that my decision was right for Nigeria and would probably have a great impact on Africa. This may well be the beginning of a new perspective which places national interest above personal preference. It should not always be about winning.”

Jonathan revealed that after his conversation with Buhari, which lifted his spirits greatly, he felt better and lighter.

“It was time to break the news to my ministers and aides. I wandered back into the living room. These are people I came to know over a period of time. I anticipated what their response will be.

“In my newfound calm, I stood before them and told them what I had just done. The elections were over. I had called and congratulated Muhammadu Buhari on his victory. It was time for all of us to move on. Stunned silence greeted the room for some time and after they overcame their shock, they all congratulated me.

“My Aviation Minister, Osita Chidoka, sought my permission to tweet my phone conversation with Muhammadu Buhari. I obliged and he did. The country was no longer waiting for the declaration of the election results. The nationwide tension automatically dissipated as though a red hot piece of iron had been dipped in a bowl of water. Thereafter I addressed the nation.”

Jonathan formally handed over power to Buhari on May 29, 2015. He has sent the bulk of his time since then observing elections across the continent and helping other African countries strengthen their democracies. 

Books Elections Politics News AddThis :  Featured Image :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/2KoMov8

At least seven people were killed on Wednesday in Akure, the Ondo State capital, after a petrol tanker crashed into two petrol stations.

The accident occurred at the busy Shasha market, located at Benin-Owo road in Akure.

The petrol-laden truck crashed into two filling stations, destroying some fuel pumps.

SaharaReporters observed that men of Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) were at the scene to ensure the smooth flow of traffic. Officers of the Fire Brigade Service were also on ground to forestall fire outbreak.

Several eyewitnesses who spoke to SaharaReporters said the truck was fully loaded with 33,000 litres of the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), before the driver lost control of the wheel and veered off the road.

One of the witnesses, Ali Mustapha, narrated how the accident occured in the early hours of Wednesday when the traders were arriving at the market. Mustapha also said he lost his friend, a road-side mechanic to the fatal accident.

"I was setting up my wares for the day's business when I heard a loud noise from afar that the driver had lost control of the wheels. And before we knew it, the truck, whose brake had failed, crashed into other shops beside mine and crushed people to death. Sadly, a good friend of mine who sells 'suya', was among the people that lost their lives during the incident," he said.

Another witness, Funke Akinsanmi, explained how she narrowly escaped death.

Akinsanmi said she was inside the World Class Travels Filling Station when the truck driver rammed into people along the road.

"I had just finished buying fuel from the filling station when this driver rammed his truck into the people and killed the traders. I counted nothing less than seven dead bodies lying flat on the floor as it was a gory accident," she said.

Segun Ogungbemide, Deputy Head of Operations of the FRSC, Ondo State Command, stated that the fatal accident was caused by overspeeding and failure of the brake.

He said: "Immediately we heard about the accident, our men rushed down to the scene for a rescue mission. But during our assessment, we all observed that truck driver was overspeeding.

"He was driving along the Benin-Owo road by Shasha Market and in the process, he lost control of the wheels and his brake failed. He rammed into people who might be traders on the road and we could only evacuate three dead bodies from the scene, while those injured were rushed to the hospital."

He advised motorists plying the expressway to alway drive with extra caution.

"Especially now that December is here, we want our drivers and motorists to be careful," he said. "We are pleading with them."

News AddThis :  Featured Image :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/2BqzYjD

At least seven people were killed on Wednesday in Akure, the Ondo State capital, after a petrol tanker crashed into two petrol stations.

The accident occurred at the busy Shasha market, located at Benin-Owo road in Akure.

The petrol-laden truck crashed into two filling stations, destroying some fuel pumps.

SaharaReporters observed that men of Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) were at the scene to ensure the smooth flow of traffic. Officers of the Fire Brigade Service were also on ground to forestall fire outbreak.

Several eyewitnesses who spoke to SaharaReporters said the truck was fully loaded with 33,000 litres of the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), before the driver lost control of the wheel and veered off the road.

One of the witnesses, Ali Mustapha, narrated how the accident occured in the early hours of Wednesday when the traders were arriving at the market. Mustapha also said he lost his friend, a road-side mechanic to the fatal accident.

"I was setting up my wares for the day's business when I heard a loud noise from afar that the driver had lost control of the wheels. And before we knew it, the truck, whose brake had failed, crashed into other shops beside mine and crushed people to death. Sadly, a good friend of mine who sells 'suya', was among the people that lost their lives during the incident," he said.

Another witness, Funke Akinsanmi, explained how she narrowly escaped death.

Akinsanmi said she was inside the World Class Travels Filling Station when the truck driver rammed into people along the road.

"I had just finished buying fuel from the filling station when this driver rammed his truck into the people and killed the traders. I counted nothing less than seven dead bodies lying flat on the floor as it was a gory accident," she said.

Segun Ogungbemide, Deputy Head of Operations of the FRSC, Ondo State Command, stated that the fatal accident was caused by overspeeding and failure of the brake.

He said: "Immediately we heard about the accident, our men rushed down to the scene for a rescue mission. But during our assessment, we all observed that truck driver was overspeeding.

"He was driving along the Benin-Owo road by Shasha Market and in the process, he lost control of the wheels and his brake failed. He rammed into people who might be traders on the road and we could only evacuate three dead bodies from the scene, while those injured were rushed to the hospital."

He advised motorists plying the expressway to alway drive with extra caution.

"Especially now that December is here, we want our drivers and motorists to be careful," he said. "We are pleading with them."

News AddThis :  Featured Image :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/2BqzYjD