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ICYMI: A coloured flour fight and lifesaving jeans

APC Kicks Against INEC’s Final Decision On Bauchi Governorship Election

The Bauchi State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has rejected the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the governorship election in the state.

In a statement issued over the weekend, INEC had said it would resume the elections in the state on Tuesday, March 19, 2019, noting that the results for Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area (LGA) were available and in safe custody.

However, at a press conference in Bauchi on Saturday, APC stated that the action taken by the electoral body is null and void.

Addressing the press conference, Alhaji Uba Ahmed Nana, the state chairman of the party, said the position taken by INEC contravened the provisions of the Electoral Act 2010 as amended.

He said: “Considering the letters and spirit of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999 as amended), and the INEC Guidelines for 2019 general election, INEC is not empowered to reverse any decision taken at the collation centre by the Returning Officer appointed for that purpose.

“Such decisions can only be reversed by a court of law, especially when INEC cannot approbate and reprobate.”

On the committee appointed by the commission to investigate the controversy surrounding the Bauchi election, he accused INEC of not giving party fair hearing, and also questioned the members that constitute the committee.

“The composition of the committee is also questionable as the Committee Chairman, Festus Okoye, Esq., is a close ally of and ex-personal solicitor of Honourable Yakubu Dogara of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“No justice can be done by the committee chairman, who is interested in the whole issues and the instant circumstances.”

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Police Narrate How Unknown Gunmen Killed Two Officers And Injured One In Bayelsa

The authorities of the Bayelsa State Police Command have confirmed that yet-to-be-identified men carried out an attack on its personnel at a hotel in Opolo area of Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.

SaharaReporters had earlier reported that bandits shot two policemen at a hotel owned by a Senator in the National Assembly.

According to a statement by Butswat Asinim, spokesman of the state Police Command, the armed men came in a car and open fire on the policemen.

The statement read: “On 15 March, 2019, at about 2100hours, unknown gunmen operating in a Toyota Camry car, registration number unknown, went to a hotel at Opolo, Yenagoa, and without provocation opened fire on the two policemen on duty.

“The policemen fired back at the armed robbers and in the ensuing gun battle, one sergeant was fatally wounded. He was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa, where he was later confirmed dead. The other policeman is responding to treatment.

“The unknown gunmen escaped with bullets wounds. Based on a tip-off, a notorious criminal hideout was raided, where their cohorts were arrested and they have volunteered useful information. Efforts have been intensified to arrest the gunmen.”

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Nine Villagers, Including Children, Killed In Latest Kaduna Attack

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The Kaduna State government has confirmed the killing of nine citizens after an attack on Nandu village in Sanga Local Government Area (LGA) in the early hours of this morning.

In a statement issued by Samuel Aruwan, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor (Media and Publicity), on Saturday, the government condemned the killings.

Nasir El-Rufai, Governor of Kaduna State, commiserated with the survivors and the families of the victims after being briefed by security agencies.

The statement read: “The Kaduna State Government has been briefed by the security agencies on the killing of nine persons by criminal elements, who attacked Nandu village in Sanga LGA, in the early hours of today.

“The security agencies have so far recovered nine corpses, including children. The attackers also burnt several houses in the village. The government condemns this attack on the lives and security of citizens and appeals to our communities to resist those who do not want peace.

“The governor, on behalf of the government and people of Kaduna State, commiserates with the families of the victims and prays for the repose of their souls.

“Government, security agencies, traditional and religious institutions will continue to work towards sustainable peace. In this moment of grief, we must come together to defeat the machinations of those who have no notion of respect for the lives of others.

“Violence has left an unacceptable toll of death and injury, loss of livelihoods, pain and fear. We must overcome this by respecting our common humanity, settling differences peacefully and promptly reporting threats and suspicions to the appropriate authorities. Evil will never triumph over our common humanity.

“Security agencies have been deployed in the area, and the State Emergency Management Agency has been directed to immediately provide relief materials to the affected community.”

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Five Rescued, None Killed In Ibadan Building Collapse

The Oyo State government says there was no fatality in the building collapse incident, which occurred on Friday in Sogoye area of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

A statement by Toye Arulogun, the state Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, issued on Saturday, noted that the multi agency rescue operation team set up by the Governor was able to evacuate the victims from the building. In all, five trapped victims were retrieved.

The building was under construction at the time of the incident.

He also noted that the injured were taken to the hospital and are in stable condition, and that no death was recorded.

He said: “Upon hearing the news of the incident, the Governor set up a multi-agency rescue team which promptly swung into action, mobilising equipment, materials and personnel.

“The team was able to rescue the two victims trapped in the rubble of the collapsed building as three were initially rescued manually and no fatality was recorded in the rescue operation which ended 3:45am today.”

The state government also said it would investigate the incident, just as building construction practitioners were admonished to desist from cutting corners and using cheap materials.

He restated the imperative of adhering to approved building plans.

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'Ballot Paper Nonsense' — Nigerians In The Diaspora Reject Buhari’s Reelection

Nigerians in the Diaspora under the platform of the Global Coalition for Security and Democracy in Nigeria (GCSDN) have rejected the outcome of the presidential election that saw President Muhammadu Buhari win a second term in office.

Speaking on behalf of the coalition, Frederick Odorige, the Global Coordinator, said the election was “ill-fated” and the worst that he had seen since he was born.

The group cited the “militarisation of the elections”, as well as the violence that marred the process.

A presentation made by Odorige on Youtube read: “The election was marred by killing, apparent rigging, ballot box snatching and destruction of ballot papers by hired thugs. It was highly militarized by soldiers loyal to Muhammadu Buhari. An election that culminates in the killing of 47 unarmed Nigerians is not an election. On the contrary, the coalition noted that it was significant that no cases of violence was masterminded by any of the presidential candidates from the new political parties.

The coalition decried the sad fact that Nigerian youth surrendered themselves to their oppressors by allowing self-seeking politicians to use them as paid thugs instead of aligning with young presidential candidates to actualize the dream of a new Nigeria. They further noted that votes were insidiously awarded to young presidential candidates in such a way that the popular candidates among them were awarded very low number of votes in order to demoralize their enthusiastic followers.

“Through a general questionaire answered by members of the coalition from thirty-two countries, 100% responded that the election was clearly not free and fair; 95.5% further agreed that some persons who played disastrous roles in the election should be declared persona non grata.”

GCSDN listed the persons and their alleged roles to disrupt the electoral process as follows:

“Muhammadu Buhari: For giving permission to Nigerian soldiers to participate in our elections and killing innocent Nigerians thereof.

“Adams Oshiomhole: For sponsoring thuggery, masterminding massive rigging, electoral malpractices and luring corrupt Nigerians to their political party known as the All Progressives Congress (APC) for their sins against the Nigerian state to be forgiven.

“Rotimi Amaechi: For leading soldiers to terrorize, disenfranchise and kill our compatriots in Rivers State.

“Godswill Akpabio: For hijacking ballot boxes, violently harrassing electoral officers and criminally allotting votes to himself at gunpoint.

“Rochas Okorocha: For forcing a Returning Officer of INEC to write a fake result in his favour.”

According to the coalition, the consequences of the declaration are: “That they do not recognize the positions that some of the mentioned persons have imposed on Nigerians; That they shall continue to mount pressure on the international community to disregard the positions the persons forcefully occupy; That whenever the listed persons travel abroad, Nigerians shall legally congregate and embarrass them as permitted by law.”

Odorige called for the forensic examination of all card readers and the fingerprints on the ballot papers, because he „strongly believes that the same persons thumbprinted thousands of ballot papers in favour of APC and PDP as shown in various video recording.

He said: “We refuse the thief of our stolen mandate nicknamed Mr integrity. Retired Muhammadu Buhari is not our democratically elected President. This is not a military regime. This coup has failed. We vehemently reject the so-called election of Muhammadu Buhari.

“As long as we continue with this ballot box and ballot paper nonsense, Nigerian elections will continue to be theatres of war. We must quickly develop an electronic voting system for the 2023 elections where data in our PVCs are transferred to our telephone sim cards that will enable Nigerians to vote from the convenience of their homes. Nigerian elections will continue to be theatres of war unless we reduce the salaries of politicians strictly according to the law as stipulated by the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission. A Senator must not be earning more than a Permanent Secretary and no former governor must receive pension. Politicians kill Nigerians not because they want to serve us, but because they want to serve themselves and their families through looting and receiving mind blowing salaries. Yet our country is highly indebted. Machinery should also be set in motion that will allow Nigerians in diaspora to vote in upcoming elections.

“Section 14 subsection 2b of the Nigerian Constitution (as amended) states that the welfare and security of the citizens shall be the primary purpose of the government. Instead of securing Nigerians, people in positions of authority are killing them. Chapter 1 article 4 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights states: Every human being shall be entitled to respect for his life and the integrity of his person. Article 3 of The Universal Declaration of Human Rights of the United Nations affirms: everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.

“GCSDN referred to Buhari as a killer President who had ignored the many deaths of Nigerians before now; therefore more deaths mean nothing to him. They did not see any reason why the validity of our election results must depend on the pronouncements of foreign observers, who had earlier been threatened by el-Rufai at the expense of their lives. The coalition declared that any foreign leader that stretches his or her hands to congratulate Muhammadu Buhari equally has blood in his or her hands. We refuse to address Muhammadu Buhari as His Excellency since he rode to power with the blood of Nigerians. “The members further called on the Nigerian Labour Congress, the Nigerian Bar Association and other bodies to mobilize Nigerians to reject this election results.”

GCSDN is currently the fastest growing and largest platform of Nigerians in the Diaspora with presence in thirty-two countries.

It is currently open to all Nigerians in all the thirty-six states of Nigeria, including the FCT.

According to Odorige, “the movement is a non-violent association designed to bring Nigerians together as a way of forming a common platform and speaking with one voice with the goal of entrenching good governance for the good of all Nigerians.”

The movement operates with a political ideology formulated by Odorige known as ’Revolution without Ammunition.’

The full speech of the presentation is available on: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0448cYilz4&t=30

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PDP's Internal Disputes Force Gbenga Daniel To Quits Active Politics After 17 Years

Gbenga Daniel, Director General of the Atiku Abubakar Campaign Organisation, has announced his decision to quit active politics.

In a letter dated March 14, 2019, and addressed to the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the former Governor of Ogun State noted that the decision is personal as he has decided to take on “new challenges”.

He also said he had decided to “rejuvenate” his charity-based organization, the Gateway Front Foundation (GFF), just as he had plans to resuscitate the “non-partisan Political Leadership Academy (POLA)”, which he said was “established some years ago as a platform of political education to our citizens”.

His most detailed explanation, though, is the series of internal crises that the PDP has grappled with since losing control of Ogun state in 2011, the peak of which was the 2019 governorship candidature tussle, which saw the court endorse Buruji Kashamu despite the party's preference for Ladi Adebutu.

THE LETTER IN FULL

14th March, 2019

The National Chairman,

Peoples Democratic Party,

Wadata Plaza, Michael Okpara Street

Wuse Zone II, Abuja

Attention: Prince Uche Secondus

Mr. Chairman,

Resignation from Partisan Politics

This is to inform you of my intention to resign from active and partisan politics with effect from today, the 14th day of March, 2019.

My decision in this regard is entirely personal to me and having served in various capacities, including as Governor of Ogun State, I have resolved to immerse myself in some other vocations and take on some new challenges.

Preamble

My Political Journey so far

I joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State on Sunday, the 9th of September, 2001 at an event which was described as one of the most ceremonial political rallies in our recent political history in the South Western part of Nigeria. We rose from that rally to create a highly robust and effective political campaign machinery which resulted in an electoral victory for the Peoples Democratic Party in Ogun State in 2003; this movement and vibration affected the politics of the region positively with a victory in five (5) states of the South West.

2. I served as Governor of Ogun State for eight (8) years and our administration till today remains a point of reference in terms of physical, social, economic, educational and human capital development since the State was created in 1976.

3. Notwithstanding these widely acclaimed achievements however, our party, the Peoples Democratic Party ran into trouble waters towards the end of our administration (about the year 2009) which led to the sad loss in the election of 2011, and regrettably ten (10) years after the party has been unable to resolve those internal disputes and challenges.

4. Meanwhile, the PDP in Ogun State was confronted with a very difficult situation in matter of choice. Whereas the national leadership of our party, recognized one candidate for the 2019 election, by court pronouncements another candidate, and in compliance with those court orders, which the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) recognized was on the INEC list. The candidates recognized by INEC were not acceptable to the national leadership of the party. Our situation was then compounded because the candidate which the court and INEC recognized and accepted as valid has also been expelled by the party. This was the dilemma we found ourself as we approached the March 9, 2019 Governorship and State House of Assembly elections.

5. Going forward, we have responded to the yearnings of our people and joined others in emplacing an administration that we believe will better serve the interests of our people than what currently exists. The rest they say is now history.

6. I must say that looking back, I do not have any regrets over that patriotic choice and decision, especially as several of our citizens, leaders and stakeholders in the state and outside have commended that singular action. Many stakeholders within and outside Ogun State feel fulfilled, excited and grateful about our decision to join others in putting a stop to a regime that was believed to be against the collective and general welfare of our people.

7. Let me also add, that in the last few months, I have had one of the rare privileges of traveling round the entire length and breadth of our great country on at least two occasions; the first being during my campaigns to become the National Chairman of our great party, and later as the Director General of the Atiku Presidential Campaign Organization (APCO).

8. I must sincerely admit that in the course of all these travels, I have built a network of contacts, of friends and associates in a mutually rewarding relationships which I cherished most and greatly too. I am therefore persuaded that I have fewer points to make and prove in my Political journeys in partisan politics.

9. My decision to quit partisan politics notwithstanding, I have decided to rejuvenate my charity based organization, the Gateway Front Foundation (GFF) which will literally continue to dispense succor to our people in need, address and assist in the areas of some of their health challenges; I also plan on resuscitation of the non-partisan Political Leadership Academy (POLA) which I established some years ago as a platform of political education to our citizens.

10. Without doubt, I will miss the company of my friends and associates and all those relationships I built in the course of the years all over the country..

While I crave for your kind understanding, accept assurances of my highest regards.

Yours faithfully,

Otunba (Engr.) Gbenga Daniel, FNSE, FNAEng

Governor of Ogun State (2003-2011).

Cc:

His Excellency, Atiku Abubakar GCON

Chairman, Board of Trustees (PDP)

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INEC Working In Favour Of Wike, Says Rivers AAC

The African Action Congress (AAC) in Rivers State has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of working in favour of Nyesom Wike, governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in the state.

A statement issued by Felix Enimini William, AAC Publicity Secretary in Rivers, noted that the statement issued by INEC on Friday is the commission’s “latest move to short-change the party”.

The party alleged that the electoral umpire was working to “sway the outcome of the process” in Wike’s favour.

INEC had issued a statement on Friday night, noting that the “results of 17 out of 23 Local Governments are available and in the commission's custody”.

The 17 LGAs were not listed, but the commission said the elections would be concluded on Wednesday, March 20, 2019.

However, the AAC rejected INEC’s position, in its statement which read: "Sadly, we are curiously surprised and disappointed that INEC deliberately refused to name the 17 Local Government Areas. As far as this information is concerned, it is manifestly false and the attempt to shroud the LGAs claimed to have results in secrecy is a serious step by INEC to sway the outcome of the process in favour of Gov. Nyesom Wike, its preferred candidate.

“We suspect that INEC might be working to surreptitiously bring in cooked up results credited to Obio/Akpor to skew the balance of reality of things in favour of Wike. We vehemently reject this and will resist it with every pint of blood in us.

“It is now clear to all that INEC has become deaf and blind to the fact that Gov. Nyesom Wike invaded the Obio/Akpor collation centre and ordered his security men to shoot an Army Captain and another soldier providing perimeter security to the collation centre. The Captain and his colleague are still in hospital after undergoing serious surgery.

“We ask: Is it so difficult for INEC to name the 17 LGAs? If INEC has agreed and accepted that four collation officers are card-carrying members of PDP and INEC has now sanctioned them, what happens to the results they collated having not been qualified to do so ab initio?

“The AAC calls on INEC to stop its collaboration with Gov. Nyesom Wike and the PDP. It must declare Engr. Biokpomabo Awara, our governorship candidate, winner of the March 9 governorship election as it was glaring that he was winning until INEC stepped in to halt the process apparently to save Wike from an earth-shaking defeat.

“Finally, those (including Gov. Wike) who make the argument that our party and candidate are not popular enough to win the Rivers State governorship election are simply being clever by half. Can the governor and his ilk also say that APC that threw its weight behind us, for obvious reasons, are not popular and on ground in Rivers State?”

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Concede Defeat To PDP Candidate, APC Chieftain, Others Tells Adamawa Gov

Jibrilla Bindow, Governor of Adamawa State, and candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has been urged to concede defeat to “save the state unnecessary trouble”.

The governorship election in the state was declared inconclusive by Professor Andrew Haruna, the Returning Officer for Adamawa State, who said the number of cancelled votes was higher than the margin between the two leading contestants.

However, in separate appeals, elders in the state insist that Ahmed Umar Fintiri, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), won the election.

Babachir David Lawan, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), and a chieftain of the APC, said: "The only honourable thing to do is for my party's candidate, Governor Bindow, to concede and give peace a chance. The next election is only four years away, Bindow can go back to the drawing board and launch himself back; therefore let's not allow elections to cause trouble between brothers.”

Boni Haruna, former Governor and one-time minister, said: "We have reliably gathered that the total number of Permanent Voter Cards collected in the 44 polling units is 31,027, a figure that would not reverse Fintiri's winning lead, even after the supplementary elections in the 44 units. This is just as the registered voters in the PUs are now only 34,101.”

"We have gleaned from INEC records that 34,101 is actually the number of registered voters in the affected polling units, as against 40,988 declared by the state returning officer,” Abdullahi Prambe, a leading political figure in the state, said.

The results of the elections as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) shows that Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, the PDP candidate, won the elections by 367,472 votes against 334,995 votes polled by the APC candidate.

Speaking on the elections, Haruna continued: "The margin of win by the PDP candidate is 32,476 votes. While we were waiting for the outright declaration of Fintiri as to have won by a clear majority, we were taken aback with INEC's declaration of the elections as inconclusive, on the grounds that the margin of win by PDP (32,476) was less than 40,988 in 44 polling units where the elections did not hold or were cancelled."

"The electoral body relied on Sections 26 and 53 of the electoral act and regulations and guidelines, page 17, paragraph C, to justify its actions. We wish to state that the action by the electoral body to declare Adamawa election as inconclusive is not only absurd, but untenable, most unfortunate and unacceptable.

"We wish to state or note that the National Chairman had told the world that elections starts and end at polling units. It is our understanding that if elections were cancelled at polling units or wards collation centres, it stands cancelled. We therefore find it curious for the electoral body to resurrect the issue of election results that have been cancelled at the polling units to justify its action of declaring the governorship elections as inconclusive at the level of state collation or declaration of results.

"The position of the electoral body ordering a supplementary election on the basis that the margin of win was less than the number of cancelled results in the 44 polling units was untenable. This is because we have been able to establish that the number of PVCs collected in the 44 polling units was 31,027; these are the only eligible voters if there is going to be a rerun.

"The 31,027 figure is far less than the number of registered voters that INEC relied upon to decline declaring PDP winner of the governorship elections."

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INEC Replaces Bauchi Collation/Returning Officer; To Resume Elections On Tuesday

The Independent National Electoral Commission says it will resume elections in Bauchi State on March 19, 2019.

The commission also says it will replace the collation/returning officer for Tarawa Balewa Local Government Area (LGA) in the state.

Mrs. Dominion Anosike, the Returning Officer for Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area in the governorship election, had written to Professor Mahmood Yakubu, the INEC Chairman, requesting to appear before the Committee set up to investigate what led to the cancellation of the results of the election,over threat to her life.

According to INEC, a report on the electoral process in the state was considered on March 12, 2019, which detailed the disruption of the process at the Tafawa Balewa collation centre, which led to the cancellation of results for the entire LGA.

A statement issued on Friday by Festus Okoye, Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee of INEC, noted that committee was set up by the commission to investigate the incident.
The Investigation Committee came out with the following findings:

"That Governorship and State Assembly elections were held on 9th March, 2019, in Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area and the votes scored by candidates were announced at the polling units and collated at the 11 registration areas of the local governments.

"Halfway into the Local Government collation, armed gangs attacked the collation centre and destroyed the Local Government Result Sheet (EC8C) and some collated results from the registration areas. The results for seven out of 11 registration areas for governorship, and six out of 11 for state assembly elections were affected.

"INEC guidelines provide that where violent disruption affects collation in this manner, results should be regenerated from duplicate copies on a replacement result sheet.

"The collation officer, under pressure from party agents who could not wait for the arrival of the replacement result sheet, decided to collate the result on an available RA result sheet, instead of the replacement LGA result sheet.

"When the result was presented at the state governorship collation centre, the Returning Officer rejected the regenerated result because it was on a wrong result sheet.

"The investigation committee established that the result for polling units and registration areas are available and in safe custody.

"The Investigation Committee also established that the number of cancelled votes for the four polling units in Ningi Local Government Area, which was recorded as 25,330 in form EC40G (1) was incorrect. The actual figure is 2,553."

The commission, thereafter, resolved to conclude the election as the results for Tafawa Balewa LGA are available. It also approved the replacement of the collation/returning officer for the LGA.

The elections for Bauchi State would resume on Tuesday, February 19, 2019.

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The Chinese Suspended Iju-Abeokuta Free Train Rides, Says Amaechi

Rotimi Amaechi, Nigeria's Minister of Transportation, says the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), in charge of the construction of the train station in Iju-Abeokuta suspended the free ride during elections for security reasons.

Speaking at the inspection of the Lagos-Ibadan modernisation project in Ibadan, the minister apologised to Nigerians over the suspension of the Iju-Abeokuta free train ride.

He said: “It was suspended by the Chinese and the excuse they gave me was that they cannot allow it run because of safety, since they have not completed the second line, but they are almost through with it.

“It is almost completed from Iju to Abeokuta. I want to apologise to Nigerians that they suspended it when they left the country, which I didn’t envisage, they will go back soon."

Amaechi also said he has been tasked by President Muhammadu Buhari to create jobs through the project.

“I know you will say I’m stressed up but as a minister, I have a responsibility passed to me by Mr. President and I must deliver on it.

“Also, the economy of Nigeria can be driven most importantly, if we can link the seaport to the hinterland because when cargoes come, they must go.

“The more you are able to move goods and services to the hinterland, the more you will create jobs and the more you create jobs, the more growth that you will have and that is my drive."

Amaechi added that whoever would take over from him would have the passion to complete the projects.

He said: “You see, me and passion, if you watched me as the Governor of Rivers, that same passion was there. I was restless at delivering my responsibility.

“I pray that whoever will be the Minister of Transportation should have the same passion and focus on that responsibility. You can never tell; that passion is everywhere.”

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3,000 Persons Displaced In Kajuru, Says Council Chairman

Cafra Caino, Chairman of Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, says no fewer than 3,000 people were displaced by the recent attacks on some communities in the council.

Caino said this while addressing a news conference in Kajuru on Friday.

He said steps have been taken to address the incessant attacks and wanton killings by hoodlums and criminals in the area, noting that the local government held a stakeholders' Security Summit on Thursday to find lasting solution to the crisis affecting the area.

The council chairman added that the people, including the Adara, Hausa and the Fulanis, in a communique issued after the summit, noted that there was the need for continuous consultations with stakeholders for lasting peace.

“The people, who agreed to live in peace and harmony with one another, also noted the need for more security intelligence gathering in the area. They have also agreed that a Truth and Reconciliation Committee be established to receive memorandum from all the people living in the LGA on what is causing the crisis and the way forward.

“The people equally took a collective step to ensure cease-fire in all communities affected in the crisis, and called on the state government to ensure equity and fairness to all people in the LGA.

“They equally resolved that incessant killings and burning of houses and properties must be stopped, and to also hold quarterly stakeholder’s security meetings as mitigation measures.”

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Workers, Patients Stranded As Security Officers Lock Up UCTH

Security Personnel of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), have locked up the office of Thomas Agan, the Chief Medical Director (CMD).

According to the security officers, the action is to protest their 18 months’ unpaid salaries.

The security personnel, most of whom are casual staff, also locked up other key offices, thereby preventing key management staff from access into their offices.

The CMD later had a meeting with the striking workers and promised to speak with journalists much later on the issue.

Patients and medical personnel were equally stranded as they could not access the facility.

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Ebonyi CP Orders Arrest Of Policemen On Guard Duty At Burnt INEC Office

Hyelasinda Musa Kimo, Ebonyi State Commissioner of Police, has ordered the arrest of six policemen detailed to guard the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Okposi Umuoghara, Ezza North Local Government Area, before it was burnt.

Loveth Odah, spokeseperson of Ebonyi State Police Command, said this in a press statement issued on Friday.

The materials for Registration Area Centres (RACs) in Ezza LGA were set ablaze during the preparation for the governorship and national assembly elections in the state.

A total of 36,392 registered voters in three out of 11 wards in the council area were disenfranchised due to the inferno that gutted voting materials meant to be used in Oriuzo 009, Okposi Umuoghara 007, and Ekaa 002 RACs.

The statement by Odah read: “Two mobile policemen were posted to each of the wards that were attacked. We didn’t post them there because we knew such attack would come or for them to counter the attack, but because they needed to be closer, while they call on tactical unit once there is any eventuality.

“But we were surprised that the invaders came and got all the materials and the building burnt unchallenged. So the Commissioner of Police ordered for their arrest. They have been under investigation to ascertain whether their claims were true.

“The most senior among them said that as soon as those thugs arrived, they switched off the generator and everywhere became dark to the extent that someone could not see. So seeing the light go off they knew there was problem. But the problem is where do you shoot from because any careless shooting could lead to the loss of innocent citizens they were meant to protect. He stated that that idea made them not to act at all.

“But that was not enough. You know we do not believe any story told by anybody to defend himself because it might be to prevent themselves from being punished. That is why they have been subjected to our internal investigation to enable us ascertain if actually what they are saying is true. But for now investigation is still on. The six of them were posted to the three wards that the incident happened. We are waiting for INEC officials who were posted to come and give their own statement, which is vital information in the investigation and it will help us to ascertain if what the police officers said was true.”

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Our Victory In Ogun Is A Miracle, Says APC

Afolabi Afuape, a former Commissioner for Youth and Sports in Ogun State, says the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the March 9 governorship election in the state is nothing short of the miraculous.

He made the statement during a victory party in Oke Ejigbo, Abeokuta, on Friday.

Afuape, who is chieftain of the APC in the state, said Dapo Abiodun, the Governor-elect, would bring about development through his leadership style.

He said the party worked hard and contended with the incumbent Governor Ibikunle Amosun, who threw his weight behind his preferred candidate during the poll.

“We want to start by giving glory to Almighty God for this opportunity. It is miraculous. We worked hard, but, He who crowns effort, who is the Almighty God, has crowned our effort," he said.

The event was attended by APC leaders, chieftains and other members of the party in Abeokuta-South.

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Ihedioha As A PDP Man Is Only Interested In Imo's Treasury, Says Okorocha

Rochas Okorocha, Governor of Imo State, says he is not surprised by the actions of Emeka Ihedioha, the governor-elect in state, because as a “Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) man”, his interest is in the state treasury.

He stated this in response to a warning issued by Ihedioha on transactions of business with the Imo State government.

According to Okorocha, the governor-elect has no constitutional powers to issue such directives to banks.

In a statement issued by Sam Onwuemeodo, his chief press secretary, on Friday in Owerri, Okorocha said the governor-elect was behaving like a typical member of the Peoples Democratic Party.

Okorocha asked Ihedioha to exercise patience until May 29 before he starts issuing directives to banks on the financial dealings of the state.

He said: “Emeka Ihedioha, who was declared the winner of the governorship election in the state by Prof Francis Ezeonu, does not have the right or locus standi yet, to harass or give directives to financial institutions in the state over their dealings with the state government.

“The media report quoting Ihedioha to have given such directive is unfortunate and a sign of ugly things to come. Otherwise, Ihedioha should not have been the first, of all the governors-elect in the country, to issue such directive.

“We are also not surprised at his issuing the directive, because as a PDP man, his interest, first and foremost, will be the treasury of the state, and the policy or the slogan of 'share the money' will soon come back, but he should exercise patience and wait till he is sworn in.

“He shouldn’t be in a hurry. There is a government in place and until May 29, 2019, that government should continue.”

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INEC To Conclude Rivers Election On Wednesday... Blames Soldiers For Disrupting The Process

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it will issue "detailed timelines and activities" for the completion of the governorship and state house of assembly elections in Rivers State on March 20, 2019.

This was contained in a statement issued by Festus Okoye, Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, late on Friday, in which the commission blamed "some soldiers and armed gangs" for invading collation centres, resulting in the intimidation and unlawful arrest of election officials, thereby disrupting the electoral process".

According to the commission, a meeting was held on Friday to deliberate on the outcome of the report by the fact-finding committee sent to Rivers State.

The electoral process had been suspended on March 10, 2019, following irregularities that characterised the election.

The statement by INEC on the outcome of the fact-finding committee read: "That the governorship and state assembly elections took place in most of the polling units and results were announced.

"That the results of 17 out of 23 Local Governments are available and in the commission's custody.

"That the declaration and returns for 21 State Constituencies out of 32 were made prior to the suspension.

"That collation centres were invaded by some soldiers and armed gangs resulting in the intimidation and unlawful arrest of election officials, thereby disrupting the electoral process."

The commission expressed displeasure with the situation and promised to engage security agencies and key stakeholders on ensuring smooth electoral process, noting that it will issue "detailed timeline and activities for the completion of the election on Wednesday, March 20th, 2019".

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'20 Died, 45 Survived' — Health Commissioner Releases Official Figure Of Victims Of Lagos Building Collapse

Jide Idris, the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, has said at least 20 people were brought to the General Hospital in Lagos dead from the building that collapsed in Ita Faji area of Lagos.

The commissioner said this during a visit to the hospital on Friday, adding that all the corpses have been released to the family members for proper burial.

Isaac Adewole, Nigeria's Minister of Health, also warned hospitals to release corpses to family members at no charge.

Speaking further at the hospital, the Commissioner said 45 persons survived the collapse and are being managed across some of the state health facilities, including Lagos Island General Hospital, Massey Street Children’s Hospital, Onikan Health Centre and Gbagada General Hospital.

He said: “Out of the 45 survivors known to the government as at this morning, 14, including 10 children and four adults, are still receiving medical attention at Lagos Island General Hospital. More survivors will still be discharged to their families before the close of work today, “ he said.

Meanwhile, Adewole has commended the state government for the prompt response and efficient healthcare management of survivors of the accident.

He also commended the government for granting free medical care to the victims in order to remove any barriers to prompt, qualitative and comprehensive care needed or the rehabilitation of victims.

“I am greatly impressed by the promptness of the emergency response of the state and the efficient healthcare deployed to ensure that the survivors of the sad incident are stabilised and kept alive, “ he said.

The minister added that there were plans to strengthen the healthcare system across the state in order to address emergencies and save lives from emergency situations.

He urged other states of the federation to emulate Lagos State in order to attend to emergencies and save lives.

“I also want to appeal to the media and Nigerians to report suspected unregistered schools in an environment not ideal for learning," Adewole said.

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APC Victory In Zamfara Is Divine Intervention, Says Yari

Abdulaziz Yari, Governor of Zamfara State, has attributed the successes recorded by the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the February 23 and March 9 elections in the state despite crisis in the party to “divine intervention’’.

According to NAN, Yari disclosed this when he fielded questions from State House correspondents in Abuja on Friday.

APC was allowed to field candidates for the elections in the state only a week before the first day of elections (February 23) when a Court of Appeal in Sokoto, reversed an earlier decision of a lower court, which had banned the party from the elections.

The Zamfara State Collation Officer, Kabir Bala of the Ahmadu Bello (ABU) Zaria, had announced that the APC presidential candidate, President Muhammadu Buhari, won the February 23 presidential election in the state with 438,682 votes, while the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, scored 125,423 votes.

Bala also disclosed that the APC won the three senatorial seats and the seven seats in the House of Representatives from the state in the presidential and national assembly elections.

Yari said he was happy with the outcome of the elections, saying that it was God that gave the political victory to the APC in the state.

He said: “You know the turmoil that Zamfara elections put on Nigeria; disagreements upon disagreements, from the party to court and then to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) which disagreed.

”Then, we went back to court and finally under 24 hours, we were cleared and we were back on the ballot box.

“Only God has done this and given us the victory.

“I am very happy with the outcome of the elections. I also want to appreciate my people, despite the fact that some people felt I was carried away by the activities at the centre, insinuating I abandoned the seat, especially with the security problem, but the people are aware of what the administration has been doing and they appreciate it.

“Despite the daily attacks, the security agencies were up and doing and their presence in the state was well appreciated by the people.

“They also appreciated the efforts of Mr. President which took us to where we are. Like I said only God could have done it."

The governor also disclosed that he had succeeded in reconciling all the aggrieved APC aspirants in the state.

He said his past experience as party chairman in the state, member, House of Representatives and governor for eight years had helped him restore peace and tranquillity within the APC in the state.

“In my state, there were only seven or eight people contesting for the governorship position and I have said it that if I could preside over primaries where 18 people contested and succeeded, why can’t I manage eight, nine or 10 in my state?

“I have been on ground since 1999 till date and I know the system and how it works. I have been party secretary, party chairman, member of the House of Representatives and a two-term Governor, and with this experience, I was able to manage.

“Unfortunately, there was a lot of misunderstanding between the party in the state and the national body but in the end, we ended in the court and the court gave the verdict and INEC compiled.

“Though it came late, if you are with the grassroots, definitely everything must work well.

“The people appreciated what we have been doing and when it came to voting, they voted wisely."

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