List Of Politicians That Dumped PDP For APC After Buhari’s Victory

Ex-Edo state Governor, Osarhemen
Osunbor, dumps PDP for APC, also
PDP governorship candidate Maj-Gen.
Charles Arhiavbere (rtd) also dump
the PDP
In Kwara Gbemi Saraki, younger sister
to Senator Bukola Saraki and the PDP
youth leader in the state defected to
APC.
Dr. Olusola Oke, the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP) governorship
candidate in the 2012 governorship
election in Ondo state has concluded
plans to defect officially to the All
Progressives Congress (APC)
The current Jigawa State deputy
governor, Ahmad Mahmud also
jumped the ship from the PDP to APC
Brigadier Gen Chris Onja (rtd) and
former AGF Michael
Aondoakaa dumped the PDP in benue
state
In Oyo state Mrs. Ayoka Lawani, a
prominent member of the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP) also crossed
to APC
The Majority Leader in the Gombe
State House of Assembly Hon.
Mamman Alkalio , was among the
hundreds of politicians from the
ruling Peoples Democratic
party (PDP), who defected to the
APC.
In Abia state, mother of the former
State Governor, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu
Elder ( Mrs.) Eunice Uzor Kalu, leader
of the Reality Organisation in the
South-East and and her members
joined the APC. Also, former member
of the House of Representatives and
brother to the ex-governor, Hon
Nnanna Uzor Kalu and ex-Chief of
Staff to Governor Theodore Orji, Mr.
Mascot Uzor Kalu, joined the APC.

Letter to Jimi Agbaje from a concerned Lagosian, by Uchenna Ogorji

Dear Jimi Agbaje,

I wish to use this channel to make this
unambiguously clear: As an Igboman who
has spent a good number of years in Lagos, I
am very uncomfortable with all your
gimmicks in this electoral season. It is
important you take full cognizance that the
contest between you and Mr. Akinwunmi
Ambode of the All Progressives Congress is
for the post of the Executive Governor of
Lagos State and not for any other state
located elsewhere. Therefore I frown at your
divisive campaign strategy of pitching law-
abiding non-indigenous residents in the state
against the rest of the good people of Lagos.
If anything, the outcome of the just
concluded presidential election that saw the
kicking out of a sitting President who hinged
his campaign on such divisive antics should
serve as a lesson for you. But most
especially, I frown at your latest plot of
making your support-base primarily an Igbo
Agenda.
It will interest you to know that I have no
problem with any individual voting for you,
but you colluding with Ifeanyi Uba, the
Oodua Peoples Congress and the
Transformation Agenda of Nigeria to exploit
and undermine the peaceful co-existence
between Ndigbo and their host community
for your personal agenda is totally
unacceptable. This good relationship you see
today took generations to build. Therefore
we cannot keep silent and watch you tear it
down.
Keep your campaign open to all and desist
from sowing the seed of division. And we
have not forgotten how you promised to
collude with militants in the Niger Delta to
sabotage the economy if President Goodluck
Jonathan loses. At least now if there is any
crisis in the creek, we know who to bring in
for details about the plan to sabotage the
economy of Nigeria.
I wish you well and also look forward to hear
you call Ambode once the votes are counted
this weekend just like President Jonathan
did.
Please be wise!
Ugorji wrote the open letter to the Peoples
Democratic Party candidate in Lagos State for
this weekend’s governorship election, Jimi
Agbaje.

#BuhariVictory: Asari Dokubo Bleeds Like… Is He Attempting Suicide?

A patron of the National Council of Muslim Youth
Organisations and chairman of the Oyo State Muslim
Community, Alhaji Ishaq Kunle Sanni, has issued a
warning to Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo-Asari.
Sanni warned Asari, the leader of Niger Delta Peoples
Salvation Front/Niger Delta Peoples Volunteer Force,
not to stir up trouble following President Goodluck
Jonathan’s loss in the presidential elections, Daily
Trust reports.
Asari Dokubo, a former Niger Delta militant, had
earlier promised to unleash violence on the country if
the incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan failed in
the election.
Reacting to this threat in an open letter to Asari, Sanni
warned him against waging war over an election in
which Jonathan had already conceded defeat and
Muhammadu Buhari, the president-elect has extended
a hand of fellowship to him.
He wondered why the former militant is crying more
than the bereaved.
The letter reads: “Our friends think that I am one of
the closest persons to you. An affirmation of that
truism is that my house is seen by your family as their
second home. You would be wondering why I am going
public since it was never in my character to criticise or
even admonish you in public. But I want to be on
record, especially because of many brothers begging
me to talk to you not to commit harakiri (suicide).
They would know I have done my own.
“They said the news is viral on the social media,
electronic and print media that you intend to fulfill
your earlier threat made with your colleagues in the
Ijaw Nation struggle to go back to the creeks and take
arms against the federal government. The question is
when would I see you so that we can talk? What if you
carry out your threat tomorrow? Allah may record it
for me as being nonchalantly unpatriotic. What of if
you die while trying to put your unfathomable Ijaw
irredentism into high gear and people accuse me of
nonchalance?”
Just after Buhari was declared winner of the election
Asari Dokubo issued a new threat, promising to return
to the creeks. He also blamed the Yoruba and Hausa for
cooperating to frustrate Jonathan, who hails from the
Niger Delta region.
Following this threat, the Warri ex-agitator, General
Augustine Ogedegbe, pleaded with Asari to key into the
peace drive of President Jonathan and also accept the
reality that General Muhammadu Buhari is now the
president-elect of Nigeria just as President Goodluck
Jonathan and others have accepted it.

Impeachment: Chaos in Ekiti as Fayose blocks all entry points into state

No vehicle can move out of or into the state
There is chaos in Ekiti State and its boundary
with other states. This followed the blocking,
early on Tuesday morning, of all the entrances into the state by the state Governor, Ayo Fayose. Drivers of several vehicles, including luxury buses, parked at the entrances and left, leaving motorists and passengers stranded. Reports reaching The Eagle Online said areas affected included Ijan, Ikere, Iworoko, Oye and Ilawe. No vehicle can move out of or into the state. Travellers from other parts of the country who use the state for passage are struggling to find other routes. Thugs are also said to abound around the state, especially
the state capital, Ado Ekiti, with bon fire set up in some places. The bone of contention is the move by the 19 All Progressives Congress members of the state House of Assembly to impeach Fayose.
The purportedly ousted Speaker of the Assembly, Dr.
Adewale Omirin, had said the lawmakers were set to remove
Fayose from office, beginning with the impeachment
process.
Lere Olayinka, the Special Assistant to Fayose on
Communications New Media, confirmed the development in a
post on Facebook.
Olayinka said: “They called for war, and they are getting it.
“Let Omirin and his APC jesters come to Ekiti and carry out
their evil plot.”
However, a report just reaching The Eagle Online said
soldiers and policemen have been drafted to tow the
vehicles off the road.

INEC exposes reasons Card Readers failed

Nail polish, adhesive used to sabotage device
THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has
maintained that it will not allow manual accreditation for
Saturday elections.
The commission, in a statement in Abuja yesterday, said unlike
in the presidential and National Assembly elections where the
commission relaxed the rules, Card Readers will be used for
governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections.
Consequently, the commission also revealed that it has worked
on identified challenges that faced the operation of the Card
Reader during the last elections.
The statement by the commission’s secretary, Mrs. Augusta C.
Ogakwu, explained that there was no way the commission
would suddenly replace the provisions in the books.
The statement reads: “The INEC wishes to inform all Nigerians
that Card Readers will be used for the April 11, 2015 elections.
“The provision of the guidelines for the conduct of the 2015
general elections, which outlined what is to be done if a Card
Reader fails and cannot be replaced by the commission within a
specified time frame (i.e. reschedule the election to the next
day), will be enforced.
“The relaxation of the guideline on March 28, 2015 was only
with respect to the presidential and National Assembly
elections held on that date.
“The commission has reviewed the operation of the Card Reader
in the March 28 elections, identified the challenges and has
taken adequate measures to address them.”
But, some senior security officers have alleged that nail polish
and adhesive were used by many members of the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP) to sabotage the operation of Card
Readers during the March 28 elections.
The officers, who craved anonymity, said superglue or
transparent nail polish when applied to fingerprints creates new
prints, thereby distorting original fingerprints.
Investigations also revealed that superglue contains
Cyanoacrylate, which is a generic name for a family of strong
and fast-acting adhesives.
It was also found that the vapours of Cyanoacrylate react with
the chemicals that are found in fingerprints.
One of the security officials said most voters deliberately
applied the substances to make the Card Readers unable to
detect their fingerprints.
“They robbed these substances to protect their fingerprints.
The superglue and nail polish distorted their fingerprints and
rendered the Card Readers unable to capture them.
“This gave room for agitation and confusion. In the process,
INEC resorted to manual accreditation. The manual accreditation
gave birth to manipulation and irregularities,” a senior security
officer said.
He added: “They used it and it worked. They are also planning
to use it on Saturday for the governorship and House of
Assembly elections. They will create enough confusion that will
compel INEC to revert to manual accreditation.”
He asked electoral officials to check fingerprints thoroughly
before placing them on the card readers for identification and
accreditation.
“INEC officials must do additional work. They should examine
fingerings of each voter physically before using Card Readers
on them. Otherwise, the failure rate of Card Readers in the next
polls will be worse than the last election,” he said.

Bayelsa Governor, Seriake Dickson, leads thugs to attack, sack court in Yenagoa

The Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dicks   

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QK4wIfwpdU&feature=youtube_gdata_play

eron,
on Monday led a gang of thugs to attack a
Federal High court in Bayelsa, a video
obtained by PREMIUM TIMES has shown.
The video shows the governor, dressed in
traditional Ijaw blazers, walking into the
court premises, accompanied by his police
guards and hangers on, before hooligans,
including rifle wielding police officers,
invaded and attacked the court.
The thugs were chanting “we no go gree, for
this state, e no possible” as they walked into
a court hearing. Loud gunshots could be
heard shortly before the hooligans began
breaking glasses and destroying properties
inside the court.
At least 15 lawyers, including a pregnant
woman and two Senior Advocates of
Nigeria, were in the court during the attack.
The governor walked out of the court
premises at the peak of the attack.
Most police officers seen within the court
premises during the attack either aided the
attacker or looked on, idly.
Only one police officer was seen, in the
video, after the attack, trying to help the
injured.
The thugs upturned chairs within the court
room, scattered files all over and shattered
glass windows as lawyers ducked under
tables. A female lawyer covered herself with
a chair.
Another could be heard saying her upper
arm was hurting.
An elderly man, who was seemingly brought
out of the court room by police officers,
gasping for breath, said he was badly beaten
by the thugs who came into the court room.
“The governor and his troops walked into
the court room and I was beated (sic),” the
victim said.
Why Dickson stormed the court
According to Heineken Lokpobiri, a serving
senator, the court was in session to deliver a
judgment on his case against the governor’s
preferred senatorial candidate, Foster Ogola,
over the validity of the later’s candidacy for
Bayelsa West senatorial district.
Mr. Lopkobiri claimed his party, the Peoples
Democratic Party illegally substituted his
name with Mr. Foster’s, and had filed a suit
accusing Mr. Foster of issuing false
information to INEC.
Mr. Lokpobiri added that the attack on the court was the
second, claiming that earlier, thugs had come to seal the
court and stopped the Judge from entering the court,
forcing an adjournment.
Mr. Lokpobiri told PREMIUMTIMES he was shocked and
irritated by the governor’s action at the court.
Mr. Lokpobiri said the governor has the right to support
his opponent, but has no right to bring thugs to attack the
court.
“All these things happened in the presence of the
commissioner of police and am surprised. If the governor
did not lead the thugs, it would have been a different thing
entirely,” he said.
The governor’s spokesman, Daneil Iworiso, told PREMIUM
TIMES the incumbent governor did not lead any gang to the
court.
But in the video, Governor Dickson was clearly seen
storming, and at the end of the attack, leaving the court
accompanied by thugs and police officers.
Mr. Iworiso however described the video as photoshopped.
“You know its election time and we need to ensure that no
violence occurs in our state, as soon as we heard of the
clash we went there with commissioner of police and
armed men to try to cub the situation that was when we
found out it was a case between the incumbent governor
and aspiring governor,” he said.
He explained that the governor was not there when the
clash started, stating that it was all propaganda.
“When I saw the video I was just laughing because it was
all photo shoot, and I describe that as poor representation
of what happened there and I was also there,” he said.
Mr. Iworiso accused Mr. Lokpobiri of also bringing thugs to
the just-concluded PDP primaries, stating that he is known
for carrying thugs around Bayelsa state.
Mr. Lokpobiri admitted he has a loud crowd and
followership but that his followers and loyalists are
peaceful.
“If he is accusing me of carrying thugs in the last
primaries, did they destroy anything or harm anyone
during the election,” Mr. Lokpobiri said.
Although several police officers were present when the
attack occurred, the Bayelsa Police Command said no arrest
has been made in relation to the incident.
Asinim Butswat, the state police spokesperson, said he had
no information that the governor led the thugs to the court
premises.
“What we know is that the governor visited the court and
the thugs took advantage of his visit to force the gate open
and invade the court,” Mr. Butswat said.
“The police officers on the court premises did not know the
thugs came to cause havoc because they were not armed.
“After they attacked the court, they all fled before they
could be arrested.”
Mr. Buswat denied the state police commissioner was
present when the court was attacked, saying he only visited
the court “shortly after the incident.   

10 governoship candidates step down for Ambode in Lagos

10 Lagos governorship candidates have stepped down to
declare support for the candidate of All Progressives Congress,
APC, Akinwunmi Ambode in the forthcoming April 11
governorship election in the state.
According to a press statement signed by the 10 governorship
candidates, the aspirants stated that they have shelved their
individual ambitions to be the governor of Lagos State to
support the candidature of Ambode.
” Without mincing words, we collectively as candidates of
various political parties, have decided to join hands together
with Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode of APC to give Lagosians a
deserving government at this time.
We unanimously give our unwavering solidarity to work together
with Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode of the APC come 11th April 2015,
slated by the Independent National Electoral Commission for
gubernatorial election.
We enjoin all our teeming supporters across the state to take
this declaration and sound it loud and clear that Akinwunmi
Ambode, is the candidate to take Lagos to the next level.”

I Still Live In Aso Rock – Patience

Patiene Jonathan has denied media reports that she has
moved out of the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The first lady according to Daily Trust, made this known
while reacting to reports that she had requested her staff to
pack her personal belongings in readiness to leave the Villa.
In the said report, it was alleged that the first lady began
packing her belongings as soon as the Independent National
Electoral Commission announced that Muhammadu Buhari,
the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, had
won the election.
But Mr Ayo Adewuyi, Patience Jonathan’s spokesman in a
telephone chat with Daily Trust described the report as false.
Mr Adewuyi also dismissed insinuations that the first lady
had traveled out of the country.
He said: “She (Patience) is at home. Just leave us out
of any controversy. She did not travel to anywhere. She
is very much around in her residence.
Explaining why the office of the first lady had remained
shut since her husband lost the presidential election
he said : “You should know that she does not have to
be in the office every time”.
Meanwhile, Dame Patience Jonathan has congratulated the
wife of the president-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari,
Aisha after the victory of her husband at the presidential
election.
She has urged Nigerian women to work with Aisha Buhari
and give her the supreme support to make her succeed in
her new assignment

PHOTO: APC slams Alao-Akala over “Sai Buhari-Sai Akala” posters

The All Progressives Congress in Oyo State
has taken a swipe at the gubernatorial
candidate of the Labour Party, Adebayo Alao-
Akala, over the circulation of posters bearing
pictures of the former governor and the
President-Elect, Muhammadu Buhari,
apparently, to gain sympathy from the
electorate ahead of next week’s governorship
election in the state.
Campaign posters bearing the pictures of
Messrs Buhari and Alao-Akala with “Sai
Buhari, Sai Akala” boldly written on them
have flooded particularly Ibadan, the Oyo
State capital.
Reacting to the development, the Director of
Publicity and Strategy of the Oyo State
chapter of the APC, Olawale Sadare, described
the development as “another shameful act
coming from enemies of the good people of
the state”.
“Not a few people found it unbelievable to
see the picture of the President-elect, Gen.
Muhammadu Buhari, on Alao-Akala’s
campaign posters,” Mr. Sadare said. “Since
Wednesday evening when those disgusting
posters were sighted in parts of Ibadan, a
good number of concerned citizens have
been expressing their amazement at the
development.
“Meanwhile, the ruling APC in the state view
the action of the sponsors of such obnoxious
campaign materials as a desperation taken
too far. It is indeed another in the series of
grand delusion which most members of the
opposition have been feeding the public with
in their bid to hijack power and return the
state to the era of bad governance, official
corruption and impunity.”
He added that Mr. Buhari, given “what he
has always represented”, would not
“contemplate throwing up a corrupt element
for an election or appointment”.
In spite of the antics of the opposition in Oyo
State to mislead the public, the APC remained
confident that its candidate and incumbent
Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, would be re-
elected for an unprecedented second term on
April 11, Mr. Sadare said.

Disqualification of Buhari from election portends great danger – APC

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has warned against any
orchestrated, last-minute disqualification of its presidential
candidate, Gen. Muhammadu, in order to pave the way for an
easy
victory for President Goodluck Jonathan or even another
postponement of the elections
”If it is true, as it is being widely speculated across the country,
that the Jonathan Administration has procured a judgement to
disqualify the APC Presidential Candidate on Wednesday, when
the Federal High Court in Abuja is expected to rule on the
issue, then itportends a great danger for our country,” the party
warned in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday by its
National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.
It said, in addition to other reasons, the six-week
postponement of the elections may have been used by those
who never wanted the polls to hold in the first instance to shop
for such a satanic judgement.
”Anyone who will disqualify a presidential candidate on the eve
of an election can only have one and only one purpose for that:
to trigger chaos and pandemonium across the country. Perhaps
this is the reason for the deployment of troops across the
country to crack down on possible protests and create
confusion
”Then, those who orchestrated the disqualification will simply
use what they expect to be angry reactions nationwide as aan
excuse to postpone the elections again, thus triggering a
constitutional crisis, the end of which no one can predict.
”This is why we are hoping that good reason will prevail and
nothing will be done, deliberately, to plunge Nigeria into crisis
by the same people who have always been quick to say their
political ambition is not worth the blood of any Nigerian,” APC
said.

Obasanjo reacts to military takeover rumour before Saturday’s election

With just four days to the nation’s Presidential
election, former President Olusegun Obasanjo on
Tuesday expressed concern over speculations of
likely handing over of power to the military by
President Goodluck Jonathan.
The former President said this in his Abeokuta
home, when wife of the Presidential candidate of
the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hajia Aisha
Bubari, and the Southwest women leaders and
spouses APC governors visited him.
Obasanjo noted that aside the fact that military
rule is no longer fashionable as it is
unconstitutional, the Intentional community, he
added, would also not condone it, particularly
African Union (AU) where it has been agreed that
any government brought about not on the basis of
the constitution should not stand.
According to him, a military coup anywhere on
African soil would neither be accepted nor
tolerated by the AU member countries until such
government is “dismantled.”
He warned that the whole world is watching
Nigeria in respect of the forthcoming general
elections, saying as the largest country in Africa,
Nigeria should be a model to others and also set
good examples for the continent.
The former President urged Nigeria not to draw the
rest of African countries backward, lamenting the
campaign of hate and division being engaged by
those seeking elective offices.
He also charged women to take active part in the
redemptive mission for Nigeria, adding; “I am
happy to hear directly from you, Mrs. Buhari that
the campaign so far has gone very well. May be I
should say one or two things about the campaign-
I do hope that this week’s elections, and the one
coming in a couple of weeks after that, should
provide the right lessons to learn from.
“Unfortunately, issues that should have been the
main item of our campaign were not discussed. We
have serious issues of security, economy,
unemployment, youth unemployment infrastructure
etc. These are issues among others that I believe
campaign of those who are interested in the
present and the future of this country should be
directed at.
“How are we going to get them, what are we going
to do, not trivial issues of certificate, no certificate,
not trivial issues of when somebody is talking
about someone and whether one is a Nigerian and
not.
“This is what they had in Cote d’Ivore that led
them into almost a very serious problem, not issue
of religion, tribe, not issue of section but issues of
unity of this country and the hate campaign that
we have embarked upon now, I hope this will be
the last time in the history of this country that we
will have this type of campaign of hatred or
division.
“I think the emphasis should be on what unite us,
not what divide us and when I look at the faces of
you ladies here, it is very difficult for me to know.
I think we should emphasise on things that unite
us, we should talk more on what will make this
country not a just country but a great country.
“And that is the challenge before Nigerians today
and particularly before those who are aspiring
either at the state level or at the national level,
how can this country be made great country, God
has given us all we need.
“And I want to thank you because you women you
have a role to play, and I mean that, when things
are going wrong, if women don’t act, things will
continue to go wrong because you have ability to
act, the men who invariably make things to go
wrong are your fathers, your husbands, your sons,
you sons-in-laws.
“With your husbands, you can have pillow talk but
when things are going wrong and you do not talk
or act, you will also be the greatest victim at the
end of the day because it will have effect on your
children and would have a direct effect on you and
all of us.
“I do hope we will get things right. A lot of
rumours are flying around, I think we have gone
away from the rumour of Interim Government
because that is not in our constitution, I hope we
will soon go away from the rumour of handing over
to the military because the military is not meant to
run affairs of a nation in terms of running
government.
“And the Intentional community will not condone
it, particularly African Union where we have a
situation, we have said and it is part and parcel of
the constituting act of the African Union, any
government that is brought about not on the basis
of the constitution will not be accepted and
tolerated and will not be a member of the AU until
that government is dismantled.
“We have the goodwill of many people, I watched,
last night, President Obama talking about our
constitution, I watched out brother from Ghana the
current Chairman of ECOWAS talked about our
constitution, they are all interested, they all wish
us well, should we wish ourselves anything less?”
Earlier, Mrs. Buhari lauded the former President for
being a true nationalist, adding that Obasanjo often
traversed party lines and primordial sentiments
while addressing issues affecting the country.
She said, “Baba exercises his prowess as a father,
as a former head of state of Nigeria twice, very few
Nigerias have the opportunity to rule the country
twice, we are here today to show our appreciation
the way you handle things as a statesman and a
nationalist.”

The Nation

Obasanjo uncovers plot to hand over to military

…condemns attacks on Buhari over certificate

Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo,
Tuesday, disclosed that he has uncovered another plot by the
Presidency to handover to the Nigerian military if it loses the
coming Presidential election.
Obasanjo said this alleged plot would undermine the integrity
of Nigeria among the comity of nations.
The former President stated this yesterday while playing host
to the South West women of the All Progressives Congress led
by the wife of the party’s presidential candidate, General
Muhammadu Buhari, Hajia Aisha Buhari.
Obasanjo had recently warned against introduction of Interim
National Government by the Presidency which he said could
plunge the country into chaos like the former President of Cote
d’l voire , Laurent Gbagbo who refused to hand over after he
lost the election did.
The former President said, he was happy that Nigeria has gone
beyond the rumour of Interim National Government, saying
that, he hopes the country will also survive the rumour of
handing over to the military.
He explained that the intentional community especially the
African Union would not accommodate or recognise any
government that emerges without the constitution of the
country.

Newly commissioned N2.5b Kano bridge by Jonathan cracks

VANGUARD – There was anxiety among residents
and motorists over alleged cracks on the N2.5b
Kundila flyover commissioned by President
Goodluck Jonathan Saturday, last Week,in Kano.
Motorists were prevented from using the 2.4m
bridge, Tuesday afternoon.
The alleged cracks on the flyover triggered
celebration among thousands of youths who
chorused in unison that the federal government
project was a ruse.
When contacted the Managing Director, Rocad
Construction company, that handled the project,
Roger Farajallah told Vanguard on phone that “the
bridge is intact and we are installing a speed
breaker at the moment”.
However, armed police have been deployed to the
scene to control traffic.

8 Osun monarchs dissociate from Jonathan’s ‘endorsement deal’ by Ooni

Some leading traditional rulers in Osun State
Tuesday dissociated themselves from the
endorsement of President Goodluck Jonathan as a
preferred candidate for the Saturday presidential
election.
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuade had endorsed
Jonathan in his palace and directed some other
traditional rulers in Osun to point their beaded
walking sticks on Jonathan to pray for the
President’s success in the election.
In a communiqué signed by the traditional rulers
after their meeting at the palace of Akirun of Ikirun,
the monarchs faulted their colleagues in the state
who endorsed Jonathan at Ife.
The monarchs who attended the meeting and
signed the communiqué include
Oba Rasheed Ayotunde Olabomi, the Aragbiji of
Iragbiji, Oba Abioye Oyebode Oluronke, the
Olukuku of Okuku, Oba Joseph Oladunjoye Fasikun,
the Olunisa of Inisa, Oba Olayiwola Olawale
Adedeji, the Akirun of Ikirun and Oba Rauf Adebayo
Olaniyan, the Elende of Eko-Ende.
Others are Oba Kelani Adekeye Oyedare, Oloyan of
Oyan, Oba Isaac Adetoyi
Adetunlurese, the Onirun of Oke-Irun, Oba Yusuf
Omoloye Oyagbodun, the Elerin of Erin Osun and
Oba Munirudeen Adesola Lawal, the Timi of Ede.
The monarch said the endorsement of President
Jonathan in Ife was
generating ripple among their subjects who
thought that the entire traditional ruler in the state
partook in the endorsement of the president.
The monarchs lamented that they were
embarrassed when some of their subjects
demanded for their own share from the hard
currency allegedly doled out by the president at
Ife.
According to the communiqué, “the general
impression is that all traditional rulers in Osun
State, without exception, were involved.
Consequently,our subjects have been accusing us,
demanding our explanation for engaging in such
an act. Some of them (our subjects) have also
demanded for their own share of the money we
collected”.
It continued “No doubt, this is an embarrassing
situation to us. For this reason, we have decided
to make it clear to the public that not all
traditional rulers in Osun were involved in the act”.
The monarchs said good governance that would
bring better life to their people is their main
concern and called on their subjects to
discountenance their issue of money and vote
according to their conscience.

Plots to disqualify Buhari tomorrow, orchestrate violence and disrupt Saturday’s election exposed

A suit seeking to disqualify Buhari was adjourned
to Wednesday. The All Progressives Congress, APC
this afternoon warned against an alleged plan to
disqualify its presidential candidate, Maj Gen.
Muhammadu Buhari.
Read APC’s press statement below
The All Progressives Congress has warned against
any orchestrated, last-minute disqualification of
its presidential candidate, Gen. Buhari, in order to
pave the way for an easy victory for President
Jonathan or even another postponement of the
elections
“If it is true, as it is being widely speculated
across the country, that the Jonathan
Administration has procured a judgement to
disqualify the APC Presidential Candidate on
Wednesday, when the Federal High Court in Abuja
is expected to rule on the issue, then it portends a
great danger for our country,” the party warned in a
statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday by its
National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.
It said, in addition to other reasons, the six-week
postponement of the elections may have been
used by those who never wanted the polls to hold
in the first instance to shop for such a satanic
judgement.
”Anyone who will disqualify a presidential
candidate on the eve of an election can only have
one and only one purpose for that: to trigger
chaos and pandemonium across the country.
Perhaps this is the reason for the deployment of
troops across the country to crack down on
possible protests and create confusion
”Then, those who orchestrated the disqualification
will simply use what they expect to be angry
reactions nationwide as an excuse to postpone the
elections again, thus triggering a constitutional
crisis,the end of which no one can predict.
”This is why we are hoping that good reason will
prevail and nothing will be done, deliberately, to
plunge Nigeria into crisis by the same people who
have always been quick to say their political
ambition is not worth the blood of any Nigerian,”
APC said.
Alhaji Lai Mohammed
National Publicity Secretary

Obama writes Nigerians over elections, urges peace

As preparations intensify for general
elections in Nigeria, starting Saturday, the
United States President, Barack Obama, on
Monday sent a special message to Nigerians,
urging a credible and peaceful polls.
In the message sent directly to Nigerians,
President Obama reminded the people about
their struggle for the country’s
independence from colonialism, the struggle
against military dictatorship and the need to
turn the country’s diversity into a source of
strength.
“I call on all Nigerians to peacefully express
your views and to reject the voices of those
who call for violence,” Mr. Obama said.
“And when elections are free and fair, it is
the responsibility of all citizens to help keep
the peace, no matter who wins,” he added.
Read full text of Mr. Obama’s Message to
the Nigerian People below:
“Hello. Today, I want to speak directly to
you—the people of Nigeria.
Nigeria is a great nation and you can be
proud of the progress you’ve made.
Together, you won your independence,
emerged from military rule, and
strengthened democratic institutions.
You’ve strived to overcome division and to
turn Nigeria’s diversity into a source of
strength. You’ve worked hard to improve
the lives of your families and to build the
largest economy in Africa.
Now you have a historic opportunity to help
write the next chapter of Nigeria’s progress
—by voting in the upcoming elections. For
elections to be credible, they must be free,
fair and peaceful. All Nigerians must be able
to cast their votes without intimidation or
fear.
So I call on all leaders and candidates to
make it clear to their supporters that
violence has no place in democratic
elections—and that they will not incite, support or engage
in any kind of violence—before, during, or after the votes
are counted. I call on all Nigerians to peacefully express
your views and to reject the voices of those who call for
violence. And when elections are free and fair, it is the
responsibility of all citizens to help keep the peace, no
matter who wins.
Successful elections and democratic progress will help
Nigeria meet the urgent challenges you face today. Boko
Haram—a brutal terrorist group that kills innocent men,
women and children—must be stopped. Hundreds of
kidnapped children deserve to be returned to their
families.  Nigerians who have been forced to flee deserve to
return to their homes. Boko Haram wants to destroy
Nigeria and all that you have worked to build. By casting
your ballot, you can help secure your nation’s progress.
I’m told that there is a saying in your country: “to keep
Nigeria one is a task that must be done”. Today, I urge all
Nigerians—from all religions, all ethnic groups, and all
regions—to come together and keep Nigeria one. And in
this task of advancing the security, prosperity, and human
rights of all Nigerians, you will continue to have a friend
and partner in the United States of America.

Irate mob attacks Jonathan Campaign coordinator in Jigawa

The
Coordinator of GoodLuck/Sambo Campaign
Organization in Jigawa, AlhajiYusuf Alasan
escaped being lynched when he was attacked by youths who participated in the campaign held in Dutse, the Jigawa state
capital, Weekend. Youths drawn from the 27 LGA’s of the state
attended the Transformation Agenda of Nigeria (TAN)
sponsored campaign for President Jonathan’s re-election.
Drama started shortly after the event when the youths
demanded for their fees, but to their surprise, the coordinator
asked them to drop their phone numbers as he promised
payment will be made in due course and they should expect
bank transaction alert.
This drew the ire of the youths who accused the campaign
coordinator, who also doubles as the SURE-P boss in Jigawa
State of diverting their mobilisation money running into millions
of Naira, describing his action as betrayal and breach of trust.
The situation later degenerated when the youths pounced on
Alhaji Alasan and his team, as people scampered to safety,
some removing their TAN branded T-shirts and Face caps.
All effort to contact the Jonathan campaign Coordinator proved
abortive as his telephone rang several times without him taking
his calls.
But one of aides, Aminu Aminu confirmed that irate mob
attacked the organisers of the rally.

Please can you tell me what this politician Are Doing To These Ladies Openly ?

Please can you tell me what this politician  Are Doing To These Ladies
Openly ?
This is too bad... Is this the kind of leaders we need ? they loot your money with impunity and line
you up like prisoners to give you crumbs.

Stay To Protect Your Votes after voting – Ahmadu Alli Tells PDP Supporters

Speaking also, Minister of FCT, Senator Bala Mohammed said:
“Jonathan’s government is sincere. When Jonathan came on
board, he came with an agenda and not propaganda. I am not
surprised that ALGON could find Mr. President worthy enough
of endorsing. It was Mr. President that insisted that allocations
meant for local governments get to them directly. That is the
kind of leader we need. Jonathan has intervened in all the
sectors of the economy. The only way to appreciate him is to
vote for him.
ABUJA—FORMER National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic
Party, PDP, Senator Ahmadu Alli, yesterday, tow the line of the
Opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, by directing PDP
faithful to remain at the polling booths after casting their votes
in the forth coming elections
This was, however, contrary to a recent order handed down by
the Inspector-General of Police,IGP, Mr. Suleiman Abba,
directing Nigerians not to stay back at the polling units after
casting their votes.
Alli, who is the Director-General of the Peoples Democratic
Party Campaign Organisation,spoke in Abuja, at the occasion of
formal endorsement of President Goodluck Jonathan for re-
election by Mr. Micah Jiba-led Association of Local Government
of Nigeria, ALGON.
The PDP chieftain said his advice was predicated on feelers at
the party’s disposal that the opposition party, the APC, was
planning to rig the elections.
He insisted that supporters of the PDP must stay back at the
various polling units after casting their votes in order to guide
against alleged plans by the leading opposition party to rig the
polls.
Senator Alli, however, cautioned his party loyalists to resist any
attempt to be pushed to cause mayhem.
Alli also urged voters not to make mistake of voting General
Buhari in the election,saying the present Nigeria was in search
of young vibrant people to lead it and not people he refered to
as “analog.”
He said in an era where global leaders less than 60 years of
age, Nigerians should not make the mistake of electing Buhari,
whom he said was too old to govern.
“A lot has been said about this election. I want to bring an
aspect to you which is vital. The changing of guards at the
presidential villa is crucial because it is our post 100 years of
co-existence. We must use this election to prove our enemies
wrong. Goodluck Jonathan is our solution to the series of
problems we have in this country. He is well tested and has
risen through the ranks to become a president. Can you say
such a man does not have experience?
“Our product is marketable unlike the other old man who is part
of my generation. He wants to come and rule this nation in this
stage when everyone is moving to endorse younger leaders. We
must support Jonathan to ensure that the old are not allowed to
come back,” Alli further said.
Speaking also, Minister of FCT, Senator Bala Mohammed said:
“Jonathan’s government is sincere. When Jonathan came on
board, he came with an agenda and not propaganda. I am not
surprised that ALGON could find Mr. President worthy enough of
endorsing. It was Mr. President that insisted that allocations
meant for local governments get to them directly. That is the
kind of leader we need. Jonathan has intervened in all the
sectors of the economy. The only way to appreciate him is to
vote for him.”
“Everybody is aware that ALGON is a body of elected local
government chairmen on Nigeria. They hold the trust of
grassroot people they represent. The wish of many Nigerians
today is that President Goodluck Jonathan should be returned.
Never in the history of Nigeria has there been a leadership who
is bent on making the life of Nigeria better.
On his part, Minister of Special Duties, Saminu Turaki, said:
“During elections, vote and do not look for any trouble. After
voting, stay with your votes and ensure that you follow them
when they are counting your votes. Do not allow them to rig.
Stay with them and ensure nothing happens to the votes.”
“Even if you want changes, people will want positive changes.
We say to advocates of change that it does not come from
abstract. Even if Jonathan has touched the lives of people, he
can do more. That is why we must return him.

How President Jonathan’s Airport shuttles weaken Abuja security, endanger residents

On Saturday, March 21, President Goodluck
Jonathan and his campaign team flew out of
Abuja in two aircrafts for another round of
vote solicitation in Kano and neighbouring
Katsina ahead of the March 28 national
elections.
Four hours before the President left his
home at the Presidential villa that Saturday,
over 200 police officers and about a hundred
soldiers were withdrawn from their beats
around the nation’s capital and made to line
the about 40 kilometres route to the Nnamdi
Azikiwe International Airport, some standing
with their rifles on their shoulders, some
sitting on pavements, stones and bare
ground and others snoring away in patrol
cars.
The police wouldn’t say how many officers
are deployed daily to patrol and secure
Abuja, but residents believe the nation’s
capital is under-policed, with some saying
they have never seen a police officer patrol
their areas.
Yet, that Saturday, hundreds of officers, who
could have patrolled streets to check crimes
were mandated to line Mr. Jonathan’s route
for hours, a practice security experts believe
routinely compromises the capital’s security
and exposes residents to robbery,
abductions, rape, assaults and other criminal
acts.
A team of PREMIUM TIMES reporters, who
monitored the president’s airport shuttle
that Saturday, found that nearly all the patrol
vehicles attached to the city’s police
divisions and major intersections in the
capital were withdrawn and used in
transporting officers to locations along the
major expressway from the State House to
the presidential wing of the airport.
The team counted at least 40 police patrol
vehicles parked along the expressway from
the Bolingo Hotel junction up to the
Presidential wing entrance of the Airport.
Each vehicle had at least five well armed
police officers.
That was aside the numerous other police
officers stationed along the route, without
vehicles by their side.
The team’s conservative estimate suggested
that at least 200 police officers were
withdrawn from the city centre to guard the
expressway that day.
Presidency insiders say that practice is
routine, and that there is no plan to review
it.
Apart from the policemen, the reporters also
saw troops from the Guard Brigade in some
strategic locations along the route, especially
by the several suburb localities.
“We saw at least one armoured personnel
carrier with some soldiers near the
intersection leading to Kuje Area Council
before the Airport gate,” one reporter said.
Analysts believe it costs Nigeria several
millions  of naira whenever the President
shuttles to airports.
The numerous vehicles lining the
expressway and the ones on the president’s
convoy would have to be fueled, while the
police officers on guard duty along the route
are paid allowances,” a security official
familiar with the working of the presidential
villa told PREMIUM TIMES. “Presidential
movements are expensive and that is one
thing Nigerians must learn to live with.”
A resident of one pf the estates along the
Abuja Airport expressway, Emmanuel Ogala,
said the security official deployed to guard
the president’s routes at times molest
innocent civilians.
“The roads are closed for like 30 minutes
before the President passes, God help you if
you have an emergency and the president is
traveling,” he said.
Between the President’s travels and
compromised security
Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos
recently blamed the president when armed
robbers attacked residents of Lekki Peninsula
on March 12, killing six.
Mr. Fashola said police officers who would
have helped in repelling the bank robbery
were deployed to protect Mr. Jonathan when
he visited the state that day, an argument the
presidency described as unintelligent and
irresponsible.
“Perhaps what would be would have been,
but it’s sad to see all our security personnel,
all our security vehicles deployed to protect
one man,” said Mr. Fashola, who spoke at an
event, An Evening with Buhari and Osinbajo,
in Lagos.
“All the vehicles we bought for the police
were stationed to receive the President in
Lagos. Those policemen have children and
tonight their mothers will have to explain to
them why daddy is not coming home.”
The presidency however described Mr.
Fashola’s statement as “grossly and utterly
irresponsible.”
“We expect that a man of his status, who is
the Governor of a state should speak more
responsibly,” the presidency said in the
statement.
“It doesn’t make any sense whatsoever that
the entire police formation in a state would
be deployed to protect the president of
Nigeria.
“The visit of the President (to) any part of
the country does not necessitate the
depletion of the police force active in that
particular state or its environment.