APC will win Lagos polls – Fashola

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, on Saturday said
he is optimistic that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will
win the governorship and House of Assembly elections in the
state.
Fashola made the remark shortly after casting his vote
alongside his wife Abimbola Fashola and his son Ademola at
polling unit 002, State Senior Grammar School, Itolo, at exactly
2:39pm.
He dismissed insinuation of voters’ apathy, saying such
conclusions can only be drawn after voting and counting of
votes.
He said,” I have always been optimistic in any contest, so I am
optimistic.”
On general assessments of the election and the perceived
voters’ apathy, he said: “The answer is to check whether there
is a voting point here in addition to a voting unit. If there is,
then it means here, you have 500 possibly 1000 people and then
that is the way by which you can measure the numbers.
“By scientific measures, what percentage of people actually
came out to accredit themselves, how many people came back
to vote after accreditation, and that will only be possible to
know after the votes are counted.
“It is then that you will be able to measure how many people
voted, how many people came for accreditation, how many
people were registered and how many people collected PVC.
So, all of these questions to my view are a little premature as
far as turnout is concerned.”
The governor added that reports at his disposal indicated that
the Independent National Electoral Commission officials and
materials for election arrived at many polling units and points
on time, just as accreditation went smoothly.

Igbo appeal to Lagos govt, police to protect them after elections

The Igbo in Lagos have appealed to Lagos State government
and the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Kayode Aderanti, to
put security measures in place to ensure the protection of their
lives and property after the general elections.
The appeal came just as they demanded an apology from Oba
Rilwan Akiolu of Lagos over his comment that the Igbo would
perish in the Lagos lagoon, in seven days, if they did not vote
for his choice governorship candidate in yesterday’s elections.
The Chairman, Ohaneze Ndigbo in Amuwo Odofin local
government area, Chief Akalika Emmanuel, explained that the
call for the protection of life and property became necessary to
avoid unforeseen circumstances.
Acknowledging the intervention of the president elect, General
Muhammadu Buhari, and opinion leaders from Igbo and Yoruba
land, Emmanuel stated that the Igbo had sheathed their sword
in demonstration of their love for Lagos State, as well as their
maturity and willingness to be each other brothers’ keepers.
Nevertheless, he demanded that a documentary prove that such
threat from Akiolu would not repeat itself be made available,
adding that the property of Ndi -Igbo would not be unduly
taxed nor demolished , no matter the direction of the victory o f
yesterday’s governorship election.
Continuing he said: “We also demand that our business
premises and other matters of interest will not come under any
form of intimidation now or in future

UPDATE : DSTV Ignores Court Order, Hikes Subscription Fees

Multichoice Nigeria, the operator of DSTV,
has ignored the court order halting its hike
in subscription fees and has gone ahead to
enforce the new price at all of its outlets.
When TheCable visited the Multichoice outlet
in Bariga, Lagos, under the guise of
purchasing a DSTV bouquet, there was a
detailed information on the front desk with
information about both the old and new
prices.
The sales attendant confirmed the
implementation of the new price, saying: “It
used to be N1,500 (for the cheapest package)
but now its N1,800.”
Asked why it was no longer N1,500?, she
answered: “Because it has been increased.”
Asked why the company ignored the court
injunction restraining the implementation of
the hiked prices, she said: “They have not
given us the go-ahead to revert to the old
price.”
At the MultiChoice outlet in Akoka, Lagos,
the price increase was also enforced. The
sales person could not provide answers to
questions fielded her.
“They just increased it maybe because of rise
in dollar,” she muttered.
TheCable met a subscriber there who was
unaware of the court order halting the
increase, and he was visibly angry when he
discovered.
“Don’t worry, when they see wahala, you
know Nigerians. Which dollar, dollar that is
coming down. this exploitation should stop,”
he said.
“Let Buhari enter first so that then, we will
start our protest. I can’t see the service; you
put on DSTV, the service will go and come
back.
“There is no light. In 24 hours, we have
electricity for four hours. What is the service
we enjoy that you are increasing?”
Another Multichoice outlet visited at Ikeja
city mall, Lagos, it discovered that the new
tariff has also been enforced there.
When contacted, Caroline Oghuma, the
MANAGER, public relations of DSTV Nigeria,
refused to comment.
“The case is sub judice, so I can’t comment,”
she said. “It’s in court. I cannot comment.”
Pressed further on why the enforcement was
not withheld until the determination of the
suit, she said: “Whatever the situation is,
when a case is in court, the people involved
cannot comment.”
In March, DSTV announced its intention to
increase its tariff by 20 per cent but was
ordered by a Federal High Court sitting in
Lagos to halt implementation of the increase
pending determination of a suit filled before
it.

UPDATE : Nanny demands N15m for kidnapped Lagos children

A nanny, Mary Akinloye, who allegedly
kidnapped three kids in the Surulere area of
Lagos State has demanded N15m from the
victim’s parents, PUNCH Metro has learnt.
Our correspondent learnt that the family was
contacted on Thursday by the suspect and
others, who were suspected to be members
of her group. They were said to have
demanded the N15m as ransom.
PUNCH Metro had reported on Wednesday
that the Orekoya family had posted
information on OLX, an online sales portal,
seeking the service of a nanny.
Our correspondent reported that Akinloye
indicated interest and gave the Orekoyas the
contacts of two people who she said were her
relatives.
It was reported that the family agreed to
formalilse documentation with the purported
relatives before the week ran out.
After the 23-year-old resumed for work on
Tuesday, she was said to have taken the
three children ─ Aderomola (11 months old),
Adedamola (4 years old), Demola (6 years
old) ─ out, while their parents were away.
She had since not returned.
A family friend, who spoke on the condition
of anonymity, said the kidnappers contacted
the family and demanded N15m on
Thursday.
The information was confirmed by another
friend who put up the post on a social
medium, Facebook.
He said, “Is it a crime to employ a house
help? The kidnappers have demanded
N15m.”
Efforts to reach the family were abortive as
they continued to reject calls made to their
lines.
They also did not reply to three text
messages sent to them on the matter.
The Police Public Relations, Kenneth Nwosu,
said investigations were on.
He said, “Investigations are on and that is all
I can say for now.
“There are things you do that can jeopardise
investigation.
“What is important in a case like this is to
ensure that the children are returned hale
and hearty. There are information you may
have and if you disclose it, you could break
the line of communication. So, we are still on
the matter to ensure the safe return of the
kids.

INEC releases statement ahead of Saturday’s elections

Press statement from INEC ahead of Saturday
Gubernatorial elections..
The Independent National Electoral
Commission (INEC) has received reports that
some political leaders are asking members of
the public to disregard its stated resolve to
use Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and Smart
Card Readers (SCRs) for the April 11,
2015Governorship and State Assembly
elections.A particular state governor in the
North Central geo-political zone is reported to
have assured voters in the state that they
could come out to vote on Election Day with
Temporary Voter Cards (TVCs) if they do not
have the PVC, and that INEC will not be
allowed to insist on the use of SCRs for voter
accreditation.
Members of the public are strongly advised
to disregard false assurances that contradict
the regulations INEC has outlined for the
Governorship and State Assembly elections.
The Commission reaffirms that only voters
with genuine PVCs should come out to the
polling units on Election Day, and that
guidelines issued on the use of SCRs for the
April 11 elections will be strictly applied. Any
action infringing these guidelines will be an
electoral offence, and security agents will be
on hand to apprehend offenders.
The Commission commends Nigerian voters
for their peaceful conduct and exemplary
resilience, even in the face of minor
challenges, during the Presidential and
National Assembly elections on March 28,
2015. It, however, considers it unfortunate
that some leaders would misguide the public
and thereby prepare ground for needless
disruptions to the polling process on April
11. INEC hereby warns that any obstruction
to the processes it has put in place for the
elections by any person, no matter how
highly placed, will constitute an electoral
offence punishable in law.
Meanwhile, the Commission has assigned the
Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of
Kogi State, Alhaji Hussaini Halilu Pai, to
supervise the conduct of the Governorship
and State Assembly elections in Kano State,
following the tragic demise of Alhaji Minkala
Abdullahi last weekend. Before his posting as
FCT REC, Alhaji Pai was Ekiti State REC, who
conducted the Governorship Election of June
21, 2014.
Kayode Robert Idowu
Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman