20/07/2015

Abuja Court halts impeachment move against Gov. Fayose

A Federal High Court in Abuja has set aside all actions and activities of the impeached former Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Dr Adewale Omirin and the All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmakers from November 21, 2014 till date.

Ag. IGP meets with President Jonathan ahead of Re-Run Elections

The newly appointed Acting Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase, has held a meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan at the Presidential Villa on Thursday.

Anyim, Sylva to head Transition Committee

The Federal Government has reeled out a one week programme of activities for the transition process from the Goodluck Jonathan administration to the administration of President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari. This is sequel to a meeting between the parallel Transition Committee and Inauguration Committee that was held in the Presidential Villa.

Stay in your party or quit politics, APC tells PDP members

The All Progressives Congress on Wednesday formally shut its doors against members of the Peoples Democratic Party wishing to join its ranks. The party also enjoined members and leaders of the ruling party to stay where they were and rebuild their party to play its new found role as the main opposition party.

Plaintiffs withdraw suit challenging Buhari’s eligibility

Plaintiffs in the two of the three pending suits challenging the eligibility of the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, to contest in the March 28, 2015, presidential election have withdrawn the suit. The presiding judge, Justice Adeniyi Ademola, subsequently struck out the matter after the plaintiffs indicated their intention to withdraw the suits on Wednesday.

Prof Akinyemi condemns Xenophobic Attacks in S/Africa; asks FG to take action

Nigeria’s former Foreign Affairs Minister, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, on Wednesday condemned the xenophobic attacks on Africans and other foreign nationals in South Africa. He also called on the Nigerian government to remind the South African government of a possible consequence on their investments in Nigeria if such attacks continue.

Senate orders FG to recall Nigeria’s High Commissioner in S/Africa

The Senate has asked the Executive arm of government to recall Nigeria’s High Commissioner to South Africa following the spate of xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and other African nationals. The Senate also asked the Executive to file a suit at the International Criminal Court against the Zulu King, Goodwill Zwethilini, whose comments allegedly set off the xenophobic attacks in South Africa.

Imo Governorship Poll: INEC to conduct supplementary election on April 25

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Imo State has fixed Saturday April 25 for the supplementary of the governorship elections in 256 polling units across 23 local government areas. Addressing a news conference on Wednesday at the INEC headquarters in Owerri, the Imo State capital in south-east Nigeria, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Gabriel Ada, said the commission was more prepared and ready to conduct the supplementary election.

President Jonathan rejects constitution amendment

President Goodluck Jonathan has refused to give assent to some sections of the Nigerian Constitution amended by the National Assembly. Federal and State lawmakers had approved some sections in the constitution for amendment and sent it to the president for assent.

BBOG group, others, remember Chibok Girls one year after Abduction

Events are being held globally to mark one year since more than 200 girls were abducted by Boko Haram terrorists in Chibok, Borno State, Nigeria’s north-east region. Starting from Abuja, Nigeria’s federal capital, a procession is to be held with 219 girls taking part to represent each missing girl. Similar marches are planned worldwide, including in London and Washington.

Supreme Court Upholds Gov. Fayose’s Victory

The Supreme Court has dismissed an appeal by the All Progressives Congress (APC), challenging the eligibility and election of the Ekiti State governor, Mr Ayo Fayose for lack of merit. The court held that the impeachment panel was in breach of the constitutional requirement, adding that should impeachment be considered, it is not enough to disqualify anyone from participating from an election, except such a person is further arraigned and convicted before a competent court of jurisdiction or Code of Conduct Tribunal, he cannot be guilty of any crime as proscribed by section 182, subsection 1 of the 1999 constitution.

Clinton declares intention for US Presidency

Hillary Clinton has declared her interest to run for the U.S. presidency, vowing to fight for a level playing field for those recovering from tough economic times. Clinton, who begins the 2016 presidential race as a commanding Democratic front runner, announced her interest with a video posted on her new website on Sunday in which she said the economic deck was still stacked for those at the top.

Supreme Court to decide Fayose’s fate today

There was anxiety in Ekiti State as the Supreme Court in Abuja prepared to deliver judgment on Tuesday (today) in the appeal filed by the All Progressives Congress against the victory of Governor Ayodele Fayose in the June 21, 2014 governorship election.

INEC rejects APC's call for cancellation of Rivers and Akwa Ibom polls

The Independent National Electoral Commission has said it has no power to cancel the results of the governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections in Rivers and Akwa Ibom states. It made this known to The PUNCH a few hours after the European Union Election Observation Mission to Nigeria on Monday called for a probe of the “severe problems” that characterised the polls in the two states.

Kaduna Guber: El-Rufai defeats incumbent, Gov. Yero

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the Candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Mr Nasir El-Rufai winner of Kaduna State governorship election. Announcing the result at the INEC Office in the state capital, the state’s Returning Officer, Professor Jafaru Kaura from Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto, said that El-Rufai polled the highest number of votes in Saturday’s governorship election in the state to emerge as the winner.

Ambode declared winner of Lagos Governorship Election, Agbaje concedes

The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode, has been declared the winner of the April 11 election. Mr Ambode polled 811,994 votes, with the runner-up and the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Jimi Agbaje, polling 659,788 votes.

Tambuwal wins Sokoto State Governorship Election

The Speaker of the House of Representatives in Nigeria, Aminu Tambuwal, has won the Sokoto State Governorship Election. Honourable Tambuwal got the highest vote in all the 23 Local Government Areas in the State.

Zamfara APGA Governorship Candidate arrested for ballot box snatching

The Zamfara Police Command has arrested the Governorship Candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance(APGA), Dr Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi over alleged snatching of ballot boxes at Shadengara 004 polling unit in Shinkafi Local Government Area of the state.

Lagos Guber Poll: APC in panic mode because Agbaje will win – Fani- Kayode

The Peoples Democratic Presidential Campaign Organisation, PDPPCO said yesterday that President Goodluck Jonathan was still committed to conducting free, fair and credible election today. According to PDP, the opposition should count itself lucky that President Jonathan did not reject the outcome of March 28 presidential election and refused to go to court and challenge the results.

REVEALED: The real reasons why President Jonathan conceded defeat

THE real reasons President Goodluck Jonathan conceded defeat in the 28 March presidential election even before its result was officially announced have been revealed to Sunday Tribune.

According to an insider who disclosed how the final decision that led to President Jonathan congratulating his opponent and candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), General Muhammadu Buhari, members of the president's kitchen cabinet and leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who were invited to the Presidential Villa, had already read the body language of the president to allow peace to reign.

We didn't endorse APC as Igbo party – Ohanaeze

A prominent member of the Caretaker Committee of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Dr. Aja Nwachukwu, on Wednesday disassociated the group from the comments credited to the Chairman of the Committee, Chief Ralph Obioha, that it had endorsed the All Progressives Congress as the party for the Igbo.

Fortune Magazine lists Okonjo-Iweala among 50 Greatest World Leaders

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has been named one of the world’s 50 greatest leaders. Okonjo-Iweala came 33rd alongside leaders such as the Liberian President, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, Pope Francis, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Mmodi.

PDP accuse APC of plans to rig Lagos elections

The Peoples Democratic Party has raised the alarm that the All Progressives Congress is planning to rig Saturday’s governorship and House of Assembly elections in Lagos State. The party also claimed that a support group of Governor Babatunde Fashola, Lovers of Raji Fashola, had thrown its weight behind the PDP governorship candidate, Mr. Olujimi Agbaje.

Patience Jonathan wants INEC to rig Rivers’ guber poll, Gov. Amaechi alleges

AHEAD of the governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections, the Rivers State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, has accused the wife of the President, Mrs. Patience Jonathan, of pressurising the Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies to rig the governorship election in the state.

APC and PDP lawmakers jostle for House Speaker job

A Professor of Law and Political Science, Mojeed Alabi, has joined the league of members of the House of Representatives, warming up to contest the leadership of the green chamber during the inauguration of the eighth National Assembly in June.

The lawmaker, a first-time member in the lower chamber, was former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, from Ede North/Ede South/Egbedore and Ejigbo Federal Constituency.

Police to enforce no movement order on Gov. Fayose

The Ekiti State Police Command has said it will enforce the “no movement” rule on everybody, including Governor Ayodele Fayose and political appointees in the state.

The command also barred movement/distribution of money or inducement in whatever form from one polling booth to the other.

I trust Buhari but doubt his environment – Bakare

Gist Compass: I trust Buhari but doubt his environment – Bakare: The General Overseer of the Latter Rain Assembly and convener of the Save Nigeria Group, Pastor Tunde Bakare, has said he trusts the pres...

Switzerland to return $380m Abacha loot to Nigeria...

Gist Compass: Switzerland to return $380m Abacha loot to Nigeria...: According to Geneva’s public prosecutor, Switzerland will return about $380 million syphoned from Nigeria by a former military leader, Ge...

Gist Compass: Poll Shift: An International Embarrassment Averted...

Gist Compass: Poll Shift: An International Embarrassment Averted...: This article was originally written on the 28th of February, 2015. The announcement by Nigeria’s electoral umpire, Independent National ...

INEC to Conduct Mock Accreditation on Saturday

 

As the rescheduled dates for the 2015 general elections draw closer, the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) is set to conduct a mock accreditation exercise across the country on Saturday.

According to the electoral umpire, this field-testing of the smart card readers will hold in two hundred and twenty five (225) polling units & three hundred and fifty eight (358) voting points across 12 registration areas, otherwise known as wards in 12 states of the federation.

MASSOB calls for Jega’s sack

Leader of the Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Ralph Uwazuruike, has called for the removal of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega, over strong allegations of partisanship, being bias and lack of credibility.

Obasanjo nets brace, wins golden boot at birthday novelty match

Nigeria's Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, got on the score sheet twice in a novelty match organized as part of activities to mark his 78th birthday. The match was played on Wednesday between the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) team and that of the Ogun state government at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Kuto, Abeokuta.

“Heavens Won’t Fall” if Jonathan dismisses Jega – Gov. Fayose

The Governor of Ekiti State, Mr Ayodele Fayose, has described outbursts of the All Progressives Congress (APC) over the possible removal of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega as “mere comedy”, stating that the President Goodluck Jonathan could sack him if he wishes.

Nigeria 2015: Appeal Court Confirms President Jonathan’s Eligibility to Contest

The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Tuesday confirmed President Goodluck Jonathan’s eligibility to seek a second term in office in the 2015 presidential election. Delivering a judgement on a suit challenging President Jonathan’s eligibility, the Appeal Court held that the first tenure of the President started in 2011, after he was elected President in the April 11 election.

Save Buhari From Tinubu, Gov. Fayose asks Nigerians

Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State has called on Nigerians, especially Northern leaders to save the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), General Muhammadu Buhari from the former Governor of Lagos State, Senator Bola Tinubu and his cabal in the opposition party.

PDP asks Fashola to give account of 136bn Naira SURE-P fund

The Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) asked Governor Babatunde Fashola of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to render account of how he spent 136 billion Naira SURE-P largesse allocated to Lagos State.

Full text of General Buhari’s speech at Chatham House

Read the full text of the speech delivered last week by the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, at Chatham House

Permit me to start by thanking Chatham House for the invitation to talk about this important topic at this crucial time. When speaking about Nigeria overseas, I normally prefer to be my country’s public relations and marketing officer, extolling her virtues and hoping to attract investments and tourists. But as we all know, Nigeria is now battling with many challenges, and if I refer to them, I do so only to impress on our friends in the United Kingdom that we are quite aware of our shortcomings and are doing our best to address them.

Osibanjo under oath to step down for Tinubu if APC wins -- FFK

The Director of Media and Publicity of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign Organisation, Femi Fani-Kayode, has alleged that the All Progressives Congress (APC) Vice Presidential candidate, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, has sworn an oath to Senator Bola Tinubu that he would step down for him if APC wins the forthcoming election.

APC's undue interest in Jega is questionable -- PDP

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has again questioned the relationship between the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega, challenging the opposition party to explain its huge interest for Jega to remain in office. This is coming after some APC senators said on Thursday that they would oppose any attempt to unseat the INEC Chairman, alleging that the government was already planning to force him on terminal leave next week.

Jonathan plans to freeze accounts of Tinubu and Amaechi, APC alleges

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has raised an alarm over allegations that President Jonathan and the  Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are plotting “to clip the electoral wings of the APC” by grounding of aircraft and freezing of bank accounts of party stalwarts”.

Buhari may stand trial at ICC after election -- Fani-Kayode

The Director of Media and Publicity for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign Organization, Mr. Femi Fani-Kayode, has stated that the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, General Muhammadu Buhari is likely to appear before the International Criminal Court (ICC) after the March 28 presidential elections to defend charges of electoral violence preferred against him by some Dutch lawyers in January.

FG approves nine new private universities

The Federal Government has given approval for the establishment of nine new private universities across the country. Briefing journalists after the a meeting of the Federal Executive Council, the Minister of Aviation, Mr Osita Chidoka, listed the newly approved varsities as: Augustine University Iloran, Lagos State; Chrisland University, Owode, Ogun State; Christopher University, Mowe, Ogun State; Hallmark University, Ijebu Itele, Ogun State; Kings University, Odeomu, Osun State; Micheal and Cecilia Ibru University, Orode in Delta State; Mountain Top University, Makogi Oba in Ogun State; Ritman University, Ikot Ekpene, in Akwa Ibom State; and Summit University Offa in Kwara State.

Shagari marks 90th Birthday, lauds President Jonathan

Past and present leaders of Nigeria converged at the home of Alhaji Shehu Shagari in Sokoto today as the former President marked his 90th birthday. Among those present were President Goodluck Jonathan, former military Heads of State, Ibrahim Babangida, Abdulsalami Abubakar and Yakubu Gowon. Former military and civilian leader, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, and former Head of the Interim National Government of 1993, Earnest Shonekan, were also in attendance.

APC must apologise to Nigerians for lying about Buhari's health -- Fayose

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose has said that the All Progressives Congress (APC) must apologise for lying to Nigerians on the health status of its presidential candidate, Major General Mohammadu Buhari (rtd), using pictures taken in Transcop Hilton, Abuja and claiming that the pictures were taken in London.

12 people die in Kano suicide attack

Another bomb blast today left about 12 people dead at a motor park in the North Western state of Kano.
Confirming the incident, the State Commissioner of Police, Mr Ibrahim Idris, said two young boys within the ages of 15 and 16 carried out the act inside a Volkswagen at the Kano Line Motor Pack where vehicles normally convey passengers to the North-Eastern part of the country.

Explosion rocks Potiskum bus park as female suicide bomber Kills 15

No fewer than 15 people have been confirmed dead and 53 others injured after a female suicide bomber detonated a bomb at the Tashar Dan-Borno Motor Park in Potiskum town, Yobe State, North-East, Nigeria.

No plans for Interim Government, Jonathan tells Catholic Bishops

President Goodluck Jonathan has dismissed rumours of a plan to head an interim administration, stating that “insinuations about a plan for an interim government is tantamount to treason”. Speaking at the plenary for  members of the Catholic Bishops Conference in Abuja on Sunday, the President thanked Nigerians for showing understanding, when the date of the general elections was shifted.

Military arrests Boko Haram members disguised as women

Nigerian troops have continued to record success in the intensified efforts to stamp out Boko Haram insurgents from all territories under their control in North-Eastern part of the country, as some members of the deadly sect disguised as women were arrested on Monday.

Nigerian Military Reclaims Baga From Boko Haram

A statement released on today by the Director, Defence Information, Major-General Chris Olukolade, confirms that the Nigerian military have recaptured the border town of Baga in Borno State, North East Nigeria from the Boko Haram insurgents. The Defence Spokesperson revealed that several items including: 5 anti air craft guns and rifles were recovered from members of the sect. Over 34 motorcycles and 5 vehicles including trucks being used by the insurgents for operations were destroyed as the troops engaged them.

If I expose the demons in APC, Nigeria will burn – FFK

The Director of Media and Publicity for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign Organization, Femi Fani-Kayode, has said Nigeria will burn if he exposes the antics of the All Progressives Congress (APC), a party he left recently to joining the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In a statement issued on Sunday, the former Aviation Minister also advised ex-President Obasanjo to stop his romance with the opposition party stating that they are only using him.