Voting procedure for 2015 general elections

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Read Time:1 Minute, 49 Second

It is imperative for the voters to know that no person shall be allowed to vote at any Polling Unit other than where he/she had registered and was duly accredited.

Accreditation begins at 8 am and ends by 1 pm or until the last person on the queue before 1 pm is accredited. After that, voting commences at 1:30 pm or whenever the accreditation process ends.

The Presiding Officer, after setting up the Polling Unit layout in the approved manner shall explain the voting procedure to the voters by informing them that the voting process is about to begin.

The presiding officer is expected to at this point remind the people that the voting in the unit is for only those that registered there as well as haven been accredited.

The presiding officer will equally educate the voters on what they should be issued with including; a stamped, signed and dated ballot paper because if any of these is mistakenly omitted, the person’s vote would be rejected and would not count.

When casting the vote, it is important that the voter thumb-prints in only one box, that is the box of his or her chosen party, also a ballot paper folded vertically inward would be given to the voter, it is highly important that the voter folds it in the same manner after thumb-printing and place it in the ballot box. This is to ensure that the thumb-print does not smear on another party and render the vote invalid.

The voter must also be very careful not to write anything or make any other mark on the ballot except for his or her thumb-print as anything to the contrary will invalidate the vote.

The presiding officer while maintaining the first come, first served order, should however give priority to the physically challenged persons, nursing mothers and the elderly who cannot stay long on the queue.

Also he must check the cuticle of the appropriate finger/thumb-nail of the voter to confirm that he or she has been accredited and received the number tag for easy location of voter’s name on the Register.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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2015: Diaspora Jonathan Support Group Canvasses Vote for His Re-election

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Read Time:4 Minute, 7 Second

NEW YORK, NY, MARS. 18 -The largest Nigeria Diaspora support group for President Goodluck Jonathan in America has embarked on a 10-day massive telephone call to reach millions of Nigerians back home to cast their votes for the reelection of Goodluck Jonathan back in office for a second term. 

This was made known in New York by the Chairman of the Diaspora Nigerians in America, Dr. Chika Onyeani, whose group has been working tirelessly with Nigerians in America and Canada to educate them about the great accomplishments of the President and why he needs to be reelected.  It will be recalled that the group held the "Goodluck Jonathan Appreciation Day" in August, last year.

There are millions of Nigerians abroad who support Goodluck Jonathan, but whose family members may have been misinformed about Jonathan's accomplishments.  The task is for each Nigerian abroad to get on to their phones and talk to their family members to ensure they have picked up their PVCs, and if they are not already supporters of the President, to convince them to vote for him.  Also, there has been a lot of propaganda on behalf of Gen. Buhari by former associates of President Barack Obama, who most of us have supported financially in his campaign and voted for, and we have been countering that in every way we could, especially through our own media outlets.

"It is obvious that Nigerians in the Diaspora cannot vote in this election, but we can get millions of Nigerians in the Diaspora to call back home to their relatives – fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers and others – to ensure that they have collected their PVCs and convince them to vote for Goodluck Jonathan," said Dr. Onyeani. "Nigerians in the Diaspora know that, though they are unable to vote this year, that they would have the opportunity to vote in 2019, because of the initiative that President Jonathan put through the proceedings of the National Conference, which recommended the process."

"It is unfortunate that some Nigerians have decided to judge Jonathan on two things only, Boko Haram and Chibok girls, orchestrated by the Boko Haram that was established to destabilize the Jonathan administration," Onyeani said.  "But Diaspora Nigerians in America believe that one of the greatest achievements of Goodluck Jonathan is laying a solid foundation for the growth of democracy in Africa's most populous country.  Look at the flourishing opposition group, look at flourishing media houses that are able to write and publish all kinds denigrating attacks on the Jonathan administration without hindrance, look at state governors declaring a holiday because a presidential candidate is visiting the state and the governor was not challenged.  These are the makings of a solid foundation for democratic growth," Onyeani said.

"Also those of us in the Diaspora cannot forget the pride of Nigerians on how the Jonathan administration moved quickly to stanch the Ebola outbreak in Nigeria, saving thousands from infection and death, putting Nigeria on a pedestal of being a country to emulate on how to contain the Ebola disease.  Every Nigerian abroad was extremely happy to be identified as a Nigerian.  Goodluck Jonathan must be commended for having saved Nigerians the unfortunate fate that befell on other Africans in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone."

In this period of the observation of the International Day of Women, the Diaspora Nigerians in America noted with pride the hundreds of high-powered women that Jonathan has appointed to his administration.  It is without a doubt one of the most commendable aspects of President Jonathan in recognizing the abilities and contributions of women.  Women members of the Diaspora Nigerians in America have enthusiastically endorsed and urged women in Nigeria to go out en masse and vote for Jonathan.  Also, a delegation of Diaspora Nigerians will be in Nigeria to convey our message to Mr. President.

"Jonathan has accomplished so much for Nigeria and Nigerians too numerous to put all here, but we intend to be on the radio on Saturday morning at 12 amto broadcast and accept individuals who agree that Jonathan deserves to return to office for a second term," Onyeani said.  You can listen on WPAT-AM 930 in the New York region (NY, NJ, CT) or log on to Multicultural Radio Broadcasting Inc. — WPAT 930AM at 12 midnight Friday night or 12 am Saturday morning.  The number to reach the radio station studio for call-ins is 212-219-9695.

The Special Coordinator for Africa Diaspora, former Ambassador Vincent Okobi, who attended the National Conference as representative of the African Diaspora, has on his part, urged Nigerians living in the neighboring states to ensure that they are registered to vote, have collected their PVCs and must return to Nigeria to vote for President Jonathan.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Olejeme hails South-West leaders for endorsing Jonathan

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Read Time:1 Minute, 44 Second

Deputy Chairman, Finance Committee of the PDP Presidential Campaign Organization, Dr. Ngozi Olejeme has applauded the role of the South-West leaders in the political development of Nigeria, describing the endorsement of President Goodluck Jonathan as a positive development and a huge plus for democracy.

“South-West leaders deserve a pat on the back for working with President Jonathan towards moving the zone to the mainstream of national politics in 2015”.

Olejeme, praised President Jonathan for his inclusive vision. “President Jonathan is pragmatic and truthful” she said.

Olejeme who spoke on Thursday in Abuja said Nigerians social and economic conditions gave great cause for cheers, citing progress in roads, public hospitals, aviation, agriculture, education and job creation as instances.

 She expressed delight and satisfaction with the high degree of determination so far exhibited by President Jonathan to move the country forward.

“Nigeria is divided into languages, different religious structures and different tribal and ethnic structures.  President Jonathan held the country together very successfully. He created a culture of inclusion. This is a legacy that we need to consolidate and institutionalize” Olejeme said.

The PDP chieftain urged Nigerians to give a second chance to President Jonathan.

 “President Jonathan is responsible, transparent and accountable. He is managing the country’s resources and ensuring efficient and effective functioning of all political and socio-economic infrastructures” she said.

She said President Jonathan would stick to his policy of transparency, accountability, development of human resources and inclusion of all sections of the country in the centre of power, influence and material well-being.

““President Jonathan is active and open-minded. He has sound economic policies and will continue to promote an environment of enduring peace, progress and development. He will continue to provide meaningful, sustainable and dignified employment to the youth”

 “In Nigeria, we have this window of opportunity. President Jonathan wants this window to be transformed into a door, then into a corridor and then into a highway” she added.

 

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Dangling the Poisoned Carrot of an Ibadan State

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Read Time:8 Minute, 39 Second

Nigeria Election 2015! There have always been some asinine, farcical and insincere features to the politicking and electioneering in Nigeria, even long before the real election times. Nothing has ever been normal or straightforward with politicians; if they are not involved in one corruption scandal or the other; they are involved in bloodletting, mudslinging and what not. It is entirely typical and with my universal experience, has come to realise that this particular trait of “insincere, do-or-die politics” is unique to Nigeria. Please I stand corrected and educated.

If they are only simply “asinine, farcical and insincere”; one might be mildly humorous and take it in one’s stride, but this is not so. It is murderous, and that is what makes it unacceptable and to be abhorred and detested.

Anyway, before I continue, and in order not to be seen to be hypocritical, let me say my sympathy lies with the opposition All Progressive Congress, APC, so most of what I will be saying, will of course be biased against the ruling People’s Democratic party, PDP. But what I say should be weighed and balance with truth, common sense and sincerity of purpose, because I have no other reason than to say it the way I see it – the truth as I see it, but not necessarily right, since I am a mortal, fallible like everyone else.

In my state of Oyo and in my city of Ibadan in particular, the PDP and its gubernatorial candidate and other aspirants are on a downward trend, and one of the causes of their demise is due to their outright lies, deceit and sincerity in their promises to the people. I listen to their campaign jingles and other electioneering gimmicks, and I could not but help marvel at their inanities, and how their mediocrity shows through every time. I am not even worried by their reputation for insincerity anymore; it is the quality of their deceitful claims.

The PDP jingle on radio stations (I never watch the TV stations), sponsored by an Ibadan daughter who happens to be a junior minister in President Jonathan’s mediocre cabinet, make claims of improved agriculture, an effective, efficient and easily accessible healthcare system, building and reconstruction of roads, empowering of women, improved electricity supply, enhanced, youth employment, refurbished and standard airports and improved rail transportation, etc.

I have absolutely no problem at all these, after all, politicians must say anything to get votes and even the opposition are not immune to such lies too, except that, again, I marvel at how people are wont to believe their own lies, and wallow and exult in it.

My problem with this jingle is the dangling of the carrot of the creation of an Ibadan State, if Mr Jonathan is re-elected. This outright deceit and wrong promise is too much for me to take. With others asking for Oduduwa State in Osun State, and Ijebu State in Ogun State, and who knows how many others such small states to be carved out of the 26 existing states, it becomes pertinent to ask the disseminators of these lies how and why President Jonathan intends to prioritise the creation of an Ibadan State, assuming he can single-handedly do this or push a bill through in the National Assembly, over the others.

We should also ask the Oyo State Coordinator of President Jonathan’s Campaign, what mileage or advantage this will be to the whole people of Oyo State, comprising the Ibadans (and Ibadans now also comprise of almost every other Yorubas, and other tribes in Nigeria), the Oyos, the Ogbomosos, the Ibarapas and the mighty Oke Ogun (the peoples of Iseyin, Shaki, Okeho, etc.) if, as a campaign slogan, she is asking for the Oyo State people to vote for Jonathan, and at the same time telling them that their state will be split up and Ibadan exorcised from the rest of them, giving the Ibadans an advantage, which they already enjoy anyway, as the most populous and most metropolitan and most developed of the people of Oyo State?

I therefore find it very deceitful and condescending to the people of both Ibadan and the encompassing Oyo State to be assailed with such obviously fraudulent political promises and guarantees to get their votes.

But then I figured it out as soon as I know who the Coordinator is. Treachery and trickery, artificiality and grandstanding are not strange to them. Her father, a prominent, yet self-centred son of Ibadan, is likely to be one of the brains behind this creation of Ibadan State. It is an attempt to create an empire for their family. If such an Ibadan State is created in Jonathan’s tenure, you can be sure that the first governor will be this man’s daughter, who is already the junior minister for the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja) and is running the campaign (with billions of Naira) for the re-election of President Jonathan in Oyo State.

The coordinator of President Jonathan’s Campaign in Oyo State is a very brilliant and educated lady. I respect her for that. She was encouraged by her father to go into politics, mainly for what will come to their family as wealth and power, not to serve the people of her constituency, Ibadan. That is a proven label of the father. Her father, who is more like an remote uncle to me (he always addressed my father as “Broda Akinlade”) is a renowned international jurist and lawyer, one of the best Nigeria has ever produced, bright legal mind, a legal luminary of world renown, has always been in one way or time or the other in every government, military or civilian, of Nigeria since independence. He has always been there – twice minister for justice and attorney-general of the federation, representative on international bodies, agencies or organisations, etc. He has never been in any progressive political party in his life, but those that feed on the wealth of the country.

Unluckily for this Ibadan elite and big man, since 1960, one cannot definitely point to a single item in terms of improving and empowering Ibadan indigenes, that our Uncle and any member of his rich family has ever done for Ibadan. His mansion is impregnable and merely looking at the entrance gate will immediately deter any prospective mendicant or anybody seeking his help or connection. The man is a known miser and very self-seeking, only for himself and his immediate family. I am not saying this lightly or to deliberately malign the learned Chief, but ask any Ibadan indigene, and 9 out of 10 of them are likely to agree with me. The man and his family are not well-liked in Ibadan. So it was no surprise that when the same daughter ran for the House of Representatives in the 2011 election, she lost so severely, she lost her deposit.

Then her father persuaded the then Governor, who later became an ex-governor, to nominate her as a minister on President Jonathan’s cabinet, as the nominee from Oyo State.  She scaled through, and she is still a minister now. And parenthetically, she is now at bitter logger-heads with the ex-governor that made her position as minister possible, making her an unapologetic ingrate.

Of course, her father is not the only Ibadan elite with similar selfish and covetous traits; rich elites that are more used to taking out of Ibadan and its people than giving back to develop the city.  The city is replete with their acquisitive ilk. That has always been the curse of Ibadan. We have so many of them, which make one wonder why the City of Ibadan is so great and famous despite the self-centredness of some of its notable indigenes.

Ironically, Ibadan, let us face it, owes its development, prominence in the world, greatness and even its current and future political, technological, economic and aesthetic sustenance to non-indigenes. As of today, that remains the fact. Look back at the history of the city, and that is what obtained. However, it is a very lucky city, in that every non-indigene wants to be associated with it; wants to live and work and trade in it. Even the white colonial masters preferred to make it their headquarters and this transferred to post-independence prominence in every area of endeavour in Nigeria. This is not to say the Ibadan indigenes are not themselves forward-looking and hard-working or progressive. They are, but the development of Ibadan, which would have been the highest in Nigeria, had been unfortunately held in-check and back, and sometimes sabotaged or truncated, in recent decades due to the self-aggrandisement and egocentricity of these self-absorbed Ibadan elites.

So, this poisoned carrot of an Ibadan State is bound to backfire. It will not work. Yes, I don’t mind an Ibadan State, but what’s the use of having it now; a state that will keep on going to Abuja to beg for a meagre monthly allocation; and because it will not be an oil-producing state, it will be getting pittance; a state that will not be able to stand on its own industrially because of short-sighted and clueless elites; a state whose existing industries are moribund and a lack of political will is not them resuscitate them. I don’t know.

Anyway, since it is a poisoned carrot at the end of the stick, the donkey will never catch up to eat the carrot, so we can conclude that, in the meantime, we are safe from the warped, insidious, invidious plans and chicanery of those who want to create private empires and states for themselves, where their fellow people will be their serfs and servants perpetually or allow them to perpetuate them and theirs in power continually.

Forget it for now. When we have sorted out who our true leaders and elites are, we shall do what is best for us, not what is best for them. The people of Ibadan are not that daft, uneducated and diffident and unaware anymore to be lured by false, insincere and selfish political promises.

Let the Truth be said always.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Ex-Rivers Deputy Gov. Ikuru Was A PDP Mole in APC – Rivers APC

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Read Time:3 Minute, 11 Second

His Defection is Good Riddance to Bad Rubbish

The defection of erstwhile Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Engr. Tele Ikuru, from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been described as good riddance to bad rubbish by Rivers APC.

In a statement he issued on Sunday in Port Harcourt shortly after Ikuru announced his defection, Rivers APC Chairman, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, said: “Contrary to the thinking in some quarters, the defection of Engr. Tele Ikuru did not come to us as a surprise. Rather than being shocked, we feel relieved that he is no more part of us because Ikuru was a PDP mole in our midst. Unknown to most people, Ikuru initially refused to leave PDP for APC with Governor Rotimi Amaechi in November 2013. However, after series of meetings with his uncle and political mentor, Chief Uche Secondus, the National Vice Chairman of PDP, and some other PDP bigwigs, he was prevailed upon to follow his principal into APC. 

“Engr Ikuru was asked to stay behind to monitor the activities of APC and most importantly to act as a mole for his uncle and plot the fall of APC in the State – a mission which he failed to accomplish because APC is not just a party in Rivers State but indeed a revolutionary movement fully embraced and jealously guarded by the people of the State.”

Dr. Ikanya disclosed that PDP and Engr. Ikuru’s calculation was that Governor Amaechi would be impeached by hook or crook to clear the way for Ikuru’s assumption of office as governor. According to him, “In keeping with the plot of making Ikuru the substantive Governor of Rivers State, PDP set in motion a machinery to use five misguided members of the State House of Assembly to impeach the Speaker, but the move was foiled by the Majority Leader, Hon. Chidi Lloyd, and other loyal members of the House. The plan was that after impeaching the Speaker, the five renegade lawmakers would go ahead to impeach Governor Amaechi and subsequently declare Engr. Tele Ikuru as the substantive Governor. 

“When this plot failed, Engr. Ikuru was asked to remain in APC in the hope that the Presidency would somehow find a way to force Gov. Amaechi out of office. As part of this plot, the Presidency contrived a crisis with regard to the appointment of a Chief Judge for the State but failed to actualise the appointment of Justice Daisy Okocha, who was expected to facilitate the impeachment of Gov Amaechi. When this plot failed, PDP resorted to the mobilisation of ex-militants from Bayelsa and Rivers states to protest in the State in the hope that this would result in a insecurity crisis to be used as an excuse by the Presidency to declare a state of emergency in Rivers and impose Engr. Ikuru as Governor.” 

Dr. Ikanya said that when all this failed, Engr. Ikuru was asked to remain in APC in the hope that the party would give him its gubernatorial ticket or a senatorial ticket. “When this failed his uncle, Uche Secondus, advised him to stay on but this time to destabalise APC in his Andoni Local Government Area. Towards this end, Engr. Ikuru pocketed hundreds of millions of naira meant for the development of the party in Andoni and threw in the towel as he was about to be called to account for anti-party activities. We are, therefore, expectedly relieved by his exit and wish to call on our teeming supporters not to shed a tear as it will have no effect whatsoever on the fortunes of APC and its candidates in the forthcoming general elections in the State,” the statement concluded.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Jonathan is a blessing to Nigeria – Olejeme

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Read Time:1 Minute, 24 Second

Deputy Chairman, Finance Committee of the PDP Presidential Campaign Organization, Dr. Ngozi Olejeme on Sunday praised President Goodluck Jonathan's tough stance on crime and his track record turning around Nigeria.

Olejeme in a joyous mood Sunday evening also described President Jonathan as a blessing to Nigeria.

“Looking at what President Jonathan has done for Nigeria, the people are hopeful for a better future” Olejeme said.

Speaking in Abuja, Olejeme declared that “it will be victory for PDP in the March 28 Presidential Election”.

Olejeme, who assessed the nation’s political journey in phases, described the last six years as the brightest chapter in Nigeria’s political history.

Promising a greater transformation, the PDP chieftain said “President Jonathan will continue to invest in farmers, attract local and foreign investors, and ensure national unity and the integrity of the national territory.

“He will foster a stable investment climate, defuse social conflicts and give a sense of belonging to the various ethnic groups through the enthronement of political and economic justice”.

In her view, “President Jonathan in his second term will satisfy all the expectations the people have today. He will ensure economic growth, improve infrastructure, create jobs for the youths, expand the country’s export base, find markets for farmers, spend responsibly and cut costs through strict adherence to fiscal and monetary discipline”

She urged Nigerians to vote PDP in the March 28 Presidential Election. “We need to transform by moving together. We need to vote for a man who has the ability and capability to effectively manage and grow the economy” she added.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Attack on Adeola aka Yayi: matters arising

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Read Time:5 Minute, 57 Second

No doubt political violence is a regular but avoidable part of our partisan politics as a result of inability of some politicians to abide by the basic tenets of democratic practice. The incidence of violence is heightened during electoral campaigns when some political candidates for various offices face each other in a frenetic push to capture power. It is employed to intimidate opponents and their supporters when it is clear that a candidate is set to clinch the position or to scare away electorate from exercising their rights. However even in the common occurrence of political violence rarely do we come across an opponent personally leading an attack on another candidate. It is usually done by proxies or hirelings as it is not only uncouth and disgraceful but indicative of such candidate unfitness for any public office.

On Saturday January 31, 2015, yet another unique form of violence was introduced to Nigerian politics in Lagos West Senatorial District where Hon. Solomon Adeola  aka Yayi,  the chairman of House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts  is in contest under APC against Mr. Segun Adewale aka Aeroland of PDP for the seat of a senator.

 For a while stories abounds of the unpalatable antecedents of Mr. Adewale, stories that are not helped by his open admission on electronic media of his graduation for good from such unsavoury background. But as the saying goes a leopard can hardly change its spots. As reported in at least one national newspaper, The Nation on Sunday February 1, 2015 and a couple of other electronic media, Mr. Adewale personally led a gun attack on the Adeniyi Jones Campaign office of Hon. Adeola at around 7pm. The volley of shots at the office dented the rod of the office gates, shattered the rear windshield of Hon. Adeola Toyota Land cruiser Jeep, shattered the window of the personal office of Hon. Adeola as well as left over 20 pellets marks on the wall of the office. Thankfully only minor injuries were sustained by supporters of Yayi in the office scampering for safety.

From available information on the incidents certain irrefutable facts are undeniable. The first is that Mr. Adewale accepted as per the Nation publication that he was at the scene of the gun attack at the time of the incident. He was reported to have said he came to the office to lay complaints to the Police officer at the gate of the defacement of his posters by Hon. Adeola supporters. He denied shooting even when there were witnesses including a Policeman attached to Hon. Adeola’s office on the incident. While the Nigerian Police continue their painstaking or snail speed investigation as no single arrest has been made on the incident as I write this in the second week of March, certain conclusions can be drawn from the incident. Was Mr. Adewale right as a candidate of a party to visit the office of his major opponent during the campaign period? Assuming we believe his assertion that he only came to his opponent office to lay a complaint, the question to ask is whether that office is the Public Complaint Office or the Police station or similar conflict resolution institution. In civilized climes and among cultured humans in a democratic setting, Mr. Adewale should not be seen near his opponent office talk less of leading an armed assault against the office while campaign is ongoing. It is provocative in the extreme and some legal opinions concede that were he to have been killed in a possible counter attack during the incident, the argument of self- defense by Hon. Adeola or his security details would have been sustained in a court of law. Indeed Mr. Adewale should be directed to understudy the Watergate Scandal in USA that led to the resignation of a sitting President. The crime therein are similar to the case under consideration albeit that this is more serious as it involves use of arm and ammunitions (six shotgun cartridges were recovered after the incident) by an opponent against another opponent.

But shortly after his self-indicting reaction to the Nation which has not been refuted, Mr. Adewale quickly changed his story through a post on his Facebook Page http://m.facebook.com/segunaeroland/post/1531664527107170. Explaining his presence at Mr. Adeola’s office, Mr. Adewale said his campaign team “was returning from a massive and peaceful rally we held from Ajeromi   Ifelodun to Ikeja where our convoy was passing through Adeniyi Jones, Ikeja was attacked with several gunshots fired by Hon. Olamilekan Solomon’s supporters and security people”. As Hon. Adeola argued in a press conference describing the attack as an assassination attempt, the lie in this is not difficult to see.  Hear him, “A “peaceful rally” from Ajeromi Ifelodun going through Adeniyi Jones after 7pm must have a sinister agenda for the strange route it chooses to pass”. The point of Hon. Adeola is that for those that know the terrain, the Adewale campaign team route to either his office or house after his campaign would not have taken him through Adeniyi Jones except he has a business to transact on that street on a Saturday night in his campaign convoy. For those that do not know the layout, it is like trying to get to Benin City from Lagos by first going to Abuja! Such is the quixotic route Mr. Adewale choses to get to his supposed destination of his own house or campaign office. Certainly he has other mission in mind for passing that route on the fateful evening.

Not a few expressed disbelieve in this twist to a witnessed violent attack pursuant of democratic competition. Thankfully, the Nigerian Police through its Lagos State Command PPRO, Mr. Kenneth Nwosu in a Punch publication of February 13, 2015 confirmed that the campaign office of Hon. Adeola was attacked on the day in question and investigation is going on. Attacked by who one may ask? But as stated above it is regrettable that so far not a single arrest has been made in this high profile case with credible witnesses including a Police officer.

 At any event one would counsel that all candidates should sell their credentials for the post they aspire to. This could be done through reaching out to the electorate with their life history, service to community and advantages over their opponents without recourse to violence. It is the electorate that will decide who represent them at the hallowed chamber of the National Assembly. Recourse to violence and intimidation is completely undemocratic and should not be associated with Lagos State that is ostensibly the most enlightened part of Nigeria. It also shows candidate not enjoying the confidence and support of the people they intends to represent.  All candidates should imbibe and demonstrate their knowledge of democracy to exclude all forms of violence and intimidation. Democratic contest should not be a do or die affair and the earlier candidates to the path of peace, the better for our democracy.

Chief Kayode Odunaro

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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PDP Plots to Write Unit Results at Collation Centres in Rivers State

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Read Time:1 Minute, 53 Second

The Rivers State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress [APC] claims credible information in its possession indicates that the PDP, in collusion with the Independent Electoral Commission [INEC], have plotted to ignore the genuine results of polls of most units in Rivers State and replacing same with written results by them during the forthcoming general elections.

The party claimed this in a press statement issued and signed by its State Publicity Secretary, Chris Finebone.

“It is important for the APC to continue to drum the warning that those behind this evil plot must realize the danger they are courting by attempting to scuttle the genuine democratic will of the people and the attendant consequences such an act could unleash on the polity.

“It is sad that, faced with imminent defeat in the forthcoming elections, the leadership of the PDP has been contriving all manner of actions to fracture the structure of the APC in our strongholds  across the nation with a view to stealing APC victory.

“Despite the deployment of massive stolen funds in core APC states such as Kano, Lagos and others, the PDP and the Presidency have continued to create dangerous unmentionable schemes that are capable of plunging the nation into the abyss of anarchy all to ensure that General Muhammadu Buhari does not assume his victory at the forthcoming election.

“Faced with an INEC that is resolute in stamping out rigging through the use of the Card Reader, the PDP has resorted to several other plots to scuttle the genuine wishes of the people across the country. Of particular concern to the APC is the plan to ignore the genuine results of the elections in states such as Bayelsa and Rivers. For example, genuine results in Bayelsa State will be ignored and replaced with results written in a top politician’s house in Yenagoa.

“Other APC strongholds such as the North-East of Nigeria have been penciled down for massive rigging with the assistance of the military.

“The APC calls on the international and local observers, the international community and heads of security agencies to pay particular attention to this unfolding development, intervene and avert anarchy in Rivers State and across the country”.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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RT. HON. OTELEMABA AMACHREE: legendary speaker launches bold move for the senate looks unstoppable

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Read Time:5 Minute, 11 Second

In my efforts to present and highlight the capabilities of the candidates presented by All Progressives Congress (APC) for the March, 28th, 2015 general elections, permit me to present before you an enigma on issues pertaining to legislature in Nigeria.  RT. HON. OTELEMABA DANIEL AMACHREE is not only currently Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly but also the longest serving member in any State House of Assembly in Nigeria. Rt. Hon. Amachree has served his constituency a record four times, from 1999 till date. His contribution to the nationally acclaimed stability of the Rivers State House of Assembly since 1999 is legendary. The fact remains that if not for the stability and leadership acumen of this young man which he brought to bear in the State House of Assembly, democracy would have been history in Rivers State when PDP launched several attacks against democracy in Rivers State when they plotted to use five misguided members of the Rivers State Assembly to unseat both the Speaker and the Governor of Rivers State which Hon Amachree foiled.

Rt. Hon. Amachree has at various times served as Chairman, House Committee on Commerce and Industry, Chairman, Committee on House Services, Chairman, House Committee on Local Government Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, as well as Chairman, House Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, in which capacity he initiated the epoch-making Port Harcourt International Oil and Gas Conference, which third edition was recently organised by the House with unprecedented multi-national participation. Rt. Hon. Amachree has also been elected Chairman, South-South Speakers Conference in recognition of his leadership acumen.

FULL DETAILS ON RT HON AMAECHREE

Rt. Hon. Otelemaba Daniel Amachree was born on the 14th of November, 1963, to the noble family of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Amachree. For his Primary Education, he attended Baptist State School, Buguma from 1970 to 1975, and proceeded to the Baptist High School, Port Harcourt in 1975 where he obtained the West African Senior School Certificate in 1980.

After a session at the Rivers State School of Basic Studies (Now College of Arts and Science), he gained admission into the prestigious University of Port Harcourt, bagging a B.Sc Honours Degree in Physics and Material Science in 1988.

On completion of his mandatory National Youth Service in Federal Government College, Jos, Plateau State, he had a stint in the private sector as a Procurement Officer with Bits and Sons and Solyd Limited. Considering the place of self development in his drive for excellence, he sought to satisfy his longing for further education at the Rivers State University of Science & Technology where he obtained the triple degree of Post Graduate Diploma in Business Studies (1997), Masters of Business Administration (MBA) in 2000 and Masters of Science in International Economics and Finance (2010), all of which have consolidated his public service credential as a proficient manager of human and material resources.

Rt. Hon. Otelemaba Daniel Amachree did not emerge on the Political Leadership of Rivers State House of Assembly by happenstance; he has come a long way with an immutable track record of mission, purpose and focus in politics. He was active in the Nigeria’s Third  Republic of two-party system under the Social Democratic Party of Nigeria, building a viable political alliance and leadership bridge in the newly created Asari-Toru Local Government Area such that when he vied for legislative seat of Asari-Toru Constituency I in the Rivers State House of Assembly at the return of democracy in 1999, he got the overwhelming votes of his constituents whose utmost faith he had   gained and has maintained his electoral victory at every turn since 1999, becoming a record fourth-term representative of his constituency and one of the longest serving member of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

Rt. Hon. O. D. Amachree’s aspiration for a legislative platform for public service is today justified in his legacies of performance both in constituency development and in Law-making from the vantage point of his leadership of the House caucus and its contribution to the nationally acclaimed stability of the Rivers State House of Assembly since 1999, and from his achievements as Chairman, House Committee on Commerce and Industry, Chairman, Committee on House Services, Chairman, House Committee on Local Government Chieftaincy and Community Affairs as well as Chairman House Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, in which capacity he initiated the epoch-making Port Harcourt International Oil and Gas Conference which third  edition was recently organized by the House with unprecedented multi-national participation.

At the Inauguration of the 7th Assembly on 30th May, 2011, Rt. Hon. Otelemaba Daniel Amachree was unanimously elected as the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly and has also been elected the Chairman, South South Speakers Conference for his Leadership acumen and responsibility.

A practicing Christian of the Baptist Faith, Rt. Hon. Dan Amachree is a Fellow of the Institute for Government Research and Leadership Technology. He is an holder of the prestigious King Amachree Distinguished Royal Award. He is also a Justice of the Peace and an Honourary Citizen of the State Georgia, USA, and on May 6, 2012 he was conferred with the 2012 Outstanding Person Award by the Junior Chambers International, Port Harcourt. Also the Pan African Students Union Parliament(ASUP), the umbrella body that covers  all students in the 54 African Union recognized Countries gave him The Pan-African Leadership Award in 2014 for excellently and diligently piloting the affairs of the Rivers State House of Assembly and his service to humanity.

Rt. Hon. Otelemaba Dan Amachree is married to Mrs. Otorusinya Gilda Amachree, and they are blessed with three sons and a daughter.

Conclusion

Every indication is that Rt. Hon. Amachree is the next Senator to represent the Rivers Western Senatorial District, after winning the March 28th contest with a landslide. This is indeed good news because with this lawmaker extraordinaire in the Senate, both his immediate constituency and the entire Rivers State can be assured that their feelings and interests will be well protected and jealously guarded at the National Assembly.

Eze Chukwuemeka Eze is a Media Consultant based in Port Harcourt

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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I am in PDP but I will vote for Peterside for justice and equity”—Sara Igbe

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Read Time:3 Minute, 4 Second

Chief Anabs Sara Igbe, Kalabari leader and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has reaffirmed his resolve to vote for Dr. Dakuku Peterside, governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC in Rivers State regardless of his membership of PDP. Sara Igbe also promised to vote for General Muhammadu Buhari, presidential candidate of the APC because of what he described as unjustified exclusion and intimidation of some people in Rivers State by the powers that be in Abuja

The Kalabari leader made the statement at a luncheon of Kalabari chiefs and elders with Peterside in Port Harcourt.

Sara Igbe who described justice as an indivisible word, called on those preaching justice and equity in Abuja to come home and feel the gratuitous injustice playing out in Rivers State.

He accused the First Family, President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife Patience of deliberately punishing the Kalabari and entire people of Rivers State by the imposition of Nyesom Wike as the PDP governorship candidate.   

“You all know that I am a PDP member but I will not speak for PDP here. This is a very serious issue, so I must be objective and fair because even God is a God of justice. They refused to give us ticket because they were afraid that Soku Oil Wells will go back to Rivers State.

“So they searched for a man who hates Kalabari people and gave the governorship ticket. I have known Wike for many years; I know where he stands on issues, so I will not vote for him.  I stand for justice, equity and fair play, these are what Peterside represents. That is why I will vote for APC.

“But I will not leave PDP. Let me also tell you that Patience Jonathan hates Kalabari people, that was why she brought Wike. So Kalabari people must support Peterside. As chiefs and leaders, we must stand up and defend our territory or become conquered slaves. Let us vote for Peterside because he will represent our collective interest.

“Our forefathers fought and defended our territories and nothing can destroy it now. The time has come for us to defend our communities or we will be slaves forever. Rivers State is for all of us, so we must stand up and say enough is enough”.

He added that President Jonathan has never hidden his hatred for Kalabari people. Sara Igbe recalled how, under the late President Umar Yar Adua, Jonathan, then a Vice President denied Kalabari nation the opportunity of producing the managing director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC even after the late president had recommended.

In the same vein, another Kalabari leader, Chief Bekinbo Soberekan expressed faith and confidence in the candidacy of Peterside. “I believe in Nigeria, I believe in Izon nation and I believe in Rivers State. Peterside, the APC candidate is flying the flag of all peace loving people of our state, therefore he needs our support. Politics is about interest and sense. This young man is honest, humble, independent-minded and passionate about the development of Rivers State. Go home and tell everyone that our survival as a people depends on Peterside, so we must be careful in order not to regret tomorrow”, he said.     

In his speech, Peterside thanked the chiefs and leaders of Kalabari Kingdom for speaking out in this season of election when truth and courage are in short supply. He said that he fully appreciates the fact that Rivers is a multi-ethnic state; therefore he will do his best to run an inclusive government that will positively affect all and sundry.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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