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The Minister of State for Works, Mr. Dayo Adeyeye, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to protect all materials used during the June 21 governorship election in Ekiti State to prevent them from being tampered with.
Adeyeye, who accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of desperately plotting to rubbish the election results by replacing the used ballot papers with those already printed in China, said: "The Ekiti election has restored INEC credibility and the electoral commission must guard jealously, all materials used for the election."
The minister was reacting to the order granted by election petition tribunal hearing the case filed by APC against the victory of Mr. Ayodele Fayose in the June 21 governorship election which empowered the party to inspect all materials used for the conduct of the poll.
In a release issued in Ado Ekiti yesterday, Adeyeye described the manipulation of used electoral materials as APC stock-in-trade, saying the party did the same in 2011.
But the APC Chairman in the state, Chief Jide Awe, had while filing the suit disclosed that the action taken by the party should not been misinterpreted for desperation.
Awe said the step was taken to prove the possibility of using photo chromic and thermo chromic technology to rig election, adding that the APC’s efforts would help strengthen democracy and instill credibility in the electoral process.
"The APC people are already boasting of getting the election results voided and their confidence is as a result of nothing other than the assurance that election materials in INEC custody will be tampered with.
“This is moreso that the APC people are not new to what is known as ‘ibo lehin ibo’ (voting after voting), as they did in 2011 when they paid four staff of INEC to doctor materials used in Ekiti East Constituency 2 House of Assembly election in 2011.
"The four INEC staff, Ajayi Gbenga, Ojo Oluwafemi, Oni Babajide and Olusola Oladapo were arrested and subsequently arraigned in an Ado Ekiti Magistrate Court."
on eight count charge of alleged tampering with electoral materials used for the House of Assembly election in April.
“The prime suspect, Olusola Oladapo, an INEC Electoral Officer (EO) collected N180,000 from the ACN candidate in the election. He allegedly gave N50, 000 each to Ajayi Gbenga and Oni Babajide while Ojo Oluwafemi got N30,000. "Therefore, if we are getting information that APC leaders have perfected plot to replace ballot papers in INEC’s custody with fresh ones, using unscrupulous INEC officials, we cannot not keep silent because it happened before and it must not be allowed to happen again," Adeyeye said.
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.
As the political climate gathers momentum in Ebonyi State, indications are rife that the permutation for power shift to the South of the state could be a mirage after all, writes Benjamin Nworie
Since Governor Martins Elechi brought the idea to the public, although he said it was still subject to people’s approval, it has sparked off mixed reactions from the public, mostly political gladiators from the most populated Ezzas and Izzi clans, who believed that zoning negates the principles of freedom and participation and compromises efficiency and capacity embedded in a democracy.
Even as the south is at the heart of PDP, some of the interested contestants have all gone into oblivion, probably on consultation. Or in the usual norm, waiting to be called, invited or anointed.
One of the contestants perceived to be waiting to be anointed, endorsed or simply to be invited is the Minister for Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, who has been quoted in the media that he would contest the governorship election if invited. Others may have sealed their lips to avoid being put at tight corner before the election.
Still in the south, many contenders are perceived to be jostling to play the spoiler because of apparent lack of unity in the zone. The list of aspirants is practically endless, based on speculation and imagination of the people because nobody has summed up the courage to express his or her ambition. Everybody is waiting and leaning on Elechi to invite them and dash the seat as “Christmas Gift” to them.
Though some of those waiting on the side appeared to have underestimated the powers of the people in the game; they seemed to have forgotten the fact that contest is for the fittest. They operate by the psychology that Elechi has the final say and whoever he anoints is it, since it’s always been the practice, of which he was also a beneficiary.
However, Elechi as the leader of PDP in the state has shown maturity in decision-making, especially in 2011, during the local government election, where he forced the return of four council chairmen in what looked like a “fiat” to observers.
He has been known for long as a man with few but powerful words of “let there be and there will be”. Although it has been working for him in the past, from emerging indication, some aggressive politicians are battle-ready to whittle his influence as the sole decision-maker in the state politics, a position he has enjoyed since 2007 when he came on board.
But if the zoning worked as planned, the opposition APC may consider throwing the battle open for everybody, thereby limiting the chances of the PDP wining the position. Already, one of the leaders of the APC in the state said they are keenly watching to know the final decision of the PDP concerning zoning before taking a position that will undermine the chances of the ruling party.
Whereas the ruling PDP will give ticket to the minority southerners in the Old Afikpo bloc with five local government areas, the APC may consider the numerical strength of the Abakaliki bloc with eight local governments, knowing full well that politics is not a game of sentiment but number.
A staunch member of APC and member representing Ishielu/ Ezza North Federal Constituency, Hon. Peter Edeh said zoning is alien to Nigeria’s political culture. Both Edeh and Igwe Nwagu share the same view on zoning as politics of a weak generation, and Ebonyi is not a weak generation, they thought.
Although speculation in some quarters revealed that Elechi has cautioned the Izzi clan – his in-laws – to forget their ambition and allow the calculation for power shift to the south work, the possibility is still in doubt.
Before the reconciliatory move, according to inside source, there was tension that the Izzis are determined to capture the number one seat either by hook or crook. More especially as the First Lady of the state, Mrs Josephine Elechi, who came from the clan, was rumored to be packaging her nonagenarian brother, Senator Chris Nwankwo for the position.
Beyond Nwankwo’s rumoured ambition, lies a vibrant politician, Mr Austin Edeze, whose ambition is gradually gathering momentum and supports from the teeming youths in the state but on the platform of APC.
Edeze, from Izzi clan in the North zone was the former UBEB chairman in the state during Dr Sam Egwu administration but later parted ways with Elechi when he was removed from office and joined the defunct ANPP, now APC.
The former UBEB boss has started flying awareness posters to refresh the minds of the people that a “big fish” is in the contest, though with hidden ambition. Observers know he is battle-ready for the governorship seat.
But his chances will be determined by how urgent and effective the crisis in Ebonyi APC is resolved. Ebonyi APC has three factions and the crisis, if not resolved will greatly affect the chances of the party, even as insinuation in some quarters alleged that PDP is behind the ugly trend in the opposition party.
This feat, according to analyst cannot be achieved because the Ezza people, known as the most populated clan in Abakaliki zone, made up of Izzi, Ikwo and Agba-Ezekoma is ready to grab the seat.
From Ezza, one of the most contenders in the race is the Senate Committee Chairman on Police Affairs, Senator Paulinus Igwe Nwagu, who said he could never soft-pedal on his ambition to serve the state.
Generally, if not because of the head ways and extensive consultation he is making, the atmosphere in the state would have been controlled by some political overlords because the contestants are gripped with fear of the unknown.
At a recent media interaction with the Correspondent chapel of the Ebonyi State council of Nigeria Union of Journalists, the Senator said he was determined to rule the state because of the overwhelming clarion call of the people.
Thus, in the opinion of the people, Nwagu is a candidate to beat if only he is able to surmount the zoning controversy, which he though considers as no problem.
The issue of zoning has not been discussed as far as Ebonyi is concerned. Elechi said it was in their heart but was never pencilled down because the charter of equity was the only factor that nearly stalled the creation of the state and that they never succeeded in having one.
The governor was convinced that he emerged through divine providence but the people should be begged to genuinely accept that it was the best thing for power to shift to the south. This plea holds no water as far as Nwagu is concerned.
Talking of qualification and experience in politics, the senator is at the vintage position as the only politician since the creation of Ebonyi state who has continuously served elective position in a progressive manner. He was a councillor, local government chairman, member of the House of Representatives and now a serving senator, representing Ebonyi Central.
“Anybody that is just waiting that we are going to do zoning is wasting his time. If barrack Obama, a black American is elected President of America today, then why not myself who is an Ezza man, who is also an Abakaliki man, who is also a Nigerian not be allowed to become a governor?”
Since the creation of the state and return of democratic rule in 1999, zoning has not been obeyed. Everybody from primaries to the main election has never talked about zoning. In 1999, nobody talked about zoning. In 2003, 2007 and 2011, the same scenario applied, where the principles of zoning suffered a major setback.
Then, elections were thrown open and everybody irrespective of which zone participated fully and actively. In 1999, Sam Egwu and late Andrew Nwankwo contested and both are from the North. Nwagu Onele from Central contested.
From the south, Dr Oko Isu and Dr Udo Okoro contested and at the end of the day, Egwu won. The question on the lips of everyone is “where is the issue of zoning coming from? Apart from that of 2007, what happened?”
Political analyst wondered the origin of zoning to the extent that Senator Azu Agboti (South) contested till the primaries and lost to Elechi.
Thus, as the 2015 elections are around the corner, the question still unanswered is whether efficiency and capacity will be sacrificed on the altar of zoning or whether a credible candidate should be supported no matter which zone or clan they come from. But the earlier these pertinent issues are addressed, the better for the state that is still struggling to provide the basic necessity of life after 18 years of creation only because of accidental leadership.
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.
Delegates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) drawn from the Adamawa South senatorial district have assured the former Lagos State Military Governor, Brigadier-General Buba Marwa (rtd), of their support during the forthcoming governorship primary.
While addressing the delegates in Numan, Marwa expressed gratitude to them for endorsing him to contest for the governorship of the state on the platform of the PDP, urging them to keep to their promise.
Marwa urged them to make wise use of their votes by electing an experienced candidate who would resuscitate the decaying infrastructure and uplift the lives of common people in the state as against money bags and political fronts.
Also speaking in Numan, the spokesperson of the delegates, Hajiya Fatima Ornah, had earlier indicated their resolve to rally behind Marwa for a purposeful and people-oriented leadership in the state.
Meanwhile, the chief of Bachama kingdom, Honest Irmiya Stephen, has advised politicians aspiring for governorship of the state to play the game with maturity and fear of God, saying the unity of the Adamawa people was more important than individual ambitions.
Speaking when Marwa visited him at his palace, the royal father appealed to all politicians aspiring for the re-run gubernatorial election in the state to play the game with the fear of God in their minds.
The Hama Bachama said Marwa’s credentials in governance testified to his competence in managing state affairs and that he has the potential to transform Adamawa State.
Marwa had reportedly sought the support of major stakeholders including Prof. Jibril Aminu, Bamanga Tukur, Sadiq Kalu, Ambassador Wilberforce Juta, Dan Sulaiman, General Haldu Hananiya (rtd) and Senator Paul Wampana.
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.
A man like the Special Adviser to the President on Inter-party Affairs, Senator Ben Obi, who has for over 35 years remained in active politics, has no choice than to find a unique way to unwind. No doubt, the business of politics is very tedious.
Thus, for him, “Politics takes you away from your family, takes you away from your friends and also takes you away from so many things except you note some of these things down.” But because he understands the game very well, he can always strike a balance between his job and other engagements and of course, 35 years in politics is not 35 days for this former lawmaker.
Among his various ways of unwinding, he prefers to relax with his children, discussing with old friends as the best means of getting his relaxation, even though he has several things that constitute his pastime.
For example, he unwinds by reading, working out and travelling among other engaging activities. As a child, he was captain of a volleyball team where he won the best volleyball player award in 1973. He also likes playing and watching football at his early age but, “presently, I support a team that plays good football,” he says.
One of his precious moments is spending time with his beloved wife, Mrs. Colette Ojirhomu Obi, who passed on sometime in April 14, 2013.
However, why is relaxing with children his favourite? Obi has this to say: “I like relaxing with my children by asking questions about what they do in school, about their relationship with their classmates, schoolmates and their teachers. And that gives me some excitement. It relaxes me, it makes me feel good.”
And when there is an extra time, the Senator said: “I sit down with my friends to make them understand that I am still their good old friend and that nothing has changed because it is important to make sure that your friends don’t go away with the impression that a friend in government is a friend lost.
“So I make myself available for us to do what we used to do when I was just in my little office; to let them know that it is still the same Ben – that Ben has not changed and it gives them extra joy that yes we are happy this friend of ours has not changed – he is still the same person.”
However, as someone who understands the nature of politics well enough, Obi believes that if you know what you are really doing in government, you won’t be too busy. Politics, he notes, takes you away from your family, takes you away from your friends and it also takes you away from so many things except you note some of these things down.
“There is this elderly friend of mine that I have not spoken to for about six months and when I called him, he started praying for me. He said Ben I thought you have forgotten me and I said no Sir. Some of them go out of their way to call me. Two months ago, the former IG who worked closely with my dad, Chief Sunday Adewusi – the Asiwaju – called me and said Ben I have not spoken with you for about three months, hope you are fine?
“Such things gladden you. Most of them are not my mate, they are close associates of my father, some of them worked with my dad and they are like big uncles to me. So, I try to keep in touch with most of them. And sometimes, I go home, spend time with my relations. Sometimes, you have an opportunity of an open Saturday, open Sunday and want to quickly dash home, see the people, talk to them, go to village square, interact with them and you are happy.”
For working out, he said: “I used to do it very religiously every morning. After my quiet time, I go for it and after that, I go straight to the shower and I get set for the day’s activities but sometime ago, I had fraction and I suspended it but I am back now.”
Obi hails from Awka town in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State. He was born in Ibadan, Oyo State. His father was a police commissioner and his mother, a nurse and princess from the royal family of Ototoma in Warri South Council Area Delta State.
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.
Two suspects dealing in human parts were paraded by the Commissioner of Police, Kwara State, Ambrose Aisabor, yesterday Wednesday 23rd July 2014.
The third man pictured above is said to be an accomplice.
Aisabor told reporters that the two suspects were arrested with a human head, leg and hand in Tabira village, Okuta
After a tip-off, the suspects – Amos Kareem and Abubakar Ladan were arrested.
Ladan claims that Kareem promised him a motorcycle if he could find him the parts. So he went to a burial ground, cut off a human head, leg and hand.
He said his desire to own a motorcycle prompted him to go to a burial ground and cut off the human head, leg and hand that were displayed.
Amos Kareem, when asked what he was doing with human parts, said some politicians used to buy the parts from him.
The suspects, however, refused to disclose the identity of politicians who patronise them.
The police also paraded a man said to be an accomplice, having accommodated the suspects in Tabira village, claiming that he never knew that the suspects were involved in such atrocity.
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.
•More condemnations trail attacks on Buhari, cleric •Mark, Tambuwal, Lagos Assembly ask security agencies to unmask sponsors •Jonathan can’t end Boko Haram, says Oritsejafor •Nigeria capable of handling sect – Buhari
By Temidayo Akinsuyi, Akinwunmi King (Lagos), Celestine Okafor, Stella Omona (Abuja)
Gen. Ibrahim Babangida
Former military President, Ibrahim Babangida, on Thursday queued behind people who have condemned Wednesday’s twin bomb blasts suspected to have been targeted at ex-military Head of State, Muhammadu Buhari, and an Islamic cleric, Sheik Dahiru Bauchi, in Kaduna.
Banagida warned against continued bloodletting in the country.
In a statement he personally signed and entitled, ‘This Bloodletting Must Stop’, Babangida said the bomb attacks have once again thrown up new dimensions in the political life of Nigeria which has been branded as a terrorist nation.
“This and several other attacks have tended to portray our dear country as a terrorist nation that is grasping with insecurity. To state the least, this bloodletting must stop. This bloodletting has to stop”.
More than 50 people were killed by the two bombs that went off moments between one another in the Kaduna metropolis on Wednesday.
Babangida said he was yet to fathom why Nigerians can be killing one another when they are not in the middle of a civil war.
He added that the incessant terrorist attacks in the country have continued to “retard our growth and democratic journey, forcing the system to improvise all manners of mechanisms to arrest this descent to anarchy”.
“It is callous and inhuman for anyone to goad this country on the path of perfidy, a path that is laid with landmines and bombs. This is totally unacceptable.”
While sympathising with President Goodluck Jonathan, Buhari and families of those who lost their lives in the blasts, Babangida enjoined Nigerians to cooperate with the President and the state Governors in finding lasting solutions to the insecurity challenge irrespective of their ethnic, religion or political differences.
“Even as I sympathise with my colleague former President, General Mohammadu Buhari, for escaping the bomber’s scalpel, I also wish to condole with the families of those who lost their lives in this attack.
“It is frightening and calls for condemnation by all well meaning people of Nigeria. We all must rise above partisanship in our condemnation of this state of insecurity, as we all must be united in our clear-cut resolve to finding solutions to this hydra-headed situation we find ourselves.
“We must see this state of insecurity as a Nigeria problem and not one that is pigeon-holed in any particular region, religion or tribe.
“Nigerians, by virtue of their nationality, should be free to live anywhere in the country without molestation, harassment and intimidation.
“Let me also condole with Mr. President on this unfortunate incident and the recurring decimal of insecurity and crime against humanity that is fast polluting public morality.
“We all must join hands with Mr. President at this critical time of our national history and democratic journey to proffer solutions to this anti-development scenario that is fast enveloping us,” Babangida added.
Buhari himself, National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), spoke again on the attack on him, saying Nigeria, as a country was capable of handling the Boko Haram menace.
He spoke when he hosted Kaduna State Governor, Ramalan Yero, who paid him a visit to commiserate with him and congratulate him on his lucky escape from the blast.
“When this question of Boko Haram started, I am sure it was on record that the first statement I made about 18 months ago, I said no religion advocates what is happening.”
He said the attacks can never be described as religious or ethnic, because “they kill children in schools in the North East, they kill teachers, they burn churches, they burn mosques, they burn motor parks, they burn markets.
“Where is religion there? Where is ethnicity there? This is terrorism and I hope the government will come to grip with it.
“Nigeria is capable of dealing with this, we dealt with the civil war, for 30 months we fought and we kept Nigeria one and God willing we are going to keep Nigeria one.
“I commiserate with the families of those that are dead, because this thing was ignited at exactly when my car was almost side by side with this thing.
“I came out, there was blood on my dress; I did not know how it came about because I did not have a scratch myself, but dead bodies all over the place.
“The security tried to move me to the other side and we just got one of the vehicles passing and they brought me home.
“I hope the law enforcement agencies and the chief executives of the states will succeed in securing the country. May God help us,” Buhari said.
In his own remarks, the Governor called on people to avoid crowded areas.
Yero who visited the scenes of the two blasts, and the hospitals to commiserate with the victims, noted: “In the last two years, we have not had this kind of problem, but everything has its own time”.
“This thing happened yesterday (Wednesday); it is a very sad incident. And whoever is behind this knows that he has no fear of God.
“This is very unfortunate; it is not supposed to be. So, we are totally condemning this act and we are also calling on people to condemn it and make sure people watch out for what is around them.”
On his part, President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Ayo Oritsejafor, believes that only religious leaders, and not President Goodluck Jonathan, can end the insecurity the country, especially in the Northern region.
Oritsejafor stated this on Wednesday at the graduation send forth/prize giving day ceremony held by the Stephen International Centre, Abeokuta, Ogun State capital.
“With all sense of all responsibility, I use this opportunity to call on all Muslim leaders, traditional rulers and political leaders in the North, not necessarily in the South West, because in the South West, we have lived together and I know the way it operates in the South West, to join hands to end insurgency.
“I was told this land where this school was built was bought from a Muslim. If a Muslim organisation needs a land and a Christian has it, sell it to them, that’s the way to live and the kind of country we are looking for.
“So, I am challenging from the North, our religious leaders, political rulers and traditional rulers, as a matter of urgency, to step forward and take responsibility for the way out of this problem.
“Boko Haram is propelled by a religious ideology, it is not poverty.
“Anyone who tells you it is poverty is not telling you the truth. It is not poverty. When you blame it on poverty, it is an insult to poor people.
“There are poor people everywhere even Christians all over the North. Bin Laden was not a poor man, he was from a rich Saudi Arabian family.
“The Nigerian boy who almost blew up a plane on Christmas day is a son of one First Bank Chairman and he is still one of the richest people in Nigeria today.
“Boko Haram insurgency is an ideology, people are being radicalised by an ideology,” the CAN chieftain added.
Also, Senate President, David Mark, for the umpteenth time, urged the perpetrators of terrorism and bomb blasts to sheathe their swords no matter the issues, as killings cannot be a solution to any problem.
Mark in a statement on Thursday by his Chief Press Secretary, Paul Mumeh, noted that there is nowhere in the world where violence or killing of people had solved any issue.
Mark stated that the ceaseless killings and destruction of property would only worsen the economic and socio- political situation of Nigeria.
He, therefore, renewed his appeal to the perpetrators to hearken to the voice of reason and embrace dialogue which the present administration consistently offers.
Also, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, described the attacks as a double tragedy aimed at the soul of the nation.
In a statement on Thursday by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Uche Anichukwu, Ekweremadu expressed a deep sense of loss over the massive destruction of lives and property occasioned by the dastardly acts.
He expressed solidarity with Buhari as well as the Islamic scholar, Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi, over the incidents.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, described the blasts as cruel, barbaric and heinous crime.
According to him, the targeting of prominent persons as seen from the blasts is both regrettable and condemnable.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Malam Imam Imam, Tambuwal said killing of innocent persons cannot be justified under any guise, adding that whoever was behind the Kaduna incidents should be pursued and brought to justice.
While thanking God that the apparent targets of the attacks, Buhari and Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi, have escaped unhurt, Tambuwal expressed sadness over the loss of innocent lives.
“Our sympathy and condolences are with the families of the victims of the blast. Their loved ones did not die in vain,” he added.
The Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF) similarly condemned the attacks.
Chairman of the forum and Governor of Niger state, Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, on behalf of the NSGF for the umpteenth time appealed to the perpetrators to respect the sanctity of human life and desist from continued shedding of innocent blood.
Aliyu described the explosions as “very unfortunate and a sign of cowardly on the part of those behind the dastardly act”.
“Killing of innocent souls under whatsoever guise is not only ungodly but also a dastardly show of shame on the part of the perpetrators,” he added, and reminded members of the Boko-Haram on the evil of their activities, which, according to him, is “Haram before Allah”.
All Progressives Congress (APC) also expressed shock and revulsion at Wednesday’s bomb attacks in Kaduna.
In a statement in Lagos on Thursday by its National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed, the party sent its condolences to the families of the victims and pray that God will give them the much-needed strength at times like this, while also wishing the injured a speedy recovery.
APC said the attempted assassination of Buhari “has changed the narrative about the insurgent group and knocked the bottom off the sinister, irresponsible and partisan colouration given to the insurgency by the Federal Government”.
It noted that while no one has yet claimed responsibility for the attacks, the mere fact that they occurred at all is a lose-lose situation for the Jonathan-led administration.
‘’Whether it is Boko Haram or not, one thing remains: This government has failed woefully in its core constitutional duty of protecting the security and welfare of the citizenry. And we mean all the citizens, not just the leaders!
‘’And contrary to the simplistic and clearly selfish portrayal of the Boko Haram insurgency as a sinister plot to bring down the government of Jonathan, it should now be clear to the Federal Government that has engaged in ceaseless finger-pointing instead of tackling the insurgency headlong that Boko Haram is an enemy of Nigeria and of all of humanity,” APC added.
Canadian Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and for International Human Rights, Deepak Obhrai, also condemned the twin bomb blasts.
He described the act during Ramadan fast as cowardly.
“Canada condemns in the strongest terms the two terrorist attacks in Nigeria’s Kaduna region, which killed at least 82 innocent victims.
“These cowardly acts took place on one of the most important nights of Ramadan, and reports are that one of the bombs targeted former Nigerian leader, General Buhari.
“They also follow on the heels of Boko Haram’s brutal destruction of Damboa and recent attacks on Chibok, the hometown of the kidnapped girls.
“On behalf of all Canadians, I call for swift justice for the perpetrators of this violence and offer our sincere condolences to the families and friends of the victims,” Obhrai stated.
Former Minister of Transport, Ebenezer Babatope, also condemned the Kaduna twin blasts.
In a statement on Thursday, Babatope, a member of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said those behind act of insurgency in the country will be exposed and vanquished “very soon”.
While praying for the repose of the soul of the departed, he said they will be remembered as martyrs of Nigeria’s national life while the perpetrators will perpetually be villains.
“The Kaduna bomb blasts should be condemned by all decent minds and patriots.
“The evil men who are behind these bomb blasts will eventually be exposed and vanquished by forces loyal to the unity and continued existence of Nigeria.
“It is sad again and tragic that innocent Nigerian citizens have been killed in the bomb blasts. Their deaths will never be in vain.
“While the insurgents will for ever remain the villains of our history, the murdered innocent Nigerians will join the martyrs of our national life,” he said.
On his part, National Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, Yinka Odumakin, said Buhari’s death could have plunged the nation into another civil war had the terrorists succeeded in their mission.
While expressing the view that some undesirable elements may have capitalised on the recent face-off between Buhari and President Goodluck Jonathan to carry out the condemnable act to give the impression that Presidency is behind it, Odumakin called on the security agencies to fish out those behind the attack.
Members of the Lagos State House of Assembly on their part challenged President Goodluck Jonathan to tell Nigerians who the sponsors and financiers of Boko Haram are.
Speaking on behalf of the Assembly, Chairman, House Committee on Information, Strategy, Security and Publicity, Segun Olulade, said “from what I understand based on personal account of Gen. Buhari about the incidence, the APC stalwart’s life was clearly targeted in the attack given the trail on his vehicle before final detonation of the bomb.
“Hence, Gen. Buhari who has been very vocal against the terrorist group cannot be said to be the patron of the same group that seeks to end his life as evident in the attempt on his life, and therefore, the PDP-led government should tell the country in clear terms who are the actual sponsors and patrons of Boko Haram,” the lawmaker said.
He described the Wednesday twin bomb explosions as a new dimension to terror attacks in the country as both were targeted against individuals even though it was clear that in the process, many lives would be lost.
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.
Following the inability of All Progressives Congress (APC) to personally serve the Ekiti State governor-elect, Mr. Ayodele Fayose all necessary papers challenging his victory at the June 21 governorship election, the tribunal sitting in Ado-Ekiti yesterday ordered that the respondent be served through substituted means.
In the application brought pursuant to Paragraph 8(2) of the First Schedule of the Electoral Act 2010 and under the inherent power of the court, the applicant, APC through its lawyer, Mr. Kabir Akingbolu, complained that efforts to serve Fayose by the court’s bailiff had been futile.
The order by three-man panel, chaired by Justice Muhammad Sirajo, became imperative following an ex-parte application brought by the APC’s counsel, Akingbolu.
The APC in its petition filed and deposed to by its interim Chairman, Chief Jide Awe, is challenging the victory of Fayose in the June 21 governorship election, where he was declared to have defected Governor Kayode Fayemi in all the 16 local government areas to emerge the governor-elect.
In the same vein, the tribunal granted an order for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to allow the APC unfettered access to inspect electoral materials used in the governorship poll.
The ex-parte motion brought pursuant to Section 151 (1&2) and paragraph 47(1&2) of the First Schedule of the Electoral Act 2010 as amended was supported by a 15-paragraph affidavit deposed to by Christian Okoh, a lawyer. Delivering his ruling on the matter, Justice Sirajo averred that “Leave is hereby granted the applicant to move the application outside and prior to per-hearing session.
“Prayer are consequently granted subject to the payment by the petitioner to the Chief National Electoral Commissioner the requisite fee for the certification of documents aforementioned. “With respect to the second motion no: EKS/Gov/M3/14, the application for substituted service of the petition on the second respondent (Fayose) is also granted in view of the failure of personal service.”
Akingbolu told journalists after the sitting that the ruling of the tribunal had empowered the petitioner to serve Fayose a copy of the petition through courier to his country home in Afao-Ekiti or by pasting a copy on the wall of the PDP secretariat in Ado-Ekiti.
He said: “The court has granted us an order to use an expert in handwriting, biometric data, and scientific analysts that can examine the ballot papers to prove whether the allegation we made is true or not, which we believe will be successfully proved.”
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.
An Abuja High Court judge, Justice Ishaq Bello, yesterday said inability of prosecutors to produce witnesses in court was frustrating criminal trials in the country.
Speaking at a two-day the national stakeholders’ meeting on the Administration of Criminal Justice Bill, 2013, Justice Bello called for adequate funding of expenses incurred by state’s witnesses in criminal cases. This, he said, would enable the witnesses to attend court in criminal proceedings.
He said many criminal cases had been frustrated by inadequate provisions for witnesses to attend court. He said: “As much as we are desirous to provide adequately for protection of witnesses, we must provide adequately for the payment of transport fare of witnesses of the state.
“A lot of cases are lost because the witnesses are not there.” Justice Bello suggested that such funds should be kept in the custody of the various courts so that it could be easily disbursed to witnesses. He also called on the National Assembly to appreciate the need for such funds in the budget proposals of the judiciary.
He said: “It is obedience of witness summons that will bring witness to court. Therefore, for the fund to reside in the Ministry of Justice is an anomaly. “The Senate and the House of Representatives should be able to understand the need to accept the budgetary proposals from the judiciary in respect of these funds.”
Justice Bello is the Chairman of the Panel on Implementation of Justice Reform (PIJR) set up by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Adoke.
The PIJR is to ensure the passage of the Administration of Criminal Justice Bill (2013). Convener of the meeting and President, Centre for Socio-Legal Studies, Prof. Yemi Akinseye-George (SAN) said the meeting was convened to enable stakeholders deliberate further on the recommendations made at the Senate’s public hearing on the bill.
Already the bill had been passed by the House of Representatives. He said: “Many observers of criminal justice system have hailed the bill as the most significant attempt to reform and unify the systems of criminal procedure in this country since independence.” Nevertheless, he said there are still room for improvement.
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.
Following the incessant killings by pirates on the waterways of the Niger Delta, the police in Bayelsa State yesterday engaged pirates in a gun battle which has left many pirates dead.
Although police did not disclosed the casualty figures on both sides, THISDAY gathered that at least five pirates were killed during the attack on a police contingent who were on guard duties at a Gbarain oil rig in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state.
The pirates were said to have stormed the rig operating for the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and Lone Star Drilling Company about 2a.m. yesterday. The Southern Ijaw area is the hotbed of piracy and militancy in the region.
THISDAY also gathered that the suspected pirates approached the Shell facility and open fire on the unsuspecting policemen, but the alert policemen who had taken strategic positions repelled the attempt, killing five of the attackers. Two policemen were said to have sustained minor injuries.
When contacted, the state Police Commissioner, Hilary Opara, confirmed the incident.
Opara said the pirates had attacked the rig at Gbarain with the intention of severing the chain used to secure the gunboat in order to remove the weapons in it.
The commissioner said the incident took place in the wee hours of yesterday, stressing that the suspected pirates who came in a speedboat opened fire on his men. He said the attack was repelled by the policemen after displaying superior gun power. “The pirates came with electric filing and a generator. Their aim of coming with those tools was to severe the chain used for securing the gunboat to the rig.
“Unfortunately, the policemen attached to the rig were there. After serious exchange of fire, the pirates abandoned the rig and came back again around 6 a.m., probably thinking our men had gone. When they sighted our men, they ran back and some swam in the river to escape,” he said.
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.
A female suspect was arrested this afternoon after the fatal Kaduna bomb blast that left many dead. The lady was suspected to have allegedly masterminded the two explosion that rocked the city of Kaduna
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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