Plans are afoot to use the EFCC to embarrass the former Minister of Information Labaran Maku in order to stop him from emerging as the Governor of Nasarawa State.
This followed a meeting between Chieftains of PDP in Nasarawa State and an official of the Presidency from the North who is worried that Nasarawa State might go to a Christian in the next election.
The officer from the North who is very close to the EFCC Chairman Lamorde met with a chieftain of PDP from Nasarawa recently and they decided that the only way to stop Maku from winning was to use the EFCC embarrass him.
Details of the plan revealed that Maku would be picked up under trumped up charges with organised media publicity to turn voters in Nasarawa against him. PDP Chiefs in Nasarawa are worried that in just one month Maku has virtually taken over the state from them.
Another reason to embarrass Maku in is to turn away attention from the reported cases PDP flag bearer Yukio Agabi has with both the EFCC and the ICPC over cases of corruption when he was Director of Finance and Admin in the Federal Ministry of Health and Niger Delta Affairs. Maku's clean record of service is his major selling point in the Governorship contest in Nasarawa State.
The plot to embarrass Maku started with false stories planted in the social media claiming the Former Information Minister accused President Jonathan of Sponsoring Boko Haram.
Another story planted in the media against Maku alleged that he regretted serving in President Jonathan's government.
All these stories planted against Maku in the media in the last two weeks were to set the Presidency against him preparatory to the planned à EFCC arrest. Maku is reputed as one of the Ministers that served with honour and integrity.
He is up against forces that insist Nasarawa State can never be ruled by a Christian. These forces who schemed him out of the PDP Governorship primaries are the ones plotting to use the EFCC to embarrass the former Minister of Information.
They have nothing tangible on him, but all they want is to use the EFCC to cause public embarrassment through the media. They will then use it to weaken Maku's popularity in Governorship April 11, 2015 Governorship race in Nasarawa State.
Dr. Emmanuel Adeoye, DG Presidential Campaign Support Team,Abuja
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.
Actually, we were told that Gen. Buhari wanted to have an audience with us regarding his presidential aspiration. The idea was that it was going to be an interactive session. I believe this is a sponsored endorsement. Our patrons and leaders are too noble to bring us to this embarrassing situation this way. There was no meeting or agreement that suggests that this organisation or all leaders of Christians in the North should come and endorse Gen. Buhari or any other presidential candidate…
The altar was desecrated yesterday as some clergymen from the North tricked their unsuspecting colleagues into a meeting in Abuja to endorse All Progressives Congress, APC presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari for the March 28 presidential election. Signs that all was not well in the camp of the organisers started emerging at the venue of the meeting when some of the invited pastors complained that they were not told that the forum was called to endorse Buhari and his running mate, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo. A group, which identified itself as Northern Christian Leaders Eagle-Eye Forum, spearheaded the meeting at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, where Buhari and Osinbajo were in attendance. Some of the Christian leaders who openly protested the action of the patrons of the group, alleged that they were deceived into attending the meeting. They alleged that the organisers told them that the meeting was put in place to enable the clergymen take up Buhari on some topical issues but lamented that it “turned out to be total declaration of support for Buhari.” While some of the aggrieved pastors stormed out of the meeting, others stayed till the end. They were however shocked when contrary to the organisers’ promise to give each participant either N50,000 or N100,000 (depending on the locations from whence they came), the funds released by a governor who bankrolled the meeting, was between N3,000 and N5,000. Some of the pastors said that the money given to them was not bribe but welfare package and insisted on collecting it. It was learnt that the governor, whose identity was not disclosed, bankrolled the meeting with N500million. In his address at the occasion with the theme: “Declaring Total Support for General Muhammadu Buhari,” the chairman of the Forum, Pastor Habu Aminchi, promised that his group would not only work for Buhari but would deliver 85 percent Christian votes in the North for the APC candidate. However, some members of the group staged a walkout of the hall when Pastor Aminchi declared in the course of his speech that the Forum has endorsed Buhari for the presidential election. The angry pastors said that they were neither involved in any meeting where such a decision was reached, nor were they informed about such a position to suggest endorsement of any presidential candidate or party in the forthcoming general elections.
Meeting initiated by Ango Abdullahi Pastor Aminchi stated that the group used to work for the ruling People’s Democratic Party, PDP, but that “what we are passing through today as a country made us to change our mind.” According to him, the idea to convene the meeting came to him after Chairman of Northern Elders’ Forum, NEF, Prof. Ango Abdullahi, called him on phone and invited him for a chat. Pastor Aminchi said that after his meeting with Prof. Abdullahi, he became convinced about the credibility of Buhari’s candidature against all the propaganda, an indication that all the negative media reports about him were all lies. He described those who do not like the personality of Buhari as “attackers of destiny” who do not want him to succeed in his presidential bid to salvage the country from corruption, insecurity and declining economy. Aminchi said he had since realised that all the propaganda against Buhari were false and were designed to smear his public image and make him an enemy of Christians in order to divide the political parties and the country along religious lines. According to Pastor Aminchi, voting for Buhari means voting for Prof. Osibanjo, who is also a pastor. Buhari, according to him, is capable of restoring the country’s lost glory if he wins and reintroducing discipline and result-oriented anti-corruption campaign in the country, just like he did when he served as head of state.
The meeting is a fraud However, several members of the Christian body alleged that Gen. Buhari and his party, APC, are sponsoring division among Christian communities in the North. In an interview with Nigerian Pilot, Pastor Bitrus Yerima, the national president of Gospel Advancement Leadership Initiative and a member the Northern Christian Leaders Eagle-eyes Forum, said that most of the pastors, including himself, who attended the “endorsement meeting” had no prior knowledge of what was to happen at the event. He said: “Actually, we were told that Gen. Buhari wanted to have an audience with us regarding his presidential aspiration. The idea was that it was going to be an interactive session. I believe this is a sponsored endorsement. Our patrons and leaders are too noble to bring us to this embarrassing situation this way. “There was no meeting or agreement that suggests that this organisation or all leaders of Christians in the North should come and endorse Gen. Buhari or any other presidential candidates,” he said. According to him, “whoever came up with this idea, I believe, is speaking his own mind and not that of Northern Christian leaders. What you just witnessed is a fraud. This Forum has no right to take such a decision the way it has taken. Our members comprise of people belonging to different political parties and it is our belief that our members are free to vote for any candidate of their choice,” he said. Another pastor who sought anonymity told our correspondent that the agenda was dead on arrival. “The fact is that we were taken unawares by this so-called endorsement. Some of us have invested our integrity in our spiritual assignment that we cannot sell ourselves so cheaply. There are going to be a lot of counter reactions to this embarrassing development after this moment.” Outside the lobby of the ICC, pastors were sharply divided as they discussed the development and its implications on their integrity and sub-groups in the northern region. A group was overheard expressing its displeasure that they could be invited to such a “shameful programme.” One of them told newsmen when he was approached that the endorsement was planned. “I am an insider and I know everything that is happening here.” The cleric stated that he had been in Abuja since the beginning of the week for an important event before a friend who was one of the organisers of the event asked him to wait behind to attend the meeting. “It was supposed to be an interactive discussion with Gen. Buhari by the pastors to hear from him the grievances of the clerics from the northern part of the country but dramatically, it turned out as an endorsement meeting. Of course, the pastors will collect their welfare packages and go back knowing full well that this is fake,” he said. Another Jos-based clergyman lamented that he had been dribbled into what he described as a big scam by politicians in the forum who are working for APC. “Some of us were promised N100,000 each if we come here (Abuja). Later, they said the money had been reduced to figure of N50,000.” However, what aggravated the anger of the clerics was the way they said they were shabbily treated. “What is so annoying now is that they eventually gave those of us who came from Jos N5,000, and then doled out N3,000 to those within Abuja axis. It is regrettable to have come here at all,” he said. When Pastor Aminchi was later asked by newsmen to react to the grievances of some of his members, he said that “all the members on our list were sponsored.” Asked to clarify the contention that the issue of endorsement of Buhari or any other presidential candidate was never discussed in any of their previous meetings and if it was, did the executive council of the Forum send the resolutions to all members, Pastor Aminchi emphatically stated that, “the issue was well discussed and attended. “We held meetings in Zaria and Kaduna last week. Anyone who has a dissenting voice against what we have just done is definitely not our member,” he said. In an attempt to give the meeting a wider spread, some of the pastors registered their churches in the states of the North where they are not represented. They also included the names of churches whose leaders were invited but did not attend the meeting. Among the northern Christian leaders in at the meeting included Pastor Paul Great of Methodist Church, Jos; Bishop Lawrence Awanorwo, New Creation School of Divinity, Niger State; Bishop Daniel Oboni, Christ Life Evangelistic Church, Bauchi State (instead of Jos); Bishop Musa Gomson, Unlimited Mercy and Glory Church, Gombe State (instead of Jos); Apostle (Dr.) Abraham Babe, World Christian Mission, Taraba State (operates in Jos); Paul Zumta, Alheri Baptist Church, Sokoto State; Rev. Sam Adejoh, Life Changer Christian Centre, Yobe (instead of Jos); Rev. Daniel D. Gonzuk, Amazing Grace, Benue State (operates in Jos); Rev. Emmanuel Edesiri, Destiny Path Assembly Int. Nasarawa State (instead of Jos), Rev. (Dr.) Sunday, Divine Latter Times, Borno State (instead of Jos) and others. Beside Osinbajo, Buhari was accompanied to the meeting by former Chief of Army Staff and Director of Security Committee of the APC Presidential Campaign Organisation, Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau, Prof. Abdullahi and Gen. Paul Tarfa. Both Buhari and Osinbajo were presented copies of the Holy Bible at the meeting.
I’ll not promote one religion over another – Buhari In his speech at the event, Buhari assured the Christian leaders that he would not promote one religion over another if elected president of Nigeria. He said as a practicing Muslim, he never shared the views of any extremist group. Buhari said: “I will not entertain, consider or promote the religious agenda of anyone. I will not condone any initiative that seeks to promote one religion over the other. Neither I, nor my party, or any member of my team has any desire or plan to Islamise or Christianise Nigeria or support anyone with such intention. “Although I am a practicing Muslim, and I have been so all my life, I have never belonged to, nor shared the views of any extremist group. I am not even a cleric. I believe that religion is personal and private. “Most of my bodyguards are Christians. If I have not Islamised these people who serve under me, how will I Islamise the likes of Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, Ogbonnaya Onu, Governor Rochas Okorocha, Kayode Fayemi, Rotimi Amaechi or Prof. Yemi Osinbajo who is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and a pastor?” Buhari stressed that religion was never a factor with people he had worked with, saying what matters was that they were competent. The APC candidate said Nigerians at all time should hold the unity, peace and progress of the country paramount and above all other considerations, especially politics.
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.
Abuja — The European Union Election Observation Mission said, yesterday, that it required additional €1.8 million (N429 million) to be able to sustain its team in Nigeria as a result of the postponement of the February 14, 2015 elections in Nigeria.
The mission had initially budgeted €4.4 million (N10.5 million) for the purpose of keeping its team in the country for the February 14 and 28 polls.
The Chief Observer of the EUEOM for Nigeria, Mr. Santiago Fisas, gave the information in a media chat with a select group of editors in Abuja, yesterday, saying the mission had decided to stay back and monitor the polls despite the financial loss.
Fisas said although some of the officials had temporarily left Nigeria following the postponement of the elections, and would return in time before the new dates, the core members of the mission had stayed back in the country to monitor the processes leading to the election with a view to ensuring its success.
Fisas said despite an initial directive to its members not to monitor elections in the North-East as a result of security concerns, the members would be ready to proceed to the area for election duties if the security situation is improved.
Fisas disclosed that the mission had so far met with the presidential candidates of the parties taking part in the polls as well as the officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission with a view to understanding their preparations for the elections.
The EU observer chief pointed out that the aim of the mission in Nigeria was to ensure that the elections were conducted in accordance with the constitution of Nigeria, promising not to take side with any of the parties in the contest.
He said that the European Union had through the United Nations Development Programme contributed a reasonable amount of money to support the smooth conduct of the Nigerian elections and pleaded with the stakeholders to ensure that the polls were successful and met the expectations of Nigerians.
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.
Chief Femi Fani- Kayode, a lawyer, a politician, was Minister of Aviation. He is presently the director, Media and Publicity of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation.
In this interview with Vanguard, Fani- Kayode bares his mind on the shift in the dates of the Presidential and general elections from February 14 and 28 to March 28 and April 11 by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, whether the action was justifiable, to whose advantage, among others.
Was the shift justified?
I think it was necessary and I think it was important to ensure that the Nigerian people are in a position to vote and that as many people can vote as possible. They gave their reasons and the unfortunate thing is that everybody is talking about just a security situation. It wasn’t just that. The fact that 34 per cent of eligible voters didn’t have their Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs and the fact that there were so many things that INEC were clearly not ready, indications that INEC was clearly not ready for the election. That was the major basis.
For us, I don’t think the six weeks is such a bad thing. We were ready for February 14th and we will be ready for the next date. So it is better to take a little bit of time out and get it right than for us to have rushed into the election in which clearly thousands of Nigerians, 34 per cent of registered voters were disenfranchised. That would have been very sad and it would have placed a question mark on the outcome of the results. So it was a good thing that there was a shift.
CAMPAIGN—From left: Former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Ahmadu Ali; Vice-President Namadi Sambo, President Goodluck Jonathan and National Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Adamu Muazu at the flag off of PDP presidential campaign at the Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos, . Photo: Kehinde Gbadamosi.
We have already endorsed the shift in the original dates of the election as being in the interest of deepening our democracy and in the national interest. We will like to reiterate our commendation of INEC for showing the courage to shift the poll after acknowledging the fact that its state of preparedness was not 100 percent and also after taking into cognizance the imperative of ensuring adequate security for the electorate and electoral personnel especially in the Northeast zone of the country.
In the light of the shift in election dates, the PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation, acting in concert and synergy with the PDP, will intensify our campaign in every nook and cranny of this country to sell President Goodluck Jonathan to the electorate and Nigerians in general as the best candidate who should be voted for and elected as president in the March 28 presidential election. The campaign will be all-encompassing and robust and it will reach all levels in order to shore up the chances of our various candidates in the elections.
We said that by insisting that the elections should be conducted on February 14th, the opposition was not only dangerously flirting with chaos but was also putting our country firmly on the path of confrontation, division, injustice, disaster and destruction. We posited that a situation where no less than 34 percent of our people would have been disenfranchised is unacceptable and the fact that the APC was insensitive to that fact speaks volumes.
All stakeholders in the forthcoming elections should therefore take advantage of this short extension to get their acts together and prepare for the elections. This is all the more so because there will be no room for a further shift of poll date within the ambit of the relevant extant laws. On the part of the PDP and its Presidential Campaign Organisation, winning elections is our forte and, as always, we are ready. We wish to reiterate our gratitude to our supporters and once again we wish to encourage them to remain calm and patient. We have nothing to fear because we see victory on the horizon. Our party is strong; our presidential candidate is confident; our cause is just; our God is mighty and our victory is assured. No matter what happens and no matter how long it takes, we shall prevail. God bless Nigeria.
To whose advantage was the shift?
Sincerely it is not to our advantage. We would have wanted this to end as quickly as possible. I think it is the advantage of the Nigerian people. Look we need to bring as many people on board. Look, what they did was lawful and constitutional.
My problem with INEC is not what they did. As I said at the time, we commend their courage for doing the right, but my problem with them is the fact that they seem to want to cover up the fact that they themselves were the greatest problem.
They seem to have messed everything up, they were not ready, they were partisan, clearly they were working against us and the PVC distribution issue confirms this. How do you explain the things that are going on and they need to get their act together. Once they do that then they will engender the confidence that they need to engender in the hearts and mind of the Nigerian
Professor Attahiru Jega deliberately failed to tell Nigerians the whole truth that underpinned the postponement, thus providing the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) a questionable platform to accuse us of complicity in the decision to postpone the elections. We must state here and again that the decision to postpone the elections was INEC’s since it is constitutionally saddled with that responsibility.
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.
Former captain and one time handler of the national team, Christian Chukwu has said that his comments on the protracted contract talks between the Nigeria Football Federation and out-of-contract Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi were based on what he termed as “the body language of the NFF.”
According to him, “from what I can read of the body language of the NFF, it appears they do not want Keshi any more but they have not been bold enough to tell him so. Instead, they have been trying to please some one somewhere.”
And this, Chukwu said won’t be good enough for Nigerian football.
“If actually Keshi is being forced on them by a higher authority, how then are they going to relate with him when he eventually resumes?” Chukwu wondered.
He reasoned that without a cordial relationship between the coach and his employers, there would always be rancour that may not augur well for the team.
“That is my concern because Nigerian football will be the victim at the end of it all.”
He however submitted that the power to hire or fire a coach squarely rests with the NFF.
“I was misquoted when they said I asked the federation not to hire Keshi. They have the power to appoint anybody they want. But their body language showed that they did not want him. They are just trying to please somebody and that’s not good enough. If I were Keshi, I would take a walk. I am only concerned as a stakeholder in Nigerian football. Time is not on our hands as the Nations Cup and World Cup qualifiers will commence soon.”
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.
Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State has described the recent insinuations about government expenditure in the state by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship candidate in the state, Mr Nyesom Wike, as bogus lies, falsification of figures and a clear case of ‘tales by moonlight.’
Amaechi said Wike’s verbal attack during his recent campaign rallies in Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor were outright lies concocted to deceive the public and a failed attempt to tarnish his (Amaechi’s) image.
Amaechi said: “He should know by now that the people are not gullible and know that Wike is rather an embodiment of corruption and everything that is wrong with our country.”
Amaechi in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. David Iyofor, urged Rivers people and Nigerians to disregard Wike’s ranting, calling him “A drowning man who is only desperate to score cheap political points by falsifying figures and spreading falsehood because he (Wike) has absolutely nothing to offer Rivers people.”
The statement said: “That Governor Amaechi runs a transparent and accountable administration that has never been in doubt. Everything about the income and expenditures of this government is in the public domain and has never been shrouded in secrecy. So, Wike’s ignominious attempt to dish out cooked figures will never fly.”
He asked Wike to tell the people who he is contesting against. “Is Amaechi a candidate in the governorship elections? Why has Wike insisted on campaigning against someone that is not a candidate? Is Wike clearly telling the public that he is no match for the APC governorship candidate, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, and the only way to divert attention is to keep making wild, spurious claims?
“Of course, it is glaring that the All Progressives Congress, APC, candidate, Peterside, is by far, a much better choice than Wike. The two can’t be compared in terms character, attitude, performance and achievements in public service.”
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.
Former FIFA executive committee member Amos Adamu has submitted that under-fire coach, Stephen Keshi be given a chance to continue with the Super Eagles.
Keshi, is out of contract and the Nigeria Football Federation has hinted that he could still be the man that will take charge of the Super Eagles, which he led to win the 2013 African Cup of Nations and a second round finish at the 2014 World Cup.
Keshi’s contract expired after the world cup in Brazil, but was urged to stay on by the powers that be even as the coach’s relationship with the NFF was estranged. He failed to qualify the Eagles for the 2015 AFCON.
“ I believe that Coach Keshi should be given the opportunity to govern the Eagles. He’s proven he has guts. We should not forget that prior to the AFCON qualifiers we hardly had an FA because we constantly came under the threats of FIFA suspension and bans.
“ You can access a Coach from time to time and if he isn’t giving the desired results then you can sack him, but Keshi has shown he is one you can reckon with on the continent,” said Adamu.
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.
ABUJA— The Federal Government, yesterday, ruled out the institution of an Interim National Government to mid-wife the forthcoming national elections, saying the idea is totally alien to the constitution.
The Attorney General of the Federation, AGF and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Adoke in a statement made available to Vanguard cautioned the public against being led astray by suggestions to that effect which he said is not tenable under the present democratic dispensation.
The statement follows arguments in the public space that an interim national government be constituted to run the country in the days leading to and after the forthcoming national elections.
He said: “My attention has been drawn to recent calls in the media by some Nigerians for the constitution of an Interim National Government to ostensibly mid-wife the 2015 general elections to usher in a new democratic government.
“While I recognise and appreciate the inalienable right of Nigerians to freely express themselves and proffer solutions to perceived national challenges, I am deeply concerned that some undiscerning Nigerians are being unwittingly led to believe that a certain prescription, which is totally alien to the constitution, can be adopted as viable solution to our national challenges.
“It has, therefore, become necessary to correct this misconception and refocus the citizenry on the path of constitutionalism and democratic tenets consistent with our quest for democratic consolidation in Nigeria.
“For avoidance of doubt, it is pertinent to state that the framers of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 did not envisage the constitution of Interim National Government to superintend over the affairs of government.
“It is, therefore, not surprising to observe that no provision for Interim National Government was made in the constitution.
“The contraption called “Interim National Government” is therefore alien to Nigeria’s constitutional framework and the arrangement should not be promoted by well-meaning Nigerians under any guise or circumstance.
“Nigerians are, therefore, enjoined to continue to rely on the constitution, which contains adequate provisions on how the democratic process can be activated to elect their leaders from time to time.”
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.
Bauchi—The Arewa Citizens Action for Change, ACAC, has debunked reports that the North-East chapter of Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, had endorsed the candidature of All Progressives Congress, APC’s presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Bahuri (retd) for the forthcoming general elections.
ACAC said that neither CAN nor its Chairman, Reverend Shu’aibu Byal, endorsed Buhari.
In a statement by the Chairman of the association, Emmanuel Danjuma and Legal Officer, Mr Sadiq Abubakar, the people said the issue of the two presidential candidates of APC and Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, was never discussed during their courtesy visit to the North-East CAN Chairman since the visit was not political and had nothing to do with the issue of elections in the country.
The statement read: “The main aim of our visit to the North-East CAN Chairman was about how to achieve a peaceful society in northern Nigeria and to revive the good relationship that existed between Muslims and Christians youths and the possible solutions to problems the region might experience during and after elections.
“We wish to state categorically that there was never a time in our discussion that CAN North-East Chairman stated that he had endorsed Buhari or will canvass vote for Buhari in the general elections.
“The association is categorically debunking these false allegations that are mere speculations and have no basis. Our association is solely saddled with the responsibility of promoting peace and uniting the youths of the two main religions.”
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.
The Peoples Democratic Party on Wednesday raised fresh allegations aiming at discrediting the National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega, over the conduct of the elections.
At a crowded press conference in Abuja, the Director of Media and Publicity of the PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, alleged that Jega had meetings with some unnamed leaders of the main opposition party, the All Progressives Congress, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
But the commission said it was not in its character to join issues with political parties.
The Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman of the commission, Mr. Kayode Idowu, said this when contacted to react to the allegation.
Idowu said, “INEC doesn’t join issues with political parties, because the commission is a dispassionate umpire.”
However, the National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, dismissed the allegation as utter nonsense and irritable.
Speaking in a telephone interview with one of our correspondents on Wednesday, Mohammed said, “I’m in Abuja with some of our leaders. Baba Bisi Akande is here, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is here, former Governor Kayode Fayemi is here. Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is in Lagos.
“No leader of the APC is outside the country. So, tell me who is Jega meeting? Is it members of our NEC? Not one of our leaders is outside the country. This people are paranoid. We are preparing for our NEC meeting. We have some of our governors here. The PDP is paranoid.”
But Fani-Kayode also alleged that the meeting was aimed at making sure that those who had yet to get the Permanent Voter Cards were denied the opportunity of receiving them.
The former Minister of Aviation put the number of those voters at 23 million.
Fani-Kayode added that the commission was scheming out voters in states and areas where he said supporters of the ruling party were.
Besides, he alleged that the PVCs were still at China and had yet to be imported to Nigeria.
He said, “Pieces of information at our disposal have shown that Jega has had meetings with the APC stalwarts in Dubai and other cities in the world to perfect this wanton conspiracy against 23 million eligible voters.
“Besides, we have information that the PVCs that Nigerians are scrambling for are not in Nigeria and will not arrive before the elections.
“These PVCs are still in China and Jega has strategically delayed their arrival to suit his electioneering permutations.”
Asked to provide proof about the alleged Dubai meeting, Fani-Kayode refused.
Fani-Kayode however said that Jega must also show Nigerians proof that the Chinese company printing the PVCs had been paid in full by disclosing the total contract sum and the amount paid to date.
He also demanded that Jega should show proof of arrival or expected date of arrival of all PVCs for the elections and that he should equally tell Nigerians how he could have distributed 23 million PVCs within five days to election if there hadn’t been postponement.
He said it was wrong for the commission to have claimed that the election was shifted due to insecurity, adding that the electoral body was not fully ready for the election.
“The matter is that INEC has failed in its responsibility to produce and distribute PVCs to about 34 per cent of registered voters who would require the cards to vote in the elections.
“This brings us to the issue of statistics of PVC distribution and collection which we believe Jega, as a person acting in concert with some forces of retrogression, is playing games with.
“We express our concerns today that Jega may have decided to aid the APC to rig the forthcoming elections through the manipulation of the production, distribution and collection of PVCs, such that emerging trends have consistently shown calculated attempts to deprive parts of the country that would traditionally vote for President Jonathan of their PVCs.”
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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