Man Rides Bicycle From Kaduna To Lagos To Thank Yorubas For Voting Buhari

Reports made it known that Mohammed, a resident of Hayin Malam Bello in Rigasa district of Igabi local government area of Kaduna State, took off on his journey to Lagos at exactly 6: 35am at the palace of Sarkin Hayin Malam Bello, Alhaji Kabiru Isa Gangarida.



Speaking to newsmen before embarking on the journey, Mohammed said:

“I have decided to embark on this journey to Lagos because I want to go and thank Yoruba people for their immense support and contributions that led to the victory of General Muhammadu Buhari during the March 28 presidential election. The decision to undertake the journey came to my mind after analysing the votes cast for Buhari by the Yoruba people and after I discussed my intention with my immediate family and friends, they encouraged me to go on the journey.”

Mohammed, a father of four who lives at Goro road in Hayin Malam Bello, further said:

“I have never been to Lagos before; this is my first time and only God knows how many days I will spend before reaching Lagos”. When asked whether he has any fear about the journey, Mohammed said:

“I don’t have any fear because I believe in God that nothing will happen to me on the road; all I want is people’s prayers so that I will reach Lagos safely.”

Also speaking, an APC chieftain in the state, Hon. Kailani Mohammed, said Mohammed Kabiru will be received by the vice president-elect, Professor Yemi Osinbajo and other prominent members of the APC in Lagos on his arrival, and wished Mohammed a safe trip.

Since the victory of Buhari at the poll in March 28, various people have decided to honor him one way or the other by walking for him. First it was Suleiman Hashimu, who walked from Lagos to Abuja to honor the president-elect. Another person, Abubakar Duduwale is on his way from Yola to Abuja just to express his joy and solidarity for the president-elect.
Source: http://www.informationng.com/2015/04/man-rides-bicycle-from-kaduna-to-lagos-to-thank-yorubas-for-voting-buhari-photo.html

Tagged: editorial

Reasons why Buhari barred AIT

Security officials attached to Muhammadu Buhari have barred African Independent Television (AIT) from covering the functions of the president-elect till further notice.

Buhari Clamps Down On AIT

The security team according to Punch cited security reports and ethical issues as reasons for their action.

READ ALSO: Buhari Says Boko Haram Has Nothing To Do With Religion

The directive which took effect on Monday, April 27, was enforced when members of AIT crew, who were at the Defence House to cover of a meeting between Buhari and a visiting Cuban delegation, were asked to leave.

Confirming this to Punch, the crew said: Yes, we were told but we cannot just leave; we have a job to do. In any case, we have not been officially informed about what we have done wrong.

On why AIT was restricted from covering functions of the president-elect, Mallam Garba Sheh, the director of press of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Organisation, noted that security concerns informed the decision.

He said: “AIT has been asked to stay aside based on security and family concerns. In addition, General Buhari has decided that they will have to resolve some issues relating to issues of standard and ethics.

“We will be talking with them to try and resolve the matter but for now, the station has been asked to stay aside because, like I said, there are some family and security concerns.

“They have been asked to step down their coverage until we resolve the matter with them on ethics and standards.”

In weeks building up the presidential election, AIT was criticized for airing a documentary, “The Real Buhari” which x-rayed the retired general’s past military regime as one that become the first to sentence a woman to death by firing squad.

The documentary was described by the All Progressives Congress (APC) as a“fabricated and hate broadcast” against its presidential candidate, Muhammadu Buhari.

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) also indicted the African Independent Television (AIT) and the National Television Authority (NTA) for the airing several documentaries which maligned the image of Muhammadu Buhari.

http://www.naij.com/428854-buhari-bars-ait-till-further-notice.html

Tagged : editorial

U.S. Likely To Sanction PEJ, Orubebe, Others Over Election Incitement

The United States government appears set to sanction Nigeria’s ​first lady, Patience Jonathan, a former Niger Delta minister, Godsday Orubebe, ​and ​the ​governor of Katsina State, Ibrahim Shema, and other Nigerians accused of either disrupting the just concluded elections, or instigating violence.
The U.S. said Monday that it will impose visa restrictions on any Nigerian found to have incited violence or interfered with the electoral process.
The U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, said in a​ statement that the U.S. will shut its doors on people involved in any form of violence during the polls.
“Anyone found to have incited violence or interfered with electoral processes will be unwelcome in the United States and subject to visa sanctions,” Ms. Thomas-Greenfield said.
Although Ms. Thomas-Greenfield did not give names of those considered for sanctions, Mr. Orubebe, appears one of the most likely targets.
The former minister openly disrupted the process of collation of the presidential election results in Abuja on March 31, as the event was broadcast live by the international media.
Accusing the head of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Attahiru Jega, of bias, Mr. Orubebe for several minutes asked Mr. Jega to stand down before the process could continue.
The former minister received worldwide condemnation for his actions, and later apologised.
Mrs. Jonathan had said at the ​ruling ​Peoples Democratic Party Women Campaign in Calabar, Cross River State, early March, that anyone chanting change should be stoned.
“I’m telling you, anyone that comes and tell you change, stone that person,” she said. “What you did not do 19 kilikili, is now that age has caught up with you, you want to come and change? You can’t change rather you will turn back to a baby. You will turn back to a baby. From old age nothing, so nothing like change. Rather (it) is continuity.”
The sanctions may also target Mr. Shema of Katsina state, who was caught on tape prodding his supporters to attack and kill opposition members and their supporters. He described members of the opposition as “cockroaches”.
The deputy governor of Rivers State, Tele Ikuru, had also during a campaign rally in the state, called on
​​the ​people to fight and redeem the state from the All Progressives Congress, APC, even if it means shedding their blood.
“It is necessary for the sake of your fathers, for the sake of your mothers, for the sake of your brothers and sisters and for the sake of your children. Every Rivers man must stand up to fight this evil among us,” Mr. Ikuru said. “If it demands your blood, so be it.”
Also, in January, the Kaduna State governor, Mukhtar Yero, was caught on tape threatening violence against the APC.
Mr. Yero vowed swift “revenge” if ever attacked by any one “born of woman”.
The U.S. may also target the former militant leaders in the Niger Delta who threatened war if President Goodluck Jonathan lost the elections.
The ex-militant leaders, among them, Mujahid Dokubo-Asari, leader, Niger Delta Peoples Volunteer Force; Victor Ben Ebikabowei, aka, Boy Loaf; and Government Ekpudomenowei, aka, Tompolo, made the threat in January.
Several other politicians may also be sanctioned after investigations into dozens of election-related violence are completed.
Ms. Thomas-Greenfield said, while the elections were generally without a significant scale of violence, and irregularities in some parts of Nigeria, some people were resolved to undermine the will of Nigerians and interfere with electoral processes, resorting to violence and voter intimidation.
She said the U.S. regretted any loss of life and property during the process, adding that violence and rigging was unacceptable in a democratic electoral process.
She commended the Independent National Electoral Commission and its chair, Attahiru Jega. She also encouraged Nigeria and other nations to continue to explore the use of relevant technologies in future elections.
She said, “Despite some technical glitches, it is clear that technology and use of social media-INEC’s online posting of results for each polling unit, live tweeting of results, the use of biometric permanent voter cards and electronic card readers- improved efficiency and limited fraud.”
The US President, Barack Obama, had before Nigeria’s general elections said successful elections and democratic progress will help Nigeria meet the urgent challenges Nigerians face today.
Ms. Thomas-Greenfield said, “Now more than ever, it is up to all Nigerians to stay united so that Nigeria can move forward with a clear set of priorities for the future”.
She said the U.S. welcomed all commitments made by the outgoing and the incoming presidents towards a peaceful transition process.
“This next phase is critical as the world continues its hopeful watch for what happens in Nigeria,” she said.
She said the conclusion of a peaceful electoral process in Nigeria will serve as an example to other nation preparing for elections.
She said, “Nigerian democracy will be a beacon across the continent and beyond”.
Ms. Thomas-Greenfield said the US looked forward to the inauguration of the president elect, Muhammadu Buhari, on May 29 and the beginning of a new chapter of the relationship between the two countries.

http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/181762-u-s-likely-to-sanction-patience-jonathan-orubebe-others-over-election-incitement-rigging.html

Tagged: editorial

MASSOB Urges UN To Recognise State Of Biafra

Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) has again called on the United Na­tions (UN) to pass a resolu­tion recognising the South- East of Nigeria as a State of Biafra.

This, the organization said, would be in conformity with the recognition given the ter­ritory in the late 60s by some countries during her struggle for self-determination.

National Assistant Director of Information of the move­ment, Sunday Okereafor, in a statement, said the out come of the 2015 general elections in the country was nothing but a repeat of the 1960s in which two of the three major blocs in the country conspired against the South-East, cul­minating in the civil war that claimed the lives of many Igbo.

He stated that with the present political marriage be­tween the North and South- West, Ndigbo had no place in the political arrangement of today’s Nigeria, emphasising that in the present circum­stance, it would be expedient for the UN to recognize Bi­afra as a sovereign state.

http://sunnewsonline.com/new/?p=115400

Tagged: editorial , Biafra , massob

NYSC: Corpers Nationwide Angry Over Incomplete Payment Of Election Allowance g

Pictures of NYSC ( corpers) protesting against nonpayment of allowances

With barely a week after the commencement of the successful 2015 Nigeria’s general election, some serving Corps members of the National Youth Corp Service (NYSC) scheme have basked in the ambiance of resentment, demanding the payment of the remaining 50% of their allowances for the roles they played during the polls.

Majority of the Corps member who conducted the elections in Benue State have yet to be paid 50% of their allowance.

It would be recalled; the Director General of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Brigadier Gen. Olawumi Johnson expressed concerns on the delay of payment of Corps members’ INEC elections duty allowance.

He further requested through the scheme’s official twitter account, @NYSC_NG, that all corps members who participated in the elections should exercise patience, as everyone will be paid.

A breakdown of the approved allowance for corps members participating in each of the elections:

1. Honorarium – ₦9,000 per election

2. Transportation -₦3,000 per election

3. Feeding allowance -₦1,000 per election

In literal expression, each corps member should be paid a total sum of ₦26, 000 for both elections – ₦13, 000 a piece – But as it is now, most of the Corp members in Benue have only been paid ₦13, 000.

The colossal question is when will the remaining PAY DAY be?

Meanwhile, some ex-corps members, who worked as assistant polling officers in Kwara State have lamented the non-payment of their allowances by the State’s Independent National Electoral Commission, urging it to pay without further delay.

Corps members also staged a peaceful protest in Calabar demanding the payment of their allowances for the functions they carried out during the March 28th Presidential and National Assembly elections in Cross River State.

The Nigerian Government in conjunction with the INEC should review reasons to the delay of payment of the meagre allowance so as to quell the already boiling tempers of the Not-pleased Corp members.


source: http://www.360nobs.com/2015/04/nysc-corpers-fume-nationwide-over-incomplete-payment-of-polls-allowance-nysc_ng/

Tagged: editorial, 2015 elections

Starving Rivers Pensioners Cry Out To Amaechi To Pay Their 3 Month Arrears

Pensioners in Rivers State have appealed to the State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, to pay them their three months pension arrears before the end of April, 2015.

The pensioners, who spoke on Sunday under the auspices of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners, Rivers State Chapter, lamented that the state government had not paid them (pensioners) since January this year.

A statement by the State NUP Chairman, Mr. Edward Festus-Abibo, and Secretary, Mr. Joseph Agbo, disclosed that members of the union had been suffering untold hardship as a result of the unpaid arrears.

It explained that such ugly situation had not happened in the past, even as he wondered why politicians and other workers had received their pay to date, except the pensioners in the state.

The pensioners said, “We regret to inform you that senior citizens of this state have not been paid their monthly pension allowance since January, 2015 to date (three months).

“We are suffering untold hardship under the midst of plenty. This kind of ugly situation has never occurred in the history of Rivers State. It is unbelievable that Rivers State Government owes pensioners when politicians and other workers have been paid up to March 2015.

“What evil have we committed that warrant this type of punishment? ]Before we were paid December, 2014, we protested twice and lost two of our members during the protest.

“What an ugly situation! Presently, some of our members had been sent to their grave because of lack of medical care and starvation.”

It noted that pensioners in the state were currently owed six per cent increment since October 1, 2003 and 15 per cent increment since 2007, adding that such increases had been computed and sent to the governor for approval and release of fund for the past two years.

The statement added, “Recently, pension increase of 33 percent has been approved with effect from 1st July, 2010 and the State Government had not implemented it.

“We therefore, call on the state government to pay our monthly pension allowances for the months of January, February and March 2015 and other outstanding increases on pensions from 2003 to date before the end of this month (April).”

http://www.punchng.com/news/rivers-pensioners-ask-amaechi-to-pay-three-month-arrears/

Tagged: editorial