PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is set to defeat All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari, with at least a margin of 17 per cent at the presidential election scheduled to hold on Saturday.
Contrary to earlier projections that Buhari’s party, APC, would capture, wholesale, the votes of the South-West geopolitical zone, the reality on ground on Tuesday, as revealed by an independent survey, is that President Jonathan had unlocked the pathway to even out votes in the region.
The survey was conducted by Chike Uchime of Forward Magazine, a research and publishing company since 1995, and Daniel Dickson-Okezie of Zevland Ventures Limited, a leading research and security consultancy firm.
Using 24,000 sample size across 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to decide, through an opinion survey, who will win the presidential election, the outcome of the research exercise was based on three critical factors.
The factors were the respondents’ views on the achievements or performance of the president from 2011 to date and to see how this can affect his chances in the coming election; the correlation between the outcome of the 2011 presidential election and the likely outcome of the 2015 presidential election; and a detailed study of the various dynamics that had taken place since 2011 and the likely impact on the outcome of the 2015 presidential election.
According to the survey, “when asked which of the two main political parties they preferred, 65 per cent of the respondents opted for PDP, while 31 per cent favoured the APC, one per cent went for other parties, while the remaining two per cent went for none of the parties.
“Again, the respondents, when asked, also rated President Jonathan’s performance in 10 critical areas - security, agriculture, power, education, transportation, aviation, press freedom, fight against corruption, human rights, job creation and women empowerment above.
“When the respondents were asked if they would vote for Jonathan based on their responses to the previous questions, 62.2 per cent answered in the affirmative, and 29.7 per cent in the negative, while 4.1 per cent were undecided.
“On the question whether Major-General Buhari is considered more capable in addressing the critical issues in the areas listed, 30.7 per cent answered in the affirmative, while 65 per cent answered in the negative. Another 4.3 per cent of the respondents were undecided.
“From the foregoing, it was becoming visible the likely direction of their votes.”
The survey report highlighted the dynamics that had taken place since the 2011 election and the likely impact on the outcome of the 2015 presidential election.
According to the report, “issues addressed include: effect of intra-party conflicts; effect of mass defection/cross-carpeting; effect of endorsements by ethno-religious groups, socio-cultural groups, paramount rulers and others; and inter-religious/ethnic conflicts since 2011
“Each of these issues will either have a positive or negative impact on the candidates. For example, the mass defection of some PDP governors and party stalwarts to the APC may affect the PDP negatively in some states.
“However, this likely setback may be cancelled out by some high-profile defection into PDP such as that of Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State and those of former Governors Peter Obi, Attahiru Bafarawa, Ibrahim Shekarau, etc.
“Also, the effect of the conflict between the Fulani cattle rearers and indigenous farmers mainly in the North Central states and Taraba State in North East may likely cost Buhari, who is a Fulani, some important votes in the areas concerned.
“Equally, the increase in clashes between the Hausa Fulani and the people of Southern Kaduna might likely tilt a win in favour of Jonathan.
“The volume of endorsements by traditional rulers and ethnic nationality groups among others in the South East, South-South and South West has also enhanced President Jonathan’s chances.
“Another critical factor examined which may work in favour of the president is the recent and aggressive deployment of the social media network, which now ensures a wider reach and delivery of its programmes to the people.
“Hitherto, the APC was in control and more effective in the use of the social media.
“In conclusion, based on our findings as enumerated above, Dr Jonathan stands an excellent chance of winning the 2015 presidential election by at least a 17 per cent margin, over his closest rival,” the report noted.
According to the coordinator of the survey, the report did away with the dubious format of allocating states to a candidate based on some illusory expectations.
US poll predicts Jonathan’s slim win
A combined survey by an international pollster based in the United States has predicted a slim win for President Goodluck Jonathan on Saturday.
Williams and Associates, a Boston (MA) based research and consulting firm, has finally released the results of four national surveys conducted in Nigeria between March 4 and March 20, showing a highly-probable Jonathan’s re-election.
A United Kingdom pollster, Kevin, Charlyn and Kimberly Associates, had also projected Jonathan’s re-election with a 13 per cent probable margin.
The USA polling, however, gave the president a six per cent probable victory margin over his closest challenger, former head of state, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The polling was reportedly conducted in all the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, with 5,000 respondents used for sampling.
When compiled together the results of the four surveys, conducted through in-person and face-to-face interviews among Nigerians of voting age in all the states and Abuja, showed Jonathan maintain a slim lead over Buhari.
The poll results are published onhttp://www.williamspoils.com
Among the questions asked respondents was: “Here is a list of candidates for president and vice president currently on the ballot for the upcoming elections. If the elections were held today, for which one of these teams would you vote?”
The Jonathan/Sambo ticket got 50 per cent, while the Buhari/Osinbajo ticket got 44 per cent. Others/Don’t know was three per cent, while Undecided was also 3 per cent.
The question on whether the president performed his duties well enough to deserve re-election got him a 49 per cent “Yes” and 46 per cent “No”.
The results suggested a close race between the duo, with Jonathan expected to have a razor-edge win to be re-elected to a second term.
When asked what issue would be most important to them when determining their votes for president, “Jobs and Unemployment and Economic Growth” topped the wish-list with 44 per cent.
Jonathan leading by 7.01% —Survey
A poll result released on Tuesday by the Nigeria Polls and Survey group has put the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, ahead of his closest rival, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) with a slight margin of 7.01 per cent.
The nationwide poll was conducted by reputable group of social scientists.
According to a release signed by the coordinator of the group, Dr Ayo Alao, results from the poll were based on a five-item questionnaire administered on a total of 10,294 registered voters, who were selected from the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Of these, 6,592 were males and 3,702 females.
It added that the questionnaire sought to elicit information on respondent’s knowledge of political parties, possession of PVCs, awareness of the election date, willingness to vote during the election and the respondents’ preferred presidential candidate.
The Nigeria Polls and Survey group, in the release, said a total of 5,508 respondents indicated their intention to vote for the presidential candidate of PDP), compared with a total of 4,786 respondents who favoured the presidential candidate of APC.
The data analysis showed that the PDP candidate, Jonathan, may likely have a better showing in the presidential election in South-South, South-East, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), while Buhari of APC may poll more votes in North-West and North-East.
South-West and North-Central, according to the survey, remained largely the battle ground that may swing victory either way.
The steps taken by President Jonathan to ensure the implementation of the recommendation of the national conference also look favourable for his candidacy.
The analysis also indicated that primary primordial factors like ethnic affiliations, religion and social class may be the influencing factors in the election.
Tuesday, 24 March 2015
Chiefs Daily Demanding Share Of GEJ Dollars - Monarchs
Prominent traditional rulers in Osun State have complained that their subjects are daily demanding their share of dollars, which President Goodluck Jonathan allegedly rained on some monarchs when he visited the state.
The monarchs disclosed this in a communique after a meeting held at the palace of Akinrun of Ikirun, Oba Olayiwola Olawale, on March 24 in Ikirun, the Punch reports.
According to the monarchs, not all traditional rulers in Osun State were given dollars by Goodluck Jonathan; therefore, the demands by their subjects were embarrassing.
Read the communique below:
“Of recent the press is awash with the report of endorsement of a particular presidential candidate by some traditional rulers in Osun State and the use of their beaded walking sticks to pray for him. It was also alleged that in the process, huge amount of hard currency was doled out. This has become the general talk in the public domain.
“The general impression is that all traditional rulers in Osun State without exception were involved. Consequently, our subjects have been accosting us, demanding our explanation for engaging in such act. Some of our subjects have also demanded for their own share of money we collected.
“No doubt this is an embarrassing situation to us. For this reason, we have decided to make it clear to the public that not all traditional rulers were involved in this act.”
Recently, media sources has reported that Jonathan and his team doled out various amounts of money in dollars to monarchs during his visits to the South-West geopolitical zone. Reliable sources revealed that some traditional rulers received as much as $250,000 (N50m) each, while others were given $10,000 (N2.2m) each The sum of money was determined by the status, class and popularity of the monarch.
It is worth mentioning that the allegations that the traditional rulers were financially induced with foreign currency triggered mixed reactions among politicians and South-West leaders.
Jega Finally Admits Change Of Polls Date Was Helpfull
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, has said that his commission is ready for the 2015 general elections.
Jega was speaking today at the National Stakeholders’ Summit on the 2015 general election in Abuja and said that nothing can stop it from conducting “flawless or near perfect elections” this year.
Prof. Attahiru Jega
He said that they have since last elections succeeded in cleaning up the voter register by identifying and removing multiple registrations, he said his wards have also been succesful in making and distributing permanent voter cards, PVCs, with 82 percent collection of the cards recorded.
He then said that INEC had gotten card reading machines, CRMs, verified and validated polling units, and conducted trainings for its regular and ad-hoc staff.
He said that the moving of polls from the earlier date of February 14 and 28 to March 28 and April 11 gave them more time “to perfect the electoral process for the delivery of free, fair and credible elections”.
He also told the stakeholders at the event to pay close attention to the polls, Jega reiterated that “accreditation for the elections would start at 8am and end at 1pm while voting would start at 1:30pm and end when the last person votes”.
He then explained the difference between the red, green and black ballot boxes.
He revealed that the red cover boxes would be used for the presidential ballot, black cover boxes for the senatorial ballot and green cover boxes for the house of representativeS ballot.
Jega assured the nation that in case of mistakes, the ballot papers would be sorted and put in the right boxes, but some political parties present at the event opposed the idea on the grounds that it was against their agreement with INEC.
He then promised the people, that the result sheets would be scanned and published on the commission’s website after the polls.
“INEC is determined to be impartial. We will continue to do all that is possible to ensure a level-playing field for all political parties,” he asserted.
Jega had earlier today at the warned Youth Corpers from the NYSC program to avoid being used by political parties to perpetrate violence during the polls.
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Top 7 Jonathan's Electoral Promises (Part 2)
As the presidential elections in Nigeria are approaching, let us remind you what the PDP presidential candidate, Goodluck Jonathan, has promised to fulfill if elected.
President Jonathan is not the only one who made promises to Nigerians. Other candidates, especially the APC candidate, Muhammadu Buhari, held rallies to assure Nigerians that they deserve this position.
Naij.com made a list of 10 President Goodluck Jonathan’s promises made in the course of his campaign. Below are the continuation (part 2) of GEJ’s proclamations that were mostly announced during the presidential public debate organised by the Nigeria Elections Debate Group (NEDG) on March 22.
1. To rebuild north-east region
During the debates, Jonathan stated that apart from the normal budgetary provision of funds to reconstruct the areas affected by the insurgency, the government has set up the Presidential Initiative for the northeast and the safe School Initiatives in order to ameliorate the sufferings of the people of the area.
Moreover, after the recent visit to the north-east, the president took to his Facebook page to say that the region is experiencing “greater levels of security”. “Yesterday (March 19), I visited Yobe and Borno states. Though there remains some challenges, I am gratified that my people in both states are experiencing greater levels of security due to the efforts of our gallant military. May God bless Nigeria,” he said.
2. To provide jobs
During his Kwara Campaign Rally, President Goodluck Jonathan he promised to provide jobs for Nigerians if elected through the agricultural sector. The president also said he would provide an avenue for wealth creation, and added that young graduates would benefit from his administration’s initiatives.
3. To provide additional electricity
In February, Jonathan commissioned the 750 Megawatt Olorunsogo Phase 2 Power Plant in Ogun state. According to him, “this project of the National Integrated Power Project (NIPP) will provide additional electricity to power the ongoing Transformation of Nigeria from the largest economy in Africa to a top 20 global economy”.
“It is the goal of this administration to ensure that we work with all Nigerians to provide the infrastructure our nation needs to fulfill her remarkably great potential,” he added.
4. To prevent corruption
Speaking at the INEC’s debate, the president said that he wants not only to enforce the existing laws but also to prevent any corruption from the beginning. Acknowledging that corruption remains one of the major problems in Nigeria, he emphasised that enforcement of existing laws on corruption only was not enough to check the trend.
“People think that enforcement is the only way to check it. Enforcement alone does not work. Armed robbers have been caught and killed but this has not stopped armed robbery in the country. Prevention is better. We will ensure that nobody has access to steal funds. We will strengthen the institutions so that they can fight corruption,” he said.
READ ALSO: 7 Ways Goodluck Jonathan Tackled Corruption
5. To fight oil theft
During the debate, Jonathan also disclosed that his government was working on a development of a technology that would check the stealing of crude oil.
Moreover, the president at the commissioning of four navy ships in Lagos on 19th February said that “these ships will help to protect the economic interest of Nigeria by fighting oil theft as well as provide security for maritime activities within the continental shelf”.
6. To fund education sector
President Jonathan also promised that his government will continue to fund education in order to ensure that Nigerian graduates and scientists compete well with their counterparts in other parts of the world.
Moreover, he said that Nigerian universities will rank among the best in the world in the next four years, as a result of the ongoing transformation of the education system. According to him, Nigerian universities had already been equipped to compete with their foreign counterparts.
“We all feel bad that no Nigerian university was ranked but we are working seriously to change the trend. We have equipped most of our universities through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund). We are talking about infrastructure that has failed over the years but with the way we are going, in the next four years our universities will compete with other universities across the world,” he said.
7. To hold elections as scheduled
The president promised that this year’s general elections will start on Saturday, March 28, as scheduled by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and the governorship, National and state Assembly elections would as well be held on Saturday, April 11, as scheduled.
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I Am Educated, That's Why I'm The First Lady - PEJ
The first lady of Nigeria, Mrs Patience Jonathan visited Akure, Ondo state today and some of the things she said might interest you!
Dame Patience Jonathan
It was made known that Patience Jonathan, who’s on a ‘Women Rally’ was in Akure today and while addressing Ondo women, she said she is a daughter and a fan of former first lady, late Maryam Babangida. Mrs Jonathan also advised the youths of Ondo to pursue their education, stressing that if she wasn’t educated, she wouldn’t be a first lady;
In her own words, she also said, “Majority of the people of Ondo are educated and I believe you know the importance of education because without education there is no future. We should thank God for the administration of Goodluck and PDP. If somebody is talking and you are not educated, can you be there? If Hilary Clinton is talking and you are not educated, can you be there? As Mimiko (governor of Ondo) is there, without education can he be there? As I am standing before you, if I am not educated, will they choose me?”
In the same vein, Dame Patience Jonathan, while speaking to a mammoth crowd at the PDP rally held at the Gani Fawehinmi freedom Arcade ground in Akure earlier today said that a vote for the APC presidential Candidate Gen. Muhammadu Buhari is a vote to send Nigerians to Prison. While reminding the peole that Buhari is a dictator, Mrs Patience Jonathan said a dictator will always be a dictator no matter how his handlers white wash him. Nigerians should not make that mistake because a vote for Buhari is a vote to send people to Prison.
Describing the APC as a party of liars, propagandists, and a party of people who have “nothing to offer but to grab power by all means”, Dame Jonathan said the Jonathan administration impacted the lives of women more than any administration before him.
” Do not vote for the candidate of the APC who do not have regard for the women. This is pay back time for President Jonathan all our women should come out on saturday and cast their vote for him.”
Just yesterday, the wife of the president during her women rally to Onitsha yesterday was noted to have said that the All Progressives Congress will be buried on March 28th. She also used the defection of Rivers state Deputy Governor, Tele Ikuru as an example, reiterating that that is an indication that the opposition party is dead.
Election 2015: Dubious Confab report approval-THE PUNCH NEWSPAPER EDITORIAL
Secretary to the Government the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim
| credits: File copy
| credits: File copy
AMID the froth and fury of a cut-throat election campaign, the Federal Executive Council last Wednesday approved “the immediate implementation of the 2014 National Conference report.” In what seems like a last-ditch gambit to gain electoral mileage as Nigeria goes to the polls on Saturday, the bizarre order, coming just days to the presidential ballot, should be taken with a pinch of salt.
In all probability, the announcement by Pius Anyim, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, on behalf of the cabinet, is a cheap political stunt and a blatant attempt to deceive the electorate. Anyim said the recommendations and resolutions that require constitution amendment and enactment of new laws would be forwarded to the National Assembly for promulgation into law, while policy matters in the report would be referred to the affected agencies and the tiers of government concerned for action. As was expected, politicians have gone to town with it, making outlandish promises, including the creation of new states. But turning the strategic issue of restructuring to an object of a knee-jerk reaction to a seeming plummeting political fortune is a disservice to the country.
There is nothing altruistic or patriotic about FEC’s feckless authoritative approval of a document that holds so much hope for the country’s socio-economic transformation, but has been sacrificed on the altar of personal political ambition. This is another outrageous example of a political joke taken too far. The FEC statement lacks power to convince those who had been canvassing the implementation of the report since it was submitted in August 2014.
Instead, the President consigned the report to the archives. What, for instance, does it cost the President to trim his bloated cabinet, as recommended by the conference, when he had the opportunity to do so after some ministers resigned last October, and especially in the face of dwindling oil revenues? The President swore in another set of eight ministers last week to fill the vacancies left behind by those who resigned to contest elections.
On several occasions between the inauguration of the conference and the end of last year, Jonathan’s headline-grabbing statements had offered a ray of hope to Nigerians. Promising the conferees that their work would not be a waste, Jonathan had assured when the 22-volume report, containing over 600 draft proposals, was submitted that “it is a new dawn in Nigeria and a new nation is at the door.”
And shortly after this, the President had set up another committee to study the report, articulate the recommendations made and develop the strategies for the implementation. The committee was also meant to advise the government on how to effectively implement the report. Similarly, in his broadcast to mark the 2014 Independence Day on October 1, the President reaffirmed that he would keep his promise. “Every promise I make, God willing, I will see to its fulfilment. I assure you, we shall implement the report,” he had said.
But apart from the soundbites and fury, Jonathan seems not to be in a hurry to act on the report and has never built a reputation for implementing any report. There were the unimplemented reports of the Presidential Advisory Council headed by Theophilus Danjuma, which recommended the reduction of the cost of governance; the Presidential Committee on Review of the Reform Processes in the Nigerian Public Service; the Public Awareness on Security and Civic Responsibilities; the Stephen Oronsaye Committee on the Rationalisation and Restructuring of Federal Government Parastatals, Commissions and Agencies; and the Justice Alfa Belgore Committee on Constitution Review, which also proposed the devolution of power to the states, scrapping of the office of the First Lady and autonomy for local governments. There were also four different committees set up to probe the fuel subsidy scandal without the government making any tangible use of their reports.
One of the signs that we are a long way off from the implementation was the failure to transmit the report to the National Assembly, which was also considering some amendments to the 1999 Constitution at that time. The Deputy Leader, House of Representatives, Leo Ogor, said during this period that there was no such report before the parliament. Things should have been handled differently if sincerity was in adequate supply.
The failure to do so might haunt the country for a long time. Today, Nigeria is further from being a proper nation than at any other time in its history. Since the advent of civil government 16 years ago, we have altogether missed our national goals in critical areas of development. Because of our failure to restructure, the component states that depend mainly on oil revenues are finding it hard to meet their financial and security obligations.
Even countries that have had a long history of being unitary entities are evolving novel ways of devolving power to their constituent units and cities for rapid economic development. In the United Kingdom, which is an example of a unitary state, the central government has ceded some powers to Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales following constitutional changes in 1997 and 1998.
No doubt, our federalism is dysfunctional. The Punch editorial stance strongly supports the restructuring of the skewed political system. When the conference was inaugurated on March 17, 2014, we had warned, “We must not allow cynics’ narrative of failure to become an excuse for despair. Despite obvious constraints such as the deep suspicion of the motives of President Goodluck Jonathan, the controversial pattern of delegate selection and ambiguity over its legal status, the conference has a good chance of being the take-off point for the long overdue restructuring of this tottering political edifice.”
We will continue to stand resolutely for true federalism as the only political arrangement for the country. But it is all evident that Jonathan has failed badly to translate a credible and painstakingly worked out report to a constitutional reform. He has missed the golden opportunity to write his name in gold. Nigerians should reject the uncanny bait and cheap electioneering gimmicks.
OPINION: This Election Is Another Dogfight Between The North And The South
A lot of people have a problem with the northerners’ apparent domination in politics. People from the north have ruled the country for over 30 years since independence, and many people down south aren’t satisfied with the way they’ve run the country.
They think the north is responsible for most of our problems because the northerners have been in charge longer than everyone else.
Naij.com commentator on political issues, Adedayo Ademuwagun explore some of this issues in this piece.
The British handed power to Balewa with Azikiwe in a figurehead role after independence, but the Balewa government was corrupt and the army soon crushed it in a coup. Then Ironsi ruled briefly before he too was sacked in a counter coup by the north. Then the north-led army made Gowon head of state.
Ojukwu was superior to Gowon in the army and should have been head of state based on seniority, but the army chiefs from the north got behind Gowon instead. It looked like the north wanted to keep power for themselves and shut the door on the south. This was one of the things that led to the civil war.
READ ALSO: What if Buhari Loses This Election?
Gowon settled in after the war and the young nation prospered under his watch thanks to the oil windfall, but he apparently wasn’t committed to returning to civilian rule despite his heroic conduct during the war. It was the perfect justification for his coup, and another northerner Murtala Muhammed sacked his government and continued the north’s run.
Obasanjo took over after Murtala was assassinated and he applied himself to Murtala’s intention to restore democracy. So he organised the 1979 election and helped Shagari win it. Then it was back to the north.
But of course Shagari too was overthrown shortly after he won a second term through a bogus election, and again a northerner took charge. Incidentally, this man is running for president this weekend.
Buhari’s own regime didn’t last either and another soldier from the north seized power from him. Babangida became the 8th head of state. Now six out of those eight were northerners. It looked like the north would continue to run the government and that power would pass on from one northerner to another indefinitely.
Babangida became very unpopular among the people and he eventually handed power to a civilian from the south. But Abacha booted that one out months later and the north was back in the game.
The north that led the army and the ex leaders apparently decided to compensate the south when Abacha died, so they backed Obasanjo to become president in 1999 and he won again in 2003.
Obasanjo returned the favour just like he did in 1977, helping Yar’adua win the election and passing control back to the north.
The political arrangement was that power would alternate between the north and the south every eight years, and so Yar’adua should have been president for eight years. But his death disrupted all that and destabilised the government. That’s how vice president Jonathan got bumped up to be president and has retained control for five years now.
So in all, the north has been in control longer than the south. But the thing is the south has actually been in control for most of the Fourth Republic. In fact, it’s like the tables turned and the south took over.
The north has led the government for only three years for the past 16 years since democracy returned in 1999, and if Jonathan wins again this time it would stretch the south’s run by four more years. So by 2019 the south would have been in charge for 16 years and the north would have had only three years. That looks like the south is actually the one dominating the north this time, not the other way round as people think.
READ ALSO: What If Jonathan Loses This Election?
If Buhari wins then the north can try to close the gap and then the dogfight will continue. It’s always been like that for Nigeria. History is simply being repeated here. The way it works is that the north has power and the south tries to wrest it from the north. The south has power and the north tries to wrest it from them. The object of this perennial tussle is power.
So no matter who wins this weekend, the dogfight between the north and the south will continue It’s clearly the way the country is wired
READ MORE: http://www.naij.com/408328-opinion-this-election-is-another-dogfight-between-the-north-and-the-south.html
HOW I ESCAPE BOKOHARAM AFTER THEY KILLED MY PARENTS-16YRS OLD BOY
“I didn’t leave with anything,“When the chance came to escape, I only had my pants on. I ran almost naked.”Boko Haram militants invaded the rural town of Gamboru in Borno State, burnt down houses and demanded that the local children be handed over to them. Parents who objected were killed, and a couple of children were forcefully taken.
“They asked me about my parents,They then killed them in front of me.”Although he was only with the militants for three days, Babagana witnessed acts so brutal that he decided to risk his life to escape
“That is how Boko Haram operates. They first take out your parents so you have no one else to fall back to.They killed people for no reason,I just couldn’t stand the horror. It made me terribly scared.”
“They killed anyone who didn’t heed to their instructions.Girls were often subjected to sexual abuse. Anyone who proved stubborn was shot dead.”I lost my mind with all that I saw.I thought if I didn’t find a way of escaping, sooner rather than later, it would be my turn.”I tried to talk my colleagues into escaping. They wanted to, but were scared they could be caught and killed,”
“I was lucky to have escaped,“There were so many voices and bullets coming after me,” he said.Babagana eventually made it back to Gamboru, but found himself ostracized by his kinsmen, who no longer trusted him. Unable to depend on the community for protection, Babagana again went on the move, traveling to from one village to the other across northern Borno and many times narrowly avoiding recapture as militants kept invading new communities. He finally made it to a displacement camp in Maiduguri, a place he now calls home.
Hassan Mustapha, a child-protection specialist in Maiduguri, said children are often put to a “test of manhood” once there are conscripted.
“Once a child is conscripted by Boko Haram, he is first asked to kill his parents, which is a symbol of initiation into the sect,” Mustapha said. “They destroy everything of value to these children so they have no options.”Many of the children captured by Boko Haram serve on the front lines, fighting for control of villages and looting the homes of the civilians. Others children serve as spies, scouts, porters, cooks, and bodyguards for officers. Girls are also kept as sex slaves.
Police Ban Street Rallies, Processions In Ekiti
Ayo Fayose
This action, according to the police, was to forestall breakdown of law and order, and unwarranted loss of innocent lives as witnessed during the June 21 governorship election.
The Ekiti State Police Command has placed embargo on street processions, as the preparations for Saturday’s presidential election gathers momentum.
This action, according to the police, was to forestall breakdown of law and order, and unwarranted loss of innocent lives as witnessed during the June 21 governorship election.
In a statement in Ado Ekiti on Monday by its Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Albert Adeyemi, the command said the step was taken in view of the peculiarity of the State, particularly perceived high level of political intolerance among the political class.
Adeyemi said: “Intelligence at the disposal of the command indicates that some political parties intend to stage street processions in large numbers as part of their campaign strategies.
“Considering the peculiarity of the political situation in Ekiti State, coupled with the level of political intolerance, such street processions, if allowed to happen, will inevitably cause conflict, chaos and breakdown of law and order with possible disastrous consequences.
“In order to forestall breakdown of law and order, the command once again appeal to all political stakeholders to obtain permit for any campaign, which must be restricted to a particular location in order for the police to ensure adequate protection at such avenues,” he concluded.
Court orders NCC, telecom firms to pay APC N500m
A Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the the Nigerian Communications Commission and five others to pay the All Progressives Congress N500m for unlawfully shutting down the party’s presidential campaign fund-raising platform.
Apart from NCC, the other judgment debtors are Etisalat, MTN Nigeria Limited, Globacom Limited, Airtel Nigeria Limited and Visafone Communications Limited.
Justice Ibrahim Buba gave the order on Tuesday in Lagos.
PUNCHNEWSPAPER
Buhari Says PDP Won’t Stay in Power
Muhammadu Buhari, the presidential aspirant from the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), has said that nothing would enable the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to stay in power after Saturday’s presidential poll.
The former military ruler was speaking during a town hall meeting with political leaders, traditional rulers and religious leaders in Imo state.
Buhari said that the PDP has thrown the country into chaos, stating that the advice to vote the party out is not based on religion but patriotism by the people who are wanting the change.
“We are in trouble in this country; PDP cannot help us; let us vote them out; it is not about religion but patriotism; PDP has completely failed us. If you leave them for 20 years, they will still not perform.
“Nigeria is being ridiculed all over the world because of their bad governance; Igbo people know this because they are mobile all over the world; APC represents freedom of security and integrity; they know this; so, no amount of sentiment will bring PDP back to power,” the APC presidential candidate noted.
Rochas Okorocha, the Imo state governor, who also spoke at the meeting, raised concerns over supposed plans to rig the forthcoming presidential and other elections in the state by the PDP using security chiefs to execute their plans.He emphasized that after 16 years, the economy of the country is becoming worse by the day as a result of the bad administration of the ruling party, listing the declining oil sector and the devaluation of the naira as examples of the disgraceful governing style of the PDP.
He said: “PDP has transferred the state commissioner of police to another state; they have also transferred the former resident electoral commissioner and brought their brother from Cross River State; the state NYSC director has also been transferred and they brought somebody from Cross River; this is their plan to rig the election but I have declared myself the people’s General; nobody shall rig the election.”
READ ALSO: What Awaits PDP If It Fails The Elections?
There are four days left to the general presidential election, which was postponed on February 7, 2015, by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
However, politicians are still defecting to other parties. It is rumoured that more APC members will defect to the PDP in the next few days, after nationwide consultations and discussions in the last couple of weeks.
READ MORE: http://www.naij.com/408118-buhari-says-pdp-wont-stay-in-power.html
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