GOV Poll: Presidency Orders Immediate Redeployment of Rivers' AIG, Accuses Him of Favoritism

The Nigerian presidency has overruled the Inspector General of Police, Suleiman Abba, and has ordered the immediate redeployment of Tunde Ogunsakin, an Assistant Inspector General of Police, out of Rivers state, for allegedly failing to do the bidding of the Peoples Democratic Party, people familiar with the matter have told PREMIUM TIMES.

The Nigeria Police had on Thursday deployed senior police officers to oversee governorship and state assembly elections in states considered as the likely flash-points on Saturday.

Assistant Inspectors General of Police were deployed to supervise elections in 16 states, including Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Lagos, and other potentially troubled spots, a statement from the force had said Thursday.

INEC driver caught with electoral materials in Delta

Pandemonium broke out yesterday at the premises of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Asaba when a driver attached to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was caught with electoral materials for tomorrow’s election.
Trouble started when the driver (names withheld) arrived the CBN office where sensitive materials were being dispatched to council headquarters and informed the Electoral Officer that before his vehicle is loaded with the materials, he needed to refill his fuel tank.
But as he was driving out, loyalists of some political parties suspected his movement and accosted him, allegedly forcing the vehicle open in the process of interrogation and discovered to their chagrin that materials were already in the vehicle.

President Jonathan's message to Nigeria against tomorrow election

This was shared on his facebook wall

As Nigeria returns to the polls tomorrow, I encourage all registered voters to come out en masse and exercise their right to vote. I have instructed our security agents to fully facilitate the right of Nigerians to choose leaders of their choice at the gubernatorial and assembly levels by remaining non partisan and ensuring that we all vote in a secure environment. Because of their sacrifice in securing our nation, we can all be confident to come out and vote our conscience all over the federation. I urge contestants to respect the will of the people as we promote a new Nigeria that is a pacesetter and light bearer in the practice of democratic politics without bitterness. May God bless Nigeria. GEJ

9ice appointed as special adviser

Yoruba singer popularly known as 9ice has been appointed as a special adviser to Oyo state governor. 9ice dabbed into politics some months ago but lost the ticket to run for the state's house of assembly.

Fayose's Impeachment: Ekiti Lawmakers Direct Chief Judge To Set up panel

The impeachment proceedings against Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State moved one step forward today with a resolution by the House of Assembly, under the leadership of Speaker Wale Omirin to authorize the Chief Judge to set up an impeachment panel to look into the allegations of gross misconduct against the governor.
The resolution, obtained exclusively by SaharaReporters, was signed by the speaker and two other members of the "G19", the 19 majority members of the All Progressives Congress who want the two-time governor removed from office. 

APC to ractify buhari's ministerial list

www.shadedreflects.blogspot.com

The leadership of the All Progressives Congress will ratify the list of persons to be appointed into the Federal Executive Council before presentation to the National Assembly.

It was learnt in Abuja on Wednesday that party leaders were seeking to restore the party supremacy which some alleged was lost during the 16 years that the Peoples Democratic Party held sway.

A prominent northern leader of the party, who pleaded for anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue, said the APC was working to avoid the pitfalls which led to the collapse of the PDP.

He said, “We are looking at a situation where the party will direct the affairs of government in line with our manifesto. Recall that this was largely the case during the second republic.

“But since 1999, what we have seen is the rise of individuals whose personal interests took precedence over the general interest of the party and the people.

Nigeria will become a one-party state, says Balarabe Musa

Second Republic governor of Kaduna State, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, has predicted that the current mass defection of politicians from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress will turn Nigeria into a one-party state.

Musa, in an interview with our correspondent on Wednesday, said in the coming days, especially after the governorship and state House of Assembly elections, the APC would grow stronger and take the status of the PDP while the outgoing ruling party would fade away gradually.

He said, “What is happening is democratic and it is inevitable, if you take into account the way the APC emerged. Almost right from the beginning the APC was 70 per cent of PDP defectors. This practice started even before the APC.

Fire razed Bayelsa motor park, injured five

No fewer than five persons were severely burnt, 30 shops destroyed and millions of naira lost on Thursday after fire razed a section of popular Ekeki Motor Park in Yenagoa Local Government of Bayelsa State.
PUNCH Metro learnt that the fire, which brought the shops including some offices to a rubble,started about 9am.
An eyewitness, who gave his name as David Ogbonna, said the fire incident was caused by generator explosion.
Ogbonna said the explosion occurred when an unnamed shop owner, who deals in motor spare parts, was filling his power generating set with petrol.
He said as the spare parts dealer was pouring petrol into the power generating set, the fuel had contact with the exhaust and the generator went up in flames.

"I want to die in the Lagoon" shirt trending in Lagos

After the Oba of Lagos outburst and threat to the Igbo community in Lagos last week, it seems some Igbo guys has gotten another business inspiration as they now make and sell a branded shirt with "I want to die in the Lagoon" vote JK on it. Some of them even said they will wear the shirt to the polling unit on saturday.

photo credited to Nairaland

18 fake/scam companies to be wary of (II)

                                                            HR Talk

                                                               with 
                                 Moruf Kolawole Nasir(Experienced Human Resource Personnel


8.  Health Stream Alliance

healthenlist@gmail.com - Toyin Street, Ikeja

They are a health management and development outfit. They are into GNLD/ Multilevel marketing looking for candidates to swindle to sell drugs.

      9. Starline Consult Nigeria Ltd

starlineconsult2@yahoo.com - Obigbo Road, Aba Road, Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria

They are into GNLD/ Multilevel marketing looking for candidates to swindle to sell drugs.

10. Crystalite Care Ventures

crystalitecareventurecruitment@gmail.com - Ibadan Road, Ibadan South-West, Oyo, Nigeria.

They claim to be a company in collaboration with world health organization, ASSAP and other multinational companies. However, they are into GNLD/ Multilevel marketing looking for candidates to swindle to sell drugs.

Court orders DSTV to suspend increase in subcription fee

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has restrained Multi Choice Nigeria Limited, operators of the Digital Satellite Television, popularly known as DStv, from implementing its new rates and increase in tariffs payable by its subscribers across board.
The restraining order was given by Justice C.J. Aneke sequel to a suit filed by two Lagos-based legal practitioners, Osasuyi Adebayo and Oluyinka Oyeniji.
In the class action suit, with number FHC/L/CS/404/2015, Justice Aneke granted the interim orders till the hearing of the motion on notice for injunction on April 16, 2015.
He also ordered for the suit and the Interim injunction to be published in national newspapers.
Messrs. Adebayo and Adeniji are challenging the arbitrary increase in tariffs.
The legal practitioners urged the court to order the second defendant, the National Broadcasting Commission, to also implement Pay Per View where subscribers choose the programmes they want and pay as they watch, which is being implemented in some other parts of the world.
In the order given on Thursday, Mr. Aneke ruled: “That an order of interim injunction is hereby granted to the parties to maintain the status quo restraining the 1st defendant (Multichoice/DSTV) from giving effect or enforcing its planned increase in cost of the different classes of viewing or programmes bouquet, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
“That an order is hereby granted certifying the plaintiffs’ claim as a class action for themselves as individual subscribers, other corporate subscribers, distributors and retailers of the 1st defendants’ services.
“That an order is hereby granted restraining any other person whether individual or corporate from instituting any other action as may be related to the action against the defendant to prevent multiplicity of lawsuits pursuant to the appointment of the plaintiffs in the class action but may instead opt in or out of this action.”
In March, MultiChoice, owners of DStv and GOtv, announced a 20 per cent price increase for all its satellite pay TV bouquets in Nigeria to take effect from April 1, 2015.
Thus, the subscription fee of DStv’s Premium, Compact plus, compact, access, Family and extra view bouquets were all set to increase, as is the price for GOtv Plus and GOtv bouquet.
MultiChoice explained that the price increase was necessary for it to continue offering the best in local and international entertainment to its subscribers.

 Premium times news

Akiolu gaffe: Obasanjo apologises to Ndigbo

Following the public outcry that has so far greeted Sunday night’s outburst against the Igbo ethnic stock and non-indigenes by the Oba Rilwan Akiolu of Lagos, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, on Monday night met with leaders of Igbo and non-indigenes in the state at his Hill Top residence, Abeokuta.
Obasanjo was said to have apologised for the outburst of the Oba, who asked non indigenes in Lagos to leave if they fail to vote for the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Akinwumi Ambode on Saturday.
Coordinator of the Amalgamation of Lagos State NGOs and Civil Societies, a group of Igbo traders and non indigenes non-governmental organisations resident in Lagos, Chief Oliver Akubueze, told newsmen on Tuesday that the former President was full of apologies, promising that the interest of non indigenes will be protected by the party with the victory of Ambode in the forthcoming election.
Akubueze however added that Igbo leaders like Prof Anya O Anya, Pascal Dozie and Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu, will meet later in the day on Tuesday to deliberate on the outburst of the Lagos monarch and come out with a final decision on it.

Oba is right, APC will make life difficult for Igbos in Lagos, says Okorocha

Okorocha while speaking to journalists in Imo state capital, Owerri, following the visit by president-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, defended the Oba of Lagos and pointed out that the Oba of Lagos was not totally wrong in insisting that Igbos must vote Ambode.

Okorocha went as far as depicting the Igbos as ungrateful during the castigations on the Igbo people.

He said: “Igbos should not portray themselves as ungrateful people, the only way they can show appreciation is by massively voting for APC the party that has protected their lives and properties over these years.”

Governor Okorocha further in a rather more subtle way reiterated the threats by the Oba of Lagos, Retired Policeman AIG Rilwan Akiolu, saying that the APC could make life unbearable for all Igbo traders and resident in Lagos should the Igbos transgress.

Okorocha said: “The Lagos state government led by APC has the capacity to make life unbearable for all Igbo traders and resident in Lagos if they so wish. 

“So you see, the Oba was figurative in his speech not necessarily that Igbos will be drowned in Lagoons” the governor added.

Elombah news

Buhari and Tinubu disagree on ministers and transition team

   

After a private meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan, the President-elect General Muhammadu Buhari may have constitute its transition team which will consist of politicians and private sector players.

Buhari’s transition team, which is expected to be announced soon is expected to commence work with the presidency after the governorship and state assembly elections to ensure will focus on the smooth handover from the Jonathan
administration to his administration to ensure continuity in governance.

Oba Akinolu is not APC spokesman, says Tinubu

A former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has said the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, is not a member of the All Progressives Congress and cannot speak on behalf of the party.

Tinubu said this at a rally in Iganmu, Lagos, while reacting to the controversial comments of the monarch on Tuesday.

The APC National Leader, who noted that he was the first Yoruba governor to ever appoint an Igbo commissioner, said the Peoples Democratic Party, having failed to win last week’s presidential elections, were desperately trying to pull the APC into the Akiolu controversy.

He said the Coordinator of the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria, Ifeanyi Ubah, and the PDP leader, Bode George, were only making baseless accusations against the APC.

Tinubu said, “The oba is not a politician. His job is to accommodate all political parties, whether PDP, APC or SDP. So, what did he (Ubah) go and do at the palace?

“To you Igbos, don’t we pay your children’s school fees like others? Or is it the palace that pays for it? When we conducted an exam and a spelling competition, an Igbo boy, Ebuka, from Anambra, came first and he became the governor for one day.

“Those that won the competition three times in a row were Igbo. Ebuka was sent to Switzerland computer school and then Obafemi Awolowo University. We did not say he was an Igbo boy and he would not enjoy. He became an executive in Oando and he is now in Canada.

“Another boy, Felix, won and went to Switzerland and OAU. We paid his scholarship; we did not deny him because he is Igbo.”

In a separate statement, the Lagos State APC Publicity Secretary, Joe Igbokwe, said the monarch spoke out of anger.

He urged his kinsmen not to take out their anger on the APC governorship candidate, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, who knew nothing about the incident.

The statement read, “Oba Rilwan Akiolu of Lagos is not a card-carrying member of APC. He is not a leader in the APC. He does not speak for the APC. He did not speak for Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos state.

“He did not speak for our national leader Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He did not speak for the incoming governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode. His Royal Highness is at liberty to speak for himself and he spoke for himself only.

“Lagos APC appeals to Ndigbo not to take the statement as the position of the party in Lagos. We passionately appeal to Ndigbo not to carry the statement credited to Oba Akiolu too far so as not to put a knife on things that have held us together for more than 50 years now.

“If out of annoyance, you throw your cap away, a mad man will take it and use it forever.”

Nairaland

I have had enough of being in cage, says Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan on Sunday looked back at his years of service from being the deputy governor of his home state, Bayelsa, to when he became the country’s President and said, “I think it is enough.”

Jonathan spoke while receiving residents of the Federal Capital Territory who were led by Vice President Namadi Sambo to pay him Easter homage at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The President said he had no doubt that he is the luckiest Nigerian.

He said, “For me as an individual, this Easter coincides with the time I am leaving but I always say that I am one of the luckiest Nigerians. I am yet to see somebody luckier than me.

“From 1999, I was in the hands of government for 16 years. Not just in government as a parliamentarian because if you are a Senator or House of Representatives member, you take care of yourself, you live in your own house.

“I was in a cage, being taken care of by the government. From May 29, 1999 to date; 16 good years. I think it is enough and I am happy, help me to thank God for that.

“I will continue to thank Nigerians for giving me that privilege. I became a deputy governor because Bayelsans voted for me and my governor then. I became a Vice President because Nigerians voted for Yar’Adua and myself.

“I continued in 2011 because Nigerians voted for me and Architect Namadi Sambo. I have to thank all Nigerians. Wherever I will be, I will remain grateful to this great country. Today is a glorious day for me.”

Jonathan said Easter, being a period of sacrifice, Nigerians should be ready to make sacrifice for the survival of the government irrespective of who is the President at a given time.
He said even since his days as deputy governor in his home state, he kept telling people that what he needed from them was patriotism and not loyalty.

He said nation building depends on sacrifice and patriotism.

He cited the examples of soldiers and policemen who he said were dying daily in their fight against Boko Haram in order for others to live.

PUNCH

REVEALED: Ahmadu Ali made President Jonathan concede victory

Nigeria’s President, Goodluck Jonathan, may have become an instant hero of the March 28 Presidential election for conceding victory to the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates, Muhammadu Buhari, before results were officially declared.

President, Goodluck Jonathan

Facts have, however, emerged that the man behind the president’s heroic action is former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ahmadu Ali.
According to information made available to Sunday Independent, Ali prevailed on Jonathan’s to accept defeat and the follow up phone call.
It was gathered that even though results from the fields had indicated that Buhari was enjoying a comfortable lead, the PDP chief were undaunted following their conviction that the election was characterised by irregularities in the North and South, and were preparing to launch a showdown with the opposition.
Sources said it was the party’s belief that given the high incidence of alleged under-age voting in the North and purported disenfranchisement in the South West, the outcome of the exercise might not have stood the test of time, should they go ahead to press for redress.
This notion, it was gathered, was what most of the party chieftains in Abuja had while the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Attahiru Jega, was announcing results from the states on Tuesday.
But, the President and Ali thought otherwise, as they considered what would happen to the nation if he (Jonathan) had refused to accept defeat.
Consequently, a meeting of the National Working Committee (NWC) and campaign organisation of the party, was summoned at the instance of Ali.
At the meeting, which was well attended, it was learnt that the unfolding situation was reviewed, leading to Ali’s counsel for the PDP to concede defeat.
That resulted in the now famous congratulatory phone call the President made to Buhari at little past 5.pm on Tuesday.
The timing, a presidency source said, was made for so many reasons, including among others, the need to douse tension on both sides and to get the All Progressives Congress (APC) focus on transition than politicking.
The former PDP chairman was also said to have helped create a synergy between the Villa and the Campaign Directorate.
Alongside other party leaders like Tony Anenih, Ali reportedly ensured that the campaign directorate did not derail from its focus.
Reliable sources at the presidency confirmed the story, but added that the action of former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe, also accounted for the reason Jonathan accepted the defeat, as the former minister’s action threw the country into chaos.

Daily Independent