WE NEVER TOOK N5BN BRIBE FROM JONATHAN —OHANAEZE

THE leadership of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo has denied receiving N5 billion as gratification to endorse President Goodluck Jonathan for the February 14 election.
Addressing a press conference in Enugu, on Friday, the President- General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Enwo Igariwey, said the allegation that they took bribe from the presidency was baseless.
Igariwey noted that the interest of Ndigbo would be more protected if President Jonathan was re-elected, adding that it was only Jonathan that would implement the report of the national conference that supported, among other things, the creation of nine states in each of the six geo-political zones in the country.
He added that it was Jonathan that would address the issue of imbalance in the political structure in the country.

PHOTOS: JONATHAN VISITS REDEMPTION CAMP, URGES PEACEFUL POLLS

President Goodluck Jonathan has urged Nigerians to pray for the peaceful conduct of the general elections.
He said this when he visited the monthly Holy Ghost Service of the Redeemed Christian Church of God at the Redemption Camp, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Friday.
Stating that he did not intend to campaign in the church service, he said, “Firstly, let me sincerely thank all of you for the good work you have been doing for our country. I have attended services in some of the branches of this church before.
“I’m not here to campaign because you know very well that Daddy G.O. will not allow his altar to be used for campaign.
“I am here to thank you for your prayers for this country. Everyone passes through challenges. The whole world is passing through the challenge of extremism. Unfortunately, we are having our share of the challenge.

12 YEARS AFTER, SLOK AIR FIGHTS BACK; SUES FG OVER REVOCATION OF LICENCE

Almost 11 years after the revocation of its operating licence, the management of Slok Air Nigeria Limited has dragged the Federal Government to court, demanding over N20 billion as damage for the illegal revocation.

The Chief Olusegun Obasanjo-led Federal Government had announced the revocation of Slok Air operating licence on March 12, 2004, just a year after the airline was licenced, without any tangible reason for the action.

Slok Air, which promised to feel the vacuum created by the non-existence of a national carrier for the country, was being promoted by the former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu.

The grounding of the promising airline was described as political, as it was largely attributed to the stern criticism coming from the ex-governor against the then leadership of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

DSS Invites Dokubo Over Threat

 

The Department of State Services (DSS) has invited ex-Niger Delta militant, Asari Dokubo several times over his recent inflammatory statements credited to him.The spokeswoman for the DSS, Marilyn Ogar revealed this today as she took questions from reporters at a news conference organised by the National Information Centre.She said: “First of all, whatever is the operational procedures that we take after we have issued out warnings, we do not make them public.“And I want you to recollect that Asari Dokubo has been brought into the office – DSS, a couple of times.“It is not in the position of the office to begin to tell you who has been brought in or who has not been brought in.“We still

February elections: Don’t leave the North – Okorocha tells Ndi Igbo

The Imo State governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha has advised Ndi’ Igbo who are resident in the northern part of the country to stay in their locations during the elections, adding that movement is only necessary if they have to travel to their home states to vote.Okorocha also appealed to them not to panic, assuring that the elections would be peaceful, free and fair. The Imo State governor spoke in Abuja after a meeting between leaders of All Progressives Congress, APC, and its National Assembly candidates nationwide, dismissing insinuations that the party’s presidential candidate, General

Buhari vs Jonathan: Beyond the Election, by Charles Soludo

I need to preface this article with a few clarifications. I have taken a long sabbatical leave from partisan politics, and it is real fun watching the drama from the balcony.  Having had my own share of public service (I do not need a job from government), I now devote my time and energy in pursuit of other passions, especially abroad.

A few days ago, I read an article in Thisday entitled “Where is Charles Soludo?”, and my answer is that I am still there, only that I have been too busy with extensive international travels to participate in or comment on our national politics and economy. But I occasionally follow events at home. Since the survival and prosperity of Nigeria are at stake, the least some of us (albeit, non-partisan) must do is to engage in public debate. As the elections approach, I owe a duty to share some of my concerns.

In September 2010, I wrote a piece entitled “2011 Elections: Let the Real Debate Begin” and published by Thisday. I understand the Federal Executive Council discussed it, and the Minister of Information rained personal attacks on me during the press briefing. I noted more than six newspaper editorials in support of the issues we raised.

Full Transcript of Leaked Tape Exposing Rigging of Ekiti Election

The gubernatorial election in Ekiti State, Nigeria, took place on the 21st June, 2014. The
two main contenders were Ayo Fayose and Kayode Fayemi from the PDP and APC respectively. Below is a transcript of a recording of a secret meeting that took place on the night before the
election.

Context
All those present are upset by the failings of the military to execute their plan of
intimidation and electoral fraud in line with what was agreed/ordered by the President of
Federal Republic of Nigeria and Chief of Army Staff of the Federation. All those present
are expressing their disapproval of the job done to date to the to the Brg General in
charge of the operations.
Those present in the room were:

DON’T VOTE FOR JONATHAN, SOYINKA LISTS REASONS

Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, declared on Thursday that no one should vote for the continuation of President Goodluck Jonathan’s government, saying that there has been a total failure in leadership.
He said he has sixty reasons not to vote for the Jonathan regime.
“I will not vote and I will not encourage anyone to vote for the continuation of this government, simply because your colleagues numbering over two hundred were kidnapped, “ Soyinka told students at the 2015 edition of Vision of the Child (VOTC), a yearly programme inaugurated in 2012.
He said the Chibok schoolgirls kidnapped on 14 April last year were sent on a mission to acquire an education, but ended up being kidnapped.
“And the government of this nation failed to show leadership. So anyone who says after that event that I will vote or cast my vote or encourage anyone to vote for this regime must be living in Sambisa forest,” Soyinka said, referring to a forest in Borno State where the Chibok girls are believed to be held by Boko Haram.

16,600 children lost parents to Ebola in Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leon – UNICEF

UNICEF says no fewer than 16,600 children are registered as having lost one or both parents, or primary care-givers to Ebola in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone so far.
It said less than three per cent of this population has had to be placed outside family or community care.
This is contained in a statement issued by UNICEF’s Regional Director for West and Central Africa, Mr Manuel Fontaine in New York on Friday.
“Since overcoming their initial fears and misconceptions about Ebola virus, families have been showing incredible support, providing care and protection for children whose parents have died.
“This shows the strength of kinship ties and the extraordinary resilience of communities at a time of great hardship’’, added the statement.

PDP raises alarm over sponsored protests

 

 NATIONAL leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Friday, warned that it would no longer condone what it termed, opposition sponsored protests against the federal government.
In a statement, Friday, by PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh said, “Our attention has been drawn to a text message being circulated by a nebulous group under the name, Save Democracy Youth Movement, calling on the Minister of Petroleum and the Minister of Finance to tender their resignations before the 11th of February 2015, citing unfounded allegations as reason.
” We have information that this unwarranted attack is sponsored by the opposition who also has plans to follow up the text messages with sponsored protests in Abuja and Lagos to further heat-up the system ahead of the February 14, 2015 general elections.