PDP Rejects Automatic Ticket For Jonathan, Governors, others – Metuh

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said it will not amend its constitution in order to guarantee automatic tickets for President Goodluck Jonathan, governors, and other incumbent office holders ahead of the 2015 elections. The spokesperson of the PDP, Olisa Metuh, said on Tuesday, in Abuja that the 2012 amended copy of the constitution remains “the grand norm of the party” and the current leadership is determined to abide by its provision. There...

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America to celebrate Achebe's life June 2 in Washington

A week after Professor Chinua Achebe was buried in Nigeria, the state of Washington D.C., USA would be hosting a “Celebration of Life” event on Saturday, June 2, 2013, at the Andrew Mellon Auditorium, 1301 Constitution Ave NW Washington, DC 20240, from 7:00pm to 10:30 pm. An Arts Exhibition and reception would kick off the celebrations at 6:00pm. The event is free to the public. The “Celebration of Life” event would feature a list of public...

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Anenih seeks automatic PDP ticket for Jonathan in 2015 Election

Chief Tony Anenih, The Chairman  Board of Trustees, BoT, of the Peoples Democratic Party, has proposed an automatic second term ticket for incumbent president and governors who perform well in office, thus seeking to boycott the usual primaries. This he said is to avoid the hassles that go with the party primaries, especially for executive positions. Speaking at a dinner organised by President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday night, for the...

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Jang NGF faction's opened its secretariat; Nineteen Govs shun the meeting

Nineteen out of the nation's 36 governors were absent when Plateau State Governor, Jonah Jang-led faction of the Nigeria Governors' Forum opened its secretariat in Abuja which is located at Nana Close, Maitama            on Thursday .  Signs that things were not going to work well started manifesting when words went round that Vice President Namadi Sambo, who was supposed to be the...

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My successor will come from Enugu North says Gov.Sullivan

Mr. Sullivan Chime, Enugu State Governor has thrown his weight behind the aspiration of people from Nsukka cultural zone to succeed him when his tenure expires in two years time. Chime said categorically that he would work to ensure that his successor comes from the North Senatorial District (Nsukka).    The state has operated unwritten rotational arrangement in the selection of its governors since it s creation in 1991.         ...

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Confessions of Olusegun Obasanjo by By Chukwudi Nweje

Many have argued that politics is all about projection and protection of interests. This, they explain, is why politicians seek alliances and sometimes godfathers to brighten their electoral fortunes. Nevertheless, in projecting these interests, especially in a democracy, the will of the people is expected to prevail. This means that no matter how formidable the network of alliances may be it is the electorate that should ultimately decide...

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Impeaching Amaechi won’t guarantee Jonathan’s re-election – Edebiri

Chief David Edebiri, The Esogban of Benin Kingdom and chairman of Benin Forum, yesterday, said that impeaching Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State, will not guarantee a second term ticket for President Goodluck Jonathan. He urged the President to give the people the dividends of democracy by ensuring steady power, industrialisation and tackle security challenges, rather than fight political battles with governors over 2015 presidential election. Speaking...

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Dialogging With Boko Haram Must Come First Before Amnesty-Alibola

THERE seems to be a muddle about the way we are handling this issue of Boko Haram. It is my view that we are already jumping the gun and pushing the cart before the horse. While on one hand we have embarked on the issue of state of emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa, on the other hand the Federal Government had already set up a committee on Amnesty. It is difficult to be friends of those one is facing on the battle field, involving death and destruction...

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Democracy Day Should Ideally Be Used To Reflect On The meaning Of Democracy -Obi

Anambra State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi has said that Democracy Day should ideally be used to reflect on the meaning of democracy and ask if democracy is beneficial to all the people in the country, including the rich, the poor, the sick and the underprivileged. Obi spoke when he visited and interacted with inmates of Oji-River Leprosy Centre in Enugu State. Mr. Obi said he visited the centre on the invitation of the Archbishop of Enugu...

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Rivers Lawmakers Vowed; Nothing Will Make Us Impeach Amaechi

Rivers State House of Assembly vowed on Thursday that nothing will make them impeach the State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, who has been engaged in a running battle with the leadership of his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Presidency. The lawmakers also assured that there was no plan to impeach Amaechi and reiterated their unalloyed loyalty and support for him. They debunked allegations that they have been induced to impeach...

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Military men arrests five Nigerians, two Chadians at Tumbu Gini-Olukolade

Defence Headquarters said on Thursday that five Nigerians and two Chadians were among the fleeing insurgents apprehended by the Special Forces as the troops continue their pursuit of terrorists dislodged from their bases. The seven were among the nine arrested at Tumbu Gini, a border town with Chad as they tried to cross into Chad. It said a man suspected to be leading the group escaped with gunshot wounds. Director Defence Information,...

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JTF arrests 3 Lebanese in Kano

The Joint Security Task Force (JTF) in Kano, has arrested three Lebanese suspected of owning the large cache of arms recovered at a bunker in the city. Brig.-Gen. Iliyasu Abba, the Brigade Commander, 3rd Brigade, Nigerian Army, said one of the suspects was arrested on Tuesday at a house on Gaya Road in Bompai area of Kano. According to him, another suspect was arrested in Abuja while the third suspect was apprehended since May 16,  at...

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Nigeria Lawmakers Pass 14 Years Imprisonment Bill For Marriage Of Same Sex

The House of Representatives on Thursday approved 14 years imprisonment for persons who contracted same sex marriage in the country. This was sequel to a clause-by-clause consideration of a Bill for an Act to prohibit marriage or union entered between persons of same sex, at the Committee of the Whole. “Marriage or civil union entered between persons of same gender shall not be solemnised in any place of worship, either church or mosque or any...

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Court orders Bauchi Assembly to reinstate female lawmaker

Bauchi State High Court has ordered the Bauchi State House of Assembly to reinstate the only female lawmaker, Rifkatu Danna, who was controversially suspended about a year ago. Ms. Danna was suspended in June 2012 for allegedly making uncomplimentary remarks when she challenged the lawmakers’ decision to approve the relocation of the headquarters of Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area of Bauchi. The Assembly suspended her and rejected her letter...

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Justice Saulawa Withdraws From Al-Mustapha’s Case Citing “Personal Reasons”

Justice Ibrahim Saulawa of the Court of Appeal, Lagos, on Thursday declined hearing an appeal filed by Maj. Hamza Al-Mustapha and Lateef Shofolahan, challenging a death sentence against them. Al-Mustapha, a former Chief Security Officer to late Gen. Sanni Abacha, and Shofolahan, former Personal Assistant to Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, are challenging their death sentence by a Lagos High Court. The convicts were sentenced to death on Jan....

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Peps order immediate suspension of $40 million internet surveillance contract

The House of Representatives has ordered the immediate suspension of the $40 million (N6 billion) internet surveillance contract awarded secretly by the Nigerian government to an Israeli firm. A house resolution approved Thursday, said no further action should be taken on the controversial spy project, which has sparked national fury, until three house committees complete an investigation in three weeks. The clandestine project, exposed by Newsmen,...

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Falana: Pro-Jang Group Lawless

Femi Falana (SAN), A human rights activist, has described the controversies generated by the outcome of recent poll conducted by members of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) as a product of unbridled recklessness even as he said that the pro- Governor Jonah Jang group is lawless. The video showed that Governor Jonah Jang was in an early lead but was soon overtaken by Governor Rotimi Amaechi who was returned as the Chairman of the NGF for a second...

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2015: An Igbo man will pick the ticket to run for the presidency - KALU

"It is not about self, but about the Igbo nation. Any Igbo man that is better than me can go for the seat and I ll support him, but if Igbos collectively pick me I willl run"  The Executive members of the Apex Igbo Socio-political organization NJIKO IGBO Abia State chapter recently paid a courtesy visit to the founder and international President of the body Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, former governor of Abia state at his country home Igbere....

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