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Re-elected Magufuli sworn in as Tanzanian president

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Re-elected Magufuli sworn in as Tanzanian president

President John Pombe Magufuli was sworn in Thursday to lead Tanzania for another five-year term, pledging to work hard to implement the promises he made during the election campaign.

The swearing-in ceremony, at the Jamhuri Stadium in the capital, Dodoma, was witnessed by several foreign dignitaries, including President Yoweri Museveni of neighbouring Uganda, President Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe, and President Azali Assoumani of Comoros.

In his speech, President Magufuli appealed to all Tanzanians to join him in his efforts to bring prosperity to the nation, now that the election is over.

“The election is over… The major task ahead of us now is to carry on with efforts to build our nation,” said Mr Magufuli, who was sworn in along with Vice-President Samia Suluhu Hassan.

He appealed to his compatriots to come together as they are all winners of the election. “This is not CCM’s (ruling party) victory, it’s the triumph of all Tanzanians,” he said.

During the election campaign, President Magufuli and his CCM party pledged, among other things, to create jobs, increase employment, improve workers’ welfare and accomplish mega infrastructure projects to set the basis for improvement of the economy.

Tanzania held its general election on 28 October and President Magufuli was re-elected for his second, five-year term with 84.4 per cent of the vote, ahead of his closest challenger, Tundu Lissu of opposition Chadema party, who was credited with 13 per cent

‘Angels from Africa coming’, Trump’s spiritual adviser prays for election victory

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‘Angels from Africa coming’, Trump’s spiritual adviser prays for election victory

President Donald Trump’s spiritual adviser, televangelist Paula White-Cain, on Wednesday prayed for “angels” to help the former reality TV star in the US Election 2020, causing the Internet to erupt in laughter and fetching some sassy comments.

Paula White, who has been associated with Donald Trump ever since he entered the White House back in 2016, was brutally trolled for claiming that “angels are being dispatched” to help the Republican president win.

Fetching some hilarious reactions on the Internet, the video shows White telling viewers that “angelic reinforcement” has been summoned from Africa and South America. “The angels are coming here in the name of Jesus from Africa,” she said, in a sing-song, evangelical tone.

Using Trump’s claim of US Election 2020 theft from yesterday, Paula White said she was fighting what she called were the “demonic confederacies” from attempting to steal the polls.

“We are up BIG, but they are trying to STEAL the election. We will never let them do it,” Trump had said Wednesday in a tweet that Twitter quickly flagged as “disputed” and “misleading”.

Making animated movements as she spoke, she said: “I hear a sound of victory. The Lord says it is done. For I hear, victory, victory, victory!”

Paula White then turned up ‘weirdness’ metre, claiming that angels had “been dispatched from Africa right now”.

“They’re coming here, in the name of Jesus,” she asserted.

Read also: TB Joshua Predicts Outcome Of US Election

Sahel Sanity: Repentant bandits surrender in Katsina

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Sahel Sanity: Repentant bandits surrender in Katsina

As ground troops of Operation Sahel Sanity with close air support intensify effort to decimate bandits in North West region, two notorious leaders of bandits from Safana LGA of Katsina State has repented and surrendered to the State Police Command. 

Sale Turwa and Muhammed Sani Maidaji said they have had a change of heart, pledging not to engage in any form of criminality anymore.

The pair surrendered 10 AK47 rifles to Governor Aminu Masari  during a meeting with heads of security agencies.

The repentant bandits were presented to Masari by the state Commissioner of Police Sanusi Buba and his counterparts from the 17 Brigade, Katsina, Department of State Security and the Civil Defense Corps

Buba earlier told Governor Masari that it was the view of security chiefs in the state that he accept the bandits’ remorse and forgive them in order to encourage other bandits to follow suit.

While describing the development as a very significant milestone in the fight against banditry and other criminalities, Governor Masari urged the security operatives not to relent in their efforts.

He said “I’ve instructed the security operatives to deal ruthlessly with the bandits until they are rendered permanently ineffective.

“We are no more going to negotiate with them, but if on their volition they decide to renounce their violent criminal ways and embrace peace, we are ready to listen to them’’.

“Even then, they must surrender all the arms and ammunition in their possession, otherwise they remain enemies to be dealt with accordingly, as far as we are concerned.”

U.S. Election: Biden launches transition website

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U.S. Election: Biden launches transition website

Joe Biden, the Democratic candidate for the U.S. President, has launched an official transition website, www.buildbackbetter.com.

The move comes as votes are still being counted in many states and the presidential race still undecided.

On the www.buildbackbetter.com website is a short statement that reiterates Biden’s earlier assertion that it is the American people that will decide who becomes the next U.S. president.

“Votes are still being counted in several states around the country.

“The crises facing the country are severe — from a pandemic to an economic recession, climate change to racial injustice.

“The transition team will continue preparing at full speed so that the Biden‑Harris Administration can hit the ground running on Day One,” the statement says.

Earlier in a speech, Biden, who is also a former U.S. Vice President, said it was clear that he had won “enough states to reach 270 electoral votes to win the presidency”.

“I’m not here to declare that we’ve won, but I am here to report when the count is finished, we believe we will be the winners,” he said.

(NAN)

Biden inches to victory with almost 270 electoral votes

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Biden inches to victory with almost 270 electoral votes

Democratic US presidential candidate Joe Biden is nearing 270 electoral votes after key victories in Michigan and Wisconsin, while President Donald Trump demanded a recount and threatened legal action.

Victories in those Midwestern states gave Biden a critical boost in the race to obtain the magic number of 270 electoral votes needed to win the White House.

Trump had won both Michigan and Wisconsin in 2016. With the count still underway, he has falsely declared victory, accusing the Democrats of trying to steal the election and vowed to fight the states in court.

“It’s clear that we’re winning enough states to reach (the) 270 electoral votes needed to win the presidency,” Biden said in his home state of Delaware.

“I’m not here to declare that we’ve won. But I am here to report that when the count is finished we believe we will be the winners.”

There are five states still left uncalled, including Pennsylvania, and key small state of Nevada – meaning both Trump and Biden still have a path to victory.

Biden suggets he is winning US 2020 presidential race
Biden suggets he is winning US 2020 presidential race
Former Vice President Joe Biden says he is “confident” that his campaign is emerging “victorious” in the 2020 presidential race against Donald trump.
Biden has so far secured 264 electoral votes while Trump stands at 214.

If Biden were to win in Nevada, which has 6 electoral votes, he would in theory have the necessary 270.

Other closely contested states including Arizona, Georgia and North Carolina were still counting votes, leaving the national election outcome uncertain.

Trump’s campaign launched lawsuits in Michigan and Pennsylvania to stop vote counting and demanded a recount in Wisconsin.

Trump provided no evidence to back up his claim of voting fraud and did not explain how he would fight the results at the Supreme Court. US election experts say fraud is very rare.

Trump campaign files suit in Michigan to halt ballot counting
Trump campaign files suit in Michigan to halt ballot counting
Trump
In a tweet on Thursday, Trump claimed that, “The damage has already been done to the integrity of our system, and to the Presidential Election itself.”

Our lawyers have asked for “meaningful access”, but what good does that do? The damage has already been done to the integrity of our system, and to the Presidential Election itself. This is what should be discussed!

Voting concluded as scheduled on Tuesday night, but many states routinely take days to finish counting ballots.

There had been a surge in mail-in ballots nationally amid the coronavirus pandemic.

In the nationwide popular vote, Biden on Wednesday was comfortably ahead of Trump, with about 3 million more votes.

US Election 2020: Trump’s action disgraceful – Pennsylvania Gov rejects bid to stop vote count

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US Election 2020: Trump’s action disgraceful – Pennsylvania Gov rejects bid to stop vote count

Pennsylvania Governor, Tom Wolf has condemned a lawsuit filed by President Donald Trump’s campaign to stop the counting of ballots in the State.

Trump’s campaign had filed a lawsuit to stop vote counting in Pennsylvania.

Also Trump’s campaign demanded recount of votes in Wisconsin.

Democrat governor Wolf, reacting during a press conference, described the action as against the basic principles of democracy and disgraceful.

He vowed that the people of Pennsylvania will fight to ensure all votes are counted and there is a free and fair election.

Wolf said: “This afternoon, the Trump campaign filed a lawsuit to stop the counting of ballots in Pennsylvania.

“That is simply wrong. It goes against the most basic principles of our democracy. It takes away the right of every American citizen to cast their vote to choose their leaders.

“Electoral officers at the state and local level should be free to do their jobs without fear or intimidation.

“These attempts to the democratic process is disgraceful, we are going to fight and continue to ensure free and fair election in Pennsylvania.

“We will fight like hell to protect the vote in Pennsylvania, we need to have free and fair elections free of external influencers.

“We need to have confidence that the people are choosing their leaders and not the leaders choosing the people to vote for them.

El-Rufai Lifts Curfew In Kaduna

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El-Rufai Lifts Curfew In Kaduna

Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, on Wednesday, lifted the dusk-to-dawn curfew imposed in all the 23 local government areas of the state with immediate effect.

Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr. Samuel Aruwan, who disclosed this in a statement in Kaduna, said heads of security agencies have been notified of the development.

He, however, added that vigorous patrols and security surveillance would continue across the state.

The commissioner added that the state government and security agencies would not condone acts which may lead to a breakdown of law and order under any guise.

He encouraged citizens to go about their lawful activities, and to report any observed threats, suspicious movements, and security breaches to the security agents.

Read also: Trump Declares Self Winner Of U.S. Presidential Election

Buhari Approves Upward Review Of Police Salaries —IGP

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Buhari Approves Upward Review Of Police Salaries —IGP

The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has disclosed that President Buhari has approved the upward review of salaries of police officers.

He said also that that policemen killed and injured during the EndSARS protests across the country would be promoted to their next rank.

Mr Adamu stated this on Wednesday in Benin City, Edo State, while addressing police officers at the state police command during his working visit to boost their morale.

The IGP also inspected the burnt police stations in the state, in company with the Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu; Assistant-Inspector General of Police (AIG), Zone 5, Sholla David; and CP, Babatunde Kokumo, on Wednesday.

He said, “The government has not forgotten the police. A lot of reforms are taking place. A lot of things are being put in place to take care of the welfare of officers. The Police Act of 2020 has taken care of most of our welfare needs.

“There will be compensation for policemen who were injured during the #EndSARS protests. Families of policemen who lost their lives will also be compensated. Retired police officers will also enjoy the health insurance scheme.

“I am working with the Police Service Commission, all the policemen who were injured or died during the #EndSARS protests will be promoted to the next level. President Buhari, two weeks ago, also approved the adjustment of our salaries to higher grades for all officers.”

“So, we do not need to be demoralised or leave the public space for criminals to occupy,” Mr Adamu explained.

He commended the men and officers of the force for the restraint despite the provocation.

“The protesters went to the police stations to attack the police officers and men because they wanted them to react with maximum force, but because you are professionals, you are resilient and you know what you are doing, you did not apply maximum force.

“You applied minimum force and they were disappointed. The police of yesteryears are not the same as the modern police that we have. Your sense of professionalism has shown that you did not give room for the bad guys to succeed.

“The violence did not stop in one state. It went to 14 different states. In all the 14 states, it was the same story. In the south-western part, especially Lagos State, and the South-South zone, Edo and Delta States, we had attacks on police stations.

“In Lagos State, it was so terrible that private property was destroyed. Vehicles for public use were destroyed. Houses of individuals and their families were destroyed. This is very unfortunate.

“The attacks on the police and police stations were to demoralise you (policemen), to humiliate you and to make you feel that you do not have support at all, in the members of the public, but it is not the case. Some state governors came out to support the actions of the police, especially the way we handled the #EndSARS protests. Some individuals also came out to support the good works of SARS in curbing violent crimes.

“Despite all #EndSARS protests and attacks on the police, we also got open support from President Muhammadu Buhari. So, you should not be demoralised. You should be resilient.”

PDP rejects proposed social media censorship

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PDP rejects proposed social media censorship

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected the Federal Government’s planned censorship of social media.

The party in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, described the plan as unconstitutional, anti-people, and an attempt to silence Nigerians.

He added that the attempt to censor the social media was targeted at muzzling outspoken citizens.

The move, according to him, was targeted at youths, media, and civil society organisations demanding accountability and competence from the government.

He said the attempt to censor the social media would also silence citizens from exposing cases of corruption, injustice, human rights abuses, and constitutional violations by government officials.

Ologbondiyan said: “Our party rejects the claims that the regulation bill is targeted at checking fake news.

“This is because our nation already has enough implementable laws to counter the dissemination of fake news and punish offenders.

“Instead of curtailing citizens’ constitutionally guaranteed rights, the government should rather take steps to reassure Nigerians of efforts to address corruption, treasury looting, abuse of human rights, nepotism, and unaccountability.”

The PDP spokesman advised the federal government to become more accountable, particularly in exposing corrupt officials including those alleged to be involved in diversion of funds voted for COVID-19 palliatives.

No agreement yet with ASUU – Ngige

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No agreement yet with ASUU – Ngige

Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, on Wednesday, said the Federal Government is yet to reach an agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on the union demands.

Ngige disclosed this to journalists at the end of a closed-door meeting between the federal government team and ASUU delegation in Abuja.

He said: “There are three issues and these include the revitalisation fund where government offered ASUU N20 billion, on good faith based on the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) entered into in 2013 as a result of the renegotiation with the then government in 2009.

“This present government is still committed to it, while we are giving them offers of some fund.

“This government is not against revitalisation but this government insisted that because of the dare economic situation due to COV1D-19, we cannot really pay in the N110 billion which they are demanding for revitalisation.

“We offered N20 billion as a revitalization fund. On Earned Academic Allowances (EAA), the government offered N30 billion to all the unions in the universities, making it N50 billion altogether.

“ASUU said the N30 billion should be for lecturers alone despite the fact that there are three other unions in the university system. So there is a little problem there. We do not have any money to offer apart from this N30 billion.”

He, however, said the major cause of discord between the two parties centered around the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) and the Integrated Payroll Personnel Information System (IPPIS).

Ngige added that ASUU had submitted its document on UTAS for onward submission to the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).

“As you know last week, the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy has approved that NITDA gets the ASUU system (UTAS) and subjects it to an integrity test.

“This test should be conducted without fear or favour and as early as possible. So today, they have submitted the document for onward transmission to NITDA.

“One other issue that has arisen is the issue of the transition period. How do ASUU get the Earned Academic Allowances that is due to them and any other entitlement that the government wants to pay them,” the minister added.

He insisted that ASUU wanted an exemption from IPPIS.

The ASUU President, Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, said the union would wait for the outcome of the federal government’s meeting slated for Friday.

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