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Group Condemns Ongoing Militarisation of Various Nigerian States ahead of next Saturday’s governorship and State Assembly elections.

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Group Condemns Ongoing Militarisation of Various Nigerian States ahead of next Saturday’s governorship and State Assembly elections.

Being the text of a world Press Conference addressed by the coalition of civil society groups and election observers, on the ongoing militarisation of Nigeria’s general elections.

We welcome you to this crucial press conference, necessitated by our growing concerns, over the ongoing militarisation of various Nigerian States, ahead of next Saturday’s governorship and State Assembly elections.

As democrats and stakeholders in the Nigeria’s democratic process, we strongly feel obliged to draw the attention of the media, the Nigerian people and the international community, to the attempt being orchestrated mainly to intimidate, harass and build unnecessary tensions around an election process, which ordinarily should be a civil exercise.

While it is an undeniable fact, that our security agencies particularly the Nigerian police have played crucial roles in ensuring a peaceful conduct of our elections, we are worried that same cannot be said about the conduct of the military which ordinarily have no statutory obligation, during elections. We must all remember that emocracy becomes a sham if elections are carried out in an atmosphere of fear and intimidation, and when security agents who are hitherto expected to be impartial and neutral, become openly partisan, demonstrating lack of integrity and acting blatantly as agents of political parties.

Recall that during the recently concluded Presidential elections, the media was awashed with reports of the ignoble conduct of the military in some parts of the country, mainly in the Niger delta region, where elections practically became war, leading to the death of over 30 people, including a personel of the Nigerian Army. The conduct of the military during that election and the heavy deployments of troops in states such as Delta, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa and Rivers raises serious question unto why such becomes necessary especially when the military have not only engage in partisan activities, but has also lack of capacities and knowledge of being impartial and competent to be involved in th conduct of a fair, free and credible election.

We have a duty to our country, to Nigerians and democracy, in ensuring that every elements that threatens our democratic growth are challenged and rejected as a matter of patriotism. We must not allow desperate politicians and their collaborators within the security agencies, to truncate this democracy. And when we find ourselves under such circumstance such as it is presently being witnessed, appropriate action must be taken not to allow our democracy to be derailed.

Let it be stated here again, that we reject in totality, the military siege on Delta, Akwa Ibom and other states in the Niger delta. It is not within the constitutional powers of the military to supritend over the conduct of elections. The military should immediately restrict itself to the mandate of providing support for the Nigerian police, as required by the relevant laws and guidelines of the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC. At no time has INEC demanded for military deployment in polling stations and collation centres, as the current military invasion clearly suggest. The sacrifices made by our people towards advancing democracy cannot be allowed to be desecrated by the desperation presently being witnessed.

We are calling on all ECOWAS, African Union and the United Nations to immediately prevail on President Muhammadu Buhari, to cease the ongoing hostilities against the people of Delta, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa and other States, presently under military hostages ahead of Saturday’s elections.

We also call on our people to remain peaceful in their conducts as they prepare to exercise their constitutional franchise on Saturday. We urge them to be steadfast and not be intimidated by anybody particularly the security agents, as we continue to demand that the military siege on the Niger delta is immediately halted.

We ask Nigerians and lovers of democracy to remain vigilant and be ready to ensure that the votes of our people count, as we struggle to defend our democracy. The price of liberty and sustenance of our democracy is eternal vigilance and appropriate reaction to ward off iniquities.

Any attempt to derail this democracy will be too tragic for our nation to bear and we must all wake up to this reality.

We want the leadership of our security agencies, particularly the military to realise, that we are taking notes of all their actions and every deeds shall be accounted for. We shall not hesitate to further petition the International Criminal Court if there is any violation of the people’s rights, and we will begin to demand for measures which includes but not limited to denial and withdrawal of visas from whoever is involved in any violence that may emanate from this military invasion.

Finally, we urge Nigerians desist from any form of electoral violence, and support the Nigerian police in ensuring the sanctity of our elections on Saturday. We encourage the acting Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, to keep treading the path of professionalism, and uphold the rule of law.

This democracy is precious to us and we shall not allow anyone, no matter how highly placed, to derail it, on the altar of the ambition of a very few.

Long live Democracy,

Long Live Nigeria.

Signed:

Those questioning Buhari’s victory are challenging God’s authority — Bishop Ediwe

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Those questioning Buhari’s victory are challenging God’s authority — Bishop Ediwe

President Muhammadu Buhari’s victory at the presidential election is divine, hence those opposed to it are challenging “God’s authority” according to foremost Christian preacher Arch Bishop (Dr) Julius Ediwe.

Dr Julius spoke at the second day of the ongoing Inter-Faith Clerics for the celebration of President Buhari’s victory held at the Unity Fountain, Abuja.

Despite massive propaganda by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate Atiku Abubakar, Mr Buhari of the All Progressive Congress (APC) was re-elected in fascinating fashion.

Bishop Ediwe isn’t surprised by the president’s overwhelming triumph, especially after it was revealed when some Christian and Islamic clerics met in a 40-day prayer and fast prior to the polls.

The cleric, Provost of the South-South College of Bishops, was particularly critical of some naysayers in disguise as prophets who forecasted defeat for the incumbent.

He, however, urged these critics not to oppose God’s choice and instead pray for the president.

“ I won’t say I am surprised at the composition of the audience here. I would instead say I am moved to tears so much that I asked myself, could this be happening in Nigeria? Could a gathering a people from different faiths praying for a common goal happen here in Nigeria?

“ God is indeed faithful to his word and his people. When it was declared here some months ago that the Lord revealed that President Muhammadu Buhari would emerge victorious at the polls, many doubted us and called us all sort of names. But we preserved.

“ I, therefore, ask today been the 2nd day of the Thanksgiving and Salat Al-Shakur service that are we not sharing in the kingdom of light? In the same vein, in Surah Al-Baqara, 153, it is stated that “O ye who believe! seek help with patient perseverance and prayer; for Allah is with those who patiently persevere.”

“ What does this tell us? It merely tells us on the oneness of God, and that was why we have been able to assemble here together and united in one voice, spirit, body and soul.

“ Brothers and Sisters, let me make it clear here about statements coming from some supposed men of God describing the elections as rigged and not in the interest of the people. I am taken aback with such a statement, and in my capacity as the Provost of the South-South College of Bishops, I abhor such statement because God is not a man that he should lie.

“ When it was revealed during the 40 days’ prayers and fasting that President Muhammadu Buhari would win the elections, where were they? Or are they insinuating that they have a monopoly of the Kingdom heritage?

“ My brothers and sisters, I stand before you as a servant of God to say that God is indeed on the throne and for those that think otherwise should have a rethink. I say this with all authority that President Muhammadu Buhari was indeed Gods choice for Nigeria because I prayed and heard him clearly when he stated that Buhari is the chosen one to take Nigeria to greatness.

“ I want to assume here today that one of the reasons for the display of anger because President Muhammadu Buhari won the elections might be as a result of the victory rally that was aired on the television stations across the country.

“ They are also angry for lack of knowledge of the Buhari phenomenon. They also need to understand that just like God singled out Job as a man of integrity, he also singled out President Muhammadu Buhari as a man of integrity. And God always identifies with the pure in spirit.

“ Is it not funny on how some men of God prophesied that President Muhammadu Buhari was going to lose the elections? December 2018, an Anglican church prophet, Udoka Okechukwu, prophesied that Atiku Abubakar of the PDP would defeat President Muhammadu Buhari in the 2019 election.

“ On February 12, 2019, few days to the presidential election, the general overseer of Evangelical Bible Outreach Ministries Int’l (EBOMI), Prophet El-Buba, said President Buhari would lose the election.

“ The presiding Bishop of Divine Seed of God Chapel Ministries, Ibadan, Prophet Wale Olagunju, in October 2019, claimed that Buhari would lose to Atiku Abubakar.

“ My brothers and sisters, we can find the answers to the false prophesies in the book of Romans 8:31, “What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

“ Let me once again thank you all for your constant prayers towards the success of President Muhammadu Buhari at the elections. And I am not sure anyone of us here regardless of our ethnicity or religion would ever doubt the oneness of God.”

Atiku: Timi Frank mocks EFCC over intimidation, harassment of PDP members

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Atiku: Timi Frank mocks EFCC over intimidation, harassment of PDP members

…..calls for caution

A political activist and former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of All Progressives Congress (APC) Comrade Timi Frank, has called out the leadership of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) to justify its ongoing intimidation and harassment of persons loyal to the Presidential candidate of the People Democratic Party (PDP).

He said the agency has not only lost its core mandate but positioned by Gen Muhammadu Buhari’s government to fight only opposition members.

Reacting in a statement on Tueaday in Abuja to the latest arrest of Barr. Taminu Turaki, who is the deputy director general of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council, Frank said no amount of blackmails, intimidation or harassment will get the opposition leaders from reclaiming the mandate Nigerians have freely given to them through court of law.

According to him, virtually every known names supporting the presidential ambition of the former Vice President have been threatened in one way or the other by various institutions of government under Gen Buhari in the name of fighting corruption.

Frank specifically mentioned the main target for the harassment to includes; the presidential candidate himaelf, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Senate President Bukola Saraki, Speaker Yakubu Dogara, PDP’s Nation Chairman Uche Secondus and former governor of Ekiti Ayo Fayose, among a long list prepared to be silent “so that PDP strong voices can forget about reclaiming their victory in court.”

The political activist described as not golden the silence by the National Peace Committee being led by the former Head of state, Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, “who ought to have called Buhari to order but chosen to be silent in the face of oppression against opposition members.

“I like to make it clear that the opposition PDP as it is today in Nigeria is stronger than APC in terms of membership and capacity to fight back if the Buhari and APC’s government pushes the party to the wall,” Frank stated.

While mocking the EFCC for abandoning its core mandate for the fight against opposition, Frank asked “the agency to tell the world the owner of two bullion vans seen at the Lagos residence of APC National Leader Bola Ahmed Tinubu, with raw cash on the eve of election and the plane stashed with cash?

“Under APC, a reputable institution like EFCC created by PDP-led administration has turned to a mockery. Corruption fight is only a fight against the opposition members. They forget easily that their days are numbered.”

While calling on international community to note the development in Nigeria and not to keep quiet at this period, the former APC spokesman said “any attempt of intimidation against Atiku and his family members or any PDP leaders will lead to serious issue,” adding that “when the opposition party is pushed to the wall there will be reaction capable of consuming the APC government.”

He called on international community to note that the fight against corruption in Nigeria is a scam designed against only the opposition members by the Buhari’s administration.

Signed:
Comrade Timi Frank
Ex-APC Deputy National Publicity Secretary
Abuja.

Enemies of Nigeria behind ‘Occupy Nigeria’ protest to please political losers

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Enemies of Nigeria behind ‘Occupy Nigeria’ protest to please political losers

Following the defeat of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the last presidential and national assembly elections, some persons have concluded plans to stage a protest under the theme Occupy Nigeria.

According to Coalition for Defence Democracy in Nigeria, the paid miscreants have been mobilized by some politicians who are not pleased with the outcome of the polls to shutdown the nation.

Addressing newsmen on Sunday, Okpokwu Ogenyi, who spoke on behalf of the BoT, claimed that the planned protest is being championed by Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party.

His text below.

Gentlemen of the press, since the announcement of the results for the presidential election held on Saturday February 23, 2019, those that lost in the election have been reacting to their losses. Some of these reactions have been by way of intellectual engagement in which the candidates and their supporters express their improved understanding of how democracy and political dynamics operate in the Nigerian context.

The more sincere ones among them have admitted the near impossibility of unseating a performing president through the ballot hence the overwhelming win of President Muhammadu Buhari who won on the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket.

Some losers have, however, been sore in defeat. They denounced the result with the worst choice of words possible. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Atiku Abubakar are in the forefront of this collection of aggrieved losers.

What must be given to them however is that they have been creative enough to limit their bellicosity to inciting utterances and body language, which they possibly expect their supporters to decode and descend on the streets with violent protests.

This development is the reason that the Coalition for Defence Democracy in Nigeria, CDDN, is not aligned with those that have been asking Atiku to call and congratulate President Buhari. There is no basis for that because it will amount to creating a situation where the loser in an election must validate the victor’s win.

It is enough that the home nations of the international observers once misled by the PDP have sent their congratulatory messages to Nigeria and President Buhari. While Nigeria does not rely on their endorsement to validate its electoral processes, the United States, the United Kingdom, China, the African Union, scores of African countries and other friends of Nigeria have congratulated President Buhari, which they would not have done had the election failed to meet the minimum threshold for acceptability.

The PDP is being backed by several ethnic jingoist organizations that present as socio-cultural organizations, religious bigots as well as pro-corruption groups and individuals.

Like their client, these people have limited themselves to threats and incitement without actually backing their threat of violence and destabilization with actions. This restraint on the part of PDP and its supporting organizations has now been found to be a Trojan as they have outsourced their violent protests through a consultancy to “Occupy Nigeria”.

“Occupy Nigeria”, a misappropriation of the slogan under which Nigerians resisted PDP misrule in 2012, is now being used by these protest consultants to threaten the peace of the country. The group that now goes by the name has threatened to shut down Abuja on Monday and what we have found out is that they plan to spread the protest to other cities if the Abuja legs proves successful.

CDNN finds this attempt at using the result of the election to cause mayhem when the international community, including countries that were initially apprehensive of the conduct of the election, has accepted the outcome.

We observed that Occupy Nigeria is now expressing disappointment in the endorsement of the polls by the international community when its clients where euphoric at the time these same foreign countries were harassing the Nigerian government on the basis of lies told against the administration of President.

It has not been able to been able to present any compelling evidence to support why it is rejecting an election adjudged to be free, fair and credible by all stakeholders except the PDP and its lackey groups.

We further observed that the demands that Occupy Nigeria is hinging its protests on bear uncanny similarities to the demands that Atiku and PDP allegedly presented to the National Peace Committee, which they have all denied anyway because they have seen that these requests are criminal in nature and intent.

The protests planned by Occupy Nigeria are therefore provocative, irresponsible and an attempt to create conditions that will degrade security in the country while providing excuses for those earlier mobilized by Atiku to attempt a forceful takeover of the government.

They represent a stubborn progression of Atiku and the PDP with their original plot to force their way into government even when they know they have been rejected by Nigerians.

CDNN is therefore warning Occupy Nigeria to behave within acceptable parameters defined by Nigerian laws as any attempt to provoke crisis would be met with disproportionate citizens’ response. Other measures include laying bare the relationship that exists between it and PDP as well as Atiku.

If they persist on trying to destabilize the country we will expose to Nigerians the specific associates of Atiku that contacted them, phone calls and SMS logs, and details of financial transactions of the payment made to procure Occupy Nigeria’s services.

Occupy Nigeria must take note that nobody has the monopoly of mischief and violence. It is receiving money to hold its protests but there are millions of Nigerians that will counter those violent outings on the streets out of patriotism and their love and appreciation for the leadership he is providing to the country.

Any attempt to destabilize the peace of the nation will therefore be decisively rejected by Nigerians. Occupy Nigeria will fail worse that Boko Haram and other defunct terrorist groups that had attempted to destroy Nigeria.

The practice in Nigeria is for anyone aggrieved by the outcome of elections should approach the Election Tribunals up to the Supreme Court to seek redress. If Occupy Nigeria is eager to be of use to the PDP they should then encourage Atiku to go to court and fight his case there especially now that the Judiciary is being purged of corrupt judges.

Instead of holding questionable protests, Nigerians should task the organizers of this charade to come forward with workable initiatives to help President Buhari deliver on his promises to Nigerians. Part of the progress we should make as a nation is for the youths not to be misled by agents of destabilization that are bent on triggering copy-cat revolution in a country where it is least needed.

Unbelievable! 10 things opposition parties are planning to do Oyo state

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Unbelievable! 10 things opposition parties are planning to do Oyo state

The opposition parties in Oyo State are at the verge of forming an alliance to unseat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

On Friday, the Bodija home of former governor of the state, Senator Rasheed Ladoja, played host to four governorship candidates in the forthcoming governorship election.

Present at the meeting were the candidates of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Senator Olufemi Lanlehin, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Seyi Makinde, Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Sharafadeen Alli and Social Democratic Party (SDP), Chief Bolaji Ayorinde, SAN.

According to our source, the meeting was to conclude arrangement on a possible coalition of the leading opposition parties to defeat the ruling All Progressives Congress.

Our source further hinted that the arrowhead of the proposed coalition, the ADP governorship candidate, former governor Adebayo Alao-Akala, was absent at the meeting.

The absence of the Ogbomosho-born political gladiator fueled speculations that he might have succumbed to persuasion to rejoining the ruling APC which he left late 2018 after failing to clinch the party’s governorship ticket.

The meeting which lasted barely an hour and half behind closed doors agreed to continue discussion today (Saturday) and reached an agreement on the planned ‘government of unity’.

Buratai And The Art of Patriotism

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Buratai And The Art of Patriotism

By David Onmeje

All hail the reformed and disciplined Nigerian Army. Even those who maliciously hated you in the past have keenly observed both your private and official actions in the last three years and Nigerians fete you with accolades as venerated institution. The phrase drops on every lip and everywhere in shocking pleasantness.

The Army has proved skeptics wrong; it has triumphed over masked enemies who plotted and set booby traps on their official paths to cascade the failure of soldiers to erupt in indiscernible joy. Unfortunately, these esteemed soldiers have not fumbled in all national engagements as anticipated by the anti-progressive forces. Instead, they are soaring higher with each given opportunity.

The Army’s deployment to assist civil security secure the country to conduct peaceful, free, fair and credible presidential and national assembly elections in Nigeria has also been performed with exceptional splendor, in spite of the initial upbraids. Army personnel exuded unquestionable patriotism and loyalty to their country, by keeping faith with their creed of service.

Soldiers dispensed this assignment in a manner which has further conferred palms on it as an institution or intensified the respect earned from Nigerians previously. Today, Nigerians and indeed, the international community are regaled that the country has successfully gone through the first round of the 2019 general elections without any major setback. The Army played a significant role in preventing the elections from degenerating into free and unbridled violence.

Much thanks to the COAS and leader of counter-insurgency operations in Nigeria, Lt. Gen. TY Buratai. He is a leader, who does not just bark to his personnel. Each time he shouts, there is an urgent national problem, worth solving with the active backing of the Army. He sleeps and eats patriotism for his country and constantly evolves way to restructure the Army in accordance with global best practices. When he steps out with his foot soldiers on any special assignment, brooding enemies of Nigeria take cover and allow peace to reign.

The Army Chief cherishes peace infinitely, but does not brook the effrontery of armed gangs who are out to violently destroy and ruin the security and peace of Nigeria. The peace and unity of Nigeria is always uppermost on his mind at all times.

So, consistently, Gen. Buratai pictures national interest at heart. And when he scowls, it is not intended to harm the innocent, but to squeeze the juice out of hardened armed gangs and militias tormenting the peace loving and law abiding Nigerians. That’s why, he has adopted the “carrot and stick,” approach in his engagement of the Nigerian people. Armed criminal gangs only incur his wrath when they ignore the carrot of peace dangled at them. It is what defines his official posturing in all assignments.

Gen. Buratai again spoke to Nigerians endearingly in the aftermath of the presidential and national assembly elections. This was a ballot which stirred some uproars from the opposition over the drafting of soldiers for assistance. The e Army Chief for the umpteenth time, tasked the conscience of Nigerians on a dispassionate appraisal and an unbiased perception of military participation in the electoral process.

Rather than see it as an aberration, Gen. Buarati persuaded Nigerians to view the Army as apolitical and or neutral and their deployment for election duties was only part of a core constitutional responsibility of securing the nation. It becomes expedient where civil security fails or is likely to fail.

Gen. Buratai yelled in his post-election assessment, “ When a General Speaks on national issues, he speaks strategy, not politics. It is a way and a means to an end. Therefore, the end result will be national defence and security. It is also to foster national unity, peace, development and protection of human rights.”

And truly, Nigerians can verify that after the general elections, the end result is the sustenance of national security and defence. And this is the spirit that guided the operations of the Army throughout the duration of the general elections. They were after national security and defence alone; they never brooked those who attempted to compromise it.

Soldiers were not part of the gangs intent of conniving with politicians to compromise elections or truncate democracy. Since Gen. Buratai assumed leadership of the Army, he has persistently preached to Army personnel about absolute subordination and obedience to civil authority, respect for the dignity and human rights of Nigerians. These tenets have always been observed religiously by Army personnel under his watch.

And the Army Chief spares no disciplinary action on any soldier, who engages in unprofessional or unethical conduct, while on special assignments’, no matter how highly placed or “connected,” in the military. Many have been penalized by Gen. Buratai for such professional misconduct.

It explains why, even after the general elections, the most loquacious or acerbic of critics have never raised eyebrows or accused soldiers of indulgence in compromising the electoral process. Those initially opposed to the deployment of soldiers to ensure national security and peace for the electorates to cast their votes are dead quiet after the ballot. There is no modicum of misdemeanor which can be traced or labeled on the Army. Rather soldiers arrested many electoral fraudsters and handed them over to prosecuting authorities.

The excellence performance of the Army is not in anyway, an indication that they never faced such temptations’ or were never induced into such dishonorable acts on the field. But they resisted the antics of politicians to smear their reputation. Such cases were replete in scores of places all over Nigeria.

One of such instance is the prominent case between the Rivers State Gov, Nyesom Wike’s alleged attempt to financially induce soldiers on the February 23, 2019 election duty as publicly attested in a press briefing by the Deputy director, Army Public Relations, Col. Aminu Iliyasu of the 6 Division Nigerian Army.

But the soldiers refused to bow to Gov. Wike’s satanic actions to lure the Army officers into compromising the electoral process. They rejected his cash and performed their duties, in consonance with their conscience, loyalty and patriotism to the nation.

It is an exemplary conduct by the Army officers, who have made Nigeria proud. In field operations, the soldiers have demonstrated or replicated the orientations and disposition of the leadership of the Nigerian Army under Gen. Buratai. He is a no nonsense, strict and disciplined officer.

It is an indication that the present breed of Army personnel have harkened to Gen. Buratai’s teachings on patriotism, selflessness and discipline in all their national assignments’. With a Nigerian Army which has redefined itself on the path of discipline, truth, honesty and selflessness, Nigeria is surely on the route to recovery and national progress on all fronts.

Onmeje wrote this article from the United Kingdom.

2019 Polls: HURIWA acting politicians’ script to incite violence in Nigeria, Coalition discloses

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2019 Polls: HURIWA acting politicians’ script to incite violence in Nigeria, Coalition discloses

The Coalition of Civil Society Groups on Human Rights and Conflict Resolution said it has unraveled a plot by the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) to incite violence in Nigeria over the outcome of the 2019 general election.

The coalition said HURIWA was only being used by some selfish politicians to cause anarchy in the country.

The group made this revelation in a supplementary report on the February 23, 2019 presidential/national assembly elections.

Maxwell Gowon, the Executive Director of the group, who presented the report on behalf of the group, said HURIWA, was attempting to use the outcome of the poll to reopen old ethnic crises that have no bearing with the matter under

The report below:

The Coalition of Civil Society Groups on Human Rights and Conflict Resolution had in the aftermath of the February 23, 2019 Presidential and National Assembly (Senatorial/House of Representatives) Elections issued a report on the security situation during the elections. That report found that the security and military did a good job in ensuring that security situation did not significantly degenerate in spite of the threat of violence that preceded the election.

The Coalition has further reviewed the prevailing situation in the aftermath of the declaration of the results for the elections. The findings are alarming as there are indications that some candidates that lost have been inciting their supporters to cause security breaches in their respective constituencies.
Below are the findings from a Post-Result Announcement Assessment carried out by the Coalition:

Candidates that lost in the elections have been publishing audio, pictures and videos to prove that there were incidences of vote tampering, intimidation of voters, destruction of ballot and other incidents that could be interpreted as capable of undermining the integrity of the polls. However, when extrapolated for geo-tagging it was found that these incidences were not localized to a specific part of the country. Further analysis of the multimedia content showed an even spread between the APC and PDP in terms of what political is being accused of responsibility for the infractions, which implies that neither party gained any advantage above the other from engaging in these acts.

Several groups have issued statements that are aimed at undermining the credibility of the elections. These groups are affiliated with the PDP and its presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. Their statement or stated position on the election results are exact replicas of PDP’s and Atiku’s statements rejecting the Presidential Election Results. This aligns with the warning earlier issued by some groups that people are being mobilized to reject and discredit the election results irrespective of the degree of transparency attained by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)

There has been several pockets of violence in several parts of the country. Like the multimedia detailing infractions, these were also spread across geo-political zones and involved supporters across political lines.

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) is one of the groups that has openly identified as a recruit in the plot to use the election result to incite violence. HURIWA issued a statement with which it intended to create the impression of ethnic persecution with the election result. While it is on record that the main contenders in the presidential election are of the same ethnic stock, HURIWA, is attempting to use the outcome of the poll to reopen old ethnic crises that have no bearing with the matter under discuss.

Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the PDP has reportedly made demands on the National Peace Committee (NPC). He is yet to deny or refute reports that he made these demands. What is worrisome about these demands is that they are underpinned by an inferred threat of violence, which his supporters are already mobilizing for. It is noteworthy that one of the demands is for the military not to have any role in the states’ elections due on March 9, which is an invitation to anarchy because the military played a critical role in discouraging intending ballot box snatchers.

The threats of violence by PDP members are getting validation from some of their foreign partners that are issuing compromised reports about the elections. Atiku and the PDP are citing these questionable reports as basis for their supporters to reject the results, which these supporters have interpreted as a call to violent protests, even though Atiku had sought to insulate himself from liability by tepidly asking them to remain calm while stoking negative emotions in them with his assertions.

The conduct of the elections might have been largely peaceful but a combined interplay of the situations we have identified present a tense outlook for security in the country especially since states’ elections are holding in a matter of days. There is credible threat of violence arising from PDP supporters who are being primed to attack others by a group like HURIWA.

It is imperative that necessary actions are taken to identify areas where party supporters are likely to attempt unleashing violence and necessary steps taken to prevent this from happening since it will compromise March 9 elections.

Politicians, especially Atiku Abubakar and his party should be prevailed upon to desist from making utterances that could be interpreted by their supporters to imply a directive for them to attack those in other political parties.
The National Peace Committee must rise up to the task of holding signatories to the peace accord accountable to maintaining the peace while also cautioning groups that may be acting as proxies to incite or carry out violence on behalf of signatories.

Two million women rally for democracy, calls on Atiku to eschew bitterness over polls

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Two million women rally for democracy, calls on Atiku to eschew bitterness over polls

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in last Saturday’s presidential election, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has been urged to tow the path of ex-president Goodluck Jonathan and congratulate President Muhammadu Buhari.

This appeal was made by Two Million Women Rally for Democracy on Friday.

Mr Buhari of the All Progressive Congress (APC) was returned as president for a second-term by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

While the incumbent has continued to receive massive commendation over a free, fair and credible polls as well congratulatory messages from both local and international communities, the opposition has resolved to contest the people’s mandate.

In a statement by Convener, Mary Onuche, the Two Million Women Rally for Democracy has advised Mr Atiku to quit his on-going disruptive stance on the election.

According to the group, although the PDP candidate is within his constitutional right to seek redress, such disruptive and frightful atmosphere could lead to an a anarchy.

“ Fortunately for Nigeria, our democracy, though still young, has continued to evolve in ways that reassure us that things can only get better. One such leap is the development in 2015 when the then President Goodluck Jonathan called to congratulate the then winner of the presidential election, incumbent President Buhari, even before the votes’ tally was completed. That singular act of patriotism is today hailed as the benchmark of the level of statesmanship befitting of candidates in our elections. May God bless President Goodluck Jonathan, the hero of our modern democracy.

“ This has become a modern democratic culture in Nigeria for which former President Jonathan will continue to receive accolades. Had he acted contrary at that time, perhaps democratic growth in Nigeria might have been stunted or even truncated.

“ But thankfully he set the benchmark, a standard that we today expect from anyone that takes part in the presidential election.

“ We therefore call on Alhaji Atiku Abubakar to emulate the statesmanship of President Jonathan and quit his on-going disruptive stance on the election. There has been series of calls on him to call and congratulate President Buhari as the winner of the election, which would infer that he would by consequence give up any legal challenge of the election result. We are tempted to align with the first half of this demand that Atiku calls President Buhari to offer his congratulations but we will not suggest that he forfeits his right to seeking judicial redress. He is very free to approach the courts to ventilate his grievances.

“ What is unacceptable, however, is the adoption of positions and making of utterances that are being interpreted by his supporters and party members as a call to violence. We have become aware that his supporters are strategizing for violent protests that they are targeting to cause chaos nationwide and bring down the government. Some of Atiku’s lieutenants and political associates are subtly encouraging such protests through comments they have been making in the mainstream media and their social media accounts.

“ The hostile environment being created by Atiku’s stance has been made even tenser by his reported demands on President Buhari, made through the National Peace Committee. Such behaviour suggests an opposition that has transmuted into a dictatorship, one that is hell-bent on blackmailing the country to impose itself on the people when it has been clearly rejected at the polls. This is not acceptable at a time when Nigerians expect that anyone that aspired to govern the country would at the very least imbibe the spirit of sportsmanship championed by former President Jonathan.

“ Our democracy comes first before the personal fixations of any politician. We insist that the peace accord signed by political parties and their candidates, including Atiku must be respected .

“ Nigeria truly deserves peace and stability at this point in time, which is why we are holding this “Two Million Woman Rally for Democracy in Nigeria” to demand for national stability and peace in Nigeria.

“ While we remain apolitical, we are encouraged by the assessment of international election observation missions, which in-spite of their earlier tilt in favour of Atiku prior to the election, have come out to declare that the conduct and the outcome of the poll was satisfactory to them. We suggest that Atiku takes time to slow down and listen to his foreign allies who have now concluded that even the Parallel Vote Tabulation they used as control showed that the PDP candidate was fairly defeated. “

How brave Nigerian troops took cover against Boko Haram

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he Nigerian Army has maintained its onslaught against the Boko Haram sect in the North-East.

Unlike years past, the gallant troops have crippled the radical Islamic group from wreaking havoc.

A recent video circulating social media showed how the Army withstood massive attacks from the camp of the enemy.

Instead of seeking refuge away from the hit of the combat, the highly-motivated soldiers held firm, firing back at the Boko Haram fighters.

A commander was heard dishing orders to his subordinates to be calm and firm.

Needless to say, this showed an enormous level of courage and utter bravery.

This is even more fascinating as just some days ago, the jubilant Nigerian troops were captured singing and chanting victory songs the Christian way.

Messi nets 50th hat-trick

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Messi nets 50th hat-trick

Lionel Messi hit a sumptuous hat-trick, the 50th of his career, to inspire Barcelona to a 4-2 victory over Sevilla on Saturday and take them one step closer to winning La Liga.

Messi was supposed to be lacking fitness and Barca struggling for form but both delivered a resounding response at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, with two matches against Real Madrid just around the corner.

After scoring 11 goals in nine games, Messi’s thigh strain had coincided with a dip by his own high standards, one goal in four prompting concerns he was being pushed too far.

But the Argentinian was back to his scintillating best, this his 44th treble for Barcelona, now the joint most for a Spanish club alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, rounded off by a trademark chip late on.

“We cannot always be at our best,” Messi said afterwards. “We came from a streak when, to be honest, we weren’t playing our best football. If the game flows it is easier to score goals.”

Luis Suarez needed a goal after a disappointing performance against Lyon in midweek and Messi arranged that too. It was his pass that Suarez converted for a fourth, after Jesus Navas and Gabriel Mercado had twice put Sevilla ahead in the first half.

Sevilla’s top-four hopes look increasingly uncertain but for Barcelona, this was one of the toughest tests left in their run-in, with perhaps the most difficult to come next weekend, against Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Real, who face Levante on Sunday, sit 12 points behind Barca and their best hope of a domestic trophy is surely now in beating them first on Wednesday in the Copa del Rey.

“This is not the title almost won but it was important to win today,” Messi said. “It gets harder towards the end and it is never easy here. Today we were back to being us.”

As well as a return to form for Barca and Messi, there was a return to the team for Samuel Umtiti, the defender handed his first appearance in three months after recovering from a knee injury.

It was given an early test as Wissam Ben Yedder twisted him one way and then the other but Umtiti was quick on his feet and did well to make the block.

Sevilla had started at a furious pace and it was the speedy Navas that scored first, sprinting almost 78 metres to meet the end of a slick counter-attack.

Messi lost the ball and Ben Yedder set off through the centre, teeing up Navas on the right to find the far corner.

Messi soon made amends. Ivan Rakitic sent over a dangling cross, which he volleyed sweetly past Tomas Vaclik with his left foot.

The ball was flying from one end to the other as Umtiti stopped the lively Pablo Sarabia and Gerard Pique’s blistering break forward was halted by his opposite number three, Sergi Gomez.

Sevilla scored next, just before half-time, with Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s underhit clearance allowing Sarabia to scuttle down the right. He flicked the ball off the goalline and back to Mercado, who steered it into the net.

Ousmane Dembele came on and should have equalised, fluffing his finish after a cross from Suarez, who should have had a penalty when Simon Kjaer caught him late.

Messi provided the finishing touch. Again it came from the goalkeeper, Vaclik’s punt falling straight to Rakitic. Dembele pulled back for Messi, who took one touch and curled it, this time right-footed, into the top corner.

Sevilla looked dead on their feet, their early intensity draining away, and Messi landed the knock-out blow. There was a hint of fortune as Carles Alena’s shot deflected neatly into his path. Vaclik came out but Messi scooped it over his body and in.

Three times a scorer, there was still time for an assist. Messi chested and poked the ball through for Suarez. His lob made it four.

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