Economic Crunch: Governors Can't Pay Salaries, Say Okorocha

Gov. Rochas Okorocha

*As APC governors approach Buhari for bail-out
*Buhari: Nigerians should give us chance to restore economy
Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

The economic challenge facing the country is gradually taking its toll on the lives of Nigerians as the situation is now threatening the payment of salaries of public servants.

Governor of Imo state and Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governors' Forum, Chief Rochas Okorocha on Tuesday painted a picture of a desperate economic situation that may make many of the states not being able to pay workers’ salaries.

In acknowledgement of the enormous challenges facing the country, the President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari, asked Nigerians to exercise some patience and to allow the incoming administration chance to re-organize the ailing economy.

Okorocha, who met the President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari, along with other APC governors at Defence House in Abuja on Tuesday, lamented that the terrible state of the economy has put payment of April salaries of workers in jeopardy.

"One of the issues that became of concern to all of us is the state of the Nigerian economy which is really in bad shape. We have come to notify the incoming president of the challenges ahead of him.

"As it stands today, most states of the federation have not been able to pay salaries and even the Federal government has not paid April salary and that is very worrisome. By May and June, that (salaries) will be cumulative of three months," he said.

On behalf of the state governors, Okorocha pleaded with the incoming Buhari administration to consider implementing intervention measures that can bail out federal and state governments from the critical situation to at least enable them meet their salary obligations.

"We wonder with the huge expectation from Nigerians and people who have voted us into power, we are hoping that the president-elect will do whatever is humanly possible to bring about a bailout not only in the states but the federal government at least for people to get their salaries and turn around the economy.

"We have seen the reason to work together and support Mr President and we have also called on all our brothers in other political parties to come along with us to build the Nigeria of our dream. In a nutshell, we have come to congratulate Mr President on a well deserved victory knowing that this victory, the change we've all been waiting for must only be dedicated to ordinary citizens of Nigeria who stood up and voted accordingly.”

Jonathan Expected to Assent to 2015 Budget

Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

*N145.52bn approved for fuel, kerosene subsidy

* FG borrows N473bn to cushion revenue drop  *N1bn introduced for National Assembly clinic

By Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja

President Goodluck is expected to assent to the 2015 budget recently passed by the National Assembly soon as the Coordinating Minister for the Economy (CME) and  Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala declared on Tuesday that what the parliament passed ‘is not dramatically’ different from what was sent to it by the executive.

And contrary to claims in some quarters that subsidy on petroleum motor spirit (PMS) had been removed from the budget to torpedo the smooth take-off of the incoming administration, Okonjo-Iweala confirmed that a total of N142.52 billion was provided in the budget for both PMS and kerosene.

She gave the breakdown as N100 billion for PMS and N42 billion for household kerosene, otherwise known as Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK).

At the 2015 budget briefing in Abuja yesterday, the minister gave the parameters as $53 per barrel benchmark, a dollar higher than what was proposed to the National Assembly; exchange rate of N190.

The minister, who expressed appreciation to the National Assembly for finding time to pass the budget in spite of the demands of electioneering,  stated that the Senate had passed the 2015 Budget on April 28, 2015 following the passage of the same bill by the House of Representatives on  April 23, with an expenditure outlay of N4.493 trillion (up from the N4.425 trillion proposed by the  President.

This, she said, represents an increase of N67.43 billion, adding that the parliament passed a benchmark oil price of US$53 per barrel ($1 higher than the Budget proposal; generating an extra revenue of N54.25 billion for the government.

According to her, other key parameters driving the oil revenue side of the budget were retained, including oil production volume of 2.2782mbpd and an exchange rate of N190/$.

The minister said It was important to note that the lawmakers approved the N100 billion and N45.52 billion provisioned for fuel and kerosene subsidy proposed by the Executive.

While other components of non-oil revenue were also retained as proposed, the minister disclosed that the federal goverrnment Independent Revenue was raised by N39.294 billion, from N450 billion to N489.294 billion.

Based on the above, she affirmed that  Gross Federally Collectible Revenue increased by N169.845 billion, from N9.61 trillion to N9.78 trillion, as a direct result of raising the benchmark price.

FGN Budget Revenue also rose from N3.358 trillion to N3.452 trillion even as aggregate expenditure passed  by the parliament stands at N4.493 trillion—N67.43 billion higher than the proposed aggregated expenditure of N4.425 trillion.

  The National Assembly also retained the N943.62 billion proposed by the Executive for Debt Service while  Statutory transfers increased by N9.34 billion, from N366.28 billion to N375.62 billion.

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC ) vote also increased from N45.78 billion to N46.72 billion (an increase of N940 million), while that of Universal Basic Education (UBE) also increased from N67.30 billion to N68.38 billion (an increase of N1.08 billion).

According to the CME, “these are strictly based on formula driven by the increase benchmark oil price.”

National Assembly allocation was raised by N5 billion, from N115 billion proposed by the Executive to N120 billion.

Aggregate capital expenditure (including transfers and SURE-P) increased to N722.20 billion, from N663.67

This comprises an increase of N37.77 billion in Ministries Departments and Agencies’ (MDAs’) capital and N20.80 billion for Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) under capital supplementation.

However, while the National Assembly completely removed N5 billion proposed for the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS), N1 billion was provisioned for a new project, National Assembly Clinic.

Capital development of the National Institute for Legislative Studies was also increased by N4 billion (from N2 billion to N6 billion).

But the provision of N20.78 billion for SURE-P capital spending as proposed in the Appropriation Bill presented by the Executive was retained.

Responding to questions on what would become of capital releases which have been stalled due to 50 per cent revenue drop, the minister said she could not speak for the incoming administration since the government she is serving is winding down on May 29.

She maintained her position that the year would be a difficult one due to the revenue slump, adding that the serious cash crunch had been ingeniously managed month by the current administration in order to keep the country afloat.

“As you know, I have been honest with you since the current economic problems started. I would like to repeat: we have serious challenges. Things have been tough since the beginning of the year and they are likely to remain so till the end of the year. We have serious challenges but we also have strengths and if we do the right things we can keep a steady course and emerge out of the current situation,”

“As a result of the 50 per cent decline in oil revenues, the country has faced a difficult cash crunch and the federal government has focused on keeping the economy stable and the government running through a series of measures,” she said.

According to her, ”We have front-loaded the borrowing programme to manage the cash crunch in the economy,”, adding that out of the N882 billon budgetary provision for borrowing, the government has borrowed N473 billion to meet up with recurrent expenditure, including salaries and overheads

“Traditionally the first part of the year witnesses low revenue because tax receipts come in from the middle of the year. This has compounded the challenges caused by the steep drop in revenues due to the oil price fall.

“As a consequence of the revenue challenges, there has been no capital budget release so far this year. In spite of this challenge, government has managed to keep the economy stable to the point that the Nigerian economy which is projected to grow by 4.8 per cent this year is according to respected analysts is doing much better than many other oil producing countries

“One positive feature despite the clear challenges is the fact that food prices, though inching up are still quite stable. Also inflation is still in single digits. This has helped to reduce some of the pressure that Nigerians are going through

“We also have the advantage the we are an asset rich country and that is a definite strength.

“ It is a challenging time and requires daily, weekly and monthly management to keep the country going and that’s what we have been doing,” she said.

MORE TO FOLLOW

A Time to Kill or a Time to Heal?

Simon Kolawole Live! email; simon.kolawole@thisdaylive.com, sms: 0805 500 1961

Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar. Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe. Alhaji Sa'ad Abubakar III. Cardinal John Onaiyekan. Alhaji Aliko Dangote. Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi. Mr. Sam Amuka-Pemu. Mrs Priscilla Kuye. What do they have in common? Age? Far from it. Politics? Not quite. Cash? No. These were some of the eminent Nigerians in the National Peace Committee convened by Bishop Matthew Kukah to help keep Armageddon at bay before, during and after the 2015 general election. There was also the Justice Mohammed Uwais-led Council of the Wise, convened by Prof. Ibrahim Gambari and supported by Dr. Kole Shettima-led MacArthur Foundation, to help undermine the Doomsday.

Now that the presidential election has come and gone and there are no rioters on the streets, no curfew, no indefinite closure of universities, no massive looting and shooting, no running helter-skelter, no Red Cross, no Red Crescent, no Médecins Sans Frontières, no "Muslim North, Christian South" analysis on CNN, no AU peace-keeping force, it is all too easy to forget that just a few weeks ago, we feared the country was on the verge of a political meltdown. It is also so easy to forget that in addition to all the praying and fasting, there were people who worked tirelessly and selflessly day and night to ensure that Nigeria did not descend into yet another political impasse.

As a young man who has read or seen a lot of political upheavals in Nigeria, I take nothing for granted. In the First Republic, allegations of rigging led to the deaths of as many as 2,000 persons in the "Wetie" uprising in the Western Region. Over 5,000 houses were burnt in protest. In the Second Republic, violence broke out after the 1983 elections. Hon. Tunde Agunbiade, the Majority Leader of Ondo State House of Assembly,  was killed along with his wife, two children, driver and five others. Hon. Olaiya Fagbamigbe, a federal lawmaker and secretary of NPN in Ondo State, was burnt to death. In fact, ten members of his household were burnt with him.

In the aftermath of the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, soldiers killed protesters mercilessly in Lagos as the military authorities tried to suppress popular resistance. Activists were going in and out of jail by the minute. Everything was paralysed. You could leave your house and get stuck midway, unable to proceed to destination or return home, as a result of constant outbreak of violence. In 2011, more than a thousand persons, including youth corps members on national service, were killed in the north because of the elections. If you do not think deeply, you are most unlikely to appreciate the relative peace we enjoy today.

It is not as if the elections were without incidents. Over 50 persons still lost their lives, and Rivers State looked more like a war zone than an electoral battleground. But by and large, the world did not come to an end as we had feared. That an opposition party won for the first time, that the sitting president did not resort to any funny game but accepted the results and congratulated the winner, that the Niger Delta militants who initially threatened hell fire are now speaking like people who want peace... ladies and gentlemen, if you do not see this season as a positive one worth congratulating ourselves for, then you're stone-hearted.

We must recognise the efforts of those who managed the situation behind the scene, working the phones, calling meetings, drafting accords and constantly reminding the combatants of their responsibility as statesmen and citizens. Gen. Abubakar, former head of state who chaired the peace committee, appears to enjoy the respect of both President Goodluck Jonathan and Gen. Muhammadu Buhari. It was not an easy deal to strike, and I understand he met with frustrations as supporters of the candidates continued to violate the terms of the agreement through inciting statements and pronouncements.

Ukiwe, former chief of general staff, is a bit quiet but he worked for national peace with absolute commitment. Onaiyekan and Sultan Abubakar III have always demonstrated that religious leaders from opposite faiths can work for the same purpose. Maturity is a key element of leadership lacking in many Nigerian clergymen who are fond of making statements that can only hurt the cause of peace and unity. Dangote, representing the private sector, arrived on the scene just at the right time. Credit must go to Kukah who continues to contribute positively to national development. We must appreciate Uwais and Gambari for their patriotic intervention.

Let me tell you something that you already know: if Nigeria is going to move from strength to strength, it has to be a deliberate plan. Things will not happen on their own. We would not have peace if we don't work consciously towards it. We would not have national cohesion just like that. We would not banish poverty if we don't make it a focal point of policy. We are not going to go to bed tonight and wake up tomorrow morning to discover that all the cockroaches and mosquitoes have disappeared. We won't just get up one day and discover that all our troubles and worries are gone. We must work hard to solve these problems. Let's be clear about that.

Before the general election, I was asked by many Nigerians and foreigners about a possible breakdown of law and order. Some said 2015 was going to mark the end of Nigeria in line with the supposed "prediction by CIA" which is quoted by experts and commentators who have never seen any such CIA report. While I had my fears about the elections, I never believed Nigeria was about to disband. The Nigeria that I know, the Nigeria I have travelled extensively, the Nigerians that I interact with everyday —I am yet to see concrete signs that they are preparing for divorce, except on Twitter and Facebook. Yet, I would take nothing for granted.

Even in my enthusiasm, I would like to say the job is not finished. Despite the unprecedented level of concessions by those who lost, from the president to the governors, there are those who are still hurting and hurting badly. Some still speak the language of violence. There are those who think vengeance by any means is the best way forward. The message of peace must continue to be preached and pursued with all tenacity and sagacity. We need a new national spirit, a new thinking, a new politics. We have to do away with the old mindset of do-or-die and put the peace and prosperity of Nigeria above personal interests.

I believe we went to war in 1967 because of the inexperience of our leaders. They were too young to manage the combustible side of their personalities. They also did not know how to handle brinkmanship. They had no experience to learn from. I believe we have learnt from the civil war. We are better equipped today.  This has helped us manage other serious crises better, notably the June 12 impasse and the President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua illness-induced constitutional logjam. In all our anger and agitations, we must know that we cannot make progress without peace and national cohesion. The time to kill is gone. It is now time to heal.

QUOTE<><><><><><><><><>  "Now that the presidential election has come and gone and there are no rioters on the streets, it is very easy to forget our fears a few months ago that the country was on the verge of a political meltdown" <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

AND FOUR OTHER THINGS...

THE CHIBOK GIRLS

So it is over a year now that the hapless Chibok schoolgirls were abducted? What a tragedy. I still remember vividly when the media reported that hundreds of girls were kidnapped and how the military authorities hastily announced that all but eight of them had escaped and returned home. As the blame-game and the 'na only you waka come' drama broke out, my driver told me something that I will never forget: "They won't find those girls again. The government has left things too late." Let's still hope they will return one day. But government could have done better. Definitely.

XENOPHOBIC SICKNESS

Black South Africans have a history of violence. Perhaps the worst crime of apartheid was that it prevented the blacks from being properly educated and equipped with entrepreneurial skills. The society is still paying —and will continue to pay —the price. These guys are mentally limited and are therefore unable to utilise their opportunities to lead a meaningful life. Ongoing attacks against foreigners whom they accuse of taking their jobs is only a symptom. If they can kill just to steal a mobile phone or nick a wristwatch, what then can't they do? They need mental and emotional re-engineering. Clearly.

ODE IRELE MYSTERY

While the world is still trying to contain Ebola which turned three West African countries to graveyards, a strange ailment has broken out in Ode Irele, Ondo state, killing 17 persons in two days. It kills with speed —within 24 hours —after a headache, according to reports. Ebola does not kill that fast, and this should worry us more. The disease reportedly started when a corpse was exhumed and those who had contact with it were afflicted. Locals attribute it to an abomination. All I can say is that this is an emergency. We must react and contain it. Decisively.

MEDITERRANEAN TRAGEDY

Many Africans are doing the unthinkable just to get into Europe —and too many are losing their lives in avoidable circumstances. The anarchy in Libya has afforded some fast guys the business opportunity of ferrying would-be migrants by flimsy boats to Italy, where they hope to seek asylum. Nigerians are, not unexpectedly, part of these desperate travellers. I was shocked to learn that some pay as much as $1,000 (or N200,000) to get on the boat. Now if I had access to that kind of money, I would rather sell pure water or recharge cards than flee to Europe. Honestly.

Ondo Deaths Linked to Poisonous Gin?

WHO logo

Paul Obi in Abuja

The death of the 18 people in Ondo State in a mysterious circumstance has been linked to a local gin that was contaminated with poisonous material (methanol).

Minister of State for Health, Fidelis Nwankwo, stated this at a media briefing in Abuja, on Monday.

He said : "At this stage, the particular poisonous substance (Toxin) is being ascertained. The Results of these detailed investigations currently being conducted by Government and partners are still being awaited and will be made public as soon as possible."

Also, the World Health Organization (WHO) has denied ever issuing any statement on the mysterious deaths.

According to the minister, "Epidemiological findings indicate a strong linkage of the outbreak with the consumption of a local gin that may have been contaminated with methanol (poisonous material).

"The assuring news however, is that NO new cases have been reported in the past 100 hours and no new mortality in the last 72 hours.

"We therefore believe that the situation is under control and that the stability will be sustained, while active case search and contact tracing continue in earnest.

"However, if any suspected case is found, it should be reported to the nearest Health Center for prompt investigation and treatment."

While noting that preliminary laboratory investigations indicate that the outbreak cannot be attributed to any infectious organism (Bacterial or Viral). Nwankwo further said that the outbreak was also clearly not due to Ebola Virus Disease, as feared by many.

Jonathan Conceding Defeat, a Legacy For African Continent, Says Qouttara

President of Cote D'Ivoire, Allassan Qouttara

Jaiyeola Andrews in Abuja

President of Cote D'Ivoire, Allassan Qouttara, on Monday said the presidential election which President Goodluck Jonathan, an incumbent, lost and conceded defeat to an opposition president-elect, Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), would contimue to remain a great legacy for the African continent.

Qouttara, who paid a private visit to Jonathan at the Presidential Villa, told State House correspondents that the refusal of an incumbent President in his country, Laurent Gbagbo in relinquishing power five years ago, led to the loss of over 3,000 lives in a needless civil war.

He recalled that he and his team were locked up in a hotel for four and half months,  without food and water for days.

The Ivorien President noted that Jonathan had won his admiration for that singular act of conceding defeat.

He stressed that Jonathan's decisions dis not come as a surprise, because he (Jonathan)   had always demonstrated he was more West African than Nigerian by his contributions in quelling the crisis in Mali,  Guinea Bissau, and Togo.

Qouttara added that avoiding violence and civil war when  any elections is held in Africa, should be the objective of leaders of African continent.

"I came on a private visit to see my friend and brother and to congratulate the Nigerian people for the conduct of the presidential election. On May 29 there will be inauguration and swearing in of the President-elect Gen. Muhammadu Buhari. So I wanted to tell you (Jonathan) our appreciation for the leadership we have received from you during all these years.

"Mr. President, you know about five years ago Cote D' Ivoire had presidential elections and I won the election and the incumbent president decided not to leave office. This brought a civil war and 3000 people were killed and we were put at hotel and under the protection of the United Nations for about four and half months. There were days we could not even have food or water because the hotel had been barricaded and encircled by the former president and it was only after four and half months of imprisonment in these hotel that finally that were able to leave the hotel after the former president was caught and finally left office for me to take over.

Abia Govt Wants Jega to Supervise Supplementary Poll

Gov Theodore Orji

Emmanuel Ugwu, Umuahia

Abia state government Monday called on the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega to come over to the state and monitor the forthcoming supplementary governorship election.

State commissioner for information and strategy, Dr Anthony Agbazuere who stated the government’s position in the run-up to the supplementary poll slated for April 25, 2015, told a news conference that the state government believed that either Jega or a senior INEC official would be needed to do a better job.

He explained that the demand for Jega “to come over to Abia or send senior INEC officials to monitor the supplementary elections” was borne out of the fact that “we have no confidence in the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Prof Selina Oko and the state Returning Officer, Prof Benjamin Ozumba”.

The supplementary elections came about after INEC declared the April 11 governorship poll inconclusive on the ground that there was no clear winner with the PDP candidate, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu polling 248,459 as against 165, 406 votes scored by his closet rival, Dr Alex Otti of APGA. According to the state Returning Officer, the 83,053 votes margin of lead was less than the 179,244 registered voters in the polling units where election did not hold hence the need for supplementary election to determine the eventual winner.

Agbazuere said that the ruling PDP was prepared to participate in the supplementary governorship election but certain conditions needed to be put in place to ensure credible outcome of the poll.

“We shall no longer tolerate the intimidation of our party members nor accept a situation where INEC will aloe more party agents or observers for a political party than the number allowed for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),” he said.

AFA Asks AU to Probe SA over Attacks on African Nationals

  

*‎As SERAP Asks Jonathan to Refer SA to African Commission

By Tobi Soniyi in Abuja

A Civil Society Organization, Alliance for Africa (AFA) has called on the Africa Union (AU) to investigate the role played by South African government, agencies and traditional institutions in instigating the attacks on foreign nationals living is South Africa.

While condemning the xenophobic attacks in South Africa, AFA said ‎that the host government did not do enough to protect African nationals who were attacked by South Africans.

The statement which was signed by AFA's Executive Director, Iheoma Obibi‎ called on the AU to also tackle the rising cases of xenophobia associated with unemployment within the African continent.

The statement reads: ‎"We are specifically calling on the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, who hails from KwaZulu-Natal Province, where the attacks started to continue to denounce and use her good office to bring perpetuators of the ongoing violence against foreign nationals in her South Africa homeland to justice."

It also called  on African Human Rights institutions, Commission and Court to intervene by calling to question the South African government’s inability to safeguard the lives and properties of migrant Africa citizens within its borders and its inability to mitigate the repeating instances of jungle justice meted on fellow black African citizens including women and children.

The organization said this month's attacks on African nationals were not the first.

Gunmen Invade Jonathan's Special Assistant's Home in Yenagoa

Police logo

Segun James in Yenagoa.

The political situation in Bayelsa state has taken a bizarre turn as gunmen on Saturday night invaded the Yenagoa home of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Domestic Matters, Dr. Waripamowei Dudafa and carted away an undisclosed amount of money after destroying the safe kept in one of his rooms.

Family sources said that the gunmen were asking after him and ransacking the entire building looking for him.

The source said that gunmen who invaded the home were not looking like hoodlums. The 10 man gang were allegedly dressed in mobile police uniform when they came calling.

They were said to have stormed the residence in Okaka Estate, Yenagoa at about 8pm when the three mobile policemen guarding the residence of the Presidential aide were not around.

The gunmen were said to have gained entry into the premises of Dudafah after allegedly telling the security men (civilians) that they were policemen on operations from the police headquarters.

When they got into the premises, they were said to have bound the Chief gateman, one Muhammed Garba, tying his legs, his hands and covering his eyes and mouth. 

An eyewitness, who craved anonymity, alleged the attack on Dudafah's home was politically motivated.

He said the incident took place few minutes after results of some rescheduled House of Assembly polls were released and Dudafa backed candidate on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance defeated his Peoples Democratic Party opponent in Kolokuma-Opokuma Constituency.

Narrating his ordeal, Garba, who said he had been working with Dudafa for eight years,  said the suspects came in two black Sport Utility Vehicles.

"They ordered me to open the gate. I opened a small gate and saw about 10 of them. They pushed me and they gained entry into the premises. They spanked my head. They tied my hands, mylegs, covered my mouth and eyes with celotape. They went for my room at the security gate and asked me to show them the apartments of police security in the building. They also asked for Dudafa (Oga) house keys. I told them I did not know where they were since I was not the person keeping them. They said they would kill me if they eventually found the keys in my place. I kept quiet. After ransacking my room, they saw the keys. They started using them to open the main building.

"The man leading the operations, asked his colleagues to talk gently so that when my colleague who had gone to buy noodles at that time would not suspect something was amiss. No sooner had they said that than my colleague came in, and they caught him. They now abandoned me bound, and took my second to be directing them. It was my second that was now showing them way. They also went to boys quarters and also seized Dudafah cousin living there. They also tied him. They were threatening them that if they did not cooperate with them, they would waste them."

Garba said when they had held all of them captive, they went inside the building and started ransacking everywhere.

He said they came also with axes and saws which they were using to cut something inside the apartments.

The 55 year old Garba,  a father of one, said the operations lasted about three hours before they left.

Dudafah's cousin, Pere Ozoru, said he was sleeping his room when the gunmen came.
He said it was the second gate man, Ibrahim, that brought them to his apartment.

When newsmen visited the residence on Sunday, it was discovered that most apartments in the gigantic edifice were ransacked and furniture were destroyed.

In one of the rooms, a safe was destroyed and it could not be ascertained how much could have been carted away from the safe.
Efforts to get the police reaction were unsuccessful as calls to the spokesman for the Bayelsa State Command, Mr. Asinim Butswat, rang out several times.

Boko Haram: Ground Troops Enter Sambisa in Search of Chibok Girls

 Nigerian troops

By Senator Iroegbu in Abuja

The Nigerian Army on Saturday landed in the dreaded and expansive Sambisa forest with the possibility of finding and rescuing the abducted Chibok girls from the Boko Haram terrorists.

THISDAY was reliably informed on Saturday that the operation to liberate the terrorist enclave may not last more than one week as most of the strikes and special operations have knocked out the enemy defence systems.

According to a military source the sustained aerial bombardment by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) for weeks now have now made it possible for the Army to move in today for ground operation. “The operation is nearing its conclusion and the Army will be moving in tomorrow (today) and I am sure in a matter of days, if plans goes accordingly the operations will be over.

The Air Force have been bombarding the area for weeks now and with the right kind of weapon, the Army is ready for the final onslaught”, the source said. The source further confirmed that even though there is no concrete evidence that the Chibok girls were in the forest, it will however be the top priority of the military to find and rescue them if that should be the reality.

According to the source, “the fear is that some of the girls might be amongst the women killed in Bama and other parts of the liberated towns, and Sambisa offers  the more viable hope of all the remaining options to rescue the girls”.

It could be recalled that the Nigerian Military in the last eight weeks of sustained offensive have recaptured over 90 per cent of the territories that were once under Boko Haram occupation with the exception of Sambisa forest.
However, several towns leading to the forest including Allagano have been confirmed liberated last two weeks by the Nigerian Army Director of Public Relations (DAPR), Col. Sani Usman, thereby clearing the way for the final onslaught.

In the same vein, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt-Gen. Kenneth Minimah in a recent special interview with select journalists in Abuja, confirmed that the battle with Boko Haram terrorists is almost over.

Minimah even assured that with the way Nigerians react to issues, within a space of six months Boko Haram atrocities might have been forgotten.

“I will tell you that militarily, they (Boko Haram) have been defeated, but as armed groups, thieves, armed robbers, or people who go about to steal, burn markets and loot to go back to the forests that will continue for a while”, he stated.

However, he added, the other programmes of government will take care of those ones. Bomb explosion also happens in civilised worlds where there are no terrorists.

He also said with the expected recapture of the Sambisa forest the Chibok girls, which he admitted not knowing their whereabouts might be rescued.

“Yes, by the time we capture Sambisa forest completely, we will be able to find out where the Chibok girls are. Because as it is now, anybody you ask, they will say they did not see them, they are not here, they are not there. But when we capture Sambisa forest we will be able to know where they are and government will take it up from there”, he assured.

50 Killed in Another Bloody Communal Clash in Benue

  The Nigeria Police logo

By George Okoh in Makurdi

A communal clash between Ologba and Egba communities of Agatu over a fish ponds has claimed the lives of 50 people in Benue State.

According to a source, the villagers had been fighting over a fish pond and the renewed crisis was a result of suspicion by the Egba community that the Ologba people had organised the recent deadly Fulani invasion against them where 82 people were killed in March.

The State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hycinth Dagala, said police sources had claimed that 23 dead bodies have been confirmed while further update is being awaited.

Villagers said 50 deaths occurred in Ologba as  fighting continued. According to the People Democratic Party (PDP) Deputy Governorship Candidate John Ngbede who hails from the area, the communities in dispute had long-standing issues.

Ngbede said many people were injured following the crisis which started on Friday evening adding that they are now refugees in Ogbagaji, the headquarters of the Agatu LGA. However, the Police has said that calm has returned to the area.

Kogi Deputy Gov’s Wife, 3 Others Injured in Explosion

 Kogi State Deputy Governor, Yomi Awoniyi

By Chiemelie Ezeobi

An early morning explosion on Saturday rocked a building in Lagos belonging to the Kogi State Deputy Governor, Yomi Awoniyi, trapping his wife and three others in the rubble.

The building located on HFB Way, at no 19B Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi area of Lagos, was said to have collapsed following a sudden explosion.

When the building collapsed, the three occupants in the house, including Mrs. Awoniyi, were trapped while the driver who was outside washing cars was injured from the explosion.

According to an eyewitness report, the explosion which had come out of the blue, rocked the nearby building to its foundation and was followed by the crumbling of blocks.

Although no life was lost, THISDAY gathered that the four victims, who had sustained varying degrees of injuries, were rushed to the hospital immediately they were evacuated from the rubble.

Confirming the incident, the South-west Zonal Spokesperson, of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mr. Ibrahim Farinloye, said when the building collapsed, the first line of action was to ascertain if people were trapped underneath the rubble.

He said once that was established, emergency services swung into action and were able to evacuate the four persons trapped there.

He said, “The building collapse was suspected to have been caused by gas cooker explosion around 7:15 a.m. this (yesterday) morning. The explosion and subsequent building collapse affected three occupants, who were inside the building at the time, and the driver who washing the car outside. “Although no life was lost, the four injured persons have since been evacuated to St. Maria Hospital, Yaba, for proper treatment. Currently, the Police Anti-Bomb Squad and Police Disaster Management Unit are working on the site to get to the root of the explosion.

“Afterwards, the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) will move in to determine the next level of action to take”, he added. In an another development, a nine-seater bus conveying passengers from the Lagos Island to the Mainland also went up in flames yesterday. The bus was said to have exploded at the Costain area, bordering between the Island and Mainland axis, and burnt its passengers.

Although all the passengers were rescued alive with varying degrees of burns, one of them was said to have given up the ghost on the way to the hospital. 

Okupe: Chibok Girls Kidnapped to Make Jonathan’s Govt Look Incompetent

 Dr. Doyin Okupe

By Abimbola Akosile

Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs to President Goodluck Jonathan, Doyin Okupe, yesterday claimed that the 200 Chibok schoolgirls were abducted to make Jonathan’s government appear incompetent before Nigerians and the international community.

Okupe, in a post on Facebook said the Bring Back Our Girls Group (BBOG#) was formed with the sole aim of smearing the image of Jonathan’s government.

The presidential media aide, in his post which went viral on Facebook and twitter, and which appeared in an online media report by Daily Post said, “One of the reasons the Chibok girls were kidnapped was to present Jonathan’s administration as incompetent and hold it to ransom against 2015 elections. One of the reasons the BBOG was formed was to sustain and internationalise the embarrassment. “One of the reasons President Jonathan lost the election was a national and international conspiracy predicated on this carefully choreographed and assiduously sustained perception. One of the issues that will be in the hand over notes will be the missing girls.

“What is reasonable and expedient for well-meaning men and women of good conscience is to dialogue with the incoming administration on what best new approach to employ to find and rescue the Chibok girls.

Not much can be achieved, except mischief, by continuing to flog this administration on this matter”, Okupe added.

The top aide was once reported to have likened President Jonathan to Jesus Christ.

Babalakin’s Gift of Vision

In Kaduna State, the Ramatu Ibironke Babalakin Foundation provides treatment for 10,000 visually impaired residents of Zaria. Martins Ifijeh writes

Inhabitants of Zaria witnessed an extraordinary spectacle recently when officials of Ramatu Ibironke Babalakin Foundation (RIBF) stormed the ancient town to honour the Emir, Alhaji Shehu Idris, who was celebrating his 40 years on the throne.

News had gone out that the Foundation set up by billionaire philanthropist, lawyer and investor, Dr. Wale Babalakin, was coming to town with top class ophthalmologists to restore the sights of over 10, 000 visually impaired persons free of charge.

For 10 days, starting from March 15, columns of visually impaired men and women, the young and the old, were streaming from all sides of the city and its environs to the Institute of Child Healthcare, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Banzazzau.

Seeing the procession, one would have thought that a notable politician was holding a rally to celebrate his victory at the just concluded general elections in the country; but that was not the case.

The multitudes were hoping to be beneficiaries of the charitable eye treatment venture sponsored by a man who was described by the Emir as a son of the soil.

Dr. Babalakin’s late mother, in whose name the Foundation was established, was born and bred in Zaria, where she also met her husband, the retired Justice of the Supreme Court, Mr. Justice Bolarinwa Oyegoke Babalakin.

Waiting to receive the patients was a medical team headed by Dr. Shola Bob-Egbe. Members of the team included RIBF’s Director of Logistics, Dr. Kayode Ojutiku; Dr. Fatima Mahmood-Ajeigbe, and Dr. U. U. Iheanacho of the National Institute of Ophthalmology, Kaduna.

They announced at the end of the exercise on March 24 that over 10, 000 persons were screened, 9000 persons were treated, 4000 received glasses and 1000 surgeries were performed at the Hajiya Gambo Sawaba General Hospital, Kofan Gayan.

One of the beneficiaries from Sabongari Local Government Area, Hajiya Binta Musa, said: “Babalakin is ameliorating the suffering of the people. Government should emulate this and do more for the people. Imagine how it feels for somebody to regain sight.

“Allah will reward his royal highness; will reward Babalakin and all those who participated in this worthwhile venture.”

Another beneficiary, Tabita Samuel Geko, said: “I’m so happy because this has helped the poor people who are not able to afford to pay or go to the Clinic to pay money. In fact, I will say I’m happy how the Foundation has recognized our plight and decided to assist us.

“I’m so thankful for what they’ve done and I pray that God will reward them. Other people should do the same.”

Dr. Bob-Egbe also revealed that many of the patients didn't have money to buy basic drugs prescribed for them in the past and had no access to free health care. She said they were being given the required drug dosage free of charge.

She noted that it was heartbreaking to see the large number of people suffering from ailments that could be easily treated just because they couldn't afford basic drugs, adding that words could not describe the joy she felt every time a patient screamed excitedly when the sight is regained after a surgery.

While flagging off the exercise, the Emir revealed how he made it happen. He said: “When Dr. Wale Babalakin told me that he would like to contribute to the anniversary of my coronation, I felt one of the significant ways to mark my 40th year on the throne would be to impact positively on the lives of my people by addressing their health problems. And he promised that he would do something accordingly.

“The people are happy because their lives are about to change. This is a good thing that the rich should emulate to improve the lives of the poor. Dr. Babalakin should continue to use his wealth to help the poor, especially in terms of healthcare.

“On behalf of the people of the emirate and Kaduna State at large, we sincerely thank and appreciate the effort of Babalakin Foundation.”

Governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero, who also spoke through a Director in the state Ministry of Health, Mr. Bashir Ango, thanked Babalakin for complementing the government's efforts in the health sector.

Chairman of the occasion and Chief Medical Director of ABUTH, Prof. Lawal Khalid, said: “This singular act by the Babalakin Foundation is a clear manifestation of the high regard they have for the Emir of Zazzau.

The programme is being done because of the dynamic leadership of the Emir. That’s why people have been coming to make contributions to progress in Zaria.

“This free eye care treatment will constantly help in reducing the problems of eye faced by many in the community. The people who have come to handle it are well trained and are able to face the challenges.”

It was not the first time that people who have challenges with their sights would be receiving tender concern by Babalakin.

The charity actually began at his hometown in Gbongan, Osun State, where over 1000 eye patients were treated.
The Foundation later treated about 5000 patients in Owo, Ondo State, Babalakin’s late mother’s ancestral home.

Among dignitaries at the event were the Secretary-General, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Prof. Is’haq Oloyede and the Medical Director, Hajiya Gambo Sawaba General Hospital, Kofan Gayan, Zaria, Dr Habila Shehu Mu’azu, as well as title holders, district heads, and members of Zazzau Emirate Council, who held a special prayer session for Babalakin, at the Emir’s palace, on the closing day.

Young People and their Reproductive Health

Bobo Bode-Kayode

Over half of the world’s population is below 25 years of age . Talking about the sexuality of young people is still very controversial, even though pregnancy is the main cause of death among women between 15 and 19 years worldwide. Complications in giving birth and unsafe abortion practices contribute greatly to these worrying numbers. Also, almost half of all new HIV infections occur among young people.

Therefore it is crucial that young people receive adequate information about these issues because it has a high impact on their future and present lives. This information needs to be freely available to everyone. In addition, young people need to have access to contraceptives and relevant health services – also outside school hours and without the need for parental consent. [ : choice].
Many young people engage in sexual risk behaviors that can result in unintended health outcome, including – HIV/ AIDS or pregnancy. 

Therefore it is important that support services should be provided for young people to include
- Educate on evidence based prevention.
-  professional counseling
-  medical screening
-  referrals for follow up.
These services are made available in most countries so that the youth can benefit and live a reasonably well preserved reproductive health.

Reproductive health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, not bordering only on the absence of reproductive disease or infirmity, but deals with reproductive processes, functions and systems of all stages of life.

The youth, due to the exploratory nature of their life at this stage of development, should be able to have a satisfying and safe sex life and have the capability to reproduce and the freedom to decide if, when and how often to do so.

To most young people, reproductive health refers more to their sexual health; with relation to the enhancement of life and personal relations, and not merely counseling and care related to reproduction and sexually transmitted diseases.

It refers to general health, and transcends to future generations, therefore there should be more emphasis on the young, that in as much as they are ‘in charge’, need to live a sensible and safe life.  Emphasis is on the understanding of the context of relationships, fulfillment and risk, choice to have a desired child, or alternatively, to avoid unwanted and unsafe pregnancy.
- People’s lives- reckless living is a major precursor, for problems in their lives.
- Economic circumstances- when things are difficult generally, people throw caution to the wind. 

- Education- read to be aware of dangers and safe guard yourself. Be informed on issues concerning your health.
- Employment- when you are not gainfully employed, the emotions are not only down, you tend to let down all you would have paid attention to, but rather, just focus on trying to survive. Also, this results in the faint hearted, being drawn to unsavory practices.

- Living conditions- those able to sustain themselves, live in healthy homes, and it is otherwise for those that are not well to do.
- Family environment- a good family unit, is a haven for good living all round. Family , parents and relatives , all would care and monitor your way of life. And, in Nigeria as a   whole, parents , in line with culture, have a bearing influence on their children.
- Social and gender relationships- be wise in your relationship, with the opposite sex, and do not allow negative peer pressure to cause you to commit errors.

- Traditional and legal structures- these a age long structure, that have always been there to assist and guide young people.
There are various interplay of these factors on how they influence the youth, whether negatively or positively.  Young women bear the greater burdens of reproductive health problems, because if the issue of unwanted pregnancy and unsafe abortions, even though young people of both sexes are vulnerable to reproductive health problems, due to lack of information and access to services.

Most young people, in the quest to take charge of their lives, are secretive and therefore shortchange themselves of valuable information, which would otherwise be made available to them through recognized agencies or mature adults.
Young people, male and female are more likely to contact STDs as a result of the carefree lifestyle they engage in.  The most common of these are: -

untreated Chlamydia, Gonorrhea
which are the two most reportable disease and they cause significant health problems, including infertility, pregnancy complications and increased risks of other diseases like trichomoniasis, herpes, HIV infection, HPV (Human Pappiloma Virus) which is widespread and linked to cervical cancer in young women.

The life time medical costs of STD incidence to young adults aged 15 – 26 is enormous.  This is quite worrying, as only a very small fraction the young adult population is not sexually active, as their sexual interaction and preferences is the outlet of the contact and spread of these infections and diseases.

Young women are twice likely to test positive for STDs than young men.  The young married ones are more likely to test less positive than those in relationships or young single ones are.  More of those cohabiting, or in a relationship are more likely to contact STDs, than those married or in no relationship.

It is important to know that a large percentage of the young adults, do not consider themselves at risk of contacting STDs.  Typical symptoms include:
- Painful sores or blisters
- Painful or frequent urination
- Warts on genitals
- Offensive discharge,  pus from vagina or penis

Pregnancy and sexual health issues are a primary concern of young adults, misconceptions about STDs are common and young adults still do not feel comfortable talking about sexual issues with partners, family members or even health providers.  And the stigma surrounding STDs remains a barrier to screening and treatment.

Many sexually active young adults engage in risky sexual behaviors.  Many have three or more sex partners, and never or seldom use protective sheath.  Sexual risk behavior is also of concern amongst the youth.  Vaginal, anal and oral intercourse place young people at risk of HIV infection, and other STDs.  Vaginal intercourse carries the additional risk of pregnancy.  The most important thing is to be aware and accept the fact that most young adults (male and female) are sexually active, and are therefore at risk of contacting infections.  This goes along with the use of alcohol and drugs.  Adolescents are more likely to engage in high risk behaviors; such as unprotected sex when they are under the influence of drugs and alcohol.

Abstinence from vaginal, anal and oral intercourse is the only effective way to prevent HIV, other STDs and unwanted pregnancy.  The correct and consistent use of a male latex condom (sheath) can reduce the risk of STD transmission, including HIV infection.  However, no protective method is 100% effective, and condom use cannot guarantee absolute protection against any STD or pregnancy.

HIV/STD prevention education should be developed with the active involvement of parents, have local content and have community values.  These should address the youth that are sexually active and those that are not.  Alongside these, all youth should be provided with effective education to protect themselves and others from HIV infection and STDs now and lifelong.

This discussion cannot be complete without mentioning sexual violence.  This is any sexual act that is perpetrated against someone’s will.  Sexual violence includes a range of offences  including rape and attempted sex act, unwanted touching, threatened sexual violence, and verbal harassment.

Sexual violence can have harmful and lasting consequences for victims, families and communities.  These include:
Physical: the consequences of this include;
•    Resulting pregnancies
•    Chronic pelvic pain
•    Premenstrual syndrome
•    Gastrointestinal disorders
•    Gynecological and pregnancy complications
•    Migraines and other frequent headaches
•    Back pain
•    Facial pain
•    Disability that prevents work

Psychological: victims face both immediate and chronic psychological consequences.  These include shock, denial, fear, confusion, anxiety, withdrawal, guilt, nervousness, distrust of others, and symptoms of past traumatic disorder.
•    Emotional detachment
•    Sleep disturbances
•    Flashbacks
•    Mental replay of assault
Chronic consequences include:
•    Depression
•    Attempted / completed suicide
•    Alienation

Social: sexual violence has social impact on its victims.
•    Strained relationships with victims family, friends and intimate partners
•    Less emotional support from friends and family
•    Less frequent contact with friends and relatives
•    Lower likelihood of marriage

Health behaviors – this is also a consequence of sexual violence
Engaging in high risk sexual behavior;
•    Unprotected sex
•    Early onset of sexual activity.
•    Choosing unhealthy sexual partners
•    Prostitution- sex for money and unwholesome rewards.

Using harmful substances
•    Smoking cigarettes- the harmful effect of this vice, cannot be over emphasized.
•    Drinking alcohol – with the knowledge that people have various levels of tolerance, peer pressure comes into play here. The attitude of , let us drink , to belong must be dropped.
•    Drinking alcohol and driving- this is a very common cause of death in revelers, especially in partying young folks.
•    Taking drugs- everything must be done, to avoid been drawn into this very sad , deadly habit.

Unhealthy diet related behaviors
•    Fasting- decide wisely, when fasting, if you can carry through or not.
•    Vomiting- unhealthy eating and food poisoning.
•    Abusing diet pills- in your quest to remain slim, or start from scratch, should be done very wisely.
•    Overeating- gluttony is extremely harmful. It results in breakdown of your health, all through.
It is important that young people are fully involved in decision and policies that would affect them directly, in line with their reproductive health. Young people are the main driving force for positive change.  Reproductive health in youths is all in all, inconclusive, but must be seen to result in the young adult , making a resolve to live responsibly , to stand a chance of reaching full adulthood and remain healthy

Wike:I Will Honour My Social Contract With Rivers People

Nyesom Wike

Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt

Rivers State Governor-Elect, Chief Nyesom Wike, has declared that he would honour the social contract he entered with the people of Rivers State during his campaign to lead the state to a prosperous future premised on good governance, transparency, accountability and the development of all parts of the state.

In a thank-you message on his election as the state’s governor-elect, Wike stated that the massive support he got from across the state was a challenge for him to ensure that the people of the state stepped into better days and experience compassionate governance with the right political will to positively transform the state.

While noting that he would never take the goodwill of the people for granted, Wike urged the people to support his administration and the PDP to resolve the developmental challenges facing the state.

Taraba Guber Re-run : Women Groups Threaten to Protest Nude

Adedayo Akinwale in  Abuja

Ahead of the April 25th re-run election in Taraba State, groups under the aegis of The Ladies of Grace and Agape Sisters have threatened to mobilise hundreds of thousands of Nigerian women to protest nude if any official behaved funny.

The Coordinator of the groups, Ms. Jane Onuh disclosed this on Friday while addressing a press conference in Abuja, alleging that there were noticeable series of intimidations  exhibited by the opponent of Sen. Aisha Jummai Alhassan, which they said included  men, military, police as well as suspected electoral officials.

Onuh stated that the women would have remained quiet and neutral but for their disadvantaged background and the clamour to sustain the goals set for Nigerian women in the post Beijing conference over two decades ago.

Her words, "We dare warn of adverse consequences should the establishment or otherwise known as Taraba Cabal insist on intimidating a female contestant in the Taraba guber race.

"For the avoidance of doubt, we will mobilise hundreds of thousands of Nigerian women to protest nude on April 25th if any official behave funny.  We will be exposing the cabals and their cohorts who are still living in the stone age that the position of woman, no matter how eminently qualified, still resides in her kitchen".

The women urged all the agencies to remain neutral during the re-run election, while also calling on Taraba women to ignore all kinds of intimidation and come out enmasse to vote for their own.

Marching Over Blood to the Throne

As a reporter, I have covered elections in Nigeria since 1992. I have, over the years, come to understand the psychology of Nigerian politicians: how many of them will prefer to discredit an election simply because it did not favour them. I am also aware of the several tactics politicians use to undermine electoral process for their own selfish ends.

In the March 28 and April 11 elections, two states stood out in perpetration of unbridled electoral fraud. The states are Rivers and Akwa Ibom.

As they say, long before the snake gave birth, everybody knew it will bear ‘a long child’. In Rivers, the sign that all will not go smoothly had been strong and glaring. It had worn the tag of a flash point state by all predictions. The pre-election incidents of violence only increased in tempo, frequency and sophistication during the election. In almost all cases, the victims of the attacks were either members and supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) or the party’s secretariat.

Too many times, the APC secretariats in some LGAs were bombed and their campaign rallies attacked, sometimes with the police wringing their hands in questionable helplessness.

If the election in Rivers was a straight fight between the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and APC members were regularly being attacked, it is logical to conclude that the aggressors are the PDP members.

During the presidential and National Assembly elections, the scale of violence visited on the electorate was most disturbing. Several corpses lay on the streets during and after the elections. Blood of voters flowed. Too many gun shots were fired at voters. There was so much commotion. At Boro, Khana police station (in Ogoni area) some persons were seen (on camera) thumb printing ballot papers for the PDP. Two days after the March 28 election, hundreds of hijacked ballot papers were still found around that police station. Was the police station one of the polling booths? The picture and story of this electoral fraud trended on the internet for days.

At Omokwu and many other places in the state, people were just being killed like Christmas chicken. The violence was simply overbearing. The APC said over 54 of its members were killed even before the governorship election in Rivers.

During the governorship and State House of Assembly poll, the level of violence was simply taken a few notches higher. Police vehicles, INEC offices, private homes were burnt, just as several people were also killed with brute and mindless ease. Election materials were hijacked by hired thugs in many places.

Without mincing words, it was like the last battle the PDP was determined to fight in the state.
The undertone of the attacks seemed to have been “let’s first get the victory by hook or crook, and then we sort out the legal battle later”. The desperation was criminal!

Aided with federal might and arsenal, the normal electoral process was overwhelmed by the naked thuggery that was unleashed on the people. Policemen who were not willing to play along were quickly sent out of the state with presidential fiat. AIG Tunde Ogunsakin  has his tales to tell.

I have read three reports by the EU observers, the Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and other local observers, and they all condemned the electoral rape that took place in Rivers, calling for the cancellation.  

At the end of the day, figures, it seemed, were simply awarded in most places and the PDP has long rolled out the drums celebrating it’s self-awarded victory, claiming that the election went so well.

Few days ago, Hon Chibudom Nwuche,  (former Deputy Speaker) who until very recently was a chieftain of the PDP in Rivers has also condemned the criminal violence that governed that election in the state saying election did not really take place in the real sense of the word.

The Labour Party gubernatorial candidate, Tonye Princewill has also cried blue murder about the election.
Pray, what does the EU, or the CSOs or Nwuche or Princewill etc., all have against Nyesom Wike and his PDP as to discredit the election? Is that the only state where PDP won? Can they all be biased against Wike and his PDP?

It is a similar abridgement of the voting right of the people in Akwa Ibom where voting materials were not distributed to many PUs, but at the end of the day, fabulous figures were recorded against such PUs where voting did not even take place.
This narrative of violence and underhand ability is quite in sync with the character portrait of the dramatis personae involved in these cases.

Several foreign and local observers have said thugs in Police uniforms hijacked polling materials in many places. It is crime of the highest order to appropriate the electoral right of the people, as it happened in Akwa Ibom as well. And typical with such politicians, they have organized carnivals to celebrate their victory.

But they must be told that they are operating in the mode of the old order. Electoral crimes must no more go unpunished. And the era where people march through human blood to sit on governance thrones, is over. Enough is enough!