WHY I WILL NOT CONFRATULATE BUHARI - Atiku (full text speech at the press conference)

Democracy Will Not Be Emasculated in Nigeria, By Atiku Abubakar
I thank the Nigerian people who trooped out in their millions to perform their civic duty this past Saturday. The patriotism of Nigerians is heartwarming and affirms my oft-repeated statement that we are brothers and sisters born from the womb of one mother Nigeria.
With regards to the Presidential elections that took place on February 23, 2019, it is clear that there were manifest and premeditated malpractices in many states which negate the results announced.
One obvious red flag is the statistical impossibility of states ravaged by the war on terror generating much higher voter turnouts than peaceful states. The suppressed votes in my strongholds are so apparent and amateurish, that I am ashamed as a Nigerian that such could be allowed to happen. How can total votes in Akwa-Ibom, for instance, be 50% less than what they were in 2015?
Another glaring anomaly is the disruption of voting in strongholds of the Peoples Democratic Party in Lagos, Akwa-Ibom, Rivers and diverse other states, with the authorities doing little or nothing and in some cases facilitating these unfortunate situations. (See attached links to documentary evidences).
The militarization of the electoral process is a disservice to our democracy and a throwback to the jackboot era of military dictatorship. In some areas of the country, such as, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Imo states, troops deployed for the elections turned their guns on the very citizens they were meant to protect. This is condemnable and should not be associated with our electoral process in the future.
I am a democrat and there are democratic avenues available to present the truth to the nation and the watching world. Already, many international observers have given their verdicts, which corroborate our observations. I am sure more will come in the coming hours and days.


If I had lost in a free and fair election, I would have called the victor within seconds of my being aware of his victory to offer not just my congratulations, but my services to help unite Nigeria by being a bridge between the North and the South.
However, in my democratic struggles for the past three decades, I have never seen our democracy so debased as it was on Saturday, February 23, 2019. 2007 was a challenge, but President Yar’Adua was remorseful. In 2019, it is sad to see those who trampled on democracy thumping their noses down on the Nigerian people.
Consequently, I hereby reject the result of the February 23, 2019 sham election and will be challenging it in court.
I want to assure my supporters and the entire Nigerian people that together, we will not allow democracy to be emasculated.
I hope and pray Nigerians will someday summon the courage to defend democracy. That is the only way we can move away from being the world headquarters for extreme poverty.
Signed:
Waziri Atiku Abubakar
27th February 2019

PDP Demands For the Release Of Buba Galadima

February 24, 2019

Press Statement

The PDP Demands For The Unconditional Release of Buba Galadima

The attention of the Peoples Democratic Party has been drawn to the arrest of a pro-democracy activist, Buba Galadima, by the Department of State Security.

We as a party condemn this arrest in the strongest possible terms. Buba Galadima is a patriot. His patriotism has been previously and strongly highlighted by various Nigerians, including President Muhammadu Buhari.

What crime has he committed? I answer my own question and say none. Mr. Galadima is constitutionally guaranteed a right of freedom of speech and freedom after the speech.

The nation is currently boiling with the deaths caused by thugs of the All Progressives Congress. Not one of these thugs has been arrested by the DSS. The nation was embarrassed by drone images of bullion vans laden with cash driving into the home of the National Leader of the APC and no action has been taken by the law enforcement authorities. Yet a patriot and pro-democracy activist is arrested.

We cannot be hoodwinked by the puppeteering of the DSS by the APC. It is obviously no coincidence that the APC Presidential Campaign Council called for the arrest of Mr. Galadima at 12 noon today (Sunday the 24th of February, 2019) and the arrest was duly effected by the DSS an hour later.

This arrest is only the latest in a pattern of anti democratic actions by the Muhammadu Buhari administration.

Nigeria will not be cowed. We have voted for democracy and as a nation, we will not be taken back to Egypt by the discredited blame centred anti democratic forces who have turned a once thriving economy into the world headquarters for extreme poverty.

I call for the immediate release of Mr. Buba Galadima by the Department of State Security, even as I remind the DSS and other security agencies, that their oath of allegiance was sworn to Nigeria and not to the All Progressive Congress or President Muhammadu Buhari.

Signed

Prince Uche Secondus
National Chairman

ALL EPL RESULTS

BURNLEY 2 - 1 TOTTENHAM H

BOURNEMOUTH 1 - 1 WOLVES

NEWCASTLE 2 - 0 HUDDERSFUELD

LEICESTER CITY 1 - CRYSTAL PALACE

FRIDAY

CARDIFF CITY 1 - 5 WATFORD

WEST HAM 3 - 1 FULHAM

SUNDAY
ARSENAL  V SOUTHAMPTON

MANCHESTER UNITED V LIVERPOOL

INEC: Why Many PVCs Are Yet To Be Collected - Revealed

Why PVCs Are Not Collected - REVEALED!
I noticed one evil in the INEC that was responsible for why many could not collect their PVCs. The evil is sabotage! According to INEC, 11,228,582 PVCs are yet to be collected.
 Some INEC officials deliberately planned it!! What I saw was ungodly, unpatriotic and wicked.
In the course of sharing. I am aware many could not collect it because of their relocations or death, that is understandble.
On each VOTER'S CARD, you have the state and the local government aside from the name of the owner.
So in the course of sharing or distributing, if your name can technically expose your preferred candidate, for example, Ugochukwu Emmanuel and Blessing Joshua may likely not going to vote for Buhari. So, what happened, their cards were taking to another a different wards where nobody knows them. According to my investigations, this is why many could not collect their cards. I know many eligible voters who were denying registration because if their udentities. I am talking of theories, I am talking of what I saw and witnessed. In some registration centres where you were not registered, others went there and were registered without any much ado. I have two grown up children who suffered this. What those unscrupulous INEC officials failed to know is there is no art which can reveal the candidate I am going to vote for from my PVC.
The way out, let INEC return all the PVCs to all the 774 Local Government Areas and hire credible hands to sort out all cards ward by ward according to their codes and now ask their owners to go to their LGAs to collect. Since they know their wards, to collect their cards become easier.
Regarding those who have relocated, let them follow the banking system of renewing ATM Cards. Let the affected people go to the INEC office in their present LGA, fill a form for their data which includes where they first registered, issuing them a new PVC after 3 weeks during which time, INEC has retrieve the original PVC from their former station with a view to destroying them. Here in FCT, all attempts I made to transfer my PVC from one Area Council to another were frustrated by the INEC officials! But I have resolved to go to my former station to vote on Saturday. How many Nigerians could go that far. I pray to God for patriotism and godliness for every citizen.

I Have Not Resigned - Osinbajo

OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT

PRESS RELEASE

IT IS DELIBERATE PROPAGANDA – VP OSINBAJO DISMISSES FAKE NEWS OF PURPORTED RESIGNATION


Contrary to the fake news in circulation yesterday, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, has not resigned his position in the Buhari administration.

Speaking at a meeting with young Christian leaders in Lagos last night, Prof. Osinbajo debunked the purported resignation being circulated on some social media platforms. He dismissed the false information as deliberate propaganda.

He said, "They are deliberate propaganda. Today (Wednesday), they’ve been spreading some information around that I’ve resigned. They said I didn’t attend a security meeting yesterday. I was too busy in my office. The same security people were meeting with me that same evening. Must I attend every meeting? Can’t the President hold a meeting with the security chiefs without me? They said I was so angry that they didn’t bring me to that meeting, that I was excluded, then I resigned! I have not resigned.”

In continuation of the Next Level engagements, the Vice President visited Ikeja, Lagos State, where he met with the Hausa community. He then proceeded to Yola, in Adamawa State, where he met a group of Christian leaders. On his return to Lagos yesterday night, the Vice President held an interactive session with young Christian leaders at Muson Center, Onikan, where he spoke on the fake news.

Prof. Osinbajo continues the Next Level engagements and is expected in Kwara and Abia states later today.


'Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity
Office of the Vice President
21st February, 2019

Baptist Convention Cautions Against Inconclusive Elections

BAPTIST WARNS AGAINST INCONCLUSIVE ELECTIONS
The president of the Nigerian Baptist convention Rev’d Dr ‘Supo Ayokunle has warned INEC against inconclusive elections that characterized most of the past isolated elections.
Rev’d Ayokunle who gave the warning in Ibadan noted that sincere and transparent preparations by the electoral commission will bring about credible and conclusive elections.
He said INEC must do everything possible to ensure that adequate electoral materials get to the various destinations at appropriate time.
 According to him, a situation where certain areas will be given sensitive electoral materials less than the number of voters must be avoided to ensure mass participation of Nigerians.
The President of the Nigeria Baptist Convention was worried about the expected lukewarm attitude of some Nigerians to the Saturday elections because of the extra cost they will incur in travelling back to their area of voting.
He added that, Nigerians need to sacrifice everything to ensure the success of the elections and vote for the candidates of their choice.
Rev’d Ayokunle charges the security personnel to put the interest of Nigeria first in the discharge of their duties before, during and after elections.
 He stressed that, they should not allow anybody to pressurise them to do anything that will render the elections unacceptable to Nigerians and the International community.
On the restriction during the Saturday elections, Ayokunle urged the federal government to reduce the period of restriction and allow airlines to operate freely.
Rev’d Ayokunle however, cautioned political parties against thuggery and ballot snatching during the elections.
 Signed
Eben Durodola (Pst)
Public Relation Officer.
Nigeria Baptist Convention.
08159992000

FA Cup Quater Finals Draws

FA Cup Quarter Finalists Pairs
SWANSEA CITY V MANCHESTER CITY
WATFORD V CRYSTAL PALACE
WOLVES V MANCHESTER UNITED
MILLWALL V BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION

Your Last Minute Campaign Cannot Safe You -PDP to Buhari

February 14, 2019

Press Statement

Buhari’s Last Minute Campaign, Full of Fabrications, False Figures

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) describes President Muhammadu Buhari’s speech on Thursday as a last gasp of a drowning administration; laced with fabrications and false performances claims, characteristic of a failed leader, who has been rejected by the people.

It rather too late in the day for President Buhari to redeem himself with an academic speech as Nigerians, having moved ahead with the people’s candidate, Atiku Abubakar, are no longer ready to listen to his list of false promises and a  long claim of non-existent achievements.

It is ludicrous that at a time President Buhari should be remorseful and apologize for his failures that led to the biting economic hardship, hunger, job losses, killings and escalated bloodletting in our country, under his watch, he chose to engage in a last minute attempt to sway Nigerians with falsehood.

Nigerians watched a President Buhari, who, having seen the handwriting on the wall, struggled with false economic growth figures and sought to blackmail the people with claims of non-existent food security and false assurances of safety in a nation heavily plagued by unemployment, loss of jobs, poverty as well as escalated insurgency and banditry.

Nigerians watched as President Buhari claimed a rise in foreign reserves but failed to accept responsibility for the huge rise in our nation’s debt and the fact that our nation has become the poverty capital of the world.

Furthermore, how would President Buhari want anybody to take his assurance of safety of members of global democratic institutions working for peaceful elections in our country, after his presidency threatened the international community and endorsed the threats by Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai, that such foreigners will return to their country in body bags.

The PDP counsels President Buhari to note that he has come to the end of the road and that Nigerians are no longer with him. He should therefore end all his rigging plots and allow Nigerians to rebuild our nation under the leadership of Atiku Abubakar, whom they have reached a consensus to vote in as the next President of our country.

Afterall,  he will not be the first President to lose in an election.

Signed:

Kola Ologbondiyan
National Publicity Secretary
And
Director, Media & Publicity
PDP Presidential Campaign Organization

Full Text of Buhari's Nationwide Broadcast/Campaign

HERE IS BUHARI’S FULL ADDRESS

Fellow Citizens,

On Saturday, February 16, 2019, you will, once again, be called upon to choose the leaders who will pilot the affairs of our great nation for the next four years. This is a constitutional right which should be freely exercised by all eligible voters.

2. I wish therefore to start by assuring all Nigerians that this Government will do its very best to ensure that the 2019 elections take place in a secure and peaceful atmosphere.



3. It was indeed such free, fair and peaceful elections that made it possible for our Government to emerge, despite the fact that we were contesting against a long-standing incumbent party.

4. And as your president and a fellow Nigerian, I ask that you come out and queue to fulfill this important obligation you have to yourselves and your fellow citizens – and to our common future.

5. Let me at this point, reaffirm the commitment of the Federal Government to the conduct of free and fair elections in a safe and peaceful atmosphere. Just yesterday, I signed the Peace Accord alongside 72 other presidential candidates.

6. I want to assure all Nigerians, the diplomatic community and all foreign election observers of their safety and full protection. Any comments or threats of intimidation from any source do not represent the position of the Federal Government of Nigeria.



7. As Government has a critical role in maintaining the democratic traditions, so do citizens. I therefore urge you all, as good Nigerians, to take a personal interest in promoting and maintaining peace in your respective neighbourhoods during the elections. This is certainly not a time to allow personal, religious, sectional or party interests to drive us to desperation.

8. At this point, I want to make a special appeal to our youth: Do not allow yourselves to be used to cause violence and destruction. The people who want to incite you are those preparing the ground for discrediting the elections. Having lost the argument, they fear losing the elections.

9. When you elected me in 2015, it was essentially in consequence of my promise of CHANGE. We committed ourselves to improving security across the country, putting the economy on a sound footing and tackling rampant corruption, which had in many ways become a serious drawback to national development.

10. Our Government spent the last 3 years and 9 months striving faithfully to keep this promise, in spite of very serious revenue shortages caused mainly by a sharp drop in international oil prices and an unexpected rise in the vandalisation of oil installations, which, mercifully have now been curtailed.

11. We nevertheless pressed on in our quest to diversify the economy, create jobs, reduce commodity prices and generally improve the standard of living among our people.



12. The damage that insecurity and corruption have done, over time, to our collective livelihood is incalculable. However, it is pleasing to note that our frontal attack on these twin evils is gaining momentum and bringing about visible progress.

13. The recovery of the economy from recession is complete and Nigeria is back on the path of steady growth.

14. The key to creating more jobs lies in accelerating this momentum of economic growth. Happily, we have succeeded in making the fundamental changes necessary for this acceleration, and we are now beginning to see the efforts bearing fruit.

15. Our ease of doing business policies and programmes are already impacting medium, small and micro industries, as well as Manufacturing, Mining and Agriculture, among other key sectors.

16. Our commitment to critical infrastructure – that is Roads, Rails, Bridges, Airports and Seaports – will create more jobs, improving the efficiency and competitiveness of our industries.

17. Many of these projects are at different stages of completion, and those who use them regularly will attest to the fact that even while construction is ongoing, they are beginning to see reduce d travel times. This will ultimately translate to reduced costs and greater convenience, making transportation, and business in particular, much easier.
19. The economic recovery that we promised is well underway, as demonstrated by the recently released statistics. In 2018, the economy grew by 1.93%, with the Fourth Quarter growth being 2.38%, up from 1.81% in the Third Quarter.
20. Remarkably, the strong economic performance was driven by the Non-Oil sector, which grew at 2% as at full year. Indeed, Non-Oil growth rose to 2.7% in the Fourth Quarter of 2018, up from 2.32% in the Third Quarter. These results further underscore our commitment to diversifying the economy away from the past dependence on Oil.
21. Other indicators confirm the economy’s steady recovery. Our monthly food import bill has declined from $664 million in January 2015 to $160 million as at October 2018. Inflation fell from 18.72% in January 2017 to 11.44% in December 2018. Our External Reserves have risen from $23 billion in October 2016 to $43.12 billion as at 7th February 2019.
22. Now that the recession is well behind us, our next task is to redouble our efforts, accelerate the growth and use it to create even more jobs for our people.
23. The Executive Orders, No. 5, and No. 7 issued by me, and the recently approved National Infrastructure Maintenance Policy demonstrate our commitment to accelerated job creation and infrastructure development.
24. We believe that Governments cannot simply proclaim jobs into existence. Job creation will only expand as a result of economic policies that enable the private sector to flourish, and this is the approach our Administration has taken.
25. Executive Order No 5, which Promotes Nigerian Content in Contracts, as well as Science, Engineering and Technology, will preserve and prioritize job creation for our citizens.
26. Executive Order 7, on the Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme, seeks to mobilize private capital and capacity for infrastructure development.
27. It responds to the demands of manufacturing and industrial complexes which wish to construct access roads without waiting for government, so long as they are allowed to recover the cost from taxes they would have paid to government.
28. We expect that this approach will boost industrial expansion and rural development, consequently creating more jobs for our people.
29. Similarly, our recently issued Maintenance Policy targets artisans, carpenters, welders, tailors, painters, bricklayers, electricians, plumbers, landscapers and many more Ordinary Nigerians at the base of our economic pyramid who will get regular and large-scale opportunities to improve themselves.
30. It is an economic solution that also brings the relevant artisans and professionals into long term sustainable employment to maintain our Schools, Court Rooms, Hospitals, Police Stations, Federal Secretariats and other Public Buildings.
31. Human Capital Development has also been a key priority for this Administration, which has increased investments in health and education. Innovative measures have been introduced to complement the traditional budgetary allocations to the relevant Ministries.
32. For instance, Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority has invested US$21 million in three healthcare projects as a Public Private Partnership with three Federal medical institutions. These include two modern Medical Diagnostic Centres located at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano and the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia; as well as one outpatient Cancer Treatment Centre in Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Lagos – which I commissioned on 9th February 2019.
33. Of course, our radical commitment to developing Critical Infrastructure is the foundation upon which we will deliver an all embracing national prosperity and a shared commonwealth.
34. There is no country that aspires to greatness without spending massively on its Critical Infrastructural  development for the growth of our economy and the long-term benefit of all Nigerians.
35. When you voted for our message of CHANGE, you invited us to assume office and depart from that bad and most regrettable choice. We have responded by making a choice for real infrastructure of Roads in every State, Housing in 34 States, Power Stations across Nigeria, Rail from Lagos to Kano.
36. The choice that now confronts us is whether we want to continue with real infrastructure development, which is the road to prosperity and jobs or return to the era of ‘stomach infrastructure’.
37. Agricultural Self-Reliance and Food Security is also a choice we made in fulfilment of your mandate for change.
38. Our Presidential Fertiliser Initiative has resulted in savings of US$150 million in foreign exchange due to local sourcing of inputs at 16 Blending Plants. It has also conserved N60 billion in Subsidies as well as supported tens of thousands of farmers and agro-dealers nationwide.
39. Our Anchor Borrowers’ Programme has substantially raised local rice yields from as low as two Metric Tonnes per hectare, to as high as eight Metric Tonnes per hectare.
40. Through this programme, the Central Bank of Nigeria has cumulatively lent over N120 billion to over 720,000 smallholder farmers cultivating 12 commodities across the 36 States and Abuja. Targeted crops and livestock have included cattle, poultry, fish, cassava, soybeans, ground nut, ginger, sorghum, rice, wheat, cotton and maize.
41. As a result, we have seen a remarkable rise in the production of key agricultural commodities. I am pleased to note that in major departmental stores and local markets, there has been a surge in the supply of high quality Nigerian agricultural produce.
42. Behind each of these products, are thousands of industrious Nigerians working in factories and farms across the nation. Our interventions have led to improved wealth and job creation for these Nigerians, particularly in our rural communities.
43. Again, these outcomes have been a major departure from the previous focus on consuming imported food items, which literally exported our children’s jobs to food-exporting nations, whilst depleting our precious foreign exchange reserves. This, of course, caused a closure of our factories while keeping open other peoples’ factories.
44. The choice made by this Administration to assist farmers directly and promote agriculture in every way possible has gone a long way to enhance our food security while enabling us to tackle poverty by feeding over nine million children daily under our Home-Grown School Feeding Programme. It also puts us clearly on the road to becoming a food secure and agriculture exporting nation.
45. Next to Agriculture, we are focusing on Manufacturing Sector. The Purchasing Managers Index, which is the measure of manufacturing activities in an economy has risen for 22 consecutive months as at January this year, indicating continuous growth and expansion in our manufacturing sector.
46. I will conclude by going back to where I started: that our choices have had consequences about employment and cost of living.
47. In making your choice this time, please ask yourself whether, and in what ways, others will do anything different to address the issues of Agriculture, Infrastructure, Security, Good Governance and Fighting Corruption.
48. If they are only hoping to do what we are already doing successfully, we are clearly your preferred choice.
49. Think carefully and choose wisely. This time, it is a choice about consolidating on growth for Jobs and Prosperity.
50. February 16th is all about a choice. But it is more than a choice between APC and the opposition. It is a choice about you, it is a choice between going back or keeping the momentum of CHANGE.
51. The road to greater prosperity for Nigeria may be long, but what you can be assured of is a Leadership that is not prepared to sacrifice the future well-being of Nigerians for our own personal or material needs. You can be assured of my commitment to remain focused on working to improve the lives of all Nigerians.
52. Thank you very much for listening. God bless you, and may God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

APC Has No Candidates In Zamfara Elections - Court of Appeal

APC LOSES OUT ON ZAMFARA ELECTIONS

The battle by APC to field candidates for the   GOVERNORSHIP,NATIONAL ASSEMBLY,and STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY elections coming up on 16th of February and 2nd of March,2019,were fully dashed today by the Court of Appeal sitting in Sokoto,presided over by Justice Jumai Hannatu  Sankey,with other members of the panel being Justices Ndukwe Anyanwu and Vincent Abiru.

The court of Appeal upheld the argument of Chief Mike Ozekhome,SAN and Isiaka Dikko,SAN,that the notice of discontinuance earlier filed on the 11th of February, by Hon Sani Jaji under Order 11 Rules 1 and 5 of the Court of Appeal Rules had completely extinguished the appeal upon which Muktar Shehu Idris' Counsel,Mr Mahmud Magaji,SAN,had predicated his motion filed 8th February,praying the Court of Appeal to grant him interlocutory orders allowing Muktar to contest the governorship and Governor Abdulaziz Yari to contest as a Senatorial candidate before the main appeal is heard.The Court of Appeal in dismissing Jaji's withdrawn appeal also made consequential orders dismissing the motion of Governor Yari and Alhaji Muktar Shehu Idris amongst other Applicants who had  asked to be allowed to contest the elections pending the hearing of the main appeal.

The court  agreed fully with Ozekhome who had cited several Supreme Court decisions and argued that once the appeal was discontinued,Yari and Muktar who had not cross appealed or asked for variation under Order 9 of the Court of Appeal Rules can not compel Hon Jaji to go on with his appeal,or predicate their prayers to be allowed to contest on a non existent appeal which has died.

The court therefore dismissed the appeal and the motion filed by Yari and Muktar praying the Court to be allowed to contest the elections..The judgement therefore validates the long held position by INEC that APC has no candidates in the 16th February NASS and 3rd March Governorship and State Assembly elections.
Mike Ozhekhome, SAN

PDP Exposes APC's Rigging's Strategies for Saturday Polls

PRESS STATEMENT : Osun Tricks Will Not Work on Saturday - PDP

The people of Nigeria can be confident that by turning out
on Saturday their vote will count.
Wednesday, 13 February 2019, Legacy House
Nigerian voters should go to the polls this Saturday in record numbers, confident that the electoral process will be upheld based on our laws and our constitution.
We are pleased with the signing of The National Peace Accord today and look forward to all parties honoring our shared commitment.
We are also confident that our election officials and security services will do their duty in accordance with their oaths and obligations. Particularly we call on the Inspector General of Police whose wide international experience places him with a historic burden to ensure that security agencies strictly abide by the election code of conduct and rules of engagement.
Never in Nigerian electoral history has a candidate been so prepared to win the election and get Nigeria working again, as HE Atiku Abubakar.
Likewise, no Nigerian political party has been so prepared to help ensure that the will of the people will prevail through peaceful, free and fair elections.
The PDP is presenting some examples of our efforts, to give the Nigerian people the confidence that their vote, as expressed at the ballot box, will prevail.

1. A state-of-the-art Parallel Voting Tabulation (PVT) system is in place:
• The PVT is a scientifically proven, best practice technique, to hold election authorities accountable, particularly when there is a lack of trust, and the results are highly contested.
• The PVT is a tool that will assure that PDP partisans accept the results of the election, and that the country remains peaceful and respectful of its differences. We are aware that other PVTs will be conducted by civil society.
• Our methodology accounts for several different scenarios to ensure continued collation of the results in the event of any disruptions with collation process.
• Hard copies of the signed voter tally provided to all party agents by the NEC officers, will be transported to the central command center should future disputes need to be reconciled.

2. A national network of fully equipped Situation Rooms and call centers:
• PDP has established a reporting system for the PVT through the wards, to the district headquarters, to the States to the national tally center.
• The system has redundancies built at all levels – in the event of internet or comms shutdown or failure or any other eventualities.
• The scope of the effort is historic for Nigeria, and it will provide us with statistical certainty to accept or challenge the declared results.
Appendix I: Situation Room

3. The PDP is deploying an unprecedented number of trained party agents to each of the 176,000 polling units across the country:
• PDP agents have been trained in the electoral process, understand their rights to be present, and have data and SMS technologies to report the results as they are certified by the NEC officers at the polling units in real-time.
• The PDP has pivoted from recruiting first-time polling agents to recruiting high quality, educated individuals whose maturity and experience will help them manage and mitigate against challenges on election day.
• Systems tests, and dry runs being conducted to ensure our system is secure and fully integrated, from the polling unit all the way through to party leadership.

4. A nation-wide hotline for the public to report malpractice launched:
• The PDP is providing multiple-line inbound call center linked to a single hotline number:
097 000 551 for voters to report any incidence of violence or electoral malpractice.
• The call center will be able to identify issues to escalate serious concerns to both the Party HQ and other relevant authorities as appropriate.

5. A national campaign to #DefendYourVote is gaining traction with youth:
• The campaign is geared at Nigeria’s largest voter block (18 to 25-year-olds), many of who are first time voters.
• A set of 12 easy-to-follow guidelines has been communicated to voters.
• The PDP is grateful for the high-profile support provided by Nigeria’s top musical talent, Davido, and his highly popular #DefendYourVote videos which are trending on social media and WhatsAppp.
• An interactive Artificial Intelligence message will be sent from HE Atiku Abubakar as his final campaign message extolling people to come out and vote.

The PDP has studied the APC ‘playbook’ from the Osun election, its attempts at voter suppression, including interference and intimidation of voters, journalists, and civil society observers. Most alarmingly, the security services were deployed to discourage voter turnout in opposition strong-holds.
The PDP is concerned that the Osun playbook could be deployed again by the government especially in the states of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross Rivers, Delta, Kaduna, Kano, and Rivers.
In response to Osun and other incidents of electoral malpractice, and in ensuring a free and fair election in Nigeria, the PDP has adopted international best practices including; establishing a robust elections results management system and our wide array of intelligence collectors and patriotic public servants who are resolute in defending the Constitution and the integrity of our electoral process.
We exhort all Nigerians, whoever they wish to support, to come to the polls this Saturday and cast their vote with confidence.

[Text of Wednesday, February 13, 2019 PDP Press Conference by Osita Chidoka, PDP Campaign Spokesperson and Chairman of Strategy Committee of the Presidential Campaign at Legacy House]

Yoruba Leaders Should Vote Atiku/Obi - Afenifere

Leaders of the apex pan-Yoruba organisation, Afenifere have finally taken a unified stand on the 2019 presidential election.


President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) will slug it out with Atiku Abubakar, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate on Saturday.

Their position was contained in a communique issued Monday night and made available to DAILY POST.


It was signed by Chief R. F Fasoranti OFR, Leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Chief Olu Falae GCON and Senator (Dr) Femi Okurounmi CON.

The meeting was held at Akure in Ondo State, at the residence of Pa Fasoranti.

The communique read: “That we affirm the Resolution of the Leaders of Nigeria, consisting of the leadership of Afenifere, Ohaneze Ndigbo, Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Middle Belt Forum, Northern Elders Forum endorsing the candidacy of the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Alhaji Atiku
Abubakar GCON, Former Vice-president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and his Running Mate, Mr Peter Obi and recommending them to Nigerians in the Presidential election on 16th February 2019.


“The above endorsement is based on the following reasons: i. Shared commitment to restructuring Nigeria to guaranty true federalism.

“ii Need to promote the feelings of inclusiveness and sense of belonging amongst Nigerians and promote much desired national patriotism and unity.

“iii. The need to promote economic growth and prosperity.



“iv. Need to address the present insecurity in the nation and engender genuine security of lives and property.

“3. We are not unmindful of some impostors parading themselves as AFENIFERE holding meetings and endorsing General Muhammad Buhari to continue in office as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in spite of his incompetence, cluelessness, nepotism, tribalism, religious bigotry, ill-health and glaring mental incapacity. These pretenders are doubtlessly not AFENIFERE members but, as usual, only dubiously seeking to exploit the goodwill and reputation of AFENIFERE to market their bad political product.

“Their desperation in this regard is exemplified in the fraudulent printing of campaign posters in the name and picturing Ambassador Dr. Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosumu as endorsing Buhari and Osinbajo, which she has since disclaimed.



“The AFENIFERE hereby calls on Nigerians and all Yoruba people, in particular, to come out enmasse and vote for the candidacy of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Mr. Peter Obi of the Peoples Democratic Party and to protect their votes in the interest of good governance and life more abundant for all Nigerians.”

Daily Post

All EPL Results Today

FULHAM 0 - 3 MANCHESTER UNITED

CRYSTAL PALACE 1 - 1 WEST HAM

HUDDERSFIELD 1 - 2 ARSENAL

LIVERPOOL 3 - 0 BOURNEMOUTH

SOUTHAMPTON 1 - 2 CARDIFF

WATSON 1 - 0 EVERTON

BHA 1 - 3 BURNLEY

Northern Youths Blast Elrufai Over Hate Speech

PRESS STATEMENT BY JOINT ACTION COMMITTEE OF NORTHERN YOUTH ASSOCIATIONS ON EL-RUFAI'S INFLAMATORY STATEMENT

The recent outburst and threat to the international community, especially election observers by Kaduna State Governor Nasir Ahmad el-rufai is not surprising. What is surprising is extending it outside the  shore of Kaduna and Nigeria, targeting the international community who are interested in fair, transparent, credible and peaceful elections in Nigeria.

This is not new. But as northern youths, we have resolved not to be drawn into any act that will lead to lost of lives and property in Kaduna State, the region or the nation as a whole.

For the record, Governor el-rufai is no stranger to such inflamatary statement meant to stock ember of discord and results in violence. But we have seen through his veiled calls to violence.

El-rufai is known to have called the opposition in Kaduna termites and ants and should be crushed. He has asked those who asked questions on his style of scothearth leadership to climb Kufena Hill and jump to their death.

The most recent and bizzare was his allusion to a religious icon; the celebrated and revered Catholic leader,  The Pope. That statement was meant to infuriate the Catholics and Christians to cause religious conflict. But we thank the Christian community for their restrain and the show of maturity by not playing into the hands of the governor.

Just this week, three young boys were mowed down in cold blood at Unguwan Muazu within Kaduna metropolis right under the watch of Governor el-rufai in his campaign train. Despite the security agents in the Governor's motorcade, no one has been arrested nor did he visit to condole with the families of the murdered boys.  It took  serious intervention of peace loving people to ensure the killings of the young boys did not lead to another circle of bloodletting in Kaduna.

 Nigeria like the governor said in this last infamous  interview on a national television has been involved in other countries to ensure they have a peaceful and credible elections. What is wrong to ensure Nigeria does same with other countries as observers.

El-rufai's statement  that "those that are calling for anyone to intervene in Nigeria, we are waiting for the person to come and intervene.  They would go back in body bags because nobody would come to Nigeria and tell us how to run our country" is unfortunate, condemnable, a call to violence and veiled threat to all peace loving people.      

We use this opportunity to call on the security agencies to ensure the protection of lives and property before, during and after the forthcoming elections. We also urge the international and the election observers not to bow to threats such as the one coming from Governor Nasir Ahmad El-rufai.

In the face of  this, we call on all to remain steadfast, not to bow to intimidation, not to play into the hands of people like el-rufai whose plan is to throw the state and the nation into another round of bloodletting. We shall triumph over those who don't want to see us in peace.

Signed;
Murtala Abubakar (convener JACON).
7th February, 2019.

Atiku Elated Over Nation-wide Endorsement

PAN-NIGERIAN ENDORSEMENT CHALLENGES ME MORE ON MY ASSIGNMENT FOR NIGERIA

I am moved to tears that in the midst of deep divisions and deliberate use of instrumentalities of state to set our people against themselves in the last three and a half years, responsible and respected leaders across Nigeria have agreed to come together for the purpose of endorsing my candidature for the February 16th,2019 Presidential elections.

The endorsement by the leading lights of our nationalities – Afenifere, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Northern Elders Forum, Pan-Niger Delta Forum and Middle Belt  Forum is a loud statement that there is hope for our country as we go to the polls in a few days.

Today we put aside all our prejudices to elect a President with religion and ethnicity playing no role in our elections.

I profusely thank our Leaders across the country who have created this wonderful moment for us to come to the table of brotherhood. Once again, and in the words of our old  National Anthem, we can proudly sing: "Though tribes and tongues may differ, in brotherhood we stand".

This has buoyed me to lead a Pan-Nigerian team that will give practical interpretation to what has been done by the time I take leadership of our country, by the grace of Allah, on May 29, 2019.

Many countries of the world have been led into disintegration by strongmen (one in each country) and we have seen how individuals who understand the management of diversities have rallied their people for unity.
I have been chosen to unite our people and exactly that I will.

I will run a properly federated Nigeria through constitutional reforms to bring out the best from ALL sections of Nigeria to make Nigeria work again like in the past when the Saudi Royal family came to Nigeria to access Medicare.

We will promote an inclusive Nigeria based on productivity that every section of Nigeria will bring out the best under their soil, and in their brain to make Nigeria assume its position in Africa and the global community.

It would be 100% for every section of Nigeria as I would not understand any arithmetic outside that.

I enjoin our people across Nigeria to come out en-mass to vote on February 16 to pull our country from the brink and propel it to greater heights so we can live a better life.

Take my words as a covenant with Nigeria.

Signed:

ATIKU ABUBAKAR

Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party and former Vice President of Nigeria

All EPL Results Today Saturday 2 Feb

Tottenhams 1  - 0 Newcastle United

BHA 0   -0 Watford

Burnley 1  1 Southampton

Chelsea 5 - 0 Huddersfield

Crystal Palace 2 - 0 Fulham

Everton  1 - Wolves

Cardiff  - Bouneymouth

Your Government Is Not Perfect - CAN tells Buhari

Tolerate Criticisms, CAN Counsels Presidency

Our attention has been drawn to a story attributed to a spokesman to President Muhammadu Buhari, Femi Adesina, where he was reported to have said that Christians form the majority of those criticising the President.
Adesina made this known in Lagos recently at a meeting organised by the Christian Press Association of Nigeria (CPAN) where he called on Christians to pray for those in government instead of criticizing them.

We would have dismissed the story as one of those numerous attacks on the leadership of CAN for standing on the side of the truth but for posterity sake. However, CAN wishes to restate that there was never a time we did not pray for the government at all levels and still continue to pray, especially for President Buhari and his government because it is in his right actions that all of us in the nation would prosper.

That notwithstanding, however, praying for those in power is not the only responsibility of the Church; we are also expected to speak truth to those in power if they erred. The Bible has several passages to back this up. When David erred as the ruler of Israel, it was one of the temple prophets, Nathan, that God sent to rebuke him. (2Samuel 12: 1-14). The attitude of David, the ruler of the nation of Israel in verse 13 was remorse and penitence. He said, 'I have sinned against the Lord.' It was not anger and counter accusation. Note that Samuel the prophet similarly criticised and rebuked Saul, the first king and ruler of Israel. Unfortunately, Saul rejected the criticism and thereby provoked God who installs rulers and removes them. His kingdom was torn apart and he equally became mad later. That was quite unfortunate! (1Samuel 13: 5-14).
This government should never claim perfection in all they do but be open to godly admonitions from the Church in Nigeria. Through these godly admonitions if positively received, the government will serve the people better. We are essential stakeholders as those in government in the building of a vibrant  Nigeria. Take criticisms with a huge sense of thanksgiving and appreciation instead of anger.

To set the records straight, we want to say it loud and clear that:
1. CAN as a body has been engaging in commending the Federal Government whenever the need arises. For instance, we commended the government over the release of some Chibok girls but condemned government's failure to get the remaining Chibok Girls and the only Christian Girl among the Dapchi school girls, Leah Sharibu, released on the basis of her Christian faith.
2. We are alarmed and disappointed that it is the few Christians in this government that find pleasure in abusing, insulting and condemning our efforts to make sure government adheres strictly to the letter of the Constitution and good governance. There were times when one of the aides of the President, Lauretta  Onochie spared no words in abusing and insulting the leadership of the Church in the country. That was quite shameful.
3. We are amazed that President Buhari spoke on the appointments of the security chiefs which he said was based on merit. We still continue to ask the question, is merit limited to one section of the country or one religious group? Should an inclusive government in a multi-ethnic and religious nation not be more circumspect in order to give all sense of belonging?
4. Did we go wrong or lied when we said the Fulani herdsmen were attacking the Christian communities in the North-Central geo-political zone as the Boko Haram terrorists invaded Christian communities in the North East? Today, the invasion  spares no one anymore, whether Christian or Muslim? This is quite unfortunate in a civilised world!
5. Did we go wrong or lied when we observed that Christians were removed and replaced with Muslims as we witnessed in so many instances, such as the Director General, SSS and other instances?
6. Did we miss it when we cried aloud about the economic hardship and unemployment in the land and called on the government to address them?
7. Did we miss it when we called on the government at all levels to pay salary,  pension and gratuity as and when due?
8. Did we miss it when we counselled the government to beef up surveillance and intelligence gathering in the Northeast so that Boko Haram might not be able to continue to waste the lives of people (including soldiers) the way they are doing?

We need to counsel those in the government to give room for criticism. Criticism doesn’t make one the enemy of the government. If we are practising democracy, let those in the position of authorities be sensitive and responsive to the yearnings of the people.
Recalled that we called for national prayer on the 10th of January, 2019,  published it in the newspaper and equally invited those in government, how many of them came there, even the so-called Christians?
We need to reiterate that we are not only going to pray but we shall watch also because the injunction of the Bible to us is to 'watch and pray.'
God bless Nigeria.
Signed
Pastor Adebayo Oladeji, Special Assistant (Media & Communications) to CAN President, His Eminence, Dr Samson ‘Supo Ayokunle.
2 February, 2019.