Wale; Rapper admits to using drugs, suffering from depression

In a new interview with Billboard, the rapper revealed he takes pills to stay up and to help him get the 'right energy'. Wale » has revealed he took drugs to boost his confidence especially when the media seem to forget all about his talent. In a new interview with Billboard, the rapper admitted he takes pills to stay up in the studio and to help him get the 'right energy'. "My confidence was shot, so I'd be taking whatever to keep me in a good mood, to get me in the right mood for an interview." Wale confessed "I'm not going into the details as to what I was taking, but there's definitely something for that. Just like there's a fuckin' app for everything, there's a damn pill for everything. Or something you can pour in your glass," he added. Wale also made mention to the fact that he is a depressed man who has no strong woman by his side to love him but his music. "I was depressed not being where I wanna be in my career when I've put the work in. I wasn't sleeping. I was drinking all day and I didn't have anyone to go to. I couldn't fight it. Those are some of the demons I talk about on the album," he explained. His new album, The Album About Nothing, hits stores on Tuesday, March 31 and is inspired by Seinfeld.

Aisha Buhari: President-elect’s wife congratulates husband

Buhari beat incumbent President, Goodluck Jonathan with over 2 million votes in the polls which held from Saturday, March 28 to Sunday, 29. Aisha Buhari, the wife of All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated her husband on his victory in the Presidential elections. Buhari beat incumbent President, Goodluck Jonathan with over 2 million votes in the polls which held from Saturday, March 28 to Sunday, 29. Mrs Buhari took to her newly created Twitter handle, @IamAishaBuhari to felicitate with her husband. “I am so proud of my husband and the team who have worked hard to make this happen,” she tweeted. “Nigerians are aware now more than ever that the people have the power to sway the fate of a nation. We must see this as a triumphant show of democracy, a change for the better.I am excited for the future of this nation as we now have a mandate for Change,” Mrs Buhari added. “It has been a gripping day for democracy in Nigeria,” she said. President Jonathan is also said to have extended his congratulations to Buhari today, March 31 via a phone call.

Nigeria Elections 2015: Jonathan congratulates Buhari

President Goodluck Jonathan is said to have spoken to the APC candidate via telephone today, Tuesday, March 31. President Goodluck Jonathan has reportedly congratulated the Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) over his victory in the recently concluded elections. Jonathan is said to have spoken to the APC candidate via telephone today, Tuesday, March 31, according to Vanguard. The news was also confirmed by Daily Trust citing a close associate of Buhari. President Jonathan will reportedly address the country on the election results after concluding a meeting with his cabinet.

INEC dismisses PDP’s claim of victory in 23 states

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega, has dismissed claims of victory by the Peoples Democratic Party in 23 states as reported by the Director of Media and Publicity of the PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation, Femi Fani- Kayode. Fani-Kayode had on his official Twitter page on Sunday, said,”As we speak now, we are winning in 23 states and we have 64 per cent while the APC is winning in 14 states and has 36 per cent.” But Jega, in a series of tweets on the official Twitter page of INEC, countered the claim. He urged Nigerians to be “wary of declaration from people who are clearly partisan.” Jega said in the tweets, “I don’t know where the PDP spokesman got his source but we have not collated results in 23 states.” The INEC boss stated that the collation of results would begin by 12pm on Monday. While justifying his reports, Fani-Kayode said he got his statistics from “our polling agents at every polling unit in the country. They gave us the numbers.”

Soldiers battle gunmen in Bauchi

Nigerian troops on Sunday engaged gunmen in fierce battle in Dungulbe village, seven kilometres from Bauchi, the Bauchi State Capital. Reliable security sources and villagers confirmed the fighting. A soldier, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told newsmen that fighter jets had been drafted to support the troops to repel the hoodlums. “The fighter jets are pounding the enemy position while the ground troops are engaging them,” the soldier said. There was no clear information on casualties on both sides but villagers said the soldiers pushed the gunmen into the bush near Jitar village.

Gunmen attack Bauchi voters, police stations

An unspecified number of gunmen in a convoy of about 10 vehicles on Sunday stormed many polling units in Kirfi and Alkaleri Local Government Areas of Bauchi State and destroyed many electoral materials. Police Public Relations Officer, Haruna Mohammed, stated this in a statement made available to newsmen on Sunday in Bauchi. Mohammed said the gunmen also attacked two Police Stations in the two councils. The PPRO said, “You may recall that on the 28/3/2015 (Saturday) at about 2.30pm, unknown gunmen in about six vehicles attacked a polling unit at Yautara Ward in Darazo LGA and set ablaze electoral materials. “Combined security forces, comprising the police and Army, forced the hoodlums to abandon their mission and escaped into the bush. “However, today, 29/3/2015 (Sunday) at about 0025hrs (12.25am), hoodlums further attacked Kirfi and Alkaleri Divisional Police Headquarters, but were repelled and pursued towards Dindima Town along Bauchi Gombe Road.” The Police Spokesman said operations were still ongoing, adding that the areas had been cordoned off by a combined team of security forces with efforts being intensified to restore normalcy in the area. He said, “Members of the public are urged to remain calm and disregard rumour from mischief makers.”

NATIONAL CHAIRMAN OF PDP: I didn’t lose in my ward, LG – Mu’azu

The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Adamu Mu’azu, has dismissed reports that he lost his polling unit and local government area to the All Progressives Congress in the Saturday election. The PDP chairman hails from Bauchi State and the immediate past governor of the state. Mu’azu, who took to his official Twitter page to react to the report on the alleged defeat, warned the opposition against falsifying facts. In a series of tweets on his page, the PDP chairman cautioned against lying and circulation of unconfirmed results. He said, “I won my LGA. Stop the lies propaganda. It will not help you. You will only heat up the polity. “We will not watch many of you destroy our beloved country with lies. I urge all Nigerians to ignore lies. God bless Nigeria.” Mu’azu appealed to PDP supporters not to join “propagandist in their attempt to overheat the polity by announcing unconfirmed results.” He said, “Dear PDP supporters, once again remain calm. Their plan is to raise false alarm so they can use it to cause havoc. They will fail as usual. Await results from INEC. God bless Nigeria.”

Tension heightens between Rivers APC protesters, police

Policemen fired gunshots at INEC office on Aba Road, Port Harcourt, capital of Rivers State, around on Sunday as the protest against Saturday’s elections in the state began to heightened. The incident happened after APC supporters surrounded an SUV in front of the Commission’s office, believed to have the PDP governorship candidate in the state, Nyesom Wike, inside it. After appealing in vain to the APC supporters to clear the way, the SUV forced its way through the angry mob, who stoned and hit it the various objects. They attacked several vehicles moving in and out of the area carrying electoral materials. More tanks and heavily-armed security officers have been moved into the area. Tension remains high in the area. INEC Chairman, Attahiru Jega, just announced that the commission’s office in Port Harcourt had been set on fire.

APC, PDP go head-to-head in Benue, results inconclusive

There were signs on Sunday that the results of the Presidential and National Assembly elections might drag till Monday in Benue State. Findings showed that apart from the slow collation process, voting was still in progress in areas that could not vote on Saturday due to hitches. In Zone ‘C’ for instance, where the Senate President, David Mark, of the Peoples Democratic Party hails from, only three out of the nine local government areas have been collated fully. Unconfirmed results indicate that so far, President Goodluck Jonathan and Mark are leading in the zone. In Zone ‘B’, where the Senate Minority Leader, George Akume, comes from, the All Progressives Congress is leading in the seven local government areas with a clear margin, though not all of them have been officially verified. In Makurdi Local Government Area, and state capital, where there are 11 wards, only four have been verified. However, in Zone ‘A’ where the state Governor, Mr. Gabriel Suswam, and Senator Barnabas Gemade, are contesting the senate seat, only one local government area out of seven have been collated. However, the two parties are fighting head-to- head in the zone.

Community leader clubbed to death in Benin

The Chairman of Obagienevbosa Community in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State, Igie Osayande, has been clubbed to death by thugs. The victim was reportedly shot along with his brother, Igie Obafuedo, said to have been taken to a hospital for medical attention. The incident was said to have occurred on Saturday during voting at Ward 9, Units 9, 10 and 11 in the community located off Sapele road. According to an All Progressives Congress agent, the attackers had stormed the voting centre ordering to be accredited, long after accreditation had ended. According to the source, efforts by the leaders of the thugs “to get accreditation were rebuffed by the presiding officer, who told him that voting had already commenced. The source added, “He was then prevailed upon by the policeman on duty at the unit to leave the area.” He was said to have been accosted by the deceased, who tried to prevent him from disrupting the exercise. The victim was, however, met with stiff opposition from other members of the gang who beat him to death. The source said, “He returned to the ward after with his boys, scattered the ballot boxes and tore the ballot papers into shreds. “In an attempt to resist them, the APC youth leader, Igie Osagiede, was attacked by the thugs and clubbed to death.”

Rivers APC supporters storm INEC office, demand fresh election

Aggrieved supporters of the All Progressives Congress in Rivers State have blocked some major roads within Port Harcourt, the state capital, protesting the conduct of the Saturday presidential elections in the state by the Independent National Electoral Commission. Some APC faithful, made up of youths, marched to the INEC headquarters on Aba Road while dozens more loitered around the Government House, waiting to interact with the Governor of the state. Rotimi Amaechi, and other top party stalwarts. Our correspondent noticed the presence of heavily-armed security officers at INEC office while others patrolled the roads leading into the area. Two lanes of the road were blocked by two armoured tanks, forcing motorists to drive against traffic on the other two lanes. The situation resulted into heavy traffic on Aba road and adjoining routes. Tension remains very high in the area as the protesters declared that election did not take place in most polling units in Rivers yesterday. They said the only way to resolve the current crisis was to conduct a fresh election in the state. While they protesters chanted “we want change” continually, some of them raised the alarm that the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state, Nyesom Wike, was being smuggled out of the INEC office. More details shortly.

APC warns against announcing of fake poll results

The All Progressives Congress has warned against any attempt to tamper with the results of the elections that were concluded nationwide on Saturday, saying Nigerians have voted peacefully and massively and they know who they have voted for. In a statement issued in Lagos on Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said it has the authentic results from every polling unit where voting took place on Saturday, and will not accept anything contrary to those signed results. It decried the dangerous kite now being flown by the PDP, through some of their paid media channels, seeking to appropriate unearned victories across the nation. ”We have always said we will accept the result of any free, fair and transparent elections. We stand by that avowal. However, what we will not accept – and which we are sure Nigerians themselves will reject – is any move to rewrite the results and thwart the will of the people under any guise. We will not accept that. ”We have heard of the desperate moves to cancel the results in areas where the APC has beaten the PDP embarrassingly. Nigerians will definitely not accept that,” APC said. The party said it is aware of the ongoing efforts to force Electoral Officers and Presiding Officers in Imo State, some of whom are being picked up by the military as we write, to rewrite the results of the elections in the state. ”We have the results from every polling unit in Imo State and we know that we have won in over 80 per cent in the presidential election. So there must be no shenanigans,” it warned. APC also said the same attempts are being made in Sokoto, Enugu, Ekiti, Ondo, Lagos and other states, wondering why anyone will be seeking to reverse the results that are already settled.

Result sheet missing as security agents fight in Ekiti

There was commotion at the Local Government Collation Centre in Ijero Ekiti on Sunday as security agencies fight with election officers over Form EC8C containing the final result of the Presidential election. The security agencies attached to the centre, comprising Police, Department of Security Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigeria Immigration Service and others all demanded to obtain a copy of the results, forcing the officials to reproduce extra copies of the result. As the altercation was degenerating to a free-for- all, the men of the DSS whisked away the Election Officer, one Mrs. Ogundipe, to an unknown destination. The Collation Officer, Mr. Francis Adebayo, returned to the State Office of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Ado Ekiti without the white paper. Adebayo claimed Ogundipe went away with the original result sheet while the centre was boiling as he was almost gunned down. But the Returning Officer for Peoples Democratic Party, who simply introduced himself Gen. Ayeni (retd.) and that of the All Progressives Congress, Mr. Ojo Asubuoke, countered his account. They said there was no commotion in Ijero as all party agents related well during the election, adding that the argument was between security agencies and election officials. Parties, however, accepted the duplicate copy brought by Adebayo as the results, as according to them, it reflected the results as endorsed by their agents at the centre.

Result sheet missing as security agents fight in Ekiti

There was commotion at the Local Government Collation Centre in Ijero Ekiti on Sunday as security agencies fight with election officers over Form EC8C containing the final result of the Presidential election. The security agencies attached to the centre, comprising Police, Department of Security Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigeria Immigration Service and others all demanded to obtain a copy of the results, forcing the officials to reproduce extra copies of the result. As the altercation was degenerating to a free-for- all, the men of the DSS whisked away the Election Officer, one Mrs. Ogundipe, to an unknown destination. The Collation Officer, Mr. Francis Adebayo, returned to the State Office of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Ado Ekiti without the white paper. Adebayo claimed Ogundipe went away with the original result sheet while the centre was boiling as he was almost gunned down. But the Returning Officer for Peoples Democratic Party, who simply introduced himself Gen. Ayeni (retd.) and that of the All Progressives Congress, Mr. Ojo Asubuoke, countered his account. They said there was no commotion in Ijero as all party agents related well during the election, adding that the argument was between security agencies and election officials. Parties, however, accepted the duplicate copy brought by Adebayo as the results, as according to them, it reflected the results as endorsed by their agents at the centre.

The world is watching Nigeria — Head, EU delegation

The Head of European Union Delegation in Nigeria, Michel Arrion, in this interview with ADELANI ADEPEGBA, challenges Nigerians to uphold their status as the biggest democracy in Africa -How long have you been in Nigeria and what has been your experience? I arrived in Nigeria in October 2013. I came in from Rwanda where I had spent four years. Before then, I was in Ivory Coast, Liberia and Mali. Thus, I have relatively large experience of West Africa and Africa. -What is EU’s relationship with Nigeria and what areas do you think Nigeria’s government needs to improve? There are two things: first of all, institutions. I think globally, Nigeria has made a lot of progress in terms of deepening democracy in this country, from military rule to civilian rule, from one single man to a group of people, from one single party to bi-partisan system, almost bi-partisan system. So, in the long term, you see a progression with all kinds of hiccups and difficulties, but the trend is good and is accompanied by basic freedoms and liberties. These include: media freedom, freedom of speech, freedom of religion and freedom of belief. Those are the core of freedoms and liberties for citizens. It’s more than a declaration of human rights, but it’s a declaration that is translated into reality. I think one can assume there is freedom of press here and freedom of belief. But it is not enough. Social and economic rights are really not guaranteed in this country, de facto and efficiently. Maybe on paper and in the constitution, they are, but in reality, they are not. Here, I want to emphasise also that it is important also for those who believe that it is more important to develop the economy or the business or growth rather than re-distribute everything to the poor. To really develop in a sustainable way the economy, you need not only democracy, but you need also to re-distribute social benefits to the people and to do that is a question of leadership and people. It is also a question of institution. Therefore, strengthening the institutions, not on paper, but in reality is absolutely key. We are working a lot in those sectors related to rule of law, democracy, human rights, elections, and police and criminal justice. There are a lot of things to do to really defend basic rights of the people who were in prisons, who were involved in any case of criminal proceedings. -Why do you think many African nations, including Nigeria, struggle to conduct peaceful and credible elections? I started working in Africa since the late 80’s. Hence, I have seen progression since 89, 90, 91. We have seen a lot of relatively credible, peaceful and transparent elections with good turnover of leadership and the emergence of new political parties in addition to the old traditional single parties. We have seen also the basic transformation of the African politics from nationalism to something different. What we miss today is certainly, political parties that really have to make choices in the field of economy and those questions of re-distribution. In other words, I personally miss the liberal party or socialist party. The role of the state is always a big issue between the left and the right, between the labour and the conservative. You don’t have that in Africa in most cases, with a few exceptions of course. Thus, you always have the old traditional party, the one where the founding father, the nationalist, created and built since the 60’s, 70’s. Their successors, the new comers, come without any real economic or political platform. -How does voters’ education impart democracy? It is absolutely necessary to have elections to foster democracy, but it’s not sufficient, because to give the right to vote to a population with so many illiterate persons or uneducated people is not at all sufficient. I think one cannot develop democracy without educating the people, without reaching a height where a very percentage of the people would go to school until they are 18. And that’s not the case in most countries in Africa. When people are not being well educated, they cannot understand the issues and challenges at stake and also because the parties do not offer different views, I mean there is the ‘party for freedom and democracy’ and the ‘party for democracy and freedom’, so what’s the difference, frankly? The issue of the third mandate is not as difficult as it can be in other countries in Africa, where you have presidents changing the constitution the year before the expiration of their second mandate. That would not happen in Nigeria although I am aware of the debate on the issue of President Goodluck Jonathan being in power to terminate the mandate after the death of President Umaru Yar’Adua, there have been some discussions on that. The role of the electoral commission is absolutely key. In many well established democracies, there is no electoral commission, it is the Ministry of Home Affairs or Internal Affairs. It’s just like civil registration, why do you have voter cards? If you had ID cards, you won’t have voter cards. In my country, there is no voter card. You need a better management of the population and it is linked to other aspects of what I call managing the population. It is not only managing births and deaths. It is each step in the life of the citizens, going to school, leaving the school, getting married, having children that you have to manage. It used to be managed in the past in nice books but today, with IT technology, it should be much easier. That is, I think, an issue, that right after the election, the new government should really address. With good census, we had the 2006 census; nobody knows how many Nigerians are in Nigeria. Frankly, there is the competition state by state, ‘I need more citizens in order to get more percentages of revenue,’ we know that. That is not good because how can you plan your development if you don’t know how many citizens you have in your state. Political parties also have to take responsibility for good elections, it is not only INEC, it involves the political parties. The media, each and every stakeholder including the citizens are needed to deliver good elections including the security forces, the executive, the judiciary. -What would be your message for the winner of the presidential election? The world is watching Nigeria, you have seen President Barack Obama recording a video tape to Nigeria. Today (Thursday) the EU President has written to President Jonathan and Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd). I just got the letter an hour ago, emphasising a few things. Africa is important to the US and EU, but Africa and West Africa are also watching Nigeria. To the politicians and the political parties, there is no place in democracy for violence. I just read what the Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Ikulu, said, “don’t hesitate to spill blood.” This is not acceptable. It is absolutely not acceptable to say things like that. A few weeks ago, we reacted quite badly to the Governor of Katsina calling the opposition cockroaches. What is that? You cannot compare a human being to an animal. You cannot shed human blood, even that of your worst enemy or the worst person. If you are a democrat and you want to develop democracy, you do not use that kind of terms and you do not use violence. Unfortunately, we do very much fear post-electoral violence. And like I said earlier, we are watching you, everybody is watching Nigeria because we are expecting a new step forward towards an enhanced and strengthened democracy. But we are also watching what people are saying and what people will be held accountable. I don’t know how we would hold people accountable, but there are many ways of holding people accountable and I think it’s a general consensus among the Nigerian population. They want their leaders held accountable not only on their political commitments but also those kind of things. Impunity and violence have no place in democracy. We are happy we have been invited to observe the elections, but I want to clarify here, it is not the EU delegation that is observing the elections. We have an independent autonomous mission with a chief observer, he is totally autonomous, I don’t have to give him instructions, he doesn’t choose between any of the candidates. He has no political agenda at all, but people don’t believe that. There are no friends in international relations, you only have interests. -What sanctions will the EU impose on politicians who instigate violence during the elections? I think it’s too early to say and I don’t want to mention the word, sanction, because it is already pre-empting the fact that there would be a good reason to impose sanction. We don’t call it sanctions, we call it appropriate measures. We would see what kind of measures, but it is something the EU is always looking at in the global framework. If there are UN sanctions, we follow with EU sanctions. But we believe much more in prevention. Thus, imposing sanctions is, frankly, the last resort. We prefer to act in terms of prevention and preparations. We want to be clear that there is indeed a red line that should not be crossed. -If the election was rigged, should the loser accept the result? First of all, it is not black or white. There will always be places where people would try to rig. In every country in the world, you always have people doing that kind of thing. There is a large spectrum of possibilities, so it is not yes or no. What is more important is not to judge whether the process has been rigged or not. The main point is, is the final result really reflecting the will of the population? I don’t believe 100 per cent polling units will be opened from 8 to 5 to give a chance to everyone to vote. There would be problems, we will have a storm, heavy rain somewhere, it may be impossible to reach a polling unit, we will have all kinds of incidence, but what will be the impact on the final result is more important

‘PDP national leaders messed up party’

Ondo State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Ali Olanusi, has blamed the National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party for his defection to the All Progressives Congress. Olanusi declared his defection to the APC on Thursday, citing marginalisation and unfairness on the part of the PDP. He told reporters in his polling unit at Supare, in the Akoko South West of Ondo State, that the party was “messed up” by its leaders at all levels. According to him, he had to leave the party for good in the interest of his people. He said, “The PDP has been messed up by the National Working Committee and the party executive. This made it difficult for me to remain there.” On the elections, he said he hoped that INEC would do a good job, even though it was too early to judge the situation then.

Nurses bring sick 85-year-old voter to polling booth

Ailing 85-year-old Dr. Adebisi Sebanjo, caused a stir on Saturday after he arrived at the polling unit at Doula, Apapa, Lagos State. The octogenarian medical director of Julisam Hospital was assisted by two young female nurses wearing blue uniforms. Adebisi is the father of the Senior Special Adviser on Poverty Alleviation to Governor Babatunde Fashola, Idowu Sebanjo. The aged doctor could not speak with our correspondent. The nurses said he “has little or no strength to talk.’’ But he was not the only aged person who came out to vote on Saturday. Many other old people turned out to cast their votes for candidates of their choice despite many challenges the exercises posed. Those who spoke with SUNDAY PUNCH said they came out to ensure that the country remained united and to set good example to the younger generation. According to 89-year-old Dr. Abimbola Silva ─ mother of Nollywood actress, Joke Silva ─ voting was her fundamental right. Silva, who was in a wheelchair, said, “It is my right to vote. By doing this I am laying a good example for the younger generation. The exercise has been ok,” she said. Another aged voter, Mr. Oyedele Oyelade, 78, expressed delight at being able to cast his vote despite waiting till about 4pm to be accredited. The duo of Musa Mohammed and Ibrahim Alilu, aged 75 and 80 respectively, told SUNDAY PUNCH that they wanted the country to get better. Also at the Doula polling unit to vote was Mr. Adamu Zaria, a blind 65-year-old man. “Though I am blind, I know who I want to vote for. I am a Nigerian. I have hope that Nigeria will become better,” he said.

Scores killed in Rivers, Gombe …as blasts rock Anambra, Enugu

Tension heightened in Rivers, Anambra and Enugu states on Saturday following bombings, killings and arrests in some polling units. In Rivers State, a soldier and two civilians were shot dead by suspected political thugs at polling centres in Ozuoha and Kpite in Ikwerre and Tai Local Government Areas of the state. Sources said the gunmen opened fire where prospective voters had gathered for accreditation and that a bullet hit the soldier, who died on the spot. Brigade Commander Commander, 2 Brigade, Bori Camp, Port Harcourt, Koko Essien, confirmed the incident when he spoke with Amaechi in Ubima. One of the civilians, Sampson Wona, was said to have been shot dead while waiting to be accredited at a polling unit in Ozuoha . The second civilian, who like Wona, was a member of the APC, was killed in Kpite, Tai LGA. Shortly after these incidents, the APC in the state alleged that scores of its members were killed, 100 arrested and many disenfranchised . It said in a statement by Chukwuemeka Eze, the Senior Special Assistant, Media and Public Affairs to the State chairman, that the killings were carried out in Kpite and other parts of the state by hoodlums suspected to be acting for the PDP. The party attached photographs of the slain persons to the statement to prove its claim. The statement read, “Today’s (Saturday) presidential and National Assembly elections have turned out to be a big nightmare for the APC in Rivers State, with the members being killed, attacked and disenfranchised in various parts of the state. “Armed militias working for the PDP have intensified their killings of APC members. Scores have already been killed and several others marked for elimination. “This (Saturday) morning in Kpite town, Tai Ward 2 and other areas of the state, five people were shot dead by PDP’s armed militia, and that was before accreditation commenced. “It is sad that the PDP and its collaborators are targeting APC strongholds and chieftains for attacks and killings. To intimidate our people and contrary to the court ruling forbidding the use of the Army in this elections, there has been a massive deployment of soldiers in the state with clear instruction to shoot at sight any APC agent that refuses to comply with the evil plot of the PDP to write the results of the election at some designated areas of the state in favour of the PDP.” The statement claimed that a former Commissioner and an APC leader, Chidiebere Okwuwolu, was arrested by the police and taken to Olu Obasanjo Police Station in Port Harcourt. It added that 99 other APC members and leaders were being held in various police stations in the state. The party also said that at Ubima, result sheets were “currently with Nyesom Wike, the PDP governorship candidate for the state.” The Director of Communication, Greater Together Campaign Organisation, Ibim Semenitari, condemned the development, lamenting that some APC leaders in the state had also been marked for elimination. Semenitari, in her statement said, “Armed militias working for the PDP have intensified their killings of APC members. Scores have already been killed and several others marked for elimination. “Specifically, the PDP armed men target APC strongholds for attack using heavy gunfire. The Greater Together Campaign Organisation, the campaign outfit for Dr. Dakuku Peterside, has condemned this visit of terror on the state. “On Saturday morning in Kpite Town, Tai Ward 2, two people were shot dead by the PDP armed militia, and that was before accreditation commenced.” But the state Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Samuel Nwanosike, told Sunday PUNCH that his party members were not interested in attacking or killing anybody to win elections. Nwanosike described the claim of the APC as mere propaganda, adding that while the PDP had been working hard to win elections, the APC had been making frivolous allegations. In Enugu, there was a bomb blast at the polling unit located inside WTC Primary School, Enugu North LGA at about 9am on Saturday. The source of the explosion which made many prospective voters to flee was not known as of 8pm. In Anambra State, voters who came for accreditation in the morning at Ayomna Okpala Primary School in Awka scampered for safety following a bomb explosion there. No casualties were recorded in the incident but the school building was badly damaged. One of the eyewitnesses, Chinenye Ibe, said they were shocked when the explosion occurred and disrupted the exercise. Earlier, there was an explosion at Onitsha South which eyewitnesses said injured a number of persons. The Women Coordinator, National Presidential Campaign of the PDP , Joy Emordi, said the Onitsha South blast was unfortunate. She called on the indigenes , electoral officials and monitors in the state to be vigilant. The Secretary of Anambra State Government, Oseloka Obazie, told one of our corespondents in an interview, that he was yet to get an independent confirmation of the blasts. He said, “I pray these do not derail the electoral process here. Anambra State is a very peaceful state and I don’t know why these are happening.” Obazie, however, assured Anambra indigenes that the government of the state was on top of the situation. The elections however claimed some lives in Gombe State where a member of the House of Assembly, Umar Aminu, and eight others were feared killed by Boko Haram insurgents in Dukku and Nafada LGAs. On Friday night, the insurgents killed 25 persons and injured 30 others in a community in the southern part of Borno State. Borno State Governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, who lamented the incident, added that several houses were also razed by the terrorists.

Jonathan’s aide escapes lynching in Kano

The Senior Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan on School Agriculture, Dr. Baraka Sani, on Saturday in Kano escaped death from the hands of suspected political thugs, who prevented her from voting. The incident happened at Jigriya Ward in Dakatar Quarters, Nasarrwa area of Kano State, when Baraka was attempting to cast her vote but was prevented by the thugs, who hauled missiles at her. According to an eyewitness account, the thugs on sighting Baraka started chanting: “Ba muayi, ba zaki ye zabe ba,” meaning, “We are not with you and will not allow you to vote.” In the ensuing fracas, which lasted for over 10 minutes, two of Baraka’s aides sustained injuries and were rushed to a nearby hospital for medical attention. The thugs hauled pebbles at the President’s aide before a good Samaritan came to her rescue, as she was shielded and escorted from the scene of the incident to a waiting black Honda Pilot Jeep, which zoomed off immediately. Sani, who rushed back home and mobilised a combined team of security operatives, comprising the Army, Air Force, Directorate of State Security and the Police, who accompanied her to the polling unit where she eventually cast her vote amidst tight security. Narrating her ordeal, Sani asked, “Is that the kind of change Nigerians are yearning for, where Nigerians would be denied their constitutional right? Is this the kind of change that women will be summoned before the ICC? “Is this the kind of change that the opposition is denigrating women that they will never again participate in the political process, limiting their freedom of expression, freedom and constitutional right?”

Amaechi refuses to be accredited…dares soldiers

RIVERS State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, refused to be accredited over the refusal of officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission to produce the result sheet for his polling unit at Omuanwa Ward in the Ikwerre Local Government Area. The governor, who turned up around 10.00am at his polling unit, was told that there were no election result sheets and that the card readers deployed in the area failed to work. Amaechi, who is the Director-General of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Organisation, accused the Peoples Democratic Party of plotting to rig the presidential elections in the state. It is unlikely if Amaechi performed his civic right. His convoy was seen returning back to the State House in Port Harcourt almost immediately. He later addressed a crowd of voters and declared that there would be no accreditation or voting in the area since the result sheets were not available. The governor disclosed that he had called the State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mrs. Gecila Khan, who told him that the result sheets had been dispatched to the necessary points. “The result sheets have not been brought here. The same thing is happening all over the local government area. We have, therefore, resolved not to be involved in the election until the result sheets are brought,” the governor said. However, a mild drama ensued as Amaechi drove towards his ward to have a glimpse of goings-on before being accredited. The governor was stopped by the Brigade Commander, 2 Brigade, Bori Camp, Port Harcourt, Brigadier General Essien Essien, who told him not to drive around during election since he had not been accredited by INEC. When the governor tried to move, a group of soldiers blocked his convoy, a development that caused anxiety for about 12 minutes. The governor queried the rationale behind the action of the soldiers, who he accused of blocking the road to his father’s house. “Are you being sent by President Jonathan to kill me? I had told the world that President Jonathan is trying to kill me and I am saying it again,” the governor said. Essien, however, told Amaechi that they were not given any directive to kill anybody, even as he insisted that the governor should go back home and stop moving around the area. He told the governor that the military did not block the road leading to his house, but only carrying out instruction to maintain law and order. “Your Excellency, we have instructions not to allow people who are not duly accredited to move around during the election. That is why we are advising you to go back to your house and wait there until the election is over. Amaechi later decided to go to the Government House in Port Harcourt after the exchange of words between him and the Brigade Commander, adding that he would only come back for accreditation if the result sheets were ready. The governor had earlier dared the soldiers to arrest him, saying, “Arrest me if that’s what you want to do or allow me return to Government House in Port Harcourt. This house is my father’s house. I don’t have a house in my village.” Meanwhile, the PDP governorship candidate in Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, cast his vote after accreditation around 2.30pm. Wike, who is a former Minister of State for Education, came in company with his wife, Suzeth, to the Unit 7, Ward 9 polling station in Obio/Akpor area in Ikwerre. Addressing journalists after voting, Wike called for calm while describing the election in the state as “relatively commendable” except for a handful cases of card reader malfunction which almost hindered accreditation.

Buhari beats Jonathan inside Aso Villa

The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) defeated President Goodluck Jonathan in the elections conducted inside the Presidential Villa, Abuja. There are two polling units-Unit 021 and 022- located side-by-side within the premises of the seat of power. Buhari polled a total of 613 votes in the two polling units while Jonathan scored a total of 595 votes. At Unit 021, Jonathan beat Buhari to second position with 293 votes while the APC candidate scored 265 votes. At the second polling booth, Unit 022, Buhari emerged winner with 348 votes while Jonathan polled 302. For the Senatorial election in Unit 021, PDP polled 286 votes to beat APC with 260. In Unit 022, APC polled 337 votes while PDP scored 281 votes. For the House of Representatives election in Unit 022, APC polled 334 to beat PDP to distant second with 241 votes. For Unit 021 however, it was a close contest between APC that won with 255 votes and PDP that polled 254. A total of 575 voters were accredited out of the 2,181 registered voters for Unit 021 while 770 voters were accredited out of the 2,278 voters registered for Unit 022. The sorting and counting of the votes ran ended at 11.30pm, necessitating some voters to illuminate the venue with the headlamps of their cars. Meanwhile, Jonathan has returned to the Presidential Villa after casting his vote in his hometown, Otuoke, Bayelsa State. He was inside his official residence while the votes cast in the two units were being counted. He was said to have returned at about 8.30pm.

APC wins Obasanjo’s ward

The All Progressives Congress won the polling unit of former President Olusegun Obasanjo in Saturday’s presidential election, beating the Peoples Democratic Party to a second place. At the polling unit, Ward 11, Unit 2, Shokori, Abeokuta North Local Government Area of Ogun State, the APC polled 100 in presidential votes, while the PDP got 16. In the votes for Senate, the APC got 93, while the PDP got eight. The Social Democratic Party got 15, while the Peoples Party of Nigeria got two. The majority votes for the House of Representatives also went to the APC, which polled 98, while the PDP got eight. The SDP got 12. Obasanjo had earlier in the day told journalists at the polling unit that he was satisfied with the conduct of the elections, hoping that other parts of the country would be as peaceful as his ward. “What I have seen at my polling station is satisfactory. I have talked to a few people here in Abeokuta and they have also reported satisfactory report. I will appeal to all Nigerians to maintain this type of satisfactory report.

OYO STATE'S ASPIRANT: Folarin campaigns at polling unit, doles out money

There was commotion at Ward 5, Ona Ara Local Government Area of Oyo State, on Saturday when the Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate in the state, Teslim Folarin, publicly doled out money to his party supporters at his polling unit. The PDP governorship candidate defied the rules when he openly shouted ‘Te sibe'(print it there), a popular campaign slogan, urging people to vote for him. One of the youths, who grabbed the money from Folarin, tried to run away, but was soon held by the angry crowd. Those on the queue waiting to vote began to scramble for their share of the money. The commotion, which lasted for over 20 minutes, saw the youths squeezing one another’s clothes while those, who managed to grab a few notes, received blows from others. Police deployed in the unit watched as the youths tackled themselves in the brawl. Folarin, who cast his votes at St. John’s Primary School, hosting two polling units at about 3pm, had addressed journalists before voting. He came in company with his wife, Angela. He told journalists that he was not satisfied with the performance of the card reader. He said,”The card reader is very slow in accrediting and verifying voters’ identity.This was why we kicked against it earlier. Although, I was not delayed,reports from other parts of th state are not commendable.” He said the All Progressives Congress had failed to deliver good governance to the masses. Folarin predicted a landslide victory for President Goodluck Jonathan,saying he was impressed with the large turnout of voters, which he said showed people desperately wanted change in the state.

Nigeria ranks fourth on Interpol’s African wanted list

Nigeria ranks fourth of the 54 countries in Africa with the highest number of citizens on the Interpol wanted list, Crystal Rainbow@punch has gathered. Interpol is the International Criminal Police Organisation that facilitates international police cooperation, with global membership of 190 countries, spread across four continents. According to the data on Interpol’s website, 63 Nigerians comprising 56 males and seven females have been declared wanted by the organisation for various offences. Nigeria trails Libya with 90 persons; Egypt, 156; and Rwanda, 160. Other African countries that rank next to Nigeria are South Africa, Zimbabwe and Sudan, making them fifth, sixth and seventh positions with 41, 38, 25 persons respectively, while countries like Cameroon, Niger and Chad rank as the 27th, 28th and 36th, with eight, seven and two persons respectively. Only 43 of the 54 African countries have their citizens on the wanted list, leaving out 11 countries with no citizen in the document. They are Madagascar, Cote d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Gabon and Lesotho, among others. The Nigerians on the list, whose ages range between 26 and 72, were declared wanted for various offences by the judicial authorities of both Nigeria and some foreign countries for prosecution and to serve a sentence. The countries include South Africa, United States of America, China, India, Brazil, Canada, Argentina, Botswana and Norway, with India, US and Brazil having the highest numbers of Nigerians on their list. The offences include fraud, criminal conspiracy, cheating, drug trafficking, theft, customs crimes like smuggling, rape/aggravated sexual assault, stealing, escape from lawful custody, abduction and threat to life. Interpol had stated on its website that its crime areas include corruption, crimes against children, cybercrime, drugs, environmental crime, financial crime, firearms, fugitive investigations, integrity in sport and maritime piracy. Others are organised crime, pharmaceutical crime, terrorism, trafficking in human beings, trafficking in illicit goods and counterfeiting, vehicle crime, war crimes and works of arts. Seventy-two-year-old Nigerian, Emejulu Herbert, is the oldest person on the list. He was declared wanted by the judicial authorities of United States of America for conspiracy to commit health care fraud, aggravated identity theft and conspiracy to distribute drugs. Nkem Butchang, 26, who is the youngest, was also declared wanted by the judicial authorities of Canada for sexual assault and failure to comply with condition of recognisance. In the same vein, Itumo Anthony, 36, male, was declared wanted by the judicial authorities of Nigeria for prosecution and to serve a sentence for committing fraud, theft, terrorist finance and conversion. Also, a 41-year-old woman, Esther Florence, has been declared by the judicial authorities of India for prosecution and to serve a sentence for criminal conspiracy, while 59-year-old Akinwale Olufunke, female was also on the wanted list on the request of the United States for prosecution and to serve a sentence for conspiracy and attempt to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance. Other persons on the list include Disu Oluwadamilare, Opara John, Ohai Harrison, Costa Austine, Okromi Austine, Onyegbu Florence, Ilechukwu Osita, Opadeyi Moses, Agbakoba Chiwoh, Adebowale Abiodun, among others. Also, five persons including a seven-year-old girl, Ndudi Olivia, have been declared missing by the Interpol.

One dies as PDP, APC supporters clash in Osun

There was panic in Ikirun, Osun State, on Saturday as the presidential election was ongoing when supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party and the All Progressives Congress clashed. According to an eyewitness, who is simply identified as Ismaila, he said the victim was a graduate of The Polytechnic, Ire, Osun State. He said the victim, popularly known as ‘Hunger’, allegedly belonged to a cult group and a supporter of the PDP. The state Police Public Relations Officer, Sade Odoro, could not be reached as her telephone number was not reachable when our correspondent called her to confirm the incident.

Card reader failure: INEC okays manual accreditation

The INEC has given approval for its officers to accredit voters manually after being sufficiently satisfied that the Permanent Voter Card belongs to a prospective voter presenting it. In a statement by INEC’s Chairman, Information, Voter Education and Publicity Committee, Dr. Chris Eyimoga, on Saturday, the commission said this step was informed by the level of challenges encountered in the Saturday elections to accredit prospective voters. Iyimoga said, “The Commission has, therefore, decided as part of the Guidelines for the Conduct of the 2015 general elections that in Polling Units where card readers have so failed to work, the Presiding Officer shall manually accredit voters by marking the register of voters, upon being satisfied that the person presenting a Permanent Voter’s Card is the legitimate holder of the card.”

Okorocha’s aide arrested for stockpiling arms

The Imo State Police Command has arrested a Senior Special Assistant to Governor Rochas Okorocha, Barrister Okechukwu Okorocha, for illegally being in possession of arms. In a meeting with journalists at the Police headquarters in Owerri on Friday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Andrew Enwerem, said that Okorocha was arrested after operatives from the State Criminal Investigation Department, acting on a tip-off that some top government functionaries were stockpiling arms with the intention to disrupt the general elections in Imo State, conducted a cordon-and-search operation at his residence in the early hours of Friday and recovered three pump action automatic rifles with 24 live cartridges and a Kenwood walkie- talkie. The police spokesman noted that Okorocha had acted contrary to an instruction from the police to all residents, particularly members of the State Vigilante Service, to surrender all the arms and other dangerous weapons in their possession before the general elections. “We have been announcing that the vigilante will not be part of the security beef up at the polling centres during the elections. As a result, we have been warning them to return the prohibited firearms in their possession to Divisional Police Officers nearest to them,” Enwerem said. In a similar operation by the State CID in Owerri, three automatic pump action rifles with 14 live cartridges were found in the security post of Ebuada Housing Estate in the city. In the process of recovering the weapons, Kelechi Onuoha, Chigozie Uzowuru, Osita Obiako and Linus Aka were also arrested. In all, six automatic pump action rifles and 38 live cartridges were recovered from all the suspects who failed to conform to the directives of the police to surrender their arms. “It is believed that these arms were going to be used to disrupt the coming elections. The arrested suspects are currently in the custody of the police and they are undergoing interrogation. This is what we have done in preparation to ensure that there is a peaceful, credible, free and fair elections in Imo State,” the PPRO said.

INEC suspends election in Delta community over insecurity

The Independent National Electoral Commission has suspended election in Udu Local Government Area of Delta State after the police said they could not guarantee security in the area. The Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Anidi Ikowak, said in Agbor that some stakeholders in the area did not allow electoral officers to move voting materials to polling units. He said the initial complaint was that they wanted to see the constituency collation form. He said, “But even when the form was brought, they did not still want the materials moved. “So the police had to advise that for security reasons, the election should be suspended.”

Thug accuses Tinubu of neglect at polling unit

A former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, was embarrassed by a thug, Ise Aye, while Tinubu was doing his accreditation at polling unit 047 on Kaffi/Sunday Adigun Street, Alausa, Ikeja. The thug, who had scars on his face and tattoos all over his body, shouted at the governor and accused him of neglecting some of the youths in the area. While shouting in Yoruba, he said, “You abandoned us here. The leaders here did not give us money. I know what I have suffered in the hands of the PDP all because I refused to join them. We remained loyal to the APC because of your late mother (Iya Mogaji) that lived here. “Anytime I come here looking for money, they refer me to Bourdillon in Ikoyi but no one allows me to enter your mansion.” Tinubu, who felt insulted by the outburst, described Ise Aye as an untrained young man lacking in wisdom. He said, “Do you have any sense at all? Is that how you were trained to talk to elders. Get out of here, you are embarrassing me.” The young man eventually prostrated for Tinubu. Tinubu, while addressing journalists at his late mother’s home, said he was impressed with the conduct of the elections so far. The APC leader admitted that it took a few minutes before the card reader could authenticate his finger print but added that it still remained the best option. He distanced himself from text messages purportedly sent to Lagosians by him that they should vote for President Goodluck Jonathan. When asked by a reporter why he supported Jonathan instead of Nuhu Ribadu of his party(the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria) in the 2011 elections, Tinubu said, “You must retract that statement. If not, I will assume that you are working for the PDP. “I never supported Jonathan in 2011. I can never destroy what I used my hands to build.”

Explosion rocks Anambra polling unit

Less than three hours that a bomb exploded at a polling unit in Enugu, a similar incident has occurred in Awka, Anambra State. The Anambra explosion took place at Atom a polling unit at Umuokpara Primary School, Awka ward one. Details later…

LETTER TO NIGERIA: TODAY MY NATION SHALL DECIDE

The day has come and the day is today SATURDAY, 28 2015. My people shall decide who is to rule over us.It is our right and duty so let's vote with love,let's vote with/in peace. Let my great Nigerians say no to violence.Let my great Nation believe in unity. Today great Nigerians will elect their leader,Let my people know that elections had come and go yet Nigeria had remain a nation;Today election will come and go again and Nigeria will still remain to be our Nation,Presidents will come and go but Nigeria stay till Christ comes.So say no to tribal or civil war.I say no to violence for my people say no to violence and war. Today my Fatherland shall make their decision.Let my people vote to see a new Nigeria.Let not my people tear apart our belove nation.Do not lose or waste your life because of this day because their are bett er days ahead.Vote without making or causing any trouble.Let my people use their time voting but not to risk their lives causing violence during election period. Today you and I shall celebrate a peaceful free and fair election. SO OMOTOSO IBUKUNOLUWA OMONIYI... CRYSTAL RAINBOW IS SAYING VOTE WISELY...VOTE FOR HEART DESIRED CANDIDATE...IT IS YOUR RIGHT. LIVE LONG NIGERIA .

Insane: Husband, friends gang-rape wife, insert candle in her private part

An Indian man has been declared after he and his friends kidnapped his wife and gang-raped her because she sought a divorce:- A demented Indian man » has been declared wanted after he and his two friends kidnapped his wife and repeatedly gang-raped » her in the back seat of a speeding car, after she filed a for a divorce. During the rape, the men also inserted candles and bottles into the woman's private part. The Anand Vihar Police report that the 22-year-old woman had filed a complaint against her husband and his two friends after they abducted her at a shopping mall and took turns raping her, with the three of them taking turns raping her in the moving car and also inserted candles into her private parts. The woman said her husband mocked her during the attack, saying she was being punished for the legal mess she created. When the three were done, they threw her out of the car in an isolated area and fled.

Femi Fani-Kayode: ‘APC suffering from chronic paranoia,’ PDP spokesperson says

Fani-Kayode stated this in response to the APC’s claims that President Goodluck Jonathan had ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to arrest its leaders on trumped-up charges:- The spokesperson for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) campaign organization, Femi Fani- Kayode has said that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is suffering from chronic paranoia. Fani-Kayode stated this in response to the APC’s claims that President Goodluck Jonathan had ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to arrest its leaders on trumped-up charges. The PDP spokesperson made the comments via a statement released on Sunday, March 22. It reads: “We have said it before and we shall say it again: the APC are not only delusional but they are suffering from chronic paranoia. Why should Tinubu be scared of arrest if he has done nothing wrong. Why should Buhari be scared of EFCC if he is clean?” “They should stop raising all these false alarms and they should just grow up. We are far too busy and focused on winning an election than on planning any witch hunt. Those that have a case to answer know who they are and eventually they will be made to answer that case. Whether it be for murder, theft or graft they will surely answer that case sooner than later. God will see to that.” "Defeat is staring them in the face and they are having sleepless nights. That is what has informed all this rubbish that they keep peddling out on a daily basis. Let them be clear about one thing: no matter what they say or do on March 28th this matter will be settled once and for all and they shall be utterly humiliated at the polls.” "When that happens and when the President gets a fresh and new mandate then we will revisit all the issues and very serious allegations that have been made against Buhari, Tinubu, Saraki, Amaechi, Shettima and all the other APC leaders. "They should prepare for the very worst because nothing but humiliation, defeat, shame and dark days lie ahead of them.” The APC had also accused Jonathan and the PDP of plotting to freeze the accounts of perceived APC financiers in a bid to cripple the party.

Boko Haram: Nigeria accuses Chad of lying about fight against terrorists

The military has said that many of the communities which Chad claims to have recaptured are still under the control of the Boko Haram sect:- The Nigerian military has accused Chad of lying about its supposed conquests against the Boko Haram sect. The military has said that many of the communities which Chad claims to have recaptured are still under the control of the Boko Haram sect. Chad had earlier accused Nigerian soldiers of being too afraid to take over the retaken towns desperate several assurances that the terrorists had been chased out. However Nigerian military sources have said that the reports are false. "What do they mean by clearing a place when they are not holding ground? So on what ground are they telling the international community they are holding? They are doing entirely a different thing and have been lying all along. They have not been telling the truth, just that our military wants to be diplomatic in dealing with this issue,” a source told ThisDay. “Even all those areas they claimed they were holding, is all hoax, they only came to loot and disappear back to their boundary, while claiming they are holding grounds but when our troops come, they meet strong resistance from Boko Haram,” the source added. “It is not true that our soldiers are not willing to take over such communities. There is no town that our soldiers have liberated that is not being well secured and well patrolled at the moment,” Director of Defence Information, Chris Olukolade said. “We have always warned against irresponsible comments in this collaboration and we are not ready to join issues with anybody. We will do everything to sustain this collaboration,” he added. Chad has deployed 2,500 to Nigeria as part of a multinational force constituted to fight Boko Haram.

BOKO HARAM'S WAR & CONFLICT: Mass grave found in recaptured Nigerian town

Scores of bodies found in mass grave in Damasak town retaken from Boko Haram, including some which were decapitated. Damasak was recaptured from the Boko Haram armed group by troops from Chad and Niger on Saturday [AP]. At least 70 bodies were found in a mass grave on the outskirts of the town of Damasak after it was recaptured from Boko Haram fighters, Chadian and Nigerien military officials have said. Soldiers discovered the bodies, some decapitated, under a bridge just outside the town on Friday, which was retaken from Boko Haram by troops from Chad and Niger. "There are ... bodies spread around under the bridge just outside the town," Colonel Azem Bermandoa Agouna told the AFP news agency, adding that he had visited the scene himself close to the border with Niger. He claimed the massacre probably happened about two months ago and blamed it on the Boko Haram armed group from Nigeria. Footage showed the bodies were strewn beneath the concrete bridge on one of the main roads leading out of the town. Colonel Bermandoa Agouna told AFP that several of the victims had been decapitated while others had been shot. "There are heads here and bodies there, the mass grave has become like a termite mound," he added. A Reuters news agency military source also claimed that the bodies were Boko Haram's victims. Al Jazeera cannot independently verify these claims. Chad and Niger launched a vast air and ground offensive against Boko Haram in the area on March 8, quickly taking Damasak from the group. "Operation Mai Dounama" aims to destroy Boko Haram bases close to Niger, a Nigerien army spokesman said on Thursday. Damasak was seized by the group in November killing around 50 people and forcing another 3,000 to flee, according to the UN's High Commissioner for Refugees. But the town was recaptured by African troops on Saturday. Boko Haram has killed thousands of people in six years of fighting aimed at establishing an Islamic caliphate in northeast Nigeria. Source: Agencies

8 ways to improve your love life

If you want to get out there and meet someone so you can start dating again, then you need to check out these 8 ways to improve your love life. Sometimes, being single for so long may make you think that there's something wrong with you or that you're unlovable. Both of these may be untrue, but it could also be that you're doing something wrong, or you're stuck in your comfort zone. If you want to get out there and meet someone so you can start dating again, then you need to check out these 8 ways to improve your love life: . Focus on first impressions: First dates can be overwhelming, so streamline your focus into making the first few moments count. It takes only 12 minutes for you to decide if you are interested in the other person. To make a stellar first impression, make eye contact, smile, and focus on what he/she saying. And don't forget to check in with your self, too. You might be so focused on making a flawless first impression that you forget to ask yourself if you're even into the person. . Avoid over-sharing: Verbal diarhhoea happens. It happens more frequently when you are super-excited. But one way to kill a first date is to admit how long you spent stalking him on social networking sites, or accidentally tell him that he reminds you of your 'ex'. Oops! Have a censor in your brain, and learn to filter your thoughts, if you'd like to avoid these awkward boo-boos on a first date. . Listen how you speak: Making eye contact aside, listen to how you speak to each other. It is more than just what you are saying -it is how you say it. One study showed that when men talk to a woman they find attractive, they tend to vary their vocal pitch from high to low tones (almost in a sing-song fashion). . Let your friends play cupid: No one knows you quite like your besties do, so let them set you up with someone that they can vouch for. It is better for single people to meet through friends because there is familiarity and comfort that goes with that. A friend setting you up means the guy/girl is vetted. Let them play cupid, but make it clear that the way the date pans out is not a reflection on your friend, or you, or the person that you meet. Sometimes, chemistry is evident, and sometimes it isn't. And while getting your friends' opinions on the new date is essential, know that if you ask too soon, it could colour your own feelings about the potential match. . Don't play it cool: We have all heard that guys love the chase, but according to research, that's not true. In reality, men are m ore attracted to responsive women, and those who are kind and warm straight from the beginning. That doesn't mean being over-thetop eager and ever-ready- to-please, but it is fine to respond to that text in a timely manner, or tell him how much fun you are having. Being kind is definitely a turn on, so forget what you've been told about pretending to be evasive. . Not into him, move on: Dating someone you aren't into is a total waste of time, energy and mind space. Be realistic with yourself: Are you embarrassed to call him your boyfriend? Has he met your friends? Would you rather be watching a television romcom than making small talk with him? Are you only with him for fear of being single? If the answer to all these questions is a yes, then you need to peace out of this relationship and find a new date. And while we don't recommend you go on a dating marathon, it's often important to get out there -especially if you feel like you're stuck in a limbo. Don't give up. Your next amazing date might be right around the corner. . Date your friend: How often do you think to yourself, 'he's cute, but he'd rather be a friend' and quickly zone him out? But your friends can sometimes make the best dates. We'd, in fact, go a step ahead to say, think of dating your already existing friends, or friends of friends. Someone you are already friends with is likely to have similar values, and know your background. Plus, friendship is the foundation for any relationship, so having that bond established is half the road driven. Think about it. . Explore the unexplored: You never know where you are going to meet the next person you date, so if you are only looking in one spot (like that bar where you love to hangout with your buddies), then you are missing out on several potential partners. Plenty of couples have met at a market, movie hall, or even while sitting across at a library. Love can crop up anywhere, so get out there and keep your eyes, ears and heart open.

DEAR CRYSTAL RAINBOW'S BLOG READERS: My fiancee does not like sex

From a male LIB reader My name is Ezekiel Amadi, I have been dating this girl for over three years now all I get is " I hate sex". At first I thought she was just forming but as time went on the problem persist. She always tells me "if I give you too much sex u will get tired of me" I love her so much. Even when I get angry she just manage to go once and that is all for the whole month. I thought she has been seeing someone else but I discovered am the only one so I went ahead and engaged her. That same month I engaged her she told me that the reason why she hates sex was that "she was forcefully raped by her boyfriend when she was a teenager and she lust her virginity then" So anytime she has sex with me she still remembers that and that sex makes her remember every bit of what happened that day. After telling me this she promised to be having it with me. Now my worry is she does not initiate it. She does not like foreplay. Always saying not in the mood. I love this girl but should I marry her? How do I cope with this sex thing if I marry her? This is from Linda Ikeji's blog.Please drop your comment to help him....

Nigeria Elections 2015: President holds crucial meeting with Jega, service chiefs

The meeting, which started at 11am today, March 17, is holding inside the Presidential Villa, Abuja. President Goodluck Jonathan has called a crucial meeting which has the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Attahiru Jega and Nigeria’s service chiefs in attendance. The meeting, which started at 11am, is holding inside the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Jega is expected to inform attendees of the meeting on INEC’s preparations for the upcoming general elections. The security chiefs are also expected to brief the meeting on the success of the anti-terrorism war. The meeting also has in attendance Vice President, Namadi Sambo, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Pius Anyim, National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, Attorney-General of the Federation, Muhammed Adoke (SAN) and the Minister of Police Affairs, Jelili Adesiyan among others. All the service chiefs; Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Kenneth Minimah, Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin, Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu and Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Suleiman Abba; are in attendance

Police officer kills scavenger in Kogi over N200

A trigger-happy police officer has reportedly murdered a metal scavenger because of a mere N200. A trigger-happy police officer » in Lokoja, Kogi State, has killed a scrap metal scavenger, Haruna Sokoto, because the victim refused to give him a bribe of N200, sparking protests and bonfires being set up in the town by colleagues of the victim. Reports have it that Sokoto, a father of 10, was shot dead by the apparently drunk policeman who was angry that his request for the money was not met by the man. An eyewitness said that the police officer demanded for the money from the Hausa man but he said he had no money on him and in a fit of anger, the officer turned his gun on the late Sokoto. The witness also adds that policemen » from in the area always harass the scavengers by collecting N2,000 from them daily. “On the day of the incident, the policeman had threatened to take the Hausa boy with the metal scrap to the police station and in the ensuing argument, the officer shot him on the head and he died instantly." Also narrating how Sokoto was killed, Rabiu Seidu, who claims to be the deceased brother, said Sokoto had given the police officer N1,500 adding that he could not make it up to N2,000. Seidu, who wept profusely, added that the officer told his brother to add N200 to make it N1,700 and when he could not produce the N200, the officer held his trousers and shot him on the head.

Rotimi Amaechi: PDP plans to assassinate APC governorship candidate, Governor alleges

Amaechi made the allegation on Monday, March 16, during a meeting with journalists in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi has alleged that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is planning to assassinate the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the state, Dakuku Peterside. Amaechi made the allegation on Monday, March 16, during a meeting with journalists in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The governor also said that he had lost confidence in the Police Force saying that the security agents were working in favour of the PDP. “You will recall that on February 17, 2015, there was an attempt on the life of the APC governorship candidate, Dakuku Peterside, when he went for a campaign rally in Okrika,” Amaechi said. “From reliable intelligence available to the APC, it is believed by the PDP that assassinating Dr. Dakuku Peterside is the last resort and only way of stopping the victory of the APC in the forthcoming elections based on the popularity and acceptability of the APC candidate amongst Rivers voters,” he added. “The fears of the campaign organisation are however heightened by the recent act of withdrawal of police security from top APC chieftains in the state, including (incredulously) that of her gubernatorial candidate, Dakuku Adol Peterside,” the governor continued. “Those hired for this assassination attempt are still roaming free in Port Harcourt, housed and catered for by Barrister Nyesom Wike, the PDP governorship candidate in Iwaikwowo Hotel, off Oroekpo Road, owned by one Promise Onuoha, Nyesom Wike’s cousin,” Amaechi said. Amaechi also accused the police in the state of aiding the PDP’s evil plot by arresting and detaining members of the APC. “Specifically DCP John Amadi, DC Operations and Promise Nwosu, head of SARS are in the forefront of this,” the governor said. Amaechi had previously accused First Lady, Patience Jonathan and Wike, who’s the PDP governorship candidate for the state, of being behind an attack on an APC rally in Okrika, Mrs Jonathan’s hometown.

In US: Ebola patient in critical condition

A statement from the National Institutes of Health said the patient's status was changed from serious condition to critical condition. The United States Ebola patient who was flown in from Sierra Leone last week » has taken a turn for the worse as hospital officials say his case has worsened to a critical condition. A statement from the National Institutes of Health said the patient's status was changed from serious condition » to critical condition. The patient whose name and details have not been released, is a clinician working with Partners in Health, a Boston-based nonprofit organization. The group has been treating patients in Liberia and Sierra Leone since November. The latest NIH patient is the 11th person with Ebola to be treated in the U.S while 2 patients in the U.S. have died - Thomas Eric Duncan and a doctor who was evacuated from Africa when he was critically ill. Meanwhile, there are 11 other Partners in Health workers being brought to the United States for monitoring, one of whom has developed symptoms of Ebola and has been moved to a biocontainment unit in Nebraska. However, none of those being monitored has tested positive for Ebola.

Patience Jonathan: ‘I don’t want to feed my husband in prison,’ First Lady says

Mrs. Jonathan stated this on Monday, March 16, during a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) women’s rally in Ekiti State. Nigeria’s First Lady, Patience Jonathan has said that she doesn’t want to feed her husband, President Goodluck Jonathan in prison. Mrs. Jonathan stated this on Monday, March 16, during a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) women’s rally in Ekiti State. The First Lady also urged her supporters not to vote in the All Progressives Congress (APC) saying that doing so could land them in prison. “What did they forget in Aso rock? If you vote PDP and Jonathan, it would be better for you. If you vote APC, you will go to prison. How can you jail somebody for 300 years? I’m not ready to carry food to my husband inside prison oh!” Mrs Jonathan said. She also referred to a comment made by the APC Presidential candidate, Muhammadu Buhari to the effect that Nigeria’s constitution makes no room for the office of the First Lady. “They said there is no Office of the First Lady. Already, we know that there is no Office of the First Lady but there is wife of the President. As (the) wife of the President, if you are good, people will love you. You will have a Non- Governmental Organisation through which you will touch people’s lives. That is why I brought Women for Change Initiative,” she said. Mrs Jonathan has openly attacked Buhari and the APC during her rallies calling the candidate “brain dead” and urging her supporters to stone APC members.

David Mark defends Obanikoro's ministerial confirmation, says due process was followed

Senate President David Mark has defended last Wednesday's confirmation of Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro as a minister amidst protest from APC lawmakers. According to the Senate president, due process was followed during Obanikoro's confirmation and the reasons put forward by those against his confirmation were mere accusations. Davido Mark gave this explanation in a statement released by his media aide Kola Ologbondiyan, yesterday March 16th. Read that after the cut... The statement reads in part; "The President of the Senate, Senator David Mark, will not trample on the rules to satisfy the yearnings of any interest, no matter how vociferous and violent. We will like to state without any form of ambiguity that the President of the Senate complied with all the legislative practices and procedures in the confirmation of all the ministerial nominees that appeared before the Senate. It is important to state that the Senate found herself in a situation where two of its traditions were in conflict. There exists a tradition of permitting nominees that had served as Senators or member of the House of Representatives of the Federal Republic to take a bow and go without being questioned. The Senate also has a tradition of stopping any nominee that fails to secure at least two of the three Senators. Where the Senate was faced with this conflict, the option available to the President of the Senate, as the presiding officer was to put the question to the floor and rule applicably. The President of the Senate, Senator David Mark, did just that. He put the question through voice vote, and ayes won resoundingly and he so ruled. On the issue of courts, Rules 53 (5) of the Senate Standing Rules did state; ‘if in the opinion of the President of the Senate, the matter will be subjudice.’ Senator Mark made it clear that he has not been served any court order neither has he received any injunction restraining him from processing the confirmation of the ministerial nominees. Besides, it is a known fact that an accused is presumed innocent until proven otherwise by a court of competent jurisdiction. The processes and decisions reached on the screening and confirmation of the ministerial nominees were in line with the rules guiding the activities of the Senate"

Lekki Robbery: Gov. Fashola defends statement, calls out Reuben Abati

Governor Babatunde Fashola has defended his comments where he blamed the success of the Lekki Robbery incident on March 12th on the visit of President Jonathan in Lagos on that day. Below is a statement he released explaining what he meant. He also called out presidential media aide, Reuben Abati who had earlier described Governor Fashola's reasoning as totally irresponsible. "From the statement credited to the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity. Dr. Reuben Abatti over the comments of His Excellency, Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, on the deployment of police during the visit of the president, it is obvious he is ignorant of the traffic and security menace, his principal constitutes whenever he visits any part of the country. It should also interest the ‘Vuvuzuela’ of President Jonathan that during these visits, which most of the times are for campaign hustles, the entire Police and other security network are put on high alert to pay attention to the presidential visits leaving the citizens vulnerable to the reckless gallivanting of the visitor. Abati must be sleeping or indulging in his usual pastimes not to understand ‘route lining’ where every available policeman on duty is deployed to man routes where the President would pass through. It is not the statement of the Governor that is unintelligent, the unintelligent thing here is the inability of the President to weigh public interest above personal ambition. The unintelligent thing here is not to know the importance of the Police as an institution that deserves adequate funding to carry out its function of protecting life and property. The unintelligent thing is the Federal Government dodging its constitutional responsibility of which the Police is one of them. Governor Fashola is a very responsible Governor who put the people first ahead of himself, and this he has demonstrated over the years. He made reference to the dead policemen because he feels responsible to them. At the event, he prayed for the repose of their souls and enjoined the audience to stand with him in a one minute-silence over the fallen heroes whom he concluded died in the cause of serving their country. Abati could not comprehend why Governor Fashola would be shocked at the death of three policemen; we have not had such an experience in the past two years here in Lagos where policemen are killed by armed robbers. This is a different situation where it took the death of almost 20,000 citizens before someone started to take action. When the ocean surge was going to wipe out a whole community within the Lekki area, Fashola was there. When the Dana aircraft crashed in Iju, Fashola was not only there, his arrival at the scene was prompt, and for the first time in the history of Nigeria, we saw a systematic and methodological approach to emergency management. Mass DNA was conducted to identify the charred bodies of the victims. Trauma and psychological centres were established to attend to the families of the victims. As recent as few days ago, Fashola was at Papa Ashafa and Agege communities where rainstorm wreaked havoc. When Abati’s principal was holed up in Aso Rock Villa with his tails between his legs during the outbreak of the Ebola Virus in Nigeria, Fashola’s face was the succour and hope Nigerians saw. He was the only person the victims and survivors saw. So, this vuvuzuela should be courteous in his choice of words. We are, however, not surprised. Abatti is a serial reckless talker that likes listening to himself, and only thinks after talking. Latter converts like him acts up to become more Catholic than the Pope because of the fear to the past after the allure of office. His recent unguarded statement about General Muhammadu Buhari (Rtd) is still very fresh. If the retired General had not been a statesman, only God knows where Abati would be by now. It's time someone close to this garrulous man tells him to start measuring his utterances. REFERENCE Linda Ikeji

Ahmadu Bello University: ABU manufactures environment friendly car with local materials

Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, has manufactured an environment friendly car it plans to compete with at the 2015 Shell Eco Marathon Competition. It was made from local materials.

An environment friendly car has been manufactured with locally sourced materials at the Mechanical Engineering Department of the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria. Unveiling the car at the weekend, the Head of Department and Dean, Faculty of Engineering, Dr. Mohammed Dauda, told journalists that it was made from materials sourced from the local community. "All materials used for this car were sourced locally," Dr. Dauda said. Dr. Dauda however noted that some components were recycled, rather than self-fabricated at the department. "Though, there are things that we did not fabricate ourselves, you will be surprised that some of the components like the electrical, we just looked at an old computer system and then adopted some of the components that were useful to us," he said. "So, this is one example of what we did, which is recycling, otherwise, I will say 100 per cent of the things we used were produced here in Zaria". He said the Department was motivated to manufacture the car following an invitation from the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited to participate in a competition. "In addition to federal government's automotive policy, I must say that the reason we started this (manufacturing of the car) came from Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited. "They invited ABU to participate in what they call Shell Eco Marathon Competition." The Department now plans to compete in the 2015 Shell Eco Marathon Competition with the car. "The car should be one that consumes little fuel but goes long distances. This competition is held in America, Europe and Asia and we are participating in the European one in Netherlands in May this year." Cars designed and built by at the University of Benin (UNIBEN) and the University of Lagos (UNILAG) participated in the 2014 edition of the competition held in Holland.

Boko Haram: Cameroonian soldiers kill many terrorists in Borno

The operation took place in the Ndaba area of the state and lasted from Thursday, March 12 to Friday, 13. Cameroonian soldiers in Borno State have launched an attack on Boko Haram terrorists killing many of them, according to military sources. The operation took place in the Ndaba area of the state and lasted from Thursday, March 12 to Friday, 13. The troops took action against the terrorists after residents reported that the Boko Haram members had gathered in the hills around the village and were planning an attack. According to Colonel Jacob Kodji, Ndaba is about 20 kilometers (12 miles) from the Cameroonian border. Cameroon has deployed soldiers to Nigeria as part of a multinational force which also involves troops from Chad and Niger

Ebola: 7th possibly infected British health worker arrives home

Although the UK patient currently has no symptoms, said individual worked in the same facility in Sierra Leone as a United States volunteer medic who recently caught the virus.

A seventh UK healthcare worker has been flown back home after suspected contact with Ebola, BBC reports. Although the UK patient currently has no symptoms, said individual worked in the same facility in Sierra Leone as a United States volunteer medic who recently caught the virus. The patients have reportedly been assessed and discharged from the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle, but will be kept under close observation. Public Health England however assures that the risk to the general public from Ebola remained "very low". Meanwhile, 2 other UK healthcare workers are currently being cared for in the Royal Free Hospital in London. 1 of the Royal Free patients was diagnosed with Ebola while in Sierra Leone and was flown back to the UK on an RAF plane on Thursday, along with two colleagues who had come into close contact with her. While a further 2 close contacts were flown to Newcastle Royal Infirmary on Friday but have since been discharged. The last Royal Free patient sustained a needlestick injury while caring for an Ebola patient in Sierra Leone, something that is considered one of the most dangerous ways of being exposed to the virus. While Liberia is on the way to being declared an Ebola free country, having released its last patient over 2 weeks ago, Sierra Leone continues to record new cases.

In Ghana: Bird allegedly turned into man

A weird incident happened in Ghana where it was reported that a certain bird was shot down and it turned into a human being. According to Citi News, a Ghanaian online news portal, a bird » has reportedly turned into a man in the Dodowa township in Accra, the country's capital, throwing the residents into a state of pandemonium and panic. The news site reports further that the incident happened early this morning at about 6 am when a security man shot at a bird perching on a tree and on landing on the ground, the bird allegedly transformed into a human being » . As residents and passers-by trooped to catch a glimpse of the bird-man, he was taken to the police station to avoid being lynched. An eyewitness spoke to Citi News: "Around 6am today, a security man shot at a bird using a catapult. The bird fell to the ground and transformed into a human being. He was then taken to the Dodowa Police station."

Babatunde Fashola Governor blames Jonathan for Lekki robbery incident

The bank robbery, carried out by men in army fatigues, occurred near the Lekki-Ikoyi link bridge at about 5pm. The Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola has reportedly said that President Goodluck Jonathan should be held responsible for the deaths of four people during a robbery incident in the state yesterday, March 12. The bank robbery, carried out by men in army fatigues, occurred near the Lekki-Ikoyi link bridge at about 5pm. Fashola stated that Jonathan’s presence in the state led to a drastic reduction in the number of policemen available to counter the robbers during the operation, YNaija reports. “Because Jonathan was coming to Lagos, all the vehicles and police in Lagos were sent to be on standby for him, and there was no available not enough (sic) to stop the robbery at Ikoyi-Lekki link bridge,” the governor reportedly said during an All Progressives Congress (APC) programme titled ‘An Evening For Nigeria’ which held yesterday at the Intercontinental hotel in Victoria Island. The President was in Lagos to attend a conference at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE). Fashola has in recent times criticized Jonathan for his suddenly frequent visits to Lagos terming them hypocritical.

Boko Haram: 5 foreign countries whose soldiers are fighting terrorists in Nigeria

The recent success against Boko Haram can be attributed largely to the fact that Nigeria sought outside help to combat the insurgency. The Nigerian government has intensified military operations against terrorist group, Boko Haram in recent times and as a result has recorded a string of victories. This success can be attributed largely to the fact that Nigeria sought outside help to combat the insurgency. Here is a list of five countries who citizens are contributing to the fight against Boko Haram in Nigeria: 1. Cameroon: Cameroon has deployed some of its soldiers to Nigeria to join a newly constituted multinational force against Boko Haram. President Paul Biya has vowed to wipe out the group. 2. Chad: Chad has deployed 2500 soldiers to join the fight against terrorism in Nigeria. 3. Niger: Nigerien soldiers are also part of the newly formed multinational force. 4. Former Soviet Union: Nigeria is said to have hired mercenaries from the former Soviet Union to fight Boko Haram. 5. South Africa: South African mercenaries are also said to be currently fighting terrorists on Nigeria’s behalf. One such soldier, Leon Lotz was recently killed in friendly fire.