The window for political parties to submit nomination forms for their presidential and National Assembly candidates to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ends today.
Hence, parties can no longer nominate candidates for those categories for election.
According to the timetable and guidelines of INEC, the last day for submission of nomination forms for Presidential and National Assembly elections by parties is slated for January 6, 2015.
However, for Governorship and State House of Assembly, it is scheduled for January 20, 2015.
The commission said its time schedule for the nominations was in accordance with sections 32,37,38,39 of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended), which also directed INEC to appoint time for submission.
Moreover, the timetable stated that publication of official Register of voters for the election is expected on January 13, 2015.
-Leadership
Tuesday, January 6, 2015
Nigeria: Pastor calls for suspension of 2015 elections
Foundng Pastor of the Latter Rain Assembly and former vice presidential candidate of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Tunde Bakare, has called on the Federal Government and the National Assembly to activate the constitutional provisions for the suspension of the 2015 elections.
In his message titled: "The Gathering Storm and Avoidable Shipwreck: How To Avoid Catastrophic Euroclydon" delivered in his church at Ogba, Lagos Sunday, Pastor Bakare quoted Section 135 (3) of the 1999 Constitution, which provides that if the federation is at war in which the territory of Nigeria is physically involved and the President considers that it is not practicable to hold elections, the National Assembly may by resolution extend the period of four years mentioned in sub-section (2) of this section from time to time; but no such extension shall exceed a period of six months at any one time.
According to him: "The argument against this would be the notion that the country is not at war. If indeed the country is not at war, how can one explain the invasion and annexation of Nigerian territory by insurgents launching attacks from our borders and neighbouring countries?"
The cleric said Nigerians should not forget that on May 14, 2013, while declaring a state of emergency in three states, President Goodluck Jonathan said of the activities of terrorists: "These actions amount to a declaration of war and a deliberate attempt to undermine the authority of the Nigerian state and threaten its territorial integrity. As a responsible government, we will not tolerate this."
Bakare, who noted that records indicate that since that declaration the situation has only worsened, explained that the proposal for suspension of elections is not with a view to giving President Jonathan an avenue for undue tenure elongation "but for the purpose of building a coalition that will bring lasting solutions to our problems."
He hinged his position on the fact that whichever way the outcome of the coming election between the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Muhammadu Buhari, a northerner and the incumbent president, Dr. Jonathan from the South-South goes, "it is certain the country will erupt in crisis."
"If the election favours Jonathan, the North will raise the issue of incumbent sentiment to foment trouble and if otherwise, the Niger Delta region would also react", he said.
Bakare, however, canvassed for the creation of transitional government and insisted that the President must not act with the intention to seek re-election but "rather, he should, within the period, commit himself to building a non-partisan coalition comprised of major stakeholders and competent statesmen from each geo-political zone."
According to him: "This coalition, headed by the President, will constitute a combined force that will tackle terrorism and address what I have earlier referred to as the fundamentals, within a time-frame of two years or less."
In addressing the fundamentals, Bakare calls for immediate implementation of the report, or part thereof, of the 2014 National Conference, especially as it relates to:
- Restructuring with a view to achieving true federalism under zonal commissions as well as fiscal federalism;
- Ensuring as proposed by the report of the National Conference that adequate allocation is given to a Solid Minerals Development Fund in addition to other recommendations geared towards economic diversification;
- Achieving national reconciliation and integration by adopting, constitutionalising and propagating the national charter for reconciliation and integration;
- Conducting accurate census;
- Establishing a truly independent electoral body;
- Creating a true people's constitution that will reflect the aforementioned features; and
- Conducting free, fair and credible elections in the consensually accepted constitutional arrangement.
In his message titled: "The Gathering Storm and Avoidable Shipwreck: How To Avoid Catastrophic Euroclydon" delivered in his church at Ogba, Lagos Sunday, Pastor Bakare quoted Section 135 (3) of the 1999 Constitution, which provides that if the federation is at war in which the territory of Nigeria is physically involved and the President considers that it is not practicable to hold elections, the National Assembly may by resolution extend the period of four years mentioned in sub-section (2) of this section from time to time; but no such extension shall exceed a period of six months at any one time.
According to him: "The argument against this would be the notion that the country is not at war. If indeed the country is not at war, how can one explain the invasion and annexation of Nigerian territory by insurgents launching attacks from our borders and neighbouring countries?"
The cleric said Nigerians should not forget that on May 14, 2013, while declaring a state of emergency in three states, President Goodluck Jonathan said of the activities of terrorists: "These actions amount to a declaration of war and a deliberate attempt to undermine the authority of the Nigerian state and threaten its territorial integrity. As a responsible government, we will not tolerate this."
Bakare, who noted that records indicate that since that declaration the situation has only worsened, explained that the proposal for suspension of elections is not with a view to giving President Jonathan an avenue for undue tenure elongation "but for the purpose of building a coalition that will bring lasting solutions to our problems."
He hinged his position on the fact that whichever way the outcome of the coming election between the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Muhammadu Buhari, a northerner and the incumbent president, Dr. Jonathan from the South-South goes, "it is certain the country will erupt in crisis."
"If the election favours Jonathan, the North will raise the issue of incumbent sentiment to foment trouble and if otherwise, the Niger Delta region would also react", he said.
Bakare, however, canvassed for the creation of transitional government and insisted that the President must not act with the intention to seek re-election but "rather, he should, within the period, commit himself to building a non-partisan coalition comprised of major stakeholders and competent statesmen from each geo-political zone."
According to him: "This coalition, headed by the President, will constitute a combined force that will tackle terrorism and address what I have earlier referred to as the fundamentals, within a time-frame of two years or less."
In addressing the fundamentals, Bakare calls for immediate implementation of the report, or part thereof, of the 2014 National Conference, especially as it relates to:
- Restructuring with a view to achieving true federalism under zonal commissions as well as fiscal federalism;
- Ensuring as proposed by the report of the National Conference that adequate allocation is given to a Solid Minerals Development Fund in addition to other recommendations geared towards economic diversification;
- Achieving national reconciliation and integration by adopting, constitutionalising and propagating the national charter for reconciliation and integration;
- Conducting accurate census;
- Establishing a truly independent electoral body;
- Creating a true people's constitution that will reflect the aforementioned features; and
- Conducting free, fair and credible elections in the consensually accepted constitutional arrangement.
-The Guardian (
Nigeria: Military faces reality of keeping Nigeria one
Year 2015 promises to be more challenging to the Nigerian military as it would certainly face the reality of keeping Nigeria as one indivisible and indissoluble country against all odds.
This is against the backdrop of purported predictions by the United States of America, USA, that the country would break up by the year 2015.
Although the US had since denied this claim as coming from some intellectuals based on their calculations, who did not represent the United States, it is very instructive for the military to take such rumour seriously to avoid being caught in the web, just as it was caught in the web of the uncontrollable Boko Haram insurgency.
The country’s military has continued to grapple with the Boko Haram insurgency since 2009 and rather than winning the war, insurgency is growing bigger and stronger on daily basis.
In the previous years, insurgents promoted bomb explosion in key cities across the North including Abuja, but stepped up their operations in 2014 , embarking on serious conquest of big cities in North East and having control over them. By capturing Gwoza, Konduga, Damboa, Mubi amongst other cities in North East and installing their command and control system, Boko Haram proved to the military that it could do more, even though some of these cities were reclaimed by the military.
The over 200 girls of Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, who since their abduction on April 14, 2014, had remained in captivity of Boko Haram without the military knowing how to go about their release, gives an indication of the hard task ahead in 2015.
In spite of the continuous killing of these insurgents and capturing their weapons by troops, their numbers seem not depleted in any way and they seem not to run shot of weaponry, given the huge encounters the military has reported to have faced from these insurgents. Their numbers continue to increase and they continue to have arms supply for their operations.
The insurgents are bent on controlling certain portions of Nigeria’s territory and the military has vowed not to cede any portion to them. There have been predictions and calculations that there will be an increase in the level of insurgency in 2015, at least by 10 per cent, something that is believed would pre-occupy the military in 2015 as it must not allow insurgents to divide and rule any part of Nigeria.
A part from insurgency, the 2015 general elections in February, is one that if not handled carefully, the country would be doomed for it. Opposition politicians have been condemned for taking extreme positions in their desperation to capture power, thereby making statements capable of jeopardising the country’s togetherness.
Some were quoted to have vowed to run a parallel government if the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, should rig and win the presidential election. They have even gone ahead to allegedly start inciting soldiers to mutiny, a development which called for serious concerns from the Defence Headquarters, DHQ. It is obvious that where opposition embarks on a parallel government, the sovereignty of Nigeria and the sanctity of the constitution would be threatened.
It therefore becomes clear that the military have a huge task to ensure the protection of the country’s common values, the constitution, the state and its sovereignty and it should be strategising now to avert such threats within the elections year. Already, the military is no longer at ease with the fire that is spitting out from the mouths of politicians since the constituted authorities in the military are feeling threatened.
The DHQ in a statement last week had warned politicians to steer clear of military systems and never again should they incite soldiers to be unruly. The DHQ through its Director of Defence Information, DDI, Maj-Gen. Chris Olukolade, in a statement warned politicians to watch their tongues as they go about campaigning ahead of the 2015 general elections. It became clear to it that politicians were becoming meddlesome in affairs of military, thus asking them to play politics correctly.
This shows the beginning of what the military would face in 2015 when politicking becomes very hot, reaching to desperate state. Politicians would attempt to undermine the military.
The military would attempt to live up to its billing. The game in the long run may no longer be palatable. The military would have the duty to defend this democracy by resisting the temptations that power and absolute power brings. Yet, it would certainly not watch Nigeria collapse. Ignoring the denied prediction of Nigeria’s collapse would not be the best.
Thus it is believed that the military is watching out for those factors that could be contributory to the collapse and tame them quickly. The military would also have to find a way to free the Chibok girls so that they are not in captivity up to one year, as well as ensuring the reclaim of all parts of North-East still held by terrorists.
Acquiring arms and other weaponry to prosecute the war, would also remain one challenge that the military would have to face, as it may just have to keep winning with the available weapons in its possession if no one wants to sell arms to Nigeria.
-National Mirror
Nigeria: 2015 Election: ‘A litmus test for Nigeria’- religious leader
Foremost religious leader and businessman, Asiwaju Khamis Badmus has warned that failure in the 2015 election in the country would affect the growth of Nigeria.
The Asiwaju Musulumi of Yorubaland said this in an Eid Maolud message through his Special Assistant on Media and Public Affairs, Alhaji Dawood Ajetunmobi.
Badmus also said it was important both candidates of the Peoples Democtratic Party, PDP, and All Progressive Congress, APC, while canvassing for votes from the electorates across the country, to refrain from using combative words so as not to set the nation on fire.
He added that “peace and unity of the country before, during and after 2015 election should be made the focal point of prayers of all adherents of Islam. Unity of the country is not negotiable, adding that all hands must be on deck to ensure that the country enjoys free , fair , credible exercise in the February, 2015 general elections.
“Year 2015 is a very critical year in the life of this nation.The forthcoming presidential election will serve as litmus test to know whether the country will still remain the same.”
He noted that the birthday of “Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) is one remarkable event in the world today that has spiritual connotation,” and urged Muslims to use the occasion to pray for the nation.
“There are ominous signs that there is danger ahead.I therefore appeal to Muslims and Christians across the country to join hands in the prayer session to avert the danger”, Badmus said.
Source: DAILYTIMES
The Asiwaju Musulumi of Yorubaland said this in an Eid Maolud message through his Special Assistant on Media and Public Affairs, Alhaji Dawood Ajetunmobi.
Badmus also said it was important both candidates of the Peoples Democtratic Party, PDP, and All Progressive Congress, APC, while canvassing for votes from the electorates across the country, to refrain from using combative words so as not to set the nation on fire.
He added that “peace and unity of the country before, during and after 2015 election should be made the focal point of prayers of all adherents of Islam. Unity of the country is not negotiable, adding that all hands must be on deck to ensure that the country enjoys free , fair , credible exercise in the February, 2015 general elections.
“Year 2015 is a very critical year in the life of this nation.The forthcoming presidential election will serve as litmus test to know whether the country will still remain the same.”
He noted that the birthday of “Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) is one remarkable event in the world today that has spiritual connotation,” and urged Muslims to use the occasion to pray for the nation.
“There are ominous signs that there is danger ahead.I therefore appeal to Muslims and Christians across the country to join hands in the prayer session to avert the danger”, Badmus said.
Source: DAILYTIMES
Nigeria: Clerics predict doom for sitting president
Unlike the 2011 general elections when President Goodluck Jonathan found favour with Nigerian church leaders with some of them out-rightly endorsing him, there seems to be a scramble by clerics to bash the president.
Popular Lagos pastor and founder INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Elijah Babatunde, has joined Catholic priest Ejike Mbaka and Tunde Bakare of the Latter Rain Assembly to predict the defeat of Mr. Jonathan in the coming elections.
“President Goodluck Jonathan will be the last PDP president to rule Nigeria,” Mr. Babatunde, who is the church’s Primate, declared.
In an interview with Daily Independent newspaper, the cleric who had many negative prophecies as the regards the country in 2015, said even though it will not be a landslide victory for the opposition, the President will lose.
“No matter what, Jonathan will be the last PDP President in Nigeria. I don’t see a landslide victory in the presidential election. To be frank, neither the victory of Jonathan or General Muhammadu Buhari can guarantee peace except we pray well,” he said. “Jonathan will not take Nigeria to the Promised Land. Let us pray against the death of an ex-President.”
Mr. Babatunde predicted that “There will not be election in some states”.
He said the elections will be characterised by advanced rigging as “both PDP and APC will share victory across the country particularly in the South-West and the North”.
The cleric asked Nigerians to observe a seven-day prayer in January to avert crisis that may plunge the nation into serious confusion during and after the polls, while stating that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, will be cajoled to rig the elections.
“There will be several gimmicks to cajole the INEC to rig the election. Prayers must be offered so that the commission will not lose some of its staff to accident or attack before and during the election. E-voting will not work. There will be ballot box snatching and stuffing during the election,” he said.
He stressed that international communities and some heads of states will attempt to work against the re-election of Mr. Jonathan and asked the President to “be wary of diplomatic rows with foreign countries”.
He urged Mr. Jonathan to fight corruption and rescue the April 14, 2014 abducted Chibok girls.
Mr. Babatunde predicted election violence if Nigerians don’t pray and asked the President to commit his and his wife’s health to prayer.
On insecurity, Mr. Babatunde prophesied that the bombings and kidnapping of school children witnessed in the northern parts of Nigeria will extend to the South-West of Nigeria.
“I see flames from bombings in several parts of the country, including the South-West and more abduction of school pupils. Efforts should be intensified by security operatives to forestall that. Boko Haram will come up with different strategies to attack the nation.
“There are three groups of Boko Haram in Nigeria already. Only prayers can weaken their strength. Countries pretending they want to assist Nigeria to curb Boko Haram are not our friends. If they are allowed, they will create more problems for the nation,” he said.
The cleric asked President Jonathan to change his security details while stating that the Chief of Staff to the President will have issues with his boss and some ministers.
Speaking on the governorship elections, Mr. Babatunde predicted said the APC “committed a blunder” with the choice of Akinwunmi Ambode as governorship candidate for Lagos State.
“PDP will spring surprises and shock APC. If PDP works hard, the party will win Lagos governorship; however, the party’s candidate, Jimi Agbaje, needs prayers,” he said.
The primate said APC will face an uphill task to retain Edo and Oyo states. He said that Governor Abiola Ajimobi might lose to Rashidi Ladoja of Accord Party, AP.
“In Rivers State, if PDP underrates APC, the latter will win, though the election will be marred with violence. Attempts by the opposition parties to defeat Governor Ibikunle Amosun in Ogun State will not materialise,” he continued.
He also predicted that If APC elects the right governorship candidate, the party will dislodge PDP from Ondo State in 2016.
“PDP will win Delta and Cross River states but there will be crisis in Abia and Ebonyi states even though the party will win there.
“APC will win in Sokoto. PDP will find it hard to retain Kaduna State because there will be serious crisis there. Kano State will be difficult for PDP to win, so also Katsina State. PDP will win Jigawa and Taraba. PDP has messed up in Kwara, the victory will go to APC,” he stated.
He warned the former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, of political disappointment; he said Mr. Obanikoro should pray.
The primate said he foresees a rise in the Nigerian stock exchange with the effect of devaluation of naira continuing till August as Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, will not be able to make appreciable impact on the economy.
He claimed the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, will have crises and may be denied a second term.
“Some banks will collapse and one of the dead banks will be resuscitated. Flour, sugar and fuel prices will be increased in the year. There will be serious crises in OPEC and the Controller-General of Customs and the group managing director of the NNPC will be removed. State of the nation,” he said.
He asked Nigerians to pray against the recurrence of Ebola in Nigeria and prophesied that more building will collapse in Lagos in 2015.
“Let traditional rulers in the South-West pray against infernos that may engulf their palaces,” he said while urging journalists and Nollywood stars to pray against sudden death.
“Also, Oba of Benin, Emirs of Nupe and Zaria should pray against sickness. Some universities will be shut because of cultism and some Vice Chancellors will be queried. We need to pray to avoid plane crash in Lagos, Abuja and Kano airports. We need prayers against ocean surge in Nigeria and other African countries this year”.
Mr. Babatunde predicted an outbreak of polio, cholera and fluid outbreak caused by poultry products.
He finally said “National Union of Road Transport and Workers (NURTW) will face serious infighting and killings and court actions. We must pray against bloodshed among their members in different states. Some states in Nigeria will collapse from 2018, owing due to excessive borrowing from overseas”.
-Premium Times (NG)
Popular Lagos pastor and founder INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Elijah Babatunde, has joined Catholic priest Ejike Mbaka and Tunde Bakare of the Latter Rain Assembly to predict the defeat of Mr. Jonathan in the coming elections.
“President Goodluck Jonathan will be the last PDP president to rule Nigeria,” Mr. Babatunde, who is the church’s Primate, declared.
In an interview with Daily Independent newspaper, the cleric who had many negative prophecies as the regards the country in 2015, said even though it will not be a landslide victory for the opposition, the President will lose.
“No matter what, Jonathan will be the last PDP President in Nigeria. I don’t see a landslide victory in the presidential election. To be frank, neither the victory of Jonathan or General Muhammadu Buhari can guarantee peace except we pray well,” he said. “Jonathan will not take Nigeria to the Promised Land. Let us pray against the death of an ex-President.”
Mr. Babatunde predicted that “There will not be election in some states”.
He said the elections will be characterised by advanced rigging as “both PDP and APC will share victory across the country particularly in the South-West and the North”.
The cleric asked Nigerians to observe a seven-day prayer in January to avert crisis that may plunge the nation into serious confusion during and after the polls, while stating that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, will be cajoled to rig the elections.
“There will be several gimmicks to cajole the INEC to rig the election. Prayers must be offered so that the commission will not lose some of its staff to accident or attack before and during the election. E-voting will not work. There will be ballot box snatching and stuffing during the election,” he said.
He stressed that international communities and some heads of states will attempt to work against the re-election of Mr. Jonathan and asked the President to “be wary of diplomatic rows with foreign countries”.
He urged Mr. Jonathan to fight corruption and rescue the April 14, 2014 abducted Chibok girls.
Mr. Babatunde predicted election violence if Nigerians don’t pray and asked the President to commit his and his wife’s health to prayer.
On insecurity, Mr. Babatunde prophesied that the bombings and kidnapping of school children witnessed in the northern parts of Nigeria will extend to the South-West of Nigeria.
“I see flames from bombings in several parts of the country, including the South-West and more abduction of school pupils. Efforts should be intensified by security operatives to forestall that. Boko Haram will come up with different strategies to attack the nation.
“There are three groups of Boko Haram in Nigeria already. Only prayers can weaken their strength. Countries pretending they want to assist Nigeria to curb Boko Haram are not our friends. If they are allowed, they will create more problems for the nation,” he said.
The cleric asked President Jonathan to change his security details while stating that the Chief of Staff to the President will have issues with his boss and some ministers.
Speaking on the governorship elections, Mr. Babatunde predicted said the APC “committed a blunder” with the choice of Akinwunmi Ambode as governorship candidate for Lagos State.
“PDP will spring surprises and shock APC. If PDP works hard, the party will win Lagos governorship; however, the party’s candidate, Jimi Agbaje, needs prayers,” he said.
The primate said APC will face an uphill task to retain Edo and Oyo states. He said that Governor Abiola Ajimobi might lose to Rashidi Ladoja of Accord Party, AP.
“In Rivers State, if PDP underrates APC, the latter will win, though the election will be marred with violence. Attempts by the opposition parties to defeat Governor Ibikunle Amosun in Ogun State will not materialise,” he continued.
He also predicted that If APC elects the right governorship candidate, the party will dislodge PDP from Ondo State in 2016.
“PDP will win Delta and Cross River states but there will be crisis in Abia and Ebonyi states even though the party will win there.
“APC will win in Sokoto. PDP will find it hard to retain Kaduna State because there will be serious crisis there. Kano State will be difficult for PDP to win, so also Katsina State. PDP will win Jigawa and Taraba. PDP has messed up in Kwara, the victory will go to APC,” he stated.
He warned the former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, of political disappointment; he said Mr. Obanikoro should pray.
The primate said he foresees a rise in the Nigerian stock exchange with the effect of devaluation of naira continuing till August as Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, will not be able to make appreciable impact on the economy.
He claimed the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, will have crises and may be denied a second term.
“Some banks will collapse and one of the dead banks will be resuscitated. Flour, sugar and fuel prices will be increased in the year. There will be serious crises in OPEC and the Controller-General of Customs and the group managing director of the NNPC will be removed. State of the nation,” he said.
He asked Nigerians to pray against the recurrence of Ebola in Nigeria and prophesied that more building will collapse in Lagos in 2015.
“Let traditional rulers in the South-West pray against infernos that may engulf their palaces,” he said while urging journalists and Nollywood stars to pray against sudden death.
“Also, Oba of Benin, Emirs of Nupe and Zaria should pray against sickness. Some universities will be shut because of cultism and some Vice Chancellors will be queried. We need to pray to avoid plane crash in Lagos, Abuja and Kano airports. We need prayers against ocean surge in Nigeria and other African countries this year”.
Mr. Babatunde predicted an outbreak of polio, cholera and fluid outbreak caused by poultry products.
He finally said “National Union of Road Transport and Workers (NURTW) will face serious infighting and killings and court actions. We must pray against bloodshed among their members in different states. Some states in Nigeria will collapse from 2018, owing due to excessive borrowing from overseas”.
-Premium Times (NG)
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