Patience Jonathan’s Attitude Cost Us Defeat — PDP Chief (Mr. Osom Makbere)

Bayelsa State Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Mr. Osom Makbere, has said President Goodluck Jonathan lost the March 28 presidential election due to international and domestic conspiracies.

Makbere, who is also a lawyer, stated this in an exclusive interview in Yenagoa on Friday.

He said the division in the PDP fold and the overbearing attitude of the President’s wife, Dame Patience, also contributed to the president’s loss.

Giving insight into the failure of the President at the poll, Makbere said, “History has stated that no failure, defeat or loss is a product of a single factor. Jonathan’s loss could be blamed on a multiplicity of interwoven causes.

“Jonathan was a victim and target of international cum domestic esoteric codes and conspiracies. On the international level, the passage of the anti-gay legislation led to criticisms and face-off with the US, and the West.

“The strides made in the economic sphere, especially domestic rice promotion, calculated by the Jonathan administration to flip economic growth, and boost import substitution, also negatively alerted the West. The shift to China for our railway transformation, and recently, the migration to Russia for arms and ammunition to quelling the insurgency also signalled to the West that Jonathan had started constituting a self-reliant and dependent nation-state, a feat seen too tall by the US and their allies in the West.

“The aforesaid international factors found room to flourish given the obstinacy and impudence on the part of Mrs. Jonathan. The end result of her personal ambition to plant ‘self-made’ governors triggered face-offs with some governors.”

Makbere also opined that the All Progressives Congress will perform worse than the PDP at the centre.

He said, “I can tell you that this APC will be worse than the PDP as there is already imminent fear of implosion.

“In Kano, for instance, the APC got all 40 constituencies. This meant that none of the PDP candidates were popular enough to emerge but, the PDP maintained their calm and stoicism.

“We do not know what the APC wants. Whenever they win, the PDP congratulates them, but whenever the PDP wins, the APC would induce the election observers and the electoral officers to call for a re-run or cancellation. That is the zenith of desperation.”

But Secretary, Bayelsa APC, Mr. Marlin Daniel, said the statement that APC would perform worse than the PDP was misinformed and unfortunate.

He said that APC parades men and women of proven integrity and impeccable track records of performance.

He said, “It is obvious Nigerians have seen the people in the APC. The international community knows the pedigree of people in APC leadership. When you go to states controlled by the APC you will see what is on ground.

“The President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, is an incorruptible man. So, for anybody to say that APC will perform worse than the PDP is a child’s talk, mere campaign of calumny and propaganda.

“APC is a revolution and nobody can stop it. God’s hand is in this revolution that is why the PDP lost despite all the money they spent to remain in power.”

Copyright PUNCH.

“When Nigeria Decides, Nigeria Wins” – By Linda Thomas-Greenfield (U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs )

The world takes notice when nigerians, citizens of africa’s largest democracy, decide.  by participating peacefully and enthusiastically in the recent electoral processes in march and april, millions of you stood strong to re-affirm nigeria as a leader for democracy in africa—and around the world.  it was an honor for me to lead the u.s. observer mission during the president and national assembly elections last month.  today, i join the chorus congratulating you and the independent national electoral commission (inec) on the april 11 vote, which built upon the earlier successes in march.

Many Nigerians waited for hours, in sun and rain, to cast their ballots and see their votes counted.  When I spoke with voters, I was struck not only by their patience, but also by their determination to show Nigeria’s dedication to democracy and to democratic principles.  Elections are ultimately about people—the volunteers and poll workers who manage polling stations, the party candidates and supporters who craft policies and political platforms, the civil society activists who work for transparency, the journalists who report on the campaigns and events on election day, the political leaders who accept victory or concede defeat, especially when stepping down is in the country’s best interest.  It is about those men and women who shared their stories with me as they stood in line and those members of the security services who remained neutral and vigilantly guarded against fraud and intimidation.  Again, we salute you all.

I especially want to reiterate President Obama’s accolades for INEC Chairman Attahiru Jega.  Under Chairman Jega’s steadfast leadership, the staff of INEC succeeded in conducting a generally smooth electoral process and making improvements between March 28 and April 11.  We commend INEC for its extensive efforts to increase credibility and transparency in the electoral process, including through the use of technology.  Despite some technical glitches, it is clear that technology and use of social media—INEC’s online posting of results for each polling unit, live tweeting of results, the use of biometric permanent voter cards and electronic card readers—improved efficiency and limited fraud.  I encourage Nigeria and other nations to continue to explore the use of relevant technologies in future elections.

this electoral process, however, was not without violence and irregularities in a number of states.  some individuals worked to undermine the will of the Nigerian people, interfering with electoral processes and resorting to violence and voter intimidation.  we regret any loss of life and destruction of property.  as secretary kerry said when he visited Nigeria in january, violence and rigging have no place in democratic elections.  anyone found to have incited violence or interfered with electoral processes will be unwelcome in the united states and subject to visa sanctions.

When President Obama spoke to you last month, he said successful elections and democratic progress will help Nigeria meet the urgent challenges you face today.  Now more than ever, it is up to all Nigerians to stay united so that Nigeria can move forward with a clear set of priorities for the future.  We welcome the commitments made by both President Jonathan and President-Elect Buhari to work closely together in order to ensure a smooth transition to the new government.

This next phase is critical as the world continues its hopeful watch for what happens in Nigeria.  Indeed, because you showed up, stood in line, and respected the results of elections even when you may have disagreed with the outcome, Nigeria will serve as an example to other African countries and nations elsewhere in the world preparing for elections.  Nigerian democracy will be a beacon across the continent and beyond.

With deep appreciation for the long friendship and partnership between our two great countries, the United States looks forward to the inauguration on May 29 and the beginning of a new chapter in our relationship.  We are deeply committed to working with you, the Nigerian people, for many years to come.  Nigeria, you made us all proud!

President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari seek supports for All Progressives Congress’s governorship and house of assembly candidates

Nigeria’s President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, has urged supporters of the All Progressives Congress, to come out en masse on April 11 to vote for the party’s governorship and house of assembly candidates.

This is contained in a statement issued by Director, Media and Publicity, APC Presidential Campaign Organisation, Mallam Garba Shehu.

In the statement made available to TVC NEWS on Saturday in Abuja, Buhari thanked Nigerians for voting him into office.

He however noted that greater challenges of consolidating the party’s electoral victory in the March 28 polls lay ahead.

Buhari pointed out that the election of APC Governorship and House of Assembly candidates was no less important than his own victory during the presidential poll.

He said that his election should not be treated in isolation because the APC needs to win at other levels of democratic representation across the country.

“For APC to govern effectively, its supporters should also elect the party’s candidates in the Governorship and House of Assembly elections come April 11,” he said.

Buhari condoled with the families of his supporters who lost their lives celebrating the APC victory and wished those nursing injuries speedy recovery.

He solicited moral support for the Independent National Electoral Commission, to enable the commission improve on its impressive performance, despite logistical challenges and other unforeseen hiccups.

TVC NEWS [ABUJA] 

Senators elected in March 28 elections in Nigeria

Below are names of senators and there senatorial zones.

•Mao Ohuabunwa (Abia North)
•Theodore Orji (Abia Central)
•Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia South)
•Bassey Albert Akpan (A/Ibom North)
•Godswill Akpabio (A/Ibom West)
•Nelson Effiong (A/Ibom South)
•Uche Ekwunife (Anambra Central)
•Andy Uba (Anambra South)
•Stella Oduah (Anambra North)
•Ben Murray-Bruce (Bayelsa East)
•Emanuel Paulker (Bayelsa Central)
•Ogola Foster (Bayelsa West)
•David Mark (Benue South)
•Rose Oko ( Cross River North)
•Gershom Bassey(C/River South)
•John Enoh (Cross River Central)
•Alfred Joseph (Delta Central)
•Peter Nwaboshi (Delta North)
•James Manager (Delta South)
•Ogba Joseph (Ebonyi Central)
•Samuel Egwu (Ebonyi North)
•Sunday Oji (Ebonyi South)
•Clifford Ordia (Edo Central)
•Mathew Urhoghide (Edo South)
•Duro Faseyi (Ekiti North)
•Fatimat Raji-rasaki (Ekiti Central)
•Biodun Olujimi (Ekiti South)
•Gilbert Nnaji (Enugu East)
•Ike Ekweremadu (Enugu West)
•Utazi Chukwuka (Enugu North)
•Philips Aduda (FCT)
•Joshua Lidani (Gombe South)
•Samuel Anyanwu (Imo East)
•Uzodinma Goodhope (Imo West)
•Achonu Nneji (Imo North)
•Danjuma La’ah (Kaduna South)
•Philip Aruwa Gyunka (Nasarawa North)
•Buruji Kashamu (Ogun East)
•Yele Omogunwa (Ondo South)
•Jeremiah Useni (Plareau South)
•Joshua Dariye (Plateau Central)
•Jang Jonah (Plateau North)
•George Sekibo (Rivers East)
•Olaka Nwogu (Rivers S/East)
•Osinakachukwu Ideozu (Rivers West)
•Mohammed Hasan (Yobe South)
•Abubakar Sani Danladi (Taraba North)
•Bashir Marafa (Taraba Central)
•Emmanuel Bwacha (Taraba South)
•Binta Masi Garba (Adamawa North)
•Ahmadu Abubakar (Adamawa South)
•Abdul Aziz Murtala Nyako (Adamawa Central)
•Isah Hamma Misau (Bauchi Central)
•Ali Wakili (Bauchi South)
•Suleiman Nazif (Bauchi North)
•Barnabas Gemade (Benue East)
•Akume George (Benue West)
•Abubakar Kyari (Borno North)
•Ahmad Zannah (Borno Central)
•Ali Ndume (Borno South)
•Francis Alimikhena (Edo North)
•Bayero Nafada (Gombe North)
•Goje Danjuma (Gombe Central)
•Abubakar Gumel (Jigawa N/West)
•Sabo Mohammed (Jigawa S/West)
•Muhammad Shitu (Jigawa N/East)
•Suleiman Hunkuyi (Kaduna North)
•Shehu Sani (Kaduna Central)
•Barau Jibrin (Kano North)
•Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano Central)
•Kabiru Gaya (Kano South)
•Mustapha Bukar (Katsina North)
•Abu Ibrahim (Katsina South)
•Umaru Kurfi (Katsina Central)
•Yahaya Abdullahi (Kebbi North)
•Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central)
•Bala Ibn Na’allah (Kebbi South)
•Dino Melaye (Kogi West)
•Abdulsalami Ohiare (Kogi Central)
•Abdulrahman Abubakar (Kogi East)
•Shaába Lafiagi (Kwara North)
•Bukola Saraki (Kwara Central)
•Rafiu Ibrahim (Kwara South)
•Oluremi Tinubu (Lagos Central)
•Olugbenga Ashafa (Lagos East)
•Adeola Olamilekan (Lagos West)
•Abdullahi Adamu (Nasarawa West)
•Salihu Hussain Egye (Nasarawa South)
•Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi ( Niger North)
•Mustapha Sani (Niger South)
•David Umaru (Niger East)
•Olanrewaju Tejuoso (Ogun Central)
•Gbolahan Dada (Ogun West)
•Ajayi Boroffice (Ondo North)
•Tayo Alasoadura (Ondo Central)
•Olusola Adeyeye (Osun Central)
•Babajide Omoworare (Osun East)
•Isiaka Adeleke (Osun West)
•Monsurat Sunmonu (Oyo Central)
•Buhari Abdulfatai (Oyo North)
•Adesoji Akanbi (Oyo South)
•Ibrahim Gobir (Sokoto East)
•Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto North)
•Ibrahim Abdullahi (Sokoto South)
•Bukar Baba Ibrahim (Yobe East)
•Ahmad Lawan (Yobe North)
•Kabir Garba Marafa (Zamfara Central)
•Tijjani Yahaya Kaura (Zamfara North)
•Ahmed Rufai Sani (Zamfar West)

General Muhammadu Buhari receives Certificate of Return from INEC

Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria’s president-elect, has been issued a Certificate of Return by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

The chairman of INEC, Attahiru Jega, handed the certificate to Mr. Buhari, and the vice president-elect, Yemi Osinbajo, on Wednesday.

Mr. Buhari defeated President Goodluck Jonathan in the presidential election held Saturday.

Speaking after receiving the certificate, Mr. Buhari said “Change has finally come” to Nigeria.

He said Nigeria’s “long night has passed”.

Statement by the U.S President Obama on the Nigerian Elections (April 1, 2015)

THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Press Secretary | April 1, 2015
The last few days have shown the world the strength of Nigeria’s commitment to democratic principles.  By turning out in large numbers and sometimes waiting all day to cast their votes, Nigerians came together to decide the future of their country peacefully.

I commend President Goodluck Jonathan and President-Elect Muhammadu Buhari for their public commitments to non-violence throughout the campaign.  President Jonathan has placed his country’s interests first by conceding the election and congratulating President-Elect Buhari on his victory.  I look forward to working with President Jonathan throughout the remainder of his term, and I thank him for his many years of service and his statesmanlike conduct at this critical juncture.  I urge President-Elect Buhari and President Jonathan to repeat their calls to their supporters to continue to respect the election outcomes, focus on unifying the country, and together lead Nigeria through a peaceful transition.

Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and its Chairman, Attahiru Jega, deserve special recognition for what independent international observers have deemed a largely peaceful and orderly vote.  I commend INEC for its extensive efforts to increase the credibility and transparency of the electoral process.  Looking ahead to the gubernatorial elections on April 11, it is imperative that national attention turn to ensuring isolated logistical challenges are overcome and peace is protected, even in the most hotly contested races.

On behalf of the American people, I extend congratulations to the people of Nigeria and to President-Elect Buhari and look forward to continuing to work with the newly-elected government on our many shared priorities.

NIGERIANS TRULY DECIDES #NigeriaDecides – Ayinla nox Idris

Election in Nigeria in the year 2015 seems to be the most anticipated election ever after the 1992 election between SDP and NRC. Similar rivalry occur this time too, though we got multiple parties this time around but two of them look like the strongest and the most followed parties, which are PDP and APC.

Its like a football match, people are co-glued to their screens. They do not want to miss any part of the final collation process despite many breaks during the process.

Its a sign of confidence in the thumb of so many Nigerians. They wanted to see their votes counts and Prof. Attahiru Jega did so much well before the election commencement, during the election and even in the results collation processes. He was able to handle all issues on desk and he is prepared to tackle urgent and unexpected problems. Much credit to Jega. Nigerians are calling him man of the year already though.

Election takes place in 37 states including the FCT. PDP were able to pick 16 states while APC witnesses victories in 20 states with the highest votes (1,903,999) coming from Kano state. People Democratic Party did have a huge figures from a controversial votes in Rivers state, which the APC also wrote a petition on but was quickly attended to and resolved by the INEC chairman. By states and by figures, the All Progressives Congress won the presidency position.

General Muhammed Buhari was shown love by Nigerians, people from all part of the country imputed their efforts to ensure the results comes in his favor.

Incumbent president Goodluck Ebele Jonathan also make a democratic impact by congratulating Buhari even when the electoral officials are yet to announce the winner.

Come May 29, General Muhammed Buhari will sworn in as the president of the federal republic of Nigeria.

By: Ayinla nox Idris

PDP versus APC: Comprehensive Lists And Figures Of The Result Collation. #NigeriaDecides

Below are the collected figures of the giants (PDP & APC) from the collation center in Abuja, All figures are endorsed by Prof. Attahiru Jega and they are arranged according to the arrival of the results to the center.

1. Ogun State:          PDP– 207,950.    APC– 308,290.
2. Ekiti State:            PDP– 176, 466.   APC– 120,331
3. Enugu State:        PDP– 553,003.     APC– 14,157.
4. Kogi State:           PDP– 149,987.     APC– 264,851
5. Osun State:          PDP– 249,929.     APC– 383,603.
6. Ondo State:          PDP– 251, 368.    APC– 299,889.
7. F.C.T:                    PDP– 157,195.     APC– 146,399.
8. OYO State:            PDP– 303,376.     APC– 528,620.
9. Nasarawa State:   PDP– 273,460.     APC– 236,838.
10. Kano State:           PDP– 215,779.     APC– 1,903,999.
11. Jigawa State:       PDP– 142,904.      APC– 885,988.
12. Kastina State:       PDP– 98,937.       APC– 1,345,441.
13. Kwara State:         PDP– 132,602.     APC– 302,146.
14. Kaduna State:       PDP– 484,085.     APC– 1,127,760.
15. Anambra State:     PDP– 660,792.     APC– 17,926.
16. Abia State:            PDP– 368,303.     APC– 13,394.
17. Imo State:             PDP– 559,185.      APC– 133,253.
18. Plateau State:       PDP– 549,615.     APC– 429,140.
19. Akwa Ibom:           PDP– 953,304.     APC– 58,411.
20. Ebonyi State:         PDP– 323,653.     APC– 19,518.
21. Niger State:           PDP– 149,222.      APC– 657,678.
22. Lagos State:          PDP– 632,327.      APC– 792,460.
23. Bayelsa State:       PDP– 361,209.      APC– 5,194.
24. Gombe State:        PDP– 96,873.        APC– 361,245.
25. Cross Rivers State: PDP– 414,863.      APC– 28,368.
26. Rivers State:          PDP– 1,487,075.    APC– 69,238.
27. Adamawa State:    PDP– 251,664.      APC– 374,701.
28. Zamfara State:       PDP– 144,833.      APC– 612,202.
29. Kebbi State:          PDP– 100,972.       APC– 567,883.
30. Benue State:         PDP– 303,737.       APC– 373,961.
31. Bauchi State:        PDP– 86,085.         APC– 931,598.
32. Yobe State:           PDP– 25,526.         APC– 446,265.
33. Edo State:             PDP– 286,869.       APC– 208,469.
34. Taraba State:       PDP– 310,800.        APC– 261,326.
35. Sokoto State:       PDP– 152,199.        APC– 671,926.
36. Delta State:          PDP– 1,211,405.    APC– 48,910.
37. Borno State:         PDP– . 25,640.         APC– 473,543.

Election takes place in 37 states including the FCT. PDP were able to pick 16 states while APC witnesses victories in 20 states with the highest votes (1,903,999) coming from Kano state.

Prof. Attahiru Jega’s RESPONSE TO PDP’S ALLEGATION. #NigeriaDecides- Reported by Motolani

The PDP Agent allege that Jega refused to acknowledge their petition,accusing him of being partial. Jega replied and gave a breakdown of event that happened yesterday during recess.

‎Initially, some documents were given to Jega’s PA. The PA collected it because the person said Jega said he should give it to the PA.

Jega instructed the PA to return it that he didn’t say such, the PA returned it and then the  person sent a text that the document was a petition and Jega should answer to it.‎ Jega replied that for now his office is closed to such, whatever he wants should be sent to the secretary’s office. Up till now, it hasn’t come. ‎He said he didn’t get any petition and whatever petition coming in should go to the secretary, not him. During this period he’s not supposed to acknowledge any petition because he’s busy with results collation. And even until now, the supposed petition hasn’t got to the secretary’s desk.

‎On the second allegation that APC posted results on their websites. Jega said he hasn’t received any results and if APC posts anything, its wrong but he has nothing to do with it and the allegation is unfair.

APC overtakes PDP in the second half of the result collations

Kano State:        PDP- 215,779.     APC- 1,903,999.

Jigawa State:     PDP- 142,904.     APC- 885,988.

Kastina State:    PDP- 98,937.       APC- 1,345,441.

Kwara State:      PDP- 132,602.     APC- 302,146.

Kaduna State:   PDP- 484,085.     APC- 1,127,760.

Anambra State: PDP- 660,792.    APC- 17,926.

Abia State:         PDP- 368,303.    APC- 13,394.