BREAKING: FG DECLARES FRIDAY WORK-FREE DAY FOR NIGERIAN WORKERS

Interior Minister, Abdulrahman Dambazau.

The Federal Government of Nigeria has declared Friday, 22 February, 2019 as a work-free day to allow Nigerians prepare for the Presidential and National Assembly elections, slated for Saturday, 23 February, 2019.

The Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau disclosed this in a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Interior Ministry, Barr Georgina Ehuriah on Wednesday night.

“Federal Government declares Friday 22, February 2019 as work-free day. Those providing essential duties and bankers are excluded.

“The work-free day is to enable citizens return to their poling units for the reschedule Presidential & National Assembly elections.

"PUNISHMENT FOR SNATCHING OF BALLOT BOXES IN THE US IS DEATH" - PRINCE TONY MOMOH

Prince Tony Momoh

Prince Tony Momoh, a former Minister of Information on Wednesday said President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive to security agencies to deal ruthlessly with ballot box snatchers ahead of the 2019 general election is in order.

Speaking in a chat with correspondents, Momoh, one of the national leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) said Nigerians do not expect the President to give national honours to those who committed crime by declaring war on due process and free, fair elections.

He said “What is snatching of ballot box? Snatching a box is a crime. It is declaration of war on due process and free, fair election. Anyone who declares war on due process is committing treason against due process.

“Those condemning Buhari, are they suggesting that anybody who snatches a box on Election Day should be given a national honour?

“I don’t know what Nigerians are talking about. In America, if you attempt to subvert due process, you can pay for it with your life.”

POLICE ARREST ANAMBRA WOMAN AND DAUGHTER FOR STEALING, SELLING BABY

A mother and her daughter have been nabbed by the police in Anambra State for allegedly stealing a four-year-old girl.

It was learnt that the woman, whose name was given as Ngozi Ede, and her daughter, Kosiso, arranged and sold the baby for N250,000.

The incident happened at Awada, Obosi, in the Idemili North Local Government Area of the state.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Haruna Mohammed, confirmed the story to Southern City News.

Mohammed said the baby had been recovered and handed over to her mother in good condition.

He stated, “Police detectives attached to the Awada Division arrested one Ngozi Ede, female, aged 42 years, and her daughter, Kosiso Ede, female, aged 17 years of No. 4 Ukaegbu Junction, Awada.

“The suspects conspired and stolen one Mesoma Ikoko, aged four years, from the custody of her mother, one Nneka Ikoko, of the Mammy Market, Army Barracks, Onitsha.

“Preliminary investigation further led to the arrest of one Ifeoma Okeke, aged 45 years, who collected the child from the above mentioned suspects and handed her over to one Ifeoma Okonkwo of Eke Nkpor.

“The stolen baby has been recovered in good condition and handed over to her mother. Consequently, the sum of N250,000 suspected to be part of the proceeds of the illicit transaction was also recovered as exhibit.”

The PPRO added that the case was under investigation after which the suspects would be charged to court

PDP RAISES ALARM OVER MASSIVE DEPLOYMENT OF SOLDIERS TO RIVERS COMMUNITY

Secondus

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Campaign Council, has raised alarm over alleged massive deployment of soldiers to Abonnema, headquarters of Akuku-Toru local government area of Rivers State, ahead of the rescheduled Presidential and National Assembly elections.

It accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of plotting to disrupt the February 23, 2019 Presidential and National Assembly elections and the March 9, 2019 Governorship and State Assembly elections in no fewer than nine local government areas in Rivers State.

Chairman of the PDP Campaign Council in the state, Chief Ferdinand Anabraba, who spoke at a press conference in Port Harcourt yesterday, alleged that the APC is behind the deployment of the soldiers, which it intends using to wreak havoc in communities in the state during the rescheduled general elections.

Anabraba said: “This press conference was called to let Nigerians and international observers know of the evil plans of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in conjunction with security agencies to disrupt and destabilize the election. The desperation of APC knows no bounds; they are ready to do anything to scatter all the elections in the state.

“To tell you the level of their desperation, just this morning, I got information that the Nigerian Army had forcefully occupied my property in Abonnema and brought in soldiers who stationed there to cause havoc and crisis in Abonnema and Akuku-Toru local government area.

Speaking at the press conference, Director-General of the PDP Campaign Council, Ambassador Desmond Akawor, listed Obio/Akpor, Port Harcourt City, Khana, Gokana, Tai, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, Etche, Abua/Odual and Akuku-Toru local government areas as the areas the APC allegedly want to frustrate the elections all cost.

“These actions by the APC, INEC, the security agencies and the Federal Government clearly point to the undisputable conclusion that the plot by the APC to scuttle the general elections in Rivers State is real and must be taken seriously and prevented by all well-meaning Nigerians and the international community before it degenerates into major crisis.”

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army says it has uncovered a plot by some political actors within the command of its 6 Division to arm miscreants who will dress like military personnel so as to wreak havoc in the forthcoming general elections.

The Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 6 Division, Colonel Aminu Iliyasu, in a statement issued in Port Harcourt yesterday, said the Nigerian Army and its sister agencies are making efforts to track down the sources of the weapons and the agents involved.

The statement reads in part: “Credible intelligence available to Headquarters 6 Division Nigerian Army (NA) has uncovered an unholy plan by some political actors within its Area of Responsibility (AOR) to arm and sponsor miscreants in addition to using military-like fatigue dress for deception to cause pandemonium at polling stations for their political gain.

“To this end, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division and Land Component Commander (LCC) OPDS, Maj Gen Jamil Sarham wishes to reassure the good people of Niger Delta of providing adequate security in conjunction with other security agencies before, during and after the 2019 General Elections.

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SNATCH BALLOT BOXES AND LOSE YOUR LIFE — PRESIDENT BUHARI

President Muhammadu Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has warned potential troublemakers to stay away from ballot boxes on February 23.

At an emergency caucus meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja on Monday morning, the president warned that anyone who foments trouble, especially by carrying ballot boxes, would be doing so at the “expense of his life”.

Mr Buhari made the statement after reprimanding the Independent National Electoral Commission for postponing the general elections from February 16 to 23.

The president repeated that he gave INEC all necessary support to ensure a smooth exercise, but the electoral body still displayed “incompetence” and failed to let Nigerians go to the poll as originally scheduled.

Electoral chiefs cited widespread logistics mishaps for the “painful” postponement, and promised everything would be in order before the new date of February 23 for presidential and federal parliamentary elections. Statewide elections would now hold on March 9, from the initial March 2.

Mr Buhari also threatened consequences against INEC chairman Mahmood Yakubu, agreeing with the submission of party chairman Adams Oshiomhole that the electoral chief had compromised and was in purported collusion with the opposition Peoples Democratic Party.

The national caucus meeting, which was initially televised for about 30 minutes, was cut off live broadcast after the president’s remarks.

Journalists were also asked to leave the venue to allow for a closed-door session.

WIKE IS BENEFITTING FROM AMAECHI'S POLITICAL MISJUDGMENTS - SEN. ABE

The Senator representing Rivers South-East senatorial district in the National Assembly, Senator Magnus Abe, has said that Governor Nyesom Wike was benefiting from the political blunders committed by the Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi in the state.

Abe, who was reacting to allegations by Amaechi, that he (Abe) was responsible for the crisis in the party, called on Amaechi, who is leader of APC in the state to swallow his pride and accept responsibility of his actions that plunged the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Rivers State into the present crisis. 

He said: “Amaechi talks about how he contributed to 80 per cent of Rivers politicians but he has never mentioned to Nigerians what 80 per cent of Rivers politicians contributed to him to make him what he is today. If he made everybody, what did God do? “Nigerians should ask who is working for Wike, it is the problem Amaechi foisted on APC that Wike is benefiting from, his political blunders made him Wike’s greatest benefactor. “When this crisis started, we tried to draw his attention but he refused. We were telling him that if this crisis continues, he will suffer the outcome. What did he do when everybody was telling him including his close friends, that he will suffer ultimately because he is the leader of the party?”

Abe described Amaechi’s comments against him as very insulting, childish and an attempt to deviate from the crux of the matter. He said neither INEC nor the Rivers State governor, Wike was responsible for the pitiable situation the party (APC) in the state has found itself. 

“It is unfortunate that Amaechi, has failed to acknowledge his actions which had dragged the APC in Rivers State to the edge. It is not the INEC Chairman, not Wike, it is not myself but the actions of the APC leader in Rivers, Amaechi that has dragged the party to where it is.” “Ameachi’s comment today on the radio was very childish, what he should be talking about by this time as a politician is the way forward. How do we come together to deliver the President, because everybody’s votes including the aggrieved people are necessary for the President Muhammadu Buhari.

“Secondly, I feel insulted when Amaechi said that Wike was using me. With all due respect to the governor of Rivers State, he is not in any way my superior. He is my junior at the Bar and in politics. “I have tried as much as possible for us to keep our dirty linen inside, Amaechi should not open his mouth again and say Wike is using me. He, Amaechi could not use me as a governor, against my principles and my beliefs, so how can Wike in a different party use me.”

ELECTIONS IN RIVERS WILL BE REPEATED IF WE’RE EXCLUDED – APC

The All Progressives Congress, APC, in Rivers state has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to ensure the inclusion of its name on the ballot for all elections in the state, saying anything other than that could mean that the commission would have to repeat the exercise in Rivers state.

APC

In a bid to ensure compliance with its demands, the party said its delegation from Rivers state has served contempt proceedings on INEC Chairman.

According to the party, “He is to appear in court to explain why he should not be sent to jail for disobeying subsisting court orders and excluding APC in Rivers state,” the party said in a statement by its Director, Strategic Communications for the Tonye Cole Campaign Organization, Prince Tonye T.J.T Princewill.

He confirmed that “proceedings were served yesterday because INEC has shown us that it is no longer independent. How else can you explain the speed they acted after a judgement by Omotosho that said we should not only be removed from the ballot, but we should also be barred from campaigning? People should learn to fear God.

“Now, that same Omotosho’s order has been stayed, yet two weeks later, we’re still waiting for our rights to be restored and INEC is comfortable that it has not been given to us. To make matters worse, the Supreme Court, last week, threw out the appeal against the stay judgement. So, what is still holding INEC? They cannot exclude us. But if they do, they will face the legal consequences. We can either do this election once or they will conduct it twice. The law is on our side.”

He thanked Rivers people for showing restraint and implored them to come out and vote as who becomes President is who determines the leaders in the state. “Do not be distracted by INEC. If they do not put us on the ballot, that election will be repeated. It will not be an election. But the Presidential election is not in doubt. All states must put in their quota towards victory. That includes us too here in Rivers state.

“It will be recalled that despite several pleas and multiple court orders, INEC has continued to stay mute on the matter of Rivers state, offering no details as to why the numerous judgements in favour of the APC have not been abided by, whereas judgements in favour of the PDP are more readily attended to. It appears that forces unseen have an interest in not seeing APC in Rivers state thrive. This, no doubt, is not the end of the matter”, he alleged.

We can still see disaster on Saturday

The party also reacted to the postponement of the general elections nationwide saying that it stood by the statements from Festus Keyamo and Garba Shehu “and that not only did the delay expose Wike and the PDP’s unholy alliance with INEC, it showed the whole world that injustice to one, is a delay for us all. They have offended God.”

The party outlined the steps it had taken to be fairly relisted on the ballot, including the contempt of court proceedings served on INEC and stated that, “if APC Rivers state continued to be treated with disdain, the said election will still not hold.”

“Even though the postponement of the elections did not come to me as a total surprise, I was still expecting the INEC Chairman to stubbornly push on and try to force through the elections regardless. I still see disaster come Saturday. Unless we’re on the ballot, the election won’t be smooth anywhere. The God of Rivers state wants justice and He will get it. We have not even had so much as an explanation from INEC”, said Princewill.

APC CHAIRMAN MURDERED BY UNKNOWN GUNMEN IN BENUE

Unknown gunmen have reportedly murdered Boniface Okoloho, the All Progressives Congress chairman in Ohimini LGA of Benue State.

It was gathered that the late Okoloho was reportedly shot and killed yesterday by some yet-to-be-identified assailants, on his way home from a party function.

Confirming the sad development, the All Progressives Congress Governorship (APC) candidate in Benue State, Hon. Emmanuel Jime, strongly condemned the assassination of Okoloho.

Hon. Jime, who expressed deep sorrow over the gruesome murder of the late party chieftain, sued for peace and brotherliness in the politics of the state, calling on the government of Benue State and security agencies, to fish out the killers of Late Okoloho and bring them to book, to serve as deterrent to others who may want to further the politics of violence.

“I condemn in very strong terms, this unnecessary politics of violence and bloodshed, that has claimed the life of Mr. Okoloho, our beloved brother and staunch member of our great party in Ohimini.

“Mr. Okoloho was one of the very committed leaders of our party in Zone C and we regret that he lost his life in such a horrible circumstance, in the service of his state and his party. May his gentle soul rest in peace,” Jime stated in a statement.

TWO KILLED AS UNIDENTIFIED THUGS BURN INEC BUSES IN AKWA IBOM (PHOTOS)

Though the election may have been rescheduled due to some logistics reasons being cited by the INEC Chair, we seem to be getting some heartbreaking news on the hour. According to reports, it was reported that two buses carrying sensitive materials to Obot Akara local government in Akwa Ibom state got burnt and two persons were reportedly died.

Two persons have been killed in Akwa Ibom state after an attack on buses carrying sensitive materials to Obot Akara local government area, the buses were accompanied by NYSC corp members who will serve as polling officers in their various locations.

The buses which were also conveying election personnel were set on fire and the drivers were wounded with machetes. It was reported by a corp member that they have to run for their lives and some spent the night in the bush.

The personnel and drivers are hiding in the INEC office and need urgent security and medical support as at the time of filing this report.

These are images from the scene...