Tai Result: INEC Stance Emboldens APC, As Party Seeks Electorate's Support In Rerun Polls

The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has appealed to the electorate in the state to emulate the people of Tai constituency by overwhelmingly casting their votes for all the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates during the forthcoming rerun elections in the state.
A statement, Friday, in Port Harcourt by the state Chairman, APC, Dr Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, said that, “By so doing, the Rivers electorate would have taken one more step towards saving our dear state from the grip of the callous and bloodthirsty Peoples Democratic Party.”
The party was reacting to the declaration, earlier this week by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that the result of Tai in the March 19, 2016, rerun legislative election remains valid, thus effectively terminating PDP’s attempts to truncate the people’s mandate freely given to APC.
“We remain resolute that the good people of Tai have set in motion the chain of events to end the reign of terror, maladministration and savagery associated with the PDP in Rivers State,” the statement added.
“This call for the entire Rivers State people to emulate the Tai people in this regard becomes imperative following remarks credited to the Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Dr. Austin Tam-George, that, ‘The ongoing killings in Rivers State is a normal thing…’ For a government that is supposed to save lives and properties to state that killing of our people is normal simply demonstrates the height of insensitivity,” Ikanya explained.
The Rivers APC commended INEC “for this boldness in the face of threat, intimidation and harassment by the PDP and Rivers State Government under the watch of Chief Nyesom Wike.”
The party also condemned “the unprovoked attack and burning of the home of former leader of Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon Chidi Lloyd in Akpabu community of Emohua Local Government Area by the PDP agents. This act of lawlessness by the PDP Government in Rivers State is no longer acceptable to us and should be condemned by all and sundry. It is sad that Chidi Lloyd, whose only crime, like others so far killed by the PDP agents, is that they belong to APC, should suffer this.
“We wish to urge and plead with the entire people of Rivers State to remain calm, peaceful and resolute in their determination to drive away the remnants of PDP from our dear state during the forthcoming rerun elections by voting only for APC candidates.
“In this light, we wish to admonish the leadership and members of Grassroots Development Initiative (GDI), to stop further threat to the peace of Rivers State as evident in their recent press statement in which they threatened to unleash terror and mayhem if INEC goes ahead with the rerun election in the state. We wish to remind the group that it is no longer business as usual as the present leadership of the country’s security agencies is very capable of checking their excesses.”
The APC further condoled with the Nigerian Police over the recent brutal killing of two of its personnel at Omoku, and urged the police “not to relent until criminals and vandals are fished out and chased away from our dear state.”

Fear Grips Rivers Deputy Governor Over Rerun Polls

The Rivers State Deputy Governor, Dr Ipalibo Harry Banigo, has expressed fears over the rescheduled rerun elections scheduled for October, 2016.
The deputy governor’s fears were expressed in a press statement issued in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Thursday.
In the statement, Banigo sought for the intervention of the National Assembly in the rescheduled legislative rerun elections in the state.
The deputy governor called on the lawmakers to prevail on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to come out with a definite date and blue print for the conduct of free and fair rerun elections in Rivers State tentatively slated for October by INEC to save the state from seemingly orchestrated political victimization.
She described as sad, provocative and a constitutional breech for INEC to relish in lackadaisical disposition and statements that portray it as being unserious, inept and overwhelmed in conducting election in Rivers State.
The deputy governor wondered why it is only one opposition party out of 30 registered political parties in the state that is not complaining about the endless and teleguided postponement, describing the inaction of INEC as a demonstration of incompetence and a dangerous trend to the sustenance of the democratic process.
She regretted that under the current leadership of INEC, the country now has infamous legacies of inconclusive and needless postponement of elections since the exit of Professor Attahiru Jega.
Banigo urged the National Assembly to invite INEC for interrogation over its inability to conclude the conduct of rerun elections in Rivers State.

Felicitations Pour In As Bayelsa Gov's Wife Is Delivered Of Quadruplets In USA

Felicitations have continued to pour in as the wife of Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa, Dr Rachael Dickson, Friday, gave birth to quadruplets in the United States of America after more than 15 years of marriage.
The governor’s wife who stepped into Bayelsa Government House in February, 2012, during her husband’s first tenure, recently travelled to have her first baby in the United States of America.
Dickson has married several wives with numerous children but keeps Rachael as his official wife with him at Bayelsa Government House.
She was delivered of a quadruplet; a baby boy and three baby girls, Friday.
The Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Governor Dickson, Frank Agbo, Friday, made the following post on Facebook: “Good News. Another cause for Governor Henry Seriake Dickson and family to celebrate is here. After many years of praying and waiting upon the Lord, his wife and First Lady of Bayelsa State, Dr. Rachael Dickson, was just delivered of a quadruplet: a bouncing baby boy and three beautiful baby girls. Mother and children are doing very well.
“Governor Dickson’s joy knows no bound. This bundle of joy is coming when his re-election was overwhelmingly upheld by the Appeal Court in Abuja, Thursday. The governor thanks his friends, well wishers and family members for their prayers and support over the years.”
Also, a statement signed by Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Bayelsa State, Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson, which further confirmed the news, said that Rachael Dickson, and the babies are doing well.
The statement quoted Dickson as thanking friends, family members and Bayelsa people for their outpouring of prayers and support, and enjoined them to continue to pray for the family.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Government has joined the millions of people to felicitated with the Bayelsa State Governor, Hon Seriake Dickson and his wife, Dr Rachael Dickson, on the successful delivery of a quadruplet: a bouncing baby boy and three beautiful baby girls in a hospital in the United States of America.
A statement through the Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor, Paul Damgbor, Saturday, Banigo, described the development as miraculously significant and a testimony that the emergence of Dickson as governor of Bayelsa State was divinely ordained, especially as the arrival of the lovely babies coincided with the validation of the result of the Bayelsa State Governorship re-election by the Appeal Court in Abuja, a day earlier.
Banigo said, “the Government and Rivers people share in this momentous joy of the number One Citizens of the Glory of all Lands, in view of the age-long relationship existing between the two ‘brotherly’ states,” stressing that children are the heritage of the Lord.
The deputy governor prayed God to continue to guide, strengthen and grant Governor Dickson and his dear wife the wisdom and grace to pilot the affairs of their family in particular and the state as a whole.

N'Delta Summit Fails, As Clark, Others Warn Buhari Of More Attacks

Chief Edwin Clark

The rejection of the Federal Government–sponsored two–day Niger Delta Summit, initially planned to hold Monday and Tuesday by the Pan–Niger Delta Coastal States Consultative Forum, led by former federal commissioner for information, Chief Edwin Clark, and pointed disagreement over the one-sided concept, has forced the government to suddenly postpone the talks.
This came as Chief Edwin Clark warned President Muhammadu Buhari not listen to the Minister of Transportation, Rt Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, saying that “Amaechi is one of the problems of the Niger Delta, he is seeing himself as next to the President”.
Clark argued that the people of Niger Delta were ready to work with President Muhammadu Buhari, but insisted that he should not listen to people like Amaechi and others that were allegedly confusing him and telling him untruths about the region.
The Secretary of the Planning Committee of the summit, Mr. Donald Wokoma, in a statement, Friday night, announcing the postponement, gave no reason for the suspension.
It was, however, learnt that the government got intelligence that the militants were resuming hostilities while the summit would be largely boycotted by the team of Niger Delta leaders and ex-agitators led by Clark. The Niger Delta Avengers favour the Clark team in any dialogue with the Federal Government. And Clark had warned that the militants were returning to attacks on oil facilities.
Amid the confusion over the suspension of the summit, Minister of Transportation, Rt Hon Rotimi Amaechi , it was learnt, had invited some persons to a separate conference on initiative for peace and governance in Niger Delta, Saturday.
Before government deferred the summit, information had leaked that Clark, former Senate chief whip, Senator Roland Owie, Barrister Ledum Mitee, former minister of police affairs, Alaowei Brodrick Bozimo, Air Commodore Idongisit Nkanga (rtd), Chief Isaac Jemide, Dr Monday Okonny, Chief Timi Alaibe, and Senator Bassey Ewa-Henshaw would not be part of the summit.
It was further gathered that the leaders, including the former Provost Marshal of the Nigerian Army, Brig-Gen Idada Ikpomwen (rtd) Col Paul Ogbebor(rtd), Chief Francis Doukpoulagha, Prof Lucky Akaruese, Mr. O’Mac Emakpore, High Chief Johnson Opone, Prof G. G. Darah, Chief T. K. O. Okorotie, Dr. Efiong Edunam, P. Z. Aginighan, and Prince Maikpobi Okareme, had prepared a position paper for the summit.
Other leaders against the summit are Chief Douglas Naingba, Chief Simeon Efenudu, Dr Emmanuel Akpanobong, Mrs. Marie Ebikake, Mr. Tony Uranta, Nella Ewa, SAN and Chief Ogar.
They said: “We reaffirm our collective resolve to only engage the Federal Government through a credible dialogue process with accredited representatives of the Niger Delta region to proffer long lasting solutions to the protracted Niger Delta insurgency, and not a summit of this type.”
They said that the summit was being organized to down-play the factor of serious dialogue between the critical stakeholders, who have the mandate and authority to negotiate with the Federal Government.
They argued, “That due to the cessation of hostilities on our national assets by the armed agitators of the Niger Delta, oil production has increased to 1.7mbpd, and if the peace process is further deepened, with proper negotiation, the possibility of reaching national oil production targets, is very realistic.
“Therefore, this should serve as an impetus to commence the negotiation process, rather than engaging in frivolities and trivialities. We are of the opinion that the Federal Government should not unnecessarily take steps that could lead to a relapse to insurgency by its inaction,” they added.
Their words: “The same Federal Government that feigns ignorance of whom to interface with is seen actively orchestrating false flag operations and sponsoring diverse bodies with the intent of dividing the region’s already unified fronts and justifying a continuation of the balkanization of the region to facilitate uncontrolled access to its resources.”
The leaders stated that: “The indigenes of the Niger Delta who are invited to the said summit are free to exercise their democratic rights to association. However, such attendees, do not represent the Pan-Niger Delta States Stakeholders’ Forum and are not authorized or mandated to speak or represent same.”
They also asserted: “The Niger Delta calls on the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, the United States President, Barrack Obama, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Theresa May, the Russian President, Vladimir Putin, the leaders of Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait and all African countries, to get Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari, to see himself as president of all Nigeria, to give peace a sincere chance in order to expedite the escape of all Nigerians from the obvious economic hardship that has befallen Nigeria since the resurgence of armed agitations within the Niger Delta.
“We also appeal to all the armed agitators to continue with the cessation of hostilities and to remain calm and peaceful, even in the face of obvious provocation.
 “As a people, we are still committed to the vision of a peaceful, prosperous, united and restructured Nigeria where no one is oppressed,” they said.
According to them: “The attention of the leadership of the Pan-Niger Delta Coastal States Stakeholders’ Consultative Forum has been drawn to the circulation of invitation letters to some Niger Delta indigenes to a Niger Delta stakeholders’ summit slated for the 26th – 27th September, 2016, at the NAF Conference Centre, Abuja.
“Whilst we do not begrudge the right of any authority or persons to convene any talk shop, we feel concerned that serious issues of the Niger Delta should not be trivialized into some academic exercise. We also hold the view that the holding of such summit at this time is clearly contrary to the expectations of all right-thinking persons worldwide.
“The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Federal Government, for over six weeks, since cessation of hostilities as a result of the intervention by the traditional rulers, elders and leaders of the Niger Delta, have not deemed it fit to respond to the demands of the peoples of the Niger Delta for a credible and proper dialogue process,” they said.
They asserted: “We note with happiness that the region has been relatively quiet and stable following the cease fire brokered by the leaders of the region with the expectation that the Federal Government will urgently interface and commence negotiation with accredited representatives of the Niger Delta region.
“Rather than doing the needful, the region has, however, been over militarized of its creeks and other spaces, which have resulted in claims of rapes, brutalization, incidental deaths and undue harassments suffered by our innocent sons and daughters during this period of the ceasefire. However, a significant achievement of the ceasefire is the increase in the quantum of oil production of 1.7 mbpd, according to the Hon. Minister of States, Petroleum, Dr Ibe Kachikwu.
“We wish to state that almost a month has elapsed since militant groups in the region agreed to a 60-day cessation of hostilities without the Federal Government constituting a negotiation team.
“Rather, the Office of the Vice President is organizing a summit of stakeholders purportedly for the Niger Delta. It is our considered opinion that for the Federal Government to contemplate a summit of this nature, rather than proper dialogue and negotiations with the Pan-Niger Delta Coastal States Stakeholders’ Consultative Forum is to trivialize the gravity of the issues and opt for a cosmetic approach,” the leaders said.
They added: “Any reasonable person looking at the title and composition of attendees, officials, subjects and speeches at this so-called summit, will discern that it is possible to replace the term Niger Delta with any other area of the country, and it will not look odd. There is no Niger-Deltan of any level of representation there.
“Worse still, the speakers at the summit are mainly government officials, who should at best of times be listening to the people, instead of talking down to the people. In such a gathering, there are definitely no spaces for any meaningful discussions.
“The point to note is that the Niger Delta crisis predates the present administration. In all the previous administrations, we never engaged in futile and cosmetic academic exercise as this summit, to proffer solutions to the Niger Delta agitations. It would be recalled that in 2008, a conference of this nature was proposed, and which was to be chaired by Prof Ibrahim Gambari of the United Nations.
“Leaders and stakeholders of the region rejected the conference due to the fact that there had been series of reports of such conferences, summits and technical committees on the Niger Delta not implemented by the Federal Government.
“This was what led to the setting up of a 45-man Technical Committee, under the chairmanship of Barrister Ledum Mitee to collate and align all the various reports on the Niger Delta. But after the death of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, that exercise never saw the light of day,” they said.
The leaders declared: “We wish to state in unambiguous terms that the issues confronting the Niger Delta do not require an academic exercise of this nature, masquerading as a summit to proffer solutions to the Niger Delta issues. Rather, a credible dialogue process between the Federal Government, the oil companies and the accredited and authorized representatives of the region.”
Speaking to newsmen on the meeting convened by the Minister of Transportation, Clark said: “Hon Amaechi sent an invitation to me to attend the meeting at Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja on Saturday, but I want to say that it is an insult for Amaechi to invite me to such a meeting.
“Amaechi is one of the problems of the Niger Delta, he is seeing himself as next to the President, why is he calling a meeting now, he knows our position as leaders, and he has not shown any concern to the plight of the people since.
“Where was he when the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, and others, went around trying to solve the problem? Is he the Minister of Niger Delta? On what platform is he calling his fathers to a meeting? In fact, no reasonable Niger Deltan will attend such a meeting with Amaechi.
”The youth have ceased fire and waiting for us to discuss on their behalf, is it now that he will call for dialogue? He is not the type to call for peace. He should re-examine himself. He is found guilty of corruption by a Judicial Commission of Inquiry by his state government. Now, other persons are being harassed and prosecuted for corruption, and he is not. Is it not strange and is that right,” he said.
Clark said that the people of Niger Delta were ready to work with President Muhammadu Buhari, but he should not listen to people like Amaechi and others that were allegedly confusing him and telling him untruths about the region.
His words: “President Buhari is straightforward, we will work with him. But he should not listen to Amaechi.
“Ameachi should not arrogate to himself the authority to moderate dialogue. When Kachikwu came to the Niger Delta to see things for himself, is it not Amaechi, who lied about the Nigerian Maritime University without coming to the area?” Clark asked.

Avengers Hit Shell's Bonny Crude Oil Export Pipeline In Rivers

The Niger Delta Avengers, which had in August, declared a unilateral ceasefire, said 

on Saturday it had carried out its first attack since it halted hostilities to pursue dialogue with the Federal Government.

The militants, who said they attacked the Bonny crude export line operated by Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) in Rivers State on Friday night, have in previous months launched assaults which have cut crude production, which was 2.1 million barrels per day at the start of the year, by around a third.
In a statement on its website the group said it “brought down oil production activities at the Bonny 48 inches crude oil export line” through its “strike team”.
According to a statement issued on its website, the militants said that its strike team took out the export line at about 8:40pm on Friday, September 23.
Avengers said the action is a signature to “the over dramatization of the so-called dialogue and negotiation process on the side of President Muhammadu Buhari and his government.”
In the statement signed by its spokesperson, Mudoch Agbinibo, the militants said, “since, the cessation of hostilities and the commitment of the Pan-Niger Delta Elders and Stakeholders team, the Nigerian government and her agents are turning the expectations of the Niger Delta to shameful scenes obtainable in Nollywood acts, with intimidations, blackmails and continuous profiling of Niger Delta sons and daughters. This is only a wake-up call; we may not have other way to say it better.”
The Avengers said they were still in favour of the dialogue and negotiations process, but quickly added that, “we are warning against undermining the peace of our time! We want the peace with honour.
“We will resist all actions undermining the ceasefire from the side of the government and its security agents/agencies. The world is watching, time is running against the Nigerian state; while we were promised that the concerns of Niger Delta will be addressed once a truce is declared, the activities of the government and her agents are not assuring enough, there has been no progress and no breakthrough,” the militants noted.
Avengers said they cannot be continuously fooled, adding that the government cannot justify the indiscriminate targeting of Niger Delta youth while glorifying on these victimization of law abiding citizens of the region.
The Avengers, who want a greater share of the OPEC member’s wealth to go to the Niger Delta where most crude is produced, said the attack was a “wake up call” for the government, which it accused of intimidating youth in the region since the ceasefire began.
Earlier this month, the Avengers said there had been no contact with the government since the group agreed to cease hostilities.
But in New York last week, President Muhammadu Buhari accused the nation’s treasury looters for masterminding the rebellion in the Niger Delta region.
It would be recalled that the Niger Delta Avengers, had on Saturday, August 3, announced a ceasefire, saying that they were ready for peace talks with the Federal Government.
In a statement in its website in August, the Avengers’ spokesman, Mudoch Agbinibo, said they were ready for talks, but added that the talks must include the acknowledged Ijaw national leader, Chief Edwin Clark.
The ceasefire appeared to have followed the appeals by Ijaw leaders who finally met to prevail on the militants to ward off the escalation of military action.
He said that, “In the interim, attacks on oil and gas installations will stop.
“We are going to continue the observation of our unannounced cessation of hostilities in the Niger Delta against all interest of the multinational oil corporations.
“But we will continuously adopt our asymmetric warfare during this period if, the Nigerian government and the ruling political All Progressives Congress (APC), continues to use security agencies, formations and politicians to arrest, intimidate, invade and harass innocent citizens, suspected NDA members and invade, especially Ijaw communities.”
According to their spokesman, Mudoch Agbinibo, the Avengers’ decision was in support of any collective negotiation involving their elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark.
The militants support a negotiation with the government to be led by Clark and with representatives from the home countries of all multinational oil corporations and neutral international mediators.
They insisted that the talks should be focused on achieving the short, medium and long term frameworks and objectives to de-escalating conflicts in the Niger Delta.
Agbinibo said that, “Most of the frameworks and objectives are clearly stated in various reports, declarations and recommendations of the likes of the Sir. Henry Willinks minority rights reports of pre-independence Nigeria (1957-8).
“Others are the Kaiama Declaration document, the General Alexander Ogomudia report, the Ledum Mitee-headed Niger Delta Technical Committee report, and restructuring to fiscal federalism.”
The Avengers said that the struggle has always been a Pan-Niger Delta one, but that the anti-Niger Delta elements were using some disorganized characters from the region to “scuttle all effort to restore the essence of our humanity; resource control and self-determination”.
In the statement on the website, the Avengers said: “We have resolved to reject any idea of the peace of our times; we want the peace with honour this time around.
”Our advice to our Niger Delta elders and genuine stakeholders is that, whenever this inhuman project called Nigeria and her government is ready for dialogue/negotiations with them, this mandate should be treated with that care as driving a vehicle like that of a truck-laden with fire.”
Here is the full statement issued by Mudoch Agbinibo and titled, The Pan-Niger Delta Struggle:
“The struggle has always being a Pan-Niger Delta one, we only know the anti Niger Delta elements are using some disorganized characters from the region to scuttle all effort to restore the essence of our humanity; resources control and self-determination.
“We are going to support any collective/negotiation team emerging from the Chief (Dr) Papa Edwin Kiagbodo Clark’s Niger Delta elders and genuine stakeholders conference to engage with the Federal Government of Nigeria, representatives from the home countries of all multinational oil corporations and neutral international mediators that will be focused on achieving the short, medium and long term frameworks and objectives to de-escalating conflicts in the Niger Delta.
“Most of the frameworks and objectives are clearly stated in various reports, declarations and recommendations of the likes of the Sir Henry Willinks minority rights reports of pre-independence Nigeria (1957-8), the Kaiama Declaration document, the General Alexander Ogomudia report, the Ledum Mitee-headed Niger Delta Technical Committee report, and restructuring to fiscal federalism.
“We have resolved to reject any idea of the peace of our times; we want the peace with honour this time around! Our advice to our Niger Delta elders and genuine stakeholders is that, whenever this inhuman project called Nigeria and her government is ready for dialogue/negotiations with them, this mandate should be treated with that care as driving a vehicle like that of a truck laden with fire.
“We are going to continue the observation of our unannounced cessation of hostilities in the Niger Delta against all interest of the multinational oil corporations, but we will continuously adopt our asymmetric warfare during this period if, the Nigerian government and the ruling political APC continues to use security agencies/agents, formations and politicians to arrest, intimidate, invade and harass innocent citizens, suspected NDA members and invade, especially Ijaw communities.
“We promise to fight more for the Niger Delta, if this opportunity fails. Therefore, we will give our Niger Delta elders and genuine stakeholders that tacit support to the dialogue table with the government and the multinational oil corporations whenever the enabling environment prevails.
“We also use this medium to warn those using rogue platforms like the defunct so-called MEND, RNDA- Cynthia Whyte, especially Charles Okah, who is franchising these internet-based banditry from his prison cell, through Victor Ebikabowei Ben (Boyloaf), Timipre Silva, Selekaye Ebikabowei, Ayirimi Emani, Michael Johnny, Governor Adams Oshiomhole, to please inform those their paymasters that the days of doom are here. That those who sold and bought up interests from around the corridors of power cannot arm-twist the NDA with bandits, drug addicts, illegal bunkerers, bank robbers and disorganized characters to derail the Niger Delta struggle.”
The Avengers announced their emergence in May, 2016, with the bombing of oil installations belonging to the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and other multinational corporations, particularly Chevron facilities in Delta State.
The militants’ assaults had cut crude production, which was 2.1 million barrels per day at the start of the year, by around a third.
The main agenda of the group was to cripple the nation’s economy to force President Muhammadu Buhari to agree for the secession of Niger Delta people or for comprehensive restructure of the country.
A splinter group, Reformed Niger Delta Avengers (RNDA), emerged late in July, asking the Avengers to stop destroying the region.
Later, another splinter group, the Niger Delta Greenland Justice Mandate (NDGJM) emerged, rejecting any ceasefire, lampooning the Avengers and also warning the Federal Government not to negotiate with any team led by Clark, accusing the former federal information commissioner of leading only a section of Niger Delta region.

Ondo Guber Poll: PDP Submits Two Names To INEC, As APC Rift Deepens

INEC Chairman, Mahmoud Yakubu

Despite reports of reconciliation in the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the party has submitted two names for the Ondo governorship election taking place on November 26, this year, while the All Progressives Congress (APC) has deepened what seems to be a festering impasse over who their right nominee is from the party primary held recently.
As for the PDP nominees, the Independent National Electoral Commission’s Deputy Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Mr Nick Dazang, disclosed the submission of candidates in an interview, Saturday.
Dazang said that the National Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff’s faction submitted names of candidates for the election.
He said that the commission was yet to decide on which of the two candidates, Mr Eyitayo Jegede or Mr Jimoh Ibrahim, that was acceptable to it.
Jegede emerged from the primary election organized by the National Caretaker Committee, while Ibrahim is the candidate of the Sheriff-led faction.
Overall, 30 political parties submitted names of their candidates for the November 26 governorship election in Ondo State.
Dazang said that all the parties met the last Thursday deadline for the submission of names of the candidate as specified by the Electoral Act.
He said that the names of the candidates could not be announced until the date specified by the Electoral Act, as they were still subject to change.
“As at 5 p.m. on Thursday, September 22, 30 political parties have submitted the list of their candidates for the Ondo governorship election.
“The parties can also substitute these names between now and October 27, that is one month to the election when we will publish the final list.
“At that point when we published the list, they cannot withdraw or substitute any longer,’’ he explained.
On the APC side, the emerging crisis appears to be deepening over alleged rigged primary election held on September 3, with palpable signs of serious cracks in the party in the state.
The primary had produced Rotimi Akeredolu as candidate of the APC for the governorship election, against expectations of some party leaders.
Now, the national executive of the party, expected to mediate in resolving the issues, has been caught in its own self-contradiction with party Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, reported to have overruled the rejection of the decision of the party’s National Working Committee on an appeal committee set up by the party. The party initially denied the report, but later withdrew the denial.
The party’s National Working Committee (NWC) rejected the 2016 Ondo State APC Governorship Primary Election Appeal Committee Report on Tuesday, September 20, 2016.
As things stand, it is no longer clear whether the rejection will hold, following a threatening press conference in Akure by three aggrieved governorship aspirants– Chief Olusola Oke, Chief Segun Abraham and Senator Ajayi Borofice – held at the NUJ Press Centre, Akure on Friday.
Here is their statement: “You will recall that the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ondo State chapter, held its Gubernatorial Primary Election on Saturday, September 3, 2016. Recall also that three major aspirants here present lodged serious and substantiated complaints against the process of the election.
“Gentlemen of the press, since election is a process, this media chat is to, once again, bring into the public domain the grim dirtiness that characterised the process, which was not captured and shown to the people of Ondo State in the cinema beamed live on September 3, 2016.
“Since we have discovered the dirtiness in the process of the last primary election, it is necessary, as change agents, we speak against the corruption in the process. As you are aware, we approached the Primary Election Appeal Committee provided for by the APC Primary Election Guidelines.
“As enumerated in our petitions, which we submitted to the Appeal Committee that was duly constituted by the National Executive Council (NEC) with the approval of the National Working Committee of APC and as contained in the Primary Election Guidelines of APC, the following are the planks upon which our appeals are based: ‘Fraudulent injection of 383 names into the delegates list that was used to conduct the primary election’, and, ‘Issuance of delegate tags to non-delegates and allowing the non-delegates to vote in the primary election’.
“On investigation, 300 delegate tags were indiscriminately issued to non-delegates, two designated buses were provided to convey known non-delegates to the voting centre, and they voted to give undue advantage to one of the aspirants. These, among others, were discovered after the charade called credible election.
“It is important to bring into the public domain that on Friday, September 2nd, 2016, a new copy of compromised delegates’ list was made available to all the aspirants by the Election Committee of APC around 10:30pm.
“On the receipt of the purported new delegates’ list, we all made a written protest letter, including Rotimi Akeredolu SAN, transmitted our letters to the Primary Election Committee chairman informing him of our rejection of the substituted delegates’ list.
“As democrats, having discovered the fraud in the process, we submitted ourselves to the process of redress as stipulated in the Primary Election Guidelines of APC, believing that we are safe in the hands of supposed democrats. The Appeal Committee, within the mandate of their authority, having regards to the preponderance of evidence laid before it recommended that the election be nullified and another election be conducted.
“In line with the Electoral Guidelines of APC, the report of the Appeal Committee was submitted to the National Working Committee for final ratification.
“Gentlemen of the press, considering our strength in the APC and with total votes of 1,617 in the primary election, as the apex authority in the administration of APC in Nigeria, we have always assumed sanity and reasonableness on the part of the members of the National Working Committee. We hope the members of the working committee will uphold justice and exorcised corruption from the process.
“Yesterday, September 22nd, 2016, the National Working Committee considered the report of the Appeal Committee, and puts its decision on the recommendations of the Appeal Committee to vote. The majority of the members of the National Working Committee voted that the recommendations of the Appeal Committee be upheld. To our dismay and in a manner at variance with democratic norms, the national chairman overruled the majority of the National Working Committee. He rejected the path of truth and upheld the primary election that its process was characterized with corruption.
“Let it be known that we are not deterred by the action of the National Working Committee and the undemocratic behaviour of the national chairman, we are encouraged by the genuine desire of the people of Ondo State for a change that will free them from the economic captivity of the present administration in Ondo State.
“We are determined to liberate our people and no undemocratic decision of a party and its leadership will be allowed to misdirect our attention from the goal.
“We have a mission, mission to liberate our people, mission to bring about sustainable change, a mission to give government back to the people of Ondo State.
“Therefore, we hereby condemn in absolute terms the undemocratic decision of the National Working Committee. Since the party and the official leaders of the party have found pleasure in covering fraud, we owe the people of Ondo State a sacred duty of liberation. This we are committed to and this we shall do.
“In the days ahead, we shall consult widely and make public the next line of action that will liberate our people from the present state of hopelessness and despair,” their statement added.

Four Days To Edo Poll, NLC, TUC Endorse Obaseki

Godwin Obaseki

With four days to the September 28, election in Edo State, the two umbrella labour organisations, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), have thrown their weight behind the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Godwin Obaseki.
At a solidarity gathering to honour the state Governor and former labour activist, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole in Benin City, NLC chairman said: “Arising from the achievements of the Comrade Governor’s administration and coupled with the fact that he has done us proud being a man from our constituency, we are pleased that as he prepares to end his second tenure as the governor of Edo State, we need to assist him and give him all the necessary support to enable his legacies to be sustained.
“I ask for the massive support of all the workers and working people in Edo State come 28th September, 2016, by voting en masse for Godwin Obaseki.
“I don’t want us to return to the years of regrets. You know what we passed through then. It is on this note that we, in the labour movement, have resolved not to stay aloof.
“To our governor, we are very grateful to you for making us very proud and for your continuous support.
“We are here to appreciate his past performance in the governance of this state for almost eight years now. Edo State is the first state being the heartbeat of Nigeria to produce a labour leader as a chief executive of any state in Nigeria. Before his ascension as governor, labour leaders were only referred to as workers and not referred to as good managers.
“He has proved beyond reasonable doubt that labour leaders are the best managers in governance.
“A trip around the 18 LGAs of the state shows a wider spread of people-oriented projects, executed and being executed by his government,” he said.
Governorship candidate of the APC, Godwin Obaseki, who was elated with the labour movement’s support said: “I just want to assure you that, today, because I have been part and parcel of the Edo project from the beginning, I accept full responsibility for the decisions we have made.
“My candidacy has offered me the opportunity to continue from where Comrade Oshiomhole will stop. I will continue to emphasise good and quality labour relations, and the payment of salaries which we have now come to take for granted will continue. I will spend more time on human capacity development to build a stronger civil service, without which we won’t be able to accomplish our goals and developmental agenda.”
Obaseki promised to devote resources to training and retraining of the workforce, including teachers, and thanked the labour movement for the endorsement, while promising that he would not disappoint them.
In his remarks, Governor Adams Oshiomhole, thanked the labour movement for the support they gave him in eight years, and noted that the success of his government has given hope to others in the labour movement.
The governor said that his government has computerised the pensions system such that retirees are now captured in the pensions’ payroll within a week after leaving the service.
He reminded the labour movement of how the former PDP government sacked all the permanent secretaries in the state and 7,000 workers in one fell swoop without paying them their pensions, noting that the pensioners sacked by the PDP government of Lucky Igbinedion  have now appealed to him to pay them their three months’ in lieu, which that government failed to pay.
Oshiomhole, urged the state workers to vote for the APC candidate en masse as he has the interest of the workers at heart.
Representative of the NLC President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, Comrade Godwin Uche, said Edo workers were lucky to have Governor Adams Oshiomhole as he has transformed the face of governance in the state.
He noted that eight years ago, only one airline was flying into the state, but with the increase in business and commerce in the state, more airlines now fly into the state daily.
Wabba urged the workers to support Godwin Obaseki to continue with the good works that Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has done.
Source: NAN

Soldier, Two Militants Killed In Gun Duel In Calabar

Army Chief, Tukur Buratai

At least, one soldier and two members of a militant group have been killed in Akpabuyo, Cross River State, as a group of Bakassi militants, led by one Benjamin, simply called, G-1, attacked a military van on patrol in the area.
The incident, which took place early Saturday, has thrown residents of the local government area into confusion as the Army is said to be combing everywhere in search of the militant leader, who is regarded as the most wanted criminal in the state.
Initial reports had put the Army death toll at six, but the Commandant, 13 Brigade, Brig-Gen. Bulama Biu, who refuted the reports, said that after reinforcement, a head count was ordered, and only one soldier was discovered to have died in the attack.
“Initially, we received a report that some soldiers were missing but we reorganized ourselves, and after a head count, we discovered that only one soldier died in the attack.  We are going all out to look for them, where ever they may be,” Biu said.
Biu, who did not disclose the name of the dead soldier, explained that the militants had laid an ambush without the knowledge of the soldiers, who were patrolling the area, adding that as soon as the militants opened fire on the soldiers, the latter replied, a situation which led to the killing of the two members of the militant group.
Investigations showed that the militant leader was piqued by the arrest of his two brothers, popularly known as G-2 and G-3, respectively, by security agents, and decided to take it out on the Army.
It could be recalled that Benjamin had become the most wanted militant element in the state early this year when security agents traced the spate of armed robbery and kidnappings in the state, which took place between June and July, to his activities.
The latest incident has sent jitters down the spines of residents of Akpabuyo, as people were seen moving out of the area to Calabar, a distance of less than three kilometres, while trucks heading to the UniCem plant to load cement in Mfamasong, which is within the local government area have refused to leave Calabar for fear of attack.
Reports from the area also indicate that no market or any other commercial activities have taken place within the communities, as the area had been put under strict surveillance by soldiers.
A statement released later Saturday by the Army Headquarters, Abuja, confirmed that, “Today, at the early hours of the morning, suspected militants led by the declared wanted criminal kingpin, Benjamin Simplee (Aka G-1) leader of the Bakassi Strike Force, in several speed boats, attacked troops deployed at Efut Esighi waterfront in Bakassi LGA of Cross River State.”
The statement, signed by Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman, said that, “During the attack, a soldier was killed in action, while two soldiers were missing in action. They also burnt a buffalo pick-up vehicle. The troops have also killed two of the attackers while the rest escaped with gunshot wounds.
“However, the reinforcement sent has found the missing soldiers. In addition, the troops’ location has been reinforced with more gunboats and air component. The clearance and pursuit operation is on-going,” the statement published in PRNigeria, the Army’s bulletin noted.
According to Usman, “We would like to assure the public that this singular act would not deter us from the discharge of our duties. Therefore, the perpetrators of this dastardly act would be found and brought to justice.
“The Nigerian Army wishes to send an unequivocal warning to all the criminal elements in the society with intent to attack any of its locations to have a rethink,” it stressed.

'I Want More Tractors In Farms Than SUVs On Roads'

I am not that governor that will expect SUVs on our roads to outnumber the tractors in our farms, Governor Udom Emmanuel has said.
He said agriculture and industrialization remain the panacea for sustainable wealth creation and economic revitalization in Akwa Ibom State.
The governor himself, a financial analyst, who stated this during the media parley marking the state anniversary celebrations in Uyo, decried the current deplorable economic state of the nation, noting that his administration was poised to immediately deliver the state from the hard times it is facing.
 Emmanuel identified industrialization and agriculture as the major driving tools that will build a strong economy for the state, and promised to faithfully engage a plan of action that will be beneficial to the citizenry.
To him, the current state of the economy in Nigeria is as a result of neglect and lack of political will to deal with the root cause of inflation in the past.
“Nobody actually did something that would create sustainable employment for the people. A country of over 160 million people, there are a lot of things that we could have done… even people who had made so much money, they didn’t invest the money in Nigeria.
"People preferred in those days to drive 80, 40 cars. A country where you see more of the V8s on the streets all over the country more than the number of tractors in the farms can not make progress," he said.
“We need to actually retrace those steps, and that is why we are here. I am not that type of governor that will encourage the number of V8s on the road to be more than the number of tractors in the farms.
"Because if we don’t conquer food, if there is no food security, there is nothing like development.”
The governor added that he was not distracted by the criticisms of die-hard leftists, and their claims that the industrialization plan was a sham way of diverting the resources of the state and enriching himself.
He rather called on the people of Akwa Ibom to support the dream and see it come to fruition.
Emmanuel begged communities not to hinder the spread of progress and development by way of stopping contractors with court injunctions.

A the governor said that most of the projects contracted under his administration were being funded through public-private partnerships as the resources made available to the state were very lean, and asked Akwa Ibom people to be patient as the many groundbreakings initiatives for industries will yield fruit in the near future.
“We are operating under a very hard time, there is serious paucity of funds, but with that, we are still trying to make things happen.
"If you check what is happening across the country, you will come home and then appreciate God for what is happening in Akwa Ibom State… you have a governor who will never see what is good and withhold it from you,” Emmanuel added.

Ex-Gov Blames NDDC, Govs For Poor Dev In N'Delta

The erstwhile governor of Akwa Ibom State, Obong Victor Attah, has berated the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for the poor state and underdevelopment of the Niger Delta region.
Attah, who stated this, Thursday, during the meeting of elders and opinion leaders of the South South, organized by South South Consolidated Forum (SFC), in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, said the NDDC, has over the years impoverished the region by embarking on projects that has no direct impact on the people.
He emphasized that provision of school furniture, electric transformers, and digging of boreholes by the commission are not activities that will change the fortunes of the region.
The Akwa Ibom State ex-governor, who admonished the people of the region not to blame the Federal Government entirely for the lack of development in the region, said that the governors of the South South should also be held responsible.
He said: “We like to blame the Federal Government for the problems of the South-South when in actual fact we have not gotten a fair deal from our governors.
“What have the governors done with the 13 per cent derivation for the South South over the years?”
He emphasized that the grievances of the region would be better channeled if the various groups in the zone speak with one voice.
He stressed that if the entire people of the region could come together  and speak with one voice, the cries of the South South will certainly be heard.

Police Warn IPOB Protesters To Stay Off Rivers

The Rivers State Police Command has warned members of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), to stay off the state in their planned protest, Friday.
The state Commissioner of Police, Francis Mobolaji Odesanya, who gave the warning, in Port Harcourt, Thursday night, said that the police would not tolerate any acts capable of disrupting the fragile peace presently prevailing in the state on the alter of protest.
Odesanya, said that any protest to force government to turn around the course of time in the trial of Nnamdi Kanu for treasonable felony, would not work.
He noted that any protesters, who take the laws in their hands would be severely dealt with.
The police commissioner stated that while Rivers State is a hospitable and accommodating state, the security agencies would not fold their hands and watch disgruntled and misguided elements disrupt the peace of the state.
Odesanya, cautioned parents and guardians to ensure that their children and wards are not used as pawns by some criminal elements to foment trouble in the state, warning that dire consequences await anyone who violates the law and breaches the peace.
He said that police personnel have been placed on red alert and at strategic locations to foil any attempt to disrupt free flow of traffic, and normal activities in the state, adding that resistance to police orders to disperse would trigger the use of force to crush offenders.
The police boss, while acknowledging the force's respect for citizens right to lawful assembly, warned that any gathering that could trigger violence and breakdown of law and order, would not be condoned.

Gunmen Raze Ex-Rivers Lawmaker's Country Home

It has now been independently confirmed that unknown gunmen, Thursday, invaded the home of former Leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Chidi Lloyd in Akpabu Community of Emohua Local Government Area.
The gunmen also burnt the home of the former leader of Rivers State House of Assembly.
The former leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon ChidI Lloyd, confirmed this to newsmen in Port Harcourt.
Lloyd said the gunmen, who were dressed in military uniform, stormed his home riding on 10 motorcycles.
He said the gunmen, who were well armed, burnt down buildings in his compound.
The former lawmaker said that he will only confirm the attack on his country home in Akpabu, but added that further will not be given to allow security agencies to investigate the matter.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Police Command has confirmed the attack on the country home of the former leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
The state command Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Nnamdi Omoni, confirmed the attack in an interview in Port Harcourt.
The police PRO, however, said that details of the attack on Lloyd’s building are still sketchy.
He promised to give further details on the attack in due course.

Delta Communities Petition Kachikwu Over Imminent Oil Spill Disaster

The oil bearing communities of Ikpokpo, Tebujor, Okpeleama, Opuede, Opude-Zion, Opuedebubor, Meka-Ama, Oto-Gbene, Atanba, and Okerenkoko-Gbene of Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South West Local Government Area, Delta State, have petitioned the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and Chairman of the NNPC Governing Board, Dr Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, over an imminent humanitarian and environmental disaster arising from the August 17, 2016, oil spill from the NNPC/PPMC Escravos to Warri trunk line which adversely affected the communities.
In a petition by their solicitor, Eldridge Emekawovie, dated September 20, 2016, the aggrieved communities stated that since the spill occurred on August 17, 2016, crude oil has been gushing out from the ruptured point, especially when crude oil is pumped through the trunk line.
They stated that the crude has spilled into all their communities with their people suffocating from the gas content contained in the crude oil, saying that if urgent steps are not taken to arrest the situation, their communities may be engulfed by a massive fire outbreak, which could lead to the death of innocent people in their communities.
They accused the NNPC/PPMC of deliberately refusing to cooperate with the National Oil Spill Response and Detection Agency (NOSDRA) to carry out a Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) to ascertain the point of rupture, and take steps to stop further spillage and damage to their communities.
The communities, therefore, called on Kachikwu to prevail on the NNPC/PPMC management to take urgent steps to save their communities and people.
It would be recalled that the Spokesman of NNPC, Garba Deen Mohammed, said on September 8, 2016, that the incident was as a result of a mechanical fault.
In a related development, the Gbaramatu communities, in a separate letter by their solicitor to the Director General of the NOSDRA, has demanded that the PPMC/NNPC be sanctioned for violating the provisions of the NOSDRA Act in failing to report the spillage to the agency as required by Section 6 of the NOSDRA Act.
They also requested for disciplinary action against the NNPC/PPMC for using surveillance workers of Ocean Marine Solutions Limited to carry out an illegal clean-up without the approval of the agency, contrary to Section 19 of the NOSDRA Act.
The communities demanded that the NNPC/PPMC should be fined N500,000 and N1million, respectively, in accordance with the NOSDRA Act for every day of their violation from August 17, 2016, till they comply with the law to serve as a deterrent to other corporate monsters in the oil and gas industry like NNPC/PPMC.
Source: SaharaReporters

March 19 Rerun Poll: Tai Results Pitch APC, PDP In Rivers

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has insisted that the results of Tai in the March 19 rerun elections remain valid.
The INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in Rivers State, Elder Aniedi Ikoiwak, told newsmen in his office in Port Harcourt, that the law does not allow the commission to cancel any election that had been done at the polling units.
Ikoiwak, however, admitted that INEC in Rivers State initially suspended the election in Tai but said the ratification of the Tai election by INEC’s National Commissioner in charge of Operations, Amina Zakari, was lawful.
He further explained that the commission was always neutral in its actions, adding that it was time Nigerians begin to show faith in institutions of government.
But in a swift reaction, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Campaign Organization in Tai Local Government Area, kicked against INEC’s insistence that results of the March 19th rerun elections in Rivers State remain valid.
The Director General of We Must Win Campaign, Gideon Deemor, in a chat with newsmen, challenged INEC to show proof of when it lifted the suspension of the election following alleged violence and irregularities that marred the election.
Deemor said the people of Tai will not accept attempts by INEC to allocate votes to the APC illegally.
He reminded INEC that there was a subsisting court order restraining the commission from announcing the result of Tai in the March 19th rerun elections.
Also speaking, the immediate past chairman, caretaker committee of Tai Local Government Area, Perkins Kelo, called on the people of Tai to remain peaceful and law abiding despite statements by INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Aniedi Ikoiwak, confirming the validation of election in the area.
Kelo reminded Ikoiwak that the issue bordering on the Tai election was before a court of competent jurisdiction.
He said the people of Tai must be allowed to exercise their franchise.
Also reacting, the Rivers State Chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC), Wednesday, criticised what it described as the relentless noise on radio, television and in the newspapers by the Rivers State Chapter of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), through its state Chairman, Felix Obuah, and the Publicity Secretary, Samuel Nwanosike, attempting to foul the air over the release of March 19 rerun election results for Tai Local Government Area.
 The APC reminded the PDP that the Electoral Act clearly specifies how results of elections, including legislative polls, are released, and by whom at all levels.
The APC stated that, “The Tai rerun election results were announced by the statutorily recognised INEC officials at the appropriate levels. Whether the commission had issues to establish about those results is inconsequential, internal and merely administrative.”
A statement signed by the state APC Publicity Secretary, Chris Finebone, said, “The PDP has always talked about a dubious and largely suspect court order they obtained restraining INEC from releasing the said results. We would like to advise the PDP to confirm whether they can obtain an order against action that has already been taken. Indeed, they should ask themselves whether someone can obtain a court order against the delivery of a child that has already been delivered.
“Assuming without conceding that the PDP has a subsisting court order restraining INEC or its agents from releasing Tai results, under what circumstances can a political party or indeed anyone take an order restraining a statutorily established government entity from performing its constitutional roles? The PDP must tell Nigerians whether it can obtain a court order restraining, for example, the Rivers State House of Assembly or National Assembly or National Population Commission from carrying out their statutory functions.
“It is the conviction of the APC that the said court order the PDP has been making reference to exists only in the imagination of the PDP leaders in Rivers State. We challenge them to publish that court order for public scrutiny because they have placed the matter in public space.
“Again, assuming without conceding that a genuine court order restraining the release of Tai rerun election is in the possession of the PDP, what are the detailed specifics of such an order? What is the challenge of the PDP in returning to court to get INEC charged for contempt of court instead of threatening crisis and breakdown of law and order?
“The APC believes that repeated threat of crisis by the PDP follows in the character of their leader, Governor Nyesom Wike, who said during their second ill-fated national convention that he was allowing peace to reign because of the presence of visitors in the state.
“By that statement, Rivers people became aware why peace has never reigned in Rivers State, especially when we did not have visitors in the state. It helped us to understand why killings returned to Rivers State the very day the NBA conference wound up, especially the gruesome killing of an NBA member, late Ken Astwete, a few days later.
“The APC condemns the unwarranted threat to law and order by words and actions of PDP leaders in Rivers State. There is no doubt that this sort of behaviour was responsible for the spate of violence that has enveloped Rivers State and brought her infamy since 2014.
“We wish to remind the PDP that after the rerun elections of March 19, INEC has released results in favour of the PDP in many parts of Rivers State. APC members had either taken it with equanimity or peacefully approached the courts to seek redress. We have not threatened anyone or the peace of Rivers State.
“The APC calls on relevant security agencies to take particular notice of the drum of war being beaten for the umpteenth time by the PDP over matters they have the clear option of seeking judicial intervention if they believe in democratic tenets,” the APC added.

US Invests $1bn To Boost Power Generation, Supply In Nigeria, Five Others

Nigeria and five other countries in Africa are to get over $1billion debt and financing commitments from United States agencies and private investors.
The sum is for Africa energy initiative known as Power Africa, which received US President, Barack Obama’s signature at the US-Africa Business Forum, Tuesday, in New York.
United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Chief, Gayle Smith, said that the latest deals were finalised at the US-Africa Business Forum on the sidelines of the ongoing United Nations meetings in New York.
Smith said that the deals covered funding for regional infrastructure facilities, risk insurance and renewable power projects in Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa and Tanzania.
Obama inaugurated the initiative in 2013 with an initial investment of $7billion, which aimed to install 10,000 megawatts of new generation capacity and connect 20 million new customers.
It is also aimed at improving electric reliability across the Sub-Saharan Africa.
The programme hoped to attract private capital into energy projects in a region where regulatory hurdles and lack of risk instruments have often kept Western investors away.
To date, Power Africa has mobilised more than $52billion in additional commitments, of which $40billion is from private companies, according to USAID, which coordinates the programme.
Power Africa is tracking more than 500 deals, and 40 transaction advisers working across Africa have identified 60,000 megawatts of potential deals, Smith says.
While the initiative has been criticised for its slow start, she said that projects were starting to come online.
“We are starting to see some of these projects go online and actually start the generation.
“We are seeing an uptick in commitments, which is because confidence of the market is building and they’re seeing you can actually get these transactions done,” Smith said.
Smith said that the Electrify Africa Act, which unanimously passed by the House of Representatives and Senate aimed to build on Power Africa
He said that the passage sent “a signal that this is something the US will continue to do” even as the Obama administration winds down.
The legislation is largely symbolic and declares the policy of the US to encourage electrification in Africa and instructs the US Treasury and other agencies to make electrification funding a priority.
Source: Reuters/NAN

Edo Poll Shift Moves Benin Monarch's Coronation To Oct 20

The Benin Traditional Council, Wednesday, announced October 20, as the new date for the coronation of the Crown Prince of Benin Kingdom, Prince Eheneden Erediauwa.
Chairman of the Coronation Planning Committee, Prof. Gregory Akenzua, made the announcement at a news conference at the Oba’s palace in Benin City, the Edo State capital.
According to Akenzua, who is the Enogie of Evbuobanosa/Abudu, the date for the coronation has been changed from September 26 to October 20, 2016.
“The change of date is sequel to the announcement by the Independent National Electoral Commission [INEC] that they have changed the date of the Edo Gubernatorial election which was originally September 10 to September 28, 2016.
“As a result of this change, Benin Crown Prince will now depart finally from Uselu palace for Eko-Ohae on October 8, 2016.
“And he will perform some important ceremonies connected with coronation everyday for seven to 10 days prior to the day of his final departure from Uselu,” he said.
Akenzua said that the ban on the use of coral beads by those entitled to use it, would be lifted once Edaiken N’Uselu leaves Uselu palace for Eko-Ohae.
He said the current use of the traditional ”Omo N’Orhue”, the White Beads, would be discontinued.
Akenzua further announced that burial ceremonies have been prohibited throughout the period of the coronation process.

2017 Mandela Washington Fellows Program Opens, Young Nigerians Wooed To Apply

The United States Diplomatic Mission to Nigeria has announced that applications for the 2017 Mandela Washington Fellowship began, Wednesday, September 20, 2016.
A statement by the mission said that the Mandela Washington Fellowship is the flagship program of President Obama’s Young African Leaders Initiative, and a key part of the US commitment to invest in the future of Africa.
Nigerian youth are encouraged to pursue this opportunity to access a six-week training course at a top US university in one of three tracks: Business and Entrepreneurship, Civic Leadership or Public Management, the statement explained.
It further added that eligible candidates should be between the ages of 25 and 35 at the time of application and have a demonstrated track record of leadership in a public, private, or civic organization, and a commitment to contributing their skills and talents to build and serve their communities.
It advised interested candidates to visit http://www.yali.state.gov to apply and seek further information, adding that the application deadline is October 26, 2016.
Applicants needing access to the Internet may visit the Information Resource Center at the US Embassy in Abuja or US Consulate General in Lagos or one of the 11 American Corners in Nigeria.
It would be recalled that nearly one in three Africans are between the ages of 10 and 24, and around 60 per cent of Africa’s total population is below the age of 35.
The Mandela Washington Fellowship is part of the President’s overall effort to invest in the education and training of the continent’s next generation of leaders.
In 2010, President Obama launched YALI as a vehicle to support an emerging generation of African leaders.
In 2014, the program was expanded to include 500 young African leaders from sub-Saharan Africa.
 In 2016, 1,000 young Africans participated in the Fellowship.
Since its inception, 186 young Nigerians have participated in the Fellowship, and over 45,000 young professionals in Nigeria have joined the YALI network.
In 2016, 100 young Nigerians participated in the Fellowship.

32 American Varsities Show Off At Two-Day College Fair In Lagos

The United States Consulate General has concluded plans to host the 2016 College Fair in Lagos, Nigeria.
A statement by the US Diplomatic Mission in Nigeria indicated that prospective undergraduate students interested in studying in the United States will have an opportunity to explore their options at the Annual College and Career Fair organized by the US Consulate General, Lagos.
The Fair, in its 17th year, will be held in Lagos on Monday, September 26, 2016, at Chrisland High School, Ikeja, and on Tuesday, September 27, 2016, at the MUSON Center, Onikan, the statement noted.
It added that representatives of 32 American universities will provide participating students, their parents and guardians, with accurate, comprehensive, and timely information about higher education opportunities in the United States.
The statement quoted the Public Affairs Officer, Darcy Zotter, as saying that, “At its core, the role of the US Mission in Nigeria is to facilitate and build connections between the United States and Nigeria.
“One of the best ways these connections are built and mutual understanding is fostered is through education exchange.  For us, that is what this College and Career fair is about.
“We are happy to provide Nigerian students who wish to study in the United States a unique opportunity to learn about the diversity of the programs offered at various US educational institutions,” Zotter added.
The statement added that Zotter will give welcoming remarks while representatives of the 32 American universities will provide participating students, their parents and guardians, with accurate, comprehensive, and timely information about higher education opportunities in the United States.
In addition to student consultations, there will be sessions on scholarship opportunities, the student visa application process, and international financial aid.
It stressed that the College and Career Fair, arranged by the EducationUSA Advising Center at the US Consulate General, Lagos, is open to all persons interested in undergraduate studies in the United States, and encouraged students with WAEC results and a minimum of five credits to attend.
Saying that admission is free, the statement emphasised that over the last decade, the College and Career Fairs have contributed to a large increase in successful, qualified Nigerian applicants to US institutions.
It noted that EducationUSA Advising Centre promotes US education by providing students and parents in Nigeria with accurate information and counsel for study in US universities and colleges.
Some of the services provided include, guidance on the US college application process, standardized testing, student visa requirements, and pre-departure orientation.

Rights Activists Weigh-In On RSG's Amnesty Policy

A large chunk of human rights activists, lawyers and educationists in Rivers State have continued to drum support for the Governor Nyesom Wike-led administration’s amnesty offer for cultists and other criminals, saying that the gesture would engender peace and sustainable development in the state.
In an interview in Port Harcourt, the Executive Director of the Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, Barrister Anyakwee Nsirimovu, said every well-meaning person in the state must support the programme to succeed.
He, however, said that the ongoing amnesty programme of the Rivers State Government for cultists and other criminals must be done thoroughly and comprehensively in order to achieve desired results.
Nsirimovu said any amnesty progamme that does not lead to the recovery of over 70 per cent of illegal arms in the hands of criminals is a failure.
He said the amnesty programme of the Rivers State Government would amount to a waste of time and tax payers’ money, if the proliferation of illegal arms remains high in the state.
The executive director, also said that cashless incentives offer of the Rivers State Government to the cultists for them to freely bring out their arms, was laudable.
Nsirimovu, however, faulted the composition of the Rivers State Amnesty Committee without the inclusion of well-known peace builders in the communities.
Also speaking, an education psychology counsellor, John Bright, advised the Rivers State Amnesty Programme Committee to include psychology in the rehabilitation programme for repentant cultists in the state.
Bright, who is of the Department of Education Psychology at the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Port Harcourt, said that granting criminals amnesty without attending to their psychological needs will not produce the desired result.
He, therefore, urged the state government to include psychologists in the amnesty programme committee.
A cleric, Reverend Minaibi Dagogo-Jack, said the amnesty programme will help in addressing the issue of insecurity in the state.
Dagogo-Jack, however, advised the state government to include some church leaders in the amnesty programme committee.
Similarly, a Port Harcourt-based Peace Advocate, Bright Abali, cautioned that the amnesty programme may not achieve the desire results, if data of repented criminals are not properly documented.
He advised the various cult groups, who have already embraced the state amnesty offer, to submit their names and all arms with them.
Meanwhile, some repentant cultists and freedom fighters have surrendered their arms to the Rivers State Amnesty Committee.
The cultists lived up to their promise, Wednesday, at a ceremony which took place in Emohua, headquarters of Emohua Local Government Area of the state.

MOSOP Wants Military Raid On Ogoni Community Probed

The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) has vehemently condemned, in the strongest terms, last Sunday's raid on Yeghe, an Ogoni community in Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State.
A statement signed by MOSOP Publicity Secretary, Fegalo Nsuke, indicated that, “This incessant military invasion of Ogoni communities, particularly Yeghe, portrays sinister motives, especially when considered against the backdrop that the area was experiencing significant peace.
The statement recalled that, “in February and March this year, similar raids were carried out on Yeghe and neighbouring communities in which over 28 persons were killed, scores were maimed, raped and properties wantonly destroyed. In the raid of September 18, two persons are feared killed, including Mr. John Sorbarikor Gbarazia, and his wife, Gloria.
“MOSOP does not find any justification in the unabated invasions and killings of Ogonis by government forces, and call for a probe into this latest military attack,” the statement noted.
It added that, “MOSOP is particularly saddened by the attitude of the Nigerian security personnel who rolled out heavy tanks to nocturnally invade the Yeghe community, leaving our people with pain, injuries and traumatic conditions which eventually lead to death.
“While we condemn criminality in every form, we maintain that we are not in a military state neither are we in a state of war hence we expected the military to have deployed civilized methods in dealing with substantiated breaches. We note that the claims of the military, in this case, are largely unsubstantiated, and falter, even in the face of common reasoning.
“We demand that the security forces must conduct themselves within acceptable standards of human rights, respecting the sanctity of human life and the rights of our people to fair treatment and adopting more civilized approaches in addressing social problems as it is taking very dangerous dimension and worsening the state of our already vulnerable population.
“The continuous harassment, sporadic shooting and night operations in a purely civilian enclave without provocation along with its effects on our already dehumanized population is no longer acceptable to us,” the Ogoni group said.
According to MOSOP, “We note that the entire Ogoni community paid dearly for the enthronement of our democracy and we do expect to be respected as a people. If there be any security breaches, we do not expect the criminalization of an entire population, jeopardizing the security of our people who are currently agonizing under the strain of a polluted environment and harsh economy.
“We demand full-scale investigation into the raid on Yeghe during the early hours of Sunday, September 18, 2016, and urge the security forces to make clarifications on the conditions of those arrested including John Sorbarikor Gbarazia and his wife Gloria Gbarazia who were shot. We also want clarifications on the conditions of Barikpoa Dii, Sorbarikkor Norbaa and Barikui Suanu.
“We want to make categorically clear that the scars of state-sponsored repression prosecuted by the security forces against our people are still fresh on our minds and we will not hesitate to mobilize our people against this repression should there be further violation of our rights.
“MOSOP demands an immediate end to this callous killings and repression through military invasion of our communities.
“In the face of the present circumstances, we will be constrained to petition relevant Nigerian authorities, the United Nations, and global human rights community on this continuous violence metted on our people by the Nigerian military,” MOSOP threatened.

Rights Group Raises Alarm Over Earth Tremor In Bayelsa, Rivers

Two incidents of earth tremor that have occurred  in some communities in Bayelsa and Rivers states in recent times have attracted the concern of a respected rights group, Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth (ERA/FoEN).
The group, in a field report released in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, and signed by the head of its Bayelsa office, Morris Alagoa, lamented the frequency at which earth tremor incidents had taken place in the two sister states of the Niger Delta region.
"While one happened on 10 July, 2016, the other occurred on 10 August, 2016; it affected communities such as Akinima, Okaki, Mbiama and Akieoniso in Ahoada-West Local Government Area of Rivers State, and Igbogene community in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
The report quoted residents of the communities as saying that unlike the July experience, heavy sound accompanied the vibration in August as "the ground and trees, everywhere were shaking".
Several buildings including residential and commercial buildings as well as churches and schools impacted by the earth tremor "were affected, cracked from top to bottom".
"This is the second time we are experiencing it here in Igbogene community. This time around it was in broad daylight and you hear people reacting spontaneously with ‘’Blood of Jesus, Blood of Jesus’’.
"It lasted for about 15 to 20 seconds. My fear is that if this should last up to a minute, there might be catastrophe. The last time, it happened at night and most people were fast asleep", Victor Idiedo, a resident of Igbogene, narrated.
Asueze Arugu, an indigene of Okaki, said that she mistook the sound of the earth tremor to that of seismic activity carried out by any of the multinational oil companies operating in the region.
"I was in the bush, in my farm, farming. And then, we heard a loud sound. Our mind went straight to oil exploration activities as we have Shell Petroleum Development Company [SPDC] carrying out such activities within our environment. That was all", she said.
The Paramount Ruler of Mbiama community, Shadow Able,  confirmed the occurrence of the earth tremor, saying that he was in a meeting in his palace at Mbiama  with representatives of Edagberi, an oil-producing community, when the incident happened.
Abel, who wondered why "such is happening repeatedly and with very close frequency in July and August", called for proper investigation of the incident to allay the fears of the people.
ERA/FoEN has also urged the local, state and federal governments to rise up to the occasion and act fast towards identifying the root causes of earth tremor in the areas  with a view to mitigating further occurrence.

Wine Fair Brings Taste Of America To Nigeria

The United States Consul General, Francis John Bray, and the United States Regional Agricultural Counselor for West Africa, David Wolf, last Wednesday, hosted agribusiness leaders to a large wine tasting event in Lagos.
With the theme: "A Taste of America", the event provided agribusiness leaders and other friends of America a unique opportunity to experience a wide selection of the finest United States wine brands available in Nigeria.
At the event, Consul General, Francis John Bray introduced the new United States Regional Agricultural Counselor for West Africa, David Wolf to Nigerian agribusiness leaders and stakeholders.
In his welcoming remarks, Mr. Wolf said, “The Foreign Agricultural Service of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) seeks to address food security challenges in countries they operate in.  It mostly supports these challenges by building food and market systems that expand trade and economic development.
“The USDA has trained more than 230 Nigerians in the United States through its Faculty Exchange, Cochran, and Borlaug Fellowship programs in subjects such as food safety, aquaculture, pest management and food processing.”
The USDA’s goal, he added, is to help Nigeria’s agricultural productivity and food distribution, and to bring more Nigerian products up to acceptable standard for the international market.
The program offered members of the U.S.-Nigeria agribusiness community an opportunity to build professional networks, as well as discover new products, ideas, and innovations in the agriculture industry.

Ray Of Hope, As Rivers Lawmakers Find Path To Shell, Oyigbo Peace Deal

The altercation between the youth of Oyigbo and Anglo-Dutch oil giant, Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) seems to be heading to a positive denouement.
This follows the submission of the report of the Rivers State House of Assembly Committee on Public Complaints and Petitions, which acted as the arbiter in the crisis, at plenary, Tuesday, 20th September.
It would be recalled that Oyigbo youth, had earlier in a petition they submitted to the Rivers State House of Assembly, accused the SPDC and GE International (General Electric) of marginalizing them.
They had argued that there was no single permanent staff from their community working in the two companies, disclosing how the companies have been operating without a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
They also, in their petition, wanted GE international to employ 50 per cent of their youth from the 220 employment chances proposed for in the project 'C' Inspection project  of Afam VI Power Plant, awarded to them by SPDC.
But when the committee sat, GE International denied being beneficiaries of the contract in question from the SPDC.
They, however, disclosed that it was another company (ASTORM) which did.
The Chairman of the committee, Hon Evans Bipi confirmed to the House during plenary that the three companies actually had no functional Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) in operation with the Oyigbo people.
"Even the expired GMoU was not properly representative of the people", he said.
The committee, therefore, recommended that the SPDC should, as a matter of urgency, conclude the signing of the new GMoU with the community, and employ the youth.
They thanked the youth for maintaining peace, and urged them to allow the company to commence operation of the 'C' Inspection project.
Debate on the report was deferred to Thursday, to allow members properly digest the report.
Also debate on the report on a petition submitted to the House by one Ms Ibiere Sally Fredericks, against the Rivers State Head of Service, Rufus Godwin, was deferred.
The petitioner had accused the HoS of unduly retiring her, and had pleaded with the House to intervene.