MEND congratulates Buhari

Warri – The  Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, (MEND) have sent congratulatory message to the  President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) on his victory in the 2015 presidential elections, reports Vanguard

The group in a statement by its spokesperson, Jomo Gbomo said that Nigerians made the right choice.
He said that Buhari’s message of hope, freedom and opportunity resonates with MEND and other people in the country.

MEND also lauded President Goodluck Jonathan for his outstanding show of statesmanship.
The militant group  also commended him for being  first ever incumbent Nigerian President to be defeated and concede defeat.
Read more at Vanguard 

Orubebe apologises over 'Show of Shame' at collation centre

Abuja - Former minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe, has apologised to Nigerians over his infamous conduct at the collation and announcement of the presidential election results at the International Conference Centre (ICC) in Abuja, Leadership reports.

He said that his action was sequel to the failure of the Chairman of the Independent Nigeria Electoral Commission (INEC) Professor Attahiru Jega to treat the petition of the PDP over some results in the North.
Barely minutes after the INEC chairman settled in to commence collation, apologising for commencing late which was due to logistics issues, former minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe, and the agent of the PDP, accused the INEC chairman, Prof Attahiru Jega of being “very partisan” and compromised.

Orubebe, accused Jega of refusing to address PDP’s petition for election to be cancelled in seven states whereas the INEC chairman had sent a team of national commissioners to investigate the calls by the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the cancellation of presidential election in Rivers State.
Read more at Leadership

First Lady commences packing out of Aso Rock

 

Nigeria's First Lady Patience Jonathan waves as she leaves a plane upon arrival to Abuja. ~ WOLE EMMANUEL

 

Abuja - The First Lady, Patience Jonathan has begun to pack her belongings from the Presidential Villa, reports Leadership.

Patience Jonathan on Tuesday after it became clear that her husband has lost the election summoned her domestic staff and ordered them to start packing her personal belongings in readiness for the change of guard.

As at Tuesday evening, two trucks have conveyed the First Lady’s belongings out of the Villa.
It is, however, not clear where the belongings were taken to.
Read more at Leadership.
Read more on: 2015 elections

UN chief welcomes poll outcome

Lagos - The United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, has welcomed the conclusion of the just-ended elections in Nigeria.

According to his office, he has spoken to President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and Major General (Rtd) Muhammadu Buhari.

"The Secretary-General congratulates President-elect Buhari. He commends President Jonathan for his leadership throughout the electoral process and his statesmanship in upholding the democratic process," read a statement.

A spokesperson said Ki-Moon also applauded the INEC for having organized and carried out the elections in a professional manner under challenging circumstances.

"He calls on all Nigerians to accept the outcome of the elections. He also appeals to them to address any complaints they may have through existing legal and constitutional channels."

The UN Secretary-General believes the successful conduct of these polls is a testament to the maturity of Nigeria’s democracy.

"He hopes that the same democratic spirit will prevail in the conduct of the Governorship and State House of Assembly elections on 11 April," his spokesperson said.

- CAJ News

APC will be magnanimous in victory - Amaechi

Lagos -  The Rivers State Governor and Director General of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Organisation, Rotimi Ameachi, on Tuesday said his party would be magnanimous in victory, Premium Times reports.

He also said the incoming APC government would do all the things the Peoples Democratic Party government failed to do.

The APC candidate won Saturday’s presidential election after the Independent National Electoral Commission announced results from 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

Amaechi, who had a brief chat with journalists at the national secretariat of the APC on Tuesday in Abuja, said while victory celebration was in order, the task ahead is more important.
Read more at Premium Times

PDP to challenge Buhari’s victory

Abuja - The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected the results of March 28 presidential election, reports Punch.

The party has vowed to challenge the results in court.
Bello Fadile, the agent of the PDP at the National Collation Centre, told journalists shortly after the result was declared that the party was not satisfied with the outcome of the election.

He said the party has decided to challenge the results at the election tribunal.
President Goodluck Jonathan had earlier conceded defeat to Muhammadu Buhari
Read more at Punch.
Read more on: 2015 elections

Obasanjo tells Buhari to be magnanimous in victory

Abeokuta - Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Wednesday advised the President-Elect, Muhammadu Buhari, to demostrate magnanimity over his victory in the Saturday's presidential election.
Obasanjo gave the advice in Abeokuta in his congratulatory message to Buhari.
The former president noted that Nigeria's political system was unnecessarily overheated by politicians.
He observed that emphasis of the campaign was more on trivialities and was largely characterised by divisive, undignifying and disrespectful statements.
Obasanjo therefore advised Buhari to be magnanimous by "binding the wounds and bitterness occasioned by the campaigns and the evil disciples".
The elder statesman expressed the belief that such disposition would enable Buhari to focus on pressing issues requiring urgent attention when he eventually assumed office.
Obasanjo urged him to embark on institutional reforms, to improve various sectors including education, healthcare, economy, security, infrastructure, power and agriculture.
He also urged him to step up measures to promote national unity and cohesiveness as well as rid Nigeria of corruption.
While expressing confidence in the ability of Buhari to perform, Obasanjo advised him to recruit people of proven integrity to work with him.
"I am sure that there are men and women of goodwill, character and virtue across the board that you can mobilise to join hands with you in promoting Nigeria to enviable heights," he said.

- NAN