Buhari's victory, bedrock for national rebirth - Atiku

Abuja - Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has described Gen. Muhammadu Buhari's victory at the March 28 Presidential election as a bedrock for national rebirth.

A statement released to newsmen in Abuja on Tuesday and signed by Paul Ibe, the Deputy Head of Media to Atiku, said that Buhari's victory at the polls bore witness to the his ideology of justice, fair play and zero tolerance for corruption.

''The great Nnamdi Azikiwe once wrote that history will continue to vindicate the just. Your victory in the polls, with votes from across the length and breadth of our country, bears witness to the acceptance of not just our party, the APC, but also your ideology of justice, fair play and zero tolerance for corruption as the bedrock for national rebirth.

''You have led our party to an unprecedented victory within two years of its official formation, and in so doing, written the most important chapter of our democracy,'' the statement said.

The statement reminded the general not to relent on his promises to Nigerians.
It said that Abubakar pledged to support him in whatever he intended to do in the interest of the nation.
It further quoted Atiku as saying: ''Dear Buhari, the journey has just begun. Millions of Nigerians have put their trust in you, because they were not satisfied with the status quo.

''You represent the hope of a new generation of Nigerians, and you cannot afford to fail them.
''Our party has made a promise of change to our young people, to secure and rebuild our country, create jobs and opportunities, and improve citizens’ welfare.

''We will stand behind you to ensure we keep those promises, just like we did during these elections.
''We look up to you to heal the fractures of our country, and truly unite this country like never before.
''The statement commended President Goodluck Jonathan ''for conducting a historic election'', adding:''your party may have lost the elections, but you have won the admiration of the world by not interfering with the wishes of Nigerians.

''History will be kind to you,'' it added.

- NAN

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