INEC to Prosecute Under-Age Voters

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said on Wednesday that it would prosecute under-age voters in Plateau.

Dr Godwin Kwanga, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of INEC in the state made this known in a Stakeholders’ Forum in Jos ahead of re-run elections in the state fixed for Feb. 20.

Kwanga said that the state was replete with underage voters in possession of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

The stakeholders at the forum included representatives of security agencies, politicians, media and election monitoring and observer groups.

He announced that the polls would hold in Langtang South, Pankshin North and Pankshin South state constituencies.

The REC said that the menace of underage voters almost marred the last general elections in the state.

According to him, the menace produced a lot of mutilated and voided votes during the April 11, 2015 polls in Quan’Pan Local Government Area.

“Our experience in Quan’Pan showed that a lot of underage voters were having the PVCs and this led to a lot of cancellations.

“One of the underage voters, who had PVC bearing his image and the age of 36 years, confessed to INEC officials that he was only 16 years old.

“We looked the other way even when in the same elections, our tags were photocopied and massively reproduced by agents of political parties,’’ he said.

He, however, said that unlike what happened in the April 11 polls, INEC was set to prosecute any case of underage voters in the coming rerun and supplementary polls.

Kwanga said that card reader machines would be solely used for the Feb. 20 polls and that newly registered voters were excluded from participation.

He assured that INEC would provide all political parties a level playing ground and appealed to party agents not to compromise ad hoc staff into tampering with materials to stall the polls.

“I beg agents of political parties not to lure ad hoc staff to tamper with materials as it will disrupt the process.

“Once you remove the battery from the machine, it malfunctions when you replace it, and ad hoc personnel are not trained on such duties,’’ he said.

He explained that accreditations and voting would hold simultaneously between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. as against past practices.

Akwanga announced that election in Langtang North would hold in 68 polling units and would be contested by only All Progressives Congress (APC) and Mega Progressive Peoples Party (MPPP).

He gave the names of their candidates as Jackson Ninmwang and Rinsmicit Emmanuel, respectively.

He said that Vincent Bulus of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was excluded.

“Pankshin South state constituency election will hold only in Nyelleng polling unit in Fier Area while that of Pankshin North will hold in Pyabor polling unit.

“The four political parties and candidates to contest in Pankshin North state constituency are Alice Dimlong, APC; Yakubu Zetgang, LP; Tamnakat David, MPPP and Diket Plang, PDP.

“Supplementary election in Pankshin South will feature Gideon Dashe, APC; Dagak Michael, APGA; Theresa Bartuk, MPPP and Mwamsat Istifanus, PDP,“ he said.

Trump, Sanders Victorious In New Hampshire Primary

Bernie Sander (Democrat) and Donald Trump (Republican) both winners of the New Hampshire Primaries.

Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Bernie Sanders coasted to victory on a wave of voter anger in the New Hampshire presidential nominating contest, thrashing traditional U.S. politicians in a display of anti-establishment power.

Sweeping wins by Trump, a New York billionaire, and Sanders, a democratic socialist, on Tuesday testified to the sizable share of American voters upset at U.S. economic conditions and willing to send a shockwave to Washington in the Nov. 8 presidential election.

New Hampshire’s verdict sets up a tough fight for Republicans in South Carolina on Feb. 20 and for Democrats there on Feb. 27. Some of the most monumental campaign battles in elections past have been fought in the state that holds the first primary election of the American South.

For Trump, New Hampshire showed he has staying power and can take a punch after losing on Feb. 1 to Texas Senator Ted Cruz in the first contest, the Iowa caucuses. His win showed pundits were wrong to think he would ultimately self-destruct based on his penchant for insults and imprecise plans for the presidency.

Democrat Hillary Clinton, the former U.S. secretary of state and former U.S. senator, now looks wounded, trailing Sanders by 60 to 39 percent based on 86 percent of the returns.The wife of former President Bill Clinton, Clinton barely won Iowa and now has been trounced in New Hampshire, where young voters liked Sanders’ populist proposals to break up big banks and have the government pay for free college tuition.

“People have every right to be angry but they’re also hungry, they’re hungry for solutions,” Clinton, 68, said after congratulating the 74-year-old Sanders. “I will work harder than anyone to actually make the changes that make your lives better.”

Clinton was headed to New York, home to her campaign headquarters, to regroup with top aides and prepare for Thursday’s Democratic debate. Her campaign has denied reports it is considering a shakeup but acknowledged it would be natural to add members to their team as the campaign progresses.

Sanders said his victory showed “we have sent the message that will echo from Wall Street to Washington, from Maine to California, and that is that the government of our great country belongs to all of the people and not just a handful of wealthy campaign contributors.”

Some 73 percent of voters say they think the United States is on the wrong track, and these disaffected people make up a majority of the support bases for Trump and Sanders, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll.

They are worried about the economy and distrust establishment politicians they perceive as being part of the problem.

Republican Presidential Candidate Donald Trump New Hampshire Primaries (Photo: AP)

Trump, 69, who has campaigned to deport illegal immigrants and temporarily ban Muslims from entering the United States, was in first place with 35 percent of the vote on the Republican side based on 88 percent of returns.

At his victory rally, Trump dispensed with niceties. He congratulated other candidates in the race but promised to soon return to his pugnacious approach.

“Tomorrow: boom, boom,” he said, shadow boxing while his supporters cheered.

The New Hampshire Republican race did little to clear up confusion about who would emerge as the establishment contender to Trump on the Republican side.

Ohio’s Republican governor, John Kasich, won a spirited fight for second place in New Hampshire, with Cruz, former Florida Governor Jeb Bush and U.S. Senator Marco Rubio of Florida fighting for third place. All four were headed to South Carolina.

Bush, the son and brother of former presidents, lived to fight another day, making something of a comeback after a strong debate performance and solid weekend of campaigning.

“While the reality TV star is doing well, it looks like you all have reset the race,” Bush told supporters. “This campaign is not dead. We’re going on to South Carolina.”

Rubio failed to dispatch Bush, seeing a drop in his support after a debate on Saturday in which he drew criticism for repeating rehearsed lines from his stump speech.

“I did not do well on Saturday night – listen to this: that will never happen again,” Rubio told supporters.

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, who called out Rubio for his robotic debate, fell behind the others in the voting and canceled plans to go to South Carolina, a sign he could drop out soon.

Independent voters wield special clout in New Hampshire, second in the series of state-by-state contests that lead to the parties’ formal presidential nominating conventions in July, because they can vote in either party’s primary.

At a polling station in Manchester, Joan and Roland Martineau said they voted for the two candidates they believed they could trust to shake things up.

Joan, 68, went for Sanders. “I like this views, I like the way he speaks, I think I can trust him,” she said.

Roland, 73, a registered Republican, went for Trump, a man he said was “more honest” than other candidates. But he said he would back Sanders over Trump in the general election in November.

Clinton had for months been the front-runner nationally. But a Reuters/Ipsos poll done Feb 2-5 showed Clinton and Sanders now in a dead heat.

Clinton campaign manager Robby Mook said in a memo that the Democratic nomination would “very likely” be decided in March, with the support of black and Hispanic voters key to victory. The next primary races are in Nevada and South Carolina later this month.

“It will be very difficult, if not impossible, for a Democrat to win the nomination without strong levels of support among African-American and Hispanic voters,” Mook wrote.

With Reuters

Soyinka, Gbadamosi to pilot Lagos 50 years anniversary

                                                                                         Prof. Wole Soyinka

Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, and businessman, Mr. Rasheed Gbadamosi, have been appointed as co-chairmen of the Lagos at 50 Planning Committee, according to The PUNCH.

The Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, during the inauguration of the committee on Wednesday said the celebration of the creation of the state would showcase Lagos in its full splendour.

The committee also has 10 others as members — Habeeb Fasinro, Chief Olawale Cole, Mrs. Sarah Boulos, Mr. Abimbola Obafunwa, Prof. Senapon Bakare, Mrs. Chika Balogun, Mr. Folarin Coker, Prof. Ademola Abass, Bolanle Peter and Mrs. Olufunmilayo Balogun (Secretary).

Ambode said he was sure that the committee would deliver a world class celebration, adding that the opportunity of Lagos at 50, would afford the state to celebrate its achievements, as well as showcase its immense potential.

He said, “Lagos State will be 50 years next year. Fifty years is a significant landmark in the life of any individual, institution or state. For Lagos State, it has been an eventful 50 years which deserves to be celebrated.

“Lagos, despite being the oldest state in Nigeria, remains the only state that has not been divided to create more states since its inception on May 27, 1967.

“The state has maintained its status as the commercial capital of Nigeria and the most cosmopolitan state in the country where people of every tribe, race and creed reside peacefully with an excellent record of religious tolerance.

“Indeed, Lagos has justified its creation. Apart from being the pacesetter, the state also occupies a noticeable position in global affairs, especially as the fastest growing mega city in the world.

“With all these in mind, it is imperative that we celebrate Lagos at 50. In celebrating Lagos, we must showcase our cultural heritage, the language, arts, sights and sounds.”

Ambode said a celebration of such great significance required proper planning; hence the inauguration of the committee comprising respected men and women.

The terms of reference of the committee, according to the governor, are to develop a comprehensive programme for the celebration; identify series of events that will take place as part of the celebration; and make appropriate recommendations that will ensure a successful celebration, among others.

Soyinka said the celebration of Lagos at 50 would afford the state the opportunity to identify with the triumph, losses and experience of the black race at home and in the diaspora.

He pledged that members of the committee would work to ensure that Lagos got a befitting celebration.

He said, “It will be used to project the black race, not just for its colonial experience and slave trade, but also as a cultural people.”

Two of Nigerian Army Explosive Ordinance Device Personnel Attached To 143 Battalion, Were Arrested At Yola Park With Unauthorized Military Items

                                                                           Catche of Arms

In a statement signed by the Army Spokesman, Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman, stated that, It has come to the knowledge of the Nigerian Army that while concerted efforts are being made to finally clear all remnants of Boko Haram terrorists in the North East in particular and the country generally, some unscrupulous elements in the society have been thwarting that effort for pecuniary gains. They engage in all manners of illegal commercial activities such as trading and smuggling especially during late hours, all aimed at sustaining terrorism and insurgency. This is more prevalent in some towns and villages within the North East especially in Borno and Yobe States. The unpatriotic and selfish elements have clandestinely been aiding the terrorists with logistics and other supplies, through smuggling and other forms of illicit trading, thus sustaining them, while the merchants of death make money out of it.

Consequently, the Nigerian military and indeed the Nigerian Army is highly concerned with these unpatriotic acts. The Nigerian Army is therefore taking some drastic steps to curtail this illicit trading with the terrorists. From now on, some markets identified to be engaging in this illegal trade with the adversary in Borno and Yobe States will be closed. Any breach of that would be dealt with accordingly. The General Officers Commanding and other commanders have been directed accordingly. We implore for public’s kind support and understanding as we take these drastic measures to enable us decisively deal with the terrorists and saboteurs.

Ladies and gentlemen, the Nigerian Army has been recording tremendous successes in the fight against terrorists and insurgency as follows:
Troops of 7 Brigade Quick Reaction Force (QRF), Multinational Joint Task Force, yesterday inflicted casualties on Boko Haram terrorists, thus causing a major setback to the insurgents. This feat was achieved when the troops staged an ambush against the terrorists at Kekeno, Kukawa Local Government Area. During the operation, the gallant troops killed 5 suspected Boko Haram terrorists, recovered one Toyota Buffalo vehicle, 3 AK-47 rifles, 2 knives, a horse and other locally fabricated weapons. The insurgents were believed to be on a retaliatory mission following the killing of a suspected Boko Haram Ameer during an ambush by our troops at Kekeno.

In another development, troops of 118 Task Force Battalion patrolling Mile 90-Kekeno general area, have killed one suspected Boko Haram terrorist and captured 2 other insurgents. Similarly, troops of Army Headquarters Special Forces on patrol to Yale came across Boko Haram terrorists camp at Bulagana, cleared the camp and rescued 40 civilians held hostage. Unfortunately, 1 soldier sustained gunshot wounds during the operation. He has since been evacuated and is responding to treatment.

In the same vein, 151 Task Force Battalion of 21 Brigade while on patrol encountered Boko Haram terrorists at Budumri village during which they killed 25 Boko Haram terrorists and arrested 8 other terrorists. The troops also rescued 103 civilians held hostage by the terrorists. They also recovered 1 Golf car and quite a number of motorcycles and bicycles. The troops also cleared terrorists camp at Bolungu village. The same unit also rescued 181 persons and captured 8 Boko Haram terrorists. Among those rescued, were 18 men, 90 women and 77 children. The screening and profiling of those rescued is ongoing before their movement to IDP camps, while those arrested are being interrogated.

Unfortunately, despite these successes, a crop of black sheep amongst us are bend on tarnishing the image of the Nigerian Army. Last Sunday 7th February 2016, two of our Explosive Ordinance Device personnel attached to 143 Battalion, 13NA/ 70/10183 Sapper Eric Nwokorie and 13NA/70/10263 Sapper Macauley Fortune were arrested at Yola park with the following unauthorised military items: 1 Smoke grenade, 2,136 live rounds of 7.62 (Special) ammunition, 50 live rounds of 7.6mm (NATO) ammunition, 5 magazines of AK 47 rifles, 2 Browning Machine Gun live rounds of ammunitions. Others include, 1 Axe, 1 Cutlass, 1 Jack knife, 9 Jungle hats, 11 pairs of Camouflage (9 Desert and 3 woodland green), 4 Military Pullovers, 1 Black beret, 1 Green beret, 1 Pair of number 7 dress, 2 General Duty belt, 12 Army T-shirts, 2 Rain Coats, 2 Water bottles, 1 Pairs of Rain boot and 5 Pairs of Desert boots.

This unfortunate incident notwithstanding, troops morale remains high as they continue to dominate the general area with aggressive raids, ambushes and patrols to clear the remnants of the terrorists hibernating in the area.
The attention of the Nigerian Army has also been drawn to a set of 250 protesting dismissed soldiers in Nigerian Union of journalists (NUJ) Secretariat, Kaduna pleading through the media to be reabsorbed back again into the Nigerian Army.

The protesting soldiers were those soldiers dismissed last week by the Nigerian Army over gross acts of indiscipline, cowardice and absence without leave. They were part of the 2,023 dismissed soldiers last year that were earlier reinstated back into the Service by the present Chief of Army Staff. However these set of soldiers (the 205) absconded for more than one week when they were told that they were to move to North East on the 6th of January 2016. They started coming back when they realised that others were moved to units other than the theatre of operations in the North East. Please note that all efforts were made to make all the reinstated soldiers comfortable and integrate them back into the system. The protesting soldiers are the few who are recalcitrant to military duties and discipline. They are simply not interested in army job but want to earn salary. No one should listen to them as they are not patriotic at all.

It should be noted that the Nigerian Army has been tolerant and patient with their acts of indiscipline and unprofessional conduct. This was based on the understanding of their circumstances and conditions. Efforts have been made to retrain them, integrate and give them sense of belonging. However the attitude of some of them has left so much to be desired and would not be tolerated anymore hence their dismissal from Service. The Nigerian Army thrives on discipline, loyalty and good conduct and if anyone could not measure up to expectation or live by those tenets, he would not be allowed to remain in the system.

Seriki House sues Ajimobi over plan to instal Olubadan-elect

Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State

A NEW twist was added to the Olubadan succession saga yesterday when the Seriki lineage approached an Ibadan High Court in a bid to stop the Oyo State Governor, Senator Isiaka Ajimobi and the Olubadan-In-Council from installing the Olubadan-elect, Alhaji Saliu Adetunji, according to The Guardian.

In a motion filed by its counsel, Mr. A.G. Adeniran, the Seriki family lineage, comprising its leader, Chief Adebayo Oyediji, Chief Olalekan Adisa Fakunle, Chief Aside Abinupagun and Chief Gabriel Amoo, on behalf of themselves and the Seriki Chiefs of Ibadanland, the family prayed for an interim injunction restraining the state governor, the state Attorney-General, Chief Lekan Balogun and Chief Solomon Adabale from appointing or approving the appointment of Chief Saliu Adetunji as the new Olubadan of Ibadanland.

Other respondents listed in the case which was filed on Tuesday at the Oyo State High Court of Justice, Ibadan, were Chief Saliu Adetunji, Chief Rashidi Ladoja, a former governor of the state and Chief Eddy Oyewole.

Others were Chief Kola Daisi, Chief Owolabi Olakulehin, Chief Olufemi Olaifa and Chief Tajudeen Ajibola.

In the suit listed as No. 1/149/16 at the High Court Registry, the Serikis, among others, are seeking for the following reliefs:
• A declaration that after the death of the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade I, the first claimant (Chief Adebayo Oyediji) is the person entitled to be appointed as the next Olubadan of Ibadan;
• An order directing the state attorney-general to set the machinery in motion to appoint Chief Oyediji as the next Olubadan of Ibadan;
• A declaration that there is at present no Ekerin Olubadan, Ashipa Olubadan, Osi Olubadan, Otun Olubadan, Ekerin Balogun, Ashipa Balogun, Osi Balogun, Otun Balogun and Balogun chieftains in Ibadan;
• An order setting aside the said promotions of the third defendant;
• A declaration that there is at present no kingmaker for the Olubadan of Ibadan;
• An order of this honourable court restraining the fourth to the 11th defendants from acting as kingmakers to appoint the third defendants or any other person as the Olubadan of Ibadan; and
• An order of this honourable court restraining the third from presenting himself to the fourth to the 11th defendants, or to anybody else for appointment as the Olubadan of Ibadan.

But besides the aforementioned, the Serikis in a 21-count prayer have asked the court to restrain Chief Saliu Adetunji from presenting himself for installation as Olubadan in deference to an earlier High Court judgment of November 21, 2008 in suit No 1/421/07.

They also alleged that in defiance of a High Court judgment, the defendants have filled certain vacancies in the ensuing chieftaincies as they occurred without having any regard for the orders of injunction of the High Court restraining them from doing so.

In an interview with The Guardian, yesterday at his Monatan Residence, on the outskirt of Ibadan city, the Head of the Seriki chieftaincy family, Chief Adebayo Oyedeji, who is the Osi Seriki of Ibadan, averred that there had been surreptitious moves by certain interests to suppress his family and the various cases it had won in the past, especially at the Supreme Court, which he said, are being swept aside at the moment by the defendants.