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FRONT PAGE COMMENT

Nigeria bigger than elections

D

uring the dark days of our War of Unity, the mantra was, “to keep Nigeria one is a task that must be done�.

Having gone through crisis, between 1967 and 1970, this country is not entirely free from perstilence, natural and man made.

The beauty of our existence as a nation, lies not only in our diversity, but in our ability to remain one

inspite of perceived grievances and extraneous manipulations.

Today, as Nigeria decides on those to shoulder our collective desire to advance to yet another democratic platform, through Presidential and National Assembly Elections, what should come first is our country.

At the end of it all, we do not have any other place to claim as our own.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

ASO ROCK VILLA

BIG FIGHT

for aso rock l Jonathan, Buhari in epic battle for presidency l Factors that will swing victory lVoters in cautious optimism } 13

JONATHAN

BUHARI

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28 MARCH 2015

Contents | 28.03.15 CONVERSATION

A Cop’s Reminiscences As public relations officer of the Nigeria Police, Tunji Alapini was quite sociable. But in retirement (he retired as assistant inspector-general), he has taken his sociable side notches higher

}5

INSTYLE

Choosing a Tie Bar Tie bars are minute fashion accessories which can add sophistication or mar your appearance depending on how they are worn

}7

SHOWBIZ

Ramsey’s Primer Nollywood actor, Ramsey Nouah, talks about his career and why 30 Days in Atlanta, a film he starred in has been a huge success

}10

SPORT

Stopping the Slide Former Nigeria international, Mutiu Adepoju is exasperated with what he calls the unending rebuilding process of the Super Eagles

}25

INVESTIGATION

Third Party Blues Many vehicle owners tend to see the third party insurance simply as a tool to get them through enforcement agents’ stop-andsearch routine

}52

DESTINATION

Easter Groove It’s religious significance notwithstanding, Easter always offers an opportunity to let your hair down

}50 Plus: Voices 43| TV&Radio 46 |

SATURDAY

Comment

Nigeria bigger than elections C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1

President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party[PDP] and Gen. Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress [APC], may not be more Nigerian than any other compatriot but between them , they enjoy the honour of having led this nation at different times, past and present.

We believe that neither would want this country to break up because of selfish ambitions. Following the Peace Accord which both gentlemen signed in Abuja, their supporters are expected to respect the terms of that document.

A leader is as good as his followers.

Dr. Jonathan made it clear before today’s exercise that his ambition should not be soaked in the blood of his countrymen. The message is therefore clear, that anybody who breaches the law, in the name of the President or the PDP, is as good as a common criminal.

We also believe that the peace meeting in Abuja had the blessings of the APC. Party supporters only need to go back to the photo session .President Jonathan and Gen. Buhari, in their embrace, displayed to the world, that politics definitely is not all about hate speeches and propaganda.

The import is that if those who are in the forefront are exchanging banters and splashing smiles across the pages of newspapers, their supporters owe this nation a lot in the area of peace and fair play.

In any contest, there will be losers and there will be victors. It is as constant as daybreak and nightfall.

Party supporters must at all times play

by the rule. Democracy is about the people and once they have decided, their votes must determine the outcome of any electoral process.

No sane supporter will go to the extent of snatching ballot boxes and doing multiple thumb printing. It is criminal also to falsify results.

Eligible voters have every reason to ensure that they exercise their civic responsibility.

Mr. President has assured of adequate security. In other words, security has been tightened all over the nation, to keep trouble makers at bay. Those whose lives are worthless, can then go ahead to dare the law. The consequences are spelt out.

Party supporters should think Nigeria first. Those they claim to be fighting for , really have little regard for them . Candidates who encourage violence ,are the ones whose families are very far away from the trouble spot. Wisdom, means asking those who preach terror to send their wives and children first to the streets.

We are in a crucial moment. History beckons. All eyes are on this great country, Africa’s largest economy. This is the time to prove that we can get it right, as a sovereign nation. The Americans did not invite the globe to straighten the election that gave George Bush, Jnr the presidency in 2000, in place of Al Gore. We cannot be the largest black population merely in words.

We must all rise to the occasion and show that there will be One Nigeria.

Though tribe and tongue may differ, in brotherhood we stand. Those who think there will be no Nigeria as from 2015, should be seen for what they are, false prophets.

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Adam Eve

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Contact: 0703 194 6332 Actor, Model

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Telegraph Adam&Eve is a page for the young, lively, sexy, cute and daring male and female.

If you fit the bill, send your profile, snazziest high resolution image, phone number and email to: ireto007@ yahoo.com; julietbumah@gmail.com; editor.body-soul@newtelegraphonline.com, Abuja Office: Orji Kalu House, Plot 322, by Banex Junction, Mabushi, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja or our corporate head office, No 1A, Ajumobi Close, Off ACME Road, Ikeja. Enquiries: +234 (0)813-116-1840; +234 (0)811-675-9770.

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Conversation

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NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY

28 MARCH 2014

TUNJI ALAPINI

Police took away my sincere judgments most times tant of all is God’s grace.

It’s often believed that civil servants are less sociable; but you’re mostly around celebrating with people...

First of all, you have to understand that I’m a Lagosian. I’m in my village now - Lagos. Yes, I was a civil servant as a retired police officer, but then you must know how to draw a line between those who are in the civil service and those in the military and paramilitary for you to be able to understand that when we’re in service, we mixed with a lot of people and not docile. We are highly mobile and have crossed parts with a lot of people. Along the line of duty, there are people we meet who will later grow to become our friends and we will relate well with them after service. Depending on the goodwill built whilst in service, one can grow the friendship more than the regular.

How would you describe life after service?

It’s been wonderful. Life after service has been tremendously peaceful for me after living a regimented life. Life of being influenced to make decisions against your wish just because it’s an order that must be adhered to. Being able to live your life the way you want it, deciding when you want to wake up and when you retire to bed.

It’s now not for someone else to determine your bedtime or when you wake. When we were in service, you’d never know when you would sleep but you’re only certain of when you must wake. It’s when you wake that your day starts. I’m so happy now that through the grace of God I can determine when I want to sleep and wake up bearing no emergency. I can even more so decide that this is where I want to go, this is what I want to eat and this is the party I want to attend. No one compels you to anywhere any longer. Everything is now your choice, then it was all theirs. I’m now happy that I can live my life the way I want it.

As public relations officer of the Nigeria Police, Tunji Alapini, who rose to become an Assistant Inspector General of Police, was quite sociable. But in retirement, he has taken his sociable side notches higher. In an interview with LANRE ODUKOYA, he speaks about life outside the force, family and sense of style.

You still look quite fit years after leaving the police. How did you achieve this?

Well, it’s the grace of God and the fact that I mind my business. I don’t bite more than I can chew and I don’t stress myself unnecessarily. I don’t do what people don’t expect me to do. When I’m tired of something, I give myself rest. The most impor-

You step out to the door of your neighbour to introduce yourself and he’d say, “I don’t want to know you”.

It was purely a call to service, but what other things would you say the force took away from you?

The force took away my privacy, it took away my sincere judgments most of the times because you would understand that in a regimented environment where are patterns of what to do, you may want to do things differently when the authority thinks otherwise. You cannot go against your service, you would have to do it the way they want as long as it’s within the doctrines of your organisation and within the ambit of the law. At times, as an individual, there are certain things you would do differently if you had a choice. Those are the things the force took away from me.

What are you memorable experiences in the force?

All these ones will surface in my memoir which is being written at the moment.

Those writing it have got up to chapter three and when it’s published, you’d see all of that in it.

You look much more relaxed if not finer that when you were in service, what are the things you do to keep fit?

Well, I move around a lot. And when you use the word ‘young’, I don’t know if a 63-year-old man is still young. If 63 is young at a time that I’m a father and a grandfather, then I feel blessed. When it comes to my look, I choose what I eat carefully, I exercise a lot. I like to do things by myself other than engage others, I’m not sedentary. I’m highly mobile, so it’s not most of the times that I find people doing things for me. Exercise in my apartment is a norm because I stay in a story building and if I want to take something upstairs, I go there myself. I don’t call people to bring things, because when you start doing that, you’d become sedentary. If I want to wash my hands, I don’t say “go and get water for me from the kitchen”; I go there and clean my hands. These are some form exercise useful to the body but a lot of us don’t realise it. Climbing up the stairs and descending about ten times a day is enough exercise for the body.

You were very close to becoming the inspector-general of police; how did you feel retiring as an assistant inspectorgeneral?

I wasn’t close to it and please let’s leave it there.

How was life growing up in Lagos?

It was beautiful because we grew up together with many others, disappeared and we’re back together now. There are several friends I’ve founded who were my primary school mates today. We went to secondary school and we dispersed all over the world. Now we’re all mostly retired and back again. The old Lagos evokes beautiful moments - staying in Lagos and being under the watchful eyes of not only your parents; where everybody was your parent. Where I stayed was called Brazilian Quarters, Popo Aguda, it stretches from Tinubu up to Sandgrouse. And it had over 200 houses and every parent knew each other. That was an era when every parent knew the children in every house along that street. I stayed in 152 and if you moved to number 13 at a wrong time as a kid, they’d be asking ‘what are you doing around here?’ Before they snapped their fingers, you’d already be home. And you’d be surprised that at 7pm, the same person is at your home to shout your name to confirm whether you’re home or not.

That’s discipline and being your brother’s keeper. But nowadays, even here where I stay in Lekki, you don’t even know your neighbours. You step out to the door of CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

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Conversation

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‘I miss the old Lagos when every parent knew every children on a street’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

your neighbour to introduce yourself and he’d say, “I don’t want to know you”.

That is the level we are in the society. These are the things that I miss - the sweet communal life. These were the things we grew up with.

Those were the binding things that kept this nation together in those good old days. That is what is tearing down the good fibre of this country today. Everybody lives like an individual now.

If you would share some morals with police officers currently in service, what would this be?

They should make up their minds on what to achieve with the force.

Like the Yoruba would say: “whatever you won’t appreciate at night, begin to reject it in the morning”. When you’re joining the force, search your conscience on what you’re particularly going to achieve with that uniform. Are you going there to be a core professional? Are you going there to corrupt yourself? Are you going there to serve ethnic or religious purpose? If you’re going there to be a true professional with the resolve to do the job for which posterity will favour you, then begin that from the first day you get in. Those you meet in the morning, you may not see again at noon and the impression you create will leave with you for a lifetime.

The best thing is to ensure you’re doing the right thing from beginning to the end.

What’s the major lesson life has taught you these past years?

Be truthful. There’s no alternative to truth. With truth you’d not have any problem. When you speak the truth or do the right thing, you really don’t have to look back. If they ask you ten years after, you’d repeat the same thing. If you speak the truth today, if they ask you 10 times, you don’t have to remember anything.

But if you’ve bent the rules to please certain individuals, you’d start stressing out to remember how you did the things you did. Be nice to people because you don’t know where you’d ever meet them again. If everyone calls you a bad man, it has a ripple effect. But if you tell someone I’ve met Mr. X and he’s a nice man, if the person shares the same opinion of him, then that’s truly a nice man who will naturally be rewarded.

After 35 years in service, now that you can relax and enjoy your fortune, what do you do to pamper yourself?

I live a very calm life. I take care of my grandchil-

dren, my wife and my family. I satisfy my needs and I buy things I can afford.

Do you travel frequently?

Yes, I travel a lot. If I can afford travelling, I do that a lot.

Where do you mostly

travel to?

Well, it depends on what I’m going to do but most of the time, I travel to the UK. You dress really nicely; are you a designer freak?

I’m not really a designer freak. I wear clothes that fit, it doesn’t particularly mat-

I’m one of the few top officers that retired from the force and still drive himself around without police orderly

ter if it’s Giorgio Armani, Gucci or Calvin Klein. As long as it’s nice and good on me, I’m fine.

No one knew you were this fashionable because uniform made it impossible. How did you feel when you couldn’t express your sense of style then?

Well, before I joined the force, I knew I was going to be wearing uniforms most of the time.

So, there shouldn’t be anything wrong in that since I also knew that after office, I could change to whatever I wanted. I don’t think I have not expressed my style.

Are there things you missed from your days in the force?

There’s nothing at all. I can boast that I’m one of the few top officers that retired from the force who still drive himself around without police orderly following him, with no police guards in his house and no escort whatsoever. I drive anywhere I want to go without any fear because I’ve always believed that in and out of service, I should be able to be entirely independent.

Instyle

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7

Timeless and formal three-piece suit fashion etiquette Angela Davies

A

three-piece suit is one of the most versatile menswear pieces every stylish man should possess. Donning a three piece suit presents a gentleman’s image that is formal, masculine, elegant as well as business minded.

The three-piece suit which consists of a jacket, trousers and waist coat which is sometimes called vest is a great look for a dinner, award, ball or a themed formal event.

Tips

• When wearing a threepiece suit, make sure it fits.

• Also ensure the waist coat is properly tailored to fit.

• Avoid wearing jackets with single or centre vents. Double side vents are best for a three-piece suit.

• Add a colourful tie and a pocket square or a bold shirt, and you will have a great look.

• For that gentleman look, always button the waist coat.

• The waist coat should be long enough to completely cover the

waistband of the trousers.

• The top of the waist coat should be high enough to be visible when the jacket is buttoned.

• If you will be uncomfortable wearing bold and bright colour fabrics, then, play safe and wear colours like black, navy blue or grey suit.

• Your belt and shoes should be the same colour.

• With some three-piece suit the jacket, waistcoat and trousers can be of different colours.

It can make for an elegant appearance if the colours complement one another.

• For a complete gentleman look, pair your suit with a dress shirt, dress shoes, neck or bow tie, pocket square, socks, wristwatch and a good quality belt.

Three-piece suit doesn’t always have to be the complete package. You can also mix and match with other pieces or as separates with other items in your wardrobe.

The timeless and formal three-piece suit is appropriate for men seeking a distinctive style at special occasions.

How to properly wear watch with a suit

O

ne of the most stylish fashion statements any man can make is with his well fitted exquisite suit. But wearing a striking suit with the sleeve of the shirt covering your wristwatch will definitely not look apt.

No doubt many stylish men wear their suits with wristwatch whether it is leather or metal. But you should note that on most buttons down dress shirts, there are two buttons at your cuff which should be put into consideration if you must flaunt your watch.

So, if you are wearing a suit, button the first button on the cuff on your non-watch hand, and the second button on the cuff of your watch hand. Doing this will make your sleeve visible on your nonwatch hand and your watch visible on your watch hand so that the sleeve of the shirt does not go past your wristwatch.

Buttoning the first button will keep the cuff looser on your wrist, and buttoning the second button on your cuff on the watch hand will give a tighter fit.

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Instyle

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28 MARCH 2015

Accessories to live for

Choosing a tie bar Tie bars are minute fashion accessories which can add sophistication or mar your appearance depending on how it is worn, ANGELA DAVIES writes.

T

he tie bar or tie clip as they are also called is a small fashion detail that can have huge impact. It is a perfect menswear accessory that can add both style and function to your wardrobe.

If worn correctly, it will add subtle, sophisticated elegance.

However, if worn incorrectly, it can quickly turn into a noticeable style faux pas. The general purpose of the tie bar is to clip your tie to the underlying shirt front, preventing it from swinging and ensuring the tie hangs straight, thus,

resulting in a neat, even appearance.

When choosing to wear tie bars, it is essential to know that size matters. So, it will be inappropriate to wear a tie bar that is wider than your tie.

In essence, it is important to match the size of your tie bar with the size of your tie.

Where you place your tie bar is important. A tie clip that is positioned too high or too low will look goofy. The perfect position for the tie bar should be fastened between the third and fourth buttons of your dress shirt.

The colour of your tie bar should be simple and plain, like silver bars in different styles. You can also opt for contrasting tie bar colours and match them with monochrome ties. However, silver tie bars can go with ties of any colour easily. If you decide to wear a pair of cuff links, you can create an even smarter look by matching them with a similarly styled tie bar.

As a rule, a tie bar should always be placed neatly on the tie straight across, perpendicular to the tie. It should never, ever be angled.

Instyle

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28 MARCH 2015

MY STYLE

'You can pull off anything if you're stylish'

Facts

For Isibor Alexis, there really are no boundaries with regard to fashion. And that explains the eclectic philosophy behind her style, writes ANGELA DAVIES. How would you define your style?

My style literally changes with the mood and the occasion as well.

But generally, I like to look classy, elegant and sophisticated. I like to look like a woman to reckon with basically.

What determines the kind of outfit you wear?

It is definitely the occasion. If there is a dress code, it is left for me to be innovative with the dress code.

So, I just put a spin on my style and attend the event looking as fashionably descent as possible.

Which outfits take up the most space in your wardrobe?

It is skirts. You will see pencil and below the knee skirts. You will also see fitted shirts and gowns.

Outfit you’re unlikely to be caught wearing?

If you are a stylish person, you can always pull off anything. I can’t say because I like to try new things as long as it looks good on me.

Fashion item you cannot do without No matter where I am going to, I need to carry a bag with me. It can be a clutch, throw-on or even sling bag. I feel literally empty without a bag.

What kind of jewelry appeals to yo u?

I love statement pieces whether it is a neck piece, earrings or rings.

What is the most expensive fashion item you have ever bought?

A bag.

Beauty

What fashion rule do you live by?

To look good for you. Anything you are wearing, make sure you look good for you even if every other person does not understand it.

How do you love your hair?

My hair is natural so I style it in different ways. I weave it sometimes too. I also wear different colours and types of wigs to give me different looks.

How do you love your makeup?

I love to keep it simple and I usually wear nude lipstick. But, sometimes I wear coloured lipstick like pink.

Signature perfume I have a lot of perfume like Lancome, Coco Chanel, Elizabeth Arden among others but I like to mix because I don’t want people to guess the actual perfume I am wearing.

Best designer I like Funke Afolabi owner of Elpis Megalio. I am quite impressed with her outfits. I love her prints and designs in general.

If you were a fashion item what would you love to be?

I think a handbag.

What kinds of shoes hold a special appeal to you?

I love heels, pumps, court shoes, high heel sandals and shoes with very eccentric designs.

Best colour I like bold colours that will stand me out like royal blue, army green, orange and tangerine.

Virgos Lounge is founded

by Fioye Akinsola, Oyeyemi Wemi-Akinsola and Nike Ajanaku who all share Virgo zodiac sign in 2008. Their love for embellishments always gives distinct characteristics to everyone of their outfits. The label is targeted at pampering fashion and trendy individuals with exceptional pieces.

The first bust support patented was made out of handkerchief.

Coco Chanel pioneered black and white and pearl necklaces. She always put an emphasis on looks and style whenever she spoke.

During the 1860s, dresses were so wide that women often got stuck in doorways.

Taking care of your nails

G

one are the days when manicures are a luxury just for women.

Even as men, it is ideal to either visit a professional or do it yourself at home. Indulging in a regular hand and nail maintenance is a grooming necessity.

Aside from keeping your hands looking their best, they will also feel appreciated.

Tips • Use the right tools Get a manicure set, it contains all the tools needed for trimming, filing, buffing and cutting.

• Do not cut your nails too short - Cutting your nails too short could be extremely painful. Also, trimming them excessively short could increase your risk of hangnails. Just cut your fingernails short enough to look nice and presentable.

• Do not chew or bite your nails - Biting or chewing your nails will leave them jagged and ugly aside ingesting the bacteria trapped under your

•

•

nails. Break the habit and trim them with a nail clipper instead.

Keep nails clean - You should use a nailbrush and simply brush the tips of your fingers to remove dirt from under the nail. Also, brush across the tops of your nails.

Lightly buff your nails - The look

•

is not as noticeable as a clear nail polish, but the added shine gives a polished look to your hands. Use a buff to lightly rub the top of the nail to give your nails a slight shine. It is very easy to do.

Regularly cream your hand - Regular use of hand cream or lotion will

•

help prevent your hand from dryness and cracking. Instead, it will make your hand fresh and subtle.

Eat healthy - Eating plenty of essential vitamins will make your skin and nails healthy. While eating too much junk food may result in cracked skin and discolored nails.

9

SATURDAY

ShowBiz SATURDAY 28 MARCH 2015

10

RAMSEY NOUAH

Don’t go for cash, go for the arts Ramsey Nouah is one of the few that saw Nollywood through the testing periods. He has seen the ups and downs.

OLUSHOLA RICKETTS caught up with him recently at the filmmakers’ forum organised by Pan-Atlantic University in Lagos. He spoke about his sojourn in Nollywood, why 30 Days In Atlanta recorded huge success and other issues.

How long have been into acting?

I am more than two decades in the industry; I am actually 25 years and still counting. Acting started from me in 1990 when a friend said that I had the gesture and mannerism of an actor. He urged me to go into acting, but I said to him that if I were going to act it cannot be in Nigeria.

I said I would rather go to Hollywood and make myself good money. But, as people say, charity begins at home. If you want to do anything in life it is only advisable to start from where you are and project yourself to the world, rather than looking outside. That was the turning point for me. At this time I am talking about there wasn’t any vibrant film in Nigeria at such. Films had ended since the time of Ogunde, Baba Sala and the rest of them.

We had only Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and there were only soap operas at a time such as Behind The Clouds, Ripples and the rest.

So, when did you have your first shot at acting?

In 1990, I got involved in a soap opera called Fortunes. We shot the pilot in 1991, got the sponsorship in 1992 and it went on air in 1993. It lasted for just two years. At a time Fortunes was going on, there were home videos, which they basically did in Yoruba language. It was restricted to the language barrier. Along the line, the Igbo movies came on board and gave birth to Rattle Snake and Living in Bondage in 1993, 1994. Then, the guy (Kenneth Nnebue), who did Living In Bondage felt we should start doing English movies in 1995. By then, Fortune had gone off air. He sent me an official letter like a professional for audition.

How he got my home address I didn’t know. I got there, performed and he said I was the character he was looking for. But, unfortunately, we didn’t agree to terms because I knew he was a business man. But, I didn’t come out in his movie at a time due to that. We then had Glamour Girls in 1995 or thereabout. So, I did a movie with Chico Ejiro, which was how we started Nollywood. They got me and we shot the movie Silent Night in 1996.

How was the experience then?

Before Silent Night I had done some movies which never saw the light of the day. Silent Night became a success, but it

didn’t have the publicity like Glamour Girls. Nnebue knew how to publicise. As a matter of fact, when he wanted to release a movie, all marketers ran in because he pumped money into publicity and it worked for him. That was an era of filmmaking in Nigeria that marked the beginning of making bread out of stone.

There was no support from the government or anyone at all. It was just people who probably thought they can make something little out of it, instead of dropping money in the banks. That was the age where practitioners shot movies and they shot it well. Then, every arm of cinematography was well done. During the ‘90s and early 2000, movies were still doing well. By mid-2000, there was a meltdown.

The industry was crashing and stories lines were saturated, acting skills were almost the same and people were beginning to see things themselves. Though, Nigerian films started to move to other African countries, there were already losing flavour among us. By 2006, there was what we called the "blacklist” where the marketers believed they controlled the market. They blacklisted 10 top actors from Nollywood for a whole year. So, all of us created at that time suffered that one year loss. It was a good time for emerging and new actors.

At what point did things change for the better?

Later, realisation set in and people were asking questions on who controlled what. I started seeing things not as an actor but as a producer, marketer and other arms of production. I started talking to people and people still saw potential in what the industry had to offer. DSTV started to create more Nollywood channels and they got more followership from it. From that came the biggest award in the whole of Africa; Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards (AMVCA). But Nollywood didn’t give birth to the cinemas; Hollywood did. Investor started thinking that they were no Hollywood films in Nigeria.

They thought of cinemas and people started going to watch.

Once the cinema became an enabling environment for people to go watch movies, Nollywood started thinking of how to buy into it. At a time we don’t know what it takes to actually put a movie in the cinema or the technical involvement. People were complaining that why would they pay the same amount to watch a Nollywood movie that the picture or sound was bad.

But for some reasons the movies were still in the market and the cinemas were running at loss. So, there was need for change and the digital age came. We have small cameras now that shoot good videos; you don’t need so much capital to shoot a good video.

How do producers recoup the money they invest in making films?

As you can tell, the saving grace for us right

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28 MARCH 2015

now is the VCD, DVD sector. We have other markets that are not favourable, including the internet and the cable television. They don’t pay that much. Nigerians want quality but for less and I believe every one of us is guilty of it. We would want to get a Versace shirt, but we would prefer where to buy it less.

Now, people and manufacturers are beginning to see that and they are trying to make things work. 30 Days In Atlanta made every producer to know that there is potential in making a good movie in Nigeria.

If you make a good movie and put in the cinemas, you will make good money.

What are the qualities needed as an actor or actress?

Initially, it was all about performance, depth and ability of an actor or actress to bring out the best of the character in a movie. In the beginning it wasn’t about look or being handsome. But today’s world has changed. Glamour comes with terrain because people are expectant of you of that nature. You are a role model; people expect to see you looking gorgeous. You are addressed by the way you dress too. If you come to me and look shabby as an actor I would start pricing you low.

Being responsible also attracts endorsement. Don’t forget that if you are responsible you become a role model, you have a voice and what you say becomes relevant. It makes you have strong fan base too and control over social media. Not only that, it gets you political appointments like my colleagues Desmond Elliot, Kate and others. Also, the act of filmmaking is all about passion.

Today, we have some of my colleagues, who had turned Nollywood to a red carpet zone. They turned it to a runway for them to showcase their beauty and carry their flashy bags and high heels when the character doesn’t call for it. It is not all about showcasing your beauty; you have to be passion-driven for you to become successful or have longevity.

Don’t go there for the cash; go there for the arts. That gives longevity.

What is the average worry of a Nigerian actor or actress?

We are known as the second largest filmmakers in the world, so people expect to see us with glamour. When I go to some parts of Africa they expect me to come all funky and with bodyguards. It is understandable because when you see the Hollywood people, you will see bodyguards here and there.

That’s how they expect us to come too being the second largest filmmakers in the world. It is expected of us to have a show of wealth and glamour. But the reason things cannot be like that is because there is no structure to help facilitate the glamour or what people expect to see of us. By the time you live a flamboyant life and do the same for your family, you will be back to zero. Do you want to struggle to do another movie? There is no structure that helps to work that out in Nigeria as we speak. However, we shouldn’t let that discourage us. I know that some actors are being paid N30, 000 to N100,000 per movie. New faces get paid that much and that is a good start and a stepping stone. Back in the days, when I went to Fortunes, I was paid N80 per episode. I even got paid for just three months; the remaining nine months, NTA didn’t pay me.

So, you could say it is like a kind of encouragement for them.

Why did you expect NTA to pay you since Fortunes was an independent production?

NTA gets money from the sponsor, which was PZ. So, they told PZ that the content will cost a particular amount. PZ paid NTA and NTA was expected to pay the independent production. That was how it was then; I don’t know if things have changed now.

11

forget that the top standup comedians of today are the Warri boys and their jokes are well followed.

A typical Nollywood movie will do what the comedy people are already used to. This middle class already know all this and the mannerism.

They wanted a change and 30 Days In Atlanta made that change. I think people love the joke and Nigerians love to be identified with the foreign people they see. They feel it is almost impossible to reach or touch them. They see all of that in the movie and all that helped the movie to be a success. The money (N170-180 million) we made is just from 14 cinemas in Nigeria; so, imagine if we had like 100 cinemas.

Advice for emerging actors and actresses It’s simple. Do not forget that as you proceed, as you allow yourself to know that the passion is what will sail you through, you will sustain yourself and have longevity.

You then can now start thinking about endorsement deals, anchoring events, TV claims, gracing occasions and the likes. All these will add extra values to your pocket as an actor or actress.

How much of that goes to the producer?

If there are more cinemas the percentage or fraction becomes huge. If the turnover is high you can get as high as 50 per cent between you and the cinemas. You can get that very strongly. But do not forget cinemas are running an overhead cost, not like you as a content provider. The structures of the cinemas, the power being generated, stuff being paid for among others are things we should factor in.

That is why they get bigger percentage. But when there is enough cinema and they know that there is a huge followership, I am sure at a point you can tell the cinema you are taking 60 per cent and they will still want you.

What sustained you when money wasn’t coming?

It was the passion; I wasn’t concerned about the money. I survived from hand-to-mouth actually. I depended more on my family because at a time the industry wasn’t selfsufficient enough. Around 1990 to 1995, there were no constant jobs or pay. Constant pay was from television soap opera and they paid quarterly. Sometimes too they will owe you for like a year or two years. It was that bad, but people were going back there because of the passion.

It wasn’t about the money to eat or provide shelter; it was just about the arts and that sustained so many of us.

What efforts have the older actors put in place for people coming after you?

What we can actually do to the up and coming acts right now is to render the word of encouragement by telling them that they should be passion driven. They should forget what they would benefit and hopefully they will get there. The key factor for sustenance is to create an enabling environment and thank God, President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration is doing that. He has seen the potential in the industry and has given all the support needed for it to thrive. I am so happy about that. The administration saw what Nollywood is capable of doing, even though, I didn’t see it because I am not an economist. As an actor all I know is to make films; I don’t understand the marketing or the impact of my films and my world on the society or environment. But the government mentioned it and I asked myself, do Nollywood contribute that much to the GDP of Nigeria? I didn’t see that.

How much do you charge for roles?

Do you expect me to tell you how much I have in my bank account? With the way it is in the Nollywood now, there is no particular figure because like I said there is no structure. I can tell you N10 to N20 million, but I can probably do it for one million or N500, 000.

It all depends and the depending factors are so many. I could as well do it for humanitarian purposes.

There are so many reasons that make it hard to have a ceiling. If there was a structure, then there would be a ceiling. I know I cannot go beyond certain amount for commercial movies, but if you are talking about movies generally I know it ranges from N200,000 to N20 million.

Showbiz

So, you can do movies for N200,000?

Yes, I can if it is in my course; if it is what I would like to endorse. Everything depends on me and what I really want to do. If my heart tells me I should do it I won’t hesitate.

It is not about somebody trying to convince me to do it. If you have something that touches my heart you have no problem. But I tried not to get my family or friends involved in my business. I see that as an actor for everyone I smile with means we have built a relationship automatically. So, they come with that mindset and I have discovered that it really affects the business.

So, I had to draw a line; business is different from friendship. It makes people not to take advantage of you.

Back in the days, when I went to Fortunes, I was paid N80 per episode

30 Days In Atlanta did well in the cinema; what would you say made it a success?

It is a very simple one. I personally did the market survey and I looked at the people who actually go to the cinemas in Nigeria. They are the middle class and they are the most antagonist of Nollywood because they feel we insult their intelligence. But then the middle class also wants a form of excitement. When you look at most people that go to events and most of the standup comedians they belong to the middle class. They are the ones that can afford 5,000 to go watch certain shows and they get entertained. Also, don’t

Finally, how would you rate our social life?

Nigerians don’t really have means of entertaining themselves than going to beer parlour, clubs or watching TV. It is not like America where you have so much to entertain yourself with. There are so many getaways or adventurous stuffs you can do. If we go to the beach we only go there to swim; no other things to play with.

For some people, they go there to watch and drink. So, there is no visible form of entertainment than the cinemas for us. The next is shopping mall and the reason most people go there is to view the environment. We used to have the eatery before and people loved to go there because of the atmosphere. People still go, but it has reduced. We need to create the atmosphere for Nigerians and cinema is a big industry for people to go out to have fun. There was a time I was talking about grassroots’ cinema with the owner of Filmhouse, Kene, and we talked about the beauty of it. The truth is that most people are beyond middle class in Nigeria. We have people who are living low not just in income but in quality too. What does a mechanic do after work? Forget the look, a mechanic could make more than N10, 000 per day. What they do is that they call their friends and go to a beer parlour. They wake up next morning and go to work. That is how they live their life. Imagine an environment where they can carry their girlfriends and watch movies.

The environment must not be intimidating. If you call a mechanic or bus conductor to go to a Silverbird now he might not feel comfortable despite the fact that he can afford it. If his girlfriend successfully drags him there once I am sure he would not want to go there again. Those are the things I try to look into not just as an actor, but as a way of expanding our thinking and I see the need to create that kind of environment for those kinds of people. We should have cinemas in Mushin, Ajegunle, Oshodi and other areas like that. I hope it gets to those people who are into cinema distribution, though they are trying their best.

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SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

28 MARCH 2015

SaturdayLetters You have a right to be heard. Send your letters and photographs to saturdayletters@ newtelegraphonline.com. Letters should not be more than 150 words and must have the name and address of the sender.

Q uotes of the week ‘I think that it is a question of improv­ ing the power situation in Nigeria and I think we have been cooperating very closely with Nigeria. I think that this country has to be developed.’

- Mr. Michael Zenner, German Ambassador to Nigeria.

‘After the impending victory of Presi­ dent Jonathan, Obasanjo can leave the country or return to prison in protest.

The former President should also do away with the primitive idea that anything or anybody not com­ing from him is not good.’

- Ayo Fayose, Ekiti State Governor.

The weight of illegality... A commercial bus in Lagos with excess cargo

photo: tony eguaye

“While still being in place as the dem­ ocratically elected Deputy Governor of Ondo State, I have decided to lead my teeming supporters and well wishers in the state into the All Progressive Congress where we can find justice, fairness, equity and democratic liberty, a party to which majority of our kith and kin in Yorubaland belong.”

- Alhaji Ali Olanusi, Ondo State Deputy Governor.

The panic is sickening Dear Editor, The presidential election scheduled for March 28, seems to have thrown many Nigerians into panic. As a result, many citizens have been fleeing from different parts of the country, especially the North.

With the mass exodus that has seen Nigerians leaving their places of residence to either abroad or their hometowns, who will now vote on Saturday? It is saddening that elections in Nigeria are always a cause of fear and mass exodus. This has to stop!

Frank Okonkwo, Abia.

The need for the establishment of an electoral offenses tribunal Dear Editor,

There has been so much pre-election violence this year that I believe it is time for Nigeria to have an electoral offenses tribunal.

Many people have been attacked by thugs belonging to either of the two leading political parties. Some have been maimed for life while some even lost their lives and nothing has been done to bring all these attackers and murderers to justice.

Ayo Solomon, Lagos.

Deployment of military personnel for elections Dear Editor, I was both afraid and embarrassed when I passed through the Lagos/Ibadan expressway yesterday because of the high level of military presence two days to the elections. The presence of soldiers everywhere makes it look as if Nigeria is in a state of war. But on the contrary, elections ought to be a time of peace.

When are we going to stop seeing politics as a do-ordie affair? Election periods should be peaceful and not a time of tension and violence.

Michael Akeeb, Ibadan.

The Nigeria Police and true professionalism Dear Editor,

Closing the borders for the sake of elections

Dear Editor, It is now no longer news that the federal government has ordered the closure of the nation’s borders because of the coming presidential election. The reason given by government for the closure of Nigeria’s borders is to prevent foreigners from illegally entering the country to cause mayhem or vote. However, I beg to disagree with the federal government on this matter. No developed country in the world closes its borders just because it wants to conduct an election. What we need are efficient and effective security agencies to protect the nation’s borders at all times instead of hurting economic activities and causing more suffering to people who do cross-border businesses just to conduct an election.

Catherine Peters, Lagos.

There is urgent need for proper training and professionalism of security agencies in Nigeria, especially the Nigeria Police. This is necessary because of the recent embarrassing controversial statements credited to officers of the Nigeria Police, including the Inspector General of Police.

First, it was AIG Joseph Mbu who allegedly said that if a policeman is killed, the police would retaliate by killing 20 (innocent) people and he therefore ordered policemen under his command to shoot if shot at. Again, the IG recently told voters to leave immediately after casting their votes instead of staying to defend their votes. I think all these is very embarrassing. The Nigeria police need proper training on management of elections so that they can be truly professional both in word and deed.

Chris Udu, Ogun.

‘But the real test is yet to come on the days of the elections and, in particular, the days immediately after the elec­ tions. I therefore once more urge the political party leaders and workers to be more actively and more visibly engaged in advocating non-violence to their supporters.’

- Chief Emeka Anyaoku, former Secretary General of the Commonwealth.

“Minimah is certainly not alone in abandoning the sanctity of his oath.

A slew of generals and security chiefs have clearly narrowed their duty to protecting Jonathan from defeat. Mili­ tary commanders and police officers are sounding not merely like PDP par­ tisans. They are acting like operatives of the armed wing of the PDP.” - Nasir el-Rufai ‘To be candid with you, it hasn’t been difficult campaigning for President Goodluck Jonathan, knowing where we were when the current administra­ tion came on board and what we have right now.’

- Prof. Chinedu Nebo, Minister for Power.

“I have my very strong reser­vations about the contents and thematic focus of the said docu­mentary. Apart from promoting hate campaign, which clearly undermines the modest contri­ butions of these former presi­dents, the commentaries in the documentary against the former presidents leave a sour taste in the mouth.”

- General Ibrahim Babangida, former Head of State.

“We adopted President Jonathan in line with the spirit of progressive conti­nuity.”

- Chief Peter Ameh, National Chairman of PPA.

SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 2015

SATURDAY

Nigeria

13

Goodluck Jonathan: Fortune favours the meeK

G

President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on May 29, 2011.

Early Life

oodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan was born on November 20, 1957 in Otuoke, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. In Africa, parents are usually very careful about the names they give to their children at birth. Names are carefully chosen because it is believed that they have spiritual significance. A name, the African believes, could provoke either positive or negative aura on the bearer. Therefore at childhood, his paternal grandmother named him Goodluck because she had a vision for him to live a life of good fortune and uncommon favours.

She called him Azikiwe, in the hope that he, like the legendary Great Zik of Africa, would excel in academics and politics to becomean illustrious statesman that cannot be ignored by his generation.

Goodluck began his primary education at St Stephen’s Primary School and later moved to St Michael’s Primary School, Oloibiri, where he completed his elementary education in 1969. In 1973, while in Form Three, he was appointed class prefect and Secretary of the Food Committee, an administrative body of hostel masters and senior students. He occupied that position up to form five. As the prefect of Masterson House, he soon assumed the exalted office of Chairman, Committee of Prefects. In 1975, he obtained his West African School Certificate(WASC) from Mater Dei High School, Imiringi, passing out with a distinction.

Afterwards, he joined the Federal Civil Service as a Preventive Officer with the Department of Customs and Excise. In 1977, he secured admission into the Department of Zoology and became one of the pioneer students of the University of Port Harcourt.

Four years later, he bagged a Bachelor of Science degree, graduating with a Second Class Honours (Upper Division).

As a young graduate, Goodluck participated in the one year compulsory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) during which he served as a classroom teacher at Iresi, Osun State. At the end of the NYSC programme in 1982, he took up appointment as a classroom teacher with the Rivers State Civil Service Commission and soon rose to the rank of Science Inspector of Education in the Ministry of Education.

In November 1983, he moved to the Rivers State College of Education, Port Harcourt, where he picked up an appointment as a lecturer in the Department of Biological Sciences. However, his dogged quest for knowledge, propelled him further himself to enrol for a Master’s degree programme in Hydro-Biology and Fisheries Biology and subsequently, he bagged a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Zoology from the University of Port Harcourt.

In March 1993, Jonathan joined the services of the defunct Oil Minerals Producing Areas Development Commission (OMPADEC) and served as Assistant Director, Ecology, in the Directorate of Environmental Protection and Pollution Control. He served meritoriously in that capacity, until he voluntarily left the Commission in 1998.

Political Career In a bid to advance the cause of his people, he ventured into politics in 1998 and pitched

Transformation Agenda On assumption of office, Jonathan launched the Transformation Agenda, a programme anchored on the revival of the economy, job creation and infrastructure reconstruction. The regime has so far, strengthened several institutions of government, respected fundamental human rights and promoted electoral reforms that has transformed the political landscape. The administration has, however, faced serious criticisms over its alleged inability to tackle corruption. It has also been bedevilled by the violent activities of Boko Haram, a home-grown band of terrorists and insurgents operating mainly in the North Eastern flank of the country.

Goodluck

The path of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan has been strewn with successes, but a re-election might just be the icing on the cake, writes ONWUKA NZESHI tent with the Peoples Democratic Party( PDP) and emerged as the running mate to the party’s gubernatorial standard bearer, Chief DiepreyeAlamieyeseigha. The duo emerged triumphant at the polls in the 1999, governorship election, and so Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan stepped into office as the first Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State.

Following the impeachment of Governor Alamieyeseigha, Jonathan stepped in as the Governor of Bayelsa State on December 9, 2005. His tenure as a replacement helmsman in Bayelsa was brief but it marked the beginning of his rise to political stardom. He remained in that position until May 29, 2007.

Vice Presidency Although, Jonathan was humbly preparing to continue as the Governor in Bayelsa beyond May 29,2007, the political dynamics in Nigeria had a different package for him. He was invited by the "kingmakers" to become the running mate to the then presidential candidate of the PDP, AlhajiUmaru Musa Yar’Adua in the 2007 elections.

It was a stroke of luck because two weeks to the national convention of the PDP, neither Yar’Adua nor Jonathan were in the race.

Former Governor of Rivers State, Dr. Peter Odili was the frontline presidential aspirant of the ruling party. He had immense support within the party across the country but he was disqualified in controversial circumstances. It was this development that produced the Yar’Adua/ Goodluck ticket and eventually enthroned both men in power.

Power Vacuum The prolonged absence of Yar’Adua from the country created a leadership vacuum because Jonathan did not receive the basic instruments of power to enable him step into the shoes of his ailing boss. It took the intervention of some former heads of state, national leaders and civil society groups to insist that the right things be done.

The National Assembly bowed to the Constitution and public opinion that the Vice President ought to have stepped into the saddle in the absence of the President.

Since President Yar’Adua failed to transmit a formal letter to the National Assembly before leaving the country, the parliament was left with no other option but to proclaim the famous "Doctrine of Necessity" to elevate Jonathan to the position of Acting President. This did not come cheap. The northern oligarchy and political elite did not want Jonathan to ascend the presidential throne.

On May 6, 2010, when Yar’Adua passed on as a result of his illness, Jonathan was sworn in as President of Nigeria to complete the remaining part of the Yar’Adua/ Jonathan tenure.

Our Turn In 2011, President Jonathan formally sought the mandate of the people in a presidential election. His ambition split the ruling party into two. Again, the northern group within the party resisted Jonathan's ascension to power. They argued that he ought not to replace Yar’Adua because the North as a political block had not exhausted its turn of eight years after President Olusegun Obasanjo from the South had ruled the country for eight years.

Several consultations and secret meetings were held to discuss the misgivings of the North on Jonathan's candidature.

At the National Convention of the PDP, Governor of Niger State, Dr. Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu told the world that the stakeholders in the party had resolved to support Jonathan because he had agreed to serve only one term. Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo also alluded to this single-term agreement in his speech endorsing Jonathan's aspiration at the party's convention held at the Eagle Square, Abuja. Eventually, Jonathan contested the election, emerged victorious at the polls and was sworn in as

Boko Haram It is pertinent to state that the activities of Boko Haram predates Jonathan's administration. The group were operating in small cells in Borno State at the beginning of the Yar’Adua administration. The security forces were deployed to dislodge them but their leader Muhammed Yusuf who was arrested in the operation later died in police custody. This caused a lot of tension as the followers of Yusuf launched reprisals on the Nigeria Police and other government institutions and agencies.

It was during this period of massive uprising that Jonathan came into the hot seat. Under Jonathan, Boko Haram metamorphosed from a sectarian group angry over the death of its leader in the hands of government, to a full-fledged terrorist organisation which took up arms against the Nigerian state; seized towns and villages, renamed such towns and declared as part of a phantom Islamic Caliphate.

In order to show that it meant business, Boko Haram launched a guerrilla warfare on Nigeria. The group's bombing of the Police Force Headquarters and United Nations (UN) building, both in Abuja drew the attention of the international attention towards Nigeria.

Due to the religious roots of Boko Haram, President Jonathan had wanted to handle their activities through dialogue but moves made by the government to bring the leaders of the sect or their representatives to a roundtable were rebuffed amidst controversies as to the real motives of the group.

It was at this stage that the Jonathan administration bared its fangs and declared a state of emergency in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states.

In spite of this security measure, Boko Haram continued to terrorise Nigeria until recently when a full scale war was declared against the group.

The high level of insecurity particularly in the North-East became the greatest challenge of the Jonathan administration as many Nigerians accuse Jonathan of deliberately allowing the insurgency and terrorism to fester for political reasons.

In spite of all the challenges, Jonathan is optimistic that he would trounce his main rival, General Muhammadu Buhari, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress(APC) in today's election.

14

F

ormer Head of State and presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Major General Muhammadu Buhari needs little introduction. Undeniably, his name not only rings a deafening bell across the land, but he is admired by many for his uprightness and stand against corruption.

This may not be unconnected to the fact that the moral revolution and war against indiscipline introduced by his regime (1983-1985) had remained a national phenomenon and reference point, even decades after he left office.

Though military governments were aberration at the time he and late Brig. General Tunde Idiagbon sacked the then government of President Shehu Shagari; history has been fair to him for the high level of discipline and patriotism, which he exhibited in leading the nation.

His government was revered for its ability to keep the country afloat by making progress through sheer economic ingenuity even when it rejected the International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan; refused to devalue the nation's currency; curbed imports of needless goods; curtailed oil theft and used a counter trade policy to barter seized illegally bunkered crude oil for needful goods like machineries.

Record of discipline Till date, Buhari is yet to allow his anti-corruption posture to die.

At the time he took over power from Shagari, the country was neck deep in austerity and political instability. But it is on record that his administration reduced the inflation rate from 23 per cent to four per cent within two years, by fiscal discipline and a home-grown economic team.

He also introduced the “War Against Indiscipline” (WAI) to check the anomalies in the public life of Nigerians.

His administrative style and transparency was also lauded by many Nigerians when he headed the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF).

The agency (though scrapped) is still credited for impacting on the lives of Nigerians through implementation of several developmental projects.

Quest for presidency Buhari has resolved not to quit politics, even when some of his contemporaries have taken the back stage. He predicates his resolution on two compelling objectives – the need to sanitise the Nigerian polity, and to ensure that Nigerians enjoy the dividends of democracy at all levels of government.

The 2015 general elections is the fourth time he would be seeking to return to the seat he vacated three decades ago. His first shot was in 2003, on the platform of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) but was defeated by former President Olusegun Obasanjo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He was back in 2007, also on the platform of the ANPP, but was defeated by Umaru Yar'Adua (now late).

In March 2010, he left the ANPP to establish the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC). It was under this platform that he contested the 2011 presidency against the incumbent, Goodluck Jonathan (PDP), scoring 12.2 million votes against Jonathan’s 22.4 million.

The CPC, on whose platform he contested the poll, was formed

Nigeria

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

Buhari

Another date with history FELIX NWANERI profiles the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), General Muhammadu Buhari, who is making a fourth attempt at the presidency

less than six months to the election and his campaign never extended beyond the North. He also lacked financial strength, which plays a great role in determining electoral victories in the country.

Despite the limitations, Buhari won in 12 out of the 19 northern states of Bauchi, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Niger, Borno, Sokoto, Yobe and Zamfara. Jonathan won in the rest seven states of Kwara, Kogi, Plateau, Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba and Adamawa.

The intrigues and power play which characterised the elections, especially the collapse of an alliance between the CPC and the then Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), forced him to declare at the eve of the presidential poll that he will not seek any elective office again.

“This campaign is the third and last one for me since after it I will not present myself again for election into the office of the president,” he said.

He, however, made a detour in 2013, when he said: “I am still in active politics until the polity is sanitised and people enjoy the fruits of democracy at all levels of government.”

Road to 2015 Buhari’s bid for the 2015 presidency gained momentum shortly after the formalisation of the merger of leading opposition parties – ACN, CPC, ANPP, and registration of the APC by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on July 31, 2013.

While the then interim leadership of the party realised the tricky nature of power balancing and other vexatious issues such as zoning, and left them out of discussions to avoid upsetting the apple cart of the party at its formative stage, Buhari’s body language and declarations by his supporters showed that he will not drop his presidential ambition in 2015.

Buhari later confirmed the position, though with a caveat. “My decision will be tied to the constitution of the APC. If the party chooses me as its candidate, I will contest. If the members do not consider me, I will not contest, but I will still support the party. My decision to run for 2015 will solely be that of the party,” he said.

His aspiration received the endorsement of his party delegates at the APC National Convention in Lagos between November 10 and 11, 2014. He defeated four other aspirants – former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; Kano State governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso; Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha and the publisher of Leadership Newspapers, Sam Nda-Isaiah to clinch the ticket.

Buhari

The former military leader polled 4,430 votes to beat Kwankwaso to the second position. The Kano State governor had 974 votes.

Shockingly, Atiku, who many had thought would give Buhari a good run, came a distant third with 954 votes, while Okorocha came fourth with 624 votes. Nda-Isaiah, a new comer to the race had 10 votes.

Date with history For Buhari, who is making a fourth attempt at unseating the ruling party, his campaign promises revolves around three issues – fight against corruption, insecurity and job creation. He has vowed to stop the Boko Haram insurgency in months, create millions of jobs and end corruption if elected.

No doubt, Buhari has suffered three consecutive defeats in the hands of PDP presidential candidates in the last three general elections including President Jonathan (2011), but the dynamism he and the APC leadership have introduced to the presidential campaign has seen the former military ruler extending his drive for votes beyond the northern part of the country where he hails from, perhaps for the first time since 2003.

In the previous polls, the Katsi-

na State-born army general rarely campaigned outside his NorthWest home zone, apparently due to paucity of funds. But the reason for the boost in his campaign is not far-fetched. The coming together of the various opposition parties and defection of some members of the ruling party, particularly five of its governors to the APC has offered Buhari, not only a broader platform but resources to campaign across the country.

Strength In today’s poll, Buhari is expecting substantial votes from his strongholds of North-West, NorthEast and the South-West, where former Lagos State governor and national leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu holds sway. The three zones boast 33.1 million of the country’s 56.4 million eligible voters.

The North-West (Kano, Kaduna, Kebbi, Katsina, Zamfara, Jigawa and Sokoto) and North-East (Taraba, Bauchi, Gombe, Borno, Adamawa and Yobe) have 16 million and 7.9 million voters, respectively, while the South-West (Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Oyo) has 9.2 million voters.

He is also quite hopeful of votes from APC-controlled states in the

28 MARCH 2015

South-South – Edo (1.2 million) and Rivers (2.1 million) as well as Imo State in the South-East (1.7 million). The North Central is another zone in which he expects to make a strong showing. He is counting on APC states of Kwara (889,067) and Nassarawa (1,048,058). Niger State is also not left out. Buhari polled 652,574 votes against Jonathan’s 321, 429 votes in the state in 2011.

Long road to fame No doubt, Buhari enjoys huge popularity, but the fame did not come that easy. Born in Daura, Katsina State, on December 17, 1942, he had his primary education in Daura and Mai’adua, 1948-1952; Katsina Model School, 1953 and Katsina Provincial Secondary School (now Government College Katsina) 19561961.

He joined the then Nigerian Military Training School, Kaduna in 1963 and also attended Officer’s Cadet School in Aldershot (United Kingdom), October 1963. In 1964, he was at the Nigerian Military College, Kaduna for Platoon Commanders’ Course and later attended Mechanical Transport Officer’s Course at the Army Mechanical Transport School in Borden (United Kingdom), 1965. He also studied at the Defence Services’ Staff College, Wellington (India), 1973 and the United States Army War College, 1979-1980.

He first came to limelight following his appointment as governor of the then newly created North East State during late General Murtala Mohammed’s regime and later to national focus in 1975, when he was appointed by the regime of General OlusegunObasanjo as Minister (then Federal Commissioner) for Petroleum and Natural Resources.

He later became the first chairman of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) at its creation in 1977.

Among the several positions he held during his military career include Platoon Commander, 2nd Infantry battalion, 1963-1964; Mechanical Transport Officer, Lagos Garrison, 1964-1965; Transport Company Commander, 2nd Infantry Brigade, 1965-1966; Battalion Adjutant/Commander, 2nd Infantry Division, 1967-1968 and Brigade Major, 2nd sector, 1st Infantry Division, 1967; Others are Brigade Major, 3rd Infantry Division, 1967-1968; Acting Commander, 4th Sector, 1st Division, 1968-1970; Commander, 31st Infantry Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, 1970-1971; Assistant Adjutant-General, 1st Infantry Division Headquarters, 1971-1972; Colonel, General Staff, 3rd Infantry Division Headquarters, 1974.

He was also Acting Director Supply and Transport, Nigerian Army Corps, Headquarters, 1974-1975; Military Secretary, Army Headquarters, 1978 – 1979; Member, Supreme Military Council, 1978-1979; General Officer Commanding, 4th Infantry Division, 1980-1981; General Officer Commanding, 3rd Armoured Division, 1981-1983; Executive Chairman, Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF), 1995-1999.

Buhari has received several awards and medals including, Grand Commander of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (GCFR); Defence Service Medal (DSM); National Service Medal (NSM); General Service Medal (GSM) Loyal Service and Good Conduct Medal (LSGCM); Forces Service Star (FSS) and the Congo Medal (CM) among others.

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Jonathan, Buhari scramble for South-West votes Battle at the Gateway State Between President Goodluck Jonathan and Major-General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), a victory in Ogun State in today’s presidential election is very crucial. In 2011, the state was a smooth sail for Jonathan as he defeated other contenders in all the 20 local government areas of the state. Then, he polled 309,177 votes, representing 54.1 per cent of the 570,985 total valid votes cast.

However, Buhari, who contested on the platform of defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), only polled 17,654 votes. He trailed Nuhu Ribadu of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), who emerged second with 199,555 votes (34.9 per cent).

But the political dynamics that prevailed in 2011 has since changed. The ruling party has experienced some turbulence while the opposition has waxed strong over time.

Thus, both Jonathan and Buhari are coming into the latest contest on new grounds and with fresh hopes.

Some factors may work in Jonathan’s favour. First, the resurgent Ogun PDP has been bolstered by the synergy between exGovernor Gbenga Daniel and Prince Buruji Kashamu to deliver the state for the president. Also, the emergence of Gboyega Isiaka as the gubernatorial candidate may sway votes for PDP, especially in Ogun West zone.

In addition, Jonathan stands to benefit from his adoption as presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Labour Party (LP). SDP, led by ex-Governor Olusegun Osoba, and LP are much active in Ogun politics. Also, the support of Afenifere chieftains may shore up the president’s electoral chances.

On his part, Buhari looks set to gain tremendously from the incumbency advantage of his party in the state. Governor Ibikunle Amosun, with his acclaimed achievements, has campaigned vigorously and mobilised significantly for the APC presidential candidate.

Also, the choice of Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) as running mate may work for Buhari. Osinbajo hails from Ikenne, Ogun State and is also a top cleric at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG). These factors are expected to spin massive votes.

Moreover, the endorsement by former President Olusegun Obasanjo will invariably galvanize support for Buhari’s presidential ambition.

Verdict: Ogun State is too close to call.

Battle for Lagos Aside being the commercial capital of Nigeria, Lagos State has also carved a niche for itself in politics especially at the advent of the Fourth Republic as the hub of political activities. The state is widely considered as the political headquarters of the APC with the PDP closely hanging on its neck.

Unlike in 2011, when President Jonathan won in Lagos, today’s election will ultimately be a departure. Buhari may have an edge over the president.

For the 2015 elections, the battle for the soul of the Centre of Excellence which dated back 1999, has pitched the APC, fully marshalled by former governor Bola Tinubu and Chief Olabode George of the PDP against each other. Wherever the pendulum swings, the battle must have been keenly contested.

As against the wide-held belief that the APC which has been at the helms of affair of the state in the past 16 years would have a field day in the general elections, the emergence of Jimi Agbaje as the PDP governorship candidate altered the stream of thought in that regard. His endearing personality swayed popularity for him and his party, keeping the APC on its toes.

With a grounded APC structure and a motivated PDP, the stakes in Lagos are definitely high for the polls. Though some analysts have urged security agencies to beam

The south-west zone has 14,296,163 registered voters. The All Progressives Congress (APC) is in control of four of the six states and picked its presidential running mate, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, from the zone while the PDP has two. The outcome of the election in the zone will ultimately determine the outcome of the presidential election. KUNLE OLASENI, WALE ELEGBEDE, SOLA ADEYEMO, ADESINA WAHAB and ADEOLU ADEYEMO report

Fayose

their attention on Lagos Island areas of the state, others believe that the real battle in the state will be Lagos West areas especially Alimosho where over one million votes are at stake.

In the run-up to the election, pockets of clashes between the two parties led to deaths of some party supporters. In one of the clashes on Lagos Island, a chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Alhaji Azeez Asake, who is said to be an APC supporter, was killed and in retaliation of Asake’s murder, two PDP youths were allegedly killed by the APC youths in Ebute Ero. In Lagos West, Hon. Adeola Solomon, APC Senatorial candidate and Segun Adewale, PDP senatorial candidate, are back to the trenches after a four-year break. No doubt, they both have a score to settle after a cut-throat battle for Alimosho federal constituency in 2011.

With the APC bent on retaining the state with its candidate, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, and the PDP lurching on an the offensive to break the 16 years barricade from Alausa, the Lagos election will be an epic polls especially in the National Assembly, governorship and state House of Assembly elections. It is only expected that the security agencies may have to be at their best to curtail all fraying nerves.

Tinubu and Governor Babatunde Fashola will pull the necessary strings to retain the state.

Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, George and Agbaje are expected to sway votes to Jonthan’s side. The different ethnic nationalities in the state will also bolster the chances of the president. But Buhari is most likely to carry the day with the support of Tinubu and Fashola.

Mimiko tests might for Jonathan In Ondo State, President Jonathan may likely defeat Buhari considering the feelings of the people and other factors that determine the outcome of election.

In Ondo North, the Chief of Staff to the President, Brig.-Gen. Jones Arogbofa rtd.; the Director General of the National

Aregbesola

Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye; the senatorial candidate of the PDP, Dr. Bode Olajumoke and former Minister of Defence, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode (SAN), are working round the clock to win the election in the zone.

In Ondo Central, the base of Governor Olusegun Mimiko, he has been meeting with the relevant stakeholders to swing the vote in favour of PDP completely.

Already, he has Ondo West, Ondo East and Idanre in his kitty. He is working with other stakeholders in other three local governments especially Ifedore to swing the vote in favour of his party.

Ondo South is the traditional base of the ruling PDP and may likely win with a wide margin.

However, the feelings of the people of the in the state gravitate towards APC, but how this would change the tide is yet to be seen. But the Thursday’s defection of the deputy governor, Alhaji Ali Olanusi, to the APC will certainly help Buhari but not to the extent of overrunning Jonathan.

Mimiko, as the South-West coordinator of PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation, will certainly prove that he is in charge of the state.

Fayose’s popularity on test In Ekiti State, the odds favour President Jonathan and he is likely to win nothing less than 60 per cent of the votes.

Currently, his party, the PDP, controls the state and it was last June that the party defeated the then ruling APC. Ayo Fayose polled nearly 65 per cent of the votes then and won in all the 16 local government areas of the state.

Though one may not say that the popularity of Fayose and his party still remained what it was last June, there is nothing serious to suggest that it has waned to the point of losing the presidential and National Assembly polls.

Ethnic and religious sentiments also favoured the PDP over the APC. Moreover, the APC is having some internal wrangling and efforts are being

made to pacify aggrieved members.

Some leaders felt former governor Kayode Fayemi did not handle some issues well while in office.

He did not lead APC in any rally in the state apart from his appearance at Buhari's presidential rally last January.

The development led to the olive branch the APC extended to Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele who left the party for the Labour Party to contest last year's election.

That all is not well within the APC came to the fore during Monday's town hall meeting held by APC vice presidential candidate, Osinbajo, in Ado-Ekiti where some APC leaders in the state were booed.

Polarisation in Oyo Considering the fact that APC rules Oyo State presently, the conjecture is apt to say that its presidential candidate, Buhari, would comfortably win the hearts of the electorate in the Saturday's election.

The position of several other political parties, however, negates this calculation as most of them have endorsed President Jonathan for second term in office.

Aside Governor Abiola Ajimobi and his supporters in the party who are canvassing for Buhari, the PDP and other parties that even do not have presidential candidates have pledged their support for Jonathan.

Though Adebayo Alao-Akala of the Labour Party was not overtly committed to supporting Jonathan, the political calculation of the party, its communique at the recent National Executive Council meeting in Ibadan, and antecedents of the former governor, indicate that the party would vote the sitting president.

Accord party of Senator Rasidi Ladoja has adopted Jonathan, and the report of N1.2 billion mobilisation from the presidency cannot be under-estimated. The governorship candidate's romance with the PDP and effort to be chosen as the PDP candidate by some powers-that-be in Abuja, are also indicators of the fact that Accord has soft spot for Jonathan.

The permutation is the same for the Social Democratic Party (SDP) being sponsored by a former governorship aspirant of the PDP, Engr. Seyi Makinde.

The party has no presidential candidate and it had declared its support for Jonathan. Rumours even had it that the party was also mobilised by the presidency.

APGA and KOWA parties which have also adopted Alao-Akala of Labour Party as their governorship candidate, would follow the same trend by voting Jonathan.

The influence of traditional rulers on their subjects in the state is however likely to produce nebulous results as the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Samuel Ogunlana Odugade, recently called on the electorate to vote Buhari, while the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi and the Soun of Ogbomoso Oba Jimoh Oyewumi Ajagungbade remained non-committal. The recent visits of President Jonathan to all of them with the reported 'dollarisation' package might however sway their decisions in favour of the present administration at the centre, even though supporters of Ajimobi will vote in Buhari.

Aregbesola for Buhari Osun is the only South-West state that President Jonathan lost in the 2011 election. Governor Rauf Aregbesola ensured that the presidential candidate of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Nuhu Ribadu, won the state. Aregbesola is likely going to repeat the same feat in today’s election by ensuring that Buhari emerges as the winner in Osun State.

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28 MARCH 2015

South-South as Jonathan’s fortress

ping at nothing to ensure victory at the end of epic contest.

Governor Adams Oshiomhole was on the side of President Jonathan in 2011 election, but the governor has turned to one of the greatest critics of the Jonathan-led administration.

Chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT) of the PDP, Chief Tony Anenih, and other leaders of the party will test their might against Oshiomhole.

With ethnic sentiment, President Jonathan is still ahead of Buhari in Edo State.

President Goodluck Jonathan is sure of coasting home to victory in his South-South states.

DOMINIC ADEWOLE (Asaba), CLEMENT JAMES (Calabar), EMMANUEL MASHA (Port Harcourt), CAJETAN MMUTA (Benin) and TONY ANICHEBE (Uyo) writes Who wins in Rivers State With 2, 537, 590 registered voters in Rivers, which is the highest in the South-South geo-political zone, it is easy to know why the visits of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd.), the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and that of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP to the state, massively attracted reactions from near and far.

Buhari had visited the state in company with other party leaders, including Bola Tinubu, and Chief Bisi Akande. Buhari made more trips, including when Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and his supporters defected to the APC en masse; when Amaechi celebrated his seven years in office last November, and recently when Buhari made a last campaign trip to the state.

In comparison, Jonathan visited once – at the Adokie Amasiemaka International Stadium, after attempts by the Amaechi-led administration to deprive him of the stadium’s use. The First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, who also visited recently, canvassed for votes for her husband. The PDP under the chairmanship of Felix Obuah, feels that Rivers remains a stronghold of the party, despite the fact that it is presently under the control of the APC. It is extremely difficult to predict who carries the day between Jonathan and Buhari, because of some realities on the ground. While Rivers is presently under the APC, and controls those in charge of political offices, especially those appointed, and has politicians, who according to an observer “are nearer to the people,” it might still not control the kind of votes that can give Buhari a clear victory against Jonathan.

The PDP, under the leadership of Nyesom Wike, has the backing of old political leaders; those who pulled the shot at the state, and federal level, including former governors Peter Odili and Sir Celestine Omehia, two former deputy speakers of the House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Chibudom Nwuche, and Rt. Hon. Austin Opara.

As it stands, what will strongly influence the choice of voters today is ethnic sentiment. There is a very strong connection among a sizable number of voters that Jonathan is “our son” and should get their votes no matter what.

But then, the APC has some die hard supporters who are ready to swim or sink with Amaechi, and any candidate that he supports. In all, there is sympathy for Jonathan, which will most likely translate to victory for him.

Buhari will do well in Rivers if he gets 25 per cent required votes.

Dickson

Akpabio

Cross River for Jonathan President Jonathan is most likely to overwhelmingly win the presidential votes in Cross River State because of several reasons.

One of the major reasons is that the APC exists only on paper in the state. The opposition political party had been hit by lack of funds right from day one, leaving the ruling party to dominate the political space. Even the Labour Party (LP), which arrived late in the state, has since muffled the APC. Of course, the alleged injustice in the ruling PDP, during the party’s primaries, presented a fertile ground for the aggrieved aspirants to find succour in the LP, and they all are rooting for the emergence of President Jonathan.

Besides, the sentiment about Jonathan coming from the South-South is very strong and it is likely that such sentiment will be a factor.

Governor Liyel Imoke has promised to deliver Cross River for Jonathan.

It is doubtful if Buhari will win 25 per cent votes in the state.

Deltans for Jonathan Out of the 14 presidential candidates for the March 28 election, only three are known in Delta State – PDP,

APC and KOWA. While Jonathan has visited the state capital (Asaba) twice this year, first, to campaign, and secondly to witness his endorsement by the Arewa Initiative for Peaceful Co-existence (AIPC) in Southern Nigeria, Buhari, who dashed into Warri, having visited the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwase II, in his palace, has left other permutations in the hand of the governorship candidate of his party in the state, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor.

Jonathan is sure to record overwhelming victory in Delta.

All the major stakeholders in the state are for the president. Besides that, Delta is a PDP-controlled state, the people of the state are wholly behind him, hence the floodgates of endorsement.

Virtually all the monarchs in Delta have endorsed the president’s reelection.

Delta is no-go-area for Buhari.

Akwa Ibom for Jonathan If for anything, Governor Godswill Akpabio will ensure that Akwa Ibom overwhelmingly vote President Jonathan. The governor, an ally of the president and a senatorial candidate, has deployed machinery of government to ensure victory for the president.

But unlike in 2011 when the president won landslide with about 1.3 million out of 1.7 million votes, it may only be by margin of 60 per cent against 40 per cent of the votes this time around.

Akwa Ibom in the last six years of Jonathan administration has not benefited from the Federal Government.

The president acknowledged this during his visit to the state but promised to extend rail line and upgrade the Maritime Academy Oron to maritime university and ensure the realisation of Ibaka Deep Sea Port among others.

Notwithstanding Jonathan’s near zero performance in Akwa Ibom, ethnic sentiments of his South- South origin still pervades the state and many citizens will vote him because he is from the oil-rich region. Again his party, the PDP, is the ruling party in the state and has structures across the nooks and crannies of the state with some fanatical supporters.

Can Oshiomhole stop Jonathan?

The battle by forces of the ruling APC and the opposition PDP in Edo State to secure votes for Buhari and President Jonathan is one that is going to be fierce. Both sides are stop-

Home victory There is no contest on President Jonathan’s victory in his home state of Bayelsa, The president will secure more than 90 per cent of the votes.

Amaech

The Yoruba: Kunle Olayeni Abeokuta

P

resident Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former head of state, Major General Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) are the most prominent among the candidates in the presidential race.

But the Yoruba are clearly divided on choice of candidate for the nation’s Presidency. Several events in the buildup to the elections have attested to this.

While some are rooting for the re-election of Jonathan, others are mobilising for a change of guard at the Aso Villa.

As things stand, no one can categorically predict where the pendulum of victory will swing notwithstanding the different opinion polls being circulated. The uncertainty of voting direction in South

West is further reinforced by the fact that both the PDP and APC are active in the region with large following.

The situation was unlike 1999 when the Yoruba had clear-cut direction. When Nigeria returned to civil rule and elections were held in 1999, the Yorubas voted massively for former finance minister, Chief Olu Falae, who ran for the Presidency on the joint ticket of Alliance for Democracy (AD) and All Peoples Party (APP). They rejected the candidature of General Olusegun Obasanjo, who contested on the PDP platform. Obasanjo, who was considered the preferred choice of the north and military establishment, won the presidential election.

However, in 2003, there was a major ideological shift in Yoruba politics. Then, Obasanjo enjoyed block support of his kinsmen to secure a second term of office.

This was after some agreements were reached by major stakeholders in Yoruba

28 MARCH 2015

S

ince 1999, Imo has largely remained a stronghold of the Peoples Democratic Party apparently due to the cosmopolitan nature of the party which easily connects to the average Igbo man.

The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the Progressive People’s Alliance (PPA) may have at different times won the governorship elections in Imo State but every political pundit who knows anything about the politics of Imo would affirm to the fact that it was still PDP that endorsed APGA and PPA and galvanised them to victory.

Presently, sentiments is what is driving the larger population of the electorate and will certainly determine how they vote.

Ordinarily in Imo State, religious and ethnic sentiments could to a large extent sway victory the way of President Jonathan. But General Muhammadu Buhari of the APC is still believed to be struggling with the hangover of totalitarian rule while Jonathan is viewed as democrat at least in the Nigerian context.

Jonathan is believed to have a lot to show for his years in office while Buhari does not seem to have much of tangible achievement to show for his stint as a military head of state. What comes to mind is the grey sides of Buhari's administration which of course he has been quoted as saying, he has no regret for.

The PDP in Imo is desperately gunning for the Douglas House having been on the sideline for the last four year. It would be a tough battle for Okorocha to get a return berth and next to impossibility for Buhari to win in Imo. In some of Governor Okorocha’s rallies, while he was widely cheered by his supporters, same supporters would quickly grumble and ask him to shelf it, the moment he presents the issue of Buhari’s candidature for President. Even Okorocha seems to have seen the risk to marketing Buhari, as there is presently no billboard jointly bearing the image of governor Okorocha and Buhari, his presidential candidate, as is the pattern in other areas.

Bearing in mind that in 2011, Jonathan got nearly 96 per cent of the votes in Imo, it would be a lot easier for an APGA presidential candidate to win Jonathan in Imo than an APC presidential candidate who is not from the East.

Give or take, President Jonathan will win in Imo and Buhari understands this calculation which is why in his visit to Imo on Monday, he urged Ndigbo not to vote Jonathan on sentiment and that says a lot about the reality on the ground.

Simply put, President Jonathan will post a landslide victory in Imo on Satur-

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South-East goes for Jonathan President Goodluck Jonathan is sure of victory in the South-East. Virtually all the major stakeholders are rooting for him. But the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Muhammadu Buhari, will harvest some votes in Imo and Anambra states. STEVE UZOECHI (Owerri), UWAKWE ABUGU (Enugu), IGBEAKU ORJI (Umuahia), TONY OKAFOR (Awka) and CHARLES ONYEKWERE (Abakaliki) examine the chances of the two candidates

Chime

day.

Abia for PDP Abia State, as far as the presidential election is concerned, is clearly for President Jonathan not because the people support the party and all its candidates at all levels, but because they see Jonathan as closer to them in history, geography and religion. These sentiments play vital roles in politics and the choice of candidates.

The question would always be: who will protect your interest more and that they have found in Jonathan. PDP is the ruling party in a state where APC has made little or no impact.

Besides, the APC and its presidential candidate, Buhari, did very little to

Okorocha

change the perception of the people who saw the party at inception as having no place for Ndigbo. The damage started with the election/appointment of national officers of the party. The people could not be convinced that the absence of one of their own was politically expedient. They interpreted it purely along the line of disregard and dishonour to their tribe. Again, the protracted leadership crisis in the party in Abia State shook it to the very foundation. Evidently, the APC lost so much time in putting its house in order. Though the people of the state did not fare better in the PDP, they found solace in better the devil you know than the devil you don't know.

APGA, PDP for Jonathan in Anambra In 2011, President Jonathan polled over

Divided they go to poll land, including the then AD governors in the region, who later lost their positions in the ensuing PDP tsunami.

During the transition from civilian to civilian administration in 2007, the Yoruba, who had entrenched themselves in mainstream politics, voted for the Umar Musa Yar’Adua ticket. And when Yar’Adua became incapacitated in office due to terminal illness, the Yoruba emerged at the forefront of agitation towards ensuring Jonathan’s ascension to the number one seat. Rallies were organised by Save Nigeria Group (SNG), which was floated by notable Yoruba sons and daughters to drum support for Jonathan, who was then the vice president in the Yar’Adua administration.

When the agenda sailed through and it was time for Jonathan to contest in 2011, many Yorubas also worked for him irrespective of party differences. Out of all the South-West states, it was only in Osun that the president failed to win.

But the political dynamics that prevailed at the last elections have changed. There has been significant realignment of forces on the political turf. The ruling party has experienced turbulent defections of its members to opposition while hitherto opposition chieftains have also changed camps.

Despite the fact that one of their own, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, is the running mate of Buhari, the Yoruba are sharply divided over the party ticket to support in this election. Afenifere, which is the frontline Yoruba socio-political group, has endorsed Jonathan for a second term. The Afenifere predicated its endorsement on the president’s commitment to implementing the recommendations of the report of the 2014 National Conference.

The Yoruba socio-political group had been at the vanguard of restructuring the country. To its chieftains, issues of true federalism, devolution of powers, state police, state creation and others they posit are cru-

cial to a better Nigeria.

But the Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG) rejected the mainstream Afenifere’s endorsement of Jonathan and distanced itself from it. In a statement in Lagos, the ARG described the use of Afenifere to promote Jonathan as fraudulent and an attempt to deceive the Yoruba people.

Another cultural group, Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE), said it does not have any anointed presidential candidate for the election. The group said the appearance of its National President, Major General Adeyinka Adebayo (rtd), at a post-national conference summit in Ibadan should not be misconstrue for an endorsement of Jonathan.

But the crack in Yorubaland widened as the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) joined the fray. Led by its two factional leaders, Dr. Frederick Fasehun and Otunba Gani Adams, the OPC justified the endorsement.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

a million votes in Anambra State, leaving almost nothing to his counterpart in that year's general elections, Buhari.

But this year's polls may not be a repeat performance of 2011.

Prominent politicians like former President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Dr. Dozie Ikedife; former governor of Anambra State, Dr. Chinwoke Mbadinuju; former speaker of the House of Representatives, Chief Agunwa Anaekwe, and Senator Chris Ngige and others have all vowed to stop Jonathan getting votes in the state in today's election. For them, the Jonathan government is monumental disaster to Ndigbo.

Rising from a meeting in Awka, under the auspices of Concerned Igbo Patriots, comprising notable politicians and businessmen, they observed that President Jonathan has not done anything commensurate to the level of support given to his administration by Igbo people.

But with the support of the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the PDP, President Jonathan still holds the ace in Anambra. But Buhari will still garner some votes in the state.

Ebonyi all for Jonathan President Jonathan of the PDP has the ace in Ebonyi State. With a coalition of Labour Party (LP), Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA), Independent Democrats (ID) and Social Democratic Party (SDP) having endorsed the president, it is certain he will triumph in the election.

The strength of the PDP with the massive campaign of the party’s governorship candidate, Chief Dave Umahi, in the 171 electoral wards of the state, has also added more strength to the party.

Ethnic sentiment will affect the chances of Buhari in the state. The outcome of the ongoing campaigns showed that the people of the state did not embrace the APC because of its foundation. Some people in the state see the party as an Islamic party.

Coal state for Jonathan President Jonathan won a landslide in the presidential election in Enugu State in 2011 and he is likely to re-enact the feat today. Buhari is expected to trail behind but the President is not likely to defeat the APC candidate with the wide margin seen in the previous poll.

A good number of factors would determine how the contest would be won and lost in Enugu. The state has since the inception of the present democratic dispensation remain basically a PDP state and the party's stranglehold on the leaders of the state, the electorate, even the traditional rulers at the moment still largely defies feeble attempts by opposition parties to loosen the grip.

As it is, all government machineries at the three tiers of government in the state have since been deployed to deliver Jonathan and Governor Sullivan Chime is at the head of the movement.

While the strength garnered by the APC in the build up to the election cannot march the evident massive mobilisation of the PDP, Buhari's rating among the very politically discerning personalities in the state has increased tremendously but they are in the minority.

Such persons among the voters are found in tertiary institutions located in the state. They are also found among those who feel that ethnic sentiments can no longer enjoy a place in their assessment of who should pilot the affairs of this country.

Yet, one of the major factors that would contribute in giving Jonathan the bulk of the votes of Enugu residents is ethnic consideration. A great percentage of the populace still believe that it is better to vote in someone from Southern Nigeria than the one from the North.

18 Saraki to bolster Buhari’s chances The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Muhammad Buhari, will win today’s election in Kwara State. Even an opinion poll being used as advertorial by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to project an overall win for the party, agrees that the ruling party will lose Kwara.

What is in doubt is whether the 45 percent projected by the poll for the PDP in the state will be the margin of defeat or not.

State leader of the APC, Senator Bukola Saraki, wants the party to win the state by as much as 80 per cent, to repeat the feat he recorded in the last general election for the PDP when he was still with them.

Some of the factors that will help Buhari in the state include the support base of the Saraki political structure which is still very powerful in the state and will be deployed to work in the elections. It is the structure that produced the governor, members of the national and state assemblies as well as all the 16 local government chairmen in the state. Added to this is the fact that Buhari also has a cult-like following among the Hausa/Fulani communities in the state. Religious sentiments may also come to his aid in the state.

Odds favour Jonathan in Nasarawa There are strong indications that President Goodluck Jonathan of the PDP is likely to win against APC’s Buhari in Nasarawa State, given the fact that the PDP has stronger and viable structures in the state more than Buhari’s APC. Moreso, PDP in the state has more elected leaders and influential personalities.

The PDP in the state has two senators, more House of Representatives and 20 out of the 24 members in the state House of Assembly and with the recent appointment of Senator Patricia Akwashiki as Minister of Information backed with the influence of the state's deputy governor, Damishi Luka, who heads the president's campaign team in the state all working for the ruling party, there is no doubt that Jonathan will get the majority votes at the polls in the state.

Besides, PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) secretary, Senator Walid Jirin, with the Director-General of Yusuf Agabi campaign team, Senator Solomon Ewuga, who is in control of the most populated ethnic group, Eggon, and a host of other ethnic groups will influence President Jonathan's victory in the state.

But in all, it will be a tight race between Buhari and Jonathan despite the fact that PDP won the state in 2011. Governor Tanko Al-Makura will ensure that his party, APC, gives the PDP a tough fight.

APC, PDP battle for Confluence State Though the PDP is the ruling party in Kogi State, the chances of President Jonathan is uncertain following recent political developments in the state, particularly the last PDP primaries and the sacking of 21 local government chairmen by the state High Court.

Besides this, the Kogi Central Senatorial District of the state has always voted for Buhari and it is likely that the Eastern part of the state will go for the APC, following the mass defection of PDP members in the area led by AVM Salihu Atawodi (rtd), Barrister Emmanuel Dangana, Elder Obolo Okpanachi, Senator Nicholas Ugbane and Alhaji Sanni Ogu to the APC. They will team up with the already steady political structure of former governor Abubakar Audu. Also votes from aggrieved PDP members across the state will give the APC an upper hand.

But Governor Idris Wada and other PDP's foot soldiers will put up a good fight for President Jonathan.

Benue: Too close to call Benue State has been identified as one of the battlefields ahead of today's election between the APC’s Buhari and PDP’s Jonathan.

Nigeria

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

28 MARCH 2015

Battle for the North-Central

The North Central otherwise known as Middle Belt was the zone where President Goodluck Jonathan had the major support in the North during the 2011 elections. But the fortunes of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have been depleted in the zone with the defection of some political heavyweights in the zone. BIODUN OYELEYE (Ilorin), CHEKE EMMANUEL (Lafia), MUHAMMAD BASHIR (Lokoja), CEPHAS IORHEMEN (Makurdi), DAN ATORI (Minna) and MUSA PAM (Jos) report on the permutations in the zone

Saraki

Saturday Telegraph has observed that the incumbency factor which has put the ruling PDP at a vantage position against the APC, may be a major determinant of where the pendulum will swing, more so that the state is being controlled by the PDP. One major obstacle working against the ruling party for which the people are yearning for change include abysmal performance of the incumbent administration after close to eight years as well as non-payment of workers’ salaries and

Suswam

entitlements of pensioners among others.

The APC has cashed on these lapses to win the support of the people.

Ironically, between PDP and APC which are the dominant political parties in the state, the APC is most deeply rooted at the grassroots level with wide acceptability, and it is optimistic of forming government in the March 28 and April 11 polls following the support it has garnered through massive defection of PDP members to its fold.

The incumbency factor may, however,

work to the advantage of the PDP. Governor Gabriel Suswam, Senate President David Mark, Interior Minister, Comrade Abba Moro and other top notchers in the PDP will ensure that President Jonathan wins in the state.

Former governor of the state, Senator George Akume, APC governorship candidate, Sam Ortom and former PDP National Chairman, Barnabas Gemade are mobilising for Buhari. Gemade and Akume are contesting the senatorial election.

Niger to go for Buhari Party affiliation, religion and ethnicity are some of the factors that will determine who gets Niger State between APC and the ruling PDP. It should be noted that Niger is a PDP state but it is on record that President Jonathan has never won outright here.

There are no hopes that he will get what he got in 2011 elections. And with what is on the ground now in Niger, the state is a stronghold of Buhari with the APC pulling more crowd.

Even the APC put pressure on the PDP in the last senatorial by-election won by the PDP but which the tribunal had declared the opposition party as the winner.

It is unlikely if President Jonathan will win the state.

Governor Babangida Aliyu may not have the political strength to deliver the state for Jonathan.

President on the Plateau The battle on the Plateau today is between President Jonathan and Buhari.

The state has always go for the PDP since the return of democracy in 1999.

President Jonathan defeated Buhari in Plateau State in the last election.

Governor Jonah Jang is expected to deliver the state for the PDP. The PDP is so rooted in Plateau that it will be difficult to be displaced by the APC’s Buhari.

The president polled over 1.2 million votes in 2011. Nothing has really changed to deplete the president’s support in the state. In fact, Jang had promised to deliver two million votes for the president.

The return of former governor, Senator Joshua Dariye (Plateau Central) and former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Gen. Jeremiah Useni, to the PDP is a major boost for the party.

Jang, Dariye and Useni are contesting the senatorial election today and their support will count for the president.

Buhari will still record substantial votes with the Hausa/Fulani community.

•

Continued on page 48

The Yoruba: Divided they go to poll C O N T I N U E D f r o m PA G E 1 7

The Gani Adams-wing of the OPC also recently held a grand rally in Lagos to drum support for Jonathan. At the rally, the ethnic militia group also called for the removal of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, over his alleged poor handling of the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) distribution in the south, registration of underage voters in the north and creation of additional 30,000 polling units in the north.

However, a splinter group in the OPC, led

by Shina Akinpelu, dissociated the militia group's endorsement of Jonathan. Akinpelu said Adams, who is the OPC national coordinator, was on his own and did not enjoy the support of a large size of OPC membership spread across the country.

Critics noted that the OPC's endorsement might have been influenced by the lucrative contract given by the Federal Government

to the group to secure crude oil pipelines in the South West.

To deepen their agenda, the rival political tendencies went further to hold two separate Yoruba summits. While one summit was organised at the Ikeja Airport Hotel, Lagos, another was organised at the Parliament Building, Ibadan. Both events had all the trappings of a high profile conference.

The Lagos summit with the theme: "Your tomorrow today," had in attendance prominent Afenifere leaders, including Chief Ayo Adebanjo and Senator Femi Okurounmu; Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State, former Ogun State governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Chief Bode George, and Minister of State for Works, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, among others.

At the pan-Yoruba summit in Ibadan, dignitaries present include the APC vice presidential candidate, Osinbajo; Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, immediate past

governor of Ekiti, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; ARG National Chairman, Hon. Wale Oshun, Senator Ayo Fasanmi, and Lieutenant General Alani Akinrinade (rtd), among others.

The two summits seemed to be interested in positioning the Yoruba in the appropriate context of the Nigerian nation but with different strategies of realising the goal.

At the end of the day, the Lagos summit recommended that the Yoruba should vote for Jonathan because of his commitment to the implementation of national conference recommendations. On its part, the Ibadan summit resolved that the Yoruba must vote for change in view of the need to restore the lost glory of the race.

As the division rages, the traditional institution in the region has also been caught in the web. The Obas have been polarised over who to support between Jonathan and Buhari. The development has further put the South-West in spotlight and exposed the intrigues in the zone.

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Nigeria

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

28 MARCH 2015

A flurry of endorsements TEMITOPE OGUNBANKE writes on the endorsement of President Goodluck Jonathan and Major General Muhammadu Buhari for the March 28 presidential election.

cause while the ARG was stating its agenda, the wife of the ARG pointsman was romancing with Dame Patience Jonathan..

The group has tactically expressed support for the APC and they are expected to work for Buhari’s victory at the presidential poll.

In an interview with Saturday Telegraph, a chieftain of ARG and failed senatorial aspirant in Ogun, Bisi Adegbuyi, said: “...as we have the old Afenifere that has endorsed Jonathan, the Afenifere Renewal Group has endorsed General Buhari because he represents the change that we need now.”

I

f endorsement will determine the outcome of today’s presidential election, President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) definitely has an edge over his All Progressives Congress (APC) counterpart, Major General Muhammadu Buhari, with the plethora of endorsements for the president. This is expected.

Since Jonathan and Buhari emerged as presidential candidates, they have reaped endorsements from different quarters across the country. In fact, division set in among the groups over the choice of who to back. While some of the endorsements were genuine, some were based on other considerations.

Olusegun Obasanjo Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, on February 11, declared his support for the APC presidential candidate, Buhari, clearly an anti-party activity. He endorsed the APC flag bearer during an interview with the Financial Times at the launch of his autobiography titled, ‘My Watch’, in Nairobi, Kenya.

Obasanjo said he was confident that Buhari, if voted as president, would effectively tackle corruption and insecurity. He also expressed confidence that the APC candidate would restore the morale of the military needed in the fight against terrorism. “He is smart enough. He is educated enough. He is experienced enough. Why shouldn’t I support him?” he said.

Ibrahim Babangida Former military president, General Ibrahim Babaginda, on January 19, threw his weight behind his predecessor, Buhari, assuring him that retired generals will support the APC candidate’s bid for the presidency.

“I want to commend APC for choosing our colleague as its standard-bearer.

All of us will support you (Buhari) in this course to salvage this country,” he said when Buhari paid a visit to his Hilltop Mansion in Minna, Niger State.

IBB, as he is fondly called, is influential in Nigeria and therefore, his endorsement counts for Buhari.

Southern Assembly Leaders of the Southern Nigeria People’s Assembly (SNPA) on January 20 rose from their fifth General Assembly in Enugu and endorsed President Jonathan and urged Nigerians to vote for him.

“The Southern Nigeria People’s Assembly hereby endorses President Jonathan for the presidential election,” the group stated in a communiqué signed by former Vice-President Alex Ekwueme (South-East), Ijaw leader and former Minister of Information, Chief Edwin Clark (South-South) and retired Bishop of Anglican Communion, Rt. Revd. Bishop Emmanuel Gbonigi, the leader of the SouthWest delegation.

Ohanaeze Ndigbo Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex Igbo sociocultural organisation expressed their support for President Jonathan on account that if elected, he will implement the National Conference recommendations as the initiator of the conference.

The group in a communiqué signed

Traditional rulers Traditional rulers in different geopolitical zones across the country have also expressed their support for President Jonathan. Among those traditional rulers that have publicly endorsed the president’s re-election are those from in the South-East and South-West states. Unlike Buhari, President Jonathan has visited more traditional rulers across the country to sell his candidature.

There were also allegations that the president parted with monetary gifts to the traditional rulers in order for him to earn their support.

Babangida with President Jonathan

Controversial cleric, Mbaka Catholic priest and founder of Adoration Ground, Enugu, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, on January 1, in a New Year sermon, endorsed the candidacy of the APC presidential candidate.

“I love President Goodluck Jonathan and I used to be his ardent fan, but I want good for my people and that is why I want Nigerians to vote out Goodluck Jonathan and vote General Muhammadu Buhari. I don’t care if Buhari is a Muslim and from the North; all I care about is that Buhari can save Nigeria,” he said.

Obasanjo with Buhari

by Ohanaeze Ndigbo State Presidents Forum led by Chris Eluemunoh of Anambra State on January 26, stated that they backed Jonathan since APC opted out of the conference.

“In view of the forgoing, the Ohanaeze state presidents forum therefore endorses President Jonathan in the forthcoming presidential election and urges all Ndigbo in the 36 states of the federation and Abuja to vote massively for him,” the group stated.

But while the executive of Ohanaeze Ndigbo is backing the president, the Ohanaeze Caretaker Committee led by a member of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), Chief Ralph Obioha, is declaring support for Buhari. Therefore, with the division in the Ohanaeze Ndigbo over Jonathan and Buhari, the endorsement by the group may not work as expected.

Arewa Consultative Forum Buhari’s presidential aspiration got a boost on January 14 when North’s apex body, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), endorsed him for the presidential poll.

ACF, in a communiqué signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Muhammad Ibrahim, said that they supported the APC candidate because it was part

of the forum's policy to support Northerners in any presidential election.

The Forum also noted that Buhari’s earlier endorsement by its National Chairman, Alhaji Ibrahim Coomassie, was in order.

“That the NEC Chairman’s statement on the issue of the Forum supporting a northern candidate in the person of General Muhammadu Buhari is hereby reaffirmed. It is the policy of the ACF to support any northerner in any presidential election.”

Afenifere Pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, on January 27, endorsed President Jonathan’s re-election.

Briefing journalists at the residence of Afenifere leader, Chief Reuben Fasoranti in Akure, the Ondo State capital, after a meeting the president held with the leaders of the organisation, its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Yinka Odumakin said that the leaders decided to give their support to President Jonathan because he “convoked the National Conference and is ready to implement the report.”

While the Afenifere backs the president, Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG) dissociated itself from the endorsement but this may have been hypocritical be-

APGA, LP, UPN, PDM, others Apart from individuals and groups showing support for President Jonathan and Buhari, many political parties, especially those who are not presenting candidate in today’s presidential election have adopted either Jonathan or Buhari as their candidate for the March 28 election.

All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Labour Party (LP), New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP), Social Democratic Party (SDP), Accord Party (AP), and Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) were among the political parties that have already declared support for President Jonathan’s re-election.

While many political parties threw their weight behind the president and the PDP, the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM) on Friday January 23 announced its support for Buhari.

The endorsement of the fringe parties will earn their beneficiaries some votes.

CSO, ethnic nationalities, others Civil Society Organisations (CSO), ethnic nationalities and groups are not left out in the series of endorsement for Jonathan and Buhari.

Among those groups that have publicly endorsed President Jonathan are; Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN) and Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC). Those who have endorsed Buhari include; Northern Christian Leaders Eagle Eyes Forum, Yoruba Ronu Leadership Forum, Igbokwelie and several others.

The support for Jonathan and Buhari has also divided many groups as the likes of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Eze Ndigbo, and many others are expressing support for different candidates.

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Nigeria

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

28 MARCH 2015

On the trail of

Patience Jonathan be better than them. Are we to bring the young ones down? It’s not our portion,” she added.

“A bird in hand is worth a million in the bush. Nigerian women, let us shine our eyes. Women of Nigeria, are you ready to go to prison?

Are you ready to go and give your father food in the prison? It is not our portion. We reject it.

“Akwa Ibom State is a PDP state.

It’s not for expired drugs, because APC cannot heal you, outdated drugs cannot heal you. Let them call it any name. Just like my husband's younger brother (Governor Akpabio) has said, they will continue changing name until they will reach Ebola. And they will call it Ebola.

“You know what Ebola normally does? Although Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has said Nigeria is not Ebola country. So, they cannot bring Ebola to Nigeria because Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and PDP government will wipe it out. And they will bury it, because it cannot stay here at all.

“So let them continue changing their name. If they fail this time, because I know they have failed, you will hear they will change their name again. They will change it and answer another name,” she said.

Like every responsible wife, the First Lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan, took up the gauntlet to lead campaigns across the country for her husband’s re-election but that effort wasn’t without some glitches. WALE ELEGBEDE highlights some instances that made her rallies a talking point

F

rom all indices of assessment, Mrs. Patience, wife of the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), President Goodluck Jonathan is passionately working hard to ensure that her husband stays in Aso Rock for another four years and she is not leaving any stone unturned to achieve this.

However, her frontal attacks against the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its presidential candidate, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), has generated tantrums from both parties. In fact, the APC had to petition the International Criminal Court (ICC) over one of the First Lady’s speeches, arguing that the president’s wife was inciting the public through hate campaigns. What becomes of the petition, if any, will likely be determined by the outcome of today’s poll.

CALABAR Mrs. Jonathan appearance at the PDP rally in Calabar on March 2 would have been like any other campaign but for her outburst against the APC. It was reported that the First Lady told her audience, especially PDP members to pelt anyone that promises them change with stone.

Patience Jonathan She was quoted as saying, “Anybody that come and tell you change, stone that person. Anybody that called urged the electorate to vote tells you change, tell that person, and stay back to guard their votes carry your change and get away.” to watch against any form of rigging Not ready to have such invective after the election. slammed on its party, the PresidenSpeaking at the PDP Women tial Campaign Council of the All Presidential Campaign in Enugu, Progressives Congress lodged a she stated that,” “The Peoples complaint against Mrs. Jonathan at Democratic Party (PDP) is a peacethe International Criminal Court for ful party. You cannot change what allegedly inciting violence against God has ordained. opposition in her campaign.

“After voting on March 28, make The complaint letter to the ICC sure you follow your votes till the was signed by Rotimi Amaechi, end. Do not leave the arena until Rivers State governor and Direc- the counting ends. Vote wisely, you tor General of Gen Muhammadu must vote according to your conBuhari’s Presidential Campaign science,” the first lady warned.

Council.

“Jonathan’s government has enAmaechi said copies of the let- couraged exportation of food proter would be sent to the Inspector duce and eliminated corruption in General of the Nigeria Police (IGP) the distribution of fertilizers.

“Nigeria is the largest in cassava and the National Human Rights production and PDP will make it to Commission (NHRC). remain so. Jonathan has equipped Enugu our health care facilities and he has At Enugu, the first lady’s speech promised to do more,” she said. seems to dismiss the directive of the Inspector-General of Police that vot- Uyo ers leave polling units after casting The Akwa Ibom State capital was their ballots. agog when the First Lady touched Mama Peace as she is fondly down in Uyo. Typically of her, the

first lady was humorous with her speech and that got the audience cracking.

According to her, all the promises from the APC to fight corruption if elected were all lies, adding that the opposition party has nothing to offer.

She said, “Akwa Ibom people, judge o. Because we are not here for lies. We are not here for propaganda. Because their own number one campaign is corruption. As if they are not corrupt. They are not corrupt,” Mrs. Jonathan said.

“What do you call corruption?

He has a house. You, are you living outside? Are you living in the forest?

It’s corruption.

“In abroad, if a young boy works so hard and buys a copter, we praise the boy. But in Nigeria, if a young boy works so hard and buys a copter, we say he’s corrupt. Why? “Why can’t we encourage the young ones to grow? Why can’t we encourage them to do better? We, our mother born us and train us, why they train us is that we should

Ibadan Heading to Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, Mrs. Jonathan accused Buhari and the APC of planning to imprison her if he is elected into office.

At the rally held at Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Mrs Jonathan invoked the ‘Holy Ghost Fire’ to consume all the challengers of the PDP in the election.

She said: “I want to warn you not to listen to the All Progressives Congress. The APC does not have materials to match what the PDP has on (the) ground. Their candidate was there in governance initially. What did he do? They only sent your fathers to prison.

“They are planning to even send me to prison. Holy Ghost fire! Holy Ghost fire! Holy Ghost fire! They have nothing to offer. They only say ‘I will’, ‘I will’,” she added.

Lokoja: The first lady comment about Buhari in Kogi State generated so much fuss in the polity, leading to protests from some women groups in the North-East.

Speaking during the PDP women presidential campaign rally held in Lokoja, Mrs. Jonathan stated that Buhari is unfit and too old to be the Nigeria’s president.

Addressing her audience in pidgin English, the first lady was reportedly referring to Buhari in her statement, “Wetin him dey find again?

Him dey drag with him pikin mate.

“Old man wey no get brain, him brain don die pata pata.”

“If you vote Buhari, na your prison; if you vote APC, na your wahala,” she sang.

“What is change? Why did you not change things when you were there? Is it now that you want to be doing the things you weren’t doing

before?

“Jonathan looked at us and said women, I am giving you the position of the chief justice of this country. Okonjo-Iweala is a woman, Diezani is a woman. Seventy percent of his cabinet are women.

“He also gave us the opportunity to start enrolling for the regular combatant course at the NDA (Nigerian Defence Academy).

“He wants continuity because he has vowed to do more. He places Nigerians in his mind and if he says he will do this, he will do it. So what are we looking for? If we women of Nigeria don’t appreciate Goodluck and we are looking for bus conductor, it is left for us. ” Delta: Mrs. Jonathan urged Delta women to vote for the PDP, stressing that any woman who votes for the APC is an enemy of herself.

According to her, President Jonathan has empowered women and youths in the country through Youth Enterprise With Innovation in Nigeria, YouWin, Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme, SUREP, and other empowerment programmes.

She said: “The PDP is a party that talks less and does more, unlike the APC that tells new lies every week.

When you catch them today, they will tell another lie tomorrow. We (PDP) do not tell you about change because we are not bus conductors that ask for change.

“We are now in a digital age and we should reject anyone who wants to take us back to analog days.

They keep saying they will do this and that. They should tell us what they have done for Nigerians while in office. As for President Jonathan, he has vowed to do more when he is re-elected.

“President Jonathan has brought a lot of innovation and empowerment programmes for us women.

This is because no one loves the Nigerian woman more than Mr. President and the best way to pay him back is by re-electing him.”

Akure: In Ondo State, Mrs. Jonathan disclosed that she was in the state to beg Ondo women for their votes in the Saturday's election.

"What I came here to do today is nothing but to beg you for your vote. I have come to beg, preach for the Peoples Democratic Party family.

I have come to seek your votes. I am begging you.

"Please, this Saturday is at hand.

This Saturday is very close. It’s a date that we need your mandate.

We know that Ondo is a PDP state.

Mimiko is doing well. Please, we are begging for your vote.

"Nigeria women please come out this Saturday and vote en mass for the PDP candidates.

This Saturday vote for Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. This Saturday, vote for your senators and members of the House of Representatives. This Saturday, is the day you would exercise your conscience", she said.

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

B

28 MARCH 2015

orn in Adamawa State into the royal and political family of the first Minister of Defense, Hon. Mohammadu Ribadu, wife of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Hajia Aishatu Buhari, maintained a quiet lifestyle until December 2014 when she was unveiled unto the public scene.

Although, her husband, General Muhammadu Buhari had contested the presidential elections in 2003, 2007 and 2011, the wife was never visible on the political scene as not much was heard about her.

In fact, her only known public appearance before the current campaign was in July 2014 after an armed attack on her husband in Kaduna by the Boko Haram sect.

Mrs. Buhari had declared after the act that President Goodluck Jonathan should resign. "We are tired of this insecurity and increased attacks on innocent people.Where is Jonathan? What is he doing? If action is not taken now, when? It is not enough to verbally condemn; action is long overdue."

This was Hajia Buhari's first outing and not many people knew at that time that Mrs. Buhari's comment on the attack was a precursor to her active involvement in politics a few months later. Hence, as soon as the husband emerged as the presidential candidate of the APC in December 2014, the dictator turned progressive democrat's wife threw her weight behind the campaign team. When her picture became viral in the media circles, many people tended to play down her political prowess and ingenuity embedded in her and rather paid attention to her beauty. But Aisha is a combination of beauty, brain and brawn. With the campaigns, not a few Nigerians were caught spell bound listening and watching her matured and calculative style of politicking and campaigning. She is soft spoken but articulate and precise.

In addition to having a master's degree, Aisha is an industrious and a successful entrepreneur.

As expected, the woman has been up and doing selling the APC manifesto and marketing her husband, the presidential candidate's programmes. She has since December been unrelenting in defending her husband against the accusations he still harbours dictatorial tendencies, that he is a religious bigot, and that his age makes him unsuitable for the job. Her campaign is anchored on issues and devoid of insults and hate messages.

Mrs. Buhari has given a template of what the Office of First Lady would look like if her husband is elected president. According to her, "I don’t think there is need for any special preparation to be in the spotlight as wife of the president, because I will be like any other woman. However, having been married to a former president for over 25 years, and knowing his principles and what he believes as an honest and upright person, I will only pursue issues that will promote the welfare of the masses.”

Mrs. Buhari believes that her husband's track records as head of state and his personal principles have put him in a good stead to becoming the next president of Nigeria. "The records of his achievements in all the positions he occupied are there, based on honesty, transparency, dedication, and commitment to the progress

Nigeria

Aisha Buhari Out of the shadows PHILIP NYAM takes a look at the involvement of Hajia Aishatu Buhari in the presidential campaign and her pronouncements. of Nigeria. The situation we find ourselves now requires a courageous person like him to salvage our nation," she said.

She has spoken extensively on corruption and how her husband will battle the scourge.

Religion One albatross hanging on Buhari's neck is his alleged religious bigotry. This religious tag has refused to die as the more the general and his supporters tries to debunk it, the more it resurfaces. Aisha did not shy away from commenting on this issue as in the course of her campaign accused the PDP of using religion as a front to loot Nigeria.

Defending her husband at an APC rally in Benin City, the Edo State capital, held at the Ogbemudia Stadium, Aisha declared: "They have been painting Buhari black using religion, but I am happy today that Nigerians have discovered that PDP is using religion as a cover to loot Nigeria.

They have grounded the country.

Whoever talks to you about religion in this country is a liar, he wants to loot. He wants to loot the little resources Nigerians will enjoy. Say no to religious politics, they are using it to deceive the people.”

Dictatorship Mrs. Buhari has also addressed the appellation of "dictator" tied round her husband's neck. There are several documentaries laying credence to the dictatorial activities of the general as military head of state, which are being sponsored and relayed on television stations in the country. But Aisha has assured Nigerians that her husband will be guided by provisions of the Nigerian Constitution in all of his actions. She said if the APC took over government in May 29, strict adherence to the provisions of the constitution as well as respect for the human person would be its guiding principle. According to her, the subject of whether or not there will be an office for the First Lady was not issue because as a woman she has her role already carved out.

She said: "When my husband is elected as the president of this country, he will rule the country within the rule of law based on the constitution of the country.

"If the office of the first lady is constitutionally recognised, he will not tamper with it but if it is not that’s okay. For me, I will perform my duties and role as the wife of the President of Nigeria, traditionally. The wife of the president has some traditional roles, like receiving guests, visiting orphanages, helping the less privileged people, leading the fight for the right of women and malnourished children, infant mortality rate, kidnapping and girl child trafficking and so on."

Mrs. Buhari believes that her husband's track records as head of state and his personal principles have put him in a good stead to becoming the next president of Nigeria

Women empowerment Mrs. Aisha Buhari said a vote for her husband, Buhari and the APC was the only sure way of empowering the Nigerian woman. While speaking at an event to mark the International Women’s Day, at the APC presidential campaign office, in Abuja, Hajia Buhari said the manifesto of the APC already had a detailed plan on how to strengthen the Nigerian woman to contribute meaningfully to national development.

She explained that the APC was conversant with the challenges facing women, especially in the area of healthcare and access to resources needed to better

their lot and that of the vulnerable in society.

According to her, "I am sure the Buhari/Osinbajo ticket will implement every aspect of the document, especially as it affects women.” She implored Nigerians to vote for change while asking the womenfolk not to relent in their mobilisation efforts towards the March 28 presidential poll.

Buhari/Tinubu relationship Being a woman that is all out to clear the doubts people have about the personality of her husband, Aisha has addressed the issue of Buhari working within Asiwaju Bola Tinubu's wings and the allegations that if elected as president, he would be a puppet for the former governor of Lagos State.

She accepted that Tinubu’s support has brought Buhari’s10-year presidential quest to near actualisation but was quick to state that her husband was a man of his own.

Thuggery attack As it has become common with political campaign, Mrs. Buhari too experienced the other side of Nigerian politics. She was attacked by suspected political thugs in Ilorin, Kwara State.

Aishat and some APC women were returning from a visit to the Emir of Ilorin, Ibrahim ZuluGambari, when the attack took place. They were in the city for a two-day voter education summit

21 for women in the state.

Fortunately, no one was hurt in the incident that left no fewer than 10 vehicles in the convoy damaged.

Replying Patience Jonathan In one of her campaign messages, Aisha condemned what she saw as unflattering comments about the North by Dame Patience Jonathan.

Mrs. Jonathan had reportedly described the northern region as an enclave of beggars and unwanted children. But Mrs. Buhari took serious exception to this blanket description saying such a description coming from someone who ironically campaigns for votes in that region is an indication of a hidden agenda, adding that the people of the North should, therefore, reject the PDP and its presidential candidate.

Mrs. Buhari disclosed this while on campaign trail in Kano.

She told Kano women that her husband and the APC will be faithful to their electoral promises, and also will initiate programmes that will make women self-reliant.

Mrs. Aisha advocated for more freedom for women in the North so that they would be able to engage themselves in productive enterprises like their counterparts in the Southern part of the country.

Prison tales The second time Hajia Aisha made direct response to campaign messages of Patience Jonathan was on the allusion by the First Lady that Buhari would jail people indiscriminately if he won the election.

She told the First Lady not to be afraid because Nigerians only wanted a change in the way the country is being governed now.

Mrs. Buhari, who spoke at a mega rally in Benin, where she interacted with women in Edo State, had described PDP’s attempt to paint her husband black with the tag of religion a desperate attempt to hoodwink the people, saying only those who want to loot the treasury campaign with religion which is at variance with politics.

"For those that are campaigning, saying that he is coming to jail Nigerians, I don’t know what their fear is. But they shouldn’t be afraid, because we are all yearning for change. The insecurity in the country, the very poor healthcare system, lack of education and other basic necessities that people are lacking I believe Nigerians need somebody like General Muhammadu Buhari now."

Unveiling Buhari Hajia Aisha has also given Nigerians an insight into her intimate relationship with her hubby and even dispelled the "mean character" tag placed on Buhari by his opponents.

In an interview, she revealed that "when Buhari cracks jokes you will laugh to tears." She described Buhari thus: “My husband is a family-oriented person.

He has very close relationship with his children, grandchild, and entire members of the family. He is very caring and protective of us. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari is a very humorous person and enjoys listening to comic stories. Whenever he cracks jokes you will laugh till you shed tears. He also likes taking people by surprise."

Whether Buhari wins or not, the contributions of his wife, Hajia Aisha to the development of democracy will certainly remain indelible.

22 An eye on Rivers of crisis In the build-up to today’s election, there have been violent clashes in Rivers State. In fact, the governor, Rotimi Amaechi, on Wednesday raised the alarm that he is meant to be assassinated on Saturday (today).

Almost on a daily basis in different parts of the state, there have been violent clashes between the supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and those of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the general elections. Most of the clashes involved low level party members, who act outside the order of their principals to demonstrate blinded loyalty in expectation of a reward.

The police have arrested suspects, detained some, issued warnings of further arrests to prevent a breakdown of law and order. But little progress has been made.

The situation in the state has forced the leading political candidates to sign pacts, meant to make their supporters play politics devoid of violence. One of the major causes of violence is the defacing of posters by supporters, an issue the AIG Zone 6, Tunde Ogunsakin, elaborated on when he held a meeting with Barr. Nyesom Wike, the PDP governorship candidate, Hon. Dakuku Peterside, the APC governorship candidate, and other party representatives.

The peculiarity of the state in terms of its huge voters, the highest in the entire South-South zone, as well as the animosity between the members of the PDP and APC, who were formerly in the same party until leadership crisis set in with the presidency on one hand and Amaechi on the other hand.

There will likely be some cases of violence in places like Omoku in Ogba/ Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, where cult members and politically motivated killings have claimed more than 30 lives. In Okrika, where there have been explosions, shootings and killings in the name of politics, there is every tendency for violence. In Port Harcourt, the flashpoints are Abonemma Waterfront by Njemanze axis; Station Road, Borokiri/ Okrika Waterfronts. These are volatile areas, including Sangana.

These areas command very high percentage of voters, as well as areas where cultists clash. It is the same with Lagos Town, where people barricade their doors as early as 6p.m. due to election. These areas are almost like no man’s land, because neither APC nor PDP controls them. They are port porri of settlers who have a mind of their own.

On a bad day, there could be voters apathy, people sitting down, drinking and making fun of the exercise as it was the case in 2003 election during the re-election of Sir Peter Odili. On a very bad election day, there could be ballot snatching, and kidnap of enthusiastic officials of INEC, and voters.

The Ogoni axis is a beehive of crisis, waiting to be triggered. And when that happens, there is no stopping the outpouring of violence from thugs. But leaders in the area have been working round the clock to ensure that peace prevails during the elections. In places like Buguma, in Asari Toru LGA, and Isiokpo in Ikwerre LGA, election will most likely go peaceful if those who profit from electoral violence are caged.

Gateway to violence Ogun State departed from its violent past with the emergence of Governor Ibikunle Amosun administration. Hitherto, the state had convulsed with politicallyrelated violence which resulted in deaths and destructions, especially at the twilight of the immediate past administration of Gbenga Daniel.

With another season of politics in the air, the state has not completely gone off the radar. Three parties – All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic

Nigeria

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

28 MARCH 2015

Guns and ballots

An eye on the trouble spots

As Nigerians go to poll today, there have been fears of possible violence in some flashpoint states. There have been election violence across the country in the weeks preceding the general elections. In 2011, there were post-election violence especially in the North. But security agencies have assured Nigerians that today’s election will be violencefree. Our correspondents report on the possible flashpoints of today’s general elections instance, on March 31, 2013, Ayo Jeje and Rebecca Adewunmi were killed in Erijiyan-Ekiti and some people, including the state Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Jide Awe, are facing trial over the incident.

On November 3 of the same year, Foluso Ogundare, was shot dead in Emure-Ekiti and a number of persons including an APC member of the House of Assembly, Kehinde Boluwade, are also facing trial.

After Ayo Fayose of the PDP eventually defeated the incumbent, Dr. Kayode Fayemi of the APC and others, a prominent member of the PDP, Omolafe Aderiye, was shot dead in Ado-Ekiti few weeks to Fayose's inauguration.

However, the heavy presence of policemen and soldiers prevented a bloody election day.

With court pronouncements barring the deployment of soldiers, and the fact policemen from other states may not be deployed in Ekiti State for the coming polls, some observers foresee a breakout of violence in some parts of the state.

Apart from the tension generated by the polls taking off today, the APC and the PDP have been trying all possible means to prove their electoral superiority.

The APC that lost the last election in all the 16 local government areas has been alleging the use of the military to rig the

Party (PDP) and Social Democratic Party (SDP) – are going into the general elections with prospects of victory. Although supporters of these parties have tried to maintain civility during campaigns, pockets of clashes and political thuggery were still reported in some areas. Also, accusations of destruction of billboards and posters have rented the air.

To ensure a violence-free election, however, the state police command has brokered an accord among the parties. On March 5, seven political parties signed a peace accord in the presence of the state Commissioner of Police, Valentine Ntomchukwu, and heads of other security agencies.

Ntomchukwu stated that political actors have the moral obligation to abide by the pact. He said police would not hesitate to arrest and prosecute any politician who foments trouble before, during and after the elections.

But analysts opine that if the fragile political situation is not well managed, the permutation by the ruling APC to retain power and scheming by opposition PDP to stage comeback may rupture existing peace during the poll.

Troubled Ekiti Before the June 2014 governorship election in Ekiti State, a number of political killings took place in the state. For

election.

Also, the APC, in the last few days, has been raising allegations of attacks on its candidates and supporters, especially in Ekiti Central Senatorial District.

The PDP, which is canvassing the deployment of troops, is also trying to prove that his victory last year was not a fluke.

As at now, the most volatile area of the state is Ekiti Central where Governor Fayose, former governor Niyi Adebayo, Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele hail from.

The APC and PDP are also presenting strong senatorial candidates for the National Assembly election in the zone.

The APC is presenting Gbenga Olofin and the PDP has Fatima Raji-Rasaki as its candidate.

PDP, APC set to clash in Benue Benue State has been identified as one of the flashpoints.

There are indications that today’s election will be bloody in the state as the two political parties are determined to ensure they deliver the state to their parties.

While leaders and supporters of the PDP are poised to ensure that the PDP emerge victorious, the main opposition APC is giving the ruling party a close marking to enable it to form government citing poor performance by the government.

Though the two political parties have signed a pact to ensure a violence-free elections, the state may be thrown into chaos as there is no indication of a free and fair election, just as there have been pockets of kidnappings, killings and attacks on supporters of the two parties as well as destruction of campaign materials such as billboards and posters. These criminal tendencies are also being expected to happen during the election as some people carrying out these acts are being covered up by the security agents in the state.

Another reason for a likely breakup of violence in the state is if INEC circumvents the electoral process.

The argument of the PDP is that since it is in control of the state, it can do and undo and has the key to decide where the pendulum would swing to, and cannot relinquish power to the opposition.

Will there be peace on the Plateau?

Crisis always erupts in Plateau State.

Jos North Local Government Area has been a flashpoint of election violence where many have lost their lives and property destroyed especially during elections in the past.

In 2008, during the conduct of local government elections in the state there was serious violence which started from Jos North, following dispute in the result

Amaechi

Wike

CONTINUED ON PAGE 35

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

28 MARCH 2015

23

Nigeria

Card reader: The technology, the fears

Despite opposition and doubt about its workability, Smart Card Reader is the latest innovation introduced in Nigeria's electoral process by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). ONYEKACHI EZE examines the use of the technology and the fears beings expressed.

T

his year's general elections will be different from the previous ones for two reasons. Number one is the use of Permanent Voters' Cards (PVCs), which, unlike the Temporary Voters' Card (TVCs) used in the past elections, contained the photograph and biometrics of the voter.

The PVC was first used in the 2013 governorship election in Anambra State with limited success. Its further use in the 2014 governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states was however, a huge success.

The second reason is the introduction of Smart Card Reader (SCR). This will be the first time this technology will be used in Nigeria's electoral process, though it has been used in the neighbouring countries of Ghana, Kenya and Sierra Leone.

A card reader is an electronic device that reads data in a medium or card for the purpose of verifying whether the data contained in the card are the same with the original one. Its introduction in the electoral process by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is for the authentication of the PVC and for the credibility of the election.

Prof. Attahiru Jega, the INEC Chairman said the use of card reader is to further sanitise the electoral process and prevent election rigging.

Given further explanation on how the card reader works, Jega said the device is like the Point of Sale (PoS) machine, which is embedded with SIM cards of all major telecommunication networks in the country. It is connected to a central server which will receive the data of the number of people accredited at a given polling booth.

The PVC issued to the voter is embedded with a chip which if inserted

into the device will display the voter’s biometric data. According to Jega, stolen or snatched PVCs are useless because they cannot be used by anyone other than the original owner because of the difference in the fingerprints.

And since accreditation of voters is between 8a.m. to 1p.m. only data of verified voters transmitted to the central server will have their votes counted after the voting process.

This new method, according to him, will forestall attempt by politicians and INEC staff from stuffing the ballot boxes or writing election results as the figures must correspond with the number of accredited voters.

After the field testing in 12 states on March 7, the commission noted "that the use of SCRs in the 2015 general elections will add tremendous transparency and credibility to the accreditation process on Election Day." It said that the objectives for deploying the SCRs have been met, which it said include, "to verify the PVCs presented by voters at polling units and ensure that they are genuine, and are the ones INEC-issued (not cloned) cards; to biometrically authenticate the person who presents a PVC at the polling unit and ensure that he/she is the legitimate holder of the card; that the SCRs provide disaggregated data of accredited voters in male/female and elderly/youth categories – a disaggregation that is vital for research and planning purposes, but which INEC until now had been unable to achieve; and that the SCR sends the data of all accredited voters to INEC’s central server, equipping the Commission to be able to audit figures subsequently filed by polling officials at the polling unit and, thereby, be able to determine

if fraudulent alterations were made."

For the first objective, the commission scores itself a 100 per cent and for the second, it noted that it had a 59 per cent voter authentication but with a proviso that "the Commission, in agreement with registered political parties, had provided in the approved guidelines for the conduct of the 2015 elections that where biometric authentication of a legitimate holder of a genuine PVC becomes challenging, there could be physical authentication of the person and completion of an Incident Form, to allow the person to vote."

It concluded that by reassuring members of the public that it will do everything necessary to ensure that the processes of the elections are seamless, free, fair, credible and peaceful.

Fears are still being expressed concerning the workability of the machine.

This is more so because of some observable lapses experienced during the March 7 field testing.

The card reader was said to have failed to identify some fingerprints and havesqualified some people even after it has recognised the PVCs as belonging to them.

In Ebonyi State, one of the states where field testing was carried out, INEC ordered a repeat of the exercise because of what it described as "high rate of the SCRs’ failure to authenticate voters’ fingerprints."

The machine was also said to be slow in accrediting a voter, which was said to be between 10 seconds to 20 minutes, while in some cases the voter's fingerprints were rejected by the machine even after his PVC had been authenticated.

The ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is leading opposition against the use of the card reader. The party said the card reader should be thoroughly tested to ascertain its workability for free, fair and credible elections before being deployed for the polls.

"Based on our investigations and what we observed during the test run, the machine have some defects which should be corrected by INEC and those who manufactured them

before the elections. INEC should not be carried away by rhetorics and propaganda published by the opposition.

It is a matter of technical details which must be taken very seriously. We must not politicise the matter at all," PDP said through its Deputy National Chairman, Prince UcheSecondus.

PDP also expressed fear over the durability of card reader batteries especially in a society like Nigeria where there is problem of constant power supply.

Jega had told the senators that a card reader can work for 12 consecutive hours when fully charged and when not in use, it automatically reverts to safe mode to preserve its energy. "This means that it can last for many days without electricity," he further explained.

Olowole Osaze-Uzzi, INEC director for Voter Education and Publicity also disclosed that each card reader came with an extra battery. Osaze-Uzzi added that the commission has procured standby generators to charge the batteries in case there is a failure from the public power supply.

PDP is not the only party that opposed the introduction of card reader. Kayode Ajulo, National Secretary of Labour Party (LP) noted that LP "believe the card reader being introduced by INEC may not be entirely effective considering its limited lifespan of eight hours."

Ajulo added that the party wants "all-inclusive voting method (that) will enable all eligible voters to participate in the election. We do not mind whether it is the PVC or the TVC or both, but what the party is seeking is that no voter must be disenfranchised on the account of sticking to any of the methods."

A human rights activist, Comrade Ismaila Ogendegbe, however, contended that if INEC could disappoint the people in the physical distribution of PVCs, "how can it be trusted with a more technical issue as using electronic machines to accredit voters? Accreditation was the most crucial stage in the voting process, because only accredited candidates are eligible to vote.”

Today’s election will prove the reliability or otherwise of the smart card readers.

24

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

Nigeria

28 MARCH 2015

A glimpse of fashion o I

Angela Davies t is said that life will be boring without fashion. And fashion does not have to be trendy always. Sometimes, individuals create their own style to make their fashion statement.

After months of the two leading presidential candidates, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Major General (rtd) Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) touring different states to canvas votes with their best foot forward - or,

literally, donning politically-correct attires, the DDay is finally here.

The best parts of holding rallies in the different states are the varied traditional attire they adorn to identify with the dominant dress style of their host states. Also, party loyalists turn out in mass in Ankara fabric indicating the party’s insignia, customised T-shirts, face caps and other outfits to add excitement to the gathering. Similarly, different entertainers spice up rallies with different outfits, melodious tunes and unique dance steps.

Both President Jonathan and Buhari have rocked

colourful traditional outfits like babariga engraved with their party’s logo, which they style with different styles of cap. They also donned traditional outfits of the different states they visited during their relentless campaigns. Even the governorship candidates of the two leading parties are not left out. Although, this is not entirely new, it was not a very common practice in the past.

Looking back, our past leaders, especially in the First Republic and the Second, only dressed well to party campaigns without making any fuzz about party uniform. Although, key politicians vying for

...in Birnin-Kebbi

PDP presidential campaign in Yenagoa

...in Asaba

Jonathan in Lokoja

... in Akwa Ibom

Bayelsa women showing their support to President Jonathan

...in Benin

...in Enugu

important positions dress flashy sometimes but th economical in the amoun their dressing. Then, they rather used their mode o personality and political At that period, there w symbolic fashion with wh was easily identified wit out from the crowd. In th was hats of different sty which they rocked in a wi

SATURDAY 28 MARCH 2015

SATURDAY

FREE

Sport Splash 25

Interview

We play better as sisters – Falcons captain, Nwabuoko p.27

Internationals

Neymar, Sanchez clash at Emirates p.28

Feature

Busy athletes seek glory, snub elections p.30

Interview

Ujah hoping to take club form to Eagles p.31 Dejected Super Eagles players rue missing the last AFCON

Eagles:

Adepoju faults unending rebuilding process

A

Vincent Eboigbe

The Team Vincent Eboigbe l Assistant Editor Ajibade Olusesan l Correspondent Charles Ogundiya l Correspondent © Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

former Nigeria international, Mutiu Adepoju, is exasperated with the unending rebuilding process of the Super Eagles.

The national team, it seems, has been forever involved in a rebuilding process which continued under Stephen Keshi who managed to win the African Cup of Nations in 2013 and qualified for the World Cup in Brazil in 2014 regardless.

But the failure to qualify for the last AFCON in Equatorial Guinea earlier in the year, the issues in the team and the prolonged contract negotiation between the Nigeria Football Federation and Keshi, have engendered another round of starting afresh.

Mutiu, who was a member of the Super Eagles teams to three World Cup finals in 1994, 1998 and 2002, said this fluid and unstable situation does not make for a solid national team

that could consistently challenge for honours.

“It is a worrisome scenario and it bothers me greatly that we have to be involved in this process all the time,” said Adepoju.

“Our football should be stable so that it can move forward. We should have consolidated on the success of 2013 and moved on from there, but everything fell apart barely a year later and we are back to the base. This going round in circles will not help the game attain the desired height.

“Rebuilding is not something that should take place ever so regularly; so my hope is that after this round of rebuilding we won’t be talking about it again for a long time. We should be talking about taking the game to the next level. I also do hope that the crisis in football, the conflicting interests of the various groups will be resolved so that this cyclical movement can stop.”

The former general manager of Shooting Stars however expressed satisfaction with the

fact that the NFF was taking advantage of the FIFA free days to organise friendly matches for the Super Eagles, noting that this will help in the process and quest of assembling a compact and super Eagles worthy of the name. Nigeria played Uganda last Wednesday and put up an uninspiring display, losing 1-0 at home to the East Africans. They will take on South Africa tomorrow (Sunday), in another international friendly match.

“It is a good thing that we are having matches on FIFA window. Having been unable to qualify for the last AFCON, starting again with these friendly matches and some of the new faces will make the team strong,” Adepoju noted.

The retired midfielder who featured for Racing Santander in Spain, also advised both the NFF and Keshi to sort out the contract issue which he said had dragged for too long, so that the team can get down to the job of returning the Eagles to the top of the game.

26

Sport

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

28 MARCH 2015

Nigerian League Rendezvous

I joined Insurance due to their pedigree – Abioye

LMC promises superb package on resumption

A

T

he League Management Company has promised to activate more superb packages for the League when action resumes in week four after the general elections, with the assurance to work with the clubs to achieve the desired objectives of the body.

Chairman of LMC Shehu Dikko stated that the idea was to awaken clubs to their responsibilities so as to ensure their sustenance in the long run.

He also charged clubs to maximise the usage of the several innovations put in place by the new LMC in promoting the league so as to attract more commercial values.

“Definitely all that we are doing is to get the participating clubs to be alive to their responsibilities, because the long term benefits are for the clubs,” Dikko said. “Of course we also appreciate their limitations thus we are taking issues gradually.”

"Recall the saying by Alan Kay that ‘the best way to predict the future is to invent it’. This is exactly what we are trying to do, working with the clubs and providing the required incentives to the clubs to get them to do the right things.

“In the last three Match Days, attendance has significantly improved compared to previous periods, but more has to be done to sustain the momentum. " WEEK FOUR Fixtures SATURDAY Kano Pillars vs Enyimba Bayelsa Utd vs Taraba Kwara Utd vs Heartland SUNDAY Lobi Stars vs Sharks Akwa Utd vs Gabros Utd Rangers vs Giwa FC Sunshine vs Dolphins Warri Wolves vs El-Kanemi Abia Warriors vs Wikki Nasarawa Utd vs Shooting Stars

Fans at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium, Bauchi, during the Wikki versus Kwara Utd game

Fans return to league venues Stories by Charles Ogundiya

N

igeria Professional Football League match venues continue to witness influx of fans since the commencement of the 2015 league season.

With some of the innovation by the board of the League Management Company, clubs have been making concerted efforts to bring fans to the stadium something that has been yielding results.

The LMC at the beginning of the season introduced the fan base development strategy, with clubs that attract over 5000 fans to their stadia during a home game receiving the

Enyimba's Chinonso Okonkwo (left) vies against Bayelsa United's Dengo Ebinipere

reward of N.25m.

So far, clubs like Enyimba, Kano Pillars and others who hit over 5000 fans capacity in their stadia have benefited from the cash incentive package.

Despite Shooting Stars losing their first match in the top flight against Heartland after gaining promotion, the Lekan Salami Stadium, home ground of the Oluyole Warriors, was packed full.

In Nnewi, fans thronged the stadium to witness newly promoted Gabros International defeat Rangers International of Enugu 1-0.

With the league going on break this weekend due to the national elections in the country, the clubs would be looking forward to woo more fans to the stadium ahead of the league resumption on April 4.

bioye Rahman has said he joined Insurance of Benin ahead of the new Nigeria National League season due to the club’s pedigree in club football in Nigeria.

While speaking with our correspondent, the former Kwara United attacker said Insurance was a household name in Nigerian football and hopefully he would be one of the players that would restore the team’s glory.

“I really want to be part of the success of this team,” he stated. “I actually snubbed offers from Zambia and from two other local clubs to sign for Insurance.”

“I am targeting 20 goals this season to lead the club to promotion to the premier league and I believe with hard work and dedication, we can achieve that.”

While wishing the player all the best, the chief executive officer of Reigns Soccer Agency, who also doubles as Abioye’s manager, Olawale Onipede, said the player had many offers but he however settled for the Insurance move because he has the belief that the club would be good for the development of the player.

The chief scout for Kano Pillars said: “We had some offers from Europe and from some top teams in Africa, but I wanted the player to develop better before venturing out of the country.

“I believe he can learn a lot from Insurance and also because of the good relationship between the club management and Reigns Soccer Agency.”

...hail organisers

T

he new League Management Company board led by Shehu Dikko has been applauded by clubs and fans over the organisation of the league after three weeks of action.

The fans and clubs expressed optimism that the local league would soon compete favourably with other organised leagues of the world.

With the introduction of referees assessors and cash reward for every away win or draw, the over 100% increased sponsorship share award to each club, as well as uniform match balls, bags and other incentives, the fans believe the league is moving towards a higher level.

Speaking on the new face of the League under the new leadership, General Manager of Heartland FC of Owerri, Okey Ibe, said the Dikko-led board is really working towards redefining the concept of league management for efficiency and service delivery.

Reacting to the devel-

opment, acting secretary of the Club Owners, Alloy Chukwuemeka, said the numerous achievements recorded by the new league board in the early stage were expected.

“We now have a listening leadership with high sense of maturity in administration,” he said.

“The new board have the full supports of the club owners, with six of our members in the board.”

“The new board have started by building the content in order to make the league an attractive brand to investors and also by working closely with the club owners."

Dikko

Abioye

No.

Team

P

W

D

L

PTS

GF

GA

GD

1

Taraba FC

3

2

1

0

7

4

2

2

2

Heartland FC

2

2

0

0

6

7

3

4

3

El-Kanemi

3

2

0

1

6

5

3

2

4

Gabros Utd

3

2

0

1

6

4

2

2

5

Kwara Utd

3

1

2

0

5

3

2

1

6

Enyimba

3

1

2

0

5

2

1

1

7

Wikki

3

1

1

1

4

3

3

0

8

Sharks FC

3

1

1

1

4

2

2

0

9

Sunshine

3

1

1

1

4

2

2

0

10

Abia Warriors

3

1

1

1

4

3

4

-1

11

Giwa FC

3

1

1

1

4

1

3

-2

12

Kano Pillars

1

1

0

0

3

2

0

2

13

Warri Wolves

2

1

0

1

3

3

2

1

14

Lobi Stars

3

0

3

0

3

2

2

0

15

Rangers

3

1

0

2

3

4

5

-1

16

Nasarawa

3

1

0

2

3

4

6

-2

17

Dolphins FC

2

0

1

1

1

1

2

-1

18

Akwa Utd

3

0

1

2

1

0

2

-2

19

Bayelsa Utd

3

0

1

2

1

1

4

-3

20

Shooting

2

0

0

2

0

1

4

-3

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

28 MARCH 2015

Sport

27

CAPTION Falcons captain, Nwabuoko (left), in action for Super Falcons in a championship

We play better as sisters – Falcons captain, Nwabuoko How does it feel being captain of the Super Falcons?

It is an honour to be called upon to captain the Super Falcons; it is indeed a privilege. That is why I do my best to ensure proper coordination of the team members, we are like sisters, we communicate well and even outside the pitch we care for one another. It is one good thing I have been able to achieve as a captain of the team. Overtime I came to understand that we play better when we play like a team and sisters. Any opponent we play against is like an outsider, so we put in all effort to win. That is how we gain our winning spirit.

What was the feeling like when you lifted the trophy in Namibia in 2014?

Before we went to Namibia, they wrote us off but we resolved among ourselves that we were not going there just to participate, that we were going to reclaim the trophy.

We thank God that we went there and succeeded in wining the trophy.

For me it was thrilling to be part of the team.

Some players are not too happy the team was only recently called to camp for preparations for the World Cup in June. Do you share this opinion?

Not really, but for us to meet the required standard, they (Nigeria Football Federation) have to provide quality matches. It is not about resuming late, but having

Super Falcons skipper, Evelyn Nwabuoko, reveals her ambitions with the team in the All Africa Games and World Cup in this interview with COMFORT CHUKWU quality matches to play will offset that. Whether we spend six months in camp or even more, what we can rate our effort with is the quality of the matches we play, that is what will keep us in good shape and in good form.

Your team will be playing Canada and New Zealand in friendlies, do you consider the teams challenging enough or would you prefer others from Europe and Asia?

Canada is a good one from the NFF, we really want to thank the federation for giving us the opportunity to play with the Canadians, it will help us a great deal. Playing Canada for me will be a big boost to the team because that is what we are looking forward to.

Are you worried that most of the professional players are not in camp yet?

No, not at all, they will join us as soon as they can. The ones in camp can also do the job for now.

What is your expectation for the World Cup in June?

It is to go beyond the quarterfinal stage which has been our best feat so far. But if we want to prove ourselves and make our nation proud then we should go beyond the quarterfinal stage this time.

My dad was there for me, he gave me all the support

you have not been received by the President officially, does that affect your morale in any way?

No, never, we know that at the right time we will be called upon.

Right now we are focusing on the matches ahead of us.

You are still playing for Rivers Angels, any international clubs Do you miss Asisat Oshoala in the coming for you yet?

Yes, I won't give you details now. team?

Yes, any team will miss her beYou will know when the time comes. cause she is a good and fine player, If you were to choose between a but there are other players that can professional contract and your cur- fill that gap. rent status...

I will take that.

How did football start for you?

I started as a child; while growWhich? ing I loved playing with boys in The professional contract. the streets. Though it wasn't easy for me but then I give thanks to Why? God today because I've gotten Because I think I can go to school somewhere. while playing so I will go for the How did your family members professional contract first. view it?

My mum was totally against it, Do you hope to win the Olympic but my dad was there for me, he gold?

We are just playing the qualifiers gave me all the support because now. my elder sister was playing too before they stopped her. So for me Yes but we know you will be there... it was my dad who convinced his Yes, our immediate target is to wife to let me face my career. qualify for the All Africa Games, then the Olympic, and then the Now how does your mum feel World Cup. But regarding the All now?

She's no more, she's late and I Africa Games we must qualify first.

Actually the winning mentality is know she would be proud of her strong, we always want to win in all daughter wherever she is. the games we play and hopefully we Is Evelyn in any relationship? will win the trophy.

Yes, of course, but I won't want to disclose who the lucky guy is.

Since you returned from Namibia

urkey will qualify for the 2016 European Championships with a win against Netherlands according to Galatasaray striker Burak Yılmaz.

“If we beat Netherlands I think we will make it out the group, this is a huge game, both sides have got off to a poor start so this is a must win game and I think we can get the job done,” Yılmaz told Eurosport TR. The Netherlands will be without Bayern Munich star Arjen Robin and Manchester United striker Robin van Persie due to injury. Aston Villa defender Ron Vlaar has also been ruled out with injury.

The Netherlands are currently third in Euro 2016 qualification Group A with six points from four games, while Turkey sit fourth with four points after four games.

Netherlands national team manager Guus Hiddink knows Turkey well

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‘Turkey can beat Netherlands’

hana will hope to avenge a stoppage time loss to Senegal at the recent AFCON when both teams clash again in a friendly on March 28, in Havre, France.

Senegal FA boss Augustin Senghor confirmed the Ghana clash, while also saying talks are on for the Teranga Lions to also take on Congo in France during the FIFA open window.

The Black Stars began their 2015 AFCON campaign on a losing note when they fell 2-1 to Senegal in Mongomo in Group C with the winner coming with virtually the last kick of the ball in additional time.

It will be the first match for new Senegal coach

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olfsburg’s Marcel Schafer has told journalists that Kevin De Bruyne will snub a possible summer return to Chelsea, reports the London Evening Standard.

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Bruyne will turn down Chelsea return, says Schafer

Bruyne

Aliou Cisse, who has been given a four-year contract.

Senegal plan another test match against possibly a local club in the Paris area as it has become difficult to secure a second full international friendly, officials said

Gyan

Ghana, Senegal in friendly fire

www.newtelegraphonline.com

NEW TELEGRAPH

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arcelona forward Neymar and Alexis Sanchez of Arsenal will face each other during Sunday’s friendly international between Brazil and Chile.

Brazil will take on Chile at the Emirates Stadium in North London on Sunday, March 29, and Neymar is looking forward to the encounter.

The 23-year-old former Santos star is set to feature in the friendly international, and he hopes to face his ex-Barcelona teammate Sanchez at the home ground of Arsenal.

Brazil and Chile faced each other in the last 16 of the 2014 World Cup finals in the summer.

Both Neymar and Sanchez featured in that game at Estadio Mineirao in Belo Horizonte, with the latter scoring for Chile.

Eventually hosts Brazil won the encounter 3-2 on penalties after it had finished 1-1 after extra time to book their place in the quarter-finals of the competition.

Neymar has scored 17 goals and created 30 chances in 24 La Liga appearances for

Barcelona so far this season, while having a pass accuracy of 79 per cent and a shot accuracy of 60 per cent.

Sanchez, who played with Neymar at Barcelona before moving to Arsenal in the summer of 2014, has scored 13 goals and created 64 chances in 27 Premier League appearances for the Gunners.

The 26-year-old has a pass accuracy of 76% and a shot accuracy of 65%, and has won 94 out of 162 dribbles he has attempted.

Neymar, Sanchez clash at Emirates

Brazil vs chile

Global Football Special

Seven years after he broke the 100 metres World Record for the first time, six-time Olympic champion Usain Bolt is to return to New York for the adidas Grand Prix set for June 13 at the Icahn Stadium on Randall's Island in New York. The adidas Grand Prix is the seventh stop in the IAAF Diamond League Circuit.

Back in 2008, just days after running a worldleading 9.76 seconds at the National Stadium in Kingston, Bolt obliterated Asafa Powell's World Record of 9.74 seconds to defeat Tyson

Usain Bolt

India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni defended his deputy Virat Kohli's choice of shot against Australian paceman Mitchell Johnson in the ICC Cricket World Cup semifinal at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Thursday night. "He played a shot and it didn't pay off. It happens, and it happens to a lot of batsmen," Dhoni said.

"Once the opposition puts over 300 runs on the board and have quality bowlers, at some point of time you have to take that risk, and if it pays off, if it clicks, all of a sudden everything changes. He played a shot, it didn't pay off.

That's it. I would say it happens in cricket," he said of Kohli's attempt to pull from outside the off-stump and offering a top-edged catch.

Singh Dhoni

SPORT BRIEFLY

28 Sport SATURDAY N 28 MA

The Belgian international joined the German club in January 2014 after failing to break into the first-team at Stamford Bridge, and has made 21 assists in his midfield role this season.

His performances have once again attracted interest from some of Europe’s biggest clubs, including Bayern Munich and Real Madrid.

Schafer expressed his confidence that the sought-after midfielder will remain at the club: “He has already experienced not getting so much time on the field at Chelsea, which is top club in Europe,” Schafer told the London Evening Standard.

“Next year he could play Champions League here and win titles with us.

If you want to win titles you need extraordinary players. And you really have to say that Kevin De Bruyne is at the moment the best player in the Bundesliga not only because of his stats.”

Chicharito

arlos Bacca has ended speculation that he could leave Sevilla at the end of the season.

Bacca's impressive scoring record for the La Liga outfit has seen the Colombian constantly linked with a move away.

The 28-year-old has bagged 30 league goals over the past two seasons.

Arsenal were credited with a move for Bacca over January and are reportedly

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Bacca

planning to activate his £22m buy-out clause in the summer.

However, the former Club Brugge striker insists he remains happy at Los Rojiblancos.

He said: “When you’ve been playing well you must be happy and proud at what you’ve done.

“I’m happy at Sevilla and so is my family. I have a contract for four years.”

Colombian striker rules out Arsenal move

Yılmaz

having coached the Crescent-Stars between 2010-12.

Yılmaz has a total of 17 goals in all competitions for Galatasaray this season.

The 29-year-old striker has 15 goals in 37 international games for Turkey.

eil Taylor has revealed how Chris Coleman’s Euro 2016 hopefuls have felt the responsibility of dragging Wales out of the international doldrums – and claimed Gareth Bale has what it takes to help make it happen.

Wales face Israel on Saturday in a game manager Coleman has described as the national side’s most significant since the Euro 2004 play-off defeats to Russia more than a decade ago.

Because victory away to the surprise group leaders would put unbeaten Wales in the driving seat victory in Israel will help, setting up a mouthwatering clash with group favourites Belgium in June.

As will the Bale factor, with Taylor insisting that despite the scrutiny and the pressure the £85m man is ready to deliver.

Taylor said: “I think Gareth has become a bit acclimatised to how his life is now with stuff like that.

“And when that happens

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Bale

you brush everything off quite easily, whether you’re doing well or not doing well you have to take everything the same way. And he’s played in enough big games now to be able to deal with all of that.

“You saw the cameras here at training for him and even in Andorra there were people camped outside our hotel and it will probably be the same in Israel.”

Bale will drag Wales out of the football doldrums, says Taylor

exico and Ecuador will play their first international matches of the year on Saturday, and Javier Hernandez hopes the game will spark his season with Real Madrid.

Hernandez has played just 63 minutes across 13 La Liga matches in 2015, while the Mexican striker has not started for Real since scoring once and setting up two other goals in a 5-0 demolition of Levante on October 18.

But despite his tough season on loan from Manchester United in Spain, Hernandez insists he remains motivated, while he is hoping for more opportunities in Mexico's friendlies against Ecuador and Paraguay over the next week.

"I'm very motivated, with a lot of enthusiasm," Hernandez said.

"This is what I'm waiting for the opportunities to be able to do what I love most in life."

While Hernandez has struggled to get starts at club level over the past few years, the 26-year-old has continued to perform for Mexico and has scored three goals in their last six matches, including against Croatia at Brazil 2014.

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Chicharito desperate to face Ecuador

taly captain, Gianluigi Buffon, expects a tricky assignment as Italy head to the Vasil Levski National Stadium in Sofia on Saturday night to take on Bulgaria in their Group H clash The Azzurri are currently in second place on goal difference with 10 points in Group H – behind Croatia – and are unbeaten in their four games so far. Since Antonio Conte took charge in the summer, Italy are yet to suffer defeat in the ex-Juventus man’s six games in charge, despite never looking entirely convincing.

Impressive victories over the Netherlands and

Norway have been counteracted by unimpressive, slender wins over minnows Malta, Azerbaijan and Albania.

Bulgaria meanwhile, currently sit in fourth place in Group H, accruing only four points in as many games.

"When you play away matches against teams from that part of the world, you always face difficulties," he said. "You always face tough sides that give 120 per cent because they're playing against Italy – it gives their players a chance to show what they can do.

Buffon

International friendlies Saturday Jamaica vs Venezuela South Africa vs Argentina Morocco vs Uruguay El Salvador vs Argentina Sunday Mexico vs Ecuador Ivory Coast vs Bolivia South Africa vs Nigeria Ivory Coast vs Equatorial Guinea Brazil vs Chile France vs Denmark

Buffon expects Bulgaria fireworks I

avid De Gea is still waiting for Real Madrid to make the final approach and show real commitment about a potential transfer. According to ABC, De Gea has declined two different contract extensions because he wants to join Real Madrid, and while Los Blancos are interested in signing him away from Manchester United, they still have to sort Iker Casillas' situation out.

Given that De Gea's contract expires on 2016, it should not be hard to negotiate his transfer, otherwise Manchester United would probably ask for a huge amount of money before letting him go. In fact, it seems that United are preparing themselves for De Gea's departure by signing former Barcelona goalkeeper Víctor Valdés, who is now playing in Manchester United's Reserve side.

Real Madrid will most likely need to make a move soon, as De Gea will definitely want to make his longterm plans as a footballer. And no matter what Casillas thinks about this, it's arguably time for Real Madrid to move on and let the captain walk into the sunset.

De Gea wants Real bid D

EURO qualifiers Saturday Azerbaijan vs Malta Croatia vs Norway Bulgaria vs Italy Israel vs Wales Andorra vs Bosnia Belgium vs Cyprus Kazakhstan vs Iceland Czech Republic vs Latvia Netherlands vs Turkey Sunday Albania vs Armenia Portugal vs Serbia N.Ireland vs Finland Romania vs Faroe Islands Hungary vs Greece Georgia vs Germany Scotland vs Gibraltar Ireland vs Poland

Gay in rainy conditions at the adidas Classic.

The big Jamaican would go on to lower the record in August that year at the Olympic Games in Beijing, China, becoming the first man to run faster than 9.70 seconds.

NEW TELEGRAPH ARCH 2015

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Sport

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

28 MARCH 2015

Busy athletes seek glory, snub elections

A

Adekunle Salami s Nigerians from all walks of life above the age of 18 file out today to exercise their civic right, it is pertinent to remember some citizens who will not be able to perform their civic duties.

In the past three months or more there have been issues over the Permanent Voters Card. Some people have been disenfranchised because they do not have the PVC. However, so many Nigerians are desirous to perform their civic duties but will not be able to do so due to their line of duty.

Many Nigerian athletes outside the country are not going to be part of today’s exercise. Same goes for those within the country who are busy in various camps preparing for competitions and cannot vote since they are not in their respective places of abode.

Toyin Ibitoye is the media officer of the Super Eagles but he is currently in South Africa where the team is preparing to take on the Bafana Bafana on Sunday. Same goes for Eagles coach Daniel Amokachi and goalkeeper's trainer Ike Shorunmu who are in charge of the team.

Home-based players like Theophilus Afelokhai; Chidiebere Eze; Chima Akas; Azubuike Egwuekwe; Ubong Moses; Stanley Dimgba and; Mfon Udoh are within the voting age but are on national duty in South Africa.

“Our focus is on the two friendly games. Uganda defeated Nigeria 1-0 in the first match played last Wednesday. The match against South Africa is on Sunday and we are all looking forward to it. As Nigerians, we are aware of the importance of the general elections but our prayer is that the process will be violence-free on Saturday.

“While outside the country, the players especially the home-based, have families in Nigeria and we all praying for everything to go on well.” Ibitoye said.

Team coordinator, Patrick Pascal, said it was no big deal missing the elections since the Eagles are on national assignment.

“All we think about is football.

I have my PVC and would have loved to vote but duty calls,” Pascal said.

Samson Siasia and his national U-23 team are still in camp in Abuja preparing for the second leg of the All Africa Games qualifier against Zambia. The women's national team players are also in Abuja preparing

for the second leg tie against the national team of Mali.

Saturday Telegraph learnt reliably that some officials of the U-23 male team sought permission to travel to their bases for voting on Saturday. Two of them were permitted. Media Officer, Timi Ebikagboro, and coordinator, Yusuf Gimba, are the officials and they are expected back in camp on Sunday (tomorrow).

“The players are going to remain in camp together with coach Siasia and others. I am aware the team doctor also wanted to go but because of the sensitive nature of his role he is to stay in camp,” Ebikagboro explained.

The national relay team athletes are currently in Abuja preparing to go for the Kenyan National Relay in Nairobi early next week. The athletes have been in camp for the senior competition under coach Gabriel Okon.

The athletes in camp who are not thinking of voting today but focused on the forthcoming event are Noah Akwu, Orukpe Erakoyan, Fasasi Rilwan, Tobi Ogunmola and Isah Salihu. The female athletes are Folashade Abugan, Omolara Omotosho, Rita Ossai and Tosin Adeloye.

They are to compete in the 4x100m and the 4x 400m relays.

Funke Oshonaike is a table tennis player based in Germany while Aruna Quadri is her colleague based in Portugal. Ordinarily, the two ping pongers would have loved to vote but for their respective engagements abroad.

“We came home earlier this month for the Table Tennis World Tour and to now return to Nigeria just for the elections is a tough call. As athletes based abroad we are used to some of these things.

All we do is to monitor and pray everything goes well. My father is in Nigeria. My mother and other siblings are there. We pray for the best but obviously I won’t be part of the exercise. I would have loved to vote for a candidate of my choice,” Oshonaike noted.

It is perharps expected that most of these athletes are focused on the tasks before them and the need to attain better results in their chosen disciplines rather than on the general elections.

Mfom

Ward C emerges Egbayelo Cup winners in Apapa

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3SC coach, Franklin Howard

Ladoja promises better days for Shooting Charles Ogundiya

A

former governor of Oyo State and Accord Party gubernatorial candidate in the April 11, elections, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, has promised to pay adequate attention to the financial and welfare needs of Shooting Stars of Ibadan if elected into office.

He made the promise in Ibadan in a statement by the Director-General of his campaign, Deolu Adeleke, while reacting to the club’s woeful start in the on going premier league due to the lack of financial support from the incumbent administration in the state.

“Reports reaching me indicate that the government has not paid the salaries of 3SC players and workers for December 2014, January and

February 2015.

“Neither has the Ajimobiled government allocated money for players’ recruitment for the new season. And we expect the team to perform.

“How can the players perform on empty stomach? Neglecting this crucial arm that gives joy to thousands of people is wicked,” the statement said.

Ladoja recalled that during his tenure between 2003 and 2007, his administration allocated funds to the team such that for a long time they led the premier league log and was going to win the title in 2005 but not for the political crisis that engulfed the state.

He assured the supporters that his administration would revive the team, which according to him is the pride of Oyo State and the Yoruba nation.

ard C has emerged champions of the 1st Mike Egbayelo APC Cup in Apapa after defeating Ward E 2-1 at the weekend.

The week-long event which featured six teams saw the champions winning all their matches the highlights of which were the 8-1 annihilation of Ward B in their opening match as well as a comprehensive 4-0 whitewash of Ward D in the semifinal.

Sponsor of the tournament which is designed to develop the youths, said it is imperative that more efforts are channeled through youths development if the country want to develop to enviable heights.

Egabyelo pledged to continue sponsoring the programme with further promise of an expansion to feature more teams.

“This event marks the revolution of talents discovery in football in Apapa and its environs because our aim and objective is to create a platform where hidden talents would be unearthed and nurtured to stardom,” Egbayelo said.

He pointed out that the tournament, which was packaged under the Mike Egbayelo Foundation, was also aimed at improving relationship among youths in the area.

The champions were rewarded with N100, 000 while the first runners up got N70, 000. Ward D, which placed third by beating Ward A in the losers’ final, got N50, 000. All the top three teams also got trophies.

Enahoro charges parents to support kids in sports Charles Ogundiya

A

former member of the League Management Company, Mike Enahoro, has charged Nigerian parents to support their children who are interested in sports.

The father of Nigerian decathlete, Ituah Enahoro, while speaking with Saturday Telegraph, said with parental support, more Nigerians would excel in sports.

“We have so many kids interested in sports in Nigeria, but the disposition of some parent to sports in Nigeria is nothing to write home about,” Enahoro said.

The man, who hired a personal coach for his son was also in Ethiopia to watch his son compete for Team Nigeria at the 12thedition of the Afri-

Enahoro

can Junior Athletics Championship.

A footballer in his heyday, Enahoro said nothing was too much in his effort to support his child.

He said: “Nothing is too much in a father supporting his child to achieve his dream.

I wish my parents had such time for me too.

“What I am doing now is a sacrifice parents make, or let me say should make for their children. When he becomes an adult, sponsors will take it from there.

“At this point in time, I want to give all my children the best opportunity to achieve their set target, something I will advise all Nigerian parents to do.”

He however applauded the Athletics Federation of Nigeria for their support for his son so far. The former Hawks of Makurdi player said the federation had been doing what a federation should do for their athletes.

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

28 MARCH 2015

Ujah hoping to take club form to Eagles

How do you feel about your recent recall to the Super Eagles?

I feel very happy that I've been recalled. It shows I've improved since my last time in the team and also that my form this season has been rewarded. I have been playing well for my club and I hope to transfer the form to the national team. And I pray by the grace of God it happens.

FC Cologne of Germany striker, Anthony Ujah, in this interview with Ifeanyi Ibeh, speaks of his club form, family, readiness to stake a claim for a regular shirt in the Super Eagles following his recent recall. Excerpts...

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son. How does that make you feel?

No doubt it's the best feeling for a striker to find the back of the net regularly. It helps build confidence while also helping to develop other areas of your game as you grow.

Do you think you will be able to tie down a regular place in the national team this time?

I'll surely fight for a place and, hopefully, with God’s help, I will succeed. Playing for the national team is a big honour. Despite not having success as yet, I still feel highly honoured to have worn the green and white shirt of my country.

Having scored nine times so far in the Bundesliga, what is your goals target for the season?

I never set a specific target else I start getting selfish or place myself under pressure. All I do is fight for the success of my team and if in the process I score then it's a bonus, but the team comes first. But hitting the double digit as I've done in the last two seasons for my team would be great. I'm one goal away but football changes very fast so I have to stay focused and hungry.

You were not exceptional the last time in the national team, at the FIFA Confederations Cup. Hope you will not allow that experience in Brazil affect your performance this time?

That's definitely in the past and I've grown as a player since then.

So, hopefully I'll be able to transfer my club form to the national team if given the chance.

What have been the factors behind your current form for FC Cologne?

First of all God is the reason for everything, then comes the other things like settling well into the team and the city. Of course, my family has been a great factor not just regarding my current form but my career so far. They have always been there for me, and I am grateful to God for my family.

How would you describe yourself as a striker?

I'm a striker who has an eye for goals and makes as little contact as possible with the ball as I'm not the type who would want to dribble past many players before scoring. I believe in passing the ball to my teammates and taking my position and getting the ball back in the penalty area to score. I'm more of a penalty box striker but I do a lot of defensive work as well, as the success of my team comes first.

What is the difference between your current form for Cologne and the time you were in the Bundesliga with Mainz?

The difference between then and now is that I came from a lower ranked league, which the Norwegian league is, to a big club and league. So I needed time to settle and adjust, which I did faster than I thought. But I wasn't given the trust and belief I felt I deserved so I decided to seek a move and show what I'm capable of doing and FC Cologne gave me the opportunity.

Since then I’ve not looked back.

How do you like the ball played to you: to your feet, into space, or in the air?

I am quite comfortable with anyone, but if asked to pick my favourite of the three, I’d say I prefer to receive the ball in the air as that would allow me to make good use of my jumping and heading abilities.

You have been in good form this sea-

At the moment I'm only focused on helping my club to stay in the league

There has been a lot of speculation in Europe about your future, with some tipping you for a move away from Cologne. Are you aware of such comments?

There will always be speculations when a striker is in good form but at the moment I'm only focused on helping my club to stay in the league and we'll see what happens in the summer. But one thing is certain, I'll not be forcing a move, if my club decides to cash in on me, fine, but I'll respect my contract which runs until 2017.

Have your representatives informed you of any such offers?

As at this moment I haven't been informed of any offers and I've asked my agent to keep such information away from me so I can concentrate on the mission at hand which is to keep FC Cologne in the league.

Finally, as we are in the month of Lent, how are you coping with the fasting and football?

Unfortunately, I'm not taking part but my dad, mom and siblings are and I'm benefiting from it by the grace of God.

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SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

28 MARCH 2015

Lifestyle

Chicharito hooks up with Ronaldo’s former WAG

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avier Hernandez has had a hard time of it over the past two years, having been frozen out at Manchester United and then failing to establish himself in the Real Madrid side on a season long loan.

Earlier this week the 26-year-old was snapped and splashed on the front cover of Spanish gossip mag HOLA! with stunning TV presenter Lucia Villalon.

Having previously been linked with Cristiano Ronaldo as a love interest, there appears now to be nothing in that story as she smooches up to the Mexican international out about in Madrid.

Serena opens up on relationship with Wozniacki

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erena Williams has spoken of her close friendship with tennis rival Caroline Wozniacki.

Appearing on the front cover of US Vogue, the American world No 1 admits that times can get tough at the top and that she is glad to have Wozniacki and sister Venus around for support.

'It’s hard and lonely at the top,' Serena confessed to Vogue. 'That’s why it’s so fun to have Caroline and my sister, too. You’re a target when you’re number one. Everyone wants to beat you. Everyone talks behind your back, and you get a lot more criticism. God forbid I lose.'

Last May, it was Caroline who needed Serena's support. When Serena got word that Caroline had been dumped by fiance Rory McIlroy, she immediately picked up the phone.

Beckham

Beckham shows off his rock hard abs

D Serena

avid Beckham has always had the ability to make women and men - weak at the knees.

And even approaching 40 years old, the former England footballer still has what it takes, as he's proved in these jaw-dropping snaps.

The star - who will hit the birthday milestone in May - showed off his im-

pressive abs and extensive tattoo collection as he soaked up the rays in Miami this week, giving onlookers a real treat.

Wearing nothing but a pair of red shorts and a T-shirt on his head, the father-of-four flaunted his athletic physique as he leaned over the hotel balcony, seemingly watching the world go by.

Shayk lookalike linked with Ronaldo

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Flanders

oor Cristiano Ronaldo only went and had his heart broken earlier this year when he was dumped by Russian mega babe Irina Shayk. However, now that he’s surely cried himself dry, he can now look to move forward as a single man with plenty of female admirers.

But in a move that could be as creepy as the time that Ned Flanders tried to recreate his dead wife by cutting a sleeping woman’s hair, Ronny has recently been linked with Brazilian model Teresa Kap…who only bloody looks exactly like his ex.

Last month she told Brazilian news site Globo: “I do not know [Cristiano Ronaldo personally], nor do I know much about his life.

I only know that he is considered the best footballer in the world. I know more things about [Irina] than him!”

Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life... as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed.

- Booker T. Washington

Henry disguises himself as a school teacher

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hierry Henry was a surprise guest at a Welsh school on Tuesday, but rather than appearing in his usual roles as a television pundit or footballer, the Frenchman turned up as a supply teacher.

The Arsenal legend was on hand to give Pen-YDre High School student Emma Morgan an award live on Sky Sports News, and went undercover with an easy-to-see-through disguise as he took the teacher's place at the front of the classroom.

The Sky Sports pundit wore a black wig and glasses in an attempt to fool the class in Merthyr Tydfil, but quickly revealed his true identity once the students cottoned on.

The students were shocked to see Henry making a visit to South Wales as part of his Sky Ambassador role Henry was appearing on his first appointment as a Sky Academy Ambassador, handing out the Sky Sports Living for Sport Student of the Year award for Wales.

The awards celebrate the achievements of students and teachers in using sports stars and the skills learnt through sport to build life skills for young people. An overall winner, picked from Emma and winners from England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, will be decided on Sunday.

Stories courtesy Dailymail

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

28 MARCH 2015

33

Nigeria

on the campaign trail

sed well and some worth hey were certainly more nt of money they spent on y hardly made aso ebi but of dressing to brand their inclination. was usually one striking hich a particular politician th that makes him stand hat era, the main fashion yles, shapes and colours, ide-range of eye-catching

styles with their different traditional attires. They wore these hats standing upright, tilted to the right, left, front or to the back with style.

For example, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa and Ahmadu Bello were always identified with their peculiar turbans while Obafemi Awolowo, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Waziri Ibrahim, Michael Okpara, Samuel Akintola and Aminu Kano were identified by their individually striking hats.

Awolowo was identified with his chequered cap, Azikiwe with his black cap and Kano with his red cap.

For people like Awolowo and Akintola they always matched their hats with agbada attire. Also, Azikiwe complimented his black hat beautifully well his white brocade agbada while Kano paired his red cap with his white poplin kaftan. There were other politicians also, who wore similar hats but distinguished theirs by adding unique tassels to the top.

Likewise, there were politicians, who preferred woolly hats like Mbonu Ojike or bowler hats like Okotie Eboh. And these hats were emphasised by the kind of outfits they complemented them with.

Even today with the aso ebi craze during rallies,

...in Rivers State

APC presidential rally at Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.

APC presidential rally in Ilorin

...In Minna

which lump everyone together even though they turn up in styles, there are still some politicians who can easily be distinguished by their mode of dressing. This includes people like Olusegun Mimiko, Segun Oni and Kayode Fayemi, who appear to be carrying on the dress code legacy of Awolowo. Adams Oshiomhole still looks distinct in his khaki French suit following in the footsteps of Tai Solarin.

The candidates may have made striking fashion statements on the campaign trail, but it would not matter as the voters cast their ballots today.

...in Benue

Women in colourful outfits in support of Buhari

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Orji

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

Nigeria

Akpabio

28 MARCH 2015

Yuguda

Danladi

For some governors, the Senate beckons A ll things being equal, there are about nine serving governors, who might be part of the 109 Senators that will form the Eighth Senate, if they succeed in today's elections that will be held across the country. They include the following:

Theodore Orji (Abia - PDP) Theodore Orji, the Governor of Abia State will be serving out his eight years on May 29, 2015. Just as it has become a development that crept into this democracy for governors in their second term or former state governors to seek election to the Senate, Governor Orji is the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, standard bearer for the Abia Central Senatorial District.

If he succeeds, he will take over from the outgoing Senator Nkechi Nwaogu. She is completing her second term in the Senate.

Governor Orji's top contender in today's National Assembly poll is Hon. Ihenacho Obioma of the All Progressives Congress, APC. Obioma served in the House of Representatives from 1999 to 2003. Going by the trend of politics being played in Nigeria at the moment, where a politician's success at the poll depends on the quantum of resources he has to throw about, it is expected that the richer will carry the day. In this regard, unless there are other intervening variables that would interfere with this pattern, the victory of Governor Orji in today's contest is more or less a foregone conclusion given his immense resources.

Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom - PDP) Governor Godswill Akpabio has also positioned himself to come and perhaps take political refuge in the nation's apex legislative Chamber, as he is the PDP flag bearer for Akwa Ibom North West. His interest to come to the Senate after serving eight years as governor has since severed

Aliyu

As Nigerians troop out to the polls today to elect the next President and commander-in-chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the members of the National Assembly, some serving governors seem on a sure-footed march to the Senate, having emerged as candidates of their various parties in last year's primaries in their respective states.

CHUKWU DAVID captures these governors in this report.

his relationship with Senator Aloysius Etok, who is currently representing the District in the Senate. Senator Etok initially put up effort to wrestle the seat with the governor but obviously could not withstand the intimidation from Akpabio, who has all the resources and paraphernalia of government at his disposal to mess up the lawmaker. Eventually, Etok withdrew from the race.

guda, President Jonathan was some time last year reported to have promised that governors interested in going to the Senate would be given automatic tickets. This was later not the case because governors Martin Elechi of Ebonyi State, Sullivan Chime of Enugu State, Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State and Liyel Imoke of Cross River State were all denied the ticket by the party.

Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu (Niger--PDP) In Niger, Governor Mua'zu Babangida Aliyu is going to run for the Niger-East senatorial District. He will take over from Senator Shem Zagbayi, who just got elected in August 2014 to replace the deceased Senator Dahiru Awaisu Kuta.

Jonah Jang (Plateau--PDP) The Governor of Plateau State, Jonah Jang, is contesting to take over the seat of Senator Gyang Pwajok. In his own case, he did what looks like trade by batter with Senator Pwajok, who is currently representing Plateau North Senatorial District by anointing him (Pwajok) to take over from him (Jang) as governor.

But the arrangement has provoked a lot of controversy from the various geopolitical entities in the state. Political analysts in the state see the arrangement as unfair and a negation of the zoning principle which is in practice in the state.

Proponents of zoning are arguing that it will amount to a political suicide if the Northern senatorial District is allowed to produce another governor after Jang.

Isa Yuguda (Bauchi--PDP) Mallam Isa Yuguda is the one holding the ticket of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party for the Bauchi South Senatorial District. He is seeking the seat of Senator Adamu Gumba, who represents the area in this 7th Senate and is also the chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports.

Yuguda is believed to be a staunch supporter of President Goodluck Jonathan despite the incident that marred the latter's visit to the state for his campaign. So, his ambition presumably has the backing of the Presidency and the national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party. Yu-

Suswam

Gabriel Suswam(Benue--PDP) Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State is contesting against the former

Jang

National Chairman of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, Senator Barnabas Gemade, who left PDP in anger to secure ticket from the APC. Though Gemade may have more political experience, going by his age and previous appointments in the country, it is not likely that he will be able to defeat the governor, who is enjoying the power of incumbency.

Bala Ngilari (Adamawa--PDP) Governor Bala Ngilari, after he lost his bid to secure a ticket to run for the governorship of Adamawa in the 2015 general elections, the PDP decided to compensate him by giving him the ticket to contest for Senate. He is completing the tenure of his former boss, Murtala Nyako, who was impeached last year on allegations of corruption.

Abubakar Danladi (Taraba--PDP) Governor Abubakar Danladi was deputy to the incapacitated Governor of Taraba State, Danbaba Suntai. He was however, impeached from office on the orders of the governor. But by providence he was reinstated, after the removal of Fintiri. Danladi is actually contesting for the Senate, and his chances are bright since he has the endorsement of the Presidency and the party to be in the race.

Usman Dakingari (Kebbi--PDP) Governor Usman Saidu Dakingari of Kebbi State is also in the race for the Senate. If he wins his opponent from the APC, it means that he will be taking over from Senator Isa Galaudu, who represents Kebbi North. It is believed that the governor is adjudged by the citizens of Kebbi to have done well in the last eight years of his steering the ship of the State. Therefore, this record will make his victory easy, and he will be among those that will shape the affairs of the Eighth Senate.

Dakingari

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ercise.

In Borno, political parties and other stakeholders in the election process have signed a peace accord.

The Shehu of BornoAlhajiAbubakatrIbnGarbai El-Kanemi, has tasked politicians and youths against political violence.

C O N T I N U E D f ro m PA G E 2 2

of the elections. The violence escalated to many parts of the state.

Jos North has always become a flashpoint area in the state and now that the In the build to the general elections, two campaigns vehicles belonging President Jonathan were burnt by irate youths along Bauchi Road.

Although the Commander of the Special Task Force (STF) saddled with the responsibly of maintaining peace in the state, Maj.-Gen. David Enetie, has assured citizens of security protection, but Jos North and Wase local governments where a large number of Muslims reside and are strong supporters of the APC may likely have pockets of violence.

Kaduna again!

In Kaduna State, the two leading political parties, APC and PDP have been appealing for peaceful elections more than six months ago. However, it seems that their pleas are falling on deaf ears. On a daily Violence at Rivers APC rally basis, radio and television jingles are being aired with more or less the same message of shunning violence during and after the The stage is set polls.

Specifically, some of these messages for a massive have been making references to the gory events of 2011, where major cities in the showdown, if the state had dissolved into violence after elecsecurity agencies tion results have been announced. In addition to these messages, political parties, do not brace up to candidates running for elections as well the threat these as non-governmental organisations have also been appealing for calm. parties pose In addition, religious bodies have been calling for prayers in worship places. In mosques and churches, pastors and Imams have been preaching to their flock on the need to hold elections in a peaceful atmo- Achong said there is no cause for alarm. sphere. According to reports, some MusAchong told Saturday Telegraph that lims and Christians have embarked on there have been enough sensitisation of special prayer and fasting sessions in order youths and that the election will hold to have free, fair and peaceful elections. without skirmishes.

However, in spite of these appeals and He was very optimistic that the crisis of prayers, there are ominous signs that the 2011 will never rear its head again in the elections may be marred by a few skir- state, stressing that security agencies are mishes in some urban areas. Last Sun- ready to handle any situation. day, the campaign train of Hon. Samaila Suleiman, the APC candidate of Kaduna Edo and pockets of violence Edo State remains a centre of political North Federal Constituency, was attacked at Abakpa area and several people were attraction in any electioneering process. injured. According to reports, one Mus- This dates back to the days of colonial tapha Jarfa was even hospitalised as he era. As a gateway state to the East, North, West and the South-South, her inputs to sustained machete cuts and stabs.

Similarly, Malam Nasir el-Rufai, the nation’s political dynamism has always APC gubernatorial candidate, did a road drawn serious attention. walk across Kaduna town last Monday.

Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s tenure Thousands of his supporters followed elapses next year to pave the way for anthe former Minister of Federal Capital other governorship poll. This has opened Territory(FCT) and for over four hours, fronts for intense power tussle among the one lane of the major highway that cut actors. The presidential and National Asacross the town was overwhelmed by sembly elections today will define the APC youths. Significantly, they smashed shape of things to come.

Hence, Oshiomhole’s men are poised PDP billboards, tore Governor Muktar Yero’s posters and called the government not to allow anything to slip off their hold unprintable names. given the testimonial achievement of the In the run up to the elections, many present administration and not to return southerners have left Kaduna and last the state back to the PDP which memberWednesday, the various markets in the ship are stopping at nothing to take full metropolis was a beehive of activities as control of machinery of party politics, people rushed to buy food-stuff, expecting government and governance in the state. the worst but hoping for the best.

The PDP with political heavyweight will also attempt to take control of the Taming Akwa Ibom violence state by delivering the state for President In Akwa Ibom, the 2011 general elec- Jonathan. tions witnessed violence that claimed Except for adequate security, crisis several lives and property. may rocks the state today. The state has The build up to the 2015 elections had been thrown into political crisis since last already witnessed a casualty in the per- year such that members of the House of son of Obong Okon Uwah, former Deputy Assembly sit at different locations. There Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House have been several violent attacks in the of Assembly was killed by political thugs state which may rear its head today. recently. Uwah was a candidate in the April 11 poll; he was House of Assembly Oyo: A return to violence? candidate for the APC. Elections in Oyo State have always The situation got bad in the build to the been characterised by violence owing to election as politicians from all the parties the nature of political players and the traurged their supporters to fight if their op- ditional belief by Ibadan people that they ponents plan to manipulate the electoral must always occupy the Agodi Government House at every new dispensation. process.

People from Oyo, Ogbomoso, Ibarapa The state Police Commissioner Gabriel

and Oke Ogun zones of the state always feel threatened by the numerical strength of Ibadan with 11 local governments of the 33 in the state, and the tendency to always hand down second fiddle role to them.

The National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) is always factional with each faction loyal to a particular political party. The incumbent government usually controlled the transport union to intimidate rival parties, until the recent government of Ajimobi that caged the union members from usual violent clashes.

Notwithstanding, pockets of violence had been recorded of recent among the factional leaders loyal to different candidates. Just as the state chairman Alhaji Taofeek Oyerinde (a.k.a Fele) is believed to be working for the governor, his embattled rival and predecessor, Alhaji Lateef Akinsola (a.k.a. Tokyo) is a strong supporter of the PDP candidate. A former governor of the state, Christopher Alao-Akala, is also not without his loyalists among the union members. Just as a violent clash led to the death of three Accord Party members about a month ago at Ode Ige area of Ibadan, another mild clash was recorded in Ogbomoso last week.

The ability of the security agencies to curtail the violent nature of the transport unions will determine the extent of peaceful conduct of the election in the state.

Volatile Kano Kano with the highest number of voters with the Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) is one of the volatile states for today’s elections.

The Security Inter Agencies Consultative Committee that comprises Police, Military, Department of State Service (DSS), and other stakeholders have identified over 100 election black spots in Kano.

The black spots identified include the eight metropolitan local government areas of Nassarawa, Fagge, Dala, Municipal, Kumbotso and three others.

Other black spots identified are Kabo, Kura Garunmallam, Tofa, Wudil and several other outskirts local government councils.

Lagos, Osun, Bauchi, Borno The stakes are so high in Lagos that the ruling APC and PDP have engaged in violent clashes in the build up to the elections. The police have given assurance of violence-poll in the state.

Bauchi is is one of the states with post2011 election violence. There are fears of possible outbreak of violence in the state.

The stake is high in Osun State. This is the only South-West state President Jonathan lost in 2011 election.

There could be pockets of violence in the state before, during and after the ex-

Imo will be a battle ground Imo politicians and security agencies only recently signed the election peace pact after several postponements. That was not without implication.

Long before 2015 set in, rival Imo politicians were already at daggers drawn and engaging in extreme confrontations. One could easily recall the road age between Governor Rochas Okorocha’s convoy and Senator Chris Anyanwu’s in which security aides to the governor, right before the Senator, beat one her drivers to pulp. Last year also, the running battle between Okorocha and Chief Emeka Ihedioha, the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, which climaxed at the New Yam festival of the Mbaise people made headlines in the media.

Also during the Oguta by-election that held last year, thuggery and electoral violence were taken to a whole new high.

Thugs were imported from neighbouring states like essential commodities to the extent that the sheer size and number of hoodlums deployed to the small council area of Oguta by the APC and PDP, caught security agents napping. At the end, the result of the election was declared inconclusive as no credible election could have held under such terrifying atmosphere.

The PDP had also been accusing Okorocha of training thugs at ICAPS, Egbu Road, for election purposes and not for the security of the state as claimed by the government.

No one took the allegation seriously until scores of thugs were mobilised to execute the atrocious flogging and brutalisation of women said to be widows.

The only denial offered by the governor was that they were not widows and that most of them were imported from Abia State. The implication is that politics has so atrophied the conscience of some politicians in Imo that it is not such a big deal brutalizing women, even if we assume they are not widows. And this incident was witnessed by top officials of the state government nodding their approval over the assault on mothers, only because it earned them some assumed political mileage.

While claims and counter claims were still being bandied back and forth between the government and the opposition, supporters and thugs believed to be loyal to the APC government disrupted and dispersed Imo people who had gathered to listen to the candidates of different political parties that aspire to rule the state.

The PDP described as a foretaste of things to come, accusing the governor of planning to unleash mayhem on election day.

While the APC government has also accused the PDP of planning to use the military and other security agencies to win election, the PDP has called on security agencies to clampdown on Okorocha’s militia groups who they aver masquerade as security outfits in the state. They listed the Imo Security Network; Imo Community Watch; Imo Civil Guard and a few others as the governor’s militia groups that have no business bearing arms except that they have been trained for election purposes.

So the stage is set for a massive showdown, if the security agencies do not brace up to the threat these parties pose.

If we recall that machetes, axes and guns were freely wielded inside Assumpta Cathedral, the Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri during a governorship debate, then anything could happen on the election ground proper.

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Of dark horses and the also ran

WALE ELEGBEDE chronicles the profile of other presidential candidates who are merely taking part in the election

A

lthough 14 political parties are participating in today’s presidential election, the race to Aso Rock is basically between President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and General Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in what some political pundits had tagged as the epic battle for the soul of Africa’s most populous nation.

Political observers who dubbed the election as a straight fight between Jonathan and Buhari based their conviction on the perceived lack of seriousness on the part of other contestants.

Except for occasional appearances on the pages of newspapers and party functions, there is little or nothing to suggest that the majority of the candidates are serious about the contest.

In fact, campaign posters of many of them are not on the streets and by implication they are relatively known by the majority of the electorate. Many of the presidential candidates did not even organise a single rally yet they seek the nation’s number one job.

Since their political investments in terms of electioneering and wooing of the electorate fell below expectation, it is expected that the dormant candidates will have nothing to lose at the end of the day.

In spite of this, their names will be mentioned whenever reference is made to this election considered to be one of the most keenly contested presidential elections in Nigeria’s history.

Tunde Anifowose-Kelani, AA The presidential candidate of the Action Alliance (AA) was born in Ibadan, Oyo State, on April 5, 1965.

Though the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) listed Bachelor of Education (BED) as his qualification, his public profile, however, shows that he had a first degree in Guidance and Counselling combined with Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan and a Master's degree in Personnel Psychology from the same university.

Though little is known of his political root, he was the chairman of the Action Alliance before transmuting to the party’s presidential candidate for the election. The AA candidate has repeatedly said his targets are the youth but it is not likely whether such bait will get him the needed votes. For some, he is one of those candidates banking on miracle in the race despite running on an unpopular platform.

Martin Onovo, NCP Onovo is an engineer by profession

Salau

Sonaiya

Okorie

Ahmad

and holds degrees from the University of Ibadan and the University of Houston. The National Conscience Party (NCP) presidential candidate worked with Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) for one year, between 1992 and 1993 before he left for his second degree in the USA. He is a member of various organisations including the Institute of Transport Administration and the Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE). He was the candidate of the Action Alliance (AA) in 2011 but had his name omitted on the ballot by the electoral body. He has full grasp of issues bedevilling the country but whether his analytical skills can translate to votes is another kettle of fish.

der friendly men would do the magic for her. Prof. Sonaiya was born on March 2, 1955, and she holds a doctorate degree in Linguistics and became a professor of French and Applied Linguistics at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, in 2001 before she voluntarily resigned.

Sonaiya, who is a devout Christian is the first Nigerian to be appointed as Ambassador Scientist of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, a position she occupied from 2008 to 2014.

Married to Babafunso Sonaiya, a professor of Animal Science, the KOWA party candidate was a blogger for the now rested 234 Next Newspaper. She is a newspaper columnist.

Oluremi Sonaiya, KOWA She is the only female candidate in the presidential race and she believes votes from womenfolk alongside gen-

Chekwas Okorie, UPP Dr. Okorie is not a new face in the political terrain but he is new in the presidential race. Aside being the pres-

idential candidate of United Progressive Party (UPP), he is also the party’s national chairman. He is reputed to have co-founded the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in 2002 with some other politicians before his departure from the party.

Okorie was a political associate of late Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu and his target in the presidential election is the Eastern votes. Though not much has been heard of UPP activities and structures, Okorie and his party could still count on votes, especially from their Ndigbo brothers.

Adebayo Musa Ayeni, APA Dr. Ayeni is the presidential candidate of the African Peoples Alliance (APA). He was born in 1953 in EmureEkiti, Ekiti State. He was the deputy governor of the old Ondo State from 1990 to 1992, the first civilian to hold

28 MARCH 2015

Owuru

Onovo

the office during military rule.

In 2007, he contested the governorship election of Ekiti State on the platform of United Nigeria Peoples Party (UNPP) and lost. Ayeni started his lecturing job in 1986 at the Obafemi Awolowo University (University of Ife), Osun State.

Nothing significant can be said about his party and his aspiration for the office of the president.

Sam Eke, CPP He is another party national chairman that grabbed his party’s, Citizen Popular Party (CPP), ticket for the presidential race but not without a fight from his party members. He is not a greenhorn in politics and his dossier speaks volumes of his various forays in politics. But whether that would translate to votes for him during the election is a different thing. Eke, who is an accountant by profession, hails from Ikwuana Iga in Abia State but had his primary and post-primary education in Lagos.

He then advanced to the Federal Polytechnic, Akanu Ibiam and then the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, for his tertiary education. In the quest for further knowledge in his field of study, he went abroad to attend the Pacific Western University, Janus University and the State University of New York, all in the United States of America, to acquire a postgraduate certificate and then his PhD. He was the CPP governorship candidate in Abia State in 2007 and 2011 and was the national publicity secretary, Inter-party Advisory Council (IPAC).

Ambrose Owuru, HDP Owuru is the national chairman of the Hope Democratic Party (HDP) and

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Okoye

Anifowose-Kelani

has contested presidential elections before.

He was arrested and arraigned in 2013 by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over an alleged N66 million fraud.

Born in Port Harcourt some 53 years ago, Owuru attended Orogbum Primary School in Port Harcourt before proceeding to Country Grammar School, Ikwerre/ Ekhe.

For his university education, the HDP presidential candidate went to University of Buckingham, England and the University of London. Upon his return to Nigeria, Owuru attended the Nigeria Law School and was called to the Bar. He worked with Soton Denton between 1986 and 1987 before joining AA Owuru and company. Given his past experience, Owuru is not a new kid on the block of presidential contest.

Eke

Adebayo

Many of the presidential candidates did not even organise a single rally yet they seek the nation’s number one job

Godson Okoye, UDP Okoye is a lawyer by profession. He contested the governorship elections of Anambra State in 2010 and 2013.

He is the presidential candidate of the United Democratic Party (UDP).

He practised law for a while before he secured a political appointment in 2002 in the office of the President of the Senate between 2002 and 2004. He later returned to his law practice.

His experience in politics is limited to the two years he spent in the office of the Senate President as an appointee and his party has not produced any candidate since its formation. His chances in becoming the next Nigerian president are slim.

tional chairman before being named its presidential flag bearer last year. As a member of the All Nigerian People’s Party (ANPP), he was elected Kwara State Legal Adviser of the party from 2001-2006 and later became the national assistant treasurer of the party.

In 2007, he picked the ANPP senatorial ticket of the party and lost the election.

He was however appointed in 2010 as director, Constituency Affairs of Senator Gbemisola Saraki.

The ACPN presidential candidate in 2011 left ANPP and joined ACPN as national secretary.

He served in this capacity until 2014 before he was elected national chairman of the party and later the presidential candidate. Galadima is also the national treasurer of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC). He is also making up the number as he has no formidable structure to garner votes in the election.

Ganiyu Galadima, ACPN Galadima was the party’s acting na-

Rafiu Salau, AD Though a faction of his party has

rejected his candidature as the party’s flag bearer, the INEC still recognises him as Alliance for Democracy (AD) candidate. The 58-year-old politician was the national secretary of AD before becoming a presidential candidate. From INEC’s record, he is the presidential candidate with the minimum educational qualification, he holds a Senior Secondary School Leaving Certificate and believes that he is “the best candidate” for the number one office in the country.

He is not new in Nigerian politics having served as national publicity secretary of the AD over 10 years. Salau is an experienced politician especially in party politics but there is a wide difference between that and canvassing for national votes.

Mani Ibrahim Ahmad, ADC Dr. Ahmad is the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The 46-year-old graduate of Ahmadu Bello University is a director, Academic Planning at Baze University. Although his campaign theme is, “Think about your situation”, Ahmad is not seen as a serious contender in the presidential race.

Kevin Chinedu Allagoa, PPN Allagoa is one of the fresh blood into the presidential race. Not much is known about him politically before he joined the presidential race on the platform of the Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN). Allagoa, who is a businessman is a native of Aba in Abia State, and was born in 1968.

The 46-year-old holds a Bachelor of Science degree and has picked 35-yearold Arabamhen Mary, a school certificate holder, as his running mate.

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One election, many polls Several pollsters have either predicted that President Goodluck Jonathan will win today’s presidential election, or called it in favour of his main rival, Major General Muhamadu Buhari. The outcome of the opinion polls conducted have been conflicting.

ONWUKA NZESHI reports

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n the run up to the March 28 presidential elections, the media has been awash with opinion polls conducted by different organisations within and outside Nigeria.

The polls are designed to gauge voting intentions and provide the public with a fair idea of where the pendulum of electoral victory might swing.

As in most assessments on the forthcoming elections, the pollsters have concentrated their efforts on the two major political parties, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC), making it a straight contest between President Goodluck Jonathan and General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), candidates of the two parties.

It is pertinent to state that the polls have left out the candidates of the other political parties in the presidential race as well as ignored the elections into the National Assembly.

However, each of the organisations behind the polls claimed that their predictions were the products of a non-partisan public opinion survey, scientific research and data analysis.

Sahara Reporters In one of the polls conducted last year, a popular online media organisation, Sahara Reporters placed Buhari

Jonathan

ahead of Jonathan in the presidential race. In what could be described as a teaser to the polls, Sahara Reporters activated its polls on October 15, 2014, the day Buhari declared his intention to run for the presidential election. The survey asked Nigerians to indicate who they would vote for if the election were to hold that day between Mr. Buhari (as candidate of APC) and President Goodluck Jonathan (as candidate of PDP). According to the news website, the poll lasted for only 24 hours, and out of a total of 15,435 persons that voted, Buhari got 12,246 votes, representing 79 per cent of the total votes cast, while President Jonathan, got 3,189 votes, representing 21 per cent of the total votes.

GMB and PDP/GEJ, the results were 30 per cent to 70 per cent respectively.

On the second question, Nigerians were asked whether they felt safer and more secure, to participate in the 2015 presidential election earlier scheduled for February 14 or the new date of March 28.

According to Onyekwelu, 65 per cent of respondents felt safer voting on the new date while 35 per cent preferred the earlier date of the election.

The survey also posed a third question: Between APC/GMB and PDP/ GEJ who would best develop the Nigerian economy? On this, Onyekwelu said, 42 per cent of respondents chose Buhari/APC while 58 per cent went for Jonathan and the ruling party.

Premium Times In the opinion poll conducted by another online news portal, Premium Times, Buhari was adjudged to be on the lead by a wide margin. Out of a total of 9,206 respondents to the poll, 8,176 Nigerians(88.81per cent) said they would vote for Buhari while Jonathan got a paltry 877 votes (9.53 per cent) came a distant second.

Similarly, the opinion polls conducted by other platforms such as Daily Post, Nigeria Eye, the Eurasia Group and the Centre for Public Policy Alternatives, Buhari was reported to had polled more votes than Jonathan.

NPS Group Two days ago, the Nigeria Polls and Survey group also released the results of its survey which put Goodluck Jonathan, candidate of the PDP, ahead of Buhari of the APC. According to the survey, Jonathan is leading Buhari with a slight margin of 7.01per cent.

The pollsters revealed that the results were based on a five-item questionnaire administered on a total of 10, 294 registered voters picked from the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

According to the group, a total of 5, 508 respondents indicated their intention to vote for President Jonathan as against a total of 4,786 respondents who said they preferred Buhari.

KCK Associates On the other hand, the results of a National Opinion Poll released

by Kevin, Charlyn and Kimberly Associates in Abuja last week, saw Jonathan and his party on the lead by 73 per cent as against 27 per cent for Buhari and the APC. In one of the questions contained in the survey, Nigerians were asked "who would best protect your fundamental human rights" between APC/

CDCE and Others During the week, the Coalition For Democracy and Credible Election (CODECE) has also presented to the public, the outcome of its nationwide survey for the presidential election.

The survey showed that the President Jonathan is ahead of Buhari by 61.03 per cent. The poll results showed that

Buhari

Buhari got 37.63 per cent, while other political parties got 1.34 per cent.

The survey, according to its promoters, took a team of research experts three months to conduct across the country.

Two other separate surveys conducted by Forward Magazine and Zevland Ventures Limited have predicted victory for the presidential candidate of the PDP to win the election with at least a margin of 17 per cent.

The verdict With the outcome of these polls, one could perceive the conflict of opinions and interests about the presidential elections. Although each group claims to be independent, neutral, unbiased and non- partisan, there are some indications that they all have some hidden political affiliations. One will discover that most of the online news platforms that returned poll results in favour of the APC have been very critical of the PDP and President Jonathan.

Similarly, there are strong suspicions that the organisations that have returned verdicts favourable to the PDP are remotely linked to the ruling party.

Several questions have been raised about the methods adopted by the various groups in their survey. Were the polls really conducted using globally acceptable scientific standards?

Were some smart party apologists recruited to cobble questions and fix answers in a manner that would fit the political persuasions of their paymasters? The truth is that no one outside these organisations can really beat his or her chest and swear that these polls are the true voices of real people and not the imaginations of those who put the polls together.

The consolation is that these are mere projections. The real verdict of the people will be out in about 72 hours from now.

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Onwuka Nzeshi bout the middle of November last year, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) lifted the ban on campaigns by political parties.

This was in line with Section 99 (1) of the Electoral Act, 2010, which states that ban on political campaigns shall be lifted 90 days before the polling day. At that time, the presidential election was scheduled to hold on February 14, 2015 and when the elections were postponed, the political parties got an extra six weeks to launder the image of their candidates before the electorate.

Since the whistle was blown to signify the commencement of campaigns, the country has been inundated with countless campaign messages in the newspapers, on radio and television as well as billboards. The campaigns messages were also relayed through rallies, road shows and town hall meetings.

Hard Punches One unmistakeable feature of the presidential campaigns was that it was dominated by the two dominant political parties who traded tackles on a wide range of issues. It became an opportunity for both the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the main opposition party, All Progressive Congress (APC) to throw hard punches at each other.

The key issues were insecurity, unemployment, corruption, perennial epileptic power supply, dwindling oil prices at the international market and crashing value of the local currency against other currencies.

While the ruling party presented these issues in a positive outlook that could inspire hope and confidence, the APC devised a method of scoring the PDP low on all fronts.

In particular, the opposition presented a hopeless slant to the Boko Haram narrative and persuaded the electorate to buy into it proposition that only their candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari could tackle the insurgency in the North East of the country. This put the PDP- led government under intense pressure to intensify its efforts geared towards flushing out the terrorists from the territories they had occupied for several months.

Music and Dances The campaigns were aced with lots of dances and drama , culture and fashion.

Everywhere the parties went, the were accompanied by musical artistes, stand- up comedians and sometimes film stars .

Songs waxed in favour of the party at the rally, often had lyrics denigrating their opponents towards the end.

In most cases, campaign grounds were virtually turned into cultural carnivals with party supporters adorning elaborate costumes reflecting the colours and symbols of the political parties.

For the first time since he stepped into the presidential race in 2003, General Muhammadu Buhari came out of his conservative shell and adorned the cultural attires of the diverse ethnic and regional blocks in the country. Buhari, whose previous outings were anything but colorful was seen in different traditional attires associated with ethnic groups in the South- West, South -South and South -East when his campaign train hit these zones.

As for President Goodluck Jonathan, it has been the tradition of his party to identify with the various socio-cultural groups across the country and it was no big deal being robed in the diverse colours of Nigeria.

Throwing Stones It has also been a period of deadly campaigns laced with outlandish allegations and innuendos. The major political parties forgot that they lived in glass houses and they therefore went throwing stones at each other. The APC made it a point of duty to release at least one bombshell every day. It hauled various allegations of corruption against the PDP to justify its campaign for a regime change.

In a like manner, the PDP did not just

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and President Goodluck Jonathan, it was an ambivalent relationship

Thrills and frills of the 2015 presidential campaigns repel the attacks but also launched its own offensives. While the APC pointed at the alleged missing funds in the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation( NNPC) and Excess Crude Account, the PDP threw open a can of worms on what it said had been the monumental corruption taking place in Lagos State. It was tit for tat all the way.

The battle was fought on every available space on the political turf. Apart from relaying their campaign rallies live on national television, the parties also resorted to commissioning special documentaries on their opponents to rub in the negative issues in the consciousness of the public.

Legal Tussle While these were going on the political parties were also in court through their proxies. Elements suspected to be linked to the APC , approached the courts to explore the possibilities of stopping President Goodluck Jonathan from running for a second term.

In retaliation, elements within the PDP also went to court to challenge the eligibility of General Buhari to stand for the election. It was this legal clash that led to issues

Prof. Yemi Osinbajo with Muhammadu Buhari

such as the alleged non- possession of the West African School Certificate (WASC) by the presidential candidate of the APC. Somehow, the bar and the bench managed to keep the suits trapped in legal logic through a series of preliminary objections. The matters have all been pushed forward till after the presidential election when adjudicating on them would become a mere academic exercise and certainly, an effort in futility.

Debates What about the presidential debate? The Nigeria Election Debate Group (NEDG) thought it wise to bring the presidential candidates to a platform where they would discuss the key issues of development that should be of importance to those seeking to preside over the affairs of the country.

But while the PDP and the other political parties were willing to debate these issues, the APC declined the invitation to join the discourse. According to the main opposition party, the debate panels were biased against the APC and it's candidate given the background of those behind the NEDG. The APC also said that such debates were

not likely the real determinants of where the votes would go. The party said it preferred to hold town hall meetings where it would meet and interact directly with the people. The debates still held at various levels without the APC participating.

Chatham House At some point the presidential campaigns moved to Chatham House in London. General Muhammadu Buhari had received invitation to speak at the Royal Institute of International Affairs but the invitation drew the suspicion of the PDP. It was this suspicion that led Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State to beam his searchlight on Buhari throughout his visit to London.

It was Fayose who blew the whistle on some of the shady aspects of the visit and raised a number of questions that were never answered by the opposition party.

The clash between the supporters of both parties at Chatham House and the issues it threw will not be forgotten in a hurry.

Violence Although the presidential candidates and their parties signed the Abuja Accord to ensure violence - free campaigns and ultimately peaceful polls, the campaigns have been violent in several places. The campaign convoy of President Goodluck Jonathan was stoned in Bauch, Katsina and Gombe states, an indication of a hostile environment for the candidate of the ruling party. On the other side, it has been one gun battle after another in Rivers State where the APC is in power by default and the PDP is all out to reclaim the state.

What about the verbal violence being spewed out daily from the parties? The altercations and vituperations have been as lethal as the AK 47 rifle. It has wounded so many characters on either side that when this election is over the scars would still remain in memory of those hateful stabs.

The law prohibits political advertisements or broadcasts of jingles, documentaries or other forms of campaigns 24 hours to the day of election. Therefore, it is expected that the hard talks, campaign of calumny, drama, music, dances, fashion and other side attractions associated with the 2015 presidential elections would have come to an end by midnight on Thursday, March 26, 2015.

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T

he much tension that filled the atmosphere as to whether both the presidential candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Goodluck Jonathan and All Progressives Congress (APC), Major General Muhammadu Buhari, will participate in today’s presidential poll was doused as the Federal High Court in two separate rulings on Tuesday and Wednesday cleared the coast for the two major contenders.

Jonathan had been dragged before the court that he cannot re-contest in the March 28 presidential election on the ground that he had spent two terms in office having taken oath of office twice.

On the other hand, Buhari was sued over alleged certificate forgery and perjury and the court was asked to stop him from participating in the elections.

For the two major contenders, there were retinue of cases slammed on them.

For instance, there were at least five different cases filed by different parties challenging the eligibility of Jonathan to re-contest.

Likewise, there were at least four different suits from different parties alleging that Buhari forged his certificate and also lied on oath.

Hence, the plaintiffs in the suit asked the court to stop him from contesting.

Tension had risen in the two camps until March 3 when that of Jonathan's camp was calmed. The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, on March 3, in a judgement in an appeal brought by a chieftain of the PDP, Cyriacus Njoku, held that Jonathan is eligible to re-contest in today’s election.

Njoku, who was the first person to challenge Jonathan's eligibility, had in 2012 approached an Abuja High Court seeking to stop the party from nominating Jonathan as its candidate.

The trial judge then, Justice Mudashiru Oniyangi, on March 1, 2013, dismissed the suit on the ground that the plaintiff lacked locus standi to initiate such suit.

Not satisfied, Cyriacus approached the Court of Appeal.

While the matter was still pending at the appellate court, another chieftain of the party, Umar Ardo, had applied to be joined but the court refused him on the ground that he was not a party to the suit at the lower court.

The apex court had held the same view when Ardo approached it to challenge the decision of the Court of Appeal which refused to join him in the appeal.

Meanwhile, while Cyriacus appeal was still pending at the appellate court, four other cases were initiated challenging Jonathan's eligibility.

The renewed battle against Jonathan began when two persons who claimed to be presidential aspirants – Adejumo Ajagbe and Olatoye Wahab, approached the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, seeking the disqualification of Jonathan on the ground that he is spending his second term.

After the hearing had commenced, the plaintiffs asked for the referral of the suit on the ground that the suit raised “a substantial question of law” which the Court of Appeal has to make pronouncement on.

The trial judge, Justice A.R Mohammed, on February 9 granted an order of referral of the suit challenging the eligibility of Jonathan to re-contest to the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, for the interpretation of sections 135 (2)(a)(b) and 137(1)(b) of the 1999 Constitution as amended as it relates to tenure of a President.

On February 6, the same Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, in a similar development okayed service of court process on Jonathan in a fresh suit filed by one Nkemija Nkemija challenging Jonathan's eligibility to re-contest in the presidential election.

The defendants alongside Jonathan in the fresh suit were Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and PDP. The court’s order was a result of an ex-

Nigeria

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

28 MARCH 2015

How Jonathan, Buhari Legal hurdles were placed on the path of the two leading presidential candidates.

President Goodluck Jonathan survived four suits challenging his eligibility while nine suits bothering on qualification and forgery were brought against former Head of State, Major General Muhammadu Buhari.

TUNDE OYESINA examines the legal hurdles and how they survived them. parte application brought by the plaintiff.

He had argued in his ex-parte application that he could not effect personal service on the President, as he could not gain entrance into the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.

The court while granting the ex-parte application ordered that the process be served on the President through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation or office of the Attorney General of the Federation.

In another development, the court on February 3 ordered the service of court processes on Jonathan in another fresh suit filed by four senior citizens seeking his (Jonathan) disqualification.

Plaintiffs in the fresh suit, Prof. Tunde Samuel, Dr. Junaid Mohammed, Mr. Razak Adeosun and Yahaya Ezeemoo Ndu, prayed the court to restrain President Jonathan from contesting the office of the President of Nigeria in the general elections.

The plaintiffs through their counsel, Yusuf Ali (SAN), who led other five SANs contended that by the provisions of sections 135 and 145 of the 1999 Constitution, Jonathan is not eligible to contest for the election having taking oath of office as the president more than twice.

But the court on February 11 struck out the suit because the plaintiffs brought an application for discontinuance.

Although the suit was struck out after the plaintiffs withdrew it, they only did that to enable them to file a fresh one before an Abuja High Court.

The prayers sought in the fresh suit filed were the same as the one withdrawn.

Relying on sections 135 to 146 of the 1999 Constitution, the plaintiffs contended that Jonathan could not take the oath of office more than twice as the President.

They also submitted that under the constitution, any President of Nigeria cannot be in office beyond eight years of two terms.

The main crux of the suit against Jonathan was the interpretation of the provisions of sections 1 (1) &(2), 135 (1)& (2), 137(1)(b), 140 (1) &(2),142 (1)&(2) and 146(1)(3)(b)(c) as it relates to the tenure of a President.

In a judgement that seems to have put all the cases to rest, the Appeal Court interpreted all the cited sections of the constitution and Electoral Act and came to a conclusion that Jonathan is eligible to re-contest.

While delivering the judgement, Justice Abubakar Yahaya who led the full panel of the court unanimously held that Jonathan had only spent one term in office as the President going by the provision of the constitution.

On the issue of taking oath of office and allegiance twice by the President, the court held that taking oath of office twice, that the constitution is the grund norm and sacrosanct to the extent that all other laws

Jonathan

In this appeal, it is not controverted by the appellant that the first oath taken by the first defendant (Jonathan) was the oath he took as the Vice President and not as President emanated from it must be respected and obeyed by every Nigerian.

“In this appeal, it is not controverted by the appellant that the first oath taken by the first defendant (Jonathan) was the oath he took as the Vice President and not as President.

“But he took the oath in May 2010 to complete unexpired tenure of late Umaru Musa Yar'Adua. Section 37(1)(b) disqualifies a person from contesting for president if he had been elected twice. Disqualification is through election and not oath taking.

Election is a process of choosing a person to occupy a position by voting. When election is given its literal meaning, it connotes when a voting is employed to choose a person for political office.

“This did not take place when Jonathan stepped into the shoes of his principal who went to the great beyond. To say these things were done is to import words not used by the constitution. Section 146(1) of the constitution cannot be deemed an election for a VP to step into the office of a President.

“Election involves conducting primaries by party, nomination, election and announcement of results. All these processes were not done. If a VP succeeds a President that dies, that cannot be challenged. It is stepping into the vacant office provided for by the constitution.

“When a President dies, the Vice President automatically becomes President as provided for by S130 (1)(2) of the 1999 Constitution,” the court held.

In addition, the court also held that the oath taken by Jonathan in May 2010 was a constitutional process.

He noted that going by Section 135 (2)

(b), the President took the oath of office for the first time in May 2011, adding that 2010 oath was to complete the unexpired term of Yar'Adua.

The court also noted that if the first respondent is disqualified as prayed by the appellant, the system of election would have then be altered.

“It was not election that produced the first respondent in May 2010, the oath he took then was not an oath of elected President as provided for by Section 180 of the constitution.”

Coast clear for Buhari For Buhari, the coast was cleared on March 25 by the ruling of Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, when he refused to abridge the time for the hearing of the matter.

The court had adjourned hearing in the suit till April 22 and 23.

The court had also refused the joinder application brought by two lawyers, Ebunoluwa Adegoruwa and Chukwuma Ochu, seeking to be joined in the matter.

Ruling on their application, the court held that none of the parties seeking to be joined had shown enough interest that could warrant their joinder.

The court however described them as interlopers and busybodies. It was on that note that court refused their application.

The foundation of all the suits in court bothers on the certificate of the former Head of State and his alleged giving of false information to a public officer wherein he deposed in his affidavit that his school certificates are with the military.

The legal attack on Buhari was started by the Coalition of Concerned Lawyers of Nigeria which on January 25 called on the Inspector General of Police to investigate the alleged perjury and forged school certificate by Buhari.

Speaking through its leader, Chief Amaechi Nwaiwu (SAN), the coalition noted that the University of Cambridge result sheet attached to the school result released by the Government College Katsina has an alteration on the Mathematics column which suggests an attempt at concealment.

The coalition further noted that the result sheet which was attributed to the Cambridge examination body and released

by Buhari's former school is clearly super

28 MARCH 2015

survived legal hurdles imposition of one document on another.

The coalition further noted that Section 131 of the constitution as amended provides for qualification for election as President, adding that Nigerians had the right to ensure that persons contesting to rule them are qualified.

The plot thickens, a day after the lawyers called for the arrest of Buhari when an Abuja-based lawyer, Chukwunweike Okafor, approached the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja asking that Buhari should be disqualified from contesting the election.

Okafor premised his suit on the ground that there was no evidence that Buhari possesses the academic qualifications he claimed.

Okafor, via an Originating Summons, asked for an order compelling the INEC to remove or delete Buhari’s name and his party, the APC, in the list of persons and political parties eligible to contest for the office of the President.

Listed in the suit were Buhari, APC and INEC as first to third defendant.

Okafor however wants the court to hold that the information contained in Buhari's Form C.F 001 stating that his educational qualification in the West African School Leaving Certificate (WASC) is false and is thereby disqualified.

As if that was not enough, another group headed by one Shield Jones Ufot on January 27 slammed a fresh criminal suit on Buhari before an Abuja Magistrate Court for allegedly giving false evidence.

The complainants, Shield Jones Ufot, Jimmy David, Ogueri Enwerem and Tochukwu Okorie, had on behalf of their counsel, Ugochukwu Ezekiel, brought a direct criminal complaint pursuant to Section 143(5) and 152 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

The complainants cited Buhari as the only defendant in the suit.

Buhari

Road to March 28: The journey for today's elections began a year ago when the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) issued a timetable for the general elections. ONYEKACHI EZE reports the various stages that gave rise to today's event.

A

t long last, the 2015 general elections are here with us.

Across the 36 states of the country and Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), eligible and registered voters are expected today to file out to the polling units or voting points nearest to them to cast the ballot for the presidential candidate and members of National Assembly of their choice.

These are the first of the two sets of elections to be conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) this year.

The journey for today's elections started on January 24, 2014. This was after a meeting in Kaduna by the management of the commission and Resident Electoral Commis-

Buhari’s counsel, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), who led about eight other SANs indicated his readiness to challenge the entire suit

The complainants alleged that Buhari gave a false evidence to a public officer contrary to Section 157 of the Penal Code and punishable under Section 158 of the Penal Code Law. In their particular of offence, the complainants submitted that Buhari on December 18, 2014, filled and submitted INEC form C.F 001 to the INEC (a public office) wherein he gave his qualification to contest for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as West African School Certificate (WASC), which he claimed to

41

Nigeria

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

have obtained in 1961.

They further submitted that Buhari with intent to mislead a public officer as to compliance with the provisions of Section 31 of the Electoral Act 2010, deposed to various affidavits in the high court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, wherein he stated that he attended Katsina Provincial Secondary School, Katsina State, and obtained a West African School Certificate and the certificates he claimed to have obtained are with the Nigerian Army.

They also submitted that Buhari never

sat for the West African Examination Council examination in 1961 as he claimed and that in the entire records of the school and West African Examination Council, Buhari’s name did not appear.

Meanwhile, the fourth legal action seeking to disqualify Buhari was filed on February 4 at the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.

The suit filed by Dr. Ayakeme Whiskey sought an order declaring Buhari ineligible to contest the election.

INEC and Buhari were joined as the first and second defendants in the suit marked FHC/AbJ/CS68/2015.

Like the plaintiffs in the previous suits, Whiskey premised his suit on the same ground of alleged failure of Buhari to accompany his Form CF001 submitted to INEC with his certificates of academic qualifications.

He contended that Buhari’s failure to do so had rendered him ineligible to participate in the poll as he failed to comply with provisions of sections 131 and 318 of the 1999 Constitution and Section 31(3) of the Electoral Act 2010.

In an affidavit he personally deposed to, he averred that the documents submitted by Buhari did not show evidence of school certificate, whether first or secondary.

He also averred that by not providing and attaching his certificates as required, Buhari has left the question of his qualification for the election to conjecture.

He, however, submitted that there is no way to know whether or not Buhari has the requisite educational qualification necessary to contest for the position of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

When the separate suits filed by Okafor and Ozoaka came up on February 9, Buhari’s counsel, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), who led about eight other SANs indicated his readiness to challenge the entire suit.

APC had however joined the suit as a co-defendant. Buhari through Olanipekun had also challenged the mode of service of court papers on him and also the order to abridge time.

A bumpy timeline

sioners (RECs).

In the timetable released by Mrs. Augusta Ogakwu, secretary to the commission, INEC noted that "the tenure of office of the president, vice president, governors and deputy governors of all the states of the Federation except Anambra, Bayelsa, Kogi, Edo, Ondo, Ekiti and Osun states and the membership of the National and State Assemblies will expire on day of May 28, 2015.

Consequently, the earliest date for the elections into the offices shall be December 29, 2014 and the latest day for election shall be 28th day of April 2015."

Relying on the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), the commission observed that "elections into the said offices shall not hold earlier than 150 days and not later than 30 days before the expiration of the term of office of the last holder."

Consequently, INEC said by virtue of Section 30 (1) of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended) it is "expected to issue notice for the elections not later than 90 days before the date of the election."

The commission thereafter fixed February 14 for presidential and National Assembly elections and February 28 for the governorship and House of Assembly elections.

In choosing the dates, INEC said it wanted a situation where all election disputes were resolved before the swearing-in of the candidates to avoid using state resources to prosecute election disputes.

The timetable released by the commission is as flows:

October 2 - December 11, 2014 Political parties were to conduct primaries to nominate candidates who will fly their flag in the general elections.

December 18 and 26, 2014 The last day for the submission of forms CF001 and CF002 by the parties to the headquarters of INEC was December 18 (for presidential and National Assembly candidates) and December 26, 2014 (for governorship and House of Assembly candidates.

This is in accordance with section 31 (1) of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended), which provides not later than 60 days before the election.

December 25, 2014 and January 2, 2015 INEC, in accordance with section 31 (3) of the Electoral Act, published particulars of presidential and National Assembly candidates for claims and objec-

tions on December 25, 2014 while that of governorship and House of Assembly candidates were published on January 2, 2015.

That was seven days after the receipt of each of the lists.

January 13, 2015 The commission released to the public, the list of registered voters who were expected to cast their votes at the general elections. This is 68, 833, 476.

INEC also said 14 political parties have fielded candidates to contest the presidential election while 739 and 1, 780 candidates will vie for the senatorial and House of Representatives elections.

February 5 The parties' electioneering which were flagged off early January were going on smoothly until February 5, 2015 when President Goodluck Jonathan summoned a Council of State meeting in Abuja. The meeting had in attendance former presidents and military heads of state that ruled the country except Chief OlusegunObasanjo.

Also in attendance were service chiefs as well as INEC Chairman, Prof.AttahiruJega.

February 7, 2015 Jega at a press conference announced the rescheduling of the general elections by six weeks. Following this, the presidential and National Assembly elections were shifted from February 14 to March 28 while governorship and House of Assembly elections moved from February 28 to April 11.

March 7, 2015 INEC fixed testing of Smart Card Readers (SCR) to be used in the general election in 225 polling units and 358 voting points across 12 wards in 12 states of the country.

The affected states are Rivers, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Taraba, Kano, Kebbi, Nasarawa, Niger, Lagos, Anambra, Delta and Bauchi.

May 23, 2014 INEC begins phase distribution of Permanent Voters' Cards (PVCs) in 10 states.

The states are Taraba, Gombe, Zamfara, Kebbi, Benue, Kogi, Abia, Enugu, AkwaIbom and Bayelsa.

March 22, 2015 INEC officially ends distribution/collection of PVCs with a national distribution average of 81.8 percent.

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Nigeria

28 MARCH 2015

Shut out by the PVC VINCENT EBOIGBE captures the angst of voters who won't be voting today because their permanent voter cards were unavailable before INEC's deadline for collection.

G

erry Imuwahen is a banker based in Lagos. He has been unable to pick up his Permanent Voters Card, even now that the general elections have commenced, in spite of his best effort.

The 46-year-old man registered in Surulere in 2010 and voted in the elections of the following year as he had done since he became an adult, but he won’t be able this time since the Independent National Electoral Commission is sticking to its position of using the PVC and not its temporary equivalent.

Problem started for Imuwahen, as he narrated to Saturday Telegraph, when he went to pick up his PVC and couldn’t find his name or photograph among those posted on the wall in the same place he registered and voted in the last elections.

He was told the only option was for him to do a fresh registration; after several attempts he finally succeeded in registering afresh after devoting an entire day to it. That was the beginning of another round of problems for Imuwahen. He continued to frequent the INEC office but the story was the same, “your PVC is not among those we have received, please try again next week as we are expecting more from Abuja.”

That had been the refrain as Iwuwahen visited INEC office on a weekly basis until today when the elections start.

All the promises were in vain as new PVCs were not received by the INEC office located in Ade Thani Street, off Alhaji Masha in Surulere, Lagos.

“It is so painful that I won’t be voting in this election. I have voted in every election since I became an adult nearly 30 years ago, but I have been disenfranchised and I hold INEC responsible,” said a furious Iwuwahen.

“I registered with my wife in the same polling unit on the same day and we share the same surname, but she saw her name and was able to pick up her PVC; the question to ask INEC is how did my name disappear from the register? If you still find this kind of situation now it is better imagined how many millions of Nigerians would have been disenfranchised had the elections been conducted as originally scheduled.”

Imuwahen is not alone in his predicament as, many people can’t vote today because of what is largely perceived as inefficiency of the electoral body.

Harry Iwuala, who registered in Ward 1 Unit 60 in the Alimosho area of Lagos also has a similar tale. His case is even worse because not only could he not collect his PVC, his wife’s name also mysteriously disappeared from the registration list.

After making repeated visits to try and collect his PVC he made contact with INEC officials who gave him a phone number to call. Interestingly, the number never connected all the times he called.

The communications consultant said he blamed INEC for the way it handled the whole exercise of the

Crowd at Alimosho Grammar School waiting to collect PVC

Some PVCs awaiting collection

PVC collection wondering why it should take so long for the process to start in the first instance.

“I think the PVC collection should have been an ongoing thing, there is no reason it shouldn’t have started two years ago or even immediately after the last election. Fixing the collection dates so near the election threw up a lot of challenges,” noted Iwuala.

“There was nothing I didn’t do to collect my PVC, I went to where I registered and my name and that of my wife were not in the list, they referred me to a primary school and it was the same thing. I met INEC officials who made promises and even gave me a number to call but all to no avail.”

Iwuala who couldn’t hide his disappointment at not being able to perform his civic duty added: “I feel deprived, denied of my right.

I feel terrible that I won’t have a say in who runs the affairs of this country in the next four years and I hold INEC responsible, because like I said there is no reason the collection shouldn’t have been started far earlier than this.”

Nigerians have a penchant for complaints, especially in the safety and comfort of their homes but when they have the opportunity to make those complaints heard, they tend to baulk. Several of those who have been unable to pick up their PVCs up till now recoiled when this reporter tried to engage them to tell their stories.

Aside from refusing to have their names in print, the mere suggestion of having their photograph taken prompted a hasty retreat.

A woman who said she had tried countless times to collect her PVC said she resigned to the fact that she won’t be able to cast her vote in the elections. The woman, who refused to mention her name, said that she wasn’t taken in by the constant promises made by INEC officials.

She said: “I registered and voted in the last elections, but when I went to collect my PVC my name was not in the list. I have been to INEC office since the exercise started but it has been the same story of ‘come back, yours is not among those we have.’ I came back today (Tuesday) and it is

the same thing. I am just tired of all the stress. I have given up any hope that I would be able to vote and I feel very bad about it.”

Interestingly, while everybody is trying to get their PVC so as to be able to vote, others, it seems have other reasons for wanting to have the PVC. A young man who had a forlorn look on his face when he couldn’t find his PVC told Saturday Telegraph that he had no candidate and that his intention was just to collect the PVC. “It is not about being disenfranchised for me, I wasn’t going to vote anyway. I don’t have any candidate, I only wanted to collect the PVC and keep it for any future purposes,” he said.

Another young lady, who said she registered in the Iyana Ipaja area of Lagos but relocated to Surulere afterwards lamented the fact that INEC had continued to make excuses any time she visited to try and pick up her PVC. “I am just tired of their excuses, that has been the case every time. It is painful because the way it is now, I don’t think I will be able to vote and I hold INEC completely responsible,” she said.

But the head of INEC at Ade Thani Street, who identified himself as Mr. Saka perhaps in taking the aphorism “hope springs eternal” to new heights continues to offer some semblance of hope to these frustrated Nigerians who see their desire to be able to play a role in electing their leaders for the next four years disappear.

“We are still expecting more PVCs, between now and Friday, before the elections. So, there is hope for those who have not collected theirs yet. We will continue to give out PVCs; even on elections day, we will still do that when we take delivery of the ones we are expecting from Abuja,” Saka said.

But that hope dissipates fast as Nigerians head to the polls today.

SATURDAY

Voices SATURDAY 28 MARCH 2015

Nigeria

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Will staying back after voting prevent rigging?

I don’t think that would prevent rigging

I don’t think staying back after voting would prevent rigging because if the election is to be rigged, the hoodlums would come with full force making it very difficult for the voters to stop them.

– Adebayo Taiye

No, it won't. The idea of staying back after voting is a very nice call, it is what we have been doing for years, but it is not enough to stop rigging. Rigging can still take place even if voters stay back or not.

– Abdulmalik Morufat

It won't prevent hoodlums from rigging

It will not if there is no proper monitoring by the INEC officials because Nigeria is a country where you can only speak for yourself and not the person next to you even if he or she is your next of kin.

– Babatunde Olowu, student

Staying back wouldn’t

Staying back after voting is very good as it will allow voters watch and count their votes but it can’t prevent rigging of election.

– Abdullahi Adam

It will be nice if staying back would help It would be nice if the votes are counted there and INEC works with the numbers from every polling unit. But rigging is not just about numbers from the units because there are always cases of events between the time the votes are counted at the various units and what finally comes out from INEC. So, if there's enough security at the units and the numbers tally with what finally comes from INEC, staying back at the polls after voting could help.

– Chilee Agunnana, journalist

stop illegalities

It wouldn't because whether I stay back or not, it doesn't change anything and will not stop any illegalities from happening. So, mine is just to cast my vote as a good citizen and allow the course takes its place.

– Dominion Ishola, student

It should be well

monitored

I won't vote because from the ballots I cast in the past did not show any difference.

But my advice is that it should be well monitored. Maybe we will be favoured this time around.

– Thankgod Joseph, civil servant

I think it's enough to prevent rigging I think staying back after voting should be enough to prevent rigging.

If all voters unite as one, stand by their votes and also wait to watch their votes being counted then it will be difficult for rigging to take place.

– Nzeme Ngozi

It is good but it can’t prevent rigging

I don’t think staying back after voting would be enough to stop or prevent rigging because we are in Nigeria and anything can happen anytime. Some hoodlums may come to the polling stations with arms and I don’t think anyone would want to risk his or her life by staying back.

– Ayilara David

It will not

It's a good but won’t prevent rigging

It might hinder rigging

It might because looking at the ‘I must go there at all cost’ act in the faces of these politicians, if such is not done then we are likely to get what we don't bargain for.

– Temmy Olojugba, civil servant

It wouldn’t count Though I cannot answer yes or no because what will be will definitely be as far as Nigeria is concerned. If I will want to give an answer at all, it will be a no for me.

– Funmilayo Awoyera, civil servant

compiled by

LANRE ODUKOYA, JOHN EDU AND AYILARA DAYO

It will promote openness and transparency It will help reduce the possibility of rigging.

Staying back will promote openness and transparency which further gives credibility to the election and will make it easier for all the parties to accept the results in good faith.

– Titilayo Obaoye Willoughby, public policy analyst

I would rather vote

and monitor my vote

They will rig the election if Nigerians just cast their votes and don't care to monitor it because from the look of things, any loophole will surely create space for manipulation. So, I would rather monitor my vote than just vote and walk away.

– Olumuyiwa Adeolu, businessman

I won’t stay back because of insecurity Well, I don't really support the idea of staying behind to monitor because if we still run the kind of fraudulent elections practiced in the past, then nothing is expected to change. So, I wouldn't bother doing that to save my head from insecurity.

– Tony Benjamin, civil servant

I will monitor my vote Though I'm not going to vote because I don't even have the PVC to vote, if I am to vote, I would have monitored it because it is what this election requires looking at the desperation in the eyes of these candidates.

– Damilare Salako, student

44

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

Nigeria

28 MARCH 2015

Jonathan’s re-election plan

ONYEKACHI EZE looks at what will form the bedrock of President Goodluck Jonathan's administration if he wins re-election.

"O

ur plan will build on the platform we have laid in the last four years, to deliver growth, prosperity, peace and justice for all. We are ready to take Nigeria to the next level".

This sums up what might be the fulcrum of manifesto of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) if he wins today's presidential election.

National Publicity Secretary of the party, Olisa Metuh, had said in an earlier interview with Saturday Telegraph that PDP would seek to consolidate on its achievements if it wins the presidential election.

"This is not a brand new president.

The president is not unveiling his new manifesto because he is going to consolidate and improve on the transformation agenda", Metuh had explained.

As he traversed the length and breadth of Nigeria during the elec-

tioneering, President Jonathan simply busied himself with reeling out the achievements of his government in the last four years and the promise to improve on them. He did not nonetheless forget to reel out what might occupy his attention if he secures the people's mandate for the next four years.

The summation of the president's achievements in the last four years include the revolution in the education system resulting in the establishment of the Almajiri system of education, the Girl-Child Education, Back-to-School programmes and the establishment of 14 new universities top the list of his achievements as he seeks to win the votes of people of the north.

There is also the e-wallet system in the distribution of fertiliser, the network of roads so far rehabilitated, the return of the rail system and the privatisation of the power sector.

While he promised to build on these, Jonathan, during his nationwide campaign tour, further unfolds his agenda for the Nigerian people in the next four years.

In apparent response to the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) that he was not doing enough to fight corruption, the president promised to adopt technology in the fight against corruption. "With technology, you can track down criminals. I am not going to run Nigeria

The transportation sector, healthcare and stability of the economy will equally occupy the attention of President Jonathan if he wins

on my heartbeat but according to international best practices. I will continue to run this country based on the rule of law,” Jonathan assured Nigerians.

The president also promised, before the end of 2015, to create, through the SURE-P, YouWin, Nagropreneurs project, the N220 billion Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Fund, the National Industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP), and the National Enterprise Development Programme (NEDEP).

He further promised to tackle youth unemployment by setting up a Presidential Jobs Board, which will be chaired by Vice-President Namadi Sambo to develop a framework through which two million Nigerian youths can be gainfully employed annually.

Although the power sector has been privatised, Jonathan still promised to further improve on the sector to boost small and medium industries for job creation. “Improvement in the power sector will stimulate the small and medium industries and enable the state to key properly into the agricultural transformation agenda of the Federal Government,” he said.

President Jonathan also promised to implement the report of the 2014 National Conference if re-elected.

For the people of the South West, Jonathan believes the restructuring

of the Federal Government as recommended in the report is good for Nigeria. And for the people of the South East, the president promised to create additional state for the region to bring it at par with the five other geopolitical zones.

The transportation sector, healthcare and stability of the economy will equally occupy the attention of President Jonathan if he wins today's election.

He also pledged to further extend the rail lines to other parts of the country, revamp the ailing industries to create employment, create special fund for youth empowerment and give more support to women empowerment programmes.

According to him, “It is not enough to just give ministerial appointments; my administration is focused now on projecting Nigerian women to the international limelight".

When he visited Maiduguri in the course of his campaign, Jonathan promised to vote $1 billion to replace amenities destroyed by Boko Haram insurgency in the state. “Nigerians must rest assured that my government will end the Boko Haram and the people will go back home.

“We will continue to give our support to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) through the Victims Support Fund Intervention to ease hardship of the people,” he said.

28 MARCH 2015

M

ajor General Muhammadu Buhari, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) will be going into today's presidential election with a view to restoring security and extricate the country from corruption.

Buhari, a former military Head of State from December 1983 to August 1985, believes that insecurity and corruption are the two major vices that have kept Nigeria on her kneels and had used the twin problems as the launch pad of his campaign.

The former Military Head of State who was ousted by the coup de e'tat staged by Gen. Ibrahim Babangida in 1985 believes that no government or system can develop if it treats corruption with kid gloves. This belief, which he has held on to for years, was the premise he used to contest the 2003, 2007 and 2011 presidential elections which he lost to the ruling party.

For coming into the 2015 presidential election after his alleged statement in 2011 that he would not contest for the highest post of the land, the APC presidential candidate is of the opinion that corruption in the land bred an unprecedented insecurity in the last six years.

Just like the Yoruba adage that says “if a fish wants to rot it starts from the head”, Buhari believes that Nigeria is a rotten head and needs somebody with unblemished records and integrity to revamp it.

In a recent document he released, titled my ‘Covenant With Nigerians', he says: “I know however, that what we require to revamp our economy and rebuild our country is our ability to galvanise all our citizens to believe once again in their government, in their country and especially, to believe in themselves.”

He, however, adds that Nigerians can only believe in their government and their country only if they can trust those at the helms of affairs, pointing out that once that trust is established, the country will be rebuilt.

Beyond the manifestos of the APC to revamp and rebuild the economy, Buhari is anchoring his leadership on integrity, honour and sincere commitment to the good cause of Nigerians. For him, Nigeria cannot achieve the expected greatness on the disposed human and material resources, but on the integrity and discipline of the leader.

At different fora in the course of his electioneering, he has assured Nigerians that his government will not harbour corrupt persons. According to him, the corruption witnessed in the present government today is as a result of corrupt leadership.

Emphasising on his integrity and leadership style, he says: “The leadership that I will provide will be built on this critical awareness. I intend to lead with integrity and honour and commit myself totally to everything that is of concern to our people: security, employment, health, education, good governance and others.”

Stating how inimical corruption can be to a government and the people, he stresses that no matter how vast the nation’s resources, they will only benefit a privileged few if they are not efficiently utilised, leaving the majority in poverty.

To address it starting from his office, he pledges again to publicly declare his assets and liabilities and encourage his political appointees to do the same and states that the National Assembly will also see an early national anti-corruption strategy.

On the ways to arrest insurgency, Buhari has reiterated his competence, stating that “in the course of my service as a Major General and former Military Head of State, I had defended the territorial integrity of Nigeria. And if called upon to do so again, I shall rise to the occasion.”

45

Nigeria

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

Buhari’s covenant with Nigerians JOHNCHUKS ONUANYIM examines some of the plans of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Major General Muhammadu Buhari To achieve this he plans to boost the morale of Nigeria’s fighting forces and the generality of Nigerians “by leading from the front as the Commander-inChief and not hide in the comfort and security of Aso Rock.”

Corruption and governance No matter how vast our resources, if they are not efficiently utilised, they will only benefit a privileged few, leaving the majority in poverty. I believe if Nigeria does not kill corruption; corruption will kill Nigeria.

I pledge to tackle corruption.

Access to Justice One of the biggest challenges facing Nigeria is building a country that is fair to all of its citizens; a country in which all individuals feel and know that they are valued members of society with constitutionally guaranteed rights; a country that respects human dignity, promotes human development, fosters human equality and advances human freedom.

Insurgency and Insecurity I have had the opportunity to serve

Buhari

my country in the military up to the highest level, as a Major General and as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. In the course of my service, I had defended the territorial integrity of Nigeria. And if called upon to do so again, I shall rise to the occasion. As a father, I feel the pain of the victims of insurgency, kidnapping and violence whether they are the widows and orphans of military, paramilitary or civilians.

Niger Delta In many years of oil exploration, the Niger Delta has become perhaps, the world’s worst eco-system, a byword for environmental degradation, exploitation and diseases. I believe that protecting the livelihood of our people in the Niger Delta should transcend our interest in its oil.

Diversity Nigeria's greatest asset is her people. My commitment is to invest in our people and ensure that they have the opportunity to achieve their full potential and enjoy the full benefits of their citizenship, regardless of their religion, region, ethnicity, gender or disability.

Health We must give real meaning to the old saying that "health is wealth." We must take all possible measures to ensure that our people stay healthy, but we must also ensure that when they fall ill, they can get help.

Education I believe that our education system must prepare our children for the responsibilities of citizenship and prepare our youths to contribute to the development of our country. Therefore, I shall focus on restoring the lost glory of our education by implementing reforms that will bring quality back into our schools and position our universities and polytechnics to provide market-relevant skills to our youths.

Agriculture Oil has served our country, but it has also excluded the majority of Nigerians from the mainstream of our economy.

I am convinced that our guarantee for inclusive growth is agriculture.

Power Our failure to ensure a stable supply of electricity has been an impediment to economic growth, productivity and national security.

I will address the gaps in power sector privatisation to ensure it serves the needs of our people.

TV & Radio with Angela Davies

Your Health Matters as you visit the polling units

H

ealth they say is wealth.

When you are healthy, you will be able to do whatever you want. And one insightful programme which focuses and enlightens viewers on different health issues is Health Matters.

Health Matters is a weekly all-inclusive health shows featuring issues on health and well-being on the African continent especially Nigeria, with a view to reporting breakthrough in medicine. The programme has different segments to make it easy to understand, interesting and informative for its viewers. Hence, it features different segments which include special features, interview with experts in different fields, health news, tips, opinion poll and ask the doctor.

In the last edition, the feature segment was on tuberculosis and the guest doctor spoke extensively on the diagnosis and treatment of the disease which is associated with coughing for two weeks or more, weight loss, fever and night sweats.

The health news segment focused on different health news around Africa.

And since Nigerians will be going to the polls today to vote for their candidates in the presidential election, the health tip segments highlighted some health tips necessary for today. For anyone to be able to go through the rigours of queuing up for hours just to vote for his or her presidential candidate, you need to be well and healthy.

So here are some health tips to prepare you for today: • Ensure you eat before leaving

for the polling units.

• If you have a medical

condition, please ensure

you take your medications

before going out to vote.

• If you are hypertensive, avoid

any form of argument that

may lead to fight.

• Patients with arthritis should

ensure they do not queue for

long, find a place to sit while

you monitor your space in the queue.

• Ensure you drink enough

water as you set out to the poll

ing unit, it is important you

keep hydrated.

• Asthma patients should not for

get to take their inhaler along

to the polling unit, you might

need it.

• Do not wear tight-fitted

or high heel shoes to the polling units; remember you are going to

Salami-Basanya

queue.

• Avoid taking your vehicle, kids or expensive jewellery and other personal belongings to

the polling centres.

• Cover your mouth with napkin when you cough so as not to

spread or come in contact with germs.

• Be very vigilant, stay away from parked cars and aban doned packages, luggage and

so on.

In the ‘Ask the Doctor’ segment, viewers send in questions bothering on different health related issues which is answered by Martins Oche –Ejembi, a medical doctor. Questions sent in ranged from diabetes, irregular menstruation, skin peeling, body

odour and pains in different parts of the body.

The opening and closing montage depicts a health programme with assorted food and snacks, pictures of women jogging, assorted pills and human skeleton.

The 30 minutes programme airs on Television Continental (TVC) on Tuesday at 9:00 pm. So if you are keen on how to remain healthy always and also get health tips that will help you live a daily healthy lifestyle, then, Health Matters is a programme to watch. The programme is produced and presented

by Habibah Salami-Basanya.

As you step out to the polling centres today to cast your vote, you should make your health your number one priority.

FACE BEHIND THE VOICE

O

Atol-Atol

chuko Felix Adjekophori better known as Atol-Atol is a graduate of mass communication. He is an onair personality with Rainbow 94.1 FM where he casts news in pidgin English.

He also presents Fresh Sharp-Sharp Tori between 6:10-6:25 am every weekday as well as E Concern Me, a hilarious radio talk show that treats divergent topics Monday to Friday between 2-4 pm.

The lanky presenter has a unique and lively presentation style that sends boredom packing with his huge sense of humour, comical creativity and wide range of slangs which he uses to add spice when casting news in pidgin is second to none.

He is also a Stand-Up Comedian

and compere who have featured in several shows both in and outside Lagos. He was a member of House of Talk (HOT) a comedy group that organises campus comedy shows and events in his university days.

He hates tribalism and being idle as a result of laziness. For him, at-allat-all na im bad pass.

Mon- Fri @ 4:00 pm

Saturday @ 10:30

Comedy Happy Hour is a two-hour radio comedy programme which discusses and analysis different issues in pidgin English presented by De Don.

It is a sport discussion programme that reveals and analyses the sporting activities of the past week around the world.

46

This weekend Channels

TELEVISION

Saturday 9:00 Sunrise Saturday 12:00 News Track 12:30 Health Matters 1:30 Metro File 2:30 Business Incorporated 3:00 News Track 3:30 BOI weekly 4:00 News Round 4:30 Akwa Ibom State 5:30 Africa Journal 6:00 News Track 6:30 Network Africa 7:00 Capital Market 7:30 Entertainment News 8:00 Nigeria 2015 8:30 The Gavel 9:30 Art House 10:00 News at 10 Sunday 8:00 Entertainment News 8:30 Turning Point 9:00 News Track 9:30 Metro File 10:30 Health Matters 11:30 Question Time 12:00 News Track 12:30 Channels Sports 1:30 Law Weekly 2:00 Sports Ville 2:30 Inside Out with Agatha 3:00 Rubbin’ Minds

4:30 Insight for Living 5:00 Moment of the Truth 6:20 Seriously Speaking 7:00 News Track 7:30 Walk the Talk 8:00 Politics Today 9:00 Channels Discovery 9:30 Ogun Weekly 10:00 News at 10

MiTv

Saturday 8:00 Yoruba Nollywood 9:30 D’gallery 10:00 Salvation ½ hour 10:30 Sports World 11:30 Blissful Saturday 12:00 News 12:30 Monster Muziq

1:00 My name is Earl 2:30 ABC 3:00 Train To Win 3:30 Education Zone 4:00 Little Miss Jocelyn 5:00 FAB 5:35 Arrested Development 6:00 Nollywood English 7:00 Wetin Dey 8:00 Sparkle 8:30 Wetin Dey 9:30 World News 10:00 EL Clone 10:30 Wrestling 11:30 Nollywood Yoruba Sunday 8:30 ABC 9:00 Ago Adura 10:00 Woleola 10:30 EL Clone 11:15 The Storm 12:00 News 12:30 Dabira L’eto 1:00 Nollywood English 3:00 Let the nations hear 4:00 My name is Earl 4:30 Covenant Discovery ½ hour 5:30 People and Places 6:00 Tax Talk 6:30 Hour of Salvation 8:00 WWTBM 9:30 Jogunomi 10:30 Atmosphere For Faith

Ray Power 100.5 FM Saturday 7.30 Newspaper Headline 7.50 Breakfast Show 9.00 Mega Sports 10.10 Presenter’s D’Lite 10.30 Family Affairs 11.50 News Desk 12.00 UK TOP 40 3.55 News Trip 4.45 BBC/EPL 6.00 Nigeria Today 6.15 Saturday Jamz 6.55 Saturday Nite Groove 9.00 Kennis Music 10.00 Tonite @10

Sunday 6.35 Prophetic word 6.50 Breakfast Praises 7.35 Sunday Morning Bliss 10.00 World News 12.00 Ray Power Cruise 2.00 News in Retro 3.55 News Trip 4.00 UK TOP 40 6.15 Sports Tonic 7.05 Watch & Pray 7.10 Power Play 8.00 Jazz Hour 10.00 Tonite @10 10.10 Country Lane

Independent radio 92.3 FM Benin

Programme summary Comedy Happy Hour (Rainbow FM ) Sports File (AIT )

SATURDAY, 28 MARCH, 2015

Sunrise Saturday (Channels) Saturday @ 9:00 am

Sunrise is a current affairs programme that examines topical issues, contemporary events and entertainment. The programme runs for three hours.

Saturday 6.00 Heartbeat News 8:30 Life Na Sense 9.00 Cupid 10.05 Sports Ville 10.30 Politics Today (Live) 11.30 One Thing at a Time 1.00 World News 3.15 Saturday Heat Waves 4.30 Okuneyeku (Igbanke) 5.00 Saturday Sports Fiesta 10.00 Network News

Sunday 5.10 Sunday Morning Drive 6.00 Heartbeat News 7.30 Papers Review 12.00 News at Noon 1.30 People Talk To People 3.00 News in Pidgin 5.30 I Salute Una 6.20 Ahenmwenmwan 8.00 Igbo Tunes 9.00 Praise & Worship

Nigeria

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

28 MARCH 2015

Military deployment for polls and opposition’s resentment FELIX NWANERI reports on the storm over deployment of soldiers for the elections, which members of the opposition insist was part of a calculated attempt by the ruling party to bully opponents

N

igeria’s political history is replete with instances of electoral violence, which over time, has been described as the biggest obstacle to democratic consolidation in Africa’s most populous nation.

Of the eight general elections the nation had conducted since independence – 1964/1965, 1979, 1983, 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2011, none was violence-free.

Though many saw the lapses of the immediate post-independence polls as part of the learning process, recent developments in the polity have shown that Nigeria’s politicians and other relevant stakeholders have not learnt any lesson from the past. The outcome of the two most recent polls – 2007 and 2011 justifies this.

While the 2007 election was described by both local and foreign election observers as one that cast a harsh light on patterns of violence, corruption and outright criminality that have characterized Nigeria’s political system, the post-election violence, which trailed the 2011 polls, although it was adjudged a sharp departure from what obtained in the past, nearly drove Nigeria to the brink.

By the time the dust settled, several lives were lost and properties worth billions of naira destroyed in the northern part of the country.

Among those caught in the crossfire include members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), who employed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as ad hoc staff. Kaduna State and Kano states, which were the worst hit by the crisis, had thousands of persons displaced.

While some of the affected persons and families of the deceased are still counting their losses, there were ominous signs over the possibility of violence in this year’s general elections, which begins today given the tension that characterised its build-up.

Whereas the tension is mostly over the presidential poll, a report by the CLEEN Foundation, a non-governmental organisation, showed that electoral violence is most likely to occur in 15 states.

States listed as most volatile in the report titled: “Third Security Threat Assessment,” are Nassarawa, Plateau, Benue, Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Taraba, Kaduna, Zamfara, Rivers, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo, Ekiti and Osun.

Three of these states – Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe are under emergency rule due to the activities of the Boko Haram sect. Others

Jonathan addressing troops in Maiduguri

like Plateau, Benue, Nasarawa, Kaduna, and Zamfara have witnessed killings of hundreds of people as a result of communal and ethno-religious crises.

The report also listed 11 states as mid-volatile. These are Kogi, Niger, Bauchi, Gombe, Katsina, Sokoto, Kano, Abia, Anambra, Delta, and Akwa Ibom, while the remaining 10 states including Lagos, Ondo and Sokoto were categorized as low-volatile or stable states. It however said Ekiti and Osun states where governorship elections recently held oscillate between most volatile and mid-volatile groups.

The organisation stated that the parameters used for the categorization were history of violence, degree of control by incumbent and relationship with the Federal Government, stability of internal state party politics, existence of terrorists and militants, as well as communal and religious conflict. Others were zoning arrangement, bid for second term by the incumbent governor, and jostle for federal and state legislative positions.

The foundation also listed proliferation of arms and increased activities by armed groups as major risk factors towards the 2015 election.

About 500 million illicit weapons are said to be in circulation globally. Of this figure, 100 million are in sub-Saharan Africa and about 10 million in West Africa, and the Nigerian Army Standards and Evaluation Corps, last year said at least 70 per cent of these 10 million illegal weapons are freely circulating in the country.

It may have been against this backdrop that the Federal Government came up with more measures to ensure that elections were not only free and fair, but violent free.

Among such measures was deployment of soldiers to ward off possible troubleshooters.

This began with the July 2012 governorship poll in Edo State.

The success of the poll forced the government to extend the measure

to subsequent governorship polls in Ondo, Anambra, Ekiti and Osun states.

Condemnations The measure attracted criticisms from the political parties, particularly the All Progressives Congress (APC), as well as civil societies, who view it as unconstitutional, and warned against deploying the military in the general elections.

To the party, deployment of soldiers for election duties is unconstitutional as the constitution provides that soldiers could be deployed only when the corporate existence of the nation is threatened. The party further argued that deployment of soldiers for election purposes could only serve to cause apathy in voters adding that such measure is alien to the Electoral Act. According to the APC, there is no rationale behind such deployment when the Police and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) are statutorily meant to carry out civic duties such as at elections.

Lagos lawyer Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), also added his voice to the debate, saying sections 215 and 217 of the constitution are clear that the power of the president to deploy armed forces for internal security is limited to the suppression of insurrection, including insurgency and aiding the police to restore order when it has broken down.

Rather than use soldiers during elections, he advised that the police should be strengthened to discharge the duty of ensuring internal security while the armed forces are restricted to the defence of the nation’s territorial integrity.

FG insists Despite the criticisms, the Federal Government said there was no going back on troops’ deployment during the polls. President Jonathan, who defended the measure said: “I am surprised that some political parties are agitating that government should withdraw se-

curity during and after elections.

What surprises me most is that even some labour leaders are agitating that government should not secure people during elections. And I wonder how short human memories are.

“We know what happened in Bauchi in 2011. About 10 youth corps members were slaughtered in that election. We know what happened in Kano; property worth millions of naira were destroyed, some of the people have not gotten back to their houses.”

“We know what happened in Akwa Ibom where some criminals even had to severe the genitals of some men in the name of politics.

Demons who want to hold political office. In that kind of situation, how would a person who called himself a labour leader come out publicly to say government should not secure people? I don’t agree with them. My promise of free and fair elections is clear.”

He also raised the alarm over an alleged plot by anti-democratic elements in the country to take advantage of certain loopholes in the electoral processes to truncate the general elections, while dismissing fears of the ruling party making use of the military to hang on to power.

“I am of the PDP, the ruling party, but I don’t use that strength to make sure that PDP must win always. The PDP has lost election in Edo State, we lost election in Anambra State, we lost election in Ondo State and, of course, only recently, we lost election in Osun State. But we have said that this country must change.

“The kind of elections we had in the 60s that led to the crisis in the West, that threatened the sovereignty of this country cannot come up again. The kind of elections we had during the Second Republic that some people won elections as governors and ran away from the states they claimed elected them cannot come up again. Nigerians must vote and our vote must count,” he added.

47

Stakeholders’ caution Former military president, General Ibrahim, who added his voice to the debate warned against continued use of the military in providing security during elections.

According to him, the continued deployment of soldiers for election duties would not be in the interest of anyone including even the military itself, which he said could soon be compromised as was done with the police.

His words: “I don’t believe the military should supervise elections.

I don’t believe they should participate in them. I was already an officer in the Nigerian Army in the 60s and there was no military presence on the streets in those days but the police. I think it is high time we restored the glory of the force.”

The Senate on its part, cited security measures for the need for troops’ deployment. Chairman, Senate Committee on Police Affairs, Senator Paulinus Nwagu, who spoke on behalf of the upper legislative chamber said: “The militarization of the political process in Nigeria is due to the current spate of insurgency across the country.”

“We are in a difficult situation now in this country due to the worrisome issue of terrorism. If election is to be conducted in a particular place and adequate security is not provided, the insurgents can capitalize on that and go to such place and wreck havoc. This could destabilise the entire process.”

Enlightenment not militarisation A political school, which disagreed with the opposition and government’s positions, was of the view that the government in conjunction with the relevant agencies and stakeholders including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the various parties should step up political education, as a way out of the impasse over troops’ deployment for elections.

To members of this school, the need for enlightenment cannot be over emphasised as it would be herculean for the Federal Government to raise enough security personnel to cover the country’s entire landscape during elections. In Ekiti State for example, 36,790 armed soldiers, police, state security service and Civil Defence personnel were deployed, while Osun had over 70, 000. This implies that not less than one million armed troops will be required during a general elections.

The question against this backdrop is: Where will this large number of troops come from as the country’s active frontline personnel is believed to be about 130,000. The consensus therefore is that apart from political education, there is the need to strengthen the country’s electoral laws so that members of the political class, who instigate violence as well as their foot-soldiers, who undermine the electoral process by perpetrating violent acts do not escape punishment.

48

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

Nigeria

28 MARCH 2015

North-West: Nigeria’s presidential battleground

Lamido

IBRAHEEM MUSA examines the permutations in the North-West, the presidential battleground with 17,620,436 registered voters

T

he North-West is the battleground for today’s presidential election. Major General Muhammadu Buhari, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), is from the zone. So also Vice-President Namadi Sambo. The zone has the highest number of registered voters, 17,620,436, in the country. A win for Buhari in the zone will go a long way to brighten his chances of winning the presidency. But the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has worked hard to ensure it records measure of success in the zone.

In 2011, Buhari who contested on the platform of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) got 6,453,437 while PDP with seven governors in all the states secured 3,395,718 votes.

No doubt, today’s presidential election will be a straight fight between Buhari and Jonathan.

Kano for Buhari Kano has 4,975,701 registered voters which make it the high-value state in today’s election.

Since 2003, Buhari has not lost Kano in the presidential election. Even when a sitting governor, Ibrahim Shekarau, contested the 2011 presidential election, Buhari still emerged the winner in the state.

In 2011, with Shekarau as governor and presidential candidate of the defunct All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP), Buhari’s CPC got 1,624,543

Wammako

votes. ANPP came a distant second with 526, 310 votes and PDP polled 440,666 votes in the presidential election.

And with Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso on the side of Buhari, President Jonathan will depend on his minsters, Shekarau (Education), Aminu Wali (Foreign) and other foot soldiers to secure the mandatory 25 per votes in Kano.

Kaduna: Buhari, Sambo in test of might Kaduna is the home state of Sambo.

It’s also the second home of the Dauraborn ex-military Head of State, Buhari.

Buhari’s towering image has always loomed large on the political landscape of Kaduna State since 2003 when he made his first attempt to contest the presidency.

In 2011, the CPC got 52 per cent of the vote in state. Buhari is still likely to win in Kaduna.

Religion will play a key role in today’s election. In particular, the largely southern Kaduna electorate, as well as the Christian community in the central zone will vote for President Jonathan.

Former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Nasir El Rufai, who is the APC gubernatorial candidate, is the rallying point for the Buhari’s candidature in the state.

If past precedents are a guide, APC may win in Zaria, Igabi, Sabon Gari, Kaduna North and Kaduna South local government areas, traditional homelands of the opposition. These five area councils, according to INEC’s figures, had 1,341,575 voters in 2011, out of the total 2,209,976 voters in Kaduna State.

Roughly, they control more than half of the total number of voters.

Governor Mukhtar Yero and Sambo will checkmate the APC’s onslaught in Kaduna.

Aliero

The state boast of 3,407,222 registered voters.

Katsina State: Victory at home The outcome of today’s presidential election is predictable. Buhari will surely carry the day. Katsina is the home state of Buhari. Since 2003, when Buhari entered the political scene, his home state of Katsina has never produced PDP governor.

Similarly, Buhari will get a landslide victory in Saturday’s election as Jonathan will hardly get the 25 per cent of the vote, in spite of his recent visit to Daura.

Buhari has never lost Katsina.

The state has 2,827,943 registered voters.

Kebbi: Buhari is still candidate to beat In Kebbi, the people are for Buhari and not necessarily for APC, as they have shown in 2011, where Buhari’s CPC got 501,453, compared to Jonathan’s 369,198 votes.

The ethnic and religious factors will be in favour of Buhari.

Former Minister of the FCT and onetime governor of the state, Senator Adamu Aliero, is the arrowhead of Buhari in Kebbi.

The lack of federal presence in the state is likely going to affect the PDP chances.

But Governor Saidu Dakingari’s participation in today’s senatorial election will shore up the support for President Jonathan. The popularity of the PDP governorship candidate, General Bello Sarkin Yaki, will also help the PDP in the election.

Sokoto: Wammako dictates the pace Sokoto, the Seat of the Caliphate, is largely an APC state with Governor Aliyu Wamakko driving the wheel of

governance. The combination of Wamakko and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, a victory for Buhari today in Sokoto is guaranteed.

Like in 2011, Buhari will win in Sokoto State but this time around, PDP may lose both the gubernatorial and presidential elections.

President Jonathan will be relying on the state deputy governor, Alhaji Muktar Shagari, former governor of the state, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa, and several others to earn the 25 per cent votes in Sokoto.

The state has 1,611,929 registered voters.

Jigawa: Lamido’s battle Governor Sule Lamido as the North-West coordinator of the PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation will have to prove his political worth today.

It is unlikely if Lamido will be able to deliver bulk of the 1,831,276 votes to President Jonathan today.

Buhari stands the chance of defeating the president just as he did in 2011 in the state.

Zamfara: APC, PDP fight for supremacy Zamfara is the home state of Minister of Defence, Gen. Aliyu Gusua.

In Zamfara, religion will play a dominant role in the presidential election in the state.

Governor Abdulazeez Yari and former governor, Senator Ahmad Yerima have mobilised for Buhari.

But a former governor of the state and PDP governorship candidate, Aliyu Shinkafi, will also ensure victory for President Jonathan.

Buhari, a Muslim and Hausa/Fulani may have an edge in Zamfara with 1,495,717 registered voters.

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

28 MARCH 2015

49

Nigeria

Buhari, Jonathan scramble for North-East votes The insecurity in the North-East was one of the reasons the February 14 election was rescheduled for today. The security challenges confronting the state will to a large extent determine the outcome of the presidential election between President Goodluck Jonathan and Major General Muhammadu Buhari. IBRAHIM ABDUL (Yola), SABIU MUSTAPHA (Jalingo) and HASSAN JIRGI (Damaturu) report.

T

Adamawa: Battle of the gladiators he political scenario of Adamawa State calls for closer examination as the voting pattern may either be based on the attributes of the candidates or the influence of some personalities in the state. For instance, in 2011 during the reign of the former governor Murtala Nyako, his influence and that of others secured President Goodluck Jonathan 508,314 votes while General Muhammadu Buhari polled 344,526 votes.

The president’s victory in the state could be replicated given the fact that unlike 2011 when he did it Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, a son of the soil, is not running.

However, the Boko Haram factor is an issue for many people who are questioning why it took the president until election time to decisively rid the state of the terrorists.

Pundits like Bitrus Zira, have argued that though Jonathan soundly defeated Buhari in the last election, developments in the polity since then has affected the popularity of the two candidates, and have significantly changed the equation.

Zira cited that “this place like Borno and Yobe states is the stronghold of the Boko Haram. There’s been a bloody insurgency in this zone since Jonathan became president and it worsened the whole time he was in charge. Thousands have been forced to flee their homes and thousands have died because of the insurgency.

It’s also glaring that Adamawa being a state of political gladiators, all of them will want to make a point, and there are many factors to consider particularly internal wrangling and disenchantment in the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The state boasts of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar of the All Progressives Congress (APC); Buhari’s wife, Aisha; former National Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur and former governor Nyako, among others.

Ordinarily, it would have been an easy ride for the PDP, but for the Boko Haram menace that has claimed many lives. The opinion of political analysts in the state is that despite the success recorded in Mubi and many other towns of the state, many indigenes are not impressed because they believe that the president launched the war on the insurgents to score a political point.

Adamawa has 1,559,012 registered voters.

Religious to shape Taraba politics Religion is going to play a vital role in today’s election in Taraba State, as the people of the state are known to draw a line among candidates based on their religious background during elections.

Although the factor had played major role in the state in the past, it is considered to be vital this year due to the political impasse that occurred in the state during the reign of the state former acting governor, Garba Umar.

Many Muslims in the state believed that the sack of Umar by the Supreme Court was plotted by a cabal who were mainly Christians with the support of a few Muslims, in their bid to scuttle Umar's dream to succeed his boss, Governor Danbaba Suntai.

Since then, Muslims and Christians in the state drew a political margin line between them that made leadership of

both camps calling on their members to vote for their own.

No doubt, this factor will have a great impact in today’s presidential election.

Christians in the state are expected to cast their votes for President Jonathan while the Muslims will go for Buhari. If this plays out, both candidates will share the votes on a ratio of 50/50.

However, one thing to consider in the election is that Taraba North and Central senatorial districts dominated by Muslims have the highest number of registered voters in the state.

Again, if the issue of religion is kept a side, APC can beat PDP in Taraba because of the additional strength and rising popularity of the opposition party in the state since the former acting governor was sacked and many of his loyalists defected to the APC and Social Democratic Party (SDP). This, pundits say, may cripple PDP’s chances of winning in Taraba State.

Taraba has 1,340,652 registered voters.

Bauchi: Still for opposition Since 1999, the Bauchi State has carved a niche for itself as a state with protest voting against PDP presidential candidate.

In 2011, the PDP had a poor outing at the presidential poll in the state. President Jonathan scored 258,404 votes, while Buhari swept the state with 1,315, 209 votes.

Aside controlling the state executive, the PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, hailed from the state.

Already, the internal wrangling between Governor Yuguda and Minister of FCT, Senator Bala Mohammed is taking its toll on the party in the state especially after the stoning of the President’s convoy when he visited the state.

With the division in the party and the supporters of the party divided along Yuguda, Mu’azu and Mohammed camp, Buhari may still win the majority of votes in the state.

Governor Yuguda is a senatorial candidate in today’s election. His predecessor, Mu’azu, lost his bid to go to the Senate as a sitting governor.

Bauchi has 2,054,125 registered voters.

Gombe still open In Gombe, the battle will be keenly contested and analysts have pegged the chances of both parties at 50:50. In 2011, 459,898 people voted for Buhari, while 290,347 voted for Jonathan, out of the available 1,318,377 votes in the state.

Leading the PDP ranks to ensure victory for the president is Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo, the Minister of Transportation, Senator Idris Umar and the Deputy National Publicity Secretary of PDP, Abdullahi Jalo.

Though Senator Dajuma Goje is leading the Buhari onslaught in the state, it is left to be seen whether his clout will ensure votes for the APC candidate.

Gombe has 1,120,023 voters.

Buhari: Sheriff, estranged godson fight over Jonathan, Buhari The battle for Borno State with 1,934,079 registered voters will not be a tough one for General Buhari because of his popularity in the state. Borno is an APC state and the state governor, Kashim Shettima, seems to be enjoying the support of the people of the state.

In 2011 presidential election, Jonathan polled 207,075 votes while Buhari got

909,763 votes. It is believed that the same scenario will repeat itself in today’s presidential election with a strong belief that Buhari will have the day.

Since 2007, Buhari has always been winning in Borno. The love for Buhari in the state started when he was the military governor of the old North-East State and therefore the people of the state is expected to embrace him again like they did in the last three presidential elections.

The Boko Haram menace, which has led to the death of thousands of indigenes of the state, may likely be a minus for President Jonathan.

But irrespective of Buhari’s popularity in the state, some people believe that the defection of former governor of the state, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, from PDP to APC may affect Buhari in the state. Sheriff, who contributed to Buhari’s victory in the state in 2011, will work for President Jonathan.

There are 1,934,079 registered votes in Borno.

Yobe: Buhari on a familiar terrain Since the birth of the present Fourth Re-

public in 1999, Yobe has remained one of the few states that have never fallen into the hands of the ruling party at the centre. Like Borno State, Buhari is not new to the people of Yobe State, because the state was part of the old North-East State.

The APC presidential candidate has always been enjoying the support of the people of the state, since 2003 when he first contested the presidential election.

Buhari scored 337,537 votes while President Jonathan polled 117,128 votes during the 2011 presidential election.

Yobe is the only state where Buhari and APC did not campaign and this was based on the assurance of the state governor, Ibrahim Geidam, that voters in the state will massively vote for the party.

Like Borno State, Yobe is one of the states battling with insurgency problem and the people of the state may use their votes to show their displeasure for President Jonathan’s inability to curb the activities of the Boko Haram sect at the initially stage.

Yobe has 1,099,970 registered voters.

INDEPENDENT NATIONAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION DISTRIBUTION OF PERMANENT VOTERS CARDS AS AT MARCH 6, 2015 S/N

States (a)

VOTERS CARDS AS AT 21-MAR-15

Number of Registered Voters

Number of Cards Collected by Voters

Remarks %

(c)

(d)

(e)

(b)

1

ABIA

1,396,162

1,183,127

84.74

2

ADAMAWA

1,559,012

1,381,571

88.62

3

AKWA-IBOM

1,680,759

1,587,566

94.46

4

ANAMBRA

1,963,173

1,658,967

84.50

5

BAUCHI

2,054,125

1,967,081

95.76

6

BAYELSA

610,373

548,585

89.88

7

BENUE

2,015,452

1,607,800

79.77

8

BORNO

1,934,079

1,407,777

72.79

9

CROSS RIVER

1,175,623

983,968

83.70

10

DELTA

2,275,264

1,939,952

85.26

11

EBONYI

1,074,273

848,392

78.97

12

EDO

1,779,738

1,230,566

68.81

13

EKITI

732,021

522,107

71.32

14

ENUGU

1,429,221

1,223,606

85.61

15

FCT

881,472

569,109

64.56

16

GOMBE

1,120,023

1,070,725

95.60

17

IMO

1,803,030

1,707,449

94.70

18

JIGAWA

1,831,276

1,757,658

95.98

19

KADUNA

3,407,222

3,174,519

93.17

20

KANO

4,975,701

4,112,039

82.64

21

KATSINA

2,827,943

2,620,096

92.65

22

KEBBI

1,470,648

1,372,630

93.34

23

KOGI

1,350,883

926,013

68.55

24

KWARA

1,142,267

889,067

77.83

25

LAGOS

5,822,207

3,799,274

65.25

26

NASARAWA

1,242,667

1,048,053

84.34

27

NIGER

2,014,317

1,682,058

83.51

28

OGUN

1,829,534

1,125,657

61.53

29

ONDO

1,524,655

1,118,479

73.36

30

OSUN

1,407,107

1,033,229

73.43

31

OYO

2,415,566

1,639,967

67.89

32

PLATEAU

2,001,825

1,508,585

75.36

33

RIVERS

2,537,590

2,127,837

83.85

34

SOKOTO

1,611,929

1,527,004

94.73

35

TARABA

1,340,652

1,270,889

94.80

36

YOBE

1,099,970

824,401

74.95

37

ZAMFARA

1,495,717

1,435,452

95.97

Total

68,833,476

56,431,255

81.98

50

Travels&Tourism

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

28 MARCH 2015

DESTINATION

Get your groove on this Easter well-equipped to meet your needs and is run by "extremely warm and friendly staff working together to make your overall stay at the hotel, a memorable one", in the words of the management.

In making this year’s Easter celebration truly unforgettable, take advantage of the long weekend break and usher in the Easter bunny in luxurious comfort and style.

Easter celebration is just days away and it offers another opportunity in the year to get your groove on. ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA outlines some activities and leisure spots that could make the period a memorable one.

Hotel Rosebud: The Abuja–based hotel is offering discounted rates for its newly renovated and fitted rooms for guests with complimentary breakfast and internet services. On Good Friday, the hotel offers live entertainment with Karaoke for the public and then couples' special Easter lunch at its African restaurant.

I

ts religious significance notwithstanding, Easter always offers an opportunity to let your hair down. The excitement is expected to be quite intense as many of the leisure spots and hospitality homes across the country are already in the throes of celebration, with their different outfits wearing new looks while fun activities of various shades are hitting the billboards with some real prime events.

So cast aside those gruelling work routine; it's time to get your groove back by going for that dream vacation in one of the exotic spots. You could as well catch on lost moments with loved ones, enjoying one of the outdoor activities making the rounds.

There's no doubt many would be spoilt for choice, but if you're in that situation, here are some activities and spots you could consider:

Rockview Hotel: The Festac Town based hotel, which is noted for its high quality product and services, is offering patrons heavily discounted room rates. The offer, which is also part of its ongoing "Thank You" promo includes complimentary breakfast.

Also on offer is a rich blend of dining and wining packages, comprising special sea food buffet lunch and dinner slated for Good Friday and family brunch on Saturday and Easter Sunday with a variety of menu on the over three course meal. This would be accompanied with wine festival and cocktail for the delight of the patrons.

On a daily basis, from April 3–6, guests and visitors would be treated to an entertainment gig with live band setting the mood at the hotel’s pool bar where there would be lots to eat and drink. The children are also not left out of the festive moment as they would be treated to a colourful entertainment.

The gymnasium section of the hotel is also calling with its array of fitness

Rockview Hotel gymnasium

Federal Palace Hotel and Casino: On the bill is what has been termed a memorable Easter getaway, which promises loads of fun for the family and lovebirds. The line up for the Easter package which runs from March 30 to April 6 include chocolate eggs on Easter Sunday; welcome drinks on arrival; accommodation for two in a king size room; buffet breakfast for two; Federal Palace Casino gaming vouchers; access to the hotel’s exclusive pool club and special Easter lunch on Easter Sunday.

AY Live: The yearly Easter box office AY Live show is billed to hold at the Federal Palace Hotel and Casino on Easter Sunday night featuring different entertainment packages from comedies to musicals with AY the creator of the event and such legendary icons as King Sunny Ade and the Elegant Stallion, Onyeka Onwenu entertaining guests.

InterContinental, Lagos

services, which include a special table tennis tournament holding during the Easter fiesta.

InterContinental Lagos: It is a family affair this Easter at this high brow five-star rated hotel with its amazing offers featuring discounted room rates including breakfast and complimentary stay for children under 12. The hotel promises to keep the whole family entertained over the Easter period with a host of special events: a thrilling Easter egg hunt, face painting, bouncy castles and a clown to amuse all. Kids will be treated to a selection of treats including candy floss, ice cream and popcorn on Saturday and Sunday.

The gourmet packages include Easter Sunday buffet lunch at Ekaabo

Restaurant with animation for children and live music from 12:30pm – 3:30pm.

You could also enjoy a rejuvenating break at Spa InterContinental while a pampering session Easter chocolate or coffee body scrub awaits every guest.

“This year, we have gone all out to deliver an InterContinental Easter, full of delights for the whole family. From our lavish Sunday brunch to Easter egg hunt or perhaps the activities packed kids’ corner, there is something for everyone at our facilities this Easter,” said the general manager Africa, InterContinental Group, Karl Hala. ‘’We look forward to delivering an exciting break for all our guests,” he added.

Southern Sun Ikoyi Hotel: It is a luxurious Easter affair at the Ikoyi, Lagos–based upscale hotel as it is offering a wide range of leisure and entertainment options for the family, lovebirds and fun seekers to unwind and enjoy a blissful celebration.

Its exciting and luxurious packages include discounted room rates, complimentary breakfast for two, early checkin and check–out, special Easter Sunday brunch offering over 10 course meals – African and continental - cocktails and choice wine selections at the bar.

The hotel also boasts a quality ambiance that offers a soothing experience which the hotel's management says is designed to "leave you feeling truly special". In addition, the outdoor terrace and pool area are ideal for soaking up the sunshine.

For fitness enthusiasts, the gym is

African Sun Amber Residence: The Government Reservation Area, Ikeja– based hospitality home offers interesting packages with enticing 30 percent room discount, champagne breakfast for two, welcome drink on arrival, fruit platter in room, access to the swimming pool and gymnasium. Also on the bill is a special Easter brunch slated for between April 3 and 6 and special barbecue dinner for Easter Sunday with such attractions as special vouchers to be won, welcome drink on arrival and use of the swimming pool.

De Edge Hotel

De Edge Hotel: The Port Harcourt– based high brow hotel has on the billboard what it has dubbed Easter Big Treat. It promises to be an exciting moment for loved ones to experience a perfect celebration beginning from April 2 with heavily discounted room rates. This comes bed and breakfast: meals – special lunch and dinner at the restaurant and pool side bar with live music and entertainment.

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

28 MARCH 2015

African Sun Airport Hotel Lagos: Its Easter Eggcitement package holding on Easter Sunday offers an array of exciting activities for the family, including children with buffet lunch featuring a variety of Nigerian and continental dishes, welcome drink, bouncing castle, games, and face painting for children.

There is also on offer two nights stay and get a third free with bed and breakfast.

51

The Wheatbaker Lagos: The Ikoyi–located hotel is delighting guests with special Easter Sunday lunch for both adults and children, featuring live music and lucky draw, Easter eggs and kiddies balloons, Easter cake and welcome champagne and juice. You can also benefits from its spa weekend package offering extra ordinary moments of serenity while you can also experience the bliss of pampering two featuring two nights stay in luxurious king room, breakfast for two, one hour of skin specific facials for two, massage therapies for two in exclusive couples treatment room and live jazz band on Fridays by 7pm.

Funtime at African Sun Airport Hotel, Lagos

A tempting dish

Golden Tulip Festac: Families seeking a destination that combines serenity for adults and extensive range of activities and events for children should seek out Golden Tulip Festac Lagos Hotel and Conference Centre, as it has put together a special Easter family fun activities tagged "Come out of your Shell

Travels&Tourism

This Easter".

Featuring varieties of enticing culinary delicacies, room packages as well as kids' activities which include egg hunt, clown show, bouncing castle, face painting, games and live music.

The culinary offering on Good Friday is fresh seafood dinner with a wide se-

lection of international and local delicacies on Easter Sunday and Monday. The kids’ activities hold on Easter Sunday and Monday with free entry for kids whose parents are in-house guests and kids with tickets for buffet. Guests can also enjoy other fitness activities, spas and beauty treatments from the salon.

Nike Lake Resort: The resort, situated in Abakpa–Nike, Enugu, is treating guests to an Easter Groove package featuring discounted room rates for two – bed and breakfast, Easter Sunday and Monday family buffet, cultural entertainment at Omenala Bush Bar on Easter Sunday and Monday while its happy hour event is celebrated at the Heineken bar between 7 and 9 pm. Children are not also left out of the gig as a number of kiddies events with different gifts items to the bargain are outlined.

Swiss Spirit Hotel and Suites Mardezok: Asaba, Delta State's only international branded hotel is prepped to treat its numerous guests and visitors to rollicking moments with its Easter’s bounties. These include discounted room rates, complimentary buffet breakfast, welcome drinks, free wireless services, Easter family lunch and a lot of fun-filled activities at the swimming pool bar, Tedco bar and lounge bar with every night a delightsome affair to savour.

Swiss International D’Palms Airport: The Lagos–based outfit run by the Swiss International Hotels offers discounted and room upgrade, early check–in and late check–out, complimentary buffet breakfast, free access to the swimming pool and gymnasium, night club and a number of entertainment events, including musicals.

Swiss International Mabisel: The Port Harcourt-based Swiss International branded hotel’s Easter offers include discounted and room upgrade, complimentary breakfast and lunch for two, Easter Sunday lunch for adult and children and free access to the swimming pool and gymnasium.

Omenala Bush Bar at Nike Lake Resort, Enugu

La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort: The African-themed beach resort is offering patrons the best of nature and upscale entertainment featuring musicals and theatre shows with Atunda Entertainment crew serenading the patrons with array of performances during the period.

Welcome drink and snacks at Ekaabo (Reception), drinks and cocktails at Bolakeja bar, bonfire and fireworks will spice the scene with breakfast served on the beach. Other line up include beach party, picnic, boat cruise, hydro bike, safari and wilderness experience and other water related leisure activities will form part of the special presentations.

The La Campagne Club on Adeniyi Jones, Ikeja is also a veritable hunting nest for fun as it has been renovated and repositioned to cater for guests of all ages, particularly walk – in guests.

O’jez Restaurant: The now popular Nollywood celebrities hangout is enticing its patrons with delightful treats.

National Theatre: The cinema hall would screen a number of movies while the large grounds offers opportunities for picnickers and fun seekers to enjoy free style parties and all sorts. The traditional hunts under the heavily shaded trees (Abe igi), all recently renovated, beckon with a lot of fun, a lot to eat and drink with music and entertainment making the rounds.

Other spots to visit in Lagos include the Bar Beach, Lekki beach, Suntan Beach, Tarkwa Bay, Alpha and Eleko Beaches, Whispering Palms, Museum Kitchen in Onikan and City Mall, Onikan, Shorite Ikeja and Lekki, Silverbird Galleria in Lagos Island and Silverbird Cinema in Ikeja, Eko Tourist Village, Akodo and Funtopia on the outskirts of Ajah.

The Turf Club: Oria, in Abraka, is another enclave to feel the pulse of nature. Explore the array of exotic, plush and enticing amenities of different degrees.

Enjoy nature trail and boat cruise on Ethiope River, horse riding, polo game, card game, table tennis, snooker game and squash. You can also enrich your knowledge with best sellers and other related subjects from the library, exciting cuisine and drinks from the restaurant and bar as well as rollicking moment at the gazebo. Outdoor dining...The Turf Club, Abraka

Lounge bar...Golden Tulip Warri Airport Hotel

Golden Tulip Warri Airport Hotel: Residents and visitors to Warri and its environs would have a lot to savour from this hospitality home, which has become the latest melting pot in the

oil city since emerging on the scene with aplomb.

Some of the spots to visit include the swimming pool arcade with a pool bar and space for people to unwind in a party style mood. The lounge bar with its luscious and colourful ambience also creates room for people to relax and have fun and enjoy different brands of drinks and cocktails as they rock to a live band.

Then visit also the restaurant for rich and delicious dishes ranging from international to African meals, especially the local menus for which the hotel is famed.

Lovers of the big screen would have exciting time at the multiple cinema halls with a number of the latest box office flicks – local and international – to entertain guests.

There's ample fun for children too with a number of cartoons and kiddies-related movies showing.

Investigations SATURDAY TELEGRAPH 28 MARCH, 2015

52

Insurance

The third party rules Accident can be very traumatic, but the agony could be minimal if the victims insured their cars. However, the way in which compensations are claimed in a third party vehicle insurance policy is slightly different from normal. ISIOMA MADIKE, in this report, examines the claim procedures and entitlements of such policy holders

“T

oday na today, you won’t go free.” He dashed out of his car and brought out a spanner from the boot of his car. “I swear you will see hell today.”

The next thing that was heard was glass shattering. The enraged man had broken the side mirror of the 2014 model of the Toyota Camry that broke his. Before anyone could say “Jack Bauer”, two grown up men were at each other’s throat, fighting unashamedly.

This is a typical scenario on Lagos roads. Though, not restricted to the Centre of Excellence alone; for other road users across Nigeria, the above scenery is often a normal everyday occurrence.

But, in most of these commotions, people would usually ask for the place of automobile insurance policies, especially the third party that the law stipulates as compulsory for all vehicle owners in the country.

Yet, to many Nigerians, third party motor insurance policy is just a mere formality. They see it as one of the five compulsory insurances slated by government for enforcement. According to investigations, this class of vehicle insurance only serves the purpose of allowing motorists pass through both Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and police checkpoints without being arrested or delayed.

Isioma madike

Editor, INVESTIGATIONS isioma.madike@newtelegraphonline.com © Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

Naicom office, Abuja

Indeed, many motorists in the country, including the educated are ignorant of how the policy works. For instance, on December 7, 2013, a man who identified himself simply as Babatunde of No 4 Oyemekun Street, along College Road in Ifako Local Council Area of Lagos State had an accident with his car in which the liability was in dispute. He told this reporter that his car slipped the road and rammed into another because of one parked on a corner that obscured his view of the road ahead.

“There was a parked car on the opposite side of the two-way carriageway.

When driving past the off road parked car, I was faced with another car partially on my side of the road. The lady driving the car must have been steering around on the other side to me. Though, there should have been enough space for both of us to pass safely with the parked car Commissioner for Insurance, Fola-Daniel on the road. She had obviously pulled out too far to pass the parked car and so witness. For this, my insurers declared caused the accident. they were not going to get involved in “We were both driving at about 40 kiany way whatsoever. I tried many times lometres per hour and both of us had no for them to help but they declined intime to react at all. Both vehicles were so volvement. I claimed in my report to the insurance company that I was on my side badly damaged they had to be removed. of the road and the other vehicle was on Neither vehicle were insurance right offs. my side as well, causing the accident. But But, we did not involve the police. Two weeks later, I approached my insurance they faulted that telling me instead that I was on the other side of the road and so company because I had a third party poliwas the other vehicle (the opposite of my cy with them and they told me to present version). And because I couldn’t trace the a police report to authenticate my claims. other lady to validate my own account, I ran to the nearby police station to reit was difficult to stake a claim and I had quest for one but they declined, insisting that I should present a picture of the acto nurse the pain alone,” Babatunde said.

Babatunde, however, is not an isolated cident scene, an affidavit and eyewitness case. Osejindu Mordi of No. 2 Adebimpe since I did not involve them immediately Street, Magboro, Ogun State, insured his the accident happened. car with a third party policy. After some “But, the problem was that I had no

PHOTO: NEWTELEGRAPHONLINE.COM

months while on his way to Apapa Wharf, in an attempt to escape being hit by a fast moving trailer, he ran into another vehicle and bashed the two side doors badly. The brush also resulted in broken full light on Mordi’s car.

In spite of his third party insurance policy, Mordi was left to lick his wounds alone. This was because he did not do all that was required of him to enable his insurance company step in.

According to the insurance company, Mordi would have had a snapshot of the accident scene, a witness to testify and a police report on the incident. But, since he just did the third party cover like most other Nigerians to avoid the “Lagos State Transport Management Authority (LASMA), FRSC and Police wahala”, he never bothered finding out what his policy covers. This, of course, is the major reason motorist fight over vehicle accidents on Nigerian roads.

Yet, a recent road accident on Third Mainland Bridge, also in Lagos is equally hilarious. A Honda Pilot Jeep, driven by a young man, who identified himself as Kunle, and Anthony Boi, a deputy manager in one of the new generation banks on the Island, who drove an Infinity Jeep, illustrates another typical accident scene on Lagos roads.

Boi’s vehicle hit and caused serious damage to that of Kunle’s. While the two jumped out of their vehicles to start the usual argument common to scene of accidents in this part of the world, an onlooker sited Boi and recognised him as his colleague. He quickly demanded for his insurance certificate, which he later realised to be a third party policy. He then advised Boi to calm down and to take the

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

28 MARCH 2015

Nigeria

photograph of the accident. After that he called the police to also witness what had happened so as to enable him process the needed police report.

All these were done before the two vehicles were towed away thereby dismissing the crowd without further argument and traffic congestion that often characterise accident scene on Nigerian roads. With what Boi’s friend did, the banker, who was ignorant of what he would have done in the circumstance, was able to involve his insurers to repair Kunle’s car without any cost to any of the parties.

That singular occurrence stupefied Boi, who wondered, like most Nigerians how the third party motor insurance policy works and how possible it is for someone to get compensation for just N5, 000 paid

Thetidenewsonline.com in a year as premium. However, in the FRSC officials examine vehicles particulars from motorist cause of finding an answer to this kind of puzzle, this reporter ran into Mrs. Omolola to experts, when it is a commercial vehicle Adefuye, who works with Mutual Benefit that has been damaged.

Insurance with office in Lagos.

In Nigeria, it is compulsory to have moAdefuye said there are three parties tor insurance before using a motor vehicle involved in this type of policy. “The first on public roads. To fulfill this obligation, party is you the owner of the vehicle, while most Nigerians buy third party insurance the second is the insurance firm, and the certificates just to get cleared from law third is every other road user. So, third par- enforcement agents on the roads. They ty insurance means if you damage (crash choose this path because third party policy into) someone else’s property, the insur- is perceived as cheaper when compared to ance pays the owner of that property (the comprehensive policy. Yet, many hardly third party), or more importantly if you realise that a third party policy is legal and injure someone else, the insurance pays. indemnifies the insured from third party “Under third party insurance, you losses. And because of this ignorance, a cannot claim for the car you are driving lot of accidental vehicles, which ordinarily regardless of whether it is a smashed up would have been repaired by the insurance Adefuye tokunbo or brand new car. If you are driving company, are borne by the car owners.

But, even when one is aware of this insomeone else’s car, it won’t pay to have the Adefuye appears to have support from car you are driving repaired. Only the car demnity, the money to pay for damages other insurance experts. Many of them, you hit. The money to pay for damages comes from the premiums. In any case, if who spoke with Saturday Telegraph on concomes from the premiums. All the premi- premium has not been paid for a third pardition of anonymity agreed that third party ums go into a big pot out of which they ty motor insurance, the insurance company auto insurance policy protects car owners pay claims and other expenses. As much may not pay any compensation whatsofrom losses caused by their cars on other as people complain how expensive motor ever, in case of accident. Again, it depends insurance is, most motor insurers pay out on the nature of the policy. For example, people. Besides, the policy, according to 90 per cent plus of all premiums in claims. an auto insurance policy may only cover them, protects one against legal liability arising due to accidental damages, such as “However, if you steal a car, you are loss up to a certain amount. This means any permanent injury/death of a person, not insured at all. Any damage you cause that if the vehicle damaged is worth more and damage caused to the property while while driving a stolen motor is your prob- than that, the insurance company will only lem. Again, if the insurer thinks you are not provide the approved amount. driving an insured vehicle. This type of acting ‘in good faith’, in other words they policy is valid for only a year and should be According to Adefuye, the greatest asset renewed annually. And the premium is dethink you are trying to rip them off, they will insurance bequeaths is the absolute peace pendent on certain parameters like vehicle refuse to pay such claim, cancel your policy in case of most traumatic moments of one’s and report you to the police for fraud and life. “In automobile accident, you do not classification and value among other things.

The Nigerian Insurance Act 2003 preput you on a blacklist. After that you can ex- lay down in a panic attack, if the vehicle is scribed for compulsory Third Party Mopect to pay at least three times the going rate properly insured. Hence, it would be justor Insurance in Section 68. This section as to get insured by any other insurance com- tifiable, to claim that insurance brings an pany anywhere in the country,” she said. well as that of Section 3 of the Motor Vehicle extra strength to face the worst upsets of Adefuye’s explanation appears in tan- life”, Adefuye said. dem with the case of an elderly man, who was knocked down outside his house by an insured vehicle. The man, who was recovering from a knee operation and using a stick, was walking his dog when a car mounted Insurance the pavement, knocking him unconscious. brings And because the driver of the car had a valid motor insurance policy, the insurance coman extra pany paid for the hospital bill of the old man even though they did not insure the man. strength Though, in many cases, if a driver is to face involved in a minor accident where the damage is minimal, the parties most often the worst will try to fix the vehicle themself without upsets of making a claim against their insurance.

However, if the damage is more extensive, life then of course it is likely that the insurance companies will become involved, and this Police at check points

photo:dailymail.com.nG can get a little more complicated, according

Accidents scenes

photos: channelstv.com and informationng.com

Investigations

53

(Third Party) Insurance Act requires that no person shall use, or cause or permit any other person to use, a motor vehicle unless such a motor vehicle is insured against damage to the property of third parties.

According to Section 68 (1), no person shall use or cause or permit any other person to use a motor vehicle on a road unless a liability, which he may thereby incur in respect of damage to the property of third parties is insured with an insurer Registered under this Act. It said the insurance taken out pursuant to Sub-section (1) of this section, shall cover liability of not less than N1 million. It also said a person, who contravenes the provisions of this section commits an offence and liable on conviction to a fine of N250, 000 or imprisonment for one year or both.

A Lagos-based lawyer, Emeka Obi of Momah & Momah Company, situated at No 103 Allen Avenue, Ikeja, confirmed that insurance law stipulates that it is a legal requirement to have at least a third party car insurance in order to ensure that third parties involved in an incident are protected for a motorist to drive on Nigeria roads.

“It further said that third party only will not cover a car in the event that it is stolen or burnt by fire. To protect against such losses, a driver may choose to upgrade to third party, fire & theft,” he said.

To get claims under the third party auto insurance, according to Obi, holders, are expected to among other things note the licence plate number of the other vehicle involved in the accident (if any). Names and contact numbers of witnesses (if any) are also needed as well as calling the insurance company to file a claim.

“The law equally requires holders to make a note of the claim reference number given and the list of documents required for claim processing of the details of the same, file a report at the nearest police station in case of property damage, body injury, theft, or major damages, submit the documents to the insurance company representative and verify it with originals,” the lawyer said.

In spite of this, most motorists insist that third party auto insurance policy render them no particular importance other than mere vehicle documentation. They also criticised the processes in filing claims by holders of policies, saying it is laborious and tedious.

“Yes, it’s time consuming and boring because insurance companies make it seem that way,” Mallam Ahmed Jaji, a political scientist and public affairs commentator, said.

"All they care is about the quantum of customers they are able to grab. They do not educate us extensively on the kind of insurance policies and the advantages or what is involved in laying claims. In fact, insurers have capitalised on the compulsory nature of the policy to create some funny barriers to clients,” said Kayode Opeyemi, a third party insurance policy holder.

But, an insurance practitioner, Joshua Yakubu, disagrees saying instead that the process of filing claims by holders of third party auto insurance is not frustrating as claimed. According to him, the documents required for filing claim under third party policy and other conditions are in line with insurance law in the country and global best practices.

He said that insurance is a delicate profession and so, it behooves practitioners to be meticulous while handling the issue of claim by policy holders. Yakubu blamed the hue over third party auto insurance on the fact that most motorists in Nigeria prefer to take fake policy.

"We need police report in order to buttress that policy holders’ car has accident with other cars or persons. We also need witnesses and proper method of filing the claim, which I belief is not tedious. This is to serve the customers better while also complying with the principle of proximate cause in insurance,” Yakubu said.

• Additional reports from Chinyere Onah.

54 Perspectives

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SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

28 MARCH 2015

Electorate, it’s your day!

he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has repeatedly told Nigerians that continuity in governance is germane in democracy as it will guarantee peace, progress and consolidate on the achievements of President Goodluck Jonathan. Hence, the PDP adopts the slogan ‘Continuity.’ The party sees no reason why Nigeria should trust Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who once truncated our democracy in 1983 to be the next president.

But the main opposition party, the APC, prides itself as the ‘Change’ agent that Nigeria needs. It espouses Jonathan’s administration as tense, tedious, tragic and should be changed if we want to make progress as a nation.

Although both parties have had their say through their electioneering, the pendulum of public opinion is that the campaigns were more of hate, unbridled utterances, lies, web of deceits, rather than thriving on issues. Politicians are birds of a feather and I wonder why we are so blessed with the kind of

Waheed Bakare on Saturday 08124877036 (sms only) waheedbakare2003@yahoo.com leaders that we have.

Without sounding as a pessimist, it will be a mirage or forlorn hope to assume that this is the time for Nigeria to produce a leader in the league of the late Singaporean leader, Lee Kuan Yew, the man who took Singapore from the “Third World to the First World” and gave the Asian country international relevance and thriving economy. To think that this election will bring about the desirable socioeconomic development we earnestly yearn will amount to self-delusion or building a castle for oneself in a fool’s paradise.

In my estimation, our choices as we begin another democratic journey today are limited in terms of quality candidates for the presidency. It has been like this at the threshold

I once spoke with a politician who dismissed N250 million with a wave of the hand and arrogantly told me that it is not much money

of this democracy which started in 1999 because our kind of politics still places emphasis on party affiliations, money, religion and ethnic consideration. This was why the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi lost his bid to become the president in 2003 because in

the estimation of the electorate even in his SouthWest base, he belonged to a “wrong party” - National Conscience Party (NCP). It was the same parochialism of our politics that put in abeyance the presidential ambition of Prof. Pat Utomi in 2007 and 2011 and that of a former governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, under the Progressive Peoples Alliance in 2007. Any of these candidates could have won if they had belonged to the “main party.”

The last time we had varieties was in 1983 when Alhaji Sheu Sagari (National Party of Nigeria), Chief Obafemi Awolowo (Unity Party of Nigeria), Dr. Nnamdi Azikwe (Nigerian People’s Party), Alhaji Ibrahim Waziri (Great Nigerian People’s Party) and Mallam Aminu Kano (People’s Redemption Party) vied for the presidency. This was at a time when party structures were strong, vibrant and party discipline was sacrosanct, unlike now where moneybags or group of individuals can easily hijack party structure for selfaggrandisement.

As we go out today to perform our civic responsibility, expectedly, the pendulum will swing to either President Jonathan or Maj. Gen. Buhari. The rest presidential candidates are just adding to the number and that is if the majority of us have not forgotten that there are other presidential candidates aside the two dominant candidates.

Then, of what significance is a multi-party system that is just like a two-party system in content and character?

Why do we need to waste resources on parties that cannot win even councillorship seats in their presidential candidates' wards?

The idea of our limited choices is not just about the number of quality candidates in the presidential election alone, but also about limited choices in terms of parties’ political ideology and programmes that can transform into good governance that we all crave. And if there are, how well have they implemented same in the last four years either at the federal or state levels? Can

we now entrust them with our votes again this time around?

As it is now, no clear cut political ideology has evolved over the years and this is tragic at a time that the country is in dire need of strong political leaders. After unprecedented 15 years of uninterrupted democracy in our nation’s history, we ought to have outgrown teething political problems associated with nascent democracy.

In spite of these downsides, these elections provide yet another opportunity for us to strengthen our democracy and we cannot afford to miss it. It is a good thing that President Jonathan has assured us that he is not desperate and will willingly handover power if he loses the election. We have also got a similar assurance from Buhari that there won’t be any incitement from his camp if the election did not go his way. One hopes that these promises are not just mere rhetoric.

However, it is in the interest of the politicians not to truncate this democracy because, they benefit more from the system. Whatever the governed get from government is like crumbs compared to the sybaritic lifestyle of some these elected officials. This is why tension will continue to build up each time we need to elect our political leaders.

I once spoke with a politician who dismissed N250 million with a wave of the hand and arrogantly told me that it is not much money. I expressed strong doubt if he had N10 million in his account before he was elected some years back. But now, the fellow can afford to eat breakfast in London, lunch in Paris and dinner in the United States, just in one day. He

Electorate at a polling unit

is now an ‘Ajala travel all over the world.’ Our political system has thrown up a lot of mediocre, but party affiliation and sentiment sometimes becloud our reasoning and we pretend as if we don’t know some of these politicians. For how long can we continue to tolerate paupers who are now super rich just because they have been entrusted with political offices?

But these vicissitudes will be inexcusable for one to either show apathy or sit on the fence. This is why these elections are about the electorate. It is their day especially those who have the Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs).

The PVC is the perquisite of the electorate and the politicians realised this long ago. This explains why governments in different states did not irritate commercial motorcyclists or fret over women who sell by the roadside at least in the last three months.

Doing so will amount to political hara-kiri. They knew the masses will be in the majority today and they can break or make candidates using their PVCs. Politicians know the importance of market men and women. Hence, they left their elitist coterie to visit markets, ride on commercial motorcycles, wine and dine with the masses, giving them ‘stomach infrastructure’ which some of them have taken to ludicrous level by giving each electorate six tins of milk size of rice or N200 just to get their votes.

If your PVC is your power; why will you want to sell it for a pot of porridge as some electorate had done?

Whether you want ‘Continuity’ or ‘Change’, let your PVCs decide because it’s your day!

PHOTO: FILE COPY

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

28 MARCH 2015

55

DESTINATION

Get your groove on this Easter

SATURDAY

P.50

SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 2015

S'Africa v Nigeria

SPORT

Sanctity of Truth

Adepoju faults unending rebuilding process

N150

Eagles seek redemption

p.25

S

Ajibade Olusesan uper Eagles have another opportunity to redeem their battered image as they confront Bafana Bafana in an international friendly match in Nelspruit tomorrow (Sunday). The Nigerian side must shake off recent lacklustre performance when they face their perennial rivals.

Eagles go into this match on the back of a shock 1-0 defeat to Uganda in another friendly match at the Uyo International Stadium last Wednesday and the former African champions are condemned not only to get a victory but also to restore their credibility.

Although the match was a friendly, the loss to Uganda was more damaging because it happened on an evening Captain Vincent Enyeama celebrated his 100th international cap and the first time the team was playing after they failed to qualify for the 2015 Africa Nations Cup. The Eagles’ play was so disjointed; the players struggled to put passes together, their transition was poor and even created far limited chances. Regular loss of concentration and lack of coordination were evident in their display all evening and it was not completely surprising that they went down to Faruku Miya’s 76th minute goal.

Outright win against South Africa might not be enough to restore the confidence of Nigerian football fans, but the Eagles must show general improvement in their performance against a team that stopped them from going to the last Africa Nations Cup. Eagles came back from two goals down to force the Bafana Bafana to a 2-2 draw in the last day of the 2015 AFCON qualifiers at the same Uyo Stadium and coach Shakes Mashaba fears the Eagles would be fired up to extract revenge despite their midweek set back.

"Of course the Nigerians are still feeling bitter after knocking them out," said the tactician.

"To them, it's payback time. Of course they still want to show us that they are still the best when it comes to football in Africa."

Stand-in coach, Daniel Amokachi, started the Uganda match with six debutants. Kenneth Omeruo was the only regular player in the defence, he played for the first time alongside Nelson Ogbonnaya, Leon Balogun and Chima Akas, while Ogenyi Onazi was also not familiar with Steve Ukoh and Hope Akpan in the midfield. Ahmed Musa headlined the attack alongside Odion Ighalo who made his debut and Anthony Ujah who returned into the squad after two

years of absence.

Simon Moses who impressed when he came on to earn his debut in the match admitted that the players were not familiar with one another and that affected their game.

“We just had a training session and for me it was even my first time meeting a lot of the players.

“You could see that in our play during the match that we were not used to each other, but I’m not using that as an excuse for the loss. I believe this team has potential to go places,” he said.

South Africans are high in confidence after defeating Swaziland 3-1 last Wednesday but the Eagles have a comfortable head to head against the Bafana Bafana to whom they've never lost in a competitive game; that may again be decisive factor.

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by Banex Junction, Mabushi, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Advert Hotline: 01-8541248, Email: info@newtelegraphonline.com Website: www.newtelegraphonline.com ISSN 2354-4317 Editor: Laurence ani.