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TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH
VOL. 6, NO. 1778 THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 2011
520 died in Kaduna, Niger violence, says Ringim
Bankole faults EFCC’s invitation procedure
H
OUSE of Representatives Speaker Dimeji Bankole has faulted the manner of his invitation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Bankole, who has twice snubbed the anti-graft agency’s call, said the EFCC did not state the reasons for inviting him. In the letter to EFCC Chairman Farida Waziri, entitled “Re: Investigation Activities Investigation Letter”, Bankole, who will round off his tenure today, accused the EFCC of engaging in “sensational prosecution and conviction on the pages of newspaper on an issue as grave as corruption.” Continued on page 2
N150.00
T •Ringim
HE police unfolded yesterday a picture of how grave the postelection violence in the North was. Police chief Hafiz Ringim said no fewer that 520 persons including six policemen, died in Kaduna and Niger states. Of this figure, 518 died in Kaduna State alone. In the two states, 157
From Jide Babalola, Abuja
churches, 46 mosques, 1,435 houses, 437 vehicles and 219 motorcycles were burnt during the mayhem that followed the announcement of President Goodluck Jonathan as winner of the April 16 election. Ringim said 45 police properties were razed down. Ringim spoke in Abuja yes-
•President Jonathan and Vice President Namadi Sambo with leaders of political parties after the meeting at the State House in Abuja ... yesterday.
terday at an event to review the last general elections. Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) chair Prof. Attahiru Jega, National Security Adviser (NSA) Gen Owoye Azazi and former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Mohammed Uwais also Continued on page 2
PHOTO: STATE HOUSE
Jonathan woos Tinubu, Akande, Onu, others P
RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan is wooing the opposition, in a bid to run a successful administration. He met yesterday with leaders of opposition parties, promising not to play “politics of discrimination”, but run a “collective government”. Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu warned that the meeting should not be seen as the end of opposition. At the Presidential Villa, Abuja meeting were representatives of the the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), ACN, All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP), All Grand Progres-
President says he plans collective govt From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja
sive Alliance (APGA) and Labour Party (LP). The Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) was not represented. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari contested on the CPC’s platform. The party is challenging the result of the April 16 election at the tribunal. ACN National Chairman Chief Bisi Akande led other party bigwigs, including Senator George
Akume, Dr Chris Ngige, the former Anambra governor who is now a senator-elect, to the meeting. PDP Acting Chairman Haliru Bello led other members of the party. Victor Umeh led APGA. LP National Chairman Dan Nwayanwu was there. So was ANPP’s Chief Ogbonayan Onu. The meeting also marked the first official outing of Senator Pius Anyim, the Secretary to the Govern-
ment of the Federation, who took the oath of office on Tuesday. Before the meeting went into a closed door session, the President said Nigeria’s interest was uppermost on his mind. He urged all the political parties to work with him in building the country, stressing that Nigeria belongs to all and not to one particular person or party. The expectations of Nigerians from political office holders, irre-
spective of the party, the President said, is to make life more meaningful by providing food, infrastructure, security and good governance. The President also said that building a great nation requires the cooperation of all the political parties and leaders. He told the party chiefs: “Let me thank you for the various roles you play in the democratic process. You are the leaders of the parties; those of us who won elections wouldn’t have won without you leaders. You gave us the positions; you are the Continued on page 2
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