Service Chiefs Committed Treason - Falana

Mr. Femi Falana (SAN)

Lagos lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), has said that the electoral body should have called the bluff of security chiefs and proceded with the February 14 presidential election.

In a statement, Falana also said that by saying that they would not provide security in aid of civil authorities pursuant to section 217 of the Constitution, “the security chiefs have committed the offence of mutiny contrary to section 52 of the Armed Forces Act.”

He further stated that by causing the election to be postponed, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Dasuki Sambo, and the security chiefs had staged a coup against the constitution.

"They are liable to be prosecuted for the grave offence of treason at the appropriate time," he added.

He also said that INEC misconstrued the provisions of section 25 of the Electoral Act, when it relied on that provision to postpone the election.

He said: "The reliance on section 25 of the Electoral Act by the INEC Chairman Professor Attahiru Jega, is totally misleading."

According to him, the provision does not support the postponement of a general election in the entire country but “in the area or areas” where there is violence or actual threat of a breakdown of law and order.

He said: "Since the reason for the postponement of any election must be 'cogent and verifiable' it is crystal clear from the press conference addressed by Jega last night that INEC did not verify the bogus claim of the NSA and the security chiefs as required by the law."

He also said that contrary to the mistaken belief of the INEC leadership, the armed forces had no role to play in the electoral process.

He cited a judgment delivered last week by a Federal High Court sitting Sokoto where the court declared illegal and unconstitutional the involvement of soldiers in election duties.

The judgment, he said, was binding on all authorities and persons in Nigeria.

He described as blackmail, the letter written to INEC by the NSA to the President, to the effect that the armed forces could not provide security for the election because of the operations in the North-east region.

He said: "By writing directly to the INEC on the security situation in the North-east region the NSA usurped the functions of the National Security Council.

"Therefore, they (security chiefs) lack the constitutional power to make any authoritative pronouncement on the security of the nation.  Even though the NSA is a member of the National Security Council, he cannot usurp the constitutional responsibilities of the body with the connivance of the service chiefs."

Source: Thisday

Service Chiefs Committed Treason - Falana

Mr. Femi Falana (SAN)

Lagos lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), has said that the electoral body should have called the bluff of security chiefs and proceded with the February 14 presidential election.

In a statement, Falana also said that by saying that they would not provide security in aid of civil authorities pursuant to section 217 of the Constitution, “the security chiefs have committed the offence of mutiny contrary to section 52 of the Armed Forces Act.”

He further stated that by causing the election to be postponed, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Dasuki Sambo, and the security chiefs had staged a coup against the constitution.

"They are liable to be prosecuted for the grave offence of treason at the appropriate time," he added.

He also said that INEC misconstrued the provisions of section 25 of the Electoral Act, when it relied on that provision to postpone the election.

He said: "The reliance on section 25 of the Electoral Act by the INEC Chairman Professor Attahiru Jega, is totally misleading."

According to him, the provision does not support the postponement of a general election in the entire country but “in the area or areas” where there is violence or actual threat of a breakdown of law and order.

He said: "Since the reason for the postponement of any election must be 'cogent and verifiable' it is crystal clear from the press conference addressed by Jega last night that INEC did not verify the bogus claim of the NSA and the security chiefs as required by the law."

He also said that contrary to the mistaken belief of the INEC leadership, the armed forces had no role to play in the electoral process.

Another poll delay’ll amount to a coup – Buhari

Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari

The Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd), has warned that further postponement of the March 28 election by the Independent National Electoral Commission will amount to “a civilian and military coup.”

While advising INEC to take note of its constitutional limitations, he also ruled out participation in any election debate following the postponement of the elections.

The former Head of State, sounded the warning in an interview with journalists on Monday in Abuja during a courtesy call on him by the first elected President of Malawi and Leader of the Commonwealth Election Observers Group, Dr. Bakili Muluzi.

He said, “We told them about the change in the dates of elections and the constitutional limitations of INEC. That is the last card for INEC and they cannot delay the elections anymore. So, it is up to the government to facilitate a free, fair and credible election.

“If they fail to do that then, they will be indulging in a civilian and military coup because the constitution is very clear that certain days to the swearing in, there must be an election which will usher in a new government. So, there are no more excuses. INEC has given a document that they are ready for the election.

“They said they had trained their personnel, acquired equipment and have been distributing voter cards. But the security chiefs wrote INEC and demanded six more weeks.

“Okay, they have been given six weeks and that is the end of it. So we are getting ready for the election of March 28.

“Our enormous support has grown; we have visited 34 out of the 36 states in the country. It remains two states and Abuja and that will complete it. We are now conducting town hall meetings with interest groups, business people, the elite and youths. I appeal to our supporters to remain calm.”

Asked if he would participate in further debate due to the shift in presidential election date, Buhari said, “We are having town-hall meetings and the party (APC) has taken a superior position.”

Muluzi had while thanking Buhari for receiving his team, said that he had discussions with INEC.

He said, “I am from the Commonwealth and we are about 11 members who have been drawn from Commonwealth countries to observe the elections with some members of staff from London.

“We arrived here on Saturday and we normally arrive in any country in which we want to observe election five days before, just to interact with stakeholders and the leadership to understand the situation on the ground. It was only on Saturday night that we were informed that the election will now hold on March 28.

“We met with INEC this (Monday) morning and we raised some questions and they also answered the questions. We also thought that there should be an opportunity to meet the leadership. INEC has postponed the elections for six weeks.

“I just want to appeal to the Nigerian people, especially at this time, to remain calm. This is why I do congratulate him (Buhari) because he has asked his supporters to remain calm until the election is held on March 28.

“It is very important, Africa is still very important. We still have to create employment for our people. And if we are going to create chaos in our country, we will be unfair to our people who are looking forward to the leadership for employment. And therefore peace becomes very important. I will have to appeal to Nigerians to remain calm.”

Muluzi also said the delegation would meet with President Goodluck Jonathan to make the same appeal so that he must appeal to his supporters to remain calm.

Meanwhile, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III-led Jama’atu Nasir Islam, has warned politicians against jeopardising the nation’s democracy with the postponment of the elections by INEC.

In its reaction to INEC’s decision to delay the polls, the body also asked politicians to fear God in their actions.

The apex Islamic body said on Monday that political gladiators should not jeopardise the already tensed situation in the country.

A statement by the JNI’s Secretary-General, Dr. Khalid Abubakar-Aliyu, in Kaduna on Monday, however, asked Nigerians to remain calm by not further heating up the polity.

It said, “The JNI, under the leadership of its President-General, His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto and his lieutenants, after listening to the shift in dates of the 2015 general elections by six weeks, as announced by INEC, is watching with keen interest the uproar the decision is currently generating in the country and therefore calls for caution by all political gladiators.

“They should, in the name of God, not jeopardise the already tensed situation of grief and anxiety.”

Source: Punch

Another poll delay’ll amount to a coup – Buhari

Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari

The Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd), has warned that further postponement of the March 28 election by the Independent National Electoral Commission will amount to “a civilian and military coup.”

While advising INEC to take note of its constitutional limitations, he also ruled out participation in any election debate following the postponement of the elections.

The former Head of State, sounded the warning in an interview with journalists on Monday in Abuja during a courtesy call on him by the first elected President of Malawi and Leader of the Commonwealth Election Observers Group, Dr. Bakili Muluzi.

He said, “We told them about the change in the dates of elections and the constitutional limitations of INEC. That is the last card for INEC and they cannot delay the elections anymore. So, it is up to the government to facilitate a free, fair and credible election.

“If they fail to do that then, they will be indulging in a civilian and military coup because the constitution is very clear that certain days to the swearing in, there must be an election which will usher in a new government. So, there are no more excuses. INEC has given a document that they are ready for the election.

“They said they had trained their personnel, acquired equipment and have been distributing voter cards. But the security chiefs wrote INEC and demanded six more weeks.

“Okay, they have been given six weeks and that is the end of it. So we are getting ready for the election of March 28.

Why we can’t proceed with elections – Jega

Prof Attahiru Jega, INEC Chairman

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Attahiru Jega, has concluded a briefing meeting with 25 civil society groups in Abuja Saturday informing them that all security agencies in the country have indicated to him, in writing, that they are not available to support the elections planned for February 14 and 28.

Mr. Jega, who had an earlier meeting with political parties, is rounding up another meeting with his 36 resident electoral commissioners now on what will amount to an INEC position on whether to postpone or go ahead with the elections.

Insiders at the meeting said “its pretty much a done deal at this point that the elections will be postponed” and many of the attendees told PREMIUM TIMES they were shell-shocked and depressed at what they characterize as “a clear case of political blackmail of the state against civil society”.

Jibrin Ibrahim, a leading African election expert and senior fellow at the Centre for Democracy and Development, CDD, in Abuja, who was at the meeting, said Mr. Jega told the meeting that security operatives from all the agencies told INEC that they were commencing a six weeks special operations against Boko Haram insurgents in the north eastern corridors of the country and would rather not be distracted by the elections.

Mr. Jega announced that the security forces also said the operations are due to commence on February 14, the date INEC had planned for the presidential and federal legislative elections.
This decision, by the security forces, successfully renders INEC’s hitherto insistence to go ahead with the elections a risky venture.

To even collect ballot papers from their storage in the Central Bank of Nigeria for the elections will require security escort, which apparently is now unavailable in the light of the move by the security forces.

Source:  Premiumtimes

Why we can’t proceed with elections – Jega

Prof Attahiru Jega, INEC Chairman

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Attahiru Jega, has concluded a briefing meeting with 25 civil society groups in Abuja Saturday informing them that all security agencies in the country have indicated to him, in writing, that they are not available to support the elections planned for February 14 and 28.

Mr. Jega, who had an earlier meeting with political parties, is rounding up another meeting with his 36 resident electoral commissioners now on what will amount to an INEC position on whether to postpone or go ahead with the elections.

Insiders at the meeting said “its pretty much a done deal at this point that the elections will be postponed” and many of the attendees told PREMIUM TIMES they were shell-shocked and depressed at what they characterize as “a clear case of political blackmail of the state against civil society”.

Jibrin Ibrahim, a leading African election expert and senior fellow at the Centre for Democracy and Development, CDD, in Abuja, who was at the meeting, said Mr. Jega told the meeting that security operatives from all the agencies told INEC that they were commencing a six weeks special operations against Boko Haram insurgents in the north eastern corridors of the country and would rather not be distracted by the elections.

Mr. Jega announced that the security forces also said the operations are due to commence on February 14, the date INEC had planned for the presidential and federal legislative elections.
This decision, by the security forces, successfully renders INEC’s hitherto insistence to go ahead with the elections a risky venture.

Boko Haram planned to attack whole country – Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan on Saturday said various attacks by Boko Haram in Abuja were planned to extend to parts of the country with the intention of bringing down the nation.

He stated this when he attended the revival service of the Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Movement at its headquarters in Ijesha, Lagos.

“The idea of the group was to start from the centre of the country and then move to bring the whole country down,’’ Jonathan said.
He listed the United Nation’s building, Police Headquarters, Army barracks market and Nyanya Motor Park as some of the places the terrorist organisation attacked in the federal capital.

He, however, said that the efforts of the Federal Government had curtailed the spread of the attacks to other parts of the country, except in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states.
The president said that insurgency and terrorism were global phenomena that were not peculiar to Nigeria, but added that with international collaboration, the Armed Forces would defeat the extremists.

“We are working hard as a government and with your cooperation, we will rout terrorism.
“We will work harder to protect all Nigerians.
“We will improve the economy so that people will have jobs so that these distractions about terror will end,’’ he said.

He thanked members of the church and the Christian community in the country for their intercessory prayers and urged them not to relent.
“We believe we should not campaign in churches but I am here to thank the General Overseer and members of the church for what you are doing.

“Your spiritual work has not only helped members of the church but helped the country,’’ Jonathan said.
The General Overseer of the church, Pastor Lazarus Muoka, led the congregation through intercessory prayers for God to bless the nation with unity, peace and stability.

The faithful also prayed to God to give the president good health and strength to continue to prosper the nation.
They also prayed for pre-election and post-election peace in the country and for the Lord to protect and preserve the president to enable him to achieve national prosperity.

Source: NAN

Boko Haram planned to attack whole country – Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan on Saturday said various attacks by Boko Haram in Abuja were planned to extend to parts of the country with the intention of bringing down the nation.

He stated this when he attended the revival service of the Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Movement at its headquarters in Ijesha, Lagos.

“The idea of the group was to start from the centre of the country and then move to bring the whole country down,’’ Jonathan said.
He listed the United Nation’s building, Police Headquarters, Army barracks market and Nyanya Motor Park as some of the places the terrorist organisation attacked in the federal capital.

He, however, said that the efforts of the Federal Government had curtailed the spread of the attacks to other parts of the country, except in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states.
The president said that insurgency and terrorism were global phenomena that were not peculiar to Nigeria, but added that with international collaboration, the Armed Forces would defeat the extremists.

“We are working hard as a government and with your cooperation, we will rout terrorism.
“We will work harder to protect all Nigerians.
“We will improve the economy so that people will have jobs so that these distractions about terror will end,’’ he said.

He thanked members of the church and the Christian community in the country for their intercessory prayers and urged them not to relent.
“We believe we should not campaign in churches but I am here to thank the General Overseer and members of the church for what you are doing.

Election 2015 Postponement: INEC Close To Caving To Pressure - Sahara Reporters

Professor Attahiru jega

 In a press statement released today, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) opened the door to the possibility of postponing general elections that are currently scheduled to hold on February 14 and 28, 2015.

A high-level source at INEC told a correspondent of SaharaReporters that the commission’s chairman, Attahiru Jega, had been rattled by pressure from the Presidency and the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, and was now open to a possible postponement of the elections.

At a charged meeting of the National Council of States that held in Abuja yesterday, Mr. Jega had argued firmly that his commission was ready and committed to conducting the elections on the current schedule. However, the INEC source disclosed that the electoral chairman had been disquieted by the seeming determination of President Goodluck Jonathan’s close associates to force a postponement in the face of dwindling prospects for the incumbent president’s re-election.

“Even though Professor Attahiru Jega wants to hold the elections as scheduled, he has seen that even some of his senior officials have been bought by the Presidency and are singing a different tune,” said our INEC source.

Our INEC source added that Mr. Jega “feels some of the forces at the Presidency and within INEC may be trying to sabotage the election in order to rubbish his reputation. So he has now decided to call all the stakeholders to a meeting to discuss whether to postpone or not.”

A statement released today by INEC read, “On Thursday, February 5, 2015, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega, was invited to brief the National Council of States (NCS) on the preparedness of INEC to conduct the 2015 general elections. He made a presentation titled ‘Preparations for the 2015 General Elections: Progress Report.’ The National Security Adviser (NSA) and Armed Services Chiefs also briefed the Council on the current security situation.

“As a follow-up to that meeting, the Commission has scheduled a consultative meeting with chairmen and secretaries of all registered political parties, as well as a meeting with the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) on Saturday, February 7, 2015. 

“Thereafter, the Commission will address a press conference to brief the nation on its decision with regard to whether or not the general elections will hold as currently scheduled.”
A high-level source at INEC told a correspondent of SaharaReporters that the commission’s chairman, Attahiru Jega, had been rattled by pressure from the Presidency and the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, and was now open to a possible postponement of the elections.

Source: Sahara Reporters

Election 2015 Postponement: INEC Close To Caving To Pressure - Sahara Reporters

Professor Attahiru jega

 In a press statement released today, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) opened the door to the possibility of postponing general elections that are currently scheduled to hold on February 14 and 28, 2015.

A high-level source at INEC told a correspondent of SaharaReporters that the commission’s chairman, Attahiru Jega, had been rattled by pressure from the Presidency and the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, and was now open to a possible postponement of the elections.

At a charged meeting of the National Council of States that held in Abuja yesterday, Mr. Jega had argued firmly that his commission was ready and committed to conducting the elections on the current schedule. However, the INEC source disclosed that the electoral chairman had been disquieted by the seeming determination of President Goodluck Jonathan’s close associates to force a postponement in the face of dwindling prospects for the incumbent president’s re-election.

“Even though Professor Attahiru Jega wants to hold the elections as scheduled, he has seen that even some of his senior officials have been bought by the Presidency and are singing a different tune,” said our INEC source.

Our INEC source added that Mr. Jega “feels some of the forces at the Presidency and within INEC may be trying to sabotage the election in order to rubbish his reputation. So he has now decided to call all the stakeholders to a meeting to discuss whether to postpone or not.”

Presidency expresses concern over february polls date

President Goodluck Jonathan

The Presidency on Friday listed some of the reasons it feels that going ahead with the February dates for the general elections as scheduled by the Independent National Electoral Commission can “throw the country into turmoil and confusion.”

It however said President Goodluck Jonathan would not engage in any form of subterfuge to pressurise INEC to change the dates of the elections.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, stated these in Abuja at a press conference called to clarify the outcome of the Council of State meeting held on Thursday.

Okupe said there was no time during the meeting held inside the Presidential Villa, Abuja, when the chairman of INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega, insisted on the February dates as quoted by some media reports.
He listed the level of preparedness of the electoral body and security situation in some parts of the country as some of the reasons why it will be wise to revisit the February dates.
On preparation, Okupe said in all INEC’s submissions at the meeting, the only process that was 100% concluded was the preparation and availability of the voters register.

He claimed that all other processes including provision, distribution and collection of PVCs, printing of ballot papers, distribution of verification machines and other non –sensitive materials, recruitment and training of ad hoc staff are all “work in progress.”
He added that Jega himself admitted that given a little more time, INEC would be in a better position to perfect the processes and its readiness for the elections.


He said, “Also in his presentations to the Council, the INEC Chairman, stated clearly that for the electoral process to be free, fair, and credible,  there are other matters which were not under the control of INEC, principal among which is the issue of provision and guarantee of security of lives and properties.
“The Security Chiefs were unanimous in their advice to the Council that it will be impossible for now for them to guarantee security of electoral materials, INEC Staff, and the voting population in the areas currently engulfed by the war against insurgency.”

Okupe said while some opinions were proffered that elections could be allowed to hold on February 14 in 32 states not affected by insurgency, Jonathan made it clear that he would not allow an election where some people will be excluded for no fault of theirs.
He quoted the President as further saying that endorsing such would tend to confirm the falsehood already being propagated in some parts of the country that he was encouraging the war in the North East to ensure that voters in the APC states were not allowed to vote in the 2015 elections.

He added, “For the avoidance of doubt, Nigerians are hereby re-assured that there has never been, and never shall be any plan to cancel the 2015 elections, for any reasons whatsoever. It will not happen, and the May 29th date for the swearing-in is sacrosanct. All talks about interim government arrangement is pure fiction.
“The consideration behind the possibility of change of date is to allow those who may be disfranchised from voting on the 14th February to have an opportunity to exercise their lawful rights to vote and participate in the general elections.

“The new wave of successes being recorded by the Military in the War against insurgency, especially with the arrival of new effective combatant equipment and machinery, plus the newly revamped cross border co-operation with Niger, Chad and Cameroonian Military, offer a very genuine hope that in a very short while, the situation in the affected states will be brought under such reasonable control that will guarantee safety of the electoral process and electorate in the war front region of the North–East at a no distant future.

“We repeat that the only set of people who stand to benefit from a shift in election dates are Nigerians who desire to vote and have not been able to collect their Permanent Voters Cards and other innocent citizens living in the war zone who may not be able to vote on the 14th February.
“We also wish to recollect that in 2003, 2007, and 2011 the elections were held in April, and the hand over date was not affected.

“We therefore challenge the opposition to tell Nigerians in clear terms, what dangers the change of date from February 14th portends to the electoral process or to the Nigerian electorate. It will also be good if the opposition tells us who stands to benefit or be disadvantaged from any shifting of date and how.” Okupe, while saying that INEC was not fully ready for the elections, dared the commission to direct its Resident Electoral Commissioners to swear to an affidavit to prove their readiness for the polls. “It will be very re-assuring if the INEC can get its RECs to attach their state of readiness to a sworn affidavit and show it to Nigerians.

“The interest of this government is to ensure that we do not have a rancorous and poorly conducted general elections that will throw the country into turmoil and confusion with the likelihood of an unnecessary internal and external rejection and condemnation,” he said.
Okupe claimed that in Sokoto State, nine local government areas are yet to receive PVC for the continuous voters registration, barely nine days to the election.

He also claimed that the majority of the 960,000 ad hoc staff needed by the commission are yet to be recruited and trained especially on the operations of card readers that are yet to be made available.
He added that Lagos State is yet to receive a balance of about 12,000 card readers for elections.

Source: Punch

Presidency expresses concern over february polls date

President Goodluck Jonathan

The Presidency on Friday listed some of the reasons it feels that going ahead with the February dates for the general elections as scheduled by the Independent National Electoral Commission can “throw the country into turmoil and confusion.”

It however said President Goodluck Jonathan would not engage in any form of subterfuge to pressurise INEC to change the dates of the elections.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, stated these in Abuja at a press conference called to clarify the outcome of the Council of State meeting held on Thursday.

Okupe said there was no time during the meeting held inside the Presidential Villa, Abuja, when the chairman of INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega, insisted on the February dates as quoted by some media reports.
He listed the level of preparedness of the electoral body and security situation in some parts of the country as some of the reasons why it will be wise to revisit the February dates.
On preparation, Okupe said in all INEC’s submissions at the meeting, the only process that was 100% concluded was the preparation and availability of the voters register.

He claimed that all other processes including provision, distribution and collection of PVCs, printing of ballot papers, distribution of verification machines and other non –sensitive materials, recruitment and training of ad hoc staff are all “work in progress.”
He added that Jega himself admitted that given a little more time, INEC would be in a better position to perfect the processes and its readiness for the elections.

The Economist: Many Nigerians prefer to give Buhari another chance

“Sometimes there are no good options. Nigeria goes to the polls on February 14th to elect the next president, who will face problems so large—from rampant corruption to a jihadist insurgency—that they could break the country apart, with dire consequences for Nigerians and the world.

“And yet, as Africa’s biggest economy stages its most important election since the restoration of civilian rule in 1999, and

perhaps since the civil war four decades ago, Nigerians must pick between the incumbent, Goodluck Jonathan, who has proved an utter failure, and the opposition leader, Muhammadu Buhari, a former military dictator with blood on his hands (see article). The candidates stand as symbols of a broken political system that makes all Nigeria’s problems even more intractable.

In this section

“Start with Mr Jonathan, whose People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has run the country since 1999 and who stumbled into the presidency on the death of his predecessor in 2010. The PDP’s reign has been a sorry one. Mr Jonathan has shown little willingness to tackle endemic corruption. 

When the governor of the central bank reported that $20 billion had been stolen, his reward was to be sacked.

“Worse, on Mr Jonathan’s watch much of the north of the country has been in flames. About 18,000 people have died in political violence in recent years, thousands of them in January in several brutal attacks by Boko Haram, a jihadist group that claims to have established its “caliphate” in territory as large as Belgium. Another 1.5m people have fled their homes.

“The insurgency is far from Mr Jonathan’s southern political heartland and afflicts people more likely to vote for the opposition. He has shown little enthusiasm for tackling it, and even less competence.

“Quick to offer condolences to France after the attack on Charlie Hedbo, Mr Jonathan waited almost two weeks before speaking up about a Boko Haram attack that killed hundreds, perhaps thousands, of his compatriots.

“The single bright spot of his rule has been Nigeria’s economy, one of the world’s fastest-growing. Yet that is largely despite the government rather than because of it, and falling oil prices will temper the boom. The prosperity has not been broadly shared: under Mr Jonathan poverty has increased. Nigerians typically die eight years younger than their poorer neighbours in nearby Ghana.

Goodbye Jonathan

“Voters have ample cause to send Mr Jonathan packing. In a country where power has often changed through the barrel of a gun, the opposition All Progressives Congress has a real chance of winning through the ballot box.

“Yet its candidate, Mr Buhari, is an ex-general who, three decades ago, came to power in a coup. His rule was nasty, brutish and mercifully short. Declaring a ‘war against indiscipline’, he ordered whip-wielding soldiers to ensure that Nigerians formed orderly queues.

“His economics, known as Buharism, was destructive. Instead of letting the currency depreciate in the face of a trade deficit, he tried to fix prices and ban ‘unnecessary’ imports. He expelled 700,000 migrants in the delusion that this would create jobs for Nigerians. He banned political meetings and free speech. He detained thousands, used secret tribunals and executed people for crimes that were not capital offences.

  “Should a former dictator with such a record be offered another chance? Surprisingly, many Nigerians think he should. One reason is that, in a country where ministers routinely wear wristwatches worth many times their annual salary, Mr Buhari is a sandal-wearing ascetic with a record of fighting corruption.

“Few nowadays question his commitment to democracy or expect him to turn autocratic: he has repeatedly stood for election and accepted the outcome when he lost. He would probably do a better job of running the country, and in particular of tackling Boko Haram.

“As a northerner and Muslim, he will have greater legitimacy among villagers whose help he will need to isolate the insurgents. As a military man, he is more likely to win the respect of a demoralised army.

  “We are relieved not to have a vote in this election. But were we offered one we would—with a heavy heart—choose Mr Buhari. Mr Jonathan risks presiding over Nigeria’s bloody fragmentation. If Mr Buhari can save Nigeria, history might even be kind to him.”

Source: The Nation

The Economist: Many Nigerians prefer to give Buhari another chance

“Sometimes there are no good options. Nigeria goes to the polls on February 14th to elect the next president, who will face problems so large—from rampant corruption to a jihadist insurgency—that they could break the country apart, with dire consequences for Nigerians and the world.

“And yet, as Africa’s biggest economy stages its most important election since the restoration of civilian rule in 1999, and

‘Earthquake’ to hit PDP as five governors set to join APC, says Oyegun

All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman Chief John Odigie-Oyegun has predicted “earthquake” in the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) 72 hours to next week’s general elections with the defection of five of its governors.

Odigie-Oyegun said the governors will join the APC, saying he had finalised plans to receive them into the opposition’s fold
The APC chairman told supporters in Benin yesterday that his party was poised to win the general elections.

“Let me reveal to you today that very soon, you will hear of an earthquake that will consume the PDP in this country. As I’m talking to you, I have held meetings with the governors. Let me not release the cat out of the bag. But let me assure you that a few hours to the presidential and national assembly elections, the PDP’s canoe will sink.


“You can see that our President and his party have engaged in one character assassination and the other; yet we are looking at them, focusing on our campaign of issues and not name-calling.
“The hand writing is so clear, February 14 is Lovers’ Day , that is a special day for our party. As from that day, Jonathan will start to pack his belongings out of Aso Rock .


“The elections cannot be postponed at this hour and they cannot rig it either. Just go there that day and vote, protect it, it is evidently clear that the PDP and Jonathan are running scared.
“Can you imagine a Col. Sambo Dasuki (the National Security Adviser) who cannot advise the President on how to tackle insurgency, calling for elections postponement? ” Oyegun

Source: The Nation

‘Earthquake’ to hit PDP as five governors set to join APC, says Oyegun

All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman Chief John Odigie-Oyegun has predicted “earthquake” in the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) 72 hours to next week’s general elections with the defection of five of its governors.

Odigie-Oyegun said the governors will join the APC, saying he had finalised plans to receive them into the opposition’s fold
The APC chairman told supporters in Benin yesterday that his party was poised to win the general elections.

“Let me reveal to you today that very soon, you will hear of an earthquake that will consume the PDP in this country. As I’m talking to you, I have held meetings with the governors. Let me not release the cat out of the bag. But let me assure you that a few hours to the presidential and national assembly elections, the PDP’s canoe will sink.


“You can see that our President and his party have engaged in one character assassination and the other; yet we are looking at them, focusing on our campaign of issues and not name-calling.
“The hand writing is so clear, February 14 is Lovers’ Day , that is a special day for our party. As from that day, Jonathan will start to pack his belongings out of Aso Rock .

How Obanikoro, Fayose, Chris Uba And Brig. General Momoh Rigged Ekiti Governorship Election -- Sahara Reporters

The 37-minute recording details the conversation between these PDP leaders and politicians as they bribed Brigadier General Momoh with a promotion for his assistance in carrying out election fraud in Ekiti. In it, Obanikoro is clearly heard informing the group of men, “[I] am not here for a tea party, am on special assignment by the President.”

Authentication of Audio Recordings and Proof of Election Fraud
The audio recordings were analyzed and authenticated by Guardian Consulting, an independent US-based security consulting company. According to a report authored by Guardian Consulting, also in the possession of SaharaReporters, the independent company used Forensic Voice Frequency Comparison technology to identify all voices on the recording with audio available in the public domain.

The then Deputy Defense Minister, Obanikoro clearly states to General Momoh that he was not only sent to the meeting by President Jonathan, but “you can’t get a promotion without me sitting on top of your military council. If I am happy tomorrow night, the sky is your limit.”


Governor Fayose revealed that he had already bribed an official of the Independent National Election Commission (INEC), the non-political commission charged with organizing elections in Nigeria, to bring copies of voter ballots with the INEC logo to him that day. Fayose, upset that his INEC contact was caught in traffic, narrated his day’s frustrations: “Where are we supposed to be collating the thing INEC gave to us? Soft copies we now printed? Why is my [INEC] contact not with [the ballots]…my contact man [was] sitting in the check point…it took me more than two hours to get this man.”

As the plotters began to argue, Omisore, who was running for Governor of Osun State on the PDP ticket, tried to calm the room: “I would just say that we don’t have to argue so much, we have seen some lapses [today] yes. It’s just this evening, there is nothing happening now that we cannot contain before tomorrow morning.”

Plans to Rig Elections in Favor of PDP
The eyewitness testimony and sworn affidavit by Capt. Koli corroborates the audio recordings of the PDP officials’ plans to manipulate the Ekiti elections. The plotters devised several plans intended to bring about an unlawful victory for PDP candidates in Ekiti State races, including the forging of INEC ballots, the use of the military to facilitate access for PDP operatives and supporters, the creation of a list of APC members to be arrested, and the deployment of a Special Team of military personnel to prevent APC voters from reaching the polls.

The PDP officials told General Momoh that those soldiers on election duty “must work hand-in-hand with the PDP agents” and ordered the arrest of selected APC stalwarts as that could “greatly assist the party during the election including DG campaign organization for Dr. Fayemi, Mr. Bimbo Daramola,” Capt. Koli said in his affidavit.

General Momoh, confronted with criticism by the group, defended himself by saying that “we have done a lot of [APC] arrests.” It would be recalled that there were arrests of APC members in Ekiti during the period. It would also be recalled that many members of the security offices paraded around Ekiti in disguise.
The PDP collaborators also demanded that the military block APC members’ access to the electorate and that moles should “be careful because the consequence will be severe.”

Soldiers were instructed set up roadblocks leading to the polling stations and prevent APC supporters’ access. Additionally, vehicles and individuals with a special sticker labeled “National Security Task” were allowed movement anywhere, and were only distributed to PDP agents.
General Momoh informed the group that there were “about 6 special teams. I have one strike force. I have almost forty soldiers after deployment,” evidently an organized system being used to manipulate voter turnout.

Capt. Koli’s statement explained that based on these strategies, “they succeeded in rigging the Ekiti State election with victory in all the 16 Local Governing Authorities (LGAs). These really inspired them and they were with the euphoria that same would happen in Osun State.”
Indeed, leading into the Osun State elections the Brigadier General posted there was told to take a three-week leave during the elections. His position was temporarily filled by General Momoh, who then repeated the same fraudulent tactics in Osun.

Retaliation Against Captain Sagir Koli
SaharaReporters was provided with additional evidence that proves the military retaliated against Capt. Koli when he released this information. Capt. Koli fled before he was arrested, but the military arrested, secretly detained, and chained his brother Adamu to a bed for nearly five months at the Adekunle Fanjuyi’s Cantonment.

In an exclusive phone interview with from his hideout outside Nigeria, Capt. Koli told SaharaReporters that his brother was starved for periods of time and sometimes “fed worms.” Adamu was only released after a petition, which is also in possession of SaharaReporters, was submitted to the National Human Rights Commission by Barrister Chief K. Akinola Ajayi.

The treatment of Capt. Koli’s brother was so poor during his illegal confinement that he had to be hospitalized due to malnutrition.
SaharaReporters contacted Nigerian Defense spokesperson, General Chris Olukolade as well as Nigerian Army spokesperson, Col. SK Usman, for comment on this story. Both officials promised to get back to us but never did.

Source: Sahara Reporters

How Obanikoro, Fayose, Chris Uba And Brig. General Momoh Rigged Ekiti Governorship Election -- Sahara Reporters

The 37-minute recording details the conversation between these PDP leaders and politicians as they bribed Brigadier General Momoh with a promotion for his assistance in carrying out election fraud in Ekiti. In it, Obanikoro is clearly heard informing the group of men, “[I] am not here for a tea party, am on special assignment by the President.”

Authentication of Audio Recordings and Proof of Election Fraud
The audio recordings were analyzed and authenticated by Guardian Consulting, an independent US-based security consulting company. According to a report authored by Guardian Consulting, also in the possession of SaharaReporters, the independent company used Forensic Voice Frequency Comparison technology to identify all voices on the recording with audio available in the public domain.

The then Deputy Defense Minister, Obanikoro clearly states to General Momoh that he was not only sent to the meeting by President Jonathan, but “you can’t get a promotion without me sitting on top of your military council. If I am happy tomorrow night, the sky is your limit.”

60 reasons I won’t vote for Jonathan – Soyinka

NOBEL Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka

NOBEL Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka has, distanced himself from internet interview, which claimed he has endorsed President Goodluck Jonathan for re-election, saying he has 60 reasons why he will not vote for the continuation of this regime.

Soyinka who spoke yesterday during the presentation of 60 finalists of the Vision of the Child Competition entitled: Road to Sambisa at the Freedom Park, Lagos, also urged Nigerians to search their conscience and be objective before casting their votes for any of the candidates.

Addressing the students from various schools across the country, Professor Soyinka said: ‘’It is impossible to talk of today’s election without thinking of what happened to your colleagues, your siblings, your peers in the village called Chibok. It is not possible to think of the future of this nation in the sense of responsibility without that albatross called Chibok. Coming to the fore of our contemplation, I think that why I was being killed on the internet is probably because of this very event because those who began to advertise my death on the internet probably know already what I stand for over the election which is also why all kinds of statements have been made.’’

Soyinka used the occasion to clear the air on statements credited to him about the elections. He said ‘’I have never spoken a word about this election so anything which you read on the internet as interviews or recent statements is not mine. Don’t believe it. The reason is this, they advertised on the internet that I am dead, so why should you believe it?’’

He continued: ‘’I have at least 60 reasons for not voting for the continuation of this present government and those reasons are here.

Why I will not vote for this government or encourage anybody to vote for the continuation of this present government is simply because your colleagues, numbering over 200 were kidnapped; we sent them on a mission – education, enlightenment, examination, to rub minds with their peers and they disappeared and the government of the nation failed to show leadership. So, anybody who says that I will vote or cast my vote or encourage anyone to vote for this regime must be living in Sambisa forest.

‘’There has been failure of leadership. Our children who you represent today have been betrayed. They were betrayed because no action or appropriate action was taken to retrieve your colleagues who were stolen from under our noses, 10 days before this government even accepted that they were missing.”

 Source: Vanguard

NOBEL Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka has, distanced himself from internet interview, which claimed he has endorsed President Goodluck Jonathan for re-election, saying he has 60 reasons why he will not vote for the continuation of this regime.
Soyinka who spoke yesterday during the presentation of 60 finalists of the Vision of the Child Competition entitled: Road to Sambisa at the Freedom Park, Lagos, also urged Nigerians to search their conscience and be objective before casting their votes for any of the candidates.
Addressing the students from various schools across the country, Professor Soyinka said: ‘’It is impossible to talk of today’s election without thinking of what happened to your colleagues, your siblings, your peers in the village called Chibok. It is not possible to think of the future of this nation in the sense of responsibility without that albatross called Chibok. Coming to the fore of our contemplation, I think that why I was being killed on the internet is probably because of this very event because those who began to advertise my death on the internet probably know already what I stand for over the election which is also why all kinds of statements have been made.’’
Soyinka used the occasion to clear the air on statements credited to him about the elections. He said ‘’I have never spoken a word about this election so anything which you read on the internet as interviews or recent statements is not mine. Don’t believe it. The reason is this, they advertised on the internet that I am dead, so why should you believe it?’’
He continued: ‘’I have at least 60 reasons for not voting for the continuation of this present government and those reasons are here.
Why I will not vote for this government or encourage anybody to vote for the continuation of this present government is simply because your colleagues, numbering over 200 were kidnapped; we sent them on a mission – education, enlightenment, examination, to rub minds with their peers and they disappeared and the government of the nation failed to show leadership. So, anybody who says that I will vote or cast my vote or encourage anyone to vote for this regime must be living in Sambisa forest.
‘’There has been failure of leadership. Our children who you represent today have been betrayed. They were betrayed because no action or appropriate action was taken to retrieve your colleagues who were stolen from under our noses, 10 days before this government even accepted that they were missing.”
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/02/60-reasons-wont-vote-jonathan-soyinka/#sthash.2ovt1XNx.5CNPl1AX.dpuf

NOBEL Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka has, distanced himself from internet interview, which claimed he has endorsed President Goodluck Jonathan for re-election, saying he has 60 reasons why he will not vote for the continuation of this regime.
Soyinka who spoke yesterday during the presentation of 60 finalists of the Vision of the Child Competition entitled: Road to Sambisa at the Freedom Park, Lagos, also urged Nigerians to search their conscience and be objective before casting their votes for any of the candidates.
Addressing the students from various schools across the country, Professor Soyinka said: ‘’It is impossible to talk of today’s election without thinking of what happened to your colleagues, your siblings, your peers in the village called Chibok. It is not possible to think of the future of this nation in the sense of responsibility without that albatross called Chibok. Coming to the fore of our contemplation, I think that why I was being killed on the internet is probably because of this very event because those who began to advertise my death on the internet probably know already what I stand for over the election which is also why all kinds of statements have been made.’’
Soyinka used the occasion to clear the air on statements credited to him about the elections. He said ‘’I have never spoken a word about this election so anything which you read on the internet as interviews or recent statements is not mine. Don’t believe it. The reason is this, they advertised on the internet that I am dead, so why should you believe it?’’
He continued: ‘’I have at least 60 reasons for not voting for the continuation of this present government and those reasons are here.
Why I will not vote for this government or encourage anybody to vote for the continuation of this present government is simply because your colleagues, numbering over 200 were kidnapped; we sent them on a mission – education, enlightenment, examination, to rub minds with their peers and they disappeared and the government of the nation failed to show leadership. So, anybody who says that I will vote or cast my vote or encourage anyone to vote for this regime must be living in Sambisa forest.
‘’There has been failure of leadership. Our children who you represent today have been betrayed. They were betrayed because no action or appropriate action was taken to retrieve your colleagues who were stolen from under our noses, 10 days before this government even accepted that they were missing.”
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/02/60-reasons-wont-vote-jonathan-soyinka/#sthash.2ovt1XNx.5CNPl1AX.dpuf

NOBEL Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka has, distanced himself from internet interview, which claimed he has endorsed President Goodluck Jonathan for re-election, saying he has 60 reasons why he will not vote for the continuation of this regime.
Soyinka who spoke yesterday during the presentation of 60 finalists of the Vision of the Child Competition entitled: Road to Sambisa at the Freedom Park, Lagos, also urged Nigerians to search their conscience and be objective before casting their votes for any of the candidates.
Addressing the students from various schools across the country, Professor Soyinka said: ‘’It is impossible to talk of today’s election without thinking of what happened to your colleagues, your siblings, your peers in the village called Chibok. It is not possible to think of the future of this nation in the sense of responsibility without that albatross called Chibok. Coming to the fore of our contemplation, I think that why I was being killed on the internet is probably because of this very event because those who began to advertise my death on the internet probably know already what I stand for over the election which is also why all kinds of statements have been made.’’
Soyinka used the occasion to clear the air on statements credited to him about the elections. He said ‘’I have never spoken a word about this election so anything which you read on the internet as interviews or recent statements is not mine. Don’t believe it. The reason is this, they advertised on the internet that I am dead, so why should you believe it?’’
He continued: ‘’I have at least 60 reasons for not voting for the continuation of this present government and those reasons are here.
Why I will not vote for this government or encourage anybody to vote for the continuation of this present government is simply because your colleagues, numbering over 200 were kidnapped; we sent them on a mission – education, enlightenment, examination, to rub minds with their peers and they disappeared and the government of the nation failed to show leadership. So, anybody who says that I will vote or cast my vote or encourage anyone to vote for this regime must be living in Sambisa forest.
‘’There has been failure of leadership. Our children who you represent today have been betrayed. They were betrayed because no action or appropriate action was taken to retrieve your colleagues who were stolen from under our noses, 10 days before this government even accepted that they were missing.”
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/02/60-reasons-wont-vote-jonathan-soyinka/#sthash.2ovt1XNx.5CNPl1AX.dpuf

NOBEL Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka has, distanced himself from internet interview, which claimed he has endorsed President Goodluck Jonathan for re-election, saying he has 60 reasons why he will not vote for the continuation of this regime.
Soyinka who spoke yesterday during the presentation of 60 finalists of the Vision of the Child Competition entitled: Road to Sambisa at the Freedom Park, Lagos, also urged Nigerians to search their conscience and be objective before casting their votes for any of the candidates.
Addressing the students from various schools across the country, Professor Soyinka said: ‘’It is impossible to talk of today’s election without thinking of what happened to your colleagues, your siblings, your peers in the village called Chibok. It is not possible to think of the future of this nation in the sense of responsibility without that albatross called Chibok. Coming to the fore of our contemplation, I think that why I was being killed on the internet is probably because of this very event because those who began to advertise my death on the internet probably know already what I stand for over the election which is also why all kinds of statements have been made.’’
Soyinka used the occasion to clear the air on statements credited to him about the elections. He said ‘’I have never spoken a word about this election so anything which you read on the internet as interviews or recent statements is not mine. Don’t believe it. The reason is this, they advertised on the internet that I am dead, so why should you believe it?’’
He continued: ‘’I have at least 60 reasons for not voting for the continuation of this present government and those reasons are here.
Why I will not vote for this government or encourage anybody to vote for the continuation of this present government is simply because your colleagues, numbering over 200 were kidnapped; we sent them on a mission – education, enlightenment, examination, to rub minds with their peers and they disappeared and the government of the nation failed to show leadership. So, anybody who says that I will vote or cast my vote or encourage anyone to vote for this regime must be living in Sambisa forest.
‘’There has been failure of leadership. Our children who you represent today have been betrayed. They were betrayed because no action or appropriate action was taken to retrieve your colleagues who were stolen from under our noses, 10 days before this government even accepted that they were missing.”
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/02/60-reasons-wont-vote-jonathan-soyinka/#sthash.2ovt1XNx.5CNPl1AX.dpuf

NOBEL Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka has, distanced himself from internet interview, which claimed he has endorsed President Goodluck Jonathan for re-election, saying he has 60 reasons why he will not vote for the continuation of this regime.
Soyinka who spoke yesterday during the presentation of 60 finalists of the Vision of the Child Competition entitled: Road to Sambisa at the Freedom Park, Lagos, also urged Nigerians to search their conscience and be objective before casting their votes for any of the candidates.
Addressing the students from various schools across the country, Professor Soyinka said: ‘’It is impossible to talk of today’s election without thinking of what happened to your colleagues, your siblings, your peers in the village called Chibok. It is not possible to think of the future of this nation in the sense of responsibility without that albatross called Chibok. Coming to the fore of our contemplation, I think that why I was being killed on the internet is probably because of this very event because those who began to advertise my death on the internet probably know already what I stand for over the election which is also why all kinds of statements have been made.’’
Soyinka used the occasion to clear the air on statements credited to him about the elections. He said ‘’I have never spoken a word about this election so anything which you read on the internet as interviews or recent statements is not mine. Don’t believe it. The reason is this, they advertised on the internet that I am dead, so why should you believe it?’’
He continued: ‘’I have at least 60 reasons for not voting for the continuation of this present government and those reasons are here.
Why I will not vote for this government or encourage anybody to vote for the continuation of this present government is simply because your colleagues, numbering over 200 were kidnapped; we sent them on a mission – education, enlightenment, examination, to rub minds with their peers and they disappeared and the government of the nation failed to show leadership. So, anybody who says that I will vote or cast my vote or encourage anyone to vote for this regime must be living in Sambisa forest.
‘’There has been failure of leadership. Our children who you represent today have been betrayed. They were betrayed because no action or appropriate action was taken to retrieve your colleagues who were stolen from under our noses, 10 days before this government even accepted that they were missing.”
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/02/60-reasons-wont-vote-jonathan-soyinka/#sthash.2ovt1XNx.5CNPl1AX.dpuf

NOBEL Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka has, distanced himself from internet interview, which claimed he has endorsed President Goodluck Jonathan for re-election, saying he has 60 reasons why he will not vote for the continuation of this regime.
Soyinka who spoke yesterday during the presentation of 60 finalists of the Vision of the Child Competition entitled: Road to Sambisa at the Freedom Park, Lagos, also urged Nigerians to search their conscience and be objective before casting their votes for any of the candidates.
Addressing the students from various schools across the country, Professor Soyinka said: ‘’It is impossible to talk of today’s election without thinking of what happened to your colleagues, your siblings, your peers in the village called Chibok. It is not possible to think of the future of this nation in the sense of responsibility without that albatross called Chibok. Coming to the fore of our contemplation, I think that why I was being killed on the internet is probably because of this very event because those who began to advertise my death on the internet probably know already what I stand for over the election which is also why all kinds of statements have been made.’’
Soyinka used the occasion to clear the air on statements credited to him about the elections. He said ‘’I have never spoken a word about this election so anything which you read on the internet as interviews or recent statements is not mine. Don’t believe it. The reason is this, they advertised on the internet that I am dead, so why should you believe it?’’
He continued: ‘’I have at least 60 reasons for not voting for the continuation of this present government and those reasons are here.
Why I will not vote for this government or encourage anybody to vote for the continuation of this present government is simply because your colleagues, numbering over 200 were kidnapped; we sent them on a mission – education, enlightenment, examination, to rub minds with their peers and they disappeared and the government of the nation failed to show leadership. So, anybody who says that I will vote or cast my vote or encourage anyone to vote for this regime must be living in Sambisa forest.
‘’There has been failure of leadership. Our children who you represent today have been betrayed. They were betrayed because no action or appropriate action was taken to retrieve your colleagues who were stolen from under our noses, 10 days before this government even accepted that they were missing.”
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/02/60-reasons-wont-vote-jonathan-soyinka/#sthash.2ovt1XNx.5CNPl1AX.dpuf

NOBEL Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka has, distanced himself from internet interview, which claimed he has endorsed President Goodluck Jonathan for re-election, saying he has 60 reasons why he will not vote for the continuation of this regime.
Soyinka who spoke yesterday during the presentation of 60 finalists of the Vision of the Child Competition entitled: Road to Sambisa at the Freedom Park, Lagos, also urged Nigerians to search their conscience and be objective before casting their votes for any of the candidates.
Addressing the students from various schools across the country, Professor Soyinka said: ‘’It is impossible to talk of today’s election without thinking of what happened to your colleagues, your siblings, your peers in the village called Chibok. It is not possible to think of the future of this nation in the sense of responsibility without that albatross called Chibok. Coming to the fore of our contemplation, I think that why I was being killed on the internet is probably because of this very event because those who began to advertise my death on the internet probably know already what I stand for over the election which is also why all kinds of statements have been made.’’
Soyinka used the occasion to clear the air on statements credited to him about the elections. He said ‘’I have never spoken a word about this election so anything which you read on the internet as interviews or recent statements is not mine. Don’t believe it. The reason is this, they advertised on the internet that I am dead, so why should you believe it?’’
He continued: ‘’I have at least 60 reasons for not voting for the continuation of this present government and those reasons are here.
Why I will not vote for this government or encourage anybody to vote for the continuation of this present government is simply because your colleagues, numbering over 200 were kidnapped; we sent them on a mission – education, enlightenment, examination, to rub minds with their peers and they disappeared and the government of the nation failed to show leadership. So, anybody who says that I will vote or cast my vote or encourage anyone to vote for this regime must be living in Sambisa forest.
‘’There has been failure of leadership. Our children who you represent today have been betrayed. They were betrayed because no action or appropriate action was taken to retrieve your colleagues who were stolen from under our noses, 10 days before this government even accepted that they were missing.”
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/02/60-reasons-wont-vote-jonathan-soyinka/#sthash.2ovt1XNx.5CNPl1AX.dpuf

NOBEL Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka has, distanced himself from internet interview, which claimed he has endorsed President Goodluck Jonathan for re-election, saying he has 60 reasons why he will not vote for the continuation of this regime.
Soyinka who spoke yesterday during the presentation of 60 finalists of the Vision of the Child Competition entitled: Road to Sambisa at the Freedom Park, Lagos, also urged Nigerians to search their conscience and be objective before casting their votes for any of the candidates.
Addressing the students from various schools across the country, Professor Soyinka said: ‘’It is impossible to talk of today’s election without thinking of what happened to your colleagues, your siblings, your peers in the village called Chibok. It is not possible to think of the future of this nation in the sense of responsibility without that albatross called Chibok. Coming to the fore of our contemplation, I think that why I was being killed on the internet is probably because of this very event because those who began to advertise my death on the internet probably know already what I stand for over the election which is also why all kinds of statements have been made.’’
Soyinka used the occasion to clear the air on statements credited to him about the elections. He said ‘’I have never spoken a word about this election so anything which you read on the internet as interviews or recent statements is not mine. Don’t believe it. The reason is this, they advertised on the internet that I am dead, so why should you believe it?’’
He continued: ‘’I have at least 60 reasons for not voting for the continuation of this present government and those reasons are here.
Why I will not vote for this government or encourage anybody to vote for the continuation of this present government is simply because your colleagues, numbering over 200 were kidnapped; we sent them on a mission – education, enlightenment, examination, to rub minds with their peers and they disappeared and the government of the nation failed to show leadership. So, anybody who says that I will vote or cast my vote or encourage anyone to vote for this regime must be living in Sambisa forest.
‘’There has been failure of leadership. Our children who you represent today have been betrayed. They were betrayed because no action or appropriate action was taken to retrieve your colleagues who were stolen from under our noses, 10 days before this government even accepted that they were missing.”
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/02/60-reasons-wont-vote-jonathan-soyinka/#sthash.2ovt1XNx.5CNPl1AX.dpuf

NOBEL Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka has, distanced himself from internet interview, which claimed he has endorsed President Goodluck Jonathan for re-election, saying he has 60 reasons why he will not vote for the continuation of this regime.
Soyinka who spoke yesterday during the presentation of 60 finalists of the Vision of the Child Competition entitled: Road to Sambisa at the Freedom Park, Lagos, also urged Nigerians to search their conscience and be objective before casting their votes for any of the candidates.
Addressing the students from various schools across the country, Professor Soyinka said: ‘’It is impossible to talk of today’s election without thinking of what happened to your colleagues, your siblings, your peers in the village called Chibok. It is not possible to think of the future of this nation in the sense of responsibility without that albatross called Chibok. Coming to the fore of our contemplation, I think that why I was being killed on the internet is probably because of this very event because those who began to advertise my death on the internet probably know already what I stand for over the election which is also why all kinds of statements have been made.’’
Soyinka used the occasion to clear the air on statements credited to him about the elections. He said ‘’I have never spoken a word about this election so anything which you read on the internet as interviews or recent statements is not mine. Don’t believe it. The reason is this, they advertised on the internet that I am dead, so why should you believe it?’’
He continued: ‘’I have at least 60 reasons for not voting for the continuation of this present government and those reasons are here.
Why I will not vote for this government or encourage anybody to vote for the continuation of this present government is simply because your colleagues, numbering over 200 were kidnapped; we sent them on a mission – education, enlightenment, examination, to rub minds with their peers and they disappeared and the government of the nation failed to show leadership. So, anybody who says that I will vote or cast my vote or encourage anyone to vote for this regime must be living in Sambisa forest.
‘’There has been failure of leadership. Our children who you represent today have been betrayed. They were betrayed because no action or appropriate action was taken to retrieve your colleagues who were stolen from under our noses, 10 days before this government even accepted that they were missing.”
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/02/60-reasons-wont-vote-jonathan-soyinka/#sthash.2ovt1XNx.5CNPl1AX.dpuf

60 reasons I won’t vote for Jonathan – Soyinka

NOBEL Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka

NOBEL Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka has, distanced himself from internet interview, which claimed he has endorsed President Goodluck Jonathan for re-election, saying he has 60 reasons why he will not vote for the continuation of this regime.

Soyinka who spoke yesterday during the presentation of 60 finalists of the Vision of the Child Competition entitled: Road to Sambisa at the Freedom Park, Lagos, also urged Nigerians to search their conscience and be objective before casting their votes for any of the candidates.

Addressing the students from various schools across the country, Professor Soyinka said: ‘’It is impossible to talk of today’s election without thinking of what happened to your colleagues, your siblings, your peers in the village called Chibok. It is not possible to think of the future of this nation in the sense of responsibility without that albatross called Chibok. Coming to the fore of our contemplation, I think that why I was being killed on the internet is probably because of this very event because those who began to advertise my death on the internet probably know already what I stand for over the election which is also why all kinds of statements have been made.’’

Soyinka used the occasion to clear the air on statements credited to him about the elections. He said ‘’I have never spoken a word about this election so anything which you read on the internet as interviews or recent statements is not mine. Don’t believe it. The reason is this, they advertised on the internet that I am dead, so why should you believe it?’’

He continued: ‘’I have at least 60 reasons for not voting for the continuation of this present government and those reasons are here.