Oke’s allegation of rigging in Ondo baseless – INEC

BY SUNDAY ABORISADE

Chief Olusola Oke, PDP Candidate

Independent National Electoral Commission has dismissed the allegations by the Peoples Democratic Party’s candidate for the October 20 Ondo State governorship election, Chief Olusola Oke, that it connived with security officials  to rig the poll as “baseless”.
INEC insisted that the election was credible, defending the victory of  the Labour Party’s candidate, Governor Olusegun Mimiko.
Oke on Monday,  in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Kunle Adebayo, alleged that INEC, the police, State Security Service, Army and other security agencies  rigged the poll in favour of the LP.
But the electoral body on Wednesday,  in a statement by its Director of Legal Services, Mr. Oluwole Uzzi, said rather than attacking  INEC in the  media, Oke  should seek redress in a court of law.
The  commission wondered why Oke failed to express his opinion “in a responsible, civil, and decorous manner, bereft of provocative and uncouth language, outright falsehood and wild, fanciful but unfounded assertions”.
It  alleged that the PDP chief  in his “vain and fruitless attempt to denigrate, discredit and belittle the nation’s progress and achievements in its path to free, fair and credible elections and a robust, enduring democracy, level wild, baseless allegations against INEC without particulars”.
The statement read in part, “No amount of blackmail or lies can discredit this because even prominent and respected Nigerians, and  the PDP have been gracious enough to congratulate the winner and commended INEC and the electorate.
“Oke is a lawyer and he is   aware of the electoral dispute resolution mechanism enshrined in our constitution and laws.
“Any aggrieved person is, in accordance with the rule of law, encouraged to avail himself of this process, where the facts and evidence adduced are subject to forensic examination, and justice is dispensed according to law and proven fact  and not based on  sentiments or other whimsical notion.
“Having resolved to seek refuge in court as stated, why then did the author (of the statement) resort to taking umbrage at the exercise in   the media in an attempt to discredit, subvert and undermine a credible process?
“The commission wishes to reiterate that it stands by the sanctity of the voter register as well as by the declaration and return made, which was in accordance and in substantial compliance with extant laws and rules.
“It did not at anytime conspire or act in concert with anyone or institution contrary to law. It acted fairly, competently and professionally in its conduct of the October 20 election.”
Meanwhile, the Labour Party has said Mimiko won the election with 73 per cent of total votes cast.
The party, in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Mr. Femi Okunjemiruwa, berated “those trying to undermine Mimiko’s victory”.
It described them as “bad losers who are out to employ lies and propaganda which failed them before and during the election to rubbish a victory already hailed as superlative.”
LibertyReport

Secondary School Students Devise Means Of Powering Generator With Urine

The Girls With Their Invention At The Maker Faire Africa Event In Lagos Which Ended On Tuesday, 6th November.

The quest by Nigeria to develop a new generation of scientists and inventors might just become reality if the exploits of four secondary school students, Duro-Aina Adebola (14), Akindele Abiola (14), Faleke Oluwatoyin (14) and Bello Eniola (15) are anything to go by.
The girls, at the Maker Faire Africa exhibition in Lagos, displayed a urine powered generator which ensures that 1-litre of urine, generates 6 hours of electricity supply and this is how their invention works; all science ‘jargons’ but the outcome is just incontrovertible:
1. Urine is put into an electrolytic cell, which separates out the hydrogen.
2. The hydrogen goes into a water filter for purification, which then gets pushed into the gas cylinder.
3. The gas cylinder pushes hydrogen into a cylinder of liquid borax, which is used to remove the moisture from the hydrogen gas.
4. This purified hydrogen gas is pushed into the generator.
The 4th Maker Faire Africa event held in Lagos, Nigeria, between November 5-6th, 2012 and is an initiative which seeks to present and spotlight the vibrant and endlessly creative individuals that have come to represent the spirit of ‘making’ throughout the continent.
InformationNigeria.org

Keshi invites Shola Ameobi, Obafemi Martins to face Venezuela

Stephen Keshi has called up Newcastle striker, Shola Ameobi, to be part of the team that will face Venezuela next week, in an international friendly. The Super Eagles coach, confirmed that Ameobi, had shown interest in pulling on the Nigerian jersey, ever since he and Victor Moses, were cleared by FIFA.
“Ameobi is excited about playing for the Eagles and he has told me that he might be with us in America,” Keshi told Goal.com.
There is also a recall for weapon of mass destruction, Obafemi Martins, who has rediscovered form at Levante.
Keshi will release a list of local-based players that will make the trip to Miami, this weekend.
Full list of foreign-based players invited:
Goalkeeper:
Austin Ejide – Hapoel Be’er Sheva
Defenders:
Elderson Echiejile – FC Braga
Apam Onyekachi – Nice
Midfielders:
John Mikel Obi – Chelsea
Nosa Igiebor – Real Betis
Ogenyi Onazi – Lazio
Raheem Lawal – Adana Demirspor
Forwards:
Brown Ideye – Dynamo Kiev
Victor Moses – Chelsea
Shola Ameobi – Newcastle United
Obafemi Martins – Levante
DailyPost

Bill-distributing PHCN Staff With a History of S*xually Harassing Customers Arrested

His responsibilities are to distribute electricity bills to the customers of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, his employers, but Mr. O. S Babatunde, has added another item to his job description. Babatunde, an official of the PHCN has been accused of attempting to rape ladies in Agunbelewo, Osogbo in Osun State while distributing electricity bills; and he has confessed to his crime
Apparently, Babatunde had been, in this business for quite some time, but the bubble burst on Friday after he attempted to rape a lady when he visited her house on Aderinola Street to distribute bills. The lady raised the alarm and called on a lecturer, who lives in the neighbourhood.
However, a resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said, “The lady was in a terrible shock. She was shaking and speechless. When she eventually spoke, she narrated her ordeal in the hands of the PHCN official.” Investigation showed that the official was transferred from Ede Division of PHCN to Agunbelewo recently on account of his alleged misconduct.
The resident continued: “He (Babatunde) has a record of trying to sexually assault ladies while on duty. Three other ladies came up after he was arrested to testify against him; they said he had attempted to rape them too… It was after he was arrested and detained by the police that he confessed to the crime.” Meanwhile, spokesperson of PHCN in the state, Mr. Tade Sanya, said the official had been dismissed on account of his action.
InformationNigeria.org

Girl drugged, raped by man she met on Facebook

She claims she met the man on Facebook and both arranged for a friendly date after one month of lovey dovey inbox messages.

The man picked her up in a Range rover car and drove to upmarket westlands for a drink. She decided to have red bull since that was their first time of meeting and didn’t want to leave a bad impression.

During their date, she excused herself and went to the loo, that was when the man drugged the red bull she was drinking.

The girl only remembers being drowsy and someone dragging her to the car. She was half awake but still weak when the man together with other assailants raped her repeatedly. She lost count of the number of times she was raped.

She only came back to her senses when good samaritans found her in Umoja 2, Kenya in a very bad state.

The girl said her vagina was sore and couldn’t walk properly.

She warns females to be very careful about the male friends they meet on Facebook as not all of them have good intentions.

DailyPost

ACN members already shared positions before election – Adegboro, ACN chieftain reveals

By Leke Akeredolu

Prince Olu Adegboro is a Chieftain of the Action Congress of Nigeria [ACN] in Ondo State and a former Commissioner for Information under the Adefarati administration. He spoke with LEKE AKEREDOLU on his assessment of the October 20 governorship election.

How would you assess the just concluded governorship election in Ondo State, especially with regards to the performance of your party?
On the part of our party, the Action Congress of Nigeria [ACN], the election was very disappointing despite the huge human and material supports given us by our national leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the National Chairman of the party, Chief Bisi Akande, the ACN governors and even the commitment of our candidate, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu [SAN]. However, I have realised that the structures that we have are very weak. The same structures we used for the legislative election in 2011are still the same we used in the just-concluded gubernatorial election in the state and that is the first problem that we had. Our national leadership did not have the courage to dissolve the existing structures having found them wanting during the last legislative election.
The second problem we had was facing an incumbent whose politics is politics of deceit. He had successfully deceived our people and we needed to be well prepared to face him. Another thing is that we chose our candidate a little bit late, and most of the materials for the election came very late. Even money to be used for the election did not reach those who would have used it until it was too late.
What are other reasons you think your party under-performed?
Also, there are some of us with experiences that could be used in so many things but were marginalised; we were underutilised, unused, and were not given a role to play in the preparation for the election. If not because of the candidate, Akeredolu, who invited me to be in his office as Chairman of Strategy Committee, and even as Chairman of the committee those people who managed the Campaign Committee did not allow our candidate to have time for him to be advised; they didn’t allow him have time to plan. Also some of our leaders believed that we had won the election; instead of working, they started sharing the dividends of an election that we had not won. They started planning for the positions they would occupy; they allowed all these things to distract them.

Bola Tinubu, the god of ACN

Again, when we had Director General for the Campaign, the people he brought were even worse than those that occupied the structures. Almost all the resources sent were consumed by the structures. We did not use the resources to mobilise people to join us and this is the major problem. There were so many people who wanted to join the party at that time, but you know the attitude of Nigerians, they wanted to be encouraged through little things, but we were not able to get those little things to get them into the party. So, out of frustration, they stayed in their parties despite the fact they were not satisfy. We did not spend time planning and strategising. We did not sufficiently access the incumbent, we underestimated him. And he surprised us in so many ways. And we relied absolutely on some few media stations; we did not go out on ourselves to promote publicity for our party; we were more concerned about the resources coming in from outside and the position we were going to occupy if the party won, this is really very unfortunate. But I still believe that the future of this state belongs to ACN. The ACN is going to control Ondo State. I am sure that in a matter of time, the eyes of our people will have been opened to see the inadequacies of Labour Party [LP] and its leaders.
So, you still believe ACN has not lost steam as some may claim…
ACN is the most formidable opposition that can propel forces that can change the government tomorrow. ACN is the most powerful catalyst that can bring about change of government at the centre. I am sure that before two years time, the people of Ondo State will discover that government at the centre which is a government that is completely useless in terms of law and order, security and development can only be changed if they support a progressive party like ACN and I am sure the people the of Ondo State we have a rethink and realise that what Tinubu stands for is not to become the overlord of the South-West, but to change the fortune of this country by enthroning a progressive government at the centre. Our people will soon realise that Mimiko and his LP are agents of the federal government in Ondo State. You will discover that in the long run, LP is not working in our best interest, but working to sustain the most backward government that we have ever had at the centre. The present Peoples Democratic Party [PDP] government is the most backward, the most retrogressive and the most problematic government we ever had. Look at the way terrorism has blown up; look at the way crime has gone beyond imagination. It is as if there is no security in the country; look at the way our oil resources are being wasted. Not long ago, we protested that the government was increasing the petroleum pump price from N65 to a very high price, the government came back to N97. Today, through hoodwinking, the price has gone again to N150, N120, N110 and nobody is talking and people are suffering. Look at poverty rate in the country, you can hardly survive without belonging to one government or the other and that is the problem the people Ondo State had.
Despite the claim that ACN is the only progressive political party in Nigeria, some Yoruba leaders like Chief Reuben Fasoranti, Chief Olu Falae and others all backed Mimiko for second term, what is your reaction to this?
Chief Fasoranti is more or less my political father, he knows where I disagree with him. Chief Olu Falae is my brother, he knows where I disagree with him. I disagreed with them because their support for Mimiko was not based on principle, but on revenge. They are fighting Tinubu and Akande who succeeded in taking over the political control of the South West from them. They failed to think about the other struggle of the Yoruba leaders at the national level. Again, if they want to fight Tinubu and Akande, they should have made efforts to resuscitate their old party, the Alliance for Democracy [AD].
Their main problem is the success of Tinubu and some ACN leaders in taking over the control of the majority states in the South West. There grudge is that of revenge. During former Ogun State governor, Gbenga Daniel’s regime, who was in PDP, some of these elders too supported him. They were working with him in the hope that he would leave PDP to join them in another political platform which they could use to fight Tinubu and Akande, but Daniel disappointed them and now, all of them are with Mimiko. I can predict to you that their support for Mimiko will eventually embarrass them because this support is not based on principle. Mimiko will disappoint them with the way he would use LP in the state to work for Jonathan in 2015.
Can you substantiate that assumption?
You could see that immediately after the election, Mimiko ran to Abuja to celebrate with Jonathan’s wife, Mrs. Patience at her 55th birthday anniversary. Eventually, they will realise their mistake. They should have looked for ways to reconcile with Tinubu and Akande to move Yoruba forward politically. They are injured because of the way ACN has grown under the leadership of Tinubu and Akande.
They are not thinking of the long time trend of the South West, they are not thinking of our past not answering important questions like, does Mimiko political position agree with our past? Does the political position of flexing with PDP government at the national level tally with what Action Group [AG], UPN and AD stood for? I really feel bad for Baba Fasoranti because he is my political godfather and I will not want him to be embarrassed.
What do you think is the future of your party?
What I am sure of is that ACN is a movement and we will make our people in Ondo State to eventually see the usefulness of ACN in South West. The mistake of some of our leaders at the national level is that they allow so many people to come to them over there and deceive them, but I am sure that the experience of this gubernatorial election must have taught them that they should be very careful in selecting leaders for the party in Ondo State. If I have my way, very soon, I would call for the dissolution of all the existing structures of the party in Ondo State and create a a caretaker committee to rebuild the party for credible leadership. After this, I will call the caretaker committee to set up a board of enquiry to investigate the conduct of our preparation and campaign both for the legislative electionin 2011 and the governorship poll in 2012 so that we will not make the same mistakes again. Our leaders should now be very careful in getting a new leadership for the party, but I can predict that with good leadership, ACN will start winning Ondo State from 2015. The purpose of politics is to pursue political power, but most of our people do not realise this.
 LibertyReport

Nigerians’ll Beg Jonathan To Run In 2015 – Okukpe

The wind has blown, the fowl’s anus has been exposed! Barely two years into his four year tenure and despite his admonition to politicians to shelve their presidential ambitions as 2015 is still ‘far away’, indications emerged that President Goodluck Jonathan will seek re-election in 2015 after all. This indication emerged last night with a declaration by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs, Doyin Okukpe, that the President’s transparent leadership and concrete performance would make Nigerians to ask him to run for a second term.

Okupe said although Jonathan had not declared his interest in the poll, he was confident that the successful implementation of the various development projects and programmes already put in place by the administration would endear him to the people.
Okupe said: “As an insider I know what he has been doing since he took over as President of Nigeria. I am very certain in my mind that Nigerians are going to applaud him and even if he does not want to run for election in 2015, Nigerians are going to force him to run again because of the level of his performance.”
Okukpe made it clear that the president had set a 2014 deadline for himself to deliver uninterrupted power supply, tackle unemployment, insecurity and provide infrastructure to enable the economy to blossom.
Okupe who extolled the President’s seeming quiet disposition to work, said that “President Jonathan is not a theatrical or show man. He is not a man given to too much speech but action. I am very sure Nigerians will soon come to know more about his level of sincerity and commitment to the transformation of this country.”
Okupe also faulted the attitude of Nigerians towards the Jonathan administration saying the president couldn’t be blamed for the failures of the past.
“Nigerians have become use very cynical and skeptical about government because of past failures. But they should not judge Jonathan by the failures of the past. Mr. President is an innocent politician who is untainted by the politics of the past and not deeply entrenched in the principalities that have ruled us,” he said.
Okukpe also revealed that the government was dialoguing with the Boko Haram sect and was studying the conditions put down by the sect. According to him, government would make its position known on the matter at the appropriate time.
InformationNigeria.org