Delta state governor-elect, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan has received his Certificates of Return (CoR) from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The Independent National Electoral Commission presented the certificate of return to the Delta state governor Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan and to all state Assembly and National Assembly members elected during the April elections who were declared winners at the concluded April/May general elections in Delta state.
Uduaghan, his Deputy, Prof. Amos Utuama, two Senatorial District candidates, nine members of the House of Representatives and 27 state House of Assembly legislators-elect received the certificate.
Presenting the certificate of return to the governor in Asaba the Chairman of INEC Prof. Atahiru Jega said certificate of return was an important instrument in the electoral process.
Prof Jega who was represented by the Federal INEC Commissioner in charge of Delta, Edo and Beyalsa states Dr Ishimel Igbani said the certificate of return was the only key to any elected office.
He expressed satisfaction that his commission has delivered on its promise of organizing a free fair and credible election.
Dr. Ishmael Igbani revealed that two candidates would not be issued the Certificate of Return following pending court cases and until the cases were vacated.
The INEC Chairman said the April elections have been widely acclaimed as one of the best in recent times and wished those who won success in their legislative duties
In his acceptance speech Delta state governor Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan appealed to those who were not given certificate of return not to take the laws into their hands but should seek justice through the law courts.
Dr Uduaghan called on the opposition to join hands with him to move the state forward and not to resort to unhealthy actions.
He urged the political class to accept the hand of fate and leave their fortune in the hands of God.
His words “I appeal to all those who did not receive their certificate of return not take the laws into their hands but seek redress in the law court”.
The governor commended security operatives for their alertness especially during and after the elections.
Dr Uduaghan who called on Deltans to join him in fast-tracking the spate of development in the state and pledged to bridge any existing communication gap in the next four years said security operatives were firm, protective and vigilant even as he explained that they aborted many ugly incidents which were fomented by thugs.
He also commended members of NYSC in the state for their dedication to duty and promised that the state government will take responsibility for the training and upkeep of the children of one of the deceased Corp member who lost his life during the elections.
In his address, the state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr. Gabriel Ogbudu Ada who dissociated INEC from any form of compromise described the outcome of the concluded elections in Delta state as the will of the people.
A house of Assembly elect Mr. Nduka Azaka who was elected on the platform of Democratic People party (DPP) expressed the readiness of the opposition to cooperate with the house to make good laws.
Mr. Azaka also promised on behalf of all members of the house of Assembly elect to partner with the executive arm of government to improve the fortune of Deltans and provide the much needed democracy.
In his address of welcome the state Resident Electoral Commissioner Dr Gabriel Ada said there were checks and balances in the new electoral laws that make it impossible for any resident electoral commissioner to help any candidate win or lose election.
Dr Ada expressed happiness that the new Delta state house of Assembly will have a fair representation of political parties which contested the April election.
He said it was a cheering departure from the past where only one party dominated the house and thanked God that it was during this new dispensation that this feat was achieved in Delta state.

*Second opinions are great, but be sure to make it an anonymous trip. Its fine to tell the second mechanic that you’re there for a second opinion, but don’t share the diagnosis or the cost estimate.

*Never authorize work to be done on your car or truck without a written estimate that states you’ll be contacted before any work not on the original estimate is performed. The estimate should be specific and include both parts and labour charges.

*Beware the up sell. Automotive up sells are tough. On one hand we don’t want to pay for work that our car doesn’t need. On the other hand, preventive maintenance is the best insurance against future repairs. Your best defense is time. Don’t be pressured into an up sell on the spot. If you’re not sure, tell your mechanic you may want to do that, but to give you a couple of hours to decide. Do some researches, ask around, and decide when things are quiet and the pressures off.

*When buying tires, ask for details on differences in tire quality and guarantees. Ask the salesperson to explain any warranties to you. For instance, you might see a sign next to a tire display that says “60,000 Mile Warranty,” and you think that they will guarantee you get 60,000 miles out of the tire. Wrong. The warranty covers the tire against manufacturer defect only.

*Find a mechanic who is ASE certified. ASE stands for Automotive Service Excellence, and they take their certification seriously. If your mechanic opted to skip the ASE, this might reflect on their dedication to keeping you happy as a customer. There are lots of good mechanics out there who aren’t certified by ASE, or even AAA, but why take the chance?

*If your check engine light has been haunting you, don’t allow your mechanic to “reset it and let’s see what happens.” Your car’s OBD (On Board Diagnostics) system will give specific codes relating to your check engine light problem. If your mechanic doesn’t have the ability or knowledge to read these codes, or doesn’t feel like it, you’re wasting time and money at that shop.

*Take a good look at the shop’s work areas. A good mechanic will refuse to work in a pig sty. They will keep a clean organized work area, and clean their tools and equipment on a regular basis, usually daily. The floor will be swept (oil stains are a fact of life) and free of old parts, peanut shells and soda cans. Don’t worry about what the mechanic looks like; car repair is not a beauty contest.

*Follow personal recommendations, not coupons or flashy advertising. This applies to mechanics, dentists and real estate agents.

*If your mechanic shows you “tell-tale signs” of upcoming problems like metal shavings in your transmission fluid, don’t assume the worst. This isn’t always the sign of a problem, so be sure to ask more questions. If something’s really wrong, you’ll know it.

*Check to see if labour charges can be combined to get two repairs done at the same time. There are lots of jobs that, when done at the same time, can save a lot of money on labour. For instance if you are having your timing belt replaced, it’s often a good time to take a look at your water pump since all of the belts will be removed anyway.

IMO STATE GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION RESULT: Rochas Okorocha (APGA) = 336, 859. Ikedi Ohakim (PDP) = 290,496.

Owelle Rochas Anayo Okorocha, candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) has emerged winner of the governorship election in Imo state to unseat incumbent Ikedi Ohakim of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
National Chairman of APGA, Chief Victor Umeh, expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the governorship poll in Imo State and described it as “free, fair and credible”, saying that the party will deliver on its electoral pledges.

ROCHAS OKOROCHA’S PROFILE
Email: rochasgrp@yahoo.com
Name: Rochas Okorocha
Sex: Male
Date of Birth: 22-09-1962
State: Imo

EDUCATIONAL HISTORY
Primary: St. Joseph Primary School, Barkin Ladi, Jos (1970-1976)
Secondary: Juladaco High School, Jos (1976-1981)
Tertiary: University of Jos (1990-1991), University of Jos (1993-1994) University of Jos (1999-2004)

MANIFESTO
The greatness of a people is not dependent on the amount of natural resource available but directly dependent on the efficient and effective harnessing and management of the available human and material resources coupled with the vision and character of the leadership. This I pledge to accomplish as a covenant with the people of Imo. Together we can make it work.

ACHIEVEMENTS
President, Nigeria Red Cross Society * President/Founder, Rochas Foundation Inc * President, Rochas Group of Companies Limited * Pro Chancellor, African Business School * Former Federal Commissioner, Federal Character Commission * Former Member, National Constitutional Conference * Former Chairman, Board of Nigerian Airspace Management Agency * Former Special Adviser to the President on Inter-Party Relations * Former Presidential Aspirant, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)

ROCHAS FOUNDATION
The Rochas Foundation is a non governmental, non denominational, non discriminatory organisation set up by its founder Owelle Rochas Okorocha to help the poorest of the poor in today’s society.The Rochas Foundation was first conceived as a community initiative in 1994 under the name of the Reach Out and Touch Programme, providing financial and medical assistance to the community. It also offers comfort to members of society who are in need of extra care or at risk of social exclusion, for example widows, people affected by HIV/AIDS, the homeless and orphaned children.
In 2001 the founder, Owelle Rochas Okorocha turned his attentions to the plight of the uneducated children throughout Africa, who are unable to attend secondary school due to the lack of money or sponsorship.
The first Rochas Foundation College opened in 2001 in Owerri, providing free, comprehensive education to just over 200 pupils. Since then Owelle Rochas Okorocha has funded a further four schools from his own personal fortune in the states of Jos, Kano, Ogboko and Ibadan.
The Rochas Foundation is today best known for its work within the education sector and approximately 5,000 children are believed to have been educated or are currently being educated in The Rochas Foundation. This number grows every year in-line with the increased demand for education and the excellent reputation of the Rochas Foundation.
Owelle Rochas Okorocha not only funds the pupil’s educations but every requirement alongside including text books, transport, uniforms, medicines and accommodation.
Future plans for the Rochas Foundation include the building of a university in Ogboko, the construction of which is now underway and a Summer retreat also in Ogboko which would allow the Rochas Foundation students, many of whom are orphans, to spend school breaks with Owelle Rochas Okorocha who is affectionately and respectfully known as their ‘Daddy’.
Owelle Rochas Okorocha made his substantial fortune through real estate business endeavours in the 1990’s. He is now believed to be one of the richest men in Nigeria with a personal fortune estimated at $500 million.
Owelle Rochas Okorocha is politically active and incredibly popular. His empathy is always with the common man who he champions through his politics. Owelle Rochas Okorocha is also President of The Red Cross for Nigeria, a position he has held since 2008.

Delta State Governor Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has promised to reach out to Chieftains of opposition parties in the state and reconcile with them so that together they can move the state forward.

Dr. Uduaghan who announced this, Sunday, at the Word of Life Bible Church Warri during a thanksgiving service to mark his election victory, said he will make personal contact and reconcile with those who contested against him.

He also promised to reconcile with those within the PDP who worked against him.

He words “I am going to make personal effort to reach out to those in the opposition and those within the PDP who did not support me during the election. I will personally reach them so that together we build a virile state.

The Governor appealed to Deltans to forgive him if in the process of governance he erred and offended them.

Regretting that there was so much hatred in the state Dr. Uduaghan said “Please forgive me and not be angry with me. I call on you to forgive me and fear God and let all of us work together”.

He promised to work out a programme that would create employment for the youths explaining that in the near future, there would be no area boys in the state.

The Governor said that the unemployed youths were many in the state adding that since youths were future leaders, he will focus on them and empower them.

Dr. Uduaghan called on Deltans to eschew violence stressing that violence was counter productive and prayed that the state will not witness crisis and violence again.

In his sermon the Pastor of Word of Life Bible Church and President of Christian Association of Nigeria Papa Ayo Oritsejafor enjoined the Governor to give appointment to only those who are God fearing.

Pastor Oritsejafor also enjoined him to appoint those who will feel the pulse of the people and who will identify selflessly with their tears, needs, fears and aspirations.

He admonished Deltans to fear and obey God irrespective of the profession they belong to.

The thanksgiving service witnessed special prayers for peace and unity in the state as well as for the governor, the political class and other leaders of thought in the state.

The Word of Life Bible Church choir sang special numbers to entertain the governor and his entourage.

Dissatisfaction has continued to trail the outcome of the April 26 polls held in Delta state as the state chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and other aggrieved political parties are poised for serious legal fireworks at the Election Petition Tribunal.
The ACN House of Representatives candidate for Ika constituency, Dr. Mrs. Isioma Okobah and its House of Assembly candidate for Ika North East, Hon. Christian Okapambor, have challenged the conduct of the polls which they say was characterized by gross irregularities.
Okpambor who briefed journalists in Asaba yesterday said the efforts of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that election was free, fair and credible in Nigeria was truncated in Delta state.
According to him, the House of Assembly election held in the council area on Tuesday, April 26, was characterized with monumental fraud, political irregularities, intimidation, snatching of ballot papers and boxes and beating up of opposition agents.
He said, “in view of the issues raised, we hereby as a political party and candidates reject the results in its entirety.”
He decried the lukewarm attitude of INEC to all the distress calls and petitions forwarded to it while the fraud were being perpetrated, saying, “despite that all our complaints of fraud during the election were turned down by the electoral officers deployed to the area”, he urged the party supporters to remain calm “as we prepare to contest the election at the tribunal.”
While he said the results of the election that declared Prince Obi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the winner was fraudulent and do not reflect the wishes of Ika North East Local Government people, he said “the victory was bought for him to compensate him for delivering the Governor (Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan) in the rerun.”
The Ika North East House of Assembly constituency seat is currently being occupied by the incumbent Speaker of the state’s House of Assembly, Prince Sam Obi, who acted as the governor of the state during the 90 days court ordered rerun.

Controversies have continued to trail the purported INEC declaration of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) House of Assembly candidate in Isoko South constituency 11, Hon. Johnson Erijo as the winner of the election held, Tuesday, April, 26th, 2011 as the House of Assembly candidates of Labour Party (LP), Chief Iduh Amadhe, Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Apostle Ewomazino Enifoghale, Democratic Peoples Party (DPP), Hon. Mike Okah and that of SMDP, Mr. Idawene Oke have accused INEC of inducement to announce the results in their constituencies despite petitions and protests.

In a press conference in Asaba, Delta state capital, the candidates rejected the Aviara ward 3 results and called for the immediate cancellation of the election even as they alleged that the election was marred with rigging as well as hijacking of electoral materials. “We wish to register our protest on the several gross irregularities that occurred during the governorship and House of Assembly election in Aviara ward 03 Isoko South local government area. The Aviara ward 03 is made up of twenty-nine electoral units. The election materials arrived at Aviara around 8:00am on the Election Day without any hitch and as distribution of materials started, suspected Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) thugs snatched the materials and diverted them to unknown destination.”

While listing units where materials meant to be used were allegedly snatched by PDP thugs to include units 02, 04, 05, 07, 11, 13, 16, 22, 23, 24, 25 and others were, the candidates disclosed that anomaly was reported by them and other party agents to the INEC office at Oleh, headquarters of Isoko South local government area, the SSS and Divisional Police Officer (DPO) as early as 11:00 am adding that “At about 12:30am when team of Journalists and election monitors visited the place they did not see any ballot box or people voting even the electorates in Aviara confirmed our report. The pressmen have video clips of their investigation. All other party agents were chased away and some physically manhandled. Some who dared to question the activities of the PDP thugs were beaten and handcuffed by police recruited by the PDP to perfect their electoral fraud.”

According to the aggrieved candidates “At about 11:00 pm, all the stolen materials were brought to the INEC office at Oleh. Despite our protest, the INEC at Oleh accepted the results for the House of Assembly election, while the result for governorship election was cancelled. We therefore call on INEC to cancel the Aviara ward 03 election and conduct another fresh election in that ward.”

Meanwhile in a statement titled “Governorship/House of Assembly Elections in Aviara ward 03, Isoko South constituency 11” addressed to the INEC REC in the state and signed by Mr. Ewomazino Efoghale Nelson ACN candidate, Chief Iduh Amadhe, Labour Party candidate, Chief Mike Okah DPP candidate and Mr. Idawene Oke, SDMP candidate cancellation of the Aviara election.

Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan basking in the euphoria of his victory at the April 26 governorship polls has assured workers of the preparedness of his administration to implement the new minimum wage of N18, 000.

Uduaghan in his May Day address read on his behalf by his deputy, Prof Amos Utuama (SAN) told the workers at the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) joint rally in Asaba on Sunday once guidelines have been worked out for the new minimum wage, he would start implementing it.

“The issue of eighteen thousand minimum wage has already become a law and we have approved it in principle but we are awaiting the necessary guidelines for its implementation.

“We have largely kept our promises to our workers having implemented promotion packages, employed new workers where necessary and paid salaries and allowances as at when due.

“We have fully implemented all salary structures,, which include those of medical and health workers, the judiciary, colleges of education, polytechnics and universities and the main civil service. We will not let workers down believing that a worker is entitled to his wages.”

He noted, “despite the tight financial environment under which we are operating, we will continue to meet our obligations to the workers of Delta State as at when due. All we expect from you in return is greater dedication, patience and loyalty to the government.”

Uduaghan observed that his administration besides the major projects like the Asaba International Airport, the various road dualization, was on “a steady march to” its vision of creating a virile and strong Delta State that could survive without the vagaries in the international oil market.

But he said that the workers had huge roles to play in nurturing and sustaining the dreams and aspirations of the state government. “You are the engine room of administrative procedures and the bureaucracy. It behooves you to undertake reorientation to be able to render services in line with the new vision of the state.”

Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan has in a keenly contested, near free and fair election retained his governorship mandate in Delta state in the next four years.

This followed the declaration of the complete results of the April 26, 2011 governorship election from the 25 local government areas in Delta state.

The state collation/returning officer for the governorship election in the state, Prof. Abhulimen Anao on Thursday, 28, 2011 declared Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan winner having polled the highest votes cast in the exercise at the INEC headquarters, Asaba.

Total votes garnered from the 25 local government areas indicates that Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan of PDP secured 525, 793 in 13 local governments against that of the DPP governorship candidate, Chief Great Ovedje Ogboru’s who got 433, 834 votes cast in 12 local governments.

Delta Guber Election Results @ a Glance:
LGAs PDP DPP
Aniocha North 14, 824 4, 962
Aniocha South 13, 187 6, 275
Bomadi 39, 764 8, 586
Burutu 34, 720 11, 635
Ethiope East 5, 307 54, 611
Ethiope West 46, 939 6, 466
Ika North East 18, 923 7, 739
Ika South 10, 699 12, 000
Isoko North 16, 699 11, 450
Isoko South 17, 981 18, 389
Ndokwa East 13, 058 7, 132
Ndokwa West 10, 365 15, 428
Okpe 6, 825 17, 016
Oshimili North 7, 992 4, 352
Oshimili South 10, 668 12, 471
Patani 7, 135 6, 144
Sapele 15, 072 16, 571
Udu 6, 717 32, 824
Ughelli North 9, 231 48, 898
Ughelli South 13, 323 41, 996
Ukwuani 8, 692 17, 828
Uvwie 14, 383 34, 516
Warri North 58, 634 1, 920
Warri South 65, 508 25, 585
Warri South West 69, 150 10, 852

President Goodluck Jonathan, mother and wife, Dame Patience Jonathan have voted in Otuoke, Bayelsa State with the president saying that the elections so far have been peaceful and predicted that the 2015 elections will even be more peaceful. He called on Nigerians to continue to embrace peace and restated his resolve to conduct a free and fair election.
On her part, the First Lady, Dame Patience Goodluck Jonathan called on youths to avoid acts of violence. The President cast his ballot at 1.02Pm.
Also, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State has said that he was optimistic that he will emerge victorious in the governorship elections.
“I am very sure of victory no doubt about that.”
Speaking shortly after casting his vote by 12.35pm, at Abigborodo Ward 6 Unit 1, he said that victory has been assured for him already by God Almighty.
Uduaghan commended INEC for improved performance and promised Deltans of better and more dividends of democracy
He had earlier been accredited by 10.30am

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega has condemned the outbreak of violence in some parts of the Nigeria and continued attack on the innocent Corps members, INEC staff, offices and materials.

Prof. Jega, who briefed journalists in Abuja, postponed the governorship and Houses of Assembly elections in Kaduna and Bauchi States for the Commission’s constrain and security reasons.

The INEC boss thanked Nigerians for the successful completion of the National Assembly and Presidential elections.

“There have been several assessments of the conduct of the Presidential election, by both domestic and international observers most of which indicate that the election was not only a marked improvement on the National Assembly polls, but also met the highest global standards for free and fair elections.

“In spite of these positive assessments, some people have raised issues about the results declared by the Commission. More seriously, it has been suggested by some politicians that the outbreak of violence in some parts of the country is somehow associated with those results.

“In many instances, the violence has been unjustifiably targeted at INEC, particularly young National Youth Service Corps members who are diligently discharging their patriotic duty to the nation. It is clear to us that these young men and women are being targeted to scare them away from continuing the honourable and excellent work they have been doing during these elections. Apart from the Corps members, INEC staff, offices and materials have also been attacked.

“We as a Commission condemn the violence without reservation. It is unnecessary, unwarranted and totally unacceptable. In a democratic system, political grievances, however serious they may be, should be resolved through formal legal processes, rather than through recourse to destroying property and killing and maiming innocent people.

“Many grievances have been voiced and allegations made against INEC’s conduct and collation of results of the Presidential election. I want to put these accusations to rest. For instance, it has been alleged by the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) that the Excel sheets used in collating results from Katsina and Kano States were designed to reduce its votes by as much as 40%. This allegation is totally unfounded.

“The collation process at the State level is a manual process, requiring State Collation Officers to enter results from Local Government Collation Centres into Form EC.8D by hand. However, for administrative purposes, we designed an Excel sheet to enable us to simultaneously enter the results as they are announced by the Local Government Collation Officers.

“The rationale behind this is twofold. First, we wanted a means of cross-checking the entries and computations done manually on Form EC.8D for accuracy. Second, we wanted a means of authenticating the results on Form EC.8D when they are finally delivered at the National Collation Centre in Abuja. Consequently, after collation in the State, the Excel sheet, which replicates the Form EC.8D was meant to be printed, cross-checked and signed by the State Collation Officer and emailed securely and directly to the Chairman of INEC, who was the Returning Officer for the Presidential election.

“Thus, I must emphasize that the Excel sheet was only an aid to check accuracy and authenticity of the manually collated results. It was not a substitute for Form EC.8D which was filled manually and signed by the State Collation Officer and Party Agents present at the State Collation Centres, and which is the legally admissible results for return.

“The Excel sheet for each State was prepared here in Abuja. The formulae were written into the sheets and locked with a password. This was to ensure that only figures could be entered during State collation. The necessary calculations, for instance, totals and percentages were then automatically generated by the sheets.

“What happened in Kano and Katsina States was that in writing the Excel formulae errors were made in the number of Local Governments in those States. Consequently, the totals were generally less than what was manually entered in Form EC.8D because the Excel formula was not summing results for all the LGAs in the sheets. Expectedly, the fault was immediately detected by cross-checking the formulae in the sheets. Our staff in the States brought this to the attention of the Headquarters and the formulae were immediately corrected. The obvious evidence that this correction was made was that the figures in Form EC.8D, which was duly signed by Party Agents of CPC in both States, corresponded to our Excel sheets during the national collation in Abuja. I should say that before this error was corrected, it affected the scores of all the Parties in the excluded Local Government Areas, not the CPC’s alone.

“Prior to the allegation about the Excel Sheets, the CPC had also alleged that there was massive thumb-printing and ballot box stuffing in Enugu State. They demanded that INEC suspend the collation of the Presidential Results and “fly-in” the ballot boxes from Enugu for them to demonstrate that this was the case. It is clearly impracticable to do this, for it could open a deluge of requests which conceivably could involve the ballot papers used in the 119,973 Polling Units across the country.

“Moreover, the Form EC.8D from Enugu State was duly signed by the CPC Agent. Let me reassure all concerned that we are willing to ensure that all allegations of misconduct are properly investigated. But there are issues beyond our remit, which can only be addressed by the Electoral Tribunals. For instance, finding identical thumbprints is a complex forensic process which INEC is not in a position to conduct.

“It should not be seen that we are taking issues with one party. I have addressed these because they seem to be the most prominent allegations against the Commission. I wish to assure all Nigerians, particularly political parties and candidates in these elections, that INEC remains committed to creating a level playing field for all and to managing this process impartially, transparently and with integrity.

“In the past few days, the Commission in conjunction with security agencies, NYSC and political parties has carefully been assessing the feasibility of holding the upcoming April 26th elections in the States most affected by the violence. The assessment shows that there is marked improvement in security in some of the States for the elections to hold. However, in others, specifically Kaduna and Bauchi States, the security situation remains a source of concern.

“Consequently, the Commission is constrained to postpone the April 26th elections in the two States in accordance with Section 26 of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) from April 26th to April 28th 2011. This is to allow for further cooling of tempers and for the security situation in those States to improve.

“I wish to use this opportunity to express the profound gratitude of our Commission, and I believe all Nigerians, to the young men and women of the NYSC for the excellent work they have done so far in very challenging circumstances. I call on them, their parents and guardians not to allow the perpetrators of violence to scare them away from the noble job they are doing for this country.

“I commiserate with all those who have been affected in one way or the other by the violence. Some have paid the ultimate price for democracy and I am sure that I speak the minds of all Nigerians if I say that the nation will be eternally grateful to them. One way of immortalizing them is to ensure that we complete the remaining elections successfully and not succumb to the designs of people who want to scuttle our collective aspiration for a strong, united and democratic country.”

The Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) presidential candidate, Major General Muhammadu Buhari, has finally unveiled plans to go into litigation with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over declared results of the April 16 presidential poll, just as the PDP said they were prepared to meet him in court.

Yinka Odumakin, the General’s spokesmanrevealed that the CPC had enough evidence to prove that the poll was rigged, saying that “The party and a team of lawyers are meeting on that (the planned case). The CPC as a party will challenge the result in court, but Gen. Buhari as a person will not challenge it because he had gone to court in the past and he thought that was enough.”

“INEC agreed that computer cheated us. He (Jega) has a letter, which was given to him on camera. He went on break for four hours, only to come back to announce a bogus result.”

“In the South-South and South-East, where turnout was between 20 and 40 per cent, 99.9 per cent results was recorded for the PDP.”
“We are collating all this information and confronting INEC with it. And then we will go to court. The party will go to court on this issue.”

The National Legal Adviser of the PDP, Chief Olusola Oke, while speaking on behalf of the party, said “We are not afraid of going to court. We would meet him at the tribunal where we hope and promise to defend the mandate giving to the President by over 22 million Nigerians. We have nothing to fear by his going to court. We will meet there. Buhari is aware that this election had been described by local and international observers as one of the freest elections in the country.

“The Buhari case is worrisome because of the promise he had made to the electorate that he would not challenge the result of the election in court. It is unfortunate that he is unable to stand by his own words. He has lied to Nigerians and we are not against that, it is left for the people to judge the kind of a man he is. The most honourable thing Nigerians expected of Buhari was to live by the promise.”

Buhari had during the 2011 campaign claimed that he would not go to court after his efforts to reverse the losses in 2003 and 2007 were rejected by the courts.

Buhari, former military head of state, polled 12,214,853 votes to fall closely behind President Goodluck Jonathan who scored 22,495,187 votes. But the CPC has faulted votes recorded by the PDP in the South-East and South-South, claiming that they were grossly inflated.

Meanwhile, Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Mr. Kayode Idowu, while reacting to the development said, “Going to court is what the law provides for. That is perfect.”

Nigeria’s President-elect, Goodluck Jonathan has slammed foreign media organizations for portraying Nigeria as a country embroiled in clashes based on ethnicity and religious divisions.
Jonathan in a statement through his media spokesman, Ima Niboro, condemned foreign media reports that portrayed the Presidential polls as having been characterised by polarisation along the “Muslim North” and the “Christian South,” with the North voting against him and the South backing him.
“This is not correct, and those that are being led down this path only risk pandering to an ancient and outdated stereotype of ethnic and religious divisions in Nigeria.
“The current reality, as vividly shown by the detailed results of the Presidential election, is that Nigerians proved that they have moved beyond divisive and retrogressive sectional politics.
“It is a verifiable fact that millions of Muslim Northerners voted to give (Jonathan) a truly national mandate to continue in office. He won in Adamawa and Taraba States in the North East, and Nasarawa in the North Central.
“He got over one million votes, which equate to 46 per cent of the valid votes in Kaduna State, and also led the polls in such states as Plateau, Kwara, and Kogi, all of which have sizeable Muslim populations.
“Jonathan also got over 30 per cent of the votes in the largely Muslim states of Jigawa, Sokoto, Kebbi, and Niger.
“It is therefore quite unhelpful to state that the country is divided along Muslim/Christian lines when millions of Northern Muslims voted to endorse the candidacy of Jonathan.
“The President’s pan-Nigeria mandate is a thing of joy to the vast majority of Nigerians, and it is unnecessary to sully it with sectional interpretations due to a lack of understanding of the sometimes complex demographics of this great nation.”

Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (GEJ) has been issued his Certificate of Return as President-elect by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Attahiru Jega on Tuesday in Abuja.
Attahiru Jega said that he presented the Certificate of Return to the President and Vice President based on the powers vested on him by Section 75 (1) of the Electoral Act and having won the presidential election convincingly.
While receiving the Certificate of Return, Jonathan said that his election last Saturday marks a new beginning and promised to carry every Nigerian along, irrespective of political affiliation, in the task of building a new country.
“I thank God for today, because if not for God today will not have been possible. It is God that has made it possible. If it were to be man it would not have been possible.
“I thank Nigerians for coming out massively to vote for us. We commend (Jega) and his team, and ad-hoc workers that have made Nigeria proud with this year’s election.
“The world has given us a pass mark; this is because of the determination of the INEC to do a credible election. It has put our country on the higher rung of the ladder. This is the beginning of good governance and economic development.
Jonathan expressed regret at the violence that erupted in Northern parts of Nigeria after a relatively peaceful presidential election.
“Violence during elections which was witnessed in the 50s and 60s is a relic that has no place in the country of today.”
“It is regrettable that we witnessed violence; it is regrettable and unacceptable. We assure Nigerians that we will carry everybody along we will take inventory of the properties that were destroyed. I call on political and religious leaders to condemn that act.
“There can be no development in a place where there is violence. We are committed to providing jobs for the youth as it is due to their joblessness that they are being used for these crises. We will not let Nigerians down.”

Various interest groups have expressed concern over the increasing spate of violent protests in the Northern parts of Nigeria, saying that such protests were predetermined plots to instigate a military coup.
The Ijaw National Congress (INC) in a statement by its Acting President, Chief Benamaisia alleged that those involved in the protests were acting out a script to provoke military intervention.
Also, Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) in a separate statement through its chairman, Mr Sunday Frank-Oputu called on those involved in the violent protest to desist and seek better ways of resolving their grievances.
The INC statement reads: “Our attention has been drawn to the spate of violence currently engulfing some northern parts of the country under the guise of people protesting the election results.
“The elections conducted so far by the Jonathan administration have been adjudged by international as well as local observers as the freest and fairest ever conducted in this country.
“We hereby warn those instigating the violence and/or calling for military intervention to immediately desist as they will be held responsible for the loss of innocent lives and property.
“We would not condone the derailment of our new found free and fair electoral process, thereby subverting our democracy or anything that will divide our country along ethnic or religious lines.
“We, therefore, call on the Federal Government and all security agencies to arise to their responsibilities and bring the perpetrators of this dastardly act to book”.

Politically sponsored and unwarranted riots have allegedly broken out in parts of Northern Nigeria over last Saturday’s Presidential election which found Goodluck Jonathan of the oil wealthy region winning in his home South South, South West and South East but securing the mandatory 25 percent in the North while Mohammadu Buhari, ex-military dictator from the desert north unable to contain his loses have resorted to unleashing terror on his Muslim brothers and sisters who voted for Jonathan and calling on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to cancel the polls credited as best after 1993.
President Jonathan has however, called on political leaders and contestants to tell their supporters to shun violence in the interest of stability, peace and well being of this great country, saying that “We must not allow for the loss of any life as no one’s political ambition is worth the blood of any Nigerian”.
But Buhari’s party leadership has alleged electoral manipulation in South South, South East and other parts of the country.

Jonathan’s appeal to Nigerians:
“My Dear Countrymen and Women, I have received with great sadness the news of sporadic unrest in some parts of the country which are not unconnected with last Saturday’s elections. I appeal to those involved to stop this unnecessary and avoidable conduct, more so at this point in time when a lot of sacrifice has been made by all the citizens of this great country in ensuring the conduct of free and fair elections.
All of us are further encouraged by the comments of the independent election monitors and observers both domestic and international on how transparent and credible the elections have been so far.
Therefore, it is with the deepest sense of responsibility that I call on all our political leaders especially the contestants to appeal to their supporters to stop further violence in the interest of stability, peace and well being of this great country. We must not allow for the loss of any life and as I have always said, no one’s political ambition is worth the blood of any Nigerian.
Please remain calm, law abiding and patriotic at this very crucial moment of our history”.
Thank you and God Bless Nigeria!
Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan
President, Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Letter from Buhari’s CPC urging INEC to cancel results:
CONGRESS FOR PROGRESSIVE CHANGE(CPC)
MOTTO: EQUITY, PEACE AND PROSPERITY
CPC/HQ/GEN/02/2011/49
18th April, 2011

The Chairman
Independent National Electoral Commission
Zambezi Crescent, Maitama District
P. M. B. 0184, Garki
Abuja

Dear Sir

OBJECTION TO THE CONDUCT OF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN THE SOUTH-SOUTH, SOUTH EAST ZONE AND SOME OTHER STATES OF THE COUNTRY
Our attention has been drawn by our State collation officers, polling agents, and election supervisors in the states of the South-South and South-East and some other states that the presidential elections held on the 16th day of April 2011 in Nigeria were conducted in substantial non-compliance with the principles of the Electoral Act with the effect that the results handed down were substantially affected by massive irregularities that include the following:

1. Members of the public in the areas mentioned were at most polling stations intimidated and driven away from the polling units with the effect that the ballot papers in ballot boxes were printed and stuffed in favour of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

2. Opposition voters were directly and indirectly kept away from polling units through threats of force, violence and death in consequence of which they were disenfranchised.

3. There was clear absence of accreditation of voters in most of the polling units and the regulated procedure for the conduct of the purported election was as a result violently breached to the advantage of PDP.

4. There is strong suspicion, supported by reasonable grounds, that the Excel computer application installed in the computers of the Independent National Electoral Commission across the nation was deliberately designed to short change the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC). This can be attested to by the unfolding situation of Katsina and Kano where the manual calculation of the results reveal that our Party was short changed by hundreds of thousands of votes when the results were manually reviewed.

APPEAL

Our Party, the Congress for Progressive Change is in consequence of the above, humbly appealing to the Chairman to:

1. Order the respective Chief Electoral Commissioners and such other custodians of all presidential election documents including statement of results, ballot papers and voters registers which are returned to the Commission by the Returning Officers to produce them to be analyzed in line with our allegation on multiple and alien voting by voters not registered at the polling units.

2. Investigate the allegation of manipulation of Excel Application Program installed in the field computers of INEC deliberately designed to favour PDP and short change CPC.

3. Order for the cancellation of the results handed down from the South-South and South East in the event the investigation revealed the alleged breaches.

4. Order for concurrent manual recalculation of the result across the country alongside the Excel Application calculation.

CONCLUSION

Based on credible information received and intelligence reports in the areas mentioned, we formally write to reject the entire results presented from Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo; Abia, Anambra, Enugu and Ebonyi, states. Others include Ekiti, Ogun, Osun, Lagos, Sokoto, Kaduna, Jigawa, Gombe, Yobe, Zamfara, Adamawa, Nasarawa states and FCT.

We therefore appeal that you demand the ballot papers and result sheets as collated from these zones and states for scrutiny in the interest of peace, prosperity, free, fair and credible elections. We recall that on Sunday April 17, because of reports we received, we issued a press statement that we would accept only collated results from polling stations. What is being exhibited to the world is not collated from polling units but from the state headquarters where a lot of manipulations, we believe, had taken place.

Please remain assured of our respect for your office and person.

Yours sincerely

SGND
Prince Tony Momoh
National Chairman
Buba Galadima (Engr.)
National Secretary

cc: The Press
International Observers
Foreign Missions in Nigeria

CANDIDATES AND PARTIES:
PDP – Goodluck Jonathan (People’s Democratic Party)
ACN – Nuhu Ribadu (Action Congress of Nigeria)
ANPP – Ibrahim Shekarau (All Nigeria Peoples Party)
CPC – Muhammadu Buhari (Congress for Progressive Change)

STATES PDP ACN ANPP CPC
Abia 1, 175, 984 3, 743
Adamawa 508, 314 32, 786 2, 706 344, 526
Akwa-Ibom 1, 165, 629 54 2, 000 148
Anambra 1, 145, 169 4, 223
Bauchi 250, 840 315, 205
Bayelsa 504, 811 691
Benue 658, 472 102, 171
Borno 207, 075 7, 533 37, 279 209, 763
Cross-Rivers
Delta 1, 378, 851 13, 110 2, 746 8, 960
Ebonyi 480, 592 1, 102 14, 296 3, 753
Edo 542, 173 54, 252 2, 174 17, 795
Ekiti 135, 009 116, 189
Enugu 802, 144 1, 755 1, 111 3, 753
Gombe
Imo
Jigawa 414, 000 663, 063
Kaduna 1, 190, 179 1, 334, 244
Kano 440, 665 42, 353 526, 310 1, 624, 543
Katsina 424, 587 1, 154, 000
Kebbi 369, 198 501, 453
Kogi 399, 816 6, 516 16, 491 132, 201
Kwara 268, 243 52, 432 1, 672 83, 603
Lagos 1, 281, 688 427, 203 427,208 189, 983
Nassarawa 408, 997
Niger
Ogun 309, 758 199, 565 2, 969 1, 096
Ondo 387, 376 74, 253 6, 741 11, 890
Osun 188, 409 299, 711 3, 617 6, 997
Oyo 484, 758 252, 240 7, 156 92, 396
Plateau 1, 029, 865
Rivers 1, 817, 762 16, 382 1, 449 13, 182
Sokoto 309,057 540, 769
Taraba
Yobe 117, 128 337, 537
Zamfara
FCT 253, 444 2, 327 3, 170 131, 576

Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State has delivered his home unit and ward to President Goodluck Jonathan as PDP sweeps the votes in the area.

Official results showed that PDP cleared almost 100% of the votes in Unit 1 Ward 6, Abigborodo. PDP also dominated the entire Ward 6 with similar margin.

In Unit 1 PDP polled 769, PMP-4, PDC-1, while results for the Ward 6 showed that PDP scored 4930, PDC-12, ACN-6, PMP-5, ADC-1, ANPP-1, APS-1.

Indications are that the Governor will also deliver his Local Government Area, Warri North as well as Delta State to PDP and President Jonathan.

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has in less than 12 days to the governorship election, administered judgement on the one-year tenure extension for five serving Nigerian governors and upheld the ruling by a lower court which had barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from conducting the gubernatorial elections scheduled for April 26th in the five states.
Recall that a federal judge had ruled that the tenure of five governors, specifically, Liyel Imoke of Cross River; Aliyu Wammako of Sokoto; Timipre Sylva of Bayelsa; Murtala Nyarko of Adamawa and Ibrahim Idris of Kogi state, will not terminate in May 2011 as stipulated by INEC.
In his ruling, Justice Paul Galinje extoled Justice Adamu Bello of the high court for his brave ruling and interpretation of Section 180 (2) (a) of the constitution.
In his words, it was devoid of sentiments but in line with an earlier interpretation given by the Supreme Court in Peter Obi Vs INEC matter. He stated that the Appeal Court justices based its judgment on facts of the law and not sentiments.
The judgment which lasted for 105 minutes was centred on the meaning of nullification and Justice.
Justice Galinje further stated that the annulment of the 2007 elections in the affected states meant the original elections never took place in the eyes of the law.
Hear him: “The earlier oath taken by the governors cannot be used as a reference point when determining when the tenure of the governors will end. This is because the election upon which they took the oath was not held in accordance with law.
“In law, there were no elections in the five states in April 2007. In the eyes of the law, the governors were not elected governors in April 2007.”
Justice Bello of the High Court, Abuja had established that it would be illegal for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct elections in the affected states since the tenure of the affected governors had not yet expired..
The tenure of the five governors, according to Justice Bello, will end on the following dates:
Ibrahim Idris (Kogi) April 5, 2012; Murtala Nyako (Adamawa) April 30, 2012; Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto) May 28, 2012; Timipre Sylva (Bayelsa) May 29, 2012, Liyel Imoke (Cross River) August 28, 2012; and Timipre Sylva (Bayelsa) May 29, 2012.
Meanwhile, as the Appeal Court upholds the judgment of an earlier ruling by an Abuja High Court that the tenure of the governors whose victory were upturned and re-run took place would stay in office for a period of four years starting from when they were sworn-in after the re-election, reactions have continued to trail the Appeal Court judgement.
The Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), through its National Assistant Secretary, Comrade Okoi Ofem Obono-Obla, while calling on the INEC to challenge the judgment in the Supreme Court described the judgement as a judicial endorsement of rigging, adding that the judgment would promote electoral fraud and also encourage governors to continue to rig elections.

Delta state government has presented 50 Mazda pickup patrol vans, 1,000 bullet proof vests and 900 Helmet to security agencies in the state for effective service and improved security in the state during and after polls.

The governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan who made the presentation in Asaba explained that security agencies in the state were faced with logistic problems as such the items were presented to help protect security men who are exposed to danger on the field as well as curb crime in the state.

He commended security agencies in the state for ensuring peace during election periods and advised them to judiciously use these items presented to them in the elections to curb violence and maintain peace.

“There is no doubt that security agencies in the state have logistics problem, with these items it will help curb violence in the state especially during this elections period.
“This administration has worked hard to maintain a peaceful security condition and would not condone anything that will affect it”.

While receiving the items on behalf of the security agencies, the state commissioner of police, Baba Adisa Bolante expressed appreciation to the state government for the items stressing that security was an important part of development.

He noted that only few state governments like Delta compliment the efforts of security operatives in order to reduce crime to the barest minimum saying “I assure you that the items will be put into maximum use especially during this election”.
“When I was called yesterday to come and receive vehicles today I never expected it will be this much. I thank the government for this act of encouragement; we will do our best to curb crime in the state”.

The items presented are 25 patrol pick up vans to Police Headquarters Asaba, 2 patrol van to AIG zone 5 office Benin, 3 patrol vans to the Army.

Others include 2 patrol vans to the Navy, 2 to state security service (SSS) 10 vans for Joint Task Force (JTF) 1,000 bullet prove vest, 500 Helmets for police and 400 Helmets for the Army

A new twist has evolved in the ensuing battle among candidates in their bid to secure the peoples mandate in the just concluded National Assembly elections in Delta state following the allegation by the Returning Officer for Ika Federal Constituency, Dr. Godwin Aviero, that he was compelled to declare results at gun point.

He spoke to Blank NEWS Online at the Delta state Police headquarter in Asaba, where he was placed in protective custody.

Dr. Aviero, denied the results where he declared Accord Party candidate, Mr. Victor Nwokolo winner with 17, 235 votes to defeat incumbent member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Doris Uboh of the PDP who scored 15,129 votes while the DPP candidate scored 9,433.

He revealed that he was under pressure to announce the result from Ika Federal Constituency, saying “I announced some results yesterday. Let me tell you the reason, I was under pressure, in fact when I came to this place. You know, if a gun is pointed at you what is important is for you to save your life.

“Well, I would not want to mention any party but what I know is that a list was first given to me by Accord at Agbor and then we got to Asaba and you know that results of the election are to be declared at the point of the election. And it is wrong for me to have declared the results”.

Answering questions on his alleged kidnap attempt, he said, “Let me tell you, there can’t be an attempt. You are thinking it is an attempt but it is beyond that when you have about four men pushing you into a vehicle and sped away and at that time policemen came to stop them”.

On what led to his earlier detention by the police, the embattled returning officer said, “No, not detained as such. When we went back to the polling station at night, some Accord Party members, I think, wanted me to sign a prepared result on a sheet of paper. And I told them that I cannot announce the results based on what you have given to me and if I announce at all I am just doing it because you are putting pressure on me. At that point people came in to help me and the police officers there put me in a place at the police station, not that I was detained as such”.

The Returning Officer had on Sunday night alleged that he was kidnapped and later released by the police, which according to him necessitated the delay in announcing the result on that day.

Meanwhile, protesters loyal to DPP have besieged the Delta state police headquarter and INEC offices in Asaba, demanding that the Delta North Senatorial election be cancelled following the confession by the Returning Officer that he was compelled to announce results under duress.

The State acting Commissioner of Police, Adisa Bolanta had met with candidates of the key political parties in the district and the Administrative Secretary of INEC in a bid to resolve the issues where he advised them to approach the INEC in the state for an amicable resolution to the matter after which the returning officer was placed in protective custody by the police.

As at press time the candidates were locked in a very critical meeting with INEC authorities in the state and it is expected that a resolution would be reached to the agreement of all parties concerned.

FORMER Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Chief Pius  Ewherodo, has defeated the incumbent Senator representing the Delta Central Senatorial District, Prof Adegor Eferakeya, to clinch the senatorial seat at the National Assembly.

He also defeated former deputy state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Ighoyota Amori in the contest. Announcing the results, yesterday, the Chief Returning Officer in the district, Mr Bethel Uweru, said Ewherido polled a total of 102,313 votes, while the second runner up, Chief  Amori polled 85,365. The incumbent senator, Prof  Eferakeya, according to him, polled 10,190 votes to come third.

For the Ughelli North /Ughelli South/ Udu Federal constituency, the incumbent representative, Chief Solomon Awhinawhi of the PDP was defeated by his Democratic Peoples Party, DPP counterpart, Chief Austin Ogbaburhon, who polled 35,206 votes.

According to the Chief Returning Officer in the Federal constituency, Dr Laz Etemike, Chief Solomon Ahwinawhi polled 22,712 votes, while the ACN, candidate, Mr Harvest Igben polled 11,080 vote

Also, former Secretary to the Delta State Government, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa was declared the winner of the Senatorial election in the Delta North Senatorial District, held Saturday.

The returning officer, Prof Ebele Egwunyenga, who announced the result, Sunday at the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, headquarters, Asaba,  said Dr. Okowa polled 98,140 votes to beat his main rival, Hon Ned Nwoko of the  Democratic People’s Party, DPP, who got 67,985 votes.

In Ughelli/Udu Federal Constituency, the House of Representatives Candidate of the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP), Mr. Austine Ogbaburun scored 35,206 to coast home victory while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate got Solomon Ahwinaghwi, 22,012.

Meanwhile, the Returning Officer for Ika Federal Constituency, Dr. Godwin Aviero, announced the results with a Total number of registered voters at 155, 942.

The Accord Party candidate, Mr. Victor Nwaokolo was declared winner with 17, 235 votes to defeat incumbent member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Doris Uboh of the PDP who scored 15,129 votes while the DPP candidate scored 9,433.

The Returning Officer who said he was kidnapped and later released following the efforts of the police, however, alleged perceived electoral malpractices, adding that indigenes of Ika North East were used to replace youth corps members assigned to duty in the area.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner of INEC in Delta state said the results were inconclusive, adding that Other results are still being awaited.

Delta South

In Delta South, serving Senator James is said to have won but details of the result is yet to be declared by INEC.

Mrs Osiga Oghale Ovutowhe, Isoko Federal Constituency candidate of Action Congress of Nigeria, alleged that violence was recorded in the entire constituency, allegedly by the PDP members and called on INEC not to declare results from the constituency.

Delta State Government has disbursed a total of N1.7 billion to about 85,724 clients made up of 8,070 cluster groups comprising 54,507 industries and agriculture production, serves industries and Delta Oceanic Micro Credit Scheme Account (DOMSA).

The state Government allegedly spent the N1.7bn on its micro-credit scheme since inception in 2008. The scheme, according to the state Commissioner for Special Duties (Micro-Credit), Dr. Antonia Ashiedu, is grouped into cottage industries development, trading, agricultural production and service industries.

The Commissioner for Special Duties (Micro Credit), Dr. Antonia Ashiedu, who made the revelation in Asaba, during an interactive section with correspondents’ chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalist (NUJ), said that a total of 85,724 persons had benefited from the scheme to date.

She revealed that the beneficiaries, who came under 8,070 cluster groups, comprised 53,104 women and 32,263 men and explained that the programme, which was inaugurated on December 14, 2008, was aimed at addressing poverty in the state, especially in the rural communities.

Dr. Ashiedu told journalist that the scheme had transformed the economy of the state and had brought fame and accolades at national and international forum, adding that most of the products from clients of the scheme are sold in major cities in Nigeria while others had made their ways into the international markets in the western countries.

Ashiedu said many state governments had visited Delta State to understudy the programme and ways of transforming the economy of the states and ultimately the living standard of their people.

She further stated that the scheme partners with 28 Micro Finance Banks in the state which were not affected with the recent decision of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), adding that the programme has won many accolades for the state government.

She also said that scheme was not principally established with the aim of winning awards but to impact in the lives of the rural dwellers and the urban poor, adding that “the programme was not set up to be apolitical as Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan knew that poverty had no political party, hence the programme is operated outside the realms of state politics”.

On the economic benefits of the programme, Ashiedu said that in all the local council areas across the state, it had elicited the entrepreneurial spirit in the rural communities and the urban poor, adding that the scheme had helped to promote the Peace and Security, Human Capital Development and Infrastructure Development agenda of the state government.

“For instance, on the agenda of peace and security, Uvwie Local Lovernment Area of the state, which was once known for youth restiveness and volatility, is now calm.

“This was achieved through micro-credit to fish farmers at the Ekpan fish farm estate where many youths are now engaged in income generating activities.

“Uvwie is now the benchmark for agriculture in the state. At present, there are more than 3,500 fish farmers and more than 8,600 fish ponds across the state,’’ she said.

Ashiedu also said the programme had helped in promoting micro-financing in the state through the activities of 28 micro-finance banks, “which are really community-based.”

By Kola Ogundipe:

The Nigerian Constitution guarantees the right to life and the right to respect the dignity of the person including the right not to be subjected to torture. International conventions ratified by Nigeria, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the United Nations (U.N.) Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, and the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights, also prohibit the use of torture.
Despite these commitments and obligations by the Government of Nigeria, Human Rights Watch’s research shows a clear pattern of widespread torture of suspects in police custody, sometimes resulting in the victim’s death. The experiences of the death of gay men in police custody in Enugu, Lagos and Kano last month coupled with information from local human rights groups, suggested that the use of torture by the police was routine. During interviews with Human Rights Watch, local NGOs, lawyers and prison officials report little improvement in the treatment of criminal suspects by the police or the reduction of torture since the end of military rule in 1999.
In the letter titled: Gross Abuse Of Human Rights Through A Homophobic Attack On Three Men In Ekwe Area of Imo State, Aborisade condemned the “inhuman treatment” meted out to the men and said being homosexual does not give others the license to trample on their rights.
Blank news correspondent in an exclusive interview in Sagamu reported a case of Abdullahi Oluwatosin Soneye, born in Sagamu, Ogun state. The 28 years old Abdullahi was a victim of torture and inhuman treatment due to his sexual orientation.
The said Abdullahi was having nice time with his partner in his partner’s room when his brother bumped into them and raised alarm. Neighbours and passers by came in, took laws into their hands, beat them up but he found his way to escape that day.

The following morning when he was planning to runaway from the town, about nine men came into his father’s house and kidnapped him to an unknown destination.
His unconscious body were found in a nearby bush the next day before a good Samaritan rushed him to the hospital. Our correspondent also gathered that some anonymous youths in the community boasted that they wanted to show him a lesson that homosexuality is alien to their society and that whoever involves in it should be tortured to death. The extent of torture involved hitting him with sticks, bottles, cutlasses and axe, pushing sticks into their anus etc.
Blank news correspondent also gathered from Abdullahi’s family that his father discharged him from the hospital after 3 weeks in the hospital and took him to a safe place for fear of being attacked or killed all in the name of his sexual orientation.
There were reports that he fled to the United Kingdom by the effort of his parents where his homosexuality will be accepted.
When our correspondent contacted the DPO of the local police station, we were astonished that though the police were aware of the incident but they kept quiet as the police chief claimed homosexuality is criminal.
While acknowledging that several Nigerians find the practice of homosexuality strange and unnatural, we also realize that it does not confer a license to trample on the rights of people who engages in it, with the sort of inhuman treatment that was meted out to these men.
So many informed commentators, including Nobel Prize winner, Prof Wole Soyinka have commented on the scientifically proven fact that more than anything, gays are just victims of biology. According to the 2007 Pew Global Attitudes Project, 97 percent of Nigerian residents believe that homosexuality is a way of life that society should not accept, which was the second-highest rate of non-acceptance in the 45 countries surveyed. Nigeria has been widely criticized by human and civil rights organizations, as well as the United Nations, for failing to uphold, and even violating, the rights of LGBT people.