» Tanpa Label » Welcome to Linda Ikeji's Blog

Welcome to Linda Ikeji's Blog

Oleh

Welcome to Linda Ikeji's Blog

Photos from Ikedi Ohakim's grandson's Christening

Posted: 08 Feb 2015 01:24 PM PST

The first son of former Imo state Governor, Ikedi Ohakim, Obinna Ohakim, and his wife Oby held a Christening for their 5 months old son, Jayden, today Feb. 8th. Jayden was dressed in Hermes shoes and Ralph Lauren christening gown. The couple got married in July 2013. More photos after the cut...
 
 

President Jonathan fights corruption in Naija Kombat (video)

Posted: 08 Feb 2015 01:12 PM PST

Sponsored post. Watch the Nigerian president GEJ do battle with 'corruption' in our debut season of the Naija Kombat series... for more info and videos like this visit www.awanaija.com. We are passionate Nigerians.

Gen. Buhari speaks on the 2015 general elections postponement

Posted: 08 Feb 2015 01:07 PM PST

Press statement from APC presidential candidate Gen. Buhari on the election postponement...
We Must Remain Calm But Resolute
Following the decision by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to postpone the 2015 general elections by six weeks, I wish to appeal for utmost restraint and calm by all Nigerians, especially the teeming supporters of our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).
This postponement, which comes on the heels of  the bogey of the National Security Adviser that half of the registered voters were being disenfranchised was exposed as a crude and fraudulent attempt to subvert the electoral process.
The PDP administration has now engineered a postponement using the threat that security will not be guaranteed across the length and breadth  of Nigeria because of military engagement in some states in the North East.  
It  is important to note that although INEC acted within its constitutional powers, it is clear that it has been boxed into a situation where it has had to bow to pressure. Thus, the independence of INEC has been gravely compromised.

As a Nigerian and a presidential candidate in the elections, I share in the disappointment and frustration of this decision. This postponement coming a week to the first election has raised so many questions, many of which shall be asked in the days ahead. However, we must not allow ourselves to be tempted into taking actions that could further endanger the democratic process.  

Our country is going through a difficult time in the hands of terrorists. Any act of violence can only complicate the security challenges in the country and provide further justification to those who would want to exploit every situation to frustrate the democratic process in the face of certain defeat at the polls.

If anything, this postponement should strengthen our resolve and commitment to rescue our country from the current economic and social collapse from this desperate band. Our desire for change must surpass their desperation to hold on to power at all cost.  We are clearly dealing with people who feel they can get away with placing their personal interest over those of our nation and its citizens. What is at stake is the very survival of our country. We must not allow this temporary delay to abort this great opportunity.   While I share the pains and frustrations of my fellow citizens over this development, my deep faith in the democratic process assures me that this country, with your support, will overcome.

We must remain resolute and rise above all provocations. We must continue to trust in the entire democratic process and in INEC, which has been brought under so much pressure in the last few days. Our trust can only serve to encourage the electoral body to remain steadfast and remain committed to the rule of law.  I wish to state strongly that our  party will not tolerate any further interference with the electoral process. The rescheduled elections of March 28th and April 11th, 2015 must be sacrosanct.

Nigeria is definitely greater than any of us, and much more important than our individual ambitions. Before us there was Nigeria, and long after we are gone there will still be Nigeria. Let  us continue to do our part to make it thegreat  country that it should be. We must rescue our dear country. God  being on our side, we shall salvage Nigeria together.

God Bless Nigeria! 

Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR
Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Party, APC.

Adaeze Yobo rocks her baby bump in new pic with son...

Posted: 08 Feb 2015 01:06 PM PST

The footballer wife is expecting her second child...

LIB Exclusive: Nkiru Sylvanus denies marrying Oge Okoye's ex in new interview

Posted: 08 Feb 2015 07:16 AM PST

In this interview sent exclusively to LIB, Nkiru Sylvanus opens up about her relationship with Oge Okoye's ex-husband, Stanley Duru, who she' rumoured to be marrying. Nkiru denies everything...
What's your reaction to the report making the rounds that you are getting married?
Now ok, first I've been married on the internet for more than three times! They first got me married in 2008, then they got me married again in 2011 and now, they are getting me married again in 2014/2015. I'm beginning to ask, why do they like to get me married? If I were married in 2008 and again married in 2011, why again should I be getting married again in 2015? That means they were all lies. It's all rumours. Some people will report this stuff like they know you, when they only see you on TV.
It's just like Governor Okorocha whom many are saying all sorts of false reports against lately. Some of this people have not been to Imo state in the last six years, but out of hatred, they'll go on social media to post rubbish. Right now, I'm not married. I could be thinking about marriage very soon, if the right man comes calling. If I'm satisfied within my soul that this is the man I'm going to spend the rest of my life with. Because I've worked so hard as a young lady that right now, I don't want just any man but a man that will be there for me. A lot is being said about me, and I know. There was one time a friend sent me a link where they wrote that Nkiru is desperate to get married and that was why she said she can be a second wife. I just laughed and smiled because of how ignorant a lot of people can be.

But really, most people find it weird that you could utter such a statement and they are in fact angry with you, hope you know that?
Let me tell you something, people who are very close to me will tell you that I'm a realist. I speak my mind. Unfortunately, we are in a society where people will see black and pretend about it by calling it white just because of what others will say. I speak my mind. I talk about what people know,but pretend like they don't know. If our society has to change like we've been clamouring for, then we must be ready to be truthful and realistic. In the real sense of it, who isn't a second wife or second husband? The truth is that every young man or woman out there who isn't a virgin, has been married before. What is marriage? Marriage is not just when a man pays a bride price. Marriage is when you both know yourself; when you sleep with each other and cleave together. That is marriage! Unfortunately, that is what everybody is now taking lightly. If you pay a woman's bride price, put her in your house and just look at her, then both of you are not married. Physically and spiritually, both of you are not married. Now, in Nigeria a lot of young women prefer to be a side-chic to a married man and you know he has a wife, then you are the second wife whether you like it or not because this man does to you everything he does to his wife at home. Also in Nigeria, so many married men have as much as 20 side-chics and keep them at different locations then they come out to tell you they can never marry a second wife. If it is declare today all over the world that every woman you have slept it must leave under the same roof with you, many men would have as much as 400 wives while many women will have close to 2000 men as husbands. And when one talks about the fact that it is better to be a second wife people go wild! What's more honorable for you as a woman? That you are a side-chic to a man who doesn't show you respect and treat you like a dog or that he legally marries you as a second wife and accord you the respect he accords the woman he calls his wife at home, which is better? The interesting thing here is that many of these married women know that their husbands have side-chics, but they'll say that it's fine as long as he doesn't pay her bride price. Imagine that? Again, I put it to you as a woman that which is more honourable, that a man pays your bride price and put you under a roof or makes you a side chic and toss you around like a piece of rubbish? So it's all about the condition surrounding it.

What do you mean, 'condition'?
For instance, their are circumstances that can warrant a woman being a second wife. What works for me maybe different from what works for the other woman. So like I said earlier in my Channels TV interview, if the situation is right, then I can become a second wife. Not like I'll just see any happy couple and I'll go join them. It's either you're marrying a man who has been married before and divorced or you are marrying a man who has been married before but the wife is dead. So if you are getting married through such circumstance, then you are a second wife. So that is what I mean by the condition. The condition that puts you into being a second wife is what I've been talking about. If a man was married and lost his wife and he is coming to marry me, then I'm not his first wife. I'm the second wife because the man has been married before. So that was why I said if the situation and condition is right, I can give being a second wife a thought. It's good for people to stop reading or listening to things from the surface before they start criticising. Remove the log in your own eyes before removing that of others. I know some ladies who will go on TV and say they can never be a second wife, God forbid yet they have a married man they are dating and who is footing their bills.

Let's talk about Stanley Duru, that name has been the subject of controversy around you lately, who is he to you?
I don't like talking about a man because I am a lady. And it should be the man talking about me. A man should find me so precious enough to take out his time to talk about who I am to him. If a man would not be proud to talk about me, then he doesn't worth having me. So for me to spend my time analysing a man, come on, that's not possible. I'm too precious for that. So I don't want to talk about him and who he is. If he so wish to talk about me, fine.

Is it true that you've known each other for a long time?
Yes I know him. Very well!

How and when?
That's still talking about him. I don't want to talk about a man.

Ok, since you know Stanley Duru, when last did you see him?
It's been a long time. I last saw him about two years ago.

But they said you have already done an introduction secretly?
It's all rumours from idle people. It's all lies. For me, my private life is my personal affairs. So whatever decision I take tomorrow, it's totally my responsibility. If it turns sour, I face it alone and if it turns sweet I face it. It's my life. I do what makes me happy. Why would I even do a secret introduction, why?

So what will be your reaction if Stanley Duru comes out to attest to all the reports making the rounds that truly he is in love with you and wants to marry you this year?
It's ok! It's entirely his opinion and he is entitled to it. It's no big deal. I've had a man take out pages in a newspaper before to talk about his feelings for me, so it's not new.

Oh really?
Yes, I no be anyhow pikin o. For a man to have me in his life, he is blessed. I know what I'm talking about. So it's a free world.

So you saying that there is no secret traditional wedding?
Like I said, I'm still young. I have years ahead of me and I'm not ugly so why do I want to make secret something as beautiful as a marriage? Why shouldn't I be proud to show the world, the man I want to spend the rest of my life with? Think about it. If I'm having an introduction, it should be something I'm proud of. If I'm having a wedding it should be something I'm proud of. You know, take pictures with my man and let the world see it. That's what marriage should be like. So the man too should be able to do likewise. So when the time comes, everybody will see it. I'm still young because I started quite early, there are many ladies way older than me and are still in their parents houses,eating their parents food.

But where do you think the rumour is coming from, those who are giving the media this information seem to be so sure and claim to know everything about you?
Right now, there are no plans. As I'm talking to you I've not made any plan for marriage. There are no planning committee or anything like that as it's being rumoured. It's all rumour.

What's your relationship with Oge Okoye, most people are also reporting that she is crying that you wanted to snatch her husband?
I don't think she will say that. Maybe she'll answer that question when you ask her. Oge is my colleague.

But it is being reported that both of you have an history as best of friends?
Oge and I were never 'best of friends', we are just colleagues. She is not my best friend. we are both into movies, working in the same industry.

When last did you see her?
I last saw Oge like 7-8 years ago.

But let me ask you, if you were dating someone a long time ago and it happens that he left you to marry another woman, years later he is coming back to marry you, would you accept him?
Why not? If I find him worthy and still attractive I can marry him. No one is above mistakes. In life people make mistakes and regret. What is meant to be will be. It's our ability to realise our mistakes and forgive too that makes use humans. So why not? I'll accept him if I still find him worthy.

See what this person did to his PVC after election postponement

Posted: 08 Feb 2015 07:03 AM PST

For real?

Photos: See inside APC's campaign private jet

Posted: 08 Feb 2015 07:02 AM PST

This is one of the private jets that the APC has been using for their campaign rallies all over the country. More pics after the cut...




Photo credit: Tolu Jinadu Images

Photos: Dbanj and Banky W celebrate their new endorsement at the club

Posted: 08 Feb 2015 06:51 AM PST

On the 6th of February, 2015, Diageo held a press conference to announce Dbanj and Banky W as the new ambassadors of Ciroc. The boys celebrated at Club Cova later on that evening enjoying bottles of Ciroc! More photos after the cut...

New video: Skuki ft Tiwa Savage - Gbemileke (Remix)

Posted: 08 Feb 2015 06:50 AM PST

The heavily anticipated remix to Skuki's 2014 super-hit track 'Gbemileke' featuring Mavin Records' first lady 'Tiwa Savage' is here. Produced by Shizzi and video directed by Unlimited LA! Enjoy

PDP welcomes postponement of the 2015 general elections

Posted: 08 Feb 2015 06:33 AM PST

The PDP has welcomed the postponement of the general elections. Reacting, the Director of Media and Publicity of the PDP Presidential Campaign Organization, Femi Fani-Kayode said the decision made by INEC was in the interest of the whole nation as well as a move to deepen our democracy.
"Since this decision has been taken in the interest of deepening democracy and in national interest, we accept it in good faith and we commend INEC's courage and obvious commitment to ensuring a free and fair election. With this decision, INEC has allayed the fears of many of our citizens that they may not have had the opportunity to vote for the candidates and parties of their choice on Election Day.

INEC has, by the decision, ensured that no one will be disenfranchised and has helped to guarantee the safety and security of every single one of our citizens during the course of the elections. We are constrained to take this opportunity to wholeheartedly condemn the opposition APC for its paranoid delusions and its far-fetched and childish conspiracy theories when it comes to the issue of poll shift. By insisting that the elections should be conducted on February 14th the opposition was not only dangerously flirting with chaos but was also putting our country firmly on the path of confrontation, division, injustice, disaster and destruction. This is especially so, given the fact that no less than 34 percent of eligible voters have not been able to access their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) up till today- just seven days before the original date of the election. A situation where such a large percentage of our people would have been disenfranchised is unacceptable and the fact that the APC was insensitive to that fact speaks volumes. We are aware that INEC is having numerous logistical problems and numerous internal challenges and we believe that the poll shift will afford them the badly-needed time to tackle and resolve those problems and challenges before we arrive at the new dates that have been fixed for the elections. We believe that INEC must have drawn a useful guide from available security reports from the North-eastern zone where, despite the very serious challenges that our people are facing there from Boko Haram, we believe that elections must hold. We must insist on this in order to ensure that no parts of the country lose their right to freely, safely and peacefully participate in the coming elections and to vote for the candidates of their choice. It is against the backdrop of these developments that we commend INEC for finding the courage to do the right thing. In the same breath, we condemn the opposition APC leaders and members who are set to unleash confusion, mendacity and despondency everywhere and who are blaming everyone except themselves for the situation in which we have found ourselves. It is a glaring testimony to their irresponsible and reckless disposition that they continue to insist on having an election on a date that the institution that is constitutionally charged to conduct that election has said that it would be impossible to go ahead under the present circumstances. The shift of date is a welcome development. It is solely the decision of INEC. The decision is not ours but we commend them (INEC) for showing courage by owning up to the fact that they are not ready to go ahead on February 14th. The shift will help INEC to organise themselves properly, to put their house in order and to put in place all the necessary arrangements for the polls. The shift will also enable the nation's security agencies to do what they have to in order to secure the north-eastern zone and ensure that elections can hold there. In conclusion, we wish to encourage our supporters and we urge them to remain calm and to be patient. Our party is strong; our candidate is confident; our cause is just; our God is mighty and our victory is assured. No matter what happens and no matter how long it takes, we shall prevail. God bless Nigeria."he said

Nicki Minaj shares new photos of herself...

Posted: 08 Feb 2015 06:28 AM PST

Sexy woman. More photos after the cut...

US Govt dissapointed over postponement of elections in Nigeria

Posted: 08 Feb 2015 06:11 AM PST

The US Government has expressed disappointment over the postponement of Nigeria's general election which was announced last night by INEC chairman, Prof. Jega. Below is a statement by the US Secretary of State John Kerry posted on the US Department of State website
The United States is deeply disappointed by the decision to postpone Nigeria's presidential election, which had been scheduled for February 14. Political interference with the Independent National Electoral Commission is unacceptable, and it is critical that the government not use security concerns as a pretext for impeding the democratic process. The international community will be watching closely as the Nigerian government prepares for elections on the newly scheduled dates.
The United States underscores the importance of ensuring that there are no further delays. As I reaffirmed when I visited Lagos last month, we support a free, transparent, and credible electoral process in Nigeria and renew our calls on all candidates, their supporters, and Nigerian citizens to maintain calm and reject election-related violence.

See inside D'banj's new ride

Posted: 08 Feb 2015 04:37 AM PST

Don't know what kind of car it is, but he said he bought it as a gift to himself and called it 'Jet on the Road'. More photos after the cut...

Dimeji Alara shows off fake US Passport swindlers created using his name

Posted: 08 Feb 2015 04:41 AM PST

Someone who was almost swindled by a Nigerian, showed the Genevieve magazine Editor the fake passport in his identity being used to deceive unsuspecting people. Na wa for some people o!

Read the blind item that predicted Bobbi Kristina's tragedy

Posted: 08 Feb 2015 03:12 AM PST

Back in March 2014, the guys at Crazy Days and Nights, wrote that Bobbi Kristina's boyfriend, Nick Gordon will end up killing her. Fast forward to February 2015 and the 21 year old heir to Whitney Houston's fortune is fighting for her life after she was found unconscious in a bathtub. Criminal investigation is now targeting Nick Gordon.
March 28, 2014
For the past few months things have been getting worse. What was always a volatile relationship has turned more violent than volatile. Family members have tried to help this C list reality star offspring of this former A+ list entertainer(singer). From people I have spoken to who have been inside the home of our C lister, things are bad. There are drugs everywhere. There is cash everywhere. It is like watching Scarface. The significant other of our C lister thinks he is the next Scarface. The thing is he sucks at business. He just uses the money of our C lister to make it seem like he is making millions of dollars. Instead he is spending every cent she gets in the second it comes in and has made her sign all types of documents which have basically cost her most of her future income for the next few years. When he doesn't keep her drugged up he beats her. He has all kinds of recordings of her doing anything he can think of just to keep her in line. He says he will release it all if she tries to leave him. She is scared of him and loves him at the same time. When he is wasted the beatings can be rough and there have been shots fired more than once. Everyone knows he is going to end up killing her one night. She will try and leave and he won't like that and will shoot her and kill her. The family hopes she can escape, but she has no place to go that she would accept help from.

New video: I-Manifest - Riddle (Prod. by OJB Jezreel)

Posted: 08 Feb 2015 02:54 AM PST

Cruiz Records Artiste Ivo Manifest aka I-Manifest has finally put out the video for his first official single for 2015 titled Riddle. The song was produced by the talented & legendary producer OJB Jezreel; the video was directed by Avalon. Watch & share your thoughts guys - Enjoy...
 
Audio Soundcloud Link: http://bit.ly/1z9Y5KC
Audio Download Link: http://bit.ly/1CxIoir "

Instagram drama! Between ladies in Tunde Demuren's instagram comment section

Posted: 08 Feb 2015 02:50 AM PST

All these people that have time...lol. So here's what happened. Instagram user @lexybazuaye made a comment on Toolz's boo, Tunde Demuren's photo and used endearing words.. 'Dear, baby'. Well, another user @Msbeccaeno was not going to just let it pass. She called her out for using such words on 'another woman's man'.

Pics of the magnificient Imo state House Chapel + Buhari, Amaechi others visit

Posted: 08 Feb 2015 02:35 AM PST

Here are exclusive pics of Governor Rochas Okorocha's newly built Imo state house Worship Chapel. APC presidential candidate, Gen. Buhari, Amaechi and others were at the chapel recently to address the congregation of over 3000 worshipers. More pics after the cut...

Photos: Florida mom sets record with 14 pound baby boy

Posted: 08 Feb 2015 02:21 AM PST

Maxxandra Ford of Tampa, Florida set a record on January 29 by giving birth to a healthy baby boy weighing 14 pounds and one ounce. This makes her son, named  Avery Denton, one of the largest ever born in the state's history

Ford, who has a 1-year-old son and a 5-year-old daughter already, claims that she didn't even realize she was expecting until about 35 weeks into her pregnancy. She said she initially just thought she was gaining weight last fall for other reasons.


After going to a doctor in her third trimester, she finally learned that she was about to become a mother of three - or more. She said she assumed she would be having twins, considering how large she was growing.

Local news anchor Kerry Klecic posted a photo of little Avery on Twitter, showing a happy and sleeping infant looking perfectly calm and happy.

According to Dr. Vincent Iannelli, a pediatrics expert, the average birth weight for babies born in the U.S. is 7 pounds, 7.5 ounces. All babies born over 8 pounds and 8 ounces are considered High Birth Weight.


Culled from NY Daily News

Spot the difference featuring Mr. Ibu

Posted: 08 Feb 2015 02:20 AM PST

One is obvious...see the others?

Photos: Peaceful protest at Indonesia embassy following the killing of two Nigerians

Posted: 08 Feb 2015 02:01 AM PST

Youths for Greater Nigeria, YGN, on Friday February 6th held a peaceful protest at the Indonesian Embassy in Victoria Island, following the execution of two Nigerians and incarceration of 12 more.

The group said they felt the need to voice out the concern of those remaining inmates and families that have their sons waiting for the same fate. An official of the embassy received a letter of appeal from the group to the Indonesian government. In attendance were mothers, siblings and the Nigerian community living in Indonesia.

Continue to see more pics from the march and names of those waiting on death row. The group say they hoping for either Prisons exchange or lowering the sentence to life.

New music: Cynthia Morgan - German Juice

Posted: 08 Feb 2015 01:43 AM PST

NorthSide Inc artist Cynthia Morgan releases new single "German Juice" With the success of her dance hall track, I'm Taken, Cynthia Morgan is no doubt Africa's dance hall godmother. 2015 is the year of Cynthia Morgan as she unleashes massive tracks. Listen to German Juice below...

Diddy shares a pic of his 'boo'

Posted: 08 Feb 2015 01:36 AM PST

After spending the holidays with his baby mama, Kim Porter, Diddy shared a pic of the other woman in his life Cassie on his instagram, calling her his boo. The game he's playing with these ladies is hilarious. But guess they don't care. Meanwhile, peep the shoe closet at the back...

Another day, another Ibadan tale...:-)

Posted: 08 Feb 2015 01:27 AM PST

Lol. My Ibadan people, y'all know I love you, right? Just teasing...:-)

Full INEC Chairman's Statement on 2015 Election Schedule

Posted: 08 Feb 2015 01:30 AM PST

Last night, INEC chairman announced the postponement of the 2015 general elections. Below is the full statement he gave to the press... 
Ladies and Gentlemen, We invited you here today to make known the position of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the timetable for the 2015 general elections. Let me state from the outset that the Commission's position was reached after carefully weighing the suggestions from briefings held with different stakeholders in the electoral process.

The conduct of elections in a country like Nigeria is invariably a collective venture that involves not just the Election Management Body (EMB), but also a diverse range of stakeholders, notably security agencies, political parties and their candidates, voters, as well as interest groups, such as the civil society organizations and the media.To guarantee successful conduct of elections, there are things that are wholly the responsibility of the EMB. But there are other things critical for the success of elections, which fall outside the control of the EMB.

In other words, while INEC must work hard to perfect its systems and processes for conducting elections, and take responsibility for any imperfections thereof, whatever the Commission does may not by itselfbe sufficient to guarantee the success of elections. There are a number of issues in the preparation and conduct of an election, the most critical of which is security, which is not under the control of INEC.


Current State of INEC's Preparedness
On Thursday, February 5, 2015, I was invited to brief the National Council of State, which is the highest advisory to the President comprising past and present leaders in Nigeria, on the level of preparedness of INEC to conduct the 2015 general elections. I made a presentation to the Council titled 'Preparations for the 2015 General Elections: Progress Report,' in which I gave a detailed account of what the Commission has been doing in readiness for the national elections (National Assembly and Presidential) scheduled for February 14th, and the state elections (Governorship and State Assembly) scheduled for February 28th, 2015.

The summary of my presentation to the National Council of State meeting is that, for matters under its control,  INEC is substantially ready for the general elections as scheduled, despite discernible challenges being encountered with some of its processes like the collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) by registered members of the public.


In addition, INEC has been doing everything it can to facilitate the collection of the PVCs by registered members of the public.As at 5thFebruary 2015, the total number of PVCs collected was 45, 829, 808, representing 66.58% of the total number of registered voters.

In the delivery and deployment of electoral materials, INEC is also at a comfort level in its readiness for the general elections as scheduled (see the presentation to the Council of State). The Commission's preparations are not yet perfect or fully accomplished. But our level of preparedness, despite a few challenges, is sufficient to conduct free, fair and credible elections as scheduled on February 14th and February 28th. Compared with 2011 when, within a short time, we conducted general elections that were universally adjudged free, fair and credible and the best in Nigeria's recent electoral history, our processes are today better refined, more robust and therefore capable of delivering even better elections.


Other Variables
But as I mentioned earlier, there are some other variables equally crucial for successful conduct of the 2015 general elections that are outside the control of INEC. One important variable is security for the elections.

While the Commission has a very good working relationship with all security agencies, especially on the platform of the Inter-agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) since its inception in 2010, it has become pertinent for it to seriously consider the security advisory presented to it by the Security and Intelligence Services. I would like to reiterate here that INEC is an EMB and not a security agency. It relies on the security services to provide a safe environment for personnel, voters, election observers and election materials to conduct elections wherever it deploys. Where the security services strongly advise otherwise, it would be unconscionable of the Commission to deploy personnel and call voters out in such a situation.

Last Wednesday, which was a day before the Council of State meeting, the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) wrote a letter to the Commission, drawing attention to recent developments in four Northeast states of Borno, Yobe, Adamawa and Gombe currently experiencing the challenge of insurgency. The letter stated that security could not be guaranteed during the proposed period in February for the general elections.

This advisory was reinforced at the Council of State meeting on Thursday where the NSA and all the Armed Services and Intelligence Chiefs unanimously reiterated that the safety and security of our operations cannot be guaranteed, and that the Security Services needed at least six weeks within which to conclude a major military operation against the insurgency in the Northeast; and that during this operation, the military will be concentrating its attention in the theatre of operations such that they may not be able to provide the traditional support they render to the Police and other agencies during elections.


INEC's Decision
We have done wide ranging consultation to enable us have as much input as is necessary before taking an informed decision. In the series of consultations that we held with stakeholders, the questions consistently posed to them for consideration are:
(i)                In view of the latest development, should INEC proceed with the conduct of the general elections as scheduled in spite of this strong advice; and if so, what alternative security arrangements are available to be put in place?
(ii)             Or, should INEC take the advice and adjust the schedules of the general elections within the framework of Constitutional provisions?

The Commission held a meeting after the consultations, and decided to take the advice of the Security Chiefs and adjust the dates of the elections. We have done this relying on Section 26(1) of the Electoral 2010 (As Amended), which states thus: "Where a date has been appointed for the holding of an election, and there is reason to believe that a serious breach of the peace is likely to occur if the election is proceeded with on that date or it is impossible to conduct the elections as a result of natural disasters or other emergencies, the Commission may postpone the election and shall in respect of the area, or areas concerned, appoint another date for the holding of the postponed election, provided that such reason for the postponement is cogent and verifiable".

INEC notbeing a security agency that could by itself guarantee protection for personnel and materials, as well as voters during elections, the Commission cannot lightly wave off the advice by the nation's Security Chiefs. The Commission is specifically concerned about the security of our ad hoc staff who constitute at least 600,000 young men and women, together with our regular staff, voters, election observers as well as election materials painstakingly acquired over the last one and half years. This concern is limited not just to the areas in the North-eastern part of Nigeria experiencing insurgency; the risk of deploying young men and women and calling people to exercise their democratic rights in a situation where their security cannot be guaranteed is a most onerous responsibility. Under such circumstances, few EMBs across the world, if any, would contemplate proceeding with the elections as scheduled. No matter the extent of INEC's preparedness, therefore, if the security of personnel, voters, election observers and election materials cannot be guaranteed, the life of innocent young men and women as well the prospects of free, fair, credible and peaceful elections would be greatly jeopardised.


Consequently, the Commission has decided to reschedule the 2015 general elections thus: the national elections (i.e. Presidential and National Assembly) are now to hold on March 28th, 2015; while the state elections (Governorship and State Assembly) are to hold on April 11th, 2015. It should be noted that this rescheduling falls within the constitutional framework for the conduct of the elections, notably, Sections 76(2), 116(2), 132(2) and 178(2). See also Section 25 of the Electoral Act 2010 (As Amended).

For the avoidance of doubt, we will under no circumstancesapprove an arrangement that is not in line with the provisions of our laws. Our hope is that with this rescheduling, the security services will do their best to ensure that the security environment needed for safe and peaceful conduct of the 2015 elections is rapidly put in place.

We in INEC reassure all Nigerians and indeed the international community of our commitment to do everything within the law and to conduct free, fair, credible and peaceful elections. We call on the security agencies to honour their commitment to restore sufficient normalcy for elections to take place within the period of extension. We also call on Nigerians, political parties, candidates and all other stakeholders to accept this decision in good faith and ensure the maintenance of peace.

As for us in INEC we'll endeavour to use the period of the extension to keep on perfecting our systems and processes for conducting the best elections in Nigeria's history. In particular, we believe that we would resolve all outstanding issues related to non-collection of PVCs, which agitate the minds of many Nigerians.

Finally, we wish to call on all Nigerians to accept our decision, which is taken in good faith and the best interest of deepening democracy ion our country.

Thank you.

Professor Attahiru M. Jega, OFR
Chairman, INEC

Share :

Facebook Twitter Google+
0 Komentar untuk "Welcome to Linda Ikeji's Blog"

Back To Top