A new and alarming dimension was introduced yesterday into terrorist attacks by Boko Haraminsurgents as they attacked a town in Borno State with the help of foreign mercenaries, killing 11 persons burning down houses and shops.
A security source who spoke on the condition of anonymity said that gunmen suspected to beBoko Haram members stormed Damboa town on Thursday night and laid siege to it for hours before launching an attack on residents.

 

They were reportedly helped in the attack by foreign looking men who spoke fluent Arabic and are believed to be from Chad, Nigeria’s northern neighbor.

The source confirmed that 11 persons were killed in the attack and that troops from the Joint Military Task Force, JTF, had been deployed to the area. However, the insurgents are said to have escaped before the troops’ arrival.

It was gathered that one of the attackers was captured alive by vigilante youths known as Civilian JTF, who tried to repel the insurgents’ attack. The youths armed with only machetes, daggers and knives were said to have surprised the attackers as bullets fired at them had little effect on them.

 

Yet another new dimension to yesterday’s attack was the insurgents’ deliberate and concerted destruction of many shops in the town as if they wanted to cripple economic life and businesses.

Giving more details of the attack, a resident who has fled Damboa to Maiduguri told journalists at the state capital on Friday that the attack was carried out by heavily armed gunmen numbering about 50 who came in a convoy of Golf cars and motorcycles.
The resident said that the attackers laid siege to rustic town for more than four hours between 8pm and midnight operating in a practiced and coordinated manner in three groups.

 

One group is said to have gone for the police, another for the military men while the third group concentrated on hapless residents, shooting indiscriminately and throwing bombs into houses and shops.

President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday approved the appointment of chairmen and members of the governing boards of 42 parastatals and agencies.

The appointments are contained in a statement issued by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Anyim Pius Anyim in Abuja.

The appointees include Ibrahim Buba as chairman of the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, while A.J. Turner and Felix Chukwu are to serve as the chairmen of Universal Basic Education Commission,UBEC, and the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, respectively.

Bashir Dalhatu would serve as chairman of the National Inland Waterways Authority; Edoh Obi, National Orientation Agency; Bongos Ikwue, Nigerian Film Corporation and Igwe Ibeneme, National Cereals Research Institute.

Similarly, Adamu Atta would serve as chairman of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation;Brimmo Yusuf, Centre for Black and African Arts and Culture; and Innocent Nyingirefaka, National Productivity Centre.

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The statement said that the date for the inauguration of the boards would be announced in due course by supervising authorities and ministers.

It added that the membership of each board would include all the statutory ex-officio members, in accordance with the enabling laws of the parastatals and agencies.

Below is the full list of the appointees as contained in the statement:

1. Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology

i. Prince Olusola Akanmode – Chairman

ii. Hon. Idonibin Obagama – Member

iii. Alh. Garba Dahiru – Member

iv. Mr Mahmud A. Gurumpawo – Member

v. Dr Mohammed Bello Abdulkadir (SalankanZazzau) – Member

2. National Mathematical Centre

i. Sen. Abubakar H. Girei – Chairman

ii. Prof. G.A Badmus – Member

iii. Mr Stephen Ahaneku – Member

iv. Dr. Zilkifilu Abdu, Phd – Member

3. Universal Basic Education Commission

i. HH. A. J. Turner – Chairman

ii. Mohammed Bello – Member

iii. Hon. Chuma Nnaji – Member

iv. Hauwa Musa Kida – Member

v. Abubakar L. Audu – Member

vi. Hon. Tarfa Atu – Member

vii. Mr Kunle Yusuf – Member

viii. Nnalue Kingsley Chizobam – Member

ix. Dr Sharon Oviemuno – Member

x. Matthias Ekweremadu – Member

4. National Commission for Colleges of Education

i. Chief Chukwuemeka Ezife – Chairman

ii. Mrs Margaret Zidon – Member

iii. Alhaji Mohammed Dantsoho – Member

iv. Mrs Ngozi Nnadozie – Member

5. National Institute for Education Planning and Administration

i. Elder Bolaji Anani – Chairman

ii. HajiyaJamila Baba Buhari – Member

iii. Nma Mowete – Member

6. National Institute for Fresh Water Fisheries Research

i. Alhaji Arma Yau Abubakar – Chairman

ii. Chief Francis Ayodele Akinkiawe – Member

iii. Chief George Moghalu – Member

iv. Hon. Bimbola Yusuf – Member

v. Oche Ekoza Elias – Member

7. Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria

i. Alhaji Sulieman Galadima – Chairman

ii. Umoru Barau Ningi – Member

iii. Bennette E. Ughamadu – Member

iv. Oluomo Yinka Adeojo – Member

v. Uche Igbokwe – Member

8. Nigerian Institute of Oceanography and Marine Research

i. Alhaji Bello Gusau – Chairman

ii. Ahame Adamu Bawa – Member

iii. Mrs. Aduke Maina Waziri – Member

iv. Chief  T. Dawari  Horsefall – Member

vi. Chief  Felix Mgbada – Member

vi. Abdullahi  Ohiomah – Member

9. National Cereals Research Institute

i. Igwe Ginger Ibeneme – Chairman

ii. Hon. Adeboro Onibalusi – Member

iii. Mrs Margaret John Zamdai – Member

iv. Mrs Toru Ofili – Member

v. Prince Otuu Irukwu – Member

10. National Eye Centre

i. Prof. C.I.P. Anibeze – Chairman

ii. Chimezie D. Ugochukwu – Member

iii. Dr Femi Babalola – Member

iv. Dr. Abdulrahman Abdullahi Wase – Member

v. Dr. Nma N. Nwokeocha – Member

11. National Root Crops Research Institute

i. Chief Oluwole Oludaisi Aina – Chairman

ii. Steve Nwachukwu – Member

iii. Folake Olunloyo Osinowo – Member

iv. MrsHannatuUllam – Member

v. Ahmed SaniKaura – Member

vi. Shola Ogbemi-Daibo – Member

12. National Horticultural Research Institute

i. Juliet Wayoka – Chairman

ii. ChaelKusah – Member

iii. Alhaji Bello Abdullahi – Member

iv. Ituma Valentine Emeka – Member

v. AlhajiAbdulmumuniVaki – Member

13. National Inland Waterways Authority

i. Alhaji Bashir Dalhatu – Chairman

ii. Adm. Mike Onah – Member

14. National Animal Production Research Institute, Shika , Zaria

i. Hon. Emeka Otozi – Chairman

ii. Robinson Ejifoma – Member

iii. Mrs Felicia Diejomoho – Member

iv. Saidu Ahmed Jere – Member

vi. Anicho Sunday Okoro – Member

vi. MrBabaganaZanna – Member

15. Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority

i. Cairo Ojougbo – Chairman

ii. Emmanuel Ekuwem – Member

iii. HusainiJalo – Member

16. National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism Studies

i. Kanayo O. Kanayo – Chairman

17. National Institute for Nigerian Languages, Aba

i. DrTosinAwolalu – Chairman

ii. Prof. S.O. Igwe – Member

iii. AlhajiKabiruLadanBarwa – Member

iv. VenesaTobechukwuKemakolam – Member

v. Dr Francis Ozoemena – Member

vi. Dr Nana Aisha Abdulqadiri – Member

18. National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education

i. Mrs Esther Uduehi – Chairman

ii. Prof. Dakum Shown – Member

iii. AbiolaMakinde – Member

iv. TankoKokwai – Member

v. Hon. Alonge-Niyi Dennis – Member

vi. Hon. Geoffrey Okpe – Member

19. Nigerian Film Corporation, Jos

i. Chief Bongos Ikwue – Chairman

ii. SaniDanja – Member

iii. Wada Musa – Member

iv. Bright ChineduNnebedum – Member

20. Nigeria Building & Road Research Institute

i. Engr. Dele Okeya – Chairman

ii. Arc. John Alkali – Member

iii. AdamuWaziri – Member

iv. Mr Austin O. Ene – Member

v. Hon. GunjuOjo – Member

21. National Orientation Agency

i. Lt.-Col Edoh Obi – Chairman

22. Sheda Science and Technology Complex

i. Sen. NuhuAliyu, DIG  – Chairman

ii. Eka Williams – Member

iii. Uchenna Daniel Oko – Member

iv. Sen. TankoAyuba – Member

v. AlhajiGarba S. Taura – Member

vi. Hon. AuduBababyo – Member

vii. Amb. Solomon AdamaYisa – Member

viii. Bob Nege – Member

ix. Alhaja Bola Jafojo-Adedeji – Member

x. Prof. IweMaduebibisi – Member

23. National Commission for Nomadic Education

i. Mohammed SallahShettima – Chairman

ii. Abba Kura Jibrin – Member

iii. Alh. Yusuf SuliemanJibiya – Member

iv. HajiyaZainab A. Gidado – Member

v. Hon. AdeoluAluko – Member

vi. John Uhana – Member

vii. MrNkemObiako – Member

viii. P. OristseNanna – Member

ix. YamkyehEbibu – Member

24. Nigerian French Language Village, Badagry Lagos

i. Chief Emmanuel Edohoeket – Chairman

ii. Abbas TijanniHasshim – Member

iii. Mrs Rebecca Ogundare – Member

iv. Mrs Sally Ogbogu – Member

25. Centre for Black &Africian Arts and Culture

i. Gen. Brimmo Yusuf – Chairman

ii. Mr. Ray Ekpu – Member

iii. Hon. Paul Geoffrey Ogbonnaia – Member

iv. MrFolorunshoTaiwo – Member

v. Rhoda Fiberesima – Member

vi. Patrick Aiden Anuda – Member

vii. Oyedokun S. Oladepo – Member

viii. Frank Ikpeze – Member

26. Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre

i. TokunboKayode – Chairman

ii. Chief Richard Lamai – Member

iii. KunleSulieman – Member

iv. Ibrahim Mohammed Gada – Member

v. Abah Lewis – Member

vi. Mr John Kalu – Member

27. National Productivity Centre

i. Innocent Nyingirefaka – Chairman

ii. Representative of NLC – Member

iii. Representative of TUC – Member

28. National Oil Spill & Detection Response Agency

i. Maj. Lancelot Anyanya  – Chairman

29. National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement. Agency

i. IshiakuHuziMshelia – Chairman

ii. HajaraAmadu – Member

iii.  Lynn Nathan – Member

iv. Hon. VitalisOkafor – Member

30. Project Development Institute

i. Emmanuel Mbaka – Chairman

ii. Mr Phillip Ehigie – Member

iii. DrOkeyNnadozie – Member

iv. Chief UdembaChukwudolee – Member

v. AlhajiBukar Zarma – Member

31. Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission

i. Alhaji Ibrahim Bio – Chairman

ii. Amba. DaudaSulieman – Member

iii. AliyuDatti  – Member

iv. IdrisAbdullahi – Member

v. Hon. SetonjiKoshedo – Member

vi. Chief EbohIhekwereme – Member

vii. Ms. Geraldine Oku – Member

32. Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation

i. AlhajiAdamu Atta – Chairman

ii. Princess Miriam Onuoha – Member

iii. Sunday OlufemiOroniyi – Member

33. National Business and Technical Examination Board

i. Alh. DrGarbaNadama – Chairman

ii. Ralph Nwike – Member

iii. AdewoleOludareAdewunmi – Member

34. Nigerian Council for Management Development

i. Emma Aguarivwodo – Chairman

ii. Adeyemi S. Obakin – Member

iii. AmanunaAfragana – Member

iv. AnochieHaffner – Member

v. Obong Emmanuel J. Akpan – Member

vi. Joseph Ahile – Member

35. Lake Chad Research Institute

i. YakubuTsala – Chairman

ii. Pastor Nonie Robinson – Member

iii. Prince Hope R. Lawson – Member

iv. Hajiya  AminaTakwai – Member

v. Alhaji Abba Ahmed – Member

36. Federal Road Safety Commission

i. Mr Felix Chukwu – Chairman

ii. Jackie Umoru – Member

iii. AlhajiAhmaduInuwaGambo – Member

iv. Mrs Maryam Gwaram – Member

v. Aminu Bello – Member

vi. Sen. DahiruBakoGassol – Member

vii. Hon. Emmanuel Egwu – Member

viii. Hon. YinkaTaiwo – Member

37. Nursing & Midwifery Council of Nigeria

i. Dr Abisola Clark – Chairman

ii. Mrs Bridget Torbua – Member

iii. HajiyaAsmauSaadUsman – Member

38. Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation

i. MrsChiomaOhakim – Chairman

ii. Grace EniNsot – Member

iii. Igwe B.N. Eze – Member

iv. Lawrence Onoja – Member

39. Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria

i. Prof. Francis A Fadahunsi – Chairman

ii. DadaweiTerilayefaEbimo – Member

iii. HadjiaMeiroMomoh – Member

iv. Hon Mike Inalegwu – Member

v. MrsUgoUkpai – Member

vi. HajiyaHadiza D. Mohammed – Member

40. News Agency of Nigeria

i. Alhaji Ibrahim Buba – Chairman

ii. Mr Tony Prest – Member

iii. DrAtah Pine – Member

iv. IfeanyiOssai – Member

v. Chief Tons Fetepigi – Member

41. Agricultural and Rural Management  TrainingInstitute

i. GoodluckOpia – Chairman

ii. Mr E. N. Mordi – Member

iii. Maigida Stephen – Member

iv. Muhammad SallahShettima – Member

v. James Katagba – Member

vi. DrHarunaDabin – Member

42. National Information Technology Development Agency

i. DrTosinAjayi – Chairman

ii. Sen. Musa Bello – Member

iii. Alh. SaiduGwadabe – Member

iv. Hon. Ben Bako – Member

v. Wilson ChineduAgu – Member

vi. MrHarami B. Balami – Member

vii. Segun Ilorin – Member

viii. Sa’adatuAyitogo – Member

ix. Mr. Emmanuel Ighomena – Member

The chief Judge of Niger State, Fati Abubakar, on Tuesday said that the constant transfer of investigating and prosecuting officers was impeding the smooth administration of criminal justice in the state.

 

Abubakar, wife of former military head of state, Abdusalam Abubakar, made the announcement at a two-day capacity building workshop in Minna.

 

“Constant transfer of IPOs from one jurisdiction to another is greatly affecting smooth administration of criminal justice in this state. It often causes logistic problem as IPOs who are transferred mid-way into cases are not often available when such cases are mentioned,” she said.

 

The chief judge also noted that getting the IPOs to appear for such cases after they have been transferred often proves difficult.

 

Abubakar said that while the police authorities had the power and right to transfer their officers and men, frequent transfer of IPOs was not in the best interest of administration of criminal justice.

 

She also pointed out that delay by rape victims to go for medical test and obtain medical reports immediately they were violated had stalled prosecution of many rape cases in the state and urged families of rape victims to ensure that immediate test was carried out on victims and medical reports obtained as delay might affect justice being done.
The state police commissioner, Desire Nisirim, said the workshop was part of the command’s desire to provide a platform for continuous legal education for its personnel.

She said it was also designed to improve knowledge of laws and current legal practices in the administration of criminal justice.

The commissioner said that the command was committed to the task of providing effective services, protection of lives, property and rights of members of the public.

 

The workshop was organised by the Niger State Police Command for 250 prosecutors and investigators of the command.

Former Egyptian President, Hosni Mubarak, ousted from power in 2011, was ordered released from prison Wednesday and might be set free by the end of the week, his lawyer Fareed al-Deeb has confirmed.

Convening on Wednesday at the Cairo jail where Mubarak is held, the court upheld a petition from his lawyer demanding the release of the man who ruled Egypt for 30 years until he was overthrown during the uprisings that swept the Arab world in early 2011.

Judicial and security sources also confirmed that the court had ordered Mubarak’s release.

The only legal grounds for Mubarak’s continued detention rest on another corruption case which will be cleared up later this week, his lawyer said.

“All we have left is a simple administrative procedure that should take no more than 48 hours. He should be freed by the end of the week,” Deeb added.

Hundreds of police officers and dozens of armoured police vehicles were stationed to ensure security throughout proceedings held at a police academy on the outskirts of Cairo.

Mubarak, his interior minister,Habib el-Adly, and six aides are accused in complicity with the deaths of more than 800 people during the 2011 uprising.

The ex-president and his sons are also facing charges for illegally using funds allocated for expenditure on presidential palaces for their private villas and corruption.

Mubarak 85, was sentenced to life in prison last year for failing to prevent the killing of demonstrators. But a court accepted his appeal earlier this year and ordered a retrial.

However, his release might stir more turbulence in Egypt where the army ousted Morsi, the country’s first freely elected leader, on July 3, saying it was responding to the will of the people following vast protests demanding his removal.

At least 900 people, including 100 soldiers and policemen, have been killed in a crackdown onMorsi’s Muslim Brotherhood in the past week, making it Egypt’s bloodiest civil episode in decades.

The military has installed an interim administration to oversee a roadmap they say will lead Egypt to back to democracy.

However, in spite of repeated warnings and killings of its members, the Muslim Brotherhood continues to demand the release and reinstatement of the ousted ruler.

The governor of Borno State, Kashim Shettima has called for the setting up of a special fund for the states under emergency rule as a result of Boko Haram insurgency.

The governor observed that the three states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe deserve to be given a special fund in order to rebuild their devastated infrastructure arising from years of insurgency by the Islamic sect.

He urged that such a fund be considered in the current proposed revenue allocation review by the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission.

Shettima said that there was no was the governments of the affected states can afford on their own the cost of reconstruction and rehabilitation that is needed to make life meaningful for the people.

He spoke on Thursday when members Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission led by a federal commissioner representing Borno, Shettima Umar Abbagana, visited him in Government House, Maiduguri.

The governor equally observed that the nation’s resources belong to all the component parts and should be used to develop all the states proportionately, adding that it was selfish for any part of the country to insist on spending resources in it’s domain alone.

Shettima said that the resources of the nation is for the good of all and must be applied to develop all regions for the equal benefit of Nigerians.

The governor disagreed with calls for 50 percent derivation to the Niger/Delta just because it is rich in oil, saying it was unfair to other regions of the country.

He warned of the danger of allowing states endowed with natural resources to get preferential allocation from federal purse to the detriment of others, reasoning that this will only add to create two classes of states and a situation where there would be two classes of Nigerians – one satisfied and the other poor, angry and disgruntled.

This, the governor stated, would not augur well for peace, unity and security in the country.

“The whole states in the northeast receive less than Bayelsa State but the people from the oil producing areas are busy calling for 50 percent derivation. Surprisingly when we were in Germany, resources of Western Germany is being used in developing the Eastern Germany just to make sure that the area is at par with other parts of the country,” he observed.

Are you a broadcast journalist from a developing country? Then this will definitely interest you.

 

Mid-career broadcast journalists from developing countries can benefit from a six-month week course on broadcast journalism at the Radio Nederland Training Centre, RNTC, sponsored by the Netherlands Fellowship Program NFP.

 

The course focuses on multimedia journalism, social conflict and cohesion.

 

NFP fellowships cover travel costs, accommodation and course fee.

 

Applicants must be a national of one of the following countries: Afghanistan, Albania, Armenia, Autonomous Palestinian Territories, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Georgia, Ghana, Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Kenya, Macedonia, Mali, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, South Sudan, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Surinam, Tanzania, Thailand, Uganda, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia or Zimbabwe.

 

Self-paying or sponsored candidates from other countries are also welcome to apply, but all applicants must have English proficiency and at least three years of journalism experience.

 

The deadline to apply for a scholarship is October 1, 2013

 

The Netherlands Fellowship Program, NFP is a demand-driven fellowship programme designed to foster capacity building within organisations by providing training and education to their mid-career staff members.

 

For more information about the fellowship, click here.

 

For more information about the course, click here

At least 13 persons are feared dead in a retaliatory attack staged by members of the Boko Haramsect against the volunteer youth vigilante groups otherwise known as the civilian JTF in two towns in Borno State.

The towns of Gwoza and Gamboru/Ngala were ransacked by the terrorists who were bent on fishing out residents and vigilante youths who had turned in their members to the Joint Task Force, JTF in charge of the area.

Gamboru/Ngala, a border town with Chad, is a commercial town about 150 kilometres east ofMaiduguri, while Gwoza, a hilly town has various outlets into Cameroon and is 135 kilometres fromMaiduguri.

It was gathered that in the last one week, youth vigilante groups in search of members of the sect have recorded successes in both towns as they were able to arrest a large number of terrorists resident in the towns.

A security source told journalists that the attack occurred early on Wednesday morning at about 2:00am.

“The attack at Gamboru/Ngala took place in Fulatari ward at about 2am on Wednesday by suspected Boko Haram members,” a military officer who spoke on the condition of anonymity told journalists.

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READ ALSO:

• Jonathan Appoints Board For 42 Parastatals, Agencies
• Justice Fati Abubakar Laments Delay In Justice Delivery
• Court Orders Mubarak’s Release
• Gov. Shettima Seeks Special Fund For Adamawa, Borno, Yobe
• Netherland Scholarship Opens For Broadcast Journalists

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A member of the entourage of the Emir of Gwoza who traveled to Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, to inform the state Governor ,Kashim Shettima, of the occurrence, disclosed to journalists that two policemen were killed in an attack on Gwoza police station at about 8am.

He said further that seven of the insurgents also died in the clash with policemen and men of theJTF.

However, another source said that four people were killed when the insurgents opened fire on a house while eight people sustained injuries from gunshots.

At least 286,000 farmers in Borno state registered under the Gross Enhancement Scheme, GES, in 2012 and 2013 are to receive federal government subsidised fertilizer this year.

Speaking during the flag-off of the scheme in the state on Sunday in Maiduguri, the minister of state for agriculture, Bukar Tijjani, who was represented by Kale Bukar, the federal director of agriculture in charge of Yobe State said 800 trucks of NPK fertiliser and urea subsidised at 25 % have been allocated to the state.

Each of the bags of fertiliser would now be sold at N3, 850 instead of N4, 500.

“Additionally, each farmer will be entitled to a free 20kg bag of highly improved maize or rice seed after purchasing the fertiliser,” the minister added.

About 5,000 of the 286, 000 benefitting registered farmers are female beneficiaries.

He explained that two agro dealers Madalla Global Concept and Al Iman Agro Ventures had been appointed to take charge of the fertiliser sales in the state.

While Madalla Global Concept will handle the sales of the fertiliser to farmers in the southern senatorial zone, Al Amin Agro Ventures will handle the sales to farmers in the central zone and both dealers will share the sales of fertilizer to farmers in the northern zone.

Tijjani said the measure is to bridge the gap created by the absence of GSM network in the state.

Chairman of the Madalla Global Concept, Ado Adamu, disclosed that redemption centres had also been created across the state to ensure that all the targeted farmers are reached.

“We have created redemption centres across the state for easy access to farmers. For example farmers in Shani and Hawul Local Government Area (LGA) will redeem their stock in Azareheadquarters of Hawul LGA, while farmers in Bayo, Biu and Kwaya Kusar will get their supply in Biu,” he said.

Farmers in Damboa, Chibok and Askira-Uba LGAs will get their supply in Rumugo
town in Askira-Uba, while those in all LGAs in Northern and Central Zones will get their supply in redemption centres in Maiduguri.

The All Progressive Congress, APC, has accused the presidency of flouting Independent National Electoral Commission rules by campaigning for the 2015 elections.

In a statement issued in Lagos on Sunday by its interim national publicity secretary, Lai Mohammed, the party described the rally organized by the first lady, Patience Jonathan, last week as early political campaign for President, Goodluck Jonathan, ahead of the 2015 presidential elections despite the warning by INEC.

The electoral body earlier reminded all players of the provision of Section 99(1) of the Electoral Act 2010 (as Amended), which states that “For the purpose of this Act, the period of campaigning in public by every political party shall commence 90 days before polling day and end 24 hours prior to that day.”

It cautioned that campaigning outside this provision is a violation of the law, warning that the commission will not hesitate to apply appropriate sanctions against culprits as provided by relevant sections of the law.

The APC asked the presidency to tell Nigerians why it has defied INEC rules by continuing to campaign for the 2015 elections.

The party also called on INEC to mete out appropriate sanctions to anyone who has violated its ban on early campaigns for the 2015 elections, in view of the first lady-driven peace rally that it referred to as ‘a facade for electioneering campaign.’

The APC described the rally as the first of its kind in Nigeria “where women were drawn from various security agencies” and “coerced into a march of shame, as organizers of the campaign masquerading as a peace rally blocked traffic and prevented citizens from earning their daily bread”.

It said a party that defies rules and lies to citizens cannot be trusted to rule over a people who are eager for their country to join the comity of developed nations.

”Defying INEC, this brazen campaign featured women clad in specially-made ‘ankara’ that bore the picture of President Jonathan and reminds one of the disgraceful days of the late despot MobutuSese Seko of former Zaire, and the late clownish leader of Uganda, Idi Amin. What a company to keep in the 21st century,” APC noted.

The party also faulted the assertion by presidential adviser on public affairs, Doyin Okupe, that President Jonathan has not informed anyone that he will contest in 2015 when his wife had commenced a campaign.

“Okupe said his boss has not told anyone he will run, and had the temerity to insult the media by saying they have been taken over by a few people. The good news is that Nigerians are far smarter than their present rulers and therefore cannot be fooled,” APC said.

The All Nigeria People’s Party, ANPP, has been accused of being behind the insecurity ravagingBorno State and other parts of northern Nigeria.

This view was expressed by the chairman of Borno state chapter of the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties, CNPP, Babagana Musa, while speaking at a meeting of members the Borno State chapters of the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, and Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, to fashion out modalities of working with the ANPP in the newly registered All Progressive Congress,APC.

The recently registered APC comprises of the ACN, CPC, ANPP and a faction of the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA.

Speaking at the meeting, Musa, to the embarrassment and unease of many present, said that theANPP constitutes the major problem to Borno State, just as the Peoples Democratic Party,PDP,remains Nigeria’s biggest problem.

“We all know that Borno state problem is the ANPP.  Since 1999 to date, the ANPP ruled BornoState and the dividends of democracy ANPP is giving Borno people is the present insecurity and instability,” he said..

The CNPP chairman, now a chieftain of the APC, lamented that “the incompetence of the presentANPP government in Borno state leads to so much hardship”, noting that many pledges the party remain unfulfilled.

Musa added that the new party must seek alliance with other smaller existing parties to work together to oust the PD in the 2015 general election.

Musa’s critical comments, however, did not go down well with other chieftains of the APC at the meeting who quickly distanced themselves from his view.

The other politicians who were visibly embarrassed quickly clarified to newsmen who covered the event that the CNPP chairman’s comments were his personal opinion and did not reflect that of the new party.

In his own remarks earlier, former chairman of the ACN in the state, Kawu Tijjani, observed that the coming into being of the APC is not a mere change of name of three parties but a voluntary collaboration by them to make a difference in Nigerian politics.

Former chairman of the CPC in Borno State, Ibrahim Elzubairu, who chaired the meeting said that the new party would bring “a new beginning, politically, free from the divisive, restricted politics of recent past, characterized by fear and hero worship.”