Nigeria Repels Boko Haram's Attack on Maiduguri

By Lanre Ola

Nigeria's military repelled an attack by suspected Boko Haram militants on Borno state capital Maiduguri in the northeast, security sources said on Sunday, but the insurgents captured another Borno town.

The assault on Maiduguri, with a population of around two million, began just after midnight. Sources at two hospitals said at least eight people had died and 27, mostly civilians, had been injured. A raid on the town of Monguno, 140 km (80 miles) north, began later in the morning and was under militant control by the late afternoon.

The army's inability to quash the Sunni jihadist group is a major headache for President Goodluck Jonathan, who is seeking re-election in February and who visited the state capital on Saturday as part of his campaign. Opposition candidate Muhammadu Buhari had been due to arrive on Monday.

The elections are expected to be the most hotly contested since the end of military rule in 1999 with many fearing violence in the aftermath.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry arrived in the commercial capital Lagos on Sunday to urge the candidates and their supporters to respect the election outcome, underscoring U.S. concerns that post-poll violence could destabilise the country and undermine the fight against Boko Haram.

The five-year insurgency, which aims to carve out an Islamic state in Africa's most populous country, has seen thousands killed.

At around 9 a.m. (0800 GMT) on Sunday, a Reuters witness in Maiduguri said shelling could be heard and that military helicopters were circling the city, but by the early afternoon calm had returned.

Scores of militants and soldiers were killed in the clash, a military source and a civilian joint task force leader (JTF) said.

"We're still combing the bush for their corpses, we pursued the Boko Haram men until Auno, 12 km outside the city...some fled towards Mainok," said the civilian JTF leader who declined to be named for security reasons.

Nigeria's defence headquarters tweeted on Sunday morning that coordinated land and air operations were being used to repel the attacks and a curfew had been imposed on Maiduguri.

The militants began the attack at the edge of the city in the Njimtilo area and tried to take the airport which services the air force as well as civilians, security sources said. Boko Haram last attempted to take Maiduguri from the same area in December 2013.

Along with much of Borno, the militants control some areas of neighbouring Adamawa and Yobe states, and recently took control of the town and a multi-national army base at Baga by Lake Chad.

The government said 150 people had been killed in that attack but local officials say the figure is far higher and some have put it as high as 2,000.

In Monguno, some 50 km (30 miles) from Baga, security sources said that the military was being overwhelmed by Boko Haram's firepower. Houses in the town were also being set ablaze.

"Boko Haram has more power than us and are shelling the town ... our colleagues are fleeing," a soldier in Maiduguri said after speaking to friends fighting the insurgents in Monguno.

Residents of Monguno have had to flee the town.

"We saw the mobile police and soldiers also running away, some of them telling us to find our way out as they have been overpowered," Madu Bakur, a Monguno resident told Reuters.



  
  

SAUDI MONARCH DEAD AT 90; CROWN PRINCE SALMAN IS NEW KING

New King SALMAN of Saudi Arabia

King Abdullah ibn Abdilazīz of Saudi Arabia, known in the kingdom as the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, has died at an estimated age of 91. The cause of his death was not immediately released by the state.

The new king is Crown Prince Salman, 78, state media announced, despite reports that he himself suffers from health problems.

"His Highness Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and all members of the family and the nation mourn the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, who passed away at exactly 1 a.m. this morning," said the statement.

US President Barack Obama expressed "personal condolences" with "deep respect" upon word of Abdullah's passing on Thursday night, reflecting on a "genuine and warm friendship" in a statement.

"King Abdullah’s life spanned from before the birth of modern Saudi Arabia through its emergence as a critical force within the global economy and a leader among Arab and Islamic nations," Obama said. "He took bold steps in advancing the Arab Peace Initiative, an endeavor that will outlive him as an enduring contribution to the search for peace in the region."

"May God grant him peace," Obama added.

Abdullah took power in 2005, and was hospitalized last month suffering from pneumonia. He led the kingdom into a worldwide military alliance against the Islamic State.

King Salman, thought to be 79, has been crown prince and defense minister since 2012. He was governor of Riyadh province for five decades before that.

"Any appearance of a smooth succession is probably illusory," said Simon Henderson, director of the Gulf and Energy Policy Program at the Washington Institute for Near Easy Policy. "Yemen, ISIS, Iran – all of these are Saudi nightmares and not trending well for Riyadh."

Relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia, the world's second largest oil producer, do not exist.Reuters contributed to this report.

BREAKING NEWS: NSA Sambo Wants Elections Postponed

The National Security Adviser (NSA) to President Goodluck Jonathan, Colonel Sambo Dasuki (rtd), early today during a talk at London think-tank Chatham House, said he wants February’s general elections postponed to allow the electoral commission more time to distribute biometric voting cards to millions of voters who are yet to get their cards.

According to Sambo, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) still has at least 30 million voting cards to distribute to voters, with the first election (Presidential election) holding on Valentine’s Day.

A Reuters report quoted Sambo as saying that he had discussed the matter with the chairman of INEC, Professor Attahiru Jega, and had said a delay within the time allowed by the law would be a good idea.

“That is what we are encouraging at the moment,” he said.

The elections will be the first where voters have to have a biometric card, introduced to guard against fraud that has plagued past polls.

Dasuki said INEC had distributed 30 million cards in the past year but had another 30 million to hand out.

He said INEC had assured him it would achieve this in time for the February date, but he thought it would make more sense to take more time. He added that there was a 90-day window during which the election could legally take place.

“It costs you nothing, it’s still within the law,” Dasuki said he had told the INEC chairman. He however added that only INEC could make the call.

“What sense does it make to vote three months early when there are 30 million cards still with INEC? That’s my position,” Dasuki said, according to the news agency.

Incumbent President Jonathan is seeking re-election in a ballot that is expected to be a keen contest between himself and main challenger, former military Head of State and candidate of a coalition of the opposition, General Muhammadu Buhari.

Release Report On Probe Of Sleaze in Aviation Ministry , APC Campaign tells Jonathan

Ms Stella Adaeze-Oduah, former Aviation Minister,the " wild wind

in a tea cup" of alleged corruption.

The All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Organisation (APCPCO) has asked President Goodluck Jonathan to lift the lid on the outcome of the probe panel on the bullet proof cars and other sundry corruption cases in the Ministry of Aviation.

A statement signed by the Director of Media and Publicity of the APC presidential campaign organisation, Mallam Garba Shehu, said the President should not sweep the outcome of the probe panel under the carpet, as was the case in previous corruption allegations under his administration.

It will be recalled that the former Minister of Aviation was eased off her job as the aviation minister following an allegation of graft, and the setting up of a probe panel headed by the National Security Adviser, Colonel Sambo Dasuki (rtd).

The statement reads: “It will soon be three months that Mr. President constituted a probe panel to investigate the allegations of corruption against the former Minister of Aviation. It has been three months of eerie silence from the Goodluck Jonathan administration on the outcome of the probe panel. This is even when information at our disposal gives a pointer to the fact that the probe panel has since submitted its report.

“The questions to ask then are: Why is President Jonathan keeping mum on the outcome of the report? Are three months not enough to investigate allegation of sleaze against a government official, who is also being investigated by the same government? Does the President expect Nigerians to forget as usual about this investigation?”

The statement noted further that the abiding culture of impunity and the lacklustre disposition to the fight against corruption are not pleasant commentaries about the country under the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan.

“Nigerians have had one corruption case too many under this administration and it is worrisome why the government will not give a feedback to the nation on a probe panel that the president personally constituted.

“We therefore ask on behalf of the Nigerian people that government comes clean with an update about the investigation into the corruption allegation against the former minister of aviation,” Shehu said.

Niger State Deputy Governor, Ibeto Others Defect To APC

The Deputy Governor of Niger State, Alhaji Ahmed Ibeto, alongside dozens of serving political appointees in the state government, as well as some members of the National Assembly yesterday defected from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Announcing their defection in Minna, the Niger State capital, a few hours before the rally hosted by the APC for its presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari and deputy, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, Ibeto attributed their defection to the “injustice in the PDP… and …the flawed electoral process that threw up Alhaji Umar Nasko as PDP governorship candidate” saying the party’s primary was not conducted in accordance with the party’s constitution.

Ibeto was a governorship aspirant under the PDP but failed to clinch the party’s nomination following Governor Babangida Muazu Aliyu’s preference for his former Chief of Staff, Umar Mohammed Nasko.

“Myself and other aggrieved party members decided to petition the National Headquarters of the party on the outcome of the governorship primary with a view to addressing the obvious injustice but met a brick wall, hence we decided to join the APC,” he said.
Ibeto and other decampees were introduced to thousands of party members and supporters at the campaign rally.

Nigeria’s general elections starts on February 14 and ends on February 28, 2015.



source:the will

Presidential Poll: Retired Generals Will Back Buhari – Babangida

…Commends APC For Choosing An Ex-General As Flagbearer

(L-R) retired Generals Buhari  and Babangida

Former military President, General Ibrahim Babangida, yesterday assured the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), General Muhammadu Buhari, of the support of retired Generals in his aspiration to become the president of Nigeria during the February general elections.

Babangida gave this assurance when Buhari paid him a courtesy visit at his Hilltop residence in Minna, the Niger State capital.

Congratulating Buhari for taking the bull by the horn in his determination to effect a change in the country, Babangida said the military was very proud of Buhari.

Babangida also praised the APC for choosing Buhari, whom he described as “one of our own”, saying Buhari’s military constituency will surely back his aspirations.

“You have beaten some of us in proving Gen. Douglas Mc’Arthur’s theory that, ‘old soldiers never die but fade away gradually, but you have refused to fade away, “ Babangida told Buhari.

“I wish to congratulate members of the party for the honour of nominating my colleague, General Muhammadu Buhari as your presidential candidate in 2015 election”.

Babangida however blamed the media for creating the impression that Buhari and himself were not in good terms.

“You media men have created this impression that we are fighting each other. Look at us here today, he knows what I mean and I know what he means. We both fought to keep Nigeria one when we were young majors then. We were well travelled.

“I want to commend APC for choosing our colleague as your flag bearer. All of us will support you (Buhari) in this course to salvage this country,” Babangida said.

In his response to Babangida’s assurance of support, Buhari said he was in Minna in continuation of his nationwide campaign ahead of the February 14 presidential election even as he disclosed that he had earlier met with former President Olusegun Obasanjo who, according to him, had also given his confidence for his aspiration.

Buhari, who was accompanied on the visit by the deputy national chairman of the party, Senator Lawan Shuaibu; national leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; Chief Audu Ogbeh, Chief Bisi Akande, Governor Rotimi Ameachi, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola and Mr. Segun Oni, said APC was determined to take over the governance of the country from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Other APC stalwarts on the entourage were General Abdulraham Danbanzzau, Senator George Akume, Chief Niyi Adebayo, Senator Bukola Saraki, Alhaji Kawu Baraje and Chief (Mrs) Kemi Nelson.

OGUN STATE CHAPTER OF OPC GET NEW EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS

The Oodua People's Congress(OPC), Ogun State Chapter now has new executive council members to administer the organisation for the next four years.

The appointment of the 22-member executive was endorsed last weekend by the Founder and President of the Congress, Dr Frederick Isiotan Fasehun carefully screening them and given their pedigree in the development of organisation.

This was contained in a press release issued the Vice President(administration), Alhaj Lateef Lawal who noted that the president charged the new executive members to channel their effort towards the sustenance of peaceful co-existence among members and their neighbours must not be allowed by politicians to forment criminality during the coming elections.

At the head of the new executive members is- Comrade Moruf Wahab as the Chairman cum State Governor of the Congress while Comrade Lateef Olabimi is retained as the Deputy Governor.The State Secretary is Mr Idowu Aigbe; Assistant Secretary, Mr Ibrahim Tajudeen; State Co-ordinator/Speaker is Comrade Moruf Hassan; State Commandant, Olaleye Lawal and Deputy Commandant, Samson Sowemimo.

Comrade Bidemi Adesanwo is the Treasurer; PRO-Abiodun Samuel; Iya Oodua-Abibat Elebu; Deputy Speaker, Nurudeen Elegbede; Organising Secretary-Kamilu Lawal;Monitoring Commandant, Dele Adeoye and Abole- Surajudeen Salami and Baba Oodua- Benedict Igesu; Financial Secretary-Saburi Odenike and Welfare- Olaiwola Taiwo.

The rest are-First Iron Lady,Oore Abiona, Second Iron Lady, Kafayat Owowole, Deputy Welfare-Femi Stevens; Assistant Treasurer- Waliu Olabanji and finally Jimoh Semiu as the Assistant Financial Secretary, Ayinla Adeyemi is Ex Officio 1, Olanrewaju Ogudairo-Deputy Organising, Deputy Monitoring-Adeyemi Olaotan and Nosir Dopemu,Assistant ABOLE.

APC KICKS BACK AT FAYOSE OVER STATEMENT ON BUHARI

The APC Presidential Campaign Organisation has asked Nigerians to ignore the “utterly silly and reckless statement” credited to the over-exuberant Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose to the effect that General Muhammadu Buhari does not enjoy good health.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Friday, the Campaign Organisation dismissed as “unsolicited, reckless and silly” the allegation that former President Obasanjo was planning an imposition of General Buhari on Nigeria as he allegedly did the late President Yar’Adua while ignoring their health conditions.

“GMB is fit as a fiddle,” said Garba Shehu, the Spokesman of the organisation.

“He has no known ailment and is in excellent condition to pilot the affairs of the country.”

The statement added that Buhari is “almost a health freak,” who exercises regularly and undergoes medical examinations at regular intervals.

“On each occasion, the outcomes of those medicals have been favourable. The recent medicals he did gave him a clean bill of health,” Garba said.

Garba joked that “GMB is not given to curses otherwise he would have done as the late President Nnamdi Azikiwe did when a similar mischief played out over his health. Zik swore that whoever did this to him will expire before him, and they all did.”