Can't wait to meet Jonathan - Buhari

President elect, General Muhammadu Buhari has said he
is looking forward to meeting the man he beat in last
weekend’s presidential polls, Goodluck Jonathan with a
view to ensuring a smooth hand over, even as he
dedicated his victory to Nigerians.
Speaking at about 5.55am on Wednesday at the APC’s
National Secretariat in Abuja, Buhari said he was ready to
extend the hand of friendship to others across the
political divide and said he hoped they will be ready to
reciprocate the gesture.
In the speech, which was broadcast live, the former
military head of state was very magnanimous in victory
praising President Jonathan for accepting the outcome of
the poll and congratulating him.
The retired general insisted that his victory was a victory
for Nigerians who had believed in him and voted for
change and promised that his government will not let the
people down.
Pointing out that the outcome of the polls had shown that
Nigeria has finally joined the community of nations where
change can be made through the ballot box, he urged
supporters to be respectful and peaceful at this time.
“This is not a time for confrontation but a time to heal
wounds and work hard for a better future for all
Nigerians,” said the president-elect.
Thanking the media and security services for the way and
manner they handled themselves during the elections,
General Buhari said his government would be looking
forward to a robust and constructive engagement with the
international community.
The president elect ended the eight minute broadcast by
promising a more formal address to the nation later in the
day “after I receive my certificate of return from INEC.”

Meet us in court - PDP tells APC

The Peoples Democratic Party, despite their presidential
candidate conceding defeat as said they will be heading
to court to challenge the result presented by The
Independent National Electoral Commission, through its
Chairman and Chief Returning Officer, Prof. Attahiru Jega,
on Wednesday, 1st of April, 2015. The party agent at the
National Collation Centre in Abuja Bello Fadile made this
known shortly after the winner was declared and refused
to sign the result sheet saying the results will not be
accepted by his party.
“Whether I sign it or I don’t sign it,  does not make any
difference. It doesn’t invalidate the result. When we go to
court, then we can challenge the result,” Fadile said
making it clear to journalists that it is the next thing on
PDP’s agenda. It will be recalled that PDP has been
ruling Nigeria for the past 16years before it got defeated
this morning by the All Progressives Congress, APC.

I Regret My Action'' - Orubebe Apologizes To Nigerians

Former Niger Delta Affairs Minister Elder Godsday
Orubebe last night apologised for his outburst during the
release of elections results in Abuja. He regretted that he
allowed his emotion to betray him and has pleaded with
Niger Delta youths not to perpetrate violence because of
the election of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari.
Orubebe, who held up proceedings for about 30 minutes,
told reporters in Abuja:
”Election is a passionate thing and I really regret what
took place this morning. I was unnecessarily pushed by
Jega to get to that level. I want to apologise particularly
to young Nigerians that look up to take politics as a
career to say that what happened was not intended to
cause them any embarrassment.
To Nigerians generally, I regret my actions as even an
elder in the church, and a leader, the young men
expected to see a lot from me and I believe that if there
was any disappointment they got from me I apologise to
Nigerians and to the youths of this country.”
TheNation adds that a sober Orubebe asked Niger Delta
youths not to take the laws into their hands on the
outcome of the Presidential Election.
“We have always talked about peace in this country and
remember that when there was crisis in the Niger Delta, I
was one of the architects that sacrificed to got the creeks
to tell the militants that we need peace in this country
alongside President Goodluck Jonathan.”
On President Goodluck Jonathan’s sportsmanship
attitude, he said:
“Two things are in place. The president is the president
of everybody. As a statesman and as a president; he has
done what he should do.”
On how the PDP will take the defeat, Orubebe said:
“I cannot decide for the PDP. It is a large family. We
were sent on an errand to come back to report. We will
go and report to the party and the party will take the
necessary action it has to take.
You remember what happened in Ekiti’s governorship
election when the governor congratulated his opponent
and the party went back and said this is what they have
seen. The candidate is not the party, he is a candidate
and he has acted very well as a statesman, and as the
president, the father of all. For us, we are agents to be
here to see what transpired here and give report to
them.”

Patience Jonathan Commences Packing Out Of Aso Villa

As the election result trickled in and it
became evident that President Goodluck
Jonathan had lost, his wife, Dame Patience
Jonathan, yesterday commenced the
process of moving out of the presidential
villa.
A Presidency source said she summoned
her domestic staff and ordered them to pack
her personal belongings in readiness for the
change of guard.
“By 6pm, the truck had made two trips”, the
source reported.
It is, however, unknown where the First
Lady’s property were transported to.
Mrs Jonathan was very visible at the
presidential rallies and made vile comments
about the president-elect and his party.

Flying Eagles’ Stars On European Clubs’ Radars

Members of Nigeria’s U20 team team that played at the
recent African Youth Championship have been caught in a
transfer web as some elite European clubs have made
targets of a swoop for their services, according to report
compiled by SL10.
Taiwo Awoniyi, Idowu Akinjide, Bernard Bulbwa,
Abdulganiyu Saheed, Zaharadeen Bello, Musa
Muahmmed, Mustapha Abdullahi, Obinna Nwobodo,
Christian Pyagbara and Ifeanyi Matthew.
Muhammed, who won the Golden Boot as the
tournament’s top scorer, has seen his stock rise over the
past few days and top clubs in Spain and France are
eyeing his services.
According to inside sources, talks have commenced for
the possible transfer of the defender after the World Youth
Championship in New Zealand.
Awoniyi, the player with immense power in the penalty
box, has since attracted interest from some top clubs like
Manchester United, Anderlecht, Bordeaux, Porto, Everton
and Red Bull Salzburg.
Saheed has attracted the attention of two clubs who have
grown fond of his defensive duties despite playing one
game at the tournament, with Zaharadeen on the radar of
Marseille.
Tunisian giants, Club Africain have registered their
interest in fair skinned striker Christian Pyagbara.
Nonetheless, there are also rival interests from some
Portuguese clubs for the forward.
Nimble-footed Bulbwa, who netted the best goal of the
tournament, is said to have also attracted interests from
Standard Liege and Rosenborg.

Police Arrest INEC Officer in Taraba for Allegedly Collecting N20 Million Bribe from Politician

An INEC officer in Taraba State has been arrested for
allegedly collecting N20 million bribe from a politician.
According to Vanguard, INEC resident commissioner in
Taraba State, Alhaji Ahmed Makama confirmed the news.
Reports state that the electoral officer who was arrested
was presiding over the elections in the Ibbi local
government area of the state on Saturday.
Angry youths are said to have attacked the suspect, after
they reportedly discovered that the individual collecting 20
million naira bribe from “a staunch politician in Ibbi to
change the result of the state house of representative within
the area.”
“Yes the Electoral Officer in Ibbi was allegedly arrested over
collection of money from a politician and he is under police
custody. I informed the national chairman and he asked me
not to secure his bail and I am not going to do that until the
police concludes the investigation,” said Makama.
Photo Credit: Dreamstime.com *Photo is for illustrative
purposes only*

Jonathan thanks Nigerians, asks PDP members not to despair

STATEMENT BY PRESIDENT GOODLUCK EBELE
JONATHAN AFTER THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE
RESULTS OF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION 2015
Fellow Nigerians,
I thank you all for turning out en-masse for the
March 28 General Elections.
I promised the country free and fair elections. I have
kept my word. I have also expanded the space for
Nigerians to participate in the democratic process.
That is one legacy I will like to see endure.
Although some people have expressed mixed feelings
about the results announced by the Independent
National Electoral Commission (INEC), I urge those
who may feel aggrieved to follow due process based
on our constitution and our electoral laws, in seeking
redress.
As I have always affirmed, nobody’s ambition is
worth the blood of any Nigerian. The unity, stability
and progress of our dear country is more important
than anything else.
I congratulate all Nigerians for successfully going
through the process of the March 28th General
Elections with the commendable enthusiasm and
commitment that was demonstrated nationwide.
I also commend the Security Services for their role
in ensuring that the elections were mostly peaceful
and violence-free.
To my colleagues in the PDP, I thank you for your
support. Today, the PDP should be celebrating rather
than mourning. We have established a legacy of
democratic freedom, transparency, economic growth
and free and fair elections.
For the past 16 years, we have steered the country
away from ethnic and regional politics. We created a
Pan-Nigerian political party and brought home to our
people the realities of economic development and
social transformation.
Through patriotism and diligence, we have built the
biggest and most patriotic party in Nigerian history.
We must stand together as a party and look to the
future with renewed optimism.
I thank all Nigerians once again for the great
opportunity I was given to lead this country and
assure you that I will continue to do my best at the
helm of national affairs until the end of my tenure.
I have conveyed my personal best wishes to General
Muhammadu Buhari.
May God Almighty continue to bless the Federal
Republic of Nigeria.
I thank you all.
Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR
President,
Federal Republic of Nigeria
March 31, 2015