Good morning! Here is today’s summary from Nigerian Newspapers:
1. The Heads of the international observation missions in Nigeria have urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to strictly adhere to the new dates it scheduled for the general elections. The appeal was made in a joint statement signed by the heads of missions and the United Nations (UN) on Saturday in Abuja. The statement was made available by Sarah Fradgley, Press and Public Outreach Officer, European Union Election Observation Mission.
2. Report has it that the Fulani community in parts of Kajuru Local Government Area, Kaduna State, have abandoned the area after an attack which left 66 of them, mostly women and children dead.The report claimed that what remained of the Rugar Fulani community were burnt houses, animals, motorcycles, kitchen utensils, as well as bodies of women and children buried in a ditch.
3. Immediate past Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose has alleged that the All Progressives Congress, APC, led federal government was mounting pressure on the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC, Prof Mahmood Yakubu to ensure that APC fields candidates in Zamfara State or it will frustrate him into turning in his resignation letter. The former governor said President Muhammadu Buhari’s relation, Amina Zakari was already being positioned to replace Prof Mahmood should he refuse to “play ball on Zamfara.”
4. The Social Democratic Party (SDP) Presidential Candidate, Mr Donald Etim Duke has described the postponement of the presidential election scheduled for Saturday, February 16th as a coup against Nigeria. Speaking with newsmen in his resident in Calabar, Duke regretted the postponement, saying that the postponement was a national embarrassment and disgrace.
5. The Coalition of United Political Parties, CUPP, has raised the alarm over an alleged plan by President Muhammadu Buhari to suspend the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Mahmood Yakubu. CUPP also alleged that President Buhari wants to replace Yakubu with Amina Zakari as Acting Chairman under the guise that INEC was unable to conduct the presidential and National Assembly elections as scheduled. According to CUPP, Buhari wants to sack INEC Chairman for refusing to conduct staggered elections.
6. The Delta State Police Command has confirmed the death of Lawrence Akpomiemie Ijeh a.k.a Ngozi, an aide to Delta State Governor, Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa. The Acting Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Orisewejie Chuks, in a telephone chat with DAILY POST, said, “Yes, it is confirmed.” ASP Chuks said he does not know if the killing of the Governor’s aid was political or related to leadership tussle. While noting that the Police have swung into action, ASP Chuks stressed that the culprits must be brought to book.
7. The Spiritual leader of the Inri Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Ayodele Elijah Babatunde, has said that President Mohammadu Buhari would not complete another four years if he forces himself on Nigerians. He called on President Buhari to ensure he fulfills his pledge to deliver free, fair and credible poll to Nigerians. The Prophet said the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, should guard their votes by “following APC bumper to fender if they want to win.”
8. Professor Yakubu Mahmood, the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has explained why the commission postponed the Presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for Saturday, February 16. Speaking at a meeting with stakeholders in Abuja, Mahmood denied that the decision was politically influenced and stated that the commission takes full responsibility for the anomaly. He said the decision has nothing to do with security, political influence or inadequate resources, but logistics.
9. The United States has said it fully supports the decision of the heads of ECOWAS and other international missions on the postponement of the election in Nigeria. In a statement in Abuja on Saturday, the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria encouraged Nigerians to support the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct free, fair, peaceful and credible elections.
10. The UK Government has urged Nigerians to be patient and support the democratic process following the postponement of the general elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). In a statement in Abuja on Saturday, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing, said Britain recognised the frustrations of Nigerians and urged them to vote on the re-scheduled dates.
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