Obama phones Jonathan, commends him for his statesmanship

I've said this before and I will say it again - for what he did to ensure a peaceful election in this country, no bloodshed because he lost and even calling Buhari to congratulate him, GEJ is my hero. Posterity will remember him.

Buhari's govt may be vicious - Asari says, threatens to go back to the creeks

Ex Niger Delta militant, Asari Dokubo says the emergence of Gen Buhari as the President of Nigeria in last Saturday's presidential election may signify the birth of a vicious government which may maim and murder the voice of the minority ethnic groups in Nigeria. Asari expressed his fears in a statement released by his spokesperson, Rex Anigoro yesterday April 1st.

"The conditions that advanced the need to embrace the creeks have been sadly re-energised. It is clear that a vicious government who may maim and murder the voice of the so-called minorities may have just been birthed. Indeed integration is non-existent as regional gang-ups and supremacy is symbolic with this victory" the statement read.

According to Asari, the fight of the Niger Delta militants was never about Jonathan, although it resulted in the birth of his administration. Asari said the coming days will determine the next line of action for the militants

"While President Jonathan enjoys his moments and basks in the euphoria of a new world-renowned statesman having congratulated Muhammadu Buhari, we must quickly be reminded that our struggle was never about Jonathan or about the presidency. President Jonathan is an establishment beneficiary of our struggle, our sweat and blood that many bled and died for. He was never in the struggle and he can never wish away our collective march for statesmanship. Yes indeed, to an extent, he was a mitigating factor in self-determination pursuit as we went on sabbatical. This mitigation he seems to have willingly repudiated. The days coming will be critical. We shall study all the conditions and consult widely before determining the way forward for our collective existence and survival as a people. The days coming shall either drive the quest of integration or further separate us.”the statement read

Check out this store owner's innovative strategy to make people shop more

A store owner used a strategy in his store to ensure people get motivated to keep on buying. And the marketing strategy has actually convinced quite a number of people to buy. More pics after the cut

Position of the PDP on the outcome of the 2015 presidential election

Press statement from the PDP signed by its chairman, Adamu Mu'azu

Sixteen years ago, Nigerians gave our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) the mandate to build, nurture and deepen democracy after three decades of military rule in our country.

That historic mandate was freely given in recognition of the courageous and patriotic role of the founding fathers of our party whose resilience and doggedness championed the return of democracy and the personal freedom we all enjoy today.

Within this period, our party worked very hard in rebuilding and strengthening democratic institutions, tenets and norms while lifting our status as the leading democracy in Africa and one of the best in the world.

It is incontrovertible that under the PDP-led government, our nation moved from a near pariah status to a strong actor in the international democratic arena, a product of various electoral reforms and our iron-cast commitment to transparent, free and fair electoral process at all levels.

Even in the midst of obvious threats to our democracy, the PDP and the government it sponsored continued to stabilize the polity through strict adherence to rule of law and liberalization of the political and economic space.

In the last 16 years the PDP-led administration achieved significant milestones in our social and economic lives. We moved Nigeria from a debtor nation to Africa’s largest economy and one of the fastest growing in the world, a feat, which is accompanied with unprecedented expansion of the private sector as well as multi-sectorial infrastructural development, all, great legacies we achieved for our nation.

Presently, our nation is at the threshold of history and its defining moment for the future. As you are aware, in the early hours of Wednesday, April 1, 2015, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) returned the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Gen. Muhammadu Buhari as winner of the 2015 presidential election.

However, we have received reports of serious irregularities that characterized the conduct of the election and we shall channel our protests to the appropriate quarters in line with our profound respect for the rule of law and democratic ethos.

Our party comes with great values and tradition and we will adhere to them and ensure that nothing is done to truncate our democracy, which we have proudly worked so hard to nurture and sustain to maturity.

Therefore, if the outcome of the election is truly the reflection of the wishes and aspirations of our citizens, the PDP will most willingly respect that wish.

What is paramount to us is the survival of our democracy, the unity, peace and progress of our dear nation and the happiness of all our people. Nigeria is bigger than any political party, individual or group and her overall interest must be our priority at all times.

It is in this light that we as a party commend our flag bearer, President Goodluck Jonathan for his heroic act in conceding to the voice of the people, an action that stands him out as a true democrat and a statesman.

We also congratulate the APC flagbearer, Gen. Mohammadu Buhari for his resilience and victory in this election while wishing him success in the onerous task of leading our nation once again.

On the same note, we wish to also commend the electorate for the peaceful manner with which they conducted themselves in the course of this election.

For us in the PDP, we want to state in very clear terms that we are not down. We are only at our redefining moment. Rather than demoralize us, this election has afforded us great lessons and we are now more than ever before reinvigorated for the race ahead.

As we return to the electorate for the April 11, 2015 governorship and state assembly elections, we go recharged with faith in our heart. We assure all our candidates in the remaining elections that the party will stand with you, campaign with you and work vigourously to ensure your total victory at the polls.

Finally, we call on our party faithful to remain steadfast in our renewed effort to deliver our flag bearers in the remaining elections.

Signed:

Ahmadu, Adamu Mu’azu, CON.

National Chairman

Masked gunmen storm Kenyan University this morning, 5 killed

Masked gunmen suspected to be members of Somalia Islamic sect, Al-Shabab, stormed Kenyan's Garissa University College, Garissa town, which is near the Somali border, this morning as students were praying in the school mosque and started shooting indiscriminately.



According to Kenyan's police spokesperson, Zipporah Mboroki, the attackers numbering about 5 killed two of the school guards as they made their way into the campus. Eye witnesses said the attack began around 5.30 this morning and said that about 5 people including students have been killed, many injured and there are reports of hostage taking.

"The attackers shot the guards at the entrance of the university. Police officers responded but the attackers managed to get into the [university] hostel. We can confirm that two watchmen were killed; we cannot confirm student casualties. The Kenyan Defence Force (KDF) and all security agencies within Garissa have been deployed to the scene." he said

Photos: PDP Governors pay solidarity visit to President Jonathan

PDP Governors led by the Chairman of the PDP governors forum, Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom state, paid a solidarity visit to President Jonathan at the Presidential villa yesterday April 1st. The governors in attendance were Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta); Ibrahim Dankwambo (Gombe); Ramalan Yero (Kaduna); Lyel Imoke (Cross River); Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa); Sullivan Chime (Enugu); Jonah Jang (Plateau); Martin Elechi (Eboyi); and Idris Wada (Kogi). Speaking with newsmen...

Speaking with newsmen after the meeting, the Chairman of the group, Godswill Apkabio vowed that the PDP will still retains its number of seats as Governors after the April 11th governorship elections. He said their party would pursue all legal means to address any legal concerns they have regarding the outcome of the presidential election

"We as governors came to assure him (the President) that we are going back as field commanders to hold our states and that come April 11, PDP will still maintain its lead across Nigeria. Everybody knows that the only party that is national in nature and is on ground is the PDP. So we are not going to be undaunted by what has happened.The party has already indicated that it will explore all legal means in order to ensure redress. So, we are also proud of the party and we want to congratulate all our voters and all PDP faithfuls across Nigeria for their peaceful disposition. This is the only party that has not carried stick to break somebody’s windscreen after election. Because of the sacrificial stand of the President, our faithfuls are not on the streets, breaking APC windscreens and vehicles. If it were to be the other way round, you know what would have happened today. That is where Nigerians must judge: we want peace, stability and unity.” he said

Former Inspector General of Police, MD Yusuf, dies at 85

Former Inspector General of Police, Alhaji Muhammadu Dikko Yusuf has died at the age of 85. The former police chief died last night April 1st in his home after a long battle with an undisclosed illness. A native of Katsina state, Alhaji Dikko was the Inspector General of Police from 1976 to 1979.

He will be buried this afternoon according to Muslim rites. He's survived by his wife, children and grandchildren. May his soul rest in peace, Amen.