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Election 2011

April 13th - Interim election observations from SDN and CEHRD

This interim report focuses on immediate issues that merit the attention of INEC and other actors. Equally important medium term issues will be included in later reports.

SDN noted significant variations in the atmosphere and conduct of elections in the 3 states (Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta) which were observed.

This breakdown is intended to give an indication of overall tenor of the polls in these states as well as highlight key incidents. More details and a broader record will be included in a full election report and interim information can be requested from SDN in Port Harcourt.

>> Downlaod the interim election observations from SDN and CEHRD

Breaking news - Risks of election violence escalate in Delta State

Interviews conducted by activists with members of armed gangs and political parties have revealed significant distributions of weapons and advanced preparations for violence. Some preparations are precautionary – anticipating attacks from rivals – but the potential for this to spiral out of control is significant. The most at risk areas appear to be the 'uplands' between Warri and the state capital Asaba but threats appear to exist state-wide.

>> Read the breaking news about potential violence in Delta state

Preparing for the elections in the Niger Delta

This news update marks the launch of SDN's coverage of the 2011 Federal and State elections which commence April 2nd and should conclude April 16th. The elections mark a crucial crossroads for Nigeria and the Niger Delta.

>> Download March 2011 - Preparing for the elections in the Niger Delta (pdf file)

Community guide on monitoring the April elections

We have prepared a community guide to the 2011 elections which we hope will be shared and adapted by all of those who hope to promote better elections in their communities. It was drafted with the Niger Delta in mind but we are hopeful that communities in other parts of Nigeria will also find it useful.

>> Download the community guide here

Report on Delta State Governorship re-run

Also, the report on the Delta State Governorship re-run held in January has lessons that we believe will be valuable for the April 2011 elections and beyond.

>> Download the Delta State election report here

Latest news feed direct from Niger Delta Watch...

Dickson wins in Bayelsa
Mon, 13 Feb 2012 04:36:00 GMT Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Henry Seriake Dickson was last night declared winner of Saturday’s Bayelsa governorship election, with a wide margin, despite the low turnout. The Chief Returning Officer of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joseph Ajienka, who is the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), announced the result amid tight security.

MOSOP Issues Guideline, Timetable For Election
Sat, 15 Oct 2011 11:20:00 GMT Movement for the survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) has drawn up guidelines for the conduct of its election scheduled to hold in December, 2011. The guidelines were issued after a meeting of the Electoral Committee held on September 27, 2011.

Clean-up of Ogoni land to take 30 years, UN report says
Fri, 05 Aug 2011 09:55:00 GMT The restoration of Ogoniland may end up being the world’s largest and longest clean up exercise, as it may take as long as 30 years, a report by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) on the level of despoliation in the area, Environmental Assessment of Ogoniland, has stated. The report, the end of a scientific assessment carried out by UNEP, was handed to President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday in Abuja. It shows that the pollution of over 50 years of oil spillage operations may have penetrated deeper than thought. It also called for a $1 billion initial fund injection to kick-start the clean up. Oil exploration and production activities, largely carried out by Shell, have been ongoing in Ogoniland since the 1950s. As a result, there has been significant pollution which has impacted negatively on the economic wellbeing of the area and led to serious social dislocation and conflict. In respect to this, the federal government in 2005 established the Ogoni Reconciliation Committee headed by Mathew Kukah. Later in 2006, it created the Presidential Implementation Committee to oversee the environmental survey and clean-up of Ogoniland. At the official presentation of the UNEP report yesterday, UNEP’s Director, Ibrahim Thiaw, said the assessment, which was carried out by both the UNEP team and the Presidential Implementation Committee over a period of 14 months, examined more than 200 locations, surveyed 122 kilometres of pipeline rights of way, reviewed more than 5,000 medical records and engaged over 23,000 people at local community meetings. According to Mr Thiaw, it also details soil and groundwater contamination investigations conducted at 69 sites, which ranged from 1,300 square metres (Barabeedom-K.dere, Gokana local government area to 79 hectares (Ajeokpori-Akpajo, Eleme). Altogether, more than 4,000 samples were analysed, including water taken from 142 groundwater monitoring wells drilled specifically for the study and soil extracted from 780 boreholes. According to the report, “Some areas, which appear unaffected at the surface, are in reality severely contaminated underground and action to protect human health and reduce the risks to affected communities should occur without delay,” UNEP said. “In at least 10 Ogoni communities, where drinking water is contaminated with high levels of hydrocarbons, public health is seriously threatened”. The report also stated that at Nisisioken Ogale community, in western Ogoniland, families are drinking water from wells contaminated with benzene – a known carcinogen – at levels over 900 times above World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines. The site is close to a Nigerian National Petroleum Company pipeline. It said UNEP scientists found an 8cm layer of refined oil floating on the groundwater which serves the wells. This was reportedly linked to an oil spill which occurred more than six years ago. While some on-the-ground results could be immediate, generally the report estimates that countering and cleaning up the pollution and catalysing a sustainable recovery of Ogoniland could take between 25 to 30 years. All sources of ongoing contamination must be brought to an end before the clean-up of the creeks, sediments and mangroves can begin. This work will require the deployment of modern technology to clean up contaminated land and water, improved environmental monitoring and regulation and collaborative action between the government, the Ogoni people and the oil industry. However, according to Mr Thiaw, the good news is that “with a more focused approach, it will be possible to attain major improvements in just 5years.” The UNEP report also recommends the establishment of three new institutions in Nigeria to support a comprehensive environmental restoration exercise. A proposed Ogoniland Environmental Restoration Authority would oversee implementation of the study’s recommendations; while the Environmental Restoration Fund for Ogoniland, with an initial capital injection of $1billion contributed jointly by the oil industry and the government would be used to start the work. The third is an Integrated Contaminated Soil Management Centre, which would be a major industrial enterprise in Ogoni land employing hundreds of people, with a centre for excellence for environmental restoration which will provide training and promote shared learning in environmental monitoring and restoration. “The challenge before us all is to design enabling mechanisms to increase participation in development, and it has to maintain an effective two-way information link between the national governments, international partners and local communities to ensure that the benefits of sustainable development reach the marginalised and politically invisible masses,” Mr Thiaw said. According to him, the UNEP stands ready to assist the Nigerian authorities and the people of the Ogoniland as they address the environmental challenges ahead, should they be requested to do so. Working with partners Mr Jonathan thanked the Ogoni people for cooperating with the team to allow them complete their assessment, adding that he was happy at the comprehensive nature of the work done. He said the report would not only help to solve the problems of Ogoniland, but that of any other part of the country where oil spillage has occurred. “The studies, from the presentation, is quite comprehensive. The time used and the results mentioned state clearly that a lot of work has been done and we are happy because a case study will help us to solve not only the Ogoni problems but also to look into some other parts of this country that oil exploration exploitation and production have been going on over the period,” he said. He used the opportunity not just to thank the UN, but also to remind it of Nigeria’s commitment to the UN. “We have paid our dues in terms of solving world and regional problems, we have participated in peacekeeping, invested both financial resources and even lives of our citizens to bring peace to the world,” he said. He also said he believed that in this day of ‘environmental war’, the UN should still come to the country’s aid. “The UN has been in places where we have civil war, and I think the environmental challenges we have are as severe as civil wars are,” Mr Jonathan said. “Environmental challenges and environmental pollution are probably even more critical because pollutants can migrate to any direction that you don’t even expect. So I believe that UNEP, in addition to helping us to conduct this studies, should also see how they can assist us to solve this major problem that we have.” He noted that it would not be easy to set up the recommended organisations and run them without the assistance of the UN and UNEP. He, however, said the Nigerian Government would discuss with Shell and other oil companies operating in the area to see how the report is to be handled. “Let me assure you that we are not just going to put this report in our drawer and lock it up,” Mr Jonathan said. “We are going to act on it.”

1,900 Cross River corps members trained as change agents
Tue, 02 Aug 2011 10:24:00 GMT ABOUT 1,900 corps members, trained as agents of change for sustainable transformation and development of host communities, passed out from the Obruba Camp yesterday. The corps members were said to have voluntarily responded to joining the community development groups, such as the HIV/AIDS PETS group, MDG Advocacy Group, Family and Community Life Group, War Against Poverty Project, Servicom, Tourism and Dance-Drama groups . These groups are committed to employing diverse communications media, including seminar, symposia, play-lets and songs to influence behavioural change and impact upon the host communities. According to the state coordinator of NYSC, Mr. Akinkunmi Martins, the about 1,900 corps members who registered in the 2011 ‘Batch B’ set have been effectively sensitised as change agents for grassroots development. The NYSC helmsman was glad to note that the corps members were of good conduct in the camp, regarding it as a positive sign in behavioural change and process transformation. Earlier, the State Chairman of the NYSC Board, Chief Raymond Obeten, had admonished the corps members to settle down for their primary assignments and avoid unnecessary journeys. The chairman, however, assured the corps members of the youth-friendly administration of Governor Liyel Imoke, while intimating them of the peace loving nature of the people and their safety in the host communities. With improved comfortable camp facilities, such as hostels, good lecture halls and Internet facilities, the Obubra Camp has been adjudged good by the corps members.

Foreign Bribery: SERAP Asks EFCC To Seek Damages Against Shell, Siemens, Others
Tue, 02 Aug 2011 09:51:00 GMT Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, (SERAP) has petitioned Mrs Farida Waziri, Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) requesting her to “urgently take steps to seek adequate damages and compensation against multinational corporations who have been found guilty in the US of committing foreign bribery in Nigeria, and to take all necessary steps to effectively bring to justice the Nigerian officials complicit in such cases of bribery.” In a petition dated 2 August 2011, and signed by SERAP Executive Director Adetokunbo Mumuni, the group said that, “The failure by the Nigerian government to ensure that adequate damages are paid in proven cases of foreign bribery in the country constitutes a violation of the international legal rights of the deprived, and may itself constitute an international wrong.” The group said that, “Many multinational corporations operating in Nigeria have paid several millions of dollars in bribes to Nigerian government officials and to some political parties. However, while huge payments have been made in settlements in the US, Germany and the UK, only a paltry amount has been paid in Nigeria.” The group also said that, “Yet, the Nigerian people have suffered more the effects of foreign bribery. Foreign bribery has caused immense damage and devastation to the economy and to institutions of governance, and directly undermined the full and effective enjoyment of internationally recognized human rights, especially economic, social and cultural rights by the citizens.” “Nigerians have not benefitted from the large number of foreign bribery cases and investigations in OECD Convention countries that include allegations of bribery in Nigeria,” the group added. The group further argued that, “foreign bribery in the country has uneven consequences against the vulnerable groups of the society, including the poor, women and children, perpetrating and institutionalizing discrimination. It also jeopardizes the needs and well-being of future generations.”

Shell re-ignites gas flare furnace at Opolo-Epie
Tue, 02 Aug 2011 07:53:00 GMT Passage direct from ERA (Friends of the Eath Nigeria): When ERA observed the construction of a horizontal gas flare furnace close to Shell’s Opolo Well 4 by Shell in 2010, the company was quick to tell the world that nothing of that sort was taking place. But, it actually came to pass that Shell flared gas at that very furnace [on completion] soon after ERA/FoEN’s observation and report. Although after repeated reports, Shell put off the flare and since then ERA’s field monitors has kept close watch on the site. Only recently, ERA observed some sand filling activities around the gas flare furnace, linking the site directly with the Tombia/Amassoma Road; suspecting the company might soon ignite the gas flare furnace again. In this connection, it was not a surprise when ERA’s field monitors noticed the changed skyline on Opolo and environs on the night of 29th July, 2011. Steps were immediately taken to verify the situation and, it was discovered that Shell has activated the furnace that same day; on the 29th of July, 2011. So, for the past two days, the gas flare furnace at Opolo-Epie has been spitting toxic substance into the atmosphere and also wasting our nonrenewable gas resource. ERA DEMANDS: Shell should put off the gas flare furnace at Opolo-Epie in view of the negative effects of gas flare to the health of the people and damage to the environment. The Federal Government should prevail on Shell to put off this gas furnace at Opolo. This economic waste should be discontinued forthwith.

Oil spill agency seeks Navy support
Thu, 28 Jul 2011 12:10:00 GMT Mr. Peter Idabor, the Director General of National Oil Spill Detec-tion and Response Agency, NOSDRA, has solicited the support of Nigerian Navy to check cases of breakage of pipelines and stealing of crude and refined products by van-dals. The NODSRA Boss, who assumed office early this year, paid a courtesy visit to the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral O. S. Ibrahim in Abuja to seek the support of the Navy in areas of patrolling of sea and coast-line, especially during oil spill incidents. He said areas in which he needed assistance from the Navy were in the provision of vessels for oil recovery, rendering assistance to vessels in distress, assisting with early warning system and other communication support. He also sought for continuous provision of currents and tidal informa-tion, and assistance in the recovery operation in the sea. Idabor said: “The Nige-rian Navy has the structu-res that can be useful to NOSDRA if all their facilities are placed at the disposal of the Agency. He said that they have established offices in all locations and that NOSDRA field officers needs to interface with them for the purpose of a good working relationship. On his own part, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral O. S. Ibrahim thanked the NOSDRA Boss for his visit, stressing that “cooperative engagement is the trend all over the World now, Agencies and institutions interface and come together for good”. The Chief of Naval Staff called for continuous dialogue and discussion in order to strengthen the system for the over all benefit of the society.

Jonathan sets up panel to probe NDDC
Thu, 28 Jul 2011 04:14:00 GMT President Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday, set up an eight-man committee to audit contracts awarded by the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC. The Committee would also examine other transactions and activities that hindered the activities of the NDDC. In a statement by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation Senator Anyim Pius Anyim said; “The Committee which will be headed by Mr. Steve Oronsaye is expected to look into the problems that have hindered the operations of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NNDC, and generated several concerns among stakeholders. ” Other members of the Committee are : Bamidele Aturu, B. O. N. Oti, ,Senator Bassew Ewa Henshaw, Mrs. Koripama-Agari, Alhaji Mohammed Ibrahim, a representative of the Bureau for Public Procurement and Mr. Raymond U. Brown of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation as Secretary. The Terms of Reference of the Committee are as follows: To assess and evaluate a sample of some NDDC Projects ; evaluate the contractor’s prequalification process in the Commission; evaluate the roles and relationship of the Board, Management and Staff of the Commission; evaluate the procurement practices of the Commission and its compliance to the letter and spirit of the Public Procurement Act; evaluate the institutionalization of the orientation of all personnel of the Commission at all levels, in order to inform and manage expectations and evaluate fund management of the Commission. According to the SGF, ” the Committee has two weeks to complete its assignment.”

Akwa Ibom NDLEA parades 13 drug suspects
Thu, 21 Jul 2011 12:59:00 GMT National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency on Wednesday in Uyo paraded 13 suspected drug traffickers. The commander, NDLEA, Mrs. Ruth Obi, said one of the offenders, Mr. Ifiok Essien, was arrested after many failed attempts to arrest him. She added that a total of 52.755kg of cannabis was recovered from him. She said, “The NDLEA operatives at about 4.30am, raided the residence of one Ifiok Sunday Essien, at Use Offot in Uyo and arrested him with 28.250kg of Cannabis Sativa. “Previously, our operatives went to the suspect’s house on October 6, 2010 and recovered 20.55kg of Cannabis Sativa but he escaped. Also, on February 9, 2011, our operatives raided his residence and recovered 4.450kg of Cannabis Sativa yet again he escaped. In all, the total quantity of Cannabis Sativa recovered from him is 52.755kg.” According to Obi, a total of 28.351kg of cannabis was seized from the other suspects. She also told journalists that a drug dealer, Mr. Hamed Badmus, who was arrested with 12.2gms of cocaine by the command on March 21, 2011 at Umoren Street, Uyo, had been sentenced to five years imprisonment without the option of fine. Obi urged parents to support the battle against drug trafficking by educating their children against the use of illicit drugs. She said, once this was done, the demand for the drugs would be reduced and convicts would have no reason to return to trafficking upon their release from jail.

N’Delta group petitions UN over alleged rights abuses by govt
Thu, 21 Jul 2011 12:48:00 GMT THE Niger Delta Project Group (NDPG) has complained to the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland, that efforts to seek legal address over grievances against the revenue sharing principle in Nigeria were being frustrated by the Federal Government. NDPG wants oil and gas producing states to be allowed to control 90 per cent of the total revenue accruable from the resources. In the petition, the group accused the Nigerian government of human rights abuses and other ill-treatment of the oil areas. Recently, a suit filed at the Federal High Court, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital, by some Niger Delta indigenes, including Idaye Opi, Owupele Philemon, Ilamina Agada, Samuel Effik, Patrick Ederi, and Emeka Dite Ojoko for themselves and on behalf of the people of the region, was dismissed by Justice R.M. Aikawa for lack of jurisdiction to hear the case. In a letter of complaint to the Secretary of the Human Rights Council Complain Procedure and made available to The Guardian, Owupele Philemon on behalf of others, explained that a Federal High Court in Yenegoa, delivered a judgment on June 29, 2011, after several adjournments against the expectations of the indigenes of the oil-producing states. “The presiding judge, after commending the counsel in the matter, declined jurisdiction despite obvious facts and law to the contrary. However, we shall appeal the decision in court and commence the preparation of the court processes”, said Philemon. He appealed to the United Nations to adhere to its assurance to objectively investigate the complaint about human rights abuses against the Federal Government. The NDPG had contended that the provisions of the Petroleum Act and its legislative companion, the Land Use Act, are obnoxious legislations enacted by the Nigerian state to undo and over-reach the proprietary interests of the peoples of the region who are minorities in Nigeria.

INEC drops 13 resident commissioners
Thu, 21 Jul 2011 12:41:00 GMT Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega, has announced the expiration of the tenure of 13 State Resident Electoral Commisioners of the commission. Jega made the announcement at a farewell dinner organised for the 13 RECs who had served their five-year tenure during the commission’s retreat with RECs which began in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital last Tuesday. This was contained in a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman, Mr Kayode Idowu, yesterday. He further said the affected RECs were those who served in Ebonyi (Humphrey Nwangene), Delta (Dr. Gabriel Ada), Bauchi (Lliya Audu), Akwa Ibom (Kassim Gaidam), Benue (Nasir Ayilara) and Abia (Austin Okojie). Those who served in Taraba, Gombe and Enugu, Oyo, Taraba, Kebbi, Kogi and Ogun States were also affected.s Idowu denied that the affected RECs were sacked but said they could be re-appointed by the Presidency. He said: “The affected commissioners served with exceptional diligence and integrity, and it was in view of this that the Commission deemed them deserving of a farewell dinner, irrespective of whether or not they would return for further terms. Besides, the Commission is in no legal position to sack RECs.”

Local content policy: FG reads riot act to oil majors
Thu, 21 Jul 2011 12:38:00 GMT The Federal Government, on Wednesday, read the Riot Act to the oil majors operating in the country, warning them to adhere strictly to its local content policy in the oil and gas industry. The government warned that any of them found to have violated its local content policy would be severely sanctioned. The government said it would not tolerate deliberate frustration of the indigenous companies by denying them of patronage in the oil and gas industry. The Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, Mr Ernest Nwapa, handed down the warning during the inspection of facilities of an indigenous oil servicing company, Fenog Nigeria Limited in Warri, Delta State . Nwapa, who visited the firm in company with the representatives of the oil majors, said the government would be firm in ensuring compliance with the Nigerian Local Content Act. He was conducted round Fenog’s facilities, including the 40-acre jetty and some major equipment, particularly the Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) Rigs 250 and 500 designed take oil pipelines across the river and drill as well as laying up to 5.5km per stretch of pipes measuring between six to 70 inches in diameter up to a depth of a maximum of 100 metres by the company’s Group General Manager, Mr Bello Oboh and Executive Director, Mr Mathew Tonlagha. Nwapa, in his speech, after inaugurating the newly-acquired HDD 500, which is the first in Africa and fourth in the world, said the government owed it a duty to protect indigenous investors in the oil industry. He said the federal authorities would not allow foreign oil servicing companies to strive at the detriment of their indigenous counterparts. Nwapa, who was impressed by its findings in Fenog said the company and others would be encouraged by the Federal Government to play critical and major roles in the oil and gas industry. He added, “What I simply want to do is to congratulate FENOG as a company and say that Nigerians should really be proud that things like this are happening in the country. “

Court declares Ogboru unqualified for Delta re-run election
Thu, 21 Jul 2011 12:36:00 GMT The Federal High Court, Asaba yesterday declared that the Delta State governorship candidate of the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP), Great Ogboru was not a candidate in the January 6, 2011 governorship re-run election. Ibrahim Buba, who delivered judgment in a suit brought before it by the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its chairman, Peter Nwaoboshi challenging the eligibility of Mr Ogboru for the election, averred that Mr Ogboru did not comply with statutory requirements of the 2006 Electoral Act. Specifically, the judge ruled that Mr Ogboru did not meet the provisions of the 2006 Electoral Act, which stipulates that 50 party members should endorse any governorship candidate. According Mr Buba, those who nominated Mr Ogboru were not registered members of the Democratic People’s Party (DPP). “By this judgment of the suit No FHC/ASB/CS/104/2011, Great Ogboru was not qualified to have participated in the April 14, 2007 Governorship Election,” the judge ruled.

Delta community appeals for calm after invasion by neighbours
Thu, 21 Jul 2011 12:31:00 GMT The Ikpokpo Community, Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State was, in the early hours of Tuesday, attacked by armed youths suspected to be from neighbouring Ugborodo Community who reduced a staff quarters under construction in the community to rubbles. The incident has heightened tension between the Itsekiri and Ijaw in the area. Though no life was lost, about five persons were said to have been injured by the rampaging youth. The matter has since been reported to the King of Gbaramatu, who has pleaded for calm among his subjects to avoid another round of Itsekiri and Ijaw violence which ruined the area in the late 90s. Addressing a press conference at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, Warri, chairman of Ikpokpo Community, Godwin Ariko, said they were surprised by the act of the armed men who arrived the community at about 2am with the singular mission to destroy the staff quarters. “At about 5 o’clock in the morning, I received a call from the village that armed youths from Ugborodo came to Ikpokpo at about 2am. When they came, they harassed the security men on site, locked them up somewhere and demolished a building that was under construction. The building contract was awarded by Egbema/Gbaramatu Central Development Council (EGCDC) as a staff quarters in Ikpokpo. “When we got there, the whole thing was reduced to nothing. And this was a building very close to roofing level. It was totally demolished. According to the security man on site, they came with dangerous weapons, with rifles, axes, sledge hammer. So it was in that process that they now demolished the building. They alleged that Ikpokpo is their land and that the council has no right to erect any structure in that place for the indigenes of Gbaramatu. So after the demolition, they left.” Pursuit of peace While saying that their people will not retaliate as two wrongs can never make a right, Mr Ariko said they would continue to dialogue in the pursuit of their legitimate right and that they have confidence in the Gbaramatu Traditional Council to be able to resolve the matter amicably with their neighbours. Ikpokpo was razed down completely during the Ijaw/Itsekiri crisis in 1997/98 and the lives of the people have never remained the same. Many members of that community are yet to return, since that crisis.

Edo Attorney General’s wife kidnapped
Mon, 18 Jul 2011 04:39:00 GMT Wife of Edo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Osagie Obayuwana, Florence has been abducted by unknown gunmen. Florence Obayuwana was abducted o Monday morning at Ohonre Street off Ugbowo-Lagos Road Benin City while going to work. She is the Vice Principal of Adolor College also located at Ugbowo-Lagos road. Witnesses said Florence Obayuwana was kidnapped by a four- man gang who blocked her with a white golf. She was reportedly taken away in the kidnappers’ getaway car. Students of Adolor College later took to the streets protesting the abduction of their vice principal. The students visited several television stations in Benin City demanding for the unconditional release of Mrs.Obayuwana. Confirming the kidnapping, Obayuwana told the Nation he has been contacted by the kidnappers and that a ransom of N20m was being demanded

Ex-militants shut Delta road over unpaid allowances
Mon, 18 Jul 2011 04:34:00 GMT Some former Niger Delta militants on Saturday shut down the Ohoror area of the East/West Road as they protested irregularities in the payment of their allowances. The ex-militants, numbering about 300, mounted a heavy roadblocks on the highway, disrupting free flow of traffic for hours. The repentant militants accused an aide to President Goodluck Jonathan and those they referred to as their ‘militant generals’ of depriving them of their pay as approved by the Federal Government. The protesters, who carried placards with inscriptions like, ‘you are tempting us’ ‘Mr President, come to our aid’ and ‘militant generals are duping us,’ frustrated commuters and motorists for hours on the busy highway. They called on the Federal Government to immediately initiate an investigation into how the funds meant for them were being expended. A former militant leader, Mr Gift Tare, had recently maintained that except a probe panel was urgently set up to probe the funds, the purpose of setting up the programme might be defeated. Tare, who is the leader of the Iduwini Volunteer Force, alleged that certain individuals were “personalising” the operations of the programme aimed at returning peace to the Niger Delta. Also, a Warri based Human Rights lawyer, Oghenejabor Ikimi, had recently petitioned the President over what he termed the “criminal diversion” of monthly allowances of over 60 ex-militants attached Delta camps 1and 2. Ikimi had also accused some leaders of ex-militants from Delta Base camps 1 and 2 as well as Piropere camp of listing names of non-militants in place of some repentant militants, thereby short-changing the authentic beneficiaries. The protesters stressed that their action would continue until their allowances were paid directly into their accounts and not through their ‘militant generals’. One of the repentant militants, who is also the Vice- Chairman of the Amnesty phase 11, Mr. Doctor Engotan, in an interview with journalists, accused the presidential aide of conniving with the militant generals to defraud them of their money. He explained that all the protesters had earlier all undergone rehabilitation at Obubra, Cross Rivers State, and had been issued identity cards. He added that the Amnesty Board had directed them to open accounts with two banks, wondering why after they obeyed the directive, their entitlements were still not paid into their respective bank accounts. Engotan warned that the situation could degenerate to another era of agitation and militancy and urged the relevant authorities to prevail on the presidential aide to reverse the payment pattern. The protesters were however dispersed by men of the Joint Military Task Force stationed at Bomadi.

Tribunal upholds Akpabio‘s election
Mon, 18 Jul 2011 04:29:00 GMT The Akwa Ibom State Governorship Election Tribunal on Monday upheld the election of Governor Godswill Akpabio. The tribunal dismissed the petition filed by the governorship candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria, Senator James Akpanudoedehe, against the declaration of Akpabio as the winner of the election on ‘technical grounds‘. It dismissed the petition on the ground that Akpanudoedehe did not seek the leave of the tribunal before moving the motion for the issuance of notice for pre-hearing session on the respondents as required by the Electoral Act of 2010.

Pirates hijack ship carrying oil from Ghana
Mon, 18 Jul 2011 04:27:00 GMT Ten suspected pirates have hijacked a ship carrying oil from Ghana about 55 kilometres off the coast of Nigeria. Greek official said the ship was carrying oil from Ghana to Benin when it was seized 55 kilometres off the Nigerian coast in the Gulf of Guinea on Saturday. A commercial maritime security firm, Neptune Maritime Security, said on its website that the ship’s crew was said to include three Greeks and sailors of other nationalities. There has been no word on their condition. A press release by the Greek coastal guards sighted by RIA Novosti confirmed the incident. It said the tanker was seized on Saturday but information about the incident was not released until today. The Liberian-flagged ship is operated by Greece-based Endeavour Marine Company. The company had no comment as of Monday. Last month, the International Maritime Bureau issued a piracy warning for ships travelling near Benin. It said pirates had seized several vessels in the area this year, including a Greek-owned tanker on June 16. The IMB’s top piracy official, Noel Choong, said the attacks off West Africa are worrying because they seem to involve a greater degree of violence against crew members.

Akpanudoedehe not qualified to contest guber poll, Akpabio tells tribunal
Mon, 18 Jul 2011 04:22:00 GMT Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Godswill Obot Akpabio has lined up 300 witnesses to discredit the petition raised against his victory in the April 26 governorship election by Senator John James Akpanudoedehe even as he is contesting the constitutional qualification of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) candidate to contest the election. His position was contained in his reply to the petition by the ACN’s governorship candidate who is asking the tribunal to cancel the election and order a re-run since none of the candidates that stood for the election could be validly returned as winner. Akpabio who contested the election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was declared the winner of the poll by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) having polled 957,585 votes to the petitioner’s 163,449 votes. Former attorney general of the federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Bayo Ojo, SAN, who is counsel to Governor Akpabio at the tribunal in his address has asked the tribunal to dismiss the petition because it was defective. The governor told the tribunal that ACN failed to satisfy all requirements of the law in nominating Akpanudoedehe who defected from the PDP, as its standard-bearer for the election. He also claimed that “the petition is incurably defective and in contravention of Section 36 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) for failure of the petitioners to join several individuals including members of security agencies against whom they have made largely criminal allegations.“All the witness statements on oath attached to the petition are incompetent and liable to be struck out/and or expunged for non-compliance with the provisions of the Election Tribunal and Court Practice Direction 2011 and the Oaths Act.” Based on these convictions, the governor said he would be challenging the competence of the tribunal to hear the allegedly defective petition, which he termed as “lacking in merit, frivolous and time-wasting.” In the former minister’s petition wherein the governor, his Deputy, Nsima Ekere, PDP and INEC were the co-respondents, it was alleged that the said poll was “vitiated by corrupt practices and/or substantial non-compliance with the mandatory statutory requirements, which substantially affected the validity of the said elections that none of the candidates in the said election can be validly returned as having validly won the said election.” Akpabio, who had listed about 300 witnesses against the petitioner’s claims, pointed out to the tribunal that the governorship election in the state was generally accepted to be free and fair, which prompted the chairman of the ACN, Akwa Ibom State chapter, to pay a congratulatory visit to him at the Government House, Uyo and conceded victory on behalf of his party. He added that the executive members of the ACN in Eket Local Government and party agents also conceded victory in the election and went ahead to place a newspaper advertorial congratulating him, which would form part of his evidence to the tribunal. The tribunal had last Monday ordered the INEC to allow the two contending parties access to materials used for the said election and cooperate with their forensic and biometric experts. The tribunal, however, at the prodding of Ojo, rejected three prayers by the petitioners on the usage of the election materials to prove their case. No date has been fixed for the pre-trial conference.

JTF defends presence in N’Delta
Mon, 18 Jul 2011 04:20:00 GMT The Joint Military Task Force (JTF) code named Operation Restore Hope has defended its continued presence in the Niger Delta region. The JTF, reacting to recent comments by a Niger Delta activist, Mr Tony Uranta that peace can only return to the region if the security outfit returns to the barracks, noted that contrary to his submissions, the insurgence in the region had not completely receded. The spokesman of JTF, Lt. Col Timothy Antigha said Uranta’s argument that JTF should be pulled out of the Niger Delta failed to take cognizance that “some renegade militants admitted publicly that several thousands of assault rifles, anti-aircraft guns and rocket propelled grenade launchers and other military grade weapons, were not submitted to the amnesty committee” Dismissing Uranta’s declaration that the presence of JTF hinders peace and progress in the region, Antigha pointed out that the security outfit was an instrument of peace in the region which had been severally commended by the people. “In order not to make it appear like a serious national issue raised by Mr Uranta , let us assess more closely the issues in question. Mr Uranta is of the view that the presence of the JTF in the Niger Delta does not aid peace and progress. Indeed, this is nothing but falsehood. The JTF is an instrument of peace in the region. Content analysis of media coverage of crime and acts of violence, which were daily occurrences, will indicate that in the 2 years (2009-till date) that the reconstituted JTF has functioned, the region has been relatively peaceful. Therefore, against the background of a region where people could not come home to bury their dead or visit during festive seasons, I believe the JTF deserves commendation. Indeed, the commendation was not long in coming, as listeners in a phone –in radio programme in Port Harcourt, last December, declared the JTF the best contributor to peace in Rivers State.