Sanusi financing terrorism, FG, SSS tell court

                                                            Mallam Lamido Sanusi

The Federal Government and State Security Service have accused the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mallam Lamido Sanusi, of financing terrorism.

They made the allegation in their counter-affidavits before a Federal High Court opposing a suit instituted by Sanusi, who is seeking a perpetual injunction to restrain the SSS and the police from arresting him.

Sanusi’s lawyer, Mr. Kola Awodein, who raised the allegation in open court on Monday, denied it, describing it as an afterthought which government came up with after seizing his clients passport.

He said, “The seizure of the applicant’s international passport by the third respondent, is a derogation of his freedom of movement.

PDP condemns APC’s attacks on Jonathan, others

                                        PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh

The ruling Peoples Democratic Party has condemned the alleged attacks by the All Progressives Congress on certain individuals and institutions of government using a section of the media.

A statement by the National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Olisa Metuh, in Abuja on Sunday, alleged that the APC had been using resources meant for the development of their states to castigate, discredit and ridicule PDP officials and other well-meaning individuals in the country.

In response, the APC dismissed PDP’s claims saying the ruling party was a party of drowning politicians clutching at straws.

Buhari leads with 2m votes …as INEC declares 18 states, FCT only

                                                      Maj.-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd)

Results from 18 states and the Federal Capital Territory so far released by the Independent National Electoral Commission on Monday showed the All Progressives Congress Presidential candidate, Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari coasting to victory.

He polled 8,520,436 votes in the states and the FCT while his Peoples Democratic Party counterpart and incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan had 6,488,210 votes.

The Daura, Katsina State-born former Head of State won 10 of the states and Jonathan, eight plus the FCT.

The states cleared by Buhari are Kaduna, Kwara, Katsina, Kano, Jigawa, Oyo, Ondo, Osun, Kogi and Ogun.

US VP phones Jonathan, backs card reader for elections

                                                                            US Vice President Joe Biden

The United States government has thrown its weight behind the Independent National Electoral Commission to use the Permanent Voter Cards and the smart card readers in the March 28 and April 11 elections.

The introduction of the PVC and the SCR for use in the 2015 general elections has been a subject of hot debate and litigation in the country.

The American government conveyed its approval of the card readers through Vice President Joe Biden on Wednesday.

Biden spoke with Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party and the presidential candidate of the opposition All Progressives Congress, Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) on the forthcoming election, a statement on Thursday by the US embassy in Nigeria indicated.

Only INEC can monitor election– Jega

                                                                 INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega, says only INEC has the power to monitor elections.

Jega said this while addressing election observers in Abuja on Thursday.

He also said INEC had distributed 81 per cent of Permanent Voter Cards.

He said an election monitor is part of the administration of the election while an observer has no oversight function. He, therefore, warned observers to understand electoral laws properly before going to the field.

He said, “An election monitor is an integral part of the election management structure and has a role in the administration of the election. In Nigeria, only INEC and its duly authorised personnel are empowered to monitor elections. An observer on the other hand does not have any role in the administration of the election nor any control or oversight functions.