Father strangles 2 of his children to death and offers them as sacrifice to his dead father

A 35-year-old Thomas Matthew who lived at Mountain village opposite Dantata Camp, Asokoro, Abuja, claims his late father initiated him into an occult group. He also claimed that his father appeared to him and commanded him to sacrifice his children to him on different occasions. On October 7th, Mathew found fault with his wife, Bola, who is deaf and dumb, beat her up, then chased her out of the house.
He had previously killed their 2 month old son by strangling him to death last year and October 7th, 2016, he strangled their his four-month-old daughter, Mary Matthew to death.

According to the Commissioner of Police, of the Federal Capital Territory Police Command, Mr. Mohammed Mustafa the suspect was apprehended this time after his wife made a report at the Police station that he had killed their baby.

The wife also explained that he had tried to kill their 9 year old son in the past and luckily she caught him in the act then sent her son away to her mother's home for him to be taken care of there.

With the help of a sign language expert, the wife, Bola, recalled how the suspect tried to kill their first son.
She said: 

“I didn’t know that my husband is a cultist. I remember when he first tried to kill our first son, I reported the matter at the Garki Police Station. It was my mother who took the boy away from the house and he is still staying with her in Mararaba, Nasarawa State. Then I had another son last year. When he was two months old, he became sick. My husband killed him in September 2015. I didn’t know until he confessed. This year I had our daughter.

In the night of October 7, 2016, we were together in the house when suddenly he started beating me. I got injured and ran away to his elder sister’s house. Before I came back with his sister, he had strangled our baby to death. He locked the door and ran away. It was policemen from Asokoro Police Station, where I reported the case that broke the door and found the baby. We rushed the baby to Asokoro General Hospital. The doctor said the baby was dead. Now I have only one son left, Josiah Matthew. It was only God who saved me from the power of darkness.”

When interrogated, Matthew who hails from Kwande Local Government Area, Benue State said:

“I got married to my wife, Bola, and we were blessed with three kids. My father is a cultist and he initiated me into the occult. My father asked me to offer the children as sacrifice and mark of honour to him, promising he would make me become rich.

“It was a covenant that nobody knew, even my wife. My father gave me conditions that if anybody got to know or I revealed the covenant, that the covenant would be destroyed. From the time I had my first child, my father began disturbing me to offer my child to him as a sacrifice.

“I tried to kill my first child by strangling, but my wife caught me and reported to the police and her mother came to take the child away from the house. He has been staying with her in Mararaba, Nasarawa State.

Later my father appeared to me after I had my second son, John, who became sick. I strangled him to death in 2015. On October 7, 2016, my father appeared to me again that I should kill my only daughter. I was with my wife and then I started beating her and she ran away to my elder sister’s house and I locked the door and strangulated my four-month-old baby girl and she died.

I locked the entrance of the house and ran away. It was the youth in my area that arrested me and handed me over to the police. I wanted to kill my younger brother according to my father’s instruction. My father is still alive and he is in the village in Benue State.”

The police commissioner who confirmed the incident said the suspect would be charged to court 
soonn Source: Sunday Sun

Read More »

How Wizkid-Linda Ikeji rivalry played out at the MAMA......

                                                                   By TOFARATI IGE 

Earlier in the year, star singer, Wizkid and popular blogger, Linda Ikeji, literally set the online space on fire when they went for each other’s jugulars after Linda published a story about Wizkid’s alleged second baby mama, Guinean-born Binta Diamond Diallo. Wizkid, who was incensed at Linda’s audacity for reporting the story which he wanted to keep under wraps, came for her with guns blazing.

 He was also ‘mad’ at her because she had published other unpalatable stories about him, like when he was allegedly given a quit notice on the Lekki house he initially claimed he bought. 

Among the invectives he poured at her, Wizkid stated that he has achieved far more than Linda ever did at the age of 25. He also told her that she is ‘just a blogger,’ and all the money she has wouldn’t change that. He also ‘cursed’ her that she would remain married to her laptop for life. 

At the height of the social media war, Linda also replied Wizkid, calling him a child, and claiming that she had never met him, and bore no grudges against him. She eventually reported him to the police authorities for threatening her life, and the police commissioner then got involved and urged them to live in peace afterwards. Linda & Wizkid Based on the history between the two achievers, many found it interesting that they were both nominated for the Personality of the Year at the 2016 MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMA). 

They were nominated alongside Caster Semenya, Pearl Thusi, and Pierre Emerick Aubameyang. It was indeed an epic battle between the personalities involved, as they all had legions of fans rooting for them. 

However, both Wizkid and Linda lost out, as athlete, Caster Semenya walked away with the trophy. Beyond the personality award though, Wizkid emerged the man of the night as he picked three other awards: Best Male, Best Collaboration (which he won alongside South Africa’s DJ Maphorisa and DJ Buckz), and Artiste of the Year. Wizkid’s achievements on the night, coupled with the giant international strides he has recorded this year, has led many to conclude that the 26-year-old ‘Baba Nla’ singer did know what he was saying when he declared himself a bigger achiever than Linda. But will this put paid to the silent rivalry between the singer and blogger? Only time will tell.

 Meanwhile, other winners of the night inlclude Yemi Alade (Best Female), Sauti Sol (Best Group), Tekno (Best Breakthrough Act), Cassper Nyovest (Best Live Act), Serge Beynaud (Best Francophone), C4 Pedro (Best Lusophone), Shekinah and Kyle Deustche (Best Pop/Alternative), Emtee (Best Hip Hop), Drake (Best International), Hugh Masekela (Legend Award), Youssoupha (Video of the Year), Patoranking (Song of the Year), Jah Prayzah (Listener’s Choice), among others...

Read More »

Varsity celebrates Oyedepo, dismisses discrimination claim.........

                                                              By Demola Akinyemi 

Vice Chancellor, Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Kwara State, Professor Aize Obayan, says the university does not discriminate against students,noting that the institution has the same standard for all students and that the goal of academic excellence and the need to justify the huge amount being spent by the parents cannot be compromised. Obayan spoke at an occasion to mark the 62nd birthday of the Chancellor and founder of the university, Bishop David Oyedepo, against the backdrop of the allegations credited to some parents. Bishop Oyedepo 

“The claims by the parents are not founded because we have the same standard for all students. We don’t force students to take failed courses at the end of the program. 

The fact remains that students must register their failed courses first and there are  a number of courses students can register for semester.

 Above all,there is an adviser for the students because we are conscious of the huge amount being spent by the parents,so we don’t compromise academic excellence so that our products can tower above their colleagues in the competitive world”, she stated. 

The Vice Chancellor, who described the Oyedepo as a visionary leader of  global repute whose obedience to the divine call and passion for the vision he caught, said Oyedepo had brought remarkable transformation to the educational landscape and agricultural revolution in Africa. She said, 

“We are here today, celebrating a man with a selfless service to God and humanity, an illustrious son of Africa who through capacity initiatives and efforts has provided hope to many lives globally. 

“We are appreciating God’s grace upon the life of His Servant whose agenda to drive change and transformation in Africa and the world at large is unmistaken. 

“We are celebrating a man of vision who demonstrated a prompt obedience to divine instruction and by this provides a better platform for the landscape of agriculture and education”. Obayan  disclosed that  the dire economic situation in the country had made urgent intervention from agricultural sector necessary in a bid to transit from import-based to the desirable export-driven economy. 

“Undeniably, the global economic downturn occasioned by the fall in crude oil price is taking toll on Nigeria,” she stated.

Read More »

Chris Brown's daughter dresses as Selena for Halloween....

Chris Brown's daughter, Royalty, dressed up as singer, Selena for Halloween. Selena Quintanilla-Pérez was an American singer who was killed by her very close friend, Yolanda Saldívar , who was obsessed with her and stole money from her.

Read More »

Watch T-Pain dance to MC Galaxy's song, Sekem......

T-Pain hit the floor to MC Galaxy's Sekem at the Heineken Experience event last night and he did a fantastic job dancing to it.

Read More »

Beverly Naya stuns in black.....

The actress shared these beautiful photos on her IG page. Another photo after the cut...

Read More »

Dwyane Wade wishes his wife, Gabrielle Union a happy birthday by sharing her nude photo and wishing her well

NBA player, Dwyane Wade wished his wife, ageless actress, Gabrielle Union, a Happy birthday as she turned a year older yesterday.

Read More »

School proprietress kidnapped, raped and buried by her driver and his friends in Abuja(see photos&video).......

This sad incident happened in Abuja recently. According to the story being told by her close friends, the lady pictured above is the proprietress of a school, Chelsea International School in Abuja. She was allegedly kidnapped by her driver and some of his friends, raped and then buried in a shallow grave.

Investigations by the police led to the arrest of the said driver and his friends. They led the police to the shallow grave where they dumped her body. Her remains was later exhumed. See more photos and the sad video after the cut.

charlesnaija.com

Read More »

Beard gang king. The man with Britain's longest beard measuring over 2ft has been growing it for six years

Michael Legge, a factory worker from Britain has been growing his beard for six whole years and now the facial hair measures over 2ft.

He has retained his title for the country’s longest beard at the British Beard and Moustache Championships in Liverpool, an award he first won in 2014. He has also come in at seventh place in an international competition.

Speaking about how long it takes him to tidy his beards, The father of two said:

 “If I’m going out I can easily take longer than the wife to get ready because I have to wash, dry and oil my beard.”

He also spoke about how  he started growing his beard after he had a bet with his friends. He said:

 "It was a bet with some mates to see who could go longest without shaving and one by one they all dropped out. I had no idea where it would lead. The next step I’d like to take is to make it a career. I know I’m not going to be the next Brad Pitt, but there’s demand for background roles. It’s a niche market.”

Read More »

Glo drops their ambassadors including Sammie Okposo, Wande Coal, Burna Boy.....

Just a few months after MTN dropped some of their celebrity ambassadors, telecoms giant Globacom has done the same. As of yesterday, their ambassadors including Sammie Okposo, Burna Boy, Wande Coal and even P-Square, have been dropped. They have signed on Timaya and are negotiating to acquire FalzTheBahdGuy from MTN, Olamide from Etisalat, and 2face from Airtel.

According to LIB exclusively gathered that Glo is offering them huge sums to break their contracts with other telcos!

Read More »

US singer T-Pain arrives Nigeria for the Heineken ‘Live Your Music’ party...

After weeks of anticipation, American singer and rapper T-Pain has arrived in Lagos, the entertainment capital of Africa, where he will host the Heineken ‘Live Your Music’ party this Saturday, October 29, 2016 at the Federal Palace Hotel in Lagos.

T-Pain was announced as the host of the first ever Heineken ‘Live Your Music’ party in Nigeria by Sampson Oloche, Portfolio Manager, International Premium Brands, Nigerian Breweries Plc., at a press cocktail for the 2016 Heineken Lagos Fashion and Design Week held at the Heineken House. The Heineken ‘Live Your Music’ party is the official after party for the Heineken Lagos Fashion and Design Week (HLFDW) which is billed to start from Wednesday, 26 October to Saturday, 29 October.

Heineken, a leader in innovative music experiences as well as technology and fashion, will also thrill music lovers with the fun and interactive music ‘Takeover’ – wherein people get to choose and dance to their own music playlist.

“The Heineken Live Your Music party is a party that is bound to leave its mark in the memory of music lovers,” says NgoziNkwoji, Senior Brand Manager, Heineken. She pointed out that the Live Your Music party is tailored to give passionate music lovers an opportunity to enjoy various music genres and also take control of their music.

“This is a musical experience that is unprecedented within Nigeria, it will stand as a testament that Heineken is a forward looking brand with a track record of creating innovative life experiences for her consumers. Heineken Live Your Music party will create a wonderful opportunity for music lovers to not only listen and dance to music but also live the music alongside other music lovers.”

www.charlesnaija.com

Read More »

Knife-wielding man shot dead outside US embassy in Nairobi, Kenya...[see phots &video]........

A suspected Al-Shabaab terrorist armed with a knife was shot dead outside the US embassy in Nairobi, Kenya on Thursday, October 27th, after stabbing one of the officers guarding the premises.

The suspect later identified as 24-year-old Somali was trying to forcibly gain entry into the embassy when he was blocked by the Kenya officer manning the visa section. A confrontation ensued during which the man took out a knife he had hidden in his trousers and attacked the policeman, stabbing him in the head and chest.

 

"The suspect is a male of Somali origin. The knife has been recovered, body is still at the scene" Gigiri OCPD Vitalis Otiene told Nation.co.ke.

He said the injured officer shot him in self defence as the man also tried to grab his gun. FBI agents and Kenyan authorities reported to the scene. They said the man was with two others who ran away after the shooting.

However, police spokesman George Kinoti said: "It was a lone criminal who attacked a police officer." He added that said investigations will establish motive for the attack.

US embassy spokeswoman Fiona Evans confirmed the shooting in a statement but said no embassy personnel were involved.

"The US Embassy confirms there was a shooting incident near the Embassy. No Embassy personnel were involved. We reffer you to Kenyan authorities for further details," the statement reads

Read More »

Response to the EFCC latest statement on chief Fani Kayode - By Jude Ndukwe

It is a pity that the spokesman for the EFCC Mr Wilson Uwujaren is determind to try to mislead members of the public concerning the illegal detention of Chief Fani Kayode. He issued a statement today saying the arraignment of Chief Fani Kayode will take place on November the 10th and that it was to do with 17 count charges amounting to 4. 6billion naira. 
The truth is that the 4. 6 billion naira arraignment took place last July at the Federal high court in Lagos. Chief Fani Kayode was granted bail by that court far back as July and the trial for the case commenced on the 21st of October.


The arraignment for November 10th has nothing to do with 4.6 billion naira or campaign funds and  rather it is the 5 count charge in respect to the allegation that he was given 26 million naira by the NSA office in 2014 for media work for the government. Chief Fani Kayode has denied that this happened and the arraignment has been slated for November the 10th 

It is wrong for the EFCC to give the impression that the November10th matter which is in an Abuja Federal high court is the same which is in the federal high court in Lagos. We will recall that Chief Fani Kayode was detained by the EFCC for 73 days before his arraignment before a Federal high court in lagos in July.

Despite that long incarceration and despite that the court now freed him on bail, he was rearrested on the 21st from the court and they intend to keep him in detention until November10th even though he was granted bail by the federal high court.

This is barbaric and it is wrong.

They are also aware that he does not enjoy good health but they don't care.

The EFCC and the court had been given an undertaking through the lawyer that they will produce him in court on November the 10th for the arraignment but despite that,  they arrested him and are determined to keep him in until November the 10th even though he has court bail from the federal high court and is iIl.Their plan is to keep him in perpetual detention even after the next arraignment and even after he is granted bail by the second federal high court.

They intend to continue to do this just to keep him out of circulation and to silence him.

This is wickedness of the highest order and it is unlawful.

It is an abuse of power and such things should not happen in a Democracy where there is rule of law.

Read More »

Budget: Pres Buhari writes NASS to borrow $29.96bn external loan..........

President Buhari today forwarded a letter to the National Assembly requesting legislative approval for external borrowing plan of $29.960 billion to execute key infrastructural projects across the country between 2016 and 2018. 

 The president also requested for virement of N180.8 billion in the 2016 budget for provision of needed votes for some critical sectors across the 36 states of the federation and the FCT. President Buhari made the requests in two separate letters addressed to Senate President Bukola Saraki and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara. 

The president, in the external borrowing plan, explained that targeted projects cuts across all sectors with special emphasis on infrastructure, agriculture, health, education, water supply, growth and employment generation. President Buhari in the letter, stated that the cost of the projects and programmes under the borrowing (rolling) plan is $29.960 billion. This is made up of proposed projects and programmes loan of $11.274 billion, Special National Infrastructure projects $10.686 billion, Euro bonds of $4.5 billion and Federal Government budget support of $3.5 billion.

He explained further that the loan was very necessary in view of the serious infrastructure deficit in the country. He said the country had huge infrastructure deficit and enormous financial resources required to fill the gap in the face of dwindling resources.

“This is in addition to the inability of our annual budgetary provisions to bridge the deficit. It has become necessary to resort to prudent external borrowing to bridge the financing gap. This will largely be applied to key infrastructure projects namely power, railway and roads among others,” he said.

Buhari said the N180 billion would be moved from monies already appropriated for special intervention programmes both recurrent and capital for funding of critical recurrent and capital items.

The letter reads in part: “In the course of implementing the 2016 Appropriation Act, several MDAs have presented issues pertaining to salary shortfalls, the settlement of part of which has led to the depletion of the Public Service Wage Adjustment. 

This Vote, which had a provision of N33,597,400,000, now has a balance of N2, 758,296,000. The provision for NYSC in the 2016 budget is inadequate to cater for the number of corps members to be mobilised this year. In fact, an additional N8.5 billion is required to cover the backlog of 129,469 corps members who are due for call-up but would otherwise be left out till next year due to funding constraints. Similarly, the provision for meal subsidy for the Unity Colleges is inadequate for the number of students in the schools. Due to the devaluation of the Naira, the budgetary provisions for the foreign missions are no longer sufficient to cover all their costs.”

In another letter dated October 24th, President Buhari also requested the National Assembly to approve the virement of funds appropriated for special intervention (recurrent) and special intervention (capital) to fund some critical recurrent and capital items.

According to him, the reasons for the request for virement, include shortfalls in provisions for personnel costs; inadequate provision ab initio for some items like the amnesty programme; continuing requirements to sustain the war against insurgency and depreciation of the naira.

“However, considering the fact that budgeted revenues are running behind target due to the renewed violence in the Niger Delta. Also there are no supplementary revenue sources, the most viable option for now is the virement of appropriated funds from heads or sub-heads that may not be fully utilised before the end of this fiscal year,” Buhari added.

Read More »

Do people keep a piece of their wedding cake until their child turns 1? As Tiwa Savage shared

...via Snapchat. However, the singer and Mother-of-one did not indicate whether she was the one who observed such tradition. Her son with Teebillz, Jamil turned one-year-old back in July.

Read More »

see photo and video of One-week old conjoined twins successfully separated....

Doctors at Al-Hadbah Hospital, Tripoli have successfully separated Siamese twins in one of the rarest surgeries in Libya.

The hospital administration said the two-hour long separation surgery took place on Wednesday, October 5, and was conducted by Libyan surgeons. The 39-year old mother was admitted to Al-Hadbah Hospital on September 30 to undergo a delivery operation for twin babies. 

During the operation, the doctors were astonished to find the twins were conjoined at the stomach and chest, and that their livers were attached to each other. The delivery operation took one hour and the mother was allowed to leave while the twin boys were kept at the Newborn Care Unit for the separation surgery.

Their health condition is stable now and they are expected to leave the hospital in the next few days, doctors confirmed

 

 

Read More »

Man sues Samsung after his phone blew up his private part...

A man named Michael Taylor is suing Samsung after claiming his phone blew up his private part. Michael who had purchase a new Galaxy Note 7 about a month ago, claimed that he was fast asleep when the mobile phone blew up and caught fire on his bed, leaving him with injuries on his crotch and legs. In the document obtained by TMZ, he also claimed that he had no knowledge that the battery of the Samsung was shoddy which induced it to overheating, exploding and shooting flames.

Read More »

Elderly woman allegedly caught burying charms in another family's compound in Anambra...

According to a Facebook user Uju Patricia, the woman was caught red handed trying to bury charm in another family's compound. A raid at her home led to the discovery of a goat that was crying like a human being and many other charms. The incident reportedly happened in a village in Anambra State.

"She went to bury charm behind one Ofieli family just behind her house and she was caught live and dey went to her house and found a goat dat is crying tears like human being, according to my mum, dat many charm was found in her house and a pregnant goat, dat d chest was open were she also prepare her charms"

Read More »

MTN 4G LTE is now Live...

Nigeria’s quest to achieve the 30 percent national Broadband penetration by 2018 has received a major boost with the launch of MTN’s 4G LTE service. With the launch of the service, MTN’s subscribers can now enjoy optimized wireless 4G broadband and high-speed browsing experience which is the fastest and most futuristic mobile internet access available in Nigeria today.

According to MTN’s Chief Marketing Officer, Rahul De, the deployment of 4G LTE will not only enhance MTN subscribers’ browsing experience but would also key-in to the national objective of attaining 30 percent Broadband penetration by 2018. “We are excited to officially announce the roll-out of MTN 4G LTE services to our esteemed subscribers.

The service supports most LTE devices, and leveraging on our network promises to be the widest LTE coverage in Nigeria. With the acquisition of the 2.6GHZ spectrum earlier this year, our objective was clear: to build capacity to accommodate 4G LTE into our services because it is the fastest wireless internet connection available today. In fulfilling that objective, we have embarked on aggressive optimization of our sites to beef up our capacity to take on the 4G LTE challenge.

Presently, the service is available in Abuja, Lagos and Port Harcourt, with plans to roll-out to other parts of the country very soon,” he said. Speaking further, Rahul called on subscribers to visit the nearest MTN customer centre in the three cities to upgrade their SIM cards to U-SIMs to enable them enjoy the 4G service. He also added that switching to MTN 4G LTE will not attract additional tariffs for subscribers. MTN’s 4GLTE Broadband servicealsocomes with MI-FI device that canbepurchased atthenearest MTN friendshipcentre and allows for multiple userseither at home or office.

Read More »

Footballers Uche Kalu, Emmanuel Emenike, ex-beauty queens Stephanie Kalu and Iheoma Nnadi dine together...

Nigerian footballers Emmanuel Emenike and Uche Kalu are pictured at a dinner with their partners, former beauty queens Stephanie Kalu and Iheoma Nnadi, and friends, including Nollywood actor, Osita Iheme, in Etiler Kebapci, Turkey.

Read More »

Buhari sets up electoral reform panel, okays Nnamani as head...

By Charles Kumolu, Jonhbosco Agbakwuru, Gbenga Oke & Ikechukwu Nnochiri President 

Muhammadu Buhari has constituted a 24-man committee to address perceived defects in Nigeria’s electoral laws and constitution.

 Reactions to the constitution of the committee, which is to be headed by a former Senate President, Dr. Ken Nnamani, were, however, mixed as some stakeholders faulted its establishment on the grounds that the National Assembly was better positioned to review the constitution. 

The Committee, which members were drawn from Civil Society Organisations, academia, legal profession, traditional institutions, as well as former legislators, would be inaugurated tomorrow by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN. PRESIDENT BUHARI RECEIVES SOUTH-EAST GROUP FOR CHANGE 2. R-L; APC Chieftain, Lady Sharon Ikeazor, Chief of Staff, Mallam Abba Kyari, President Muhammadu Buahri, the former Senate President and Leader of South-East Group for Change, Senator Ken Nnnami, Senator Ifeanyi Arerume and other members of the SOUTH-EAST GROUP FOR CHANGE in audience with the President at the State House in Abuja. 

PHOTO; Abayomi Adeshida The AGF, in a statement by his media aide, Mr. Salisu Isah, said the Constitutional/ Electoral Reform Committee was set-up as part of the effort by the Buhari-led administration to rejig the current configuration. The statement read: ‘

The Committee is expected to review the electoral environment, laws, and experiences from recent elections conducted in Nigeria and make recommendations to strengthen and achieve the conduct of free and fair elections in Nigeria. 

The former Senate President, Nnamani, was okayed to head the Committee, with an expectation that he would bring his wealth of experience to bear on the reform process.’’ 

Dr. Mamman Lawal of Bayero University, Kano, would serve as the secretary, while other members include  Dr. Muiz Banire, SAN, Dr. Clement Nwankwo, Chief A.C Ude and Mr. Tahir, the Director, Legal Drafting, Federal Ministry of Justice. 

Restructuring of should be paramount—Ezeife Reacting to the development, a former governor of Anambra State, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, said: “There are basic issues if we want a strong Federal Government. 

The earlier we restructure the stronger we will be, and if we don’t restructure, or wait for too long, we are attempting disintegration.

 A member of the House of Representatives, who represents Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam Federal Constituency of Plateau State, Mr. Timothy Golu, said: 

They should implement the Uwais report and the Constitutional Conference report. They are rich enough. We don’t need any other panel. 

It will amount to a waste of resources.” 

They should channel the money to the implementation of the budget. 

The reports on the ground are rich.

 Another member of the House of Representatives, Mr. Samuel Onuigbo who represents Ikwuano/Umuahia North, South Federal Constituency of Abia State, said: 

They should focus on how to ensure that we attain transparent and credible elections. 

The other aspect is that we have seen so many reports on constitutional reforms and electoral reforms. 

The most important among them are the wonderful work of Justice Uwais Committee. 

We are so good in setting up committees and not implementing the report of the panels.

Our work will end up at the National Assembly— Nnamani Nnamani, said:  

I think my basic assignment will be to ensure that we improve on the electoral institutions in this country just as the name implies. 

However, the outcome of that panel will still end up at the National Assembly.

 Govt may not implement outcome—Mohammed Second Republic lawmaker, Dr. Junaid Mohammed, said: 

In principle, I have no problem with this new panel set up by President Buhari. In fact, I am supportive of the panel but most times, reports of such panels could be thrown into the thrash especially with this kind of National Assembly. 

I have faith in Nnamani, he has experience in government, he is politically savvy and I believe he will come out with a desired result. 

However, I believe this government lacks the political will, so the recommendation of that panel might be dumped by the wayside.

Political parties must be carried along—Okoye On his part, a former Secretary of Inter-Party Advisory Council of Nigeria,IPAC, Chief Godson Okoye, said: 

Have they consulted the political parties over what they want to do?  

They are doing electoral reforms, who is going to represent the political parties? 

Things are done in this country the way they will fail. 

The political parties are important in any reforms they may want to embark on.  

The leaders of the party are supposed to be consulted and well represented in any committee that would be put together.  

The government is expected to hold a stakeholders conference where the parties will agree on the way to go. 

It is when the parties are not forthcoming that the government can theorise. But the parties are there and should be consulted because they know the kind of reforms that are needed in the electoral process. If there are civil society groups on the panel, what about the political parties?

Read More »