Nigerian News

Nigerian
News

Focus

TOP NEWS
FOCUS

December 31, 2006

Obasanjo: I’ll Be Home by May 29
For the umpteenth time, President Olusegun Oba-sanjo yesterday assured the nation that he would quit office on May 29 next year when his term of offic... ThisDay

Anambra: Etiaba Consults Aso Rock on Court Verdict
Governor Virgy Etiaba, of Anambra State has initiated discussions with the presidency on what should be her appropriate response to the verdict of Awk... Thisday

Arrest threat: Atiku Defiant!
DEFIANT Vice President Atiku Abubakar appears bent on returning to the country from the United States, US, where he is vacationing despite the threat of arrest hanging on his neck, his associates .......Vanguard

I’ll quit in May, Obasanjo assures
PRESIDENT Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday reassured Nigerians that he would be handing over to another civilian administration in May next year saying that he would be back in his hometown ..................Vanguard

2007 polls ‘ll not hold if..
THE next presidential election holding as scheduled will be determined by the health of the candidates so far nominated for the election slated for April 21, 2007. A provision in the 2006 Electoral Act stipulates ..........Vanguard

Yar’Adua rejects Atiku’s job - FG may try Atiku for treason, No plot will extend OBJ’s tenure - Atiku
Governor Umar Yar’Adua, the People’s Democracy Party’s Presidential flag-bearer for next year’s presidential elections, has rejected President Olusegun Obasanjo’s offer that he should replace the...Tribune

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Read all the NigerianNews letters to the editor
NigerianNews Letters

NIGERIA PERISCOPES THE WORLD

Nigerian Census Result Avoids Controversy
Nigeria has confirmed its status as the most populous country on the African continent, announcing its population has exceeded 140 million. Gilbert da Costa reports the announcement sought to avoid some of the more controversial details ahead of crucial polls next year. VoiceOfAmerica

Ethiopians chase Somali Islamists
Ethiopian tanks backing Somali forces advance towards the port stronghold of Somalia's Islamist fighters. BBC

Gaddafi rejects release of medics
Libya's leader rejects calls for the release of foreign medics sentenced to death for infecting children with Aids. BBC

Saddam Hussein hanged
Saddam Hussein, the former Iraqi dictator who spent his last years in captivity after his ruthless regime was toppled by the U.S.-led coalition in 2003, was hanged before dawn Saturday for crimes committed in a brutal crackdown during his reign. CNN

Saddam execution angers pilgrims
Muslims at the Hajj, shocked at the death of the former Iraqi leader, have said the timing of his execution was an insult to Muslims. Aljazeera

December 30, 2006

Nigeria’s Population is 140m
Nigeria's population now stands at 140,003, 542, Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Samu'ila Danko Makama has announced.The figure... ThisDay

Atiku: I’m Not Fleeing from EFCC
Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said that he is not fleeing from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), but is merely observing his ann... ThisDay

Etiaba May Handover to Obi Next Week
The Deputy Governor of Anambra State who has been Governor since November 2006 following the bizarre impeachment of Mr. Peter Obi, by the State House ... ThisDay

Gani: I’m Yet to Adopt Buhari
Lagos lawyer, Chief Gani Fawehinmi has denied his purported adoption of the presidential ambition of  Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd.). In a statemen... ThisDay

Census Result: We’re 140m - NPC
THE National Population Commission (NPC) has presented a national population figure of 140,003,542...Tribune

Atiku Dangles AC Tickets To 80 Senators, 180 Reps - Who Lost In PDP
PRESIDENT Olusegun Obasanjo’s battle to get rid of Vice President Atiku Abubakar from his government may not be ending so soon. The vice president has already challenged his purported sack by the president in court...Tribune

Police Uncover Illegal Registration Centre
The Police in Sokoto State have, with the aid of the opposition All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), uncovered illegal voters registration center stationed in a house belonging to a chieftain of the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) in the state, Alhaji Umaru Babuga Oro. Tribune

Census 2006 puts Nigerians at 140 million
ABUJA — Nigeria’s population now stands at 140,003,542 according to the provisional figure of the 2006 housing and population census released yesterday in Abuja by the chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Chief ..................Vanguard

Postpone 2007 polls — ENAHORO
BENIN CITY — ELDER statesman and leader of the National Reformation Party, (NRP) Chief Anthony Enahoro, wants the forthcoming 2007 elections to be postponed to redress what he described as the anomalies in the constitution. He also ..................Vanguard

Atiku has lost his seat — Aminu
President’s position vacant, the occupier of the office, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar had already lost the seat by decamping to another political party. But aide to the Vice President on Media, Mallam Garba Shehu in a telephone interview with Saturday Champion, dismissed Sen. Aminu’s claims, describing him as a man who is lost politically. .>>Champion

GOD HAS LEFT OBASANJO ALONE
by Engr. Atsar Terver
It has always been my conviction that Nigerians made the greatest mistake in this century by electing OBJ as their president in 1999. I say this because; in 2003 he used the power of incumbency to reinstall himself. He was not elected. If Nigerians have known the kind of leader OBJ would turn out to be, they could have urged Abdulsalami Abubakar to continue. NigerianNews Special | Related Issue

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Read all the NigerianNews letters to the editor
NigerianNews Letters

NIGERIA PERISCOPES THE WORLD

Population in Nigeria tops 140m
Nigeria's census results show that Africa's most populous nation has grown by 63% in the last 15 years. BBC

Nigeria's population doubles since 1991
ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) -- Nigeria's population has nearly doubled to an estimated 140 million people since the last count in 1991, according to census figures released Friday. CNN

Mixed report
The turbulent times of the UN's departing chief Kofi Annan
UN Secretary General Kofi Annan retires at the end of December. He was the seventh secretary general, serving for two terms of five years each, starting on 1 January 1997. BBC

December 29, 2006

Breaking News:

Population in Nigeria tops 140m
Nigeria's census results show that Africa's most populous nation has grown by 63% in the last 15 years. BBC

More men than women!
The provisional release gave the population of men as 71,709,859 and women 68,590,683! The exact details await the dialogues by the president and the state governors! NNews

Anambra Court Reinstates Obi
An Awka High Court, presided over by Justice Umegbolu Nri-Ezedi, yesterday declared the impeachment of Mr. Peter Obi as Governor of Anambra State as “unconstitutional, null and void ThisDay

My Agenda for N/Delta, By Yar’Adua
Governor of Katsina State and Peoples Democratic Party Presidential flag bearer in the 2007 general elections, Alhaji Umar Musa Yar'Adua, yeterday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, unveiled his integrated programme for the Niger Delta ThisDay

Fawehinmi, Balarabe Others Adopt Buhari
The presidential ambition of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd.) received a major boost yesterday, following his unanimous adoption by notable statesmen ThisDay

FEC Holds Extra-ordinary Meeting Today
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) may likely have a change of heart today as its holds another meeting today contrary to what was disclosed last Wednesday that that would be its last meeting for this year. ThisDay

Court voids Obi's sack
AWKA — THE November 2, 2006 impeachment of Governor Peter Obi by some members of the Anambra State House of Assembly was....Vanguard

BAYELSA GUBER TICKET
In December, 2002, it was a group of political leaders from Bayelsa State who visited President Olusegun Obasanjo in the Aso Rock .....Vanguard

Court annuls Anambra gov’s impeachment: We’re yet to get the judgment - Police
AN Awka High Court presided over by Justice Umegbolu Nri Ezeadi on Thursday nullified the impeachment of Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State. He said the process of his impeachment was...Tribune

Obi’s reinstatement: Anambra lawmakers go to Appeal Court
A few hours after a High Court sitting in Awka reinstated Mr. Peter Obi as the governor of Anambra State, some members of the state House of Assembly filed a notice of appeal against the ruling of the High Court. Tribune

South-East, South-South and Leadership in Nigeria
by Anthony A Kila
A recent private conversation I had just before Christmas with an informed and well-known Nigerian of Igbo origin left me stunned and challenged as an individual and as a Nigerian citizen. It also made feel me sad and embarrassed. NigerianNews Guest Column

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Read all the NigerianNews letters to the editor
NigerianNews Letters

NIGERIA PERISCOPES THE WORLD

Nigeria sacking reversed
A court in the south-eastern Nigerian state of Anambra has reversed a controversial impeachment of the state governor, Peter Obi. BBC

Somali troops enter capital city
Somali government troops march into parts of Mogadishu, hours after Islamist forces flee the city. BBC

Red Cross: Pipeline leak caused no blast
LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) -- Fuel was leaking from a pipeline in a poor Lagos neighborhood Thursday, but the Red Cross said its earlier report of an explosion was mistaken. CNN

Rebels end Nigeria oilfield sieges
Nigerian oil industry spokesmen say two different armed groups have lifted sieges of two oilfield stations in the country, releasing more than 20 local workers. Aljazeera

December 28, 2006

Breaking News:

Nigeria sacking reversed
A court in the south-eastern Nigerian state of Anambra has reversed a controversial impeachment of the state governor, Peter Obi. BBC

FG asks court to declare Atiku’s seat vacant
As Atiku files counter suit to retain seat
The Federal Government yesterday filed two separate suits at the Court of Appeal in Abuja, seeking to validate its removal of Vice-President Atiku Abubakar from office, and invalidate last Wednesday’s Federal High Court’s judgement barring Atiku’s trial by the Code of Conduct Tribunal. But in a counter move yesterday, Atiku also filed a suit at an Abuja Court of Appeal seeking to nullify his purported removal... | Daily Trust

FG, Atiku Go to Court
The Federal Government yesterday filed a fresh suit at the Court of Appeal in Abuja, asking for an order to declare that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar could no longer occupy the Office of the Vice President of the country. ThisDay

Atiku drags OBJ to court - As FEC plans emergency meeting over him
VICE President Atiku Abubakar yesterday filed a case at the Appeal Court, Abuja, asking the court to determine whether President Olusegun Obasanjo has the power to declare his office vacant. Tribune

EFCC quizzes Lagos finance commissioner
LAGOS State Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Akin Doherty, was on Wednesday invited for questioning by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in connection with the ongoing investigation into financial dealings involving Alpha -Beta Company, a tax consultant firm to the state government. Tribune

238 fire victims get mass burial * Pope, UN send condolences
LAGOS — TWO hundred and thirty-eight (238) victims of Tuesday’s fuel pipeline fire at Awori, Lagos were given a mass burial overnight, according to the Nigerian Red Cross. At least seven of those rushed to different hospitals have died while .........................Vanguard

FG, Atiku in fresh legal battle * Storm Appeal Court on VP's sack
ABUJA — THE Federal Government headed for the Court of Appeal yesterday, praying it to declare that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is no longer qualified, morally and legally, to remain in office as Nigeria's Vice President having renounced his ................Vanguard

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Read all the NigerianNews letters to the editor
NigerianNews Letters

NIGERIA PERISCOPES THE WORLD

Nigeria's President and Vice President Take Dispute to Court
Nigeria's president and vice president have both started legal proceedings in a dispute over whether the vice president can remain in office. VoiceOfAmerica

Nigeria vows to curb oil blazes
Nigeria's government promises measures to against fuel pipeline explosions, after 260 die in Lagos. BBC

Hussein loyalists warn against hanging
The Baath Party, the political movement that ruled Iraq during the Saddam Hussein era, is warning there will be "grave consequences" if former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein is executed. CNN

Lagos corpses pose health risk
Nigerian health officials are disinfecting the site of an oil pipeline explosion that killed more than 260 people and injured dozens more. Aljazeera

December 27, 2006

VP’s Camp, CJN Trade Blames on Atiku’s Letter
The sack of Vice President of Vice President Atiku Abubakar, took another twist yesterday, following the denial by the Office of the Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Alfa Salihu Belgore ThisDay

Hundreds Die in Another Pipeline Fire
An explosion at a vandalised oil pipeline in Awori area of Abule Egba, a Lagos suburb, yesterday started a fire that killed hundreds of people ThisDay

FG Authorises FRSC to Carry Arms
The Federal Government has authorised officers and men of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), to carry arms while on road traffic control operations ThisDay

200 roasted in pipeline fire
IT was a day of weeping, sadness and gnashing of teeth yesterday at Abule Egba, a suburb of Lagos, as over 200 persons were roasted to death in a pipeline fire. Another 150 are said to be on the danger list after sustaining first degree burns as medical doctors say they have slim chances of survival. The victims were scooping fuel from the Atlas Cove-Mosimi ....>>Champion

Belgore denies Atiku’s letter
CHIEF Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Salihu Alfa Belgore yesterday dismissed as false, Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s purported letter to him concerning the VP’s alleged removal from office by President Olusegun Obasanjo saying "no letter of such ilk has been received". Though Belgore did not rule out the fact that the letter may have been sent by post, he said no letter with that content has reached him as at 1.00pm Tuesday....>>Champion

Xtians declare Dec 26 ‘Jesus Day’
Thousands of Christian faithful converged, yesterday in Lagos, for the 50 million-man rally at Ikeja, where they made a declaration that henceforth, the December 26, Boxing Day, would now be known as "Jesus Day".The declaration which climaxed the rally .... >> Champion

N/Assembly may reject Atiku’s impeachment - INEC seeks legal advice over his seat
INDICATIONS have emerged that the National Assembly may not be disposed to commencing impeachment proceedings against Vice President Atiku Abubakar, notwithstanding the declaration by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Presidency...Tribune

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Read all the NigerianNews letters to the editor
NigerianNews Letters

NIGERIA PERISCOPES THE WORLD

Lawyer Says Constitution Supports President Obasanjo for Sacking VP
In Nigeria, the political drama between President Olusegun Obasanjo and Vice President Atiku Abubakar continues. Late last week, the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) expelled the vice president after he was chosen as the presidential candidate for the Action Congress Party. President Obasanjo moved to declare the office vacant. VoiceOfAmerica

Lagos pipeline blast kills scores
At least 260 people die in an oil pipeline explosion in Nigeria's commercial capital, Nigeria's Red Cross says. BBC

Nigeria 'using Abacha cash well'
Nigeria is using funds it regained from the former military ruler, Sani Abacha, to boost health, education and transport, the World Bank has said. BBC

Saddam Hussein death sentence upheld
BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- The Iraqi High Tribunal's appellate chamber on Tuesday upheld Saddam Hussein's death sentence in the Dujail massacre case, Judge Aref Shaheen announced. CNN

December 26, 2006

Atiku's escorts withdrawn
ABUJA — MORE security aides of embattled Vice President Atiku Abubakar have been redeployed on the order of President Olusegun Obasanjo. This time, it is the VP’s police escorts/guards that have been ordered redeployed. ...............Vanguard

Atiku sues OBJ over sack
VICE President Atiku Abubakar will tomorrow at an Abuja High Court commence a legal battle against President Olusegun Obasanjo to challenge the recent withdrawal of his official privileges by the latter. Ahead of the suit, the Vice President’s legal team led by Ricky Tarfa (SAN) will meet and deliberate on the matter today in Abuja. One of the media aides to the Vice President, . ....>>Champion

Niger Speaker killed in auto crash
•Nigerian pilgrim also, en route Jeddah
The Speaker, Niger State House of Assembly, Alhaji Alhassan Jikantoro, is dead. The State Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Umaru Ragada, made the announcement in Minna yesterday. He said Jikantoro died in a motor accident at Kwakuti along Minna- ....>>Champion

Historic marriage:Twins wed twins
A marital record was set in Calabar recently when a set of Efik male twins wedded another set of Efik female twins in a glorious ceremony which attracted the high and mighty in Cross River State| The Sun

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Read all the NigerianNews letters to the editor
NigerianNews Letters

NIGERIA PERISCOPES THE WORLD

'Godfather of Soul' James Brown dies
ATLANTA, Georgia (CNN) -- James Brown, the legendary R&B belter, a singer and songwriter who created a foundation for funk and provided the roots of rap, a man of many nicknames but a talent that can only be described as one of a kind, is dead. CNN

Ethiopia jets bomb Somalia airports
Ethiopian warplanes attacked two Islamist-held airfields in Somalia on Monday, witnesses said, in the most dramatic strikes yet of a war threatening to engulf the Horn of Africa. CNN

Ethiopia action in Somalia backed
Ethiopia has the right to intervene in Somalia as it feels threatened by an Islamic militia, the African Union says. BBC

Countries Continue Push for End to Somalia Conflict
European Union released statement saying it is gravely concerned about clashes between two countries VoiceOfAmerica

US forces arrest Iranian officials
The timing of the arrest of two Iranian officials in Iraq by US forces has triggered controversy in Tehran, Baghdad, and Washington. Aljazeera

December 25, 2006

Senate to Decide on Atiku Jan. 16
Barring any last minute changes, the Senate will, January 16, 2007 take a formal stand on the controversy trailing the decision by President Olusegun Obasanjo ThisDay

I’m Still Vice President, Says Atiku
Vice President Atiku Abubakar yesterday said despite the declaration by President Olusegun Obasanjo that his office is vacant ThisDay

FG Appeals Against Judgment in Favour of Atiku
The Federal Government has filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal in Abuja challenging the judgment of a Federal High Court, Abuja, which set aside last week the charges filed ThisDay

Atiku goes to court, reports OBJ to Nat'l Assembly
ABUJA—VICE President Atiku Abubakar has filed an action before an Abuja High Court, begging it to declare as illegal and unconstitutional purported moves to sack him from government on account of his defection to the Action Congress (AC)............Vanguard

OBJ shops for Atiku’s replacement - Aminu, Bamanga Tukur top list
PRESIDENT Olusegun Obasanjo and the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are now at a final stage of selecting a new vice president...Tribune

Atiku: FG goes to Appeal Court
THE Federal Government has filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal in Abuja challenging the judgment of a Federal High Court, Abuja, which last week voided the criminal trial of Vice President Atiku Abubakar by the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT). Tribune

AD asks INEC to declare Tinubu, others’ seats vacant
THE Alliance for Democracy (AD) has written the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to declare Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s seat in Lagos...Tribune

Afenifere has not endorsed any presidential candidate - spokesman
The pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere has denied endorsing former head of state, General Muhammadu Buhari, as its presidential candidate for the 2007 election. Tribune

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Read all the NigerianNews letters to the editor
NigerianNews Letters

NIGERIA PERISCOPES THE WORLD

Nigeria to replace vice-president
Nigeria's government announces that President Obasanjo is to replace Vice-President Atiku Abubakar. BBC

Sacked Nigerian deputy defiant
The dismissed vice-president of Nigeria has written to officials stating that he is still in office. Aljazeera

Ahmadinejad: U.N. will regret move
Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Sunday downplayed U.N. Security Council sanctions on his country over its refusal to suspend uranium enrichment, saying world powers will soon regret imposing them. CNN

December 24, 2006

May the unbiased judge interpret 142(1) and 146(3)(c) of the 1999 constitution?
A VP is a product of party selection in a convention where the presidential candidate is ELECTED and not SELECTED. In other words, Yar'Adua and Buhari were ELECTED recently by their various party conventions, and then Yar'Adua SELECTED Goodluck Jonathan, while Buhari SELECTED Ume Ezeoke. Is this a paradox? We don't think so! NigerianNews Editorial | Related Issue

Finally, Obasanjo Sacks Atiku
What seems the next phase in the raging leadership crisis bet-ween President Olus-egun Obasanjo, and the Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, opened... ThisDay

...Says God Didn’t Ask Him to Continue in Office
2007 President Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday said that he decided not to continue in office beyond May 2007 because God has not told him to do so.Answ... ThisDay

The Verdict according to Olusegun Adeniyi: What’s in a Name? Ask Goodluck!
It was about 8pm when the Kwara State Governor, Dr Bukola Saraki, sauntered into the State Box to have a brief chat with President Olusegun Obasanjo. As he left the box and made to enter the main arena, he was waylaid by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees Chairman, Chief Tony Anenih: ‘Young man, I want to see you.’ ThisDay

Security men raid Atiku’s homes
BARELY 24 hours after the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, asked President Olusegun Obasanjo to replace Vice President Atiku Abubakar on the grounds of the latter’s defection to the Action Congress, AC, heavily armed security officials..................Vanguard

2007: Igbos reject Yar’Adua, Buhari, Atiku * Say they have taken destiny in own hands
THE presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Governor Umar Musa Yar’Adua, as well as his counterparts in the All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP, and Action Congress, AC, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari and ....................Vanguard

Obasanjo withdraws Atiku’s aides, cars
THE stand-off between President Olusegun Obasanjo and his deputy, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar assumed an irredeemable twist weekend, following the withdrawal...Tribune

Atiku flees for possible arrest?
VICE-PRESIDENT Atiku Abubakar on Wednesday jetted out of Nigeria to the United States of America to forestall the probability of his being arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Tribune

Buhari’s emergence threatens AC/ANPP alliance
THE emergence of General Muhammadu Buhari as the standard bearer of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) was a mini-coup staged against the aspiration of the Action Congress and the ambition of Atiku Abubaka...Tribune

Militants bomb Rivers Government House - As MEND claims responsibility
ACTIVITIES of militants in their new found use of explosives got bolder in Port Harcourt yesterday as another car bomb got detonated next to the east fence of the Rivers State ultra-modern government house...Tribune

OBJ SACKS ATIKU
It is unconstitutional
It is right
President Olusegun Obasanjo has declared the office of the vice president vacant, announcing that a replacement for Atiku Abubakar would be made public after due consultation with relevant bodies and stakeholders in the country. ....>>Champion

My administration has rescued Nigeria, says Mr President
PRESIDENT Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday reviewed his seven and a half year’s tenure and declared that despite all odds, he is leaving Nigeria better than he met it.He made this declaration just as he said that impeachment should be the last resort in resolving governance and political differences between the executive and legislative arms of government.........>>Champion

Vote for credible candidates, Utomi campaign group urges
Utomi for President Volunteer Force (UFPVF), the campaign group of Professor Pat Utomi, a presidential aspirant, has called on the Civil Society, press and youths to vote in 2007 general elections for credible candidates whose antecedents have been reasonably proven. ........>>Champion

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Read all the NigerianNews letters to the editor
NigerianNews Letters

NIGERIA PERISCOPES THE WORLD

Nigeria 'using Abacha cash well'
Nigeria is using funds it regained from the former military ruler, Sani Abacha, to boost health, education and transport, the World Bank has said. BBC

Explosion Near Nigerian State Government Building
Police say no one hurt in blast, which caused some damage to the building in Rivers State VoiceOfAmerica

Nigerian vice-president 'replaced'
Olusegun Obasanjo, the Nigerian president, has declared vacant the office of his embattled deputy vice-president after he defected to a rival party ahead of elections next year. Aljazeera

December 23, 2006

PDP Wants Obasanjo to Replace VP
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has asked Presi-dent Olusegun Obasanjo to invoke Section 142 of the 1999 constitution and replace Atiku Abubakar with a... ThisDay

...Gani: Constitution is Clear, Atiku is Out
Lagos lawyer, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, yesterday reviewed the decision of Vice President Atiku Abubakar to pick the Action Congress (AC) presidential tic... ThisDay

Buhari Picks Ume-Ezeoke as Running Mate
Former Head of State and presidential candidate under the platform of All Nigeria Peoples’ Party (ANPP), Major-General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) has pick... ThisDay

Abacha Loot: N22bn Spent on Power – FG
The Federal Government spent N21.94 billion of the loot of former Head of State General Sani Abacha stashed in Swiss banks on electricity. This w... ThisDay

PDP expels Atiku, Kalu; declares their seats vacant
ABUJA — The Peoples Democratic Party set the tone for the final onslaught against Vice President Atiku Abubakar yesterday as the party’s NEC expelled him from the party and declared his seat vacant as Vice-President. .............Vanguard

AC/ANPP alliance blasts PDP, plans joint presidential candidate
ABUJA — The Action Congress/All Nigeria Peoples Party alliance yesterday rebuffed moves it said were being orchestrated by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to unseat Vice-President Atiku Abubakar from office on account of his new affiliation with the Action Congress. Vanguard

2007 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS:Our plans for Nigeria, by Yar’Adua, Buhari, Atiku
AS the 2007 general elections approach the final curve, it is instructive that after all the initial posturings, Nigerians may have to choose their next President from the trio of Alhaji Umar Musa Yar’Adua of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Gen. Muhammadu Buhari of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the Action Congress (AC). Vanguard

PTDF: We’ll get to every grey area to expose all culprits
The Senate ad-hoc Committee probing the affairs of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) is to undertake a physical examination of the agency’s office described by the immediate past scribe as the most fashionable office in the country. Vanguard

PDP declares Atiku, Kalu’s offices vacant .' It's Illegal'
The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday sacked Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, from the party, and declared his office vacant. NEC in a brief meeting presided over by President Olusegun Obasanjo also asked governor Orji Uzor Kalu to vacate his office with immediate effect. The duo were axed for declaring for the nation's number one post in other parties platform; instead of PDP which brought them into power...>>Champion

Alliance: Buhari, Atiku tear parties apart
PERMUTATIONS towards the 2007 general elections reached a feverish pitch during the week as some key presidential candidates beamed their searchlights on the South-East geopolitical zone to pick their running mates. .. ...>>Champion

Abacha loot: FG receives $693m from Swiss Bank
Swiss government has disclosed that a total of $700 million has so far been recovered from Swiss banks belonging to the late Head of state, Gen. Sani Abacha.......>>Champion

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Read all the NigerianNews letters to the editor
NigerianNews Letters

NIGERIA PERISCOPES THE WORLD

Nigeria party bars vice-president
Nigeria's vice-president is expelled from the ruling party for joining the opposition as a presidential contender. BBC

Religious Group in Ghana Brings Together Christians, Muslims
As the world's Christian community marks the birth of Jesus Christ, Ghanaian faithful are joining in the celebrations with various church activities, including conventions and all-night prayer sessions. However, a religious sect in Ghana is not marking the December 25 holiday. Zetaheal, a spiritual church started by a woman, 31 years ago, brings believers of Christianity and Islam together to worship without a sense of conflict, on a continent dotted with religious conflicts. From the mission's premises at Zongo Junction, a suburb of the Ghanaian capital, Accra, Efam Dovi reports the group disagrees with some generally accepted Christian teachings. VoiceOfAmerica

De Klerk describes freeing Mandela
PAARL, South Africa (CNN) -- Frederik Willem de Klerk -- the last leader of white South Africa and the man who turned his back on decades of entrenched racism to bring an end to apartheid -- lights up with excitement when he describes his historic decision to free Nelson Mandela from prison after 27 years. CNN

December 22, 2006

PDP Meets over Atiku
The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will today meet in Abuja to take a decision on the latest political moves of Vice President Atiku Abubakar ThisDay

Senate President Considers Buhari’s Running Mate Offer
President of the Senate, Senator Ken Nnamani, has hinted that he is considering the offer of participating in the 2007 election as the running mate of one of the presidential aspirants ThisDay

NJC Suspends 4 Chief Judges
The National Judicial Council (NJC), has made good its threat to discipline the Judges who did not follow due process in recent impeachments of some state governors ThisDay

10 policemen fall to robbers
AS Nigerians proceed, today, on the Christmas holidays, the country yesterday lost 27 of its citizens, 10 of them policemen,..............Vanguard

FG okays N7.5bn for Benin-Ore-Sagamu road
ABUJA — THE Federal Executive Council, yesterday, approved a contract for the rehabilitation and asphalt overlay of the Benin-O..............Vanguard

Atiku denied use of presidential jet
ABUJA— THE Presidency, yesterday, denied Vice President Atiku Abubakar the use of a presidential plane to the United States of ................Vanguard

Presidency withdraws Atiku’s plane
PRESIDENT Olusegun Obasanjo has withdrawn the presidential jet previously approved for the Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, to travel to the United States. This happened just as armed men believed to be hired assassins attacked the personal assistant to the Vice President, Umar Pariya. Although he escaped, two of his guards were seriously injured. ....>>Champion

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Read all the NigerianNews letters to the editor
NigerianNews Letters

NIGERIA PERISCOPES THE WORLD

Nigeria VP's jet grounded in spat
Nigeria's president orders Lagos airport to prevent his vice-president taking off in his official plane on holiday. BBC

Nigeria militants in deadly raid
Militants in Nigeria's oil-rich Niger Delta region have attacked a pumping station, killing three security guards. BBC

Defiant Nigerian Vice President Seeks Presidency
Nigerian Vice President Atiku Abubakar is now the presidential candidate of Nigeria's fledgling opposition Action Congress Party. For VOA, Gilbert da Costa reports that Atiku's party switch has provoked a debate on his status as vice president. VoiceOfAmerica

Nigeria bomb sparks Shell pullout
LAGOS, Nigeria (Reuters) -- The largest oil operator in Nigeria, Royal Dutch Shell, began evacuating hundreds of expatriate staff dependants from the Niger Delta on Thursday after militants planted a car bomb in a residential compound, the company said. CNN

Shell families evacuated in Nigeria
Royal Dutch Shell is evacuating the dependants of its expatriate staff from the Niger Delta after fighters planted a car bomb in a residential compound earlier in the week. Aljazeera

December 21, 2006

Obasanjo: Yar’Adua ‘ll Keep Nigeria on Track
President Olusegun Obasanjo has said the emergence of Governor Umaru Musa Yar’Adua of Katsina state as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP’s) presidential candidate, through a “very transparent and very open” process, and his victory in free and fair election next year would allay present fears about Nigeria’s political future. ThisDay

Atiku Picks AC Ticket, Bafarawa DPP
Vice President Atiku Abubakar yesterday emerged the presidential flagbearer of the Action Congress (AC) thereby bringing to an end months of speculations on the political platform upon which he would realise his presidential ambition. ThisDay

Iwu Alleges Plot to Disrupt Elections
Chairman of the Indepen-dent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Maurice Iwu, yesterday claimed there were plans by some groups to violently disrupt the 2007 general elections. ThisDay

World Bank Clears Air on Abacha Loot
The World Bank yesterday rose up in stout defence of the Fderal Governement,  explaining that no portion of the $500m (N65 billion) stashed away ... ThisDay

Obasanjo, Atiku's Absence Stall FEC Meeting
The weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting did not hold yesterday following the absence of President Olusegun Obasanjo, who was away to the United States on official engagement. ThisDay

House Set to Probe PTDF, Amend Act
The House of Assembly yesterday adopted a motion to review and amend the Petroleum Technology Development (PTDF) Act following the recent revelations and allegations of abuse of the Fund. ThisDay

Why Policemen Stormed Nnamani’s Home– IGP
The Inspector General of Police, Mr. Sunday Ehindero, yesterday explained the circumstances that led to his deployment of policemen to the country home of the Senate President ThisDay

FG, Microsoft Seal Deal on e-Government
The Federal Government yesterday signed a strategic partnership agreement with global software giant, Microsoft Corporation, for the supply and transfer of a series of initiatives that contribute to effective governance ThisDay

Atiku spits fire - Threatens to crush opposition to his bid, Clinches AC presidential ticket
VICE President Atiku Abubakar yesterday emerged the presidential candidate for the Action Congress (AC) as he threatened fire on any opposition to his presidential bid beginning...Tribune

Atiku can’t be tried over PTDF scandal - As EFCC vows to prosecute Fasawe
A Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday ruled that Vice-President Atiku Abubakar could not be tried by the Code of Conduct Tribunal over the allegations of abuse...Tribune

Iwu, INEC boss, gets death threat - As Senate warns IGP, COAS over 2007 polls
A coalition of youth organisations under the umbrella of “South East/South South Youth Coalition, has forwarded a death threat letter to the Chairman of the...Tribune

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Read all the NigerianNews letters to the editor
NigerianNews Letters

NIGERIA PERISCOPES THE WORLD

VP chosen by Nigerian opposition
An opposition party selects Nigeria's vice-president as its candidate to stand in April 2007's elections. BBC

Fresh Outbreak of Bird Flu Alarms Nigerian Officials
Experts say a fresh outbreak of avian influenza in Nigeria is more widespread than thought. As Gilbert da Costa reports from Abuja, this has provoked fears of long-term risks. VoiceOfAmerica

Nigeria's opposition chooses runner
Atiku Abubakar, Nigeria's vice-president, has been chosen as the presidential candidate for the Action Congress, the main opposition party. Aljazeera

December 20, 2006

Presidency: Atiku Lied Under Oath
The Presidency yesterday dismissed as untrue all the allegations leveled by Vice President Atiku Abubakar against President Olusegun Obasanjo at Monday’s sitting of the Senate Ad-hoc committee probing the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) ThisDay

A Defiant VP Picks AC Presidential Ticket Today
Barring any last minute change in plans, the Action Congress (AC) will today adopt Vice President Atiku Abubakar as its consensus presidential candidate for the 2007 general elections. ThisDay

Confusion over PDP Guber Tickets
Confusion reigned in the camp of the Peoples Democratic party (PDP) yesterday as the leadership of the party could not amicably resolve the disputes that arose from governorship primary elections in some states ThisDay

Fuel Subsidy to Gulp N360bn in 2007
The Federal Government is expected to spend about N360 billion on domestic fuel subsidy in 2007 following a recommendation by the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) ThisDay

Yar’Adua, IBB in secret meeting - Pressure on IBB to drop ambition
PEOPLES Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in next year’s election, Alhaji Umar Musa Yar’Adua, on Monday evening sneaked into Minna, the Niger State capital. Alhaji Yar’Adua flew into Minna at about 6.30 p.m...Tribune

PTDF probe: Atiku is unserious - Obasanjo
PRESIDENT Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday decried all the allegations levelled against him by Vice President Atiku Abubakar over the Petroleum Trust Development Fund (PTDF), describing Atiku’s claims as unserious...Tribune

VP lied on PTDF – Ex-Sec
FORMER Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), Alhaji Adamu Waziri yesterday said Vice President Atiku Abubakar lied in his accusation of massive looting of the agency’s funds. Rather, he said it was criminal for Alhaji Abubakar to have ordered the placement PTDF’s $125 million in the failed Trans International Bank (TIB) as against an approval limit of $50 million..........>>Champion

N/Delta: My nomination ‘ll end agitations –Jonathan
Bayelsa State governor, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, has described his selection as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) running mate, as a choice that would put an end to the age-long agitation in the Niger Delta. "The action will put an end to the age-long agitation in the region," he stated.. . .....>>Champion

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Read all the NigerianNews letters to the editor
NigerianNews Letters

NIGERIA PERISCOPES THE WORLD

Nigeria leader denies corruption
Nigeria's president has denied claims by his deputy that he awarded contracts to his favourite aides and ministers. BBC

Toxic legacy
Nigeria fears effects of becoming a dumping ground for e-waste
The accumulation of mountains of electronic waste in Nigeria - increasingly the world's PC dumping ground - has so alarmed the country's government that there is now a national committee to deal with the problem. BBC

Nigerian Analyst Predicts Tight Presidential Polls
Nigeria's main opposition party, the All Nigeria Peoples Party, has selected a former military ruler, General Muhammadu Buhari, as its representative in next year's presidential ballot. The selection came barely 24 hours after the ruling party nominated a reclusive governor as its candidate. Gilbert da Costa reports from Abuja that some of Nigeria's leading political analysts are already predicting a very tough contest. VoiceOfAmerica

December 19, 2006

Atiku: Obasanjo Took N10bn PTDF Money for 3rd Term
The ill-fated third term agenda re-echoed yesterday in Abuja at the public sitting of the Senate Committee on Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) ThisDay

Buhari Emerges ANPP Consensus Candidate
After two days of intense political horse-trading, six other Presidential aspirants of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), yesterday voluntarily stepped down for Lt. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) ThisDay

Odili Pledges Support For Yar'Adua, Jonathan
Rivers State Governor, Dr Peter Odili returned to Port Harcourt yesterday after attending last Saturday’s PDP Convention in Abuja that produced Alhaji Umar Musa Yar' Adua as the party's flag bearer for the 2007 Presidential election with a declaration that he and the people of Rivers State will fully support the candidature of Governor Yar' Adua and Goodluck Jonathan. ThisDay

Militants Bomb Shell, Agip in Port Harcourt
True to their threats of a massive onslaught on multi-national oil companies in the Niger Delta, suspected militants yesterday beat the water tight security by Shell Petroleum Development Company and bombed the residential area. Thisday

Another PDP Chieftain Assassinated in Lagos
Barely five months after a Lagos Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant, Eng. Funso Williams was assassinated in Lagos, another PDP chieftain, Alhaji Ibrahim Bakare was felled by the assassin's bullets yesterday, Thisday

N20bn PTDF money spent on 3rd term Atiku reveals - Says OBJ spent N250m to register one firm, Another N200m loan to buy Transcorp shares
VICE PRESIDENT Atiku Abubakar on Monday appeared before the Senate ad hoc committee probing the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) where he made startling...Tribune

Buhari is ANPP’s presidential candidate
FORMER Head of State, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari, on Monday in Abuja emerged the presidential candidate...Tribune

FG misused N65bn Abacha loot - World Bank
A report presented by the World Bank has accused the Federal Government of misappropriating about N65 billion out of the $458 million repatriated to Nigeria by the Swiss government being the money stashed in Swiss banks by the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha. Tribune

OBJ spent N10bn PTDF fund on 3rd term project — ATIKU
ABUJA — VICE-PRESIDENT Atiku Abubakar, yesterday, told the Senate ad-hoc Committee investigating the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) how the Fund released N10 billion ostensibly to fund the ......................Vanguard

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Read all the NigerianNews letters to the editor
NigerianNews Letters

NIGERIA PERISCOPES THE WORLD

Nigeria opposition pick candidate
Nigeria's main opposition party selects its candidate to challenge the ruling party's Umaru Yar'Adua in April's polls. BBC

Bigot or saviour?
Why Africa's Anglican leader is becoming increasingly influential
Peter Akinola, 63, leads 37 million Anglicans as chair of the Anglican Church in Africa. BBC

Equator's glaciers slipping away
NARO MORU, Kenya (AP) -- Rivers of ice at the Equator -- foretold in the 2nd century, found in the 19th -- are now melting away in this new century, returning to the realm of lore and fading photographs. CNN

Hardliners trailing in Tehran
Partial results in Iran's local elections show that conservative opponents of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Iran's president, have taken an early lead. Aljazeera

December 18, 2006

Bayelsa gov is Yar’Adua’s VP
THE presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Umaru Yar’Adua, on Sunday surprised many people as he named Bayelsa State governor, Dr. Jonathan Goodluck...Tribune

How he emerged
THE choice of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan was arrived at yesterday morning and immediately after the convention with two main factors uppermost in the minds of both President Olusegun Obasanjo and top leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party...Tribune

PDP picks Jonathan as Yar’adua’s running mate
Governor Goodluck Ebele Jonathan of Bayelsa State was second time lucky Sunday as the Peoples Democratic Pary’s presidential candidate,Alhaji Umar Musa Yar’adua, picked him as running mate for next year’s election..| The Sun

Why we dumped AC –Olowoporoku
An Alliance for Democracy (AD) governorship candidate in Ekiti, Bode Olowoporoku has explained why he and 14 other aspirants in the Action Congress dumped the party. | The Sun

ANPP Plots Buhari to Face PDP’s Yar’Adua
The failure of leading presidential contenders of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and its leadership to reach agreement on a consensus candidate yesterday delayed the take off of the national convention of the party for several hours. ThisDay

Atiku Makes Presentation Before Senate Committee
Vice President Atiku Abu-bakar will this morning appear before the Senate Ad-Hoc Committee probing the Petroleum Techn-ology Development Fund (PTDF), to make his presentation, ThisDay

Jonathan Upstages Odili to Pick VP Ticket
Once again, luck yesterday smiled on the Bayelsa State governor, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, as his Katsina State counterpart and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in the 2007 general election ThisDay

PDP Convention: PHCN
Management of Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), yesterday absolved itself of culpability over power supply outage, which occurred during last Saturday's national convention of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), at the Eagle Square, Abuja. ThisDay

Good luck shines on Jonathan •Emerges running mate
BAYELSA State governor, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan again made history yesterday as he was named running mate to Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate and Katsina State governor, Alhaji Umar Musa Yar’Adua. Jonathan had December 12, 2005 became the first sitting deputy governor in the present dispensationto step into the shoes of his boss following the impeachment of Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha by the State House of Assembly. Perhaps living up to his first name, mother luck smiled on the governor when Yar’Adua announced in Abuja that he had picked him to run on PDP ticket during the April 2007 presidential election...>>Champion

Bayelsa Gov, Jonathan, is Yar'Adua's running mate
ABUJA — FRESH facts emerging on how Bayelsa State Governor, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, was chosen as the Vice Presidential candidate of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP), suggest that the leadership of the party wanted ..................Vanguard

Congratulatory messages pour in for Yar'Adua
CONGRATULATORY messages have been pouring in for Governor Umaru Musa Yar’Adua of Katsina State who, early yesterday, emerged the 2007 presidential candidate of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP). ................Vanguard

PDP Convention How the deed was done
At last, it was d-day, a day that many Nigerians had looked forward to