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THE Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has raised the alarm over what it called the danger to the nation's democracy.

According to the party, an alleged plan to insert a 'Right of First Refusal' clause for members of the National Assembly in the 2010 Electoral Act is unhealthy.

The party in a statement issued in Ilorin, Kwara State Thursday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said should the plan succeed, Nigeria can as well say goodbye to democracy, while the legislators would have simply succeeded in subjecting the citizens to perpetual servitude.

ACN raises alarm over PDP lawmakers' plan to insert 'Right of First Refusal' clause in Electoral Act

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A SPONTANEOUS joy exploded on the streets of Ado-Ekiti Friday, horns blaring, chants, claps, stomping feet, hoarse and ruddy voices, tears of delight, relief and a big and happy day for democracy in a town and state at once weary and tireless in waiting.



Fulfilment came to the man at the centre of it all, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, at times ecstatic with his victory sign, and others with subdued exhilaration, savouring at last a victory that meant for him judicial jousts, electoral heists, official brigandage, injured silence, but at last a moment that trumped all moments. It took a unanimous five-person panel of judges to undo the

Fayemi... victory at last

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West Brom striker Osaze Odemwingie may miss out of the squad that will face Manchester United at Old Trafford today as coach Roberto Di Matteo said he would not risk the Nigerian international against the Red Devils.

The Albion coach said the club still have 30 more league games to follow the Old Trafford encounter.

"Peter has a problem with his knee. He over-extended it during the last game against Bolton. It's good that we have had an international week but he's still not okay.It was swollen after the Bolton game and we hoped he would have recovered quicker. But obviously the damage was worse than we thought. He had a scan and it's nothing serious but he needs more time.

Odemwingie in doubt for Old Trafford clash

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Having missed Nigeria clash against Guinea in the African Nations Cup last Sunday due to injury,

Mikel Obi will file out with Chelsea today against Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge.
However, Chelsea striker Didier Drogba reckons the Aston Villa fans are going to love him on Saturday because people have changed their opinion of him.

Drogba, 32, thinks it has taken opposing fans six years to change fans minds and now they hate to love him. And now last season's top scorer has vowed to continue his fine form and wow supporters across the country.

Mikel returns for Chelsea

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THE Ekiti saga that started with the 2007 elections finally ended on Friday as the Appeal Tribunal presided over by the president of the court...

Fayemi: Justice at last (1)

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MRS. Ayoka Adebayo, the former Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of Ekiti State who declared Mr Segun Oni as the winner of the state's re-run election in 2009, should be punished for her role in the light of the Appeal Court's recent judgment giving victory to the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) candidate, Dr Kayode Fayemi, according to some observers.



Speaking with The Nation in separate interviews, human rights activist and constitutional lawyer, Dr. Tunji Abayomi, and a  Labour Party leader  in Ondo State,  Olufemi Adekanmbi, said Friday's  judgment  showed  that  Adebayo erred during the conduct of the election. 

'Ayoka Adebayo should be punished for role in Ekiti'

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THE Rivers State chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria, (ACN) has expressed confidence that the Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi will deliver the dividends of democracy to the people of the state.



A statement signed by the party's state chairman, Mr Uche Okwukwu, said,  "the judgement strengthened our belief in the sovereign will of the people and also imposes a challenge and task on us and sends one clear message that eternal vigilance is the bedrock of liberty.

We have confidence in Dr Fayemi that he will deliver the dividends of democracy to Ekiti people who have shown their support for him"

Rivers ACN,  Odua group say Fayemi's victory good for  the people

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FORMER President of Botswana, Sir Ketumile Masire at the weekend said lack of security, delayed agreement on the legal framework, policing of the polls and the inefficiency of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) organs at the local government, constituency and ward levels may undermine next year's elections.



Masire said INEC should be given more time to conduct a smooth voter registration and meet the logistics challenges on elections.                             

He was accompanied by former Prime Minister of Canada,  Mr Joe Clark;  Chairman, Sierra Leone Electoral Commission, Christiana Thorpe, among others.

Masire addressed reporters after a lecture organised by the National Democratic Institute (NDI), Abuja.

'2011 polls may fail if...'

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THE National Chairman of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Chief Ogbonnaya Onu Sunday accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of polarising the nation along regional and ethnic divide with its policies.

The party lacks  internal democracy, ANPP chair said.

Onu, who was speaking with reporters during a one day working visit to Kaduna also expressed confidence in the ability of the ANPP  to wrest power from the PDP only if the 2011 elections are conducted in a free and fair atmosphere.

ANPP accuses PDP of dividing Nigeria

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FORMER President Olusegun Obasanjo Sunday spoke on the vexed issue of zoning in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), saying when you are there, you are there, when you are not there you are not there.



The ex–president was on his way to Abuja, when he spoke with reporters on whether the zoning arrangement by his administration was still tenable.

He joked with reporters, affirming that when he was elected president in 1999, some Nigerians were of the opinion that he zoned the office of the First Lady to Edo State.

His late wife Stella , nee Abebe hailed from the Ishan tribe in Edo State.

Praying to God  to bless her (Stella) soul,  Obasanjo said he was not ready to zone the office of his wife to Edo State, as he has remarried.

Obasanjo  on zoning: when you're there, you're in charge