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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has written a letter to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) accusing it of circumventing the rule over the list of its candidates recognises for Anambra State.　

"Suffice it to advise that the new practice of circumventing the national secretariat of political parties to deal directly with the state chapters is a recipe for maximum indiscipline and is bound to hurt the entire system", the PDP warned in a letter dated February 14 and addressed to INEC chairman Professor Attahiru Jega. 　

Source:   PDP writes INEC over Anambra list of candidates

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It was time for stock-taking yesterday by Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola. He also gave an insight into the focus of his administration, if elected for a second term.

But the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Dr. Ade Dosunmu said the state would fare better if it is aligned with the ruling party at the federal level.

Source: Lagos' N6b vote meagre, says Fashola

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Katsina-Alu

From the law courts, the feud between the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Aloysius Iyorgher Katsina-Alu and President of the Court of Appeal (PCA), Justice Isa Ayo Salami, yesterday moved to the parliament.

The House of Representatives has mandated its committee to probe the allegations levelled against the CJN by Salami.

Source: Reps probe Salami's claim against Katsina-Alu

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President Goodluck Jonathan has said that his administration is fully committed to the implementation of the reforms of the Nigerian Customs Service.

This, the president said, will ensure that the operations of the Service conform with global best practices.

Source: President supports reforms in Customs

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The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has announced the postponement of the North-West zone flag-off of its presidential campaign earlier slated for Dutse on Monday, February 21.

In a statement issued in Lagos on Friday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said it decided to postpone the rally after the Police said they had granted a permit to another political party for an event on the same day.

Source: ACN postpones North-West flag-off of presidential campaign

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The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State, Alhaji AbdulFatah Ahmed, has aligned himself with the zoning of the party's political offices in the state as adopted by Governor Bukola Saraki.

Source: Zoning in tune with fair play, says Kwara PDP guber candidate

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As the wave of violent attacks by Islamic fundamentalists, Boko Haram, in some states in the northern part of the country continues, the Inspector General of Police, Alhaji Hafiz Ringim, declared in Kano yesterday that the Police would not negotiate with them.

"We would not negotiate with criminals," the police boss said.

Source: We'll not negotiate with Boko Haram, IG vows

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My very sincere appreciation to all those who responded to my last Valentine piece titled "Ronke my love" which was a tribute to my wife. I am aware many could not get through to me due to a technical hitch that made my phone inaccessible.

Source: Remembering Abigail

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Nigeria's relentless push for war in Ivory Coast with regard to the presidential election crisis in that country is getting curiouser and curiouser. It is beginning to smack of the sympathizer who is crying more than the bereaved. Informed public opinion need to be brought to dissuade the federal government from this path of perfidy. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) led by its chairman, President Goodluck Jonathan, is backing Alassane Quattara, one of the two claimants to the presidency of Ivory Coast, the other being incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo, following a disputed presidential election run-off election on November 28, 2010. A political crisis had erupted in Ivory Coast after the presidential election run-off when the Constitutional Council, that has final authority to validate/review election result by the Electoral Commission, declared President Gbagbo winner, after voiding some flawed votes, while the United Nations Representative in Ivory Coast certified Quattara winner, based on the preliminary result of the Electoral Commission, a certification that was backed by the 'International Community', thus precipitating a stalemate.

Source: Nigeria's war drums on Ivory Coast

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Interacting with the Minister of Transport, Alhaji Yusuf Suleiman came with some surprise. Besides personally driving himself to the interview venue without the paraphernalia of office. Read one of the interview questions below:

What did you set out to achieve in office and how far have you gone?

Well, that is a very good question because when I came in as the Minister of Transport, I made it very clear that I would have two major priorities. First is to develop railway transportation and second, the dredging of the Lower River Niger. These were the two key priority projects that I set out to pursue to their logical conclusion. And I am glad to say that we have made considerable progress in these regards. In terms of railway development, we have concluded the first part of the railway rehabilitation programme of Lagos to Kano . The deadline we gave the Chinese contractor ought to end by December but with all the push and hard work, they were able to finish in early January. I believe that Lagos to Jebba is now almost 100 per cent completed. I intend to take an inspection tour within the week. We are looking at Thursday or Friday when we are going to take a train ride from Lagos to Jebba to see for ourselves and confirm whether it is ready for commissioning or not. The second part of Jebba to Kano is where we are experiencing some little problems with the contractor (Costain West Africa). I have met with the contractor, the consultants and the Ministry and I have told them that we need to get this done. If the company is not able to do it, then we must sit down together and find ways of completing that project because we cannot allow it to suffer. The other part of the rehabilitation programme is about the contracts from Port Harcourt to Maiduguri which are almost ready. We are about sending it to the Bureau of Public Procurement for review and issue of certificate of due diligence to enable us approach Mr. President and the Federal Executive Council for approval. So, to a large extent, I think we have made some progress there.

Source: No place to hide for arms importers in Nigeria —Minister