Nigerian Hottest and Political News from Daily Trust (April 2011 Diet)

[DT]

States and local government councils must pay their workers the N18, 000 minimum wage signed by President Goodluck Jonathan, the Federal Government said yesterday.  

Source: FG says 18,000 minimum wage binding on states, LGs, others

[DT]

Peoples Democratic Party's (PDP) presidential candidate Dr. Goodluck Jonathan is putting undue pressure on the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Professor Attahiru Jega to change election rules midstream, Congress for Progressive Change's (CPC) presidential candidate General Muhammadu Buhari charged yesterday. He also expressed worry over the "duress and undue influence that President Goodluck Jonathan and the ruling PDP are exerting on the INEC chairman."  

Source: Buhari to Jonathan: Don't harass INEC

[DT]

The modified open ballot system where voters are to be accredited and then wait until 12:30 pm before the commencement of voting will still be used in Saturday's National Assembly as well as subsequent elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said yesterday.  

Source: Open-secret ballot system still stands

[DT]

President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday dismissed allegation levelled against him that he and the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP) are putting undue pressure on the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Professor Attahiru Jega to change election rules midstream "because of their vested interests in manipulating the outcome of the elections".  

Source: Jonathan replies Buhari, says not harassing INEC

[DT]

Senior officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) led by its Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega yesterday held a marathon meeting that lasted for about 9 hours during which decisions were reached on how to improve on election logistics ahead of Saturday's National Assembly polls.  

Source: Only 300 to vote per polling unit –INEC

[DT]

Ivory Coast's weeks-long political crises in the wake of disputed president elections suddenly ended yesterday when impostor president Laurent Gbagbo surrendered to the United Nations and asked for protection, according to an internal U.N. document seen by Reuters news agency.

 

Source: Gbagbo surrenders to UN troops

[DT]

President Goodluck Jonathan said yesterday that he fully supports the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Prof. Attahiru Jega and he is confident that the commission will do well despite last weekend's postponement of the National Assembly elections. Those elections have now been rescheduled to this Saturday. The president however said he would initiate the process of removing the chairman if he has no confidence in him.  

Source: Jonathan: Jega has my  full support

[DT]

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will today complete deployment of all sensitive materials needed for Saturday's National Assembly elections and is now putting finishing touches on preparations for the polls, Chief Press Secretary to the commission's chairman, Kayode Idowu said yesterday.

Source: INEC to complete materials deployment today

[DT]

Justice Adamu Bello of an Abuja Federal High Court yesterday made a mandatory order directing the unconditional release of former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), governorship candidate in Akwa Ibom State, John James Akpanudoedehe from police custody.

Source: Court orders release of A/Ibom ACN guber candidate

[DT]

Nigeria will be rid of corruption and morality will be brought back to governance if the Congress for Progressive Change [CPC] wins next week's presidential election, its presidential candidate General Muhammadu Buhari said in Lagos yesterday. He spoke at the public presentation of the CPC's election manifesto.

Source: Buhari declares: No more room for crooks