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

[DT]

President Goodluck Jonathan and leaders of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday met with the leadership of over 40 opposition political parties ahead of Saturday's rescheduled National Assembly elections and sought their support during the election, especially if INEC fails to live up to expectations.

Source: Jonathan meets 30  parties, excludes  ACN, CPC, ANPP

[DT]

Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) Presidential candidate Muhammadu Buhari has challenged Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, to publicly declare that he has never stolen public funds as a public officer. Buhari also declared that he has never touched a Kobo of public funds throughout his career in government.

Source: Buhari to Jonathan: I have never stolen public funds

[DT]

Elections have again been postponed in 15 senatorial and 48 House of Representatives constituencies across the country because INEC is still battling to print ballot papers, but the parliamentary vote will hold in most of the country tomorrow.

Source: 24 hours to D-Day : No elections for 15 Senate, 48 House seats

[DT]

The Resident Electoral Commissioner in charge of Kaduna State, Alhaji Haliru Tambuwal, yesterday explained why he visited the Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo at his residence last Saturday before the election was suspended.

Source: Kaduna REC visits Sambo •   Says it is an innocent visit •   Visit could undermine credible polls – ACN

[DT]

Former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Malam Nasir El-Rufai was yesterday arraigned before an Abuja High Court alongside two others by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegations of official misconduct.

Source: El-Rufai, two others arraigned over abuse of office

[DT]

President Goodluck Jonathan and his main challenger Gen Muhammadu Buhari have intensified their efforts to ensure victory at the April 16 presidential election by courting Action Congress of Nigeria strongman Bola Tinubu.

Source: Jonathan, Buhari woo Tinubu

[DT]

The United State Assistant Secretary of State in charge of African Affairs, Ambassador Johnnie Carson has applauded the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the conduct of last Saturday's parliamentary elections.

Source: US applauds INEC on National Assembly polls

[DT]

Presidential candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) Malam Nuhu Ribadu yesterday confirmed that he offered to step down for his CPC counterpart Gen. Muhammadu Buhari.  

Source: Politicians' ego scuttled alliance, says Ribadu

[DT]

One big surprise that emerged from the presidential contest of Saturday is the way the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) crashed in the south west zone of the country, its strong hold where people support the party with a religious dogma.

Source: Why Ribadu crashed in South West

[DT]

With results officially declared by state collation officers in 35 states and the Federal Capital Territory [FCT] last night, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party [PDP] had won this year's presidential election with 21.5 million votes and a quarter of the votes in all of them except Kano, Borno and Bauchi States. His closest rival, General Muhammadu Buhari of Congress for Progressive Change [CPC], secured 11.4 million. Only results from Taraba State had not been declared; they were delayed by results from two local government areas, Sardauna and Kurmi. The results however had a sharp regional slant to them, with Buhari sweeping the far North while Jonathan won most of the other states and regions.

Source: Jonathan wins the big prize : Voters split down the middle