Paul Ikpe's Blog ❤

​ Pakistan election raises fears of ‘creeping coup’ Image copyrightAFP A day before Pakistan’s 11th national election, the country’s dream of undiluted democracy appears to be receding – again. In its 70-year history, Pakistan has alternated between quasi-democracy and pure military rule. In the process it has become embroiled in international conflicts and morphed into… Continue reading Pakistan election raises fears of ‘creeping coup’

​ Image copyrightREUTERS/AFP More than five million Zimbabweans are going to the polls on 30 July to vote in historic elections. But what makes it different from previous votes? 1) First election without Mugabe Since Zimbabwe’s birth in 1980, only one person has ever won an election to lead the country – Robert Mugabe. He… Continue reading Zimbabwe election: Cobra, Owl & Witchcraft

​ Russians indicted over US election hack Image copyrightCBS The US Department of Justice has charged 12 Russian intelligence officers with hacking Democratic officials in the 2016 US elections. Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein said the dozen accused used spear phishing emails and malicious software. He said the hackers also stole data on 500,000 voters … Continue reading Russians charged to court over US election hack

​ Image copyrightEPAImage captionIt is the deadliest militant attack in Pakistan in more than a year A suicide bomber has killed at least 85 people and injured about 150 in an attack on a campaign rally in south-western Pakistan, officials say. They say a provincial candidate was among the dead in the town of Mastung. … Continue reading Pakistan election: Many killed in bomb attacks on poll rallies

According to this Twitter user, Boko Haram right now in Gombe are dropping letters warning people to stay away from the March 28 elections.Earlier on today, hundreds of Boko Haram Islamists invaded and attacked the restive northeast Nigerian city of Gombe, firing heavy guns. AFP reports that locals also confirmed to them that the insurgents threw leaflets at them that were asking them to boycott the forthcoming general elections.

Every space was taken at the PH stadium yesterday when President Jonathan, his wife Dame Patience Jonathan and campaign team landed Rivers State for their re-election rally. Football stars Joseph Yobo and Kanu Nwankwo were in attendance, and at the rally, VP Sambo was spotted dancing. "I'm a Port Harcourt boy oh''. lol. See all the pics after the cut.

Former Minister of Defence Gen T.Y Danjuma has called on Pres. Jonathan to order the immediate arrest of Asari Dokubo, Government Tompolo and other Niger Delta ex-militants who declared that they would destabilise the country if the president does not win next month's presidential election. Danjuma said this in an interview at the North West University, Kano shortly after commissioning the Kwankwasiyya City built by the Kano state government today January 28th. He said the militants must be punished for making such unguarded utterances which could throw the nation into chaos. "The statements were very reckless coming from irresponsible individuals and they should be condemned, in fact they should be arrested" he said. (Source - Daily Trust)

The only female presidential candidate contesting at the upcoming February general elections, Remi Shonaiya is not happy about the media preference given to just two of the political parties – All Progressive Congress and Peoples Democratic Party. While speaking at the Rubbin’ Minds show with host, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu on Sunday, the KOWA party member admitted said:

Geoffrey York, an Africa correspondent for The Globe and Mail revealed in a series of tweets tonight revealed that some foreign journalists are being blocked from getting visas to cover election campaign in Nigeria. His tweets below...

  Former governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Charles Soludo has give his controversial viewpoint on the Buhari versus Goodluck Jonathan ish. His verdict is that no matter who becomes president, neither Jonathan nor Buhari will keep promises made, as both candidates have not given Nigerians a candid explanation of what exactly it will take to implement the reforms promised. Here’s an excerpt from Soludo’s article, as reported by  Vanguard :

Members of the European Union election monitoring team met with the presidential candidate of the APC, Gen. Buhari earlier today, over next month's general election. The members, led by Mr Santiago, said 90 members of their team are expected in Nigeria during the elections. The team however stated that because of the security challenges in the north, they will not be heading there for any monitoring exercise.

On Saturday, President Goodluck Jonathan met with the Nollywood practitioners and the details of what they discussed have emerged. The closed door meeting held late night at the State House, Marina, Lagos and the purpose of the meeting was to get the unwavering support of the industry. Media personality, Joseph Benjamin who was late for the meeting says he couldn’t seat in but he was fully informed about the proceedings.

Women from various states of the Nigeria including Ondo, Oyo, and Ogun gathered on Friday 24th January 2015, at the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos, to show support for the President Goodluck Jonathan and endorse me for the next four years.

Nigeria remembers all her soldiers who have died one way or the other defending the country. President Goodluck Jonathan, VP Namadi Sambo and others were present. More photod below..

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan undertook a surprise visit to Maiduguri Thursday on the occasion of Nigeria’s Armed Forces Remembrance Day to meet with officers and men of the Armed Forces currently in the frontline of the war against terrorism and insurgency in the country. Accompanied by the Chief of Defence Staff, Service Chiefs, the National Security Adviser and the Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency, President Jonathan visited officers and men of the 7 Division of the Nigerian Army at Maimalari Cantonment in Maiduguri to thank them for their patriotic and courageous service to the nation. More photos below..

I am sure we know this, and i am also sure that the battle for the top position of the land will between the two biggest political parties in Nigeria - the PDP and the APC. This is my question to you guys; If you were to meet with President Jonathan, General Buhari or any other presidential candidate, what five things will you tell them to do for the country, if they win.. Let's hear it guys Meanwhile, here are the names of other presidential candidates and the parties they represent, as listed by INEC Sen. Tunde Anifowose-Kelani      -      Accord Alliance (AA) Rufus Salawu                           -          Alliance for Democracy (AD) Alhaji Ganiyu Galadima           -          Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN) Dr Mani Ahmad                    -...