#2ndTermChant: “Jonathan is not a show man, or a principality” – Doyin Okupe

by Isi Esene There are indications that president Goodluck Jonathan might run for a second term in 2015 as Doyin Okupe, the senior special assistant to the president on public affairs, said the president’s transparent leadership and concrete performance is enough to persuade Nigerians to seek his return. According to him, although the president has... Read More

2015, boko haram, Doyin Okupe, elections, Goodluck Jonathan, nigeria

November 8, 2012

Joachim MacEbong: Thoughts on the US elections: Making democracy beautiful

by Joachim MacEbong While some may scoff at the focus and interest shown by the rest of the world, the fact is that the US elections in many ways represent the pinnacle of democracy in style and in substance. Every 4 years for quite a while, the world has been increasingly held captive by the... Read More

barack obama, Democrat, demographics, elections, four more years

November 7, 2012

#AmericaDecides: 12 takeaways from Obama’s re-election

by Maggie Haberman Romney is not by nature a risk-taker, and that came through in how he ran his campaign and performed on the stump. It’s over. And the 2012 presidential race pretty much played out as predicted by public pollsters and observers. Except it was a better night for President Barack Obama in certain... Read More

barack obama, Democrat, elections, GOP, Mitt Romney, Republican

November 6, 2012

TICKER: #AmericaDecides: Woman in labour votes first, then heads to hospital

The labour vote literally has been cast this morning in the south suburbs. At 21, Galicia Malone of Dolton is eligible to vote for the first time in a presidential election. As WBBM Newsradio’s Regine Schlesinger reports, she’s also pregnant with her first child. So when her labor began at 3 a.m., she held off... Read More

David Orr, Dolton, elections, Galicia Malone

October 20, 2012

#OndoDecides: Voting underway in Ondo State governorship election

Reporting by Gbadebo Daniel (YNaija Ondo Correspondent) The elections in Ondo State is going on smoothly with reports of violence in isolated places. The three gubernatorial candidates in the election, the incumbent, Olusegun Mimiko, Rotimi Akeredolu, and Olusola Oke have been accredited and waiting to cast their votes in their respective polling units. Security personnel... Read More

elections, governorship, Olusegun Mimiko, Olusola Oke, Ondo, Rotimi Akeredolu

September 28, 2012

Opinion: President Jonathan is neither a success nor a failure

by Azuka Onwuka In the final analysis, do we then describe Jonathan as a failure or a success? Hardliners hardly change their positions, no matter the strength of evidence before them. The detractors of President Goodluck Jonathan will retort scornfully that he is a total failure, while his ardent supporters will scream that he is... Read More

corruption, elections, Goodluck Jonathan, security, Umaru Musa Yaradua

September 17, 2012

Opinion: 8 reasons to vote for Jonathan again in 2015

by Jude Egbas Alright, I am done with being a Government critic—that line of work is not altogether lucrative any more. It has never been lucrative, anyway. I have sold out completely (apologies to all those I may have disappointed with this rare act of ‘turn-coatism’.That sounded Obahiagbonish, right?). My hands are up right now... Read More

elections, Jude Egbas, Politics, President Goodluck Jonathan, Voting

September 14, 2012

Nasir El-Rufai: Electoral Reforms (1) – To be or not to be!

The flaws in the electoral system are known to almost every politically conscious Nigerian. Massive bribing and rigging, thuggery, insecurity during elections and the incompetence of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in delivering its mandate are some of these problems. The legitimacy of any government can only be derived from the will of the... Read More

elections, electoral reform, INEC, Nasir el-Rufai, Politics, Uwais committee

September 13, 2012

Watch out here we come! PDP chairman promises to win back lost states

by Isi Esene The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is going back to the roots in preparation for the 2015 general elections promising to take back states it lost to the opposition. This was disclosed by the national chairman of the Party, Bamanga Tukur, who also revealed that plans are underway to hold a crucial session... Read More

Ademola Adepegba, Agenda, Bamanga Tukur, elections, governors, Ishola, National Working Committee, NWC, opposition, Oyewole Fasawe, PDP, Peoples Demcratic Party, Remilekun Iyiola

September 12, 2012

Hip-Hop Power: President Obama goes clubbing with Jay-Z and Beyonce in New York

by Isi Esene With $40,000 to spare you have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to join President Barack Obama in New York City later this month as he harnesses the star-power of Shawn Carter, popularly known as Jay-Z and superstar wife, Beyonce to raise more funds for the upcoming presidential elections in November. It has been confirmed... Read More

40/40 Club, barack obama, beyonce knowles, elections, fundraiser, hope, Jay-z, Mitt Romney, November, second term

September 11, 2012

We can’t believe this man will be 70 this November (PHOTO)

by Isi Esene With our gaze constantly fixed on the November #America2012 elections, we can’t help but notice how fit the US Vice President, Joe Biden appears to be as he sprinted out to address delegates at the recently concluded Democratic National Convention (DNC). Go get ’em Joe!

2012, America, barack obama, Democrats, elections, Joe Biden, November

September 8, 2012

Dele Momodu: A word for the Nigerian opposition

If Nigeria must witness any drastic and meaningful progress, members of the opposition must learn to do things differently. Fellow Nigerians, please permit me to reiterate the fact that I’m an unabashed member of the Nigerian opposition at this time that we are being stigmatised by members of the ruling Federal Government. There is really... Read More

Dele Momodu, elections, Leadership, nigeria, opposition, police, political party, Politics

September 7, 2012

Top 10 lines from President Obama’s #DNC2012 speech

by Stanley Azuakola So you see, the election four years ago wasn’t about me. It was about you. My fellow citizens – you were the change. United States’ President Barack Obama, finally delivered his much anticipated Democratic National Convention speech in the early hours of this morning. Everyone knows that the man knows how to... Read More

barack obama, Democratic Convention, elections, future, Joe Biden, Mitt Romney, Republicans, vote

September 7, 2012

“It was about you – you were the change” – Full text of President Obama’s speech to the Democratic National Conference

Michelle, I love you. The other night, I think the entire country saw just how lucky I am. Malia and Sasha, you make me so proud, but don’t get any ideas, you’re still going to class tomorrow. And Joe Biden, thank you for being the best vice president I could ever hope for. Madam chairwoman,... Read More

barack obama, Democratic Convention, elections, Joe Biden, Republicans, vote

August 12, 2012

“The very corrupt women should not discourage us” – Nigeria’s first female minster says it’s time for a female president

by Adeniyi Abdul Is Nigeria ready for a female president? Ambassador Ebun Oyagbola, who happens to be Nigeria’s first female minister, certainly thinks it’s time. Speaking yesterday in Abuja at a workshop on “Effective Leadership Through Attitudinal Healing” organized by the Centre for Attitudinal Healing, Oyagbola pointed to herself as an example of how women... Read More

Ebun Oyegbola, elections, nigeria, Politics, shehu shagari

July 27, 2012

Post-election: Edo cults clash, claim six lives

by Isi Esene There seems to be a post-election crisis brewing in Edo State as rival cult groups are attacking each other over money allegedly disbursed to them by an unidentified politician in the state to utilize their notoriety in his favour during the elections. At the last count, six people have been reported killed... Read More

cult, Edo state, elections, Politics, UBTH, UNIBEN

July 23, 2012

“There is no challenge at all” – Labour Party chairman is certain of victory in Ondo State

by Adeniyi Abdul The latest declaration of confidence from a political party has come from none other than the Labour Party. Following the template set by the PDP and the ACN, Chairman of the Labour Party has confidently declared that other political parties do not stand a chance in the forthcoming Ondo Gubernatorial elections, regardless... Read More

acn, elections, Labour Party, Ondo State, PDP, Politics

July 22, 2012

“Professor Jega must bear the full responsibility” – Oshiomhole reiterates criticism of INEC

by Adeniyi Abdul Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole has spoken on the reasons behind his strong criticism of the Independent National Electoral Commission at the start of the polls during the recent Edo gubernatorial elections. It could be recalled that the governor had branded the body “an embarrassment”, and went further to allege a plot... Read More

Adams Oshiomhole, Attahiru Jega, Edo state, elections, INEC, Politics

July 19, 2012

Opinion: Edo election as a metaphor

by Patrick Utomi The people are not stupid. You may not believe this if you consider yourself a shrewd observer of Nigerian politics since the military scampered away from power in 1999 with little thought to legacy and how their grandchildren may judge their time. Believe me, the people are not stupid. They may suffer... Read More

Edo state, elections, nigeria, pat utomi, Politics

July 19, 2012

Akintunde Oyebode: The graveyard of champions (YNaija Frontpage)

It does not matter what party you belong to or which “heavyweight” opposes your election; if you want to remain governor of your state for another four years, the easiest way is to make your current term count. Anyone who watches the annual events at the All England Club must be familiar with the inspiration... Read More

acn, Annenih, babatunde Fashola, Edo state, elections, governorship, Mimiko, Ondo State, PDP, Politics, term, Tinubu

July 18, 2012

“Be ready for a surprise in 2015” – ACN talks tough, as usual

by Adeniyi Abdul Opposition party Action Congress of Nigeria has once again promised nothing less than victory at the 2015 Presidential polls. National treasurer of the party, Chief Kenneth Kobani in a recent statement pointed to the recent victory of the party in Edo state as a sign of it’s popularity, and warned other parties... Read More

2015, acn, elections, nigeria, PDP

July 15, 2012

“PDP will win in Edo State” – See a timeline of Top 7 #EdoDecides quotes from this week

by Adeniyi Abdul The Edo State gubernatorial elections have come and gone with Adams Oshiomhole emerging victor and retaining his position. The elections weren’t characterised as your typical Nigerian political proceedings might be (which, alone is saying a lot) with various promises, threats, warnings and downright outlandish statements being delivered from both ends of the... Read More

acn, Edo, elections, INEC, nigeria, Oshiomhole, PDP

July 14, 2012

#EdoDecides: “INEC is an embarassment” says Oshiomhole; alleges plot to frustrate voters

by Adeniyi Abdul Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomole has ripped into the Independent National Electoral Commission, declaring that the body had failed in several aspects regarding the conduct of the Edo gubernatorial elections today. Speaking to newsmen earlier today at the Iyamho Primary School, Iyamho, Etsako West Local Government Area, he criticised the commission and... Read More

Edo state, elections, INEC, Jega, nigeria, Oshiomole

July 14, 2012

For the Records: The Edo State 2012 Budget of Continuity

EDO STATE GOVERNMENT. FY2012 BUDGET OF CONTINUITY 1 Table of Content Budget Summary ……………………………………………………………………………. 2 Revenue ……………………………………………………………………………. 3-17 Recurrent Expenditure …………………………………………………………………………… 18 -22 Capital Receipt …………………………………………………………………………… 23 – 31 Consolidated Revenue Funds Charges ………………………………………………………………………….. 32 – 33 Capital Budget o Summary …………………………………………………………………… 35 o Agriculture ………………………………………………………………………….. 36 – 37 o Fisheries …………………………………………………………………………… 38 o... Read More

2012, budget, Edo state, elections, Oshiomhole

June 25, 2012

Global Citizen: Obama, the underdog

by Robert Kuttner Co-founder and co-editor, ‘The American Prospect’ Ten of twelve states that most polls consider to be in play this year are states that Obama carried in 2008. Those would be Florida, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Colorado, Virginia, New Mexico, North Carolina, Wisconsin, Michigan, Nevada, and New Hampshire. The two toss-ups that McCain won are Missouri and... Read More

2012, America, elections, latinos, obama, Politics

June 19, 2012

“Isn’t it evil?” – PDP wonders why Buhari has not apologised to Yoruba people

by Adeniyi Abdul The dust has barely settled from former Head of State General Muhammadu Buhari’s latest statement about Nigeria and the Peoples Democratic Party, but he is clearly not about to stay out of the news as the PDP has once again found an issue to task him on. The South West Zonal publicity Secretary... Read More

acn, Buhari, CPC, elections, nigeria, PDP, Politics

June 17, 2012

“We are doing nonsense in Nigeria” – Buhari charges again

by Lekan Olanrewaju The last time former Head of State General Muhammadu Buhari shared his thoughts on Nigeria it involved something of a prophecy of doom that led to a back and forth about his true feelings about the country with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) slamming him as “bloodthirsty“, the Action Congress of Nigeria... Read More

acn, Buhari, CPC, elections, PDP, Politics

June 17, 2012

Decay, retrogression, desperation: These are a few of Tinubu’s favourite words (about the PDP)

by Lekan Olanrewaju You could be forgiven for forgetting that other states exist in Nigeria besides Edo, what with the constant bickering the Peoples Democratic Party and the Action Congress of Nigeria have engaged in over rulership of the state after the next election. This time it’s former Lagos State Governor, Bola Ahmed Tinubu who... Read More

acn, Edo state, elections, Oshiomole, PDP, Politics, Tinubu

June 12, 2012

For the Records: The June 12 election annulment speech of General Ibrahim Babangida, June 26, 1993

Fellow Nigerians, I address you today with a deep sense of world history and particularly of the history of our great country. In the aftermath of the recently annulled Presidential Election, I feel, as I believe you yourself feel, a profound sense of disappointment at the outcome of our last efforts at laying the foundation... Read More

Babangida, elections, IBB, Ibrahim, june 12, mko Abiola, moshood, nigeria

June 10, 2012

Flawed and Farce: Violence, ballot snatching in Akwa Ibom local council elections

by Stanley Azuakola The Akwa Ibom State local government elections held across the state yesterday have been described as “flawed.” Yesterday, we reported the story of a DPO in Eket Local Council who ordered police officers to assault two journalists. Now, new reports say there were many other cases of violence and ballot snatching. In Ini Local... Read More

Akwa Ibom, council, elections