Read Prof. Jega's epic response to Orubebe this morning

Tuesday, March 31, 2015


After PDP party agent Godsday Orubebe created an embarrassing scene at the collation centre in Abuja this morning, trying to disrupt announcement of results  a very calm Jega told him;

"Mr Orubebe, you are a former Minister of the Federal Republic .You are a statesman in your own right. You should be careful about what you say or what allegations or accusations you make. Certainly you should be careful about your public conduct"

Jega's response to Orubebe has been hailed as mature and worthy of praise. In fact, there's a meaning for Jega now. 'Jega' - meaning - 'To be inexplicably chilled in the midst of stupidity or conflict". lol. Prof Jega's full response after the cut

"You have made two comments. One is that you submitted a petition  which I refused to accept. Secondly you claimed that there was a result released by the APC which you alleged that we gave to them or I gave to them. With regards to the first point, yesterday after we took the first batch of results in this hall and as we declared a recess until 4pm, as I was walking down back to the office, my PA came to me and said that here are some papers that Dr Bello Fadile, a representative of the PDP said that he should collect it; that I said Dr Fadile should give him those papers. I told him that I didn't tell Dr Fadile to give any papers to you. Return them to him because Dr Fadile, after we declared for recess came on to this platform. As a party agent, he is not supposed to do that and gave some documents to my PA who is writing results here. and I am sure some of the agents and some of the pressmen may have seen that and I told my PA to take back those documents to him. If he told you I told him to give you any documents, I did not. Take them back to him, Subsequently, Dr Fadile sent me a text message saying that there are petitions and that he wants to submit them. I told him we don't collect petitions on the platform when we are declaring results and then he said I should have left my office open so that they can submit those petitions in my office. I told him our secretary, the secretary to the commission is not anywhere in this hall. She is in her office and that her business is to receive communication. If they are important enough, she would bring them to me here. I have started collation. I cannot be receiving petition in this hall or in this platform. And when I replied that text message, he replied again and said Okay, he will see what he can do. I interpreted the text as he was going to take that petition or whatever document he has to the secretary of the commission. As I speak with you now, I have not received anything from the secretary to the commission. That is regards to the issue of the so called petition. 

Regarding results published by APC on its website, I do not give results to anybody. The results were announced formally as INEC are results declared here. And we have warned everybody to be careful and to ensure that the do not declare results which we have not officially announced. So as far as I am concerned I have not seen any results. I have not given anybody any results. So for you to even engage me on that issue I think frankly that is not fair to me. I have not seen the results. How can I speak on something that I have not seen. So please let us be careful of what we say or do so that we do not disrupt a process that has ended peacefully and in a matter of hours we would be able to finish it.". Jega said

Posted by Linda Ikeji at 5:03 PM

Nigeria election: Muhammadu Buhari set for victory

BBC 15 Minutes ago


Gen Buhari's supporters have been celebrating as final results come in 

Opposition candidate Muhammadu Buhari is on the verge of a historic victory over Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, with most votes counted.

Gen Buhari, a former military ruler, is ahead by almost three million votes, with results still to come from just three states.
Analysts say it is hard to see how Mr Jonathan can overcome this lead.
The opposition has never won a presidential election in Nigeria, Africa's most populous state.
Observers have generally praised the election but there have been allegations of fraud, which could lead to protests and violence.
More than 800 people were killed in protests after Mr Jonathan beat Gen Buhari in the previous election.

Results so far:
Gen Buhari: 14.2m votes;
Passed 25% threshold in 24 states
Mr Jonathan: 11.4m votes;
Passed 25% threshold in 24 states
Results from 33 states + Abuja
Candidates needs 25% in 24 states for first-round victory

If Your Candididate Losses, How Will You Cope?

...8 Things You Can Do If Your Candidate Losses This Election.





Posted by Ambassador T. Brikins

You   believed your candidate will win and it and it turned out he or she did not win.

Two things may have have happened. Your choice was wrong or you think inside you, "I  was cheated ".

Whatever, may be the reason, you are not God. Only God makes and delivers perfect decisions. You need to respect the seeming verdict of the people or God's permissive or perfect will.

Today, one of the biggest changes in Nigeria is currently happening-  Nigeria is right now announcing  a new President and you are at risk as your emotion will hurt.  That is if your candidate lost.

Election victories can be a big downer . Close to half of the population will be down  emotionally.

Whatever you may have done spiritual or physical, technical or professional, the fact remains only one person can win. And that person has won.

General Gowon and Ojukwu, "enemies" sharing a meal.

These unfortunate Nigerians had no meal to share. Think somebody.

“Do you not know that in a race all runners compete, but (only) one receives the prize?” 1Corinthians9:24.

Yesterday morning as I walked  by the High Court in Ikeja, South West of Nigeria to  collect my  National Drivers license which  was being processed  for about a year now, I saw a new banner with the inscribed  message "Special Election Tribunal".

So,  there is a place to vent your anger if your candidate loses.  But it will take your money, time, energy, emotions, pain etc. Please any form of illegality is not in it.  That will be cool if you limit your disappointment to yourself and not even involve your personal sphere of influence.

“I feel very depressed,” former U.S. Ambassador John Price told a reporter, about Mitt Romney losing the presidential elections in 2012. “ It was a very depressing evening, I thought we would win.”

Some have lost long time  friends.

After George W. Bush’s victory in 2004, Andrew Laguer, President of a conservative think tank in D.C. said, he had a major falling out with a Democrat he had known since high school.

The emotional impact of a political loss on supporters can be devastating.

Researchers have discovered that the pains of losing presidential election dominates the joy of winning it, is consistent with existing research that “bad” events in life immediately impact us more than the “good” ones.

 People are  loss conscious. Put in Nigeria's currency , Naira and Kobo, you may be more upset losing N1,000 than you are happy about gaining N1,000.

Indeed the emotional impact of a political loss on supporters can be enormous. When Lincoln was elected, some believed the wrong person was elected – the South seceded.
  

2012 came  presidential victory for president and Democrat Barak Obama, and the defeat of Republican Nominee Mitt Romney.

“The election was really about saving America” a Romney supporter told CBS political analyst. “And I get really emotional about that.”

This blog is about Christian perspective and sits very well with Christian decision makers.

Politics today is highly driven by emotions. Emotion  is in  the realm of the flesh, the zone that Satan launches attack on people.

It is people  who are led by the Spirit of God, that are the sons of God. Romans 8:14. You should not be driven by your emotions but your spirit. The sons of God are not violent people. Don't allow your flesh-emotions to recruit you into the devil's army.

King Saul was so obsessed with jealousy regarding  the young David that it drove him to take one wrong decision after another until he rested in the bosom of a witch- the witch of endor and died a most disgraceful death. His position as the king of Israel with state  power  behind him could not upturn God’s choice.

We need to learn and know and recognize “that the Most High (God) rules the kingdom of mankind and gives it to whomever he will” Daniel . 4:25.

Today, March 31, 2015 may mar or make your life. It contains only 24 hours. But the eternal and supernatural wisdom of God says, "This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it."Psalm 118:24.

Warning. You are only permitted to rejoice and be glad in it. You disobey this if you made today.

 A day may be too short but it is big enough for you  to make a life’s decision  that could lead  to life or death.

So, your  mind is the first place to guide against. Scriptural guideline for this is in Philippians 4:6-8.

"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Take a look into the content of a day.

Eighty thousand heart  heart beats.

One thousand four hundred and forty minutes.

A complete rotation of the earth.

A circle of the sundial.

Two dozen flips of the hourglass.

Both a sunrise and a sunset.

Your  vote belongs to yesterday where you voted…

Today is under your control. Use it for good not evil.

How you cope?

1. Have faith and hope that your love for your country should determine what you do.

2. Remember that people matter more than politics.

You may have to avoid some people until things calm  down, but it’s important to remember that there’s a reason you love and value people. In fact God commands you to love your neighbor as yourself.

3.Hang out more with people who think as you do.

This may be a better way to express your emotion.

4.      Keep in mind that a presidential term is four years. The next election year could be another story.

6.      Respect this outcome.

Nigeria  was built on the belief that everyone has a voice, and (hopefully) the winning candidate won fair and square. "Instead of trying to call for an investigation, threatening to leave or corrupting the minds of young people, why not appreciate the fact you live in a free country? You may not be happy with the results, but the people have spoken and like it or not, this is who was chosen. Remember why you love this country. Remember you’re still free to say anything and spoof your elected officials on the social media. You dealt with Obasanjo for eight years, and Yar'Adua and Jonathan for eight years before that. You can find a way to deal with whoever is elected, respect the office of the President and live civilly as an example to others. And no matter who is elected, remember that deep down, that person has the country’s best interest at heart. If this still doesn’t help…the founding fathers were wise in instituting term limits, so your next chance for change is only four years away.".
7. Search out something to appreciate in the new president.

8.       Move on with your life

Nigeria Election: Elder Orubebe of the PDP Confronts INEC Chairman Attahiru Jega Live On National Television

Godswill Orubebe in action

Tuesday, March 31, 2015

#Nigeria Decides

 It has been drama so far at the collation center of the INEC headquarters in Abuja.
A collation officer, Elder Godswill Orubebe of the PDP Confronted the INEC Chairman Attahiru Jega Live On National Television when the second batch of the announcement of the presidential election result was about to commence.
In a tantrum which lasted for more than 15 minutes  Orubebe was accusing the INEC chairman of being partial, tribalistic, selective, and that he has been compromised and they’ve lost confidence in him.
According to what we gathered, there are allegations of INEC releasing doctored results for the APC, which have given the APC a massive lead against the PDP.
Here is part of what Orubebe said during the confrontation:-
“Mr Chairman you are partial and selective! We have lost confidence in you. You are compromised!”

In her posting Linda Ikeji reported that, Orubebe accused Professor Jega of being  selective, partial and is tribalistic. He said APC had written a letter to INEC concerning an alleged rigging in Rivers state which he immediately sent a committee to investigate the issue but that when PDP wrote protest letters on the elections in Katsina, Kaduna and Jigawa, Jega did not send anyone to attend to their protest.

Orubebe, who is a former Minister of Niger Delta, is now calling for Jega to stop result collation. He sat on stage and refused to allow the result announcement to continue...

 Elder Godswill OrubebeOrubebe became a Supervisory Councilor, and later Chairman of Burutu LGA. In July 2007, President Umaru Yar'Adua appointed him Minister of Special Duties.  Later he became Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs when that ministry was created in December 2008. In January 2010 he said that the proposed 10% equity share policy on infrastructural development in the Niger Delta region would make vandalism and crisis a thing of the past.

<sup>Elder Peter Godsday Orubebe (born 6 June 1959) was appointed Nigerian Minister of Niger Delta on 6 April 2010 when Acting President Goodluck Jonathan announced his new cabinet.

Orubebe was born on 6 June 1959 at Ogbobagbene, Burutu Local Government Area in Delta State. He is of Ijaw origin.[1] He attended the University of Lagos, gaining a B.Sc in Political Science in 1985. Later he obtained a Masters Degree in International Relations from Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma in 2005.  
Additional Report by Ambassador T. Brikins</sup> 

Gordon College Reaffirms Ban on Students, Faculty Engaging in Extramarital Sex, Homosexuality

(Photo: Mark Spooner)

 By Michael Gryboski , Christian Post Reporter

The A. J. Gordon Memorial Chapel at Gordon College, a Christian academic institution located in Wenham, Massachusetts.

A Massachusetts Christian academic institute under fire for maintaining a policy for students and faculty that only allows for sex within heterosexual marriage has reaffirmed its stance.
Gordon College, a Christian school located in Wenham, announced earlier this week that it's maintaining its conduct policy barring sex outside of marriage, including adultery and homosexuality.
Administrators at the college also announced Monday that they will form a task force called "Life Together" that will aim to work on human sexuality issues in the campus community.

Rick Sweeney, vice president of marketing and communications at Gordon College, provided The Christian Post with a statement from the academic institution on the matter.
"The taskforce, whose name is inspired by the Dietrich Bonhoeffer book of the same title, is one of several new initiatives focused on three key areas — residence life, campus programming and the overall educational experience," reads the statement.
"In addition, Gordon is bolstering its anti-bullying policies to ensure it is best serving all students. Gordon will conduct biennial surveys to assess the wellbeing of students as it relates to sexuality and sexual identity."
In an interview with CP, Sweeney explained the reasoning underpinning the decision on the part of Gordon's Board of Trustees.
"It was important to be clear [Gordon] supports the institutional commitment to orthodox biblical teaching around human sexuality," said Sweeney.
"At the same time, the college leadership is committed to ensuring we support and care for all students including those of diverse characteristics and backgrounds … while remaining faithful to our underlying Christian theological framework."
Over the past year, Gordon had made headlines over its official position that students and faculty cannot engage in sex outside of marriage or homosexual activities.
Last July, Salem's government ended its contract with Gordon over usage of the city's Old Town Hall due to the academic institute's ban on homosexual behavior.
Salem Mayor Kimberley Driscoll told CP in an earlier interview that Gordon College's "behavioral standards" policy was "in violation of the LGBT-inclusive non-discrimination ordinance that was unanimously adopted by the Salem City Council."
"The city does not contract with private parties that willfully discriminate on the basis of age, ancestry, color, disability, family status, gender identity or expression, marital status, military status, national origin, race, religion, sex or sexual orientation," said Driscoll."… [T]he city terminated the contract because Gordon's behavioral standards code conflicted with our fully LGBT inclusive non-discrimination ordinance. It is not discriminatory to reject discrimination."
Gordon's recent reaffirmation comes as part of their process of discernment surrounding a pending report meant for their accreditor, the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.
Last September, NEASC's Commission on Institutions of Higher Education and Gordon released a joint statement noting that Gordon was to undergo a process of discernment as to whether or not their policy on human sexuality was discriminatory.
Barbara Brittingham, president of the NEASC Commission on Institutions of Higher Education, provided CP with a copy of the joint statement.
"The commission has asked the college to submit a report for consideration at the commission's September 2015 meeting describing the process and its outcomes, to ensure that the College's policies and processes are non-discriminatory and that it ensures its ability to foster an atmosphere that respects and supports people of diverse characteristics and backgrounds," reads the statement from last year.
Brittingham explained to CP that Gordon is not under investigation for its policy and the institution is not on trial for maintaining its position on human sexuality.
"Gordon College is accredited through NEASC's Commission on Institutions of Higher Education and has been so continuously since 1961. The commission has enjoyed a positive relationship with Gordon College," said Brittingham.
"As indicated by the joint statement, the commission has asked Gordon College to submit a report for consideration at the commission's September meeting describing the college's discernment process and its outcomes."

Nigeria election: Results Expected Tomorrow

INEC Chairman dismisses PDP’s claim of victory in 23 states

Nigeria's election body says it expects to announce the first results of Saturday's keenly contested presidential poll on Tuesday.

Reacting to claims  of victory by the Peoples Democratic Party in 23 states as reported by the Director of Media and Publicity of the PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation, Femi Fani-Kayode.
Fani-Kayode had on his official Twitter page  on Sunday, said,”As we speak now, we are winning in 23 states and we have 64 per cent while the APC is winning in 14 states and has 36 per cent.”
But Jega, in a series of tweets on the official Twitter page of INEC, countered the claim.
He  urged Nigerians to be  “wary of declaration from people who are clearly partisan.”
Jega said in the tweets, “I don’t know where the PDP spokesman got his source but we have not collated results in 23 states.”

 

Fani-Kayode

But   Fani-Kayode said he got his statistics from “our  polling agents at every polling unit in the country. They gave us the numbers.”
The INEC boss stated that the collation  of results would begin by 12pm on Monday.
While justifying his reports, Fani-Kayode said he got his statistics from “our  polling agents at every polling unit in the country. They gave us the numbers.”

Soros says ready to invest $1 billion in Ukraine if West helps

George Soros, Chairman of Soros Fund Management, speaks during the session 'Recharging Europe' in the Swiss mountain resort of Davos January 23, 2015.

Reuters/Ruben Sprich

 Business | Mon Mar 30, 2015 3:38am EDT

VIENNA
(Reuters) - Billionaire financier George Soros is ready to invest $1 billion in Ukraine, if Western countries help private investment there. He also put the odds of Greece leaving the euro at a third, in an interview with Austrian newspaper Der Standard.
Soros has previously urged the West to step up aid to Ukraine, outlining steps towards a $50 billion financing package that he said should be viewed as a bulwark against an increasingly aggressive Russia.
"The West can help Ukraine by increasing attractiveness for investors. A political risk insurance is necessary. This could take the form of mezzanine financing at EU interest rates -- very close to zero," he said in an interview published on Monday.
"I stand ready. There are concrete investment ideas, for example in agriculture and infrastructure projects. I would put in $1 billion. This must generate a profit. My foundation would benefit from this ... Private engagement needs strong political leadership."The Hungarian-born hedge fund magnate, who made his name betting against the pound in 1992, also put the chance of Greece leaving the euro zone at a third. Last week he put it at 50:50.
(Reporting By Shadia Nasralla; Editing by Larry King)