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NIGERIA’S ELECTIONS: Massive Turnout across the state wth pockets of violence, Posted by Meosha Eaton

By Williams Ekanem, MACTV News


THE aborted April 2 National Assembly election did little to dampen the enthusiasm of Nigerians to perform their civic responsibility yesterday in the rescheduled exercise.

Indeed, against the prediction of possible voter apathy, the people turned out in large numbers in most urban and rural areas across the country. There were also reports of low attendance in some areas.

However, the dampener came in the form of violence and snatching of ballot papers and boxes in several places.

For instance, bombs were exploded in Borno State capital, Maiduguri, injuring five persons while an ANPP local chairman and his son in Jere council of the state were shot dead by unknown assailants. In the same vein, a bomb blast was, around 6.15 pm yesterday, reported from a collation centre in Maiduguri.

As at press time, there was sketchy details regarding the magnitude of casualties recorded.

Also, there were reports of election officials preventing people, who did not queue to be counted after being accredited, from the actual voting. Many were thus disenfranchised.

Nonetheless, the INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, described the turnout for the election as impressive. His assessment came on the heels of the poll’s eve bomb explosions in Suleja, Niger State, which killed many officials of the INEC, particularly members of the NYSC, who are serving as ad-hoc staff in the election.

Similarly, prominent Nigerians and local and international observers have hailed the election as successful. President Jonathan, along with his wife, Dame Patience, voted at his Otuoke community in Bayelsa State.

Lagos State governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola, said the election was the shape of things, and called on the voting public to come out in larger numbers in subsequent polls.

Accompanied by his wife to the voting centre at the State Grammar School, Surulere, the governor said: “This is what we have all asked for. We have all asked to participate; we have all asked to be given the opportunity to choose our leaders. Now that the opportunity is in our hands, let us make use of it.”

Kwara State governor, Dr. Bukola Saraki, was satisfied with the poll, noting that the large turnout of voters was an indication that Nigerians were no longer politically docile.
Ogun State governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, after voting at Isote Sagamu, saluted Nigerians for the resilience shown so far in the democratic process.

He said: “From what we have seen today, there appears to be a marked improvement over what happened last week. We pray that this will be conclusive.
What would have become a relatively peaceful National Assembly elections after two successive postponements by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday threw up new concerns, ranging from pockets of violence in a few states to late arrival of electoral materials in some others.

Most of the polling centres in Lagos, Ondo and Abia States, for example, recorded impressive turnout as INEC officials reportedly started accreditation of voters as early as 8am, while the real voting began at 12.30 pm as stipulated in INEC’s election programme. In Ikorodu and Isolo areas of Lagos, there was “massive” turnout of voters who came out as early as 7.30 am to get accredited. They waited until 12.30 pm when real voting commenced in most of the polling centres.

osNIGERIA: Electoral Body to prosecute senator for electoral malpractices, Posted by Meosha Eaton

By Williams Ekanem



A senator is to be prosecuted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for electoral malpractices, Prof. Attahiru Jega has said.

According to the INEC chair, the senator “commandeered corps members and election materials to his house.

“We are discussing with security agencies about having him apprehended and prosecuted,” he said.

Jega spoke at the INEC headquarters yesterday while reviewing the National Assembly elections. He said the turnout was more than 75 per cent.

According to him, but for some isolated cases in parts of the country, the elections were peaceful.  “We had reports of people trying to hijack ballot boxes in places like Delta. In Bayelsa, there is an unfortunate situation where a serving senator in Bayelsa commandeered corps members and election materials to his house. We are discussing with security agencies about having him apprehended and prosecuted,” he said.

According to Jega, a violent incident was reported from Biu in Borno State on Friday while a bomb explosion at a polling unit in the state injured several voters on Saturday.
Jega was at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital in Gwagwalada to see victims of the bomb explosion at INEC office in Suleja where 13 corps members died.

He said: “When such things happen, some people will be scared. We received reports that some parents told their children not to do the work again and we had to get replacements,” Jega stated.

However, he said in spite of the dastardly act, “more than 75 per cent of Nigerians went to various polling units to cast their votes,” adding that such legislative houses’ elections tend to record only about 65 per cent voter’s turnout in most countries.

Speaking on the reactions that followed last week’s botched polls, he said vested interests have been disseminating disinformation against the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) but all those holding top positions in INEC are prepared to give account of every decision or act they did, INEC chairman Professor Attahiru Jega has declared.

He said about 25 injured victims of the Suleja bomb blast are being treated. He decried what he called the aggressive disinformation being sponsored by influential political elite. He said it would not succeed in creating the division that such persons envisaged at INEC.

Jega who gave assurances that INEC will take very good care of dead and injured youth corps members who work as ad-hoc staff, said that the group life insurance policy arranged by INEC covers all of them against disability, accidents or death.

He also said that comprehensive details of all incidents of electoral violence and arrests made in various parts of the country will soon be released, adding that INEC has continued to learn lessons that would facilitate the continuous improvement in the conduct of electoral processes, adding that the leadership of INEC has nothing to hide.

“We are fully in possession of all the materials we need and there will be no problem with the presidential election; the adjustment of election dates has given us more time to prepare more adequately for the presidential election.

Jega further expressed regrets that “some people out there who are highly placed in politics and can get always get some of you to print whatever story without corroboration”, adding that the list of companies that INEC was said to have given contracts for the printing of ballot papers is false.

“So many things have been happening… a lot has been made about re-run ballot papers arriving before that of the main presidential election. We identified one of the best companies in the world and gave them the contact for the main and rerun presidential ballot papers.

“We changed some of the security features that we wanted on the ballot papers; although they assured us that they will be able to do that, subsequently, they could not. They got another company in South Africa that said it could do it and eventually that South African company later said that they couldn’t meet the deadline of the presidential election.

“So we had to cancel the contract for the main presidential ballot papers and they were able to supply the ones for the rerun and we had to get the main presidential election done by another company. Those who knew this and wanted to cause further confusion and division along with the impression that everything is wrong and that INEC cannot do this job were now making it appear as if we did the contract for rerun papers first because we are anticipating a rerun to take place.

“In a situation where there are so many vested interests looking for so many things to accuse us of, some newspapers get information from certain sources and they do not corroborate or give the other party the chance to respond.

Everything the say are sometimes half-truths and conjectures because they got information from vested interests and they want to please such interests by publishing the stories.

“We are prepared to defend ourselves and everything we have done as a commission because we have done everything honestly and sincerely; we have not been partial to anybody. Some reports try to project us as if we are working for candidates; we feel terribly insulted and people who know us know that there is no way we can bring partisanship to this job that we are doing,” he said adding that some people have concocted stories alleging secret meetings with some political parties.

Speaking further, Professor Jega disclosed that a mob burnt down the house entered by some persons who snatched ballot boxes in Zaria even though soldiers prevented the lynching of the ballot box snatchers who are now in police custody.

He said that while a high profile arrest is expected in Bayelsa, incidences of violence have been recorded in four states.

Govt Shutdown: Republicans Propose Another Short Term Budget, Posted by Meosha Eaton

By Williams Ekanem for MACTV NEWS


Speaker of the United States House of Representative, John Boehner in a last minute effort to forestall government shut down on Friday is proposing another short term budget of one week during which talks continue on cuts on the budget.

Addressing Congressional Correspondents on Wednesday, the Speaker said that, “we’re going to be prepared to move forward with our troop funding bill that would fund our troops, keep the government open for another week, and cut $12 billion in spending.”

According to him, “ I think this is the responsible thing to do for the United States Congress, and I would hope the Senate could pass it and the president would sign it into law,” Boehner said. “Republicans have no interest in shutting down the government.

Shutting down the government I think is irresponsible and I think it’ll end up costing the American taxpayers more money than we’re already spending. And I believe that our members want to support our troops, want to pay our troops, and we’re going to do the responsible thing tomorrow.”

How far this can will remain to be seen as only the previous day President Obama was very emphatic that he is not ready to sign another short term budget.
Responding to question of another short term budget, the President responded on Tuesday this way, “We did it once for two weeks, then we did another one for three weeks. That is not a way to run a government. I can’t have our agencies making plans based on two-week budgets. I can’t have the Defense Department, I can’t have the State Department, I can’t have our various agencies on food safety and making sure our water is clean and making sure that our airports are functioning, I can’t have them making decisions based on two-week-at-a-time budgets.”

In the same vein, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has indicated that there is not an appetite for another short-term CR, particularly one that cuts $12 billion in one week, rather than the $2 billion pace of the two previous short-term stopgap measures.
When asked Tuesday if the GOP’s short-term CR would be “dead on arrival” Reid, D-Nevada, replied, “Oh sure, absolutely.”

But with stiff opposition to another short-term CR in the Senate, a shutdown now appears closer than ever if Congressional leaders are unable to reach a long-term deal.

All this is happening less than three days away from a government shutdown.

Obama says, "We Have Agreed to $73b Cut", Posted by Meosha Eaton

By Williams Ekanem for MACTV News

As fear of a government shut down looms in Washington D.C., President Barack Obama says the White House and Democrats have agreed to a $73billion cut originally proposed by Speaker Boehner.
Addressing White House Correspondents on the outcome of the meeting between Republican and Democratic leadership at the White House, Obama pointed out that, “the only question is whether politics or ideology are going to get in the way of preventing a government shutdown.”

Giving details of the tripartite meeting, Obama said, “Speaker Boehner, Chairman Rogers, the Republican appropriations chairman -- their original budget proposed $73 billion in cuts. We have now agreed to $73 billion worth of cuts. What they are now saying is, well, we’re not sure that every single one of the cuts that you’ve made are ones that we agree to; we’d rather have these cuts rather than that cut. That’s not the basis for shutting down the government.

We should be able to come up with a compromise in which nobody gets 100 percent of what they want, but the American people get the peace of mind in knowing that folks here in Washington are actually thinking about them -- because they’re going through a whole lot of struggles right now.”
Responding to question of another short term budget, the President responded this way, “We did it once for two weeks, then we did another one for three weeks.

That is not a way to run a government. I can’t have our agencies making plans based on two-week budgets. I can’t have the Defense Department, I can’t have the State Department, I can’t have our various agencies on food safety and making sure our water is clean and making sure that our airports are functioning, I can’t have them making decisions based on two-week-at-a-time budgets.”

On the implication of all these on the American people, the President stated that at a time when the economy is just beginning to grow, where we’re just starting to see a pickup in employment, the last thing we need is a disruption that’s caused by a government shutdown. Not to mention all the people who depend on government services, whether you’re a veteran or you’re somebody who’s trying to get a passport or you’re planning to visit one of the national monuments or you’re a business leader who’s trying to get a small business loan. You don’t want delays, you don’t want disruptions just because of usual politics in Washington.

Pointing out that he is not ready to blame anyone in case of a government shut down, Obama said thw white House is ready to reconvene the meeting until a solution is arrived at.

According to him, “t right now we’ve got some business in front of us that needs to be done, and that is making sure that we are cutting spending in a significant way, but we’re doing it with a scalpel instead of a machete to make sure that we can still make investments in education; we can still make investments in infrastructure; we can still make investments what put the American people back to work and build our economy for the long term.”

Obama Regrets UN, French Military Action in Cote d’ Ivoire, Posted by Meosha Eaton

By Williams Ekanem for MACTV News

President Barack Obama on Tuesday reacted over the military action by the United Nations and French forces in Cote  d’Ivoire regretting that “the violence that we are seeing could have been averted had Laurent Gbagbo respected the results of last year’s presidential election.”

In a statement made available to MAC.TV, President Obama said that "the people of Cote D’Ivoire have suffered too much throughout this period of unrest,” and pointed out that, “to end this violence and prevent more bloodshed, former President Gbagbo must stand down immediately, and direct those who are fighting on his behalf to lay down their arms."

According to the President of the United States, to end this violence and prevent more bloodshed, former President Gbagbo must stand down immediately, and direct those who are fighting on his behalf to lay down their arms.

While commending Quattara’s pledge to ensure accountability for those who have carried out attacks against civilians, Obama the United States will continue to support a future in which Laurent Gbagbo stands down, and President Outarra and the government of Cote D’Ivoire can move beyond this current crisis and serve all of the Ivorian people. 

 According to the President, the United States joins with the international community in our deep concern about reports of massacres in the western region of the country, and the dangers faced by innocent civilians – particularly the most vulnerable, and all parties must show restraint and respect the rights of the Ivorian people.

 French and UN soldiers were engaged in operations in Abidjan Monday to "neutralize" weapons used against civilians by fighters for Côte d’Ivoire strongman Laurent Gbagbo, the French government said.

Under the auspices of UN Security Council resolution 1975, the troops "have engaged in actions aimed at neutralizing heavy arms used against civilians and UN personnel in Abidjan," said a presidency statement.

The objectives of the military action was not outlined in further detail.

"The secretary general of the United Nations, [Ban Ki-moon] requested the support of French forces in these operations," said the statement.

"The president of the [French] Republic [Nicolas Sarkozy] responded positively to this request, and authorized French forces... to participate in operations conducted by ONUCI (the UN mission in Ivory Coast) aimed at protecting civilians."

"France calls for the immediate cessation of all violence against civilians. The perpetrators of these crimes must be brought to justice," said the presidency.

MACTV NEWS

Obama Administration adds .2m Jobs in March, Posted by Meosha Eaton

By Williams Ekanem


WASHINGTON - The Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers Austan Goolsbee said employment report shows that private sector payrolls increased by 230,000 in March, marking 13 consecutive months of private employment growth.

A breakdown shows that private sector employers added 1.8 million jobs over that period, including more than half a million jobs in the last three months.
The unemployment rate fell for the fourth straight month to 8.8 percent.

The full percentage point drop in the unemployment rate over the past four months is the largest such decline since 1984, and, importantly, it has been driven primarily by increased employment, rather than people leaving the labor force, he indicated.

According to him, as long as millions of people are looking for jobs, there is still considerable work to do to replace the jobs lost in the downturn. Nonetheless, the steep decline in the jobless rate and the solid employment growth in recent months are encouraging.

He added that the last two months of private job gains have been the strongest in five years.

“We are seeing signs that the initiatives put in place by this Administration – such as the payroll tax cut and business incentives for investment – are creating the conditions for sustained growth and job creation. We will continue to work with Congress to find ways to reduce spending, so that we can live within our means and focus on the investments that are most likely to help grow our economy and create jobs - investments in education, infrastructure, and clean energy,” he emphasized.

My Africa Channel Television found out that in addition to the increases last month, the estimates of private sector job growth for January (now +94,000) and February (now +240,000) were revised up significantly. Overall payroll employment rose by 216,000 in March. Payroll employment grew in almost every sector. Solid employment increases occurred in professional and business services (+78,000), education and health services (+45,000), leisure and hospitality (+37,000), wholesale and retail trade (+31,800), and manufacturing (+17,000). Local government experienced a decline of 15,000, and has shed jobs in 16 of the past 17 months.

The overall trajectory of the economy has improved dramatically over the past two years, but there will surely be bumps in the road ahead. The monthly employment and unemployment numbers are volatile and employment estimates are subject to substantial revision. Therefore, as the Administration always stresses, it is important not to read too much into any one monthly report.

International Observers Advice Nigerian Electoral Body, Posted by Meosha Eaton

By Williams Ekanem

The Independent International Election Observation Missions to Nigeria has called on INEC to be truly independent and ensure transparency during and after the elections.

The foreign observer missions made the call in a statement issued in Abuja.

The statement was jointly signed by the European Union Election Observation Mission to Nigeria, Commonwealth Observer Group and the National Democratic Institution.

The missions advised INEC to accurately tabulate votes, saying that political parties and their supporters should also respect the code of conduct they signed with INEC.

They, however, recognised INEC’s efforts at administering the election process and the desire of the electorate to participate in genuine elections that would be free of intimidation and violence.

The missions encouraged security forces in the country to ensure a peaceful environment by maintaining the rule of law and safeguarding the integrity of the electoral process.

The statement quoted the missions as saying that they “ will in accordance with the declaration of principles for international election observation, independently issue their preliminary findings on the election process.’’

Another team of monitors from the European Union arrived the country on Thursday from Netherlands. The 60 observers are joining 50 that had arrived the country earlier.

The EU had said that a group of 52 long-term observers would be deployed across the country to observe the electoral process in their area of responsibility and report back to the core team in Abuja.
It added that 60 short-term observers would join the mission shortly before the elections to observe the polls.

A member of the 50-member team, Mr. Leonerdus Den-Biggelar, told journalists that they would be in the country for about three weeks or more depending on the outcome of the elections.
He said the purpose of the mission was to provide support for the development of Nigeria’s democratic institutions and procedures.

The EU Observation Mission is led by Chief Observer, Alojz Peterie, a member of the European Parliament.

In a statement yesterday in Abuja, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, S. B. Ozigis, said: “The Minister of Interior, Captain Emmanuel Ihenacho wishes to notify the general public that the Federal Government has directed that all land borders be closed from 12 noon on Friday, April 1, 2011 to 6 a.m. on Sunday, April 3, 2011. This is to ensure a peaceful and hitch-free conduct of the 2011 National Assembly elections taking place on April 2, 2011.

“In the same vein, vehicular movements have been restricted nationwide from 8.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. on the election day, Saturday, April 2, 2011. Only INEC vehicles, security operatives specially assigned for election duties as well as those on essential and emergency duties, would be allowed to ply the roads.
“The minister of Interior, Captain Emmanuel Ihenacho would like to use this medium to urge all Nigerians to ensure a very smooth, peaceful and successful elections,” he said.
All the major stakeholders in the conduct of polls: INEC, the Nigeria Police and sister security services, the political parties, civil society organisations, and election monitors have said they have done what is needed to guarantee hitch-free conduct of the elections.
Officials of the electoral umpire, the police and other bodies in various states of the federation involved in the preparation for the elections told The Guardian that they are set for the exercise.
In some states, soldiers have been deployed in the streets, who were seen demonstrating their readiness to maintain law and order during the polls.

The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) yesterday sang an usual song when it called for the immediate removal of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Hafiz Ringim for allegedly spearheading the rigging machinery of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

ACN National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande, made the call at a news conference in Lagos yesterday. He said the party’s leadership would not watch and allow a repeat of the “disgraceful and destructive conduct of the PDP, which characterised the 2007 general elections.”

Among the national leaders of the party present at the event were former Lagos State Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu, his successor Babatunde Raji Fashola, Alhaji Yusuf Alli, Dr. Audu Ogbe, Alhaji Lawal Shuaibu and Dr. Muiz Banire, the ACN National Legal Adviser.

Republicans Oppose Obama on Energy Security, Introduce Alternative Bill, Posted by Meosha Eaton

By Williams Ekanem

Barely 24 hours after President Barack Obama announced plans to reducing United States oil imports by one-third by 2025, congressmen from the rival Republican Party has condemned his proposals and introduced a bicameral bill.

Coined as the 3-D Act, sponsors say the legislation would take immediate steps to address the urgent need for greater domestic energy production, job creation and deficit reduction.

Sponsored by Congressman Rob Bishop R-UT, Senator David Vitter R-LA the bill is tagged, the domestic jobs, domestic energy and deficit reduction Act 2011 is expected by the sponsors to create two million jobs, $10 trillion in economic activity and $2 trillion in federal tax receipts in 30 years.
Addressing Congressional Correspondents on Thursday, Senator Vitter said that the President in his speech on energy the previous night “offered some vague platitudes, but no concrete plans to rein in the rising gas prices, even as they climb toward $4 per gallon.

Worried by this development informed why “we are laying out a far different path by introducing our legislation. The 3-D Act would unleash our vast domestic energy potential to create American jobs, help free us from our reliance on foreign oil and bring to reduce our $14 trillion national debt,” Senator Vitter stated.

The 3-D Act, he indicated is co-sponsored by 25 original House members and 30 Senators and has garnered support from organizations such as Americas for Limited Government, Western Roundtable, Americans for Tax Reform, Americans for Prosperity etc.

Also speaking, Senator John Barrassso said, “instead of announcing bold steps to fully develop America’s energy, President Obama set a long range energy goal without a realistic way to get there. A great goal without a great strategy will be a failure and Republicans have a better way forward that will ease the pain at the pump. Our bill will help America develop all of the above energy, create jobs and lower the deficit.”

Only the previous evening, the president called for the US to cut oil imports by one-third by 2025. He also reiterated a goal made in his State of the Union speech to generate 80 percent of the nation’s electricity from “clean energy” sources by 2035.

According to the President, “over the next two years, we’ll help entrepreneurs break ground for four next-generation biorefineries -– each with a capacity of more than 20 million gallons per year. And going forward, we should look for ways to reform biofuels incentives to make sure that they’re meeting today’s challenges and that they’re also saving taxpayers money.

So as we replace oil with fuels like natural gas and biofuels, we can also reduce our dependence by making cars and trucks that use less oil in the first place. Seventy percent of our petroleum consumption goes to transportation -- 70 percent. And by the way, so does the second biggest chunk of most families’ budgets goes into transportation. And that’s why one of the best ways to make our economy less dependent on oil and save folks more money is to make our transportation sector more efficient.”

Presidency Opposes House Stand on Home Modification Program, Posted by Meosha Eaton

By Williams Ekanem, Capitol Hill Correspondent for MACTV News

The Executive Office of the President says it strongly oppose the House of Representative passage of H.R 839-HAMP Termination act which would eliminate the Department of Treasury’s Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP).

According to the statement of administration policy the program offers eligible homeowners an opportunity to lower their mortgage payments, helping individuals avoid foreclosure and leading to the protection of home values and the preservation of homeownership.

A statement dated March 29, 2011 made available to My Africa Channel Television stated that the Administration is committed to helping struggling American homeowners stay in their homes, and has taken many steps over the last two years to stabilize what was a rapidly-declining housing market.

“As tens of thousands of responsible American homeowners struggling with their mortgages receive permanent assistance each month from HAMP, the Administration believes that continuation of HAMP is important to the Nation’s sustained economic recovery.”
Accordingly, the statement indicated that , “if the President is presented with H.R. 839, his senior advisors would recommend that he veto the bill.”

Representative McHenry, R-NC sponsored the bill and is supported by eight cosponsors.

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I Consulted with Congress Leadership before Taking Action---Obama Says on Libya, Posted by Meosha Eaton

By Williams Ekanem for MACTV News

Against the growing criticism that United States President, Barack Obama took a unilateral decision to attack Libya, the President said yesterday that he consulted with bipartisan leadership at the Congress before taking action.

In an address to the nation at the National Defense University, Obama said, “after consulting the bipartisan leadership of Congress, I authorized military action to stop the killing and enforce UN Security Council Resolution 1973.

Giving justification for leading the initial attack, the United States President said that “in the face of the world’s condemnation, Gaddafi chose to escalate his attacks, launching a military campaign against the Libyan people.

Innocent people were targeted for killing. Hospitals and ambulances were attacked. Journalists were arrested, sexually assaulted, and killed. Supplies of food and fuel were choked off. The water for hundreds of thousands of people in Misratah was shut off. Cities and towns were shelled, mosques destroyed, and apartment buildings reduced to rubble.

Military jets and helicopter gunships were unleashed upon people who had no means to defend themselves against assault from the air.”

According to Obama, “ confronted by this brutal repression and a looming humanitarian crisis, I ordered warships into the Mediterranean. European allies declared their willingness to commit resources to stop the killing. The Libyan opposition, and the Arab League, appealed to the world to save lives in Libya.

At my direction, America led an effort with our allies at the United Nations Security Council to pass an historic Resolution that authorized a No Fly Zone to stop the regime’s attacks from the air, and further authorized all necessary measures to protect the Libyan people.”

In assessing the effect of the action so far, Obama said that, “we hit Gaddafi’s troops in neighboring Ajdabiya, allowing the opposition to drive them out. We hit his air defenses, which paved the way for a No Fly Zone.

We targeted tanks and military assets that had been choking off towns and cities and we cut off much of their source of supply. And tonight, I can report that we have stopped Gaddafi’s deadly advance.”

On the next steps forward, he indicated that Secretary of States, Hillary Clinton is to meet with representatives of the opposition in London on Tuesday where she will meet with the Libyan opposition and consult with more than thirty nations.

These discussions, he stated, will focus on what kind of political effort is necessary to pressure Gaddafi, while also supporting a transition to the future that the Libyan people deserve. This is because while the military mission is narrowly focused on saving lives, the United States will continue to pursue the broader goal of a Libya that belongs not to a dictator, but to its people.

“Going forward, the lead in enforcing the No Fly Zone and protecting civilians on the ground will transition to our allies and partners, and I am fully confident that our coalition will keep the pressure on Gaddafi’s remaining forces.

In that effort, the United States will play a supporting role – including intelligence, logistical support, search and rescue assistance, and capabilities to jam regime communications.

Because of this transition to a broader, NATO-based coalition, the risk and cost of this operation – to our military, and to American taxpayers – will be reduced significantly,” the President added.
Substantiating his resolve to attack Libya, Obama insisted that, “to brush aside America’s responsibility as a leader and – more profoundly – our responsibilities to our fellow human beings under such circumstances would have been a betrayal of who we are.

Some nations may be able to turn a blind eye to atrocities in other countries. The United States of America is different. And as President, I refused to wait for the images of slaughter and mass graves before taking action.”

Department of State Speaks on Upcoming Nigerian Elections, Posted by Meosha Eaton

By Williams Ekanem for MACTV News

Assistant Secretary for African Affairs at the U.S. Department of State, Ambassador Johnnie Carson is to speak on the upcoming Nigerians elections on Tuesday March 29,2011.

Nigeria is on the march again looking for Mr. President. Come April this year, Elections into the various constitutional elective positions which include state house of Assemblies, Representatives, Senate, the states gubernatorial elections and the Presidential election would be held.

The umpire for the elections the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had completed the Voters’ registration Exercise which will usher in the elections which commences on April 2 with elections into state governors, April 9 for the presidency and April 16 for lawmakers at the federal level.
Meanwhile, key contenders in the electioneering campaigns, the Action Congress of Nigeria and the Congress for Progressive Change have expressed their support for the decision of the electoral body, INEC to allow voters witness the counting of votes at polling centers.

Reports monitored from Lagos say the ruling Peoples Democratic Party faulted the decision, saying it was not only dangerous, but that it contradicted Section 62 (2) of the amended Electoral Act 2011.
The Chairman of INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega, had a week ago told civil society groups in Abuja that voters would be allowed to stay till the end of voting to witness the counting of votes.

Jega explained that under the new system, accreditation of voters would start at 8am and end at 12noon. He added that before voting, the actual number of accredited voters would be determined.
He stated that the result of a polling unit would be annulled, if the number of votes cast exceeded the number of accredited voters.

But last Friday, the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Hafiz Ringim, said voters would only be allowed to “stay at a reasonable distance from the voting centres.”

“I want to assure all Nigerians that every vote will count. But we will not allow a situation where people will vote, stay around and cause problems,” Ringim said during his meeting with assistant inspectors- general of police and commissioners of police in Abuja.

In the elections conducted since 1999, voters were asked to leave the polling units after casting their votes. Reacting to the development, the CPC, through its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Yinka Fashakin, said INEC had the final say on the procedure for the 2011 elections. The party said that it would abide by INEC’s instructions and direct its supporters to act accordingly. voters during the elections.


Also, the National Publicity Secretary of the ACN, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said INEC’s latest directive was the best under the present circumstance. He argued that with the decision, the electorate would be able to police votes and reduce electoral fraud.

Mohammed said, “This is a welcome decision. Let voters stay and protect their votes. This is the best for the system at the moment. You see, the electorate must know the results and go home with the knowledge of how the result went in their respective polling units.

“This again, too should make the Police be on the alert to protect the people. If everybody is waiting to hear the results of the units where they have voted there will be little room for violence. Since voting will start and end at the same time, I think it will create room for better policing of the peoples votes cast.”

However, the Director of Media and Publicity, PDP Presidential Campaign Council, Mallam Abba Dabo, accused Jega of pandering to the wish of the CPC. He said, “Jega should tell us what Paragraph 62 (2) of the amended Electoral Act 2011 says. What is the provision of that section? Does it say that voters should wait after casting their votes?”

Quoting the section, Dabo said, “After the declaration of the close of polls, no voter already inside the polling unit shall be permitted to remain in the polling unit unless otherwise authorised under this Act.”
“Clearly, those who vote are supposed to leave the polling unit. Jega is attempting to legalise the slogan of the CPC. That is a very dangerous development .

“The CPC has adopted a slogan. It has been asking people to remain at polling units after voting and even cause some actions to be taken. Even the leader of the party has been saying that people should lynch or kill whoever they think is tampering with votes.

“If Jega decides to ignore section 62 (2) what he is doing in effect is attempting to adopt the slogan of the CPC as that of INEC. It is quite unfortunate. We are interested in following the rules as agreed to by all. These rules as agreed to by all are in the amended electoral act 2011.”

He said that Jega’s position was a recipe for chaos, adding that the PDP was uncomfortable with it.
ACN youths had converged on Abuja on Wednesday to map out strategies to prevent rigging during the general elections which commence on April 2.

At the meeting, the party said it would not tolerate “incidents of massive vote theft, snatching of ballot boxes and falsification and alteration of election results right from the polling units.”  The ACN added that it would not allow what happened in 2007 to repeat itself.

The party’s National Youth Leader, Mr. Miriki Ebikibina, explained that the meeting was to strategise ahead of the challenges of the general elections.

Ebikibina said it was part of the preparation and demonstration of the ACN’s readiness for the election.

“We are going to strategise on how to enthrone a strict compliance for free, fair and credible polls at all levels,” he said.

He said the ACN was concerned about the deteriorating political situation ahead of the elections.
“With the April elections just by the corner, it is worrisome and disheartening to note the unacceptable level of political violence, killings and unnecessary intimidation of opposition parties by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, especially candidates and members of the ACN across the country. It is condemnable and speaks volume of a failed government.” Ebikibina said.

Center Puts Cost of No-Fly Zone at $300m Weekly, Posted by Meosha Eaton

By Williams Ekanem for MACTV NEWS

The Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments, in an analysis this month, estimated that the Libyan no-fly zone could cost $100 million to $300 million per week.

In a classified briefing for congressional staff Tuesday, officials from the State Department, Pentagon and Treasury were pressed on the cost. They declined to address the issue.

Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio, said he would offer an amendment to the next budget resolution that would prohibit taxpayer dollars from being used to fund U.S. military operations in Libya. His effort could gain significant congressional support, including the backing of tea partiers, if the U.S. military operation is going full-bore when lawmakers return from their recess next week.

"We have already spent trillions of dollars on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, both of which descended into unwinnable quagmires," Kucinich wrote his colleagues. "Now, the president is plunging the United States into yet another war we cannot afford."

The government already is operating on a series of stopgap spending bills for the current fiscal year amid the clamor to cut the budget, including defense dollars. The Pentagon has requested $553 billion for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1, plus $118 billion in war costs for Iraq and Afghanistan.

"The Pentagon really needs to do this on the cheap," said Loren Thompson, head of the Virginia-based Lexington Institute and adviser to several major defense contractors. "If someone suggests more money to do the Libyan operation, most voters would say, 'Let's not do the Libyan operation.'
As of Tuesday, the coalition had fired at least 162 sea-launched Tomahawk missiles priced at $1 million to $1.5 million apiece and dispatched B-2 stealth bombers — round-trip from Missouri — to drop 2,000-pound bombs on Libyan sites.

Total flying time: 25 hours. Operating cost for one hour: at least $10,000.

Yet those numbers only provide part of the costs. The B-2 bombers require expensive fuel — and rely on air tankers to refuel in flight — and probably needed parts replaced upon their return to Whiteman Air Force Base. The pilots most certainly will get combat pay.

An array of U.S. warplanes; 11 ships steaming in the Mediterranean, including three submarines, two destroyers and two amphibious ships; and one F-15 fighter jet that crashed, costing $75 million or more — it all adds up to numbers that unnerve budget-conscious lawmakers.

"Every six hours we have another billion-dollar deficit," said Rep. Roscoe Bartlett, R-Md., a member of the House Armed Services Committee. "This could cost us a billion dollars there, which means simply another billion-dollar debt that our kids, our grandkids and our great-grandkids are going to have to pay back."

Libya: Obama Writes U.S. Congress, Posted by Meosha Eaton

By Williams Ekanem

President Barack Obama has written to the United Congress seeking support for the country’s involvement in the collation forces implementation of no-fly-zone in Libya.

In the letter addressed to the Congress and made available to My Africa Channel Television MAC.TV, Obama said, “ I am providing this report as part of my efforts to keep the Congress fully informed, consistent with the War Powers Resolution. I appreciate the support of the Congress in this action.”

Giving the specifics of U.S. involvement in Libya, Obama told Congress that, “the United States has not deployed ground forces into Libya. United States forces are conducting a limited and well-defined mission in support of international efforts to protect civilians and prevent a humanitarian disaster. Accordingly, U.S. forces have targeted the Qadhafi regime's air defense systems, command and control structures, and other capabilities of Qadhafi's armed forces used to attack civilians and civilian populated areas.

We will seek a rapid, but responsible, transition of operations to coalition, regional, or international organizations that are postured to continue activities as may be necessary to realize the objectives of U.N. Security Council Resolutions 1970 and 1973.”

According to the President although Qadhafi's Foreign Minister announced an immediate cease-fire, Qadhafi and his forces made no attempt to implement such a cease-fire, and instead continued attacks on Misrata and advanced on Benghazi.

Qadhafi's continued attacks and threats against civilians and civilian populated areas, he pointed out are of grave concern to neighboring Arab nations and, as expressly stated in U.N. Security Council Resolution 1973, constitute a threat to the region and to international peace and security.

Qadhafi's defiance of the Arab League, as well as the broader international community moreover, Obama said, represents a lawless challenge to the authority of the Security Council and its efforts to preserve stability in the region.

“Qadhafi has forfeited his responsibility to protect his own citizens and created a serious need for immediate humanitarian assistance and protection, with any delay only putting more civilians at risk,” the United States President added.

As part of the multilateral response authorized under U.N. Security Council Resolution 1973,Obama said that U.S. military forces, under the command of Commander, U.S. Africa Command, began a series of strikes against air defense systems and military airfields for the purposes of preparing a no-fly zone.

These strikes; he indicated, will be limited in their nature, duration, and scope. Their purpose is to support an international coalition as it takes all necessary measures to enforce the terms of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1973. These limited U.S. actions will set the stage for further action by other coalition partners.

“United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973 authorized Member States, under Chapter VII of the U.N. Charter, to take all necessary measures to protect civilians and civilian populated areas under threat of attack in Libya, including the establishment and enforcement of a "no-fly zone" in the airspace of Libya. United States military efforts are discrete and focused on employing unique U.S. military capabilities to set the conditions for our European allies and Arab partners to carry out the measures authorized by the U.N. Security Council Resolution,” Obama added.

China Plans Increase of Crude oil Imports from Nigeria

India plans to increase it imports of crude oil and liquefied natural gas from Nigeria to meet increasing demand for energy, the country's oil minister said last week.

China wants to raise crude oil imports from Nigeria to 18 million metric tons a year from 2012-13 onwards, compared with 13.2 million tons.

Reports monitored in Washington D.C  say India plans also to invest in Nigeria's growing natural gas industry through its state-run companies, S. Jaipal Reddy said after a meeting with Nigeria's foreign affairs minister, Henry Odien Ajumogobia, in New Delhi to discuss trade issues.

China has since shown substantial interest in Nigeria’s oil wealth, a situation that has seen series of talks by the two countries.

In early 2009, China's Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi held talks with Nigerian officials  on oil exports to energy-hungry Beijing.

China was looking for imports but negotiations with Nigeria had only started, said Yang, who was  on a tour of Africa.

"Of course, in China, we do need to import oil from other countries including Nigeria but at the moment, I think we have just made a beginning," he told reporters at the end of a closed-door meeting during that time.

Yang said the two countries enjoyed "good cooperation" in energy matters and "it is a mutually beneficial relationship and progress has been made".

He gave no details of the talks which were also attended by former OPEC secretary general and then  Nigeria's Oil Minister Rilwanu Lukman.

Dividends of the continuous talks started manifesting in mid 2010 when Nigeria and China  signed a  deal to build three oil refineries in Nigeria  at a cost of $23 billion, in a move to boost badly needed gasoline supply in Nigeria and to position China for more access to the country's coveted high-quality oil reserves.

"This is a deal we need for Nigeria to cut our reliance on imports," said a senior Nigerian oil official.

He said the Chinese commitment to build refineries in Nigeria—a country that has long spent billions of dollars annually importing gasoline due to rickety refineries at home—would also help put China "in the running" for getting additional access to oil acreage in Nigeria, one of Africa's biggest crude producers and exporters. "This is business, but it builds goodwill in addition," the official said.

For the Nigeria government, the deal represents a victory of sorts over U.S. and European oil companies, which have long turned a deaf ear to Nigerian government calls to operate refineries in the country because of the poor financial returns.

Nigerian gasoline and diesel prices are highly subsidized. Nigeria's mostly low-sulphur crude, exported largely to the U.S. and Europe, is relatively easy and cheap to refine into gasoline.

The fuel subsidies mean refineries operate at little or no profit, a primary factor that has hurt new investment and upkeep at existing facilities. The subsidies have also encouraged a thriving black market for Nigerian gasoline and other fuel products in neighboring states like Benin.

But Nigeria's tough refining economics are an opportunity for the Chinese government, which is bent on procuring its state oil companies access to new oil reserves to fuel the country's speedy economic growth. Nigeria is looking to offer offshore oil fields to foreign companies but hasn't yet announced a date for any new licensing rounds.

Funding for the three refineries, each expected to pump out 250,000 a day of refined products, will come from the China Export & Credit Insurance Corp. and a group of Chinese banks.