BlackBox Nigeria

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We are here live at the higly anticipated All Progressive Congress Presidential Primaries where we have four major contestants.
In Alphabetical order they are

Abubakar Atiku
Muhammadu Buhari
Sam Nda'Isaiah
Rabiu Kwakwaso
Rochas Okorocha.


#07:45»»» Sam Nda'Isaiah who is from Niger state leads delegates from the state as they move to cast their votes #07:40»»» Governor Almakura leads Nasarawa delegates as they move forward to cast their votes. #07:38»»» Governor Fashola leads Lagos delegates to vote. #07:21»»» Senator Bukola Saraki leads Kwara delegates to cast their votes #07:01 »»» Delegates from Kebbi files out to vote *Buhari led the delegates from Kastina as a huge crown of delegates and supporters followed him

#06:30»»» Voting is still ongoing as Kastina delegates are presently casting their votes...

#03:15am»» Voting eventually begins with the Convention chairman inviting Abia state to cast their votes. He revealed that a total of 7,214 delegates were accredited for the exercise. *UPDATE! Its been a long night at the Teslim Balogun statdium with speeches from the convention comitee chairman; Kayode Fayemi as well as party Chairman; Odigie-Oyegun. This was followed by speeches from Bola Tinubu, Ogbonaya Onu, Audu Ogbe, APC Youth Leader, National Woman Leader. The five contenders were also allowed to briefly speak with the delegates for a while.

#09:45»»» Tony One Week introducing the five contenders...

#09:30»» Speaker of the House of Representatives and APC candidate for Sokoto state, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal just arrived with his entourage...
#08:31»»» Tony Tetuila also takes the stage...highpoint is when he sings "Tinubu you don hit my car"...

Tony Tetuila performing

#08:30»»» Governors of Ogun, Borno, Sokoto, Rivers, Edo, Kwara and Rivers states led by host Governor Tunde Fashola makes entrance with several dignitaries...

#08:00»»» Gongo aso crooner, 9ice sings hit singles 'No be mistake' and 'Street Credibility' which draws loud cheers...

9ice on stage

07:45»» national leader; Tinubu makes grand entrance into the venue of the ongoing APC National convention...voting to begin soon!

*Update»»» 9ice, Tony Tetuila, Jay Martins and others are expected to perform here tonight during the cause of the convention.

#07:15»»» PROGRAMME OF EVENTS as released by organizers... Based on the Programme of events lined up at the National Convention, the Chairman of the National Convention Planning Committee, Kayode Fayemi, will give a brief welcome address after the opening prayer. The National Chairman of the APC, John Oyegun will then deliver the “State of the Party Address” and also unveil the party’s General Election Manifesto. The National Chairman’s presentation will be followed by some goodwill messages, after which all the aspirants will be given 10 minutes each to address the delegates. After the speeches by the aspirants, the presidential primary election will follow after which the results will be declared. After the declaration of results, the party will then handover the General Election Manifesto to the winning Presidential candidate. Once done, the winner will then deliver his acceptance speech. The national Convention will be round up with closing prayer and vote of thanks, sometime on Thursday.

#07:02 As darkness engulfs the main bowl of the Teslim Balogun statdium, we wonder if the organizers didn't make preparations for lightening here...

#07:01»» Delegates are now settling down in their sits following screening and accreditation. Election proper is expected to begin at 8pm...it is going to be a long night...stay glued to your gadgets as BBN shall bring you all the details!

#06:30 Report claim Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso might be rushing back home to Kano following a twin bomb which rocked his state moments ago...

Convention chairman, Kayode Fayemi and members of the commitee

Teslim Balogun stadium's exterior with a budding crowd

Ushers all set for the voting process to begin...

*General Buhari has also sent a message to the delegates. BlackBox Nigeria has obtained a copy of the message released earlier on...
#05:45 Leadership Newspaper publisher, Mr. Sam Nda'Isaiah has also denied stepping down for any candidate in today primaries...




*UPDATE: Tinubu Addresses Delegates via twitter... "You came not just as party members from your particular states or communities. You came here as representatives of a new Nigeria. As APC, we cannot afford to squander this moment. We cannot afford to look history in the face then turn our back to it. Let that which you do here not only be recorded as a high moment for the party but also as an inspiring turning point for our country. Welcome to Lagos and welcome to your convention, the convention for the people. During this convention, the history of our beloved nation is to be rewritten for the better."

#04:30pm» It's a carnival like atmosphere here at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere as activities are about to begin in earnest. From the feelers, it is being rumoured that Nda'Isaiah might have been prevailed upon to step down for Buhari but nothing is confirmed yet.

#04:51 pm» Accreditation is ongoing as another reports said Kano Govenor Kwakwaso might have also stepped down from the race but our correspondent just confirmed that his deputy just refuted that claim saying Kwankwaso is very much in the race.

*The traffic around Surulere axis of the venue is gradually building up but they are numerous security personals on ground ensuring that a gridlock is avoided.

*About 8,000 delegates are expected to vote their prepared candidates here tonight. So far accreditation is still ongoing...

#05:07» Accreditation has been concluded but voting yet to begin.

*Flash back»» Dignitaries on ground include convention Chairman, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, his deputy Kawu Baraje, APC Spokesman; Lai Mohammed, Senators Boroface and Babafemi ojudu...

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The five aspirants contesting for the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) were on Tuesday engaged in a last minute scramble for the votes of the 8,000 delegates that would determine who would square up against President Goodluck Jonathan in the 2015 presidential election.

The aspirants will slug it out at the party's national convention slated to commence today at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos.

The contenders for APC's presidential ticket are former military Head of State, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari; former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar; Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso; Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha; and Founder of Leadership Newspapers, Sam Nda-Isaiah.

In order to outwit each other and win over delegates' support, the aspirants were said to be offering them money, airline tickets to and from Lagos, as well as promises of luxury hotel accommodation in exchange for their votes.

According to reliable sources, the aspirants dispatched their campaign agents to scout for delegates' support.

"The agents are wooing delegates with juicy offers including cash gifts ranging from N50,000 to N100,000 each. Some have offered to pay air transport fares while a particular aspirant has offered to place fully air conditioned luxury buses at strategic locations to ferry delegates to Lagos," the sources revealed.

It was learnt that delegates from non-APC controlled states are getting more attention, as most of them are being treated like beautiful brides that could easily be swayed with inducements.

It was learnt that Okorocha, who until recently had not engaged in a nationwide tour like other aspirants, at the weekend increased the tempo of his campaign by offering delegates comfortable buses to convey them to Lagos.

On his part, Atiku who has shown considerable dexterity, experience and tactics in his preparations for the presidential primary is said to be offering to assist delegates with accommodation where necessary.

The Buhari campaign team was not taking chances either, as a source from his camp told THISDAY that his team had sent out agents to engage in last minute mop up campaigns.

On the convention, the National Publicity Secretary of APC, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said yesterday that arrangements had been made for a smooth and hitch-free event.

Mohammed, who is also a member of the convention committee, told THISDAY that all the five presidential aspirants were expected to take part in the primary election.

He said Teslim Balogun Stadium had been festooned with decorations and prepared to admit party leaders and delegates coming for the primary.

APC initially could not agree on what form of electoral process to adopt for its primary election before settling for the indirect method.

It took an extraordinary convention summoned by the party to approve the adjustments in the format and number of delegates that will participate in the Electoral College during the primary.

Speaking ahead of the make-or-mar primary, Atiku yesterday urged his party not to leave any stone unturned in its quest to ensure a free, fair and credible presidential primary that would provide the impetus for enthroning the change that Nigerians have clamoured for.

Atiku's charge to the APC was contained in a press statement issued by his media office in Lagos.

He welcomed the national delegates of the party to its national convention adding: "I do not need to overemphasise the importance of today's event and the impact which the choice you make at this historic event will have on both our party and the nation at large."

He stressed that the choice the delegates make today and possibly tomorrow would set the country on the path of enthroning the much-needed change for socio-economic and political progress and development.

"The choice you make, the aspirant you choose to fly the flag of our party at today's presidential election will make the difference between victory and defeat for our party.

"It will also determine whether the teeming population of Nigerians will get the political change they are yearning for to give them the opportunity of a better life," Atiku said.

He charged the delegates to be guided by the fact that for the past 15 years, the people of Nigeria have been forced to live under the most oppressive and despicable system of governance during which the ruling PDP rode roughshod over the nation and used the nation's resources as it liked.

"The result of PDP's misrule and disregard for the people of Nigeria is the sorry state in which we find ourselves today and we cannot afford to thread this path again," Atiku said, adding that he remains the best choice of the delegates to lead the charge for the change that will enthrone an inclusive Nigeria for all.

He assured the delegates that he would make good on his commitment as enshrined in his policy document in critical areas of infrastructure, education, health, social services and employment in particular to the teeming army of unemployed youths.

He said the "austerity measures" were the clearest indication that the so-called transformation agenda of the Jonathan government had failed.

"Perhaps, the worst thing that this government has done to our country and our people is the imposition of austerity measures on a people who have been battered by poor government policies, waste and monumental corruption in the past 15 years," he said.

Atiku called on the delegates to pitch their tents with him in the quest to begin the arduous task of pulling the country back from the brink and setting it on the path of progress, economic rejuvenation and development.

"Let us put an end to continuous poverty, austerity and insecurity by making a sound choice for the APC. The envisaged change starts today by the choice that you make," he said.

In Lagos, the country's commercial city was already agog with final arrangements for APC's convention, as most of the 8,000 delegates had arrived the state for the primary.

In readiness for the convention, the Federal Roads Safety Commission (FRSC) had deployed 100 officers in the state to manage the traffic in the city, especially in Surulere and its environs where the Teslim Balogun Stadium is located.

A statement from the Lagos State Government said yesterday that Western Avenue and Alhaji Masha Road in Surulere would be partially closed to traffic.

The state Commissioner for Transportation, Kayode Opeifa, said the partial closure was intended to control vehicular traffic during the convention.

"Western Avenue will be closed from Alaka to National Stadium. Parking will be available only at the National Stadium, while pedestrian access to the convention venue will be restricted to only accredited APC members, accredited observers and accredited media personnel," he said.

Vehicles heading to Lagos Island from Ikorodu Road, Yaba, Mushin, and other areas on the mainland will be diverted at Ojuelegba through Itire-Lawanson to Bode Thomas Street.

Those heading from the island to the mainland will be diverted at Costain to link Surulere via Eric Moore, Opeifa said.

The commissioner added that traffic from Surulere to Agege Motor Road, Ikorodu Road and Mushin would be diverted to Bode Thomas, Eric Moore, Akerele, and Itire-Lawanson to link Western Avenue via Ojuelegba roundabout.

Also, vehicles from Surulere, Alhaji Masha and Shitta area to Lagos Island and Apapa will be diverted to Bode Thomas and Eric Moore to link Eko Bridge.

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A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Southwest chieftain, Buruji Kashamu yesterday vowed to take ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo to court for presenting his autobiography, My Watch, in Lagos yesterday despite a court injunction.

Kashamu obtained an ex parte order restraining Obasanjo from presenting the book but the former President went ahead with the presentation.

In a statement yesterday, Kashamu said: "I have asked my lawyers to press criminal contempt charges against him (Obasanjo) and all those who assisted him in flouting the court's orders.

"I will ensure that they are all sued and particularly, Obasanjo.

"Everybody knows that good governance is based on the rule of law, due process and respect for constituted authorities.

"It beats my imagination that this man can be sermonising about good governance when he shamelessly advertises all the elements of bad governance.

"In short, he is bad governance personified. He is the worst advertisement for the product he is trying to advertise – good governance. He has shown that he does not have respect for the judiciary, and that he is above the law.

"Certainly, President Goodluck Jonathan and his predecessor, the late President Umaru Yar'Adua, and others he criticised in the controversial book, which I am reliably informed he did not write, are made of a sterner stuff than him. They are true democrats and gentlemen to the core."

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This is absolutely one of the most fascinating stories of 2014. With no known current spouse, MTO swears they can prove that Barbados born American super star, Rihanna is pregnant!

See their report of the story below…

MediaTakeOut.com just received a blockbuster report yesterday – Rihanna is pregnant. This is not rumors y'all . . . it's 100% certificate

We spoke with two separate sources that told us that Rihanna is working on a new song on her albumM – where she will talk about being pregnant. One tipster explained, "The song is a ballad, where Rihanna talks about the "baby growing inside me."

And there's more. Rihanna has banned ALL WEED SMOKING inside the studio while she records – a VERY unusual step for Rihanna, who is known for smoking weed like a CHIMNEY!!

We're told that Rihanna is EXTREMELY happy about having a baby, and that she JUST FOUND OUT about her pregnancy a FEW DAYS AGO!! Congratulations to Rih – we LOVE HER TO DEATH and are so HAPPY about her new family.

As for the father – we have NO IDEA WHO IT CAN BE – some folks are speculating that it could be Drake. But we don't have ANY INFORMATION on who it can be.

Oh and we are not 80% sure about this, or 90% . . . we're 100% ON RIH BEING PREGNANT. In fact, we're SO CERTAIN . . . that we'll bet ANY MEDIA COMPANY that doubts Rihanna's pregnancy $10,000. Come on . . . anyone wanna put their MONEY UP against our reporting!!!

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For those who are conversant with the Igodomigodo, Hon. Patrick Obahiagbon, the above statement would come absolutely as a surprise as for the first time, the grammarian expressed his mind in comprehensive English unlike his usual confusing vocab.

Obahiagbon lost his bid to grab the Edo Central senatorial ticket hence this statement and many are saying perhaps this man is humbled by defeat!

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A 33-year-old man, Anthony Egidi, has said he joined kidnapping business in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, out of frustration and had made millions from kidnapping no fewer than seven persons in Lagos, Benin, and in Delta State.

According to the Police, other suspects include Steve, Tony, Nyerowo, Steve and late Apopfure, who died during a gun duel with police in Lagos.
It was gathered that the suspects operated with two AK-47 rifle and three local guns, which have been recovered from them.
Egidi was arrested on October 26 in Ekenwan, Benin, Edo State, by Lagos State Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, led by Abba Kyarri.

His story
Egidi, who is a native of Delta State and married with two children, resides at Awoyaya Ibeju, Lekki Road, said his first operation was "when we kidnapped a woman in Warri, Delta State on October 2011 and I got N280,000.
"During the first and second operations, the gang did not disclose the venue to me. They blindfolded me because I was new in the team.
"After the second job, we moved to Benin to kidnap a man. I was given N100,000. I believed it was a cool business.
"The third operation made me a millionaire, because I was given N2.8 million.
"I drove the gang in that operation, but I did not know where they kept the woman. We collected N9 million in the fourth operation. When we kidnapped a man in Benin, I was also given N1.5 million.
"We moved to Delta State between Oroku and Abeh Road, where we kidnapped a man. I was given N3.5 million.
"After making millions of naira in South-East, we moved to South-West. Our sixth operation was at Eleko Junction, Ajah in June. We collected N1.6 million ransom from the person and I was given 300,000.
"The seventh operation was when we kidnapped a Keystone Bank worker on her way home. We were seven when we attacked her.
"We took her to a bush, where she spent six days. We did not rape her. We gave her everything she requested for and we usually buy her food from Mr. Biggs and some other places.
"We told her family to pay N6 million. Even the woman was ready to give us N10 million.
"One of our guys was arrested when he went to collect the money. When police arrived, we exchanged fire with them and lost two members.
"I used the money to buy a car, four plots of land in Benin, one plot in Lagos and opened a supermarket for my wife.
"My wife believed I was a welder. She only got to know what I do when I was arrested."
PUNCH

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Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba, has appealed the result of the Cross River Central senatorial primary election conducted on Sunday, citing irregularities in the poll.

Ndoma-Egba polled 37 votes while the winner, John Enoh, scored 217 votes, according to the results announced by the handlers of the primary.

But the senate leader, in his letter dated December 8 and addressed to the Peoples Democratic Party National Assembly Electoral Appeal Panel in the state, noted that the primary was fraught with irregularities and flouted the electoral laws which he said were supposed to guide the primary.

The letter read in part, "The exercise was fundamentally and fatally flawed as it fell short of the minimum integrity for an electoral process. The exercise was in complete disregard of the PDP's guidelines for primary election.

"The list of delegates used for the primaries was not made public. This was imperative as two lists were in circulation."

On the accreditation process, Ndoma-Egba alleged that the Chairman of Etung Local Government, Dr. Inok Ebak; the Chairman of the PDP in Etung, Chris Mbu Ogar; and other unidentified Etung indigenes hijacked the whole accreditation process.

He alleged that they brandished a delegate's list which was not made public.

He said, "My agent, Ernest Irek, protested vehemently but he was shouted down. My agent tried to impress it on them that there was a list that had INEC approval but they resisted.

"My agent drew their attention to section 28 (c) of the PDP's guidelines, which explicitly states that the number of delegates accredited shall be publicly announced and entered on the appropriate form designed for that purpose before commencement of the election.

"This was not done. This provision of the guidelines is mandatory. There was unprecedented violence in the senatorial district primary, and militants had been imported from outside the state and had killed one Friday Ajaghe in Obubra Local Government Area the day before.

"The whole area had become so militarised that delegates were outnumbered by gunmen."

Ndoma-Egba faulted the announcement of Mark Egbe as a candidate in the poll.

He said, "Given these, I totally reject the outcome of the purported primaries for the district and therefore, pray this distinguished panel to cancel the primaries.

"I trust you to give this appeal your dispassionate consideration in the interest of justice, the sanctity of the electoral process and our democracy."

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An explosion from a tanker loaded with petroleum product rocked Amuwo Odofin area of Lagos, Monday night, resulting in fire that destroyed 26 trucks.

There were also indications that the scene of the fire incident was an illegal fuel depot.
It was gathered that petroleum products were being trans-loaded into trucks at the depot located at C40, Alakuso Avenue, when the explosion occurred.
Efforts by staff of the undisclosed company to contain the fire failed. It took the intervention of the Lagos State Fire Service to put out the fire.
The affected vehicles include 24 fuel tankers, a caterpillar and one 505 car owned by Interland Transport Company.

A staff of a transport company close to the area, who gave his name as Chionye Nwabueze, told Vanguard: "At 9.35p.m., a deafening sound jolted everyone, causing us to run in different directions for safety because we thought it was a bomb.
"Unimaginable damage would have been done if the fire was not brought under control because there were over 50 fuel tankers within and around the premises when the explosion occurred."
Confirming the incident, Director, Lagos State Fire Service, Mr. Rasaq Fadipe, said three fire trucks contained the fire, adding that his office was not informed that there was a fuel depot in the area.
He said: "Fire Service ought to be in the know of such a fuel depot in the event of cases such as this. But we were not aware of a fuel depot there.
"However, we were able to save the administrative block and some other fully-laden tankers from being consumed by the fire."

He disclosed that the incident was the 50th distress call received that same day. At press time the company was under lock and key.