BlackBox Nigeria

As a result of the current intense political atmosphere in Nigeria with its associated unethical
campaigns and rivalry between PDP and APC, Comedian Bovi has urged Nigerians to "save the insults and bickering" because
"in politics, there is no permanent friend and no permanent enemy".

In a statement released on his IG page ,he said as for him and his family,they will vote for president Jonathan.He transcribed a short video of a recent conversation between President Jonathan and Buhari, and attached a message to it.

Read the transcribed message and his advice to Nigerians below...

GMB - Good morning Mr. President. ‎

***Then laughter from both men.

Fellow Nigerians, vote for whom you will vote. Save the insults and bickering. In politics, there's no permanent friend, no permanent enemy. But there's permanent interest. Spend your time promoting your candidate. Insults are like mess in this
game, stinks only for a while. It can never form poo. If you know the history of Buhari and IBB, you will marvel at the fact that both men can sit together today. If you know the history of ffk, you will marvel that he's working for GEJ today. Don't fight! Just let the ballot speak. As for me and my household, we are voting GEJ
Interesting!

@blackboxupdate

Government College, formerly Provincial Secondary School, Katsina, which Muhammadu Buhari, the All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential candidate, graduated from in 1961, has released Mr. Buhari's secondary school certificate examination results.
The results, obtained exclusively by PREMIUM TIMES Wednesday, confirm Mr. Buhari's claim that he undertook the University of Cambridge West African School Certificate Examinations and obtained five credits in English Language, Geography, Hausa Language, History, and Health Science.
PREMIUM TIMES obtained the computer printout from Cambridge University as well as a statement of result, signed by the current principal of Katsina College, dated January 21, 2015.
The results show that Mr. Buhari, a former military head of state, failed in Mathematics and Woodwork, and had a pass in Literature in English.
The examination centre number was 8280 while Mr. Buhari's candidate number was 002.
The statement of results is printed on the letter head paper of the Katsina State Ministry of Education, and it shows that the examination took place in 1961.
The Cambridge print out also shows the result of 17 other candidates at the centre, including Shehu Yar'adua, a former Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters.
Controversy over Mr. Buhari's result escalated Tuesday after the Nigerian Army, which had earlier admitted to having a copies of his certificate, reversed itself saying it could not even attest to the details listed in his records.
The spokesperson of the Army, Olajide Laleye, said "Neither the original copy, certified true copy (CTC) nor statement of result of Major-.Gen. Mohammadu Buhari's WASC result is in his personal file."
He said while it is the practice in the Nigerian Army that before candidates are shortlisted for commissioning into the officers' cadre of the service, the selection board verifies the original copies of credentials as presented, "There is no available record to show that this process was followed in the 1960s."
The military's comments came after the retired general had said that his lost copies of results were with the Army, an explanation he gave ahead of elections February 14.

@blackboxupdate

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Nigeria's masked music star, Bisade Ologunde famously known as Lagbaja has just publicly declared that he has picked up his PVC (Permanent Voter's card) and he also stated bluntly that he wants the incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan out in the forthcoming general election.

'The Konko Below' veteran singer who doubles as a Glo ambassador, shared a photo of his PVC on Facebook with the caption: "Congratulations Nigeria! I don collect my Voter's Card!‎
Therefore… No 2nd Term for President Jonathan!"

From his previous interviews, it could be easily spotted that the Masked one is an is against the country's ruling party. He openly rejected performing at the campaign rally of Senator Omisore who was the PDP Guber candidate in Osun state's election last year.

Consequently, Lagbaja wants Goodluck Jonathan-led administration to be voted out as it has not benefited the people the way he had wanted.

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The Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress [APC} has addressed press conference in Kano where he spoke about the raging controversy over his academic qualifications.

In the speech, Mr. Buhari directed his old school, Provincial Secondary School, Katsina (now Government Colege, Katsina) to release details of his West African certificate exams.
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Read full address by Mr. Buhari below
Press Statement by General Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, on the School Certificate Issue
Good Morning, Gentlemen of the Press.

I only consented to address you this morning because of the genuine concern expressed by many supporters and other well-meaning Nigerians that the issue be addressed. Otherwise, I would have dismissed it for what it is – sheer mischief and would not have considered it an issue worth the nation's while.

I had assumed all along that all my records were in the custody of the Military Secretary of the Nigerian Army. Much to my surprise, we are now told that although a record of the result is available, there are no copies of the certificates in my personal file. This is why I formally requested my old school the Provincial Secondary School, Katsina [which is now known as Government College, Katsina] to make available the school's copy of the result of the Cambridge/West African School Certificate. This will be made available to the press the moment this is available.

However, before we obtain that, let me say for the record that I attended Provincial Secondary School, Katsina. I graduated in 1961 with many prominent Nigerians, including General Shehu Yar'Adua, former chief of staff at the Supreme Headquarters, and Justice Umaru Abdullahi, a former President of the Court of Appeal. We sat for the University of Cambridge/WASC Examination together in 1961, the year we graduated. My examination number was 8280002, and I passed the examination in the Second Division.

And although the ruling party may want to wish this away, the issue in this campaign cannot be my certificate which I obtained 53 years ago. The issues are the scandalous level of unemployment of millions of our young people, the state of insecurity, the pervasive official corruption which has impoverished our people and the lack of concern of the government for anything other than the retention of power at all costs.

Thank you very much.

General Muhammadu Buhari

@blackboxupdate

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is investigating five state governments in connection with suspected financial crimes, sources in the commission said on Tuesday.

The states under probe by the EFCC included Kano, Jigawa, Imo, Ebonyi and Rivers.

It was learnt that five other state governments were under watch but the commission had not moved against them.

A source said that the commission had been silent on some of the cases involving deductions from local government funds at source in some of the states in order to avoid sending out wrong signals that the anti-graft commission was being used for political victimisation.

It was further learnt that the cases against the governments were being handled by the Public Governance Unit of the EFCC.

Another source in the EFCC said the commission commenced investigations into the Rivers State Government accounts shortly after the crisis that rocked the state House of Assembly and that anti-graft operatives had yet to conclude the investigation.

Already, the EFCC source said the commission had invited some members of the Rivers House for interrogation.

The source added that the commission's investigation in Ebonyi State, which was said to have led to the arrest of three top government officials, rested on alleged illegal deductions from local government funds for questionable projects.

The commission recently arrested three top officials of the state government in relation with alleged illegal deductions of local government funds at source for asphalt projects in all the 13 local government areas of the state.

It was further stated that the EFCC was also investigating a former governor (name withheld) in relation with an ongoing investigation into the accounts of one of the states.

Our correspondent could not get the head of media and publicity of the EFCC, Wilson Uwajaren, to comment on the ongoing investigations as he did not pick the calls made to his mobile telephone line.

@blackboxupdate

Yesterday, Tuesday, January 20, on the order of Inspector General of Police, Suleiman Abba, controversial Assistant Inspector General of Police, Joseph Mbu, alongside 27 other AIGs were redeployed.

Hence, Mr. Mbu, who was in charge of Police Zone 7, which covers Abuja and the neighbouring states was posted to Zone 2, Lagos.

Prior to his post in Abuja, he was first the Rivers State Police Commissioner until February, 2014, when he was posted to the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.

In Abuja, he was promoted to the rank of AIG in August, 2014.

Mr. Mbu left Rivers State after months of acrimony with the governor, Chibuike Amaechi.
The governor had accused him of doing the bidding of Patience Jonathan, wife of President Goodluck Jonathan, and attempting to hijack the control of the state.

However, after his transfer, Mr. Mbu declared himself the "lion" that tamed Rivers State "tiger", apparently referring to Mr. Amaechi.

Adding to that, in Abuja, Mr. Mbu courted more controversy, first banning protests demanding the release over 200 Chibok school girls abducted by Boko Haram, and later arresting AIT journalist, Amaechi Anakwe.

Topping it all, few days ago, Mr. Mbu described himself as a rebel with a good cause, and threatened to "bring down" any community that kills a police personnel.

A statement by the police spokesperson, Emmanuel Ojukwu, said the redeployment of Mr. Mbu and the other AIGs is part of the reorganization of the Nigeria Police Force.

He said the redeployment to various departments, zonal commands and formations of the Force is effective immediately.

The police IG, charged the newly promoted officers to be more service-oriented in the discharge of their constitutional responsibilities as well urged the public to partner closely with the force in its determination to ensure improved safety and security in Nigeria.

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Add BBN on 2BAFB965
The Director of Media and Publicity of the APC Presidential Campaign Organisation, Garba Shehu, said in a terse statement on Tuesday night   that Buhari would address a new conference on the issue on Wednesday(today).

This follows the raging controversy the issue have been gathering in the past weeks most notably the revelation by the Nigerian Army yesterday that it was not in possession of the former Head of State's academic credentials; original or photocopy.

BBN shall keep you updated!

@blackboxupdate

The Nigerian Army has said it is not in custody of the original certificates of the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari.
The Army, at a news conference by its Director of Public Relations, Brig. Gen. Olajide Laleye, in Abuja on Tuesday, added   that it was also not in possession of the photocopies or statement of results of Buhari.
It however explained that   the entry made for documentation by the APC candidate on its(Army) Form 199A,   indicated that he wrote and passed the West African School Certificate in 1961.

Buhari had in an affidavit he deposed to   at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja on November 24, 2014 and submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission on December 18, 2014, said that his certificates were with the military.
"I am the above-named person and deponent to this affidavit therein. All my academic qualifications, documents as filled in my presidential form, President APC/001/2015, are currently with the Secretary, Military Board as of the time of presenting this affidavit. The affidavit is made in good faith and for record purposes," he had written.

When the controversy over Buhari's qualification gathered momentum, Laleye told The PUNCH during an exclusive interview which was published on January 4, 2015, that the military authorities were ready to release credentials and certificates in its custody to serving and retired officers in need of them.
He said that the procedure for the retrieval or collection of the certificates was known to all serving or retired officers of the military.
On Tuesday, Laleye said   that military records showed that Buhari applied to join the Army   on October 18, 1961.   .

The Army spokesman explained that it was the tradition of the Army to ensure that a selection board was set up to verify the original credentials of candidates shortlisted for commissioning.
Laleye said that records did not show that the process was followed .

However, he said that the entry made for documentation by Buhari on Form 199A indicated that he had credit in English Language, Geography, History, Health Science, Hausa and a Pass in English Literature.
He said, "The media hype on Maj. Gen. Buhari's credentials as well as the numerous requests made by individuals and corporate bodies to the Army on this issue have necessitated that we provide the facts as contained in the retired senior officer's service record.
"Records available indicate that Maj. Gen. Buhari applied to join the military as a form six student of the Provincial Secondary School, Katsina on 18 October 1961.
"His application was duly endorsed by the principal of the school, who also wrote a report on him and recommended him suitable for military commission.
"It is a practice in the Army that before candidates are shortlisted for commissioning into the officers' cadre of the service; the selection board verifies the original copies of credentials that are presented. However, there is no available record to show that this process was followed in the 1960s.
"Nevertheless, the entry made on Form 199A at the point of documentation after commission as an officer indicated that the former Head of State obtained the WASC in 1961 with credits in relevant subjects.
"Neither the original   certified true copy nor the statement of result of Maj. Gen. Buhari's WASC result is in his personal file.
"I hope this explanation will put to rest, the raging controversy surrounding the secondary school credentials of Maj. Gen. Buhari as it affects the Nigerian Army."

Although the Army authorities did not allow journalists to have copies of the documents filed by the former Head of State for his commissioning as an officer, they created an opportunity for the documents to be sighted

The Principal of the school, in recommending Buhari for commissioning as an officer, said "I recommend him for military commissioning; 

Laleye said that the Army holds Buhari, who rose to the enviable rank of Maj. Gen, and was Head of State of the country, in high esteem and would not be party to the controversy over "his eligibility for any political office."

However, the APC in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, urged the Peoples Democratic Party not to compromise the army   in the name of giving President Goodluck Jonathan an unfair advantage ahead of the February 14 presidential poll.

The APC said compromising the army   could backfire. It said the military, as a symbol of national unity, must   beware of those seeking to use it to achieve selfish and divisive ends.

The party said it found it funny that the army spokesman had told The PUNCH in a publication on January 4, 2015 that it had the certificates of all serving and retired officers only to deny having Buhari's credentials two weeks later.

It said, ''In an interview with The Punch on January 4, 2015, Brig.-Gen. Olaleye said, 'Every serving and retired Army officer has at least a copy of his certificates and credentials kept in the Nigerian Army while that same serving and retired officer has copies of those same certificates and credentials'

''Is Brig.-Gen. Olaleye now saying that he did not make that statement? If he did, what has happened between then and now to make him to recant? It will be interesting to know what has transpired between then and now."

The APC added,   ''Is he (Olaleye) now saying that all those who were commissioned into the officer cadres in the 1960s did not have their certificates verified? Does this not confirm what we said that in trying to destroy Maj. Gen. Buhari, the PDP and the Jonathan administration will end up destroying the army as an institution? Or is it only Maj. Gen. Buhari that was commissioned into the army in the 1960s."

The APC argued that even if the army did not have Buhari's certificates, he (Buhari) "is still very qualified to run for the country's highest office, as stipulated by the 1999 Constitution."

The party said since Olaleye had now confirmed that the form Buhari filed contained his Secondary School Certificate results, there was no scintilla of doubt about his qualification to run for President as stipulated by the constitution.

It added, ''We know that the PDP and the Jonathan administration have constituted themselves into a court of law and will like nothing more than the disqualification of our candidate so they that will face no challenge in next month's election.''

Also, the   Director, Media and Information Management Directorate of Buhari Support Organisation,   Chidia Maduekwe,   said the issue of Buhari's certificate was inconsequential.

He said, "INEC has said it and I am saying it again, if anybody has doubts about the general's credentials, the person should go to court.

"What the constitution says is that a person seeking for the office of President should be educated up to the level of school certificate and there is evidence that the general was in school up till form six, his school principal attested to this, he joined the army and rose to the peak."

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