Buhari vs Atiku: 8 International Analysts Predict Winner Of 2019 Election

Buhari vs Atiku: 8 International Analysts Predict Winner Of 2019 Election

 

President Muhammadu Buhari and Atiku Abubakar
The two leading candidates are President Muhammadu Buhari of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
A collection of eight predictions by international analysts, published by Bloomberg, shows that the 2019 presidential election will be keenly contested by the two leading candidates as the election has “split analysts down the middle”.
Out of the eight forecasts by eight analysts, four predicted President Buhari will win a second term while the remaining four also predicted a victory
for Atiku.
Four predictions in favour of President Buhari
1. Control Risks
Bloomberg reports that Control Risks, a London-based company, predicted that President Buhari will win by a small margin due to the divisions within the PDP, Atiku’s party, and its lacklustre campaigning.
2. Eurasia Group
According to Eurasia Group’s forecast, President Buhari has a 60% chance of winning. The New York risk firm said it predicted victory for Buhari because his cause has been helped by some key PDP politicians, including Senate president Bukola Saraki and governors in the southeast, who didn’t allegedly give active support to Atiku’s campaign.
3. NKC African Economics
Jared Jeffery, an analyst at NKC African Economics, a research house based in Paarl, South Africa, said though President Buhari’s approval ratings have plunged since he became president four years ago, incumbent presidents in Africa win around 85% of the elections they contest.
He added that Buhari is from the northwest, which is the region with the most voters, and he’s maintained an “image of incorruptibility.”
4. Capital Economics
John Ashbourne, an economist at the London-based research group, said: “The advantages of incumbency will help President Buhari clinch a narrow win”.
Four predictions in favour of Atiku Abubakar
1. Fitch Solutions
Fitch Solutions predicted that Atiku has the edge given how Buhari “struggled to fulfill key election pledges’’ made when he came to office in 2015. The London-based research house also said Atiku may be able to take a large chunk of votes in the north, a region Buhari dominated last time when he was facing former President Goodluck Jonathan.
2. Songhai Advisory
Songhai Advisory in its forecast said Atiku will benefit from the support of key powerbrokers, including ex-army chiefs and former heads of state such as Ibrahim Babangida and Olusegun Obasanjo. It specifically highlighted Obasanjo’s endorsement of Atiku, saying the latter “continues to sway election outcomes’’ and since he left office in 2007.
3. Teneo Intelligence
Teneo Intelligence predicted that Atiku will get up to 57% of the votes, against 42% for Buhari if the election is free and fair.
4. Verisk Maplecroft
Ed Hobey-Hamsher, an Africa analyst at the Bath, UK-based firm predicted that Buhari has just 41% chance of victory. It said that President Buhari’s chances have been damaged, in part, by recent military setbacks against Boko Haram and other militants affiliated to Islamic State in the northeast.
Source: https://www.tori.ng/news/116810/buhari-vs-atiku-8-international-analysts-predict-w.html

Full Text Of President Buhari’s National Broadcast Ahead Of Elections.

Full Text Of President Buhari’s National Broadcast Ahead Of Elections.

Below is the full text of the national broadcast by President Muhammadu Buhari this morning.

Dear Nigerians,
Finally, we have reached the eve of the rescheduled first round of this year’s general elections.
2. Tomorrow, the polls open. Tomorrow, we affirm that Nigeria stands as a democracy and that no worldly hand can deter us from this wise and fitting path we have chosen for ourselves.
3. While democracy is the most beneficial way to select a nation’s leaders, it is far from the easiest thing to achieve and maintain.
4. It requires a combination of patience, tolerance, compassion, diligence, wisdom and hope. These traits exist in us the Nigerian people. Because of who we are, democracy has the chance to flourish in this land.
5. Thus, I commend all of you for your patience and peaceful conduct so far during this electoral season and especially during this intervening week following the postponement of the February 16 elections.
6. Many were worried and thought the worst might happen. You proved them wrong by showing that you are a great people with an abiding love for peace, democracy and the unity of our country.
7. According to the daily INEC public briefings given this week, the Electoral Commission says it is ready and fully prepared to conduct the election in a free, fair and transparent manner.
8. I believe INEC realises the profound and weighty duty that rests upon it.
9. We must cast aside doubt and have faith that INEC will rise to the occasion. We must believe and encourage INEC to fulfill and honour this responsibility it owes to our country.
10. As your President, I hereby ask all Nigerians with voting cards to participate in defining the future of our nation by exercising your democratic rights tomorrow. I urge you to go out and vote.
11. I say this because elections are the cornerstone of representative governance. And voting constitutes the highest and best expression of the sovereign will of the people to choose the government that best represents them.
12. It is only upon the freely expressed will of the people that government truly dedicated to the welfare, rights and interests of the people can be founded.
13. Do not allow anyone to discourage you from the exercise of your rights as citizens and voters tomorrow.
14. To vote means that you believe in Nigeria and the excellent things the future holds for this nation and its people.
15. No matter our political leanings, we all believe in Nigeria, in the noble principles for which it stands and in the values we strive for our beloved nation to uphold.
16. All who are able, must vote so that we may better perfect this democracy and continue to build the greater nation we seek.
17. Do not be afraid of rumours of violence and unrest. Our security agencies have worked diligently to ensure that adequate security measures are in place.
18. You will be able to vote in an atmosphere of openness and peace, devoid of fear from threat or intimidation.
19. International and domestic monitors and observers are assured of their safety and freedom of movement needed to perform their important functions.
20. As we thank domestic monitors and observers for their contributions to our democracy, we also thank the international groups for the friendship and concern they have demonstrated to our nation.
21. We appreciate their efforts in encouraging us to further entrench and strengthen our democracy.
22. Tomorrow is an encounter with history in which you, the people, shall affirm your collective belief in our national greatness and in our future.
23. I ask that you embrace and hold on to the importance of the moment soon to be upon us.
24. Honour your civic duty as voters by going to the polls tomorrow to vote for the government of your choice, for the government that will lead Nigeria toward its finest destiny.
25. As citizens there is no greater duty than this and no greater honour. Tomorrow, I know you will once again make Nigeria proud of its people.
May God bless our democracy and forever bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Source:
https://www.nationalhelm.co/2019/02/full-text-of-president-buharis-national-broadcast-ahead-of-elections.html

VAT revenue hits N1.1trn, increased by 14%

VAT revenue hits N1.1trn, increased by 14%

By Elizabeth Adegbesan

Nigeria generated N1.1 trillion as Value Added Tax (VAT) in 2018, representing about 14 percent increase year-on -year (YoY) when compared to N972.35 billion generated in 2017.




The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Thursday disclosed this in its VAT report for fourth quarter, 2018 (Q4’18).

‘Other manufacturing’ sector generated the highest amount of VAT during the period leading with N122.89 billion followed by Professional Services sector with N86.28 billion and Commercial and trading sector with N63.10 billion.

On quarterly basis, the Bureau noted that N298.01 billion was generated as VAT in Q4’18 representing an increase of 9.1 percent over the N273.50 billion generated in Q3’18.

It further stated that ‘other manufacturing’ sector generated the highest amount of VAT in Q4’18 with N28.82 billion, closely followed by Professional Services and Commercial and Trading sectors which generated N24.12 billion and N16.02 billion respectively.

Furthermore, the report said that the mining sector generated the least, followed by Pharmaceutical, Soaps & Toiletries and Chemical, Paints and Allied Industries with N35.75 million, N209.33 million and N258.39 million respectively.

The NBS report stated: “Sectoral distribution of VAT data Q4’18 reflected that the sum of N298.01 billion was generated as VAT in Q4’18 as against N273.50 billion generated in Q3’18 and N254.1 billion in Q4’17 representing 8.96 percent increase quarter-on-quarter and 17.28 percent YoY.

“Out of the total amounted generated in Q4’18, N138.42 billion was generated as Non-Import VAT locally while N47.89 billion was generated as Non-Import VAT for foreign. The balance of N111.71 billion was generated as Nigeria Custom Service (NCS)-Import VAT”. Source:

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/02/vat-revenue-hits-n1-1trn-increased-by-14/

Atiku Gets More Boost As Opposition Parties Declare Him Nigeria's Only Option

Atiku Gets More Boost As Opposition Parties Declare Him Nigeria's Only Option



According to a report by Punch Metro, opposition political parties on Thursday said the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, remained the only option available to Nigerians in the Saturday election.

They have therefore called on all Nigerians to vote for Atiku on Saturday in order to reclaim the country.

The call was contained in an end of campaign message made available to journalists by the national spokesman for the Coalition of United Political Parties, Imo Ugochinyere.

Ugochinyere claimed that the present administration cannot boast of any meaningful achievement after almost four years in the saddle.

He said such administration did not deserve a fresh mandate.

The statement read, “The Nigerian opposition coalition, CUPP, after a careful review of the plans, programmes, and visions of all presidential candidates in the race have come to the unassailable conclusion that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is the only available option for Nigeria’s survival.

“The incumbent President, after four years, can only show Nigerians eight fingers as his only achievements and not a single road, bridge, school, hospital, power plant, water project or other infrastructure initiated and completed throughout the entire tenure.

“We, therefore, urge all Nigerians to stand strong in our collective resolve to vote the PDP presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, come February 23. This is to guarantee the reclamation of our country from the current scavengers in power who do not care if our country breaks up or burns down.

“They are still grappling to fulfill any of the promises made to Nigerians and are repeating exactly the same promises again after four years without accepting and acknowledging their woeful performance, yet shamelessly and arrogantly asking Nigerians to mortgage another four years of our lives for them to gamble with.

“Alhaji Atiku Abubakar’s Presidency will unite Nigeria, rebuild our economy and strengthen institutions of state so that we can return to the path of prosperity. Source:

https://www.tori.ng/news/116836/atiku-gets-more-boost-as-opposition-parties-declar.html

It’s difficult to say if elections ‘ll be free, fair – CLARK

It’s difficult to say if elections ‘ll be free, fair – CLARK


By Perez Brisibe

KIAGBODO—ELDER statesman, Chief Edwin Clark, has expressed worries that with recent happenings in preparations for the general elections, “it will be difficult to say if the elections will be free and fair.”



E. K. Clark

Chief Clark, the leader of Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, also questioned the independence of the electoral umpire, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, saying, “even though it has been said INEC is independent, with the Nigeria factor, is INEC really free?”

Clark, who spoke during a briefing at his Kiagbodo residence in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State, questioned the morality of using the same contractor who he alleged was blacklisted by the commission in 2011.

Clark said: “I was one of those active persons who took on this man in 2015 when there was contest between Dr. Goodluck Jonathan and the present President, Muhammadu Buhari.

“We discovered from Facebook at that time that he will do everything possible to make Jonathan lose the election. So we went into investigation as to why this man was so categorical. It was then that we discovered that this man has a factory in Maitama, Abuja, where he was manufacturing these things.

“We even went to the extent of videoing the place. When it came to their (INEC) knowledge, they gave the contract to a Chinese company and it took time for those materials to arrive.” Source:

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/02/its-difficult-to-say-if-elections-ll-be-free-fair-clark/

Nigeria decides: APC gives conditions for Buhari to accept defeat

Nigeria decides: APC gives conditions for Buhari to accept defeat


The All Progressive Congress, APC, has given the condition for President Muhammadu Buhari to accept defeated in the presidential election.

The party said Buhari will concede defeat and congratulate who ever wins the race if the election is confirmed free, fair and credible.

The Deputy Director-General, campaign council of APC, Waziri Bulama, said this when he addressed newsmen in Abuja on Thursday.

Bulama, however, made it clear that it was impossible for the party to loose the election.

“The outcome of this election, if free, fair and credible would be accepted by President Muhammad Buhari and by the party,” the deputy DG said.

“If we win, which is very, very likely we will congratulate Nigerians for having participated in a free, fair and peaceful election.

“That is number one. Number two, we are not even going to celebrate or over celebrate because an election success of President Muhammadu Buhari is another burden on him and this man would want to do more than he has done.

“So, we will humbly thank Nigerians for given us their votes for another four years to build on what we have done.

“But in the event Nigerians decided, in a free, fair and credible election to give their votes to another person, President Muhammadu Buhari will still thank Nigerians and will call the person that eventually won the election and congratulate him,” he said. Source:

http://dailypost.ng/2019/02/22/nigeria-decides-apc-gives-conditions-buhari-accept-defeat/

Nigeria decides 2019: How Nnamdi Kanu stopped Igbo governors from rigging election for Buhari – IPOB

Nigeria decides 2019: How Nnamdi Kanu stopped Igbo governors from rigging election for Buhari – IPOB



The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, on Friday alleged that its leader, Nnamdi Kanu stopped South East governors from rigging election in favour of President Muhammadu Buhari.

IPOB alleged that South East governors planned to use its previous election boycott to rig votes in Buhari’s favour but their plan was frustrated when Kanu lifted the ban on election boycott.

In a statement signed by its spokesperson, Emma Power, the secessionist group claimed that “Igbo governors” are unhappy with Kanu for lifting the ban and has ordered a clamp down on its members.

The statement reads partly: “We the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and it’s leadership worldwide consider it imperative to put the civilized world on notice concerning the incessant harassment, abduction, arrest and torture including house to house search for innocent and unarmed civilians in Aguata, Orumba North and South Local Government Areas of Anambra State and other states like Abia and Ebonyi where their governors have continued to use the authority of their office against anybody seen or regarded as an IPOB family member or sympathiser.

“Since our leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu lifted the ban on election boycott on Thursday night in the whole of Biafraland, Willie Obiano of Anambra State and other Igbo states governors subservient to Fulani caliphate and beholden to Jubril-Buhari have intensified their clampdown on IPOB through illegal midnight raids and kidnapping.

“We are fully aware that most of Igbo governors are not happy with IPOB because their previous strategy of using our election boycott as cover to rig the vote in favour of Jubril-Buhari, particularly in Anambra State where Willie Obiano has instructed the Fulani Muslim dominated Nigerian Army and police to deploy into our villages to abduct and kill anybody who is perceived to be against voting for Jubril-Buhari and APC in the state.

“We are calling on the chattering class and people who may come in defence of Willie Obiano in the future to take cognisance of what he is doing to innocent men, women and their families in the name of serving his Fulani masters.

“His associates should caution him about the inevitable consequences of tampering with innocent law abiding families in Anambra State because when we start with him, let his hired praise singers not say they were not warned in advance.

“Those condoning this evil by Obiano will be the first to blame IPOB any day we choose to confront Obiano. Let this press statement serve as a warning and reminder of what will befall Obiano in months to come.” Source:

http://dailypost.ng/2019/02/22/nigeria-decides-2019-nnamdi-kanu-stopped-igbo-governors-rigging-election-buhari-ipob/

Court Orders For The Arrest Of Super Eagles Legend Jay Jay Okocha.

Court Orders For The Arrest Of Super Eagles Legend Jay Jay Okocha.

A Lagos High Court in Igbosere has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of a former Super Eagles captain, Austin Okocha, popularly known as Jay Jay Okocha, for failure to appear severally to answer why he has allegedly failed to pay his income taxes.



Okocha was charged by the Lagos State Ministry of Justice in a three-count charge bordering on failure to furnish return of income.

The prosecutor, Dr. Jide Martins, had on June 6, 2017 filed the charge, adding that the case came up for the first time on October 5, 2017 but the defendant did not appear in court.

However, after several adjournments without the defendant appearing in court when service had been effected on him, the prosecutor urged the court to issue a bench warrant.

Justice Adedayo Akintoye, on January 29 issued a bench warrant for the arrest of the former Super Eagles’ star and adjourned until February 19.

However on February 19, the prosecution had not effected the arrest, the court ordered that on the next adjourned date the order should have been executed.

Akintoye adjourned the case until April 15 for the execution of the bench warrant and further hearing.

Earlier, the prosecutor told the court that the defendant had failed to furnish return of income for tax purposes to the Lagos State internal revenue services.

Martins also said that the defendant had failed to pay his income taxes, adding that the offences contravened Sections 56 (a) and (b) of the Lagos State Revenue Administration Law No.8, 2006, as well as Section 94 (1) of the Personal Income Tax Act Cap P8, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

Source:

https://www.nationalhelm.co/2019/02/court-orders-for-the-arrest-of-super-eagles-legend-jay-jay-okocha.html