Nigeria election delay raises red flags at home, abroad

The six-week delay in Nigeria's presidential election has raised red flags both in the international community and among local political and civil rights groups, with many concerned about the independence of the country's electoral commission and whether the military hierarchy had too much say in the matter.

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35 killed in Borno market explosion, other attacks

Thirty-five persons were killed, yesterday, and several others injured during attacks by Boko Haram terrorists on three Borno communities. The three communities were Biu, the largest Borno town in the southern part of the state, Alkideow and Mbuta.

Joint Military Task Force (JTF) patroling the streets of the restive northeastern Nigerian town of Maiduguri, Borno State.

In Biu, a deadly explosion from a bomb that went off in a crowded market, reportedly killed 15 people with 21 others injured, according to witnesses.

Witnesses said the injured persons and corpses were being evacuated. Biu is the largest Borno town in the southern part of the state, located 187 kilometres south of Maiduguri, the state capital.

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Ex-gov Sheriff explodes, says Borno govt officials killed would-be successor, Gubio

Former Governor Ali Modu Sheriff and leader of PDP in Borno State yesterday accused some prominent officials of the present administration in the state and their associates (names withheld) of allegedly conniving to kill the man who would have succeeded him in office, Alhaji Modu Fannami Gubio in 2011.

Gubio, who was elected the governorship candidate of the defunct All Nigeria People’s Party, ANPP, was killed shortly afterwards by unknown people.

Sheriff spoke at the Emir of Shani’s Palace, Alhaji Nasiru Mailafiya as well as while addressing over 10,000 APC supporters who defected to the PDP in the council headquarters.

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CAN didn’t endorse Buhari—Arewa Citizens

The Arewa Citizens Action for Change, ACAC, has debunked reports that the North-East chapter of Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, had endorsed the candidature of All Progressives Congress, APC’s presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Bahuri (retd) for the forthcoming general elections.

ACAC said that neither CAN nor its Chairman, Reverend Shu’aibu Byal, endorsed Buhari.

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APC to Jonathan: You can’t intimidate us

The All Progresives Congress, APC, has said the party’s leadership and members will not be intimidated by the latest antics of the Jonathan administration to harass and intimidate the opposition, especially in the run-up to next month’s general elections.

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"What election shift means for Jonathan"

President Goodluck Jonathan’s denial of having prior information on the shift of the election date would be hard to believe among many stakeholders who believe that his party and his government worked to ensure the new election dates for their benefit. What does the shift mean for the president and his team?

Nigeria’s pollsters may not have developed the culture of psephology, to have near accurately predicted how voters may have inclined themselves if the presidential election had not been shifted from tomorrow.

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