How I worked against Obasanjo’s third term - Thabo Mbeki – Newstrends
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How I worked against Obasanjo’s third term – Thabo Mbeki

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Thabo Mbeki, Olusegun Obasanjo

Former President of South Africa, Thabo Mbeki, has disclosed how he and Abdulsalami Abubakar, former Head of State of Nigeria, worked against failed third term bid of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Obasanjo has repeatedly denied he was involved in the bill proposed to the Nigerian parliament to amend the constitution and grant him an extra term.

Speaking virtually on Thursday at the Abdulsalami Alhaji Abubakar Festschrift Conference held in Abuja, Mbeki said he called the former Nigerian leader to discussed the issue with him.

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He said, “As a privilege to reiterate the commitment of General Abubakar to democracy in Nigeria in 2006, more than five years after he had handed over powers to Olusegun Obasanjo, the constitution on whose basis president Obasanjo was elected described a two-term limit for the head of state, and since he [Obasanjo] had been elected for the second time, this meant that he would end his term in 2007.

“But some time before, in 2005, a campaign began in Nigeria to amend the constitution to allow for three presidential terms. This developed to a point that the draft of the proposed amendment had been presented to the Nigerian parliament as papers.

“When I heard about this development, I engaged Obasanjo to communicate my unease at the proposal. In the end, I discussed it with general Abubakar, and we agreed that the proposed amendment was undesirable. We shared the view that the amendment must be avoided at all costs. We were of one mind that it spells bad both for Nigeria and the rest of the continent, tampering with and compromising our democratic system, which is just a few years old.

“We agreed to add our voices to those kicking against the amendment. We agreed that Abdulsalam would follow the situation in Nigeria closely and indicate to me when we should intervene against the constitutional amendment. I was very pleased when he called that the Nigerian senate has voted against the amendment.”

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DHQ declares prof, 7 others wanted over killing of soldiers in Delta

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DHQ declares prof, 7 others wanted over killing of soldiers in Delta

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has declared eight persons wanted including a professor over the brutal killing of 17 soldiers and officers in Okuama community of Delta State.

Those declared wanted are Prof. Ekpekpo Arthur; a woman, Mrs Igoli Ebi; Reuben Baru; Akata Malawa David and four other persons

Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, announced this on Thursday at a briefing in Abuja.

Buba urged traditional rulers and other stakeholders particularly in the Niger Delta to help in fishing out the wanted suspects.

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Commotion as hackers infiltrate server, disrupt Osun teachers’ recruitment exercise

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Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke

Commotion as hackers infiltrate server, disrupt Osun teachers’ recruitment exercise

The ongoing teacher recruitment exercise in Osun State was disrupted on Wednesday when hackers apparently compromised the server hosting the Computer-Based Test (CBT).

The event trapped thousands of applicants at the state’s 13 scheduled examination centres.

The cyber-attack happened in the early hours of Wednesday and affected the server operated by Osun State University (Uniosun), which organised the recruiting test.

The breach led to system glitches and technical failures, frustrating applicants who had gathered at the centres to take the crucial examination.

One official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the gravity of the situation to our correspondent.

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“All the systems were down after hackers breached our server overnight. It was a terrible experience at all the centres. But we later resolved some centres, while the examination has been rescheduled for others,” said the official.

Ademola Adesoji, the Public Relations Officer of the university, attributed the incident to unknown criminals.

“The damage inflicted on the server required time to resolve, resulting in an undue delay in the start of exams and necessitating the rescheduling of tests at two out of thirteen centers.

“Over the last eight or so hours, it has been a tough battle in our efforts to ensure the success of Osun State government. Examinations have concluded at 11 out of the 13 locations today. However, the two problematic centres, Osogbo and Ikire, will be rescheduled based on the Ministry’s decision,” said Adesoji.

Commotion as hackers infiltrate server, disrupt Osun teachers’ recruitment exercise

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Drama as INEC disowns Anambra Labour Party convention

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Drama as INEC disowns Anambra Labour Party convention

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has rejected Wednesday’s Labour Party National Convention in Anambra State.

Rotimi Oyekanmi, Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, stated this in Abuja on Thursday.

Oyekanmi said INEC did not oversee the convention’s conduct.

The LP on Tuesday shifted the convention from Umuahia in Abia State to Nnewi, Anambra State.

But speaking on the change in venue, the LP National Legal Adviser, Kehinde Edun, told journalists that the party had duly informed INEC about the change in venue and date.

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“In fact, Umuahia was not even the first venue we chose. Benin City was the first choice before we changed to Umuahia and now Nnewi.

“So, we are at liberty to pick any venue of our choice. We only need to inform INEC about the change in venue and the time,” Edun said.

Section 82(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022 states that political parties shall give INEC at least 21 days notice of convention, congress, conference or meeting.

This includes the convention or meeting convened for the purpose of “merger” and electing members of its executive committees, other governing bodies or nominating candidates.

Drama as INEC disowns Anambra Labour Party convention

(NAN)

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