The Ben Nwabueze Centre For Constitutional Law and Related Subjects

12/05/2017

What do you think about the Nigerian Justice System?

We would love to hear your thoughts

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Justice is a legal theory upon which fairness lies. Its concept differs amongst different societies. This is because there is no uniform standard of what justice is all over the world. However, the…

10/05/2017

The Nigerian Criminal Justice system cannot compete with any other justice system in the world. This is because we have consistently failed to make use of technology.

Read http://buff.ly/2qJ9kuR and let us hear your thoughts on how Nigeria can employ technology in its justice system.

The Nigerian criminal justice system does not make provision for compiling criminal records. People are convicted every day without the state having records of any such convictions. Some…

08/05/2017

WHAT THEY DIDN'T TELL YOU ABOUT WHISTLE BLOWING

Nigeria is a democratic state. Democracy thrives on law. Where there are no laws to back up your claims against another, the court cannot rely on sentiments or promises made by the other party to rule in your favour.

Is there a law that back up protection of whistle blowers? Find out here

Of recent there has been massive recovery of stolen loots by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) due to the new found love of whistle blowing by Nigerians. One can only wonder the…

05/05/2017

ANOTHER PROVOCATION TO MILITANCY?

As the actions of the Nigerian government becomes increasingly disturbing, the silence of Nigerians has become even more deafening.

The OtodoGbame incident has been forgotten. People were rendered homeless and a few people lost their lives. These residents of OtotoGbame did not pick up arms like the Niger Delta Militants, instead, they marched to the court in their numbers to lay their grievances against the Governor of Lagos State.

Unfortunately, they learnt that the law is an ass. Nothing can be done because the Constitution has rendered the governor immune from court actions.

On Wednesday Night, the Lagos State government brought down the Sabo Market in Ikorodu without any prior notice. The goods of the traders were in that market and they were destroyed alongside. A number of Lagosians woke up on Thursday to see that their means of survival in an N18,000- minimum-wage-paying country has been destroyed by the same government who has been incapable of providing them with a means of survival.

The Lagos State government and in fact the Nigerian government have not learned from the Niger Delta militants that when people are pushed to the wall they eventually turn round and fight. What worse retaliation is there than one borne out of anger, poverty and frustration?

Government is set up to represent the interest of the people and not frustrate them. Nigerians have a responsibility to speak up against these arbitrary actions of the government now. If we don't, we might all be made to face the consequences when these victims have had it.

05/05/2017

TOP BREAKING NEWS MAY 5TH 2017

THE PRESIDENT SHOULD MAKE HIS HEALTH STATUS PUBLIC

The President's Personal Assistant on Social Media, Lauretta Onochie, on Thursday, disclosed that the President would go on another medical vacation on his doctor's appointment. The Nigerian Medical Association on Thursday has said that Buhari should disclose his health status to Nigerians as that would douse the tension and rumours about his wellbeing.
Wole Soyinka, at a press conference in Lagos also said Buhari's failure to publicly disclose his state of health has increased political manipulations in the country. He stated that the president is public property and must make his health public.
He also faulted the management of the information concerning Buhari for not managing the information properly.
The former governor of Kaduna state, Balarabe Musa, stated that it is time for the Senate to constitute a board of inquiry to look into the issue of the president's health. The Campaign for Democracy said the President should properly hand over to the Vice-President and seek further treatment abroad.
Mr. Monday Ubani stated that the provisions of section 144 of the 1999 Constitution should be resorted to. This would entail the passing of a resolution by two-thirds majority of members of the Federal Executive Council, declaring the President incapable of discharging the functions of his office.

BUHARI WILL FULFIL CAMPAIGN PROMISES SAYS OSINBAJO

The Vice-President, on Thursday, said that the president will fulfil his campaign promises to Nigeria. He was reacting to the comment made by the Catholic Archbishop of Sokoto Diocese during the golden jubilee celebration. One of the promises he promised to fulfil is the prosecution of people who use religion as an excuse to destroy homes, schools and places of worship. He also promised to assist in the rebuilding of destroyed places of worship and giving full compensation for the destroyed and lost properties.

FG HAS ABANDONED RIVERS STATE - WIKE

On Thursday, members of the National Association of Rivers State students from the Nigerian Law School paid Governor Wike a Courtesy visit at the government house in Portharcourt. During the visit, he stated that his administration had to invest in the federal judiciary infrastructure because the Federal Government had abandoned its responsibilities to the people of Rivers State.
He stated that Rivers had the highest number of litigation in Nigeria after Lagos State and for that reason, the Judiciary in the State ought to function properly, yet the Federal High Court in the State was dilapidated, the National Industrial Court was non-existent and the Court of Appeal has been in a sorry state.
He further stated that in order to ensure that the people had access to justice, his administration has resolved to construct a new Federal High Court complex with six modern courtrooms and state-of-the-art facilities.

SENATE BARS TV STATIONS FROM COVERING PLENARY

On Thursday, the Senate restricted coverage of it's proceedings to six television stations. This forced all the cameramen to boycott the coverage of the plenary. Interestingly, this occured barely 24 hours after the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, assured the pressmen of freedom to carry out their responsibilities.
Thirteen TV stations had been accredited to gain entry into the chamber to cover plenary, but the coverage had now been restricted to six TV stations namely AIT, NTA, Channels TV, STV, Television Continental and the in-house New age.
The Senate Press Corps has protested against the restriction and has asked the Senate to reverse the policy so as not to cause the public to subscribe to certain insinuations that the new policy is another step to gag journalists.

HEALTH MINISTRY CANNOT GET 15% OF THE BUDGET - SENATE

The Abuja Declaration of 2001 which is an agreement entered into by the African Union countries mandates that at least 15% of annual budgets should be allocated to the health sector. The Senate, on Thursday, explained that the health sector cannot get 15% of the budget because even when 5% is allocated to the sector, the Federal Ministry of Finance is unable to release the amount. The sector ends up not getting up to 50% of what is allocated.
He stated that this development is not as a result of any fault on the part of any person because most times, the resources are not available. Some other times, the sector is unable to absorb such funds. Where this is the problem, the institutions need to be upgraded to such a level where they are able to absorb the funds.

04/05/2017

TOP BREAKING NEWS FOR MAY 4TH 2017

PRESIDENT BUHARI IS NO LONGER RULING NIGERIA - PDP

The National Caretaker Committee of the PDP has alleged that Nigeria is being ruled by a cabal as President Buhari is obviously in no good state of health to rule Nigeria. This allegation arose as a result of the failure of the president to attend the FEC meeting for the fourth consecutive week.

They argued that the health of the president must be really poor to have prevented him from attending the FEC meeting. It is therefore not possible that he is in charge of the running of the country.

The spokesperson for Senator Markafi, Dayo Adeyeye, stated that the attitude of the people around the president makes it obvious that the country is now on autopilot. He sympathized with the president over his health, however he stated that Nigerians are no longer sure about who is in charge of the running of the country.

While we understand that PDP will always serve as an opposition to the APC led government, we agree with their sentiments that Nigeria is on auto pilot mode.

THERE IS NOTHING STRANGE ABOUT BUHARI'S ABSENCE - LAI MOHAMMED

President Buhari was again absent from the FEC meeting on Wednesday, making it the fourth consecutive time he would be missing the meeting. Lai Mohammed has stated that the continued absence of the President from the FEC meetings cannot be described as a strange development. He stated that President Buhari was only following the advice of his doctors that he should take things easy.

He stated that the president had been open about his health condition to Nigerians having told Nigerians that he has not been this sick in his life, therefore, there is nothing out of place. He stated in passing that the administration would mark its second anniversary as it has a lot of stories to tell.

DON'T PROVOKE KANU TO TALK - IPOB MEMBERS

The Indigenous People of Biafra on Wednesday warned that people should stop making statements as regards what Kanu said or did not say as that might provoke him to talk, thereby causing him to violate his bail conditions.

According to the statement, certain people had been fabricating letters and stories against Kanu's interests and objectives in the Biafran struggle while crediting such opinions to Kanu. They stated that those actions were calculated by the APC against their leader to paint him in bad light knowing he cannot grant press interviews to defend himself. They stated that IPOB members will not stand by and watch these people tarnish the image of their leader.

RESTRUCTURING IS THE WAY FORWARD - AREGBESOLA, AKEREDOLU

The governors of Osun and Ogun States have reiterated the demand for the restructuring of the country noting that such step would set the country on the path of progress. Governor Aregbesola of Osun State noted that the failure to restructure had made security a difficult task for the police. He stated that Nigeria is the only federation in the world that has a unitary police force. He further stated that it is unusual that the commissioner of police has to report directly to the Inspector General of Police.

LAMIDO'S ARREST, HEIGHT OF DESPOTISM - PDP

The Peoples Democratic Party's Ex-Ministers Forum on Wednesday condemned the arrest, arraignment and detention of former Governor Sule Lamido. Lamido was detained for allegedly making inciting comments as regards the upcoming local government elections.

The PDP members have accused the APC of trying to stifle the campaigns of the opposition. They stated that the APC is aware that they have lost the confidence of the people and they have now decided to stop the opposition from campaigning as a last resort. The strategy of the APC government is founded on the assumption that if there is no opposition, they cannot be defeated.

They also recalled the statement made by Buhari just before the 2015 elections where he promised that dog and baboon would be soaked in blood. They stated that he was neither invited nor arrested as regards his utterances.

03/05/2017

As a Nigerian youth, do you hate the corrupt system or you hate that you are a victim of the corrupt system?

In other words, if you stopped being a victim, or better still, start being a beneficiary of the corrupt system, would the system be okay by you?

Can the 21st century African youth deal with the corruption problem in Africa?

Read https://goo.gl/ZsUjvM

About 50% of youths in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania believe that it does not matter how one makes money as long as one does not end up in jail. The Aga Khan East African Institute's survey on Kenyan youths and the institute for Security Studies for South African Youths showed that a large perce

03/05/2017

TOP BREAKING NEWS FOR MAY 3RD 2017

MY HUSBAND'S HEALTH IS NOT SO BAD - AISHA BUHARI

Aisha Buhari, on Tuesday, announced on twitter and facebook that the health of the president is not as bad as it is being perceived. She stated that Buhari has not stopped carrying out his constitutional responsibilities as the president of Nigeria. She stated that the president was meeting with the Minister of Justice and GMD of NNPC on Tuesday evening.
According to media reports, the president resumed work on tuesday at the presidential villa and actually had a meeting with the Minister of Justice and the GMD of the NNPC. There are speculations that he will be present at the FEC meeting today. If he fails to show up at the FEC meeting, it would be the fourth consecutive meeting he would have missed.

MAN GETS 162 YEARS FOR 12M FRAUD

A convicted prisoner was sentenced to imprisonment for 162 years by a High Court sitting in Lagos State. He was convicted for defrauding the former manager of the defunct BankPHB, Patrick Edetchukwu, of the sum of N12.3m.
The convict who was already serving a jail term duped the victim of the said amount on the pretence that he was being detained by the EFCC and needed some money to give the officials of the agency before he could be released. He was sentenced to 18 years each on counts two to ten.
This conviction makes it glaring, the inability of the EFCC to sustain any reasonable conviction for the notable names that have been involved in government corruption, while being able to secure conviction in cases such as this.

I WON'T CONTEST AGAIN - FAYOSE

Ayodele Fayose, Governor of Ekiti State, has stated that he has no intention of contesting the senatorial seat in 2019. He further stated that he does not intend to ever seek any other government position. His major preoccupation after leaving office would be to continue to agitate for good governance in Nigeria.
Fayose refused to make any comment as regards the health of the president. He stated that he would rather watch events as they unfold before making any comment.
It is rather difficult to accept that Governor Fayose, being a typical Nigerian politician, would not contest for any office during the 2019 polls. However, as the saying goes, the only constant thing in life is change.

EL-RUFAI SHOULD RESIGN AND FACE PROSECUTION - SOKAPU

The Southern Kaduna Peoples Union, on Monday, advised the Kaduna State Governor, Mallam El-rufai, to resign if he is unable to deal with the crisis in the region. The group also demanded that he be investigated and prosecuted for admitting to paying the killer herdsmen.
The president of the union said that the governor had failed to protect the minorities in the state. They have also called for the prosecution of the Miyyeti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria who, according to them, played a huge role in the crisis.

YOUTHS SHOULD STOP RUNNING AWAY FROM NIGERIA - EX-MINISTER

Aderemi Babalola, former Minister of State for Finance has expressed concern over the rate at which Nigerian youths are seeking to leave the country. He stated that Nigeria will be better if youths became more productive by creating their own businesses rather than running to other countries. He stated that though things are tough, running away is not the best option.
He equally blamed the current situation of Nigeria's economy on mismanagement of oil proceeds by the government.
With the current situation in Nigeria, it is highly unlikely that a handful of youths will take this advice.

02/05/2017

TOP BREAKING NEWS FOR MAY 2ND 2017

INCREASE MINIMUM WAGE - NIGERIAN WORKERS

The May day rally in Abuja was disrupted as the workers insisted that the nigerian minimum wage be reviewed from N18,000 to N56,000. The workers insisted that the government has a responsibility to give them a definite position on the issue of a new national minimum wage. They insisted that N18,000 had become inadequate and could not meet their needs.
The workers were angered when the Minister for Labour, Chris Ngige asked Mrs Abiola Bawa to address the crowd on his behalf while he was present. The workers were also offended that neither the president nor the vice president had thought it wise to show up at the rally.
The rally was a complete embarrassment to the government officials who were present as the workers did not fail to express their great displeasure over the state of the Nigerian workforce.

MAGU URGES WORKERS TO BECOME WHISTLE - BLOWERS

The acting chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, has urged civil servants who are being owed salaries to become whistle-blowers. He lamented the high rate of corruption in ministries, department and agencies, and urged the workers to expose their corrupt superiors. He stated that nigerian workers are the worst victims of government corruption and mismanagement.
Governor Lalong of Plateau State and Governor Obaseki of Edo State also urged civil servants to assist in the fight against corruption by exposing their corrupt superiors.

NLC, EKITI STATE HONOURS FAYOSE

The Nigeria Labour Congress, Ekiti State chapter, while urging president Buhari to fulfill his campaign promises, honoured Governor Fayose with the title, Comrade Governor, for his contribution to the welfare of workers in the State. The NLC commended the governor for speaking against all forms of oppression, reducing crime rate in the state and promoting over 15,000 workers in arrears. They stated that it has become necessary for the governor to begin to look inward as an alternative means of paying outstanding salaries of workers in the state.
The NLC also commended Fayose for his efforts in ensuring that the menace of Fulani herdsmen is avoided in the state. The governor promised that he would continue to work to ensure the progress of the State. He also encouraged the people to vote for a PDP candidate at the next election as that would be the only way the good work ha has started would continue.

GOVERNOR OF EBONYI STATE SUSPENDS CONTRIBUTORY PENSION

The Governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi, on Monday, ordered for the suspension of the contributory pension scheme pending when all the issues surrounding it will be resolved. He further directed that the money deducted so far be refunded to the workers. The organized labour in the State had kicked against the scheme complaining that the percentage deducted was outrageous. The governor said the scheme would continue when it was convenient for the workers. He stated that the workers would now be the one to dictate when the scheme should continue.
The governor also directed that the accumulated promotion of workers be released and he approved payment of leave allowance to workers. He assured the workers that the rest of their demands would also be given consideration subsequently. The Nigeria Labour Congress in the State commended the governor for paying workers 13th month salary and appealed to him to sustain it.

NIGERIANS SHOULD PRAY FOR BUHARI - AKANDE

The former interim National Chairman of the APC, Chief Bisi Akande, has appealed to Nigeria to pray for the health of the president. He acknowledged that President Buhari is very sick as he was absent from his grand son's wedding. He stated that the president's sickness is taking a toll on Nigeria's health.
Femi Falana stated that the president's absence from the FEC meetings and Jumat service was proof that his health was greatly deteriorating contrary to the claim of the President's handlers that there was no cause for worry.
It is quite disturbing that Akande recognizes that Nigeria is suffering on account of Buhari's health, yet he doesn't seem to consider it an option, that Buhari hands over the running of Nigeria to the Vice President.

28/04/2017

KANU'S BAIL CONDITIONS - UNCONSTITUTIONAL?

There has been a lot of contentions as regards the constitutionality of Nmandi Kanu's bail. While keeping sentiments aside, it would be necessary to consider the bail conditions in line with the provisions of the Constitution in order to determine whether or not they are unconstitutional.

Bail in the sum of N100,000,000 (one hundred million naira) and three sureties in like sum

This is one of the most popular bail conditions there are. It implies that where the accused jumps bail, he will be liable to pay the amount imposed by the Court. The accused is not required to pay the amount immediately. It only becomes payable upon his default.

Some persons have argued that the amount is outrageous. We cannot take a position in that regard as we do not know the financial strength of the accused. However, since the money is only payable upon his default, neither Kanu nor the sureties will have to pay the sum except he jumps bail.

One of the sureties should be a senior highly placed person of Igbo extraction such as a senator

The contention here is that given the offence for which Kanu is being tried, no senator is likely to stand as surety for him. While this argument may be valid, we must realize that the Judge did not state that the surety had to be a senator. The phrase "such as a senator" merely gives an insight to the caliber of persons that would be qualified to stand as surety to fulfill this condition. Any highly placed, popular and respectable Igbo man can stand as surety to fulfill this bail condition.
Apparently, Senator Abaribe has agreed to stand as surety to meet this particular bail condition.

One of the sureties should be a Jewish religious leader

This condition has been met with much condemnation and criticism as a number of persons deem it difficult and uncalled for. The requirement here was for a highly placed leader of the religion he practices. Upon being asked his religion, Kanu had said he practices Judaism, hence, the requirement for a Jewish religious leader.

It is commonplace for the Court to require that one of the sureties be a leader of the religion practiced by the accused person. In most cases, it is a Christian or Muslim religious leader and this causes no controversy whatsoever.

Nmandi Kalu has a constitutional right to practice any religion he deems fit, however, if the requirement of a religious leader is acceptable in other religions, he's should not be an exception. Kalu has been able to meet this requirement as the media has reported that a Jewish leader has signed as surety to meet this condition.


One of the sureties should be resident in the FCT and have landed property in Abuja

It is normal for the courts to require as a surety, a person who resides and has landed property in the State the Court is sitting. This requirement is therefore not out of place.

He must not be part of any rally or be found in company of more than 10 people and he is not allowed to grant press interviews

These conditions have caused much controversy. There have been arguments that these conditions violate the fundamental rights of the accused to freedom of association and expression. According to this argument, the purpose of bail conditions is to ensure that the accused is in court when he needs to be and not to punish the accused. A person who is yet to be convicted of any crime should be entitled to all his fundamental rights and any bail conditions imposed by the court must take cognizance of this.

Though this is a sound argument, we must also avert our minds to the fact that in giving bail conditions, the court takes cognizance of the crime for which the accused is being charged and the impact his release would have on society. For example, The reason the constitution makes it difficult for persons accused of murder to be granted bail is because the law considers that it would be in the best interest of society that such person is remanded in prison.

In the same vein, the court, in this case, considers it necessary to curtail the impact which Kanu's presence in rallies and large gatherings could have on society. This is reasonable considering the fact that he is deemed to be the leader of the Biafrans. Such discretion is one that the court should be allowed to exercise under necessary circumstances.

Though the bail conditions given to Kalu might be deemed a little stringent, they are not in violation of his fundamental rights, and therefore not unconstitutional.

We would love to hear your thoughts.

28/04/2017

TOP BREAKING NEWS FOR APRIL 28 2017

SSS RECRUITMENT – FEDERAL CHARACTER?

The State Security Service recently commissioned 479 officers. The listing of the newly commissioned officers indicates that the Federal Character principle enshrined in the Constitution might have been ignored. To ensure compliance with the federal character principle in the exercise, a minimum of 5 slots is to be accorded every state. Though the recruitment was in line with this requirement as no state got less than 5 slots, there was a huge disparity in the number of slots allotted to the 36 States.
51 slots were given to Katsina State which coincidentally happens to the President’s State of origin while 5 slots were given to Akwa-Ibom. Lagos had 7 slots and Kano had 25 slots. Altogether, the North Central had 71 slots, the North East had 100 slots, the North West had 165 slots, the South East had 44 slots, the South West had 57 slots and the South South had 42 slots.
There exists no logical explanation for how the slots were given except that the Northern States were given more consideration than other States, and Katsina, being the President’s State was given the most consideration.

BABACHIR LAWAL SHUNS SENATE PANEL AGAIN

On Thursday, the suspended SGF, Babachir Lawal, failed to appear before the Senate Committee headed by Senator Shehu Sanni. This is the third invitation which the embattled SGF has ignored. The Committee has announced that the non-appearance of the suspended SGF would not stop it from presenting it’s report on the probe. Lawal will not be invited again to defend himself as the final report on the probe will be laid before the Senate on Tuesday.
Senator Shehu Sanni, speaking to journalists, said that Babachir Lawal had given the excuse of being busy with work on previous occasions, however now that he has been suspended, the committee expected that he would now have time to show up.
The President had earlier stated that Lawal had been denied fair hearing, however it is now clear that fair hearing was never the problem as Babachir Lawal consistently turned down all opportunities to be heard.

BUHARI’S DOCTORS BEHIND HIS FAILURE TO ATTEND FEC MEETING – PRESIDENCY

On Thursday, the Presidency assured Nigerians that there is no need to be worried about the President’s health. The Presidency through Garba Shehu, stated that though the president is eager to be up and about his duties, his doctors advised him to take things slowly. He stated that Buhari’s absence at the FEC meeting was a last minute decision. According to him Buhari is still functioning in his office as the President as he receives daily briefings on the activities of government.

WE DIDN’T TAKE THE NIGERIAN BUDGET – POLICE

The Nigeria Police Force through the Force Public Relations Officer has stated that no document connected to the budget was seized by the Police. The Police Stated that it recovered 38 files and six envelopes containing documents that had to do with the assassination plot against Sheikh Jafaru.
The House of Representatives had warned the police to return the documents as the passing of the budget would be stalled if the police continued to hold on to them. According to a reliable source, the National Assembly forced the Inspector General of Police to return the documents by referring to some infractions in the implementation of the 2016 budget, and the using of funds meant for the purchase of Armoured Personnel Carriers for the purchase of cars. They threatened that if the documents taken from the Senators house were not returned, they would start a probe on the matter.
The presidency has confirmed that the Police has returned the items taken from the residence of the “distinguished” Senator.

27/04/2017

TOP BREAKING NEWS FOR APRIL 27 2017

POLICEMAN THAT VOWED TO KILL 200 WANTED BY THE POLICE

The Nigerian Police says that it has launched a manhunt for Inusa Saidu Biu, a policeman who threatened to kill 200 people if Buhari dies. The Police stated that investigation is going on as regards the content of his post on social media. The post has been deleted form Biu's timeline however, Nigerians have called for his arrest and prosecution as the post was capable of inciting crisis in the country.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Moshood Jimoh said that the police headquaters was unaware of the Post. He also said that the police has commenced a search to ascertain whether he is in fact a policeman. He said that when investigations are completed, their findings will be made public.
Meanwhile, the Punch newspapers is in search of the identity of the soldiers who subjected a middle-aged man to torture by compelling him to roll inside murky waters a number of times. They are yet to ascertain the name of the victim or where the incident took place, but the video has gone viral.

I WANTED TO BE VICE-PRESIDENT - TINUBU

It has been revealed that former Lagos State governor Bola Tinubu had intentions of being the running mate to Buhari in the 2015 elections. He alleged that Saraki and El-Rufai instigated Buhari not to pick him as VP. The comments of the APC leader were contained in a book titled Against the Run of Play written by Olusegun Adeniyi. Tinubu said that Buhari was persuaded because they convinced him that christians would not embrace a muslim-muslim ticket and that could jeopardize the party's victory.
He stated that the arguments which they had put forward were not genuine as El-Rufai wanted to have Pastor Bakare brought in as Buhari's running mate. He stated that during the party's primaries, most people that supported Buhari came to him to inquire if he would be the running mate to Buhari, making that a condition for supporting Buhari. He further stated that he discouraged them from doing that as he didnt think it was right to put Buhari in such a position.
In order not to cause problems for the party, Tinubu decided to forget about being vice president. President Buhari gave him the privilege of choosing three candidates as VP nominees but he chose only Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.

WE HAD NO HAND IN JONATHAN'S DEFEAT - UNITED STATES

Reacting to the allegations of Goodluck Jonathan that his defeat at the 2015 elections was partly caused by Barack Obama and his officials, working with France and the United Kingdom, the US on Wednesday, declared that the election of President Buhari in 2015 was an expression of the will of the Nigerians.
The US embassy spokesman, Russel Brooks, stated that the US advocated a free, fair and transparent election and the result of the election was in accordance with the votes at the election.
As was stated in the new book by Olusegun Adeniyi, there were indications that the US was not comfortable with Jonathan as President due to his performance as governor of Bayelsa State. According to them he was engaged in corruption, political thuggery and payment of militant factions.

BUHARI CANNOT WORK SECRETLY BECAUSE HE WAS NOT ELECTED SECRETLY - PDP

Following Lai Mohammed's announcement that the President was working from home while the FEC meeting was going on, the PDP and Civil Liberties Organisations have faulted the presidency. They have asked the presidency to reveal the true health status of the president. They stated that it was obvious that they did not know what else to tell Nigerians following the three consecutive absence of the president from the FEC meeting.
They recalled the Yaradua incident and stated that it would not be wise for Nigeria to be taken back to that era. The CLO president stated outrightly that the president should resign if his health could not take the pressure of work as Nigeria would forever have a place for him in history.
EL-Rufai, speaking on behalf of the APC governors stated that they have no cause to be worried about Buhari's health yet.

COURT FREEZES PATIENCE JONATHAN'S ACCOUNT AGAIN

The EFCC on Wednesday, after withdrawing their application, secured a fresh court order to freeze the Skye Bank account of Patience Jonathan again. The order was granted by Justice Mojisola Olatoregun of the Federal High Court of Lagos.