The Final Result Of The 2015 Presidential Election Announced By Prof. Jega

As announced by Prof Attahiru Jega, chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission... "14 candidates, fielded by 14 political parties participated in the election. We'd like to announce the votes for each party" Acredited voters - 31,756,490 AA - 22, 125 ACPN - 40,311 AP - 30,673 ADC - 29,666 APA - 53,537 APC - 15,424,921 CPP -, 36,300 HOPE - 7,435 KOWA - 13,076 NCP - 24, 455 PDP - 12,853,162 PPN - 24,475 UDP - 9,208 UPP - 18,220 Total valid votes - 28,587,564 Rejected votes - 844, 519 Total - 29,432,083

Buhari To Address Nigerians At 11am Today

President elect, General Muhammadu Buhari is to address his supporters and the nation at 11.000am on Wednesday. Party officials announced the decision to cancel the address at about 12.54am after a long wait for the Independent National Electoral Commission to officially announce the winner of the election. The supporters who had besieged the party secretariat to catch a glimpse of General Buhari left the party secretariat disappointed, but With great enthusiasm for better things to come.

Presidential election results for Taraba state - PDP wins

As announced by Prof K. Mohammed, VC Modibbo Adama University of Tech. Yola, RO for Taraba AA - 962 ACPN - 811 AD - 586 ADC - 320 APA - 1306 APC - 261,326 CPP - 1,033 HOPE - 161 KOWA - 153 NCP - 876 *PDP - 310,800 (PDP wins)* PPN - 680 UDP - 224 UPP - 439 Total valid votes - 579,677 Rejected votes - 23,039 Total votes cast - 602,716

Presidential election results for Edo state - PDP wins

As announced by Prof Osasere Orumwense, VC, University of Benin - RO of Edo state AA - 159 ACPN - 1284 AD - 450 ADC - 512 APA - 709 APC - 208,469 CPP - 325 HOPE -22 KOWA - 175 NCP - 516 *PDP, 286,869 (PDP wins)* PPN - 729 UDP - 160 UPP - 72 Total valid votes - 500,451 Rejected votes - 22,334 Total votes - 522,785

2015 elections results so far - 31 states declared - APC still leading

31 states declared so far and APC is still leading with 2,894,494 votes. Only 5 states remain - Sokoto, Taraba, Borno, Edo and Delta.

Presidential election results for Benue state - APC wins

As announced by Prof Hayward Babale Mafuyai, VC, University of Jos, RO for Benue state AA - 315 ACPN - 1464 AD - 254 ADC - 539 APA - 945 *APC - 373,961 (APC wins)* CPP - 567 HOPE - 115 KOWA - 105 NCP - 683 PDP - 303,737 PPN - 439 UDP - 66 UPP - 74 Total valid votes - 683,264 Rejected votes - 19,867 Total votes cast - 703,131

Presidential election results for Bauchi state - APC wins

As announced by Prof. Mohammed Farouk, VC, Federal University, Kashere, Gombe, RO for Bauchi AA - 131 ACPN - 232 AD - 173 ADC - 189 APA - 964 *APC - 931,598 (APC wins)* CPP - 391 HOPE - 46 KOWA - 128 NCP - 207 PDP - 86,085 PPN - 128 UDP - 29 UPP - 37 Total valid votes - 1,020,338 Rejected votes - 19,437 Total votes cast - 1,039,775

Presidential election results for Yobe state - APC wins

As announced by Prof. Abubakar Njodi, VC - University of Maiduguri, collation officer for Yobe AA - 101 ACPN - 164 AD - 213 ADC - 112 APA - 632 *APC - 446,265 (APC wins)* CPP - 329 HOPE - 67 KOWA - 104 NCP - 120 PDP - 25,526 PPN - 101 UDP - 30 UPP - 32 Total valid - 473,796 Rejected votes - 17,971 Total votes cast - 491,767

Presidential election results for Adamawa state - APC wins

As announced by the collating officer for Adamawa state AA - 495 ACPN - 1166 AD - 595 ADC - 1012 APA - 1549 *APC - 374,701 (APC wins)* CPP - 819 HOPE - 267 KOWA - 752 NCP - 1212 PDP - 251,664 PPN - 1163 UDP - 289 UPP - 334 Total valid votes - 636,018 Rejected votes - 25,192 Total votes cast - 661,210

Presidential Election Results So Far - APC Still Leading

The presidential election results for 26 states has so far been announced and right now, APC is still leading with 10,462,670 votes while PDP has 9,953,432 votes. The difference is 509,238 votes. The election announcement will continue in in ablout 30mins after the recess. The following state are the outstanding states to be announced; Sokoto, Borno, Zamfara, Kebbi, Taraba, Benue, Adamawa, Bauchi, Delta and Edo.

INEC Accepts Rivers State Result

The Independent National Electoral Commission in Nigeria (INEC) has accepted the result of the elections held in Rivers State, which the All Progressives Congress (APC) is demanding its cancellation. At the collation of results in Abuja on Tuesday, the chairman of the INEC, Professor Attahiru Jega, said the allegations raised by the APC were not substantial for the cancellation of the result.

Presidential election results for Ebonyi state - PDP wins

As announced by Prof. Ahaneku, VC Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, RO for Ebonyi state AA - 426 ACPN - 1214 AD - 1,133 ADC - 2,704 APA - 2,452 APC - 19,518 CPP - 2,345 HOPE - 989 KOWA - 913 NCP - 1,890 *PDP - 323,653 (PDP wins)* PPN - 1,168 UDP - 624 UPP - 4,859 Total valid votes - 363,888 Rejected votes - 29,449 Total votes cast - 393,337

Presidential election results for Niger state - APC wins

As announced by Prof Ambali, VC of University of Ilorin, Ilorin, collation officer for Niger state AA - 307 ACPN - 441 AD - 403 ADC - 614 APA - 2,006 *APC - 657,678 (APC wins)* CPP - 1,264 HOPE - 198 KOWA - 305 NCP - 550 PDP - 149,222 PPN - 449 UDP - 116 UPP - 118 Total valid votes - 813671 Rejected votes - 31,012 Total votes cast - 844,683

Presidential election results for Lagos - APC wins

As announced by Prof. Isaac Adewole, VC, University of Ibadan, collation officer for Lagos state AA - 1,795 ACPN - 3,038 AD - 4,453 ADC - 2,072 APA - 2,177 *APC - 792,460 (APC wins)* CPP - 1,125 HOPE - 255 KOWA - 1,000 NCP - 1,430 PDP - 632,327 PPN - 1,041 UDP - 269 UPP - 244 Total valid votes - 1,443,686 Rejected votes - 52289 Total votes cast - 1,495,975

Presidential election results for Bayelsa - PDP wins

As announced by Prof Joseph Ajienka, VC University of Port Harcourt, collation officer for Bayelsa AA - 45 ACPN - 38 AD - 69 ADC - 116 APA -70 APC - 5,194 CPP - 44 HOPE - 18 KOWA - 52 NCP - 95 *PDP - 361,209 (PDP)* PPN - 62 UDP - 20 UPP - 35 Total valid votes - 367,067 Rejected votes - 4,672 Total votes cast - 371739

Presidential election results for Gombe - APC wins

As announced by Prof A. Ibrahim, VC of Abubakar Tafawa University, Bauchi, RO for Gombe state AA - 104 ACPN - 192 AD - 169 ADC - 247 APA - 773 *APC - 361,245 (APC wins)* CPP - 407 HOPE - 46 KOWA - 97 NCP - 227 PDP - 96,873 PPN - 157 UDP - 25 UPP - 37 Total valid votes - 460,599 Rejected votes - 12845 Total votes cast - 473,444

Presidential election results for Bayelsa - PDP wins

As announced by Prof Joseph Ajienka, VC University of Port Harcourt, collation officer for Bayelsa AA - 45 ACPN - 38 AD - 69 ADC - 116 APA -70 APC - 5,194 CPP - 44 HOPE - 18 KOWA - 52 NCP - 95 *PDP - 361,209 (PDP)* PPN - 62 UDP - 20 UPP - 35 Total valid votes - 367,067 Rejected votes - 4,672 Total votes cast - 371739

Dr Sid graduates as a Director from the New York Film Academy

After studying for months at the New York Film Academy, Mavin Records artist; Dr Sid is now a certified music video/film director. He shared his certificate on instagram. Congrats to him.

Presidential Election So Far...

The presidential election results for 18 states plus the FCT has so far been announced. The APC has 10 states, while PDP has 8 states plus the FCT, Abuja. It's a very tight race. So far APC is leading with 8,520,436 votes while PDP has 6,488,210 votes. This is the announced as close of the midnight. The announcement continues today at 10am.

Presidential election result for Kano state - APC wins

As announced by the Returning officer of Kano state... AA - 426 ACPN - 778 AD - 708 ADC - 657 APA - 2,770 APC - 1,903,999 CPP - 1,552 HOPE -292 KOWA - 288 NCP - 697 PDP - 215, 779 PPN - 485 UDP - 234 UPP - 156 Total valid votes - 2,128,821 Rejected votes - 43,626 Total votes cast - 2,172, 447

Presidential election results for Jigawa State - APC wins

As announced by Prof James Ayatse VC, Federal University, Katsina, who is the RO of Jigawa state AA - 394 ACPN - 540 AD - 587 ADC - 375 APA - 2527 APC - 885, 988 CPP - 1,553 HOPE - 337 KOWA - 423 NCP - 548 PDP - 142,904 PPN - 853 UDP - 338 UPP - 197 Total valid votes - 1,037, 564 Rejected votes - 34325 Total votes cast - 1,071,889

As announced by the Returning Officer for Katsina state AA - 183 ACPN - 402 AD - 283 ADC - 498 APA - 1671 APC - 1,345,441 CPP - 976 HOPE - 47 KOWA - 215 NCP - 330 PDP - 98,937 PPN:254 UDP:117 UPP:72 Total valid votes - 1,449, 426 Rejected votes - 32,288 Total votes cast - 1,481,714

Presidential election result for Kwara state - APC wins

As announced by the returning officer for Kwara state AA - 248 AD - 520 ACPN - 817 APA -1165 ADC - 438 APA - 1,165 *APC - 302,146 (APC wins)* CPP - 910 HOPE - 118 KOWA - 214 NCP - 394 PDP - 132,602 PPN - 325 UDP - 81 UPP - 102 Total valid votes - 440,080 Rejected votes - 21321 Total votes cast - 416,401

Presidential election result for Kaduna state - APC wins

As announced by prof. Zuru, the returning officer for Kaduna state AA - 218 AD - 273 ACPN - 424 ADC - 546 APA - 1611 APC -1,127,760 CPP - 824 HOPE - 105 KOWA - 176 NCP - 754 PDP - 484,085 PPN - 549 UDP - 79 UPP - 78 Total valid votes - 1,650,201 Rejected votes -32,719 Total votes cast -1,617,482

Presidential election results for Anambra state - PDP wins

As announced by Prof Asiabaka, VC of FUTO, who is the returning officer for Anambra state AA - 547 ACPN - 1,259 AD - 475 ADC - 534 APA - 2303 APC - 17926 CPP - 1279 HOPE - 357 KOWA - 311 NCP - 887 PDP - 660, 762 PPN - 537 UDP - 286 UPP - 1121 Total valid votes - 688584 Rejected votes - 14,825 Total votes cast - 703,409

Presidential election result for Abia state - PDP wins

As announced by the VC of UNN, prof. Chukwuma Ozumba, the collation officer of Abia state AA - 315 ACPN - 2194 AD - 448 ADC - 569 APA - 2766 *APC - 13,394* CPP - 1046 HOPE - 125 KOWA - 173 NCP - 745 *PDP - 368,303* PPN - 424 UDP - 213 UPP - 330 Total valid votes -391,045 Rejected votes - 1004 Total votes cast - 401,049

Presidential election result for Akwa-Ibom - PDP wins

As announced by Prof James Epoke, VC, University of Calabar, the returning officer for Akwa-Ibom AA - 1,600 ACPN - 443 AD - 474 ADC - 608 APA - 384 APC - 58,411 CPP - 412 HOPE - 192 KOWA - 160 NCP - 381 *PDP - 953,304 (PDP wins)* PPN - 327 UDP - 224 UPP -144 Total valid votes -1,017,064 Rejected votes - 11,487 Total votes cast -1,028,551

Presidential election result for Imo state - PDP wins

As announced by Prof. Oye Ibidapo-Obe, former VC of UNILAG, collating officer for Imo state AA - 533 ACPN - 956 AD - 757 ADC - 1617 APA - 2236 APC - 133,253 CPP - 733 HOPE - 157 KOWA - 158 NCP - 784 *PDP - 559,185 (PDP Wins)* PPN - 414 UDP - 264 UPP - 1917 Total valid votes - 702,964 Rejected votes - 28,957 Total votes cast - 731921

Presidential election result for Plateau state - PDP wins

As announced by Prof Emmanuel Kocha, VC University of Agriculture, Makurdi, RO for Plateau AA - 178 ACPN - 391 AD - 279 ADC - 406 APA - 618 APC - 429,140 CPP - 237 HOPE - 56 KOWA - 138 NCP - 693 *PDP - 549,615 (PDP wins)* PPN - 554 UPD - 54 UPP - 29 Total valid votes - 982,388 Rejected votes - 18304 Total votes cast- 1,000,692

Presidential Election Results So Far

Election 2015

The presidential election results for 18 states plus the FCT has so far been announced. The APC has 10 states, while PDP has 8 states plus the FCT, Abuja. It's a very tight race. So far APC is leading with 8,520,436 votes while PDP has 6,488,210 votes. This is the announced as close of the midnight. The announcement continues today at 10am.

Buhari Declared The Winner In Benue

All Progressive Congress (APC) presidential candidate, retired General Muhammadu Buhari has scored a total vote of 373, 961 to win Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)'s president Goodluck Jonathan in Benue State. Jonathan polled 303, 737 in the contest involving 23 local government areas of the state. Returning officer is Prof. Heward Mafuyai. Results was finally declared at 12:18am today (Tuesday). 

http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/daily/top-stories/50872-breaking-buhari-wins-jonathan-in-benue

Presidential election result for Ondo state - APC wins

As announced by Prof. Olusola Oyewole the VC, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta AA - 386 ACPN - 2406 AD - 1,237 ADC - 1,227 APA - 1139 *APC - 299,889 (APC wins)* CPP - 1,012 HOPE - 184 KOWA - 223 NCP - 846 PDP - 251,368 PPN - 734 UPD - 184 UPP - 221 Total valid votes - 561, 056 Rejected votes - 21,379 Total votes cast - 582, 435

Presidential election result from Osun state - APC wins

As announced by Professor Isaac Asusu, VC of the Federal University, Oye, Ekiti, RO for Osun state AA:377 AD:1667 ACPN:1731 ADC:937 APA:1306 *APC: 383,603* CPP:1029 HOPE:132 KOWA:255 NCP:767 PDP:249,929 PPN:599 UDP:124 UPP:159

Buhari overtakes Jonathan in Benue, gets 250,000 votes

All Progressives Congress Presidential candidate, Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari(retd.), has overtaken President Goodluck Jonathan in Benue State, as he now leads by over 250,000 votes. Jonathan so far has about 186,000 votes. Results from a total of 19 out of the‎ 23 local government areas in the state were turned in as of 2.26pm today(Monday)

Presidential election results for Kogi state - APC wins

As announced by the VC of University of Abuja, who is the Returning Officer for Kogi state AA - 700 ACPN - 1,089 AD - 427 ADC - 761 APA - 1,001 *APC - 264,851* CPP - 967 HOPE - 144 KOWA - 190 NCP - 399 PDP, 149, 987 PPN - 476 UPD - 180 UPP - 156 Total valid vote - 421, 328 Rejected votes - 17, 959 Total votes cast - 439, 287

Presidential election results for Enugu state - PDP Wins

As announced by the VC of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Prof. Hilary Edoga who is Returning Officer for Enugu state.. AA - 441 ACPN - 479 AD - 269 ADC - 478 APA - 715 APC - 14, 157 CPP - 237 HOPE - 110 KOWA - 203 NCP - 761 *PDP - 553, 003 (PDP wins)* PPN - 407 UDP - 1,623 UPP - 290 Total valid vote cast - 573, 173 Rejected votes - 12,459 Total vote cast - 585, 632

Pope Sends Money To Nigerian Families Affected By Boko Haram

It is reported that Pope Francis today March 27th donated money from the Italian church offerings to Nigerian families affected by Boko Haram activities in the north according to Vatican press, Pope Francis referred to the money as a "tangible sign of solidarity" to the affected families, adding that the Pope does not "forget their suffering,". They didn't say how much exactly he donated. This is coming barely a week after the pope sent a warm letter of encouragement to Nigerians

Breaking News: Germanwing Co-pilot Deliberately Crashed The Plane

Photo: CNN

According to breaking news report, the co-pilot of the doomed Germanwing flight deliberately crashed the plane on March 24th, this is according the chief investigator. He said the Chief pilot asked the co-pilot to take over the controls of the plane so he could go ease himself. While alone, the co-pilot deliberately initiated the descent of the Germanwings flight. He used a button to cause the plane to crash. The co-pilot has been identified as 28 year old Andreas Lubitz from Germany.

Ondo Deputy Governor Decamps APC

Some days after the Rivers state deputy governor defected to PDP from the APC, Ondo state Deputy Governor, Ali Olanusi has defected from PDP to APC just two days to the general elcetions. He announced his defection this morning March 26th in Akure, the state capital.

Jonathan, Buhari In Private Meeting In Abuja

President Goodluck Jonathan is currently meeting with Muhammadu Buhari, presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), behind closed doors. The meeting, which started at exactly 9:10 am, is holding at the Sheraton hotels, Abuja. The meeting is coming just two days before the presidential and national assembly elections slated for March 28. Believed to be connected with the election, it was said to have been brokered by the national peace committee chaired by Abdulsalami Abubakar, who was also seen in attendance with other personalities.

Photos: Pres. Jonathan And Buhari Embrace As They Sign Peace Accord This Morning

President Jonathan and APC presidential candidate Gen. Buhari were photographed hugging each other at a peace accord signing in Abuja this morning ahead of Saturday's election. The meeting was put together by the national peace committee chaired by Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar.

Saudi Arabia Launches Yemen Strikes

Saudi Arabia launches air strikes in Yemen against Houthi rebels to protect "the legitimate government", the Saudi ambassador in the US has said.

Nigerian Troop Restrains Two Aljazeera Journalists

The Nigeria Defence HQ said troop in the trouble area, Maiduguri  have retrained two Aljazeera journalist for loitering around the areas where military operation against the Nigeria militant group, boko haram is going on.

Press statement from Defence Headquarters    
below...
Two journalists working for Aljazeera Television who were found to have been loitering around areas where military operations are ongoing in the North East have been restrained in Maiduguri. The journalists, Ahmed Idris and Mustafa Andy who were noted to have been moving around various locations including restricted areas in Yobe and Borno State were also operating without any protection, accreditation or due clearance.
They were accordingly monitored by military intelligence operatives until they eventually had to be restrained to their hotel in Maiduguri. This followed the increasing suspicion that their activities were aimed at interfering with the ongoing military operations in the area. The motive, activities and some material in possession of these individuals are now being investigated. It will be recalled that foreign journalists have earlier been cautioned against unauthorized and unprotected movements around the military operations area. This warning is hereby reiterated until formally reversed or lifted. Appropriate arrangements will however continue to be made to assist duly cleared journalists to cover activities in the mission area within the limits of adequate safety, security & necessary procedures.

Photo: MI's Buys Car For Manager

 
The famous Naija rapper, MI shared the photo on instagram and wrote "My manager gave his car to his church. I thought it was the most sacrificial thing I had seen in a while. He is the most amazing manager and brother. He deserves all the blessings in life he receives.. And here's my little contribution. Thanks Abuchi for everything." Congrat to Abuchi!

Nigeria Shuts All Borders Ahead Of Presidential Election

The Ministry of Interior Affairs has announced the closure of all land and sea borders ahead of Saturday’s presidential elections. According to a statement released and signed by the Ministry's permanent secretary, Abubakar Magaji, the closure takes effective from midnight today Wednesday March 25, to midnight Saturday, March 28. The statement says the closure is “to allow for the peaceful conduct of the forthcoming national election". A directive has been given to the Immigration service to ensure that non Nigerians do not participate in the elections.

Photo: Imagine Being Photobombed By Kanye, Kim and North West

According to LIB, 29 year old Alice Bamford took a photo with her baby outside Nobu restaurant in LA on Sunday afternoon, completely unaware that she was being photobombed by one of the world's most famous families - Kim, Kanye and their cute daughter, North West. The West family didn't know they were being photographed, otherwise they would probably have looked all lovey-dovey instead of looking pissed. Alice shared the photo on instagram.

Again! 10 Executive Eommittee Members Of APC In Adamawa Defect To PDP

 
As the election draws closer, another set of Ten executive members of APC in Adamawa state defected to PDP this morning March 24th. The APC members said they were moving over to PDP so as to give support to the PDP governorship candidate in the state, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu. Their defection was announced at Adamawa PDP Secretariat by the publicity secretary of the APC, Padio Phineas.

German Plane, Carrying 148 Persons, Crashes In France

Germanwings flight with at least 142 passengers and crew of six goes down in the Alps region, French sources say. Details later.

UPDATE:

A jet, an Airbus A320 belonging to the German airline Germanwings, a subsidiary of Lufthansa airliner has crashed in the French Alps between Barcelonnette and Digne, French aviation officials and police have said. The plane, flight 4U 9525, had been en route from Barcelona to Dusseldorf with 142 passengers and six crew on board.

French President Francois Hollande has described the crash was as a “tragedy” and called for solidarity with the victims. "The conditions of the accident, which have not yet been clarified, lead us to think there are no survivors," he said.

It was reported that the plane issued a distress call at 10:47 (09:47 GMT), according to sources quoted by AFP news agency.However, Lufthansa chief executive, Carsten Spohr has responded to the incident. In one of his tweets "We do not yet know what has happened to flight 4U 9525. My deepest sympathy goes to the families and friends of our passengers and crew.

He also tweeted "If our fears are confirmed, this is a dark day forLufthansa. We hope to find survivors."

In Ukraine Ex-president's Son Drowns

It has been reported that the son of former Ukrainian president, Viktor Yanukovich, has died after his vehicle plunged through ice near the Russian-Mongolian border. Reports say 33-year-old Viktor Yanukovich, who is his father's namesake, was driving at the time of his death.

2015 Election: LASU Announces Compulsory Break For Staff And Students

In view of the forthcoming elections in the country, the management of Lagos state University has taken a precautionary step by announcing a compulsory break for all staff and students of the institution starting from today March 23rd. 
Below is the Press release;
In view of the forthcoming national and state elections scheduled for March 28th and April 11th respectively, the university management of Lagos State University has declared a recess for both staff and students with effect from Monday March 23rd. Students and staff are therefore advised to vacate the campus immediately. The date of resumption will be announced later. Signed management.

2015 Elections: Court Bars Soldiers From Polling Stations

A Federal high court sitting in Lagos has barred the Federal Government from deploring soldiers to supervise the forthcoming general elections.‬ Delivering judgement on a suit filed by Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, a member of the House of Reps representing Surulere Federal Constituency 2 on the platform of the APC against the President, Chief of Defence Staff, Chief Of Army, Chief of Air Force, Chief of Naval Staff and Attorney General of Federation, the presiding judge, Justice Ibrahim Buba said it was unconstitutional to deploy military for the supervision of election purposes without the approval from National Assembly.

I’m Alive, Says Ex-President Shagari

Former President Shehu Shagari has responded to dispels rumour about his death. In his response, the Ex-President says ”I am alive.”. It would be recalled that rumour recently has it that the former president is dead.

Singapore’s Founding Father, Lee Kuan Yew Passes On At 91

It has been reported by various media including The Guardian that Singapore founding father, Lee Kuan Yew, the statesman who transformed Singapore from a small port city into a wealthy global hub, has died at the age of 91. Lee was taken to hospital with pneumonia in early February, following which the government said, on March 18, that he had been placed on intensive care, because his condition had “deteriorated further”, it said. Mr. Lee led Singapore for 31 years and was widely credited with transforming the small port city into today’s global financial hub. He stepped down in 1990 but has remained a key political figure. His son, Lee Hsien Loong, is Singapore’s prime minister and the city state is this year marking 50 years as an independent nation. The government said in late February that Mr. Lee was “sedated and on mechanical ventilation”. It said he had contracted an infection and was being treated with antibiotics. “Mr. Lee Kuan Yew remains critically ill in the ICU and has deteriorated further,” the brief statement from the prime minister’s office said on Wednesday. Lee served as the city-state’s prime minister for 31 years, and continued to work in government until 2011. Highly respected as the architect of Singapore’s prosperity, Mr. Lee was also criticised for his iron grip on power. Under him freedom of speech was tightly restricted and the courts targeted political opponents. The announcement was made “with deep sorrow” by the press secretary of Prime Loong. “The Prime Minister is deeply grieved to announce the passing of Mr. Lee Kuan Yew, the founding Prime Minister of Singapore,” his office said in a statement. It said Mr. Lee passed away peacefully at the Singapore General Hospital at 03:18 local time on Monday (19:18 GMT on Sunday). A charismatic and unapologetic figure, Mr. Lee co-founded the People’s Action Party, which has governed Singapore since 1959, and was its first prime minister. The Cambridge-educated lawyer led Singapore through merger with, and then separation from, Malaysia – something that he described as a “moment of anguish”. Speaking at a press conference after the split in 1965, he pledged to build a meritocratic, multi-racial nation. But tiny Singapore – with no natural resources – needed a new economic model. Through investment in schooling, Mr. Lee set about creating a highly educated work force fluent in English. He reached out to US investors to turn Singapore into a manufacturing hub, introducing incentives to attract foreign firms. Singapore also became a centre for the oil-refining industry. The city-state grew wealthy and later developed into a major financial centre. But building a nation came with tight controls – and one of Mr. Lee’s legacies was a clampdown on the press. These restrictions remain today. In 2014, Singapore stood at 150 in the Reports without Borders World Press Freedom Index, below countries like Russia, Myanmar and Zimbabwe.

Polls Won’t Be Shifted Again – Jonathan

President   Goodluck Jonathan has assured Nigerians that the polls re-scheduled to hold on March 28 and April 11, 2015, would not be shifted again. The President gave the assurance in his closing remarks during the presidential debate, which held in Abuja. The debate was organised by the Nigerian Elections Debate Group. Jonathan and 11 other presidential candidates participated in the debate. The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) was absent. The President, according to Punch during his last presidential media chat, said that the INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, never informed him of his decision to postpone the polls after he (Jega) received a letter from the National Security Adviser calling for six weeks postponement of the elections. Jonathan, on Sunday, thanked Nigerians for showing interest in the electoral process and assured that there would be no cause to postpone the elections again.