Obama praises Jonathan for conceding defeat

US President Barack Obama praised President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday for conceding defeat in an election that he said showed "Nigeria's commitment to democratic principles."
"President Jonathan has placed his country's interests first by conceding the election and congratulating president-elect (Muhammadu) Buhari on his victory," Obama said in a White House statement.
Buhari won the election by 2.57 million votes official results showed Wednesday, defeating incumbent Jonathan in a close fought race.

"I look forward to working with President Jonathan throughout the remainder of his term, and I thank him for his many years of service and his statesmanlike conduct at this critical juncture," Obama said.
With dissatisfaction rife over insecurity and corruption and the economy faltering as oil revenues dive, voters turned out in force sensing an unprecedented opportunity for change in the weekend election.
"The last few days have shown the world the strength of Nigeria's commitment to democratic principles," Obama said.

"By turning out in large numbers and sometimes waiting all day to cast their votes, Nigerians came together to decide the future of their country peacefully."
After an often bitter campaign that included highly charged rhetoric on both sides, Buhari said he planned to meet with Jonathan soon to plan the transition.

"I urge president-elect Buhari and President Jonathan to repeat their calls to their supporters to continue to respect the election outcomes, focus on unifying the country, and together lead Nigeria through a peaceful transition," Obama said.

Buhari, a 72-year-old former army general who led Nigeria as a military ruler in the 1980s, said the vote had proved the country's "belief in democracy."
Obama also praised Nigeria's Independent National Election Commission (INEC) and its chairman, which he said "deserve special recognition for what independent international observers have deemed a largely peaceful and orderly vote."

Jonathan rewrites history, concedes defeat

President Goodluck Jonathan has etched his name in gold after conceding defeat to former military ruler Muhammadu Buhari, who has become the first opposition candidate to win a presidential election in Nigeria.

The people's General Buhari beat incumbent Goodluck Jonathan by more than 2.5 million votes, final results showed. Following President Jonathan’s telephoned call to his rival to concede defeat; Gen Buhari's supporters took to the streets to celebrate.
Nigerians have generally praised the election and praised the Jonathan for the single act of conceding defeat and avoiding a heat up and confrontation from his supporters with the rival party.
A , "Some called you a weakling, some too soft, some clueless, some dumb, but you are a man Nigeria will not forget for a long time, you avoided bloodshed, allowed peace to reign even when you heard negative utterances, you never went into dirty exchange of words with anybody, you are a gentleman par excellence, a man who gave his best but got nothing at the end. My quiet and cool president (GEJ) your name will be written on Sands of time with a diamond pen. Your stupidity as some think is actually a virtue given to you by God. Unknowingly you saved millions of lives today with the election results because of your acceptance and calmness. God bless you sir and bless Nigeria."

Chukwuma Anthony, a contributor from Facebook said, "History would prove Jonathan to be the BIG winner on this day. By far he proved too sensitive to the wish of the people and I can be proud that in my lifetime I witnessed a relatively credible, fair election. Whether it's going to be better, we wait and see. But we should all consider the truth about this election; the results shows a great divide based on ethnic and tribal sentiments you claim."

  One contributor in Vanguard Newspaper said, "GEJ has written his name in gold in the history of Nigeria and Africa for allowing a change in the election process (card readers) that made the votes of the people count and also for honourably accepting defeat. He has shown that he is a gentleman and a statesman. He has saved Nigeria from the prophecies of doom and crises even when he has the resources to plunge the nation into darkness. This is a rare trace in the black man's gene that even the president-elect should find exemplary and worth learning from. May God bless him as he turned another page in his life."

"The world is in awe of Jonathan's bravery in defeat and some you can't even get over your ex's for years, you think it is easy to do? Tweeted @Saintlee99

Obert Kingsley said, “Respect respect!!! Some people may translate it to be cowardice, but I translate to be heroic. Your statement, Mr President has automatically humbled me as a person though I celebrated your well deserved victory.”

Boko Haram fighters gather in mass in northeast Nigeria for showdown

MAIDUGURI Residents and an intelligence officer say Boko Haram fighters are massing at their headquarters in the northeast Nigerian town of Gwoza in preparation for a showdown with multinational forces.

A woman trapped there since Gwoza was seized in July told her daughter that Islamic extremists are urging civilians to leave town to avoid being killed in crossfire in an anticipated major battle.

Hajiya Adama said fighters have released some kidnapped and pregnant young women.

An intelligence officer says Boko Haram is surrounding the town with land mines. He confirmed forces from Chad are in the area, speaking on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to speak to the press. Chadian and Nigerian troops in recent weeks have retaken a score of towns held for months by Boko Haram.

AP

Nigerian league champions match called off after attack

ABUJA An opening day fixture of the new Nigeria Premier League season involving champions Kano Pillars has been postponed after armed robbers shot and wounded at least five players.

The League Management Company (LMC) announced that Saturday's match with Heartland was called off because of the attack on Thursday as Pillars travelled to the game in Owerri, eastern Nigeria.

Striker Mohammed Gambo, midfielder Eneji Otekpa and defender Reuben Ogbonnaya were among those who suffered bullet wounds when robbers opened fire after stealing cash and telephones.

"We are still in shock after the robbery," said Pillars defender Isaac Loute.

"They just opened fire at the bus and the bus stopped, the next thing they started asking us to bring out our money, which we did. They collected money and our phones.
"After which they still shot some of our players. We thank God nobody died," he added.

Cameroon prisons overcrowded with Boko Haram suspects

YAOUNDE
Cameroon officials say prisons are overcrowded with suspected Islamic extremists whose insurgency has spilled from Nigeria.

Maroua Central Prison registrar Ngeh Emmanuel said Thursday that 30,000 people have been detained in 25 prisons in Cameroon since May 2014. He says that number is up from 22,000 detained before.

Emmanuel says that more soldiers are needed to stop inmates from endless attempts to break out of jail.
Cameroon Human Rights commission chairman Che Mutta Divine Banda says prisons are crammed with six times more people than their capacity allows.

Neighboring countries increasingly have been drawn into Nigeria's 5-year Islamic uprising, which has killed thousands and driven 1.6 million people from their homes, including across borders into Cameroon, Niger and Chad.

Boko Haram has been recruiting fighters in all three countries.

Nigeria recaptures ten towns from Boko Haram, says government

Nigeria's army recaptured ten towns from Boko Haram, the government said on Thursday, gaining ground in the fight against the Islamist terrorist group.

The north-eastern towns of Gabchari, Abba Jabari, Gajigana, Gajiram, Damakar, Kumaliwa, Bosso, Wanti, Jeram and Karisungul are now back under government control, said spokesman Mike Omeri.
The military already regained control over 19 other towns in the past few weeks, according to the Omeri, whose claims could not be independently verified.

"While the Nigerian military forces are recording several victories against Boko Haram, ... efforts are being intensified by regional bodies to ensure that the scourge is permanently overcome," said Omeri.

Nigeria's army is receiving back-up in the fight against Boko Haram from a multi-national task force, made up of troops from neighbouring Chad, Niger and Cameroon.

Boko Haram, which seeks to establish a caliphate based on its very strict interpretation of Islamic law, has been controlling towns in north-eastern Nigeria spread over an area the size of Belgium.

More than 13,000 people are estimated to have been killed by the insurgents since 2009.

Indonesia moving a Nigerian, 5 other foreigners for execution

A Nigeria and seven convicted drug smugglers will be transferred to an Indonesian prison island this week for imminent execution despite international appeals for clemency, an official said on Monday.

The Nigerian is among five men from France, Brazil, Ghana and Indonesia, and a woman from the Philippines,  will face a firing squad after being moved to Nusa Kambangan prison, Attorney General's Office spokesman Tony Spontana said, without giving exact dates. Six other drug smugglers, including five foreigners, were executed in January at the same prison, located off Indonesia's main island of Java.

Australian death row prisoner Myuran Sukumaran is escorted by police while attending a review hearing in the District Court of Denpasar in Bali.

Among the eight are Andrew Chan, 31, and Myuran Sukumaran, 33, the ringleaders of a group of nine Australians arrested in 2005 for attempting to smuggle 8.3 kilograms (18.3 pounds) of heroin to Australia from the Indonesian resort island of Bali. The seven other members of the group — dubbed the "Bali Nine" by Australian media — have received prison sentences ranging from 20 years to life.

Indonesian President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo has rejected appeals by Australia's government for clemency for Chan and Sukumaran, and vowed not to grant mercy to any other drug offenders because Indonesia is suffering a "drug emergency."

Indonesia has extremely strict drug laws. On January 18, it executed six drug convicts by firing squad, including foreigners from Brazil, Malawi, Nigeria, the Netherlands and Vietnam, brushing aside last-minute appeals by foreign leaders.
There are 133 people on death row in Indonesia, including 57 for drug crimes and two convicted terrorists.