INEC 2015 General Election timetable released

The Independent National Electoral Commission on Friday unveiled the timetable for the 2015 general elections.

According to the timetable, the Presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled to hold on February 14,  2015, will precede elections into the State Houses of Assembly, as well as that of all but four of the 36 states of the federation.

This is because the Anambra State governorship elections was held in November 16, 2013, while the governorship elections for Ekiti and Osun States have been slated to hold on June 21st and August 9th, 2014 respectively.

A statement signed by the Secretary of the Commission, Mrs. Augusta Ogakwu,  in Abuja, also said the commission fixed state assembly and governorship elections for February 28, 2015.

Ogakwu, who said the timetable, was released after the retreat the commission held in Kaduna State, between Tuesday and Friday, explained that the release was done pursuant to the powers conferred on the commission, by the Constitution and the Electoral Act (2010) as amended.

Anti-Gay Marriage Act won’t affect funding – FG

The Federal Government on Friday in Abuja doused apprehensions that the Assent by President Goodluck Jonathan to the Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act 2013, effectively making the provisions of the Act an operative law in Nigeria would not affect funding or have any negative  impact on the fight against the disease in Nigeria.

The Untied States of America has also stated that it would spend about $500 million in 2014 as part of its contribution to the fight against HIV/AIDS in Nigeria.

The Barack Obama administration said it was not going to back out of its funding for the fight against HIV/AIDS in Nigeria as a protest against the Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Act recently signed by President Goodluck Jonathan.

The government in a statement by the Director-General of National Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS, Prof.John Idoko, said although the law has generated much debate and anxiety on the implications of the passage, especially as it affects HIV programming, it would however not affect the crusade and against the disease and funding in Nigeria.

Michelle Obama looks fabulous at 50

The First Lady of the United States of America, Michelle Obama, turned 50 last week Friday, and she did not hide her excitement as she took to twitter to announce, “Excited to join Barack in the 50+ club today… check out my @AARP card!”

Obviously, one of the first birthday gifts she received came from the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), an open 50+ club.

As expected, the First Lady celebrated her milestone birthday in presidential style at the White House on Saturday night – a day after she clocked 50 – with a star-studded guest list, including Samuel L. Jackson, Smokey Robinson and Magic Johnson.

With strict rules to wear comfortable shoes, Smokey Robinson, Samuel L. Jackson, and Rachel Ray danced their butts off at The White House all night.

But not to be outdone, one of the guest stars, Jennifer Hudson, also performed at some point. The Oscar Winner and former American Idol took to her Instagram page just after leaving the party where she allegedly previewed some new music.

Men started eyeing me as a teenager –Munachi Abii

Munachi Abii is a former Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria who later became a rapper. She tells Ademola Olonilua about her career and early days.

What have you been up to lately? You haven’t been in the news recently. Is it a deliberate decision?

Yes it is a deliberate decision. I’d rather be in the news for a good reason. A good reason would be something positive. My video for No Tomorrow just got released, so I’m promoting that.

Speaking of your new song, it seems different from what Muna does. Why is that?

I’m not one to put myself in a box. I started off being a conscious rapper, which I still am, but then I went through a process and  everyone was telling me what they felt was the key to survive in this industry. At first, I let that get to me but then I realised that one only lives once. Why not explore it all but be true to what you love? That is what I am doing; everything that I love. I haven’t changed my style per se, I just expanded. I see myself as a musician not a ‘celebrity’ or a ‘hit of the moment.’ I fuse sounds from all over the world so that other people can feel it too.

Jonathan stops SSS from quizzing Obasanjo

The Presidency may have put on hold its earlier directive to  the State Security Service  to investigate the weighty allegations contained in the controversial letter  written by  former  president Olusegun Obasanjo to  President Goodluck Jonathan in December last year.

Saturday PUNCH learnt that the Presidency decided to halt the investigation of  the issues raised in the former president’s  letter in order to amicably settle the rift between President Jonathan  and his political benefactor.

It was learnt that notable political leaders in the country were already engrossed in moves to bring the President and Obasanjo together.

It was further gathered that security operatives were directed   to stop the investigation as a result of the ongoing efforts in high political circles to broker a truce between the two political figures.

A  source close to the Presidency, who craved anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on behalf of the President, told one of our correspondents in Abuja on Thursday  that the President was more interested in settling his differences with Obasanjo than carrying out the investigation that could deepen the crisis.

“The President was the one that gave the directive but I think another counter directive is in force now; they might not go into investigating all those things in the letter. I think they are making efforts to settle this matter.

“Political elders are intervening in it so the President asked them to stay action on it; so, for now there is nothing on it.

OBJ faction may dump PDP for APC in Ogun

Strong indications emerged yesterday that a faction of the embattled Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) loyal to the former president, Olusegun Obasanjo in Ogun State may join the ruling All Progressives Congress in the state.
This was the conclusion of majority of members after a meeting which held at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, (OOPL), Abeokuta, the state capital. The development had also led to a sharp division among members of the party, who were of the opinion that the move would not benefit the cross-carpeting members.
There has been irreconcilliable differences between Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Prince Buruji Kashamu, the party’s Chairman, Organization and Mobilization in the Southwest.
Before yesterday’s  meeting, leading members of the faction have been romancing the APC, necessitating disenchantment among members.
Sources closed to the meeting told Saturday Sun that the motion for the members of the faction to join the APC in the state was moved by Chief Tayo Odulaja, from Ogun East Senatorial District and was seconded by anotber member.

Omotola acquires choice property

IN what may be described as another moment of glory, popular Nollywood actress, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, has reportedly purchased a multimillion naira property on Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, Ikeja, Lagos.
Though the mother of four, fondly called Omosexy, didn’t disclose the cost of the choice property, she welcomed friends, family members and different homes and orphanages to a party tagged Oyep/Give- and-let-give event on the property during the last Christmas.
In attendance were her husband, Capt. Mathew Ekeinde, CEO, Aquatic jungle; Omowunmi Akinifesi (Oyep Role model 2013); widows and two orphanages, among others.