
Nigeria: CITAD – Press Statement – We Condemn President Muhammadu Buhari’s Comments on Ballot Box Snatching (19.02.2019)






“People never lie so much as after a hunt, during a war, or before an election.”– Otto von Bismark
Well, again, just like in previous elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has postponed hours in advance of the supposed polls for the General Election, which was supposed to happen today in Nigeria. The INEC have postponed it until the 23rd February 2019. That is just another week.
I’m not awaiting a Nigerian Prince offering a big million price, if the International Community sends money to finalize the operations of this General Election. The INEC surely has their reasons. They did the same in 2015, when the scheduled elections was supposed to be held on the 14th February 2015, but instead was done on the 28th March 2015. This was the elections for the National Assembly and Presidential Elections. The other polls was on other dates, but held later, than previously broadcast. Therefore, the Nigerians has seen this before. Like it also saw in 2011, when on the eve of the National Assembly Election on the 2nd April 2011, the INEC postpone the elections, which was scheduled for 2nd April and 9th April for the Presidential Election. These was postpone to the 9th April 2011 and 16th April 2011. They we’re doing the same they did today. Postpone the elections one week on the eve of the General Elections. This is a tactic and staged affair. Clearly, they are doing the same as they have done before. Since, they have prepared it all, but still has to postpone the polls.
As we havvev seen it before, we can wonder if this a 419 from the INEC. If they are rigging or fixing the results and needs more time. As I have even seen spreadsheet of results of the 2019 Elections. They are surely not proclaimed or the real deal, but that initiate speculations and questionable affairs behind the scenes.
That the incumbent President Buhari states this too, doesn’t help the concerned: “I am deeply disappointed that despite the long notice given and our preparations both locally and internationally, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) postponed the Presidential and National Assembly elections within hours of its commencement. Many Nigerians have traveled to various locations to exercise their right to vote, and international observers are gathered. INEC themselves have given assurances, day after day and almost hour after hour that they are in complete readiness for the elections. We and all our citizens believed them. This administration has ensured that we do not interfere in any way with the work of INEC except to ensure that all funds were released to the commission” (Buhari, 16.02.2019).
While he was busy stating that, others had this to say: “Events surrounding the postponement of the Nigerian presidential elections previously scheduled for today February 16, 2019 is confirmation that IPOB decision to lift the boycott was a masterstroke that took the cabal by surprise. The move by IPOB apex leadership to call off the boycott made it virtually impossible for Jubril and his handlers to proceed to rig the elections on the account that IPOB boycotted the polls. It is now clear for the world to see that some nefarious elements within the corridors of power in Aso Rock wanted so desperately for IPOB to boycott these elections in order to justify their already perfected script that our boycott made it possible for them to emerge victorious. By calling off the boycott, Jubril and his cabal lost the initiative and were headed straight for defeat” (IPOB – ‘IPOB Press Statement: The Fear Of IPOB Is The Beginning Of Wisdom’ 16.02.2019).
Also, the Independent Service Delivery Monitoring Group (ISDMG) stated this: “At about 0250 hours today, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced the postponement of the 2019 general elections by one week. This was announced in a short press briefing by Professor Mahmood Yakubu, the INEC Chairman. The announcement came just a few hours to the opening of polls. You may recall of similar postponement by 5 weeks towards the 2015 general elections.
The reasons for the postponement according to the INEC Chairman is based on logistical reasons which should be reviewed and the need to conduct a free, fair and credible elections and consequently, the Presidential and National Assembly elections will now hold on the 23rd of February, 2019 while governorship, state houses of assembly and FCT Council elections will now hold on the 9th of March 2019. CTA recognises that this is not the best of times for INEC, the Civil Society and citizens who have invested time and resources to make this election happen. In our opinion, this postponement is in the best interest of the country rather than having staggered elections which would not have guaranteed a free, fair and credible election. We note the challenges that INEC has to surmount such as; the recent burning of INEC offices and materials in some parts of the country and reports of disappearance of sensitive materials, deployment of adhoc staff, and other such challenges that would have marred the credibility and outcome of the 2019 general elections. We urge all stakeholders to remain calm and not be deterred by this necessary set back towards getting it right. CTA recalls that” (ISDMG, 16.02.2019)-
While Buhari is sorry for the inconvinence is sparks by postponing it. The IPOB says this stops the possible charade and rigging machine of him. While the ISDMG thinks this secures the logistics and procedural needs for the upcoming elections. The stark contrast between the President, Opposition of Biafra and the Civil Society is striking. They are living worlds apart, but sharing the same news from the Electoral Body. That is very unique and special. They are all receiving the same news and statements from the INEC, but they are seeing it with a whole different perspective.
There is also statements going back and fourth between the Presidents own Party the APC who claims the PDP is up to something, while the PDP claims the APC is up to something. We all know what that something is, that is the rule of thumb, which in this instance is the famous electoral rigging. Securing a victory without counting the ballots properly or announcing the real results. But announcing and proclaiming forged results in your favour. That is what the APC Party does and what the PDP are doing too.
Which is why a person like me, an total outsider, wonder if this whole is just another 419. Another scam. Another play for the gallery to get legitimacy and secure the man in-charge. To get the validated post and office and screw over the citizens. That all parties are just playing along. Awaiting their pay-check and possible kick-backs, while the citizens are made a fool. However, that is just me. Carry-on, please, Peace.


China Merchants Port Holdings controls the controversial 1,150-hectare Port of Hambantota, which Sri Lanka handed over to China on a 99-year lease.
HONG KONG, China, February 13, 2019 – One of the world’s largest port operators has sued a Chinese state enterprise in Hong Kong over infringement of its exclusive port agreement with a strategically located African nation, in the city’s first court case involving China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
FactWire (www.FactWire.org) has obtained a legal filing by United Arab Emirates’ DP World (FRA: 3DW) at the Hong Kong High Court against China Merchants Port Holdings Company Ltd (HKEX 0144), accusing it of causing the Djibouti government to revoke the firm’s exclusive right to run the country’s ports.
Hong Kong-based China Merchants Port Holdings, a subsidiary of state enterprise China Merchants Group, deals mainly in the construction of ports, marine container logistics and operating container terminals.
It has actively participated in large-scale port infrastructure projects in multiple countries under China’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative in recent years.
China Merchants Port Holdings controls the controversial 1,150-hectare Port of Hambantota, which Sri Lanka handed over to China on a 99-year lease.
Its inroads into Djibouti, located strategically between the Arabian Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, has for years been at the centre of legal disputes between the African nation and the UAE state enterprise.
In the writ of summons filed to the Hong Kong court in August last year, DP World accused the company for causing the Djibouti government to nationalise the Doraleh Container Terminal, despite the 30-year concession agreement that allowed DP World to exclusively run the terminal.
DP World, which operates 78 ports in 42 countries including Terminal 3 in Kwai Chung, Hong Kong, said under its agreement with the Djibouti government, it would have “full and exclusive right to establish, develop, and operate the Doraleh site”.
The concession agreement also said Djiboutian authorities cannot grant concessions for any other port capable of handling ocean-going vessels or free zone facilities within the country for the duration of the agreement.
The concession agreement took effect in February 2004 for a period of 30 years with the option for two 10-year renewals.
Joint-venture company Doraleh Container Terminal S.A. (DCT) was created to develop and operate the terminal.
The Djibouti government held 66.66 percent of DCT’s shares under state enterprise Port Autonome International de Djibouti (PAID), while DP World held 33.34 percent through its subsidiary Dubai (International) Djibouti FZE (DID).
Despite being a minority shareholder, DP World had the right to appoint most board members of DCT, thereby retaining control of the company’s operations and management.
Two years later, both parties signed a 2006 Concession Agreement in which DID relinquished their role in the development of the Doraleh Container Terminal.
However, DID’s exclusivity right over other port and free zone projects remained in full force.
Economic hindrance
Doraleh Container Terminal commenced operations on February 2009 but the Djibouti government began expressing dissatisfaction with its agreement with DP World.
It said the concession agreement “gave a foreign company the opportunity to oppose the fundamental interests of the Republic of Djibouti by hindering its economic and social development process”.
Three years later in 2012, China Merchants Port Holdings began negotiating a partnership with Djiboutian authorities over the development of ports and free-trade zone projects in the nation. In July that year, they signed a strategic partnership agreement.
The Chinese firm is a direct competitor of DP World and was actively looking to invest in ports to strengthen its position in East Africa.
Djiboutian authorities sold 23.5 percent of its shares in DCT to China Merchants Port Holdings, effectively allowing the Chinese firm to hold 15.67 percent of the shares, contradicting the concession agreement, the legal filing said.
With China Merchants Port Holdings acquiring an indirect shareholding in DCT, Djibouti was bypassing its contractual obligations and implementing its partnership with the Chinese firm, the filing said.
In 2014, China Merchants Port Holdings and Djibouti decided to build Doraleh Multipurpose Port next to the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Support Base in Djibouti.
Chinese firms China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation Ltd and China State Construction Engineering Corporation began construction on the multipurpose port in the same year.
Operations at this port began in mid-2017, also in contradiction of the agreement between Djibouti and DP World, the UAE firm said.
At the multipurpose port’s launching ceremony, the Djibouti government signed a deal with China Merchants Port Holdings to build a new Doraleh International Container Terminal, to be located between the Doraleh Container Terminal and the multipurpose port.
New Shekou
According to the official Belt and Road Initiative website, the then Executive Director and Vice Chairman of China Merchants Port Holdings Hu Jianhua suggested plans to build a new port to Djibouti president Ismail Omar Guelleh in 2013.
Hu’s proposal was to build a new Shekou, part of the China (Guangdong) Pilot Free Trade Zone, complete with a new port, a free trade area and to transform an old port terminal into a business and residential centre.
The website said China Merchants Port Holdings invited Guelleh and other Djibouti stakeholders to inspect the “thriving” Shekou port. It said by learning about the history of Shekou, Djibouti will decide to cooperate with China Merchants.
According to DP World’s legal filing, Djibouti attempted to revoke DP World’s exclusive agreement by using allegations of corruption, while it developed its partnership with China Merchants Port Holdings on various projects.
In 2012, Djibouti sued Abdourahman Boreh, a former presidential confidante who was involved in the negotiation and execution of the agreement between DP World and Djibouti, for corruption at the High Court of England and Wales. The case was thrown out.
Djibouti again sued Boreh in 2017 at the London Court of International Arbitration for bribery and those charges were again dismissed. The court found no corruption was involved.
Nevertheless, Djiboutian authorities seized control of the Doraleh Container Terminal on February 22, 2018 and transferred concession staff and assets to Societe de Gestion du Terminal (SGTD), a public company created to manage the terminal.
“SGTD, whose sole shareholder is the State of Djibouti, has successfully taken over the operations of the Doraleh container terminal,” the Djibouti government had said in a press release, which highlighted the unfairness of its concession agreement with DP World.
“The implementation of this concession agreement was severely prejudicial to the fundamental interests of the Republic of Djibouti, to the development of the country and to the control of its most strategic infrastructure asset.”
DP World in February last year sued Djibouti at the London Court of International Arbitration over the takeover of the terminal.
Seven months later, the court ruled in favour of DP World and stated that its agreement with Djiboutian authorities is still valid and binding.
DP World, China Merchants Port Holdings and Djiboutian authorities did not respond to FactWire’s questions.
Strategic placement
An International Monetary Fund report said Djibouti’s external public debt to GDP ratio has already reached 85 percent.
At the end of 2016, 32 percent of this debt was owed by the central government. Sixty-eight percent consisted of government-guaranteed debt of public enterprises, 77 percent of which was owed to China’s EximBank, which is directly under China’s State Council.
In other words, the debt that Djibouti owes China is about 44 percent of its GDP.
Located on the Horn of Africa, Djibouti’s strategic location by the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, which acts as a gateway between the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea and the adjacent Suez Canal, makes it a desirable location for foreign military bases.
China’s first overseas military base was set up there in 2017.
The US established their base in Djibouti following the attacks on Sept 11, 2001.
It is also home to French and Japanese military bases.
Read More Here: factwire.org/single-post/2019/02/10/Legal-battle-for-control-of-Djibouti-ports-comes-to-Hong-Kong (https://bit.ly/2E2ecns)
Video: https://www.facebook.com/factwireworld/videos/2306575722708744/ (https://bit.ly/2S0TjwR)



“If you had yourself cloned, who exactly, would be your parents? Can you raise yourself? I guess so. And it might be fun. Just think, by the age of six you’d be driving yourself to school.”– George Carlin
There is something magnificent when George Lucas and Lucasfilm are making their Nollywood edition. That is happening after Disney brought Lucasfilm shows how they want to hit new markets. Now they have made another version of their movies, I just wonder who will be the Darth Vader, who will be Han Solo and who will be the voice of 3CPO.
However, this is the tweet, Buhari saying he is not cloned:
“One of the questions that came up today in my meeting with Nigerians in Poland was on the issue of whether I‘ve been cloned or not. The ignorant rumours are not surprising — when I was away on medical vacation last year a lot of people hoped I was dead” – President Muhammadu Buhari (02.12.2018).
So, there been rumors that Muhammadu was Jubril and that he was really from Sudan. That he was the Sudanese Prince or whatever who covered from the death of Buhari. That he came to planet earth to be the clone and takeover the role of the President. However, that is all rumors.
It wasn’t a long time ago, when the Nigerian Social Media wanted it to be Coup d’etat in Cameroon too. So the Social Media in Naija is off the chain. They are now on some Science Fiction, some Face-Off, Star-Wars and Star-Trek kind of stories.
That is why the President has to embarrass himself and say he is not a clone, that he is not Jubril of Sudan. All of this is really impressive, that this wasn’t a 419. It should have been, but this is instead a Naija Science Fiction. This should be made movie by the Teco Benson or Dickson Iroegbu, who could make this into a fantastic movie. It would even hit the Oscars and possibly become nominated for the best Foreign Film.
Because, who wouldn’t enjoy and have a fun experience, seeing someone playing both Muhammadu Buhari or Jubril of Sudan acting as the Nigerian President. That would have been a kick-ass story.
Clearly, the best one would be being Jubril in Parliament enacting a law and looking into the frame saying: “I dey fine” and grinning. While the audience know he is the clone of Buhari. Peace.

