President Jonathan: A New Government Coming Next Year

In a speech that is bound to catch his allies, foes and watchers of his administration by surprise, President Goodluck Jonathan today assured Nigerians that a different government and leadership would be installed in Nigeria in 2015.

Mr. Jonathan made the surprise statement at a “Democracy Day” church service held Sunday in Abuja.

Before the president’s speech, the head of the Nigeria Pilgrims Commission, Reverend John Kennedy Opara, had set the tone when he told the gathering that this year's Democracy Day would be the last to be celebrated by Mr. Jonathan.

International Community Must Intervene: Jonathan Government Not Capable Of Countering The Menace Of Violent Islamic Sect - Soyinka

The government of President Goodluck Jonathan was not capable of countering the menace of the violent Islamic sect, Boko Haram, says the Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka

Speaking on Amanpour on CNN, Soyinka submitted that the international community must intervene in what he called the bestiality of the insurgents when responding the question of the host, Christine Amanpour on how the insurgency in the country could be tackled.

“This menace has to be internationalised; every country has to be involved in finding solutions to the problem. It is not a Nigerian problem but the problem of the whole world. From the activities of the group and the response of the government since this madness started, it is clear that this government cannot handle this problem alone,” he said.

Soyinka accused both the past and the present governments in the country of living in self denial, by believing that they could negotiate or “appeal” to “murderers and killers” to stop their activities.

Ateke Tom, Ex-Niger Delta militant to contest 2015 governorship election in Rivers state

Governorship campaign posters of ex-Niger Delta militant, Ateke Tom has flooded major roads and streets in Port Harcourt. Tom, who hails from Okrika Local Government, hometown of Nigeria’s First Lady, Patience Jonathan, has become the second obvious candidate aiming for the Brick House in Port Harcourt after the numerous endorsement of Supervising Minister of Education, Nyesom Wike by PDP stakeholders in the state.

The posters, which were seen around Aba Road, Garrison Bus Stop, CFC, Artillary and the ever busy Rumuola Junction has the picture of the ex-Militant with the inscription: “For 2015 Governor Rivers State, Vote Chief Comr. Ateke Tom”. Though the posters do not bear the name or logo of any political party, sources hinted that he would be running under the PDP.

President Jonathan, Pope Francis brainstorm on inter-faith dialogue

Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan and Pope Francis yesterday at the Vatican discussed the promotion of inter-faith dialogue in Nigeria and other parts of the world to foster greater global peace and security.

Speaking to journalists after his private meeting with Pope Francis, Jonathan described inter-faith dialogue as a cause to which the pontiff was very committed.

The president said his administration was already working in close collaboration with Cardinal John Onaiyekan who was the team leader for the effort towards strengthening inter-faith dialogue in Nigeria.