Rivers Crisis: Elders Fault President Tinubu‘s Intervention, Describe Truce As Executive Rascality

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December 20, 2023

By Akinwale Kasali

Mixed Reactions have continued to trail President Bola Tinubu’s intervention in the crisis rocking the Rivers State House of Assembly and the face off between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike.

The truce reached between the warring parties courtesy President Tinubu’s reconciliatory meeting has been described as executive rascality by former Rivers State Governor, Rufus Ada-George, and former Deputy Governor, Gabriel Toby.

The duo who are leaders in Rivers State said they reject the truce in its entirety, and expressed concern that the intervention may have worsened the crisis in the State.

At an emergency meeting in which a communique was issued in Port Harcourt, Rivers State Capital, the Elders said though they had previously called on the President to intervene in the feud between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike and Governor Fubara, they are at a loss as to whether his ‘intervention has solved the problem or escalated it’.

The communiqué was signed by former military administrators of the State, Godwin Abbey and Ibim Princewill, former spokesman of the Pan Niger Delta Forum, Chief Sara-Igbe, Second Republic Senator, Bennett Birabi, and Niger Delta activist, Ms. Annkio Briggs, among others.

The Elders, according to the communiqué, said Tinubu’s directives for the resolution of the political impasse in the State contravened the Constitution which he swore to uphold at all times.

It reads: “The directives unilaterally suspended the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by virtue of an attempt to reverse a court order recognising Edison Ehie as the speaker and directing that the remainder of members of the House of Assembly constituted the quorum for legislative business.

“That the directive also contravenes the hallowed doctrine and practice of separation of lowers, particularly as it affects the responsibility of the judiciary.

“Can Mr President or the Executive Arm of Government overrule the decisions of Courts of competent jurisdiction?

“This portends executive rascality which undermines our constitutional democracy, rule of law and good governance.

“The directives to the parties were one-sided in favour of Chief Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and at the detriment of the Governor, Siminialayi Fubara, and the good people of Rivers State.

“In the eyes of the law and due process, as evidenced by the Rivers State High Court decision, Martins Amaewhule and his team have ceased to exist in the State House of Assembly having defected to another political party, and, therefore, cannot be reinstated and remunerated through the back door.

“It is the duty of the Executive arm of Government to provide accommodation for legislators in a constitutional democracy as exemplified by the FCT Minister with respect to the National Assembly.

“It is, therefore, hypocritical to suggest, that the Rivers State House of Assembly under Martins Amaewhule could sit anywhere of their choice, whereas, in Abuja, it is the FCT Minister, on behalf of the executive arm that provides accommodation for Federal Legislators ”.

The duo, however, argued that the directive to re-present the budget passed and signed into law is an attempt to ridicule and denigrate the Office of the Governor and the good people of the State, including the Judiciary.

They added, “In public administration parlance, a person can exit service either by resignation, sack, voluntary retirement or death. It is, therefore, preposterous for the President to direct that the people who have exited service for personal reasons be re-absorbed.

“The Forum enjoined all responsible citizens of Rivers State to rise up in this our moment of truth, to salvage the soul of Rivers State. Our fathers fought for the creation of Rivers State, we will stand to defend it.

“When injustice and criminality become law and a way of life in the polity, resistance becomes a duty.

“Finally, the Forum condemns in its entirety, the directives for the resolution of the political crisis in Rivers State. Nigeria is a constitutional democracy where only the courts can order the reversal of acts done or carried out under the provisions of the law.

“Therefore, any resolution or directive that intends to undermine the principle of separation of powers and the rule of law is unacceptable, null and void and will be resisted, using all constitutional means at our disposal.”

Fmr Ogun Gov Amosun Tackles Oshiomole, Says APC Under Him Conducted Worst Party Primaries

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Ayodele Oni

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December 20, 2023

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By Ayodele Oni

The brickbats between former governor of Ogun state, Ibikunke Amosun and his Edo state counterpart, Adams Oshiomole continues as Amosun said the worst party primaries of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), was conducted while Oshiomole served as national chairman.

Oshiomole, now a senator had at a book launch in Abuja accused Amosun and former Ekiti state Governor, Kayode Fayemi for being behind his removal as APC national chairman among other allegations.

Reacting through a statement personally signed by him on Wednesday, Amosun pointed out that “It is not in doubt that I have participated fully in the formation and sustenance of our party, the APC, and I can boldly say that the party under Adams Oshiomhole conducted one of the worst primaries in the history of Nigeria’s contemporary politics and ended up shopping for his own enemies, leading to his eventual removal as Chairman of our party.

“Nigerians should not be in a hurry to forget the allegations that preceded the conduct of those primaries and his eventual invitation by the Department of State Service, (DSS), to clarify certain grave allegations.

“If anyone was in doubt that Senator Oshiomhole posed the biggest and most destructive threat to the existence of the APC at that time, and the party’s best bet was to dispose of a canon folder that he was and unfortunately still is.

“His utterances and grandstanding yesterday at an occasion to find solutions to our democratic and party challenges, would have cleared such mindset.”

Describing Oshiomole’s remarks at the book launch as ‘tales by moonlight,’ Amosun stated that “not only was his story fraught with lies, but also because he did not boast the requisite integrity to say the truth.

“The public will remember, soon after Senator Oshiomhole was sworn in as a Senator, he allegedly said members of the 9th Senate had vandalized their offices before leaving, only for him to eat the humble pie and made to apologize later when it was obvious that the allegations were baseless.

“My honest advice to him is to carefully and soberly seat down to take stock of his past so that it will continue to serve as a guide for him in his future public utterances, rather than dragging the names of innocent people into a needless controversy because in Africa, age and leadership are associated with wisdom.”

Rivers Crisis: We Will Resist Tinubu, Wike’s Dictatorial Resolutions

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The Source

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December 20, 2023

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By Chief (Dr.) E. K. Clark (19th December, 2023)

Firstly, I wish to commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for heeding the various calls, including our own, to mediate in the on-going crisis rocking Rivers State by calling Barr. Nyesome Wike to order so as to restore peace and tranquillity in the State and avert any problem similar to that which occurred in 2013, when Barr. Wike was Minister of State Education.

However, the terms of settlement as contained in the Communique issued at the end of the reconciliatory meeting is what is baffling, appalling and unacceptable to the people, especially, the Ijaw ethnic nationality. From the terms of settlement, it is obvious that President Tinubu sees his role as a mediator, to once again, show gratitude to the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), for “delivering” Rivers State to him during the past Presidential elections, having first of gratified him by making him the Minister of FCT.

First Observation:

The composition of the attendees of the meeting was one sided in favour of Nyesome Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), because while Martins Amaewhule, a former Speaker, (because he has automatically lost his seat the very moment he decamped to another political party), was present at the meeting, it would have only been equitable and expedient, for Edison Ehie, the Speaker as affirmed by constitutional provisions and by the granting of the court, to be in the meeting, if there were sincerity of purpose.

The 8 resolutions reached, are the most unconstitutional, absurd and obnoxious resolutions at settling feuding parties that I have ever witnessed in my life. As a matter of fact, some medias captured it very well when they described it as Directives. And for the fact that such thing was done at the Villa, the seat of the Federal Government of Nigeria, is sacrilegious, because any place housing or is a custodian of symbol of authority, ought to be sacred.

It is obvious that Governor Siminialayi Fubara was ambushed and intimidated into submission. President Tinubu should know that with all the powers he possesses, he cannot override the Constitution. From all that transpired at the meeting, the laws of the land have not been obeyed. President Tinubu simply sat over a meeting where the Constitution, which is the fulcrum of his office as President and which he swore to uphold and abide by, was truncated and desecrated.

27 or so members (because the figure is not certain), of the Rivers State House of Assembly left the political party on which platform they were elected. The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is very clear on that. Section 109 is quite clear on that and it says:

A member of a House of Assembly shall vacate his seat in the House if

Being a person whose election to the House of Assembly was sponsored by a political party, he becomes a member of another political party before the expiration of the period for which that House was elected:

Provided that his membership of the later political party is not as a result of a division in the political party of which he was previously a member or of a merger of two or more political parties or factions by one of which he was previously sponsored;

The Speaker of the House of Assembly shall give effect to subsection (1) of this section, so however that the Speaker or a member shall first present evidence satisfactory to the House that any of the provisions of that subsection has become applicable in respect of the member.

Nyesom Wike is quite abreast of these constitutional provisions. He shouted his voice hoarse calling for the removal of persons like David Umahi as Governor of Ebonyi State, Ben Ayade as Governor of Cross River State and Bello Matawalle as Governor of Zamafara State, when they decamped from the PDP on which platform they were elected into office, to the APC, citing the above constitutional provisions. What has changed?

A Court of competent jurisdiction has pronounced Edison Ehie as the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly. That Ruling has not been vacated, and based on that he exercised the duties conferred on him by Section 109 (2) as quoted above, when the 27 or so members openly defected to APC, waving the flags of the party and singing President Tinubu’s campaign songs, from the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP). As at today and going by the Constitution, the Rivers State House of Assembly has four members who are recognised by the laws of the land Therefore, on what premise is Mr. President saying that the 27 decamped members should go back to the House? Under what political party, the PDP or the APC. The directives of Mr. President is absurd and cannot hold water. Mr. President should be aware that Siminialayi Fubara, today, is the elected Governor of Rivers State in the same manner Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the elected President of the country. And as a Governor, Mr. Fubara possesses all the powers as conferred on him by the Constitution.

Re-Submission of the names of Commissioners who have resigned their Appointments:

Another “directive” of Mr. President that the names of the Commissioners who were nominated by Nyesom Wike and who resigned on their own volition, and who have lost their trust in Governor Fubara, should be represented to the Rivers State House of Assembly for clearance to become Commissioners again, is ridiculous. Who is nominating them to become Commissioners again? Is it Mr. President? Was Mr. President thinking that he was mediating in a matter between Nyesom Wike and employees in Nyesom Wike’s private company? Is it what Nyesom Wike means when he talks about “structure”, referring to Rivers State as his personal holdings or enterprise?

Re-Presentation of a Budget already signed and passed into Law:

Another unthinkable “directive” of Mr. President is that a Budget which has been passed into Law, should be represented. It is absolutely ridiculous and unconstitutional.

By President Tinubu’s actions and directives, he has overruled the Constitution of the country; he has shaken the foundation of the country’s democracy. People lost their lives fighting for democracy in this country. Today, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has made of no effect the blood of the freedom fighters shed to salvage this country. He has thrown the country’s democracy fifty years backwards; this is unacceptable. Rather than building a strong system and society, we are building strong, invidious characters, with our national patrimony through corruption and avarice.

By the actions of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, he has really shown his dislike and disdain for the Ijaw people. and confirms his hatred for them. And as the leader of the Ijaws, we will resist it.

Nyesom Wike is not an emperor. For the eight years he was in power as Governor of the Rivers State, he ruled with an iron fist. As Governor, he will not accept such treatment from anyone, as he is spear heading to be meted out to the current Governor of the State, Siminialayi Fubara. Barr. Wike destroyed his opponent’s houses and even threatened to kill them as cried out by Senator Lee Maiba from Ogoni, and Dr. Abiye Sekibo from Okrika

It is still fresh in our memory, how Nyesom Wike, as Minister of State, Education, used federal might to fight the then Governor of Rivers State, Chibuike Amaechi that almost led to the grinding to a halt of governance in Rivers State when the Judiciary was closed down and the House of Assembly was shut down by the then Governor, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi. President Jonathan did not interfere in his action because if he did, he will definitely be breaching Section 5(2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal republic of Nigeria, which President Tinubu has deliberately breached, despite his oath of office to uphold and promote the Constitution. Nyesom Wike is Minister now, and again, he is using the federal government to truncate the wishes of the people of Rivers State. The rule of law in the country is completely truncated by President Tinubu. While it will be noted that presently, the National Assembly is discussing on the Bill of Local Government Autonomy, President Bola Tinubu is directing Governor Fubara to put into effect, a Bill passed by people who are no longer law makers.

The members of the House of Assembly choosing where they will sit to carry out their legislative duties:

It is the duty of the executive to provide legislative accommodation for the Houses of Assembly including the National Assembly, and not the members of the House of Assembly to choose a place to meet. It is in this vein that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in presenting his Budget to the National Assembly, recognised the FCT Minister, Nyesome Nwike, as the land lord, because he is of the executive arm of government. It is the FCT that owns the National Assembly complex and maintains it. It is, therefore, ridiculous and unconstitutional for President Tinubu to direct, in his settlement, that the members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, should meet wherever they want to meet.

We will resist such draconic, arbitrary and unconstitutional action by Mr. President and his customer Nyesom Wike. We will go to court to challenge this so-called one-sided and oppressive action of Mr. President.

On his part, the Executive Governor of Rivers State, Siminialayi Fubara, who has the mandate of the people of Rivers State to govern them for the next four years, has shown feebleness of character, by agreeing and appending his signature on a document containing such absurdity. He has betrayed the people who elected him as Governor and those who stood behind him in this cause. Mr Fubara has shown naivety in his actions; by signing that document, he has signed his death warrant, believing that the President will show him some sort of favours. Mr. Fubara’s mandate is Constitutional and so, he cannot surrender it in the face of intimidation from any quarter. And it is quite unfortunate. Did he go to that meeting to speak and justify his actions, or he went there to take directives from an equally elected President. As Governor of a State and as the Chief Security Officer of the State, he has shown tremendous lack of courage and competence. It will be in his best interest to resign if he cannot govern the State as constitutionally provided, or he may as well decamp and join APC, and be taking directives from Nyesom Wike and President Tinubu on the governance and leadership of the State.

Like I stated earlier, these obnoxious directives will not stand. The people of Rivers State, particularly, the Ijaws, who are in the majority and who have about 11 (eleven) Local Government Areas, out of the 23 Local Government Areas in the State, will resist it. Because by it, President Tinubu has delivered Rivers State to Nyesom Wike as a reward for “delivering” the State to him. I call on the people of Rivers State and indeed all well-meaning Nigerians, to stand up against it, using all Constitutional and legal means, because we do not know the next State in the country that will be affected or pawned to another political customer by President Tinubu, as political patronage. It is absurd, it is draconian. It is transactional. It is a rape of our democracy. The people of Rivers State should remember that it was the same lopsided solution/directive that President Tinubu gave to the people of Ondo State but they resisted and rejected it. Today, the needful has been done in that State.

Bola Ahmed Tinubu would not allow himself to be treated the way he oversaw Mr. Fubara being treated. We all can recall what happened when he governed Lagos State for eight years, and when he successfully resisted President Olusegun Obasanjo’s dictatorial tendencies when he tried to prevent him from creating more Local Government Areas in Lagos State. Nigerians hailed Bola Ahmed Tinubu for standing up to the occasion. That made him to be the undisputed leader of Lagos State. But today, he is overseeing such draconian and authoritarian action as President of the country, giving directives to a Governor to take action on things obviously not in tandem with the nation’s Constitution.

I, Senator Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, as leader of the Ijaw nation, and as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), decided to hold this emergency Press Conference with the full authority of my people. We are prepared to face any consequences that may result in the political crisis in Rivers State. We will resist any attempt subtle, subterranean, convert, overt, to make an elected Ijaw son, Siminialayi Fubara, the Governor of Rivers State, a servant, a stooge to Nyesome Wike, who had boasted that any attempt by the Governor to touch his so-called ‘Wike’s structure’, with the connivance and support of President Bola Tinubu, will be resisted by us.

Like I said, we will go to go court to resist this oppressive action using all available constitutional and legal means. It is on this note I wish to appeal to the youths who are aggrieved, to remain calm, as we will use legal means to dethrone this hydra headed monster, called oppression.

Enough is Enough.

Chief (Dr.) EDWIN Kiagbodo Clark, OFR, CON

Zenith Bank Makes World Finance 100 List

By

James Orji

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December 20, 2023

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Zenith Bank Plc has been listed in the World Finance 100 2023 released by World Finance Magazine, achieving the feat as the only Nigerian company in the prestigious and exclusive listing.

Zenith Bank’s inclusion in this elite list underscores the bank’s outstanding achievements and resilience in a dynamic and competitive global market.

The World Finance 100 celebrates companies that have reached the pinnacle of achievement across a wide variety of fields of expertise. Each year World Finance compiles the list of 100 companies, purely based on excellence in their field. The list presents the new business elite, made up of those whose vision and enterprise shapes the conceptual landscape of finance, business and technology. Notably, Zenith Bank stands as the lone Nigerian company and one of just three African companies to earn a place on this esteemed list for 2023, alongside industry titans such as Apple, Amazon, and Alphabet.

Dr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu, Group Managing Director/CEO of Zenith Bank Plc, remarked, “It is with great pride that we acknowledge this feat as the exclusive Nigerian company in the World Finance 100 2023. This accolade is a testament to our unwavering dedication to our valued stakeholders, our innovative spirit, and sustained growth, all achieved amidst the complexities of a challenging economic climate. This honour further attests to our status as a leading financial institution that continues to set the industry standard in financial performance, good corporate governance and financial stability.”

He expressed his profound gratitude to the Founder and Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, Jim Ovia, CFR, for his visionary leadership and foundational role in shaping a resilient and thriving financial institution. He also acknowledged the board for the outstanding leadership they provide; the staff, whose drive and commitment sustains the exceptional performance; and the bank’s customers for their steadfast trust in the Zenith brand.

Zenith Bank continues to play a pivotal role in Nigeria’s economic development and remains dedicated to providing cutting-edge financial solutions to its diverse clientele. The Bank’s track record of excellent performance has earned the brand numerous awards, with this latest accolade coming on the heels of several recognitions including being recognised as the Number One Bank in Nigeria by Tier-1 Capital, for the 14th consecutive year, in the 2023 Top 1000 World Banks Ranking published by The Banker Magazine

Also, the bank is Nigeria’s Best Commercial Bank, for three consecutive years from 2021 to 2023, in the World Finance Banking Awards; Best Corporate Governance Bank, Nigeria in the World Finance Corporate Governance Awards 2022 and 2023; Bank of the Year (Nigeria) in The Banker’s Bank of the Year Awards 2020 and 2022; Best Bank in Nigeria, for three consecutive years from 2020 to 2022, in the Global Finance World’s Best Banks Awards; Best in Corporate Governance’ Financial Services’ Africa, for four successive years from 2020 to 2023, by the Ethical Boardroom; Most Sustainable Bank, Nigeria in the International Banker 2023 Banking Awards; Best Commercial Bank, Nigeria and Best Innovation In Retail Banking, Nigeria in the International Banker 2022 Banking Awards.

Also, the bank emerged as the Most Valuable Banking Brand in Nigeria in the Banker Magazine Top 500 Banking Brands 2020 and 2021; Bank of the Year 2023 and Retail Bank of the Year, for three consecutive years from 2020 to 2022, at the BusinessDay Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards. Similarly, Zenith Bank was named Bank of the Decade (People’s Choice) at the ThisDay Awards 2020, Bank of the Year 2021 by Champion Newspaper, Bank of the Year 2022 by New Telegraph Newspaper, and Most Responsible Organisation in Africa 2021 by SERAS Awards.

Minister Charges Armed Forces On Loyalty, As Top Generals Retire

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James Orji

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December 20, 2023

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Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru has tasked the nation’s armed forces to support democracy to succeed.

The minister’s charge is contained in a statement signed Wednesday by the Director, Army Public Relations, Brig. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

According to the Army spokesman, Badaru gave the advise at the Regimental Dinner Night organised in honour of newly retired and retiring Nigerian Army senior officers.

The statement said a total of 113 Nigerian Army Generals on Tuesday bowed out of the service, which include one General, one Lieutenant General, 67 Major Generals, and 44 Brigadier Generals.

The minister praised the Nigerian Army as a “shining light’ among the nation’s armed forces, for its support for civil rule, adding that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would ensure that the military’s welfare is taken care of.

Part of the statement said, “The minister charged members of the Armed Forces to remain loyal and sustain the culture of supporting democracy in Nigeria and across the shores.

“He added that the disposition of the Armed Forces towards democracy had made it a shining example in West Africa and an influencer in the comity of nations.

“The minister noted that the occasion provided the Nigerian Army the opportunity to reflect on its service and profound dedication as demonstrated by the retired and retiring senior officers.

“He noted that the Federal Government will continue to do all within its reach to improve the well-being of serving and retired personnel.”

Recall that over 100 top military officers were directed to proceed on voluntary retirement in June this by the Defence Headquarters year following the appointment of new Service Chiefs by President Tinubu.

Illegal Mining: Provost, Asagba Of Asaba Clash

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James Orji

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December 20, 2023

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The Federal College of Education (Technical), Asaba, Delta state says there is no illegal mining going on within the campus.

The school issued the rebuttal on the heels of a recent report credited to a traditional ruler in the state, Asagba of Asaba, Prof. Chike Edozien, to the effect that some companies are illegally mining laterites in the state.

The management of the institution said those mining on its campus were authorized to do so.

Recall also that Dele Alake, the Minister of Solid Mineral Resources recently disclosed that some powerful individuals are behind illegal miners in the country.

Reacting, the Provost of the College, Prof. Josephine Anene-Okeakwa said the monarch had not visited the school to find out whether the mining work going on there is illegal.

She explained that what is being excavated is for the construction of Koka Road for which the company doing the work had approval from the school management, adding that there is the need “to set the record staright.”

The Provost said, “To set the record straight, the Provost said the college authority gave approval place for escavation for the construction of Koka Road and a road behind the college with a view to reclaiming the land thereafter, wondering how a genuine approval will amount to illegal mining.

“They are not miners. Federal College of Education is aware. We gave them the place to escavate for the construction of Koka Road and the road behind the college to reclaim thereafter. Did they try to find out from us? Mr Ofili Mordi, who just came back from where he went to, jumped into selling our land, and claimed that Asagba of Asaba is aware.

“Does Asagba of Asaba have the mandate to sell Federal Government Land that has a master plan and is lodged with the Town planning? Their write-up and postings are to scare us and confuse people because they know we are aware. The Federal Government is aware of all our activities as I cannot embark on any illegal act.

“We don’t want to join issues with the Asagba of Asaba because he is our father and we respect him. But he should warn those who are using his name to cause embarrassment to the college to desist forthwith as we will not take it lightly with any one bent on dragging the name of the college and my person to the mud,” Anene-Okeakwa stated.

Monarch Condemns High Cost Of Flight Tickets To South East, Calls Out Air Peace

By

The Source

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December 20, 2023

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A South East Traditional Ruler, His Royal Majesty, Eze-Igwe Williams Ezugwu, has strongly condemned the high cost of flight tickets to southern Nigeria, particularly the South East, calling for presidential intervention to end the ugly trend.

Eze-Igwe Ezugwu, who spoke in a statement issued in Abuja, called out the Chairman of Air Peace, Allen Onyema, saying that “it is unfortunate that airlines owned or controlled by South Easterners like Air Peace is also involved in this marginalisation of Igbos in Nigeria.

He argued that “in the days of Triax Airlines founded by Igbo philanthropist, Prince Arthur Eze, the defunct Enugu based domestic airline that operated between 1992 – 2000 would have taken Igbos home for free.

“Here is the Chairman of Air Peace, Barr Allen Onyema, priding himself as a rescuer who donates aircrafts for free to airlift Nigerians abroad but has joined in the unholy treatment of Igbos by transport companies and airlines owners, especially at festive seasons.

“How can it be cheaper to fly from Abuja or Lagos to Borno State than flying from Abuja to Enugu or Owerri?

“Why should it be cheaper to fly to Ghana from Nigeria than going to South East?”, he asked.

Urging the President to intervene, he said, “I think the attention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should be called to this deliberate acts by airlines against southern Nigeria, particularly the South East.

“The Igbos are already bleeding under economic and political marginalisation in Nigeria and the airlines are worsening the situation. Today, even the well-to-do south easterners cannot breathe as a result of the high cost of airline tickets.

“If other airlines are unnecessarily expensive, Air Peace should not have joined in this deliberate inflation of flights tickets to South East”, the monarch said

Female High Court Judge Kidnapped, Police Orderly Killed

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Adesina Soyooye

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December 20, 2023

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By Adesina Soyooye

A Judge of the Akwa Ibom High Court, has been kidnapped. The Honourable Justice Joy Uwanna was Kidnapped by blood thirsty gunmen with her Police Orderly and driver along Uyo-Okobo Road in the Oron Local Government Area of the State.

However, the Police Orderly was killed during the sad incident.

The Judge, according to Toroscho Eyene the Chairman of the Oron branch of the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, the judge was kidnapped on her way to Uyo after a court sitting. For that the

He association has a meeting with the State Commissioner of Police and the Department of State Services, DSS, for Wednesday, December 20, to discuss the fate of the Judge.

Said Eyene “Yes, the sitting Judge in Oron was kidnapped yesterday (Monday) on her way back to Uyo after a court sitting. By tomorrow, Wednesday, we are moving down to Uyo to meet with the Commissioner of Police, Olatoye Durusinmi and the DSS on the issue.”

PDP Disowns 25 Members Of Rivers Assembly, Says You Are No Longer Our Members

By

Ayodele Oni

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December 19, 2023

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By Ayodele Oni

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has insisted that those 25 members of the Rivers state House of Assembly that decamped to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) cannot return to the party.

Rising from an emergency meeting on Tuesday, in Abuja PDP declared that there is no remedy for the 25 former members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

It explained that by virtue of Section 109 (1)(g) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), the affected former legislators vacated and lost their seats by reason of defection from the PDP, the Party platform upon which they were elected into the House of Assembly.

Acting National Chairman of the PDP Umar Damagum, who stated the position of the Party at a press conference in Abuja, said that the Party insisted that having vacated and lost their seats, the only option available for the former lawmakers, if they wish to return to the House of Assembly, is to seek fresh nomination and re-election on the platform of any political party of their choice.

Damagun further said that the 25 former Rivers lawmakers freely and without any cause, vacated their seats, being fully aware of the consequences of defection from the Party upon which they were elected into the Rivers State House of Assembly without the conditions stipulated by the 1999 Constitution.

“For the avoidance of doubt, there is no division in the PDP at the national or any other level for that matter to justify the defection of the 25 former members of the Rivers State House of Assembly from the Party.

“They therefore vacated their seats for reasons best known to them and cannot return to the House of Assembly without passing through a fresh electoral process in accordance with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the Electoral Act, 2022.

“Moreover, the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly Rt. Hon (Barr) Ehie O. Edison (DSSRS) officially declared the seat of the defected now former members vacant in line with Section 109 (1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

“The Rivers State House of Assembly, having become Functus Officio on the matter cannot re-admit the former lawmakers unless through the channel of a fresh election.

“For emphasis, Section 84 (15) of the Electoral Act, 2022 is clear in providing that no Courts have powers to stop INEC from conducting elections wherever and whenever a vacancy occurs in any electoral constituency.

“For clarity Section 84 (15) of the Electoral Act, 2022 provides that nothing in this section shall empower the Courts to stop the holding of primaries or general election under this Act pending the determination of the suit.”

The PDP restated the call for the conduct of fresh election into the 25 State Constituencies in Rivers State where vacancies have occurred by reason of the defection of the now former members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, pending the determination of any suit in any court.

“Save Us From Avoidable Deaths From Fake Drugs” – Nigerians Urge NAFDAC

By

Akinwale Kasali

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December 19, 2023

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By Akinwale Kasali

Helpless and hapless Nigerians are lamenting the influx of fake products in the market which has resulted in several deaths in the country. They, also, say it raises concerns on the effectiveness of the the Standard Organization of Nigeria, SON, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, FCCPC and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC.

The rise in fake products in the markets has led to a heated debate on Social Media, as Netizens took to X (former Twitter) to vent their anger on the ineffectiveness of NAFDAC in curtailing the widespread of fake products in the market.

The discourse was kicked off by X user, @Aimalohi6, who alerted Nigerians to a certain soy sauce brand that has been seeing a spike in knockoffs lately.

The tweet read in part, “New discovery there is AMOY, AMOYS, AMOI, AMQY, AMOY’c oyster sauce, sesame oil, and soy sauce brands in Nigeria. The original brand is AMOY without the s. Every other brand is fake, good stores are selling the fakes. No idea where to get the original.”

The post gained traction on Monday after several consumers commented on the post by sharing pictures of dupes they bought from supermarkets.

Other tweeps also began to post imitations of popular wine brands, non-alcoholic drinks, chocolates, toothpaste, soap, milk, and other household goods.

Netizens further demanded that a national investigation into the rise in these counterfeit goods be launched by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control as well as other relevant agencies.

“Aside from drinks, ingredients used in cooking can kill us. @NafdacAgency please and please do the needful, AMOY is AMOY no s, c or i. It’s not only drinks you go after, please go after these brands😤😤 AMOY is AMOY help the food industry. @capanigeria,” @Aimalohi6 wrote

Popular Medical Doctor and influencer, Dr Chinonso Egemba, @aproko_doctor also wrote, “Yes, drinking water is perfect for you but giving people fake soda and alcohol is wickedness. There’s a need to clamp down further on these people, this is most likely just the tip of an entire syndicate. No quality control, harmful materials etc.”

Another X user, @enodamade wrote, “It’s time for NAFDAC and SON to rise to the occasion and sanitise our consumption space!

We are dying needless deaths because of these fake products!”

The trend of fake goods being marketed to Nigerian consumers as real has continued to raise concerns in recent times.

Earlier in December, Daniel Benson, a Nigerian Afrobeats singer professionally known as BNXN threatened to call out certain clubs serving fake drinks.

“Respect my health, respect my money. Give me what I pay for. If you don’t have it, don’t bring a fake one. The next club or lounge that does this to me, I promise I will take that microphone from the hypeman and let you know,” he tweeted.

Last week, NAFDAC officials shut down the Cemetery Market in Aba, Abia State and arrested 10 suspects allegedly involved in the production of adulterated beverages.

Speaking with newsmen after the raid, the Director of, the Southeast Zone of NAFDAC, Martins Iluyomade compared the actions of the suspects to terrorism.

He said, “What’s happening here at Cemetery Market, Aba is worse than Boko Haram.

“We saw how many shops were converted into manufacturing centres for all manner of wines, expensive drinks, and revalidation of the expiry date of products.

“We have the cooperation of the state government and so far we have discovered 240 shops used for this illegal manufacturing of fake consumables and about 10 persons have been arrested and the arrests are still ongoing.”