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Obi@62: Celebrate Me With The Poor, Obi Urges Friends, Well-wishers

July 17, 2023

The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party in the February 25, 2023 election, Peter Obi has urged his friends and well-wishers who wish to celebrate him on his 62 birthday coming up on Wednesday to do so by identifying and touching the lives of the poor around them.

Obi who always marks his birthday with the less privileged in society or with the sick in the hospital said that mood in the country today does not even call for celebration of any kind outside being with suffering masses.

In his pre-birthday wish sent out on Monday, 17, Obi said

“Wednesday 19th July 2023, marks my 62nd Birthday. While I remain immensely grateful to God for His infinite mercies, I still maintain my decision of over 20 years, that I will not celebrate my birthdays in today’s Nigeria, with the current deplorable state of the nation.

“However, some friends, members of the Labour Party, and OBIdient Family and supporters have asked how they can join me in celebrating that day, and even present some gifts. Let me humbly and respectfully appeal to all those who desire to celebrate me with any kind of gifts, to look around them, and extend such gifts to the people in need, especially in these difficult times.

“I urge them to visit hospitals, orphanages, and homes for the aged and people with disabilities, and offer them such generous gifts. They can also visit schools of basic studies in remote areas and support them with the basic amenities they need.

‘Those who wish to do more can visit various IDP camps in different parts of the country. I intend to do the same thing. Aside from sharing my time and resources with the less fortunate people around me, I plan to raise money for schools, hospitals, etc.

“I have already said that the sacrifices for a better Nigeria must now start from us, the leaders and the well-placed. The state of our nation must give us cause to pause and ponder. There is far too much insecurity, violence, and bloodshed. This month alone over 200 lives have been lost to sustained violent attacks in Mangu LGA in Plateau State. Similarly, in Benue State, over 100 lives have been lost in recent times, the latest being 27 persons killed in Adogo Ugbaam, Akpuuna, and Diom communities in Ukum LGA.

“There are also many other cases of kidnappings and killings in different parts of the country. I want to celebrate in a New Nigeria where the lives and properties of citizens will be secure. I want to celebrate in a productive Nigeria that can create opportunities for our youthsI want to celebrate in a Nigeria that works for all and which Nigerians can be proud of. This, and not my birthday, is the true celebration that will be beneficial to all Nigerians.

“As Nigerians, we must always expand our imagination of the Possible, believing as we do that a New Nigeria is POssible”.

South East Waits As APC Set To Pick National Secretary

Ayodele Oni

July 17, 2023

By Ayodele Oni

With the gale of resignations rocking the national leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress, (APC) the coast seems clear for the south east to produce the National Secretary of the party.

With the resignation of Abdullahi Adamu, National Chairman, Sunday night, and the expectation that natioñal secrerary, Iyiola Omisore Sunday night, the two vacancies are likely to be filled before close of work Monday.

Already, the Deputy National Chairman (North), Abubakar Kyari, has stepped into Adamu’s shoes as the Acting National Chairman.

An emergency meeting of the National Working Committee (NWC) is expected to hold on Monday to possibly effect the new changes and prepare for an enlarged one slated for Tuesday and Wednesday. However, Omisore stormed tye Party Headquarters Monday.

A replacement from the South-east east is being favoured for the position of the National scribe. Omisore is from the south west, same zone where the president comes from.

Political watchers are banking on the possibility that in the interest of balancing, and since the South East has not fared well in appointments already made by President Bola Tinubu, the opportunity may be now.

Adamu has been in stormy waters with President Tinubu since the process of picking Presidential candidate for the party started last year.

He had flown a kite then when while the party’s primary was still ongoing he announced former Senate President as consensus candidate of the party.

Just last week, Adamu had denounced candidates for the position of Principal Officers of the National Assembly as they did not receive the blessing of the party.

How Enugu Lawmaker Was Killed By Gunmen

The Source

July 17, 2023

By Charles Igbo

Nelson Sylvester, a young Enugu State Lawmaker, had gone to bed, and was fast asleep when sudden death came calling.

Sylvester, popular as Ofunwa, was the Councillor representing Eha-Olu Ward, Nsukka Local Government Area Legislative Council. But his representation of his people ended in the uncivilised hours of Monday morning when assassins came calling.

On arrival to his house, they wasted no time in raining bullets on it. Shocked, scared, panicky, he made efforts to escape the raining bullets.

Reports say he jumped the wall into his neighbour’s premises. But it was in vain.

Apparently, the bullets caught him as he jumped. He was found dead sprawled in his own blood.

“It is heartbreaking; it is too hard for us to swallow. We are in deep agony”, a report quoted a source in the Community to have lamented.

As at the time of filing this report, there has been no reaction from either the Enugu State Police Command or the State Governor.

Gunmen have been brazenly visiting the South-east with violence, pain, tears and death. So far, efforts to put a stop to it have failed.

Obi Salutes The Guardian @40, Recalls Huge Sacrifice For Democracy.

The Source

July 17, 2023

The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party in the February 25, 2023 election, Peter Obi has praised the Guardian Newspaper at 40 years.

In a congratulatory message he personally signed and sent to the Publisher, titled, ‘the true flagship at 40’ Obi recalled the huge sacrifices of the newspaper to see democracy blossom in our country.

He praised them for their mature and high ethical editorial content that merits them being referred to as the flagship of Nigeria Journalism.

Full text of Obi’s letter.

Guardian @40: Forty years of a true flagship.

“May I join the media community in Nigeria to congratulate the Guardian Newspaper for reaching the landmark age of 40 years?

The entry of the Guardian into the country’s print media Journalism was very significant because of the discipline, and the high ethical quality editorial content that merited it being referred to in the media space as the Flagship of Nigeria Journalism.

The Flagship Carries the Commanding Admiral of the ship and that was what the Guardian has done in its forty years of operation with its thought-provoking and enriching news content.

“The Newspaper lived its motto: Conscience, Nurtured by Truth” through its succinct, mature, and unbiased editorial contents that stood it out as a utility partner in nation-building.

The Guardian’s contributions to the nation’s current democratic evolution remain outstanding as it helped to fast-track the exit of the military regime in our polity. Not forgetting the huge sacrifices the Newspaper made at some point during the democratic struggle in our land.

“We recall two of its Editors, Tunde Thompson and Nduka Irabor going to jail during the military era the Publisher, Chief Alex Ibru escaping an assassination attempt on his life, and the military juntas and shutting down the Newspaper.

“The history of the Guardian and the success it recorded in the last 40 years in the face of all the obstacles, the hostile entrepreneurial and political environment are reassuring and give hope that a new and great Nigeria is possible for the patient and dogged fighters like the Guardian.

“I wish to, therefore, pay special tribute to the Publisher, all past and present staff of the Guardian who helped to make this great institution worth its name, the guardian of the people. Congratulations.

“Peter Gregory Obi”

Stop Blackmailing The Presidential Election Tribunal

The Source

July 17, 2023

The NEO AFRICANA CENTRE has asked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to stop blackmailing and intimidating the Presidential Election Petitions Court (PREPEC) as he has been doing. Tinubu had, in his final written address to the petitions challenging his declaration as president warned the PREPEC not to nullify the February 25 presidential election on the ground that he did not score 25 percent of lawful votes cast in the election in the Federal Capital Territory as doing so could lead to chaos and anarchy.

The Centre said it frowns on this belligerent disposition of the president and advised him to desist from it as it is injurious to the peace and progress of the country.

In a statement by its Director of Public Affairs, Jenkins Udu, the public policy think tank expressed regret that threat and intimidation are becoming the trademark of the Bola Tinubu democratic culture.

It recalled that Tinubu’s supporters, about a fortnight ago, embarked on a mission of intimidation and harassment within the premises of the European Union in Abuja over the report of the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU-EOM) which was critical of the conduct and outcome of the 2023 presidential elections in Nigeria.

The pro- Tinubu group had warned the EU and the PREPEC which was availed of the report that adopting the EU-EOM position could lead to anarchy and doom. The Centre notes with sadness that sending warning notes to public institutions may have become Tinubu’s well-worn tactic in the bid to sustain his highly questionable mandate.

The statement reads in part:

“We have noted with disappointment the growing penchant by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his supporters for resorting to intimidation and blackmail on any issue that touches the shaky mandate he holds as Nigeria’s president. We witnessed this about a fortnight ago when a pro-Tinubu group besieged the premises of the European Union, threatening fire and brimstone over the report of the European Union Election Observation Mission which was unfavorable to Tinubu’s claim to the presidency on the basis of the presidential election of 25 February.

“Now, lawyers representing President Tinubu at the PREPEC have resorted to the same strong arm tactic by telling the tribunal that anarchy and chaos could break out if Tinubu’s election is annulled on the strength of his failure to secure 25 percent of the lawful votes cast in the Federal Capital Territory of Abuja in the 25 February elections.

“We find this resort to blackmail and intimidation very condemnable and unconscionable. It is reckless, to say the least, that any person or group should arrogate to themselves the power to issue threats and intimidate public institutions and their officials. This belligerent tactic is reprehensible and most unacceptable. It portrays its purveyors as threats to the peace and progress of the country.

“We are disappointed that rather than rely on fine points of law in arguing their case, Tinubu’s lawyers chose to play to the gallery by assuming that Nigerians of all persuasions are pro-Tinubu. As a public policy think tank, we are aware that Nigerians are sharply divided over the outcome of the 2023 presidential elections. It is therefore preposterous and misplaced to assume that Nigerians will take to the streets if Tinubu is removed from office.

“We advise Tinubu and his supporters to tread softly. In fact, Tinubu should borrow a leaf from Mr Peter Obi and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Tinubu’s challengers in the election, who have managed their supporters well by prevailing on them at all times to shun any action that could lead to the breach of public peace. Since violence begets violence, we urge Tinubu and his supporters to refrain from statements that could set Nigerians against one another. We are aware that Nigeria is nobody’s personal estate. Therefore, blackmail and intimidation as instruments of power grab will not work.

Why I Am Not Afraid To Speak On Nnamdi Kanu

The Source

July 17, 2023

By Chimamanda Adichie (From the archives)

Yesterday I announced that I would unveil my thoughts regarding the IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu. Several people reached out, advising me to be neutral and steer clear of political discourse. They meant well for a young female writer with a reputation to protect, an image to project, and the care not to cause offense.

I almost yielded but changed my mind this morning.

The Igbos are the same people about whom I wrote my current published work, In Blood and War, a book set in the then troubled Biafra.

On principle, I consider it unethical to make money off retelling the struggle of this tribe, and in the same breath be silent about their same struggle. It is beneath morality for a writer to choose to speak only when it favours him or her. To retreat to silence in order not to ‘taint’ reputation.

To speak on this particular issue, of the man called Nnamdi Kanu, does not tribalize me or my works of literature. Especially as this remains an age-long fear of most writers; the fear of offending, a fear of stepping on toes, of banishment by a displeased societal sect, and even possible ostracism.

I speak because the making of a villain or hero often depends on who tells the story. Representation matters, when perspective becomes the thin line between an activist or a terrorist.

WHO IS NNAMDI KANU?
********
Nnamdi Okwu Kanu is a Nigerian Biafra political activist, and leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra IPOB. In a move to create an independent state for the people of old Eastern Region of Nigeria through an independent referendum, Kanu founded IPOB in 2014.

He began his activism for the freedom of Biafra as Director of Radio Biafra in 2009, and anchor of Biafra awareness under Ralph Uwazuruike, leader of the Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB).

NNAMDI on Referendum, and SECESSION
***********

According to Article 2 of the nation’s constitution, Nigeria is one indivisible and indissoluble sovereign state to be known by the name of the ‘Federal Republic of Nigeria’. Our law does not recognise the right of a state to break away from the union. The only way to legally grant such an option is through an amendment to the law. Hence, Nnamdi Kanu’s call for a referendum.

Same constitution only addresses two scenarios where a referendum is recognised – state boundary adjustment and the recall of a member of the National Assembly.

Headstrong on this path, Nnamdi Kanu ran into trouble with the Nigerian government and was first arraigned over allegations of terrorism, money laundering, treason, others, on October 14, 2015. Later granted bail in 2017, he fled Nigeria in September after the military invaded his home in Afara-Ukwu, near Umuahia, Abia State, in the southeast of Nigeria. A move that prompted the Nigerian government to secure a court order proscribing IPOB as a terrorist group.

Nnamdi Kanu’s whereabouts remained unknown until his recent arrest a few days ago. He and his co-defendant are currently facing treasonable felony charges at the Federal High Court in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital. He also faces charges on unlawful possession of firearms and management of an unlawful society. The presiding judge adjourned the case to July 26, 2021.

*******

Last week, while parceling one of my books to a buyer, a young boy of about 20 years old was making a call beside me. At the end of his call, I understood four things:

He was negotiating to pay 200k to obtain a form that will identify him as a Niger Delta militant
This young man was not a militant
Incriminating himself and mortgaging his future through filling out such form would enable him get his share of the amnesty dished out by the Federal government monthly.
Our government negotiates with terrorists.

**********

Since the arrest of the IPOB leader, my feed has been agog with posts casting aspersions on his person. Of which majority are made by Igbos, falling over themselves in a frenzy to denounce Nnamdi Kanu.

Meanwhile, a regular Hausa man is yet to put aside his Suya trade, cast on ashes and put on sackcloth, and then come on social media to endlessly bemoan the menance of Boko Haram in the country.

My ear still itches, awaiting the day a regular Yoruba man would take a chill off a peppery dish to criticize Obj. for not being the messiah we had hoped for. No, he is their brother. They must not speak bad of him.

Neither are the Ijaws pausing the oil bunkering trade in the rivers long enough to come online and rant about distancing themselves from militancy in the Niger Delta region.

I am yet to see any of these tribes measure the size of their phallus by how hard they throw their kinsman under the bus.

But not your average Igbo man. No. Not the average Igbo man with itchy fingers, who masturbates off lambasting Nnamdi.

The Igbo man must belong. He must trend. It is fashionable.

The Igbos are a bit too extra on this table.

GUILTY OR NOT GUILTY?
————————————–

Still on the call for secession, on the 2nd of June 2021, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria made the below ‘heartwarming endearment’ to the Igbos on Twitter :

“Those of us in the fields for 30 months, who went through the war, will treat them in the language they understand.”

The above threat from the house of the presidency stinks of beating a child and asking him not to cry.

No one in their right mind departs a good home, one that is working.

Shouldn’t the real question then be . . . why do these people so badly want to stay apart from the rest of the nation?

First demonize a people, call their outcry terrorism, then their injustice becomes acceptable, their oppression becomes deserving.

Guilty or not guilty?
Nnamdi’s methodology may be rad, but his intentions are understandable. And for that, I will not throw him under the bus. Unbridled passion, passion without diplomacy, is all I see.

SOBER REFLECTIONS

********
In the words of Peter Tosh, everyone is crying out for peace and none for justice.

I ponder in idle musings:

Whether Nnamdi is a terrorist, depends on what you mean by a terrorist.

Yesterday it was Sowore. Then the youths at the Lekki tollgate. Today Nnamdi. Or could it be that this country only understands you better when you act mad?

On nitty-gritty, we might have become a nation that picks and chooses the brand of terrorists deserving of amnesty. Perhaps the class with guns and doing the most harm are more deserving on the VIP list. That is the only way the massacre of the armless IPOB youths can make sense.

One day, in a saner clime abounding in freedom of speech, I will laud the beautiful corruption of a beloved country called Nigeria. Till then, we will watch the brave made into examples, and shiver at the spectacle, until fear seals our lips and sends us tumbling back into the tunnel of silence.

Chimamanda Adichie is an award winning, world renowned writer and novelist

FG To Address Bandits, Insurgents Grievances Soon- Vice President

James Orji

July 17, 2023

A military solution alone cannot solve the insecurity in Nigeria’s Northwest region, Vice President Kashim Shettima has said.

The vice president said other options are being considered by the federal government to address the problems of insurgency and banditry in that part of the country.

Shettiam who spoke to journalists when he paid condolence visits to the Galadanci and Mangal families in Kano and Katsina, respectively, stated that the government will have to adopt both the kinetic and non-kinetic measures solutions to the lingering insecurity in the region where many Nigerians have died as a result of killing by bandits and terrorists.

Not a few Nigerians interpret this to mean that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is planning to dialogue with both insurgents and Boko haram terrorists.

Recall that a former Zamafara state governor, Sanni Yerima recently called on the government to dialogue with bandits as a way of combating the menace.

The former governor said the bandits deserved amnesty as the former Niger Delta militants.

But the Chief Of Army Staff, COAS, Taoreed Lagbaja had ruled out amnesty, saying the measure has been adopted in the past without results.

Speaking at the weekend, Shettima said “Unless we want to engage in an endless war of attrition, there cannot be a military solution to the crisis in the North-West. There has to be a kinetic and non-kinetic solution,”

The vice president’s comment was contained in a statement issued at the weekend by State House Director of Information, Office of the Vice President, Olusola Abiola.

The Vice President revealed that the Tinubu administration would, in the coming weeks, unveil an initiative to address insurgency and poverty, among other challenges confronting Nigerians, especially those living in the northern region.

“In the next couple of weeks, we will unveil the Pulaaku solution, which will address the grievances and social exclusion of our Fulbe cousins in the North-West and also towards addressing the root causes of all the banditry and insurgency in the nation,” Shettima said.

NASS: Senate Defends N70bn ‘Largesse’

James Orji

July 17, 2023

Senator Spokesman Yemi Adaramodu has clarified the N70 billion allocated to the National Assembly in the 2023 Supplementary Appropriation bill sent last week to the parliament by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The allocation generated furore among not a few Nigerians who described it as largesse to the lawmakers for quick approval of the financial request from the president.

More controversy was generated after the lawmakers hurriedly passed the N819 billion Supplementary Appropriation Bill received from the president.

According to the breakdown, N500 billion was earmarked for Fuel subsidy Palliatives, N185 billion for rehabilitation of roads impacted by floods; N192 billion for fixing farmlands damaged by floods; N35 billion for National Judicial Commission(NJC); N10 billion for Federal Capital Territory projects and N70 billion for the National Assembly.

For instance, a group, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, described the allocation to be insensitive to the plight of many Nigerians, calling on NASS to immediately repeal the Act.

The appropriation, SERAP said does not “reflect the current economic realities in the country and address the impact of the removal of fuel subsidy on the over 137 million poor Nigerians.”

The lawmakers however insist that the fund is required for the repair of the NASS complex and the purchase of vehicles and other logistics, particularly for new members of NASS.

Justifying the appropriation at the weekend Adaramodu, the Senate Committee Chairman on Media and Public Affairs said the NASS complex needs immediate ‘exigent attention’.

According to the statement he issued, the Senate spokesman described the allegation as ‘spurious and inaccurate’ adding that the NASS will not join issues with mischief makers in the performance of their functions.

He explained that some lawmakers have brought their tables, chairs, and other things from home in order to be able to work, adding that those accusing the lawmakers of padding the budget for their own selfishness are only trying to destroy the image of NASS.

The statement reads: “After the passage of the Supplementary Budget to accommodate funding for Federal Government’s palliatives for the Nigerian public, among other urgent national demands, the socio-political space has been inundated with spurious, inaccurate and irreverent misinterpretations.

“Suffice to say that the passage is part of the absolute constitutional duty of the Senate. We would, therefore, not wish to join issues with the mischief and misrepresentation that a portion of the just passed Amendment Act that appropriated N70 billion was a ‘gift’ to the Legislators.

“Many Senators had to bring their chairs, tables and electronics and in many cases, do sundry repairs.

“The so-much debated allocation will not be paid to any Legislator. This will be managed by the National Assembly’s bureaucracy.

“It’s pertinent to also note that the National Assembly complex does not house only the Legislators. There are thousands of workers and service providers, whose working environment needs a face-lift, and/with necessary tools.

“Since the Assembly complex is not owned by legislators who are merely political birds of passage, such allocation cannot be termed by anyone as a palliative to the legislators.

“The alleged padding of the palliative budget by the National Assembly only exists in the minds of those who are all out to discredit the 10th Assembly. There is nothing like padding as being alleged.”

“The National Assembly is the soul of democracy and the 10th Senate shall join hands with other arms of government and forward-looking Nigerians to sing new songs of progress, development, safety and all-round economic recovery and growth,” Adaramodu said.

In spite of his defence, not a few Nigerians insist that it’s wrong for the lawmakers to continue to live large on the meagre resource of the country, particularly now that the federal government has introduced a slew of austerity measures to Nigerians because of the paucity of funds in the country.

Nigerians cannot be suffering while government officials are living ostentatious lifestyles, critics of the administration said.

APC: Adamu Quits Days After ‘Opposing’ Tinubu’s Imposition Of NASS Leaders

James Orji

July 17, 2023

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, has resigned from his position, the Daily Trust reports.

According to sources in the ruling party, Adamu a former governor of Nasarawa state tendered his resignation barely 16 months after he became the chair of Nigeria’s biggest party.

The former governor became the party’s chairman in March 2022.

Speaking on his resignation, sources in the party informed the magazine that the Presidency has become uncomfortable with the chairman since he voiced his opposition, recently, against the emergence of some principal officers of the Senate and House of Representatives.

Two weeks ago, the ruling party was faced with disquiet after Adamu openly kicked against the announcement of the Majority leaders, Deputy Majority Leaders, Chief Whips, amongst others of both the Senate and House of Representatives, saying he was not consulted before their names were made public.

He was later summoned to the Presidency where the magazine learned that he was rebuffed for openly opposing by close aides of the president.

“Since that open outburst, Adamu had become a prime target of some hawks in the presidency who told President Tinubu that the APC chair could no longer be trusted. He must go, the aides told president tinubu,” a reliable source in APC told the magazine on Monday.

Credible sources confirmed to this paper that Adamu, who emerged as the national chairman at the party’s national convention held in March 2022, has sent his resignation letter to the Presidential Villa, Abuja ahead of the return of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu from the African Union, AU, meeting in Kenya.

One of the sources said Adamu, a former governor of Nasarawa State, sent the resignation letter to the Chief of Staff of the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, around 4pm on Sunday.

“He has resigned. The resignation letter signed by him has been sent to the villa. The letter was addressed to President Tinubu. But since the president is away in Kenya for the AU meeting, the letter was sent to his chief of staff,” the source said.

Also, a source close to Adamu corroborated this, adding that, “The national chairman resigned following a gang up by people around the president to embarrass him during the meetings of the party slated for tomorrow and Wednesday.”

The source, however, denied a report that it was President Tinubu that asked Adamu to resign ahead of the National Caucus and National Executive Committee, NEC, meetings of the party slated for tomorrow and Wednesday. The party had fixed July 10 and 11 for its National Caucus and NEC meetings to iron out critical issues affecting it and the crisis within the National Working Committee, NWC.

However, the meetings were later postponed and rescheduled for tomorrow and Wednesday.

A founding member of the party said Adamu resigned when he got wind that two influential personalities around the president had mobilised against him ahead of the meetings.

“He resigned because they have started to collate signatures to impeach him during the forthcoming meetings. He resigned to save himself from humiliation,” the top politician said.

When contacted, Adamu told this paper that he will not comment on the matter until President Tinubu returns from the AU’s meeting.

“I won’t talk about the issue because the president is away,” Adamu who was the preferred candidate of former President Muhammadu Buhari for the chairmanship seat, said.

It would be recalled that Adamu had, shortly before the presidential primaries of the APC, declared former Senate President Ahmad Lawan as the consensus candidate of the party.

The declaration by Adamu created uproar in the party as governors of the party from the North ganged up against him. They went to the villa and declared that the presidency be zoned to the South.

The position of the governors forced the party to open the race for its presidential ticket. Tinubu won the election. Recently, Adamu kicked against the list of the principal officers of the party announced by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas.

Following the development, Adamu was summoned to the villa by President Tinubu. At the meeting that had the National Secretary of the party, Senator Iyiola Omisore, the issue was resolved.

Adamu, will recall is one of the close associates of former President Muhammadu Buhari. Since incumbent President Bola Tinubu came to power on May 29, the loyalists of the former president have been struggling to maintain their positions within the ranks of the ruling party.

Prof. Ubaoji Emerges UNIZIK ASUU Chairman, Expresses Gratitude

James Orji

July 16, 2023

Professor Kingsley Ikechukwu Ubaoji has emerged as the Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU), Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, chapter.

He polled a total of 616 votes to defeat Comrade Okenwa Ogbodo who came second with a total of 227 votes. Comrade Uju Ezenekwe, who came third, polled a total of 141 while Comrade Peter Okoye came fourth with a total of 84 votes.

An elated Comrade Ubaoji was full of gratitude over the outstanding victory as he glorified God for making the victory possible.

He also thanked everyone who believed in him by casting their votes for him.

In a statement after the electoral success, he urged his supporters, especially the young lecturers who see him as a model and mentor, to come onboard, overlook his shortcomings as a human and remain with him to actualize their dreams of the principles of the Union that make ASUU strong.

He said further: “Beloved comrades, I wish to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for finding me worthy and for choosing me to serve you as the ASUU Chairman for the next two years. I was overwhelmed by the massive turn out at the election. Given the cost of transportation today in our country, it is only the love of our union and the love of me that could have driven you out of the comfort of your homes. I remain immensely grateful to you all. May all our dreams come through.

“This is an ASUU election like no other in the sense that the contestants carried on like one family. No ill feelings, no attempts to derogate each other. I appreciate in a special way all my co-contestants. Cde Uju Ezenekwe, I deeply appreciate your love for me. From the first day you knew about my desire to be part of this contest, you never for one day stopped checking on me and encouraging me. I would always wonder in my mind if you were not in the contest. Cde. Okenwa Ogbodo, would always call me his junior brother. Anywhere our paths crossed, we huggged and laughed to the surprise and amazement of people. That is the spirit, contest for a position should not degenerate to enemity and war. Nigerian politicians need to learn this lesson. Okenwa you are a great man and I salute and honour you. Cde. Peter Okoye, when you told me of your intent to run, I shook your hand and rejoiced greatly because young persons should take over leadership. If those who gave Nigeria Independence and took the mantle of leadership shortly after Independent were between 28 and 42 years, why is it that young men today are shying away from leadership.

I thank you Peter, I thank you Ogbodo, I thank you Lady Uju. You made the contest worth its while, you have all worn my heart and my respect. Be assured that in this contest, no person lost. We all won, I was just chosen to be the first among equals. Please be assured that we will lead together as a team. Be ready to put all your great ideas on the table. OUR UNION MAKES US STRONG.

“May I in a special way congratulate the out going Executive ably led by Cde Stephen Ufoaro. Cde Ufoaro you are a classic example of sacrifice. We are immensely grateful for all your Executive Committee have done for the union. Be assured we will build on your great legacies. Please keep your doors wide open for consultations. I also wish to thank you specially for not being partisan in the course of the election. You showed no preference for any candidate and you let the Electoral Committee do their work unhindered. Equally to be appreciated in this respect are the IPC, IPZC, and NEC who never interfered in the election. That is the ASUU spirit and I hail you for upholding same. May God bless all men who never or will ever use the paraphernalia of office to influence elections. God bless you richly.

“I cannot thank the Electoral Committee enough for the good job they have done. The Cde Tochukwu Okafor led Committee did a wonderful and commendable job and I wish INEC should take lessons from them. Thanks to the Electoral Committee for upholding the union’s democratic culture.

“My special gratitude goes to our previous ASUU leaders, Cde Frank Okoyeh, Cde Harris Odumegwu, Comrade Aribodor and their executives. You and some other unsong heroes laid a strong foundation for ASUU at UNIZIK. You are our heroes past. Be assured that your labours will never be in vain. We pledge to serve with heart and might, ONE UNION, bound in freedom, peace and unity.

“My special appreciation to our dear Vice Chancellor and his team for providing an enabling environment and encouraging a free and fair election in ASUU. We assure the Vice Chancellor of ASUU’s continued cooperation and support to enable the realisation of Project 200.

“To all my supporters especially the elders and Professors from across the university who kept calling to encourage and reassure me of their support. I thank you immensely for believing in me. I ask that you stand by me with words of wisdom, guide my temperament and admonish me where necessary and help me improve on myself to a best version, for like Abraham Lincoln noted, _it is the test of fire that makes a fine steel._

“To the young lecturers who see me as a model and mentor, please come onboard and overlook my shortcomings as a human and remain with me to actualize your dreams of the principles of the Union that makes us strong.

“To all and sundry, I offer my hand of fellowship, let’s do it together. Just know that I am here to serve you. As your chief servant, I’m the least in the list now. In the order of 1-10, I’m number 10. Trust me on this. We’re all colleagues and friends and you all voted for me. The election is over, it is time for work. A roll call of energy and self abnegation is required. Let’s keep our eyes on the ball and our minds on the goal.

“This is a call to service and I promise that I’ll serve passionately, I’ll serve diligently and I’ll serve honestly. All I ask for is your support and prayers. Congratulations to all of us!!!

“To God is the glory”.

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