Home Blog Page 1565

Timi Frank Challenges President Tinubu To Release His Chicago Varsity Credentials

By
Akinwale Kasali
-
0

By Akinwale Kasali

Timi Frank, a Social Commentator, Activist and Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to allow the Chicago State University release his academic records to a Court in Nigeria if he has has nothing to hide.

Frank has, also, challenged the American Government and its institutions to cause Tinubu’s certificates in Chicago State university to be released to a Court in Nigeria in the spirit of reciprocity and freedom of information obtainable in that country.

He made this call in a statement in Abuja, the nation’s Capital, insisting that Tinubu, as a public servant ought not to seek to stop his academic records from being made public in a law Court.

It would be recalled that Tinubu had filed a motion seeking to prevent a United States Federal Court from releasing his university academic records to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as requested by the latter.

He lamented that the United States is playing double standards where actions and requests that are taken seriously in their country becomes the reverse when it concerns an African country like Nigeria.

He said: “Barely two days after former Vice President ans Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democracy Party (PDP) approached the State District Court for the Northern District of Illinois subpoenaed the Chicago State University to release the records of Tinubu, it is rather shocking that the President has countered the request by filling a counter motion to restrain the Court from releasing his academic records to the petitioner.

“What seems to be more worrisome is the idea that a sitting President who had sworn to uphold the integrity and sanctity of the Presidential office, would attempt to muzzle an independent judiciary of the United States through acts of coercion or frivolous motions unknown to the Justice department.

“However, it is noteworthy to reiterate that the Justice system of the United States isn’t one that is amenable to coercion, intimidation, subjugation or any other form of compromise as demonstrated clearly from recent events concerning the former President of the US (Donald Trump) who is being made to answer various charges concerning his conduct while in office.

“What are you hiding in the Chicago University? If you are proud of your credentials, tell the University you claimed to have attended to release your academic information to Nigeria as requested by Atiku.

“This is simply the right thing to do because when a subpoena has been issued, it’s meant to be honoured anywhere.

“For anybody who wants to lead Nigeria, you should be able to surrender yourself to Nigerians for scrutiny as that is the minimum standard expected and I’m aware  Alh. Atiku is not doing anything extraordinary against the law.

“This is the very reason we believe the US court must throw out your (Tinubu’s) appeal and give your academic information to Nigeria.”

He added: “The US must not be seen to protect any high profile Nigerian or any Nigerian that is holding public office. That is their duty, to do the right thing the same way they are doing the right thing in America.

“Today, the world and everybody is watching how Trump is being treated and investigated from one court to another.

“Trump’s information is being released by the CIA and the FBI in America for people to see what he has done.

“So if they can do that in America to Trump who is a former president, then why is the United States today aiding and abetting criminality in Nigeria by refusing to release unclassified documents pertmitted by its freedom of information law? Whatever is good for America must also good for Nigeria.”

According to him, “it is because of acts of complacency and deliberate connivance with individuals who have run fowl of the system and taken advantage of compromised individuals that Nigeria and indeed majority Africa countries are turning to China and Russia who are believed to be strict and non-compromising.

“The United States is playing politics with the destiny of Nigeria because of their interest, but if they are not careful they will do untold damage to their image in Africa.

“The United States is losing its credibility in Nigeria and  in Africa because of issues like this because when it has to do with Africans, they will know something is wrong, but because of their personal interests, they will underplay it the way it cannot be done in their own country,

“Is it not too much for Nigeria to demand from the authorities of the United States that we

need the academic credentials of our president that they know is illegally occupying the office? This is the same man that has been fingered in several  criminal cases in America.

“In America, can you do this to your taxpayers? When taxpayers in America demand for any information, including that of a sitting president, it will be provided because they know that a public officer in America, is answerable to the citizens.

“But why are they promoting and supporting public office holders in Nigeria like the incumbent president who’s unwilling to be answerable to the Nigerian people as if the interest of Tinubu is greater than the interest of Nigerian people?”

“Therefore, the argument in his motion that the records should not be released because they fall under a 1974 privacy law for American students has shown clearly that there’s more to the identity of the individual who’s currently the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and all must be done by the US in ensuring that the real identity of the President is revealed with the demand for his academic credentials whilst in Illinois.

We hold the US in good faith and will expect that everything concerning this matter is finally put to rest when the University is finally subpoenaed. We’re glad that a Federal judge has been assigned to the case, and we expect a full dispensation of justice under the US Justice system in this regard.

“The World Has Accepted Tinubu As President, Stop  Threatening Me Over Visit” –  Okonjo-Iweala”

By
The Source
-
0
Bola Tinubu and Okonjo-Iweala

Director General of the World Trade Organization, (WTO), Dr Ngozi Okonjo Iweala has said that Nigerians are making abusive calls to her after her visit to President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday.

The WTO boss, a former Nigeria’s Minister of Finance,  had met President Tinubu in Aso Rock on Tuesday with details of the meeting still sketchy.

In a post, Okonjo- Iweala wrote: “I keep receiving toxic calls and messages regarding my meeting with the President yesterday.

“I keep receiving toxic calls and messages regarding my meeting with the President yesterday, and from those I hold in very high esteem.

“Honestly, I am shocked at the contents of the messages and tone of the callers. Has Nigeria sank this low?

“A visit I made for the good of our dear nation is what they are using to threaten my life and family! You don’t recognize someone as your President yet begging him to save you from the hands of killers in your region.

“I am bringing investors to Nigeria using the President’s  commendable policies as a bait. Is that too difficult to understand?

“President Tinubu’s reforms might be harsh now but they would birth a new and prosperous nation. I have lost count of Presidents, respected Institutions and investors that have called to congratulate me on Nigeria eventually having a focused leader since the reforms were rolled out.

“At least, six multi-national manufacturing giants are coming with me by December later this year to see how their firms can have factories here.

“It’s all part of my contributions to the progress of Nigeria. I am not a politician. I only desire the best for my dear country.

“It informed my visit to President Tinubu. The world has accepted him as our President, like it or not. May God heal us.”

Oyo, Brazil To Collaborate On Black Heritage Day

By
Ayodele Oni
-
0
Black Heritage Day

By Ayodele Oni

The Oyo State Government has concluded arrangements to jointly host the black heritage day with the Brazilian custodian of culture, Oba Awurela,  Sangokunle Alayande.

Black Heritage Day is marked annually by the Brazilians to commemorate Brazil’s freedom from the Europeans.

The Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatunbosun, disclosed this while receiving Oba Awurela in his office.

According to him, the Oyo state government is ready to parley with Brazil on promotion of culture and tourism.

Olatunbosun lauded Oba Awurela for his plans to expand the frontiers of tourism in Oyo State, using culture as a tool, which will, in turn, boost revenue in the State.

The Commissioner shed light on the mapped-out strategies to drive tourism in the state, through cultural heritage.

He called for further international investment and cooperation to harness the state’s tourism potential.

Oba Awurela, a paternal descendant of Awe in Oyo, said he was in the state to propagate the image of his  household and further build cultural ties between Oyo State and Brazil.

The monarch sought collaboration of the Oyo State Government in the celebration of Brazilian Black Heritage Day, otherwise known as ‘Searchie November’ which is a yearly celebration to commemorate Brazil’s freedom from the Europeans.

Speaking further on the existing cultural integration, Oba Awurela said Brazil and all Diasporans in South America have an Academy that integrates religion and cultural heritage.

He spoke on the plan to create the Oyo Empire in Brazil, which will be known as ‘Oyotedo’.

Subsidy: Ekiti Gives N5,000 Per Vulnerable Person Monthly, Approves Outstanding Workers Entitlements

By
Ayodele Oni
-
0

By Ayodele Oni

Ekiti State Government has announced some interventions to cushion the biting effect of subsidy withdrawal on petrol.

Under the intervention, the State Government will now pay some entitlements owed State and Local Government Workers over the years.

Also in the approved entitlements, a paltry sum of N5,000 was approved for some 10,000 persons regarded as vulnerables.

The mode of determining beneficiaries tagged vulnerables is yet to be made public.

A statement on Wednesday, states that “the following urgent economic interventions to cushion the effect of the Subsidy removal by the Federal Government have been approved by the state government.

“This intervention was approved by Mr. Governor, Biodun Oyebanji in tandem with his shared prosperity promise to the people of Ekiti State.

The interventions includes:

“Payment of one year’s leave bonus for State and Local Government workers.Payment of one month’s pension arrears for State and  Local Government pensioners.

“Implementation of consequential adjustment for workers on GL. 14 to GL. 17 for State and Local Government workers. Implementation of 90% CONHESS and 100% Hazard Allowance for health workers at the Local Governments.

“Implementation of salary parity for clinical staff of the Hospitals’ Management Board. Implementation of financial benefits of 2020 and 2021promotions for State and Local Government workers.

“Immediate payment of one month subvention arrears to tertiary institution. Provision of free shuttle buses for workers and students to ease transportation to/from work and school respectively.

“In addition to the already mentioned interventions, Mr. Governor has also approved additional interventions designed to directly impact our poorest and most vulnerable residents.

These are:

“Payment of N5,000 as a conditional cash transfer to 10,000 households from August till December 2023, with emphasis on our aged people.

“Inclusion of 10,000 persons in the Ulera Wa health insurance programme. A food distribution programme that will commence this month.

“The distribution of inputs to farmers as well as financial support to small businesses and our informal sector.”

Justice Odili Threatens Ude With Suit,  Lodges Criminal  Complaint Over Allegation Of ‘Negotiating’ For Tinubu With Presidential Tribunal

By
Adesina Soyooye
-
0
Jackson Ude and Mary Odili

By Adesina Soyooye

Jackson Ude, a Journalist, could be in serious trouble over the allegations he made against the Honourable Justice Mary Peter-Odili, a retired Supreme Court Judge, a retired Supreme Court Judge.

Ude had, shockingly, alleged that Odili is in Abuja where she is “currently negotiating a pathway for Bola Tinubu” and that “she meets regularly with Appeal and Supreme courts.”

Jackson wrote that Justice Odili is in Abuja negotiating with the Presidential Tribunal and Supreme Court (when the case gets to the highest Court), on behalf of President Tinubu.

But an angry Justice Odili who is, also, the Chairman of the Body of Benchers has dismissed the allegation as false, fake and deliberately meant to defame and malign her. She has, therefore, in a statement signed by her Media Assistant, Felix Enebeli, demanded an immediate retraction of the story and a public apology by Jackson. She has, also, briefed her Lawyers to take up the allegation against her by Jackson. Odili has

Following is the full text of the Justice Odili’s statement issued on Wednesday, August 9, 2023

“PRESS STATEMENT ISSUED ON BEHALF OF HON. JUSTICE (MRS) MARY PETER-ODILI REFUTING A PUBLICATION MADE BY ONE JACKSON UDE IN THE SOCIAL MEDIA TITLED “MARY ODILI WORKING FOR TINUBU WITH THE PEPT

“Our attention has been drawn to a publication circulating in the social media against the person of the retired Justice Mary Ukaego Peter-Odili, wherein the author, one Jackson Ude, falsely and maliciously alleged inter alia, that the revered jurist is “currently negotiating a pathway for Bola Tinubu” and that “she meets regularly with Appeal and Supreme courts” in that regard.

“While the defamation arising from the false allegation has been referred to the lawyers of her lordship to deal with in accordance with the law, we consider it appropriate, particularly for the sake of the public, to issue this unequivocal denial of the false allegation. We deny every allegation contained in the publication and state that the publication is false, malicious, mischievous and a deliberate attempt at smearing the integrity and solid reputation of her lordship. We say nothing of the fact that the publication has the potential of inciting the public against her Lordship on an issue of grave national importance.

“For the records, Her Lordship is neither a Judicial Consultant to anyone, nor is she in any way connected with, or involved in any of the presidential election petitions or any other election petition whatsoever. The public is hereby urged to disbelieve, disregard and ignore this false publication.

“Lawyers acting for Hon. Justice Mary Peter-Odili have been instructed to demand retraction and public apology from the publisher, Jackson Ude, failing which redress will be sought in a court of law.

“Meanwhile, a criminal complaint has been lodged with the police. In addition, lawyers acting for Justice Mary Peter-Odili have addressed petitions to the State Security Service, the Nigeria Police and Interpol calling for immediate investigation of this grave but false and malicious allegation aimed at inciting the public against Hon. Justice Mary Peter-Odili (Rtd)

Signed
Chief Felix Enebeli, Media Assistant to Hon. Justice Mary Ukaego Peter-Odili (Rtd).”

World Bank Blocks Loans To Uganda Over Gay Rights

By
James Orji
-
0
The World Bank has blocked  new loans to Uganda over the country’s controversial anti-LGBTQ law.
The Washington, DC-based lender said on Tuesday it would pause project financing pending a review of measures it introduced to protect sexual and gender minorities from discrimination and exclusion in its projects.
“Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act fundamentally contradicts the World Bank Group’s values,” the lender said in a statement.
“We believe our vision to eradicate poverty on a livable planet can only succeed if it includes everyone irrespective of race, gender, or sexuality. This law undermines those efforts. Inclusion and non-discrimination sit at the heart of our work around the world.”
The lender will also increase third-party monitoring and grievance redress mechanisms “allowing us to take corrective action as necessary,” it said.
The World Bank Group said in May that the law was not consistent with the lender’s values and that it was “highly concerned” about its adoption.
World Bank President Ajay Banga, who took office in June, faced pressure to respond to the legislation, with 170 civic groups urging “specific, concrete and timely actions”, including suspending future lending.
Human rights organisations have widely condemned the anti-LGBTQ law, which imposes capital punishment for “aggravated homosexuality,” an offence that includes transmitting HIV through gay sex, and 20 years in prison for “promoting” homosexuality.
In June, the US imposed travel restrictions on Ugandan officials in response to the legislation, which was signed by President Ugandan Yoweri Museveni.
Museveni, who has referred to homosexuality as a psychological disorder, has rejected international criticism of the legislation, which he has defended as necessary to stop the LGBTQ community from trying to “recruit” people.
In its statement on Tuesday, the World Bank said it remained committed to providing assistance to Uganda despite its pause on financing.
“The World Bank Group has a longstanding and productive relationship with Uganda; and we remain committed to helping all Ugandans – without exception – escape poverty, access vital services, and improve their lives,” the lender said.
With more than 40 percent debt ratio to Gross Domestic Product, GDP, Uganda is one of the highest debtors in Africa, with much of its debt owed to development and multilateral partners including the World Bank.
The bank’s measure will hinder the Museveini-led government’s efforts to use foreign loans to provide critical interventions to its people, according to analysts who said most Ugandans support government clamp down on LGBTQ people.
Aljazeera

Group Makes Case For Wike As Niger Delta Minister

By
James Orji
-
0

A Niger Delta group, Anioma Youth Forum, AYF, Worldwide has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to appoint former Governor Nyesom Wike as Niger Delta Affairs Minister.

Wike, the immediate past governor of River state was recently cleared by the Nigerian Senate to become a minister of the federal republic.

He was among the 48 minister designates appointed by President Tinubu and is now waiting to designated to various ministries.

According to a statement signed by AYF National President, Comrade Nnamdi Ofonye, the group said the former governor will bring his wealth of experience to bear in developing the oil producing states.

The Niger Delta, the group stated is in a dire need of development, saying Wike will be around peg in a round hole to achieve the objectives of President Tinubu for the region.

AYF made “a passionate appeal to the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR to saddle the immediate past Governor of Rivers state, Nyesom Wike with the responsibility of re-calibrating the Niger Delta region by appointing him as the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs.”

According to the group, “The Niger Delta region has long been plagued by numerous challenges, including environmental degradation, youth unemployment, and lack of basic infrastructure. These issues have hindered the progress and development of the region, affecting the lives of millions of it’s citizens in particular and Nigerians at large

“This appeal to Mr. President has become necessary for so many reasons and above those reasons, the President has shown that he is in a hurry to deliver and leave an indelible mark across all sectors of the Nigerian state and across all zones of the country.

“While we are aware that nominations and assigning of portfolios to all Senate-cleared nominees is the prerogative of the President and Commander in Chief, we are expectant that our appeal will get the attention of the President who has shown to have a listening ear to the plights and demands of the people. This is a plight for us that requires his express attention.

“Consequently, the saddling of responsibilities and ministries to the incoming ministers is one that must be done based on capacity, competence and will-Power to deliver without any form of excuse.

“Furthermore, our conviction is strongly anchored on the fact that Gov. Wike can not be bullied, intimidated, harassed or blackmailed into submission by anybody or group both within and outside the region as we have identified this ugly misnomer as one of the banes of the Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC by some forces which has led to the underdevelopment bedeviling the oil rich yet impoverished zone.

“During his time as Governor of Rivers state, H.E Nyesom Wike demonstrated exceptional courage and the very rare political will-power to face headlong several issues that confronted his state. Under his administration, Rivers State experienced significant growth and development in various sectors especially infrastructure.

“If appointed as Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, which supervises the NDDC, we believe that Governor Wike will bring his wealth of experience, passion, and dedication to bear in fast-tracking development. He will be able to effectively address the challenges faced by the region. As the supervising Minister of the corrupted NDDC, he will be able to ensure that the interventionist agency gets back on track in fulfilment of its core mandate to the people.

“From records, while the federal government has sunk trillions of tax payers money into the region through the NDDC, the zone and its people are unfortunately among the most deprived and poorest people in the country owing to the pilfering, looting and diversion of the allocated funds by those appointed in the past thereby leaving the zone with multitude of shabby, irrelevant and abandoned projects littered everywhere.

“In conclusion, we want to thank Mr. President in advance for hearkening to this SOS call for the sake of the development, prosperity and sustainable peace in the Niger Delta region by appointing H. E Nyesom Wike who we are convinced will leave a mark just as he did in Rivers state,” the statement said.

Speaking during his appearance before the senate last week, the former governor said he built more infrastructure than his predecessors.

His signature projects are the many bridges which now dotted the states, his supporters said.

Zenith Bank Signs Agreement With AfCFTA To Develop Smart Portal

By
James Orji
-
0

Zenith Bank Plc has signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, with the African Continental Free Trade Area, AfCFT, Secretariat for the development of the SMARTAfCFTA Portal, for trade promotion within the African continent. The SMARTAfCFTA Portal, which has the capacity to provide information like trade indicators, market trends, custom tariffs, trade agreements, rules of origin, market access requirements of relevant jurisdictions, export potentials, export diversification indicators and contact details of business partners in target markets and other trade-related information about Africa, will help to unlock the vast opportunities for trade on the African continent.

The MoU was signed by the Group Managing Director/CEO of Zenith Bank Plc, Dr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu and the Secretary-General of the AfCFTA Secretariat, His Excellency Wamkele Mene, during the 8th Annual Edition of the Zenith Bank International Trade Seminar on Non-Oil Export themed “Nigerian Non-Oil Export Industry: The Present, The Future”, held on Wednesday, August 8, 2023, at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos and virtually.

Speaking on the partnership with AfCFTA for the development of the SMARTAfCFTA Portal, the Group Managing Director/CEO of Zenith Bank, Dr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu, said: “This collaboration aims to unlock the vast opportunities presented by AfCFTA not only for Nigeria’s economic prosperity but also for advancing trade across African countries”.

Dr. Onyeagwu noted the key role that the annual Zenith Bank Trade Seminar plays in deepening the conversation on promoting non-oil export in Nigeria by bringing together non-oil export practitioners and relevant government agencies to interact and explore the opportunities and proffer solutions to the challenges of non-oil export in the country, noting that previous editions’ outcomes have found expression and influenced policy initiatives. For instance, the extension of the period of repatriation of Non-Oil Export proceeds from 90 days to 180 days, and the policy mandating shippers not to carry export without a Nigeria Export Proceeds (NXP) Form Number were recommendations from previous seminars.

Also, the need to incentivise exporters to repatriate their export proceeds through the official channels and the recommendation to create export terminals across various export hubs in the country were also from past seminars. Also, previous editions recommended having Export Desks in commercial banks, which has now been instituted.

In his keynote address at the Zenith Bank International Trade Seminar, the Secretary-General of the AfCFTA Secretariat, His Excellency Wamkele Mene, thanked the Founder and Chairman of Zenith Bank, Jim Ovia, CFR, for partnering with the AfCFTA for the development of the SMARTAfCFTA Portal. In his words: “Zenith Bank was the first bank to say “we want to partner with you”. We went to see the Founder and Chairman, and he said that Zenith Bank wants to make a contribution to digitise trade in Africa. And so the portal was not my idea, it was not our idea at the AfCTA Secretariat, it was Zenith Bank that stepped up and said, ‘this has to be done!’. So I want to thank you very much, GMD for this collaboration.”

In his goodwill message, Dr. Kingsley Obiora, the Deputy Governor of Economic Policy representing the Acting Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Folashodun Adebisi Shonubi, commended Zenith Bank for leading Nigeria’s non-oil export promotion advocacy. He bemoaned the 1.2 per cent non-oil export to total GDP ratio and emphasised the need for concerted efforts to boost non-oil exports in Nigeria.
Zenith Bank launched the Non-Oil Export Seminar in 2016 as an initiative to deepen the discourse on promoting the non-oil export business in Nigeria.

The 2023 International Trade Seminar also featured a goodwill message from the Secretary of the National Action Committee on AfCFTA, Mr. Olusegun Awolowo. There were also two-panel discussions, with the first panel discussion titled: “Nigeria Non-Oil Export Industry – Growth Opportunities”, while the second panel discussion was titled: “Harnessing the Opportunities in Service Export”.

Resist Temptation Of Naming Self Petroleum Minister, CNPP Warns Tinubu

By
The Source
-
0
Bola Ahmed Tinubu

Conference Of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to resist the temptation to name himself the Minister of Petroleum Resources as he prepares to assign portfolios to Ministers-designate.

The umbrella association of all registered political parties and political associations in the country, gave the advice on Tuesday, while also hailing the Senate “for not approving the hasty decision by the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government to deploy troops to Niger Republic to oust the military junta in the West African country.”

In a statement signed by its Deputy National Publicity Secretary, James Ezema, the CNPP added that “the oil industry, which is the main stay of the Nigerian economy is challenged on every side and supervised by very corrupt leadership.”

The CNPP noted that “since the job of a President of Nigeria is enormous, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should assign the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, or whatsoever name he chooses for the Ministry overseeing the petroleum industry, to a substantive Minister who he will hold accountable for the activities of the Ministry.

“The oil industry in Nigeria is one of the most corrupt sectors, where we often heard of zero remittances by the then Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

“We call on the President to ensure a thorough forensic probe of the old NNPC to recover the alleged unremitted revenues by the defunct corporation and to sanitize the oil industry and begin on a clear slate”, the CNPP stated.

On the war drums against the coupists in Niger, the CNPP said that “the Senate was on point by stopping the planned deployment of Nigerian troops to Niger.

“The consequences of Nigeria’s involvement in the ill-throughout plans by ECOWAS to deploy troops in Niger against the Junta will be regrettable as most parts of northern Nigeria will be destroyed as a result of the aftermath of the war.

“Nigeria should learn a lesson from Ukrainian and Russian war. While Ukraine is receiving the negative impacts of the war, it has been impossible for Russia to overrun Ukraine too.

“Nigeria has enough security challenges within her territory and should not be dragged into needless war against the military junta in Niger which is massively supported by the majority of the civilian population in the country”, the statement noted.

Ministerial Nominees: South-East Senators Protest Marginalisation Of Zone

By
The Source
-
0

By Osita Chidoka

“The South East Senators supported a motion tagged: “Urgent Need to Balance Geo-political Representation in the Ministerial Appointment”, sponsored by Senator Tony Nwoye and 14 other senators from the South East geopolitical zone.”

I commend the Southeast Senators for standing up against a growing conspiracy against the zone.

A few weeks ago I called on the President to resist the temptation of deliberate relegation of the Southeast zone in the commanding heights of the polity by supporting a Chairman of their Party from the zone. Many failed to see the import of that statement.

Past Presidents usually appointed 36 Ministers and an additional 6 (one per zone) to take care of other interests. To appoint 3 Ministers from one state and 9 from one zone is an egregious attack on our national sensibilities and consensus.

The Southeast is an integral part of Nigeria and should not be punished for the political choices of its people. Southwest for many years voted for Action Group/UPN/AD, they did not join the “Mainstream” and yet were not relegated in the national equation. The North voted massively for PDP (Obasanjo 1st term) and subsequently voted majorly for ANPP, CPC, and APC all with a Northern candidate, President Buhari for 16 years and nobody held it against them.

Southeast politicians in public office must insist on respect for the federal character and fight against this creeping relegation of the zone in public office. This evil plan was made a deliberate policy under President Buhari. As a nation, we must always remember that appointments to and promotions in the public service, and admissions to federal institutions are all going on under quota systems instituted to give a sense of belonging to all parts of the country.

President Tinubu has a golden opportunity to reverse this ugly trend that would only lead to national disunity. The President’s knee-jerk reaction to the coup in Niger is a lesson on consultation and a clear message on the urgent need to unite Nigerians towards the dream of a nation where no man is oppressed and the affirmation that though tribes and tongues may differ in brotherhood we stand.

I call on the Southeast legislators to stay the course in the fight to build a united Nigeria governed by rules and not prejudice.

Chidoka is a former Minister for Aviation

1...1,5641,5651,566...2,997Page 1,565 of 2,997