PDP Accuses APC Of Colluding With INEC To Alter Adamawa Governorship Election Results

By

-

March 27, 2023

By Ayodele Oni

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has alleged the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is making undercurrent moves to tinker with the result of the governorship election in Adamawa state with a view to declare its candidate winner.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) had declared the Adamawa state governorship election inconclusive since there was no clear winner.

The commission has fixed a date for all outstanding supplementary elections.

According to INEC, all outstanding Governorship, National and State Assembly supplementary elections will take place on Saturday 15th April 2023

PDP spokesman, Debo Ologunagba said in Abuja on Monday that “the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been made aware of fresh plots by the defeated All Progressives Congress (APC) and certain compromised officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Adamawa State to further manipulate the outcome of the March 18, 2023 Governorship election in the State.

“As already declared by INEC, the final tabulation of results from the Polling Units across Adamawa State, the PDP Candidate, His Excellency, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, is in clear lead with 31,299 lawful votes above the defeated candidate of the APC, Senator Aisha Binani, who has been desperate to compromise the election against the expressed Will of the good people of Adamawa State.

“It would be recalled that the PDP had earlier alerted Nigerians of how the APC and some compromised INEC officials attempted to move the collation of results of the Adamawa State Governorship election from Yola to Abuja to enable the INEC Returning Officer declare the defeated APC candidate the winner; a move which was firmly resisted by the people of Adamawa State.

“When that plot failed, the APC pressured INEC to cancel results in 69 Polling Units citing over voting, but with the clandestine intention of manipulating the re-run election in favour of the APC candidate.

“The APC candidate has been allegedly boasting that she has the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) and Returning Officer for the election, who she reportedly claims are willing to manipulate the election results in her favour notwithstanding the votes by the people of Adamawa State.

“Such reported boasting by the APC candidate is in complete effrontery to the democratic right and Will of the people of Adamawa State to choose their leaders.

“This is evident of the arrogance, contempt and disdain to which the APC holds the people of the Adamawa State.

“It has come to the knowledge of our Party that the APC and its candidate, having realized that they cannot defeat Governor Fintiri in the 69 Polling Units, given his popularity and determination of the people, are now putting pressure on INEC to alter already collated and declared results in other Polling Units where no cases of malpractice or disruption of election took place.

“The PDP alerts the people of Adamawa of fresh plots by the APC, its hired agents and compromised officials of INEC to alter and cancel the already declared results in 21 Local Government Areas where elections have been concluded and declared.

“This is part of APC’s plot to facilitate the manipulation and/or alteration of the already declared results in favour of the APC candidate against the expressed Will of the people.

“The PDP has evidence of reported complicity of the Adamawa State REC Mallam Hudu Yunusa Ari, in which he was allegedly caught on tape directing the Electoral Officer of Fufore Local Government Area in Hausa Language to alter results in favour of the APC governorship candidate.

“This action by the Adamawa REC is reprehensible, sacrilegious, profane and unbecoming of an Electoral Officer.

“INEC should therefore immediately relieve Mallam Hudu Yunusa Ari as the State Resident Electoral Commissioner and hand him over to the Police for a thorough investigation and prosecution.

“The PDP in very strong terms cautions INEC and the APC not to, under any circumstance or guise whatsoever, tamper with the results already announced and declared at the Polling Units where election has been concluded and Returns made by the Returning Officers without any reported case of disruption or cancellation.

“The people of Adamawa State already know the figures from the Polling Units as announced by INEC. Any attempt by the APC and INEC officials to tamper with the results already declared is a clear recipe for crisis.

“The PDP is firmly on ground in Adamawa State. Our Party and Candidate, Governor Fintiri are in clear lead and we are ready for the re-run election in the 69 Polling Units already announced to the whole world by the INEC Returning Officer.

“INEC should note its responsibility under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), the Electoral Act, 2022 and INEC issued Guidelines, that elections are conducted at the Polling Units where results are required by law to be counted, declared and directly transmitted onto the INEC Server/IReV.

“Adamawa State is a multi-ethnic and multi-religious State which is known for its peaceful coexistence. INEC must therefore not do anything that can disrupt the peace existing in the State.

“INEC should be conscious of its duty and obligation to ensure the development of our democracy and not allow itself to be coerced by the APC and its agents by whatever name called to disrupt democracy and corporate existence of our nation.

“The PDP calls on the people of Adamawa State, our teeming members and supporters to remain calm but very vigilant in resisting the APC and its candidate who are desperate to steal the people’s mandate for their parochial personal interests against the Will of the people.”

Election Offenders: Nigerian Police To Collaborate With INEC For Quick Justice – IGP

By

Ayodele Oni

-

March 27, 2023

0

By Ayodele Oni

The Inspector-General of Police, (IGP), Usman Alkali Baba has assured effective collaboration with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to prosecute 781 electoral offenders apprehended during last elections.

According to the IG, the suspects are from a total of 489 major electoral infractions across the nation.

Alkali presided over the meeting of the upper echelon of the Nigeria Police Force comprising Deputy Inspectors-General of Police (DIGs) and members of the Force Management Team, Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs), Commissioners of Police (CPs) and other Tactical Commanders in Abuja on Monday.

Force PRO, Mr Olumuyiwa Adejobi, a Chief Superintendent of Police, who disclosed this in a statement, noted that the meeting was convened to assess the performance of the police during the 2023 General election, highlight lessons and strengths, and dissect complex dynamics for subsequent optimal performance.

The IGP seized the opportunity to commend the Senior Police Officers and Commanders and other ranks for their resilience, sacrifices, and professionalism, which ensured the containment of the pockets of election security breaches across the country.

He tasked commands to submitt case files centrally at the Electoral Offences Desk, Office of the IGP, Force Headquarters, Abuja, to ensure a ‘coordinated process’ and forward such to INEC’s Legal department.

The IGP urged Police Managers to readjust strategies and operations towards ensuring a stable post-election security order and refocus policing attention on routine law enforcement duties.

He admonished political actors and their supporters to submit to democratic norms, peaceful means, and legal procedures in advancing their interests as the Police and other security agencies shall not tolerate the resort to incitement or any act designed to threaten national security.

Yorubas Are Political Rascals: Iwuanyanwu Calls For Arrest Of Fabricators Of False Report

By

The Source

-

March 27, 2023

0

“My daughter is very happily married to a Yoruba, and they have given me four adorable grandchildren. Those my grandchildren are Yoruba, not Igbo.” – Iwuanyanwu.

The Chairman of Elders Council of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu says he never said the Yoruba are political rascals. He described the report as wicked and handiwork of enemies of peace.

Chief Iwuanyanwu, in a statement in Owerri, issued by his Special Adviser, Media, Ben Osuagwu, said that all the people who attended the First Anniversary of Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo’s administration as Governor of Anambra State including the Channels TV, Arise TV, and all other electronic and print media houses that covered the event could testify that he never made such a statement as he was quoted to have said, or generalised that Yorubas are political rascals.

Rather, what he said was that Igbos should go about their businesses in Lagos as there was no war between Igbos and Yorubas. He stated that he only said that those who are instigating crises between Yorubas and Igbos, destroying properties of Igbos , killing, burning, intimidating and harassing Igbos in Lagos are political rascals

Chief Iwuanyanwu made it abundantly clear that at no time did he make the statement credited to him by blackmail circulating on the social media that Yorubas are political rascals. He said his speech was fraudulently manipulated to cause disaffection.

Chief Iwuanyanwu said that over the years, the relationship between the Igbos and Yorubas has been very cordial even before the amalgamation of Nigeria.

Chief Iwuanyanwu warned the perpetrators of the malicious and wicked fake news and propaganda that it is a criminal offence to circulate such against a peace loving Nigerian.

Chief Iwuanyanwu has received many chieftaincy titles in Yoruba land including the BALOGUN BABAGUWA OF IBADAN. One wonders how such a personality would be quoted by some mischievous elements to have made such a statement.

Chief Iwuanyanwu said that he has many personal friends and Staff of Yoruba tribe in his various companies who played major roles in shaping his economic destiny and, therefore, do not have any reason whatsoever to insult the Yoruba tribe who he regards with great respect.

The Elder Statesman felt sad that a Nigerian could be denied his democratic right to vote any candidate of his choice because of his tribe.

He noted that what happened to Igbos was in the Press and pointed out that Igbos are very grateful to those distinguished Yorubas who rose to speak against the killings, injuries, and destruction of properties of Igbos in Lagos only because they voted the candidates of their choice.

The Chairman of Elders Council of Ohanaeze Ndigbo further noted that some of the Igbos who lost their properties and were wounded were not only members of the Labour Party but also members of other Political Parties. He stated that most Igbos in Lagos voted for the incumbent Governor because they said that he did well in his first four year term and deserved to be reelected.

The Ahaejiagamba Ndigbo restated that Ohanaeze Ndigbo does not own a political party and does not control any political party where their members belong. In effect he said, people are free to choose, work for and vote for any political party of their choice and that is why Igbos are in all the political parties of their choice in the country.

Chief Iwuanyanwu observed that the peddlers of this fake news are part of the syndicate that brought misery and sadness to the Igbos resident in Lagos. He appealed to the Yorubas to fish them out as they are portraying the Yorubas in bad light.

Chief Iwuanyanwu on a personal note pointed out that one of his daughters is married to a prominent Yoruba family in Ibadan, Oyo State for over twenty years and the marriage is blessed with four adorable children. He expressed happiness and pride in his son-in law-and maintained that the children of the marriage are Yorubas and not Igbos by the culture of Igboland. He said that he will not be happy if at anytime any group of people discriminate against them in Yorubaland because their mother is Igbo.

Chief Iwuanyanwu called on all men of goodwill to arrest the present situation which if not nipped in the bud may cause social unrest.

My Suspension Is Illegal, Nullity – Ayu, Says Action Derived From Ignorance

By

Ayodele Oni

-

March 27, 2023

0

By Ayodele Oni

Embattled National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Dr Iyorcha Ayu, has declared that only the National Executive Committee (NEC) can suspend him.

Ayu’s suspension was announced on Sunday by the Ward Executive of the party in Igyorov Ward of Gboko Local Government Area, LGA, of Benue state.

Addressing the Media, Sunday, on behalf of Kashi Philip, the Ward Chairman, the Ward Secretary Mr. Vangeryina Dooyum, explained that Dr. Ayu was suspended by the Executive for alleged anti party activities.

But in a reaction on Monday, through his Special Adviser on Media, Simon Imobo-Tswam, Ayu stated that those goading Ward Executive are ignorant

The statement reads: ”Our attention has been drawn to rumours that the PDP National Chairman, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, has been suspended by the Executive Committee of his Ward.

“We wish to state categorically and with all emphasis at our disposal thus:

“The PDP National Chairman, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, has not been suspended by his Ward. Some members of the Exco are only being teleguided by political gamblers to cause mischief and nothing more.

“For starters, Article 57(7) of the PDP Constitution as Amended in 2017 expressly prohibits any organ of the party or executive committee of the party at the Ward or State Level from taking any disciplinary measure against any member of the party’s National Executive Committee.

“The purported suspension is, therefore, an exercise in futility as it derives its strength majorly from gross illiteracy, ignorance, gambling and desperation. It has only mischief, drama and propaganda value.

“But more than this, the so-called suspension letter was written by an illiterate before hand, and only given to the coerced members to sign somewhere in Makurdi.

“This is why the original date is typed and 24 March imposed on it. And this is also why it states that the Presidential/NASS and Governorship/State Assembly elections held on 25th and 18th March, 2023 respectively.

“From what we know, the document itself is fraudulent as the signatures of the Ward Executives were forged or obtained under duress.

“The Chairman, his Deputy and Legal Adviser didn’t sign. The 14th person on the list didn’t sign too. She was at NKST Ambighir for the Holy Communion.

“In fact, the same applies for Nos. 5, 8 and 16. At the time they were supposed to be in Makurdi with the other coerced, intimidated and induced members of the Exco, they were actually in their villages, going about their normal businesses.

“Up till now, about nine members of the Ward Exco are still being held hostage in a location in Makurdi for obvious reasons. And expectedly, their mobile numbers have been switched off. It is instructive.

“The general public is hereby advised to ignore rumours to this heinous effect. Those behind the plot are only investing in expensive illusions.”

However, not a few people are telling Ayu to watch his back. They remind him of the fate of his predecessor, Prince Uche Secondus whose sack, as National Chairman, was instigated and backed by Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike.

It started same way as Ayu’s. And before Secondus could say jack, he was sacked from office.

For the records, Wike has already backed Ayu’s suspension and applauded those who suspended him.

The next few days will be interesting.

Four Banks Get Freezing Order On Oyo Govt Funds

By

James Orji

-

March 27, 2023

0

Four commercial banks have been summoned by a federal high court in Abuja over an ongoing garnishe proceeding against the Oyo State government.

The court in its ruling also attached funds belonging to the state government and its agenceis in the four deposit money banks.

The banks are Zenith Bank, First Bank, UBA and Wema Bank.

The order was issued following the refusal of the Governor Seyi Makinde- led government to carry out a Supreme Court order to pay former local government chairmen in the state, who were sacked by the state government after the incumbent came to office in 1999.

The sacked council officials had dragged the state government to court for wrongful removal, demanding also that they be paid for the period of their tenure as chairmen.

On May 27, 2021, the apex court ruled that the former council chairmen be paid their withheld emoluments to the tune of N3,334,889, 425.60.

So far, the state government has not carried out the judgement, prompting the former chairmen to go to court to demand that a garnishe order be issued on the state government accounts.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, Justice A. O. Ebong issued the order while ruling on a motion ex-parte for garnishee order filed by the former council officials.

The ruling, the agency report said is on the motion marked: FCT/HC/BW/M/238/2023, and delivered by Justice Ebong on March 2 and a certified true copy, CTC seen last weekend.

Justice Ebong said “A garnishee order nisi is hereby granted to attach the judgment debtors’ accounts with garnishees Nos. 1 to 4 in the motion ex-parte, for the purpose of settling the judgment debt outstanding in the sum of N3,374,889,425.60 as awarded by the Supreme Court and conceded by the judgment debtors in Exhibit 11 attached to the applicant’s motion.

“The garnishees (1st to 4th) shall file affidavits and attend court on the next adjourned date to show cause why the order nisi should not be made absolute.

“A copy of this order nisi shall be served on the judgment debtors as required by law. This matter is hereby adjourned to the 4/4/2023 for continuation.”

It was gathered that the judgment creditors have since effected service of copies of the order on the judgment debtors as ordered by the court.
According to NAN. listed as judgment debtors with the Oyo State Governor is the state’s Attorney General, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, the Accountant General, the House of Assembly, it’s Speaker and the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission, OYSIEC.

Visa Ban:Fani-Kayode Attacks UK Envoy; 10 Nigerians Make List

By

James Orji

-

March 27, 2023

0

Femi Fani-Kayode has added the British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ben Llewellyn-Jones to the list of those that have suffered from his verbal assault.

As one of the spokesmen of the ruling All ProgressivesCongress, APC, in the just concluded presidential election, Fani-Kayode, a former minister of Aviation has not spared those he considered to be enemies of the party.

He has also made comments capable of disrupting peace in the country, those watching his trajectory during the campaign said.

In January, the former Minister caused tension after he accused Atiku Abubakar, a former vice president, and People’s Democratic Party, PDP, in the February 25 presidential election of planning a coup detat with the military.

The British envoy had during an interview with a radio station condemned Fani-Kayode for making such a comment capable of raising tension in the country.

The United Kingdom, UK, government had issued a visa ban threat against those that had made comments capable of throwing the country into crisis. Already, the Rishi Sunak-government said the names of no fewer than 10 Nigerians have been compiled for sanctions for various election related violence.

Since the British government said the list of the offenders will not be made public, It’s not clear whether the former minister is among those that will be ban from entering the UK.

But, this seems not to worry Fani-Kayode, who why responding to the UK envoy comment told him to steer clear of Nigeria’s politics.

He accused the British diplomat of supporting a particular candidate during the pesidential election, who eventually failed to win.

I am not afraid of the British government , the former minister said in defiance, warning Llewellyn-Jones to stop interfering with Nigeria’s domestic affairs.

Reacting to this in a statement, Fani-Kayode said, “I would advise this Ben, who I am told is the Deputy High Commissioner of the UK to Nigeria, to keep his dirty nose out of our internal affairs. Nigeria stopped being a British colony 63 years ago and we need no lessons from him on how to run our affairs or conduct our politics.

“I know that his preferred candidate did not win the presidential election but that does not mean he should cross the line and take liberties with us here. I wonder who the hell he thinks he is? I am not one of those Nigerians that bows, shakes, shivers and trembles before the British or indeed any other foreigner.

“And unlike most I do not need any validation or endorsement from him or his ilk and neither can I be intimidated by his veiled threat of a visa ban. Frankly I could not care less.

“I would however take this opportunity to assure him that regardless of his views and desire to compel us to accept their godless so-called “humanist” and “libertarian” values and introduce evil practices and policies such as same-sex marriage in our country this will never be the case.

“My aversion for sod*mites remains as constant as the northern star and whether he likes it or not we will never allow a sod*mite to be our President. Neither will we accept lessons in decency, etiquette, what to say or how to speak from a fading British civil servant and a man that represents a nation that has committed more atrocities than perhaps any other in the history of humanity.

“I advise this little Englander to respect himself and remain a silent observer when it comes to the politics of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. As a nation we are not a poodle of the British and we came of age 63 years ago.

“He should be more concerned about the shrinking fortunes of a once “Great Britain” and the systemic racism, inherent injustice and insufferable arrogance that is entrenched in the British establishment and society than in the intra party politics of Nigeria.

“He should also be more concerned with the efforts of his nation to bring us one step closer to WW3 given the unfolding events in Ukraine.”

Meanwhile, Abubakar, the PDP presidential candidate has in his reaction to the British diplomat comment, urges the Department of State Services, DSS, to arrest the former minister.

Commending the UK for calling Fani-Kayode to order Abubakar, said the APC spokesperson is trying to set the country on fire.

Zenith Bank CEO, Onyeagwu Bags UNN’s Doctoral Degree

By

James Orji

-

March 27, 2023

0

The Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Zenith Bank Plc, Dr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu, was on Saturday, March 25, 2023, conferred with a Doctorate Degree in Business Administration by the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. The award, which is in recognition of his immense achievements as Group Managing Director/CEO of Zenith Bank as well as his contributions to the growth of the financial services sector in Nigeria and across the African continent, was conferred on him during the 50th convocation ceremony of the University.

Speaking during the conferment ceremony, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Prof. Charles Igwe, congratulated Dr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu for distinguishing himself in his career and for his service to humanity, which made him worthy to receive the prestigious Doctorate Degree from Nigeria’s first indigenous University.

In his acceptance speech, Onyeagwu expressed his gratitude to the University of Nigeria for finding him a worthy recipient of the Doctorate Degree in Business Administration of one of the leading universities in Nigeria, considering the very rigorous process of selection of awardees by the institution. In his words, “for me to have been considered and to have passed through the meticulous selection process makes it the more dignifying because I have no connection with the University.”

Noting that the award represents a validation of the outstanding corporate governance, ethical leadership, and overall outstanding performance that Zenith Bank is recording, Dr. Onyeagwu dedicated the award to the board and management of Zenith, especially the Founder and Chairman, Dr. Jim Ovia, CFR, who has remained a mentor, a leader and a source of inspiration to everyone at the Bank and beyond; the staff, for being the shoulder and proverbial base of the pyramid upon which his achievements and success as CEO of the leading financial institution in Nigeria rests; the Bank’s customers for their unflinching loyalty to the brand; and to his family for their unceasing love and support.

Presenting the citation of Onyeagwu to the assemblage at the 50th Convocation Ceremony for the conferment of the Doctorate Degree in Business Administration, the orator of the University of Nigeria, Dr. Ikenna Onwuegbuna noted that Onyeagwu is an alumnus of Auchi Polytechnic, the University of Oxford, England and Salford Business School, University of Salford, Manchester, United Kingdom, Delta State University, Abraka. Also, he is an alumnus of Wharton Business School of the University of Pennsylvania, Columbia Business School of Columbia University, and the Harvard Business School of Harvard University in the United States.

Onyeagwu is a Fellow, FCA, of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, ICAN, a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Management, NIM, The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, CIBN, the Institute of Credit Administrators, ICA, and Senior Associate Member, Risk Management Institute of Nigeria, RIMAN.

Onyeagwu is the Chairman of the Body of Banks’ Chief Executive Officers, Nigeria and Chairman of Zenith Pensions Custodian Limited and Zenith Nominees Limited. He is also on the Board of Zenith Ban, UK, Limited, FMDQ Holdings Plc and Lagos State Security Trust Fun, LSSTF. Ebenezer Onyeagwu is a member of the International Monetary Conference, IMC, the Wall Street Journal CEO Council, member of the African Trade Gateway Advisory Council of the Africa Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), and member of the Governing Council of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, CIBN. He also served on the board of Zenith Bank Ghana Limited, Zenith General Insurance, Zenith Securities Limited, Zenith Assets Management Company, Zenith Medicare Limited, and Africa Finance Corporation, AFC.

Dr. Onyeagwu’s track record of excellence has also seen him win several individual awards, including being named Bank CEO of the Year (2019) by Champion Newspaper, Bank CEO of the Year (2020, 2021 & 2022) by BusinessDay Newspaper, CEO of the Year (2020 and 2021) – SERAS Awards, and CEO of the Year (2022) – Leadership Newspaper.

Other recipients of Doctorate Degrees at the 50th convocation ceremony include former Governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, who was conferred with the Doctor of Public Administration, and the Chairman of Hobark International Limited, Dr. Obiora Fubara, who received the Doctor of Business Administration.

Reno Omokri Apologises To Obi, Walks Back On Rigging Allegation Against The LP Presidential Candidate

By

The Source

-

March 27, 2023

0

By Charles Igbo

A socio/political critic, politician, staunch supporter of the Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and an unrepentant critic of Peter Obi, Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, Reno Omokri, has, for the first time in many months, regretted his strong criticisms of, and allegations against Obi.

All through the period of the Campaigns for the Presidency, and the months running to it, Omokri took the hacking down of Obi, criticising him in very strong language, and finding fault in everything, anything Obi did, as a 24/7 job.

His latest attack against Obi was accusing him of rigging the 25th February Presidential Election. He cited Anambra State, where Obi scored 97% of the votes cast, as an example of Obi’s rigging, insisting it was not possible for him to have that much votes.

But now, Omokri has walked back on his rigging allegation against Obi and apologised to him.

What made Omokri apologise was what happened at an event in Awka, capital of Anambra State, which Obi attended, a couple of days ago. It was the celebration of the first year in office of the State Governor, Professor Charles Soludo.

Given that Soludo is also a strong attacker of Obi in his quest for the office of the President, not many people expected the LP Presidential Candidate to attend. But he did, and literally brought the roof down with his appearance.

In the words of Omokri, the applause that greeted Obi as he walked into the venue of the celebration was like thunder. Obi’s appearance, for minutes on end, halted proceedings.

As he watched the unfolding scene before him, a humbled Omokri quickly recorded a voice-video where he apologised to Obi, and posted it on social media platforms.

His words:

“I have said that Bola Tinubu rigged the February 25, 2023, Presidential Elections. But, I have, also, said that Peter Obi actually did some rigging, himself, because if you look at the figures he posted from Anambra State, getting, almost, 97 per cent of the votes, I felt that may be there were some shenanigans going on.

“And, then, he went on in an interview and responded to me. And, he said he was surprised he didn’t get 100 per cent in Anambra because he is so popular.

“But, you know, I took that with a pinch of salt. But today, I watched an event. I think the one year event of the incumbent Governor, Professor Charles Soludo, and Peter Obi just walked into the room and the applause was like thunder. I mean it was like thunder.

“So, I can see, for obviously, he is more popular than the incumbent Governor.

“Yeah. So, maybe, I might want to walk back on what I said because I can see that it was possible for him to get that 97 per cent of the votes without rigging.

“Because what I saw was organic love because everybody knows that Peter Obi no de give shi-shi. If you are from Nigeria, you will understand what that means. You know what that means.

“I mean he is thrifty. Let me not say stingy. He is very thrifty.

“So, I take back those words because it was possible that Peter Obi could have gotten 97 per cent without rigging.

“I do apologise.You know, I made that statement, honestly, thinking it wouldn’t have been possible. But from what I have just seen, I think it was possible.”

Obi did the unprecedented by, winning 12 States, including Abuja and Lagos.

Both Atiku and President-elect, Tinubu, also won 12 States each. But, according to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, which declared Tinubu winner, he got more votes than Obi and Atiku.

However, both men and their Political Parties, very strongly, insist INEC was wrong, and have filed suits, separately, to challenge the declaration of Tinubu as President-elect.

Pan Yoruba Group Urges Akintoye To Suspend Relationship With Igbo Groups Over IPOB, Iwuayanwu

By

Akinwale Kasali

-

March 27, 2023

0

By Akinwale Kasali

A Pan Yoruba Group, All Yoruba Democratic Movements, AYDM, has condemned Emmanuel Iwuayanwu, for labeling the Yoruba ‘Rascals’.

The Group said Iwuayanwu’s statement is genocidal and further authenticates the widespread reports that the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB plans to attack Lagos.

The group said the IPOB hate project has been extended abroad where Yoruba professionals like Adeniran Ariyo, a world renowned cardiologist has been singled out for attack by IPOB members.

AYDM called on the Lagos State Government and all South West Governments to set up an extensive Intelligence Corp to fish out IPOB terrorists, their collaborators including drug barons and manufactures of fake drugs who provide illicit funds for the terrorist group.

It stated that IPOB is a Nazist organisation, and the Yoruba have the historical role to protect territories from Lagos to Jebba, to Akoko Edo and to Itsekiri territories in Delta State.

But Ohanaeze Nd’Igbo in a statement distanced Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, who is the Chairman of the Ohanaeze Council of Elders from the allegation that he called the Yoruba rascals or that the Igbo would deal with them. Ohanaeze Insisted the allegation is a lie from the pit of hell and said those he called political rascals, in his speech in Awka at the one year anniversary celebration of Governor Soludo of Anambra State, were those who physically attacked the Igbo in Lagos during the General Elections. Iwuanyanwu, the statement said, instead, called for unity between the two ethnic groups, and said the Yoruba and Igbo “are not at war.”

IPOB has also denied it had any plan to attack Lagos or any other Yoruba State.

But in a Statement by its Secretary General, Popoola Ajayi, AYDM stated that, “The Yoruba are clearly not the aggressors. IPOB, Chief Iwuanyanwu and their supporters are the aggressors. We promise them that from Yoruba people there would be proportional response to any attacks on Yorubaland or any Yoruba individual since this seems to be the new project of IPOB, Iwuanyanwu and their collaborators”.

It, however urged the Igbo to go about their businesses without fear. The statement said: “We urge Igbo in Yorubaland to go about their businesses. If Lagos or any part of Yorubaland is eventually attacked by IPOB, the Igbo Nation should know who to hold responsible for the consequences.

“During the #ENDSARs protests, Nnamdi Kanu, IPOB leader specifically asked IPOB to attack Yoruba barracks and even kill Yoruba State Governors. The statements by Iwuanyanwu and IPOB is in furtherance of Nazism being extended to Yorubaland.

“We draw the attention of the Local and International community to the genocide plat by IPOB and its supporters including Iwuanyanwu. While we recognise that there are moderate Igbo who do not share the genocidal plot of IPOB, we are mindful of the fact that IPOB is a dominant organisation in the South East which rules the area with fear and bullying but lacking wisdom nor knowledge.

“IPOB is armed and has been involved in mindless killings of innocent people in the South East. It makes sense to be alert when such an irresponsible and callous organisation makes such a threat.”

AYDM said the positions of Iwuanyanwu and IPOB are the same and have shown clearly that Yoruba people who innocently drum support for alliance with the South East are doing so in vain.

‘‘The Yoruba leadership has always bent backwards to work with the South East but at each point, we have ended up regretting, The latest being the support given to Afenifere to Mr Peter Obi who up till now has not even spoken to thank the group nor show solidarily to Lagos people who voted for his party, the Labour Party. In his parochial mindset, he would attributes his victory in Lagos to his people. Little wonder he visited only Ladipo spareparts market after the Presidential election.

“You cannot behead yourself to satisfy the thirst of a people whose primordial aim is to live and witness your peril”, the group said

“We are aware that some Yoruba people are already being killed by IPOB in the South East. One of them was an Immigration officer who was shot dead by IPOB in Anambra State two weeks ago on account of his ethnic origin”, the statement signed by AYDM Secretary General said.

CNPP Urges Buhari, Security Agencies To Investigate CJN’s London Trip To Save Nigerian Judiciary

By

The Source

-

March 27, 2023

0

Conference Of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has called on President Muhammadu Buhari and all relevant security agencies to immediately investigate and make public their findings on the rumoured visit of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Olukayode Ariwoola to the United Kingdom for medical reasons and the allegation that it was in disguise to meet with President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu in London.

The CNPP, in a statement signed by its Secretary General, Chief Willy Ezugwu, said this has become necessary to preserve the integrity of the Nigerian judiciary.

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Olukayode Ariwoola was reported to have been sighted in London, United Kingdom, “pretending: to be a physically-challenged old man, for a secret meeting with the President-elect.

According to the Peoples Gazette, an online news medium, Supreme Court sources said Ariwoola’s disguising was a clandestine preparation for a meeting with Tinubu.

The CNPP noted that despite the denials of the plans to hold such meetings by the two personalities, “the integrity of both the chief judicial personality in Nigeria and that of the President-Elect have been called to question, especially in view of the widespread criticisms of the Supreme Court of Nigeria’s rulings on political matters since the 2023 general elections.

“The Supreme Court under the current leadership has given several verdicts on political litigations in recent times which put the integrity of the apex court to question before this very damaging report by an online news portal on the alleged planned meeting between the CJN and the President-elect in London.

“Allowing the matter to slide without a public inquiry will be a recipe for breach of national security in the event that the Supreme Court rulings fail to favour some parties in election litigations currently before various election petition tribunals, especially the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal under the direct jurisdiction of the CJN.

“The CNPP therefore calls on President Muhammadu Buhari, Security Agencies, and all relevant stakeholders to institute open investigation into the reported planned meeting between CJN Ariwoola and President-elect Tinubu to lay to rest the controversy in the interest of justice and national security.

“This is imperative as the level of distrust, religious and tribal colourations permeating topics among supporters of different political camps in the country, especially now that the most damaging allegation on the integrity of the Nigerian judiciary became a media affair, should be taken very seriously to avoid a national catastrophy.

“It is also of national importance to ensure that the matter is openly investigated and the report made public as most Nigerian politicians and citizens who are aggrieved by the outcome of the 2023 general elections as conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) may resort to self-help in the event of perceived biases in the judicial pronouncements on the outcome by the tribunals.

“The CNPP then urges politicians to caution their supporters on the use of ethnicity and religion as campaign tools. Ethnic profiling is dangerous to peace and unity of the country and must be stopped.

“We therefore call on security agencies to ensure that all persons who were involved in inciting comments before, during, and after the 2023 general elections are prosecuted to serve as deterrence to others, otherwise the individuals and groups will remain bad examples and reference cases in the near future”, the CNPP warned.