Chief Justice of Nigeria, (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola has joined other Nigerians to rejoice with Christians on this year’s Easter cerebration.
Justice Ariwoola also greeted Muslim faithfuls for witnessing the on- going Ramadan fast.
In a statement from the CJN’s office on Sunday, Justice Ariwoola counselled both Christians and Muslims to use the occasions to pray fervently for peace and tranquility to continue to prevail in the country.
The statement personally signed by the CJN read in part ” it is with gratitude to Almighty Allah, the most gracious, the most merciful, the most benevolent for His grace at this season when both Christians and Muslims all over the globe are fasting and calling on Almighty God for protection and blessings that
I express my greetings to all.
“I am using this opportunity to thank my brother Justices of the Supreme Court of Nigeria and our supporting staff for their unalloyed cooperation since the beginning of the current legal year of the 2022/2023 which started in the mid September, 2022.
“I want to specifically appreciate and acknowledge my brother Justices who have delivered 272 judgments in the normal civil, criminal and election related Appeal under immense pressure.
“We appreciate, adore and give glory to Almighty God who has continued to keep us all in good health.
“I wish the Christian faithfuls a joyous Easter and the Muslim Ummah a rewarding Ramadan and happy Eid- el- Fitri”
The Supreme Court is on Easter and Eid-el- Fitri vacation and would resume later this month.
Candidates sitting for this year’s Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination have been put on notice as the 2023 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) will commence earlier than expected.
JAMB, in a statement issued on Sunday by Dr Fabian Benjamin – Head, Public Affairs and Protocol of the examination body, said the UTME which was earlier scheduled to commence on 29th April will now start on 25th April, 2023.
According to the statement, JAMB would hold its rescheduled mock-UTME on 18th April, 2023.
According to the statement, “The Board has brought forward the conduct of its 2023 UTME which was earlier scheduled to hold from Saturday, 29th April, 2023, to Tuesday, 25th April, to Tuesday, 2nd May, 2023.
”It would be recalled that the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) had earlier conducted its 2023 Mock-UTME on Thursday, 30th March, 2023, in 725 centres across the country.
“However, the exercise ran into some technical hitches in some centres thereby denying some candidates the opportunity to sit the examination.
“The Board’s mock examination was designed for the purpose of testing its preparedness and that of its partners for the UTME as well as give prospective candidates the opportunity to have hands-on experience of the CBT test environment.
”It is, therefore, in order to give those candidates, who were unable to sit the examination owing to no fault of theirs, the opportunity to take the examination that the mock examination had been rescheduled to hold on Tuesday, 18th April, 2023.
“Similarly, candidates who were present and screened for the examination but could not sit the examination have been rescheduled to retake the mock examination on Tuesday, 18th April, 2023.
”In the meantime, the result of the candidates who successfully took the mock examination on 30th March, 2023, has been released.
”Also, the Board has brought forward the conduct of its 2023 UTME which was earlier scheduled to hold from Saturday, 29th April, 2023, to Tuesday, 25th April, to Tuesday, 2nd May, 2023.
”The adjustment in the date of the UTME is to accommodate some other major and critical national assignments.
“By so doing, the Board hopes that no citizen would be denied the opportunity of exercising their civic responsibilities.
”It should be noted that the Board does not have the liberty of shifting forward its examination as other public examinations are billed to commence their exercises in the early part of May, 2023.
Yet another factor is the need to accommodate those institutions with stable academic calendar to resume as scheduled.
“The Board will continue to partner with relevant agencies of government to ensure that its candidates get the best. It, therefore, solicits the understanding of all as it delivers on its critical mandate.”
The tussle for the House of Representatives seat in Ogbaru Federal Constituency in Anambra State is becoming more fierce and intriguing, as the April 15, 2023 date, scheduled for the re-run of the earlier election in February that was declared inconclusive, draws near.
The increasing apprehension and tension in Ogbaru over the rescheduled election, may be attributed to the manifest dark political drama, subtle and outright intimidation, and glaring acts of coercion and inducements – by some political interests – designed to cow the people and compromise the process.
The latest is the recent invitation of chairmen of landlord association of different communities in Ogbaru to a meeting in Government House in Awka, capital of Anambra, by the state Government.
The meeting was said to have been chaired by the Special Adviser to Governor Chukwuma Soludo on Political Matters, Alex Obiogbolu. While Obiogbolu set out the broad outlines of the “Operation Capture Ogbaru” agenda, the day to day co-ordination was left for the trio of Collins Nwabunwanne, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Paul Nwosu, Commissioner for Information and Culture, and Sly Ezeokenwa, Commissioner for Special Duties.
The singular agenda of the meeting was the rescheduled election and the need for the landlord representatives to ensure that their members work for the ruling party in Anambra State, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), with a subtle warning that working against the interest of the government, always comes with consequences.
As earlier reported, before the February 25, 2023 House of Representatives election was declared inconclusive, the Labour Party, which also won both the senatorial and presidential elections in the constituency, was leading comfortably with over 1500 votes, while APGA and the People’s Democratic Party, which produced the incumbent representative, were trailing in second and third place respectively.
The Anambra State Government, has exhibited inexplicable obsession for the Ogbaru seat and hasn’t hidden its displeasure over how the Labour Party trounced APGA in both the National Assembly and presidential elections in the local government.
Some of the landlords who attended the Awka meeting, who spoke anonymously, apparently because of fear of government agents, said that the meeting was not only awkward, as the atmosphere didn’t support free speech, as it was laced with intimidation and talks about loyalty to the ruling government, irrespective of their individual choices as free citizens in a democratic setting that provides for fundamental human rights and freedom of choice and association.
It was also learnt that to ensure that APGA carries the day, provisions have been made to grant free access to thugs and other anti-democratic elements by the party to suppress votes from those who may be willing to cast their votes for other parties apart from APGA, especially those sympathetic to the Labour Party.
At different meetings, including the recent one in Awka, where such dark plans were being promoted, the Lagos example in the last governorship election, which witnessed massive voter suppression and intimidation of voters, were referenced as the adopted model for the rescheduled election in Ogbaru.
Some of those summoned to the meeting include Chief Ngerem, chairman East Niger Community, Sir Agozie Okoye, President-General, Iyiowa, Sir W. Iweama, PG, Ossomala community, and Iloene Ikechukwu Stone, a top political stalwart in the Iyiowa area of Ogbaru.
Others included David Ezike, PG, Nkpikpa community, Kenneth Akwuobi, popularly as Okwulora, Chief Louis Ipere, and Frank Okorie, a Councillor in the Okpoko area of Ogbaru.
The Social Democratic Party, (SDP) in Ekiti State has expressed shock on the judgement of the five man panel of the Supreme Court which dismissed appeal filed by its candidate, Segun Oni to challenge victory of All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Abayomi Oyebanji during last year’s election.
The party described the judgement of the apex court, led by Justice Musa Danttijo Muhammed delivered last Thursday, as a rape of democracy, which will go a long way in the anal of Nigeria history.
Chairman of the Party, Dr Dele Ekunola expressed his displeasure when he led the state working committee members to Ifaki Ekiti, the country home of the candidate of the party in June 18 2022 gubernatorial election on a solidarity visit.
Having pondered on the Supreme Court judgement, Ekunola described the dismissal of the case summarily as the least expected; the decision is taken in good faith but too distasteful and unbeatable.
“How can Danttijo Muhammed be expected to be neutral in the case? “We are not surprised and perturbed that Danttijo Muhammed made such pronouncement because he was one of the appeal court justices that sacked Segun Oni at the Ilorin court of appeal division in 2010 on the mere allegation that the electoral officials used red biro to mark the voters attendance sheet during the rerun election.
“So, Thursday action of Danttijo Muhammed and his team was a fulfillment of APC onslaught against Oni and SDP and the whole world is watching.
“Sometimes ago, the former Governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi at Aramoko Ekiti boasted that he had judiciary in his pocket and described the court action of the SDP challenging the outcome of the June 18, 2022 gubernatorial elections as a waste of time and mere entertainment.
“Are we to live like this as a nation where justice is always perverted?”
The chairman praised Oni for his doggedness, steadfastness and vision for Ekiti.
“You remain a hero of democracy, a symbol of truth and justice which everybody in this state and beyond keeps on attesting to.
“You are our bride come reign come shine. We wish you God guidance and success in your future endeavors.”
Oni thanked the leadership of the party in the state for the show of love and solidarity expressed to him through their visit and assured them of greater days ahead.
He described the supreme court pronouncement as one of the things to happen and wished Ekiti well.
Governor Oyebanji has after the judgement extended hand of fellowship to the SDP candidate, describing him as one of the pillars of Ekiti state.
President Muhammadu Buhari has flayed the “extreme violence” and killings of scores of people in Benue State within a week.
The President, in a statement on Saturday by his spokesperson, Garba Shehu, condemned the “use of terrorism as a tool in inter-communal conflicts”, directing that the attackers “be found and dealt with swiftly under the law.”
He directed the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Police Force and military commanders to enhance surveillance on every front and to immediately review the security management in the affected areas.
The President also conveyed his grief and sympathy to the families of those who lost their lives due to the attacks.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those murdered. The entire nation stands united in the fight against the forces of terror and evil.”
On Wednesday, no fewer than 46 persons including the 33-year-old son of Otukpo Local Government Area Chairman Bako Eje, were killed by suspected herdsmen who invaded Umogidi village of Entekpa-Adoka district in local government in Benue State.
The killing comes barely 24 hours after the same village, an Idoma-speaking community suffered an attack by suspected herdsmen with three persons killed.
Also, suspected herdsmen on Friday attacked Internal Displaced Persons (IDP) camps at Agan in the Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue with many killed.
The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, LP, Peter Obi has urged Nigerians never to despair in the face of tribulations and provocations because Easter is about hope and promise for all who believe.
Obi who also noted that Muslims are in the middle of their 30 days of special prayers and fasting that will culminate in Eid El Fitr said he is praying with them during this solemn period for a great and peaceful Nigeria ahead.
“To our Muslim brothers and sisters who are well into the Ramadan fasting period, which will culminate in the Eid El Fitr, my special greetings and prayers are with you as we look forward to a joyous celebration. Given that we are all united as brothers and sisters, and in our trust in the mercies and infinite benevolence of God Almighty, I urge all Nigerians particularly the youths not to despair in the face of many challenges and tribulations we are facing as a country.
“We continue to thank God for all His blessings on Nigeria and pray for a better and New Nigeria where equity, fairness, peace, unity, accountable leadership, and prosperity shall reign.
Obi said in the Easter message on Saturday that if Jesus our messiah died for us and rose from death to fight for us why should we be hopeless at anything?
Every religion believes that God our creator is of justice, so why should we as his children not expect it from him?
“The main significance of Easter that the Christendom celebrate this time is that it marks the Resurrection of Jesus Christ three days after his death by crucifixion.
The three most significant events in it are the trial of Jesus, the death of Jesus, and finally the resurrection.
“What is the strength here for us, it gives all who believe in Christ the courage and hope that the Lord they serve, worship, and adore is alive and not dead. And that Good Friday must come before Easter Sunday. Meaning that the road to Alleluia is not smooth but it must come.
Obi said that “Easter is therefore a celebration and festival of hope knowing that our messiah is alive and not dead. Easter gives us hope of eternal life which is what every believer is working for.
“If therefore we know that Easter gives us hope that our savior is alive after dying for our sake, why should we despair.?
“So, fellow Nigerians, dear obidients, of all faith and class, never despair as I pray that the blessings of the resurrection will remain with us in the face of any tribulations because our redeemer is living and active”
Finally, Obi wished all Christians a happy celebration and pray that the message and blessings of Easter will remain with us.
Pan Yoruba Coalition, Alliance of Yoruba Democratic Movements, AYDM, has said that those attacking Nobel Laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka over his comments on Labour Party, LP, Vice Presidential Candidate, Datti Baba Ahmed’s controversial interview lack a deep sense of history, and are a threat to democracy and human civilisation.
In a Statement issued by the Group on Saturday, April 8th, 2023, it, said that the supporters of Labour Party, LP, Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi, are noted for a culture of banality and contempt for common sense
AYDM said Obidients criticisms are driven by a blind rage and fury with neither logic,reason, nor common sense.
It added that Nigerians have now learnt that it would have been a grave error if Obi had won the election adding that his conducts and that of his supporters indicated that they are ideologically barren, and driven by Igbo fundamentalism.
The statement signed by AYDM’s General Secretary, Popoola Ajayi and Organizing Secretary, Kunle Oshodi, said that the worst form of political philosophy is the belief that there are no human beings on earth except those who support Peter Obi, now projected as an Igbo candidate with an unmistaken Igbo agenda, seeking to rule a plural society like Nigeria.
“The attacks on Soyinka are irresponsible. They show that Obidients are violently anti-culture. They have a terrorist mentality, obsessed by democratic debates and have the penchant for blood letting and a rabid mindset which the Yoruba refer to as Digbolugi”.
The AYDM is a coalition of 121 Pan Yoruba groups including Oodua Peoples Congress( New Era), Oodua Nationalist Coalition, (ONAC), Professional Hunters Union, ANACCOWA ,representing Okada riders in the West, Vigilante Group, South West Youth Coalition, SWYC, NATA, mechanic associations in the South West, Oodua Peoples Congress (Reformed), Network for Yoruba Alliance, NENA, Itsekiri Nationalist Congress, INCO, Kwara-Kogi Yoruba Solidarity Front, Oodua Students League, (OSL), Congress of Oodua Descendants in West Africa Coast, (CODWAC), and several other community based groups from Kogi, Akoko Edo, Kwara and Itsekiri area of Delta State
It added that Obidients are anxious to extend their factories of terror across Nigeria through its armed wing, Indigenous Peoples of Biafra,IPOB
Speaking further, the Group said one of such instances was the arrested Eze Igbo in Lagos who said he would bring armed members of Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB and Eastern Security Network, ESN, to fight in Lagos and other parts of Nigeria.
“We have watched with keen interests this tactless and reckless people who are desperate to set the country ablaze and set humanity against itself through their mindless provocation and cruel disdain for logical reasoning.
“We are ready to confront them in all shades and in all forms, even on the streets unless they purge themselves of genocidal instints.
“Obi won over 80 percent in many of the South East states. His supporters were seen in various video clips attacking and hounding those opposed to their beliefs. They clubbed and viciously attacked those who did not support Labour Party. Their intention was to nationalise this criminal enterprise. In other parts of Nigeria, during the Governorship election. They were resisted in the South West in spite of their threats of armed attacks.”
The group alleged that Obidients are bullies with no respect for alternative opinions. It’s to the credit of Peter Obi that he has revealed that he and his supporters lack the mental and emotional stability to get close to power in Aso Rock.”
The group said the ceaseless attacks on Soyinka for condemning the calls for violent insurrection by many supporters of Peter Obi represents a display of cruel intolerance and assault on democratic norms.
“We caution those attacking Soyinka to beware of proportional measure of resistance from his admirers all over the world. He is not just a a treasure, he is a global icon that cannot be diminished by anarchists who at gun point are bent on imposing their perspectives on Nigerians” the statement said
AYDM said each day, Obidients with their garrison mentality are pushing Nigerians to the brink and in the process further isolates itself.
The group said it was not surprised that celebrated Writer, Chimamanda Adichie, has joined the Igbo fundamentalists.
“Her writings have never been driven by humanity but by sectional, parochial instincts informed by a martial mindset to promote Igbo supremacy in all her encounters”
AYDM said “They are attacking and insulting people, even old people, and the physically challenged, they do not respect. It is simply because they are afraid of civil engagement and it shows their lowly understanding of a complex country like Nigeria”, AYDM said.
Obi and Obidients have strongly denied these allegations and described them as trash. The opposite, they insist, is the case. “These very false allegations are a bid to give a dog a bad name in other to hang it. The accusers know the truth”, an Obidient, Dr Akin Adewale said.
Bayo Onanuga, the Director of Media and Publicity for the Bola Tinubu Presidential Campaign Council, PCC, has debunked the claim that the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has chosen Speaker, House Of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila as his Chief Of Staff.
Onanuga said the news is false and mere speculations making the round, as Tinubu is yet to name anyone, and is presently in France relaxing after months of Campaign and politicking prior to the Presidential and Governorship Elections.
“I don’t know about that. The President-elect will soon be back in the country. It is nothing new. We know it has been trending in the last couple of days. Of course, it is still in the realm of speculation until the President-elect says otherwise,” Onanuga said.
Speculations have intensified in the camp of the President-elect that Gbajabiamila will be announced as the next chief of staff after the May 29 inauguration of Tinubu.
The development is coming three weeks after Gbajabiamila denied lobbying for the position.
The alleged failure of Gbajabiamila to go for his Certificate of Return as a House of Representatives Elect from the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, further raised the possibility of his getting the nod to become Chief of Staff to Tinubu.
It would be recalled that weeks back, Gbajabiamila denied knowing anything about the report and also gave excuse for not receiving his Certificate of Return to the 10th Aseembly.
“I was in Lagos and I could not leave Lagos because I was campaigning for my party. That’s number one.
“Again, it’ll interest you to know that I was not here four years ago to pick up my certificate, because I couldn’t make it. I don’t think it is anything significant.”
I have just read the press release issued by the Management of the National Hospital, Abuja, and my anger has risen to high heavens.
In the release, the hospital sought to extricate itself from the unfortunate death of Prince Obinna Emeka Ogbonna in the hands of its medical personnel.
My opinion, after going the release, signed by the Hospital’s Spokesperson, Dr, Taylor Haastrup, is that the Hospital has questions to answer over the death of the 27 year-old Pharmacist. The release raised more questions than it struggled to answer. It left issues raised by Obinna’s heartbroken father, His Royal Highness Eze Obinna Emeka Ogbonna, the Traditional Ruler of Ama-Inyi Community in Ihitte-Uboma Local Government Area of Imo State, unanswered, and instead, went on a rigmarole of what it wants the general public to believe.
I refuse to believe. And my reason is simple: what the hospital put out did not address the issues raised about the tragic incident. Until it tells us why Ogbonna Jnr. died, until it tells us the circumstances which surrounded his death, the National Hospital can continue to tell its story to the Marines.
The circumstances under which Obinna died at the National Hospital, Abuja, as narrated by his father, is one of those stories one reads, and curses oneself for being a Nigerian. Sadly, that has become our fate. Everyday, one reads stories that break the heart. Everyday, one reads stories that both, at once, congeals one’s blood, and condemns one’s blood pressure to a constant high. Everyday, one reads stories that make one lose faith in one’s Country. Everyday, one reads stories that make one slip into a state of depression. I experienced a combination of all after I read the lamentations of Obinna’s devastated father. His pains diminished me as a human being.
I don’t know whether you had the ill-luck of reading the story or not. But even if you did, please, excuse me to inflict it on you with a brief recap.
National Hospital Abuja
Obinna, 27, a registered Pharmacist, an author of books, one of which he wrote while he was a six-year old, lived in Imo State with his father, and worked in his father’s Pharmarcy, Ziga Pharmarcy Ltd.
What to do? Again, his father: “He was taken to a private hospital to obtain the full body scan, and when my son, Pharmacist Obinna Emeka, was brought back to National Hospital, it took two hours for documentation before he was taken in for medical attention. At this time, his veins had collapsed.”
His lamentation: “The medical team, after watching my son gradually stop breathing, came out and announced to his friends and people who brought him to the hospital that they were sorry my son, the writer, my Prince, my Pharmacist, who worked with me in our pharmacy till March 31, 2023, could not make it.”
Ogbonna Snr’s pain is difficult to imagine, especially, as he was the one who took his son to the Airport for the ill-fated Abuja trip. For him, it is like he took his son to the land of the dead and abandoned him there. “I am in pains. I took my son to Owerri Airport on March 31,2023, from where he flew to Abuja for a meeting, and I flew to Abuja on April 2, 2023, to take his corpse back home from the National Hospital mortuary. I have lost my son to incompetence and negligence.” He is correct. If what he narrated is anything to go by, then, yes, he lost his son to negligence and incompetence.
His one request: That the Federal Government, led by President Muhammadu Buhari, close down the National Hospital Abuja to avoid further tragedy as happened to him.
Expectedly, the management of the National Hospital has distanced its medical personnel from the young Pharmacist’s, perhaps, avoidable death.
In a statement that said nothing, Dr Sawyerr, the Hospital’s Spokesperson said the medical team was neither negligent nor incompetent.
His words: “To put the record straight, the patient was said to have been knocked down by a vehicle along Kubwa Express Road and was taken to Kubwa General Hospital after which he was referred to the National Hospital, Abuja. He was presented to the National Hospital Abuja Trauma Centre on 2/4/2023, seven (7) hours following the accident. Necessary investigations and procedures were carried out but unfortunately, we lost the patient.
“As a matter of fact, there was no incompetence or negligence in the treatment of the said patient. National Hospital Abuja ensures that medical services are rendered promptly.
“Emergencies/Trauma cases are given priorities. Our CT scan, MRI and UltraSound machines are always available for in-patients and emergencies. Furthermore, it is a policy in National Hospital Abuja to attend to emergencies for 48 hours without emphasising on the monetary aspect.
“The National Hospital Abuja has competent medical personnel fully certified by professional bodies and standard procedures were followed strictly.”
Good. But what has Dr. Sawyerr said? Nothing, if you ask me. He said the patient was brought in seven hours after the accident. So, was that what stopped National Hospital from giving him immediate attention? Was that what stopped it from stabilising him before asking for a full body scan and x-ray? Is that why it took two hours for documentation (only) before he was taken in to be attended to, by which time his veins had collapsed?
Dr Sawyerr wants us to believe that the National Hospital has functional Scan and X-ray machines. So, I believe. But here are the questions: Why were they not made available to Prince Obinna? Why were those who brought him to the hospital told the hospital had no functional ones? If they were functional, as claimed by Sawyerr, why would those who brought the patient take the risk of taking him out from the National Hospital to a Private Hospital for the procedures – before they took him back to the National Hospital? Or, does the National Hospital hoard those medical equipments? Is somebody doing some businesses with them? You know, like making it available to the highest bidder? Was that what happened? Otherwise, why would Dr Sawyerr tell us that: “It is the Hospital’s policy to treat patients for 48 hours before demanding any sort of payments.” Big deal? Who asked him how long it takes them before they ask for money? The bereaved father never mentioned anything about payments. So, where did that come from? Or was Sawyerr telling us something?
Dr. Sawyerr, also, told us:
“Necessary investigations and procedures were carried out, but unfortunately, we lost the patient.”
Can Dr. Sawyerr please tell us what necessary investigations and procedures were carried out? Was it asking for full body scan and X-ray which the hospital was unable to provide? Or doing documentation for two hours? Or, attending to the patient when his veins had already collapsed? What did they do for him? What services did they provide for him? What efforts did they make to save his life?
But, this is our fate in Nigeria. The young Pharmacist’s tragic death became public only because his father is enlightened enough to cry out. Otherwise nothing could have been heard. Hundreds of Nigerians die just like that because of the insensitive and carefree attitude of some medical personnel, especially, in Government Hospitals. It is even worse in University Teaching Hospitals. If one, especially, in an emergency, cannot afford a good Private Hospital, one is gone. Nobody cares.
In the instant case, one expected the National Hospital Management to investigate and find out who told those who brought the deceased to the Hospital that the Scan and X-ray machines were not functional. One expected them to find out why treatment was not started on the patient immediately he was brought back from the Private Hospital where he was taken to for the full body scan and x-rays. Those lost hours were crucial to his survival. They denied him that. Where has compassion gone to? Where have human feelings gone to?
Just in case the Management of the National Hospital, Abuja, does not know, the Hospital’s reputation is very ugly. There are too many untidy stories about the attitude of some of its personnel. It will not be out of place to institute a probe into the Hospital’s treatment of patients, especially, of deaths such as that of Pharmacist (Prince) Obinna Emeka Ogbonna. It shatters the heart.
All is not well in Cross River state chapter of the All Progressives Congress as a faction of the party is calling for the resignation of the state chairman, Barrister Alphonsus Eba.
Spearheading the crusade for Eba’s ouster is the Special Adviser to Governor Ben Ayade on Payroll, High Chief Henry Onwe.
Onwe insists Barrister Eba’s alleged anti- party activities were responsible for APC’s woeful performance in the February 25th,presidential election in the state as well as the defeat of Governor Ayade in the contest for Cross River North Senatorial seat.
While the Labour Party defeated APC in the presidential election in the state Ayade was stopped in his bid return to the Senate by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP candidate and current Senator representing Cross River North in the Senate, Senator Agom Jarigbe Agom.
Though the APC won the gubernatorial election, two of the Senatorial seats, five out of the eight House of Reps seats and majority seats in the House of Assembly, disquiet has continued to brew in the party following Ayade’s loss and the defeat of Tinubu in the state by Peter Obi.
High Chief Henry Onwe: Eba must go
Addressing newsmen Friday in Calabar, leader of the faction, Chief Onwe accused Barrister of Eba of betraying Ayade and Tinubu in Northern Cross where he hails from.
According to the group, “a close look at the results of his polling unit during the Presidential and National Assembly elections leaves no one in doubt that the governor and Alhaji Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Presidential candidate of the party were betrayed by Mr Eba who ridiculously scored low figures for them in the election”
Onwe cited results from Yala, Eba local government area to buttress his point.
In his words, “below are the abysmal results in Eba’s immediate catchment area which shows woeful loss by the APC to the PDP and LP in the Presidential and Senatorial elections
For instance in the Presidential election at Igbeku Comprehensive Secondary School (013) APC got 115 votes while LP scored a whooping 178 votes. At Akreha Health Centre unit ( 015), APC had 49 votes while LP scored 128 votes. It was same story at the third polling unit, Playground Echemofana, Etiekpo unit ( 005) APC had 91votes recorded for it while LP polled 139.
“At unit 004, Igbeku Comprehensive Secondary School, APC had just 70 votes while LP scored 83 votes. At Playground Echiakpo, APC 111 votes while LP got 134 votes.
In the House of Representatives election, it was the same story of woeful performance recorded against the APC in the immediate polling units of the party’s Chairman: Akreha Health Centre unit (015), APC got 71 votes while PDP went home with 109 votes and at Playground Oloko Ipuole Street, (008) PDP had 92 while APC 88 votes. At Playground Echiakpu (002), PDP had 138 votes APC 133 votes.
“In the Senate race contested by His Excellency, Senator Professor Ben Ayade, who has been so magnanimous to Mr Eba, the result in Echemofana was tear- inducing as the APC performed disastrously. Egat Igbeku Comprehensive Secondary School, (00)APC had 82 and PDP 88. At the same venue, ( 013) APC had 161, same PDP 161 Playground Echiakpo PDP pulled 138 while APC came behind with 134 votes
Also at Etiekpo Playground PDP had a whooping 182 and APC 119 votes. At Primary School Echemofana PDP scored 135 votes and APC could only manage 118 votes
“The same scenario played out at Playground Oloko (008) where PDP had 98 votes and APC 91. At Akreha Health Centre (015) PDP had 109 while APC came far behind with 75 votes . At Ipuole Ekprinyi (016) PDP led with 68 votes while APC 63”
Onwe rued that “the performance of the APC was shameful and falls far short of expectations considering the huge resources at the disposal of the State Chairman of APC”
He noted that “it was quiet unfortunate that the said Mr Eba is now accusing people of anti-party activities. According to him, those who did not win their polling units did anti-party and therefore would not be given appointments as if it is his prerogative to give appointments to party faithfuls. After all, he lost several polling units too in his immediate ward”
The faction stressed that “Eba ought to have since resigned without any prompting judging by the overall results of the election in the Northern Senatorial District where the party he suprintends lost the Senate post, two House of Representatives seats, five State House of Assembly positions making it apparently the only district to suffer such humiliation, and where incidentally Mr Eba hails from”
Onwe opined that Eba will plunges the party into more misfortunes and shame in the coming local government elections if he fails to resign now.
Meanwhile, Barrister Eba has denied Onwe’s accusations, saying rather it was Onwe himself who indulged in anti-party activities for he and others are being investigated.
“The saying that the guilty are always afraid may not be unconnected with Henry Onwe’s predicament.
“Henry who like Judas Iscariot is laboring under the influence of betrayal and high dose of anti-party activities despite being recently entrusted with the State payroll by the Governor and was appointed by Alphonsus Ogar Eba esq., APC State Chairman as Campaign Coordinator for Yala LGA threw caution to the wind and failed woefully in two polling units under his control in Nfuma / Ntrigom ward where he performed abysmally in Unit 006 left Aboum, APC 15 votes, PDP 134 votes and Unit 009 Elu, APC 06 votes, PDP 172 votes” Erasmus Ekpang, the state Publicity Secretary of the party said in a statement.
