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Afenifere Absolves Iwuanyanwu From Verbal Attack On Yoruba; Says Criminal Gangs To Blame

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Emmanuel Iwuayanwu

By Akinwale Kasali

■Sacks two officers over Iwuanyanwu.

■Full text of Communique.

The apex Yoruba Socio/Cultural Organisation, Afenifere, has deplored the attack on Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Chairman of the Elders’ Council of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

Iwuanyanwu has been under attack by a number of the Yoruba, over a fake comment creditated to him. He was falsely quoted to have called the Yoruba “Political rascals” who the Igbo would “deal with” during a speech he made in Awka at the First Anniversary of Professor Charles Soludo as the Governor of Anambra State, following the physical attack  on a number of the Igbo in Lagos during the General Elections.

The misinformation caused tension between the two ethnic groups, and climaxed when a statement creditated  to Afenifere condemned Iwuanyanwu and the Igbo.

And, for being present at the function and saying and/or doing nothing to confront Iwuanyanwu, Femi Fani-Kayode, in a tweet, doubted the paternity of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

But in a communique after its meeting on Tuesday, 28th March at Isanya Ogbo, Ogun State, presided over by its Leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Afenifere denied issuing any statement in condemnation of Iwuanyanwu, and attributed it to the handiwork of impostors.

It distanced Iwuanyanwu from the said offensive statement and said that after watching the video of the event, it was clear to them that Iwuanyanwu made no such statement.

On the contrary, Afenifere noted that Iwuanyanwu clearly said that the two ethnic groups are one and that there is no war between  them.

The Communique said: Afenifere “received a message creditated to Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu in a viral video alleging indictment of the Yoruba as Political Rascals on account of ethnic violence deployed by politicians of the ruling party in Lagos State. On the analysis of the video and information at the disposal of Afenifere by people at the Anambra State gathering, we are convinced that Chief Iwuanyanwu rightly asserted that the Yoruba and Igbo were not at war and truly condemned the shenanigans of some political rascals.”

Afenifere said it, therfore, issued no statement against Chief Iwuanyanwu and distanced itself from any such statement.

According to it, Afenifere “observed the uncouth activities and unauthorised statements in its name, and to the constant denigration of the organisation by Jare Ajayi, the National Publicity Secretary, and Abagun Kole Omololu, the National Organising Secretary. After due consideration of the unending embarrassing conduct of the two officers, the Meeting resolved that they be, and are hereby removed immediately from their respective offices and their membership be suspended sine die pending further decisions after their appearance before and recommendations by the Disciplinary Committee.”

Following is the full text of the Communique signed by Leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo and Secretary General, Chief Sola Ebiseni.

BEING THE COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF THE MONTHLY GENERAL MEETING OF THE AFENIFERE HELD AT THE RESIDENCE OF OUR LEADER, CHIEF AYO ADEBANJO AT ISANYA OGBO OGUN STATE ON TUESDAY 28TH DAY OF MARCH 2023.

  • 1. 000 PREAMBLE●

“1.02 The Afenifere held its regular monthly General Meeting today,  28th day of March 2023, at the residence of our Leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo at Isanya Ogbo, Ogun State.

“1.03  After intensive deliberations on the state of the Nigerian Federation, the Meeting which was presided over by our Leader aforesaid and attended by delegates from the member states of our Organisation observed and Resolved as follows:

2.00 RESOLUTIONS

“2.01 That Afenifere reiterates our position that the Presidential election held on the 25th of February 2023 was characterised by all forms of primitive manipulations and noncompliance with the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Electoral Act 2022 and the Guidelines and Regulations made pursuant thereto with concomitant legislative force.

“2.02 Reiterates that “the results of the lawful votes at the Presidential election available to the Afenifere through credible sources confirm that Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, won the said election and we, thus, support his decision challenging the contrary declaration by the INEC.

“2.03  Re-assert that for equity, fairness, national cohesion and peaceful corporate existence, the next President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be person of its southern part and specifically the South-East.

“2.04 Condemns in the strongest terms, the campaigns of calumny and  acts of ethnic violence deployed by some politicians and their hired criminal gangs in several parts of the federation during the gubernatorial election, particularly, Lagos State where the election was made to appear like an inter-ethnic war between the Yoruba and Igbo  which greatly led to voters’ suppression and other forms of deliberate disenfranchisement through brigandage.

“2.05 Received a message credited to Chief Emmanuel Iwunayanwu in a viral video alleging indictment of the Yoruba as political rascals on account of ethnic violence deployed by politicians of the ruling party in Lagos State. On the analysis of the video and information at the disposal of Afenifere by people at the Anambra State gathering, we are convinced that Chief Iwunayanwu rightly asserted that the Yoruba and Igbo were not at war and truly condemned the shenanigans of some political rascals.

“2.06. Flowing from the above, Afenifere state that it never issued any statement and dissociate the Organisation from any such statement against Chief Iwunayanwu.

“2.07  Observed the uncouth activities and unauthorised statements in its  name and to the constant denigration of the organisation, by Jare Ajayi, the National Publicity Secretary and Abagun Kole Omololu the National Organising Secretary. After due consideration of the unending embarrassing conduct of the two officers, the Meeting resolved that they be and are hereby removed immediately from their respective offices and their membership be suspended sine die pending further decisions after their appearance before and recommendations by the Disciplinary Committee.

“2.08 Restates our position that in accordance with the hallowed Yoruba culture of civilised conduct, Afenifere assure all persons resident in Yorubaland, indigenes and non-indegenes, of protection in the conduct of their lawful duties and thus warn all threats mongers and merchants of violence to desist therefrom.

“2.09 Expresses our belief in the judiciary as an integral part of the democratic process and expect that it proves itself in the election litigations now pending before it without fear or favour and in accordance with the judicial oaths of its members, in covenant with the Nigerian people.

“2.1 0  Calls on the President and Government of Nigeria to restore the patriotic confidence and hope of the Nigerian people in the continued corporate existence of the federation which will guaranty their safety throughout Nigeria.

“2.11  Appreciates the genuine and renewed interests of the international community in the security and democratic health of Nigeria and urge that as a prominent member of the global community, the affairs of Nigeria should continue to be of concern to the world.

“Dated and issued at Isanya Ogbo, this 28th day of March 2023.”

NANS Threatens Showdown As Ekiti Varsity Increases New Intake Fees

By
Ayodele Oni
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Ekiti State University to resume May 24

By Ayodele Oni

National Association of Nigerian Students, (NANS) has flayed what it described as unjustifiable increase of tuition fee being paid by the newly admitted students in Ekiti State University, (EKSU), Ado Ekiti.

A statement on Tuesday, which was signed by  Salawudeen Alade, National Director of Travels and Exchange, stated that education is a right, not a privilege and should not be commercialized.

The apex Students Association body in Nigeria, described the action as an unjustifiable decision of the management under the leadership of Prof Edward Olanipekun.

According to the statement, the tuition fee being paid by the newly admitted students has been increased by over N100,000 and gave the management 72hours ultimatum to reverse the decision.

The statement reads: “This ill-development coming at a time the country is in economic hardship is totally unacceptable as the management and other concerned stakeholders are not being considerate of the austerity and difficulties the Students and their sponsors are subjected to.

“The concerned Stakeholders should be well informed that National Association of Nigerian Students National Headquarters is a responsible and responsive association and we won’t fold our arms and allow this injustice to go.

“Hence, the leadership of the Association has unanimously agreed to relocate the Secretariat of the National Association Of Nigerian Students National Headquarters to Ekiti State University at the expiration of the 72 hours ultimatum issued by the association.

“While appealing to the Governor for his quick intervention, we would love to remind his Excellency of all the promises he made to Nigerian Students during the electioneering period and as a matter of importance, he was once a staff of Ekiti State University.

Oyetola Attended Functions Of My Ministry Once As Governor Of Osun State Aregbesola

By
The Source
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By Ayodele Oni

Minister of interior, Rauf Aregbesola may still be grudging his successor in office in Osun state, former Governor Gboyega Oyetola going by his comments on Tuesday in Ilesa.

Speaking at the official commissioning of the Ilesa Passport Front Office and Production Centre, Aregbesola appreciated incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke for gracing the event, noting that his disposition to honour him despite party differences, is worthy of note.

“I am very grateful for your presence Governor Ademola Adeleke. Without making a personal call to him, he chose to honour us with his physical presence and that of everybody in the Governor’s office.

“It is indeed remarkable as my successor only attended my official engagement in the state once, throughout his tenure. This is my first official assignment in the state after your assumption of office, which you have come to grace.”

Earlier, Governor Adeleke assured the Minister of the state government’s support in sustaining and entrenching his lofty policies and programmes.

Adeleke said Aregbesola is always welcome in the state, with a pledge to complete all the projects initiated by the former governor, for the growth of the state.

He opined that governance should be above political interests and party lines, and should be focused on bringing progressive developments to the citizenry.

Adeleke also sought the support of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and other security agencies to his administration’s drive to tackle illegal mining in the state.

The Governor stated: “Mr. Minister, I am assuring you that this is your state, nobody can chase you away. This is your state, you are welcome anytime.

“Even, you can come around to the government house. When I complete all of the structures I am currently working on at the government house, I will personally invite you to commission them.

“No matter the party you are, if you are a progressive in as much as you are doing what the people want. When he was Governor, he loved the people and the people loved him.

“All the projects Ogbeni left were abandoned for years. I promised the people during my campaign that I am going to continue the projects. That is what I am doing.”

Money Supply Rises By N1trn Despite Naira Crisis

By
James Orji
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Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed,minister of finance

Nigeria’s money supply rose by over N1 trillion between January and February, according to figures released by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN.

The apex bank said in its Money and Credit Statistics that its efforts to mop up cash, which has limited cash in the hands of Nigerians, forcing them to use internet banking for their daily business transaction, has not really paid off.

The CBN said money in circulation rose to N53.3 trillion from N52.2 trillion recorded in January.
This represents a 2.2 per cent increase to date compared to 0.3 per cent recorded in the comparable month where money supply increased from N53.14 trillion.

Money supply refers to the total amount of money that is circulating in the economy at a given time. It includes all forms of money such as physical currency, bank deposits and other liquid assets that can be used to make purchases.

Orji Kalu To President Buhari: “I Want To  Be Senate President”

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Orji Uzor Kalu and President Buhari

By Akinwale Kasali

Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has declared his intention to vie for the Senate President’s Seat.

For weeks, the former Abia State Governor, has been lobbying for the position of the Senate President.

Kalu, who met with President Buhari in a closed door meeting in Aso Rock  disclosed to Newsmen that  he was open to vying for the Senate Presidency of his Party,  the All Progressives Congress, APC, would zone the office to the South-East.

Kalu representing Abia North District, argued that zoning the office to the South-East would ensure the stability of the incoming administration.

According to him, although the APC did not garner considerable votes from the region, zoning the Senate Presidency to the region would bring peace to the country.

The lawmaker argued that the South-East contributed much more to Nigeria than just votes for APC.

Kalu added that he presented his Certificate of return to the President while appreciating him for his support towards the people of Abia North.

He said, “I was received this afternoon by President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR) in the State House. It was an honour to present my Certificate of Return  to Mr President and to thank him for the attention he gave Abia North Senatorial District in the last three years.

“I also intimated Mr President of my intention to run for the office of the Senate President in the 10th National Assembly.”

Kalu had, last week Tuesday told the All Progressive Congress and the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, to zone the Senate Presidency to his village in Igbere in Abia North Senatorial District, Abia State to prevent any other lawmaker from contesting against him.

Exactly a week ago, Kalu openly declared his intention to contest for Senate presidency of the 10th National Assembly, if the party zones the position to South-East.

He said, “If they want to zone, they should zone it to my village so nobody would contest it against me. I don’t even want them to zone it to the South.

“The party should zone it to Igbere in my ward because I am the only Senator from there. You can manufacture another Senator from another Local Government from another place in Abia. I would like the party to zone it to me, with my name.”

Other Senators who have openly declared their intentions to run for the Senate Presidency are Senator Jibrin Barau (Kano Central), Sani Musa (Niger East) and Engr. Dave Umahi,  the outgoing Governor of Ebonyi State. There are, also, strong speculations that a former Governor of Akwa Ibom who was a former Minority Chief Whip, and the immediate past Minister for Niger Delta, Godswill Akpabio is also in the race, and so is Senator Osita Izunaso, Imo West.

South East Deserves Senate President –  Orji Kalu

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

As the South-east east and South-south drag the zoning of the President of the Senate, Senator Orji Kalu has canvassed for the zoning of the position to south east.

According to him, this is one of the ways to guarantee peace in the region.

Kalu, who is Chief Whip in the outgoing 9th Senate, spoke in Abuja on Tuesday after a closed door meeting with President Mohammadu Buhari at the Aso Rock villa.

The former Governor maintained that despite the poor outing of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in  the Southeast during the last Presidential election, the zone deserves the Senate Presidency.

The President-elect, Bola Tinubu, received the least number of votes in the Southeast during the Presidential election.

Speaking with State House Correspondents, Kalu said if the Senate Presidency is zoned to the region, the Southeast will bring peace and unity to the table.

He said that it is not the number of votes that counts, but the unity of the country should be paramount.

Bode George Remains Defiant, Says He Has No Regrets  Supporting Rhodes-Vivour Over Jandor

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0

By Akinwale Kasali

Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Bode George, has disclosed that he had no regrets supporting Labour Party, LP, Governorship Candidate in Lagos State, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour as against his Party’s Governorship Candidate, Abdulazeez Olajide Adediran popularly known as Jandor.

Speaking on Channels Television Politics Today, George said Rhodes-Vivour remains the best candidate at the just concluded Gubernatorial Election in Lagos that saw incumbent Governor, Babajide Olusola Sanwo Olu re-elected.

The former Chairman, National Port Authority, NPA, added that he had no regret for not supporting the candidate of his party, Jandor, in the March 18 election.

George said he followed the decision of a group he belongs to which was to support the best among all the candidates irrespective of political affiliation.

He said, “If you say that I supported somebody from another party, it is not me as PDP. There is a group called Omo Eko Pataki and as bonafide Lagosians, we sat down, we took each of those candidates from (Governor Babajide) Sanwo-Olu to Jandor and others and we weighed them.

“And there was a new movement going on in the country and we said look, who has the capacity? Who has the best educational background? Who has the moral background to handle my state? As a PDP, the fellow who got the ticket was on another planet.

“No regrets whatsoever (not supporting Jandor). And let me tell you something, I said publicly to our Presidential Candidate that if they do not honour the South-West, I won’t vote for Atiku, I did not hide it.”

The PDP chieftain said the opposition party must come together and resolve its internal wranglings in order to move forward.

George also called on the party leadership to probe what made the aggrieved PDP governors also known as G5 governors and other elders withdraw their support for the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

MC Oluomo Will Face Wrath Of Law If Found Culpable Of Breaking Law During Election – Hamzat, Deputy Governor, Lagos

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0
Obafemi Hamzat and MC Oluomo

By Akinwale Kasali

Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, has stated that the Chairman of Lagos Parks and Gardens, Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly as MC Oluomo, would face the wrath of the law if found guilty of breaking law and order during the just concluded Governorship and State House of Assembly Election in Lagos State.

To that promise by Hamzat, many people have chorused ‘Amen’, and others, ‘that will be the day’, considering Oluomo’s power and influence in tye State. As a number of videos confirmed, Oluomo was seen in a couple of places, making hate speeches, and threatening a breach of the law in his efforts to scare non- indigenes away from voting.

MC Oluomo, a staunch supporter of All Progressives Congress, APC, and the President-Elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was seen in viral video threatening Igbos not to come out to vote if they were not ready to cast their votes for the APC, else, they will be dealt with appropriately.

Hamzat, while fielding questions against alleged violence that played out during the Governorship and State House of Assembly Election in the State   during a Live appearance on Channels Television Sunrise Daily Programme Tuesday morning, said he was not calling for the arrest of anybody, he said the facts should be examined and “if in truth he (MC Oluomo) has broken the law, he must pay for it.”

The Deputy Governor was reacting to a video that made the rounds on social media during the governorship elections in the state, where MC Oluomo, who is also the Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Works for Lagos State Council, was said to be threatening people of Igbo extraction residing in the State.

Hamzat said, “Well, I am not calling for the arrest of anybody, I am not a Police Officer, I am not a prosecutor, but people will look at the evidence.

“And in the case of MC Oluomo he has actually come out to say that he was referring to a woman, who also came out to say that she has known MC Oluomo for years and that he was referring to her, so I don’t know the facts. But people should examine the facts and if in truth he has broken the law, he must pay for it.

“But my point which I want to make is that we all diminish this country when we actually exaggerate what happens. We have an election where you have this number of polling units and you have less than one per cent that had a problem and we now make it look like that one per cent is more important than the 99 per cent.

“I think that it is just outrageous and we should not diminish our country by saying the election is bad. No, this was a great election. Atrocities were committed an people should pay for that.”

Hamzat said the State Government has been accommodating  all tribes and religions in the State, adding that Lagos is the only sta3te that has other tribes in its State Assembly.

Hamzat, however, added, “There will be people that will always try to break the rules and we must punish them. When you punish them they serve as deterrent to others so they know that is not the way to go.”

Former Minister Maku: “APC, PDP, Underestimated ‘Obidients’ Movement”; Says Obi Has Shaken Nigeria

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Labran Maku

By Akinwale Kasali

Former Minister of Information and Orientation, Labaran Maku, has said that the Labour Party, LP, performance in the just concluded Presidential, National Assembly, Governorship and State House of Assembly Elections should applauded.

According to Maku, many in the camps of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, underestimated the Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, and his supporters known as the ‘Obidients’.

Maku, a PDP chieftain from Nasarawa State, further said that the two main parties underestimated Obi and his supporters because they thought he lacked political structure and would not be able to do much, but were surprised by the outcome of the 2023 Presidential Election, which showed that “the youths were not joking.”

The former Minister said this while fielding questions on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme about the outcome of the 2023 elections.

According to him, “What happened in the presidential election, as you could see, was that there was this wave of young people, the ‘Obidients’ that we all took for granted and we were thinking Peter Obi was a joke. Where would he go?

So, both PDP and the APC, we were thinking ‘This man does not have structure. He will not be able to do so much’.

“But the young people seized the initiative from the politicians. And for the first time – what we saw in Nasarawa, Edo, several other places, and in Delta State where the PDP vice presidential candidate comes from – we saw that young people were serious about what they were doing and they took advantage of social media to project a programme which has shaken the nation.”

While admitting that his party lost the Presidential election in the state to the Labour Party, he claimed that the ruling All Progressives Congress’s win in the Governorship poll was faulty.

Ayu’s Suspension: Factional Ward Exco Disowns Those Behind Vote Of No Confidence

By
Ayodele Oni
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Iyorcha Ayu

By Ayodele Oni

With an order by a High Court hanging on his head, the national chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Dr Iyorcha Ayu who is still battling to vacate the order got a morale booster from his Ward as another faction of the party executives passed a Vote Of Confidence On him.

The faction, led by the Deputy Chairman, Mrs. Ortese Hellen and 15 others, disowned the earlier resolution describing those behind its passage as mischief-makers.

Addressing the media on 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.

Reading from a text signed by 12 out of the 17 member Ward Executive, the Secretary stated that the decision to suspend the National Chairman was reached after the leadership reviewed his conduct at the end of the just concluded general elections.

Reacting to his suspension on Monday, the Embattled chairman described those behind his suspension as illiterate members of the the executive.

The statement came before a High Court in Benue state restrained Dr Ayu from parading himself  as national chairman of the PDP.

The Executives Committee members of Igyorov Ward in Ipav, Gboko local government area of Benue state, again on Tuesday passed a vote of confidence on the PDP National Chairman.

The Ward Executive, led by Deputy Chairman and 15 others, also disclaimed the purported suspension of the national chairman, saying at no time did the members meet to discuss any matter concerning the national chairman.

In a  press statement issued on Tuesday, the Ward Executives said they have no knowledge of the letter or its contents, and have never authorized anyone to “generate such a mischievous letter.”

The letter signed by the  16 Exco members reads in part: “The Executive Committee have never discussed in any of our meetings prior to election or post-2023 general election about the conduct of the national chairman.

“The Executive Committee members have stated clearly that they have no knowledge about the letter and have not authoriszed anybody whatsoever to generate such a mischievous letter on behalf of the Executive Committee.”

“The purported signatures on the letter are forged and no member of PDP Committee of Igyorov Council Ward have signed that letter nor caused to be signed on his or her behalf.

“The names of the Executive Committee members are wrongly written and spelt which show the desperation of the mischief-makers.”

On the letter’s error that all the elections were held in March 2023, the statement explained that this was proof that the letter was written in advance, and only given to some people to sign.

The Executives then passed on vote of confidence on Ayu and urged the public to disregard the so-called letter purporting to suspend him.

Those who signed the letter include: Deputy Ward Chairperson, Mrs. Ortese Hellen; Treasurer, Saawuan Terlumun; Organizing Secretary, Atema Iorde and Legal Adviser, Uko Injabo.

Others are: Woman Leader, Mrs. Tse Nguveren; Jooji John, Elected Councillor and former Ward Chairman, David Atime.

A copy of the letter has been copied the Benue state Governor, the State Chairman, the national chairman, the National Executive Committee (NEC) and the National Caucus, among others.

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