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“Justice Wiii Be Served”, Presidential Tribunal Chairman Assures, As Obi Storms Hearing Venue

By
The Source
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Peter Obi at Presiential Election Petition Tribunal

The Presidential Election Tribunal hearing kicked off on Monday, May 8, exactly 73 days after the February 25th election and 69 days after the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof Mahmoud Yakubu declared the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC, flag bearer Bola Ahmad Tinubu winner of the election in the wee hours of March 1st, 2023 amid the barrage of complaints from a cross-section of Nigerians including the foremost elder statesman former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi one of the four Presidential candidates that filed petitions was conspicuously present in court at the commencement of a hearing by a five-member Panel of Justices led by Justice Haruna Simon Tasmani, with Justices Stephen Adam, BM Ugo, Bolaji Yusuf, and AB Muhammad.

Before the case was adjourned to Wednesday, May 10, the counsels exchanged filing of applications on pre-hearing issues.

The presiding Justice Tasamani assured all the parties that Justice will be served.

The LP standard bearer was accompanied to the court by the National Chairman of the Party Bar Julius Abure and other National officers of the party as well as Senator-elect for Anambra Central Senator Victor Umeh.

The Labour Party Presidential Candidate is seeking that the court declare him as the proper winner of the February 25 Presidential election among other demands.

In their separate response, counsels to the President-Elect, Wole Olanikpekun; Atiku Abubakar, Chris Uche, Peter Obi, and Livy Uzoukwu, all assured the court of their full cooperation and support in ensuring a speedy hearing and determination of the case.

Senate Presidency: South-east Senators-elect Rise In Anger; Tackles Tinubu Over Akpabio

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Ifeanyi Ubah and Orji Uzor Kalu and Izunaso

By Akinwale Kasali

Senators-elect from the South-east Region are angry. They are upset over what they say is glaringly that the incoming All Progressives Congress, APC, Federal Government, to be led by President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has no plans to  accomodate their Zone  in the leadership of Nigeria. The Senators-elect  say that the Zone has gradually, but surely, been marginalised in the scheme of of leadership come May 29, 2023, the take-off date of the new Government.

What pains them most is the office of the Senate President which is slipping out of their hands. Not a few people, including majority of the Igbo, had thought that the APC, seeing the dicey situation in the country,  would Zone the office to it – for balance, for fairness, for justice. They took it for granted.

So, about three of the Zone’s sons – Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, currently the Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Osita Izunaso, newcomer, Engr. Dave Umahi- threw their hats in. They went lobbying every who-is-who, including President Muhammadu Buhari and President-elect Bola Tinubu to weigh in on their behalf.

While mum was the word from Buhari who has become a lame duck, not so from Tinubu. He dumped the South-east for the position and pitched his net with the South-south.

It was the Governor of Kano State, a close associate of Tinubu, who informed Nigerians that the immediate past Minister of the Niger Delta, who was a two-term Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Godswill Akpabio, will be the Senate President. Aghast, many wondered how, and what had become of the South-east which took the office for granted as compensation for its long political marginalisation, especially, since 2015, under the APC Government.

They waited to see if Tinubu would debunk Ganduje’s statement.

But no.

Instead, one of their own, Umahi, stepped down for Akpabio and informed that President-elect, Tinubu, invited him and asked him to step down for Akpabio. Umahi then added: “Akpabio is my consensus candidate.”

Shocked, the Senators-elect from the Zone, across Party lines, including Kalu and Izunaso, except Umahi and four others, have risen in anger.

At a meeting in Abuja on Sunday, 6th May, 2023, they decried the brazen marginalisation of the South-east in the arrangement of political offices in the incoming Government. They bemoaned the fate of the Zone. They rejected the apparent endorsement of Akpabio by Tinubu and the APC leadership. They said, everything considered, the office should go to the South-east. They called on Tinubu to quickly correct the bewildering situation. And, among other reasons, decided that they would vote for any candidate from the Zone on the day of the inauguration of the National Assembly.

Following is full the text of the Communique read at the end of the meeting by its Convener, Senator Ifeanyi Uba, Anambra, of the Young Peoples Party, YPP.

“We have observed with dismay the antics of some persons with vested selfish interest, who  have planted themselves around the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and have vowed to shut down the South-east from the Senate Presidency of the 10th Senate.

“Beyond ethnic and religious considerations, in the forthcoming 10th Senate, the South-east have been blessed with top ranking Senators, including members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, who have the capacity, competence, influence, experience and political followership to pilot the affairs of the Red Chamber.

“It becomes imperative that the All Progressives Congress, APC, uphold the principle of electoral justice and equity which it preaches, founded on Zoning the seat of the Senate to the SouthEast Region.

“The President Elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu should extend the same democratic opportunity he received from the outgoing administration which gave all aspirants equal opportunities to exercise their fundamental human rights during the APC Presidential Primaries.

“He should be conscious of the implication of zoning and choosing and endorsing a consensus candidate  from the South-south without any regard for the South-east. Such a move will no doubt serve as a recipe for injustice which will culminate in restiveness.

“We implore the President Elect to be sensitive to the times in Nigeria and ensure that the country continues to thrive on equity, fairness and unity on the tripod of Nigeria that includes, Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba and otthe geo political Zones.

“The country is already divided among ethnic and religious lines due to the exclusion of the South-east Region which formed the major reasons the APC received the amount of votes from the South-east. The incoming administration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu must correct the anomalies by making sure that the South-east is given the opportunity to produce the next Senate President.

“With the sidelining of the South-east from producing the Presidential Candidates of the major political parties before the General Election, the only means in which the Region can be compensated and given a sense of belonging is by zoning the Senate Presidency to the region.

“This will restore confidence into the people of the South- east geo’political zone and indeed all Nigerians in the unity of the country.

“The APC must rise above primordial and political interest and shun the  winner takes-all syndrome and pursue ethno-religious inclusivity and have a strong viral progressive, prosperous and equitable nation.

“Mr President-elect, how will every Igbo Man feel after experiencing and having evidence of total discrimination?

“The South- east has been denied to produce a President since 1966. The South-south has produced a President for six Years and also produced a Deputy Senate President in the outgoing administration.

“The only Zone in the South that has not been favoured is the South-east. The outcry of marginalization of the South-east and the entire Igbo must be addressed by the incoming administration other than aggravating it.

“The South-west has President, the North-east has Vice President. It is only just that the least position that can assuage the South east is by giving it a chance to be the Senate President in the 10th Senate.

“On this note, we have collectively resolved that we will support the South-east aspirant of the APC. We are committed, and we have expanded negotiations with all well-meaning Senators- elect to rally round the South-east to ensure that the peace and unity of the country prevails.

“We remain hopeful that together, we will achieve a harmonious 10th Senate deepening the democracy, fairness and unity for our dear country.

“The Comminique was signed by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, Senator Victor Umeh, Senator Osita Izunaso, Senator Ezenwa Onyewuchi, Senator Tony Nwoye, Senator P.C Ndubueze, Senator Kelvin Chukwu, Senator Okey Ezea”

Recall that President-elect, Tinubu, pointedly, excluded the Igbo from the membership of the Presidential Inauguration Planning Committee.

Osun Governorship: Adeleke Knows Fate Tuesday; Supreme Court Set To Deliver Judgement

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

The Supreme Court is set to lay to rest controversy trailing the outcome of last year’s  governorship election in Osun state.

The apex court on Monday fixed Tuesday, May 9 to deliver a make or mar judgment in the disputed July 16, 2022 Governorship election.

The Court fixed the date for the judgment after taken arguments from parties involved in the matter.

At the centre of the disputed election is the incumbent Governor Ademola Nurudeen Adeleke who contested for the poll on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Adegboyega Oyetola who was the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship candidate.

Oyetola is the appellant in the  instant matter in the Supreme Court having lost at the Court of Appeal,  while Adeleke is the major respondent being the winner of the Court of Appeal decision.

The Supreme Court will deliver the final verdict by 2 pm of May 9.

At the proceedings, Prince Lateef Fagbemi SAN argued for the APC.

The Court of Appeal in Abuja had on Friday March 24 vacated the tribunal judgment that nullified the election of Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State.

The appellate court, in a unanimous decision by a three-member panel of Justices, held that the appeal Adeleke lodged to challenge his sack by the Osun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, was meritorious.

Aside from setting aside the judgment of the tribunal, the court, in its lead judgment that was delivered by Justice Mohammed Lawal, awarded N500, 000 cost against the All Progressive Congress, APC, and its candidate, Gboyega Oyetola.

Why Peter Obi visited Soyinka

By
The Source
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Val Obienyem

By Val Obienyem

To understand Mr. Peter Obi’s visit to Prof. Wole Soyinka, I shall tell you the story of my encounter with him.

At the height of the exchange between Soyinka and Nigerians, Soyinka requested a debate with Alhaji Datti or his representative. I struck an idea and was delighted with it. I told a few people about  my plan to get a man learned in all the  technics  of debate to take on Soyinka.

Excited  like Archimedes, I almost ran to Obi over my idea. After listening to me, Obi said: “Val I realise the spirit with which you are saying this.  Calm down and remain placid. If we were all hot,  we would all burn.” I replied: “ If we were all cold Your Excellency, we shall all freeze.” In his characteristic moderation, always looking for the golden mean, he said:  no matter the provocation, you are not expected to fight your father, instead, you allow  fraternal love to overshadow whatever object of provocation.”

Explaining  further, he went empirical: “ Val, May God continue to grant the soul of your father eternal rest, but let me ask you, if your father were still alive and make some comments you consider as not palatable  what would you do?  In  the midst of the confusion, if your father requests a live debate with you to rest the matter finally, would you oblige him? At this point I was completely disarmed.

The aim of this is for those thinking or wondering what informed his visit to Soyinka  to read  and understand the working of his mind. It is not for nothing that those who work closely with him see him as the personification  of wisdom.

Obienyem, a Lawyer, former Commissioner for Information, Anambra State, is a long-time Media Adviser to Peter Obi

Speakership: Labour Party Candidate Joins Race

By
James Orji
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Ibe Osonwa, a Labour Party, LP, lawmaker has joined the race to become Nigeria’s Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Osonwa, a first-timer in Nigeria’s lower chamber of the National Assembly, NASS, threw his hat in the ring less than 48 hours after reports that the president-elect, Bola Tinubu has endorsed Tajudeen Abass, a lawmaker from Kaduna state as the next Speaker.

Tinubu’s endorsement of Abbas, the magazine learned has the support of his party, the All Progressives Congress, APC.

This cannot be said of the other political parties in the chamber which have more elected members than the ruling party.

The figures provided by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC indicate that the combination of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, LP, and others have more elected members than the ruling party which appears poised to produce the next speaker.

This is more so considering that the LP said on Sunday that it has not endorsed any candidate for the position.

Speaking on his plan to become Speaker, Osonwa a member-elect from Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency of Abia, said he has joined the race to contest with other candidates.

The fresher lawmaker made this known when the South-East Young Professionals, a pressure group, from his region paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja.

He said he’s qualified to be the Speaker of the 10th Assembly, even though many have equally cautioned that his chances to attain the position are very slim considering NASS rules that bare new members from contesting the top position.

Only ranking members can contest the position, according to the rule.

Speaking on his ambition, the lawmaker said, “We are taking everything into consideration while speaking to the leadership of the House and the South-East caucus.

“This is a moving sand. No positions have been taken. We do not get to elect the speaker until June 13.

“While the Constitution does not recognise ranking members but the House Standing Rules does, we will consult to know what our issues are.”

“We are going to embark on a mission of national integration. Diversity should not be our weak point but our strength and we must harness it.”

The LP Caucus led by Victor Ogene, a returnee member representing Ogbaru, Anambra state Federal Constituency said in a statement on Sunday that the party has not endorsed any candidate for speakership.

In an acceptance speech soon after he was elected Leader of the Caucus Ogene said the party will soon take a united position on the matter.

“May I use this opportunity to reiterate that the Labour Party caucus, House of Representatives, has not endorsed any Speakership aspirant.

“In fact, anyone desirous of our votes on the day of inauguration must first convince us, as a bloc, of what his plans and programmes for the Nigerian people are. While we may have individual preferences, I can assure you that at the end of the day, the Labour Party shall stand as one, indivisible entity to take a common and progressive stand,” Ogene said.

LP has a 34-member-elect in the National Assembly that’s expected to be inaugurated on June 6 this year.

Tinubu Vs Others: PDP Demands Live Broadcast Of Tribunal

By
James Orji
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0

 

Ahead of the commencement of the sitting of the presidential petition Tribunal on Monday, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, says the May 29 swearing-in of the winner of the last presidential election is not sacrosanct.

Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has been declared winner of the election by the Independent National Election Commission, INEC and is billed to assume office in a few days by taking over from the incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari whose tenure ends that day.

But some Nigerians have opined that the swearing-in should be postponed until all the election petitions are decided by the courts.

The opposition PDP whose candidate, Atiku Abubakar is asking the court to declare him winner, has also demanded that the Tribunal sittings be broadcast live on national televisions.

The party’s demand is contained in an application filed by its counsel, Chris Uche, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN.

Uche in the petition has applied for “An order directing the Court’s Registry and the parties on modalities for admission of Media Practitioners and their Equipment into the courtroom.”

The PDP said many Nigerians who participated in the February 25 election and the international community are interested in the proceedings of the Tribunal, saying that they want to see whether justice will truly be dispensed by the courts.  

This can only be done by ensuring that the proceedings are broadcast live, the opposition party said.

According to the PDP,  “With the huge and tremendous technological advances and developments in Nigeria and beyond, including the current trend by this court towards embracing electronic procedures, virtual hearing and electronic filing, a departure from the rules to allow a regulated televising of the proceedings in this matter is in consonance with the maxim that justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done.

 

“Televising court proceedings is not alien to this court, and will enhance public confidence.”

 

Speaking earlier on the May 29 handover date, the Director of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thoughts, Sam Amadi said the swearing-in could be postponed, saying that the wrong person should not be allowed to take over the presidency until the Tribunal decides the winner.

Amadi, a former Adviser to Senate President Ken Nnamani,  said the court must be allowed to make a clarification on the legal status of the president-elect, Bola Tinubu.

He wrote, “Clarification on Legal Status of President-Elect.

“@officialABAT is PRESIDENT-ELECT. But he is not yet President.

 

  1. It isn’t automatic that he will form the next government. He has a serious case in tribunal that can go either way.

 

  1. The tribunal can stop the inauguration before 29.

 

“Like I always say, corruption in language leads to corruption in statecraft. Just as the law gave @inecnigeria power to make a declaration, it gives the judiciary the power to reverse it. There’s no constitutional duty to inaugurate on May 29 if a declaration is legally challenged as here.

“There is no fait accompli about the situation. Some use of language can create a false narrative where we believe that a declaration by @inecnigeria no matter how wrong constitutes a new government. No. It does not, until the final court says so,” Amadi said in a statement on his verified Twitter handle.

After Several Delays Buhari Set To Commission Dangote Refinery

By
James Orji
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0

The multi-billion naira Dangote Refinery will be commissioned by President Muhammadu Buhari in a few days, according to Bashir Ahmad, the president’s Special Assistant on Digital Communications.

The president will commission the project just a few days after the federal government said it has postponed the removal of the petrol subsidy.

The Buhari administration said it has left the decision to end the subsidy regime to the incoming administration of Bola Tinubu who is expected to take power on May 29 this year.

The petrochemical refinery owned by Africa’s richest man was initially billed to be commissioned last year by the president, but the event was later postponed.

The 650, 000 barrels per day integrated refinery project located in the Lekki free trade zone area of Lagos state will now be commissioned on May 22, Bashir said in a tweet on Sunday.

According to him, “Efforts by the Federal Government to make Nigeria self-sufficient in local refining of crude oil to save the scarce foreign exchange used in the importation of petroleum products have received a boost as the 650,000 barrels per day Dangote Refinery, the world’s largest single-train refinery, is set for inauguration on May 22nd, 2023, by President Muhammadu Buhari.”

The project, which cost an estimated $19 billion to build, is Africa’s biggest oil refinery and the world’s biggest single-train facility and is expected to generate 9,500 direct and 25,000 indirect jobs.

The project, when it starts operations fully is expected to meet Nigeria’s fuel demand apart from serving as a major export earner for the country.

The cost of building the refinery, according to figures made available by the company is more than $19 billion.

Senator Nnamani Loses Wife

By
The Source
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Jane Nnamani and Ken Nnamani

By Charles Igbo

A former Senate President, Senator Ken Nnamani, has lost his wife.

Nnamani’s wife, Lady (Mrs) Jane Nnamani, died on Friday, 5th May, 2023, in Enugu.

She had, allegedly been poor in health for sometime, but passed on when least expected, after what was thought would be a minor surgery.

A business woman and philanthropist of note, Lady Nnamani was a Doctorate Student of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology, where she was, also, a Council Member.

Even though her devastated family was yet to announce her passing at the time of filing this report, sympathizers are already trooping to the home of the Nnamanis in Enugu.

She was a mother of four.

PDP Warns Against Intimidation, Harrassment of Nigerians, Says Uphold The Will Of The People; Slams INEC

By
The Source
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0

By Gideon Njoku

The Peoples Democratic Party has warned against what it described as the Intimidation and harassment of Nigerians, especially Youths and eminent Nigerians, for protesting the plan to install a Government the Party says does not enjoy the will of the people.

At a Press Conference on Sunday, May 7, addressed by the National Publicity Secretary of the Party, Debo Ologunagba, the Party said there are “Public anxieties over alleged plots by the  APC to Influence the outcome of the petitions before the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal.”

The PDP said it  invited Media to  “alert Nigerians and the International Community of the shocking revelations, reports and allegations of plots by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to influence the outcome of the Presidential election Petition currently pending before the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal.”

The PDP said it deplores and, also, alerts of “recent intimidation, harassment, threats and vicious attacks by APC leaders against Nigerian youths and eminent Nigerian personalities for speaking out against APC’s planned moves to install a government that does not enjoy the mandate of majority of Nigerians as expressed at the Polling Units.”

Noted the Party: “The alleged planned onslaught by APC leaders on eminent Nigerians and our democratic institutions, including the Judiciary, stems from APC’s apprehensions given the weight of evidence against it as well as the continuing refusal by majority of Nigerians to accept the outcome of the flawed Presidential election.”

It alleged that there are “apprehensions in the public space, having regards to the reputation of certain individuals within the highest level of the APC who have demonstrated capacity and proclivity to compromise democratic institutions in our country.”

The Party accused the President- elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu of trying to patronise the Judiciary during his recent visit to Rivers State.

Tinubu went to Porthacourt on a two-day visit on the invitation of the State Governor, Nyesom Wike, to commission a fly over and a modern Magistrate Court. But the PDP accused the President-elect of using the opportunity to try to corrupt and patronise the Judiciary.

The Party noted: “It would be recalled that on Friday, May 5, 2023, our Party raised alarm over the massively condemned comments by the APC Presidential Candidate, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the commissioning of some judiciary projects in Port-Harcourt Rivers State, wherein he attempted to corrupt, cultivate and patronize the Judiciary.”

Tinubu, the PDP pointed out, is not alone in the attempt to corrupt the Judiciary. It said:

“More alarming are allegations in the public space of attempts by certain APC leaders to compromise the judiciary with heavy financial inducement and to orchestrate trumped-up allegations of impropriety against judicial officers.”

The PDP, therefore, called  “on the APC and its leaders to immediately come clean and publicly address Nigerians and the world on these disturbing allegations and revelations which are already in the public domain.”

It described as provocative, the accusation of treasonable felony against some Nigerians for speaking out against the outcome of the February 25, Presidential Election.

Recently, in the US, the Minister for Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, had accused the Candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, and his running mate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, of treasonable felony for not recognising the outcome of the Presidential Election.

The PDP remarked: “Further to this is the provocative resort by the APC and its leaders to threaten Nigerians with treason for speaking out against the manipulations of our democratic processes by the APC.

“For emphasis, majority of Nigerians are insisting on the review of the February 25, 2023 Presidential election because it was marred by wide-spread manipulations, open alteration of genuine election results from the Polling Units, allocation of fictitious figures to the APC and brazen violation of the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), the Electoral Act, 2022 as well as INEC Manual and Guidelines by INEC itself in its declaration of a winner of the election.”

The Party, also, accused the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, of complicity in the in the alleged corruption of the Presidential Election.

“The bizarre response by INEC, which is an umpire that ought to be independent, to the Petition of the PDP and our Candidate, Atiku Abubakar, requesting for the dismissal of our Petition, is further evidence of the complicity, corruption and compromise of INEC by the APC.

It is instructive for INEC and the APC to note that the tribunal hearing is part of the electoral process. The APC and INEC are therefore advised to halt further steps to hinder the ability of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal to dispense justice in the matter in accordance with the law.”

What to do? The Party urged the Judiciary to ignore the alleged antics of the APC to influence it.

“The PDP,  therefore, restates its call on the Judiciary to resist and insulate itself from the alleged and reported antics of the APC in the discharge of its Constitutional duties as independent and impartial arbiter in the pending Petition before the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal.

“It is imperative to state that the reckless violation by INEC of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), the Electoral Act, 2022, INEC Guidelines and Manual in the 2023 Presidential election portend grave consequences to our democracy and political stability as a country.

The only way to guarantee peace, unity and stability of our nation is to uphold the Will of the people as expressed at the Polling Units in the February 25, 2023 Presidential election and the PDP is confident in the ability of the Judiciary to discharge its Constitutional duties in this regard independently”, it stated.

Obi visits Soyinka; Both Discuss State Of The Nation

By
The Source
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0
Peter Obi and Wole Soyinka

The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, on Sunday paid special visit to Nigeria’s literary giant and Nobel Laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka.

In a tweet, Obi described the visit as enriching as he had a useful discussion with him.

“Today I visited one of Nigeria’s most revered figures and an international literary icon Prof Wole Soyinka.

“Prof Soyinka has been my father whom I hold in very esteem for what he has achieved and stands for in the struggle for a better Nigeria.

“His reputation as a fighter for justice and equity in our society has been legendary and we will NEVER ignore them.

“I had a very useful and enriching discussion about his aspirations for a better and greater Nigeria, and he shared a lot with me about his dream for a greater, and more inclusive Nigeria.

“I reminded the Nobel Laureate of the huge price he paid just before the outbreak of civil war, fighting for the cause of the Igbo.

“I cherish this Sunday visit which was intended to erase the needless misconceptions about the relationship between the great icon and the obidient family.”

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