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“I Remain A Peter Obi Diehard,” –  Fmr SGF, Babachir Lawal

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

A former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, (SGF) Dr Babachir Lawal has declared that “I remain a Peter Obi diehard. Any news to the contrary is fake news.”

Reacting to report that he has thrown his support behind the presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Atiku Abubakar, the former SGF stated that he still stands behind  Obi.

He pointed out that Atiku’s Presidential ambition would not fly because it will amount to transition of government from one Muslim Fulani President to another Muslim Fulani President and would be the worst form of Muslim-Muslim ticket.

The former SGF warned that Atiku’s having his way would represent ethnic domination by one ethnic group over others.

Babachir Lawal reaffirmed his commitment to the actualization of the ambition of the Labour Party candidate, Mr Peter Obi in the 2023 general elections.

In a statement on Monday in Abuja, Lawal dismissed the news insisting that he would not support any Fulani person that may undermine Nigeria’s unity through religion or ethnicity.

“I have just seen a trending news that I have abandoned Peter Obi to work for Atiku Abubakar.

“There is nothing far from the truth as this. I have never contemplated joining PDP since its formation as I view the PDP has the worst form of a collection of oligarchs and reactionaries.

“Besides, I find myself every year battling fulani herdsmen determined to have their animals invade my farms and eat-up my crops every year.

“This is aside from their determination to takeover the ancestral farmlands of my kinsmem as they do everywhere in the North. All these they do in a cavalier manner while their elite kinsmen dominant in the government keep mute.

“Moreover, I view a transition of government  from one Muslim Fulani President to another as the worst form of Muslim-Muslim ticket. It also represents ethnic domination by one ethnic group over others.”

Ondo Govt Seeks International Assistance To Curtail Sea Incursion

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State Government has disclosed that the issue of sea incursion, which has almost ravaged the entire Aiyetoro community, in Ilaje local government, is receiving international attention.

Most communities in the coastal area of the state have been confronted with the problem of sea incursion, but that of Aiyetoro has been devastating with almost entire land mass submerged.

The Niger/ Delta Development Commission, (NDDC) has in the past awarded contract for dredging and embarkment to curtail the trend but the scourge continues

The State Commissioner for information, Mrs Bamidele Ademola-Olateju, announced in Akure that “The issue of Ayetoro, is on the front burner, we are in talks with the European Union.

“When I was at the United Nations General Assembly in September, I spoke on the devastation wrought by climate change, with Ayetoro as target. I asked for help for Ondo state and we are going to get it.”

She spoke on behalf of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu at an Africa Oil leadership award.

On environmental issues,  Ademola-Olateju  stressed that the present administration takes the issue of environmental degradation seriously.

She said productive steps are being taken to address the issue of Sea incursion in Ayetoro community in the Southern part of the state.

“I understand the degradation, the environmental destruction of the ecosystem of oil producing communities. This has been subsisting for long, you will recall, this is cause that Ken Saro Wiwa died for. It did not start today but we are committed to solving ours.”

She said it is on record that the country has been producing about 16 million barrel per day since five years ago, shortfall due to oil theft, reducing income therefrom. Ondo State has been spending its share prudently.

On revenue from oil, the commissioner stated that the present administration is highly accountable, transparent and follow due process.

“I do not know about the past, but I know about the present, that everyone in this government is wholeheartedly committed to using public fund for public goods.

“I, as a commissioner, I do not know how it is easy or possible to steal money. My approval limit is 999.999 thousand naira and Mr Governor’s approval limit is 20 million naira.

“On contracts, there is benchmark price for every procurement from from the Bureau of Public Procurement. Mr. Governor cannot approve contracts exceeding his limit without bringing the contract to the Executive Council.”

She reiterated the commitment of the state government to pay inherited salary arrears between now and next month.

She explained that arrangements have been concluded for the payment of outstanding two months salaries. She described the Government of the State under the leadership of the Governor, Akeredolu, as the administration of construction, reconstruction, innovation and redemption.

Atiku’s Convoy Nearly Crushed Me To Death – Bayo Onanuga

By
The Source
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Bayo Onanuga Accident

I had a close shave with death on Sunday night in Abuja as I was returning home at about 9pm after a visit to Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi.

I was driving on the first lane of Shehu Shagari Way when I noticed a convoy emerging from one of the feeder roads. I counted in the centre lane, four vehicles ahead of me.

I slowed down on my own lane to give a wide berth to the convoy. My slowing down turned a mistake as a Toyota SUV emerged from the same road where the convoy had earlier emerged. It headed straight to my car. I was petrified as the driver rammed into my Toyota Camry, by the passenger side.

The force of the collision immediately severed the side mirror from the body, severely dented and scratched the two doors on its path. I watched in horror as the driver of the SUV reversed the car and joined the cavalcade, leaving me behind to my fate.

He didn’t bother to stop to check the damage his vehicle had done to my own car, whether he had left me or anyone inside it traumatised by his recklessness. He just drove away.

Instinctively, I followed the convoy, which headed to Asokoro area of the city.

At this point, I didn’t know the VIP embedded in the convoy. Initially, I thought it was a governor as the car that hit me bore a number plate that starts with RSH. My interest in following the convoy was to lodge a complaint about the murderous driver and get my car repaired.

The convoy drove deep into Asokoro, into TY Danjuma Road and then entered one of the mansions, at the entrance of which were several banners of Atiku-Okowa campaign. I drove into the compound with the convoy as I had my hazard light on like other vehicles in the convoy. My adventure was certainly getting interesting. I, an APC and Tinubu campaigner inside the PDP Atiku-Okowa den.

Who was the big man whose convoy nearly killed me? Was it Okowa or Atiku or an Atiku supporter? Up till this point. I had no idea as the mystery big man had been shepherded into the house, well ahead of me by the security aides, who now accosted me as I wanted to enter the house.

You can’t just enter the house, one of the aides blustered as some policemen blocked my path, as well. “One of your drivers nearly killed me at the secretariat. He damaged my car,’ I shouted back and demanded to see their big man.

Our argument was creating a scene as more people came closer to behold the audacious intruder that I seemed to be.

Another aide asked me to show him the damage to the car. He introduced himself as the chief of staff and gave an undertaking to repair the car. He tendered an apology as well.

His approach mollified me. I gave him my complimentary card and we exchanged phone numbers.

Moments after, I entered my car to continue my interrupted journey home.

Because I had not cracked the mystery big man, I stopped outside to ask a guard about the owner of the house, where I just emerged. ‘It’s Atiku,’ he said. Another neighbor also confirmed this.

As I drove off into the night and shared my experience with Senator Afikuyomi and others, I simultaneously imagined what the headline would have been if the accident had been more severe or had resulted into some fatality.

Onanuga, a Veteran Journalist, Editor-in-Chief of TheNews/Pm News is the Director of Media and Publicity, APC Presidential Campaign Council

I Will Not Vote For Atiku – Bode George; Says PDP Shut out Yoruba, Mocks Atiku

By
Adesina Soyooye
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By Adesina Soyooye

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP,  Chief Bode George, has said he will not vote for the Party’s Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

George, a former Deputy National Chairman of the Party, also said the South-west has been marginalised by the Party. The Zone, he pointed out, has never produced the Chairman of the Party since 1998. He, however, forgot to add that the Zone held the office of the President of Nigeria for eight years.

George spoke in an interview on Sunday with The Nation where he mocked Atiku and the Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, who doubles as the Director General of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council. He laughed over Tambuwal’s visit to the Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom on Sunday.

Ortom is one of the five PDP Governors, led by Governor Wike of Rivers State. They are at loggerheads with the leadership of the Party and its Presidential Candidate, Atiku. Their grouse, they say, is based on justice and equity. They argue that both the National Chairman of the Party and the Presidential candidate cannot come from the same Zone. They, therefore, insist that Dr Iyorchia Ayu must step down as the National Chairman and make room for a Southerner, a promise, they allege, Ayu made before the Presidential Primary to quit if the Candidate emerge from the North, but has now backed out.

The Group, popular as G-5, now renamed Integrity Group, are made of Wike, Ortom, Governors Okezie Ikpeazu, Abia, Seyi Makinde, Enugu and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Enugu. They also have members from from a number of PDP stakeholders, including former Governors, Deputy Governors and more. Bode George is one of them.

All efforts to resolve the crisis, including the five times Atiku personally met Wike, have been in vain. The Tambuwal visit to Ortom was to find a solution to the crisis.

But George has pooh-poohed the visit, and mocked Tambuwal and Atiku. He interpreted the visit as a ploy to break the ranks of the Integrity Group, but assured that it would never happen. He explained that their union cannot be penetrated and said Tambuwal’s visit was in vain. Nobody can split them, he boasted.

According to George,  the G-5 Governors and their allies are so united that nobody can split them, especially, as their fight, he insisted, is for justice and fairness.

He said: “Divide and rule cannot work. Governor Ortom will not agree. He is a reasonable person.

“Our rank cannot be broken. Let the governor of Sokoto go to any where he likes. We will stand by justice.”

George labelled Atiku insincere, and asked how the Presidential candidate   who failed to restructure his party, would promise a restructuring of the country. He, also, said that the South-west has been left out of everything in the PDP.

George: “The Director-General of the Campaign is from Sokoto, North-west. The National Chairman is from North-central. The Presidential Candidate is from Adamawa, North-east.

“The Acting Chairman of BoT is from South-east. The Vice Presidential Candidate is from South-south. There is nothing for the South-west. And you are fooling us. Which rank do they want to break? He cannot do restructuring in his party. He is promising restructuring for Nigeria. He is disrespecting Yoruba. We are standing by the truth. I won’t vote for him and I will not stop talking.”

Some forces in the PDP, George pointed out, are trying to deny Yoruba its sense of belonging. He noted  that the South-west has never occupied the office of the National Chairman in PDP since 1998.

George: “The first Chairman, Chief Solomon Lar, came from North’central. Chief Barnabas Gemade is from Benue, North-central. Chief Audu Ogbeh is Benue, North-central. Dr. Ahmadu Ali is Kogi, from North-central. Baraje is from North-central. Ayu is from Benue, North-central.

“Southwest has not served as Chairman before. They have disregard, disrespect and dishonour for Southwest. We will not accept it.

“The South-west is cut off from decision making organs of the party. It is sad. We cannot be slaves.”

However, as the leadership of the PDP continues to look for a solution, the Party has moved on, and campaigning, in earnest against 2023.

Three Killed As INEC HQ In Imo Attacked By Hoodlums

By
Ayodele Oni
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INEC Headquarters in Imo State

By Ayodele Oni

Continued attacks on the facilities of the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), remain unabated as suspected hoodlums in the early hours of Monday attacked and burnt the Imo state headquarters of the Commission.

Report has it that the office, located along Port Harcourt road in Owerri, was besieged by the attackers, who wore Biafra- camouflage uniform around 2.00am.

However, luck ran against some of them as three were gunned down while one other was reportedly captured alive by policemen who rushed to the scene to repel the attack.

The Public Relations Officer, (PRO), of INEC in the state, Chinenye Chijioke-Osuji, confirmed the ugly development saying the attack was said to have happened between 2 am to 3 am Monday.

But She said only the building housing the Election and Political Party Monitoring Liason offices was attacked and part of the main building.

“It happened. You can come and see things for yourself. Not all the offices were attacked but one side was completely down.

“The Election and Political Party Monitoring Liason, building was attacked and part of the main building.”

However, eyewitnesses said the hoodlums, who were in a convoy of more than five vehicles “moved from the Okigwe road shooting sporadically and scaring the residents.”

Vehicles and offices were set ablaze by the hoodlums.

It was further gathered that serious exchange between the hoodlums and policemen who came to repel the attack, led to the death of three of them.

The bodies of the hoodlums were seen lying on the ground alongside Police- recovered arms and ammunition after they were neutralized.

Foreign Trained Doctors Fail Nigeria’s Assessment Test

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, MDCN has refused to certify over 400 foreign trained doctors to work in the country.

The doctors, the Council said failed the examination required for certification.

The Council’s Registrar, Dr Tijani told Punch that 439 foreign trained medical and dental candidates failed the test, conducted on November 23 and November 24, 2022, at the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto.

Explaining the breakdown of the two-day test, Sanusi said 916 foreign-trained medical and dental candidates sat for the assessment examination but only 477 candidates passed.

He said 24 candidates sat for the examination in Dentistry, eight passed and 16 failed. 892 candidates sat for the medical examination, 469 passed and 423 failed.

He explained that the assessment examination is a global practice, as no professional is allowed to practise in another jurisdiction without sitting for the examination.

According to him, “It is a global practice that if you train in a particular jurisdiction and you want to go to another jurisdiction, you subject yourself to an assessment examination.

“Even if you are a Professor of Medicine here and you have never practised in the United Kingdom or the United States, when you go in there, you subject yourself to their assessment examination.”

The MDCN assessment examination is compulsory for all foreign-trained doctors who plan to practise in Nigeria.

The MDCN regulates the practice of Medicine, Dentistry and Alternative Medicine in the country in the most efficient manner that safeguards the best healthcare delivery.

The assessment examination is meant for foreign-trained medical doctors and dental surgeons who want to practise in Nigeria and it tests the candidates’ ability to apply their basic medical sciences and clinical skills in a healthcare setting.

The examination is to ensure that foreign-trained doctors show themselves capable of practising in Nigeria.

On passing the examination, they are given a provisional licence to practise in Nigeria.

It is this provisional licence medical and dental graduates will use to practise during their one-year housemanship after which they are given a licence of full registration.

Meanwhile, expert in the medical sector insist that the reason why Nigerian doctors are hot cake in the world, is due to the training they received despite the dirt of funding for the sector from the government.

No fewer than 10,000 Nigerian doctors have moved out of the country to seek better working conditions in the United Kingdom, UK, in the last few months, the Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, the umbrella body for medical doctors in the country said in October.

Zenith, Others Selected As PLIs For Maritime Fund

By
James Orji
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The federal government has appointed five commercial banks in the country as primary lending institutions, PLIs to disburse the Cabotage Vessel Financing Funds, CVFF.

The Funds, according to the Director General, Nigerian Maritime and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Bashir Jamoh, has both naira and dollar components of N16 billion and $350 million, respectively.

The CVFF was set up many years ago to assist indigenous ship owners to acquire world-class vessels for their business but has not been disbursed due to delay on the part of the federal government.

The Buhari administration seems to have now shown readiness to finally make the funds available by approving the selection of the five commercial banks to disburse the multi-million dollar funds to qualified indigenous ship owners, maritime experts say.

Speaking on the development, the Minister of Transportation, Muaza Sambo said Union Bank, Zenith Bank, Polaris Bank, UBA, and Polaris Bank have been approved by President Buhari as PLIs.

Sambo said: “The president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari has approved my request for the disbursement of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund. It is my belief that finally we are going to break the 17-year-old jinx that has hindered the expansion of the maritime industry.

“We have made a case that the funds belong to you, the ship owners. Mr. President is a man who respects the law and is on the same page with us to proceed with immediate effect. We will be liaising with the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to work immediately for the approval.

“We have pledged to the president that they will continue to allow the funds to go into the Treasury Single Account, TSA; however, whenever the money hits the threshold of $50million, the CBN upon recommendation from the Nigerian  Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Federal Ministry of Transportation, would be expected to transfer the funds to the Primary Lending Institutions.”

NIMASA: Buhari Orders Disbursement Of $350m Cabotage Fund

By
James Orji
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President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, has approved the immediate disbursement of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund, CVFF, to qualified Nigerians as part of the Federal Government’s commitment to grow indigenous capacity of Nigerians to own vessels.

In June this year, the former Minister of State for Transportation, Senator Gbemi Saraki disclosed that the Fund is now over $350 million.

The Minister of Transportation, Engineer Mu’azu Jaji Sambo who made the announcement at a press conference this weekend said that the Presidential approval received by the Ministry on Friday confirmed Union, Zenith, Polaris, UBA, and Jaiz Banks as the appointed Primary Lending Institutions for the disbursement of the funds.

The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Bashir Jamoh, announced that the funds available for disbursement was slightly over ₦16 billion naira and $350 million dollars.

Jamoh said “What we have collected so far is in two folds made up of Naira and Dollar components. So far, the Funds available under the CVFF in naira component is around Sixteen Billion naira (₦‎16,000,000,000:00), while contributions in Dollar component hovers around the Three Hundred and Fifty Million Dollar  mark ($350,000,000:00).

On his part, the Honorable Minister noted that the Ministry of Transportation has commenced liaison with the Minister of Finance and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, for the implementation.

Sambo said: “The president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari has approved my request for the disbursement of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund. It is my belief that finally we are going to break the 17-year-old jinx that has hindered the expansion of the maritime industry.

“We have made a case that the funds belong to you, the ship owners. Mr. President is a man who respects the law and is on the same page with us to proceed with immediate effect. We will be liaising with the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to work immediately for the approval.

We have pledged to the president that they will continue to allow the funds to go into the Treasury Single Account, TSA; however, whenever the money hits the threshold of $50million, the CBN upon recommendation from the Nigerian  Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, and the Federal Ministry of Transportation, would be expected to transfer the funds to the Primary Lending Institutions.”

The CVFF was established alongside the Nigerian Coastal and Inland Shipping (Cabotage) Act of 2003, to empower indigenous ship owners to take control of the nation’s coastal and inland shipping business, otherwise known as Cabotage trade. Applicants of the Fund would make an equity contribution of 15 per cent while NIMASA would make an equity contribution of 35 per cent; and 50 per cent would be provided by the banks.

The Imperative Of Igbo Renaissance And Agbaso’s Burden

By
The Source
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Martin Agbaso

By C.C. Akamadu

Historically speaking, Ndigbo are a merit-driven people. By their very nature, opportunism and mediocrity are loudly resented with no apology offered. They are highly intelligent, incredibly industrious and perhaps one of the most competitive races on planet earth. Unlike monarchical societies that can be found on all corners of the African continent, Ndigbo, as authentic republicans, place high premium on individual traits and sterling accomplishments with respect to their leadership recruitment process.

In the precolonial Igbo society, sovereignty and authority resided in the people. Men of impeccable integrity exercised authority, as agents of the people, at different layers of leadership, which included age grade, kindred and nze-na-ozo title holders.

For Ndigbo to consider anyone fit for leadership, such person must possess the requisite integrity with unquestionable commitment to community wellbeing. Such person must also be fairly prosperous and have his wealth acquired through honest and decent means.

It was in keeping with this cherished tradition that Igboland put forward her finest during Nigeria’s struggle for independence. Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe led the charge with illustrious Igbo sons like Mazi Mbonu Ojike, Michael Okpara, Akanu Ibiam, Mokwugo Okoye, MCK Ajuluchukwu and Bob Ogbuagu equally at the battlefront. Same set of leaders, alongside their contemporaries from other regions, also dominated the Nigerian leadership firmament upon the departure of our colonial masters in 1960.

The Igboman is proud, courageous, principled and uncompromising. He is neither a hypocrite nor a bootlicker. Rather, he is firm and forthright – part of the reason some Nigerian tribes have, in the treacherous contestation for power in Nigeria, repeatedly accused him of “not knowing how to play politics”!

It took an Igboman to be decorated as “Officer of the Civil Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (O.B.E)” by His Majesty King George in 1949, as “Knight Commander of the Civil Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (K.B.E)” and as “Knight Commander of the Civil Division of the Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George (K.C.M.G.)” by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 1951 and 1962 respectively, yet he found the raw nerve to renounce all on matters of principle.

In fact, he didn’t stop there; he went further to drop his English name (Francis). That person was Dr. Akanu Ibiam of truly blessed memory, governor of defunct Eastern Region of Nigeria.

The rain began to beat Ndigbo immediately after the civil war. On account of the horrors of the civil war, the unprecedented devastation that it left behind and with no Marshall Plan in place, Ndigbo were inexorably thrown into a survivalist mode.

The second republic had presented a chance for Ndigbo to reinvent themselves and their land with Dr. Sam Mbakwe superintending over old Imo State as governor and Chief Jim Nwobodo at the helm of affairs in old Enugu State.

This window of self-rediscovery was however shut by the coup plotters that sacked Alhaji Shagari’s government on December 31, 1983. There is no doubt that the prolonged military rule that followed exacerbated the post-civil war identity crisis Ndigbo were enmeshed in, but by far the single greatest tragedy that befell Igboland was the quality of leadership, at the state level, that came with the inauguration of the fourth republic.

For some odd reason, Abia had thrown up Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu. Imo installed Chief Achike Udenwa. Anambra and Enugu had Dr. Chinweoke Mbadinuju and Dr. Chimaraoke Nnamani as State Chief Executives respectively while Ebonyi fell under the leadership of Dr. Sam Egwu (who was, in fairness, remarkably more purposeful than his peers). With characters like these saddled with the responsibility of charting a new course for Ndigbo, it was only natural for the rain that started beating Ndigbo in 1970 to come down in torrents…with thunder and lightning, too.

Ever since, things have grown from bad to worse. The seeds of 1999 had since become trees and borne fruits; it is the fruits that have rapidly contaminated the value system of Ndigbo and altered, for ill, their established socio-cultural and behavioural patterns. Truly, leadership is everything. For failing to put their best feet forward in 1999, Igboland is paying heavily that.

This foregoing presents an explanation for the current mood and resolve of Ndigbo – their intelligentsia, clergy, business and professional leaders, traditional institution, market and community leaders as well as town unions – to reverse the trend and return their land to path of glory. Anambra is arguably the leading state in this effort. Since the days of Dr. Chris Ngige as governor, it has not looked back; for neither Mr. Peter Obi nor Chief Willie Obiano went close to the abysmal performance of Dr. Mbadinuju. This is quite commendable.

On its part, Enugu appears to be oscillating power between performance and non-performance with the Chimaroke Nnamani-Sullivan Chime-Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi scenario. Ditto Ebonyi with her Sam Egwu-Martin Elechi-Dave Umahi outlook.

Abia and Imo appear be trapped in a web progressive retrogression. Orji Uzor Kalu and Achike Udenwa were alike in several material respects, and they both handed over power to incompetent successors who sank their respective states deeper into the cesspit of underdevelopment and moral quagmire. That is not all, their present governors have performed worse than their predecessors-in-office, hence the clamour for their forceful political retirement next year through the ballot box.

For Abia, things appear to be looking up with the growing mass appeal Dr. Alex Otti’s governorship aspiration is enjoying. If Dr. Otti triumphs at the poll, it would be hope-rising for Abians who cannot wait to join Anambra in having a renowned economist and seasoned technocrat as its chief executive.

With the prospects of Abia beginning its journey to redemption next year and Ebonyi and Enugu equally having opportunities to craft a great future for themselves by electing the right people as governors, all eyes will be on Imo’s off-season governorship election later 2023. And the big question is: can Imo people muster enough courage to radically depart from their past record of making birds of same plumage governor? They all look alike – especially their profiles. After the unrivaled Chief Sam Mbakwe, the nearest Imo has come to competent and decent leadership, many believe, was in late Engr. Ezekiel Izuogu’s governorship bid and most recently the 2007 spectacular outing of Chief Martin Agbaso – another brilliant economist and man of the people, with a good head on the shoulder. He actually fits the elaborate description of an Igboman above. As the quest for good governance and moral reawakening sweeps across Igboland, the best of Imolites which Chief Agbaso represents are challenged to offer themselves for service, so that this salvation can go round. Imo people deserve a better deal – Run Agbaso Run! A new Ala-Igbo is possible.

Akamadu contributed this piece from Abuja

2023: Wike Asks Nigerians To Condemn Muslim-Muslim Ticket, Retention Of Presidency In The North

By
The Source
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Tinubu-Wike and Atiku

By Charles Igbo

“If Wike is so much against Atiku’s candidacy because Atiku is from the North, why did he desperately lobby to be Atiku’s Running Mate?” – PDP Stakeholder

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, has condemned the Presidential tickets of both the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Wike spoke at a Special dedication Church Service for Rivers State PDP candidates at St Paul’s Anglican Church, Porthacourt on Sunday, December 11, 2022.

He said there is no difference between the Muslim-Muslim ticket of the APC, and that of the PDP which wants another Northerner to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023. Both of them, he said, should be condemned by the public.

He said it is hypocrisy to condemn the APC ticket of same faith, and not condemn the PDP ticket which seeks to retain the Presidency in the North after Buhari.

He said to sideline the Zoning principle of the PDP, is an insult to the South.

In a release, on his behalf, by his Spokesperson, Kevin Ebiri, after the Service, the Governor, apparently referring to his party,  the PDP, said:

“You play on people’s intelligence. You say Nigeria is not ripe for a Muslim-Muslim ticket. I agree. But Nigeria is ripe for Presidency to remain in one Zone? I mean, just look at the insult. You blow hot and cold.

“Most of you just sit there, you don’t ask yourself questions. Somebody continues to sell this type of cheap ideas. You don’t ask the person, ‘I agree with what you are saying, but look at what we are saying here.’

“Your Party wants the Presidency to go to the same Zone where President Muhammadu Buhari is coming from. Who is cheating who?

“It is not now that politics has come, you want to come and tell the Church a different story for your own personal interest. We have to be careful so that the Church is not destroyed because, all of us, for example, we are Anglicans. I will not allow anybody, for his selfish interest, to destroy the Church of Nigeria. I will not allow that.

But many people have  accused Wike of selfishness, and playing to the gallery. They say he is condemning the PDP ticket of Atiku Abubakar and Dr Ifeanyi Okowa because he was not given the Vice Presidential ticket. Asked one PDP high profile member: “If Wike is so much against the President coming from the North, why did he lobby to be Atiku’s running mate? Why did he contest for it? Did he forget Atiku’s Northern origin when he wanted to be his Running mate? Why did he hit the roof when he lost out to Okowa? If he had been given the Vice Presidential ticket, as he desperately wanted, could he have been condemning Atiku’s candidacy? Does Wike think he is talking to fools?”

The Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates of the APC are Bola Tinubu and Kashim Shettima, both Muslims. Tinubu is from the South and Shettima from the  North. Those of the PDP are Atiku Abubakar a Muslim from the North, and Ifeanyi Okowa, a Christian from the South.

For the records, Wike failed in his bid to be Atiku’s running mate. Since then, he has been waging a war against the ticket.

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