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NFF Moves To Discipline Erring Players On National Assignment

By
Ayodele Oni
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Super Eagles

By Ayodele Oni

The Nigeria Football Federation, (NFF) has expressed reservations about the recent shoddy performance of distaste of the Super Eagles and the U23 Boys in their international engagements.

The football body also restated the NFF President’s position that the Federation will never beg any player to wear the nation’s colours.

It added that whoever is not motivated for one reason or the other to represent Nigeria should always be bold enough to state this at the point of invitation.

“Any perceived lackadaisical attitude by any player wearing Nigeria’s colours at international level will no longer be treated with kid gloves.”

These are some of the resolutions of Executive Committee of NFF which met on Monday, in Abuja to deliberate on important issues in Nigeria Football.

The communique was signed by Ibrahim Musa Gusau,President, Mohammed Sanusi, secretary and other members present.

NFF also resolved that “In order to further rejuvenate the domestic game, the Board took a decision that within the next one (1) month, the Federation should, through its governing structure best practice and as enshrined in the Statutes, constitute boards for the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), the Nigeria National League (NNL), the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) and the Nigeria Nationwide League One (NLO).

“After appraising the preparations that have been afforded the team pre-competition, including a proposed 10-day final camping programme in North Africa, the Board minced no words in charging the U17 Boys’ National Team (Golden Eaglets) to deploy its best efforts in overcoming all before it to win the Africa U17 Cup of Nations taking place in Algeria between 29 April and 19 May, and in the process earning a ticket to the FIFA U17 World Cup finals taking place later this year.

“While asseverating that the bronze-medal performance of the U20 Boys, Flying Eagles at the Africa U20 Cup of Nations in Egypt was below-par, the Board exhorted the technical crew and the players to see it as a national duty to win the FIFA U20 World Cup for Nigeria when the tournament takes place in Argentina between 20 May and 11 June.

“The Board expressed satisfaction with the new positive spirit and winning mentality in the camp of the senior women national team, Super Falcons, which has seen the team win its last three international matches.

“With the bigger picture of the biggest-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup competition coming up in Australia and New Zealand this summer in mind, the Board admonished the technical crew to work even harder to give confidence to the players that they can indeed stand their own against the world’s best.

“Board stated that it will do even more to prepare the team for the big challenge with another grade A friendly match in Europe and a two-week camping in Australia before the kick-off of the tournament on 20 July.

“Genuinely disturbed by the vexed issue of agents and football merchants around the various National Teams and their debilitating effects on the performance of the teams over the past few years, the Board vowed to henceforth, mete out stiff sanctions to whoever is caught aiding or abetting, dealing, perpetrating or perpetuating the ignoble activities of these nefarious individuals no matter their roles, status or pedigree.

“The Board assured Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora that it remains very focused and working assiduously towards proactively and vigorously developing Nigeria Football from the grassroots, as well as providing adequate support and encouragement to the youth teams to flourish and produce players for the senior teams, and also to engender a conducive environment for the blossoming of a Football Economy that will, sooner than later, begin to contribute to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product.”

No New Pension Law For Former Delta State Governors – Government

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

In what looks like a twist, the Delta State government has reacted to a new pension law for former Governors saying it is inexistence.

State Commissioner for Information,  Charles Aniagwu also said that Governor Ifeanyi Okowa  did not sign any law to give governors new retirement benefits.

Aniagwu, who was reacting to allegation at a news conference on Tuesday in Asaba, accused the detractors and opposition political candidates that had also alleged that the Okowa led government sold the state Liaison Office in Lagos.

He cautioned the detractors to stop pouring aspersion on the governor through their porous claims, adding that the incumbent would remain focused in delivering the promises made to the people until the last day in office.

“They claimed the liaison office in Lagos has been sold, to who, for how much? You can’t sell the property of the state; no amount, no buyer.

“We only engaged a developer to tap into the opportunities therein to build a 10 storey building as approved by Lagos Government, to make more money for the state and to house the liaison office on completion of the project, which is currently on rent.

“Also, we did not sign any law to give governors new pension benefits. Those who say that we are going and that we have passed a new law to give governors a new benefit package, they know they are making lies.

“We challenge them to tell us the date that the new law was passed, where it was passed and who signed the law?

Aniagwu said elections had been concluded and had been won and lost, while advising the losers to pursue their cases in court and stop chasing shadows by maligning the governor who did not contest elections with them.

The commissioner thanked the people of Delta for their support to sustain the developmental trajectory of the Governor Okowa led adminstration and for voting en masse for Chief Sheriff Oborevwori to deepen the development.

“There was an election which was won and lost and we have extended an olive branch to our brothers who contested in that election because we recognize that it was their democratic right to contest.

“On the account of our promises, we shall continue to deliver more projects to the people, and we are confident that we are handing over a viable state to competent governor -elect, Chief Oborevwori.

“As governor-elect, Oborevwori will deepen the development in the state.”

Binani: INEC Invites Police To Prosecute Suspended Adamawa REC

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Mallam Hudu Yunusa Ari

By Ayodele Oni

Embattled  Resident Electoral Commissioner, (REC) in Adamawa State, Hudu Yunusa Ari, will be charged to court for his role in the state governorship election results stalemate.

The National Headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) on Monday asked Ari to stay away from the Commission’s office in Yola.

A letter dated April 17, 2023, and signed by INEC Secretary, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, directed the Administrative Secretary in Adamawa to take charge.

A statement on Tuesday from INEC reads “At its meeting today, 18th April 2023, the Commission discussed matters arising from the Adamawa Governorship election and decided to:

“Write to the Inspector-General of Police for the immediate investigation and possible prosecution of the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Adamawa State, Barr. Hudu Yunusa Ari.

“Request the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to draw the attention of the  appointing authority to the unwholesome behaviour of the REC for further action.

“The collation process shall resume at a time to be determined by the Returning Officer.

Detailed official statement will follow shortly.”

NNPC Chair: Ararume Defeats Buhari In Court; Gets N5bn Compensation

By
James Orji
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0

A Federal High Court in Abuja has awarded the sum of N5 billion to Senator Ifeanyi Ararume as damages for his removal as the Chairman of the Board of Nigeria National Petroleum Company, Ltd.

Delivering judgment on the matter brought by the former Senator, Justice Inyang Ekwo said President Muhammadu Buhari illegally removed Ararume from the position.

Ararume had dragged the President to Court in November, 2022, after he was removed barely few weeks after his appointment into the Board, and on the eve of his inauguration. The Company is a Government- controlled Oil Company Ltd.

In the suit, the Senator also demanded the sum of N100 billon as compensation for his wrongful removal as the non- Executive Chairman of the Company.

He wanted the court to determine whether, in view of the provisions of the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the NNPC, Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2010, and the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021 (PIA), the office of the non-Executive Chairman was not governed and regulated by the stated provisions of the law.

Ararume also prayed the court to determine whether by the interpretation of section 63 (3) of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021, the President can lawfully remove him as non-Executive Chairman of the NNPC for a reason outside the provisions of the law.

He prayed the court to also determine whether Buhari could sack him without compliance with expressly stated provisions of the Articles of Memorandum of Association of the Company, section 63 (3) of the PIA Act, 2021 and section 288 of the CAMA Act, 2020.

He urged the court for “A declaration that by the provisions of section 63 (3) of the PIA Act, CAMA Act and Memorandum of Association of the NNPC, the President cannot by will remove him from office as non-Executive Chairman without following due process of the law.”

The suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/691/2022 was instituted on his behalf by a group of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) comprising Chief Chris Uche, Ahmed Raji, Mahmud Magaji, Ogwu James Onoja, K.C Nwufor and Gordy Uche.

he president to court last November after he was removed barely few weeks after his appointment into the board of the government -controlled oil corporation.

In the suit, the senator also demanded N100 billon axe compensation for wrongful removal as non- executive chairman of the company.

He wanted the court to determije whether in view of the provisions of the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the NNPC, Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2010 and the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021 (PIA), the office of the non-executive Chairman was not governed and regulated by the stated provisions of the law.

Ararume also prayed the court to determine whether by the interpretation of section 63 (3) of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021, the President can lawfully remove him as non-executive Chairman of the NNPC for anh reason outside the provisions of the law.

He prayed the court to also determine whether Buhari could sack him without compliance with expressly stated provisions of the Articles of Memorandum of Association of the Company, section 63 (3) of the PIA Act, 2021 and section 288 of the CAMA Act, 2020.

He urged the court for “A declaration that by the provisions of section 63 (3) of the PIA Act, CAMA Act and Memorandum of Association of the NNPC, the President cannot by will remove him from office as non-executive Chairman without following due process of the law.”

The suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/691/2022 was instituted on his behalf by a group of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) comprising Chief Chris Uche, Ahmed Raji, Mahmud Magaji, Ogwu James Onoja, K.C Nwufor and Gordy Uche.

Foreign Reserves Dip To $35bn; The Role Of 2023 Election, Census

By
James Orji
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0

Nigeria’s external reserves has slipped to $ 35.42 billion according to the figures obtained from the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN. Exactly one year ago, the reserves stood at over $39 billion.

The implication is that the reserves have been drawn down by over $ 4 billion in 12 months, according to financial analysts who frowned at the continued depletion of the Reserves.

Godwin Emefiele, the Governor of CBN recently blamed the dwindling reserves on the fall of crude oil prices, as well as, the failure of the country sell more crude to earn hard currency.

These assertions have been dismissed by not a few analysts who claimed that the country’s crude oil sale has bounced back, aside the fact that crude oil prices have also improved at the International market.
According to the figures provide by the apex bank the reserves fell by $112.78 million in two weeks to $35.42 billion.

The figures obtained from thr CBN on Mknday also revealed that the reserves which stood at $36.99 billion as of the end of January 1, 2023, fell to $36.67 billion as of February 27, 2023, and $35.53 billion as of the end of March 30, 2023.

Faced by repeated criticism from not a few Nigerians, Emefiele had last November rued the continous slide in the external reserves, saying foreign currency earnings from crude, Nigeria’s major dollar earner fell from $3 billion monthly to zero dollars.

He said the problem started in 2014.

The CBN governor said “The official foreign exchange receipt from crude oil sales into our official reserves has dried up steadily from above $3.0 billion monthly in 2014 to an absolute zero dollars today.

“The bulk of the money in Nigeria’s foreign reserves comes from the export of gas and oil to other nations. But increasing instances of crude oil theft have hurt Nigeria’s ability to export enough crude oil. Consequently, its foreign exchange reserves are falling,” he added.

“Nigeria’s external reserves fell to $37.17 billion as of November 15, 2022, data from the CBN confirms. This is the lowest level of the external reserves this year and the lowest level since September 30, 2021, when the country faced a barrage of currency depreciation.”

Meanwhile, not a few analysts insist that the federal government spendings on the just concluded general election, and the upcoming National Census slated for next month have immense effects on the foreign reserves, due to the fact that most of the equipment used for these two events may have been sourced abroad using hard currency from the Reserve.

General Ogunewe: “I Won Imo LP Gov Ticket”; Calls Achonu’s Victory  “A Fraud”, Vows To Fight Till End

By
The Source
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0
Lincoln Jack Ogunewe and Chief Athan Achonu

By Charles Igbo

The crisis which engulfed the Imo State Chapter of the Labour Party, LP,  in the weeks running to its Governorship Primary, and climaxed on Saturday, 15 April, 2023, when it was held, is far from over. If anything, it is escalating.

On the day of the Primary, the Party held parallel Primaries in three venues, and, so, produced three Candidates. The candidates are Dr Basil Maduka, Chief Ikechukwu Ukaegbu, and Chief Athan Achonu.

While Maduka and Ukaegbu don’t really matter much, and their candidacy and the process which produced them not recognised by the Leadership of the Party at the National level, or even the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC,  the process that produced Achonu is what the Party recognised and would go with.

However, even the process that produced the candidate has become a subject of controversy. Allegations of vote-buying and corrupted Delegates list are strong.

Hours before voting started, one of the aspirants, Dr Sam Amadi, stepped down, alleging that the venue has become awash with US Dollars to corrupt delegates. He said he was not prepared  to bribe anybody.

Three Candidates were considered the front-runners  in the election. They were a retired Major General, Lincoln Jack Ogunewe, Chief Martin Agbaso and Senator Achonu, the eventual winner.

On the day of the election, many people betted on Ogunewe. But the outcome of the process, supervised by Abia State Governor-elect, Dr Alex Oti, showed otherwise.

In a very close contest between Achonu and Ogunewe, Achonu came tops by scoring 134 votes while Ogunewe scored 121 votes.

But Ogunewe is crying foul. He said he was robbed of victory. He said not only was  vote-buying deployed, the delegates list was corrupted. He accused Achonu of buying delegates up with the sum of $300 each. He, also, accused the Local Government Chairmen of the Party of smuggling-in fake delegates, following what he described as an honest error made by the Election Committee headed by Otti.

Ogunewe: “At the said primaries an honest error was made by the Election Committee when it asked Local Government Area Chairmen of LP to identify delegates from their areas. Many party chairmen who had been compromised by one of the contestants, Mr Athan Achonu allowed non-elected fake delegates to enter into the election hall.”

He said he was ignored when he protested. He said the election was rigged in favour of Achonu.

In a Press Statement he issued in Owerri on the 17th April, he disclosed that he has petitioned the Election Appeals Committee of the Party, and expects that the Governorship ticket from which he was cheated, will be returned to him.

Ogunewe: “I have followed due process of the law by filing a petition to our Party Governorship Primaries Election Appeals Committee on these flagrant violations that occurred at the primaries and l expect that justice would be done.”

Following is the full text of the Press Statement.

“My good people of Imo state, l bring to you Calvary Greetings.

“(1) You may recall that on Saturday the 15th of April 2023 at Landmark Events Centre in Owerri, Imo state, Labour Party Governorship primaries election was conducted by His Excellency Dr Alex Otti.

“(2) At the said primaries an honest error was made by the Election Committee when it asked  Local government area chairmen of LP to identify delegates from their areas. Many party chairmen who had been compromised by one of the contestants Mr Athan Achonu allowed non-elected fake delegates to enter into the election hall.

“(3) These said fake delegates confessed to receiving $300 dollars each to vote for Mr Achonu.

“(5) That despite my protestations, these fake delegates voted and at the end of the day Mr Achonu who scored 134 votes was declared winner against my 121 votes which made me to come second.

“(5) My position is that the elections were manipulated and rigged when LP local government chairmen were asked to identify delegates and many of  them left the original delegates list and admitted fake delegates to vote.

“(6) That all my 121 votes were from original LP delegates that emerged from the Ward Congresses of LP.

“(7) That if all the votes of the fake delegates who collected $300 dollars and voted for Mr Achonu are cancelled or voided l would automatically score the majority of the votes and emerge winner of the Imo state governorship primaries election.

“(8) That l have followed due process of the law by filing a petition to our Party Governorship Primaries Election Appeals Committee on these flagrant violations that occurred at the primaries and l expect that justice would be done.

“(9) However Ndigbo should know that the time has come for us to move away from Party-based politics to candidate-based politics where the educational credentials, career records, integrity, credibility and capacity of an individual should be the focus of our quest for transformational  leadership. Peter Obi has already set this example.

“(10) Finally, l thank all my teeming supporters in LP both within the state, through out the country and globally. I also thank the leadership of our great party.

“Let it be clear to all and sundry that the LP family in Imo state gave me their mandate without vote buying to fly the Flag of the Party at the November 11, 2023 governorship elections. I shall do everything legally possible to execute that mandate! Our victory is certain with me leading from the front!

“Udo diri unu. Thank you and God bless.”

Not a few Imolites are disappointed with the crisis which has engulfed the Party, and are of the strong opinion that if nothing is done to reconcile the LP before the 11 November, 2023, the LP will have a drubbing in the hands of the ruling Party.

Victorious Ogene Appreciates Constituents, Hails Obi

By
James Orji
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0

Winner of the Ogbaru Federal Constituency, Anambra state election,  Victor Afam Ogene, has expressed gratitude to the people of Ogbaru whose votes ensured he triumphed at the recently held election.

Ogene who is the candidate of the Labour Party (LP), also commended his opponents in the keenly contested election, that he won with a slim margin of 232 votes, inviting the to join hands with him to work for the good of the people.

He also expressed profound gratitude to the presidential candidate of LP, Peter Obi, the Senator-Elect for Anambra North, Dr. Tony Okechukwu Nwoye, Nnanyelugo Oseloka Obaze, and myriad of personal friends, party leaders.

While Ogene polled a total of 10,851 votes to emerge winner, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP)’s candidate and incumbent representative of the federal constituency, Hon. Chukwuka Onyema, got 10,619 votes and the candidate of the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance, (APGA), in the state, Hon. Arinze Awogu, got 10,155 votes to place third.

He attributed his victory to the favour and grace of God and the magnanimity of the Ogbaru electorate, who he said freely gave him the mandate, adding that God alone gives power to whosever He chooses.

Ogene in a statement on Monday, noted that the slim margin from the final results of the polls clearly underscores the fact that the three major contestants were all eminently qualified to represent Ogbaru.

He said further: “I, therefore, congratulate my brothers, Rep.(Prince) Chukwuka Onyema, Ikenga Ogbahu, and Comrade Arinzechukwu Awogu, Omekaodinma Ogbahu, for standing out in the quest for a better Homeland for our people. I assure them of my desire and commitment to work with them and other well meaning ndi Ogbahu, for the good of our people.
The ties that binds us as umu Ogbahu are ultimately stronger than any loose strings that tends to divide us. I salute their tenacity and abiding love for our people. Across our various communities in Ogbaru hinterlands and Okpoko, the clarion call revolved around the betterment of our people.

“From the outset, we were deeply conscious of our brotherhood and the fact that we are one people, of a common heritage and destiny, hence our campaign mantra, Ogbahu: ‘Anyi Bu Ofu!’

“During the campaigns, some of our supporters crossed the borderline of decency, inspite of our admonitions to the contrary. On behalf of my Team and I, I accept responsibility for all infractions, real or imagined, that emanated from my camp.

“Going forward, we must join hands to steer Ogbaru away from conflicts that have neither rhyme nor reason and farther away from narrow, cultic interests.

“The man who wills, resolves and perseveres can do almost anything!’

“For us, Ogbaru can and must be a better place, taking strength from adversity.

“Power belongs to God and He freely gives it to whomsoever He wills per time; We can only be privileged custodians of His delegated authority.

“In total commitment to the guiding principles of the Obedient Movement, which is total transformation of our society, we pledge, by the Grace of God, to press forward from a sense of hope and reality to make Ogbaru great again.

“In this vein, I wish to express our profound gratitude to our global leader, His Excellency, Peter Obi, Okwute Nigeria, my leader, Senator-Elect, Dr. Tony Okechukwu Nwoye, His Honour, Nnanyelugo Oseloka Obaze, and myriad of personal friends, party leaders and members who invested their time, finances and goodwill in the pursuit, and realization of our aspiration. May the Supreme Creator of the universe reward all of you abundantly.

“In a couple of days, we shall be unveiling our legislative framework for the next four years. In the immediate, however, the urgency of NOW demands that we must, as a People, seek an end to the divisive fault lines that clog the progress of ndi Ogbahu. We cannot attain meaningful progress standing on different sides of the aisle. For me, uniting our peoples is a task that MUST be accomplished.

“We remain eternally grateful for this rare opportunity to serve you again. Across party lines and group interests, we shall work in tandem with all of our peoples.”

“We Will Go After Your Fathers, Occupy Your Homes, Property In Nigeria”  – NLC President To Those Claiming LP Leadership

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0

By Akinwale Kasali

For those claiming to be the new National Acting Executive Council members of the Labour Party, LP, and claim to have suspended the National Chairman of the Party, Barrister Julius Abure,  big trouble may be coming their way.

The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC,  has a strong warning for them.

NLC’s National President, Joe Ajaero, handed the warning on Monday  afternoon when he and his Team visited the National Headquarters of the LP in Abuja.

In the past couple of weeks, a group led by  Lamidi Bashir Apapa, Vice Chairman, South, say it has suspended Abure from office,  based on a number of allegation.

Firstly, the group got Abure’s Ward to suspend him, then, went to Court and got a Court order to stop him and some others from parading themselves as LP Leaders. Then, they went and occupied the LP National Headquarters.

But hundreds of Labour Party members resisted them, and sacked them from the Headquarters.

On Monday, the NLC, led by iwhose baby the LP is, led by its President,  stormed the National Headquarters of the Party in Abuja, and took it over. They were apparently in search of Apapa and Co, who Ajaero referred to as “rodents.”

Addressing the people Ajaero said: “We decided to visit our house when we got some information that some rodents are moving into our house, and we have come with some insecticides to fumigate the house from any rodents that is illegally trying to enter our property. That is why we are here. Incidentally, we didn’t see any rodents and we will keep coming to see if there is any.”

He said that LP is a baby of the NLC and TUC,  “a child of circumstances founded when we lost confidence in the existing Parties.”

He vowed that the NLC  would go after any group which thinks it can “sabotage or derail our ideological movement  and resist it with the last drop of our blood.”

And he warned that any move by anybody, or group of persons, to occupy the LP Headquarters will be met with the occupation of their houses, homes and properties. He, also, promised: “We will go after their fathers.”

Following are Ajaero’s comment at the LP National Headquarters, Abuja, after the comment by the NLC National General Secretary.

Ajaero: “Thank you General Secretary, I think you have captured everything.

“For sometime now, we have not been visiting our house, but this afternoon, we decided to visit our house when we got some information that some rodents are moving into our house, and we have come with some insecticides to fumigate the house from any rodent  that is illegally trying to enter our property.

“That is why we are here. Incidentally, we didn’t see any rodent  and we will keep coming around to see if there is any.

“The Labour Party is a child of circumstance. It was founded when we lost confidence In the existing Political Parties and we felt that the Labour Party would be an ideal political party that will represent our ideological persuasion. That was why the Labour Party was formed.

“For anybody, or group, to think that they would sabotage or derail our ideological movement, we would resist it with the last drop of our blood.

“The Labour was formed by the NLC and TUC. It is our Party and nobody can come from the blues and declare himself Secretary or Chairman of our party without our consent. It is not done.

“Such people, if they make attempt to come in next time, all their offices and houses will  be converted to Labour Party offices. Their personal houses anywhere it is located, we go there and occupy them,  and they will know that all they had was given to them by Labour.

“Today, we say enough is enough. Henceforth, no human being will enter inside here under the guise of order. If there is any order, even if we lose our leadership, we have to meet as Trustees of this Labour Party to decide the next line of action.

“For anybody to, illegally, declare himself as Chairman or General Secretary of Labour Party, we will tell workers to arrest them and bring such people.

“The time has come. The Bible says that the kingdom of God suffereth violence and it is only the violent that take it by force.

Now we have come to take our party and establish it as the fastest growing party.  You can that envy and jealousy are already creeping in.

“People that are pioneering this sabotage against us, let us announce it here that we know your fathers and if you continue this way, we will go after your fathers.

“We will leave it here till we finish our private discussion, but let it be known to the whole world that the NLC fathered the Labour Party and we will not abandon our child.”

CNPP Accuses INEC Of Deliberately Frustrating Advancement Of Nigeria’s Democracy, Buhari’s Only Legacy

By
The Source
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0
Chief Willy Ezugwu

Conference Of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has lamented that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has “deliberately frustrated the deepening of the country’s democratic advancement as well as the only legacy President Muhammadu Buhari may have intended to leave after signing into law the amended Electoral Act 2022, which cleared the coast for the deployment of technology in Nigeria’s elections.”

In a terse statement signed by its Secretary General, Chief Willy Ezugwu, in reaction to the controversy surrounding the Adamawa State governorship election, the CNPP said that “in saner clime, all the INEC and non-INEC official fingered in the viral allegation of bribery and falsification of election results in Adamawa State should be in jail.

“This is not the case because INEC is either acting a script by the enemies of Nigeria’s democracy or some selfish political elites who wish to get the country engulfed in politically motivated anarchy for yet-to-be known personal benefits.

“The unwarranted palpable tension in Adamawa State since on Sunday when the state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Hudu Yunusa-Ari, announced Aisha ‘Binani’ Dahiru, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as the winner of the gubernatorial election is not different from illegalities the commission, in collaboration with politicians, allegedly in the February 25 presidential election in many parts of the country.

“The conduct of the Adamawa State governorship election, which obviously did not go down well with many residents, points clearly to the 2023 sham elections in many states.

“For the CNPP, all the damage control mechanism deployed by INEC in trying to make Nigerians believe that it meant well in Adamawa State or other parts of the country amounts to mere film trick.

“The INEC leadership, particularly the Chairman of the commission, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, had assured Nigerians of real-time transmission of 2023 polls results but deliberately failed to make its innovative biometric devices work and resorted to manually transmitted results collation, which opened up the planned electronically controlled electoral processes to all kinds of manipulation.

“Sadly, INEC under the current leadership presents itself as a cash-and-carry Commission where the highest bidder is declared the winner against the wishes of the electorates and urged to go to court.

“Unfortunately, in the eyes of many Nigerians, the judiciary is yet to prove its readiness to deliver judgment on electoral matters based on the merit of the cases rather than relying on technicalities to deny litigants justice in election petitions.

“So many Nigerians have expressed reservations over the preparedness of the judiciary to be firm in delivering justice in many pre-election matters brought before the courts in 2023, particularly at the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

“The actions and inactions of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are obviously aimed at intentionally derailing the legal preparations put in place by President Muhammadu Buhari ahead this year’s elections.

“The result is the now clearly doomed legacy of free, fair, and credible 2023 general elections which President Buhari would have left behind on May 29 as his outstanding legacy in eight years, but the Adamawa State governorship election has brought to a woeful climax the unpleasant tale of INEC supervised electoral impunity”, the CNPP said.

NDLEA Intercepts Drug Consignments In Winter Jackets, Body Lotion At Lagos Airport

By
The Source
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0
NDLEA Arrest Pregnant Woman2

NDLEA intercepts drug consignments in winter jackets, body lotion at Lagos airport

Arrests Lekki businessman over illicit cargo from US; pregnant woman, cripple in Edo; female undergraduate in Ogun

Consignments of Tramadol, Rohypnol, Ecstasy (Designer drug) and Cannabis concealed in winter jackets and bottles of body cream have been intercepted by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja Lagos.

A statement signed by Femi Babafemi, Director, Media and Advocac, said that

the psychoactive substances were recovered at the new terminal of the airport on Friday 14th April following the arrest of a passenger, Joshia Sunday who was traveling on a Qatar Airline flight via Doha to Oman, Middle East.

A thorough search of the suspect’s two black bags led to the discovery of 4.80 kilograms of cannabis concealed in three winter jackets and various quantities of Tramadol, Rohypnol, Ecstasy (Designer drug) hidden in bottles of body lotion. Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect came into Nigeria from Oman on April 7, and was returning exactly a week after.

In the same vein, a Lekki Lagos based businessman, Cyril Chidiebere was on Friday 14th April arrested along with two of his freight agents: Mejabi Peter Sunday and Oyeyinka Babatunde over their involvement in the importation of twelve (12) parcels of Loud, a strain of cannabis, weighing 6.50kg, which was part of a consolidated cargo brought in from the United States of America.

The arrest and seizure followed a three-day intelligence led operation. Following the arrival of the cargo at the NAHCO import shed of the MMIA, its movement out of the airport was closely monitored in a sting operation until the actual importer, Cyril Chidiebere, was arrested in his house at Abraham Adesanya estate, Ajah, Lekki area of Lagos. Both Mejabi and Chidiebere have made useful statements to confirm that the latter has been involved in dealing on illicit drugs in the past.

Meanwhile, a pregnant woman, Rabetu Abdulrasak, 24, and a cripple, Shehu Adams have been arrested by NDLEA operatives in Agbede, Etsako West LGA, Edo state while over 14 kilograms of assorted illicit drugs including cannabis, methamphetamine, tramadol and swinol were recovered from them on Saturday 15th April.

A 22-year-old HND 1 female student of Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, Ogun state, Isoyo Iveren Susan was on Saturday 15th April arrested opposite 2nd Gate of the institution for dealing in illicit drugs. Recovered from her include 1,100ML of codeine-based cough syrup and 283grams of cannabis. This is just as operatives in Lagos arrested two suspects: Nonso Peter, 21, and Bright Chibike, 23, with 43.4kg cannabis at Ile-Epo, Abule Egba area of the state on Friday 14th April.

In Katsina state, no less than 1,730 bottles of codeine-based syrup were seized from a suspect, Bishir Sa’adu in Katsina metropolis on Sunday 9th April just as Muhamadu Yusuf was equally arrested same day with 8,000 capsules of tramadol inside a commercial bus along Kano – Katsina road. In the same vein, NDLEA operatives in Kaduna on Thursday 13th April raided a clandestine laboratory where mist potassium citrate was being produced in a residential apartment at 16 Sabon Gari, Zaria. The owner of the lab, Christopher Agodi was arrested and 102 cartons containing 2,448 bottles of the substance recovered.

While a suspect, Salisu Abdullahi, 25, was arrested along Abuja-Kaduna road with 11.7kg cannabis concealed in two jerrycans, which he was moving from Port Harcourt to Kano, operatives also on Saturday 15th April nabbed one Atiku Abubakar, 22, on the same road with 50 blocks of cannabis weighing 28kg while travelling from Lagos to Shinkafi in Zamfara state in a commercial bus.

Similarly, anti-narcotic officers acting on a tip-off, arrested two suspects: Aminu Saudi, 45 and Abdullahi Sani, 35, at Ogbese, Ondo state, with 11 jumbo bags containing 211kg of cannabis concealed in rice chaffs. This was closely followed by the destruction of six hectares of cannabis farm in Uso forest in the state on Thursday 13th April.

Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) has commended the officers and men of the MMIA, Edo, Ogun, Lagos, Katsina, Kaduna and Ondo Commands of the Agency for the arrests and seizures of the past week. He urged them and their compatriots across the country to remain focused and continue the current drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts simultaneously.

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