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Nigerian Military Secures Release Of Abducted Train Passengers

By
Ayodele Oni
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Kaduna Train Victims

By Ayodele Oni

With the self-appointed abducted victims negotiator, Tukur Mamu out of the way and safely in the custody of the Directorate of State Services, DSS, it is freedom at last for the remaining 23 Abuja-Kaduna  train passengers trapped in terrorists enclave for almost eight months. The Nigerian Military has safely secured their release.

They were released at about 4.00pm on Wednesday.

The terrorists had on March  28th 2022; successfully attacked the train with explosives and fire power. They killed eight of the passengers, and abducted 68 of them.

Since then, they have been releasing the hostages in batches with Mamu, Media Consultant to controversial Islamic Scholar, Sheikh Abubakar Ahmad Gumi, as the self-appointed negotiator. Each of the released hostage paid, allegedly, the sum of N100m.

However, Mamu was arrested by the INTERPOL a couple of weeks ago at the Cairo International Airport, Egypt, on his way to Saudi Arabia, in the company of his two wives

Shipped back to Nigeria on the next available flight, he walked into the hands of the waiting operatives of the DSS at the Kano International Airport. He has since been under investigation, and according to the DSS, investigations, so far, show that Mamu was, allegedly, working in connivance with terrorists.

A statement issued by the Secretary, Chief of Defence Staff Action Committee (CDSAC), Prof. Usman Yusuf, said their release was secured on Wednesday.

The statement reads: “I am pleased to announce to the nation and the world that at 1600Hrs. (4:00pm) today, Wednesday 5-10-2022, the seven-man Presidential Committee assembled by the Chief of Defense Staff (CDS), General L E O Irabor, secured the release and took custody of all the 23 remaining passengers held hostage by Boko Haram Terrorists following the attack on the Abuja to Kaduna train on 28-3-2022.

“The nation owes a debt of gratitude to the Nigerian Military under the leadership of the CDS who conceived and guided the operation from start to finish.

“All sister Security Agencies and the Federal Ministry of Transportation contributed immensely to this Operation.

“The unwavering support of the President and Commander in Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR is what made it all possible.

“Members of this Committee are grateful for the rare honour and privilege to be part of this Humanitarian Operation.”

World Teachers’ Day: FG Commends Teachers For Commitment, Selflessness

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Adamu Adamu

By Akinwale Kasali

The Federal Government has showered encomiums on Teachers for not embarking on strike despite what it tagged  “unfavorable and intolerable policies”.

The Minister for Education, Adamu Adamu  made this known during the 2022 World Teachers Day celebration in Abuja.

Speaking during the ceremony, Adamu noted that teachers embraced the principle of constructive engagement which have helped to keep students in schools amidst relegation of welfare.

“It is universally accepted that the teaching profession is a noble one. Regrettably, overtime, the place of teachers in our society has come to be less appreciated, their roles relegated and their welfare ignored. Our teachers, especially at the basic and secondary levels have been at the receiving end of some of the most unfavourable and sometimes intolerable policies, practices and experiences.

“Despite this paradox, I note with an enormous debt of gratitude that the Nigerian Union of Teachers, the umbrella association of all teachers, never called out their members on strike or stopped catering to the educational needs of our children throughout my tenure as Minister of Education. Rather, they chose a policy of constructive engagement with all levels of governments and the larger society to proffer solutions. They even instituted awards for state and non-state actors who demonstrate commitment to the welfare of teachers and the promotion of educational development generally.

“It is, therefore, not surprising that this strategy has proved more productive as we have witnessed a gradual improvement in the last few years. I recall with deep satisfaction the progress that has been recorded since President Muhammadu Buhari unveiled a comprehensive policy to redress, reposition and refocus the teaching profession in Nigeria exactly two years ago at this same venue. The scorecard is heart-warming but I am the first to acknowledge that there is still a long road to travel before we reach our desired destination.”

Speaking further, Adamu highlighted some of the successes the  Government of President  Muhammadu Buhari has recorded.

“Some of the successes recorded so far include: The retirement age of Teachers has been increased to 65 years with a corresponding increase in service years to 40 years to retain experienced hands and institutionalize mentoring in the profession.

“Following the concurrence of the National Council on Establishments, we have adopted a career path policy that will see our teachers specialize and practice their profession on the basis of skills sets, aptitude and proficiency, and continuing professional development.

“We have restored the practice of attracting and retaining the best brains in the teaching profession to reduce current shortfalls in staff-students ratios in our universities through reintroduction of graduate assistantship with enhanced incentives.

“We have significantly improved teacher quality through steadfast implementation of certification and removal of quacks from our classrooms, through the untiring efforts by the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria and the National Teachers Institute.

“Arrangements have been concluded to commence the payment of stipends and scholarships to education students of our universities and colleges of education to boost enrolment and with the assurance of automatic employment upon graduation.

“The National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission has completed work on the reviewed remuneration package for teachers in basic and secondary schools including provisions for rural posting allowance, science teachers’ allowance and peculiar allowance. Implementation is awaiting conclusion of consultations with state governments and the National Assembly”.

Speaking further, Adamu noted that the “biological children of teachers can now attend their respective schools at no cost as an additional incentive for committed service and in appreciation of the sacrificial spirit that propels it.

“We have revamped the curriculum and introduced history and religious knowledge as stand-alone subjects. We are also working with professional associations and religious bodies including the Nigerian Historical Society to address the shortage of teachers in specialized subjects.

“We have repositioned our intervention agencies and established the National Senior Secondary Education Commission to fill the gap in that segment of our education tree. The amendment of the enabling law is at final stages in the National Assembly.

“After several failed attempts in the past, we have formulated a National Language Policy that will ensure the progressive and consistent development of Nigerian languages and prevent their extinction. A national launch is planned before the end of the Administration”

Ekiti Election Tribunal; SDP Chairman Recants, Can’t Substantiate Rigging On Election Day

By
Ayodele Oni
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Ekiti State Election Petition Tribunal

By Ayodele Oni

The Election Petition Tribunal hearing the dispute arising from the June 18 governorship election in Ekiti State on Wednesday resumed hearing as the witnesses of the Petitioners commenced their evidence.

The first witness, the state Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Dr Dele Ekunola, entered the witness box where he was grilled for one hour, thirty five minutes by lawyers of the Respondents.

It was the continuation of the hearing of the petition filed by the SDP candidate at the last governorship election, Chief Segun Oni, who is challenging the return of the Governor-elect, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Biodun Oyebanji as the winner of the poll by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Oyebanji is the first Respondent while the Deputy Governor-elect is the fifth Respondent. Alhaji Mai Mala Buni is the third, while INEC is the fourth Respondent in the petition.

Under cross-examination by the counsel to second Respondent, the APC, Chief Akin Olujinmi (SAN), Ekunola failed to mention names of the units and the wards where electoral malpractices he alleged in his witness statement on oath took place.

Ekunola also failed to mention the names of individuals he referred to as the agents of the second Respondent whom he accused in Paragraph 16 of his witness statement on oath of allegedly distributing between N5,000 and N10,000 to voters on election day.

The SDP Chairman also failed to substantiate his allegation in Paragraph 32 of his witness statement on oath that the first and second Respondents, Oyebanji and the  APC, supplied some voters with cards to give undue advantage to the ruling party at the poll.

Under cross-examination by counsel to first and fifth Respondents, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), Ekunola admitted that he did not ask for prayer that the candidate of his party, Oni, be declared as winner on his witness statement on oath even though he had made such prayer during his examination-in-chief.

Yoruba Group Accuses Supporters Of LP Presidential Candidate, Obi Of Fuelling Violence In Southwest

By
The Source
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Peter Obi

By Ayodele Oni

Yoruba Ronu, a socio political Group in the south west, has called on the presidential candidate of Labour Party, (LP) Peter Obi, to call to order his followers in the zone and tutor them on peaceful coexistence.

The Group cautioned supporters and faithful of Obidient Movement not to be violent or spread hate speeches, while promoting the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, in the Southwest zone.

Chairman of the Group, Prince Diran Iyantan, advised Mr Obi to rein in his supporters who have turned the Southwest states into an enclave of fierce opposition to the candidacy of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressive Congress,  (APC).

Iyantan, a former Ondo State Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, gave the warning in Akure, while speaking on ways supporters should conduct themselves while campaigning for their candidates.

He said the warning became necessary going by the ways and manners Peter Obi supporters were going about fiercely forcing their candidate on the people of Southwest.

“As a social political group fighting the cause of the Yoruba people worldwide, we can no longer condone the unwholesome attack on Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu by Obi’s supporters in Lagos, other major cities in southwest and online.

“The way they’re going about this election is like Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is the only candidate they’re contesting against and will do anything to demean his integrity in this election.

“Obi’s supporters do not have any need to abuse any one, spread hate speeches or even incite people against the other.

“Obi’s supporters continue to demean the achievements of Asiwaju Tinubu in Lagos as if it’s not the same success stories of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as Governor of Lagos State that secured Lagos and helped propel their businesses that made them see Lagos as their homes.

“The question to ask them is those who voted Obi as Anambra Governor in 2007, has their future improved in 2022? Even the Obi they are forcing on us to vote for can’t even move about freely in the state he governed for 8 years.

“And they’re in Lagos well secured and prosperous on the benevolence of their hosts.

“Let us ask those saying ‘vote Obi if you want a better future or mayhem will follow’ a question. Look at the state you live in Lagos and then look at Anambra.

“Which is more peaceful? Which has better roads? Which has better hospitals. Which has better infrastructure built by the state government?

“If the answer is not Anambra, why should you force people of the southwest to vote your candidate?

“No matter what Peter Obi supporters say about Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, at least you can truthfully say that those who voted for him as Governor of Lagos State twenty four years ago have a better future in Lagos today because of him. Can the same be said about Anambra people who voted for Obi fifteen years ago?

“So, stop the hate speeches, the insults on a man who provided a secured Lagos for you, unlike your various states where a majority of you can’t even visit let alone relocate.

“Stop the threat and blackmail and go about this campaign in absolute conviviality by bringing the issue to the fore instead of unwholesome attack on Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

“If these supporters refuse to renege on their unruly behaviour of wanting to turn the southwest zone to a theatre of political war of hate speeches, threats and abuse of our son, and make life difficult to the people through their disruption of peace in our region, we will respond to combat it accordingly.

“Asíwájú Bola Ahmed Tinubu is well-equipped and prepared for Nigeria presidency in 2023 and we shall stand by him to the promised land.”

Kogi Government Moves To Douse Tension, Seals Off Dangote Cement Factory

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

Following apprehension among indigenes over neglect of their welfare and on the acquisition of multi billion naira Dangote Cement Factory, Obajana in Kogi state, the state government has ordered its closure.

The State House of Assembly ordered the closure of the company on Wednesday, after its investigation into the cement factory’s operation allegedly revealed that no valid acquisition took place on the company.

Some indigenes, who had trooped to the company on hearing the news of the closure, chased workers away, but were stopped by Kogi officials, who promptly waded in to avoid damage.

The indigenes claimed that the company had neglected the community where it makes billions of naira from, despite the fact that residents are dying from illness as a result of pollution.

The state House of Assembly alleged that Dangote, upon invitation by the house, requested for more time, but did not appear to show any evidence to the contrary.

The Commissioner for Information Kingsley Fanwo, while responding to journalists’ questions, said, “Pursuant to the Constitutional authorities of the Kogi State House of Assembly, and upon petition by the people of Kogi State, an investigation was carried out on the acquisition of Obajana Cement  by Dangote Company.

“It was found that no valid acquisition took place, as Dangote could not show evidence of what was paid as compensation for the acquisition.

“The legislators invited the Chairman of the Company, Aliko Dangote, before the house for explanations, but he failed to appear before the state assembly, giving excuses.

“The House of Assembly therefore ordered the closure of the company pending when they are able to present it with credible evidence of a valid acquisition.”

The Director-General, Lands, Kogi State, Nasir Ochi, who was also on ground, added, “In this regard, the security agencies were directed to give effect to the resolution.

“Similarly, the various organs of Government were also informed about this resolution.

“By law, Kogi State House of Assembly can conduct investigation, order anyone to appear before it or produce any document. Failure to obey such summons may lead to the arrest of a Person who failed to appear.

“The government of the state has an obligation to also respect and give effect to such resolution from the House in the interest of peace and security of the State, and to avoid anarchy or breakdown of law and order.

“In this regard, Dangote has an obligation to respect and also give effect to the resolution of the Kogi State House of Assembly to avoid any act of lawlessness.”

The Kogi State House of Assembly had earlier resolved to shut down Dangote Cement Company situated at Obajana pending its submission of relevant documents that back up its operations and ownership structure, especially the transition from Kogi Cements to Dangote Cements.

The House considered inviting former Governor Ibrahim Idris to shed light on the considerations given to the State during the signing of an agreement between the company and the state.

These considerations include the ten percent shares of the State in the company, the company’s social responsibilities to the state and other benefits.

These were part of the House resolutions on Tuesday after considering the ad hoc committee’s interim report by a member Isah Tenimu.

The House also directed the Commissioner of Police, the State Commandant of Civil Defence Corps, and the Head of Vigilante Group in the State to ensure the resolution was enforced.

The External Solicitor of Dangote Cement Company, Leeman Salihu, had submitted some documents, which are a Certificate of Incorporation and an agreement signed in 2002 and 2003, but craved the indulgence of the House to allow other discussions on the issue to be out of the public glare.

He pleaded that the House should allow the company to engage in further conversation with it and the state economic team. The request was, however, declined.

The House insisted that Kogi State Cement company could not have been transferred to Obajana Cement Company and then Dangote Cement Company 100 per cent without any valid papers and concrete agreement.

Access Bank: Wigwe Remains Focused; Lender Acquires Angolan Bank

By
James Orji
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0

The Group Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings, Herbert Wigwe has disclosed that the bank remained focused in its quest to harness the huge opportunities across the African continent.

The group’s chief executive made the comment after the congloromate announced its plan to acquire the majority share in an Angolan-based Finibanco S.A.

The bank has recently made a slew of acquisitions across Africa as part of its vision to be among Africa’s ‘top 5’ by the year 2027.

“At Access, our vision remains clear as ever and our determination to harness accretive opportunities within and outside Nigeria is our core strategic focus. Angola represents an opportunity for our shareholders to participate in what we believe will engender stronger value upside as Africa fully emerges,” Wike said.

The bank said in a statement signed by the company’s secretary, Sunday Ekwochi that the lender is fully on course to acquire a 51 percent equity stake in the Angolan bank by purchasing existing shares held by Montepio-the Holding Company for Banco Montepio, one of Portugal’s commercial banks.

According to the statement, “Access Holdings Plc, trading as Access Corporation (‘the Corporation’) today announces that its wholly owned subsidiary, Access Bank Plc (the Bank) has entered into a binding agreement with Montepio Holding SGPS S.A (‘Montepio’) to acquire a 51 percent majority shareholding in Finibanco Angola S.A. (the Transaction).

“The Transaction furthers the bank’s strategy to be Africa’s payment gateway to the world whilst working with other Africa-focused multilateral to provide robust and efficient payment platforms and ecosystems to serve the continent.”

Finibanco Angola S.A. has over 20 branches with approximately $300 million in total assets and has been operating in Africa’s largest oil-producing country since 2008 on a clean balance sheet.

PDP Bigger Than Wike

By
James Orji
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0

Adetokunbo Pearse, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has shaded Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers state, saying he cannot decide for the party.

The PDP chieftain spoke on the protracted crisis in the party caused by the demand of Governor Wike on the National Chairman of the party, Iyorcha Ayu to resign.

The party’s National Executive Council, NEC had recently passed a vote of confidence on the embattled chairman.

The governor has however insisted that he will not support the PDP Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar until Ayu steps down.

The crisis became more pronounced last week after some governors in the party shunned the official kick-off of its presidential campaign.

At least, four PDP governors are behind the Rivers governor in his quest to see Ayu forced out of office. The governors are Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Samuel Ortom (Benue), Ifeanyi Ugwuainyi (Enugu) and Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia).

There are equally other members of the party’s Board of Trustees and National Executive Council, NEC supporting Wike in his resolve for Ayu to quit his position, the magazine has learned.

Speaking on the issue, Pearse said the majority of the members of the party are solidly behind Ayu. He said Wike cannot foist his decision on the party, adding that the National Chairman would only leave office when the party’s leadership ask him to do so.

He said the party has moved on regardless of the opposition constituted by Wike and his team.

According to him, Governor Wike and others have the right to express their opinions as a member of the party “but they are not the party, for instance, a governor is not the party in his state.

“The PDP is solidly behind Dr Ayu staying on as the National Chairman of the party because he said when he got elected if a northerner emerges as the presidential candidate of the party he will step down if the party says he should step down.

“He said it, but it is conditional and guess what, who is the party? the party is the National Executive Council of the party, and they met about 2 or 3 weeks ago and decided that Ayu should stay on.

“No governor, no individual gets to decide for the party it is democracy. In a democratic setting, the constitution says that the NEC decides on the issues they have voted on.

“By the way all these people, these governors they are all members of that committee so why don’t they go there and give us their opinion what happens is if they go there, the majority will vote against their decision that is what has happened.

“Democratically we are onboard and the party is moving on. while we try to resolve the issues with some people, a few who are not with the party.

Meanwhile, the meeting between Governor Wike and PDP BoT members on Tuesday ended in a deadlock, as the party’s Advisory organ led by former Senate President Adolphus Wabara failed to make the governor change his position.

Sources who attended the meeting told the Magazine that, Governor Wike who had earlier met with Atiku told the BoT members plainly that his only problem is Ayu. Once the National Chairman steps down, he said, everything will go on smoothly.

Viewpoint: Buhari, Endorse Peter Obi For President

By
James Orji
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0

By SKC Ogbonnia

Dear President Muhammadu Buhari. I hope this mail finds you in good spirits…

I must not fail to thank you once again for helping to deepen our democracy by leading the change movement that saw an opposition party capture power at the centre for the first time in Nigerian history. We did so at a time when the then ruling Peoples Democratic Party had boasted that it would rule for unbroken 60 years whether the people liked it or not. We were able to make such a defining history because of your austere and incorrigible pedigree. We believed history had placed you in a position to become the greatest African leader—ever.

Unfortunately, fellow Nigerians, including your very self, have found out the hard way: Any serious setback from old age or ill-health is not a recipe for effective leadership. Make no mistake: One must not mock old age or ill-health, as these conditions are in most cases beyond human control. Moreover, our basic norms dictate that we show empathy for the adversities of others. Yet, it is a gross disservice to humankind for politicians who are challenged by either old age or ill-health to knowingly offer themselves for positions where such infirmities can hinder their performance.

The significance of physical fitness in leadership explains why candidates seeking power in advanced democracies undergo vigorous health scrutiny before voters can take them seriously. Mr President, you are a living witness. You have not hidden the fact that the challenges associated with old age do not augur well with the demands of your office. It is not surprising, therefore, that you have not been able to perform to the best of your abilities.

To make matters worse, the National Leader of our dear party, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the master strategist, who was supposed to serve as a stabilising force, is suffering from a similar sad fate. His predicament is even worse. Within the past seven years, he has domiciled in foreign hospitals more than you have done. Needless to mention that his recent public outings do not portray a man who is physically or mentally fit for any serious party leadership.

The cumulative effect is that things have truly fallen apart in our party, as well as Nigeria in general. Today, the level of corruption, which you had declared would kill Nigeria unless Nigeria kills it, is now unfathomable. Today, our party—the All Progressives Congress—with Tinubu as its national leader, has become a safe haven for notorious corrupt kingpins who were indicted while at the PDP. Today, our party does not appear to have any ideological, moral or ethical difference from the much-discredited PDP.

The most shameless yet is that the APC has nominated the same Tinubu as its presidential candidate for the upcoming 2023 elections. The implication is that corruption has been embraced as a way of life under your very own regime. Common sense dictates that, if Tinubu is to prevail, but may God forbid, you would be handing over to a politician who is not only challenged by the stark frailties of poor health and old age but also someone who is widely disdained for being one of the most cancerous poster characters for corruption in Africa. Mr President, if Tinubu prevails, you will go down in history as the most shameless political hypocrite—ever.

It is necessary to remark here that I do not discount the contributions of Tinubu in Nigerian history. Eulogising him in a 2017 piece, “I pity Tinubu,” I did not hesitate to write that “if dynamic opposition is the life-wire of democracy, it is very fitting then to name him the saviour of Nigeria’s current democratic journey. Tinubu, more than any other Nigerian, nurtured and sustained the opposition movement that removed the Peoples Democratic Party from power.”

However, as someone who has professed political leadership for decades in many advanced democracies, I definitely know the difference between the qualities of a political strategist and the qualities of a president of a country.

I must also admit that Tinubu could not have been a candidate you would wish as a successor. You wanted a level playing ground in our party. But the corrupt cabal within the APC took advantage of your condition to outwit you and hand the prize to the highest bidder. Take, for example, Tinubu’s Presidential Campaign Council, where he hoodwinked you to become its chairman. Look at the kind of re-cycled corrupt characters therein. Mr President, why are you allowing these characters to further tarnish your image? The saving grace is that the 2023 presidential election presents a golden opportunity to not only redeem your incorrigible legacy but to also save Nigeria from total collapse.

The three candidates with the potential to succeed you are Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi and Bola Tinubu.

On one hand, we can both agree that Atiku and Tinubu are the ‘same ten and ten pence’—the two most influential henchmen of Nigeria’s ageless corrupt oligarchy. In short, to elect any of the two is an errant sin. Please do not have a hand in such a shameless fall from grace. If still in doubt, besides their poor health conditions, please consider that neither of them can in good conscience campaign against corruption. Combine that with the fact that no Nigerian leader, whether military or civilian, has ever assumed the governance of the country with the type of corrupt background well known of Atiku and Tinubu. Think back, Mr President!!

On the other hand, we have Peter Obi of the Labour Party. Like you, he is well known for the frugal management of resources and has no record of corruption. Like you, he does not buy votes. Like you, he is determined to kill corruption, as you would wish. Like you in 2015, instead of waiting till election day to deploy looted funds to rig elections, Obi has demonstrated the physical ability to traverse the entire country to ask for votes. Luckily for you and Nigeria, unlike you, he is younger and in a better state of health to overcome the unfortunate frailties that hindered your performance. Moreover, he has a clear vision and the character to unleash Nigeria’s abundant potential to greatness.

Of course, I can relate to the burden associated with promoting a candidate of the opposition party. But as I had stated while equally endorsing Obi, we must not hide behind the bogus toga of political parties, tribes and religions to allow a crooked clique to dictate our future.

I emulated President Olusegun Obasanjo and other progressives, who chose country over party to endorse you in 2015. I took a page from Colin Powell, an eminent American patriot and lifelong member of the Republican Party, who crossed party lines to endorse Barack Obama of the Democratic Party in 2008. Powell saw Obama as a transformational figure who could inspire a new generation of Americans.

President Muhammadu “Okechukwu” Buhari, your moment in time is now. A new generation of Nigerians beckons you to stand on the right side of history. The posterity beckons you to recognise that the 2023 election is a struggle between the nation’s corrupt oligarchy versus progressive Nigerians anchored by Mr Obi.

The posterity beckons you to also demonstrate true patriotism by choosing country over religious, ethnic and party affiliations. The posterity beckons you to then go forth and endorse Obi, an untainted character, a quintessential patriot, a visionary and a generational figure, who has come to represent the democratic revolution the Nigerian masses, as well as your very self, have long sought.

Dr Ogbonnia is a former APC presidential aspirant

Good Things Follow Chioma Success, The Baby Who Stole The Show At Obi’s Lagos Rally

By
Adesina Soyooye
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0
Chioma Success at Peter Obi Rally

By Adesina Soyooye

It is not known how Chioma Success, the kid who stole the show and stole everybody’s heart at the Lagos rally for Peter Obi, the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, came to be at the venue. It is not known who she came with. Perhaps her mother. But she was not seen anywhere near her. Perhaps a relation. Or perhaps a neighbour. But not many people, in the Nigeria of today  would trust their child with a neighbour.

It was a mammoth crowd, a crowd like no other. And it was 1st October, the anniversary of Nigeria’s independence from Britain.

But the mammoth crowd chose not to celebrate. They chose to rally for a better Nigeria. They chose to march for a better Nigeria. The hundreds of thousands of people call themselves OBIdients. They are supporters and loyalists of Obi.

In the mammoth crowd, a tiny figure stood out. Dressed in Nigerian colours of green-while-green, she marched on.  In her hands, she clutched tightly, the flag of the LP.

Then, suddenly, a young man, who thought that the kid was not likely to keep pace with the crowd, lifted her and carried her on his shoulders. That was when heavens, literally, came crashing down.

Like one possessed, as if she knew what the rally was all about, she let loose, and began to wave at the crowd. Enthusiastically. Excitedly. Then, she began to dance to the tune of the songs. Everybody went literally crazy for the kid. And the video went viral.

Since then,  she has become a celebrity. A star. Her two names are working for her. Chioma Success. Chioma means her good God; beautiful  God. Success, of course means success. Her unprecedented drama at the rally confirmed the potency of a combination of her two names. She has become a success story.

Since then, only the good has followed her. Obi took note, and named her the Poster Child of his Presidential Campaign.

And Nigerians have taken her, and her welfare up.

An anonymous philanthropist offered to pay her fees upto University level. And, not to be outdone, OBIdients in the Diaspora have made a mouth-watering offer.

They have offered Baby Chioma and her mother the following:

*A well furnished flat.

*The sum of 5,500 US Dollars to her mother to start a business.

*A scholarship for Chioma upto University level.

Baby Chioma’s mother, Queen, is a young woman, probably still a teenager, or in her early 20s. Asked of Chioma’s father, she told an interviewer: “I am a single mother. I don’t know about any father.”

This single mother is lucky. She need not worry about Chioma not having an active father; a father who, perhaps, denied mother and child since Queen’s pregnancy.

Chioma has become the child of high profile Nigerians. And, the Poster Child, Presidential Campaign of the Labour Party. Life couldn’t have been sweeter than this for Queen and her daughter.

For them, destiny is at work.

Angry PDP Investigates Bribe Allegation; Says Payment Was legal, Approved

By
Adesina Soyooye
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0
PDP Secretariat - Wadata Plaza

By Adesina Soyooye

Smarting from allegations of bribery against its National Officers, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has set up a Committee to investigate how a national newspaper came about the story.

The Nation (Newspaper) which proprietor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, is the Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, broke the story of the alleged bribery which quickly went viral.

According to The Nation, the National Chairman of the PDP, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, allegedly bribed the Party officials to the tune of hundreds of millions of Naira. However, some of the officials, four of them, returned their own money which was paid into their bank accounts. The Nation not only revealed the names of those who returned their share and how much each of them returned, it published the letters written by each of them to Ayu intimating him of the return.

It is not known why the four returned the money, but the PDP says the money was their housing allowance, approved by the party. It said it was, also, part of their conditions of service, as approved by the Party. More important, the Party said, the payments followed every due process.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, 4th October, 2022, and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the PDP said it has set up a Committee to investigate the source of the story published by The Nation. The statement was issued at the end of the Party’s  National Working Committee, NWC, meeting. At the meeting, Ologunagba said, NWC members confirmed that the money was duly approved and followed due process. The statement said that even those who returned the money, agreed at the meeting that the money was  for Housing allowance and nothing more.

The full text of the statement reads as follows:

Housing Allowance Passed Through Party Due Process- PDP NWC Confirms; Constitutes Investigative Committee On The Nation Newspaper Report

“The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at its meeting on Tuesday, October 4, 2022 thoroughly examined the strange publication by a particular newspaper which reported that the Housing Allowance legally paid by the Party to its National Officers was bribe.

“After a thorough scrutiny of the payment by the Party, the NWC in session established that the payment was not a bribe but Housing Allowance duly approved and paid to National Officers of the Party in line with the Conditions of Service and Entitlement of the Staff and Principal Officers of the Party.

“The NWC also established that the payment passed through Due Process procedures of the Party in accordance with all extant financial regulations and payment approval processes of the Party.

“It is also instructive to state that the National Officers who returned their Housing Allowances equally confirmed and affirmed at the meeting that the payment was not bribe but their due entitlements in line with the Conditions of Service and Entitlement of the Staff and Principal Officers of the Party.

“Considering the above, the NWC resolved to conduct an extensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the said publication in The Nation Newspaper of September 26, 2022 which was clearly targeted to cause disaffection among members and stakeholders of the Party as well as bring the Party to disrepute before our teeming supporters all over the world particularly in an election year.

“Consequently, the NWC has set up an Investigative Committee headed by the National Legal Adviser to conduct an inquiry into the source of the said malicious and injurious publication contained in The Nation Newspaper of September 26, 2022.

“The Committee has one week to investigate the matter and report back to the NWC for further action.”

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