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Why Ayu Must Go, His Other ‘Sins’  –  Wike

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, on Friday, revealed other allegations against the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, allegeding that the party leader lacks integrity.

Wike, during a media chat in Portharcourt, alleged that the PDP chairman also received double pay for a single project.

“If people know what we know, if we release what we have, Ayu’s children will go to him and say we are no longer your children,” Wike said in his ongoing live media chat in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

When asked about the N1 billion he claimed Ayu collected and that there has been no reaction from the national chairman, Wike said, “There cannot be any comment. He (Ayu) cannot say anything. Look, I am the governor of Rivers state and I don’t just come out to speak.

“Let Ayu say he did not collect N1 billion. In fact, let me also tell you, Ayu collected N100 million naira from a governor that he was going to renovate our democratic institution and then he (Ayu) went back to the PDP NWC and took the same N100 million naira for doing the same work.

“What kind of system is that? I am telling you all these are facts. Let him (Ayu) say no first and I will tell you (those he collected money from).”

“A leader must be a man of integrity. And I have realized that people find it hard to have that (integrity) lately.

“You a presenting a man (Ayu) who lacks integrity as chairman of the party. Somebody that wants to lead a campaign to take the reigns of government?

“What is the problem with what we are asking of Ayu? We are saying let there be equity, let there be fairness and justice.

“But if you don’t want it that way then you are the one causing the crisis (in the party) and that shows you (Ayu) don’t have leadership skills because this is the time to show it. This is the time to show leadership skills on the part of those who are leaders of the party.”

Wike had insisted that there must be balance of power within the PDP saying the presidential candidate and chairman cannot come from the north leaving out the south from the power equation.

ASUU Hails Gbajabiamila, Ends 8 Months Strike

By
James Orji
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The Academic Staff Union of University, ASUU has hailed the role played by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila in bringing the strike to an end.

ASUU ended the eight-month strike on Friday following various interventions by some well-meaning Nigerians, particularly the leadership of the House of Reps.

Recall that the Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke-led union had last week promised to end the strike after a ‘fruitful’ deliberation with the leadership of the house.

The union and the federal government had hit a deadlock in their negotiations to end the strike, to the point that the Minister of Labour, Chris Ngige was forced to drag the union of the National Industrial Court, NIC. The matter is still in court.

The intervention of the Speaker, who broker a deal with the striking university teachers, many insist, served as the last-ditch effort to bringing the strike to an end.

In a statement released on Friday by Prof. Osodeke, the union said the intervention of Gbajabiamila was key to ending the months-long labour dispute.

The union however said all their demands have not been fully addressed.

The statement said: “ The National Executive Council of ASUU held an emergency meeting at the Comrade Festus Iyayi National Secretariat, University of Abuja, Abuja, on Thursday, October 13, 2022”.

“The National Industrial Court in its wisdom gave an order compelling ASUU to resume work pending the determination of the substantive suit. Given the nature of the order, and in the opinion of our counsel, there was the need to appeal the interlocutory injunction granted against our union at the Court of Appeal.

“The Court of Appeal acknowledged the validity of the grounds of the union’s appeal but still upheld the order of the lower court and ordered our union to comply with the ruling of the lower court as condition precedent for the appeal to be heard.

“NEC noted the series of meetings with the leadership of the House of Representatives led by the Hon. Speaker, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, as well as intervention efforts of other well-meaning Nigerians both within and outside the government and the progress made so far. “While appreciating the commendable efforts of the leadership of the House of Representatives and other patriotic Nigerians who waded into the matter, NEC noted with regrets that the issues in dispute were yet to be satisfactorily addressed.

“However, as a law-abiding union and in deference to appeals by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), and in recognition of the efforts Hon. Gbajabiamila, and other well-meaning Nigerians, ASUU NEC resolved to suspend the strike action embarked upon on February 14, 2022. Consequently, all members of ASUU are hereby directed to resume all services hitherto withdrawn with effect from 12:01 on Friday, October 14, 2022,” ASUU said.

Meanwhile, the magazine learnt that part of the deal reached with the federal government is the payment of the eight months salary owed the striking teachers.

President Muhammadu Buhari had earlier said the salary of the lecturers will not be paid for the period they were on strike in line with the federal government’s ‘no work, no pay’ policy.

Uzodimma Never Faulted Appeal Court Judgement On Kanu – Imo Govt.; Blames Ihedioha, PDP For Fake News

By
The Source
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Hope Uzodimma

The Imo State Government has, vehemently, distanced itself from a trending fake news in the social media that Governor Hope Uzodimma faulted the Appeal Court judgement that acquitted and discharged Nnamdi Kanu.

It blamed the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and one of its leaders in the State,  Emeka Ihedioha, for sponsorship of the fake news to tarnish the image of the Governor.

In a statement he signed in Owerri on Friday morning, the State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Hon Declan Emelumba deplored what he called satanic and vile propaganda and falsehood always perpetrated against the Governor all in the name of politics.

According to him,at no time did the Chief press secretary to the Governor or any official of the Government speak to the press concerning the Appeal Court judgement.

He also said the Governor as a law abiding citizen of Nigeria who believes in the rule of law could not have queried the judgment as insinuated by the fake news.

“We are aware that Ihedioha, after his ill-advised attacks on Ndigbo where he called them saboteurs, is desperately trying to drag His Excellency to the mud he emeshed himself in. But this infantile stunt is a new low for him”, Emelumba declared.

He noted that after the series of successes recorded by Uzodimma in governance and other national assignments, Ihedioha and PDP have been trying to whittle down his popularity.

The Commissioner declared that those familiar with the character of the State Governor would affirm that he has never criticized the judiciary even when judgements did not go his way in personal matters.

He described as the height of mischief and perjury for the opposition in the State to attribute such a comment to Uzodimma.

He also made it clear that Uzodimma, as a compassionate man, and philanthropist would never rejoice in the misfortune of anyone.

Emelumba reiterated his call for the managers of public information to be circumspect in the discharge of their duties.

Said he: “The fake news didn’t attempt to answer the fundamental questions of 5Ws and H,which are who, what, when, where,why and how concerning any news story”

He asked Nigerians to ignore the fake news as neither the Governor nor any of his Aides has reacted to the Appeal Court judgement on Nnamdi Kanu

Kanu: Ozekhome ‘Thanks Jesus’ For IPOB Leader’s Acquittal

By
James Orji
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Mike Ozekhome, a senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, and lead counsel to the embattled leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, said the Court of Appeal judgment releasing Kanu was a divine one “thanking Jesus” for the judgment.

The court sitting in Abuja on Thursday discharged and acquitted the IPOB leader and ordered his release.

Ozekhome took over the defense of Kanu this year, and not a few insist that the senior lawyer has done a good job by handling the case in the most effective manner.

In spite of the judgment, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami said the coast is not yet clear for Kanu, that he will remain in detention untill cases against him are cleared.

Malami disclosed this immediately after the court cleared Kanu of all the seven count charge brought against him by the federal government following his arrest in Kenya last year.

Ozekhome however said the judgment freeing Kanu was ordered from the above and beyond human comprehension.

According to the rights activist, the Court of Appeal was “one of those things that you can say (are) ineffable, indescribable, it is only God that can fathom it, because its depth and breadth, its plenitude and amplitude are too wide, too complex for any human understanding.

“Nnamdi Kanu was today discharged of all the remaining seven charges, which…were retained by the Federal High Court. Kidnap, torture and extraordinary rendition of Nnamdi Kanu from Kenya back to Nigeria on the 26th of June, 2021, the lower court glossed over it…”

In August 2020, the IPOB leader said like Jesus Christ who faced temptations, he was under pressure to abandon the Biafra struggle

“In my most private moments – when I reflect on this struggle and its fallouts, I have often been tempted, like Christ, to ask that this cup be passed from me,” Kanu said.

“I am sure you all feel the same in many fleeting moments of despair that is common with the fragile human spirit.

“So, as we mourn this latest mass murder of our people, let us all take some comfort that they didn’t die in vain, they died in honour, they fell in defence of freedom and their precious blood will be best requited by our collective and abiding resolve to never back down until Biafra is restored,” Kanu said.

IPOB: Open The Gate of Freedom For Kanu- CUPP Spokesman

By
James Orji
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Ugo chinyere, the spokesman for the Coalition for United Political Party, CUPP, has appealed to the federal government to obey the Court of Appeal judgment which set free Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.

On Thursday, the court sitting in Abuja upheld the appeal of the detained leader of the proscribed IPOB.

The court also discharged and acquitted the embattled Kanu citing a lack of evidence.

The court also declared as illegal and unlawful, the abduction Kanu from Kenya to Nigeria and quashed the entire terrorism charges brought against him by the Federal Government

The judgment followed the appeal filed by Kanu on April 29 and marked CA/ABJ/CR/625/2022 in which he prayed to the court to discharge and acquitted him.

Reacting to the judgment, Abubakar Malami, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice said Kanu still has a case to answer and is not yet free.

“For the avoidance of doubt and by the verdict of the Court, Kanu was only discharged and not acquitted. Consequently, the appropriate legal options before the authorities will be exploited and communicated accordingly to the public,” Malami said in a statement.

Speaking the CUPP spokesman said the judgment is an opportunity for the Buhari administration to end the bloodshed in the southeast, adding that prolonging the court case will only aggravate the crisis in the region.

“Stop looking at Nnamdi Kanu like one person. Consider the economic interest of the region. “I’m begging President Buhari to open the gate of freedom” for the IPOB leader, Chinyere said while featuring on the AIT programmme Kakaaki on Friday.

He said the president and southeast leaders should meet and put an end to the bloodshed in the region in the same manner former President Yar’adua resolved the Niger Delta problem while he was president.

Breaking: ASUU To End Strike Today

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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ASUU Meeting

There are strong indications that the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU will end its eight-month strike today.

The magazine learned from competent sources in the Union that the university teachers took the decision to end the prolonged strike during the meetings held by all the state chapters of ASUU on Thursday.

Recall that ASUU President Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke said last week after a meeting with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila that the strike action will soon be called off.

It was also learned on Wednesday that the federal government has agreed to release N50 billion to the Union as part of the efforts to build trust with the lecturers in the nation’s ivory towers.

The fund, sources in the government said will be used to take care of outstanding earned allowances and will be handed over to the governing Council of Federal Universities.

Top sources in ASUU told the magazine on Friday that the strike will be ‘officially’ called off today, adding that the president of the union will soon issue a statement to that effect.

The union embarked on strike on February 14 this year over a disagreement with the federal government on issues relating to salary, allowances, and funding for the nation’s universities.

Last week, the federal government formally registered two new university unions, the Congress of Nigerian University Academics, CONUA and the National Association of Medical and Dental Academics, NAMDA, citing the need to promote “harmonious industrial relations” in the university system.

Government said that with the registration granted the two unions, they are now entitled to all rights and privileges ascribed to unions and will be given access to those rights by the government and university authorities.

Chris Ngige, the Minister of Labour and Employment speaking after the registration said the move will help liberalize the academic sub-sector and allow for freedom for university workers.

“The Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment in the discharge of her mandate in the management of employment relationships and the administration of Trade Unions to ensure harmonious industrial relations system in the nation has decided to approve the registration of two (2) more Trade unions in the Nigerian University academic sub sector. The University sub-sector is a major development plank of any nation’s Socio economic growth.

“In view of this registration, you are entitled to all rights and privileges acruable to union of similar status which include right to receive check off dues of members. You can now go back to your institutions and open the doors of your classrooms to teach the students,” the minister said in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

Over 400 Stranded Nigerians Arrive From Libya In 3 Months

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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Over 120 Nigerians from Libya arrived in the country on Thursday, the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, has said

The new arrival brings the number of Nigerians stranded in the North African nation to over 400 in the last three months, according to figures provided by NEMA.

In July 143 returnees were received, while in August 174 people among them women and children arrived the country, among them 23 sick persons suffering from all manner of ailments.

Speaking NEMA acting Coordinator of the Lagos Territorial Office, Ibrahim Farinloye disclosed that the Nigerians were received at the Cargo Wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport at about 4.22pm.

He said the returnees, who arrived aboard a Boeing 700-787 Al Buraq Air with registration number 5A-DMG, were brought back to the country by the International Organisation for Migration through a voluntary repatriation programme.

Farinloye stressed that the programme was meant for the distressed Nigerians who had left the country to seek greener pastures in various European countries but could not afford to return when their journey became frustrating.

He said the returnees brought back comprise 46 male adults, 62 female adults, two male and six female children, as well as four female and six male infants.

The acting coordinator urged Nigerians to be wary of close associates, family friends or neighbourhood elders who deceive with sweet talks of a better life in foreign countries.

Farinloye said many were now being deceived with promises of assistance to destinations such as Iraq, Dubai (United Arab Emirates) and Egypt, but end up in connection houses in Libya.

He enjoined the returnees to turn a new leaf by looking for ample opportunities that abound in the country, which are enough for everyone to achieve their desired goals.

“We admonish the returnees on the need to realise that there’s no country better than Nigeria.

“There are ample opportunities for all of us to thrive and live happily in virtuous and God-fearing manners in Nigeria without unnecessarily exposing ourselves to underserved dangers in foreign lands,” he said.

Farinloye encouraged the returnees to be positive ambassadors toward advocacy and sensitisation against irregular migration that leaves the youths vulnerable to all sorts of abuses and death in extreme cases.

2023: We Don’t Want To Be Short-Changed Again – Ayu

By
The Source
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0

The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, has counselled the APC-led Federal Government against compromising the integrity of the 2023 general elections, declaring that the nation’s major opposition party does not want to be short-changed again.

To this end, he called on the European Union to send a high-level and large-sized observer mission to Nigeria to observe and monitor the 2023 general elections, especially given that Nigeria is a very populous country with a very large landmass.

Ayu, according to a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Communications, Simon Imobo Tswan, spoke on Thursday while receiving the European Union Election Exploratory Mission to Nigeria, led by Mrs. Mette Bakken, at the PDP National Headquarters.

Continuing, the National Chairman said: “We are prepared as a party to do the needful as far as the 2023 general elections are concerned. But we are worried about the tendency and capacity of the State to manipulate the critical technologies to our disadvantage. We need to pay close attention so that we are not short-changed again.

“There are security challenges in some states, I think six or so states. We hope government will stamp out the insecurity there early enough for elections to be held there with transparent outcomes. We will no longer accept questionable harvests of votes from inaccessible areas.

“In the past, those were areas where the ruling APC did what they love doing best: bringing votes that subverted the will of the people. Even though we are going to police our votes, it’s important that the EU sends a large number of observers ahead of the elections.”

He went on: “We need a large EU Observer Mission here. We don’t want token missions. This is because Nigeria is such a big country, with some states being bigger than some EU Member-States. And we need, among the observers, people with technical capacities too. Election-observation has shifted from manual to technology. You need to keep talking to government and critical stakeholders so that the APC does not subvert the democratic will.

“We appreciate the efforts of the EU and thank the Observer Missions for their continued interest in the democratization process in Nigeria which is close to 25 years. We want the world to know that what is happening in Nigeria is democratic, transparent and credible.”

Although Ayu said the PDP was prepared for the 2023 general elections and was ready to police the positive outcomes, he expressed fears that the elections might be compromised, with the ruling APC bearing undue pressures on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

His words: “We do not want to be short-changed again. We believe we won the presidency in the 2019 general elections. We were injured in 2019, and we don’t want a second injury in 2023.”

On whether freedom of expression was being stifled, Ayu said: “To the best of my knowledge, Nigerians are very vibrant people. Even under military rule, we spoke our minds. It was through the process of speaking our minds that we formed this political party to make sure that the military handed over power.”

He added: “So, it is impossible to suppress the freedom of expression in Nigeria. The freedom space is still open. What the government in power is doing is denying us access to public spaces to hold our rallies. Even our convention, we had to navigate and put pressure before we got a venue here in Abuja. That must stop.”

Speaking earlier, the leader of the Mission, Mrs. Bakken said the EU Mission was in Nigeria to interface with relevant government bodies, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs); and, in line with the EU Methodology, look at the possibility of deploying EU Observer Mission for the scheduled 2023 general elections.

Besides Bakken, who is of the Democracy and Electoral Observation Division, (European Action External Service), other members of the EU Delegation included Frederick Schumman and Kairi Kasmann, both of the European Commission Foreign Policy Instrument. Members of the Exploratory Mission, who arrived Nigeria on 10th October, 22 will be on ground till 25th October, 2022.

Other members of the NWC in attendance were the National Secretary, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu; the National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba; the National Treasurer, Alh. Ahmed Yayari Mohammed and the National Auditor, Chief Okechukwu Daniel.

Nnamdi Kanu’s Trial Continues, Not Free Yet, Only One Case Among Others Determined – FG

By
The Source
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By Gideon Njoku

The celebration started even before the three-man Panel Honourable Justices of the Appeal Court ended the delivery of their judgement. It was sparked off by a post sent out by one of the Counsels to the embattled leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, Ifeanyi Ejiofor.

The Appealate Court had fixed Thursday, October 13, to deliver its judgment on the appeal brought against the Federal Government by Kanu.

A lower Court, Federal High Court, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, had struck out eight of the 15-count charge brought against Kanu, leaving seven for Kanu to defend himself. The charges against Kanu included allegations bordering on treasonable felony and terrorism.

Kanu went on appeal against the remaining seven charges. He also urged the Appeal Court to declare his abduction by the Federal Government from Kenya to Nigeria in June 2021, illegal.

But just before the three-man Panel finished delivering  its judgment, Ejiofor sent out a victory post. He declared that Kanu had secured victory. That sparked off celebrations by IPOB members across the South-east, Abuja and beyond. They were, understandably  jubilant.

Kanu’s lead Counsel, Dr Mike Ozekhome, SAN, added a tinge of drama to his own celebration. He knelt down as he exited the Court, and praised and thanked God for giving Kanu victory.

That was after Ejiofor posted that Kanu has been discharged and acquitted of all charges. In fact, the words of the unanimous ruling by the three appealate Judges sounded like it.

They lashed out at the Federal Government over Kanu’s rendition from Nairobi, Kenya, to Nigeria. They described it as illegal, and submitted that it broke all protocols and international laws which guided and guarded such situations. And they said that Kanu’s prosecution should be discontinued.

Just when not a few people heaved a sigh of relief, especially, in the South-east, and danced that the sit-at-home order which is still being enforced in some areas, even though IPOB has distanced itself from it, would finally stop, things started turning awry.

Enters, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister for Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN.

He poured cold water on the celebrations,  and left many people wondering if they interpreted the judgment upside down.

In  a statement signed on his behalf by his Special Assistant on Media and Public Relations, Dr Umar Gwandu, Malami said Kanu was not acquitted.

He said the ruling was in respect of only one case – the rendition from Kenya. He said the prosecution of Kanu on other allegations would go on. Even the rendition, Malami said the FG would pursue till the end.

Here’s the full text of the statement.

Nnamdi Kanu is Only Discharged not Acquited- Justice Minister, Malami

“The Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice has received the news of the decision of the Court of Appeal concerning the trial of Nnamdi Kanu.

“For the avoidance of doubt and by the verdict of the Court, Kanu was only discharged and not acquitted.

“Consequently, the appropriate legal options before the authorities will be exploited and communicated accordingly to the public.

“The decision handed down by the court of appeal was on a single issue that borders on rendition.

“Let it be made clear to the general public that other issues that predates rendition on the basis of which Kanu jumped bail remain valid issues for judicial determination.

“The Federal Government will consider all available options open to us on the judgment on rendition while pursuing determination of pre-rendition issues.”

For Kanu, it seems the road to freedom is still far. And not a few people are wondering why.

He is currently in the custody of the Department of State Services, DSS, on the orders of the Federal High Court, Abuja which Judge is the Honourable Justice Binta Nyako.

Bayelsa Airport, University, Cut Off By Raging Flood

By
Adesina Soyooye
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0
Yenegoa-Amassoma highway Flood

By Adesina Soyooye

The multi-billion Naira Bayelsa Airport is, for now, not accessible to anybody. And so is the Niger Delta University, Amassoma.

This is as result of a raging flood, no thanks to the sea, which has taken over the Yenegoa-Amassoma highway, washed it off, and cut off every access to both the Airport and University  from Bayelsa’s State capital.

The highway could not stand the force of the water, and on Thursday, 13th October, gave way to the force of nature.

Amsssoma is Southern Ijaw.

In the past couple of weeks, flood, due to the rising level of rivers and seas, have dealt a devastating blow to States and Communities. Some of the worst hit areas are Anambra, Imo, Kogi, Bayelsa, Rivers, Taraba, among many others. The flood has swallowed thousands of houses and farmlands, rendered the people homeless, and swept away hundreds of people.

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