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Wike Invokes Thunder On Subjects

By
The Source
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Nyesom Wike in a Church

By Charles Igbo

“May thunder fire you and your ultimatum” – Wike

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, was at his most ungubernatorial and  unpresidential state on Sunday May 8, 2022.

Blunt, not known to tolerate nonsense, brash and hardly suffers fools gladly, he invoked thunder on some of his subjects. It was inside a Church. And the irony of that, cursing in the house of God, was not lost on the congregation.

Wike was making a routine speech in Church as protocol demands, at times. At a point, he veered off, when he remembered his spat with a House of Representatives member, Farah Dagogo.

Dagogo incurred Wike’s anger when thugs disrupted  a screening exercise in Porthacourt to choose candidates for various elective positions in 2023. Wike put the blame on Dagogo. He said it was Dagogo who organized the thugs to disrupt the exercise.

When he accused Dagogo of complicity, he also declared him wanted, and ordered the Police to arrest him.

Dagogo, a Governorship aspirant, vehemently, denied the allegation. But that did not stop the Police from carrying out the Governor’s order.

24 hours later, Dagogo was arrested by the Police in an embarrassing manner. He was arrested at the venue of the Governorship Screening Exercise where he had gone to be screened.

Since then – eight days and counting –  he has been in Police custody.  Taken to Court, the Magistrate said his Court had no jurisdiction  over Dagogo’s case. Reports  say he has, allegedly, fallen sick in custody, and rushed to the hospital.

Since then, a number of people have asked Wike to get Dagogo released.

One of them is Dr Dakuku Peterside, a former Director General of NIMASA. He and his group gave Wike a 48-hour ultimatum to release Dagogo. That has since expired. Wike neither acknowledged their threat, nor has Peterside done anything. Then, there is Lady Anniko Briggs who, in an article, asked Wike to release Dagogo and urged the PDP to give Dagogo a chance to be screened as soon as  he is released. Wike ignored Briggs.

However, it was the 48-hour ultimatum given to him by the Ijaw National Congress, INC, to release Dagogo that got at Wike.

In his reaction to the INC ultimatum, Wike mocked them. He told INC members they didn’t know who they were dealing with. That they didn’t know who they were given ultimatum to, and just in case they forgot, it is Wike. He asked why they should fight Government. He said all they would have done was to come to him and Government and ask what happened.

“Thunder fire you and your ultimatum”, he thundered, to the obvious shock and amusement of the congregation.

Not a few people admit that Dagogo is rough and brash.” “He and Wike behave alike”, a source told this medium. But they also allege that Dagogo’s crime was going to purchase the Governorship aspiration forms, independent of Wike.

Alleged a source: You cannot purchase the forms without getting clearance from him.”

Both Wike and Dagogo, from the riverine area of the State, are of the same party – PDP.

35 Years After Passage: Ekiti Names Civic Centre After Awolowo

By
Ayodele Oni
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Awolowo Ultra Modern Centre in Ekiti State

By Ayodele Oni

Thirty five years after his transition, the memory of the Premier of the defunct Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, continues to linger in the mind of people and government of Ekiti state.

Only on Monday, Governor Kayode Fayemi  named the recently inaugurated ultra modern Civic and Convention Centre, in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, after the late sage.

The gesture, according to a release personally signed by Governor Fayemi in Ado-Ekiti is in commemoration of the 35th anniversary of the death of the late Awolowo.

The Civic and Convention centre, which was commissioned by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) on October 14, 2021, is now to be known as Obafemi Awolowo Civic Centre, Ado-Ekiti.

This will not be the first ediffice to be named after the late politician. On its establishment, the state owned university was named after him before it was changed due to some political interest.

The Governor’s statement reads: “Today, as always, we remember and celebrate the life and legacy of the late Chief Obafemi Jeremiah Oyeniyi Awolowo, GCFR, who was a founding father of our great country Nigeria, frontline nationalist, former Premier of the defunct Western Region, former Federal Commissioner for Finance, and one of the founding fathers of the progressive movement in Nigeria.

“In his lifetime, late Chief Awolowo demonstrated the finest ideals of the Yoruba Omoluabi in his personal life and public conduct, and bequeathed to us coming after him one of the greatest examples of a life of integrity, honour, and service.

“His vision and central philosophy of ‘Life More abundant, and Freedom for All’ remains the foundation upon which the ideology and practice of the progressive movement in Nigeria and beyond continues to build, while his teachings and writings remain a guide for the many public servants to this day.

“The government and people of Ekiti State are proud to be associated with the legacy of our dear late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, and on this occasion of the 35th Anniversary of his demise.

“I am pleased to announce that in our modest way to further immortalize our dear legend, we are naming the recently commissioned Civic Centre in the state capital Ado-Ekiti as the Obafemi Awolowo Civic Centre, from this day, Monday, May 9, 2022.

“The Obafemi Awolowo Civic Centre from this day, shall be a memorial to all that her patron of blessed memory represents, and a reminder for us all to continue to strive to achieve the unfinished greatness that he lived for. May his memory remain blessed.”

Publish Names Of Voters Whose Registrations Were Cancelled – SDP Tells INEC

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

The Social Democratic Party, (SDP) in Ekiti State has requested for the identities of prospective voters whose registration for voters card was not granted by the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC).

The party said in a statement on Monday in Ado Ekiti that names of such voters should be published to enable them know their voting status.

The commission had announced that about 40 percent of prospective voters that participated in the registration exercise carried out by the commission early this year, did not scale through.

Investigations revealed that as INEC officials commenced distribution of the permanent voters cards at the various wards in the state, some people could not get their cards.

INEC had blamed the mass cancellation on irregularities observed in their registration process.

A statement by the Public Relations Officer of the Social Democratic Party in Ekiti State, Gani Salau on Monday in Ado Ekiti, urged the INEC to as a matter of urgency reveal the identities within the time frame that the electorate are supposed to collect the Permanent Voter Cards for the forthcoming gubernatorial election.

The statement reads: “We are appealing to the INEC Chairman, Professor Mamoud  Yakub and Ekiti State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr  Adeniran Tella and other officials concerned to make public names of prospective voters that have been cancelled due to the alleged irregularities.

“This will make it clear to all and sundry and put to rest the allegation of INEC connivance with the All Progressive Congress in the state that the PVCs were earlier collected in bulk.

“With this, those that their registration were cancelled will be known while those whose names are not there will be able to hold INEC responsible for the whereabout of their PVCs.

“Failure to do this within the time frame, we will not have other option than to hold INEC responsible.

“The Social Democratic Party in Ekiti State strongly demands from INEC to be free and fair to all political parties in the state which is one of the hallmarks of democracy.”

The image maker of the party had earlier alleged last week that notable stalwarts of the All Progressive Congress had been to the INEC office, along new Iyin road in Ado Ekiti to pack some voter cards allegedly to disenfranchise original owners and up till now, there has not been any official statement in contrary to the allegation.

Emefiele’s Presidential Bid: Court Refuses To Restrain INEC, AGF, To Appear May 12

By
Ayodele Oni
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CBN Gov Emefiele

By Ayodele Oni

An attempt by the embattled Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, (CBN) Godwin Emefiele, to get judicial interpretation of his status as a public servant or a political appointee, suffered a setback at the Federal High Court  in Abuja on Monday.

Emefiele was reported last week to have joined the presidential race when he was said to have picked the nomination form of the All Progressive Congress, (APC).

He later denied the move saying that he was still consulting, and the form was purchased for him by grateful farmers. He said he has rejected the forms, and would purchase same with his own money when he hears from God.

On Monday, the CBN Governor, through his Counsel, Mike Ozekhome approached the Federal High Court in Abuja to seek the interpretation as a public servant or a political appointee.

But, the court refused Emefiele’s request to restrain the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) Abubakar Malami, who are parties in the suit from any move to  prevent him from his Presidential bid.

He had told the Court in Abuja that he can run for the post of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria without resigning his position as the CBN Governor.

His Counsel, Mike Ozekhome, told the court that Section 84 (12) of the Electoral Act as amended, 2022 does not affect him, being a public servant and not a political appointee.

The court in its ruling, however, summoned INEC, and AGF to appear before it on May 12, to show cause on why status quo antebellum, should not be granted to the CBN Governor.

Following widespread criticisms that greeted his purported obtaining nomination form to join presidential train on the ticket of the All Progressive Congress, (APC),  Emefiele had sought the court’s interpretation of section 84 (12) of the electoral act.

He also asked the court to declare him qualified to contest for the presidential post as part of the seven reliefs he sought in the suit.

Others are A DECLARATION that the Plaintiff can only be governed by or subject to the provisions of section 137(1) (g) and 318 of the Constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as altered), which require a public officer seeking election into a political office to resign, withdraw or retire from his appointment at least 30 days to the presidential election, rather than by the provisions of section 84(12) of the Electoral Act, 2022 or the guidelines, rules, criteria, measures or conditions made by the plaintiffs political party or any political party,” read the court filing.

“A DECLARATION that the Plaintiff can validly participate in the primary election of a political party and is entitled to vote and be voted for as candidate of any political party of his choice for the purpose of the nomination of candidates for the election to the office of President or any other office under the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

“AN ORDER that the Plaintiff cannot be hindered, stopped or precluded from participating, voting or being voted for at the congress or convention of any political party of his choice for the purpose of the nomination of candidates for the election to the office of President or any other office under the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“AN ORDER OF PERPETUAL INJUNCTION restraining the defendants whether by themselves, their agents, servants or privies or any legal representative from hindering, stopping or precluding the Plaintiff from participating, voting or being voted for at the congress or convention of any political party of his choice for the purpose of the nomination of candidates for the election to the office of the president or any other office under the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria (as amended).

One of the questions he posed before the court reads: “Whether the provisions of section 84 (12) of the Electoral Act, 2022, which are consistent with the provisions of section 137(1)(G) of the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) which have been declared so by a competent court of jurisdiction can be relied upon by the defendants to disqualify the plaintiff from contesting election to the office of president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or from contesting or participating in the parties’ primaries or convention or congress for the purpose of election to the office of president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria scheduled for 25th February 2023.

Emefiele’s Power Gamble

By
The Source
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Godwin Emefiele

By Chris Odetayo

“Clearly, Emefiele is not doing all of these without the tacit approval of his superiors. Which leads one to ask where the drivers of this country intend to take it”

After issuing a garbled statement on Saturday, wherein he talked about awaiting God’s guidance in making a decision about contesting for the Presidency and that he will make his decision known in a few days, it turns out that what Godwin Emefiele is really waiting for is a court declaration of his right to contest for office while retaining his position as CBN Governor. The Punch reports today that Emefiele has briefed his lawyer to file a suit at the High Court on this matter.

What now seems clear is that there is a lot of rules-bending at the high levels of our government for nothing but politics. The National Assembly passed the Electoral Act which required all political appointees to resign before seeking any elected office. The Federal Attorney General openly disagreed with this requirement. Though the President ultimately signed it into law, some shadowy personalities went to court and got this clause abrogated from the law. The AG, who should ordinarily represent the interest of the Federation (inclusive of the NASS that passed the Act), openly declared that he will not appeal the judgement.

It is that judgement that has seen us where we are today – where every appointee of the Buhari administration remains in office while pursuing future electoral fortunes. A decent number of our Ministers remain in office while seeking to be President of Nigeria or Governor of their State. But while one can, at least, rationalize our politicians who are doing what politicians do best, where is the rationality behind the Governor of the Central Bank to be 1) a card carrying member of a political party and 2) to remain in office while chasing an elected office?

Four years ago, Adebayo Adelabu, a Deputy Governor of the CBN, resigned his position in order to pursue his goal of becoming the Governor of Oyo State. He did not try to game the system and Emefiele, as CBN Governor, did not ask him to remain in office while contesting for Oyo State Governor. So where is the precedence that Emefiele is relying on?

One of the reasons why our economy has always struggled is the moral incompetence of a serial number of Governors that have headed the CBN over time. Since I became aware of my environment, I have lived through 6 substantive CBN Governors. More than half of them contributed to destroying our economy while aiding and abetting thieving leaders .

There was Abdulkadir Ahmed who served from 1982 to 1993. He turned the CBN into the personal vault of IBB and co. There was Paul Ogwuma (1993 – 1999) who helped to facilitate the rape of the country by Sani Abacha (from whom stolen monies continue to be discovered and recovered 25 years after). Then there was Joseph Sanusi (1999 – 2004) under whose leadership “round tripping” became the chief sustenance of many of our banks.

We got slight reprieves under Chukwumah Soludo (2004 – 2009)and Lamido Sanusi (2009 – 2014).

The last eight years under Emefiele has been nothing short of a disaster. The facts and records are there for anyone who is interested.

What is worse, apart from his abysmal performance, is how the CBN Governor has gambled away his moral and ethical authority in order to dabble into matters not of his concern. We have seen him visit footballers in foreign lands and make donations and promises to them. We have witnessed him visiting factories and farms like a Minister. We have watched as he openly declared himself ready for a street fight. How low can we go further?

Clearly, Emefiele is not doing all of these without the tacit approval of his superiors. Which leads one to ask where the drivers of this country intend to take it. We are so low it’s impossible to think we can sink deeper. Yet, that seems to be the aim – to drag this country deeper into the abyss. Power, more than the health, well being and progress of this country, is driving everything we are witnessing today. Such a crying shame!!!

Anyim Mourns Senator Arthur Nzeribe, Says He Made Great Impact

By
The Source
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0
Arthur Nzeribe

Former President of the Senate, Anyim Pius Anyim has expressed sadness over the death of Senator Arthur Nzeribe, describing him as a man who made great impact in his life time.

In a statement he personally signed, Anyim said he received the news of the death of Senator Nzeribe with deep sadness saying the late politician and businessman man was a household name in Nigeria, Africa and across the world.

Anyim who is a frontline presidential aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said Late Nzeribe was very active as a politician and left foot prints on Nigeria’s political landscape, for which he will be remembered for a long time.

He described Nzeribe as a man who had the courage of his convictions and pursued whatever he believed in with commitment and single mindedness.

“As a politician, Senator Arthur Nzeribe was very visible from 1979 till his death and was dogged and committed to whatever he believed in.

“In Business, Senator Nzeribe was  successful, building business empires in many sectors such as Insurance, Oil & Gas, Construction, Arms supply, and real estate.

“The scope of his operations stretched from Britain, Middle East, Ghana and Nigeria”, Anyim also recalled.

The PDP presidential aspirant also described Late Nzeribe as a committed PDP man who remained a member of the Party till his death.

Anyim condoled with the immediate family, friends and numerous political associates of the late Politician and indeed the Nigeria nation.

He prayed that the Almighty and merciful God will grant the soul of Late Senator Arthur Nzeribe eternal rest in His bosom.

Anger As ASUU Extends Strike By 12 Weeks

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Emmanuel Osodeke

By Akinwale Kasali

The hope of the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, to reach a compromise over the Strike has hit another brick wall, as ASUU extended its ongoing  strike by another 12 weeks.

ASUU President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, disclosed this in a statement issued Monday morning, May 9, 2022.

He said this was to give the Government enough time to satisfactorily resolve all the outstanding issues that led to the strike that had already lasted more than 12 weeks.

It stressed in its statement  that the roll-over strike became effective from 12.01 am, May 8, 2021.

It said it took this decision after its National Executive Council meeting which started on Sunday night at the Comrade Festus Iyayi National Secretariat, University of Abuja.

Following this development, Nigerians have slammed the President Muhammadu Buhari led Federal Government for the negligence the nation’s educational sector is facing.

Afro-fusion maverick Divine Ikubor, professionally known as Rema, has condemned the current crisis which continues to cripple learning activities in universities nationwide.

Taking to his social media, the Dumebi crooner lamented that since he got admission into the University of Lagos, which he announced earlier this year, he has been unable to attend any classes.

“ASUU, since dem give me admission I neva start school o, e don do nau!” he wrote in Pidgin.

He appealed to the Government to heed to the demands of ASUU to bring the strike to a halt.

Chinonso Asikwe, a Social Commentator said the fate of Nigerian students hang in the balance due to the lingering ASUU strike, lamenting that education has been neglected for election.

In the midst of the long strike action, the Minister of State, Education, Emeka Nwajiuba and the Minister for Labour, Dr Chris Ngige, are each aspiring to be the President of Nigeria in 2023.

Dutch-American Declares For Governorship Of Plateau State

By
Uche Mbah
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Wiebe Boer

By Uche Mbah

Wiebe Boer, a Dutch national who was born and brought up in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria,  has declared interest to contest for governorship in Plateau State.

He is known as Yohanna Maigona by the locals.

He attended secondary school in Jos and speaks Hausa and English fluently.

Speculations are rife that Boer is rather being sarcastic because of the number of aspirants justling for elective positions come 2023. Moreover, his party, All For All Peoples Party, is not registered by the Independent National Electoral commission, INEC.

Boer holds an American passport.

In recent times, his posters have flooded the internet, and is said to be gaining high level of acceptability within the zone.

He was almost killed in the Jos crisis of 2003.

CBN: Desperate Emefiele Goes To Court Over Presidential Ambition

By
James Orji
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Godwin Emefiele

By James Orji
Amid widespread condemnations of his alleged presidential ambition, the CBN governor had headed to a Federal High Court in Abuja to seek a constitutional interpretation on his non-resignation while pursuing his political interests.
Reacting after friends of the CBN Governor obtained the All Progressives Congress, APC nomination for him, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State had called on him to resign from his prizedd position or be fired by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Akeredolu, who is also the chairman of South West Governors had described Emefiele’s ambition a “joke taken too far” citing the Constitutional provision which bared any public officials from contesting electing until such has resigned.
On her part, a former Minister of Education, Obby Ezekwesili lampooned the CBN Governor, noting that Emefiele has destroyed the nation’s economy after allegedly opening up the CBN vault fro the Buhari led government.
The apex bank boss later denied that he has obtained the form. He said he’s still expecting God’s lead before he made any decision on the issue. Emefiele said that decision will be made in few days, adding that he will not obtain the presidential nomination form by proxies if he decided to run, in a veil reference to those who obtained the form for him for a whopping N100 million.
Byut sources said the CBN governor had now reached out to a constitutional lawyer and human rights activist, Dr Mike Ozekhome (SAN), to seek interpretation of the constitution and public service rules on public servants seeking elective positions while in office.
A highly placed source in the CBN told The PUNCH that the case had been scheduled for today (Monday).
He said, “Emefiele has just briefed Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN) as his lawyer. He has just filed a case in court and is coming up tomorrow (today, Monday).”
Several efforts by The PUNCH correspondent to get the reliefs being sought by Emefiele from the source proved abortive.
Although the details of the suit were still sketchy Monday night, another source in the APC said Ozekhome was taking up the matter “for certain constitutional interpretations.”
Three interest groups – the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria, Friends of Emefiele and Emefiele Support Group – last week paid N100m for the APC presidential expression of interest and nominations forms for Emefiele.

Fear Looms Over Fresh Petrol Scarcity

By
James Orji
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0

By James Orji

Another round of petrol scarcity is looming following the return of queues by motorists at filling stations in the nation’s capital, Abuja last weekend. The queues could spread to major cities and state capitals in the country in few days if urgent steps are not taken by concerned authorities, close watchers say.
In February this year, the nation witnessed a month- long acute fuel shortages due to importation glut by the state owned NNPC following discovery that methanol found in imported fuel exceeded Nigeria’s specifications.
The NNPC later claimed that the shortages was caused by the withdrawal of the adulterated petrol. The problem lingered for many weeks as the NNPC struggled to meet the demand of desperate motorists.
Just three months after the ugly experience, those watching the situation in Abuja, insist that the NNPC needs to inervene on the matter quickly before it degenerates into another fuel crisis, even though the immediate cause of the latest queues in Abuja remains unknown.
The magazine learnt that filling stations in the Wuse, Bwari, Lugbe and other satellite towns are still selling in prices raging from N165 and above. But petrol dealers said they are likely to exhaust their stocks in few days while appealing to the NNPC to ensure that the product t is available.
Meanwhile, the NNPC in its reaction said the development is due to the recent long Salah holiday, noting that the agency is on top of the situation.
“The NNPC Ltd notes the sudden appearance of fuel queues in parts of Abuja. This is very likely due to low loadouts at depots which usually happen during long public holidays, in this case, the Sallah celebrations. The state owned corporation said it has directed marketers to ramp up supply.
“Another contributing factor to the sudden appearances of queues is the increased fuel purchases which is also usual with returning residents of the FCT from the public holiday.”
“We assure all residents of the FCT, and indeed all Nigerians, that we have ample local supplies and national stock in excess of 2.5 billion litres, with sufficiency of more than 43 days.
“The NNPC Ltd hereby advises motorists not to engage in panic buying as supplies are adequate as will become increasingly evident in the coming days,” NNPC said in a statement on Sunday.

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