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Mass Burial For Victims Of Inferno At Imo Illegal Refinery

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

The National Emergency Management Agency, (NEMA) has said that over 100 bodies of those that died in last Friday inferno at an illegal crude oil refinery in Imo state are now awaiting mass burial.

The unfortunate incident occured in a forest at Abaezi in Ohaji Egbema local government area of the state.

President Mohamadu Buhari, and two former Governors of the State, Senator Rochas Okorocha and the Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha are among those that had symphartized with government and people of the State. And so has the United Nations.

Head of Operations of NEMA in Imo state, Mr. Ifeanyi Nnaji disclosed in Owerri that the bodies were burnt beyond recognition.

He said the State Government would carry out the burial for the victims since the bodies had already started decomposing.

The NEMA official described the illegal refining site as a large market involving people from all parts of the country hence identifying the victims was very difficult.

The State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Declan Emelumba, said staff of the Ministry of Health and that of Petroleum were collaborating to ensure the mass burial was carried out before the end of Tuesday.

2023: Yoruba Leader Dumps Jonathan For Igbo Presidency

By
James Orji
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By James Orji

President Goodluck Jonathan has lost one of his staunch ally, Afenifere leader Ayo Adebanjo over his rumoured 2023 presidential bid. The former President , last week lend credence to suggestions that he was headed for the APC to actualize his presidential ambition, after he told some supporters in his Abuja office that he’s still ‘consulting’ on whether to throw his hat into the presidential ring next year.

“Yes you are calling me to come and declare for the next election, I cannot tell I’m declaring. The political process is ongoing just watch out. The key role you must play is that Nigeria must get somebody that will carry young people along,” the former President said while addressing his supportes undr he aegis of Youth Compatriots of Nigeria.

Adebanjo backed Jonathan throughout his five years presidency and supported him when the former contested against the incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015.

The elder Statesman is however one of the prominent Nigerians clamouring for power to be zoned to the south east to promote equity as the region has not produced the president since the return to democracy in 2019.
The Yoruba leader spoke on Monday in Abuja, the nation’s capital at the Greater Nigeria Conference, organized by leaders and friends of the South East geo-political zone, with the theme, “Together we can.”

The Afenifere leader warned the former president not to allow himself to be used by some vested interests in APC who only want to rubbish him
“The unfortunate thing is that President Goodluck Jonathan allowed himself to be disgraced by mentioning the fact that, ‘I’m considering whether to be President’; for what? Who are you consulting?” Adebanjo said.

The meeting was organised for the actualization of Igbo presidency and attended by various socio-political organisations, includinb Afenifere, Pan-Niger Delta Forum and Middle Belt Forum.

On Monday, a political group Citizens Network for Peace and Development in Nigeria, CNPD warned the APC to either chose the former President as it’s candidate or be prepared to lose the presidency next year.

“Going critically through the list of presidential aspirants from the two major political parties, we are convinced that all other candidates are regional champions.…therefore, it is imperative that Dr Adamu will use the best man for the job to win this election bearing in mind that anything short of a GEJ ticket will cost APC the presidency in 2023,” CNPD said.

The former President is a member of the PDP but has recently kept a long distance from the party fuelling suggestion that he may have dumped the opposition party in the preparation to defect to the APC to actualize his return to the presidency.

A former Governor of Jigawa state and PDP chieftain recently disclosed that Jonathan has systematically dumped the PDP.
Close associates of the former leader told the magazine that Jonathan has no plan to contest for the president again despite pressure being piled on him by some stalwarts in the APC.

If he eventually declares his run for the president next year under the ruling APC, Jonathan will join other presidential hopefuls such as Vice president Yemi Osinbajo, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Minister of Transport Rotimi Amaechi, Minister of Labour and Productivity Chris Ngige, former governor Rochas Okorocha, and others who have so far declared their intensions to contest the highest office in the country.

I Will Betray Nigerians If I Don’t Join Presidential Race – Osinbajo

By
Ayodele Oni
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Yemi Osinbajo and Rotimi Akeredolu

By Ayodele Oni

Vice President of Nigeria and Presidential hopeful, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, has explained that he joined the presidential race to enable Nigerians benefit immensely from his experience.

He said in Akure, Ondo State during a visit to Governor Rotimi Akeredolu that he has garnered experience as Vice President and occassionally as Acting President and that Nigeria needs such to develop.

Prof Osinbajo’s foray into the Presidential race has been described by some people, especially loyalists of his perceived godfather, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, as a betrayal.

Tinubu was first to meet President Mohamadu Buhari to intimate him about his intention to contest for the Presidency during next year’s election.

Both Tinubu and Osinbajo are from the South-west geo- political zone of the country.

Osinbajo noted that the opportunity has come for him to serve, stressing that it would amount to betrayal of the country if he refused to vie for the position of the President in the interest of the poeple.

Prof. Osinbajo lauded the giant strides recorded by Governor Akeredolu in the Sunshine State, adding that he was impressed with the Governor’s laudable achievements in all sectors.

Governor Akeredolu, who had earlier received the Vice President at the Akure Airport and led him to his office, Alagbaka, Akure.

The Deputy Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, joined the Governor to receive the Vice President at the Cocoa Conference Hall of the Governor’s office.

Welcoming the Vice President, Governor Akeredolu said only God gives position, while praying that God gives the country the best in 2023.

Jonathan’s Candidature Will Win 2023 Presidential Election For APC – Group

By
Ayodele Oni
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Citizens Network for Peace Meeting in Abuja

By Ayodele Oni

As the next political move of former President Goodluck Jonathan continues to generate reactions, a pressure group, Citizens Network for Peace and Development in Nigeria (CNPD), has called on the All Progressives Congress (APC) to adopt the former President, as the party’s candidate for the 2023 presidential election.

The National Coordinator of the group, Mr Ralph Okorie, who made the call in Abuja, at a news conference, urged President Muhammadu Buhari, to key into the Jonathan project.

“There is a need for experience and continuity. The two enjoy the most cordial relationship that had ever existed between an incumbent and his immediate predecessor.”

Okorie pointed out that the call for Buhari to endorse Jonathan was to ensure that candidates without a clear cut vision do not emerge as the party’s flag-bearer in the 2023 presidential election.

According to him, allowing candidates without a clear cut vision to get into the Presidential Villa in 2023, would not only be suicidal, but would be like aiding and supporting incompetence over competence.

“The persistent calls from different parts of the country for Jonathan to contest the 2023 presidential election indicates that Nigerians have genuinely and passionately joined the support for Jonathan.

“We acknowledge that the ripple effects of good governance are multi-generational, hence, the CNPD for Jonathan call on all Nigerians to support this agenda.

“We strongly believe that this administration is working round the clock to address the two major problems of insecurity and economy bedevilling this country.

“It will be counter-productive to bring an amateur to take over from President Muhammadu Buhari at this material time.

“As vanguards for Nigeria’s development, peace and unity, we want to reiterate that, our beloved country cannot afford to have a regional champion as a flagbearer.

“It is imperative that Dr Abdullahi Adamu as the National Chairman of APC will use the best man for the job to win this election bearing in mind that anything short of a Jonathan ticket will cost APC the presidency in 2023.”

He noted further that  achievements of Jonathan stood him out among all the aspirants that have so far indicated interest in the presidential contest, describing him as one of the most outstanding presidents the country had produced.

“For instance, within two weeks, Jonathan grounded the activities of Boko Haram insurgency and gave Nigeria a credible election adjudged by domestic and international observers as free and fair.

“Nigeria’s economic trajectory under his presidency was globally recognised as his national economic prowess earned the country the status of the largest economy in Africa.

“Today, some of the talented people who worked under his government are championing global economic transformations.

“Nigerians have not forgotten the glorious days of GEJ with Dr Ngozi Okonjo Iweala as the minister of Finance, Olusegun Aganga, Akinwumi Adesina, Mohammed Pateh, to mention but a few.

“We are still yearning for the immense contribution of Akinwumi Adesina who was the brain behind Jonathan’s agricultural transformation agenda that saw the increase in agriculture produce, value chain and foreign exchange earnings from the sector.

“In terms of foreign policy, Nigeria under Jonathan saw huge foreign direct investment, FDI, and infrastructure developments due to his economic liberalist and friendly dispositions.”

The CNPD coordinator also said that the Nigeria diasporic policy enhanced over 24 billion dollars in remittances under Jonathan which made Nigeria and Nigerians the pride of Africa and the world.

He added that Jonathan’s return to power would not only enhance the economic, foreign policy and security situation, but would provide a favourable environment for national engagement and dialogue.

Okorie, however, called on Jonathan to listen to the numerous calls and observe the political mood across Nigeria as he would give impetus to APC’s victory in the 2023 presidential election.

Ohaji-Egbema Tragedy: Ihedioha Breaks Silence; Says Disaster Avoidable; Calls for Investigation

By
The Source
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0
Emeka Ihedioha
Emeka Ihedioha

By Charles Igbo

For the first time since the Supreme Court removed him from office as Governor, and declared Senator Hope Uzodimma the duly elected Governor, former Governor of Imo State, the Rt. Honourable Emeka Ihedioha, has reacted to a tragic incident in the State.

Ihedioha had kept sealed lips over the unprecedented insecurity, a consequence of the activities of “unknown” gunmen in the State, which has precipitated loss of scores of lives, rivers of blood, arson, and loss of properties – public and private – worth hundreds of millions of Naira.

A number of people, worried about Ihedioha’s silence attributed it to the wrong belief held in some quarters that it is “Governor Uzodimma/APC business.”

But on Monday, April 25, 2022,  Ihedioha broke his long silence and associated himself with the pains of the people.

In a Press Release signed on his behalf by his Spokesperson, Chibuike Onyeukwu, the former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, lamented the loss of scores of lives at the illegal refinery at Abaezi in the Ohaji-Egbema Local Government Area.

He described the disaster as “unfortunate and avoidable” and called for an investigation into the incident. He also called for sanctions against the culprits.

Onyeukwu’s Press Release reads:

“His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha CON has received with a rude shock and sadness, the news of the fire outbreak that claimed over 100 lives and property, Friday, at an illegal refinery located at Abaeze in Ohaji Egbema LGA of Imo State.

“Hon. Ihedioha describes the incident as ‘unfortunate and avoidable, while calling for full investigation and prosecution of all those behind the carnage to avert future occurrence.’

He said, ‘This is one loss too many. My heart bleeds for the victims, families and affected communities of this unfortunate and avoidable disaster.’

“It is a period of grief and sober reflection for our State, which has been bedeviled by insecurity and other challenges”.

While calling for a deliberate action to nip the increasing activities of illegal refinery and bunkering in the state, His Excellency enjoins citizens to take adequate precautions and avoid activities that will expose them to danger or risk of losing their lives and property.

Another former Governor of the State, Senator Rochas Okorocha, had, also, in an earlier statement, lamented the sad situation, and called for a full investigation.

South-east Parades Presidential Talents In Abuja, As Anyim Explains How He Would Rebuild Nigeria

By
The Source
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South East Presidential Aspirants

Senator Anyim Pius Anyim and other aspirants of South East extraction in all political parties, were showcased to Nigerians on Monday by an Igbo political mobilisation group, Nzuko Umuna, in an attempt to convince other Nigerians that the South East has quality candidates to run Nigeria in 2023.

Other aspirants present at the occasion under the name Greater Nigerian Conference (GNC) included Senator Rochas Okorocha, Governor Dave Umahi, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, Dr Chris Ngige, Mr. Peter Obi, Dr Nwachukwu Anakwenze, Mrs Caroline Nwosu, Yahaya Ndu and Bishop (Mrs) Offorkansi.

The GNC was convened to strengthen the demand for the Presidency  to be zoned to the South East in 2023.

The aspirants were presented to the gathering and given three minutes to address the conference after video clips of their profiles were played.

“This Conference is greatly timely, it is thoughtful. In this matter (of Presidency), experience is important, exposure is important and knowledge is important,” Anyim emphasized.

Laying his credentials before the Conference and Nigerians, Anyim said, “All through my public service career, I have served in only the Presidency. My civil service career was in two parastatals in the Presidency.

“As President of the Senate, I worked with the President (of Nigeria) round the clock and as Secretary to the Government of the Federation, I was the engine room of the Presidency.

“My experience is cognate, my capacity is proven, my nationalist disposition is established and my knowledge of our country is profound.”

On his vision to rebuild, reunite and reposition Nigeria, the PDP presidential front runner said, “the challenges of Nigeria are political, economic and social. Most of the times, people isolate the economic challenges as the most urgent.

“But I want to emphasize that the most critical and urgent challenge of our country today is political which includes leadership . You have to have a politically stable country before you can build the economy. You have to have a country before you can have social cohesion. If I have the opportunity to lead this country, I will, working with Nigerians, build the needed consensus, to lay a  new foundation upon which we will rebuild our nation”,

Anyim promised.

He praised the conveners  of the Conference as well as non-Igbos, particularly Pa Ayo Adebanjo, Pa Edwin Clark and Dr Bitrus Pogu, who attended the Conference, for their consistent support for South East presidency in 2023.

Chief Clark, leader of Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) and Pa Adebanjo, leader of Pan Yoruba Cultural Group, Afenifere were the Special Guests of Honour.

In his speech, Pa Adebanjo traced the political evolution of Nigeria from the colonial era and  concluded  that Nigerians, as a matter of national priority, need to uphold equity, fairness and justice.

“A clear  demonstration of the readiness of Nigerians to build a united  and inclusive nation will be to zone the presidency to the south East in 2023” Pa Adebanjo counseled. Dr Bitrus Pogu, President of Middle Belt Forum, who was guest speaker at the Conference spoke passionately in support of South East presidency. Dr. Pogu reminded the conference that PDP, in particular, has no excuse to jettison zoning as some of their members from the Northern part of the country are now advocating.  “when some people out of selfish political interests argue that zoning does not matter, it is necessary for us to tell them that zoning does matter.

“The PDP must be fair to the South East by zoning the presidency to the South East.”

Dr. Pogu urged the  Igbo to unite and work together in unity in order not to give room for them to be denied what rightly belongs to them in 2023.

Presidential Ambition, A Deceit – Senator Shehu Sani Counsels Former President Jonathan

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Sheu Sanni and Goodluck Jonathan

By Ayodele Oni

A former Senator representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani, has joined other Nigerians advising former  President of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan, not to be “deceived” by those urging him to join the Presidential race.

Shehu Sani, a chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party, (PDP), declared on his Facebook page on Monday that “Dr Jonathan should face the reality.

“GEJ should not deceive himself nor allow himself to be deceived,” Sani wrote on his known Facebook page.

Sani’s advice comes amid insinuations that Jonathan would defect from the PDP to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and run for the office of the  President in 2023.

Jonathan, who was the candidate of the PDP in 2015, was defeated by the then General Muhammadu Buhari, who was the APC candidate.

As the call for power shift to the Southern part of the country intensifies, some Northern interest groups within the APC   allegedly afraid of losing power for eight years Buhari’s successor might spend in office.

It is being speculated that power brokers felt that Jonathan, having been in office for four years, could be supported to spend a term in office to make it possible for another Northerner to emerge President after being out of power for just four years.

Unconfirmed report has it that Dr Jonathan continued with consultations on Monday on the planned defection to APC.

The former president’s aspiration is said to have received the blessing of some members of the APC, mainly from the North that see the decision as an opportunity for them to still remain relevant, politically.

Anyim Mourns Alaafin Of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, Describes Him As A Bridge Builder

By
The Source
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0
Anyim Pius Anyim

Former Senate President, Anyim Pius Anyim, has lamented the death of the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III. He described his death as a huge loss to the nation.

In a statement on Saturday, following the confirmation of the demise of the renowned Traditional Ruler, Senator Anyim described him as a man who was a Cultural Ambassador for Nigeria.

Anyim who is a frontline Presidential aspirant for the 2023 general elections on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said the late First Class Monarch was a patriotic Nigerian who contributed immensely to the unity of the country through wise counsels and bridge-building efforts.

“He was a patriotic Nigerian and a quintessential traditional ruler who had influence across the country and deployed that influence in building bridges of understanding and peace among Nigerians, Anyim said.

The former Senate President said that even in mourning, Nigerians should take solace in the fact that the Late Oba Aderemi left indelible footprints in the sands of time during his 52 years reign as Alaafin of Oyo Kingdom.

Anyim condoled with the people of Oyo Kingdom, the Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde, and Nigerians in general over the demise of the Late Alaafin.

He prayed that God, in His infinite mercy, will grant the soul of Late Lamidi Aderemi eternal rest.

Governor Sanwo-Olu Gives Traders Three Days Ultimatum To Vacate Apongbon Bridge

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Apongbon Bridge

By Akinwale Kasali

Governor Babajide Sanwo Olu of Lagos State is set to wield the big stick at defiant traders who have, so far, failed to vacate the Apongbon Bridge, in Lagos Island area of the State.

The Lagos State Governor has, therefore, given them a Three-day ultimatum to vacate.

Issuing the ultimatum,  Sunday Night, Sanwo-Olu said traders on the bridge and under the bridge should, with immediate effect, vacate, or risk demolition of the space by Wednesday, April 27th, 2022.

While inspecting the Blue Line Rail, Governor Sanwo-Olu gave the warning while driving on the bridge.

He saw that traders were back under the bridge with their goods displayed after being driven away after a fire outbreak under the Apongbon bridge about six weeks ago.

The Governor frowned at the unlawful return of the traders under the bridge, saying that the enforcement team would be deployed to the bridge after the three-day ultimatum  expires.

2023: INEC Partners ECES In Training Of Officers

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0
INEC Training

By Akinwale Kasali

As the 2023 General Election draws closer, electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC,  in partnership with the European Center for Electoral Support, ECES, is sensitizing its Disability Desk Officers with a BRIDGE Modular Training on Access and Participation of Persons With Disabilities, PWDs, in the Electoral Process.

Delivering his Speech at the Workshop, the Lagos State Resident Electoral Commissioner for INEC, Olusegun Agbaje, said that the BRIDGE (Building Resources in Democracy, Governance and Elections) modular workshop is usually embraced by organizations especially Election Management Bodies, EMBs,  that seek to raise the level of staff professionalism in election administration.

Agbaje added that with the Commission already preparing for the 2023 General Election, and not losing sight of the equally crucial Ekiti and Osun States Gubernatorial polls which would take place on 18th June and 16th July, 2022 respectively, the seminar is another demonstration of its resolve not to leave any stone unturned in achieving the conduct of flawless elections.

He stressed that it was the first out of the five strategic objectives of the recently unveiled INEC Strategic Plan 2022 – 2026 is to “Provide electoral operations, systems and infrastructure for the delivery of free, fair, credible and inclusive elections”. In the bid to ensure that no segment of the society is excluded from the electoral process, the Independent National Electoral Commission consistently pursues the principle of inclusiveness with uncanny vigour.

The Lagos REC said that a significant part of this was the establishment of the Disabilities Units in all its offices all over Nigeria with the aim of reaching out to Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and mainstreaming them in the electoral process.

Speaking further, Agbaje said that bringing the Disabilities Desk Officers (DDOs) together in order to attend this modular training is a bold attempt by the Commission at further building the capacity of these officers in the discharge of their special official functions.

“As DDOs, you are expected to translate the skills that you will garner from this event into greater participation of the PWDs in the electoral process”.

In making sure that the PWDs are not disenfranchised, it was revealed that INEC

has put some measures in place to make the electoral process more friendly to the PWDs.

Some of these measures include; creation of regular interactive platforms, provision of Braille ballots, magnifying glasses, sign language interpreters, redesigning of voter registration centres and Polling Units (P.Us) for easy access to PWDs.

In Lagos State alone, the Commission expanded voters access to P.Us by giving approval to the conversion of 4,861 Voting Points to P.Us and many of these P.Us have strategically been brought to the door steps of PWDs.

Agbaje said it was, however, instructive for DDOs to convey the above initiatives which are some of the steps taken by Commission along this direction to PWDs in clear terms that are completely devoid of partisanship.

He added that the seminar is expected to equip the Officers with the requisite skills to make their  assignment of getting the PWDs more involved in the democratic process and governance a lot easier, as the workshop is envisaged to be highly participatory and practical.

In his Speech, the Country Representative of ECES, Hamza Fassi-Fihri, said that ECES has continuously provided support to INEC in this matter, recently, also in the development of the Inclusivity Guide, as well as to our EUSDGN partners, working with the Albino Foundation and the CCD and others, also in the framework of the Electoral Act Reform.

He said ECES will continue to offer support in ensuring inclusion of Persons With Disabilities in electoral processes here in Nigeria and within our projects in other countries.

Fassi-Fihri added that global statistics indicate that Persons With Disabilities across the world, comprise between 10 – 15% of every given population, that brings to an estimated 20 – 30 million Nigerians comprising this important population.

Following this statistics,  ensuring their right to vote and be voted for is one of the most visible gains in any thriving democracy, bringing to fore the need to Promoting these rights and freedom to equally participate in elections is provided in both local and international declarations, protocols and instruments as endorsed by the United Nations, African Union and the Economic Community of West African States among others. It’s also ratified by the Nigerian State.

He added that the essence of the workshop is targeted at;

  1. Familiarising you as PWD officers with the concept of access and participation of Persons With Disabilities and its importance towards the overall electoral process;
  2. Familiarising you with the International, regional and national PWD inclusion policies as well as INEC Special Voting Rights tools;
  3. Equipping you with strategies that would ensure the safety of these special group of persons before, during and after elections and;
  4. Ensuring increased inclusion and participation of PWDs in the electoral processes.
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