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National Boundary Commission Is Notoriously Corrupt – Gov Wike

By
Adesina Soyooye
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0

By Adesina Soyooye

The Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, has declared that the National Boundary Commission,  NBC, is one of the most corrupt Federal Agencies in Nigeria. In his words, the NBC is notorious for its corruption.

Governor Wike made this assertion in a State broadcast to the people of Rivers State in the wake of the State’s victory at the Supreme Court against Imo State over 17 disputed Akiri and Mbede Oil Wells.

The two States had been in Court over the ownership of the Oil Wells, but on Friday, May 6, the Supreme Court ceded the Oil Wells to Rivers  State.

While tracing the origin of the dispute, Wike put the blame on former Governor of Imo State, the Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, who he accused of discarding the gentleman agreement between the two States to share the Oil Wells 50 per cent apiece, and the NBC. He said the agreement to share 50-50 was reached between the former Governors of the two States, Dr Peter Odili of Rivers Stare and Chief Achike Udenwa of Imo State.

That, Wike said, subsisted until Ihedioha came, discarded the arrangement, and “surreptitiously” wrote to President Muhammadu Buhari that the Oil Wells belongs to Imo State alone, and asked that Rivers State returns the sum of N15b which it already collected,  based on the gentleman agreement, to Imo State.

The President, Wike said, approved that the Oil Wells were Imo State’s, prompting him, Wike, to head to the Courts.

He said it was the delay by the NBC in marking out the boundary between the two States that caused the trouble because it chose to scandously connive with Imo State instead of doing its job which was simple: Mark out the boundary between the two States.

“We also deplore the collusive actions of the NBC which, unfortunately, has become notorious as one of the most corrupt National Agencies, which has functioned more in causing confusion than resolving boundary disputes.”

Rivers State’s victory notwithstanding, Wike said:

“It bears repeating that the quest to defend our ownership rights through the Courts over the Akiri and Mbede oil wells was not intended to claim victory over Imo or any other State.

“We are open to further discussions with the Government of Imo State on the best way forward without prejudice to the outcome of today’s judgment.”

Ironically, some people in Imo State are celebrating the victory of Rivers State over Imo State, thinking it is a victory over Uzodimma, who, incidentally, had no hand in the case, but continued with a case he inherited.

Suspension Of Flights: Ibom Air Opts Out, To Continue Operations

By
Adesina Soyooye
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0
Ibom Air

By Adesina Soyooye

The Management of Ibom Air has caused a major crack within the ranks of the Airline Operators of Nigeria, AON. The Airline said it is not part of those shutting down their operations on Monday May 9, 2022.

The AON had on Friday, May 6, issued a statement withdrawing the services of their Airline as from Monday, May 9, due to the high cost of Aviation fuel.

The cost of Aviation fuel, the statement said, has overtime, risen from N190 per litre to N700 per litre. In the statement copied the  Minister for Aviation and the Director General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, the AON said its members could no longer cope, as they were operating at a loss, and so have decided to shut down operations on Monday May 9, 2022.

But Ibom Air, in a statement said that while it “acknowledges the existential threat that these runaway fuel price increases pose for the Air Transport industry, volunteering to stop operations would rather  exacerbate an already bad situation.”

Among other reasons the Airline noted: “Ibom Air has financial obligations to suppliers, financiers and staff, which depend on uninterrupted flow of revenue to service. More importantly is the fact that having been paid by customers in advance for flight bookings, we are bound by contract to deliver the services already paid for to avoid exposing the Airline to the risk of avoidable litigation.”

Following is the full text of the statement by Ibom Air for opting out of AON’s decision.

Public statement on flights Cessation on Monday 09 May 2022

“Ibom Airlines Limited (Ibom Air) has been inundated with inquiries about what will happen on Monday 09 May, 2022, following the public statement issued by the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) Executive, on Friday 06 May, 2022 and it has become necessary for us to make the following clarifications:

“1. Ibom Air acknowledges the existential threat that these runaway fuel price increases pose for the air transport industry in Nigeria. We agree that this out-of-control situation is simply unsustainable. However, every airline has its unique business model and pressures. We believe that in spite of the escalating fuel prices, airlines volunteering to stop operations would rather exacerbate an already bad situation.

“2. Ibom Air has financial obligations to suppliers, financiers and staff, which depend on uninterrupted flow of revenue to service. More importantly is the fact that having been paid by customers in advance for flight bookings we are bound by contract to deliver the services already paid for, to avoid exposing the airline to the risk of avoidable litigation.

“3.  Apart from the above factors, Ibom Air is currently the only airline serving Akwa Ibom State directly and as such, any voluntary stoppage of operations would completely cut off access by air into and out of the State. Such action would be directly in conflict with and detrimental to the interest of our shareholder.

“4. In view of the foregoing facts, Ibom Air had respectfully disagreed with the decision of AON to suspend flight operations on Monday 09 May 2022. Ibom Air cannot in the circumstance volunteer to stop operating and will continue normal operations on Monday 09 May 2022 and beyond. Ibom Air’s inclusion as “signatory” to the statement released by AON must have derived from its active and committed membership of the AON

“5. The above notwithstanding, we identify very strongly with our AON colleagues and will participate in every effort to resolve this frightening situation as soon as possible in the interest of our business, our customers, our stakeholders and our country.

“6. We thank our customers for their continued patronage and we thank the AON for our collective efforts to secure a sustainable fuel pricing regime for the airlines.”

The statement was signed by the management of the Airline

Ibom Air is owned by  Akwa Ibom State.

APC Presidential Form: PDP Demands Emefiele’s Arrest, Prosecution

By
The Source
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0
Godwin Emefiele

By Gideon Njoku

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has demanded for the arrest and prosecution of the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Godwin Emefiele.

Emefiele, allegedly, purchased the Expression of Interest and Nomination forms of the All Progressives Congress, APC, after paying the mandatory N100m.

For allegedly doing that, the PDP has demanded the immediate resignation of the CBN Governor from office. It also demanded Emefiele’s arrest and prosecution for alleged abuse of office and financial impropriety.

These demands were made at a Press Conference addressed by the Party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, in Abuja on Saturday, May 7, 2022.

The party noted, after quoting the relevant portions of the CBN Act and the Public Service Rules that: “Emefiele’s involvement in politics without resigning as CBN Governor, therefore, amounts to gross misconduct in contravention of Section 112 (2)(c) of the CBN Act.”

The Party also pointed out Emefiele’s failures in office as CBN Governor but said that instead of being remorseful, he had the courage to seek for the office of the President.

PDP: “It is provocative that instead of being remorseful, Mr Emefiele is even insulting the sensibilities of Nigerians by seeking the office of the President while still holding office as CBN Governor.”

But Emefiele, in a post on his Twitter page on Saturday  said the forms were purchased for him by grateful farmers but that he has rejected the forms. He said he would purchase the forms himself, with his “hard-earned money in banking leadership since the past 35 years. He acknowledged the pressures on him to run for the office of the President, but said he would make up his mind either to run or not in the next few days.

Following, however, is the full text of PDP’s Press Conference.

“You will recall that on March 25, 2022, our Party alerted the nation when we got intelligence that the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele was being promoted by the Presidency as Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2023 general elections.

“At that time, we drew the attention of Nigerians to the provisions of the CBN Act 2007 and particularly referenced Section 9 which provides that “the Governor and the Deputy Governors shall devote the whole of their time to the service of the bank and while holding office, shall not engage in any full or part-time employment or vocation, whether remunerated or not…”

“This provision is clear in demanding that 100 percent of the time and expertise of the CBN Governor and Deputy Governors shall be dedicated to the service of the CBN. This is because the CBN is critical to the integrity and stability of our economy.

“Furthermore, Section 030422 of the Public Service Rule states that no public officer shall (a) “hold any office, paid or unpaid, permanent or temporary, in any political organization”, (b) offer himself/herself or nominate anyone else as a candidate for any elective public office…”, (c) “indicate publicly his support of or opposition to any party, candidate or policy and (d) “engage in canvassing in support of political candidates” unless such officer resigns his appointment.

“Importantly, Section 030502 (g) of the Rule lists “engaging in partisan political activities’ as SERIOUS ACT OF MISCONDUCT.

“Emefiele’s involvement in politics without resigning as CBN Governor therefore amounts to gross misconduct in contravention of Section 11 2 (2)(c) of the CBN Act.

“Now that Mr. Emefiele has joined politics and reportedly obtained the N100 million Presidential aspirant form from the APC, he cannot continue to resume at the CBN which is the commonwealth of our nation.

“By this Mr. Emefiele has become a clear and present danger to the health, integrity and reputation of the CBN and our nation’s financial sector. His continued stay as CBN Governor will further destroy investors’ confidence in the integrity of our nation’s financial regulatory Institution.

“Mr. Emefiele’s involvement in partisan politics while still holding office as CBN Governor underpins the impunity, lawlessness and recklessness of the Muhammadu Buhari-led APC administration. It further confirms that the CBN under Emefiele has all along been the finance department of the APC.

“It is now evident that the summersault of the economy under Mr. Emefiele as CBN Governor has been influenced by a personal partisan interest for which the CBN under his watch allegedly allowed multiple leakages in our financial regulations through discriminatory exchange rate policies and nebulous subsidies to funnel billons of naira to political lackies to fund a presidential ambition.

“This also explains why under Emefiele, the CBN which is supposed to be the bankers’ bank continues to engage in fraudulent retail banking services under ill-defined economic intervention programmes to plunder the treasury.

“The tsunamic macro-economic and fiscal policies of the CBN under Emefiele brought untold hardship to the productive and service sectors of our nation’s economy with consequential negative effect on the lives of our citizens.

“It is provocative that instead of being remorseful, Mr. Emefiele is even insulting the sensibilities of Nigerians by seeking the office of the President while still holding office as CBN Governor.

“The PDP points to reports in the public space of how Emefiele’s agents through corrupt practices, including manipulation of exchange rate, allegedly amassed sum close to $1 billion dollar which is already being deployed by the purchase of hundreds of Emefiele branded campaign vehicles in the colours of the APC in furtherance of a lavish Presidential campaign.

“The direct consequences of such atrocious regime in the CBN under Emefiele is the collapse of our naira from N197 to N600 to a dollar, the crippling of our productive sector, multiple economic recession, increased poverty, inflation and unemployment rates, high costs of living and excruciating hardship to our citizens.

“It is indeed saddening that President Muhammadu Buhari, who promised zero tolerance for corruption will enable, encourage and condone such atrocious regime in the CBN where our economy is opened to fraudulent pillaging to promote a political ambition.

“Our Party stands with Nigerians in demanding the immediate arrest, investigation and prosecution of Mr. Emefiele by security and anti-graft agencies, particularly the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for alleged financial malfeasance and abuse of office in the CBN under his watch.

“As Nigerians we are determined to confront this evil. We wish Mr. Emefiele well in his new found but ill-fated political vocation but we demand that he must be brought to account for the activities that he undertook, supervised and superintended over the years that he has been at the helm of affairs at the CBN and for which our economy is in comatose.

“The PDP calls on all Nigerians; the Civil Society, Students, Organized Labour, the Media and all lovers of good governance to rise up as the PDP takes drastic actions in leading the charge to defend the integrity of the CBN, Rule of Law and ensure that those who brought our economy to its knees face the wrath of the law.”

Emefiele, from Delta State, was appointed CBN Governor by President Goodluck Jonathan and was reappointed for a second term in office by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Campaign For Democracy Canvasses Adherence To Rotational President

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Aso Rock

By Ayodele Oni

The Campaign for Democracy, (CD) has joined in the call for rotational presidency saying it is evil, undemocratic and unjust, if presidency is allowed to remain in the North.

CD in a statement issued by its General Secretary, Pastor Ifeanyi Odili, in Akure, Ondo state, stated that any attempt by the north to remain in power beyond 2023 may lead to disintegration.

The group pointed out that “It is a conspiracy against the South by the North for the two major parties, PDP and APC to project fielding Northern candidates in 2023.

“CD is of the view that if we all come out, make our positions known on who should be the next president, it is possible that we will save Nigeria from the hands of the evil ones.

“They have seized control of power and have, negatively, used it against the citizens since 1999, when the country returned to democratic rule.

“It is evil, undemocratic and unjust if we fold our hands and allow presidency to go back to the North.

“We should not just stand aloof, we need to act to save the nation from disintegration.”

CD pointed out that this is a calculation of underestimation on the part of the North to attempt to take advantage of the South.

It urged the South West governors to impress on the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to consider zoning presidency to the south ahead of the 2023 polls.

The group also called on PDP leaders to pick their candidate from the South, stressing that “it is a pandora box yet to be unlocked if the two leading parties fail to allow other ethnic nationalities to produce the president at their due time.

“It will coast the country into yet another crisis that may sink the entire nation.”

CD added that anyone in his right senses should know that  jetisoning power shift to the South is a direct invitation to serious civil strife that may lead to outright balkanization of the country.

“Our Politicians should reminisence on the past political events, how political and religious intolerance and impatience has caused our illustrious sons and daughters their early death.

“It is on record that political, religious and ethnic chauvinism accelerated the death of Chief MKO Abiola, General Sani Abacha, Rear Admiral Elegbede, Alhaja Suliat, Mrs Kudirat Abiola and a host of other prominent Nigerians who were massacred between 1993 and 1999.

“Therefore, we draw the line by sounding another warning to the politicians to play the chess game with all sense of maturity and patriotism so that Nigeria will not be returned to another evil days of the military rule, because democracy can only be enduring if its managers are fair to one another, to their conscience and to the nation.”

Akeredolu To Emefiele: Your Presidential Bid Taken Too Far, Resign Now; CBN Gov. Rejects Forms

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Rotimi Akeredolu
Governor Rotimi Akeredolu

By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State Governor,  Rotimi Akeredolu has described the Presidential ambition of the Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele as ‘ a joke taken too far,’ and asked him to resign his appointment.

Emefiele on Friday, officially, purchased the declaration of Intent and Nomination Forms to contest for the office of the President in the forthcoming general elections on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, (APC). He, however, said in a post on his official page that the forms were purchased for him by grateful farmers. He has rejected the forms, he said.

According to Governor Akeredolu, the CBN Governor cannot combine partisan politics with the very delicate assignment of his office.

He said it is incontrovertible that Emefiele enjoys a constitutionally protected right to belong to any group or association and participate fully, just as any Nigerian.

“It is, however, difficult to imagine that a person who occupies the exalted and sensitive office of the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria will be this brazen in actualizing his ambition.”

Akeredolu, who is Chairman, Southern Governors Forum, and advocate of a Southerner becoming President, said should Emefiele refuse to quit, it becomes incumbent on the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces to remove him forthwith.

“There is no gain asserting the obvious. The combined effect of the Public Service Rules, CBN Act and the 1999 Constitution, as amended, exposes not only the oddity inherent in this brash exercise of presumed right to associate.

“It also confirms the illegality of the act should he proceed to submit the forms while occupying the seat as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

“Consequently, we admonish Mr Emefiele to leave the office, immediately, for him to pursue his interest. He cannot combine partisan politics with the very delicate assignment of his office.

“Should he refuse to quit, it becomes incumbent on the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces to remove him forthwith. This is a joke taken too far.”

In Emefiele’s post on Saturday, he said:

“I am humbled by the growing interest of those asking that I run for the Office of President in the 2023 general elections: I have not come to that decision.

“I note and salute the sacrifices of those farmers and patriots going as far as raising personal funds  and offering me Presidential Nomination Forms.

“I thank them most profusely. However, should I answer their calls and decide to seek presidential nomination, I will use my own hard earned savings from over 35 years of banking leadership to buy my own  Nomination Forms, without proxies in an open and transparent manner in full compliance with the laws and Constitution of The Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“And should I not run for elected office, I will continue to serve and sacrifice for the good people of Nigeria under the able leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari. This is a serious decision that requires God’s divine intervention. In the next few days the Almighty will so direct.”

Presidency: CBN Governor, Emefiele To Decide In Few Days

By
James Orji
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Godwin Emefiele

By Tosin Olatokunbo

Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele says he’s yet to decide on whether to contest the Nigerian Presidency next year.

Two days ago, a support group under the aegis of Friends of Godwin Emefiele obtained the APC Presidential nomination form for him for a whopping N100 million.

Trenchant criticism has trailed the group’s decision as many Nigerians, including Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Info state and Chairman of South west APC Governors Forum calling on Emefiele to resign immediately, saying that the apex bank governor decision to join the Presidential race is “a joke taken too far”.

Akeredolu called on him to resign immediately, failure which he should be sacked by President Muhammadu Buhari.

SERAP, a human rights body also called on Emefiele to be removed from office to enable him pursue his presidential quest. The group chided the CBN Governor for involving in partisan politics against the provision of the Constitution which bar pubic officials from contesting election.

In his response to the barrage of criticisms on Saturday, Emefiele said he has not filed out contesting the election, adding that he would make the decision in few days.

Emefiele said thanked those that obtained the nomination form on his behalf, but said when he decide to run for president the form will not be obtained for him by proxies.

According to him, “I am humbled by the growing interest of those asking that I run for the Office of President in the 2023 general elections: I have not come to that decision. I note and salute the sacrifices of those farmers and patriots going as far as raising personal funds and offering me Presidential Nomination Forms: I thank them most profusely.

“However, should I answer their calls and decide to seek presidential nomination, I will use my own hard-earned savings from over 35 years of banking leadership to buy my own Nomination Forms without proxies in an open and transparent manner in full compliance with the laws and Constitution of The Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“And should I not run for elected office I will continue to serve and sacrifice for the good people of Nigeria under the able leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari. This is a serious decision that requires God’s divine intervention: in the next few days The Almighty will so direct.”

Meanwhile, the magazine learnt from competent sources in the Presidency that Emefiele has received the backing of close aides of Buhari to run for the highest office in the country. It, however, remains unclear whether the president will support his ambition.

Oil Wells: I Am Open To Further Discussions With Gov. Uzodimma – Wike

By
The Source
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Nyesom Wike

On Friday May 6, 2022, the Supreme Court of Nigeria delivered the long awaited Judgement on the boundary dispute between Imo and Rivers States, on the ownership of some oil Wells at the Akiri and Mbede Oil fields.

The Apex Court ruled in favour of Rivers State.

In a state broadcast to the people of Rivers State on Friday, May 6,  celebrating the victory, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, blames former Imo State Governor, the Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha for the problem between the two sister-states of Imo and Rivers State. He accused Ihedioha of stabbing Rivers State Government and its people at the back inspite of the huge help and support they gave to him to become Governor.

He also blamed Governor Hope Uzodinma for continuing with the case, but said he is open to further discussions with Uzodinma on the disputed Oil Wells.

Following, the full text of Wike’s broadcast.

“Today, 6th May 2022, the Supreme Court of Nigeria has delivered its judgment on the subsisting boundary dispute between Imo State and Rivers State over the ownership of some oil wells at the Akiri and Mbede Oil fields.

“2. Let us recall that following the disputed claims to the location and ownership of some oil wells at the Akiri and Mbede oilfields between Imo and Rivers States in 1999, the Governors, Their Excellencies, Achike Udenwa and Dr. Peter Odili respectively, worked out a political settlement and  mutually settled for a 50:50 percent beneficial sharing of the derivation proceeds accruing from these wells pending the proper demarcation of the boundaries between the two States by the National Boundary Commission (NBC).

“3. While the dispute lingered, nothing was done by the NBC to demarcate the boundaries of the two States and establish the proper location and title to the disputed oil wells.

“4. However, instead of instigating the NBC to do the right thing, Governor Emeka Ihedioha of Imo State, shortly after assuming office, repudiated the subsisting 50:50 percent sharing formula and made provocative claims to the exclusive ownership of the entire Akiri and Mbede oil wells.

“5. In order to actualized this spurious claims, he stealthily wrote a letter dated 9th August 2019 to President Mohammadu Buhari and requested for the refund of the sum of N15, 000,000.00 (fifteen billion naira) from Rivers State to Imo State as backlog of accrued proceeds from the 13% derivation revenue of the said oil wells.

“6. Acting on Governor Ihedioha’s letter, Mr. President warranted a letter to be written to the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMFAC) through his late Chief of State, Mr. Abba Kyari, to alter the status quo against in favour of Imo State without reference to the subsisting dispute and agreement between the two States.

“7. Surprised by the surreptitious plots and collusive actions of the Government of Imo State and the NBC to overreach the legal interest of Rivers State in the disputed oil wells, the Rivers State Government opted to approach the Court for a just and lasting resolution.

“8. Accordingly, we first applied to the Federal High Court, Abuja and among other reliefs, successfully challenged the powers and authority of Mr. President to give directives to the RMFAC and or interfere in any manner whatsoever with the distribution of public revenues from the distributable pool account, including the Federation Account.

“9. Not satisfied with the positive ruling of the Federal High Court, the Imo State Government appealed to the Court of Appeal and lost. We then proceeded against the Government of Imo State at the Supreme Court in a fresh suit for a final and conclusive determination of the boundary dispute between our two States.

“10. In approaching the Supreme Court in this matter, we believed that the dispute between the two State and the contentious issues are such that the Court can judicially, justly and expeditiously determine with the available facts and supporting evidence, including valid administrative maps, subsisting judgments, and other relevant documents.

“11. And so, the Supreme Court has finally and conclusively resolved the dispute and granted full and exclusive ownership of all the disputed oil wells in Akiri and Mbede oilfields, to Rivers State much to everyone’s relief.

“12. Although Governor Hope Uzodima was not the mastermind of the impulsive trajectory that compelled us to seek the intervention and protection of the Courts, he nevertheless participated fully in the litigation process to the end without engaging the Rivers State Government for a possible a political solution.

“13. However, his reactions to the judgments of the lower courts on this matter were clearly uncalled for.

“14. Indeed, itwas rather unfortunate that for someone who became Governor through the instrumentality of the judiciary could turnaround to castigate the very institution that made him ruler over the good, peaceful and progressive people of Imo State.

“15. Now that the Supreme Court have spoken, we hope Governor Hope Uzodima will accept the outcome in good faith, refrain from his usual diatribes against the judiciary and explore possible pathways to accommodation and compromise from the Rivers State Government.

“16.This, we may readily oblige, despite the betrayals and back-stabbing by Emeka Ihedioha, who in spite of the extensive support and goodwill he received from the Government and people of Rivers State to become Governor, led the onslaught and created a wedge between two brotherly States that have been living at peace and in friendship with each other.

“17. We also deplore the collusive actions of the NBC, which unfortunately, has become notorious as one of the most corrupt national agency, which has functioned more in causing confusion that resolving boundary disputes.

“18. It bears repeating that the quest to defend our ownership rights through the courts over the Akiri and Mbede oil wells was not intended to claim victory over Imo or any other State.

“19. We are therefore open to further discussions with the Government of Imo State on the best way forward without prejudice to the outcome of today’s judgment.

“20. We appreciate the lawyers that prosecuted and secured this landmark success for Rivers State, and for their efforts, it is my pleasure to announce the conferment of State Honours on every one of them as the Distinguished Service Star of Rivers State (DSSRS).

“21. Finally, I wish to reiterate our resolve to continue to fight for, advance and protect the best interest of Rivers State at all times and under any circumstances up to the end of our Government, and we hope our successor would likewise continue in this courageous spirit and determination to make the desired positive difference for our State and our people.”

We Did Not Designate IPOB/ESN as Terrorist Organisations – British High Commission

By
Adesina Soyooye
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0

By Adesina Soyooye

The British High Commission in Nigeria has denied designating the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, a terrorist organisation in Britain.

The report of the alleged designation had gone viral with some publications insinuating that the leader of IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, could lose his British citizenship.

But in a statement, the British High Commission described the reports as inaccurate, insisting that the United Kingdom never added IPOB to the list of terrorist group banned in the UK,

The Statement which was  signed by the Senior Communications and Public Diplomacy Officer, Tinuke Akande-Alegbe, emphasised that IPOB is not a proscribed organisation in the UK

The inaccurate information, the statement explained, stems from a revised Country Policy And Information Publication released on the 23th of April 2022

The publication noted that the Nigerian Government proscribed IPOB as a terrorists organisation but it also said that some members of IPOB  using violence against the State and members of the public and  so committed human rights abuses will not be granted protection

Said the statement ”all asylum and human rights claims made in the UK are considered in their individual facts in accordance with the obligations under the UN Refugee convention and European convention on human Rights.”

The statement dated May 6, 2022 reads:

“We are aware of inaccurate reporting circulating in the media and online that the UK Government has added the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) to the list of terrorist groups or organisations banned under UK law. These reports are untrue. The Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) is not a proscribed organisation in the UK.

“The inaccurate reporting relates to the 13 April 2022 publication by the UK by the UK Government of a revised Country policy and information note (CIPN) on Seperatist group in SE Nigeria including the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB). CIPNs provide country of origin information (COI) and analysis of COI for use by UK Government decision-makers handling particular kinds of claims and human rights claims.

“All asylum and human rights claims made in the UK are considered  on their individual facts in accordance with our obligations under the UN Refugee convention and European convention on human Rights, taking into account relevant background country information and case law.

“The CPIN on Separatist groups in the South East including the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), provides a general assessment of risks faced by individuals belonging to those groups. These assessments are based on an analysis of publicly available country information obtained from a wide range of reliable sources including media outlets: UK and other  governments: local, national and international organisations and non-govenment organisations.

“The CPIN also acknowledges that the Nigerian Government has proscribed IPOB as a terrorists organisation. Some members of IPOB have reportedly used violence against the State and members of the public, and advises that persons who have committed human rights abuses must not be granted protection.”

Nnamdi Kanu: Why Buhari Disappointed Ndigbo Again

By
The Source
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0
Muhammadu Buhari

By Gideon Njoku

“A source told this medium that Buhari was shattered by the brutal murder and beheading of the Soldier-couple and the indecent treatment of their corpses in Imo State which the Army quickly laid on the door step of IPOB/ESN, and therefore, made up his mind not to entertain any plea for Kanu’s release

Speculations have been rife over why President Muhammadu Buhari dashed the hopes of the Igbo on Friday, May 5, 2022, when he failed to order the release of the Leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu during his meeting with the cream of Igbo Leaders in Abakiliki, Ebonyi State. This medium gathered that the brutal murder of the soldier-couple a few days before Buhari’s visit hardened his heart over the request for Kanu’s release.

Kanu has been in the custody of the Federal Government since he was rearrested in Nairobi Kenya, in June 2021,  and brought back to Nigeria to face sundry allegations, including Terrorism and Treasonable felony.

Ever since then, the Igbo leadership, with Ohanaeze Ndigbo as the arrow head, has been appealing to President Buhari to release Kanu unconditionally to stem the tension in the South-east where Kanu hails from. It has even been suggested that the unprecedented insecurity in the Zone could become a thing of the past if Kanu is released as every criminal gang in the Zone now claims to be involved in the atrocities because of Kanu’s detention and trial.

The President had been told, a number of times, that Kanu’s case is better handled politically than legally.

Once when some Igbo Leaders led by a former Minister for Aviation in the First Republic, 94 -year old  Mbazulike Amaechi, went to the Presidential Villa to appeal to Buhari over Kanu, the President had raised their hopes that he would consider releasing him, difficult as it is, especially, when Mbazulike asked the President to release Kanu personally to him, as a favour before he, Mbazulike, dies.

Weeks after Buhari raised their hopes, he reneged and insisted it would be left for the Courts. That was when he went to Imo State on a working visit.

Since then, Buhari had played deaf to the appeals even when Ohanaeze Ndigbo visited and appealed again to him.

However, hopes were raised  on Buhari’s two-day visit to Ebonyi State on Thursday, May 4, 2022.

In a meeting with the President on Friday, the Igbo Leaders had appealed to the President again to release Kanu. But in response, he rejected.

Buhari publicly told Ndigbo, to their face, that Kanu’s trial would go full circle in the Courts.

Kanu was on bail and facing the charges against him when the Army inexplicably invaded his father’s Palace where he was, and forced him to flee to safety.

In a statement,   Buhari’s spokesperson, Femi Adesina quoted the President as telling the Leaders in response to the appeals that:

‘‘I have listened carefully to the various appeals from the elders to the traditional leaders regarding a wide range of options, and as I have said previously this matter remains in the full purview of the courts where it will be properly adjudicated.”

Adesina:  “President Muhammadu Buhari Friday in Abakiliki pledged that the Federal Government would deploy its strength to protect innocent and hardworking Nigerians from terrorists and those causing break down of law and order in the South East region.

“Speaking at a meeting with South-East leaders, during his two-day State visit to Ebonyi, the President expressed concern over the deteriorating security situation in the region, reiterating his directive to security agencies to ‘‘flush out’’ those perpetrating violence in the land.

‘‘I must register my deep and grave concern with regards to the deteriorating state of security affairs in this region.

‘‘In the last 48 hours, I have been informed of the latest in the round of brutal actions carried out by gun-wielding terrorists, who prey on innocent and hardworking citizens, unfortunately, these barbaric acts were visited upon those who have committed their lives to protect their fellow citizens,’’

‘‘I have listened carefully to the various appeals from the elders to the traditional leaders regarding a wide range of options, and as I have said previously this matter remains in the full purview of the courts where it will be properly adjudicated.

‘‘My worry is for our hardworking and innocent civilians, for whom life is already tough and would like to earn a decent and honest living.

‘‘There are many that fit this profile and the Government owes them that obligation to protect lives and property.

‘‘I will once again repeat, no one has the right to carry an AK-47, and anyone seen in any part of the country doing so and is not a law enforcement officer is a threat to our peaceful coexistence and should be treated as such”

However sources told this medium that President Buhari may, indeed, have considered releasing Kanu, but that the escalation of the insecurity in the South-east in the past few weeks, especially, the brutal killing and beheading of two soldiers in Imo State on Saturday, April 30, 2022 put him off.

Said the source: “The President was shattered over the manner of the killing and beheading of the two soldiers who were a couple. And because the Army had attributed it to IPOB/ESN, the President saw no reason in granting the request for Kanu’s release.

“Added to that, the President is taken aback by the resumption of the razing of Police facilities and the killings of  security personnel on duty in the Zone, especially, in Anambra and Imo States. He has the strong belief that IPOB/ESN are masquerading as unknown gunmen.”

However, IPOB has strongly  denied any involvement in the violence in the South-east, including the killing and beheading of the soldier-couple, and other security personnel.

The group has, instead, put the blame on State actors.

2023: Nigeria Needs Anyim Now More Than Ever Before – Kogi PDP Delegates

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The Source
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Anyim Pius Anyim

The situation presently in Nigeria is akin to what existed in the Nigerian Senate in 1999 before the assumption of office as its President by Senator Anyim Pius Anyim.

The above was the summation of the interactive session between Anyim and delegates from Kogi state, May 5, at Ibro hotel, Abuja which included the two former governors of the state, Ahaji Ibrahim Idris and Capt Idris Wada.

The delegates commonly agreed that Nigeria is in a very precarious state and in dire need of a natural stabilizer like Anyim.

In his closing remarks, the chairman of the People’s Democratic Party,PDP in kogi state, Engr. Sam Uhotu, recalled the invaluable role Anyim brought to bear in the stability of the country democracy.

According to him, the nation’s upper chamber of the national Assembly was in a voyage of no destination until Anyim stepped in to chat a clear course for the National Assembly and indeed Nigerian democracy.

The Chairman stated that the Senate before Anyim was seating on a slippery ground of banana peels, throwing up different leaders of the chamber at an average of one president after the other in every six months until Anyim came to put a stop to that.

Uhotu reiterated that the situation in the Nigerian Senate when Anyim was divinely brought to the rescue is akin to the rudderless journey of the Nigerian nation now.

“If Anyim has offered himself to serve Nigeria again,” the PDP chairman advised, “Nigeria should consider him seriously.” The chairman further drew the attention of Nigerians to Anyim performance as the Secretary to government of the federation saying that it’s high time Nigeria took a serious look at the roles Anyim had played in his previous positions in government. He said as Secretary to government of the Federation, SGF under Goodluck Jonathan administration, Anyim has been variously described even by his own boss, Jonathan, as the engine room of that regime.

This, again, the Chairman stated, validates the fact that his magic in the Senate was not a fluke. It’s my belief that Anyim will perform same magic again if allowed to rule Nigeria as her president, the chairman claimed. Speaker after Speaker agreed with the opinion of their Chairman as they commonly resolved in unison to form a social contract with Anyim.

In addition to Anyim’s five star performances, Dr Mohammed Adah Shuibu,  a former Gubernatorial aspirant in Kogi state under the All Progressives Congress APC now a member of PDP, remarked that one sterling quality that stands Anyim out among others is his stainless records in all his services to Nigeria. Till date, Shuibu recalled, Anyim has remained blameless in all his services to Nigeria.

Echoing the views of the party chairman, Capt. Idris Wada, former Governor of kogi state, emphasized that the meeting with delegates only exposed the stuff Anyim is made of to those who never knew him before. Wada stated, that his knowledge of Anyim since his days as secretary to government of the federation is that “Anyim is a man of the people, a detribilised Nigerian and a great man.” Citing Anyim’s intervention in the affairs of Kogi, Wada explained that in 2012 when the state was enmeshed with floods, that Anyim as the SGF, quickly released N500m with just little effort to save the people of kogi state. He also stated that Anyim was instrumental to the flood chanalization work in the state which was initiated by his administration. He described Anyim not only as a leader with listening ears but one who backs up his promise with commitments. Sharing similar views with others, Wada repeated, “if there’s any other time Nigeria needs someone like Anyim, it’s now, because Anyim will give Nigeria qualitative leadership”, he concluded.

Meanwhile Anyim promised to make kogi state the most industrial hub in Nigeria if given the chance to rule. He told the delegates that the abundant mineral deposits in kogi distinguishes it among other states. The Steel mill at Ajaokuta, kogi state, Anyim promised, will be his priority on his assumption of office.

“My intention, he told the delegates, is to develop smart cities among the contiguous states surrounding the capital, such that the pressure on Abuja can   be reduced.” According to him, Steel not even oil will constitute one of the major drivers of the 4th industrial revolution. Anyim also told the delegates that he would not just replicate what Goodluck Jonathan administration did with women but will surpass it.

According to him, under Jonathan, a woman was a Coordinating Minister of the Economy. Under Jonathan, a woman was a Petroleum Minister, Aviation Minister etc.

“I will do more for women” he thundered. This is also as he stated that the youths will be given the opportunities they need to deploy the abundant energies they have. While he will rely on the advice of the elders, he assured that he would work with the youths to execute such advice.

The Commission for the disabled which has remained dormant, Anyim promised, he world make it to work, just as he assured he was going to improve on the achievements of the people Democratic party, PDP where dollars were N180, where Nigeria was reckoned as the fastest growing economy and where people were free to travel from Abuja to Kaduna etc.

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