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2023: Simon Ekpa To Lockdown South-east For Two Weeks Against Elections

By
The Source
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Simeon Ekpa and his Twitee

By Charles Igbo

If Simon Ekpa, the self-proclaimed disciple of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the Leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, has his way, there will be no General Elections in the South-east in 2023.

Ekpa, Finland based, who has since been disowned by both the leadership of IPOB and Kanu’s family over what they term his unwholesome behavior, says there will be no Elections in the South-east in 2023 to elect anybody into office. “Nigeria  can never conduct their fraudulent election in our land until referendum”, Ekpa said in a post dated May 28, 2022.

To achieve this, Ekpa said the South-east would be locked down for two weeks within the period of the General Elections. There will be  “civil disobedience” he said.

Ekpa’s full text reads:

“Before 2023 election, we will declare 2 weeks sit at home civil disobedience against election in Biafraland. Nigeria can never conduct their fraudulent election in our land until referendum.

“I am Ekpa Simon Njoku, Nnamdi Kanu’s Disciple & spiritual son of Biafra Liberation.”

IPOB has since cancelled the weekly  lockdown of the South-east which it initially introduced to protest the detention and prosecution of Kanu by the Federal Government and to pressurise the FG for his unconditional release.

But seeing that the situation was bringing hardship and tears and agony to the people of the Zone, IPOB’s leadership cancelled it, and restricted its observance to only the days Kanu would appear in Court.

However, Ekpa has always given a counter- order, insisting on the observance of the sit-at-home order every Monday.

International Friendly: Litmus Test For Peseiro As Super Eagles Face Ecuador

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Super Eagles

By Akinwale Kasali

In the early hours of Thursday June 2, 2022, the Super Eagles of Nigeria will file out against South American side, Ecuador, in an international friendly at the AT&T Stadium in Miami, United States of America.

The encounter which will be the first game between both countries at the Senior stage is in preparation for the Super Eagles 2023 African Cup of Nations qualifiers against São Tomé and Principe and Liberia.

For the Ecuadorians, it will be a test match for their preparation for the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup slated for November 8th to December 12, 2022.

This would be the second match the Portuguese handler of the Super Eagles, Jose Peseiro, will lead the three-time African Cup of Nations Champion, having lost his first match against Mexico 2-1.

After the loss to the North America country, Peseiro said the youthful Super Eagles team still has a lot in stock as it is still  learning, promising that their second match against Ecuador will be different.

He was, however, optimistic that the friendlies was in preparation for the AFCON Qualifiers matches coming up in a week’s time.

Speaking further, Peseiro said that his target is to qualify and win the 2023 AFCON to be hosted by Côte d’ Ivoire in the summer of 2023.

APC Ticket: Senate President Attacks Tinubu, Amaechi

By
James Orji
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Senate President and Presidential hopeful under the APC, Ahmad Lawan, has launched a veiled attack on other aspirants in the ruling party, including Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a former Lagos State Governor, and Rotimi Amaechi, the immediate past Minister of Transportation and former Governor of Rivers state.

Lawan had, in a letter to APC delegates soliciting their support for him to emerge as the party’s flag bearer in the 2023 presidential election, warned the delegates not to vote for aspirants with heavy ‘baggage’.

APC will hold its Presidential Primary this weekend in Abuja, the nation’s capital and corruption, many say , is one of the factors being considered by the party which is curenttly screening its presidential candidates, to disqualify any aspirant.

Both Tinubu and Amaechi had already been screened by the John Oyegun Screening Committee ,and appear set to participate in the shadow election taking place in few days.

Apart from Tinubu and Amaechi other APC presidential hopefuls  are Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Emeka Nwajiuba, the immediate  past Minister of State for Education, Governors Dave Umahi, Ben Ayade and Kayode Fayemi of Ebonyi, Ekiti and Cross Rivers states, respectively, amongst others.

Before he left for Spain on Tuesday, President Muhammadu Buhari had a meeting with APC Governors where he asked for their support to chose his successor. It, however, remains unclear whether either the former Lagos state governor and APC National Leader or Amaechi, is the President’s choice as a successor.  Speculations are, however, very strong that the President is leaning towards his Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo.

Buhari’s tenure ends next year and he’s required to hand over to a new government on May 29, 2023.

Sources in the Presidency told the magazine that Buhari is not likely to support any presidential aspirant in the party that has been accused of corruption.

Recently, the Supreme Court ruled that former Governor Amaechi must face the Rivers state Investigative panel on alleged corruption against him when he was governor for eight years in the oil-rich State. The Governor Nyesom Wike-led government has accused him of flinging some State- owned concerns and  misappropriation funds belonging to the state.

Tinubu on his part has been accused of corruption while he was Governor of the State of Excellence, as Lagos is well known, while he was on the saddle between 1999 and 2007. His critics have particularly accused him of cornering Lagos funds, through the Alpha Beta Consulting, a tax collecting firm owned by the APC stalwart.

Tinubu has denied the allegations, and has also been set free by the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT where he was dragged to, few years ago to explain the source of his wealth.

In spite of this, some Nigerians have often described the former Lagos helmsman as one of the most corrupt politicians in the country that does not deserve to become President.

Some say, the Senate President is trying to play on public perceptions of Tinubu and Amaechi to clinch the APC presidential ticket, after rumour spread that the Yobe born politician could be picked as the party’s consensus presidential candidate this weekend.

Speaking on the upcoming shadow poll, Lawan said the party stands the chance of winning the presidency if it elects him as its candidate because he has “absolutely no-baggage”.

“Permit me to write to you through this medium. As we converge at this great time, in this great party to begin the journey of determining the future of this great nation, we must be cognizant of the fact that the fate of Nigeria fluctuates,” Lawan said.

His letter to APC delegates reads further: “To all delegates across Nigeria, I beseech you to put pecuniary and monetary incentives aside and seriously consider what is ‘in the greater good.’ As you make your decision in picking the flag bearer of our party, I urge you to seek for a leader and not a politician.

“I ask you to choose a person that will lead and not rule Nigerians; one that will be understanding, tolerant, fair, honest, and progressive. A leader that comes with absolutely ‘No-Baggage.’

“A vital component of any logical, efficient and authentic evaluation of a person involves assessing past behavior. The key here is that one’s best predictor of future behavior is past behavior. If one has always done something a certain way, they are likely to do that same thing in the same manner in the future.

“The same goes for how one navigates or pillages in leadership. Thus, as you, the delegates, are determining the APC party presidential flag bearer, it is important to look at past behavior to elicit what behaviors, avarice and rapacity candidates have exhibited in the past. It is important for you to access all candidates along this parameter,” the Senate President said.

For the records, Tinubu and Lawan are (were) close friends and associates. Lawan, a PhD holder, was Tinubu’s pick for the office of the Senate President in 2015 before Dr Bukola Saraki pulled the rug from under their feet.

Governor Uzodimma Had No Stroke, Not Rushed To India, Hearty – Imo Govt.

By
The Source
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Hope Uzodimma

The Imo State Government has dismissed as unfounded, wicked and mindless fabrication, a recorded voice message making the rounds in the social media, claiming that Governor Hope Uzodimma is down with stroke and has been rushed to India.

The satanic message even claimed that he could not make it to India.

Reacting to the voice message in Owerri Wednesday, the Imo State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Declan Emelumba, in a statement assured the people that Uzodimma is not only hale and hearty but has been energetically attending to all his scheduled activities in the nation’s capital, Abuja.

He said those behind the satanic rumours are descendants of Lucifer who are vainly wishing evil on the governor.

According to him, Uzodinma is not afflicted with any challenge that would have led to a stroke.

“His Excellency attended a meeting with the President alongside other APC governors Tuesday morning. As I speak, he has entered another Party meeting with other stakeholders ahead of APC’s convention. So I don’t really know what those concocting this rumour want to achieve,” Emelumba said.

The Commissioner warned the purveyors of the rumours to desist forthwith before they suffer unmitigated disaster.

According to him, it was clear that those who do not wish the governor well have been fantasizing about a phantom illness saying,  however, that they will continue to be disappointed as Uzodimma is enjoying robust health and attending to state duties.

Emelumba urged the people of the state and indeed Nigerians to disregard “this fabrication from mentally deranged elements seeking attention over nothing.”

He also assured that the matter has been handed over to the relevant security agencies to unravel those behind the satanic audio recording.

Titan Trust Bank Set To Rebrand Union Bank

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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By Tosin Olatokunbo

Fate Of Union Bank Workers Unknown

Tunde Lemo-led Titan Bank Limited has finally taken over Union Bank of Nigeria Plc, one of Nigeria’s oldest bank after both parties settled for a deal worth N191 billion. The acquisition capital , the magazine learnt, has now been fully  paid, paving the way for TTB to bring UBN under its total control.

The magazine learnt that, how to handle the workers inherited from UBN Plc and rebranding of the old entities in line with the vision of the new owners,  formed the thorny points of negotiations between the parties in the last seven months. It is not yet clear whether the parties have now resolved to rebrand UBN branches to TTB.

“All the major issues have been resolve, including how to move on with the staff of UBN that have been inherited. The new management  is working presently to handle the rebranding issue,”  a source privy to the deal told The Source on Tuesday. Sources however failed to confirm rumour that the TTB management has agreed to lay off workers from UBN in lined with the Bank’s quest for a trimmed work force.

Approximately, UBN Plc has over 2,700 employees and a network of over 320 across the country.

Last December, the parties agreed for Titan Bank, a barely three year old commercial bank in the country, with Lemo as the major promoter, to take over UBN plc by acquiring 89 per cent of its shares.

Industry watchers had described the acquisition as one the major upsets in the banking sector in recent times, similar to the acquisition of Intercontinental Bank Plc and Diamond Bank by Aceess Bank Plc, Nigeria’s biggest bank.

Lemo, a former Managing Director of Wema Bank Plc described the aquisition as “a unique opportunity to combine Union Bank’s longstanding and leading banking franchise with TTB’s innovation-led model which promises to enhance the product and service offering for our combined valued customers. ”

About Titan Bank

The bank has seven directors with Tunde Lemo as Chairman; Mudassir Amray Managing Director/ chief executive office, Andy Ojei (Non-Executive Director), Abubakar Mohammed (Independent non-Executitive Director), Mackombo Chukwudi Lawrence Omoile (Independent non-Executive Director), and Dr. Adaeze Udensi (Executive Director).

The management comprises of Amray, Dr. Udensi, Ademola Ajayi (Head of Compliance). Stella Nwihim (Head of Human Resources), Mark Oguh (Chief Financial Officer). Chineyeoke Uga (Chief Risk Officer), Uche Ugboh (Treasurer)a and Dr. Adaeze.

Tunji Abayomi Insists Tinubu Is APC Joker

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

Human Rights Activist and Asiwaju Bola Tinubu campaigner, Tunji Abayomi has written a letter to delegates of the All Progressive Congress, (APC) ahead of the national convention of the party.

APC is due to hold its national convention later this week to elect a presidential flag bearer during next year’s election for the party.

Abayomi, Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, maintained that with the fallout from the convention of the People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) last week, APC must ensure a credible and acceptable candidate to face Atiku Abubakar.

Abayomi, wrote in the letter that “Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is one candidate that presents an intimidating credentials that can guarantee electoral success for the APC in the presidential election.

“Dear APC Delagates, in a few days you will record a major history in the life of our beloved Nigeria. As one of the precursors in the struggle for democracy, please allow me to advise you.

“The time is delicate, indeed very delicate. So look for a man who can unite and renew us as a people and as a Nation.

“For years now, our wealthy nation has been perpetually designated as the poverty capital of the world.  Look for a man who can work hard to urgently increase national wealth NOT personal wealth, a man with experience in wealth creation and enhancement through deep, innovative and inspirational choices.

“Look for an exposed and educated man, a university graduate  the type who can stand and speak with commanding eloquence for us in the comity of nations.

“Look for a man demonstrably capable, able, a visionary  leader who can, has and knows how to build and raise people into a strong working team.

“No President can work alone. A President must know how how to choose a good working  team with shared vision.

“Don’t look for a perfect man, they are few in our imperfect world. Instead look for a good and kind man that worries and will worry about the present and future of the Nigerian children.

“Now during the difficult years of democratic struggle some among the Aspirants stood by, with and for you. They demonstrated courage.

“Choose among these men and women for they know how valuable freedom is and the need to reduce and rescue freedom from poverty if we are to sustain and enhance liberty.

“Look for a man or woman who has vast knowledge about the wealth of the nation, a professional mind with relevant experience and expertise in money making field. Nigeria cannot be better without increasing her wealth.

“Look for a man who knows the path to progress and posperity not only in our nation but in the larger world. Look for a high minded achiever and leader.

“Now many of you have wondered why I opt for Bola Ahmed Tinubu among the Aspirants . My answer which I have restated again and again is that I believe that judging by these standards he, Bola Ahmed Tinubu,  is certainly the very best among the Aspirants on the list.

“I present him to you on my honour for your approbation and election. May our Nation Nigeria  be great again.”

Governor Emmanuel Hits Wike, Calls Him Talkative, Says Nobody Betrayed Him

By
The Source
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0

By Charles Igbo

“Nobody betrayed anyone. If we wanted a Southern President, it won’t be a talkative”

Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State, has hit hard on Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike.

Both Udom and Wike are Governors from the South-south. And both of them were Presidential aspirants in the just concluded Presidential Primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar won with 371 votes. He beat Wike who scored 237 votes to the second place. Emmanuel scored 38 votes.

Since Wike lost, his anger has risen to high heavens. He holds Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, who stood down for Atiku partly responsible for his fate. But he holds his colleague- Governors in the South, and especially, the South-south, most responsible for his failure.

Speaking to Rivers State Political stakeholders on Monday, Wike said they betrayed him and the Zone. He said he was sabotaged by them. He said he decided to run based on an agreement reached by all of them that the Presidential seat should shift to the South. At the end, Wike said they betrayed the agreement. He said he has left them to history to judge them.

But Emmanuel, who was at all the meetings where the Southern Governors insisted on the rotation of the Presidential seat to the South, has taken  a swipe on Wike over his allegations.

Answering questions from reporters during which he addressed Wike’s strong allegations, Emmanuel dismissed the allegations as false.

He said nobody betrayed anybody. And he also said that if they wanted a Southern candidate, it will not be “a talkative” – obviously  referring to Wike.

Emmanuel: “Nobody betrayed anyone. If we wanted a Southern President, it won’t be a talkative.”

“N100m Was Paid By The Church For My Release”- Uche, Kidnapped Prelate, Methodist Church

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Samuel Kanu - The Prelate of the Methodist Church Nigeria

By Adesina Soyooye

The abductors of the Prelate of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, His Eminence Samuel Uche Kanu are N100m richer.

Speaking in Lagos on Tuesday after his release on  Monday, May 30,  by his abductors, the Prelate said the sum of N100m was paid on his head in ransom money before he and two others abducted with him were released.

Prelate Uche said the ransom, packed in five bags of N20 million each, was paid by the Methodist Church of Nigeria.

In,  unarguably, the most high profile abduction in Nigeria, His Eminence was kidnapped Sunday afternoon in Umunneochi, Abia State, while he was on his way back from a Church program. Kidnapped with him were the Bishop of Owerri Diocese, Methodist Church, His Lordship Dennis Mark and the Chaplain of the Prelate.

The abductors had contacted the Church and demanded the sum of N100m for their release.

On Monday morning, the Methodist Church,  Nigeria, issued a release soliciting for that sum of money in order to secure the freedom of the Prelate, the Bishop, and the Chaplain.

They were released Monday evening. According to Prelate Uche, no State Government in the South-east, or the Federal Government raised a finger.

APC Governors, Please, Allow Me Pick My Successor – Buhari

By
The Source
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Buhari with APC Governors

By Muhammadu Buhari

“In keeping with the established internal policies of the Party, and as we approach the Convention in a few days, therefore, I wish to solicit the reciprocity and support of the Governors  and other Stakeholders in picking my successor who will fly the flag of our Party for election into the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2023”

I am delighted to address this gathering of the Progressive  Governors’ Forum  as part of the consultative processes that have always strengthened the internal dynamics of our Party, the All Progressives Congress, (APC).

  1. You will all recall that APC came to power at the center in 2015 through a cohesive machinery, notwithstanding its status as the opposition party. Similarly, in 2019, it was returned to power under my leadership, because of the dividends of democracy delivered to Nigerians irrespective of their political leanings.

 

  1. The Party has since grown in strength and capacity to govern. The key to both electoral successes is the ability of the party to hold consultations and for its members to put the nation above other interests.

 

  1. The transition processes for the 2023 General Elections have commenced in earnest and I note that the most successful Political Parties globally have always relied on their internal cohesion and a strong leadership brand to achieve bigger electoral fortunes. Our party, the APC, shall not be any different, more so as we are still implementing the blueprint for a more prosperous nation.

 

  1. As I begin the final year of my second term as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and leader of the Party, I recognize the compelling need for me to provide stronger leadership to the Party under this transition process and to ensure that it happens in an orderly manner.

 

  1. Such leadership is required so that the Party remains strong and united. It is also needed to improve our electoral fortunes by ensuring that it retains power at the center, hold the great majority in various legislative chambers and also gain additional number of states at state levels.

 

  1. In pursuit of the foregoing objectives, the Party has successfully established internal policies that promote continuity and smooth succession plans even at the state and local government levels. For example, first term Governors who have served credibly well have been encouraged to stand for re-election. Similarly, second term Governors have been accorded the privilege of promoting successors that are capable of driving their visions as well as the ideals of the party.

 

  1. In a few days, the Party will be holding its Convention during which primaries would take place to pick the Presidential Flag Bearer for the 2023 General Elections. This is a very significant process and its outcome should prove to the world, the positive quality of the APC regarding democratic principles, culture as well as leadership.

 

  1. As we approach the Convention, I appeal to all of you to allow our interests to converge, our focus to remain on the changing dynamics of our environment, the expectations of our citizens and the global community. Our objective must be the victory of our party and our choice of the candidate must be someone who would give the Nigerian masses a sense of victory and confidence even before the elections.

 

  1. In keeping with the established internal policies of the Party and as we approach the Convention in a few days, therefore, I wish to solicit the reciprocity and support of the Governors and other stakeholders in picking my successor, who would fly the flag of our party for election into the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2023.

 

  1. I wish to assure you that the consultation process shall continue to ensure that all aspirants and stakeholders would be brought on board right through to the convention. This would also ensure that any anxiety occasioned by different factors are effectively brought under control and that our party emerges stronger.

 

  1. I thank you all for listening. God bless you all. God bless our Party, the APC and God bless our nation, Nigeria.

Text of the speech delivered by President Muhammadu Buhari to APC Governors on Tuesday, May 31, 2022, at a consultative meeting with them before he left for Spain

2023: Amaechi Loses Key Supporter

By
The Source
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0

By Gideon Njoku

Presidential Aspirant under the All Progressives Congress, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, has lost a key supporter.

The immediate past Minister for Transportation has lost his Campaign Coordinator in the North East – Senator Jibrilla Bindo.

Recall the day Amaechi declared interest at the Adokiye Stadium in Porthacourt to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari in office.

On that day, Amaechi had started with “100 metres” dash around the stadium.  It was dramatic. His aim was to show strength. To show how healthy he is. To show he has stamina and energy.

At the end of the race, one man, amongst many, stood out. It was the Adamawa State- born Senator Bindow.

He stepped out and hugged Amaechi hard.

He didn’t end there. He told everybody who cared to hear and know that Amaechi has been anointed by the famed Presidential cabal as the next President of Nigeria.

Now, Senator Bindow has abandoned Amaechi who, he said,  has been anointed by ‘the Cabal’ as the next President.

The Senator has just quit the APC and turned his back  on  its “annonted” aspirant, Amaechi. Bindow has defected to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, the main opposition Party which Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, is from Adamawa.

The question not a few people are asking is: Was Senator Bindow just talking and bragging when he talked about the Cabal’s decision on Amaechi’s Presidency? Apparently.

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