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AFCON 2021: Anyim Roots For Nigeria; Urges Super Eagles To Make Country Proud

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The Source
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Anyim Pius Anyim

Frontline Presidential aspirant under the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Anyim Pius Anyim, has urged the Super Eagles of Nigeria, to exhibit the Nigerian spirit of “never-say-die”, move on with courage, and win the 33rd Edition of the African Cup of Nations.

Anyim, former Senate President, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, stated this in a message of solidarity to the Super Eagles of Nigeria, the team flying Nigeria’s at the bi-annual  Continental tournament.

Said Anyim in the goodwill message which he personally signed said: ” I urge you all, our National pride, and worthy Ambassadors, the Super Eagles of Nigeria, to go out there with courage and confidence, once again, in Garoa, Cameroon, on Tuesday, and make us proud, as you file out to engage the Pharaohs of Egypt in the Group D opening game. And thereafter, continue to show the stuff you are made of in the other games until you win the final game and bring home the golden cup.”

Following is the full text of Anyim’s solidarity message to the Super Eagles:

AFCON 2021:  MESSAGE OF GOODWILL AND SOLIDARITY WITH OUR NATIONAL TEAM, THE  SUPER EAGLES

“My dear brothers in the Super Eagles contingent, I bring  you  warm greetings and best wishes this new year.

“Let me heartly congratulate you, first and foremost, for qualifying for this 33rd Edition of the African Cup of Nations 2021 tournament which kicks off on Sunday, January 9, 2022, in Cameroon.

“As you join the other teams from the rest of Africa to compete for the trophy, I want you to rest assured that  Nigerians are praying for your success.

I am glad that after some hiccups and postponements due to a number of factors, including the Covid-19 pandemic, the bi-annual scoccer fiesta is finally here again.

“I, therefore, urge you all, our national soccer pride and worthy Ambassadors, the Super Eagles of Nigeria, to go out there with courage and confidence, once again, in Garova, Cameroon, on Tuesday, January 11, 2022, and make us proud, as you file out to engage the Pharohs of Egypt in the Group D opening game.  And thereafter continue to show the stuff you are made of in the other games until you win the final game and bring home the  golden Cup.

“I want you to remember, our talented Super Eagles Champions and the management team of this tournament, that the joy of our people and the hope of our dear country winning the fourth continental title in this edition of the AFCON 2021, rests on your able shoulders. I have no doubts whatsoever that you are equal to the task.

“As you know, Nigerians love soccer and will be glued to their television sets watching and cheering you all the way to the finals by the grace of God. I wish you a crisis and injury-free tournament as we look forward to receiving you home with pride on your return. May the good Lord watch over you all as you Labour to bring honor to our fatherland, Nigeria, once again!”

The team which wins at the Championship goes home with the sum of $4.5 million (US Dollars).

Only Fools Are Against Their State Or Home – Leo Stan Eke

By
The Source
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Leo Stan Eke

By Charles Igbo

A renowned and very respected son of Imo State, Chief Leo Stan Eke, has dismissed anybody who is against his home State as a fool.

Eke, Chairman of Zinox Computers and, unarguably, the highest employer of Labour in Imo State, outside Government, made this comment on January 4, 2022, during the 6th Imo Stakeholders meeting held at the Government House, Owerri.

Many people have lauded Eke for speaking the truth.

The Governor of the State, Hope Uzodinma, was the host, while Eke was the Chairman.

Decrying the situation where indigenes of the State run it down, Eke said while they do that, other States are growing their economies while that of their State stagnate.

Rather than do that, Eke, who appreciated what the Governor has so far done, said they should join hands and develop the State.

His words: “Let us not join hands to destroy the only State we have. Let us not be a laughing stock in the comity of States. Any man who is against his State or home is a fool.

“As we fight here, other economies outside are growing. There should be change of heart by those who are making Imo State ungovernable. What this stakeholders meeting, to me, signifies is a new beginning.”

To show his confidence in the Government, and to reaffirm his love for the people, Eke said he would build and equip an ICT Centre in Owerri where lecturers, graduates and others would be properly trained to serve the society better than they are doing now.

Sources close to him said he is committing more than 500 million Naira to the project.

Eke is not a registered member of any political party, but on a number of occasions, has said he would support any Governor in Imo State to work for the peace and progress of the State.

He has kept faith with that.

2023: We Have Not Zoned Our Presidential Ticket – PDP

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Iyorcha Ayu

By Adesina Soyooye

As the wrangling and the politics of zoning the Presidential seat rage, the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, has emphasised that it has not zoned it to any region yet.

The impression that the Party has zoned it to the South became strong when the PDP, during its recent National Convention, elected Dr Iyorchia Ayu, from Benue State, its  National Chairman.

Unless Ayu is an interim Chairman, no one zone holds the position of the President and Chairman of the party at the same time since the formation of the PDP and APC.

As the 2023 General Elections draw near, the politics of zoning has taken the centre stage. Across political parties, many agree that the Presidential seat should be conceded to the South after  President Muhammadu Buhari’s eight years in office.

In the North, a number of high profile politicians, including the Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, agree that it should go South.

A couple of months ago, the Southern Governors Forum, at a meeting in Asaba, Delta State, insisted on the Presidential seat going South. The Forum re-emphasised that recently.

This other day, Minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr Chris Ngige, disclosed that even though it was not written down, at the formation of the All Progressives Cogress, APC, it was agreed that power should be rotated between the North and the South.

Without making it official yet, it seems the APC has concluded plans to zone it to the South. In the PDP, nobody knows what to expect, especially,  as the PDP strong man, Nyesom Wike, Governor of Rivers State, on January, 1, 2022, broke ranks with his Southern colleagues, and publicly threw his weight behind Bala Mohammed, Bauchi State Governor, who has declared interest in the Presidential office.

In the South-east, a zone which is crying marginalization, and seriously canvassing for the seat, only former Senate President, Anyim Pius Anyim, PDP,  has publicly declared interest, and seriously working towards it.

It is, however, based on Wike’s support for Bala, and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar’s interest in the seat which he unsuccessfully vied for in 2019, that not a few people now think that the PDP has zoned it to the North.

But in a statement  on Saturday, signed by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Debo Ologunagba, the PDP said it has not zoned the office of the President.

PDP: “For the avoidance of doubt, the PDP emphatically and unequivocally states that it has not zoned its Presidential ticket to any part of the country.”

Following is the full text of the statement:

“The attention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been drawn to comments and speculations from certain individuals claiming that our Party has zoned its Presidential ticket to a particular part of the country.

“This is completely misleading as it does not, in any way, represent the position of our Party.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the PDP emphatically and unequivocally states that it has not zoned its Presidential ticket to any part of the country.

“The PDP is a political party founded on democratic principles and every action of the Party, including zoning, is based on extensive consultations, discussions and consideration of all the issues as well as the various tendencies and interests across the nation, with the main objective of ensuring that the unity, peaceful co-existence and development of our nation are reinforced and promoted.

“The PDP, therefore, urges Nigerians, our teeming members and supporters to completely disregard the unfounded zoning claims as being peddled. Our Party also cautions those behind the claims to desist forthwith.

“The PDP thanks Nigerians across board for the overwhelming interest they have in our Party as their sure platform to Rescue and Rebuild our nation from misrule, and urges them to remain united and focused as we join forces for the task ahead.”

AFCON 2022: Winner Takes Home $4.5m; Super Eagles Seeks Fourth Glory

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Super Eagles Team at AFCON 2022

By Akinwale Kasali

From 9th January to February 6th, 2022, attention of millions of soccer enthusiast across the globe will shift to Cameroon, as it hosts the 33rd Edition of the African Cup of Nations Championship.

With the announcement by the Confederation of African Football, CAF, President, Patrice Motsepe, that winner of the tournament will go home with a whopping $4.5 million; runners-up, $2.5m M semi finalists, $2 million as prize money, the competitiveness at the tournament is expected to be second to none.

At the Send Forth Ceremony for the Super Eagles of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari had charged the Interim Coach, Augustine Eguavoen, and his  28-man team to make the Nation proud by winning the coveted trophy.

Having won the AFCON tournament on three occasions –  1980, 1994 and 2013 – the President urged the team to win the tournament for the fourth time, and write its name in the history book and make Nigerians at home and in diaspora happy.

In achieving this feat, the National team will have to scale the hurdle of the Pharaohs of Egypt, the Falcons of Sudan and the Djurtus of Guinea Bissau in Group D.

The Super Eagles starts its campaign in the tournament on January 11 with a date with Egypt in Garoua, Cameroon, that boasts  of the rave of the moment, Mohammed Salah and Mohammed Elneny, who ply their trade in the English Premier League with Liverpool and Arsenal Football Clubs respectively, before matches with Sudan and Guinea Bissau.

On paper, the major obstacle of the Super Eagles in the Group stages is Egypt, which has won Seven AFCON tournaments and had defeated the Super Eagles in their first match of 2010 AFCON in Angola by 3-1.

Since then, the path of both teams have not crossed in the AFCON tournament.

Sudan and Guinea Bissau could be said to be new foes of the Super Eagles in AFCON tournament, but they could pose a threat as there are no more minnows In African Football.

Pundits have predicted that either  Egypt or Nigeria would top the Group, stressing that both teams have the potential and the materials within their ranks to outshine their two other opponents, but in football you can never say never.

Soccer analysts had permutated that if Super Eagles qualify from the Group as winner or runner-up, the team still has a long walk ahead following the caliber of players other teams in the tournament have in stock.

AFCON defending champion, the Desert Warriors of Algeria, that is still basking from the euphoria of its 2021 Arab World Cup triumph in Qatar, is poised to retaining the trophy, as it has further bolstered its squad with in-form players, doing well for their respective Clubs in Europe.

According to Manchester City Football Club of England winger, Riyad Mahrez, “Algeria is coming into the AFCON tournament to retain it and add to it two previous AFCON trophies”.

Algeria defeated the Super Eagles in the Semi Final of the 2019 AFCON in Egypt courtesy of a last minute free kick converted by Mahrez, booking a date with the Senegal in the final, winning by Baghdad Boudnejad strike  its Second AFCON tournament.

The first ever AFCON glory of Algeria was recorded in 1990, when it defeated Nigeria 1-0 in Algiers, Algeria Capital.

The Teranga Lions of Senegal are adjudged the most Valuable Team at the tournament. They are also tipped as one of the nations to lift the trophy following their impressive run in the qualifiers and the performances of its players in their respective Clubs in Europe.

Senegal have never won the AFCON tournament in its history, and this could be best chance for this new generation of players in its fold to achieve the feat.

Having finished Runners-Up in AFCON 2002 in Mali and in 2019 in Egypt, Coach Aliou Cisse, an ex-international, that was part of the AFCON 2002 team retained the crops of players that represented the country three years ago in Egypt, injecting new ones.

Soccer analysts have predicted that this is a dream year for Senegal, just like the golden generation of Khalilou Fadiga, Henri Camara, Salif Diao, Bouba Diop, El-Hadji Diouf among others, the likes of Sadio Mane, Cheikh Kouyate, khalidou Koulibaly and other could give the country its first AFCON trophy.

The Atlas Lion of Morocco under the tutelage of Vahid Halilhodzic surprised many soccer fans with the omission of Chelsea Football Club midfielder, Hakim Ziyech from his team giving younger players the nod.

The team without Ziyech has been able to gel and get the needed results. They will also be aiming to add to their AFCON 1976 triumph.

Since the 1976 victory, the best the team had achieved was AFCON 2004 when it got to the final and lose to host, the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia 2-1.

Host, the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon, are no pushovers. It surprisingly defeated Egypt 2–1 in the final of 2017 AFCON to win the title for the fifth time. It would however be gunning to host and win, to follow the footsteps of Tunisia in 2004, Nigeria in 1980 and South Africa in 1996.

Coach Antonio Conceicao da Silva Oliveira of Cameroon would be basking on the qualification of his team to the 2022 Qatar FIFA World Cup Qualification Final Round in Africa, where it defeated its arch rival, the Elephants of Côte d’Ivoire to book a place in the final qualification series.

With the likes of Vincent Aboubakar, Chupo-Moting, Christian Bassagog, Clinton N’Jie and others, the Cameroon team may stun the rest of Africa.

In Group A, host, Cameroon will battle the Stallions of Burkina Faso, Blue Sharks of Cape Verde and the Walya Antelopes of Ethiopia.

The Teranga Lions of Senegal are in Group B with the Warriors of Zimbabwe, the Syli Nationale of Guinea and the Flames of Malawi.

Group C could be tagged the ‘Group of Death’, as Four time AFCON winner, the Black Stars of Ghana are grouped alongside, the Atlas Lions of Morocco, the Panthers tot Gabon and debutants, the Coelacanths of Comoros.

In Group D is the Super Eagles of Nigeria, the Pharaohs of Egypt, Falcons of Sudan and another debutants,  Djurtus of Guinea Bissau.

Defending Champion, Desert Warriors of Algeria; the Lone Stars of Sierra Leone; Elephants of Côte d’Ivoire and Nzalang National of Equatorial Guinea will be slugging it out in Group E.

Group F has the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia; the Eagles of Mali; the Scorpions of Gambia and the Al Murabitun of Mauritania make up the teams in Group F.

With the Africa Cup of Nations expanded from 16 to 24 teams since AFCON 2019, six venues are expected to be used across five Cameroonian cities.

The six stadiums selected to host matches are the Olembe Stadium and Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo in the capital Yaoundé; the Japoma Stadium in Douala; the Limbe Stadium in Limbe; the Kouekong Stadium in Bafoussam and the Roumde Adjia Stadium in Garoua.

The opening match of the tournament and the final are set to take place at the newly built 60,000 seater Olembe Stadium in Yaoundé.

The top two teams of each group, along with the best four third-placed teams, advance to the round of 16.

All hands are however on deck for the Continental showpiece.

Terrorism: Sarkin Fulani Berates Ortom Over Allegation Against Miyetti Allah

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar Bambado

By Akinwale Kasali

Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has come under criticism from the Sarkin Fulani of Lagos State and Chairman, Association of Fulani Chiefs in the South Western axis of Nigeria, His Royal Highness, Alhaji  Mohammed Abubakar Bambado, over his call on President Muhammadu Buhari to declare the Miyetti Allah as a Terrorist Group.

He dismissed Ortom’s call as ethnic profiling.

Bambado cautioned Ortom against generalisation and blanket ethnic profiling when making a statement on which group should be declared terrorists.

The Monarch stressed that the Miyetti Allah is a respectable, responsible socio-cultural, political and economic organization with recognized businesses that are constitutionally and legally allowed to operate in any sane clime across the world, adding that, the Association is also peopled by high profile personalities of impeccable character who have paid,  and are still paying their dues in the socio-political and economic survival of the country and beyond.

He added that  it is absurd, barbaric and unjust to group such reputable organization with bandits.

Bambado furthermore posited that it is nothing but an act of mischief, ignorance, laced with hatred, pointing out that while acts of banditry cut across ethnic tribes and those involved can be tagged as terrorists, he said the Miyetti Allah is a clear Fulani group and tagging its members as terrorists is nothing but pure ethnic profiling and is unacceptable.

He viewed the call as reckless and unguided. He is of  the conviction that any leader worth his salt is expected to consult widely, think deeply and weigh his utterances because of the implication any unguarded remark from him could cause in the society.

He said Ortom’s call is uncalled for at a time the country is passing through a volatile period.

The Monarch, therefore, urged all well-meaning Nigerians, home and abroad, to discountenance the governor’s call on the President to declare Miyetti Allah as a terrorist group, describing the call as meaningless and unguided vituperation from an uninformed person.

Tax On “Soft Drink”: NLC Kicks, Seeks Amendment of Law

By
Uche Mbah
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Carbonated Drinks in Nigeria

By Uche Mbah

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), has reacted to the Federal Government’s decision to introduce N10/litre tax on all non-alcoholic, carbonated and sweetened drinks.

Recall that Zainab Ahmed, Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, a couple of days ago,  said that these drinks, popular among, particularly, the masses of  Nigerians, will be taxed. This, according to her, is geared towards revenue drive for health related expenses.

But in a statement, Ayuba Wabba, President of NLC, said if that was the case, Government ought to have taxed sugar itself instead of its derivative. He, therefore, dismissed the reason as altruistic.

“Our concern is the mass hunger that would result from the slightest increase in the retail price of soft drinks owing to the imposition of excise duties as it would be priced beyond the reach of many Nigerians,” Wabba said.

“Congress was also alerted by the complaint of manufacturers of soft drinks in Nigeria that the re-introduction of excise duties would lead to a very sharp decline in sales, forced reduction in production capacity, and a certain roll back in investments with the certainty of job losses and possibly shut down of manufacturing plants.”

Other groups, like Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, MAN, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industries, LCCI, hinged their objections on potential loss of jobs.

Nwaba referred to the exit of Tyre companies from Nigeria, saying this was caused by similar tactless policies.

“Nigerians would recall that this was also the complaint of tyre manufacturing companies such as Dunlop and Michelin which was overlooked by the Government until the two companies relocated to neighbouring Ghana.

“A similar situation is playing out with the soft drinks manufacturing sub-sector. Government should pay attention.

“With 38% of the entire manufacturing output in Nigeria and 22.5% share representation of the entire manufacturing sector in Nigeria, the food and beverage industry is the largest industrial sub-sector in our country. The food and beverage sub-sector has generated to the coffers of government N202 billion as VAT in the past five years, N7.3 billion as Corporate Social Responsibility, and has created 1.5 million decent jobs both directly and indirectly.

“There is, thus, no gainsaying the fact that the industry is a golden goose that must be kept alive.”

He said the highlighted  health risks such tax will create would put many Nigerians at health risk.

“The appeal to rescind the re-introduction of excise duties on non-alcoholic drinks becomes even more compelling when the projected immediate revenue expected from the policy is weighed against the potential long-term loss to both Manufacturers and Government. The beverage sub-sector will lose 40% of its current sales revenue,” he added.

“This translates to a loss of N1.9 trillion. While the government will only make total projected receipts of N81 billion from the proposed re-introduction of the excise duties. The government also stands to lose N197 billion in VAT, Company Income Tax and Tertiary Education Tax as a consequence of the expected downturn in overall industry performance should the excise duties be effected as being planned”.

He appealed to the national assembly to amend the sections of the Finance Act that re-introduced the tax.

Ekiti 2022 : Only Eight Parties Ready For Primary Election – INEC

By
Ayodele Oni
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Independent National Electoral Commission

By Ayodele Oni

As political parties prepare for their Governorship Primary election in Ekiti State, the Independent National Electoral Commission,(INEC) has announced that only eight political parties have notified the Commission of their intentions to conduct primaries.

INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Dr Festus Okoye, disclosed that the parties are the Peoples Democratic Party,(PDP), All Progressives Congress,(APC), Action Alliance,(AA), African Democratic Congress,(ADC) and All Progressives Grand Alliance,(APGA).

Others are Allied People’s Movement,(APM), Peoples Redemption Party, (PRP) and African Action Congress,(AAC).

According to him, “So far, as at afternoon January 7, eight political parties have given the commission the statutory notice of their intention to conduct primaries for the purpose of nominating candidates for the Ekiti governorship election scheduled for June 16.

“By the Timetable and Schedule of Activities released by INEC, political parties seeking to nominate candidates must conduct their primaries between January 4 and 29.”

He explained that by section 85 of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended), every registered political party shall give the commission at least 21 days notice.

This include notice of convention, congress, conference or meeting convened for the purpose of electing members of its Executive Committees, other governing bodies or nominating candidates for any of the elective positions specified in the Act.

“Furthermore, by section 87 of the Electoral Act, a political party seeking to nominate candidates for elections under the Act shall hold primaries for the aspirants and this shall be through direct or indirect means.

“Political parties nominating candidates must ensure that they conduct valid primaries and the primaries must be conducted within the period designated by the commission in the timetable and schedule of activities.”

The National Commissioner urged political parties to pay  attention to and comply with the intendment, activities and timelines in the timetable and schedule of activities released by INEC for the Ekiti 2022 governorship election.

“Political parties are reminded that the access code for uploading the list and personal particulars of nominated candidates will be given to the national chairman of political parties nominating candidates.

“This will be available to political parties that conducted valid primaries in accordance with the constitution, the Electoral Act and the Guidelines and Regulations of the commission.”

IPOB Doesn’t Speak For The Igbo; Its Anger, Accumulated – Ohanaeze

By
The Source
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Prof George Obiozor - Ohanaeze President

By Charles Igbo

IPOB Has Declared War On Nigeria – ACF

The President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Professor George Obiozor, has said that the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, does not speak for the Igbo when its leadership speaks.

Obiozor spoke just as the Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, accused IPOB of a declaration of war in the country, and asked Igbo leaders to call them to order.

Obiozor spoke during an Arise Television programme on Friday, January 7, 2022.

He said that the IPOB anger is an accumulated one, but that while the anger of its members and that of most youths nationwide is understandable, IPOB does not speak for the Igbo.

Obiozor chided Northern Groups who attribute anything said by IPOB to the Igbo Nation, thereby, encouraging Northern youths to make inciting statements against the Igbo. He, particularly, pointed out when Northern youths asked all Igbo in the North to leave the region.

Obiozor: “Take it from me and, it is the right statement, IPOB doesn’t speak for the Igbo, and that is the truth.

“To be very candid with you, the IPOB anger is an accumulated anger based on perceived or real injustice against Ndigbo for so long.

“We understand their anger, and the anger of many youths across the country.

However, the truth of the matter is that they are not mandated to speak for Ndigbo.

“The Northern Groups that are making the statements are unfortunate because we don’t respond when their youths in their youthful exuberance make certain comments like they did before that all Igbo must leave the North.”

But the ACF has just accused IPOB of declaring a war in the country over IPOB’s recent ban of the National Anthem in schools and the transportation of livestock to the South-east.

In retaliation, a Northern group has, also, said the North would no longer buy anything brought to the region from the South-east.

The National Publicity Secretary of the ACF, Emmanuel Yawe, was reacting to the plan of the Amalgamated Union of Foodstuff and Cattle Dealers of Nigeria to ban the movement of foodstuffs  from the North to the South-east over the IPOB ban.

Yawe  said Nigeria was not at war and appealed to all well meaning Nigerians to call IPOB to order.

This will not be the first time the Union would embark on a blockade of foodstuffs to the South-east over INEC threat to ban the transportation of Cattle to the South-east.

Said Yawe: “We have appealed to this Union in the past when their members were attacked and some killed, and their property destroyed due to no fault of theirs.”

The blockade, at the time, triggered the skyrocketing in the prices of foodstuffs I’m the South.

In the instant case, Yawe said: “The concerns of the Union and their fears are justified. Somebody should call IPOB to order. We are not at war. We are still one country and not at war. Their pronouncements amount to an open declaration of war.”

There has been no reaction either from the Federal Government, or from Ohanaeze since the ban placed by IPOB on the National Anthem and the transportation of foodstuffs and Cattle from the North to the South-east.

Nnamdi Kanu: Ejimakor Challenges Buhari, As President Disappoints Amaechi; Ohanaeze Pleads

By
The Source
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0
Aloy Ejimakor

By Charles Igbo

Ninety Three – year old Mbazulike Amaechi must be a sad and depressed man. Mbazulike, a former Aviation Minister in the first Republic, suffered a shock given to him by President Muhammadu Buhari a couple of days ago.

The old man had led a delegation of some Igbo leaders, two months ago, to meet with Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Their main agenda was to plead with Mr President to release the leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from the custody of the Federal Government.

Since June 2021 when Kanu was arrested in Nairobi, Kenya, and brought back to Nigeria to face trial – a trial which was cut-short in 2017 when he bolted out of Nigeria to save his life during an invasion of his father’s Palace where he was, after he was granted bail by the Court – Kanu has been in the custody of the Department of State  Services, on the orders of an Abuja Federal High Court. He is being prosecuted by the  Federal Government on alleged sundry offences, including treasonable felony and terrorism.

During the visit by Elder statesman Amaechi and Co,  the old man had pleaded, passionately, to the President to release Kanu to  him as a last favour before his (Amaechi) death. He promised to control Kanu, and stop him from speaking the way he does.

Buhari made a loose promise. He told the delegation that difficult as the request was, he would consider it. And Amaechi left, satisfied.

Since that visit over two months ago, nothing has been heard from Buhari. Instead, the trial continued.

But, three days ago, Buhari commented on the Kanu case while fielding questions from Channel TV reporters.

Asked if he would release Kanu, and if so, when, Buhari’s answer was a categorical “no”. He insisted that Kanu’s case must run its full course in the Court. He said it is his policy  not to interfere in Judicial matters. He said that Kanu deserved his day in Court. He said Kanu had told a lot of lies against Nigeria, from abroad which he needed to prove in Court.

But irked by the President’s response, the Special Counsel to Kanu and IPOB, Alloy Ejimakor, has tackled Buhari. Ejimakor said that one day, soon, Buhari would be accountable to his promise to obey any judicial order on  Kanu.

Ejimakor: “Buhari’s remarks on releasing Nnamdi Kanu is two-faceted. Whereas he appears to have dimmed the prospects of an executive decision to release Kanu, he also said he has left it to the Judiciary  to decide.

“Buhari is, therefore, saying that he will respect and implement any judicial decision on Kanu, including an order for his release. This is not the first time he has said such a thing. He said it to Chief Mbazulike Amaechi when he made such  a request two months  ago.

“I hope a day will come, sooner than later, when Buhari will be held to his commitment and promise to respect any Judicial decision on the Kanu matter whether it is bail, mistrial, or outright unconditional release.”

But a more conciliatory reaction came from Professor George Obiazor, President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.

Speaking on Arise Television on Friday, Obiozor said the President cannot be faulted by saying that the case is in the Court, that it is a matter for the Judiciary, but he nevertheless, pleaded for mercy from Buhari. He asked for Kanu’s unconditional release.

He said: ” The President said that the matter is in Court, and you cannot fault it.

“There is division of labor at the Federal level where the Judiciary is independent. So, he is technically right to say that the case is already on.

“We are asking for something different from the Judiciary, and we are asking him to consider his prerogative. Also, the idea of treating him with mercy as a son and citizen, to be considerate and compassion.

“We are not talking about the Judiciary. If he takes the Judiciary route, he is taking the right route logically, but then, away from what we are talking. We are appealing for mercy, and some form of amnesty.”

Before the President’s position, Attorney General of the Federation and Minister for Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, had given an inkling that there will be no such intervention by the Executive in Kanu’s case.

This Magazine gathered that from a source at the Presidency that “Buhari is angry over Kanu’s personal insult of him, especially, insisting that he was dead, and that Nigeria is being ruled by an ‘al Sudani’ from Sudan. He is also angry that Kanu dismisses Nigeria as a zoo, and cannot get over Kanu’s alleged instructions which went viral, during the EndSARS protest, to IPOB members to kill and behead Security personnels.”

Kanu is being prosecuted in the Court of the Hon. Justice Binta Nyako.

Nigeria Now Generates 13,000 Negawatts of Power – FG

By
Uche Mbah
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Garba Shehu

By Uche Mbah

A Presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, says that the Buhari administration has surmounted obstacles created by the Jonathan administration to generate 13,000 megawatts of electricity.

Nigeria has been reeling under the burden of power generation and distribution resulting in the unbundling of the power sector into Generation, Distribution and Transmission. Government clung to transmission while private investors bought into generation and distribution.

Speaking during an interview on Sunrise Daily, a Channels Television programme, Friday, Shehu said Government has improved generation by 200 times.

According to him, Government inherited “a reckless privatisation of the power sector, done by the Goodluck Jonathan administration” , but can now generate up to 5,000 megawatts more power.

“The situation on ground constrained the government and the party from delivering as much more than what we have. As we speak today we have doubled power availability in the country,” he said.

“In terms of generation, it has improved 200 times. We have the capacity to generate more than 13,000 of power. The uptake is up to 5,000 as we speak now. That is not the best but it’s an improvement on the 2,500 megawatts that we inherited.

“We aspire to do 20,000 or 30,000 megawatts of power. We haven’t done that but we have launched 19,000 availability. It’s remarkable, why don’t we look inwards and use out the 13,000 that are available. A lot of power is generated and wasted in some cases.

“This Government inherited a reckless privatisation process, which the president said in the interview that it was largely driven by the need to gratify political interest.”

Considering the still very epileptic power supply, not a few Nigerians doubt Garba’s claim.”

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