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2023: Igbo Group Backs Tinubu

By
Bayo Bernard
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Bola Tinubu
Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu

By James Orji

An Igbo group, South-East Destiny Movement for Bola Ahmed Tinubu 2023 has joined the teeming supporters of the former Lagos Governor asking him to contest next year’s presidential election.

The position of the group negates that of opinion leaders, politicians and professionals who said the presidency should be zoned to the region for the sake of equity, due to the fact the region has not produced the president since the return to democracy in 1999.

On Tuesday, Ayin Pius Anyim, a former Secretary to the Government of the federation, SGF and presidential hopeful urged the major political parties in the country to zone the position to the south east.

Speaking on the controversial power shift issue, the Convener, SDMBAT, Chief Ekene Enefe, said Tinubu has paid his due as versatile politician whose service is required to turn the country around at this critical time.

Anyim Pius Anyim
Anyim: A Presidential Hopeful

The group said it has painstakingly assess the capacity of Tinubu who is also the National Leader of the ruling APC to govern the country successfully if given the chance become the president, noting that the politician is a detribalized Nigerian who has assisted many people to top political positions, without considering tribe or religion.

According to Enefe, “we are supporting him because what Nigeria needs in a president is capacity, competence and national acceptability.

“What we need in Nigeria is a good leader, who is informed and who can harness and allocate the resources of this country equitably.

“We cannot continue to advocate for a president based on ethnicity. There was a time when people from the South-East occupied good positions in government, but it did not translate into improved infrastructure in the region.

“As a matter of fact, some of the champions of the president from South-East extraction are doing it for selfish reasons. How have they used their former opportunities to better the lots of the people in their immediate environment?” he said.

He stated further that a massive mobilization is ongoing across the south east to ensure that the former governor achieves his ambition to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023.

“We are in touch with every community in the South-East; we have been existing and decided to provide our platform for BAT, because he represents a better opportunity for the APC and better leadership for Nigeria, because of his proven experience,” he said.

Meanwhile, a top presidency aspirant from the south east has appealed to the ruling APC, PDP and “all the political parties to take the fair, just and equitable decision to zone their Presidential slots to the South, particularly the South-East”.

Covid-19: Health Group Charts Priority Areas For Equitable Post Pandemic World

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Lola Dare

By Akinwale Kasali

At a time when different Variants of Covid-19 Pandemic is ravaging the world, the Centre for Health Sciences Training, Research and Development, CHESTRAD, a non-government and not-for-profit organisation has charted eight priority areas to be focused on in the next three years for engagement as part of the post COVID-19 pandemic recovery strategy.

The advocacy initiative under the new strategic plan places priority on “equity, inclusion, and solidarity” with focus on primary health care (PHC) through expansion of partnerships; especially with the private sector to expand resource base for growth and sustainability.

The strategic plan hopes to consolidate partnerships with a wide range of stakeholders including citizens and duty bearers to demand and entrench equitable access to health delivery and effective response to public health emergencies in the global south.

Unveiling the plan in a statement, CHESTRAD Global President, Dr. Lola Dare, promised her organisation’s readiness to forge ahead with the “new strategic plan with Great Expectations that COVID19 build back investments will thoughtfully re-imagine the inter-dependence required to end the pandemic and to achieve global health development goals in Africa”.

According to her, the organisation “will continue to strengthen its operational procedures and thought leadership at global and regional levels through partnerships of shared value and mutual respect. CHESTRAD Global will focus on attainment of globally recognized benchmarks, including those established by the International Aids Transparency Initiative (IATI) amongst others”.

The statement draws attention to the successes of previous engagements under 2018 – 2021 strategic plan in terms of making thought leadership and voices for change in the global south heard on global health and development debates in terms of “country determined priorities, equity, blended financing, democratized access to data and learning” in the quest for effective implementation of Millennium Development Goals (MDG) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). Drawing on the huge lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic in terms of poor access to health care and economic disruptions with attendant impacts of the social media on citizens, policy and public trust as a result of infodemic, CHESTRAD has repositioned for short and long term strategies relevant in “identifying fit-for-purpose dynamic interventions at global, regional, and country (including sub-national levels) and across four iterative phases of a pandemic viz; Rescue, Recover, Restore and Reimagine”. Strategic repositioning becomes imperative in providing effective and efficient responses to communicable diseases such as cholera, lassa fever, malaria, HIV, diarrheal diseases considering that African “health systems are very fragile, fragmented with investments dominated by globally determined priorities rather than locally felt or prioritized needs.”

Within the strategic framework (2022 -2025), CHESTRAD will forge partnership for multi-sector interventions with focus on: expanding access to financial services for women and young persons as a key component of COVID19 bounce back investments and financial risk protection to achieve health SDGs; and positioning blended financing remains centre stage, including de-risking investments in health and education, expanding access of country and regional based organizations to both social impact investments and grants.

It will also democratize access to, and use of, technology, information management and data science as well re-define global solidarity and diplomacy for health and development, using the global advocacy for ‘vaccine equity’ as a test case of her commitment to shared humanity.

AFCON 2022: Cyril Dessers To Replace Ighalo, As Al Shabab Refuses To Release Him For Nigeria

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Super Eagles at Teslim Balogun Stadium

By Akinwale Kasali

2019 African Cup of Nations highest goal scorer, Odion Ighalo, may not represent the Super Eagles of Nigeria at the 2022 AFCON tournament in Cameroon if feelers from the Super Eagles camp in Garoua, Cameroon is anything to go by.

Ighalo is still trapped in an imbroglio with his Saudi Arabia Club Side, Al Shabab over contractual agreement.

It was gathered that Ighalo was not released by his Saudi Arabia club Al Shabab owing to contractual reasons.

Before joining the White Lion from Shanghai Shenhua in 2021, the former Manchester United Football Club of England striker signed a clause that he would not be involved in international duties.

Prior to that move, Ighalo had announced his retirement from the Nigeria national team, however, he was recalled by former Super Eagles Coach, Gernot Rohr as the German moved to solve the Super Eagles’ worrisome attacking line.

As it stands, the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF,  Confederation of African Football, CAF and Federation of International Football Association, FIFA, are in talks with the Prince Khalid bin Sultan Stadium giants.

Except for any late consideration by the Saudi side, the Lagos-born goal poacher will be missing in action when Augustine Eguavoen’s men take on the rest of Africa in their quest for a fourth African title.

As it stands, Feyenoord Football Club of Holland striker, Cyril Dessers may be called upon to lead the Super Eagles attack as a last minute option for Interim Coach, Eguavoen.

After naming his 28-Man team on Christmas Day, Four players pulled out of the tournament due to injuries, Covid 19 and fangs baring of Watford Football Club led to the opting out of Emmanuel Bonaventure Dennis.

If Ighalo is not released by the Saudi Club Side, the number of players that opted out will soar to Five.

Before now, Dessers who is superb form at the moment in the Dutch Eredivise League and as also been banging goals for his Club in Europe Competition, was part of the players who were tipped to make the list.

Unfortunately, he couldn’t make the cut. As it stands now, his hope for playing for the Super Eagles at the top stage could become a reality if Ighalo doesn’t make the cut and he is called upon as a replacement.

Dessers was Born in Belgium to a Belgian father and Nigerian mother, Dessers chose to represent Nigeria at the international level in December 2019.

He was called up by the Nigeria national team in March 2020 as part of the team invited for the AFCON qualifying fixtures against the Sierra Leone national team.

Having failed to play in that showdown, he waited until October before making his bow in a friendly 1–1 draw with Tunisia in Austria.

2023: SE PDP Endorses Anyim; As He Says Not Zoning Presidency to SE, A Burden On Nation’s Conscience

By
The Source
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Anyim Pius Anyim

Zonal and State executives of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as well as select political leaders and elders from the Southeast have endorsed the presidential aspiration of the former Senate President, Anyim Pius Anyim.

This is as Anyim said that not zoning the Presidential seat to the South will be a burden on the Nation’s Conscience.

The endorsement took place at a briefing and consultative session hosted by Anyim, a former Senate President and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), in Enugu on Thursday.

The political leaders from across Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states, said they were endorsing Anyim taking “due cognizance of his precious record of distinguished and unblemished service as President of the Senate and Secretary to the Government of the Federation.”

The PDP zonal leaders and elders said in all the positions, Anyim distinguished himself as a detribalized statesman, consensus builder and true nationalist.

In a ten-point resolution issued at the end of the meeting, and signed by Senator Theodore Orji, former Governor of Abia State, who also chaired the session and Chief Duru-Iheoma, SAN, former chairman of PDP in Imo State, the Southeast PDP stakeholders reiterated that the people of the geo-political zone “have earned the right to occupy the office of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2023 on account of their eminent qualifications and overwhelming contributions to the development of all parts of the federation through the years.

They said because of that: “the choice of a South East citizen as presidential candidate of the party in 2023 will guarantee to every Nigerian a sense of equity, justice and inclusion in the management of the affairs of the nation.  In our view, this is the best way of ensuring that we build a nation that leaves no one or group behind.”

The resolution further read: “On account of the foregoing, we congratulate Senator Anyim Pius Anyim for the patriotism of his decision to offer himself for national service by aspiring to contest in the 2023 Presidential race.

“We take due cognizance of his precious record of distinguished and unblemished service as President of the Senate and Secretary to the Government of the Federation. In these positions, he distinguished himself as a detribalized statesman, consensus builder and true nationalist.

“We, therefore, unanimously endorse his aspiration with all conviction and enthusiasm and eagerly commend him to the rest of the nation as a worthy leader who will pilot the affairs of the nation towards greater security, unity and prosperity for all citizens.

“In furtherance of the foregoing, we hereby oblige Senator Anyim his request that we all join him to persuade and reassure every part of the country to do justice to the South East and thereby promote equity and justice as core values of our nation.

“In assuring Senator Anyim of our support for his aspiration, we wish to also extend the same hand of support and solidarity to all qualified and deserving sons and daughters of our zone with similar aspiration and who reach out to us as Senator Anyim has done.

“It is our solemn appeal to all the peoples of the South East zone to remain steadfast in the hope that we can all join hands in solidarity with all other parts of the federation to build a prosperous nation founded on democracy, equity and inclusion to the benefit of this great nation.”

In his speech, Anyim said he is stepping out with a sense of humility, as a Nigerian with patriotic fervour, considerable knowledge of Nigeria – its diversities and current challenges; and so properly equipped with clarity of the needed solutions.

“Let me elaborate; as a young officer, at the then Directorate of Social Mobilization, I understood the need for value orientation as a tool for instilling patriotism.

“I was also schooled to appreciate the value of social justice, equity and fairness as building blocks for social harmony and inclusion.

“As a young politician I imbibed the founding vision of the PDP as a grassroot movement that would provide leadership that will respect the rule of law, ensure that power belongs to the people and deliver national cohesion and inclusiveness through good governance.

“I have been privileged to understand our national problems and appreciate their enormity and peculiarities in the last 21 years from my vantage positions in both the legislative and the executive arms of government.

“Therefore, I have a clear view of the task ahead as well as the solutions needed to advance the cause of our country.

“My records as President of the Senate and as Secretary to the Government of the Federation clearly show that I am more interested in building strong institutions than seeking enhancement of personal power or position.

“My records show effective and efficient management of the nation’s diversity on the basis of equity, justice, fairness and inclusiveness.

“I am a committed believer in the rule of law; and will always promote and protect the sanctity of lives as well as the rights and liberties of all citizens.

“My decision is a product of some years of prayers, reflections and introspection on not just my capacity and preparedness to take on the task ahead, but also deep thoughts on our national challenges and the solutions they demand.”

Anyim who reiterated his earlier position that he will contest whether the presidency is zoned to the South or not, however said if the presidency is zoned to South East, it will satisfy the just demand of equity and fairness.

“If it is not zoned to the South East, it will remain a burden on the conscience of the nation.

“Let me therefore at this point join all wellmeaning Nigerians to appeal to all the political parties to take the fair, just and equitable decision to zone their presidential slots to the South particularly the South East.”

Present at the meeting were all the zonal and state executives of the PDP, Senator T.A. Orji, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Dr. Ali Odefa, PDP National Vice Chairman, Southeast, Iyom Josephine Anenih, Senator Obinna Ogba, Dr. Frank Nweke, Prof. Elochukwu Amucheazi, Nze Ozichukwu Chukwu, Senator Emma Nwaka, Senator Chuka Utazi, among others.

Ondo’s New Anti Corruption Bill, Attempt To Shield Akeredolu From Probe – PDP

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

The People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) in Ondo State has said its threat to drag Governor Rotimi Akeredolu to the anti graft agency gave birth to a new anti graft law currently before the State House of Assembly.

PDP spokesman, Kenedy Peretei, in a statement on Thursday, stated that ” The Ondo State House of Assembly under the incompetent and rudderless leadership of Rt. Honourable David Oloyelogun has perfected plans to hurriedly pass the Ondo State Anti-corruption bill forwarded to the State Assembly on 23rd December, 2021.

“Barring any last minute intervention, the bill will be passed into law this week.

“Tagged  ‘A Bill for a law to establish the Ondo State Public Complaints, Financial Crime and Anti-corruption Commission and others connected thereto 2021’ was carefully crafted to give sweeping  exclusive powers to the Agency in matters of corruption in the State.

“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ondo State Chapter is in full support of institutional framework to stamp out corruption in the State, if only the intentions are genuine and transparently honest.

“The Rotimi Akeredolu government has in several ways demonstrated that, it is irredeemably soaked in the sea of corruption, especially his family.

“He can, therefore, not go behind the door to institute laws as subterfuge for his activities to circumvent the law.

“Sections 14(3) and 14(4) of the proposed law states inter alia “The Commission shall upon the commencement of this law, take over the investigation of all Anti-corruption and Financial crimes cases involving the finances and assets of Ondo State Government being ;investigated by any other agency”.

“Section 14(4) states; “the agency shall cause an investigation to be conducted into the properties of any public servant (s) within the jurisdiction of the state; if it appears to the Commission that the person’s life style and extent of the properties are not justified by the person’s legitimate source of income”.

“The powers given to the Attorney General of the State to regulate the operations of the Commission, if the bill is passed all point to a subtle legal cover to do more unthinkable damage to the treasury of the state.

“Given the antecedents of David Oloyelogun and the  Ondo State 9th Assembly, there is nothing to expect other than a speedy passage of this bill.

“But we owe it a duty to inform the Ondo State people of this new move to provide cover for criminality.”

The opposition PDP had early this week announced that it would drag Governor Akeredolu to the Economic, Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) over the ownership of some companies being used by the Governor to receive contracts from government.

The Commissioner for Information, Mr Donald Ojogo, in a response, said that State government was not afraid of the PDP move.

Oyo State Government’s Support Earns Ibadan Polytechnic Re-Accreditation

By
Akinwale Kasali
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By Akinwale Kasali

The Ibadan Polytechnic has enjoyed the maximum support from the Governor Seyi Makinde led Oyo State Government following the re-accreditation of 11 Courses to the institution.

The State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatunbosun, on Thursday, made the revelation, disclosing the impact and efforts made for the actualisation of this feat during the 2020/2021 orientation program for fresh students of the polytechnic Ibadan, held at Institution on Thursday.

He identified the courses recently re-accredited as: civil Engineering; Building Technology; Insurance; Marketing; Purchasing and Supply; Mass Communication; Local Government studies; Business Administration and Supply; Geological Technology; Mechatronics; Library and Information Science.

Olatunbosun also added that the institution has enjoyed affiliation with professional bodies, which in turn has given students from Urban and Regional Planning; Quantity Surveying; and Accountancy leverage in the labour market.

Olatunbosun said Governor Makinde’s government since inception earmarked hundreds of million for the polytechnic to get renewal of accreditation for its courses, while also expressing delight that the National Board for Technical Education had granted approval to the polytechnic’s annexes for a few outstanding courses.

He therefore urged the Institution’s authorities to incorporate more entrepreneurial programmes in its curriculum, noting that this will facilitate economic advancement in the state, and the country.

While underscoring the need for the institution to ensure quality content and capacity building in all its programmes, Olatunbosun emphasised that the present administration is committed to the rejigging of all state institution’s curricula, such that it will enable students of the institutions to become job creators after graduation.

The Commissioner pointed at the present administration’s commitment to a paradigm shift, away from the design of African method of education, where people were trained to come out and search for white-collar jobs.

Seyi Makinde
Governor Seyi Makinde

Discussing the topic, “civic responsibilities of a citizen in this democratic dispensation in Oyo state”, the commissioner said that the students’ role in building a society cannot not under-palyed.

He urged the students to strive and create a niche for themselves from day one of their studies, in order to attain success in life.

He however charged the students to put in their own quota, as the state government has always supported youths in the state through many lofty policies.

Speaking earlier, the Head of department, Public Administration, Dr. Risikat Akinseye, said that the essence of the orientation program for the students is to educate them on how to be successful in their chosen career.

She said that the program will also help to put the students right on their duties in the society, which is being able to stand for the good of the society.

Dr. Risikat Akinseye advised the students not to cut corners in order to be able to defend their certificate and to avoid unnecessary distraction which can make them a failure.

Highlights of the program was the showcase of musical talents by students of the institution.

Oromoni: Timi Frank Slams LASG Over Clearance Of Dowen College Students

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0

By Akinwale Kasali

The Lagos State Director of Public Presentation, DPP, has come under strong criticism from Timi Franks, over the clearance of the five students of Dowen College, Lekki, Lagos.

Franks, a Political activist,  condemned the clearance of the students and their teachers over Oromoni.

The former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in a statement in Abuja, said the autopsy reports on which the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) of Lagos State, Adetutu Osinusi, based his advice to clear them were not only hastily done but highly suspicious.

He called on all fathers and mothers in the country to rise up and demand justice for late Oromoni Jr and his grieving parents.

According to him, “it is Sylvester Oromoni Jr today. It can be any other person tomorrow, hence the need to join in the crusade to stamp out cruelty, barbarism and violence from our school system.”

The activist who is also the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP), Ambassador to East Africa and Middle East, wondered why the Presidency as well as the National Assembly have been silent on a case of apparent murder of a young boy now being swept under the carpet.

He wondered if the Federal Government would have been silent on the matter had the victim been the son of a highly placed government officials.

He said: “We cannot all close our eyes to this apparent coverup in the investigation and exoneration of suspects named in the death of Oromoni Jr.

“The least we all expected of the Lagos State Government was to ensure a thorough and unbiased investigation of the incident, and prosecute those responsible, if any.

“Today, Oromoni Jr’s death has been added to the growing number of mysterious deaths. What a shame!”

He called on the Senate and House of Representatives to cause a public hearing on the matter where the suspects and parents of the deceased would defend themselves before Nigerians.

He insisted that the death of Oromoni Jr would hunt the perpetrators and their collaborators for life should justice be compromised in this manner.

“If the Federal and Lagos State governments fail to ensure justice in this case, Oromoni Jr ans his family will surely get justice from God as the prayers of the family will be answered one day,” he said.

He condoled with the parents and family of the deceased and urged them to fight on till the true circumstances surrounding the death of their son is unraveled and justice served.

Ekiti Varsity Outlaws Indecent Dressings, Imposes Sanctions

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Ekiti State University

By Ayodele Oni

Ekiti State University, (EKSU) on Thursday announced a ban on indecent dressing among students as it resumes for the continuation of first semester examination.

The institution had, in 2021, banned riding of exotic cars on the campus by students and threatened to impound vehicles of those that violate the order.

The University, in a statement, explained that some students dress as if they are going to nite clubs and relaxation centres.

The statement, signed by the Acting Dean, Students Affairs, Prof O. L Ademilua, pointed out that “The mode of dressing on campus by some of our students stand decency on the head.

“It has  become embarrassing to the university community as well as eyesores that need be addressed once and for all.

“There has being  a marked departure from the standard university culture that need to be checkmated for our campus scenes and sociality to compete favourably with its contemporaries worldwide.

“It has now become necessary to effectively checkmate indecent dressings which is anti thetical to the ethics and code of conducts of the university students, both at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

“In furtherance of these, the  Vice Chancellor has  approved that some dressing modes / postures have been forbidden on the university campus with effect from Monday 10th January, 2022.

“To underscore the importance attached to this directive, graphics have also been produced on large format banner for display on locations within the main campus as well as its Part time / predegree satellites at Ifaki and Irasa.

“The security department has been empowered to arrest and arraign culprits before the students disciplinary committee as having breached the university regulations on indecent dressings.

“It is hoped that all students would take note of these and comply to avoid the appropriate penalties.

Thank you and welcome back from the Xmas and New Year break.”

Breaking: Fidelity Bank, Others Syndicate N9bn Loan To Pastor Bakare

By
Bayo Bernard
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0

By Fola James

Fidelity Bank Plc and four other commercial banks in the country syndicated the N9 billion loan to build the modern church auditorium of the Citadel Global Community Church, owned by popular tele-evangelist Pastor Tunde Bakare.

The fiery man of God made the revelation following the controversy that has trailed the church’s refusal to service the loan owed Wema Bank Plc, one of its creditors. It was initially reported that the whopping loan was secured from Wema Bank.

But speaking for the first time since the controversy broke, the man of God said the funds used to build the church came from President Muhammadu Buhari and loan from five commercial banks in the country.

Pastor Bakare said the church has already cleared part of the loans to two out of the five banks, adding that the church was in the process of clearing what it owed Fidelity Bank Plc.

He further explained that Wema Bank and one other bank have restructured their loans to the church.

Pastor Bakare revealed on Thursday that, “Citadel was financed by 5 banks, no Govt money, not one dime. The only person in government who gave us money was BUHARI – the N5m I mentioned earlier……Even the loans we took, we didn’t take a penny into account, they were paid directly to contractors”

“Out of the 5 banks, we have paid 2 off”, he said.

He added that “we are on the 3rd one now ie Fidelity. We have paid off Unity bank and UBA. We are paying fidelity now….two other banks have restructured the facility so that instead of 2 years, it is now 5 years where we can pay in installments”

The commercial bank at the centre of the loan saga, Wema Bank Plc stated last week that it had no problem with the debtor, and no plan to take over the church as was being speculated.

In a terse statement titled ‘Pastor Tunde Bakare: Wema Bank Denounces False Report’ and signed by the managing director/chief executive officer of the Bank, Ademola Adebise, the Bank said Pastor Bakare has maintained a credible relationship with it as a customer and there was no basis for Wema Bank to contemplate any action to humiliate him.

Adebise, said: “I would want to address the recent news in the public space regarding our customer and in particular the main promoter Pastor Tunde Bakare.

“While we are constrained by the reason of confidentiality to respond in details to this publication, we however want to confirm that the customer has maintained a credible relationship with our bank and there is no basis for us to contemplate any action to humiliate our customer.

“Furthermore, we will like to reassure our shareholders and customers that the bank has and will continue to operate with the highest level of corporate governance, following all rules, policies and procedures.”

IPOB: Buhari Explains Why Kanu Will Rot in Detention

By
Bayo Bernard
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0
Nnamdi Kanu and his Lawyer

By James Orji

Ahead the resumed trial of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB Nnamdi Kanu, on January 19, hope that President Muhammadu Buhari will grant him amnesty has suddenly disappeared.

A Federal High Court in Abuja presided over by Justice Binta Nyako, last November, adjourned the trial of the detained IPOB leader to this month, since then pressure has been mounted on the federal government, by prominent south east leaders to grant him amnesty.

Kanu was arrested in Nairobi, Kenya in July last year by INTERPOL who later handed him over to the Nigerian government. He has been on trial since then.

But, a delegation of Igbo leaders visited the president in Aso Rock, Presidential Villa, last October where they appealed to him to release their son. Their plea comes on the insecurity rocking the region due to Kanu’s continued detention. Buhari said then he will consider their request.

But speaking on Channels Television on Wednesday, President Buhari said he will not interfere in the trial of the controversial IPOB leader. The president said he will allow his trial to go on because doing otherwise would amount to interfering with the judiciary.

Buhari said Kanu, who is being tried for treason among other crimes, must account for his action. According to him, Kanu has been given the opportunity to defend himself against all allegations levelled against him.

Igbo leaders under the aegis of Highly Respected Igbo Greats have appealed to the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), to ensure the release of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra’s leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

On October 19 2021, Igbo leaders under the aegis of Highly Respected Igbo Greats, led by First Republic parliamentarian and former Minister of Aviation, 93-year-old Mbazulike Amaechi, appealed to the president to release Kanu during a visit to Aso Rock, Nigeria’s seat of power.

Other members of the delegation include former Governor of Anambra State, Chukwuemeka Ezeife, Bishop Sunday Onuoha of the Methodist Church, former President of Igbo socio-cultural group, Aka Ikenga, Goddy Uwazurike and Tagbo Amaechi.

Buhari later told the leaders that their unconditional release of the IPOB leader, who is currently standing trial, runs contrary to the doctrine of separation of powers between the executive and judiciary. The president however said he will consider their request.

Buhari said, “You’ve made an extremely difficult demand on me as the leader of this country. The implication of your request is very serious. In the last six years, since I became President, nobody would say I have confronted or interfered in the work of the judiciary.

“God has spared you (referring to the ex-minister), and given you a clear head at this age, with a very sharp memory. A lot of people half your age are confused already. But the demand you made is heavy. I will consider it.”

Also speaking on Kanu’s matter on Tuesday, Abubakar Malami, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, said the federal government will consider public interest in deciding the fate of the IPOB leader.

On the issue of “Kanu, what would as well govern the decision of the President in terms of whatever request is presented is the public interest as against limited sectional interest of it,” Malami said.

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