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Akwa Ibom 2023: Brewing Crisis, As Udom Anoints Umo Eno As His Successor

By
Akinwale Kasali
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By Akinwale Kasali

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel, has put an end to permutations and speculations by political observers on who would  succeed him when he leaves the saddle in 2023.

Emmanuel, going against the norm, brazenly announced that his Commissioner for Lands and Water Resources, Umo Eno will succeed him in office.

He made the announcement of his anointed successor at the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Stakeholders’ Meeting held over the weekend at the Governor’s Lodge, in Uyo, the State Capital.

The Governor had earlier said he was seeking the face of God before  announcing his anointed successor.

Obong Victor Attah, the former Governor of the State, formally presented Eno to the Stakeholders which comprise major and leading political chieftains from the three Senatorial Districts, who all applauded the choice and pledged to work towards his emergence as the Governor of the State come 2023.

The choice of Eno by Governor Udom has, however, sparked outrage from some members of the PDP in the State who are also nursing Governorship ambition and have made their intention known to the Governor.

It was gathered that many stakeholders stormed out of the venue following the Governor’s announcement. It came as a surprise to many of them who never had the premonition that the essence of the stakeholders meeting was the endorsement of Eno as Governor of the State come 2023.

Onofiok Luke, Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Judiciary and former Speaker of Akwa Ibom House of Assembly, walked out of the event and issued a preliminary statement afterwards.

Luke in the statement said he was not aware of the agenda of the meeting but attended out of respect, to honour the Governor’s invitation.

Expressing his displeasure at the lack of consultation with other notable aspirants who had declared interest in the Governorship race, he said, “I’m not against their endorsement, and I’m not against the elders of the state. But I’m saying the endorsement could have happened after proper consultation.

“I went to Obong Attah and asked him respectfully, why didn’t you talk to all of us who are in this race? Why didn’t you talk to Senator Bassey Albert? Why didn’t you talk to Akan Udofia? Why didn’t you talk to Akan Okon? Why didn’t you talk to James Iniama? It was Obong Attah that made the presentation, not the Governor.

“I was ambushed. I didn’t know the agenda of the meeting but I had to respect the Governor and attended the meeting. For three good times, I raised my hand, seeking to be allowed to speak, but I was ignored.

“We would have loved their endorsement but that would have been after due consultation. But whoever they would endorse should be the choice of the majority of people in the state

“So, for me as Onofiok Akpan Luke, I am in the governorship race. I am going to stand election on the platform of my party, the PDP. I am not part of that endorsement at all.

“But I respect their views; I respect the opinion and choice of the governor. I respect Obong Victor Attah and the opinion of the elders of the state. It is their choice. I only respect their opinion; but I am not in support of what they are doing” Hon. Luke stated declared.

Also, Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Economic Development and Ibom Deep Seaport, Akan Okon, who is equally a frontline Governorship aspirant, as well as the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Ini Emembong, were absent at the meeting and have since declared their intention to go ahead with their Governorship ambition plan.

With the unveiling of Eno as his successor, there is presently discordant tunes in the State PDP fold, as well as in the Cabinet of the Governor. The Party is already polarized, which will in turn affect the chances of the Party at the polls in 2023.

Political observers say the Governor needs to address the brewing crisis by bringing on board all warring parties for there to be peace  within the Party stakeholders as they go to the polls.

The stakeholders meeting that led to the endorsement of Eno had in attendance the Deputy Governor, Moses Ekpo, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Bassey, Senators Akon Eyakenyi, Effiong Bob, Ibok Essien, Aloysius Etok, former Deputy Governor, Etim Okpoyo, Member, representing Etinan Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, Onofiok Luke, PDP Party Chairman, Elder Aniekan Akpan and Barrister Emmanuel Enoidem, the National Coordinator of the Maintain Peace Movement, (MPM) .

Other were Bishop Uma Ukpai and the Prelate Emeritus of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, Dr. Sunday Mbang, Hon Pat Ifon, member representing Eket Federal Constituency at the National Assembly and member, PDP BOT, Chief Nduese Essien, a former Minister of Housing, Ambassador Assam Assam, SAN, Nigeria’s former Ambassador to Russia , Fathers of Faith, and other leading members of the State’s political class.

PDP Accuses Umahi of Unleashing Terror on Opposition in Ebonyi State

By
The Source
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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has accused Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi, of unleashing terror on innocent Nigerians. The party said that Umahi unleashes his terror, especially, on opposition PDP members and other dissenting voices in Ebonyi State.

Instructively, Umahi shot into limelight on the ticket of the PDP, and is a two-time Governor, today, on the banner of the party.

However, he inexplicably defected to the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the first quarter of his second term in office, on the excuse that the PDP by not zoning (yet) its 2023 Presidential ticket to the South-east, has not been fair to the Zone. He has just declared interest, under the APC, in running for the Presidential seat even though, like the PDP, APC has not officially zoned the seat to the South-east.

In a statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Debo Ologunagba, the party said it is alarmed by reports that Governor Umahi is using a heavily armed killer squad, currently disguising under the “Ebube Agu” security outfit, as a political weapon to arrest, attack and inflict grievous bodily harm on Nigerians, and particularly PDP members in Ebonyi State.

Said the statement “Since Governor Umahi made the error in his devastating adventure of moving from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC) where he is unrecognized and frustrated, he has reportedly resorted to terrorizing innocent Nigerians, especially PDP members in a desperate bid to create fear, panic and siege mentality on citizens of Ebonyi State as a prelude to rigging the 2023 general elections.

“The PDP invites Nigerians to note how Governor Umahi instigated the illegal arrest of the Ebonyi State Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Nwoba Chika Nwoba, and kept him in detention without justification on the strength of a draconian law that did not pass through the established due process of lawmaking.

“Just recently, a prominent member of the PDP and former member the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Linus Abaa Okorie, was declared wanted by Governor Umahi without any accusation or charges levelled against him.

“Our Party vehemently rejects such violation of Fundamental Human Rights going on in Ebonyi State and calls on Nigerians to hold Governor Umahi and the APC responsible for acts of violence and terrorism in Ebony State.

“The PDP also calls for the immediate and unconditional release of our State Publicity Secretary in Ebonyi State as well as other innocent Nigerians reportedly detained in various facilities in the State.

“As a Party, we urge President Muhammadu Buhari, the National Security Adviser and the Police High Command to immediately step into the situation which is a serious threat to the security of Ebonyi State in particular and that of the nation in general.

“This is because any breakdown of law and order in Ebonyi State will have a ripple effect on the fragile security situation in the entire South East region of the country and beyond.

“Governor Umahi must be called to order. He must learn to live with the consequences of his ill-advised decision. He committed a political suicide by joining a party of “political bandits” and “warlords” where he has no future and should not vent his frustration on other Nigerians.

“In any case, the PDP wants Governor Umahi and the APC to know that no amount of intimidations, harassments, threats and attacks will bend the will of the people in their resolve to vote out the APC in 2023.”

Uzodimma commiserates With Nnadi, Editor Sunday Sun On Wife’s Death

By
The Source
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Hope Uzodinma

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has commiserated with the Editor of Sunday Sun, Mr. Chidi Nnadi, on the death of his beloved wife, Mrs. Hope Kelechi Nnadi, Nee Ejeka.

Mrs. Nnadi died in a Lagos hospital, aged 50.

A statement by Governor Uzodimma’s Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser, Oguwike Nwachuku, said his Principal was saddened over the death of Mrs. Nnadi at such a young age.

Governor Uzodimma added that it is a pity Mrs. Nnadi also died when the family and society needed her services  most, describing the circumstances of her passing as unfortunate.

The Governor, particularly, expressed his heart-felt sympathy to the deceased’s husband and children, the entire Nnadi and Ejeka families as well as their friends and well wishers over the sad loss.

Governor Uzodimma prayed God to grant them His grace and the fortitude to bear the huge loss and for Mrs. Nnadi, a peaceful repose of her soul.

Insecurity: PDP Laments Governor Abdulrazaq’s Approach, Asks Him To Wake Up

By
Akinwale Kasali
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By Akinwale Kasali

The spate of insecurity in Kwara State has escalated in recent times, as kidnapping , armed robbery, cultistism become a norm in the State.

Following this scary situation, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Kwara State, has charged Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to wake up to his responsibility of protecting lives and property of the people of the State as the Chief Security Officer.

In a statement issued by its State Publicity Secretary, Tunde Ashaolu, in the wake of recent security challenges plaguing the state, especially kidnappings and scourge of cultism across various educational institutions in the State, it expressed its

displeasure at what it described as the “utter lackadaisical countenance of the Governor to the numerous security issues in the State.”

The PDP urged the Governor to take precautionary measures in addressing the issues before it further escalates.

It added that criminal elements including kidnappers, armed robbers, ritual killers and cultists now operate unhindered in different parts of the State, causing untold havoc and destroying lives.

The PDP also noted that security of lives and property remains the critical responsibility of a Government but it is unfortunate and painful that innocent Kwarans are daily becoming victims of the failure of the Government in this regard.

It, therefore, called on Governor Abdulrazaq to wake up to his responsibility and save Kwarans.

Atiku, Best President Nigeria Will Never Have – Ohanaeze; Cautions Him To Respect The Igbo

By
Uche Mbah
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By Uche Mbah

Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has described former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, as the best President Nigeria will never have. It, also, cautioned him to respect the gentleman’s pact between the North and the South on Rotational Presidency.

In a statement signed by its Secretary-General, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro,  Ohaneze said if the North continues the Presidency beyond Buhari, Nigeria will be literally singing its Nunc Dimitis .

The statement read in part:

“Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has cautioned desperate politicians working against the gentleman pact of the rotational presidency between the North and South in 2023, to be aware of the fact that changing the narratives with falsehood and fallacies temporarily for inordinate ambition will have disastrous consequences if achieved by 2023.

“North must consider the security implications of retaining power beyond 2023, and without any options, voluntarily concede power to the South for the interest of peace and stability, except if they have decided to set the Nation ablaze and sink it.

“Ndigbo has been pushed out of Nigeria based on the fact that owners of Nigeria craftily designed policies and procedures to enslave the people of the Southeast politically and economically and only the 2023 Igbo Presidency will assuage the perceptions that Igbo are no longer part of Nigeria.

“Atiku shouldn’t have sent his foot-soldiers to come up with tales by moonlight, as it’s arrogant, absurd and disrespectful to come to the Southeast and look at us in our faces and vomit fallacies that North’s tenure has not expired.

“We wish to categorically state that it’s Igbo’s turn to succeed President Buhari in 2023 and Atiku should reciprocate the support Igbos gave him in 2019 and support one of his most trusted Igbo allies for 2023.

“Endeavours to bring another Northerner as president in 2023 will be a disaster and it will sink Nigeria, many Southern ethnic groups will join Igbo to walk away from Nigeria as ethnic domineering and intimidation will end up the union.

“Atiku had refused to learn from history, as he’s the best President Nigeria will never have, as age and competence is the new watchword and order, to determine who will be President in 2023, and now age is not on the side of Atiku, he should end the ill-fated journey to Aso Rock and support Ndigbo.”

Ekiti APC Primary Election Fallout: Aggrieved Aspirants Move To Join ADC

By
Ayodele Oni
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Biodun Oyebanji

By Ayodele Oni

There are indications that losers of Governorship Primary of the All Progressive Congress,(APC), in Ekiti state, are teaming up to stop the winner, Biodun Oyebanji, from winning the June  Governorship election.

The aspirants, six of them, have rejected the outcome of the Primary Election, which they said was tailored to favour the former Secretary to the State Government, Biodun Oyebanji.

Their next line of action, according to sources, is forming an alliance to support Dr Oluwole Oluyede, who earlier left the APC to pick nomination form of the Action Democratic Party, (ADC).

Series of meetings are being held since the outcome of the Primary Election on how not only to stop the annoited candidate, but also to put to shame his godfather, Governor Kayode Fayemi, from realizing his ambition to enthrone a successor at all cost.

Dr Oluyede is being favoured for some factors which include the fact the he hails from Ekiti South Senatorial District, which has been clamouring for power shift to the area and that he was formerly with them in APC.

The Ekiti South Agenda, which had been championing this had equally rejected the outcome of the Primary Election which did not produce indigine of the area as Governor.

The Group has gone further to place a curse on any politician from South Senatorial Zone that would accept to be running mate to candidates from other areas.

As this is ongoing, the flagbearer on his part is making effort to reach out to other aspirants to pacify them to support his ambition.

It was further gathered that the defeated aspirants are being lured with other positions such as senatorial and House of Representatives seats as well as appointments at State and Federal levels.

The ADC candidate, in his acceptance speech after he was adopted on Saturday confirmed that aggrieved APC members are on their way to ADC.

Dr Oluyede promised to reach out to aggrieved members of APC and PDP in Ekiti State with the aim of inviting them to join the ADC which he described as a third force.

According to him, Ekiti people are tired of APC and PDP hence they needed a change .

He noted that his emergence as the candidate of the ADC was a very good alternative for the two major parties in the state, noting that some of his friends who have been short changed in the two major parties would be convinced to team up with him towards liberating Ekiti State.

Police Recruitment: PSC Workers Protest, Lock Out Staff

By
Ayodele Oni
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Police Service Commission
Police Service Commission

By Ayodele Oni

The rift between the Police Service Commission, (PSC) and the Nigeria Police over recruitment of Policemen has taken another dimension.

Workers of the PSC have decided to use other means to fight for their right by resorting to protest. They have shut down the Commission’s office in Abuja.

The Management of PSC has, however, berated the workers for closing down the  office thereby preventing others from performing their legitimate duties.

The Commission, in a statement by its spokesman, Ikechukwu Ani, explained that in as much as the workers have a right to protest, they should not take the laws into their hand.

The statement reads:

“The attention of the Management of the Police Service Commission has been drawn to several news publications on the above subject matter.

“The Commission regrets that the issues raised in the publications by its Staff which were already receiving Management attention, had to degenerate to a level where Staff forcefully locked up Government offices and chased away  Staff on legitimate duties.

“The Staff raised several issues but, primarily, the alleged hand over of the Constitutional responsibility of the Commission to recruit Police Officers to the Inspector General of Police; the delay in the conclusion of the 2021 staff promotion and training of staff were the major highlights.

“It is necessary to state unequivocally that the recruitment of Police Officers from the rank of Constables to Cadet Inspectors and Cadet ASPs are, and remains, the Constitutional responsibility of the Commission and this was also affirmed not long ago  by a judgement of the Federal Court of Appeal.

“The Management of the Commission has no intention to abdicate this constitutional responsibility.

“It should be note worthy that the Management had, few weeks ago, addressed the Staff on this matter and had also followed up with contact with the Inspector General of Police to explain issues arising from the preparation for the conduct of the 2021 Recruitment process.

“Earlier favourable judgement to the Inspector General of Police by the Federal High Court Abuja was used for the take over of all Police recruitments including that of Police Academy.

“At no time did Management willingly surrender the Commission’s mandate to the Nigeria Police Force. This, it will never contemplate.

“The Management is currently taking up the recent announcement by the Police, of Screening dates for the 2021 Constable Recruitment, and will ensure that the Constitutional responsibilities of the Commission are not hijacked.

“Management will insist on keeping to existing clearly defined roles for all parties including the PSC, NPF, Federal Character Commission and state Governments.

“The Commission will obviously drive the 2021 Constable Recruitment in line with Constitutional provisions.

“On 2021 staff promotion, Management will approve the recommendation of its Standing Committee on Establishment at its next Plenary meeting.

“The Management has no problem with training of staff on Police Recruitment and will not stand against any reasonable recommendations on that.

“Management believes that the Staff have a right to demonstrate, sit at home, declare warning strike, but frowns at the forceful locking of Government offices.

“The Management will continue to protect the interest of the Staff and had always done that even during the fight for the mandate of the Commission in the Courts.

“Management appeals to Staff to reconsider their combative approach and join hands with the Management of the Commission to realize earliest resolutions of the matter according to the Constitution and current judgement of the Court of Appeal.”

2023: Northern Gov Speaks On Power Shift To South

By
Bayo Bernard
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By James Orji

Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has joined those clamoring for the presidency to remain in the North. This is against the suggestion of those who insist there should be power shift to the south after the eight uninterrupted  years of President Muhammadu  Buhari , a northerner.

His party, the People’s Democratic  Party, PDP has thrown open the presidential  ticket.

Mohammed, a former minister of the federal capital territory, FCT and a presidential hopeful spoke barely a week after Raymond Dokpesi, a front line campaigner for former vice president Atiku Abubakar to be president, said power should be allowed to remain in the north for now.

Their views run contrary to those of Afenifere, Middle Belt Forum, the Southern Governors Forum and others who insist on power rotation to the south, on the basis that the north has had its own share of power under President Buhari.

But speaking on the controversy, Governor Mohammed while receiving the progress report of the Contact Committee, a body he set up to consult on his presidential  ambition, said the agitation of southerners is not enough to rob the north of the presidency,  adding that his party should ensure that power remains in the north.

According to him, “I want to seize the opportunity to say that I am in PDP, I am not in the APC. It is the APC that has this burden. In my party, the last President was from the South. He was my President, Goodluck Jonathan. During the period my party was at the centre for 16 years, 14 of these years were led by the people from the South.

“So where is the justice and justification? So it is the time of the North. When you come to the North, North-East and South-East have not been there for too long, only a short stint compared to other zones.

“We should be given the opportunity. This Presidency, if it wants to be just and equitable to Nigerians, should be open to everybody from other sections of this country so that Nigerians can be given the opportunity to elect the best that can provide solution.

“In my party, the last President, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, was from the South and he was my President.

“During this period, my party was at the centre for 16 years; 14 of those years were led by people from the South, so where is the justice and the justification?Therefore, it is the turn of the North to produce the next President,” Mohammed said.

Okechukwu, VON DG, Still Under EFCC Custody

By
The Source
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By Gideon Njoku

The Director General of the Voice of Nigeria, VON, Osita Okechukwu, is still in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

He is being detained Osita over an alleged abuse of office,  conspiracy and misappropriation of funds to the tune of N1.3billion.

Okechukwu’s problem started when he arrived  the Commission’s  Headquarters, in Abuja, on Saturday, January 29, at about 1.30pm on invitation.

A core President Buhari supporter, and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC,  Okechukwu was amongst the first set of Igbo Media Specialists to campaign for the then General Major General Muhammadu Buhari’s Presidency.

Not a few people thought he was going to be appointed  Minister for Information, but Buhari, when he won, rewarded him by appointing him the Director General of VON in May 2016.

In 2019, he made a bid for the Senate but the fractionalisation of the APC  in his State put an early stop to his aspiration.

A native of Enugu State, he was into Private Media Practice before he was appointed VON’s DG.

EFCC’s Spokesman, Wilson Uwajaren confirmed Okechukwu’s presence at the Commission’s office.

It was not known, at the time of writing this when his interrogation will be over.

AFCON: Gambia’s Fairytale Campaign Ends, As Cameroon Books Semi Final Ticket

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Gambian Team

By Akinwale Kasali

The Scorpion of Gambia Footballers were crestfallen as the Burundian Center referee, Pacifique Ndabihawenimana, signaled the end of the Quarter Final match between the debutants (Gambia) and host, the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon at the Japoma Stadium, Douala, Cameroon.

But the Coach Tom Saintfeit of Gambia team bowed out of the tournament with their heads high, having made a statement that despite this being their first outing, they are no pushovers.

The Gambia Capital, Banjul, will be waiting to receive the heroes of the AFCON tournament for making the coin proud.

A Karl Toko Ekambi brace was all the Coach Sergio Concencaio Indomitable Lions needed to scale the Gambian hurdle and book a place in the Semi Final, where it would play the winner of the Quarter Final match between the Atlas Lion of Morocco and the Pharaohs of Egypt slated for Sunday January 30th, 2022.

The Gambians were complacent in their game against the host, as they lost their rhythm as exhibited in their previous match.

There was no cohesion and compactness in the team. The Cameroonian team dictated the pace and the flow of the game.

It took the intervention of Aboubakar Gaye behind the stick for the Gambians to salvage a goalless draw for the debutants in the first half of the match.

Upon resumption of the second half, a superb cross from Collins Fai met  Ekambi, who rose above the Gambian defenders to nod in the opening goal of the match.

Seven minutes later, Ekambi was in the right position to tap in a cross from the left side to record his brace of the match and his Fifth goal of the tournament. He is, now, just a goal behind the tournament’s top scorer, Vincent Aboubakar who so far, has scored six goals.

Aboubakar failed to add to his tally as he was denied on three occasions by  Gaye in the Gambian goal.

The Gambian failed to exchange good string of passes as it has done in previous Four games in the championship.

With the defeat, Gambian is out of the tournament and would go back to the drawing board in preparation for the 2023 AFCON tournament scheduled for Côte d’Ivoire in 16 months time.

In the other Quarter Final of the day, the Stallions of Burkina Faso defeated the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia 1-0, courtesy of Dango Ouattara to dump the North African team out of the tournament.

Tunisia had surprisingly knocked out tournament favourite, the Super Eagles of Nigeria out of the Championship.

With the defeat, the Tunisian side will be preparing for its Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification playoffs against the Eagles of Mali.

Burkina Faso awaits the winner of the Quarter Final match between the Teranga Lions of Senegal and the National Thunder of Equatorial Guinea for their Semi Final clash.

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