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Ekiti Guber: Fayemi’s Successor Must Come From South Senatorial District – APC Chieftain

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The Source
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Bamidele Faparusi

By Ayodele Oni

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Ekiti state, Mr Bamidele Faparusi, has warned the leadership of the party to adhere to the principle of zoning arrangement in the State.

Mr Faparusi, a serving Commissioner in the state cautioned that any attempt to pick the Governorship candidate of APC from any other zone, apart from the South would spell doom for the party during next year’s Governorship election.

There has been mounting agitation from the southern senatorial district of the state that it should be allowed to produce a successor of incumbent Governor Kayode Fayemi next year.

From available record since its creation in 1996, only the North and Central Senatorial Districts have been producing governor’s for Ekiti state.

The first civilian Governor, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, his successor, Mr Ayo Fayose are from Central zone, while Former Governor Segun Oni and incumbent Governor Kayode Fayemi are from the north, leaving the south with nothing.

Faparusi, who spoke during an interview in Ado Ekiti, declared that any political party that jettisoned the current Ekiti South agitation is not ready to win the 2022 Governorship Election.

Faparusi, a serving Commissioner for Infrastructure and Public Utilities in Ekiti State and a former member of the House of Representatives, described Ekiti South agitation as not only popular, but a potent weapon to prosecute the all-important election slated for June 18, 2022, by any “serious political party.”

He urged APC stakeholders to treat the Ekiti South agitation with all seriousness it deserves, in order to make the task of retaining power in Ekiti less cumbersome.

According to him, stakeholders from the Southern part of the state would resist any real or imagined moves by an individual or group to subjugate the voices of the people of Ekiti South and render them irrelevant or inconsequential in the Ekiti political equation.

“Two Senatorial zones have been exchanging the batons of leadership since 1999, this to us in Ekiti South is unjust, unfair and sinful.”

The APC stalwart maintained that it would be a costly mistake for the APC to pick its candidate outside of Ekiti South Senatorial District.

“All political indices and permutations are in favour of the south agitation since the district, has not produced a governor since the creation of Ekiti some 25 years ago and return to Democratic rule in 1999.”

He also dismissed rumour flying around that governor Kayode Fayemi has anointed one of his aides as the APC flagbearer.

“Governor Fayemi has not endorsed anyone. I only heard it like a rumour, just like it has been flying around and I regarded such as a gutter and dustbin politics.

“To me, those laying claim to that is playing gutter and dustbin politics. They are lightweight politicians like someone had earlier said.

“They want to carry the Governor’s favour and mislead our leaders that they have the support of the Governor.

“I am an insider in this government and one of the critical stakeholders. There was nowhere where it was discussed that a person should be endorsed and if the governor would do that, such person must be from the South.

“My thought is not different from what Ekiti people are saying on the streets that there is a power imbalance in our state. The central had served for 11 years, while the North had served 11 years, leaving the South in the lurch.

“This issue is a matter of equity, fairness and justice. The political parties must ensure that they embrace zoning.

“The electorate and average voters on the streets said they prefer a candidate from the South in 2022, the noise was becoming deafening for those who care to listen.

“It is going to be in the best interest that the candidates from parties are picked from that zone. It would be a costly mistake if my party, APC, should do otherwise.

“I am still very confident that the stakeholders will look towards the South and get a viable candidate from that zone that can deliver for our party.

“My agenda is that of Ekiti people. Another agenda is that the APC must win the coming election. We don’t want to pick our candidate by error.

“We can’t afford to lose because Governor Fayemi has done a lot of work in the last three years to put Ekiti back on track.

“The best thing for APC is to align with the public opinion so that we won’t be swimming against the tide. Ekiti APC is one, though you may have groups and interests and there are mechanisms through which the party can use to handle such.”

Former Super Eagles Handler, Bonfrere Jo, Seeks Return, As National Team Coach

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Bonfrere Jo

By Akinwale Kasali

With uncertainty surrounding the future of Super Eagles Franco-German Coach, Gernot Rohr, former National Team handler, Johannes Bonfrere, has shown interest in returning to the Super Eagles fold.

The Dutch tactician led the Super Eagles to a second place finish at the Ghana/ Nigeria African Cup of Nations Championship in 2000, and was relieved of his duty after the Super Eagles lost a World Cup Qualifying Match to Sierra Leone in Freetown by 1-0.

Bonfrere, who was assistant to former Super Eagles Coach, Clemens Westerhof, before guiding the Under-23 Olympic Dream Team to Atlanta 1996 victory, said that he was ready to take over the Job as the National Team Coach if given the opportunity by the Amaju Melvin Pinnick led Nigeria Football Federation, NFF.

It would be recalled that Bonfrere had, earlier, signified interest in the job shortly after Sunday Oliseh resigned as the Super Eagles job in 2016. The Dutch had written a letter signifying that he was ‘the right man to return Nigeria to the summit of African football. The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) ignored him.

He has, however, dispatched another letter to Nigeria, stating that he has the magic wand to turn things around.

“I can come on a rescue mission to resurrect the Super Eagles,” it was stated in the latter, which allegedly emanated from Jo Bonfrere.

Bonfrere boasts that 20 years after leaving the saddle as Super Eagles Coach, no Coach has achieved more than him in the National team.

“I will be happy to have Daniel Amokachi or Emmanuel Amuneke to be part of my technical crew,” he said. “I will bring licensed and experienced coaches in addition to the mentioned names to be part of the team to train the players in their movement, fitness, positions and abilities. After this is executed, the whole of Nigeria will be watching the national team play while drinking champagne because it is guaranteed that Nigeria is winning the match.”

Bonfrere stated that the current Super Eagles team has no effective formation, and the players don’t understand themselves.

“The players can’t hold the ball to themselves for up to three seconds. I am not trying to castigate my colleague (Gernot Rohr), but his knowledge needs to be upgraded to the new modern football. In this era, the Super Eagles have to have a pattern. When I was the coach, it is guaranteed my players score a goal and more with respect to the kind of formation and pattern I use.

“There was no such thing as a tough team for Nigeria then. Rather, it was Nigeria who was the tough team, and I remember in 2002 Ghana versus Nigeria everyone could see the impact. Also, when Senegal was leading Nigeria by a goal, I brought in Julius Aghahowa and we were able to turn the scoreline against Senegal. In the U-23 national team, we played against and won teams who Nigeria Super Eagles today see as threats like Egypt, Senegal, Cameroon, etc.

“It was so embarrassing to see Central Africa Republic, a country that doesn’t have its own stadium, to come to Nigeria and win the Super Eagles. The kind of pattern the coach use matters a lot.

“For instance, in the last game against Cape Verde, the Super Eagles played the match like they were away. With the quality players present on that day for Nigeria, it was so sad the coach could not make good use of them,” Bonfrere stated.

Davido Shames Critics, Donates N250m To Orphanages

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The Source
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By Adesina Soyooye

Music superstar, David Adeleke, popular as Davido, is in a world of his own. He is in a class of his own. And he is the king of that class. In this class he pulls stunts, and gets away with them.

Yet, he is well grounded.

Wise. Intelligent. Deep.

Nothing compares with the “stunt” he pulled a few days ago which has since taken over the Social Media space. It is trending in both conventional and non-conventional mediums.

A couple of days to his 28th birthday, he asked his friends, associates, admirers, those whose lives he has touched with his music to donate to him, the sum of one million Naira each. There were speculations over what the donation would be for.

While some said it was a birthday gift to him, others said the star said he wanted to use the donation to clear his car, a Rolls Royce, from the wharf. Yet, there were those who said he was broke, and now begging for money. They taunted him. They said his lifestyle has put him in trouble.

Question was: Is it possible for Davido to be broke? The answer, naturally, is no. He comes from a rich family. A wealthy family. Top on the list is his father, Deji, a multi-billionaire with interests in “this and that”, yet, understated and without airs. And, even then, in his own right, Davido is a multi-millionaire. He has made so much money from music and endorsements, and much more.. He is, also, a Director in his father’s company.

Anyway, his recent “stunt” worked for him. Within hours, Davido raked in millions of Naira. Within two days, he raked in a whopping N200m. Companies, Industrialists, Businessmen, celebrities flooded the account he opened -Wema Bank- with funds.

On Saturday, November 20, an overwhelmed and grateful Davido pulled another surprise. When he asked for donations to him, he said, he took it as a joke. But the response overwhelmed him.

Thanking all those who responded, he said he has decided to give the N200m away. To that, he added his own personal donation of N50m, making it a total of N250m. The beneficiaries  are Orphanages across the country, and Paroche Foundation.

To kickstart its disbursement and, for transparency, he emphasised, Davido immediately, set up a five- member Committee, including three Professors.

The members are:

*Mrs Titi Adebayo – Chairperson.

*Professor Jonathan Nwosu, Secretary.

*Professor Yahaya Joel Asabe.

*Pastor (Dr) Oyalabu

*Professor Uloma Onuoha.

In a video recording, he admitted that he is under pressure, from some people  to keep the money. But he said, many people needed the money more than he did.

He said: “A lot of people have called me saying it’s your money, keep it, don’t listen to what people are saying. But not to be corky, the money is a lot.

“I won’t say I don’t need it. I think there are more people that need it more than me. Right now, we are at about N201m. So, I have decided to donate all the money out in Nigeria, and apart from the N201m, I will add N50m from my own money.”

By doing this, Davido has shut-up critics who said he was broke. He has, also, asked copy-cats, who have in the past two days, started asking for donations, just like he did, to get serious.

Music stars, Paul and Peter Okoye of the defunct PSquare, in settling their five- year old feud asked for donations for their 40th birthday. And so did Actor Yul Edochie who asked for donations for his proposed Presidential ambition. He allegedly said “Davido has shown it can be done.”

It is not known, however, if any of them has received a kobo, so far.

Definitely, Davido is in a class of his own.

Olu Jacob, Nigeria’s Favorite Actor, Has Dementia – Wife

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Olu Jacobs and His Wife

By Adesina Soyooye

It was difficult for Olu Jacob’s lovely wife, the accomplished Joke Silver,  to say. But a woman of courage, she did, if only to put a stop to the rumors that her husband is dead.

On more than a couple of times, it had been rumored that the versatile, veteran actor had died. Each time, it was debunked. Yet, it never stopped it.

Apparently, to put a stop to it, his wife and colleague-actor, stepped out with him a few days ago to a function. She has just followed that up with an interview she granted Jide Jidonwo, a media personality.

She revealed that her husband is suffering from Dementia. And, it had been like that for about two years. As expected, it is not only hard on the family, she said, it is also hard, for him.

Dementia is a medical condition, associated with memory loss. A patient is not, usually, aware of his/her environment, most times.

Mrs Jacobs says she misses the old days.

Sterling Bank Vs Kogi: No End To Controversial N20bn Bailout Fund

By
Bayo Bernard
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0

By Fola James

The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN has received the disputed N19.3 billion said to have been deposited by the Kogi state government in a secret account with Sterling Bank Plc. The Governor Yahaya Bello-led bank had denied having any funds deposited with the commercial bank.

Recall that EFCC, had in September, asked a federal high court in Lagos to freeze the account in which the funds, said to be part of the bail out from the federal government to the state, was lodged.

The anti-graft commission, had also, last month asked the same court presided over by Chukwujekwe Aneke to unfreeze the account for Sterling Bank to be able to return the funds to the CBN.

Justice Aneke, in October, vacated the order of forfeiture he earlier placed on the N20 billion bailout funds, which has now make it possible for Sterling Bank to return the fund to CBN.

According to statement issued in Abuja by EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, the commission said the apex bank has acknowledge the receipt of the funds, adding that the development has put paid to the controversy on whether such funds actually exist.

The Kogi state government had after the EFCC went to court, denied that it had such humungous fund lodged in any account, threatening to drag the anti-graft agency to court.

EFCC, however, said in the statement that the ”smear campaign of misinformation and unconscionable denials by the Kogi State government that no fund was recovered from its bailout account, has become futile after the fund was returned to the CBN by the commercial bank.

The commission said the state could no longer deny the source of the fund that has now been returned to the apex bank.

In a letter referenced, DFD/DIR/CON/EXT/01/099 and dated November 9, 2021 and addressed to the Executive Chairman, EFCC, Mr Bawa, reads,  the CBN said “We refer to your letter dated November 5, 2021 with Ref. No: CR:3000/EFCC/LS/CMU/REC-STE/VOL.4/047 on the above subject and wish to confirm the details of the receipt of the amount as stated below: Bank: Sterling Bank Plc; Amount: N19, 333, 333,333.36; Date of receipt: 04 November, 2021.”

Meanwhile, the Kogi state government has swiftly reacted to the matter, describing the action of the anti-graft agency as a ‘mischief’ and an “attempt to desperately wriggle out of a bad case with another mischief aimed, again, at misleading Nigerians.”

The Kogi State Government has reacted to a statement by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that said that the hidden Kogi salary bail-out funds have been returned to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The Kogi State Government called the statement an “attempt to desperately wriggle out of a bad case with another mischief aimed, again, at misleading Nigerians.”

The statement signed by the state Commissioner for Information and Communication, Kingsley Fanwo said the EFCC “had not said anything different from what had been said so far on the controversial N20bn bail-out fund, the EFCC had finally exposed the fact that it had been pursuing a political agenda all along.”

The Kogi government “would prepare a comprehensive response to the latest of the desperate moves by the Commission to save its face in view of its obvious goof and unethical conduct in the matter in dispute.

“The press statement by the Commission is a malicious attempt to rope the state into a matter that ordinarily has nothing to do with our dear state.

“We maintain the unassailable truth that the Kogi State Government did not operate such account with the bank as affirmed in a letter by the bank. We sympathize with the EFCC as it has been a herculean task to cover the initial misinformation and deliberate deceit by the Commission. Kogites and indeed, Nigerians should rest assured that we will get to the root of this matter,” the state government said.

Imo: How Gunmen Kidnapped Former Deputy Governor’s Father

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The Source
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By Charles Igbo

For the family of the former Deputy Governor of Imo State, Prince Eze Madumere,  Friday, November 19, came as a long day. Their patriarch, father and Traditional Ruler of their community, His Royal Highness, Eze Henry Madumere, has been Kidnapped.

He was abducted by gunmen at about 10.00am on Friday. He is the Traditional Ruler of Ezi-Mbieri autonomous community.

Aged 89 years, he was abducted, not from his community, but from a nearby community, Iho, in Ikeduru Local Government Area. He apparently went to a meeting and was the target.

Reports say the gunmen, on arrival, shot several times into the air to scare other people, made straight for their target, and abducted him.

His son, Eze, was the Deputy Governor under the Rochas Okorochas administration, and is a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

The abducted Royal Father is a renowned Businessman, a successful contractor, and a nationalist.

The former Deputy Governor  confirms that his father’s abductors have made contacts with the family.

Recently, gunmen stormed a meeting of Traditional Rulers in Imo, killed two of them, and injured, at least, five others.

Don’t Support Sit-At-Home From Pulpit, Uzodimma Tells Clergy

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The Source
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Hope Uzodimma

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State on Friday commended the leadership of the Anglican Church in Owerri for initiating a prayer session over insecurity in the state in particular and Nigerian at large and challenged other faiths to emulate them.

Governor Uzodimma made the commendation in his remarks at the maiden prayer session organised by the Owerri Ecclesiastical Province of the Anglican Church.

The event which held at the Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu Square, New Owerri, was tagged: Imo Prays and had as the theme: Healing the land.

The Governor said the event was not only timely but sends clear signal that the Anglican Communion was committed to ensuring and partnering with government to ensure that our society is rid of insecurity and the attention of God drawn to the nefarious activities of the perpetrators.

Governor Uzodimma said: “I am very very glad to note that our religious leaders are showing concern about the protracted insecurity situation in the country, particularly in Imo State and the South East.

“Indeed, this initiative by the Owerri Ecclesiastical Province of the Anglican Communion to pray for security in the country, is not only creative, but very reassuring. It opens a refreshing new page on the need for all hands to be on deck in finding lasting solution to the insecurity we are witnessing in Nigeria.

“I commend the Owerri Ecclesiastical Province of the Anglican Communion, for providing this breath of fresh air to address our security challenges. I am hoping that other religious leaders  – both Christians and Muslims – will emulate this noble and patriotic initiative of the Anglican Communion. This is important because concerted prayers from all faiths, across the country, will go a long way in appealing to the conscience (if any) of both the criminals, and their sponsors to do a rethink, at least for the sake of God.

“Beyond this spirited prayers from the faithful, indeed I am almost certain that God has intervened, given the showers of blessing that he has just sent down.

“As Christians,  we are assured of God’s intervention through prayers.This is why I am filled with hope, that with the special intervention of the Anglican Church, and other religious groups,  we shall surely overcome and not overwhelmed by this monster of insecurity.”

However, Governor Uzodimma challenged the Church leaders not to use their offices (pulpit) to give vent to thoughtless sit at home directives that are often dished out from the quarters of those who do not mean well for the development of Imo State, the South East and the Nigeria.

He said that the Church has a critical role to play in the upbringing of our children and in bringing succour  to the helpless, noting that leaders of Churches should at all times partner with the government on how to deal with situations that affect the society.

The governor said he was aware that part of what is fuelling insecurity in the land was the army of youths who are not employed and hinted that his government had risen to the occasion by revamping industries in Imo State like the Adapalm, Standard Shoe Industry,  Nsu Ceramic Tiles Industry, among others, as a way of engaging the youths in meaningful activities.

He further challenged parents to take keen interest in what their wards do so that they do not fall into the hands of those out to destroy their future by engaging them in criminal activities.

Governor Uzodimma promised to protect the lives and property of Imo citizens and solicited the prayer of the Church for the security agencies whose personnel have often paid supreme price to secure our environment, adding that with the help of God and our ceaseless prayers Imo State shall not witness further bloodshed.

Earlier in his remarks, the host, Archbishop of Owerri Ecclesiastical Province, Most Rev. (Dr.) DOC Onuoha thanked Governor Uzodimma for finding time to be part of the event despite his busy schedule.

He said God answers prayers and that he was nit surprised that having listened to the supplications of his people caused showers of rain that signifies blessing.

The Archbishop maintained that prayer remains a veritable instrument to deal with society’s seemingly intractable challenges and called on the congregation to take the issues bugging Imo, South East and Nigeria to God in prayer.

He therefore directed that the prayer will hold annually on every November 19. “What we have had today is the maiden edition. It is now going to be an annual event, meaning that we will all be here by God’s grace in greater number come November 19, 2022.”

The preaching was given by the Diocesan of Ideato in Orlu,  Rt. Rev. Henry Okeke who anchored his message from 2nd Chronicles, 7:14.

Prayer intercession was held for The Church, Nigeria, Imo State and the Family. One of the prayer points was for bloodshed to stop in Imo State and for those behind the insecurity to be exposed no matter where they may be hiding.

The event was well attended by top government officials including the Deputy Governor Prof Placid Njoku, the Deputy Speaker of Imo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Amara Iwuanyanwu, the Secretary to the State Government, Chief Cosmas Iwu, Hon. Commissioners, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Barr. Nnamdi Anyaehie among others.

I Can Control Nnamdi Kanu; Release Him To Me – Mbazulike Amaechi Tells Buhari

By
Uche Mbah
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0
Igbo Leaders Visit Buhari

By Uche Mbah

Elder Statesman, Mbazulike  Amaechi says he can control the leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu if he is released to him.

Amaechi said this when he led a delegation of Igbo Leaders of Thought to the Presidential Villa, Abuja, to meet with President Muhammadu Buhari.

Amaechi lamented the state of the South-east, and asked the President to release Kanu to him, and he would make sure Kanu would stop saying the kind of things he’d been saying.

Amaechi disclosed that twice he had intervened and made Kanu and IPOB change their minds on a couple of things.

Responding, President Muhammadu Buhari said that since he assumed office, he has never interfered with the work of the Judiciary.

This is contained in a release signed by Femi Adesina, Buhari’s spokesperson, Friday.

“An unconditional release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), currently standing trial, runs contrary to the doctrine of separation of powers between the Executive and Judiciary, President Muhammadu Buhari has said”, the release read in part.

“Receiving a group under the aegis of Highly Respected Igbo Greats, led by First Republic parliamentarian and Minister of Aviation, Chief Mbazulike Amaechi, at State House, Abuja, the President told the 93-year-old statesman:

“‘You’ve made an extremely difficult demand on me as 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, and given you a clear head at this age, with very sharp memory. A lot of people half your age are confused already. But the demand you made is heavy. I will consider it.’

“Stressing his policy of non-interference with the Judiciary, President Buhari said when Kanu jumped bail, got arrested and brought back to the country, ‘I said the best thing was to subject him to the system. Let him make his case in court, instead of giving very negative impressions of the country from outside. I feel it’s even a favour to give him that opportunity.’

“The President condoled with Chief Amaechi, who recently buried his wife, praying that her soul would rest in peace.

“The nonagenarian had described the situation in the South-east as ‘painful and pathetic’, lamenting that businesses have collapsed, education is crumbling, and there is fear everywhere.

“He pleaded for a political, rather than military solution, requesting that if Kanu was released to him as the only First Republic Minister still alive, ‘he would no longer say the things he had been saying,’ stressing that he could control him, ‘not because I have anything to do with them (IPOB), but I am highly respected in Igbo land today.’

“Chief Amaechi said twice he had interfaced with Nnamdi Kanu in the past, and the latter rescinded orders earlier given on civil disobedience.

“He concluded: ‘I don’t want to leave this planet without peace returning to my country. I believe in one big, united Nigeria, a force in Africa. Mr President, I want you to be remembered as a person who saw Nigeria burning, and you quenched the fire.’

“Other people in the visiting delegation were; His Excellency Chukwuemeka Ezeife, former Governor of Anambra State, Bishop Sunday Onuoha of the Methodist Church, Chief Barrister Goddy Uwazurike, former President of Igbo socio-cultural group, Aka Ikenga, and Mr Tagbo Mbazulike Amaechi.”

Buhari: Releasing Nnamdi Kanu Is Difficult, But I Will Consider It

By
The Source
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0
President Muhammadu Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari

By Gideon Njoku

President Muhammadu Buhari has said that to release the leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, is a difficult request to make from him.

He said it would run contrary to his policy, and his belief in the separation of powers, especially, as he does not interfere with the Judiciary. It is a heavy request, the President said.

But the President said it is a request he would consider.

The President spoke when he received a group of Igbo leaders who visited him Friday in the Villa apparently to discuss the insecurity in the South-east, and flowing from that, the release and of  Nnamdi Kanu from the custody of the Federal Government, and the discontinuation of his prosecution at the Federal High Court Abuja.

The delegation was incidentally led by elder Statesman Mbazulike Amaechi, a former Minister for Aviation. It is not known why the delegation did not go under the auspices of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, and/or why Professor George Obiozor, President of Ohanaeze was not part of it.

No Governor from the South-east was part of it, too. But three Ministers from the Zone were present – Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, Dr Chris Ngige and Barr. Emeka Nwajiuba.

On the request for Kanu’s release, Buhari said that his thinking is that it should go through the legal process as he does not interfere. But he told the delegation that heavy as the request is, he would consider it.

A couple of weeks ago, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister for Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, had said that FG could  be open to a political solution to the cases against Kanu and Yoruba

Nation agitator, Sunday Igboho, who is in the custody of Security Agents in the Republic of Benin.

Following is the statement by Femi Adesina, Presidential Spokesman on the visit of the Igbo Leaders to the President.

PRESIDENT BUHARI TO IGBO LEADERS: YOUR DEMAND FOR NNAMDI KANU’S RELEASE IS HEAVY. I WILL CONSIDER IT

An unconditional release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), currently standing trial, runs contrary to the doctrine of separation of powers between the Executive and Judiciary, President Muhammadu Buhari has said.

Receiving a group under the aegis of Highly Respected Igbo Greats, led by First Republic parliamentarian and Minister of Aviation, Chief Mbazulike Amaechi, at State House, Abuja, the President told the 93-year-old statesman:

“You’ve made an extremely difficult demand on me as 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, and given you a clear head at this age, with very sharp memory. A lot of people half your age are confused already. But the demand you made is heavy. I will consider it.”

Stressing his policy of non-interference with the Judiciary, President Buhari said when Kanu jumped bail, got arrested and brought back to the country, “I said the best thing was to subject him to the system. Let him make his case in court, instead of giving very negative impressions of the country from outside. I feel it’s even a favour to give him that opportunity.”

The President condoled with Chief Amaechi, who recently buried his wife, praying that her soul would rest in peace.

The nonagenarian had described the situation in the Southeast as “painful and pathetic,” lamenting that businesses have collapsed, education is crumbling, and there is fear everywhere.

He pleaded for a political, rather than military solution, requesting that if Kanu was released to him as the only First Republic Minister still alive, “he would no longer say the things he had been saying,” stressing that he could control him, “not because I have anything to do with them (IPOB), but I am highly respected in Igbo land today.”

Chief Amaechi said twice he had interfaced with Nnamdi Kanu in the past, and the latter rescinded orders earlier given on civil disobedience.

He concluded: “I don’t want to leave this planet without peace returning to my country. I believe in one big, united Nigeria, a force in Africa. Mr President, I want you to be remembered as a person who saw Nigeria burning, and you quenched the fire.”

Other people in the visiting delegation were : His Excellency Chukwuemeka Ezeife, former Governor of Anambra State, Bishop Sunday Onuoha of the Methodist Church, Chief Barrister Goddy Uwazurike, former President of Igbo socio-cultural group, Aka Ikenga, and Mr Tagbo Mbazulike Amaechi.

This magazine was told that Mbazulike was instrumental  to IPOB calling off its one week sit-at-home order prior to the Anambra election.

Nothing Should Happen To Kanu, IPOB warns

By
Uche Mbah
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0

By Uche Mbah

The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Friday warned the Federal government, saying that if anything happens to their leader, Nnamdi Kanu, it will not sit well with Nigeria.

IPOB  also claims that the President  Muhammadu Buhari administration is trying to kill its leader, and declare a state of emergency in the South-East and South- South regions to cover it up.

Kanu has been in the custody  of the Federal Government  on the order of an Abuja Federal Court since he was brought back to Nigeria from Kenya by the Nigerian government.

In a statement signed by the group’s publicity secretary, Emma Powerful, IPOB told politicians, elders and religious leaders in both regions to leave no stone unturned  to bring about the unconditional release of Kanu.

“We, the global movement and family of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB),  ably led by our great liberator and prophet Mazi Nnamdi Okwu Kanu, wish to alert Biafrans and the entire humanity about the plans by the federal government of Nigeria to eliminate our leader,  Mazi Nnamdi KANU; and declare a State of Emergency in the entire South-East and South South regions of NIGERIA. This plan is real and must be taken very serious by everybody.

“The intelligence report at our disposal reveal that the Nigeria Government is not comfortable with the international attention that Kanu’s rendition has received and the fate that await her at the International Criminal Court ICC, hence its contemplation of doing its worst.

“Nigeria is further aggrieved  by the humiliating defeat it suffered at the just-concluded  November 6 Anambra State governorship election which the federal government believed was made possible by our wisdom to cancel our earlier declared one week sit-at-home order.

“Our action was considered the masterstroke that shattered their plans to manipulate the outcome of the poll in the eventuality that people did not come out to vote.

“Irked by the heroic role of our Leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in raising the consciousness of not only Biafrans but other Indigenous nationalities about NIGERIA, the Fulani cabal who are the beneficiaries of this fraud are bent on eliminating him at all cost. They want to reward him with death and damn the consequences.

“They want to kill him in DSS custody. Since he was abducted they have never allowed him to change his clothes. They have confined him to a solitary cell 23 hours a day. They have neither allowed his personal physicians access to him nor has any attention been given to his life-threatening medical condition. They have not allowed any medical investigation into the substance injected on him during his abduction in Kenya. They have denied  him his right to practice his faith by denying him his religious shawl brought to him by his lawyers.

“We, therefore, urge the UN, the EU and the global community to take note of these physical and psychological torture being meted to him by the DSS and hold NIGERIA responsible should anything happen to our leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. This matter is so serious that we want all Biafrans to be vigilant. NIGERIA should know that nothing should happen to our leader!

“Our intelligence also revealed that the Nigeria Government wants to intensify their ongoing secret genocide in Biafra land through indiscriminate arrests and elimination of more Biafran youths. We therefore, warn our youths to be circumspect especially during this festive season.

“Nigeria government and her security agents have concluded arrangement to deploy more security especially military personnel to Biafraland. According to our intelligence, they would have declared state of emergency in the regions if APC party had won the Anambra election. But now they want to fall back on their plan B but we are waiting for them.

“We, therefore, urge Biafran women to be prepared, for the battle ahead. Militarization of Biafraland must cease and we demand for a date for plebiscite for the Biafran people to decide their destiny. While Fulani bandits, Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists have taken over control of a good number of territories in the North, yet there are fewer military presence there when compared with the anomaly of military check points after every pole in Biafraland which unleash pain and agony upon our people. Our leader Mazi Nnamdi KANU must be released unconditionally.

“Politicians, elders and religious leaders in our region who were pleading with IPOB to calm down should know that if anything happens to our leader, Mazi Nnamdi KANU, things won’t remain the same again for everybody! If truly they are committed for peace, they should impress upon the Nigerian government that the only solution to Nigeria’s problem is the unconditional release of Nnamdi KANU”, it concluded.

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