Stakeholders in Ekiti state politics have reacted to the carnage which trailed the bye-election into the vacant seat in the State House of Assembly at Omuo on Saturday, describing it as barbaric.
Three persons, including a woman police, were confirmed dead during the violence which marred the bye-election with several persons wounded by gunmen who stormed voting centres.
The state Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, condemned the violence and ordered the state police command to fish out perpetrators.
“This violence is most unwarranted and deeply disturbing. I have instructed police authority to fish out perpetrators and ensure they face the music.
“Our condolences to the family that list loved ones and those who were injured. Government will not relent in its efforts to always ensure safety of lives and property; we shall ensure all purveyors of violence are handled.”
Former Governor Ayodele Fayose in his reaction stated that: “The killings in Omuo Ekiti by suspected thugs of the ruling APC is clear evidence of state sponsored terrorism against its own citizens, who have rejected the party in Government.
“Killing of innocent people, just because of a five-ward House of Assembly bye-election was barbaric and shameful.
“I thought we have gone past this barbarism in Ekiti State especially when we are confronted with national insecurity to which the government have no solution.
“What was witnessed today in Omuo Ekiti is nothing but terrorism against the people of Ekiti, knowing that time has caught up with them and they are no longer popular.
“This will remain a guilt in the conscience of the perpetrators and their sponsors perpetually for killing their own people just because of a mere House of Assembly bye-election.
“Most importantly, everything that goes round in life comes round. The perpetrators of this despicable act should therefore remember that there will be consequences for all actions because the blood of the dead will surely speak and fight back.
“To the police in Ekiti, they know what to do and the people behind all these, if only they chose not to look away. Ekiti shall be free again if we collectively confront and win this battle against fake apostles of democracy.”
Former Governor Segun oni in his reaction noted that “it is very unfortunate that what happened in Ekiti East happened. If ordinary constituency election could be distrupted with people killed and injured like that, what will happen if the whole state is taking part?
“I am not surprised because I already knew that the ruling party would want to win by all cost and when you want to win by all cost you will resort to violence and this was what we saw in Ekiti East Constituency Two election.
“I want to thank security agencies who were able to douse the tension but they still need to work hard and ensure the calmness continue after the whole process.”
INEC, declared the election inconclusive because of the violence which accompanied it.
World Down Syndrome Day is celebrated across the globe on March 21, every year. It is a global awareness day which has been officially observed by the United Nations since 2012.
Every year people with Down syndrome, families, advocates, caregivers and friends, create awareness and bring to the fore burning issues concerning people with Down syndrome. And over the years,their voices have increasingly grown louder, as many people are becoming more educated about these special people, their peculiarities and how they can contribute in making things easier for them in the society.
WHY MARCH 21St?:
The 21st day of March (3/21) was deliberately selected to signify the uniqueness of the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome which causes Down syndrome.
The Theme of this year, 2021 World Down Syndrome Day is : CONNECT.
If we don’t create the awareness, it will be difficult to connect. It will be almost impossible to appreciate,come to terms with, let alone connect with what you don’t understand or have prior knowledge of!
What then is Down syndrome?
For those who do not previously know what Down syndrome is, it is one of the most common causes of learning difficulties, referred to as intellectual disability, in the world and it is caused by chromosomal abnormality.
Science tells us that every human being is born with 46 chromosomes. It is usually 23 from the father and 23 from the mother and they come in pairs. But for people with Down syndrome also known as ‘trisomy 21’, they have three copies of the 21st chromosome instead of the usual two copies. So, instead of the normal 46,it becomes 47, which is an anomaly.
The result of this extra chromosomal material is a mild to severe intellectual disability and possibly some medical conditions.
Every person born with Down syndrome is different and has a different mix and severity of the conditions typically associated with the syndrome. Some of these includes but not limited to:
* Low muscle tone
* Congenital heart defects (holes in the heart)
* Sleep apnea
* Hearing loss etc
* Appearance wise, the nasal bridge might be flat
* The mouth might be smaller than normal, possibly with a protruding tongue(this affects their speech)
* Eyes that tend to slant upwards etc
HOW THEN CAN WE COLLECTIVELY AS A PEOPLE CONNECT WITH THESE RARE BREEDS?
It is a virtue of humanity to accept, see and treat other humans the same way we would want others to accept and treat us. To seamlessly connect with people with Down syndrome, we should first appreciate that we are more similar than we are different, in spite of their peculiar circumstances and above mentioned challenges.
So, patience and understanding are key in connecting with them. For instance, because of their speech difficulty, you might have to pay closer attention to understand what a person with Down syndrome is saying during a conversation, as they often have challenges with their communication skills as a result of smaller mouth cavity and elongated tongue as earlier stated.
It is of paramount importance to remember that the difficulty the person has in forming words does not make what they have to say any less interesting or important. This does not mean they can’t have meaningful conversations with others rather, it only means that they have trouble expressing their thought. Most times, finding the right words to convey their thought seem tideous, but with patience and encouragement, they will be able to pass their messages to your understanding. And this gives them some kind of joy of satisfaction, which is often expressed with a bold smile or twinkles in their eyes.
Like others, people with Down syndrome experience a complete range of emotions-happiness,sadness,pride,fear,excitement, boredom,anger etc as they also desire to succeed in all spheres of life. To connect with them therefore, whatever assistance you are rendering should be given respectfully. Make them feel valued.
To connect and make them not to feel left out or marginalized, inclusion in all spheres of life is inevitable. I urge government at all levels and stakeholders to embrace that pattern of education that modifies/ adjusts classroom practices meant for the ‘normal’child to accommodate/benefit the child with Down syndrome!
That education that doesn’t discriminate, but rather makes room for people with Down syndrome!That pattern of education that gives them the opportunity to thrive academically and otherwise!That education that assists these exceptional people to meet their peculiarities and maximize their potentials!THIS TYPE OF EDUCATION IS CALLED INCLUSIVE EDUCATION!
Inclusive Education is the most fertile ground for connection. It brings the much needed enlightenment home because it allows people with Down syndrome to mingle , socialize and showcase their strengths and weaknesses.Their peers see them for who they really are and make efforts to unconditionally accept or reject them, as they would do to other children without these challenges.
Edward-Dibiana: Special Educator
Remember we each have our shortcomings and our strengths. So, create room for them to work at their own pace no matter how slow. Give them the opportunity to showcase themselves and prove their worth and watch them break bounds or crumble! whichever way, connect by giving them a chance!.
Finally,having Down syndrome doesn’t define them. It is one part of a much bigger picture. With early guidance from their family,caregivers,support from teachers,therapists,community, religious bodies and of course friends,many people with Down syndrome will learn to live more independent and fulfilling life.
Connect by saying NO TO THE SUBTLE AND /OR OUTRIGHT DISCRIMINATION OF PEOPLE WITH DOWN SYNDROME!SILENCE MEANS COMPLIANCE!TAKE A STAND!CONNECT!
* Mrs Edward-Dibiana,a special educator, caregiver and Special Needs Children rights advocate, works with the learning support unit of Premier International School, Abuja.
If there is any State the Senator Bukola Saraki PDP- Reconciliation Committee should urgently head to, it is Cross River State. The party is about to lose the State to the APC. If that happens the ruling party at the centre will have a footing in the South-south. The APC lost its footing in the South -south with the defection of Edo Governor, Godwin Obaseki to the PDP when he was frustrated out of the party by former National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole.
Until Obaseki’s defection, Edo State was the only APC State in the zone. That could change soon for the better, unless the PDP reads the handwriting on the wall, and acts fast to appease the Governor, Prof Ben Ayade.
The rumour of the planned defection of Ayade has been strong and thick. Ayade had been keeping his plans close to his chest, and playing safe.
One of the ways he plays safe is never to criticise President Muhammadu Buhari. It was the same game Ebonyi State’s Dave Umahi was playing until he, finally, decamped to the APC from the PDP.
But Ayade seems to be getting tired of the hide and seek game. He is coming out of the closet. On a visit to him on Friday in Calabar by the Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, Ayade more than hinted PDP could soon become history with him.
Ayade told Mohammed that he was tired of the shenanigans going on in the PDP. He said he was tired of the party. He said he was tired of external forces trying to influence affairs in his state. “Enough is enough”, he told Mohammed. And then, his confession: “I am sitting on
the fence.” Meaning he has become indifferent to the party.
Ayade has been having a running battle with some people in the State PDP. He blames it on external forces. The external force, an aide of the Governor told this magazine, is another Governor in his zone who the source said is trying to influence what goes on in the state. And it is over who succeeds Ayade in 2023. He wants to force a successor on Ayade.
Ayade said he had always taken it easy, like a gentleman, but that his gentleness has been taken as a sign of weakness.
It is not known why exactly Bala Mohammed visited Ayade, but it offered Ayade the opportunity to talk, to open up. Incidentally, Ayade was talking to a man who is, also strongly being suspected to be planning an exit from the PDP to the APC; a soul-mate when it comes to their seeming lukewarm attitude towards the PDP now. Both of them are sitting on the fence.
Ayade to Mohammed during the visit, in a loaded speech that has been titled:
TIME HAS COME WHEN ALL OF US WILL GATHER AND SAY ENOUGH IS ENOUGH
“I have always played politics with ethics, but in the course of time I have come to realise that ethical politics is mistaken for weakness.”
“Time has come when we will put our foot down and take a decision on the bases of which will prosper my people’s collective well-being.
“For their trust in me, they have put their own future in my hands.
“I cannot blind myself to the challenges of PDP and decide not to know what to do at the right time for their sake.
“I know you are somebody that don’t take injustice. One single injustice they will see a new Cross River State.”
“One single injustice and I say it as a warning, because it does appear that your party seems to celebrate people who threaten and stress them.”
“All councilors PDP, all chairmen PDP, all House of Assembly members PDP, all Commissioners PDP, all the National Assembly except one, PDP. All of them under my leadership into the elections. So it is not now someone will discuss what structure and strategy I need.
“But I am happy you have created an opportunity for a melodrama. So today I am seated and dancing on the fence. Indeed that’s true.
“And so I speak with righteous anger for the continuous annoyance and nuisance orchestrated on our innocent by external factors.
“But I just hope this ends today.
“And so, please, as I leave you with some holy whispers, which will be very strong, firm and clear, it’s a harbinger of trouble.
“While I believe in ecclesiatics of peace, I believe in the catechism of good faith but I also believe in the respect for the supremacy of an office.”
Ayade is not alone in his anger.
PDP Could Lose Four Governors To APC
A source familiar with the goings-on in the PDP told this magazine that the PDP, aside from Ayade, could lose three other Governors to the APC. The source told this magazine: “If my sources are right, except a miracle happens, PDP is set to lose Cross River, Bauchi, Zamfara and Enugu.”
In the case of Bauchi Governor, Bala Mohammed, our source said: “Clearly, Bala didn’t mince words yesterday (Friday). He declared that an injustice to Ayade is an injustice to him and that if Ayade crosses over, he too will cross.”
For the records, Mohammed does not need a push from Ayade to move. Recall that a few weeks ago, he had a spat with Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, over the activities of AK47 rifle-carrying herdsmen. In defending the herdsmen, he held a different opinion from his party, the PDP, which vehemently condemns the rifle-carrying herdsmen.
Incidentally, it was Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State who intervened and settled the rift between both Governors.
This other day, the Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Zulum, let it be known that Bauchi’s Mohammed will soon join the APC.
As for Zamfara, Governor Bello Matawalle, months ago, openly threatened he would leave the party over the alleged brash attitude of an unnamed Governor who he described as arrogant, and wanting to lord it over others.
The surprise among the lot is Enugu State’s Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
Even though he was alleged to have been sympathetic towards President Buhari during the 2019 Presidential election, his sympathy did not amount to much.
However, the Governors allegedly threatening to dump the party complain of the same problem – the alleged unbearable attitude of one of their colleagues who they say thinks his word is law. “They say they are tired of the Governor’s braggadocio and overbearing influence in the party.”
Wike Warns PDP Not To Toy With Rivers State
In another development that should worry the PDP, Wike sent a strong warning to the Party not to toy with Rivers State. He said doing that will be costly to the PDP. It is not the first time the usually blunt Governor will issue such a threat. Just after the PDP Presidential primary in 2019, he did the same thing.
Nyesom Wike
This Saturday, he spoke at the flag off of the Campaign for Local Government Elections in the State.
Incidentally, the National Chairman of the party, Uche Secondus, a son of the State, was conspicuously absent at the ceremony.
It is not, immediately, known why Wike issued the threat to the PDP, but he said there will be serious consequences if the PDP tried to short- change the state in anyway.
“I can threaten the PDP”, he declared. He continued:
“Rivers State is not a State you can toy with. Not even within the PDP. We have votes to give, so I won’t allow anybody take us for granted. I can threaten PDP.
“Even Nigeria knows that Rivers State is not an ordinary State. Rivers State stands tall to say that if PDP is to win an election in Nigeria, it has to be with the performance of Rivers State.
“PDP cannot hang up against Rivers State because they will not recover from it. The Federal Government took us for granted, but they are yet to recover from it.”
PDP’s main rival in the State, APC, has withdrawn from the LGA election. In response, Wike said the APC withdrew to avoid another disgraceful beating at the polls. Meaning: The election will be a clean sweep for the PDP.
His Birthday has hitherto been celebrated on March 16th each year!
But March 16, 1942 was not the actual day he was born.
There was no Birth Register in his town Itu Ezinihitte Mbaise in Imo State during the period he was born. Neither his mother nor his father went to the white man’s school and no Birth Register was available in his village at the time.
It was his school teacher who in1951 miscalculated the actual date of his birth and mistakenly put it on March 16, 1942. But March 16 1942 was not the Fifth day of the week – FRIDAY – the actual day he was born!
THE ACTUAL DAY WAS MARCH 20, 1942. The period of his birth is aligned with the period when the most famous merchant in the area, popularly called ISRAEL died.
It has been a burden since this truth was discovered. Professor Nwala cherishes his popular name as a village boy. He is generally called FRIDAY. The younger ones call him DE FRIDAY, When they are angry with him they address him as WA FRIDAY.
He also relishes the name his father – EHILEGBU NWALA UFOMADU, gave him – UZODINMA. When the younger ones don’t address him as DE FRIDAY they call him DE WUZO.
You may want to know how come TIMOTHY as part of his official name.
He gave himself that name at the time he was being baptized in the Apostolic Church, a name he chose became it was the name of their popular teacher – TIMOTHY. I. IGWE.
Uzodinma Nwala was born in the bush on Friday March 20, 1942. This was during the intense period of the Second World War with its acute salt scarcity. Neither his mother nor his father went to the white man’s school and as said earlier no Birth Register was available in his village at the time. All his people remember that he was born on a FRIDAY.
His father was a very turbulent man, highly respected and feared throughout the entire Town of Itu and its environs. His mother was a very hardworking and intelligent trader, a stormy petrel among the women leaders of the town. His father died while he was just a small kid. He remembers the struggle between him and his senior brother as to who should be in front of the other in the line-up during the funeral tribute to his late father.
He and his late senior brother Ikpeoha have marks on their forehead which they inflicted on each other at different periods of their life
His mother carried him in her womb for twelve months, breast-fed him for three years, before weaning him. He nurtured three babies as a baby-sitter before fate turned him from the path of a trader, which his beloved mother had ear-marked for him to start formal schooling. And this was at the point his senior brother had revolted against the idea of himself going to school, dropped his school uniform and ran to his grandmother, protesting and insisting that it was his junior brother and not himself who should go to the white man’s school.
This was how his mother’s dream for his future bowed to his brother’s prophecy.
Within the six years of his primary schooling, he served five teachers as their house boy one of the most memorable cases was the one in which the elders of the Apostolic Church decided that his mother should surrender him as a house-boy to the Church Agent (Pastor) who had lost his wife, leaving behind three children. Everybody agreed that no-one else but Friday (as he was popularly called at the time), was good enough to be entrusted with the task of serving as a house-boy to the bereaved pastor and looking after his small children while at the same time going to school.
This is one of the momentous aspects of Uzodinma Nwala’s Odyssey which he relishes.
As we celebrate this day- MARCH 20, 2021 – we bow our head in awe of the mystery of the Odyssey which is called LIFE!
Onyike, Chairman,
ADF Publicity Bureau, was a former Commissioner for Information, Ebonyi State
Following violence occasioned by ballot snatching, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has suspended Saturday’s Ekiti East State Constituency one bye-election.
Three persons have been confirmed dead, with policemen and youth corps members seriously wounded.
Some gunmen, were said to have invaded voting centres and snatched ballot boxes.
INEC explained that the bye- election could no longer continue following outbreak of violence in various polling units in the LGA.
A policewoman and two others were killed by suspected political thugs.
A statement by the state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr Tella Adeniran, stated that “the situation is such that, a conducive environment no longer exists for further electoral activity at the polling units and the Collation centers.
“In view of this development, the Commission has suspended the election forthwith.”
Meanwhile, security agents are on the trail of some of the suspected hoodlums, in connection with the violence which marred the bye election.
A sibling of Rochas Okorocha, former Governor of Imo State, Mrs Geraldine Obinali, nee Okorocha, has lost a large expanse of land, allocated to her company during the Okorocha administration.
The plots of land are located at the Redemption Housing Estate Phase 111. They were allocated to Jessdean Ventures Ltd, of Number 3 Okeoma Close, Trans Egbu Layout, Owerri. The company is owned by Mrs Obinali, Okorocha’s sibling.
A Public Notice signed by Barr. Chinedu Mbakwe Obi, General Manager/ Chief Executive Officer, Imo Housing Estate, said the revocation was ” Sequel to all legal actions taken to notify Jessdean Vetures Ltd…” It said the land was allocated to her “for the sole purpose of providing infrastural facilities in the Estate which was never carried out.”
It asked anybody who had transacted on any of the revoked plots to “immediately come to the Imo State Housing Corporation with original papers for ratification.”
Following is the full text of the public notice revoking the land.
GENERAL PUBLIC NOTICE
“Sequel to all legal actions taken to notify Jessdean Ventures Ltd. of No. 3 Okeoma Close, Trans-Egbu Layout, Owerri owned by Geraldine Obinali(Nee Okorocha), We hereby revoke the following plot numbers in Redemption Housing Estate Phase III issued to her for the sole purpose of providing infrastructural facilities in the Estates which was never carried out.
“By this notice, the General Public is hereby been notified that if anybody have transacted on any of the above numbered plots, they are to immediately come to the Imo State Housing Corporation with original papers for ratifications.
“Imo State Housing Corporation will continue to ensure that the desires of the Governor, Sen. Hope Uzodimma in providing affordable housing for imo people will be achieved without delay.
“Signed:
Barr. Chinedu Mbakwe Obi
General Manager/Chief Executive
Imo State Housing Corporation.”
The revocation, many think, is part of the implementation of the Whitepaper on the Judicial Panel On Lands and Other Matters, set up by the immediate past Governor of the State, The Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, and sustained by Governor Hope Uzodinma on assumption of office.
The bye election to fill a vacant seat at Ekiti state House of Assembly has turned bloody with not less than three persons feared dead.
The assembly position became vacant last month following the death of the member who represented Ekiti East Constituency one, Mr Juwa Adegbuyi.
Early reports reveal that several persons sustained various degrees of injuries as suspected thugs, dangling dangerous weapons, unleashed a reign of terror on the electorate and election officials.
The People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress, (APC) are among the five political parties participating in the bye-election.
Among those that sustained injuries is a youth corps member serving as official in the election who is said to be currently receiving treatment at Ikole General Hospital.
The deceased persons, it was gathered, were shot by some armed political thugs who invaded a polling unit and opened fire at the electorate while attempting to snatch ballot boxes.
The incident was confirmed by the Ekiti State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Sunday Abutu, who said only a person has been confirmed dead, in a statement made available to newsmen.
According to the statement “Some suspected thugs attacked ward 7 Unit 7 Iworo in Omuo Ekiti, shooting sporadically while eligible voters were casting their votes in a bye election of Ekiti State House of Assembly.
“In the process, six persons were injured, among them were two policemen and one National Youths Service Corp(NYSC) member who are currently receiving treatment in Ikole General Hospital.,”
He also confirmed that some suspects have been arrested in connection with the incident.
Ondo State Governor, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu, has charged the new President of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Pastor Samuel Olusegun Oladele, to put an end to the prolonged crisis of division in the Church.
Governor Akeredolu, who said he has been involved in the CAC affairs for so many years, enjoined Pastor Oladele to make the unity of the church a priority.
Mr Akeredolu spoke on Saturday at the inauguration and Duty Commencement Service of Pastor Oladele as the 8th President, CAC worldwide in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The Governor, while urging the new President to bring everyone together under one fold, stressed that the Church must live up to its motto of “One Fold, One Shepherd”.
He further advised Pastor Oladele and other men of God in the Church to stay spiritually alive, adding that he has been saddled with a big task.
“When your citation was being read, the only thing that came to me was that your priority is to end the crisis of division in CAC.
“We have been involved in this for too long. There must be an end to this crisis of division. Let us all come together. It is enough.
“If you have chosen this as your priority, please pursue it with your vigor. I had known that you were going to be President one day because you are gifted. I know you have a task ahead.
“I want to congratulate you and the CAC. You must be spiritually alive. Let God remain with you. Let’s come together under one fold,” Governor Akeredolu said.
Present at the event were Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, represented by the Aso Rock Chaplain, Pastor Seyi Malomo; Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde; Governor of the State of Osun, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola, represented by the his Chief of Staff, Dr. Charles ‘Diji Akinola, and other dignitaries.
The past few days were not quite good for former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, who was, also, a two-time Governor of Edo State. It was double jeopardy for him.
First, the victory of Godwin Obaseki, Governor of Edo State, now of the PDP, over the APC at the Court of Appeal.
Second, Oshiomhole was brought to his knees by the Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom.
Both situations were brought upon the APC and Oshiomhole, by Oshiomhole’s legendary foul- mouthedness. His tongue is as sharp as razor, and what spues from it, acidic.
The case for which Obaseki emerged victorious against the APC was Oshiomhole’s handiwork. He, as the Chairman of the APC, disqualified Obaseki, a sitting Governor, over an alleged certificate forgery of the University of Ibadan.
On disqualification, Obaseki defected to the PDP which happily gave him the Governorship ticket. Oshiomhole campaigned against him, using the alleged certificate forgery, as a peg. But not only did Obaseki, his former ally, defeat him and his candidate at the poll, he defeated him in Courts, the most recent being on Wednesday, March 17, at the Court of Appeal, Abuja.
In a unanimous judgement, Their Lordships affirmed that Obaseki graduated from the University of Ibadan, citing as an irrefutable fact, the evidence of the Deputy Registrar of the University.
While Oshiomhole was still trying to come to terms with that defeat, and loss of hope of ever installing his candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, as Governor, he was brought to his knees by Ortom.
His problem with Ortom started when the Governor, seeing that he was likely to be denied a second term ticket by his then political party, the APC, defected to the PDP. Again, it happened within the period of Oshiomhole’s Chairmanship of the APC. Under Oshiomhole, the APC lost some states, allegedly, over his leadership style.
Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State
Addressing the Press on July 27, 2018, in his capacity as the APC Chairman, Oshiomhole descended on Ortom. He accused him of being personally responsible for the heinous crime of murder perpetrated in the State within the period.
A shocked and scandalized Ortom asked Oshiomhole to retract the apparent libel and defamation of character contained in his pronouncements at the Press Conference, and publicly apologise to him.. He gave him an ultimatum to so do, or he would go to Court.
Oshiomhole ignored Ortom who proceeded to Court. Within the period, Oshiomhole was sacked as the National Chairman of the APC, mainly over his spat with Obaseki and other sundry issues.
Ortom was relentless in his pursuit of the case. It was a case everybody knew Oshiomhole would lose because he had no evidence to back his claims.
Seeing Ortom’s relentlessness, and seeing that he was no longer the Chairman of the APC, and that the party may no longer be able to pick the Court’s bills, Oshiomhole did the most sensible thing –
He went back to his vomit.
In doing that, he tendered a public apology to Ortom, and retracted everything he said about the Governor during his 2018 address of the Press. In the retraction published in three National newspapers, Oshiomhole
admitted he lied against Governor Ortom; he admitted he had no facts to back the claims he made, he admitted his sources were wrong. And he apologised to Ortom.
Following is Oshiomhole’s published apology as carried in Newspapers of March 18, 2021, personally signed by him, and entitled:
RETRACTION OF PUBLICATION
“On the 27th day of July, 2018 at the National Headquarters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and particularly in my capacity then as the Chairman of the Party, I addressed different national issues as well as some events which occurred in Benue State, including the movement earlier that day of his Excellency, Dr. Samuel Ortom (Executive Governor of Benue State) from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party.
“In the course of the press conference, I made certain comments about Dr Ortom on the basis of information I have since found to be false and baseless.
“His Excellency Dr Samuel Ortom felt embarrassed, defamed and deeply aggrieved by the comments I made at the said press conference, culminating in litigation.
“That politics aside, Governor Samuel Ortom is a dear friend and brother with whom I have shared so much in common, including mutual respect.
“That as former colleagues and one time members of the Nigerian Governors’ forum and most importantly as someone whom I am just a phone call away from, any ridicule, embarrassment, spite and insult caused Dr Samuel Ortom is regretted.
“Owing to the relationship we share and in the larger interest of peace, harmony and brotherliness, I believe a complete retraction of my comments made on 27th July, 2018, and which Dr Samuel Ortom found offensive is proper and necessary.
“In view of all the above, I hereby retract the comments made during the press conference on 27th July, 2018, as it relates to Dr Samuel Ortom.”
Known for his famed foul-mouthedness, Oshiomhole had unleashed same on a number of high profile individuals.
For instance, he once called for the arrest, probe and prosecution of former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan. Both men, at one time or the other, contributed to his success in politics. He had also descended on Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, calling her incompetent, and accused her, of mismanaging Nigeria’s economy. Okonjo-Iweala was Nigeria’s Minister for Finance.
And when Ize-Iyamu was on the opposite side, and Governorship candidate of the PDP in 2016, he called the candidate a thief, a fake pastor, a cultists and untrustworthy.
In the run-up to the 2020 Governorship election in the state when he embraced Ize-Iyamu, and ditched Onaseki, he dismissed his allegations against him in 2016, as politics!
Criticisms, like claps of thunder, have greeted the Federal Government’s announcement that it would spend a whopping $1.5b (One billion, five Hundred million US Dollars) on the turn-around maintenance of the, almost, moribund Port Hacout Refinery, Rivers State.
The huge amount to be spent on the project was announced by President Muhammadu Buhari’s Deputy Minister for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva. Buhari is the substantive Minister for Petroleum Resources, a position he had also held as a Military Officer in a Military regime. He was, also, the Chairman of the Petroleum Trust Fund, PTF, under the late former Head of State, General Sani Abacha.
Announcing the approval by the Federal Executive Council, FEC, to spend that obscene amont of money on the Refinery, Sylva said it would be done in three phases.
But many Nigerians have reacted in disbelief, calling it a complete waste of scarce resource in a season of great want and difficulties for the Country.
Two-time Governor of Anambra State, and the Vice Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in 2019 Election, Peter Obi, reacted in disbelief to the news. He described it as financial recklessness.
Taking to his official verified Twitter handle, Obi wrote: “The news of the planned exlenditure of a whopping $1.5billion for PH Refinery is worrisome to well-meaning Nigerians. It is a huge waste.
“Our economy is on life support, but sadly, the managers of our affairs are worsening the situation by their financial rascality.”
Former Senator, Dino Melaye, in a video, decried the plan to waste money on the dead.
Descibing the PH Refinery as long been dead, Dino asked if the FG wanted to waste the $1.5bn on its embalmment.
The Conference of Nigerian Political Parties, CNPP, in a statement signed by its Secretary-General, Willy Ezukwu, condemned the plan to rehabilitate the Refinery in strong words.
The CNPP, said that; “The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) administration has not done any single thing differently than the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) since it came to power on the wings of its change
The statement asked the Federal Government to build a new refinery to help stop Nigeria from exporting crude oil, and importing fuel.The statement stated that the FG should “at least, do one thing right by building a brand new refinery and save the country from unending fuel importation in Nigeria.”
Expressing its disappointment, th in the Buhari Government, the CNPP said: “In 2015, most Nigerians were made to believe that an APC administration, headed by a retired General like President Muhammadu Buhari, would do things differently. But we now know better.
“It is disappointing that after spending over $25 billion on so-called turnaround maintenance of Nigeria’s refineries without any improvement, the Federal Executive Council, chaired by President Buhari will approve fresh $1.5 billion (about N575 billion) for the repair of Port Harcourt refinery.
“How can a whopping N575 billion be wasted again on the 32-year-old Port Harcourt refinery instead of building a new one?
“While the 100 percent capacity of the Port Harcourt Refinery, a two-plant complex, has a combined capacity of 210,000 barrel-per-day (bpd), Dangote is building a 650,000 bpd refinery with just about $15 billion.
“The Dangote petrochemical complex is reported to house a gas processor and the world’s biggest plant for ammonia and urea, which is used in making plastics and fertilizer.
“The Dangote refinery will produce Euro-V quality petroy and diesel, as well as jet fuel and polypropylene.
“It means that the $25 billion already wasted in turnaround maintenance by successive administrations would have built a bigger refinery for Nigeria than Dangote’s celebrated refinery complex.
“It is, therefore, a shame that after wasting $25 billion, Nigeria is spending the sum of $1.5 billion, about N575 billion, for another fruitless round of rehabilitation work on a 32-year-old Port Harcourt refinery.
“The ruling APC and President must be told that Nigerians are fed up with the rehabilitation of refineries in the country as well as the attendant waste, we should be proactive as a country to minimise waste of resources.
“We see the planned maintenance to be done in three phases of 18, 24 and 44 months, a proposal by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, as one of the conduit pipes for siphoning Nigeria hard earned foreign currencies”, the CNPP stated.
The PH Refinery has been a money-guzzler in the hands of Nigeria’s successive Governments. On a number of occasions, huge sums of money had been budgeted and wasted. The results were not effective. Nigerians think the PH Refinery has become every administration’s ATM.
