Former Vice Chancellor, University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University, (OAU) Prof Wande Abimbola, Emeritus Prof of history, Prof Banji Akintoye and Akogun Tola Adeniyi are among prominent Yoruba advocating unity and cohesion among the people in the face of various crimes.
Their call, coming on the wake of incessant kidnappings, raping, wanton killings and other vices, is under the Coalition of Yoruba Interests Group (CYIG).
According to them, it is only a united people that could ensure self-defense against the vices and have self determination.
This is one of the resolutions of stakeholders after a zoom meeting in which participants were drawn across the world.
Part of the resolution states “it is time for Yoruba people to wake up and move forward to revive their true destiny by actualising self determination for the Yoruba Nation and forestall the impending genocide being perpetrated by some rogue Fulani herdsmen.
In his speech, Chairman of the occasion, Emeritus Prof Abimbola charged the Yoruba to unite and face the criminals intent on destroying their ancestral homeland.
He lamented over the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Government’s insensitivity to the alleged genocide going on in the South West and South East of Nigeria.
In his own contribution, the leader of the Yorubas and Emeritus Professor of History, Banji Akintoye gave historical antecedent of the Fulani and their mission to wipe out the people of the South West and South East.
He emphasised that the Fulani could not lay claim to any land they could call their own in Africa and as such want to destroy other tribes to give room for their callous ambition.
In a keynote address titled: “Actions of Virtous People at a Perilous Time”, the Global Coordinator of the Oodua Action Movement (OAM), Otunba Demola Edward stated that it was obvious that the present federal government has no plan for the present and future, hence the need for the emerging Yoruba Nation which should be driven by vision.
According to him, only those who can operate at higher mental level, with outstanding antecedents, should be at the helm of Yoruba affairs.
He also advised that the Yoruba Nation must resist attempts by ambitious individuals in pursuit of personal ambition at the detriment of its citizenry from attaining the pinnacle of power.
“It is our humble opinion that people-oriented visions should be about the common good of those being represented by their elected officers.
“Our vision for a better society is for us to ensure that those who cannot separate vision from ambition, and those who are incapable of conceptualizing a vision should not emerge as leaders in Yoruba Nation.”
He further stressed that the aim of Yọruba nation should be “to steer the away from a potential rudderless state of affair evident in Nigeria now than any other time in our history.”
This is because “it is apparent that the Fulani supported by the Federal Government of Nigeria are hell bent in taking over our ancestral homeland because of the natural resources for which the southwest is well endowed.
“It is therefore pertinent that all Yoruba of various interests groups should come together at this crucial and very critical time in our history to chart a new course for our nation.”
Also, veteran journalist, Akogun Tola Adeniyi in his contribution, said the programme was well conceived and that the Fulani need to be sent out of the Southwest.
The Olusola Saraki led Reconciliation Committee of the People’s Democratic Party,(PDP) has been urged to investigate allegations of anti party activities against former Governor of Ekiti State, Mr Ayodele Fayose.
This was contained in one of the memoranda submitted to the Committee from the South-west.
“This senseless crisis on daily basis, is eroding the confidence of the members of our party and emboldening the opposition. The allegations that former Governor Fayose is working hard to distabilise the party in the zone for the benefit of Bola Tinubu must be thoroughly investigated and established and appropriate responses must be made by the National secretariat of our party, as no one is bigger than the party.
“Without apportioning blame to either of the parties, it is clear that on one part a selfish interest is seen to have overshadowed party and collective interest, and on the other part the National headquarters seems helpless or a deliberate attempt to look elsewhere because of some overriding interest.
“This is where the South west PDP Members will like to implore the Saraki led committee to look into. Our electoral success does not lie in sentiment or fear of the unknown, it only lies in standing firm when and where necessary and ensuring justice for all.”
The author of the memorandum, Mr Oladimeji Fabiyi, pointed out that “It is indeed, a sad commentary to see a vibrant zone like the South-west embroiled in an unnecessary crisis as being witnessed today .
“It is believed that crisis is part of politics, but the crisis must not enter a dimension that will begin to shake the foundation of our party.
”Crisis threatens success, peace and progress of the party especially when it’s not healthy like what we are witnessing in southwest and other zones of our party.”
He also identified the frozen relationship between Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state and Fayose as one of the problems of the zone.
“The unwarranted crisis of leadership that have engulfed the party in the zone since a year and above now between Gov. Seyi Makinde and Former Governor Fayose is not only disheartening but totally unwarranted, misplaced and disgusting.”
As ways forward, he recommended that the upcoming Zonal Congress in South west and other zones must be seen to be credible, free, fair and generally accepted. “The two factions must be told in clear terms that failure to embrace peace and unity will have dire consequences.
“Unity and peace are not negotiable in the south west PDP, as these are the only sure way to achieve victory in present and future elections.
“All grey areas and agitations of the two groups must be addressed frontally and the National headquarters must not be bias but be ready to enthrone justice and stand strong on peaceful and unity of our party.
“All allegations against former Governor Fayose of secret anti party must be thoroughly investigated and established and cause of action must be taken.
“The National Secretariat must rise up to the occasion and rise above any sentimental shenanigans, narrow interests that will always limit the chances of our party and be ready to wield the big stick when necessary.”
Apapo Oodua Koya, (AOKOYA) one of the regional south west groups, has raised the alarm over an alleged possible invasion of some South-west states by terrorists.
In a press statement signed by two leaders of the group, Ahmed Korede and Olayomi Koiki, they named the states to include Ogun, Oyo and Ondo States.
The statement indicated that a letter has been addressed to the three affected state Governors.
“A pan Yoruba group said it has received information that the armed terrorists in Ogun, Oyo and Ondo forests are targeting primary and secondary schools in the three states where they plan to abduct pupils.
“The terrorists are at present mapping out their targets in Ondo, Oyo and Ogun States where they are gradually building armed fortresses.
“The groups are coordinated and linked with the kidnappers in Niger, Zamfara and Kaduna States.
“We got the information through credible intelligence. We have the capacity to tap some of the communication of the insurgents usually rendered in Fulfulde.
“They are planning to kidnap school children in large numbers in any or all of the states mentioned above.
“They are presently located at Yewa in Ogun State, they are in Oke-Ogun in Oyo and Idanre-Ondo town axis in Ondo State.
“It is our responsibility to inform you of information at our disposal. We hope you begin to trust our intelligence beginning from two years ago when we warned the South West Governors about armed Fulani cells spread across the South West forests.
“If you allow this kidnapping to take place, you will be helpless because the security network you have around you are not for you but designed and controlled by enemies of Yoruba Nation.”
The group urged the South West governors including Lagos, Ekiti, Osun, Kwara, Kogi and Itsekiri to adopt what it called an offensive strategy, stressing that it is naïve for anyone to believe what is going on has no government support.
As precautionary measures, the group suggested immediate identification of vulnerable institutions and provide an effective architecture as well as setting up “Watching Posts” in all towns and villages across Yoruba land.
“Instead of using state budgets, communities should be mobilized to do this on their own.”
It called for restructuring of the regional security network, Amotekun through retraining, recruitment of more hands to give prominent roles to radical Yoruba self determination youths.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC has called for a legislative framework with clear fiscal terms in order to tap the full potential of the gas resources in the nation’s deepwater acreages.
The Group Managing Director of NNPC, Mallam Mele Kyari, made the call at a one-day public hearing on “Inclusion of Gas Terms in Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs)” organized by the House of Representatives Joint Committee on Gas Resources, Petroleum Resources (Upstream and Downstream).
A press release by the Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Dr. Kennie Obateru, quoted the GMD as saying that investors needed clarity on fiscal terms to be encouraged to commit their capital for gas development projects.
He stated that a functional legislative framework that provides a clear sight on how investors can recoup the capital on investment and make gains is what the Petroleum Industry Bill was all about, adding that the passage of the Bill would help resolve issues of fiscal terms in the Production Sharing Contracts, PSC.
He explained that the PSC agreements were focused mainly on crude oil production leaving the gas development component to the discretion of the parties thus making the provision in PSC for development of gas was very weak.
“The PSC simply says the parties can sit down and agree on a framework for monetizing the gas on terms that are mutually acceptable,” he noted, stressing that a gas pricing mechanism was urgently needed to drive gas development.
He noted that the Ministry of Petroleum Resources under the leadership of the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, was aggressively driving gas pricing policy as part of the Federal Government’s gas commercialization initiative.
Speaking earlier, the Speaker of the House of Representative, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, said the Joint Committee on Gas and Petroleum Resources was set up in November 2019 to help resolve issues hindering the efficient development and utilization of the abundant natural resources in the country.
He said the public hearing was convened to enable the Committee collate the views of stakeholders for a thorough review of the statutes.
In his address, the Chairman of the Joint Committee, Hon. Nicholas Mutu, listed the mandate of the Committee to include: working with stakeholders to review the existing PSCs with a view to accommodating fiscal terms for gas; liaising with the NNPC, DPR and other relevant agencies to determine the current situation in the gas sector with the aim of proffering solutions to attract investors and grow the economy, and providing amendment to current PSCs for further legislative action.
The public hearing attracted stakeholders in the oil and gas sector including public institutions, local and international oil companies and civil society organizations.
On Friday, April 2, 2021, Navy Commander Kelechi Ndukwe, a friend and colleague, will make history as the First Nigerian and Nigerian-American to take command of a U.S. Navy Guided Missile Destroyer, USS HALSEY (DDG-97).
This great milestone and key event in our history will set the center-stage for our young children and future generations of Nigerian-Americans and other African countries in diaspora.
There are many opportunities in the Navy for our children in diaspora ranging from Naval Aviator, Submarine Warfare, Surface Warfare, Integrated Weapons Systems, Scientists, Medicine, Pharmacist, Nursing, Engineering, Maintenance Technologists, Nuclear Propulsion Engineering (with over $50,000 annual bonus) to name a few.
We need more of our children in diaspora to engage in these career choices. They are rewarding, and at the same time meet the challenges of our forward deployed forces.
As a Surface Warfare Officer, Commander Ndukwe has served on multiple warships to include destroyers, cruisers, and mine countermeasures with extensive deployments to the Mediterranean Sea, Horn of Africa, Arabian Gulf, Western Pacific Ocean, and South America.
At sea, he qualified as Surface Warfare Officer aboard USS THORN (DD-988), where he served as Auxiliaries Mechanical Engineering Officer; USS NORMANDY (CG-60) as Fire-Missile Control Officer; Forward Deployed to Yokosuka, Japan aboard USS FITZGERALD (DDG-62) as Weapons Launching and Combat Systems Officer; Executive and Commanding Officer of USS DEVASTATOR (MCM-6), a minesweeper based in Bahrain; and most recently as the Executive Officer, USS HALSEY (DDG-97) in Pear Harbor, Hawaii.
Ashore, Ndukwe served in the Navy Office of Legislative Affairs, representing the Navy on Capitol Hill as a Congressional Liaison Officer. Further, he served as Surface Strike Requirement Officer-OPNAV 96 at the Pentagon, Washington DC; Deputy Executive Assistant to the Director for Surface Warfare on the Navy Staff, Washington DC; and Surface Warfare Branch Chief, Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff.
Commander Ndukwe graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering through Navy ROTC scholarship and earned a Master’s degree in National Security and Strategy from the U.S. Naval War College.
His command selection will contribute immensely to our forward deployed forces.
Ndukwe has been recognized with various personal, unit-level, and campaign awards including the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.
Will President Buhari jail Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu over corruption? That is the big question on the lips of many Nigerians, particularly supporters of Tinubu after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC decided to open an investigation into corruption allegations against the former Governor of Lagos state and APC National Leader.
There were suggestions that the relationship between the former political allies has broken down and there have been plots to frustrate the former Governor by those in Government who feel he poses a threat to their political ambitions. On the hand, there are others who believe that Tinubu, who many say single-handedly ensured that Buhari emerged winner in the 2015 presidential election, must be brought to book for various corruption allegations hanging over his neck.
But these speculations are not particularly new. A couple of times, there had been stories over alleged strained relationship between Buhari and Tinubu, but they somehow make a fool out of those alleging that by coming on strong to present a common front.
As for corruption allegations against Tinubu, they have been there for over a decade, but nothing gets done. However, the corruption allegations seem to have come up stronger now than ever. And it does seem that attention is finally being paid to them.
Trouble started for the former Lagos governor, not long after President Muhammadu Buhari took power six year ago, following the calls by critics of the former Governor’s for his probe, allegedly, for corruptly enriching himself from the resources of the Centre of Excellence as Lagos is widely known. But the anti-graft agency had ignored the call on the basis that there are no strong grounds to charge him to court.
President Muhammadu Buhari: Will he jail Tinubu?
Recall that Tinubu, was in 2011 charged before the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, for false assets declaration but, later, discharged by the tribunal for lack of enough evidence.
However, speculations were that a number of senior citizens, including a high profile Traditional Ruler intervened on Tinubu’s behalf. It was also, alleged, that the then President Goodluck Jonathan was not keen on taking-on Tinubu.
But the call to investigate him gained momentum as soon as Buhari came to power in 2015 with many insisting that he must explain the source of his wealth. Two years ago, it gained momentum after bullion vans were spotted in his Bourdillon, Lagos home on the eve of the 2019 Presidential election. The vans were said to have been loaded with cash which was allegedly used to bribe voters to vote for the APC candidates during the election. Tinubu has not denied the allegation. The bullion van incident was one that shook the nation, and deducted quite some from the reputation of the EFCC as an impartial anti-graft agency.
For instance, immediately after the 2019 election, a human rights activist, Deji Adeyanju submitted a petition to the EFCC demanding that Tinubu be probed over the bullion van saga, noting that there were enough grounds to bring the former Governor to justice.
After submitting the petition to the anti-graft agency, the activist told journalists “Remember, a few days ago, the EFCC challenged Nigerians that the reason they cannot investigate Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the election eve bullion vans sighted at his residence was because there was no petition to that effect.
“Some of us have already taken up the challenge which is exactly the reason we are here and, basically, I believe that, as citizens of our country, we must always ensure that the right thing is done at all times. To the best of our knowledge, Mr. Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a private citizen who ordinarily should not be seen with a convoy of bullion vans.”
The activist demanded to know what the cash loaded vans were doing in the house of the politician a few hours to the presidential election.
Adeyanju said The questions begging for answers are: What are bullion vans doing in the house of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu? Who owns the content, believing to be cash in the bullion vans that were seen entering the house of Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the eve of Nigerian presidential elections?
“Has the commission, based on its core mandates, investigated the source of the Bullion Vans? Is Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s house now a bank where Bullion Vans now take money to?” Adejanju demanded.
In spite of the issues raised by the activist in the petition, and by other prominent Nigerians who demanded that a searchlight be beamed on APC strongman, the anti-agency led by the now sacked Ibrahim Magu failed to act on the allegations, which raised many questions of a state cover up for Tinubu. This even became moreso following suggestions in some quarters that Tinubu was instrumental to the appointment of the former EFCC boss and that efforts to sweep the matter under the rug was in the offing. The suspicion that Magu was covering up for the former governor, despite an avalanche of allegations against him, became stronger after the ex-EFCC boss was quoted to have said there were not enough evidence for the Commission to act.
Magu was eventually removed, last year, as the Chairman of the Commission by President Buhari based on the recommendations of Presidential Panel which investigated him for alleged corruption and insubordination to the Minister for Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN.
But barely five months after the exit of Magu from the EFCC, Abdulrasheed Bawa, the new boss of the Commission has swung into action to investigate the former governor, raising serious questions on whether the Presidency has seen the need to go after the APC stalwart.
According to a letter marked CR/3000/EFCC/LS/Vol4/322, dated November 6, 2020 signed by Abdulrasheed Bawa, who was then Lagos Zonal Head of the commission, the ICPC was requested to furnish the agency with Tinubu’s assets declaration.
The letter read in part, “In view of the above, you are kindly requested to furnish the commission with the outstanding requested information of Bola Ahmed Adekunle Tinubu.This request is made pursuant to Section 38(1) and (2) of the EFCC Act 2004.
In the letter, the EFCC referred to its previous letter of September 4, 2020, and CCB’s response of October 9, 2020, asking the bureau to supply “outstanding requested information of Bola Ahmed Adekunle Tinubu.”
EFCC Operatives
Unconfirmed reports had it that one of reasons for the removal of Magu may not be unconnected with his perceived fraternity with the former Lagos governor. One source said Magu , who was initially seen by the President as a hard working and honest operative “began to receive a cold shoulder from the same President who had tried to push him through Senate confirmation, twice, even after the lawmakers refused to confirm him.
“They showed President Buhari damning evidence from security agencies which solidly proved that the influence of the former Governor was weighing down on Magu’s job as EFCC chair. The President was also informed how the former EFCC boss failed to investigate Tinubu despite various petitions against him by human rights bodies and top individuals in the country, not leaving out some former close associates of Tinubu who want him probed for corruption,” the source said.
In June 2018, Dapo Apara, a former managing director of Alpha Beta Consultants, a tax company in which Tinubu allegedly has interest, wrote the EFCC to probe for alleged tax evasion and fraud to the tune of over N100 Billion. Apara, a chartered accountant, would later sue the former governor on the same grounds more than two years after EFCC failed to act on his petition. Alpha Beta, which has an exclusive right to collect funds on behalf of Lagos State, is believed to be partly owned by Tinubu.
Last October, Apara’s lawyer, Tade Ipadeola, issued a 40-page writ of summons where he accused Alpha-beta and Akin Doherty, a former commissioner in the Lagos State of money laundering, fraud, tax evasion, and other corrupt practices. He revealed in the summons how Tinubu used Gboyega Oyetola, a former director of the firm and now governor of Osun state to launder several billions of naira from the company, which was then diverted to companies owned by the Lagos strongman. Apara fell out with Tinubu after the latter allegedly cheated him of his 30 percent shres in the firm.
Also, last August, a former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri filed a petition against Tinubu on Change.org, accusing him of corruption and called on the Economic EFCC to probe him over the bullion van saga.
The most damning of the petitions is the one by a pro-democracy group, Coalition Against Corruption and Impunity, which demanded the EFCC to probe Tinubu’s eight year tenure as governor of Lagos state.
The petition, signed July 24, 2020 by John Olufemi and Mohammed Sanni, the group’s coordinator and secretary respectively, was copied to the Attorney-General of the Federation, AGF, Abubakar Malami and the Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Mohammed Adamu.
Some of the allegations the coalition is asking the commission to look into are the development of 1,000 hectares of land for golf course and housing estate by Asset and Resource Management Limited at N75billion located at Lakowe near Ibeju Lekki Government given to Lekki Concession Company, LCC) partly owned by Tinubu and his successor Babatunde Fashola,
The group also accused the former governor of operating eight foreign bank accounts while in office as Executive Governor of Lagos State in contravention of Section 7 of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act, Cap 56 LFN, 1990.
Other allegations are the N250 hectare of land valued at N35billion strategically located at Ajah Junction on Lekki Road originally meant for the construction of General Hospital for Eti-Osa Local Government, handed over to Trojan Estate Limited;
Transferring of the annex of Lagos State Guest House in Asokoro Abuja, purchased by the Lagos State Government in 2006 for N450million to protect the main building from security breach and a 14-hectare Parkview Ikoyi estate foreshore land reclaimed by Lagos State Government.
The rights body said “As citizens we are alarmed by mind-boggling wrongdoing perpetrated during this period and we are even more perplexed that the Law Enforcement and Anti-Corruption Agencies have over the years appear uninterested and unwilling to probe the many allegations of infractions allegedly committed in Lagos state.
”We believe the fight against corruption should be absolute and total with no sacred cows allowed. No territory or individual under the Federal Republic of Nigeria should be beyond investigation of the anti-corruption agencies. Inaction on matters like this is a huge dent to the government’s claim to fight against corruption”.
Considering that the anti-graft agencies have looked the other way for six years after Buhari took power, analysts say Nigerians are surprised that the EFCC has suddenly woken up from its slumber and decided to go after the former Lagos helmsman. They, however, insist that the Commission has the constitutional power to probe anyone, high and low, no matter the political or ethnic affiliation, so long its actions are within the ambitions of the law.
But some close watchers of the Buhari presidency told the magazine that Aso Rock is not happy with the former Governor over some issues affecting the country lately. They particularly cited last year’s EndSARS protest, which some top aides of the President believed had the imprimatur of Tinubu. Even though the politician has denied involvement in the October 20 protest against police brutality by youths across the country, which later snowballed into massive destruction of public property in Lagos and other states, “some associates of the President believe that the protest was sponsored with the intention of bringing down the administration by some politicians in the South west who are not happy with President Buhari’s style of leadership. These people believe that there is nothing that happens in the region without Tinubu’s knowledge. That’s how the former Lagos governor came into the matter, and you know that whenever you are targeted by those in power it is very difficult for the target to prove innocence,” Abdulfatah Arole, an analyst cum Lagos politician told the magazine.
He explained that Tinubu has become a subject of treachery of those in Buhari’s government who are particularly not happy with his decision to run for the 2023 presidential election. Though Tinubu has yet to declare interest in the race, some political groups, including SWAGA, led by Senator Olusola Adeyeye, a former Senate Minority Whip have been moving around the country, consulting with major stakeholders on the need to support the politician’s presidential ambition.
A public analyst and media aide to former Governor Chimaroke Nnamani of Enugu state, Festus Adedayo, in his column, last week, titled ‘Buhari and His Tinubu Frankenstein’ said the 2023 presidential race is the reason why the federal government decided to unleash the EFCC on the former governor.
He said: “By ‘shattering political airwaves,’I meant that the politically naïve were taken aback by this turn of events. In virtually all the states of Nigeria, the periodic rat race for 2023 has begun and only the fittest can survive the heat. We are entering Nigerian politicians’ own masquerade festival season and its insignia of festivity – multiple coloured dresses – is beginning to appear. Anyone in possession of a political binocular microscope which can see through the recess of the fetid minds of the Nigerian politician would predict with oracular certainty that Tinubu’s mess has begun and can only witness a metastasis.”
According to him, some powerful presidential aides are not happy with the rising profile of the former Governor who appeared poised to stop him by all means possible from becoming President, using various corruption allegations against him as a smoke screen. He said Abdulrasheed Bawa’s may have been appointed to bring down the APC stalwart. Noting that the EFCC boss rode on the crest of Malami to clinch the job, he explained that the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, alongside others in the Presidency, is leading the onslaught to frustrate Tinubu’s presidential quest.
“If the highly touted familiar relationship between Malami and Bawa, newly appointed EFCC chairman, has any modicum of truth in it,” Adedayo said “then it may be justifiably said that Bawa’s main assignment could be to achieve the Buhari click’s end result of smoking out Tinubu. The desperation to push through the candidacy of the 40-year old young man and the apparent frenetic drive to adjust his eligibility cadre are pointers to this effort,” he said.
Richard Akinola, another public analyst said “For the EFCC to suddenly wake up now and be asking the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) for Tinubu’s asset declaration forms, reeks of all ingredients of conspiracy theory, particularly against the backdrop of his suspected presidential ambition. He, however, warned the anti-graft agency to thread softly as “Tinubu’s current investigation by the EFCC can’t be divorced from his supposed presidential ambition, a move that would inevitably garner him more sympathy than opprobrium.”
Meanwhile, other watchers of the political events in the country insist that the EFCC probe may actually be a ploy by the Buhari administration to clear the former Governor of alleged graft and give him a clean bill of health to contest the crucial 2023 presidential election.
According to this school of thought, the ongoing probe could be another ingenious way by some power brokers in the ruling APC to perpetuate the party in power, riding on an unwritten agreement allegedly between Buhari and Tinubu that the ex – governor will succeed the former when his tenure expires in three years time.
But Aso Rock sources told the magazine on Monday that the President has confided in some of his close aides recently that he may not support Tinubu’s Presidential ambition because of his belief that the former Lagos governor’s image will tarnish his own image as an anti-graft advocate if he threw his weight behind him to be Nigeria’s president.
This is coming amidst revelation, at the weekend by Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi state, that there was no agreement in the APC for power shift to the south. The controversial helmsman of the Confluence State as Kogi, is widely known is very close to the president and is among top politicians in the ruling party eyeing Buhari’s seat.
Two siblings of the same parents are among 37 suspected fraudsters that were picked up on Monday in Ado Ekiti by the Ilorin Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Popularly called ‘Yahoo-Yahoo Boys’, they were nabbed at their various residences in Ado-Ekiti when officials of the anti- graft agency swooped on the state capital.
A statement signed by EFCC Media Head, Mr Wilson Uwujaren, and made available to newsmen, explained that the arrest was sequel to series of intelligence reports on the alleged criminal activities of some internet fraudsters operating in the state.
”Officers of the Commission had carried out series of discreet surveillance on the nature of activities going on in the area, which established that the location where the suspects were rounded up is a hideout for fraudsters.
”Two of the suspects arrested are brothers of the same parent – Dada Dele and Dada Tunde with Segun Kazeem, Adepoju Pelumi, Jejelowo Segun, David Ojo, Sodiq Adetoye and Opeyemi Akiniyi.
“Others include: Michael Ekundayo, Victor Olujobi, Damilola Akinluyi and Attamah Hyauth, Ade Ajayi Tobi, Oyewola Adewunmi, Emmanuel Bello, Lekan Oyewole, Oso Opeyemi, Oluwaseun Temitope Ezekiel, Akinrodolu Sunday and Emmanuel Attah.
“Also arrested are Sunday Adedoyin, George Tobi, Odunayo Daramola, Olubola Olushola Sunday, Temitope Ayomide, Faboro John Oluwagbotemi, Ajibade Timilehin Emmanuel and Momoh Ranti.
“The remaining suspects arrested are Ajibade Seyi, Eniola Abdulbasit, Oreoluwa Ayuba, Christopher Olutobiloba, Samuel Ajayi, Abiodun Akeem, Tunde Orija, Ajila Ayodeji and Oyeleke Kehinde.”
It added that the raid led to the confiscation of scores of vehicles, laptops, sophisticated phones and other items.
Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has said former President Goodluck Jonathan is a man of peace and that posterity will be kind to him.
Governor Uzodimma spoke on Monday when he received Dr. Jonathan and his team at the Sam Mbakwe Executive Chambers shortly before they went to commission a private health facility – Aihwa Hope Centre – built by an indigene of the state, Rev. Kenny Udunka in Owerri.
Governor Uzodimma appreciated the gesture of calling on him and described Dr. Jonathan as a peaceful man and a beacon of good governance.
He added that the former President’s visit to Imo State though not on a working visit shows his love for the people, the state and a partner in progress.
He further assured him of the readiness of the state to accord him warm reception anytime and appealed that from time to time the former President should visit the state and access the level of development going on by his administration.
In his reaction, Dr. Jonathan expressed happiness over the sudden warm reception and eulogized the Governor for his commitment towards changing the face of Imo state for the better.
He charged the governor to remain unwavering in his determination towards the development of the state and encouraged politicians in the state to eschew politics of hate.
He also urged the governor’s appointees to help him in making the state a better place for all.
At the commissioning ceremony of Aihwa Integrated Clinic along Sam Mbakwe International Airport, Owerri, both Governor Uzodimma and Dr Jonathan harped on the need for a health facility in the state in particular and the country in general that will put a stop to incessant medical tourism embarked upon by Nigerians.
They lauded Rev. Fr Udumka for the foresight in attracting the facility to Imo State and urged the citizens to patronize the centre. Governor Uzodimma specifically pledged government support by way of creating an enabling environment that will enable the centre function optimally. Earlier in his welcoming address, Rev. Fr Udumka thanked the governor as Chief Host and Dr Jonathan as Special Guest of Honour, as well as other special dignitaries, including some first class traditional rulers from different parts of the country who graced the occasion.
Security Agencies in the country have been asked to put an eye on Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi.
The request was made by Chief Ali Odefa, the National Vice President, South East, of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in a statement he released on Monday, March 8.
In the statement Odefa said Umahi as is, allegedly, his habit, plans to plant incriminating materials, including explosives, around him to create the false impression that he, Odefa, is a sponsor of the IPOB-created Eastern Security Network, ESN.
Recall that Odefa was one of the high profile Ebonyi sons the Governor had declared war upon for, allegedly, not defecting to the All Progressives Congress, APC, with him. Others were former Senate President/former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Chief Anyim Pius Anyim, former Ebonyi State Governor, Senator Sam Egwu, and Senator Chima Ogbu.
Odefa named some other victims of Umahi’s alleged evil machinations, including Journalists, and said Umahi was doing everything to muzzle dissenting voices in the State.
Following, the full text of Odefa’s statement, personally signed by him.
PLAN TO PLANT IMPROVISED EXPLOSIVE DEVICE ON THE NATIONAL VICE CHAIRMAN, PDP SOUTHEAST ZONE EXPOSED
“The attention of the National Vice Chairman (NVC) of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Southeast Zone, Chief Ali Odefa has been drawn to a sinister grand plan by the Governor David Umahi led Government of Ebonyi State to plant incriminating items including Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) and other unauthorized weapons around him (the NVC) as part of a larger devious plans to tag Chief Ali Odefa as the sponsor of the Eastern Nigeria Security Network (ESN), thereby pitting him against the Federal Government of Nigeria.
“It has become necessary to alert the good people of Ebonyi State and the general public of the unrelenting efforts of Governor Umahi and his agents to muzzle dissenting voices in Ebonyi State through any means possible including fabrication of lies, intimidation and outright violence.
Governor Dave Umahi
“The examples of Mr. Charles Otu, Edward Nnachi (Punch) and Chijioke Agwu (Daily Sun) who were brutally attacked for doing their journalistic jobs in the State and many other Ebonyians who have been violently attacked for holding opinions seen as being different from that of
“Governor Umahi abound.
The public will recall that in November 2020 when governor Umahi embarked on his lone defection to the All Progressive Congress (APC) from the PDP, he made wild accusations against Chief Ali Odefa and other leaders of Ebonyi State, including the former President of the Senate and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Anyim Pius Anyim, the former Governor of Ebonyi State and the Senator representing Ebonyi North in the Senate, Dr. Sam Ominyi Egwu and the lawmaker representing Ebonyi Central, Senator Obinna Ogba.
“In that wild accusations, Governor Umahi had accused the afore mentioned leaders of the PDP of being sponsors of cultists and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), all in a bid to pit them against security agencies and the Federal Government of Nigeria- of course, the lies failed like the pack of cards that they really were.
“The latest evil plan of the Government of Ebonyi State and its agent to yet again make an attempt to damage the reputation of Chief Ali Odefa through the planting of incriminating IEDs and other prohibited items on him will also fail.
Intelligence reports indicate that the planned planting of IEDs around Chief Ali Odefa is intended to also include Chief Odefa’s business concerns in Ebonyi State and those of his supporters and other prominent members of the PDP. A case in mind is a similar plan that was hatched against the Caretaker Publicity Secretary of the PDP Ebonyi State chapter, Barr. Silas Onu whom Governor Umahi has been consistently harassing and eventually declared wanted on the trump of charge of being the instigator of the ongoing communal crises in Effiom community in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of the state. Whereas, Mr. Onu’s is neither from Ohaukwu Local Government Area nor resident of Effiom community, the government went ahead to place a bounty on him in order to run him out of the state in a bid to stifle information flow within the members of the PDP in Ebonyi State.
“It has become very urgently necessary to call the attention of Security agencies including the Nigeria Police, Department of State Services (DSS), the military and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to intensify surveillance on the agents of Ebonyi State government as well as Governor Umahi’s hatchet men to forestall any intended violence they may have planned to foist on the people of Ebonyi State through the detonation of IEDs in any part of the state.
“As a law abiding political party, promoter of democracy and the freedom that comes with it, the PDP Southeast zone wishes to admonish Governor Umahi to play politics in line with the sacrosanct provisions of the Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution as amended which guarantees the freedoms of speech, association as well as the freedom to aspire for various leadership positions in Nigeria.
“The PDP will never be cowed, blackmailed or intimidated. The PDP established and nurtured the democracy Nigeria is enjoying today which Governor Umahi is a major beneficiary, we shall therefore, not keep quiet and allow undemocratic forces to truncate our hard-earned democracy for their selfish interests.
“Nigeria security agencies must be alive to their responsibilities, uphold the law which they are constitutionally empowered to protect and save the people of Ebonyi State from the government of Governor David Umahi.”
A former Deputy Speaker, Ondo state House of Assembly, Ogundeji Iroju, has shed light on the visit of the nine anti-impeachment Lawmakers in the state House of Assembly who were sited at Owo, country home of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu on Sunday.
Iroju, who was removed as Deputy Speaker of the Assembly due to his hardline posture and refusal to support the impeachment of Mr Agboola Ajayi as Deputy Governor last year, explained that the visit was purely on invitation from the Governor.
According to him, he and other eight Lawmakers that were opposed to the impeachment of Ajayi did not go to beg Governor Akeredolu.
Governor Rotimi Akeredolu
“Why will anyone say I went to Owo to beg Akeredolu? Did I offend him? Beg him for what?
So, I couldn’t have gone to Owo to beg Akeredolu, because I didn’t offend him.
I went to Owo with my colleagues on the invitation of the governor himself.
“Not only me, all the 26 members of the House of Assembly got an invitation from the Parliamentary Secretary of the Ondo state House of Assembly, who is authorised to issue such invitation, that the governor had requested to see all the 26 members in his house at Owo today (Sunday).
“On that note, being the Governor of the state, he has the right to invite us and we went to honour the invitation.”
On what transpired at the meeting, he disclosed that “on getting there, he addressed us and asked us what led to the crisis and everybody said his own side and that was how we left the place.
“So nobody had gone there to beg him. What we had done was about the impeachment of the former Deputy Governor which nine of us dissociated ourselves from, and it is our constitutional right to dissociate or to agree and that’s not an offence against anybody,”
