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OPINION: The South West Presidential Hopefuls |The Source

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The Source
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Reuben Abati

By Reuben Abati

Most of the politicians whose names have been mentioned in connection with Nigeria’s 2023 Presidential election, either as a hopeful or an aspirant would readily tell you it is too early to talk about the next election. Don’t buy that. They are lying.  The race for the next Nigerian elections began immediately the last general elections ended.

The politicians are at best hedging their bets. Perhaps for this reason: The two major political parties – the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) are busy watching and spying on each other. They have so far refused to announce their zoning formula, but even with all that talk about merit and competence, both parties will still adopt a zoning principle at all levels.

The way I see it, the questions to consider are as follows: Will the Presidency be zoned to the North, the East or the South? The people of the South East have already stated clearly, and they are not joking about this, that the only way to ensure equity, fairness and justice is to allow the Presidency go around the six geo-political zones before anyone begins to reject zoning. Meanwhile, what we have seen across the country’s six geo-political zones, are persons who have been testing the waters, flying kites, engaging in whispering campaigns, auto-suggesting the future of Nigeria. I intend to devote some time to a deconstruction of the emerging trends, particularly in the South West where members of the APC have made it clear that there is an outstanding Memorandum of Understanding within the party dating back to 2014/2015.

The understanding is that after President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure, the Presidency will be zoned to the South West. Key political figures in the South West wing of the APC are relying on this promise and agreement. Who are they? What is the state of play? Will the APC keep the promise? My preliminary reading is as follows:

The most dominant name, figure and player in South West politics, at the moment is Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Jagaban of Borgu, former two-term Governor of Lagos State, the man who led the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) into the alliance with Buhari’s Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), the new PDP, a faction of APGA  and the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) to form the APC, the Special Purpose Acquisition Company, that grabbed power by hook or crook from the PDP in 2015.

Tinubu is a national leader of the APC. The big elephant in the APC room is that he, the well-known Godfather, wants to be President in 2023. His posters are all over the country. Yesterday, I saw one of those posters proclaiming his 2023 Presidential ambition around the Ikoyi-Lekki link bridge in Lagos. And I was like: really, so this thing is true?

A few days earlier, social media was awash with images of small bags of rice with Tinubu’s image being distributed in parts of the North. His spokesperson says he has nothing to do with that. Just the handiwork of benevolent volunteers who are distributing rice, in the godfather’s name, in the spirit of Ramadan.

Before that particular monkey business, Tinubu was also shown cosying up to the North; his 69th birthday colloquium was held in Kano, and he has been seen, lately, trying to be more Northern than the average Northerner.

Tinubu’s alleged Presidential ambition has driven up hypertension levels across regions. But his ambition if it exists, is unpopular. Not even his own Yoruba people have bought into it despite the pretensions of a vocal minority. I really don’t think Asiwaju Tinubu wants to be President, nor will he be. In the course of his political career, he has made more than enough enemies and acquired more than enough baggage, stepping on toes, and playing the role of a Grand Architect. If he steps forward to grab the Crown, he faces the prospect of being told ugly and unpleasant stories. My view is that Asiwaju Tinubu is savouring the talks about his possible Presidency just to re-establish and reinforce his own relevance.

In case some people have forgotten, he more or less single-handedly handed over the South West to President Buhari in 2015 and 2019. He is today the only person in the South West who can stand up to the same North to remind other elements in the APC of the MOU that was signed when he decided to lead the South West to support Buhari and keep him in office. He wants to remain relevant and have a voice in determining who becomes President in 2023. His greatest strength is in identifying and building talent. He is exceptional in that regard in contemporary Yoruba politics.

Asiwaju Bola Tinubu
Asiwaju Bola Tinubu

The only problem is that other Nigerians would not want to hand over Nigeria to him so he can run it with the same kind of totalitarian grip that he has over Lagos. His Presidential ambition, for that reason alone is dead on arrival. His strength is his hubris.  But once he achieves his goal of remaining relevant and being the go-to-person in the South West, he will be fine, and that is all I believe he can get.

Tinubu’s so-called Presidential ambition is all about tactics, so finely honed that anybody who wants to be President from the South West cannot side-line him. With the noise made so far about his imagined Presidency, Tinubu appears to have already checkmated every other likely aspirant from the South West. But that may not be the true picture of things.

There is Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo. He has been facing his assignment as Vice President dutifully, doing only what they allow him to do and keeping his head slightly above water. In six years of being Vice President in a cabal-dominated environment, he is beginning to look like he has learnt his lessons. However, there are persons who think that he is President Buhari’s safest bet as a successor. He is not likely to probe the Buhari administration for sure. That would amount to self-immolation.

The way the Buhari government has played its game so far, if power gets into the hands of an adversary, every member of that government would have to leave town or prepare to go to jail. There are forces and elements waiting to expose and humiliate President Buhari the moment he leaves office and they are wielding all kinds of weapons: their pens, laptops, tongues and smart phones. An Osinbajo Presidency will naturally serve as a bulwark against that, to the extent that a President Osinbajo is not likely to betray his boss.

There is also the view that Pastor Adeboye once predicted that a member of his Church would one day rule Nigeria. Could he have been referring to Osinbajo? But there are problems:

Osinbajo is a teacher of letters, the law and the word of God. He doesn’t have a political base of his own. It is too late for him to create one. He is therefore, completely, a creation of Tinubu’s political machinery. If Tinubu is genuinely interested in becoming Nigeria’s President, I don’t see Professor Osinbajo challenging his former boss and benefactor. He can try but he won’t succeed. If Tinubu backs him however, he will be a main player. If Buhari supports him also, then he would have received divine anointing.  His Redeemed Church politics may however count against him.

There is also Senator Ibikunle Amosun, former Governor of Ogun State. His name has been mentioned as a potential President of Nigeria from the South West. Amosun has been Senator twice representing Ogun Central. He has also been a two-term Governor of Ogun State. He has both bureaucratic and legislative experience. He also spent his initial years as a key player in the private sector, so it can be said of him that he has quality and broad-range experience.

He, Tinubu, and Osinbajo are not likely to be tongue-tied at an international conversation forum whether on radio, television or in person. But Amosun’s biggest obstacle is that his fortunes depend almost entirely on President Buhari. He is Buhari’s man and friend. Can President Buhari make him President? I am not sure. There are forces in Amosun’s immediate constituency that will fight tooth and nail to stop him. Tinubu. Osoba. Gbenga Daniel. Dapo Abiodun. And others. Besides, Amosun’s main constituency is Abeokuta where he has proven to be a loyal son of the Realm.

A Nigerian President of whatever regional extraction will need a lot more than village support. He is also a Muslim like Tinubu and Buhari. That could be a problem.

There is also Kayode Fayemi, the current Governor of Ekiti State. Some people tell me he is the man to look at if the APC zones the Presidency to the South West. Like Amosun, he has been Governor twice in his state of birth. Like Vice President Osinbajo, he is well educated.  He has also been a Minister of the Federal Republic in charge of Mines and Steel Development. He can write, talk, and hold his own in international circles. He has a Ph.D in War Studies. And Nigeria just happens to be at war. He is also the only one who does not have the kind of baggage that the others carry on their backs like the curse of Atlas.

Fayemi has not said he wants to be President, but there are persons pointing in his direction. I tell them he is my friend and brother and that he has one of the best wives anyone can get who will make an excellent First Lady for Nigeria. In Ekiti State, he has put up a great performance. He is also unencumbered compared to the others from his zone. But people don’t become President because they have everything in place, from “the other room” to the public sphere. Will Fayemi no longer be part of the conversation when he ceases to be Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum? Is his Chairmanship an advantage?

My take is that the biggest challenge to anybody’s Presidential ambition in the South West today is Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.  He won’t be President.  But will he also be allowed to determine Nigeria’s future? And unfortunately. we are all bound to revisit that perennial controversy about religion and ethnicity.

Ondo Election Petition Judgement; Jegede Heads For Appeal, As Akeredolu Applauds |The Source

By
Ayodele Oni
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Rotimi Akeredolu - Ondo Communal Clash

By Ayodele Oni

Both winner and loser in the petition filed to challenge the outcome of October 10, 2020 Governorship election in Ondo state have reacted to Tuesday’s judgement of the election petition tribunal.

Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, whose reelection was upheld by the Tribunal, described the judgement as a reflection of the law and people’s wish.

The petitioner, Mr Eyitayo Jegede of the People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) expressed dissatisfaction with the outcome of the petition and vowed to challenge it.

But he Governor again extended his hand of fellowship to his opponent saying he has no enemy to hold any grudge against as a result of the Tribunal case.

“For every purpose and mission endorsed by God, the will to navigate the clouds of uncertainties and the path of thorns becomes stronger if backed by faith.

“In our own case, our faith is unshakable. It is, therefore, with gratitude to God that we accept the verdict of the Honourable Tribunal.

“We have gone through this legal process and the path of Justice with the hope that the true position of the Law shall once again, be examined and exposed. The industry and legal expertise demonstrated by the Honourable Tribunal has corroborated this desire.

“We were equally enamoured by the inexorable quest to renew our social bond with the good people of State while the legal tussle was on. In an unambiguous manner, the Tribunal verdict has further fermented this bond and strengthened the wish of the people.

“Notwithstanding, the legal process was not just part of our democratic culture. Legal paths, without doubt, provide in some cases, certain opportunities that permeate fresh frontiers.

“Therefore, the ability to extend the hands of friendship, the courage to absorb even the undeserving as well as the magnanimity to reinvigorate old, laxed relationships without grudges is what makes a real democrat. I hold no grudges against anyone.

“Once again, the good people of Ondo State, without any stratification, remain my constituents. We shall together, move the State to higher and loftier heights.

“For my brother, friend and colleague, Eyitayo Jegede, my respect for him cannot wane and I enjoin him to join hands with us in this Ondo Project. There is no victor, no vanquished

The PDP Ondo State Chapter and its Candidate, said they will appeal the judgement of the Elections Tribunal delivered virtually on Tuesday.

A statement by the spokesman of the party, Mr Kenedy Peretei, stated that: “It is important to stress that, in its wisdom, the Tribunal admitted that issues raised by the petitioners were sufficient for consideration, but Constitutional, which the Tribunal is not in a position to do justice to.

“The interpretation of the Constitution is a role reserved exclusively for the highest Court in the land- the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

“The Constitution of every country is the document that regulates actions and behavior of her citizens.

“Therefore, it is our belief that nobody can flagrantly trample on the 1999 Constitution (as Amended) and escape with the excuse that the Tribunal has no jurisdiction.

“The PDP is convinced that, we have a strong case for which we shall be vindicated at the end of the day.

“We wish to appeal to all our party faithfuls to be steadfast and remain calm in the present circumstance, as we are sure of victory in the long run.”

Both Akeredolu and Jegede are Senior Lawyers – Senior Advocates of Nigeria, SAN.

Update: General Mahamat, Killed Chadian President’s Son, Succeeds Him |The Source

By
Akinwale Kasali
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General Mahamat idriss

By Akinwale Kasali

The Chadian Army which announced the death in battle with rebels, of the Chadian President, Idriss Derby, on Tuesday, has set up a Military Council, and a new Leader.

To head the Military Council for about 18 months, is the late President’s son,  Mahamatt Idriss Derby.

The new leader, a four star Army General, is 37 years old.

Deby, 68, had ruled Chad for three decades and was a key ally in the West’s anti-jihadist campaign in the troubled Sahel region.

On Monday, the army had claimed a “great victory” in its battle against the rebels from neighbouring Libya, saying it had killed 300 fighters, with the loss of five soldiers in its own ranks during eight days of combat.

Deby would have been one of the longest-serving leaders in the world, after provisional results showed him winning the April 11 election.

The late President was the son of a Herder from the Zaghawa ethnic group who took the  path to power through the army and loved  the military culture.

His latest election victory as President, with almost 80 percent of the vote was not in doubt.  A divided opposition called for boycott. Demonstrations were either banned or dispersed.

Said a report “Derby had campaigned on a promise of bringing peace and security to the region, but his pledges were undermined by the rebel incursion.

“The Government had  on Monday sought to assure concerned residents that the offensive was over.”

“The tanks were later withdrawn apart from a perimeter around the president’s office, which is under heavy security during normal times.

“The establishment of a security deployment in certain areas of the capital seems to have been misunderstood,” government spokesman Cherif Mahamat Zene had said on Twitter on Monday.

“There is no particular threat to fear.”

However, the US embassy in N’Djamena had on Saturday ordered non-essential personnel to leave the country, warning of possible violence in the capital. Britain also urged its nationals to leave.

France’s embassy said in an advisory to its nationals in Chad that the deployment was a precaution and there was no specific threat to the capital.

Sources in N’DJamena, the country’s capital said “The rebel raid in the provinces of Tibesti and Kanem was carried out by the Front for Change and Concord in Chad (FACT), based in Libya.

“The group has a non-aggression pact with Khalifa Haftar, a military strongman who controls much of Libya’s east.

“FACT, a group mainly made up of the Saharan Goran people, said in a statement Sunday that it had “liberated” the Kanem region. Such claims in remote desert combat zones are difficult to verify.

“The Tibesti mountains near the Libyan frontier frequently see fighting between rebels and the army, as well as in the northeast bordering Sudan. French air strikes were needed to stop an incursion there in February 2019.”

In February 2008, a rebel assault reached the gates of the presidential palace before being pushed back with French backing.

Ondo Governorship Tribunal: Akeredolu Floors Jegede |The Source

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Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

The Ondo State Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Akure has dismissed the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Eyitayo Jegede against Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Jegede had challenged the victory of the ruling APC and its candidate in the October 10, 2020 governorship election which saw the re-election of Governor Akeredolu for a second term in office.

Chairman of the Tribunal,  Justice Umar Abubakar had in another notice issued on Monday, shifted the judgement from tomorrow to today and through virtual.

Justice Abubakar in the virtual judgement, declared that“Issue raised therein in this petition are settled issue of internal affairs and Management of a political party which this Tribunal has no Jurisdiction.”

Eyitayo Jegede
Eyitayo Jegede

The petition was filed by PDP candidate in the election, Mr Eyitayo Jegede, who hinged his argument on the fact that the winner of the election, Governor Akeredolu was not validly nominated by his party.

However, the defence counsels had told the tribunal to dismiss the petition on several grounds.

According to the counsel to Akeredolu and Aiyedatiwa, Akin Olujimi and that of the APC, Lateef Fagbemi, the petitioner had admitted in paragraph 12 of its petition the sponsorship of third and first respondents but failed to prove that they were not validly nominated.

Falana, Labour Form New Movement, Rolls Out Radical Agenda |The Source

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Femi Falana

By Akinwale Kasali

“We shall mend the Country, and bring hope where there is despair”

Lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, in conjunction with Labour, has formed a new political movement said to be radical in nature. Its aim it is reported is to save Nigeria.

The new  political Movement, The Peoples Alternative Political Movement, (TPAP-Movement), has rolled out several socio-political programes to save Nigeria from imminent economic and moral collapse in the hands of what it described as corrupt and visionless elite.

The Movement says it will mend a divided country and bring hope where there is despair.

It called on Nigerians, workers, students, women, youths and defenceless people alike to be ready to confront the exploitative system in order to secure eternal freedom from anguish and misery.

The new political Movement  being promoted by a rainbow coalition of labour, civil society and community-based organisations spread across the country, said “only a radical intervention will save the country from shipwreck.”

 

The founders of the new Movement are the country’s labour movement, farmers unions, women groups and hundreds of civil society organisations spread across the country. Some of its promoters include Mr Femi Falana, Prof Toye Olorode and many labour unions across the country.

TPAP-Movement in a statement signed by Mr Jaye Gaskiya for the Secretariat of the Movement said “Nigeria is once again at a perilous crossroads with the deteriorating socio-economic situations in the face ridiculous living conditions of citizens and extremely poor quality of life.”

‘We have started to build alliances in the creeks, in the forest, lands, in the savannah, in the desert, in the plateau and plain fields where poor and toiling masses of Nigerians live’, the party said.

The Movement said since the inauguration of the current 4th Republic in 1999, Nigerians has been in a gradual slid into possible implosion.

“We are very clear about the root causes of our existential crisis. We shall mobilise Nigerians irrespective of religion, creed and norms to establish a new country that will be the pride of Africa. Nigeria shall be great again’ the Movement said.

The group said the ruling elite is  “incompetent, greedy, exploitative, destructive with its repressive capitalist system over which it presides.

“We are equally not ambiguous about what is ultimately required to address the crisis and salvage our country and her peoples – the displacement of crooks and looters from power, and the elevation of the working class and masses to a state where they can exercise real control and management of their political and economic future.  On insecurity, the group said the result of the decades of misrule  is seen in terrorism, killings and a dominant atmosphere of fear and trembling.”

It said “while bandits in power continue to negotiate with bandits in the forests and on the highways, no single inch of the territory of Nigeria is secure, and not a single citizen or resident is safe or can live a life free from fear.

“Armed bandits, armed insurgents, armed herders, armed militias, armed cultists, armed robbers,and armed kidnappers lay siege to the country, exercising varying degrees of authority over  territories in Nigeria.

“It is clear that the ruling class, and all its various factions have run out of ideas and are incapable of resolving the threats facing the country”

The Movement said that “the outcome of the legacy of decades of misrule and bad governance, has been the current rampant levels of insecurity of lives and properties.

‘While bandits in power continue to negotiate with bandits in the forests and on the highways, no single inch of the territory of our country is secure, and not a single citizen or resident is safe or can live a life free from fear.

“Armed bandits, armed insurgents, armed herders, armed militias, armed cultists, armed robbers, and armed kidnappers lay siege to the country, exercising varying degrees of suzerainty over large swats of the territory of the country.

“It is clear that the ruling class, and all its various factions and fractions have run out of ideas and are incapable of resolving the humongous  security challenges, facing the country, and brought on by their incompetence and greed.

“It is clear that in order to adequately address this crisis, the popular masses must accede to power, and undertake a comprehensive root and branch overhaul and radical reorganisation of governance.

“We demand that the working peoples of Nigeria, and the labour movement rise up and hold the government and the ruling class accountable.

The Movement  added: ‘We demand that participatory, representative and inclusive steps and processes are immediately embarked upon and put in place to address this crisis: the security and defence institutions, systems and processes need to be radically overhauled; citizens must be enabled to play the central role in ensuring their own security, through representative community level, neighborhood, workplace, and school based inclusive security and conflict prevention committees.’

The group said for a long time, the rights of workers have been violated while the quality of life continues to diminish.

‘The quality of life of the average citizen continues to deteriorate. Through the policies of the ruling class Nigeria has now been brought to a situation where, basic social services are absent, while healthcare delivery, education, and basic social services and infrastructures have collapsed.’

“Industrialization remains stunted because electricity and fuel management are at a peril.

“Unemployment is at its highest at 55% – that is more than one in two persons unemployed. The rate among young persons is even more calamitous at nearly 65%-more than three in five youths out of work.”

The Movement said the poverty rate, both abject and relative, continue to rise,while millions live without shelter.

“Our Movement will ensure public investment in provisioning basic social services in health, education, energy, housing, mass transportation are substantially increased to reverse the current trend.’

“The Movement rejects the rising energy cost, urging workers to remain vigilant and ready to mobilise to resist any further increase in energy costs.

“TPAP-Movement rejects the privatisation program in the economy in general, and in the energy sector in particular. ‘We are going to work with citizens and their organised social forces to resist further privatisations, and to reverse the privatisations already made, and recover the looted public assets thereof”

The group said it will bring “justice to all those oppressed across the social spectrum.*

Breaking: Chadian President, Derby, Killed |The Source

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Idris Derby

By Adesina Soyooye

Chadian President, Idris Derby, is dead.

He was killed in the frontline during a battle with terrorists who have been tormenting his country.

Idris was fond of leading Chadian troops to battle. Once,  he had reportedly led them across Nigeria’s territory  in pursuit of Boko Haram and ISIS terrorists. There were also rebel troops of Front for Change and Concord in Chad, FACT. He died Tuesday of gunshot injuries he sustained  in battle with the terrorists.

The Chadian Army has confirmed the President’s death.

Its spokesperson, Azem Agouna said in a broadcast on Tuesday, that the President died on the battle field  defending the sovereignty of the Nation.

Incidentally, President Derby’s death came a day after he won the Presidential election for the 6th time. The election,  adjudged controversial, was boycotted by opposition parties.

Derby was one of the longest serving President’s in the country, having been in office for 30 years.

He was billed to give a victory speech on Tuesday, but chose to go to battle alongside his troops.

Derby was aged 68 years.

Why Pantami Must Resign Or Be Sacked |The Source

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The Source
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Isa Pantami

*PUNCH NEWSPAPER EDITORIAL OF 20/4/2021, ON NIGERIA MINISTER ISSA PANTAMI

A brewing storm over sensitive allegations unveiling Isa Pantami, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, as a fervent supporter of extremist Islamist sects, who preached their violent cause should not be overlooked. The minister is under fire for vociferously espousing the violent Jihadist narrative of al-Qaeda and the Taliban before he was appointed minister by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.).

These allegations are far too weighty and there is copious evidence that Pantami once held on to extremist ideology and expressed it openly. Therefore, the honourable step is for him to resign. Otherwise, Buhari should sack him for unfettered investigations to be undertaken.

The case against Pantami, which has gone viral on social media, is dangerously earth-shaking. Initially, the minister, who until his appointment in 2019, was the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency, denied the obvious. But when he was confronted with his preaching in the 2000s on social media, he backtracked and claimed “immaturity.”

Essentially, Pantami’s past is catching up with him. Although he claims that he has “repented” of his Salafist ideology, his violent preaching of those days is damagingly chilling.

Among other things, he said, “Oh God, give victory to the Taliban and to al-Qaeda,” and, “This jihad is an obligation for every single believer, especially in Nigeria.”

In another, he reportedly endorsed the killing of “unbelievers.” And what is the difference between his statements and that of Abu Muhammad al-Adnani, the defunct Islamic State’s Chief Spokesman, who had called on Muslims in Western countries such as France and Canada to find an infidel and “smash his head with a rock,” poison him, run him over with a car, or “destroy his crops?”

This is a cataclysmic ideology, which has upturned the Middle East, Afghanistan and Pakistan; instigated the 9/11 terror attacks and charging at the very soul of Nigeria. So many more extremist views have been attributed to Pantami.

In his defence, Pantami argues that he has repented; that he erred as an innocent youth.

This is a hollow excuse. He should not have aspired to the position of a Minister, then. When, where and how did he renounce violent jihad? What of the fresh allegations on the social media that he approved an Islamic TV station to be broadcasting official programmes of the Ministry of Communications? Was this after his repentance? When did Pantami sever his ties to his jihadist past?

According to Wikipedia, the Minister, whom Buhari entrusts with the biometric data of Nigerians, trained under extremist Islamist scholars in Saudi Arabia, including Muhammad Ibn Uthaymin, whose extremist views include opposition to women driving in that country.

Whether Pantami admits it or not, his preaching then must have enticed some innocents into joining the Salafist crusade to cause mayhem and establish its global caliphate through bloodshed. The Boko Haram jihadists whom he now claims to have opposed, have tormented Nigeria, especially the North-East of the country, since 2009 with their vicious ideology. They have conquered territories, murdered people in thousands, kidnapped schoolgirls in Chibok and Dapchi, blown up the UN HQs in Abuja, attacked military formations and currently threaten the country’s corporate existence.

Beyond that, Pantami’s elevation to high public office exposes the ridiculous state Nigeria finds itself. All around, mediocrity, incompetence and questionable compromises are evident in the current miasma.

First, Buhari was wrong to have appointed Pantami as a Minister. It means the President’s yardsticks for such appointments are too pedestrian, perhaps based on extraneous ties apart from competence.

Second, the Senate, which screens Ministerial nominees, is an abject, hollow chamber. In this case, the Ahmed Lawan-led Senate failed woefully. There was no rigour. It is shameful that nominees of questionable characters, some of whom harbour extremist views, did not have an NYSC certificate or forged documents are approved without question.

The nauseating tradition of “take a bow” defeats the purpose of the screening, which is meant to sift out the chaff from the wheat. But the Senate has turned screening to a charade, sheer commercial and party affair, abnegating rigour.

This brings us to the State Security Service. What does it do when the executive forwards the names of nominees to it? As a party to the screening of nominees, there is no confidence about its reports to the parliament. The press, the watchdog, should be alert and henceforth, objectively unearth aspiring public office holders for the public to assess.

The Nigerian Senate should adopt a rigorous process in screening nominees. It is not compulsory that all the nominations from the executive should sail through; the job of the parliament is to deny incompetent and dangerous people the chance to gain top public office where they can do irreparable damage.

In 2012, Goodluck Jonathan, the President, claimed that sympathisers of Boko Haram had infiltrated his Government. “Some of them are in the executive arm of Government, some of them are in the Parliamentary/Legislative arm of Government, while some of them are even in the Judiciary …Some are also in the armed forces, the police and Ather Security Agencies,” he had said.

The Senate should wake up and replace indolence with diligence. Media scrutiny of prospective public officials should be stepped up.

The UK Institute of Government says individual ministerial accountability ultimately means an expectation that they should resign if something has gone seriously wrong. And truly, many things have gone awfully wrong with Pantami’s jihadist pantomime. His credibility as a Minister has run out. He should bow out or be kicked out.

UBA Boss Blames FG For Bank’s Marginal Profit

By
Bayo Bernard
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0
UBA office

By Fola James

The managing director of the United Bank for Africa, UBA Kenneth Uzoka has blamed the economy for the marginal profit recorded by the commercial bank in the first three months of the year. The lender said in a statement that it made less than N8 billion Profit After Tax, PAT in the first quarter of the year, saying the bank would have performed better under a better economic outlook.

In spite of this, the chief executive of the Africa’s Global Bank, as UBA is widely known, said “We remain upbeat on the macroeconomic outlook of the countries in which we operate, especially as the COVID-19 vaccine distribution gains traction globally, whilst commodity prices and currencies continue to stabilize. Our robust capital and liquidity positions have positioned us to continue to support our customers across diverse sectors and markets, guided by prudent risk management practices.”

Uzoka said “the bank is making strong progress in Nigeria where our continuous market share and efficiency gains are translating into higher profits. We are committed to sustaining this strong start throughout the year, leveraging our customer-First (C-1st) philosophy and unparalleled execution to deliver even stronger returns to our esteemed shareholders in 2021 and beyond.”

Kenneth Uzoka
Uzoka: Remains Upbeat

According to the statement released by the by the bank, profit after tax, PAT stood at N38.2 billion in Q1 2021 compared to N30.1 billion in the first quarter of 2020, while N40.6 billion profit before tax, PBT was recorded within the last three months compared to N32.7 billion within the same period in 2020.

The bank also harps on  its “strong profitability recording an annualised 20.5% Return on Average Equity (RoAE) compared to 19.9% in the same period of 2020.”

“Driven by a year-on-year growth in interest income, UBA Group recorded another impressive 5.5% percent year-on-year growth in Gross Earnings to close at N155.4 billion for the three month period ending March 2021, compared to N147.2 billion recorded in the first three months of last year 2020.

“The bank’s total assets also rose by 2.5% to N7.9 trillion in the period under review, compared to N7.7 trillion recorded at the end of the 2020 financial year whilst shareholders’ funds grew to N762.4 billion up by 5.3% from N724.1 billion as at FY 2020.”

Meanwhile, the Group’s chief finance officer, Ugo Nwaghodoh said he was happy with the lender’s earnings because “I am particularly pleased with our annualised return on average equity of 20.5% and return on average asset of 2.0%, as these indices buttress our commitment to delivering sustainable value to our stakeholders.”

IPOB Raises Fighters Against Miyetti Allah’s Jihadists

By
Bayo Bernard
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By Kelvin Agu

Threats by Northern group to deploy 5000 jihadists to the South east will be vehemently resisted, the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB has warned. The Nnamdi Kanu-led group alleged on Monday, plans by Miyetti Allah to raise the fighters to counter Ebubeagu, the recently established security oufit by south east governors.

The governors, two weeks ago established the outfit to combat the spate of insecurity in the region, even though many watchers of trends in the south east, insist that the action was taken by the governors to counter the Eastern Security Network, ESN and to save face after the IPOB’s own outfit is already making wave in the zone.

Despite the disagreement with the governors, IPOB said it would not stand aloof while Miyetti Allah is planning to send jihadists to invade the zone, according to Emma Powerful, IPOB’s spokesman, who said in a statement, that the jihadists will be stepping into the lion’s den.

Powerful also stated that IPOB’s already has a plan to send ESN operatives to the Northern part of the country to serve as a counterforce to threats posed by jihadists and Fulani herders to the interest of Igbo as a people.

According to the statement, IPOB is aware of: “threat by Miyetti Allah to deploy 5,000 jihadists in Biafra land to protect their cows and herders, following the creation of Ebubeagu security outfit by Southeast governors.

“We consider this utterance an insult to the entire Biafra and won’t tolerate it despite our grievances against the treacherous Southeast governors and the political elite.

“The Southeast governors must understand that the Federal Government sponsored Miyetti Allah to make this reckless utterance. The earlier they understand that IPOB is not their problem, the better. They should stop betraying us, but should appreciate our sacrifices in the defence of our ancestral land.

“The Miyetti Allah and their terrorists group should know that they shouldn’t play God for ever. They are trying to provoke ESN and IPOB to take a drastic action. IPOB and ESN are running out of patience with their insults. They should retrace their steps now. Let them come, we are waiting for them. Soon, they will see ESN in the North.”

IPOB said it will resist plot by jihadists to conquer the south east, adding that the zone would not be allowed to become a conquered territory, same way the Uthman dan fodio jihadists conquered the Hausa and took their lands.

The Kanu-led IPOB said “Fulani terrorists are thinking that Biafra land is easy to penetrate the way they penetrated Hausa land and conquered them in 1804. If Miyetti Allah and their sponsors in Aso Rock attempt to do in Biafra land what they did in Hausa land, they will regret their actions. ESN and IPOB are prepared for them.

“They can intimidate Southeast governors but they can’t intimidate IPOB and ESN. No inch of Biafra land will be relinquished to Fulani jihadists.

“If Miyetti Allah jihadists step into our land, they will be like abandoned bodies in the bushes and forests in our territory. Nigerians can melt before Miyetti Allah, but not IPOB and ESN. Miyetti Allah must not try IPOB and ESN because they cannot withstand our venom.

“We hereby declare an end to open grazing throughout Biafra territory. If we get any cow grazing openly on our farms again, both the cow and the murderous herder shall not live to tell their experience.”

Meanwhile, Miyetti Allah has refuted the allegations, noting that what is paramount to the group is the protection for northerners living in the south east and their belongings. The Northern group had earlier urged the governors to incorporate its members to Ebubeagu.

Okorocha’s Ordeal, Political – Wike; Asks Him: Where Are Your APC Members? |The Source

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Rochas Okorocha and Nyesom Wike

By Adesina Soyooye

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, caused a stir in Abuja on Sunday, when he renamed one of former Imo Governor Rochas Okorocha’s properties – a hall.

Wike was a guest at the dedication ceremony of Okorocha’s grandson by his daughter, Uloma, and her husband, Uche Nwosu.

The reception was held at one of Okorocha’s properties – a Hall – which Okorocha had named APC Hall. Wike reportedly renamed it Christian hall.

Wike: “You said this is APC Hall. I came here, I didn’t see any APC member. Today, I have converted it to Christian Hall.”

Wike was appalled that he did not see any APC Governor or other high profile members of the party  at the ceremony. He said: “If Rochas was Governor, you would have seen  lot of Governors here.I came here, I didn’t even see any APC member.”

On Okorocha’s running battle  with the law which has seen the seizure of a number of his properties by the Imo State Government, allegedly, illegally acquired by him,  and his recent arrest and detention by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Wike said it was a “political persecution”.

He said: “Owelle is facing a lot of crisis. It is not easy to pass through these crises. But it will come, and it will be over.

“I want to encourage him and his son-in-law (Uche Nwosu) to be strong. If it doesn’t happen like this, you won’t know that  God loves you. You will go through these battles for you to know that there is God.”

Even though nobody has confirmed it, there are speculations that Okorocha would defect to the PDP. Between him and the APC, his party, there seems to be no love lost.

Recently, he was a guest of the EFCC for 48 hours. He is currently on an administrative bail.

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