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2023: Abaribe Says Igbo Succeeding Buhari Is Non-Negotiable |The Source

By
Akinwale Kasali
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By Akinwale Kasali

Senate Minority Leader, Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe, says come 2023, an Igbo must succeed President Muhammadu Buhari in office.

The Senator representing Abia Central Senatorial District stressed that for an Igbo person to become Nigeria President in 2023 is non-negotiable.

Abaribe made this statement when he was Conferred with a Legacy Merit Award by the Imo State Chapter of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ

Abaribe who was represented at the event by his aide, Chijioke Ukoh, added that he would continue to advocate for fairness for the south-east.

He said not continuing with such advocacy would subject the Igbo to “second class citizens.”

The Senator advised the Igbo to remain firm and resolute” notwithstanding the challenges facing the region.

Abaribe’s comment has been in the front burner, with South-East leaders forming a coalition for this dream to come to reality.

Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex socio-cultural organisation in the south-east, had recently made a similar case, saying that Nigeria will be transformed if the next President  comes from the south-east.

“The exploits of Igbo sons and daughters both within and outside the country are indices of the cerebral capability and ingenuity of the people which Nigeria could exploit to advance its development,” Nnia Nwodo, the group’s president-general, had said.

“The Federal Government should stop marginalising and victimising the Igbo in the country so that the latent creative potentials could be”.

AMCON Strips Jimoh Ibrahim Of His Assets |The Source

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Jimoh Ibrahim

By Akinwale Kasali

Flamboyant businessman and politician, Jimoh Ibrahim, has been stripped of all his assets by the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON).

The Ondo State born Ibrahim, according to AMCON, owes a staggering N64.4bn. For that, AMCON was ordered on Wednesday, by a Federal High Court, Lagos Division, to take over Ibrahim’s 12 prime assets.

Wednesday’s Court judgement will definitely shock many Nigerians who have followed Ibrahim’s flamboyant lifestyle since suddenly announced  his presence during the Government of President Olusegun Obasanjo, buying up everything he could.  Ibrahim is the  founder of  Global Fleet Oil & Gas Limited and NICON Investment Limited in Lagos and Abuja.

The stripping of the assets from Ibrahim was on the orders of The  Honourable Justice R.M. Aikawa.

Based on  Wednesday’s November 18, 2020 judgement, AMCON has effectively taken   possession of all the twelve properties through its Debt Recovery Agent – Pinheiro Legal Partners. They  include:

*The building of NICON Investment Limited located at Plot 242, Muhammadu Buhari Way, Central Business District, Abuja;

*NICON Hotels Limited building at Plot 557, Port-Harcourt Crescent, off Gimbiya Street, Abuja

*The NICON building, Lekki Limited  at No. 5, Customs Street, Lagos.

*The Abuja International Hotels Limited located at No. 3, Hospital Road, Lagos.

*Another Property at Plot 242, Muhammadu Buhari Way, Abuja.

*The former Allied Bank Building on Mile 2, Oshodi Express Way, Apapa Road, Lagos.

*Energy House located on No. 94, Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.

*NICON Building at No. 40, Madeira Street, Maitama, Abuja.

*A Residential Apartment at Road 2, House A14, Victoria Garden City, Lagos.

*NICON Hotels Building at Plot 3, Road 3, Victoria Garden City, Lagos

*NICON Luxury Hotel’s Building, Garki I, FCT, Abuja.

Accounts Also Frozen

Justice Aikawa also ordered that all accounts belonging to Jimoh Ibrahim and his companies including Global Fleet Oil & Gas Limited and NICON Investment Limited all of who are defendants in the Suit No. FHL/L/CL/776/2016.

Ibrahim also lost all the shares belonging to him and his two companies  domiciled in Nigerian Re-Insurance Company Plc, NICON Insurance Company Plc, Nigeria Stockbrokers Limited (NSL) and NICON Trustees Limited.

AMCON’s  Spokesperson, Jude Nwauzor,  confirmed  that all the assets that are listed by the court, domiciled in Abuja and Lagos have been immediately taken over  by AMCON.

The case between  Jimoh Ibrahim and AMCON has been on for years.

Ibrahim’s  loan was purchased by the Government debt recovery agency during the first phase of Eligible Bank Assets (EBA) purchases from Union Bank.

Since that purchase by EBA from Union Bank, AMCON has offered the obligor  exit opportunities to no avail.

For years, AMCON had explored ways to resolve the debt amicably, but  Jimoh Ibrahim and his companies – Global Fleet Oil & Gas Limited and NICON Investment Limited were, allegedly, uncooperative.

The amended AMCON Act  signed by President Muhammadu Buhari, gives the Corporation  additional powers to deal decisively the fate of its  huge obligors.

Ezekwesili Reveals Why She Refused To Be President Buhari’s Running Mate In 2011 |The Source

By
Akinwale Kasali
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By Akinwale Kasali

Former Education Minister,  and 2019 Presidential Candidate of Allied Congress Party of Nigeria, ACPN, Oby Ezekwesili, has revealed why she chose to turn down President Muhammadu Buhari’s offer to be his running mate during the 2011 Presidential election.

The former Vice President of the World Bank, who is a strong critique of the President Buhari led All Progressives Congress, APC, administration made this disclosure via her Twitter handle.

According to Ezekwesili, she didn’t waste a moment in saying no to the offer, which was  accepted by the serving Overseer of Citadel Global Community Church, Pastor Tunde Bakare.

She tweeted: “Many People: Please tell us, is it true you actually rejected the offer to be Vice Presidential Candidate to Buhari as Pastor Bakare said? Me: Yes it is true.

“Any more questions?

“I laughed at the many messages people sent me upon reading Tunde Bakare’s factual statement that I rejected running as VP with President Buhari in 2011.

“I did not waste a moment in saying No.

“It is why I have always pitied those who spend their years lying against me.

“Next please!”

Recall that the former Minister withdrew her candidacy from the 2019 presidential election on the platform of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria, stating that her decision to step down was to form a coalition capable of defeating the ruling party, All Progressives Congress, and Peoples Democratic Party.

Umahi: Mass Defection Looms In Ebonyi APC, As Publicity Secretary Resigns, Says He Can’t Work With Governor Umahi |The Source

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Governor Dave Umahi

By Akinwale Kasali

24 Hours after Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State defected from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, crisis and defection loom in his new party.

The cross carpeting of the Governor has further polarised the APC in the State with some stakeholders of the APC in the State feeling threatened and upset that Governor Umahi have hijacked the Party structure which they  built over the years.

The Ebonyi State Publicity Secretary of the APC, Chika Nwoba, has tendered his resignation from the party.

According to Nwoba, he is leaving the APC because he cannot work with Umahi who recently defected to the party.

“I cannot work with Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi,” Nwoba noted.

Nwoba, in a statement on Monday, however, expressed gratitude to the APC and its leaders.

He thanked the party for finding him worthy to be elected to the position in 2018, at the age of 27.

Nwoba stressed that Governor Umahi doesn’t share the ideology of the Party and with this development, he will basically take decisions that wouldn’t augur well with him.

“I have always been a critic of his administration, so him joining the APC will see me shying away from the truth, the best thing is for me to throw in the towel and walk away honourably”, Nwoba confided in some of his associates.

The magazine gathered from sources in the State that there might be a mass defection from the APC because  of Governor Umahi.

A Source told this news medium that Governor Umahi is not liked and respected by APC members in the State, but the wind of change that has seen him come to the APC fold will basically see a lot of members walking away.

In a related development, the Chairman of the Ebonyi State chapter of the Action Peoples Party, Chinedum Elekwachi, has dumped the party and joined the Peoples Democratic Party.

Umahi fulfilled his long-held dream of defecting to the APC from the PDP on Tuesday in Abuja. His defection has given the APC two states in the South- east. It is strongly being speculated that Anambra could be next.

President Buhari Wages War On #EndSARS Protesters, Says Never Again |The Source

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Muhammadu Buhari

By Akinwale Kasali

President Muhammadu Buhari has declared war on the #EndSARS protesters who agitating  against Police brutality and extra judicial killings of innocent Nigerians.

#RevolutionNow Converners and Former Presidential Candidate, Omoyele Sowore and Aisha Yesufu had planned to relaunch the #EndSARS protest at the nation’s Capital, Abuja.

But the President has declared war on the protesters, stressing that his government would do everything to prevent a repeat of the recent #EndSARS protest that was hijacked by hoodlums, leading to looting and wanton destruction of lives and properties.

The President gave the assurance that a repeat of such would be repelled by  his administration during the National Security Council (NSC) meeting held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Tuesday.

Briefing State House Correspondents on the proceedings from the meeting, the Minister of Police Affairs, Muhammad Dingyadi, said President Buhari also stated that Nigerians, especially the youths, would be carried along by the administration in issues concerning maintenance of peace in the country.

He said the Council expressed concerns over the deplorable security situation in the northern part of the country and agreed it must be dealt with more decisively by putting  in place proactive methods.

Fuel Hike: Timi Frank Says NLC Is A Failure, Out To Deceive Nigerians |The Source

By
The Source
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By Akinwale Kasali

Activist and former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has called on Nigerians not to be deceived by the empty threats being made by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) over the recent increase in fuel price.

Reacting to the increases in the price of fuel within few months by the Federal Government, Frank said it was sad that the NLC that is supposed to fight for the welfare of workers and by extension the masses, has betrayed Nigerians.

He said rather than champion the cause of the ordinary Nigerian, the NLC has sold out and thus become a tool of deception and oppression in the hands of the government.

He described the NLC’s statement rejecting the present fuel price increase as a “Nollywood script” as “Nigerians know that they have connived and agreed to the increase before it was announced by the Federal Government.

He called on Nigerians to take their destiny in their hands by resisting the anti-people, anti-democratic and wicked policies and programmes of the Major General Muhammadu Buhari’s regime.

He challenged the NLC to make public its agreement with the Federal Government following the last sharp increases in electricity tariffs and the pump price of petrol in September.

He said: “It is clear that the present leadership of the NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have traded the welfare of workers for their personal enrichment.

“The NLC has since abandoned the struggle after prolonged winning and dinning with King Nebuchadnezzar. It has lost its mettle as the guardian and protector of workers’ interests.

“Their voices are silent because their throats are filled with inducements. They now mewing  like cats instead of roaring like lions. They have lost their Aluta venom and sting.

“The NLC claimed to have entered into an agreement with the FG when the latter surreptitiously jacked up the price of fuel and electricity tariffs.

“Today, those prices did not only stand, the Federal Government has gone ahead to again effect a new increase in the price of petrol at the time prices of crude oil have plummeted at the international market.

“Let the NLC leave Nigerians alone. Nigerians can fight for themselves and they will fight to defeat this evil regime in the next election.”

He however warned the Federal Government not to take the patience and long suffering of Nigerians for granted.

He also urged Buhari and those  now holding Nigerians hostage not to forget the fate that befell past African despots who impoverished and inflicted pains on their people. History will judge all oppressors harshly, negatively and poorly just like it has done to Charles Taylor, Mobutu Sese Seko, Omar al-Bashir, Laurent Gbagbo, etc.

The FG, a few days ago, increased the pump price of Petrol to NI70 per litre, attributing it to market forces.

Adebowale Is A stranger In Ondo State, He Should Stop Spreading Fake News – Organized Labour Writes Akeredolu |The Source

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

Organized Labour in Ondo state has told Governor Rotimi Akeredolu to call one of his Aides, Seun Adebowale to order.

Adebowale had, last week accused teachers in the state of using school pupils for personal domestic jobs and warned them to desist.

The state branch of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, (NUT) had denied the allegation and warned Adebowale to desist from spreading fake news.

In a letter to the Governor on Wednesday, the organised Labour, the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Joint Negotiating Council (JNC), urged him to call Adebowale to order before he causes industrial disharmony between the state government and the workforce.

Titled “This abuse must stop,” it reads, “Abuse, they say, is inevitable when purpose is not known”.

“Dear Mr. Governor, the above truism describes the vituperation of Dr. Adebowale against the respected Teachers in the employ of Ondo State Government who have been doing and giving their very best in line with best practices of the teaching profession.

“Your Excellency, it is unthinkable that Teachers who have been at home for over seven (7) months of Corona virus compulsory holiday will resume only to be tagged irresponsible by an itinerant personae-non-grata.

“Dear Sir, Labour feels it is high time, people with questionable record be left out of governance and not allowed any space in the public service of our dear Sunshine State where values and virtues are appreciated in persons exhibiting them, just as our teachers have.

“The mouth diarrhea of Doyin Odebowale has not just manifested in his recent attack against our members in NUT and ASUSS as reported in both electronic and print media, he has verbally too, assaulted teachers and Local Government Workers to the face of the NUT State Chairman calling them unprintable names.

“Your Excellency, we strongly pray that, this will be the very last time Doyin Odebowale will attack either verbally or in print any civil servant in the State or else, the story will not be palatable for him to tell.”

The Labour unions cautioned that if unchecked, reckless attitude of Odebowale could set the workers against the government.

“We equally pray Sir, that a total stranger like him causing disharmony and displeasure between labour and government be allowed to go back to his base.

“The damage he has caused is enough! His Special duties, if unchecked will cause special wahala o!

“In conclusion, Dear Governor, we have enough issues to attend to rather than this distraction. We pray for you that your second term of office shall forbid ‘bad-belle’ people like ‘Adebowale’ who should be in the forest hunting games.”

International Flights Resume As Concession Plan Runs into Turbulence |The Source

By
Uche Mbah
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Airport

By Uche Mbah

Indications are that international flights will all resume as the Federal Government has approved the resumption of flights by the international airlines affected by the COVID 19 pandemic.

Initially, the FG had ordered selective entry into Nigeroa’s airspace after the Covid lockdown, with the major European carriers being affected. Lufthansa, Air France, and KLM were worse hit in a tit-for-tat action by Nigeria.  They are expected to resume flights  based on the directive of the Aviation Minister, Hadi Sirika.

Consequently, international Airports are expected to be opened for operations. Currently, only Lagos, Abuja is open for international flights. Efforts are currently on to see to the reopening of Port Harcourt, Enugu, and Kano.

Indications are that these airports may be reopened for the Yuletide season.

Enugu has recently completed the renovation of the runways, which was stalled by the emergence of the Covid 19 pandemic.

A statement signed by the Director, Public Affairs Ministry of Aviation, James Odaudu, said: all International flight Operations will open before the end of the year. According to him, the health authorities are liaising with the Ministry for the Covid 19 protocol observation.

In a related development, the concession plans by the Aviation Ministry may have run into hitches due to what some insiders call crisis of “concession within a concession”. A clause in the agreement between the Federal Government  and Chinese firm, Chinese Engineering Construction Company, CECC, has militated against this since it will breach their contract, which is considered as an already made concession agreement with China. Whatsmore, indications are that Nigeria international airports are part of the loan agreement with  China, with the Airports serving as collaterals, meaning that if Nigeria defaults, the Airports will be taken over by the Chinese government.

For this reason, the Chinese government is said to be opposed to any concession plans by the Nigerian government.

Nigeria has been mulling the concession of the three major airports, Lagos, Abuja, and Kano.

Fayose Slams Umahi, Says Defection to APC Unjustifiable |The Source

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

Former Governor of Ekiti state, Mr Ayo Fayose, has described the defection of Governor of Ebonyi state, Mr Dave Umahi to the All Progressives Congress, (APC) as very disappointing.

According to him, Mr Umahi was unfair to the PDP, which gave him the governorship ticket in 2015 and again in 2019.

Fayose said Governor Umahi had defected to the APC long ago before “this unjustifiable move, which clearly has nothing to do with the interest of the Igbo nation”

In his tweets, Fayose wrote that “Gov Umahi defected to APC long ago before this unjustifiable move, which clearly has nothing to do with the interest of the Igbo nation.

“This is a reflection of the type of leadership our country parades.

“Though his action dampens hope for liberation, but I’m sure Nigerians will laugh last because sometimes, it will appear to have gotten so bad before it will begin to get better.”

Governor Dave Umahi at a glance.

2007-Acting State Chairman -PDP

2009-2011: State Chairman-PDP

2011: Deputy Governor under PDP

2015: Governor under PDP

2019: Reelected Governor under PDP

2020: Defects from the PDP to the APC

Angry, IGP Tackles General Wahab; Says He Is Ignorant |The Source

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Abubakar Mohammed Adamu - IGP

By Adesina Soyooye

The Nigeria Police Force, NPF, has lashed out at a retired Army Major General, Garba Wahab, saying the General is ignorant of the workings of the Police, and incompetent to discuss such issues.

Wahab earned NPF’s anger while talking on a Channels Television programme, Sunrise Daily. He had said that the IGP was not in control of the Police but only sat back in his office, enjoying the paraphernalia of office in Abuja.

The General spoke in the aftermath of the #EndSARS protest against the now disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, which grounded the nation. Lives were lost. Over 200 Police Stations were razed. And 100 pieces of AK47 rifles lost. Among the dead were Policemen who became the targets of hoodlums.

The Police, in anger, kept off their duties.  Appeals to them by the IGP and other high profile Nigerians to go back to work, fell on deaf ears. In the past few days, however, they are grsdually returning to their beats.

Responding to General Wahab on Tuesday in a strongly worded statement signed on its behalf  by Force Spokesperson, DCP Frank Mba, the NPF noted that:

“The attention of the Nigeria Police Force has been drawn to comments and reactions during an interview session on Channels TV Sunrise Daily program of 13th November, 2020 where one Major General Garba Wahab (rtd) commented that “…rather than improving the improvement (sic) …the IGP is sitting down there with all the paraphernalia of office deprived of actually having control of police… he is not in control”.

“The Force wishes to categorically state that the Rtd Major General is wrong in his assertion as IGP Adamu is firmly in control of the administration and operation of the Nigeria Police Force.

“It notes that the comments by Rtd Major General Garba Wahab shows that he spoke purely out of ignorance and from a jackboot mentality that lacks proper understanding of democratic policing culture, rooted in the Rule of Law.

“It reiterates that the retired Officer clearly spoke on a subject outside his areas of core competence.

“It is noteworthy that since his assumption of office as the 20th indigenous Inspector-General of Police, IGP M.A Adamu, NPM, mni, a global policing icon, has in the past twenty-three months of his leadership of the Force, shown sterling qualities in what the operational/administrative command and control of the Force should be.

“This is exemplified in the various reform policies being implemented to reposition the Force for greater efficiency, uphold the rule of law in policing actions and drive a citizen-centred policing approach.

“It is to the credit of his robust leadership style that even in the face of the recent violence occasioned by the ENDSARS protest and provocative attacks on Police personnel and assets, the officers under his command exercised maximum restraint and stayed calm, professional and committed to maintaining law and order in the country.

“The Force, therefore, enjoins the general public and privileged opinion moulders not to allow sentiments becloud their sense of judgment but to use opportunities of national platforms to offer constructive criticisms and advocate opinions that will help in improving governance generally and policing in particular in the country.

“Major General Garba Wahab (rtd) will do well to fact-check his assumptions before going public.”

General Wahab’s criticism came at a wrong time, when the IGP is trying to rebuild self esteem in Police personnel, and rebuild trust between the Force and the Civil populace.

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