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CBN: House of Reps Summons Apex Bank Gov Over ‘Missing’ N3tr |The Source

By
Bayo Bernard
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Godwin-Emefiele-CBN-Governor

By Fola James

The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN Godwin Emefiele has been summoned by the House of Representatives, to explain the non-remittance of over N3 trillion into the federation account, following a query by the Auditor General of the Federation to that effect.

The sum was N9, 923,015,028 revenue from solid mineral and N3,234,577,666,791.35 crude oil sale in 2014 by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC which has not been accounted for by the apex bank, the Auditor General stated in its presentation to the House Committee on Public Accounts investigative panel on CBN and NNPC.

The Nation reported that the committee has also summoned the Group Managing Director, GMD NNPC Melee Kyari over the issue.

According to AuGF the “examination of NNPC mandates to CBN on Domestic Crude Oil Sales and Reconciliation Statement of Technical Committee of Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) meeting held in January, 2015, a total sum of N3,234,577,666,791.35 was not remitted to the Federation Account by NNPC within the period under review.”

It said further that the “cost estimated for crude and product losses was N55,964,682,158.99 which is about 50% of pipeline management cost of N110,402,541,010.88. Names of contractors, location and amount paid to each for the pipeline Maintenance were not sighted for audit verification.

“Over 31% (N826,506,271,231.26 divided by N2,636,390,514,777.18 multiply by 100%) of the realized crude sales for the year were earmarked as other expenses apart from direct cost of productions stated in NNPC reports for the year 2014. The breakdown of other expenses was not provided for audit.

“From the above analysis, it means that the Federation Account is losing 31% (N826, 506,271,231.26) being additional estimated cost from the total amount that should have accrue to Federation Account.”

The AuGF accused the NNPC of spending without recourse to the Federation Account Allocation Committee, FAAC, adding that the Accountant General of the Federation should demand accountability from the NNPC on various crude oil sales.

It said “From the total revenue of N3,234,577,666,791.35 as at 14th January, 2015 payable to the Federation Account by NNPC during the year, the Corporation deducted the sum of N826,506,271,231.26) i.e. N660,139,048,061.39, N55,964,682,158.99 and N110,402,541,010.88 for subsidy estimate, crude and product losses and pipeline management cost respectively at source resulting to net amount withheld figure of N2,408,041,395,560.33 shown in the table to the Federation Account.”

The AuGF also demand from the NNPC Group Managing Director to provide details of contracts to all its contractors for proper verification and transparency, insisting that the NNPC has violated the law which stipulated that all revenue must be paid into the federation account..

The Wole Oke-led Committee, has therefore, asked the NNPC GMD to explain the following: total sum of N248,268,291,460.87 subsidy not budgeted for in the 2014 Appropriation Act; N199,705,152,175.52 un-reconciled items in the domestic excess crude oil account since 2012 to 2014; N392, 261,423,894.77 variance in the proceeds made on crude oil which was almost eroded by JVC operational cost to the extent of realizing 11.51%, 20.21% and 15.35% in the month of January, July and September, 2014, which did not reflect prudence as a profit.

2023: Finally, Uzodinma Confirms Umahi’s Defection To APC |The Source

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Governor Dave Umahi

By Adesina Soyooye

It is, almost, official now. The long held dream of Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi, an Engineer, to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, has come true.

No less a person than Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State confirmed Governor Umahi’s  defection   from the PDP to the APC.

He spoke while on a visit to the National Headquarters of the Party where he had gone to confer with the leadership of the party.

In a couple of hours, he told Reporters after a closed door meeting, may be a couple of days, Umahi’s defection would become public.  He said he would be happy to receive the Ebonyi State Governor into the PDP fold.

Gloating over Umahi’s defection, Uzodinma said it was a fulfillment of the promise he made to the APC that his governorship of Imo will change the negative perception the people of the Zone held of the APC. He, also, boasted that more South-east Governors would defect to the APC, saying that talks were going on.

Governor Uzodinma: “If you recall when I addressed you here a couple of months ago,  I told you that the moment I resume office in Imo State as the  Governor, that the impression, and the perception of our party in the South East will change, and the resultant effect will be that more credible individuals and Governors will even join the party.

“Today, I am being vindicated  because we are hearing it, and I’m sure a few hours from now, we get a confirmation that one of our best, will be joining the party. And he is the Governor of Ebonyi State. I will be very  glad, and it will be my joy to welcome a Governor, and more Governors, not only him. We are still talking to more Governors to join.

“APC is the ruling party, and for the interest of National integration, and cohesion, Imo and South-east, indeed, needs to become part and parcel of the ruling party to make the Nigeria project a complete project.”

Governor Umahi’s soon-to- be announced defection comes to political watchers as no surprise. For, at least, two years or more, many say, he has been a PDP member in name, and an APC member in talks and actions, and heart. He threatened to sack any of his appointees who dared criticise President Muhammadu Buhari, and in 2014, said he would vote for Buhari during the 2015 Presidential election. There is no confirmation, however, who he voted for.

Umahi was a Deputy Governor before he became the Governor of Ebonyi state, now serving his second time under the PDP.

Not a few people think he is leaving for the APC because of his 2023 ambition to run for either the office of the President or Vice President, an opportunity he seems to believe will not be offered to him in the PDP.

It is yet to be seen how the APC will prefer him to party members who have been with the party from day one.

The Ebonyi State Governor is the Chairman of the South east Governors’ Forum.

His defection would give the APC its second state in the Zone.

Nigeria’s Ethnic Groups Clamour For Self-Determination; Lawyers Ask ECOWAS To Intervene |The Source

By
Ayodele Oni
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Oodua Action Movement

By Ayodele Oni

The Oodua Action Movement (OAM), has appealed to the President of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, to intervene in the quest by ethnic groups for self autonomy within the Nigeria nation.

OAM, which is one of the groups clamouring for self independence for the Yoruba nation, said President Muhammadu Buhari has refused to take action on the demand for autonomy for the Yoruba race.

Writing through one of its Solicitors, Oranmiyo Biobakun, the group noted that series of letters had been sent to President Muhammadu Buhari demanding for self-determination and autonomy for the Yoruba people from Nigeria in accordance with the resolution and provisions of the United Nations Charter.

The petition, a copy of which was made available to the media in Akure, quoted the General Assembly Resolution 1514 (1960) which states that “all peoples have the right to self-determination; by virtue of that right they may freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development.

“In addition, Article 20 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights pointedly states that” All peoples shall have the right to existence and also have the unquestionable and inalienable right to self-determination among others.”

OAM pointed out that there has been a clamour for the autonomy of the constituent nationalities which comprise the Yoruba people of the South-west, the people of the Middle-belt, and the Biafra people of the Eastern region.

It pointed out that the Yoruba  with over 60 million people, have expressed their desire to peacefully leave the purported amalgamation midwifed by the British in 1914.

The purported amalgamation, the group emphasised, did not involve any of the constituent regions of the nationalities making up Nigeria.

The petition faulted the Constitution of Nigeria 1999, which does not provide for any procedure to opt out of the British amalgamated units called Nigeria.

“Usually, most modern constitutions contain provisions for referenda or plebiscite which often forms the platform to gauging the interest of the people as recognised under international law.”

The group noted that recent protests by the youths were the climax of a long-drawn face-off with the government on variety of obvious socio-political issues, such as wanton killings, attacks by herdsmen, raping of women and girls by Boko Haram, increasing and deadly brutality by the police controlled by the federal government.

Added to this was the recent disruption of the peaceful protests by the combined team of the police and the army.

The group called on the African Union and the ECOWAS to rise to the festering civil strife that seems to be looming in Nigeria.

It noted that: “An upsurge of refugees from Nigeria to any African nation at this period of global economic meltdown will be catastrophic.

“We are not oblivious to the disdain some Nigerians are being treated even by neighbouring African countries. It will therefore be good for African leaders to eschew sentiments and intervene in this matter now.

“It is in view of the above that we are appealing to you to encourage a roundtable meeting between the federal government and the representatives of OAM at probably the secretariat of the ECOWAS in Accra, Ghana.”

OAM expressed the belief that an intervention  by ECOWAS would bring succour not only to the good people of the Southwest, but also to other regions clamouring for self- determination and autonomy.

At a recent forum in Kaduna organized by Arewa, Ekiti state Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, in a lecture titled *Unfinished Greatness, Towards a more Perfect Union*, was of the view that the amalgamation of Nigeria by British imperialists was a right step in a right direction.

Uzodimma Sacks IBC’s DG, Makes New Appointment |The Source

By
The Source
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Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State

A new Director General, Mr. James Egbuchulem, has been appointed by the Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, for the Imo Broadcasting Corporation (IBC).

Mr. Egbuchulem takes over from Barr. Ezekiel Opara with immediate effect.

Mr. Egbuchulem who hails from Umunoha in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State was the  pioneer General Manager of Pacesetter FM, Umuahia; former General Manager of Heartland FM, Owerri, and Commercial Services and Comptroller,  Marketing, of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Enugu.

Mr. Egbuchulem also acquitted himself in other capacities as Radio Programme Presenter, Assistant Director, Programmes, and Manager, Public Affairs, at the FRCN.

He is a fellow of the Nigeria Institute of Corporate Administrators, member, Nigeria Institute of Management (Chattered), member, Public Administrators Institute, member, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), as well as member, Society of Nigeria Broadcasters.

A release signed by Governor Uzodimma’s CPS/Media Adviser, Oguwuike Nwachuku, said Mr. Egbuchulem is expected to bring to bear, in his new place of assignment (IBC), his wealth of experience, in line with the government’s three ‘R’ Mantra of rehabilitation, reconstruction and recovery,  for the benefit of Imo people in particular, and the society at large.

Corper Delivered Of Baby Girl In Ekiti |The Source

By
Ayodele Oni
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Youth Corper with Baby

By Ayodele Oni

The number of youth corps members deployed to Ekiti for their service year has increased. A female corps member has been delivered  of a baby girl.

Odoh Abigael, with service number, EK/20B/0375, who reported at Emure Ekiti Orientation camp last week for her service year put to bed at the Community Health  Centre  after the completion of her registration processes.

 A statement signed by the Ekiti NYSC Public Relations Officer, Mrs Rose Onoja, explained that the corps member after registration, went straight to the Camp Clinic where the baby was assessed as due for delivery.

“She was immediately moved to the nearest hospital , “General Hospital, Emure”, where she was delivered of the baby girl.”

Report from the hospital say  that  mother and child are doing well.

However, it is not known why Odoh was allowed to register at all when she was heavily pregnant.

Pregnant women are usually exempted from registeration until they put to bed, and wean their babies.

State Of The Nation: Buhari’s Government Seized; Why It Is Failing – Ndume |The Source

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0

By Akinwale Kasali

Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South Senatorial District, has expressed his discontent over the way President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration is being run.

Not for the first time, he has again criticised some policies of the All Progressives Congress, APC, the Party he also belongs to.

Ndume this time  alleges that some certain kleptocrats in the present Government have seized control of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration and thus derailed it

The Senator  made this assertion while speaking on a Channels Television programme, Sunday Politic.a weekly

Ndume failed to name the alleged kleptocrats, rather, but suggested  they dominate the government, and are now betraying the objective of the Buhari administration.

“The president is a genuine person that has the interest of the common man at heart.

“He has integrity and the competence. But unfortunately, the kleptocrats in the government have formed the majority and, therefore, betrayed the laudable policies that the president wants to implement”.

Ndume rated the Buhari administration high on his three-point agenda, which include: Security, Anti-Corruption and Infrastructure.

He also noted that the implementation of certain policies as put forth by the president is where the problem lies.

According to the lawmaker, the president cannot do it all by himself, so he had to appoint persons to act in various capacities. But some have failed to deliver on the job.

Obodo Released By Abductors, Says They Told Him They Lost Football Bet |The Source

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Christian Obodo

By Adewale Kasali

The abducted Super Eagles midfielder, Christian Obodo, has been released by his abductors.

It is not known if Obodo paid any ransome for his release, but he told Brilla FM on Monday that he was locked up in the boot of a car for hours.

The 36 year old footballer was abducted while buying bananas along the Refinery road, Warri, Delta State, the PPRO of the State Police Command, Onome Onavawakpoyeya, said.

It is also not known if they knew his identity before he was kidnapped, but Obodo said they told him how they lost a Football bet on Super Eagles on Saturday, thinking the team would score more goals in the second half of the match played between it and the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone in Benin last Friday. The Super Eagles played a four-four draw, despite leading the Leone Stars by four goals to zero in the first half.

Obodo said he was not hurt by his abductors, or intimidated, but agrees that being locked up in a car boot was very uncomfortable, especially, with the heat.

It is the second time the former Udinese midfielder, who has 21 caps, will be kidnapped. The first was on June 9, 2012, when he was kidnapped on his way to Church, in Effurum, Warri.

Akeredolu’s Campaign Org. Mocks PDP’s Jegede; Urges Police To Ensure His Safety |The Source

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State
Rotimi Akeredolu

By Ayodele Oni

The Akeredolu/Aiyedatiwa Campaign Organization has described the Governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, (PDP), Eyitayo Jegede, in October 10 election, as an attention seeker.

The organization noted that the PDP candidate, who came second behind Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, is in the habit of seeking unnecessary attention.

Reacting to a death threat alert raised by  Jegede on Sunday, the Akeredolu campaign organization, described it as mere tactics to seek attention.

In a statement issued in Akure on Monday, the organization described the latest outburst by   Jegede, on an alleged threat to life, as a ruse.

“Jegede has been known with his series of attention seeking tactics, even during the electioneering campaign, ahead of the October 10 Governorship election.

“The news of the allegation of threat to life credited to the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the last election is, therefore, another lame attempt to stir unpopular discussion around an exercise that has been concluded by the good people of Ondo State.

“It is clear that while the resounding victory of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN against Jegede’s expectation is no longer news, the PDP candidate perhaps still lives in an unfortunate illusion.

“Without prejudice to the tribunal, we make bold to say that the alarm raised by Jegede over what he termed “threat to life” is an evasive strategy to further hoodwink his unsuspecting followers into believing in his legal voyage which has held them spellbound.

“If anything, Jegede should look within his party, the PDP and beam searchlight into its leadership crisis, particularly the internal wrangling which has led to the brickbats as seen in the media lately.

“Instead of seeking undue attention with unfounded claims and infantile alarms, Jegede should face his petition at the tribunal and allow the cause of law to determine its merit, even as this alarm seems preemptive and defeatist in reasoning.

“While recalling the different show of violence by the PDP in the build-up to the last election, we want to say emphatically, that, as candidate of a political party who marketed violence, Jegede can not be threatened by anyone. Nevertheless, we urged the security agencies to provide adequate protection for him.

“The APC is a peaceful political party that respects the wishes of the people. At least, we are sure that not anyone from the APC would threaten Jegede’s life, especially with the shallow document called election petition he has deposited at the Tribunal.”

Jegede had, on Sunday, raised an alarm, alleging threat to his life since he filed a case against Governor Akeredolu’s victory at the Ondo Governorship Election Tribunal.

2023: S.East APC Group Begins Campaign, Slams PDP |The Source

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0

By Akinwale Kasali

A Group under the aegis of the All Progressives Congress propagating an APC South East Presidential Candidate, has slammed  the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and  its National Publicity  Secretary, Kola Ologbodiyan, for deceiving the South East members of the  the Party, by  promising that the 2023 Presidential ticket of the Party is going to the region.

The National Coordinator of the Group, Dr. Chinedu Ogbuagu, said that the attention of the Group has been drawn to the mischievous and regrettable savage attack by Ologbondiyan on the APC which the Group said is also an attack on a key objective of South-East APC Presidency Project 2023.it said the PDP is using the promise of Nigeria’s President of South-East extraction in 2023 to attract decent and progressive individuals still in PDP and other parties to the PDP.

According to Ologbondiyan, “Nigerians expect a few credible individuals still trapped in the APC to immediately leave that pirate ship before it is too late.”

But Ogbuagu said  his group begs to differ from the PDP on this, as it disagrees with them on many of their other views. Contrary to the false picture they have painted, the predatory elements in the President Buhari administration are not APC.

Ogbuagu: “They are persons known or unknown to President Buhari who are either PDP or have no known party allegiance. Their mission in the administration is simply to pillage and vicariously give APC a bad name. They are mercenaries in the administration – soldiers of fortune committing atrocities outside APC’s progressive manifesto and ethos.

“What APC should do and must do with President of Nigeria of South-East extraction on APC platform from 29th May 2023, would be to sanitize the party by expelling the sort of PDP elements and other mercenaries who from 2015 to date have posed as APC members or sympathizers just to partake in a supposed APC-controlled Federal Government.

“We say “supposed” because APC cannot be said to exert any influence in Government policies and actions that our detractors mischievously credit to APC.

“That is what Dr. Salihu Lukman, Director General of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, alluded to when he said that some so-called APC leaders behave like criminal bandits”.

“A true progressive does not shy away from the truth, even if opportunistic anti-people party like the PDP would quickly take advantage of our sincerity and desire to change-the-change in-house.

“PDP is not a change agent and should not attempt to deceive Nigerians that it can ever be one; unless it is to change from bad to worst.

“APC has a manifesto (a very fine one at that) and PDP should apologize to Nigerians for detailing its mercenaries in the Buhari administration – including Ministers, Permanent Secretaries, Agency CEOs, Board Chairmen, Directors, Security and Intelligence Chiefs – to ensure that policies, programmes, projects and practices of the Buhari administration are not reflective of the APC manifesto.

“The agenda of South-East APC Presidency Project 2023 is also to religiously implement APC manifesto using only true APC members as government functionaries. APC has clear progressive ideology and that would manifest in the lives of all Nigerians with Nigeria’s President of South-East extraction from 29th May 2023.

“Contrary to PDP mischief, it is the few progressive persons still in PDP (like Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State, Governor Nyesom Nwike of Rivers State, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, and Kola Ologbondiyan himself) who should abandon that ship of notorious pirates and roguish characters for the progressive train of our great party, the APC.

“Soon, very soon, APC-controlled Federal Government will not have  any PDP or non-APC members anywhere near our corridor of power. The sanitization should start in the remaining lap of the Buhari administration but its full implementation would be guaranteed with President of South-East extraction on APC platform from 29th May 2023”.

2023: Ohaneze Threatens PDP, As Umahi, Two Other Govs, Beat Defection Drum |The Source

By
The Source
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0
Ohaneze Ndigbo

By Charles Igbo

In what is seen as the most serious political blackmail since 1999, the People Democratic Party, PDP, could be divorced by the South-east. To avoid this, however, the PDP has a choice which is to go back to the Zoning arrangement in its constitution.

Since Nigeria became a democracy, again, in 1999, the South- east has always been the bedrock of the PDP. It, however, lost its balance, a little, when APGA, fielded Peter Obi, and won in Anambra State. It worsened when Senator Orji Kalu’s party then, PPA, won both Abia and Imo States.

Kalu, as a PDP Governor, founded the PPA, as a fall back, when he was having problems with then President Olusegun Obasanjo.

The PDP, however, got the two states back when the then Governors, Imo’s Ikedi Ohakim, and Abia’s now Senator Theodore Orji, dumped Orji Kalu and his PPA, for the PDP.

But in 2011, the party lost Imo, again, to APGA, when the now Senator Rochas Okorocha, swept Ohakim out of office. Okorocha went ahead to do what was thought to be the impossible  when he jumped over to the APC, and  gave Imo to it.

The PDP had a reprieve, for seven months, with Governor Emeka Ihedioha’s victory in 2019. Sadly for the party, the Supreme Court cut its victory short when it removed Ihedioha, and declared Senator Hope Uzodinma winner.

Yet, even with the hiccups, the South-east people are majorly PDP.

But if the ambition of  a couple of the South- east Governors is anything to go by, that is likely to change. The zone could become APC.

Leading the pack is the Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi, who has never hidden three things:.

* His love for President Muhammadu Buhari which he professes at any given opportunity. As a PDP Governor, with then President Goodluck Jonathan in office, and running for a second term, he had said he was going to vote Buhari.

*His ambition to be either the next President or Vice President.

When Peter Obi was chosen over him for the PDP Vice Presidential slot, his anger knew no end. Before then, businessman, Chief Arthur Eze, had presented him to Buhari, at a rally in Abuja, as a successor, if he was looking for one from the South-east.

*His love for the APC.

For long, the rumour has been strong that Umahi was all set to decamp to the APC. He had reportedly told both his supporters and cabinet members so, and asked them to prepare to join him. Last week, one of his  Commissioners quit, allegedly, for not wanting to join him in the APC.

The other time, the Ebonyi PDP had, strangely, under Umahi’s watch, threatened the PDP to zone the Presidency to the South- east or face consequences.

Now, Umahi, is, reportedly, wooing two other Governors in the South-east to decamp along with him to the APC, ostensibly to make the APC zone the Presidency to the South-east. One of the two being touted is, not surprisingly, Anambra’s Willie Obiano, whose party, APGA, is becoming extinct.

The next, unconfirmed sourcees say, is Abia’s Dr Okezie Ikpeazu. With a combination of Imo’s Uzodinma, if the plans work out,  the South-east would automatically become an APC zone.

To worsen it, the Youth wing of  Ohaneze Nd’Igbo, Ohaneze Youth Council, OYC, has been convinced to join the fray. The group is threatening the PDP to make  a statement that it would stick to its Zoning policy, as is enshrined  in its constitution,  or lose the zone to the APC.

The Ohanaeze  Youth Council, OYC, worldwide, in its threat,  claimed that three governors in the South-east would lead a mass defection from the PDP unless the party zones the 2023 presidency to the Zone .

In a statement signed by  its President-General, Okechukwu Isiguzoro  Comrade Achionye, Deputy President General and  Okwu Nnabuike, Secretary-General,  it told the PDP that  the proposed emergency PDP Board of Trustees, BoT,  November 18 meeting,  and the National Executive Council meeting scheduled for November 19 2020, should be an opportunity  to revert to zoning as enshrined in its constitution.

The OYC says the party zoning formula favours Southeast for presidency come 2023.

For that, the OYC has warned it would deal  with any  Igbo politician who dares  negotiate for the  Vice Presidential slot.

“Failure of PDP BoT and NEC to stand down the NWC’s decision for an unconstitutional “open Contest” and revert back to zoning formula, will inevitably lead to  collapse of PDP machinery in Southeast as three igbo Governors will lead Igbos into mass defection from PDP to APC. This is the final warning to PDP,” OYC warned.

Analysts are laughing at the OYC. They ask how far the OYC thinks its threat would go. They also ask how they know that the APC, for example, would zone the Presidency to the South- east. For now, a political analyst, Chief Uche Emerenini, told this magazine, “The focus of the APC is on the South-west. The party has an array of candidates it is considering. They are Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Asiwaju  Bola Tinubu, Babatunde Fasola, SAN, and Ekiti Governor, Dr  Kayode Fayemi.”

They are also laughing at Umahi. Said Chief  Chinedum Onuoha, “How Umahi thinks APC would skip those in the South-east zone who have been with the party from the beginning, and give him the Presidential or Vice Presidential ticket is funny. Our people should get serious.”

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