Rumble In The NASS: Ndume Goes To Court

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June 18, 2019

By Gideon Njoku

If the Roman Catholic Pontif, Pope Francis, has his way at the soon to be held Amazon Synod, and bearing any last minute change of mind, there will be a major shift in the Roman Catholic Church.

Married men will be ordained Priests. Roman Catholic Priests, as a matter of religious doctrine, are celibate.

But the Pope wants to change all that, citing what he says is a shortage of Priests as the reason why.

This ordination of married men with children might kick off (first) in the remote Amazon areas.

The Vatican says it is considering the ordination of elderly married men as Priests in that area because because of the shortage of Priests.

Apparently, enough young men are not very interested in being celibate bcause they are Priests. Ordaining elderly married men Priests seems the only way to fill the vaccum.

If this is pulled through, it will be a historic shift in the history of the Roman Catholic Church.

The idea was raised in 2015, when it was published in details in the Pontif’s *Encyclical* on the Environment – *Laudato Si.*

In the publication, the Pope wrote that the remote areas of Amazon were confronting challenges. Such challenges, Pope Francis noted, “requires structural and personal changes by all human beings, by nations, and by Churches.”

Pope Francis, blunt, revered, very spiritual, compassionate, but controversial, atimes, is known to be pushing for a few changes in the very conservative Roman Catholic Church. He has been very unsparing of Priests, no matter their status, who either sexually molested minors, ignored such reports, or protected offenders.

Urbane, and cosmopolitan, he recently changed some wordings in the iconic “Our Lord’s Prayer”.

The change didn’t go down quite well with some Roman Catholic faithfuls. It remains to be seen how such faithfuls will take the ordination of married elderly people as Priests.

Bombings: Codolences, As Nigerians Worry Over Security Collapse

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June 18, 2019

Policemen stand near damaged vehicles in Sabon Gari, Kano May 19, 2014. A suicide car bomber killed five people on a street of popular bars and restaurants in the northern Nigerian city of Kano on Sunday evening, in an area mostly inhabited by southern Christians, police said. REUTERS/Stringer (NIGERIA - Tags: CIVIL UNREST)

By Uche Mbah

It was a gory week with spates of suicide bombings, herdsmen attacks and kidnapping for ransom rising to an unprecedented peak spelling of a rise in security collapse and pointing towards government helplessness in tackling security.

The Inspector General of police, however, told a bewildered nation that there has been improved security in the country. Even the Military has said that they are on top of the situation, noting that they have been bombing the remaining hideouts of Boko Haram. Amnesty International has said the bombings have the trappings of Boko Haram.

The war has since moved to soft targets.

No fewer than thirty persons died in multiple suicide bombings Sunday, on a local market, in Mandari community, Konduga, Borno State, less than 20 kilometres from the state capital, Maiduguri. This is besides the official figure of forty people wounded.

In Jalingo, many are feared killed as herdsmen strikes, sEtting houses on fire and causing pandemonium, forcing the Taraba state government to impose curfew on the capital city. This was after the Inspector General of Police insisted they have reduced crime particularly in Taraba.

According to him, “a total of 424 kidnappers were arrested between 10th May 2019, and 14th, June 2019. The highest number of 101 kidnap suspects were arrested in Kaduna State, with 79 arrests. 54 suspects were apprehended in Nasarawa State and 32 in Taraba State…176 suspected cultists were arrested across the country while 77 stolen vehicles were recovered by Operation Puff Adder operatives nationwide between 10th May 2019 and 14th June 2019, with the highest number of 29 in FCT.”

But reports indicate that the Ibadan Oyo road has become a haven for kidnappers for ransom, forcing Gani Adams, The Aare Onakakanfo-the traditional name for the Yoruba generalissimo- to resort to threats to the herdsmen, accusing Presidnet Buhari of conspiratorial silence.

But it is the eerie silence of the south west leaders that is worrisome, according to a cross section of people interviewed in Lagos.

Even in Kaduna, crisis are being contained as at press time.

Besides saying his heart is with the dead and their family, President Buhari appears not to have not achieved much with the recent marathon meetings with security chiefs. The United nations sent condolence messages.

Lagos: Tunji Bello Plots Return As Commissioner

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Bayo Bernard

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June 18, 2019

Few weeks after Tunji Bello, the I mmediate past Secretary to the Lagos state Government took a swipe at ex-Governor Akinwumi Ambode for running a one man show during his four years tenure, the former commissioner for the Environment is plotting to return to government.

The appointment of Bello into Governor Sanwo-Olu’s cabinet will be a major high point in the rancorous Lagos APC since the former helmsman was denied second term ticket, political watchers in the state said.

Governor Sanwo-Olu has taken some drastic actions to assert himself since his swearing-in on May 29 as the executive governor of the Centre of Excellence as the state is popular.

He had ordered the transfer and redeployment of all the permanent secretaries, PS in the state no sooner than he took over power.

The state’s helmsman also made some senior civil servants who have reached the retirement age were relieved of their appointments.

But his critics said those mostly affected in the ongoing shake up are perceived enemies of the government: those said to be close to his predecessor.

“The second batch of the civil service restructuring was effected on Monday, June 16 as the state government embarked on transfers and redeployment of junior and middle level staff,” a source in the ministry of establishment told the magazine on Tuesday.

Recall that Bello was a recurring face in the politics of Lagos state for close to 20 years having served in different capacities in all the administration since 1999.

The journalist turned politician was the Secretary to the state government in the immediate past administration of Governor Akinwumi Ambode before the incumbent took over.

But less than one month after Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu took over power in the aquatic state there are strong indications that the lanky politician may find his way back to the government as commissioner.

Reliable sources from the state told the magazine on Monday that the ex-scribe is being penned down as one of the commissioners soon to be appointed by Governor Sanwo-Olu.

Very competent sources informed The Source that Bello is among those the governor will forward their names to the state house assembly for screening in the next few weeks.

Other sources from the very influential Governor Advisory Council, GAC, told the magazine that the plan to return the former SSG is not unconnected with the ongoing effort to reposition the state.

One GAC source disclosed that “the administration is working to put round peg in round holes. For instance, some of the areas the governor is trying to make quick impact include traffic control, health, environment and other sector that will bring relief to the good people of the state.”

According to the source some technocrats have been penciled down to man these very important ministries so that development can be accelerated in those areas.

Apart from this, it was also learnt that some old faces will make the list of commissioners.

“Some of those that served the past administration are likely to return. This is part of the reconciliation process to bring everybody on board.

We all worked together for the election of Governor Sanwo-Olu after he was picked as the candidate of the party. So, it’s also trite that whoever worked for our massive sucess in the election should be compensated,” a source close to Bola Tinubu, National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, said.

Osun: Adeleke Knows Fate July 5

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June 17, 2019

By Uche Mbah

After sitting to hear the appeal on the Osun state governorship elections, the Supreme court today fixed July 5 for judgement on the appeal.

Senator Ademola Adeleke had challenged the victory of Gbenga Oyetola at the polls. On March 22, the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal in Abuja declared Ademola Adeleke the winner of the elections, but Oyetola appealed the judgement.

On May 9, the Court of Appeal in Abuja nullified the tribunal’s ruling. Adeleke appealed to the supreme court.

A seven man panel presided over by Justice Tanko Mohamed listened to the submissions and fixed the date.

Bode George, Agbaje Scatter PDP, As They Expose Each Other

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June 17, 2019

By Gideon Njoku

The chances of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, ever being in power in Lagos continues to wane every day. Aside from losing a number of its officers and other members to the ruling party in the state, the APC, its two top chieftains, Chief Bode George and Jimi Agbaje are at each other’s throat, thus exposing the under-belly of the party.

George was the Party’s former National Deputy Chairman, and Agbaje, its governorship candidate.

Agbaje was George’s political godson. But no longer. He is, rather, better, derisively, known as the Party’s perennial, failed, governorship candidate in Lagos.

Each failure to win the governorship seat, gradually, tore at the strings that hold the party together. But none has devastated the party more than the 2019 election loss. Since then, nothing has been the same.

A number of stakeholders blame Agbaje for the loss. They say people have become tired of seeing his face every four years. They say they are weary of seeing his posters for the same post every four years. They ask if there are no other persons in the party. And they say he becomes a serious party man only when it is time for governorship election.

It came to a head a couple of weeks ago when it was alleged that Agbaje had defected to the APC. The news went viral on the social media. A thoroughly embarrassed Agbaje angrily denied the report in very strong terms. He did not only do that, but went further to say that the fake report emanated from Bode George.

The allegation against George was made through Agbaje’s media aide, Felix Oboagwina. “There is nothing like that, nothing like that at all. He has not defected. He is too big for that; he is in PDP.

“People should please tell Bode George to shut up and leave PDP if he has no value to add to the party, instead of being a dog in the manger, hampering the progress of the party in Lagos state. He should tell the world where he got the news being spread around”, said Oboagwina.

But George did not take the accusation lightly. Firing back through his media adviser, Prince Uthman Shodipe, he denied being the source of the report on Agbaje’s defection, and accused Agbaje of biting the finger that fed him. He said, ” We have read with disgust an absolute report of idiocy that emanated from one Mr. Jimi Agbaje, who was a failed gubernatorial candidate of the PDP in last general elections in Lagos state, against the leader of the party in the state, Chief Bode George.

” For the record, it is public knowledge that Chief Bode George gave Agbaje his break in politics; he gave him the PDP platform without knowing him. It is sad and shameful that Agbaje has bitten the fingers that fed him.

“Whether he had gone to APC or wherever, it is none of our business. We don’t know where he concocted this malady about Bode George saying that he has gone to APC”

George has a supporter in the Lagos PDP Chairman, Dr. Dominic Adegbola, who not only defended him, but blamed Agbaje for the party’s continous loss in Lagos. He said Agbaje was not a candidate for victory, and was imposed on the party from outside.

His words, “During the governorship primary, many of the party leaders didn’t want Jimi Agbaje because he only appeared at the party every four years, but with the interference from outside the state, he eventually emerged as the party candidate.

“But I can sense it from Agbaje’s attitude before, during and after the election that he was not prepared to win, and the people of Lagos has deserted him.”

Condemning Agbaje’s allegation against George, the Chairman said: ” I am shocked to read such statement from Agbaje, but not very surprised because we are not expecting much from him”

Bayelsa Elections: Dickson’s Aid Joins Race

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June 17, 2019

Goodluck Jonathan congratulates Douye Diri as Bayelsa State governor

By Uche Mbah

The apparent political differences between the Bayelsa Governor, Seriake Dickson, and former President Goodluck Jonathan over the former’s successor may have thrown up a middle course candidate as the Special Adviser on Establishment to Bayelsa Governor, Benson Agadaga, joins the race for the PDP primaries.

Agadaga is said to be an associate and kinsman of Jonathan, and has the backing of his traditional ruler.

“I seize this opportunity to seek the support and blessings of the foremost sociology-cultural organization of the people of Ogbia kingdom and entire people of Bayelsa to contest in the gubernatorial election.

“This is in furtherance of my passion for public service in many capacities and this time, I seek the office of the governor and I appeal to the people to support my ambition,” Agadaga told the News Agency of Nigeria.

He was referring to Ogbia Brotherhood Worldwide, a socio-cultural group, which he is the National Chairman of.

It is believed he has the backing of the Governor, who has always insisted that an establishment man replaces him as governor. Jonathan had allegedly preferred some of his allies-including Timi Alaibe and Reuben Okoya-for the race. Alaibe was a former Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), while Okoya was the Coordinator, Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC). Both worked closely with Jonathan.

It is gathered that the Bayelsa elections was part of the alleged cold war between Jonathan and Dickson, which former President Olusegun Obasanjo tried to mediate in. Other efforts were from the Rivers governor, Nyesom Wike, through the intervention of Patience Jonathan.

The Independent National Electoral commission, INEC, had announced that the elections will hold by November.

Festus Okoye, INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, said that after their National executive council meeting, INEC had “approved the timetable and schedule of activities for the governorship elections in Kogi and Bayelsa states which will hold in both states on Saturday 2nd November 2019.”

According to him, “The official notice for both elections will be issued on 1st August 2019 while political parties that intend to sponsor candidates are to hold their primaries for the nomination of such candidates from 2nd-29th August 2019.”

Nigeria Mum As Ghana Dictates The Price Of Cocoa

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June 17, 2019

Producers previously got 6% of earnings.

By Uche Mbah

The cocoa market, believed to have been dominated in West Africa by Nigeria, is currently being dominated by the duo of Ghana and Ivory Coast. Nigeria was believed to have accounted for at least 50% of cocoa exports from west Africa. But current statistics puts a combined efforts of Ghana and Ivory Coast as controlling 60% of the export market share of cocoa. And they have started to dictate the pace.

West Africa exports Cocoa to Europe for the chocolate and beverage industry at prices unilaterally dictated by the buyers, leaving the farmers impoverished. The elites then import the finished products under the guise of chocolates and beverages.

The Nigerian government has never challenged the status quo.

But Ghana and Ivory Coast, whose agricultural boards have teamed up to fight the menace, recently rose from a joint meeting to unilaterally fix the export price of cocoa for the buyers.

They have fixed the floor price of cocoa at $2,600 per tonne.

This came after a meeting of stakeholders after which a press conference was addressed by the chief of Ghana Cocoa board, Joseph Boahen Aidoo. Aidoo said the buyers accepted their terms.

Cocoa is a $100, billion export business but only about $6 billion-or 6%- goes to producers.

“Ivory Coast and Ghana have suspended the sale of the 2020/2021 crop until further notice for preparation of the implementation of the floor price,” Aidoo had said, according to AFP report monitored in Lagos.

According to him, this is a historic move.

“This is the first time when the producers have called consumers and the first time whereby suppliers have called buyers to come and engage on price,” he said.

“Over the years it has been the buyers who have determined the price for the suppliers” he concluded, adding that there would be a follow-up meeting to work out how to implement the agreement.It is not clear whether Nigeria was part of the new deal.

Again, Ihedioha Floors Sam Daddy Anyanwu

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June 16, 2019

By Gideon Njoku

The immediate past Senator, Owerri North, Sam Daddy Anyanwu, has, again, been floored by Governor Emeka Ihedioha of Imo state, in a suit he filed challenging the governor’s victory at the PDP Imo governorship primaries, and asking to be declared the winner.

Anyanwu, a contestant at the governorship primaries, was roundly defeated by Ihedioha , but it was a defeat which has been difficult for the Senator to accept.

All appeals to Anyanwu by PDP stakeholders to let go, fell on deaf ears. Alleging over-voting and thuggery, he proceeded to the Owerri Federal High Court to challenge the governorship ticket won by Ihedioha.

He lost.

But he did not only refuse to accept the court judgement, he also refused to campaign for Ihedioha, and allegedly worked for the candidate of another party at the governorship polls, a clear anti-party activity.

Even with Ihedioha’s victory at the governorship polls, Anyanwu did not let go. He filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal, Owerri, resisting all entreaties to withdraw the case. Those who appealed to him to do so felt the case had become a distraction since Ihedioha, of the same party with him, and from the same Owerri zone, has been sworn-in as governor, having been declared winner by INEC.

The appeals to Anyanwu were, again, in vain.

But, on Sunday, June 16, the Court of Appeal unanimously threw the case out.

Delivering judgement on behalf of his brother-Judges, Hon. Justice Raphael Chikwe Agbo, said Anyanwu was not able prove any of his allegations against the governor.

How Okorocha Denied Ndigbo The Speakership Of The House – Hon Nwajiuba

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June 16, 2019