Over the years, blood has been dripping from the rafters of governance in state with the story being subsumed in political expedience and apparent nonchalance from the All Progressives Congress led Federal government. But the recent massacre has become significant because it came at a time when Nigeria is on Auto pilot.
Currently, all the principal heads of governance in Nigeria are outside the country on one engagement or the other. The President, Vice president and the senate President are out of the Country, leaving a constitutional and security vacuum that could spell disaster.
Coincidentally, it took this vacuous period for the Zamfara crisis to escalate. Armed bandits over the weekend attacked Zamfara killing at least forty people. Kursasa, Kurya and Gidan Achali communities in Shinkafi Local Government of the state were reportedly targeted.
This appeared to be the last straw that broke the Carmel’s back. Khadaria Ahmed, a well-known Journalist from Zamfara people. According to her, the military should be in Zamfara fighting armed bandit. Shortly after she demonstrated, the Inspector General Of Police banned Illegal mining in Zamfara.
It took many by surprise seeing the decade old crisis linked to illegal mining of solid minerals. This Magazine learnt that most of the mines have already been bought by some retired Generals and prominent politicians. Beyond that, the Chinese were said to have been part of a clandestine organization of mining groups that involves some Emirs in the North. “Mining in the North is becoming more lucrative than crude oil.If you are not part of the mining cabal you will never penetrate them. That is why no minister of Solid Minerals will ever make any mark”, a source told this magazine, indicating that anyone who wants to be involved in mining of the solid minerals has to apply through the Ministry of Solid Minerals, who will refer him to the real owners of the mine.
If he is right, it will explain the conflict in Zamfara, which appeared to be a clash of powerful interests in the state mining industry. And the seeming helplessness of the security Agencies may be linked to the caliber of the backers of the illegal miners.
Before the former Lagos state governor and All Progressives Congress, APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu boarded his private jet, Dassault Falcon-900DX (VP-CBT) three weeks ago to Abuja, the nation’s capital, all was well with the state chapter of the party.
While on the less than one hour journey to Nigeria’s seat of power all that dominated his mind was how to rein in, or as some put it, to whip into line all APC lawmakers in the National Assembly to support the candidature of Ahmed Lawan and Femi Gbajabiamila, as President of the Senate and Speaker of House of Reps.
Now that some party stalwarts in the state are spoiling for war over some very pertinent issue that affect their interest, the magazine learned that the former Lagos helmsman has hurried back home.
The first issue that shook the party to its very foundation is the list of commissioner nominees for the governor elect, Babajide Sanwo Olu.
Some party stalwarts had complained that they were sidelined by former Governor of Osun state, Rauf Aregbesola and Remi, the wife of the ex- governor, as they were not allowed to make any inputs to the list.
Sanwo –olu was at a time an aide to the former First Lady, who’s believed to have nominated him to replace the incumbent, Governor Akinwuni Amdode.
Of note is the protest of the Governor Advisory Council, GAC, a body made up of some eminent persons in the state, over the manner the list of those to work with Sanwo-olu as commissioners and special advisers was put together.
The matter was yet to be resolved when the APC went into shock over the quarrel between Senator Olamilekan Adeola Solomon, representing Lagos West in the Senate and managing director of Lagos Signage and Advertising Agency, LASAA, Bolaji Sanusi.
The crux of the matter is the request by Senator Solomon, popular as YAYI, to the LASAA boss, to allow his bill boards used for the just concluded election remain until 2023.
Sanusi had reportedly turned this down on the reason that it amounted to abuse of privilege by the senator.
In a letter LASAA has directed the Senator to remove the billboards within seven days.
“These structures remain what they are -illegal deployment and a request for them to remain standing smacks of impunity” Sanusi noted.
The letter seemed not to have gone well with the senator who, the magazine learned has promised to deal with the LASAA boss.
On his part, Sanusi has rebuffed YAYI, he confided in some aides that he will not allow the boards to stand as soon as the deadline expired.
The LASAA boss is very close to Tunji Bello, the current Secretary to the state government, SSG.
Senator Solomon is an associate of ex-Governor Aregbesola, whose benevolence has allowed him to be returned to the National Assembly for two consecutive periods despite the fact that he’s not from Lagos state.
The Senator is from nearby Ogun state.
The fact that Bello and Aregbesola are close confidants of the APC leader, analysts say explains the deep seated acrimony in the party.
Recall that recently too, Governor Ambode and governor-elect Sanwo-olu were said to have disagreed on how to set up the transition committee.
Close watchers of politics in the state had warned that the APC will enter into crisis in Tinubu’s absence because there is no one to take his place as the Alpha and Omega of the APC in the state.
“His absence will always leave a vacuum because there is no clear successor,” an APC chieftain in the state told the magazine.
Meanwhile, those close to the politician, the magazine learned also suggested to him to name, among his associates who will superintend the affairs of the party, or hold forth for him while away in Abuja.
It was learned that he simply dismissed the suggestion, besides he told some close aides that what was paramount to him was to make sure that what happened in 2015 did not repeat itself, when the opposition party, PDP cashed on the crisis in APC to take control of the National Assembly.
“That’s my mission and whatever it takes we will make sure our candidates become the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Rep,” he must have told those close to him.
Also recall that Tinubu few days ago threatened to expel anyone who opposed the party’s choice for the offices from APC.
Coach Thomas Dennerby’s side, the Super Falcons of Nigeria are gearing up to stage a superlative performance against the Canadian ladies in a friendly match in preparation for the 2019 FIFA World Cup to be held in France in few months time.
The nine-time African champions pummeled Iceland first division side, UMF Selfoss 6-1 on Friday, the Super Falcons face a big test when they square up against their Canadian counterparts in a friendly match in Murcia, Spain later this evening.
Following earlier tests against the likes of China and Belgium in the run-up to the Women’s World Cup in France in June, the nine-time African champions will be able to measure their progress against the Canadians, who have promised to field their full team on the day.
Both countries began talks for this encounter during the draw ceremony of the World Cup in France in December last year.
Dennerby and Canadian coach, Kenneth Heiner-Møller have promised to send out their strongest squads on the turf of the Pinatar Stadium for a real test, two months before the showpiece begins in France.
Heiner-Møller has made it known he values the encounter with the African champions, as it would enable him to anticipate what to expect against the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon, who Canada tackle in their first match of the World Cup in Montpellier on June 10. The North Americans will also play New Zealand and The Netherlands in the group phase.
On their part, the Falcons will open their campaign against Norway in Reims two days earlier. Nigeria will also confront Korea Republic in Grenoble on June 12, before taking on tournament hosts France in Rennes, five days later.
Nigeria and Canada have locked horns twice at the Women’s World Cup. The Falcons came from behind to tie their group phase encounter 3-3 in Norway in 1995. In 2011, at the Rudolf-Harbig Stadion in Dresden, Germany, Nigeria pipped Canada 1-0 in another group phase encounter.
In a quest to impose Femi Gbajabiamila and Ahmed Lawan as the Speaker of the House of Representatives and Senate President in the 9th Assembly, All Progressives Congress, APC, leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has relocated to Abuja to further strategize and plot the imposition of his candidates on members of the House of Assembly.
Since last week, Tinubu has shifted base from his Bourdillion abode in Lagos to the country’s seat of power, Abuja, in a bid to perfect his plan.
However, his absence in Lagos, is causing serious rift and problems among top members of the APC in the state.
Former Governor of Osun State and Ex-Commissioner in Lagos State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, who is a close ally of Tinubu has taken over in the absence of the APC leader.
The Commissioner list for the incoming governor of Lagos State, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu was chosen and written by Aregbesola and wife of Tinubu, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, to the dismay of top members of the APC in the state.
Members of the Governor Advisory Council, GAC, in the State have frown at the compilation of the list done by the duo. The members lamented that they weren’t carried along in the process, which they found insulting and demeaning.
The GAC said that the party in the state APC has been hijacked by Aregbesola, who has virtually imposed his decisions and choice of candidates on the members.
The magazine gathered from the aggrieved members of the APC GAC that the governor elect, Sanwo-Olu does not have any nominee in the list of the commissioners prepared and given to be given to him.
Apart from the disquiet his absence in Lagos APC, Tinubu is also having problems with APC stalwarts, some senators and members of the House of Representatives in his bid to impose Lawan and Gbajabiamila on the NASS.
Tinubu’s statement that elected party members, not comfortable with the choice of Senator Ahmad Lawan and Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, as Senate President and House Speaker respectively, to leave the party or be ready to abide by party decision on the matter.
Following this development, Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi, has warned the leadership of the ruling party, APC, against imposing a candidate as Senate President ahead of the inauguration of the ninth National Assembly in June.
Hunkuyi (PDP Kaduna North) said that the reported endorsement of Senator Ahmad Lawan by APC leadership as the next Senate President mark the beginning of crisis for the party in the 9th Assembly.
Hunkuyi, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Population and National Identity, said the 2015 shocker that produced Dr. Bukola Saraki as 8th Senate President ought to have served as good lesson for the party.
According to him, endorsing or anointing candidate by leadership of any party for any of the four presiding officers’ positions in the National Assembly was not only undemocratic but blatantly unconstitutional going by provisions of Section 50 ( 1a and b ) of the 1999 constitution as amended.
The provisions, according to him, states: “There shall be a President and Deputy President of the Senate who shall be elected by the members of that House from among themselves; and (b) a Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives who shall be elected by the members of that House from among themselves”.
Hunkuyi added that clearly by the two provisions, only the 109 senators-elect and 360 Hon Members of the House of Representatives – elect , are empowered to decide who their leaders as regards the positions of President of the Senate, Deputy Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives and Deputy Speaker, should be at any given time, particularly at the commencement of a new Assembly.
A Senator from the North-East reminded Tinubu that the party belongs to all stakeholders and not an individual saying: “Asiwaju should be reminded that many political parties agreed to collapse their structures to form the nucleus of APC some five years ago; so, the party does not belong to him.”
The legislators-elect said rather than threatening the elected lawmakers, the party leadership ought to have engaged them on how to evolve a vibrant leadership for the ninth National Assembly.
A senator-elect from the North-central said that “As we speak, the party leaders have not deemed it fit to call all APC senators-elect to a meeting only for us to be told publicly by Oshiomhole that Senator Lawan is the party’s choice as next Senate President.”
According to him, “We will do everything possible to resist imposition of any leadership on the next federal parliament.”
Another senator-elect from North-central zone affirmed that the imposition of Lawan on others will not fly. “We are ready to take on the party leadership on the matter and ensure that all stakeholders are carried along,” he said.
He advised the party not to make the mistake it made in the 8th Senate which produced Dr. Bukola Saraki as Senate President as against Senator Lawan, then the choice of the party.
The ranking senator said senators-elect of like minds across political divides will meet to chart a course of the orientation programme for all elected federal lawmakers.
“Our colleagues have started arriving in Abuja for the orientation programme being put together by the management of National Assembly for all the 479 members-elect of the federal parliament and we’ll use the opportunity to reach out to them and take a firm decision on the kind of leadership we desire in both the Senate and the House of Representatives,” he said.
Elected members on the platform of the APC in Lagos State to the House of Representatives in Abuja have vowed not to support Gbajabiamila in his quest to become Speaker in the 9th Assembly.
The members were said to have confronted Tinubu and made it known to him that they weren’t in support of Gbajabiamila and would not support him because he is so arrogant and doesn’t care about any other person, but himself.
The once rosy relationship between the governor of Edo state, Godwin Obaseki and his predecessor in office, Adams Oshiomhole has headed for the rock. Recall that Oshiomhole, now the National Chairman of the ruling All Progresives Party, APC was Obaseki’s major benefactor to clinch the office at the expense of other aspirants.
After Obaseki emerged Governor, the relationship between him and Oshiomhole was cordial until very recently when a cold war ensued has between the duo.
Though Governor Obaseki has always maintained that he has no problems with the ex-governor, but feelers from the state prove to the contrary.
What has now become a war, the magazine learned started during the APC primaries, when the former helmsman wanted to impose his candidates for the National and State Assembly elections on Governor Obaseki, a situation the governor vehemently opposed.
Though Comrade Oshiomhole succeeded in imposing some candidates on the party, Governor Obaseki refused to support the candidates as a result of this, most APC candidates lost at the National Assembly election.
Adams Oshiomhole
Oshiomhole is not also happy the governor dumped all the associates and supporters as soon as he took power, sources told the magazine.
The Governor has simply refused to patronize them as usual rather he populate his chicken cabinet with his own people.
It was gathered that Governor Obaseki has continuously told comrade Oshiomhole supporters it would not be business as usual as “taxpayers money is cannot be dispensed for political patronage,” another source said.
The source said, “We are taking development to those in the grassroots, we will not share money like the governments did in the past.”
Now that the 2020 governorship election is around the corner, the aggrieved party men and women said they are poised to have their own pound of flesh on the governor.
They have resolved among themselves that they will stop Governor Obaseki fron securing a second term in office.
One of them told the magazine that, “the APC leaders have commenced a search for a good replacement of the governor in 2020.
Four people and loyal party men are now being consider to replace Governor Obaseki and they include the former deputy governor, Rr. Honourable Pius Odubu, a former Minister of state for works Engineer Chris Ogiemwonyi, Retired Major General Charles Airhiavbere and Honourable Osarodion Ogie, who is the current secretary to the Edo state Government,” he said.
Another source said “We are confident that these great members of our party will be better alternative to Godwin Obaseki who got the governorship position on a platter and thereafter started despising those who laboured and worked very hard to make him the chief Executive of the state.
“We have been able to stabilize the party because majority of our member are aware that the governor will not be granted second tenure. This is the reason some of our members and leaders have continued to remain calm and stand fast in the party.
We have never had it so bad. Governor Obaseki has turned his back on us as soon as he became governor, now we are prepared to pay him bank in his own coin by making sure he’s not returned as the party’s candidate for next year’s election.”
But some angry party leaders told the magazine that the governor can still redeem the situation. They insist that they are prepared to work with him if he’s ready to carry every body on board.
“Governor Obaseki second term bid rests squarely on his hands, if he is serious let him redeem the situation now before it is too late” the APC leader who pleaded anonymity said.
But as it seems, Governor Obaseki is not perturbed by the development those close to him told the magazine that what’s paramount to him is how to deliver the dividends of the democracy to the good people of Edo State.
Nigeria is currently on a dangerous level of Debt trap that is already showing signs of Debt crisis, and, it appears the presidency is more inclined to a speedy descent into debt crisis, if current realities are to be taken into considerations. This is the view of former Presidential candidate under the aegis of National Conscience Party, Martin Onovo.
Debt trap indicates a situation where a country is borrowing more money while struggling to service an already burgeoning debt profile, a situation that Nigeria has unfortunately found herself in recent times. According to Patience Oniha, Director-General, Debt Management Office (DMO), Nigeria is now reeling under N24.4trillion debt overhang after FG borrowed N2.66 Trillion during the year ending December 2018, indicating a 9.1% rise in one year.
Nigeria is estimated to have spent over thirty trillion Naira in the last four years, and the average yearly financial yield is estimated to be about N6 trillion.
Recently, Minister of Information, Lai Mohamed, was reported to have lamented that negative reports about the Nigeria is making it difficult for the Federal Government to borrow more money.
Speaking in Lagos on the topic “Post 2019 elections and Crisis: The Need To Build A Coalition For Revolution” in a forum organized by a coalition of human right groups under the aegis of the Committee For The defense Of Human Rights, Onovo said that time shall come when Nigerians will enter into a full bl;own debt crisis, when they go to the Banks and there will be no money to withdraw. “They are are accumulating these debts for our Children, and at an estimated revenue of N6 trillion per year, no body knows when our children will be able to get out of the debt trap even if borrowing is halted now”, he said, adding that the present government regarded (former president Olusegun) Obasanjo as corrupt while President Buhari is a man of integrity, but Obasanjo can point at projects that he had been able to do under his administration, but Buhari cannot. “What did they do with the money they have been borrowing? Nothing! Nigeria has become the most dangerous country to live in. If you are not killed in road accidents, you will be killed by Herdsmen. If you survive herdsmen, bandits will be after you, if you survive bandits, Boko Haram will kill you, if you survive Boko Haram, you run into kidnappers. These are symptoms of a failed state”, he said.
The nomination of 14 commissioner designates by Ekiti state governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi is causing disquiet in the ranks of the All Progressives Congress, APC in the state.
Governor Fayemi had early this week forwarded their names to the State House of Assembly for confirmation after what seemed like an endless wait.
And two days after they received the list, the lawmakers, dominated by card carrying members of People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) confirmed them.
They will be sworn in next Tuesday.
One glaring thing about these new commissioners is the fact that no fewer than eight, served with Dr Fayemi during his first term as governor, 2012 to 2016.
They were among those that allegedly misled him which eventually led to his defeat by Ayo Fayose during the 2015 governorship election.
Although, there is this assertion that Dr Fayemi, during his sojourn in Abuja as a minister used the period to undergo more training at the school of politics which has tremendously assisted him during his second coming.
Even this fact can be more attested to by the way he bulldozed his way during the governorship primary of his party, the All Progressives Congress,(APC) which earned him the party’s ticket.
Even though he was the last aspirant to declare his interest in the governorship out of over 20 contestants he won the primary.
Fayemi’s political wizardry is further noticed in the way that he has now somehow become politically influential especially in the south west, he’s believed to have contributed immensely to the emergence of APC governors Ondo and Osun states.
But can we say this about his new commissioner nominees, some of whom got the appointment as a compensation for supporting Dr Fayemi during the party primary.
Due to the fact that he came out late into the race, his front-runners had garnered and wooed virtually all known figures in the APC to their camp, but these people were still playing the waiting game and stayed back until their man joined the race.
Also noticeable is the fact that apart from, Mr. Olumilua, the son of the former executive governor of old Ondo state, Chief Bamidele Olumilua, all the nominees are members of the JKF family comprising mainly those that worked for him during the primaries.
Supporters of other aspirants are still waiting for what becomes of their fate during this second term of Dr Fayemi.
Will he keep to his threat that none of them will taste dividend of democracy within the next four years?
This manifested during the nomination of candidates for positions at the national and state assemblies, as only members of the JKF family got tickets.
Even in few appointments he has made so far, it has been a case of man know man. No member of other camps has made the list and this is contrary to Dr Fayemi’s promise before the last election that all those that worked for the victory of the party would be accommodated.
With the elections concluded and commissioners designate due for inauguration next Tuesday, those not within the famous JKF dynasty within the APC in Ekiti state seem to have lost out completely in the power game and the next four years seem bleak for them.
A member of the JKF group from Ilejemeje local government while defending the choice of Mr Folorunso Olabode as a commissioner for the second time, said he deserved it because he was the first and only leader in the area that identified with Fayemi when he came knocking and that part of politics is that you reap from where you sow.
To avoid humiliation of being retired by the Presidency , former Chief Justice of the Federation, Walter Onnoghen, threw in the towel in a game of survival that has subsumed the Judiciary within the Executive arm of government. Furthermore, the principle of Federal Character has finally been buried in the political arrangement of the country.
The National Judicial Council, NJC, has immediately after their decision on Onnoghen, dispatched their postion to the Presidency. Almost immediately, Onnoghen, through the Chief of Staff to the federal government, Abba Kyari, submitted his resignation letter. The resignation takes effect immediately.
With this, he preempted the planned retirement by the presidency, who were said to be planning a soft landing, thereby giving the impression of presidential magnanimity.
The Presidency, according to sources, is yet to come to terms with the next line of action. hence the presidency has kept sealed lips over the issue, though Garba Shehu was said to be in Saudi Arabia for Haj while Femi Adesina is on Buhari’s entourage to the ongoing Economic Summit in the Arab World. Both were spokespersons for the Presidency.
With this, all important positions are finally in the hands of Northen Buhari loyalists.
From May 29, the CJN, The President of the Court of Appeal and Head of the Federal High Court will all be Northerners. Same goes for Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, Chairman of the EFCC, Director of the NFIU, Inspector General of Police, Director general of DSS, DG NIA, DG DIA, Defense Minister, NSA, Chief of Air staff, Chief of Army staff. They are all from Muslim North.The Head of the Executive is already there, and both Legislatuive chambers are also expected to follow suit.
Onnoghen’s travail started a long time ago. Once gave a minority report on the Supreme Court judgement upholding one of Buhari’s foyers into Presidential contest.
Buhari had gone to court to challenge the election results.
While Ambassador Nsofor, who is now retired Supreme Court Judge, also wrote a minority report in favor of Buhari, the octagenarian was appointed Ambassador to the United States. When Buhari took over power, Onnoghen was the highest ranking Justice of the Supreme Court. And that was where the battle began.
Buhari had immediately started to interfere with the Judiciary in his bid to completely Northernise governance, which he had succeeded in other areas except the Judiciary. The National Judicial Commission, NJC, preempted him and broke protocol. Instead of submitting names of the three most senior judges, which could have included Ibrahim Tanko and Onnoghen for tyhe presidency to choose from, they submitted only the name of Onnoghen. This means Buhari had no choice than to approve Onnoghen. Buhari refused to send Onnoghen’s name to the Senate for approval.
The face-off was intense, but when Buhari went on his normal medical tourism in the United Kingdom, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo sent his name to the Senate for approval. The Senate confirmed him before Buhari could come back. And thus began the long battle of his removal.
Some Lawyers, believed in some quarters to have been sponsored by the presidency, dragged him to the Code of conduct Tribunal for declaration of Asset infraction. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commision beamed their satelite on his finances, using a took comb to brush out the tinniest dirt on him. The Media trial began: figures, later proved to false in court, started flying all over the Nigerian media space. Five houses transformed to fifty five houses, a few millions transformed to billions. Onnoghen was undoubtedly facing his Golgotha.
Enter the election period.
Onnoghen, as the Chief Justice, has the prerogative to appoint and inaugurate the judges that will handle the fall out the elections. Allegations from opposition quarters indicate that he was presented with a list from the presidency which he rejected. The Presidency was said to be piqued with the rejection. On the eve of his inauguration of the judges, Presidency struck, suspending him based on the CCT trial. He based his suspension on the humongous figure being bandied about in the media. Then he appointed Tanko as acting CJ, thereby turning the Law on it’s head. Tanko went ahead to swear in those on the presidency list, which ironically was alleged to have included some dead Judges.
His appointment was done without recourse to the NJC as required by law.
It was after his appointment that the NJC was reached out to, and the EFCC petitioned the NJC as was the custom. Because Tanko was also petitioned against, the NJC, with a Northern interim chairman, recused both of them, requiring them to answer to the allegations before them. Suddenly, the CCT that suspended trial on Onnoghen started in full force, in violation of court order declaring otherwise.
The NJC wisely waited until after the presidential results to know who is the incoming president before reaching a decision: Retire Onnoghen and make Tanko the substantive CJ.
It is not clear whether the national Assembly will confirm him, but they may as well wait for the 9th senate, which they are already working on an alleged rubber stamp senate president.
Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, is in trouble. A section of the country – the Igbo – is angry with her. She has unwittingly stepped on the toes of the Igbo. And the people, ever on their guard, are angry with her. They are crying blue murder. They are accusing her of discrimination. Don’t blame them, much, if you think they are being overly sensitive. They probably have reasons to. At times, they have been brazenly discriminated against in their own fatherland.
Here’s one recent example.
In some parts of Lagos state during the recent general elections, they were marked out for special treatment. They were not allowed to vote. Those who did watched, in disbelief, as their votes were publicly burnt. A number of them, recruited for election duties, were shut-out and, stopped from performing their duties. Nobody was punished for that criminal disenfranchisement of a people. I have digressed.
So, how did the ever sure-footed Abike put the wrong foot forward? As you know, the office she holds requires tact. You know, diplomatic niceties. But as you also know, politics was not her turf. Nor was foreign and Diaspora affairs.
Before she joined politics, she was a journalist, one of NTA’s star reporters. Journalists are not usually diplomatic. They are trained to present the facts as they are. So, because of her background, when she became a member of the House of Representatives, she was, naturally, expected to chair its Information committee. I don’t remember now if she ever did. But, we woke up one day to hear that she has been appointed the Chair of the House Committee on Diaspora. Not a few of us were, at once, both disappointed and angry. What’s that?, we asked. We felt somebody, somewhere, are on an over-drive. They don’t want her to shine, to show her talents. Nobody had heard of that committee before. Newly created, it was not expected to make any impact.
Abike Dabiri-Erewa
But Abike disappointed whoever the coup plotters were. She took it in her stride. She did her homework. And before anybody knew what was happening, Abike had made the Diaspora Committee the envy of many of her colleagues. She was everywhere. Her committee was so busy there was no breathing space. She was the star.
That’s how come she was appointed Mr President’s Senior Special Assistant on Foreign Affairs and the Diaspora – the first to be so appointed. That’s how come she is more known, by not a few Nigerians, than the Minister for Foreign affairs and/or the Minister of State. No jokes intended here, but in March of 2018, I asked a policeman, intent on a Peace Mission posting, to tell me the name of our foreign minister. Without wasting a second, he responded: Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa. See? That’s how come many Nigerians in the Diaspora refer many of their challenges, directly, to her. That’s how they see her as Nigeria’s face. And that’s how come she has talked herself into this trouble with the Igbo.
It started last Tuesday when the news broke that a Nigerian woman had just been beheaded by the Saudi government over drug offences. The previous day, news had also broken that a gang of five armed robbers, all of them, Nigerians, had slurred our dear country’s image with coal tar in Dubai. The guys got to Dubai and, within 48 hours of entry, planned an armed robbery attack. They, successfully, robbed a Bureau de Change to the tune of millions in every currency. The collective shame of a nation.
Given the office she holds, and how so often she rises in anger against the injustices her compatriots face abroad, Abike must have been very embarrassed. The two incidents in Saudi and Dubai are worrisome. But she issued no statement. She bore her embarrassment with calmness, perhaps, waiting for clearance. Her office is at the Federal Secretariat. But being an aide to the President, she gets called up to the Villa when needed.
So, this Tuesday, she went to the Villa. And, on her way out, she was cornered by State House Correspondents. Cheeky fellows! They put her in this problem. They may have sensed why she came. So, they wanted her to address our shame in Saudi and Dubai. She had no choice.
In addressing the case of the beheaded woman in Saudi, she did not disclose her name. She identified her as one woman. No first name. No surname. Nothing. She even gave the impression she may have been innocent, considering the unwholesome roles some airlines play.
At times, she revealed, their staff smuggle drugs into the luggages of unsuspecting Nigerian pilgrims. She briefly made mention of two airlines which staff may be guilty of that wickedness. True? If so, the questions are: Why has this not been made public until now? And, what is the FG doing about it? Have the airlines been reported, before, to their countries of origin? Or, are we just talking? This allegation is serious and disturbing. But, again, I digress.
So, Abike also added that the executed woman brought to eight the number of Nigerians so executed in Saudi. And this: 20 more are waiting same fate. Again, she mentioned no names. Then, the crux of the matter. Abike proceeded to the armed robbery in Dubai. While, rightly, condemning it in very strong terms, she revealed their names one by one. Unfortunately, all are of the Igbo ethnic group. Our shame! How dared she name them?, some Igbo queried. They took offence.
Their anger?
Why should Abike mention the cursed alleged armed robbers by name, and not the drug pushers – beheaded or alive? Why should she name and shame them, and not the other people? So, they are alleging ethnic bias. They are saying she named and shamed them because they are Igbo? Or, what will be her reason?, they ask.
So, in a Whatsapp message that has gone viral, they not only took on Abike, they also engaged in a tit for tat. They listed the names of those executed for drugs (there was no Igbo), and those in waiting (I saw one Igbo name).
At times, I can be unbelievably slow-witted. When, I first got the Whatsapp message, I thought nothing of it. I was like: hey, more news. It was the second day when the person who forwarded it to me asked me “Has Abike reacted?” And, I was like: to what? It was then l put two and two together. And, I felt low for my people.
And, my questions to nobody, in particular were: What’s all the nonsense about? Are these people trying, by any means, to suggest that our boys, the alleged armed robbers, ought to have remained anonymous? Na lie. Perish the thought. They should be named. And they should be shamed. There is no competition in crime.
For the records, I am proudly Igbo. I love our business mindedness. Our independence. Our ruggedness. Our industry. Our survival instinct. Our self- esteem. Even our hustle and loudness! But, hey, I will never read ethnic meaning in the condemnation of any crime?
Meaning: I don’t see what Abike did wrong. She was doing her job. And, it doesn’t worry me whether she named others or not.
Many things should worry the Igbo instead. The questions should be: Were those boys armed robbers or not? Did they travel to Dubai to go and rob or not? Was it okay that, barely two days after they arrived Dubai, they embarked on such a disgraceful act? Did they not remember their lgboness when they were disgracing their tribe and country?
What should worry the Igbo is the shame the young boys have brought on their tribe, and to other Nigerians living in Dubai, and doing their legitimate businesses.
Now, no thanks to them, every Nigerian youth going to Dubai will be looked upon with suspicion, as a potential criminal. They may start denying them entry. The businesses of those who already live there will be scrutinized and re-scrutinized.
Many of our people are doing so well in the diaspora. They are working hard. And the commendation we give them is to export armed robbery, drugs, prostitution and 419 to where they live? And somebody is thinking of ethnic bias?
Crime has no colouration. A crime is a crime, it doesn’t matter which ethnic group any criminal comes from. It is our collective shame. To think that, perhaps, the Igbo are deliberately being singled out to be named and be shamed is a no-no. It doesn’t gel with me.
The Igbo, as well as other ethnic groups, should worry about the lifestyles of some of our youths which encourage crime; which encourage get-rich quick by all means; which encourage irresponsible lifestyles. Did any of these people read the story of the four youths, students of FUTO, all Igbo, who soaked themselves in drug and sex and died therein? That is not the Igbo. We are better than that. The Igbo should do away with this persecution syndrome. No youth should, in any way, be encouraged to embark on crime because others are doing it. If they get away without being named and shamed, you may not.
Finally, this is to whoever constructed, and began the circulation of that Whatsapp message. You did the Igbo a great dis-service. The true Igbo spirit abhore such crimes. You have drawn a negative attention to them. That’s neither the Igbo spirit, nor what the Igbo stand for.
First, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) came up with a gimmick, following the postponement of the 2019 elections to reduce fuel pump price so as to help ease movement of voters to their polling stations. Today, the association is threatening hell and brimstone that they will unilaterally increase petroleum pump price to over the official N145 per litre if the depot owners keep selling to them at a hiked price of N135.50 instead of the N133.28
The Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) on its part has not lived up to expectation because of the half truths they had disseminated to the Nigerians on the true position of the fuel situation.
Who should Nigerians believe? Should they believe the NNPC which alone does not have the capacity to manage effectively the nation’s oil sector, to make the needed fuel reach the consumers without stress, the regulator that raises the hopes of Nigerians only to dash it, or IPMAN which claims that government and depot owners are not making it easy for them in the sector, and cowing them to selling at huge loss?
Are Nigerians not tired of their yearly bickering over petroleum pump price? Is it not time for the authorities to start doing the right thing they know and fix the sector, instead of singing the tunes of their alleged cabal masters of enslaving Nigerians?
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), had last Saturday, warned petroleum products depot owners or terminal operators against selling Premium Motor Spirit, popularly called petrol above the official ex-depot price of N133.28k per litre.
Reports had it that petroleum products marketers were asked to pay a new ex-depot price of N135.50 per litre, about N2.22 above the prevailing approved price of N133.28. This followed speculations last week that the Petroleum Products Marketing Company (PPMC), a subsidiary of the NNPC in charge of marketing and distribution of petroleum products had quietly sneaked in N1.67 per cent increase on ex-depot price.
However, both the General Manager, PPMC, Billy Okoye, and the NNPC Spokesperson, Ndu Ughamadu, had confirmed in separate enquiries that no such hike was either contemplated or in force. Also, both the Executive Secretary, Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association (DAPPMA), Olufemi Adewole, and his Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN), counterpart, Clement Isong, denied knowledge of any such price hike.
The NNPC cautioned petroleum products marketers against any attempt to sell petrol above N145 per litre pump price which they said will unnecessarily disrupt the fuel distribution network in the country, and no one other than the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) is saddled with the responsibility of fixing petroleum pump prices.
In his statement, NNPC spokesperson, Ughamadu reminded the marketers that the subsisting ex-depot petrol price of N133.28k per litre. He said the price was consistent with the prevailing PPPRA fuel pricing template and should be adhered to strictly.
He reassured Nigerians that contrary to speculations that the NNPC was running short of stock of petroleum products in its depots, the corporation has a cumulative stock of over one billion litres in different depots across the country, as imports of 48 vessels of fuel, consisting 50million litres each, have also been committed for April alone.
“Nigerians should remain vigilant and volunteer information to the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), the Industry regulator or any law enforcement agency around them, on any station selling petrol beyond N145 per litre official price,” the NNPC spokesperson said.
However confirming the issue, one of the leaders of IPMAN, and owner of Ore Depot, Shina Amoo, warned that independent marketers mayt soon be forced to start selling beyond ₦145 per litre if depot owners continued to sell between ₦136.50 and ₦137 per litre.
According to him: “Private depot owners have increased the ex-depot price of PMS beyond ₦133.28 per litre. We bought a litre of PMS between ₦136.50 and ₦137 per litre from private depot owners last weekend. This can affect the pump price at which independent marketers will sell the product, and it will certainly be beyond the ₦145, which is the official pump price.
“We, independent marketers, are law-abiding. We don’t want to sell above the official pump price, and that is why we are urging the government to do something about it and make the product abundantly available. They should monitor private depot owners to make sure they don’t sell above the official ex-depot price of ₦133.28.”
“The NNPC is the sole importer and nobody has the right to increase the price. But if they continue to sell to us above the official ex-depot price, we will have no option than to increase the pump price above ₦145 per litre. The increase in price by private depot owners will eventually push the burden on the marketers and final consumers.”
For Christian Amao, an energy expert, Nigeria is far greater than this recurrent mess of NNPC and petroleum marketers distracting Nigerians and its leadership with fuel pricing, scarcity et cetera.
“ Government is to blame for drawing the nation back in its developmental plans. How can we still be talking about this issue at this time if some people are not using it to rip the country off? Why should this not continue to be our problem when our leadership has refused to allow the local refineries to work?
“ Why should these refineries and the many private refineries that have been licenced to start operations work when every year billions of dollars is approved for Turn Around Maintenance (TAM) of the refineries, with no results? Enough of the deceit. Both the NNPC and petroleum marketers are partners in crime aimed at impoverishing the country. It’s time we give them the type of treatment Algerians gave their ailing President who wanted to remain in office ineffectively,” he said.
Yemi Kehinde, a businesswoman, in a chat with the Magazine, swore that it will not be well with anybody or group that will cause hike in fuel price in the country at this period. “ This will be the most wicked thing that will happen to Nigerians at this time when suffering is too much.
“ If the price is increased, everything will also increase, especially bad ones. A lot of people will surely die no matter how they say Nigerians know how to adapt to situations. How do you explain the rising cases of suicide, even rape, armed robbery and so on? Those thinking about this should not try it because they may end up touching the tiger’s tail,” she said.
