Lagos: The Fall Of Obasa And His Gov Gambit

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January 14, 2025

The 2023 Governorship Candidate of the Labour Party in Lagos state, Gbadebo Rhoes-Vivor has disclosed that the embattled former Speaker of the state Assembly, Mudasiru Obasa was removed because of his governorship ambition.

Rhodes-Vivor made the remark while reacting to the impeachment of Obasa on Monday by all the members of the Lagos State House of Assembly.

The former speaker was out of the country when the other lawmakers of the 50-member Assembly removed him from office, accusing him of corruption and over-handedness.

A new Speaker, Mojisola Lasbat Miranda, who until yesterday the Deputy Speaker of the Assembly has since been elected to replace the former Speaker.

According to the LP candidate, the powers-that-be in the state moved against the former Speaker because of his reported ambition to contest the state governorship election in 2027.

Obasa has been mentioned among potential governorship aspirants from the Ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, who include Seyi Tinubu, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s son; former Governor Akinwumi Ambode, Senator Tokunbo Abiru, Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila, amongst others.

Sources tracking the development revealed that the former speaker had ruffled feathers recently when he, during the presentation of the 2025 Budget by the state governor, Babajide Sanwo-olu said he’s qualified to rule the state.

He had said “ becoming governor is secondary; it is something that I have not given serious consideration. Nevertheless, that does not mean I am too young or lack experience to run; whereas, those who have been before me are not better off.”

Rhodes-Vivor said some powerful forces in the state have arrogated the powers to determine who becomes governor in the state to themselves, and are not happy that the former speaker was planning to lead the state.

In a veiled reference to President Tinubu, the former LP governorship candidate said Obasa’s governorship gambits was not in tandem with the president’s, who is the major decider of who becomes the governor of the state.

He dismissed the allegations of financial impropriety against the former Speaker, wondering while it took the lawmakers so long to realize that Obasa was corrupt.

He said, “It’s interesting that the EFCC just realized the corruption of APC Lagos politicians. It is not a coincidence that they all have ambition to become the next governor.

“Your principal has just indirectly communicated that Lagos is his birthright and that of his descendants, and every aspiring APC politician exists solely to further his interest and that of his family.

“I have said this before and will say it again. Lagos is bigger than him and we must remind him that Lagos is not his to bequeath,” he wrote.”

Faud Oki, a chieftain of the party in the state in his reaction said the former speaker was full of himself, and has become ‘recalcitrant’ about resolving the crisis of confidence between him and Governor Sanwo-olu and other APC leaders in the state.

He accused Obasa of being indisposed to resolving the crisis, saying he has become an ‘emperor’ and “that was what broke the camel’s back,.”

Also, Jide Ojo a political analyst said Obasa’s impeachment was a ‘self inflicted own-goal’, describing the saga as the ‘politics at its peak’ in the state.

He added that Obasa’s ‘snide’ against Governor Sanwo-Olu during the 2025 Budget presentation was one of the reasons why he was impeached, wondering ‘why he did what he did’, adding that the power brokers in the state were already fed up with the former speaker.

He stated further that when the ‘president weighed in on his feud with the governor, Obasa ‘showed a measure of stubbornness’, adding that he was only privilege to be the speaker of the Assembly as all the lawmakers are equal. The former speaker, he said, must have overrated himself to the extent that he arrogated too much control to himself at the expense of other political leaders in the state.

The magazine reported that Obasa was scolded by President Tinubu last month in Lagos during a meeting with the leaders of the party, on how to resolve the crisis of confidence between him and the governor.

The meeting, which brought together members of the Governor Advisory Council, GAC, the influential political advisory body to the governor of the state, was, according to sources called at the instance of the president who was poised to resolve the feud between Obasa and Governor Sanwo-Olu once and for all.

During the meeting, Tinubu was said to have tongue-lashed the former speaker for disrespecting the governor, and ordered him to drop his governorship ambition.

Tinubu’s son, Seyi is currently eyeing the governorship seat, according to sources close to him, who said the president may be considering his own son to take a shot at the highest office in the state for the first time.

Tinubu, ably described as the political godfather of the state has been instrumental to the emergence of all the governors in the state, after exiting office in 2027. It impossible to become governor without his approval, those familiar with the politics of the state said.

On Monday, the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande said the president’s son is a top contender for the state governorship in 2027.

Olawande said, “He is not too young to become a governor, that’s the truth. Everybody has a tendency to become whatever it is you want to become. He is a well-trained young man that has built a lot of young people, massive young people even when his father is not the president.

“He paves a way for you to grow. As the President’s son, he is not away in the United States or somewhere else enjoying himself, but he is there doing the work himself and wants to see how things can go well for the young people of this country.”

Electricity: NERC Grants 14 States Regulatory Powers

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James Orji

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January 14, 2025

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No fewer than 14 states in the country has been granted provisional regulatory oversight by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC to regulate their electricity market.

This is part of the ongoing deregulation of the power sector by the federal government, according to sources familiar with the issue, who said the sector will be better off if state can produce and sell electricity to consumers without making a recourse to the central government.

Recall that the power sector was initially under the exclusive list of the federal government until the National Assembly passed the 2023 Electricity Act, which gave the federal and states concurrent powers to regulate the sector.

Following the enactment of the Act state government now has powers to generate and transmit electricity in their various states

The NERC said on its X handle on Monday that fours states Enugu, Ekiti, Ondo, and Imo, are now fully responsible for the regulation of their electricity markets.

The commission further said 10 states Ekiti, Enugu; Ondo; Imo; Oyo; Edo; Kogi; Lagos; Niger; and Ogun are awaiting final approval to take over the oversight of the electricity market in their domains.

NERC stated: “As of January 10, 2025, #NERC has commenced the transfer of regulatory oversight to 10 states. Once the transfers are complete, the states will be responsible for regulating their electricity markets.

“The 10 states are: Enugu; Ekiti; Ondo; Imo; Oyo; Edo; Kogi; Lagos; Ogun; and Niger.

“The transfers have been completed for four states, namely Enugu, Ekiti, Ondo, and Imo, while six states are still in progress.”

“We Will Crush Promoters Of Communal, Herders/Farmer Clashes”, Vows Akwa Ibom Police Command

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Suleiman Anyalewechi

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January 14, 2025

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By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Akwa Ibom State Police authorities on Monday January 13, 2025, pledged to address the incessant cases of herders/farmers clashes.

This is even as the State Commissioner of Police Baba Muhammad Azare, warned would-be trouble-makers to stay away from the State.

At a media briefing , the newly assigned Police Chief, vowed to ensure that all parties in the State observe and respect the provisions of the State’s law on grazing .

He affirmed the readiness of the Command to prosecute anybody arrested in connection with flouting the extant grazing laws of the State

“I assure you that the Akwa Ibom state Police Command is committed to addressing the security challenges facing our State.

“We are aware of issues such as Fulani herdesmen encroaching on farms and destroying crops ,as well as senseless attacks on Fulani cows by troublemakers .

“Let it be clear that the Police will not fold their arms and allow miscreants to unleash terror on law abiding citizens.

“The State has a law on grazing, and we will ensure full compliance with its provisions. Anyone arrested in connection with these crimes will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law”, CP Azare stated.

He also assured of the determination of the Police in the State to pay adequate attention to the problem of communal clashes .

According to him, the Police has commenced the methodical profiling of the sponsors of communal clashes with a view to ensuring that they are held accountable for their actions.

“The Youth in these areas must be protected from exploitation by some selfish individuals. However, to achieve our goals, we need the support and cooperation of all stakeholders, particularly, traditional rulers, the media and other partners in the State.

“Akwa Ibom must be free from all forms of criminal activities. This is our mission. We believe that community policing is key to maintaining peace and security and we cannot achieve this alone, “the CP noted.

He emphasized the need for all stakeholders in the stake to assist the police in the area of identifying and addressing t

some of the root causes of crime and insecurity in the state .

To underscore the Command’s seriousness in exploring collaborative efforts in confronting the security situation in the state,CP Muhammad informed that a directive has been issued for all Command Officers ( DCPs ,ACP’s ,DPO’s Tactical Commanders and the police Control Room) to avail the public their telephone contacts.

The CP solicited the understanding ,support and cooperation of the media ,in the task of adequately policing the state .

” Having served in the Public Relations Unit ,and worked closely with the media ,I understand the importance of accurate and timely reporting of information .

I assure you that we will work together to ensure that the public is well informed about our activities and initiatives. As we work together ,I want to assure you of an open-door policy ,with lines of communication always accessible

Let me assure you that the era of ” all efforts to speak with the police proved abortive” is over .

The police commissioner,explained that ,following the complaints by the Governor ,Dr Umo Eno over the rising cases of vandalization of transformers and other public facilities ,the Command has upscaled its surveillance efforts across the state .

The effort according to him.,has started yielding fruits ,with the arrest of some persons attempting to vandalize a transformer belonging to Sure Foundation Polytechnic in Ikot Atai ,Ukanafun Local Council.

The CP promised to make the state ,an unfriendly one for all criminal elements .

Jonathan, Angry, Says He Never Spoke On Biafra Nation And Niger Delta

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Adesina Soyooye

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January 14, 2025

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By Adesina Soyooye

An angry and shocked President Goodluck Jonathan has dismissed the viral news of his comment on a proposed Biafran Nation and the Niger Delta as fake.

On Monday, January 13, 2025, the news, online, was to the effect that Dr. Jonathan, at a lecture he delivered at an unnamed venue and event in Texas, United States, had said that the Niger Delta would never be part of any proposed Biafra Nation; that the Niger Delta where he, Jonathan, comes from, would rather be part of Nigeria than part of any Biafran Nation because doing otherwise would be like jumping from frying pan to fire.

But the former President, in a statement signed on his behalf, by his spokesperson, Ikechukwu Eze, said he never spoke anywhere on, or about the Niger Delta and the proposed Biafran Nation. He noted that the same story had made the rounds in 2017, and received an appropriate refutation from the former President. The statement wondered how and why it came up again.

The statement reads in part:

“Our attention has been drawn to a fake story with the title, ‘Why Niger Deltans don’t want to be part of Biafra’ currently circulating online and purported to have been taken from a speech allegedly presented by former President Dr Goodluck Jonathan at an unnamed event in Texas, the United States.

“The story which is being recycled in some online platforms claimed that the former President allegedly spoke on the relationship between the people of the Niger Delta and South-East states while addressing the broader issue of agitation for Biafra.

“We thought we had finally dealt with the issue of this falsehood with our timely and well-publicised disclaimer, soon after the supposed speech first surfaced online in 2017

“However, it beggars belief that the same jejune and disastrous effort at speech writing, hatched by some yet-to-be-identified shady character, is again being served to the social media public as a fresh dish.

“We want to state, as we did in 2017, that there was no such event involving the former President and that Dr Goodluck Jonathan will never present such a sloppy and hate-filled speech.”

President Jonathan is from Bayelsa, South-south Nigeria.

FG, PAN Alert On Outbreak Of Poultry Disease In Kano

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Ayodele Oni

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January 14, 2025

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By Ayodele Oni

The Federal Government and Poultry Association of Nigeria, (PAN), have announced an outbreak of poultry disease, bird flu in some parts of Kano state.

The disease is reported to have affected various bird species like layers, ducks, guinea fowl, and turkeys.

A circular signed by Dr Taiwo Olasoju on behalf of the Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria said the risk of the disease spreading during this time was high.

The circular advised relevant agencies and the states’ veterinary offices to activate surveillance response mechanism to mitigate this risk adding that “we need to take adequate preventive measures.”

The circular recommended the steps to be taken immediately, which include implementing “strict biosecurity protocols to prevent the spread of the disease.”

Others steps include educating “relevant stakeholders, such as poultry farmers, traders, and the general public, on the risks and prevention strategies and closely monitor the situation and report any suspicious cases to the relevant authorities.”

Dr Olasoju said the measures recommended were crucial in preventing the spread of HPAI to neighbouring states and the entire country.

The Chairman, Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN), Kano State chapter, Dr Usman Gwarzo also confirmed the outbreaks.

“Sometime in December 2024, a young man (Secondary school student) from Galadanchi quarters in Gwale LGA went to Janguza market in Tofa LGA just after BUK new site and bought a duck which he took home and mixed with his flocks of hens and chickens, which he rears on wooden cage.

“Suddenly, the duck died and the chickens followed, which he took the carcasses to Gwale veterinary clinic and presumptive diagnosis of AI was made.

“Samples were sent for confirmation and came out as AI on 1st week of January 2025. There is no any similar report from any poultry farm.”

Dr Gwarzo said the PAN Kano State chapter is working with the state government to create awareness and encourage poultry farmers to report any unusual mortality in their farms

Uzodimma Set For Five Years Anniversary, Satisfied With Quality Of Ongoing Projects

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The Source

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January 13, 2025

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Governor Hope Uzodimma has expressed satisfaction with the quality of construction and the speed of ongoing projects in Imo State ahead of the anniversary of his five years in office, Wednesday, saying that his projects are meant to close the infrastructural gap in the State.

Fielding questions from newsmen on Monday while on inspection of the ongoing projects, he said a good number of the projects had recorded appreciable progress, and that he was impressed.

The ongoing projects which the Governor inspected include: Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu International Conference Centre (EIICC), Assumpta /Control Post Roundabout Flyover, Ellen Seilif/DSS/Onitsha road, Works Layout Roads, Aladimma/Chukwuma Nwoha/Egbu road, Engr. Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu/Okigwe road flyover, and the 3-R Government digital complex located at ICAPS Egbu road, Owerri.

“Most of the projects in the urban renewal programme are making huge progress. The idea is to decongest the gridlock in the city and reduce stress and the inconveniences to travelers coming in and going out of the State,” he explained.

He noted that after the removal of fuel subsidy the income of the States from the Federal Allocation Accounts Committee (FAAC) appreciated, saying that for leaders who are God fearing, it gladdens their heart that the resources from the Federal Government are deployed to tangible projects, and to recover the infrastructural gaps created in the past due to high cost of living.

The Governor who expressed satisfaction with the way the works are being carried out on the projects said he was also happy that Imolites are “gradually coming to terms with the reality in Imo State.”

He added that the 3-R administration has not done badly in the first one year of his second tenure going by the promises he made on his inauguration on January 15, 2024, when he assured that he will increase the number of Infrastructure, healthcare services, education, schools and human resources development, as well as the speed of his developmental projects.

“With what is going on, the citizens are beginning to build confidence day-by-day on government because government is returning trust that was lost in the past.”

He reassured that he will do more to get the full buy-in of the people.

“When you are working, the people will acknowledge it and will begin to see your efforts and gradually they will begin to buy into your ideas, in that way you will get sustainable confidence.”

Governor Uzodimma also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the courage to remove the fuel subsidy that has made more money available to both the Federal Government and the sub-nationals through the Federal Allocation Accounts Committee.

His words: “it is important these monies are deployed to things that will make people feel the positive impact of subsidy removal, things like repairing and replacing government infrastructure, investing in agriculture, livestock development and food security, making sure that public institutions like hospitals and schools are made to function so that the value is felt by the people.

“In reconciling the negative effect of the subsidy removal and the benefits in terms of social infrastructure, social benefits and ease of doing business occasioned by the provisions of more money coming to the States, State Governments must do things to show the citizens that more monies are coming to them in form of putting lives back to the citizens. People must feel happy and the jubilation must be there.

“When Government says something they should be able to do it. That is the whole idea of governance.’’

Those that accompanied the Governor on the inspection were the Secretary to the State Government, Chief Cosmos Iwu, Chief of Staff, Barr. Nnamdi Anyaehie, Commissioner for Works, Barr. Ralph Nwosu and some members of the State Expanded Executive Council.

PSC Dismisses Two Police Officers, Reduces Six In Ranks

By

The Source

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January 13, 2025

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The Police Service Commission has approved the dismissal and prosecution of two Assistant Superintendents of Police (ASP) for misconduct, dishonesty, corruption, sabotage and acts unbecoming of public Officers.

The Commission also approved the reduction in ranks of six other Officers on related offences. The Officers include two Superintendents of Police reduced to the rank of Deputy Superintendents, one Deputy Superintendent reduced to the rank of Assistant Superintendent and three Assistant Superintendents reduced to Inspectors.

These decisions were the highpoints of the concluding stages of the Commission’s 2nd Plenary Meeting which held at its Corporate Headquarters in Jabi, Abuja.

The Commission also approved a punishment of severe reprimand on ten senior Police Officers found guilty of unauthorised disclosure of official secret, dishonesty, sabotage and conduct unbecoming of senior Police Officers. Another nine senior Officers were given punishment of Reprimand while a Deputy Commissioner of Police was found not guilty and exonerated. A letter of warning was served on an Assistant Superintendent of Police.

The Commission had earlier treated recommendations on Police Promotions and promoted several senior Police Officers. These include eleven Commissioners of Police to the next rank of Assistant Inspectors General of Police; 16 Deputy Commissioners of Police to Commissioners; 21 Assistant Commissioners to Deputy Commissioners; 57 Chief Superintendents to Assistant Commissioners and 1348 Superintendents to Chief Superintendents which included Obi-Ejoh Nnamdi Patrick, former Commander Anti Narcotics section, FCT Command, now serving at Kaduna Command and Milicent Amadi, Officer in Charge of Surveillance, State CID Ebonyi state Command.

Others were 876 Deputy Superintendents promoted to Superintendents and which also included the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO for Enugu State Command, Daniel Ndukwe.

Chairman of the Commission, DIG Hashimu Argungu rtd, mni, says the Commission will ensure that Nigeria’s Police Officers must be disciplined to effectively carry out their constitutional responsibility of enforcing the law and protecting lives and property.

DIG Argungu noted that the Commission will accord Pending Disciplinary Matters (PDM) the required attention so that no Police Officer is unduly stagnated.

The decisions have since been conveyed to the Inspector General of Police for implementation in a letter signed by Secretary to the Commission, Chief Onyemuche Nnamani

750,000 Trafficked Persons Not Limited To Akwa Ibom State, NAPTIP Clarifies

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Suleiman Anyalewechi

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January 13, 2025

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By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Akwa Ibom Zonal Command of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP has distanced itself from news report profiling the State as a haven for human trafficking and organ harvesting.

The Source reports that the State Command of the Agency was, last week, quoted as having accused hospitals in Akwa Ibom of indulgence in organ harvesting.

It was also said to have noted that there were no fewer than 750,000 recorded cases of human trafficking in 2024.

The report was, however, said to have greatly strained the Agency’s relationship with its host State Government, Akwa Ibom, the Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, and others which have come to perceive the report as a huge embarrassment .

But in a statement on Monday, January, 13, 2025, the Akwa Ibom State NAPTIP Command spokesperson, Eme Ukpabio, insisted that the body’s earlier position was completely quoted out of context.

She noted that her statement bordering on organ harvesting was made to draw attention to the dynamic and evolving nature of the issue of human trafficking in the country and the world at large.

According to her, the statement was not made with the intention to disparage individuals or corporate entities over the growing cases of human trafficking and organ harvesting ,but to raise awareness on the dangers posed by the practice.

” My attention has been drawn to the publications by some national newspapers and online media organizations that clinics and hospitals in Akwa Ibom state indulge in organ harvesting and that an organ harvesting suspect was subsequently arrested in the State.

“I, therefore, want to put the record straight as follows:

“That my statement on the organ harvesting was intended to draw attention of stakeholders to the dynamism and evolving nature of human trafficking in all the states in Nigeria and globally.

“That the statement was to highlight the need for collective efforts of all stakeholders including sister law enforcement agencies ,CSOs, development partners, State and non-State actors among others and that NAPTIP never accused any entity within the state of organ harvesting.

“That my statement translated to fact that there is possible suspicion of organ harvesting in the state as it is in other states in Nigeria

“I also want to put the records straight that the statistics or data that 750,000 to one million persons trafficked yearly from Nigeria which Akwa Ibom State is part, was drawn from UNODCS google report of June 2023 which states that- between 750,000 to one million persons are trafficked annually from Nigeria, and I added that Akwa Ibom State is one of the Nigerian States that is endemic”, part of the statement reads .

The statement also acknowledged the efforts of the administration of Governor Umo Eno in the fight against human trafficking.

“Specifically, it lauded the State Government for setting up an anti-trafficking taskforce, in the office of the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, ,as well as the creation of Humanitarian Affairs Ministry.

The NAPTIP spokesperson similarly underscored the robust collaborative efforts and support of the state Government in renewed fight against human trafficking.

She, therefore, assured that the agency will continue to work closely with the Akwa Ibom State authorities ,the Nigeria Medical Association NMA, and other relevant stakeholders to combat the problem of human trafficking.

Death Of 20 Zamfara Vigilante Members During Airstrike: NAF Deploys Fact Finding Team

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Ayodele Oni

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January 13, 2025

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By Ayodele Oni

The Nigerian Airforce fact-finding team has arrived Zamfara State to fully investigate reported incidence of civilian casualties during recent Nigerian Air Force (NAF) airstrikes and provide a detailed report for further action.

The team was deployed by the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, following Sunday report that there were civilian casualties during the air bombardment of identified based of bandits.

The airstrike by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) in Zamfara state had mistakenly struck members of the Community Protection Guard (ZCPG), local vigilantes, and residents in Tungar Kara, a village in Maradun Local Government Area leaving at least 20 persons dead.

The state government has also confirmed the incident on Monday.

A press statement, signed by Director Public Relations and Information, Air Vice Marshal Olusola F Akinboyewa stated that the team, led by Air Vice Marshal Edward K Gabkwet, Director of Coordination and Cooperation (DCC) in the Civil-Military Relations Branch of NAF Headquarters, will liaise and interface with State and Local Government officials as well as all other critical stakeholders, for a holistic assessment of the situation with a view to driving the appropriate response.

“The CAS wishes to reiterate the NAF’s commitment to the highest level of professionalism and transparency in the conduct of operations, in line with appropriate global standards.

“Our absolute value for the life and well-being of every Nigerian remains an integral part of the ethos of the Service, as we sustain the effort to defeat all threats to our nation’s peace, security and prosperity.

“Mindful also of the need to maintain public trust, which is germane to our operational effectiveness, we enjoin all stakeholders to rest assured that the NAF will continue to refine its operational procedures to ensure mission accomplishment, while protecting civilians and civilian infrastructure.”

Jonathan Says Niger Deltans Can’t Be Part Of Proposed Biafrans Nation

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Ayodele Oni

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January 13, 2025

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By Ayodele Oni

Former Nigerian President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, has stated that Niger Deltans will not subscribe to the Biafran Nation or movement.

Jonathan, who delivered a lecture on Sunday at Texas, United States, (US) said that the Niger Deltans will remain indivisible with Nigeria than joining forces with Biafrans in splitting the country.

The former Nigerian President highlighted some reasons for his position such the leadership, capital of the proposed nation, language and fear of annexation.

“Biafra may not be better for Niger Deltans because Niger Deltans may end up leaving one form of subjugation for another. The argument Igbos have made for their freedom is the desire to be free from Hausa-Yoruba domination.

“That argument also applies to the average Niger Deltan. Igbo, no doubt, will be the major ethnic group if Biafra is actualised. Ijaws may have a stake due to their numbers. What about the Ogonis, Urhobo-Isokos, Itsekiris, Efiks, etc?

“Where will they fit in at the national level? The sad reality is that another Nigeria will just be made manifest and resentments will build up. What will really be the fate of minorities?

“Will they fare better in Biafra or alone? In Nigeria, big groups such as Hausa, Yoruba and Igbo checkmate each other’s excesses very well. Who will checkmate that of Igbos in the new nation?

“Where will the capital be located? If we are to follow the notion of central location, the capital of Biafra won’t be Enugu but around Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene axis. Will Igbos allow their capital to be sited in a non-Igbo location?

‘This is a very salient issue because you don’t expect the riverine Niger Deltan in Twon-Brass, for instance, to journey all the way to Enugu to see their President. It has to be a location where all Biafrans can access easily. Enugu won’t go.

“The issue of annexation comes to play. For so long, e-Biafrans have annexed Niger Delta as part of the proposed nation.

“My question is whether the leaders of these groups have been consulted before the annexation was done. I, for one, know that Urhobo-Isoko and Efik-Ibibio leaders have not approved of Biafra neither have anybody in these regions declared Biafra.

“So how and why were they included in the proposed map? Little things like this bring distrust and I understand that many of these non-Igbo regions have disowned the map and pledged allegiance to Nigeria. The declaration by the Delta State government is a case in point.

“I see this as forceful annexation. The so-called e-Biafrans have also not done much in calming the nerves of the people of the annexed regions. I’ve seen comments such as “if you don’t like it, go and stay in Sokoto”, “all land in the South is Biafraland”, etc. Is it not ironic that a group of people who want freedom want to annexe others?

“What languages will be made the official languages of the new nation? I have seen several posts by e-Biafrans where Igbo was proposed as the official language of the new republic. What then will happen to other languages such as Urhobo, Isoko, Okpe, Efik, Ibibio, Oron, Ogoni, Eleme, Okrika, Kalabari, Bini, Esan, etc?

“Will they die off because of Igbo? Certainly not! If English is made the official language, the Igbo majority factor will kick in. If your name isn’t Chukwuemeka or Oliseh, Amarachi or Nneka, etc, you won’t get any appointment nor shall you be recognised. These are things we can’t deny. We are very ethnocentric in Africa.

“What and what have Igbo nation done for Niger Deltans to gain their trust? Every day I see Igbo youths making enemies where there were none. They constantly use the agency of the internet to sprout controversy, hurl insults at dissenters and make unfounded claims.

“There is this general air of mistrust for Igbos by some Niger Deltans, particularly by Urhobo-Isoko and Bini people. What have Igbos done to checkmate this? Has any Igbo leader or group extended the hand of friendship to the Niger Deltans.

“Mistrust cannot be wished away. Most Niger Deltans would rather follow Hausas as slaves than follow Igbos as kings. This is the real reality and truthfully, Igbos caused this.

“Who will lead the new nation? Obviously, Nnamdi Kanu, their hero, has fought tooth and nails for Biafra and he is currently cooling off in jail. If Biafra comes today, who will be the interim leader and what modalities are in place for subsequent leaders to be elected?

“Igbos have been the only ones fighting for Biafra since time immemorial with a handful of other groups here and there. Will Igbos allow other groups to rule over them? Will they allow an Urhobo man to be President, for instance?

“Still on the issue of leaders, are the new leaders going to fall from the skies or they are simply going to change addresses from Abuja to Enugu. If so, what will change in the new nation?

“It is not arguable that Igbo national leaders are the most corrupt persons in Nigeria. If these same people are the ones to rule the new nation then there is no hope because corruption will be so rife that the economy of the new nation will shut down like a knocked engine.

“If we argue that new and younger leaders will arise, we still have the issue of who fought for Biafra to contend with. Most pro-Biafrans will not allow someone who sat at the periphery of the struggle to just come and waltz power away from the “heroes” of Biafra. If this is true then we will not have a proper democracy in Biafra.”

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