The chairman of the Northern Elders’ Council (NEC), Alhaji Tanko Yakasai, has accused the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu of deliberately leaking his controversial memo to the media in a bid to create the impression that President Muhammadu Buhari was not serious about adherence to transparency, accountability and due process.

Yakasai, a former presidential adviser, condemned the said memo in which Kachikwu complained to the President of being sidelined by the Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Maikanti Baru, on matters pertaining to insubordination and contract awards in the corporation without recourse to his office as Minister of State and Chairman of the NNPC board.

Yakasai said that given the content of the minister’s letter, particularly the series of grievances which appeared to have accumulated over a long period of time, such grievances should have been conveyed to the Acting President (Yemi Osinbajo) since these issues occurred when the President was away for over three months on medical vacation.

“I am familiar with the happenings at the highest level of governance, both when I was a member of my state executive council for eight years and at national level as a Special Adviser to the President for four years. I know for sure that critical communications at the higher level are not normally done through a third party to avoid leakage of information.



“In view of that, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu’s letter must have been delivered by the Honourable Minister personally to the President himself, thereby eliminating the possibility of a third party knowing the content of such communication.

A leakage in this regard can only come from either Dr. Kachikwu or the President himself. Common sense dictates that the President will not leak such communication to the public, particularly as it was carried by almost all the print media immediately after the letter was submitted to the President.

“My understanding of the issue is that, it is unimaginable to assume the leak of that letter can happen without the knowledge or even consent of the Minister of State or anybody who is the author of such a document.

“My feeling is that the leakage of the letter is simply made to embarrass the President and create an impression that he is not serious about following due process,” he said.



Apparently accusing Kachikwu of acting in bad fate, Yakasai expressed concern that whereas the letter insinuated that Baru may have been involved in some shady deals, the letter did not provide any proof of corrupt practices against the NNPC boss. He argued that to accuse an official of corruption, or any misconduct, justice demanded that there should be evidence to support the claims.

“On matters of insubordination, the Minister of State’s letter did not give sufficient details to enable an informed judgement by anyone on this matter.

However, according to the Public Service Rules, any case of insubordination should be immediately reported to the appropriate authority for action. There is no indication that the minister has reported the insubordination of the GMD of NNPC to the appropriate quarters,” he said.

Yakasai described the allegation that the NNPC GMD sidelined the Minister of State as baseless, arguing that the Public Procurement Act of 2007, enacted during the tenure of President Olusegun Obasanjo, alienated the Ministers and the Board of Federal Government parastatals in the award of contract.

http://www.herald.ng/kachikwu-leaked-memo-to-expose-buhari/

Fresh revelations have revealed the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) connived with a cabal of persons to sideline Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and Minister for Petroleum, Ibe Kachikwu in making signficant decisions at the NNPC, whilst the President was on medical leave earlier this year.

A report by online publication, Premium Times unveiled the fact that $1.78 billion (N640 billion) in oil contracts were approved by President Buhari at a time the President was on medical leave in London and had handed over the reigns of government to his deputy, Osinbajo.

The N640.8 billion contracts (at N360/$ exchange rate) were approved when Mr. Buhari was receiving treatment for undisclosed ailments in London, and when he was not supposed to be exercising presidential powers, having named Vice President Yemi Osinbajo acting president in a formal correspondence to the National Assembly, Premium Times reports.

In his memo to Mr. Buhari, Mr. Kachikwu stated that when Mr. Buhari was unwell in London for several months between May and August, Mr. Baru tried to get direct approval from Acting President Osinbajo for some personnel changes at the NNPC.



But Mr. Osinbajo asked Mr. Baru to go back to Mr. Kachikwu and get his input and approval first before making the changes. Mr. Baru refused to consult Mr. Kachikwu on that.

For weeks, the changes were not made, until Mr. Buhari returned on August 19. By August 29, Mr. Baru announced the changes.

This prompted Mr. Kachikwu’s letter to the president on August 30, complaining that he learnt of the development in the media.

Sources at the presidency corroborated Mr. Kachikwu’s claim that Mr. Osinbajo rebuffed Mr. Baru’s attempts to get presidential approval behind Mr. Kachikwu.

http://www.herald.ng/baru-connived-with-cabal-to-sideline-osinbajo-kachikwu-report/

Prof Chinedu Nebo, Former Minister of Power under the Goodluck Jonathan administration has criticized Buhari’s government, for proscribing the activities of the Indigenous people of Biafra, (IPOB) and labelling them a terrorist organization.

The ex-Minister of Power spoke at the inaugural distinguished lecture series organised by the Institute of Security Studies of Department of State Services (DSS), in Abuja.

He stated that labelling IPOB a terrorist organisation, officially increases the number of terrorist groups operating in the country because Boko Haram and the Fulani herdsmen, are part of the list of terrorist organizations and this, in turn, has made Nigeria one of the most dangerous countries in the world according to the Global Terrorism Index.

In his lecture, ‘Leadership and Nigeria’s developmental challenges’, Nebo said: “Nigeria is popularly labelled as the giant of Africa only in terms of population because all other indicators of a prosperous and healthy nation don’t exist in Nigeria.



“In fact, according to Global Peace Index, Nigeria ranks top among the most corrupt and most dangerous countries to live in in Africa. It is also rated as one of the most corruption endemic countries in the world.

“In addition, a recent ranking of Nigeria in the Mo Ibrahim governance indices is painfully worrisome. In terms of prosperity, economic dominance, life expectancy and so on, Nigeria does not even make the list among the top ten in Africa.

“Nigeria is also ranked highest among the top terrorist countries in the world because of Boko Haram (third deadliest) and Fulani herdsmen (fourth deadliest) terrorist organizations according to Global Terrorism Index – all operating and resident in the northern Nigeria.

“To make matters worse, Nigeria recently branded IPOB a terrorist organization, which means that by our own admission, Nigeria now houses three terrorist organizations in the world, perhaps the only country to so qualify. It is no virtue at all. This is a very dangerous record which is capable of truncating the global respect Nigeria has been begging to redeem of recent,



“Nigeria is not yet a failed nation. But Nigerians should not hold on to the erroneous notion that the nation is indissoluble and indivisible without ensuring certain prerequisites as safety nets.

“Fact is: the link between north and south Nigeria is still fragile and sadly so 57 years after independence. When the northern youths issued a quit notice and later suspended without withdrawing it, this fact became quite obvious once more. In addition, the use of denigrating, insulting and unprintable language by the leader of IPOB has made an already bad situation much worse.

“The weak link between the regions of the country seems to be the only economy. Then I asked myself; if oil is found in commercial quantities in the northern troughs and basins or crude oil suddenly loses its value in the international market, will north and south Nigeria still have enough motivation to continue as one nation? This is a question that I would rather urge each and every one of us to answer,” he said.

http://www.herald.ng/prof-chinedu-nebo-blast-buhari-for-labelling-ipob-a-terrorist-group/

President Muhammadu Buhari has formally written to the Senate and the House of Representatives, to approve a loan request of $5.5 billion.

The request was contained in a letter to both chambers of the National Assembly, which was read by the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, at the plenary on Tuesday.

According to the letter addressed to the Saraki, a copy of which was read on the floor of the Red Chamber on Tuesday, the loans will be sourced through the issuance of Euro and Diaspora bonds.

Buhari said the borrowings will be used to fund capital projects. Some of the projects listed by President Buhari in the letter include the construction of Mabila power project in Taraba State, construction of the second runway of Abuja Airport and other major projects across the country.



Part of the foreign loans will be used to refinance local debts.

The letter read in part, “Accordingly, the Senate is requested to kindly approve the following external borrowings: Issuance of $2.5bn in International Capital Market through Eurobonds or a combination of Eurobonds and Diaspora bonds for the financing of the Federal Government of Nigeria’s 2017 Appropriation Act and capital expenditure
projects in the Act.

“Issuance of Eurobond in the ICM and/or loans syndication by the banks in the sum of $3bn for refinancing of maturing domestic debts obligations of the Federal Government of Nigeria, while looking forward to the timely approval of the National Assembly to enable Nigerians to take advantage of these opportunities for funding.”

http://www.herald.ng/buhari-seeks-fresh-5-5bn-foreign-loan-writes-senate-for-approval/

Abdulkadir Erkahraman, an ally of the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has revealed that the Biafra agitator is alive and well and merely hiding in a secret location for his safety.

Erkahraman, who has also been called a Turkish diplomat made the revelation in a 13 minute plus video posted to social networking site, Facebook.

He called on IPOB supporters to stop asking about his whereabouts in order to preserve his safety and security, while also calling on IPOB to stop protesting in Nigeria for their safety but to organize outside Nigeria.

He called on IPOB to cease all Nigeria activities and borrow a leaf from the play book of South Africa’s ANC and Nelson Mandela whose struggle was more pronounce internationally due to the proscription of the group by the South African government.



The Turkish businessman called for organized protests across the world in front of the British embassy, the Nigerian embassy and the United Nations.

He reinforced the need for IPOB not to protest in Nigeria, so as to avoid violence with the Nigerian Army and other groups that were trying to suppress the Biafra struggle. He reminded the IPOB members, that the movement is a peaceful organization and bent on achieving its objectives with peace.

http://www.herald.ng/nnamdi-kanu-hiding-in-a-secret-safe-house-gives-ipob-new-instructions/

The minister of state for Petroleum, Ibe Kachikwu has written President Muhammad Buhari over a massive multi-billion dollar scandal in the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

According to Kachikwu, the Group Managing Director of the NNPC is making sensitive decisions that affect the nation’s economy unilaterally, without due process and with blatant disregard for the oversight mechanisms put into place by the governing documents of the NNPC.

The letter which was written by Kachikwu on August 30th was circulated widely on the internet yesterday. In the letter, Kachikwu informed the president that he would have intimated him of the untoward and illegal developments at the NNPC but was unable to do so after failing to secure an appointment to see the President severally.

In the letter, the junior minister for petroleum informed the President of the illegal award of several multi-billion dollar contracts, unilaterally awarded by the NNPC GMD, Maikanti Baru.



These include the Crude Term contracts, valued at over $10bn; the DSDP contracts, valued at over $5bn; the AKK pipeline contract, valued at about $3bn; various financing allocation funding contracts with the NOCs, valued at over $3bn; various NPDC production service contracts, valued at over $3bn to $4bn.

“The legal and procedural requirement is that all contracts above $20m would need to be reviewed and approved by the board of NNPC. Mr. President, in over one year of Mr Baru’s tenure, no contract has been run through the board.

‘‘As in many cases of things that happen in NNPC these days, I learn of transactions only through publications in the media,’’ Kachikwu wrote.

http://www.herald.ng/petroleum-minister-alerts-president-buhari-of-massive-nnpc-scandal/

Former digital media aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Pastor Reno Omokri has slammed President Muhammadu Buhari over his Independence Day speech where the sitting president lambasted Igbo elders for their failure to curtail Biafra agitators.

In a social media post, Omokri said, “Today, it is quite sad that President Buhari, who never offered to help during the Boko Haram crisis, now declares that he is ‘disappointed’ in the leaders of the South-east for not reining in the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). Pray, whose job is it to tackle security challenges between an elected president and an unelected council of elders?”

Omokri also criticized President Muhammad Buhari over the poor state of the economy under his leadership.

“By the testimony of CNNMoney, he inherited an economy that was the third fastest growing economy in the world, with only China and Qatar growing faster. By the testimony of the British Government, he inherited the fourth fastest growing economy in the world. Whether you take the testimony of CNNMoney or that of the U.K. government, the fact is that we were one of the world’s most progressive economies.



“Also, on May 29, 2015, President Buhari inherited an economy that by the evidence of the World Investment Report, prepared by the Geneva-based United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (Unctad), the number one destination for foreign direct investment in Africa,” Omokri stated.

Omokri said Buhari’s remarkable display of ineptitude led to a negative turnaround of Nigeria’s economic fortune in only six months.

“Also, from being the top destination for foreign investment, Nigeria experienced unprecedented capital flight because of the Buhari administration’s Stone Age voodoo economics, which, according to the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics, led to a job loss of six million jobs and the closure of thousands of manufacturing firms and other concerns in the real sector.

“It should be noted that from being one of the best performing currencies in the world under President Jonathan the naira, by evidence of Bloomberg, was the world’s fourth worst performing currency in 2016 having lost more than 100 per cent of its value under Jonathan,” he said.



http://www.herald.ng/buhari-never-offered-help-jonathan-boko-haram-reno/

Senator Buruji Kashamu (Ogun East, PDP) has said Governor Ayo Fayose’s presidential declaration is a sign that the aspirant has stopped taking his anti-depressant medication.

In a statement issued to the press, Kashamu said, “Although his so-called declaration is of no political consequence whatsoever, it is antithetical to the mood of the party and nation that someone who claims to be a party man could go against the decision of the party to zone the presidency to the north,” the statement read.

“By 2019, the south would have had the presidency for 14 of Nigeria’s 20 years democratic rule since 1999, with a southerner ruling for two terms back to back. It smacks of insensitivity and greed for anyone from the south to declare for the presidency so soon.

“With Fayose’s latest action, it is now glaring that all his grandstanding was meant to further his own selfish interest. He never had the interest of the party, the people and the nation at heart.



“This man is simply desperate for power. It is like since his anti-depressant drugs can no longer contain him, he is looking for every available means to perpetuate himself in office. Otherwise, how do we explain the fact that the chairman of the PDP governors’ forum would go against the decision of the party?

“Little wonder none of his governor-colleagues attended the event. No member of the party in the national assembly attended the ceremony.

“At first, he said he wanted to seek re-election to continue his first term which was truncated by impeachment in 2006. Thereafter, he began to work towards becoming the vice-president and now he says he wants to be the president!

“I am however glad that Nigerians are no fools. They know those who really have their interest at heart. They know the leaders with the demonstrable capacity to take Nigeria to the proverbial promised land; not the charlatans and looters who pretend to be leaders.



“On seeing his so-called presidential declaration on television, I wondered if he was declaring to be a regional president because most of those who attended were from a region of the country. He is guilty of anti-party activities.

“In the light of the above, I wish to urge the senator Ahmed Makarfi-led NCC to issue a query to Fayose and subsequently refer him to the national disciplinary committee for going against the party’s zoning arrangement and stoking resentment against our party in the minds of the electorate.

”http://www.herald.ng/presidential-declaration-fayose-off-his-medication-kashamu/

President Muhammad Buhari in the federal executive council meeting held yesterday announced Nigeria’s exit from 90 international bodies of the 310 it belonged to so as to save the nation from the embarrassment it was currently being subjected to.

The FEC meeting which took place at the Council Chamber, Presidential Villa, Abuja also identified countries in which the nation’s looted funds were stashed, saying it would ensure that all monies were returned to the country.

It also alleged that the United States was eavesdropping on some telephone conversations of members of the previous government and private sector people about investments made in the United States.

Briefing State House Correspondents after the weekly Federal Executive Council meeting, Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, said exiting some of the international bodies would help the country meet its obligations.



Adeosun said it discovered that previous administrations had not been meeting the country’s obligations to some of the international bodies, adding that FEC decided that Nigeria should prioritise its obligations to save face.

She said already, the report of the committee reviewing the country’s indebtedness to the international bodies showed that it was owing about $120 million, with an obligation of $70 million to be paid annually to the organisations.

Asked to mention the names of the international bodies Nigeria was pulling out of, Adeosun said that would be known in two weeks, after the committee set up on the matter would have completed its assignment.

She said a memo to that effect was extensively discussed during the FEC meeting, based on recommendations of an inter-ministerial working committee on the status of Nigeria’s membership of international organisations and associated financial obligations.



The minister said: “Basically, Nigeria is a member of 310 international organisations and a committee was set up to review the rationale of our continued membership of such a large number of organisations, particularly in the light of the fact that in many cases, we are not actually paying our financial obligations and subscriptions which is causing some embarrassment to Nigeria and our image abroad, in particular.

“It was discussed that there are some commitments made to international organisations by former Presidents which were not cash-backed. So, when our delegations turn up at those organisations, we become very embarrassed. So, that was what drove the committee.

“The committee made some recommendations that of the 310 organisations, 220 should be retained, while we withdraw our membership from the rest. But council directed that more work needed to be done.

‘’Particularly, there was a dispute as to the figure of how much is owed. The committee had a figure of about $120 million but we are clear from Ministry of Finance and other ministries that it is far more than that.

Our subscriptions are in arrears in a number of major organisations. “So, the directive of the council was that we should go and reconcile those figures and come back to council and have a payment plan for those figures to avoid Nigeria being embarrassed internationally.

“Also, circulars needed to be issued on who can commit Nigeria because it was discovered it would be a director or an ambassador who attended the meeting who committed subscription on behalf of Nigeria.

The international organisations begin to chase us for their money. “We need to tighten up the procedures of committing Nigeria to any form of subscription or donations to international organisations. The committee is due to come back in the next two weeks with the final figures.

“Ministers were then asked to look at the recommendations of those international organisations which we want to withdraw from and ensure that they are in support of those decisions before we will finalize the work on this issue.

“So, basically, this is just prudence and value for money. Nigeria doesn’t need to be a member of every organisation but those whose member we are, we have made a decision as the FEC that we must prioritize and pay our obligations because that is part of the nation’s image.

“That is what gives Nigeria as a country the right to sit up very straight at international meetings. When you haven’t paid up your subscriptions, you can’t necessarily do so. The subscriptions cost $70 million per annum and there are lots and lots of arrears.” ‘Switzerland, Panama, UK, UAE, Liechtenstein, Germany safe haven for looted funds .

Also briefing journalists, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, said the presence of President Buhari at the 72nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly, UNGA, brought a lot of respect to the country and projected the President as an international figure.

He faulted critics who said the President failed to highlight the country’s matters, unlike other Presidents that focused most on their countries, stressing that Buhari brought to the fore, programmes of the government and at the same time, international matters. He said further that President Buhari spoke at the UNGA on stolen funds stashed away in foreign countries and the frustrations the country was faced with in recovering the funds as well as the issues of good governance.

Asked how much was stolen from the country, he said it was an on-going thing and that new discoveries were being made. He said: “The sophistication that there is today in hiding money around the world is amazing.

Even Western countries themselves have a lot of problems and it takes them a long time in discovering all the time. “The Panama people, for instance. Nobody knew about all those funds illegally stashed until you suddenly have the revelations under the Panama people (papers).

So, it is really an on-going thing and a new thing coming up all the time. ‘’You saw recently we never knew, for instance, that the US was eavesdropping on some telephone conversations of members of the previous government and private sector people about investments that were made in the United States.

It just suddenly came out like that. So, it is an on-going thing.” On the strategies the country was using to ensure that looted funds were recovered, Onyeama said President Buhari has made frantic efforts to that effect.

He said: “On the strategies we are putting in place, that is a good question. The strategies are precisely what Mr. President has been doing. “Number one, he cooperated with David Cameron when he was the Prime Minister of the UK to organise a global conference on anti-corruption.

For a very long period of time, it was not a priority for a lot of industrialised countries to worry about money flowing from developing countries into their banks because as far as they were concerned, they had the image of rulers of Third World countries.

“So, Mr. President’s strategy was to put it on the international agenda for it to be something that Western leaders buy into. But I think Mr. President has succeeded in doing that. ‘’When he met former US President, now talking specifically in terms of strategy, President Obama told him at that time we were spending a lot of monies hiring lawyers to help trace or to help us go to court.

“Remember that in US, for instance, some lawyers were claiming that they should get a percentage of the amount that was to be returned to Nigeria, he (Barrack Obama) said no, let’s arrange it, where you will be dealing directly with the Justice department.

“So, a strategy is to get that permission from these heads of states to deal directly with the justice agencies in not only identifying but the legal process of restitution of recovering those funds. “So, we are engaged with a number of countries in that process, including Switzerland, the UK, Jersey Island of the UK, the United States government as well and the United Arab Emirates, where we have identified funds.

“Also, Germany in the past has restituted some funds and Leichenstern is another country that we are working within this context.”

On the gains of the President’s visit to other countries, the minister said: “The goodwill is the tremendous gain. The goodwill that will come from that visit will really be a major, not always immediately quantifiable, gain.

“Of course, we have a road map with Jordan, but I think that the most important gain, the one that really affects this country is the perception of Nigeria as a place for doing business and as a place for investing because the world sees now that this is a country that has a leader, it is championing anti-corruption as a crusader across the continent and here is a leader that speaks about democratic institutions, about good governance, about humanitarian issues.

“So, it is a new brand for Nigeria and we can leverage on that in so many different areas. Of course, economics (trade) is one of them but also cultural and social.

“He talked about Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs, and when you have at the highest level that commitment and buying to a UN programme, Sustainable Development Goals, it also means that the UN itself is going to come and invest in the country and partner with Nigeria in achieving those goals and it will be for the benefit of the whole country.”

Int’l bodies Nigeria belong to Some of the international organisations Nigeria is a member, include African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States, ACP; African Development Bank(ADB); African Union (AU); Commonwealth of Nations; Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS); Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO); Group of 15; G-19; Group of 24 and Group of 77. Others are International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD); International Chamber of Commerce, (ICC); International Civil Aviation Organisation, (ICAO); International Criminal Court (ICC); International Development Association (IDA); International Finance Corporation (IFC); International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD); International Hydrographic Organisation (IHO); International Labor Organisation (ILO); International Monetary Fund (IMF); and International Maritime Organisation (IMO). Also, International Mobile Satellite Organization (IMSO); International Olympic Committee, (IOC); International Organisation for Standardization (IOS); International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (IRCRCM); International Telecommunications Union (ITU); Interpol; Non-Aligned Movement; Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW); Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC); Permanent Court of Arbitration; United Nations Organisation (UNO); United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD); United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA); United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO); United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR); United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO); United Nations Iraq-Kuwait Observation Mission (UNIKOM); United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITR) and United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNIAMK). Others are United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (UNMRWS); United Nations Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina (UNMBH); United Nations Mission of Observers in Tajikistan (UNMOT)

http://www.herald.ng/breaking-nigeria-withdraws-membership-from-90-international-bodies/

Barring any late change, President Muhammadu Buhari is set to reshuffle his cabinet.



After returning to Nigeria, from London, Presidency sources said a cabinet shake-up had been on the cards “for a long time now. In fact, the final list is already with the president.”





Another source confirmed and said the rejig had been in “the works. Security checks have been concluded and a list of those to be dropped have been tabled before the president. In fact, the reshuffle was to have been done three weeks ago.”



Yet, another presidency source confirmed that “some ministers will be sacked, but Nigerians will definitely be surprised at the caliber of those who will be dropped from the cabinet.





“Although there may or may not be wholesale dissolution, some ministers will still be re-nominated while, for some, they may likely be attending their last Federal Executive Council meeting tomorrow.”



When asked if the president will sack Aisha Al-Hassan the source said it is most likely as the president doesn’t take likely disloyalty.



Senior Special Assistant to the president on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, however, denied knowledge of any cabinet reshuffle.



“I’m not in Abuja and I don’t know what is happening there,” he said yesterday night.



The cabinet could be rejigged on or before Nigeria’s 57th independence anniversary.

http://www.herald.ng/buhari-compiles-names-of-cabinet-members-to-be-sacked-aisha-al-hassans-fate-unknown/

The Federal Government has said it will not negotiate with terrorist groups like the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB). This is despite the fact that the Buhari led government has negotiated with Boko Haram previously.

A senior official of the justice department said to The Nation newspaper, under anonymity that the prospects of the Buhari administration entering into dialogue with IPOB were slim to none.

“The proscription order was gazetted by the Federal Government on Thursday. So, there is no going back on our position that the organisation remains illegal.

“Whether IPOB is registered abroad or anywhere is immaterial. The most important thing we have achieved is that the terrorist group can no longer operate in this country.



“The gazette is the climax of the presidential proclamation and the decision of the court on it.

“Any Nigerian or group associating with IPOB is doing so at a greater risk.”

“No government will relate with a terrorist organisation. Certainly, any talk of dialogue is remote.”

http://www.herald.ng/we-will-not-negotiate-with-terror-groups-like-ipob/

Ekiti state governor, Ayo Fayose has said although he does not promote the Independent People of Biafra, President Muhammadu Buhari was going about tackling the agitation of IPOB in a wrong manner.

In a series of posts on social media networking site, Twitter, Fayose said Buhari should lead Nigeria in an equitable manner.

He tweeted, “Let the use of brute force be the last option in matters of agitation. Battles can be won without the use of force. Having said that, I am not promoting IPOB, but Buhari should lead Nigeria with equity and justice.

“In every family there are both the good and bad people. Agitation is normal in every society but the way to go about it is to tread cautiously. I’m not for division of Nigeria. But the Federal Government should engage in more of dialogue with agitating groups; use carrot and stick approach instead of guns.”

He added, “What this government needs to do is to restructure and this matter should not be handled by the APC. It should not be a party affair. Using brute force is not democratic. Running a democracy should not be by propaganda. Democracy is not autocracy.”


http://www.herald.ng/i-do-not-support-ipob-but-governor-fayose/

A former Minister of National Planning, Prof. Abubakar Suleiman, has spoken about the corruption allegations against the former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke.

He said Diezani has had a successful career working with Shell Corporation, so if it is believed that everything forfeited or identified as Diezani’s property or assets are ill-gotten- that is not fair enough.



“Diezani was never a poor person before she came to government. She worked with Shell Petroleum. She was in money before she came on board as a minister to the best of my knowledge. So, to just make a sweeping condemnation, believing that everything forfeited or identified as Diezani’s property or assets are ill-gotten, I do not think that is fair enough. But the revelations are worrisome, mind-boggling. It took a lot of people by surprise, including me but again, we should still give her the benefit of the doubt.” Suleiman said.



He went further to explain that although Diezani has not appeared before any court to defend herself, Nigerians should know that Jonathan inherited Diezani from Obasanjo and (Umaru) Yar’Adua’s government.





Speaking with Punch newspapers, the former minister said. “She has not appeared before any court of law to defend herself, so it would be unfair on my own side to speak on whether she is guilty or not. Yes, the revelation is shocking and worrisome, but it will be unfair for me as an intellectual and a Muslim to now pass blame on whether she is right or wrong.”

http://www.herald.ng/nigerians-have-not-been-fair-to-diezani-ex-minister/

The Presidency has threatened to expose the sponsors of the indigenous people of Biafra and it’s making good its threat as the government is said to have instructed the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, NFIU, and the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN to hand over all the details of IPOB’s funding in one comprehensive report which will then be submitted to the French Government.


Recall that the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed had alleged that France was the headquarters of IPOB’s funding. The European country though, has denied the allegation, stating that it has no knowledge of IPOB activities in France.


“We have never accused the French Government of funding IPOB.” a source close to the Presidency disclosed said, “The French Government has reached out to us over the IPOB matter. It said we should give it account details and any other evidence showing that France was where the majority of the money was coming from.


“So, we have accepted that challenge and we will be instructing the NFIU, SCUML and the CBN to hand over all the details of IPOB’s funding.”


However, in a video, which has even gone viral on Youtube, Nnamdi Kanu had appealed to people of Igbo extraction in some of these countries to provide him with funds which would be used in buying weapons and bringing down the Nigerian Government.


http://www.herald.ng/cbn-nfiu-will-send-account-details-of-ipob-sponsors-soon-presidency/

The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has described Nigeria as a nation in crisis, he said Nigerians might only be pretending so the government must not think that all is well with the country.



Nigeria is in crisis as poor governance, nepotism, marginalization and state-sponsored repression continue to do violence to national unity and cohesion. He noted that at a time like this, the country needs forthright leadership and consensus building to steer the ship of state from the wrong direction it is headed to safer grounds.





He, therefore, called for restructuring and warned that it will be dangerous to ignore the agitation for restructuring of the country.



The governor said this at the 2017 All Nigeria Editors’ Conference (ANEC)





He said: “Today, the clamour for political restructuring, fiscal federalism, state police and guarantees for free and fair elections have never been this determined across the country and will never go away. It is becoming clearer by the day that to ignore these calls is pretentiously dangerous to the unity and peaceful co-existence of this country.”



“Today, the clamour for political restructuring, fiscal federalism, state police and guarantees for free and fair elections have never been this determined across the country and will never go away. It is becoming clearer by the day that to ignore these calls is pretentiously dangerous to the unity and peaceful co-existence of this country.”



The governor stated these while opening the 2017 All Nigeria Editors’ Conference (ANEC) with the theme: Balancing professionalism, advocacy and business” in Port Harcourt, yesterday.

http://www.herald.ng/nigeria-is-in-crisis-and-nigerians-are-pretending-wike/

The President of Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, has reassured of the National Assembly’s (NASS) commitment to ensuring that all Nigerians live in peace without fear or intimidation.

Saraki said this in a paper presented at the 13th All Nigeria Editors’ Conference and Extraordinary Convention on Friday in Port Harcourt.

He spoke on the theme: “Legislative Efforts and Focus on Pro-poor Issues: National Assembly Perspectives’’.

Represented by Sen. Aliyu Abdullahi, Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Saraki also assured that the NASS was alive and sensitive to its constitutional responsibilities and roles.



He said that the national assembly would continue to create the enabling environment to produce “the greatest access to opportunity in a united and prosperous nation’’ for generations yet unborn.

The president of the senate commended the editors “for the new path and direction’’ the forum had was carving for the journalism profession.



According to him, the media and indeed all Nigerian media is deeply involved in standing up against autocracy in whatever guise, a position shared by the Nigerian legislature.

He also listed efforts made by the Senate and NASS in general in shaping national development challenges in what he called very interesting time in Nigeria.



He said that the senate had considered more than 200 motions to date, while the senate received 150 public petitions and cleared 90 as against six petitions each by the seventh and sixth senate.

He said: “Interestingly, many of the issues cleared seek to relief Nigerians from bad policies, unjust decisions and actions that could further worsen the hardship of Nigerians.’’

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme for the 2017 conference is “Nigerian Media: Balancing Professionalism, Advocacy and Business’’.

http://www.herald.ng/senate-reassures-on-national-unity/

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has lent his voice to those calling on the Information Minister, Alhaji Lai Mohammed to tone down his rhetoric.

Speaking at the the 13th edition of All Nigeria Editors conference, in Port Harcourt, Wike said well meaning Nigerians should call Mohammed to order over his irresponsible utterances and wild allegations against members of opposition political parties.

“Nigerians of goodwill must therefore call the Minister of Information to stop stoking the ambers of disharmony and divisions in the polity with his irresponsible utterances and wild allegations against members of opposition political parties.

“We are only pretending we think that all is well with our country. The country is in crisis as poor governance, nepotism, marginalization and state-sponsored repression continue to do violence to nation unity and cohesion”, he said.



“Nigeria has never witnessed the degree of contemporary agitations for justice and equity going on in the form of call for restructuring, fiscal federalism, demand for free and fair elections, stressing the need for “forthright leadership and consensus building to steer the ship of state from the wrong direction it is headed to safer grounds.”

“Today, the clamour for political restructuring, fiscal federalism, State police and guarantees for free and fair elections have never been this determined across the country and will never go away. It is becoming clearer by the day that to ignore these calls is pretentiously dangerous to the unity and peaceful co-existence of this country.” he added.

“For some of us therefore, there is nothing nobler than being counted on this path and as long as God gives us breathe we shall remain in the trenches fighting for our democratic rights and freedoms until victory is ultimately achieved.

But, we also believe that this is a fight that should and must be led by the media for full effect and agenda setting. This calls for greater vigilance and courage in giving effective voice to the contending issues and taking personal responsibility for factuality. It can’t be otherwise.” he added.

http://www.herald.ng/lai-mohammed-must-stop-wild-allegations-wike/[sub][/sub][sup][/sup]

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has criticized President Muhammadu Buhari and his administration for their undemocratic manner in governing the country.

In a Facebook post, signed by Reno Omokri, the former leader cautioned Buhari to tread with caution in regards to his military exercises across the country.

He said, “We want to advise the Buhari administration, which has announced plans to extend the military show of force to the South-South and the South-West through Operation Crocodile Smile, to tread with caution.

“Nigeria is no longer under military rule. In a democracy, you separate the military from the police. The military is not meant to fight criminality within a nation because they are trained to fight a nation’s external enemies.



“It is the police that are trained to fight crime internally. When the military starts doing the job of the police and starts fighting or doing what they call a ‘show of force’, the effect will not be to reduce crime. The effect will be to intimidate people,” Jonathan said.

Also reacting to Lai Mohammed’s claims that IPOB was started as a result of PDP’s loss during the elections, Jonathan recalled how Lai had condemned him for banning Boko Haram in 2013.

“The insinuations in the press conference given by Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, on Sunday, accusing the opposition of sponsoring the IPOB and the fact that he mentioned that Nnamdi Kanu preached Nigerian unity during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan is another clear indication that the present administration has not left propaganda mode for proper agenda mode two and a half year into their tenure.

“If the government, in which Lai Mohammed serves, knows which opposition members are sponsoring IPOB, then they should identify them, arrest them and then prosecute them.



“It is our suspicion that Lai Mohammed is talking from history seeing as he criticized the Jonathan government for banning Boko Haram in a statement he released on June 10, 2013, even though the Jonathan government had gone through due process before proscribing that murderous sect. Perhaps Lai Mohammed thinks everybody is like him and those he represents.”

http://www.herald.ng/nigeria-is-not-a-military-dictatorship-jonathan-fires-buhari/

There seem to be no love between the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Akwa Ibom state government over the investigation of former Governor Godswill Akpabio’s N108.1bn Fraud.

According to the EFCC, it has sent letters to the Secretary to the state Government inviting its officials to assist in the investigation seven times, however, the Akwa Ibom State Government has blocked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from investigating former Governor Godswill Akpabio.

The EFCC said it has invited the commissioner for works and Accountant General amongst many others but its efforts to interrogate them had been stalled by the government.





“We have made seven requests for the release of some officials, but none was honoured.” The anti-graft agency said.



The Minority Leader of the Senate is under probe for alleged diversion of public funds and corrupt practices reported to the EFCC through several petitions by Leo Ekpenyong, a lawyer.



He is expected to be quizzed on how N108.1 billion state funds were allegedly diverted.
Akpabio was also alleged to have in 2013 paid N566,883,728.66, N441,808,081.90 and N392, 631,943.37 as gifts to a new generation bank.

The investigation is being handled by the Counter-Terrorism and General Investigation Section of the anti-graft agency.

Ekpenyong claimed that Akpabio allegedly devised a means of enriching himself at the expense of the state.

The allegations against Akpabio border on the award of bogus contracts to cronies who used the proceeds to buy several properties in Lagos and Abuja.

The allegations include the alleged withdrawal of N18 billion fraudulently from the state’s Federal Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) in tranches of N10 million and above in a surreptitious manner to conceal their dishonest intention; spending of over N50 billion state funds by the former governor during the last general elections; and alleged withdrawal of N18 billion from the state’s coffers under the guise of special services, reception of very important guests and sundry items.

The ex-governor is also under probe for allegedly acquiring some assets through surrogates, including a multi-billion naira mansion at Plot 5, Ikogosi Spring Close, off Katsina-Ala Crescent, Maitama-Abuja; a multi-billion naira mansion at Plot 28 Colorado Close, Maitama, Abuja; 22 Probyn Road, Ikoyi, Lagos; Plot 23 Olusegun Aina Street, Parkview, Lagos and a multi-billion naira 25-storey building at Akin Adesola Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.

http://www.herald.ng/efcc-at-war-with-akwa-ibom-over-akpabios-probe-for-alleged-n108-1b-fraud/

The Nigerian Army has said that the military exercise captioned Operation Crocodile Smile is specially designed for the challenges in the South West even as pan Yoruba groups kick against the operation.

Director, Army Public Relations, Brig. Gen. Sani Usman said the exercise was not targeted at Nigerians based on ethnicity but due to a need to further secure the country.

Usman said, “Let me tell you. I made reference to Operation Crocodile Smile, because there is so much mischief and misinformation in respect of Exercise Egwu Eke II. What we are saying is that the exercise is not targeted at any particular ethnic group or a group of persons.

“The army needs to train because in the event of being called upon by the civic authorities, we will know what to do. So, we are looking at large-scale security challenges and we train on those aspects. Last year, we had all these exercises based on the challenges at that time.“But this year, there are issues associated with criminalities such as Badoo and other cult-related activities. The problems associated with the North-West are different from the South-South or the South-East or a combination of both. The whole idea is that these exercises are routine and some people only blow things out of proportion. But we mean well and we just want to train our troops to be more professional.”


In a telephone interview with Punch, Afenifere spokesman, Yinka Odumakin condemned the initiative.

He said, “There is no basis for it (troops deployment), there is peace in the South-West and calm in the South-South as of now except there are fifth columnists within the administration who just want to provoke crisis where there is none.

“If they say they are looking for kidnappers, even in the South-West, where they say they want to deploy troops, it was the police that arrested the notorious kidnapper, Evans. They arrested him without firing shots or carrying out any major operation, they simply used intelligence and arrested him.

“If there should be any crime that the military want to curb, it is the police that should do it. There is no need for any Operation Python Dance, they should go and dance in the North-East where Boko Haram killed an Imam and others in Borno a few days ago,” Afenifere admonished.

http://www.herald.ng/crocodile-smile-is-tailor-made-for-south-west-army/

Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSEN) on Wednesday appealed to Federal Government over continued indebtedness of oil marketers, saying it could trigger retrenchment of staff in the sector.

The Public Relations Officer of PENGASSAN, Mr Fortune Obi, made the appeal in an
interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

Obi, who reiterated the importance of rescuing oil marketers from financial crisis, added that many marketers found it difficult to cope in business “due to backlog of debts owed them during the subsidy regime.

“Many marketers borrowed money to import fuel, hoping to be paid afterwards but
up till date, they have not received their money from government.







“It is time to take oil marketers out of recession and financial crisis by duly paying them all the debts.”

Obi, however, said that payment of the debt would not only enhance fuel supply in the country but restore efficiency in the oil sector.



The marketers, comprising Major Oil Marketers (MOMAN), Independent Petroleum Marketers Association (IPMAN), and Depot Petroleum Products marketers Association (DAPPMA) could no longer import fuel due to their inability to service loans, he said.

Independent Petroleum Products Importers (IPPIs) said one billion dollars outstanding debt was money borrowed from banks to fund importation during the subsidy regime, with interest of N160 billion

http://www.herald.ng/pengassan-appeals-to-govt-over-nonpayment-of-oil-marketers/

The Governor of Ekiti state, Ayodele Fayose has reacted to the claims by Minister of information and culture, Lai Mohammed that he knows the sponsors of the Indigenous people of Biafra.

Fayose dared Mohammed to name names if indeed he is privy to this knowledge stating “it is high time Nigerians begin to hold the Information Minister accountable for his frivolous claims.”

The Governor made this known in a statement by his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka saying that it is unfortunate that the Information Minister has been misinforming the nation, saying “more than 20 months after he claimed that 55 Nigerians stole over N1.34 trillion from the country’s treasury from 2006 to 2013, Lai Mohammed is yet to tell Nigerians who the 55 people are.”

Fayose called Mohammed “an embodiment of contradictions, who speaks from several sides of his mouth, turning himself to a vegetable while struggling to defend a government that has done more evil than good to Nigeria and its people.”



He added that Nigerians should pressure the minister until he releases the names of the treasury looters allegedly sponsoring the IPOB.

He said; “On June 10, 2013, Lai Mohammed spoke against the proscription of Boko Haram, saying that it stifled the press and tampered with the fundamental human rights of Nigerians. He also spoke in support of true federalism and restructuring of Nigeria. But today, in defense of President Muhammadu Buhari’s government, everything Lai Mohammed supported then, he is now against and what he was against then, he now supports.”

http://www.herald.ng/ipob-sponsors-fayose-dares-lai-mohammed/

The Chief of Army Staff Lt. General Tukur Buratai has said that while the Defence headquarters made a pronouncement stating that the IPOB is a terrorist organization, this did not make it a declaration per se.

Buratai said this while speaking during the official launch of Operation Python Dance II in Abakaliki in Ebonyi state yesterday September 18th.

Buratai said that the army was within its limits to make such a pronouncement and that it had made room for the Federal Government to do something about it which he called a good move.

Buratai said; “You have to get it very clear. First of all, what the Defence Headquarters did was to make a pronouncement. It wasn’t a declaration per se. But this has given room for the right step to be taken. I think the government is doing the right thing”



Recall that in a statement by the Director Defence Information, Major General John Enenche, IPOB had been pronounced a Terrorist organization, a conclusion he said was reached after much analysis.

The statement had read in part; “From the foregoing, the Armed Forces of Nigeria wishes to confirm to the general public that IPOB from all intent, plan and purpose as analysed, is a militant terrorist organisation. Therefore, parents and particularly unsuspecting residents of the South East and other Nigerians should advice their wards to desist from joining the group. The Defence Headquarters restates its commitment to handling all the security challenges in the Country and further assures all Nigerians of the protection of lives and property”

http://www.herald.ng/army-did-not-declare-ipob-a-terrorist-organization-buratai/[code][/code]

The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, said no amount of intimidation would make it surrender its fight for an independent Biafra nation.

The body described the proscription of the group by the South-East governors as well as its declaration as a terrorist organisation by the Defence Headquarters as a nullity.

It maintained that only a referendum to determine a sovereign state of Biafra would assuage the group.

In a statement made available to journalists in Awka, Anambra State by the group’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, it wondered why herdsmen that had several times wreaked havoc in different parts of the country had not been declared a terrorist organisation.



IPOB accused the Federal Government of having a secret agenda to exterminate the Igbo race, adding that the Abia State Commissioner of Police was playing a rehashed script.

The group said, “We the family of Indigenous People of Biafra and its leadership worldwide under the command and leadership of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu wish to place on record that the newly appointed Commissioner of Police posted to Abia State is trying very hard to please his Northern Arewa masters”



http://www.herald.ng/no-retreat-no-surrender-ipob/

Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna state has sounded a chilling note of warning to political opponents stating that he’s gone up against two former Presidents and came out on top.

Speaking at an APC Kaduna statkeholders’ forum, the governor said that he went up against the Late Umaru Yar’Adua and he is no more and against Goodluck Jonathan who was voted out of power.

He said this in the midst of a crisis within the APC party in Kaduna where it seems Sen. Shehu Sani and some others are coming together to form a formidable opposition to El-Rufai.

“I had fought with two presidents,” Mr El-Rufai said

“Umaru Yar’Adua ended in his grave, while President Goodluck Jonathan ended in Otueke.”

“Let us forget our differences and work for the development of the party. If you are not willing to stop the fight, you should know that I am a dogged fighter,” he said.

He also reportedly went down on his knees asking for forgiveness for anything he might have done wrong, but also noted that it’d be the last time he’d do so.

“I implore you to tell me the wrong I did to you and I will apologize. But if it goes beyond today, I will never tender apology,”

http://www.herald.ng/i-fought-yaradua-and-hes-dead-i-fought-with-jonathan-and-hes-in-otueke-el-rufai/

President Muhammed Buhari will soon move to check the excesses of the corrupt National Assembly, Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN), Chairman, Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, has revealed.

The presidential adviser earlier this month rattled the hornests nest when he exposed lawmakers earn as much as N3 billion per annum in a country where over half the population live on less then N12,000 per month.

In a telephone chat with The Punch newspaper, Sagay disclosed that the National Assembly would be powerless to veto the Multi-lateral agreement the Buhari administration had signed with the government of the United Arab Emirates.

He said, “The UAE MLAT is not a treaty as such but an agreement; so, it will be operated without their (senators) approval.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission have in a related development, swooped on two homes allegedly owned by the former minister of petroleum, Diezani Madueke, in the super exclusive Dubai neighborhood of Emirate Hills.

The properties, located at E146 Emirates Hill and J5 Emirates Hill, are said to be worth 74,000,000 dirham (N7.1bn).

Emirates Hill, which has been described as the Beverly Hills of the United Arab Emirates, is home to some of the richest men in the world including billionaire Chairman of the Stallion Group, Sunil Vaswani, according to Punch reports.

http://www.herald.ng/buhari-will-soon-come-for-your-dubai-properties/

Former Abia governor Orji Kalu revealed why Igbos may suffer more than other tribes if Nigeria breaks up saying those agitating for the break-up of Nigeria should stop as Nigeria must remain united because Nigeria’s break up would not favour Ndigbo.

Kalu also said that the struggle for Biafra is not a serious one, and therefore called for a cessation of the agitation for the republic of Biafra, saying that the break-up of Nigeria will not be in the interest of Ndigbo.

Kalu said this while reacting to the proscription of the activities of the Indigenous People of Biafra by the southeast Governors’ Forum at opening of the 2017 Annual Youth Summit organised by Junior Chamber International, Ikoyi, in collaboration with Orji Uzor Kalu Foundation at his ‘Camp Neya’ country home in Igbere, Bende Local Government Area of Abia.

“It is true that Ndigbo are marginalised but even our own people have at one time or the other also marginalised us but given the huge investments by Ndigbo in different parts of the country, the people of southeast stand to suffer more than any other tribe, should Nigeria split.



“Ndigbo should stop boxing themselves to a corner. We are serious contenders and members of the entity called Nigeria.”

He, therefore, advised those agitating for the dissolution of Nigeria to have a rethink and work toward achieving peace and harmony in the country. The struggle for Biafra is not a serious one. Those agitating for the break-up of Nigeria should stop. Ndigbo should rather struggle for equity and justice so that they can feel safe to live and work in any part of the country.

http://www.herald.ng/igbos-may-suffer-more-than-other-tribe-if-nigeria-breaks-up-orji-kalu/

The Bayelsa State Government has commenced a process of moving qualified civil servants from their ministries and agencies to the classrooms.

Persons to be converted to teachers in primary and secondary schools were said to be those, whose qualifications and degrees were relevant to the teaching profession.

The decision, it was gathered, was taken at the 79th session of the state Executive Council Committee meeting held in Yenagoa.

Confirming the development, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Jonathan Obuebite, said the committee would be headed by the Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (rtd).

It was learnt that as part of measures to improve the educational system in public schools, the state government had already constituted a committee with a mandate to identify and collate data of such civil servants.

He said the government was prepared to sustain its investment in the education sector adding that the move was to redeploy the workers to their field of specialization.

He insisted that the development was part of measures adopted by the government to address the challenges in the public service.

Obuebite said the civil servants would be retrained at the Teachers’ Training Academy at Bulou Orua, to boost their efficiency and productivity before redeployment.



He said: “In pursuance to our educational policy in the state where government has invested so much in the sector, government has decided to reap the dividends of its massive investments by strengthening the educational system as part of measures to also address some of the challenges in the public service.’’

He named other members of the committee as Head of Service, Thomas Zidafamor; Chief of Staff, Government House, Mr. Talford Ongolo; the Commissioners for Education, Local Government Administration, Mrs. Agatha Goma and that of Science and Technology and Manpower Development, Chief Ipigansi Izagara.

http://www.herald.ng/bayelsa-to-convert-civil-servants-to-teachers/

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, has replied the co-convener of the #BringBackOurGirls Group, Oby Ezekwesili ovr her comment that the president hate people of the Igbo descent.

Describing the allegations as false, He said “A president who has put the nation’s cash cows, the Central Bank and the Ministry of Petroleum in the hands of the Igbo; who has given four out of five states in the sub-region senior cabinet posts in his administration, including Foreign Affairs; and Industry, Trade and Investment, and is constructing the Second Niger bridge after years of deceit and false starts cannot be called a hater of the Igbo.”

He explained that, “while it is convenient for the civil society activist to condemn the military and the government of President Buhari, Mrs Ezekwesili didn’t find it appropriate, even once, to criticise the dangerous and violent propaganda being propagated by the IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu. Oby, as they call her, tweets on everything. Why was she silent on this one?”

“A prominent influencer like Dr. Oby has a moral and patriotic duty not to give ammunition to any violent group that seems determined to pursue its separatist agitation through reckless and destructive methods.”



He said the national security challenges posed by the IPOB incendiary propaganda designed to cause civil unrest in the country.

According to him, the attacks on soldiers and police officers by IPOB supporters “was most irresponsible, indefensible and reckless” and that nobody in her position “should elevate mobs to the status of rock stars for the sake of playing to the gallery.”

The presidential media aide said while the military are taking all precautions to observe the rules of engagement, “there is a deliberate sinister agenda by IPOB to provoke the soldiers into killing innocent people in retaliation so that Nnamdi Kanu would use the pictures of the victims for international propaganda by accusing the government of ethnic cleansing against the Igbos with the sole purpose of gaining sympathy.”

The statement warned that the politicization of the ongoing military exercise in the sub-region, itself in line with similar exercises in the five other geopolitical regions is inimical to the military readiness of the armed forces and the much-desired improved civilian-military relations in the country.



Mr. Shehu also wondered why Mrs. Ezekwesili “retreated to the background or lost her voice while IPOB supporters were violently molesting, harassing, attacking and jeopardising the lives of indigenes and non-indigenes.”

He challenged Mrs. Ezekwesili to explain to Nigerians where the constitution of Nigeria, and international human rights law supports the killing and molestation of innocent people in the name of advocacy for self-determination.

According to him, “her hypocritical and timid silence while Kanu’s IPOB supporters were engaged in lawlessness and recklessness in violation of his bail conditions is a burden on her credibility as a national crusader who should be courageous to condemn criminality. This art of using a raincoat while taking a bath is nothing short of self-deceit.”

He reminded her that “if the Buhari administration could take tough action against the extremist religious groups in the northern parts of the country to preserve national security, it is ridiculous to accuse the President of sending soldiers to the Southeast because he hates the Igbos. The Federal Government under President Muhammadu Buhari respects all citizens and will ensure that they are safe and secure wherever they reside.”

Mr. Shehu advised her to rise above pettiness and sentiments, and to resist the temptation to play to the gallery, when the country’s national security is under threat, adding that “seeking to make political capital out of a chaotic situation is highly unbecoming of her and of the reputation she has worked hard to build over the years.”

http://www.herald.ng/presidency-blasts-ezekwesili-over-buhari-statements/

The Igbo Community Association in Kano state has dissociated itself from the activities of Independent Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) and its leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

The President-General of the association, Chief Ebenezer Chima, made the position of the association known at a joint news conference in Kano on Friday.

“We want to state categorically here that we, the Igbos residing and doing business in Kano state, unequivocally state that we dissociate ourselves from the activities of IPOB and its leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

“We are strongly advocating for peace and unity in the land,” Chima said.







While condemning “in its entirety’’ the unfortunate and avoidable crisis in Abia, he called on all Igbos resident in the state to remain calm as nothing would happen to them.

According to him, the state government under the leadership of Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje and security agents have given the assurance of adequate security of our lives and property.



“However, we join the South-East governors, the leadership of Ohaneze Ndigbo and other notable Igbo leaders, to ask the Federal Government to address the issues of equality and even distribution of our common wealth.

“This, we believe will bring an end to these agitations in the country.’’

On his part, President of Ethnic Community Leaders Association (ECLAK) in the state, Dr Jimpat Ayelangbe, assured all non-indigenes of adequate security of their lives and property.





He said that the assurance stemmed from the meetings they had with various leaders and security agencies in the state.

“ECLAK got the mandate to speak to the media by allaying fears of our people over the concern of their lives and property.

“ECLAK is interested in a united Nigeria because we believe that those not living in their states of origin should not contribute to disorganise the country.’’

Ayelangbe commended the Northern states governors and their South-East counterparts and leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who had constituted committees on restructuring.

He called on his members and other Nigerians to avoid hate speeches in order to foster national unity.


http://www.herald.ng/igbo-community-in-kano-dissociate-itself-from-ipob-kanu/

President Muhammed Buhari’s army chief, Lt. Gen Tukur Buratai is engaged in a show of force against the Independent People of Biafra, IPOB, in Abia state, the hometown of IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

Even as the military displays its might against IPOB, Boko Haram is engaging it in a seemingly never ending battle in the North East.

“Boko Haram has carried out 83 attacks so far this year, the same number as in all of 2016, while suicide bombings accounted for 27 percent of all assaults, up from 19 percent last year,” Malte Liewerscheidt, Nigeria analyst at London-based risk consultancy Verisk Maplecroft, said in a phone interview with Bloomberg.

“This is a kind of pattern that’s unlikely to change very much for months to come.
“It’s a constant thorn in Buhari’s flesh in the sense that one of his key promises when he was campaigning was that he’d deal with this problem.” he added.



The Nigerian government estimates that more than 20,000 people have died since Boko Haram, which is opposed to Western-style education, started an insurrection in 2009 to impose its version of Islamic law on Africa’s most populous nation. The number of people in need of food assistance in the country’s northeast, the epicenter of the violence, rose to 5.2 million from 4.7 million between March and June due to persistent insecurity, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization.

A key challenge the government faces is how to curb the attacks while increasing protection for civilians and aid workers, according to Nnamdi Obasi, West Africa analyst for the Brussels-based International Crisis Group.

“The government needs to drain the group’s membership, de-radicalize former members and counter extremist narratives,” Obasi said. “Perhaps more importantly, it needs to reverse the bad governance, economic desperation and social hopelessness that push so many youths to radical ideologues.”
Army spokesman John Enenche didn’t immediately answer calls seeking comment.

“The Nigerian army has all along been involved in the restoration and construction of roads and bridges demolished by the terrorists to open up transportation routes in the northeast,” Defence Headquarters said last month in a report on its website. “The Nigerian military is committed to eliminating terrorism from the northeast.”



Under military pressure from Nigeria and its neighbors and facing internal dissent, Boko Haram is no longer the unified fighting force it was at the start eight years ago, according to security analysts including Liewerscheidt of Maplecroft. There are now two principal factions, one led by Abubakar Shekau, that’s mainly active in southern Borno state, and the other led by Abu Musab al-Barnawi, which operates in the north around Lake Chad.

Al-Barnawi’s force has proved the more resilient, planning and executing attacks on military targets, including the ambush of the oil exploration team, while Shekau’s group, seemingly on the back foot, is relying more on suicide attacks, which include bombs strapped to children, Liewerscheidt said.

The government’s attention remains mostly on Shekau, who’s declared loyalty to Islamic State. On July 22, army chief Tukur Buratai gave his troops 40 days to capture Shekau.

“Even if they capture Shekau, that wouldn’t mean that the uprising would be over,” Liewerscheidt said. “These things typically don’t have a well-defined end point. They start petering out over time, and it’s very unlikely there’s going to be one last decisive action that puts this thing to rest.”


http://www.herald.ng/boko-haram-breaks-2016-operations-record-as-buhari-faces-ipob/

State Governors have stated that as opposed to what is being bandied about in the news, Buhari did not, in fact, condemn them or rebuke them in any way.

There had earlier been reports that President Buhari was displeased with the way the Paris Club Refund was used and managed causing the NLC to condemn state Governors.

The Governors in a statement issued on their behalf by the secretariat of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, said that there was nowhere in Buhari’s statement where he condemned the state governors on their use of the money and that it was unfair for anyone to try and put them on the warpath with the President.

The statement said; “For the avoidance of doubt, there is nowhere in President Buhari’s statement where he mentioned Paris Club and it is unfair for anyone to attempt to bring the state governors and the Presidency on collision course.



“Moreover, there is, so far, no investigation known to any governor on the Paris Club loan refunds regarding non-payment of salaries, let alone any indictment.

“Furthermore, the Paris Club loan refund was not borrowed money but an over-deduction from states’ repayments of a loan which the Federal Government is repaying to states that were erroneously debited.”

“It is also not just saddening but painful that the NLC, a very respectable union, is being misinformed into casting aspersions on the person of the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Alhaji Abdulaziz Abubakar, who has respectfully fulfilled all promises he made to the Zamfara workers.

“For example, the reference to the strike currently going on in Zamfara State by the workforce is not only misplaced but uncalled for because it has nothing to do with the non-payment or non-judicious disbursement of the Paris Club loan refunds.

“It is important to state, without fear of contradiction, that the Zamfara State Government is up-to-date on the payment of workers’ salaries.”
http://www.herald.ng/paris-club-refund-state-governors-react-to-buharis-rebuke/