Educational Profile of Acting EFCC Chairman, CE Abdulkarim Chukkol

University of Maiduguri
B.sc
1995 - 2000

FBI National Academy, Quantico
Session 244
2011

University of Virginia
Postgraduate DiplomaCriminal Justice Education
2011

United States Telecommunications Training Institute
Cybersecurity and Spectrum Monitoring
2010

Canadian Police College
Criminal Justice Education
2006

Like his embattled Central Bank counterpart, Godwin Emefiele, the suspended chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa, has landed in DSS custody.

Confirming the development, spokesperson for the Department of State Services, Peter Afunanya, in a statement late Wednesday night, said Bawa arrived its office a few hours ago.

Afunanya noted that the suspended anti-graft agency’s chairman was in DSS custody to honour the secret police’s invitation as it relates to some investigative activities concerning him.

President Bola Tinubu had on Wednesday approved the indefinite suspension from office of Bawa as the Chairman of the EFCC, “to allow for proper investigation into his conduct while in office.”

A statement by Willie Bassey, a Director of Information in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), said Bawa’s suspension followed weighty allegations of abuse of office levelled against him.

Bawa was directed to immediately hand over the affairs of his office to the Director, Operations in the anti-graft agency, who will oversee the affairs of the Office of the Chairman of the EFCC pending the conclusion of the investigation.

He became the second head of government top agency to be suspended from office within one week by President Tinubu, and picked up by the DSS after Godwin Emefiele, the embattled Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

https://metrowatchxtra.com/2023/06/15/breaking-like-emefiele-efcc-boss-bawa-lands-in-dss-custody-metrowatch/

Chief Whip of the Senate, Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu has disclosed that he is still in the race for Senate Presidency of the impending 10th National Assembly, vowing not to step down for anybody as there was no going back.

Addressing National Assembly press corps, on Tuesday, the former Abia governor disclosed that he and Abdulaziz Yari, a former Zamfara governor and Senate Presidency aspirant, have formed an alliance to produce the next Senate President.

Not minding that the leadership of his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) have formally endorsed Sen. Godswill Akpabio (Akwa-Ibom), from the South for the senate plum position, Kalu said the Igbo Senate Presidency is very much alive.

Kalu warned that what happened during Bukola Saraki — where he dribbled the leadership of the APC to emerge as Senate President against the party’s choice — is likely to happen on the June 13 NASS’ inauguration.

However, the Senate Chief Whip told journalists that he and Senator Yari are discussing who should be the Senate President and the Deputy Senate President.

Kalu said, “I can’t step down for anybody. My group and Yari’s group are talking. No one zone can produce the president of the Senate.

“The partnership will be unveiled. We are in talks and we have decided to be talking. That talk will be unveiled by our sponsors.

“Yari and I will be happy to follow what our sponsors decide.

“We are not looking for what to eat, we just want to support Tinubu to succeed. If people think what happened during Saraki will not happen again they are dreaming. We will congratulate who wins and if we win, they should congratulate us.”

“We have the largest press but we decided to go underground. We will unveil our plans on the 13th of June. Whether Yari-Kalu or Kalu-Yari, we will not disappoint Nigerians.”

The National Industrial Court (NIC) has ruled that the Federal Government was wrong to impose the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) platform on members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

The court held that it is a violation of University Autonomy for the Federal Government to impose the IPPIS platform on members of ASUU who reserve the right to determine how their salaries should be paid.

The Industrial Court, however, held that the “no work, no pay” rule enforced by the Federal Government against members of ASUU who went on strike last year is perfectly legal.

In its ruling on Tuesday, the court held that ASUU members who participated in the strike of 14th February, 2022 till when it was called-off are not entitled to salaries.

The NIC agreed with the Nigerian government that it is legal not to pay salaries to the striking university lecturers during the period the ASUU strike lasted.

Delivering judgement, President of the NIC, Justice Benedict Kanyip held that it is within the right of the Federal Government to withhold salaries of workers who embark on industrial action.

METROWATCH recalls that the Federal Government had dragged ASUU before the National Industrial Court over the demand of the Union for the payment of their salaries from February 14 to October 7, 2022, when the strike was called-off.

ASUU had during the strike re-negotiation period last year, presented its self-developed University Transparency and Accountability System (UTAS) as its preferred salary payment platform for adoption by the federal government as against FG’s IPPIS.

President Muhammadu Buhari’s Special Assistant on Digital Communication, Bashir Ahmad, has mocked the Labour Party, LP, presidential candidate, Peter Obi over his latest comment.

Obi had insisted that he must be the President of Nigeria.

Obi, who is challenging the victory of the President-elect, Bola Tinubu in court, said he is convinced in his spirit that he will be President.

He spoke during the launch of a book written in his honour: ‘Peter Obi: Many Voices, One Perspective’, in Awka, Anambra State.

Reacting, Ahmad described the LP flagbearer as daddy’s favourite son dreaming to be president.

Tweeting, Ahmad wrote: “So, Daddy’s favourite son insisted that he MUST be the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We wish him sweet dreams.”

The Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Ikanade Agba, has congratulated His Royal Majesty, Omo N’ Oba N’ Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, Oba of Benin on the return of stolen artefacts.

The congratulatory message was contained in a letter dated May 10, 2023, by the minister to the Oba, entitled: “LETTER OF CONGRATULATION ON THE RETURN OF STOLEN ART FACTS”.

The letter reads: “My family and I wish to felicitate His Royal Majesty, Omo N’ Oba N’ Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, the Government of Edo State and the good people of Benin Kingdom on the historic formal decision of the Federal Government via an official gazette to domicile repatriated Benin artefacts at the royal palace of the great Benin Kingdom, thus affirming His Royal Majesty as the legitimate custodian of royal Benin arts.

“I am highly delighted to identify with the generous outpouring of joy and happiness by all true Benin sons and daughters, both at home and in the Diaspora on this historic development. The wisdom, sincerity, and calmness of His Royal Majesty throughout the period leading to the final decision of the Federal government is unparalleled and unprecedented.

“The return of all the artefacts, when completed, will be a great balm and relief to everyone as historically, Benin had no formal system of writing other than the stories told in cast brass and carved ivory. Art was the kingdom’s culture, its wealth, its literature, and its memory. When these artefacts were pillaged, it left behind only ashes where palaces and temples had stood for centuries.

“I am also elated that the returned artefacts will be domiciled in a new museum on the premises of the great Benin palace which will elevate Benin City into a global destination for art and culture, much as Frank Gehry’s spectacular museum helped revive the fading industrial city of Bilbao, Spain. New hotels would rise; new businesses would flourish. Underemployed young people would discover productive futures in art, archaeology, tourism, and other services and the trauma of the past would be converted into resources for the glory of all Edo people and the entire citizens of Nigeria.

“I take this opportunity to commend His Royal Majesty for his genuine love, commitment, and total dedication to the welfare of his subjects, the good people of Edo State, which has brought great honour to all Edo people.

“I wish to affirm that His Royal Majesty, over the period of my assignment as the Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, has been a great pillar of support, and his majesty’s wise counsel and prayers have given me strength and inspiration, leading the country into a sure path of greatness under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR. His majesty has not only shown full support and total commitment to the progress of our country but has also demonstrated his fatherly role by providing us with the needed guidance and royal blessings at all times, while giving us unhindered access to his Palace.

“May you live long on the throne, and may your reign continue to bring sustainable peace and more development to Benin in particular and Edo State in general and may the love and bond your subjects have enjoyed under your reign be enduring.

“While heartily congratulating Your Royal Majesty and the entire Edo people on this historic moment, please accept the assurances of the highest regards.”

Meanwhile, when accosted by journalists, consequent upon his tweet of the congratulatory message on his verified social media handles, on what the federal government was doing about the housing of the artefacts, the minister said that the federal government, through the National Commission on Museums and Monuments, had made provisions in the 2023 budget to the tune of N1.9 billion for housing the artefacts in the Royal museum.

Agba said that the Federal government, having put it in the gazette that the Oba is the custodian of the artefacts, he would wish that the Commission, in consultation with the Oba of Benin, would determine where the Royal Museum would be built.

Nigerians under the aegis of Nationals in Diaspora Mentoring Corps (NIDMECORP) have urged the incoming administrations, both at the federal and state levels, to give Diasporans appointments.

The President of the group, Mr Alistair Soyode, in a statement he issued on Friday blamed the exclusion of Diasporans from key positions, boards and constituted authorities as one of the reasons for Nigeria’s slow path to development.

According to Soyode, appointing Diaspora Nigerians in Ministries, Departments Agencies (MDAs) and parastatal agencies would strengthen governance and leadership in the country.

He said that Nigerians in the diaspora played major roles in the 2023 elections in the country and described it as a first among many which significantly stood for justice, fairness and equity.

“With more than 20 billion dollars remittances yearly, they are not just an economic powerhouse but contributors to the wellbeing of the citizens,’’ he said.

He urged the various incoming governments to see the call as a policy direction that would strengthen the country using the best of its citizens outside the country.

“We are very excited that the Diaspora community has one of the best brains not just for the benefits of Nigeria but of their host nations, adopted or country of birth whilst still having a major affiliation to Nigeria’s development and growth, economically, professionally and otherwise.

“The yearly remittance contributions to families and projects or supporting and sponsoring programmes created the Nigeria we have today.

“Having them in policies and government programmes will help boost knowledge, skills and increase the GDP as well as local resources for the affected areas.

“Examples of Nigerians doing well can be seen at the recently acclaimed successful coronation of King Charles, where the security arrangements and schedules were led by DC Ade Adelekan, among others.

“The Diaspora Nigerians have shown total commitment to Nigeria’s development which also brings to the table the yearly Diaspora Day event in July where Nigerians from all over the world come home to discuss, deliberate and find ways to empower millions.

“The government at all levels must be more proactive to utilise such events to secure the willing partners into all boards, ministries and parastatal agencies.

“It is by showing the political will that others will be partners freely and joyfully extend hands of business and professional skills.

“President Muhammadu Buhari approved and put in placed the Nigeria In Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) and I pray the incoming government will provide the needed structures, resources and policies for its full implementation and execution.

“This commission can deliver more with the needed resources and it is Nigeria as a nation that will gain from her services, international reach and global partners of our Nigerians in the Diaspora which shows the principles of participatory democracy as experienced outside the country,’’ Soyode said.

He said that it would amount to a positive leadership and political inclusion to have each ministry, agency, commission and parastatal agency with at least one Nigerian in Diaspora on in the board.

According to him, diasporans appreciate such gestures and policies.

Soyode also said that the inclusiveness of Diaspora Nigerians would be a departure from lack of future planning and fear of diaspora leadership into a new era of global Nigeria dominance with skills and experiences, making Nigeria the choice destination of economic growth.

“We urge local government chairmen, state governors and the incoming president to extend appointments to diasporans without delay.

“The whole nation has about 1500 commissioners and ministers not taking into account the other MDAs while there are more than 15 million diasporans and surely they will contribute immensely to speed the developments on all aspects of the nation.

“NIDMECORP, on behalf of Nigerians in Diaspora, positively demands justice, fairness and equitable representation for the benefits of Nigeria’s fast development.

“We reiterate and call for this inclusiveness and full invitations to the best of our brains to come home on a three, six or nine months to one-year sabbatical working leave for Nigeria.

“Few of our best are now positioned in globally recognised institutions, companies and organisations,’’ Soyode said.

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) National Working Committee (NWC) has announced zoning for the leadership positions in the impending 10th National Assembly ahead of its inauguration in June.

In a statement issued on Monday in Abuja and endorsed by National Publicity Secretary of the party, Felix Morka, the APC also micro-zoned the leadership positions to individuals in the regions.

While the Senate Presidency was zoned to South-South (Godswill Akpabio – Akwa-Ibom), the Deputy Senate Presidency slot was zoned to North-West (Barau Jubrin – Kano).

Similarly, the position of Speaker of the House of Representatives was zoned to North-West (Abbas Tajudeen – Kaduna), while the Deputy Speaker was zoned to South-East (Benjamin Kalu – Abia).

The APC called on party leaders, members and all Nigerians to continue to work for peace and progress of the country, during and beyond the current period of leadership transition.

The University of Benin (UNIBEN) Students’ Union Government (SUG) has lamented that “most students” of the institution either “eat” or use the tuition fees given to them by their parents to place bets on sporting platforms, instead of paying their school charges.

The Mr Nmoye Israel led ‘Leora’ SUG executives raised the alarm in a memo issued Sunday night, and made available to METROWATCH, while lamenting that only about 30 per cent of the students have paid their charges for the current academic session.

The Union was reacting to the infamous ‘No School Fees, No Exam’ policy of the University Management which placed a ban on students owing school charges for the session from sitting for the forthcoming semester examinations which commences on Monday 8th May.

The Union leaders lamented that the “lackadaisical attitudes”(sic) of students towards paying their school fees has led to huge debt burden on the University, thereby, making it difficult for Management to run the system smoothly.

While vowing to always protect the students’ interest, the UNIBEN SUG in the memo jointly signed by the President, Nmoye Israel and Secretary-Genaeral, Apeji Rita, maintained that the “lackadaisical attitude” of students towards paying school fees was becoming alarming.

“The University is not a charity organisation and must be funded. We always demand from the Management to meet our needs but how do you expect the management to fund this need?”, Mr Israel and Miss Rita queried.

“We always demand light, water, security, nice environment, exam materials and all from management. The money to keep our demands running is very huge and cannot be achieved in a school that school fees are not being paid. If we must demand much from management, we must play our part as well must all come in equity,” the memo added.

The UNIBEN SUG, however, said the Union was not unaware that there were some indigent students amongst them, noting that the Union leaders were already in talks with Management on a scholarship/donation platform for such category of students.

While expressing confidence for a “grace extension” from management for the affected students, having appealed to the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Lilian Salami, the SUG, however, said at the end of such ‘grace period’, the Union would be left with no other choice but to ‘turn its back’ on students who fail to pay charges owed.

Management announces one-week ‘grace period’

Meanwhile, management of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) has given one-week of grace to students, yet to pay their school charges to do so, as examinations commence Monday in line with the Institution's academic calendar.

A statement issued on Sunday night by the University's spokesperson, Mrs Benedicta Ehanire, made available to METROWATCH, said the grace period was approved by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Lilian Salami, following appeals by the SUG and other stakeholders.

“Enforcement of the 'no payment of school charges, no examinations' will, therefore, not be carried out in the first week,” the UNIBEN spokesperson, Mrs Ehanire noted.

Management, therefore, urged all students who are still owing to take advantage of the week of grace to pay up as the ‘no school fee, no exam’ rule will be strictly applied afterwards.

The race for the position of Senate President of the impending 10th National Assembly on Sunday took another dimension as Senators-elect from the South-East raised the alarm over alleged plot to scheme the region out of the federal legislature’s leadership offices.

Arising from a meeting of the Senate South-East caucus in Abuja, eleven out of the fifteen Senators-elect from South-East, rejected the alleged endorsement of Senator Godswill Akpabio for the Senate’s coveted office and cautioned the President-elect, Bola Tinubu against “injustice” to South-East.

The Senators-elect called on the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) National Working Committee (NWC) to zone the Senate Presidency of the 10th Assembly to the South-East, while urging Tinubu to also ensure that the Senate Presidency position was zoned to the East.

A communique issued by the Senators and read out to journalists by Ifeanyi Ubah (YPP-Anambra), said the meeting held at his Maitama residence vehemently kicked against what it termed “injustice” and “marginalisation” of the South-East geopolitical zone by the ruling party.

They posited that since the zone was tactically denied the presidential ticket of any of the two major political parties in the 2023 general election, the position of the Senate Presidency was supposed to have been given it in the interest of justice and fairness.

The communique reads: “We have observed with dismay the antics of persons with vested selfish Interests who have planted themselves around the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and have vowed to shut out the South East from the Senate Presidency of the 10th Senate.

“Beyond ethnic and religious considerations, in the forthcoming 10th Senate, the Southeast has been blessed with ranking Senators-elect Including members of the All Progressive Congress (APC) who have the cranial capacity, competence, influence, experience and Political followership to pilot the affairs of the Red Chamber, it becomes imperative that the All Progressives Congress upholds the Principle of natural Justice and equity which it preaches founded on reasons and zone the seat of Senate President to the South East region.

“That the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu should extend the same democratic opportunity he received from the outgoing administration which gave all aspirants equal an opportunity to exercise their fundamental and constitutional rights during the APC Presidential Primaries. He should be conscious of the grave implications of zoning and endorsing a candidate from the South-South without any regard for the Southeast, such move will no doubt serve as a recipe for Injustice which will culminate to restiveness.

“We implore the President-elect to besensitive to the times in Nigeria and ensurethe country continues to thrive on the partyof equity, unity and fairness to the tripod ofNigeria (Hausa Igbo Yoruba) and the geopolitical zones.

“The country is already divided along ethnic and religious lines due to the exclusion of the Southeast region, which formed the major reason the APC received the low number of votes from the Southeast. The incoming Administration of Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu must correct this anomaly by ensuring that the Southeast is given the opportunity to produce the next Senate President.

“With the side-lining of the Southeast from producing the Presidential candidates of the major political parties before the general elections, the only means through which the zone can be compensated and given a sense of belonging is for the zone to produce the next Senate President as this will restore the confidence of the people from the South-east and South-south geo-political zones and indeed all Nigerians in the unity of the country.

“The APC must rise above primordial and
political interest and shun the winner-takes-all syndrome and pursue ethnoreligious inclusivity and a strong, virile, united, progressive, prosperous, equitable and just democratic nation.

“Mr President-elect, how would an average
Igbo man feel after he sees evidence of total discrimination? The South-East has been denied the chance of producing the president of Nigeria since 1966. The South South has produced President for six years and also had Deputy Senate President In the outgoing administration. The only zone in the South that has not been favoured is the South East.

“The outcry of marginalization by the South-East and the entire Igbo should be addressed by your incoming administration rather than aggravating it. The South West has President, the North East has Vice President. It is only just that the least position at the moment that can assuage the South East is given the chance to be the President of the 10th Senate.

“On this note we have collectively resolved to support South East aspirants of the APC. We remain committed and have since expanded negotiations with other well-meaning Senators-elect to rally round the South East to ensure that justice, fairness and unity of the country prevails”.

METROWATCH reports that Senators present at the meeting include Ifeanyi Ubah who read the communique, Orji Uzor Kalu, Enyinnaya Abaribe, Victor Umeh and Osita Izunaso. Others were Ezenwa Oyewuchi, Tony Nwoye, PC Ndubueze, Okey Ezea, Kelvin Chukwu and Osita Ngwu.

The senators who did not endorse the communique are all the elected senators from Ebonyi State and Darlington Nwokacha, (LP-Abia). Earlier, the Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi announced withdrawal from the Senate Presidency race and backed the candidacy of the APC-endorsed Akpabio.

9jaBlogger:
NL admins are partial!!!
This same story was submitted by us immediately it happened but they refused to push it to FP.
Did pay you to do that?

And for Tribune. They will be sued for stealing our story and running it off as theirs. We reported this story exclusively — yet no simple credit from an 'acclaimed widely read newspaper.'

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has dissolved the State Executive Council, expressing appreciation to members of the council for their service to the government and people of the State.

In a statement by the Special Adviser on Media Projects to the Governor, on Wednesday, Obaseki said the dissolution of the council takes immediate effect.

He said the state’s cabinet was dissolved during the Weekly Executive Council meeting held on Wednesday in Government House, Benin City.

The governor also noted that, beginning from today, all Special Assistants (SAs) and Senior Special Assistants (SSAs) have been relieved of their appointments.

Parachoko:
Dem don dey remove Amechi loyalist

Mynd44:
Oshiomhole will be laughing right now

Tinubu: Niger Delta Groups Demand Petroleum Ministry, Say S’East can have Senate Presidency

Ahead of the May 29 inauguration of Bola Tinubu as President, a Coalition of Niger Delta Groups have appealed to the President-elect to appoint one of their sons to oversee the Ministry of Petroleum Resources as Petroleum Minister.

The groups include the Niger Delta for Progress Coalition, Niger Delta Youths Alliance, South-South Youths Assembly and the Ijaw Economic Council.

In a statement issued on Wednesday morning in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, the coalition said the Niger Delta region deserve a Petroleum Minister and not Minister of State.

The statement was endorsed by Comrades Dickson Ekerefe and Godswill Sylvester, Acting Chairman and Secretary of the Coalition respectively, on behalf of the groups.

According to the coalition, the people of South East region can have the slot for the Senate Presidency of the 10th National Assembly in the spirit of fairness, justice and equity.

The statement reads in part, “The incoming Bola Ahmed Tinubu presidency should be inclusive and fair to all region. It is on this ground of fairness in terms of appointments into key positions in the incoming government that we plead with the President-elect to reserve the slot of the Minister of Petroleum Resources for the Niger Delta region.

“We have great sons both home and abroad well qualified to fit in as Petroleum Minister and steer the affairs of the Petroleum Ministry to greater heights to the admiration of all, and to the credits of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu presidency.

“In the same spirit of fairness, we strongly recommend that our brothers in the East can have the Senate Presidency slot to quell restiveness in the region by giving them the opportunity to produce the next Senate President.”

Some prominent Niger Delta sons believed to be interested in the position of Petroleum Minister include Senator Godswill Akpabio (Akwa-Ibom), Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, former APC governorship candidate (APC); and Governor Nyesom Wike (Rivers).

While South East senators that have so far declared interest in the Senate Presidency include Orji Kalu (Abia), Dave Umahi (Ebonyi) and Osita Izunaso (Imo).

https://metrowatchxtra.com/2023/05/03/niger-delta-groups-demand-petroleum-ministry-from-tinubu-say-seast-can-have-senate-presidency-metrowatch/

The Abia State House of Assembly on Tuesday suspended the Deputy Speaker, Mr Ifeanyi Uchendu, and eight other members, over the purported impeachment of the Speaker, Mr Chinedum Orji.

Orji, who presided over the plenary session, announced the immediate suspension of the lawmakers for one month with no benefits.

Other suspended members included Kennedy Njoku (Osisioma North), Chukwudi Apugo (Umuahia East) and Aaron Uzodike (Aba North).

The rest were Thomas Nkoro (Obingwa West), Okey Igwe (Umunneochi), Chikwendu Kalu (Isiala Ngwa South) Obinna Ichitta (Aba South) and Chijioke Chukwu (Minority Leader – Bende North).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some members of the House had by 9 am on Tuesday, purportedly suspended the speaker for “his insensitivity to the welfare of members and other sundry activities”.

NAN learnt that 16 of the 24-member house had allegedly signed for the speaker’s impeachment that took place at a guest house in Umuahia metropolis.

At the venue, the former Speaker, Kennedy Njoku, had moved the motion for the speaker’s removal and was seconded by Chijioke Chukwu.

The meeting was presided over by the suspended deputy speaker.

In a video that went viral, the members had in a voice vote unanimously endorsed the speaker’s impeachment over so many allegations levelled against him.

They had also elected Apugo as the new speaker.

But, hours after the purported impeachment, Orji convened an emergency plenary session at the assembly complex, where nine members, including himself, resolved to suspend the other nine members.

The motion for their suspension was moved by Jerry Uzosike (Umuahia South), seconded by Solomon Apulonu (Majority Leader – Obingwa East).

NAN reports that only members who were physically participated in the purported impeachment were suspended.

Those whose signatures were allegedly obtained were exonerated, pending further investigations.

Subsequently, the house replaced the suspended deputy speaker with Mandela Obasi, who was immediately sworn in as the new Deputy Speaker.

Orji also informed the Commissioner of Police and Director of State Services that only certified members would be allowed access into the hallowed chamber.

The house, thereafter, set up an ad hoc committee to investigate the alleged misconduct of the suspended members and submit its report in one week.

Addressing newsmen shortly after the plenary session, Orji said that he had faced several humiliations as a speaker.

He said: “They should give the evidence of my financial recklessness.

“They want me to always be at loggerheads with the Governor of the state and I told them that I don’t need to always do that over their own welfare.

“If I decided that I’m no more interested in doing that fight, that it should be a collective effort, I don’t think I’m wrong in doing that.”