₦airaland Forum

A civil society group and anti-corruption organization, the Guild of Civil Societies and Media Executives for Equity, Justice and Transparency in Nigeria (GOCMEJ), an organization comprising of over 550 civil societies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), activists and bloggers in the country, has applauded and gives a path on the shoulder of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-General Farouk Yahaya, for his leadership strategic direction, foresight, re-invigoration and enhanced internal working mechanisms of the Nigerian Army like never before.

The organization asserted that the present Chief of Army Staff has inspired men and officers alike to professionally give allegiance, patriotism and loyalty to the country; inspite of the enormous challenges of the 21st century, which include terrorism, kidnapping, herdsmen/farmers clashes, oil pipeline vandalism, cultism, among others.

In a press release signed by the President of the Guild, Omoba Kenneth Aigbegbele, and Secretary, Comrade James Okoronkwo, issued in Lagos Thursday, after appraisal of the efforts of the Armed Forces of Nigeria combating terrorism and asymmetrical warfare, against insurgents, the Guild praised the gallantry displayed by the Nigerian Army under the leadership of Lt-General Farouk Yahaya.

It also commended the high approval rating of professionalism, rule of law, welfare, training provisions of officers, military strategy adopted against insurgency and the institutional capacity development currently taking place in the Nigerian Army which has drawn a global appraise from the international community.

According to the release, the change management and paradigm shift being witnessed today is as a result of the ferocity, dismantling and decimating of the Boko Haram insurgents by the Farouk leadership, vision and mission statement to make Nigeria safe and secure, while adhering to the rules of engagements and international best practices.

It is visible that human capital development has become a front burner of the Nigerian Army’s cardinal focus as training and retraining have become the order of the day, while officers and men go on courses even beyond Nigerian shores, to enhance their capacity.

The Chief of Army Staff has also changed the narrative in improved conditions of work, office environment, welfare policies, and rehabilitation of the barracks across the country; the acquisition of military accoutrements and the rebranding of the image of the Nigerian Army.

The Guild also took cognizance of the recent new set of Command structures put in place, battalions, brigades and departments established to keep up with the latest development across the globe and cyber-security and training in asymmetrical warfare of the military.

This set of new initiative is today responsible for the smooth running and civil-military relationship enjoyed by Nigerians today, which translates to respect for human rights and other standards of engagement entrenched in the Nigerian Army towards its various publics.

The Guild asserted that it is noteworthy that the high morale and esprit-de-corps enjoyed by the officers and men of the Nigerian Army is unrivalled. The vision of the COAS in preaching peace, professionalism and submission to democratic ethos, the Guild noted, “is now the agenda on every soldier’s heart and that’s why the Nigerian Army is doing all it can to ‘weed out’ disloyal and political officers who are determined to derail the plans of the military hierarchy.”

GOCMEJ whole-heartedly supports the COAS in ‘flushing out’ soldiers that have divided loyalty, whose main sources of income are questionable and who are not loyal to the military established rules and guidelines.

The Guild further observed that the hierarchy of the Nigerian Army is determined to enhance the welfare of the soldiers, “which is very important to the COAS’s blueprint in the promotion of rank and file, the posting and those at the war-front is also a major concern to the leadership, compensating the families left behind by soldiers who lost their lives in battle front to safeguard and protect the nation.

GOCMEJ notes that, under the new leadership and pragmatic disposition of the COAS, funds meant for procurement, feeding, medicines, payment of allowances for soldiers have been judiciously administered and disbursed.

This, according to the Guild, has gone a long way in securing of the territorial integrity of the nation and on issues of national unity and peaceful co-existence.

“The routine exercise carried out across the country has made the army determined in carrying out its constitutional role of defending the nation, which has been applauded by Nigerians far and wide for its efforts in enhancing the military-civil relationship.

”Nigerians have also commended the strategic foresight and direction entrenched by the COAS in the code of conduct of its operations, as well as providing security architecture, especially in ensuring an enabling and secure environment to promote peaceful electoral processes, including charging personnel to remain apolitical while carrying out their constitutional roles.


GOCMEJ therefore calls on well-meaning Nigerians to support and cooperate with the Nigerian Army in the discharge of its assigned responsibility of safeguarding and protecting the territorial integrity of the nation by assisting them with security intelligence, so as to nib in the bud the issues once and for all.

The Guild further noted that “it is in view of the foregoing that we commend the COAS for his new narrative and paradigm shift, including his patriotic efforts in combating insurgency with laid down rules of engagement at this critical time of Nigeria’s history and pledging our solidarity always with the lives lost by our patriotic officers and men, during military operations across the country.”

.The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) is the government agency mandated to control persons entering or leaving Nigeria, issuance travel documents to bonafide Nigerians at home and abroad, issuance of resident permit to foreigners in Nigeria, border surveillance and patrol and the enforcement of the above laws and regulations rest on its oars. Regrettably, since the advent of the incumbent administration under the leadership of Isah Jere Idris, who has been globetrotting from one county to another, the Nigeria Immigration Service has been bedeviled with poor leadership, cronyism, official high-handedness, passport racketeering and poor border surveillance/patrol leading to the influx of illegal aliens exacerbating the poor security situation in Nigeria.

In a press statement made available to journalists in Lagos by a pressure group – Movement for Transparency in Public Service and signed by the national president, Otunba Kunle Karmurdeen and secretary Mallam Isah Mohammed, the duo lamented that the Jere-led NIS has negated the core values of the organization by entrenching cronyism saying that “that the Acting CG of the Nigeria Immigration Service has been entrenching his kinsmen and cronies in juicy positions at the detriment of quality service delivery which was the hall mark of the NIS before he came on board as the helmsman not long ago.”and the group is wondering why the President will extend the tenure of a man who has attained retirement age of 60 years.

Speaking further, the group chided the poor management regime of Isah Jere Idris noting that it has engendered low morale into the service. The group added that the spirit of oneness and discipline peculiar to the paramilitary as taken flight in the NIS thereby reducing productivity and revenue generation of the NIS is on a downward slope.

In the mean time, the Jere-led administration has worsened the security situation in the country due to its inability to deploy the modern equipment acquired by the previous administration to enhance border surveillance and control.

Finally, the group decried the scarcity of passport and other travel documents which it attributed to the evil machinations of a syndicate oiled by the acting CG for his personal gain and self aggrandisement.
We call on the President to save the NIS from further plunder, degeneration and extinction by immediately relieving the NIS Acting CG of his appointment as there are more competent hands in its hierarchy.

.The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) is the government agency mandated to control persons entering or leaving Nigeria, issuance travel documents to bonafide Nigerians at home and abroad, issuance of resident permit to foreigners in Nigeria, border surveillance and patrol and the enforcement of the above laws and regulations rest on its oars. Regrettably, since the advent of the incumbent administration under the leadership of Isah Jere Idris, who has been globetrotting from one county to another, the Nigeria Immigration Service has been bedeviled with poor leadership, cronyism, official high-handedness, passport racketeering and poor border surveillance/patrol leading to the influx of illegal aliens exacerbating the poor security situation in Nigeria.

In a press statement made available to journalists in Lagos by a pressure group – Movement for Transparency in Public Service and signed by the national president, Otunba Kunle Karmurdeen and secretary Mallam Isah Mohammed, the duo lamented that the Jere-led NIS has negated the core values of the organization by entrenching cronyism saying that “that the Acting CG of the Nigeria Immigration Service has been entrenching his kinsmen and cronies in juicy positions at the detriment of quality service delivery which was the hall mark of the NIS before he came on board as the helmsman not long ago.”and the group is wondering why the President will extend the tenure of a man who has attained retirement age of 60 years.

Speaking further, the group chided the poor management regime of Isah Jere Idris noting that it has engendered low morale into the service. The group added that the spirit of oneness and discipline peculiar to the paramilitary as taken flight in the NIS thereby reducing productivity and revenue generation of the NIS is on a downward slope.

In the mean time, the Jere-led administration has worsened the security situation in the country due to its inability to deploy the modern equipment acquired by the previous administration to enhance border surveillance and control.

Finally, the group decried the scarcity of passport and other travel documents which it attributed to the evil machinations of a syndicate oiled by the acting CG for his personal gain and self aggrandisement.
We call on the President to save the NIS from further plunder, degeneration and extinction by immediately relieving the NIS Acting CG of his appointment as there are more competent hands in its hierarchy.

Even with the victory at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) advisory council panel for the running mate to its candidate Atiku Abubakar, presidential contender and Rivers state Governor Nyesom Wike faces more hurdles.

In the mock election conducted by the PDP advisory council headed by Deputy National Chairman(North) Ambassador Umar Shehu Damagun , Wike was said to have come top ahead of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta state and Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom state . But Some leaders of the party are said to be uncomfortable with the choice of Wike on account of his less than honourable conduct and are prepared to pull the rug off his feet .

The opponents to Wike as running mate to Atiku have uploaded a video of his media interviews now trending in which Wike swore never to take vice presidential slot .

The anti Wike group are of the view that he should not be given the position having vowed not to accept the offer in the instance .

To compound the matter for Wike , the Iyorchia Ayu led party set up another committee to screen the potential vice presidential candidate forthwith .

The new committee is headed former foreign affairs minister, Chief Tom Ikimi while former Kogi governor Captain Idris Wada and former Aviation minister Ostia Chidoka are members.

Others are :Binta Bello, Mutiat Adedoja, Austin Opara, Aisha Madawaki, George Ologun, Chidiebelu Mofus, Fidelis Tapgun and Akilu Indabawa who will serve as secretary.

A statement by the PDP National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba said the National Working Committee (NWC) set up the committee pursuant to part V1, paragraph 14 of the Electoral Guidelines of the Party .

He said the party is still consulting and yet to take a position . Ikimi committee will meet on Thursday for the state exercise.

Meanwhile, political pundits from the South East geopolitical zone are also demanding that running mate to Atiku be given to them in the spirit of equity, fairness and balance.

Former Enugu state Governor Chimaroke Nnamani, former Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim are being mentioned for the running mate .

Besides, the battle for the slot by the contenders for the position from the south south ; Wike , Okowa and Udom , gives credence to demand that the slot of the Vice President goes to the South East Zone.

Global Peace Movement International, UK has congratulated the Chairman CEO Air Peace Barrister Allen Onyema on the award of National Productivity Order of Merit (NPOM) Award by President Muhammadu Buhari


In a press release signed by Dr. Mike Uyi, GPMI said Allen's numerous humanitarian and philanthropic activities has not gone unnoticed.


It could be recalled, speaking to journalists in Abuja at an event to herald the NPOM Award ceremony, Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, said the conferment of National Productivity Order of Merit Award was a positive step by government to institutionalise productivity consciousness and excellence in service among workers and organisations in Nigeria towards redirecting their efforts to the growth and development of our economy.


Uyi said the Air Peace CEOs philosophic feature to Nigeria and Nigerians knows no bound and as such deserves the award he got.


"Onyema created well over 3000 jobs through the establishment of Air Peace in 2014 and in less than 10 years the airline has grown to own the largest fleet in West Africa".


"Onyema's recent social responsibility which has impacted Nigerians in various ways, especially the deployment of aircraft for rescue flights during lockdown in 2020, corporate philanthropy, massive employment, and other social impact initiatives are things the world will not forget in a hurry".


" We call on other Nigerians to also take a que from Allen Onyema's selfless sacrifice for country to also impact on Nigerians to help develop the country. GPMI congratulate Chief Allen Onyema".

A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) youth leader in Kebbi State, Alhaji Mansur Abdullahi, has advised the party's presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar against picking Rivers State governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike as his running mate.

Abdullahi appealed to the PDP flag bearer to pick "any other serving or former governor from the South-south or South-east states."

He proposed that Wike be appointed Minister of Works, or of Interior, where "he can use his husky voice and foul language without let or hindrance."

Speaking Wednesday morning in Abuja, the politician said the call became imperative in the wake of rumours that some PDP elders had recommended Wike as Atiku's running mate.

He questioned the rationale behind asking PDP elders to nominate the vice presidential running mate, when the same party elders weren't consulted when Wike was choosing his preferred governorship successor in Rivers State.

He said, "Isn't it sheer hypocrisy for party elders who were not allowed by Wike or other governors to have a say in who emerged PDP governorship candidates and their running mates in those states, to now dictate to Wazirin Adamawa who to or who not to choose?

"Our party elders, and Waziri himself, should realize that a candidate's running mate is like a bride. It is like a marriage. If things go bad, it is the principal who will be left to suffer the consequences. It is therefore important to allow whoever is entering a marriage to have a say," he stated.

According to Abdullahi, the emergence of Senator Bola Tinubu as the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate has made the choice of a "marketable" running mate for Atiku "an absolute necessity."

He drew attention to the United States where President Barack Obama rebuffed pleas to make Senator Hilary Clinton his vice president on account of the bitter attacks Hilary Clinton launched again at him during the Democratic primaries.

He started, "If Obama appointed Hilary Clinton Secretary of State instead of Vice President is telling enough. Atiku shouldn't make the mistake Obama avoided."

Abdullah I stressed that choosing Wike will cause a lot of problems for Atiku in the South south zone, "as he's barely on talking terms with his colleague-governors.

"He spent all of his first term fighting former Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State, and has transferred the fight to Governor Douye Diri.

"Wike's refusal to, as protocol demands, visit Governor Godwin Obaseki when he arrived in Edo State for campaigns, exposed his pettiness. A Vice President is a potential president. Imagine what Wike would do to a sitting governor who dared disagreed with him if, God forbid, he became president," noted the chieftain.

He continued, "Atiku's campaign peg is reuniting Nigerians. The PDP presidential candidate cannot be talking of reuniting Nigerians and at the same time choose a man who is known to be a chief divider of Nigerians.

"Aside Wike's toxic temperament and uncouthness, even in the house of God, his bitter campaign during the party primaries does not portray him as a man who would be loyal or subservient to anybody but himself.

"Wike mocked every other aspirant as running for president for the sake of negotiating for the position of Vice President. He vowed never to be anybody's Vice President. Why reward such a man with a position he spat on," quizzed Abdullahi.

"Wike's annointed governorship candidate in Rivers State, his erstwhile Accountant -General, Siminialayi Fubara, is, at best, a fugitive. Declared wanted by the EFCC, Fubara escaped being arrested by EFCC agents last week. If his hands are clean, why is Wike shielding his political protegé from the long arms of the law?

"Choosing Wike will be too risky for Atiku. Imagine the embarrassment EFCC arresting Fubara in the heat of the presidential campaign would cost PDP. Will Wike still have the presence of mind to continue campaigning with Atiku in the event the EFCC nabs his candidate?

"Reports that certain candidates spoiled delegates with United States Dollars does not help the situation. So also are reports that billions of Naira are missing in the state's coffers. Arresting Fubara would most likely open a can of worms, probably the reason godfather and godson are a avoiding the EFCC like a plague. The collateral damage Fubara's inevitable arrest would cost Atiku and our grear PDP would be too enormous to bear," he stressed.

"The South south isn't in short supply of credible and competent candidates like Governors Ifeanyi Okowa and Udom Emmanuel. Should this prove to be a problem, Atiku should consider Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi. After all, both zones were the former Easten Region. But a Wike candidacy should be a No-no", he declared.

Middle Belt Forum ,Afenifere and other critical stakeholders to as a matter of urgency activate the collective yearnings of most Nigerians to produce Peter Obi of the Labour Party as the next President of Nigeria in 2023.


This appeal is informed by the fact that Peter Obi has the pedigree to steer the sinking ship of this country out of its present continued decay :poverty, insecurity, poor governance, corruption and maladministration.


The group made the appeal in a communique issued after an expanded meeting in Abuja recently.


They insisted it is the turn of the South East to produce the next President of Nigeria come 2023 in the interest of equity,justice and fair play.


More so,when Peter Obi has been adjudged as being head and shoulders above every other candidate in the race.

South East and South South Media Practitioners Forum stated that South East being a strong component of the Nigerian federation and thankfully with the best candidate in the 2023 presidential race.

They appealed to Nigerians across the board to key into the Peter Obi Presidency vision of a greater Nigeria.


We insist that since the South East has the most outstanding candidate with requisite skill to navigate Nigeria out of the present socio- economic doldrums, it is only fair that all Nigerians rally behind Peter Obi's candidacy as a way of solidifying our nation 's unity ,peace and progress.


Continuing ,they group stated that most Nigerian youths who see their future only in the Obi Presidency are determined to mobilize the generality of Nigerians to actualise Obi Presidency that will mark a departure from the years of the locust that have since eaten their yesterday and today while baying for their blood tomorrow.


The forum reiterate its position that no half measures will be tolerated as sanctions will be visited on any Southeasterner that donates as a second fiddle to any of the two main presidential candidates in the forth coming 2023 presidential election.


We also lend our support the earlier warning by Ohanaeze Ndigbo against their Igbo sons and daughters who accepts to be vice- president or running mate to any person outside the South East zone as they going to be collectively ostracised as betrayers of Ndigbo.

Ahead the of the Presidential Convention of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) seven Presidential aspirants under the platform of the party have dismissed the names of five presidential aspirants purportedly sent to President Muhammadu Buhari to select a consensus candidate, stressing that they were not consulted before the Governors arrived at the decision.

The aggrieved aspirants in a terse statement issued in the early hours of Tuesday shortly after a brief meeting in Abuja described the move as shambolic and an already failed attempt to sideline other aspirants particularly those from the South-East and South South

Describing the move as a joke taken too far the Presidential hopefuls disclosed that the move is in total absurdity as against the directive of President Buhari.

The aspirants namely; Cross River State Governor, Ben Ayade; former minister for state for Education,Emeka Nwajiuba; former Minister for science and technology, Ogbonnaya Onu, former governor Rochas Okorocha and businessman Tein Jack-Rich in a joint statement issued by Ogbonnaya Onu on their behalf distanced themselves from the purported list.

According to them, “the motive of the Governors is in their personal selfish interest not the South . They also clarified that at no time the President equivocally support zoning of the Presidency to the South , saying that though they were support of the Presidency to the South especially the Southeast neither them nor other South-East Presidential aspirants were consulted before any or such decision was taken.

Urging Nigerians to disregard the report, Onu stressed that neither the Governors Forum nor Northern Governors had any moral or constitutional jurisdiction to determine the political fate of the South.

The aspirants queried the alleged selection of only one candidate from South East which had never Produced Nigeria's President and the picking three from the South West, a zone that has had 16 years at the Presidency and the inclusion of the one from the South South a zone which has also produced a President for six years.

Onu pointed out that the Governors were merely acting based on gratifications being promised to them by a certain Yoruba aspirant from the Southwest, who was also included in the list.

Onu said that five of the northern governors have been promised the office of Vice President, which has suddenly prompted some of the governors to push for the zoning of the All Progressive Congress presidential ticket to the South.

According to him, “Governors are paying lip service to their reason for zoning the Presidency to the South based on equity and justice, he said that if truly they meant their words , the Southeast must be the considered first for the Presidency and its aspirants subsequently tabled before Buhari to select from .

Rallying support for the National Chairman, Abdullahi Adamu the Presidential aspirants commended the decisions made so far by the party leadership .

The aspirants also held that the party leadership remains the official organ through which decisions are made and adhered to, while urging all stakeholders to galvanise support for the Adamu led executive.

The statement read ;
"In the past few hours we have been bombarded with calls and messages from my supporters and concerned Nigerians on a list of five Presidential aspirants submitted to President Buhari to choose from.

"As long as we are concerned no list has been submitted to Mr. President, the move by the Governors is considered a joke taken to the extreme with the aim of playing with the intellect of Nigerians particularly us from the South-East.

"Mr. President's directive is very simple, that all Presidential aspirants including those from the North should meet and harmonise inorder to produce a single candidate. As it stands we have not been consulted or attended a meeting where it was agreed that such names be sent to Mr. President.

"In the so-called list out of the five names only one was selected from the South-East and we are talking about fairness and justice to the South. What the Governors have done is a mere picnic in the park. These are the same Governors talking about Equity, justice and fairness yet in a clandestine manner purportedly sidelined the South East.

"In the absence of any harmonised agreement no list has been submitted to Mr. President, what they have done is just nothing but a charade which is bound to fail.
"We also have it on good authority that the majority of these Governors have been promised and also given various forms of gratifications in order to thwart the process in favour of one aspirant and such grand plot will fail woefully.

"Moreso, the party led by Senator Abdullahi Adamu remains the official organ of the party through which decisions taken by stakeholders in the party will be communicated and acted upon, in the absence of that any other move remains null and void.

"We urge all well meaning Nigerians to disregard such information, as we remain in the race hence no consensus agreement has been reached amongst all contestants.

The names, according to the source, included that of the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti State), Rotimi Amaechi, former Minister of Transportation, and Governor Dave Umahi (Ebonyi State).

The governors after meeting with the President said they will return to the villa after meeting with the party’s National Working Committee(NWC) and other stakeholders.

“They picked one from South-East, one from South-South and three from South-West geopolitical zones in line with their position that power should shift to the South,” he said.The presidential primary of the party is to be held today. The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan was named as the consensus candidate by the National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu. This has however generated both commendations and rejections.

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP)have been directed by an Abuja High Court to desist from recognizing Mr Oborevwori Sheriff Francis Orhowedor as its 2023 Delta State governorship flag bearer in the light of damning evidence brought before the court against him.

Documents tendered in the court by the plaintiffs attest that Orhowedor submitted credentials including age declaration affidavit and academic certificates bearing different unreconciled names at different times.

The orders emerged from an Ex Parte Motion in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/715/2022 filed by Moses Ogege and Timinepere Ogobiri of Patani LGA Ward 8 before His Lordship, Hon Justice Taiwo O. Taiwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division on May 31, with the Peoples’ Democratic Party, the Independent National Electoral Commission and Francis Oborevwori as 1st, 2nd and 3rd defendants, respectively.

The documents presented to the court by the plaintiffs showed discrepancies and inconsistencies in claims made by Oborevwori in his nomination forms.

Oborevwori changed his name in a deed poll in 2011, however his given old name did not match the name on his tendered age declaration of 1982.

The Abuja High Court therefore in the interim restrained PDP from forwarding the name of Oborevwori to the Independent National Electoral Commission, as well as the INEC from receiving his name and acting in any manner recognising him as the flag bearer of the PDP for the Delta 2023 Governorship elections.

The court also restrained Oborevwori from parading himself as the candidate of the PDP for the Delta 2023 Governorship election.

After listening to Ibrahim Idris SAN, JD Jefia, Osita Alele and Sarafadeen Salimo for the plaintiffs, the court found that there were sufficient grounds to grant the interim injunction sought.

Accordingly, the court ordered the defendants to enter a defence within seven days of service to show cause why the reliefs sought by the plaintiffs should not be granted.

It also ordered the defendants not to do anything along the line of presenting or accepting Mr Oborevwori as the Delta PDP Governorship flag bearer nor Mr Oborevwori acting in such manner until the final determination of the matter by the court.

While the court also granted the plaintiff’s prayers for accelerated hearing, the next date has been fixed for June 9.

—-Eyeing Vee Pee Slot

As the decision of the leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to name the Senate President Ahmad Lawan as the party’s Consensus candidate continues to generate comments the party’s Youth Vanguard has described the Northern APC Governors as traitors and selfish.

This is as the group accused them of eyeing the Vice Presidential ticket of the party.

In a statement on Monday evening in Abuja and signed by it’s National Coordinator Umar Sambo the he said that the insistence of the Northern Governors that power should go to the South is borne out of the selfish and individual ambitions vowing that they would expose all of them.

According to Sambo” the APC northern governors are traitors and selfish as each of them have been positioning themselves for the Vice Presidential ticket.

“Our source revealed what Osinbajo and Tinubu promised. Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna state was promised the Vice Presidential slot by the Vice President Yomi Osibanjo, while Umar Ganduje of Kano State and former Governor Kassim Ibrahim are promised VP too by Tinubu.

“We also have it on good authority that there is a promise to make Governor Badaru the Vice President by former President Goodluck Jonathan while the former Minister of Transport Rotimi Ameachi had beclouded Governor Bagudu of Kebbi. Osinbajo is also promising Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State the VP slot. While Fayemi promised Abubakar Bello of Niger and Jigawa Badaru VP slot. Sule of Nassarawa is also eyeing the VP slot for Osinbajo. Just as Ameachi rekindled hope on ElRufai of Kaduna. So you see that everything they are doing is borne out of their Selfish interests.

—-Eyeing Vee Pee Slot

As the decision of the leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to name the Senate President Ahmad Lawan as the party’s Consensus candidate continues to generate comments the party’s Youth Vanguard has described the Northern APC Governors as traitors and selfish.

This is as the group accused them of eyeing the Vice Presidential ticket of the party.

In a statement on Monday evening in Abuja and signed by it’s National Coordinator Umar Sambo the he said that the insistence of the Northern Governors that power should go to the South is borne out of the selfish and individual ambitions vowing that they would expose all of them.

According to Sambo” the APC northern governors are traitors and selfish as each of them have been positioning themselves for the Vice Presidential ticket.

“Our source revealed what Osinbajo and Tinubu promised. Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna state was promised the Vice Presidential slot by the Vice President Yomi Osibanjo, while Umar Ganduje of Kano State and former Governor Kassim Ibrahim are promised VP too by Tinubu.

“We also have it on good authority that there is a promise to make Governor Badaru the Vice President by former President Goodluck Jonathan while the former Minister of Transport Rotimi Ameachi had beclouded Governor Bagudu of Kebbi. Osinbajo is also promising Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State the VP slot. While Fayemi promised Abubakar Bello of Niger and Jigawa Badaru VP slot. Sule of Nassarawa is also eyeing the VP slot for Osinbajo. Just as Ameachi rekindled hope on ElRufai of Kaduna. So you see that everything they are doing is borne out of their Selfish interests.

The attention of the Concerned and Patriotic Nigerians (CPN) has been drawn to the recent endorsement and support of President Muhammadu Buhari that power must shift to the South.

They applauded and commended the statesman position of President Muhammadu Buhari, asserting that, indeed he is a hero who must be allowed to assist the country in giving power to the South for equity, justice and fairness.

The CPN, under the leadership of Professor Echefuna Onyebadi hails the historic turn of events by the All Progressives Congress (APC) governors and the President and called on all Nigerians to support this endeavor for balance and equity for our various regions and for the prosperity in the country at large.

The patriots said they received with great joy the news of the resolution of the 11 APC governors from the Northern region to support its Presidential candidate to the Southern region in line with the agreement of the founding fathers of the nation, as a master stroke and indeed a rare nationalistic endeavor borne out of selflessness, peace, stability, harmony, co-existence, statesmanship and patriotism displaced by these governors.

The organization views this move as indeed historic not just for the party, but the entire nation. “For the President to fully endorse and support it to the fullest shows the mood of the nation at this time,” they asserted.

The leadership under Professor Onyebadi, therefore advocates that the South-South and the South-West regions had previously occupied the presidency under the then President Olusegun Obasanjo, as well as Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, and even said that the present Vice President is from the South-West. And, as such, the association reasoned that it is only fair for the power to be given to the South-East for equity and justice and made a passionate appeal for the candidacy of Dr Ogbonnaya Onu as s credible partyman with the credentials to take Nigeria to the Promised Land.

A press release issued in Abuja by the National Coordinator of Concerned Patriotic Nigerians (CPN) Professor Echefuna Onyebadi, re-emphasized that the group has been clamouring and advocating for power shift to the South for a long time and that this move by the 11 APC governors and the President, is the right step in the right direction, that must be applauded by all Nigerians and the international community.

“We cannot but be appreciative of the ability of the President to listen to the voice of reason and the national mood at this point in time. That Nigeria is indeed ripe for power shift to the South particularly the South-East zone; which has been marginalized since independence,” he averred.

The group stated that they are delighted and happy for the new development and sense of direction in line with the ideals of the founding fathers of the nation and that they are indebted to President Muhammadu Buhari for the patriotism and statesmanship displaced in spite of pressures from the powers that be; that he went ahead to endorse the resolution of the Northern governors in the overall interest of unity, peace, mutual co-existence, trust and progress of the nation.

The group therefore called on all the aspirants of the South-South and South-West zones to jettison their clamour for the collective good and allow their brothers from the South-East region to contest for the coveted crown of the Presidency; as they observed that one good turn deserves another.

The National Coordinator observed that since democracy was birthed in the country, the South-East region has suffered a lot and been marginalized in all ramifications and, as such, this is the time to pay the region back for fairness, equity and justice.

The group called on Nigerians to prevail on the South-South and South-West zones to support the South-East aspirations for the progress of the country.

CPN acknowledged “this courageous stance for equity and moral justification” and applauded the determination of all stakeholders to engage realistically and honestly for the Nigerian project.

It added that, by this singular gesture, “we are convinced that the ascendant march towards stability, unity, progress and prosperity of our people is not truncated by selfish, greedy and parochial intent but based on nationalistic disposition to that, we are proud.”

The Concerned and Patriotic Nigerians called on all aspirants of South-South and South-West extraction to graciously step aside and allow only the South-East produce the next President of this country for the common good of the country, “while we look forward to the best candidate, competent contributor of the Nigerian project in person of Dr Ogbonnaya Onu to steer the affairs of the state soonest,” the association concluded.

It is indeed historic as the All Progressives Congress (APC) governors chose Saturday to zone the ruling party’s Presidential candidacy to the South, which was executively endorsed by President Muhammadu Buhari outright, that “power should shift to South for equity, justice and fairness.”

By this action, it is apparent that the President is set to make history, since the South-South and the South-West geo-political zones have both taken a shot at the presidency of this country.

In view of the foregoing, there will be no moral rectitude for aspirants from these two zones to continue in the race when the President is fighting to enthrone justice, equity and fairness to be given to the South-East.

Arising from an Extra-Ordinary General Meeting Sunday, the Association of Eze Ndigbo N’Uzoije (Diaspora) under the headship of Eze (Dr) Boniface Ibekwe (Eze-Igbo, Kano State) in their communiqué sighted instances when the South-West and South-South have ruled the country and called for the turn of the South-East for equity, justice and fairness to all concerned zones of the country.

They posited that, for the fact that the present front-runner of the APC presidential aspirant in person of Dr Ogbonnaya Onu should be given the mandate to head Nigeria as this critical moment of our national life and passed a vote of confidence on his managerial competence, capacity and knowledge of the economy more than most candidates and that he has shown maturity in the handling of affairs, including being a dedicated party man who was instrumental to the merger of the ruling party – the APC.

The Eze Ndigbo N’Uzoije (Diaspora) emphasized that power was in the hands of the South-West for eight years under President Olusegun Obasanjo and six years for the South-South under President Goodluck Jonathan. They also cited the case of the present Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo who is set to rule for eight years, also from the South-West, noting that it is only fair that power comes to the South-East for equity and justice to have been served the South-East since independence.

They therefore, urged all other aspirants from the South-West and South-South zones to step down for the South-East zone alone to contest. They also averred that this will suffice the popular maxim: “He that must go to equity must do so with clean hands.”

The Association of Ndi Ezes in the Diaspora emphasized that the President should rein on the South-South and South West aspirants to step aside, just the way he has done to the northern aspirants. Otherwise, they observed, it would amount to injustice to the people of the North to have been asked to step aside.

Eze Boniface Ibekwe, therefore, enjoined all aspirants to be mindful of the state of the nation, the clarion call for power shift to the South-East and the mood of the nation, adding that, indeed, power should go to the South-East as the present proponents and aspirants of the South-East region are capable of restoring Nigeria’s Master-plan and taking the country to the comity of nations and urged all political elders and leaders to be mindful of the time and called on all aspirants from other regions to step down for the South-East aspirants for equity, justice and fairness.

BY BUHARI ONUNAIJA BUHARI

It's a cheering good news as the president His Excellency Muhammadu Buhari has yesterday as a matter of equity to the Southern Nigeria backed up the Northern governor's decision of ceding power to the South.

By this action it's obvious the President is set to make history and as such since the Southwest and South-South zones have both taken a shot at the presidency, there would be no moral justification for them to continue in this race when equity, justice and fairness is the point to prove.

The Southwest under President Obasanjo has taken 8years as a president while Prof. Yemi Osinbajo is currently taking another 8years as VP.
The South-South zone has taken 6years as President and 2years of VP through President Goodluck Jonathan. Leaving the Southeast zone as the only zone yet to experience either Vice President or a President.

Having noted this factors, it's only fair for our brother zones of the SW and SS to urge all their Aspirants to step aside for the SE zone aspirants to contest alone. This will suffice the popular saying that "he that must go to equity must do so with a clean hand".
If the Southwest and South-South zones cannot reach this compromise as reached by our Northern Brothers, then I see no reason why the North would be called to jettison participation in the forthcoming election.

Having enumerated this points, I strongly suggest for the President to further encourage the SW and SS zone to step aside just the way he has done to the northern aspirants otherwise, it would amount to injustice to the people of the North to have been asked to step aside.

Let Equity, Justice and Fairness be our guide as we approach the convention.

I congratulate President Buhari for the boldness to tow this path of history making. He'll forever be remembered for this.

BY AMBROSE INUSA SULE

Today is the international observance of the world Environment day (WED). World Environment Day is one of the most important events on the international environmental calendar. It is celebrated around the world on June 5 of each year.

The World Environment Day, is a day to reflect on the global environmental deteriorating conditions and to raise people`s awareness about the danger we all face should we fail to act positively to reverse the situation.

The 1972 Stockholm conference on the Environment marked the beginning of the yearly celebration of the World Environment Day. The Earth Summit of 1992 in Brazil further reaffirmed the political will and commitment of governments, individuals, communities, and groups to organize various actives to improve their environment.

Each year, United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), the UN agency is responsible for coordinating World Environment Day, organizes events for Environment Day every year to encourage worldwide awareness and action for the protection of environment.

The theme for World Environment Day 2022 is ‘Only One Earth’. Under the theme Only One Earth, World Environment Day 2022 will be observed highlighting the need to live sustainably in harmony with nature by transformative changes in our policies and choices towards cleaner and greener lifestyles.

The Government of Sweden is the host of the World Environment Day 2022 programs iconic activities in partnership with the UN Environment Program (UNEP). This year marks the 50 years since the first United Nations Conference at Stockholm.

Representatives of the World will share ideas and experiences, establish goals for sustainable environmental development.

All nations of the world are enjoined to mark the World Environment Day in their unique way, to raise people`s awareness about the environment.

Nigeria as a member of the United Nations has been keeping faith with this injunction since June 1981 with the planting of a commemorative tree at the National Arcade, Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos, which was to mark the World Environment Day.

Nigeria as a member of the global community is today, joining the whole world in reaffirming its concern for the preservation and enhancement of the quality of the environment.

The purpose of the awareness-raising event is to give human face to environmental issue; empower people to become active agents of sustainable and adequate development, promote an understanding that communities are pivotal to charging attitudes towards environment issues; and advocate partnership which will ensure all nations and people to enjoy a safer and more prosperous future.

The world environment day is a people`s event with observations and activities, including clean-up campaigns, public lectures, rallies, tree planting, concerts and a lot more. The United Nations uses World Environment Day to stimulate awareness in the environment and to enhance political attention and public action.

It is no longer in dispute that mankind is today faced with a catalogue of environmental problems threatening the supportive ecosystems and indeed, human existence on earth.

At first, it appeared that better life on earth solely depended on vigorous industrialization, economic prosperity and political stability. No doubt, these important factors contribute to decent living and prosperity. Yet the pursuit of comfort and advancement in technology seemed to have driven many nations of the world, including Nigeria, towards uncontrolled exploitation of national resources, neglect for abatement measures in industrial process and poorly managed environment.

The resultant effect underscores the numerous environmental problems which include deforestation, soil erosion, climate change, ozone layer depletion, industrial pollution we are experiencing today.

It is suffice to say that most of the environmental problems in Nigeria have arisen from excessive exploitation of its natural resources without abatement measures, besides global environmental issues that are also serious concern to Nigeria.

With the benefit of hindsight, the concern to protect and develop the Nigeria environment and the provision of adequate institutional arrangement to address the issue of the environment have witnessed several changes that culminate in the creation of the federal ministry of environment in 1999.

It is important to note that the ministry was created to ensure that environmental matters are adequately mainstreamed into all developmental activities. This was in recognition that government efforts to eradicate poverty and the improvement of the standard of the people cannot be attained under a degraded environment.

The protections of the environment are paramount to the achievement of the objectives of the laudable, socio-economic reforms of the federal government which includes regional and global initiatives.

It should be noted that the role of governments in environmental matters is mainly catalytic. Government programs constitute the framework for a dynamic, evolving process for cooperation among stakeholders. These are the catalyst for evolvement of entire societies and points of reference for all agents involved in the process of environmentally sustainable development in this country.

We are all stakeholders on the issue of environmental sustainability. It is important that we create a mentality in which the adoption of preventive actions and precautionary measures will be as natural as our reactions to emergency situations.

It is a challenge to all of us to pause and reflect on the state of the environment, re-examine our activities in relations to the myriad of ever emerging new phenomena of environmental problems threatening our very existence.

As we wish ourselves a very happy environment day, may we remind ourselves that it is our collective duty to ensure a better and cleaner environment. The environment is our heritage and we are duty bound to preserve it.

SIGNED BY:
AMROSE INUSA SULE,
PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF ENVIRONMENT REPORTERS MAGAZJNE
ABUJA

2023: Group appeals to Nigerians to Support Southeast's Quest for Nigerian President of Igbo Extraction


...Warns those angling for V.P.slot.


Media practitioners of the South- East and South- South under the aegies of Southeast /South - South media practitioners forum have appealed to Nigerians across the length and breath to support the quest by the South- east to produce the next President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.



Their appeal they say is hinged on the fact that justice,fairness and equity support the agitation of the South -east to have their own as Nigeria's President come 2023.


In a communique released after their expanded meeting in Abuja on Wednesday, they also warned those who have started positioning themselves for Vice Presidential slots to desist as the group would not hesitate to work with other relevant stakeholders across the length and breadth of Igboland.


The group also condemned the south easterners that participated in the just concluded PDP national convention for selling out the collective hope and aspiration of the south easterners for a mess of porridge that is fast developing allegedly into fake dollars ,describing the betrayers as habitual hewers of wood and drawers of water for their eternal paymasters.


They also called on Ohaneze Indigo in particular and other relevant Igbo stakeholders to as a matter of urgency to activate the time - tested Igbo system of ostracization in readiness for the turncoats that will inevitably connive with outsiders to truncate the collective aspiration of the Igbo people to produce one of their own as the next president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria especially when the product from the South East in the person of Peter Obi towers head and shoulder above other contenders in terms of capacity to navigate Nigeria's fast sinking ship back to the shore of stability, security, productivity and prosperity.

Following the successful , secure, hitch- free Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Primaries,a prominent civil society group under the auspices of Coalition of Civil Society Groups for Peace,Security, Good Governance ,Equity and Justice has commended the Director- General of the Department of State Security Services (DSS),Mr Yusuf Magaji Bichi fwc ,the Inspector - General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba and the Commandant - General of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Dr Abubakar Audi and all the heads of security agencies in Nigeria for providing the conducive and peaceful atmosphere as the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) to held her presidential primaries which produced Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as the party' s presidential candidate in the forth- coming 2023 general election.

In a press statement made available to journalists in Abuja by the national coordinator, Comrade James Okoronkwo, the group also poured encomiums on the FCT Director, Department of State Security Services (DSS) Mr Ado Mu'azu ,Mr Sunday Babaji ,the FCT Commissioner of Police for their relentless effort in ensuring that the just -concluded PDP Presidential primaries was held in a peaceful and secure environment.

Coalition of Civil Society Groups for Peace,Security, Good Governance, Equity and Justice is an amalgamation of journalists and civil rights activists committed to enhancing peace,security and good governance in Nigeria through advocacy and civic education. Concluding ,the group enjoined all Nigerians to support the security agencies in enhancing peace and security in Nigeria.

*Ex-Transport Minister "buys time"

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has begun probing allegations of graft levelled against two former South-south ministers who are interested in succeeding President Muhammadu Buhari next year.

According to EFCC sources,, top on the list of those under probe is the immediate past Minister of Transport, Hon. Chibuike Amaechi. Also being probed is the immediate past Minister if Niger Delta Affairs. Senator Godswill Akpabio.

Dropping the hint last night, a top Presidency official disclosed that, conscious of the EFCC probe. Amaechi has been soliciting the help of top Presidency officials to stop the agency from inviting and embarrassing him.

He, however, added that the best deal Amaechi was able to get from the numerous appeals for intervention was to be allowed to visit EFCC interrogators under the cover of darkness. This isorder to keep his interrogation away from the media.

According to one the sources, also earmarked for grilling is Amaechi's former colleague, Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, the embattled Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, as well as a former presidential adviser, Kingsley Kuku.

Aside Kuku and Emefiele, the duo of Amaechi and Akpabio were governors of oil-rich Rivers and Akwà Ibom states respectively, and are currently in the race to succeed Buhari on the platform of their party All Progressives Congress (APC).

On his part, Emefiele recently caused a stir in the banking circles when he made a never-before-seen move to run for the office of the President of Nigeria.

The agency source stated that EFCC officers are hot on the heels of Amaechi. Following the intervention of top presidency officials, he stated, the EFCC chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa was able to direct his agents to "interview" Amaechi on Tuesday night. He, however added that the top investigators of the EFCC stayed backed in their offices Tuesday night, but that the former minister failed to appear.

"Top officials of the Commission, including our chairman, stayed back up till 10 pm on Tuesday. They left when it became clear that Amaechi wouldn't show up. The former minister later called up his contacts to help apologize for not appearing. He promised to come on Wednesday night," he stated.

EFCC officers, he stressed, stayed back through Wednesday night. Again. Amaechi failed to show up, he said.

An associate of the former Transport Minister later disclosed that his friend's refusal to show up as agreed may not be unconnected with the EFCC raid on the house of another former governor and presidential aspirant, Sen. Rochas Okorocha.

"My brother, the EFCC raid on Okorochas's house really shocked some of us. The thinking was, if EFCC could so easily embarrass Rochas who is very close to Baba, what is going to be our fate with them? " he explained.

EFCC sources told Pointblanknews.com that the move to "interview" Amaechi came on the heels of several petitions against the former minister. Most of the petitions, it was gathered, centred on awards of contracts in the Ministry of Transport when he was Minister.

"Some of the petitions couldn't be substantiated. Some of the petitioners simply failed to show up. The dates and figures they bandied didn't add up. Some of the addresses they even gave in the petitions were fictitious.

"However, we had cases where the petitioners followed up diligently. They cooperated with our investigators. They supplied us facts and figures. In some cases, the figures ran into billions of Naira.

"Some were in millions of US Dollars. That was why we invited him (former minister) to hear from him," explained the officer, adding, "unfortunately, he's been avoiding us"

Contacted, Amaechi's political associate dismissed insinuations that his friend was avoiding officers of the anti-graft agency. He accused the EFCC of lending itself to be a tool of witch hunt.

"With the APC and PDP presidential primaries at hand, nothing is impossible. Amaechi was appointed minister in 2015. Why are they inviting him now that it is a few days to the presidential convention? They are doing the bidding of their paymaster, but we are not perturbed," he declared.

The women support Women group of Enugu State are not happy with the outcome of PDP House of Assembly and House of Representative primary elections that took place on sunday, May 22, 2022.

The Groups are not happy that only four out of twenty-four House of Assembly seats were women and no woman was elected as a member of House of Representatives.

The group are pleading with the amiable Governor of Enugu State Rt. Hon Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, who have being a gender friendly Governor to please encourage the inclusion of more women in upcoming elections. In reality the outcome of primary election on May 22 was below our expectation and women in Enugu will not accept this outcome.

We are asking PDP in Enugu State under the leadership of Dr.Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi to maintain the already established culture of woman as Deputy Governor and to elect more women in upcoming PDP Senate primary. Women Support Group will remain steadfast in their supports for PDP but they cannot accept the old tradition of sideling women.

We demand for a Woman as Enugu State Deputy Governor of Enugu State comes 2023 election, we demand for women inclusion in governance, and we demand for 35 percent constitution rights for women and 35 percent affirmative action.

As the prime intelligence agency in Nigeria, the Department of State Services(DSS) has been in the vanguard of the sustenance of democracy in Nigeria.

Under the transparent and current leadership of Mr Yusuf Magaji Bichi, the Department of State Services (DSS) has undergone tremendous transformation as enscapulated by his "vision to create a friendly work environment, enhance staff capacity through training and welfare as well as ensure that the DSS remains a democratically compliant intelligence agency in Nigeria".


In keeping with his vision to boost democracy and the rule of law,the DSS convoked a one- day brainstorming session with Civil Society groups in Nigeria last month.

But to the chagrin of well- meaning Nigerians and stakeholders ,Sahara Reporters alleged that the DSS convoked the meeting for the President Buhari's tenure elongation.


This is the height of falsehood and yellow journalism.


In a press statement made available to journalists by a pressure groups, Coalition of Civil Society Groups for Peace,Security , Good Governance, Equity and Justice and signed by the national coordinator, Comrade James Okoronkwo, the group lambasted Sahara Reporters saying" that as a participant in the one day brain storming session with the DSS I make bold to emphasis that the Service never canvassed for the extension of the tenure of the present administration ."

The group descried the negative campaign by Sahara Reporters to malign the DSS.Concluding the group passed a vote of confidence on the Director General of the Department of State Services, Mr Yusuf Magaji Bichi, fwc for the giant strides he has recorded which amongst others include;the formation of the Special Intervention Squad (SIS)and tactical teams to respond to emergencies ,sustained collaboration with sister agencies as well as effective collaboration with strategic stakeholders and partners to enhance Nigeria"s democracy, sponsorship of local and international training programmes for personnel to enhance their capacity to surmount emerging threats.

The present leadership of the DSS deserves accolades and Sahara Reporters must hold her head in shame for misinforming the public.

...Ex-President will run, assures associate

Political associates of former President Goodluck Jonathan are divided over the decision of the former president to contest the 2023 presidential election on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

While some are favourably disposed to Jonathan throwing his hat in the ring, the other group hold the view that the former president should maintain his “dignified aloofness” to partisan politics.

Those who want Jonathan to run point to Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Muhammadu Buhari as examples of past leaders who became presidents because they bowed to pressure to contest presidential elections.

It is gathered that associates of the former president who want him to run again argue that all great ventures in life succeeded because those behind the ventures took risks.

“High risks guarantee high reward. The reason most people are poor is because they are too scared to take risks. Even in the United States, people like the Rev. Jesse Jackson mocked Barack Obama when Obama sought to be president. Imagine if Obama threw in the towel as a result of that,” held a associate

The division reared its head few hours after a group of cattle herders Monday night raised N100 million to buy former President Jonathan a presidential nomination form of the APC.

Following the announcement that they bought Jonathan an APC presidential nomination form, the party’s national chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu hosted the former president to a private meeting at his residence in Asokoro, Abuja.

Even though details of the meeting weren’t made public, sources said that the meeting centred on Jonathan’s newly-acquired membership of the APC, and his presidential ambition on the party’s platform.

Dramatically, moments after Jonathan left the APC national chairman’s residence, the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation issued a statement disclaiming the cattle breeders’ group that bought their principal the APC presidential nomination form. The statement was said to have greatly embarrassed the former president.

The disclaimer by the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation was orchestrated by a a top official during the Jonathan Presidency.

The appointee is considered by many as being responsible for most of the mistakes Jonathan made as president. He did much for himself and very little to help his principal’s administration.

“He made several enemies for President Jonathan, and disappeared after the 2015 elections. Now that that the Jonathan comeback is appearing to be a reality, he has suddenly appeared to begin to create confusion,” stated one female associate.

It is also gathered that the distractions notwithstanding, the former President is favorably disposed to contesting and winning the APC presidential primaries as a prelude to winning the general elections next year.

“I can confirm to you that President Goodluck Jonathan has made up his mind to run. A thousand distractions cannot dissuade him. He is a man of character. He is strong-willed. He has the credentials and the experience. If he wasn’t interested, he would have said so the first day the youth supporters besieged his office, urging him to run.

“If you recall, he told Nigerians to “watch-out.” Those seeking to blackmail him with his new membership of APC are being unfair. Nobody is talking about all those who dumped PDP for APC and vice-versa.

“They seem to forget that but for President Obasanjo’s intervention in 2007, Senator Adamu Abdullahi would have emerged the running mate,on the PDP ticket, to Governor Peter Odili of Rivers State. They also forget that, but for providence, Senator Iyiola Omisore would have governor of Osun State, elected on the PDP platform.

“They’ve so unfairly singled out Jonathan for crucifixion simply because he dumped the PDP for APC. Meanwhile, some of the people seeking the PDP presidential ticket today have switched party several times. They seem to forget that most of theseso- called PDP chieftains betrayed him in 2015, aside the fact that

Jonathan, as President, allowed the formation of APC,” she declared.

* ex-President will run and win on party platform- associate

National chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Abdullahi Adamu Monday night in Abuja hosted former President Goodluck Jonathan, confirming what had been rumours that the former president has defected to the ruling APC

Monday’s meeting came barely three hours after a group of Fulani cattle breeders paid N100 million to buy an APC presidential nomination form for the former president. It was also the first meeting between Jonathan and the leader of any political party since Jonathan left office in 2015.

Speaking shortly before buying the form at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, leader of the Fulani group, Ibrahim Abdullahi, said Jonathan was the first president since Nigeria’s independence to be magnanimous to them.

He said: “Remember the almajari community, he brought a comprehensive policy of reformation and intergretion of the almajari into the mainstream educational system in Nigeria. It was the dream and the vision of President Goodluck Jonathan that if that programme had continued it would one day produce from the almajiri system of education; doctors, engineers.

“Unfortunately, that programme was kept aside as soon as he left. Other parts of the community (the vulnerable community) that Goodluck Jonathan wanted to really give a sense of belonging was the Fulani community, the nomadic pastoralists.”

Sources close to the Monday night meeting told Pointblanknews.com.that both men, who were colleague-governors between 2003 and 2007, “exhaustively discussed” the former president’s aspiration to return as president in 2023.

“You know Senator Abdullahi Adamu and former President Goodluck Jonathan were governors of Nasarawa and Bayelsa respectively between 2003 and 2007. They both were in PDP. By divine arrangement, both are now in the APC,” a source close to the meeting stated, adding, “God works in mysterious ways.”

Curiously, whilst former President Jonathan and the APC national chairman were meeting, a statement emanated from the office of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation disassociating Jonathan from the Fulani group

“It has come to our notice that a group has purportedly purchased Presidential Expression of Interest and Nomination forms of the APC in the name of former President Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.
“We wish to categorically state that Dr Jonathan was not aware of this bid and did not authorize it.

“We want to state that if the former president wanted to contest an election, he would make his intentions clear to the public and will not enter through the back door,” noted the foundation.

However, sources close to what transpired at the Monday night meeting told Pointblanknews.com that the statement may have been made to in response to the barrage of questions from journalists on the matter, and the inability to reach the former president “who was meeting his party’s national chairman.”

A source noted, “Forget what the Jonathan Foundation said. If, as they would want us believe, their principal had yet to join APC, what was he doing in the private home of the APC national chairman in the dead of the night few hours after a group bought him the party’s presidential form?”

She confirmed that the former president has indeed joined the APC in his ward in Otuoke, Bayelsa State, and affirmed that her boss would “win the 2023 presidential election on the APC platform.”

She continued, “N100 million isn’t N1 million. It will be wicked and the height of insensitivity for President Goodluck Jonathan to reject the presidential nomination form from the Fulani group on the flimsy excuse that he wasn’t in the know, or that he’s not a member of the APC.

“After all, why did he lose in 2015? Was it not the same people posturing as PDP who betrayed him in 2015? Political parties are not religions. Even if they were, we have seen people who have changed their faiths, and the heavens did not fall. APC national chairman and national secretary were staunch PDP members. Nobody should hold Jonathan to double standards, please!” she noted

She also drew attention to a tweet, same Monday night, by President Muhammadu Buhari’s media aide, Bashir Ahmad.

“So Goodluck Jonathan has dumped the opposition PDP and now member of our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC)”, tweeted Buhari’s spokesman.

For emphasis, Ahmad added, “No one will give out N100 million to buy Presidential forms from a party he’s not a member of. The primary criterium for parties to sell their forms to you is that you must first be a registered member”.

It would be recalled that Jonathan had last month, while responding to calls by thousands of youth supporters who urged him to contest the next presidential election, failed to give a definite answer. He merely asked them to “watch out “

Days after the Youths Network for Nigeria Union (YNNU) urged former president Goodluck Jonathan to declare for the 2023 presidency, the group has handed the former president a seven- day ultimatum after Sallah to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and declare his ambition or face over 20,000 youths who will picket his office.


The pro-Jonathan group who turned up in their numbers at a rally in Suleja, Niger state, Wednesday warned that they will not vacate President Jonathan's office if he fails to concede to their demand because the future of Nigerian youths depends on his decision.


Chairman of the group Ibrahim A. Saiki while addressing the media at the rally said, "You may recall that on Friday, 22nd April, 2023, we led over 7,500 members of our Network to ‘a private meeting’ with former President Goodluck Jonathan, urging him to contest the 2023 presidential election.


"While responding to our plea, former President Jonathan urged the youths of Nigeria to get more involved in politics and asked us to "watch out" his next move.



"Since then, the media space has been awash with reactions to ex-President Jonathan's comments, with several persons giving different interpretations. To us in YNNU, what Nigeria needs at this period of our national life is a unifier. That unifier is President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.


"To this end, we have been mandated to, most respectfully, urge President Goodluck Jonathan to immediately progress to pick a membership form of the All-Progressives Congress, APC, from his ward in Otuoke, Bayelsa State, within seven days after Ramadan.


"If at the end of seven days after Ramadan, President Goodluck Jonathan remains undecided, we shall most respectfully repeat our visit to his office for a Second meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan. It should be noted that over 20,000 of our more than 500,000-strong members across the nation have expressed the unreserved desire to participate and encamp at ex-President Jonathan's private office, and we shall remain there for as long as it may take for him to decide.


"In furtherance of our position, we have written President Goodluck Jonathan a letter to this effect, which was acknowledged and received by his office yesterday, April 26th, 2023.


"We earnestly hope that President Goodluck Jonathan fully understands that our future depends on his decision. Therefore, we do not intend to relent in our pursuit of the true desire of Nigerians at this time- which only him can anchor."


Some of the placards been displayed at the rally was emphatic on their demands. They include; 'Jonathan you are wasting our time', 'Maigidan Goodluck Jonathan, our destiny in your hand', 'President Jonathan declare for President Now', 'Goodluck Jonathan You must run', 'We don't care about party, any party is Ok', 'Jonathan run under APC Now' etc.


Also speaking, the secretary of the youth network Jonathan Akumobi and Women Leader, Mrs. Ozi-Bello Sadiq said they have been protesting since morning because they want Jonathan to understand the urgency of their request and the need to answer them without further delay.


According to Akumobi, "Goodluck Jonathan is a custodian of freedom of speech, he is a man with good heart. When he was the president the economy was good, the youths were employed and Nigeria was in the right direction, that is why we are urging him to run."

Posters with messages urging former President Goodluck Jonathan to contest the next presidential elections have flooded the major streets of Abuja, fuelling speculation on the former president's next political move.

The posters bore the simple message "Goodluck Jonathan: You Must Fun" and was splashed on major streets of Abuja, but was mostly concentrated on Blantye Street which houses the national secretariat of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

Interestingly, the posters didn't have the logo or name of any of the political parties. Under the Electoral Act there is no provision for independent candidacy.

Should Jonathan elect to run, he would. According to the law, pitch his tent with any of the several political parties.

Since leaving office in 2015, Jonathan has refrained from participating in political activities in both his home state, Bayelsa, and at the national level. He, however, has been active on the international stage,r representing international organizations like the African Union (AU) and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) mediate in crisis-ravaged countries.

Contacted, Jonathan's spokesman. ikechukwu Eze disassociated the former president from the posters. He. However conceded that his boss has been flooded with inquiries on whether or not he would contest the 2023 presidential election, and on what ticket.

"We are not in any way associated with any campaign posters. Should His Excellency former President Goodluck Jonathan choose to contest, he is eminently qualified to do so.

"After all, in 2015, nobody advised Goodluck Jonathan before he called to concede defeat and congratulate President Muhammadu Buhari. In like manner, nobody should talk of influencing the former president to run or not to run.

"If he's going to run or not, it's a question of time and shall be his personal decision. It is within.the rights of people to pressure him to run. But it is also within his own right to run or not. The fact remains that he is very constitutionally qualified to run", Eze declared.

On March 26, 2022, at the Eagle Square, Abuja, the All progressives Congress (APC) re-invented and enshrined the military regime policy of the past under the administrations of Gen. Ibrahim Babagida and General Sani Abacha by initiating the “consensus candidacy,” which had brought untold hardships to Nigerians and the country to where we are today.

This nomenclature and cliche have been with us for long pretending that it is apt for our internal party democracy where the best of candidate is ditched for a charade or selected appointee against competence and the best is left in the lurch and disregarded for being the best.

It will be suicidal this time around if both APC and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) - the ruling and opposition parties - settle for a consensus candidate at this time in Nigeria's history without the benefit of articulating a vision of how to get the country out from the abyss and current predicament or circumstances allowing few leaders to judge and handpick a select few against internal party mechanism.

Nigeria should as well, settle for national unity government and not waste tax payers money and the electorate's time and energy.

The recent call for consensus arrangement by the PDP and APC has shown that indeed the political class is not ready to move the country to the comity of nations so that Nigerians can enjoy the dividends of democracy.

As the issue of consensus candidacy has been brought to the national discourse and front burner once again, as against internal party democracy where the best qualified acceptable candidate emerges as the flag bearer of any party.

This selective charade of the few of party leadership can bring the foremost black nation on earth to its knees as we're already plagued by unemployment, insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, corruption, nepotism and a whole lot of others.

It is highly reprehensible and regrettable that at this time in our national life as a country leaders are clamouring, making statements and clarion calls for and in support of consensus candidacy, so as to appease a few at the detriment of the nation.

In a statement issued in Abuja by President, Guild of Civil Societies and Media Executives for Equity, Justice and Transparency in Nigeria (GOMEJ), Omoba Kenneth Aigbegbele, emphasized that political parties are the expression of political pluralism, that contributes to the formation and expression of the will of the people and a fundamental instrument for political participation.

Their creation and the exercise of their activities are free and fair in so far as they respect the constitution and the law.

Aigbelegbe said internal structure and operation must be democratic. “Parties should be seen to practise what they preach,and which in turn nurtures political competencies, producing more capable representatives which ensures that the parties produce better policies and political
programmes as well as responsible and accountable leaders," he said.

He maintained that "there’s need to deepen democratic culture in our political parties which makes room for electoral marketplace, free to compete and govern their own internal structures and processes as well as the principle of fair representation which is considered crucial in the relation between voters and the governed."

Aigbelegbe said, "GOMEJ affirms that internal party democracy must have a set of norms that provide a bottom-up approach to forming a decision in the party and the internal distribution of power at different levels, bodies and individuals encompass the internal rules and procedures that give ordinary members greater influence on issues such as candidate selection, leadership selection and policy platform.

"We, therefore, reiterate that the most engaging internal party democracy are inclusive, participatory, deliberate, responsible and fair distribution of responsibilities and powers."

Aigbelegbe insists that political parties’ internal rules should be guided by clarity, transparency, accountability and independence.

As parties contribute to the expression of political opinions and are instruments for the presentation of candidates in elections, regulations of internal party activities can be considered necessary to ensure the proper functioning of a democratic society and not consensus excuse or in whatever guise.

"It is against this background, that GOMEJ rejects consensus candidacy in its entirety as Nigerians also say no to consensus candidacy, as it will bring the country back to Golgotha where selected appointees will be in charge of leadership as against competence and capacity to lead," Aigbelegbe said.
He clarified that "there is a clear need for the leaders of the two prominent parties to jettison this archaic traditions used in the old era of the Roman Empire, so as to move Nigeria forward once and for all.

'The consensus candidacy is seen as self-serving and serving the interest of a few as against nation building and development, but are seen to perpetuate ethnicity, religion, myopic and nepotistic differences by serving interests of a single ethnic group rather than the interest of the country as a whole and, therefore, should be rejected by well-meaning Nigerians.

"The consensus arrangement is seen as undemocratic, as it allows the imposing of a candidate of a few members on others and also allows for succession from godfathers to sons in a democracy which is anti-democratic in all ramifications."

Accordingly, the group's president said that consensus candidacy was breeding bad blood amongst party faithful,
causing disaffection, serious misgivings,

suspicions amongst the leading presidential candidates from both parties and leadership which could in turn split the party, which in itself was very unhealthy for internal party development and growth. The consensus
arrangement would be a total failure; yes agreed, "it is in the electoral act, without adhering to the principles of equity, fairness and justice, it can’t see the light of the day and will fail abruptly and cannot stand the test of time."

GOMEJ agrees that the new Electoral Act stipulates that for any consensus arrangement to be valid all aspirants must agree to it in totality, but what is playing out today is not what is stipulated in the Act as divisiveness, ethnicity and religion have become the order of the day and already taken their toll on the political parties shopping for credible candidates to endorse as against competence and capacity.
The parties, the president said must not toe the line it took in appointing the two leadership of both parties as such would be termed undemocratic by the international community.

GOMEJ further states categorically and unequivocally that there would always be misrepresentation of consensus as if party members were coerced into position not akin to them or position they would rather not take, as such unhealthy practice would breed party suspicion, and the party members and delegates should be allowed to vote for the presidential candidates of their choice during party primaries to enhance internal mechanism so as to deepen democracy. President Muhamadu Buhari had recently given a marching order that all aspirants should go to the field and sell their candidacy to the electorate.

"We hope by marching words with action, consensus arrangement will be disregarded. We advocate that every/all aspirants should test their popularity in the field and support base either in the PDP or APC to seek for votes for any elective position instead of consensus arrangement.

"Consensus arrangement is definitely not democratic, let people go out and vote for their choice as regards who governs them, so that the best candidates will emerge.

"Picking the presidential flag bearer ticket of any party in the 21st century today through consensus we say is totally undemocratic and against nation building and all tenets of democracy."
GOMEJ joins this clarion call and advocacy that consensus candidacy is utopian, undemocratic and should be scrapped, jettisoned.

Party leaders and aspirants should be allowed to campaign for votes to allow the best candidate and competent leader with capacities and programmes to emerge from the ruling party or the opposition, for the sake of equity, justice and fairness.

"We, therefore, join Nigerians to reject consensus candidacy in all its ramifications, as it is undemocratic and will not bring the best hands to lead the country to its promised land."

The concept of consensus candidature was seen by GOMEJ as anti-democratic, capable of eroding political competition to bring out the best and draw the democratic gains so far recorded backwards, as the inclusion of the electoral laws was a set back to the growth of internal party democracy where contestation which was one of the essential ingredients of political activities which consensus arrangement tended to suppress and eliminate.

As Christians mark Easter in commemoration of the cruxifixion, death and resurrection of Christ, President General, Global Peace Movement International, UK, Dr. Mike Uyi, has asked them to emulate the selfless sacrifice Christ made for mankind.

In a statement to mark the event, Uyi asked Christians and non-Christians to show unity, love and sacrifice for the unity and development of our community and the country.

According to him, “As we celebrate the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary for the redemption of mankind, I urge you all to draw inference from the selfless service of Christ" Uyi stated.

He said "it's important that such love that Jesus Christ had for mankind to lay down his life for us is what we must show to one another, irrespective of tribe, status or religion.”

He added that by so doing that Nigeria can grow in peace and attain only meaningful progress in the comity of nations.

The attention of the Ndiezes Igbo and the Igbo Delegates Assembly (IDA) has been drawn to the statement credited to the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige (Onwa) that the Ndiezes in the 19 States of the North and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as well as the Igbo Delegates Assembly (IDA) have endorsed him for 2023 Presidency, at a recent event held at Abuja.

The report made roads in some select newspapers and media platforms Sunday, April 10, 2022, insinuating that the Ndiezes and IDA support his presidential bid. The Ndiezes from the 19 Northern States and the FCT, as well as the IDA want to make a categorical statement that Dr Chris Ngige was never endorsed on any ground whatsoever, as other party chieftains and aspirants like Dr Nwachukwu Anakwenze, also graced the occasion for perceived conversation by the elders, knowing full well that these elders are grounded and have the ears of their people. They graced the occasion to felicitate and rejoice with the Igbo leaders from the 19 States, the FCT and the Diaspora.

Rather, Dr Chris Ngige came to the venue to hold a conversation (and not a specific declaration which was explicitly stated by Ezeudo 1 of Abuja, Dr Uche Egenti in his interview with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) at the venue). Dr Ngige was given this privilege to interact with the Ndiezes, as a well-respected son of the South-East, a former Govenror of Anambra State and current Minister of Labour and Employment. The Ndiezes said they were ready and prepared to co-operate with him as a Minister of the Federal Republic to bring sustainable development to the region and clamour for the South-East Igbo leader for presidency.

The Minister, on his part, said at the event that he was there to share his ideas with them on how to make Nigeria work, and in reciprocity, the Ndiezes said he (Ngige) should remember his people in any endeavour he so desires.

The Ndiezes hereby dissociate themselves from the purported statement credited to Dr Chris Ngige that he was unanimously endorsed by a resolution from the association, which was not so as reported in some select media organs. The President-General of IDA, Chief Chi Nwogu, was also misquoted in the said newspaper reports as he was misrepresented from his speech.

Speaking further at the occasion, Ezeudo 1 of Abuja, Dr Uche Egenti, described the Labour Minister as courageous, but added that the Minister was one of the best sons to come out from the region and as long as he was at the event to share ideas and has not declared for President yet, he should always remember to carry his people along, because “charity begins at home.”

In a press release by the President of Ndieze in the Diaspora, Eze Boniface Ibekwe, the Ndiezes of the 19 Northern States, the FCT and Igbo Delegates Assembly (IDA) are calling on all Nigerians, sons and daughters of the South-East extraction to disregard and discountenance the statement by Dr Chris Ngige as he has not even declared for President, then how can he be endorsed for President by the association? They therefore called for caution to say though Ngige is the son of the South-East and can aspire to any office of his choice, however, at this occasion of exchange of ideas, the association has not made their choice known or endorsed any aspirant for the position of President and therefore calls on the media to always get their facts right before publishing, as the association is focused on the economic and political emancipation of its people in Nigeria and the Diaspora.

The association reiterated that it will make its choice or endorsement of any credible aspirant known at the appropriate time. Meanwhile, the association vehemently maintains that at no point was Dr Chris Ngige endorsed by the Ndiezes or the IDA. A copy of the communique is emphatic and already in the press.

The Court of Appeal Abuja Division on Thursday dismissed the appeal filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) challenging the decision of a Federal High Court which had ordered it to swear-in the Stephen Leo Ntukekpu led Akwa-Ibom State Executive of the party.

The Court presided over by Justice Haruna Tsamani with Justice Ugochukwu Ogakwu and Justice Bature Gafai said the dismissal was based on the application by the Counsel to APC, Niyi Akintola, SAN informing the court of his client’s decision to abide by the judgment delivered by Justice Taiwo Taiwo of the Federal High Court Abuja Division.

He further informed the court that his client, the APC has enforced the judgment of the lower court by swearing in Stephen Leo Nkukekpo as the Akwa-Ibom State Chairman of the party and the other plaintiffs in the judgment of the lower court as the Executive members of the party in the State.

With the dismissal of the appeal it has put to rest the tussle over the leadership of the APC in Akwa-Ibom State.

Counsel to the plaintiffs, Chief Umeh Kalu, SAN did not oppose the withdrawal and like wise Counsel to the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) Umar Farouk, SAN.

Reacting to the judgment the Chairman of the APC in Akwa-Ibom State Stephen Leo Nkukekpo hailed the decision of the APC to withdraw the appeal and enforce the judgment of the lower court by swearing in his Executive members. He also hailed the Appeal Court for dismissing the appeal just as he extended his hands of fellowship to the party members in the state especially the aggrieved ones and urged them to join hands with him to move the party forward with a view to taking over the Akwa-Ibom government House in the 2023 general elections.

The former Secretary of the Caretaker Committee of the Party John James Akpan Udoudehe was at the appeal court for the judgment.

It would be recalled that a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja had on March 17th sacked the Augustine Ekanem led leadership of the APC in Akwa-Ibom State and declared the Stephen Leo Ntukekpo led leadership of the party as the authentic leadership of the APC in the State.

The court presided over by Justice Taiwo Taiwo went ahead to order the party to swear Nkukekpu led Exco of the party.


Justice Taiwo Taiwo had in his judgment held that the inuaguration of the Augustine Ekanem led state EXCO of the party was an act of illegality.

In their stead, the court equally ordered party to swear in Uduakobong Peter Udoh and Uko Obonodo Ini as the state Secretary and woman leader of the state Executive Council.

Justice Taiwo Taiwo made the declaratory orders while delivering judgment in the suit brought against the party, members of the National Caretaker Committee and INEC.
Specifically, the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/635/2021 and filed by Stephen Ntukepo, Uduakobong Udoh and Uko Obonodo Ini, listed the APC, Governor Mai Mala Buni (National Chairman Caretaker/Extra ordinary Convention Planning Committee of APC); Senator John James Akpanudoedehe (Secretary caretaker/Extra ordinary conventional planning committee of the APC) and the INEC.

Justice Taiwo in his judgment declared the plaintiffs as the dully and democratically elected State Executive Committee Officers (EXCO) of the party in Akwa Ibom state.

The court agreed with the submission of counsel to the plaintiffs, Umeh Kalu (SAN), that by the provisions to section 223(1) (a) of the 1999 Constitution, section 85 (3) of the Electoral Act 2010, Article 20 of the APC Constitution and the guidelines for the conduct of the APC state congresses 2021, made pursuant to the party's constitution, "the defendants cannot refuse to recognize the plaintiffs who were dully elected at the APC Akwa-Ibom congress which held in Uyo, Akwa-Ibom state on October 16, 2021, as members of the Akwa-Ibom state Executive Committee of the APC.

That the act of the defendants to replace the plaintiffs who were dully and democratically elected at the party's state Congress, with unelected persons chosen by the defendants.
Justice Taiwo held that the acts of the defendants to replace the plaintiffs with unelected persons contravened sections 223(1)(a) of the constitution, section 85 (3) of the Electoral Act 2010, Article 20 of the APC constitution and the guidelines for the conduct of the APC state Congresses.

That the purported substitution of the plaintiffs as members of the Akwa-Ibom State Executive Committee of the APC, with unelected persons chosen by the 1st to 3rd defendants, and, who did not participate at the state congress of the party held on October 16, 2021 is unlawful and illegal.

An order directing the INEC to deal with only the plaintiffs and no other persons in any form or guise as the dully and democratically elected members of the Akwa-Ibom state EXCO of the APC.

An order restraining the 1st to 3rd defendants or whosoever, however, named from interfering with the functions of the plaintiffs as members of the state EXCO of the APC.

Justice Taiwo noted that " for our democracy to grow, our Constitution must serve as a red card to anyone who wants to derail it to satisfy his personal interest.

He added that " a political party cannot be allowed to act or conduct itself against its own Constitution."

By Sufuyan Ojeifo

Anenih led from the front. He took the bullet for his loyalists. He ministered to their different needs. While many other political leaders were using their privileged positions to fix their children in politics, either through appointive or elective offices, Anenih ensured that his loyalists rather than his children were duly positioned.

In 2007 he rebuffed entreaties from President Olusegun Obasanjo and the Edo State Governor Lucky Igbinedion that he should allow his first son, Tony Anenih Jnr., join the gubernatorial race. Three years later, in 2010, he similarly forced another son, Oseyili Anenih, to abandon his ambition to contest for a House of Representatives seat. It is only a selfless politician with community or kindred spirit that could do rebuff such entreaties.

He believed in building up loyalists to succeed him. The idea was to ensure continuity of group interest. He empowered quite a good number of people in Edo State.

Samplers: Chief Dan Osi Orbih (whose appointment as member of the Board of the NNPC he facilitated in 1999), the late Itotoh whose appointment as minister of state for internal affairs he facilitated in 2003; Elder Odion Ugbesia, whose appointment as minister of solid minerals he facilitated.

He also ensured his nomination and election to the Senate. He almost made Ugbesia the governor of Edo of State in 2007 if not for Obasanjo’s opposition.

Architect Mike Onolenmemen was thrice lucky with Anenih. From being appointed into the Board of committee that wound down the Petroleum Trust Fund, he was nominated and appointed as Minister of State for Defence. It was in 2015 that he got third time lucky as he was nominated by Anenih and appointed as Minister of Works. There were so many others across the state who were endorsed for either elective or appointive positions in Edo state and at the national level.

It just occurred to me recently that so many things are happening in fast paces such that if Anenih were alive, he would have asked me for some briefings and reporting.

On the other hand, I felt that if I were to give a report of political developments in Nigeria to Anenih in a sudden dream encounter, what will I tell him? I certainly will report to him events happening in his “political backyard”.

He would like to know how his political family is faring. He would like to know how steadfast some of the leaders he had empowered and positioned for leadership have been.

I will quickly and in a fast-paced narrative tell him how only Chief Dan Osi Obih has remained steadfast in the battle to save the PDP political family in Edo from being hijacked by some outsiders and meddlesome interlopers. I will tell him that Edo State PDP won the 2019 governorship elections with Governor Obaseki; a feat that should have ordinarily been a cause for joy but one which appears to have divided the party and pitched the new PDP governor against old PDP leadership; a situation eerily similar to Chief Anenih’s own internecine battle with Gov. Osunbor that “handed power over” to Gov. Adams Oshiomole in 2008. I will tell him how every political meeting in Edo Central convened to resolve this crisis starts with solemn confessions that his death created a leadership vacuum no one has yet been able to fill. I will tell him how many of his hitherto trusted loyalists who benefitted largely from his political large-heartedness have turned themselves into political hawks and savages baying for the blood of one of his sons, Oseyili, who has once again ‘dared’ to express interest in contesting for the PDP ticket to represent Esan Northeast/Esan Southeast constituency seat in the House of Representatives. I will tell him the barefaced anti-Anenih sentiments by men he defied all odds to empower. I will also tell him that apart from Dan Orbih, who has proved to be “a political son in deed”, the mantra by other loyalists of yore is “who is Anenih? Everyone for himself and God for us all.”

But I will tell him to take heart; that faced with storms buffeting him from all sides, his son Oseyili has remained unbowed and unbroken. As they say in Esanland: “the son of a lion is a lion”.

All of Anenih’s hitherto loyalists have not considered it appropriate and rational to respect the late dependable political leader even in death by keeping faith with what he stood for. Instead, they are all running around building new structures in promotion of their selfish political interests and in pursuit of their respective ambitions. They do not care if their moves are in direct opposition to the interest of the Anenih family or the wider Esan community.

I had expected that no sacrifices or concessions would be too much to make for the sons of Anenih who seek elective offices, not for their own sakes, but for the sake of the political legacy of their father, who was their pathfinder and benefactor.

This, to me, is the most conscionable way to honour Chief Anthony Akhakon Anenih, the Iyasele of Esan land, a man who was their canon-fodder, in death and for posterity. This is wat will be the crux of my report to the Leader. Sancta simpliciter.

▪︎ Ojeifo contributed this piece from Abuja via ojwonderngr@yahoo.com

By Sufuyan Ojeifo

Anenih led from the front. He took the bullet for his loyalists. He ministered to their different needs. While many other political leaders were using their privileged positions to fix their children in politics, either through appointive or elective offices, Anenih ensured that his loyalists rather than his children were duly positioned.

In 2007 he rebuffed entreaties from President Olusegun Obasanjo and the Edo State Governor Lucky Igbinedion that he should allow his first son, Tony Anenih Jnr., join the gubernatorial race. Three years later, in 2010, he similarly forced another son, Oseyili Anenih, to abandon his ambition to contest for a House of Representatives seat. It is only a selfless politician with community or kindred spirit that could do rebuff such entreaties.

He believed in building up loyalists to succeed him. The idea was to ensure continuity of group interest. He empowered quite a good number of people in Edo State.

Samplers: Chief Dan Osi Orbih (whose appointment as member of the Board of the NNPC he facilitated in 1999), the late Itotoh whose appointment as minister of state for internal affairs he facilitated in 2003; Elder Odion Ugbesia, whose appointment as minister of solid minerals he facilitated.

He also ensured his nomination and election to the Senate. He almost made Ugbesia the governor of Edo of State in 2007 if not for Obasanjo’s opposition.

Architect Mike Onolenmemen was thrice lucky with Anenih. From being appointed into the Board of committee that wound down the Petroleum Trust Fund, he was nominated and appointed as Minister of State for Defence. It was in 2015 that he got third time lucky as he was nominated by Anenih and appointed as Minister of Works. There were so many others across the state who were endorsed for either elective or appointive positions in Edo state and at the national level.

It just occurred to me recently that so many things are happening in fast paces such that if Anenih were alive, he would have asked me for some briefings and reporting.

On the other hand, I felt that if I were to give a report of political developments in Nigeria to Anenih in a sudden dream encounter, what will I tell him? I certainly will report to him events happening in his “political backyard”.

He would like to know how his political family is faring. He would like to know how steadfast some of the leaders he had empowered and positioned for leadership have been.

I will quickly and in a fast-paced narrative tell him how only Chief Dan Osi Obih has remained steadfast in the battle to save the PDP political family in Edo from being hijacked by some outsiders and meddlesome interlopers. I will tell him that Edo State PDP won the 2019 governorship elections with Governor Obaseki; a feat that should have ordinarily been a cause for joy but one which appears to have divided the party and pitched the new PDP governor against old PDP leadership; a situation eerily similar to Chief Anenih’s own internecine battle with Gov. Osunbor that “handed power over” to Gov. Adams Oshiomole in 2008. I will tell him how every political meeting in Edo Central convened to resolve this crisis starts with solemn confessions that his death created a leadership vacuum no one has yet been able to fill. I will tell him how many of his hitherto trusted loyalists who benefitted largely from his political large-heartedness have turned themselves into political hawks and savages baying for the blood of one of his sons, Oseyili, who has once again ‘dared’ to express interest in contesting for the PDP ticket to represent Esan Northeast/Esan Southeast constituency seat in the House of Representatives. I will tell him the barefaced anti-Anenih sentiments by men he defied all odds to empower. I will also tell him that apart from Dan Orbih, who has proved to be “a political son in deed”, the mantra by other loyalists of yore is “who is Anenih? Everyone for himself and God for us all.”

But I will tell him to take heart; that faced with storms buffeting him from all sides, his son Oseyili has remained unbowed and unbroken. As they say in Esanland: “the son of a lion is a lion”.

All of Anenih’s hitherto loyalists have not considered it appropriate and rational to respect the late dependable political leader even in death by keeping faith with what he stood for. Instead, they are all running around building new structures in promotion of their selfish political interests and in pursuit of their respective ambitions. They do not care if their moves are in direct opposition to the interest of the Anenih family or the wider Esan community.

I had expected that no sacrifices or concessions would be too much to make for the sons of Anenih who seek elective offices, not for their own sakes, but for the sake of the political legacy of their father, who was their pathfinder and benefactor.

This, to me, is the most conscionable way to honour Chief Anthony Akhakon Anenih, the Iyasele of Esan land, a man who was their canon-fodder, in death and for posterity. This is wat will be the crux of my report to the Leader. Sancta simpliciter.

▪︎ Ojeifo contributed this piece from Abuja via ojwonderngr@yahoo.com

BY OMOBA KENNETH AIGBEGBELE

According to Aldrin Edwin 1930 -‘the eagle has landed’, Aristotle in 384-322 BC said “every art and every inquiry, and similarly, every action and pursuit, is thought to aim at some good; and for this reason, the good has rightly been declared to be that at which all things aim’. Alcaeus 620-580 BC also said: “Brave men are a City’s Strongest tower of Defence”.

The coming on board of Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, 13 months ago has not only changed the narrative but has made considerable paradigm shift, deconstructed conversations, shaped opinions and rebranded the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), in spite of paucity of funds and the huge challenges he met on ground to reforming the corps into a 21st century civil defence that can be compared to anywhere else with international best practices put in place.

However, with the conceptualization of Abubakar Audi’s “The Civil Defence of our Dreams,” a master plan, to drive home a new mission and vision statement, that will propel the corps to the next phase of transformation, the first of its kind in the annals, the story cannot be said to be the same from the plethora of achievements encompassing development of institutional infrastructure, manpower capacity building of personnel to enhance Espirit- De -Corps of officers and men in terms of high morale, to prompt payment of salaries/emoluments and the establishment and initiation of the Special Female Squad (SFS). The list is endless as the CG is poised to surpass, refocus, reform and reposition the civil defence like never before seen in its entire history.

From a humble beginning, the Commandant General, Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, who is a member of the senior Executive Course 38 of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) Kuru, Jos, holds a doctorate degree in Public Police Analysis, and possesses two master’s degrees to his credit in Public Administration and Law Enforcement and Criminal justice, has redefined his office in terms of professionalizing the civil defence for efficiency and effective service delivery to a transparent, accountable and formidable security outfit in the security architecture of the country.

On assumption of office, he gave marching orders that it was not going to be business as usual and encapsulated a blueprint and master plan on how to transform the Civil Defence to meet the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians by putting square pegs in square holes, reorganizing the management team, the DCGS cadre, ACGs, states commandants, zonal commandants and all other necessary departments for effective dispensation from top to bottom approach to the ranks and file for discipline to be effectively entrenched.

It is instructive to say, that transparency, accountability and professionalism have become and remained at the front burner of Dr. Audi’s transformational philosophy leading to enhanced revenue generation of the Civil Defence on private security companies to the federation coffers unlike previously and surmounting all other achievements of his predecessors in just a few months on the saddle.

Dr. Audi has introduced far reaching institutional reforms that have repositioned the organization for great productivity, efficiency and effectiveness in the delivery of its constitutional role to the country and the safeguard of critical national assets, including life and property across the country, thereby reducing criminal elements.

The introduction of the yearly, quarterly Commandant General’s conference for men and officers of the corps will also go a long way in driving the mandate and keeping the paramilitary organization abreast of what is happening around the globe and also enhance improved service delivery of the corps in reducing criminals and vandals across the country by also improving professionalism of its officers and men as various departments of the DCGs, ACGs, States Commandants will use the opportunity to rub minds, update themselves with the latest development and challenges they encounter on daily basis and also seek for solutions, ways and means to tackle the menace once and for all for the betterment of the organization and nation.

The conference will also afford the CG the opportunity to cross-fertilize ideas with the management team, seek for renewed vigor, extract commitment and technologically driven ways to enhance the corps, dialogue and look for amicable ways to improve the manpower development/ICT, so that the corps can compete globally and give its best to the nation at all times with best practices.

Accordingly, in commemoration of this year’s 2022 International Civil Defence Day (ICDD) and also in celebration of the Commandant General’s first anniversary on the saddle, the CG spoke glowingly about his achievements, challenges and efforts put in place to make the corps more efficient, professionally equipped and more importantly, serve the country on a mandate to be selfless, patriotic and abide by the code of service and extant rule of law.

The Commandant General reiterated that the reforms so far introduced were in line with his vision to reposition and upgrade the operational machinery of the corps for improved performances by embarking on a mission to reorganize and revolutionize the training department of the corps in order to sharpen the skills and competences of the personnel to effectively cope with the challenges of the dangerous developments of insecurity in the country occasioned by the activities of hoodlums, bandits, kidnappers and insurgents.

The CG also emphasized that conscious and concerted efforts have been made to strengthen the capacity and manpower needs of the corps in order to position the personnel to effectively execute the mandate and tackle the challenges of insecurity in the country by embarking on aggressive training and re-training of its personnel, while making staff welfare a top priority and focus which are yielding dividends and fruits as at today.

The establishment of the Special Female Squad (SFS) is not only novel but the first of its kind in its history. In response to the Safe School Initiative of the Federal Government, the NSCDC did an audit and survey of schools in Nigeria, prepared a framework of proactive security measures towards addressing the incessant trend of attacks on schools across the country, including kidnapping and came up with this concept.

As a step in the right direction, the SFS has been mounting surveillance in an around schools while at the same time, making out time to sensitize staff and students by giving them security safety tips and educating them on the need for security consciousness and how and why they need to alert security agencies upon the discovery of strange faces and strange movements within the school environment and communities. The squad is also building collaborations, partnerships and robust relationships with local communities and other relevant stakeholders while also placing surveillance and monitoring as its watchword to checkmate the incidents of violent attacks and kidnappings.

Another major milestone of the present leadership is the recent approval of the Ministry of Interior on the committee to develop a standard curriculum template for the NSCDC training colleges. This feat is significant because it is a process of entrenching career progression for the men and officers of the corps. A 16-member committee headed by the venerable Vice Chancellor of Nasarawa State University, Prof. Suleiman Bala Mohammed was inaugurated, as seasoned professionals were drawn from various academic and professional backgrounds to be part of the think-tank.

Meanwhile, stakeholders across the country and well-meaning Nigerians are applauding the initiative as they all agreed that it is a well though-out initiative and affirmed that training is the life-wire in any organization aimed at improving service delivery, enhancing Its physical structures and the career development of the personnel. As the standard curriculum, the plan of the present leadership is to upgrade, improve and uplift the NSCDC to a world class-standard with the induction at the point of entry of newly enlisted officers acquainting them with standard procedures of operations and career development in the corps, which Indeed, is worthy of emulation.

Nevertheless, with the proactive measures put in place by the leadership to enhance staff welfare and prompt payment of salaries, emoluments and promotions, the staff morale as at today has grown astronomically and the highest in its history.

Also, the Agro-Rangers have been enhanced, well packaged and rebranded, while promotions are based on merit and allowances are paid as at when due, the Agro-Rangers are well deployed to reduce food shortages across the country and boost food security for the betterment of the country as both local and allied investments are also being protected by the Agro-Rangers.

The Commandant General had also established a new department for the effective investigation, monitoring mechanism of the personnel and assets across the country under the Commandant General Intelligence Squad (CGIS), so as to checkmate sharp practices by officers, discipline erring officers and men which also recently led to the disbandment of the anti-vandal unit in Rivers State due to negligence.

The effective supervision and regulation of the Private Guard Companies in Nigeria have become of importance as a strategic mandate of the NSCDC following the numerous security challenges across the country, there is every need to prune the numbers, remove quacks and see to it that it conforms with the laid down procedures by the Federal Government.

The Dr. Audi-led management convened the first ever Chief Executives Summit of the private security companies in the country. It was a two-day summit that also involved the members of the Association of Licensed Private Security Practitioners of Nigeria (ALPSPN) and the management of the corps whose meeting deliberated on the roles of private security organizations and canvassed for their support for the effective regulation by the NSCDC and other security agencies to achieve their mandate and return the country to normalcy in its fight against insecurity.

The CG in the stakeholders’ meeting reiterated the need for a renewed vigor to fight insecurity, end quackery, and he sought their support and cooperation including collaboration to expose unregistered companies for effective monitoring of their operational roles and to also enhance their registration fees and other fees mandated by the Federal Government, for the efficient and effective supervision which have led to improved funds being remitted to the coffers of the country for the first time in history of the corps.

The supervision of the private security companies is indeed breaking new grounds as a revenue generation avenue for the government.

Under the present dispensation, the directorate of legal services has been reinvigorated and strengthened with prosecutorial competence like never before in the prosecution of cases to scale up convictions and make law enforcement easy to deal with offenders of the law.

Just recently, the directorate had a capacity building course for its men and officers drawn from across the country. And also, is the anti-vandal unit of the corps, which has also undergone major reforms for efficient service delivery and is spread across the South-South geo-political zone to reduce the incessant pipeline vandalization, theft of crude oil and the vandalization of critical national assets.

Above 700 suspects had been arrested in the last few months bordering on vandalization and attacks on national assets and infrastructure, cattle rustling, banditry, attacks on farmers and farmlands including illegal mining.

The corps has recorded continuous successes in anti-vandalization drive, protection of critical assets, protection of farmers, supervision and licensing of private security companies, physical security at mining sites, disaster management, mitigation and control, etc.

Consequently, the Commandant General, Dr. Audi, has emphasized inter-agency collaboration, synergy and partnerships as the only way to reduce the challenges of insecurity and called for an all extensive manpower development of the security architecture in the country.

This was stated in his anniversary celebration speech, where he made a clarion call and asked that all hands must be on deck to move the nation forward. He emphasized that “the corps has also continued to enjoy robust collaboration and synergy with the UNDP, among other international bodies for the training and retraining of operatives of the department for efficient and effective service delivery.”

He went further to reiterate that “it is also instructive to inform Nigerians that the corps has produced thousands of Chartered Mediators who have been involved in various cases of mediation across the country and enjoined Nigerians to support the service in the delivery of its mandate to ensure the unity, peace and stability for the growth of the country and called on all Nigerians to endeavor to give information to security agents for intelligence gathering always as the special intelligence squad has been established to take proactive and pragmatic steps to do discrete investigations and intelligence gathering to track down criminal elements, as the squad also provides backup to State’s Special Forces and anti-vandal squad across the country.”


Omoba Kenneth Aigbegbele is of CWAI, GOCMEJ and a Mass Communication Specialist and can be reached on kennethaigbe2@gmail.com