₦airaland Forum

*2023: Presidential hopefuls from northern Nigeria edging southerners in online engagement*

_As Atiku Abubakar, Olawepo Hashim tops quarterly report_

The social media engagement report by Abuja based digital research and communication outfit, Grand Plan has rated Former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and former presidential candidate, Gbenga Olawepo Hashim as online most engaging presidential hopefuls in the country.

The quarterly report, which was released over the weekend also revealed that, apart from the advocacy of Southern Governors Forum demanding for zoning to the south, presidential hopefuls from the region are not doing enough to engage the populace, unlike their counterpart from the north, who are aggresively communicating with the people, noting that the top four (4) most engaging presidential hopefuls are from the north.

The social media engagement quarterly report by Grand Plan is the aggregation of social media engagements of political leaders in the two major political parties, the All Progressive Congress (APC) and People's Democratic Party (PDP), especially those seeking to take over from president Muhammadu Buhari after his second term in office.

In a statement by the Executive Director of Grand Plan, Mr Abdulrazaq Hamzat, social media engagement report pays special attention on the online activities of political leaders in Nigeria and the quarterly report is the combination of the monthly social media engagements of potential presidential hopeful in the country.

"Aspirants from the northern part of the country occupied the top 4 spots in report, while those from the south are trailing, indicating low online public engagement by aspirants from southern part of the country in both ruling APC and opposition PDP".

"The low engagement level of politicians from southern part of the country is strange, considering the growing advocacy for power shift to the region, especially by Southern Governor's Forum", Hamzat said.

Former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and a former presidential candidate, Gbenga Olawepo Hashim are the two most engaging political leaders in Nigeria for the past three (3) months.

Atiku Abubakar of the opposition People's Democratic Party (PDP) emerged top, while Gbenga Olawepo Hashim of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) came second in the quarterly report.

Since the commencement of the monthly social media engagement report 3 months ago, Atiku Abubakar has won the top position twice in August and September, being the only one aspirant to do so, while Gbenga Olawepo Hashim has won the top position once, in the month of July.

Atiku Abubakar has a convincing lead, with 460,000 engagement in the last 3 months, while Gbenga Olawepo Hashim has 328,400 engagement.

Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki emerged third in social media engagement in this quarter, with 292,500 engagement despite falling to 4th position in the September report, followed by Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, who emerged 4th with 141,000 engagements in the quarter, as well as emerged second most engaging for the month of September.

While Atiku Abubakar, who emerge top mostly focused on social activities and engagement all through the quarter, Olawepo Hashim on the other hand, mostly put searchlight on governance issues, ranging from economy, national unity, security, foreign affairs, job creation, education etc.

Also, Vice president of Nigeria, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, Chairman of Nigeria's Governor's Forum and Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi and other presidential hopefuls from the south trailed their northern counterpart.

Professor Yemi Osinbajo emerged most engaging presidential hopeful from the South, with over 109,000 engagements, followed by Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State with 52,400 engagements, both of whom were trailing Gbenga Olawepo Hashim and Gov Yahaya Bello in the ruling party.

A glance at Olawepo Hashim's online page in the past three months will prepare readers for real engagement on key governance issues affecting the country and the direction his government would take if elected can be easily deduced and adequately engaged.

The same cannot be said of other presidential hopefuls.

Following ban on popular micro blogging platform, twitter few months ago, Nigerian politicians have become more active on Facebook and most of them have made the platform their preferred medium of communication with the people and this report is based on Facebook engagement.

Facebook is the most popular social media platform in the world, with over 2.8 billion users. It is also by far, the most popular social media platform in Nigeria with over 65% control.

While there are over 104 million internet users in Nigeria, only 33million of them are on social media with Facebook, having over 30% of the total internet users and more than 95% of social media users, with its over 31 million Facebook users in Nigeria, some of whom also uses other social media platforms such as Instagram, Snapechat, tiktop etc.

Data on each of the candidates’ were realistic because “Facebook represents the broad spectrum of voters who will vote in 2023.”

Increasing engagements imply voters’ growing
interest in the candidates while a decreasing result reflects voters’
disenchantment.

Contrary to popular belief which claimed that suspended microblogging platform, Twitter is the platform for youths in the country, available records show that, Facebook still remains the dominant social media platform for young adults.

65 percent of Facebook users are under the age of 35, which means that they fall under the age demographic of Millennials and Generation Z. It is also important to note that, between 25 to 34 year olds accounted for 32.5 percent of Facebook users, whereas just 2.9 percent of users were aged between 55 and 64 years old.

End

https://www.legit.ng/1437227-2023-presidential-hopefuls-northern-nigeria-edging-southerners-online-engagement.html

*Kwara Must Change urges state audit office to expand methodology on citizens accountability report*

_Seek further explanation on audit terms_

A leading Pro Democracy Group in Kwara State, Kwara Must Change has aknowledged the Kwara State Government's effort in improving government accountability through transparency and open governance.

The group particularly commended the state audit office for its citizens accountability report, which gives details of income, expenditure, progress, infraction aswell as areas without findings, such as assets, aids and grants, investment etc.

In a statement by Convener of Kwara Must Change, Abdulrazaq Hamzat, the group noted the impressive increase in capital expenditure in the year 2020 from 59% to 71% and reduction of recurrent expenditure from 41% to 29%, which indicated government's priority in capital projects, particularly those nominated by citizens during the pre budgetary citizens engagement.

Kwara Must Change also explained that, it takes special notice of the observed infractions against financial regulations in the report, adding that the group would take up the matter with appropriate government offices.

According to Hamzat, "infractions against financial regulations by government institutions as noted in the citizens accountability report should not be allowed to become a norm in the state because our priority is to get Kwara to become the most transparent state in the country, away from its current 3rd position and the group would be engaging government on these issues in coming weeks.

While it aknowledged the clarification of the auditor general, Mr Adeyeye Omoniyi Samuel that most of the observed infractions have been rectified, those information are not contained in the citizens accountability report it published and public can only react to the report as it is.

Hamzat maintained that, Kwara Must Change's focus is to encourage and strengthen existing institutions to carry out their institutional mandate inline with their establishment act and collaborate with them to build self correctional methods, should we observe any deficiency in their operations.

Kwara Must Change also seek clarifications from the state audit office over items such as assets, performance guarantee, investment, aids and grants etc which it describes as , "no findings".

"Kwara Must Change would like the state audit office to explain what it meant by "no findings" as contained in those items on the report, asking if the "no findings" coinage means unavailable information or lack of any observation in the administration of its processes".

Kwara Must Change concluded by requesting that the state audit office expand its methodology and accountability surveillance beyond the Ministries alone, but to include agencies under them, through direct engagement.

It added that, state audit office should engage agencies under the Ministries directly to ensure they are not only strengthened, but also functioning independently in line with their establishment act, carrying out their implementation processes optimally and administring their budgets inline with the laid down proceedures.

End

https://www.facebook.com/932061520288898/posts/1884641451697562/

AT 61, GREATNESS STILL WITHIN REACH FOR NIGERIA!
By Gbenga Olawepo Hashim

On October 1st 1960, the Union Jack flag of the British Empire was lowered and replaced by a green and white flag, designed by Taiwo Akinwunmi at Independence Square in Lagos. Princess Alexandra of Kent, the official representative of Queen Elizabeth of England, handed over Nigeria’s symbol of Independence to the Nation's first Indigenous speaker of Parliament, Jaja Nwachukwu.

Though since 1955, Indigenous leaders have governed the three regional governments of Nigeria, leading to greater economic and social transformation than almost a century of colonial rule delivered, it was on October 1st 1960 that power was transferred at the centre to a parliament comprising indigenes.

The hope and optimism of that season was captured by the first elected Prime Minister of Nigeria, Alhaji Tafawa Balewa, who spoke better English than most British, "I promise you we shall not fail for want of determination and we come to this task better equipped than many" Tafawa Balewa's velvet voice rang.

The Prime Minister’s speech was not an empty boast. Within 5 years of limited self-government, the black Indigenous rulers of Nigeria had built more educational institutions, hospitals, industries, and created jobs than the British rulers did in about 100 years of colonial rule. Production of vaccines to cope with outbreak of diseases was not a challenge for them as they continued to maintain the Yaba Vaccine Production Centre that not only served Nigeria but many African countries as well. Nigeria had a prosperous economy diversified and comparable to her peers, like Malaysia and Thailand, as well as a comparable Per Capita Income (PCI).

Those momentums of greatness were punctured by a tragic military coup in January 1966, led by Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu. They killed Balewa and other leaders, leading to two counter coups, lacking in political management skills. The military in government plunged the country into a civil war, distorted the Country's Federalism and mismanaged the economy in its adventure in politics, which aside the 4 years of civil rule (between 1979 and 1983), lasted till 1999.

Since the return to democracy, the nation has struggled to shake off the ruinous effects of prolonged military rule that suspended the momentum of development recorded from 1955 to 1966. While the telecommunications sector has expanded, the country has however seen the near death of industrialization. An educated Nigerian diaspora community has emerged, contributing over 26 billion US Dollars in 2019 in remittances, which is a billion US dollars more than receipt from oil, Nigeria's major export. While the country's citizens abroad are becoming more educated, there is growing illiteracy at home. To an extent, the country is recording up to 10 million out-of-school children according to UNICEF figures.

At the security front, Nigeria is facing new challenges proving tough for a country that has once been a helper to nearby countries like Liberia, Sierra Leone, Sudan and Congo in achieving stability and peace. The challenges of the country are, however, surmountable, if the nation’s polity reconnects with the ideological and moral rectitude that galvanized development between 1955-1966, and if updated on modern precepts and new realities.

Politics has to be driven by developmental issues of economics, access to health and education, plans for industrialization, security, jobs, reform of decaying ethical and social values, political accountability and inclusiveness. Greater patriotism, tolerance, maturity and political accommodation are necessary, as exhibited by political leaders of the Independence era, who despite youthful ages resolved complex divisive issues in the National interest by working out political compromises.

The promise of Nigeria's greatness is within reach, it is still the nation with the biggest economy in Africa. A 2015 PWC forecast based on GDP projection predicts Nigeria could be the 14th largest economy in the world by 2050 ahead of Spain, Canada, Italy, Portugal and many European nations. We can surpass the projection if we overcome our internal divisions, fix electricity distribution, the weakest link in the electricity sector, focus more on industrialization and emerging cyber market where Nigeria has the advantage of been the 6th largest user(country) of Internet users in the world and take part more as content creator.

We can make regulations of infrastructure investment more investor-friendly. We can afford a bit more decentralisation in policing, to states and local government, as well as other areas of control, over economic activities that can galvanize production, resolve divisive issues like who should collect VAT and how should it be shared. Our nation's future is brighter than bleaker, but we need to get some things under control-and it must be now!

Happy Independence Friends!

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=394966545520909&id=100050227010971

THE WAR OVER VALUE ADDED TAX: THE FACTS AND THE FICTIONS
By Olawepo Hashim

The current controversy over who should collect Value Added Tax (VAT) between States and Federal Government is the latest mud thrown into Nigeria’s political water in an attempt to muddle the water more.

Those who have managed the information about the VAT wars have created the impression that the present distribution benefits the Northern States more than the Southern States. They try to make it look like the VAT is part of the “hegemonic domination” of the North.

Many commentators hardly look at the data before they hit their keyboards online. Many swallowed hook line and sinker very obvious lies.

From available data published in Vanguard Newspaper of 18th September, 2021, apart from Lagos, Rivers and Abuja who benefit from the fact that they host the headquarters of major economic, political and oil related institutions, most States apart from Oyo State are doing badly in VAT generation and a lot of Southern States are woeful. Most States, whether they are in the North or South are doing badly in production of goods and services except for Lagos, Rivers, Oyo, Kano and Kaduna States. The present centrally collected VAT which is then distributed subsidises everybody.

In comparison to Eastern States, States such as Kaduna, Kano and Katsina are doing better than Abia, Anambra, Imo, and Enugu. Based on available data reproduced below, in the past eight months, total VAT generated in Abia was N2.290b, Anambra -N5.938b, Imo -N1.941 compared to Kaduna -N18.262b and Kano -N24.492b.

Conversely, when it came to distribution, Nnamdi Kanu’s Abia State got N20.020B for generating N2billion, yet he wants to leave Nigeria that is “oppressing” him. Abia got 10 times what it contributed whereas Kaduna and Kano did not get as much as twice what they contributed. Lagos, Rivers and Oyo got lower.

Interestingly, Ebonyi where the Governor is more supportive of national integration is infact the State that generated more VAT in the South East, possibly owing to the activities of mining related industries.

A major fact showing in the data is also that regions who have been fortunate to benefit from the industrialization policies of fore-sighted leaders during the period of independence tend to do well today in VAT collection and Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). Such States as Oyo, Ogun, Lagos that benefitted from Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s industrialization policy between 1955-1960 stand out. Likewise, even though some of the industries are now moribund, but we see evident success of the industrialization policies of the NPC government in the period of limited self government and country's Independence in States like Kaduna and Kano, with some spillover effects in Jigawa and Katsina. It is curious that despite the insurgency challenges, Yobe generated more VAT than Enugu and Anambra respectively. As a matter of fact Kano's VAT generation is bigger than that of all the 5 Eastern States put together.

We are talking economic history and analysing economic data, not ethnic passion and propaganda. The VAT issue is not a South versus North thing. Whatever formula that will be worked out in future must be with the objective of bringing benefits to all Nigerians in all States and challenging States to make industrialization their priority as well as agricultural production and processing. We need a VAT collection and distribution system that will benefit ALL.

https://www.facebook.com/100050227010971/posts/392987769052120/

Olawepo Hashim is right, everybody should aspire, but only the best should win

2023: You don’t have power to zone presidency, Olawepo-Hashim tells parties

AHEAD of the 2023 general elections, former Presidential Candidate and a chieftain of the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC, Mr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has cautioned against the rising bickering over which region should produce the President, saying political parties have no power to zone elective offices.


Noting that the bickering is adding a fodder to the raging flames of instability in the polity, he said, “while we recognise the freedom of expression of every Nigerian, utmost care is needed now more than ever before not to complicate the delicate situation of the country by pitching one section of the country against another.”

READ ALSO: Mailafia: We’ve lost a great Nigerian – Olawepo-Hashim
Arguing that it is the constitutional right of every Nigerian who meets the qualification criteria to stand for elective office regardless of their ethnic descent or religious persuasion, he said: “Any politician that wants to contest to be President from wherever can jolly well jump into the ring, there is no need to continuously blackmail the country by hiding under ethnic nationality groups. While political parties can zone party offices they have no power to zone elective offices. There is no need to split hot air over this any further,” he said.

He also maintained that whatever hue and cry that were raised in the past about a section of the country been excluded from being President has been settled by our experience since the return to democracy in 1999, adding that “of the 22 years since 1999, the nation has seen 14 years of President from Southern origin -Obasanjo’s 8 years and Jonathan’s 6 years. When Buhari by the grace of God ends his tenure in 2023, we would have seen Presidents of Northern origin for 10 years. This should be enough to lay to rest the divisive arguments about power rotation.“

Olawepo-Hashim cautioned: “While we recognise the freedom of expression of every Nigerian, utmost care is needed now more than ever before not to complicate the delicate situation of the country by pitching one section of the country against another. This will be pouring gasoline into a raging inferno.

“If we allow ethnic nationality groups prompted by different factions of the political elites to continue to drive the debate on our future, we shall soon arrive at 350 confusing pathways as Nigeria is made up of 350 ethnic groups.”

“The other day, I saw a video of people speaking that even if the Yorubas are to produce a President, it cannot be from Ogun-Lagos axis again after Awo, Obasanjo, Abiola, Shonekan, Diya, Osinbajo and so on and so forth. This is what you get if you yield the polity to ethno-religious tantrums.”


He argued that power rotation argument is always emotive and tears nations apart. “This is exactly what led to genocide in Rwanda causing the killing of 800,000 souls and same thing that ignited the collapse of Yugoslavia to an extent that virtually every county wanted to become a country,” he added

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2021/09/2023-you-dont-have-power-to-zone-presidency-olawepo-hashim-tells-parties/amp/

It’s illegal for political parties to zone presidency -Olawepo-Hashim

A former Presidential candidate and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has cautioned the party against increasing the level of bickering within its ranks by dabbling into the zoning debate.

He explained that, while it is within the party’s powers to zone party offices, it lacks the power to do the same on the issue of which zone should produce the president come 2023.

This was contained in a statement titled, “2023: Political parties don’t have power to zone elective offices – Olawepo- Hashim,” which he signed in Abuja, on Wednesday.

He said, “While we recognise the freedom of expression of every Nigerian, utmost care is needed now more than ever before not to complicate the delicate situation of the country by pitching one section of the country against another.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/punchng.com/its-illegal-for-political-parties-to-zone-presidency-olawepo-hashim/%3famp

BICKERING OVER 2023, ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.

Yesterday, the bickering over which region should produce the President in 2023 made the major headlines, adding a corrosively divisive ting to an already badly fractured polity.

While we recognise the freedom of expression of every Nigerian, utmost care is needed now more than ever before not to complicate the delicate situation of the country by pitching one section of the country against another. This will be pouring gasoline into a raging inferno. Nigeria is technically at war in the North East, North West and some parts of North Central Zone. Hundreds of thousands of lives, including that of children are already lost, millions are displaced, economy and livelihood disrupted. What is needed now are conversations that can help national cohesion, not ones that will further tear the country apart.

We need the unity of the country to confront our security challenges, as well as the economic challenges confronting most Nigerians. Where the President comes from and his or her religious persuasion are irrelevant.

If we allow Ethnic nationality groups prompted by different factions of the political elites to continue to drive the debate on our future, we shall soon arrive at 350 confusing pathways as Nigeria is made up of 350 ethnic groups.

The other day, I saw a video of people speaking that even if the Yorubas are to produce a President, it can not be from Ogun, Lagos axis again after Awo, Obasanjo, Abiola, Shonekan, Diya, Osinbajo and so on and so forth. This is what you get if you yield the polity to ethno religious tantrums.

Nigeria is a modern State, not an ethnic Federation. Its subnational component are States and Local Governments and her primary focus is citizenship rights not regional and ethnic charters.

What ever hue and cry that were raised in the past about a section of the country been excluded from being President (assuming the claims were correct) has been settled by our experience since 1999 return to democracy. Of the 22 years since 1999, the nation as seen 14 years of President from Southern Origin -Obasanjo's 8 years and Ebele Jonathan's 6 years. When Buhari by the Grace of God ends his tenure in 2023, we would have seen Presidents of Northern origin for 10 years. This should be enough to lay to rest the divisive arguments about power rotation.

Power rotation argument is always emotive and it tears Nations apart; exactly what led to genocide in Rwanda causing the killings of 800,000 souls and same thing that ignited the collapse of Yugoslavia to an extent that virtually every county wanted to become a country.

Any politician that wants to contest to be President from wherever can jolly well jump into the ring, there is no need to continously blackmail the country by hiding under ethnic nationality groups. While political parties can Zone party offices they have no power to zone elective offices. It is the constitutional right of every Nigerian who meets the qualification criteria to stand for elective office regardless of their ethnic descent or religious persuasion. There is no need to split hot air over this any further.

What Nigeria needs are conversations that can strengthen National unity, inspire hope for Peace, Security and Prosperity.

Enough is Enough!

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=389158909435006&id=100050227010971

WATCH WHAT COMES OUT OF YOUR MOUTH- Olawepo Hashim caution Nigerians

Spoken words are powerful; to make or mar destinies of people, as well as the future of Nations. The Bible says, "From the fruit of the mouth a man's stomach is filled; with the harvest from their lips, they are satisfied. The tongue has the power of life and death; those who love it will eat its fruit." (Proverb 18:20-21)

At the height of the security challenges of Nigeria, which is still raging but been better managed. At the place of worship, the spirit of God led us to make some declarations for peace and prosperity over Nigeria, we did and received the assurances of a soon coming prosperity and peace. Some of our followers who shared in our faith have been bold to declare the words.

Two weeks ago, a supposed Christian, obviously an unbeliever took one of our followers to task over his prophetic declarations that "Nigeria will rise again". The offended doubter commented it will not be in his own lifetime. That is a dangerous statement to utter. In 2nd Kings, Elisha prophesied restoration within 24 hours for Samaria and a certain politician, who stood against the word paid dearly. Turn around came to Samaria within the predicted time without the doubter. (2 Kings 7:18-20).

Speak circumspectly because words are spirits. Jesus said, the words that I speak are spirits and they are life (John 6:63). If you must speak, say positive things. If you do not understand a matter, it will be more profitable to keep quiet because our words are powerful.

Happy Sunday friends!
Gbenga Olawepo Hashim

*TEN TAKE-OUTS FROM GOH ARISETV INTERVIEW*

*Zoning*
1. Every region where you have politicians must have good argument. The North Central has also made a simple argument that it has not produced a President or a Vice President through the democratic ballot since independence.

2. Where I stand is that the President Nigeria needs in 2023 is a President that will unite the country; that will bring peace and rapprochement; that will grow the economy so that every Nigerian can have a sense of security and prosperity. And it is this national consensus that I will be interested in promoting.

3. Every Nigerian can have a fair chance to become the President if you construct a national consensus around your programme

4. Democracy has worked without zoning; and can still work now

*Equity and Justice*
5. The best defence for equity and justice is still democracy. There are about 350 ethnic groups in Nigeria, and if you want to follow the zoning argument, each one of them would have to have a shot at the Presidency.

*Federalism*
6. What make sense most is to look at what makes the Center too attractive and too domineering, and check it. That is what I call decentralisation, which means giving more powers to the sub-national components of the federation, and that is talking about the States and Local Government.

7. Decentralisation of Power will achieve more equity and justice than zoning. I have never seen zoning works in the whole world. The last country that tried zoning, Yugoslavia, is no more, and that was what led to the bloodshed in Rwanda.

*Steam for 2023*
8. There is a lot of consensus going on in the North Central and what I see is that we have always been part of efforts to build a national consensus and a united Nigeria.

The whole Nigeria is my constituency, but we will address the issue properly when my party, the APC, comes out with its schedule of election

*Unity and Heritage*
9. Naturally I see myself as a unifying factor. Look at it: Half of my family are Muslims, while half are Christians; half of my parentage are Hausa, while the other half are Yoruba. I have no choice but to unite everybody, that is what God made me to be. It is not my creation, it is what God did and I have to thank him for that.

*North Central Vs South East*

10. I have always believe that the most competent person should be put forward at any time. Any zone can put up argument on why it should be its turn, but I am going to be persuaded by your building a consensus around your methods, tactics and programmes that will stabilize and unite the country.
Even in 1999, when a lot of people thought that we should move the presidency ot the South West, I was rooting for Abubakar Rimi from the North West and until we had a collective decision in our group to support Obasanjo, I stayed by our decision.


https://www.facebook.com/100050227010971/posts/385904906427073/

*Why are critics of APC now joining the party?*

A friend concerned about the ongoing wave of decamping to APC, especially after the announcement of the decamp of Femi Fani Kayode today, posed the question to me.

"Why are people decamping to APC, even when they have disagreed with some people or policies of the party over the years?"

And I gave my honest response.

It is because APC remains Nigeria's best chance at securing Nigeria and protecting the corporate integrity of the country as the ruling government, while PDP is not only confused, but tacitly supporting anarchist advocacy that may deny us all a country.

Every wise citizen knows that, we must have a country first, before talking about rights, economy or politics.

Unfortunately, PDP only sees politics that is far disconnected from the reality of the country.

If the ruling government is not supported and given all the advice and moral support it requires, and the country is pushed into anarchy, we can only imagine what that would be like.

The poverty or insecurity we are currently witnessing will be like just testing the microphone and such situation is better avoided.

So, irrespective of personal reservation, all well meaning Nigerians are joining APC to offer ideas that can salvage the country to the ruling government.

You may want to ask, can't people offer the idea while being in the opposition party?

Of course they can, but because the opposition party has been highly irresponsible, doesn't seems to be in tune with reality and unable to separate politics from threat to national preservation, every idea from such entity cannot be trusted by the government.

So, those who genuinely have something to offer, in terms of ideas that can help the country are moving to the ruling party so that they can effectively communicate their ideas and it would be viewed with objective mindset.

Since they are no more in opposition party to capture power at all cost, their ideas will be fair, balance and Al encompassing.

Pic

*Ipob must renounce violence, as Olawepo Hashim urges FG to free Nnamdi Kanu*


A cheiftain of ruling All Progressive Congress and former presidential candidate, Mr Gbenga Olawepo Hashim has called on the federal government to consider releasing all seperatist agitators, including Nnamdi Kanu, as president Muhammadu Buhari initiate measure to restore peace in South East.

The business man also said that the condition for such action would be for the agitators to renounce all kind of violence, noting that violence will always produce a bad result.

Full statement

GPMB’s VISIT TO IMO AND THE OPPORTUNITY FOR PEACE AND RAPPROCHEMENT

On Thursday 9th of September, three Nigerians emerged on top at the occasion of the visit of president Muhammadu Buhari to Owerri, President Mohammadu Buhari (GCFR), the host, Governor Hope Uzodinma, and the President of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Ambassador George Obiozor. The visit was a risky bet for the trio. For PMB, I am not sure he expected everyone to roll out their drums for him, but he received a vast crowd of party supporters who are his political troops in the South East.

He made the right statement, clad in Igbo attire, and not cutting the picture of the conqueror of the Igbos that some had painted him in. He delivered it straight and simple: the Igbos have no reason to be out of Nigeria and Nigeria needs the enterprising input of Ndigbo.IPOB by her sit- at- home order which was effective in the streets proved they were on ground.

Governor Uzodinma did the good work of a facilitator to set the stage and has won for himself a huge seat as a peacemaker. George Obiozor, an experienced diplomat, who had once headed the Nigeria Institute for International Affairs (NIIA) and was Nigeria’s representative to United Nations after a distinguished diplomatic career, lived to his billing. He spoke the way elders should speak, making demands without being rude. We cannot take it away from the critics of APC Government that they will have their own interpretation of the speeches, but the impact of this visit cannot be diminished. We have been presented with the opportunity for peace in the South East, given the true window for rapprochement between belligerent forces and the sovereign representatives of a Federal State. This has opened the stage for the re-set of relationships.

The elders of Igbo land know better what war means than the young men who have only read it in books and watched it in movies. They know that is not a direction to face. I have been to testy spots in the world such as the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) Demarcation line at Pan Mun Jom, between North and South Korea, in a solidarity March with Lim Su-kyung in July 1989. She was a South Korean student leader then, who was known as a flower for reunification at the 13th World Festival of Youth and Students, held in Pyongyang, North Korea. I attended as one of delegates of All-Africa Student Union (AASU). On our way down, we saw first-hand evidence of the carnage of the Korean war and the aftermath. Nuclear arsenals pointing towards the two Koreas and the dividing army of a superpower United States. At any mistake, hundreds of thousands can evaporate in seconds, including the solidarity marchers.

The second time I visited similar spot was in Syria, before the war broke out, and it was the funeral of Hafez al-Assad “the lion of the dessert”, who is the father of the current Syrian president. I was on the delegation of the Federal Government, led by the then Foreign Affairs Minister Sule Lamido. From the airport where we were picked to the hotel, we saw mourners crying in the streets, in their thousands, in unison, mourning their departed hero. In the evening, the Nigerian Ambassador to Syria, Ambassador Abdul Ganiyu, came to give us some briefing that the wailing should not sway us on the streets. He added Damascus was tense and that several things have happened in Damascus capable of leading to war.

In the morning, they gathered all Foreign visitors in a hall to pay our respect to Hafez al-Assad. To my left was Robin Cook, former British Foreign Secretary, and to my right was Benazir Bhutto, former Prime Minister of Pakistan. The rest is history. How I wish there was a power on Earth capable of acting on Ambassador Abdul Ganiyu’s warning, as it would have spared Syria millions of deaths.
Thank God for elders like Obiozor leading Ndigbo now and a sensible Governor as Uzodinma and with the disposition of president Muhammadu Buhari, there is a genuine opportunity for peace in the East.

We can expect the mechanism already created by the facilitators to include an agenda for discussion of all items that may lead to the release of the unidentified youths from detention, which I believe includes Nnamdi Kanu. The state, through the attorney general, has the power of nolle prosequi for crimes in the intent of peace and stability. I guess one condition for peace will be for the youths to renounce violence, as every self-respecting government will make that a condition. This is the route we need.

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