₦airaland Forum

Wike Versus Dakuku: Brain Versus Brawn

The road is narrow for one’s enemies. Whether this Chinese saying is more appropriate for Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State or his committed critic, Dakuku Peterside, remains to be seen. What is all too obvious at this point is that neither Wike nor Peterside is letting the other ride over their head.

It has been a very interesting week starting with the publication of Ovation boss Chief Dele Momodu on his ‘Close Encounters with Gov Nyesom Wike.’ A riveting litany of observations, to be sure, but chances are that even Chief Momodu did not expect the fierce responses he got, particularly from the immediate past DG/CEO of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dakuku Peterside.
In his rejoinder, the former NIMASA boss argued that Momodu had been deceived on all counts. He borrowed statistics from domestic and international sources to show that Wike has done less than nothing by way of commendable projects in Rivers and has only mastered the art of splashing his name on projects that former administrations almost completed.

Then came a well-known critic of Peterside, Igo Aguma, and he let the former NIMASA boss have it. Then Wike got personally involved, dragging the coverage of NTA and AIT behind him to offload a dump of figurative spittle on Peterside. As some folks have concluded, Wike has resorted to using brawns while Peterside sticks with his intellectual guns. Who will knock the other out? Who else will join the party? We’ll see.

https://newscrystal.com.ng/wike-versus-dakuku-brain-versus-brawn/

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Ordinance Emeji has lauded Nigeria’s Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi over his recent achievement in the railway sector.
Emeji praised Amaechi for successfully completing the Warri-Itakpe rail corridor, Emeji in his statement described the Honourable Minister of Transportation as the best in President Muhammadu Buhari’s Cabinet, Emeji also used the opportunity to remember Amaechi’s developmental strides in Rivers States. See statement below:

THE PHYSICAL CHANGE YOU CAN SEE IN TRANSPORTATION SECTOR IN NIGERIA!!
His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi CON, The Hon. Minister For Transportation is a man that has so much passion for infrastructural development.
Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi is replicating what he did in Rivers State during his administration as the Governor of Rivers State in the Transport Ministry. He was able to transform Rivers State and set a good precedence that still speaks volumes till date. He has gradually changed the face of Railway Transportation in Nigeria and has given Nigerians hope that they can travel safely from one state to the other without any hitch. He has proven with all reasonable doubt, that he is a man that can be trusted with any position and will deliver positively.
The ministry of Transportation has transformed tremendously because of the effort the Honourable Minister has put. There is no day you won’t see the ministry on the headline news for one project or the other, I can categorically state, with all sense of Responsibility, and without mincing words that Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi is the best Minister in President Buhari’s Cabinet. Recall that when Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi took over as the Governor of Rivers State, he stated that Rivers State money will be used to develop the state and won’t be shared among people and that’s exactly what he did in the state. His infrastructural developments across Rivers State is second to none. In every nooks and crannies of the state, you will see one of his project. There is no community in Rivers State that will say they didn’t benefit from his Administration, be it health care facility, Primary schools, quality road project to mention but a few. In Line with the Change mantra of the ruling All Progressive Congress ( APC ) in Nigeria and the developmental strides of President Buhari, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi has been able to make the face of Transportation Ministry to change to what it is now. Recall that last year, the Honourable Minister received some accolades from the Chinese Civil Engineering Construction Company ( CCECC ) and was presented an award for a Job well done and for also keeping his promises and bargain with them. Mr Xia Lijan who is the Project Manager of CCECC said this in Lagos that “Amaechi has without doubt demonstrated Leadership skills in championing the construction of the railway project.”
He went further to state that “from the track laying works, to the Production of beams in the Lagos-Ibadan Project, the minister has confirmed with the contract agreement and demonstrated honesty in totallity.”
Rt. Hon chibuike Rotimi Amaechi’s outstanding Performance in the Ministry of Transportation is incomparable. That was why Governor El Rufai of Kaduna State said “He is the best Minister of Transportation the country has ever had. No Minister of Transportation has achieved what Amaechi has achieved in difficult circumstances”.
Let me specially congratulate President Buhari and the Honourable minister of Transportation for the successful completion of Itakpe – Warri rail line.
“Doing the best at this moment puts you in the best place for the next moment.”

Oprah Winfrey

Ordinance Odinakachi Emeji

President Muhammadu Buhari has asked Festus Keyamo, minister of state for labour and employment, to proceed with the execution of the special public works progamme.
Senior presidential sources confirmed the president’s directive on the programme to TheCable.

Keyamo had come in collision with the national assembly over the legislature’s insistence on dictating the process of the programme.
The national assembly committee on labour suspended the programme in the heat of its face-off with the minister.

At a meeting in June, members of the committee were near fisticuffs with the minister who was walked out of the event .
But Keyamo accused the committee of seeking to hijack the programme and to appropriate some job slots to themselves.
He also accused the national assembly committee of challenging the president by its action.
He said the legislators acted beyond their powers .
TheCable understands Keyamo met with the president and reeled off his encounter with the national assembly over the programme.
The president was said to be furious, bemoaning the national assembly’s knack for meddling in matters on the purview of the executive.
He asked the minister to proceed with the execution of the programme and to ensure it is conducted ”strictly according to existing laws”.
He also asked the director-general of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) to halt any alternative plan on the programme with the national assembly committee.
TheCable also understands that Abubakar Malami, attorney-general of the federation (AGF), has written to the national assembly asking it to stay within the remit of its statutory responsibilities.
Keyamo had inaugurated the committees made up of 20 people in each state which will be in charge of engaging 774,000 citizens in the special works programme.
Nigerians enlisted on the programme are expected to carry out public services such as street sweeping, waste disposal and the like. The programme is aimed at engaging young jobless citizens as well as providing a means of sustenance for them.


https://newscrystal.com.ng/buhari-ignores-national-assembly-asks-keyamo-to-proceed-with-774000-recruitment/

In 1990 when the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) was charged with the responsibility to eliminate the growing, processing, selling, exporting and trafficking of hard drugs, their sole target was the leaders of narcotics and money laundering organisations because they assumed that the ‘back end’ of the illegal drug business was funded by  wealthy and powerful people.

 Drug use was assumed to be an expensive habit that only the rich could afford so the NDLEA didn’t feel the need to look at the baseline user, the regular Nigerian who resides on the lower echelon of society; the high school students,  the sex worker, the public transport bus conductor, the corner street tout, after all “where would they get the means to pay for cocaine and heroin?” (or so they assumed). Little did we know that ‘drug abuse’ will re-introduce itself in what some people call the lesser drugs like  “cannabis’ and synthetic over- the -counter drugs that contain ‘codeine or Morphine ’ which could be purchased easily for the street value of as low as 100 and 500 naira a portion, decades later. 

A 2018 report by the United Nations Office On Drug and Crime (UNODC) on Drug Use Survey in Nigeria found out that an estimated 10.6 million people had used cannabis, 4.6 million people had used Opioids ( tramadol, codeine, or morphine) and 87,000 had used heroin in 2018 alone. The report also stated that drug abuse  was more common among those aged 25-39 years. 

The situation is getting worse by the day. During the 2020 International Day against Drug Abuse, the chairman of NDLEA said the agency seized 310 tons of Cannabis and 612,903 kg of other drugs in 2019.  In all 9,444 persons were arrested for drug abuse offenses and 1,995 convictions were recorded in the same year 2019. 

The  implication of rising addiction to drugs  is that the average Nigerian youth appears to have taken solace in alcohol and drug use over the last decade so that they can be desensitised to the numerous challenges they grapple with on a daily basis. Of course, one cannot lose sight of those that grew up abusing substances either because of the company they keep or the tendency to do crimes.

After the BBC Africa Eye expose in 2018 that led to a ban being placed on the importation and manufacture of drugs containing codeine, the estimated three million bottles  of codeine cough syrup drunk every day in two northern states resulting in psychosis and organ failure, exposed the nation’s systemic breakdown of the mental health of our young people who have lost faith in a political system that cannot guarantee them employment after school; where insecurity thrives, education standard is crashing , and merit is sacrificed for nepotism. 

How do we create an enabling environment where the political arena encourages leadership with character and competence? How do we change the mindsets that seek a position of leadership in order to promote themselves instead of the nation?

A young lady in her 30s whom I encountered recently in Lagos  loosely compared the effect of drug abuse or addiction with the abuse of power displayed blatantly by the people in government in the last 20 years in Nigeria. She postulates that whilst drug abuse is sometimes an unwilling choice to stem the effect of the helplessness  and hopelessness the average Nigerian feels at the deplorable state of the nation and the erosion of their sense of self-worth caused by the systemic corruption in leadership, our leaders’ abuse of power is the other side of the ‘bad penny’.

 Abuse of power in Nigeria, unlike abuse of drugs, is often a deliberate choice our leaders make that is set to induce that same helplessness with the hope that they can wield a narcissistic hold over Nigerian(s).  She went further to narrate a few shocking instances to support her case. How do you explain excessive indulgence in the perks of public office which has become addictive like drug abuse? According to her, it is probably one of the reasons why our politicians can go to any length to remain in public office forever simply because of addiction. Some  law enforcement agents such as Customs and Police Officers have become addicted to extortion before doing duties which they are mandated by law to do. This abuse of public office like abuse of drugs can be found amongst both the low and the high in society, she said.


 Shall we then say that power is like a drug that induces a nonchalance and recklessness in leadership, the brunt of which is borne by the people the holders have pledged to serve? In the case of Nigeria, the answer seems to be a resounding YES!!

Since the advent of the fourth Republic, the Nigerian political space has since evolved from being a closet of corrupt practices ensconced in Federal and State government -led projects to the blatant looting and racketeering by elected  and appointed leaders who siphon funds meant for developing different sectors into personal bank accounts both at home and abroad. 

Much like the misuse of drugs produces the pre-requisite numbness the ordinary Nigerian desires so they can pretend that the state of the nation is mildly functional, so also is the misuse of power in leadership that produces a selfishness in our political leaders that denigrates their mandate to serve Nigeria and Nigerians. The fact that this is commonplace, and is done with impunity, with little or no punitive measures to address it, inadvertently sets the stage for the continuous ‘Abuse of Power’. 

True leadership is service to the populace and relies greatly on the Character of a person and their level of Competence. It is believed that whereas competence can be learned prior to the job or even on the job; the true character of a leader is largely displayed when someone attains the level of power that gives him or her the opportunity to choose service above self.

In a democracy, one assumes that the elected members of the legislature are the aggregate representation of the thoughts and desires of the people in every constituency who are supposed to service the needs of their ‘separate people’ in consonance with the general good and unity of Nigeria within the ambits of law. 

However, what we see represented consistently is the disregard for the people on a constituency grassroot level and as such a disregard for the Nigerian people as a whole; this is Abuse of Power!  Our legislators do not bother to know what matters to us on any issue and what we will have them say on our behalf in the various legislative houses. Theatrics in legislative houses serves only one purpose; to feather the nests of the legislators.

 The judiciary, which is a sanctuary of sorts charged with the responsibility for interpretation of laws is not spared. We are seeing a rising number of judicial officers indicted and sanctioned for their ignorable role in desecrating the temple of justice simply because of addiction to filthy lucre. This is Abuse of Power! 

The executive arm of government which has over time tried to curb the strain and accusations of a corrupt system, has in its actions and inactions indicted itself. Its activities have had negative effect on other arms of government, and often times a few corrupt individuals within their ranks  have elevated abuse of office to an art. The turning of a blind eye to this executive recklessness is also Abuse of Power.

 This leads me to an inevitable question; does power intoxicate just as drugs do? Does the abuse of power induce a heightened mental and emotional state that leaves an individual reckless in his or her character, thereby ignoring the correctness or lack thereof of their choice? If the answer is yes to this  question, it behoves us to ask why the same system would indict young men and women who abuse drugs when we turn our eyes away from a leadership that abuses power? A system where leaders seek to cater for and project their selfish ambition whether it is for wealth, fame and ultimately power is one that at best has the tendency to err, a lack of integrity and a progressive abuse of power towards the people they are called to serve thereby creating a vicious circle that invites whomsoever desires to serve within it to compromise his or her fundamental values for fairness in order to be ‘invited to eat at the table’.

 The average Nigerian politician who may already be wealthy before attaining a position of leadership within the system, already has within his or her character a flaw that allows for compromise which sets the stage for the ultimate abuse of power when s/he is elected. 

How do we create an enabling environment where the political arena encourages leadership with character and competence? How do we change the mindsets that seek a position of leadership in order to promote themselves instead of the nation? How do we change the narrative from the abuse of power to giving power to leadership as a trust that should only be exercised for the good of Nigeria and Nigerians? I think that is the Question for the Present and Future.

•Dr Dakuku Peterside, former of NIMASA, can be reached via dakuku3@yahoo.com

July 11, 2020 Editor

The President, Citizens Quest for Truth Initiative, Oby Christy Ndukwe was at the just concluded two day Senate investigative public hearing on NDDC, not as observers, but as stakeholders, advocacy group that has taken a tour of NDDC states for the past two years. She spoke to journalists in the National Assembly after the hearing. Haruna Salami was there for Newsdiary Online. Excerpts.

https://newscrystal.com.ng/nddc-nass-ought-to-allow-buharis-forensic-audit-to-be-completed-first-oby-ndukwe/


“I think I can make bold to say that we are the only one that has gone round NDDC project sites in the past two years. If there is any group that has what it takes to make suggestions and recommendations, I think we actually do and not those that merely exist on papers and television manufacturing papers here and there. They have to back it up with physical evidence. We have them in audio and video too.

The invitation extended to us was to make our submission, which we did.

“Our findings on the alleged financial recklessness by the Interim Management Committee, IMC of the NDDC, for the past 19 years, the interventionist agency (NDDC) has not lived up to people’s expectations, but one will recall that when it started, it had to cope with the issue of youth restiveness and I think that was their major focus.

Now, that has been contained to a reasonable extent and we have moved from there to actual provision of infrastructural amenities. But we are saying we need to move beyond those one kilometre road repairs and begin to see mega projects, regional projects, presidential legacy projects. Unfortunately from our findings, those who are meant to oversight NDDC are involved in what major stakeholders, not just from the Niger , but from across the country see as problem. I have said it before on live TV, the richest civil servant in NDDC is from the North.

What we are saying is, it is not about the Niger Delta people alone. The President has said let us go for the forensic audit, let us find out what happened, why we didn’t get it right and from there we move to the next level.

When this call for a probe came for IMC, we said no, this will stall what they are doing at the forensic audit. We expected that they ought to have allowed the forensic audit for the 19 year period to take place first before we look at the six months of the IMC. So, nobody can actually say if the NDDC has mismanaged funds or not. Of course, there is malfeasance or whatever, but the only way you can find out is from the report of the forensic audit.

Even before we started Citizens Quest, as a journalist who is in the Niger Delta and who is from the region, with a burden in the past 25 years, I have sufficient evidence on the goings-on in the NDDC.

We came and made our submissions to the two houses based on the advert, but unfortunately, when we came here it looked like the whole setting was different from what they actually wanted. That notwithstanding, we were able to make it clear that this probe shouldn’t have been since there is a forensic audit of 19 years going on; that is a presidential order and you are doing a probe of six months.

“We are not in support of the probe pending when the forensic auditors complete their job. We saw people who came to the probe with all manner of papers, but they never said they went to the project sites to see things for themselves, to verify. Citizens Quest has gone round the project sites and can say over 90% of of IMC submissions are in order.

“I’m aware that even the two chairmen of Committees incharge of NDDC (Senate and House) are accused of being involved in the sleaze. How do you sit down to begin to probe someone else? You are probing a system you are accused, who is going to probe you? You don’t build a wall around yourself and say nobody is going to ask questions and you are ready to ask others questions. With due respect to the Senate President, he was able to bring other senators into the ad-hoc committee, I tell you the politics of PDP, APC still played out

The Acting Executive Director, Projects, Interim Management Committee, IMC of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Dr. Cairo Ojougboh has said that no single Kobo has been misapplied by the Committee since it came on board.

Speaking in Abuja Thursday when he appeared before the Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi ( APC, Ekiti North) led Ad-hoc Committee probing into alleged financial recklessness to the tune of N40 billion by the IMC, Ojougboh said senator Peter Nwaoboshi hijacked 1,000 out of 2,900 Emergency projects.

Ojougboh while addressing the Committee, accused both the Chairman, Senate Committee on Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Peter Nwaoboshi and his House of Representatives counterpart as the problem of the interventionist agency.

According to him, if they remain as chairmen of the Committees, Niger Delta region will never develop.


Hear him as he further explains!��



https://newscrystal.com.ng/edp-reveals-senator-who-hijacked-1000-jobs-from-nddc/

The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio has assured the National Assembly of his utmost cooperation in the ongoing probe of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).


Recall that the Senate is  probing  into alleged financial recklessness to the tune of N40 billion by the Interim Management Committee, IMC, of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC.
Against this backdrop, the Senate had set up six-man Ad-hoc Committee to carry out a holistic investigation into all issues relating to but not limited to the alleged misapplication and misappropriation of the sum of N40billion by the commission.

Appearing before the Senate Senate ad-hoc Committee on Thursday,  the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Mr. Olusade Adesola who stood in for the Minister  regretted the absence of the Minister due to circumstances beyond his control. 

Mr Adesola assured the Committee that the Minister held the Panel in high repute and would appear on any other date that the Committee would extend an invitation to him.

Speaking in Abuja Thursday when he appeared before the Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi ( APC, Ekiti North) led Ad-hoc Committee, the Executive Director, Projects, Dr Cairo Ojougboh said that since the interim management came on board, it has not awarded any contract, except the recent one of the Coronavirus, COVID-19  Pandemic where Palliatives were given to people.

According to Dr.Ojougboh  no single Kobo has been misapplied by the Committee since it came on board. The sitting was adjourned to Friday, July 10 when Senator Akpabio is expected to appear before the Committee.

N’Delta youths to Senator Abe: Don't link Amaechi with Rivers’ violence.

Angry Niger Delta youths have expressed dismay over the protracted political feuds orchestrated by Senator Magnus Abe, who on Wednesday at a press conference blamed supporters of the Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi of plot to unleash violence in Rivers state.
The former Senator for Rivers South-East Senatorial District, therefore, asked security agencies to arrest and prosecute the Minister’s supporters, wondering why no arrest had been made since a petition to that effect was sent the Police.
In a statement made available in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom state capital, after their emergency meeting on Thursday, the angry youths warned Abe to desist from stoking the embers of violence in Rivers state, saying “such remark is unbecoming of a former Senator”.
Under the aegis of Concerned APC Youths (CAY) and the Progressives Grassroots Forum (PGRF), the groups reminded Senator Abe of several Amaechi’s benevolence to him including the Executive pardon granted him by then governor Amaechi,    when Abe’s boys attacked the Rivers’ Government House and vandalized the main entrance gate.
Speaking in an interview, the Spokesman of the groups, Comrade Ramsey Kpobari, said: “Senator Abe has forgotten how Amaechi saved him during the Ogoni Day celebration in Bori, headquarters of Ogoni”, noting that the allegation “is a mere diversionary tactic to attract sympathy from the Appeal Court concerning his case with Isaac Ogbobula.
The youths, who alleged Abe’s meddlesomeness in the gruesome murder of his kinsman, the late environmental rights activist, Ken Saro Wiwa, warned that “we will stop at nothing to expose your evil intention in Rivers if you continue with your betrayal antics”.
"We challenge Senator Abe to look at his records and tell Rivers' people how many youths he had empowered since he became the state Assembly member since 1999.
"We can recall that the statement by Senator Abe when the going was good when he said his is the greatest investment Rt Hon Chibuike Amaechi The Minister of Transportation made in politics, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi.
"He is always very fond of criticizing Amaechi and forget about the Minister's roles in his life and that of his family. Abe had openly confessed that he is one of the major beneficiaries of the Amaechi's influence in politics, but we don't understand why he is always on the war path with his political benefactor",

Edo 2020: Saraki, Senator Nazif, Other PDP Leaders Fingered in Plot to Rig Election for Obaseki


Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki and others are piling immense pressure on the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, to help them ‘deliver’ the state for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).


This was contained in a 'Sahara Reporters' report alleging that Saraki and other leaders of the PDP have perfected plans to rig the forthcoming Edo governorship election in favour of the party.


The online news agency alleged that Saraki reached out to the INEC Chairman through the PDP Deputy National Chairman (North), Suleiman Nazif, on how the election can be rigged in favour of the party.


Recall that senator Nazif was elected on the platform of the APC in 2015 from Bauchi, but was one of those who sided with Saraki and decamped with him to PDP in July 2019.


Senator Nazif was also the chairman of the Senate Committee on INEC in the 8th assembly, and was involved in several attempts to change the sequence of elections in February 2018 through a controversial amendment which pro Buhari legislators insisted was targeted at sabotaging the president's reelection.


Recall also that Senator Nazif was accused of deliberately withholding INEC's budget passage in the run up to the 2019 elections as a form of strong arming the Commission to accept his controversial electoral amendments, which the president had vetoed.


Senator Nazif was widely regarded as former Senate President Saraki's pointsman in dealing with INEC during the 8th assembly. After decamping to PDP in July, he ran in the 2019 elections but lost his seat. He was thereafter rewarded by his benefactor, Bukola Saraki - who had been made National Leader of the PDP - with the Vice Chairman position.


According to a Sahara Reporters source, despite the immense pressure by the PDP stalwarts, Prof Yakubu is insisting that he won’t be involved in the manipulation of results to favour any party.


"The INEC Chairman has told them that only the will of the people will prevail and that he has no such powers to rig elections, especially with the technology and innovations in place. He told them that he has never rigged elections and is not going to start now.


"Senator Suleiman Nazif, a former Senate Committee Chairman on INEC, has been sent to him by Bukola Saraki on several occasions but he maintained that he can’t get himself involved,” the source said.


Incumbent governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, is seeking a second term in office on the platform of the PDP after he was disqualified from contesting on the platform of the All Progressives Congress.


Edo 2020: Saraki, Senator Nazif, Other PDP Leaders Fingered in Plot to Rig Election for Obaseki


Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki and others are piling immense pressure on the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, to help them ‘deliver’ the state for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).


This was contained in a 'Sahara Reporters' report alleging that Saraki and other leaders of the PDP have perfected plans to rig the forthcoming Edo governorship election in favour of the party.


The online news agency alleged that Saraki reached out to the INEC Chairman through the PDP Deputy National Chairman (North), Suleiman Nazif, on how the election can be rigged in favour of the party.


Recall that Nazif was elected on the platform of the APC in 2015 from Bauchi, but was one of those who sided with Saraki and decamped with him to PDP in July 2018.


Nazif was also the chairman of the Senate Committee on INEC in the 8th assembly, and was involved in several attempts to change the sequence of elections in February 2018 through a controversial amendment which pro Buhari legislators insisted was targeted at sabotaging the president's reelection.


Recall also that Senator Nazif was accused of deliberately withholding INEC's budget passage in the run up to the 2019 elections as a form of strong arming the Commission to accept his controversial electoral amendments, which the president had vetoed.


Senator Nazif was widely regarded as former Senate President Saraki's pointsman in dealing with INEC during the 8th assembly. After decamping to PDP in July, he ran in the 2019 elections but lost his seat. He was thereafter rewarded by his benefactor, Bukola Saraki - who had been made National Leader of the PDP - with the Vice Chairman position.


According to a Sahara Reporters source, despite the immense pressure by the PDP stalwarts, Prof Yakubu is insisting that he won’t be involved in the manipulation of results to favour any party.


"The INEC Chairman has told them that only the will of the people will prevail and that he has no such powers to rig elections, especially with the technology and innovations in place. He told them that he has never rigged elections and is not going to start now.


"Senator Suleiman Nazif, a former Senate Committee Chairman on INEC, has been sent to him by Bukola Saraki on several occasions but he maintained that he can’t get himself involved,” the source said.

The Edo election is seen by many as a two horse race between Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the APC and the incumbent, Godwin Obaseki, who is seeking a second term in office on the platform of the PDP after he was disqualified from contesting on the platform of the All Progressives Congress.

BREAKING:

ABE FINGERED AS AGGRIEVED APC MEMBER SUES APC, VICTOR GIADOM, APC NATIONAL CARETAKER COMMITTEE AND INEC REGARDING THE NEC HELD ON THE 25th OF JUNE 2020.

A group in the All Progressives Congress, APC known as Progressives Conscience Forum, (PCF) led by its Coordinator, Comrade Danladi Wammako from Sokoto State has fingered the Former Senator Representing Rivers South East Senatorial District, Sen Magnus Abe in a suit filed by a member of the All Preogressives Congress, APC.

Recall that a loyalist of Sen Magnus Abe who was part of the dissolved NWC and former Attorney General of Rivers State was part of those who were later admitted to the NWC.

Reports have it that the Senator and his loyalists are not happy over the
dissolution and the former Attorney General has been instrumental to the legal processes in this suit.

The matter has been transferred to the CJ of the FHC for reassignment as Justice Liman declined to hear that matter as the learned Jsutice insisted the matter be heard at Abuja where the Defendants reside.

Igo Aguma's failed plot to jail Rivers State APC CTC chairman and Sen Andrew Uchendu:

The State High Court presided over by Hon Justice George Omereji on 6, June 2020, declared Hon Igo Aguma as CTC chairman of Rivers State APC with other statutory members of the State Executive Committee as  automatic members.

The statutory members in total obedience and abiding by the order of Justice Omereji allowed Hon Igo administer the party as CTC chairman.

Unfortunately, Hon Igo carried on as a sole administrator, suo moto taking decisions including taking actions frowned at by the constitution of the APC.

Consequently, an overwhelming majority of members of the SEC decided that there was need to halt the the downward drift of the party as supervised by Hon Igo.

Igo Aguma was summarily suspened and a new caretaker leadership chaired by Hon Dr Sokonte Davies, a seasoned administrator cum politician was appointed in addition to other experienced personalities.

Again, In gross disobedience to decisions which include; *withdrawal of all pending suits against the party,* reached at the National Executive Committee NEC meeting of the APC held on 25, June 2020, Hon Igo approached the same court praying it to summon and summarily remand the duo of Hon Dr Sokonte Davies, CTC chairman Rivers State APC and Sen  Andrew Uchendu for alledged ontempt.

Counsel to Dr Davies and the APC argued that the matter came up for hearing yesterday at the court of Appeal and adjourned to 8th July, 2020 for hearing, stressing that it will be proper for the court to stay proceedings pending the outcome of appeal.

The court after hearing from both counsels adjourned the case to 20th July, 2020 for hearing.


https://newscrystal.com.ng/your-case-not-ripe-for-hearing-court-tells-igo-aguma/

Crystal News

*Tumsa, Kareto Chairs APC Ondo Governorship Aspirants Screening, Appeal Committees*

The Governor Mai Mala Buni-chaired Caretaker/Extra-Ordinary National Convention Planning Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has appointed the Party's former interim National Secretary, Alhaji Tijjani Musa Tumsa to chair the Party's screening committee for Ondo State governorship aspirants.

Alh. Umar Lawan-Kareto will chair the Screening Appeal committee.

*Screening Committee*
Alh. Tijjani Musa Tumsa *Chairman*
Solomon Johnny
Ayobami Oyalowo
Princess Gloria Akumbomdu
Rt. Hon. Eugine Udo
Barr. Usman Dalhatu
Amb. Fati Bala
Prof. Okay Onyejekwe
Prof. Shehu Adamaraji *Secretary*

*Screening Appeal Committee*
Alh. Umar Lawan-Kareto *Chairman*
Hon. Ibrahim Ebbo
Maj. Gen. Christian O. Ogwo (Rtd.)
Alh. Danladi Chambas, Imabong Ubo
Barr. Odeh Sam
Prof. Mojeed Alabi
Rt. Hon. Opeyemi Ajayi
Senator Andrew Uchendu *Secretary*

The Screening and Appeal committees will be inaugurated at the APC National Secretariat on Tuesday 7th July, 2020 by 2pm.

https://newscrystal.com.ng/andrew-uchendu-ayobami-makes-ondo-apc-gubernatorial-committee/

SIGNED:
*Yekini Nabena*
Deputy National Publicity Secretary
All Progressives Congress (APC)

Plot to discredit, smear Amaechi exposed

Minister of Transportation, Rt Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has called out an unnamed group plotting to tarnish his image by alleging he has a phantom interest in a court case involving the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State.

Amaechi raised the alarm in a statement by his media office, Friday, warning that no one should drag his name into any court matter involving the APC in Rivers or anywhere else as he is not involve in any APC court matter.

The statement read, “We are aware of plots by a group attempting to muddle the name of the Honourable Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi by dragging him into an ongoing court case involving the All Progressives Congress, APC in Rivers State.

“The group has perfected plans to rubbish Amaechi’s image by falsely claiming that he(Amaechi) plans to influence the outcome of the said court matter.

“We want to clearly state that the Honourable minister is not in court with anybody or any matter relating to the APC. He is in no way involved in any case whatsoever with the APC in Rivers or any other individual or entity in relation to the party.

“The individuals or group pushing this patently false, ill conceived narrative about the honourable minister are by this statement warned to immediately desist from their evil plot. We are unaware of their sponsors and paymasters. We will shame them publicly in due time if they don't put a stop to their nefarious, ungodly, treacherous plans.

“Let us restate that the Honourable Minister, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi is not a defendant or respondent in any matter in court relating to the APC whether in Rivers State or anywhere else,” the statement noted.

Amaechi has repeatedly said that for now, he is concentrating on his work at the Ministry of Transportation And not politics.

CHIBUIKE ROTIMI AMAECHI MEDIA OFFICE
JULY 3, 2020

https://newscrystal.com.ng/rivers-apc-im-not-in-court-with-anybody-or-any-matter-relating-to-the-apc-amaechi/

Crystal News

The All Progressives Congress, APC, in Rivers State has suspended Igo Aguma from acting as Chairman of the party in the state, Aguma’s Suspension was carried out by 28 out of 38 members of the State Executive Committee. Read details of the press conference that suspended him below.
Rivers SEC members.
“TEXT OF PRESS CONFERENCE OF THE STATUTORY MEMBERS OF THE RIVERS STATE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, ALL PROGRESSIVES CONGRESS, APC, THIS 22ND DAY OF JUNE, 2020.

RESOLUTIONS:

Gentlemen of the Press,

INTRODUCTION

The Rivers State Chapter of the All Progressive Congress has been enmeshed in crisis for some time now, making it nigh impossible to conduct its affairs.

Following suit No. PHC/4355/2019 filed by Hon. Igochukwu Aguma in his capacity as a Statutory Member of the State Executive Committee, APC Rivers State Chapter, Hon. Justice G.O. Omereji of the High Court of Rivers State entered a judgment in which the judge made an Order directing the 2nd and 3rd Defendants to within 48 hours of the making thereof constitute a fresh Caretaker Committee incorporating the Claimant as the Chairman and all Statutory members as Members in furtherance of the constitution of the 2nd Defendant failure of which Statutory Members comprise the Caretaker Committee chaired by the Claimant in furtherance of the All Progressive Congress’s Constitution.

By the above quoted Order of the High Court of Rivers State, it is clear that the Court constituted the entire Members of the State Executive Committee into the leadership of the Party with Hon. Igochuchukwu Aguma as Chairman.

Article 26 of the Constitution of the All Progressives Congress 2014 (as Amended), is clear that the Quorum for a meeting of the State Executive Committee, as applicable in this case to the total number of statutory members as unambiguously defined by the Party’s Constitution, shall be by one-third majority. For the avoidance of doubt, the Statutory Members of the State Executive Committee of our great Party in Rivers State are thirty eight (38).

2.00. CRUX OF THE MATTER

2.01. Upon obtaining judgment at the High Court of Rivers State in Suit Number PHC/4355/2019, Hon. Igochukwu Aguma in violent disobedience, disregard and disrespect to the said judgment constituted himself into a sole administrator, relegating, abandoning and disregarding majority of the Statutory Members of the State Executive Committee and taking critical decisions that affect the Party all by himself.
2.02. Hon. Igochukwu Aguma, in disobedience of the Judgment which he obtained, called a Meeting of the Statutory members of the State Executive Committee on 14th June, 2020 via zoom platform and deliberately refused to give the user Identity Cards and password Numbers for the Meeting to majority of the Statutory Members of the State Executive Committee, thereby shutting them out of the Meeting.

Even when he managed to send the user ID and Password to some persons, he made sure he sent same after the Meeting had been concluded.

2.03. Hon. Igochukwu Aguma, has by his deliberate actions and inactions festered the crisis in the Party rather than take steps to abate same and this has worsened the situation and condition of our great Party.

2.04. Without authorization from the Statutory Members of the State Executive Committee, Hon. Igochukwu Aguma, has been operating from his private residence, deliberately refusing to operate from the State Secretariat of the Party and this is against the advice of Majority of the Statutory Members of the State Executive Committee.

2.05 Without seeking approval of the State Executive Committee, which approval can only be given by a Majority decision at a proper Meeting of the Statutory Members of the State Executive Committee in accordance with Article 25(F)(xi)(a) of the APC Constitution, 2014 (As Amended), Hon. Igochukwu Aguma filed an action through his proxies (Dele Moses and others) at the High Court of Rivers State against the All Progressives Congress on the basis of which interim order granted by the court he is purporting to have removed Chief Victor Giadom, a Rivers State indigene, from office as a National Officer of the Party and brazenly purported to have suspended Chief Victor Giadom from being a Member of the Party. These are powers Igo Aguma does not have.

2.06. Also without the authorization of the Statutory Members of the State Executive Committee, Hon. Igochukwu Aguma purportedly nominated Mr. Worgu Boms to replace Chief Victor Giadom as a National Officer of the Party, which powers again he does not have.
2.07. The zoom Meeting of the Statutory Members of the Executive Committee called by Hon. Igochukwu Aguma did not have the required quorum under Article 26 of our Party’s Constitution and so are not valid and lawful meetings of the Party that can reach decisions that would bind the Party.

3.00 OUR RESOLUTION

3.01. Following from the above chronicled sundry actions and inactions of Hon. Igochukwu Aguma which are in total contempt of the judgment he got, 28 out of the 38 Statutory Members of the State Executive Committee, having clearly formed a quorum under Article 26 of All Progressives Congress Constitution, met on Monday, 22nd June, 2020 and after thoroughly, painstakingly and dispassionately reviewing the actions and inactions of Hon. Igochukwu Aguma vis-a-vis the festering crisis in the Party, hereby reach the following resolution:

That the judgment of Hon. Justice G. O. Omereji in PHC/4355/2019 did not constitute Hon. Igochukwu Aguma into a sole administrator for the Party. Rather, the judgment clearly constituted the Statutory Members of the State Executive Committee into a Caretaker Committee.
That to give effect to the above said judgment, every Statutory Member of the State Executive Committee is a Member of the said Caretaker Committee and must be part of the decision making process of the River State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress and every such decision must be by majority vote after quorum has been formed.
That Hon. Igochukwu Aguma is hereby suspended as Chairman of the Caretaker Committee of the All Progressives Congress, Rivers State Chapter. This is pursuant to the powers of discipline vested in the State Executive Committee under Article 21 of the Constitution of the All Progressives Congress 2014 (as Amended) which states that “Subject to the provisions of this ARTICLE and the right to fair hearing, the PARTY shall have the power to discipline Party Members. The power shall be exercised on behalf of the Party by the respective Executive Committee of the Party at all levels”.
That Rt. Hon. Sokonte Davies has been selected by majority vote at this meeting to lead the Caretaker Committee of the All Progressives Congress, Rivers State Chapter pending the conduct of fresh Congresses to fill the vacant positions in the organs of the party at all levels. This selection is made with full regard to the comportment, intellectual capacity, party management experience and temperament to manage a political party and her varied tendencies and ranking traditions of Parliament from where the majority of us as statutory members draw our membership of this State Executive Committee as provided for in the APC Constitution 2014 (as Amended). We emphasize that the emergence of Hon. Dr. Sokonte Davies as Caretaker Chairman from this meeting is takes full cognisance of the duty before us and, particularly, the ranking elders of the party in the State such as Senator Uchendu; His Excellency, Chief Rufus Ada George, former Governor of Rivers State who is in the United States at the moment and unable to return due to the COVID-19 pandemic; His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, former Governor of Rivers State and a serving Minister of Transportation of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; and Dr. Sam Sam Jaja, Member of the APC Board of Trustees from Rivers State under Article 32 of the APC Constitution.
That all actions taken by Hon. Igochukwu Aguma purportedly in the name of the All Progressives Congress, Rivers State Chapter do not bind the Party, being actions taken contrary to the provisions of Article 26 of the APC Constitution and the Judgement in PHC/4355/2019.
That henceforth, all actions taken by Hon. Igochukwu Aguma in the name of the Rivers State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress shall not bind the Party, Hon. Aguma having been suspended.
That a Committee shall be set up to investigate the sundry activities of Hon. Igochukwu Aguma which border on contempt of Court and anti-party activities in flagrant violation of provisions of the APC Constitution 2014 (as Amended) and punishable under Article 21 thereof.
Henceforth, all correspondences meant for the Rivers State Chapter of the All Progressives Congresses should be directed to the Rt. Hon. Sokonte Davies. Thank You and God Bless You.”


https://newscrystal.com.ng/rivers-apc-sec-suspends-igo-aguma-names-sokonte-party-chairman/

Victor Giadom Writes INEC, Says No Party Primaries Planned For Edo On Monday June 22

By Kemi Kasumu

In further exercisation of his powers as Acting National Chairman (ANC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Victor Giadom, has written a second letter to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) strongly informing the electoral umpire that there has been no governorship primary election scheduled to hold in Edo State on Monday June 22, 2020.

The INEC is allowed by the law to recognise and act on communications from national chairman of political parties. Earlier, such communications by Adams Oshiomhole had been nullified and voided by the Court of Appeal Abuja, which upheld March ruling of FCT Hugh Court suspending him as member and national chairman of the APC and specifically appointed Victor Giadom being the most senior in party hyrarchy as acting national secretary as at the time to take act as national chairman.

Chief Giadom has since notified the INEC on this latest development following his resumption at the party’s national Secretariat in Abuja.

In the second letter, dated Thursday June 18, 2020 boldly titled “No APC gubernatorial primary committee has been inaugurated for Edo State and no primaries planned for Monday June 22, 2020”, Chief Giadom said his leadership’s attention had been drawn to activities of some people including Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State to conduct party primaries in Edo State on Monday June 22.

He said neither was such plan or arrangement known to him or authorised by him as Acting National Chairman and such, that the INEC should not give its support or monitoring to them.

The letter addressed to the INEC Chairman said: “Reports reaching me is that some persons have perfected plans to conduct direct gubernatorial primaries for our great party in Edo State next week under the purported chairmanship of His Excellency Governor Hope Uzodinma on Monday, June 22, 2020.

“Kindly note that as the Acting Chairman of our party, I did not authorize such a committee, neither have I inaugurated one. The earlier announced date for the primaries that is June 22, 2020, has been postponed.

“You are therefore advised not to give any support to any such committee or to monitor any such primaries. A new date for the primaries would be communicated to you soonest. We regret the inconvenience this might cause your commission.

“A copy of this letter is being sent to the relevant law enforcement agencies and the Chairman of Edo State APC, Mr. Anselm Ojezua for their information and necessary actions,” Giadom said


https://newscrystal.com.ng/victor-giadom-writes-inec-says-no-party-primaries-planned-for-edo-on-monday-june-22/

Crystal News

In your video, you said to Amaechi, "YOU THINK YOU ARE SAFE BECAUSE YOU HAVE ESCAPED..."

This particular line gave you out and exposed your ties with the marauding killers in the North.

If Chibuike Amaechi receives any scratch, you and all you represent will surely hear from his people.
Amaechi is no small fry you can kill to prove that there is insecurity in Nigeria.

It's beyond that!

TITOPE:
Bill Gates has been unseated as the second richest man in the world, losing the position to Bernard Arnault, the chairman and CEO of LVMH.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that in the latest ranking by Bloomberg’s Billionaires Index, Arnault is in second place with Jeff Bezos still retaining the first place.

Arnault and his family are the majority owners of Christian Dior and LVMH, parent of such brands as Louis Vuitton, Celine, Fendi, Moët, Hennessy, Dom Pérignon, and others.

As LVMH’s share price has soared in 2019, so has Arnault’s worth. It now stands at about $107.6 billion, more than $200 million ahead of Gates, Bloomberg estimates.

The report also stated that Gates would had been ranked the richest person, even ahead of Bezos if not for his philanthropic giveaways which gave Arnault more room to climb.

The French entrepreneur entered the luxury industry in 1984, when he bought Boussac, a textile empire in the midst of bankruptcy that owned Dior.

The famed label by then had deteriorated by licensing its name out to companies producing sub-par products.

Arnault set about reviving it, turning it into a vertically integrated company that did its own production, distribution, and marketing.

He went on to buy up other brands, such as Céline, and in 1988 engineered the deal that made him the majority shareholder of LVMH.

Forbes currently ranks Dior as the world’s largest fashion brand based on sales, profits, assets, and market value.

Meanwhile, LVMH on the whole, keeps attracting customers around the world, with China being the latest highly profitable frontier.


http://www.titopeblog.com/2019/07/bill-gates-loses-worlds-second-richest.html

Where is my own number sef

Why should this make me wanna get married?

Am confident
God will make buhari president till 2023

yazach:
http://www.tribuneonlineng.com/2019-only-god-can-say-who-wins-election-%E2%80%95buhari/

POST UTME FORM FOR RIVERS STATE UNIVERSITY ASPIRANTS WHO SCORED FROM 150 AND ABOVE IN JAMB. CALL ME ON 08177595230 FOR MORE INFO

sunshineV:

THis niqqa is ready for the biafra war! BSS

stephanie11:
http://politicsngr.com/2017/08/22/just-buhari-orders-military-chiefs-deal-ipob-secret-army/

THis nmandi kanu has made this whole biafra struggle look like boko haram, to me nmandi kanu is a terrorist.

CROWNWEALTH019:
Criminal man of devil that sold our country to the northerners using his stooge osibanjo and occultic pastor...



Very sure he's gonna will the church to his children

iyaf told you to stop smoking that leaf, now see what you've caused..... ur brain is now on auto-mumu

Amaechi should be his vice

https://i.imgflip.com/4c1pa.jpg

CHAI, they have come again o

LUGBE:
Can someone tell this man to shot up his gutter mouth

I don't blame you, i blame Jonathan

YOU should shut up first

aolawale025:
Wike did. And you pulled all stops to avoid probe. Hope this man don't take Nigerians for fools

WIKE did what? two years leta he hasn't been arrested, wike is only shouting without facts

danieljoel759:
The governor is not smiling at all. Governor wike just delivered this very funny speech, and it is sure that he is ready for his enemies
see video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGPHGNHu71c

this man is rivers worst governor, dakuku would av done beta than amaechi

Even the priest won't attend tommorow
;DEven the priest won't attend tommorow